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four main causes appear to be:-A hatred of the Klans and a desire to put another in his stead, a dislike to the English, by whose instrumentality the Klana's importance had been augmented to the diminution of their own, the intention of establishing the position of Rajah Antar, and the fear that they would be called to account for the insult which they had offered to the British Government. I have also been informed that the Malays had designs on our Settlement of Malacca itself, hoping that an attack on Sungie Ujong would lead to a withdrawal of the troops from Malacca, and that a successful surprise might thus be effected.
6. I have already, in paragraph 9 of my Despatch, No. 335, dated 2nd instant," on Perak affairs, observed that intolerance and fanaticism on the part of the Malays are uore developed at the termination of the Mahommedan fasting month than at any other. period of the year. It was at about this period that the disturbances in the States near Malacca, as well as in Perak, broke out.
7. The first act of open hostility took place on the 27th ultimo. On the previous day Captain Murray having been informed that a Punghulu of the Datu Klana had been'' superseded by Rajah Antar, and that an armed force was collected at Terrachee (a place in Sungie Ujong), went with a detachment of troops and a body of police to inquire into the circumstances. Mr. Daly, a Government surveyor, accompanied the party. They slept that night at Terrachee, in the premises of the Klana's Pungbulu, who, they were informed, had gone to one of the neighbouring States. They inquired of the natives, who would give them no information, and they had no idea that there was any armed -force in the neighbourhood.
The next day Captain Murray started on his return to the Residency. Mr. Daly, however, at this time, thinking it a good opportunity for obtaining certain topographical information, proceeded onward, accompanied by a small detachment of police. He had not proceeded far before he found that the path by which he was proceeding was spiked, and that he had to turn off into paddy fields. Whilst in this position an armed force of about 200 men (amongst whom was the Klana's Punghulu, at whose house they had slept the previous night) presented itself, pointed their guns at him, and told him that if he proceeded further he would be killed. He thereupon retired, and sent a message to Captain Murray to return with the detachments that were with him. On Captain Murray's return he was greeted with a shout and a volley of musketry, and an engage, ment ensued which lasted about 20 minutes.
Captain Murray, finding that his men were getting short of ammunition, prudently retired, after dislodging the Malays from their position. Upon seeing that he was retiring, the enemy took courage, followed him at a distance, and occupied a pass Enclosures leading from the valley of Terrachee to the Residency. There they proceeded to fortify. themselves, and after a short time sent on a force to occupy Paroe, a place about five miles distant from the Residency.
5, 6, 7, and 8.
Τον. 18,
Dee. 4, and Nov. 30, 1875. Enclosure 9.
8. Upon receiving the telegrams from Singapore (Enclosures 1 and 2) I immediately Dec. 1, 1875. wrote to Major-General Colborne, C.B., Commanding the Forces, requesting him to Enclosure 10. send 100 infantry and 20 artillery to Malacca in one of Her Majesty's vessels, and r Dec. 9, 1875," wrote to the Senior Naval Officer to send such vessel.
Enclosures -12, 13, and 14.
Enclosure 11. I wrote also to the Lieut.-Governor of Malacca informing him of the reinforcements Dec. 2, 1875. which I purposed sending for the protection of Malacca and Sungie Ujong, and I issued instructions to him not to employ them for offensive operations without reference to me.
9. From the accompanying enclosures your Lordship will observe that Major-General' Des. 4. 1875. Colborne considered that he was unable to detach the troops asked for from the force at
Bandar Bahru, and that he gave orders that 100 men should be sent from Singapor also that the Senior Naval Officer had despatched H.M.S. "Thistle" to Singapore for the conveyance of these troops to Malacca.
Faclosure 15. Deg. 3, 1875.
Laclosure Dec. 5, 5, and
10, 17, and 18
6, 1075.
On the 3rd instant I received the enclosed alarming telegram from Singapore, and, believing that it would be impolitic to weaken the garrison of Singapore at this time below the point it had already been reduced, I gave instructions that no troops were to be sent from that station. I had previously decided to request Brigadier-General Ross to despatch a portion of the Indian force, viz., 300 Goorkhas and a half battery of artillery, for service in Malacca and 'Sungie Ujong, leaving 200 of the Buffs in reserve.
I also ordered a body of about 100 irregulars (Arabu, Sepoys, &c.) which had been recruited at Singapore to be sent to Sungie Ujong, but to be kept well in hand.
10. On the 6th instant 350 Goorkhas, under the command of Colonel Clay, and a kalf battery of artillery, started from Penang in the S.S. "Malda," for Malacca and Sungie Ujong. To this force I attached, as my representative, Colonel Anson, Lieutenant- Governor of Pefiang, to whom I had personally communicated my views and wishes
No. fol...
1
209
with respect to its employment. I instructed Colonel Anson to act in concert with the Honble. C. B. Plunket, Acting Lieut.-Governor of Malacca, and with Captain Murray, Assistant Resident.
Enclosures
1820, and 21.
Deo. 4, 5, and
Enclosure #1.
5, 1875.
I enclose copy of a journal kept by Mr. Kynnersley, who was attached to the troops as interpreter, from which your Lordship will observe that 100 of the Goorkhas were Dos, 8, 1875. landed at Malacca, at which Settlement there are also 42 non-commissioned officers and men of the 1/10th Regiment.
One hundred of the Goorkhas, under Lieutenant-Colonel Hill, landed at Lukut, en route for Sungie Ujong on the 9th instant, and I have since learnt that the remainder have marched to that State.
Belowres
Dec. 7, 1875
11. I enclose a report addressed by Captain Vaughton to Colonel Anson on his arrival Enclosure 18. at Malacca, describing the state of affairs in Malacca and the adjacent States.
From the accompanying enclosures, which refer to the same question, your Lordship will observe that there is a tone of apprehension and alarm throughout, and that there is no doubt an organised movement against us in certain of the " Nine States." to me, however, that the reports about the existence of disaffection in Malacca have It appears been much exaggerated, and from my latest advices it seems that affairs are going on satisfactorily in that Settlement.
94 to 22. 1*6, 1, 4, 4, 5,
4, 7, and 7.
1875.
12. Any doubt as to the intentions of Rajah Antar have been dispelled by the enclosed Enclosure 35. letter received from him by Captain Murray. Your Lordship will observe that the tone Dec. 3, 1875. of this letter is alike insolent to Captain Murray, and, in fact, amounts to a declaration of war against the British Government. There would appear also to be no doubt that he is at the head of the Malay force alluded to, in Captain Murray's covering letter to this enclosure, as having made a descent on the village of Paroe, only five miles distant from the Residency. On the same day Lieutenant Hinxman reports that the enemy Enclosure 34. were coming into Sungie Ujong every day, erecting stockades as they advance. On the Dec ☎, 1875. 4th instant a reconnaissance was made under the command of Lieutenant Hinxman upon the village of Paroe, where the Malays were found entrenched, and from whence the troops were obliged to retire before a strong body of the enemy.
13. I have cot received, at present, later official advices from Sungie Ujong, but from a private letter I have received intelligence of a gallant and successful attack on the stockade erected by the enemy at this village of Paroe.
It is stated that the position was carried at the point of the bayonet and the Malays routed with severe loss, I communicated this intelligence to your Lordship in my telegram of the 14th instant. By the next mail I will forward the official reports.
I anticipate that this successful attack will have good results in inducing those who may be wavering to come over to our side, in fact I yesterday received information that Rainbowe (a State which, from the sketch map (Enclosure 4), your Lordship will observe holds an important position with respect to Malacca and Sungie Ujong) had already declared in our favour.
It would appear, however, from a letter from the Acting Lieutenant-Governor of Malacca, dated 11th instant, that this State did not declare in our favour until after they had fully discussed the question of joining a combination against 119. candid statement made by Hadji Mustapha's minister to the Acting Lieutenant-Governor, From the very it would appear that the Datus of Rumbowe talked over the question for two days, and then decided that they would consult Rajah Ahmat and follow his advice. With such elements to deal with, your Lordships will observe how much depends upon our making such a display of force as will inspire them with a wholesome fear of our power.
Enclosures 35 and 25.
Dev. 5, 1875,
14. On the 13th instant I received a communication from Captain Vaughton, for. Eoslosure $7. warding copies of letters from Hadji Mustapha and Hadji Said, Chiefs of Rumbow, and b-Enci.) stating that Rajah Ahmst (to whom I have alluded in the fourth paragraph of this D. 11, 1875. despatch), promised that if we recognised him as Yam Tuan Besar and furnish him with arms and ammunition that he would arrest all Malays coming into the country between Moar and Rumbowe, and that he had a force of 11,000 to 12,000 men at his disposal. It is needless to say that these numbers are enormously exaggerated. experience in other cases I think it probable that about 1,000 men would be nearer the mark.
From my
Upon sending Colonel Ansou further instructions, a copy of which I enclose, I desired Koslosure 3. him to consult with Mr. Plunket on the subject stating that in my view, Rajah Ahmat Dec. 19, 1975. should be told that we would do our best to forward his wishes, but that we could not arrive at a conclusion in a hurry as to whom we should recognise as Yam Tuan Besar.
15. Such, my Lord, is the position in which affairs stand at present in Malacca and the States adjacent thereto. I am at present awaiting a report of the result of the consultation with Rajah Ahmat.
38857.
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