PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
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TILLC.O. 882
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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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where the launches stop. The Laksamana had afforded support to him and to Syed Mashabor. He said the police had been fired at at this place, but I believe this was a mistake. Punghalu Mahomed Akil told me that he had, by Mr. Birch's orders, stuck up a notice at Bandar Lama warning Marasast not to collect taxes as he had been doing. I heard several complaints of the conduct of this man. Inche Arnim informed me that he was now at Batu Rabit, and had been there for two months. He volunteered to send for him, saying he was at present in hiding, but looking after the Sultan's place. I sent a man ashore with a note to Mr. Plunket, to bring him on board, but he was not forthcoming. and Che Arnim then told me that he bad left the previous night, and gone some distance up Qualla Telok, a creek opposite. This man's movements should be watched. We could not wait to send for him. Che Araim said that the people thereabouts had sent their families up the creeks, being afraid of men-of-war coming. He asserted that he had no further intelligence of Mr. Birch's death, beyond that brought down by the "Pluto," and stated that no boats had come down since, but that he believed that Rajah of Salangor (?) bad brought some news to the Laksamana three days ago. Capt. Innes did not land at Batu Ribit, but Mr. Plunket, who went ashore with Lieut. Elliott, reported all quiet. About 1 a Malay boat was hailed, and came alongside. A man on board her, named Dein Mumarta, stated that he was employed at Bandar Bahru by Mr. Birch as a woodcutter, that Abdullah, the Laksamana, and Tol Bandar, sent Dein Perapah (Unku Dein), Abdullah's brother-in-law, up to the Maharajah Lela, telling him to take Mr. Birch's large boat (the " Naga ") up into the interior. One of Unku Dein's own people had told him this two days ago. Unku Dein then left in his own boat, giving out that he was going to search for the body of Mr. Birch. His son returned that day to Bandar Bahru, and told Mr. Bacon that they could not find it.
The "Mata Mata," with Lieut. Elliott, Mr. Plunket, and a party of the 10th Regiment, were sent up the river to reconnoitre at Durien Sabatang. Shortly after this the "Alert" steam launch came down the river; Capt. Welner had ordered her to take letters to Mr. Davidson at Klang, but instead of this she had gone up to Banda Bahru with Abdullah. She brought a letter from Lieut. Abbott to Capt. Welner, stating that Mr. Birch's body had not been brought in yet, and begging that troops might be sent as soon as possible, as they were constantly expecting an attack, and had to be on guard day and night. A postscript stated that Mr. Swettenham had just arrived all safe. We had intended to push on that day, but it was dead low water. Mr. Birch's coxswain was on board the "Alert," and stated that he and the other boatmen were eating rice while Mr. Birch was bathing in the floating bathing house. Both the Maharaja Lela and Datu Sags were on the banks, and had shaken hands with Mr. Birch. Suddenly an attack was made upon him in the bath, upon which he and the other boatmen escaped down the river. He did not see Mr. Birch speared. The "Alert" was detained for service next day, and the "Mats Mata" returned, reporting all quiet at Durien Sabatang. It was too late to go on that evening, so preparations were made for an early start next day.
