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
Peace being again restored to the country, Brooke was enabled to
study the position. Muda Hassim occasionally mentioned his intention
of rewarding his English ally for his great services by giving him
the government of Sarawak; but nothing came of it, as when the
document for submission to the Sultan was duly prepared it proved to
be nothing but ‘permission to trade.’ However unsatisfactory this
might be, Brooke accepted it for the moment, and it was agreed that
he should proceed to Singapore, load a schooner with merchandise, and
return to open up the resources of the place. In the meantime the
rajah was to build a house for his friend, and prepare a shipload of
antimony ore as a return cargo for the schooner.
While in Singapore Brooke wrote to his mother concerning his plans,
and he now added, ‘I really have excellent hopes that this effort
of mine will succeed; and while it ameliorates the condition of
the unhappy natives, and tends to the promotion of the highest
philanthropy, it will secure to me some better means of carrying
through these grand objects. I call them grand objects, for they are
so, when we reflect that civilisation, commerce and religion may
through them be spread over so vast an island as Borneo. They are so
grand, that self is quite lost when I consider them; and even the
failure would be so much better than the non-attempt, that I could
willingly sacrifice myself as nearly as the barest prudence will
permit.’
Many, perhaps, could write such words, but Brooke really felt them,
and fully intended to carry out his views, whatever obstacles might
stand in his way; and they were many, for on his return to Sarawak
in the _Royalist_, with the schooner _Swift_ laden with goods for
the market, he found no house built and no cargo of antimony ready.
A house in Sarawak could be built in ten days or a fortnight, as the
materials are all found in the jungle and the natives are expert at
the work.
The antimony was procurable, but, as Brooke afterwards found, it
was the product of forced labour, almost always unpaid. One cannot
but smile at Brooke’s first attempt at trade. Without sending up to
see whether the antimony was ready, he accepted Muda Hassim’s word,
and then handed over to him the whole of the cargo of the _Swift_.
What might have been expected followed. No sooner had the Malay
rajah secured the goods than the most profound apathy was shown as
to the return cargo. The same system was followed with regard to the
government of the country; every attempt to discuss it was evaded,
and I believe that Makota did his best to persuade Muda Hassim that
the Englishman was but a bird of passage, who would soon get tired of
waiting, and would sail away without the return cargo, and drop all
thoughts of governing the country.
Pangeran Makota, who had been Brooke’s enemy throughout all these
proceedings, was now ready to act. He knew that the Land Dyaks in the
interior, as well as the Malays of Siniawan whom the Englishman had
aided to subdue, now looked to him as their protector; he therefore
determined to destroy his prestige. He invited the Seribas Sea Dyaks
and Malays to come to Sarawak; they came in a hundred bangkongs, or
long war boats, with at least three thousand men, with the ostensible
object of attacking a tribe living near the Sambas frontier, who had
not been submissive enough to Bornean exactions; but every violent
act they committed would have been overlooked if they only gave a
sufficient percentage of their captives to the nobles. Already these
wild devils had received the rajah’s permission to proceed up the
river; the Land Dyaks, the Malays, the Chinese were full of fear, as
all are treated as enemies by the Seribas when out on the war-path.
As soon as Brooke received notice of what Muda Hassim, instigated by
Makota, had done, he retired to the _Royalist_ and prepared both his
vessels for action. The Malay rulers, hearing how angry he was, and
uncertain what steps he might take, recalled the expedition, which
returned, furious at being baulked of their prey, and would have
liked to have tried conclusions with the English ships, but found
them too well on their guard.
This very act which Makota expected would lower the Englishman’s
prestige, naturally greatly enhanced it, as it was soon known, even
into the far interior, that the white stranger had but to say the
word and this fearful scourge had been stayed.
Another event soon followed which greatly raised Brooke’s influence
among the natives. He received notice that an English vessel had been
wrecked on the north coast of Borneo, and that the crew were detained
as hostages by the Sultan of Borneo for the payment of a ransom. He
now sent the _Royalist_ to try and release them, whilst he despatched
the _Swift_ to Singapore for provisions, and remained with three
companions in his new house in Sarawak. Could anything better prove
his cool courage? The _Royalist_ failed in its mission, but almost
immediately after its return, an East India Company’s steamer came up
the river to inquire as to its success, and finding the captive crew
still at Brunei, proceeded there and quickly effected their release.
