136 A VISIT TO THE INDIAN ARCillPELAGO. 



suck serious charges, I cannot refrain, although well 

 satisfied with our honourable defenders in both Houses, 

 from using this opportunity to take mj own part, and 

 that of m J friends and co-operators in a work which, I 

 again say, cannot be left incorapleto without increasiog 

 peril to the best interests of humanity. As tlic gravest 

 charges advanced against tts all had their origin and 

 foundation in the severe chastisement of a piratical fleot 

 bj Captain Parquhar, I will in due order advert to the 

 acts of these particular pirates, the Malays and Dyaks of 

 Serebas and Sakarran, ini mediately before their chastise- 

 ment ; then to the action itself^ and to the movements 

 subsequently made in following up the blow. I wiU next 

 notice as fairly as I can tho charges against all concerned 

 whit^h arOvSe out of these proceedings— the Parliamentary 

 organ of our aocusers belog the honourable member for 

 Montrose. Lastly, I will endeavour to give as full and 

 complete an answer to all objectors, as facts aad experience 

 may supply. 



I have already stated that the Rajah of SarMvak, on 

 his return thither from England, in September 1848, 

 discovered that an intrig^ie was on foot, of which the 

 object was to re-establish a nucleus of piracy at Songi^ 

 the former residence of a notorions pirate, Seriff Sahibe, 

 on a branch of the Sadong rivor. To nip in the bud this 

 mischiet wliich had germinated during his absence in 

 England, the Eajah sent up iminediately a sufficient force 

 to make an imposing demonstration, and took such 



