110
Paki Boli" has been most useful to me on this expedition, from his knowledge of the country and people, and gives me much useful information.
I have little doubt but that, when a settled form of government is established, these disturbances will no longer occur.
As it cannot be contemplated to discontinue the occupation of these States, I would recommend that the Police Stations should be commanded by European Inspectors.
In the late expedition the police behaved admirably, but without the supervision of Europeans they have a tendency to lose confidence.
These robbers are mostly armed with sword or kriss; they have a very few old flint muskets, but they have more potent weapons, which strike terror into the hearts of the Mata Mata.
The first and most potent of these is exaggeration of numbers, and supposing 20 men get together to attack a Station they begin by industriously circulating a report of 200
men.
The tongue is the other weapon they employ, and as they generally attack at night, their real numbers are not to be ascertained.
On approaching a station they get well under cover, fire perhaps their only musket, and set up a tremendous yell.
The police immediately commence firing in the direction, of course seeing no one, but encouraged at intervals by a discharge from the musket, the Malays, well knowing that they will expend all their ammunition and then retire, bide their time.
This appears to have been the case at Teratchee, where 16 police expended about 28 rounds each, apparently killing only one of the enemy.
If an European had been present to control the fire, the Station would never have been deserted.
April 6th, a.m.
Since writing the above I have received letters from Sri Menanti, stating that the enemy are very angry at their repulse on the Station, where they appear to have lost a good many killed and wounded; that Datu of Eenas has sent a gong through his state, calling on his people to come and make another attack on the Station.
Sergeant Sultan is down with fever, and the police say they are worn out with watching and alarms.
The inhabitants of Sri Menanti write to beg our protection, as their houses are being burnt, and the whole of Sri Menanti will suffer for their loyalty to us, if we don't send
them relief.
I have, therefore, requested the officer commanding the troops at Rassa to occupy the Station at Sri Menanti, till such time as instructions are received from his Excellency.
An officer and 32 men, including artillery and rocket, have been detailed for this purpose.
This will leave a large portion of the police available for the protection of the district of Sri Menanti.
I have, &c. (Signed)
The Hon. the Colonial Secretary,
Singapore.
P. J. MURRAY,
Acting Assistant Resident.
III
should not be encouraged and strengthened by the abandoninent of the post in question by the police.
I have, &c. (Signed)
Assistant Resident, Sungie Ujong.
H. E. MCCALLUM, Lieut. R.E.,
for Colonial Secretary.
Enclosure 6. in No. 82.
GOVERNOR, Straits Settlements, to OFFICER COMMANDING TROOPS, Straits Settlements.
Government House, Singapore, April 17, 1876.
SIR,
In reference tomy letter of 7th instant, requesting that a detachment of 50 men of Her Majesty's 80th Regiment should be sent from this place for service in Malacca and Sungie Ujong. I have the honour to inform you that this detachment was landed at Malacca on the 9th instant to take the place of that previously sent from thence to Sungie Ujong.
I have also the honour to inform you that I have considered it necessary that detach- ments of troops should be stationed at Sri Menanti and Qualla Jumpole.
I accordingly desired the Resident, Captain Murray, to request the Officer Com- manding in Sungie Ujong to send about 50 men (including Artillery) to each of these States.
By this arrangement, the troops in Sungie Ujong and the adjacent States will be distributed in three detachments of nearly equal strength, at Rassa, Sri Menanti, and Qualla Jumpole.
There will also be a detachment of Artillery with a rifled gun or a rocket tube at each place.
I should observe that though the States referred to are infested by bands of marauders, some of whom recently attacked the Police Stations, the inhabitants generally are well affected towards the British Government.
I need scarcely say that, whilst British Soldiers are employed to maintain the peace, it is of the utmost importance that they should be on the best terms with the Natives, and I have no doubt but that both officers and men will do everything in their power to maintain such friendly relations.
It would, however, be very desirable to issue instructions to the detachments to avoid anything like irregularity in their dealings with the inhabitants, and strictly to enjoin them that every article obtained from the Natives should be paid for at its proper price.
I bave, &c. (Signed) The Hon. the Officer Commanding Troops, Straits Settlement.
No. 83.
WM. F. DRUMMOND JERVOIS.
SIR,
Enclosure 5. in No. 82.
COLONIAL SECRETARY to Captain MURRAY.
H.M.S."Modeste," off Lukut, April 10, 1876.
In reference to your Report of the 5th instant, describing the steps which you had taken for dispersing the band of freebooters who are disturbing the place of Sri Menanti, Ulu Muar, and Jumpole, I am directed by his Excellency, the Governor to inform you that he approves of your having requested the officer in command of the troops at Rassa to send a detachment of 32 men to Sri Menanti to afford general protec- tion and in order to allow the police now stationed at that post to scour the country, and to protect those who are well disposed towards us.
I am directed to observe that his Excellency considers that it would be desirable to increase the strength of the detachment to 50 men, including artillery. His Excellency further considers it necessary that a detachment of equal strength should be sent to Quallu Jumpole, in order that the Malays who are friendly to us should gain confidence, and that the disturbers of the peace in the States of Ulu Muar, Sri Menanti, and Jumpole
The EARL OF CARNARVON to GOVERNOR SIR W. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B.
Downing Street, May 31, 1876.
SIB,
I HAVE the honour to inform you that Her Majesty has been pleased on my recommendation to give directions for the appointment of Colonel Archibald Edward Harbord Anson, R.A., now Lieutenant-Governor of Penang, to be a Companion of the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, in consideration of his services in the Straits Settlements, and more particularly of those rendered by him whilst specially employed in the Malay States, which you brought to my notice in the 8th paragraph of your Despatch, No. 18, of the 14th January last.
you will inform Colonel Anson that it has afforded me much satisfac- tion to subunit his name to the Queen for this honour.
request that
Sir W. F. D. Jervois, K.C.M.G., C.B.
&c.
&c. Straits Settlements.
&c.
I have, &c. (Signed)
CARNARVON.
P 3
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
19
C.O.
Reference :-
882
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON