38 



to prove the necessity of this with regard to one 

 of the parties engaging in an a^gressorp warfare, 

 but it is undeniable that^ when one of the con* 

 tracting powers 13 battling for its very exi^^tence^ 

 the other should step into its assistance, and 

 equally incontrovertible that it should not turn 

 its arms against the suffering allv. 



The fallowing is a brief analysis of the con- 

 duct of the English with regard to Kedab. 



In negociations were ?et on foot by 



the Supreme Government for the purpose of 

 procuring a settlement at Pulo Pinang, to them 

 a most important settlement. TheKingof Kedah 

 annexed two conditions to the grant, viz. an annual 

 stipend of thirty thousand dollars, and protectioa 

 from his enemies in general, but the Siamese in 

 particular. Had the British Government of those 

 days dealt fairly with the subject, and either re- 

 solved to reject the grant on the proposed condi- 

 tion;;, or to grapple with all the difficulties likely 

 to arise from their acceptance of it, their succes- 

 sors would have been spared that mesh of em- 

 barrassments induced by the wavering policy 

 pursued by Sir John Macphersoa^ and Sir George 

 Leith. 



The British Government, having obtained pos- 

 session of Pulo Pinang upon an implication of 

 engagements, within a year and a half after receiv- 

 ing it, viz. in January 178:?, thus wrote to Mr, 

 Light, the Superintendent of Pinang. " With 

 " respect to protecting the King of Quedah 

 " against the Siamese, the Governor General in 

 *f Council has already decided against any mea- 

 ** sures that may involve the Company in mili* 



