CO885-(11-13) — Page 144

MY LORD,

No. 838.

(STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.)

LAW OFFICERS to FOREIGN OFFICE.

We are honoured with your Lordship's commands, signified in Lord Enfield's

Temple, July 11, 1873. letter of the 7th instant, stating that he was directed by your Lordship to transmit to us the accompanying papers.

1. A letter from the Colonial Office, in which is enclosed a translation of a letter from the Sultan of Acheen to the Governor of the Straits Settlements, in which he appeals under an ancient treaty between this country and Acheen for a British Protectorate to save him from danger from the Dutch invasion.

2. A copy of the treaty to which his Majesty refers, which was dated April 22, 1819. 3. A copy of the treaty between Great Britain and the Netherlands of March 7, 1824, with annexed notes.

4. A copy of the treaty between the Netherlands and Acheen, ratified by the former on May 9, 1857.

5. A copy of the convention between Great Britain and the Netherlands of November 2, 1871.

That in addition to these papers he was to transmit to us a draft of an answer which your Lordship proposed to return to the Colonial Office, suggesting the nature of a reply to be made to the Sultan's appeal, and he (Mr. Hammond) was to request our opinion as to whether the suggestions contained in the draft were reasonable, and specially as

to whether it could be justly said that Great Britain is free from the obligations which she contracted towards Acheen by the treaty of 1819.

In obedience to your Lordship's commands we have the honour to—

Report

That in our opinion the terms suggested in the draft are reasonable and Great Britain

can justly be said to be freed from the obligations which she contracted towards Acheen

by the treaty of 1819.

The Earl Granville, K.G.,

&c. &c. &c.

We have, &c.

(Signed)

J. D. COLERIDGE.

G. JESSEL.

J. P. DEANE.

U 16276.-840. 25,-5/86.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

PLC.O. 885

11

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

7868.