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[Illustration: Decoration]
BUILDERS OF
GREATER BRITAIN
EDITED BY H. F. WILSON, M.A.
_Barrister-at-Law
Late Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge
Legal Assistant at the Colonial Office_
[Illustration: DEDICATION BY SPECIAL PERMISSION TO HER MAJESTY THE
QUEEN]
BUILDERS OF GREATER BRITAIN
1. SIR WALTER RALEGH; the British Dominion of the West. By MARTIN
A. S. HUME.
2. SIR THOMAS MAITLAND; the Mastery of the Mediterranean. By WALTER
FREWEN LORD.
3. JOHN AND SEBASTIAN CABOT; the Discovery of North America. By C.
RAYMOND BEAZLEY, M.A.
4. EDWARD GIBBON WAKEFIELD; the Colonization of South Australia and
New Zealand. By R. GARNETT, C.B., LL.D.
5. LORD CLIVE; the Foundation of British Rule in India. By Sir A.
J. ARBUTHNOT, K.C.S.I., C.I.E.
6. ADMIRAL PHILLIP; the Founding of New South Wales. By LOUIS BECKE
and WALTER JEFFERY.
7. RAJAH BROOKE; the Englishman as Ruler of an Eastern State. By
Sir SPENSER ST JOHN, G.C.M.G.
8. SIR STAMFORD RAFFLES; England in the Far East. By the EDITOR.
Builders
of
Greater Britain
RAJAH BROOKE
[Illustration: Decoration]
[Illustration: Brooke (signature)]
RAJAH BROOKE
THE ENGLISHMAN AS RULER OF AN
EASTERN STATE
BY
SIR SPENSER ST JOHN, G.C.M.G.
AUTHOR OF
‘HAYTI; OR, THE BLACK REPUBLIC,’
‘LIFE IN THE FORESTS OF THE FAR EAST,’
ETC.
LONDON
T. FISHER UNWIN
PATERNOSTER SQUARE
MDCCCXCIX
_Copyright by T. Fisher Unwin, 1897, for Great Britain and
the United States of America_
PREFACE
I have undertaken to write the life of the old Rajah, Sir James
Brooke, my first and only chief, as one of the Builders of Greater
Britain. In his case the expression must be used in its widest
sense, as, in fact, he added but an inappreciable fragment to the
Empire, whilst at the same time he was the cause of large territories
being included within our sphere of influence. And if his advice
had been followed, we should not now be troubled with the restless
ambition of France in the Hindu-Chinese regions, as his policy was to
secure, by well defined treaties, the independence of those Asiatic
States, subject, however, to the beneficent influence of England
as the Paramount Power, an influence to be used for the good of
the governed. Sir James thoroughly understood that Eastern princes
and chiefs are at first only influenced by fear; the fear of the
consequences which might follow the neglect of the counsels of the
protecting State.
The plan which the Rajah endeavoured to persuade the English
Government to adopt was to make treaties with all the independent
princes of the Eastern Archipelago, including those States whose
shores are washed by the China Sea, as Siam, Cambodia and Annam, by
which they could cede no territory to any foreign power without the
previous consent of England, and to establish at the capitals of the
larger States well-chosen diplomatic agents, to encourage the native
rulers not only to improve the internal condition of their countries,
but to inculcate justice in their treatment of foreigners, and thus
avoid complications with other powers.
Sir James Brooke first attempted to carry out this enlightened policy
by concluding treaties with the Sultans of Borneo and Sulu, to secure
these States from extinction; the latter treaty was not ratified,
however, owing to the timidity of a naval officer, foolishly
influenced by a clever Spanish Consul in Singapore, who took
advantage of the absence of the Rajah. In the forties and fifties the
expansion of Great Britain, as is well known, was looked upon with
genuine alarm by many of our leading statesmen.
Sir James Brooke, however, was not destined to see the fufilment of
his ideas, as a ministry came into power in 1853 which cared nothing
for the Further East, and in the hope of consolidating their majority
in Parliament sacrificed their noble officer to appease the clamour
raised by Joseph Hume and his followers, who, like other zealots,
pursued their objects regardless of all the evidence which could be
brought to refute their unfounded accusations. Joseph Hume may be
called a libeller by profession, who began his career by making his
fortune in the East India Company’s service in a very few years—a
remarkable achievement; and who afterwards, when in Parliament,
brought himself into notoriety by attacking first Sir Thomas
Maitland, secondly Lord Torrington, and ultimately Sir James Brooke,
whose shoe latchets he was unworthy to unloose.
