Sir,
262
Inclosure 1 in No. 94.
1.
01
Charybdis," at Singapore, May 18, 1874. I HAVE the honour to forward to you, for the information of my Lords Commis sioners of the Admiralty, extracts from my letter of proceedings to the Commander-in- chief of the China Station, on the late visit made by this ship to the Lingey River, in company with his Excellency the Governor of the Straits Settlements and the Lieutenant- Governor of Malacca.
I have, &c. (Signed) T. E. SMITH,
Captain and Senior Officer, Malacca Straits.
263
Powlett, of the "Avon,” to remain at Sempang until high water of the 9th, during which time he was to revisit Buket Tiga and the town of Lingey.
At Malacca his Excellency again re-embarked on board this ship, and was conveyed
to Singapore, arriving here on the morning of the 8th,
6. To show how the destruction of Baket Tiga must have been appreciated by honest traders, tin from the mines to the value of 150,000 dollars passed down the river two days afterwards, and it is reported that further large quantities have been since despatched.
No. 95.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
TREPIC.O.
.882
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
2 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
Inclosure 2 in No. 94.
Extracts from Letter of Proceedings, dated May 18, 1874, to the Commander-in-chief, China Station, relative to a Visit made by Her Majesty's ship “ Charybdis” to Lingey
River.
I HAVE now the honour to report that on the 24th ultimo his Excellency requested me to despatch a vessel of war to assist the Lieutenant-Governor of Malacca in causing to be held a meeting of Chiefs in and about Rambow territory and the Lingey River. accordingly telegraphed to the "Avon" to proceed to Malacca for that service.
His
On the 29th his Excellency, having received information from the Lieutenant- Governor of Malacca, that the Datu of Rambow (Jow Perba) had refused to attend the meeting, requested me to convey himself and staff to Malacca (the "Pluto" being absent) to confer with the Lieutenant-Governor as to further proceedings. Excellency also thought it advisable to have at hand a larger force than could be supplied by the "Avon," as the Chief alluded to was in possession of a very strong stockade at Buket Tiga, on the Lingey River, where he had for a long time been illegally levying taxes on the passing trading boats.
1 accordingly, on the 30th, embarked his Excellency and staff and proceeded to Malacca, and being there joined by the "Avon" and "Pluto" (with Lieutenant-Governor on board), went on the next day to the mouth of the Lingey River, distant about twenty-two miles.
Having sounded the river bar, and as far up as a place called Sempang (about six miles distant, and half way to Buket Tiga), and, finding sufficient water for "Avon," we proceeded on the 3rd to enter the river with the accompanying force.
First, Her Majesty's ship "Avon," then Colonial steamer "Pluto" towing the launch steam-cutter, and first cutter of this ship manned and armed; a steam-launch used by his Excellency also accompanied us. The pilot not being willing to take the "Avon" higher than Sempang, it was arranged that his Excellency and the Lieutenant- Governor, accompanied by myself, should proceed in the steam-launch to Buket Tiga, and there endeavour to hold a conference with the Chief Joh Perba.
In case, however, of any treachery on his part, I deemed it advisable that a sufficient force should be at hand, and consequently the armed bosts of this ship and "Avon" (six in number), under the command of Commander Powlett, were ordered to follow at a convenient distance in tow of my steam-cutter.
On reaching the stockade (which commanded a long reach of the river from a very strong position some fifty feet high), it was discovered to be deserted, the guns, &c., having been removed.
The boats arriving shortly, his Excellency requested me to destroy the buildings, which was accordingly done, after unsuccessful search for anything of importance. The boats then returned to Sempang for the night (destroying on the way, by the desire of his Excellency, another strong stockade in course of construction), and on the following morning I ordered their return on board ship, the "Avon" and "Pluto" remaining in the river.
It was, subsequently, discovered by native police that the force occupying the stockade had only retreated on the afternoon of our visit, having received information of the approach of the armed boats.
6. The Chief, Job Perba of Rambow, having again declined to meet his Excellency, we left the river on the 7th, and proceeded to Malacca, orders being given to Commander
(No. 20.) Sir,
The Earl of Carnarvon to Governor Sir Andrew Clarke, K.C.M.G.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 142 of the
Downing Street, July 25, 1874. 8th of May, reporting your having proceeded on board Her Majesty's ship “ Charybdis " to the Lingey River.
Your action in regard to the piratical stronghold at Bukit Tiga appears to have been most successfully effected, and 'I have forwarded a copy of your despatch to the Admiralty.
I do not doubt that you will in all cases take every possible precaution to prevent the destruction of any stockades or native buildings without full proof that they have been used for piratical or other aggressive purposes.
'I have, &c.
(Signed)
CARNARVON.
No. 96.
Governor Sir Andrew Clarke, K.C.M.G., to the Earl of Carnarvon.—(Received August 8.) (No. 195.) My Lord,
Government Offices, Penang, June 16, 1874. I HAVE the honour to communicate to your Lordship some information collected by Mr. Birch, the Colonial Secretary, during a recent semi-official visit which he obtained my permission to make to some of the native States in the Peninsula. To facilitate reference, a sketch map is transmitted herewith, as well as some photographs, taken during the tour, which may prove not uninteresting.
at my
The Senior Naval Officer on this station placed Her Majesty's ship “Avon”. disposal, and that vessel accompanied the Colonial Secretary along the sea coast and up some of the principal rivers.
2. The greater part of the fishing villages on the coast between Sangie Sappen River and the Jugra River were visited, as well as Lakut, Jagra River, Langat, Balangore, Perak River, and Laroot River.
„
3. The population of these fishing villages was found to consist principally of Malacca British-born subjects, both Malay and Chinese; and along the whole seaboard in this vicinity the action taken at the Jugra River by the execution of the pirates in February last was spoken of as having been productive of much good; and the fishermen from Malacca, especially the Chinese, alleged that the Malays, who had previously been in the habit of visiting them from time to time and not only demanding, but taking by force, whatever they fancied; had now entirely ceased to molest them, or to interfere with their avocations; and that they themselves felt perfectly safe, the mere sight of a British man-of-war in the offing occasionally affording them sufficient protection,
4. At Langat the Sultan of Salangore readily granted an interview, and received with evident pleasure some presenta which I had sent to him in return for those (sold by auction afterwards) which he had given to me when I visited this locality.
At this place Mr. Birch was instrumental in rescuing fire Chinamen who had appa- rently been captured at the mines some time ago and sold into slavery, changing hands more than once. The Sultan gave his permission for their release, and Tunku-dia-Udki, his Viceroy, provided the captives with funds sufficient to enable them to return to their friends.
• No. 91.
The Secretary of the Admiralty.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
C.O....
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSIÓN DE VAR BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
which
conveyed
by kooost
river two
leen since
.1874.
of the
india
to have
to the
prevent
have
VON.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference -
TPELLIC.O.882
2 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
1874.
AAGERU EI
Bappen
their