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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

78

No. 74.

The EARL OF CARNARVON to GOVERNOR SIB W. F. D. JERVOIS,

(Confidential.)

K.C.M.G., C.B.

SIB,

Downing Street, December 10, 1875. In my despatch No. 218 of this day's date I have shown that I received no intimation that you contemplated administering the Government of Perak through British Commissioners until after the attempt to carry out this policy had been made.

I think it only right, at the same time, to place on record the fact that in August last I received a private letter from you, in which you referred to the possible expediency of converting the system of Residents into one of direct Sovereignty.

This letter, which I duly answered by warning you that, whatever might be the abstract merits of such a scheme, I was not in a position to entertain it, could not, of course, prepare me for your taking any action in so serious a matter as the admi- nistration of Perak without having previously obtained my sanction after formal correspondence.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

CARNARVON.

No. 75.

The EARL OF CARNARVON to GOVERNOR SIR F. W. D. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B.

(No. 223.) SIR,

13th December 1875.

I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 306 of the 4th November,† enclosing copies of the telegrams which first brought to you the rumour of disturbances in Perak and Salangore, and of the murder of Mr. Birch.

79

No. 77.

Substance of a Telegram from GOVERNOR SIR W. F. D. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B., to the EARL OF CARNARVON, (Received December 15, 1875, 4.40 p.m.)

Penang, December 14, 1875. Your telegram of 25th November* did not reach me till 12th, and yesterday I received your two telegrams of the 10th, as to policy in the Malay Peninsula.

I will refer to your Lordship before taking any step, but I trust that time will be allowed before final decision is taken. There would be no use whatever, in my opinion, in a Resident for Perak stationed near the coast. A false construction would be put on any retrograde step at the present time, and the effect throughout the Peninsula would be extremely bad, and also expose our own Settlements to danger. I submit also that our general interests in China and the East might be thereby prejudiced, and request attention to my despatch of 3rd December on these points. Total withdrawal would be very bad, but a better policy than placing a British officer in a position which, in my opinion, would be humiliating to us, besides being inconsistent with policy which was approved by Her Majesty's Government early in 1874, and, indeed, from the first, so far as the proceedings of the Residents are concerned.

It is not my wish to interfere in any State where order is preserved, or where there is no question of our own interests, but further steps must be taken sooner or later in States where there is disorder with a view to protecting ourselves and keeping peace amongst races and factions so conflicting, close upon own territories. This is the time for thus acting, once for all, without difficulty and with effect.

If the question be now dealt with with boldness, and also with caution, there is not,

I am satisfied, anything to cause apprehension of serious or prolonged resistance.

A timid and vacillating policy might furnish real ground for alarm, as likely to lead to

■ combination against us which might entail lengthened hostilities and a heavy outlay.

882

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In previous despatches and telegrams I have made such observations as my present information enables me to offer on these unfortunate occurrences.

SIR,

I am, &c. (Signed)

CARNARVON.

No. 76.

Telegram from GOVERNOR SIR W. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B., to the EARL OF CARNARVON. (Received at the Colonial Office, December 15, 8 a.m.)

Penang, December 14, 1875. GALLANT attack on 7th by 80 10th Regiment, 80 irregulars, 40 police, on Malays who bad invaded Sungie Ujong and fortified themselves by stockade within five miles of Residency. Number of Malays variously estimated from 400 to 800. After hard fight our force charged enemy, who fled routed, 60 to 80 killed and wounded: of 10th two killed, 13 wounded; irregulars, five killed, 10 wounded; police, one killed two wounded. Malacca and Sungie Ujong reinforced by Ghoorkas and artillery. General Colborne moving up Perak River with 300 men, between Passir Sala and Blanja, leaving 200 at Bandar Bahru and a detachment Passir Sala. Brigadier Ross from India at Qualla Kangas and thereabout with 600. In Perak troops at present meeting with no opposition. Maharajah Lela said to be at Blanja. Salangore quiet. No more troops wanted at present.

• No. 78.

† No. 64.

No. 78.

ADMIRALTY to COLONIAL OFFICE.

Admiralty, December 16, 1875.

I AM commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to transmit for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies an extract from a general letter of the 21st October, from Vice-Admiral Ryder, Naval Commander-in-Chief in China, in regard to the intelligence received by him relative to the outbreak in the Malay Peninsula.

I am, &c.

The Under Secretary of State,

Colonial Office.

(Signed) VERNON LUSHINGTON.

EXTRACT from NAVAL COMMander-in-Chiep at China's General Letter No. 356 of 21st October 1875.

I AM informed by Commander Stirling, the present Senior Officer at Singapore, that, in consequence of unsatisfactory intelligence from Perak, the Governor of the Straits Settlements has requested him to send a gun vessel to the Dindings, and the Resident at Perak having requested that a gun, rocket, and steam cutter may be sent to him, Commander Stirling intends to proceed himself to the spot with the senior officer's steam pianace and a 7-pr. gun, and to`leave the "Thistle" at the Dindings.

• No. 57.

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