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Inanum, and that none but his own men should be allowed to live there.
Mr.
This request was absolutely refused. On the proposal about the Interior being put to him he questioned the title of the Government to the Ulu Sugut, and the Ulu Inanum. stating that they belonged to him and his people, having been made over to them by the Sultaus of Sulu and Bruuei; this claim. however, he did not wish to press against the Government, but against the Sults of Sula and Brunei. Cowie assured hith that this was the first time he had heard any lonhts raised as to the Govern ment's title to those territuries. It was also pointed out to him that the Government had shewn their confidence in him by their hond representatives coming to meet him unarmed and virtually putting themselves in his power; that now it was time that he returned this con- fidence, by coming on board the steamer Petrel and talking matters over there. To this pro- posal he did not seem to agree.
His attitude with regard to terms, though polite and respectful, except in the two matters of unpunctuality and the armed force, was very different to his behaviour on the previous day which had led Mr. Cowie to propose the second meeting.
A
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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
At
At 10 a.m. on the morning of the 22nd the Company's flag was hoisted, and formal posseS- son taken of the Liver Menggatal, the party present consisting of Mr. Cowie and H. E. the Governor, accompanied by Messrs. Wise and Pearson, together with a small body of Sikh police, and a landing party of about 50 Bine- jackets and Marines from HM.S. Swift. the appointed pace the party was met by Pan- geran Kahar. When the men were drawn up in three sides of a square before the flagstaff. Mr. Cowie addressed a few words to the officers aud men of the Swift. He said that he was extremely grateful for the kind and willing way in which they had helped both him and the Government ever since they had been there, and that to-day they were about to witness and take part in the final scene connected with the troubles which had caused their presence in the country, namely the formal submission of the rebel Mat Salleh. Mr. Cowie then told the natives in their own language that the Company had taken over the Government of their river.
that and
all behaved as long as
well they would obtain nothing but advantage from the change, The Company's flag was being | hoisted in place of the Pangeran's but the Pangeran would be with them still to govern H. E. the Governor endorsed and advise them.
Mr. Cawie's words, and added that he hoped that trade would increase, and every one be happy under the new flag. Under that ag which was the same as the Queen's, no innocent man would be allowed to suffer, nor any man
who wilfully disobeyed the laws to escape just punishment.
The Pangeran Kahar then asked his followers whethey they all accepted the Company's rule. and if any one had anything to say against that flag being hoisted. To this all replied that they were satisfied; the bugle sounded the Royal salute, and the flag was run up as the troops presented arms Three cheers were then given in which the natives joined as heartily as
On the evening of the 20th. Mr. Cowie sent for Pangeran Kubar, and most of the corrus- pondence between the Government and lat Salleh was read to him, in order that they might get a clear idea of the case; he was then asked by Mr. Cowie to inform Mat Salleh that his behaviour in bringing arated men to ment unarmed men was a breach of all law and custom. On the occasion of Mr. Cowie's first visit he had been very pleased with the re- spectful way in which he had been received; so much so indeed that it had iudnced him to ask H.E. the Governor to accbmpany him the day following with the second visit, however, he was greatly disappointed, for on seeing the unlooked-for display of armed wren, he had felt that he had placed himself in a very false posi-they knew how. Hardly had this been accom- tion with HE the Governor, for though he had been willing to risk his own life by placing himself in Mat Salleh's hands, he did not feel justified in jeopardising the lives of others. Moreover, when Mr. Cowie paid his first visit he had gone as a mediator only, aud therefore did not object to the presence of the armed inen, but on the following day he and H. E. the Governor did not come in that capacity, but as the representatives of the Government offering terms of peace, And it was not fitting that Mat Salleh. by bringing an armed force, should place himself in, the position of the dictating party; and, moreover, that the Government having trusted him to the extent of its representatives coming unsrined he ought to have reciprocated that confidence,
He was told to send a final answer, or rather to come himself to the ship or the shore on the 21st, and meet Mr. Cowie and II. E. the Governor with the same show of confidence with which they had mbt him, or failing this that ten days should be given him to return up country and resume his status quo, during which time no action would be taken against him, unless he himself first broke the peace, in which case hostilities would recommence im- mediately.
In reply to this message Mat Salleh said that he wished first to go ronid to Shyap Tampassuk and other places and report progress to his friends, after which he would return and tender his formal submission. Mr. Cowie theu sent a message back saying that there must be no farther delay if he wished to submit, and that he must either come ou board the s.s. Petrel or be presentat the hoisting of the Company's flag at Menggatal on the 22nd. To this H.E. the Governor added that if Mat Salleh would meet Mr. Cowie and himself on the sea-shore on the following day (22ad) with his men unarmed, the Government would consider it a sufficient proof of his good intentious,
On the 22nd a further letter was written say- ing that as his delay was possibly due only to fear he would be giren until mid-day on the This letter 23rd to tender his ubmission. Lowever never reached Mat Sallah, as he had already sent word to Pangeran Kabar that be had decided to throw himself on the mercy of the Government, and would be present at the ceremony of haisting the flag at the Pangeran's village on the Menggatal on the 22nd.
