ganu to Pahang. The Ruler of Tringanu not acceding to these propositions of ours, under orders from the Singapore Government, we bombarded his town for two days, and left a vessel of ours there to fire into his town and seize his boats. The English Government will now take measures with the Court of Siam to stop, effectually, all further aid from Tringanu or Siam to Inchi Wan Ahmed, therefore let our friend take heart, and seeing that he will have soon Inchi Wan Ahmed only to contend with, our friend's forces will doubtless soon be able to overcome him, and thus restore peace to his country. REPORTING PROCEEDINGS at TRINGANU. Captain John Corbett, Senior Officer in the Straits of Malacca, to the Governor of Sir, HAVING this day returned from Tringanu, I have the honour to acquaint you that, on the 11th instant (at noon), Colonel Macpherson informed me that negotiations had failed to induce the Sultan of Tringanu to send the ex-Sultan of Linga on board; and as more than the specified 24 hours had elapsed since your notice had been delivered to him, I proceeded to carry out the coercive measures pointed out in your letter to me of the 3d instant. Observing that in your letter to the Sultan of Tringanu, you stated that, should he not comply with the demands of the English Government, the senior naval officer had orders to bombard his fort and town, and also to blockade his fort, I deemed it of importance that this threat should be carried out to the letter, but at the same time to inflict as little damage as possible on private property. The bombardment that ensued was consequently of a very mild nature, and only sufficient to show the Sultan how very easy it was for us to inflict punishment, and also that threats were not an empty form when made on the part of the English Government. At about 1.30 p. m. of the 11th, I caused three shots to be fired from the "Coquette's" Armstrong Gun, at a range of something over 4,000 yards, to show that even at that distance their town and fort were not out of our reach; both ships then moved closer into the bar, and anchored in a more convenient position for further proceedings. Á boat carrying a white flag coming out of the river delayed proceedings until past 5 p. m., when the boat having returned to the shore, and no signs of any favourable result ensuing, it being evident that they only wanted to cause us to lose the daylight, "Scout" and "Coquette" opened a slow and deliberate fire on the fort; but from the long range, over 2,000 yards, added to the excessive rolling motion caused by the swell off the bar, it was impossible to confine the fire to the fort itself, about 30 shots were fired, and we ceased firing at sunset. At 11 p. m. I ordered three more shots to be fired to prove that darkness was no protection, but took no further hostile measures during the remainder of the night. About 11a.m. the next day, 12th, the "Coquette" having again closed the bar, six or seven more shots were fired at the fort; but the rolling caused by the bar swell rendered precision impossible, and one shell burst apparently in the Sultan's palace, which is at the foot of the hill on which the little fort is built. Conceiving that your threat had been by this time sufficiently carried into effect, I ordered no more shots should be fired, unless from the smoothness of the sea, correct practice at the fort itself might become practicable. The "Scout" with "Tonze" in tow left for Pahang at 2 p.m., and I left the "Coquette" with orders to allow nothing either to enter or come out of the river (except a flag of truce) until the 17th instant, when she was to return to Singapore. I trust that you will approve of my not having taken more decisive measures for the destruction of the fort, but as I did not consider it possible to effect that object without either the expenditure of a great quantity of ammunition at long range, and consequent damage to private property in the neighbourhood of the fort, or landing a force, neither Colonel Macpherson nor myself considered that the orders justified such a proceeding. I beg to enclose a copy of a communication that I addressed to the Sultan on the morning of the 11th, in which I gave him fair notice of our intentions, should our demands not be complied with by noon of that day; I at the same time endeavoured to show that, although determined to carry our threats into execution, we were yet loath to inflict that damage on the town of Tringanu that our superior force made such an easy matter to us. I beg to add that, in my opinion, the whole object of the Sultan during our visit to him, and also in his subsequent messages, was solely for the purpose of gaining time, it being well known that at this season of the year it becomes hazardous for vessels to lay off the bar of Tringanu, and in the event of bad weather coming on the bar itself becomes impassable. With respect to your orders to destroy certain boats at Quantan river, I sent a party to visit the English storehouses at the mouth of that river, and was informed that two boats