202 THE INDEPENDENT NATIYE STATES. 



careful re-consideration of Perak affairs, with a view not so much 

 to the settlement of any momentary or passing difficulty, as to the 

 future satisfactory administration of Perak, and the permanent 

 well-being of its people, not forgetting the position of the other 

 States of the Peninsula, nor how they may be ultimately affected 

 by the carrying out of a more advanced policy in one of the 

 largest and oldest of the States. 



One other point may be noticed ; in thus altering the charac- 

 ter of our relations with the Western States of the Peninsula, it 

 would be well not to lose sight of the Eastern States. 



Though nominally under the protection of Siam, we have 

 hitherto preserved a connection of friendly interest in Trenggauu, 

 Kelantan and Petani, and now that Straits enterprise has reached 

 the furthest of these States, there are many reasons for at least 

 keeping up that interchange of civilities which it would be unwise 

 to neglect. 



Except for a visit to Pahang last year, no Officer of Govern- 

 ment has been to the East Coast since July, 1872, and if only to 

 give these Rajas a knowledge of the more intimate relations and 

 deeper interest of the British Government in their Western neigh- 

 bours it would seem judicious to revive and foster our friendship 

 with the Eastern States. 



Eeank A. Swettenham. 



1st June, 1875. 



