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advise the Chiefs of these States have been but partially realised. I believe this has been due to the very nature of the system, which implies that the British Officer in a native State is merely the adviser of the Chief without any power of control.

In Perak especially, where I have recently had an opportunity of personally observing the condition of affairs, and of becoming acquainted with the Chiefs who represent the different interests which prevail in that State, the relations between the adviser and the advised have been unsatisfactory from the very commencement. Whilst Her Majesty's Government hold the Chiefs responsible for keeping the engagements entered into by them with the British Government, there is scarcely any one of those engagements referred to which has not been violated by them. The Resident's advice is disregarded, and he must consequently either passively look on, whilst acts are committed which he disapproves but cannot control, or he must assume to himself a power which is incon- sistent with his position as adviser, thus practically taking upon himself the Government of the State, so far as the opposition of Rajahs and Chiefs will permit him to do so. The result is eminently unsatisfactory to all concerned.

With regard to the course which should be adopted with respect to these affairs, I am glad to say that I have just been able to introduce, in Perak, a policy which I have every reason to believe will be satisfactory both to ourselves and to the native Chiefs and people, and which will place that State on such a footing as will foster the growth of commercial enterprise, and lead to the importation of the labour and capital necessary for the due development of its rich resources.

I shall in due course explain to you the policy to which I refer, and it will be for con- sideration whether this policy may not be extended to other native States.

No. 52.

GOVERNOR SIR W. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B., to the EARL OF CARNARVON. (Received November 22.)

(No. 298.)

MY LORD,

Government House, Singapore, October 21, 1875. WITH reference to your Lordship's despatch No. 120 of the 15th July last,* your Lordship's instructions therein respecting the provisional character of the appointments of the Residents in the native States shall be carefully borne in mind.

2. I have, as desired by your Lordship, informed the Acting Residents that they should be careful in the character of the advice they give to the Rulers of the different States.

3. In Salangore and Sungie Ujong, where the advice of the Residents has been followed, no difficulty has arisen. Practically, our officers in those States have directed their government since the date of their appointment, which was consequent upon the policy of intervention. It may, no doubt, be said that this is inconsistent with the duty of the Resident as an adviser only, but in practice his position would on any other conditions become untenable, and would render the presence of Residents with the native Rulers neither advantageous nor consistent with the maintenance of that respect with which the Malays regard the officers of the British Government.

4. In Perak the relations between our Resident and the Sultan have been such as I have described in my despatch No. 291.†

5. In that State I felt that I might be committed to undefined responsibility in conse- quence of the refusal of the Sultan to follow the advice of the Resident.

Under the arrangements which I have now made, the responsibility of our Government in Perak will be defined, as affairs in that State will now be administered in the name of the Sultan by officers acting under the Governor's instructions.

I have, &c. (Signed)

WM. F. DRUMMOND JERVOIS.

* No. 35 of Command Paper [C. 1,820], August 1875.

↑ No. 49.

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No. 53.

The PRESIDENT IN COUNCIL, Calcutta, to the MARQUIS OF SALISBURY.

(Telegraphic.)

Calcutta, November 22, 1875.

PERAK, head-quarters. Buffs, fully equipped for service, left on Saturday. Remainder of Buffs and 1st Goorkhas, and mountain-battery, follow during the week.

(Confidential.)

No. 54.

MEMORANDUM.

A DESPATCH received at the Colonial Office yesterday throws light upon the policy and action of the Government of the Straits Settlements immediately before the out- break.

It incloses three Proclamations, which are apparently those referred to in the first official telegrams as having been posted and subsequently torn down.

The first of these Proclamations, sealed by Sultan Abdullah on the 2nd October, acknowledges the British Residents, and any other British officers appointed to reside in Perak, to be Judges, with power to punish all crimes, and try all cases, and to appoint inagistrates.

The second, sealed by the Sultan on the same day, acknowledges the same Residents and officers to be the Sultan's representatives, to carry out in his name all the affairs of the country as well as to collect and expend all the revenues, and appoint all the Datus and Punghulus, and, in fine, to set in order all the affairs of the country.

The third Proclamation, signed by Sir W. Jervois on the 15th October, declares that Her Majesty's Government, in compliance with the request of the Sultan and Chiefs of Perak, have determined to administer the Government of Perak in the name of the Sultan; and that, to this end, the Governor is about to appoint officers, who will be styled Commissioners and Assistant-Commissioners of the Queen, to carry on the Govern- ment of the State; and that a Malay Council of Rajahs of Perak of the highest rank will be appointed to aid the said Commissioners in matters touching the affairs of the Government of Perak.

No. 55.

SUBSTANCE of TELEGRAM received at the COLONIAL OFFICE, November 28, 1875, 9.15 p.m., from GOVERNOR SIR W. JERVOIS, dated November 13. November 13.-Despatched two full messages yesterday. I originally spoke of the murder of Birch as an isolated outrage, but report induces me to imagine that disaffec- tion may have spread. I believe it is restricted to a small portion of the country, but am unable as yet to ascertain the extent. Maharajah of Johore sent to Upper Perak on the 6th instant, at my request, to find out for me, but his messenger has not yet returned.

Speedy reports that ex-Sultan Ismael, deposed by us by the Pangkore Treaty (?), is raising people of Upper Perak. I think his sources of information doubtful. Perhaps fighting may only be about Passir Sala, but it is impossible yet to say. Salangore is also in a disturbed state, and States near Malacca uneasy.

The security of our own Settlements has to be considered. The long duration of the Acheen war has had a bad effect on the Malayan Peninsula. I fear for the future that if we do not at this critical moment show a good force we shall be liable to frequent disaffection and disturbance. I consider, besides punishing disaffection, it is most advisable to make a

display of power, and that difficulties present and future will cease by the adoption of such a course.

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