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

To complete the survey of those countries, which, through the policy

of Rajah Brooke, were ultimately brought under the influence and

protection of England, I must devote a chapter to the British North

Borneo Company.

There is nothing grander or more lovely than the country which lies

between our colony of Labuan and Marudu Bay, on the extreme north

of the great island. I have sailed many times along that beautiful

coast, and have been lost in admiration at the variety of its

scenery, from the soft outline of its well-wooded shores to the

succession of ranges of undulating hills which form the background,

until all are dwarfed by the magnificent mountain of Kina Balu, which

towers above them.

In our journeys towards this lofty mountain, Sir Hugh Low and I

passed through a great variety of country. Our first expedition

took us from Abai Bay across a cultivated plain to the interior of

the Tampasuk river, the low land extending for many miles on either

side of the path we followed, and stretching for an indefinite

distance ahead of us. Here the natives ride the water buffaloes,

the oxen, the bulls and cows as they do horses in other countries.

We took up our quarters for the night in the substantial house of

a Bajau chief, an old friend of my fellow traveller, and next day

we started inland, riding for many hours over a slightly undulating

plain, which continued to the foot of the ranges of hills in front.

We occasionally passed pretty villages, shaded by dense clumps of

cocoanut palms and mango trees. The scene was magnificent. When we

reached the first low range the path became stony and very rough,

so that we had to give up our horses and trust to our own feet, and

most enjoyable days they were, as we advanced along the banks of

the Tampasuk, through fertile fields in full cultivation, the only

inconvenience our having so constantly to ford the river. At length

we turned from the stream, climbing a steepish hill to the extensive

village of Kiau, which is built on a sloping buttress of Kina Balu,

about three thousand feet above the level of the sea.

On our next visit to the mountain we started from Gaya Bay, then

across the lake-like Mengkabong river, and after riding over a

well-cultivated plain we climbed to the summit of the first range of

hills, and then followed the ridges towards the mountain. Nothing

could have been finer than the scenery. There was no forest, of

which in Borneo one sometimes gets tired; all the land was either

under cultivation or had been cultivated, ideal spots for coffee

plantations if the soil be suitable. We continued on the high land

until we reached the Tampasuk river, when we followed the same path

as we had taken on our previous journey. The weeks we spent on the

great mountain were weeks of pleasure, and we explored many of its

buttresses, and at length climbed again to its summit. Mr Alfred

Wallace used to say that it was worth the journey to Borneo in order

to eat the fresh fruit of the Durian, but I think the fatigues of the

long voyage would be amply repaid by a visit to this lovely coast and

an excursion to its great mountain.

On one occasion we pitched our tents for a time on the western

slope of Kina Balu, about five thousand feet above the sea, on a

spot which was fairly level for half a mile in length by a quarter

in breadth. There were but few trees, the ground being rocky, but

the stony surface was covered by beautiful nepenthes plants, with

purple pitchers, which held as much as two quarts of water. From

this elevation we could see over the ranges of hills we had passed

in our journeys, the reaches of many rivers, the Tampasuk plain to

the China Sea beyond. It would be a perfect site for a sanatorium.

Roads would have to be made, then invalids and others would come to

enjoy the healthy breezes, and gain strength to make excursions over

the mountain. Forty years ago I recommended the Government of India

to send the least guilty of their mutineers to the north-west coast,

where they would have opened up a splendid country, and our camping

ground would have furnished space for the barracks required for a

garrison of English troops.

In these days when mountaineers are seeking new worlds to conquer,

it may interest them to read the following short description of our

first joint expedition to Kina Balu. To ascend this splendid peak

has, no doubt, been the desire of all those who have looked upon its

noble proportions. Seen from the north-west, no grander effect can

be conceived, as it rises sheer out of the plain and sweeps aloft

until it attains the towering height of nearly fourteen thousand

feet. Its grand precipices, its polished granite surfaces, glittering

under the bright tropical rays, the dashing cascades which fall

from a height so great that they dissolve in spray before they

are lost in the dark valleys below, have a magical effect on the

imagination, and I felt a longing, scarcely to be conceived, to

explore its unknown beauties. No amount of fatigue, no suffering, no

opposition could stop us when once we started from the coast, and

the first time I reached the summit, it was with bare feet that left

a red tinge on the rocks at every step. But all this was unnoticed

as I viewed the grandeur of the scene around, the lofty peaks of

every varied form, the magnificent slopes of apparently polished

granite, the broad terraces, the cyclopean walls fringing the giddy

precipices, the chasms, whose depths the eye could not penetrate.

There was nothing that stopped our onward march, and no rest was

sought until we reached the solitary southern peak and I had climbed

to its very pinnacle, and rested on a spot not a yard in breadth.

Then, and only then, did the glow of triumph mantle in my cheeks as

my eyes rested with satisfaction on the vast panorama spread out

below. Unfortunately misty clouds swept round the mountain obscuring

the splendour of the scene, but they lent a powerful aid to the

imagination, as through the rents in the fleecy curtain, rivers,

mountains and villages were now visible, now hidden. And there,

looking south, in the distance high above all, with nothing but the

thin air between, rose another peak, so lofty that it was impossible

to estimate its distance. In that rarefied air remote objects appear

near, and the voice can be heard without an effort through a space

which in the plains below it could not penetrate.

I had never before attained so great a height, and never before

had I seen such flowers so brilliant and so numerous. There were

rhododendrons of the brightest scarlet, or blood colour, or rosy

pink, in bunches of forty blossoms, covering trees twenty feet

in height. And not single trees, but masses of rhododendrons in

sheltered nooks, literally bending beneath the weight of their

flowers. And how marvellous were the shapes of the nepenthes, how

beautiful in colour, how delicate in form!

Fourteen thousand feet does not appear very lofty for a mountain,

but from the north-west you see the whole gigantic form without the

intervention of other summits. In Bolivia I have looked at heights

rising to over twenty-five thousand feet, but you observe them from

plains twelve thousand feet above the sea; in Mexico, the highest

volcano reaches to about nineteen thousand feet, but then it is

usually seen from the capital, itself at seven thousand five hundred

feet; and the same with the highest European mountains.

Sir Hugh Low and I were for many years the only real explorers of

these mountains, and I feel a sort of paternal interest in the

British North Borneo Company, as Sir Alfred Dent once informed me

that it was my work, _Life in the Forests of the Far East_, which

first suggested the idea of acquiring the north-west coast for a

governing and developing company.

The north-west coast possesses two very important harbours. Gaya

Bay has often been recommended as a naval station to command the

China Seas. It certainly offers every facility, and would be a port

of refuge in war time for our mercantile marine. In many respects,

however, the Port of Labuan is more suitable for all purposes, as

it not only has an excellent anchorage easily defended, but it is

well supplied with coal from mines on the island itself, and is

opposite the terminus of the trans-Bornean railway, now in course

of construction, which would bring down full supplies of cattle and

provisions from the fertile districts of Padas and Kalias. It has

also the advantage of having the whole of Brunei Bay enclosed by

territory under English protection, with the Sarawak Government coal

mines at Muara, and the productive rivers of Limbang and Trusan to

add to its supplies.

Labuan is administered, with the sanction of our Government, by

the British North Borneo Company, and is likely to be one of the

most flourishing of its possessions, as it is not only connected by

telegraph lines with Singapore and Hong Kong, a through British line,

but it must increase in consequence in these days of wars and rumours

of wars.

Sir Alfred Dent acquired through an agent the concession of the

north-west coast of Borneo from the Sultan of Brunei, though with

some important exceptions, now in process of being handed over to

the Company, as well as the north-east coast, which during the last

century had been ceded to England by a Sultan of Sulu, but which we

had left unoccupied; all necessary arrangements were made with the

government of those islands. These concessions were first worked

by a Provisional Association, and were, in 1881, taken over by the

newly-formed North Borneo Company on very onerous terms, which, at

the present day, it would be useless to criticise, but which left the

directors with insufficient working capital to push development with

any vigour.

It is not necessary to trace in any detail the history of the Company

during the last seventeen years. My object being rather to give a

general view of its present condition. I may remark, however, to

account for its still backward state, that its progress was much

impeded by a want of knowledge, on the part of both the chairman and

the directors, of the country they were chosen to administer. Within

these last few years this defect has been rectified, and we may now

confidently expect that progress will be more rapid.

The north-east coast of Borneo presents a great contrast to that

of the north-west, as the land lies low, but is in general very

fertile. As long ago as 1852 we marched through the district of

Tungku on Darvel Bay, and could not but admire the splendid crops

which covered the earth, and the vigour of the growth of the palms

and fruit trees.

The principal settlements of the North Borneo Company are Labuan,

Padas, Kalias and Sandakan. To Labuan I have already referred. As a

centre of native trade it is likely to become important, and Victoria

Harbour is often crowded with steamers anxious to secure coal. Its

unhealthy stage appears to have passed away; in fact, the whole of

North Borneo may be looked upon as fairly healthy, for although

on the north-east coast there are many districts where fever is

prevalent (an incident common to every tropical country when the

jungle is first cut down), yet this malaria disperses in time.

Next to Labuan lie the districts of Padas and Kalias, well filled

with an agricultural population, quiet and fairly industrious. Their

principal industry is the cultivation of the sago palm and pepper.

Padas had been chosen as the starting point of the telegraph line,

which has been carried across the country to Sandakan Bay, a distance

of three hundred miles. It does not appear to work very successfully,

as it is liable to constant interruption from the wires being broken

by falling trees. My experience of Bornean forests is that trees

seldom fall even during the fiercest storms if their supports are

left untouched. The finest forest trees, except the Tapang, have

most of their roots running along the surface of the ground, and

have a very poor hold, but they are supported in their positions

by innumerable creepers, which vary in size from those resembling

a ship’s cable in diameter to the most delicate rattan. Cut these

braces and the tree is liable to fall. This is so well known to the

natives that, when clearing old forests, they only cut the principal

trees partly through, except a line of the outermost ones, which are

hacked until they give signs of falling. The whole line then comes

down, dragging to the earth all the trees partially cut through, as

if they were bound together by cords, instead of by Nature’s cables.

It is probably the cutting of the telegraphic line through the forest

which has weakened the natural supports, and so the trees fall. If

any other telegraph line be run it would be worth while trying to

make the forest trees serve instead of poles, as these appear to have

rotted within the first year.

From the occasional notices in the _Herald_, the North Borneo

official paper, it would appear that the line was cut most of the

way through primeval forest, thus opening out millions of acres of

virgin land for agriculturists to develop. When the existence of this

line is thoroughly understood, and its working can be ensured, it

will no doubt induce those ships which trade between Australia and

China to call in at Sandakan. Had the line been reliable, no doubt

the Spaniards of the Philippines would have used it, in order to

telegraph to their Government, instead of going all the way round to

Labuan.

But the great experiment in Borneo is the railway. It starts from

what may be termed the Padas district, at a point on the coast called

Bukau, and the first section is to the Penotal Gorge, about fifty

miles in the interior on the way to the east coast. Its course, as

traced on the map, will take it well south of east, and it will have

its terminus in Santa Lucia Bay. I have seen no reason given why it

should not be taken to Sandakan, the headquarters of the Company, and

a first-class harbour. It appears a mistake to lessen the importance

of the capital, unless there are strong commercial reasons, depending

on the tobacco plantations, for diverting its course through an

unknown country, close to the Dutch frontiers.

If this railway succeed it will open a new era in Bornean

development; and it should succeed, as, with liberal land laws,

foreigners and natives will settle along the line and form

plantations. But who are the inhabitants beyond the Penotal Gorge?

They are mentioned once or twice in the course of the reports as

Muruts or Dusuns, who will no doubt work jungle produce as soon as

they find a profitable market; in fact, they are doing so now to

a small extent. If the promises made to the Company be kept, and

sawmills be erected near the western terminus, then the timber trade

will give profitable employment to the railway. Neither timber nor

jungle produce, however, will make a railway pay, and therefore the

Company must be prepared to support cultivators and planters all

along the line, and the money will be well and profitably employed.

They have themselves started an experimental plantation at Sapong,

where tobacco and other products are cultivated with very fair

success, and this will encourage others. I shall watch the progress

of this railway with the greatest interest, and though there will be

many complaints at its slow progress, yet if capital can be found

to finish it, it must prove of great benefit to the Company. It is

satisfactory to learn, from the latest reports, that the natives are

flocking to its neighbourhood, and that they have already cleared the

land for a width of three miles on either side of the line.

