TUSKERS AT WORK.
We have seen how the elephant is trapped, glanced at it in confinement,
and now come to the question of its actual value; in other words, how
it is utilized by man. The simplest answer to this would be, that the
elephant is a patient and faithful servant, quick to oblige, and, though
not the most valuable of all animals as a helpmate to man, it certainly
stands first in this respect in India.
In the chapter on elephant intelligence, the traits of the great animal
are dwelt upon; and it is its quickness to obey orders, the celerity with
which it seems to understand them, its great strength and docility, which
make it so valuable. There is hardly any service in India, requiring
heavy work, in which the elephant is not employed. All the native nobles
keep large herds of them, and in early times the numbers employed for
simple purposes of show were remarkable.
The tuskers are valued the most; as with their stout tusks they lift
lumber, and do much heavy labor, the trunk being used less than is
generally supposed. In lifting a heavy burden by a rope, the male
elephant does not haul by its trunk, but places it over one tusk, and
takes the end with its teeth, and thus has a purchase that the female,
who relies upon her teeth alone, does not possess. Long tusks are not
necessary; in fact, in confinement they are cut once a year at least, to
prevent the animals from injuring themselves. This operation is performed
by making the animal lie down in the water, and sawing the tusk off;
the rule being, according to Sanderson, to measure from the eyes to the
insertion of the tusk in the lip; this length measured from the latter
point along the tusk, will give the spot where it should be cut. In young
animals, a little more should be allowed; as the above measurement may
approach to nearly the medullary pulp of the tusk.
Before the introduction of the railway in India, the elephant was used
entirely to transport troops. Both male and female are now employed as
laborers. In hunting, the tuskers are chiefly selected, on account of
their superior courage; and in following the tiger in India, they are
almost invariably of great value, especially in Bengal, where the places
frequented by this animal are often covered by high grass. In these
hunts, only elephants whose courage has been tested are used, the hunters
riding in the howdah upon their backs.
There is danger, however, in having an elephant which is too courageous.
Such a one will, if not under perfect control, become enraged at the very
sight of a tiger, and charge it, often with lamentable results to the
hunters in the howdah, who are liable to be shaken out, and crushed to
death. In 1876, at Dacca, an elephant acted in this way. A gentleman had
taken his courageous wife on a tiger-hunt, both being in the howdah on a
female elephant. Suddenly a large tigress ran across an open place; and
the elephant, despite the commands of the mahout, charged immediately,
under the influence of terror and excitement, or rage. The hunter fired,
and rolled the tigress over in front of the elephant, who began to
kick at the prostrate brute, who, in turn, grasped the hind-leg of the
elephant, and scratched, bit, and pulled with such vehemence that the
elephant was fairly pulled over upon it, fortunately killing the tigress
instantly.
When the elephant went down, the sportsman was thrown violently out, his
rifle flying in another direction, and going off, fortunately without
damage to any one. His wife managed to retain her place, and was safely
helped out by her husband, both running to another elephant, and so
escaping without harm.
This calls to mind the method of an English major, also a reputed famous
hunter of former days. It is said that he had killed twelve hundred
elephants in his time. He made a wager that he could kill two of these
animals at one shot, and won, by shooting a female so that it fell upon
its calf and killed it.
The elephant, as we have seen, is very solicitous of its trunk, and, when
attacked by a tiger, holds it high in air; and if by any accident this
member is injured, the mahout sometimes loses command. Mr. Williamson
thus describes such an occurrence which happened to two officers of the
Bengal army:—
“They had been in the habit of killing tigers with only one elephant,
on which being mounted, they one day roused a tiger of a very fierce
disposition. The animal, after doing some mischief among the dogs, which
baited him very courageously, at length darted at the elephant’s head,
and, though foiled in the attempt to get upon it, nevertheless scratched
her trunk severely. No sooner did she feel the tiger’s claws penetrating
her proboscis, than she turned round, and set off at full speed, roaring
most vehemently. She seemed to have lost her senses, and to be bent on
mischief; for whenever she saw a living object, she pursued it, totally
heedless of the mahout’s endeavors to guide or restrain her. She was at
length, by fatigue and management, brought into a governable state; but
she was spoiled for tiger-hunting.”
