SflS A V1S!T TO THE INDIAN ARCHIPKLAGO. 



Sakan*^;!! rivers, with wliom tbcy havB boen holding 

 a friendly commutiicatiou for tlie purpose of acquinii^ 

 power amongst thera. To this line of conduct durin*; 

 my absence, aud to the length of time which hag elapsed 

 aincG their last punishment, may be attributed the 

 increasing bohhies^ of these pirates, who novi venture, 

 foiTOerly, to cmise in large fleets of their war prahus, 

 and commit fearful depredations on the more industrious 

 and pcacefhl classes^ both by sea aiid on the coasts. 

 I propose, when the proper season returns, to request 

 t!ie aid of the naval officer in command to punish tlie 

 inhabitants of these rivei^ ; and, in the meantime^ I have 

 adtlretjssed letters to the chiefs of the various places in 

 their vicinity, to acquaiiit them that, if they encourage or 

 hold communication \vith the pirates, they themselves will 

 be accounted ph^ateSj and punished, I mn endeavom-ing 

 to make a marked distinction between the piratical party 

 and those who live by oppression and pl\i?ider, and the 

 party which is faithful and sincere to the cause of good 

 government ; and 1 entertain not the slightest doubt that, 

 by pursuing a course of stringent measures, we shall 

 be enabled thoroughly to subdue and humble those people, 

 and eradicate their propensity for piracy, I ivill not hero 

 trouble your Lordship w ith the detail of tlie policy to ho 

 pursued towards the Sultan and Eajahs of Brune ; hut 

 I may remai^k that, as good faith is not to be expected 

 from so bad a government, I shall turn my attention 

 solely to enforciTig the due observance of the stipulations 