Sir James had thus but a short career as an English official. He was
named Confidential Agent in 1845, Commissioner and Consul-General
in 1846, Governor of Labuan in 1847, and his return to England in
1851 practically closed his active political connection with England,
though he did not resign all his offices until 1854.
But the Rajah did not thus conclude his own career; he returned
to Sarawak and devoted all his energies to the development of
his adopted country, and of the neighbouring districts. I shall
have to relate what extraordinary vicissitudes of fortune he had
to encounter, and how after many years of conflict he emerged
triumphant, to leave to his successor, Sir Charles Brooke, a small
kingdom, well organised as far as Sarawak was concerned, with
strongly established positions reaching to Bintulu, which have but
increased in influence and in power to further the well-being of
the natives of every race and class; and to prove to all who care
to interest themselves in the subject, what a gain to humanity
has resulted from the old Rajah having had the courage and the
forethought to found his rule in a wild country, whose inhabitants,
with few exceptions, were till then inimical to Europeans, and mostly
tainted by piracy. But he argued truly that these people knew very
imperfectly what Englishmen were, and he determined to show them
that some, at all events, were worthy of their confidence, and could
devote themselves without reserve to their welfare.
The peculiarity of the Rajah’s system was to treat the natives, as
far as possible, as equals; not only equals before the law, but in
society. All his followers endeavoured to imitate their chief, and
succeeded in a greater or less degree, thus producing a state of
good feeling in the country which was probably found nowhere else in
the East, except in Perak, one of the Protected States in the Malay
Peninsula, into which one of his most able assistants introduced his
method of government. I am told that this good feeling, if not the
old friendly intimacy between native and European, still exists to a
considerable degree throughout the possessions of the present Rajah,
which is highly honourable to him and to his officers.
I have not attempted to re-write my account of the Chinese
Insurrection (see Chapter VI.). I wrote it when all the events
were fresh in my mind, and no subsequent information has rendered
it necessary to make any changes. It was a most interesting and
important incident in the Rajah’s career, and it fixed for ever in
the minds of his countrymen how wise and beneficent must have been
his rule of the Malays and Dyaks, that they should have stood by him
as they did when he appeared before them as a defeated fugitive.
How far-seeing were the Rajah’s views and plans is proved by the
fact that his successor has found it unnecessary to change any phase
of his policy, whether political or commercial, whether financial,
agricultural or judicial; with the growth of the country in
population and wealth all has been of course considerably augmented,
but the lines on which this great advance has been made were laid by
the first Rajah, and that this honour is due to him no one should
deny.
As there was but one Nelson, so there has been but one Sir James
Brooke. How admirable was the simplicity of his character! So kind
and gentle was he in manner, that the poorest, most down-trodden
native would approach him without fear, confident that his story
would be heard with benevolent attention, and that any wrong would,
if possible, be righted. And as for the purity of his private life,
he was a bright example to all those around him.
It may be thought that I have exaggerated the grandeur of the Rajah’s
personality, and the great benefits he conferred on the natives, and
that I have been influenced in my views by the warm friendship which
existed between us. If there be any who hold this opinion, I would
refer them to Mr Alfred Wallace’s work, _The Malay Archipelago_, in
which, after dwelling in a most appreciative manner on the Rajah’s
rule in Sarawak, he adds these eloquent words, ‘Since these lines
were written his noble spirit has passed away. But though by those
who knew him not he may be sneered at as an enthusiastic adventurer,
or abused as a hard-hearted despot, the universal testimony of
everyone who came in contact with him in his adopted country, whether
European, Malay or Dyak, will be that Rajah Brooke was a great,
a wise and a good ruler, a true and faithful friend, a man to be
admired for his talents, respected for his honesty and courage, and
loved for his genuine hospitality, his kindness of disposition and
his tenderness of heart.’
