The Life of Sir James Brooke, Rajah of Sarãwak, from His Personal Papers and Correspondence

Front matter

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Chapter II. Seoond Visit To Sarawak— Civil War

Second visit to Sar&wak — A council of war — A Bomeon siege — Night on the field — Progress of the siege — Pangeran Usman's speech — Mr Brooke returns to Kuching — Makota's subterfuges — A battle at last — An envoy from the rebels — End of the war,

Chapter III. 1840-1313

Uakota's misgoTerDmeitt— Pro«pect> of Sarawak— A Dy«k expedi- ' tion stopped — Brooke obtaiiu tlie goTemmeDt — Contolidatiiig tlie government — "The friend of the Dyak" — Chinese deceit — ReTennesofSaTSwak— Visit to Brunei— The Court of Bmnei — Discomfiture of Jfatota, .....

Chapter IV. 1813-1844

Pirates— The Dido— Dinner ot Mr Brooke's— The Scribiis- A pimle

town attacked — Defeat of the Seribos — Seeond visit to Brunei —

Eipedition to Achi d— Brooke's new house— Tlie Patttsan piratiw

— Disaster to tlie spy-boat — Muda Hsasini's departure — Brunei,

Chapter V. 1844-1847

Paugeran Usup — Destnictian of llaluda— Execution of Pangeran Usnp — Death of Mr WillJainson — Plot against Muda Uassim — Uarder of Muda Hassim — Sir Thomas Cochrane— Capture of Brunei — The Sultan's submisaion— The Nemesis among the pirates — Borneo □ justice, .....

Chapter VI. Kr Brooke Visits Esoland

Return to England— Visit to the Queen — Appointed Governor of Lsbnan — The passengers of the Meander — The vojagc — "Taking a friend's iratrh "-Made a K.C.B., , . . :

CONTENTS. IX

Chapter VII. Beturn To Sarawak

1848-1849.

Reception at Sarawak — A Malaj lady — The flag of Sarawak — A dismasted ship — Ratification of the treaty — Effect of imagination —The Sultan of Sulu — Return to Labuan— Timely rescue — Quarrels at Labuan, ...... 138

Chapter VIII. The Seribas And Sakarano Pirates

The pirates— The Sakarangs — Ravages of the pirates— Sirib Sahib —

Patusan taken — The Sultan's letter— More ravages, . .159

Chapter IX. The Battle Of Batanq Marau. 1849

The rendezvous — " The Dyaks are coming ! " — Bravery of the pirates — After the battle — Burning the pirate prahtis — Up the Paku

— The Orang Kaya's sons — Foraying — A young captive, . 174

CHAPTER XI. PEACE MEASURES — ATTACKS ON SIR JAMES BROOKE's POLICY

— MISSION TO SIAM.

1849-1851.

Attacks by Hume and Cobden— Peace measures — "Visit to Penang —The Siam mission — Recognition of Sarawak by the United States— Reception of the mission— Chinese immigration — Administrative measures — Visit to the Dyaks— **01d fireworks" — Departure for Europe, . . . . .212

CHAPTER XII. SECOND VISIT TO ENaLANP

1861-1853.

M—PwliimanUrypersecntion— Mr Hume's witnesBes— Ur Hame'a Jenmnd for a CammissioQ — Uuderhaud oonduct of the CoolitioD — Mr Brereton at Sakuang, . . i

CHAPTER XIIL

RETURN TO BORNEO,

Visit to the Sultan — Ceauon of tlio biz districts— Betum to Sariwak — An ezplaaioD— Tlie Patitiggt — Deposition of the Patinggi, . '.

Chapter XIV

Bentab— Beath of Mr Lee — Rentab's stronghold— Capture of Lang — The Commission at work — Departure of the Comniissioiivrs — DiscusaioDs — The Rnjah's senteticeE— The judicaturv difficulty — The bishopric — Tronbleg at Muka — Condition of Brunei — The Bigah and the British Ooveniinent — Cliineae troubles, .

Chapter XV. The Chinixe Ikburrection

1867.

The Chinese issorrection — Escape of the Rigah — Defence of the stockades — Morning after the attack — Proceedings of the Cliinese— Progress of the iusarrection— Arrival of the "Sir Janies Brooke" — Discomfiture of the Chinese— Their flight— Results of the rebellion — Eoching after the insDrrection — End of the

MP^MiMM

CONTENTS.

