Acheen, and the Ports of the North and East Coasts of Sumatra; with incidental notices of the trade in the Eastern seas, and the aggressions of the Dutch

Front matter

ACHEEN, AND THE PORTS ON THE NORTH AND EAST COASTS OF SUMATRA, &.C. &c. ACHEEN, AND THE PORTS ON THE NORTH AND EAST COASTS OF SUMATRA; WITH INCIDENTAL NOTICES OF THE TRADE IN THE EASTERN SEAS, AND THE AGGRESSIONS OF THE DUTCH. BY JOHN ANDERSON, ESQ., I. ATE OF THE HON. EAST-INDIA COMPANY'S CIVIL SERVICE AT PINANG, SINGAPORE, AND MALACCA. LONDON: Wm. H. ALLEN and CO., LEADENHALL STREET. 1840. Printed by J. L. Cox and Sons, 75, Great Queen Street, Lincoln's- Inn Fields.

Preface

. The prime object of this work is to draw the attention of her Majesty's Government, and of the British Public, to some of our possessions in a remote part of Asia, and to the native states in the same quarter, which are really objects of great national importance, and might be of mate rial benefit to the interests of British commerce, if steps were taken to arrest the progress of in terference on the part of another European power, which is evidently bent upon engrossing the lu crative trade of the Eastern Archipelago. As political questions of vital moment are frequently undervalued, and sometimes entirely overlooked, merely because the scene of action is remote and little known, it becomes the duty of those who, from their local opportunities, have been enabled to give their attention to such mat ters, to communicate the result of their personal knowledge and experience. With this view, the Author is anxious to point out the probable con sequences of leaving a foreign nation to acquire

PREFACE.

. VI the command of the most valuable islands in the Eastern seas, and to control the trade and in dustry of the natives. A further object of the Author is, to invite the consideration of Government to the present cir cumstances of our ultra- Gangetic possessions generally, which are under the immediate manage ment of the Honourable East- India Company, al though that body has ceased all commercial inter course with China, so that the settlements in the Straits of Malacca, — which are a source of con siderable national wealth, as an outlet to the manufactures of Great Britain, and as depots for the collection of valuable produce for this country, — are a burthen to the rulers of India. In the suppression of piracy, which still prevails to a great extent, the ships of war of her Majesty are almost exclusively employed, as well as in the enforcement of political engagements with neighbouring native states ; and the designs of the contiguous European power, which has very ex tensive possessions in that direction, as well as the maintenance of our national rights, seem to dictate the necessity of having a well qualified representative of our Sovereign on the spot, clothed with full powers, to adopt at once such measures as may be expedient, not only to support the commercial interests of Britain, but to check any attempt at aggression on the part of the Dutch

PREFACE.

. VII local authorities. The East-India Company has now no interest in making commercial treaties, but our political relations in the Archipelago require constant attention, in order to protect the national commerce, and to keep open all channels of communication and access to native ports. It should, therefore, perhaps, be a subject for deli beration by her Majesty's Government, whether, under all the circumstances, and the state of our present and probable future relations with China, it may not be expedient to relieve the East- India Company of these to them burdensome posses sions, and to establish there an efficient Queen's Government, upon the same principles as the local administrations in our colonies of the Cape of Good Hope, the Mauritius, and Ceylon. A Crown colony farther east seems, indeed, to be advisable, with reference to many political and commercial interests; and the Straits settlements, if so transferred, might be conducted upon an economical scale, and be even made to yield a considerable revenue to the state, provided judi cious measures were taken for encouraging the resort and settlement there of a certain class of agriculturists, for which purpose the islands, as well as parts of the contiguous continental territory, are well adapted. It is understood that some Americans lately projected a plan for sending out a party from the States, to engage in certain species

PREFACE.

. VIII of cultivation, &c. on the peninsula, in the vicinity of one of the British stations. The detailed account of our connexion with, and proceedings in the case of, Acheen is given in order to exhibit the policy and advantage of supporting legitimacy, and discouraging disaffection amongst the people of the native states with whom we come in contact — a principle which has been honourably, and it is to be hoped benefi cially, exemplified in the late extensive operations on the continent of India, and a departure from which, in the case of an ancient ally, has involved the East-India Company in transactions which have been condemned by the most experienced observers, and by writers of all shades of political opinions : a subject to which the Author proposes to draw particular attention in a separate work.