The portrait of Rajah Brooke facing the title page is taken from the
picture by Sir Francis Grant, which is one of his best works. It is a
most speaking likeness, and I have left it in my will to the Trustees
of the National Portrait Gallery, if they will accept it.
SPENSER ST JOHN.
4 CHESTER STREET, S.W.
_Note._—I would wish to add a few words to explain why, in the course
of this _Life_ of Rajah Brooke, I have not dwelt on the controversy
which raged for some years about the character of the Seribas and
Sakarang Dyaks. The only person who, to a late period, held to his
view that these tribes were not piratical was Mr Gladstone; but
after reading my first _Life of Rajah Brooke_, in which I defended
the policy of my old chief with all the vigour I could command, I
received the following note from him, which rendered unnecessary any
further discussion of the subject:—
_February 25, 1880._
MY DEAR SIR,—I thank you very much for sending me your _Life of
Sir James Brooke_, which I shall be anxious to examine with care.
I have myself written words about Sir James Brooke which may serve
to show that the difference between us is not so wide as might be
supposed, and I fully admit that what I have questioned in his acts
has been accepted by his legitimate superiors, the Government and
the Parliament.—I remain, yours faithfully,
W. E. GLADSTONE.
HIS EXCELLENCY SPENSER ST JOHN.
It is as well that I should publish another letter, to show that
Mr Gladstone bore me no ill-will on account of the vigorous way I
had attacked him whilst defending the policy of my old chief. I had
applied to Lord Granville to be sent out as Special Envoy to renew
relations with the Republic of Mexico, and the following is his
Lordship’s reply:—
FOREIGN OFFICE, _May 28, 1883_.
MY DEAR SIR SPENSER,—Many thanks for your note. I have availed
myself of your offer, mentioning it to Gladstone, who highly
approved (notwithstanding the hard blows you once dealt him), and
I have submitted your name to the Queen, who, I feel sure, will
sanction the step.—Yours sincerely,
GRANVILLE.
It is pleasant to place on record this generosity of feeling in one
of our greatest statesmen, whose career has now been closed.
CONTENTS
PAGE
PREFACE, xi
CHAPTER I
BROOKE’S ANCESTORS AND FAMILY—HIS EARLY LIFE—APPOINTED
ENSIGN IN THE MADRAS NATIVE INFANTRY—CAMPAIGN
IN BURMAH—IS WOUNDED AND LEAVES THE
SERVICE—MAKES TWO VOYAGES TO CHINA—DEATH OF
HIS FATHER—CRUISE IN THE YACHT ‘ROYALIST,’ 1
CHAPTER II
EXPEDITION TO BORNEO—FIRST VISIT TO SARAWAK—VOYAGE
TO CELEBES—SECOND VISIT TO SARAWAK—JOINS MUDA
HASSIM’S ARMY—BROOKE’S ACCOUNT OF THE PROGRESS OF
THE CIVIL WAR—IT IS ENDED UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF
HIS ACTIVE INTERFERENCE—HE SAVES THE LIVES OF THE
REBEL CHIEFS, 11
CHAPTER III
THIRD VISIT TO SARAWAK—MAKOTA INTRIGUES AGAINST
BROOKE—VISIT OF THE STEAMER ‘DIANA’—HE IS
GRANTED THE GOVERNMENT OF SARAWAK—HIS PALACE—CAPTAIN
KEPPEL OF H.M.S. ‘DIDO’ VISITS SARAWAK—EXPEDITION
AGAINST THE SERIBAS PIRATES—VISIT OF SIR
EDWARD BELCHER—RAJAH BROOKE’S INCREASED INFLUENCE—VISIT
TO THE STRAITS SETTLEMENTS—IS WOUNDED IN
SUMATRA—THE ‘DIDO’ RETURNS TO SARAWAK—FURTHER
OPERATIONS—NEGOTIATIONS WITH BRITISH GOVERNMENT—CAPTAIN
BETHUNE AND MR WISE ARRIVE IN SARAWAK, 43
CHAPTER IV