The appearance of the _Diana_ twice in the river had its effect on
the population, as it was probably the first steamer they had ever
seen.
Makota had been greatly disappointed that his intrigues had failed
to force the white strangers to quit the country, but his fertile
invention now thought of more sure and criminal means. ‘Why not
poison them?’ He tried, but failed; his confederates confessed, and
then Brooke resolved to act. Either Makota or himself must fall. By a
judicious display of force, quite justified under the circumstances,
he freed the rajah from the baneful influence of Makota, who from
that time forward ceased to act as chief adviser, and regained his
former ascendency. Muda Hassim immediately carried out his original
promise, and in a formal document handed over the government of the
district of Sarawak to Brooke. The news was received with rejoicing
by the Land Dyaks, the Sarawak Malays and the Chinese, but with some
misgivings by the rascally followers of the Bornean rajahs. This
event took place in September 1841.
Brooke’s first act was to request Muda Hassim to return to their
families the women and children who had been given as hostages after
the close of the civil war. He succeeded in most cases, but as the
younger brothers of Muda Hassim had honoured with their notice some
of the unmarried girls, he was forced to leave ten of them in the
harems of the rajahs.
Being now Governor of Sarawak, he determined to effect some reforms.
One of the greatest difficulties he encountered was the introduction
of impartial justice; to teach the various classes that all were
equal before the law. He opened a court, at which he himself
provided, aided moreover, by some of the rajah’s brothers and the
chiefs of the Siniawan Malays, and dispensed justice according
to the native laws, which in most cases are milder than those of
European countries. When absent himself his chief officer acted for
him. As long as these laws were only applied to Dyaks, Chinese or
inferior Malays, there was no resistance, but when the privileged
class and their unscrupulous followers were touched, there arose some
murmurings.
[Illustration: SARAWAK AND DEPENDENCIES
MAP OF SARAWAK AND ITS DEPENDENCIES AT THE CLOSE OF SIR JAMES
BROOKE’S GOVERNMENT.]
Brooke saw at once that to ensure stability to his rule he must
govern the people through, and with the aid of, the chiefs to whom
they were accustomed. He therefore proposed to Muda Hassim to restore
to their former positions the men who had been at the head of the
late rebellion, and who certainly had been more sinned against
than sinning. To this the rajah agreed, which added much to the
Englishman’s influence, not only among the Malays, but also among the
Dyaks, who were accustomed to be ruled and, it must be confessed,
to be plundered by these chiefs. But the tribes thought that it was
better to pay exactions to one than to be exposed to the persecutions
of many.
Although Muda Hassim had made over to Brooke the government of the
country, it was necessary that this grant should be ratified by the
Sultan. Brooke therefore proceeded to Brunei in the _Royalist_,
accompanied by Pangeran Budrudin. It was also very necessary to pave
the way for Muda Hassim’s return to the capital, with his rapacious
followers, before Sarawak could really prosper. Everything succeeded;
the Sultan not only ratified the grant, but sent a strong invitation
to his uncle to return to his old position of being the prime
minister, whose absence they all deplored. His Highness sent letters
to that effect, and when the _Royalist_ arrived at Sarawak there was
very general rejoicing.
