1844.] STATEMENT OF A LASCAR. 165 



" I shall be obliged by your delivering the accompanying two letters 

 addressed to the Chieftains at Maloodoo and Amboon, which I think 

 will assist in effecting the object in view, and probably tend to facili- 

 tate the trading intercourse between that part of the coast of Borneo 

 and Singapore. A copy of these letters is also enclosed, No. 4. 



" In conclusion I beg to acquaint you that I have given instructions 

 for the steamer ' Phlegethon ' to be placed under your orders for the 

 projected trip to the coast of Borneo, and have directed her Com- 

 mander to wait upon you for further instructions. On parting from 

 the 'Phlegethon' I request that you will do me the favor to give 

 positive orders to her Commander to return to Singapore, with the 

 replies from the Chieftains at Amboon and Mulloodoo to my letters to 

 their address, and such communication as you may be pleased to favor 

 me with touching the result of your expedition. 



" I have the honor to be, Sir, your most obedient servant, 



" J. W. BUTTERWORTH, Governor. 

 " Singapore, 



" 2nd October, 1844." 



(No.l.) 



" Hadjee Hassan, a Lascar of the late ship ' Sultana, states : I was 

 one of the party in the cutter which landed at Maloodoo ; I cannot 

 say how long I remained at that place ; but I had been at Brunai ten 

 days when the steamer arrived ; when at Maloodoo, I lived at the 

 house of a Syed, and was treated very well. About three days after 

 leaving Maloodoo for Brunai we touched at a place called Amboon, for 

 water, where there is a good harbour ; there were about forty hotises 

 on the beach. I had previously heard when on board the boat, from 

 the crew, that there was an European female residing at Amboon. The 

 house was pointed out to me, which induced me to enter ; it was 

 raised on poles about six feet high, and situated in the centre of the 

 village. On entering, I saw, seated on a mat, an European female ; 

 she was dressed in the Malay costume, there was a Malay woman 

 seated near her, and five or six children were playing about the house. 

 I remained about a minute, the European female did not attempt to 

 leave or did she say a word ; she looked at me for a moment, and then 

 hung down her head. I am most positive she was an European female, 

 and about forty years of age, fair, with blue eyes and light hair. We 

 remained at Amboon two days, but I did not see the female save on 



