FURTHER /CORRESPONDENCE
j
RELATING TO THE
AFPAIRS OP CERTAIN NATIVE STATES
IN THE
MALAY PENINSULA,
IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD OF
THE STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.
[In continuation of [C. 1505] of 1876.)
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FURTHER CORRESPONDENCE
RELATING TO THE
AFFAIRS OF CERTAIN NATIVE STATES
IN THE
MALAY PENINSULA,
IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD OF
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{In continuation of [0. 1505] of 1876.)
Umttttrtr to fcotl) P?ou0££* of Uarliatnent (EoirniwtttJ of jfftajwtp,
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PRINTED BY GEORGE EDWARD EYRE AND WILLIAM SPOTTISWQODE,
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TABLE OE CONTENTS
Serial
No.
From or to whoin.
—
Date.
Subject.
Pago.
1
Governor Sir W. F. Jervois,
K.C.M.G., C.B.
(Telegraphic)
Feb. 25, 1876
Conveyance by “ Himalaya ” of de-
taehments of 10th and 18th to
stations in Perak, and Indian force
to Calcutta.
1
2
To War Office
Feb. 26, 1876
Bespecting telegrams of the 24th
and 25th instant relating to the
movements of the 10th and 18th
Begiments and the force sent from
Calcutta.
1
3
To Admiralty
Feb. 26, 1876
Sir W. F. Jervois’s telegram respect-
ing the conveyance of 10th and
18th to stations in Perak, and
Indian force to Calcutta, by the
“ Himalaya.”
1
4
Governor Sir W. F. Jervois,
K.C.M.G., C.B.
Jan. 27, 1876
(Bee. Feb. 28).
Stating that he will forward a reply
to despatch from Colonial Office,
No. 218, of 10th December last by
next mail. $
2
5
Foreign Office
Feb. 29, 1876
Stating that the Siamese Govern-
ment have been thanked for the
rendition of persous implicated in
the outrages perpetrated in Perak.
2
6
Admiralty
March 1,1876
Movement of troops by the i( Hima-
laya.” Submitting copy of telegram
sent to senior naval officer at
Singapore on the subject.
2
7
Governor Sir W. F. Jervois,
X.C.M.G., C.B.
(Telegraphic)
March 1,1876
(Bee. Mar. 2).
Arrangements for the return of
Indian force to Calcutta and re-
tention of the 10th Begiment in
the Straits Settlements for the ;
present.
3
8
To Governor Sir W. F. Jer*
vois, K.C.M.G., C.B.
March 3,1876
Military operations at Kota Lama
and in the Bukit Patoos Pass, and
capture and trial of three of the
actual murderers of Mr. Birch.
3
9
War Office
March 4, 1876
Betention in Malay Peninsula of 70th
Artillery sent from India, their pay
and allowances, and the pay of the
Engineer officer.
3
10
Foreign Office
March 4,1876
Arrangements made by Mr. Knox
with the Siamese Government for
the rendition of persons implicated
in the murder of Mr. Birch, and
suggesting that these arrangements
should be approved.
4
ll
Governor Sir W. F. Jervois,
K.C.M.G., C.B.
Feb. 9, 1876
(Bee. Mar. 13).
Forwarding copy of a resolution and
an address passed by the members
of the Penang Association, ex-
pressing unanimous and entire
approval of the measures adopted
by the Governor in connexion
with the recent disturbances in the
Malay Peninsula.
6
12
Ditto -
Feb. 10, 1876
(Bee. Mar. 13).
a 2
Acknowledging receipt of Lord Car-
narvon’s Despatch, No. 218, of
the 10th December last, and re-
plying in detail to the various
jtoints therein raised respecting
the policy adopted in connexion
with Perak affair s, during the
recent disturbances there,
7 -
IV
TABLE OP CONTENTS.
65 .
X °
SO ^
From or to whom.
—
Date.
Subject.
Page.
13
War Office
-
Mar. 14,1876
Transmitting copy of a letter from
Major-General Colborne respecting
the disposal of the troops in the
Straits Settlements.
26
14
Admiralty
-
Mar. 15, 1876
Proceedings of the Naval Brigade
at Qualla Kangsa.
27
15
Governor Sir W. F. Jervois,
K.C.M.G., C.B.
(Telegraphic)
Mar. 16, 1876
Capture of the Datu Sagor -
27
16
Ditto -
(Telegraphic)
Mar. 19, 1876
(Fee. Mar. 20).
Flight of Ismail into Quedah, and
his surrender with the regalia at
Penang by the Fajah of Quedah.
27
17
Foreign Office
Mar. 20, 1876
Forwarding copy of further des-
patch from Colonel Knox relating
to the action taken by the Siamese
Government for the rendition of
fugitives from Perak.
27
18
Governor Sir W. F. Jervois,
K.C.M.G., C.B.
(Telegraphic)
Mar. 21, 1876
Surrender of Ismail at Penang, and
arrangements for bringing him to
Singapore.
29
19
To War Office
Mar. 21,1876
Stating that Sir W. Jervois is of
opinion that the 10th Fegiment
can be removed from the Straits
Settlements if it is replaced by the
wing of another Fegiment 600
strong.
29
20
Admiralty
-
Mar. 21, 1876
Feturn of native troops to India,
and dispatch of Ismail to Singaj)ore
in the “ Fingdove.”
29 ,
21
Ditto -
Mar. 21, 1876.
Grant of extra pay to officer s and
seamen engaged in the recent opera-
tions in the Malay Peninsula, and
requesting to be informed whether
the expense thereof should be
charged to Imperial funds.
29
22
War Office
Mar. 22, 1876
Stating that wing of 600 strong
required by Sir W. Jervois cannot
be furnished; that the 10th there-
fore cannot be relieved, and that
existing arrangements had better
remain.
30
- 23
Governor Sir W. Jervois,
K.C.M.G., C.B.
(Telegraphic)
Mar. 23, 1876
Capture and trial of Ismail. Fe-
questing to know how it is pro-
posed to deal with him.
30
24
Ditto -
Feb. ll, 1876
(Fee. Mar. 25).
Acknowledging receipt of de spatch
of the 10th December last, enclos-
ing copy of a letter from Sir G.
Balfour.
31
25
Ditto -
Feb. 23, 1S76
(Fee. Mar. 25).
Measures adopted by the Fajah of
Kedah and the Siamese Govern-
rnent for rendering assistance in
apprehending Lela and other Chiefs
implicated in the recent outrages in
Perak, should they take refuge in
their respective territories.
31
^ 26
Ditto _
Feb. 23, 1876
(Fee. Mar. 25).
Mr. Hewick’s expedition against Is-
mail; capture and trial of Malay s
who have been arrested on suspicion
of being concerned in the murder
of Mr. Birch, and doubt as to the
reported death of Pandak Indut.
32
27
Ditto -
*
Feb. 24, 1876
(Fee. Mar. 25).
Success of military and naval opera-
tions against hostile Malays at Kota,
Lama, Enggar, and Prek.
35
28
i
«
#
i
o
~r->
S
Feb. 24, 1876
(Fee. Mar. 25).
Valuable services rendered by various
officers engaged in suppressing the
recent disturbanees in the Malay
Peninsula.
42
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
V
f Serial
! No.
From or to whom.
Despatch
No.
Date.
Subject.
bfl
03
fk
29
To Foreign Office -
-
Mar. 25, 1876
Approving measures adopted by Mr.
Knox with regard to certain chiefs
of Perak who had taken refuge in
territory under Siamese authority.
43
30
Governor Sir W.F. Jervois,
K.C.M.G., C.B.
(Telegraphic)
Mar. 24, 1876
(Bee. Mar. 27).
Stating that Philippo, Plunket, and
Paul have been appointed Commis-
sioners to inquire as to Ismail’s
complicity with other chiefs, in the
Perak outrages.
43
31
To War Office
. . .
Mar. 28, 1876
Respecting the military force neces-
sary to be retained in the Malay
Peninsula,
43
32
To Governor Sir W. F. Jer-
vois, K.C.M.G., C.B.
Mar. 28, 1876.
Aeknowledging receipt of his des-
patch No. 55 of the 9th ultimo, en-
closing copy of a resolution passed
by the Penang Association, and of
an address presented to him from
the same body.
44
33
Ditto -
Mar. 29, 1876.
Aeknowledging, with satisfaction,
the offers of assistance made by the
Rajah of Kedah and the Siamese
Government for effecting the cap-
ture of Chiefs implicated in the
recent outrages in Perak.
44
34
Governor Sir W. F. Jervois,
K.C.M.G., C.B.
(Telegraphic)
Mar. 27, 1876
(Rec. Mar. 29).
Stating that Ismail was landed at
Singapore on the 26th instant, and
that he has been placed on parole
with the Maharajah of Johore.
44
35
To Governor Sir W. F. Jer-
vois, K.C.M.GL, C.B.
Mar. 31, 1876
Stating that the Queen has con-
ferred the honour of Knight Grand
Cross of the Order of St. Michael
and St. George upon His High-
ness the Maharajah of Johore.
45
36
War Office
April 7, 1876
Stating that five companies of a Regi-
ment, with its head quarters, will be
sent to the Straits Settlements in
the autumn to relic ve the 1st bat-
talion of 10th Regiment.
45
37
Governor Sir W. Jervois,
K.C.M.G., C.B.
-
Mar. 8, 1876.
(Rec. April 8).
Assistance afforded by Mr. C. Ir-
ving during the disturbances in the
Malay Peninsula.
45
38
To Admiralty
April 10, 1876
Stating that the extra pay to the
officers and seamen engaged in
suppressing the outrages in Perak
should be defrayed from Imperial
funds and recovered hereafter,
if possible, from the Colonial
Revenue.
46
39
War Office
April 10, 1876
Military and naval operations, con-
ducted by Brigadier General Ross,
against the villages of Enggar and
Prek, on the 4th and 5th of Feb-
ruary last.
46
40
Governor Sir W. F. D. Jer-
vois, K.C.M.G., C.B.
(Telegraphic)
April 7, 1876
(Rec. April 10).
Reported attack on Sungie Ujong
police by. a body of Malays.
47
41
Ditto -
(Telegraphic,
Paraphrase.)
April. 7, 1876
(Rec. April ll).
Stating that the want of information
as to future policy is disadvan-
tageous.
47
42
Ditto -
(Telegraphic)
April 13, 1876
(Rec. April 19).
Reque sting authority for placing the
States of Sri Menanti and Jura-
pole under British protection, and
establishing a well-disposed chief
in command.
47
a 3
VI
TABLE OP CONTENTS.
Serial
No.
From or to whora.
Despatch
No.
Date.
Subject.
Page.
43
To Governor Sir W. F, D.
Jervois, K.C.M.G., C.B.
(Telegraphic,
Paraphrase.)
April 20, 1876
J.nforming him that instruetions re-
specting future policy will shortly
be sent, and that in the meantime
he must remain passive.
47
44
Admiral ty
~ “
April 20, 1876
Reinstitution of the blockade of the
Malay coast unless murderers of
Mr. Birch are given up.
48
45
To War Office -
April 20, 1876
Expressing approval of the arrange-
ments made by Mr. Hardy for
meeting the views of Sir W. Jer-
vois respecting the force to be
stationed in the Malay Peninsula.
48
46
To Governor Sir W. F. Jer-
vois, K.C.M.G., C.B.
-
April 20, 1876
Relief of the 10th Regiment and
the future garrison of the Straits
Settlements.
48
47
Governor Sir W. ]?. D. Jer-
vois, K.C.M.G., C.B.
Mar, 21, 1876
(Rec. April 24).
Transmitting copies of letters from
the Sultan of Tringanee and from
the Rajahs of Kalantan and Patani,
expressing their readiness to assist
in the capture of the rebel chiefs
of Perak.
49
48
Ditto -
-
Mar. 21, 1876
(Rec. April 24).
Surrender at Penang, on the 23rd
April, of ex-Sultan Ismail, with
the Regalia of Perak.
50
49
Ditto -
-
Mar. 21, 1876
(Rec. April 24).
Forwarding copy of Mr. Swetten-
ham’s report giving details of the
capture of Datu Sagor.
52
-50
Ditto -
Mar. 23, 1876
(Rec. April 24).
Trial of Sep u turn, Se G on d ah, and
Ngah Ahmat for the murder of
Mr. Birch, and sentences passed
upon them by Rajah D ris.
54
51
To Governor Sir W. F. D.
Jervois, K.C.M.G., C.B.
(Telegraphic,
Paraphrase.)
April 28, 1876
Instructing him not to take any
steps in connexion with future
policy without authority, and
adding that the placing of Native
States near Sungie Ujong cannot
be sanctioned.
63
52
Ditto -
April 28, 1876
Requesting him to thank the Sultan
of Tringanu and the Rajahs of
Kalantan and Patani for their
offers to assist in the capture of
the rebel chiefs.
63
53
Ditto -
-
April 28, 1876
Respecting the surrender of Ismail
with the Regalia of Perak.
63
54
Ditto -
-
April 28, 1876
Capture of the Datu Sagor, and his
conveyance to Singapore.
64
55
To War Office, India Office,
and Admiralty.
May 4, 1876 -
Names of various military, naval,
and civil officers who have ren-
dcred the most efficient services
while engaged in repressing the
outbreak in Perak.
64
56
To Governor Sir W. Jer-
vois, K.C.M.G., C.B.
May 4, 1876 -
Respecting the cordial ity with
which all deparfcments have co-
operated in the conduct of the
necessary measures for restoring
tranquillity in the disturbed dis-
tricts of the Straits Settlements.
64
57
Governor Sir W. F. D. Jer-
vois, K.C.M.G., C.B.
- - -
April 5, 1876
(Rec. May 6).
Friendly attitude of the Bandahara
of Pahang and * other chiefs on
west coast of Malay Peninsula.
65
58
Ditto -
April 5, 1876
(Rec. May 6).
Enclosing translation of a procla-
mation issued by the Sultan of
Salangore respecting the future
collection of taxes in the State of
Salangore, and payment to the
Sultan of a monthly allowance of
$1,000.
66
TABLE 0E CONTENTS.
9 9
VU
Serial
No.
From or to whom.
Despatch
No.
Date.
1
Subject.
*
Ah
59
Governor Sir W. F. D. Jer-
vois, K.C.M.G., C.B.
(Extract.)
-
April 6, 1876
(Rec. May 6).
Mr. Hewick’s report of the capture
of Ismail, and the services ren-
dered by the Rajah of Quedali and
the Siamese Government.
67
60
Ditto -
»
April 6, 1876
(Rec. May 6).
Transmitting a statement of dis-
bursemente made from the Colonial
Treasury on account of the Malay
disturbances.
72
61
Ditto - • -
(Telegraphic)
(Rec. May 13)
Impracticability of recognising one
paramount chief for States in the
neighbourhood of Malacca. '
73
62
Ditto -
-
May 16, 1876
Respecting the trial of Seputum,
Se Gondah, and Ngah Ahmat,
and the commutation of the sen-
tence in the caSe of the two last-
named prisoners.
73
63
To India Office -
*
May 19, 1876
Requesting to be furnished with a
statement of the advances which
have been made from Indian funds
on account of military operations
connected with the disturbances in
Perak.
74
64
To Treasury
-
May 19,1876
Respecting the expenses incurred
on account of the recent disturb-
ances in the Malay Peninsula.
74
65
To Governor Sir W. Jer-
vois, K.C.M.G., C.B.
(Extract.)
s
May 20, 1876
Precautions taken for the safe cus-
tody of Ismail, and question of con-
ferring the title of Sultan upon the
Rajah of Johore.
75
66
Ditto -
.
May 20, 1876
Referring to despatch from Colonial
Office of the 10th December 1875,
No. 218, and to his despatch of the
10th February last, No. 62, re-
lating to the condition of affairs
from the time of the Pangkore
Treaty in January 1874 to Octo-
ber 1875; his course of action at
the latter date and the future
policy of the British Government
with regard to Perak.
75
67
Governor Sir W. Jervois,
K.C.M.G., C.B.
- -
April 19, 1876
(Rec. May 22).
Measures adopted for the capture of
Maharajah Lela, and identification
of the man Tuah.
85
68
Ditto *
-
April 20, 1876
(Rec. May 22).
Disturbances in States adjacent to
Sungie Ugong and policy proposed
with reference to those States.
86
69
To Governor Sir W. Jer-
vois, K.C.M.G., C.B.
May 81, 1876
Appointment of Col. A. E. Anson,
RA.., to companionship of the
Order of St. Michael and St.
George.
97
70
Ditto -
(Extract.)
June 1, 1876
Future policy of II.M. Government
in relation to Perak, and appoint-
ment* of Captain Speedy as assist-
ant Resident at Larut.
98
Litl»* Mt th* i}r Mr Ceo^ D*p’ uatior the (Erection of L* Col . H Home C H RK
CORRESPONDENCE.
No. 1.
Governor Sir WM. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B., to the EARL OF CARNARVON.
(Received February 25th.)
(Telegraphic.)
Singapore, February 25.
Please ask Admiralty to let “ Himalaya ” convey detachments of 10th and 18th to
stations in Straits, and then take Indian force Calcutta.
GOVERNOR,
Singapore.
No. 2.
COLONIAL OFFICE to WAR OFFICE.
Sir, Downing Street, February 26, 1876.
With reference to your letter of the 24th instant enclosing a copy of a telegram
sent to the General Officer commanding in the Straits Settlements respecting the reten-
tion of the 10th Regiment in, and the return of the Indian troops from, that station I am
directed by the Earl of Carnarvon to state that Sir W. Jervois has telegraphed to the effect
that it is essential to keep in the Peninsula the 70 artillerymen sent from India with their
guns, and that he begs that one Indian Engineer officer may also be retained there.
Lord Carnarvon trusts that Mr. Secretary Hardy will make such arrangements with
the Marquis of Salisbury as will give effect to Sir W. Jervois’s wishes.
I am further to state that the following telegram has since been received:—
“February 25th.—Please ask Admiralty to let ‘ Himalaya’ convey detachments of
“ 10th and 18th to stations in Straits, and then take Indian force Calcutta,” and that a
copy of it has been forwarded to the Admiralty in a letter of which a copy is enclosed.
X have
(Signed) ROBERT G. W. HERBERT.
No. 3.
COLONIAL OFFICE to ADMIRALTY.
Sir, Downing Street, February 26, 1876.
I am directed by the Earl of Carnarvon to acquaint you, for the consideration
of the Lords of the Admiralty, that the following telegram has been received from
Sir W. Jervois.
“ February 25th.—Please ask Admiralty to let ‘ Himalaya ’ convey detachments of
“ 10th and 18th to stations in Straits, and then take Indian force Calcutta.”
Lord Carnarvon has caused a copy of this telegram to be sent to the War Office,
together with a copy of a further telegram which has been received from Sir W. Jervois
respecting the movements of the troops in the Malay Peninsula, and his Lordship presum es
that the necessary arrangements will be made by Mr. Hardy in concert with the Board
of Admiralty.
I am, &c.
(Signed) ROBERT G. W. HERBERT.
38387a.
A
2
No. 4.
Governor Sir WM. JERYOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B.,to the EARL OF CARNARVON.
(Received February 28th.)
My Lord Government House, Singapore, January 27, 1876.
I have the honour to inform your Lordship that I had hoped by this mail to
have sent a reply to your Lordship’s despatch of the 10th of December.* Since its
receipt, however, I have had occasion to visit Perak and Laroot. I had also, on the
18th and 19th instant, according to previous arrangement, to stay at Malacca, to see some
of the Chiefs of the neighbouring States.
Since my return to Singapore on the 20th instant, my time has unavoidably been
otherwise so fully occupied that it has been impossible for me to direct my attention to
the despatch in question. I trust, however, to furnish a full report by next mail.
* X have See.
(Signed) V.’f. DRUMMOND JERVOIS.
The Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon,
&c. &c. &C.
P.S.—I hope also at,an early date to be able to report on affairs relating to the States
in the neighbourhood of Malacca.
W. F. D. J.
No. 5.
FOREIGN OFFICE to COLONIAL OFFICE.
Sir, Foreign Office, February 29, 1876.
I am directed by the Earl of Derby to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of
the 22nd instant,f requesting that the thanks of Her Majesty’s Government may be con-
veyed through Her Majesty’s Agent and Consul General at Bangkok, to the King of
Siam for his ready acquiescence in meeting the wishes of the Straits Settlements Go-
vernment, in the matter of the participators in the recent outbreak at Perak; and I am
to" state to you in reply, for the information of the Earl of Carnarvon, that a copy of
your letter has been transmitted to Mr. Knox, who has already been instructed to convey
to the Siamese Government the thanks of Her Majesty’s Government for their friendly
action.
I am, &c.
The Under Secretory of State, (Signed) TENTERDEN.
Colonial Office.
No. 6.
ADMIRALTY to COLONIAL OFFICE.
Spt, Admiralty, March 1, 1876.
I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acknowledge the
receipt of your letter of the 26th ultimo, J relative to the conveyance of detachments of
troops between stations in the Straits Settlements by H.M.S. “Himalaya,” and to
acquaint you in reply, for the information of the Earl of Carnarvon, that my Lords, being
already in receipt of a communication dated the previous day from the Secretary of State
for War, relative to the retention of the 1st Battalion 10th Regiment in the Straits
Settlements and the return of troops sent from India, were pleased to cause the following
telegram to be despatched on the 28th ultimo, to the Senior Naval Officer at Singapore
with the view of providing for all requirements :—
“ Arrange with General. ‘Himalaya’ after shifting troops Straits return Indian
“ troops to India; two trips if necessary. Telegraph arrangements made. Orders will
“ be sent ‘ HimalayaV subsequent proceedings.”
I am, &c.
The Under Secretary of State, (Signed) ROBERT HALL.
Colonial Office.
# No. 70 of Command Paper [C. loOo] of 1876.
f No. 114 of same Paper.
t No. 3.
3
No. 7-
Governor Sir WM. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B., to the EARL OF CARNARVON.
(Telegraphic.) (Received March 2, 1876.)
Singapore, March 1, 1876.
Arrangements made for return Indian force to Calcutta. “ Himalaya ” and other trans-
ports ready for this service. General at Hong Kong has, however, telegraphed Horse
Guards that undesirable to detain 10th in Straits. Force cannot return India, unless
10th remain here. I decidedly recommend Indian force should return and 10th remain
in Straits until they can be relieved by another regiment.
No. 8.
The EARL OF CARNARVON to Governor Sir WM. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B.
Sir, Downing Street, March 3, 1876.
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the 14th February,*
reporting the successful operation against the disaffected village of Kota Lama,
2. You also enclose a copy of the proclamation which you promulgated, offering a
reward for the capture of the Maharajah Lela, Datu Sagor, and Pandak Indut, who are
supposed to be implicated in the murder of Mr. Birch. And I have received since, with
much satisfaction, your telegram of the 17th ulto.,f informingme that three of the actual
murderers have been captured.
3. I trust to receive before long with all other details a report of their trial, which, by
your subsequent telegram of the 21st ulto.,| you informed me was to take place before
a duly constituted Malayan Court assisted by two English assessors.
4. I have also received your despatch of the 14th January,§ reporting other opera-
tions, which resulted in the capture of the strong stockaded position held by the hostile
Malay s in the Bukit Putoos Pass.
It is highly satisfactory to find that' these successes were accomplished with all the
accustomed gallantry of Her Majesty’s Forces, military and naval, and that whilst the
losses have not been large, the disaffection has been paralysed, and, as I trust, order
restored to the country.
T li a vp &t*
(Signed) CARNARVON.
No. 9.
WAR OFFICE to COLONIAL OFFICE.
Sir, Pall Mall, March 4, 1876.
I am directed by Mr. Secretary Hardy to acknowledge the receipt of your letter
of the 26th ultimo, || stating that Sir Wm. Jervois had requested, by telegraph, that the
70 artillerymen sent from India might be retained in the Malay Peninsula, and expressing
a hope on the part of Lord Carnarvon that Mr. Hardy could make arrangements for
giving effect to the Governor’s wishes.
In reply I am to request that you will acquaint his Lordship that Mr. Hardy has
arranged for the retention of the artillery in compliance with the Governor’s wishes, and
a telegram to that effect was despatched on the 2nd instant to the General Officer
Commanding the troops in the Straits Settlements.
Mr. Hardy has represented to the India Office that it would appear necessary for the
Engineer officer applied for by Sir Wm. Jervois (if retained), and the artillerymen above
referred to, to be transferred from the Indian to the Imperial establishment for pay and
allowances whilst employed in the Malay Peninsula.
Referring to your subsequent letter of the 1st instant, enclosing further telegram from
Sir Wm. Jervois recommending that the 10th Regiment might remain until relieved by
another regiment, I am to transmit herewith copies of two telegrams which have been
received from the General Officer Commanding, and of the replies returned to them.
I have, &c.
The Under Secretary of State, (Signed) J. C. W. VIVIAN.
Colonial Office.
* No. 132 of Command Paper"[C. 1505] of 1876. f No. 135 of same Paper,
f No. 138 of same Paper. § No. 138 of same Paper. || No. 2.
A 2
4
Copy Telegram from General Commanding in China at Hong Kong to Adjutant-
General, Horse Guards, London.
Hong Kong, March 1, 1876.
“ Tenth prepared for embarkation, and detention very undesirable. Is new arrange-
“ ment to be carried out.”
Copy Telegram in reply from Quartermaster-General to General Officer
Commanding, Hong Kong.
London, March 1.
“The arrangement for detention of 10th Regiment must be carried out.”
Copy Telegram from General Officer Commanding in China, Hong Kong, to Adjutant-
General, Horse Guards, London.
Hong Kong, March 2, 1876.
“ Strongly recommend Goorkhas and battery may be kept in Straits. Hope this may
be ordered.”
Copy Telegram in reply from War Office to General Officer Commanding, Hong Kong.
London, March 2, 1876.
“ Goorkhas must return to India, but Artillery may remain.”
No. 10.
FOREIGN OFFICE to COLONIAL OFFICE.
Sir, Foreign Office, March 4, 1876.
With reference to my letter of the 29th ultimo,* I am directed by the Earl of
Derby to transmit to you, to be laid before the Earl of Carnarvon, the accompanying
copies of two further Despatches, which have been received from Her Majesty’s agent
and Consul General at Bangkok, relative to the action taken by the Siamese Government
in regard to the participators in the recent outbreak at Perak; and I am to request
that, in laying these papers before Lord Carnarvon, you will state to his Lordship that
Lord Derby proposes, with his concurrence, to approve the arrangements made by
Mr. Knox with the Siamese Government, for the rendition of persons implicated, as
reported in the latter of the Despatches which accompany this letter.
I am, &c.
The Under Secretary of State, (Signed) T. V. LISTER.
Colonial Office.
My Lord, Bangkok, January 22, 1876.
I have the honour to forward to your Lordship copy of a Despatch which I have
received from the Governor of the Straits Settlements, in which I am requested, if I see
no objection, to ask the Siamese Government to instruct the Rajah of Patani to refuse
a refuge to certain Rajahs of Perak said to be implicated in the murder of Mr. Birch,
late Resident of Perak, and further to request the Siamese Government to take steps
to procure their arrest, and to hand them over to the British Government.
As I have as yet no information as to the names cf these Rajahs, with the exception
of ex-Sultan Ismail and Rajah Lela, and as the offences committed by some of them
may be of such a nature as would not warrant me in asking that they should be given
up, I have confined myself for the present to merely requesting, that all the fugitives
from the British troops found in the Malay territories tributary to Siam may be at once
removed to Singora. This latter province belongs to Siam proper, the inhabitants are
for the most part Siamese, and the refugees can be detained there without the chance of
their engaging in further hostilities, until such time as it may be decided what shall
ultimately be done "with them.
* No. 5.
5
I enclose the Despatch which I have addressed to this Government on the subject.
There has not been time to receive an answer to this Despatch, but I hope to be able
to forward it by the next mail, which will leave here in a few days.
I have See.
The Earl of Derby, (Signed) T. G. Knox.
&c. &c.
Sir, Government House, Penang, December 30, 1875.
I have the honour to inform you, that the Maharajah Lela of Perak, by whose
order Mr. Birch, the late Resident of Perak, was murdered, has upon the advance of
our troops, fled into Patani.
Ex-Sultan Ismail and other chiefs of Perak implicated in the murder are also with
them.
I beg, therefore, that if you see no objection, you will request the Siamese Govern-
ment to instruct the Rajah of Patani to refuse a refuge to these chiefs, and furthermore
to take steps to procure their arrest, and to hand them over to the British Government.
I would further suggest that the Rajahs of the other States under the protection of
Siam should also be instructed to the same effect.
I have, &c.
-T. G. Knox, Esq., (Signed) Wm. F. Drummond Jervois.
&c. &c.
Sir, Bangkok, January 21, 1876.
I have the honour to state that I have received a despatch from the Governor of
the Straits Settlements, in which I am informed that the Rajahs Lela and Ismail, of
Perak, and other chiefs. said to be implicated in the murder of Mr. Birch, late British
Resident in that province, have fled from the British troops in pursuit of them into the
province of Patani.
I am aware that your Excellency has issued instructions to the rajahs of your Malay
states, directing them to refuse a refuge to all those who may have been engaged in arms
against the British troops.
I also feel certain that your Excellency is anxious to prevent any assistance being
given to those believed to be implicated in instigating the disturbanees which have lately
taken place in Perak.
It is, however, very probable that, owing to the difficulty of communicating with your
Malay states at this time of the year, your instructions may not have been received
until after the arrival of the fugitives within those territories. If this should prove
to be the case your rajahs will probably detain them until they receive further orders
from you.
It is very essential that these fugitives should be prevented from being in a position
to give further a,id or encouragement to such of their partisans as may still remain within
the province of Perak. I therefore have to request that you will be so good as to issue
instructions that they be removed from Patani, or any other of your Malay states in
which they may be found, into Singora, and kept there until it is decided what shall
ultimately be done with them.
If, however, your Excellency’s Government prefer to hand them over to the troops
that have been in pursuit of them, some of whom will doubtless be found on the frontier
of Perak, I have nothing to say against such a course. I, however, confine myself to
asking your Government to follow the course that is usually pursued in similar cases.
I have, however, to point out to you that which ever course you determine to follow
it is very necessary that your instructions should be delivered to your Malay rajahs
with as little delay as possible. I therefore beg to suggest that they should be sent
through the Governor of Singora, and as the strength of the N.E. monsoon is now on
the decrease there ought to be no great difficulty in communicating with him by a
steamer sent from this place.
I beg your Excellency will favour me with an early reply, and inform me what course
you intend to follow.
I have, &c.
His Excellency Chow Phya, Sri Surawongse (Signed) T. G. Knox.
Way Waddhu Phra Kakahome, Minister
for the Provinces of the South.
A 3
6
My Lord, British Agency, Bangkok, January 25, 1876.
In continuation of my Despatch No. 5, of the 22nd inst., relative to the rendition
of certain rajahs of Perak, supposed to have fled into the province of Patani, I have the
honour to state that the Som-detch (ex-Begent), having yesterday returned to Bangkok,
has arranged that the following measures shall be taken in regard to them.
A Siamese gun-boat will be sent, with as little delay as possible, to Singora with a
Siamese commissioner, who will proceed to Patani, in order to ascertain if these people
have come into the province. If they are found there they will be brought up here.
Such of them as there is fair reason to believe were implicated in the murder of the
late Mr. Birch will be made over to me, in order that they may be handed over to the
British Government.
Those not implicated in the murder will remain under surveillance, until it is decided
what shall ultimately be done with them.
His Highness has further intimated to me that he is quite willing to leave the question
as to there being sufficient evidence, or otherwise, for the rendition of those said to be
implicated in the murder of Mr. Birch, in my hands.
I have therefore requested his Exeellency, the Governor of Singapore, to furnish me
with copies of depositions sufficient to make a fair primdfacie case against any of those
who have fled into Pafani, and whose rendition he requires, in order that I may lay them
before this Government.
As we have no extradition treaty with Siam, and the request for the rendition of these
rajahs is, as far as I know, without precedent, for the offence with which they are charged
was not committed in British territory, and therefore our right to demand their extra-
dition might be questioned, I have endeavoured as far as possible to arrange this matter
so as not in any way to wound the just susceptibilities of the Siamese Government.
Having been fortunate enough to have to deal with one so thoroughly friendly to
British interests as the Som-detch has always proved himself, I believe I have succeeded
in this respect.
I trust your Exeellency will approve the steps I have taken in this matter.
1 have, &c.
The Earl of Derby, (Signed) T. G. Knox.
&c. &c.
No. ll.
Governor Sir W. F. JERYOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B., to the EARL OF CARNARVON.
(Received March 13, 1876.)
My Lord, Government House, Singapore, February 9, 1876.
I have the honour to enclose for your Lordship’s information copy of a resolution
passed by the Penang Association on the 5th ultimo, and of an address from the same
body dated 1st December 1875.
I have, &c.
(Signed) WM. F. DRUMMOND JERVOIS.
The Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon,
&c. &c. &c.
To His Exeellency Sir Wm. F. Jervois, K.C.M.G., C.B., Singapore.
Sir, Penang, January 13, 1876.
I have the honour to hand you copy of a resolution passed at the last general
meeting of the Penang Association, held on the 5th instant.
“ That the Association, having fully expressed its sympathy with his Exeellency the
Governor, on account of the murder of Mr. Birch and the subsequent outbreak in the
Malay States, is further of opinion that, as our withdrawal from Perak and the other
disturbed districts can only result in the perpetuation of slavery and a state of an arc hy
and bloodshed in those places, such withdrawal would act most detrimentally both as
regards British honour and prestige-in the peninsula, and the commercial and general
interests of the colony.”
I have, &c.
(Signed) David Brown,
Chairman of the Penang Association.
7
Unto His Excellency Sir William Francis Drummond Jervois, K.C.M.G., C.B.,
Governor, Commander-in-Chief, and Vice-Admiral of the Colony of the Straits
Settlements, &c., &c., &c.
May it please your Excellency:
We, the chairman and members of the Penang Association, desire to express our
sympathy with your Excellency under the difficulties in which the Government of
these Settlements has been so unexpectedly involved in connection with the Native
States, and more especially with Perak.
We beg to be permitted to express our unanimous and entire approval of the measures
your Excellency has adopted with respect to these States both before and after the recent
outbreak, and our full confidence that your Excellency’s bold, energetic, and effective
action in procuring troops and concentrating them in the disturbed districts will not only
result in the early suppression of the present rebellion and prevent its extending to the
whole of the Native States or causing an invasion of our own territory, as it otherwise
would almost certainly have done, but will also produce an impression on the natives
generally, which will greatly facilitate future dealing with them, whether politically or
otherwise, and ultimately benefit them by opening up the way for the more rapid intro-
duction among them of those civilizing influences, of which they stand so much in need.
We further desire to express our admiration and appreciation of your Excellency’s
conduct in taking upon yourself the sole responsibility of adopting the measures for
repressing the sudden and unexpected rebellion in Perak without the sanction or
instructions of the Imperial Government, which, owing to the unfortunate stoppage of
wire communication with home, could not be obtained, and to assure your Excellency
of our hearty support in the action already taken by your Excellency..
Whilst deploring the news of the rising at Sungie Ujong and in Malacca, we are
confident that your Excellency will display the same calm judgment and prompt action as
that so characteristically displayed by your Excellency on the occasion before referred to.
(Signed) David Brown, Chairman,
Penang, December 1, 1875. For self and members.
No. 12.*
Governor Sir W. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B., to the EARL OF CARNARVON,
(Received March 13th.)
My Lord, Government House, Singapore, February 10, 1876.
In Despatch of the 10th December 1875,f your Lordship, whilst asking for expla-
nations, expresses strong opinions on some points connected with the course of action
which I considered it necessary to adopt with reference to the affairs of the State of Perak,
as communicated in my Despatch dated 16th October last.J
2. In expressing the opinion which your Lordship had then formed on the subject,
your Lordship states that I made a serious departure from the policy which had been
sanctioned by Her Majesty’s Government, and which, until your Lordship received the
news of the murder of Mr. Birch, you still fully believed to be in force in Perak, as well
as in other neighbouring states. Your Lordship also remarks that, upon that change of
policy, disastrous consequences ensued, and that it was the signal for resistance and
attack. Your Lordship proceeds to bring to my notice some extracts from Despatches,
with a view of showing that the policy of Her Majesty’s Government was to appoint
British Officers as Residents, whose duty it would be solely to advise the native rulers in
matters relating to the government of their respective states.
3. In order that a fair judgment may be formed as to the nature of the change which
I made with respect to the administration of affairs in Perak, I beg that your Lordship
will refer, firstly, to the Pangkore Treaty itself, and to the injunctions laid down by
your Lordship with reference thereto (on both of which I shall have to remark here-
after); and, secondly, will permit me to draw therefrom the deductions which, under the
circumstances which I shall detail, it seems to me, necessarily follow, as to the course of
action which it was imperative to adopt in order to give effect to the engagements con-
tained in the treaty, and to your Lordship’s strongly expressed injunction^ that the
Sultan and Chiefs of Perak were to be informed that Her Majesty’s Government would
look to the exact fulfilment of their pledges, and would hold responsible those who violate
the engagement which they had solemnly agreed upon.
* This Despatch has already been given to Parliament, vide No. 1 in Command Paper [C. 1510], formerly
numbered [0. 1503] of 1876. f No. 70 [c- 1505] 1876. J No. 49 of same Paper.
A 4
8
The extracts which your Lordship quotes from Despatches addressed to me in July
last, more than 18 months after the Pangkore Engagement was entered into, and two
months after Sir A. Clarke had left the Government, could not, I considered (see my
Despatch of 21st October last), be held to enjoin me to take the retrograde step of
reversing the course of action which, under that engagement, and under your Lordship’s
strict injunctions, had been adopted by my predecessor.
4. I believe that I can show your Lordship that the policy as pursued since the date
of the Pangkore Treaty has been really not at all what your Lordship seems to have
considered it to have been, and that your Lordship is under a misapprehension as to the
line of action which you have approved, and does not do justice to that which you now
condemn. The step which 1 have taken appears to your Lordship to be a great one in
advance, because your Lordship has believed that a policy of advice only was in operation,
whereas, in fact, from the commencement of British intervention, the government of the
Malayan States, to which British Residents have been accredited, has been, in greater or
less degree, exercised by those officers themselves.
5. Even if it were ever contemplated by this Government that the Residents should
confine their attention to merely giving advice, it has been found from the very com-
mencement that such a course has been impossible.
t>. There has been yeally no ruler, neither in Perak, Salangore, or Sungie Ujong, in
each of which States we have had Residents, who has ever had the power to carry out
the advice of the Resident.
7. The power of the recognised ruler has been more or less nominal, and any of
the petty Chiefs and usurpers of local power could set his authority at defiance with
impunity.
True, the Resident, as a matter of course, always would have advised the ruler that
it was his duty to preserve peace and order in his State, to maintain a pure dispensation
of justice, regardless of the rank of criminals, to place the collection of revenue on a
satisfactory footing, and generally to secure good administration. The rulers, however,
would have been powerless,' even had they been willing to carry out this advice, and the
very fact of their attempting to do so would have raised up enemies amongst the Chiefs,
whose unjustifiable practices have been denounced, and amongst robber bands, whose
source of livelihood depends upon the mal-administration of the country.
8. Under these circumstances the Resident has not only had to give advice, but also
to render active assistance and take the control of public affairs.
He has had to organize an armed force, to take into his own hands the collection of
the reventies, to listen to all complaints made, to punish evil-doers, to repress armed
gangs of robbers and murderers, to apprehend criminals, and to see that justice was done.
9. When I arrived here in May last I found that each Resident was practically
administering the government of the state to which he was accredited, and I certainly
always considered that this was understood to be the case in the Colonial Office, as it
certainly was by everyone out here, from the very commencement of the Residential system.
10. These remarks apply to all the States to which Residents had been accredited,
and, in the case of Perak, the necessity for this course was considerably enhanced by the
anarchy in the country caused by Ismail’s claims, which led to a division of parties, and
by the weak obstinate behaviour of Sultan Abdullah, to whom a British Resident had
been appointed. I will discuss hereafter this question of the division of parties, and in
what manner it affected the position of the Resident.
11. I would now beg to point out to your Lordship that, in addition to the general
considerations which, as I have shown in paragraphs 6, 7, 8, rendered the Residential
system, as a system of mere advice, if such were ever contemplated, a practical impos-
sibility, that the very terms of the Pangkore Treaty contained the elements of control,
and that, a system of virtual administration in Perak, either covertly or openly, was but
the logical sequence of the terms of the Treaty, especially when regarded in connexion
with those considerations before alluded to.
12. Upon turning to the treaty, we find that all revenues were to be collected in the
name of the Sultan, but that the collection and control of such revenues and the general
administration of the country were to be regulated under the advice of the Resident, and
it is stated in the treaty itself that this advice “ must be acted upon ” by the Sultan.
Such an engagement, to wffiich the Sultan and Chiefs of Perak were held bound,
virtually threw the government of the country into the hands of the Resident, and com-
mitted Her Majesty’s Government to this policy.
* This Despatch has already been given to Parliament, vide No. 51 in Command Paper fC. 15101, formerly
numbered [C. 1503] of 1876.
i
9
13. I may remark that this was pointed out to your Lordship at the time, in the
H ouse of Lords, hy Lord Stanley of Alderley, when he said that he “ felt it to be his
“ duty to warn Her Majesty’s Government against giving its sanction to the plans of
“ the Straits Government, by which it would not only be entering into equivocal and
“ entangling engagements, but embarking in a course which must inevitably lead to the
“ invasion and conquest of the whole of the Malay Peninsula. * * * The
“ object was, in reality, to impose upon the Sultan of Perak two British Officials, to be
“ cailed Resident and Assistant Resident, to be paid out of the Perak revenues, and with
“ powers which would make them the virtual rulers of the country.”
Now, I would beg to observe that although your Lordship, when repiying, reminded
Lord Stanley that the Residents had not been imposed upon the Sultan, but that they
“ had been appointed at the distinct request and entreaty of the Rajahs to whose courts
“ they had been sent,” your Lordship did not contradict the very grave assertion, made
by him, that the engagements entered into would make the Residents “ the virtual rulers
“ of the country.”
14. That it was early recognised by my predecessor that a system of mere advice was
impossible, is shown by the following extract from the instructions issued to Mr. Birch
on the 26th October 1874, prior to his taking up the duties of Resident, from which your
Lordship will observe that the power therein conferred upon him is not at all compatible
with such system.
“ The subject of the future revenue relations of Perak remains. His Excellenc}', in
the absence of any reliable information on this important matter, is not now prepared to
give you any distinct instructions* further than to allow the existing system to go on
when not of such an irregular character as to require immediate alteration ; but you will
use your best exertions to put down, by force if necessary, all unlawful exactions of what-
ever nature, so as to secure that whatever revenue is collected shall be for the State alone,
and that freebooters, leviers of black mail, and Chiefs pretending authority to levy duties
may be hindered in their extortions, and all revenue collected may be paid into the
general treasury of the country.”
15. Nor were such instructions confined to the Resident accredited to Perak. I find
that, in the case of Salangore also, Mr. Davidson received such instructions as virtually
authorised him to administer the affairs of that State. The following extracts bear upon
this point:—
“ His Excellency desires that you will proceed at once to Klang, where you will
establish yourself, at first making such arrangement for your personal accommodation as
the nature of the case will admit of, and proceeding, as soon as possible, to organise a
Resident’s guard and police of such force as you may think proper. His Excellency
desires that you will at once publish notiees far and wide * * * recalling all fugi-
tives, promising them protection, and taking special steps for having such of them as
possessed property restored to the possession of that propert}', and providing them all
with waste land to cultivate, if they wish to cultivate. The system of collecting revenue
on imports * * should occupy your early attention.
“ You will send in a regular monthly report of progress, and a monthly statement
showing the revenue and expenses of the country, which you will take under your special
charge, being assisted by such officers, clerks, Ac. as may be sanctioned by his Excel-
lency, on your representation after arrival at Klang. A steam launch will be provided
for you at once, to enable you to visit the several places of trade and population in
Salangore, and his Excellency desires that you will take an early opportunity of seeing
the Sultan of Salangore at Langat, and that you will enter upon such relations with his
Highness as will enable you, in gaining his confidence, to be of real service in securing-
the peace and prosperity of his country.”
16. Your Lordship will observe that these instructions are so couched that the Resi-
dent became the agent of the Governor rather than the adviser of the Sultan and Vice-
roy; in fact, I may say the latter position was never taken up, and that the entire
control of the affairs of this State of Salangore has been concentrated in the Resident.
17. Upon referring to paragraph 10 of your Lordship’s Despatch, under acknowledg-
ment, your Lordship states that you have always understood “that the British officers
“ confined themselves to advising and assisting the native authorities,” and that, until
the receipt of the intelligence of Mr. Birch’s death, your Lordship fully believed that
such a system was “ in force in Perak as well as in the neighbouring territories.”
With all deference, I think that your Lordship has misconceived the position of affairs,
for both from Despatches and Reports (especially the latter) which were forwarded to
383870. ®
10
your Lordship, before my arrival in the Colony, it appears to me to be clearly shown
that the position which the Resident assumed towards the States, was not merely that of
an adviser. I will confine the following remarks to the State of Perak.
18. In Sir A. Clarke’s Despatch to your Lordship, dated December 30th, 1874,* he
points out that Mr. Birch was “ in every way, eminently qualified for undertaking the
“ task of initiating all the practical measures essential for the future administration of a
“ semi-civilized country.” He further states, that Mr. Birch possessed “ in a remark-
“ able degree, untiring physical energy and endurance, powers of infinite value to one
“ whose duties will "necessarily entail upon him constant exposure to climate and
“ weather.”
Assuming that it was the duty of the Resident practically to take upon himself the
administration of the affairs of the country, such qualifications were doubtless invaluable
for the work which had to be done, and which has been more or less done, in all the
States to which Residents have been appointed, but they are not the qualifications for
which an officer would be selected if he were only intended to be a passive adviser.
