CO882-(3-4) — Page 56

CO882 & CO885 Colonial Office Confidential Prints 理藩院機密印刊 All

84

my asking him why he had taken no steps to inquire into the matter, that as it had occurred in the lower part of Perak, in Abdullah's territory, be had no authority, and considered that the latter would see to the affair. With regard to his not going in to see Major McNair, he said he was starting when Rajah Mahmond was reported as close at band with a force, and that, as he had no intention of fighting, and did not wish to expose his wife and children to the horrors of war, he fled into the jungle, and had continued to do so ever since. From what I saw personally, Ismail had no power over his Chiefs, nor had he any respect paid to him; he built his own huts, and caught his own elephants.

After leaving I consulted with Wan Mat, and bad men placed in the rear of Ismail to prevent any attempt at escape. On reaching Koopang I met Che Drahman, who had returned from Kedab, with the news that the Rajah of Kedah was on his way up. I at once proceeded down the river and met him at Padang Geeas. I had sent Drah. man on to tell Ismail to come on to Koopang. On the 10th, the Rajah of Kedah pươ- ceeded lower down to Qualla Ketee, but returned on the 11th to Pandang Geens. On the 12th Ismail reached Koopang, and we proceeded to Qualla Ketee. On the 18th he arrived there, and met the Sultan of Kedah. At this time the Kedah people numbered, I should think, nearly 1,000 well-armed men, but were so disposed in Ismail's rear that he could not know of their presence; from Qualla Keetee he proceeded in boats, followed by us, and on the 14th reached Tisu Jantai; on the 15th, Koobang Hong; 16th, Pantai Pry; 17th, Qualla Muda. On the 18th, I took the Rajah to see the Hon. the Lieut.-Governor, and on Monday the 20th proceeded in the “ Mata Mata," and brought him together with Ismail, Toh Narah, Punghina Prang Samson, Rajah Loh, and followers, 18 in all, to Penang to the house of the the Rajah of Kedah. The women, children, and elephants (27) being left in Kadah Ismail was in almost destitute condition when we found him, he had not a single plate to eat off, and his people were emaciated and sick (numbers having been left in the jungle bad died), Maharajah Lala was some. where near Ismail, in Perak, but bad no communication with him, and Orang Kaya Besar was on his way in when he fell ill and could not come. I have sent a party, after Maharajah Lelah, having arranged for his capture while at the " Ulu,” but I did not ge for him then for fear of losing Ismail. While at Baling 1 heard that a man used Rajah Abbas was there (he broke ont of Penang gaol some four years ago), and I also arranged with the Kedah authorities for his capture. He had gone into Patani,to sell an elephant he had stolen from Ismail.

I cannot too highly praise the conduct of the Rajah of Kedah and his officers, Wan Mat (Saman) and Che Drahman. The Rajah sent Wan Mat especially with me, and denuded his territory of nearly all his influential men, in order that the expedition might be successfully carried out. The delays were, owing to the mode of travelling of the Perak people, dilatory in the extreme, and also no doubt caused by their feeble- ness and the fact that nearly all the women had to walk, but I did not precipit matters, as I considered it was better to let them take their time and come in sur than to hurry them when there was a chance of losing them. The whole expeditio was carried out carefully and quietly, but had Ismail not given himself up to Kedah authorities his capture inust still have been certain. All suggestions made by me were at once attended to, and a most friendly intercourse was the whole time kept up.

The Superintendent of Police,

Penang.

I have, &o. (Signed) JOHN HEWICE,

Assistant Superintendent of Palios,

Province Wellesley.

83

be considered as a prisoner who has given himself up without other condition than that his life shall be spared, will give his parole not to leave Johore without permission, he may be allowed to be at large in Johore, while the others may be treated by your Highness in such a way as to secure that they do not leave Johore.

Under the circumstances in which these persons are placed, it will naturally strike your Highness that the more quiet they remain the better, and pending the result of inquiries, and the decision of Government as to what is to be done with them, no honours should be paid to the Ex-sultan and his party, such as under other circumstances I should gladly have approved of. Of course I take it for granted that your Highness will take all proper steps to prevent not merely the escape of any of them, but also to prevent intrigue, and for this purpose their communication ought to be restricted to Buch people as your Highness (in communication with myself) may think desirable.

I have again to express my thanks for the assistance your Highness gives Her Majesty's Government in this matter, and

Sa,

I have, &c.

(Signed) WM. F. DRUMMOND JESYON.

Enclosure 3. in No. 73.

MAHARAJAH OF JOHORE to GOVERNOR.

Istana, Johore, March 90, 1876, I HAVE the honour to acknowledge receipt of your Excellency's letter of 27-inst. informing me that Ex-sultan Ismail with his two sons and 19 attendants would be sent round to Johore in H.M.S. "Ringdove" for the purpose of being placed under my charge pending the result of inquiries and the decision of the Government as to what is to be done with them.

I have now the honour to state that the vessel arrived on the evening of the 27th instant when Ex-sultan Ismail with his retinue was duly landed and placed in the house which I had caused to be prepared for him.

I have intimated to him your Excellency's willingness that be should be placed upon parole sa well as the particular conditions under which alone that parole can be granted and these terms have been accepted by him.

Instructions have likewise been issued to my offisers to secure as far as possible the other persons alluded to in your Excellency's letter from leaving Johore, and that, for the purpose of préventing intrigue, sommunication with them shall be restricted to such people as may be considered desirable.

I would take this opportunity of suggesting to your Excellency that it is highly desirable the Ex-sultan's family, who are at present in Quadah, should be sent for without delay, as certain twembers of it appear to pomsons great influence over the En-suitei and through their instrumentality, much information may be obtained from hing, the possession of which would doubtless be eventually found of important ascistas your Government.

I have, &c. (Signed) MAHARAJAH of Jomenz. (In native characters.).

His Excellency Sir W. F. Drummond Jervois,

C.B., K.C.M.G., Governor and Commander-in-Chief,

Straits Settlements.

SIR,

Enclosure 2. in No. 73.

GOVERNOR to H. H. The Maharajan or Jonore.

Government House, Singapore, March 27, 1876. Ex-Sultan Ismail of Perak, his two sons, Datu Nars and Panglima Prong Samaon, with 13 attendants, having arrived here in H.M.S. “Ringdove," I have the honour to inform your Highness that they will be sent to Johore Bübru int the mac ship this afternoon.

As your Highness has been so good as to consent to reseive them persons, I now commit them to your charge, on the understanding that, if Ex-sultan Ismail, who is to

SIB,

Enclosure 4. in No. 78.

GOVERNOR to H.B.M.'s Consul-Gaweral, Bangkok.

Government House, Singapore,

April 5, 1876.

In reference to my letter of the 80tà ultimo, I bave the honour to request that, should you think fit, you will convey to the Sitmese Government my high appreciation of the valuable assistance which it has rendered to this Goverment in ecumeKion with the recent capture of Ex-waling Ismail and his followers.

My best thanks are due for the excellent precautionary measures taken by the Siamese Government to prevent those concerned in the Perak outrages from entering

L3

8

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Auffrance :---

THILLICO. 882

3

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH HOT TO

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDONN

Comments

Approved members can add comments, bookmarks, and private notes.

No comments yet.

Private Research Note

Private notes are available after approval.