Gaya Bay has so lately come under the direct control of the Company

that nothing has been done yet for its development, but only some

of its smaller harbours can be expected to be touched at first.

Nearly all the districts in its neighbourhood are, however, fairly

populated, and there is considerable cultivation on the rivers

Patatan, Ananam and Kabatuan.

Kudat, on Marudu Bay, appears at one time to have been chosen for

the Governor’s headquarters, but it showed no promise of rapid

development, and they have now been transferred to Sandakan. There

is, however, a good deal of cultivation going on, and among the

immigrants are several hundred Chinese Christians called Hakkas,

who appear to have fled from the persecution of their heathen

brethren. These are likely to be a permanent population and should be

encouraged, as they are sure to support the Government.

The most important settlement on the mainland of Borneo, within the

Company’s grants, is Sandakan. It is a fine bay, fairly healthy, with

excellent sites for a town, and is connected by a water passage with

the important river of Kina Batañgan, from which a short road leads

to the gold workings of Sigama. Its inhabitants already muster, I

understand, about three thousand, and it has the principal Government

offices, a church, a club, an hotel and some rideable roads. It only

wants coal to render it an important port of call, and this is said

to have been found not far from the town, and is about to be worked.

The inhabitants of the districts under the sway of the Company are

of many different races. The bulk of the population are Dusuns or

Idaán, very much like the better class of the Land Dyaks of Sarawak.

They are easily governed, and among them head hunting is a tradition

rather than a practice, as only in one village that Sir Hugh Low and

I visited did we find a head house, or any skulls hung up to the

rafters, as is commonly the case in the communities south of the

Baram. We stayed in their villages on several occasions, and formed

a very favourable opinion of the people.

The above remarks are based upon our observations made in 1858, but,

if Mr John Whitehead is not mistaken, these races must have greatly

deteriorated, as he writes a good deal about the practice of head

hunting among them in 1888. When we were there we heard like reports

and met many parties of armed Dusuns, who were said to be on the

war-path, but as at the same time we also met numerous parties of

Dusun men, women and children carrying tobacco to the coast villages

through what was said to be an enemy’s country, we did not pay much

attention to such statements. We saw also small parties of women

and children working in the fields miles away from their villages,

which could not occur if there were any real danger from hostile

tribes. Either Mr Whitehead was deceived by similar stories to those

which were constantly dinned into our ears, or the Dusuns have sadly

deteriorated. These stories of enemies were fabricated chiefly with

the object of preventing our visiting neighbouring villages.

I am afraid we should find great changes if we returned to Kina Balu,

as Mr Whitehead mentions that the Company have found it necessary to

send punitive expeditions against these Dusuns. I trust, however,

that this is a mistake.

The next in importance to the Dusuns from their numbers are the

Bajaus, who are still often called Sea Gipsies from their wandering

habits, but many thousands of them have abandoned their old custom

of living in boats and have settled on the lake-like Mengkabong

river and in many other places along the north-west coast, until you

reach Tampasuk, where, a few miles inland, they are numerous. The

Bajaus are also to be found on the north and east coasts, and are

there deemed a very useful class, as fishermen and collectors of sea

produce for export to the China market.

The Lanuns, of marauding celebrity, lived formerly on the Lower

Tampasuk and Padasan rivers, but since their pirate settlements

were routed out by Sir Thomas Cochrane in 1846, they have gradually

abandoned the coast, and retired to their own country, the great

island of Mindanau. Probably a few who have intermarried with the

Bajaus may still be left. They were a gallant, courteous people, but

too lawless for our times.

On the north-east coast there is a very mixed population of people

from the Sulu Islands—some Malays, many Bajaus, and since the advent

of the Company, several Chinese and a few Europeans and Madrasees.

In Padas and Kalias and on the rivers to the south of Patatan, there

are many Malays from Brunei; Kadayans, who are probably aborigines

converted to Islam; many descendants of the ancient Chinese colony,

who can still speak their old language, but dress and live like

other natives of the island. From these curious mixtures of races are

derived the industrious agriculturists of those districts.

The native Borneans of whatever race have shown no power to augment

the population. The deaths appear almost to equal the births,

but that may arise from the great neglect of the children, and

the inability of the natives to combat epidemics—smallpox and

cholera sometimes sweeping them off by thousands. These causes of

depopulation may lessen under the influence of civilisation, but not

to a very great extent.

The Company will have therefore to depend on the Chinese, and perhaps

on the Japanese, for the future population, as their industry is

undoubted, and the teeming millions of the parent countries can

supply endless recruits. But it would be dangerous to rely upon these

hard-working but turbulent people alone, and therefore a mixture of

Javanese, Boyans and Tamils would be very desirable.

The Company have very rightly based their prosperity on agriculture,

and have done much to encourage subsidiary associations in their

efforts to cultivate tobacco, and in some respects with very great

success, as the produce has been of first-rate quality and fetches

very high prices. In fact, the soil appears particularly adapted to

this valuable plant, but, as always occurs when any new business is

started, insufficient capital, and managers without any idea of

economical working, nearly wrecked this promising industry. It now

appears to have passed this trying stage and established itself on a

firm basis, and its prospects are excellent.

The soil of the east coast, and many districts of the west, appears

suited to every tropical cultivation. Coffee, both Liberian and

Asiatic, grows with astonishing vigour, even yielding fruit in the

third year. In other countries the best coffee is grown on hills at

least three thousand feet above the sea level, and planters in Borneo

may find it worth their while to attend to this. It is in favour of

planters that all the products they have essayed have flourished for

generations before the advent of the Company. Coffee is found in the

hills round the capital. I sent home excellent specimens of cotton

grown on the north-west coast as long ago as in the Fifties, and Saba

tobacco was famous and much preferred to the Javanese by all the

natives of Brunei. We noticed at Kiau, on Kina Balu, how carefully

the Dusuns cultivated their tobacco, keeping the fields perfectly

clean. Pepper was grown by the Chinese throughout the last century,

so that none of these products are experiments. They have simply to

be grown by experienced managers, instead of by the careless native

methods.

As yet the search for minerals has not been successful. Gold has

been found in many districts, but has not hitherto been worked so as

to prove a mercantile success. As, however, alluvial gold has been

collected in several streams, the quartz reefs will yet be found,

as in Sarawak, where, after more than fifty years of expectation,

machinery has been erected to crush the stone. A small company has

been formed in London to work the gold found in the sand and gravel

banks in the Sigama river, which will be raised from its bed by a

dredging machine. The latest accounts are that the dredger is already

above the rapids, and had commenced working. There is nothing in the

world like gold to attract population.

The geological formation of the great mountain of Kina Balu, and

its surrounding ranges, would appear to offer a grand field for

geologists, but it is a difficult country to explore, except where

the sandstones check vegetation, but these last-named strata are

never prolific in minerals.

Since the North Borneo Company has had a business man at their head,

and there is a better knowledge of Borneo among the directors, it

appears to be going the right way to work to develop the country. It

has made some necessary roads; the electric telegraph, though not

at present very important in itself, has opened up the interior and

shown what may be expected from pushing on the railway through this

as yet undeveloped country.

The territory of the State of North Borneo is under the rule of a

governor, Mr Beaufort, chosen by the Court of Directors, and under

him are many Residents and sub-officers who administer the affairs

in the various districts. As the _Herald_ appears to publish only

_résumés_ of the reports from the different stations, it is difficult

to form any idea of the capacity of the officials or the manner in

which they perform their work, but, on the whole, I should say it was

satisfactory. However, there is nothing more difficult than to find

men to manage natives so as to gain their confidence. As a rule the

higher the class from which they are chosen, the greater chance there

is of their success.

The State of North Borneo has an armed police, which only numbers

four hundred, for their very extensive territory, and it proves

how amenable the natives must be to authority that they can keep

comparative order. The few outbreaks which have occurred have been

easily suppressed, though as yet it is uncertain what will be the

future conduct of the last rebel, Mat Sali, and his gang. If terms

have been made with him which will in the future keep him quiet, so

much the better for all. A portion of the North Borneo armed police

consists of Sikhs. It is difficult to exaggerate the admirable

conduct of these men during the difficult operations against Mat

Sali. In the attacks on his fort their behaviour was simply splendid,

and their English officers, both civil and military, were indeed

well worthy to lead such men. It is to be regretted that their

brave commandant, Jones, was killed. It is easy to criticise the

desperate onslaught, and say it was foolhardy, but it is by such

gallant contempt of odds that the Empire has been won, and that we

can record with pride ‘the Deeds which made the Empire.’ And all this

goes on in an almost forgotten part of the world, as a mere matter

of duty, without any idea on the part of these brave fellows that

their countrymen will ever hear of their noble conduct. Wherever the

Sikhs and their English officers may be, we may feel assured of good

work being done, as, for instance, in East Africa, with the late

Lieutenant Alston and his dashing followers.

The revenue is raised in British North Borneo generally on the lines

adopted in other Eastern possessions. The principal source of income

is derived from ‘farms.’ The most important are those of opium and

spirits. They are the easiest and best methods of raising revenue,

as they only touch the weaknesses or the vices of the Chinese, and

are generally highly productive; and, where the authorities are not

amenable to the influence of ignorant but well-meaning fanatics, the

gambling farm is not only productive but has a good moral effect, as

experience has proved that the evil is lessened by being concentrated

at spots under the surveillance of the police. The farms of pork

and fish, and in a lesser degree, perhaps, the pawnbroking, are

liable to great objections. The pork farm might be suppressed and

public slaughter-houses established, as is done now in Sarawak; and

pawnbroker’s licenses might be substituted for that farm, which,

in practice, proves so onerous to the poor. The fish farm should

be suppressed and an open market substituted. As there is no clear

financial statement published, I am aware that I may be criticising

in the dark.

Duties on imports are often necessary, and export duties on timber

and jungle produce are very defensible, as someone aptly remarked

that the collectors only reap the harvest without having been put

to the trouble or expense of sowing or planting, and someone must

pay for the protection they all enjoy. As a rule, however, duties

on agricultural products should be avoided. The tax on nibongs

and attaps is something quite original, can produce but a trifle,

and must be excessively annoying to the natives, as these are the

building materials of their houses.

I will now give the receipts and expenditure in North Borneo for the

five years 1893-7, as the receipts are now normal, and not affected

by the speculative rush of planters and others, who disbursed money

without a thought of the morrow:—

Income. Expenditure.

1893, £31,345 £30,338

1894, 31,559 28,818

1895, 37,075 33,266

1896, 42,841 33,015

1897, 43,778 ...

As far as it goes this is a satisfactory increase in the revenue,

but is a mere bagatelle if we consider the vast territory from which

it is produced. But no striking increase can take place until the

Chinese feel thoroughly at home there. That North Borneo was once

very popular with them is attested by all the accounts we gather

from travellers and from native tradition. The very names show how

they influenced the country. We have Kina Benua, the Chinese land;

Kina Balu, the Chinese widow, the name of the great mountain; Kina

Batañgan, the Chinese river (in the written annals of the Court of

Brunei, it is mentioned that a Chinese kingdom was established on

that river); then we have Kina Taki and Kina Bañgun, the names of

small streams in the north. This shows how numerous the Chinese must

have been in this territory. The causes of their disappearance are

obscure, but may be readily imagined. Bad government in Brunei, the

increase of piracy, the cutting off of the junks, the risings against

oppression by this unwarlike race led to massacres; in fact, these

causes are clear from the accounts of the natives. But where the

Chinese have once been, they will come again.

It must be uphill work trying to extract taxes from natives, who,

though they are accustomed to be robbed and plundered by their

own rulers, are very unwilling to pay even the smallest regular

impost. The Sarawak Malays do so readily with their capitation tax,

as that payment frees them from the liability of being called out

for military service, and the more civilised and industrious they

become, the more they appreciate this freedom from liability. The

capitation tax is a just one, though often it requires great caution

in its collection to avoid discontent. As a rule it should not be

collected in those districts in which the Company have no permanent

officers located. Flying visits often do more harm than good. It is

difficult to see how any addition can be made to the taxation. The

State of Borneo must trust to the gradual development of the country

and to the increase of its population, but all trammels on the free

circulation of traders should be removed.