XI

Chapter XVI. Third Visit To England

1857-1860.

Coal-mines — Reception in England — Despondency — Death of Makota — The Borneo Company — A plot against Government — Suppression of the conspiracy — The succession to the Raj — The Rajah and Captain Brooke — Mr Edwardes's interference at Muka — Lord Russell's thanks to Cax>tain Brooke,

Chapter XVII. Last Visit To Borneo^return To England — Quiet

LIFE — DEATH IN 1808.

1860-1868.

Once again in the East — Settlement of Muka — The Rajah at Muka — The Rajah Muda — The voyage home — The Rajah in retirement — Negotiations with Government — The Rujah and Captain Brooke — Expedition against the Kay an s — Negotiations with Government — Lord Palmerston's views — Colonel Cavanagh's report — Communications with the Cabinet — Recognition granted — Life in England — The Tuan Muda adopted as heir — Sarawak offered to her Majesty's Government — An attack of paralysis — Concluding remarks, .....

LIEE OF Sm JAMES BROOKE,

KAJAH OF SAEAWAK.

INTRODUCTION.

EARLY LIFE OF JAMES BBOOKE.

Very little of interest is known of the early life of Sir James Brooke, beyond the facts that he was bom in Benares in 1803, came early to England, and was confided to a fond though injudicious grandmother, with whom he had completely his own way. He went to Norwich school, then kept by Mr Valpy, but on his second essay there, got tired of the restraint and ran away. When he reached home, however, he felt somewhat ashamed of his exploit, and wandered about the neighbourhood and the garden till nightfall, when his grandmother, hearing of his presence, sent the servants for him. This incident is worth mentioning, as it accounts for many things in Sir James's aftercareer. Then a private tutor was engaged, who appears to have had little success with the wayward lad. On the return of his parents from India, another school was tried, but he would not stay there. This want of regular train-

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2 LIFE OF SIR JAMES BROOKE.

ing was of infinite disadvantage to young Brooke, who thus started in life with little knowledge, and with no idea of self-control. He had been indulged and petted by all around him, as he had a lovable disposition ; but in afterlife he had often cause to regret his neglected education, and the imperfect discipline to which he had been subjected. He would often endeavour to defend this system of education, and argue that boys should not be thwarted ; and certainly he carried his systejn into practice with all the lads that came under his control, and certainly ako with very markedly bad results. Occasionally a bright lad, like James Brooke, will rise superior to a neglected education, but in the mass the want of culture must tell.

In May 1819 he received his first commission, and soon left for Bengal to join his regiment, the 6th Native Infantr}\ In 1822 he became Sub- Assistant Commissary General, a post for which he was totally unfitted. He now began to feel his neglected education, and from that time appears to have devoted himself to reading, and in later life it would have been difficult to have met with a better read man. He did not confine himself to one branch, but was familiar with the great works on theology, history, natural history ; and after he entered the diplomatic service he was unwearied in the study of public law.

Had the choice of the branch of the army in which he was to serve been left to himself, he would have chosen the Cavalry; but the Commissariat gave him abundant leisure, and he spent a fair amount of his time in pig-sticking and shooting, and many a story I have heard him tell of his adventures.

Sir James was very fond of relating the following incidents of a hunt in which he was engaged. One day a native brought into camp the news that a huge bear had taken up his quarters in a neighbouring ravine, and a party was made up to go out and attack the monster. '* Seven