19. But, it is to Mr. Birch’s Report on Perak, dated 2nd April, and forwarded to
your Lordship with Despatch of 26th April 1875,f that I would beg especially to call
your Lordship’s attention, as showing that, in his position as Resident and nominal
adviser, Mr. Birch -really perfbrmed all those duties which, in paragraph 8 of this
Despatch, I have stated must be performed by a Resident when the ruler is powerless,
even if willing, to carry out the advice tendered to him.
From paragraphs 2 and 74, your Lordship will observe that, after having made the
acquaintance of the Sultan, Mr. Birch was travelling, in various parts of Perak, for some
five months.
In paragraph ll there is no mention of any advice tendered to the Sultan, but a
hope is expressed that, when the Sultan has a new house, that he would give up opium
smoking and think for himself.
In paragraphs 16, 17, and 18 he mentions that the complaints of illegal fining and
oppression, which came before him (Mr. Birch), were on the decrease.
In paragraphs 19 and 20, he mentions that he had reorganised the system of collecting
the imports and exports, and that it was now under the supervision of one of his officers
who kept the accounts.
In paragraph 27 lie states that lie had submit ted a scale of duties to the Governor,
who had approved of the same.
In paragraphs 30 and 31 he states that he hopes to have a short code of laws ready
for the Datus, and that the Datus and Sultans in many cases referred the ryots to him,
for the settlement of complaints.
In paragraph 40 he states . that he is unable to deal with the appointments of
Punghulus and Datus until he had become personally acquainted with the topography
of the country.
In paragraphs 62, 72, and 73 he states that he intended or proposed to have police
stations at various points.
Finally, in paragraph 90, he states that the British Administration in Laroot has been
very successful.
20. Now, my Lord, I would beg to observe that although this Report admits of no
doubt that the Resident (backed by the terms of the Pangkore engagement which, as
I have stated in paragraph 12, virtually threw the Government of the country into his
hands) had assumed powers far beyond that of an adviser and counsellor. Your Lord-
ship, in acknowledging the receipt of the Report (No. 120 of 15th July), states that
you had read it with much interest, and that you trusted that peace and prosperity will
be still further developed.
21. I certainly always considered, as I have stated in paragraph 9, that tire Colonial
Office understood that the relation of the Resident to the ruler was far beyond that of
a mere adviser, and I was strengthened in that belief by the apparent acquiescence of
your Lordship in Reports such as that to which I have referred. When, therefore, I
arrived here and found, as I have stated in paragraph 9, that each Resident was prac-
tically administering the Government of the State to which he was accredited, I
considered that I should only be carrying out the views of the Colonial Office in sup-
porting such system, and endeavouring, if possible, to bring it to a successful issue. I
* No. 74 of Command Paper [C. 1 111], July 1874. f No. 26 of Command Paper [C. 1320] of August 1875.
ll
would beg to point out to your Lordship that this system was not introduced by me,
but that I found it in operation, and, as I have explained, I considered it, under the
circumstanees of the case, a logical consequence of our intervention.
22. Soon after my arrival here, I recognised that the success of the system as it
existed was, amongst other conditions, dependent upon the amenability of the ruler.
When the Resident and the central authority acted in harmony, and when the views
of the former were cordially supported by the latter, comparative success accrued.
But when their mutual relations were distinguished by disunion and discord, rather than
by harmony and unaniinity, and when the central authority would not submit to be
strengthened by the moral and material force which the Resident could bring to bear,
failure, either total or partial, was the inevitable result.
23. Now, I beg your Lordship to observe that, on my arrival here, I found that the
success of the residential system in the States of Salangore and Perak presented a very
marked contrast. In both these States, as well as in that of Sungie Ujong, the Residents
had the conduct of affairs in their own hands, but different results had ensued, for the
reason that the relations between the Resident and the ruler were marked respectively
by the opposite features which the system is capable of presenting, and which I have
explained in the previous paragraph.
24. In Salangore, as your Lordship justly remarks, in paragraph 15 of your Lord-
ship’s Despatch under acknowledgment, comparative success had attended this system.
This is to be accounted for by the fact that Tunku Kudin, Viceroy of Salangore,
recognising that his position as ruler of a Malay State is that which I have described
the position of such rulers to be generally (in paragraph 7), has trusted implicitly in
Mr. Davidson, the Resident, and has, together with the Sultan, who is also amenable,
immediately ratified any measures proposed by Mr. Davidson, knowing that such
measures were for the good of the country. Mr. Davidson has felt himself obliged to
take all the duties of the administration of the country, as stated in paragraph 8, into
his hands, but, in this also, Tunku Kudin gives him all the assistance he can, and co-
operates with him to the utmost of his ability.
25. But I would, however, observe that this condition of affairs in Salangore does not
possess the elements of permanency. In the event of anything happening to the central
native authority, there is a possibility that his successor would not submit to be guided
by the decisions of the Resident. In that case a state of thitlgs would ensue somewhat
similar to that which I found existing in Perak.
And here I may remark that Mr. Davidson has had considerable difficulties to contend
with in Salangore, and that he has been successful inputting down and preventing distur-
bances by the cordial support he has received from the Viceroy whilst acting in his name.
26. I have previously stated that the necessity for a British Resident adopting a course
of control was considerably enhanced in Perak by the division of parties in that State,
and by the fact that the Treaty of Parigkore itself contained the elements of control,
insomuch that the Sultan was bound thereby to act upon the Resident’s advice in
matters concerning the general administration of the country and the collection of
revenue, and, indeed, in all matters, except such as referred to Malay religion and
custom.
A proclamation had been issued, in consequence of your Lordship’s Despatch of the
4th September, holding inviolable the engagements which the Sultan and Chiefs had
made at Pangkore. However, notwithstanding these engagements, to which Sultan
Abdullah had solemnly agreed, and for the keeping of which he was held responsible by
Her Majesty’s Government, I found (as I reported in Despatch of 16th October last),*
that he was thwarting the Resident, and that, in consequence, the conduct of public
business was rendered well nigh impossible.
In fact, the relations between Abdullah and the Resident were marked by disunion
and discord. The situation was rendered still more difficult by the position which was
assumed by Ex-Sultan Ismail in the matter.
27. Under the Pangkore Treaty Ismail was dethroned and Abdullah was recognised
as Sultan. A Resident was attached to the “court” of Abdullah, and an Assistant
Resident was appointed for Laroot. Ismail, who was not present at Pangkore, did not
assent to the arrangement, and not unnaturally so. Rightly or wrongly, he had been
elected Sultan by a certain number of Chiefs, and, in virtue of such election, held the
regalia of the country in bis possession. He was acknowledged as Sultan throughout the
greater part of the country, extending from Passir Sala, on the Perak River, upwards.
* No. 49 of [C. 1505] of 1876.
B 2
12
28. Although Abdullah, therefore, the nominal ruler of the lower portion of the river,
was the rightful heir to the throne according to the principles of Perak succession, and
although we recognised him as such at Pangkore, it by no means followed that the
deposed Ismail would acquiesce in the terms of an engagement which would deprive him
of the important power which he possessed in the Upper Country, especially as that
engagement was entered into by his rival, Abdullah, and by Chiefs, many of whom had
previously installed him (Ismail) as Sultan. In my opinion it seems unreasonable to
6uppose that Ismail would have surrendered his power under such an engagement, in
which he had not even been consulted, yet I am given to understand that the idea was
entertained at Pangkore.
Your Lordship will observe from letter to Ismail, page 157 of Blue Book, that it was
assumed that he would at once peaceably surrender the regalia. It appears also from
paragraph 111 of Enclosure 7, Despatch dated 24th February 1874,* that the new
Sultan was to send to Ismail for the regalia, and that the Governor promised to
attend the ceremony of coronation, and thus certify to the people of Perak and the
surrounding States that the kingdom of Perak was finally and peaceably settled under
Sultan Abdullah.
29. To my mind it admits of no argument that such an engagement could scarcely
have failed to have exasperated Ismail. It appears to me that, with the obstinacy and
dogged determination which recent events have proved he possesses, added to his sense
of wounded dignity, he would have at once decided not to yield the important position
which he held in the upper country as long as he could avoid doing so. He must have
regarded Abdullah, as well as those Chiefs who supported him, with very bitter feelings.
He must also have looked upon the Resident—the agent of the British Government who
had supplanted him in favour of his rival, Abdullah—with peculiar animosity (especially
when that Resident was governing the whole country in Abdullah’s name), and must
have been anxious for an opportunity to gratify his wounded pride.
30. But, even supposing that Ismail had no personal feeling in the matter, the position
of the Resident in Perak wras a most peculiar one. It would be as well to review the
situation under the most favourable circumstances, and presume that Abdullah was as
amenable to the counsels of the Resident as is Tunku Kudin in Salangore and Datu
Klana in Sungie Ujong.
31. Even in that case, the residential system, as carried on in those States, and as
described in paragraph 24, could not have succeeded in Perak, as it did in Salangore and
Sungie Ujong, because Abdullah did not fill in Perak a similar position to that of the
two rulers to whom I have referred, and who are regarded, each in their respective States,
as a central authority, in whose name the Resident can carry on the administration of
the country.
32. When Mr. Birch, who was appointed Resident with Abdullah, some 10 months
after the Pangkore engagement had been entered upon, arrived in Perak, he found that
Ismail, during this interval, had had time to strengthen his position, and that there were
practically two Sultans in Perak, each supported by a particular division of the country,
as stated in paragraph 27, and that great jealousy existed between the people of the Ulu
(up country), and those of the Hilir (down country), Ismail, whose party outnumbered
that of Abdullah, had never acknowledged Abdullah as Sultan, nor the engagement as
a treaty by which he was bound, or even in which he was concerned. He also still
retained possession of the regalia, and, by so doing, secured the allegiance of a great
many subjects, who regarded such possesssion as symbolic of sovereignty, and without
which, in the eyes of the Malays, complete regal power could not be assumed.
33. Besides this dual head, Mr. Birch also found that, from the weakness of the ruling
powers, the minor Chiefs were more powerful in this state, than in any other part of the
peninsula, and that, although owning nominal allegiance to one or other of the two
Sultans, they were practically independent in their several districts, that they oppressed
the ryots (many of whom were slave-debtors) residing therein, and that they levied
black mail and illegal taxes on all who happened to pass through their particular
district.
34. Thus, my Lord, you will observe that, instead of having one central authority in
Perak, in whose name and through whose amenability all orders could be given and
requisite reforms effected, two Sultans, each antagonistic to the other, divided this central
authority between them, the Sultan, as recognised by us under the Pangkore Treaty,
being the weaker of the two and powerless to act. Besides this dual head, a number of
semi-independent Chiefs, over whom neither Sultan possessed any practical control, and
* No. 52 of Command Paper [C. 1111] of July 1874.
13
who had thus to be dealt with directly, completed a division of authority which rendered
the conduct of public business nearly impossible. I would here beg to remark that
your Lordship, in your Despatch of the 25th May last,* to which you call my attention
in paragraph 11 of the Despatch under acknowledgment, appears to infer that there was
a central authority in Perak, whereas, as I have just demonstrated, there was really no
such authority through whom our influence could be exerted, either in respect to the
abolition of debt slavery, which forms the subject of the despatch in question, or indeed,
to any other matter.
35. Such was the condition of affairs in which Mr. Birch found the State of Perak, in
November 1874, when he arrived to carry out a system which, as stated in paragraph
12, committed us to tbe control of the country.
One of the first duties of Mr. Birch was to impress upon the Sultan and Chiefs that
the treaty would be carried out in its entirety, and that those who violated it would be
held responsible for so doing.
I find that injunctions on this point were issued to Mr. Birch on appointment in the
following terms :—
“ You will explain clearly to all with whom you come into contact in Perak, that the
terms of the engagement have been approved by Her Majesty’s Government in England,
and will be strictly enforced.
“ On this subject a number of copies of a proclamation, recently issued here in English
and Malay, giving the effect of a Despatch from the Secretary of State for the Colonies,
are sent to you for distribution where you think they will be useful, end you will clearly
explain the meaning and effect of the language used by Lord Carnarvon in that Despatch,
so that there may be no misunderstanding on this subject.”
36. I have hitherto presumed that Abdullah was perfectly amenable to the counsels
of the Resident, so that, under the virtual control exercised by the latter, the district
over which Abdullah held sway was progressing favourably. In that case there still
remained for the Resident three important duties to perform:—
(1.) To induce Ismail to agree to the terms of the Pangkore engagement, and to
surrender the regalia to Abdullah, who had been elected in his stead. Also to induce
those Chiefs who had not already signed the engagement to do so, in order that the
whole state of Perak might come under the dominion of Abdullah, and be brought to
the same condition, and by the same means, as that portion of the country which was
already held by him.
(2.) To put an end to unlawful exactions, and to hinder freebooters, leviers of black-
mail, and Chiefs pretending authority, from indulging in their extortions, so that all the
revenue could be paid into the general treasury of the State (see paragraph 14).
(3.) To be especially careful that your Lordship’s injunctions were firmly carried out,
and that the Chiefs who had signed the engagement were strictly held to the terms they
solemnly agreed upon; to investigate any violation thereof; and to warn them of the
consequences of such violation.
37- As regards the first point, Ismail, impelled, doubtless, by motives and feelings
such as I have stated in paragraph 29, and recognising that his position was even
stronger than it was at the time of the Pangkore engagement, received Mr. Birch as the
agent of the British Government attached to Abdullah. An apparent civility, a well-
disguised courtesy of manner, and a pretended acquiescence, concealed a strength of
purpose, a feeling of injury, and a stern resolution not to part with that which he had
acquired. As intractable as he was civil, as obstinate as he was courteous, and as firm
as he was seemingly acquiescent, he could not be induced by any persuasion or argument
to adopt the decisions of the British Government, nor to yield the high position which
he occupied. His very ignorance and dependence upon his counsellor rendered him
even still more difficult to deal with.
38. Notwithstanding, however, that the resistance made by Ismail was strictly passive
in its nature, Mr. Birch found that, in the large district in which Ismail was acknowledged,
he was unable, in his capacity as Resident, to initiate reforms and to effect changes in
the name of a Sultan who was not recognized therein as such, but who was rather
regarded with jealousy and dislike. Nor could he do so in the name of the Ex-Sultan,
for he would then have confirmed the position to which Ismail was aspiring, and would
have acted in opposition to the general purpose of the Pangkore engagement, and to the
expressed injunctions of Her Majesty’s Government. Nevertheless, he had his duties
as Resident to perform in this district; to repress disorder, and to bring about a more
* No. 24 of Command Paper [C. 1320], August 1875.
B 3
14
settled state of things; and this he had to endeavour to do without augmenting the
jealousy which existed between the two parties.
39. It must, moreover, be borne in mind that, in endeavouring to effect these objects,
he found that the Chiefs, although owning nominal allegiance to one or other of the two
Sultans, who divided the head authority between them, were semi-independent, and had
to be dealt with directly. Had the ruling power been a strong one, or had the Resident
been able to act in the name of one central authority, there is no doubt but that this
semi-independence would have disappeared.
40. By taking up the position assigned to him by his instructions, Mr. Birch was
enabled to do much towards carrying out the second duty ((2) paragraph 36) which as
Resident he had to perforin, and, to his credit, I may say that in the twelve months
during which he held the post of Resident illegal extortion and exaction and the levying
of black mail greatly diminished. Now, although the ryots could not fail to recognise
the protection which they gained from the presence of a British Officer, and in the course
adopted by him in putting down extortion and black mail, a relief from a burden against
which they dared not complain, the Chiefs, on the other hand, doubtless regarded such
proceedings as encroachments on the power which they had exercised.
It is not to be wondered at that they were loath to surrender their power, and that
Mr. Birch, in virtue of the instructions issued to him (paragraph 14), was often obliged
on failure of persuasion, to have recourse to threats of force. Nor is it to be wondered
at, that, in consequence, Mr. Birch was regarded by some of the Chiefs, whose power he
had curbed, with ill-feeling and distrust.
41. And to none of these Chiefs did the new order of things prove probably more dis-
tasteful than to the Maharaja Lela. He had not been concerned in the Pangkore treaty,
and holding as head of the “ Eight,” a most important position in the State, he doubt-
less felt annoyed and slighted that other Chiefs had entered into this engagement without
consulting him. For 10 months, however, British intervention, confined as it was to Laroot,
was not brought to bear upon him. Impelled, doubtless, by feelings of annoyance and
pique, he had, during this time, the opportunity of cementing a friendship with Ismail,
although, in February 1872, he had been one of the Chiefs who addressed a letter to the
Governor, urging the claims of Abdullah to the throne.
42. I have twice mentioned that Ismail’s position was stronger in November 1874 than
it was at the time of the Pangkore engagement. This is mainly due to the fact that no
step was taken to establish Abdullah in his position, nor to strengthen that position by
the presence of a Resident for some 10 months. Had the Pangkore engagement been
immediately acted upon, and had Abdullah then received the moral support of a Resident,
perhaps many subsequent difficulties would never have, arisen, whilst, as it was, the delay
which ensued detracted from the solemn importance with which the engagement should
have been regarded by the Chiefs who had contracted it. During this interval, the
Bandahara, the Tumonggong, and the Mantri, neither of whom had been very warm
supporters of Abdullah, practically abandoned the cause of Abdullah and espoused that
of Ismail, whilst the Datu Sagor wavered between the two Sultans.
Raja Muda Yusuf who, until 1874, had never even met Ismail, whilst declaring him-
self to be the rightful Sultan, repudiated Abdullah and associated himself with Ismail.
There remained, therefore, but the Laxamana, the Shahbandar, and the Rajah Makola
as supporters of Abdullah.
43. Such was the position of the Chiefs, as regards the nominal allegiance which they
owed to the two heads, who, together, constituted the central authority.
I may remark that such alliegance did not necessiate active support, in fact, during
recent events, Rajah Muda Yusuf has actively supported us, and the Bandahara, the
Tumonggong, and the Mantri have afforded us assistance in more or less degree.
44. Ismail’s position was still more strengthened by the declared allegiance of the
Maharaja Lela. Living as the latter did at Passir Sala, the point of division of the upper
and lower districts, he was the first to feel the presence and power of the Resident, when
British intervention was brought to bear in Perak. He also, doubtless, felt some con-
tempt for the position of Abdullah, supported as he was but by three Chiefs, each of
whom were inferior in rank to himself. He probably regarded Mr. Birch as an intruder
and as an agent of Abdullah, and, no doubt, he viewed the abolition of illegal taxes
and black mail, as practised at Passir Sala, with exasperated feelings.
Exasperation gave rise to insolence, and Mr. Birch, who from the Residency at Bandar
Bahru, could always keep a watch over his actions, experienced greater trouble and
obstruction from him than from any other Chief in Perak. I shall allude again to this
point when considering your Lordship’s observation that my proceedings in Perak were
the “ signal for resistance and attack.”
15
45. In paragraph 40, I have stated that Mr. Birch was, in a considerable measure,
successful in putting down illegal extortion and exaction in Perak, and that he was, in
consequence, regarded with ill-feeling and distrust by the Chiefs whose power he had
curbed. But any resistance to his proceedings was, as a rule, similar to that offered by
Ismail, in his relations with the Resident, viz., passive. This was probably due more to
the jealousy which existed between the several Chiefs and their followers, and the almost
impossibility of their uniting for a common object, rather than to any individual feeling
in the matter.
Arrangements had not been perfected for indemnifying the principal Chiefs and rulers
for loss of power and profit, and many of them, no doubt feared that British intervention,
which brought gain to the ryots, meant loss to them. At the same time, they probably
did not individually feel themselves in a position openly to oppose the reformatory
measures effectcd by the Resident.
46. It is to be observed that the Resident could only carry out the measures necessary
for the gqod government of the country in the name of Abdullah, and with his consent
and approval. Now, as I have mentioned in paragraph 32, Abdullah was not recognised
as Sultan in the Ulu, and any measures introduced therein in his name had naturally the
effect of increasing the jealousy between the two parties and of encountering opposition
from Ex-Sultan Ismail and his Chiefs. Mr. Birch was naturally anxious to carry out
such measures in the Ulu, as is shown by some of the extracts from his report to which
I have alluded in paragraph 19, but at the same time, it would have been a task of great
difficulty, and one in which the name of Abdullah would have had to be used as sparingly
as possible.
47- Thus, even had Abdullah, as hitherto presumed, been perfectly amenable to the
counsels of the Resident, your Lordship will observe that the division of parties in the
State of Perak, was fatal to the successful working of the Residential system, as carried
on in the States of Salangore and Sungie Ujong, in each of which there is a central
authority, in whose name the Residents can practically carry on the administration of
affairs. In Perak, such action was rendered impossible by the absence of this necessarjr
central authority one division of the country and that the most considerable one, recog-
nising neither the Sultan as elected at Pangkore, nor his authority to sanction the intro-
duction of the reforms and changes necessary for the improvement of the country and
the welfare of its inhabitants.
48. And here I would observe that the failure of the Residential system in Perak, so
far as it arose from the division of parties, was quite independent of any action or general
line of conduct of either the Resident or of Abdullah, but that it arose purely from the
fact of there being this division of parties, with their mutual jealousy, distrust, and
antagonism.
This disturbing element was peculiar to the State of Perak, and it is, therefore, I
submit, unfair to make a comparison of the working of the Residential system in this
State with the working of the system in Salangore and Sungie Ujong, where success has
been due to the amenability of the central authority, as previously explained (para-
graph 24).
49. In the paragraph to which I have just referred, I have endeavoured to explain to
your Lordship, in general terms, that when the relations of the Resident and the Ruler
were not distinguished by perfect harmony, failure, either total or partial, was certain to
ensue. In order to show the fatal effects of the division of central authority in Perak,
I have presumed that the Sultan, as elected at Pangkore, was amenable to the decisions
of the Resident; but upon descending from hypothesis to facts, your Lordship will
recognise that this second disturbing element of want of harmony between the Resident
and the Ruler, combined with that of the division of parties, was certain to bring about
a complete collapse of the Residential system in Perak.
Extremely difficult as it would have been to have brought this system to a successful
issue in this State, even had Abdullah been perfectly amenable, the difficulty became
an impossibility when Abdullah adopted a position antagonistic to the counsels of the
Resident.
50. The difficulty of conducting public business was not, therefore, confined to the
Ulu; it was well nigh impossible to effect progress or to establish reforms, even in the
Hilir, on account of the duplicity and folly of Abdullah, who, instead of uniting with
the Resident for the public good, took every opportunity to thwart him in his endeavours.
The schemes matured by Mr. Birch for the improvement of the country, and to which
I have referred in paragraph 46, required Abdullah’s signature, or “ chop,” in order that
the Resident might - be vested with the necessary povvers for carrying them into effect.
But Abdullah, with the intractability which has distinguished him throughout, would not
ratify these schemes, but postponed doing so, upon the most frivolous excuses, and showed
a general desire to break all the engagements into which he had entered at Pangkore.
51. These and many other matters, which I found existing in Perak on my arrival
here, in May last, I reported to your Lordship in detail in my previous Despatch
of the 16th October last.*
In my Despatch of 21st October,f transinitted by the same mail as the Despatch
to which I have just referred, I stated the difference that existed in the working of the
residential system in the States of Salangore and Sungie Ujong, as distinguished from
Perak, and I based my Despatch 16th October upon the unsatisfactory condition
of affairs which J found existing in Perak, and therein stated the measures which I had
adopted with a view of obviating the difficulties experienced in carrying out the resi-
dential system in that State.
52. As mentioned in paragraph 9, I certainly thought that the relations which existed
between Resident and Ruler in the States to which the residential system had been
applied were understood at the Colonial Office, and met with general approval. It was
not until I received your Lordship’s Despatch of 10th December J that I perceived
that your Lordship had misconceived the position which the Residents have occupied, and
have been obliged to occupy, in the Native States of the Malayan Peninsula. I have,
therefore, endeavoured *o make your Lordship acquainted with these relations, and with
the difficulties by which the working of the Residential system in Perak was surrounded.
53. And here I beg leave to take exception to your Lordship’s remark in paragraph 2
of your Lordship’s Despatch under acknowledgment, that the policy, as inaugurated in
1874 in the Malay States, was of “ the nature of an experiment.”
My Lord, British intervention once entered upon, there could, I submit, be no with-
drawal until, yielding in course of time to British influence, these States, like that of
Johore, possessed a Government founded on just and enlightened principles. As the
leading European nation in these waters and in the East generally, I conceive we could
not experiment with these States. Adjacent as they are to our own Settlements, the
interests of civilization and the safety of our own possessions demanded that we should
release them from the anarchy and confusion into which they had fallen, and restore
order and good government. But wTe could not possibly intervene for this purpose onlv
to retire upon the appearance of any difficulty. I submit that such a course would be
unjust to the States, dangerous to our own Settlements, and prejudicial to our interests
in this part of the world. We could not leave to their fate those who had been induced
to give us their support in introducing a new order of things, nor abandon the country
to a state of confusion which, after our withdrawal, would become more distracted than
before we undertook the settlement of affairs, without incurring, throughout the East, a
charge of injustice and vacillation ; the result, moreover, being that we should only have
again to undertake the settlement of affairs in the States, but with the difficulties and
expense of intervention enormously increased.
54. And, as regards the State of Perak, I did not for a moment imagine that it could
ever be contemplated on our part to break the Pangkore Treaty, and to ourselves refuse
to oarry out engagements which Her Majesty’s Government decided should be strictly
fulfilled by the Sultan and Chiefs of that State. I conceived that in affairs of this
solemn character (paragraph 8 of your Lordship’s Despatch of September 4th, 1874§)
we were equally bound by our engagements as they, and that there was no withdrawal
from the position we had assumed in relation to Perak. I well understood that Residents
and Assistant Residents at the so-called “ Native Courts ” held their appointment^
provisionally, and that, so far, they were being tried experimentally, but, as regards the
policy itself being of “the nature of an experiment,” I submit that, taking the facts into
consideration, this expression can only mean that, if the system as introdueed did not
succeed recourse must be had to some other plan to secure the object in view.
55. I venture to say, my Lord, that the proper course for anyone who desired
loyally to carry out the engagements which Her Majesty’s Government desired should
be held inviolate was to endeavour, as far as possible, to put into working order the
system they had approved. Upon reviewing the question with the additional acquaint-
ance of facts vvhich, as stated in paragraph 52, I have endeavoured to bring to your
Lordship’s notice, your Lordship will readily perceive that there were considerations
which weighed with me when adopting the course I did in Perak other than those which
I have fully discussed in my Despatch of the l6th October last, to which I must beg
your Lordship to give further consideration.
* No. 49 of [C. 1505] of 1876. f No. 51 of same Paper. | No. 70 of same Paper.
§ Not printed.
17
56. Upon my arrival here, I made it my duty to investigate Native States affairs,
and I soon perceived that in Perak there was a dead lock, and that I should have to
cope with a double difficulty before any progress could be effected, viz., the want of
amenability in the Ruler, and the absence of a central authority, both of which con-
flicting causes I have demonstrated to be fatal to the success of the residential system.
So serious were these difficulties, that when I viewed them in connexion with the
other circumstances, enumerated in paragraph 26 of the Despatch just referred to (and
to which your Lordship alludes in paragraph 16 of your Lordship’s Despatch under
acknowledgement), I can only repeat that I at first inclined to the opinion that the best
course to adopt would be to declare Perak British territory and govern it accordingly,
though such a step, of course, could not have been taken without the authority of Her
Majesty’s Government.
57- I believed that this step would have removed the jealousies which existed between
Ismail and Abdullah and their respective adherents; that the former would prefer the
Government of the country being in the hands of the British, whilst the latter having
broken through all his engagements, and powerless in himself, could have made no
opposition ; and that such a step would meet with favour from the ryots who would be
benefited by the change, especially from the Chinese who would have sure protection
for life and property, and upon the immigration of whom the country depends for further
development.
58. But I was anxious, if possible, not to reverse the policy as approved by Her
Majesty's Government, but rather to endeavour to bring it to a successful issue, by over-
coming the difficulties with which its working was surrounded. To do so, two points
required to be kept in view, both of which had to be satisfied, namely; firstly to
endeavour to conciliate Ismail and his party, and thus to unite the present divided
authority; and secondly, to adopt such a plan as would prevent the measures proposed by
the Resident from being rendered of no effect, on account of the intractability of Abdullah.
59- It was after much consideration, therefore, that I thought I should be able to
secure this double end, by adopting the course which I proposed, instead of that of
annexation, and I still think that this course of administering the affairs of the country
in the name of the Sultan, with the assistance of a Malay Council, was, at the time, the
wisest one which could have been adopted. I was prepared to deal liberally with those
whose pecuniary interests would be affected by the change, and I considered that by
getting the Chiefs on both sides to accept seats in the Council I should be able to bring
them together on friendly terms, and, by giving them a share in the Government of the
country, break down the jealousy which existed from the idea that Abdullah only was
consulted by the Resident.
60. Had this course been carried out it would have conferred upon the Resident or
Commissioner (the change of name was really not a matter of much consequence) powers
similar to those exercised with such good effect by Mr. Davidson and Captain Murray
in Salangore and Sungie Ujong (paragraph 31), modified, however, by his first having to
consult with the leading men in the country on any important subject, and by his having
to obtain the assent of the Governor in any action proposed to be taken in opposition to
the feelings of the Council. Thus, my Lord, the powers secured to the Resident or
Commissioner by the course which I adopted were less authoritative than those exercised
by the Residents in Salangore and Sungie Ujong.
61. With regard to the opinion expressed by your Lordship in paragraph 14 of Despatch
of 10th Decembre, that this course was an entire reversal of existing policy, I do not
think, now that your Lordship has been made acquainted with the relations which exist
between our Residents and the Malay rulers in Malay States, that your Lordship will
continue of this opinion, but will recognise that the step was taken by me with a view to
making the policy, as approved of by Her Majesty’s Government, workable in Perak.
Finding that British intervention had committed us to the policy inaugurated in 1874,
and to take an active interest in the Native States, and looking at the strict injunctions
of Her Majesty’s Government, that the Sultan and Chiefs of Perak were to be held
bound by their engagements, I certainly thought that I should earn the thanks of Her
Majestv’s Government by removing the dead lock which existed in Perak, especially
when i" was able to do so by a comparatively slight modification of the system which had
met with their approval.
62. Your Lordship refers, in paragraph 12 of the Despatch under reply, to your
Despatch of 15th July last* as defining the extent of the policy as approved of by Her
38387 cr.
* No. 35 of Command Paper [C. 1320] of August 1875.
c
18
Majesty’s Government. When I regarded the circumstances attending our intervention,
the introduction of a system which necessitated the power of control, the irretrievable
step that was taken by the introduction of that system, the binding nature of the Pang-
kore engagement, and the precise and definite injunctions issued in consequence thereof,
I could not suppose that the course which had been adopted from the very commence-
ment (several months before the date of that Despatch) could be reversed by the apparent
withdrawal which the Despatch in question might be construed to convey. It would
have been dangerous to have shown symptoms of vacillation, which would have been
taken for weakness, and especially in those States where the system was being success-
fully conducted. Moreover, as I have just mentioned and previously demonstrated, the
course which had been adopted had been one of necessity, and had not the Residents
directed the government of the States to which they had been appointed, their position
would have become untenable, and their presence with the Native Ilulers neither advan-
tageous nor consistent with the respect with which the Malays regard the officers of
the British Government (see Despatch, dated 21st October, in reply to your Lordship’s
Despatch under discussion).
The same remarks refer to your Lordship’s Despatch of the 27th July last,* alluded to
in paragraph 13 of the Despatch under reply.
63. Instead of altering the working of the system which I found necessarily in force,
and which had met with comparative success in Salangore and Sungie Ujong, I rather
considered it to be an imperative duty to endeavour to remove the dual conflicting
element in Perak and to bring the system in that State to a similar successful issue.
This was the more necessary as, by the folly of Abdullah, the obstinacy and intractability
of Ismail, the jealousies of parties, and the consequent inability of the Resident to
improve the condition of the country or people, Perak was fast becoming a source of
anxiety even to its Chiefs. In September, therefore, as fully stated in my Despatch No.
291,1 put the case before the Rajahs and Chiefs of Perak, with the result that Rajah Muda
Yusuf, the heir apparent to the Sultanship, and one of Ismail5 s principal supporters,
together with Rajah Dris, of blood royal, and next in order for the Bandaharaship,
stated, in writing, their conviction that unless the British Government would further
assist them Perak affairs could never be put on a satisfactory footing. After instancing
some of the obstacles to a settled state of affairs, such as the fact of there being two
Sultans, the improper levying of taxes and fines, and the total absence of justice, they
begged me, as Her Majesty’s representative, to take over the country.
64. Abdullah, to whom I spoke fully on the subject (paragraph 24, Despatch No. 291),
thinking, no doubt, how best to consult his own interests, and having seen the document
above referred to, sent me a similar one, coupled with a request that he might remain
Sultan, and in a separate letter he expressed contrition for the past and promised amend-
ment for the future. Abdullah also handed to Mr. Birch two notifications for publica-
tion, giving the Resident power to act in his name, without obtaining a separate chop or
seal for each separate document which the Resident, in the interests of the country and
in the ordinary course of business, might have to execute. Thus, one great conflicting
element, which was experienced in carrying out the residential system in Perak, was
overcome by this voluntary act of Abdullah, who conferred powers on the Resident or
Commissioner very similar to those possessed by the residents in Salangpore and Sungie
Ujong, who have never had any difficulty in obtaining the chops and seals of the rulers,
and in their names respectively, have thus been able to administer the government of
those States.
65. The second conflicting element was met by the establishment of the Malay
Council. The nucleus of this council was formed by the action of Sultan Abdullah,
Rajah Muda Yusuf, and Rajah Dris, and it remained but to invite, and I did invite,
Ex-Sultan Ismail and the Rajah Bandahara to complete the council of the “ Waris-
Nugri,” or princes of the blood royal, who would be consulted by the Residents or
other British officers on all important state affairs.
66. By adopting this course, I considered that the difficulties which had brought
about in Perak a collapse of the residential system would be met, and that with but a
comparatively small step in advance, as explained in paragraph 60.
Sultan Abdullah’s offer to confer more power on the Resident was accepted, and the
fact that the Sultan and Chiefs had, for certain reasons, given certain powers to the
British officers in Perak was set forth in the proclamation issued by me. It may be
that, in stating my action in the matter, I considered it less in connexion with the resi-
dential system as a whole, and as practised where successful, than as an important
* No. 37 of Command Paper [C. 1320] of August 1875.
19
change for the State of Perak, and that by laying therefore, under weight on its intro-
duction, I inadvertently gave your Lordship a wrong impression on the subject.
67. In paragraph 17 your Lordship infers that the course which 1 adopted, of
governing the country in the name of the Sultan was not practically likely to succeed.
Your Lordship will, however, observe, as I have explained, that this course is virtually that
which exists in those states where the residential system has been more or less successful.
Hence, there is no logical reason why it should not have met with a similar success
in Perak. The establishment of a Malay Council, to assist the Resident in important
State affairs, was calculated to remove the jealousies which existed, and to give the
member s an interest in the Government which they had never before enjoy ed. The
example set by the Brookes in Sarawak and the course adopted by the Maharajah of
Johore, in both of which States the ruler is assisted by a council, showed it to be a
perfectly feasible scheme.
68. In the same paragraph your Lordship infers also that this course does not differ
from annexation. I beg to refer your Lordship to paragraph 61 of this Despatch, where
I explain that this course is not a reversal of the policy approved by Her Majesty’s
Government; when governing in the name of the Sultan, the revenues of the country
are paid into an independent Treasury and applied entirely to public purposes in the
State. Again, this course may be either temporary or permanent; permanent, if, upon
further experience, we found that it was desirable to maintain it, in order to preserve
peace and good government; temporary, if, in the course of events, we found any Chief,
like the Maharajah of Johore, who had the necessary strength of character, and who
could and would undertake the government of the state, when it would be easy to hand
over the government to him. The difference between the plan I proposed and that of
the Pangkore Treaty was this:—the one provided for a Commissioner to act in the
name of the Sultan, the other for a Resident whose advice must be taken and acted upon
by the Sultan. If the course adopted by me amounted to annexation, I submit that the
Pangkore Treaty practically amounted to annexation too.
69- When I wrote my Despatch No. 291 I considered that if your Lordship disap-
proved of the step taken by me, that we could revert to the old order of things, strongly
as I condemned it, as inapplicable to the circumstances of Perak. Your Lordship calls
my attention to this point in paragraph 17 of No. 218. I am still of opinion that had
the recent disturbances in Perak not broken out we could, if desired, have receded to the
old position. I do not think that we could possibly do so now. I could not foresee the
murder of Mr. Birch, nor the events which have followed since in rapid succession.
To abandon the present position would now be construed as weakness, and would
have the worst possible effect on the Malay Peninsula, and, as I submit, for the reasons
mentioned in my Despatch of the 3rd December last, prejudicial to our interests in the
East. I will presently allude further to this point.
70. Your Lordship expresses a very strong opinion that I had no authority for acting
as I did, and that I had no ground for supposing that Her Majesty’s Government would
approve of the course which I adopted.
On this point I beg to call your Lordship’s attention to the following facts.
71. My predecessor, having been requested by Lord Kimberley to consider whether it
would be advisable to appoint a British Officer to reside in any of the Malay States, not
only engaged to place a Resident in Perak and an Assistant Resident in Laroot, but, in
opposition to the views expressed by Lord Kimberley, who stated that Her Majesty’s
Government had no desire to interfere in the internal affairs of the Malay States, inter-
vened in a very decided manner in the internal affairs of Perak. He collected together
a majority of the Chiefs of that State and entered into a Treaty, by which one Sultan was
deposed and another set up, and that Treaty, moreover, provided that the government of
the country should practically be placed in the hands of the Resident. The Treaty, if
confirmed, really committed the British Government to a decided policy of intervention
in the internal affairs of Perak. It may be said that the Laroot difficulty rendered
prompt action necessary, and so indeed it did, but there was certainly not so much reason
for immediate action in the case of the Sultan of Perak, or for the practical assumption of
the government of that State by a British Officer, as there was for the step I took, with
a view of removing difficulties, which increased in proportion to the time they were per-
mitted to remain, in the working of the system which I found in existence in Perak. I
submit that the steps taken by my predecessor, without authority, in January 1874,
were infinitely more vital and important than the step which I took in October 1875.
72. My Lord, I do not advert to this action of my predecessor for the purpose of
casting blame upon him, for I felt, as he did, that in dealing with Malay Chiefs, it is
necessary to settle with them promptly. What I wish to point out to your Lordship
C 2
20
is that the vastly important measures, which were undertaken, without any authority
from Her Majesty’s Government, in January 1874, met with your Lordship’s unqualified
approval, and that in Despatch to Sir A. Clarke, of the 29th May 1874,* your
Lordship did not “ delay the assurance that Her Majesty’s Government appreciated the
« ability and energy he had shown,” and on September 4th, 1874, your Lordship com-
mended him for the ability, zeal, and tact which lie had displayed in bringing about the
successful result which had been obtained.
73. Moreover, in replying to Lord Stanley of Alderley, in the House of Lords, on the
19th May 1874, your Lordship expressed an opinion that it could not be said, at the
worst, that Sir A. Clarke had very far exceeded his duty as an English Governor.
74. Your Lordship did not then state, as in paragraph 22 of the Despatch under
reply, that the “ powers and responsibilities, as the Governor of the Straits Settlements
“ cannot be held to apply to the relations of Her Majesty’s Government with the
“ Malay States, in the same manner and degree as to the internal affairs of the Colony.”
Nor do I find, in your Lordship’s Despatches, any mention of those observations, on the
subject of acting without authority and without specific instruction, which your Lordship
states, in paragraph 23, it would have been equally your, duty to have made to me under
any circumstances. I only find that most vital and important steps were taken by my
predecessor without av.thority; that those steps met with your Lordship’s unqualified
approval; and that Her Majesty’s Government ratified these proceedings, by holding
the Chiefs personally responsible for the engagements which they had made.
75. These injunctions had been broken through, and the step which I took was but
with a view to making the policy, which had been approved of, workable, and the
engagements, which had been infringed, respected. Such a step was, as I have shown,
comparatively but a small one, and was but carrying out, in a modified form, the policy
previously approved and commended. I considered it, moreover, a duty which I had to
perform to give effect to that policy, and I believed that I should secure the thanks of
Her Majesty’s Government by thus relieving the system, as approved of by them, from
the dead lock by which it was marked in Perak. Seeing that the first important step of
intervention with its attendant engagement, which had been taken without instructions,
had met with your Lordship’s approval, and that “ it was impossible to carry on nego-
“ tiations with Abdullah and the Chiefs, unless I spoke and acted as if charged with
“ full authority” (paragraph 35, dated 16th October 1875). I did not hesitate to
assume the responsibility of taking this step, which was necessary for the due fulfilment
of that to which we were solemnly engaged. I could not but suppose that your Lord-
ship would give me your full support in endeavouring to bring the system, as found to
be workable in other Native States, to a successful issue in Perak. As stated in para-
graph 35 of my Despatch, No. 291, “ I took upon myself to do what, under the circum-
“ stances, I considered your Lordship would wish to have done,” and I hoped that
your Lordship would have given full consideration to the statements made in that
Despatch, and that those statements would have convinced your Lordship of the
necessity of the action taken by me.
76. As to consulting your Lordship by telegraph, which your Lordship suggests in
paragraph 21, it was my obvious duty to have done, I can only say that I considered
well whether I should telegraph, and I deliberately determined not to do so. A long
despatch on the subject has apparently failed to convey a distinct view of the reasons
for my action, and I considered at the time that it would have been impossible within
the limits of telegraphic communication to have entered fully into the question.
Considering the step which I contemplated taking as being absolutely necessary, and
one which would be sure to meet with your Lordship’s approval, upon your being made
fully acquainted with the facts of the case, I deemed it the best course to act without
delay. Regarding the matter firstly as a duty, and secondly as a means of bringing the
system, as approved of by your Lordship, to a workable shape, I felt certain that I was
not stepping far beyond the bounds of my instructions as Governor, and I had reason
to believe that my action would meet with your Lordship’s unqualified approbation.
77. I now pass on to consider the statement that the course which I adopted was the
“ signal for resistance and attack.”
With regard to the view expressed by your Lordship, that the murder of Mr. Birch
and other disastrous consequences ensued upon the modification of policy which I
adopted, such an inference cannot justly be drawn from the facts which have come to
my knowledge. It was unfortunate for the success and the due appreciation of the
policy, as modified by me, that Mr. Birch5 s murder should have folio wed so soon after
the change had been publicly announced, but it by no means follows that even if there
* No. 59 of Command Paper [C. 1111], July 1874.
21
had been no such modification of poliey Mr. Birch would not have been murdered, when
be exposed himself, in the way he did, at Passir Sala.
78. Your Lordship will observe that I felt that the view might be entertained that
my action resulted in Mr. Birch’s murder when, in paragraph ll of Despatch of 16th
November 1875,* and in paragraphs 3-10 of Despatch of 2nd December 1875,f I
pointed out reasons for the conclusion that such an inference would be unjust and
inconsistent with a due appreciation of the facts of the case. I am more than ever
convinced, and recent events appear to me to demonstrate, that the consequences to
which your Lordship refers were caused by dislike on the part of the Chiefs to our
intervention in any shape in the affairs of the State of Perak. A similar dislike of our
intervention has shown itself in some of the States about Malacca, and culminated, as
your Lordship is aware, in active hostility.
It cannot possibly be held that the attack upon Sungie Ujong was caused by the step
I took in Perak, for there is no connexion or sympatby whatever between that State and
the small States of Sri Menanti, Ulu Moar, and Jumpole, which are about 150 miles
from Perak, and are separated from Perak by the State of Salangore.
There seems to be abundant reason to believe that, even previous to the modification
of poliey which I adopted in Perak, some of the Chiefs there were considering whether
th ey could not unite to get rid of the interference of the Resident.
79- In one of the letters found in the boat of Haji Alii (see paragraph 7 of my
Despatch of 2nd December last),! purporting to be written by Haji Mohamed Ahlee
to Rajah Haji Yahyah (a grandson of Ismail), there is this passage—“Your slave begs
“ to inform your Highness, regarding the arrangement of what we are going to do, is
“ that your Highness must come down quickly, and your slave hopes that the money
“ your Highness must bring with him without delay, for Rajah Abdullah has given
“ his power to Mr. Birch and Captain Kim Ching. Also I beg to inform your Highness
“ that in my opinion, that is, if your Highness is late, it is almost impossible to carry
“ out the arrangements of what we are going to do.”
No date is given to this letter, but as Mr. Kim Ching (who had obtained a concession
from Abdullah, previous to our interference in Perak) had been in Perak, having inter-
views with Abdullah, about the end of July last, it would seem from internal evidence
to have been written about the month of August.
80. In another letter found in Haji Alli’s possession, purporting to come from two
Chinamen, and addressed to Tunku Panghina Besar Abdo Galul (Rajah Ngah, one of
Ismail’s chief fighting men) dated 18 Rajab 1292 August 1875, they state:—“A
“ trustworthy man, from our friend Haji Mohamed Saleh, came and brought us a
“ certifying letter from our friend to receive money from us ; we are much surprised to
“ hear it, without any cause to receive this money, what is our friend going to do with
“ this money ? If wc are not sure on what business this money is for, how can we send
“ the money, for our money is put out. If there is a way that we can make more
“ profit than we can do now, then we can remove the money; if we are not sure of the
“ business, we dare not remove the money from Penang so many thousands, this is what
“ we inform our friend.”
81. In another letter purporting to be written by Haji All to Rajah Yahyah, the
following occurs :—
“ Your slave informs you that, regarding the arrangement of what we are going to do,
is do not be late about it; come down quickly with the money, you must get them and
come down as soon as possible.
“ About Haji Mohamed Saleh, he has gone to Penang. Now Mr. Birch has had the
power given by Rajah Abdullah, this is what your slave informs your Highness, do not
your Highness trust the money which is sent for by Haji Mahomed Saleh, your
Highness knows better. Do not your Highness fail of what your slave informs.
