PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
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-882
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
2 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
174
and at dark steamed down the south entrance, and round outside the Dindings for this port, which I reached this morning at 11.50, and visited the Lieutenant-Governor, informing him of my late proceedings.
12. The wounded men have been sent to hospital.
13. Before closing, permit me to add that the officers and men, both on detached service, and those left on board, worked most zealously during this harassing cruize, but I am afraid that, with but one ship, and no steam launch, and the large force of pirates, and their excellent information, it will be almost impossible to check piracy on our cruizing ground.
14. I am sorry to add, we have had and still continue a large sick list.
15. I deemed it necessary to be under banked fires all the time, in order to be ready at a moment's notice.
To Captain H. B. Woollcombe,
Senior Officer, Malacca Straits,
I have, &c. (Signed)
J. C. PATTERSON,' Commander.
Her Majesty's ship "Thalia," at Singapore.
Memorandum of Statement made to the Lieutenant-Governor by Malays wounded by Pirates in attack off Pulo Katta, at present lying in Penang General Hospital.
No. 1, burnt severely about the body and legs by stinkpots.
No. 2, burnt less severely about the face.
No. 3, ball extracted from back, having passed through chest.
He stated that he owned one of three boats, a large one of 10 coyans. He was going from Penang to Klang trading. His boat was accompanied by two other boats, one of 6 and another of 2 coyans, all belonging to Tringanu merchants. When off Pulo Katta at 9 P.M., no moon, they were attacked by six piratical boats, which came to close quarters and fired upon them. He estimates the number of men in each of the pirate boats at about fifty, but is not sure of the number of rowers. His boat had two guns. The pirates boarded after pouring in a heavy fire from their guns and throwing stinkpots. In the three boats there were twenty-five men in all, of whom ten were wounded, six killed in his boat, and one in each of the other boats. One man escaped unwounded, and six more were missing. The wounded swam off, and were picked up by the man-of-war, which cane op an hour after the fighting began.
The "Avon" fired upon the retreating pirates, but it was so dark that the effect was doubtful.
(Signed) C. W. SNEYD KYNNERSLEY.
Sir,
Lieutenant-Governor's Office, Penang, December 29, 1873.
I have the honour to transmit a copy of a letter from the Orang Kaya Mantri of Larut, stating that he is unable to deal with the pirates infesting the villages on his coast, and who are constantly attacking and plundering boats from this Settlement; and asking the assistance of this Government.
I have, &c.
(Signed) A. E. H. ANSON, Lieutenant-Governor.
The Honourable the Colonial Secretary,
Straits Settlements,
Native Correspondence.
Letter from the Tunku Mantri of Larut, to the Lieutenant-Governor, Penang.
(After compliments.)
5 Dalkaidah, 1290 (December 24, 1873).
We inform our Friend that we have received his letter of the 22nd Shawal, 13th December, and understand its contents, but we are extremely sorry at learning what our Friend says, for there is no one on whose help we rely like our Friend to rid us of the enemy that annoys us.
Our Friend says that we do not follow his advice because we did not turn out the pirates who are settled near the sea. We think that we have not gone against our Friend's
175
advice in any particular, for we did all we could on the coast, but bad not sufficient strength. We did attempt to drive out the Chinese pirates who were by the sea-side and in the rivers, but we got worsted, and our people were killed and wounded and plundered. It is perfectly certain that we cannot contend with our enemies by the sea for they are continually getting supplies and help, and we informed our Friend of this several times. If our Friend would let us know when he intends to attack the pirates at sea or in the creeks where they are staying, then the man-of-war can co-operate with us, and if our Friend will only allow us we will assist.
At present we are forced to fight with the enemy in the interior, as they are very near and constantly harass us, and cannot be kept quiet. We attack them wherever we have a chance, as our Friend may see and take into consideration.
Telegraphic Despatches.
Governor to Anson, Penang.
January 7, 1874.