SPORTING ADVENTURES. 8

of us started ; among others, one who was so blind that, without his glasses, he could not see ten yards. Our guide brought us to the almost dried bed of a stream, filled with boulders, and with huge rocks jutting from either bank. Presently he made a sign, and we all mounted on the top of a boulder, and then saw, about fifty yards up the ravine, Bruin lying on the bank. When we came in sight he rose, and seeing retreat cut off by the steep hill, immediately rushed at us, and began to clamber up the boulder. He was not ten yards off, and all but the blind man fired their guns at him. Scared by the volley, he turned and fled, when, the glasses being adjusted, the purblind let fly at him, and the bear rolled over, just as he was half-way up the left bank. * His skin must be spoilt,' said one. * I put two balls into him,' said another. But when they came to examine the body, they found but a single shot-hole — all but the purblind had been too flurried to aim correctly." He used to tell this as a warning to us not to engage in dangerous hunts without proper preparation. At another time he went out with his brother to shoot tigers from the back of an elephant. There was a large party, and the beaters reported a fine Bengal tiger to be in the grassy plain before them. The elephants were arranged to advance as a crescent, the two points gradually joining so as to surround the beast.^ Then, with a tremendous roar, the tiger arose and sprang upon the neck of his brother's elephant. The powerful beast, with one ponderous shake, sent the attacker flying in the air. Again and again the tiger returned to the charge, selecting always the same elephant, but ever with the same result. At one time his brother was in great danger ; but at length an opportunity was given, and young Brooke sent a shot through its brain, and laid the royal beast dead at their feet

^ Compare with this the Zulu formation of which we have lately heard •ornnch.

4 LIFE OF SIR JAUE3 BItOOEE.

James Brooke was full of fun, and one of his pranks bad a very useful result. In the encampment there arrived a major and his wife — the former a fine-looking, gentlemaD-like fellow, the picture of good - nature ; the latter a pretty, little, demure woman. After a few days whispers went abroad that this good-natured major was in the babit of beating his wife, and people who went in the evening near to their house could hear the cries of the little woman, and " What a brute you are to use me so ! " The major began to be treated rather coolly by all in the cantonment, but he took no notice. At last Mr Brooke atdd to a friend — afterwards Colonel Goldney — " I cannot understand Major So-and-so beating bis wife; let us go and see." So one evening after sunset these two went down to the bimgalow, and, bearing the cries, Brooke mounted on tbe shoulders of his companion and looked into the window. There be saw tbe major seated in a chair, good-humouredly defending himself from the blows which the little vixen was aiming at him, while she kept shrieking, " What a brute you are to use me so ! " This was too much for Brooke's gravity; he burst out laughing, jumped down, and they both ran away. The story spread through the cantonment, and whenever the little woman passed she woold bear, " What a brute you are to use me so ! " till she became so ashamed of the whole affair that the cries ceased, and, let us hope, tbe beatings. It reminds one of the late Lord Derby's tale — " It pleases she, and it don't hurt I, so I lets her do it,"

On tbe breaking out of tbe Burmese war in 1825, Brooke was sent to join tbe invading army which was to operate in Assam. His commissary duties did not occupy him much, so he mixed a good deal with all that was going on ; and one day hearing the general in command complain that tbey had no light cavalry to act as scouts, Lieutenant Brooke immediately offered to raise a

BROOKES HORSE.

troop if he might have his own way. Leave was given him, and he promptly called for volunteers, and his call was responded to by those native infantry soldiers who could ride. He soon had as many as he could mount, and as they were all disciplined men, he had little trouble in drilling them into fairly efficient irregular cavalry. Being of an adventurous and daring temper, he used to ride ahead of the advancing column, work round the stockades, send information, and then push on. His force would too often scatter, so that it was generally very late when he returned to camp, but his services were fully appreciated. One day, while the infantry were attacking a stockade, the Bui-mese were observed collecting in a body in an opening to the left, and Lieutenant Brooke asked permission to charge them. Leave being given, he put himself at the head of his men, and, after a few inspiriting words, dashed on at the enemy. They fired a volley, but as this did not check the cavalry rush, they were bewildered, and after a brief resistance turned and fled, pursued by Brooke's irregulars until they were entirely dispersed. For this brilliant little aSair he was publicly thanked.

A few days after, the general in command heard of a strong stockade being in front, and sent out Lieutenant Brooke to reconnoitre, but he was not able to return in time to prevent the advance-guard from falling into a sort of ambuscade. As the foremost company turned a corner in the road, they were received by a volley which knocked over a number of men. In the midst of the confusion, Brooke came galloping up, and putting himself at the head of the men, charged, and " foremost, fighting, fell." When the affair was over, and the enemy driven from their stockades, Lieutenant-Colonel Eichards asked after Lieutenant Brooke, whom he had seen fall, and he was reported dead. "Take me to his body," was his reply,

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6 LIFE OF SIK JAMES BROOKE.

and they rode to the spot. " Poor Brooke ! " said the Colonel, getting off his horse to have a last look at him ; and kneeling over him ho took his hand. ''He is not dead ! " he cried, and instantly had him carefully removed to camp. Not dead, it was true, but he hovered for weeks between life and death, as the bullet lodged in one lung could not then be removed. In these long dreary days, too weak to speak, to read, to do anything, he used, he said, to be absorbed in soft melancholy thoughts, and he often longed to be at rest.

