CO882-(2-3) — Page 645

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

سانتيا

Reference

C.O.

882

3 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO]

By Mr. Abbott. Did you hear any firing, or did you see any one stabbed or

wounded?

A. No, I did not.

Witness

Before me

(Signed) Interpreted by me

(Signed)

F. ABBOTT, Sub-Lieut.

EDWARD BACON.

(Signed)

J. T. KEYT. (Signed)

MUSTAPHA

2nd November 1875.

Ahmid (head boatman) states.-At about 8 o'clock this morning I was laying down at the stern of the boat. I heard the Malays on shore say as soon as Mr. Birch has had breakfast we will drive him away. If he does not go then we'll do for him. Then I got up and looked into the boat, and I did not find Mr. Birch. I heard him talking from the bathing-house. I remained in the boat. I saw the Malays with naked spears tearing down the proclamations. Half the Malays came to the river side and told them to shove off. Then the sampan panjang men moved off. Then I saw the Malays cutting and spearing the crew of the other sampan panjang. I still remained at the stern of the boat looking on. I turned and looked towards the bathing house, and saw Kalil Khan with a pistol in his hand jump into the water. I went into Mr. Birch's cabin and saw two Malays there. I took up a rifle, but finding no ammunition, put it down, and jumped One into the water. Just then I saw Interpreter Arshad coming towards the boat. Malay man who was in the boat prevented him by striking him with a sword. I saw Arshad severely wounded and exhausted as I was swimming down the river. I saw Arshad giving up his attempt to get at Mr. Birch's boat, and I heard him hail the sampan panjang for help, it was about 20 yards distant. I told the sampan panjang men to

Then Arshad and I got into it. Arshad was helped in. wait, and they did so. then retreated, and the Malays on shore followed and kept firing at us.

We

away

I

One of our men was hit. Another man complained of having been wounded. When I was far saw Mr. Abbott and two boys following in a sagor, and the Malays from both banks firing at them.

By Mr. Abbott. When did Arshad die ?

A. In about an hour after he was taken into the boat.

By Mr. Abbott. Did Arshad say anything before he died?

A. He said nothing.

Q. Did you see anybody attack Mr. Birch P

A. I saw several Malays entering the bath house, but there was no noise.

Q. You were so close to him, do you think Mr. Birch was killed.

A. I think he was.

3

129

Kalil Khan. Private of the Resident's Guard states.-—Almost all the sepoys were on shore and I was among them. A Datu çame twice to the bost and spoke to Mr. Birch. Arshad, the interpreter, posted the proclamation near the Goldsmith's shop twice. The first time it was torn down I told Mr. Birch. He spoke to Arshad, and Arshad ex• plained they were taking it away to show to Datu Sagar, Mr. Birch ordered Arshad to post another and it was done. Then Mr. Birch went to the bathing bouse to bathe. Several Malays were on the spot, all armed.

I was standing on one of the logs of the bathing house with Mr. Birch's revolver in my hand. All at once the other proclamation was torn down by a man (whom I will recognise if I see him again) and there was a rush upon us with spears and krisser. I saw some Malaya get into the bathing house where Mr. Birch was. the water, the water was very deep and I could get no footing, but I saw one of our I afterwards fell into boats at some distance, going down towards Bandar Bahru, and I hailed it and told our men to fire. The Malays were firing from both banks. I succeeded in getting into the boat afterwards and came down here. If I see the Datu again I shall know him. I saw him at the Residency often but do not know his came,

Witness

Before me

Interpreted by (Signed) Bandar Bahru, 3rd November 1875.

-

(Signed) F. ABBOTT, Sub-Lieut.

J. T. KKYT.

·

(Signed)

J. ROZELLS.

Bandar Babru, 2nd November 1875.

Sub-Enclosure 2. to Enclosure 1.

་

To His Highness Sultan Abdullah Mahomed Shah, son of the late Sultan Jafir bin Al Maatham Shah, Sultan of Perak.

I have to inform my friend that Mr. Birch was killed by some of my friend's people at Passir Sala this morning. And I shall be obliged if my friend will come up here and consult with me, and give me every assistance in the matter.

(Signed) T. F. ABBOTT, Sub-Lieut.

In charge of H.M. Residency, Bandar Bahru.

Witness

Before me

Interpreted by me

(Signed)

(Signed) (Signed) F. ABBOTT, Sub-Lieut. (Signed) EDWARD Bacon. J. T. KEYT.

AHMID.

Mahomed Noor states.At about half-past 8 I was on shore at Pasir Sala near the Goldsmith's shop. I was sitting in an empty boat. I saw a large number of Malays come to where the proclamation was posted, and say, "What more, let us tear it "down, if they try to prevent it, we will stab them." They then tore it down, and they rushed at Arshad and stabbed him. I saw all the crew of Mr. Birch's boat jump into the river, and I also jumped into the river. I saw the small sampan pangjang coming down the river, and I swam after it and got in. The Malays were firing at us from both banks as we were coming down.

By Mr. Abbott. Where did you see Mr. Birch last? A. In the boat.

Witness

Before me

(Signed)

·

(Signed)

(Signed) F. ABBOTT, Sub.-Lieut.

EDWARD BACON.

(Signed)

J. T. KEYT.

Interpreted by

Sub-Enclosure 3. to Enclosure 1.

From Sultan ABDULLAH MAHOMED SHAH, Sultan of Perak, &c.; to Sub-Lieutenant ABBOTT, Royal Navy.

I have received my friend's letter and I am very sorry.

As soon as I received my friend's letter I began to collect my people to come up to Bandar Bahru, and when my people are ready, I shall come and consult with my friend and give every assistance in my power.

Sub-Enclosure 4. to Enclosure 1.

(Signed)

ABDULLAH.

From LIEUTENANT T. F. ABBOTT, in charge of Her Britannic Majesty's Residency at Perak, to His Highness SULTAN ABDUullah Mahomed Shah son of the late SULTAN JaFTIR AL MAATHAM SHAH.

I THANK my friend for my friend's answer to my letter, and for the expression of my friend's readiness to assist us.

I shall be glad if my friend will succeed in collecting our friend's subjects to come to our aid, and I shall put the Balsi on the Residency promises at my friends disposal, and

24307.

R

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

Wilmin

TITLC.O. 882

3 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC.

COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO