PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
C.O.
882
3 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO.
186
2. On arriving at the Dindings on the morning of the 6th (Saturday) I found a letter waiting for me from Captain Speedy, the Assistant Resident at Laroot, informing me of Mr. Birch having been murdered by the natives, about six miles above the Residency, and Sub-lieutenant Abbott of this ship having narrowly escaped with his life, and being now in charge of the Residency. I also received a letter from Captain Innes, R.E., who passed through the Dindings Channel on the evening of the 4th from Penang on his way to the Residency, informing me that he was appointed Assistant Commissioner at Perak, and he had 60 men of the 10th Regiment and 30 police with him on board the "Pluto," and that he should communicate with and relieve Sub-lieutenant Abbott at once, he also informed me that there were some disturbances at Klang (the neighbouring State).
3. Knowing therefore that there was now a strong force at the Residency at Perak, and that Mr. Davidson, the Resident at Klang, had no Europeans with him, I determined to proceed up the Klang River in the first instance, in ascending which the following morning I fell in with a Colonial steamer with his Excellency the Governor on board, who approved my proceedings,
4. Assistance not being required at Klang I left in company with the Governor) at noon on Sunday, and reached the mouth of the Perak River the next morning, and found there the Colonial steamer "Pluto," waiting for the Governor with information of an unsuccessful attack having been made on the 7th (Sunday) by the force from the Residency on a native stockade about two miles below where Mr. Birch was murdered, Captain Innes, R.E., who commanded the party, being killed, two officers of the 10th Regiment being wounded, and many other casualties. Sub-lieutenant Abbott, on whom the command latterly devolved, and his party (4 men) were engaged, but I am glad to say there are no casualties among them.
5. I ascended the Perak River yesterday afternoon with the Governor, and am now anchored about four miles above Batarabit. The "Fly " is three miles further up with a detachment of the 10th Regiment on board. I enclose Captain Bruce's letter of pro- ceedings since I left Singapore. (Enclosure No. 2.)
6. As will be seen by the accompanying copy of a letter addressed to me by the Governor, it is his intention to evacuate Bandar Bahru (the Residency), and he has requested me to remain with the force at Batarabit or wherever they may establish themselves.
7. A special steamer has been sent to Labuan to inform Captain Buller of what has occurred, and requesting his immediate presence. Troops have also been telegraphed for from Hong Kong.
Vice-Admiral A. P. Ryder,
SIR,
Commander-in-Chief, China Station.
187
Perak River, the Hon. J. Birch (Her Majesty's Resident there) having been attacked whilst bathing, and not heard of since, his interpreter stabbed, and no news can be obtained of Swettenharn, Esquire, Resident at Langat.
At noon on the same day I received a letter from his Excellency the Governor copy of which I enclose) requesting me to proceed to the Perak River with troops. I therefore proceeded to Tanjong Pagar Wharf, embarked the troops, &c., and left Singa- pore for the Perak River at 8 a.m. on the 5th instant.
Lily,"
Previous to my departure, I left the mail bags for H.M. ships "Modeste,” “ and "Blanche," in charge of the Postmaster at Singapore, and also a letter for Captain Buller, a copy of which I enclose herewith.
I have, &c.
Commander Francis Stirling,
H.M.S."Thistle,"
Senior Officer, Straits Settlements.
(Signed)
Sub-Enclosure 3, China Station Letter of 1875.
JOHN BRUCE,
Commander.
Government House, Singapore,
November 4, 1875.
SIR,
I HAVE the honour to request that you will be good enough to make the necessary arrangements for proceeding to Batarabit on the Perak River on the 5th instant, and that (unless Captain with H.M.S. "Thistle" be there to give you instructions) you will on your arrival communicate with Captain Innes, R.E., Acting Assistant Resident in Perak, from whom you will receive information as to the services which it may be desirable for you to perform.
I should be obliged if you would take to Perak 80 non-commissioned officers and men of the 1st Battalion 10th Regiment, with officers, and 20 men of the Royal Artillery who are to be temporarily employed on special service in that port. The embarkation will take place at the Tanjong Pagar Wharf at 6 am. on the 5th instant.
I have, &c. Captain J. Bruce, R.N.,
(Signed) H.M.S."Fly," Singapore,
(Signed)
I have, &c.
F. STIRLING, Commander and Senior Officer,
Malacca Straits.
SIR,
Sub-Enclosure 1, China Station Letter of 1875.
Government House, Singapore, November 2, 1875.
I HAVE the honour to request that you will proceed as early as you can, in H.M.S." Thistle," to Batarabit, on the Perak River, and that on your arrival communicate with Mr. Birch, the British Resident in Perak.
you will
Mr. Birch is about to promulgate Proclamations, giving effect to the arrangements recently made for administering the Government of Perak, and I would feel obliged by your affording him any necessary assistance that may be in your power in performing this service.
The Naval Officer Commanding,
Straits of Malacca.
(2 Enclosures.)
SIR,
I have, &c.
(Signed) WM. F. DRUMMOND JERVOIS.
Sub-Enclosure 2, China Station Letter of 1875. PROCEEDINGS of H.M.S. “Fly."
H.M.S."Fly," at Sen, Straits of Malacca,
November 6, 1875.
I HAVE the honour to report that on the morning of the 4th instant his Excellency the Governor of the Straits Settlements informed me that there was a disturbance up the
WM. DRUMMOND JERVOIS.
Sub-Enclosure 4, China Station Letter of 1875.
PROCEEDINGS of H.M.S." Fly."
H.M.S."Fly," at Singapore, November 4, 1875.
In the event of your arriving at this port during my absence, I have the honour to forward herewith for your information a copy of a letter from his Excellency the Governor of the Straits Settlements, requesting me to proceed to the Perak River to take
a body of troops thither, and also to render assistance should it be necessary.
I had an interview with his Excellency the Governor this morning, and as the distur bance appears to be of a serious nature l'intend acting on his requisition, and proceeding thither to-morrow morning.
H.M.S. "Thistle" left this port for the Dindings on the 3rd instant, and I shall there- fore most probably be able to communicate with Commander Stirling during the passage. The only way of communicating is to telegraph or write through Penang, either to the care of Captain Fox, harbour master, or through the Hon. Colonel Auson.”
Captain Alexander Buller, R.N.,
1 have, &c. (Signed) JOHN BRUCE, H.M.S."Modeste."
Sr,
Sub-Enclosure 5, China Station Letter of 1875.
Commander.
Near Batarabit, Perak River, November 8, 1875.
A SMALL force of infantry with a force of Sikhs and police is at present occupying the Residency at Bandar Bahru on this river; as there is no communication with Bandar Bahru for some miles, except by native boats, I have considered it necessary under present A a 2
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference -
PELLICO. 882
سائسلسلنيليا
3
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON} ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO