The Expedition to Borneo of H.M.S. Dido Part 34

[26] Probably a Dyak phrase for levying exactions on the oppressed people. It is not Malay.

[27] The utter destruction of a village or town is nothing to the infliction of cutting down the fruit-trees. The former can be rebuilt, with its rude and ready materials, in a few weeks; but the latter, from which the princ.i.p.al subsistence of the natives is gathered, cannot be suddenly restored, and thus they are reduced to starvation.

[28] The grounds for this opinion are an estimate personally made among the tribes, compared with the estimate kept by the local officers before the disturbance arose; and the result is, that only two out of twenty tribes have not suffered, while some tribes have been reduced, from 330 families to 50; about ten tribes have lost more than half their number; one tribe of 100 families has lost all its women and children made slaves; and one tribe, more wretched, has been reduced from 120 families to 2, that is, 16 persons; while two tribes have entirely disappeared. The list of the tribes and their numbers formerly and now are as follows:--Suntah, 330--50; Sanpro, 100--69; Sigo, 80--28; Sabungo, 60--33; Brang, 50--22; Sinnar, 80--34; Stang, 80--30; Samban, 60--34; Tubbia, 80--30; Goon, 40--25; Bang, 40--12; Kuj-juss, 35--0; Lundu, 80--2; Sow, 200--100; Sarambo, 100--60; Bombak, 35--35; Paninjow, 80--40; Singe, 220--220; Pons, 20--0; Sibaduh, 25--25. Total, formerly, 1795--now, 849 families; and reckoning eight persons to each family, the amount of population will be, formerly, 14,360--now, 6792: giving a decrease of population in ten years of 846 families, or 7568 persons!

[29] Sir Edward Belcher has since surveyed Labuan in her majesty's s.h.i.+p Samarang, and finding an excellent harbor, named it Victoria Bay.--H. K.

[30] Vide Mr. Wise's Plan (p. 362,3) for accelerating the communication between Great Britain and China, viz. the conveyance of the mails from Hong Kong to Suez (_via_ Ceylon) direct. Submitted to her majesty's Government, 14th September, 1843; adopted 20th June, 1845.

[31] The Borneo coal-mines would also serve to keep the Hong Kong, Singapore, and Pinang stations supplied with fuel for Steam Vessels carrying the Mails between Hong Hong and Suez direct.

[32] Receiving at Ceylon the Outward Overland Mail from England, and returning therewith to China.

[33] Date of submitting the above proposed route and estimate to her majesty's Government for consideration.

[34] The MS. having been under water in the wreck of the Great Liverpool steamer, this name and some others are illegible.

[35] A sort of gong.

[36] Tumbawong is a place they have deserted, or been forced to quit.

[37] A head-house.

[38] Gadong is a small Malay village on the Sadong, considerably nearer the sea than the Bandar's village.

[39] This occurred during Seriff Sahib's time; the Dyaks were frightfully oppressed.

[40] The goods brought down by Mr. Williamson were on a public trial confiscated, and the parties concerned fined. These Dyaks from their distance and timidity, were afraid to complain, but will in future not be imposed upon. It would be a hopeless task trying to prevent the Malays playing their tricks on the Dyaks; and the only chance of freeing the Dyaks from these exactions is by inspiring them with confidence. In Sarawak this has been done, and may easily be extended; for the Dyak, though greatly depressed by a course of persecution, I have always found ready to state his complaints whenever he has a hope of redress. The Orong Kaya Pa Jampat of Mang-garut was freed of the debt claimed by the Samarahan Pangara; and the other complaints referred to my decision have been either rectified, or steps taken to do justice, and to render the Dyak tribes of Sadong happy and easy.--_Note by Mr. Brooke._