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

AM!o:IIICi\ N llli'LOMi\'fS IN SOUTHEAST AS! A 63
in Siam in 1860, and subsequently been active as a printer and editor.ss
His association with the consulate spanned several decades; altogether
he served three separate periods (1868-1869, 1881-1882, and 1885-1886)
as interim American representative in Bangkok. McDonald was an
authority on both the Thai language and the country, and published one
of the early works on Siam.s6 When he returned to Bangkok from leave
in 1879 the Siam Weekly Advertiser praised his learning and, noting
Siam's great need for books (i.e., translations of Western works), said
"Mr. McDonald is a man to put his shoulder to the wheel of progress."
When McDonald left again in 1886 the American Minister, Jacob Child,
reported to Washington that McDonald "was a most efficient and popular
Vice Consul and has the respect and confidence of everyone here."87
The major events in McDonald's first term in charge of the consulate
were the death of King Mongkut in 1868 and the accession of
Chulalongkorn, whose long reign was to stretch into the twentieth
century, and a reported i·ise in American sbipping.ss His second term
was noteworthy mainly 'ror the case of "Graham's lunacy" in which an
American suffering from "religious dementia" and claiming to be the
King of Siam tried to break into the royal palace. The Thai Government
asked McDonald to "take charge of any of your subjects who may be
insane." 8 9 When McDonald was left in charge of the consulate for yet
a third time, be finally asked that if no new minister bad been named,
the President consider naming him. However, he added, "as I have no
political influence at home, and have never asked for the appointment, I
have no reason to ex.pect such an appointment" -an opinion which
proved to be correct.90
I;
1
85) McFarland, Brief Slletcii, pp. 49, 53. There is a portrait of McDonald on p.
54 of tbe same work:. ~.
86) Noah A. McDonald, S'iqm, Its Government, Manners, Customs, Etc. (Philadel-.
phia, 1871 ). ·
87) Siam Weekly Advertise,:, January 30, 1879; Banglwk Despatches, (Consular
Series), June 17. 1886. ,
88) Ba;gkokDespatches, October 12, 1868, an'd October 16, 1868.
89) Bangkok Despatches, April 3, 1882; Apri128, 1882; and August 17; 1882.
90) Bangkok Despatches (Consular Series), February 27, 1886. In the same series
see also his despatch of. November 28, 1885, denying a charge that Americans
in Siam had no consular protection.