CO882-(2-3) — Page 510

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

C.O.

Reference :-

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3 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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

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peace with, the British Government, and will not permit such persons to form or attempt to form expeditions, or to collect men or arms in the said territory of Sungie Ujong against the British Government or against the friends and allies of the British Government, and that they will give early and true information to the British Government of all events of political and mercantile importance happening in the said territory, and that the Station, District or Settlement at Sempang, with all the river bank on both sides of the River Lingie, from Sempang as far as Permatang Passir, shall be placed under the control, order, and direction of the British Government.

Inclosure 13 in No. 12.

His Excellency the Governor to Datu Bandar.

(After the usual compliments.)

October 3, 1874,

WE have now to write to our friend on a serious subject; and in order that there may be no misunderstanding, we write ourselves to make known clearly the state of affairs in the district of Sungie Ujong.

For a long time past disturbances have existed in Sungie Ujong, and with much trouble we have settled these difficulties; and we are informed that now peace reigns, and traders and miners are prospering in Sungie Ujong.

The only drawback to this happy state of affairs is said to be the position taken up by the Datu Bandar, or perhaps by some unauthorized person making use of this name, for the Datu Bandar is represented to us as an aged and wise man who we think ought to know better than to allow himself to be mixed up in dangerous causes, especially when it is considered that the Datu Bandar is a Chief of Sungie Ujong under the orders of the Datu Klana, whose position is, and must be, recognized, and himself protected by the Government as long as his conduct deserves protection.

It is said that the Datu Bandar opposes the recent arrangements made for the pacifi- cation of Sungie Ujong and Rambowe, and that the Datu Bandar went up to Sungie Ujong and personally opposed the Datu Klana when he wished to salute the flag of the great Queen; and that the Datu Bandar has collected a number of broken chiefs who have been driven out of their own country; and that the Datu Bandar is now prepared to oppose the British Government and make war against his own Chief, the Datu Klana, the friend of the British Government, which is, in truth, making war against the great Queen.

We have now to warn the Datu Bandar against any such design, and to inform him that the Sultan of Salangore with his Viceroy, Tunku Dia Oodin, on one side, and the Pungulu of Rambowe, who has just been recognized by us as Pungulu, with the Datu Kinna of Sungie Ujong, have entered into arrangement with us for protecting Sungie Ujong against any action of the enemies of the Datu Klana; that on the first occasion of any improper conduct on the part of the Datu Bandar tending to disturb the peace of Sungie Ujong, steps will be at once taken by the joint forces for protecting the peace of the country and punishing severely those who dare to disturb it.

This is what we make known to our friend; and we hope for our friend's sake soon to have a letter stating that our friend has given up all intention of opposing Government in its policy, and that the reports brought to us are not true.

(Signed)

Inclosure 14 in No. 12.

A. CLARKE.

(Translation.)

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Inclosure 15 in No. 12.

The Datu Klana of Sungie Ujong to the Colonial Secretary.

(After compliments.)

November 20, 1874. WE beg to inform our friend that our friend's (two) letters safely reached us in Sungie Ujong on the 7th Shawal (16 November, 1874), one of which contains an advice from our friend his Excellency the Governor, and the other one relating to the subject of a robbery committed on the way to Lingie. The contents of both of these letters we fully

understand.

On the 6th Shawal (15th November), we forwarded a letter to the address of the Datu Bandar, requesting him to call at Empangan, with a view to consult with us amicably, but he totally refused, and on this account we parted from him.

We have consulted with our friend's officer, Mr. Pickering; from Monday to Tuesday

we put a stop to the war, and on Wednesday we retired.

We beg further to acquaint our friend that we have agreed with all our great men in the appointment of Amal us Panglima Besar, and styled him Shabanden.

We have concluded that all our men in our country have proved to be utterly untrustworthy with the exception of those that are in our district only, but we cannot put too much reliance even upon them.

As to our property, we are willing to expend and exhaust it in the protection of our district and country. This we make known to our friend, that we, as well as our country, will yield ourselves into the hands of our friend according as our friend may be mercifully inclined towards us, and that we will never alter or change from our friend.

As to this our letter, we beg our friend will lay it before his Excellency the Governor of the three Settlements.

With regard to the men who committed robbery on the way to Lingie, they have run away; notwithstanding this, we will make inquiry, as we have not been properly informed.

As regards Inchie Karie, we will consult with our friend's officer, that we may call and examine him. As regards Rajah Mahmood, it is true that he withstood us to war. Rajah Mahmood, who is now in Singapore, is the son of the late Sultan of Salangore.

With our compliments to our friend and to his Excellency the Governor.

Inclosure 16 in No. 12.

The Datu Klana, Petera of Sungie Ujong, to the Lieutenant-Governor, Malacca.

(Translation.)

10 Shawal, 1291 (November 20, 1874).

(After compliments.)

WE inform our friend that on the 7th day of Shawal (17th November), fighting was begun between us and the Datu Bandar, until the 8th of Shawal; about two or three men have been killed on both sides. Further, now we and the Datu Bandar are enemies, and can never be friends again. Further we inform our friend that our friend must pity us and help us, as our people cannot hope for success, and we put our entire trust on our friend. This is all, with our compliments to our friend.

My dear Captain Shaw,

Sungie Ujong, November 19, 1874. SINCE I wrote last, news has come that Prassa has been attacked and retaken by the Bandar's people and a lot of Rambowe men.

The Klana's people, as soon as they have taken places, refuse to hold them, and I am We will now sure that if left to himself, Mahmood and the Bandar will clear him out.

keep this house; but if you hear no further from me, I think the best way would be to send a force with rockets and finish the business at once, as, besides ourselves and the Arabs, there is not a man to depend on in the country; all are terrified at the name of Mahmood. No news is brought in that can be relied on till some disaster occurs, when they rush here and exaggerate everything.

Yours faithfully, (Signed)

W. A. PICKERING.

Inclosure 17 in No. 12.

The Datu Muda of Lingie to the Lieutenant-Governor of Malacca.

(Translation.) (After compliments.)

9 Shawal, 1291 (November 17, 1874). WE inform our friend that the Datu Klana has not written to us to inform our friend, but we think that as the Datu Klana is in trouble, it is right for us to inform our friend of

it. First, on the 6th Shawal (14th November), the Datu Klana sent us a letter regarding himself and the Datu Bandar, that the fight had begun, and that the place of the Datu Bander at Resa had been taken by the Datu Klana, and that all the Datu Klana's people are watching the place, and from that time the Datu Klana has always written to us asking for arms, and three or four times we have sent the things which they were in want of.

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C.O.

Reference :-

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

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On 19th Shawal (17th November), about 8 at night, we received a letter from our people who take about things for trading with, and who live at Resa, informing us that Resa had been taken by the Datu Shabandar and Rajab Mahmood, as Panglima of the Datu Bandar, with fifty or sixty followers, attacked (or ran a-muck at) Resa. Now we think that the Datu Klana is surrounded, and we wish to send more arms that are wanted, but it is difficult to do so, because every one is frightened to go on the way to it; and, further, we think that as all the people are frightened to go there, then, for a certainty, all the Chinese will run away, and so cause great loss to the traders.

Further, Inchie Karie, the son of the Datu Shabandar, came from Malacca to Lingie. He met and told us that he had come from Singapore, and that the great Governor had given him a letter for the Datu Klana, and one to the Bandar, and he stated that he intends to take his father to the great Governor at Singapore. Then we heard that Inchie Karie had reached Sungie Ujong in the morning, and at night, he, with Rajah Mahmood, attacked Resa. This is all.

Sir,

Inclosure 18 in No. 12.

Singapore, December 23, 1874.

I BEG to forward a condensed report of my proceedings since the 3rd of October last, when I was ordered by your Excellency to hold myself in readiness to go to Sungie Ujong, with instructions to the following effect:-

That, as the acknowledged Ruler of that country, the Datu Klana, has written to this Government asking for protection against one of his Chiefs, the Shah Bandar, who was opposing his rule, and who, for placing his country under British protection, and for attempting to fulfil the engagements he had made with this Government, had threatened to attack him, with the assistance of the Chinese miners.

I was to assist the Klana with any advice, and to use my influence in keeping the large population of Chinese from mixing in the quarrel or assisting the Bandar.

At the same time, your Excellency, wishing to afford the Shah Bandar every chance, gave me a letter of advice, which I was, if possible, to deliver to him personally, and to counsel him to come to amicable terms with the Klana, assuring the Bandar that any grievance or complaint he might have to make would receive the greatest consideration from this Government.

Your Excellency also gave me a letter from the Punglimit of Rambowe, Datu Perba, who had written to the Shah Bandar, urging him to come to some arrangement with the

Klana.

Besides bis opposition to the Klana and British interference in the affairs of Sungie Ujong, the Bandar was suspected of harbouring the notorious Rajah Mahmood, who, together with Rajah Mahdie, had for some years been creating disturbances in Salangore and other parts of the Peninsula.

I left Singapore on the 4th of October, and, vid Malacca and Lukut, proceeded to Sungie Ujong, where I arrived on the 8th of October. I found that the Bandar had really threatened to attack the Klana, and was opposing him in every way.

After delivering your Excellency's letter, with that of the Datu Perba, I had an inter- view with the Shah Bandar, but without any satisfactory result; he seemed a very obstinate and stubborn old man.