“ Your slave hopes to God and his messenger that you will come down as soon as
possible.”
There is no date given to this letter, but from the reference made to Haji Mohamed
Saleh, who was in Penang about the end of July or beginning of August, it would seem
to have been written about the same time, viz., August 1875.
82. Another paper was found in Haji Ali’s boat. This was a draft letter apparently
coming from several people, whose names are not mentioned, to Mr. Birch. A transla-
tion of this by Mr. Swettenham is enclosed.
This paper is undated, but, as will be gathered therefrom, would seem to have been
written shortly after Mr. Birch first went to reside in Perak, consequent on the Pangkore
engagement.
Enclosure 1.
* No. 78 of [C. 1505] of 1876.
f No. 94 of same Paper.
C 3
% No. 93 of same Paper.
22
Enclosure 2.
22 Jan.1876
Enclosure No.
9. in Despatch
No. 334.
Sub-Enclosure
to Enclosure 9.,
Despatch No.
334.
83. From another paper found in Haji Ali’s possession it would appear that he had
made an agreement with Tunku Panghina Besar Abdo G alul (Rajah Ngah) and Haji
Mohamed Yassim for mutual support and assistance in the strongest terms, and, in pur-
suance of their arrangement it would appear that while the Panghina Besar resided with
Ismail, and Haji Mohamed Yassim with Abdullah, Haji Ali went from one to the other,
and was constantly at the Resideney with Mr. Birch. This document throws light upon
Haji Ali’s position, and will account for his possession of the papers referred to.
84. Since I last wrote, Mr. Swettenham has taken down a statement made by Syed
Masahore who joined Mr. Swettenham immediately upon the commencement of hostilities,
and has been employed in our service since, copy of which I enclose. From this state-
ment it will be observed that, about 21st September, Maharajah Lela was engaged in
placing a stockade round his house (in Major Dunlop’s Report, the stockade he found
round Maharajah Lela’s house will be found fully described), and that on that day he
held the conversations therein reported, and produced the paper which, if it contained
the chops therein mentioned, must have been written some time previously.
If there is any truth in this statement, then it would appear that long before any
action was taken by me preparation for resistance was made.
85. I left Perak on 16th September. The letter of Rajah Yusuf and Rajah Dris,
before referred to, was dated the 19th September. Abdullah’s letter was dated 1st
October. The Proclamation was sent to Perak on the 23rd October, and the first copy
was posted at the Resideney, on the 26th. The dates are important, as from the state-
ment last referred to, the Maharajah Lela was building his stockade on the 21st
September, and had then the paper with the chops referred to.
86. Between the 28th October and 4th November, copies were given to Rajahs Ismail,
Yusuf, and Usman (the Bandahara), and posted at Blanja, Senggang, Sayung, Qualla
Kangsa, and Kota Lama, up the river by Mr. Swettenham, and the bearers were
nowhere molested in any way.
Mr. Birch had also distributed the Proclamations without molestation from the mouth
of the Perak River up to Passir Sala.
87* The statement of Syed Masahore is to some considerable extent borne out by
statement of reports already forwarded to your Lordship and if true, as in the main I
believe it to be, I think I am justified in drawing this deduction that the attack on
Mr. Birch, at that time at Passir Sala, was unpremeditated; that the Maharajah Lela
was exasperated and prepared to protect his follower who stabbed Arshad, and that he
himself relied for assistance upon the leading men of Perak. Apart from 'the statement,
it appears from the draft letter found in his house, and which there can be no doubt now
was intended for Ismail, Ismail himself having acknowledged the Maharajah Lela as one
of his great men, that he fully relied upon Ismail’s assistance with men and money.
88. I think I may also safely draw this deduction, that, even had no proclamation been
issued, Mr. Birch could not have exposed himself at Passir Sala with safety, and it is
quite possible that had Mr. Birch not been murdered at Passir Sala, an attack might
have been made upon the Resideney, which might have been only too successful, and led
to a much greater loss of life than any we have yet had to deplore, and to a combination
and confederacy which would probably have caused an obstinate war and still greater
loss of life.
89- True, I erred, in common with all concerned, in supposing we could have intervened
in the affairs of Perak without a display of military force. I now see that if the advice of
the Resident was to be acted upon and the Sultan and Chiefs held strictly bound to the
engagements which they had made, military force must, sooner or later, in greater or less
degree, have become necessary to support the position which had been assumed.
90. When the proclamations which had been issued by Abdullah and by me were of
be posted in Perak it was considered whether it was advisable to station a small body of
troops there, to give material support to the Resident, in case any refractory Chief
opposed this scheme for bringing the system to a workable footing. It was then decided
that the Resident’s Sikh Guard would be sufficient to meet with such a contingency.
It was in reference to this question of sending a small body of troops that Mr. Birch
telegraphed to me that all was well, and that the proclamations had been posted without
incident all the way down the river.
91. I trust that your Lordship will consider that I have now fully replied to your
Lordship’s .Despatch under acknowledgment. I trust that the explanation which I
have supplied will be satisfactory to your Lordship and to Her Majesty’s Government,
but I-would beg most respectfully to submit that it would have been more consistent
with justice had your Lordship refrained from expressing strong opinions upon my pro-
ceedings until after my explanations had been received. V
23
92. It remains for me now to consider briefly what, in my opinion, should be the
policy to be pursued, in respect of this State of Perak. Doubtless, Her Majesty’s
Government have come to a decision on this point, but I shall not be fulfilling my duty if
I did not acquaint your Lordship with my views on the subject at the present time.
93. In paragraph 69 of this Despatch I have stated that I now consider it impossible
to recede from the policy which has been adopted in Perak. The effect of such a step
would be to indnce the people in all the protected territories, as well as in our own settle-
ments, to imagine that, if they wanted to get rid of us, all that they would have to do
would be to kill one of our officers and resist our troops, when we should immediately
withdraw, after inflicting some punishment on those upon whom we could lay our hands.
The Chiefs and those who have been implieated in the murder of our Resident and in
the subsequent outrages must be captured or prevented from returning to the country,
and this could not be effected if we receded from the position we occupy. If we did so,
again, all those natives who have been friendly to us and affording us assistance during
the outbreak, or at least have maintained a neutral attitude, would probably be murdered,
and anarchy and civil war would once more ensue.
94. The only question, as it seems to me, with regard to Perak is, whether we should
adhere to the policy of governing by a British Officer in the name of the Sultan, or
whether we should annex the country as a portion of Her Majesty’s Dominions. As
stated in paragraphs 25 and 26 of my Despatch of the 2nd December,* I am of
opinion that, under present circumstances, complete annexation will now be the course to
adopt. The other alternative is, I still think, workable, but, instead of a purely Malay
council, I should propose a mixed council, consisting of such British officers, Malays and
Chinese, as may from time to time be thought desirable,
95. Recent events, however, have so altered and strengthened our position that I believe
we could take over and govern the country with a comparatively small establishment, and
with perfect facility. We can indemnify the Chiefs who would be entitled to such con-
sideration at our hands, and thus get rid of the conflicting interests with which we should
have to deal if we alio wed the chiefs to retain their power. We could modify the Malay
laws and customs, and still keep them in harmony with their religious ideas. A great
opportunity would be presented for abolishing upon equitable principles the existing
system of debt-slavery, and we should also not only secure the repayment of the advances
of money made by the Government of the Straits Settlements, but hold a material
guarantee for such portion of the expenditure as may be fairly charged against the State
of Perak, that has been incurred in consequence of the outrage that has been committed
upon our Representative.
96. I know well all that can be urged that we should take no further responsibilities
upon ourselves, in respect to acquiring new territory, and that even where our subjects
have been wronged that they have only themselves to thank, for going into a country
where its rulers are unable or unwilling to afford them protection. I know that it has
also been urged that our army is not to be kept for the purpose of preserving peace in
semi-civilized or barbarous States, but that the responsibility must rest on the constituted
authorities.
97- If these Malayan States were not immediately upon our borders, if the preserva-
tion of the peace within those States were not of vital importance to the interests of our own
Settlements and to the maintenance of peace and good order therein, if we had assumed
no responsibility connected therewith, I might, with perfect consistency with the views I
hold, advise your Lordship that the proper course to pursue would be a policy of non-
interference. But, intimately connected as we are with them, that policy has never been
pursued, and there has always been in a greater or less degree an intimate relationship
between ourselves and the States in the neighbourhood of these Settlements.
98. Looking at the close relationship which we have been obliged to assume in respect
to these States, especially since we have actively intervened in their affairs, I submit that
the true policy to adopt, not only with regard to Perak but also with respect to the
other States in our neighbourhood and under our protection, is to look forward to the
time when the annexation of some of them will probably become a necessity. That
period should be postponed as long as possible, but we should be prepared to assume
the responsibility whenever it becomes absolutely necessary to do so in order to secure
peace and good government.
99. Upon considering the progress of recent events in Perak, and the arguments stated in
paragraph 95 of this Despatch, I have arrived at the conclusion that the time has come
when it would be advisable to declare Perak a portion of Her Majesty’s Dominions. We
already occupy the country, and the people are rapidly returning to their homes. When ?
* No. 94 of [C. 1505] of 1876.
C
24
moreover, we have opened up communications from the sea coast to the Perak River and to
Kinta, and when a well organised and disciplined police force has been raised and taken
the place of the military force now in occupation, I should, with the aid of a small body
of troops for an emergency, have no fear about carrying on the Government or of a rising
against us. The police force should of course be well officered and provided with a
sufficient number of reliable non-commissioned officers.
100. It maybe said that the occupation of Perak would be attended with expense
without any adequate return, and that'it would therefore be unwise to occupy it. Doubt-
less Perak is now covered with jungle, but its present aspect is no criterion of its powers
of production.
Laroot, at present the most thickly populated portion of the State, already yields a
revenue of $20,000 a month, the import and export farms at the mouth of the Perak
River were recently let for $7,000 a month, so that, without any scheme of taxation,
except royalty on minerals and taxes on the imports and exports, Perak even now raises
a revenue of over $300,000 per annum. This will be sufficient to cover any allowances
to Chiefs that may be determined upon, and the cost of the necessary establishments,
and still leave a balance for opening up roads and communications and for the payment
of interest on debt.
101. There is every prospect that the revenue would considerably increase if the
country became a British possession. I am assured by influential and wealthy Chinamen
that, if Perak were under British rule, swarms of industrious Chinese would flock in, and
these, with the Chinese and British capital which would soon be invested in the State,
would completely change the face of the country. Province Wellesley was once a jungle,
it is now covered with fine plantations, employing many thousands of Indian, Chinese,
and other Coolies. The agricultural and mineral wealth of Perak is very great, and with
the certain introduction of immigration and Coolie labour, the Malays would soon be out-
numbered and all difficulties respecting them would cease.
102. I trust that nothing I have written in this Despatch will lead your Lordship to
believe that I do not entertain the highest respect for the views which your Lordship has
expressed. I have felt it my duty, however, to explain that many of the conclusions, ap-
parently arrived at by your Lordship, have been based on an imperfect acquaintance with
facts, and without realizing the difficulties of the position in which I have been placed.
If, in doing so, I have appeared at all to step beyond proper bounds, I trust your
Lordship will take into account the fact, that your Lordship has expressed very strong
opinions, for the special purpose of eliciting explanations from me with respect to the
course which I felt it my duty to adopt in the matter now under consideration.
I h<ive &c.
(Signed) * WM. F. DRUMMOND JERVOIS.
The Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon,
&c. &c. &c.
Colonial Office.
Enclosure 1. in No. 12.
Letter found in Haji Alli’s Boat at Durian Sabatang.
(This is a draft letter apparently coming from several people, whose natnes are not
mentioned, to Mr. Birch, late Resident of Perak. No date.)
We inquire about our friend’s having got a “ Kuasa ” (written authority) over this
country of Perak, to become Resident and govern Perak, collecting all the taxes of the
country. From whom did our friend got that “ Kuasa ” ? Our friend must let us
know clearly. If our friend got it from Raja Abdullah, we will in no way accept a
single clause of it, for Raja Abdullah is not the only “ Waris ” (blood royal) of the
country of Perak ; there are many other “ Waris ” better than he.
Our friend must first examine all the “ Waris,” whether they like it or not, and they
may know what our friend intends to do, in order that our friend may not give orders
which shall oppress all the “ Waris ” to whom the country of Perak belongs. Moreover,
we inform the gentlemen in Penang and Singapore and other places that the kingdom
for which they have made a Raja is in the hands of us all, the “ Waris ” of the country
of Perak; and that, as regards Raja Abdullah whom they installed, we will in no way,
any of us, accept him, for it is against (or perhaps <c he is outside the pale of”) Malay
laws and customs. Moreover, the “ Kuasa ” which you have received from Raja Ab-
dullah, we will none of us accept it. If you wish to use force to us, even then we will
not accept it, but if it is only that you want the country of Perak, we will in no way
resist you, for we none of us wish to fight with you, having no power to do so. There-
fore you must show us plainly what is our fault towards you.
25
Enclosure 2. in No. 12.
About six or seven days after the Governor had gone down the River Perak (i.e.,
about the 21st September 1875), I went of my own accord to Passir Sala. I was then
living in a boat with Sultan Abdullah’s people and the Sultan himself, just below
Campong Gaja.
I met the Maharaja Lela. He asked me to go into his house, and I went. Workmen
were then making a strong embankment and stockade round his house. The Maharaja
Lela said it was a fence, but I did not believe that; he only said it in fun. I went into
his house and had a long talk with him.
I said, “ What about Perak Datu ? ” He said, “ How do you mean ? ” I said,
“ Well, there are differences amongst the Chiefs, especially in the Hilir.” He replied,
“ Yes, but I am different from the others.” • I said, “ Of course I know you are different;
“ perhaps the Sultan (Abdullah) and the others will follow Mr. Birch.” He said, “ I don’t
“ care what they do, I’ll never obey him ; I don’t care for Sultan Abdullah, but I’ll follow
“ Sultan Ismail. If they try and turn me out of this place, Ill fight.” I said, “ I suppose
“ that’s the reason you made that garden fence.” “ Oh no,” he said, and laughed.
I said, “ If you really will act, surely Ill be with you, but under you.” He said,
“ Oh, that’s not right; you are a Raja, and used to command.” I said, “ Perhaps in
“ Salangor, if there was no one else to speak, I might have some power; but here in
“ Perak I have none; I am in your hands.” “ Yes,” he said, “ that’s right.” I said
to him, “ You say you are different to the other Chiefs ; how ? ” He said, “ Pil tell you
“ why,” and he went and fetched a written paper, opened, and showed it to me, and
said, “You see, with this paper I am strong, with these seals to support me; I don’t
“ care to join the other Chiefs, who want to follow Mr. Birch.” He showed me the
paper ; it was written in Malay, and had four chops on it. Three of them I am certain
of; they were Raja Ismail’s, the Mantri’s, the Maharaja Lela’s ; the other was either the
chop of the Laxamana or the Panghina Kinta. In the paper it was stated that they four
had made a solemn agreement that we will settle matters in Perak, and that we will stand
by each other in any event, whether bad should come of it or good. Then the Maharaja
Lela told me that they had agreed that Raja Ismail should come with all his people
down the river to Lambole or Passir Sala, and invite Abdullah to go up and meet him,
and that whether he came or not they should all on the 10th of the month Shawal, the
month after the Fast, go down to the Residency and say to Mr. Birch, “ Do you want
“ to be Resident of Perak ? Because if you do, you must be under the Sultan, not
“ above him, and that Sultan must be Ismail. If he agreed, well and good ; if he made
“ any objection, that the flagstaff should be cut down, and then Mr. Birch and every
“ one at the Residency be murdered.” I said, “ That will be a big affair.” He replied,
“ Yes, and that is why we are getting a number of men for it.” Then I went away.
The next day we all went down to Passir Panjang.
Some days after Mr. Birch sent for me, and I went to the Residenc}', you were up in
the Uln I said, “ I hear you talk of punishing Passir Sala. The two worst villages
“ are Kota Lama in the Hulu, Passir Salak in the Hilir, you have not known me long
“ and you don’t trust me, but if ever you want to go and do anything there, let me go
“ with you,” He said “ What, do you think any of these Perak people have pluck enough
“ to touch me ?” I said “ No, but one can’t tell, they might get mad or furious,” he said
“ I am an old man, if I die what does it matter, why do you take this care for me ?” I
replied “ I have had your money and eaten your rice that is why.” Afterwards I told
Arshad the interpreter to take care of his master.
Some days before this conversation with Mr. Birch, Sultan Abdullah in whose suite I
was at Passir Panjang, said to me, “ I am going down to the Residency to see Mr. Birch
“ if he says anything that is not right we must fight,” I said “ Very well,” and we went
down, but 1 was surprised to see that Sultan Abdullah took only three small boats with
him, not at all as if he intended to fight, so when we reached the Residency I refused to
go on shore, he came and pressed me saying, I did not trust him, but I would not go and
after he had been on shore we returned.
Another day just before the Governor came to Perak, I was at Batarabit, where I had
gone to see the Sultan, waiting for him I sat in his audience hall where there were seated
a number of men, amongst them I remember the Datu Sagor. I abused them for their
cowardice saying, no other Malays would boast so much and do so little as they did, I
spoke generally not particularizing anything to see what they would say.
The Toh Sagor replied to me, “Ah, Tunku, it is all different now, we are divided, but
“ formerly we were all one together, and a paper was written and it was determined that
“ we should go to the Residency, and I was to cut down the Flagstaff whilst the others
D
38387a.
26
66 6
amoked,’ but nothing came of itI had not time to ask why nothing was done, as the
Sultan came in.
Mr. Swettenham asks—“ Why, after seeing the Maharaja Lela, did you not tell Mr.
“ Birch all you had heard ?” Syed Masher—“ I knew Mr. Birch very little, I was wrong,
“ but I know you well, and yet I never could make up my mind to tell you before
« this, I did not know what you might think of it.”
Written at Syed Masher’s dictation, then retranslated into Malay and read to him by
me, after which he affixed his chop in my presence.
(Signed) Frank A. Swettenham.
January 22, 1876. v 5 '
True statement of Tunku Syed Masher. . ^
Chop of
Witness my chop.
11 Tunku Syed 1
\ Masher, i
No. 13.
WAR OFFICE to COLONIAL OFFICE.
Sir, War Office, March 14, 1876.
I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to transmit to you for the infor-
mation of the Earl of Carnarvon, a copy of a letter from the Major-General Commanding
the troops in the Straits Settlements relative to the military arrangements in that
command.
I am, &c.
The Under Secretary of State, (Signed) J. C. W. VIVIAN.
Colonial Office.
Sir, Head Quarters, Penang, January 15, 1876.
I have the honour to report, for the information of H.R.H. the Field-Marshal
Commanding-in-Chief, that I returned here from Kinta (on Kinta River) on the 8th in-
stant, in order to communicate with his Excellency, Sir William Jervois, Governor (who
is here), as to the intentions of Government with regard to the affairs of the Malay
States, and the consequent disposal of the troops.
I have not as yet been informed that any definite plan of action has been decided on,
and I shall, therefore, for the present, retain the troops in military occupation at their
present stations. I shall, however, be anxious to withdraw detachments from the more
distant points, especially Kinta, which is too isolated and difficult of access to be con-
veniently held,—retaining troops at Qualla Kangsa and Bundha Barak, on the Perak
River, and increasing the force hitherto stationed at Malacca.
If two regiments are to be permanently stationed in the Straits, head-quarters of one
would be Singapore, giving detachments to Malacca; head-quarters of the other at
Penang, giving detachments to Qualla Kangsa and on the Perak River, as above-
mentioned.
I shall have the honour of writing further on this subject as soon as I am in possession
of the instructions received by, or the views entertained by, the Colonial Govern-
ment.
I think it will be desirable on many accounts that the l/10th regiment should proceed
to Gibraltar, as originally ordered, on the return of the “ Himalaya,” and that the
3rd Buffs and 1st Goorkhas should be allowed to remain in the Straits, until it has been
definitely settled of what amount the permanent force in the Straits is to consist.
This is of course a matter dependent on the future relations of the Straits Settlements
with the Malay States, but my own opinion is that if those that have existed before the
present disturbances are to be maintained, a permanently increased force—at least two
infantry battalions and two batteries Royal Artillery, will be required between Singapore
and Penang.
I have, &c.
(Signed) Francis Colborne, Major-General
The Adjutant-General, Commanding China and Straits.
Horse Guards.
27
No. 14.
ADMIRALTY to COLONIAL OFFICE.
Sir, Admiralty, March 15, 1876.
With reference to previous correspondence, I am commanded by my Lords Com-
missioners of the Admiralty to transmit for the information of the Secretary of State for
the Colonies, an extract from a General Letter, of the 27th January last, from Vice-
Admiral Ryder, Commander-in-Chief in China, relative to the proceedings of the
Naval Brigade landed from H.M.S. “Philomel” at Qualla Kangsa in the Malay
Peninsula.
I am, &c.
The Under Secretary of State, (Signed) ROBERT HALL.
Colonial Office.
Extract of China General Letter, of January 27, 1876.
A Naval Brigade from the “ Philomel ” is still on shore at Qualla Kangsa, and I learn
from Commander Garforth that the Malays have twice attacked working parties of the
soldiers, wounding a man on each occasion, and have also fired into the camp, but were
soon silenced by the rockets and guns of the Naval Brigade and Royal Artillery. No
casualties resulted to the Naval Brigade from these attacks.
No. 15.
Telegram from the GOVERNOR of the STRAITS SETTLEMENTS to the
EARL OF CARNARVON.
Singapore, March 16, 1876.
The Datu Sagor, the Chief present when Birch was murdered, has been captured.
No. 16.
Governor Sir WM. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B., to the EARL OF CARNARVON.
/mi i* \ (Received March 20th.)
(ielegraphic.) v 1
Singapore, March 19.
Ismail fled into Quedah. Arrived mouth of Muda River, northern boundary
Province Wellesley. Ismail and regalia will be surrendered at Penang by Rajah of
Quedah, probably to-morrow.
GOVERNOR,
Singapore.
No. 17.
FOREIGN OFFICE to COLONIAL OFFICE.
Sir, Foreign Office, March 20, 1876.
With reference to Mr. Lister’s letter of the 4th instant,* I am directed by the
Earl of Derby to transmit to you herewith a copy of a further Despatch from Her
Majesty’s Agent and Consul-General in Siam, relative to the action taken by the
Siamese Government in regard to the participator in the recent outbreak in Perak, and
I am to request that, in laying this despatch before Lord Carnarvon, you will inform
him that Lord Derby proposes, with his concurrence, to approve the course pursued by
Mr. Knox in the matter.
I am, &c.
The Under Secretary of State, (Signed) TENTERDEN.
Colonial Office.
# No. 10.
D 2
28
British Agency, Bangkok,
My Lord, . February 10, 1876.
I have the honour to forward to your Lordship copy of a Despatch addressed by
me to the Governor of the Straits Settlements on the 24th of January last, relative to
the rendition of fugitives from Perak, together with a copy of his Excellency’s reply
thereto.
By the latest news received here the fugitive rajahs have not yet taken refuge in any
of the States tributary to Siam.
I have, &c.
The Earl of Derby, (Signed) T. G. Knox.
&c. &c.
British Agency, and Consulate General, Bangkok,
Sir, January 24,1876.
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch, dated Penang,
December 30.
In reply I have to state that I have made the following arrangements with the Siamese
Government: That they snail send a gunboat to Singapore with as little delay as possible ;
that a Siamese Commissioner shall be sent in her who will proceed to Patani and take
charge of any of the Perak rajahs, who may be found within the neighbouring Siamese
provinces ; that when found they are to be brought here.
Such of them as there are fair grounds for believing were implicated in the murder
of the late Mr. Birch will be made over to me in order that they may be handed over to
the British Government.
Those not implicated in the murder will remain under surveillance until it be decided
what should ultimately be done with them.
I will therefore feel much obliged if your Excellency will furnish me with copies of
depositions sufficient to make a fair primd facie case against any of those whose rendition
you may require in order that I may lay them before this Government.
I shall also be glad to be made acquainted with your wishes in regard to those who,
though not implicated in the murder above alluded to, still may have given just cause of
offence, or be likely to prove troublesome in the future.
As we have no extradition treaty with Siam, and the question as to the rendition of
the Rajahs is, so far as I know, without precedent, for the offence with which they are
charged was not committed in British territory, and therefore our right to demand their
extradition might be questioned,—I have endeavoured to arrauge this matter without
in any manner wounding the just susceptibilities of this Government.
I trust, however, that you will find the above arrangement satisfactory.
I have, &c.
(Signed) T. G. Knox.
* His Excellency Sir W. Jervois, K.C.M.G., C.B.,
&c. &e. &c..
Government House, Singapore,
Sir, February 2, 1876.
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 25th ult., and
to convey to you my thanks for the action you have taken with a view to the rendition of
such of the Mala}7 chiefs as there may be fair grounds for believing to have been
implicated in the murder of the late Mr. Birch.
The depositions which you ask for have been called for from the proper officers, and
will be forwarded as soon as they shall have been obtained.
As regards such of the chiefs as, though not implicated in the murder of Mr. Birch,
may still have given just cause of offence, or be likely to prove troublesome in the
future, I think it may be desirable that, for the present, at any rate, they should be kept
under such surveillance as to prevent them from finding their way back to Perak, or
indeed from leaving the Siamese territory.
I have, &c.
T. G. Knox, Esq. ‘ f Signed) W. Drummond Jervois.
&c. &c. '
29
No. 18.
Governor Sir W. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B., to the EARL OF CARNARVON.
(Telegraphic.)
Ismail surrenderee! at Penang yesterday.
Singapore.
Singapore, March 21, 1876.
Have made arrangements to bring him to
GOVERNOR,
Singapore.
No. 19.
COLONIAL OFFICE to WAR OFFICE.
Sir, Downing Street, March 21, 1876.
I am directed b}7 the Earl of Carnarvon to acquaint you that, acting on an
intimation from the War Office that it was the wish of Mr. Secretary Hardy that the
10th regiment should be removed from the Straits Settlements, it being proposed that
the wing of a fresh regiment should be substituted, his Lordship at once communicated
by telegraph on the subject with Sir Wm. Jervois, who has in reply expressed his
opinion that this arrangement will be safe if the regiment is replaced by a wing of another
regiment, on the condition that its strength is made up to 600 men.
Lord Carnarvon desires me to request that you will state to Mr. Hardy that he is
prepared to assent to the removal of the 10th Regiment on this understanding.
(Signed) ROBERT G. W. HERBERT.
No. 20.
ADMIRALTY to COLONIAL OFFICE.
Sir, Admiralty, March 21, 1876.
I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to transmit for
the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, the following copy of a
telegram received this day from Captain Grant of H. M. S. “ Himalaya,” dated Penang,
March 21 :—“ Arrived 20th, ‘ Himalaya.’ Arabia, Garewitch with Indian Force and
“ stores transports left yesterday (for) Calcutta, ‘ Himalaya’ sails now, General Ross
“ on board, everything satisfactory, ex-Sultan Ismail arrived Penang, goes to Singapore
“ in ‘ Ringdove,’ Friday.”
I am, &c.
The Under Secretary of State, (Signed) ROBERT HALL.
Colonial Office.
No. 21.
ADMIRALTY to COLONIAL OFFICE.
Sir, Admiralty, March 21, 1876.
I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to request that
you will inform the Secretary of State for the Colonies that their Lordships have had
under consideration the propriety of granting to the officers and seamen of the ships and
vessels engaged in the recent operations in the Malay Peninsula extra pay and allowances,
corresponding to those granted to the troops employed on this service.
2. My Lords have communicated with the India Office on the subject, and I enclose a
copy of the Admiralty letter to that Department, and of the Military Secretary’s reply.
3. Before giving orders as to the payment of such extra pay and allowances, their
Lordships would be glad to be informed whether the Earl of Carnarvon is of opinion
that the expense thereof should be charged to Colonial funds.
I am, &c.
The Under Secretary of State, (Signed) ROBERT HALL.
Colonial Office.
D 3
30
§IR) Admiralty, March 10, 1876.
I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to request you
will move the Under Secretary of State for India in Council to cause them to be
informed what amount of pay was given to the troops, both Indian and European, who
were engaged in the recent operations in the Malay Peninsula, also whether any special
or extra allowances were granted for that service.
I am, &c.
The Under Secretary of State (Signed) Robert Hall.
for India.
giK) India Office, S.W., March 10, 1876.
I am directed by the Secretary of State for India in Council to acknowledge the
receipt of your letter of the 10th instant, and to acquaint you in reply, for the informa-
tion of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that the Government have reported
that in giving orders for the issue of pay, &c. to troops and followers who proceeded to
the Malay Peninsula they have adhered as closely as possible to the scale laid down for
the Abyssinian Expeditionary Force, and that the following is an extract from a letter
from the Secretary to that Government in the Military Department to the Controller
of Military Accounts, dated 23rd November 1875, viz.:—
“ I am to acquaint you that the troops proceeding to the Straits of Malacca under
Brigadier-General Ross will receive—
“ I. Combatants—Indian pay and allowances, and full batta together with free rations
on board ship, and the same, or ration money, on shore.
“ II. Non-combatants—pay, extra service batta, free rations on board ship, and free
rations on shore, or an allowance of Rs. 28 a month in lieu; they will also receive an
addition of 50°/o on their pay and batta.”
2. The precise rates of pay on the above data have not been given, but I am to state
that if this information should be required by the Admiralty, a reference on the subject
will be made at once to the Government of India.
I have, &c.
(Signed) G. Pears,
The Secretary, Admiralty. Major-General, Military Secretary.
No. 22.
WAR OFFICE to COLONIAL OFFICE.
Sir, War Office, Pall Mall, March 22, 1876.
In reply to your letter of the 21st instant,* I am directed by the Secretary of State
for War to acquaint you, for the information of the Earl of Carnarvon, that in arranging
for the distribution of any regiment which would relieve the 10th Foot, he finds it
impracticable to assign so strong a wing as that demanded by Sir Wm. Jervois, to the
Straits Settlements.
Under all the cireumstances of the case, therefore, he thinks it better to leave things
as they are, in the hope that the 10th Regiment will shortly be relieved when the
Governor of the Straits Settlements considers that he can dispense with additional
troops.
I am, &c.
The Under Secretary of State, (Signed) CADOGAN.
Colonial Office.
No. 23.
Telegram from the EARL OF CARNARVON to Governor Sir W. JERVOIS,
K.C.M.G., C.B.
March 23, 1876.
“ I have received telegraphic news as to Ismail and Regalia, and want to know how
you propose to deal with him.”
* No. 19.
31
No. 24.
Governor Sir W. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B., to the EARL OF CARNARVON.
(Received March 25, 1876.)
My Lord, Government House, Singapore, February ll, 1876.
I have the honour to acknowledge with thanks your Lordship’s Despatch,
of the 10th December last,* transmitting a copy of a letter from Sir George Balfour to
Mr. Lowther, respecting various questions connected with the affairs of the Malay
peninsula.
I have, &c.
(Signed) W. F. DRUMMOND JERVOIS.
The Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon,
&c. &c. &c.
Colonial Office.
No. 25.
Governor Sir W. F. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B., to the EARL OF CARNARVON.
(Received March 25, 1876.)
My Lord, Government House, Singapore, February 23, 1876.
In reference to paragraph 10 of my Despatch of the 29th December last,f
in which I stated that I had written to the Chiefs of the States adjacent to that of Perak
requesting them not to harbour the Maharaja Lela and others implicated in the recent
outrages in Perak, I have the honour to enclose, for your Lordship’s information, copies
of letters which I have received from the Rajah of Kedah describing the measures which
he had taken to render us assistance in the matter.
I enclose also copy of a letter which I have received from H.B.M.’s Consul-General
at Bangkok, whom, as stated in the paragraph just referred to, I had requestea to move
the Siamese Government on the subject.
I addressed, at the same time a representation to the Bandahara of Pahang, a State
which is not under the protection of Siam, but from this Chief, I have not as yet received
a reply to my letter.
I have, &c.
(Signed) W M. F. DRUMMOND JERVOIS.
The Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon,
&c. &c. &c.
Colonial Office.
Translation.
From Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin of Kedah to his Excellency the Governor.
tv,*- I17tb January, 1876.
[21st Dolhadji, 1292.
After Compliments.
Be it known to our Friend that our Friend’s letter of the 28th December has safely
arrived and we have noted all its contents.
With regard to troubles at Perak, we know a little about it as we have been informed.
We learnt that the Chiefs of Perak had done unlawfully and committed badness to Her
Majesty’s Officers, it is very proper for our Friend to punish the disobedient men according
to their crimes to show an example to other persons of different countries. As it is the
intention of our Friend that we should inform him about the ex-Sultan Ismail and the
Chiefs of Perak who have fled and whose names are mentioned in our Friend’s letter.
Now we are making inquiry where they have run away and where they are living and
hiding themselves. If we get any intelligence about them, we will inform our Friend or
to our Friend’s officer. We have kept watch in the frontier of our boundary which is
near Perak. We will not allow any of those men who committed the crimes to enter into
our jurisdiction, and if they privately enter we will arrest and send them to our Friend
or we will send word to our Friend.
* No. 70 of [C. 1505] of 1876. f No. 119 of same Paper.
JJ 4
17 January
1870.
25 January
1876.
32
Translation.
From Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin of Kedah to his Exeellency the Governor, S. S.
n , [17th January, 1876.
mte \21st Dolhaji, 1292.
After Compliments.
Be it known unto our Friend that as regards our Friend’s letter addressed us dated
31st December, it has safely reached us, and the contents of it we fully understand.
In respect to our Friend’s three letters sent to us with a request to forward the same to
the Sultan of Tringanu, Raja Klautau, and Raja Patani, we have ordered our men to
convey those letters to the said Rajahs as early as possible.
This is what we have to inform.
H.B.M.’s Consul-General Bangkok, to the Governor.
[Th is letter is printed as Inclosure in No. 17-]
No. 26.
Governor Sir W. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B., to the EARL OF CARNARVON.
> (Received March 25, 1876.)
My Lord. Government House, Singapore, February 23, 1876.
In. reference to the postscript to my Despatch of the 24th January last, in
which I stated that I had not then received the official report of Mr. Hewiek’s expedition
against ex-Sultan Ismail and his followers, I noAV have the honour to enclose for your
Lordship’s information a report from that officer on the subject.
2. I may add that I find Mr. Hewick is incorrect in his statement that Pandak Indut
(one of the murderers of Mr. Birch) was killed at Batu Badinding. From trustworthy
information I have since received, it appears certain that Pandak Indut and others impli-
cated in the murder, are hiding in the jungle at no great distance from Passir Sala.
3. To the names of the Maharaja Lela, Datu Sagor, and Pandak Indut, for the capture
of whom I offered rewards by proclamation (Enclosure 4 of January 14th, 1876),* I
added those of Seputum and Tuah, who, it has been ascertained, were also concerned
in the perpetration of the murder.
4. I have informed your Lordship by telegraph of the capture of Seputum. I have
not at present received the official report of this circumstance, but it would appear that
he was captured at Lamboh, on the Perak river. Another man named Gundak, also
stated to have been concerned in the murder, was captured at Durian Sabatang after
some resistance. A third man named Ngah Hamed, who is also stated to have taken an
active part in the outrage, has been captured by Syed Masahore, and several other
Malays have been arrested on suspicion.
5. The prisoners will be tried by a Malay court assisted by two British assessors.
Sultan Abdullah has appointed Raja Dris as the head of this Malay court. I have
appointed Mr. Davidson, Resident of Salangore, as Chief Assessor, and he will be aided
by Mr. Swettenham, now Acting Deputy Commissioner in Perak. I enclose for your
Lordship’s information copy of a letter which has been addressed to Mr. Davidson on
the subject.
I have, &c.
(Signed) W. F. DRUMMOND JERVOIS.
The Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon,
&c. &c. &c.
Colonial Office.
Office of Assistant Superintendent of Police,
Sir, Province Wellesley, January 19, 1876.
I have the honour to report that in accordance with instructions I received from
his Exeellency the Governor. I proceeded from Butterworth on Wednesday the 5th in-
stant, with 29 police and 24 Malays to place myself in communication with Inche
Karrim, at Salamah, from thence to proceed to Jarnai in Perak, and endeavour to
capture Sultan Ismail and the various chiefs with him said to be in that place.
I arrived at Salamah on Friday the 7th instant, and delivered his Excellency’s letter
to Inche Karrim, who gave directions to his Datus to get ready 300 men as requested by
me. On Saturday the Karrim started with 28 men, and I on mustering the Rawahs who
* No. 132 of [C. 1505] of 1876.
33
were to go with me found only 20 were to be had. I determined with this number to
proceed, leaving orders that the remaining 260 should follow, with arms, ammunition,
and food. We arrived at Blah on Saturday, and on Sunday proceeded to Hijow, the
track followed, owing to recent rains, was very heavy, mud and slush up to, and often
over, the knees. I determined to rest a day at Hijow, especially as no rice was to be had
there. I had been led to believe that in the Campong there would be abundance of
food, and on finding none, I was obliged to arrange for the husking of paddy to obtain
sufficient rice to proceed. On Monday I sent out scouts (iny informer and a Patani
Pungulhu I had brought with me), as I received information to the effect that Ismail
had been greatly reinforced; on Tuesday I sent forward an advance guard of 30 Rawahs
with instructions to remain posted at a place calied Bukit Kooboo, Stockade Hill, which
is the key to the road to and from Perak over the 33 hills (Bukit Tigah Pulloh Tigah)
Karrim sent a letter by my direction to Ismail, dated from Salamah, to the effect that he
was desirous of assisting Ismail if he would allow him to have an interview. This was
done to cover the advance, as a report had been spread, by whom I cannot say, some time
before, that I was advancing with a large force, via Hijow. On Wednesday at 4 a.m. 1
proceeded with the remainder of mv men, 90 in number (although short of ammunition
and provisions, in fact, deficient in every way), towards Perak, with the intention of
making a dash at Ismail’s Campong, for herein I felt sure my only chance of any success
lay. Forcing my march, I crossed the Bukit Tigah Puloh Tigah by 4.30 p.m. and
reached the valley close to the Perak River, advancing with the whole force consisting of
64 police and Malays from the province, 60 Rawas, and 18 Mandiling men under Rajah
Dessah, one of Captain Speedy’s men. On reaching the valley, I received information
from a Patani that Seedeekah Rajah and some followers were in a Campong where I had
arranged to encamp about a mile from the bank of the Perak River, and that this man
had been impressing Patanies (they being in his jurisdiction and greatly afraid of him)
also that there were 300 men (Patanies) in the vicinity wavering in their allegiance to
Perak, but ready to follow whoever was strongest. After a short consultation with
Karrim, notwithstanding the exhausted condition of the men, we determined to advance
and endeavour to capture Seedeekah Rajah; and the force was arranged in two divisions,
an advance of 30, and the remainder as one column. The advance received instructions
not to fire a shot if possible so as not to alarm Ismail who was on the other bank of the
Perak River. This unfortunately could not be done, for on advancing to the Campong,
Seedeekah Rajah seized a gun and pointed it at the leading men, calling on the Patanis to
resist. His gun missed fire, and the advance guard rushing in shot him as he was prepar-
ing to throw himself on them. Three others ran into the paddy, were pursued, and cut
down, ami one man shot by the side of Seedeekah Rajah. By this time the whole force
had reached the Campong, which was speedily occupied. I found three dead bodies, and
two wounded men. The former were recognized as Seedeekah Rajah, Pandak Indut, and
Tengah, an elephant driver of Ismail, the latter one named Allang, a slave of Sedeekah
Rajah. The name of the other I was unable to ascertain. As dusk was approach ing,
and the appearance of the few Patanis about threatening, I determined to stockade the
Campong which the men proceeded to do as best they could. I received information of
an intended attack from the cross roads near Stockade Hill, and as in that case
the whole of my force would inevitably have been annihilated, I determined to
proceed there, and keep in check the Patanis, causing reports to be spread that
a large force of Europeans was advancing in the rear. I took with me Karrim and
40 men, leaving the remainder at the Campong, which is calied “ Batu Badinding ”
with instructions to endeavour to get boats (which I had not been able to get) and
cross to the river to Ismail’s encampment, during the night, if possible. The march
to Stockade Hill was accomplished under great difficulties, the men had been marching
without food for 13 hours, and it was about ll p.m. before the spot was reached,
I placed guards and waited, expecting every moment an attack on the part of the
cnemy, but fortunately the reports I had caused to be spread had the desired effect,
and whatever the enemy had intended in the way of attack was stopped. At ll a.m.
the next day, hearing that Ismail had fled some two hours after the occupation of Batu
Badinding Campong, I returned to Hijow leaving a force of 30 men at Stockade
Hill. The men I had left at Batu Badinding on Thursday obtained a small boat
and crossed to Ismail’s now deserted encampment, shot one man who endeavoured to
spear a Rawah, captured three men and three women who had not been able to escape,
.aud then burnt the houses, three in number, which Ismail had recently erected, and
then returned to Batu Badinding. The Patanis now deserted by Ismail and without
the reach of Seedeekah Rajah’s influence became alarmed, believing that the sons of the
deceased Datu would return from Kota Lama with Orang Kaya Besar (Syed Mahomed)
and Toh Sagor (who it was reported were resisting the British) burn their Campongs,
38387®. E
34
they sent to me asking me to leave them some protection. In order then to complete their
isolation from Perak, I determined to leave a force of Rawahs at Batu Badinding with
the Patani women and children collected near/to ensure the men being faithful, and
issued instructions to that effect. I also sent Wan Aboo Bakar of Hijow and Meer
Hamit, both men of influence, who had been driven out of Perak by Seedeekah Rajah
and Orang Kaya Besar to act as headman of the Patanis, pending further instructions
,from his Excellency the Governor. I also despatched Che Karrim with instructions to
despatch a force to follow Ismail, who had fled in the direction of Pulai (Kedah) with
Tuam Chee (whom I sent to Ismail some two and a half montlis ago). This man’s
intention, as 1 afterwards learnt, was to draw Ismail to Kedah, where his capture would be
casy. I also directed a force to follow Maharajah Lela, who was at Bada, about two days
march further up the country, where he was staying under an assumed name, that of
Che Ali. Ismail left 17 elephants behind him, of which 3 were captured before I left
Hijow. The others, when caught, I directed to be collected at Hijow. I then proceeded
with the Province Malays to Salamah, and hurried up the remaining arms and ammunition,
which I forwarded to the front, and then returned to Penang to receive further instructions.
Ismail’s flight was made in great haste, and his capture when in Kedah will I believe
be a certainty. The Patanis secured to the side of the Government, about 300 in
number, will I feql sure tend greatly to the demoralisation of those carrying on the war
at Kota Lama, and any advance of troops from there will meet with assistance instead of
resistance at Batu Badinding and the surrounding district. Seedeekah Rajah was looked
upon with great dread by the Patanis, and ranked as one of the eight great men of
Perak, aiid held the highest rank as a fighting Chief equal to Punghina Prang Samaon.
I would request you to bring to the notice of his Excellency the good behaviour of
all the men who followed me. The privations undergone were very great, the walking
fearfully severe, but under it all I never heard a single murmur, and one and all carried
out my instructions with promptness and energy. Che Karrim entered with great spirit
into the affair, but unfortunately he was not backed up by his men at Salamah. Had my
force been 400, as originally designed, 1 am confident I would have succeeded in
capturing Ismail, but had I not advanced as I did, the whole road into Perak would
have been stockaded and blocked up, as arrangements were completed to begin operations
on the day after that on which Batu Badinding was entered. Ismail’s son, Rajah Lat,
was within 300 yards of me with Tuan Teh, a female relation of Tuan Chee when I
entered Batu Badinding, and he ran over to Ismail and hurried his flight, but I did not
know this till afterwards. I would also request that a suitable reward be given to the
informer, who led me faithfully to the spot where Ismail was.
Pandak Indut who was killed at Batu Badinding was the murderer of the late Resident
of Perak, and I believe a reward has been proclaimed with reference to him. I attach
a sworn statement to the effect that his body was seen and recognized amongst those
killed on Wednesday, the Pith instant.
I have, &c.
(Signed) John E. Hewick,
Assistant Superintendent of Police,
To the Superintendent of Police, Province Wellesley.
Penang.
The declaration of Aboo taken on oath before me Captain O. H. Strong, one of the
Justices of the Peace at Province Wellesley, this 19th day of January, in the year of Our
Lord, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-six, who states By directions of
Mr. Hewick, I proceeded to examine the bodies of certain Perak Malays killed in an
encounter with the force under Mr. Hewick, at Batu Badinding. Of these I recognized
as Sedeka Rajah, and another as that of Pandak Indut, whom I had repeatedly heard to
aver that he had killed the Honourable J. W. W. Birch, late Resident of Perak.
Before me, (Signed) Aboo.
(Signed) O. H. Strong, J.P. _ (In Malay character.)
A. A. Superintendent of Police.
Colonial Secretary to Resident, Salangore.
Colonial Secretary’s Office,
Sir, _ Singapore, February 21, 1876.
I am directed by the Governor to inform you, that three prisoners charged with
murder of Mr. Birch have been taken, and are now awaiting trial at Bandar Bahru.
They are to be tried by a native Malay court, aided by two British assessors.
35
Sultan Abdullah has named Rajah Dris the head of the Malay court.
The Governor has appointed you chief assessor. The other assessor -will be Mr.
Swettenham, who is now acting deputy commissioner in Perak.
His Excellency requests that you will proceed forthwith to Bandar Bahru, and, after
acquainting yourself as far as possible with the circumstances of the case, and obtaining
all the evidence you can, that you will arrange with the Sultan and with Mr. Swettenham
for the trial of the prisoners.
His Excellency has been guided in selecting you for this responsible office, mainly, by
the consideration that your lengthened experience as a practising barrister will ensure a
proper regard being maintained throughout the proceedings to the observance of all
regular forms of procedure in so far as they may be applicable, as well as of the rules of
evidence, with a view to conducting the trial in a fair and impartial manner.
