we cannot say anything, because our friend believes the false complaints made by our former ministers, the bandaharah and tumongong. Heretofore, among all the rajahs, sultans, tumongongs, and bandaharahs, we never got such a bad name from them till now. This tumongong and bandaharah did not fear to swear false oaths and promote themselves to be rajahs, In the Malayan law, neither the Tumongong nor Bandaharah can make rajahs of themselves, because both of them are clearly our ministers and under our rule; we therefore hope that our friend will do us justice, and may not be deceived by the complaints made by these two men, and that our friend will examine all the agreements made by the bandaharah to our grand father and to us. All these copies we have given in charge to the same gentleman, and last year we desired our officer, Tunkoo Long, to explain clearly to the Honourable Colonel Macpherson, the Resident Councillor at Singapore, all the letters with seals on them, as well as the agreements from both parties (bandaharah and tumongong). We hope that our friend and the honourable the Resident Councillor at Singapore will also consult with each other regarding what is mentioned with reference to our grandfather; moreover that our friend, the honourable the Resident Councillor, may take the matter into his consideration. We hope that our friend will point out to them the English law are the ministers under the Rajahs, or the Rajahs under the minister's orders? By the Malayan laws the ministers are under the charge of their Rajahs, and this is the rule by which we govern. On this subject our friend can make inquiry from the different Malayan Rajahs, viz., Tringanu, Kalantan, Lookoot, Salengore, and several other countries. Perhaps, as our friend has lately come to this country, they brought these complaints in hopes that our friend will forget all the customs of the countries. Colonel Orfeur Cavenagh, Governor of Prince of Wales Island, Singapore, and Malacca, to the ex-Sultan of Linga, (No. 401, dated 13 October 1862.) After compliments, WE have received our friend's letter, and become acquainted with its contents. In reply, we deem it right to inform our friend that, as his claims to exercise any control over the affairs of Johore and Pahang have never been recognized by the British Goverument, he will not be allowed to interfere in the government of those states; and consequently it is advisable that he should return without delay to Bangkok. If, after the many friendly warnings he has received, our friend's relative, the Sultan of Tringanu, neglects to take measures to prevent intrigues against the peace of a neighbouring state from being carried on within his territories, he must, of course, be prepared to suffer the consequences. C. U. Aitchison, Esq., Under Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department, to the Governor of the Straits Settlements,-(No. 1071, dated 18 November 1862.) Sir, I AM directed by the Governor General in Council to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatches, noted on the margin,* regarding the disturbances at Pahang, and in reply, to acquaint you that your proceedings, as reported therein, are approved, and that the correspondence will be reported for the orders of Her Majesty's Government. No. 20.-Foreign Department, Political. To the Right Honourable Sir Charles Wood, Bart., M. P. and G. C. B., Her Sir, No. 136, dated 8 October. Letter, dated 11 Nov. 1862, No. 150. Letter, dated 24 Nov. 1862, No. 157. Letter, dated 4 Dec. 1862, No. 178. 2. These papers show that, up to the date of the last report, the ex-Sultan 1862, No. 163. of Linga was still at Tringanu, notwithstanding the promise of the Siamese Letter, dated 26 Dec. Government to remove him; and that his continued residence there only tended to disturb the tranquillity of the neighbouring States, as was anticipated. They also show that Inchi Wan Ahmed has not ceased to make hostile aggressions on Pahang, and that his movements have created considerable alarm, and completely paralyzed trade in that quarter. British commercial interests have *Letter, dated 7 Jan. 1863, No. 5. been seriously damaged by the suspension of all works in the Tin Mines by the Chinese labourers, whose lives and property the Bandahara of Pahang declared himself unable to protect. Besides, great distress prevailed at Pahang owing to the stoppage of the usual supply of rice from Tringanu, and it is reported that matters even went so far that armed boats from Kamaman, a district of Tringanu, had established a sort of blockade at the mouth of the Quantang river close to the miners' establishments. These facts confirm the suspicion which has all along been entertained that the Chief of Tringanu, at the instigation of the exSultan of Linga, is secretly aiding Inchi Wan Ahmed in his attacks on Pahang. 