However, with the able assistance of Mr. Swettenham (who came down from Langat), and after much argument and persuasion, on the 14th October the Bandar gave me a letter to your Excellency, in which he promised to submit his affairs to your decision, and to keep the peace towards the Kiana.

He also promised to go to Singapore when he received an answer from your Excel. lency, which he wished me to bring back.

Having this guarantee from the Bandar, and having secured the non-interference of the Chinese population, I deemed it unnecessary to stay longer in Sungie Ujong, so left for Lukut on the following day, and arrived at Singapore in the "Pluto" on the 19th of October.

On the 30th October I left Singapore again for Sungie Ujong with an answer from your Excellency to the Datu Bandar.

My instructions from your Excellency were to try and induce the Bandar to come down to Singapore, or send three of his headmen with his seal; to endeavour to get him to meet the Klana, and together make a road to Sempang.

I had also a copy of the engagement entered into by the Klana with this Government; this was to be explained to the Bandar.

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I arrived at Sungie Ujong on the 3rd of November, and the letter was delivered to the Bandar by police. He sent word back that he would send an answer on the

morrow.

The Klana assured me that Mahmood was living at Kapayang, and had his fighting men near that place; and that the Bandar was determined to keep up his opposition to everything the Klana wished to do.

On the 5th I went to Kapayang, not having received the promised reply. I had an interview with the Bandar, and found that he was only playing with me.

He refused to meet the Klana, or look at a copy of the engagement.

Although I begged him to give me an assurance in writing that he would go to Singapore within a fixed time, he would not comply with my request. Finding I could do nothing with him I returned, and as now the Klana thought he had a sufficient number of men to force the Bandar to submit, and seemed dissatisfied at being held back by me, I determined to go down immediately to Singapore and lay the case before your Excellency. The Klana also wrote a letter staing the position he was in.

I left Sungie Ujong on the 6th November (having first sent to tell the Bandar I would take any letter he might have for your Excellency) and arrived at Singapore on the 9th.

I left again for Sungie Ujong on the same day with a letter from your Excellency to the Bandar, informing him that, after giving him every opportunity, if he did not at once submit to the Klana, and come to terms, then the Klana should be allowed to take what steps he liked.

Owing to the festivities of the Malay New Year, I did not arrive at Sungie Ujong till the 14th November.

On the way I heard from the Datu Muda of Lingie and others that Mahmood had been engaged by the Bandar to act as his Panglima Prang or fighting Chief.

Immediately on arrival forwarded your Excellency's letter by police, and they returned with a message that the Bandar would read it the next day. I found that during my absence he had erected a fort and had filled his campong with fighting men.

The Bandar had also three fortified places besides Kapayang, Rassah, Rabang, and a small stockade within a mile of the Klana's house.

After trying in vain to induce the Bandar to meet him and settle affairs amicably, the Klana having got together more than 400 men well armed, determined to bring things to an issue.

On Monday, the 16th November, he took Rassah and the small place near his house with scarcely any resistance, and Rahang, though full of arms and a very strong place, was surrendered by Datu Serampoo through fear of the Klana's Arab guard.

On the 17th, at 10A.M., the Klana, with his Arab guard and some 200 well-armed Malays, set out to attack Kapayang. I accompanied him to see that no cruelty was practised, if victorious.

The Klana, however, found himself outdone, and as Mahmood himself appeared all the Klana's men, except the Arabs, ran away in a panic. Finding himself helpless, he applied to me for assistance, and, with the help of Serjeant Kiernan and the Arabs, he was brought home safely.

The next day Rassah and Rahang were taken back by Mahmood, who re-occupied them, commanded the roads to Lingie and Lukut, and began to close round and harass the Klana at his own house.

Being perfectly helpless and deserted by his men, the Klana wrote to Singapore for assistance, and in the meantime asked me to take charge of the Arabs, and do what I could to protect him from Rajah Mahmood and the Bandar.

As I could not possibly leave the Klana and his family in their extremity, I wrote to Captain Shaw for help. After being deserted by the Chinese, who, though they dare not take active

any part for the Bandar, were afraid to offend Mahmood by assisting us, I having a brave supporter in Serjeant Kiernan, took the offensive with the Arab guard, attacked and recaptured Rahang and Rassah. By taking the latter place, the trade of the country was set free, and Kapayang was the only stronghold left to the Bandar, On the 25th November, a detachment of the 10th came up from Malacca, and on the 28th Captain Dunlop, with a party of artillery, 10th regiment, and men `from Her Majesty's ship "Charybdis,” arrived from Singapore.

From this date till the 17th December, Captain Dunlop acted as Commissioner, and took charge of all affairs in Sungie Ujong, and by his firmness and knowledge of native character, established peace, and restored confidence throughout the country.

I left with Captain Dunlop on the 17th, and arrived here on the 19th December.

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