JACK'S LETTEES TO WALLICH, 1819-1821. 173 



Governor and his two coadjutors. Capt. Coombs. 82 the 2nd Com- 

 missioner, one of these, made every possible effort to frustrate 

 and defeat the objects of the Mission, but though he supported 

 the opposite party with incredible obstinacy, he was no match 

 for Sir Stamford's abilities and perseverance. The weight of 

 evidence was such, that he was obliged to give way at last in every 

 material point, and concur in the final resolution of supporting 

 the old and legitimate Sovereign, with the influence of our alliance. 

 A treaty has accordingly been concluded with him, on the usual 

 terms of defensive alliance, but without pledging ourselves to any 

 interference in the internal affairs of the country. The old King 

 appears to be a very superior character, and to possess a much 

 greater share of information than usual among natives. He speaks 

 and writes English, and has some acquaintance with our literature 

 and science, and what is better still, has a great deal of English 

 honesty and plain dealing, no common qualification in this quarter 

 of the world. The investigation has brought to light a great deal 

 of iniquity upon the side so warmly espoused by this Government, 

 and a sense of piracy and plunder on the coasts of Acheen, that 

 is quite disgusting. This Government will use their utmost endea- 

 vours to overturn the arrangements, but I do not think it possible 

 the Bengal Government can be so weak as to yield to their clamour. 

 I should like to know the Calcutta opinion on all the affairs of 

 this quarter. Xever were there men whose conduct more deserved 

 reprobation than the members of this Government, but it is not 

 unlikely that their remoteness and the little interest excited by 

 affairs in this quarter, will enable them to escape the odium their 

 conduct would otherwise bring upon them. 



I now turn to more pleasing subjects. Capt. Eergusson of 

 the Boyne, has agreed to take charge of a box of growing plants, 

 and a parcel of specimens, which I hope will arrive safe. I am sure 



82. Captain John Monekton Coombs was the second commissioner 

 under Governor Bannerman. It seems that he owed the position to the 

 interest of Governor Petrie, Colonel Bannerman's predecessor. He had 

 been sent in 1818 to Acheen to enquire into the real state of affairs, having 

 sailed on January 13th, from Penang and reached Acheen on the 17th. 

 Unfortunately he did not understand the Achinese language, nor did his 

 official interpreter; so he "peacock-ed ? ' about, and thought that he had 

 made an impression. Then he wrote a report which is contradictory in 

 its statements but for the usurper wholly in its conclusions; and he pro- 

 eeded direct to Bengal to give information there and receive orders. When 

 he arrived, Lord Hastings was up country in Oudh ; and it was some 

 months before Coombs could get his ear, during which other reports had 

 come from Acheen, not altogether in accord with the story as told by this 

 " special commissioner"; and moreover Eaffles was available for consul- 

 tation. This fortunate delay led to Eaffles and Coombs being sent back 

 to make a new investigation jointly, in the course of which as Jack says 

 Coombs had to give way on every material point. Eaffles (vide Memoir, 

 p. 397) says in other words that Coombs if opiniated was not dishonest 

 over this affair. 



The treaty made with the restored king carries both Eaffles ' and 

 Coomb 's signatures. 



R. A. Soc, No. 73, 1916. 



