PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
TTTTICO.
.882
Sir,
54
No. 32.
The Earl of Kimberley to Governor Sir H. St. George Ord.
Downing Street, September 23, 1873. I HAVE to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the 10th July, No. 188, forwarding a Petition addressed to you by Chinese traders resident in the Straits Settlements, praying for protection in their commercial pursuits with the neighbouring
native States.
I have transmitted to Lord Granville, for consideration, an extract of so much of the Petition as relates to the interruption to trade with Sumatra, and with the Dominions of the King of Sulu.
The dissensions prevailing in some of the native States not tributary to Siam, and the consequent interruption to trade, are matters calling for early and serious consideration. But as you will be so soon returning to England, I propose leaving them to be dealt with by your successor.
Sir,
No. 33.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
KIMBERLEY.
Admiralty to Colonial Office
Admiralty, September 25, 1873. WITH reference to my letter of the 20th instant,t I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to send you herewith, for the information of the Earl of Kimberley, copy
of a Reuter's telegram, dated the 24th instant, reporting the capture of a pirate's stockade at Laroot, by Her Majesty's ship "Thalia."
I am,
&c.
(Signed)
ROBERT HALL.
Inclosure in No. 33.
Telegram.
Penang, September 24, 1873. HER Majesty's corvette "Thalia" has captured a stockade at Laroot, the stronghold of the pirates who recently attacked the boats of Her Majesty's ship " Midge."
55
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neighbourhood of Province Wellesley, I requested that Her Majesty's ship "Midge might be sent up to Penang to put a stop to these proceedings. I have received no written report of any kind as yet from Colonel Anson of the proceedings of Her Majesty's ship" Midge," but he has telegraphed to me that she has captured five piratical junks. Again, on the 18th, I received a further telegraph from Colonel Anson that certain war junks were reported to be on their way to Singapore from Laroot to replenish with arms and ammunition.
2. Last night I received the following telegram from Colonel Anson :- "If Laroot disturbances not stopped, considered certain serious riots will break out Penang before many days. Can do nothing without man-of-war's boats. Can 'Thalia ' come here; further complaints of piracies."
3. Under these circumstances I determined to proceed at once to Penang, and on my representing the state of affairs to Captain Woollcombe, he has agreed to take Her Majesty's ship "Thalia" there to-day, and offered me a passage in her, which I have accepted.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
H. ST. GEORGE ORD.
P.S.-I arrived at this Settlement on the night of the 23rd instant, and found that Colonel Anson's anticipations that the proceedings of the rival Chinese factions in Laroot might lead to serious disturbances in Penang had been well founded. He had, however, ordered the arrest of some of the leading Chinese in the Settlement under the provisions of sections 125 and 126 of the Penal Code, and they had been held to bail by the Magistrate to answer the charge.
This, coupled with the knowledge that I was on my way to the Settlement with a large ship-of-war, had not been without its effect on the contending parties, who appear to be waiting to see what the action of the Government will be.
I am engaged in considering the best way of securing the Settlement against the danger with which it has been, and is even now threatened, and, if possible, of preventing the recurrence of such danger in future, and I trust to be able to make a satisfactory report to your Lordship on the subject by the next mail.
"Thalia," Penang, August 26, 1873.
No. 36.
H. ST. G. O.
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
2 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
No. 34. Admiralty to Colonial Office.
for
Sir,
Admiralty, September 26, 1873. I AM commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acquaint you, the information of the Earl of Kimberley, that the following telegram has been received from Captain Woollcombe, of Her Majesty's ship "Thalia," dated Penang, 26th instant :-- "Laroot pirates attacked Thalia' and Midge's' boats on 20th; stockades and junks destroyed; towns surrendered, with 3,000 men; casualties, Venneny, ordinary (of) Thalia, very dangerously; marine, slightly. Pirates fought well. Carried by boarding and assault."
i am, &c.
(Signed)
ROBERT HALL
P.S.-A copy has been sent to the Foreign Office.
No. 35.
Governor Sir H. St. George Ord to the Earl of Kimberley.—(Received September 30.) (No. 248.) My Lord,
Government House, Singapore, August 21, 1873.
I HAVE the honour to inform your Lordship that in consequence of a report from Colonel Anson of piratical attacks on boats and junks being of frequent occurrence in the
• No. 24.
+ No. 80.
(No. 214.) Sir,
The Earl of Kimberley to Governor Sir H. St. George Ord.
Downing Street, October 3, 1873.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Sir H. Ord's despatch No. 248 of
the 26th of August,* informing me that on the 22nd of August he had left Singapore in Her Majesty's ship "Thalia" for Penang, in consequence of the fears entertained that the disturbances in Laroot might produce riots in that Settlement.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
KIMBERLEY.
No. 37.
Governor Sir H. St. George Ord to the Earl of Kimberley.--(Received October 11.)
(No. 253.) My Lord,
“Thalia," Straits of Malacca, September 5, 1873.
IN continuation of my proceedings, as reported in my despatch No. 248 of the 21st August, 1873, I have the honour to inform your Lordship that I found, on arriving at Penang, that the efforts of Her Majesty's ship "Midge" had not been successful in checking the piratical depredations of the Chinese faction occupying the sea-board of Laroot, and who are at war with its Ruler, the Orang Kaya Muntri.
2. After a consultation with Captain Woolloombe and Commander Grant, it was decided that Her Majesty's ship "Thalia" should proceed to Laroot, and that the Midge," assisted by the boats of the former ship, should endeavour to make a thorough search of the rivers and creeks on that coast.
1
3. This operation was most ably carried out, and the whole coast from the Dinding
• No. 35.