CO882-(2-3) — Page 519

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

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

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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every way eminently qualified for undertaking the task of initiating all the practical measures essential for the future administration of a semi-civilized country, the rulers of which have but recently declared their readiness to adopt a system of Government that will secure to its inhabitants the undisturbed enjoyment of their industry, whilst at the same time it will open up its resources and products to foreign enterprise and commercial adventure.

4. Mr. Birch further possesses in a remarkable degree untiring physical energy and endurance, powers of infinite value to one whose duties will necessarily entail upon him constant exposure to climate and weather in a country which, the navigable rivers having once been left, affords as communications but ill-defined paths through swamps and through the thickest of tropical jungle, and, as shelter from the sun and from the rain,, often no other protection than that given by a kanjang, or native mat.

5. I have, as permitted by your Lordship, named 2,0001. a year as the income to be attached to this Residency, for, in addition to its importance, its head-quarters will be some distance in the interior, and above the ordinary navigation of the River Perak, so that any articles used or consumed by Europeans will be rendered exceptionally expensive by the cost of transport.

6. In accordance, also, with your Lordship's instructions in the despatch already quoted, I have now no hesitation in submitting Captain Speedy's name for confirmation as Assistant Resident in Perak attached to the district of Laroot, the success which has during the last year attended his efforts in the restoration of order and in the administra tion of affairs in that district fully justifying my doing so. Captain Speedy has been drawing 2,000l. a year, but, on the assumption of the Residency by Mr. Birch, his income will be limited to 1,5001 a year.

7. I have been rather in the hope that the presence at Langat with the Sultan of Salangore of Mr. Swettenham, of this Civil Service, would have been sufficient to render unnecessary for the present the appointment of a Resident to that Chief. But although I have every reason to be satisfied with this gentleman in the results that have followed from the influence which he has exercised over His Highness, and to which is mainly attributable the tranquillity and good order now existing in that part of the State, there has not been either in the district of Salangore proper or in Klang that restoration of confidence which I had anticipated.

8. These districts are still left abandoned by their former cultivators, nor have the miners returned to them in any numbers, whilst capital to assist in opening new mines in this well-known rich mineral country is withheld; and all in consequence, I have thoroughly satisfied myself, of its affairs not being subject to the control of a British officer resident with the Sultan's Viceroy, Tunku Dia Oodin.

9. As a resident to this State, I have consequently succeeded in securing the services of Mr. J. G. Davidson, a member of the Supreme Court here, a Writer to the Signet, in Edinburgh, who was, I may remind your Lordship, one of the Commissioners in the Jugru piracy case, as reported in my despatch of the 24th February last. Although Mr. Davidson has, as I have assured myself, a very considerable and profitable practice at the Bar here, that practice would be still larger had he devoted, or would devote, himself entirely to the exercise of his professsion; but his attention having been diverted to native subjects, he first began by taking an interest in them, and then even- tually dedicated himself to a very great extent to the task of advising Tunku Dia Oodin during the last three years, and has been so far successful in restoring tranquillity to that portion of Salangore over which the Tunku's Viceroyalty extende, not only by frequently being present with him in the field, but also by assisting him very freely with funds.

10 Under ordinary circumstances this latter fact would indeed have made me hesitate in suggesting Mr. Davidson for the office of Resident, but the confidence which he possesses amongst the entire European community of these Settlements, as well as amongst the Chiefs and people of this Malay State, combined with qualities of training which specially fit him for the labours which he has undertaken, has influenced me to consider these qualifications as neutralizing the objections which doubtless would other- wise exist in making such an arrangement.

11. I attach, however, a letter from him, from which it will be seen that he has transferred his claims on Tunku Dia Oodin to the agency of a mercantile house bere, so as to avoid in future being brought into any reference to them in any personal contract with the Government of Salangorc.

12. I have advised that the income of this Residency should be fixed at 1,5001. a-year, because, whether it is established at Klang or in the Salangore River, it will be conpared with Perak, much more accessible, and in direct communication with either this city or Penang or Malacca.

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13. For the present, and indeed for some little time to come, I should desire to retain Mr. Swettenham still with the Sultan of Salungore, over whom he has acquired great influence, and has exercised it with great care and caution, showing on more than one delicate and difficult occasion consummate judgment and ability. Mr. Swettenham is, in fact, a young officer of very high promise, uniting with considerable mental attain- ments great zeal and energy. I have suggested that for he present he should receive an income of 7501. a-year.

14. In Sungie Ujong, I have named temporarily as an Assistant Resident, Captain Tatham, the senior military officer in command of the troops who proceeded on service in that State, and a portion of whom has been left in temporary occupation, as reported in my despatch of the 29th instant.

15. Captain Tatham is an officer of the Royal Artillery, who during his residence here, has not only acquired a knowledge of the vernacular, but has also placed at the disposal of the Civil Government much of his spare time and leisure, having frequently acted for the Chief of Police during the absence of that officer, and having also undertaken for me the inquiry into the Indian coolie difficulty in Province Wellesley at the end of last year.

16. In the despatch to which I have already called attention, are reported the preliminary steps taken by him to place the affairs of Sungie Ujong in proper order, and they afford evidence of his capacity for the work entrusted to him.

17. Fully conscious of the heavy responsibility which I have assumed in making these selections, I submit them for your Lordship's favourable consideration, with the conviction that I have secured for these posts officers thoroughly competent to deal with the varied and difficult duties which will be entailed upon them by their position.

Inclosure in No. 14.

I have, &c. (Signed) A. CLARKE.

Sir,

Singapore, December 15, 1874. REFERRING to the conversation I had with you yesterday, I beg to say that I am willing to accept the appointment of Her Majesty's Resident with His Highness the Sultan of Salangore, at the salary of 1,5001. per annum; but, considering the expense of living in Salangore, the responsibility of the office, and the variety and quantity of work to be done, I think that the pay of such an officer should not be under 2,000l. per annum, and I venture to hope that it may be increased to that sum.

My private relations with His Highness the Viceroy of Salangore are now nearly closed, and they will all be closed in a few days. I have arranged to transfer my claim against the Salangore Government for money advanced and services rendered as soon as it is finally adjusted, to Messrs. Guthrie and Co., merchants here, to hold for me and to receive the interest and dividends in their own names. This transfer would of course be made before I leave Singapore.

Governor Sir Andrew Clarke, K.C.M.G.,

Sir,

&c.

&c.

&c.

No. 15.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

J. G. DAVIDSON.

Admiralty to Colonial Office.

Admiralty, February 2, 1875. I AM commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to transmit to you, for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, copy of a despatch dated the 23rd of December last, from Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Shadwell, and its enclosures, giving an account of the proceedings of a combined naval and military force sent to the Lukut River by desire of his Excellency the Governor of the Straits Settle- ments, in order to rescue Mr. Pickering, Government Officer, who, with his small force of Police, was surrounded by hostile Malays under the control of Rajah Mahmood.

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