PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
288 · 1. 1. 1. le le b
Reference :-
2 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE. LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
To wit.
20
Sub-Inclosure 4 in Inclosure 3.
Lieutenant-Governor's Office, October 16, 1872.
The information and complaint of Chin Too Seu and Lim Foh Sew, made and exhibited on oath before me Duncan Clerk Presgrave, Esq., a Magistrate of Police in and for Prince of Wales' Island.
THE said Chin Too Seu for himself states-
That, last night, I arrived from Laroot, and saw Chong Quee, Leu Sam, and Fong I saw the Meng Choey, shipping a quantity of arms on board a vessel in the harbour. arms in four boats, and taken from them and put on board the vessel. I also saw the above-mentioned persons on board the vessel to which the arms were taken. The vessel is owned by Fong Meng Choey, and it was bound to Laroot. Street in the ground of the Hysan Kongsee at the time.
I was at the back of Beach
I saw the muskets and bundles
of arms and also small cannons. There is a disturbance in Laroot, and I believe the arms are shipped to a party who are fighting against the authorities at Laroot. The vessel has now left the harbour.
The said Lim Foh Sew for himself states-
1
That I am a resident of Penang. That the day before yesterday I saw three men named Lew Sam, Chong Quee, and Fong Meng Choey, go into a shop opposite to my shop in Oojong Passier, about 10 A.M., and I saw there three persons buy a quantity of arms, about 70 or 80 pieces.
They were fire-arms, and some were to be used on carriages. I don't know the name of the shopowner. The next day about 6:30 P.M., I saw Chong Quee and Lew Sam at the back of the same shop on the beach at the back of Beach Street ordering coolies to put arms into boats, there were three boats. The boats were well loaded, and they went to Fong Meng Choey's vessel.
I saw them put on board. I was at the time on board of my vessel, which was close to the vessel into which the arms were put. The vessel has since sailed for Laroot. I was on board the same vessel (Fong Meng Choey's) with Captain Speedy last night, and saw it well loaded with arms. There is fighting now going on in Laroot, and I believe the arms were shipped to certain Chinese who are now waging war with the Mantri of Laroot and Perak.
(The mark of Chin Too Seu.) (The signature of Lim Foh Sew.)
Before me, the 16th day of October, 1872, in the presence of the Lieutenant-Governor and the Solicitor-General.
(Signed) D. C. PRESGRAVE, Police Magistrate.
Sub-Inclosure 5 in Inclosure 3.
"Nassau," off the Laroot River, October 17, 1872.
I HAVE the honour to request that the Superintendent of Police will enter the river in the "Fair Penang," and ascertain and report as carefully and speedily as possible whether the junks which left Penang within the last few days have come to Laroot, whether the men and military stores conveyed by them have been landed there, and whether the said men have made any attack since their arrival.
The Superintendent will endeavour to get such proof of anything he may report as will be necessary to the successful prosecution, in a Court of Justice, of the persons who fitted out and despatched the junks in question.
The Superintendent of Police.
(Signed)
G. W. R. CAMPBELL,
Acting Lieutenant-Governor.
1
21
Sub-Inclosure 6 in Inclosure 3.
The Information of Ong Ab Yu, one of the prisoners given up by the Junks now block- ading the Laroot river, taken before me, T. C. S. Speedy, Esq., one of Her Majesty's Justices of the Peace for and in the Island of Penang, on oath, this 18th day of October, 1872.
I AM a tailor by trade and went over to Laroot about four months ago, I lived at Permatang near the Tunku Mantri's house. About a week ago, I went up country a day's journey to a place called Tang-kang. Three days after upwards of 1,000 armed Chinese of the Goh Tay Kwan tribe entered the village and attacked Ho Ghee Sew's men who are Khay men. The latter being beaten, those who could, ran away, about 400 of the Khay tribe were killed. I saw their bodies. I also ran away to the jungle and made my way to Permatang. The evening before last I took my passage in Hokien boat bound for Penang. I paid 70 cents for passage; about half-an-hour afterwards, as we passed three armed junks a sampan put off to us and having boarded us searched our boats. They discovered me and another man named See Ah Kwee to be of the Khay tribe, on which they took us out of the boat and brought on board one of the three junks; they tied us hand and foot and beat us. They said we had killed some of their men and burnt their houses, so they would have revenge, and that as soon as dark they would cut off our heads; some said no, better wait till our Chief arrives, and then we will kill you; we were then thrown down the hatchway.
Yesterday afternoon I heard them saying a steamer is coming up, let us get ready; I heard them preparing for action; one man said are we to fight, and several said of course we will if they show fight or want to take us prisoners. They seemed to be divided as to whether they would fight. Soon after I heard a man say, "Ob, it is a Government vessel, but still be ready to fire;" then they shut down the batches over us, I could hear no more, I think it was an hour after that the hatches were opened, and I saw the Commissioner of Police, looking down at me; "I got up and knew I was saved; I asked that gentleman to release me and my friend, he brought us two away.
There are 7,000 Goh Tay Kwan men, of which 2,000 are fighting men, and all armed.
(Signed) (His merk.)
Sworn before me,
(Signed) T. C. S. SPEEDY, Justice of the Peace.
Sub-Inclosure 7 in Inclosure 3.
Telegram from the Lieutenant-Governor to the Colonial Secretary, dated October 18, 1872:
SERIOUS fighting and burning in Laroot. Expedition secretly sent from Penang by Chinese merchants is now blockading Laroot river with three junks, thirteen guns, and above 200 men thoroughly armed. I have issued warrants for apprehension of three of the Chinese merchants. I have just returned from the Laroot coast in "Nassau;" shall I detain her for a few days? Captain quite willing to stay. Chinese here greatly interested in Laroot struggle.
Sir,
Sub-Inclosure 8 in Inclosure 3.
Office of Superintendent of Police, October 22, 1872. I HAVE the honour to report, for the information of the Honourable the Lieu- tenant-Governor, that during the last two days 1,500 Chinese fugitives have arrived from Laroot.
Upwards of 50 are wounded; 20 of whom I have forwarded to the General Hospital for inedical treatment.
They state that fighting is over; the conquered having been all either killed or dispersed.
It is said that about 2,000 more fugitives are making their way across the mountains, and will probably arrive here in a day or two.
[133]
G