The same author chronicles a narrow escape for both elephant and riders
from a tiger:—
“The tiger had satiated himself upon a bullock he had killed, and lay
lurking in the grass,—which was as high as the backs of the elephants,
and very thick,—not far from the remains of the bullock. He was extremely
cunning, and crouched so close as to render it, for a long time, doubtful
whether he was in the jungle, or not. The symptoms displayed by the
elephants, on approaching the place where he lay concealed, induced
the party to persevere in their efforts to rouse him. One gentleman,
particularly, urged his mahout to make his elephant beat the spot where
the scent was strongest; which being done, in spite of the tremendous
tones of the agitated animal, the tiger, finding himself compelled
either to resist, or to submit to being trodden upon, sprang upon the
elephant’s quarter, and so far succeeded as to fix his claws in the pad;
his hind-legs were somewhat spread, and their claws were fixed into the
fleshy membranes of the elephant’s thigh. Actuated by the excess of
fear, occasioned by so sudden and so painful an attack, the elephant
dashed through the cover at a surprising rate; the tiger holding fast
by its fore-paws, and supported by its hinder ones, unable, however,
in consequence of the rapid and irregular motions of the elephant,
either to raise himself any higher, or to quit the hold he had so firmly
taken with his claws. The gentleman, who had much ado to keep his seat,
was precluded from firing at his grim companion, as well from his
unprecedented situation, as from the great danger of wounding some of
the numerous followers, who were exerting the utmost speed of their
respective elephants to come up to his assistance. The constant desire
felt by the elephant to get rid of his unwelcome rider, which produced
a waving and irregular pace, gave the opportunity for those who were
mounted on light and speedy animals to overtake the singular fugitives.
Another gentleman of the party, coming up close, was enabled to choose
his position; when, taking a safe aim, he shot the tiger, which fell to
the ground, and required no further operations.”
An elephant has been known to fling a tiger twenty feet through the air,
and well-trained animals will catch a leaping tiger upon its tusks.
This, however, is rarely done, perhaps from lack of opportunity. Much
preparation is required in training an elephant for tiger-hunting. A
stuffed skin is generally thrown to them, and they are taught to kneel
and crush it; and, when thoroughly familiar with the appearance of the
big cat through the dummy, they are taken into the field.
In India the elephant has often been used as a public executioner.
Shah-Jehan terrified the Portuguese at Hoogly some years ago by
announcing, that, if they did not renounce the Christian faith, he would
throw them beneath his elephants’ feet. Knox, in his account of Ceylon,
states that “the king makes use of them for executioners,” and that the
animals would run their tusks through the bodies of the victims at the
word of command. These elephant executioners were provided with sharp
iron spikes with a socket with three edges, which at such times were
fitted upon their tusks. This custom was kept up until the British
conquered the island.
Bishop Heber says, “I preached, administered the sacrament, and confirmed
twenty-six young people, in the audience-hall of the late King of Kandy,
which now serves as a church. Here, twelve years ago, this man, who was a
dreadful tyrant, and lost his throne in consequence of a large party of
his subjects applying to Gen. Brownrigge for protection, used, as we were
told, to sit in state to see those whom he had condemned trodden to death
and tortured by elephants trained for the purpose.”
In very early times the elephant formed an equally important factor
in the hunt. Marco Polo has recorded the manner of the Grand Khan’s
proceeding to the sport:—
“On account of the narrowness of the passes in some parts of the country
where his Majesty follows the chase, he is borne upon two elephants only,
or sometimes a single one, being more convenient than a greater number.
But, under other circumstances, he makes use of four, upon the backs of
which is placed a pavilion of wood, handsomely carved, the inside being
lined with cloth of gold, and the outside covered with the skins of
lions,—a mode of conveyance which is rendered necessary to him during his
hunting excursions, in consequence of the gout, with which his Majesty
is troubled. In the pavilion he always carries with him twelve of his
best gerfalcons, with twelve officers, from amongst his favorites, to
bear him company and amuse him. Those who are on horseback by his side
give him notice of the approach of cranes, or other birds, upon which he
raises the curtain of the pavilion, and, when he espies the game, gives
direction for letting fly the gerfalcons, which seize the cranes, and
overpower them after a long struggle. The view of this sport, as he lies
upon his couch, affords extreme satisfaction to his Majesty.”
[Illustration: PLATE XV.
ELEPHANT CARRYING LOGS.
_Page 195._]
The Nawaub of Oude, Vizier Ally, or Asoplul-Doulah, who was elevated to
the throne through the British, was even more prodigal than the Grand
Khan:—
“He generally took the field in the month of March, accompanied by ten
thousand cavalry and as many infantry, and from seven to eight hundred
elephants. From forty to sixty thousand people followed the camp, with
grain and merchandise. When the vizier set out from his palace at
Lucknow, a line was formed with the prince in the centre, mounted on an
elephant, with two attendant elephants,—one carrying his state howdah,
the other his sporting howdah. A line of elephants was prolonged on each
side the prince, and was flanked at each extremity by the cavalry. The
immense cavalcade proceeded straight through the country, regardless
of the mischief that was a necessary consequence; the poor cultivators
running after the vizier, crying aloud for mercy. When any game was
started, a continual fire was kept up along the line; and, if a herd of
antelopes was discovered, the elephants halted, and the cavalry hemmed
them in, that his Highness and his courtiers might leisurely destroy
them. Proceeding in this manner by day, and halting in the evening at
appointed stations, where every luxury was prepared in sumptuous tents,
the army at length approached the Thibet Mountains, where tigers,
panthers, leopards, and buffaloes were to be found. An encampment being
formed, their sporting was continued for several weeks upon a grand and
formidable scale; and, mounted upon their elephants, the prince and his
nobles scoured the country in pursuit of the ferocious beasts that
destroyed the flocks and herds of the peasantry. The array of despotism
was here of some service, for the numbers of carnivorous animals that
were killed was generally in proportion to the magnitude of the force
employed against them.”
The curious uses to which elephants have been put are endless. An English
officer, who served in India, says, “I have myself seen the wife of a
mahout [for the followers often take their families with them to camp]
give a baby in charge of an elephant while she went on some business,
and have been highly amused in observing the sagacity and care of the
unwieldy nurse. The child, which, like most children, did not like to
lie still in one position, would, as soon as left to itself, begin
crawling about, in which exercise it would probably get among the legs
of the animal, or entangled in the branches of the trees on which he was
feeding; when the elephant would, in the most tender manner, disengage
his charge, either by lifting it out of the way with his trunk, or by
removing the impediments to its free progress. If the child had crawled
to such a distance as to verge upon the limits of his range [for the
animal was chained by the leg to a peg driven into the ground], he would
stretch out his trunk, and lift it back as gently as possible to the spot
whence it had started.”
M. D’Obsonville observed two elephants engaged in breaking down a wall
at the command of the mahouts, who stood by, imploring, ordering, and
coaxing by turns. The trunks of these animals were protected by leather
shields.
At Barrackpoor, there was an elephant in the early part of this century,
noted for its intelligence in working without a mahout. Once loaded
with parcels, it would enter the Ganges, swim across, and then unload
itself. Another elephant, who was kept near the fort at Trarancore, was
employed to carry out the treasure-boxes of the rájah of Trarancore. It
was totally unattended, and marched solemnly into the court-yard of the
fort, bearing a box, repeating this until all the boxes were piled up in
regular order.
It was reported in the press soon after Lord Dufferin had been
appointed viceroy to India, that he had been presented with an elephant
paper-cutter, which if true,—and it is not by any means improbable,—would
be one of the singular uses to which an elephant was ever put, and
perhaps the most expensive. As the story goes, the tusks of a fine young
elephant were beautifully carved into the shape of the huge paper-cutters
now so fashionable; and the animal itself was taught to take an uncut
pamphlet or book in its trunk, and cut the leaves.
The greatest practical value of the elephant is seen in their work as
laborers; and in hauling lumber they are especially of great service,
their great strength enabling them to haul logs from localities that are
ordinarily inaccessible. At Moulmien these huge laborers can often be
seen at work in the lumber-yards, and observers say that their power is
most advantageously employed where great exertion is required for a short
distance in a limited space of time.
In the above-mentioned yards they may be seen carrying huge timbers,
sometimes two or three animals engaged at one, exercising the greatest
care and exactitude in the work, and obeying the slightest sign of the
mahout. In lifting a heavy burden, the plank is edged or helped on to the
tusks with the trunk, which is then wound around to steady it, while all
the strain comes upon the tusks. (See Plate XIII.)
In hauling, a regular harness is employed, which consists of a leather
collar that goes about the neck; or sometimes a girth, a stout rope
ninety feet in length that fits behind the shoulders. To either of these
the dragging-rope is attached; and if it is strong, and the elephant has
not been frightened by frequent breakings, occasioned by the carelessness
of drivers, it will make the most extraordinary endeavors and exertions
to draw heavy loads, often bending forward so that its forehead almost
touches the ground.
