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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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DEAR SIR,

228

Enclosure 27. in No. 114.

CAPTAIN VAUGHTON to COLONIAL SECRETARY.

DURING Mr. Plunket's absence I am acting for him, and received your letters

Malacca, December 5. from Mr. Trevenen yesterday. The troops have not yet arrived, but I am expecting them every hour. purpose sending, at least, 50 men at once to Sunghie Ujong, as the latest letter from Mr. Hiuxman says the enemy gradually advancing, and Mr. Plunket elso states, waiting for reinforcements. Your letter stated another 100 men would be

sent.

I am sure more will be required at Sunghie Ujong, and I do not consider it safe to leave this place without, at least, 100 men exclusive of the artillery.

Mr. Desbons tells me the people all around here are in a most excited state, talking together, and a sergeant was away only six miles from here snipe shooting two days ago. He reports to me that the Malays seemed quite different to what he had seen them on former occasions, they were in gangs about. I am sure you will agree with me that it is not right we should be left here without any means of communication, as we are the nearest point to Sunghie Ujong, so, therefore, I would propose a steamer being kept here for use of Lieutenant-Governor in case it is wanted. Kindly let me know your opinion on this point, as also whether the " Rainbow" may be detained for a short time until further is settled, by the Burmah steamer which will leave to-morrow. Mr. Desbons's man, who is in the interior, has not been heard of since. I have now so few soldiers here, I cannot carry on the ordinary duties, and unless some arrive at once will have to reduce my sentries. Hoping you will kindly excuse this letter, but my right arm is in a sling, and I do not care to trust any one else to write for me.

I am, &c. (Signed)

To C. J. Irving, Esquire,

Assistant Colonial Secretary.

E. H. VAUGHTON,

Captain, 10th Regiment.

P.S.-I had to send on 20 cases of the Martini ammunition out of the 32 to Sungby Ujong, therefore, I badly want some more. I should also suggest some spare rifles being sent to arm any Chinese, &c. in case of necessity.

SIB,

Enclosure 28. in No. 114.

MR. TREVENEN to the HON. COLONIAL SECHETARY.

Singapore, December 8, 1875.

WITH reference to instructions conveyed in your minute of the 3rd ultimo, I have the bonour to forward the following account of my expedition to Klang and Lukut in the steamer "Rainbow."

1. I embarked at Tanjong Pagar at 4 p.m. on Friday the 3rd inst. with Dr. Simon, who was proceeding to Malacca. Mr. De Fontaine, 85 sepoys, and a European named Robinson, also embarked in the "Rainbow," which conveyed two mountain howitzers, eight cases of Snider rifles, 30,000 rounds of Snider, and some Martini-Henry ampu- nition.

2. We arrived at Malacca at 9 am. on the 4th, and I went on shore where I found Captain Vaughton of the 1/10th Regiment acting as Lieutenant-Governor, Mr. Plunket having gone to Sungie Ujong. I also met Mr. Daly who gave me an account of the Terrachee affair, on which, however, be has himself reported. Captain Vaughton being of opinion that in view of the approaching arrival of troops from Penang Mr. De Fontaine and his force would be of use at Sungie Ujong, the "Rainbow" proceeded at I p.m. for Lukut, having disembarked the two howitzers and ammunition at Malacca, towing the Malacca steam launch which it was intended to leave at Lukut for Mr. Plunket's use.

3. On arrival at Qualla Lukut at 7 p.m. it was too dark to land that night, as the river is tortuous and narrow in parts. I, however, got as much of the ammunition and provisions as possible into the steam launch to avoid delay in the morning. At 5.30 a.m. on the 5th I went on shore with Mr. De Fontaine, half of the Arabs, and some of the stores. I thought it well to be among the first to land, as being acquainted with Rajah Bot I should be able to prevent any fear he might have felt of the Arabs.

Immediately on my arrival I asked for a man to carry a letter quickly to Sungie Ujong and had two or three volunteers at once, which showed that the Lukut road was open,

229

I wrote to Captain Murray informing him of the Arabs arrival, and asking him to send me down any letters to meet me in the Qualls on the following evening by means of the steam launch.

