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882
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246
I had a stockade constructed on the 3rd, and ran a strong cheval de frise of strong sticks round the island, and used every other precaution according to our means to hold our position during the night, which passed off without any incidents excepting the wounding of a sepoy by the accidental discharge of a rifle during a false alarm.
I deemed it best simply to protect the Residency for the present, and to adhere to this policy until reinforcements should have arrived, or other instructions from Penang by the "Pluto.”
The four men of the "Thistle" who were left with me were detailed to work the three guns we have here (a Vavasour 9-pounder, a brass 12-pounder howitzer, and a mortar), and otherwise to make themselves useful,
The sepoys, numbering about 50 active men, were our only other force. They are, with two or three exceptions, recruits from the neighbourhood of Lahore, in India, and are still far from perfect in the use of arms, and are to a great extent wanting in discipline, but they did their duty well.
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On the morning of the 5th Mr. Swettenham arrived from Qualla Kangsa, and assumed civil charge of the Residency.
I append a list of killed and wounded, and letters that have passed between the Sultan and myself, also depositions of the most reliable witnesses of the murder of Mr. Birch.
Before concluding I feel it due to them to state that I was greatly assisted in my operations by the members of the Resident's staff-viz., Mesars. Bacon and Keyt, and police inspector Lagia. Mr. Kenn also proved useful in attending to the sick and wounded.
I have, &c.
Commander F. Stirling, H.M.S." Thistle," Senior Naval Officer, Straits of Malacca.
(Signed)
Sub-Enclosure 2. in Enclosure 1.
T. F. ABBOTT,
Sub-Lieutenant.
LIST of KILLED and WOUNDED at PABBIR SALA on November 2, 1875. Killed:-The Hon. S. W. Birch; Arshad, interpreter; Hit Sersing, sepoy, Dim Laroot, boatman.
Wounded:-Doolah, boatman, severely; Karet Singh, sepoy, severely; Chet Singh, corporal, sepoy, severely; Mahomed, boatman, slightly; Mohomed, boatrnan, slightly; Mya Singh, sepoy, slightly.
Sub-Enclosure 3. in Enclosure 1.
To His Highness Sultan Abdullah Mahomed SHAH, son of the late SULTAN JAFFIE BIN
AL MAATHUM SHAH, Sultan of Perak.
Bandhar Bahru, November 2nd, 1875.
I have to inform my friend that Mr. Birch was killed by some of our friend's people at Pasir Sala this morning, and I shall be obliged if my friend will come up here and consult with me, and give me every assistance in the matter.
T. F. ABBOTT,
Sub-Lieutenant, in charge of the Residency, Bandbar Bahru.
Sub-enclosure 4. in Enclosure 1.
From SULTAN ́Abdullah MAHOMED SHAH, Sultan of Perak, &c., to SUB-LIEUTENANT
T. F. ABBOTT.
Durian Sabatang, November 3, 1875.
I have received my friend's letter, and I am very sorry.
As soon as I received my friend's letter I began to collect my people to come up to Bandhar Babru.
And when my people are ready I shall come and consult with my friend and give every assistance in my power.
ABDULLAH.
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Sub-enclosure 5. in Enclosure 1.
From SUB-LIEUTENANT T. F. ABBOTT, in charge of Her Britannic Majesty's Residency at Perak, to bis Highness SULTAN Abdullah MahoMED SHAR, son of the late Sultan Jaffir Al Maatham Shah.
I thank my friend for my friend's answer to my letter, and for the expression of my friend's readiness to assist us.
I shall be glad if my friend will succeed in collecting our friend's subjects, to come to our aid, and I shall put the Balu on the Residency premises at my friend's disposal; and I shall be glad also if my friend will come here as early as convenient, and consult with us and the great officers of the British Government, whom we expect soon to arrive, as to the best means of punishing the murderers of Mr. Birch and several other British subjects, and restoring quiet to the country. The body of the late Resident has not been found up to this day, and I am told that the Resident boat and the property in it have been sent up to the Sultan Ismael.
Sub-Enclosure 6. in Enclosure I.
Mahomed Noor, private servant to Mr. Birch, states:-At about half-past 8 I was on shore at Passir Sala, near the goldsmith's shop. I was sitting in an empty boat. I saw a large number of Malays come to where the proclamation was posted and say, "What "more! Let us tear it down; if they try to prevent us we will stab them." They then tore it down and rushed at Arshad and stabbed him. I saw the crew of Mr. Birch's boat jump into the river. I also jumped into the river. I saw the small sampan panjang coming down the river, and I swam after it and got in. The Malays were firing at us from both banks as we were coming down.
By Mr. Abbott. Where did you see Mr. Birch last? A. In the boat.
Before me
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(Signed)
T. F. ABBOTT, Sub-Lieut. Interpreted by Edward Bacon. Witness, F. G. KETT.
Sub-Enclosure 7. in Enclosure 1.
November 2, 1875.
Ahmid, head boatman, states:-At about 8 o'clock this morging I was lying down at the stern of the boat. I heard the Malays on shore say, "As soon as Mr. Birch has "had breakfast we will drive him away. If he dees not go, then we will do for him." Then I got up and looked into the host, and I did not find Mr. Birch. I heard him talking from the bathing-house. I remained in the boat. I saw the Malays with naked spears tearing down the proclamations. Half the Malays came to the river-side, and told them to shove off. Then the sanipan panjanj men moved off. Then I saw the Malays cutting and spearing the crew of the other sampan panjanj. I still remained at the steru of the boat looking on. I turned and looked towards the bathing-house and saw Kaleh Khan with a pistol in his hand jump into the water. I went into Mr. Birch's cabin and saw two Malays there. I took up a rifle, but finding no ammunition put it down and jumped into the water. Just then I saw the interpreter, Arshad, coming towards the boat. One Malay man who was in the boat prevented him by striking him with a sword. I saw Arshad severely wounded and exhausted; as I was swimming down the river I saw Arshad giving up the attempt to get at Mr. Birch's boat, and I heard him bail the sampan panjanj for help. It was about 20 yards distant. I told the sampan panjanj men to wait; they did so. Then Arabad and I got into it; Arshad was helped in. We then retreated, and the Malays on abore followed and kept firing at us.
One of our men was hit, and another complained of being wounded. When I was far away I saw Mr. Abbott and two boys following in a saga, and the Malays from both banks firing
at them.
By Mr. Abbott. When did Arshad die ?
4. In about an hour after he was taken into the boat.
By Mr. Abbott. Did Arshad say anything before he died?
A. He said nothing.
Q. Did you see anybody attack Mr. Birch P
4. I saw several Malaya entering the bath-house, but there was no noise.
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Auference :-
C.O.
882
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON | BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NGE TO