we have come hither, may be
forfeited by any careless act of aggression. Many of you have served on
the coast of Africa, but you must remember that the Malays are not to be
treated in the same free and easy manner that may go down with negroes.
You must comport yourselves with the same decency of behavior that you
would were you in the port of a friendly European Power. Any breach
of these orders will be most severely punished; and I appeal to every
officer and man to use his utmost efforts to keep on good terms with
these people, and to behave as if the honor and credit of the ship
depended upon him personally. Any man who comes on board in the
slightest degree the worse for liquor will not be allowed to land
again, even if we are stationed here for six months; and if there is any
misbehavior on shore, all leave will be stopped."
Two days later, the captain, with the second lieutenant and doctor,
again paid a visit to the rajah, and this time business matters were
entered upon. The chief began by stating that he rejoiced at the thought
of being under the protection of the great English Queen. The captain
replied that her Majesty was anxious to be on good terms with all
the Malay chiefs; that those rajahs and sultans who had accepted her
protection had greatly benefited by so doing, and by listening to
the advice of the officers whom she sent to reside at their seat of
government; but that, of course, before receiving his state under her
protection it was necessary that her representative, the Governor of
the Straits Settlements, should be thoroughly satisfied that the rajah
intended to be guided by the advice so given.
He said that it was thoroughly necessary this should be understood, for
that the allegiance offered to the Queen could not be lightly thrown
off. If a chief once owned her as his sovereign, he could not change
his mind afterwards; and should he disobey the advice and orders of
the Resident, he would be liable to be dethroned, and his government
bestowed upon one better fitted for it. He could not, for instance,
be allowed to engage in hostilities against his neighbors without the
consent of the Resident, for it was clear that the English could not
assist him in wars in which they considered that he was in the wrong.
In these matters there must be benefits on both sides: the chief would
obtain protection against warlike neighbors, would benefit by the
presence and advice of a British officer, and by th
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