PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
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C.O. 882
3
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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the latter course would be most advisable, for if, as stated, the Malays in Malacca are unfriendly, it is very desirable to prevent intercourse between them and the Malays of the neighbouring States.
Under any circumstances it is desirable at the present time that we should avoid, if possible, making any active movement.
If you should be able to obtain evidence that Mr. Henry Velge is at the bottom of, or has been in any way instrumental in fomenting disturbances, and if you think that such a prima facie case can be macie out against him as would justify a magistrate in com- mitting him for trial under the Penal Code, ordinary steps should be taken for his apprehension.
I wish you to let Mr. Plunket read this letter.
Yours very truly, (Signed)
Enclosure 21, in No. 114.
WM. F. DRUMMOND JERVOIS.
From HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR to HON. C. B. PLUNKET and CAPTAIN MURRAY,
Penang, December 5, 1875.
SIR,
I HEREWITH forward copy of instructions which I have addressed to Colonel Anson, Lieut.-Governor, Penang, with reference to reports which I have received from Singapore respecting the state of affairs in Sungie Ujong and the States about Malacca.
Telegrams which have received (copies enclosed) from Singapore are of so alarming a character that I have considered it necessary to request the Major-General Com- manding to despatch 100 infantry of the line and 20 artillery in a vessel of war to Malacca. I have also requested that 300 of the Goorkha regiment just arrived from India may be despatched for service in the States about Malacca and Sungie Ujong, if required.
My wishes and views with respect to the employment of this force are expressed in the instructions which I have given to Colonel Anson, with whom, being unable to go to Malacca myself, I have personally communicated, in order that, being fully cognizant of my views, he may be in a position to carry them out as far as possible.
Colonel Anson will proceed this day to Malacca with the Ghoorkha force in the ship "Malda," and I have no doubt that you will afford him your ready assistance and co-operation.
The Hon, C. B. Plunket,
Acting Lieut.-Governor, Malacca. Captain Murray,
I have, &c. (Signed)
Acting Assistant Resident, Sungie Ujong.
WM. F. DRUMMOND JERVOIS,
P.S. to LETTER to CAPTAIN MURRAY.
Since writing the above I find that circumstances have prevented the 100 infantry and 20 artillery which I requested the Major-General Commanding to send to Malacca from being despatched to that Settlement.
The Goorkhas, however, will proceed to Malacca with Colonel Anson, and part of this force will be available for Sungie Ujong. Thirty-four artillery with 2 guns and 50 rockets will also be sent for service in Sungie Ujong and Malacca, as may be required. (Signed) W. F. D. J.
Enclosure 22, in No. 114.
HAVING received instructions from his Excellency the Governor to proceed to Sunghie Ujong to act as interpreter, with the troops, I went on board the B.I.S.S. "Malda" at 4 p.m. on Monday, 6th December. The Lieutenant-Governor of Penang came on board at 5.30 and we soon after weighed anchor for Malacca. 358 officers and men of the 1st Goorkhas, with Colonel Clay in command, were on board for service in Malacca and Sunghie Ujong if troops should be required there. Mr. Daly, surveyor of Native States, accompanied us, being well acquainted with the Malacca frontier, and Mr. Neubronner came also as interpreter, &c. to the Lieutenant-Governor. Colonial steamer " Pluto," bound for Penang, was passed off Pulo Jeraja.
