PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
LTC.O.8
882
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
2 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
:60
river to the Krean river, a distance of sixty miles, was closely examined, but so numerous, intricate, and shallow are the creeks which fringe the coast that the marauders, having sent their larger junks and vessels out to sea, were enabled to conceal their war-boats and prahus, which draw but little water, and but one small junk and one long armed pulling boat were captured.
4. The operation was not, however, barren of result; during the week the ships were on the coast, the small traders and fishermen took courage and ventured out to pursue their avocations, expressing their satisfaction at the temporary relief they experienced from the danger they had been previously exposed to; and I gather from the communications of the natives and Chinese on the coast that the marauders were, for the time, thoroughly checked, and had decided to defer further operations until the withdrawal of the men-of-war.
5. Having carefully discussed the situation of affairs with Captain Woollcombe, I came to the conclusion that, in order to put a stop to these piratical depredations, and to secure Penang against being made the scene of riots (which would probably be as serious as those of 1867) between the supporters and friends of the two factions contending in Larcot, it was absolutely necessary that the whole sea-board of the country should be cleared of the marauding Chinese who infested it, and it being evident that this could not be accomplished by the "Midge" alone, Captain Woollcombe telegraphed to the Admiral for the assistance of another gun-vessel for the purpose.
6. In the meanwhile the Muntri of Laroot had addressed a letter to me, saying that he had come to the conclusion that the Chinese party now at the mines were those who had the real right to the privileges which had been originally granted, and that they were his friends whilst the party on the coast were his enemies, and were preventing him from returning to his country. He prayed me, therefore, to rescind the Order in Council of 21st February, 1873, by which the export of arms, ammunition, &c., to Laroot was altogether prohibited, and to allow him to receive such supplies as were necessary for the protection of himself and his people, and might give him the chance of regaining possession of his country. On consulting the Executive Council it was considered that his request might properly be complied with, and an Order in Council for giving effect to it was accordingly issued.
7. Instructions were given by the Lieutenant-Governor that all applications for clearances by boats to proceed to any part of the west-coast near Laroot should be carefully inquired into, and that they should not be issued unless it was satisfactorily established that they were made in good faith, whilst those for Laroot should only be issued where it was found that the terms of the Proclamation had been complied with.
8. Commander Grant has proceeded in the "Midge" under orders to cruize off the Laroot coast, to board passing junks and boats and ascertain that their clearances are in form, to send his boats on shore whenever practicable to search the creeks for piratical boats, and to use his best exertions to prevent these marauders from receiving that assistance without which it will be impossible for them to carry on their depredations.
9. I have authorized the temporary establishment of an additional marine police station on Pulo Kraw at the entrance of the South Channel, by which all junke and vessels passing out by that route will be readily overhauled, the ordinary marine police being thus left free to attend to the North Channel passage. By these means I anticipate that an effective control will be afforded over the movements of these vessels and boats which have hitherto, notwithstanding all the efforts of the local authority, been able, through the agency of the Penang Chinese, to keep alive their feuds in Laroot, until they have at length culminated in the piratical depredations which have rendered our interference
I have, &c.
necessary.
(Signed)
No. 88.
Admiralty to Colonial Office.
H. ST. GEORGE ORD.
Admiralty, October 18, 1873.
Sir,
IN reply to your letter of the 16th ultimo,* on the subject of the attack made by junks at the River Laroot, on the "Fair Malacca," I am commanded by my Lords Com missioners of the Admiralty to acquaint you, for the information of the Earl of Kimberley that they concur in his Lordship's opinion that it would be premature to consult the Law
• No. 28.
57
Officers of the Crown in this matter, until further despatches have been received from the Governor of the Straits Settlements.
Sir,
I am, &c.
(Signed)
ROBERT HALL.
No. 39.
Admiralty to Colonial Office.
Admiralty, October 20, 1873. I AM commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to send you here- with, for the information of the Earl of Kimberley, a copy of a letter from the Captain of Her Majesty's ship "Thalia," dated the 6th ultimo, relative to the state of affairs in the Straits of Malacca.
&c.
Sir,
I
am,
(Signed)
Inclosure in No. 39.
ROBERT HALL.
"Thalia," at Singapore, September 6, 1873.
I BEG to report, for the information of their Lordships, the exising state of affairs in the Straits of.Malacca.
2. Johore, Singapore, and Malacca, are without any disturbances.
3. Salangore is still in a state of blockade by the Tunku dia Oodin, son-in-law, and Viceroy of the Sultan of Salangore, who is fighting against numerous rebel Chiefs, who have possession of the forts, four in number, and mounting twenty-two guns.
4. The whole territory between Province Wellesley and the River Perak, is in a most disorganized and troublesome state, several factions of Chinamen and Malays being constantly at variance.
5. I append a rough plan, with no pretension to accuracy, to assist me in conveying my explanation contained in paragraph 6.
*
6. The Orang Rajah Moutri, commonly, but incorrectly, called the Tunku Montri, is supported and recognized by the Governor of the Straits Settlements as the Larut and owner of the tin mines, situated about between 12 and 14 miles in the interior; these mines have been let out to Chinamen, styled the Yo Quangs. Another race of Chinese, called the See Lings, better known as the Linnings, also claim a right to work the mines; it is believed many, that the Orang Rajah Moutri has made a bargain with both parties. As matters now stand in the Larut and District, the Orang Moutri is kept out by the See Lings, who have two stockades, and (it is said), a strong fort on the river, and he is consequently prevented from sending rice to the miners (the Yo Quangs), and also from bringing down the tin. In this strait, rice has been landed at the Korrow River, some 15 miles to the northward. The See Lings then threatened the Hokeens, who have a small settlement at that place, with destruction, if they allow rice, &o., to pass to the Yo Quangs. Upon this, the Hokeens, who are very strong at Penang, said, "If one of our men are hurt at Korrow, we will kill you all at Penang, where we are much stronger than you." Hence the cause of alarm at Penang.
7. Hogi Lew, a resident of Penang, and a British subject, is one of the great supporters of the See Lings, and owns most of the piratical craft. He has been arrested, and will be tried at Penang for his offence.
8. The piratical junks and row-boats are now dispersed; the former. I presume, have gone to Sumatra, and the latter hidden in creeks, almost unknown to any one except the natives.
9. The Acheen coast is now blockaded by about fourteen Dutch ships-of-war, of various classes. The Dutch have a coal depôt at Delhi, and, I believe, one is or will be established at Adie, a place about 20 miles south of Diamond Point, which has lately claimed the protection of the Dutch.
The Secretary of the Admiralty,
1
[133]
I have, &c. (Signed) H. B. WOOLLCOMBE,
Captain and Senior Officer, Malacca Straits.
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PUBLIC RECORD' OFFICE
Reference :-
THETIC.O. 882
2
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
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