The landing of the Arabs and stores was not completed until 3 p.m., unavoidable delay being caused by the distance, and there being only a steam launch and ship's boat in which to land 87 men, stores, and ammunition. Besides this the launch broke her rudder-head, which took some time in repairing. The Arabs were encamped for the night in the empty police station, and were to leave before daybreak the next morning. Rajah Bot had received no information from Sungie Ujong later than the Terrachee affair, and only a confused account of that. He was very chary of committing himself to any opinion as to the state of feeling in Sungie Ujong, though he gave me the impression that there was a very prevalent spirit of disaffection there.

4. We arrived at Pancallau Batu at 7.30 am. the following day (the 6th), and I went at once to Tunku Kudin's house inside the fort. Tunku Kudin told me that Mr. Davidson and Mr. Douglas had gone to Langat and would not be back before the evening, and invited me to breakfast while the arms are being landed. H. H. mid there was no fear of any disturbance in Salangore now, police besides Mr. Davidson's Chinese force, and is promised any assistance required by He has about 300 Malays in his the Chinese Captain. He expressed some astonishment at the Terrachee affair, news of which had arrived across country that morning, as he had always considered Srie Menanti as friendly to the English. He gave it as his opinion, in expressing his sorrow at Mr. Birch's murder, that some or other of the Chiefs were concerned, as he said no Razat would dare such a thing, nor hardly would one Chief alone without sapport.

5. On our way down the river we met Mr. Davidson coming up in his launch, he desired me to inform the Government that he believed there was no cause for appre hension now that Sultan Pussa and Rajah Mahdie were in prison, and said he was only waiting permission from his Excellency to proceed with his force to Ulu Klang and Slim.

6. On our arrival in Qualla Lukut the launch which ought to have met us there with the Sungie Ujong letters was not to be seen, and after waiting an hour and burning blue lights and whistling, I asked the Captain to go on to Malacca, as I knew the steamer might be required there, and the steain launch was at Lukut if required.

We arrived at Malacca at 5 am. on the 7th, and Captain Vaughton requested the "Rainbow" to remain until the evening as he had much to do. He then asked me to see a spy recently arrived from the country and take down his information. My in- formant, who is ope trusted to a considerable extent by Mr. Plunket, said, that the six following chiefs were concerned in the raising of Tunku Antar to become Eam Tuan. The Datoh of Jumpole, the Datoh of Moar, the Panghulu of Terrachee, the Panghulu of Ganong Pasir, Siah Mangakop, a Srie Menanti man, and Tan Mas Dollah of Johore. The latter is a chief in Johore opposed to the Datoh whom he wishes to supplant. At the time informant left Srie Menanti, on the 2nd, there were about 800 men there. He said there was no doubt but that an attack was intended on Sungie Ujong on the following plan:-The Datoh of Jumpole to enter Sungie Ujong by Pantri, a pass leading to Jellabu, the Datoh of Moar with the Eam Tuan by Terrachee; when all collected the latter party may muster 1,500 men. Rambow with about 400 men.

Siah Mangakop to enter from

The Datoh of Rambow intended to remain neutral, but would be unable possibly to prevent a part of his subjects joining the invaders. Tunku Mahamat says he does not intend to take any part in the matter, he is "one with the Kiana,” but is afraid to do anything openly. Informant says the Tingie people have joined the enemy. In the engagement at Terrachee the enemy were under the Eam Tuan and the Datoh of Moar, they lost two men, wounded. There were about 200 men at the time. A stockade was being made at Bukit Putus.

The Mandatar, a Chief of Terrachee on the Klana's side, had captured the Muntara, a Chief on Tunku Antar or Eam Tuan's side, and taken him to Sungai Ujong. (This is an old report, the same as I brought from Padang.) The weapons of the enemy were principally flint locks with tin bullets. It is rumoured they have sent to Pahang for powder.

An attack on Chindrase by the Panghulu of Ayer Kiming is feared; he has, however, only 18 men at his disposal. If it be true that the Tingie men have joined, I would respectfully suggest that it would be well, if possible, for a steam launch to be sent to cruise up and down the lower portion of the Tingie River, which will become a high road for the conveyance of arms and ammunition to Rambow, Moar, and the surrounding States, and which the police station at Sempang would alone hardly be able to prevent. The Fra

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