SIR THOMAS COCHRANE IN BRUNEI—ATTACK ON SHERIF
OSMAN—MUDA HASSIM IN POWER—LINGIRE’S ATTEMPT
TO TAKE RAJAH BROOKE’S HEAD—MASSACRE OF MUDA
HASSIM AND BUDRUDIN—THE ADMIRAL PROCEEDS TO
BRUNEI—TREATY WITH BRUNEI—ACTION WITH PIRATE
SQUADRON—RAJAH BROOKE IN ENGLAND—IS KNIGHTED ON
HIS RETURN TO THE EAST—VISITS THE SULU ISLANDS—EXPEDITION
AGAINST SERIBAS PIRATES, 71
CHAPTER V
ATTACKS ON THE RAJAH’S POLICY—VISITS TO LABUAN, SINGAPORE
AND PENANG—MISSION TO SIAM—THE RAJAH’S RETURN
TO ENGLAND—DINNER TO HIM IN LONDON—HIS REMARKABLE
SPEECH—LORD ABERDEEN’S GOVERNMENT APPOINTS A
HOSTILE COMMISSION—THE RAJAH’S RETURN TO SARAWAK—COMMISSION
AT SINGAPORE—ITS FINDINGS, 103
CHAPTER VI
THE CHINESE SURPRISE THE TOWN OF KUCHING—THE RAJAH
AND HIS OFFICERS ESCAPE—THE CHINESE PROCLAIM THEMSELVES
SUPREME RULERS—THEY ARE ATTACKED BY THE
MALAYS—ARRIVAL OF THE ‘SIR JAMES BROOKE’—THE
CHINESE, DRIVEN FROM KUCHING, ABANDON THE INTERIOR
AND RETREAT TO SAMBAS—DISARMED BY THE DUTCH, 141
CHAPTER VII
EVENTS IN THE SAGO RIVERS—THE RAJAH PROCEEDS TO ENGLAND—CORDIAL
RECEPTION—FIRST PARALYTIC STROKE—BUYS
BURRATOR—TROUBLES IN SARAWAK—LOYALTY OF THE
POPULATION—THE RAJAH RETURNS TO BORNEO—SETTLES
MUKA AFFAIRS WITH SULTAN—INSTALLS CAPTAIN BROOKE
AS HEIR APPARENT—AGAIN LEAVES FOR ENGLAND—SARAWAK
RECOGNISED BY ENGLAND—LIFE AT BURRATOR—SECOND
AND THIRD ATTACKS OF PARALYSIS—HIS DEATH
AND WILL, 177
CHAPTER VIII
PRESENT CONDITION OF SARAWAK—RAJAH AN IRRESPONSIBLE
RULER—SARAWAK COUNCIL—GENERAL COUNCIL—RESIDENTS
AND TRIBUNALS—EMPLOYMENT OF NATIVES—AGRICULTURE—TRADE
RETURNS—THE GOLD REEFS—COAL
DEPOSITS—VARIED POPULATION—IMPOLITIC SEIZURE OF
LIMBANG—MISSIONS—EXTRAORDINARY PANICS—REVENUE—ADMINISTRATION
OF JUSTICE—CIVIL SERVICE—ALLIGATORS—SATISFACTORY
STATE OF SARAWAK, 203
CHAPTER IX
PRESENT CONDITION OF NORTH BORNEO—LOVELY COUNTRY—GOOD
HARBOURS ON WEST COAST—FORMATION OF NORTH
BORNEO COMPANY—PRINCIPAL SETTLEMENTS—TELEGRAPHIC
LINES—THE RAILWAY FROM PADAS—POPULATION—TOBACCO
CULTIVATION—GOLD—THE PUBLIC SERVICE—THE
POLICE OF NORTH BORNEO—METHODS OF RAISING
REVENUE—RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURE—TRADE RETURNS—EXPORTS—INTERFERENCE
WITH TRADERS—A GREAT FUTURE FOR NORTH BORNEO, 232
APPENDIX
MR BROOKE’S MEMORANDUM ON HIS PROPOSED EXPEDITION TO
BORNEO, WRITTEN IN 1838, REPRINTED FROM VOL. I. OF
‘THE PRIVATE LETTERS OF SIR JAMES BROOKE, K.C.B.,
RAJAH OF SARAWAK.’ EDITED BY J. C. TEMPLER, BARRISTER-AT-LAW
(BENTLEY, 1853), 259
INDEX, 291
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
PORTRAIT OF SIR JAMES BROOKE, AFTER THE PICTURE
BY SIR FRANCIS GRANT, P.R.A., IN THE POSSESSION
OF THE AUTHOR, _Frontispiece_
MAP OF SARAWAK AND ITS DEPENDENCIES AT THE CLOSE
OF SIR JAMES BROOKE’S GOVERNMENT, _To face page 49_
MAP OF BORNEO AND PART OF THE EASTERN ARCHIPELAGO,
SHEWING BRITISH TERRITORIES, BRITISH
PROTECTORATES AND FEDERATED MALAY STATES, _To face page 96_
Rajah Brooke
CHAPTER I
BROOKE’S ANCESTORS AND FAMILY—HIS EARLY LIFE—APPOINTED ENSIGN IN
THE MADRAS NATIVE INFANTRY—CAMPAIGN IN BURMAH—IS WOUNDED AND LEAVES
THE SERVICE—MAKES TWO VOYAGES TO CHINA—DEATH OF HIS FATHER—CRUISE
IN THE YACHT ‘ROYALIST’
James Brooke was the second son of Mr Thomas Brooke of the Honourable
East India Company’s Bengal Civil Service, and of Anna Maria Stuart,