Saturday, 6th Nov.-Left the "Pluto" at 5.30 in the "Mata Mata" with Capt. Innes. Mr. Plunket and some Kling coolies, the "Quedah" and two of the "Pluto's" boats, with the men of the 10th Regiment on board, and the "Alert" with the police. It rained hard the whole day. Between Batu Rabit and Durien Sabatang there are scarcely any clearings or houses on the banks. The river winds about in the most extraordinary manner. At 7 we reached Durion Sabatang and landed a corporal and seven police to replace the men withdrawn by Capt. Welner to Kota Stia On landing we were informed that the Sultan and Laksamana had come down the night before from Bandar Bahru, and Capt. Innes sent me to bring them to the police station, as he wished to see them. I found the Laksamana at his house, a wretched place near the riverside, down a muddy lane. The Sultan was in
■ boat in the river close at hand. Mr. Plunket and I accompanied them to the station, and they had an interview with Capt. Innes, who informed them that he had been appointed to act temporarily in the place of Mr. Birch, and looked to them to give him every assistance in finding out those concerned in Mr. Birch's murder. The Sultan stated that he had gone up the river with this object, but at Bandar Bahru Mr. Swettenbam had told him he had better go back. Capt. Innes said he was glad to hear that the Sultan had gone up to Bandar Bahru when Lieut. Abbott asked him to, but he was sorry that he had not taken immediate steps on hearing of Mr. Birch's murder to find out the perpetrators of the deed. Both he and the Laksamana, he added, had always professed to be great Friends of Mr. Birch, and had given assurances of their support to his Excellency the Governor, and now was the time to show their right feelings in the matter. They promised to assist Capt. Innes, but pleaded their inability to do anything against the Maharajah Lela, who, with Datu Sagar, was principally concerned in the murder. The Sultan said that these Chiefs were angry with him for handing over the government of the country to us, and that they would not obey his orders. Capt. Innes asked the Sultan if he would come with us, but he replied that he had no boats left, as he had giren what he had to take up the troops, but he promised to come if a boat was sent for him from Banda Bahru. He did certainly get us several boats, and Capt. Innes did not pres him to come, as we did not particularly want him. We then left Durien Sabatang. The place has a large Malay population and a considerable number of Chinese shops are being built in the principal part, at the end of which is the police station. The Perak River is joined by the Sunghy Bidor just above the village, the Bidor communicating with the Bernam River by way of the Selein and Balang Padang. This river should be strictly watched, as there is suficient evidence to show that certain disaffected Chiefs of Salangor are co-operating with the_Maboraja Lela. Abdullah's people might be employed with advantage in cleaning jungle about Durien Sabatang, as this place must, to a certain extent, be the base of operations, it being the highest point where our gum vessels can be. A depot for cattle and stores might be established here under the guns of the men-of-war. The water is so deep here, though the channel is contracted by a bank of sand, that vessels could be moored and discharge their cargoes without difficulty.
Above Durien Sabatang there is a bank of sand which prevents vessels drawing more than six feet going up higher. From Kota Lumut up to Bandar Hahru the banks of the river are cultivated and there are several camponga We intended to land at Banda Lams and walk along a jungle road by the river side, best as we should have had to cross at Banda Bahru, Capt. Inaar decided to go up wome
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way in the boats from the point at which we left the launches (at Kota Lumut) and land on the left bank above two miles below the Residency. The foremost boate, however, misunderstanding the seder went right up to the Residency. Capt. Innes, Lieuts. Booth and Elliott, and landed just above Qualla Kinta and walked up to Banda Bahru. I went back in a boat to the "Mara party of the 10th Mata" and brought on Mr. Plunket and a few men who bad been left there.
Poling up stream was very hard work, the water being so deep in places that the poles would hardly reach the bottom, and the current being very rapid. The last of the boats reached Bandar Bahru about 3 p.m. The Residency, a small attap house, stands ou an island about 200 yards long by 40 broad, and narrow channel, which is bridged over, separates it from the left bank of the river. had been cleared by Mr. Birch for two or three hundred yards on the bank, where the barracks, armoury, The jungle and magazine are situated. The police station is a little lower down. Abbott of H.M.S. "Thistle," who since Mr. Birch's death had taken charge of the Residency, and On landing, we found Lieut Mr. Swettenham, who had arrived safely on the morning of the 5th instant. The evening was spent in making preparations for an attack on Passir Salah next morning. About 5.50 a boat came down the river bringing the body of Mr. Birch. Unku Dein's ron brought it, saying it had been found hidden away in the jungle at Pasair Salah where he was murdered. It is of course much decomposed, and we decided to bury it that night. There were great lamentations on the part of all his people who were evidently much devoted to him. A spot was chosen for bis grave on the ground that he had cleared, and there we buried him as the sun was setting. Mr. Swettenham read the burial service, and three volleys were fired by the Sikhs over the grave. The body had been stabbed in many places, probably after death had been caused by one or more spear wounds. The body was not otherwise mutilated.
After dinner we sat up for some time, while plans for the attack on the morrow were discussed.
One idea was for the main body, including most of the European troops, to march along the right bank to Pasir Salah, where we were informed by some Bugis people that two stockades had been erected, while another party with Mr. Plunket, the Sepoys and police, were to work their along the opposite bank to Campong Gaja.
Way
A boat constructed to carry a gun was to go up with Captain Innes and Lieutenant Abbott, and rockets, and co-operate with the troope."
Several natives were called in who professed to know the way along the banks of the river up to Passir Salah, but their accounts were most unsatisfactory and conflicting. There were said to be two stockades at Passir Salah, one on the river bank and one in the Campong behind. The attacking party hoped to be able to take both without much effort. Captain Innes decided to leave me in charge of the Residency.
s Sunday 7th November.-We were all up early and the expedition against the stockade at Passir als prepared to start. About eight poling boats were moored to the bank, and 50 men of the 10th Regiment embarked, together with about 80 Sikhs and party of police. Captain Innes had general charge of the expedition, Lieutenant Booth being in command of the detachment of the 10th Regiment, and Mr. Plunket at the head of the Sikhs and police. It was decided to concentrate the force on the right bank, and Captain Innes thought it better not to take the gun (which had been mounted in a boat by Lieut. Abbott) as it was uncertain how the boat would stand, and it might have proved an encumbrance. All the information we possessed as to the position of the enemy was that there was a stockade commanding the river at Passir Sala, and another hebind it. in the Campong which could be reached by following a jungle path. We were told that there was a deep creek on the way about a mile up the river, so the troops were sent off in boats to land just the other side of the creek (Qualla Parit). The first boats got off about 7 and poled up the river, but owing to these not being sufficient, four of them had to be sent back after landing the men at Qualla Parit, and fetch the remainder of the troops. Poling up the river took so long that by the time the last man, with Lieut. Elliott, left the Residency it was 9.50. I was left in charge of the Residency. A corporal and four men of the 10th were left at the barracks, and about a dozen Sikhs sud a few police, under Corporal Stanley, remained with me on the island. After the departure of the troope we took what precautions we could in case of an attack, Mr. Bacon assisting me. About il sharp musketry Gring was heard in the direction of Passir Salah and continued some time. It appears that, after landing at Qualla Parit, the troops marched along the jungle path towards Pasair Sala, Mr. Swettenham with Rajah Mahmoud and about 15 friendly Malays (Bata Bara men) forming a reconnoitreing party some distance in advance. When about a mile short of Passir Salah, a sharp fire was opened upon them from a stockade which was concealed by thick plantain trees and tall maize. Rajah Mahmoud and his men showed great pluck, and would have rushed upon the stockade though unprovided with fire-arms, but Mr. Swettenham held them back and waited for the troops. Rockets were then directed at the stockade but without effect, and the troops advanced upon it. The enemy, perfectly concealed by the plantain trees, and protected by a high palisade and wattled mud (parapet), with a trench in front of it, kept up a brisk fire, and in a short time Lieut. Booth was struck by a bullet in the foot, which disabled bim for the time. Lieut. Elliott was hit by a ball which passed through his left arm into his side, where it lodged. In his left hand he had a revolver, with which he fired without effect at the man who was aiming at him. Capt. Innes ordered the troops to advance, and while waving his sword was struck by a ball, which, entering his right breast, passed through the heart, and turning round he fell on his face and expired without a word. The Sikhs and polios under Mr. Plunket who were on the fank and rear would not obey orders. The police advanced a short distance and then turned and ran away. The Sikhs proved unmanageable from want of discipline and, through their not understanding the orders given them, as one time they opened fire among the troops in spite of Mr. l'lunket's order to osase firing. Exposed to fire from the stockade and also to that of the Sikhs the troops held back, and there being now no officer to les them on, Lieutenant Booth gave them the order to retire which was executed in an orderly manner, the dead and wounded being carried to the boats which were X 3
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