CO882-(1-2) — Page 353

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

TPC.O. 882

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO

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ship in consequence of the position in which I am placed relative to this Company as at present constituted.

The opportunity of establishing new branches of trade with Borneo, and of availing ourselves of the resources of its numerous rivers, arising out of the facilities afforded the relations I hold in Sarawak, as well as the official control with which I am entrusted at Labuan, render an entire and mutual confidence between the Company and myself necessary to the public good.

So far, however, from this being the case, that one of the officers of the Company has publicly expressed his want of confidence in me; a second entertains an undis- guised hostility; and I at the same time look with distrust and suspicion on the character and conduct of the Com- pany under such management.

Lord Grey's answer merely expressed regret, but Papers, May 17, 1852, p. 101. stated that Government could do nothing.

From a letter from Mr. Duff, of Singapore, to Mr. Papers, May 17, 1852, p. 22. Wise, it would seem that in the same month (July 1850), Sir James Brooke, being at Singapore, had brought the inefficiency of the Company under the notice of the Chamber of Commerce there. Perhaps this may be taken as the date of the definitive rupture.

From Singapore Sir James Brooke returned to Labuan; and his last despatch on the affairs of

the Company is dated 1st January, 1851, and Papers, May 17, 1852, p. 106. reports his acceptance of Mr. Motley's resignation

of the magistracy.

In the spring of 1851, Sir James Brooke arrived

in England, where he has since remained.

On the 24th and 26th November, he addressed

two letters to Lord Grey, going at some length into Papers, May 17, 1852, pp. 111, the history of the formation of the Company and

is original purposes, and showing in what respect these have been departed from.

His main allegation against the Company reduces He complains that itself to want of capital. gentlemen, both able and willing to supply this (alluding, I suppose, to the Messrs. Henderson), were "driven from the undertaking upon a question of personal remuneration;" and besides this charge

of general inefficiency, he complains :

1. Of the part taken by the managing director (Mr. Wise) against himself in England in reference to the affair against the pirates.

118.

"The accusation Papers, May 17, 1852, p. 113.

of Mr. Wise," he says, 'was made on the 26th November, 1849." This date may be noticed, because

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Papers, May 17, 1852, pp. 117,

118.

Mr. Lindsay to Sir J. Pakington;

March 12, 1852.

Papers May 17, 1852, p. 30.

Page 39, 42.

Papers, May 17, 1852, p. 128.

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it seems to show that Sir James Brooke's complaints of the conduct of the Company in Labuan were prior to, and not occasioned by, this attack of Mr. Wise on him England. But at the same time Sir James Brooke incloses letters from Mr. St. John, and Mr. McDougall, which seem to throw back the commencement of Mr. Wise's enmity to a much earlier date.

2. Sir James Brooke further complains of the two Mr. Motleys paying their workmen in the island" on truck." This charge is conveyed in the letter of a Mr. Robert Coulson, from Labuan (20th June, 1851), who seems to have been sent out by the Company and afterwards to have quarrelled with it.

3. Of the conduct of the Company with respect

to their agreement with the Sultan of Borneo.

This letter of Sir James Brooke was communi- cated to Mr. Lindsay, as chairman of the Company, and he answered it, dividing his answer under the several heads.

As to general mismanagement: he states that coal had been raised to the amount of 8000 tons, up to the end of November. 1851, and estimates the amount since raised at 2000 tons.

He explains the transactions with Messrs. Henderson, alluded to by Sir James Brooke. It further appears that in July 1851, and again in December, those gentle- men (acting no doubt in concurrence with Sir James Brooke) proposed to embark a large capital in the Company, if it were reconstructed by the dismissal of Mr. Wise; which the directors refused. Mr. Lindsay further transmits a "report," from

a Mr. O'Riley, sent out by the Company to look into the state of their affairs at Labuan, dated 23rd November, 1851. It goes in detail into their pro- ceedings and prospects, and reports favourably. But I cannot find that it anywhere specifies either the amount of work done, or the number of labourers employed.

As to the "truck" accusation, Mr. O'Riley denies this, and says it arose out of the practice of the labourers buying supplies of various kinds, at fair prices, from the Company's agent's brother, Mr. Francis Motley.

This answer having been submitted by Lord Grey to Sir James Brooke for a reply, he gave one on

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