The greatest state was observed when the Sultan’s letters were
taken on shore. ‘They were received and brought up to the reception
hall amid large wax torches. The person who was to read them was
stationed on a raised platform. Standing near him was the Rajah
Muda Hassim, with a sabre in his hand; in front was his brother
Jaffer with a tremendous Lanun sword drawn; and around were the
other brothers and myself, all standing, the rest of the company
being seated. The letters were then read—the last one appointing me
to hold the government of Sarawak—after which the rajah descended
from the platform and said aloud, “If anyone present disowns or
contests the Sultan’s appointment, let him now declare it.” All were
silent. “Is there any pangeran or young rajah that contests the
question? Pangeran Der Makota, what do you say?” Makota expressed
his willingness to obey. One or two other obnoxious pangerans, who
had always opposed themselves to me, were each in turn challenged,
and forced to promise obedience. The rajah then waved his sword, and
with a loud voice exclaimed, “Whoever he may be that disobeys the
Sultan’s mandate now received, I will cleave his skull.” And at the
moment some ten of his younger brothers jumped from the verandah,
and drawing their long krises, began to flourish and dance about,
thrusting close to Makota, striking the pillar above his head, and
pointing their weapons at his breast. A motion on his part would have
been fatal, but he kept his eyes on the ground and stirred not. I
too remained quiet, and cared nothing about this demonstration, for
one gets accustomed to these things. It all passed off, and in ten
minutes the men who had been leaping frantically about, with drawn
weapons and inflamed countenances, were seated, quiet and demure as
usual. This scene is a custom with them, the only exception being
that it was pointed so directly at Makota.’
This unworthy chief was now ordered to leave the country, as his
presence was not only distasteful to the Tuan Besar, as Brooke was
called, but to all those whom he had driven, by his oppressions,
into the rebellion which had lately been quelled. The Bornean rajahs
also looked upon him as an interloper, and he found no support from
them; he was said, in fact, to be a stranger from the Dutch ‘sphere
of influence,’ as it is now the fashion to call possession without
occupation.
A new era was about to dawn on Sarawak by the advent of the British
navy. Before dwelling on the change which took place in consequence,
let me glance briefly at Brooke’s position. He had been granted the
government of the country by Rajah Muda Hassim, a grant confirmed by
the Sultan; he had gained the confidence of the former, who leaned on
him for support, and who hoped through his influence to recover his
former paramount position in the capital; he was cordially supported
by the Siniawan Malays, and was fully trusted by the Land Dyaks. He
was also aided to a certain extent by those useful but troublesome
subjects the Chinese, who then only dreamt of making themselves
supreme in the interior. He was supported by three English followers,
and the occasional presence of his yacht, the _Royalist_. How was it
possible for anyone, therefore, to declare that he had seized the
country by force, and held it by force, as was afterwards affirmed
by a small English faction? His only enemies were Pangeran Makota and
a few discontented Borneans, who dreaded the reign of justice and
order. Though secure of the support of the inhabitants of Sarawak,
he was opposed by his neighbour the Sultan of Sambas, backed by
the Dutch, and he had the mouths of his rivers almost blockaded
during eight months of the year by the fleets of Lanun and Balignini
pirates who cruised along the coast during the fine season. His
people were also in constant peril from the expeditions organised
by Sherif Sahib, the chief of the neighbouring district of Sadong,
the rendezvous of every species of pirate; and all coast trade was
stopped by the constant presence of the Seribas and Sakarang Dyaks,
led by their warlike Malays, who foraged along the whole western
coast of Borneo. He was saved simply by his great prestige, as
he had in reality no force with which he could cope with a large
pirate fleet—a prestige acquired by his bravery, his tact, his great
kindness, and the just and benevolent rule which he was striving with
all his energy to introduce into his adopted country.
And what were his chief objects? How well the following lines express
them: ‘It is a grand experiment, which, if it succeeds, will bestow
a blessing on those poor people, and their children’s children will
bless my name.’ Again, ‘If it please God to permit me to give a stamp
to this country which shall last after I am no more, I shall have
lived a life which emperors might envy. If by dedicating myself to
the task I am able to introduce better customs and settled laws, and
to raise the feeling of the people, so that their rights can never in
future he wantonly infringed, I shall indeed be content and happy.’
This is how the Rajah describes his residence and mode of life at
Kuching: ‘I may now mention our house, or, as I fondly call it, our
palace. It is an edifice fifty-four feet square, mounted on numerous
posts of the nibong palm, with nine windows in each front. The roof
is of nipa leaves, and the floors and partitions are all of planks.
Furnished with couches, table, chairs, books, etc., the whole is as
comfortable as man could wish for in this out-of-the-way country; and
we have besides bathing-house, cook-house and servants’ apartments
detached. The view from the house to the eastward comprises a reach
of the river, and to the westward looks towards the blue mountains
of Matang; the north fronts the river and the south the jungle. Our
abode, however, though spacious, cool and comfortable, can only be
considered a temporary residence, for the best of all reasons, that
in the course of a year it will tumble down, from the weight of the
superstructure being placed on weak posts.