When light timber is to be hauled, a rope is fastened to the end of the
log, and taken by the elephant between its teeth, and dragged along, the
end elevated from the ground.
Elephants are also harnessed to wagons just as horses. Travellers
through Bridgeport some years ago were entertained by seeing one of Mr.
Barnum’s elephants harnessed to a plough, but it is very likely that the
broad feet of the animal tramped down the earth about as fast as it was
loosened up.
At the elephant establishment at Dacca, two regular elephant carts are
used, to which are harnessed these animals, and employed in removing the
refuse about the stables.
While the elephant can carry a very heavy burden, it is exceedingly
susceptible to gall; almost every elephant in use, where great care
is not taken, having a sore back. The natives, not especially humane,
are apt to purposely neglect the animal, and allow its back to become
sore; as, if the elephant cannot be used, they are relieved from duty.
Sharp elephant owners prevent this by putting the attendants on half pay
for as many weeks or months as it takes the poor creatures to recover.
Elephants can be used in countries where a carriage would be impossible,
and can carry a greater load than can be packed on a large wagon; hence
they are highly valued in a rocky and rough country. In such a place,
a different gear is used from that already described. It consists of a
thick, soft-padded cloth that covers the entire back, hanging down half
way to the ground. Upon this the saddle fits, consisting of two large
pads or sacks, each about two and a half feet broad, and six feet in
length, and filled with a mass of dried grass or cocoanut fibre, so that
they are about a foot thick. They are connected by cross-pieces, so that
they fit one each side of the animals’ backbone, the skin of which is
thus protected from galling. Upon these pads another large one is placed,
and upon this the load is packed; so that the weight rests upon the ribs
on each side of the vertebræ, as the weight of a rider on horseback.
The weight that can be loaded on an elephant depends upon the size of
the animal. An ordinary elephant can carry half a ton continuously on a
level country, but in a hilly district seven hundred-weight is a good
load. Female elephants have been known to carry a pile of rice-bags,
weighing twenty-four hundred pounds, for a short distance; but the
regulation amount allowed by the Bengal commissariat is sixteen hundred
and forty pounds, exclusive of attendants, harness, chains, etc., which
is estimated at three hundred pounds extra.
The magnificent howdahs, or saddles, used by some of the rájahs are
extremely heavy. Thus, one of the silver state howdahs and trappings of
his excellency the viceroy weighs a little over half a ton; or, to be
more exact,—
CWT. LBS.
Howdah 6 1 22
Gold cloth 1 0 14
Punkahs, etc. 0 2 25
Ropes and gear 1 5 15
Elephants are often used, as we use saddle-horses, as steeds by European
officers in India; and a light, well-broken elephant has an easy motion
quite agreeable. The Meerga caste, or breed, from their long limbs, are
generally the fastest; while small calves are often employed, the rider
sitting astride as in horseback-riding. A large saddle and stirrup is
used; and in rough country, the little fellows are a welcome addition to
the travellers’ party.
Elephants are very sure-footed at their work, and, when going at full
speed, rarely stumble; if they do, they only go upon the knees. Like
horses, they will run away at times; and a bolting elephant is much more
to be dreaded than a bucking horse.
The Mysore officer in charge of elephants says, “I have felt, on the one
or two occasions which I have been on a bolting elephant, as a man might
feel if bestriding a runaway locomotive, and hooking the funnel with the
crook of his walking-stick to hold it in. It is a very difficult thing,”
he says, “to cure a confirmed bolter, as the habit has its origin in
fear; and the animal is always liable to be startled by unexpected sounds
or sights, chiefly the former. It is a rare trick, however; and I have
only known two elephants subject to it. One was a fine baggage animal,
but almost useless for jungle-work from tins trick. I, however, cured him
in the following way: I had a stout hoop of iron made with sharp spikes
on the inside, to encircle one of his hind-legs. This was kept in its
place round the leg by being suspended from the pad by a rope; and it
fitted the leg loosely, so as not to inconvenience the elephant except
when required to do so. To the ring was attached a chain fifteen feet
long, at the other end of which was a pickaxe’s head. This grappling
apparatus was slung to the pad by a small cord in a slip-knot, handy to
the mahout. If the elephant began to run, one pull freed it; and before
the anchor had been dragged many yards, it caught in the roots or bushes,
and brought the elephant up with such a twinge, that it soon began to
think twice before making off.”