It is evident from the trade returns of North Borneo that the country

is progressing. Take the statistics for the same five years:—

Imports. Exports.

1893, $1,116,714 $1,780,593

1894, 1,329,066 1,698,543

1895, 1,663,906 2,130,600

1896, 1,882,188 2,473,753

1897, 1,887,498 2,942,293

The dollar is now only worth two shillings. I do not know if these

returns include those of our Colony of Labuan. I believe not, as no

mention is made of the export of coal in the detailed lists.

Tobacco is the most important article of export. There are several

companies busily engaged in developing this industry, as the Bornean

leaf has now taken a high position in the markets, and its quality

is excellent. It not only furnishes the leaves used as wrappers,

but as a smoking tobacco it has met with much favour. The principal

plantations are in the north-eastern coast, near the river Kina

Batañgan and Darvel Bay. The Government are also trying an experiment

on the Sapong line, which will be followed by the railway. The

tobacco which was so sought after by the natives in old days was,

however, a product principally of the north-west coast. It would

probably be advantageous to find out the exact spots where the Saba

plants were grown. There is very little likelihood of there being a

glut of tobacco on the market, as many of the old sources of supply

are drying up, as in Cuba, and, to a lesser extent, in Manila, and

the recent judicious reduction of duty in England will increase its

consumption. I have no sympathy with those who would instead have

lowered or abolished the duty on tea, as if tea drinkers should not

contribute to the support of our navy, which secures the arrival of

their favourite leaf.

The production of coffee, cotton, gambier and pepper are as yet on a

very small scale, as most of the plantations are in their infancy.

Pepper used to be grown to a considerable extent in the districts

opposite, and a little north of Labuan, but here, as elsewhere, no

doubt, the exceedingly low prices may have induced the natives to

neglect the cultivation of this vine. Sarawak now produces about

15,000 tons of gambier, worth $700,000. This should encourage

planters in North Borneo.

Cutch, manufactured from the bark of the mangrove tree, has became a

very important export, and the development of this industry can only

be limited by the demand. Gutta and rubber are of some importance,

and rattans are taking an important place in the list of exports, and

so are sago flour and timber. Although as a rule export duties on

cultivated products are to be avoided, there are many good reasons

why the Government should put a duty on tobacco, which, however, is

so very light, only one per cent., as scarcely to affect its price,

whilst the sum so raised is of importance to the Treasury. The police

and other expenses connected with the protection of this industry are

considerable.

In reading over the reports in the _North Borneo Herald_, I have

noticed the tendency of the officers in charge of districts to

interfere with the movements of traders. One will only allow certain

men to go into the interior to collect jungle products, but they must

not take with them merchandise to barter with the natives; another

objects to traders going into the interior to buy produce there,

as it prevents the aborigines coming down to have ‘a glimpse of

civilisation’; a third charges for permits, which induces people to

get into the Company’s interior districts from the Brunei territory,

and to return that way, thus depriving the Government of its export

duties (to this I notice Mr Maxwell objected); a fourth is afraid

that the Chinaman will cheat the innocent Dusun, but after a very

short time the latter becomes a very good match for the trader. I

remember certain natives bringing hundreds of pikuls of worthless

gutta, carefully coated over with the genuine article, to the bazaar

in Sarawak. The Chinaman tested it, and finding no stones concealed

inside the lumps, bought it at rather a high price, but was surprised

to find on its being sent to Singapore that it was unsaleable. I do

not think, therefore, that the officers of the State of North Borneo

need trouble themselves about the trading incapacity of the Dusuns.

But the scales and weights of the Chinese should be periodically

tested, as this is their favourite method of cheating the unwary.

I have always objected to these restrictions on trade, and to the

free movements of traders, as they existed in Sarawak. They owed

their origin there, as in North Borneo, to the jealousy of the native

chiefs, who do their utmost to monopolise the trade themselves,

and therefore counsel the English officers not to allow Chinamen

to penetrate into the interior. I would give perfect liberty to

everyone, and this would not only increase the number of traders, but

add considerably to the exports.

I have considered with great attention the negotiations which took

place between the directors of the British North Borneo Company and

the present Rajah of Sarawak, Sir Charles Brooke, and I have come to

the conclusion that the shareholders were perfectly right not to part

with their territory or resign its management. The Rajah would have

found this great increase of dominion very burdensome, and I should

be inclined to doubt whether Sarawak possesses either the capital

or the staff to enable her thus to increase her responsibilities.

Sarawak, as I have observed, has generally failed to attract English

capital, and although the Rajah has governed his own territories with

eminent success, it does not follow that he would have succeeded

in so developing North Borneo as ever to have been able to pay the

shareholders a dividend. They have already waited seventeen years,

with an occasional trifling return, and probably they may have to

wait some time yet, as the country has been but very partially opened

out, but that there is a great future before North Borneo, I have

full confidence.

When the State of North Borneo has advanced sufficiently, it might

follow the example of the old East India Company—convert the capital

of the association into stock at high interest to compensate for

past losses, and then, under a Court of Directors, devote the whole

of the revenue of the State to the advancement of the interests and

welfare of the country. This solution would no doubt be satisfactory

to everyone connected with the enterprise.

APPENDIX

_Mr Brooke’s Expedition to Borneo._[13]

Borneo (in the language of the natives Bruni), Celebes, Sulu, the

Moluccas, and the islands of the Straits of Sunda and Banca, compose

what is commonly called the Malayan group, and the Malays located

on the sea shores of these and other islands may with certainty be

classed as belonging to one nation.

It is well known, however, that the interior of these countries is

inhabited by various tribes, differing from the Malays and each

other, and presenting numerous gradations of imperfect civilisation.

The Dyaks of Borneo, the Arafuras of New Guinea, and others,

besides the black race scattered over the islands (objects here, as

elsewhere, of traffic), present an interesting field of inquiry; and

it is surprising, whilst our acquaintance with every other portion

of the globe, from the passage of the Pole to the navigation of the

Euphrates, has greatly extended, we know scarcely anything of these

varieties of the human race beyond the bare fact of their existence,

and remain extremely ignorant of the geographical features of the

countries they inhabit.

Countries which present an extended field for Christianity and

commerce—which none surpass in fertility—rich beyond the Americas

in mineral productions, and unrivalled in natural beauty, yet

continue unexplored, and spite of the advantages which would

probably result, have failed to attract the attention they so well

deserve. The difficulty of the undertaking will scarcely account

for its non-performance; if we consider the voluntary sacrifices

made on the shrine of African research, or the energy displayed and

the sufferings encountered by the explorers of the Polar regions,

yet the necessity of prosecuting the voyage in an armed vessel,

the wildness of the interior tribes, the lawless ferocity of the

Malays, and the dangers to be apprehended from the jealousy of the

Dutch, would prevent most individuals from fixing on this field for

their exertions, and points it out as one which can only be fully

accomplished by Government, or some influential body.

It is not my object to enter into any detail of the past history

of the Malayan nations, but I may refer to the undoubted fact that

they have been in a state of deterioration since we first became

acquainted with them; and the records of our early voyagers,

together with the remains of antiquity still visible in Java and

Sumatra, prove that once flourishing nations have now ceased to

exist, and countries once teeming with human life are now tenantless

and deserted. The causes of such lamentable changes need only be

alluded to, but it is fit to remark that whilst the clamour about

education is loud, and extravagant dreams are entertained of the

progressive advancement of the human race, a large tract of the globe

has been gradually relapsing, and allowed to relapse, into barbarism.

Whether the early decay of the Malay states and their consequent

demoralization arose from the introduction of Mohammedanism, or

resulted from the intrigues of European ambition, it were useless to

discuss; but we are very certain that the policy of the Dutch has,

at the present day, reduced this ‘Eden of the Eastern wave’ to a

state of anarchy and confusion, as repugnant to humanity as it is to

commercial prosperity.

Enough is known of the harshness of this policy, and there is no

need of here contrasting it with the energetic, successful, though

ill-supported sway of Sir Stamford Raffles—but it is the indirect

influence which it exerts that has proved so baneful to the

Archipelago, under the assumed jurisdiction of this European power.

Her unceasing interference in the concerns of the Malay Governments,

and the watchful fomenting of their internal dissensions, have

gradually and effectually destroyed all rightful authority, and

given rise to a number of petty states, which thrive on piracy and

fatten on the slave trade. The consequent disorganisation of society

arising from these causes has placed a bar to commercial enterprise

and personal adventure, and has probably acted on the interior

tribes much in the same way as this fatal policy has affected the

Malays. As far as can be ascertained, the financial and commercial

concerns of the Dutch have not been prosperous; it is easy to

conceive such to be the case, as it will be conceded that oppression

and prosperity cannot coexist. In short, with the smallest possible

amount of advantage, the Dutch Government has all along endeavoured

to perpetuate an exclusive system, aiming more at injury to others

than any advantage to themselves, or to the nations under their

sway; for where an enlightened administration might have produced

the most beneficial results, we are forced to deplore not only the

mischief done, and the mass of good neglected, but the misery and

suffering inflicted on unhappy races, capable, as has been proved, of

favourable development under other circumstances.

The policy of the British in the Indian Archipelago has been marked

by vacillation and weakness. The East India Company, with a strong

desire to rival the Dutch, aimed at doing so by indirect and

underhand means, and shrunk from the liberality of views and bold

line of conduct which was perhaps inconsistent with their position

and tenure of authority. It was in vain that Sir Stamford Raffles

urged on them a line of conduct which, had it been pursued, must

eventually have ensured the ascendency of the British over the space

from Borneo to New Holland, and have linked her colonies in the East

by a chain of posts from the northern part of India to the southern

extremity of Van Diemen’s Land. The timidity of the Company and the

ignorance or indifference of the then existing Governments not only

neglected to carry this bold project into execution, but sacrificed

the advantages already acquired, and, without stipulation or reserve,

yielded the improving Javanese to the tender mercies of their former

masters. The consequences are well known; all the evils of Dutch

rule have been re-established, and the British watchfully excluded,

directly or indirectly, from the commerce of the islands.

It is true that the settlement of Singapore has attracted a large

portion of the native trade to its free port, and has become, from

its happy situation, in some measure an emporium for Straits’

produce; but, with this single commercial exception, our loss of

footing and political influence in the Archipelago is complete,

and our intercourse with the natives has gradually become more

restricted. We may sum up these remarks by taking a brief survey

of the present position of the Archipelago. The Dutch are masters

of a large tract of New Guinea at one extreme, and, at the other,

have possessed themselves of the coast of Borneo, extending from the

western boundary of Borneo proper to the southern limit of Matan.

A glance at the chart will show that they have stations of more or

less importance connecting these points, and that Java, and their

settlement on Sumatra, give them exclusive command of the Straits

of Sunda. It may likewise be here observed that their territorial

extension is only limited by their desires, for as there is no check

from European nations, a title to possession is too readily acquired

from distracted and contending native Governments.

But the position of the Dutch nation in the ‘Far East,’ though

apparently so imposing, is, in reality, far from strong, and their

power would easily sink before the vigorous opposition of any

European country.

Java, exhausted and rebellious, submits, but remembers the period

of British possession. The wild Battas, of Sumatra, successfully

repel the efforts of the Dutch to reduce them. The Chinese of the

southern part of Borneo are eager to cast off the yoke of masters

who debar them every advantage, and would fain, were it in their

power, exact a heavy tribute. Their possessions in New Guinea are

nominal rather than real, and their older settlement of the Moluccas,

fallen in value, can scarcely be supposed to compensate for the

sacrifice of men and money caused by their narrow-minded views and

ill-directed efforts. The Dutch are strong enough to defy any native

power directed against them, but their doubtful title and oppressive

tenure would, as I have before said, render the downfall of their

rule in the Archipelago certain and easy before the establishment of

a liberal Government and conciliating policy.

Of the Malays, it is sufficient here to remark that they have ceased

to be powerful, and that their distracted and disorganised state

renders it dangerous for friends or strangers to trust themselves in

their hands; but their hatred of the Dutch is unbounded, and there is

no reason to think that any insuperable obstacle would be met with in

the formation of a strong legitimate Government amongst them.

Our recent knowledge of the position of the native states is so

circumscribed, however, that it is difficult to say much on this

subject.

