1844.] INTERCESSION OF THE GOVERNMENT. 169 



no reason to question its truth, for what could have prompted the 

 Lascar to invent any story of the kind. There is also to countenance 

 his statement, the fact of missionaries and others who have of late 

 years visited Borneo, having often heard mention made of an European 

 female being still in that neighbourhood. When our Government 

 adopts means, as it no doubt will, to eifect the release of the twelve 

 Lascars of the ' Sultana ' who are still detained at Maludu, some clue 

 may be discovered to the identity of the female in question, and means 

 taken to release her.' 



" (True extract.) 



(Sd.) " E. PRESGEAVE." 



" From T. H. HADDOCK, Esq., Secretary to the Government of India, 

 To E. PKESGRAVE, Esq. Dated Fort PFilliam, 30th March, 1842. 

 " SIR, 



' I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, 

 dated 29th instant, relative to a female captive in Borneo whom you 

 believe to be your sister-in-law, and in reply to inform you that a copy 

 of your letter will be communicated to the Governor of the Straits 

 Settlements with an expression of the wish of this Government that he 

 will avail himself of the best and earliest opportunity of ascertaining 

 the correctness of the statement which has appeared in a Singapore 

 newspaper respecting the European female said to be residing at 

 Maludu, in the Island of Borneo, and of rescuing her if she desires to 

 leave her present place of residence. 



" I have the honor to be, Sir, yours &e. 



" (Sd.) T. H. MADDOCK, 



" Fort William, "Secretary to the Government of India.'" 



March, 1842." 



" Extract from Mr. Brooke's letter. Dated Bth November, 1848. 

 (No. 3.) 



" When in Borneo I became acquainted with an Arab (who has 

 been long resident there) who told me that an European woman a short 

 time since was at Amboon, T have commissioned him to liberate her, if 

 possible, or, at any rate, to gain certain informatiou of her condition 

 and country." 



(True copies.) 



" J. W. BUTTEBWORTH." 



