46
Enclosure 2.
From Brigadier-GENERAL J. Ross, Commanding Laroot Field Force, to His Excellency the GOVERNOR STAITS SETTLEMENTS.
(Confidential.)
No. 17.
SIB,
Singapore, February 24, 1876. In reply to your Excellency's confidential letter, dated 21st instant, I have the honour to state that shortly after my arrival at Qualla Kangsa about the middle of December, reports were frequently made to me of the unfriendly and hostile feeling shown by the villages of Kota Lama, on the left bank of the Perak River, and by no others, towards the British Government.
This was apparent from none of the head-men coming in or rendering assistance when called upon by the Commissioner to do so, and by their refusing admittance to their village to friendly Malays or to others belonging to my force, threatening to shoot them if they went there.
Certain names of those who were known to be fomenting this feeling were given to me, and as soon as my communication with the sea was open by the completion of a road, I felt myself free to act against these villagers, and sent a party of blue jackets to a house in which three of them had stockaded themselves in the jungle about two miles from the river.
These three men belonged to a gang of piratical marauders who had for long disturbed the neighbourhood, I, therefore, told the Commissioner that I could consider them as no less than pirates, and I gave orders accordingly to the officer in command, Lieut. Wood, of H.M.S." Philomel," that he was to treat them (if caught) as such, and to make no prisoners. Panjang Meroo, named in your letter, was one of the three, and was taken fully armed, endeavouring to make his escape.
men.
Mr. Maxwell, I requested, might accompany the party, merely to identify the three
I bave, &c. (Signed) J. Ross,
No. 36.
Brigadier-General.
COLONIAL OFFICE to FOREIGN OFFICE,
Downing Street, March 25, 1876.
SIB,
I AM directed by the Earl of Carnarvon to acknowledge the receipt of your letters of the 4th and 20th instant, enclosing copies of further despatches from Her Majesty's Agent and Consul General at Bangkok, together with a correspondence with the Governor of the Straits Settlements respecting those Chiefs of Perak, who have taken refuge in territory under Siamese authority.
His Lordship is glad to notice that Mr. Knox has been acting energetically in the matter, and, as Rajah Ismail has now surrendered at Penang, Lord Carnarvon is pot without hope that before long all those implicated in the murder of Mr. Birch will be in the hands of the Colonial Government. Meantime his Lordship concurs with Lord Derby in his proposal to approve the steps taken by Mr. Knox to meet the wishes of Her Majesty's Government."
The Under Secretary,
I have, &c.
(Signed)
R. H. MEADE.
47
No. 38.
COLONIAL OFFICE to WAR OFFICE.
SIR,
Downing Street, March 28, 1876. WITH reference to your letter of the 22nd instant, respecting the relief of the 10th Regiment, in the Malay Peninsula, I am directed by the Earl of Carnarvon to state, for the information of Mr. Secretary Hardy, that his Lordship has since been in telegraphic communication with the Governor of the Straits Settlements; and that in reply to an inquiry whether a wing 500 strong would be sufficient with a view to the relief of the 10th, Sir W. Jervois has reported that he also is anxious that the 10th should be relieved, and that 500 men would suffice if the head-quarters of the Regiment were not stationed in the Straits Settlements, but that with the head-quarters there would not be sufficient men available for duty.
Lord Carnarvon, with every wish to meet the views of the Secretary of State for War, with respect to the early relief of the 10th, thinks it impossible in the face of Sir W. Jervois's express opinion, given after full reflection and on the invitation of Lord Carnarvon to consider whether any reduction in the number of men could with safety be effected, that the Malay Peninsula should be left without an efficient force of 500, bayonets, in addition to the usual Colonial garrison for the next few months," his Lordship trtists that before long some further reduction may be found possible, and would hope that Mr. Hardy may be able to make arrangements to meet this view of the question without serious difficulty.
T
Sir W. Jervois has also telegraphed to the effect that with the consent of the Indian Government he has detained the battery of Artillery, which was absolutely necessary, and that before it can be relieved there will be required a battery about 75 strong, with four 7-pounder rifled guns and two rocket tubes.
Lord Carnarvon has little doubt that a force of this nature, or at least arms of this description available for immediate use, will be found in the future, as in the past, a most serviceable addition to the strength of the garrison of the Colonial Settlements, and he would be glad to know whether the War Department can make arrangements for supplying this want without involving any special difficulty or any considerable addition to the cost of the forces permanently stationed there.
The Under Secretary of State,
War Office.
I have, &c.
(Signed) R. H. MEADE.
Note.-The only battery of Artillery stationed in the Straits for defence of Penang and Singapore is garrison Artillery.
No. 39.
THE EARL OF CARNARVON to GOVERNOR SIR W. F. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B.
No. 73.
Downing Street,
velizMarch 28, 1876.
SIB,
1 HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch, No. 55, of the 9th of February,† enclosing a copy of a resolution passed by the Penang Association on the 5th of January, and of an address presented to you from the same body, dated the 1st of December fast.
Foreign Office.
No. 37.
I have, &c. (Signed)
CARNARVON..
No. 40,
Telegram from GOVERNOR SIB W. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B., to the EARL of CARNARVON.
(Received March 27, 1876.)
March 24, 1876.
"Philippo, Plunkett, and Paul, appointed Commissioners to inquire as to Ismail's and other Chiefs' complicity in Perak outrages. Ismail, in the meantime, to be kept under surveillance, and treated with all consideration, due regard being paid to security.”
THE EARL OF CARNARVON to GOVERNOR Sin W. F. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., U.B.
No. 74.
Downing Street,
March 29, 1876. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch, No. 60, of the 23rd of February last,§ in which you enclose a copy of letter which you have received
SIR,
• Nos. 11 and 20.
↑ No. 25.
No. 12.
F 4
No. 81.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON