The Expedition to Borneo of H.M.S. Dido | Page 3

Captain Keppel,
and arrival of Sir E. Belcher.--Mr. Brooke proceeds, with Muda Hassim,
in the Samarang to Borneo.--Labuan examined.--Returns to
Sarawak.--Visit of Lingire, a Sarebus chief.--The Dyaks of Tumma and
Bandar Cassim.--Meets an assembly of Malays and Dyaks.--Arrival of
Lingi, as a deputation from the Sakarran chiefs.--The Malay
character.--Excursion up the country.--Miserable effects of excess in
opium-smoking.--Picturesque situation of the Sow village of
Ra-at.--Nawang.--Feast at Ra-at.--Returns home.--Conferences with
Dyak chiefs 290
CHAPTER XXI.
Mr. Brooke's memorandum on the piracy of the Malayan
Archipelago.--The measures requisite for its suppression, and for the
consequent extension of British commerce in that important locality
302
CHAPTER XXII.
Arrival of Captain Bethune and Mr. Wise.--Mr. Brooke appointed her
Majesty's Agent in Borneo.--Sails for Borneo Proper.--Muda Hassim's
measures for the suppression of piracy.--Defied by Seriff
Houseman.--Audience of the Sultan, Muda Hassim, and the

Pangerans.--Visit to Labuan.--Comparative eligibility of Labuan and
Balambangan for settlement.--Coal discovered in Labuan.--Mr. Brooke
goes to Singapore and visits Admiral Sir T. Cochrane.--The
upas-tree.--Proceeds with the Admiral to Borneo Proper.--Punishment
of Pangeran Usop.--The battle of Malludu.--Seriff Houseman obliged
to fly.--Visit to Balambangan.--Mr. Brooke parts with the Admiral, and
goes to Borneo Proper.--An attempt of Pangeran Usop defeated.--His
flight, and pursuit by Pangeran Budrudeen.--Triumphant reception of
Mr. Brooke in Borneo.--Returns to Sarawak 314
CHAPTER XXIII.
Borneo, its geographical bounds and leading divisions.--British
settlements in 1775.--The province of Sarawak formally ceded by the
sultan in perpetuity to Mr. Brooke its present ruler.--General view of
the Dyaks, the aborigines of Borneo.--The Dyaks of Sarawak, and
adjoining tribes; their past oppression and present position 329
CHAPTER XXIV.
Proposed British settlement on the northwest coast of Borneo, and
occupation of the island of Labuan.--Governor Crawfurd's opinions
thereon 345
Concluding Observations 355
Postscript to Second Edition 359
APPENDIX.
I. Natural History. Mr. Brooke's report on the Mias 365
II. Philology 370
III. Proposed Exploring Expedition to the Asiatic Archipelago, by
James Brooke, Esq. 1838 373
IV. Sketch of Borneo, or Pulo Kalamantan, by J. Hunt, Esq. 381

V. Extracts from the late Mr. Williamson's Journal 409

EXPEDITION TO BORNEO.
CHAPTER I.
The Chinese War having terminated, Captain Keppel in H.M.S. Dido
appointed to command of the Straits station.--Meeting with Mr.
Brooke.--Sketch of his life.--Mr. Brooke's outward voyage in the
Royalist.--Touch at Singapore.--Arrival off the coast of Borneo.--Land
at the island of Talang Talang.--Intercourse with the Bandar.
At the conclusion of the Chinese war, the commander-in-chief,
Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, ordered the Dido to the Malacca
Straits, a station in which was included the island of Borneo; our
principal duties being the protection of trade, and suppression of piracy.
In the month of March, 1843, while at Pinang, I received intimation
from the governor of various daring acts of piracy having been
committed near the Borneon coast on some vessels trading to
Singapore. I proceeded to that port; and, while undergoing a partial refit,
made the acquaintance of Mr. Brooke, who accepted my invitation to
return to Sarawak in the Dido; and I could not have visited Borneo with
a more agreeable or intelligent companion.
The objects of Mr. Brooke in leaving England, the reasons which
induced him to settle at Sarawak, and the circumstances which have led
him to take so deep an interest in promoting the civilization and
improving the condition of the singular people whom he has adopted,
form indeed a story very unlike the common course of events in
modern times.
But before illustrating these circumstances from his own journals, it
may be acceptable to say a few words respecting the individual himself,
and his extraordinary career. I am indebted to a mutual friend,
acquainted with him from early years, for the following brief but

interesting outline of his life; and have only to premise, that Mr.
Brooke is the lineal representative of Sir Robert Vyner, baronet, and
lord mayor of London in the reign of Charles II.; Sir Robert had but
one child, a son, Sir George Vyner, who died childless, and his estate
passed to his heir-at-law, Edith, his father's eldest sister, whose lineal
descendant is our friend. Sir Robert was renowned for his loyalty to his
sovereign, to whom he devoted his wealth, and to whose memory he
raised a monument.
"Mr. Brooke was the second, and is now the only surviving son of the
late Thomas Brooke, Esq., of the civil service of the East India
Company; was born on the 29th April, 1803; went out to India as a
cadet, where he held advantageous situations, and distinguished himself
by his gallantry in the Burmese war. He was shot through the body in
an action with the Burmese, received the thanks of the government, and
returned to England for the recovery of his prostrated strength. He
resumed his station, but shortly afterward relinquished the service, and
in search of health and amusement left Calcutta