The howdah is an ornamental covered saddle; though some resemble small
houses, and cost their owners vast sums of money. They are used on
state occasions, and in tiger-hunting. The motion is hard, and rather
unpleasant to the novice. Another saddle is called a chárjámá. It is
merely a broad board with cushions upon it, and footboards attached to
each side. There is a rail upon each end; and four persons sit upon it,
two on each side, back to back, somewhat after the fashion of a jaunting
car.
Riding-elephants will travel at about four miles an hour, while some
long-legged fellows will make five or more miles in this time. Wounded
elephants, as we have seen, sometimes make remarkable time.
Concerning the motion of elephants, Bishop Heber says,—
“At Barrackpoor, for the first time I mounted an elephant, the motion
of which I thought far from disagreeable, though very different from
that of a horse. As the animal moves both feet on the same side at
once, the sensation is like that of being carried on a man’s shoulders.
A full-grown elephant carries two persons in the howdah, besides the
mahout, who sits on his neck, and a servant on the crupper behind. The
howdah itself, which Europeans use, is not unlike the body of a small
gig, but without a head.”
Capt. Williamson says,—
“The gait of an elephant is very peculiar, being similar to the
artificial pace of ambling taught to some horses. It is far from
displeasing in a horse, but causes such a motion, when mounted on an
elephant, as rarely to be borne for any distance. Indeed, I know nothing
more uncomfortable and tedious, I may even say painful, than a long
journey in a howdah. It occasions a lassitude not to be described. We
must suppose that habit reconciles people to it; as we see the natives
travel, for perhaps twenty miles or more in a forenoon, without any
apparent uneasiness. The largest elephants are, in general, the most
uncomfortable in this respect.”
In mounting an elephant, the animal either kneels, or a ladder is used to
climb upon its back; while natives descend by means of a rope. Generally
a mahout, or professional driver, is employed to guide the elephant. Mr.
Crawford states, that in his time this was not always the practice in
Ava. He says,—
“After the elephant combats were over, the king prepared to take his
departure. His elephant, one of the noblest animals I have ever seen,
having the trunk, head, and part of the neck, of a white flesh-color, and
in other respects altogether perfect, was brought up close to the shed
under which we were sitting; and he mounted it with great agility, placed
himself upon the neck of the animal, took the hook in his hand, and
seemed to be perfectly at home in this employment. We afterwards saw the
heir-apparent, a child of thirteen years of age, guiding his elephant in
the same way. This practice is, I believe, peculiar to the Burmans; for,
in Western India at least, no person of condition ever condescends to
guide his own elephant. There is, at least, some manliness in the custom;
and I should not be surprised to find that the neck of the elephant
would be found, on experience, the most agreeable and easy seat to the
rider.”
The Emperor Akbar, in the same manner, rode every kind of elephant,
making them obedient to his command.
Timour’s elephant team is described by Sir John Mandeville as presenting
a remarkable appearance: “A chariot with four wheels, upon which is a
fair chamber of sweet-smelling lignum aloes, which is within covered
with plates of fine gold, dubbed with precious stones and great pearls,
and drawn by four elephants.” Jehanghir rode through the streets of his
capital on an elephant, followed by “twenty royal elephants for his own
ascending, so rich, that in precious stones and furniture they braved the
sun.”
The famous tree-mound of Kublai Khan was built by the aid of elephants.
“Not far from the palace,” says an old writer, “on the northern side, and
about a bow-shot distance from the surrounding wall, is an artificial
mound of earth, the height of which is full an hundred paces, and the
circuit at the base about a mile. It is clothed with the most beautiful
evergreen-trees: for, whenever his majesty receives information of a
handsome tree growing in any place, he causes it to be dug up; however
large and heavy it may be, he has it transported by elephants to this
mount.”
When Timour built his great mosque at Samarcand, he employed ninety-five
elephants to draw the stones. In the early days of ship-building in
India, these huge animals were engaged to haul the vessels from the
stocks; and Verthema, who travelled in India in 1503, gives the following
example of their power:—
“I saw an instance of the extraordinary strength of these animals
while at Cananore, where some Mahometans endeavored to draw a ship on
the land, stern foremost, upon three rollers; on which occasion three
elephants, commodiously applied, drew with great force, and, bending
their heads down to the ground, brought the ship on the land.”
Another writer states that he saw a tree overthrown by an elephant, which
twenty-three men had attempted in vain.