And the great local experience possessed by Mr. Swettenham will be of great advantage
to you in the proceedings.
His Excellency requests that you will make a full report of the proceedings and furnish
a copy of the evidence taken in the matter.
I have, &c.
J. G. Davidson, Esq., (Signed) J. Douglas,
H.B.M/s Resident, Salangore. Colonial Secretary, S. S.
No. 27.
Governor Sir W. F. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B., to the EARL OF CARNARVON.
(Received March 25, 1876.)
My Lord, Government House, Singapore, February 24, 1876.
In paragraph 7 of my Despatch of January 14th,* I reported to your Lord-
ship that I had requested that a body of hostile Malay s at Kota Lama, about two
miles above Qualla Kangsa, should be dislodged from the former place. I now enclose
for your Lordship’s information copy of a report from Mr. Maxwell, Acting Deputy
Commissioner, relating to the movement which was made on the 20th ultimo with this
object.
2. The Malays, however, who were thus driven away from Kota Lama retired to
places named Enggar and Prek, a few miles higher up the Perak River. From thence,
as stated in the accompanying reports of Brigadier-General Ross, C.B., and Mr. Max-
well, they continued to keep the neighbourhood of Qualla Kangsa in a disturbed state,
interfering with the line of communications thereto, murdering individuals, and attaeldng
small parties on the route.
3. On the 3rd instant an armed band of Kota Lama Malays, with Toh Sri Lela, their
Chief, came into collision with Rajah Muda Yusuf’s people at Sayong, opposite Qualla
Kangsa, and Yusuf asked for our assistance. A party of 50 Goorkhas was consequently
sent across the river for this object, and after driving the hostile Malays back returned
to their camp the same evening.
I much regret to say that; owing to some misunderstanding as to the position of
Yusuf’s friendly Malays, they were mistaken for the enemy and before the mistake was
discovered two of them were killed and two wounded. I have written to the Rajah
Muda (who has been most loyal and staunch throughout), expressing my regret, and
promising provision for the widows and children of his people who were killed in the
affair.
4. On the 4th instant, a movement was made on the village of Enggar by columns of
troops advancing along both banks of the river, under the command of Lieut.-Colonels
Hill and Cox, and co-operating with a party of blue jackets in boats with a gun and
rockets under Commander Garforth, R.N. The Malays at Enggar opened fire on the
troops and boats, but they were soon dislodged from their position and the village
des troy ed.
Brigadier-General Ross, having directed Lieut.-Colonel Hill’s column of 150 men to
bivouac for the night at Enggar and to push on to Prek the following morning, returned
to Qualla Kangsa with the blue jackets and Lieut.-Colonel Cox’s column.
5. On tlie morning of the 5th instant, Lieut.-Colonel Hill advanced upon Prek, which
is about two miles from Enggar in an easterly direction, and, after some little opposition,
* No. 132 of [C. 1505] of 1876.
E 2
36
occupied and destroyed the village. He then returned to Enggar and reached Qualla
Kangsa the same afternoon.
Brigadier-General Ross reports that these operations have led to the entire dispersal
of this band of lawless marauders and murderers, who have long been the terror of the
upper part of the State of Perak.
6. As stated in paragraph 5 of my Despatch, No. 17 of 14th January, I attach no
political significance to the disturbances which have been made by these Kota Lama
Malays.
I have, &c.
(Signed) WM. F. DRUMMOND JERVOIS.
The Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon,
&c. &c. &c.
Sir} Qualla Kangsa, January 23, 1876.
I have the honour to furnish the following account of the operations against
Kota Lama on the 20th instant, which I briefly reported to his Excellency the Governor
by telegram on that date.
I have purposely delayed the present report in order to be able to fully inform his
Excellency as to the loss of the enemy and the general result of the expedition.
On the morning of the 20th instant a party of troops, consisting of 120 men, H.M.’s
3ru Regiment (“the Buffs”) and 20 men, 1st Goorkhas, under the command of Major
Morley. “ The Buffs ” crossed the river at Sayong before daylight.
I accompanied this party with a few Malays, one of them a guide whom I obtained
through the Raja Muda.
Brigadier-General Ross proceeded to Kota Lama (right bank) with 50 men “the
Buffs,” and 20 men Royal Artillery, with two guns. He was accompanied by Captain
Speedy, Assistant Resident, Larut.
Fire was opened with the guns from the right bank of the river, upon the temporary
encampment which has been occupied by the Kota Lama Malays since the 5th
instant.
This was the signal for firing to commenee from the boats of the Naval Brigade,
under Captain Garforth, R.N., and from the camp at Qualla Kangsa.
As soon as the fire ceased, the party on the left bank of the river under Major Morley,
began to march northwards from Sayong, keeping well inland. At one place four
or five armed Malays were seen running away, and one of them (Ngah Hassan) was
shot.
No others were eneountered, though three or four times in the course of the march a
shot was fired from the jungle on the rear guard, showing that some of the enemy were
not far off". All the houses met with were burned, with the exception of three or four
at Kandang, the owners of which have joined the Rajah Muda.
The enemy were found to have made their huts close to the spot where they made
their attack on the 4th instant. These were surrounded by a strong palisade. The
place was destroyed, and the party then returned to camp, which was reached by the
middle of the day.
• The boats which had been used by the enemy in their repeated marauding expeditions
across the river.were brought away with the exception of one which was burnt by Captain
Garforth’s party.
As yet, 1 have only heard of one man being killed by the artillery fire (Si Aujang bin
Bilal Dongun), but it is not easy to get accurate information from Malays regarding their
casualties.
As far as I can learn the moral effect of the attack has been excellent. The Malays,
who were not prepared to find the range of our guns so great, are moving higher up the
river and breaking up into small parties. There are not many of them who are really
anxious to carry on a hopeless contest, and I have had several hints within the last few
days that some would be willing to surrender themselves if they were not afraid of being
put to death.
The names of those most deeply concerned in the recent murders on the Larut Road
have been furnished to me, and I propose to endeavour to get them through the instru-
mentality of some of the less guilty.
I have circulated notices offering the following rewards for the niembers of the gang
recently assembled at Kota Lama under Toh Sri Lela. For leaders, #200 ; for headmen,
#100; for others, #50 each.
37
If no surrender is made, I would propose to use native auxiliaries (the Rajah Muda’s
men, Captain Speedy’s Menanghabow Malays, and my own men) to follow them up to
their retreats at Prek, Pariang, Enggar, Jerow, and elsewhere.
I have, &c.
(Signed) W. E. Maxwell, Deputy Commissioner.
The Honourable
The Colonial Seeretary.
P.S.—A stockade has been commenced at Kota Lama (right bank) which, when
finished, will be occupied by Police and Larut Malays. A gang of 25 Chinese are now
at work on it.
(Signed) W. E. M.
Copy of a Letter, No. 303, dated Qualla Kangsa, February 6, 1876, from Brigadier-
General Ross, C.B., Commanding Larut Field Force, to Major-General Colborne,
C.B., Commanding Forces, Straits Settlements.
Sir,
I have the honour to submit the following report of operations against the Malays
on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th February 1876.
The people of Kota Lama on the left bank of the River Perak having for some time
past and continuing to give much annoyance, on the arrival of the 1st Goorkhas I
determined on the following operations.
I was further induced to carry out these movements, as although the village of Kota
Lama, on the left bank, the head-quarters of these people, had been destroyed, they had
moved their fighting men a little further up the river occupying the villages “ Kladang ”
and “ Enggar” whilst their families had been sent to “ Prek ” about two miles inland from
“ Enggar.” From “ Enggar ” and “ Kladang ” they crossed the Perak river and continued
to keep the country on this side in a disturbed state whilst they interfered. with my line
of communications between this and Bukit Gantang, small gangs of them hanging about
the road, attacking and murdering individual and small detached parties, and I was
aware that I could not expect the country to settle down or my communications to
remain uninterrupted so long as “ Toh Sri Lela ” and his men held together at the villages
of “ Enggar” and “ Prek,” which last was their main stronghold.
On Wednesday the 2nd February some 100 followers of Raja Muda and Bendahara
were to cross the Perak river at “ Seyong” and proceed well inshore up the right bank to
Chiga Qualla, they were there to recross the river and make for the village of “ Sawa”
belonging to Syed Abbas. It was expected they would reach this village on the 3rd
February, on which date I had arranged that 100 men of the 1st Goorkhas under Colonel
Hill should proceed from the village of “ Seyong 55 by a path across the hills to the
village of “ prek.”
At the same time another detachment of 50 men of the 1st Goorkhas under Captain
Barnett should proceed up the left bank of the Perak, river to “Enggar,” where their
instructions were, after destroying “ Enggar,” to stand fast until joined by Colonel Hill
from “ Prek.”
To co-operate with these columns the Naval Brigade were to go up the river on the
left flank of Captain Barnett’s detachment, with their gun and 24-pounder rocket boats.
Another column of the Buffs of 100 men under Colonel Cox with a detachment of Royal
Artillery and one gun and a 9-pounder rocket trough, to push up the right bank of the
Perak river parallel to Captain Barnett.
Some 60 men of the Raja Muda’s crossed on the 2nd instant and proceeded as arranged,
and 30 or 40 others late in the evening proceeded in three boats up the river. These
men poled up as far as Kota Lama, whicii was destroyed the other day, when they were
hailed from the left bank and one boat proceeded in. They were told by these men (Kota
Lama men, supposed to be some 70 or 80 in number) that they intended fighting, and if
they proceeded they would be fired on. Rajah Muda’s people in the boats being unwilling
to hasten matters, without orders from Mr. Maxwell, accordingly returned to Qualla
Kangsa the same evening and reported matters. They were ordered to proceed up and if
necessary force their way up the following morning. This they did and were not molested.;
and to give them-time I put off till the 4th the movement of the different columns above
notified.
About 2 p.m. on the 3rd a messenger came over from Seyong from Raja Muda saying
that “Toh Sri Lela” with 40 armed men had come down to his stockade, demanded
admittance and an interview with Raja Muda, that he was willing to surrender.
E 3
38
Raja Muda was told to tell him if he would lay down his arms he would be admitted
and an interview allowed. A short time elapsed when another messenger came from
Raja Muda saying he could do nothing with “ Toh Sri Lel a” and was going to attack
him and asking to be supported by some of our troops, and that he had sent some 50
inen round to cut off their retreat. I at once warned 50 Goorkhas under a British officer
to be held in readiness for immediate service, and Mr. Maxwell with his Malays at once
proceeded to Seyong ; but before he could arrive Raja Muda had left the village and we
heard the fire of musketry near Seyong.
The Goorkhas warned were at once sent across, and after consultation with one of Raja
Muda’s men who said he knew where the enemy were, Mr. Maxwell with the Goorkhas
moved off in pursuit. They were told by the guide that the Raja Muda’s people were
all well away on their right flank and they proceeded on for some distance when they
came upon a large body of Malays in a paddy field a little on their left flank, before the
mistake could be discovered 1 regret to say that a volley was fired, two men were killed
and two wounded of the Malays, and it was then found that they were Raja Muda’s
people. Raja Muda Yusuf who was present, when matters were explained at once
acknowledged that it was their own fault; for without sending out scouts to stop our
troops or inform them of the change in their line of advance they had moved across our
front, and their own guide was unaware of their presence, and moreover they had
neglected to show or carry the Union Jack that had been given them to distinguish them
from the enemy. They were all immediately sent back to their village and the Goorkhas
pushed on, coming almost immediately upon the Kota Lama people who were within
some enclos ures, and with yells and cries at once opened fire on our troops. This was
returned and the Goorkhas pushed on, but the Kota Lama people made off into the
jungle, and it being nearly dark our troops returned to camp.
Much as I regret the above unfortunate occurrence, I can in no way attribute blame
to our troops, and I am aware that but for the promptness with which Mr. Maxwell
acted in rushing forward and explaining affairs to the Seyong people, and the staunchness
of Raja Muda, serious results might have followed.
On the morning of the 4th February, at 4 a.m., I commenced crossing Colonel Hill’s
detachment of 100 men as noted in para. 2; but at the very last moment the guide who
was to accompany Colonel Hill and Mr. Maxwell to “ Prek ” declared that there was
no path, and 1 consequently had to alter my plans as follows:—
Colonel Hill was to pass round to the east of Seyong to push up to the back or east
of Kota Lama, destroying any remaining houses he might find, and clearing the back
of the village to make for a point given him, the mosque, on the left bank where he
would form a junction with Captain Barnett’s party, and both were then to push on
through “ Kledang” to “ Enggar.”
The blue jackets, as originally arranged, went up the river leaving Qualla Kangsa at
5.30 .a.m., I, with the column on the right bank, moved off at 6 a.m., and pushed steadily
up to Kota Lama. West, at this point I left in a new stockade, an officer and 25 men of
the Buffs to watch the river, I then pushed on to Jumnaon and waited there till the
Goorkhas on the left bank came opposite me ; I then moved on parallel with them until
opposite the village of “ Enggar.”
Immediately that the head of my column showed itself on the right bank and the blue
jackets’ boats neared the village, the Malays from two or three Lelas opened fire on the
boats and the head of my column. The shot, however, fell short of the bank and ricocheted
over the gun boat; they also opened an ineffectual musketry fire. The gun boat commanded
by Captain Garforth and my artillery with the rockets, at once replied and drove them
entirely out of the village. Colonel Hill’s column advanced and destroyed the place.
I then sent for Colonel Hill and Mr. Maxwell and directed that they should bivouac
at “ Enggar ” for the night, and march the following morning to Prek, attack, and
destroy that village.
At 2.30 p.m. the gun boats and right bank column returned to Qualla Kangsa.
I annex a report from Colonel Hill of his movement against Prek, together with sketch
showing the different routes taken by the columns. There were no casualties beyond
the slight wound Colonel Hill received, noted in the medical officer’s report attached.
It has since been reported that on the 3rd instant, the Goorkhas killed two of the
Kota Lama men, but 1 am not yet aware that any were killed either on the 4th or 5th
instant, though I think it hardly possible all could have escaped.
The object with which these operations were undertaken has been most satisfactorily
attained, the Kota Lama people are now entirely dispersed, all their villages destroyed,
and I anticipate that the rewards offered for the principal delinquents will ere long result
39
in their being captured or slain. The Raja Muda is already actively co-operating by sendimr
parties of his own followers to intercept stragglers or small parties who are known to bo
separating from their former leaders.
I have, &c.
(Signed) J. Ross,
Brigadier-General, Commanding Larut Field Force.
Copy of a Letter, dated Qualln Kangsa, February 6, 1876, from Lieut.-Colonel
R. S. Hill, 1st Goorkhas, to Lieu ten ant-Colonel E. B. Clay, Commanding 1st
Goorkhas.
Sir,
I have the honour to report that, in compliance with orders received from the
Brigadier-General Commanding, I crossed over to the left bank of the Perak river with
a force as per margin at 4 a.m. on the morning of the 4th instant, and after daylight
advanced to the Kota Lama village, which I thoroughly swept with skirmishers, the only
trace of the enemy being a few men seen running away in the distance, and in a northerly
direction, out of rifle range.
2. About 9 a.m. I advanced along the left bank, covered by the gun and rocket boats
under Commander Garforth, R.N., and arrived at “ Enggar,” a village distant about five
miles, in two hours. On the way the village of “ Kledang ” and outlying houses, some
50 in number, were burned. Before arriving at “Enggar” we passed through heavy
jungle skirting the base of the range of hills trending to the river, after which obstacles
were encountered in the shape of felled trees and branches, probably cut down some
time ago. I detached parties to the right of these obstacles, and pressed on to the
village, where I found the force on the right bank, and gun boats engaged with the
enemy, who were being shelled to the north of “ Enggar.” I burnt the village, con-
sisting of about 15 houses, occupying it, my right flank being protected by detached
parties. An iron gun was found in one of the houses at “ Enggar,” which was forwarded
to head-quarters.
3. Agreeably to instructions received from the Brigadier-General, I bivouacked for
the night in the village, being unmolested by the enemy, and at 6.30 a.m. on the 5th
instant I started for the village of “ Prek ” in an easterly direction, leaving 50 rank and
file under Captain Mercer at “ Enggar.” The path wound along paddy field s through
an open country; our scout and banking parties could discover no signs of the enemy
until arriving at the point marked in accompanying sketch about one mile from “ Enggar,”
when fire of about 12 musket shots was suddenly opened on our leading and rear files
almost simultaneously. The path approaches close to and winds round a densely wooded
hill, the fire of the enemy was fortunately ineffectual, and a party of the men under
Captain Barnett, who during the day was most forward and active, charged into the
jungle and ascended the hill, the enemy retiring in such haste as to leave their lances
behind them, three of which were captured. On turning the hill the village of “ Prek ”
was visible, and as the ground was open I advanced the force in skirmishing order, with
parties detached to both flanks of the village ; the approach to the village was palisaded
and obstructed with felled trees. A few shots were fired by the enemy, which were
replied to by our skirmishers, who pressed on through the village under Captain Barnett
and Lieutenant and Adjutant Churchill, and swept through the country beyond for
about half a mile. About 15 houses were burned in “ Prek,” amongst the number the
houses of “ Sri Lela Paduka” and of “ Kader,” a Malay leader who was killed on the
4th at Kota Lama.
4. I estimate the number of Malays opposed to us under 20. I regret to say I have
no reason to suppose that any of them fell, as, owing to the thickness of the undergrowth
and density of the forest and their rapid retreat, it was difficult to see them. The pre-
parations for the defence of “ Prek ” had probably, from the appearance of the felled
trees, been made about a week ago. No attempt had been made to remove property from
the houses, all of which was burned, as I did not think it advisable to permit any plun-
dering. A smelting furnace and apparatus was destroyed in one of the houses. “ Prek ”
is distant from “ Enggar ” about two miles. I arrived there at 7*25 a.m., and was back
at “ Enggar ” at 9-30 a.m. On the return march some 10 houses pointed out by
Mr. Maxwell were burnt.
5. Captain Mercer had been patrolling, but saw no trace of the enemy, as there was
nothing further to do on the left bank, and to avoid the risk of the men being fired at in
the jungle on the return march I crossed the force over in two boats, and at 12 noon
started for Qualla Kangsa, arriving at 3 p.m.
E 4
1st Goorkhas.
1 Li-Colorel.
2 Captains.
1 Lieutenant.
S Native officers
i Medical
officer.
150 rank & file.
Lieut. North,
R.E., and
Lieut. Hare,
R.E., joined
at “Enggar/'
40
I am indebted to Lieutenant North, R.E. for the sketch, who, together with Lieu-
tenant Hare, R.E., assisted me greatly by taking charge of parties of Goorkhas.
I have, &c.
(Signed) Rowley Sale Hill,
Lieut.-Colonel 1st Goorkha, L.I.
Copy of a Letter, No. 38/76, dated Qualla Kangsa, February 7, 1876, from the Principal
Medical Officer, Larut Field Force, to the Brigade Major, Larut Field Force.
Sir. .
I HAVE the honour to report, for the information of the Brigadier-General Com-
roan ding, the following casualty in connection with the operations of the Larut Field
Force up the River Perak on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th instant:
3/5 R.A., nil.
1/3 the Buffs, nil.
Naval Brigade, nil.
1 st Goorkha, L.I., Lieutenant-Colonel R. S. Hill, gunshot wound of leg (slight), sus-
tained on the morning of the 5th February at the attack on the village of “ Prek.”
I have, &c.
(Signed) G. S. Davie,
Surgeon-Major P.M.O.,
Larut Field Force.
Camp, Qualla Kangsa,
Sir, . . _ February 6, 1876.
I have the honour to forward for the information of his Exceliency the Governor
the following report regarding the recent operations against Enggar and Prek, the head-
quarters of the Ivota Lama Malays, who have for some time been giving trouble in this
neighbourhood.
My last communication forwarding the statement of Si Udah, dated January 27th, will
have put the Government in possession of recent information concerning the attitude of
the enemy who were driven out cf Kota Lama on the 20th January.
On the 2nd instant a party of the Raja Muda’s men, headed by his son Raja Mahomed,
were stopped on the river on their way to Chigar Gala (whither they were proceeding at
my request, to co-operate with a force intended to be sent subsequently from Qualla
Kangsa to Enggar and Prek) by a party of Malays assembled on the bank of the river
at Permatang Kulim (north of Kota Lama left bank).
The latter who are stated to have been 70 or 80 in number under several notorious
leaders threatened to attack the boats if Raja Mahomed persisted in pushing on up the
river.
He returned to me that night for orders, and went on again up the river next morning,
some of his men marching up the right bank. His orders from me are to support the
friendly villagers of Chigar Gala, and to endeavour to intercept any fugitives belonging
to the enemy’s party who have been recently in arms against us.
Early on the morning of the 3rd instant, I was informed that Datoli Sri Lela Paduka
with 40 armed followers had come down to Sayong, and had sent a message to the
Raja Muda offering to surrender.
The latter sent to me for instructions, stating at the same time his doubt of the
pacific intentions of Sri Lela whose men were fully armed. I informed Brigadier-General
lioss of the circumstanced, and sent instructions to the Raja Muda to receive Sri Lela
and his party into Sayong, only if they laid down their arms.
In the afternoon the Raja Muda sent to say, that he was about to attack Sri Lela (who •
had retired to some little distance), and begged that he might be supported by troops.
Accordingly as soon as firing was heard from the other side of the river, the Brigadier-
General despatched 50 men, 1st Ghoorkas, under Captain Barnett, to Kota Lama to the
assistance of the Raja Muda’s force. I accompanied the party.
One of Rajah Muda’s men, who acted in the capacity of guide, said, that he knew the
position of the enemy, and that Raja Muda’s followers were well away on the right flank.
After proceeding some little distance a body of Malays were perceived in a paddy field
on the left flank, and a fire was opened upon them before it was discovered that they
were Raja Muda’s followers who had moved across our front. I regret to say two
Malays were killed and two wounded.
41
I explained the circumstances of the case to the Raja Muda, who admitted that he
was in fault for nothaving sent out scouts to inform our troops of his movement, and
that no blame was to be attached to the troops. The wounded men have been attended
by the surgeons of the Buffs, and I have promised that the widows and families of those
killed shall be provided for.
The enemy who had twice engaged the Raja Muda’s people before our arrival, opened
fire on the troops from behind the fence of a plantation at Kota Lama.
From this and from several other enclosures they were successively driven, and they
finally retired in a northerly direction, when it was too late to pursue them any further.
Beyond the name of one man who was killed, I have not been able to obtain any
accurate information regarding the loss of the enemy. There was no casual ty among
the party sent from here.
On the 4th inst. the village of Enggar, on the left bank of the river considerably above
Kota Lama, was taken and destroyed by a detachment of the 1st Goorklias under the
command of Lieutenant-Colonel Hill, 1st Goorkhas Light Infantry, after the enemy
occupying it, (who commenced hostilities by firing on our boatsjhad been dispersed with
shells and rockets by a party under Brigadier-General Ross* who took up a position on
the right bank of the river.
Lieutenant-Colonel Hill’s party crossed the river before daylight, and marched up
through Kota Lama at some distance from the river bank without meeting with any
opposition. It had been intended that a portion of the detachment should have marched
on Prek, while another went direct to Enggar; but this plan had to be altered at the
last moment, as my guide professed ignorance of any direct route from Kota Lama to
Prek, not passing Enggar, though one had been previously described to me.
From the mosque at Kota Lama, Colonel Hill’s detachment marched by a path along
the bank of the river to Enggar. This path for some distance skirts the slope of Bukit
Berjuntee which rests on the river. It was not defended. A supposed stockade, as
to the existence of which I had been warned, turned out to be only a rough abattis of
felled trees.
Enggar was occupied and burned as soon as the Artillery fire from the right bank
ceased. Colonel Hill’s detachment encamped there for the night. The rest of the
troops returned to Qualla Kangsa.
At daylight on the 5th instant I accompanied Colonel Hill’s detachment to Prek,
taking with me two guides, and six of my Malays. Prek which is about two miles from
Enggar was reached in about an hour. The path runs through secondary jungle for
some distance and was blocked up in several places by felled trees, &c. At one place
where it approaches the foot of Bukit Berjuntee, the detachment was fired on from the
jungle both in front and rear. Fortunately no damage was done, though Colonel Hill,
who was hit on the leg by a spent shot, and a Goorkha, who received a bullet in his
cartridge pouch, narrowly escaped injury. The jungle was cleared at once, the enemy
retreating with such percipitation, that several of their spears fell into the hands of the
troops who followed them up.
A short stand was made by a few Malays at the principal house at Prek, but they
fled before the skirmishers, before the main body of our party came up. The houses
of the headmen and those immediately around them were then burned, and the detach-
ment returned to Enggar.
From Enggar we crossed the river, and returned to camp at Qualla Kangsa, by a good
road which has been cleared by the villagers of Jumuwan and Kota Lama (right bank)
at my request.
It was necessary, in order to provide for the safety of our communications with Larut,
that the enemy should be deprived of the convenient shelters which the villages of
Enggar and Prek afforded. The people of Enggar have made common cause with the
Kota Lama men from the commencement. It was Syed Mat Ali, of Enggar, who led
the attack on the working party on the south side of the camp on the 14th January,
when a private of “the Buffs” (since dead) was wounded. The statements of native
informers, which I have forwarded from time to time (Mat Annim, 22-1-76, Seah Ali
Kwee, 23-1-76, Si Udah, 27-1-76, and Syed Laludin, 28-1-76) will have shown how far
the people of Enggar have been implicated in disturbing the peace of this part of the
country. At Prek, a fine district with paddy and sugar-cane fields, besides tin mines,
Toh Sri Lela and Kadir (who was killed at Kota Lama on the 4th January) had houses
and property. It was here, in a comparatively secluded situation, that the women and
children were collected during the advance of the majority of the men on marauding
expeditions.
38387a. F
* 80 men, the
Buffs, Detach-
ment H.A.,
1 gun, with 1
gun and 1
rocket trough
on river.
Detachment
N.B., with 1
gun and I
rocket trough.
42
I have every hope that the destruction of these two villages will result in the dispersion
of Joh Sri Lela’s followers, and that the seizure of the leaders, for whom I have offered
rewards, will be thus considerably facilitated.
I have, &c.
(Signed) W. E. Maxwell,
The Honourable the Colonial Secretary, S. S. Deputy Commissioner, Perak.
No. 28.
Governor Sir W. F. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B., to the EARL OF CARNARVON.
(Received March 25, 1876.)
Government House, Singapore,
My Lord, February 24, 1876.
In the despatches which I have addressed to your Lordship, since the commence-
ment of the disturbances in the Malay peninsula, relative to the operations carried on
therein, I have had much pleasure in bringing to your Lordship’s notice the names of
those officer s who have particularly distinguished themselves in the conduct of the duties
assigned to them. Of Major Dunlop and Mr. Swettenham, the commissioner and deputy
commissioner respectively whom I attached to the force under Major-General Colborne,
C.B., I have already spoken in the strongest terms, and I can but reiterate the high
opinion which I have formed of these officers, and of the valuable services rendered by them.
2. In paragraph of my despatch of the 14th January last,* I have recorded my
thanks to Colonel Anson, R.A., and to Captain Murray, for their services during the
operations in Sungie Ujong, and I beg again to bring the names of these officers before
your Lordship’s notice, and to express my appreciation of the energy displayed b}7 them.
3. To Major McNair, and Mr. W. E. Maxwell, the commissioner and deputy com-
missioner respectively, whom I attached to the Indian force under Brigadier-General
Ross, C.B., my best thanks are due, as well as to Captain Speedy, the assistant resident
in Laroot. I enclose a copy of a letter which I have received from Brigadier-General
Ross, expressing his high opinion of Mr. Maxwell, and stating how valuable has been the
assistance which he has received from that officer.
4. To Mr. Davidson, the resident in Salangore, great credit is due for the tact and
energy which he displayed in putting down bands of free-booters and marauders, and
generally in preserving order in that state.
5. Turning from the colonial officers, I would beg to express my best thanks to Major-
General Colborne for his cordial co-operation with me, and I trust that I am not stepping
beyond my province in expressing my opinion that his untiring energy and contented
bearing when exposed during the recent operations to severe hardships in the jungle had
a most inspiriting effect on the officers and men under his command.
6. To Captain Buffer, R.N., Senior Naval Officer, I would also express my thanks for
the valuable assistance which he has rendered, particularly in fitting up the boats for the
transport of troops and stores up the Perak river.
7. Owing to the good arrangements made by Commissary W. Robinson, who has been
untiring in his efforts throughout, the supplies of stores and provisions have been per-
fectly maintained, and I beg to thank this officer for the able assistance which he has
rendered.
8. To Brigadier-General Ross, C.B., and to the Indian force under his command, my
best thanks are due for the services which they have rendered in the operations which
have taken place in Perak and Sungie Ujong. The Brigadier-General has co-operated
with me most cordially in carrying out my suggestions and proposals.
9. I have personally received the greatest assistance from Mr. Phillippo, until recently
Acting Attorney-General, and from Lieutenant McCallum, R.E., my Acting Private
Secretary. These two officers accompanied me throughout the period when operations
were being carried on both in Perak and in the states near Malacca, and when, as I was
necessarily absent from head-quarters, an enormous amount of work devolved unon me.
I found Mr. Phillippo invaluable as a counsellor, and I beg to bring his name before
your Lorship for favourable consideration whenever an opportunity for promoting him
should present itself. Lieutenant McCallum is a young officer of the highest promise, and
my best thanks are due to him for the untiring zeal and energy which he has displayed.
I have, &c.
(Signed) WM. F. DRUMMOND JERVOIS.
The Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon,
&C. &C. &c.
* No. 133 [U.|1505] of 1876.
43
From Brigadier-General J. Ross, Commanding Larut Field Force, to His Excellency
the Governor Straits Settlements.
Sir, Singapore, February 24, 1876.
As it is probable that I shall be leaving the Straits shortly, I wish before doing
so to bring to your Excellency’s notice the valuable assistance which I have received
from Mr. W. Maxwell, whom you attached as Deputy Commissioner to the Larut Field
Force under my command.
From earlv in December to the present time he has exerted himself to assist me in
every way, especially as regards information, in obtaining which he has been most
successful. The news which he has from time to time given me of the movements of
Ex-Sultan Ismail and others, has invariably been correct, and he has shown much
judgment in discriminating between the reports which were to be depended upon or
otherwise.
His manner of treating with Rajah Muda Yusuf, so as to induce him to actively side
with the British Government, is deserving, I think, of much credit.
I feel that I am only doing justice to this Officer in recommending him to your
Excellency’s very favourable notice.
I have, &c.
(Signed) J. Ross, Brigadier-General.
No. 29-
COLONIAL OFFICE to FOREIGN OFFICE.
Sir, Downing Street, March 25, 1876.
I am directed by the Earl of Carnarvon to acknowledge the receipt of your letters
of the 4th and 20th instant,* enclosing copies of further despatches from Her Majesty’s
Agent and Consul General at Bangkok, together with a correspondence with the
Governor of the Straits Settlements respecting those Chiefs of Perak, who have taken
refuge in territory under Siamese authority.
His Lordship is glad to notice that Mr. Knox has been acting energetically in the
matter, and, as Rajah Ismail has now surrendered at Penang, Lord Carnarvon is not
without hope that before long all those impiicated in the murder of Mr. Birch will be in
the hands of the Colonial Government. Meantime his Lordship concurs with Lord
Derby in his proposal to approve the steps taken by Mr. Knox to meet the wishes of
Her Majesty’s Government.
I have, &e.
The Under Secretary, (Signed) R. H. MEADE.
Foreign Office.
No. 30.
Telegram from Governor Sir W. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B., to the EARL of
CARNARVON.
(Received March 27, 1876.)
March 24, 1876.
“ Philippo, Plunkett, and Paul, appointed Commissioners to inquire as to Ismail’s
and other Chiefs’ complicity in Perak outrages. Ismail, in the meantime, to be kept
under surveillance, and treated with all consideration, due regard being paid to security.”
No. 31.
COLONIAL OFFICE to WAR OFFICE.
Sir, Downing Street, March 28, 1876.
With reference to your letter of the 22nd instant,f respecting the relief of the
10th Regiment, in the Malay Peninsula, I am directed by the Earl of Carnarvon to
state, for the information of Mr. Secretary Hardy, that his Lordship has since been
in telegraphic communication with the Governor of the Straits Settlements; and that
in reply to an inquiry whether a wing 500 strong would be sufficient with a view to the
relief of the 10th, Sir W. Jervois has reported that he also is anxious to the 10th
F 2
* Nos. 10 and 17.
f No. 22.
44
should be relieved, and that 500 men would suffice if the head-quarters of the Regiment
were not stationed in the Straits Settlements, but that with the head-quarters there would
not be sufficient men available for duty.
Lord Carnarvon, with every wish to meet the views of the Secretary of State for War,
with respect to the early relief of the 10th, thinks it impossible in the face of Sir W.
Jervois’s express opinion, given after full reflection and on the invitation of Lord Carnarvon
to consider whether any reduction in the number of men could with safety be effected,
that the Malay Peninsula should be left without an efficient force of 500 bayonets, in
addition to the usual Colonial garrison for the next few months, his Lordship trusts
that before long some further reduction may be found possible, and would hope that
Mr. Hardy may be able to make arrangements to meet this view of the question without
serious difficulty.
Sir W. Jervois has also telegraphed to the effect that with the consent of the Indian
Government he has detained the battery of Artillery, which was absolutely necessary, and
that before it can be relieved there will be required a battery about 75 strong, with
four 7-pounder rifled guns and two rocket tubes. •
Lord Carnarvon has little doubt that a force of this nature, or at least arms of this
description available for immediate use, will be found in the future, as in the past, a most
serviceable addition to the strength of the garrison of the Colonial Settlements, and he
would be glad to know whether the War Department can make arrangements for
supplying this want without involving any special difficulty or any considerable addition
to the cost of the forces permanently stationed there.
I have, &c.
The Under Secretary of State, (Signed) R. H. MEADE.
War Office.
No. 32.
The EARL OF CARNARVON to Governor Sir W. F. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B.
Downing Street,
Sir, _ March 28, 1876.
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch of the 9th of
February,* enclosing a copy of a resolution passed by the Penang Association on the 5th
of January, and of an address presented to you from the same body, dated the 1st of
December last.
I have, &c.
(Signed) CARNARVON.
No. 33.
The EARL OF CARNARVON to Governor Sir W. F. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B.
Downing Street,
Sir, March 29, 1876.
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch of the 23rd
of February last,f in which you enclose a copy of a letter which you have received
from the Rajah of Kedah, in which he expresses his readiness to deliver up the Maharaja
Lela, and others implicated in the recent outrages in Perak, should they take refuge
within his territory. I have received this intelligence with much satisfaction.
I have, &c.
(Signed) CARNARVON.
No. 34.
Governor Sir W. F. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B., to the EARL OF CARNARVON. -
(Received March 29, 1876.)
(Telegraphic.)
March 27, 1876.
Ismail arrived here yesterday in gun-boat “ Ringdove ”; have placed him on
parole with Maharajah Johore pending result of inquiry into complicity of chiefs in Perak
outrages ; regalia of Perak now in my possession.
* No. ll.
t No. 25.
45
■No. 35.
The EARL OF CARNARVON to Governor Sir W. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B.
Sir, Downing Street, March 31, 1876.
I have the honour to inform you that Her Majesty has given directions for the
appointment of His Highness the Maharajah of Johore to be a Knight Grand Cross of
the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George.
I have had much pleasure in stating to His Highness that the Queen has conferred
this honour upon him, and of assuring him how highly Her Majesty’s Government
appreciate the good offices which he has rendered and the friendly feelings he has on
many occasions shown in his relations with the Government of the Straits Settlements.
I request that you will make this known in the Colony in some formal manner.
I have, &c.
His Excellency (Signed) CARNARVON.
Sir W. F. D. Jervois, C.B., K.C.M.G.,
Governor and Commander-in-Chief,
The Straits Settlements.
(No. 36.)
WAR OFFICE to COLONIAL OFFICE.
Sir, War Office, April 7, 1876.
I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to acknowledge the receipt of your
letter of the 28th ultimo,* respecting the increased force which it will be necessary for the
present to retain in the Malay Peninsula.
In reply, I am to acquaint you that five companies of a regiment, with its head-quarters,
will be sent in the Autumn to relieve the 1st Battalion 10th Regiment, giving a strength
of over 500 men, in addition to the 80th or other Regiment intended to be maintained
there, which, Mr. Hardy gathers, will meet Sir W. Jervois’ requirements.
The retention of the battery of Artillery has been already authorised, and directions
have been given for its transfer from the Indian to the British Establishment.
I am to add that four 7-pounder rifle guns and a supply of rocket tubes have
recently been sent from this country to the Straits Settlements.
I have, &c.
The Under Secretary of State, (Signed) CADOGAN.
Colonial Office.
No. 37.
Governor Sir W. F. D. JERVOIS, R.E., K.C.M.G., C.B., to the EARL OF
CARNARVON. (Received April 8, 1876.)
. My Lord, Government House, Singapore, March 8, 1876.
In reference to my Despatch of the 24th February,f I find that I have inadvertently
omitted to bring to your Lordship’s notice the name of Mr. C. J. Irving, Auditor-
General of this Colony.
During the disturbances in the Malay Peninsula, when I was absent from Singapore,
Mr. Irving was filling the post of Acting Colonial Secretary, and my thanks are specially
due to him for the able assistance which he afforded at this time, when much responsi-
bility necessarily fell upon him.
I have See.
(Signed) 5 WM. F. DRUMMOND JERVOIS.
The Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon,
&c. &c. &c.
F 3
* No. 31.
t No. 28.
46
No. 38.
COLONIAL OFFICE to ADMIRALTY.
Sir, Downing Street, April 10, 1876.
I am directed by the Earl of Carnarvon to acknowledge the receipt of your letter
of the 21st ultimo* respecting the proposed grant of extra pay to officers and seamen
engaged in the recent operations in the Malay Peninsula.
2. Lord Carnarvon is of opinion that the forces engaged should reeeive any additional
pay which has been granted on similar occasions, such as the Ashantee expedition.
3. With reference to the last paragraph of your letter, I am to enclose a copy of a
Despatch which has recently been sent to the Governor of the Straits Settlements, and
to which no reply has as yet been received, from which the Lords of the Admiralty will
learn that it has not yet been decided how far the expenditure involved in the recent
operations will be charged on the Colonial Revenue.
4. Lord Carnarvon is at present disposed to think that it will only be just that the
Colony should contribute according to its ability to the outlay that has been incurred,
but he does not at present feel himself in a position to undertake that Colonial funds
shall bear any specific charge such as that of the grant of additional pay now proposed;
and his Lordship would therefore suggest that the Lords of the Admiralty should at
once make whatever grant they may think the circumstances of the case requires from
naval services, and that such moneys as it may hereafter be found possible to recover,
either from Perak or from the Colonial Revenue, in aid of the expenses of the operations,
should be paid into the Imperial Exchequer.
I am, &c.
The Secretary, Admiralty. (Signed) ROBERT G. W. HERBERT.
No. 39.
WAR OFFICE to COLONIAL OFFICE.
Sir, Pall Mall, April 10, 1876.
I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to transmit, for the information
and perusal of the Earl of Carnarvon, the enclosed papers relating to operations in the
Malay peninsula and on the Perak river.
You will be pleased to return the enclosures.
I have, &c.
The Under Secretary of State, (Signed) J. C. VIVIAN.
Colonial Office.
Sir, Head Quarters, Singapore, February 18, 1876.
I have the honour to transmit for the information of His Royal Highness the
Field Marshal Commanding-in-Chief, the accompanying copy of a report from Brigadier
General Ross, C.B., with enclosures, of an expedition made by him against the villages of
“ Enggar ” and “ Prek,” on the 4th and 5th instant, about six miles above Kota Lama,
on the Perak river.
Although his Excellency the Governor had intimated his wish that, if possible, no
further hostilities should be undertaken against the Malays, I beg to state that General
Ross on this occasion acted quite within the instructions he had received from me. It
was impossible to allow the continuance of attacks and outrages, however isolated, on
working or other parties employed on the Laroot Line, or to permit the villages above
Kota Lama to harbour and protect the offenders, and it was necessary to show the
Malays that such attacks on troops, &c., would be immediately and severely punished.
The effect has been beneficial, and on my visit to Qualla Kangsa from which I have
just returned, I found the Laroot Road and vicinity perfectly quiet and uninterrupted.
I have, &c.
To the Adjutant General, Horse Guards, (Signed) Francis Colborne,
London, S.W. Major-General, Commanding forces,
China and Straits Settlements.
To Major-General the Hon. F. Colborne, C.B., Commanding Forces, Straits Settlements.
[Printed as Enclosure in No. 27.]
* No. 21.
47
No. 40.
Governor Sir W. F. D. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B., to the EARL OF CARNARVON.
(Received April 10, 1876.)
(Telegi’aphic.)
7th April. Received report of attack on Sungie Ujong police by body of Malays.
Think nothing serious, but are taking precautionary measures.
No. 41.
Governor Sir W. F. D. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B.,tothe EARL OF CARNARVON.
(Received April ll, 1876.)
Paraphrase of Telegram.
7th April. Want of information as to future policy to be adopted by H.M.
Government towards Native States is disadvantageous.
No. 42.
Governor Sir W. F. D. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B., to the EARL OF CARNARVON!
(Received April 19, 1876.)
(Telegraphic.)
Singapore.
13th April. Have just been to Lukut to see Resident about affairs in States,
whence attack made on Sunjie Ujong last December; attack on police reported,
telegram seventh, only made by band of marauders, and no loss sustained, but one
detachment police retired to Malacca without waiting to be attacked. I have found it
necessary to place a detachment of troops in Sri Menanti and other in Jumpole, and
1 am sending a British agent there.
My proposal is to take these States under the protection of Great Britain, and place
a well disposed chief in authority, whom the people will recognise as Malay Captain.
Peace and order will be maintained by this Chief with the support of a British
Agent.
1 must issue a proclamation in order to give effect to this plan, and I seek your
approval for doing so.
If it is adopted there is no ground, in my judgment, for apprehension. In the
contrary case there may be difficulties.
No. 43.
The EARL OF CARNARVON to Governor Sir W. F. D. JERVOIS,
K.C.M.G., C.B.
Paraphrase of Telegram.
April 20, 1876.
In reply to your telegram of 19th,* instructions as to future policy in Native
States will very shortly be sent, and pending the considei*ation by H.M. Government
of your proposal you should take no action whatever.
* No. 42.
F 4
48
No. 44.
ADMIRALTY to COLONIAL OFFICE.
gIRj Admiralty, April 20, 1876.
With reference to previous correspondence, I am commanded by my Lords
Commissi oner s of the Admiralty to transmit, for the information of the Secretary of
State for the Colonies, extracts from a letter dated 2nd ultimo, which has been
received from the Commander-in-Chief on the China station, relative to the intended
reinstitution of the blockade of the Malay coast if the murderers of Mr. Birch are not
delivered up.
I am, &c.
The Under Secretary of State, (Signed) VERNON LUSHINGTON.
Colonial Office.
Extracts from a Letter from the Commander-in-Chief in China, dated March 2, 1876.
From the Straits of Malacca I learn that the last detachment of seamen landed
as a naval brigade, viz., from the “Philomel,” bas returned to their ship. Sbe will be
sent back to her station, where she is much wanted, as soon as I can despatch a vessel
from Hong Kong to relieve her. Her services cannot be dispensed with until relieved,
as Sir W. J ervois intends to reinstitute the blockade of the coast if the murderers of
Mr. Birch are not discovered and handed over.
Sultan Abdullah has been informed that lie must exercise his authority as Sultan of
Perak to secure them, as it is known that, with the exception of Maharajah Lela, they
have never left the neighbourhood of Passir Lala. The Chiefs of Bota, Lamboh, and
Pulo Tiga have declared themselves faithful to Abdullah, and pledged themselves to
use all endeavours .to secure the perpetrators of the murder.
No. 45.
COLONIAL OFFICE to WAR OFFICE.
Sir, Downing Street, April 20, 18/6.
In reply to your letter of the 7th inst.,* I am directed by the Earl of Carnarvon to
request that you will express to Mr. Secretary Hardy his Lordship’s satisfaction at the
arrangements Mr. Hardy has decided on making with a view to meet Sir W. J ervois’
view s respecting the force required to be stationed in the Malay Peninsula.
I have, &c.
The Under Secretary of State, (Signed) R. H. MEADE.
War Office.
No. 46.
The EARL OF CARNARVON to Governor Sir W. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B.
Sir, Downing Street, April 20, 1876.
With reference to the recent telegraphic correspondence respecting the relief of the
10th Regiment and the future garrison of the Straits Settlements, I have the honour to
transmit to you, for your information, copies of the correspondence that has passed be-
tween this Department and the War Office, from which you will learn that arrangements
have been made that substantially meet your wishes.
I have, &c.
Governor Sir W. F. D. Jervois. (Signed) CARNARVON.
No. 36
49
No. 47.
Governor Sir W. F. D. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B., to the EARL OF CARNARVON.
(Received April 24, 1876.)
Straits Settlements, Government House, Singapore,
My Lord, March 21, 1876.
In reference to paragraph 10 of my Despatch of the 29th of December
last,* in which I informed your Lordship that I had written to the Chiefs of the States
adjacent to that of Perak, requesting them not to harbour the Maharaja Lela and
others implicated in the recent outrages in Perak, and to my Despatch of the
23rd of February,f in which I forwarded copy of a letter which I had received from
the Rajah of Quedah, I have the honour to transmit for your Lordship’s infer-
mation copies of letters recently received from the Sultan of Tringanu and from
the Rajahs of Kalantan and Patani, all of which States are under the protection of
Siam.
2. Your Lordship will observe that the tone of the letters is extremely friendly
and satisfactory, and I have addressed letters to these Chiefs, thanking them for their
promises of assistance.
I have, &c.
(Signed) WM. F. DRUMMOND JERVOIS.
The Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon,
&c. See. &c.
(Translation.)
From Sultan Omar, Tringanu, to His Excellency the Governor, S. S.
DateX4th Fc,)riiary 187(k
L 10th Moharam 1293.
(After Compliments.)
We write to inform our friend that on the 9th day of Moharam 1293 (3rd
February 1876) two officers and their followers came from Kedah and brought our
friend’s letter. We have received it with a cheerful heart, and read it from the
beginning to the end, and have understood all its contents. We learn from it that'
our friend is very sorry on account of the disturbances that have occurred in the
country of Perak, and our friend has sent Her Majesty the Great Queen’s soldiers
to punish the wicked people who have already fled. We know their names, for our
friend has written to us and informed us that we must not receive those (wicked)
people into our country, and that whenever we obtain information our friend has
requested us to communicate it; but now no such men have come into our country, and
we cannot obtain any information from anywhere. If they do come into our country,
or if we receive information with reference to where they are going, we will com-
municate it to our friend.
As for us, when we returned from Singapore, after having the pleasure of seeing
our friend, we had a slight trouble in the matter of the River Bisut, which is under
our perpetual government, on account of the Raja there not recognising our govern-
ment, and he has committed wrongs against us. Thereupon we ordered that the
Raja should be summoned to Tringanu, but the Raja refused to meet our messengers,
and has erected stockades to the number of 28 in all. On hearing this, we still sent
men to call the Raja with a little force. Before our messengers could meet him,
the Raja fled to Samarak, which is the territory under Raja Kalautan, and the Raja
Kalantan took him into Kalantan, and he stayed there for eight days, and there be
expired.
We trust that our friendship will be a lasting one, in rendering mutual assistance,
and by corresponding with each other. We trust that our friend will enjoy long life.
We have nothing as a mark of our friendship but our best compliments.
* No. 119 [C. 1505] of 1876.
38387a.
G
f No. 25.
50
(Translation.)
From Raja Kalautan to His Excellency the Governor, S. S.
.p. f 8th February 1876.
Uate < uth Moharam 1293.
(After Compliments.)
We inform our friend that we have received our friend’s letter safely, and have
understood all its contents.
Moreover our friend mentioned in his letter about the distress which has occurred
in Perak owing to some of the wicked Chiefs who first committed the crime and after-
wards fled for fear (of apprehension). Their names were Sultan Ismail, Maharaja
Lela Datu Sagor, Raja Enga, the brother of Sultan Ismail, Paughima Kinta Datu
Rara5, Paughina Prang Samaoon, Rajah Mahmood, Pandak Indut, and others. We
have’ only just heard this news from our friend, but we are as yet unaware where
the fugitives went to. This is what we inform our friend.
In future, if any of them enter our country we will not allow them, as our friend
has already reported to us, and therefore we will not receive them in our country.
There is no doubt that we are friends with each other, and we hope the term of our
friendship may last long, and our best compliments to our friend.
Translation.
From Raja Patani to His Excellency the Governor, S. S.
n , J 13th February 1876.
/*a /-i r * \ ae L 19th Moharam 1293.
(After Compliments.) L
We have received our friend’s letter safely, and noted all its contents.
Our friend informs us of the trouble in Perak, and also reminds and prevents us not
to allow any Chiefs and others who have fled from that State to enter our country.
We have every desire of rendering our assistance to our friend, so as to strengthen the
connexion of friendship between us and our friend, and to secure the friendship of
Her Majesty the Queen, which may be everlasting.
Now, if any of the men whom our friend mentioned should enter our country, or if
we get any clue as to their whereabouts, we will inform our friend or any of his
officers.
Nothing accompanies this letter but our best compliments to our friend.
(After Compliments.)
We inform our friend that we have received our friend’s letter of the 4th February,
8th February, 13th February in safety, and, after reading it from the beginning to
the end, we have understood all its contents.
We understand with a cheerful heart that our friend will not harbour any of the
wicked men who have disturbed the peace of Perak, and we have acquainted the
adviser of the great Queen of our friend’s good will towards the British Government.
We thank our friend very much, and we hope that our friendship will continue and
remain for everlasting.
Nothing accompanies this letter but our best compliments.
Dated March 20, 1876.
No. 48.
Governor Sir W. F. D. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B., to the EARL OF CARNARVON.
(Received April 24, 1876.)
Straits Settlements, Government House, Singapore,
My Lord, March 21, 1876.
I am happy to inform your Lordship that ex-Sultan Ismail surrendered himself at
Penang yesterday afternoon, and that he has given up to the Lieut.-Governor of that
Settlement for the British Government the Regalia of Perak, which, as I reported to
your Lordship in my Despatch of 26th December,* had been carried off by him when
he fled from Kinta on the approach of the force which entered that place on the 17th
December.
2. In paragraph 10 of my Despatch of the 29th December, f I informed your
Lordship that I had written to the Chiefs of the States adjacent to that of Perak not
# Not printed.
f No. 119 [C. 1505] of 1876.
51
to harbour the ex-Sultan or any of those who had been concerned in the Perak
outrages, and that I had also requested the Consul General at Bangkok to move the
Siamese Government to instruct the Malay States under their influence to the same
effect.
3. In my Despatch of the 23rd of February,* I forwarded copy of the reply of the
Rajah of Quedah, and in Despatch forwarded to your Lordship by this mail, I have
transmitted copies of letters which I have received from the Sultan of Tringanu and
the Rajahs of Patani and Kalantan.
It will be seen that all these Chiefs promised not to harbour any of the offenders,
and your Lordship will observe from the letter from Mr. Knox, H.B.M.’s Consul
General at Bangkok, dated 25th January last (enclosure 2 of my Despatch of 23rd
Fcbruary), that the Siamese Government also engaged to afford us every assistance
in their power.
4. The ex-Sultan was thus prevented from obtaining shelter in any part of the
Peninsula outside the State of Perak, and after the expedition under Mr. Hewick,
which I reported to your Lordship in my Despatches of 24th Januaryf and of 23rd
February last4 be could not feel himself secure in the upper part of Perak, to which
he had fled.
5. Aware that the peace of Perak would always be liable to be disturbed whilst the
ex-Sultan was at large, I had determined to make a combined movement with a view
of effeeting his capture, and I had issued instructions accordingly.
One body of friendly Malays was to advance from the State of Quedah upon the
position which he occupied near the Muda river, on the confines of that State ; another
body, under Rajah Yusuf, directed by Mr. W. E. Maxwell, was to advance up the
Perak river from Qualla Kangsa, whilst a third body, consisting of Province Wellesley
Malays and Malay miner s from Salama, under Mr. Hewick, was to advance from
Salama, on nearly the same line as that taken by Mr. Hewick in January last.
6. Before this expedition was organised, however, Mr. Hewick, who had been sent to
watch the movements of the ex-Sultan, reported that Ismail was going to cross into
Quedah. I therefore ordered preparations to be suspended, and the surrender of
Ismail at Penang has, of course, now rendered this expedition unnecessary.
7. It appears that the ex-Sultan, apprehensive of further measures to effect his
capture, and finding it very difficult to obtain food for himself and his dependents,
crossed into the State of Quedah about the 12th instant.
On the 14th instant, the Rajah of Quedah met him at a place called Kitare, in the
upper part of the Quedah territory, with 174 men, women, and children, and
27 elephants, and at once prepared boats to convey him to Penang, together with Datu
Nara and Panglima Prang Semaon, two Chiefs, against whom there is evidence of their
having been concerned in the Perak outrages.
These Chiefs, as well as Ismail and the regalia, will be brought to Singapore in
H.M.S. “ Ringdove,” now at Penang, and will be here in the course of a few days.
8. As regards the action which should be taken with respect to the ex-Sultan, I
have, after discussing the question with my Executive Council, considered it advisable
to appoint a Commission to inquire and report as to the degree of complicity of Ismail
and any other of the Chiefs in the Perak outrages. This Commission will consist of
three officers who have not taken any active part in reference to Perak affairs, viz.,
Mr. Phillippo, senior puisne Judge; the Honble. C. B. Plunket, acting magistrate
at Malacca; and Mr. Paul, recently appointed to the Native States, who, as your
Lordship is aware, is well acquainted with the character of Malays and their language.
Pending the result of this inquiry, I propose to treat the ex-Sultan as leniently as
circumstances will permit.
9. As stated in my Despatch of this date,§ 1 have addressed letters of thanks to
the Chiefs of the several States adjacent to Perak for the friendly spirit they have
exhibited, and I propose to send a special letter to the Rajah of Quedah acknowledging
the valuable service which he has rendered.
I would suggest for your Lordship’s consideration that the thanks of Her Majesty’s
Goverament should be conveyed to the Siamese Government for their good offices.
10. The Maharajah of Johore has afforded me great assistance. The ex-Sultan
has, on two or three occasions, sent letters to him, and, on their receipt, the Maharajah
has submitted them to me, and requested me to suggest the nature of the replies
which he should make. He has throughout advised Ismail to submit to the British
Government.
* No. 25. [C. 1505.] of 1876.
f Not printed.
G 2
t No. 26.
§ No. 47.
52
I should add that, since the commencement of the Perak disturbances, as indeed at
all other times, the Maharajah has always shown himself ready to render me any aid
in his power.
I have, &c.
(Signed) WM. F. DRUMMOND JERVOIS.
Instkuctions to Lieutenant Governor, Penang, and the Deputy Commissioner.
If Ismail and his party are allowed to remain undisturbed in their retreat at the
head of the Perak river, or wherever they may now be, they will become a nucleus for
disaffection; and it is on every ground desirable to put an end to this state of things.
The expedition under Mr. Hewick which I sent last month against Ismail was not
successful in effecting his capture, and I think that another attempt should be made
with this object.
It is desirable that a combined movement should, if possible, be made by Malays,
under Yusuf, moving up the Perak river, by Che Karim’s men from Salama, and by
a force from the State of Quedah.
The departure of these three bodies should be timed so as to arrive at Ismail’s
retreat at the same time. Steps should, of course, be taken to ascertain the present
position of this retreat (for probably Ismail may have moved to another place since
Mr. Hewick’s attack upon him) before the combined movement is commenced.
Meanwhile, the necessary arrangements should be made for organizing and arming
the three bodies.
Mr. Maxwell will be requested to arrange with Rajah Muda Yusuf for organizing
his Malays for this expedition.
Colonel Anson will take the necessary steps as regards the force of Malays to
proceed from the Salama district, and for this purpose it is desirable that he should
avail himself of the services of Mr. Hewick, who knows the country over which it will
be necessary for this body to move. Part of this force should be composed of trusty
Malays from Province Wellesley and part (the main part) of Che Karim’s men.
Colonel Anson will arrange with the Rajah of Quedah as regards the body of Malays
to operate from his State.
Colonel Anson will inform Mr. Maxwell of the steps he takes for carrying out the
movements from Salama and Quedah.
Mr. Maxwell will, in like manner, be instructed to inform Colonel Anson of the steps
he takes for carrying out the movement under Yusuf.
A report of the steps proposed to be taken to give effect to these instructions should
be made as early as possible.
28th February 1876. (Signed) W. F. D. Jervois.
No. 49.
Governor Sir W. F. D. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B., to the EARL OF CARNARVON.
(Received April 24, 1876.)
Straits Settlements, Government House, Singapore,
My Lord, March 21, 1876.
In my telegraphic Despatch of the 16th instant,* I reported to your Lordship
that the Datu Sagor, the Chief stated to have been present when Mr. Birch was
murdered, had been captured.
I have now the honour to forward for your Lordship’s information a Report from
Mr. Swettenham, Acting Deputy Commissioner at Bandar Bahru, giving the details
of his capture, which, your Lordship will observe, was mainly due to the exertions of
Syed Masahor, who had for some time been following the Datu Sagor from place to place.
2. After discussion with my Executive Council, I have given directions that the
Datu Sagor shall be conveyed to Singapore for safe custody, but pending the result of
the inquiry of the Committee referred to in paragraph 8 of my Despatch of this day’s
date,f I propose to treat him with every consideration consistent with safety.
I have, &c.
(Signed) WM. F. DRUMMOND JERVOIS.
The Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon,
&C. &C. &C.
* No. 15.
t No. 48.
53
(No. 36.)
Sir, The Resideney, Bandar Bahru, March ll, 1876.
As your Excellency is already aware, I some time ago directed Junku Syed
Mashor of Salangor, who has on many occasions proved himself a valuable ally, to
search for the murderers of Mr. Birch.
About a month ago Syed Mashor arrest e d Ngah Hamid (alias Ahmal), who has since
been convicted and condemned to death.
On the 9th instant, Syed Mashor came to tell me he was almost sure of the Datu
Sagor’s whereabouts, and proposed to attempt his arrest on the night of the 9th, but
hardly hoped to take him alive.
At 10.30 p.m. last night I received a letter from Syed Mashor, translation of which,
and of my answer, 1 enclose.
Syed Mashor bas long been following the Datu Sagor from place to place, and it is
evident that the Datu concluded further flight was useless, and, fearing to try con-
clusions with Syed Mashor, he preferred to take refuge (as he no doubt thought) with
the Sultan, who was then close by, at Pulo Tiga, in his boats.
As the Datu Sagor is related to the Datu Bandor and several other Chiefs, I feared
he might be allowed to escape again, and so sought to avoid this by the reply I sent to
Syed Mashor, directing him to show the letter to the Sultan.
To day I received a letter from the Sultan, translation of which, and of my reply, I
enclose.
At 7.30 p.m. the Datu Bandor arrived with the Datu Saga, Syed Mashor accompany-
ing in his own boats.
Syed Mashor informed me that as the Datu Bandor appeared to be delaying, he told
him unless he took the Datu Sagor to the Resideney to night he, Syed Mashor, would
take the Datu Saga himself.
I have placed the Datu Sagor in stocks in the guard room of H.M.’s 80th Regiment,
but he is a man of position and would, I think, be safer in Penang.
I await your Excellency’s instructions with regard to the trial of the Datu Sagor, and
have only, in conclusion, to remark that his capture seems to me entirely due to the
efforts of Syed Mashor, who I think has fairly earned the reward.
I have, &c.
(Signed) FRANK A. S W ETTEN HAM,
His Excellency Deputy Commissioner, Perak.
Sir W. F. D. Jervois, C.B., K.C.M.G.,
Governor and Commander-in-Chief,
The Straits Settlements.
From Sultan Abdullah to Mr. Swettenham, Deputy Commissioner, Perak, at Bandar
Bharu. Signed also by Rajah Dris. (Received March 11th.)
(After Compliments.)
We inform our friend that onFridaythe 14th Saffar (10th March), at 12 o’clock, we
heard that the Datu Saga had shown himself inland of Pulo Tiga. We gave orders to
fetch him, and we have got the Datu Sagor. Now we inform our friend that at the
time of writing this letter the Datu Sagor is with us. After (writing) this letter we
intend to take him to Bandar Bharu, and we want to meet our friend. We send our
Secretary, Mahomed Khans, to our friend.
Moreover, on the 15th of this month (11th March), Syed Mashor showed us our
friend’s letter to him, as regards that all the bad men we get we will place at Banda
Bharu, for when we went up the river we had settled everything with our friend, for
we want'to institute inqumes about and search for the bad men. As regards the
Datu Sagor he gave himself up to us. This is what we have to tell our friend with our
best compliments.
(Signed) Frank A. Swettenham.
15th Safar 1293.
True translation.
November 3rd, 1876.
G 3
54
From Mr. Swettenham to Sultan Abdullah.
We have received our friend’s letter of to-day’s date, and we are very glad to hear
that the Datu Sagor is in our friend’s hands. Our friend says that he is bringing the
Datu Sagor to Bandar Bharu.
We are waiting for our friend’s arrival, and we trust that our friend will reach
Bandar Bharu to day, for our friend is close by and we are anxious to start from this
on other business.
Dated, Bandar Bharu,
11th March 1876.
From Mr. Swettenham to Tunku Syed Mashor.
I inform my friend that about the Datu Saga. His Excellency the Governor has
ordered his arrest. Now I beg my friend to arrest the Datu Saga wherever he may
be found, either on shore or in a boat.
If my friend find the Datu Saga in either the boat of Sultan Abdullah or that of the
Datu Bandar, I beg my friend to show them this letter, and to bring the Datu Saga
here at once without fail.
If the Datu Saga escape, those who are keeping him will bear the responsibility.
I request you to bring the Datu Saga to Bandar Bahru without fail.
Bandar Bharu,
10th March 1876.
From Syed Mashor, at Silat Pulo, to Mr. Swettenham, Resident at Bandar Bahru.
(After Compliments.)
1 i inform my friend about the Data Saga, I sought for him and ascertained for
certain the place where he was. Then I got ready and was starting to seize him when
he ran away to Sultan Abdullah and got into the Datu Bandar’s boat. He is now in
Datu Bandar’s boat. Now I want to hear my friend’s orders without delay, whether to
seize him in the Datu Bandar’s boat or even in Sultan Abdullah’s boat. My friend has
only to say the word and I will seize him, and I beg my friend, if possible, to allow me
to arrest him in the Datu Bandar’s boat. I beg you will give me your orders at once,
in order that I may act speedily. This is what I have to tell you.
14th Safar 1293, i.e. 10th March 1876:
True translation.
(Signed) Frank A. Swettenham.
11th March 1876.
No. 50.
Governor Sir W. F. D. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B., to the EARL OF CARNARVON.
(Received April 24, 1876.)
Government House, Singapore,
My Lord, March 23, 1876.
I have the honour to forward for your Lordship’s information copy of the pro-
ceedings of the trial of three prisoners, Seputum, Se Gondab, and Ngah Ahmat,
charged with murdering, at Passir Sala, the late Mr. Birch, the interpreter Arshad,
Din, a boatman, and Eesur Singh, one of the Sikh guard. I also forward a report
from Mr. Davidson and Mr. Swettenham, whom I appointed as assessors to attend the
trial. It will be observed that these gentlemen concur in the verdict of death passed
upon the three prisoners by the judge, Rajah Dris, who was appointed by Sultan
Abdullah to try the case.
2. After discussing the evidence with my Executive Council, I formed the opinion
that the guilt of the prisoner Seputum had been clearly proved, and that there was no
ground for any interference on the part of this Government with the sentence of death
which had been passed upon him by Rajah Dris.
3. After carefully weighing the evidence however against the other two prisoners,
Se Gondah and Ngah Ahmat, it has appeared to myself and my Council that, although
55
there is no doubt that these men were present on the occasion, and that they aided
and abetted those concerned in the outrage, still there is no evidence to prove that
they were engaged in the actual perpetration of the murder with which they were
charged.
4. Under these circumstances 1 have thought that it would constitute no undue
interference with the proceedings of the Malay Court to instruct the Deputy Com-
missioner of Perak to advise Sultan Abdullah to commute the sentences passed upon
Se Gondah and Ngah Ahmat to penal servitude for life, and have caused a communi-
cation to be addressed to the Deputy Commissioner accordingly.
Trusting that the course which I have pursued will meet with your Lordship’s
approbation.
I have, &c.
(Signed) WI. F. DRUMMOND JERVOIS.
The Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon,
&c. &c. &c.
P.S.—I would particularly draw your Lordship’s attention to the deposition made
by the prisoner Che Gondah (Exhibit A, Enclosure No. 1), as affording still further
evidence than that given in my Despatch, No.’62, of the 10th February, that the action
which I took in Perak in October last was not the cause of the disturbances in that
State.
Your Lordship will observe, that before I visited Perak in September last, a meeting
had taken place at Blanja, where the Ex-sultan and many of the chiefs agreed that
they would not submit to the wishes of the British Government.
At that time I had taken no step to modify, in any way, the system of intervention
which I found in force in Perak on my arrival in this Colony.
W. F.D. J.
Enclosure 1. in No. 50.
Rajah Dris to Sultan Abdullah.
I reached Bandar Bahru on the 6th Saffar.
For two days I examined the prisoners with the British officers, Mr. Swettenham
and Mr. Davidson.
On the third day, the 8th Saffar, on Sunday, at 9 a.m., I sentenced the three men,
Seputum, Gondah, and Ngah Hamid, the sentence being death by hanging.
I gave out the sentence to the prisoners in open Court before many people in the
office at Bandar Bahru, and the English officers acknowledged that the sentence was
just, and that I was right in condemning those men to death, and they both put their
signatures to this paper, i.e., Mr. Davidson, British Resident, Klang, and Mr. Svvetten-
ham, Deputy Commissioner, Perak.
From his Excellency the Governor to Sultan Abdullah.
We inform our friend that we are very glad to hear that one or two men concerned
in Mr. Birch’s murder have been seized, and we beg that our friend will appoint judges
to try these men. '
We have appointed our trusty officers, Mr. Davidson and Mr. Swettenham, who will
be present with our friend’s judges during the trial, and will assist them.
If any of the accused are found guilty we trust that our friend’s judges will punish
them according to their deserts.
In open Court at Bandar Bahru, Perak, 3rd March 1876.
Before Rajah Dris, Judge of the Court, and Mr. J. G. Davidson and Mr. F. A. Swet-
tenham, Assessors, appointed by His Excellency the Governor of the Straits
Settlements.
1. Seputum,
2. Se Gondah, and
3. Ngah Ahmat,
are charged with murdering James Wheler Woodford Birch, late British Resident of
Perak, Interpreter Arshad, Din, a boatman, and Eesur Singh, one of the Resident’s
Sikh guard, at Passir Sala, on the 2nd day of November 1875.
The prisoners severally plead Not Guilty.
* No.
G 4
56
The following evidence is taken for the prosecution:—
Hamid, sworn, states :* I am coxswain of the boat “Dragon,” Mr. Birch’s own boat.
I recollect going up the river two or three months ago with Mr. Birch. We left the
Residency about half-past 5 o’clock in the evening. We arrived at Passir Sala in the
middle of the night, about 2 a.m. In the “Dragon” boat there was one other white
gentleman, Mr. Abbott, the rest of the people altogether Avere 13 of the crew and
two of Mr. Birch’s servants. There were two pull-away boats, a large one and a small
one. In the large one were the interpreter and a crew of eight men and eight Sepoys.
In the small one there were four of the crew and five or six Sepoys. There was a
brass gun in the “ Dragon,” and a mortar in the big pull-away boat. We anchored in
the middle of the river for the night. At daybreak the boats were moored alongside
the shore close to the shop of a Chinese jeweller at Passir Sala. The “ Dragon ”
boat was made fast to stern of the Chinaman’s bathing house, the two other boats
were behind. The men went on shore and cooked their breakfast. Passir Sala is on
the right bank of the river. About half-past 6 Mr. Abbott went across the river to
shoot. He went in the Chinaman’s boat, and two of Mr. Birch’s men went with him.
When he had gone, Datu Sagor came across to Passir Sala side. Hc went into the
Chinaman’s shop and left his spear there, came out of the shop, and came into
Mr. Birch’s boat and talked to Mr. Birch. I was in the Chinaman’s shop when he left
the spear there. The Chinaman’s house was about 10 yards from Mr. Birch’s boat.
Mr. Birch spoke to the Datu Sagor for about half an hour. I came out of the China-
man’s shop and went to have my breakfast on the bank. Whilst I was having my
breakfast, Datu Sagor came out of the boat and went into the Maharajah Lela’s house.
Then Mr. Birch spoke to Arshad, and I understood him to tell him to post some
notices, and the interpreter went and put up three papers on the Chinaman’s shop, and
returned, saying he had done so. At the same time the Datu Sagor came back to the
boat and talked again to Mr. Birch. Whilst he was talking to Mr. Birch, I went into
the boat, and sat at my place at the back of the boat. I could hear them talking, but
I couldn’t make out what they said. There were a great many Malays on the bank
close to the boat. I should think there were 30 or 40; they were all armed, most of
them with two spears and a kris. Mr. Birch said, “ What are all these Malays doing
with arms, coming close down here ? ” He said, “ Keep at a distance.” 1 heard
some of the Malays behind using abusive language. Then I went to sleep. When I
went to sleep the Datu Sagor was still in the boat. I heard the men using abusive
language, but I do not know whether Mr. Birch and the Datu Sagor heard it. I awoke
and saw that Mr. Birch was not in the boat, nor yet the Datu Sagor, nor yet Arshad.
I called to “Mat Tahir” boatman, and said to him, “Where isjMr. Birch ? ” He
replied, “ At the bathing house.” I sat down in the middle of the boat, and I heard
some of the men say, “They have torn down a notice,” and I then saw the interpreter
go to the bank above the bathing house, and heard him tell Mr. Birch that they had
tom a notice down. Then Mr. Birch said something to Arshad, and Arshad said to
the Malays, “ Never mind this time, as you wanted one to read, but I will put up four
instead.” Then Arshad put up some more notices in the Chinaman’s house. Then
Arshad was going towards the bath, when the Malays all called out “ Amok,” and
stabbed him. Arshad then jumped into the river. Some of the Malays then tore
down the notices, some ran to the bathing place, some to the boats. Arshad caught
hold of the “ Dragon ” boat by the gunwale, and two Malays jumped into the
“ Dragon,” and cut him over the neck ; then he let go his hold and floated down.
I saw Mr. Birch’s orderly swimming in the river holding a revolver out of the water.
I saw two or three men jump on to the logs of the bathing house with weapons. 1
jumped into the water with “Mat Tahir,” and swam to the small pull-away boat which
had shoved from the bank into mid-stream. I then Avent and took the interpreter on
board, and then I asked the Sepoys to fire. They fired one volley, six or seven rifles.
When the Sepoys fired all the Malays run away. We then dropped down the river.
The Malays came after us, and fired at the boat. The Malays fired at us two or three
times, then two men got into a boat and went across the river, and fired at us from
the other side. When they fired from the other side all the Sepoys jumped overboard.
Then I took a rifle and fired at the two Malays; they stopped firing at that place, and
fired one more shot a little further on. When we reached Passir Panjang, I saw that
the interpreter was dead ; he had a very bad wound in his stomach, spear wound, and
his bowels had protruded. We reached the Residency about half-past 12 p.m. Arshad
had three wounds, one in the stomach and two cut wounds in the head. Mr. Birch’s
orderly came down in the boat with us. I can’t say how many there were in the boat.
Boatman “ Din,” who went in the “ Dragon ” boat with us to Passir Sala was on
57
shore when the disturhance took place. I never saw him, but I saw his body four days
after in the river close to the Re^idency. I saw a wound in his breast, spear wound.
I saw Mr. Birch’s body four days after. It was brought by Dein Patundo. Mr. Birch
was wounded in three or four places, spear and kris wounds. I saw No. 1 tearing
down the notices when the disturbance began, and he went down to the bath house.
Before the row occurred, Mr. Birch was talking and saying what arrangements he
would make at Passir Sala when Perak affairs were settled. I heard No. 1 abusing
him, and when the attack was made I heard No. 1 call out “Amok,” “Amok.” I did
not know him before, but I noticed him on that day, because of his having a curious
skin disease and elephantiasis in one leg.
I recognise No. 2 as having been present at Passir Sala on the 2nd November,
he was there when the attack was made. He had a spear He was running about
with a spear calling out “ Amok.” I didn’t know him before. I am certain about
him.
I don’t know No. 3. I don’t know whether he was there or not.
By No. 1.—You did have a spear and a kris?
By No. 2.—Whereabouts did you see me ?—I saw you close to the Chinaman’s
house.
Did you see me stab any one ?—No. I did not.
(Prisoner say s how could I help being there ; if I hadn’t been there Maharajah Lela
would have burnt my house.)
No. 3.—No questions.
Koh Ah Yong5 sworn, states :—I am a goldsmith. I live here. I used to live at Passir
Salak. I was at Passir Salak when Mr. Birch was killed there. On that day the
interpreter Arshad between 7 and 8 o’clock in the morning came to my house and put
up some notices on the shutter. Then some Malays came and looked at them. They
took them down and said they were going to show them to Maharajah Lela. No. 3 was
one of them . I know No. 3; his name is Che Ngah Ahmat, I have known him for about
a month. As long as I was at Passir Salak he has lived there. Pandak Indut was
another. No. 11 don’t recollect. Mat Alii was one. When they had taken those notices
away the interpreter came and put up some others. Just as the interpreter had finished
putting up the notices the second time the men came back from the Maharajah Lela’s
Th en they pulled down the notices and stabbed the interpreter. Pandak Indut
stabbed him in the stomach with a spear. I was in the shop looking out of the window
Arshad jumped into the river. Malays all ealled out “ Amok! Amok !” and rushed down
to the water’s edge and to the bath house. I saw four or five men,go down to the bath
house. Amongst them there were Pandak Indut and No. 1. I don’t know the names of the
others. Before Arshad was stabbed I saw a Sepoy and a boatman standing near the
door of the bath house. I don’t recollect whether the Sepoy and boatman were there
when the Malays rushed on the bath house. Two or three of the Malays got in front
of the bath and two behind. Mr. Birch came up out of the water behind the bath,
trying to get to the boat, when No. 1 cut him over the head with a long sword. The
o ther man I don’t know. I only saw No. 1 hit him, I saw him hit him three times. I was
in the house at the time ; I saw it plainly. I know No. 1. I had known him for more than
a month The Chinese call him Jeloktong. I don’t know what the Malays call him.
He 1 ives in Passir Sala. No. 1 had also two spears. At the time of the disturbance
the Datu Sagor was on the bank.
I also saw Malays go down and attack the Sepoys’ boat, but I cannot describe what
occurred there. The bath house was immediately in front of my house, about o or 6
yards distant. Mr. Birch’s boat was tied to the back of the bath house, and the Sepoys
boat was behind Mr. Birch’s boat. I did not see No. 2 there I saw No. 3 at the time of
the attack ; he went down to the Sepoys boat he had two spears and a kris. I did not
see what he did. There was a crowd of people. The spears were uncovered, andhe was
brandishing them.
After the row was over Maharajah Lela’s brother, Che Ngah Jabbor, unloosed the
“ Dragon,” took it down stream a little way, took the things out of it, and took them to
the Maharajah Lela’s house. The Sepoys’ boat was sunk during the disturbance. I saw
all three prisoners taking things out of Mr. Birch’s boat. The Datu Sagor put his spear in
my house in the early morning, but at the time of the disturbance he had taken it back
and was on the bank with it. No. 2 lived at Passir Sala. I had known him for about a
mon :h; but I did know his name. I had lived at Passir Sala four mouths before the
tooh place. After the disturbance when the Maharajah Lela was making a stockade at
Pass r Sala I saw the three prisoners helping.
L8387a. H
58
No. 1.—No questions. Says half what the prisoner said is correct, and half is not.
By No. 2.—Did you see me go down to the Dragon ?—Yes, I saw you.
What else did you see me do ?—1 saw you take things out.
Where did you see me take things to ?—I saw you take them to the Maharajah Lela’s
house.
When we went to fight did you see me go. No, I did not.
No. 3.—No questions.
Mat Tahir, sworn, states :—
I am a boatmen. At the time the disturbance occurred at Passir Sala, I was in the
“ Dragon ” boat with Hamid. Mr. Birch was bathing. Arshad the interpreter went to
put up some notices at the Chinaman’s house. A number of Malays came calling out
Amok, Amok. Arshad jumped into the river; then some men came into the boat and
cut him over the head. I did not see Mr. Birch. Hamid and I jumped into the water
and got into the pull-away boat with the Sepoys. I saw No. 1 at the time. I saw him
on the bank at the commencement of the disturbances calling out “ Amok ! Amok ! ’’
He had a spear and a long knife. I don’t recognise the other two prisoners.
No. 1.—No questions.
No. 2.—No questions.
No. 3.—No questions.
The court is adjourned till to-morrow.
Trial resumed this day, March 4, 1876.
Koh Ah Yong recalled, states :—
I saw the body of a dead boatman near my house after the disturbance at Passir
Sala. I saw a malay man called Abboo drag the body and throw it into the river.
About four days after the disturbance some Bugis men came from down stream, and I
saw them taking away Mr. Birch’s body. It was a little to the down stream of the
stockade. The body was made fast behind a boat, the Bugis being just in the act of
taking it away. I heard the body was found on shore in the jungle. Rajah Dein was
there. I did not see any Passir Sala people there.
Nos. 1, 2, and 3.—No questions.
H oo Ah Choey, sworn, states:—
I was formerly cook to witness Ah Yong, and lived at Passir Sala with him. I was
at Passir Sala when Mr. Birch was killed, about four months ago. That morning
Mr. Birch’s interpreter came to our house and put up notices on the window shutters.
He then went down to the boat, and Malays came and tore away the notices. Pandak
Indut was one of them. The prisoners were all near at that time. The interpreter
came again after that, and put up other notices. After he had put up notices the dis-
turbance commenced, and as the interpreter was going towards the boat, I saw Pandah
Indut stab him with a spear, and he ran into the water. At the same time I saw
Malays run down to the bath room all armed, with spears and other weapons. I then
saw Mr. Birch in the water behind the bath house, and No. 1 cut him with a sword.
I saw him make two euts. When I saw Mr. Birch he was straggling in the water.
Mr. Birch sank immediately after being cut, and I did not see him any more. After
this I saw people go on board of Mr. Birch’s boat, and take all the things on shore to
the Maharajah Lela’s house. Before the disturbance, I knew all the prisoners. I had
lived at Passir Sala more than a month before the disturbance, and been in the habit
of seeing all the prisoners. Nos. 2 and 3 were present during the disturbance, and were
calling out “ Amok! Amok ! ” they had krisses and spears which they drew and
brandished.
By No. 1.—Did you see me pulling down the notices?—Yes, I saw you pulling down
the notices.
W as it at the boat or at the bath house that you say I went to attack Mr Birch ?—
At the bath house.
By No. 2..—You say that I was there helping to tear the notices down with a spear.
I only had a knife ?—You had a knife and a spear too.
The other cay you could not recognise me, how is it you recognise me now ?■—I
did not say I did not know you. 1 said that No. 1 was the man who killed Mr. Birch.
No. 3.—No questions.
ThomasKeyt, sworn, states:—I am clerk to the Resident. On the 19th of February
last, by direction of the Deputy Commissioner, I saw No. 2 in the gaol at Bandar Bahru
and told him he was charged with the murder of Mr. Birch, and that if he wished to
say anything I would write it down. He made a statement to me which I wrote down
at the time. This is the statement (marked A.).
59
On the 20th February by direction of the Deputy Commissioner I saw No. 1 in the
gaol at Bandar Bahru and informed him that he was charged with the murder of
Mr. Birch, and that I would take any statement he wished to make. He made a
statement which I wrote down at the time. This is it (marked B.).
Last Monday, 28th ultimo, I saw the prisoner No. S in the lock-up and told him the
same thing. He made a statement which 1 wrote down at the time. This is it
(marked C.).
No. 2’s statement is read over.
No. 2 states it is correct, except that Tuah stabbed Mr. Birch with a spear, and did
not kris him.
No. l’s statement is read over.
No. 1 says that it is all true.
No. 3’s statement is read over.
No. 3 says that it is all correct.
No questions from prisoners.
Haji Fatimah, sworn, states:—I lived once at Campong Gaja. I know most of the
people in Passir Sala. I now live at Passir Pulai, and on the night of the day on
which Mr. Birch was killed I was in my house, my husband being absent, when about
20 people who said they had come from Passir Sala came into my house, they
had krisses and spears. They said they were going to “ Amok ” (a night attack) on
the Residency. It was in the afternoon when they arrived. They called their head man
Maharaja Serama. No. 2 was with them, they called him Gonda. I don’t know
whether that is his name or not. He said that he was going to attack the Residency.
My husband came in the evening, and they tried to persuade him to go with them.
Whilst they were in the house there came first four men and then again four men,
the last four with guns. When the last four arrived they all went out of the house.
That was about midnight. I don’t know where they went.
No. 2 says,—I don’t want to ask any questions. What she says is correct.
Haji Mahomed Amin, sworn, statesI live at Passir Pulai; it is close to the Resi-
dency, within sight. I recollect the day Mr. Birch was murdered at Passir Sala. I
went into the house about 5 o’clock, p.m., and I found there a number of men, they
said they were from Passir Sala. They said that they were going to attack the
Residency. They had spears and krisses. Maharajah Serama was their headman. They
said the Maharajah Lela ordered them. There was a man there called Tuah ; he had
a kris and two spears which he said he had got in Mr. Birch’s boat; the spears had
gold ferules. No. 2 was also with them, they called him Gonda. They asked me first
to join them in attacking the Residency, and I refused. Then then said, Oh! never
mind, show us the way, that will do, and I refused that also. They pressed me to
accompany them, and at last threatened. No. 2 was especially violent, abusing me.
They said there was nobody there, they could take the place easily. I told them that
a stockade had been made, and that the guns were all pointed up the river. I asked
them not to go, because if they attached Bandar Bahru I should be destroyed, as the
guns and rockets were pointing in the direction of my house. Then there came four
more men who urged them to go on. They asked me for muskets. I said I had none.
Then there came tour more men with muskets, and again urged them to go on to the
Residency ; this time they all went. It was about midnight when they went, between
ll and 2 o’clock. Before they went down, they said, “We have agreed with the people
“ across the river, and those at Bidiman, that we will set fire to a house and fire three
“ muskets, and then they will know we are attacking the Residency, and that they will
“ all join and come and help.” They went from my house towards the Residency. Early
in the morning I saw them going hack. I met four of thorn on their way, and I heard
that they had passed the night at an Indian corn field in the jungle. I don’t know
why they did not attack the Residency. When they came into my house first in the
evening they said they would dine in the Residency.
By No. 2.—Did I say that I was going to “ Amok ” the Residency ?—Yes, you
did.
Ladgi Bin, Suboh, Inspector of Police at Bandar Bahru :—I recollect Mr. Birch
being killed. Mr. Birch left this on the evening of the 1st November 1875 and the
interpreter’s body was brought down hy the Sepoys and others on the following day,
that is 2nd November. The interpreter was dead, and there were three Sepoys badly
wounded. Arshad had an incised wound in the stomach, and his howels protruding,
and I saw a cut wound on the forehead. I did not examine him particularly, there
may have been more wounds. The body was examined by an apothecary, Mr. Keun,
who has since left the service. About two days after the body of a boatman floated
H 2
6o
down, boatman named Din, he was one of the boatmen that went with Mr. Birch.
He had a stab wound in the left breast, a cut across the right hand, and another across
his left arm. I found the body floating in the river. Next day the body of a Sepoy
who went with Mr* Birch floated down, he was wounded in the stomach appaiently by
a spear, and also on the back, apparently by a spear. On the 6th November Dein
Patundo brought down the body of Mr. Birch. I saw the body but I did not examine
it. Mr. Birch’s body was examined by Mr. Legge, apothecary, who is not now
here.
This closed the case for the prosecution. The prisoners state that they have no
witnesses, and in reply to a question whether they had anything to say,—
No. 1 states:—If I had gone, or if I had not gone it was just the same. If I had not
gone the Maharajah Lela would have burnt my house and taken my property. I am
nobody, I am a Cooly, if I did not do it Maharajah Lela would have killed me. He
wanted me to give him dollars afterwards, and so I had to run away. If I have done
wrong it is in doing the Maharajah Lela’s business.
No. 2 says:—I can only say the same, the Maharajah Lela compelled me to go
there, he stabbed me with a piece of iron because I did not want to go. He said that
if we did come he would follow us, burn our houses, and take our wives and children,
so I went.
No. 3 says:—I was not there at all at the time of the attack. I did not see the
Chinaman except in the Maharajah Lela’s house afterwards. Iarrived after the murder
was over. I saw the Chinaman then.
The Court is adjourned till 8 a.m. to-morrow.
March <5, 1876.
Case resumed.
Rajah Dris informed the prisoners that they had heard all the evidence given during
the last two days, and had questioned the witnesses, that he had found all the prisoners
guilty of the crime charged against them, and that the punishment for their crime was
death. He further stated that they would be executed by hanging, after the sentence
had been confirmed by the Sultan.
Exhibit A.
Che Gondah states :—It was about the time that the Governor was expected in
Perak Rajah Ismail called a meeting of the Chiefs and the Maharajah Lela went up
to Blanja. I went with him as a poler on the day of the meeting I was present at the
house of Rajah Ismail, and could see and hear almost everything that passed. There
were present Rajah Ismail himself, Sre Maharajah Lela, Datu Sagor, Maharajah Lela,
Panglima Prang Semaun, and Panglima Kinta. I heard Panglima Kinta say that he
would sooner change his clothes for a woman’s than submit to the wishes of the British
Government. The Maharajah Lela said he would join in whatever the Panglima
Kinta wished to do. Sre Maharajah Lela and the others said the same ; and Rajah
Ismail said “ whatever you (the Chiefs) do, I will confirm.”
About a month afterwards the Governor arrived at Qualla Kangsa, and several
Chiefs went to meet him there, Maharajah Lela also went, but when Mr. Birch desired
him to come to the presence of the Governor, he declined to go, saying he was sufferiri"-
from a boil; soon after the Governor left Perak. (I don’t remember dates) the
Maharajah Lela sent out an order to all the people at Campong Gaja, Silat Puh, and
Passir Sala to come and assist him in building a strong stockade round bis house, he
said he will fight the English, he will never run away ; some Javanese and Krinches
were also employed in this work, whom he paid by imposing a tax of $5 on every male
adult in bis district. Datu Sagor, Punghulu Muda Monthah of Campong Ten°-ali
Panglima Prang Semaun, and Dein Meroli were always with the Maharajah Lela
about this time. But Dein Meroh did not seem to wish to have anything to do with
Maharajah Lela. I heard the Maharajah Lela once say,—“ When Mr. Birch°comes up we
“ must fight,” Dein Meroh replied, “ I have debts to recover at Kinta, and I must go
“ there very early one morning soon after all this, Mr. Birch arrived at Passir Sala.
The Maharajah Lela immediately sent out for all the people from Campon°- Gaia
Silat Pulo, and Passir Sala to assemble. There were with Maharajah Lela at this
moment at his house, the Datu Saga, Dein Meroh, and Panglima Pran"- Semaun.
Arsliad the Interpreter came to the Maharajah Lela’s “Balei” and said ('to°Maharajah
“ Lela Datu, Tuan wants you to come and see him in the boat.” H e said " I won’t «-o
61
“ down,” Arshad asked “ Will you obey Mr. Birch, or not, ” Maharajah Lela answered
“It is not that I do not wish to obey, if Rajah Ismail submits, I also will submit.”
And Arsbad returned to the boat. I saw Mr. Birch standing at the prow of the boat
which was tied to the Chinese Goldsmith’s bath house, and giving some papers to Arshad
to post at the China shop. Pandak Indut, Panjang Umbah and Tahar said to Arshad
“ Don’t post the notices,” Arshad said “ I must obey Mr. Birch’s orders.” Then Pandak
Indut went to Maharajah Lela and told him, and Maharajah Lela said “ Go and do
“ what you wish,” when Pandak Indut returned, he tore down the notices, and as
Mr. Birch was in the bath house at the time, he and Ngah Jabbar (Maharajah Lela’s
brother) Che Alii, Tuah, and Sepiitum rushed upon him and speared and krissed him.
None of them entei’ed the bath house, t’ney speared him from the doorway. As
Mr. Birch was rising afterwards from the water and try ing to get into his boat, Sepiitum
cut him in the head near the ear with a “ parang lading” and Tuah krissed him.
Mr. Birch sank, and was no more seen, till three davs afterwards, when his body
came up, and two men “ Battain ” and “ Udah ” carried him into the jungle a little
below Maharajah Lela’s house, having first taken 3 rings from the finger, one snake
pattern.
The Maharajah Lela afterwards called Punghulu Udah Adam of Silat Pulo, Dein
Meroh, Datu Sagor, Toll Lela Putra, Toh Bodoh, and Panghina Mudah Monthah to
consult with them, and they sent Ngah Jabboh to Blanja to tell Rajah Ismail of
Mr. Birch’s death, and to ask for money and gunpowder. Ngah Jabboh was tardy in
returning, and they sent Udah Adam together with the “ Naga” boat. Ismail refused
to accept the boat, saying that as the Maharajah Lela had killed Mr. Birch, he had
better keep the boat, but he sent two barrels of gunpowder, no money, Maharajah Lela
sent again, this time with some books and papers that belonged to Mr. Birch, the
messenger returned, but brought no more gunpowder. About this time the English
came and fought at the stockade at Bandar Tuah.
Maharajah Lela commanded from some distance, but did not fire a single shot.
Panglima Prang Semaun was with him. “ Tonday ” is the name of the man who shot
Captain Innes, he is still at Passir Sala. Three Malays were killed and two wounded
at Bandar Tuah. Datu Sagor was on the opposite bank to Bandar Tuah at a place called
Pulo Jua guarding a stockade there ; and Dein Meroh remained in charge of the
Maharajah Lela’s stockade at Passir Sala.
After some days Ismail ordered all the people from Layang Layang downwards to
go to the assistance of Maharajah Lela, but the English came again and fought at
Passir Sala, and the Maharajah Lela and all the Malays ran away. I don’t know
where Maharajah Lela is now. He took 100 men with him, and is now with Ismail. I
don’t know where Pandak Indut is, his wife and children and his relatives are at Bagan
Datu at Qualla Perak, near Kota Stia.
I had nothing to do with the murder of Mr. Birch or with the subsequent events. I
was under the orders of the Maharajah Lela, and worked for him, but never in fighting,
If I did not obey his orders tny head would have been cut off.
19th February 1876.
Exhibit B.
Seputum states :—I am a Perak man and have lived in the Maharajah Lela’s district.
Maharajah Lela is the head man, but my house is in the village under the charge of
Toh Lela Putra. On the day Mr. Birch was murdered I was going early in the
morning to my paddy field. As 1 was going past the Maharajah Lela’s house, he
stopped me, saying that the “ Orang Puteli,” have come to burn his house and there
would perhaps be fighting. I begged of him to let me go onto my field as the buffaloes
were damaging it, but he scolded me and ordered me to stop. I went and sat down near
the house of Haji Dorashid close to the Chinaman’s house, and presently I saw Arshad,
the interpreter, posting some notices on the wall of the Chinaman’s house. Pandak Indut
was present, and as Arshad was putting up the notices, hetore them down, one by one.