The
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Tuesday, 7th.--Continued under steam and at 7.30 p.m. passed the North Sands light- house, coming to anchor off Malacca at 6.45 a.m. on the 8th. The Post Office boat came alongside and after some time the Lieutenant-Governor's boat, with Captain Vaugton of the 10th Regiment, who, during Mr. Plunket's absence in Sunghie jong, was acting temporarily in his place. After an interview with the Lieutenant-Governor of Penang he left to prepare a memorandum of the position of affairs at Malacca, which he subsequently eent off. In this he states that there is great excitement in the whole country, and that the Malacca people fear they will be attacked unless the troops are left. From reliable native information he learns that, in the intended attack on Sungei Ujong, the Datu of Jumpole is to enter by Pantei, a pass leading to Jellabu the Datu of Muar with Eam Tuam (Srimenanto) Unku Antah by Terachi and Syed Mangakop by Rambow. The Batu of Rambow intends to remain neutral for the present; but is treacherous. The wells it is reported are being poisoned and the mountain passes being blocked. Lieutenant Hinxman reports that Malays are assem- bling in great numbers about Sungei Ujong, and that more troops are required. The mot d'ordre comes from Malacca and letters are constantly going to Gamunchi. Mr. Neubronner went ashore and, after making arrangements about getting coolies, came off with Mr. Magalhaens, Assistant Colonial Engineer, and Assistant Superintendent Hayward. While Mr. Magalhaens was speaking to Colonel Anson I took down a statement of what Mr. Hayward believed to be the state of affairs in Malacca. He does not believe that there is any foundation for the rumours of intended attacks on our frontier from Sri Menanti, Gumunchi, and Rambow. The natives are being armed and arms and ammunition are said to be passing up the Moar river, and probably are also obtained through Pahang. The police at the country stations have not reported any hostile movements on the frontier. The Datu of Muar who lives high up the stream is said to be assisting the Malays about Sungei Ujong, who are opposed to us. Syed Ahmat, the Datu of Rambow, appears very friendly, and Mr. Hayward was favourably impressed with him. Mustapha, the rival claimant, has a large following, probably about 400 men. Mr. Hayward not having been to Sungei Ujong for 12 months cannot speak as to the present state of affairs there. Syed Alui, who has just come down and from whom Captain Vaughton got his information, can be relied upon.
About 12.0 I went ashore with Colonel Anson, Colonel Clay, and other officers, and went up to the Stadthaus. Mr. Neubronner, who was there, had taken down the statements of two Malays, Syed Allui (before mentioned) and the son of the Punghulu of Pulo Sebang. I examined the latter and found that beyond bearing some firing near Paroy he knew very little of what had occurred. Mr. de Wind, a large landowner in Malacca, came into the office and I had a conversation with him as to state of feeling in Malacca. He appeared much excited and was evidently under apprehension that the Malays on the frontier were about to pour into the place in thousands, while Government provided no adequate protection and left the Settlement at the mercy of the Malays, whilst interfering where they had no right to. The Datu Klana, whom we supported, he described as a weak man who was not recognised had called a meeting of justices to consider the state of affairs, and that at the
half his people. He told me he alarming crisis a large force was required to protect Malacca. He is evidently a great present alarmist, and, having considerable influence in Malacca, has probably done a good deal to produce the state of panic which exists among a portion of the community. The wildest rumours are spread and believed, and if anything would induce the Malays on the frontier to make a descent for the sake of plunder it would be attributable to this state of panic. I should not apprehend any attack on our territory, especially now that 100 men of the Goorkhas have been stationed there. Mr. Hayward stated that the police were rather short banded, there being 19 stations altogether; but the police had orders if attacked or threatened at the frontier stations to fall back and and not attempt to make a stand in the event of the enemy appearing in large force. I could not hear of any disaffection on the part of the Malays in our territory, nor do I believe that any such feeling exists. The Malays know when they are well off and are not likely to join any of the frontier Chiefs having once lived under a civilised Government.
There was evidently no certain information to be obtained in Malacca as to the state of feeling among the Malays supposed to be hostile. That the people are being armed, are well supplied with arms and ammunition, and are making every preparation for resistance in case of being attacked, appears tolerably certain. Their numbers are probably much exaggerated. Malays never move in large bodies, but each small Chief with his following of from 50 to 100 men is prepared to dispute the passage of troops through his territory, and it is possible that in the neighbourhood of Sunghie Ujong there may be a considerable number of men. Their operations till attacked would E e 4
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