The Journal of the Siam Society Vol. LXIV, Part 1-2, 1976 - Khamkoo

54 Benjamin A. Batson
he reached an even more dubious conclusion: "In the past, the post has
been a sinecure; it is now fast becoming one of the most important
consulships in the East."4!
Pollard had not yet left for Siam when "enemies" began to circulate
charges about his personal life. Evidence was sent to the State
Department showing that Pollard, using another name, bad lived
with and perhaps married a woman of questionable reputation, and
that he had longstanding debts unpaid. Pollard wrote to Secretary Cass
"confessing to the indiscretions which are not uncommon in youth;'' the
debt, he said was for a "disreputable woman with whom I had some
years ago very indiscreetly cohabited," and if the woman had taken up
a dishonorable profession her family was to blame. To the President he
wrote an equally blunt account of the charges, asking that "some
allowance may be made for the fervor and indiscretions of youth" and
appealing to the friendship between President Buchanan and his late
father and to the testimonials of his influential supporters.42
These appeals were not successful and Pollard's appointment was
revoked. He then sought his brother's help in obtaining reinstatement;
Pollard was now willing to accept the Bangkok post "on any conditions ...
if it comes to the worst I will marry the gir1."43 He asked his brother
to obtain the help of friends in Congress, and to intercede with the
President, stressing Pollard's political service to the administration. His
brother's political influence resulted in a presidential promise of
reinstatement if Secretary Cass would agree. Pollard wrote to Cass
that his personal affairs had been honorably settled-4 4
Nor is political action less deserving of the consideration of
the honorable Secretary. Deprived of my office, I have never
wavered in my support and devotion to the administration
and the cause of Democracy. Even after the revocation of
41) Bangkok Despatches, March 13, 1858. Underlining in original.
42) All of these documents are included in Bangkok Despatches, August 14, 1858.
43) Letter of December 23, 1858 (?), immediately following June 11, 1859 in
Bangkok Despatches.
44) Bangkok Despatches, May 11, 18 59. In a few places the text is illegible and
conjectural reconstructions have been made.