PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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probably be confined to blocking up roads and rivers, and generally harassing our communications which, in a hilly country densely covered with jungle, is comparatively...... easy work, well suited to Malay ideas of warfare. Poisoning wells, spiked bambus, &c. would also be resorted to in all probability. A small steamer the "Louisa," chartered at Singapore, came alongside in the morning with rifles and ammunition despatched by the Colonial Secretary, and intended for arming the Chinese. These not being required were sent ashore, being addressed to the Acting Lieut. Governor, Malacca. Captain Vaughton said that the steamer had been sent on his requisition, and should be stationed at Malacca under his orders as Acting Lieut.-Governor, but Colonel Anson decided to take her for service at Sungei Ujong. The S.S. "Rainbow," we were informed, had left for Singapore on the previous day, having taken 50 Arabs under Mr. De Fontaine to Sunghie Ujong. A hundred Goorkhas were landed at Malacca for the protection of the Settlement and were lodged in the new market, which offered capital accommodation for them. Besides these there were officer, 6 non-commissioned officers, and 36 men of the 10th Regiment in barracks.
Returning on board in the evening we left in the "Malda" at 10.30 p.m., having six large boats in tow for river service.
Mr. Neubronner found the greatest difficulty in procuring coolies for transport. Having a requisition for 354 coolics, he was only able, after much delay, to get 24 men, 10 Chinese, and the rest Malays, on the promise of their receiving $15 a month, food, and an advance of $5. Several Chinese towkays, however, promised to obtain a number of coolies by the following morning, to be despatched to Lukut at once.
The steamship "Louisa," with Inspector Cartwright, left for Lukut about 6 p.m., to coinmunicate with Rajah Bote, (who lives three miles up the Lukut River), and, if possible, get coolies there. At 10.30 we left Malacca, and steaming slow anchored about six miles off the mouth of the Lukut River at daybreak on Thursday morning (9th).. The steamship" Abyssinia was made out soon afterwards, steaming from the north-west. At 7.30 Lieut.-Colonel Hill, with 100 Goorkhas in six boats, towed by the steamship "Louisa," left the ship, and we went up the Lukut River. Colonel Anson and Colonel Clay went up ahead of us in the Government steam launch " Moosmee," which was found off Lukut. The "Louisa" draws 4 feet, and soundings over the bar at low water showed 7 feet. We reached the landing-place, about three-quarters of a mile below Raja Bote's house, about 11.0, and found a landing-stage prepared by the Lieutenant-Governor's direction, he having arrived about an hour before. The Goorkhas were landed and formed on the bank. Meanwhile Rajah Bote, with whom Mr. Neu- bronner had communicated, came on board the launch, and had an interview with Colonel Anson, who told him he was glad to hear that he had afforded our troops every assist- ance. The Raja said he did not know the cause of the hostility displayed by the Rambow Chiefs. He never went up there himself, and all he knew of them was that he had twice been threatened with attacks from them. He hoped we should adopt strong measures and drive these Chiefs out of the country. He complained that no traffic passed down his river during times of peace, but went down the Lingie; in war time only his river was made use of The Governor during the last disturbance (he said) had promised to make a road to afford communication with the interior, but when affairs were settled nothing was done about it. He sent a trustworthy guide with Lieut.- Colonel Hill to show the way to Rasa, which he said was 14 miles up, three miles being good road. The despatch for Sungei Ujong, which Colonel Anson had sent up by the Louisa," he said had arrived at 2, and be had forwarded it, but the bearers were met by the enemy about an hour up the river, and returned, He then despatched another party of six men,
The troops left about 11.30, after which we went down the river to the " Abyssinia," which had anchored some miles distant from our ship, We went on board, and the "Abyssinia" was directed to come alongside the "Malda," to enable the half battery of artillery to be transshipped for service at Sunghie Ujong. Captain Ker, of the 3rd (Buffs) Regiment, accompanied Colonel Anson on board the "Malda," together with the officer in command of the artillery. Captain Ker received orders to return to Larute, as the troops were not required. The artillery were taken on board with two guns, and the "Abyssinia" is now leaying-7.30 p.m., 9th.
(Signed) C. W. SNEYD Kynnersley.
The river is very narrow, hardly allowing room for the small steamer to turn. A branch of the stream (Sunghie Jema) turns to the left about two miles from the Kwalla.