had been there about three weeks previously; they had only stayed four days at Quantan, had done no damage to English property, although they had searched one or two boats. The crews of the strangers only amounted to 14 men in all. Colonel Macpherson will doubtless acquaint, you with all further details, and I have only to add that I received every assistance from the commander of the "Tonze," his vessel always being ready to perform any duty that might be required of it. Captain Captain John Corbett, Senior Naval Officer in the Straits of Malacca, to the Sultan of Tringanu,-(dated 11 November 1862.) Sir, THE Senior Naval Officer regrets that negotiations having failed, this matter should now be placed in his hands by the Resident Councillor of Singapore, but such being the case, he has nothing to do but carry into effect the orders that he has received from the Govern ment. Should the small steamer arrive without the ex-Sultan of Linga, or an intimation that he is following immediately, the English_men-of-war will move closer in, and commence hostilities against the town and fort of Tringanu. It is to be hoped that immediate measures may be taken, on the receipt of this, to remove the women and children out of reach of the ships' guns, as the fire will commence immediately the ships have taken up suitable positions. Should at any time a boat be observed coming out, and carrying a white flag, the fire of the ships will cease, until the purport of the message is known. No other boat or vessel will be permitted to enter or leave the port of Tringanu, for which purpose one of the men-of-war will remain off the port; the other, with the small steamer, will return to Singapore either to-night or to-morrow morning. The small steamer has positive orders to leave Tringanu at noon this day, and the senior naval officer earnestly hopes that the painful duty of inflicting injury on the pretty and peaceful looking town of Tringanu may not be forced upon him; should it be so, however, he can only act in accordance with the instructions he has received from Singapore. Sir Robert H. Schomburgk, British Consulate at Bangkok, to Colonel Cavenagh, Governor of Prince of Wales Island, Singapore, and Malacca,-(dated 8 November 1862.) Sir, I HAVE the honour to enclose herewith, for your information, the copy of a letter which I received to-day from his Excellency Chow Phraya Phraklang, Minister for Foreign Affairs, from which you will observe that the Siamese Government have agreed to send their steamer, the "Alligator," to Tringanu for the purpose of bringing Sultan Mahomed to Bangkok. From the contents of this letter you will observe that some delay may be connected with despatching the "Alligator," but the necessity of Sultan Mahomed's removal having been recognised by the Siamese Government, the object in view has been obtained, and if they fail in their promise, their Government will have to bear the consequence. Copies of every document connected with the correspondence on Sultan Mahomed's affair shall be forwarded from this consulate by the next. opportunity to Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. Sir Robert H. Schomburgk, British Consulate at Bangkok, to his Excellency Chow Phraya Phraklang, Minister for Foreign Affairs,-(dated 6 November 1862.) I HAVE again to forward to your Excelleney a correspondence received from the Governor of Singapore, in reference to the attacks made on the territories belonging to the Bandaharah of Pahang, by persons proceeding from the province of Tringanu. You will perceive by the Despatch of his Honor the Governor of Singapore, that he is prepared to take immediate proceedings against the Rajah of Tringanu unless the ex-Sultan of Linga is at once removed from Tringanu. I have therefore now to inform your Excellency that, in order that the Governor should not be compelled to proceed as above stated, it is necessary that I shall be able to inform him by the next mail, that the necessary steps have been taken by the Siamese authorities, not only to remove the ex-Sultan of Linga, but also to prevent further attacks on Pahang proceeding from the province of Tringanu. Chow Phraya Phraklang, Minister for Foreign Affairs, to Sir Robert H. Schomburgk, Her Britannic Majesty's Consul at Bangkok,-(dated 8 November 1862.) Sir, I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 6th instant, enclosing copies of correspondence from his Honor the Governor of Singapore, relating to Sultan Mahomed. Your letter and its enclosures I presented to his Majesty the King of Siam, who was pleased to command me to inform you, that on the 29th ultimo a letter was written to you stating that we were willing to send a vessel to Tringanu for Sultan Mahomed, but we feared the two following consequences :— 1st. That if Sultan Mahomed became aware that we wished to bring him here, he might not consent to come, but would flee to Wan Ahmed within his territories of Pahang; the inhabitants of Pahang would therefore think that the Siamese Govern ment had sent to advise and empower Sultan Mahomed to enter the territories of Pahang, and as there would have been no witnesses to what might have happened, we therefore requested that one of the consular officers should accompany the vessel to Tringanu. 