66 3. The injury inflicted on British trade called forth a remonstrance on the part of a respectable mercantile firm at Singapore as well as the Chamber of Commerce. Accordingly, on the 29th October, Colonel Cavenagh addressed the consul at Bangkok, to the effect that if the Siamese Government did not enforce the removal of the ex-Sultan of Linga, he would order the senior naval officer to adopt the requisite measures for effectually depriving the Sultan of Tringanu of all future power of doing mischief. This threat seemed to awaken the Siamese Government to a sense of their duty, for they promised to send the steamer Alligator" to Tringanu, as soon as possible, for the purpose of removing the ex-Sultan to Bangkok. But Colonel Cavenagh seeing that the Siamese Government took no active steps for the fulfilment of their promise, that their letters to the Sultan of Tringanu were of an evasive and temporising character, and that only a few days remained for the setting in of the northerly monsoon, during which the eastern coast of the Peninsula is inaccessible, thought it his duty to take prompt measures with a view to overawe the Sultan of Tringanu. He therefore at once despatched an expedition (which sailed on the 8th November) consisting of three vessels, the "Scout," "Coquette," and "Tonze," under the senior naval officer, Captain Corbett, with instructions at first to raise the blockade of the Quantang river; and then, if negotiations failed, to destroy the fort of Tringanu, sparing private property as much as possible. Colonel Macpherson accompanied the expedition as political officer. Colonel Cavenagh believed that this force would suffice to bring the Sultan of Tringanu to terms, but the event proved otherwise. Negotiations having failed, Captain Corbett proceeded to carry into execution the threat held out to the Sultan of bombarding his fort. The bombardment lasted intermittently from noon of the 11th November to about the same time the following day, during which every effort was made to spare private property. The expedition returned to Singapore on the 14th November, the " Coquette" having been left behind to continue the blockade up to the 17th idem, and to take advantage of any resolution on the part of the Sultan of Tringanu to get rid of his troublesome guest. 4. The Siamese Government have protested against the bombardment of the fort of Tringanu as a violation of the 12th Article of the Treaty of 1826. This protest, together with Colonel Cavenagh's letter to the consul at Bangkok justifying his proceedings, will be found in the Despatch of the 4th December herewith forwarded. As the consul at Bangkok has reported the matter to Her Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, we forbear passing any opinion regarding it, the more so as it is probable that Sir Robert Schomburgk will reply to Colonel Cavenagh's vindication. 5. The Siamese Government have also asserted their right to exercise authority over the States of Kalantan and Tringanu. Colonel Cavenagh has declined to recognise this claim without the orders of his Government, as there is nothing to show that Siam has ever exercised any sovereign rights either in Tringanu or Kalantan. Her Majesty's consul at Bangkok will doubtless communicate to the Siamese Government the reply of the Governor of the Straits Settlements, and there will be some counter communication from Siam and the consul. We have thought proper to await such a rejoinder before passing any orders on the subject. 6. We beg to enclose another letter from the Governor of the Straits Settlements, as noted in the margin,* which reached us a few days ago, and from which it will be seen that almost at the last moment, when all chance of landing at Tringanu was at an end, the Siamese Government despatched a vessel to withdraw the the ex-Sultan of Linga, but the setting in of the monsoon rendered thefattempt impracticable. We have, &c. (signed) R. Napier. Colonel Orfeur Cavenagh, Governor of Prince of Wales Island, Singapore, and Malacca, to the Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department -(No. 150-1041, dated Singapore, 11 November 1862.) Sir, I HAVE the honour to enclose, for submission to His Excellency the Governor General in Council, a copy of the further correspondence noted in the margin,* on the subject of the continued residence of the ex-Sultan of Linga at Tringanu, and the consequent disturbed state of Pahang. 2. Having satisfied myself as to the correctness of the representation made by the Chamber of Commerce with regard to the interruption of all communication with the eastern coast of the Malay Peninsula during the northerly monsoon, and the consequent necessity for taking immediate measures to check the operations of Inchi Wan Ahmed and his advisers, and being moreover convinced from the tenor of a letter, dated 25th September 1862, from the minister at Siam to the Sultan of Tringanu, of which I obtained a translation (transcript of which is annexed), that the Court at Bangkok had no intention of fulfilling the promise made to Her Majesty's Consul with respect to the withdrawal of the ex-Sultan, and that the object in giving that promise was merely to gain time, so that the setting in of the monsoon might hereafter be pleaded as an excuse for not causing his removal, whilst, from the same cause, all endeavours on our part to restore tranquillity to the Peninsula would for some time to come be completely frustrated, and we must have remained inactive until next spring, the rivers being generally closed until the end of April; after consulting with the senior naval officer, I deemed it my duty to take advantage of the few days still remaining to raise the blockade of the Quantan River, recently established by boats from Kamaman, a district of Tringanu, and at the same time to insist upon the immediate return of the ex-Sultan of Linga to Bangkok. 3. In the event of the weather permitting communication with the shore, I entertain little doubt that the Sultan of Tringanu, finding all further evasion of no avail, will recognize the necessity for complying with my demands, and that his intriguing guest will duly embark on board the "Coquette" for Siam. Should, however, the communication be cut off, nothing further can be done for the present; but, as I believe, the Kamaman River, which has no bar at the entrance, may afford the means of despatching my letter to Tringanu, in all probability its receipt may have the effect of inducing the Sultan to refrain from affording any future countenance and support to Inchi Wan Ahmed and his adherents, as he would be well aware that on the next change of the monsoon he would be entirely at our mercy. 4. I trust that His Excellency in Council may be pleased to approve of the measures I have adopted, which have only been taken on the full conviction that the patience and forbearance hitherto displayed had not been appreciated, and consequently that active steps had become essential for the due protection of British interests. * Letter, dated 23 October 1862, from Messrs. Paterson, Simons & Co., with Enclosures. Letter, No. 420, dated 3 November 1862, sent to senior Naval Officer. Letter, No. 365, dated 3 November 1862, sent to Resident Councillor, Singapore. Enclosures. Messrs. Paterson, Simons & Co., to Lieutenant Colonel R. Macpherson, Secretary to Governor, Straits Settlements,-(dated Singapore, 23 October 1862). Sir, We have the honour to hand you the following statements regarding attacks recently made by Inchi Wan Ahmed and others on Pahang, which are causing great distress to the inhabitants and all interested in the trade of that country: 1st. Translation of a letter lately received by us from the Rajah of Pahang, to the effect that he will be unable to protect our people engaged in Tin operations at Quantan in his country. 2d. Deposition by Inchi Aming, nacodah of a cargo-boat, employed by us to carry supplies to the Chinese, &c., at Quantan. 3d. Translation of agreement with the Rajah of Pahang, under which we are working Tin at Quantan, and with reference to which we may remark, that we only entered upon it in the belief that the country would have tranquil. We are aware that many Chinese and others engaged in similar operations at Pahang have lately, at great sacrifice, abandoned them, and that Chinese merchants here, who made advances to them, are also losing considerably; indeed, not only the workings for Tin and Gold at Pahang have been given up, but all agricultural operations have ceased. Trade is at a standstill, and the distress in that country is further aggravated by the Rajah of Tringanu prohibiting his people from trading with Pahang, or carrying the usual supplies of Rice for sale there under heavy penalties. We need not remind you of the importance of the Pahang trade with Singapore, but may state that there was every prospect of its being much extended; many Chinese and others having been induced to proceed there (upon the rajah again driving Wan Ahmed from that country last year) in the belief, as Wan Ahmed then declined to submit to the decision of his Honor the Governor any claims he might have against Pahang, that he had abandoned them. It now appears that Wan Ahmed and his agents have in the interval been intriguing with the Rawahs of the interior and others to attack Pahang, and that the ex-Sultan of Linga (for whom it is known he acts) lately visited Kalantan in a Siamese war steamer and convoyed him to Tringanu, where a force was assembled, and from thence he proceeded through that country to the interior of Pahang, with all the prestige of the support of Siam, as well as active aid from the ex-Sultan of Linga, the Rajah of Tringanu, and others over whom the ex-Sultan has influence, thus causing greater alarm amongst the people of Pahang than any of Wan Ahmed's previous attacks. It may be unnecessary to relate these circumstances to you, but we would now state our individual case. Our Chinese agent at Quantan informs us that the Chinese miners were so afraid of an attack by the Rawahs and others of Wan Ahmed's followers, that they were not working; while the proceedings of the two armed Tringanu prows (mentioned in Inchi Aming's deposition) tended to confirm reports from other sources, of the assistance Wan Ahmed was receiving from Tringanu, and that Syed Hydroose and others, with a number of other Tringanu men, were ready, at the neighbouring river of Kamaman, and only waiting to attack Quantan. These circumstances had caused him and his people great alarm. They considered their lives in jeopardy, although some of them were British subjects, and had the flag flying over their premises, and they expected that the stores, &c. in their charge would be plundered. There are about 400 Chinese working Tin at Quantan, and in order to provide for them during the north-east monsoon (now about to set in, when boats cannot cross the bar of that river), we have had to deposit there about 1,600 piculs rice, opium and other stores, as well as money. These stores cannot be withdrawn by us unless we remove the workmen at the same time, and in doing so, we should moreover lose the advances we have made them: in these alone we have a considerable amount at stake; and it the threatened plunder takes place, many lives would likely be lost even from starvation. In submitting these statements for the information of his Honor the Governor, we have to request that he will take them into his early consideration, and we hope that he will afford us such assistance as he may deem expedient under the circumstances, and with as little delay as possible, on account of the north-east monsoon setting in, after which the bar of the Pahang river