CO882-(3-4) — Page 317

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference:

C.O. 882

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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

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XLVIII.—That the attacking party set out at night, but owing to Wan Hoosein meeting with an accident on the road which obliged him to return back half way, and to the fact that the Datu Sagor failed to join it according to promise, the attack did not come off.

XLIX. That on the 4th November ex-Sultan Ismail received news of the murder of Mr. Birch, and at orice ordered the Sri Maharajah Lela tó summon the Mantri, Tumonggong and Bandahara to consult what he should do, and despatched two armed boats in pursuit of Mr. Swettenham, who touched at Blanja the same day on his way to Bandar Bahru.

L.-That on the 5th November, ex-Sultan Ismail gave an authority under his chop to Haji Mat Yassim and Haji Alli to attack Kota Stia, in conjunction with Punghulu Mat Alli of Kurow, the latter having received a written order from the Mantri to collect a fleet of armed boats and attack Kota Stia.

LI-That in the subsequent resistance, offered by the Maharajah Lela to the British Government, Sultan Abdullah assisted the Maharajah Lela indirectly, by supplying him with provisions and promising him support, and that, on the flight of the Maharajah Lela from Passir Sala, the ex-Sultan received him for some days at Blanja, and on the approach of the troops under Major-General Colborne, accompanied the Maharajah Lela on his further flight into the interior of the country.

LII. That Sultan Abdullah and his chiefs assisted and screened the Datu Sagor, Pandak Indut and other refugees from Passir Sala who were hiding in the jungle.

LIII. That the scheme for a combined movement by ex-Sultan Ismail and Sultan Abdullah, with the view of driving the British out of Perak collapsed from the following causes:-1st, that the Mantri, Tumonggong and Bandahara failed to join Ismail at Blanja after the murder of Mr. Birch; 2nd, that Punghulu Mat Alli was afraid to attack Kota Stia by sea on account of the presence of men-of-war on the coast; 3rd, that there was no general ill-feeling on the part of the ryots against the white people; and lastly, that the prompt action of the Government took the chiefs by surprise.

Singapore, let December 1876.

Enclosure 5.

C. B. PLUNKET, Commissioner.

EXTRACTS from the ABRIDGMENT of EVIDENCE.

Letter sent to Bir A. Clarke, May 1875.

Nacodal Trang.

Appendix (XIX.)

Mat Rouse,

Memorandum of subjects to

be spoken about, in reference

to Mr. Birch, May 1875.

Mr. Shrestankan.

Appendix (XX.)

1

Letter to Mr. Kim Ching, -

Nacodak Tram.

Mat Rowan, Mr. Bason.

A few days afterwards Lazamana and Rajah Mahkota came to Durian Sebatang. Laxamana advised Sultan Abdullah to to write a letter to Sir A. Clarke, complaining against Mr. Birch, as it was better to make the complaint before the new Governor came. Laxamana drafted a letter for Sultan Abdullah to chop. It was very short, and contained a request that Sir A. Clarke, before he went away, would grant Sultan Abdullah a written authority acknowledging him as supreme ruler of Perak. It also stated that Sultan Abdullah had appointed Laxamana, Orang Kaya Mat Arshad, and Rajah Driss as his representatives, in discussing matters with Sir A. Clarke. Laxamana also drew out a memorandum of five subjects he wished to speak about, in reference to Mr. Birch.

(1.) That Mr. Birch should not be allowed to change any- thing connected with Mahomedan religion and custom.

(2.) That Mr. Birch should not be allowed to interfere with any of the taxes which the chiefs collected for their own benefit.

(8.) That Mr. Birch should not be allowed to act inde- pendently, without consulting the Sultan and chiefs.

(4.) That Mr. Birch should be obliged to surrender all and not to give them in marriage to his police-

runaways, men.

(5.) To remind the Governor that he had promised, when the Treaty was made, to give up any slaves who had run away from the Chiefs to Pangkor.

Laxamana also drafted another letter from Sultan Abdullah to Mr. Kim Ching, asking him to assist the deputation with the Governor, and inviting him to come to Perak to advise Sultan Abdullah what to do.

of chiefs to Singapore, May 1875.

Nacodak Trang Mr. Sweetenkam,

41

Sultan Abdullah ordered Laxamana, Orang Kaya Mat Proceedings of the deputation Arshad, and Rajah Driss to take the letters to Singapore, and witness to accompany them. Arrived at Singapore without Laxamana, who was to bring the memorandum; saw Mr. Kim Ching, who told him that the new Governor was expected that day, and that Sir A. Clarke would then have no more authority. The next day Sir W. Jervois arrived. Mr. Sweetenham told witness that he would take Rajas Driss to Sir A. Clarke to deliver Sultan Abdullah's letter. Rajah Driss said that they must wait for the arrival of Laxamana. Two days afterwards Laxamana arrived with Haji Mat Yassim and a large number of followers. Witness said, "What made you so late, the new "Governor has come and is already installed in office.” Lara- mana, gave no answer. Next day Laxamana, Orang Kaya Mat Arshad, and Rajah Driss and the Moonshi called on Sir A. Clarke. When they came back, Rajah Driss was very angry, and said to witness, "See, this letter and the memorandum were got up entirely by Laxamana, and now he has delayed so long "in coming to Singapore, that when we called upon Sir A. "Clarke to-day, he could do nothing for us, but promised to send a letter of advice to Sultan Abdullah." Next day, they called on Sir W. Jervois, but no complaint was made. A few days afterwards, witness was given a letter from Sir A. Clarke, written in English, to be delivered to Sultan Abdullah. Met Mr. Birch at Penang; Mr. Birch wanted to see Sir A. Clarke's letter, but Rajah Driss would not show it to him. At Battak Rabbit, Rajah Driss told Sultan Abdullah that their visit to Singapore had been useless, as Laxamana had delayed so long in coming. Next day, Mr. Birch invited Sultan Abdullad to come to Bandar Bahru and to bring Sir A. Clarke's letter with him, but Sultan Abdullah did not go.

Mr. Birch, 4th and 5th June,

Mr. Birch bears of the de- putation to Singapore.

"

10th May." I last night got a boat and letters, by which I learn that the day I left, Sultan Abdullah started the Orang Kaya, Rajah Driss, and Haja Hoosein to Singapore, and gave them a kuassa, in which Laxamana's name was included, to go and try once more what they could do, but I cannot learn much till I meet Arshad, who saw them in Penang. This man, Sultan Abdullah, only two days before, assured me he would do nothing without consulting me, and begged me not to believe what anybody would say of him, as to his being at all inclined to act against my advice. Reached Bandar Bahur, at 1 pm. Here found that everything was all right, but the expedition to Singapore was confirmed. On seeing Arshad, I learnt that, after I had left, Sultan Abdullah had started a Questions to be asked by the party to Singapore to see the Governor and to ask him: 1st, for a satisfactory settlement of the boundary question; 2nd, to inquire whether the Resident was under Sultan Abdullah or over him, and to know whether Sultan Abdullah might not govern the country without a Resident; Brd, if possible, to break the Pangkor Treaty, alleging that, if it was done away with, Mantri was willing to give him (Sultan Abdullah), the Regalia."

deputation.

Haji Hoovain. Appendix (XX.)

Abdullah wishes to avoid Mr. Birch until the depaiation ro- turns.

Shahbandar rescrumunda Ab-

dullah to take down all the

Governor's proclamations.

Abdullah menda posting Mr. Birch.

aweld

12th May." Haji Alli came to my messenger, and told him to tell me he would come to see me, but Sultan Abdullah wanted to keep out of my way till Rajah Driss returned from Singapore, sa he (Sultan Abdullah) had sent him to see the Governor and learn if he could not do without a Resident, and, if he must have one, whether the Resident could not be put under him. Haja Alli says that he heard Shahbandar ask Sultan Abdullah why he allowed Mr. Birch to stick up the Governor's proclams- tions, that Mantri had taken them down in Laroof, and he advised Sultan Abdullah to take them all down here. This I hardly believe. Haji Alli saya Sultan Abdullah told him that he had no intention of seeing me till Driss came back,

F