2d. The Siamese Government have written several times to the Rajah of Tringanu relating to Sultan Mahomed, but the Rajah has not yet informed us of his opinion on the matter. With regard to Sultan Mahomed, we have heard only one side of the matter, through the letters of the Bandaharah of Pahang to the Governor of Singapore; we having had no positive proofs of what had taken place, and its being the north-east monsoon, vessels cannot anchor off Tringanu, were the reasons why we waited. Now as the Governor of Singapore warmly insists upon our sending a vessel to Tringanu to take away Sultan Mahomed, the Siamese Government must consent to do so, in order to preserve the bonds of friendship, and to convince the Governor of Singapore that the Siamese are in no way favourable to any causes of disturbance. We shall therefore send the steamer" All gator," S. J. B. Ames, Esq., commander, with Phra Nurah Josha, a Siamese officer, to go and bring Sultan Mahomed here. The "Alligator" is a vessel of war; but she is never kept in readiness, and it is only when she is required that the officers, crew and engineers are provided for her. We have now to get officers and engineers, which will occupy some days, after which she will start; but whether she can anchor off Tringanu or not we cannot say, because the north-east monsoon has now set in strong, so whatever may happen hereafter we beg you may take it in the most favourable light. (L. S.) Colonel Orfeur Cavenagh, Governor, Straits Settlements, to Her Britannic Majesty's Consul at Bangkok,—(No. 451–1074, dated Singapore, 17 November 1862.) Sir, IN acknowledging the receipt of your Despatch of the 8th instant, I have the honour to enclose for your information copies of the communications noted in the margin, on the subject of the still existing disturbed state of affairs in the Malay Peninsula. 2. The court of Bangkok having, as far back as the 30th September 1862, promised to recall the ex-Sultan of Linga from Tringanu, I could not possibly have supposed that up to the beginning of this month no steps whatever had been taken towards carrying that promise into effect, and that only on the receipt of my Despatch, No. 409 of the 29th ultimo, would measures be adopted for putting into commission a steamer for the purpose of fulfilling an important engagement of such long standing-an engagement, moreover, the fulfilment of which must, as acknowledged by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, naturally depend upon the strength of the monsoon, the setting in of which has for some time past been daily expected. Hence, after allowing full time for the despatch of a steamer to Tringanu, subsequent to your receiving my communication above quoted, upon the earnest representations of the Chamber of Commerce as to the urgent necessity for protecting British interests, I determined upon deputing the resident councillor to Tringanu to demand the surrender of the ex-Sultan, with the view of his returning to Bangkok in Her Majesty's steamer "Coquette," which had been placed at my disposal with that object. Although Lieutenant Colonel Macpherson clearly pointed out to the Sultan of Tringanu the consequences that must ensue in the event of his non-compliance with the demand, which was moreover strictly in accordance with the avowed intention of the Siamese Government, and at the same time explained that the ex-Sultan would be treated with all kindness and courtesy, his remonstrances proved of no avail, and it consequently became the duty of the senior naval officer to carry out the threat of bombarding the fort and town, and blockading the coast in such a manner as to fully evince our power of compelling obedience to our just requisitions, whilst inflicting but trifling loss upon the unoffending inhabitants. This duty, owing to the humane and judicious course pursued by Captain Corbett, has been successfully accomplished, and I should regret extremely to be forced to sanction operations of a more stringent character. 3. Under the above circumstances I earnestly trust that the Siamese Government will fully retrieve its error in allowing your remonstrances to remain so long unheeded, and will use its utmost exertions to restore peace and tranquillity to the Peninsula, so that all further interference on the part of the British Government may be rendered unnecessary. 