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No. 62.

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

(No. 130.)

MY LORD,

(Received April 24, 1876.)

Straits Settlements, Government House, Singapore,

March 21, 1876.

In my telegraphic Despatch of the 16th instant,* I reported to your Lordship that the Datu Sagor, the Chief stated to have been present when Mr. Birch was murdered, had been captured.

I have now the honour to forward for your Lordship's information a Report from Mr. Swettenham, Acting Deputy Commissioner at Bandar Bahru, giving the details of his capture, which, your Lordship will observe, was mainly due to the exertions of Syed Masahor, who bad for some time been following the Datu Sagor from place to place. 2. After discussion with my Executive Conncil, I have given directions that the Datu Sagor shall be couveyed to Singapore for safe custody, but pending the result of the inquiry of the Committee referred to in paragraph 8 of my Despatch, No. 129, of this day's date,* I propose to treat him with every consideration consistent with safety.

I have, &c. (Signed) WM. F. DRUMMOND JERVOIS.

The Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon,

&c.

&c.

01

From SULTAN ABDULLAH to MR. SWETTENHAM, Deputy Commissioner, Perak, at Bandar Bharu, Signed also by Rajah Dris. (Received March 11th.)

(After Compliments.)

We inform our friend that on Friday the 14th Saffar (10th March), at 12 o'clock, we heard that the Datu Saga had shown himself inland of Pulo Tiga. We gave orders to fetch him, and we have got the Datu Sagor. Now we inform our friend that at the time of writing this letter the Datu Sagor is with us. After (writing) this letter we intend to take him to Bandar Bharu, and we want to meet our friend. We send our Secretary, Mahomed Khans, to our friend.

Moreover, on the 15th of this month (11th March), Syed Mashor showed us our friend's letter to him, as regards that all the bad men we get we will place at Banda Bharu, for when we went up the river we had settled everything with our friend, for we want to institute inquiries about and search for the bad men. As regards the Datu Sagor he gave himself up to us. This is what we have to tell our friend with our best compliments.

FRANK A. SWETTENHAM.

15th Safar 12 3.

True translation.

November 3rd, 1876.

(Signed)

། ། ། ། །

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Anference :-

C.O. 882

3

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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

&c.

(No. 36.)

SIB,

The Residency, Bandar Bahru, March 11, 1876.

As your Excellency is already aware, I some time ago directed Junku Syeď Mashor of Salangor, who has on many occasions proved himself a valuable ally, to search for the murderers of Mr. Birch.

About a month ago Syed Mashor arrested Ngah Hamid (alias Ahmal), who has since been convicted and condemned to death,

On the 9th instant, Syed Mashor came to tell me he was almost sure of the Datu Sagor's whereabouts, and proposed to attempt bis arrest on the night of the 9th, but hardly hoped to take him alive.

At 10.30 p.m. last night I received a letter from Syed Mashor, translation of which, and of my answer, I enclose.

Syed Mashor has long been following the Datu Sagor from place to place, and it is evident that the Datu concluded further flight was useless, and, fearing to try con- clusions with Syed Mashor, he preferred to take refuge (as he no doubt thought) with the Sultan, who was then close by, at Pulo Tiga, in his boats.

As the Datu Sagor is related to the Datu Bandor and several other Chiefs, I feared he might be allowed to escape again, and so sought to avoid this by the reply I sent to Syed Mashor, directing him to show the letter to the Sultan.

To day I received a letter from the Sultan, translation of which, and of my reply, I enclose.

At 7.30 p.m. the Datu Bandor arrived with the Datu Saga, Syed Mashor accompany. ing in bis own boats.

Syed Mashor informed me that as the Datu Bandor appeared to be delaying, he told him unless be took the Datu Sagor to the Residency to night he, Syed Mashor, would take the Datu Saga himself.

I have placed the Datu Sagor in stocks in the guard room of H.M.'s 80th Regiment, but he is a man of position and would, I think, be safer in Penang.

I await your Excellency's instructions with regard to the trial of the Datu Sagor, and have only, in conclusion, to remark that his capture seems to me entirely due to the efforts of Syed Mashor, who I thiuk has fairly earned the reward.

I have, &c.

(Signed) FRANK A. SWETTENHAM,

Deputy Commissioner, Perak,

His Excellency

Sir W. F. D. Jervois, C.B., K.C.M.G.,

Governor and Commander-in-Chief,

The Straits Settlements.

From Mr. Swettenham to Sultan AbduLLAH,

We have received our friend's letter of to-day's date, and we are very glad to hear that the Datu Sagor is in our friend's hands. Our friend says that he is bringing the Datu Sagor to Bandar Bharu.

We are waiting for our friend's arrival, and we trust that our friend will reach Bandar Bharu to day, for our friend is close by and we are anxious to start from this on other business.

Dated, Bandar Bharu,

11th March 1876.

From MR. Swettenham to Tunku Syed Mashor.

9t

I inform my friend that about the Datu Saga. His Excellency the Governor has ordered his arrest. Now I beg my friend to arrest the Datu Saga wherever he may be found, either on shore or in a boat.

If my friend find the Datu Saga in either the boat of Sultan Abdullah or that of the Datu Bandar, I beg my friend to show them this letter, and to bring the Datu Saga bere at once without fail.

If the Datu Saga escape, those who are keeping him will bear the responsibility. Y

I request you to bring the Datu Saga tò Bandar Bahru without fail,

Bandar Bharu,

10th March. 1876.

From SYED MASHOR, at SILAT PULO, to Ma. Swettenham, Resident at Bandar Bahru.

(After Compliments.)

I INFORM my friend about the Data Saga, I sought for him and ascertained for certain the place where he was. Then I got ready and was starting to seize him when he ran away to Sultan Abdullah and got into the Datu Bandar's boat. He is now in Datu Bandar's boat. Now I want to hear my friend's orders without delay, whether to seize him in the Datu Bandar's boat or even in Sultan Abdullah's boat. My friend has only to say the word and I will seize him, and I beg my friend, if possible, to allow me to arrest him in the Datu Bandar's boat. I beg you will give me your orders at once, in order that I may act speedily. This is what I have to tell you.

14th Safar 1203, i.s. 10th March 1876.

True translation.

11th March 1876.

(Signed)

FRANK A. SWETTENHAM.

H S