PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :--
882
3 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO
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Dated 9 o'clock on Saturday the 18th of Rabialawa, 1285 (11th July, 1868).
We, the Ruler of Salangore, Sultan Abdulsamat, son of the late Tunku Raja Abdullah, give this paper to Datu Klana Putra in Sungie Ujong, showing what are the relations between Salangore and Sungie Ujong, which are not to change in any way
the arrangements
of old times till the present day.
With regard to Tanjong Tuan (Cape Rachado), the Governor's request was for as much place as (was necessary) for a lighthouse, one hill only. The English Government With the is our friend, and in our thinking will be the friend of our great men also. exception of what has been mentioned, all on the left, ascending the River Lingie up to Sungie Udang, we and the great men agree to be the Datu Klana's territory, and no one else can claim it, down to our descendants and the Datu Klana's descendants, and this shall not be changed, as long as the sun and the moon revolve, &c., as is stated in this writing and stamped with our chop.
Proceedings in 1872.
Between 1866 and 1872 there is very little to be found in the records about these States, but during the last two years there has been a voluminous correspondence on the affairs of Sungie Ujong and Rumbowe, and the difficulties in Sungie Ujong were complicated by the introduction of the interests of Tuanku Kudin, the Viceroy of Salangore, in a manner which subsequent events have proved to have been somewhat
unnecessary.
Concessions to Mr. Velge.-On the 17th May, 1872, the Lieutenant-Governor of Malacca, Captain Shaw, reported that a concession of three tin districts had been made by the Datu Klana to Mr. H. Velge of Malacca.
Claims on Sungie and Sempang.-And, at the same time, that the Klana complained of the Rumbowe people wishing to make a disturbance and confusion about Lingie and Sempang, both of which places the Klana claims as belonging to Sungie Ujong.
Visit of Rumbowe Chiefs to Malacca.-On the 26th of May the Lieutenant-Governor reported the result of an interview at Malacca with some of the Rumbowe Chiefs, who brought a letter from the Punghulu of Rumbowe, informing the Lieutenant-Governor that he intended to make a disturbance (that is, enforce his claims) at Sempang. It appeared that the Rumbowe Chiefs had heard that the Sungie Ujong Tin Company, to whom. Mr Velge's concession had been made over, had paid 30,000 dollars to the Datu Klana, and the Rumbowe Chiefs thought themselves entitled to a share; but the Lieutenant- Governor informed them of the terms of the concession by which the Klana was to get only a tenth of the tin, and the duty of 4-25 dollars a bhar. On this they expressed themselves satisfied, and went back to Rumbowe, promising to collect the head men and explain matters, and assuring the Lieutenant-Governor that no further steps would be taken without previously informing him.
On the 16th August the Acting Lieutenant-Governor, Captain Ord (Captain Shaw having left for Europe, asked for instructions, and said he had been informed that the Chief of Rumbowe still intended to make a disturbance. On the 30th August the Acting Lieutenant-Governor was informed that the matter must stand over till the Governor visited Malacca.
Letter from the Dalu Klana about Tuanku Kudin.-On the 15th September, a letter signed by Syed Ahman (the present Datu Klana) and the Datu Muda of Lingie, as Representatives of the Datu Klana Sendang, was received. This letter, written by a European, gives a complete narrative of events, and states the Sungie Ujong case.
The letter commences by referring to the relations between the Klana, the Punghulu of Rumbowe, and Tuanku Kudin, and asks the Government to prevent the disturbances which are likely to arise if the Punghulu of Rumbowe and Tuanku Kudin persist in their intentions. They claim the country of Sungie Ujong, Lingie, and Sempang as belonging to the Datu Klana, and claim the lower Lingie as the boundary between Malacca and the territory of Klana, and the whole left bank ascending up to Lingie, and add that when the Sultan of Salangore granted the land at Cape Rachado to Government he asked the Klena's
consent.
They then refer to the state of affairs at Salangore, improper government of the country by Tuanku Kudín, jealousies of the great men, and that the Sultan and his three sons, Moosa, Kabar, and Yacob, are no more thought of; that it is impossible to say if Tuanku Kudin is governing for himself or for the Sultan, and whether he is a friend or enemy of the Sultan; that he has blockaded the Salangore River; that the Klana has nothing to do with this, but now Tuanku Kudin wishes to establish a stockade at Peng-
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kalang Kumpas, above Sempang, to interfere with the trade of Sungie Ujong, aud to stop provisions going up to the Sultan; that because the Datu Klana would not agree to join Tuanku Kudin's side, Tuanku Kudin had arranged with the Punghulu of Rumbowe to join him, and Rumbowe was to have Sempang and up the left bank as far as Lingie, so that he could levy a duty on the Sungic Ujong tin, as he had tried to do before, but had been prevented by the Klana, when, seventeen years before, on the advice of Colonel Macpherson, the Klana had establisbed a station at Sempang. That Syed Ahman is in charge of Sungie Ujong on behalf of the Klana, and sends the tin down the river to Lingie, where the Datu Muda is in charge and collects the duty.
That the Klana is very much disturbed by these doings of Tuanku Kudin; that they had asked to have passes for aruis and ammunition, but this was refused; and where could they look for a supply! While Tuanku Kudin will get passes, and will supply the Rumbowe people, the Klana will have no arms to defend his country against Tuanku Kudin and the Rumbowe men, so that his country will be desolated and his people sacrificed, because of the quarrels of Tuanku Kudin and the Sultan and nobles of Salangore.
Further letter as to claims at Sempang, &c.-On the 3rd October, 1872, the Datu Klana wrote that he had heard the Governor was coming to pay him a visit at Sempang, and that, although very old and infirm, he was so much pleased that he had hurried down the river.
He then enters on the claims of the Punghulu of Rumbowe about Sempang, and gives the bistory of the place, with all its occupants from the first, namely, Raja Ahman, who was expelled by the Dutch at the request of the then Klana; then Raja Alli, son of Rajah Ahman, who, with Syed Sabban, were turned out in 1836; after which the place was unoccupied for 15 or 16 years, when Lebby Kulup came, whose history he gives till be, in turn, was expelled.
The Klana then goes on to say that he had heard that he had been slandered to the Governor about Rajah Mahdi, and asserts positively that it was not true that he had helped Mahdi; that he, the Klana, was the oldest Punghulu, and, in accordance with his age and position, that he had always been neutral.
In a postscript the Klana adds that he had just heard that Tuanku Kudin had ordered men of Rumbowe, under Hajee Mamat, to erect a stockade at Penkalang Kumpas to blockade his river.
Occupation of Sempang by Tuanku Kudin.—In a despatch No. 189, dated 6th November, 1872, page 12 in the Salangore papers recently printed, the Governor, Sir H. Ord, wrote that while Tuanku Kudin was operating against his enemies from the sea-side, being irritated at the favour shown to Raja Mahdi by the Datu Klana, he prevailed on the Punghulu of Rumbowe to reassert some old claim which he had to Sempang, and to offer it to Tuanku Kudin, that he might erect a fort there; and added that, as the immediate effect of this would be to prevent the Sungie Ujong people from getting in their supplies or getting out their tin, they applied to him for protection, and offered to hand over their country to Government, if they would accept it. A meeting was then arranged with the Governor, the Klana, and Punghulu of Rumbowe at Sempang, in the presence of Tuanku Kudin. The Punghulu did not attend, but the Datu Klana appears to have succeeded' in satisfying Tuanku Kudin that he would assist to prevent supplies being sent up the river to the Tuanku's enemies, and the idea of occupying Sempang was dropped. The Governor added that he did not anticipate that the Punghulu of Kumbowe will raise any difficulty by pressing his claim to Sempang, when he finds that it will not assist his friend Tuanku Kudin.
Further letter of the Datu Klana.-On the 11th October, 1872, the Klaus wrote. again, stating that, since his last letter, he had seen a copy of the letter of the Punghulu of Rumbowe stating his case against Suugie Ujong. He explains the custom under which Sungie Ujong and Rumbowe mutually assist each other, and directly charges the Punghulu of Rumbowe of malpractices in 1860, and of causing the disturbances when the Chinese, through his extortions, were driven out of the country and their property destroyed. He describes the river and refers to the Treaty between himself and Rumbowe, referring to the old established understanding between the two countries, the Chiefs of which originally were so closely allied, by which they were mutually to aid each other, that no arrangement was made for paying to Rumbowe any share of the profit (taxes on the river), but that he was willing to do what was right in that respect. He then gives the history of the Colony of Lingie, which he claims as exclusively belonging to Sungie Ujong, as it was settled by men from Rhio with the permission of the then Klaua, and it was not proper for the Punghulu of Rumbowe to take, as he had done, taxes on the river. The letter ends by again denying the slanders about his baving helped Raja Maldi