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What did Abraham Lincoln turn down when the King of Siam offered him a gift?
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
Elephants.
In 1856, the King of Siam, his Majesty Somdetch Phra Paramendr Maha Mongut, had received a multitude of publications from Lincoln's predecessor, President James Buchanan, which indicated our government's approval of a ratification of a commercial treaty between Siam, and the US.
In return, the King of Siam sent the President elect, then, President Lincoln a handsome sword in a gold scabbard inlaid with silver, a daguerreotype portrait of himself and his child, and a pair of elephant tusks. The gifts contained a letter thanking the "President elect", which also included a paragraph, which stated that the US had no elephants. The King explained that "elephants being animals of great size and strength [they] can bear burdens through uncleared woods and matted jungles where no carriage and cart roads have yet been made." He proposed sending a couple of pairs, and that they could be turned lose in the forests, and develop into a herd.
President Lincoln was very flattered by the King's gifts, and additional offer of elephants, as gifts. He replied to the King of Siam that he personally could not accept
the sword, the daguerreotype portrait of himself and his child, and a pair of elephant tusks, but would place the gifts in the Government archive's, to be displayed as tokens of mutual esteem. As for the elephants, he replied to the King with many thanks, but the present condition of the United States would not support herds of elephants, even for the benefit of industrial use. He explained to the King that "Steam" was more practical for our current condition.
SHORTER ANSWER: fine hansome gold sward
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoRama IV, King of Siam, had sent to President James Buchanan several very nice gifts and a letter offering to send elephants. By the time the package was in receipt, Abraham Lincoln had taken office. He graciously accepted the sent gifts, but turned down the offer of elephants, stating the country did well with steam power and would likely have no use for the animals.
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoWhen the King of Siam offered a gift to Abraham Lincoln, he turned it down. Siam tried to gift him some elephants.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agowar elephants
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoElephants
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What gift did the king of Siam offer to Abraham Lincoln?
war elephants
Who was the king that was offered American monarchy?
The king of Siam.
In the King and I is the full name of the ruler King Mongkut of Siam?
The real life ruler of Siam (1804-1868) was namedPhra Bat Somdet Phra Poramenthramaha Mongkut Phra Chom Klao Chao Yu Huabut is known as "King Mongkut," or by his dynastic name "Rama IV."
When did Siam become Vietnam?
Siam was NEVER Vietnam, Siam was Thailand in the olden days.
How did the King of Siam keep his country from becoming a European colony?
Siam was the only country in Southeast Asia to avoid colonization by Britain or France, the two main colonizers in the area. The most commonly cited reason by historians is that the rulers of Siam gave concessions to Western countries, mostly having to do with trade. Thus, Britain got what they wanted out of the situation without having to maintain colonial rule.
Was king of Siam a friend of Lincoln?
The King of Siam offered Abraham Lincoln a herd of elephants which Lincoln declined.https://www.civilwar.org/learn/primary-sources/lincoln-rejects-king-siams-offer-elephants
What gift did the king of Siam offer to Abraham Lincoln?
war elephants
In 1861 the king of Siam offered to send a gift to the U.S but Linclon refused what gift did he refuse?
During the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln received the offer of a very unique gift from the King of Siam, Rama IV. He offered to send Lincoln war elephants to use against the Confederacy. The president thanked him for his generous offer, but declined the elephants.
In 1861 the King of Siam offered Abraham Lincoln a gift but he turned it down what was the gift?
it was some of dem war elephants like fo real cuh!
What present did Lincoln refuse to accept from the King of Siam?
The gift of a dozen elephants was declined by Abraham Lincoln.
In 1861 the king of Siam offered to send a gift to the United States but Lincoln politely refused what was the gift?
King Siam was giving War Elephants to the United States.
Who was the king that was offered American monarchy?
The king of Siam.
Which president received a herd of elephants as a gift from king of Siam?
lincoln
What gift did President Lincoln turn down from the King of Siam?
War elephants
What do you call the old Thailand?
Siam Remember the musical "The King and I" and it mentions the King of Siam.
Where is Siam from the movie King and you?
Siam in The King and I is in southeast Asia and it's currently known as Thailand.
Who won the Oscar for portraying the king of Siam?
Yul Brynner won the Academy Award (Oscar) for portraying King Mongkut of Siam in The King and I (1956)
