On 21 November the commissioner met the crown prince, the minister of foreign affairs, and chief of staff. Later the commissioner met the first king Mongkut and the prime minister. The prime minister Somdet Chaophraya Sri Suriwongse spoke English, and was versed in naval sciences. He had founded a large merchant navy, and was busy completing the construction of a 120 feet steam paddle vessel with an American engine. On 25 November the commissioner visited the second king Pinklao. He was very proficient in English, and knew a lot about science.