plished when a man was seen approaching bear- ing a white fing, followed at a short distance by Mat Salleh humself, and one or two of his chief men. quite nuarmed. Mr. Cowie went a few yards to meet him and led him into the middle of the assembly. Mat Salleh said that he wished to submit absolutely to the authority of the Government, and then turned round and told the natives present that from this time he was on the side of the Government and that if any He made a disturbance they would know it was not he Having said that he took an oath of alleginer before the Koran. When the large flag which had been hoisted was being changed for a smaller permanent one some one suggested that Mat Salleh should haul it up. To this he willingly agreed and with his own hands hauled up the Company's flag in the presence of every- one. After shaking hands all round, lin erussed the river to the Pangeran's hense, where HE. the Governor gave him a letter of sate conduct. The party then returned to the ship alter a most successful morning; the only hitel in the proceedings was that the boat in which Mr. Cowie and H.E. were going up the river struck a snag and speedily filled. Luckily it was very near the bank and no one got even a wetting.
In the evening Mat Salleh sent in five rifles as agreed upon and a present of a parang cach to Mr. Cowie and the Governor.
On the morning of the 23rd, the following document was drawn up and sent to Mat Salleh for his signature. Pangeran Kahar was bearer and witness :-
TO MAHOMED SALLEH.
In consideration of your having submitted to the Government, the Government hereby grants you the following:-
i. Yon and your followers are pardoned for levying war against the Governmeut, but people who have escaped from Gaol, and committed other offences, are not pardoned for such offences,
ii. Sabaudar and Mallam will be released at
once from Sandakan Gaol it still there.
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iv.
vi.
[May 21, 1848,
Mat Salleh will be allowed to live at Tam- bunan, or elsewhere in the interior, except on the rivers Sugut and Labak. The Go- vernment hopes he will use his influence to induce the tribes there to follow the Go- vernment,
J
Mat Salleh at the request of the 'Govern: ment will always assist in arresting any re- quired for any offence.
Mat Salleh will frequently supply in formation to the Government as to his pro- ceedings.
vii. If Mat Salleh comes to the coast he must
report himself to the District Officer.
(Sigued). W. C. COWIE,
L. P. BEAUFORT. MAT SALLEH.
his mark DATO SANAK. + his mark.
THE RUSSO-CHINESE CON- VENTION.
The Russo-Chinese Convention with regard to Liaotung and correlated matters, was signed in Peking on the 27th of March, and a copy of it has been forwarded to the Jiji Shimpo by the latter's special correspondent in that city. It
runs as follows :-
Li and Chang (here follow their titles and degrees) having been invested with plenipoten- tiary powers by His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of China, and M. Pauloff, Russian Chargé d'Affaires in Peking, having been simi- larly invested by His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Russia, have this day-3rd of the 3rd mouth of the 24th year Kuangshi-c cluded the following convention with regard to the leasing of Port Arthur and Talien :-
-con-
Art. In order to provide for Russia a suitable basis on the northern coast of China, and thereby to render her naval position com- plete and secure, His Majesty the Emperor of China agrees hereby to lease Port Arthur and Talien together with their adjacent waters to Russia. Provided that the Sovereign rights of the Middle Kingdom shall not be impaired by the transaction.
Art. II. With regard to the limit of the leased land, steps shall hereafter be taken to determine by survey to what distance the bound- ary should be carried in a northerly direction from Talien in order to provide for the security of that place. But the exact limits and all other details connected with the operation of this Convention shall be determined after con- sultation between the Chinese Representative in St. Petersburg and the Russian Government. Provided that, within the limits thus deter-
mined. Russian shall enjoy the right and pri- vileges of a lessee.
Act. III.-The period of the lease shall be 25 years from date of signing this Convention. Provided that, at the conclusion of that period, it may be prolonged by mutual agreement between the contracting parties.
Art. IV The district, territorial and mari-
time, described in Art. 1, shall serve as a depôt of military and naval supplies to Russia, and the principal officials administering its affairs may be Russians, acting under a chief who shall have general responsibility. Provided, however, that such officials must not bear the title of governor-general or visiting inspector. The troops of the Middle Kingdom shall not be permitted to encamp within the limits of the leased land, but civilian subjects of the Middle Kingdom shall be entitled to reside there provided that they do not behare lawlessly. In the event of a breach of the law by a Chinese subject, be shall be handed over to the nearest Chinese local tribunal for judg. went and the infliction of a penalty. All details relating to tho administration of justice shall be determined in accordance with the Russo-. Chinese Treaty of 1560 (the 10th year of Hien- fung).
Art. V-Beyoud the northern boundary of the leased land an uninhabited space shall be iii. People turned out of R. Tuauam by the left, its limits to be hereafter determined by the Chinese Representativo in St. Pet rsburg Government may return and live there, but as there are some who might give trouble, and the Russian Government in consultation. All affairs within this space shall be under the they will not be allowed to return till O. K. Serail or any other Government head-control of Chinese officials, but Chinese troops mau, and the District Officer gire permis- may not enter there except after consultation
with the Russian authorities.
sion.
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