CO882-(2-3) — Page 515

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agreed with me in fixing the royalty on tin at one-fifteenth, and is willing to forego the poll-tax on Chinese. Before leaving, Mr. Pickering suggested to him that it would be advisable to call the three captains, China, and all their headmen, and get them to sign an agreement to forget their old quarrels, and to return to work at their mines. He seemed pleased, and said he would call them at ten to-morrow, and kill a buffalo and make them a feast.

December 12.-Mr. Pickering prepared the Chinese agreement; but as usual there was a great delay in getting the headmen together, and it was 3 P.. before we had a sufficient number collected to begin our consultation, Captain Ugoli Kim was absent, but but he sent his chop with his headmen, and a letter excusing himself as he was sick. The agreement was then read to them in Chinese, and they all willingly signed their names, promising to make their men commence work to-morrow morning. The buffalo was divided amongst them, and they left happier than I have seen them yet. I released all the Chinese prisoners I had as soon as the agreement was signed.

December 13.-To-day the Chinese miners returned to work at their mines, and a number of headmen who had not signed the agreement yesterday came and signed it. Everything seemed to indicate that the Chinese have determined to accept peaceably the new state of things, and I, therefore, thought it advisable to send for the captains, China, and inform them of the Tariff Regulations. Mr. Pickering had prepared a Chinese copy of the Regulations, and in presence of the Klana I laid this before them. The substance of the Regulations was as follows :—

1. That all mines should be leased for a term of years at a small annual rental to be fixed in each case by the Assistant Resident.

2. That a royalty of one-fifteenth should be charged on all tin.

3. That the water supply for the mines should be in charge of the Government, and regulated by it.

4. That opium, spirits, gambling, and pawnbroking should be farmed.

5. That all trading boats should be licensed, and an annual fee of 1 dollar charged for licence.

6. That in addition a fee of 25 cents be paid each time a registered boat arrives with a cargo at Rassa.

7. That for the present Rassa should be the only port in the territory,

8. That no person without a permit from the Klana, countersigned by the Assistant Resident, should carry or have in his possession arms. For this permit a fee of 5 dollars to be charged.

I told the captains that the Klana was anxious to give the different farms to them, and that I should be glad to do so, provided they offered a reasonable sum for them. I They asked if I would allow them to join together in a company to farm the revenues. told them that would be most satisfactory, and I gave them till to-morrow to consult as to their tender.

December 14. As I anticipated it was a matter of bargaining with the captains, China, before I could get them to name a sum for the farms. At last I agreed to accept 1,500 dollars per mensem for the farms of opium, spirits, and pawnbroking, the farms to be worked by the three captains conjointly. At the suggestion of the Klana three gambling places were appointed, and they were farmed separately to the three captains, China, at 200 dollars per mensem each. The farms have been let for six months only, and I am greatly satisfied at being able to give them to the captains, China. I look upon it as the best security for peace amongst the Chinese in Sungie Ujong. A very considerable amount of money must be invested by them in these farms, and it will be for the interest of the farmers to preserve peace in order to get good returns on their investments.

After dismissing the captains, China, I spoke strongly to the Klana, pointing out that it was his own misgovernment which had brought him into so much trouble and expense, that now the Governor had sent him an officer (Captain Tatham) to advise him, and that I trusted he would in everything consult him, and do his best to carry out the wishes of the Governor. This he promised to do, and thanked Mr. Pickering and myself for the interest we had taken in his country.

December 15.-We parted with the Klana and Captain Tatham at 11 A.M., and proceeded to Malacca via Lingy River. This took us almost three days, it being late on Thursday evening the 17th before we arrived at Malacca. The next day we found a steamer, of which we gladly availed ourselves for Singapore, and arrived here early

on the 18th.

Before concluding this report, I beg to bring to his Excellency's notice the highly creditable manner in which Mr. Pickering, before my arrival, performed the very difficult task he found imposed on himself. By his personal bravery he saved the Klana, with his

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wives and children, from death, and would I doubt not ere long have driven the rebels from their last stronghold. He also during my stay aided me in every way. My thanks are also due to Lieutenant Jane R.N., Captain Tatham, R.A., and the officers and men of the expeditionary force for their cordial co-operation and assistance.

It will, in my opinion, be necessary to keep a small force of soldiers in Sungie Ujong for some time, but, as the climate is cooler and healthier than any of our Settlements in the Malayan Peninsula, and as the cost will fall on the Sungie Ujong Government, it is not a matter to be regretted.

Trusting my proceedings will meet with your Excellency's approval, I have, &c.

(Signed) S. DUNLOP, Captain, R.A.,

Acting Inspector-General of Police, Straits Settlements.

Sir,

Inclosure 20 in No. 12.

"Charybdis," off Lkaut River, November 25, 1874. I AM directed to acquaint you that during the temporary absence of Governor Sir A. Clarke, his Excellency has appointed you Commissioner, with a view to your taking what steps may be necessary to restore tranquillity to this part of the Malay Peninsula. It is essential that Mr. Pickering should be relieved, should the report be true that he is now surrounded by a force of Malays, headed by a notorious pirate, Rajab Mahmood.

Lieutenant Jones, R.N., has been instructed by Captain Smith, R.N., the Senior Naval Officer, to co-operate with you, with a force of 4 officers and 40 seamen and marines of Her Majesty's ship "Charybdis" and Captain Tatham, with 20 non-commissioned officers and men of the Royal Artillery; and 2 officers and 50 non-commissioned officers and men of the 10th Regiment will also co-operate with you should it be necessary to occupy the country in order to protect British interests in trade, and more especially to secure the safety of the important lighthouse at Cape Rachado.

tam,

&c.

Captain Dunlop, R.A., &c. &c.

&c.

(Signed)

Inclosure 21 in No. 12.

M. C. BRACKENBURY.

I, THE Datu Bandar of Sungie Ujong, by my representative, Tuan Shaik Mahomed Ali, do engage with his Excellency the Governor of the three countries, Singapore, Penang, and Malacca, that I will acknowledge and carry out all the articles of the Agreement written here below, that is to say:-

1., the Datu Bandar of Sungie Ujong, will give up myself, my family, my chiefs and head fighting-men, of whatever country they may be, together with Rajahs Mahmood and Manan, and place them in the hands of his Excellency the Governor this day, or his Commissioner, Captain Dunlop.

2. I, the Datu Bandar of Sungie Ujong, engage that I will fix my chop on the Agree- ment between the British Government and Sungie Ujong, to the effect that Syed Ahman, the Datu Klana of Sungie Ujong, is the Head of Sungie Ujong, and he alone governs Sungie Ujong.

3. 1, the Datu Bandar of Sungie Ujong, engage that I will pay all the expenses of the British Government which it has incurred in settling these disturbances in Sungie Ujong. and in securing peace and prosperity in Sungie Ujong.

4. In accepting these terms, I do it being assured of his Excellency the Governor's justice, and that he will consider any claims or grievances which I may hereafter make, and in the hope that I may still be enabled to secure an honourable position in Sungie

Ujong, Sheik Mahomed Alli Wabil Metallah, of the Datu Bandar of Sungie Ujong, accept

all the above-written terms.

Inclosure 22 in No. 12.

Į, RAJA MAHMOOD, son of Tunku Panglima, Rajah of the Country of Salangore, acknowledge that I did wrong in helping the Datu Bandar of Sungie Ujang to fight against

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