CO882-(2-3) — Page 291

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference-

C.O.882

2 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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2. The inclosed extracts from the journal of Mr. Birch, to whose recent visit to the Malay States I have already called your Lordship's attention, corroborate this conviction. 3. Waiting the expression of your Lordship's views on the conduct which I had been compelled so far to follow in intervening in the affairs of the native States, I have limited the continuance of that intervention, as far as Salangore is concerned, to the cultivation of personal friendly relations with the Sultan and his Chiefs, so as to render easy and acceptable that more active supervision which, sooner or later, must be exercised over them, being not alone requisite to secure and consolidate what has been already accom- plished, but also imperatively necessary to guard against a relapse into old customs and practices.

4. This active interference would be desirable at this instant, but I hesitate to initiate it on my own part, preferring rather to see it, as I anticipate, the immediate result of the free and unanimous choice of all the Chiefs themselves.

I have, &c. (Signed)

Inclosure in No. 98.

A. CLARKE.

Extracts from Mr. Birch's "Journal of a Visit to the Native States in the Malayan

Peninsula."

March 31, 1874.

IT was clear that Rajah Mahmud had "cleared out" just after the Jugra piracy case, and the fact of his doing so was corroborative of what Rajah Bot told me, but which I did not before record, that the action of the British Government in that case, and the exemplary punishment of the pirates, had had a great effect on this side of the Peninsula. We steamed back down the river (the Sungie Sappan), and reached the ships which came to meet us off the bar.

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•

*

•

Beyond this (Tumboh) was Tanjing Supat and some Chinese, who complained very much of the Malays previously to the Jugra business. They stated that, previous to that piracy, the Malays constantly came down well armed, and if the Chinese had a new boat or anything the Malays coveted, it was little use to do all they could to get off- they must give it up; but the Malays apparently considered that they were guilty of no improper act, as it was constantly their practice to leave their own old boats in exchange for the new prahu. To the delight of the Chinese, however, the Malays have been cowed by our action at Jugra, and now never interfere with the fishermen. They all pay 4 dollars a month for each fiabing-stake to some Chief at Langat, said to be the Panglima Rajah, an officer of the Sultan.

No. 99.

The Earl of Carnarvon to Governor Sir Andrew Clarke, K.C.M.G.

(No. 114.) Sir,

Downing Street, Beptember 4, 1874. SINCE I addressed to you my despatch of the 29th May last, No. 84,* in reference to your proceedings with the Malay Chiefs, I have received from you the following further despatches as noted in the margin.t

2. I have been glad to receive these fuller details which I have now before me, and amongst them the Journal of the Commission appointed under the 12th clause of the Perak Engagement, whose proceedings were successful in settling the rival claims of the Chinese at the Laroot mines. They appear to have conducted the business thus entrusted to them with ability and discretion, and it is satisfactory to me to be able to recognize the good service they rendered in the rescue from slavery of 45 women 'and children, who have been sent to their homes. I request that you will inform them that their services have been duly appreciated by Her Majesty's Government.

3. In my despatch No. 64+ above referred to, I conveyed to you a general approval of your proceedings, both in the case of Laroot and of Salangore, so far as they had been then reported to me.

4. In the telegram which I sent to you on the 1st June,t I gave you a conditional

• No 90.

+ Nos. 91, 92, 98, 96, 97, and 98.

* Not printed.

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authority to proceed with the appointment of Residents, but to this I have not as yet received any reply; nor, indeed, in the case of Salangore have I received any specific recommendation for such an appointment there; and it would appear from your despatch of the 27th June, No. 203,* that you did not contemplate an immediate appoint- ment of this nature there.

5. I should wish to receive from you an early expression of your views on this point, and should you consider it desirable to make an acting appointment at Salangore you will be at liberty to do so. I must, however, request that you will report to me your opinion upon the selection of officers to fill the several posts of Residents with as little delay as possible. It is of great importance, and even essential, to the success of the policy to which you have devoted much time and attention, that these very responsible posts should be filled by officers of the highest ability, and on whose conduct, in their varied and more than usually difficult positions, complete reliance may be placed. In the case of Captain Speedy, who has been acting as Assistant Resident at Laroot, I shall be prepared, on receiving a recommendation from you to that effect, to confirm him in that appointment.

6. As regards the amount of salary to be assigned to these officers, I am of opinion that, looking to the rates in the Straits Settlements and in the Eastern Colonies, an annual stipend of 1,000. or 1,5001. may suffice to secure the services of the beat obtainable officers; but, should you consider it necessary, I shall not object to a salary of 1,8001. or 2,000%, for the Resident in Perak, to whom the Assistant in Laroot is to be subordinate.

7. I do not propose to offer any detailed criticism on the Perak Engagement, of which I generally approve; and you will acquaint the several Chiefs who have entered into these agreements that Her Majesty's Government have learnt with much satisfaction that they have now combined under your advice to put a stop once for all to the reign of anarchy and piracy which has unhappily so long been allowed to prevail, and which naturally resulted in the cessation of all legitimate trade, and the impoverishment of the country.

8. You will at the same time inform them that Her Majesty's Government will look to the exact fulfilment of the pledges which have now been voluntarily given, and will hold responsible those who violate the engagement which has been solemnly agreed

upon.

9. It is to be hoped that the wealth and material prosperity of the Malay Peninsula may largely increase, and that the Chiefs and people may gradually be led to understand that their true interests are best served by the natural and unrestricted growth of commerce, which will surely follow upon the maintenance of peace and order within their respective territories.

10. It only remains for me now to discharge the agreeable duty of assuring you that I am aware that the successful result which has been obtained is chiefly owing to the ability, zeal, and tact which you have displayed, supported as I doubt not you have been by the intelligent co-operation of those who were associated with you in the conduct of these difficult and delicate negotiations, amongst whom I desire specially to acknowledge the Commanders and other officers of Her Majesty's naval forces in the Malay waters, who have given you, on more than one occasion, such cordial and efficient assistance.

• No. 98.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

CARNARVON.