CO882-(2-3) — Page 260

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

TLITIC.O.8

· 882

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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

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Difficulties in the way of Effecting a Settlement.

19. When Governor Sir Andrew Clarke had to undertake the case of Salangore, difficulties of all sorts were thus in his way; and, although the fact of the existence of the difficulties was plain, reliable information as to the nature and causes of those diffi- culties was wanting. There were numerous documents in the records of the Office, but these documents were not of such an impartial and complete character as to give confidence that they represented the real state of affairs, and described truly the characters of the prominent persons engaged.

20. It was, however, necessary to act. Here, as in Perak, piracy had assumed much a formidable character, as to threaten the trade through the Straits of Malacca, and even the safety of the Lights on the North Sands and on Cape Rachado. It was clear, therefore, that instant steps must be taken to stop piracy; and, although there was not the same reason for supposing that Government could easily reach the origin of the piracy as there was at Laroot, it was obviously necessary, in any action to be taken, that the origin and causes of the evil should not be overlooked in order to make that action effectual.

Recent Piracies.

21. It is unnecessary to trace the various acts of piracy which had lately been com- mitted off the coast of Salangore. A number of prisoners had been arrested at Malacca, and recognized as having been parties engaged in an atrocious case of piracy at the mouth of the Jugra river. It was at first determined to have these prisoners tried for their offence at Malacca; but, when the Governor had decided on taking up the case of Salangore, it was arranged, as part of the plan of operations, that these prisoners should, on the requisition of the authorities of Salangore, be given up for trial at the scene of their crime.

22. It happened that, when this last piracy was under enquiry, the Rachado Light House was attacked by men supposed to be from the same River Jugra. The Admiral In command of the China Station was expected with a large force. The Governor deter- mined, therefore, while informing the Admiral of these piracies, and thus securing the co-operation of the fleet, to undertake to deal with the Government of Salangore on land, and thus to combine the action; in the hope, not merely of being able to check actual present piracy, but to be enabled to exercise a strong influence on the Saltan, his family and dependants up the Langat River, where they lived secure, as they thought, from active interference on the part of our Government.

Despatch to the Admiral,

23. A despatch was accordingly sent to the Admiral, detailing the case of piracy above referred to, and the intention of Government to hand the prisoners over for trial to the authorities at Salangore; pointing out the present state of affairs in Salan- gore, as far as was known; the position of Tuanku Kudin; his desire to put down piracy, and the opposition he met with in the country from the relatives of the Sultan; recounting the present state of the coast, the numerous piracies, the attack on Cape Rachado Light House, the fears of the boatmen, who were unwilling to attempt to relieve the light without strong armed guards; stating the desire of Government that the Admiral would endeavour, by a vigorous effort, to suppress the piracy; expressing confidence that Tuanku Kudin would do everything in his power to assist; stating that the Gorettior proposed to meet the Admiral at the North Sands, and, together with him, to visit the Sultan at Langat, and pointing out what was proposed to be done there; and asking that Her Majesty's ship "Rinaldo," then at Singapore, should be allowed to take the prisoners and witnesses from Malacca to Langat for the trial.

24. The Admiral at once assented, and fixed a rendezvous at the North Sands, where he would be found with the fleet, on his return from Penang, on the 6th of February.

Presence of Tuanku Kudin.

25. Arrangements were at the same time made that Tuanku Kudin should be present, with Mr. Davidson, who had for some time been the medium of communication between Government and the Tuanku.

26. It was considered that there would be no objection ip making use of the services of Tuanku Kudin so far. He had been recognized by Government already as Viceroy of Salangore; and, although the manner of bis confirmation by the Sultan as Viceroy, in 'July 1871, was not free from objection, he had been acknowledged by Government ever

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since in that capacity; and had received every moral support, even to encouragement given to the Chiefs of Quedah and Pahang to assist him by sending armies of their subjects to his aid. By dealing with the Tuanku as Viceroy, moreover, a strong ally was gained against the pirates, as he had all along expressed his intention of putting down the pirates, who, in fact, were supported and led by his personal enemies. therefore, arranged that Tuanku Kudin' should attend in the chartered ship "Luzon," and that his services should be made use of, at least till it was ascertained what his real position in the country was, a matter not quite free from obscurity.

Thursday, 5th February.

Governor leaves Singapore. Rendezvous.

It was,

27. The Governor, accompanied by Mr. Braddell, Major McNair, and Mr. Braken- bury, left Singapore in the Colonial steamer "Pluto" on Thursday morning, the 5th of February, and arrived at the North Sands the next afternoon, the 6th of February. The Admiral arrived soon after with the squadron of six vessels. The Admiral at once had a conference with the Governor, who explained to him more fully the state of affairs at Salangore, both at sea and on shore; that he had received a letter from the Viceroy to the effect that he was unable to deal singly with the pirates, and, although he had guarded the Klang River, he had no force to watch the Jugra River, and asked for assis- tance from the fleet to blockade that river, to destroy the piratical stockades there, and to take such other steps as might be necessary for preventing further outrages.

Disposition of Fleet by the Admiral.

28. The Admiral expressed his readiness to co-operate, and at once sent Her Majesty's ships "Thalia," " Rinaldo," and " Avon,” to take up a position in front of the Jugra River, the "Rinaldo" to keep the prisoners till required for trial. It was then arranged that the Admiral, in _Her Majesty's ship "Salamis," having with him Her Majesty's ships "Midge" and "Frolic," should accompany the Governor in the "Pluto" up to the Sultan's residence the next day, when further proceedings could be determined on arrival there,

Saturday, 7th February,

Departure for Langat.

29. The next day, Saturday, the 7th of February, the flag-ship "Iron Duke" was brought into the month of the Klang River. The "Pluto," with the Governor and his party on board, steamed up the Klang River, followed by the Admiral with his flag on Her Majesty's ship "Salanuis," and accompanied by Her Majesty's ships "Midge" and "Frolic."

30. At about & P.M. the "Salamis" grounded, on which the Admiral shifted his fing to Her Majesty's ship "Frolic," and the vessels anchored for the night. The "Salamis" was soon got off the bank, soft mud, and was left behind.

Sunday, 8th February.

31. Next morning, Sunday, the 8th February, the other three vessels steamed on till 9.15 A.M., when they anchored near the Sultan's residence, where the Jugra River branches off from the Langat River.

Navigation of the River Langat.

32. Although it was neap tides, the three vessels found no difficulty in navigating so far. The river was winding in its course, but there was a good channel, with about four fathoms water, except in a few places where it shallowed to a little less than two fathoms. It was afterwards found that the same depth of water continued up the river for ten or twelve miles further, to which distance the steam launch proceeded next day.

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