Townsend Harris concluded a Treaty of Friendship and Commerce with Siam in 1856

Townsend Harris was sent from the United States of America to Siam to conclude Treaty of Friendship and Commerce.

He stated the good feeling of the United State government towards Siam 

and its general desire only for justice and mutually bebeficial relations

Mongkut’s policy to give commercial and judicial concession was based on fear rather than on respect and admiration. The king and his advisers regarded the English as “ rapacious tyrants who were seizing on the whole of Asia.” They granted such concessions not because they liked the English, but because they feared them. To prevent the British from making further demands, King Mongkut showed the same astuteness as had his brother., King Rama III, in conducting a policy of seeking balance and counterweight in foreign associations. He approached the United States and France, whose naval capability was believed to match that of Great Britain. In 1856 King Mongkut signed a treaty of friendship and commerce with both the United States and France.

Before signing the treaty with the United States, the makers of foreign policy in Bangkok were impressed with the American attitude towards Thailand. Townsend Harris, who was sent to Thailand to conclude this treaty, stated the good feeling of the United States government towards Thailand and its general desire only for justice and mutually beneficial relations. Ruling out any American desire for territorial concession from Thailand, Harris contrasted his country’s policy with that of Great Britain. The Thai rulers were told that the United States had no colony in the East, nor did it desire any. The form of the American government, Harris stated, forbade the holding of colonies. His mission to Thailand was assigned solely for establishing a commercial relationship.

Satisfied with this American attitude, The Thai Prime Minister (Kalahom), in his diplomatic initiative to use the United States to counter-balance Great Britain, stated that “ We love the Americans, for they have never done us or any one else in the East any injury.” The Americans, he further appreciated, were not seeking conquest in the East, and American missionaries had been of vast value to the Thais, teaching many valuable arts. While admiring and respecting the Americans, Phra Klang, the Thai Minister of Commerce and Foreign Affairs, proposed to Harris that”…we would like to have an article in the treay providing, that in case of any trouble with any western power(Great Britain) the United States would act as umpire.” But Phra Klang’s demand for such political commitment from the United States met with a negative response. Harris thanked him for the proposal and assured him that no such provision would be necessary because the United States felt it an obligation of friendship to comply with any such request. Harris’s reluctant attitude led the Thais to conclude a Thai-American treaty, in which the Thais made concessions to the Americans similar to those made to the British.