In the war of Coromandel, in 1751, the gates of the fort of Ponomaley
were attacked by elephants, whose heads had been covered with iron plates
for the purpose.
Among the curious uses to which elephants have been put, may be mentioned
fishing. A hunter came to a pool in the valley of the Chengree, India,
once, with about twenty-five elephants. The natives discovered that it
was alive with fish; but there were no boats. No one had a line; and,
even if they had, the water was too shallow near shore, and too deep in
the centre. The sportsman solved the difficulty by mustering all the
elephants without their gear: then providing themselves with spears
and baskets, the natives mounted the elephants, and commanded them to
wade in. This they quickly did, rather enjoying the sport, and soon, by
stirring up the mud, had the finny occupants of the pool flying about in
all directions. Very soon the large fish began to come to the surface;
and the elephants began to chase them, guided by their mahouts, who
struck them with their spears; and, as soon as one was impaled, it was
drawn upon the elephant, beheaded, and thrown into the basket. According
to the hunter, who invented this curious method of fishing, the elephants
exhibited remarkable sagacity in following the game, abstaining, at a
hint from the mahout, from blowing under water, as they are apt to do,
or splashing, indeed, acting exactly as if they knew that a noise of any
kind would retard the progress of the sport. Sometimes several elephants
would start after the same fish; and, as the water was four or five
feet deep, the scene would become intensely exciting, the men standing
on the great animals, and literally using them as boats. Occasionally
a man would lose his balance, and tumble over, to rise, gasping, and
half-strangled by the muddy water which soon dried, and gave them the
appearance of having been white-washed. One elephant stepped into a deep
hole, and nearly turned a somerset, tossing the men into the water; and,
all in all, it was a very laughable and amusing sight to witness, and
withal successful, as seventy pounds of fish were caught from the fleet
of elephants.
Even after death, the elephant is of more or less value, exclusive
of its ivory. In various countries certain portions, as the head and
tongue, are esteemed as articles of food. The bones are used in Ceylon in
enriching estates. The hair of the tail is utilized by native goldsmiths
in bracelets, and teeth are well known as ivory. The feet are mounted
as seats and footstools; and the great ears of the African elephant are
harnessed to oxen, and dragged about to convey merchandise of various
kinds. Sir Samuel Baker says that he has often used the large, soft ear
of the African elephant as a couch after the fatigues of the hunt.
So valuable is the elephant in the East, that the inhabitants of the
country wonder how Americans and others carry on the ordinary work of
life without them; and, when Abraham Lincoln was president, the King of
Siam conceived the idea of relieving the American people by providing
them with these animals, which were to be raised just as ostriches
are now on the California coast. The facts concerning this offer are
extremely interesting, and I am indebted to the correspondent of “The
Philadelphia Times” for the following. The communication is now in the
keeping of the United States Treasury:—
“The letter is kept in a box of polished light-colored wood, about three
inches deep, twelve inches long, and eight inches in width, gilded
inside, and securely locked. The envelope for the letter is a bag of
cloth of gold, long and narrow. The letter is written upon thick paper,
the size of foolscap, with a broad gold border all around it. It is in
Siamese; and accompanying it, and tied to it with a silken cord, is
what is stated at its head to be a ‘true translation’ of the letter of
the King of Siam. At the top of the first page, in the upper left-hand
corner, is a curious little seal, not larger than a quarter of a dollar.
Its impression is in gilt, and the device one peculiar to Siam, and
unlike any thing else in nature or art.
“The letter begins with the names, title, and possessions of the King of
Siam, whose personal letter it is supposed to be. Following this, on the
same page, is the following address:—
“‘_To His Most Respected Excellent Presidency_,—
“‘The President of the United States of America, who, having
been chosen by the citizens of the United States as most
distinguished, was made president and chief magistrate in the
affairs of the nation for an appointed time of office; viz.,
Buchanan, Esq., who had forwarded an official letter to us from
Washington, 10th May, Anno Christi 1859, which was Wednesday,
tenth night of waxing moon ... in the year of Monkey, with a
package of books, a hundred and ninety-two volumes in number,
which came to hand in the year following. Or to whomsoever the
people have elected anew as chief ruler in place of President
Buchanan ... [here some more complimentary titles and allusions
are inserted] sendeth friendly greeting.’
