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the intervention of the British Government, the country is for the present enjoying comparative quiet. The Raja recognises that the ryet, knowing that this quiet owes its existence to such intervention, might appeal to the British representative for protection. That the ryots have so appealed I have already stated, and that they will still further appeal I feel certain.

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16. Irrespective, however, of the fact that these unfortunate persons are afforded but few opportunities of making an appeal, or are unwilling to run the risk of doing so, I have no power, under the conditions of the Pangkor engagement, to interfere with anything concerning Malay custom, and therefore in the cases which have already been brought to my notice, I could do nothing but advise, leaving such advice to be accepted

or not.

I feel certain, however, that the Sultan, if merely advised upon the question of debt. slavery, would take no steps to ameliorate the condition of the sufferers, and for these reasons I beg now to ask for specific instructions as to the course I shall in future adopt.

17. I have up to this point, Sir, dealt with debt-slavery, as this was the system regarding which bis Excellency called for a report, but I think that this is probably the best place and time for me to submit to his Excellency (though possibly, however, the Government may be aware of it), that real slavery by barter and sale exists also in Perak, and that its evils are scarcely less than those I have already depicted.

18. Previous to the Dutch occupation of Sumatra, the trade in slaves was extensively carried on from among the Bataks in that island, of whom regular cargoes were brought over by the slave traders, and sold in Perak to the highest bidder, fetching at times from 100 dollars to 200 dollars a piece. Since the Dutch have placed Resident officers at various stations on the Sumatra coast, this species of slave trade has been diminished, but there still exists throughout the State of Perak a very numerous body of Batak slaves, and as their offspring also become slaves, a certain number will always remain, unless British influence is brought to bear.

19. Some of these Batak slaves are well treated, but I have heard several instances of their being beaten, especially the women and put in irons.

Some, owing to ill-treatment, have managed to escape to the British territory at Pangkor, but previous to my arrival several cases bad occurred in what they had been caught in the Act, when they, as well as every one assisting them, were cruelly punished.

20. In conclusion I must state my emphatic opinion that under no possible phase of Malayan rule in Perak, can these evils and these cruelties be put an end to, or effectually dealt with.

I have, &c. (Signed) J. W. W. BIRCH,

Her Britannic Majesty's Resident, Perak.

The Hon. the Secretary for Native States,

SIB,

&c.

&c.

&c.

Enclosure 8. in No. 48.

Klang, August 23, 1875. WITH reference to a despatch from the Assistant Resident to you, dated 30th June, on the subject of debt bondage and slavery, I should be glad to receive some instructions for dealing with this difficult and delicate subject.

Before leaving Singapore to take up my appointment here, Sir Andrew Clarke verbally told me that no slavery could be permitted to exist in any State under British pro- tection, and, deeming this a part of my instructions, I have hitherto endeavoured to act upon it.

I should state that I have seen very little of the evils set forth by the Assistant Resident in his letter, although I have heard a good deal about them in the Langat district. I believe that formerly Klang was nearly, but not quite, so bad in respect of debt-bondage as Langat is described to be at present; but Tunqu Dia Oodin, on

• No doubt Tanka Dia Oodin has used his influence against slavery, but there are other and weightier reasons for the absence of debt slavery in Klang. Owing to that district having been the scene of disturbances The present inhabitants are for the for about seven years, nearly the whole of the original population left it. most part males, foreigners from Sumatra, Pahang, and Kedah, and traders from the Straits Settlements--only now beginning to settle themselves permanently.-W. F. D. J.--October 16, 1975.

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becoming possessed of the place, set his face resolutely against all kinds of slavery, and I have not known a case of slavery or bondage in the Klang district since I came here, nor would one be permitted to exist if it were known.

It is, however, different in the Salangor district, where the people were formerly in the habit of purchasing Batta men and women from Sumatra as proper slaves, and where they still look upon slavery proper and debt-bondage as institutions of the country. There are not a great many of the old Salangor people at present in the Salangor district, and those who are there are mostly poor people; I have only met with one decided case of bondage there. This was three or four months ago, when I redeemed a girl about 10 years old, who had been mortgaged to a Pahang man by ber uncle for 12 dollars to pay a gambling debt. The Pahang man was about to return to his country and take the girl with him when the case was brought to my notice. I paid the debt to avoid a dis- turbance with an outsider. The uncle expressed great surprise on being told that the transaction was a very objectionable one, and said that formerly such cases were very common in Salangor.

It is especially with reference to the Salangor district that I am now asking for in- structions, because I believe that Rajah Moosah's return there, and the now quiet state of the country, will bring back many of the former inhabitants; and I think this is a good time to strike a blow at the whole bondage system as heretofore practised in that district. From conversations which I have had with Rajah Moosah, I think that he could be persuaded to co-operate with me in putting down slavery of all kinds if he were told that such was the Governor's wish; and that if the old inhabitants were told, as they returned, that slavery of all kinds had been done away with, as a rule, they would settle down quietly under the new state of things; but it will be very different if they are allowed to return and get into their old ways in this respect. Of course there will be exceptions, and, no doubt, some troublesome cases with the Rajabs, but the experiment appears to me to be well worth trying.

It would be a great point gained it Moosah could be got to view this subject in its proper light and act accordingly. His example, as the Sultan's heir, would necessarily have some effect, and he would be prepared to some extent to deal with the whole bondage question when he succeeds to the Sultanship, as he may be expected to. do in the ordinary course of things.

I should add, that the whole system of debt-bondage, as described by the Assistant Resident, is opposed to the Mahomedan religion, and, 1 believe, the laws of this State. The reduction of Batta people (who do not profess the Mahomedan religion) into slavery is no doubt permitted by the Mahomedan religion and the custom of Malay countries, and, in respect of slavery, a child follows the condition of its mother; but it is against the principle of Mahomedan law and religion to permit a person born in a Mahomedan country, and brought up in the Mahomedan faith, to become a slave. So strong is the law in this respect, that a Mabomedan may not even let himself to hire for a period which is likely to last his whole life.

The present system of debt-bondage seems to have arisen from the abuse of an old practice in Malay countries which authorised a creditor to take a debtor, who was unable to pay, into bis service, and retain him until the debt was worked out by his labour (for which a reasonable allowance was made) or otherwise settled. Rajabs and other powerful people, however, set themselves above the law, and, as the Government of these States grow weaker, the law for the protection of personal liberty could not be enforced, and hence the present system.

I have, &c. (Signed) J. G. DAVIDSON,

The Hon. the Secretary for Native States,

SIR,

Singapore.

Her Britannic Majesty's Resident, Salangor.

Enclosure 9. in No. 48.

Langat, June 30,\1875. WHEN on board the Colonial steamer "Pluto last week, accompanying his Excellency the Governor in a tour to some of the native States, his Excellency made inquiry of me with regard to the present state of debt-slavery in the Peninsula.

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