Panjang Umbah and Che Tuah (a Battak) were with Pandak Indut. 1 heard Arshad say to
Pandak Indut, “ Why do yrou tear down the notices, they are not a book (kitap) nor the
“ Koran. After we are gone you may tear them.” But Pandak Indut still kept tearing
them away, and then he speared Arshad, and a fight commenced. A great many people
were assembled all armed, and then I also went to the bathing house where Mr. Birch
was bathing at the time. Ngah Jabbor speared Mr. Birch and Ngah Jabbor did so. I
did not see anyone else. 1 was sitting on one of the logs of the bathing house (behind).
There was a great uproar and confusion. I was not at all armed, I only had my “ lading ”
H 3
62
that I wanted for use in the field 5 Ngah Jabbor called out to me to cut about the water
with my knife at the rear of the bath house, threatening to spear me if I did not do so,
and my knife struck Mr. Birch twice in the head, somewhere near the ear, he sank and
I never saw him again.
Datu Sagor, Toh Lela Putra, Pandak Indut and Panjang Umbah (his brother) were
with the Maharajah Lela at the time. That day Maharajah Lela sent to collect B5
from every man in his district to buy gunpowder, and if any one refused his house was
to have been looted and burnt. I ran away to my field in the jungle, and afterwards
because I was starving I went to Lamboh, and there I was arrested by Uda Pulao and
Mah Amin.
20th February 1876.
Exhibit C.
Ngah Ahmat states:—For a long time before and at the time Mr. Birch was
murdered I Avas the Maharajah Lela’s crani. At the moment Mr. Birch was murdered
I was not at the Maharajah Lela’s house. I was at my own house, in Campong Ulu,
which is midway between Passir Sala and Silat Pulo. Immediately after Mr. Birch
was killed, about 9 o’clock, Maharajah Lela sent for me, and also for Rajah Paduka,
Rajah Oossain and Diu Meroh. I went first, and then Rajah Oossain and Dein Meroh
came. Rajah Paduka did not come, he was sick.
Maharajah Lela ordered me to take an account of the things that were in Mr. Birch’s
boats, and also the names of the people who took some of the articles. Most of the
valuable things were taken by Ngah Karri; Culap Mah Assim, Che Setor, Mah Assoot,
Panjang Bah, Siputum, Che Gondah, and Culup Alii; besides these people there were
others who live between Passir Sala and Teluk Biah, but I do not remember their
names. I wrote down the names of these people, and the things they took, and I gave
the paper to Maharajah Lela. The people who were with Maharajah Lela at the time
were Pandak Indut, Panjang Bah, Ngah Jabbor, Kulup Alii; these were in the house.
Toh Lela Putra was on the bank of the river, and Datu Sagor and Dein Meroh, after
remaining for a little while, had returned. After I had done taking down the list of
things, Maharajah Lela ordered me to write a letter to Rajah Ismail, asking for men
and gunpowder, and arms, to prepare himself in case of an attack from the Residency ;
the letter was not sent the same day, it was kept to show to some of the Passir Sala
people first, and consult them ; the next day after Mr. Birch was murdered the “ Naga”
boat was sent to Rajah Ismail; the boat was refused by Rajah Ismail, and came back
to Passir Sala, and then the letter was sent.
February 28, 1876.
Enclosure 2. in No. 50.
Bandar Babru, Perak,
Sir, March 6, 1876.
We have the honour to report that, in obedience to instructions contained in
your letter, Mr. Davidson arrived here on the evening of the 24th ultimo. On the
following day, Mr. Swettenham wrote to the Sultan, who was then at Bota, forwarding
his Excellency’s letter, and requesting his Highness to come to Bandar Bahru, and
bring Rajah Dris with him, to arrange for the trial of the prisoners charged with the
murder of Mr. Birch.
On the 25th of February we informed the prisoners that in the course of two or
three days they would be put upon their trial for the murder of Mr. Birch and others,
and told them that if they wished to call any witnesses we would endeavour to procure
their attendance, but the prisoners all said that they did not wish to call any witnesses.
On the evening of the 28th February, Rajah Dris arrived, and on the 29th we bad
an interview with him, and arranged to commence the trial on the morning of the 2nd
instant. This was communicated to the prisoners, and Rajah Dris went up the river,
promising to return next day, but he did not come back till the morning of the 3rd
instant.
The trial commenced on the 3rd instant, before Rajah Dris, as sole Judge of the
Court, appointed by the Sultan, and ourselves as assessors. The examination of the
witnesses and hearing of the prisoners’ defence occupied the greater part of the 3rd and
4th instant, and at the close of the defence the Court was adjourned till the following
day, to give Rajah Dris time to consider the evidence.
On the morning of the 5th instant, Rajah Dris found all the prisoners guilty of the
murder of Mr. Birch and others as charged, and sentenced them to death by hanging,
63
and stated that the sentence would not be carried out till it had been confirmed by
the Sultan. The same day we countersigned a letter to the Sultan, who is still at
Bota, informing him of the result of the trial, and that we concurred in the verdict and
sentence.
We enclose herewith a copy of the proceedings at the trial.
We have, &c.
(Signed) J. G. Davidson,
The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Frank A. Swettenham.
Straits Settlements.
No. 51.
The EARL OF CARNARVON to Governor Sir W. F. D. JERVOIS,
K.C.M.G., C.B.
Paraphrase of Telegram.
April 28, 1876.
Sorry I am prevented by pressure of business from at once sending you
instructions as to future policy, which can only, after full deliberation, be decided by
H.M. Government. Use utmost care not to take any action without autbority. Pro-
tection or government of Native States near Sungie Ujong cannot be sanctioned. I
request you to send full explanations hy Despatch, and proposed proclamation for my
consideration.
It might be convenient if you would suggest some one paramount Chief who could
be recognised by those States.
No. 52.
The EARL OF CARNARVON to Governor Sir W. F. D. JERVOIS,
K.C.M.G., C.B.
Sir, Downing Street, April 28, 1876.
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch of the 21st
of March last,* enclosing copies of letters which you have recently received from the
Sultan of Tringanu and the Rajahs of Kalantan and Patani, written in answer to
the letters you addressed to these Chiefs requesting them not to harbour the Maharaja
Lela implicated in the recent outrages in Perak.
I request that you will assure the Sultan of Tringanu, the Rajah of Kalantan, and
the Rajah of Patani, that Her Majesty’s Government have received with much satis-
faction the assurances of their friendly feeling and offers of co-operation.
I am, &c.
(Signed) CARNARVON.
No. 53.
The EARL OF CARNARVON to Governor Sir W. F. D. JERVOIS,
K.C.M.G., C.B.
Sir, Downing Street, April 28, 1876.
1 have received with satisfaction your Despatch of the 21st ulto.,f reporting
that, consequent on the movements which you have ordered for his capture, Ex-Sultan
Ismail had given himself up to the Lieutenant-Governor of Penang, and had at the
same time surrendered the regalia of Perak, of which he had retained possession.
1 have already, as you are aware, requested the Foreign Office to convey to the
Siamese Government the thanks of Her Majesty’s Government for their friendly offices,
and I have also marked my sense of the services rendered on this, as on all other
occasions, by the Maharajah of Johore:
I shall await with interest the result of the inquiry which you have ordered into
the alleged complicity of Ismail and other Chiefs in the murder of Mr. Birch.
I am, &c.
(Signed) CARNARVON.
* No. 47.
t No. 48.
H 4
64
No. 54.
The EARL OF CARNARVON to Governor Sir W. F. D. JERVOIS,
R.E., K.C.M.G., C.B.
SIRj Downing Street, April 28, 1876,
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch, of the
21st of March,* enclosing Mr. Swettenham’s Report of the capture of the Datu
Sagor, the Chief stated to have been present at the murder of Mr. Birch, and informing
me that you had caused him to be conveyed to Singapore.
I am, &c.
(Signed) CARNAL VON.
No. 55.
COLONIAL OFFICE to WAR OFFICE.
(Similar letter to India Office and Admiralty.)
Sir, ^ Downing Street, May 4, 1876.
With reference to previous correspondence relative to the recent disturbances in the
Malay Peninsula, I am directed by the Earl of Carnarvon to transmit to you to be laid
before Mr. Secretary Hardy copies of further despa tches that have been received from
Sir W. Jervois,
In the last of these despatches Sir W. Jervois brings to notice the names of various
military, naval, and civil officers who have rendered the most efficient service to the
Government throughout the period during which active operations were carried on.
Lord Carnarvon is aware that Her Majesty has already been pleased to confer special
marks of distinction on some of the officers in question but he is glad to have this
opportunity of expressing to Mr. Secretary Hardy the high sense which he entertains of
the valuable assistance that the Colonial Government has derived from the cooperation
of the various officers concerned.
I have, &c.
(Signed) R. II. MEADE.
No. 56.
The EARL OF CARNARVON to Governor Sir W. F. D. JERVOIS,
R.E., K.C.M.G., C.B.
„ Downing Street, May 4, 1876.
hlR’ I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatches respecting the
progress of recent events in the Malay Peninsula.
v K t have received with great pleasure your Despatch of the 24th of February,f m
which you bear testimony to the valuable service*i which have been rendered by ail the
nrincipal officers concerned, and the hearty cordmlity with which all the department have
^operated in the conduct of those measures which were rendered necessary for the
r^inmtion of tranquility in the disturbed districts. I am also glad to observe the
favourable manner in which you report the loyal and efficient assistance rendered by the
Malay auxiliaries employed in the 1 emnsula. . . , Q „
I have forwarded your Despatch to the Lords of the Admiralty and the Secretaries of
State for War and India in a letter, of which I enclose a copy, and I will not fail to bear
in mind the names of the officers of the Colonial Government of whom you speak so
favourably- I have, &c.
(Signed) CARNARVON.
* No. 49.
f No. 28.
65
No. 57.
Governor Sir W. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B., to the EARL OF CARNARVON..
(Received May 6, 1876.)
Straits Settlements, Government House, Singapore,
My Lord, April 5, 1876.
In paragraph 3 of my Despatch of the 23rd of February,* I informed your
Lordship that I had written to the Bandahara of Pahang, requesting him not to
harbour any of those implicated in the outrages in Perak. In the same letter (copy
enclosed) 1 begged that he would not allow any of the offenders in Salangore and
Sungie Ujong to enter Pahang.
2. I have not at present received an answer from the Bandahara, but it would
appear from the enclosed letter of Mr. Davidson, acting Resident of Salangore, that
the Bandahara is sending me an answer hy sea, and that he has been acting in a very
friendly manner towards the British Government.
3. In my Despatch of 21st March,f I enclosed for your Lordship’s information
copies of the letters which I had received from the Sultan of Tringanu and the
Rajahs of Kalantan and Patani. I attribute the friendly spirit in which they are
written, and the active assistance afforded to us by the Bandahara of Pahang*, in a
considerable measure, to the establishment of friendly relations with these Chiefs, at
the time of my visit to the Eastern States of the Malay Peninsula, as reported in my
Despatch of the 23rd July last.:}:
I tl8,V6 &e.
(Signed) WM. F. DRUMMOND JERVOIS.
The Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon,
&c. &c. &e.
From H. E. The Governor to Bandahara of Pahang.
(After Compliments.) December 13, 1875.
Our friend has heard that had men have made disturbances in Perak, and that white
troops have entered the country to punish the murderers of our officer, Mr. Birch.
Our friend also knows that bad men have been trying to make disturbances in the
UIu of Salangore, and that we have been obliged to send troops to Sungie Ujong, in
order to punish the people who are causing trouble there.
Now we write to inform our friend that we have always regarded our friend as a
true friend of the British Government, and we wish our friend to help us at this time.
Now this is what we desire our friend to do. We wish our friend to prevent any of
our friend’s subjects in Pahang from joining the bad men who are making disturbances,
for we are anxious not to hurt any of our friend’s subjects.
Moreover, we wish our friend to prevent any bad men from entering our friend’s
country and taking refuge in it. We learn that our friend is coming to Salangore,
and we hope that our friend will make arrangements to see our Resident, Mr.
Davidson, and consult him as to the best means of preventing bad men from entering
our friend’s country.
Nothing accompanies this letter, but our best compliments to our friend.
Mr. Davidson to Hon. the Colonial Secretary.
Sir, ' Klang, March 30, 1876.
I have the honour to inform you that I have received a letter from the Rajah
Bandahara of Pahang, in reply to one from myself, forwarding his Excellency’s letter
regarding fugitives from Perak seeking refuge in Pahang, in which the Rajah Bandahara,
after acknowleriging receipt of the Governor’s letter, asks me to inform his Excellency
that he will send some of his people by sea with an answer. As the Rajah Bandahara
was at the time some way up the Pahang River there may be a little delay in sending
the answer.
I have since received information that, after the receipt of his Excellency’s letter,
some of the Sri Menanti fugitives, among them the Datoh Moar, escaped into Pahang,
and sent a messenger to the Bandahara requesting him to receive them at Pahang.
* No. 25.
38587a.
f No. 47. t No. 4 of [C. 1505] 1876.
I
65
After consultation with his chiefs, the Bandahara agreed to receive them at Pahang
and then send them to Singapore to be dealt with by the Governor, but they appear
to have heard of this and made their way back to the borders of Pahang. The
Bandahara then sent a party to drive them out of Pahang, which has been done.
This appears to have given rise to a report that the Pahang people intended to attack
Jumpole, and I have written to Captain Murray, informing him of the real state of the
matter.
I have, &c.
(Signed) J. G. DAVIDSON.
H. B. M.’s Resident, Salangore.
No. 58.
Governor Sir W. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B., to the EARL OF CARNARVON.
(Received May 6, 1876.)
My Lord, Government House, Singapore, April 5, 1876.
I have the honour to enclose for your Lordship’s information, translation of a
proclamation issued by the Sultan of Salangore on the 21st February, whereby all
taxes in the State of Salangore will, in future, be collected by the officers of the
Salangore Government, and paid into the General Treasury of that State, instead of
as heretofore being collected by individuals and devoted to their own purposes.
His Highness the Sultan of Salangore moved in this matter by a letter to my pre-
decessor, dated 3rd October 1874, translation of which was forwarded to your Lordship
in Despatch dated 7th November 1874.
JNothing Avas, however, done then in the matter, except to acknowledge the Sultan’s
offer.
Shortly after my arrival in these Settlements I visited the Sultan of Salangore,
and the matter was again brought up. It was then arranged that the Assistant
Resident should collect the revenues at Langat.
This, however, was not done, owing to the Assistant Resident having been unavoidably
engaged in other duties.
Mr. Davidson, the Acting Resident of Salangore, has just visited the Sultan in
eompany with the Viceroy, Tunku Dia Oodin, and the question was revived.
The present arrangement, while it will make no difference to those who hitherto
collected the taxes (as they will be paid the average amounts stated to have been
collected by them), Avill remove considerable abuses in the collection, Avill make the
taxation uniform throughout Salangore, and will give confidence to traders and miners,
on account of the knowledge that all royalties and taxes will be collected on a uniform
and well understood scale, without the fear of their being subjected to petty imposition s
by unauthorized collectors.
Mr. Davidson has been very cautious to ascertain the views both of the Sultan and
his people before recommending this step, and I had no hesitation in approving of it,
Avhen it became clear that it would be acceptable to all concerned.
In connexion with this subject, I may mention that, hitherto, whilst collecting the
revenues of Langat himself, the Sultan has only been able to get from #300 to #500
a month, but it is trusted that noAV the minesin Ulu Langat will be re-opened, and that
the revenues, when fairly and properly collected, will reach a considerably higher
sum.
I have, therefore, instructed the Resident of Salangore to pay to the Sultan out of
the general revenue a monthly allowance not exceeding #1,000.
I have, &c.
(Signed) WM. F. DRUMMOND JERVOIS.
The Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon,
&c. &c. &c.
67
Enclosure in No. 58.
Straits Settlements Government Gazette Extraordinary.—Published by Authority.
Singapore, Saturday, 25th March 1876.
Proclamation.
This Proclamation from Us, the Yang Dipurtuan Abdussamad, who noiv sit upon
the throne of the Kingdom of Salangore and all its dependencies, notifies to the public
that it has been made known to Us that persons levy taxes and collect revenue within
our country without obtaining authority from Us, which-is quite illegal, and have
spent them foolishly ; consequently our men within our country suffer distress, and
foreigners dare not come either to deal or live in our country. Wherefore we propose
to make arrangements with reference to the collection of the revenue and the expen-
diture of our country. We publish this for the general information under the approval
of His Excellency Sir William Francis Drummond Jervois, C.B., K.C.M.G., the
Governor of the three Settlements—Singapore, Penang, and Malacca. We have
applied to the Residents, Mr. Davidson and Mr. Douglas, about the collection of the
revenue of Salangore and all its dependencies ; and We. have consulted with our Viceroy,
Tunku Dia Oodin, as to the carrying out of proper arrangements for the collection of
the revenue and its expenditure.
Moreover we notify to the public that from the 1st day of Rabil Awal, in the year
1293 (26th March 1876), no man can either collect or receive taxes within our
country, but only those who have received authority from the Residents and from
our Viceroy. After the date above mentioned, if any do collect or try to collect taxes
within our country without obtaining the above-mentioned authority he shall be
punished rigorously. Of this we give notice. This proclamation was executed on
the 27th Moharram 1293 (21st February 1876.)
No. 59.
Governor Sir W. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B., to the EARL OF CARNARVON.
(Received May 6, 1876.)
(Extract.)
Government House, Singapore,
My Lord, April 6, 1876.
In continuation of my Despatch of the 21st March,* reporting the circumstances
attending the surrender of Ex-sultan Ismail, I have the honour to enclose the official
report of Mr. Hewick, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Province Wellesley, who was
very instrumental in effecting his capture.
2. In paragraph 7 of the despatch referred to, I stated that the Ex-sultan, together
with Datu Nara and Panglima Prang Samaon, would be conveyed to Singapore in
H.M.S. “ Ringdove ” and would arrive in the course of a few days.
3. The Ex-sultan arrived on the 26th ultimo, accompanied by his two sons, by the
two chiefs alluded to in the last paragraph, and by 13 attendants.
The regalia of Perak was likewise brought to Singapore at the same time, and I
gave orders that it should he deposited in the Treasury. This regalia is more
valuable than it had generally been reported to be, consisting of the personal orna-
ments, plate, and weapons of the Sultans of Perak.
I have given directions that the 27 elephants which form part of the regalia, and
which in paragraph 7 of the despatch previously referred to I reported had been
captured, shall be sent to Perak, and employed temporarily for transport service.
4. After considering the matter with my Executive Council, I determined that,
pending the result of the Commission of Inquiry which I had appointed (see para-
graph 8 of my Despatch), the best plan would be to place him and his party with
Maharajah of Johore, provided the Maharajah would consent to receive him as a
prisoner on parole. (As stated in paragraph 10 of the despatch just referred to, the
Maharajah had throughout advised Ismail to submit to the British Government.) I
considered that this would be a preferable arrangement to his staying in Singapore,
where he might be exposed to intrigue. I considered moreover, that it would be
perfectly safe to allow' the Ex-sultan and his attendants to remain in Johore on parole.
There would be no inducement to them to leave that place, where the Maharajah
would provide them with every necessary comfort; indeed, unless the Ex-sultan were
disposed to go again into the jungle, I know not to what place he could flee with any
* No. 48.
I 2
Enclosure 1.
March 23,1876
68
Enclosure 2.
March 27,1876.
Enclosure 3.
March 29,1876.
Enclosure 4.
April 5, 1876.
Enclosure 5.
* Enclosure 6.
prospect of security. After the hardships to which he has been exposed during so
many weeks’ wandering, and after having surrendered in consequence thereof, it is
scarcely likely that he would again expose himself to these privations.
The Rajah of Quedah had offered to receive him in his state, but I considered that
for the present at all events, Quedah was too near to Perak to render it advisable
to accept this proposal.
5. I had a personal interview with the Maharajah of Johore, who readily aequiesced
in my request, and agreed to treat the Ex-sultan as a prisoner on parole, hut under
strict surveillance.
6. Upon the 27th ultimo I saw the Ex-sultan. He was much less reticent than
when I met him at Blanja in September last, owing, I helieve, to the absence of the
cbiefs in whose hands he has been more or less a tool.
7. Before leaving me he handed me a document purporting to be written about a
month after his election as Sultan in 1871 and confirming him in his position as such.
This document is impressed with the chops or seals of all the elective chiefs of Perak
with the exception of Rajah Muda Abdullah, now Sultan, and Rajah Yusuf, now Rajah
Mudah, of Perak. These chops (12 in number) include those of the seven chiefs who in
1874 signed the Pangkore Engagement. I propose to inquire into the origin of this
document, the period when the various chops were affixed, and the circumstances
which led to the alienation of some of the Chiefs, and I will then communicate further
with your Lordship on the subject.
8. The ex-Sultan was conveyed from Singapore to Johore, in H.M.S. “ Ringdove,”
on the afternoon of the 27th ultimo. I enclose copy of a letter which I addressed to
the Maharajah of Johore, mentioning the conditions under which the Ex-sultan would
be alio wed to go to Johore.
I enclose also copy of the Maharajab’s reply, consenting to my requests, and pro-
posing that the Ex-sultan’s family, now in Quedah, should be sent for. I have given
instructions that his two wives, his two daughters, Tuan Chee, his son-in-law, and Tuan
Teh, niece of Tuan Chee, shall be conveyed here, and sent to Johore.
I have acted on the general principle that it is desirable on every ground that Ismail
and his party should, pending inquiry, feel at ease, so far as compatible with the position
in which they are placed.
I trust your Lordship will approve of the steps which I have thus taken.
9. From the report of Mr. Hewick (Enclosure 1) your Lordship will observe that, in
accordance with my request, the Siamese Government sent strict orders to the Patani
authorities not to allow the Perak fugitives to enter that State, and that parties of
Patani men had been called out in consequence. I enclose copy of letter, which,
thinking it desirable that the good offices of the Siamese Government should be
recognized without delay, I addressed to Her Majesty’s Consul-General at Bangkok,
requesting him to convey to that Government my best thanks for the valuable
assistance which it had rendered to this Government, and for the precautionary
measures which it had taken to prevent those concerned in the Perak outrages from
entering the adjacent States under its protection.
10. I enclose likewise copy of letter which I have sent to the Rajah of Quedah,
thanking him for his services. I desire especially to bring to your Lordship’s notice
the great assistance rendered by the Rajah of Quedah in the matter, in which he has no
interest beyond his desire to oblige this Government. He not only took a great deal
of trouble and put himself to great personal inconvenience and fatigue, but throughout
the negotiations on the subject he has shown the greatest araenity and goodwill.
For many years past he has been most willing to oblige and to render every assist-
ance to this Government, and I would suggest, for your Lordship’s consideration, that
he should receive some recognition of the services which he has rendered.
* * * * X
I have, &c.
(Signed) WM. F. DRUMMOND JERVOIS.
The Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon,
&c. &e. &c.
P.S.—I herewith enclose a rough map of the country about the upper part of the
Perak River, compiled by Mr. W. E. Maxwell, from information received from native
sources, and I have shown therein the place of refuge of Ex-sultan Ismail, as also the
routes taken by Mr. Hewick. jy j\
69
Enclosure 1. in No. 59.
Office of Assistant Superintendent of Police,
Sir, Province Wellesley, March 23, 1876.
I have the honour to report that, in consequence of instructions received,
I proceeded on the 4th ultimo to Kota Qualla Muda, and put myself in com-
munication with the Kedah authorities (Tunku Ibrahim and Wan Mat), with the
view of arranging an expedition, to endeavour to obtain Sultan Ismail and his
follovvers. I had previously been to Kedah and seen the Sultan, and settled the
mode of procedure in the case, which was that Tunku Ibrahim, together with
Hadjee Aboo (Pungulhu Sergeant of Penaga, a Government officer), should
proceed with me up the Muda, and then, on arriving at Baling, go on to Perak,
while Wan Mat and myself should wait near Baling, and arrange the transport com-
missariat, and guide Tunku Brahim and Hadjee Aboo in their movements, and, if the
peaceable mode failed, I would be close at hand to proceed with, force, as the Rajah of
Kedah had empowered me to take as many volunteers as I could get. I saw Tunku
Ibrahim on the 4th ultimo, and gave him instructions to proceed to see Sultan Ismail,
and induce him to come in. I had chosen Tunku Ibrahim because he was the father-
in-law of Tuan Chee (Tunku Syed Hoosain), whom I had sent to Ismail some months
before, and whom I mentioned in my former report of the Batu Badinding Expedition,
and also because he had been written to by Ismail. On the 5th ultimo, while I was at
Kota, a serious Chinese fight took place between the “ Gee-Hins and Topaikongs,” and
as there was great fear that the Provice Wellesley, Chinese, would join in it, I, after to
a certain extent assisting Wan Mat, on the Kedah side, proceeded to Permattang
Bindahree, and prevented our Chinese, of whom there were about 300.collected, from
joining. As matters had taken a serious turn, I went to Penaga, saw the head men of
the various Societies, reported the occurrence in Penang, and then leaving the station
of Permattang Bindahree in charge of Inspector West, proceeded on the evening of the
6th to Butterworth, and called in some head men and had the affair arranged as far as
possible. On the 8th I again proceeded to Kota, and finding there was no fear of
further quarrel proceeded up the river with Wan Mat, Tunku Ibrahim and Hadjee
Aboo being a little in advance, I sent full instructions to him, and directed him to
proceed, after receiving the Rajah of Kedah’s letter, to Ismail. On arriving at Padang
Geeas I met Wan Mat of Pantai Prye, and Che Drahman of Qualla Muda, and
instructed them to send men out in the direction of Perak, so as to be ready for any
emergency, getting ready provisions and all necessaries. We stayed at Padang Geeas
four days, and then proceeded to Qualla Koopang, and then waited news of Ismail..
While there I received information that, owing to the request of Government, the
Siamese authorities had sent strict orders to the Patani authorities not to allow the
Perak men on any account to enter Patani territory, and in consequence of it being
stated that there was no road from Perak to Quedah that did not pass through Patani
the whole expedition came to a standstill. The Rajah of Kedah also sent orders to
Tunku Ibrahim not to enter Patani territory on any account; on this I called Che
Drahman, on his return from Quedah, and told him to go by a circuitous route and
find a road that might be made without touching Patani, as from inquiries I was led to
believe that the boundaries of Kedah and Perak joined at some point. I also issued
orders to Hadjee Aboo to go to Patani, if there was no other road, and prepared to
start to meet them, and on behalf of the Government ask a passage through, as news
had come in that Ismail was ready to give himself up. Che Drahman succeeded, as I
anticipated, in finding a road, or rather making one, as I had directed, and on his return
proceeded to Kedah to see the Rajah. On the 9th Hadjee Aboo came to me, saying that
Ismail was on the frontier waiting. I directed him to return, and get him into Keda
territory, as far as Cheeah, about 10 miles from Koopang, so as to be away from any
chance of molestation on the part of the Patanis, who had sent parties out. This was
done, and on the 9th instant 1 proceeded to Cheeah to see Ismail. On arriving I found
him encamped in the jungle with his men, and with him a number of women and
children, in all about 174. I had an interview, and he promised to proceed quietly to
Kedah, and then go in to see the Lieut.-Governor at Penang. I questioned him and
his Chief Dato Narah, concerning the occurrences which had taken place in Perak,
and he strenuously denied all knowledge of the conspiracy to murder the late Mr. Birch,
Resident of Perak, with whom he stated he was on friendly terms. He also said, on
I 3
70
my asking him why he had taken no steps to inquire into the matter, that as it had
occurred in the lower part of Perak, in Abdullah’s territory, he had no authorily and
considered that'the latter would see to the affair. With regard to his not going in to
see Major McNair, he said he was starting when Rajah Mahmond was reported as close
at hand with a force, and that, as he had no intention of fighting, and did not wish to
expose his wife and children to the horrors of war, he fled into the jungle, and had
continued to do so ever since. From what I saw personally, Ismail had no power over
his Chiefs, nor had he any respect paid to him ; he built his own huts, and caught his
own elephants.
After leaving I consulted with Wan Mat, and had men placed in the rear of Ismail
to prevent any attempt at escape. On Teaching Koopang I met Che Drahman, who
had returned from Kedah, with the news that the Rajah of Kedah was on his way up.
I at once proceeded down the river and met him at Padang Geeas. I had sent Drah-
man on to tell Ismail to come on to Koopang. On the 10th, the Rajah of Kedah pro-
ceeded lower down to Qualla Ketee, but returned on the 11th to Pandang Geeas. On
the 12th Ismail reached Koopang, and we proceeded to Qualla Ketee. On the 13th
he arrived there, and met the Sultan of Kedah. At this time the Kedah people
numbered, I should think, nearly 1,000 well-armed men, but were so disposed in Ismail’s
rear that he could not know of their presence ; from Qualla Keetee he proceeded in
boats, followed by us, and on the 14th reached Tisu Jantai; on the 15th, Koobang Hong;
16th, Pantai Pry; 17th, Qualla Muda. On the 18tb, I took the Rajah to see the
Hon. the Lieut.-Governor, and on Monday the 20th proceeded in the t£ Mata Mata,”
and brought him together with Ismail, Toh Narah, Punghina Prang Samaon, Rajah Loh,
and followers, 18 in all, to Penang to the house of the the Rajah of Kedah. The women,
children, and elephants (27) being left in Kadah Ismail was in almost destitute condition
when we found him, he had not a single plate to eat off, and his people were emaciated
and sick (numbers having been left in the jungle had died). Maharajah Lela was some-
where near Ismail, in Perak, but had no communication with him, and Orang Kaya
Besar was on his way in when he fell ill and could not come. I have sent a party after
Maharajah Lelah, having arranged for his capture while at the “ Ulu,” but I did not go
for him then for fear of losing Ismail. While at Baling I heard that a man named
Rajah Abbas was there (he broke out of Penang gaol some four years ago), and I also
arranged with the Kedah authorities for his capture. He had gone into Patani to
sell an elephant he had stolen from Ismail.
I cannot too highly praise the conduct of the Rajah of Kedah and his officers, Wan
Mat (Saman) and Che Drahman. The Rajah sent Wan Mat especially with me, and
denuded his territory of nearly all his influential men, in order that the expedition
might be successfully carried out. The delays were, owing to the mode of travelling
of the Perak people, dilatory in the extreme, and also no doubt caused by their feeble-
ness and the fact that nearly all the women had to walk, but I did not precipitate
matters, as I considered it was better to let them take their time and come in surely
than to hurry them when there was a chance of losing them. The whole expedition
was carried out carefully and quietly, but had Ismail not given himself up to the
Kedah authorities his capture must still have been certain. All suggestions made
by me were at once attended to, and a most friendly intercourse was the whole time
kept up.
I have, &c.
(Signed) John Hewick,
The Superintendent of Police, Assistant Superintendent of Police,
Penang. Province Wellesley.
Enclosure 2. in No. 59.
Governor to H. H. The Maharajah of Johore.
Sir, Government House, Singapore, March 27, 1876.
Ex-Sultan Ismail of Perak, his two sons, Datu Nara and Panglima Prang
Samaon, with 13 attendants, having arrived here in H.M.S. “ Ringdove,” I have the
honour to inform your Highness that they will be sent to Johore Bahru in the same
ship this afternoon.
As your Highness has been so good as to consent to receive these persons, I now
commit them to your charge, on the understanding that, if Ex-sultan Ismail, who is to
71
be considered as a prisoner who has given himself up without other conditi on than that
his life shall be spared, will give his parole not to leave Johore without permission, he
may be allowed to be at large in Johore, while the others may be treated by your
Highness in such a way as to secure that they do not leave Johore.
Under the circumstance s in which these persons are placed, it will naturally strike
your Highness that the more quiet they remain the better, and pending the result of
inquiries, and the decision of Government as to what is to be done with them, no honours
should be paid to the Ex-sultan and his party, such as under other circumstances I
should gladly have approved of. Of course I take it for granted that your Highness
will take all proper steps to prevent not merely the escape of any of them, but also to
prevent intrigue, and for this purpose their communication ought to be restricted to
such people as your Highness (in communication with myself) may think desirable.
I have again to express my thanks for the assistance your Highness gives Her
Majesty’s Government in this matter, and
I have, &c.
(Signed) Wm. F. Drummond Jervois.
Enclosure 3. in No. 59.
Maharajah of Johore to Governor.
Sir, Istana, Johore, March 29, 1876.
I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your Excelleney’s letter of 27 inst.
informing me that Ex-sultan Ismail with his two sons and 13 attendants would be sent
round to Johore in H.M.S. “ Ringdove ” for the purpose of being placed under my
charge pending the result of inquiries and the decision of the Government as to what
is to be done with them.
I have now the honour to state that the vessel arrived on the evening of the 27th
instant when Ex-sultan Ismail with his retinue was duly landed and placed in the
house which I had caused to be prepared for him.
I have intimated to him your Excellency’s willingness that he should be placed upon
parole as well as the particular conditions under which alone that parole can be granted
and these terms have been accepted by him.
Instructions have likewise been issued to my officers to secure as far as possible the
other persons alluded to in your Excellency’s letter from leaving Johore, and that, for the
purpose of preventing intrigue, communication with them shall be restricted to such
people as may be considered desirable.
I would take this opportunity of suggesting to your Excellency that it is highly
desirable the Ex-sultan’s family, who are at present in Quedah, should be sent for without
delay, as certain members of it appear to possess great influence over the Ex-sultan,
and through their instrumentalit}7, much information may be obtained from him, the
possession of which would doubtless be eventually found of important assistance to
your Government.
I have, &c.
* (Signed) Maharajah of Johore.
(In native characters.)
His Excellency Sir W. F. Drummond Jervois,
C.B., K.C.M.G., Governor and Commander-in-Chief,
Straits Settlements.
Enclosure 4. in No. 59.
Governor to H.B.M.’s Consul-General, Bangkok.
Government House, Singapore,
Sir, . April 5, 1876.
In reference to my letter of the 30th ultimo, I have the honour to request that,
should you think fit, you will convey to the Siamese Government my high appreciation
of the valuable assistance which it has rendered to this Government in connexion
with the recent capture of Ex-sultan Ismail and his followers.
My best thanks are due for the excellent precautionary measures taken by the
Siamese Government to prevent those concerned in the Perak outrages from entering
I 4
72
the adjacent States under its protection, and I have not failed to bring this mark o
friendliness and good-will to the notice of Her Majesty’s Government.
I would also be glad if you would express to the Siamese Government my appre-
ciation of the services rendered by the Rajah of Quedah, to whom we are highly
indebted for the part he has taken in connexion with recent events on the borders of
his territory.
I have, &c.
H.B.M.’s Consul-General, (Signed) Wm. F. Drummond Jervois.
Bangkok.
Enclosure 5. in No. 59.
From His Excellency The Governor to Rajah of Quedah.
(After Compliments.)
Date, April 5, 1876.
We write to our friend to express our best thanks for the valuable services which
our friend has rendered to us in securing the capture of Ex-sultan Ismail. We highly
appreciate the way in which our friend has acted throughout this business, and we will
not fail to bring our friend’s good-will, and the material assistance which our friend has
afforded us, to the notice of Her Majesty’s Government.
We have also expressed to the Siamese Government our appreciation of the services
rendered to us by our friend.
This act of our friend seals more firmly the bond of friendship which has always
existed between ourselves and our friend.
Our best compliments to our friend.
No. 60.
Governor Sir W. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B., to the EARL OF CARNARVON.
(Received May 6, 1876.)
My Lord, Government House, Singapore, April 6, 1876.
With reference to your Lordship’s Despatch of the 4th ultimo, I have the
honour to report that on the 29th ultimo I sent to your address the following
telegram:—
“ Approximate war expenditure to date, excluding payments in India, under one
hundred thousand pounds.”
2. I regret that I am not as yet in a position to lay before your Lordship complete
accounts of the expenditure incurred through the late disturbances in the Malayan
Peninsula; as far as the expenditure by this Colony is concerned, the accounts are
being at present completed and examined.
The work is, however, a somewhat complicated one, involving reference to the other
Settlements, as well as to the native States ; there are also payments still to be made
upon outstanding accounts, but every endeavour is being made to close these as rapidly
as possible.
3. I transmit, however, herewith a statement of all disbursements from the Colonial
Treasury and Commissariat Chest up to the 31st ultimo. They amount, it will be
seen, to $334,467 87, or say 71,074Z. 8s. 5\d. at 4s. 3d. to the dollar. This sum will,
however, undergo some modification, as the accounts are scrutinised, and outstanding
advances repaid or accounted for; additions will, no doubt, have to be made to this
amount, as already explained, but I do not anticipate that the gross expenditure in the
Colony upon the late disturbances w ill be found to exceed, say 80,000Z. Of this sum,
about 68,000Z. will have been defrayed from the Colonial Treasury, and about 12,000£.
from the Commissariat Chest.
4. The main items included in the above disbursements are for the hire of steamers
and steam launches for the transport of troops, for the conveyance of supplies, and for
keeping up communication; for the hire of cooly or baggage corps; for the pay of
auxiliary forces; and for stores, provisions, and supplies.
5. I have not yet received any reply from the military authorities at Hong Kong as
to the amount expended by them for the transport of General Colborne and 300
73
men of the 80th Regiment from Hong Kong, but the amount is not likely to exceed
5,000/.
G. 1 have received the local accounts for March, as also those of the Commissariat;
and I find that the estimate of 100,000/., which I telegraphed to your Lordship as being
the pi'ohahle amount of the expenditure, ex eluding that incurred by the Indian Govern-
men t, may safely be reduced by 10,000/.
7. 1 fear that some delay must necessarily take place before any reply can be received
to the communication which I have caused to be addressed to the Indian Government,
asking for accounts of the expenditure incurred by that Government on account of the
expedition. The disbursements under this head will include the transport of the
troops from and to India, the cost of extra allowances and equipment, and other charges,
the amount of which I am not in a position to form any reliable estimate.
As soon as the accounts of local disbursements are complete, I will not fail to take
the carliest opportunity of laying them before your Lordship.
X hcivc See»
(Signed) WM. F. DRUMMOND JERVOIS.
The Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon,
&c. &c. &c.
Statement showing the Expenditure incurred from Colonial and Local Commissariat Funds on
account of the late Disturbances in the Malayan Peninsula.
To 31st Dec.
January.
February.
March.
Total.
Expenditure from Treasuries, Singa-
pore, Penang, and Malacca
108,728 63
18,965 66
43,773 49
48,845 ll
220,312 89
Expenditure from Laroot Treasury,
but mainly advanced from Penang,
though, not included above
3 o,404 65
7,385 40
42,790 05
Expenditure from Sunghie Ujong
Treasury, mainly advanced from
Singapore and Malacca, but not
included above -
5,245 93
9,155 62
1,514 37
15,915 92
Expenditure from Local Military
Commissariat Chest
14,703 35
17,031 44
13,496 05
10,218 17
55,449 01
$
164,082 56
52,538 12
58,783 91
59,063 28
334,467 87
,
Say at 45* 3d, per $—£71,074 8 5J
No. 61.
Paraphrase of Telegram from Governor Sir W. F. D. Jervois, K.C.M.G., C.B., to the
Earl of Carnarvon.
(Received May 13, 1876.)
8th May.—On the 20th of April 1 sent a despatch on the subject of your Lordship’s
telegram dated the 28th.
The proposal for recognizing one paramount Chief for the States in neighbourhood
of Malacca had already been fully considered by me and found impracticable.
Next mail will carry a further despatch on the subject from me.
No. 62.
The EARL OF CARNARVON to Governor Sir W. F. D. JERVOIS.
SIRj Downing Street, May 16, 1876.
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch of the 23rd
of March,* enclosing copiesof the proceedings on the trial of Seputum, Se Gondah,
and Ngah Ahmat, the three prisoners charged with the murder, at Passir Sala, of the
late Mr. Birch, before Rajah Dris, who was appointed by Sultan Abdullah to be the
presiding Judge.
38387a.
* No. 50.
K
74
2. I approve of the arrangement made by you for the presence of two British
Officers at the trial, which, so far as I am able to judge from the deposition, appears to
have been conducted with patience and moderation, and with every desire to elicit all
the evidence relating to the lamentable event under inquiry.
3. I should be glad to learn what steps the Sultan Abdullah is taking, and what
facilities he possesses for enforcing the eommuted sentence of penal servitude for
life, which has to be carried out in the case of Se Gondah and Ngah Ahmat. I shall
probably receive a Report from you shortly on this point, and it is perhaps hardly
necessary to impress upon you the necessity of taking precautions against any laxity
on the part of the native Authorities which might defeat the ends of justice.
4. I have no reason to doubt the propriety of the course which you adopted, with
the advice of your Council, in advising the Sultan Abdullah to spare the lives of these
two men, but every care must be taken that their punishment should be as
public and well known as the outrage which was perpetrated by them and their
accomplices.
I have, &c.
(Signed) CARNARVON,
No. 63.
COLONIAL OFFICE to INDIA OFFICE.
Sir, Downing Street, May 19, 1876.
I am directed by the Earl of Carnarvon to transmit to you, to be laid before the
Marquis of Salisbury, an extract of a recent Despatch from the Governor of the Straits
Settlements relative to the expenditure incurred in connexion with the recent military
operations in the Malay Peninsula, and 1 am to state that, as his Lordship is extremely
anxious to come to an early settlement with the Lords of the Treasury as to the
apportionment between Imperial and Colonial Funds of the cost of the expedition, he
would be much obliged if the Marquis of Salisbury would cause a communication to
be addressed to the Government of India requesting them to furnish at as early a
date as possible an account of the advances which have been made from Indian Funds,
and of which the Government of India expect the reimbursement to the Indian
Exchequer.
I have, &c.
The Under Secretary of State, (Signed) R. H. MEADE.
India Office.
No. 64.
COLONIAL OFFICE to TREASURY.
Sir, * Downing Street, May 19, 1876.
I am directed by the Earl of Carnarvon to transmit to you, to be laid before the
Lords of the Treasury, copies of correspondence with the War Office and the Governor
of the Straits Settlements relative to the expenditure incurred in connexion with the
recent disturbances in the Malay Peninsula.
Their Lordships will perceive from Lord Carnarvon’s Despatch of the 4th of Februar v*
last the general plan of apportionment which had suggested itself to his Lordship, and
from Sir W. Jervois’s reply that there is not at present sufficient information to enable
him to make any definite proposals as to the provision of the funds; but Lord Carnar-
von is of opinion that, although it is now premature to attempt to discuss the subject,
it may be useful to their Lordships to have this correspondence in its present sta^e
before them. °
The Marquis of Salisbury will be requested to expedite the settlement of the Indian
accounts.
I have, &c.
The Secretary, Treasury. (Signed) ROBERT G. W. HERBERT.
* No. 126 [C. 1505] of 1876.
75
No. 65.
The EARL OF CARNARVON to Governor Sir W. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B.
(Extract.)
Sir, Downing Street, May 20, 1876.
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch of the 6th of
April last.*
I was glad to learn from your telegram of the 1st of Aprilf that the precautions taken for
the safe custody and care of the Ex-Sultan Ismail by the Rajah of Johore were in the
opinion of yourself and your Council sufficient for this purpose, and from your present
Despatch I see no reason to doubt that this is the case. I assume, however, that there
is nothing in the arrangements which will interfere with any other course which it may
become necessary to take in regard to him should the inquiry show him to have been
concerned in the murder of Mr. Birch.
I request you will inform me what stage the inquiry has now reached.
# * # * *
I have, &c.
Governor Sir W. Jervois. (Signed) CARNARVON.
No, 66.
The EARL OF CARNARVON to Governor Sir W. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B.
Sir, Downing Street, May 20, 1876.
In my Despatch of the 10th of December,$ while inviting explanations from
you on various points which seemed to me to require them, I intimated that I
would defer pronouncing any final decision on the course of action which you took with
respect to the affairs of Perak in October last.
2. I am now in receipt of your reply, being your Despatch of the 10th of Feb-
ruary last.§ I could have wished on all grounds to avoid the necessity of further
pursuing the question of your conduct in relation to these transactions; but it seems
to me that I can hardly allow much of this last communication from you to remain
unanswered. I will make no comment on the general tone and language of your despatch,
which in an unusual manner reflects on the justice and fairness of my decision, because
I am quite content that it should be judged by the plain facts of the case, and because
I desire to leave every possible freedom of expression to an officer who, however
mistakenly, conceives himself to have been subjected to undeserved censure. I shall
simply allude, as briefly as the subject admits, to some of the principal points in your
despatch which, if unanswered, would be perhaps open to misconception.
3. The matters treated of in this correspondence may be conveniently divided under
three heads:—
(A.) The condition of affairs in Perak from the time of the Pangkore Treaty in January
1874 up to October 1875.
(B.) The nature of the action taken by you at the latter date.
(C.) The future policy of the British Government with reference to Perak and the
Malay Peninsula.
4. The representations made by you under these three heads may be thus summarized:—
(A.) That there were practically two Sultans in Perak, of whom the one not recognized
by our Government, Ismail, was acknowledged throughout the greater part of the country,
while the other, Abdullah, was the weaker of the two and powerless to act; that there
were besides a number of powerful minor cbiefs, practically independent in their districts;
that owing to the absence of an efficient central authority and the impracticable character
of Abdullah, it would have been impossible in any case for the Resident accredited to
him to confine himself to advising and assisting; but that the Residents in Perak, as well
as in Salangore and Sungie Ujong, have practically been Administrators of the Govern-
ment; and that this was contemplated by, and was the logical sequence of, the Pangkore
Treaty, as had been understood at the Colonial Office.
(B.) That the action taken by you with respect to the Proclamations issued in October
was but a slight modification of the policy already approved and commended, and that it
was not to this change of policy that Mr. Birch’s murder and other recent events could
be attributed.