The Bugis, the traders of the islands, and their hardiest and most

enterprising race, are checked and hampered by Dutch restrictions,

and this remark, applying most forcibly to them, is true of the whole

trading interests, and renders all alike inveterately hostile to the

Dutch.

It may be fairly concluded from the foregoing remarks that the injury

done to British interests by the cession of Java and the consequent

loss of power has been greatly counterbalanced by the misrule of the

Dutch since their undisputed re-establishment. The field is again

open, therefore, to any nation desirous of rivalling Holland, and

little doubt can be entertained of the success of such an effort, if

carried on by a course of policy and conduct the reverse in every

respect of that pursued by the present monopolists. The fact must be

always borne in mind that the Dutch are masters of the Archipelago

_only_ because no other nation is willing to compete with them, and

although any attempt by another power might, and would, doubtless,

be watched with the greatest anxiety and distrust, and every

opposition, direct and indirect, be levelled against it, yet it could

not be considered any infringement of acknowledged right or actual

possession.

A liberal system, indeed, recommended by mutual advantage, would

assuredly triumph over any local opposition, if not obstructed by

European interests; nor is there any great reason to apprehend such

a probability, unless, going from one extreme to another, we should

attempt hostility to regain what was foolishly thrown away.

Nevertheless, sooner or later, the time _must_ arrive when we shall

again be in possession of these islands, and we may accordingly look

forward and prepare for the event in various ways.

The subject may be divided under two heads, viz., Territorial

Possession, and Commercial Prosperity; and these appear so intimately

blended, that the second is greatly dependent on the first, for it

must be remembered that Sir Stamford Raffles, the highest authority

on this point, has pronounced that no purely commercial settlement

can succeed in the Archipelago, and has attributed the numerous

failures which have occurred to a lack of knowledge of the country,

and the non-possession of territory.

Many arguments might be urged, and many reasons given, to show the

entire justice of this opinion, but it will be sufficient to state

that where a native population exists, and is rightly governed, an

influence is insensibly acquired and strengthened, not only over

those immediately protected, but also over the neighbouring tribes,

and that on the occasion of any disturbance or collision with other

powers, the means of resistance or the punishment of aggression are

at hand. A commercial post, on the contrary, though advantageously

situated, is liable to the fluctuations and distractions of its

neighbours, its means of attack or defence are necessarily limited,

and whilst it fails to command respect, the natives are rather

injured than benefited by its existence.

The chief consideration, however, seems to be that territorial power

is constantly opening new sources of traffic, and extending those

already established, by disembarrassing trade of the intermediate

clogs which tend to limit exports, from the small amount of benefit

to the original dealer—and to lessen the demand—from the increased

price attendant on passing through various hands.

The insular situation of Singapore may be adduced as a proof of

this, for all articles of Straits produce, before coming into the

possession of the British merchant, afford profits to several

classes of natives, in a very unequal degree; and little hope can

be entertained of the favourable progress of a trade wherein the

original producer or proprietor participates to so trifling an extent

in its advantages. It may, indeed, be considered a monopoly by the

natives inhabiting the coasts, as severe on the interior tribes as

the Dutch restrictions on themselves.

For these and many other causes which readily occur, it would seem

that territorial possession is the best, if not the only means, by

which to acquire a direct and powerful influence in the Archipelago,

but any government instituted for the purpose must be directed to the

advancement of the native interests and the development of native

resources rather than by a flood of European colonization, to aim at

possession only, without reference to the indefeasible rights of the

Aborigines.

On the second head, viz., the Commercial Prosperity, nothing need be

added save that, being dependent on the right working of the first

principle, it must unavoidably, in its progress, present a striking

contrast to the commercial monopolies of the Dutch, and be the means

of bringing the English merchant in contact with the original native

dealer.

The advantages, political and commercial, accruing from a

well-managed territory need only be alluded to, as everyone in the

slightest degree acquainted with the country is well aware of its

vast capability.

In a political view, the contiguity of the islands to our possessions

in New Holland and India, and the command over China, are

sufficiently apparent; and commercially, it would only be necessary

to quote their productions to prove their value. The difficulty of

once more placing our interests on a footing worthy a great nation

is no doubt considerable, but apt to be greatly overrated; as the

unpopularity of the Dutch, and the weakness of the native states,

would ensure success to an establishment aiming at sufficient results

by slow but steady means. The question, indeed, is not one embracing

the acquisition of territory, but its _occupation_: viz., whether

England shall claim and improve lands she holds by as good a title

as any the Dutch can show, and whether, doing so, she shall use the

full ascendency of her national position to extend her commerce, and

distribute her manufactures among a people who have always, when

permitted, shown their craving for mercantile adventure?

A strong government established in Malludu[14] Bay, a British

territory capable of extension, and possessing internal resources,

having sufficient authority to cultivate a good understanding

with the native governments, and spread inferior posts over the

Archipelago, as opportunities offered, would effect this object,

and, without infringing upon the claims of any foreign state, ensure

a commercial footing on a scale never yet developed in this portion

of the world. Malludu Bay, situated at the northern extremity of

Borneo, has been mentioned as best adapted for the purpose in view on

several accounts.

1st. It is a British possession.

2nd. There is no great Malay or Bugis settlement in its vicinity.

3rd. It is the place where, in all probability, a direct intercourse

may be held with the Dyaks of the interior.

4th. The position relative to China is advantageous.

5th. It forms the western limit of the Archipelago, and our new

settlement at Port Essington bounds it to the eastward. The climate

and the soil are well spoken of: a river flows into the bay, and

is reported to communicate with the lake of Keeny Balloo[15] and

the mountains in the interior—one of very considerable elevation.

Above all, however, the natives are reported to be docile and easily

taught; the servants of the Company attached to their settlement of

Balambangan were decided in opinion that this bay was far preferable

in every respect to the station chosen and subsequently abandoned.

Supposing these advantages to be as above stated, yet it would

scarcely authorise any active steps being taken without a more

accurate knowledge than we at present possess of the particular

locality and of the States in its vicinity; it is to this point that

I would direct attention, remarking, however, that although Malludu

Bay should on inquiry be found to be unfit for the purposes of

colonisation, yet the general view of our policy remains unaffected,

as it would be only necessary to obtain a suitable place.

With a settlement at each extremity of the Archipelago, we could

readily protect the trade of the natives, and obtain minor posts, and

free-trade ports, whence the best principles of commerce and good

government might be disseminated, and our interests best promoted, by

the general prosperity of the countries under our sway, or in our own

vicinity. It is scarcely necessary to say more on this subject, but

before closing these remarks, I cannot help adverting to the colony

at Port Essington.

The former settlement, which existed in the immediate neighbourhood

of Port Essington, was after a trial (of a few years) abandoned as

useless, and the same difficulties which checked the progress of the

first will probably impede the present colony.

It was a striking feature of this settlement, that the natives,

though frequenting the coasts to the northward of New Holland,[16]

seldom if ever visited or offered to trade with the settlement. This

has, I know, been attributed to the natives being ignorant of the

existence of the place, but this reason appears to me improbable

in the highest degree, and we may with more justice surmise the

cause to be our utter disinclination and local inability to protect

traders from the consequences attendant on a breach of Dutch

regulations. This conjecture gathers confirmation from the facts

that the inhabitants of the Eastern portion of the Archipelago are

not addicted to maritime adventure, being supplied by the traders

of the Western Islands with such articles of European or Chinese

manufacture as are suited to their tastes. The Bugis vessels that

frequent the north coast of New Holland chiefly carry on the trade

with the Arafura group, and it is evident that going and returning

from this voyage they are at the mercy of the Dutch cruisers. Is it

probable, then, that the Dutch would allow an intercourse with a

British settlement which it was in their power to prevent? And whilst

the Bugis are the carriers, is it not in the power of the Dutch to

restrict and harass, if not totally to prevent, their communication

with us? The natives of the Archipelago cannot look to the British

for protection, but they can and do look for Dutch vengeance, and

dread it.

These considerations are not urged against advantages to be derived

from the possession of Port Essington, but rather as a warning

against the over-sanguine expectations of its having a trade of

any considerable extent, whilst our relations with the Archipelago

continue on their present eclipsed footing. The good to result from

this colony must be looked for on the continent of New Holland,

where it will probably extend and make the same progressive strides

to importance as the sister colonies in the same country: but with

reference to the Archipelago, its government will want authority to

control the evil influence sufficiently to ameliorate the present

system.

Not far distant to the westward of Port Essington is the large

and fertile island of Timor, a portion of which there is no doubt

the Government of Portugal would cede willingly for the smallest

equivalent, as it has been long virtually abandoned, and is utterly

useless to the mother country. The size and situation would render

the possession of the Portuguese frontier of this island a desirable

acquisition, and the favourable opportunity may not, if allowed to

pass over, again recur.

The same, indeed, may be said of Leuconia, which, offering no real

benefit to Spain, would, in the hands of the English, be a lever to

rule both China and the Archipelago. Rich, fertile, and blessed with

a fine climate, within a few days’ sail of Canton, and commanding

the China sea, it would be an unrivalled jewel in the colonial tiara

of England. When our relations with China come to be settled, and

settled they must shortly be, the importance of Manila can scarcely

be overrated.

Spain, distracted and torn by internal factions, and pledged to

England by treaty and obligation, would readily place Leuconia in our

hands as a guarantee for the sums due, and would probably cede the

possession in lieu of the claims we have on her exchequer.

For such an acquisition, the present is the time, the tide in our

affairs which, taken at the flood, would lead on to fortune; and as I

have before stated, that in a political point of view it is only on

an extended scale that any real advantage, national or local, is to

be gained, I must re-urge my conviction that it is better to leave

the Archipelago in its present state until the next general war, when

it will again pass into our hands, than, by contenting ourselves

with paltry and insignificant stations, convey false impressions of

our national importance, not easily removed from the minds of the

natives.[17]

Whatever difference of opinion may exist, or whatever degree of

credit may be due to the views here recommended, there can be no

doubt of our future ascendency in the Archipelago, whether attempted

at the present time, or delayed until the fortunes of war offer a

fitting occasion. In either case a previous acquaintance will greatly

facilitate the result, and must in all probability tend to a more

just appreciation of these highly interesting countries; for when

public attention is once aroused, and a stimulus given to inquiry,

it cannot fail in fully developing the resources, and exhausting the

knowledge of the mine, which has heretofore been left to the weak and

casual efforts of individual exertion. It has been remarked by Mr

Farquhar that the indifference of the British Government must have

originated solely from the want of information, or its incorrectness,

since it is not improbable that the riches of Sumatra and Borneo are

equal to those of Brazil and New Spain. The lapse of years has by no

means weakened the force of this observation, for Borneo, Celebes,

and indeed the greater portion of these islands are still unknown,

and the government is as indifferent now to these countries, equal

in riches, and superior in commercial advantages to the new world.

The apathy of two centuries still reign supreme with the enlightened

people of England, as well as their Government, and whilst they

willingly make the most expensive efforts favourable to science,

commerce, or Christianity in other quarters, the locality which

eminently combines these three objects is alone neglected and alone

uncared for.

It has unfortunately been the fate of our Indian possessions to have

laboured under the prejudice and contempt of a large portion of the

well-bred community, for whilst the folly of fashion requires an

acquaintance with the deserts of Africa, and a most ardent thirst

for a knowledge of the usages of Timbuctoo, it at the same time

justifies the most profound ignorance of all matters connected with

the government and geography of our vast possessions in Hindostan.

The Indian Archipelago has fully shared this neglect, for even

the tender philanthropy of the present day, which originates such

multifarious schemes for the amelioration of doubtful evils, and

which shudders at the prolongation of apprenticeship in the West for

a single year, is blind to the existence of slavery in its worst and

most exaggerated form in the East. Not a single prospectus is spread

abroad, not a single voice upraised in Exeter Hall, to relieve the

darkness of paganism and the horrors of the slave trade. Whilst the

trumpet tongue of many an orator excites thousands to the rational

and charitable object of converting the Jews and reclaiming the

gipsies; whilst the admirable exertions of missionary enterprise in

the Ausonian climes of the South Sea have invested them with worldly

power as well as religious influence; whilst the benevolent plans

of the New Zealand Association contemplate the protection of the

natives by the acquisition of their territory: whilst we admire

the torrent of devotional and philosophical exertion, we cannot

help deploring that the zeal and attention of the leaders of these

charitable crusades have never been directed to the countries under

consideration. These unhappy countries have failed to rouse attention

or excite commiseration, and as they sink lower and lower, they

afford a striking proof how civilisation may be crushed, and how the

fairest and richest lands under the sun may become degraded by a

continuous course of oppression and misrule.

It is under these circumstances I have considered that individual

exertions may be usefully applied to rouse the zeal of slumbering

philanthropy, and lead the way to an increased knowledge of the

Indian Archipelago.

Such an exertion will be made at some cost and some sacrifice, and I

shall here quit the general topic, and confine myself to the specific

objects of my intended voyage. It must be premised, however, that

any plan previously decided on must always be subject, during its

execution, to great modification, in countries where the population

is always wild and often hostile, and where the influence of climate

is sometimes fatally opposed to the progress of inquiry. Local

information, likewise, frequently renders a change both advisable

and advantageous, and circumstances, as they spring up, too often

influence beyond the power of foresight, especially in my own case,

where the utmost care will still leave the means very inadequate to

the full accomplishment of the proposed undertaking.

With a small vessel properly equipped, and provided with the

necessary instruments for observation, and the means for collecting

specimens in Natural History, it is proposed, in the first place,

to proceed to Singapore, which may be considered the headquarters

for the necessary intervals of refreshment, and for keeping open a

certain communication with Europe. Here, the best local information

can be obtained, interpreters procured, the crew augmented for

any particular service, and, if needful, a small vessel of native

construction may be added to the expedition to facilitate the objects

in view. An acquaintance may likewise be formed with the more

respectable of the Bugis merchants, and their good-will conciliated

in the usual mode, viz., by civility and presents, so as to remove

any misconceived jealousy on the score of trading rivalry, and to

induce a favourable report of our friendly intentions in their own

country, and at the places where they may touch. The _Royalist_[18]

will probably reach Singapore in the month of February or March 1839,

at the latter end of the N.E. or rainy monsoon. The delay consequent

on effecting the objects above mentioned, besides gaining a general

acquaintance with the natural history and trade of the settlement,

and some knowledge of the Malay language, will usefully occupy the

time until the setting in of the S.W. or dry monsoon. It may be

incidentally mentioned, however, that, in the vicinity of Singapore,

there are many islands imperfectly known, and which, during the

interval of the rainy season, will afford interesting occupation. I

allude more especially to the space between the Straits of Rhio and

those of the Durien, and likewise to the island of Bintang, which,

although laid down as one large island, is probably composed of

small ones, a better acquaintance with which might facilitate the

voyage from Singapore to the eastward, by bringing to light other

passages besides those of Rhio and Durien, and at any rate would add

something to the knowledge of the country in the immediate vicinity

of our settlement. On the commencement of the healthy season, I

purpose sailing from Singapore, and proceeding without loss of

time to Malludu Bay. This spot has been chosen for our first essay

for reasons previously enumerated, and in a country every part of

which is highly interesting, the mere fact of its being a British

possession gives it a prior claim to attention. The objects in view

may be briefly mentioned.

1st. A general knowledge of the bay, and the correct position of its

various points, so as to determine its outline.

2nd. To make inquiries of the settlement of Cochin-Chinese, reported,

on Earl’s authority, to be fixed in the neighbourhood of Bankoka. (An

intercourse will if possible be opened with this settlement.)

3rd. Carefully and minutely to explore the rivers which flow into

the bay, and to penetrate, if practicable, as far as the lake and

mountain of Keeny Balloo.

4th. Every endeavour will be used to open a communication with the

aboriginal inhabitants, and to conciliate their good opinion. I

speak with great diffidence about penetrating into the interior of

this country, for I am well aware of the insurmountable difficulties

which the hard reality often presents, previously overlooked, or

easily overcome on the smoothness of paper, or in the luxury of a

drawing-room. The two points chiefly to be relied on for this purpose

are a friendly intercourse with the natives, and the existence

of navigable rivers. It is mentioned by Sir Stamford Raffles, on

native authority, that a land communication of not more than forty

miles exists between Malludu Bay and Keeny Balloo, but neither this

computation, nor any other derived from the natives, can be relied

on, for the inhabitants of these countries are generally ignorant

of any measure of distance, and their reckoning by time is so vague

as to defy a moderately certain conclusion. The fact, however, of

the vicinity of the lake to the bay is certain, and it follows as a

reasonable inference that the river or rivers flowing into the bay

communicate with the lake. The existence of such rivers, which were

from the locality to be expected, are mentioned by Captain Forrest.

Most of this north part of Borneo (he says), granted to the East

India Company by the Sulus, is watered by noble rivers; those that

discharge themselves into Malludu Bay are not barred. It is by one

or the other of these rivers that I shall hope to penetrate as far

as the lake and mountain of Keeny Balloo, and into the country of

the Idaan. I have not been able to learn that any Malay towns of

importance are situated in the bight of the bay, and their absence

will render a friendly communication with the aborigines a matter

of comparative ease. The advantages likely to result from such

friendly relations are so evident, that I need not dwell upon them,

though the mode of effecting such an intercourse must be left to the

thousand contingencies which govern all, and act so capriciously on

the tempers of savage races. The utmost forbearance and liberality,

guided by prudence, so as not to excite cupidity, appear the

fundamental rules for managing men in a low state of civilisation.

The results of an amicable understanding are uncertain at its

commencement, for they depend on the enterprise of the individual

and the power of the native tribe into whose hands he may chance

to fall. I will therefore not enter into a visionary field of

discovery, but it appears to me certain that, without the assistance

of the natives, no small party can expect to penetrate far into a

country populous by report, and in many parts thickly wooded. Without

entertaining exaggerated expectations, I trust that something may be

added to our geographical knowledge of the sea-coast of this bay;

its leading features, productions, river anchorages and inhabitants;

the prospects of trade and the means of navigation; and although

my wishes lead me strongly to penetrate as far as the lake, yet

the obstacles which may be found to exist will induce me to rest

satisfied with the more moderate and reasonable result. It may not

be superfluous to notice here that a foregone conclusion appears to

be spread abroad regarding the aboriginal (so-called) inhabitants

of Borneo, and that they are usually considered and mentioned under

the somewhat vague appellation of Dyaks. They are likewise commonly

pronounced as originating from the same stock as the Arafuras of

Celebes and New Guinea, and radically identical with the Polynesian

race. The conclusion is not in itself highly improbable, but

certainly premature, as the facts upon which it is built are so

scanty and doubtful as to warrant no such structure. On an island so

vast as Borneo, races radically distinct might exist, and at any rate

the opposite conclusion is hardly justifiable from the specimens of

language, or the physical appearance of the tribes of the southern

portion of the country. We have Malay authorities for believing

that there are many large tribes in the interior, differing greatly

in their degree of civilisation, though all alike removed from the

vicinity of a superior people. We have the Dyaks of the south, the

Idaan of the north, the Kayan warriors and the Punan, a race little

better than monkeys, who live in trees, eat without cooking, are

hunted by the other tribes, and would seem to exist in the lowest

conceivable grade of humanity. If we can trust these accounts,

the latter people resemble in many particulars the Orang Benua,

or aborigines of the Peninsula, but the Dyaks and Idaans are far

superior, living in villages, cultivating the ground and possessing

cattle; besides these, we have the names of several other tribes and

people, and in all probability many exist in the interior with whom

we are yet unacquainted.

There are strong reasons for believing that the Hindoo religion,

which obtained so extensively in Java and Sumatra, and yet survives

in Balli and Lombok, was likewise extended to Borneo, and some

authors have conceived grounds for supposing a religion anterior

even to this. If only a portion of these floating opinions should be

true, and the truth can only be tested by inquiry, we may fairly look

for the descendants of the Hindoo dynasty as well as an aboriginal

people. It never seems to have occurred to anyone to compare the

Dyaks with the people of Balli and Lombok; we know indeed little of

the former, but both races are fair, good-looking and gentle. Again,

respecting the concluded identity of the Dyaks and Arafuras; it is

clear we have a very limited knowledge of the former, and, I may

ask, what do we know of the Arafuras? In short, I feel as reluctant

to embrace any preconceived theory as I am to adopt the prevailing

notion on this subject, for it requires a mass of facts, with which

we are lamentably deficient, to arrive at anything approaching to a

reasonable conclusion. To return, however, from the above digression

to the proceedings of the _Royalist_, I would remark that it depends

greatly on the time passed in Malludu Bay whether our next endeavour

be prosecuted at Abai on the western, or Trusan Abai on the eastern

coast. The object in visiting Abai would be chiefly to penetrate

to the lake, which, on the authority of Dalrymple and Barton, is

not very far distant thence by a water communication; but should

any success have attended similar efforts from Malludu Bay, this

project will be needless, as the enterprise will be prosecuted to the

westward, and reach the vicinity of Abai. As Kimanis is the limit

of the British territory to the westward, so Point Kenabantongen,

situated to the southward of the bay of Londakua (Sandakan?),

forms the eastern boundary, and a line drawn from coast to coast

between these points is represented as including our possessions.

A reference to the chart will show the extent to be considerable,

and the eastern coast from Malludu Bay to Point Kenabantongen is so

little known, that it is desirable to become acquainted with its

general features and conformation, and to seek thence the means of

gaining an inlet into the interior should it be denied at Malludu

Bay. The reported proximity of Keeny Balloo to Malludu Bay, and

likewise to Abai, would (supposing it to be anything like the size

it is affirmed) lead us to expect that it cannot be far distant

from the eastern coast, and it is reasonable to conclude that some

rivers or streams discharge themselves into the sea, in the numerous

indentations that abound on this shore. However this may be, the

coast, with its bays, islands, and bold headlands, is one of great

interest, the careful inspection of which as far as Point Keneonjon

will add to our knowledge. The longitude of Point Unsong and Point

Keneonjon will likewise determine the eastern extremity of Borneo, as

the latitude of Point San Paniange will give the northern extreme of

the island.

Much might be added on this topic, especially on the reputed

communication by a line of lakes from Malludu Bay to Benjar Massin,

which, if true, would in all probability place some of these lakes

near particular points of the eastern coast, as the whole line from

the relative position of the two extremes must be on the eastern side

of the island. These reports, and the various surmises which arise

from them, are matters rather of confirmation than discussion, and I

will therefore only add that, tempted by success, I shall not devote

less than a year and a half to this object; but in case of finding

a sickly climate, or meeting with a decidedly hostile population, I

shall more easily abandon the field, and turn to others of not less

interest, and perhaps less risk.

Equal to Borneo in riches, and superior in picturesque beauty to any

part of the Archipelago, is the large and eccentric country of the

Bugis, called Celebes; so deep are the indentations of its coast,

that the island may be pronounced as composed of a succession of

peninsulas, nearly uniting in a common centre in the district of

Palos, and thus, by the proximity of every part to the sea, offering

great facilities for brief and decisive inland excursions.

The Dutch hold possession of Macassar, and formerly had settlements

on the north-west coast and in the Bay of Sawa; their power appears

never to have been very extensively acknowledged, and at present I

have not been able to find any account of the condition of their

factories. This information will probably be gained at Singapore, and

at all events, I am by no means ambitious of frequenting their ports

further than necessity obliges, and expect but little information

from them respecting the internal regulations of their colonial

Government, or the trade or productions of the territory under their

sway. I propose, therefore, limiting my inquiries to the northern and

north-eastern portion of the island, more especially the great Bay of

Gunong Tella. It is impossible to state here the direction of these

inquiries, or any definitive object to which they should be turned,

as I am acquainted with no author who speaks of the country save in

a general and vague manner. It is reported as rich, mountainous,

strikingly beautiful, and possessed of rivers abounding in birds,

and, like Borneo, inhabited by wild tribes in the interior, and by

the Bugis on the seashores and entrances of rivers. The character

of the Bugis, so variously represented, gives me strong hopes of

rendering them, by care and kindness, useful instruments in the

prosecution of these researches, for all writers agree that they are

hardy, active, enterprising and commercial, and it is seldom that a

people possessing such characteristics are deaf to the suggestions of

self-interest and kindly feeling.

The arrogance and especially the indolence of the Malays counteract

the influence of these strong incentives, and the impulse which

governs such wild tribes as the Dyaks and Arafuras is a dangerous

weapon which cuts all ways, and often when least anticipated. The

Bajoos (Bajaus), or sea gipsies, are another race on whom some

dependence may be placed, particularly if they be freed from the

trammels of debt, swindled upon them by the Malays. Mr Earl, who

had a personal acquaintance with this tribe, and could speak their

language, always expressed to me a degree of confidence in their good

faith which must have had some grounds.

I may here conclude the first stage of the expedition, during the

progress of which the headquarters will be fixed at Singapore.

During some of the intervals I hope to see Manila, and to acquire a

cursory knowledge of the unexplored tract at the southern extremity

of Manila, called in Norries’ general chart the Tiger Islands. The

time devoted to the objects above mentioned must, as I have before

said, be regulated by the degree of fortune which attends them; for,

cheered by success, I should not readily abandon the field; yet, if

persecuted by climate or other serious detriments, I shall frequently

shift the ground to remove myself beyond such evil influence. It

is scarcely needful to continue a detail of projects so distant,

having already carved out for myself a work which I should be proud

to perform, and which is already as extended as the chances of human

life and human resolves will warrant.

The continuation of the voyage would lead me to take the _Royalist_

to Timor or Port Essington, thence making excursions to the Aru

Isles, Timor Laut, and the southern shores of North Guinea. That part

of the coast contiguous to Torres Straits I am particularly desirous

of visiting, as it has been suggested to me by Mr Earl, and I think

with reason, that a better channel than the one we are at present

acquainted with may be found there. That such a channel exists,

and will be discovered when the coast is surveyed, I entertain but

little doubt, but the navigation is hazardous, and from the westward

must be attempted with great caution. My own proceedings must of

course be regulated by the discoveries previously made by Captain

Wickham and others, and as this gentleman has orders to survey Torres

Straits, the field may be well trodden before I reach it. The rest

of the voyage I shall consider as one merely of pleasure, combining

such utility as circumstances will permit. It is probable that I

shall visit our Australian settlements, glance at the Islands of the

Pacific, and return to Europe round the Horn.

Before concluding this long paper, I may observe that there are

points of inquiry which may be useful to the studies of the learned,

which, provided the process may be moderately simple, I shall

be willing to make, and I shall always be happy to receive any

directions or suggestions regarding them. I allude to observations of

the tides, to geology, natural history, etc., etc., for the general

observer often overlooks highly interesting facts from his attention

not being called to them. The specimens of natural history will be

forwarded from time to time, and information will be sent to the

Geographical Society which may always, if it be of any value, be

used as freely as it is communicated. In like manner, the objects

of natural history will be open to any person who is interested in

such pursuits. I cannot but express my regret that, from pecuniary

considerations as well as the small size of the vessel, and the

limited quantity of provisions she carries, I am unable to take a

naturalist and draughtsman, but I should always hail with pleasure

any scientific person who happened to be in the countries at the

time; and I may venture to promise him every encouragement and

facility in the prosecution of his pursuits.

I embark upon the expedition with great cheerfulness, with a strong

vessel, a good crew, and the ingredients of success, as far as the

limited scale of the undertaking will permit; and I cast myself on

the waters, like Southey’s little book; but whether the world will

know me after many days is a question which, hoping the best, I

cannot answer with any degree of assurance.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 13: This Appendix is reprinted from Vol. I. of _The Private

Letters of Sir James Brooke, Rajah of Sarawak_, edited by J. C.

Templer, Barrister-at-Law (Bentley, 1853), from the original MS. in

his possession. A brief abstract of it was published in the _Journal

of the Geographical Society in 1838_, Vol. VIII., p. 443.]

[Footnote 14: In the text of this volume the name is spelt ‘Marudu.’]

[Footnote 15: Kina Balu.]

[Footnote 16: _I.e._, Australia.]

[Footnote 17: I may here add a brief summary of the Dutch trading

regulations:—Death was inflicted on traders in spice and opium

not first bought from the Company. It is forbidden, under heavy

penalties, to export or import the following articles, viz., pepper,

tin, copper, Surat silks, Indian cloths, cotton yarns of all sorts,

unstamped gold, Samarang arrack, muskets, gunpowder, etc., etc.

All vessels required a pass. No vessel to carry powder or shot in

greater quantity than specified in the pass. No port was open to any

vessel coming from the northward of the Moluccas, except Batavia. No

navigation was allowed to be carried on by the vessels of Banka and

Billiton, except to Palembang: no navigation from Celebes!]

[Footnote 18: The _Royalist_, a yacht of 142 tons burthen, belonging

to the Royal Yacht Squadron, in which the enterprise was prosecuted.]

ERRATA

_For_ ‘on’ _read_ ‘in,’ page 99, line 9.

_For_ ‘Governor’ _read_ ‘Government,’ page 109, line 13.

_For_ ‘_Weeraff_’ _read_ ‘_Weraff_,’ page 120, line 9.

_For_ ‘Pangeran, Nipa’ _read_ ‘Pangeran Nipa,’ page 179, line 27.

_For_ ‘Imaun’ _read_ ‘Imaum,’ page 126, line 8.

” ” ” ” ” 157, ” 15.

INDEX

A

Abai Bay, 233.

Aberdeen, Lord, 118;

questionable conduct, 119;

issues commission, 130.

Agriculture, the mainstay, 206;

introduction of new cultures, 206;

land awaiting immigrants, 208;

Malay cultivation, 212;

agriculture in Padas, 240.

_Albatross_, H.M.S., 96.

Alderson, Baron, remarkable speech of, 117.

Alligators, 227;

three species, 227;

anecdote, 227;

dangerous, 227;

heroic conduct, 228;

huge reptile, 228;

destruction of a man-eater, 228;

one measured 26 feet, 229;

causes of exceptional voracity, 130.

Alston, Lieutenant, in East Africa, 251.

Antimony, 209.

Austen, Miss, her novels, 107;

her brother the Admiral, 110.

B

Bajaus, customs of, 233;

useful population, 246.

Balestier, Mr, U.S. Envoy, proposes convention, 115.

Balignini pirates, action with, 82.

Ball given by inhabitants of Singapore, 193.

Bandhar, Datu, 126;

fatal mistake, 147;

his house rendezvous of British officers, 154;

summoned by Chinese chiefs, 157;

gloomy meeting, 159;

courageous conduct, 163;

captures Chinese fort, 167.

Balow Dyaks, 63;

their Arab chief deposed, 67.

Batang Lupar, the, 64;

Dyaks under present Rajah, 213.

Bau, Chinese chief town, 147;

assemble forces at, 147;

driven into, 165;

gold quartz crushing at, 210.

Beaufort, Mr, Governor of North Borneo, 249.

Belcher, Sir Edward, 54;

visits Sarawak, 59;

proceeds to Brunei, 60;

joins Keppel, 66.

Bethune, Captain, sent to Borneo, 70;

reports to Government, 73.

Borneo Company, 139;

establishment saved, 165;

agents arrive, 173;

lends Rajah £5000, 181;

presses for repayment, 183;

established over forty years, 208;

erects crushing plant, 210;

successful results, 210;

increasing establishments, 210.

Boudriot, Monsieur, 131;

conclusive testimony, 132.

Brereton, Mr, 88;

a devoted follower; death, 128.

British Government, 54;

slow to act, 68;

care nothing for further East, 69;

decide to occupy Labuan, 82;

strong language concerning, 106;

appoints Brooke Envoy to Siam, 109;

appoints commission, 118;

mean conduct, 119;

cause of Brooke’s misfortunes, 176.

Brooke, Mr, Rajah’s father, 2;

his death, 8.

Brooke, Mrs, Rajah’s mother, 2;

her death, 62.

Brooke, Rajah, his parents, 1;

his ancestors, 2;

birth at Benares, 2;

first arrival in England, 2;

sent to Norwich Grammar School, 2;

first commission, 3;

the Burmese War, 3;

first action, 4;

severely wounded, 5;

returns to England, 5;

resigns Government service, 6;

first voyage to China, 6;

second voyage in brig _Findlay_, 7;

purchases _Royalist_, 8;

wrote memoir on Eastern Archipelago, 9 (_see_ Appendix);

his character, 10;

portrait by Grant, 10;

sails for Eastern Archipelago, 11;

his views, 12;

Singapore, 12;

leaves for Borneo, 13;

received by Muda Hassim, 14;

visits Lundu, 16;

Sherif Sahib, 18;

attack by pirate Dyaks, 18;

visits Celebes, 19;

European domination, 19;

Brooke’s own policy, 21;

second visit to Sarawak, 23;

takes part in the civil war, 24;

close of warlike operations, 25;

final engagement, 30;

treats with the rebels, 36;

their surrender, 39;

saves their lives, 40;

views on Borneo, 44;

resolute conduct, 46;

Governor of Sarawak, 48;

establishes courts of justice, 48;

Brooke’s position, 51;

his occupations, 54;

his great sagacity, 61;

wounded, 62;

‘to make Borneo a second Java,’ his policy, 69;

escapes death at Lingire’s hands, 73;

coolness and presence of mind, 73;

establishes Provisional Government in Brunei, 80;

signs English Treaty with Sultan, 82;

returns to England, 83;

received by Queen, 84;

honours, 84;

Commissioner and Governor of Labuan, 85;

anecdote, 85;

a K.C.B., 87;

returns to Sarawak, 87;

the Sarawak flag, 88;

illness, 90;

leaves for Sulu, 91;

reception by Sultan, 92;

second visit, 94;

signs treaty, 94;

leads expedition against pirates, 97;

policy attacked, 103;

anecdote, 107;

appointed Envoy to Siam, 109;

returns to Sarawak, 114;

leaves for England, 115;

no rest there, 116;

great speech, 117;

shameful treatment, 119;

smallpox, 120;

friendly reception by Sultan, 122;

expedition against Rentab, 126;

attends commission, 128;

charm of his society, 136;

mollified by tone of Lord Clarendon’s despatches, 139;

his house surprised by Chinese, 149;

escape, 150;

attempts to organise forces 154;

retires from Kuching 155;

premature return, 160;

retires to Samarahan, 162;

the _Sir James Brooke_, 164;

end of Chinese insurrection, 170;

loss of perfect library, 174;

his MSS. and journals burnt, 174;

cheerful and contented, 174;

effect on Rajah of Indian Mutiny, 177;

bonds of sympathy slacker, 178;

proceeds to England, 180;

refuses Protectorate, 180;

pension of £70 only income, 181;

British Government to repay outlay, 181;

attends Drawing-Room, 181;

despondent, 182;

first attack of paralysis, 182;

freed from pecuniary embarrassments, 183;

testimonial of £8800, 184;

buys Burrator, 184;

mistrusts British Government, 186;

would nail colours to the mast, 187;

returns to Borneo, 190;

arranges with Sultan, 190;

residence in Muka, 190;

Sago rivers, 191;

takes leave, 193;

independence of Sarawak acknowledged, 195;

his kindly nature, 196;

‘a happy man,’ 197;

second attack of paralysis, 199;

third attack and death, 199;

buried at Burrator, 199;

his memory ever abiding, 199;

his character, 200;

bequeaths Sarawak to his nephew Charles, 200;

his will, 200;

in default of male heirs leaves Sarawak to the Queen, 201;

leaves papers to Mr St John, 201;

Appendix—Settlements to be on mainland, 267;

sound views on colonisation, 267;

foreshadows his own government’s enlightened opinions, 276;

neglect of Eastern Archipelago, 276;

objects of voyage, 277;

Singapore as headquarters, 278;

Marudu Bay, 280;

interior population, 282;

projects, 288.

Brooke, Sir Charles (nephew), foresees Chinese troubles, 146;

popular Governor of Sakarang, 158;

dread of the Chinese, 158;

harasses the enemy, 167;

attacks Rentab’s fort, 173;

mistaken interference in Sultan’s dominions, 180;

his energy and courage, 186;

succeeds his uncle, 200;

his three sons, 202;

an irresponsible ruler, 203;

encourages cultivation, 206;

regrettable action as to Limbang, 216;

judicious administration of justice, 224;

well informed by officers, 224;

a unique government, 231;

satisfactorily administered, 231.

Brooke, Captain, John (nephew), 88;

leads light division of boats, 100;

visits the Menam, 110;

left in charge of Sarawak, 115;

commands expedition against Sungei Lang, 127;

returns to England, 137;

marries, 172;

takes over administration, 188;

proceeds to Muka, 189;

reinforcements, 189;

ordered by acting Consul-General Edwardes to suspend attack, 189;

thanked by Lord John Russell, 189;

installed as Rajah Muda, 192;

declares himself rajah, 194;

deposed, 195;

establishes agricultural settlements, 206.

