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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference -

TULICO 882

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

2 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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this Government and these native States, but I do not think the Colonial Legislature would be prepared to vote the salaries of resident officers for them; and I am quite certain the native Governments would not be prepared to incur any expenditure on that

account.

4. Nor do I think the time has yet arrived, having regard to the present barbarous state of these countries, for making such appointments. At the same time I consider that it would be advisable to have a qualified officer as a Political Agent, whose duty it would be to visit these States frequently, either in a man-of-war or in the Colonial Government steamer, and who might also be employed to carry on all correspondence with

them.

5. I agree with the Committee that it would be advisable, if possible, to make a new Treaty with Perak, but I do not approve of their recommendation to make an exchange of 1st. Because the claim under the present the Dindings territory for land elsewhere. Treaty to any part of the mainland has already been abandoned. 2nd. Because the Dinding Island or Pulo Pangkor, which has been settled, is opposite the mouth of the Dinding and Perak rivers, which lead into the heart of the country of Perak, to which it is therefore the key, and by retaining this island we may hope some day to make it the centre of civilization for Perak, as well as the depôt for all the produce of the interior of that country, and at the same time it would enable us to suppress piracy, and protect the trade at the mouths of these rivers.

6. It was at this island that Commander Grey of Her Majesty's gun-boat "Algerine obtained the information, which led to the capture by him of the thirty-four out of forty- six pirates who were tried and condemned at the last assizes at Malacca.

7. The Perak river, at about the fiftieth mile from its mouth, becomes in places exceedingly shallow having many shoals and sand-banks. Only boats of light draught can on that account pass up or down it, for the conveyance of tin and other produce.

8. The Island of Pangkor, or Dinding, between which and the mainland there is deep water, and a good anchorage, would therefore be a convenient place for landing and storing such produce, until a sufficient quantity should be received to load some small craft in which to ship on to Penang.

9. The people of the interior would also find it convenient to go to this island in their canoes and small boats, to make their purchase of European and other commodities received from Penang.

10. As however all this is a question of the future, no expenditure is required at present beyond the small salaries of a Punghulu, or native headman, and one or two assistants.

11. By the time more than that is required, the place will probably be in a position to meet its own liabilities.

12. The Rajah of Larut would moreover never accept this small island in exchange for some of the rich islands in his Province of Krean.

13. As the Dutch might look with some jealousy upon any proceedings at Achin, and as I wish to know your Lordship's views in respect to the relations of this Government with that and other native States, more particularly as regards the question of compelling these States to act up to their international and intersocial obligations, I shall defer any measures in connection with the Report of the Committee, until I receive your Lordship's instructions.

I have, &c. (Signed) A. E. H. ANSON, Administrator. The Right Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies,

(No. 180.)

Sir,

&c.

&c.

&c.

Downing Street, August 26, 1871.

I HAVE to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 144 of 3rd June, trans- mitting the Report of a Committee which you appointed to inquire into the relations of the Straits Bettlements with certain neighbouring native States.

I am quite aware that our relations with these States are of commercial and political importance, but I must call your attention to my predecessor's despatch of the 10th September, 1869, in which it is stated that any proceedings which would extend the responsibilities of Her Majesty's Government in the neighbourhood of the Straits Settle- meats would not be approved.

I concur entirely in Lord Granville's view, and I have further to refer you to my own despatch of the 28th June, No. 134, in which I informed you that I did not wish you to

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initiate any proposal as to changes in our relations with native States without instructions from home.

I do not doubt that you proceeded in this matter in consequence of a belief that the interests of the Colony might suffer if action were deferred until the return of the Governor, but excepting cases of emergency large and delicate questions of policy should not be entered upon in the Governor's absence, and I do not myself perceive that there was any urgent necessity for an immediate examination into the points submitted to the Committee.

I do not observe that you make any reference to the opinion of your Executive Council, but I conclude you consulted them before taking action in the matter.

The Officer Administering the Government of the Straits Settlements.

(No. 239.) My Lord,

I have, &c. (Signed).

KIMBERLEY.

Government House, Singapore, October 19, 1871. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Lordship's despatch No. 180 of 26th August, in which I am informed that your Lordship did not perceive that there was any urgent necessity for an immediate examination into the points submitted to the Committee appointed by me to inquire into the relations of this Colony with the neigh- bouring native States.

2. I desire now to explain to your Lordship my reasons for having moved in this matter.

3. On taking over the administration of this Government, I found among other papers, a letter from the Lieutenant-Governor of Malacca, conveying information of a midnight robbery of cattle that had been committed by the people of the adjoining native State of Rambow. From the correspondence of the Lieutenant-Governor, it appeared that the Chief of this State was disinclined to give this Government any satisfaction in the matter, and complications appeared imminent.

4. The only Minute by Sir Harry Ord on this correspondence was "Left for Colonel Anson."

5. When I left Penang for Singapore, the Sultan of the large native State of Perak, adjoining the southern boundary of Province Wellesley, had recently died, and the country was reported to be in a state of anarchy, and complications seemed likely to take place with that country also, in consequence of persons crossing the river from it into Province Wellesley, and committing robbery and murder, for which it did not appear likely that this Government would obtain any redress from that of Perak.

6. Besides this there were the outstanding complaints of the traders of Penang against some of the Rajahs, and other persons in Achin, in Sumatra, and in Perak, in the settlement of which they were constantly urging the Government to assist them.

7. Under all these circumstances, I thought it better to bring the question in a general way under your Lordship's notice, in order that I might receive such instructions from your Lordship in regard to dealing with the rulers of neighbouring native States, as would prevent the possibility of any action being taken in connection with any of them that might be at variance with the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

8. I am glad to be able to report that the Rambow affair was afterwards satisfactorily settled, and I have no doubt that the treatment received by the Piratical Rajah at Salangore will have à beneficial influence throughout the Peninsula for some time to come. 9. There can be no doubt that it greatly influenced the Rajah of Larut in giving over to the Acting Lieutenant-Governor of Penang a number of persons who had committed gang robbery with murder in Province Wellesley about that time.

10. I trust this explanation may satisfy your Lordship that I proceeded in this matter from the pure conviction that a settlement of this vexed question, which will sooner or later be sure to force itself upon the Government, was at the time necessary.

I have, &c.

(Signed) A. E. H. ANSON, Administrator. The Right Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colouies,

&c.

&c.

&o.