This is the story of American merchants, diplomats, and missionaries in Southeast Asia prior to and during the US Civil War. American relations in Southeast Asia had begun in the prewar years with the work of these individuals and--with subtle variations in duty--would continue throughout the war years. During those years, trade on US vessels had plummeted due to high Union tariffs and fear of Confederate raiders in Asian waters. On the diplomatic front, the turnover rate for consular agents was high, and they lacked naval support from the East Asian Squadron. In contrast, American missionaries in Burma and Thailand--who still served despite reduced budgets, food shortages and ill health--provided a crucial bridge to America. In fact, by making steady achievements in education, medicine, and publishing, the American missionaries, who transcended regional and global differences in Siam and Burma, were the key to closing the knowledge gap, promoting good will, and representing the US abroad. Within these pages, readers can find myriad accounts of American relations with Southeast Asia. Everything is contained in this book: from the King of Siam's letter to President Lincoln offering white elephants to aid the Union (unfortunately, the letter didn't arrive until after the war had ended) to the recounting of Paul Revere's daughter, the wife of a merchant consul in Singapore, of how she rang the bell made by her father to remind sailors of the nightly curfew to former President Ulysses S. Grant's world tour in 1870 during which he promised to improve diplomatic ties with Siam. These accounts of commerce, treaties, and mission work are a testament to the enduring human spirit, enterprise, and pragmatic attitude of these early pioneers of American Diplomacy.

Selected letters to presidents with contextual commentary.

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"A sunny, smart, tongue-in-cheek tale." --The New York Times Book Review "Sweet and affirming." --Kirkus Reviews When the local Pet Club won't admit a boy's tiny pet elephant, he finds a solution--one that involves all kinds of unusual animals in this sweet and adorable picture book. Today is Pet Club day. There will be cats and dogs and fish, but strictly no elephants are allowed. The Pet Club doesn't understand that pets come in all shapes and sizes, just like friends. Now it is time for a boy and his tiny pet elephant to show them what it means to be a true friend. Imaginative and lyrical, this sweet story captures the magic of friendship and the joy of having a pet.

This meticulously edited seven-volume edition explores in full detail the life and work of Abraham Lincoln. The collection contains complete writings of Abraham Lincoln from 1832 to 1865, as well as all of his speeches (including complete political debate with Stephen Douglas). This exceptional collection is enriched with an introduction written by Theodore Roosevelt and three different Lincoln's biographies by Carl Schurz, Joseph Choate and Francis F. Browne. Abraham Lincoln was an American politician and lawyer who served as the 16th President of the United States from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. Lincoln led the United States through the Civil War, its bloodiest war, and perhaps its greatest moral, constitutional, and political crisis. In doing so, he preserved the country and abolished slavery. He had also strengthened the federal government and modernized the American economy. Content: Introduction by Theodore Roosevelt Abraham Lincoln, Biography by Carl Shurz Abraham Lincoln, Biography by Joseph H. Choate The Every-day Life of Abraham Lincoln by Francis F. Browne Volume 1: The Writings of Abraham Lincoln, 1832-1843 Volume 2: The Writings of Abraham Lincoln, 1843-1858 Volume 3: The Lincoln-Douglas Debates I Volume 4: The Lincoln-Douglas Debates II Volume 5: The Writings of Abraham Lincoln, 1858-1862 Volume 6: The Writings of Abraham Lincoln, 1862-1863 Volume 7: The Writings of Abraham Lincoln, 1863-1865