Brooke, Mrs (niece), 172;

Captain Brooke’s wife, 173.

Brunei, taken by Sir Thomas Cochrane, 50;

great effect on interior tribes, 80;

unpopularity of Brunei Government, 81;

‘Venice of hovels,’ 89;

‘a blot on the map of Borneo,’ 216.

Budrudin, Pangeran, his fine character, 25;

joins expedition, 65;

defeats Pangeran Usop, 72;

murdered in Brunei, 77;

details of his noble death, 78.

Bugis visited by Brooke, 19;

enterprising traders, 265;

supply Eastern Islands, 272.

Burdett-Coutts, Baroness, trustee to Rajah’s will, 201.

Burrator, in Devonshire, purchased by Rajah, 184;

he is enamoured of the place, 184;

life there, 197.

C

Cattle, 223.

Cavanagh, Colonel, sent to Sarawak, 194.

Celebes, island of, 286;

the inhabitants, 287.

_Charybdis_, H.M.S., judicious display of force, 191.

Chaufa Mungkut, 122;

friendly to the English, 113;

puts off Mission, 118.

Chinese attack Belidah Fort, 28;

establish village at Siniawan, 42;

removal to Labuan, 108;

influx of Chinese to Sarawak, 114;

offer prayers for Brooke’s recovery, 120;

conspiracy, 140;

secret societies, 141;

put down in Kuching, 142;

established in the interior, 142;

the Kungsi, 142;

ramifications, 142;

opium smuggling, 143;

Kungsi fined, 143;

intrigues, 144;

encouraged by Sambas, 144;

preparations for hostilities, 146;

surprise Kuching, 148;

clever combinations, 148;

attack Government House, 148;

attack stockades, 152;

burn buildings, 154;

their policy, 154;

aim at supremacy, 157;

their plans detailed, 158;

obedience sworn to them, 159;

recapture Kuching, 160;

driven out again, 164;

cut off in jungle, 164;

main body retire, 165;

establish stockade at Ledah Tanah, 166;

Chinese half breeds, 166;

fly to Bau, 167;

retire towards Sambas, 167;

brave girls, 168;

cross the Sambas frontier, 169;

‘sat down and wept,’ 169;

turn on plotters, 170;

disarmed by Dutch, 170;

deprived of loot, 170;

character of Chinese, 170;

insensate insurrection, 170;

not formidable, 170;

Sambas Chinese defeated, 172;

arrival of agriculturists, 175;

gold washing did not pay, 211;

Borneo not popular, 215;

low class, 215;

Chinese Christian settlement, 244;

only reliable workers, 247;

grow pepper, 248;

false weights and measures, 257;

Chinese in Borneo, 264.

Clarendon, Lord, instructions to Commissioners, 123;

Wise’s forgeries, 129;

cold approval, 137;

appoints new Consul-General, 137;

recognises Sarawak courts, 139;

expresses his good will, 139.

Coal, in Labuan, 68;

in Brunei, 70;

in Sarawak, 139;

successfully worked, 211;

in Sandakan, 244.

Cobden, Mr, 105;

his influence, 118;

attacks Rajah, 129;

unjustifiable language, 130.

Cochrane, Sir Thomas, 70;

attacks Pangeran Usop, 71;

attacks Marudu, 72;

proceeds to Brunei, 79;

fired on, 79;

captures the capital, 80;

destroys pirate communities, 81.

Coffee, increasing cultivation, 207;

in North Borneo, 248.

Colenso, Bishop, defended, 197.

Collier, Admiral, 90.

Commission to inquire, 118;

commissioners from India, 119;

inquiry ‘to be full, fair and complete,’ 119;

instructions to commissioners, 123;

the only two complainants dismissed, 131;

a threatened fiasco, 131;

notable witnesses, 131;

clear testimony, 132;

report favourable on all important points, 133;

findings on each head of inquiry, 134;

evil effects on Rajah’s position, 130.

Cotton in North Borneo, 248.

Council of Sarawak, 137.

Crookshank, Arthur, 75;

left in charge, 83;

tends Brooke in smallpox, 120;

marries, 139;

mans forts, 145;

wounded, 151.

Crookshank, Mrs, 139;

desperately wounded, 151;

Bishop intercedes for her, 157.

Crymble, Mr, 53;

gallant defence of arsenal, 152;

personal prowess, 153.

Cutch, an important export, 256.

D

‘Daily News,’ the, 156.

Dakyn, Mr and Mrs, 197.

Darvel Bay, 240.

‘Deeds which made the Empire,’ 251.

Dent, Sir Alfred, 237;

acquires concession of north-west coast, 239;

of north-east coast, 239.

Derby, Lord, cares nothing for Borneo, 182;

unsympathetic treatment of Rajah, 183.

Devereux, Mr, commissioner, 130;

fine character, 137;

findings of commission, 132;

clear results due to him, 133.

_Diana_, steamer, at Sarawak, 47.

_Dido_, H.M.S., 55;

proceeds to China, 59;

_Voyage of the Dido_, 83.

Dipa, Pangeran, closes Muka to Sarawak trade, 178;

fires on Captain Brooke, 189;

ordered to Brunei, 191.

Drummond, Mr, letters to, 116.

Dusuns, 244.

Dutch inimical, 52;

generous conduct of Dutch official, 131;

disarm Chinese, 170;

return loot, 170;

neighbourly kindnesses of their authorities, 172;

Dutch Government exclusive, 262;

jealous of British trade, 263;

extensive possessions, 263;

monopolists, 266;

trading regulations, 275.

Duties, export, 222;

objectionable duties and taxes, 222;

on salt especially, 222;

other duties on exports, 252;

capitation tax, 253.

Dyaks, Land and Sea, 16;

houses, 16;

Sea Dyaks pirates, 17;

visit to Land Dyaks, 107;

intelligent natives, 114;

under direct rule of Government, 123;

attack Chinese, 165;

defend Serambo, 166;

advancing in wealth, Sea Dyaks most energetic, 213;

valuable population, 214.

E

Eastern Archipelago Company, 104;

disastrous policy, 105;

charter abrogated, 110;

intrigues in Brunei, 122.

East India Government, 262;

timid policy, 263.

Edwardes, Governor, hostile to Sarawak, 118;

sends for ship of war, 188;

interferes with Sarawak forces, 189;

left in charge of Consulate, 189;

Government disapproves, 190;

relieves him, 190.

Egerton, Commander, sent to Brunei, 76.

Elgin, Lord, 194.

Essington, Port, 271.

Everest, Commander, 96.

F

Fairbairn, Mr (Sir Thomas), a judicious friend, 182;

tries to interest Government, 183;

appointed trustee, 201.

Farms, Sarawak, opium, spirit and gambling legitimate, 221;

of pork, fish and pawnbroking objectionable, 221;

pork farm abolished, 221;

in North Borneo, opium and spirit, 251;

objectionable farms, 251.

Farquhar, Commander, 96;

defeats Seribas pirates, 98;

anecdote, 101.

Farquhar, Mr, opinion on value of Eastern Archipelago, 273.

Forrest, Captain, on Marudu Bay, 281.

G

Gambier, large exports, 207;

Borneo Company plants, 207.

Gaya Bay, 234;

splendid harbour, 238;

only lately occupied, 243.

Gladstone, Mr, comments, 130.

Gold, 210;

worked by machinery, 210;

alluvial washings not productive, 211;

at Sigama, 244;

on north-east coast, 248.

Grant, Mr Charles, 88;

illness, 128;

returns to England, 137;

Resident of Upper Sarawak, 165;

returns to Borneo, 172;

raises English crew, 186.

Grey, Earl, his advice, 137.

Gumbang village stockaded, 167;

taken and burnt, 169.

H

Hakkas, Chinese Christians, 244.

Hay, Mr, 172.

Herbert, Sidney, 116;

supposed influence, 119.

Hindu Religion, 283.

Horsburgh, Rev. ——, tends Rajah in smallpox, 120.

Hose, Mr, resident in Baram, 215;

interesting reports, 225.

Hoste, Captain Sir William, sent to Sarawak, ungenerous instructions

to, 172.

Hume, Joseph, M.P., 105;

his motion in the House of Commons, 113;

next motion defeated, 116;

indiscretion, 119;

attacks Rajah, 129;

his integrity not above suspicion, 130.

I

Imaum, Datu, appointed, 126;

his energy, 157.

J

Jaffer, Sherif of Linga, 35;

his Dyaks, 64;

deposed, 67.

Jones, Mr, killed fighting, 250.

Jungle produce in Sarawak, 209;

in North Borneo, 256.

K

Kalias, agricultural district, 240.

Kanowit, 99;

piratical population, 100;

repentant villagers, 102;

fort surprised, 185.

Kayans, 214;

work iron, 214.

Keppel, Captain (now Admiral Sir Harry), 55;

attacks Seribas Dyak pirates, 56;

takes Patusin, 65;

defeats Sakarang pirates, 56;

publishes _Voyage of the Dido_, 83;

appointed to _Meander_, 85;

voyage out, 85;

takes Rajah to Sulu, 91.

Kiau, village, 234;

cultivation of tobacco, 248.

Kina Balu, mountain, 233;

journeys to, 233;

second visit, 234;

nepenthes, 235;

first ascent, 235;

magnificent view, 237;

lovely flowers, 237;

geological formation to be studied, 249.

Kuching, capital of Sarawak, 14;

Brooke’s second visit, 23;

town illuminated, 88;

surprised by Chinese, 149;

stockades defended, 152;

morning after capture, 156;

town deserted, 159;

recaptured by Chinese, 160;

Malay town burnt, 163;

rebuilt, 173.

L

Labuan, island of, 68;

occupied by England, 82;

description, 89;

unhealthiness, 89;

great sickness, 90;

stagnant, 109;

no advance, 115;

splendid anchorage, 238;

site for naval station, 238;

administered by state of North Borneo, 238;

coaling station, 240;

now healthy, 240.

Ladies, strong objections to, in wild Asiatic country, 179;

never associate with natives, 179;

exceptions, 226.

Lanuns, abandon north-west coast, 246.

Library, Rajah’s perfect, 174.

_Lily_, H.M.S., sent for Rajah, 128.

Limbang taken by Sarawak, 215;

illegally, 216;

inhabitants rejoice, 217;

Brunei oppressions, 217;

interesting reports, 225.

Lingire, Seribas chief, plans to murder Rajah, 73;

allowed to go unpunished, 75;

kills young Sibuyow chiefs, 99.

London Tavern, great dinner at, 117;

eloquent speech by Rajah, 117.

Low, Mr (now Sir Hugh), anecdote of Rajah Brooke, 85;

Colonial Secretary, 87;

journeys to Kina Balu, 233;

first explorer, 237;

favourable opinion of Dusuns, 244.

Luconia or Luzon, advantages of, 273.

M

Macdougall, Rev. ——, made a Bishop, 140;

attends wounded, 156;

saves Mrs Crookshank, 157;

fugitives sent away with Bishop, 162.

_Meander_, H.M.S., voyage, 85;

to Sulu, 91.

Makota, Pangeran, 14;

visits Brooke, 15;

commands Bornean army, 23;

cowardice, 27;

his intrigues, 45;

invites Seribas Dyaks to foray, 46;

attempt on Brooke’s life, 47;

ordered to leave, 51;

his village destroyed, 66;

Sultan’s favourite minister, 144.

Malays, fatal European policy, 262;

disorganised, 265.

Malayan group, 259.

Malmesbury, Lord, 118;

favours protectorate, 183.

Marudu, pirate haunt, attacked, 72;

agricultural settlement, 243;

establish government there, 269;

its advantages, 270;

could extend, 271.

Matusin, Pangeran, 179;

murders Pangeran Nipa and family, 180;

driven from Muka, 180.

Middleton, Mr, 140;

believes in Chinese conspiracy, 146;

children murdered, 151;

fearful scene, 151.

Milanaus inhabit Sago rivers, 214.

Military forces in Sarawak, native, 231.

Mission Church of England, 88;

head of, named Bishop, 140;

mission house saved, 165;

not prosperous, 217;

missionary spirit dead, 218.