4. In conclusion I would beg to observe, that although communication with Tringanu may be often interrupted for days during the prevalence of the north-east monsoon, yet there is every reason to believe that vessels may safely anchor under Cappas Island, and there await a favourable opportunity for communicating with the coast. * From Secretary to Government, Foreign Department, No. 978, dated 23 October 1862. To the Sultan of Tringanu, No. 419, dated 3d instant. From Senior Naval Officer, No. 96, dated 14th instant. From Commodore commanding Indian Division, dated 17 November 1862. To Commodore commanding Indian Division, dated 17 November 1862, No. 450. The Sultan of Tringanu to Lieutenant Colonel R. Macpherson, Secretary to Governor, Straits Settlements, Singapore,-(dated 17 November 1862). After Compliments, WE beg to acknowledge the receipt of our friend's letter, and understand all its contents; we have now to communicate to our friend that we shall be glad to follow our friend's wishes, we therefore beg our friend to give us a decided reply to this letter. If we take the Sultan of Linga by force, probably the Sultan of Linga will resist; and should the Sultan of Linga die, it will be a great responsibility upon us, because the Sultan of Linga has 40 armed followers; so we send this letter to our friend and beg him to acquaint us distinctly what we are to do, and what are our friend's wishes at present. Before we received an answer from our friend, our friend fired on our town; our families and all the subjects within our country felt much afraid, and ran away in every direction to save their lives; moreover, with regard to the Sultan of Linga, we do not know where he went, and to the present time we have not heard of him, because at that time there was great confusion and disturbance; our friend well knows when a person is much in fear, and we also withdrew from our palace with 30 attendants. Long ago we were aware that we have not the power to resist the British Government, and we have no intention to oppose the British Government. Lieutenant Colonel R. Macpherson, Secretary to Governor, Straits Settlements, to the Sultan of Tringana,-(No. 456-1086, dated Singapore, 22 November 1862.) After Compliments, WE have received our friend's letter of the 17th instant, and understood its contents; in reply we have been requested by his Honor the Governor to point out to our friend that as he is the ruler of his country, he alone is responsible for the removal of the ex-Sultan of Linga from his territories; our friend received due warning as to the result of his refusing to act upon the advice given to him; and as he failed to take advantage of the offer to receive charge of the ex-Sultan, and convey him with all due courtesy and kindness to Bangkok, he alone is to be blamed for any evils that have ensued. Out of pity to our friend's subjects, and with the view of sparing their town, the fire of the shipping, by order of the senior naval officer, was, as far as possible, directed solely on the fort, but from its effects our friend must be well aware of the risk to which, by his want of sincerity and good faith, he exposes his country, and the great moderation with which the power of the British Government has hitherto been exercised. As the Siamese Government has promised to despatch a steamer to Tringanu with orders for the immediate return of the ex-Sultan to Bangkok, it is to be hoped that our friend will withdraw all support from Inchi Wan Ahmed, and cease from all future interference with the affairs of Pahang; if so, the British Government may perhaps again be induced to extend its friendship to our friend; but in the event of his persisting in following the course he has hitherto pursued, he must be prepared to abide by the consequences. The British Government desires peace and tranquillity throughout the Peninsula, and it will cause its wishes to be respected. Chow Phya Argga Maha Sena Dhi Pati Aphay Biriy Para Krom Bahu Samuha Phra, Kalahome, to Phaya Bijay Bhupendr Narendr Bhacty Sri Sultan Mahomed Ratne Raj Patindr Surindr Rawiwangeah Phya, Tringanu. SIR ROBERT SCHOMBURGH has written to Chow Phya Rawiwang Maha Rosa Dhi Bodi, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, stating that ex-Sultan Mahomed, whom the Dutch expelled, came and lived in Bangkok five or six months, after which his Majesty sent him to Tringanu in a steamer; that on his arrival at Tringanu he joined Wan Ahmed to create a disturbance in Pahang; that at the present time disturbances have actually taken place in Pahang; the people of Pahang borrowed money from those of Singapore to work the tin mines. It is feared that in the event of a disturbance in Pahang, the people of Singapore will be sufferers, Siam and England being on friendly terms. When the Rajah of Quedah rebelled against Siam and fled to Penang, a British territory, the English consented to send away the Rajah of Quedah from Penang. At the present time the English request that Sultan Mahomed be sent away from Tringanu, the same as the English did in the case of the said Rajah of Quedah. The Consul having stated as above, Chow Phya Rawiwang Maha Rosa Dhi Bodi communicated the same to his Majesty the King of Siam. His Majesty was pleased to say when Sultan Mahomed was about to leave Bangkok; the Rajah of Tringanu wrote to Chow Phya Songkla, saying that Sultan Mahomed's mother was anxious to see Sultan Mahomed, and requested that he would return to Tringanu. His Majesty seeing that Phya Tringanu was the uncle of