CO882-(2-3) — Page 673

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

TILIC.O.

882

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

184

Annexure 1 to 108.

From MAJOR-GENERAL COLBORNE to ADJUTANT GENERAL, Horse

Guards.

GOVERNMENT on communication with Governor, I think it will be necessary in event of withdrawal of Indian troops that two European regiments and two batteries remain permanently in Straits; may I retain 10th Regiment until replaced by another from England or elsewhere?

Annexure 2 to 108.

From MAJOR-GRIRAL COLBORNE to SECRETARY of state for war.

PERAK Occupation, required three Commissariat Officers, five store-keepers, four bakers, one clerk; leave Anson and send additional paymaster for Penang; letters follow.

SIB,

No. 109.

FOREIGN OFFICE to COLONIAL OFFICE

Foreign Office, January 11, 1876.,

I AM directed by the Earl of Derby to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 28th* ultimo, and to request that you will state to the Earl of Carnarvon that Her Majesty's Ambassador at Paris has been instructed to convey to the French Government, as desired by his Lordship, special acknowledgment on the part of Her Majesty's Government for the friendly feeling and courtesy evinced by Monsieur de Corbigny and the Governor of Saigon in offering the services of the French frigate "D'Assan" to the Government of the Straits Settlements during the disturbances in the Malay Penin- sula.

I am, &c.

The Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office.

SIB,

No. 110.

(Signed)

ADMIRALTY to COLONIAL OFFICE.

TENTERDEN.

Admiralty, January 13, 1876.

I AM commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to transmit, for the perusal of the Earl of Carnarvon, a Despatch from Vice-Admiral Ryder, Commander- in-Chief on the China Station, dated Hong Kong, 25 November 1875, relative to the state of affairs in the Straits Settlements, and the proceedings of Her Majesty's ships at

Perak.

The Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office,

I &c.

am,

(Signed) ROBERT HALL.

"

185

2. The "Modeste" was then on her way to Singapore, and instructions were at once sent to Labuan to hasten her. I also despatched the "Ringdove" at once from Hong Kong, and ordered the "Egeria," then on passage from Shanghai to Hong Kong, to follow the "Ringdove" to Singapore.

3. Subsequent telegrams informed me that there were 13 killed and wounded in the unsuccessful attack on the stockade, which proved afterwards to be one killed and 12 wounded, and that the Governor had requested 300 men at once. Further, that the Major-General Commanding at Hong Kong had started with 300 troops for Singapore. I accordingly left Shanghai in the " Audacious," and arrived at Hong Kong on the 20th instant.

4. The subsequent events of which I have been informed are that on the 16th Com- mander Stirling telegraphed that he was landing seamen and marines and fitting gun- boats. He would probably attack the stockade in three days, and that he knew little of the movements of natives up the river. On the 18th he telegraphed :

:-"Three enemy's

"stockades carried yesterday by seamen of "Thistle" (and) "Fly" (and) detachment

(of) 10th and Artillery. No loss."

5. On the 19th Commander Singleton of the "Ringdove" telegraphed that he should leave on that day with the "Egeria" and part of the 80th Regiment for Perak, and Captain Buller of the "Modeste" telegraphed yesterday that he had just arrived at Singapore, and should leave for Penang to-day to meet the Governor.

6. There are thus five ships at the scene of operations, viz., the "Modeste," Ringdove," "Thistle," "Fly," and "Egeria," and I await further news with some anxiety to know whether more force will be required. Mr. Wade has informed me that though there is a temporary lull in China it will be a great relief to him to learn that I do not consider it necessary to go further south than Hong Kong. The ship stationed at Ningpo has had to be withdrawn on account of those that have been ordered south, and Mr. Wade, in reply to inquiries I have addressed to him as to which of the Chinese ports might be best left without a gun vessel, has named Chefoo and Foochow.

7. The only detailed account of the proceedings in the Straits of Malacca which has yet reached me, is contained in a letter of proceedings from Commander Stirling, of the "Thistle," dated the 9th instant, and various enclosures, copies of which I have the honour to forward herewith.

8. I have received no intelligence of a disturbing nature from any other part of the station. The "Curlew" is on a visit to the Bonin Islands, at the request of Sir Harry Parkes, to watch the proceedings of a Japanese Commissioner who has proceeded there in one of their gun-boats.

9. Their Lordships will learn from my letter of 24th November 1875, of the sudden death of Commander Grosvenor Stopford, of H.M. ship "Hornet,'

14th instant. I have appointed my Flag Lieutenant A. F. St. Clair to her as Acting on the Commander.

10. Arrangements are being made for docking the "Audacious," in order to obtain measurements for her new screws. Extensive repairs are required in the “

"Vigilant's "

boilers, and she will have to be laid up for four weeks.

11. Both telegraphic communications with Europe are at present interrupted. 12. The health of the ships on the station is satisfactory, by my latest advices.J

The Secretary of the Admiralty.

I have, &c. (Signed) A. P. RYDER.

Vice-Admiral, Commander-in-Chief.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference:

C.O.

882

3 ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

Enel.in No.112.

SB,

No. 406, 1 Enclosure, 5 Sub-Enclosures.

CHIA STATION.—General LETTER.

"Audacious," at Hong Kong, November 25, 1875.

I HAVE the honour to report, for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that on the 9th instant, whilst at Shanghai, I received a telegram from Hong Kong repeating one from the "Thistle," at Singapore, as follows:-

"Disturbances in Perak very serious. Mr. Birch murdered on the 1st. Unsuccessful attack made on stockade yesterday by 60 men of 10th and rocket party of scamen. Captain Innes killed and many casualties."

• No. 69.

Sma,

Enclosure in China Station Letter, No. 406 of 1875.

LETTER OF PROCEEDINGS.

H.M.S." Thistle," near Batarahit, November 9, 1875.

His Excellency the Governor of the Straits of Malacca addressed me a letter on

the 2nd instant (Enclosure No. 1) requesting me to proceed to Perak and co-operate with the Hon. Mr. Birch, the Resident at that place, in promulgating certain proclama- tions, and accordingly I sailed from Singapore the following morning.

38387.

Enclosure in No. 110.