PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
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TPLLC.O. 882
2 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
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labourers he employed to open up the country, and have been, one or other, directly concerned in all the acts of piracy which bave occurred along that coast since 1868.
7. I may here remark that the Salangore country and the Kallang, Straits were specially famous in former days and in the earlier times of our connection with the East, for piratical attacks of the most daring nature; but the attempts persistently made by.. the Indian Government to put it down ended in almost complete success; while our.. action has been, since 1868, intermittent, though several cases have been dealt with by our navy which have resulted in capture, trial, and conviction of the offenders.
8. It is a matter of regret to notice that these bond fide acts of piracy by Malaya, (which must be looked upon as very distinct from the lawless attacks by Chinese which have been lately put down in the more northern of the peninsula) are again becoming, frequent; and, as they are supported now by the sons of the Sultan and one Rajah Laut, appear to have created a great deal of alarm, and are completely paralyzing the trade of Malacca.
9. Another case has been reported to me within the last few days; and, on the night of the 11th instant, a boat, said to belong to Rajah Mahmud, of Langat, made an attack on Cape Rachado light-house, where the people had that day received their pay, and wounded one man; while the Lieutenant-Governor of Malacca reports to me that it is impossible to procure the usual relief to this light-house, as well as to the light-ship at the North Sands; but it has become necessary to send them up under a strong guard of police.
10. Your Excellency will consequently perceive that these attacks have at last reached a point when they are threatening the peaceful navigation of the Straits, the great high- way between Europe and China,
11. I am, therefore, most anxious to take advantage of your Excellency's presence with an unusually large force, and to endeavour by a vigorous effort to finally suppress. these piratical expeditions from Salangore.
12. I am confident that Tunku Ďia Udin will do everything to assist your Excel- lency; and, in anticipation of your acquiescence in my views, I have dispatched a mission to Tanku Dia Udin to request him to meet your Excellency at the North Sands, or at the entrance to the Kallang Straits.
18. I propose at the same time and place to meet your Excellency in the "Pluto," and bring with me a steam launch.
14. The measures which I venture to suggest for adoption are the delivery of the pirates whom we have in custody to Tunku Dia Udin, who demands them from us under the Indian Extradition Act, and providing him with evidence, require him to try them on the spot.
15. For that purpose, it will be necessary to proceed to Langkat by the river from Kallang Qualla, up which river any of the gun-boats and the "Pluto" can safely go, and any vessel not drawing over 11 feet.
16. When there, I propose to obtain at once an audience of the Sultan, and, if possible, to insist on his coming on board; while I shall require Tunku Dia Udin to make a prisoner, for the time, of his brother-in-law, Rajah Yacub (Tunku Alang), and other suspected Chiefs, and to destroy all the stockades which this faction of Chiefs living at Langat have erected for the purpose of protecting themselves in the attacks which they contemplate on trading vessels.
17. In destroying these stockades, Tunku Dia Udin will doubtless require support and material assistance, if necessary, or if any of the pirates should resist.
18. But, as these stockades are on the Jugra River, along which only boats can proceed, I would suggest boats from the larger ships proceeding up that river with the steam launches, and joining the ships at Langat. I understand the course is a short one, and on two occasions the boats of Her Majesty's ships "Icarus" and "Zebra" went up with the steam launch "Mata Mata.”
19. I beg to ask, in the meantime, your Excellency's permission to allow Her Majesty's ship" Rinaldo," now here, to proceed to Malacca to take on board the pirates and witnesses, and join the fleet at the rendezvous.
20. Trusting that your Excellency will concur with me in my proposal, I will proceed with my Attorney-General to meet your Excellency as soon as I hear from you by tele- gram your movements,
His Excellency Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Shadwell, K.C.B.,
&c.
&c.
&c.
I have, &c.
(Signed) A. CLARKE.
Sir,
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Inclosure 3 in No. 86.
"Pluto," Klang Straits, February 7, 1874. WITH reference to my letter of the 30th ultimo, I have now the honour to transmit to your Excellency herewith a letter from Tunku Dis Udin, Viceroy of Salangore, stating that, although he has taken certain measures to guard the mouth of the Klang River, and the Straits of Lamajit and-Lamut, he has not sufficient force to operate effectually against the pirates at Langat, and requesting material assistance to further his efforts.
I have, &c. (Signed)
His Excellency Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Shadwell, K.C.B.,
&c.
&c.
&o.
Sir,
Inclosure 4 in No. 86.
A. CLARKE.
Klang, February 6, 1874. WITH reference to the piracies and attempts at piracy which have lately been committed at or near Langat, I beg to inform your Excellency that I have put on a schooner and a cutter to guard the mouth of the Klang River and the Straits Lamajit and Lamut, but that I have no sufficient force at my disposal effectually to operate against the pirates at Langat. I would therefore ask your Excellency to be good enough to permit some of the vessels of Her Majesty's fleet to 'blockade the Jugra River and overhaul all boats or vessels going out or in to Langat, and to destroy all stockades or other places found in possession of pirates or those assisting them, and to take such other' steps as may be necessary for preventing further outrages.
I have, &c.
(The signature and stamp of Tunku Dia Udin.) His Excellency Sir Andrew Clarke, K.C.M.G., C.B., R.E.,
Governor and Commander-in-chief, Straits Settlements.
Memo.
Inclosure 5 in No. 86.
"Iron Duke," off One Fathom Bank Light, February 6, 1874.
IT is my direction that you proceed in the "Thalia" to the mouth of the Langat River, taking under your orders the "Avon" and "Rinaldo ;" and you will there establish a strict blockade, allowing no boats to pass in or out. The Colonial steam launch "Mata Mata" will be placed under your directions, and you will take such steps to arm her as you may consider expedient. You will be supplied with interpreters to assist you in this duty, and some Malays will also be sent who will be able to identify any persons suspected of piracy who may attempt to escape from the Langat River.
CHAS. F. A. SHADWELL, Vice-Admiral.
(Signed)
Captain H. B. Woollcombe,
Her Majesty's ship “Thalia,”
Memo.
Inclosure 6 in No. 86.
"Iron Duke,” of One Fathom Bank Light, February 6, 1874.
THE "Midgo" is to accompany the Colonial steamer "Pluto," on board which vessel
is his Excellency the Governor, to the mouth of the Klang River, and you are to afford
his Excellency such assistance as he may require, and the rules of the service will admit, and as far as practicable executing his Excellency's wishes.
(Signed)
Commander J. F. G. Grant,
Her Majesty's ship " Midge.".
Memo.
CHAŠ. F. A. SHADWELL, Vice-Admiral.
Inclosure 7 in No. 86.
"Salamie," of the Kallang River, February 7, 1874.
WITH reference to my order of yesterday directing you to establish a blockade of the Langat River, I wish it to be distinctly understood that no active operations are to
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