DECISION WITH THE CHIEFS. 



control She lias bound over tlio Dutcli not to meddle 

 AvitJi it. l^'ow the pGninsulftr side of tlio Straits of Slakcca 

 is tlie only navigable onc^ so tlutt this exclusion liaa aho 

 given lier the control of the Straits* Tliere h not a Malay 

 chief on either side of the long coast of the Peuuisula, 

 who would not comply with every reasonahlo request of 

 the PjTiglialx Goveniment, and much inorc ; and there is 

 net one of their cliiefis who does not at present, directly or 

 indirectly, ceutributeto the rnaintcnauee of the slave-trade 

 and piracy. By cutting off this source of support, one 

 considembie blow would be stmck. Our position on the 

 nortli of Borneo enables us to take still more decisive 

 measures^ in cutting off from Bornean and Soloo 

 pirates the support aud countenance of the tioloo 

 chiefs. 



The cliiefe and communities, which are themselves 

 piratical, must be compelled to be m no more i that is to 

 say, they must be viaited pacificallyj the determination 

 of England communicated, and its reasons explained to 

 them, her friendship and countenance offered, an obliga- 

 tion taken to abandon piracy, — and that obligation must 

 thenceforth be enforced, at whatever cost, an<:l any 

 severity that may be necessary. Subsequent carelessness 

 and lenity would be cruelty to the piratical communities 

 themselves. Piracy is doubtless less reprehensible liberally 

 in those who have never been taught to look upon it as a 

 crime, but that is no reason why every severity mc^mniy 

 for itiS D,vtiriiation i^liould not l>e rcsoi-ted to. A tiger is 