‘The time here passes monotonously, but not unpleasantly. Writing,
reading, chart-making employ my time between meals. My companions are
equally engaged—Mackenzie[7] with copying logs, learning navigation
and stuffing specimens of natural history; Crymble is teaching our
young Bugis and Dyak boys their letters for an hour every morning,
copying my vocabularies of languages, ruling charts and the like;
whilst my servant Peter learns reading and writing daily, with very
poor success, however. Our meals are about nine in the morning and
four in the afternoon, with a cup of tea at eight. The evening is
employed in walking never less than a mile and a half measured
distance, and, after tea, reading and a cigar. Wine and grog we have
none, and all appear better for it, or, at least, I can say so much
for myself. Our bedtime is about eleven.’
In 1843, after an almost unbroken stay of nearly two years in Borneo,
Brooke again visited Singapore, and found welcome news. The British
Government had decided to inquire into the Bornean question, and it
was stated that Sir Edward Belcher had been ordered to visit Sarawak
in H.M.S. _Samarang_; but what was of much greater importance, and
proved of incalculable benefit to Sarawak and to British interests
in Borneo, was that Brooke made the acquaintance of Captain the
Hon. Henry Keppel, who was in command of H.M.S. _Dido_. As I have
elsewhere remarked, Keppel, with the instincts of a gentleman, at
once recognised that he had no adventurer but a true man before him,
and henceforward exerted all his energy and influence to further his
friend’s beneficent projects. They were indeed genuine Englishmen,
and looked to what would advance the veritable interests of their own
country—to increase its prestige in Borneo and clear the seas of the
pirates who destroyed native commerce on its way to our settlements.
The _Dido_ in the first days of May 1843 sailed from Singapore for
Sarawak, and on the 13th anchored off the Moratabus entrance of the
river. When the natives heard that their Governor had arrived, they
swarmed down to the ship in their boats, delighted at his return
among them; and the sight of the beautiful frigate, so powerful
in their eyes, assured them that she would not leave before some
measures had been taken against the pirates. Rajah Muda Hassim
eagerly seized on this opportunity to obtain some security for native
trade, and earnestly entreated Captain Keppel to attack the pirates
of Seribas and Sakarang, who were especially dangerous to the coast
traffic. Having satisfied himself of the truth of the allegations
against the marauders, Keppel determined to act, and, having
announced his intention, he was soon assured of the support of a
native contingent, who decided to follow their English chief wherever
he went, although with many misgivings as to the result of an attack
on these much-feared corsairs, who had plundered their coasts with
impunity for several generations.
I need not describe this expedition against the pirates, as the
details have been often published; and as Admiral Keppel is now
engaged in writing his memoirs, we shall have full particulars at
first hand.[8] The _Dido_ anchored off the Seribas river, and being
joined by a native force of five hundred men, the English boats put
off with crews of about eighty seamen and marines, and carried in
the most dashing style every fort or obstruction placed in their
way. No obstacles daunted them, and their enemies, numbering many
thousands on each branch of the river, were so astonished by this
novel mode of fighting in the open that they fled on every occasion,
abandoning their towns and forts, which were promptly destroyed by
our native allies, now trebled in number. The Seribas considered
themselves invincible, and had collected their means of resistance in
well-chosen spots, their guns covering the booms across the river,
but to no purpose, and the towns of Paku, Padi and Rembas all shared
the same fate.
It is a very remarkable circumstance that as soon as each section
recognised the hopelessness of resistance, they entered freely into
communication with their assailants, and under cover of the white
flag, and often unarmed, approached their English conquerors with
perfect trust and confidence. They all agreed to visit Sarawak, and
promised amendment for the future.
The complete collapse of the defence astonished everyone, and those
natives who had taken part in this memorable campaign began to
acquire confidence in themselves, and were ever ready to follow
their white leaders in all future expeditions.
