PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference -
TTTCO.882
2
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
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Sultan's Residence.
33. The Sultan's residence is situated in a position very favourable for commanding both rivers, the Langat and Jugra. The latter river is narrow but deep, and leads to the sea by a course of about six or seven miles, but with a bar at its mouth, with only a few feet water, and incapable of allowing the passage of any but small boats.
Sultan invited on board the "Pluto."
34. At 11 A.x. a letter was sent to the Sultan, informing him of the arrival of the Governor and the Admiral, and inviting him to come on board the "Pluto."
35. The Sultan received the letter with great respect, but, advised by 'his sons and followers, absolutely refused to come on board, alleging that it was quite contrary to Malay custom to do so; but, at last, after much trouble and patience, a compromise was effected; the "Pluto" was hauled alongside the river bank, and a narrow pole was laid, on which, preceded and followed by a great number of armed attendants, he passed on board.
36. It was afterwards ascertained that this reluctance to come on board arose from fear. It had been reported to them that the Governor had come with the fleet to make the Sultan and his sons and followers prisoners, and to establish Tuanku Kudin on the throne. All the people in the neighbourhood had been called in, armed, to defend the Sultan; and, on the arrival of the steamers that morning, the women and children, with their jewels and valuables, had been sent up the country.
Sultan's visit on board the "Pluto."
37. The Sultan was received by the Governor in the presence of the Admiral. The visit was merely complimentary, and the Sultan and his people, on leaving the ship, were in a state of great delight at the result; instead of being made prisoners, they had been treated with great kindness, and permitted to return on shore without opposition. At this meeting an interview for the despatch of business was fixed for the next day at the Sultan's palace.
it
38. In addition to the great purpose of suppressing piracy, by force if necessary, was requisite that the Governor should make himself personally acquainted with the Sultan and his sons, and ascertain their character, and the relations between them and Tuanku Kudin; and especially what was Tuanku Kudin's real position, and whether he was entitled to the support of Government as Ruler of the country under the Sultan's authority. It was expected that sufficient information might be obtained on these points to place the Governor in a position successfully to mediate, and to affect a permanent settlement of whatever differences existed among them.
Monday, 9th February.
Governor's first visit to the Sultan.
39. Monday, the 9th February, the Governor, with his party and the Admiral, accompanied by the captains of the men-of-war, went on shore, where they were received by the Sultan, surrounded by his sons, Raja Kahar and Raja Yacoob, with the Datu Aroo, the Pengawa Permatang, Pengawa Muda, Panglima Besar, Orang Kayah Ketchil, Punghulu Jeram, Punghulu Dagang, and other Chiefs, and a number of Malays. It appeared that as soon as they were re-assured, by the result of the Sultan's visit on board the "Pluto" the previous day, the armed retainers had been sent home, and the women and children recalled.
Constitution of the Government of Salangore.
40. The constitution of the Government of Salangore is different from that of the purely Malay Governments. Instead of having a Raja Muda, Bandahara, Tumongong, Laxamana, &c., there were, according to Newbolt, as the four principal officers of State, the Pengawa Pematang (Permatang), Pengawa Tuah, Punghulu (or Datu) Aroo, and Orang Kayah Ketchil, the two first having control over the lower part of the river and sea coast, the third over the interior, with the exception of Klang, which was then under the Orang Kayah Ketchil. At present the Datu Aroo seems to be the most important of these officers, and is the one who can act us Regent in the absence of the Sultan. Klang has long been of such importance, owing to the tin revenues, as to have become a sort of appanage in the Royal Family itself.
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Address to the Sultan.
41. The Governor addressed the Sultan on the disturbed state of the country, the want of unity among the governing classes, and state of open civil war among them; that he (the Governor) had now cone to see them personally, to make inquiry as to the real state of affairs, and to find if anything could be done to restore peace among them, and settle the government of the country on a secure footing, so that disturbances might cease, and the industrious might return to their work, with security that they would be allowed to reap the fruits of their labour. This was repeated in various shapes, and, as the discussion might become confidential, the Governor and Admiral, with Mr. Braddell and Major McNair, retired to another room with the Sultan, his two sons, and the Chiefs, when the conversation was continued,
Complaint by Raja Yacoob.
42. The Sultan made no complaints himself, but his son Raja Yacoob, full brother of Tuanku Kudin's wife, said that Tuanku Kudin was the cause of the disturbances. On this it was remarked that Tuanku Kudin was said to be acting as the Viceroy of the country, under the Sultan's own written authority, given to him in 1868, and confirmed before British officers in 1871. Tuanku Yacoob denied this, and said that Tuanku Kudin's authority extended only over the seaboard, and that he had no right to interfere in the affairs of the country inland. As a proof of this Tuanku Yacoob produced a paper given by Tuanku Kudin in 1868, when he got his power. document, however, on being read, was found to have no such restriction, and was merely a written promise of Tuauku Kudin that he would govern the country placed under his authority with justice.
Position of Tuanku Kudin.
The
43. The Sultan was then asked if there was any ill-feeling on his part against Tuanku Kudin, and if the Tuanku had done anything to forfeit his favour, and to require that his authority as Viceroy should be cancelled.
To this the Sultan said that the Tuanku had not for two years past brought his wife, the Sultan's daughter, to see him; but that, excepting this, he had no complaint, and was very well disposed to the Tuanku, whom he called his son, and he added, why should it be otherwise?
44. It was then put to the Sultan and Chiefs if there was any reason why they should not see Tuanku Kudin, who was on board Her Majesty's ship "Midge."
The Sultan said he would be delighted to see the Tuanku; and his sons and the Chiefs expressed their willingness to see him also.
His Arrival.
45. A messenger was accordingly sent for Tuanku Kudin, who was received at the landing-place by his brother-in-law Tuanku Yacoob, and introduced into the room of audience. It was observed that, when waiting for Tuanku Kudin, the Sultan became excited and was unable to sit quietly. He got up just as the Tuanku appeared and went behind the curtain leading into the inner appartments, and there beckoning to the Tuanku with every appearance of delight, he took him inside where the ladies were, and in a little time brought him back to the audience looking very much pleased.
46. The Tuanku then shook hands with Tuanku Kahar, and the conversation went on, but the Sultan was obviously upset by his excitement at seeing Tuanku Kudin, or at least was so evidently unable to continue further serious conversation that the audience broke up.
Tuanku Kudin's first interview with the Governor.
47. This was the first interview between the Governor and Tuanku Kudin, who had been on board the "Midge;" but the Governor had thought it better not to see him till after seeing the Sultan. On leaving the Sultan Tuanku Kudin was brought on board the "Pluto" and a long conversation took place, in the course of which the Tuanku gave a short history of his connection with Salangore, a matter not clearly explained in any of the numerous letters or documents in the Colonial Secretary's office.
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History of his connection with Salangore,
48. Tuanku Kudin stated that he had come to Salangore in the year 1867. At this time Raja Mahdie, a grandson of Sultan Mahomed, uncle and predecessor of the present