CO882-(2-3) — Page 250

PUBLIC

RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

PC.O.8

882

2 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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

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Thursday, January 15.

Row-boats brought in.

56. On Thursday morning, the 15th January, three of the Chee-Hig non-bondy crane in and gave up their arms. The hosts were beachod, sad the men bösand and fË M shore. Two Malay Chiefs of the Raja Muda's people came in one of these hosts, and ot once came on board the " Plupo," and gave up their arms, swords, and kritees, which you afterwards returned to them.

Arrival of Baju Muda Abdulla.

57. The "Johore" arrived soon after from the Perak River bringing the Raja Muda, with the Bandaharn, and two other members of the Royal Family, and the Laksamana, Shabunder, and other Chiefs and followers.

58. Mears. McNair and Dunlop reported that the Raja Muda had come with the greatest readiness on their invitation. They also brought much information on the subject of Perak affairs, and the position of the Royal Family and the Mantri, which information placed matters in a clearer light. Mr. Pickering reported the state of good feeling which existed between the two Chinese Headien.

Row-Beats.

59. Much discussion had arisen on the arrival of the Ghee-Hin row-boats. It was maintained by those favourable to the Mantri, that the boats brought in were not the real row-boats which had been left behind; and Captain Patterson of the “ Avon,” said the real row-boats were at a fortified place called Silensing, at one of the numerous Mouths of the Larut River. It was admitted, on the other side, that these were moss than three row-boats, and as it was essential that all the armed boats should be brought in, the "Avon "'' was sent the same evening to Silensing to bring away all the armed bonita found there; and at the same time the "Johore," with Captain Dunlop and Mr. Pickering, with some of the Hye-San Headmen, went to Larut River to bring all the armed bests found there.

Interview with Chinese Headmen.

60. At 8 r.. the same day (Thursday), a large number of the Headman on both sisles came on board the "Pluto," and bad an interview with the Governor, Mr. Plskøring acting as interpreter. The Chinese explained their position at the mines, their difficulties in the want of a regular Government, and of a tribunal for the settlement of disputes among them, especially on the subject of the distribution, among the various mines, of water for washing the tin ore. They expressed their want of confidence in the Malaya, and entreated that a British officer should be put in the mines to govern the people on principles of justice. They said they were tired of fighting, their losses were enormous, thousands of their men had been killed, and their property destroyed; that, if left to themselves in this, as in other cases of quarrel, when long ago they had fought enough, they would have settled; but they had got mixed up with Malay politics, and found it impossible now to do anything without the assistance of Government. Their best hope was that the British Government would take over the country entirely, when they would be certain to have proteption, and the production of tin would increase tes-fold's but, if the Geveniment would not take over the country, they hoped they would at least appoint British officers to rule; that all they wanted new was pesos, they did not ask for compensation, that was all past and gone, and they would comfiance knew. Some of them, however, had lost their wives and children, and they claimed that they should be given up.

61. After a long conference, the terms of an arrangement among them, afterwards reduced to writing, and signed on the 20th January by all the Herdmen on both sides were agreed to; and all of them left the "Pluto” greatly pleased with the reception they bad met, and at the result of the interview.

Friday, January 18.

Ghee Him Petitions.

62. On Friday morning, the 18th January, a steam-launch arrived from Penang with a number of Gher-Hin men, for the purpose of presenting certain peditions,

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complaining of the conduct of the Mantri and his people in destroying their property, killing their men, taking their women and children, and keeping them as slaves and prostitutes.

63. The petitioners were received on board. Their petitions were examined, and found to be copies of, or somewhat similar to, petitions presented to Government in 1872, as to which the petitioners had been informed that Government could not interfere on their behalf; and, so far from any redress being promised, it appeared some of the petitioners had even been threatened. The petitions were now read, and the petitioners were informed that inquiry would be made; and especially that every exertion would be used to restore any women and children detained in the country. On this they went on shore and joined the rest of the Chinese Headmen of both parties.

Reception of Raja Muda.

64. It had been arranged that the Governor would receive the Raja Muda and his friends, and the Mantri this day. Accordingly at 1 P.M. the "Thalia's " boat brought the Baja Muda on board with Raja Osman, the Bandahara appointed by Ismail (and whom the Raja Muda intended himself to appoint as Bandahara, and indeed had appointed him already), Raja Engah, and Raja Abbas of the first rank, and the Laxmana, the Shab- bunder, and the Raja Makota, of the second rank.

65. This visit was one of ceremony, and it was arranged that next day (Saturday, the 17th January), there should be a general conference of all the Malay Chiefs, including the Mantri. The Raja Muda expressed his great gratification at the Governor's arrival, asserted his perfect willingness to be guided entirely by him, to use his best endeavours to aid in every way in arriving at a satisfactory conclusion, and by restoring peace in Larut, to bring back the Chinese and encourage them in their industry by justice and good government.

Conference with Mantri.

66. At 3.30 P.M. the Mantri came on board and had a long conference.

The Governor addressed the Mantri to the effect that the state of Larut must be, to a certain extent, attributed to his vacillating policy, by which he had lost the confidence of both parties of the Chinese; that both sides were willing to abide by his (the Governor's) arbitration; that the present state of war and piracy must cease; that numerous petitions had been presented by men of both sides against him (the Mantri); that he had made no efforts to restore peace; that his policy and proceedings had been such, and he had shown such conscious weakness that he (the Governor) could no longer permit things to go on in this way, and had come at the request of all parties, Malays and Chinese, to settle matters; that his intervention would be more practically useful if the Mantri candidly and frankly expressed his views, and did not hesitate to state his case, so that the Governor might be fully informed before acting; that both parties of the Chinese Headmen had been communicated with, and they were most anxious that anarchy should cease; that unaided the Mantri was quite unable to cope with his diffi- culties; and, with all the assistance he had received, he had made no real progress in settling the country. The Governor then said to the Mantri, “You have asked me to intervene, are you willing now to submit to my arbitration ?" The Mantri expressed his readiness to do so.

Are you willing to disarm the Hye Sans with whom you are allied, and guarantee that, in future, you will do your utmost to prevent a recurrence of these disturbances ?

The Mantri fenced with this question, and said that if Government would restore tranquillity by driving out the Ghee Hins, he was strong enough to deal with the Hye Sans himself; on this the Governor said-you quite misunderstand my views-I do not wish to favour either party, or to drive out either, but to do justice to all It is by your policy, of attempting to play off one party against the other that you have lost your influence, caused difficulties, and prevented a settlement. The headmen of both parties have agreed to accept my arbitration, are you willing to disarm the Hye Sang?

The Mantri, after some hesitation, assented.

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Will you agree that no Chinese shall have any employment in Larut which will necessitate their carrying arms?—Yes.

Do

It has been suggested to place a British Officer in Larut to assist and advise you. you agree to this?

The Mantri appeared at first to have some objection to this proposal, but at last agreed that a British Officer should be appointed.

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