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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

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2 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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favouring the aggressive party; and also that Her Majesty's ship "Thalia" arrived in support of Her Majesty's ship "Midge," this threat would have been carried out, and the town of Penang would have been the scene of as serious riots as ever occurred there.

The Orang Kaya Mantri, of Laroot, having produced satisfactory evidence that the Government of that country had been bestowed upon him by the late Sultans of Perak, with the consent of the great men of their country, I have recognized him as its Ruler, and at his request have cancelled the Order in Council of 21st February, 1873, prohibiting altogether the export of arms and ammunition to Laroot; and have issued another Order in Council, restricting the exportation from the Colony of arms, ammunition, and provision to Laroot, except at the request of, and for the use of the Orang Kaya Mantri.

It being found that the See Quans, or Sin Nengs, the Chinese faction who are blockading Laroot, and excluding the Mantri from his country, were continuing their piratical depredations on peaceable traders and fishermen from Penang, Province Welles- ley, and the neighbourhood, a careful search was made by Her Majesty's ships “Thalia” and "Midge," of the whole coast, from the Krean River to the "Dindings." No opposition was made by the Sin Nengs to the search of any of the rivers or creeks, nor were they, so far as the boats could ascend them, found to be barred against their passage. One junk, and a large war prahu, were captured; the remaining junks are believed to have left the station. All apprehension of danger being removed, the traders and fishermen have resumed their avocations, under the protection of Her Majesty's ship “ Midge," which will shortly be reinforced by Her Majesty's ship "Avon," and both vessels will remain on the coast until order is thoroughly and permanently restored.

(Telegraphic.)

Inclosure 2 in No. 69.

Colonel Anson to Colonial Secretary.

January 2, 1874.

ROW-BOATS " "Tanjong," "Piedong," have sent to challenge the Orang Puteh (white men) to come and fight them in their own waters. Police Serjeant fired on twice, and with some ryots struck; four arrested.

(Telegraphic.)

Inclosure 3 in No. 69.

Agreement of Chinese to Disarm and accept Arbitration.

Pickering to Government.

January 4, 1874. SINHENGS gladly sign agreement; give boats, everything, to your disposal in seven days, meantime beg orders; Speedy to hold his hand. Boats being given up they cannot escape death; agreement broken, then let Speedy do his worst.

(Telegraphic.)

Birch to Pickering, Penang.

January 5, 1874. Agreement will be ratified by Governor, who will send to-morrow an officer of rank to Laroot to instruct Speedy to stay all further action against Senhengs on shore, who on their part must remain quiet, and ready to evacuate their stockades, when final arrange- ments are complete. If necessary, Colonel Anson will be empowered to allow Headmen in Penang to dispatch food to Sinhengs in Laroot. Governor will proceed himself to Dindings, and on Wednesday, 14th, receive the row-boats and arms, when there will be steamers ready with plenty of food to take the boatmen, as well as the Sinhengs, from the shore villages to Penang or Singapore; Governor prefers latter, where employment will be given to them till we can arrange for their peaceful return to the mines.

(Translation.)

Agreement.

An agreement entered into by the men of Hway-Chew, Shew-hing, Kong Chew, and Sin-Neng.

Whereas the ruler of Laroot unjustly, and with evil heart, has intrigued with bad characters of the Five Districts, and conspired to injure our men of the Four Districts, despoiling us of our wealth and property; we men of the Four Districts, to escape misery

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and destruction, with united intentions have resisted them, and fought for a long time without success or total defeat. We now, anxiously looking to his Excellency the new Governor, who has a compassionate heart, and loves the people as precious things, pray he will open out for us a peaceful solution, then old and young will rejoice. Now we bave received his Excellency's order by telegram of the 17th instant, which we respectfully receive, thoroughly understand, and will obey. We, the men of the Four Districts, hereby place all our Laroot affairs in his Excellency the Governor's hands, relying on his righteous and impartial judgment. A myriad generations will thus partake of his favour. For fear of want of testimony in verbal agreement, we specially make this bond, and give it to Mr. Pickering to keep as testimony.

Kwei-yew, Tong-Chew, 12th year, 11th moon, 18th day (January 16, 1874).

(Signed)

Cheah Eng Keat, Chao Chew. Boey Ah Chew, Sinneng.

Chin Ah Yam, do.

Ang Chye Rooy, Sionkoo. Tung Ah Chong, Kong Chew. Chew Oon Sew, Hway Chew.

Lee Chiam Hoey, Sinneng. Chin Guan Tak, do. Ung Kong Sin, do. Chow Ah Fong, Kong Chew. Lim Chye Bye, Chow Chew. Wong Ah Tong, Sinneng.

The four district men united agree.

Gentlemen,

Inclosure 4 in No. 69.

Boey Go Yuen, Sinneng. (Ung Ah Kuan)

Go Ah Koay, Sinneng.

Lee Ah Chin, Hway Chew.

Leung Kwai Yung, Siow Hing. Lan Kap Sew, do.

W

ong Pak Sue, do.

Ong Koon Yew, Kheb.

Tong Ah Ung, Sinneng,

Chan Sew Sin, do.

Ho Lan Sin, do.

Oon Yit Sin, Hway Chew.

Instructions to Major McNair and Captain Dunlop.

Colonial Secretary's Office, Singapore, January 7, 1874.

I AM directed by the Governor to request that you will proceed to day in the steamer "Johore" to Penang on an important mission, having relation to an adjustment, if possible, of the recent disturbances in the State of Perak, and the districts of Krean and Laroot.

2. As you are more or less acquainted with the whole history of the question, and of the various incidents which have led to the lamentable state of things at present existing, it is unnecessary for me here to say more than that the first question for settlement, previous to any final arbitration, in the matter, is the immediate cessation of the lawless attacks now made by the Chinese row-boats of the Sin Heng faction, on even peaceful traders, for the purpose, it is supposed, of obtaining food for their brethren of the same faction, who are employed at the stockades and mines up the river.

3. On this point you will, on your arrival at Penang, see Mr. Pickering, who will be able to explain to you the real state of things as regards this question, and who, as you are aware, has already informed his Excellency that the Sin Heng faction, through their head men, are ready to deliver over all the boats and arms to the Governor for his disposal within seven days, but they have at the same time asked that, in the meantime, Captain Speedy, who is acting for the Mantri of Laroot, may be requested to grant an armistice, and not continue the warfare now going on.

4. To this the Governor has replied that he will ratify this agreement, and will be at the Dindings on the 14th instant, prepared to receive over the boats and arms, and that his Excellency will require them at the same time to be prepared to evacuate their stockades on the river.

5. On this being done the Governor will be prepared to act as arbitrator in the question of the supposed rights of the several parties of the Chinese to the mines, on the condition that they bind themselves over in responsible security not again to interfere with each other, and in all matters of dispute to abide by the decision of the officers who may be selected by his Excellency from time to time to arbitrate.

6. It is not necessary here to enter into what those arrangements may be, nor are we probably in a position at present, or furnished with sufficient information, to enable us to judge either of the rights of the contending parties, or of the means which will be best adapted to the future government of them, and these must be left over for consideration.

7. What we now have to deal with, as preliminary to any negotiations, is the immie-

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