Send Swettenham to Larut to see Mantri and Speedy, representing to them conditional surrender to this Government of boats and stockades by Sin Nengs, provided Speedy grants armistice till over 14th, when I hope to arrange to meet all interested at Dindings. Please have attap shed prepared for meeting. Read my telegram to Pickering, communicate with him, and guide yourself generally accordingly. Take all steps in your power to insure all Chiefs of Perak and Larut meeting us at Dindings.
Lieutenant-Governor, Penang, to Governor.
January 8, 1874. Swettenham leaving in "Avon" for Larut; he then goes on to Perak to Raja Muda, who with Bandahara has been written to to bring all Chiefs, and meet Governor 14th, Dindings. "Avon" will be Dindings on way back from Perak 14th, to meet Governor, attaps and Malay thatchers being sent Dindings to build shed.
Pickering to Colonial Secretary, Singapore.
January 7, 1874.
Taken business out of my hands, and very angry. Afraid he will spoil it; will do my best if Chinese only stick to me.
Governor to Pickering, Penang.
January 7, 1874.
I have just sent the following to Anson:-"Pickering to keep you acquainted with what he is doing; but pray do not interfere or overrule him in any way, he is acting in direct communication with me, and his mission is a delicate one needing all your co-operation and assistance." Be guided by it. I sent a telegram to Anson at your own suggestion. Explain more fully to me direct what has led to your telegram to Birch just received. I have every reliance on you.
Pickering to Governor, Singapore.
January 8, 1874. Yesterday morning
Very thankful for telegram relieving my awkward position. Colonel Anson said "you are making fool of the Governor; Sin Nengs don't want to make peace; I cannot allow it, headmen must agree my terms.” Afternoon called five headmen and me, interpreter; entered cordially into my plan.
Governor to Anson, Penang. ·
January 8, 1874.
Have you any reason to doubt bona fides of Sin Nengs' overtures to disarm, or any information to give, not consistent with proposed settlement by arbitration between contending Chinese factions and Malay Chiefs.
Page 240Page 241
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference—
TIITTICO. 882
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
2 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
174
and at dark steamed down the south entrance, and round outside the Dindings for this port, which I reached this morning at 11.50, and visited the Lieutenant-Governor, informing him of my late proceedings.
12. The wounded men have been sent to hospital.
13. Before closing, permit me to add that the officers and men, both on detached service, and those left on board, worked most zealously during this harassing cruize, but I am afraid that, with but one ship, and no steam launch, and the large force of pirates, and their excellent information, it will be almost impossible to check piracy on our cruizing ground.
14. I am sorry to add, we have had and still continue a large sick list.
15. I deemed it necessary to be under banked fires all the time, in order to be ready
at a moment's notice.
To Captain H. B. Woollcombe,
Senior Officer, Malacca Straits,
I have, &c. (Signed)
J. C. PATTERSON, Commander,
Her Majesty's ship "Thalia," at Singapore.
Memorandum of Statement made to the Lieutenant-Governor by Malays wounded by Pirates in attack of Pulo Katla, at present lying in Penang General Hospital.
No. 1, burnt severely about the body and legs by stinkpots.
No. 2, burnt less severely about the face.
No. 3, ball extracted from back, having passed through chest.
He stated that he owned one of three boats, a large one of 10 coyans. He was going from Penang to Klang trading. His boat was accompanied by two other boats, one of 6 and another of 2 coyans, all belonging to Tringanu merchants. When off Palo Katta at 9 P.M., no moon, they were attacked by six piratical boats, which came to close quarters and fired upon them. He estimates the number of men in each of the pirate boats at His boat had two guns. The pirates about fifty, but is not sure of the number of rowers. boarded after pouring in a heavy fire from their guns and throwing stinkpots. In the three boats there were twenty-five men in all, of whom ten were wounded, six killed in his boat, and one in each of the other boats. One man escaped unwounded, and six more were missing. The wounded swam off, and were picked up by the man-of-war, which came up an hour after the fighting began.
