PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
C.O. 882
3
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
near Kota Lama, some time about the commencement of the year, I have the honour to inform you that the only circumstances which came before my notice concerning the transaction were that some of the party of Malays employed under Mr. Maxwell, as guides and informers, brought in a report to him that three notorious pirates, one of whom had escaped by force from l'enang gaol, had stockaded themselves near Kota
Lama.
This, taken in connexion with the fact that the Kota Lama Malays, who were harbouring them, were the most turbulent and worst disposed on the Perak River, had harassed, and even detained some men of the telegraph department, induced me to report the circumstance to Brigadier-General Ross, C.B., Commanding Laroot Field Force.
Deeming it a question to be dealt with by the military, Brigadier Ross said that he would take the matter out of the hands of the Commissioners, and requested only from me the services of Mr. Maxwell to identify the then.
I have, &c.
The Honourable the Colonial Secretary,
&c.
&c.
Singapore.
&c.
No. 7.
(Signed)
J. F. A. McNAIR.
GOVERNOR SIR W. F. D. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C. B., to the EARL OF CARNARVON.
(Telegraphic.)
Dated May 8, 1876. PROPOSAL to recognize one permanent Chief for States in the neighbourhood of
Malacca.
No. 8.
GOVERNOR SIR W. F. D. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B., to the EARL OF CARNARVON. (Received May 22, 1876.)
Government House, Singapore,
April 19, 1876.
No. 169. MY LORD,
IN paragraph 28 of my despatch No. 291, of 16th October last, I mentioned that, subject to your Lordship's approval, I had appointed Mr. Davidson, the acting Resident of Salangore, to be acting Commissioner for Perak, in conjunction with the late Mr. Birch, whom I desired, when Mr. Davidson had acquired the requisite experience in Perak, to employ in another place.
2. I proposed the appointment of Mr. Davidson in Perak, not only to remove the objection communicated to me in your Lordship's despatch No. 64, of 8th April 1875,† to the employment of that gentleman in Salangore, but also because of my wish to avail myself of his special knowledge and acquirements in relation to the affairs of Perak.
Just about the time, however, when, previously to the death of Mr. Birch, Mr. Davidson was to have taken up the duties of his new position, disturbances threatened in the State of Salangore, and I considered it necessary for the tranquillity of that State to keep Mr. Davidson there.
3. Since the occupation of Perak by our troops, the acting Commissioners (Major McNair and Major Dunlop) had to return to their duties at Singapore, and there has been no head Resident or Commissioner in Perak. The business has been carried on by Mr. Swettenham in Lower Perak, and by Mr. W. E. Maxwell in the upper part of the State, and recently Mr. Paul has taken the place of Mr. Swettenham, whom I have brought to Singapore as Assistant Colonial Secretary for Native States.
4. It is most desirable on every ground that this provisional condition of things in Perak should cease, and that there should be a Chief Commissioner or Resident charged with the general conduct of business in that State, whether as Adviser, Controller, or Administrator, or in any other capacity that may be determined upon by Her Majesty's Government. The longer the appointment of such a functionary is delayed the greater the difficulties will become in placing the affairs of Perak on a satisfactory footing.
I have therefore requested Mr. Davidson to take up the duties of Commissioner in
Perak.
* No. 48 of Eastern No. 17, April 1876.
↑ No. 23 of Eastern No. 15, November 1875.
9
Salangore is now in a settled condition, and I do not consider that any risk will be run by transferring Mr. Davidson's services to Perak.
5. Not being as yet aware of the policy Her Majesty's Government desire to pursue with respect to the Malay States, Mr. Davidson will, of course, be instructed carefully to avoid committing the Government on this point, and only at present to maintain the status quo. The appointment is only to be regarded as provisional, and will in no way affect the carrying out of instructions which I may hereafter receive from your Lordship, with respect to the relations of this colony with the State of Perak.
6. In connexion with the appointment of Mr. Davidson, I have, subject to your Lordship's approval, appointed Mr. Paul to be Assistant Commissioner in Perak. Mr. Davidson will have his head quarters at Bandar Bahru, and Mr. Paul at Qualla Kangsa. Captain Speedy will retain his post in Larut, and Mr. W. E. Maxwell will resume his duties as magistrate in Province Wellesley.
7. Subject to your Lordship's sanction, I have appointed Captain Bloomfield Douglas to act temporarily as Resident in Salangore. This gentleman accompanied Sir James Brooke to Sarawak, and has had considerable experience in dealing with Malays. I appointed him temporarily to act as Assistant Resident in Salangore whilst Mr. Swet- tenham was engaged in Perak; he performed the duties of that office very satisfactorily, and obtained the confidence both of the Sultan of Salangore and of the Viceroy Tunku Kudin. I have no doubt but that he will fill the office of Resident with tact and discretion, and to the satisfaction of all concerned.
I propose that Mr. Davidson shall receive 2,0001., Captain Douglas 1,000, and Mr. Paul 7501. a year.
No doubt 2,000l. a year is a high salary for the Resident of Perak, but it is the same amount as was received by the late Mr. Birch; moreover, the services of Mr. Davidson could not be secured for Perak for a less sum.
The salary to be drawn by Captain Douglas in Salangore is 5001, a year less than that drawn by Mr. Davidson as Resident in that State.
I have, &c.
(Signed) W. F. DRUMMOND JERVOIS.
The Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon,
&c.
&c. Colonial Office.
(Confidential,)
&c.
No. 9.
COLONIAL OFFICE to WAR OFFICE.
SIR,
Downing Street, May 29, 1876. WITH reference to my confidential letter of the 5th of April,* I am directed by the Earl of Carnarvon to transmit to you, to lay before Mr. Secretary Hardy, a further despatch from the Governor of the Straits Settlements relative to the execution of a Malay named Panjang Maroo by the orders of General Ross.† Lord Carnarvon has read these papers with great regret, as he fails to see in them a sufficient justification for such an execution as is there described, but beyond this expression of opinion, which Lord Carnarvon thinks it due to Mr. Hardy to make, he need say nothing; the question being one to be considered by the military rather than the civil authorities. I am directed to add that Major Mc Nair, to whom reference is made in the enclosed papers, is now in England, and will be desired to wait upon Mr. Hardy if he should think it necessary to be furnished with any further information on the subject.
The Under Secretary, War Office.
SIR,
I am, &c.
(Signed) ROBERT G. W. HERBERT.
No. 10.
INDIA OFFICE to COLONIAL OFFICE.
India Office, S.W., June 2, 1876. I AM directed by the Secretary of State for India in Council to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 4th ultimo, and to acquaint you in reply that he will have
40233.
• Not printed
B
† No. 6.