The Report of the Glasgow East-India Asso ciation for 1840 came under the Author's notice on the eve of the publication of this work, and he has inserted in the Appendix an extract, showing the importance which that Association attaches to the topics of which it treats. April 1840. CONTENTS.

Chapter I. Introductory

Page The Treaty with Holland in 1824, relative to the cession of certain possessions in the East-Indies and the trade there. — Probable consequences of the Treaty to British commerce. — Infraction of the Treaty ... ... 1

Chapter II

Name, extent, situation of the Capital. — Character of Inhabitants. — Language. — Traders. — Vegetable and Animal Productions. — Fishing. — Navigation. — Manufactures Government — State of the Country Former Importance ... ... ... ... ... 22

Chapter III

Distracted state of the kingdom of Acheen. — Anxiety of the East-India Company for a Settlement there. — Negotiation during administration at Pinang of Lieutenant-governor Farquhar, Governors Dundas and Macalister. — Usurpation of the throne by King's uncle. —King applies to British Government for assistance. — Friendly X CONTENTS. Page disposition towards British traders. — Seizure and con fiscation of his brig Hydroos. — Remonstrance. — Com mercial regulations. — Evasion of by British subjects. — Piratical acts of the chiefs unjustly ascribed to the King. — Seizure of a French spy by the Pinang go vernor ... ... ... ... ... 27

Chapter IV

Connexion with Acheen during Governors Bruce's and Seton's short Administrations. — Anxiety of the King to suppress Piracy. — Conditions on which British Vessels would be permitted to trade at Acheen. — Conciliatory conduct of Governor Bruce. — Infractions of Regulations by British Subjects. — Governor-general requires Supplies for the Expedition to Java. — Administration of Governor Petrie. — Objections of Pinang Government to King's employing Mr. Fenwick. — Seizure and release of ship Annapoorney. — Ancient Regulations of the Kingdom ... ... ... 40

Chapter V

Proceedings at Acheen during Governor Petrie's administration. — Mission of Captain Canning from Bengal. — Revolt of Tuanku Packie, Chief of Pedir, and Apprehensions of the King. — Causes of Rejection of the Mission. — Captain Canning's opinion of King's Authority. — Detention of Commander of ship Hyder Ally. — Letter of Sagis, deposing King. — Reply of Governor to the Sagis. — Declaration of Government respecting Syud Hussain's proceeding to Acheen. — Duplicity and Evasion of the Syud. — King of Acheen applies for a Subsidiary Force. — Syud Hussain finds a temporary Supporter in Chief of Pedir Tuanku Packie's com- CONTENTS. XI Pac.6 plaints against the King.— Friendly conduct of Johor Alum — Evils resulting from not affording him timely Support. — Chiefs of Acheen had no Right to depose the King. — Constitution and Government of the Coun try. — Opinions concerning the Rights of the Sagis or Chiefs ... ... ... ... ... 48

Chapter VI

Arrival of Johor Alum, King of Acheen, at Pinang. — Reasons assigned by the Governor for not permitting him to land. — Remonstrance against his entering the harbour The King entitled to protection. — Syud Hussain's vessels return from Acheen. — Old King requests an examination of them. — King enters the harbour by an accident. — Syud Hussain's Son announces his having become King of Acheen. — Johor Alum complains of Syf-ul-Alum having plundered his Property, and attacked him under English colours. — King attributes his misfortunes to Fenwick. — Old King invited to return by the Chief who was instrumental in his expulsion. — Preparations for his return to his own country. — Governor objects to his fitting out and arming vessels. — Johor Alum returns to Acheen and wages war with the Usurper — The plea of non-interference proved to be nugatory in this case. — Chiefs commence the election of Syud Hussain's son — Supreme Government direct strict neutrality to be observed ... 64

Chapter VII

New King disappointed in expected support from several Chiefs of Acheen. — Complaints of Syud Hussain of the successes of the old King against himself and Son — Interruption of Trade, and excesses of the Usurper. — CONTENTS. XII Page Syud Hussain committed to gaol.— Governor's Reply to the Syud's Appeal.— Johor Alum remonstrates to Governor against Syud Hussain's proceedings. — Go vernor refuses passes to trading Vessels to Acheen — Proposed negotiation with Acheen.— Reports in favour of the King having recovered his authority. — Instruc tions of Supreme Government. — Contradictory Reports. The Chief of Pedir again changes sides ; Complains of the Usurper Tuanku Packie detains Syud Hussain's Nephew for a debt. — Syud Hussain proceeds to Acheen to release his Nephew. — Packie's complaints. — Praise worthy conduct of late King. — Commencement of Go vernor Phillips's acting administration. — Syud Hussain in difficulty — supported by a party ... ... 77

Chapter VIII

The acting Governor's Proceedings on Acheen affairs. — Different opinions upon the Pretensions and Authority of the Rival Chiefs. — The legitimate Sovereign had a right to Support. — Inconsistency of the Officer who was principally instrumental in the first Proceedings against the old King, who negotiated first a Treaty with one King, and afterwards with the other, whose authority he had predicted there was not the most distant prospect of being recovered. — Altered sentiments and more correct views of the Governor ... ... 88

Chapter IX

Proceedings with Acheen during Governor Bannerman's Administration. — Captain Coombs deputed on a Mission to Acheen, to ascertain which of the rival Kings was in power. — Narrative of the Commissioner's Proceedings, and Remarks upon his Reports He settles CONTENTS. XIII ... Page the preliminary Articles of a Treaty with Syf-ul-Alum, the new King. — Does not wait on the old King at all. — The Commissioner proceeds to Bengal Numerous Complaints by the principal Chiefs on the west coast of Sumatra, of the new King's piratical acts in seizing a Junk belonging to Pinang. — Appeal of the Owners. — Syf-ul-Alum attempts to justify his plundering a small Brig under English colours. — The old King again re monstrates against the Usurper — Promises protection to all Vessels proceeding to the Pedir coast ... 106

Chapter X

Continuation of Negotiations at Acheen during Governor Bannerman's administration. — Reports of the Dutch having offered aid to the old King Supreme Government had received reports at variance with the Envoy's information. — Another Mission, therefore, to be sent under Sir S. Raffles and Captain Coombs. — Instructions. — Syud Hussain still endeavours to support his cause. — The Acheen proceedings discussed in the Calcutta papers. — Observations on the interference with the duties of Pinang Government. — Dissensions. — Further instructions from Supreme Government. — Representations of Chiefs against the proceedings of the Commissioners. — Old King supplicates forgiveness for past offences. — Syud Hussain assents to decision of Commissioners. — Treaty with the old King, Johor Alum ... ... ... ... ... 131

Chapter XI

Objections to Military Force at Acheen. — 5th Article of the Treaty. — The Usurper reluctant to quit Acheen. — Johor Alum well-disposed to the British. — The ex-King CONTENTS. XIV Page prohibited from Disturbing the Country.— Old King's Authority established — Usurper proceeds to Calcutta. —Atrocities committed by him.— Ratification of Treaty. — Death of Johor Alum, and Succession. — Reflections and concluding Remarks ... ... ••• 146

Chapter XII

Coasts of Sumatra Trade of Acheen. — Ports on the West and North ... ... ... ... ... 159

Chapter XIII

Descriptive Sketch of the Ports and Places on the North and East Coast of Sumatra. — Products. — Animals. — Races 168

Chapter XIV. East Coast Of Sumatra

The Commercial Relations of the British Government in the Straits of Malacca, with the States on the East Coast of Sumatra, from Diamond Point to Siack, containing a brief Account of the several Missions to these States, the nature of the Trade carried on between them and the British Settlements in the Straits of Malacca ; the Produce of these Countries and the Duties and Port Charges levied at the several places ... ... 177

Appendix

... ERRATA. Page 9, sixth line from bottom, for port read post. 16, seventh line from top, for tendering read tending. 25, seventeenth line from toy, for relabalangs read ulabalangs. 48, second line and elsewhere, for Tuanka read Tuanku. 51, second line, for Kivala read Kvvala. 51, ninth line, for Samu Dun read Sama Dua. 87, fourth line, for resident read president. ACHEEN.

Chapter I. Introductory

The Treaty with Holland in 1824, relative to the cession of certain possessions in the East-Indies and the trade there. — Probable consequences of the Treaty to British commerce. — Infraction of the Treaty. The object of the present work is to introduce to the notice of the merchants and manufacturers of Great Britain, connected with the trade to the East-Indies and China, certain places of great commercial importance, which are very little known in this country, although they have long been marts for the sale of a great variety of British manufactures, and have afforded produce of great value not only to Europe, but to China and America. It is also proposed to take a brief review of the treaty with Holland of 1824, its actual consequences and probable evil effects to British commerce generally to the eastward, which recent proceedings on the part of the Dutch Government seem to render necessary, in the confidence that the authorities in England will take the subject into immediate consideration, and place the trade in that quarter upon a more secure and equitable footing.

B ACHEEN. By the treaty between Great Britain and Holland, con cluded at London, March 17th, 1824, all English settlements on Sumatra were ceded to Holland from the 1st March, 1825, in lieu of the Dutch establishments on the continent of India, and the city of Malacca on the Malay peninsula. It was at the same time stipulated that no British settlement should be formed in future on the island of Sumatra ; nor any treaty concluded by British authority with any native prince, chief, or state therein; that no establishment should be made on the Carimon islands, or on the islands of Battam, Bintang, Lingin, or any of the other islands south of the Straits of Singapore ; and that no treaty should be entered into by British authority with the chiefs of those islands. His Britannic Majesty also with drew the objections which had been made to the occupation of the island of Billiton and its dependencies, by the agents of the Netherlands Government.

The King of Holland, on his part, agreed to withdraw the objections which had been made to the occupation of the island of Singapore by the subjects of his Britannic Majesty ; and engaged for himself and his subjects never to form any establishment on any part of the peninsula of Malacca, or to conclude any treaty with any native prince, chief, or state therein. The officers and agents in the East, of both governments, were forbidden to form any new settlements on any of the islands in the Eastern seas, without previous authority from their respec tive governments in Europe. With regard to commerce, the old Dutch system of stipulated and exclusive deliveries was partly abolished, and trade on equal terms guaranteed with all the native powers in the Eastern seas, excepting the Molucca islands, of whose valuable produce and traffic in spices the Dutch still retain the monopoly.

ACH REN. 3 The treaty annuls all former treaties, and with respect to that concluded in 1819 with Acheen, the British plenipotentiaries undertook that it should be modified as soon as possible into a simple arrangement for the hospitable recep tion of British vessels and subjects in the port of Acheen. As, however, some provisions of the treaty, communicated to the Netherlands plenipotentiaries, were judged to be con ducive to the general interests of Europeans established in the Eastern seas, it was presumed that the Netherlands Government would take measures for securing* the benefit of those provisions; and the British plenipotentiaries contented themselves with expressing their confidence that no proceed ings hostile to the King of Acheen would be attempted by the new proprietors of Fort Marlborough.

On glancing the eye over the map of the Indian Archipe lago, it will at once be perceived that the comprehensive little sentence, " Islands south of the Straits of Singapore,'1'' politically shuts us out from the richest part of Borneo, the tin mines of Banca, the islands of Billiton, Madura, Bali, Bombah, Sumbawa, Flores, and nearly the whole of the Celebes, in addition to the loss of Acheen and the rest of Sumatra; leaving us only Singapore, Malacca, and a few decayed factories on the continent of India. The Dutch still retain Java (the revenue of which Sir S. Raffles raised to nearly four millions sterling), and the Spice islands ; and until the odious monopoly of the very valuable produce of these islands be abolished, free trade can scarcely be ex pected to exist in the Archipelago. A gross infringement, indeed, of the principles of free trade laid down in the treaty, was committed by the Dutch in 1837.

At the time of entering upon this treaty with the Dutch, Singapore was already established and in our possession. To this valuable settlement, therefore, the Dutch had no b2 ACHEEN. ground of claim whatever; although the concession of what was never theirs, is ostentatiously pointed at in the treaty, as a set-off against the abandonment of our claims in respect to Billiton. In the exchange of Malacca for Bencoolen, nothing probably was gained by either nation ; though both these settlements, under proper management, might at least be made to pay their expenses. In the political transfer of the Malayan peninsula for Banca and Sumatra (an island the superficial area of which is computed at 130,000 square miles, with a population of nearly 3,000,000 souls), the Dutch were great gainers. The island of Banca ceded to them, with an area of about 46,000 square miles, and a population of 370,000 souls, alone produces more tin than the aggregate of all the mines of the peninsula.

The produce of Banca in tin is estimated at from 35,000 to 40,000 piculs* annually ; and that of Sumatra in gold dust, at double the value. Borneo annually exports gold dust to the estimated value of half a million sterling ; while, on the other hand, half the population of the Malay peninsula is dependent on Sumatra and Java for rice ; both of which islands, after supplying the wants of their own population, export a considerable surplus of this necessary staple of life. The superiority also of Sumatra over the peninsula in the produce of spices, betelnut, coffee, camphor, &c, is univer sally acknowledged. The only advantages, in fine, obtained by England from this impolitic treaty, are the greater con solidation of her possessions in India, and more complete command of a Strait which forms a direct passage to China. -f* In the latter part of the year 1824, upon the receipt of The picul is equal to 133J lbs. avoirdupois. t The author is indebted for the foregoing concise abstract of the treaty, tn an interesting work lately published, viz. Lieut. Newbold's " Account of the British Settlements in tbe Straits of Malacca."

ACHEEN. 5 the treaty at Pinang, the writer submitted to the local go vernment of that place some observations thereon, as to the manner in which it was likely to affect the interests of that settlement in particular, and they are now transcribed. The town of Malacca itself, with an extent of territory along the coast about twenty miles in length, was the only part of the Malayan peninsula to which the Dutch Governnment had the smallest pretensions. The British Government had long maintained friendly relations with all the states on both sides of the peninsula, and treaties had been concluded with all the chiefs on the west coast thereof, prior to the restoration of Malacca, according to the convention of 1814 ; but the Dutch paid little attention to these, and forced some of the chiefs to renew obsolete treaties of twenty and thirty years back, which they have not failed to advance as claims.

On the eastern side of the peninsula, they had no settlement nor any treaties existing with the native princes ; but this was less their fault, perhaps, than that of the chiefs of the country, who were disinclined to make any concessions to them, and who have ever evinced the most anxious desire to cultivate the good-will of the British Government of Pinang, and have made repeated applications for British residents at their respective courts. Rhio,* on the island of Bintang, has been considered a dependency of Malacca, under the Dutch administration, and will consequently, it is presumed, be vacated by that power; but the 12th article of the treaty provides against any establishment being formed at that place by the En glish. The Dutch policy evidently has been to form as many treaties as possible with all the chiefs and states * This station is still occupied by the Dutch, and, being at no great distance from it, in part supplies the loss of Singapore, as far as their trade is concerned.

ACHEEN. throughout the eastern Archipelago, and to establish a footing wherever they could, in order to cramp the English trade and extend their own, with very little regard to exist ing treaties or claims on the part of the British Govern ment. A very short time will afford a practical demonstration of the extent and value of the sacrifices which have been made by England, to obtain objects of comparatively trifling im portance. Next to the restoration of Java, the cession of all the British ports on the island of Sumatra, and the relin quishment of our rights farther to the eastward, and the privileges acquired by treaties with many of the independent chiefs, after much trouble, expense, and hazard, may be considered the greatest sacrifice that history affords an example of in India. It is true, Bencoolen had long ceased to be of any advantage to us, and was for many years, being conducted upon a most extravagant system, a source of great expense.

The cession of that port, with its immediate actual dependencies in its vicinity, would certainly have been a full equivalent for Malacca and its immediate de pendencies, instead of giving them a preponderating influ ence over the great islands of Sumatra, Borneo, Celebes, and many others. The advantage and policy of the British government possessing a commanding influence at Acheen have been frequently discussed, and it is difficult to conceive upon what grounds we have relinquished all claims to exer cising that control which we had long possessed, and which has always appeared to be, in the judgment of the best in formed men, so essential to the prosperity of the British settlements in the Straits of Malacca, and so indispensable a port in the event of a war with any European power or America.

The Dutch, until they shall think fit to abandon the ACHEEN. 7 monopoly of spices at Amboyna, Banda, &c. (of which they reserve the option, according to the treaty), will thus be masters of the principal and almost the only valuable islands in the Archipelago, and will, in fact, possess nearly a monopoly of the pepper, coffee, tin, spices, rattans, camphor, gold, and benjamin, of Java, Sumatra, Banca, and the Mo luccas, — the chief exchangeable commodities for our British manufactures and the produce of our territories in Western India, or they will derive a revenue from them at our expense, and the trade be fettered with various vexatious restrictions. In an historical sketch of the states on the east coast of Sumatra, which was submitted in 1823 to the Pinang government, on the authorreturn from a mission to that coast, it is stated that it was but a few years since the chiefs of Delli, Sirdang, Langkat, and other ports on the east coast of Sumatra, opened a correspondence with the governor of Pinang.

Encouragement was given, and the result has been, that the produce from that quarter has increased fifteen-fold, while the sale of our manufactures has been extended in the same proportion. It cannot be denied that the Dutch have evinced a spirit of aggran dizement, and a desire to extend their colonial possessions, which have already had a very injurious tendency upon our commerce in the more distant islands of the Archipe lago, and they seem now to be turning their attention to this quarter : that rigid system of monopoly which is gene rally introduced into their possessions, renders it the more imperative in us to prevent any unreasonable encroach ment. Whether it be the mines of gold, reported to be so rich and abundant in the kingdom of Menangkabau, or what other motive may stimulate them, I know not, but certain ACHEEN. it is, the Dutch are endeavouring by every means to possess themselves of Siack, opposite Malacca.* The Nether lands Government, notwithstanding its knowledge that the king of Siack had entered into a solemn treaty with Colo nel Farquhar, in the year 1818, on the part of the British government, has, a few months ago, partly by promises and partly by intimidation, persuaded the king of that country to make a treaty with them, the object of which (the exclu sion of the British) is too manifest by their anxiety to establish a factory.

The violation of a treaty is not more an act of injustice on the part of the power which breaks it, than on the part of the government which induces it to do so. Timely interference, and an exposition of our relative connexions to the higher authorities, might prevent the further progress of measures which are assuredly calculated to kindle feelings of jealousy and hostility between the two European governments, and which would be obviated by a fair recognition of their separate and respective rights. The chief aim of the British government of Pinang has been to secure a fair and equitable participation in the trade of the surrounding countries, while no obstacles have been thrown in the way of the Dutch enjoying the same privileges in their fullest extent. The rapid conquests of the Dutch in the interior of Padang, as represented by the chief of Siack, and their simultaneous operations at the lat ter place, indicate but too clearly a desire to secure the whole of the coast from Diamond Point to Campar.

In reference to Acheen, the writer observed, in the year 1826, that if the Netherlands Government act in the spirit of the treaty, and observe the same forbearing system we have * This was penned by the writer of the present work in 1823, prior to the treaty with Holland. ACHEEN. 9 done, no alteration will take place unfavourable to our trade. From the proximity of the native states on the east coast of Sumatra, constant communication takes place be tween us, and commercial intercourse and connexion is com pletely established. But the question is, will the Nether lands government be equally forbearing ? If we answer this question by reference to all their past practice, to their apparently inveterate habits, the answer must be in the decided negative, and we may easily foresee the course they will pursue.

The succession to the kingdom of Acheen, it will be seen, has not, if rumour be correct, been con ferred on the legitimate heir, and may therefore be said to be still in a disputed state. The right of succession goes by inheritance to the young lawful son of Johor Alum, but the right to the regency was disputed by the queens dowager and consort, the mother and the widow of the late king ; Panglima Polim, however, retains his authority, and took the part of the queen dowager. We have seen that the Dutch on a former occasion me ditated direct interference in the affairs of Acheen; that they offered assistance to the King Johor Alum to the extent of two thousand men. By article 3d, they can make no treaty having for its object the exclusion of the British, or the establishment of higher duties on the general trade with the state they treat with ; but they may do the thing more completely by using their political influence and military power in establishing a port or commercial station at the principal ports, hoisting Dutch colours, and imposing the duty provided by article 2d, and thereby put an end to the trade.

Against such a result, the treaty affords only one, and that an uncertain, means of counteraction. By article 6th, it is agreed that orders shall be sent to the respective local ACHEEN. governments of the contracting parties to form no new set tlements without authority from their own government ; and by the 3d article, it is provided that all treaties here after concluded shall be reciprocally communicated to each other by the contracting parties. If, construing these two articles together, their spirit and intention be to afford to the one, who considers its interests prejudiced by a treaty made by the other, the means of fairly remonstrating thereon, and if such remonstrance be attended to, the evil anticipated in respect to the trade with the northern coast of Sumatra may be prevented ; but it is obvious that it must be the duties of those entrusted with the charge of British interests in this part of the world, to keep their principals well informed of the views and objects of the opposite party.