Captain Keppel, in his _Voyage of the Dido_, has given us a very good
account of the house in which Mr Brooke lived in 1843, and of which
I have already introduced its occupant’s own description. Captain
Keppel says that the English Rajah’s residence, although equally rude
in structure with the abodes of the natives, was not without its
English comforts of sofas, chairs and bedsteads. It was larger than
any other house in the place, but, like them, was built on nibong
piles, and to enter it it was necessary to make use of a ladder. The
house consisted of but one floor; a large room in the centre, neatly
ornamented with every description of firearms in admirable order and
ready for use, served as audience hall and mess room, and the various
apartments around it as bedrooms, most of them comfortably furnished
with matted floors, easy-chairs, pictures and books, with much more
taste and attention to comfort than bachelors usually display. But,
the fact is, you could never enter any place where Brooke had passed
a few days without being struck by the artistic arrangement of
everything. His good taste was shown even in trifles, though comfort
was never sacrificed to show. The house was surrounded by palisades
and a ditch, forming an enclosure, in which were to be found sheep,
goats, pigeons, cats, poultry, geese, ducks, monkeys, dogs, and
occasionally a cow or two.
Then, as later, the great hour of meeting was sunset, when, after the
preliminary cold bath to brace the nerves, relaxed by the heat of
the day, all the party met to dine. When Keppel was at Kuching all
the officers of the _Dido_ were welcome, and many a merry evening
was passed at Brooke’s house. I have often heard him speak of that
glorious time. Then the future was all hope, no disappointments had
depressed the mind, and the cheerfulness of the host was infectious.
I have never met anyone who in his playful mood was more charming.
He told a story well, he was animated in discussion, fertile in
resource, and, when beaten in argument, would shift his ground with
great dexterity, and keep up the discussion to the entertainment of
us all. An appreciative observer once wrote, ‘The Rajah has certainly
a most uncommon gift of fluency of language. Every subject derives an
additional interest from his mode of discussing it, and his ideas are
so original that to hear him speak is like opening out a new world
before one. His views about Sarawak are so grand that it is with real
pain one thinks how very little has been done to aid him in his noble
efforts.’ Captain Keppel was also a capital storyteller, so that
between the two, with occasional assistance from the others, the time
passed gaily, and it was often well on in the small hours before the
party broke up.
It was a great disappointment to all that Captain Keppel now received
orders to proceed to China, as he had intended before his departure
to complete his work by attacking the Sakarangs, who lived in the
interior of the Batang Lupar river, and who were powerfully supported
by Arab and Malay chiefs.
The next event of importance was the arrival of Sir Edward Belcher
in H.M.S. _Samarang_. He had been sent to report on Sarawak and on
Bornean affairs in general. He was a clever but very unpopular man,
and made his ship the most uncomfortable in the service. After a
short stay in Sarawak, visiting the interior and making inquiries, he
decided to proceed to Brunei and enter into communication with the
Sultan. Brooke was to have accompanied him, but the _Samarang_ had
but just started to descend the river when she touched on a rock,
and as the tide fell, she turned over on her side and filled with
water. It was a misfortune to the ship, but a blessing to Sarawak,
as it drew general attention to Brooke’s settlement. By dint of the
greatest exertion on the part of officers and crew, and the aid
afforded by the native population, within eleven days the vessel
was again afloat. In the meantime the _Royalist_ had been sent to
Singapore for provisions and aid, and before twelve days had elapsed
she returned with a ship of war. Others soon followed, to find the
_Samarang_ out of all danger. As soon as her refit was completed,
she sailed for Brunei with Brooke on board. His friends had pointed
out to him that, to render his work in Sarawak permanent, he must
obtain a grant in perpetuity from the Government of Brunei, and this
he readily secured. Moreover, His Highness the Sultan wrote to Sir
Edward Belcher expressing the strong desire of his Government to
trade and their wish to co-operate in the suppression of piracy.
Whilst all was proceeding favourably in Borneo, Brooke was much
disturbed by the news of the proceedings of Mr Wise, his agent in
London. There was no doubt of the talent and earnestness of this
man, but those who knew him well felt that he was rather working
for his own benefit than for that of his employer. He knew that a
true account of the actual state of Sarawak would fail to draw the
attention of the mercantile community; he therefore raised false
expectations as to the value of the trade which would arise as soon
as Borneo was thrown open to British commerce. When Brooke was made
aware of this he wrote to his friend Templer, ‘It does appear to
me, judging from Mr Wise’s letters and the steps he has taken, that
some exaggerated hopes are entertained, and hopes as unreasonable as
exaggerated.... In fact, I will become no party to a bubble; or gain,
or accept any negotiation from Government upon false grounds’ (_sic_).
Brooke’s views on the management of a wild country and the only way
to develop commerce among savage, and even among half-civilised
peoples, were so wise and trustworthy that they would merit being
quoted in full did space permit. He was indeed a most sagacious
ruler, with a positive instinct as to the manner in which native
races should be treated, and he always insisted that progress to be
permanent must be slow, and that throwing capital _en masse_ into an
undeveloped country would only produce disappointment and loss.
How true is the following: ‘Good temper, good sense and conciliatory
manners are essential to the good government of natives, and on this
point it is that most Europeans are so grossly wanting. They always
take [with them] their own customs, feelings and manners, and in a
way force the natives to conform to them, and never give themselves
the trouble of ascertaining how far these manners are repugnant to
the natives.’ In my long experience I could scarcely name a dozen men
whom I have seen treat native races as they should be treated, and
most of these were among the devoted followers of Rajah Brooke. His
own manners were perfect.
One result of the defeat of the Seribas was the increased influence
of the English ruler. Sherif Sahib of Sadong now thought it prudent
to return to the Sow tribe of Dyaks fifty of the women and children
whom his people had seized, and although this was but an instalment
it was something gained.
In a few lines written on November 14, 1843, Brooke sketched the
policy which he wished the English Government to pursue. ‘If we act,
we ought to act without unnecessary delay. Take Sarawak and Labuan,
or Labuan alone, and push our interest along the coast to Sulu,
and from Sulu towards New Guinea, gaining an influence with such
states (and acquiring dormant rights) as are clear of the Dutch on
the one hand and of the Spaniards on the other.’ But this policy was
neglected, and to some extent it is now too late to carry it out.
In December 1843 Brooke again visited Singapore, and there he shortly
afterwards received news of his mother’s death. Though affectionate
to all his relations, his love and tenderness centred in his mother,
and her loss was the more acutely felt, as, from a mistaken feeling,
the seriousness of her illness had not been reported to him.
Whilst visiting Penang Brooke joined in an expedition to punish some
piratical communities on the coast of Sumatra; and as a guest on
board H.M.S. _Wanderer_, he went with the boats that were sent to
attack the town of Murdoo. A strong current swept the captain’s gig
under an enemy’s stockade. There was no help for it, so Brooke sprang
out and led a rush upon the fort, during which he received a gash in
the forehead and a shot in the arm. Reinforcements coming up, the
place was soon captured. On the return of the expedition to Penang
the ship’s crew begged the captain’s permission to man yards and give
three cheers for their gallant guest. Here he met Captain Keppel
on his way to Calcutta, who promised to pick him up at Singapore
on his return and visit Sarawak again, and chastise the pirates of
Sakarang. Brooke therefore waited, but was again disappointed, as
the _Dido_ was ordered to China, and he had therefore to remain in
the Straits until the end of May, when Captain Hastings gave him a
passage over to Borneo in the _Harlequin_.
This long absence had encouraged his enemies, who now hoped that
they were free from their troublesome neighbour. Sherif Sahib,
however, though boasting as loudly as ever, did not feel secure in
Sadong, and therefore prepared his vessels to remove himself and
all his immediate following to the interior of the Batang Lupar
river, where he would be in touch with the other Arab adventurers
who commanded the different districts of that mighty stream. As a
defiance to Sarawak, he invited all the Sakarang Dyaks to meet him
at the entrance of the Sadong river, and there they rendezvoused to
the number of two hundred Dyak bangkongs and Malay war boats. Some
mischief was done along the coast, but Brooke surprised one of their
expeditions and captured several of their war vessels.
During Brooke’s absence from Sarawak, his new house on the left
bank of the river had been built on a rising knoll between two
running streams, with the broad river flowing below. It was a pretty
spot, and now he could write, ‘I like couches, and flowers, and
easy-chairs, and newspapers, and clear streams, and sunny walks.’