Sultan Mahomed, and his mother and many of his people were in Tringanu, therefore sent him there, and sent instructions to Phya Tringanu to take care of him, and to provide for him and his people comfortably. Phya Tringanu wrote in reply that he had taken care of Sultan Mahomed, and would prevent him from doing anything improper. Now Sultan Mahomed's residence in Tringanu is the cause of uneasiness, and of doubt and suspicion to Colonel Cavenagh, the Governor of Singapore, who says that Sultan Mahomed has joined and instigated Wan Ahmed to create fresh disturbances in Pahang, and will be the means of the Singapore traders suffer541. ing losses. Sir Robert Schomburgk has therefore written to request that Sultan Mahomed be sent away from the territories of Tringanu, so that there may be an end to all doubts. The English and Siamese cherish friendly feelings towards each other. When the neighbouring British Government are displeased with Sultan Mahomed, we must endeavour to prevent any change in our friendly relations. Sultan Mahomed was never a Siamese subject, but went to reside in Tringanu, when this matter in connexion with him and Pahang arose. Pahang is not a British territory, and matters thus happening through the misfortune of Sultan Mahomed, which made the Governor of Singapore think that he has been the cause of Wan Ahmed's disturbances. Let Phya Tringanu insist upon Sultan Mahomed's leaving Tringanu; he can go wherever he pleases, or if he has no place to go to, and wishes to come to Bangkok, let Phya Tringanu inform me without delay, so that I shall send a vessel for him and his family; or if Phya Tringanu wishes to detain him in the meantime in Tringanu for any reasons, he must write and inform the Governor of Singapore of the same, so as that there may be no cause for doubt. Should we send a steamer, at present we do not know how Phya Tringanu and his relatives have decided upon doing, and we do not know anything relating to affairs in Pahang, and therefore fear that the Bandahara and the people of Pahang will suspect that the Siamese have sent a man-of-war to assist Sultan Mahomed and Wan Ahmed to make disturbances, and will find some new matter to communicate again to the Governor of Singapore; we therefore have delayed sending a steamer; besides, at this season the northeast monsoon blows strong, the mouth of Tringanu River is closed, and there is no shelter for vessels to anchor. I therefore send a copy of this letter via Singapore, and another by Singora, both being of the same tenor. Written in Siamese and in Malay. Bangkok. Colonel Orfeur Cavenagh, Governor of Prince of Wales Island, Singapore, and Malacca, to the Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department,(No. 163-1152, dated Singapore, 4 December 1862.) Sir, IN continuation of my former Despatches relative to the disturbances in Pahang, I have the honour to enclose, for submission to his Excellency the Governor General in Council, translations and transcript of communications, dated 18th, 20th and 28th ultimo, received respectively from the Bandaharah of Pahang, Sultan of Tringanu, and Her Majesty's Consul at Bangkok, as well as copies of my replies thereto. 2. The last accounts from Pahang lead me to believe that the proceedings taken at Tringanu have not been without a beneficial effect, it being reported that Inchi Wan Ahmed has retreated for a distance of about ten miles from his former position, and that his supply of ammunition is failing. Enclosures. Datu Bandaharah of Pahang, to the Honourable the Governor of Prince of Wales Island, Singapore, and Malacca,-(dated 18 November 1862.) After Compliments, WE beg to acknowledge the receipt of a letter from the Honourable Colonel R. Macpherson, resident councillor, Singapore, to us, when he returned from Tringanu and anchored in our harbour, and he states in his letter that he brought orders with three man-of-war steamers to proceed to Tringanu to take the ex-Sultan of Linga back to Siam in the steamers; moreover, he intended to insist upon the ex-Sultan of Linga and his followers not giving any assistance to Inchi Wan Ahmed in attacking Pahang, and not preventing any people who may take rice for sale from Tringanu to Pahang; but the Sultan of Tringanu did not agree to our friend's wishes, so the honourable the resident councillor of Singapore has fired into his port. We return many thanks for the assistance rendered by our friend; furthermore, we complain to our friend regarding the starvation of our subjects in our country; the Sultan of Tringanu prevents his subjects from taking rice to Pahang for sale, and they are afraid to carry cargoes of rice to Pahang; on account of the long starvation of our subjects they are obliged to eat jungle fruits and leaves, and many of them have been attacked with bowel complaint; already about 200 people, young and old, have died; this is our complaint. At the time we write this letter we are in the interior of Pahang, fighting with Inchi Wan Ahmed; we trust that our friend will render us more assistance. |