* No. 59. f This Despatch has already been given to Parliament. Vide No. 2 in Command Paper
[C. 1510], formerly numbered [C. 1503] of 1876. + No. 70 of [C. 1505] 1876. § No. 12.
Ek 2
76
(C.) That though the alternative policy of governing by a British Officer in the name
of the Sultan, assisted by a Council, is still capable of being worked, in your opinion
complete annexation is the best course to adopt.
5. I will proceed at once to state in general terms the reasonsfor which it is impossible
for Her Majesty’s Government to assent to your explanations of past transactions,
alluding incidentally to various arguments and expressions used by you which require
more special notice. The future policy to be pursued I shall reserve for separate treatment
hereafter.
6. In commenting upon your present description of the state of affairs in Perak, and
the position which it was intended the Resident should there occupy, it will be necessary
to revert at some length to the information supplied by your predecessor and yourself
during the period now under review.
7. My predecessor, Lord Kimberley, in his Despatch of the 20th of September 1873,* had
given Sir Andrew Clarke, who was then proceeding to assume the government of the
colony, special instructions as to the policy to be observed towards the native states; and
in desiringhim to consider the advisability of appointing British officers to reside in any
of those states, he expressly added that such appointments could only be made with
the full consent of the native government.
8. Sir A. Clarke, in his Despatch of 26th January 1874,f giving an account of his pro-
ceedings at the Dindings, and the conclusion of the Pangkore engagement, enclosed a
letter which had been addressed to him by Sultan Abdullah requesting him, in the name
of himself and his great men, to send “ a man of sufficient abilities to live in Perak, and
show us a good system of government for our dominions,” and he stated that he had
found A.bdullah, who was the rightful heir to the throne, a man of considerable
intelligence, and possessing perfect confidence that he would be able to maintain his
position if he were once placed in Perak as its legitimate ruler ; that all the chiefs except
the Mantri of Laroot (who had previously set up a claim to be independent, which,
however, he was then induced to abandon) and his party, were prepared at once to
receive him as their sovereign, and that it was these considerations that led him to propose
the fourteen articles of the engagement which after a full discussion were finally accepted
and ratified.
Of Ismail (who had been informally declared Sultan and possessed the regalia) he
said little more than that he was a very aged man, and he observed that though he was
not present himself, the chiefs who were present had sufficient authority to act as thev did
in the full recognition of Abdallah as Sultan. He deferred entering fully into the policy
which he proposed should be pursued as regards the duties of the Residents, but in a
separate Despatch of the same date explaining the very critical position of affairs in Laroot,
which had induced him to go beyond his instructions and at once place a British officer
in that district, he spoke of Captain Speedy as possessing the confidence of the chiefs
of the Malay Government, and said that he would assist that government in destroying
stockades, disarming the Chinese factions, and restoring peace.
9.In his subsequent Despatch of the 24th of February j Sir A. Clarke forwarded additional
information as to the past history and present state of Perak, and explained more fully
his views with reference to the question of the appointment of Residents. In that
despatch he stated that he had been unofficially informed that Ismail had expressed his
adherence to the engagement of the other Chiefs, and, with special reference to hord
Kimberley’s stipulation as to the consent of the native government being a necessary
condition of the appointment of Residents, he had no hesitation in saying that “ the
proposal met with the fullest concurrence from the native chiefs a statement which, I
may here remark, it is obviously impossible to reconcile with the conviction you now
entertain (par. 78) that the recent outbreak was “ caused by dislike on the part of the
Chiefs to our intervention in any shape in the affairs of the State of Perak.”
The views which your predecessor then entertained as to the nature of the position to
be assumed by the Residents, may be gathered from the following extracts from the
same Despatch: “ This proposal of appointing British officers to reside in the Malay
“ States is not a new one; it was first proposed to appoint them for the purpose of
" assisting the legitimate rulers of the country, with a view to teaching them the great
“ and yet simple principles of good government, of showing them the most feasible or
‘‘ practical methods of opening up their countries,” &c. &c.
“ The Malays, like every other rude Eastern nation, require to be treated much more
like children and to be taught, and this especially in the matters of improvement,” &c.
“ Such teaching can only be effectedby an officer living on the spot, whose time should
be devoted to carefully studying the wants and capabilities of each State, the character
* No. 14 of [C. 1111] of July 1874.
j* No. 40 of same Paper,
t No, 52 of same Paper.
77
of the Sultan and his Chiefs, and to making himself personally acquainted with every
portion of the country, and thus fitting himself for the post of counsellor when the time
for opening up the country arrives.”
“ This watching the collection of the revenue and controlling its expenditure will
form no insignificant part of a Resident’s duties, and as far as bringing about a
good system of Government is concerned, will be about the most important portion of
them.”
" To check squeezing, and toinduce the Sultan to select proper men for the collection,
will be the Resident’s special care.”
All this clearly indicates that the true functions of the Resident were to be those of
an influential adviser, and not, as you now suppose, a direct administrator of the district.
10. In another Despatch of the same date Sir A. Clarke forwarded Minutes by members
of his Executive Council, on the general subject of the policy to be pursued towards
the native States, which are material as showing the objects which they contemplated
would he obtained by the appointment of Residents.
Major McNair gave as his opinion “ that a closer influence must be brought to bear
“ on the Native States. That he was in favour of a Resident Officer being nominated
“ to dwell in their country, as it was by daily intercourse that the European could
“ acquire and maintain their confidence.” “ Many of the Malay Chiefs,” he continues,
“ have represented to me that what they want is an officer who would reside near them
“ to give them confidence and support, who would teach them to collect and spend their
“ revenue, to administer a better form of justice, and to maintain order.”
Mr. Willans, an old and experienced officer of the local Government, wrote—“From
“ a long experience of the natives, I am satisfied they are amenable to reason, and will
“ follow the advice of any European they respect, and I believe if Residents were
“ appointed they would be readily received, and if properly chosen be looked up to, and
“ exert a great and beneficial influence; they would argue with the Chiefs in a pleasant
“ not domineering way, and point out to them the advantages of the European
“ system,” &c. &c.
Mr. Braddell wrote “ Such is the influence of the British Government in the neigh-
“ bouring Malay States that the mere fact of the residence in any State of a represen-
“ tative of the Great Government would of itself give stability to the rule of its Chiefs
“ and establish order in the country.” “ Their duties would at first be not merely to advise
“ the Chiefs, but to show them practically what they have to do in the way of ruling the
“ country.” “ It only requires that the wishes of Government should be made known
“ to the native rulers to secure implicit obedience.” “ The end can I believe be gained
“ by Government without involving itself in responsibilities.”
Mr. Birch recorded his entire assent in Mr. Braddell’s views.
Mr. C. J. Irving, who alone of Sir A. Clarke’s Council dissented from the proposed
policy of appointing permanent Residents, after describing the Malays generally, added,
“ Given such a people, and put down among them an European officer whose sole duty it
“ would be to be giving good advice, &c.and, further, “ If the policy of Her Majesty’s
Government were to keep pushing our influence in those countries, and becoming
“ virtually the governing power, the appointment of permanent Residents would probably
“ be a step in the right direction. But this I understand from the Secretary of States
“ Despatch is not the course that is designed.”
11. The above extracts are amply sufficient to show that the essence of the scheme
of appointing Residents as originally proposed was that the native Chiefs were
willing and desirous to receive British officers who would advise and assist them in the
Government of the country. It was no doubt expected that such an officer would
exercise very great influence in the country, but, seeing that the Chiefs are continually
spoken of as quite ready to carry out whatever measures of reform or improvement
were pointed out to them, and seeing that the appointment of Officers in Perak for this
purpose had originated in a voluntary compact and had not been accepted under com-
pulsion, the position which a Resident was to occupy would be very different from
that of a Controller, still less would it be equivalent to that of an administrator of a
government as you now describe them to have been.
12. The nature of the advice to be given by an officer in such a position would obviously
be determined by considerations of a practical and local nature, such as the extent of the
authority of the recognized ruler, the position of the petty Chiefs, and the characteristic
habits of the people, and therefore it appears to me beside the point to argue, as you
apparently do in the fifth, sixth, and seventh paragraph s of your Despatch under reply
that because the Government was weak it was therefore impossible for the Resident to
confine his attention to giving advice.
K 3
78
13.You cite indeed the provision in the Pangkore Treaty that the advice “ was to
be acted upon ” in justification of your view that the engagement contained in it “ the
element of control;” but, bearing in mind the assumed readiness of the Sultan to accept
advice, it is impossible to consider that particular provision, except in connexion with
the circumstances under which the engagement was entered into, and I am by no means
prepared to admit the correctness of your statement, that the Pangkore engagement
virtually threw the government of the country into the hands of the Resident. _ It is at
all events beyond question that you are under a complete misapprehension in maintaining
as you have done that it was fully understood at the Colonial Office that the system
pursued towards these Native States, though nominally one of advice, was really one of
direct or actual government.
14. It was on the contrary after full consideration of the Despatches from which I have
quoted, and in the belief that they had before them a complete and accurate account of
the position of affairs in Perak, and of the proposed residential system, that Her Majesty’s
Government gave a general approval to the action of Sir Andrew Clarke, and eventually
assentea to his provisionally stationing Residents with the Chiefs in the districts of
Salangore, Perak, and Sungie Ujong.
15. The Despatches above mentioned were received in this Department on the 30th of
March 1874; my approval of his proceedings was conveyed to Sir A. Clarke in the
Despatch of the 29th [of May,* which was supplemented by a telegram of the 1st June
giving a conditional authority to proceed with the appointment of Residents; so that
whatever were the reasons for the delay in the appointment of a. Resident at Perak which
you allude to in the 42nd paragraph of your Despatch, (and I doubt not that your
predecessor could give a satisfactory explanation on the point,) the subject was disposed
of, so far as this Department was concerned, without any unnecessary loss of time.
16. The next information which I received from Sir A. Clarke bearing on the present
question is that contained in his Despatch of the 16th of June 1874f reporting a visit of
Mr. Birch to several of the Native States. The following extracts relate to Perak.
“ Mr. Birch and his party proceeded down the river by boat to Blanja where the ex-
“ Sultan Ismail dwells. The ex-Sultan was absent at one of his mines, but returned as
“ soon as he heard of the arrival of the Colonial Secretary, and several interviews took
“ place at which he professed perfect readiness to give over the regalia to Sultan
“ Abdullah, if the latter will only come to receive them. This, it is rumoured, Sultan
“ Abdullah hesitates at present to do, feeling probably that their newly established
“ relations are not sufficiently cordial to induce him to seek for the present a closer
“ intimacy, but I do not anticipate that I shall find any difficulty when I have eventually
“ to deal with the question. At Blanja Mr. Birch was not received very cordially, this
“ village having become the refuge of several freebooting chiefs, who, driven from other
“ States thought that in the probable grievances of the ex-Sultan they saw a chance of
“ future difficulties by which they could benefit.
" The party then proceeded to Batarabit where the Sultan Abdullah accorded them
“ most hospitable reception.”
Sir A. Clarke continues as follows: “For the appointment of a British Resident the
“ Sultan Abdullah is most anxious, and in this desire he is supported by his principal
“ Chiefs. At present every Chief has a ‘squeezing’ place on the river where he
“ levies black mail from passing boats, and no sort of real government exists. The
“ Sultan and his Chiefs honestly wish to remedy this state of affairs, but they do not
“ know how to set about any reform, and having no confidence in themselves or in each
“ other, they require a guiding hand to lead them.
“ The results of this tour may be considered to be satisfactory. The greatest
“ courtesy and kindness were exhibited by the Chiefs and inhabitants of all the villages
“ except Blanja.” “ The whole country traversed was at peace, and there is reason to
“ anticipate that the appointment of British Residents will foster the feeling of security
“ that now prevails.”
17. In his Despatch of the 4th ot November, I enclosing the proclamation issued under the
authority of my Despatch of 4th September 1874§ relative to the Pangkore engagement,
Sir A. Clarke did not furnish any fresh information as to the state of affairs in Perak.
But in his speech to the Legislative Council, which he forwarded bjr the same mail, he
spoke of “ the moderate, and I may say fair, success which I have reason to believe has
attended our interference in Perak and after describing at some length the past history
of the troubles in Perak, and the policy of Sir H. Ord, and having explained “ that it was
“ necessary to determine and torecognise who was the true bona fide and legitimate ruler
“ of the whole country,” he continued, with reference to the engagement of Pangkore,
* No. 59 [C. 1111], July 1874.
| No. 71 of same Paper,
f No. 60 of same Paper.]
§ No. 78 of same Paper,
79
‘ ‘ I was enabled to come to a just and satisfactory decision, and to place in the supreme
<e Government of that country a man who, whether fitted for it or not, is to my mind the
“ legitimate ruler. So far that decision has been hitherto satisfactory, and with regard
“ to the displaced ruler, the Chief who had been temporarily elected, I am confident in
“ my own mind, and all the evidence proves it, that that was only a temporary
“ sovcreignty which had been given to Ismail. But I am only dealing with results,
“ and though 8 or 10 montbs have passed since that, and there has been naturally an
“ amount of soreness among the people whose head man had been actually sovereign,
“ there has been no outbreak, and I am inclined to hope that with a little watchfulness
“ on our part, the people of Perak will cheerfully accept the sovereign ty of Abdullah,
“ and especially if his rule is assisted by the advice and assistance of an English officer.”
He then described the improvements which had already taken place in Larut and Perak
subsequently on his intervention, and added, “ This is a general sketch of the condition
“ of affairs there, and although Ismail and Abdullah have not yet come together I hope
“ and believe that they wil], and that beyond the intrigues of a few disappointed petty
“ Rajahs, who are interested in keeping the sore alive, there is no ground for anxiety or
“ for not thinking that in that large native state we have now established a condition of
‘ * things which will bear favourably and well upon our own interests here.”
18. The next communications which I received from Sir A. Clarke relating to Perak
matters were his Despatches of the 23rd and 24th December,* in which he reported that
he had sent Mr. Birch on two missions, one having reference to riots at the Salama
Mines, which threatened to be serious, and the other to the settlement of the Krean
boundary question. In the first he says, that on the arrival of Mr. Birch, accompanied
by a small escort of police, and Captain Speedy with his own native guard, “ The
“ pirates, although they vaunted up to the last moment that they would fight, escaped
“ into the jungle, where they were hotly pursued by the native police, and sixty were
“ captured and forwarded to the Sultan of Perak for punishment; ” and that Mr. Birch,
after a few days, having seen that the country wras tranquil, and that the miners had
rcturned to their work, was enabled to return to Penang.
In the second he says “ I am glad to be able to inform your Lordship that Mr. Birch’s
“ mission has been successful, and that I have received a communication from him
“ reporting that acting as the Representative of this Government he had held a most
“ satisfactory interview with the ex-Sultan Ismail, who had agreed to sign the engage-
“ ment of Pangkore above referred to, butwished that the Sultan Abdullah should meet
“ him first.” He then describes the preparations which were being made for the meeting
between the two Princes, which was arranged to take place in a few daj^s, and was to be
attended by all the Chiefs of Perak, except two of no importance, and concluded “ I have
“ little doubt that the reconciliation now effeeted between the Ruler and ex-Ruler of
“ Perak will prevent any further complications in that State.”
19. And it was with an allusion to the success which had attended these missions that
Sir A. Clarke announced about this date (30th December 1874) that after long and anxious
consideration he had nominated Mr. Birch to be Resident at Perak. Nor is there any-
thing in his Despatches of this date to show that the nature of the position to be occupied
by the Residents was other than that which had been entertained ten months before.
20. You quote at some length in your present Despatch the instructions issued to Mr.
Birch and to Mr. Davidson, prior to their assumption of the- duties of Resident. But
these instructions were never sent home and have consequently never been under my eye.
They may possibly give a somewhat different complexion to the Residential Schemes
proposed by Sir Andrew Clarke in the Despatches to which I have already referred, but
as, whatever may be the cause, complete copies have never been furnished to this
Department, I am not in a position to criticise with any advantage the extracts you
now bring to my notice ; and it is obviously impossible to draw any inference as to the
effect they might have produced on my mind or that of any other Secretary of State in
the same position.
21. It was at this period that you were appointed to succeed Sir A. Clarke in the govern-
ment of the Straits Settlements, and on your departure you were furnished with my Despatch
of the 8th of April, announcing my decision “ not to confirm the appointments made by
him until you had an opportunity of considering the whole subject,” with an allusion to
the peculiar nature of the duties to be discharged, and the special qualifications required.
You were informed that the appointments were to be treated as “ temporary, and of an
experimental character,” and it was thus open to you, should you see occasion, to point
out to Her Majesty’s Government any difficulties that had arisen in the working of the
Residential system hot foreseen by your predecessor, or any want of success attendant
on his selection of individuals.
* No. 17 [C. 1320], August 1875.
K 4
80
22. During the interval between your departure and assumption of the Government
Sir Andrew Clarke forwarded to this Department several reports made by the officers
acting as Residents. That of Mr. Birch was enclosed in his Despatch of the 26th of
April, and with reference to it your predecessor said “ Mr. Birch appears already to
“ have secured considerable ascendancy over many of the chiefs of Perak, and has been
“ courteously received by all, but in a country which has been for so many years mis-
“ governed by petty Rajahs progress must • necessarily be slow. Mr. Birch hardly
describes Perak as being in so flourishing a condition as some previous Despatcbes
might perhaps lead me to suppose; but I observe that he mentions the jealousies of
the Chiefs amongst themselves, which alone had prevented a reconciliation between
Abdullah and Ismail, as disappearing, and that the future of Perak might safely be
looked upon as a prosperous one. He adds that under his influence there had been
already decided improvement in respect to the oppression that had been practised by
the more troublesome Rajahs, and that he had visited Ismail and the other Chiefs, and
had everywhere been treated with respect,
23. I have referred at length to these Despatches, (and they contain all the information
which Her Majesty’s Government had before them on the subject,) to show that their
general tenour was to the effect that though difficulties had arisen such as might have been
expected, still these were in course of being surmounted, and that the system of acting on
the Native Chiefs by advice was working well, and promised to be ultimately successful.
The general aspect of affairs in Perak as thus presented difters materially from the
entirely new' and complicated political situation now sketched in paragraphs 26 to 39 of
your Despatch. I find but little evidence of “ relations between A bdullah and the
Resident marked by disunion and discord,” or of a second Sultan acknowledged
throughout the greater part of the country, or of difficulties arising from the personal
character of the ruler necessarily precluding success.
The Maharajah Lela’s name occurs incidentally on various occasions, but I nowhere
find him occupying that peculiar and obstructive position attributed to him in the 44th
paragraph of your present Despatch.
There is nothing in all this correspondence tending to show that Her Majesty’s
Government would in any circumstances have sanctioned a forcible intervention in the
affairs of these States. On the contrary I should have thought it sufficiently obvious that
they would be averse to a policy under which it was likely to arise; but, assuming the
situation of Perak to have been as critical as you now represent it, and assuming that
it was contemplated that the Residents were to control the Government of the country,
it it is clear that a resort to force would sooner or later have been inevitable, and that it
must be inexpedient if not actually fatal to place such officers in isolated positions,
and to leave them without proper support.
24. I may here allude to the 19tb paragraph of your Despatch, in whicli you quote
various extracts from Mr. Birch’s report of 2nd April 1875 as show'ing the position which
in your opinion he occupied. In emphasizing the word “ he ” as you do, you appear to me
to be giving it a meaning which the context does not bear. Mr. Birch, who expresses
his hope that “ this Report will show how I have employed my time during the five
“ months I have been at Perak,” in rendering an account of his proceedings to the
superior officer from whom his authority wras derived would naturally give prominence
to his own doings and the influence which he had himself been enabled to exercise
for the benefit of Perak, and his expressions cannot be construed as if they were intended
to define the exact relations between the Sultan and himself, which would be well known
to the person he addressed.
25. It was, however, precisely because this and other reports received about this time,
when the Residential system had been in operation for a few months, were not free from
indications of a liability to danger arising out of an assumption by the Residents of duties
in excess of their position as counsellors, that I expressly cautioned you, in the three
Despatches of 25th Ma}', 15th July, and 27th July* quoted in my Despatch o f 10th
December, as to the great care which was requisite with respect to the nature of the
advice to be given and the possible assumption of a right to direct the policy of the Chiefs.
As 1 have already shown, the scheme at first proposed by your predecessor was a
system of acting by advice, and there was therefore nothing to induce Her Majesty’s
Government to lay down any express instructions against undue interference until the
occasion had shown that additional precautions were necessary to guard against the
growth of this tendency. But granting that on your assumption of the Government
you did not rightly apprehend the views and intentions of Her Majesty’s Government,
the Despatches to which I have just referred at all events clearly showed that the policy
which had been approved was not one involving the actual Government of these
* Nos. 24-35 and 37 of [C. 1320] of August 1875.
81
States, and I am compelled therefore to consider unsatisfactory the statement in the
52nd paragraph of your present Despatch, that until you were in receipt of mine of the
10th December you had not perceived the alleged misconception on the subject.
26. You assumed the .Government of the Straits Settlements on the 10th of May 1875,
and the only Despatches which I received from you between that date and those of the
16th October bearing upon the affairs of Perak, were (1) that of the 8th of duly,*
relative to the Krean boundary question, a delicate matter; as to which, far from
intimating that any serious difficulties had arisen with Abdullah, you implied that the
course you proposed would remove a possible source of dissatisfaction; and (2) your
Despatch of the 18th of September f reporting your visit to the Perak Chiefs and promising
to furnish full information in a general report on the affairs of the Native States.
It is clear, however, from the enclosures to your Despatch of the 16th of October J (e.g.,
Mr. Birch’s letter of 13th May), that you were very early in possession of information
tending to show the unsatisfactory working of the Residential system, at least in the
case of Abdullah; and it would have been well if you had put Her Majesty’s
Government in possession of the facts, together with any inference which, with your
necessarily large means of acquiring local knowledge, you might draw on so important
a question.
27. And here 1 think it right to point Out, that even in your Despatch of the 16th of
October, there are expressions which are not altogether consistent with portions of that
which I am now considering. You then wrote of the Residential system generally “The
“ position of a Resident at the Court of a Malay State is in many respects a peculiar
“ one. If his advice be followed, he is in a position to be of great benefit to the State
“ * * '* * * * * * When,however, as has been the case in
“ Perak, his advice is for the most part not followed, his powers of usefulness must
“ obviously be very restricted.”
These remarks could hardly prepare me for a state of affairs now described as follows,
“ From the commencement of British intervention the Government of the Malayan Straits
“ to which British Residents have been accredited has been in greater or less degree
“ exercised by those officers themselves.” “ There has been really no ruler, neither in
“ Perak, Salangore, or Sungie Ujong who has ever had the power to carry out the
“ advice of the Resident. Under these circumstances the Resident has not only had to
“ give advice, but also to render active assistance, and take the control of public affairs.”
Again, your description of Ismail in the former Despatch as “ without an idea of his
own,” “ completely in the hands of the Mantri and other minor chiefs,” “ unable to
read or write,” and probably not alive to the contents of a letter he had addressed to you,
hardly corresponds with that of the somewhat remarkable character thus graphically
delineated in the 37th paragraph of your present Despatch, “ An apparent civility, a
“ wcll-disguised courtesy of manner, and a pretended acquiescence concealed a strength
“ of purpose, a feeling of injury, and a stern resolution not to part with that which he
“ had acquired. As intractable as he was civil, as obstinate as he was courteous, and
“ as firm as he was seemingly acquiescent, he could not be induced by any persuasion
“ or argument,” &c.
28. Before concluding this portion of my subject, Icannot omit to notice the 13th para-
graph of your Despatch in which you allude to a speech made by me in the House of
Lords as a further proof that it was understood in the Colonial Office from the com-
mencement of the Residential system that the Residents were practical^ the adrainis-
trators of the Government. Without expressing any opinion as to the propriety of
criticisms founded in this way on the report of a parliamentary debate, I may observe
that, even assuming the report to be complete and accurate, it is neither reasonable nor
customary to rest an important argument on the mere omission on the part of a
minister to contradict a particular assertion of another speaker when replying to a speech
into which a great number and variety of details were introduced.
I find, however, on referring to the debate (which I would remind you occurred on
the 19th May 1874, previous to the date on which I authorised Sir A. Clarke condi-
tionally to proceed with the appointment of Residents, and some months before Residents
were actually accredited either to the Sultan of Perak or of Salangore), that there are
other portions besides those quoted by you which are material as showing the ideas which
I then entertained as to the future position of the Residents. Thus, with reference to the
observations of Lord Stanley of Alderley, “ If it were merely desired to assist the States
“ of Salangore and Perak to maintain order and improve their government, it w'ould have
u been as easy to do so without committing this country to the possibility of war and
“ annexation by sending to those States a British official of some experience to act under
* No. 1 of [C. 1505] of 1876.
38387a.
•j* No. 12 of same Paper.
L
J No. 49 of same Paper
82
“ their authority,” and that “ it would be preferable to appoint officials with the title of
“ consuls,” I am reported to have said that I did not object to the title of “ Residents,”
and that I thought that if they confined themselves to their proper and legitimate duties
they would be of the highest service both to the country and the Rajahs ; and it was at
this point that I called special attention to the fact that these Residents were to be sent
at the distinct request and entreaty of the Rajahs themselves.
29. Leaving this point, however, I ought to notice the 18th, 20th, and 21st para-
graphs of your Despatch. In the first you quote Sir A. Clarke’s description of Mr. Birch’s
qualification for the office of Resident. I cannot admit that the question of the nature
of the office to be assumed is affected by the fact that Mr. Birch possessed in an eminent
degree qualities which would be equally valuable to a ruler as to the adviser of a ruler
in a country like Perak. In the 20th and 21st paragraphs you refer to my “apparent
acquiescence ” in the reports of the Residents, which you find in my expressions that
“ I had read them with interest and trusted that peace and prosperity might be further
“ developed.” I own here to some surprise. The language which you quote in evidence
of my opinion on so grave and important a matter is little more than an ordinary
acknowledgment; but it was immediately followed by two other paragraphs which you
omit to notice, reminding you that the appointments had not been confirmed, and
that the character of all advice required to be carefully considered, and it is obvious that
these passages preclude the inference you draw.
30. Having shown in the previous portion of this Despatch that the Residential scheme
as approved by Her Majesty’s Government was very far from being what you have
supposed, it is of course impossible for me to admit that the system you intro-
duced when the proclamations were issued, providing for the government of Perak
in the name of the Sultan by British Commissioners responsible to you, was merely
a slight modification of the existing system as already approved. An essential difference
of policy has indeed been admitted in the colony, for I find in the report of the
debate in the Legislative Council of the Straits Settlements of 5th November last,
which you have transmitted to me, it was then said that, unfortunately, events had
proved the policy which 12 months since was considered the best that could
possibly be adopted, to be barren of results, because its strength consisted only
in what might be called moral force. It had been found impossible to carry out
that principle, and it must give place to the more vigorous policy which His
Excellency had now entered upon, and of which the speaker had no doubt the result
would be greater, at the same time that moral force must give place to physical
force.
I have, however, said enough as to the incorrectness of your present contention: and
it remains for me to point out the objections to which Her Majesty’s Government
consider that your policy would in any case have been open, and the reasons which
compel me, having regard to the disastrous consequences that ensued on its adoption, to
convey to you their disapproval of it.
31. It is hardly possible to maintain that the system you proposed to introduce was
adopted with the full assent of the Native Chiefs. You do indeed in your Despatch of 16th
October say that you had been informed that “ some of the Chiefs, anxious for a better
“ system, and desirous of putting an end to the divided state of Perak, wished the British
“ Government to take the country altogether under their control,” and that you found
that this representation was quite correct in the case of Yusuf; but I find that when
you made this suggestion to Ismail and to Abdullah, they both, so far from readily
assenting, put you off in the first instance by asking to consult other Chiefs before giving
a definite reply; and though Abdullah subsequently wrote you a letter expressing con-
currence in the arrangement, it was after you had distinctly threatened him in the letter
of 27th September with the following ultimatum : “ Now we propose to our friend that
“ officersof the British Government shall govern the country in the name of our friend.
“ If our friend agrees to this, our friend will still be recognized as Sultan and receive a
“ large allowance, but if our friend does not agree to this, we cannot help our friend, and
our friend will be no longer Sultan.”
In another place you state “ I determined, if the Sultan could be induced to agree, to
“ adopt the policy of governing Perak by means of British officers in bis name and I
cannot but conclude that, with a view to getting a nominal assent to a system which
deprived the Chiefs of the last semblance of power, and was naturally repulsive to them,
you exercised a pressure which was obviously inexpedient unless it was to be sup-
ported by something more than moral force, and which could not have been justified
83
unless you had been previously instructed that Her Majesty’s Government would sanction
a forcible intervention.
In the 89th paragraph of your present Despatch you admit that you “ erred in com-
“ mon with all concerned in supposing you could have intervened in the affairs of
“ Perak without a display of force, and that a military force must, sooner- or later in
“ greater or less degree have become necessary to support the position which had been
“ assumedbut a careful perusal of your description of the general aspect of affairs in
Perak, with its divided sovereignty, and the powerful semi-independent Chiefs such as the
Maharajah Lela, clearly shows that the result might have been earlier anticipated, and
consequently that the precautions which you took against resistance as mentioned in the
90th paragraph of your Despatch were altogether inadequate.
32. But a further objection that I have to take to the policy you decided on adopting
ariscs from the fact that it could only have been possible to recede from it with extreme
difficultly.
You say “ This course may be temporary if in the course of events we found any
“ Chief like the Maharajah of Johore who had the necessary strength of character, and
“ who could and would undertake the government of the State, when it would be easy
“ to hand over the government to him; ” but I do not find that there was any
reasonable probability of such an event occurring,- and to point to possible results in the
event of certain improbable contingencies is not a sufficient justification of a doubtful
policy. On the other hand it is quite certain that grave responsibilities must be
incurred from the moment that a country is professedly governed by British Cotnmis-
sioners. Supposing British capital and Chinese labour to have been thereby attracted
to Perak, powerful interests would certainly have protested in the event of the British
Government subsequently determining as you contemplated to withdraw from those
responsibilities.
33. It is, moreover, impossible for me to concur in the view expressed in the 77th and
following paragraphs of your Despatch as to the absence of connexion between the
adoption of your policy and the occurrence of Mr. Birch’s death and the consequent
events. Whether or no there was such an amount of disaffection that some struggle
was ultimately inevitable I cannot, with the facts before me, pretend to say, but the
evidence you bring forward to show that in any case an outbreak was to be antici-
pated ,appears to me far from conclusive. The erection of a stockade in a Malay
country is not of such rare occurrence that I can accept your deduction from this and
other similar evidence that even if no proclamation had been issued, C£ An attack might
“ have been made upon the Residency which might have led to a combination and
“ confederacy which would probably have caused an obstinate war and still greater loss
* of life.” But if it was clear that discontent existed in various quarters it seems
strange that you should have entered upon so serious a policy as that envolved in the
issue of the Proclamation except after adopting full and well considered precautions.
After a complete review of all the circumstances of the case, I can come to no other
conclusion than that the existing discontent, which probably had its origin in the
assumption by the Residents of an authority in excess of that which had been con*
templated by Her Majesty Government when the Pangkore engagement was approved,
was materially incrcased by the mode in which you induced the Perak Chiefs to give an
involuntary assent to a system which deprived them of their privileges and powers;
while the issue of the proclamation in an ill-advised manner at an isolated place would
seem to have been the more immediate provocation of the outrage from which the present
crisis has arisen.
34. And here it may be as well to allude to the argument which in several places in your
recent Despatches you have drawn from the warning which I instructed you to convey to
the Chiefs who entered into the Perak engagement that H. M. Government would look to
the exact fulfilment of thepledges voluntarily given and would hold responsible those who
violated their solemn engagements. This was simply a message to be delivered by you to
the Chiefs, and cannot be construed as giving you authority to modify the system which
had been contemplated in the treaty, in the event of that system not being successful,
still less as giving you an extraordinary discretion to enforce certain provisions of the
engagement in a mode which, as I have already pointed out to you, necessarily involved
the support of the Resident by material force, and was consequently diametrically
opposed to the policy which had been approved by Her Majesty’s Government.
35. If the system introduced by your predecessor had in your opinion failed, “ from
causes fatal to its successful working ” as the 47th and 56th paragraphs of your present
Despatch would imply, your first duty was clearly to consult Her Majesty’s Government
explaining fully the state of affairs as they presented themselves to you, before deciding
L 2
84
on the immediate adoption of another system designed to meet the same object; and I
cannot but remark in passing, with reference to the 66th paragraph of your Despatch, that,
if the Residential system had collapsed, it is not easy to perceive how you could have
brought yourself to believe that “ a comparatively small step in advance” or “ a slight
“ modification of the system ” would be likely to remove “ the dead-lock ” you have
described.
36. In justification of your decision to carry this policy into immediate effect, you in
the main urge your own belief that the course of action would meet with unqualified
approbation.
Jn the third paragraph of your Despatch you speak of the course of action “ which it
was imperative to adopt,” and you appear to assume, as you do also in the 53rd and
54th paragraph s, that the course you adopted was the only alternative to an abandon-
ment of the position that had been occupied by the British Government since the
ratification of the Pangkore engagement. I cannot admit that this dilemma was a neces-
sary one. On the one hand Her Majesty’s Government were not free lightly to recede
upon the appearance of difficulty from their endeavours to terminate the anarchy which
had long prevailed; on the other hand, if a change of policy had become necessary,
the nature of that policy could only be finally determined by them, and a decision on
the point ought not to have been anticipated by the Government of the Straits
Settlements.
37. But you acted on the assumption that your proceedings would meet with my ap-
proval, and you justify this in the 71st and 72nd paragraph s by a comparison of the action
of Sir A. Clarke in January 1874, with your own in October last. I do not perceive,
however, that the circumstances of the two cases are similar. In the former case the
serious disorders in Laroot had reached a point requiring immediate action, and the plea
of urgency could fairly be brought forward. My predecessor, in view of those disorders
and the injury to trade and British interests consequent on the prevailing anarchy, had
previously instructed Sir A. Clarke to consider what steps could be taken to restore
peace, admitting that it was incumbent on Her Majesty’s Government to employ their
influence to this end ; and with the exception of Captain Speedy’s appointment to Laroot,
Sir A. Clarke took no other immediate action consequent on the treaty until after
the subject had been fully brought before Her Majesty’s Government.
Nor did Sir A. Clarke pretend to speak and act " as if charged with full authority,” for he
expressly states in the Despatch reporting his proceedings, “ I trust your Lordship will
“ understand that by so giving my assent 1 have in no way bound Her Majesty’s
“ Government to any particular course, and that it is perfectly possible now to with-
“ draw from the position I have temporarily assumed.” In so acting he no doubt
incurred a serious responsibility, and because I gave him a qualified approval in the
unusual circumstances of the case it by no means follows that I can approve a complete
change of policy, made without authority, not conceived with due regard to the necessity
it involved of providing against resistance, and disastrous in its consequences.
38. Assuming, however, all and everything that you have urged in justification
of the course which you adopted, assuming further the imperative need of immediate
action, it was absolutely incumbent on you to communicate with me in the ordinary manner.
The telegraph was available, and the difficult position in which you have placed both
yourself and Her Majesty’s Government is in fact directly due to your omission to
consult me in that manner, for which I do not find in your Despatch any other justifica-
tion than that contained in the 76th paragraph, where you state that you deliberately
determined not to do so as you felt it impossible to enter with sufficient fulness into
the question, and so to convey a distinct view of the reasons for your action. This
explanation I need only remark is of itself sufficient to show that you were conscious of
the complicated position of affairs, of the absence of complete information on the subject
in this Department, and of the magnitude of the change which^you were making; and
these considerations alone should have been sufficient to induce you, in the absence of
any urgent grounds for immediate action, to submit your proposals for approval instead
of relying upon your own judgment.
39. With reference to the question of the future policy which ought to govern the rela-
tion of Her Majesty’s Government towards Perak I purpose to address you in a separate
Despatch; and I will now add only the expression of the sincere reluctance and pain
with which I have felt myself constrained to express an unfavourable opinion of some
part of your proceedings.
It ip not my object to convey censure, and, indeed, I have already highly approved the
conspicuous ability and determination with which you acted subsequently to the out-
85
break of these disorders. I am glad to take this opportunity of repeating my appre-
ciation of your conduct during this period, but I am confident that your long experience
as a distinguished servant of the Crown will make you fully aware, on reflection, that
an officer representing Her Majesty in a distant dependency must be most careful to
assure himself that the Government to which he is responsible not only understands but
approves any important administrative or political changes which he may contem-
plate; that he is not at liberty of his own motion to initiate such measures; and that the
necessity for obtaining a distinct assurance>of approval is so great as to outweigh any
advantage which might appear to bim likely to ensue from more immediate action. I am
equally confident that I can rely as fully upon your cordial and unreserved co-operation
in that policy which will be announced to you as if it had not unfortunately been my
duty to disapprove of some of your recent acts and opinions.
I have &c.
Governor Sir W. Jervois, (Signed) CARNARVON.
K.C.M.G., C.B.
No. 67.
Goveenor Sir W. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B., to the EARL OF CARNARVON.
(Received May 22, 1876.)
My Lord, Government House, Singapore, April 19, 1876.
I have the honour to inform your Lordship that, at the commencement of last
month, Mr. W. E. Maxwell, Acting Deputy Commissioner at Qualla Kangsa, having
obtained information as to the whereabouts of the Maharajah Lela, I instructed him to
proceed with a party of friendly Malays to attempt the capture of that Chief.
A party of Malays which had been engaged under Mr. Hewick in the pursuit of Ex-
sultan Ismail was also despatched after the Maharajah Lela.
2. On the 15th instant I received a telegram from Mr. Maxwell, informing me that
he had pushed on to the frontiers of Patani, that the Maharajah Lela had fled into that
State, and that the petty Chiefs would do nothing in the matter.
3. Upon receipt of this intelligence I addressed.a letter to the Consul General at
Bangkok (copy enclosed), describing the circumstances of the case, and requesting him
to move the Siamese Government to surrender the Maharajah Lela and his followers
to the British Government. I likewise forwarded to him copy of the Enclosures in
your Lordship’s Despatch of 4th March, informing him that your Lordship regarded
these men as murderers of the late Mr. Birch, and not as political refugees. I also
telegraphed to Colonel Anson, to address, in my name, a letter on the subject to the
Rajah of Singora, who has local authority over Patani.
4. The man Tuah, who is.mentioned in Mr. Maxwell’s telegram, was one of the
actual perpetrators of the murder, for whom a reward of ,$'8,000 has been offered, and a
subsequent telegram informs me that he has been identified by a native of Patani.
I myself do not feel certain of his identity. .
I have, &c.
(Signed) WM. F. DRUMMOND JERVOIS.
The Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon,
&c. &c. &c.
Colonial Office.
Copy of Telegram received on the 15th April 1876.
From Mr. W. E. Maxwell to Governor, Singapore.
a Reached Kendrong near frontier 6th,—pushed on Lela’s house same day with
40 Malays,—Lela fled across river,—applied Patani authorities surrender,—petty
chiefs would do nothing,—left, 20 men, Kendrong,—Syed Mahmood visited me,
promised obedience,—have hopes Tuah is prisoner,—Lela still in Patani,—suggest
letter Raja Sangora vi& Kedah through Anson, returned to-day by Muda.”
86
Governor, Straits Settlement, to H.B.M.’s Consul General, Bangkok.
gIR) Government House, Singapore, April 17, 1876.
I have the honour to inform you that I have received a report from an officer
sent by me with a party of Malays to capture the Maharajah Lela, to the effect that he
followed that Chief to the borders of Patani, and that the Maharajah has escaped into
that State and is now, without any doubt, near Kendrong, not far from the frontier of
Perak.
The officer in charge of the party also reports that he applied to the Patani authori-
ties for the surrender of the Maharajah, but that the petty Chiefs would do nothing in
the matter.
I would feel greatly obliged if you would be good enough to move the Siamese
Government to cause energetic steps to be at once taken for the capture of this Chief,
and for handing him over to the British Government.
As stated in my letter of the 5th instant, 1 am fully sensible of the desire of the
Siamese Government to assist in bringing to justice the authors of the recent Perak
outrages, and I trust that I am not pressing too much on their willingness to aid the
British Government, by asking them to use every effort in their power to secure the
person of the Maharajah Lela, who is mainly responsible for the murder of the late
Mr. Birch.
I understand that the Maharajah Lela has been accompanied to Patani by his brother
Che Ngah Jabbor and three or four others implicated in the Perak outrages. I would
beg, therefore, that, whilst the principal endeavours are directed towards the capture
of the Maharajah Lela, these followers may also be handed over to the British
Government.
I llEVG &C.
(Signed) ’ WM. F. DRUMMOND JERVOIS.
H.B.M.’s Consul General, Bangkok.
No. 68.
Governor Sir W. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B., to the EARL OF CARN ARVON
(Received May 22, 1876.)
My Lord, Government House, Singapore, April 20, 1876.
In paragraph 4 of my Despatch to your Lordship of 17th December last,*
I reviewed the position of the Datu Klana ot Sungie Ujong, and of the two rival claimants
for the position of Yam Tuan Besar in the so-called “ Nine States,” viz., Rajah Antar
and Rajah Ahmat. In the same paragraph, I endeavoured to trace the causes which led
to the invasion of Sungie Ujong, headed by one of the claimants, Rajah Antar, and, in
paragraph 14 of the same Despatch, I reported to your Lordship that Rajah Ahmat, the
other claimant, had promised us every assistance, provided that we would recognise him
as Yam Tuan Besar, and that I had told him that, although we would do our best to
forward his wishes, we could not arrive at a conclusion in a hurry as to whom we should
recognise as Yam Tuan Besar.
2. In paragraph 7 of my Despatch of the 14th January last,f I informed your
Lordship that both Rajah Antar and Rajah Ahmat had fled on the approach of our
troops, and that Datu Sultan, a son of the late Klana of Sungie Ujong, had been placed
in authority in the States about Malacca, as a temporary measure; that I was proceeding
to Malacca to see what course should be adopted to bring about a more settled condition
of affairs in the States referred to, and that I would acquaint your Lordship with my
views on the subject on a subsequent occasion.
3. On the 18th January 1 arrived at Malacca, where I was met by Mr. C. B. Plunket,
then Acting Lieutenant-Governor; Mr. Davidson, Resident of Salangore; Captain
Murray, Assistant Resident, Sungie Ujong; and Mr. Braddell, Attorney-General.
Mr. Phillippo, who had just relinquished the post of Acting Attorney-General, was also
there. I discussed with these gentlemen the courses which might be pursued in the
adjacent States. I had also interviews with the Datu Klana of Sungie Ujong, and with
the Datu of Rambowe, who, as I mentioned in paragraph 3 of my Despatch of
30th December,^ evinced a most friendly spirit during the disturbances, and who has
been loyal throughout.
4. It appeared to me that it was impossible to maintain the Datu Sultan in permanent
authority, so great is the jealousy which is evinced by the people of the States to which
* No. 105 of [C. 1505] of 1876.
f No. 133 of same Paper.
$ No. 120 of same Paper.
87
he had been appointed towards Sungie Ujong, and so distasteful to them would be any
connexion with the Datu Klana of that State. To this may be added the fact that the
Datu Sultan had no possible claim to the high position which he was occupyiug.
5. Upon taking everything into consideration, I arrived at the conclusion that the
course which presented the best promise of a permanent settlement would be to establish
Rajah Ahmat (or Tunku Ahmat Tunggal, as he is more properly called) as the head
authority in the States of Sri Menanti, Ulu Muar, and Jumpole, under the appellation of
“ Malay Captain,” to take these States under British protection, and to appoint a
British agent to assist Tunku Ahmat in his Government, leaving, for the present, the
adjacent States Rainbow, Johole and Jellabu, the Datus of which are on friendly
relations with us, to be governed, as heretofore, by their respective Datus, but affording
them any advice which from time to time might be desirable.
6. Respecting the relative claims of Tunku Antar and Tunku Ahmat to the position
of head authority, I find that, according to strict Mahomedan law, Tunku Antar has,
but only in a trifling degree, the better title. As I explained to your Lordship in
paragraph 4 of my Despatch of 17th December last,* his late election was irre-
gular and invalid, and the deposition of the Klana of Sungie Ujong still more so. I
am now informed that, besides the Klana, neither the Datu of Rambow nor the Datu of
Johole were present at the installation, nor have they ever recognised his election. Even
if this election had been regularly conducted, the behaviour of Tunku Antar in attacking
Sungie Ujong, then as now under British protection, coupled with his insolent letter to
the Resident (Enclosure 33 of Despatch just referred to), should prevent his ever being
recognised by our Government. I am informed that, personally, he is a young man
without any decided character, and completely in the hands of the Datu of Ulu Moar.
7. Tunku Ahmat Tunggal, cousin of Tunku Antar, and son of the last chief who
held the office of Yam Tuan Besar, has, according to Mahomedan law, nearly as good a
title, and, according to Malay custom, if supported by the four principal Datus, viz.,
the Datu Klana of Sungie Ujong, the Datu of Rambowe, the Datu of Johole, and the
Datu of Ulu Moar (who has fled from the country), and by a majority of Sukus or Tribes
in Sri Menanti, he would have the preference.
Tunku Ahmat is an older man than Tunku Antar. He would be recognised by the
Datu Klana of Sungie Ujong; he is on good terms with the Datus of Johole and Ram-
bow, and desirous of establishing friendly relations with us. Hepossesses much property
in buffaloes, land, &c., is enterprising in opening up tin mines, and wishes to see the
resources of the country developed. He has also the support of 10 out of the 12
Sukus or Tribes in Sri Menanti, and has kept himself clear of the schemes of his cousin
Antar and of the Datu of Ulu Muar.