Here and there were planted and tended with uncommon care some rose
plants, the Rajah’s favourite flower. ‘All breathes of peace and
repose, and the very mid-day heat adds to the stillness around me. I
love to allow my imagination to wander, and my senses to enjoy such
a scene, for it is attended with a pleasing consciousness that the
quiet and the peace are my own doing.’
At length, however, the _Dido_ came, accompanied by the Company’s
steamer _Phlegethon_, and it was decided to begin operations by
attacking the Arab sherifs in their strongholds on the Batang Lupar
river.
The Batang Lupar for the first twenty miles looks a noble stream.
About that distance from the mouth occurs the Linga, the first branch
of the river which leads to the Balow villages, inhabited by Dyaks
under the influence of Sherif Jaffer—the same Dyaks who had joined
Keppel’s expedition against the Seribas pirates; they were warlike
but not piratical. The next branch on the left bank of the river
was the Undup, and then on the right bank the Sakarang, a stream
inhabited by a dense population of piratical Dyaks; and about fifteen
miles below the mouth of that branch was built the town of Patusin,
strongly defended by forts and stockades.
As the arrival of the _Dido_ had been fully expected, the Sarawak
preparations for the expedition were well advanced, and in view
of Keppel’s triumphs in the previous year, there was no holding
back, but all were eager for the fray. Even Pangeran Budrudin was
permitted to join the Sarawak contingent—something quite new in the
annals of the royal family.
On the 5th of August 1844 the expedition started, and on the 6th was
well within the river Batang Lupar. By the 8th all was ready for
the attack, and on the rising flood tide the steamer and boats were
carried up stream at a bewildering pace, and soon found themselves in
face of the town and forts of Patusin. The English boats formed up
alongside of the steamer, and pulled to the shore under a very hot
fire; but nothing could daunt their crews, and they carried the forts
by assault, with the loss of only one English sailor killed and a few
wounded. Nor were the natives behindhand; they vied with their white
comrades, and were soon in full pursuit of the flying enemy.
In the afternoon the force marched to the attack of a neighbouring
town where the chief Sherif Sahib had his residence; but there was
no resistance, and the place was soon plundered and destroyed by our
native allies. Amongst the spoil captured at Patusin were sixty-four
brass guns and a smaller number of iron ones; the latter were thrown
into the river. Having completely destroyed these Malay pirate
settlements, not forgetting that which had been formed by Pangeran
Makota, and handed over to the natives those war boats which would be
useful to them, while the remainder were hacked to pieces and burnt,
the force prepared for an assault on the Sakarang pirates.
The attack on the Sakarangs was similar in its incidents to that on
the Seribas. The river was staked, but nothing could stop the onset
of the invaders. The town was taken without much opposition; but the
greatest loss on the British side was incurred from the imprudence
of a scouting party. Brave old Patingi Ali had been sent ahead to
reconnoitre, when, probably urged on by a Mr Stewart, who had been
concealed in his boat, he proceeded too far; and when a large force
rowed down the river to attack him, he found his retreat cut off by
long rafts which had been pushed off from the banks and completely
closed the river. He and his party were overwhelmed, and out of
seventeen men only one escaped; Mr Stewart was among the killed.
Having completed their work, Captain Keppel and Brooke pulled back to
Patusin, where they were joined by Sir Edward Belcher and the boats
of the _Samarang_. They now all returned to Sarawak, but within a
few days after their arrival the news came that the Arab chiefs and
their followers were collecting at Banting on the Linga, the chief
village of the Balow Dyaks, under the protection of Sherif Jaffer.
The expedition immediately returned, and drove off the intruders; and
Pangeran Budrudin, in the name of the Bornean Government, deposed
Sherif Jaffer, and so settled the country, under the advice of
Brooke, that comparative peace reigned there for nearly five years.
At this time it was calculated that Sarawak had received an increase
of five thousand families, or, more probably, individuals; it was
a genuine proof of the confidence of the people of the coast in the
only spot where peace and security could be obtained, but it was
also a sign of the terror inspired by the piratical fleets, and the
general bad government of the districts under the rule of the native
chiefs.
