Container | Contents | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ITEM 1 BOX 1 | Letter from Sultan Ahmad ibn Sultan Zainal Abidin of Terengganu to Major William Farquhar, Resident of Melaka, 19 Muharram 1234 (18 November 1818) | ||||||||||||
Digital content available | |||||||||||||
32.5 x 31.5 cm. 19 lines. Seal located in right margin where letter begins. The first and second lines are in bold Thuluth script and beautifully written in black ink. The letter bears a notation in English: “Letter from raja of Trangganu to Mr. Farquhar, Resident of Singapore, 1818.” | |||||||||||||
Corresponds to JAWI 12, Letter B. | |||||||||||||
The Sultan replies to Farquhar’s suggestion concerning the peace treaty between Britain and Terengganu that the Governor of Pulau Pinang, Alexander Bannerman, has initiated. The Sultan has not yet decided on the matter and would like to discuss it face to face once Farquhar visits Terengganu. The Sultan also requests Farquhar’s assistance in procuring 100 guns, and cloth. If Farquhar agrees, payment will be made with tin or black pepper. | |||||||||||||
ITEM 2 BOX 1 | Letter from the Yang DiPertuan Muda of Pulau Penyengat to Major William Farquhar, Resident of Melaka, 5 Rabiulthani 1234 (1 February 1819) | ||||||||||||
Digital content available | |||||||||||||
Corresponds to JAWI 12, Letter C. Perhaps “Penang” is a reference to Tanjung Pinang rather than Pulau Pinang in Malaysia. | |||||||||||||
36.9 x 32.2 cm. 11 lines. Black seal in the right margin. English notation on the top of the letter: “From the Raja of Penang to Mr. Farquhar, Singapore 1818.” | |||||||||||||
The Yang DiPertuan Muda states that Farquhar’s scribe, Yahya, has copied the agreement signed on 26 November 1818 between the Dutch and the Yang DiPertuan Muda, in order that it might be brought to Farquhar’s attention to explain the reasons why the Yang DiPertuan Muda cannot surrender any islands to other foreign powers. | |||||||||||||
ITEM 3 BOX 1 | Letter from Paduka Dipati of Palembang to Major William Farquhar, Resident of Melaka, 7 Jamadilakhir 1234 (3 April 1819) | ||||||||||||
Digital content available | |||||||||||||
32.7 x 21.2 cm. 25 lines. Black seal in the right margin. Small hand-writing. Written in the Malay language in a somewhat clumsy style. English notation at the top of the letter: “From the Raja of Palembang, Sumatera to Farquhar, 1818.” | |||||||||||||
Corresponds to JAWI 12, Letter D. | |||||||||||||
Paduka Dipati requests help from Farquhar, asking for protection from the Dutch for his kin. His Majesty also informs Farquhar that the people of Palembang are not supportive of the Dutch, and instead will welcome the presence of the British. | |||||||||||||
ITEM 4 BOX 2 | Letter from Tengku Pengeran from Siak to Colonel William Farquhar, Resident of Singapore, 11 Rejab 1234 (6 May 1819) | ||||||||||||
Digital content available | |||||||||||||
40.5 x 27.7 cm. 14 lines. Red wax seal in the right corner. English notation at the top of the letter: “From a subordinate raja in Siak on Sumatra to Farquhar 1818. The subordinate rajas use wax.” | |||||||||||||
Corresponds to JAWI 12, Letter E. | |||||||||||||
Tengku Pengeran from Siak confirms receipt of Farquhar’s letter informing him that the British have established their settlement in Singapore. In his reply, Tengku Pengeran hopes for continued communication and friendship between the two parties. | |||||||||||||
ITEM 5 BOX 2 | Letter from Sultan Ahmad ibn Sultan Zainal Abidin of Terengganu to Colonel William Farquhar, Resident of Singapore, 29 Rejab 1234 (24 May 1819) | ||||||||||||
Digital content available | |||||||||||||
40 x 31.5 cm. 16 lines. Black seal in the right margin. Beautiful handwriting. English notation at the top of the letter: “From Trangganu, 1818.” | |||||||||||||
Corresponds to JAWI 12, Letter F. | |||||||||||||
The Sultan confirms receipt of Farquhar’s letter concerning the establishment of a British settlement in Singapore with the agreement of Sultan Hussein Muhammad Shah and Temenggung Abdul Rahman. Sultan Ahmad hopes for continued friendship between Singapore and Terengganu. His Majesty repeats his request for a sale of guns to him. In return, the Sultan will encourage merchants from Terengganu to trade in Singapore. | |||||||||||||
ITEM 6 BOX 2 | Letter from Sultan Abdul Rahman ibn Sultan Zainal Abidin, the Yang DiPertuan Muda as Acting Sultan of Terengganu to Colonel William Farquhar, Resident of Singapore, 1 Zulhijjah 1234 (21 September 1819) | ||||||||||||
Digital content available | |||||||||||||
41.5 x 24 cm. 15 lines. Black seal in the right margin. The first line is in a bold Thuluth style. English notation at the top of the letter: “From Trangganu, 1818.” | |||||||||||||
Corresponds to JAWI 12, Letter G. | |||||||||||||
The Sultan thanks Farquhar for a gift of 12 rifles and weapons. In return, the Sultan has gifted Farquhar with a boat—“perahu pengail”—and a pair of “kain jangsarat,” a highly priced woven fabric, often used for big occasions such as weddings, and coronations. | |||||||||||||
ITEM 7 BOX 3 | Letter from the Acting Yang DiPertuan Muda of Riau to Colonel William Farquhar, Resident of Singapore, 1234? (1819?) | ||||||||||||
Digital content available | |||||||||||||
23.4 x 8.7 cm. 14 lines. Black seal in the right margin. English notation at the top of letter: “From Riau, 1818.” | |||||||||||||
Corresponds to JAWI 12, Letter H. | |||||||||||||
The acting Yang DiPertuan Muda explains that he does not know about the Europeans (Dutch) at Tanjung Pinang, and why Ence’ Saaban and Wan Dollah (from Singapore?) were taken by them. The Yang DiPertuan himself has held talks with his younger sister, Engku Puteri, to make a decision on leaving Riau together with all the Bugis people because they are afraid of being taken hostage by those Europeans. | |||||||||||||
ITEM 7b BOX 3 | Copy of a letter from Paduka Dipati of Palembang to Major William Farquhar, Resident of Melaka, 7 Jamadilakhir 1234 (3 April 1819) | ||||||||||||
Digital content available | |||||||||||||
32.4 cm x 20.4 cm. 24 lines. | |||||||||||||
Corresponds to JAWI 12, Letter I. | |||||||||||||
Copy of Item 3, Letter from Paduka Dipati of Palembang to Major William Farquhar, Resident of Melaka, 7 Jamadilakhir 1234 (3 April 1819). English notation at the foot of the letter: “Letter from the Sultan of Palembang to Col. Farquhar, 1818.” | |||||||||||||
ITEM 8 BOX 3 | Letter from the Syahbandar of Riau to Major William Farquhar, Resident of Melaka, 25 Zulkaedah 1233 (26 September 1818) | ||||||||||||
Digital content available | |||||||||||||
30.8 x 22.8 cm. 12 lines. Black seal in right margin. Notation in English at the top of the letter: “Letter of the raja of Riau or Rhio to the Resident of Singapore, 1817.” Additional notation in English from the backing page of this item: “These epistles are difficult to be obtained.” | |||||||||||||
Corresponds to JAWI 12, Letter A1. | |||||||||||||
The Syahbandar informs Farquhar that his scribe and messenger, Yahya [bin Abdul Wahid] has arrived in Riau but finding that the Yang DiPertuan Muda of Riau was at Lingga, Yahya proceeded there instead. The Syahbandar thanks Farquhar for the gift of European cloth. | |||||||||||||
ITEM 9 BOX 4 | Copy of a letter from the Yang Dipertuan Muda of Riau to Major William Farquhar, Resident of Melaka, 24 Zulkaedah 1233 (25 September 1818) | ||||||||||||
Digital content available | |||||||||||||
33 x 21 cm. 14 lines. Notation in Jawi states that this letter is a copy. | |||||||||||||
Corresponds to JAWI 12, Letter A2. | |||||||||||||
The Yang DiPertuan Muda of Riau confirms having received Farquhar’s letter from the scribe, Yahya. The Yang DiPertuan Muda would like to meet face-to-face with Farquhar to discuss the request of Pulau Karimon. His Majesty presents gifts of plants—“kemuning” and “semambu”—to Farquhar. | |||||||||||||
ITEM 10 BOX 4 | Letter from the Raja Bendahara of Pahang to Colonel William Farquhar, Resident of Singapore, 20 Syaaban 1234 (14 June 1819) | ||||||||||||
Digital content available | |||||||||||||
37 x 22 cm. 17 lines. Black seal in right margin. English notation at the top of the letter: “From the raja of Pahang, on the east coast of the Malay Peninsula, to Farquhar, 1818.” | |||||||||||||
Corresponds to JAWI 12, Letter J. | |||||||||||||
The Raja Bendahara acknowledges receipt of Farquhar’s letter. On Farquhar’s request to expand British influence to Pahang as a measure against being taken by the Dutch, the Raja Bendahara assures Farquhar that such a situation will not arise. The Raja Bendahara also cannot affix his seal as a sign of agreement to Farquhar’s mentioned plan for peace because His Majesty has not had time to consult with the Yang DiPertuan Besar of Lingga and the Yang DiPertuan of Singapore. | |||||||||||||
ITEM 11 BOX 4 | Letter from the Acting Yang DiPertuan Muda of Riau to Colonel William Farquhar, Resident of Singapore, written at Kampung Senggarang, Riau, 10 Ramadan 1234 (3 July 1819) | ||||||||||||
Digital content available | |||||||||||||
43.2 x 31.5 cm. 17 lines. Black seal in right margin. First and last line are written in large Thuluth calligraphy. English notation at the top of the letter: “From Riau, 1818, to Farquhar.” | |||||||||||||
Corresponds to JAWI 12, Letter K. | |||||||||||||