8. I enclose a Report from Mr. C. B. Plunket, relative to the character, wishes, and
qualifications of Tunku Ahmat Tunggal, from which your Lordship will observe thathe
wished to govern Sri Menanti himself, andjf he found himself unable to do so that he
would then ask us to give him a Resident. Such an arrangement, however, did not
appear to me to contain the elements of success, as, without our support, he would be
exposed to the intrigue of those parties whose interest it would be to foment disturbances
in the States in which his authority would be. exercised. Indeed,whether the native
authority set up in the States referred to be Tunku Antar, Tunku Ahmat, or any one
else, he would be unable now to maintain his position without British support.
9. The resuscitation of the office of “Yam Tuan Besar,” which had fallen into
abeyance in 1869, appeared to me to be extremely undesirable, as not only would it
be a source of discord, but also because the Datus themselves did not wish for the
appointment of such an officer. At the same time it appeared to be most important to
appoint a permanent Malay authority in the States of Sri Menanti, Ulu Muar, and Jum-
pole. This authority should be a man of good birth, be acceptable to the people, and on
friendly terms with the neighbouring Datus. Tunku Ahmat Tunggal essentially fulfils
these conditions, and I therefore determined torecognise him, subject to your Lordship’s
approval, “Malay Captain” of Sri Menanti, Ulu Moar, and Jumpole, a term which
will be thoroughly understood by the Malays of those States.
10. When I was at Malacca, however, I was as I am still, uncertain as to what might
be the future policy of Her Majesty’s Government with respect to these States, and as
to what instructions your Lordship might deem it expedient to send me on the matter.
As, therefore, the Assistant Resident at Sungie Ujong reported to me that everything
was quiet in the States, and that progress was being made under the control of the
Datu Sultan, I determined to allow matters to remain as they were, until I had learnt
the intentions of Her Majesty’s Government in respect to the general policy to be
pursued towards the Native States of the Malay Peninsula. I enclose extracts from
* No. 105 of [C. 1505] of 1876.
L 4
88
a report of the Assistant Resident, Sungie Ujong, written soon after my visit to Malacca,
descriptive of the progress made in the States under review, and of the friendly attitude
of their inhabitants towards us.
H. Tunku Ahmat had been summoned to meet me at Malacca, but did not arrive
there until the commencement of February, soon after which he came to see me at
Singapore. I was, upon the whole, favorably impressed with him, for though nervous
at first he seemed to gain confidence and appeared anxious to meet the wishes of the
British Government. After my interview with him Tunku Ahmat proceeded to Johore
to spend a few days with the Maharajah of Johore, who thinks highly of him. Upon
his return to Singapore he assented, at my request, to remain here, pending a decision
respecting the course to be pursued with reference to the States under review.
12. Until quite recently everything was quiet and satisfactory in Sri Menanti, Ulu
Moar, and Jumpole. I enclose a report by the Assistant Resident, Sungie Ujong,
dated 28th ultimo, stating that a man in his employ, Paki Boli by name, had been
round the country, and that everything was quiet.
On the 7th instant, however, information reached me that the police stations
(the establishment of which I reported to your Lordship in paragraph 6 of 14th
January last)* had been attacked by a party of Malays ; that the police had evacuated
the police station at Qualla Jumpole without waiting to be attacked, and had retired to
Malacca ; that Captain Murray had proceeded with the greater part of the detachment
stationed in Sungie Ujong to Terratchee and Sri Menanti to disperse the offenders;
and that a detachment of 50 men of the 1 /10th Regiment, and 10 men of the Royal
Artillery had been sent from Malacca to Sungie Ujong to garrison Rassa, during the
absence of the troops in Sri Menanti.
13. Upon receipt of this intelligence I requested the officer commanding the troops
here to embark 50 men of the 80th Regiment on board Her Majesty’s ship “ Ringdove,”
to complete the garrison of Malacca, and there to be held available for service, if neces-
sary, in Sungie Ujong and the neighbouring States. Early the following morning I
myself proceeded in Her Majesty’s ship “ Modeste ” to Malacca, where I received the
enelosed report from Captain Murray, dated 5th instant. From this report I gathered
that the disturbance had only been made by a band of freebooters from two small
States named Kapess and Eenas, supposed to -form part of Johole; that their object
was simply robbery and plunder, and opposition, to authority. Neither Tunku Antar
nor the Datu of Moar appear to have taken part in these disturbances.
There seems to have been no excuse on the part of the police for abandoning the station
Qualla Jumpole. It will be seen from the report of Captain Murray that the post was
perfectly defensible, and I may add that the communication to it was comparatively easy.
A smaller body of men successfully repulsed, and without loss, the attacks made by the
band on the police station at Sri Menanti.
14. As the inhabitants of Sri Menanti were_ suffering much damage and loss from the
. hands of these robbers, and as they begged for our protection, Captain Murray requested
the officer commanding the troops at Rassa to send a detachment to Sri Menanti, so as
to allow the police to scour the country and to afford protection to the inhabitants. On
the following day I met Captain Murray at Lukut, and informed him that I approved of
his having requested this detachment to be sent to Sri Menanti, that the strength of
this detachment should be raised to 50 men (including artillery), and that he should
request the officer commanding at Rassa to send a detachment of equal strength to
Qualla Jumpole. Irrespective of other considerations, it appeared to me essential to
re-occupy that post in order that the well-disposed inhabitants might feel reliance on our
protection, and that the disturbers of order might not gain confidence and strength in
consequence of the abandonment of the station.
I enclose copy of a letter which I have addressed to the officer commanding troops,
Straits Settlements, relative to the military occupation of the posts at Sri Menanti and
Qualla Jumpole. Captain Murray assured me that there was no ground for apprehen-
sion concerning these States, and that all that was wanted was a settled form of govern-
ment.
15. I have come to the conclusion that the provisional government which had been
instituted by the appointment of Datu Sultan as head authority should now come to an
end, and that there will be no chance of maintaining order and peace in these States
until the form of government laid down in paragraph 5 of this Despatch has been
established. After discussing the matter with my Executive Council I telegraphed to
your Lordship for instruction, and I now await an answer to that telegram. Tele-
graphic communication between Singapore and England is at present interrupted, so that
I am afraid some delay may ensue. 1 am anxious, however, that the course which I
* No. 133 of [C. 1505] of 1876.
89
have proposed for the Government of these States should be adopted with as little delay
as possible.
In the meantime I have requested the Maharajah of Johore to send for Tmiku Antar,
who is at present living in the northern part of Johore, to come and see me. My
intention is to conciliate him and to induce him to accept a small pension, in the same
manner as was arranged by my predecessor in the case of the Datu Bandar of Sungie
Ujong, and Rajah Mahmood of Salangore.
The pension would be only paid during good behaviour and would be defrayed out of
Native States funds.
As regards Datu Sultan, who, in the absence of Tunku Ahtnat, had been placed in
authority as a temporary measure (see paragraph 2), there will be no difficulty in dealing
with him. He quite understands that he has no claim to the position which he is
temporarily holding, and, if he wishes, I can arrangc to obtain for him employment on a
suitable salary, which will compensate him for the service which he has rendered,
16. I have ordered Captain Murray to proceed to Sri Menanti to act as Commissioner
with the troops.
I have directed Mr. Trevenen, an able young officer in the Colonial Service, to pro-
ceed to Sungie Ujong, to take up the duties of Captain Murray there. Should your
Lordship approve of the course which I have proposed for the government of the States
of Sri Menanti, Ulu Moar, and. Jumpole, I would, subject to the sanction of your Lord-
ship, appoint Captain Murray on his present salary of 7501. a year as British Agent
with Tunku Ahmat in Sri Menanti, and Mr. Trevenen in Sungie Ujong, on a salary of
600/. a year.
Captain Murray knows the country and people well, is an officer of ability and much
resource, and possesses in a high degree the necessary qualification for the duties which
will devolve upon him.
Mr. Trevenen unites, with a good knowledge of the Malay language, much ability as a
man of business, together with tact and discretion in dealing with natives.
17. If your Lordship approves of the policy which I propose, I would, as stated in
paragraph 5, for the present leave the States of Rambowe, Johole, and Jellabu to be
governed as heretofore by their respective Datus. I would propose, however, to enter
into treaties with them to prevent these States becoming a refuge for bad characters, and
generally to maintain friendly relations with them.
To ensure these treaties being carried out, and to strengthen our friendship with the
rulers of the States referred to, I propose that subsidies should be granted to their Datus
during their good behaviour. Advantage may be taken, when entering into the treaty
with Rambowe, to settle a disputed question of boundary between that State and Sungie
Ujong; and in the treaty with Johole I would propose to insert a stipulation for the
construction of a road from our Malacca frontier through Johole to Sri Menanti and
Qualla Jumpole.
I have, &c.
(Signed) ¥M. F. DRUMMOND JERVOIS.
The Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon,
&c. &c. &c.
Colonial Office.
Enclosure 1. in No. 68.
Hon. C. B. Plunket to the Colonial Secretary.
Sir, Malacca, February 8, 18/6.
I have the honour to inform you that on the 5th instant Tunco Ahamat Toongal,
of Sri Menanti, or Ruler of Qualla Pelali, waited upon me, in accordance with a request
contained in my letter despatched to him shortly before the last visit of his Excellency
to this station. He was accompanied by Tuan Syed Alowie, and appeared very nervous
and ill at ease.
He apologised for not having come sooner on the grounds that he had returned to
Qualla Pelah for some days from Qualla Gomachee, where he had retired after the
taking of Sri Menanti by our troops at the request of the Klana.
I told him I thought he had better go on to Singapore and see his Excellency,
as I myself did not know what the Governor’s intentions were with reference to the
policy to be pursued in reference to Sri Menanti, but assured him he would meet with
a favourable reception.
He said he would do so, but that he wished to spend a few days in Malacca first, and
see Sultan Ali.
38387a. M
90
As he was going I told Tuan Syed Alowie to call upon me early next morning, and
let me know exactly (dangan chuchi hati) what were Tunco Ahmat’s real feelings
towards the Klana, and what his own wishes and views were in reference to the late war
in Sri Menanti.
Next morning Tuan Syed Alowie came and took down a statement from him, copy
of which I enclose.
I have treated Tunco Syed Ahamat with marked courtesy since he has been here, and
had him to dine privately with me, along with two of his own followers. After a little
his nervousness wore off, and before we parted he was quite reassured that no harm
was meant him.
He appears to me sharp and intelligent, and very sensitive as to being treated with
consideration, explaining at great length how he and Sultan Ali, and I think the
Bandaharah of Pahang, are related and derived from one grand old stock.
He is evidently not on very friendly terms with the Klana of Soonghy Oojong, con-
sidering himself his superior in every way.
The estimate I formed of his state of mind is this :—
He was opposed to the war on Soonghy Oojong, and took no part in it. At the same
time he took no active part to prevent it.
He acutely feels the degradation of his country in having been overrun hy us, at the
same he acknowledges that his people had only themselves to blame for what has
happened.
He thoroughly acknowledges our superior power and resources in war, and is ready to
submit to whatever terms the Governor decides on.
His ambition would be, however, to be allowed to govern Sri Menanti, such as the
Datoh of Rumbowe does his country, when he would enter into any treaty with us as.
to the proper government of it, admitting fully Terachie as the boundary between Sri
Menanti and Soonghy Oojong, and if he found himself unable to govern his country
properly he would then ask us to give him a Resident to assist him.
Nothing would ever I am convinced make him submit to the supremacy of the Klana
except the fear of our taking up the matter.
J am inclined to think that his proposal would be perhaps about the best course we
could pursue, if annexation is not approved of by the Secretary of State.
I believe that Tunco Ahamat will have the full support of the people of Sri Menanti,
and I know him to be on really good terms with the JDatoh of Johole and Rumbowre,
besides well thought of by the Maharajah of Johore.
He is an enterprising man also, and would like to have the country opened up for
trade.
With him really friendly, and the valley of Terachie peacefully acknowledged as part
of Sungie Ujong, the Chinese will flock there in thousands, as it is supposed to be
wonderfully rich in tin, which nothing but the lawlessness of the Malays there prevented
before.
I believe Tunco Ahamat -goes to Singapore by this mail with Syed Alowie, and
intends putting up with the Maharajah.
The accounts from the Natives States are most assuring, and the feeling of distrust
that was so rife amongst them lately as to our intentions are quite allayed.
I have, &c.
The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, (Signed) C. B. Plunket.
Singapore.
Memo, by Syed Alowie.
6th February 1876.
Tunku Ahamat Tongal is possessed of considerable land under paddy and coffee;
he also assists with supplies. *
The following mines at Qualla Pelah,—
Parit Linghy,
„ Beting,
„ Dalam,
,, Jemapeh,
„ Soonghy Seeput,
„ Bukit Putus (not in S. Ujong),
,, Pelamgai,
91
bringing in to him from 25 to 30 bahras a month, besides which, he gets one bahra in
ten on all tin raised in Qualla Pelah for himself. Most of the tin goes to Singapore
by the Muar River, and has to pay $3 a bahra again to the Tumongong of Muar.
On the way the tin is not in danger of being robbed.
A small portion goes through Johole, and has to pay $3 a bhara going through
Tampin. A good deal goes through Rumbowe without the imposition of any fresh
tax. The best route is through Johole; the tax passing through Tampin was only
imposed during the last three years it is said by Henry Yelge.
He divides no part of his revenue with any one, except in the case of heavy fines
imposed by him, when he must pay a proportion to the Datoh Muar.
He is not an opium smoker, gambler, or cockfighter. He has one wile only; he has
no dealings with cattle lifters, &c.
He has some 10 or 12 dependants, who look to him for support, such as food,
clothes, &c.
He is known to some of the traders to Malacca, and comes every three or four years
to Malacca. He has all the 12 Sukus favourable to him.
He was much put out at the Datoh Muar and others making war on Sungie Ujong,
and removed with the followers to Qualla Gomachee. When these three men from the
Datoh Klana came without a letter, and told him to return; he said he would do so,
but remained at Gomachee all the same. After a little, the same men returned with a
letter, dated 29th Dalkaidah, Sre Menanti, from the Klana, begging him to return to
Pelah, as he and Captain Murray wished to see him, and arrange matters friendly. For
some time he could not make up his mind what to do. After that lie got a letter from
the Datoh Sultan Bindahara, dated 8th Haji Sri Menanti, stating that he had been
placed there by Captain Murray and the Klana, and that he and tlie 12 Sukus begged
he would return with all his followers. Upon getting this letter, he returned with his
followers to Qualla Pelah.
When he got there he met the Datoh Sultan who spent the night with him, when the
Datoh Sultan returned to his own place at Sri Menanti. Three days after he killed a
buffalo and invited the Datoh Sultan and others to a feast.
Everyone came and feasted, and went away. Next day 12 police came under an
Arab corporal and arrested Punghulu Moosib ofTerrachee in an inside room of his house.
After an hour or two they returned and arrested one Muntabon (a friend of Pahir Boleh
who stopped Daly at Gomatie), as he was teaching his children to read. The corporal
also caught him by the cue and demanded where the relations of Tunku Antar
were.
He replied “ I don’t know, if you want to arrest me do so.”
As to the Punghulu ofTerrachee, who took an actual part along with Datoli Muar,
he say s he had not taken him with him when he went to Gumachee, but that he had
come to see him at Qualla Pelah when he returned at the request of the Datoh Sultan.
As to Muntabong, he had been for a long time in his house as a teacher to his children,
as a punishment for interfering with Daly and under pain of being killed if he ever
committed any offence again.
What he would like is to be allowed to govern Sri Menanti, Gunong Passir, and
Jumpole, when he would strive to govern the place properly and give no cause for com-
plaint, but that if he found he could not do so he would then apply for a Resident.
With regard to Terrachee, he admits that to belong to Sungie Ujong.
He would be ready to enter into any treaty to this effect. Both the Datohs of Johole
and Rumbowe are now quite reassured of our pacific intentions towards them, and anxious
to keep on the best terras with us.
Enclosure 2. in No. 68.
Captain Murray to the Colonial Secretary, Straits Settlements.
Sir, Sungie Ujong, February 2, 1876.
I have the honour to make the following report for the information of his
Excellency the Governor.
On the morning of the 29th January I left the Residency for Teratchee, in order to
have an interview with Datu Sultan, and Tuanku Ahmat of Qualla Pela; also to see
how the former conducted affairs entrusted to him by Colonel Anson.
I was accompanied by Captain Channer and 50 men of the 1st Ghoorkha Regiment,
and by Mr. Skinner and 10 police.
M 2
92
We rode to the foot of Bukit Putus, half an hour’s walk from the stockades. The
road party of 20 men, all that remain of the Coolies engaged at Singapore, have done
good service, the hills on which the stockades were constructed being now clear of
jungle, and a road eight feet wide made through the pass; in a few weeks I hope to ride
to Sri Menanti and back in one day.
At 1 p.m. we arrived at Teratchee, where a police station is formed, one corporal and
10 men. The lately appointed Datu was very active in getting the troops housed, and
many natives, both men and women, brought offerings of cocoa-nuts and fruit for the
men; they all seemed delighted to see us, no sulky deference, but the spontaneous
expression of good will.
The Punghulu reported the country as perfectly quiet.
Police were at once despatched to call Datu Sultan and Tuanku Ahmat.
Sunday 30th.—Datu Sultan came only, and we had a long conversation ; the country
seems to have settled down into its normal condition, with this exception, that most of
the bad characters have either been captured or have disappeared. The Paddy crops
are being gathered in by the women, young and old, the men quietly looking on, chewing
beetle; the houses seem now to be all re-occupied.
The disarmament of the country is nearly completed, 36 iron guns and lelas and
198 muskets have been unearthed, besides a quantity of powder, in Sri Menanti and
Moar, 9 guns and 150 muskets at Jompole. The muskets, almost all flint, have mostly
been destroyed, the guns will be utilised in arming the police stations in course of
construction.
The number of houses in Gunong Passir, Sri Menanti, Ulu Moar, and Qualla Pela
are 1,124, in Jompole 769.
Datu Sultan reports the people of Jompole as well disposed towards, the new order of
things, and Rajah Lela, headman of Datu of Jompole, but against whom there seems to
be no charge, is acting Punghulu at Qualla Jompole.
There is a small independent state, formerly belonging to Johole, named “ Kupass.”
It joins on to Qualla Pela and Sri Menanti, the people of which are anxious to come
under our protection, the chief is one Buginda Tan Mass, well-known by name to
Mr. Plunket as a very bad character, he was one of the chief supporters of Datu
Moar.
If he could be arrested, and the people received under our protection, it would be
well.
Sent Mr. Skinner and coolies to Sri Menanti, Moar, and Gumati, to bring in guns
collected by Datu Sultan. The same system is now in force in the States adjacent to
Sungie Ujong as in 'Sungie Ujong itself,—no one allowed to carry arms without a
pass.
There is a difference between the late disturbances here and those in Perak, which I
think has hardly been fully appreciated. The latter seems to have been a rising against
the Residential system, and the general interference of the white man in native affairs.
In the former, the State to which a Resident had been accredited, remained quiet,
and was invaded by a few badly armed Natives at the instigation of, or rather by the
pressure put upon them by, Datus Moar, Jompole, and other evil-disposed persons, who
feared that British influence would eventually deprive them of, what they consider their
just rights, robbery and extortion.
The inhabitants in these States had no quarrel or ill-feeling either towards Sungie
Ujong or its Resident; on the contrary7, Sungie Ujong is the great and only market for
their produce.
The people of Sri Menanti, Moar, and Teratchee, fighting at Paroe and Bukit Putus
were very few; Jompole, containing a greater number of bad characters, supplied the
greater number of fighting men.
In the afternoon Captain Channer and I explored some most lovely valleys running at
right angles to the great valley. I can now understand why the Natives are so lazy and
disinclined to work. Nature is so bountiful, that labour is unnecessary. Durians,
mangosteens, mangoes, and rambostan in the greatest profusion. I measured some of the
mangosteen trees, and found them 6 to 8 feet in circumference, and from 50 to 70 feet
in height.
Monday, 31st.—In the forenoon we destroyed a number of old muskets brought in
from Sri Menanti, Moar, and Qualla Jompole.
Serjeant of Police in charge of Qualla Jompole Station came and reported all quiet.
In the afternoon the force marched to Bandole, where we spent the night, and returned
to Ra«sa next dayr.
93
I cannot but congratulate his Excellency on the successful results which have been
achieved by the late expedition into these States.
Sri Menanti, I trust, will ere long be a “ pleasant resting place ” for enterprising
British planters, who really have almost as much claim to it as the majority of the late
population; they were nearly all Sumatra men, who had come over here to escape from
Dutch rule and civilisation.
Since writing the above I have received a letter from Datu Sultan, saying that three
Datus from Kupass had been to see him to ask for British protection. Bugindah Tan
Mass was not there, and they promised not to allow him back in the country.
I have, &c.
(Signed) P. J. Murray,
The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Acting Assistant Resident.
Singapore.
Enclosure 3. in No. 68.
Captain Murray to Colonial Secretary.
Sir, Sungie Ujong, March 28, 1876.
Since my last letter everything has remained quiet in the Native States.
A report reached the Station at Qualla Jompole, that Datu Moar and others, with
200 followers, had constructed a strong stockade at Ulu Jompole.
Sergeant-major Mahinoot, with a force of police proceeded to the place, and found the
report incorrect.
I have received several very friendly letters from the Yam Tuan of Jellaboo ; he
expresses his intention to visit Sungie -Ujong, and also informs me that the people of
Pahang are perfectly friendly to us.
Paki Boli came to see me a few days ago. He had been all round the country and
reports everything quiet.
I asked him if he had seen the Datu Klana; he said “ No.” I then asked him
“ Why don’t you go ? ” He replied “ What is the Datu Klana to me ? I take orders
“ from no one but you.”
Several others have said the same thing to me, which seems to show that they are
quite prepared to accept British rule.
Yesterday a Chinese coolie was executed for the murder of another coolie. Had there
been been any extenuating circumstances, I should have recommended the Datu Klana
to commute the sentence to imprisonment for life; but the case was too gross, and the
feeling of the Chinese community too strong against him to admit of a recommendation
to mercy.
I have, &c.
(Signed) P. J. Murray,
The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Acting Assistant Resident.
Singapore.
Enclosure 4. in No. 68.
Assistant Resident, Sungie Ujong, to Colonial Secretary.
Sir, Sungie Ujong, April 5, 1876.
It is with much regret that I have again to report disturbances in the Native States
to the eastward of Sungie Ujong, viz., Uhu Moar, Sri Menanti, and Jompole.
At 8 a.m. on the 31st March, a messenger arrived from Teratchee, with intelligence
that that station, held by a force of 17 police, had been attacked during the night, and
requesting a further supply of ammunition.
I immediately collected all the available police, and at 9-30 a.m. started for Teratchee,
having previously acquainted the officer commanding the troops at Rassa, and requested
the assistance of" a rocket party. I also intimated that, if he considered it necessary, a
detachment of troops might prove useful.
On ascending the pass of Bukit Putus, our party encountered numerous refugees
seeking protection in Sungie Ujong territory, all of whom had some exaggerated story to
tell.
Even the Javanese road makers on Bukit Putus took alarm and decamped.
M 3
94
Near Bandole we met the retreating police force from Teratchee, who informed me
they had held out from 1 to 5 a.m., and were then obliged to abandon the Station owing
to want of ammunition.
Our force now numbered 42 police, and with them I took up quarters at the upper
end of Teratchee Valley, to wait for intelligence I had sent to obtain, as to the strength
and position of the enemy.
During the afternoon reports came in to the effect that all the police stations
had been captured, and the enemy contemplated the occupation of the pass of Bukit
Putus the same night.
Under the circumstances I considered it advisable to request Captain Whitty, 1 /10th
Regiment, to move a force to our assistance. Taking advantage of moonlight I had at
first intended to have made a night attack on the Station, but on full consideration, I de-
termined to wait for the rocket, well knowing that an unsuccessful attack, and possible
retreat, would prove fatal. During the night guns were frequently heard fired from
Teratchee Station.
The following morning (April 1st), Captain Whitty with a detachment of 30 men of
H.M. 1 /10th Regiment, and rocket party under Lieut. Henriques, R.A., joined me,
having passed the night at Bukit Putus. At 11 a.m. the whole party advanced, and on
arriving at the spot where Mr. Daly was stopped, and. where Lieut. Hinxman engaged,
the enemy at the commencement of these disturbances, a fire was opened on us, of a
very trivial nature however.
Instead of returning the fire, as on the former occasion, and having a better knowledge
of the country, I conducted the party round the enemy’s flank, and dislodged them with-
out firing a shot.
From this point to Teratchee Station is one mile, and on approaching within 500
yards, a desultory fire was opened on the party but without causing any casualties,
only one or two shots coming anywhere near. A rocket was fired at a house supposed
to contain some of the enemy, and a couple of volleys by the military. A flanking
party of police had been sent out on the left, and hearing shots in that direction, the
police made a rush for the Station, and the enemy retreating they jumped over the
parapet and captured the Station without loss on either side.
No prisoners were captured on this occasion, and I cannot think that more than 30 or
40, perhaps less, Malays took part in the affair.
Three houses had been burned by them the previous night.
Round the Station is a turf parapet three feet high, and outside it a bamboo fence,
both constructed by the police. On the former the Malays had laid across 10 guns,
found under the Station, which, on being discharged, fell in succession inside the
parapet.
The party advanced during the afternoon, and the night was passed at Ulu Moar.
The following morning the police force, 12 in number, stationed at Qualla Pela,
turned up, having repulsed a first attack, but were at length forced to give up the Station,
which was afterwards burned by the enemy.
At 7 a.m. the party started for Qualla Pela, distant 6 miles, and on arrival a few shots
were fired, andreplied to by the police who followed some distance into the jungle, and
captured several prisoners.
In the afternoon I sent the police to Qualla Malang, the campong of one Punglima
Riman—“ Tiger ”—a notorious robber. On the police appearing the Malays ran away,
but several captures were made, among them Sendara Muda, a very bad character, and
who I have reason to believe conducted the attack on Teratchee station.
Punglima Riman made his escape, and as several articles of police uniform, &c. were
found in his house, evidence of his complicity, it was set fire to.
Information was brought during the evening that the Station at Jompole had been
deserted, but being very strongly fortified, garrisoned by 28 police and 6 Sikhs, all fullv
armed, four guns in position, a plentiful supply of ammunition (the ammunition that
should have gone to Teratchee Station went by mistake to Qualla Jompole), and the
ground cleared of all obstructions for a space of 300 yards round about, I did not
believe the report, knowing that it should hold out against any Malay force sent
against it.
On Monday 3d the troops started for Qualla Jompole, distant 15 miles, Lieut. Peyton
with 40 men having joined the party.
The police were sent to a spot indicated, some distance through the jungle, where a
gang of robbers were reported to have been feasting on stolen buftaloes the night
before.
95
At Sungie Dua a number of friendly Malays came to meet me, who, to my great
grief, confirmed the statement of the evacuation of the Station at Qualla Jompole.
I should state that this surrender took place during the temporary absence of the
Sergeant-major in charge of the post, on whom I placed every reliance.
He had come to Sungie Ujong as usual at the end of the month to obtain the pay for
his force.
It appears beyond doubt that two hours before any Malays appeared the men left the
piace, never having fired a shot, and that after their departure Lela Rajah, who had
helped to build, came with his men and burned the Station.
There being no particular object in marching 22 miles to look at a burnt police
station, Lela Rajah and his men reported to have gone off to Ulu Jompole, we returned
to Qualla Pela, the police returning at the same time, having found the robbers, but
failing to catch any, one flint gun only captured, having been dropped in their hurry to
escape.
We m arched to Sri Menanti the same evening, where, to my great satisfaction, I found
the police holding out, although they had been attacked three times. On the first
occasion the police were not properly prepared, and had to retreat to a house some
distance off, but they returned the following morning and recaptured the Station. Two
subsequent attacks were made and repulsed.
Sergeant Sultan, who is in charge of this Station, is of a high Menangkabaw family,
and is very popular and much respected among the inhabitants of Sri Menanti, who are
nearly all Menangkabaw men. He has received both his steps for personal bravery, and
has not disappointed me in my selection of him to take charge of this Station.
His force consisted of only 16 police, but the Datu Dagan and many others have
joined him, and remain inside the Police Compound to render assistance.
We remained the night at Sri Menanti, and in the morning took the short route over
the mountains to Teratchee, where we arrived at 8.30 a.m.
Previous to leaving, I reinforced the Station with 12 police, making a total of 28.
The remainder I sent under Serjeant-major Mahmoot round by Moar to Teratchee, as
I heard of robbers in that direction.
As Captain Whitty determined to remain till next day, before proceeding homeward,
I started to walk back, being anxious to write in time for the Malacca and Singapore
post, and arrived at the Residency at 7 p.m.
Before leaving Teratchee I received a message from Sri Menanti, that no sooner had
we got fairly out of the way than the enemy came and attacked the Station. I
immediately sent the whole police force to their assistance.
At 2 a.m. this morning two friendly Malays appeared at the Residency, bearing the
beads of two Punghulus killed in the attack on the Sri Menanti Station yesterday.
They reported that at 9 a.m. yesterday a number of people headed by Datu of Eenas,
beating a drum, and calling on his people to advance, attacked the Station, the ground
being perfectly open, a number of those who advanced were shot down by the police.
Two Punglimas, however, succeeded in Teaching the gate, one of whom was shot through
the head by the Corporal of Police, the other had his head cut off by a follower of the
Datu Dagan, the latter brought the heads to me to verify his statement.
The remainder of the killed and wounded, numbering about 14, were carried off.
The people who are keeping the country in this disturbed state, are men from Kapess
and Eenas, two States (small) supposed to form part of Johole.
The former are headed by “ Bagindah Tan Mas,” and the latter by the Datu of Eenas,
there are also a few of the expatriated from these Native States joined to them. The
Datu of Kapess has always been friendly to us, and wishes to come under our pro-
tection.
The object of these people is simply robbery and plunder, and to destroy the British
authority which keeps them in check. They also propose to make “ Alang Lant ” (the
great promoter of the first disturbances) Datu of Sri Menanti.
I cannot hear that Tuanku Antar or Datu Moar have joined in this movement,
the latter is reported as very sick.
The inhabitants of these States generally are very friendly and well disposed towards
us, and if we afford them sufficient protection against these gangs of robbers there
would be little or no trouble with them.
I was surprised to see road making going on most satisfactorily, mostly in the district
of Ulu Moar and Sri Menanti.
The old Datu “ Ankie Bongsee,” who was wounded at Paroe, but is now our firm
friend, showed me with great pride, nearly 1^ miles of road he had lately constructed.
M 4
96
“ Paki Boli ” has been most useful to me on this expedition, from his knowledge of
the country and people, and gives me much useful information.
I have little doubt but that, when a settled form of government is established, these
disturbances will no longer occur.
As it cannot be contemplated to discontinue the occupation of these States, I would
recommend that the Police Stations should be commanded by European Inspectors.
In the late expedition the police behaved admirably, but without the supervision of
Europeans they have a tendency to lose confidence.
These robbers are mostly armed with sword or kriss; they have a very few old flint
muskets, but they have more potent weapons, which strike terror into the hearts of the
Mata Mata.
The first and most potent of these is exaggeration of numbers, and supposing 20 men
get together to attack a Station they begin by industriously circulating a report of 200
men.
The tongue is the other weapon they employ, and as they generally attack at night,
their real numbers are not to be ascertained.
On approaching a station they get well under cover, fire perhaps their only musket,
and set up a tremendous yell.
The police immediately commence firing in the direction, of course seeing no one,
but encouraged at intervals by a discharge from the musket, the Malays, well knowing
that they will expend all their ammunition and then retire, hide their time.
This appears to have been the case at Teratchee, where 16 police expended about
28 rounds each, apparently killing only one of the enemy.
If an European had been present to control the fire, the Station would never have been
deserted.
April 6th, a.m.
Since writing the above I have received letters from Sri Menanti, stating that the
enemy are very augry at their repulse on the Station, where they appear to have lost
a good many killed and wounded; that Datu of Eenas has sent a gong through his
state, calling on his people to come and make another attack on the Station.
Sergeant Sultan is down with fever, and the police say they are worn out with
watching and alarms.
The inhabitants of Sri Menanti write to beg our protection, as their houses are being
burnt, and the whole of Sri Menanti will suffer for their loyalty to us, if we don’t send
them relief.
I have, therefore, requested the officer commanding the troops at Rassa to occupy the
Station at Sri Menanti, till such time as instructions are received from his Excellenc)'.
An officer and 32 men, including artillery and rocket, have been detailed for this
purpose.
This will leave a large portion of the police available for the protection of the
district of Sri Menanti.
I have, &c.
The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, (Signed) P. J. Murray,
Singapore. Acting Assistant Resident.
Enclosure 5. in No. 68.
Colonial Secretary to Captain Murray.
Sir, H.M.S. “ Modeste,” offLukut, April 10, 1876.
In reference to your Report of the 5th instant, describing the steps which you
had taken for dispersing the band of freebooters who are disturbing the peace of Sri
Menanti, Ulu Muar, and Jumpole, I am directed by his Excellency the Governor to
inform you that he approves of your having requested the officer in command of the
troops at Rassa to send a detachment of 32 men to Sri Menanti to afford general protec-
tion and in order to allow the police now stationed at that post to scour the country, and
to protect those who are well disposed towards us.
I am directed to observe that his Excellency considers that it would be desirable to
increase the strength of the detachment to 50 men, including artillery. His Excellency
further considers it necessary that a detachment of equal strength should be sent to
Quallu Jumpole, in order that the Malays who are friendly to us should gain confidence,
and that the disturbers of the peace in the States of Ulu Muar, Sri Menanti, and Jumpole
97
should not be encouraged and strengthened by the abandonment of the post in question
by the police.
I have, &c.
(Signed) H. E. McCallum, Lieut. R.E.,
Assistant Resident, Sungie Ujong. for Colonial Secretary.
Enclosure 6. in No. 68.
Governor, Straits Settlements, to Officer Commanding Troops, Straits Settlements.
Sir, Government House, Singapore, April 17, 1876.
In reference to my letter of 7th instant, requesting that a detachment of 50 men
of Her Majesty’s 80th Regiment should be sent from this place for service in Malacca and
Sungie Ujong. I have the honour to inform you that this detachment was landed at
Malacca on the 9th instant to take the place of that previously sent from thence to
Sungie Ujong.
I have also the honour to inform you that I have considered it necessary that detach-
ments of troops should be stationed at Sri Menauti and, Qualla Jumpole.
I accordingly desired the Resident, Captain Murray, to request the Officer Com-
manding in Sungie Ujong to send about 50 men (including Artillery) to each of these
States.
By this arrangement, the troops in Sungie Ujong and the adjacent States will be
distributed in three detachments of nearly equal strength, at Rassa, Sri Menanti, and
Qualla Jumpole.
There will also be a detachment of Artillery with a rifled gun or a rocket tube at each
place.
I should observe that though the States referred to are infested by bands of
marauders, some of whom recently attacked the Police Stations, the inhabitants
generally are well affected towards the British Government.
I need scarcely say that, whilst British Soldiers are employed to maintain the peace,
it is of the utmost importance that they should be on the best terms with the Natives,
and I have no doubt but that both officers and men will do everything in their power to
maintain such friendly relations.
It would, however, be very desirable to issue instructions to the detachments to avoid
anything like irregularity in their dealings with the inhabitants, and strictly to enjoin
them that every article obtained from the Natives should be paid for at its proper
price.
I have &c.
(Signed) ’ WM. F. DRUMMOND JERVOIS.
The Hon, the Officer Commanding Troops,
Straits Settlement.
No. 69-
The EARL OF CARNARVON to Governor SIR W. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B.
Sir, Downing Street, May 31, 1876.
I have the honour to inform you that Her Majesty has been pleased on my
recommendation to give directions for the appointment of Colonel Archibald Edward
Harbord Anson, R.A., now Lieutenant-Governor of Penang, to be a Companion of the
Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, in consideration of his services in the Straits
Settlements, and more particularly of those rendered by him whilst specially employed
in the Malay States, which you brought to my notice in the 8th paragraph of your
Despatch of the 14th January last.*
I request that you will inform Colonel Anson that it has afforded me much satisfac-
tion to submit his name to the Queen for this honour.
I have, &c.
Sir W. F. D. Jervois, K.C.M.G., C.B. (Signed) CARNARVON.
&c. &c. &c.
Straits Settlements.
* No. 133 of [C. 1505] of 1876.
38387a.
N
98
No. 70.
The EARL OF CARNARVON to Governor SIR W. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B.
(Extract.)
Sir Downing Street, June 1, 1876.
In my Despatch, of 20th ultimo,* I stated that I would address you separately
on some points connected with the future policy of Her Majesty’s Government in relation
to Perak, and I will now proceed to touch briefly on those considerations which seem
to me to be at this moment of most pressingimportance.
As you "will have remarked, I did not in that Despatch make any special comments
on the suggestions made in some of your earlier communication s to annex the State
of Perak to her Majesty’s dominions, but the telegraphic and other communications
which I have during the last few months addressed you have I think made my general
opinion on this point sufficiently clear, and it will now be enough if I say that after full
consideration of the grounds on which you based the proposal, the circumstances of the
case do not, in the opinion of Her Majesty’s Government, warrant the adoption of that
policy, nor are they prepared to depart in any considerable degree from the instruction
that have already been given you.
In my telegram of the 25th November! I informed you that neither annexation nor
the government of the country by British officers in the name of the Sultan (a measure
very little removed from annexation) could be allowed, and that Her Majesty’s Govern-
ment were not prepared to adopt the principle of permanently retaining troops in the
Peninsula in order to impose Residents or other Officers upon the Natives against their
will. It is, I think, clear that to press such officers upon a resisting population would,
under the present circumstances of the country, be productive of at least as much risk
and inconvenience as of political or commercial advantage.
Subsequently (on the 29th December) I informed you that you might retain for the
present whatever force you considered indispensable, but that the troops so retained were
not to be employed for purposes of annexation, and that Her Majesty’s Government wrere
disposed in favour of maintaining the established system of Residents, but that they
required further information from you on various points, such as the station s proposed
to be occupied, the force to be employed, and any other modifications desirable for the
security or improvement of the system.
To this latter telegram I received an immediate and necessarily brief reply from
you by telegraph, but I have not received as yet any Despatch giving full explanations
and information on the specific points which I then raised. I need not, however, delay
longer to say that on a general review of the correspondence which has come before
me, I fail to perceive any proof that the system under which Residents were appointed
to the native States has had such a trial as to justify me in pronouncing that it has failed,
or that any other course which has been indicated is not open to graver risk, larger
expenditure, and more doubtful results. The obstacles which have interfered wTith its
success are apparently such as can be removed. The system has been in existence for
little more than two years; and independently of the fact that during a great part of
that time it has been subject to some exceptionally adverse conditions, it is clear, from
the official reports which you and your predecessor have forwarded to me, that if it has
broken down in one part of the Malay peninsula it has enjoyed a fair amount of success
in other parts. I see, therefore, no ground for an entire and abrupt reversal of existing
arrangements, followed, as such, reversal must be, by a further period of uncertainty and
transition.
It is indeed clear that the Residents have exceeded the function of Counsellors
which they were intended to discharge, but I do not think that on that account it is
necessary either to withdraw them from Perak and the other States, or to revolutionise
the conditions of their political and administrative functions. A modification of the
previous arrangements will probably be enough for the present, if combined with watch-
fulness and great caution on the part of the Government; and under such conditions
officers may, in my opinion, continue to be stationed in Perak, who may render active
and valuable assistance in the administration of the country. They will, however, need
for the present at all events, to be supported by an armed force which can be relied upon
to preclude the probability of any treachery or open resistance.
In a recent Despatch, when describing the temporary appointments which you
have made, you adhere to the designation of “ Commissioners.” I doubt whether any
adequate advantage will be gained by the change of name from Residents (a designation
* No. 66.
f No. 55 of [C. 1505] of 1876.
99
well understood in the East as indicating that amount of influential advice to the native
ruler, and that amount of responsibility on the part of the adviser, which Her Majesty’s
Government have contemplated) to Queen’s Commissioners, and I am averse to the
change as implying either a greater responsibility or an indefined and doubtful alteration
in the relations of the two parties.
I am of opinion, therefore, that the English officers to be stationed in the Malay States
should continue to be styled “ Residents.”
I am, however, disposed to approve your proposal of establishing a Council of
mixed Malay Chiefs and British officers. Such a Council would, as you observe, give
an opportunity to some of the principal Chiefs to take a useful part in the administration
of the Country, and thereby uphold their influence with the body of the people. It
would, moreover, give the Resident and any other officers nominated by you to such a
Council an opportunity of gauging the strength of native feeling on questions of pro-
posed reform; and the knowledge so gained would tend to the exercise of greater
discrimination in the nature of the advice given by the Resident to the Chief native
authority.
It will, of course, be desirable to settle by regulation at as early a date as possible
the nature of the questions that must be brought before this Council, and the position
they are to hold in relation to the acts of the Executive Government.
I understand that in your proposal for the establishment of such a Council you
had in view the circumstances of Perak only ; but, assuming the principle to be good in
the case of Perak, it would probably be desirable to adopt it in each of the native States,
or in each group of contiguous States that can be conveniently treated in combination.
Whatever may be the ultimate policy which it may be necessary to adopt in the
Malay Peninsula it is clearly our object to make the best use of existing materials, and
with this view it should be our present policy to find and train up some Chief or Chiefs
of sufficient capacity and enlightenment to appreciate the advantages of a civilized
government and to render some effectual assistance in the government of the country.
It is, in my opinion, undesirable that the British officers should interfere more
frequently or to a greater extent than is necessary in the minor details of government.
Their special objects should be the maintenance of peace and law, the initiation of a
sound system of taxation, with the consequent development of the general resources of
the country, and the supervision of the collection of the revenue so as to ensure the
receipt of funds necessary to carry out the principal engagements of the Government,
and to pay for the cost of the British officers and whatever establishments may be found
necessary to support them.
At the time of the engagement of Pangkore it was contemplated that the Sultan
should have a Civil List, that Ismail should be pensioned, and that other Chiefs should
have fixed incomes. As far as I can gather from the papers before me, though this
subject has been considered further, no definite settlement of allowanees has ever yet
been made. Although there may not at present be money available for the payment
of the whole of such allowanees, I consider it desirable that the amounts to be assigned
should be fixed as soon as possible, so that the Chiefs should understand their interest
in supporting the system of revenue devised by Mr. Birch, and that should they
continue to attempt to exact revenue not legitimately due to them, they will forfeit their
right to their fixed allowanees.
With regard to the retention of Abdullah as Sultan, I am obliged to infer, both
from late events and from your recent communications, that his selection was not
fortunate, and that he has not the proper capacities for a ruler. He has not, however, as
I understand, in any way identified himself with those who have been lately in arms
against the British Government, and you advised, in your telegram of 1st January, that
he should be allowed to remain at the head of the Government at present. Taking into
account the great difficulty of finding at this juncture a substitute in whom confidence
could be placed, and the serious risks which might arise either from any error of judg-
ment on this point, or from an interregnum of doubtful length and character, I am,
though very reluctant to retain in the nominal command of the district a ruler of acknow-
ledged incapacity, prepared to accept the least dangerous of the alternatives, and to
adopt the recommendation that you then made. But in allowing Abdullah to remain in
authority, care must be taken to give no pledge for the future which can inconveniently
hamper the course of action which policy and a fuller knowledge of circumstances than
is now possible may prescribe. Her Majesty’s Government must be left perfectly free
to act in this matter as and when they may deem expedient.
C* * * # *
100
It will, as I have already indicated, be necessary to secure by far more effec-
tual precautions than those hitherto observed, the protection of the Resident, and to
provide against such sudden outbreaks as that which recently occurred in Perak. This
can only be done by the maintenance of an adequate force on the spot. What the pre-
else strength of this force should be, I cannot now undertake to define, but I am informed
that probably a guard of not more than 150 or 200 men would be fully sufficient. I
have to request that you will take an early opportunity of considering the strength and
organisation of a police force such as would enable Her Majesty’s Government to
provide for these objects and to remove all troops from Perak as .soon as possible
The Residents will naturally render assistance in the organising of this police force,
which will be under their orders and responsible to them, and they will periodically
transmit to the Governor of the Straits Settlements a Report detailing the numbers,
employment, and character of the body, which the Governor will in turn forward to. the
Secretary of State with careful comments from himself. The force will be paid, as far as ;
is practicable, out of the funds of the Province, and the appointments to it will be made'
by the Secretary of State. It is a question deserving careful consideration how far in
the composition of this body the Foreign element should be allowed to have any,, large
proportions. On the one hand it maybe desirable that it should not appear to the
Malays to be that of a dominant power imposed on them from without ; • on the other a
force drawn from beyond the Peninsula may be found most reliable. You will at oiiee
carefully consider and report on this subject.
Looking to the necessarily tentative character of this body it shotdd be clearly
understood that such British officers as may be employed in it have no claim for
pension.
Captain Speedy’s appointment as Assistant Resident at Larut appears to have
been productive of considerable success, and as the revenues of this district appear to
be larger than are absolutely required for its administration, I think it may be desirable
to consider whether be might not undertake, for a time at all events, the duties of
Principal Resident in Perak, his control in Larut not being thereby diminished; and I
desire to be informed whether you would be disposed to recommend such a coarse.
I have, &c. ►
Governor Sir W. F. D. Jervois, (Signed) CARNARVON.
&e. &c. &c. *
LONDON:
Printed by "George E. Eyre and William Spottiswoode,
Printers to the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty.
Por Her Majesty’s Stationery Office.
“FURTHER CORRESPONDENCE
RELATING TO THE
AFFAIRS OF CERTAIN NATIVE STATE S
IN THE
MALAY PENINSULA,
IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD OF
THE STRAITS SETTLEMENTS
(In continuation of [C. 1505] of 1876.)
fl resent eft to hott) ^mises of flarltament 6 p Command of ©er iElajestp*
LONDON:
PRINTED BY GEORGE EDWARD EYRE AND WILLIAM SPOTTISWOODE,
PRINTERS TO THE QUEEN’S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY.
FOR HER MAJEST!5S STATIONERY OEEICE.
1876.