CO882-(2-3) — Page 156

18

instant, that, as regards these arrests, I acted after careful consultation with the Solicitor- General. The other instructions in the same telegram had also all been anticipated.

4. The state of things in the Perak country, and particularly in the Laroot district, is most unsatisfactory. There are two claimants to the chief power, and two or more to the Laroot Chiefship, and in consequence there is no proper Government, and Laroot is virtually in the hands of one lawless gang of Chinamen after another. Then our borders are never safe--witness the occasional raids of gang robbers, and the constant opium smuggling and consequent disputes on the Krean frontier. This Settlement is deeply interested in whatever befalls Laroot, not only because, lying at our doors as it does, the trade between the two countries is great, but because much of the wealth of our merchants is invested in the Laroot tin mines. But the consideration which most affects us, perhaps, is that sooner or later one of the great Chinese fights is sure to spread to Penang, with undoubtedly the most disastrous effect. I believe the policy of the Colonial Office is averse to the acquisition of new territory, but if an exception is ever to be made it might well be made in this instance. Our merchants and our people generally would rejoice to see Perak under our Government; it would not only render safe the property they now have, but it would greatly add to it, and to the prosperity of the Settlement generally. The people of the country itself, Malays and Chinese, look forward eagerly to be ruled by the British Government, and have even petitioned to that effect; and as for the claimants of the Sovereignty,* and of the Chiefship of Laroot, they would, I believe, gladly sell their claime for moderate pensions, accompanied, as they would be, by a permanently peaceful life, to which these persons are now strangers. Any such arrangements would be profitable to our Government, at any rate I would again press the suggestion for the appointment of a Resident or Political Officer for certain of the Malay States, which I made at some length in my letter to your address of the 6th ultimo.

I am, &c. (Signed)

G. W. R. CAMPBELL,

Acting Lieutenant-Governor..

P.S.-I add to the list at the margin of my first paragraph a ninth document, a report Measures are being organized for the from the Superintendent of Police, just received.

relief of the destitute refugees and wounded.

I add also a Memorandum, Appendix X, which I have compiled with some little difficulty.

The Hon. the Colonial Secretary,

Straits Settlements.

G. W. R. C.

19

It is reported that, during the last week, upwards of 1,000 Chinese fighting-men have been forwarded to Laroot and Perak.

I have omitted mentioning that the Nakoda stated that the vessel in question belonged to Ah Choey, a native of Penang, who I understand to have suffered severely in pecuniary manner during the late disturbances at Laront.

The Agent of the Rajah of Larout, a Chinese merchant named Ho Ghee Sew, whose life was lately attempted in the streets of Penang, asserts that within the last four days upwards of 2,000 muskets and 10,000 lbs. of gunpowder have been forwarded to Laroot.

I would, therefore, beg to solicit your orders regarding the exportation of arms and ammunition to Laroot, as I am assured that quantities of gunpowder and fire-arms are daily exported to the said native State.

The Hon the Lieutenant-Governor,

Penang.

I have, &c. (Signed)

-

T. C. S. SPEEDY,

· Superintendent of Police, Penang.

Sub-Inclosure 2 in Inclosure 3.

Petition.

To the Honourable G. W. R. Campbell, Lieutenant-Governor of Penang, &c., &c., &c.

The humble Petition of Mohamed Zeiu and Ho Ghee Sew,

Sheweth,-

THAT your Petitioners are the Attorneys of Paduka Sri Mabarajah Ibrahim bin Jaffar, the Tunku Mantri of Perak.

That fresh disturbances have occurred at Laroot, owing to the instigation of one Kou Ah Chooi of Penang, who yesterday sent men and arms with ammunitions in his junk to that place from Penang.

That the Tunku Mantri's gunboat, the "Batara Rayon," has been detained, and is still detained, here under a writ of sequestration issued out of the Supreme Court at the instance of the said Keu Ah Chooi, and, in consequence thereof, she is unable to proceed to Laroot and render any assistance to the said Tunku Mantri in quelling the disturbances there.

Several other junks flying the British colours have also proceeded to Laroot since yesterday from this place with upwards of 1,000 men to join in the fight against the Tunku Mantri.

Your Petitioners pray that your Honour would be pleased to order the British man- of-war which is lying at anchor in the harbour here to proceed to Laroot with instructions to bring back all the men that had left for that place, and to give other orders and directions.

MOHAMED ZEIN. HO GHEE SEW.

Penang, October 16, 1872.

(Signed)

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

TILITICO. 882

2 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

Sir,

a

Sub-Inclosure 1 in Inclosure 3.

Office of Superintendent of Police, Penang,.

October 16, 1872.

I HAVE the honour to report that, from information received, I proceeded to a junk in the harbour to ascertain whether a breach of the Gunpowder Licensing Act had been committed. I asked for the Nakoda, and a Chinaman came forward and said he was the Nakoda. I said, How much powder have you on board? He replied, what you allowed me in your pass. I desired him to produce it. He could not. He, however, produced port-clearance, in which among other articles, 200 muskets were entered as forming art of the cargo, also 7 picula of gunpowder, the latter being the combustible of which part

was in search. I demanded where it had been placed. He distinctly denied having it on board, saying that he knew too well the meaning of the Act, and that the powder was at that moment in a vessel outside the limits of the harbour. 1, however, searched the vessel, and found that, besides the 200 muskete already mentioned, there was a quantity of leaden bullets, eight pieces of small ordnance, a quantity of iron shots, and 400 spear heads. Not finding the gunpowder, I returned to shore. From injury, I am of opinion. that the said arms and ammunition are intended to be used against the present Rajah of Laroot.

• A leading nad very representative Chinaman said to me, "When the British flag is seen over Perak or Laroot, every Chisaman will go down on his knees and bless God."

Sir,

Sub-Inclosure 3 in Inclosure 3.

Lieutenant-Governor's Office, October 16, 1872.

IT has been reported to me that a large number of armed men have left this port within the last few days, and have already burned some villages belonging to the Rajah

of Laroot, a friendly Chief. As the fitting-out of such expedition is a grave offence under the law of this Colony, and as it may lead in this instance to serious disturbances, I have the honour to request that you will defer the departure of your ship from these waters for a few days. I shall be glad to confer with you personally on this matter at your earliest.

convenience.

I have, &c. (Signed)

To Commander Chimmo, R.N.,

Her Majesty's steam-ship "Nassau.”

G. W. R. CAMPBELL,

Acting Lieutenant-Governor,