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882
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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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of that again we received news that bad men were going to make disturbances in our district (ie., Campar). Therefore we waited and did not go down to meet our friend for we were engaged in gathering together all our people to guard and strengthen our position.
Now this is our brother Raja Ahmed whom we send to meet our friend for we are most anxious to hear how our friends are faring.
Moreover, we inform our friend that as regards our own circumstances at this time we are in distress on account of (for want of) money and food. We trust our friend will relieve us in this matter as our hope is in our friend.
Written at 4 p.m. on the 23d of the month Shawal 1292.
Received November 25th, 1875.
Enclosure 3. in No. 113.
From MR. SWETTENHAM at Bandar Bahru, to RAJA IDRIS at Campar. (After compliments.)
Our friend's letter of the 23rd Shawal has reached us in safety, and we thank our friend for it; (our friend asks how we are), we are well.
On the 15th November the troops here attacked Passir Sala, and the people of that place fled, and the Campong of Passir Sala was burnt by our party. We think it would be well if our friend came down here and met us, for it seems probable that no one will now molest our friend's Campong; therefore we think our friend had better come to Bandar Bahru. We have met our friend's brother Raja Ahmed, and have given bim a pass to buy rice and take it up the river. Our compliments to our friend.
Bandar Bahru,
November 25, 1875.
Enclosure 4. in No. 113.
From EX-SULTAN ISMAIL to HIS EXCELLENCY the GOVERNOR, dated 21st Shawal 1292 (November 21, 1875).
(After compliments.)
We write this letter to inform our friend that at the time we write this letter we are in very great distress; we do not know why all the things which come from the ses cannot be taken into Perak.
All the people are very afraid; some of them have fled to the far jungles, for a great many white soldiers have come into the districts of Perak. In our opinion we have never done anything wrong.
Regarding the death of Mr. Birch, we took no part, nor did we allow the people who did it, and we do not know why they committed the murder.
For all the time Mr. Birch had been governing our country without consulting us or with our consent; we never stopped him or resisted any of his orders, for we are afraid, and we never think to go against our friend, the English Government, for that is the place in which we trust for ever, and the place of protection to the country of Perak.
Ever since the treaty was made with the English company by the former Sultans, the country of Perak has been safe from its enemies from other countries, for the country of Perak is the weakest country of all other Malay countries.
We are all in trouble through this conduct of one of our great men.
In our opinion we may find a way of seeking the people who have done this thing, if one of our friend's trustworthy officers will come and consult with the other Chiefs of Perak, so that the country may not be ruined, and that no troubles may befall our poor subjects.
Moreover, we also send a letter to our son the Maharajah of Johore, and if, perhaps, there be any suspicion upon us, he may settle with our friend.
We will never depart from our old customs, but we may learn whether we are right or wrong; this is what we inform our friend, and our best compliments to our friend.
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Enclosure 5. in No. 113.
From Ex-SULTAN ISMAIL to HIS EXCELLENCY the GOVERNOR, dated 30th Shawal, 1299
(November 30, 1875).
(After compliments.)
We received two letters from our friend safely, one is dated 23rd November, the other the 25th, and we understood their contents.
Our friend said in his letters that we did not send him any news about the death of Mr. Birch, but truly we did not know for what reason this murder has been committed; we did not know of it until two or three days after it had taken place.
We have written to our friend, and to our son the Maharajah of Johore, but it is very difficult to send the letters, for all the ways are blockaded towards the sea, and our men dare not go for there is a strong guard to examine them in all places.
When our friend's messenger brought our friend's letters, then we were able to rend replies.
In our heart, we may say that we don't wish to disobey our friend or deny his request whenever those requests will lead to our good, and that of the country of Perak. Our best compliments.
Enclosure 6. in No. 113.
From Ex-SULTAN ISMAIL to His Excellency the GOVERNOR of the STRAITE SETTLEMENT, dated 3rd Delkaida 1292 (December 3, 1875). (After compliments.)
We inform our friend that we have received another letter from our friend, dated November 23, to the same effect as the other, which was brought by Orang Kaya Ab- dorrahman, and we have answered it by the bearer.
Regarding the people who have done this to Mr. Birch, we never sanctioned that act in the least.
Up to the date of this letter also we do not know where they are, and it has not come to our knowledge whether they are alive or dead.
In our opinion, if our friend sends many of his troops into Perak to look for the people who have done it, we are sure that the country of Perak will be ruined, for the people are in great terror, and they will run into the distant parts of the jungle.
Moreover, if one of our friend's confidential men will concert measures with such one
of our Chiefs as may be proper, they can consult together and search out those people, wherever they may hide themselves.
This is what we inform our friend with our best compliments.
Enclosure 7. in No. 113.
From Ex-SULTAN ISMAIL to His Highness The MAHARAJAH of JOHORE, dated 21st Shaural
1292 (November 21, 1875.) (After compliments.)
We inform our son that at the time of writing this letter, we are in difficulties, and we do not know why they have stopped all the things which come from the sea to Perak, and the people of the country are also afraid. In our recollection we have done no wrong. About the death of Mr. Birch we never interfered nor allowed the people who did it to do so, for the great men of Perak do what they please in their own districts, and it is not known to us why the murder has happened. So long as Mr. Birch has carried out the ruling of the country of Perak, he never has come to consult us nor ask for our approval, but we have never prevented him nor resisted any of his orders, for we are afraid, and we have never thought of going against the British Government, because we are protected by it, for the country of Perak is weaker than any other Malayan country. When the treaty was made, the late Sultans bound themselves with the British Govern- ment; since that time, the country of Perak has been protected from the enemies of other countries, because it is under the protection of the British Government. By the action of our great men we are in difficulties, but we do not know how we have done wrong in this matter.
Now we beg our sou very much that our son will come himself to Perak at this time, so that we may settle with the Governor on those matters which are now troubling us. Bb 3
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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
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882
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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