• 2
22
head over the "Nine States," I determined to propose to your Lordship the course laid down in paragraph 2, as the one which, whilst it would be the best calculated to maintain peace and order in the three States of Sri Menanti, Ulu Moar, and Jumpole, would give satisfaction to the Datus of Rambowe and Johole and the Klana of Sungie Ujong. I shall presently refer to the States of Moar, Jellabu, and Jellye, which complete the
Nine States."
number of the
+
11. As it was alsolutely necessary to take some step for the establishment of a settled form of government in the three small States in question, I thought it would be advisable first to deal with these alone, leaving the Datus of Rambowe and Johole, at all events for the present, to govern their States as hitherto, and entering into friendly treaties with them. These Datus would be strengthened by the influence which we would exert in Sri Menanti, Ulu Moar, and Jumpole, whilst we ourselves would secure our purpose of establishing order and good government in the States adjacent to our Settlement of Malacca and to the protected State of Sungie Ujong.
.
12 From he accompanying map, your Lordship will observe that the States of Rambowe and Johole are of considerable extent, whilst the three States in question are of comparatively small area, and that, by adopting the plan I propose, we should be only extending in a small degree the connexion which we already have with the State of Sungie Ujong. Tunku Ahmat, whom I have proposed as "Malay Captain" of the Three States," is popular with the well-disposed, and aided and assisted as he would be by the British Agent attached to him, he would soon establish good order therein, and thus prevent disturbances similar to those which recently endangered the safety of Sungie Ujong and occasioned great excitement and alarm in our Settlement of Malacca. 13. It may be asked why the Resident in Sungie Ujong should not act at the same time as British Agent with Tunku Ahmat. In paragraph 4 of my Despatch, No. 354, dated 17th December last, I explained to your Lordship that the State of Sungie Ujong was rapidly increasing in prosperity, owing to the support which the Datu Klana had received from the British Government, and that this prosperity had awakened a feeling of jealously on the part of the Chiefs of the remainder of the "Nine States."
•
The jealously still exists to a very great extent, and if our Resident with the Datu Klana were also British Agent with Tunku Ahmat, the idea would be entertained by Tunku Ahmat, and indeed by the people of the Nine States" generally, that Tunku Ahmat was placed under the Datu Klana, and this would prevent Tunku Ahmat accepting the advice of our officer.
14. I submit for your Lordship's approval a draft proclamation declaring that the States of Sri Menanti, Ulu Moar, and Jumpole are taken under British protection, and calling upon all persons to recognise Tunku Ahmat as the head native authority in
these States.
15. With respect to these States being taken under our protection, I wish to bring to your Lordship's notice that virtually they have always been deemed to be under our protection. Situated as they are in the immediate neighbourhood of Malacca, the Chiefs of the "Nine States" (or Rambowe States as they have often been called) have upon occasions of internal dissensions and strife sought the advice of this government, engage- ments have been formed with them, and we have always exercised an influence in their affairs.
In Volume 1, Part III. of a Book of Treaties, engagements and sunnuds relating to India and neighbouring countries, "compiled" in 1862 "from official papers in the Foreign Office, and intended chiefly for official use," your Lordship will observe the following opening remark:
་་
With the exception of the territories of one or two petty independent States, the possession of the Malay Peninsula is divided between the British and the Siamese. Engagements have been formed with Quedah, which is tributary to Siam, and with "the independent States of Perak, Salangore, the Confederate States of Rambowe, &c., "and Johore. The districts of Tringanu and Kelantan are also protected by the
British Government under the Treaty of Bangkok."
*
Sungie Ujong, one of the "Nine States," has already been specially recognized as being under British protection by the appointment of a British resident to aid and advise the Datu Klana of that State. The proposal now is to place a British Agent also in the three States to the castward of Sungie Ujong, to assist the Malay head in the government of those States, and it is to give confidence to the people there, and to show them that we propose to take an active part in settling their affairs, that I have inserted the clause in the draft proclamation, stating that they have been taken under the protection of the British Government. It should be borne in mind that the main object of taking such part is to preserve peace in the States adjacent to our own settlement.
No. 114 of Eastern No. 17.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
C.O.
Reference :-
882
3
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-|
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO