PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :--
C.O. 882
3
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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As he was going told Tuan Syed Alowie to call upon me early next morning, and let me know exactly (dangan chuchi hâti) what were Tunco Ahmat's real feelings towards the Klana, and as and what his own wishes and views were in reference to the late war in Sri Menanti.
Next morning Tuan Syed Alowie came and took down a statement from him, copy
of which I enclose.
I have treated Tunco Syed Ahamat with marked courtesy since he has been here, and After a little had him to dine privately with me, along with two of his own followers. his nervousness wore off, and before we parted he was quite reassured that no barm was meant him.
He appears to me sharp and intelligent, and very sensitive as to being treated with consideration, explaining at great length how he and Sultan Ali, and I think the Bundaharah of Pahang, are related and derived from one grand old stock.
He is evidently not on very friendly terms with the Klana of Soonghy Oojong, con- sidering himself his superior in every way.
The estimate I formed of his state of mind is this:-
He was opposed to the war on Soonghy Oojong, and took no part in it. time he took no active part to prevent it.
At the same
He acutely feels the degradation of his county in having been overrun by us, at the same he acknowledges that his people had only themselves to blame for what has happened.
He thoroughly acknowledges our superior power and resources in war, and is ready to submit to whatever terms the Governor decides on.
His ambition would be, however, to be allowed to govern Sri Menanti, snch as the Datoh of Rumbowe does his country, when he would enter into any treaty with us as to the proper government of it, admitting fully Terachie as the boundary between Sri Menanti and Soonghy Oojong, and if he found himself unable to govern his country properly he would then ask us to give him a Resident to assist him.
Nothing would ever I am convinced make him submit to the supremacy of the Klana except the fear of our taking up the matter.
I am inclined to think that his proposal would be perhaps about the best course we could pursue, if annexation is not approved of by the Secretary of State.
I believe that Tunco Ahamat will have the full support of the people of Sri Menanti, and I know him to be on really good terms with the Datoh of Johole and Rumbowe, besides well thought of by the Maharajah of Johore.
He is an enterprising man also, and would like to have the country opened up for trade.
With him really friendly, and the valley of Terachie peacefully acknowledged as part of Sungie Ujong, the Chinese will flock there in thousands, as it is supposed to be wonderfully rich in tin, which nothing but the lawlessness of the Malays there prevented
before.
I believe Tunco Ahamat goes to Singapore by this mail with Syed Alowie, and intends putting up with the Maharajalı.
The accounts from the Natives States are most assuring, and the feeling of distrust that was so ripe amongst them lately as to our intentions are quite allayed.
The Hon. the Colonial Secretary,
Singapore.
MEMO. by SYED ALOWIE.
6th February 1876.
I have, &c. (Signed)
C. B. PLUNKET.
Tunku Ahamat Tongal is possessed of considerable land under paddy and coffee;
he also assists with supplies.
The following mines at Qualla Pelah,—
Parit Linghy,
"
Beting,
Dalam,
"
""
Jemapeh,
"
11
"
Soonghy Seeput,
Pelamgai,
Bukit Putus (not in S. Ujong),
105
bringing in to him from 25 to 30 bahras a month, besides which, he gets one bahra in ten on all tin raised in Qualla Pelah for himself. Most of the tin goes to Singapore by the Muar River, and has to pay $3 a babra again to the Tumongong of Muar. On the way the tin is not in danger of being robbed.
A small portion goes through Johole, and has to pay $3 a bhare going through Tampin. A good deal goes through Rumbowe without the imposition of any fresh tax. The best route is through Johole; the tax passing through Tampin was only imposed during the last three years it is said by Henry Velge.
He divides no part of his revenue with any one, except in the case of heavy fines imposed by him, when he must pay a proportion to the Datoh Muar.
He is not an opium smoke, gambler, or cockfighter. He has one wife only; he has no dealings with cattle lifters, &c.
He has some 10 or 12 dependants, who look to him for support, such as food, clothes, &c.
He is known to some of the traders to Malacca, and comes every three or four years o Malacca. He has all the 12 Sukus favourable to him.
He was much put out at the Datoh Muar and others making war on Sungie Ujong, and removed with the followers to Qualla Gomachee. When these three men from the Datoh Klana came without a letter, and told him to return; he said he would do so, but remained at Gomachee all the same. After a little, the same men returned with a letter, dated 29th Dalkaidah, Sre Menanti, from the Klana, begging him to return to Pelah, as he and Captain Murray wished to see him, and arrange matters friendly. For some time he could not make up his mind what to do. After that he got a letter from the Datoh Sultan Bindabara, dated 8th Haji Sri Menanti, stating that he had been placed there by Captain Murray and the Klana, and that he and the 12 Sukus begged he would return with all his followers. Upon getting this letter, he returned with his followers to Qualla Pelah
When he got there he met the Datoh Sultan who spent the night with him, when the Datoh Sultan returned to his own place at Sri Menanti. Three days after he killed a buffalo and invited the Datoh Suktan and others to a feast.
Everyone came and feasted, and went away. Next day 12 police came under an Arab corporal and arrested Punghulu Moosib of Terrachee in an inside room of his house. After an hour or two they returned and arrested one Muntabon (a friend of Pahir Boleh who stopped Daly at Gomatie), as he was teaching his children to read. The corporal also caught him by the cue and demanded where the relations of Tunku Antar
were.
he
He replied "I don't know, if you want to arrest me do so."
As to the Punghulu of Terrachee, who took an actual part along with Datoh Muar, gays he had not taken him with him when he went to Gumachee, but that he had come to see him at Qualla Pelah when he returned at the request of the Datoh Sultan
As to Muntabong, he had been for a long time in his house as a teacher to his children, as a punishment for interfering with Daly and under pain of being killed if he ever committed any offence again.
What he would like is to be allowed to govern Sri Menanti, Gunong Passir, and Jumpole, when he would strive to govern the place properly and give no cause for com- plaint, but that if he found he could not do so he would then apply for a Resident.
With regard to Terrachee, he admits that to belong to Sungie Ujong.
He would be ready to enter into any treaty to this effect. Both the Datohs of Johole and Rumbowe are now quite reassured of our pacific intentions towards them, and anxious to keep on the beat terms with us.
SIB,
Enclosure 2. in No. 82.
Captain MURRAY to the COLONIAL SECRETARY, Straite Settlements.
Sungie Ujong, February 2, 1876.
I HAVE the honour to make the following report for the information of his Excellency the Governor.
On the morning of the 29th January I left the Residency for Teratchee, in order to have an interview with Datu Sultan, and Tuanku Ahtmat of Qualla Pela; also to see how the former conducted affairs entrusted to him by Colonel Anson.
I was accompanied by Captain Channer and 50 men of the 1st Ghoorkha Regiment, and by Mr. Skinner and 10 police.
38387a.