PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
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882
3 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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Enclosure 1.
(No. 334.)
132
No. 100.
GOVERNOR SIR WM. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B., to the EARL Of CarnarvÖN. (Received January 3, 1876.)
MY LORD,
4
Penang, December 2, 1875. In a postscript to my Despatch, No. 327, of 16th November, I stated that Major- General Colborne had arrived from Hong Kong with 300 men of the 80th Regiment, and that I had explained to the General the political situation in Perak, the measures which I had already taken, and the plan of military operations which I proposed.
2. On the 17th instant I addressed a letter to Commander Singleton, R.N., Senior Naval Officer (copy enclosed), requesting him to make arrangements for conveying to the Nov. 17, 1875. Perak River, on the 18th instant, as strong detachments of the 80th Regiment as could be accommodated in H.M. ships "Ringdove" and "Egeria," and begging that H.M.S. Egeria" should, upon discharging the troops, be employed in blockading the coast of Perak from the Laroot River to the Bernam River inclusive. As this, however, related only to comparatively small, coasting vessels belonging to Penang and some of the Malay States, the owners of which were all acquainted with the state of affairs existing in Perak, I did not think it advisable to issue a formal notification of blockade. It appeared to me that such notification would be giving to these proceedings a greater importance than they really deserved.
Upon my arrival at Singapore from the Perak River on the 11th ultimo, an Ordinance Enclosure (copy enclosed) was passed prohibiting the sale of arms and munitions of war in these Enclature 3. Settlements, except by special license; and I also, in Executive Council, issued a proclamation forbidding the export of the same under the provisions of the Ordinance No. XII. of 1867. I enclose a copy of the instructions which I gave to the Senior Nov. 15, 1875. Naval Officer relative to the blockade of the coast. At the same time I instructed the Lieutenant-Governor of Penang to issue passes to any vessels carrying supplies, or otherwise trading with friendly Malays aud Chinese.
Enclosure 4.
Enclosures 5, 6.
"Nov. 17, 1875.
I have reason to believe that the prompt measures taken for cutting off supplies from Larut and the seaboard have been instrumental in preventing the spread of "disaffection in the upper and interior parts of Perak.
3. On the same date I officially appointed the Honourable Major McNair, R.A. (Colonial Engineer), and Major Dunlop, R.A. (Inspector-General of Police), as temporary Commissioners in Perak, with Mr. W. E. Maxwell (Magistrate of Province Wellesley) and Mr. Swettenbam (Assistant Resident, Salangore) as Deputy Commis- ⚫ioners.
I enclose copies of letters which I caused to be addressed to the Commissioners (Buh-Endl.) apprising them of their appointments, and of the instructions issued to the Honourable Major McNair. I may add that these instructions were not literally carried out, as having occasion to go myself to the Perak River on the 19th ultimo, and thence to l'enang, Major McNair found himself under my own immediate orders, and circum- stances transpired which led me to consider it advisable, at all events for a time, to adopt an apparently unsuspicious attitude towards the Chiefs, whom the Commissioner had been instructed to detain.
Enclosure 7.
4. On the 18th, pursuant to the verbal communications I had already had with the General Commanding the Forces, I addressed a letter to the Major-General giving him Nov. 16, 1875. ■ brief sketch of the political aspect of Perak affairs, and informing him of the circum- stances of the murder of Mr. Birch, as well as of the failure of the attack on the stockade Dear Passir Sala. In this letter I also apprised him of the strength of the force then operating on the Perak River, of the forces both military and naval that were expected, of the preparations which I had made, and of the plan of operations which suggested for his consideration.
Enclosure 8.
i
I enclose also copy of the Major-General's reply, from which your Lordship will Nov. 20, 1875. observe that he entirely concurred with my views, and expressed himself most anxious
to meet my wishes.
5. Upon the eve of the departure of the Major-General and 200 men of the 80th Regiment for the scene of hostilities, I received the following telegram from Major Dunlop, dated the 16th November," Yesterday morning we made a combined land and "water attack on the enemy, and after a long day's fighting, the enemy making an obstinate and prolonged resistance, we took and destroyed four stockades, including "the Maharajah Lela's house and campong, the Datu Sagor's house and campong, in "fact all Passir Sala and Campong Guja; we captured five guns, recovered Birch's
• No. 89.
133
"two boats, brass gun, and papers, and much of his property in the Maharaja Lela's "house. Only Ladgis wounded. The campaign is by no means finished yet, but I do "not propose to act again immediately; particulars follow by post." I enclose for your' Enclosure 9. Lordship's information, copy of Major Dunlop's report on this action, and an extract (4 Bub-Rnal.) from a letter which he addressed to me on the same subject, and which contains many Nov. 16, 1975. points of interest and detail not included in the official report. Your Lordship will Nov. 14, 1973. observe that the recovery of much of Mr. Birch's property in the house of the Maharajah Lela, leaves no doubt as to the fact that that Chief was one of the most active participators or instigators in the murder of Mr. Birch.
The success of the attack was complete: the arrangements conceived for conducting it were excellent, and the manner in which they were carried out reflects the highest credit on those concerned.
6. I would especially bring before your Lordship's notice the names of Commander Stirling, R.N., and Major Dunlop, R.A.
The Acting Commissioner reports that the success achieved is for the most part due to the active endeavours of Captain Stirling. I would recommend, should
ship deem fit, that the name of this officer should be brought to the favourable con- your Lord. sideration of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty.
·
Major Dunlop, R.A., the Acting Commissioner, deserves also the highest credit for the manner in which he conducted the arrangements contingent on this attack.
I would also call your Lordship's attention to the able manner in which Captain Whitla, and the officers under his command, carried out the part assigned to them in the operations of the day.
Enclosure 10.
12.
Nov. 12, 18:5.
7. I enclose extracts from letters addressed to me by Major Dunlop, and dated respec- Enelores 11, tively the 12th and 13th November. From the extract from the former, your Lordship will observe mention of the capture of one Haji Allee, st Durian Sabatang, with guns v. 13, 1975. and much ammunition in his boat. This man is one of Ex-Sultan Ismail's principal advisers, and is strongly suspected to have for some time feigned a friendship for the British Government as a means of obtaining information for Ex-Sultan Ismail.
In this instance, it is certain that Hadji Allee could not have been at Durian Sabatang for any lawful purpose, and I have received information that he, together with the Oring Panglima Besar, Toh Nars, and others of Ismail's adherents and advisers were present in Passir Sala stockade at the time of the attack of the 7th ultimo, and Hadji Allee probably dropped down the river soon after the troops had retired.
L
14.
NOV. 1, 1075.
I have made observations as to the complicity of the Ex-Sultan in the murder of Mr. Birch and the resistance to our troops in my Despatch No. 835 of this day's date.
I subsequently requested the Senior Naval Officer to transfer Hadji Allee from H.M.S. "Thistle
to H.M.S. "Egeria (correspondence enclosed) in order to ensure his safe Enclosures 13. custody, and I have despatched Mr. W. E. Maxwell to the Perak River to examine him as to his complicity in recent events and the complicity of others therein. I have also given instructions to Mr. Maxwell to examine the Chinese goldsmith, iu whose bathing house Mr. Birch was murdered, alluded to by Major Dunlop in the latter portion of his letter of the 12th instant, and to obtain any information in his power to trace out the guilty parties.
8. In the extract from Major Dunlop's letter of the 19th instant, your Lordship will ~ observe that he makes thention that Sultan Abdullah had offered every assistance to him, and that he had supplied boats when requested to do so. I enclose a letter which Enclosure 13. Sultan Abdullah addressed to me on the sanie subject. Upon a subsequent interview Nov. 18, 18:5.
I had with the Sultan on the 21st ultimo, I thanked him for the assistance which he had rendered to us in supplying the boats, and I told him that whilst I appreciated his offer of assisting us with men that we were now in a position when we could trust to our own forces. Another reason which induced me to refuse his offer was, that I considered that it would be prejudicial to engage a force of Perak Malays, of whom we knew but little, in operations in which our own troops were employed.
Seyd Mashahoor, to whom Major Dunlop alludes, is the man who once, for a long time, disturbed the peace of the neighbouring State of Salangore. He has a good
Nov. su, 1875,
many Salangore men with him and has joined our cause against the malcontents. Encloure 16, enclose a letter from him to Mr. Swettenham in which he promises not only not to make future disturbance in Salangore, but that he will not even enter that State without the knowledge and consent of Mr. Swettenham.
any
I fully acquiesce in the encomiums which Major Dunlop has bestowed upon Colonel Anpon in his letter..
• No. 101.
R 3
سلنا
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
། ། ། ། ། །
Reference :-
C.O.
882
3
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO