79
:S the Description of the kingdom of Siam ( published
n 1692). It also contains the account of the revolu-
ion in Siam in i6SS and the life and deeds of Con-
itantyn Faulcon, the principal privy counsellor of the
cingdom of Siam. About the king and his po'.ver the
writer says: "Since the time that the kingdom of
Siam was established the king has always had almost
sovereign power, but according to the written laws
His Majesty had to consult the imperial councii, and
where His Majesty used bad judgment, partiality or
exaggeration, the Mandarins had the power to check
him............... The kings hare ruled during a long
period as monarchs with entire authority over peace,
war, treatises, justice, remission of penalties and all
other offairs concerning the empire and the population.
The kings could make laws and prescriptions as they
pleased, and they did not consult or ask the counsel
of the most influential men or nobles nor of the diffe-
rent classes of people, unless His Majesty of his own
free will thought it advisable to consult them."1
About the relation of Siam with the European
nations, the author throws some light. The Portu-
guese for a long time enjoyed free trade and great
friendship in this kingdom. He says:—"' Besides the
free trade in the entire country, the public church
and worship of the Roman Catholic religion were
allowed to them, yes, even monthly salary was granted
1. Journal of the Siam Society, VII, part I, 1910,
pp. 13-14,