his wife. Their family consisted of two sons and four daughters. One
of the latter, Emma, married the Rev. F. C. Johnson, Vicar of White
Lackington; another, Margaret, married the Rev. Anthony Savage; the
eldest son, Henry, died unmarried after a short career in the Indian
army.
Mr Thomas Brooke was the seventh in descent from Sir Thomas Vyner,
who, as Lord Mayor of London, entertained Oliver Cromwell in the
Guildhall in 1654; whilst his only son, Sir Robert Vyner, who had
taken the opposite side in those civil contests, received Charles
II. in the city six years later. On the death of Sir Robert’s only
son George the baronetcy became extinct, and the family estate of
Eastbury, in Essex, reverted to the two daughters of Sir Thomas
Vyner, from one of whom, Edith, the Brooke family is derived, as one
of her descendants married a Captain Brooke, who was Rajah Brooke’s
great-grandfather.[1]
Mr Thomas Brooke, though not distinguished by remarkable talent, was
a straightforward, honest civilian, and his wife was a most lovable
woman, who gained the affections of all those with whom she was
brought into contact. She always enjoyed the most perfect confidence
of her distinguished son. To her are addressed some of his finest
letters, in which he pours forth his generous ideas for the promotion
of the welfare of the people whom he had been called upon to govern.
James Brooke was born on the 29th of April 1803 at Secrore, the
European suburb of Benares, and he remained in India until he was
twelve years old, when he was sent to England to the care of Mrs
Brooke, his paternal grandmother, who had established herself in
Reigate. He shortly afterwards went to Norwich Grammar School, at
that time under Dr Valpy, but he remained there only a couple of
years, as, after the freedom of his life in India, discipline was
irksome to him, and he ran away home to his grandmother. I never
heard him say much about the master, but he loved and was beloved by
many of his schoolfellows, and showed even then, by his influence
over the boys, that he was a born leader of men.
About this time his parents returned from India and settled at Combe
Grove, near Bath, where they collected their children around them.
A private tutor was engaged to educate young Brooke, but it could
have been only for a comparatively short time, as in 1819 he received
his ensign’s commission in the 6th Madras Native Infantry, and soon
started for India. He was promoted to his lieutenancy in 1821, and
in the following year was made a Sub-Assistant Commissary-General, a
post for which, as he used to say, he was eminently unfitted.
When the war with Burmah broke out in 1824 Brooke found himself
thoroughly in his element. As the English army advanced into
Assam the general in command found himself much hampered in his
movements by the want of cavalry. Brooke partly relieved him of this
difficulty; his offer to raise a body of horsemen was accepted. By
the orders of the general he called for recruits, who could ride,
from the different regiments, and soon had under him an efficient
body of men, who undertook scouting duties. He found it difficult
to keep them in hand, for the moment they saw an enemy they would
charge, and then scatter in every direction where they thought a
Burmese might be concealed.
During an action in January 1825 he performed very efficient service
with his irregular cavalry, charging wherever any body of Burmese
collected. He received the thanks of the general, and his conduct
was mentioned in despatches as ‘most conspicuous.’ Two days later
occurred an instance of what is almost unknown in our army. A company
of native troops had been ordered to attack a stockade manned by
Burmese; the English officer in command advanced until, on turning
a clump of trees, he came well under fire; then, losing his nerve,
he bolted into the jungle. Brooke arrived at that moment, saw the
infantry wavering, threw himself from his horse, assumed the command,
and thus encouraged they charged the stockade, but Brooke literally
‘foremost, fighting fell.’ Seeing their leader fall, the men were
again about to retreat, when Colonel Richards, advancing with
reinforcements, restored the fight, and in a few minutes the place
was taken, though with heavy loss. No attempts were ever made to turn
these strong stockades, and thus the army suffered severely and to no
purpose.
I have often heard Sir James Brooke tell the story. He had been sent
out to reconnoitre; found the enemy strongly posted, and suspecting
an ambuscade, galloped back to warn his superior officer, but too
late, as firing had already commenced, and the infantry, without a
leader, were confused. He placed himself at their head, but as he
charged he felt a thud, and fell, losing all consciousness. After
the action was over, his colonel, who had seen him fall, inquired
about young Brooke, and was told that he was dead; but examining the
fallen officer himself, found him still alive and had him removed
to hospital. A slug had lodged in his lungs, and for months he lay
between life and death. It was not, in fact, until August that he was
strong enough to be removed, and then only in a canoe. He was paddled
down a branch of the Bramapootra, rarely suffering from pain, but
gazing pensively at the fast-running stream and the fine jungle that
lined its banks; in after life it seemed to him as a dream.
On the Medical Board at Calcutta reporting that a change of climate
was necessary, he was given a long furlough. He returned to England
and joined his family at Bath. The voyage did him some good, but the
wound continued very troublesome, and at times it appeared as if he
could not recover. After the slug had been extracted, however, he
gradually got better, so that in July 1829 he was enabled to embark
on board the Company’s ship _Carn Brae_; but fate was against his
again joining the Indian army. This vessel was wrecked, and when, in
the following March, he sailed for the East on board the _Huntley
Castle_, she was so delayed by bad weather, that when she called in
at Madras Brooke found that he could not join his regiment before the
legal expiration of his leave. He consequently resigned the service
and proceeded in the _Huntley Castle_ to China.
Brooke never cared much for the East India Company’s service, and as
he had formed friendships on board the _Huntley Castle_ he preferred
continuing in her to remaining idle in India awaiting the Directors’
decision, which, even if favourable, could scarcely arrive before
twelve months had expired. The decision was favourable; but as young
Brooke had in the meantime left Madras the matter dropped. The
Indiaman first touched at the Island of Penang, one of the Straits
Settlements, and here Brooke had an opportunity of seeing what lovely
islands there were in the Further East. It is not necessary to dwell
on this voyage, as nothing of importance occurred during it; but his
stay in China made a deep impression on Brooke’s mind. He saw how
the Chinese ill-treated and bullied our countrymen, and how the East
India Company submitted to every insult in order not to imperil their
trade.
After the usual stay in the Canton River, the _Huntley Castle_
returned to England, and Brooke found himself at home with no
employment whatever. He formed many projects; the favourite one,
which he had discussed with the officers of the _Huntley Castle_, was
to purchase a ship, load her with suitable goods, and sail for China
or the adjacent markets. But as none of the friends had any capital,
Brooke confided their views to his father, and naturally met with the
objection that his son was not a trader and never could become one.
However, in the end, the young fellow prevailed. The brig _Findlay_
was bought, laden with goods, and with his partner, Kennedy, formerly
of the _Huntley Castle_, and his friend, Harry Wright, also of the
same vessel, he set sail for the Further East. This voyage was not
destined to be a success. Brooke wished to introduce on board the
easy discipline of a yacht, whilst Kennedy, who was captain, went to
the other extreme and would insist upon the severe discipline of the
navy, without its safeguards. Differences soon arose, and as they
found trade by interlopers was not encouraged, Brooke went to see
Mr Jardine, of the firm of Messrs Jardine, Matheson & Company, and
laid the case before him. The shrewd man of business could not but
smile at the idea of this elegant young soldier managing a trading
speculation. He, however, agreed to buy vessel and cargo, and told
the partners they had better leave the matter in his hands. No
objection was raised, and Mr Jardine so judiciously invested in silks
the amount he had arranged to pay, that in the end comparatively
little loss accrued, none of which was allowed by Brooke to fall on
Kennedy.