cannot be crossed. Datu Bandahara Ton Koris, Sri Maharajah of Pahang, to Mr. William Paterson, Merchant, Singapore, (dated 16th day of Rabhelakir, in the year 1279, corresponding with 10 October 1862). After compliments, THIS is to inform our friend that Inchi Wan Ahmed has entered and attacked our country, and that he has threatened to plunder Quantan and our friend's establishment there. After our friend began to work at Quantan, others followed at other places, and our country was again becoming happy and prosperous; but terror and affliction have come upon all since Inchi Wan Ahmed, with an expedition from Tringanu and its districts, entered our territory. Information has been given to our subjects of the ex-Sultan of Linga's arrival at Tringanu in a Siamese ship-of-war, with Inchi Wan Ahmed; and they fear that the King of Siam is aiding him and other rajahs to assist Wan Ahmed, so that our people have become melancholy and comfortless. Trading boats have also been prevented coming to our country as usual. We trust our friend will communicate with and procure aid from the Honourable the Governor of Singapore and our brother Datu Tumongong Aboobakar, Sri Maharajah of Johore. We have nothing to add except our best wishes for our friend's success. DEPOSITION of Inchi Aming, Nacodah of a Singapore Tong Kong. AMING Sworn states, I am Nacodah of a Singapore Tong Kong; Mr. Paterson sent me to take goods (Rice, Opium, and 2,000 Dollars) to Quantan River; when I got there I landed all the goods at Mr. Paterson's godowns; I then loaded Tin; I stopped there more than a month, when two Kumaman prows came into the river; the two nacodahs of the prows came on board of mine; they asked me, whose boat is this? I answered Mr. Pater son's; they then looked all over my boat, and saw the Tin and my Money-box (an iron chest), after which they went on shore and looked all over the godown, and then went on board their own boats; another boat, belonging to Mr. Paterson, came into the river, when I then left. At the mouth of the river I saw about fifty people at each side of the river; they were all Tringanu people, belonging to the two prows, whose nacodahs came to my boat whilst I was lying in the river at the godowns; at the mouth of the river, close to where the boats were at anchor, there was a house on shore belonging to Panglima Mudah, a Tringanu man; all these men then went to this Panglima's house after I got clear of the river; when I got clear of the river I loaded my gun (one), and then came to Singapore. These two Kumaman boats had been watching the mouth of the river for half a month; one of the boats had about 20 men, and the other about 15; there was also about 20 Kumaman people on shore. At Panglima Mudah's house there were about 50 men, but he could get from Kumaman 300 or 400 in one day if he wanted them, they are all ready there; from Kumaman to Quantan there is a road, which takes a day for a person to walk: about 15 days before I left the river, there was no one living at Quantan; but when the news came that Wan Ahmed was in behind the country, and going to attack it, all these men and prows only then came from Kumaman, and said if Wan Ahmed takes Pahang we will take Quantan River. Syed Hydroose, when I was at Quantan, sent a letter to Toké Iam, the head man of the miners; he said, you look out, if Wan Ahmed takes Pahang, I will take Quantan. Toké Iam sent an answer, and said very well, take Quantan! Tringanu boats are not allowed to go to Pahang or Quantan River; if they go there and sell their rice they are fined, for a small boat $ 400, and for a large boat $1,000. (True copy.) (signed) G. T. Wright, Justice of the Peace and Marine Magistrate. TRANSLATION of an Agreement signed by Datu Bandahara Ton Koris, of Pahang, made at Pahang, on the 1st of the month Jamadil Awah, in the year of the Hejira 1278,-(date corresponding with 5 November 1862.) WHEREAS we, Datu Bandahara Ton Koris, Sri Maharajah of Pahang, are desirous to give Mr. William Paterson, merchant, of Singapore, the right and title to work Tin in our territory adjoining the River Quantan, and at workings there belonging to us. We willingly graht Mr. William Paterson the Tin workings of that river, because he has done many good acts for us and our country, and has brought peace to our subjects. He has also lent us money, and enabled us to settle a bond due on account of our grandfather, brothers, as well as ourself, to Tan Kim Seng, of Singapore, for the sum of $ 11,800 and interests. Mr. William Paterson will pay us a duty of one-tenth part of the Tin procured from the different places in Quantan, whether from the hills or valleys, and this duty shall not be increased afterwards. We fix this small duty in the first place, because of the kindness of Mr. William Paterson towards us and our family; secondly, because much of the Tin in the Quantan country is found in blocks of stone. Mr. William Paterson will pay us the above duty every six months upon all the produce of that place, whether in Tin, or Tin ore, one-tenth part, and should he wish to cease working these mines at the River Quantan, he must give us six months' previous notice. Any machinery, &c., which Mr. William Paterson may put up in the district, as well as the people employed at the works, we promise to assist and protect from all dangers. This our agreement confirms to Mr. William Paterson or his partners the liberty to work all the Tin Mines at the River Quantan from this time and for ever, according to the terms |