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

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 for China in 1830. In this voyage, while going up the China seas, he saw for the first time the islands of the Asiatic Archipelago--islands of vast importance and unparalleled beauty--lying neglected, and almost unknown. He inquired and read, and became convinced that Borneo and the Eastern Isles afforded an open field for enterprise and research. To carry to the Malay races, so long the terror of the European merchant-vessels, the blessings of civilization, to suppress piracy, and extirpate the slave-trade, became his humane and generous objects; and from that hour the energies of his powerful mind were devoted to