Mission, Roman Catholic, 217;

slightly advancing, 218.

Moksain, Sherif, rebel-envoy, 37;

sent to Sambas, 176;

report on fugitive Chinese, 176.

Muda Hassim, Rajah, 12;

sent to quell rebellion in Sarawak, 14;

offers country to Brooke, 25;

his irresolution, 44;

untrustworthiness, 45;

cedes Sarawak to Brooke, 48;

invited to return to Brunei, 49;

exciting scene, 50;

requests Keppel to attack pirates, 55;

removes to Brunei, 67;

murdered, 77;

details, 78.

Mumein, Pangeran, chosen as Sultan, 121;

lodges Rajah in Palace, 122;

confidence in Rajah, 123;

supposed to intrigue against Sarawak, 184;

receives Musahor, 188;

intrigues with Governor Edwardes, 188.

Musahor, Sherif, 185;

driven out of Sarawak, 185;

appeals to Sultan and Consul-General, 188;

returns to Muka with Edwardes, 189;

Sultan banishes him, 191;

sent to Singapore, 191.

Mutiny, Indian, effect on Rajah of the, 177;

one cause of, 178.

N

Napier, Lieutenant-Governor, 87;

suspended, 108;

intrigues in Brunei, 122;

case dismissed, 131;

appears as hostile witness, 133.

_Nemesis_, steamer, Captain Wallace, action with pirates, 82;

visit to Sulu, 94;

expedition, 96;

crushes Seribas pirates, 98;

in the Rejang, 100;

proceeds to Siam, 110.

Nicoletts, Mr, murdered, 150;

head on a pole, 158.

_Nimrod_, H.M.S., proceeds to Borneo, 190.

Nipa, Pangeran, 179;

murdered, 180.

North Borneo, 21.

North Borneo, state of, 232;

grand mountains, 233;

splendid country, 234;

fine harbours, 238;

slow progress, 239;

fertile lands, 240;

principal settlement, 240;

capable Chairman and Directors, 249;

armed police, 250;

officers worthy to lead brave men, 250;

ancient Chinese settlements, 253;

Chinese names, 253;

difficulties of raising revenue, 253;

interference with traders, 256;

injudicious regulations, 256;

proposed cession to Sarawak, 258;

another East Indian Company, 258.

O

Omar Ali, Sultan of Brunei, 13;

ratifies grant of Sarawak, 49;

offers to cede Labuan, 67;

orders Muda Hassim and Budrudin to be killed, 77;

signs treaty, 82;

puts pirates to death, 83;

cancer, 90;

death, 121.

Opium, smuggling of, 143;

very considerable, 172.

Orang Kaya Tumangong, 16;

defends Sikundis, 31;

death of sons, 99.

Order in Council, absurd character of, 137;

revoked, 138.

Osman, Sherif, attacked, 71;

his death, 71.

P

Padas, agricultural district, 240;

telegraphic lines, 240;

mixed population, 246;

terminus of railway, 242.

Paku, country laid waste, 99.

Palmerston, Lord, 115;

defence of Brooke, 116;

cordial reception, 180;

offers Protectorate to Sarawak, 180.

Panics among natives, 218;

in Singapore, 218;

perverse notions of natives, 219;

panic in Sarawak, 219;

in Dutch territories, 220;

extraordinary delusion, 220.

Patah, Abong, reveals Patingi’s conspiracy, 124;

his speech to Sarawak Malays, 159;

bold but injudicious action, 160.

Patingi, Datu, 74;

oppresses Dyaks, 123;

given salary, 124;

conspires against Rajah, 124;

carefully watched, 125;

banished, 125;

appears before commission, 133;

again plots against Government, 185;

again banished, 185.

Patingi Ali, killed by pirates, 66.

Patusin, town of, attacked and taken, 65.

Penang, island of, 109.

Pepper, considerable amount produced, 207;

in Padas and Kalias, 240.

Pirates frequent Sulu Islands, 95;

Dyak oarsmen, 114;

ravage Dutch possessions, 132.

Population, Malays, 212;

Land Dyaks, 212;

Sea Dyaks, 212;

Milanaus, 214;

Kayans and Kineahs, 214;

Punans and Pakatans, 214;

inhabitants forsaking Sultan’s territories, 217;

of North Borneo, 244;

Dusuns, 244;

Borneans not a productive race, 247.

Prinsep, Mr, Commissioner, 130;

incapable, 131.

Punans, 214;

little better than monkeys, 283.

R

Raffles, Sir Stamford, 9;

his broad views, 263;

the highest authority, 266.

Railway, trans-Bornean, 238;

starts from Padas, 242;

a great experiment, 242;

a new era, 242;

experimental farm, 243;

good prospects, 243.

_Rainbow_, steamer, bought for Sarawak, 187;

takes Rajah to Borneo, 190.

_Rapid_, H.M.S., takes Rajah to Sarawak, 136.

Rejang river, districts granted to Rajah as far as, 122.

Rentab, pirate chief, 126;

his fort stormed, 127;

attacks friendly Dyaks, 173;

defends Sadok, 173.

Revenue of Sarawak, 221;

revenues inelastic, 223;

in State of North Borneo, 251;

revenue and expenditure, 252;

inelastic also in North Borneo, 254.

Rice, small cultivation, 208;

imported, 208.

Ricketts, Mr, first Consul at Sarawak, 196.

_Royalist_, H.M.S., 96.

_Royalist_, schooner, 8;

description, 11;

of the R. Y. squadron, 278.

_Royalist_, Sarawak steamer, 198.

S

Sadok, pirate fort, 127.

St John, Mr (Sir Spenser), appointed secretary, 85;

acting Commissioner, 115;

Consul-General, 137;

despatch on Order in Council, 137;

reply, 138;

leaves for Brunei, 139;

rumours of disaster, 146;

visits the Rajah, 173;

congratulations of Malays, 175;

again visits Sarawak, 186;

returns to post in Brunei, 189;

asked to act as mediator, 191;

proceeds to Muka, 191;

an unfortunate memorandum, 195;

shoots man-eating alligator, 229;

ascents of Kina Balu, 233.

Sago production encouraged, 207;

sago factories successful, 211;

increased cultivation, 212;

in Padas, 240.

Sago rivers or districts, 179.

Sahib, Sherif, restores captives, 62;

retires to the Batang Lupar, 63;

his town destroyed, 65.

Sakarang Dyaks, pirates, 18;

their fleet, 63;

their country, 64;

chief town attacked and taken, 66;

three hundred skulls, 100;

Rentab a Sakarang pirate, 126;

expedition against, 126;

their principal fort taken, 127;

condemned as pirates by Commission, 135;

faithful soldiers, 136;

harass Chinese, 167;

sharp traders, 257.

_Samarang_, H.M.S., capsizes in Sarawak River, 59;

recovered, 59;

proceeds to Brunei, 60.

Sambas, Sultan of, encourages Chinese to rebel, 144.

Samboangan, Spanish settlement, 96.

Sandakan, telegraph to, 240;

the capital, 242;

fine bay, 244;

mixed population, 246.

Sapong, experimental plantation, 243.

Sarawak, 13;

country offered to Brooke, 25;

its government ceded to him, 48;

increase of population, 67;

reception by inhabitants of, 87;

grant renewed, 122;

divided into five districts, 204;

its courts, 205;

its government a mild despotism, 205;

its development must be slow, 205;

wild animals of, 230;

meagre account, 230;

satisfactory state of, 231;

a unique government, 231.

Sarawak Council created by Rajah, 137;

despatch addressed, 190;

a consultative assembly, 204;

composition, 204;

useful, 204;

general council, 204;

its composition, 204.

Sarawak Courts, 223;

no maudlin pity, 223;

might be imitated in England, 224;

death penalty for head hunters, 224;

in cases, heavy fines, 224;

amusing decision, 224.

Sarawak _Gazette_, 203;

intemperate article, 216;

account of panic, 219;

Singapore jealousy, 226.

Sarawak Malays, rebel against Makota, 14;

hold the interior, 23;

defend Siniawan, 26;

surrender to Brooke, 39;

disperse, 41;

chiefs reinstated, 49;

join Keppel’s force, 56;

attack pirate stronghold, 65;

rejoice at capture of Brunei, 81;

hearty reception of Rajah, 87;

evening visits, 107;

anxious time, 121;

rejoicings, 121;

native expedition against pirates, 126;

gallantly defend stockades, 153;

noble conduct of, 155;

faithful to death, 160;

attack Chinese, 161;

capture barges, 161;

take stockades, 167;

pursue enemy, 167;

drive Chinese over frontier, 169;

devoted population, 171;

fine character of Malays, 171;

rebuild their town, 173;

cheerful views, 175;

bonds of sympathy slacker, 178;

thoroughly faithful, 187;

employed as Government officers, 205;

satisfactory results, 205;

Malay chiefs against unrestricted trade, 257.

Sarawak Service, 225;

salaries, 225;

allowances, 226;

furlough pay, 226;

pensions, 226.

Scott, Mr (Sir John), sent to Labuan, 86;

Governor, 115.

Secret societies, 141.

Seribas Dyak pirates, 18;

Dyak fleet, 46;

attacked by Keppel, 56;

their country, 64;

Lingire, 73;

attempts to murder Rajah, 73;

attack Sadong, 93;

fleet caught at sea, 98;

great defeat, 98;

size of vessels, 98;

proofs of piracy, 99;

testimony of Dutch official, 132;

convincing proofs, 132;

no undue severity, 133;

indiscriminate murderers, 135;

now faithful soldiers, 136;

aid Government, 173;

under present Rajah, 213.

Siam, 109;

Brooke’s mission to, 110;

chief minister, 111;

our interview, 111;

legation, 112;

king hostile, 112;

British subjects, 113;

failure of mission, 113;

proposed second mission, 118.

Sikh police, in Sarawak, 231;

in North Borneo, 251;

splendid behaviour, 251.

Singapore, the settlement of, 263;

native trade, 268.

_Sir James Brooke_, steamer, the, 140;

saves Sarawak, 163;

government established on board, 165.

Smith, John Abel, M.P., 193;

negotiations, 194;

trustee, 201.

_Sphynx_, H.M.S., 110;

on shore, 111.

Spring traps, 223;

fatal accidents, 223.

Stanley, Lord, appreciates Sarawak, 182.

Steel, Mr, his escape, 150;

resident in Rejang, 158;

murdered, 185.

Stewart, Mr, killed by pirates, 66.

Sulu, Sultan of, ceded North Borneo to England, 21;

Rajah’s visits, 92-94;

signs treaty, 94.

Sungei Lang, fort, stormed, 127.

T

Tai-pé-Kong, sacred stone, saved by Chinese, 169.

Tampasuk, 233;

customs of Bajaus there, 233.

Tani, friendly chief, executed by mistake, 185.

Telegraph line, 240;

through primeval forests, 241;

use of, 242.

Testimonial raised for Rajah, 184.

Timor, Portuguese island, should be acquired, 273.

Tobacco, cultivated, 243;

fine quality, 247;

native cultivation, 248;

valuable export, 254;

companies, 255;

plantations, 255.

Trade returns, 208;

Sarawak imports and exports, 209;

of North Borneo, 255.

Trusan River, 215.

U

Usop, Pangeran, 70;

opposes Muda Hassim, 70;

attacked by Cochrane, 71;

defeat, 72;

executed, 72.

W

Wallace, Mr Alfred, 234.

_Weraff_, brig, 120;

visit to Brunei, 121.

Whitehead, Mr John, reports on head hunting, 245.

Wild cattle, 230.

Wise, Mr Henry, Brooke’s agent, 60;

proceeds to Borneo, 70;

great schemes, 75;

projects disallowed, 76;

dinner to Brooke, 84;

his hypocrisy, 84;

attacks Rajah’s policy, 103;

his bad conduct, 129.

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Transcriber’s Notes

pg 6 Changed: which, even if favourable, could scarely

to: which, even if favourable, could scarcely

pg 235 Changed: following short discription

to: following short description

pg 268 Changed: only means, by which to aquire

to: only means, by which to acquire

pg 279 Changed: A general knowlege of the bay

to: A general knowledge of the bay

pg 288 Changed: unexplored tract at the southern extemity

to: unexplored tract at the southern extremity

pg 290 Errata changes have been made in text