“The letter goes on to comment upon the difficulties of sending
communications from Siam to the United States, and to explain the
indirect course letters took: so the king congratulated himself on having
found an excellent opportunity—a sailing vessel of the United-States
navy, the ‘John Adams,’ in command of Capt. Berrien, having come into the
chief port of Siam, and its officers desiring to make a friendly visit to
the king, and having been received by him—to forward his letter and some
complimentary presents—a sword and a photographic likeness of himself—to
the President of the United States.
“The king mentioned, that, in reply to questions asked by him of Capt.
Berrien, he had learned that there are no elephants on the continent of
America; and that so great a curiosity are they, that thousands of people
will crowd to see even a large tusk of an elephant when exhibited in some
public place, saying it was a wonderful thing: and he had learned that
elephants are regarded by Americans as the most remarkable of all the
large quadrupeds. He had also been informed that there were no camels on
the continent of America: the Americans have sought for and purchased
them, some from Europe, some from Arabia; and that now camels propagate
their race, and are serviceable and of benefit to the country, and are
already numerous in America. From this, one might infer that Capt.
Berrien imposed somewhat on the credulity of this graciously inclined
monarch.
“Having heard this about camels, it occurred to the king, continued the
letter, that ‘if on the continent of America, there should be several
pairs of young male and female elephants turned loose in forests, where
there was abundance of water and grass, in any region called by the
English the torrid zone, and all were forbidden to molest them, to
attempt to raise them would be well; and, if the climate should prove
favorable to elephants, we are of opinion, that, after a while, they
will increase till there be large herds, as there are on the continent
of Asia, until the inhabitants of America will be able to catch them and
tame them, and use them as beasts of burden, because, on account of the
great strength and size of the elephants, they could be made to carry
very heavy loads, and would be of benefit to the country, since they can
travel where carriage and other roads have not been made.’
“The king, to illustrate how feasible it is to introduce elephants, and
raise them successfully in countries where they had been unknown, cites
examples from ancient times of the ‘transplanting of elephants’ to places
where there were none, instancing the island of Ceylon, to which they
were first taken four hundred years ago, and have become very plentiful
there.
“He then proposed to give a number of young elephants of both sexes
to our country if the United States will furnish a vessel for their
transportation, supplied with food enough for them during the voyage. He
further suggested that a steamer tow the ship on which they travel to
America to hasten their arrival, so that the elephants would be received
in good condition in their new home. He says very positively, that, as
soon as they arrive in America, they must be turned loose in a jungle in
the torrid zone.
“The king desires ‘the President of the United States, and Congress, who
conjointly with him rule the country,’ to let him know their views as
soon as possible, as to his offer to furnish the elephants, and whether
or not they are wanted. He sends with this letter a pair of the largest
size of elephants’ tusks, ‘both from the same animal, to be deposited for
public inspection in the United States, that thereby the glory and renown
of Siam may be promoted.’
“This letter, as stated at its close, was ‘given at our royal audience
hall, Anant Samagome, in the Grand Palace,’ etc., at Bangkok, Siam, ‘on
Thursday, the fifth night of the waxing moon, in the lunar month from the
commencement of the cold season in the year of Monkey, corresponding to
the solar date of 14th February, Anno Christi 1861, which is the eleventh
year, and this day is the 3,564th day of our reign.’
“It is scarcely necessary to say that this generous offer of the King
of Siam to stock an elephant farm in America, was in due time declined,
with thanks, by the authorities at Washington. By the time the letter
was received, Abraham Lincoln was President, and Mr. Seward Secretary
of State; and it is said, that, when the latter asked Mr. Lincoln what
should be done with the elephants if they came, Mr. Lincoln said he did
not know, unless ‘they were used to stamp out the rebellion.’
“It is on the statute-books, however, that the Emperor of Morocco once
presented a lion and two horses to the United States Consul at Tangier,
to be sent to the government at Washington; and that it was done, and the
matter called to the attention of Congress, whereupon it was
“‘_Resolved_, By the Senate and House of Representatives in Congress
assembled, That the President of the United States be, and he is hereby,
authorized to cause the two horses received as a present by the Consul
of the United States at Tangier, from the Emperor of Morocco, to be
sold in Washington City, by public auction, on the last Saturday in
February, 1835, and to cause the proceeds thereof to be placed in the
Treasury of the United States, and that the lion received in like manner,
be presented to such suitable institution, person or persons, as the
President of the United States may designate.
“‘Approved Feb. 13, 1835.’”