The " Avon" fired upon the retreating pirates, but it was so dark that the effect was
(Signed) C. W. SNEYD KYNNERSLEY.
doubtful.
Şir,
Lieutenant-Governor's Office, Penang, December 29, 1873.
I have the honour to transmit a copy of a letter from the Orang Kaya Mantri of Larut, stating that he is unable to deal with the pirates infesting the villages on his coast, and who are constantly attacking and plundering boats from this Settlement; and asking the assistance of this Government.
I have, &c.
(Signed) A. E. H. ANSON, Lieutenant-Governor.
The Honourable the Colonial Secretary,
Straits Settlements,
Native Correspondence.
Letter from the Tunku Mantri of Larut, to the Lieutenant-Governor, Penang.
(After compliments.)
5 Dalkaidah, 1290 (December 24, 1873).
We inform our Friend that we have received his letter of the 22nd Shawal, 13th December, and understand its contents, but we are extremely sorry at learning what our Friend says, for there is no one on whose help we rely like our Friend to rid us of the enemy that annoys us
Our Friend says that we do not follow his advice because we did not turn out the pirates who are settled near the sea. We think that we have not gone against our Friend's
175
advice in any particular, for we did all we could on the coast, but had not sufficient strength. We did attempt to drive out the Chinese pirates who were by the sea-side and in the rivers, but we got worsted, and our people were killed and wounded and plundered. It is perfectly certain that we cannot contend with our enemies by the sea for they are continually getting supplies and help, and we informed our Friend of this several times. If our Friend would let us know when he intends to attack the pirates at sea or in the creeks where they are staying, then the man-of-war can co-operate with us, and if our Friend will only allow us we will assist.
At present we are forced to fight with the enemy in the interior, as they are very near and constantly harass us, and cannot be kept quiet. We attack them wherever we have a chance, as our Friend may see and take into consideration.
Telegraphic Despatches.
Governor to Anson, Penang.
January 7, 1874.
Send Swettenham to Larut to see Mantri and Speedy, representing to them conditional surrender to this Government of boats and stockades by Sin Nengs, provided Speedy grants armistice till over 14th, when I hope to arrange to meet all interested at Dindings. Please have attap shed prepared for meeting. Read my telegram to Pickering, communicate with him, and guide yourself generally accordingly. Take all steps in your power to insure all Chiefs of Perak and Larut meeting us at Dindings.
Lieutenant-Governor, Penang, to Governor.
January 8, 1874. Swettenham leaving in "Avon" for Larut; he then goes on to Perak to Raja Muda, who with Bandahara has been written to to bring all Chiefs, and meet Governor 14th, Dindings. "Avon" will be Dindings on way back from Perak 14th, to meet Governor, attaps and Malay thatchers being sent Dindings to build shed.
Pickering to Colonial Secretary, Singapore.
January 7, 1874.
Taken business out of my hands, and very angry. Afraid he will spoil it; will do my best if Chinese only stick to me.
Governor to Pickering, Penang.
January 7, 1874.
I have just sent the following to Anson:"Pickering to keep you acquainted with what he is doing; but pray do not interfere or overrule him in any way, he is acting in direct communication with me, and his mission is a delicate one needing all your co-operation and assistance." Be guided by it. I sent a telegram to Anson at your own suggestion. Explain more fully to me direct what has led to your telegram to Birch just received. I have every reliance on you.
Pickering to Governor, Singapore.
Very thankful for telegram relieving my awkward position. Colonel Anson said "you are making fool of the Governor; Sin make peace; I cannot allow it, headmen must agree my terms.” headmen and me, interpreter; entered cordially into my plan.
Governor to Anson, Penang. ·
January 8, 1874. Yesterday morning Nengs don't want to Afternoon called five
January 8, 1874. Have you any reason to doubt bona fides of Sin Nengs' overtures to disarm, or
any information to give, not consistent with proposed settlement by arbitration between contending Chinese factions and Malay Chiefs.