The greatest service Sir Edward Belcher ever did for Sarawak was the
removal of Muda Hassim to Brunei. He had been long anxious to leave,
but he would not do so, except in state. So Sir Edward arranged
that not only the rajah and his immense family should be received
on board the Company’s steamer the _Phlegethon_, but as many of his
rascally followers as possible; and then, with Brooke on board, the
_Samarang_ set sail for Brunei. The expedition was received with some
suspicion, but ultimately Muda Hassim and the Sultan were to all
appearance reconciled, and the former was restored to his position
as prime minister. An offer was made by the Sultan to cede Labuan
to England as a British settlement, and that offer was transmitted
to the English Government. Labuan is an island off the mouth of the
Brunei and neighbouring rivers, which appeared admirably adapted for
a commercial and naval post, and the discovery of coal there settled
the point.
As soon as Muda Hassim had departed from Sarawak, and Brooke was
left, _de facto_ as well as _de jure_, the only governor, confidence
in his remaining in the country grew rapidly, and trade improved.
But the negotiations which his friends were carrying on with the
British Government moved slowly and drew forth some impatient remarks
from him. Henceforth I may occasionally call him the Rajah, _par
excellence_, as he now was in truth the only rajah in Sarawak.
Hearing that some members of Sir Robert Peel’s Government had stated
that they did not understand Brooke’s intentions, the Rajah wrote
rather indignantly—’December 31, 1844.... I am surprised, however,
that they say they do not understand my intentions. Independently
of my published letter, I thought they had had my intentions and
wishes dinned into them. My intention, my wish, is to develop the
island of Borneo. How to develop Borneo is not for me to say, but
for them to judge. I have, both by precept and example, shown what
can be done; but it is for the Government to judge what means, if
any, they will place at my disposal. My intention, my wish, is to
extirpate piracy by attacking and breaking up the pirate towns; not
only pirates direct, but pirates indirect. Here again the Government
must judge. I wish to correct the native character, to gain and hold
an influence in Borneo proper, to introduce gradually a better system
of government, to open the interior, to encourage the poorer natives,
to remove the clogs on trade, to develop new sources of commerce. I
wish to make Borneo a second Java. I intend to influence and amend
the entire Archipelago, if the Government will afford me means and
power. I wish to prevent any foreign nation coming on this field;
but I might as well war against France individually, as to attempt
all I wish without any means.’
Was this policy not clear enough? Had it been followed, the
independent portion of the Eastern Archipelago would have been
completely under our influence, and would have ended by becoming
practically ours. We should have had New Guinea and the islands
adjacent, and thus given the Australians a free hand to develop what
certainly should be considered as within their sphere of influence.
How the English Rajah’s policy was wrecked, I must explain later on;
at this time (1845) all seemed advancing to its fulfilment.
In the meantime the British Government were acting in their usual
cautious, half-hearted way. They did not really care a rush about
Borneo or the Eastern Archipelago, and I have no doubt that the
subordinate members of the Government offices looked with disgust on
those who were urging them to intervene in Borneo. They hated any new
thing, as it forced them to study and find out what it was all about.
But as they could not stand still, they sent out Captain Bethune to
inquire. He arrived in February, in H.M.S. _Driver_, and brought with
him the temporary appointment of Brooke as Her Majesty’s confidential
agent. This was a distinct advance, as he had now to proceed to the
capital to deliver officially a letter from the Queen to the Sultan
and the Government of Brunei. With Captain Bethune came Mr Wise, the
Rajah’s agent in England.
In Brunei they did not find Muda Hassim’s Government very firmly
established, as they were threatened not only by Pangeran Usop, a
connection of the Sultan’s and a pretender to the throne, but by the
pirates of the north, with whom Usop was in league. During their stay
in Brunei, both Brooke and Captain Bethune examined the coal seams
near the capital, but they do not appear to have been considered
workable, as no one has ever attempted to open a mine there. The
quality of the coal has been pronounced good, and as the seams crop
out of rather lofty hills it cannot be considered as surface coal.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 7: He was afterwards killed by Chinese pirates.]
[Footnote 8: Sir Henry Keppel’s Memoirs have lately been published.]