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STATEMENT of ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT HAYWARD.
Assistant Superintendent Hayward states that rumours of intended attacks on our frontier from Sri Menanti, Gumunchee, and some of the Rambow people, have reached him, but he does not believe that there is any foundation for these reports, and the police at the country stations have not reported any attempted attacks, though it is said that the natives are being armed, and arms and ammunition have passed up the Muar River. The Datu of Muar, who lives high up the stream, is said to be assisting the disaffected Malays about Sunghy Ujong. Syed Ahmed, the Datu of Rambow, appears very friendly, and Mr. Hayward is favourably impressed with him. Mustapha, the rival claimant, has a large following, probably about 400 men. not been up to Sunghy Ujong for 12 months, and cannot, therefore, say what is the Mr. Hayward has position of affairs there now. Syed Alwi, who was sent up by Mr. Plunket to get information from the natives, and who has been absent for a fortnight, returned yesterday, and his report of the feeling of the country may be relied upon.
December 8th, 1875.
SIB,
Enclosure 23. in No. 114
CAPTAIN VAUGHTON to HON. COLONEL ANSON.
Malacca, December 7, 1875.
I HAVE the honour to inform you that I have at present stationed in this town, I officer, 6 non-commissioned officers, and 36 men and 2 gunners. are 2 officers, 6 non-commissioned officers, and 65 men, as well as Mr. Fontaine's Arabs. At Sungie Ujong there From reliable information I have received from the interior there is an attack to be attempted upon Sungie Ujong, the plan is as follows:-The Datoh of Jumpole to enter by Pantie, a pass leading to Jellabu. The Datoh of Muar with Eum Tuan by Terrachee, Syed Mangakop by Rumbow. There are about 800 men in Sree Menantee. Datoh
of Rambow intends at present to remain neutral, but he cannot prevent his men joining the enemy. Tampin Ahmat Tunggab states he does not intend taking any part in the matter, he is a friend of the Klana, but afraid to do anything openly, and he is the rival claimant for the sultanship. In the engagement at Terrachee only two Malays were wounded, they were under Eum Tuan and Datoh of Muar, there were 200 Malays out. The Sungie men are in the affair, the weapons principally flint locks, tin bullets, but there are a great many Snider rifles. They have a man in Sree Menantee or Muar engaged in converting their percussion guns into flint locks as they are short of caps. They have sent to Pabang to procure powder and assistance. The informant is afraid they intend to burn the Chindras mines; there are only 10 men there,, of whom 5 are fighting men for the Chindras Company. They have 12 guns and 70 rounds of ammunition. Help is requested. The Datoh of Muer, with Eum Tuan, could bring 1,500 men, Syed Mengakop would have about 600 men, no information as regards Jellaba. There is great excitement in the whole country. The wells are being poisoned. The Malays are much encouraged by the affairs in Perak. The Malays (says Syed Ahmat) are trying to shut up certain mountain passages with trees and rocks, &c. The mot d'ordre comes from Malacca. Rambow is treacherous. The Malay priests should be watched. The Malays are in Syed Ahmat says the Datoh of hopes of Turkey assisting them.
Nothing positive as to Malacca at present, but letters are going continually from Malacca to Gumanchi. The Datoh of Tampin has been staying in Malacca. The people here are very nervous, and a Mr. De Wind has asked me to have a meeting of justices, as he had heard from the country if troops were not here the Malays might be down upon the place any night, and from all sides I hear that this has long been talked of. A serjeant of mine was out shooting about six miles from here, he mentioned noticing for the first time Malaya assembling in parties together. priest, out about nine miles, states of the very great exciternent, &c. prevailing there.
Also the French well as in the town it is reported the saine thing. The Malays at Sungie Ujong, Lieutenant Hinzman reports, are assembling in great numbers all round, and if troops are not sent at once, he will not be answerable. A letter has just been brought to me
As
in Malay, saying that if troops are not at once at Sungie Ujong the white men there now will be beaten. They say they will make the white men into white curry. I satisfied the justices when I told them troops were expected. The head Chinese and natives here attended the meeting, but they one and all requested to have more troops here at once, as they did not consider Malacca safe with the few men here. My own opinion is Ff
88887.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
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882
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