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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
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2 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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4. At the beginning of last century, two Princes of the race started on expedition from Goa, in Celebes, to the westward. One of them settled at Rhio, and the other in the Klang country, at which places they founded dynasties, still existing; the one under the name of Raja Muda of Rhio, and the other of Sultan of Salangore; which latter word is said to be a corruption, either by the Dutch or Bugghese, of the word Calang.
Dutch Connection.
5. The Dutch long had a station and fort at the mouth of the river now known as the Salangore River, from which station they monopolized the tin of the district, as far as their power extended. I have no authority at present to refer to as to what relations existed between the Dutch and the early Bugghese Sultans; but in the year 1783 the fort erected by the Dutch at Salangore was in the hands of the then Sultan Ibrahim. In that year he, together with his ally, the Raja Muda of Rhio, attacked the Dutch in their principal settlement of Malacca, and were on the point of driving them out, when a Dutch fleet appeared, and the allies were obliged to retire. The Dutch fleet, after relieving Malacca, went on to Salangore, which place they found deserted, the Sultan having gone across to Pahang, on the eastern coast of the peninsula. The fort was reoccupied but soon after, Sultan Ibrahim came back from Pahang with a force, and, surprising the forts, the Dutch abandoned the place in a panic. It has been held ever since by the native Princes; but the Dutch compelled Sultan Ibrahim to give them a monopoly of the tin of the country at a low price.
British Connection.
6. During the occupation of Malacca by the British, from 1795 to 1819, the Govern- mént did not keep up the Dutch monopolies and trading relations with the neighbouring States; but in 1818, on the eve of the surrender of Malacca, in order to protect our com- merce from the effects of a restoration of the usual Dutch monopoly system, a Treaty was entered into between the Government of Penang and the Sultan of Salangore similar to that made with Perak at the same time, by which Treaties British trade was to be protected, and no monopolies were to be given to other Powers.
7. When the Dutch returned to Malacca in 1819 they commenced at once to restore their relations with the Native States, and especially to recover the lucrative tin trade at Salangore and other places on the peninsula. Before, however, they had time to organize their plans, and to get the better of the resistance of their old enemy, Sultan Ibrahim, who was still alive, Malacca was finally given over to the British, by the Treaty of 17th March, 1824 In the following year, 1825, another Treaty was made between the Government of Penang and the same Sultan Ibrahim, in relation to Perak affairs (then pressing on account of the action of the Siamese), and for the suppression of piracy.
Sultan Mahomed.
8. Sultan Ibrahim died in 1826, leaving a number of illegitimate sons, one of whom succeeded under the title of Sultan Mahomed. This Prince proved to be a weak and self- indulgent person, and, under his rule, confusion arose. The country became divided, and his brothers and relatives assumed to act without control wherever they settled; in fact, anarchy on land and piracy at sea followed in their natural course.
Pirates of Salangore.
9. The Salangore pirates are distinguished in the Malayan seas as the most daring and bloodthirsty of all. They are said to be supported by nobles, and even by members of the Royal Family, and are led by men of rank, of Bugghese descent, who are superior in warlike qualities to the ordinary Malayan Chiefs.
Calang Straits,
10. The coasts of Salangore are peculiarly well situated as a refuge and haunt for pirates. The traders, in order to escape the rough, and, for small boats, dangerous navi- gation over the North Sands, pass through the Calang Straits, an estuary or passage formed by the Calang River, in front of which lies a long mud island. The numerous rivers, great and small, between the Salangore and Lingie Rivers, afford shelter for pirates, who have stockaded defences up the creeks, from which they sally forth to attack the boats which pass close to their stations, making for the Calang Straits. When their work is
done, the pirates retire to their strongholds, which are out of sight, and, practically, out of reach of the men-of-war cruizing in these scas,
Site of Tin Mines.
11. The want of unity, of self-restraint, and of discipline among the numerous class of Princes in Salangore has long been a source of danger to the miners; and, with rare local exceptions, has kept down the production of tin. This has been peculiarly the case under the reign of the present Sultan, Abdul Meshed, who succeeded to the throne about the year 1859.
12. The principal tin mines in Salangore are situated in the watersheds of the Lookoot, Langat, Klang, and Salangore Rivers.
The River Lookoot falls into the sea about ten miles to the north-west of Cape Rachado, in north latitude 2o 35'.
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The Langat River divides a short way above the Parcelar Hill, north latitude, 2° 46′ one branch, called the Jugra River, going down to the sea, a distance of six or seven miles, and the other running in a north-westerly course, till it falls into the estuary of the Klang River.
The Klang River itself passes, in a south-westerly direction by the town of Klang, into the same estuary, about six miles to the north of the Langat River.
The Salangore River passes from the interior, in a westerly direction, till it falls into the sea at the site of the town of Salangore, north latitude 3o 20'.
13. Tin ore is found in all these places, in greater or less quantity; but latterly, owing to political reasons, the greater protection afforded by Tuanku Kudin's Government, the greatest quantity is produced in the Klang district. It is unnecessary for the present purpose to follow the vicissitudes of the history of the working of the various mines in Salangore. It may be taken, as in all the rest of the peninsula, that, when protection has been afforded, with moderation in taking revenue, the miners have been prosperous, and a large revenue collected; while, on the other hand, where there has been extortion and no protection, the production has decreased.
Recent History.
14. The recent history of Salangore presents the usual features of constant complaints to our Government, by British subjects, of oppression on the part of the native Princes inland, and of piracies on the rivers and sea, as well as of frequent appeals for assistance from contending parties among the Malays.
Piracy.
18. The piratical practices at Salangore differed from those in other parts of the peninsula, in this; that they were continuous, well organized, and more daringly carried out; showing that they were not, as in other places, caused by temporary difficulties in the country, and ceasing with those difficulties, but were the result of long-continued lawlessness in the people, and protected, if not caused, by persons of rank in the country. Since the death of Sultan Ibrahim in 1826, the central Government of Salangore has been weak. The Sultans, indolent and indulgent to the young Princes, members of their family, have encouraged lawlessness; and there are now so many of these Princes who are unfit for peaceful life, that great difficulties will, on this account alone, be found in settling the country.
Viceroy.
16. In addition to this, there is another difficulty in Salangore in the presence of Tuanku Dia Udin, called Tuanku Kudin, a brother of the reigning Sultan of Quedah, and son-in-law of the Sultan of Salangore, who has been placed by the Sultan over all the native Princes of Salangore, including the Sultan's own sons.
17. Such a position, even in a well-governed and peaceable country, would be attended with difficulty; but in such a country as Salangore the difficulty is very great, and nothing but the most urgent and forcible reasons could warrant ita existence or continuance.
18. The result is that, while Tuanku Kudin has been ruling Salangore for some years past, under a written authority from the Sultan, the Sultan's sons, his relatives and their dependants, have been openly opposing him; and, while the Tuanku has long been complaining to Government of the conduct of the Princes and their adherents, the Sultan has, on his side, complained of the acts of the Tuanku in blocking him in his own river, the Jugra, and preventing supplies being sent up to his palace.