CO882-(8-9) — Page 4

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

C.O. 882

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PUBLIC RECORD CRICS LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERŠASON OF THE BE REPRODUCES PÉDROSRAPHIC. COPYRSENT PHOTOBLERN-NOT TO

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some truth in the rumour of a palace intrigue having been at least part cause of the rising.

However, while the negotiations were still in. progress an attack was made on the Kadayans, at the instigation of the Brunei Government, by some Trusan Murats, who had recently arrived in Brunei, and a few heads, mostly of women, were taken. [The Sultan's excuse was that the Bisayas had begun hostilities by attacking a post near Brunei, but this statement seems to have been untrue.] The natural result was the rupture of the negotiations, but Mr. Treacher succeeded in re-opening them and at last, on October 25th, induced the Brunei Government and the Bisayas to agree to the terms proposed and secured the release of Dato Klassie. even, with the help of a man-of-war, exacted an apology from the Sultan for the insult to Her Majesty's representative involved in allowing the Muruta to attack the rebels while they were negotiating with the Consul-General.

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The Kadayans did not sign the terms of agreement, but appear not to have taken any steps to avenge the murder of their tribesmen. The disturbances were not, however, at an end, as before the end of October there was another outbreak, cattle were stolen, and a few heads of Brunei Malays were taken. The offenders were Maruts from the Limbang and neighbouring rivers, most of whom seem to have taken the warpath chiefly because they had been called out by the Brunei Pengirans to assist in coercing the Bisayas and, peace having been decla, did not wish to go home empty handed.

The important feature of this subsidiary revolt is that it extended to the Trusan Murats, who, in the course of the disturbances, killed about a dosen Sarawak Dyaks. These men had entered the Trusan district against the orders both of their own Government and that of Brunei, but Rajah Brooke immediately demanded compensa- tion from the Temenggong, who was nominated Regent about this time. The Temenggong, having no money, settled the matter early in December by undertaking to cede the Truman district, which was his tulin property, in return for a yearly payment of $4,500. Rajah Brooke's agent, Mr. Maxwell, at the same time entered into negotiations with the Temenggong for the acquisition of the Limbang.

The position now becomes so complex that in order to understand it at all clearly it is necessary to go rather closely into details as to the various parties concerned.'

The Sultan was old and infirm (he is said to. have been well over 100 years old), and was practically incapable of governing. In a moment of panic, when the Muruts were head-hunting, he had recognised the Temenggong as Regent but he had not given up to him the seal and

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other emblems of sovereignty, and no formal installation had taken place. He appears to have repented at once of his recognition of a Regent, and was now acting in concert with the Pengiran Di Gadong, his near relation, who, on account of the family feud before mentioned, was trying to thwart the Temenggong in every way.

The Temenggong was on very friendly terms with Rajah Brooke, with whore assistance he hoped to revenge himself on the Limbangs for bie defeat. He had apparently taken a dislike to Mr. Treacher on account of the exaction of the apology above referred to.

The other important chief, Pengiran Bendahara, was Di Gadong's brother, but he was also the Temenggong's son-in-law, and so wavered between the two parties. At this time he seems to have been in favour of the proposed cessions to Sarawak, or, at least, not to have opposed them, hoping no doubt to make money out of the

transaction.

Rajah Brooke was endeavouring, through Mr. Maxwell and other agents, to obtain further cessions, especially the Limbang and the Trusan, and to induce the Trusan Muruta to accept Sarawak flags. In order to strengthen his position he insisted that the Temenggong was really Regent of Brunei, although the Temeng- gong himself never used the title and does not. appear seriously to have advanced any such

claim.

The British North Borneo Company were also trying to get concessions, and made an offer for the Limbang, not because they wanted it but in order to prevent its falling into the hands of Sarawak. Their Chairman, Sir Rutherford Alcock, was constantly urging on the Foreign Office that no extension of Sarawak territory ought to be allowed, as there was nothing to prevent the Rajah's oeding his principality to a foreign Power, and recommending Her Majesty's. Government to establish a Protectorate over the Brunei on the Perak lines; if necessary, Company would be willing to administer the territory.

Mr. Treacher, as Governor of the Company's. territory, was doing his best for the Company; as Acting Consul General he was trying to induce the Sultan to abide by his treaty obliga tions and not to cede territory without the consent of Her Majesty's Government. In both capacities he was wrangling with Rajah Brooke and his agents.

Her Majesty's Government inclinal to the view that it would be best to allow what was left of Brunei to be divided between Sarawak and the Company as soon as possible.

Meanwhile the Muruts on the Trumn and the Limbang and in the intervening districts were constantly raiding cattle and taking heads, and