On his return to England Brooke wearied of continued leisure, and
although he yachted about the Southern Coast and the Channel Islands,
he longed for some sphere of action which could bring his great
abilities into play. The death of his father, in December 1835,
gave him complete independence. The fortune left was sufficient to
provide for his wife, and to give to each of his children £30,000.
Brooke now decided to carry out the plan he had formed since his
first voyage to China, which was to buy a small vessel and start on
a voyage of discovery. But this time there were to be no partners
and no trade; he intended to be complete master in his own ship. He
ultimately fixed his choice on the _Royalist_, a schooner yacht of
about 142 tons burden. He was delighted with his purchase, and soon
tried her qualifications by starting in the autumn of 1836 for a
cruise in the Mediterranean. There he visited most of the principal
cities, including Constantinople, which in after years afforded him
a constant subject of conversation with the Malays, who interested
themselves in every detail of his visit. ‘Roum’ to them is still the
great city where dwells the head of the Mohammedan religion.[2] Among
those who accompanied him on this cruise was his nephew, John Brooke
Johnson, afterwards known as Captain Brooke, and also John Templer,
who was then and for many years afterwards one of his warm friends
and enthusiastic admirers.
Though determined to make a voyage of discovery in the Eastern
Archipelago, Brooke was not able to leave England till December 1838.
He employed all his spare time in studying the subject, finding out
what was already known, and drawing attention to his plans by a
memoir he wrote on Borneo and the neighbouring islands, summaries of
which were published in the _Athenæum_ and in the _Journal_ of the
Geographical Society. He felt a great admiration for Sir Stamford
Raffles, and ardently desired to carry out his views in dealing with
the peoples of the Further East.
How well Brooke sums up the feelings which prompted him to undertake
what was in every respect a perilous enterprise! ‘Could I carry
my vessel to places where the keel of European ship never before
ploughed the waters; could I plant my foot where white man’s foot had
never before been; could I gaze upon scenes which educated eyes had
never looked on, see man in the rudest state of nature, I should be
content without looking to further rewards.’
It is difficult, even under the most favourable circumstances, to
convey to the mind of a reader an exact portrait of the man whose
deeds you desire to chronicle; but as I lived for nearly twenty
years with James Brooke, I feel I know him well in all his strength
and his weakness. Let me try to describe him. He stood about five
feet ten inches in height; he had an open, handsome countenance; an
active, supple frame; a daring courage that no danger could daunt; a
sweet, affectionate disposition which endeared him to all who knew
him well. Those whom he attended in sickness could never forget his
almost womanly tenderness, and those who attended him, his courageous
endurance. His power of attaching both friends and followers was
unrivalled, and this extended to nearly every native with whom he
came in contact. His few failings were his too great frankness, his
readiness to believe that men were what they professed to be, or
should have been, and (for a short time in latter years) that the
unsophisticated lower classes were more to be trusted and relied on
than those above them in birth and education. His only weaknesses
were, in truth, such as arose from his great goodness of heart and
his confiding nature.
No painter ever succeeded better in conveying a man’s self into a
portrait than Sir Francis Grant in his picture of Sir James Brooke.
I have it now before me, and all I have said of his appearance may
be seen at a glance. Although thirty years have passed since we lost
him, he remains as much enshrined as ever in the hearts of his few
surviving friends.
This brief preliminary chapter ended, I will now describe Brooke’s
voyage to Borneo, and the events which succeeded that remarkable
undertaking.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 1: These details are taken from Miss Jacob’s _Life of the
Rajah of Sarawak_, Vol. I., page 1.]
[Footnote 2: When I first went to live in Brunei, the Sultan of
Borneo’s capital, there was living there an old haji who was visiting
Egypt at the time of Buonaparte’s invasion, and who remembered well
the Battle of the Nile and the subsequent expulsion of the French by
the English.]