190 THE INDEPENDENT NATIVE STATES 



Thus there is reason to believe, that all these former enemies 

 of Selangor are satisfactorily provided for, and that they will, or at 

 least some of them, in future contribute to the prosperity of that 

 country, instead of employing their energies in endeavouring to 

 accomplish its ruin. 



Raja Mahdi alone remains intractable. Imbued with an idea 

 that Klang is his very own to do what he likes with, he has 

 hitherto resisted all attempts at any arrangement which has not 

 for its first proviso his own return to that district as its Governor. 



He claims Klang as a right and an inheritance, aud has hitherto 

 stated that he will endeavour to recover it by any means, declaring 

 at the same time his firm belief that if the Straits G-overnment will 

 assist him to obtain Klang, and will give him a Resident to advise 

 him, that " he will shew quicker and better results there than 

 " Tunku Dia Udin has ever done." 



Unfortunately his past conduct hardly justifies him in this 

 confident opinion, and even supposing it were possible to value 

 Raja Mahdi at his own estimate of himself, and he could be 

 allowed to return to Klang. the present inhabitants of: Selangor 

 have such slight confidence in him, that they (or rather a great 

 part of them) have declared it their intention to leave the country 

 as he enters it. 



The Sultan also, having enjoyed for some months now the 

 blessings of being freed from the intimidations of these hitherto 

 turbulent spirits, is much averse to the return of Raja Mahdt, 

 whom he doubtless considers their instigator and chief. 



Indeed Mahdi's* return to Selangor, for sometime at least. 

 would appear to be out of the question, and yet if his determina- 

 tion and energy could only be directed into some lawful channel, 

 he might do almost as much good as he has hitherto done harm. 

 Lt is hoped that an arrangement may yet be made with him 

 which will gain this end, and whilst giving him some worthy employ- 

 ment in another country will divert his thoughts from Selangor. 



* Raja Mahdi has abandoned his pretensions, and quite recently the 

 Selangor Grovernment lias agreed to let liiui return to Klang as a private ' 

 individual. Unfortunately Raja M.vhdi's state of health is giving Ins friends 

 great cause for anxiety on his behalf. (1880) 



