Visit to Independent States in the Vicinity of Malacca in 1885

CO273/136/1382 Desp. No. 478 dated 26 December 1885

The following despatch was addressed to The Right Honourable Colonel F. A. Stanley, MP, at the Colonial Office

Straits Settlements
No. 478

Government Rouse,
Singapore.
26 December, 1885.

Sir,

I have the honour to report that being desirous to obtain a note of the Legislative Council supplementary to the Estimates for the purpose of continuing the development of the resources of the small states in the interior of the Peninsula, I left Singapore on the 13th December, landed at Malacca on the 14th, and after inspecting the hospital and the goal and receiving some deputations, proceeded at once to the frontier.

2. I enclose a memorandum which I have written for the information of the Executive and Legislative Councils and which will explain the results of my journey.

3. Although the journey had to be performed partly on foot and I had only one day without rain I was amply repaid for this and other inconveniences by the extreme goodwill of the Chiefs and people of these little states, formerly so turbulent and troublesome. In Rembau I was especially received with the utmost cordiality. At Sri Menanti, Tunku Antar the Yam Tuan who led the war against us said that placing himself unreservedly in my hands, he only hoped that though an old man, I should not die soon, but be always kept here by the Queen to guide them. The same tone was adopted everywhere and making all allowance for Oriental forms of compliment I can have no doubt but an excellent feeling exists and it was manifested also by the poorer classes in little offerings of goodwill-such as a fruit or two or a little dish of some native delicacy whilst the chiefs gave the usual displays of welcome and entertainments.

4. The arrangements I made as set forth in the enclosed memorandum are cordially and unanimously accepted. I took great pains to evoke the expression of any latent feeling of opposition that might exist and could discover no trace of any.

5. I may be pardoned for expressing satisfaction that territories about three times the extent of Malacca have been reduced to peace and order and incipient prosperity by a small expenditure, and that the heaviest threat we might ever need to secure the adoption of our counsels would be that if they were neglected we should withdraw and leave the states to themselves.

6. I desire to express my sense of the services of Mr. Dudley Hervey, Resident Councillor of Malacca, to whose judicious management we greatly owe the success of the policy that has been carried out. He accompanied me on his journey though I regret to say that his health was hardly equal to the exertion.

I have the honour to be,
Your Most Obedient & Humble Servant
Fred. A. Weld, Governor

• Memorandum regarding the Negri Sembilan and other small Independent States in the vicinity of Malacca
• Fred. A. Weld, Governor

It is unnecessary for me to recapitulate the recent history of these States; the war and the occupation by British troops of Sri Menanti, their withdrawal and the recognition of Tengku Antah, who had opposed our forces, as Yam Tuan of the confederation; the meeting I held at Bukit Putus; the little war between Haji Sahil and Syed Hamid; the Rembau troubles and their settlement at the Conference of Malacca, when it was agreed that the States of Perak, of Selangor, of Sungei Ujong, of the Negri Sembilan should at all times assist the Governor in maintaining peace and good order in any one of the Native States.

My object in dealing with these independent States has been, whilst avoiding unnecessary interference, to promote order and give security for life and property; to uphold British influence as the leading Malay power, and as a consequence to develop the resources of the country and foster trade and commerce.

These ends are now in a fair way of accomplishment. The old Rembau feuds, and political and dynastic antagonisms are extinct, and the Government of the country appears...