CO882-(2-3) — Page 594

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

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Reference :-

C.O. 882

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NGT TO

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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No. 41.

ADMIRALTY to COLONIAL OFFICE.

Admiralty, November 12, 1875. WITH reference to my letter of yesterday's date, and to previous correspondence, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acquaint you, for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, that the following telegram, dated yesterday, has been received from Rear-Admiral Macdonald, Naval Commander. in-Chief in the East Indies :—

"Viceroy informs me that none of detached squadron were required for troops "Philomel' has sailed for Penang."

I am, &c.

(Signed) ROBERT HALL.

No. 42.

GOVERNOR SIR W. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B., to the EARL OF CARNARVON. (Received November 13.) (Telegraphic.)

Singapore, November 12, 1875, 6-30 p.m. LEFT Singapore 5th. Called Malacca to order Assistant Resident Sungie Ujong to be reinforced. No disturbance there, but some chiefs near Malacca threaten disturbances in Salangore. I believe no connection with Perak affairs. Davidson wrote from Klang; he was threatened on all sides. On 6th I went up Klang River to Klang. Saw Tunkit Kudia. Town safe. Davidson in interior, with 300 Chinese and Malays, to protect people against bodies of freebooters robbing and burning villages. No intelligence since, but no reason for apprehension. Am sending a native auxiliary force to co-operate with him. Mahdi in Johore suspected bottom of this. I have asked Tumongong of Johore to arrest and surrender him. Arrived Perak river early 8th. There got intelligence that early previous day two officers and 60 of 10th Regiment, Lieutenant Abbott, four sailors, congreve rockets, 30. polige, 60 Sikhs, 20 Malay volunteers, went through jungle, and about four miles above Hesidency. Engaged followers of Maharajah Lelah, in whose village Birch was killed. Sikhs and police showed want of discipline, and in their con- fusion fired into troops. After one hour and a half severe firing, Europeans charged up to Malay position, a stockade, when Innes was killed, Booth and Elliott wounded. Owing to loss of officers, Lieutenant Booth, commanding, ordered force to retire, this accom- plished by troops in good order. Enemy evacuated stockade before troops retired. I telegraphed on 4th to say I was going to Perak; but my telegram did not reach Resi- dency until eight hours after expedition had started. On 8th gun-vessels " Thistle" and "Fly" went up Perak River with 80 10th Regiment and 20 Royal Artillery from Proclamations had been Singapore. Have ascertained particulars of Birch's death.

On November 1 (date correct) posted without incident all way up to Passir Sala, Birch telegraphed to me all quiet, Proclamation issued in Perak. Laxamana and Shab- bandar have written to you to accept office. Troops not required, sailors return in "Pluto." Meanwhile Swettenham issued Proclamations from Blanja to Qualla Kangwa without incident. Birch slept at Passir Sala night of November 1. Seems most pro- bable attack on him and his party was unpremeditated; was brought about by ill-advised action of interpreter, who struck a Malay for tearing down Proclamation; interpreter Swettenham instantly stabbed, and rush made on Birch when in bath close to shore. heard of Birch's murder on 4th at Blanja, when coming down river; he passed Passir Sala during night, and arrived safe at Residency.

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if you require them, be sent from Calcutta with artillery, &c. I am sorry to be obliged to act without knowing many essential details or the special object which you have in view. I cannot assume the responsibility of further delay in the despatch of the troops in face your urgent demands, but responsibility of asking for them from Calcutta will rest with you, and you must clearly understand that these troops are allowed only for punish- ment of outrage, and that in no case will Her Majesty's Government sanction their use for annexation or any other large political aims. All such questions must be referred home by telegraph or despatch.

I wish you immediately to explain why I have received no reply to my several ques- tions, and transmit complete answer to them.

No. 44.

The EARL OF CARNARVON to the DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE PERSIAN GULF TELEGRAPH, Kurrachee. (Telegraphic.)

Downing Street, November, 15, 1875, 9 p.m. PLEASE send following urgent to Telegraph Superintendents both at Rangoon and Galle, to be forwarded by first steamer to the Governor, Straits Settlements, Singapore, from Lord Carnarvon :---

I telegraphed on the 14th repeating my wish that you should explain your policy and the conditions under which reinforcements are needed from Bengal. I learn to-day interruption of cable between Penang and Madras. You will probably get yesterday's message with this, and you will act in accordance. As soon as possible send complete replies to all my questions. Do not permit Davidson to act except on defensive under strict orders from you. Inform me of substance of Proclamation posted in Perak. Troops ordered yesterday to leave Calcutta with the least possible delay.

SIB,

No. 45.

ADMIRALTY to COLONIAL OFFICE.

Admiralty, November 15, 1875. WITH reference to your letter of this day, asking for information as to the present and probable naval force in the Straits Settlements, I aun commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to request you will acquaint the Earl of Carnarvon as follows, viz. :—

Her Majesty's ship "Thistle." 4 guns; total complement 73, of which 10 are marines; and Her Majesty's ship “Fly,” 4 guns; total complement 74, of which 10 marines are at present at Singapore.

Her Majestys' ship" Modeste," 14 guns; total complement 221, of which 30 marines; and Her Majesty's ship "Egeria," 4 guns; total complement 126, of which 19 marines; and also Her Majesty's ship " Ringdove," 3 guns; total complement 90, of which 11 marines; were reported on 10th November as having been sent to Singapore.

Her Majesty's ship “ Philomel,” 3 guns; total complement 90, of which 11 marines, had sailed on 11th November for Penang from Bombay.

Her Majesty's ship “ Audacious" (flag-ship of Vice-Admiral Ryder), 14 guns ; totai complement 481, of which 61 marines was to leave Shanghac about 14th November for Singapore if necemory.

The above force shows a total of 7 ships; 16 guns; 1,185 officers, men, and marines (152 marines alone).

I am, &c. (Signed)

ROBERT HALL.

No. 46.

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

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Reference-

CO. 882

COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH--NOT TO

| ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

3 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

No. 43.

The EARL OF CARNARVON to GOVERNOR STB W. JERVOIS. K.C.M.G., C.B.

(Telegraphic.)

Downing Street, November 14, 1875, 9.18 p.m. I HAVE long expected a reply to my inquiries. Being afraid of some error, I have, after communication with the Marquis of Salisbury, requested that two regiments should,

• No. 87.

(Telegraphic.)

MAJOR-GENERAL COLBORNE to Mɛ., HARDY.

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Singapore, November 18, 1875.

INFORMATION received from Perak River. Four stockades and six guné taken from Malays on 15th by troops and navy without loss. I am proceeding to-day to Perak with 200 80th; 100 to follow.

• Not printed.

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