At last he was considered to be strong enough to be removed, but he could not bear the movement of a carriage or a horse, so he was put into a canoe and gently paddled down the stream. Though other scenes had faded away, that one dwelt upon his memory — the gliding gently down a magnificent river, whose smooth stream carried him swiftly but gently to his destination. He could not speak much, but he could observe, and though in pain, every object he passed seemed to fix itself in his mind's eye.

On his arrival in Calcutta, it was soon found that Lieutenant Brooke's only chance of recovery would be from a voyage and a return home. He therefore obtained a long furlough, and a pension for his wound of about £70 a-year, which rendered him, as he said, independent for life. He left for home in August 1825.

The voyage, however, and a long furlough, did not restore him completely, so that his leave had to be extended until four years and a half had passed, and after five years' absence he would cease to be a member of the Bengal Army. His first effort to return to India was delayed by shipwreck ; the second was a slow vessel, the Castle Huntley, which brought him to Madras July 18, 1830, just leaving him twelve days to reach Bengal This was not possible in the days of tubs of sailing-vessels, so that he made this his excuse for throwing up the service. The iTi t ■ ir^— jHjwyi

VISIT TO CHINA. 7

fact was that he had formed many friendships among the officers of the ship, and they had fired his imagination with descriptions of the Eastern Archipelago and of China, and he determined to have a look at these countries. Among the officers were Sir J. Dalrymple Elphinstone, M.P., Mr James Templer, and Captain Jolly whom subsequently I had the pleasure of meeting.

James Brooke did not really care for the East India Company's service, and in fact was not suited to any post which required steady methodical work, and his position in the Commissariat he particularly disliked. What appeared to be a rash act was perhaps the best thing he could have done, for it opened a new career, for which his abilities admirably suited him.

Although occasionally inclined to have a Ught joke about the East India Company's Government in India, no one had a greater respect for those grand old officers who founded and carried on our rule in that country. Though formerly of a different opinion, of one thing Brooke lived to be thoroughly convinced, and that is, that no Asiatic is fitted to govern a country : under European guidance, yes — ^but alone, no.

Having thrown up the service, Mr Brooke sailed in the Castle Huntley for China, and visited Penang, Malacca, and Singapore, committing enough imprudences in his expeditions at these places to have cut off his career for ever. He escaped, however, with a few attacks of fever, which he accounted for by the climate in his letters to his mother.*

In China he had to suffer, as every man of honour suffered, from the sight of the bullying to which the English submitted, and had to submit, in order to pre-

1 Some very interesting letters of this period of his career have been pnblished by Miss Jacob in her * Baja of Sarawak.' (London, Macmillan kCo.: 1876.)

8 LtPB OF SIB JAMES BBOORE.

serve their trade ; and this lasted until the first Chinese war taught, or rather ought to have taught, a lesson to that unteacbable people.

I know of no man of the talent of Sir James Brooke who more enjoyed boyish fun than he did, and during his youth this propensity led him into many a scrape. I am afraid, however, that I do not remember sufficiently well the details of his more than usually madcap exploit, when he and a party entered Canton in disguise.

In January 1831 the Castle Huntley was on its way home, and without adventure it safely arrived in England in June. During this voyage Mr Brooke had been forming a plan as to his future. No longer in the Company's service, he felt that he must do something, and though formed by nature to shine in the most refined society, yet over-sensitiveness made him shun it. At this time of his life James Brooke had every qualification to fit him to take a brilliant social position ; he was handsome, elegant in look as well as in manner, fond of the lighter accomplishments of music and poetry, so winning in his ways as to be beloved by all those he met, and fuU of ability, and with his friends brilliant in talk. Yet in general society he was reserved, and rarely gave sign of the power that was in him. This over-sensitiveness and shyness, which, though often concealed, were never lost, made him delight in the thought of wild adventure; and bis companions being of congenial tastes, a plan was formed that, as soon as money could be found, a schooner was to be bought, and he and his friends were to embark in some wild schemes, which appeared however to them to be full of promise, and even of profit. Mr Thomas Brooke, the father, though far from being a clever man, was sensible enough to see the wild side of his son's project, and man of the world enough to understand the folly of his imagining that he could succeed as a trader.

IN LOVE. 9

Sometimes Air Brooke thought of going into Parliament, but had not enough money to contest Bath ; for, strange to say, with all his contempt for civilised life, he had become an ardent reformer, not only of Parliament but of poor-laws. In fact, he would have dived deep into the causes of national distress, and thought that an earnest inquiry would find a remedy — ^for every great cause which could advance the happiness of the people had always his hearty sympathy.

About this time he passed through that ordeal which punishes most men — he fell in love, and became engaged. What were the causes which induced the lady or her family to break off the engagement I do not know, but it was broken off, and Mr Brooke appeared to look upon it as final ; and he from that time seems to have withdrawn from all female blandishments. He never spoke of it to us, though an occasional allusion made us tliink that his thoughts often reverted to this episode in his history. I notice in one letter it is stated that this young lady, whose name is given, died shortly afterward a

I have said that at bottom James Brooke was full of fun ; he delighted in telling us the following story. When mesmerism was occupying the thoughts of most men, and gaining many converts, Mr Brooke and a friend determined to be present at a s^nce, and accordingly went.

The mesmeriser, a certain Dr , after a few preliminary

experiments, informed the assembled company that there was a woman present so susceptible to the influence of mesmerism that when under it you might place her in any posture, and in that she would remain until he had freed her from its power. Forthwith he called for a woman who, under his influence, did various things, but at length became completely insensible, and was placed in the corner of the room in some fantastic attitude. The lecture went on, but the two young men continued hover-

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10 LIF£ OF SIR JAMES BROOKE.

ing about this woman, until one of them said, " I am sure she is shamming." They pinched her, but she gave no sign. At length one of them gave her a tap, a strong one, on the top of her heavy bonnet, which, regularly bonneting her, so startled the woman, that she gave a shriek and darted at the offender, who rapidly mixed with the crowd. The whole humbug of the thing was thus so clearly shown that the lecturer was only too glad to escape into another room and allow his audience to disperse.

The disappointment occasioned by the breaking off of his marriage engagement made young Brooke the more anxious to be doing something; he therefore began to urge his father to lend him the money necessary to start his schooner scheme. His father was too sensible a man to encourage him, yet too loving a parent to disappoint him, so the money was found, and the brig Findlay bought, laden with merchandise, and Mr Brooke set sail for China with his old friends Kennedy and Harry Wright Different views and different systems of management soon brought about disagreements. Kennedy evidently was a strict disciplinarian — Brooke was lax, and I can readily imagine, interfered with the captain The end was that the brig and cargo were sold at a loss, and Brooke returned to England.

Here he whiled away his time in summer evenings in a little yacht, and later in the year in vigorous foxhimting.

In the autumn of 1835 his father died, leaving him about £30,000. Within a few months he returned to his project of buying a vessel, but this time there were to be no partners — no one to interfere with and mar his projects. He soon found a yacht — the Boyalist, a vessel of 142 tons burden — which pleased him, and he purchased her. To test the vessel and the crew before entering on any great enterprise, he undertook a voyage to the Mediter-

VOYAGE TO SINGAPORE. 11

ranean, and visited Spain, Malta, and the Bosphorus, enjoying his trip thoroughly, for he had read much concerning those countries, and wished to verify what he had read. He particularly loved to dwell upon his visit to the Alhambra; and in after-years I heard him describing to the Malays, in fuU detail, this wonder of wonders.

