Page 186 - A History of Siam

A HISTOKT OF SIAM
178
and to assist him the
cause, promised against Portuguese
and Cambodians. In 1630 and 1632 several Dutch
vessels were sent to Siam for this purpose. Prince
Frederick Henry of the Netherlands, brother and
successor to Prince Maurice, sent a very flattering letter
to King Prasat T'ong, congratulating him on his accession,
and some condolences on the death
containing touching
of his doubtless well meant, but not
predecessor very
tactful.
The new Governor of Nak'on Srit'ammarat, following
the example of the Queen of Patani, refused to send
tribute. The King himself led an expedition against the
rebel city in 1632, destroyed it, and removed most of the
inhabitants to Van Vliet relates that the
Ayut'ia. King,
on forth to attack Nak'on Srit'ammarat, swore to
setting
offer the first four women he met, as a sacrifice. On
up
he met four in a on whom
leaving Ayut'ia young girls boat,
he fulfilled his vow.
This is of the and of
story typical cruelty barbarity
this atrocious man. His whole reign was a series of
murders. In one ^ kis died and
1635, daughters having
been cremated, a part of her flesh, for some reason,
remained unconsumed. Attributing this to magic (for
he was as credulous as he was he in a
cruel) indulged
perfect orgy of murder and torture. It is needless to
the reader with the detailed of these
disgust description
scenes. Over three thousand lost their as
persons lives,
the saw in the death of his a excuse
tyrant daughter good
for himself of those whom he of
ridding suspected
of his of the crown. One of the
disapproving usurpation
and two of the sons of were
daughters King Songt'am
sacrificed among the rest.
The usurper had early determined to extirpate all the
scions of the In he had caused three
Royal Family. 1633