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the various prisoners, and the local effect likely to result from commutation of sentence I wish for frank expression of your own opinion, in view of fact that trial has taken place nominally under Abdullah's authority. Pending report, suspend execution.
GENTLEMEN,
No. 34.
COLONIAL OFFICE to the CROWN AGENTS.
Downing Street, December 26, 1876.
letter I AM directed by the Earl of Carnarvon to acknowledge the receipt of your of the 22nd inst.,* respecting the advance of 60,0001. obtained by you under his Lord- ship's authority from the Bank of England for the service of the Straits Settlements.
In reply, I am to refer you to the letter from this Department of the 18th ult.,† in which you were authorised to obtain further sums, not exceeding 20,000l., for the use of the same Colony; and I am now to convey to you Lord Carnarvon's sanction for a renewal of the requisite advances to cover both sums for a period of three months from the end of the current year.
It is hoped that before this period will expire a reply will be received to the despatch, No. 249 of the 31st of October, which his Lordship has addressed to the Governor (copy of which was enclosed in the above-mentioned letter from this office), and that it will then be found possible to place the debentures on the market, and thus provide for the repayment of these advances.
I am, &c.
No. 35.
(Signed)
R. H. MEADE.
The EARL OF CARNARVON to GOVERNOR SIR W. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B.
(No. 299.)
Downing Street, December 27, 1876.
SIR,
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 399, of the 14th November,§ reporting the death of the Rajah Bandahara of Perak.
I presume that, in connexion with my despatch, No. 258, of the 13th November,|| you will report in due course what steps you would recommend should be taken with reference to the administration of affairs in Perak.
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No. 37.
GOVERNOR SIR W. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B., to the EARL OF CARNARVON.
December 30, 1876. (Telegraphic.)
I HAVE received telegram from your Lordship of the 26th.*
Distinction may be made between Lela and other prisoners and Abdullah on the following grounds :---
1st. Not possible to try Abdullah by any competent court.
2nd. Abdullah's action, with respect to Mr. Birch's murder, was instigated by Lela and
his party.
3rd. They were practically independent, and could have disobeyed his orders with
impunity.
Matter has been discussed in Executive Council, but except in case of Letuah, who is imbecile, I see no reason to recommend interference with the sentence of court.
If it is desired to make distinction amongst the other side, Lagor and Pandak Indut might be executed with Lela, and then I should not apprehend any bad effect from a
commutation of the sentence on the rest.
I am strongly of opinion that no delay should take place in carrying out whatever sentences are approved. The prisoners were ably defended by counsel at the trial, which was faithfully and carefully conducted under presidency of Yusuf.
No. 38.
GOVERNOR SIE W. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B. to the EARL OF CARNARVON. (Received January 1, 1877.) (No. 405.)
Government House, Singagore, November 23, 1876.
MY LORD,
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Lordship's despatch, No. 225, of the 26th September,+ and to state that I have had pleasure in communicating to the Maharajah of Johore the acknowledgments of Her Majesty's Government of the cordial assistance which he has afforded in the settlement of the disturbances in the Malayan Peninsula.
I have, &c.
(Signed) WM. F. DRUMMOND JERVOIS.
The Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon,
&c.
&c.
&c.
I am, &c. (Signed)
CARNARVON.
No. 39.
GENTLEMEN,
No. 36.
COLONIAL OFFICE to CROWN AGENTS.
Downing Street, December 28, 1876.
I AM directed by the Earl of Carnarvon to authorise you to procure and send out to the Straits Settlements, at as early a date as can conveniently be managed, 500 short Snider rifles without bayonets; 500 waist-belts, with ammunition pouches and frogs, of untanned leather with brass buckles; 700 ammunition boots, of which 100 are to be size eight, 400 size seven, and 200 size six.
I am, &c.
(Signed)
R. H. MEADE.
* No. 81.
† No. 4.
↑ No. 109, of "Eastern No. 20."
No. 122, of Eastern No. 20.
No. 27.
The EARL Of CarnarvON to GOVERNOR SIR W. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B.
(Telegraphic.)
Downing Street, January 3, 1877.
Ir all capital sentences could have been commuted I should have been glad, but I admit the great weight of the matured opinion of your Executive Council and yourself which is so unequivocally expressed.
Neither is it possible for me to interfere in favour of any prisoners who were either actual participators in or principal instigators of the murder.
I
agree therefore that the law should take its course in the cases of Lela, Sagor, and Pandak Indut, on assumption that there is clear evidence of their coming within the above description, and that no promise was given to spare their lives when they surrendered. But it appears sufficient for satisfaction of justice that these three should be executed.
Report your proceedings.
• No. 88.
† No. 76, of "Eastern No. 20."
0 2
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
14 CO. 882
4PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
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No. 40.