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military stores sent from India to the Straits Settlements in consequence of the recent outbreak there, I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to request that he may be informed of any particulars that can be furnished as to the composition of the force which will probably be despatched from India; also of the probable time this force will be required in the Settlements, and whether it is intended that the whole or any portion of the expense involved should be borne by the revenues of the Straits Settlements.

I have, &c. The Under Secretary of State,

J. C. VIVIAN. Colonial Office.

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3. Looking at the dates of the telegrams, and considering the distance from Passir Buslosure 2, Salago Penang, bearing in mind also that reports such as made in the Lieutenant- Governor's telegram are not uncommon in these parts, I at first doubted the truth of the intelligence conveyed in this telegram, and inquired from what source the information was obtained. I enclose a copy of reply.

4. I then telegraphed, as per Enclosure No. 5, and received in reply the answer No. 6. I have telegraphed for full and consecutive information, which, however, I have not yet received.

Enclosure 3. oslosure 4

Enclosure 5.

Enclosure 4.

། ། ། །

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

سلسلسيليسيا

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

C.O.

Reference :-

882

3

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

No. 62.

GOVERNOR SIR W. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., G.B., to the EARL OF CARNARVON. (Received December 2.) (Telegraphic.)

i

Penang, November 24, 1875. RECEIVED telegram 14th, forwarded in due course. Telegrams, giving full answers to questions forwarded to-day. Short telegram by steamer "Agnes," proceeding to repair cable off Nicobar Islands. Cable expected clear in a few days. Lest it should not reach you, I forward this by French mail. Missing telegrams (two dated 12th, one 13th, one 18th) will be wired if desired. Troops require to occupy country apart from pacification of country. Punishment of offender cannot be enforced without display of force, although village where Birch murdered destroyed. Yet his murderers, who can be identified, still at large, and Maharajah Lelah and Datu Sagor, adherents of Ismail, implicated. Birch's things, which he had with him in boat time of murder, found in Lelah's house before it was burat.

No. 63.

Substance of a Telegram received at the COLONIAL OFFICE, December 2, 1875, 8 a.m., from GOVERNOR SIR W. JERVOIS, dated Penang, November 26. CALCUTTA steamer reports troops from India will arrive here to-morrow. Have received communication (Ismael), dated November 2. He appears to be friendly. I have written to him to ask him distinctly to co-operate in the punishment of the murderers I con- and the pacification of the country, and that I expect an immediate answer. sider that in any case, for a time, the military occupation of the country will be

necessary.

5. It appears that Mr. Birch's telegram, which, it seems to me, must have been wrongly dated, had been given to Mr. Weiner, commanding the "Pluto," for delivery at Penang, before Mr. Birch went to Passir Sala, and the events reported in the Lieu- tenant-Governor's telegrams must have occurred shortly afterwards."

As your Lordship

6. I have taken such steps as appear calculated to meet the case. will perceive from the telegrams, 60 non-commissioned officers and men of the 10th Regiment, and 30 armed police have been sent to Perak from Penang. I have also arranged that 80 non-commissioned officers and men of the 10th Regiment, and 20 of the Royal Artillery from Singapore, shall co-operate with the Penang detachment on the Perak River. The detachments from Singapore are just about to start in H.M.S." Fly," Captain Bruce, R.N., and H.M.S. "Thistle" has already been dispatched to Perak.

I have directed Captain Speedy to send every armed man he can spare from Laroot to the support of Mr. Swettenham at Qualla Kangsa.

I am sending Major Dunlop, in whose judgment I place the greatest confidence, to accompany the troops in the capacity of commissioner.

7. With the information as yet received (the whole of which I now transmit to your Lordship) with reference to this affair in Perak, considered in connexion with Mr. Birch's telegram, it appears to me that this unfortunate occurrence has been due to jealousy and opposition on the part of one of the Rajahs, who fears that his power of squeezing the people of his district will cease under the improved system of government, which, notwithstanding the opposition of such men, I hope to see inaugurated.

8. With regard to the disturbances in the State of Salangore, which are referred to in one of Col. Anson's telegrams, and of which reports have only very recently been received, I believe that they are entirely separate and distinct from anything connected with Perak affairs, and that they are either fomented by Rajah Mahdic, under the influence of his old desire to possess himself of Klang, or caused by robber chiefs with the object of plunder.

Mr. Davidson, who remains in Sangalore for the present, is acting in full concert with Tuoku Kudin, the Sultan's Viceroy, but there is reason to suspect that the Sultan himself, for his own private objects, is not wholly unconnected with the proceedings of

the freebooters.

I regret that I am unable to afford your Lordship full intelligence by this mail (which I am detaining for this despatch), but I hope it will be in my power to do so by the French steamer next week.

I have, &c.

(Signed) WILLIAM F. DRUMMOND JERVOIS.

Reference :-

C.O.

882

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

No. 64.

GOVERNOR SIR W. F. D. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B., to the EARL OF CARNARVON. (Received December 6, 1875.) (No. 306.)

MY LORD,

Government House, Singapore, November 4, 1875.

I MUCH regret to have to inform your Lordship that I fear that Mr. Birch, the British officer resident in Perak, has been killed in a treacherous attack made upon him and his party at a place called Passir Sala, on the Perak River.

2. Last night I received two telegrams simultaneously, one from Mr. Birch dated Enclosure 1. Perak, November 1st (copy enclosed). Mr. Birch had asked for a detachment of 50 men of the 10th Regiment to be stationed at the Residency at Bandar Bahru, and it was with reference to this request that he says, "troops are not required." Five sailors (under Lieutenant Abbott, R.N.) had been left at Bandar Bahru by Captain Stirling of H.M.S. "Thistle," which had been stationed off the Perak River, and it is to these that reference is made in the telegram.

The other telegram was from Lieutenant-Governor, Penang, and dated November 3rd, 7.45 p.m. (copy enclosed).

"ALL QUIET.

Enclosure 1. in No. 64.

From Mr. BIRCH, Perak, to GOVERNOR.

1st November. Proclamations issued in Perak. Laxamana and Shahbandar have written to you and accept offices. Troops not required. Sailors return in 'Pluto.'"

Q7

Enclosure 2. in No. 64. From COL. ANION, Penang, to GovERNOR,

Singapore.

3rd November 1875. "TUESDAY evening. Birch went up river to post proclamation at Passir Sala, Maba- rajah Lela's place; posted up placards torn down immediately by Malays. Birch then went into floating bath to bathe; interpreter and orderly standing outside; interpreter stabbed and killed; orderly fled; bath attacked; Birch not seen since; a Sepoy and

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