Mr Brooke was well satisfied with his vessel, and in the autumn of 1838 everything was to be ready for his departure to the scene of his hopes, the Eastern Archipelago. What were his objects? They were in reality uncertain. He was longing for adventure — longing to visit wild countries, and see what no civilised man had yet seen. (Jeographical discovery was one of his principal motives, and in search of that he could satisfy the yearning of his soul for the wildest liberty of action. The Eoyalist set sail from Devonport in December 1838, and had a prosperous voyage to Singapore, as far as weather was concerned ; but discord set in on board, and, one after the other, the officers were dismissed. The discipline of the vessel was no doubt faulty, but it is an undoubted fact that there could be no discipline in any vessel in which Mr Brooke had sway. He was too kind-hearted, — could never endure to see men punished, however guilty they may have been ; too ready to encourage the escapades of the younger officei-s by so readily excusing them. But at Singapore new arrangements were made, and everything was soon ready for a voyage of discovery.

At that time but a very superficial knowledge of Borneo existed, even in the best works, and the Admiralty maps were but guess-work. It was known that a Sultan of Brunei existed on the north-west coast, but who he was, and what were his territories, were not known. A kind act towards some shipwrecked seamen on the part of a Bajah Muda Hassim, living at Sarawak, first drew general

LITE OF SIB JAMES BROOKE.

attention lu Singapoi« to this place; and Mr Brooke arriving at this time with a very undefined plan of a voyage of discovery, was requested to convey to this Eajah letteis and some presents. Here then was something definite to do, and a good reasou for visiting an unknown country. In the next chapter I commence the life of Sir James Brooke in Borneo.

r.'hm r-.-a-n<FJ-ir^

Chapter I. First Visit To Sarawak And To Celebes

1839-1840.

On the 27th of July 1839 the Royalist sailed from Singapore, and at length Mr Brooke commenced that voyage of exploration on which his heart had long been set, and which was destined to have so great an effect on his future career. The wind was favourable, and in a few days he found himself off the coast of Borneo, where be was received in the true fashion of the country, with rain, thunder, and lightning ; but with the morning sun the clouds dispersed, and he saw before him, in all its beauty, the wondrous island of Borneo.

To the world at that moment Borneo was the land of the unknown, — in fact, the north-east coast had not been visited since the end of the last century, and that portion lying between Sambas and Maludu Bay had scarcely ever been visited by any European. All that was known of it was unpropitious : it was a favourite cruising-ground of the Lanun and Balagnini pirates ; it was infested by Dyak savages, who, both pirates and head-hunters, destroyed the native trade, and rendered life insecure ; and even the Malays were looked upon with some reason as not only lawless but inimical to foreigners.

Mr Brooke used to say that^ as he leant on the taffrail,

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14 LIFE OF SIR JAMES BROOKE. [chap. I.

he thought of all this; but he had confidence in his vessel, confidence in his crew, and still more he had that without which there is no success, — he had confidence in himself.

After a few days' surveying between the points of Api and Datu, he passed the latter, and then for the first time he saw the territory of Sarawak. The bay that lies between Capes Datu and Sipang is indeed a lovely one. To the right rises the splendid range of Po^, overtopping the lower but equally beautiful Gading hills ; then the fantastic-shaped mountains of the interior, including Matang, Singhi, and Paninjow; while to the left the range of Santubong, end on towards you, looks like a solitary peak, rising as an island from the sea, as Teneriffe once appeared to me when sailing by in the Meander. From these hills flow many streams which add to the beauty of the view, from the Lundu with its broad shallow entrance, to the Sarawak river, which emerges into the sea below the lofty peak of Santubong. But the gems of the scene are the little emerald isles that are scattered over the surface of the bay, presenting their pretty beaches of glistering sand, or their lovely foliage, drooping to kiss the rippling waves ; Talang-Talang, noted for their turtles; Sumpadien and the Satangs, in their wild, new, rich, cocoa-nut groves.

From Talang-Talang came the first Malays whom Mr Brooke met in Borneo. Their chief, Bandari Daud, was polite, and dressed, as usual with these chiefs, in dark cloth trousers, a dark-green velvet jacket, and a sarong round his waist, thrown gracefully over the handles of two krises which he wore at his girdle. Having conciliated his goodwill by trifling presents and much polite attention, Mr Brooke continued his surveys to the 11th of August, when he set sail and bore away for the mouth of the Sarawak, which he entered without difficulty, and soon found himself anchored under the peak of Santubong in deep water and in a snug anchoraga