TREATY. 135 



of the island, as well as of all the seas, straits, 

 and islands lying within ten miles of its coasts, 

 the sum of sixty thousand Spanish dollars, with an 

 annuity of twenty-four thousand Spanish dollars 

 during their natural lives ; and it was farther 

 guaranteed that they or their successors should 

 receive a donation of thirty-five thousand Spanish 

 dollars, should they be desirous at any time of 

 quitting the British territory and retiring into 

 their own dominions. Other articles of the 

 treaty provided that neither party should inter- 

 fere in the domestic quarrels of the other ; that 

 their highnesses should receive at all times an 

 asylum and a hospitable reception at Singapore, 

 should they be distressed in their own domi- 

 nions ; and that slavery, under whatever name 

 or modification, should have no existence within 

 the British territories. 



" This last subject had been a source of great 

 annoyance, both to the native chiefs and to the 

 local administration. Their highnesses claimed 

 as slaves, not only their own retainers, but every 

 Malay, coming from whatever part of the state 

 of Johore. Their followers, where every one 

 else was free, and labour well rewarded, were 

 naturally impatient of this assumption ; and the 

 disputes which arose w^ere the frequent cause of 

 serious difficulties, both in maintaining the peace 