In response to Farquhar’s suggestion that the Acting Yang DiPertuan Muda stay in Singapore under British rule, the Acting Yang DiPertuan Muda explains that such a plan would most likely not meet with the agreement of the Yang DiPertuan (Sultan Hussein) and the Dato’ Temenggung. | |||||||||||||
ITEM 12 BOX 5 | Letter from the Raja Bendahara of Johor and Pahang to Colonel William Farquhar, Resident of Singapore, 1 Zulkaedah 1234 (22 August 1819) | ||||||||||||
Digital content available | |||||||||||||
37 x 22.2 cm. 21 lines. Black seal in right margin. English notation at the top of the letter: “From the raja of Johor, on the southern extremity of the peninsula of Malacca, 1818.” | |||||||||||||
Corresponds to JAWI 12, Letter L. | |||||||||||||
The Raja Bendahara informs Farquhar that he is sending 4 ships full of rice for trade in Singapore because of the high prices of rice. | |||||||||||||
ITEM 13 BOX 5 | Letter from Tengku Besar from Kampar Pulau Daun to Colonel William Farquhar, Resident of Singapore, 1235 (1819) | ||||||||||||
Digital content available | |||||||||||||
30.3 x 22.5 cm. 38 lines. Black seal in right margin. | |||||||||||||
Corresponds to JAWI 12, Letter M. | |||||||||||||
Tengku Besar makes it known that this is the first time that he has communicated with Farquhar. Tengku Besar states that he has been asked by the Yang DiPertuan Tua of Siak to write to Farquhar because Farquhar has struck up a friendship with the Yang DiPertuan Tua of Bukit Batu. Furthermore, the Raja Temenggung and the Yang DiPertuan of Singapore are his kin. Tengku Besar states that there are many pirates carrying on activities at sea between Riau, Singapore, and Kampar. Letters have been sent to the Yang DiPertuan Selat (i.e. Singapore), and the Temenggung, but no replies have been forthcoming. As such, Tengku Besar is writing Farquhar to ask that he take action towards the mentioned pirates because they are blocking the people of Siak and Kampar from trading in Singapore. | |||||||||||||
ITEM 14 BOX 5 | Letter from Dato' Seri Pikrama, Raja of Siak Indrapura, to Colonel William Farquhar, Resident of Singapore, 18 Muharram 1235 (6 November 1819) | ||||||||||||
Digital content available | |||||||||||||
40.5 x 29 cm. 10 lines. Black seal in right margin. | |||||||||||||
Corresponds to JAWI 12, Letter N. | |||||||||||||
Dato’ Seri Pikrama informs Farquhar about his son who is en route to Singapore to trade. He asks that Farquhar help look for his son. | |||||||||||||
ITEM 15 BOX 6 | Letter from Sultan Abdul Rahman ibn Sultan Zainal Abidin, the Yang DiPertuan Muda as Acting Sultan of Terengganu to Colonel William Farquhar, Resident of Singapore, 27 Muharram 1235 (15 November 1819) | ||||||||||||
Digital content available | |||||||||||||
41.3 x 29 cm. Black seal in right margin, with a protective cap. Beautiful handwriting. The last line is written in Thuluth calligraphy. Notation in English at the top of the letter: “From Trangganu, on the east coast of the Malay Peninsula. 1819. (In Trangganu beautiful copies of the Koran are written for sale in other countries.)” | |||||||||||||
Corresponds to JAWI 12, Letter O. | |||||||||||||
The Yang DiPertuan Muda acknowledges receipt of gifts, including a dozen guns and weapons. The Yang DiPertuan Muda repeats his readiness to meet Farquhar to forge a friendship between the two countries. He asks Farquhar to aid in finding 4 merchants who will arrive in Singapore to trade. | |||||||||||||
ITEM 16 BOX 6 | Letter from Tuan Sayid Abdul Hamid, Nak Cu Pa of Daripadi, Kambuja, to Colonel William Farquhar, Resident of Singapore, written at Kuala Pantai Mas, 4 Jamalilakhir 1235 (19 March 1820) | ||||||||||||
Digital content available | |||||||||||||
38 x 24.5 cm. 18 lines. Red seal in right margin. English notation at the top of the letter: “From the raja of Cochin China and Camboja, to Mr. Farquhar, 1819. (The raja of Siam, CochinChina, etc. write their epistles in Malay that they may be understood at Singapore.” | |||||||||||||
Corresponds to JAWI 12, Letter P. Annabel Teh Gallop has transliterated and translated this letter in Legacy of the Malay Letter=Warisan Warkah Melayu (London: Published by the British Library for the National Archives of Malaysia, 1994). See letter 201 in this work. | |||||||||||||
Tuan Syed Abdul Hamid, a leader in Kemboja, acknowledges receipt of Farquhar’s letter. He is happy that the English have a good relationship with Sultan Hussein Muhammad Shah and Temenggung Abdul Rahman. He is also delighted to have friendly relations with the English. However, he cannot go to Singapore at this time because he has been directed by the Raja of Cochin and Kemboja to dig a canal to link Pantai Mas (Banteay Mas in Khmer or Ha Tien in Vietnamese) to the River Matajardak. | |||||||||||||
ITEM 17 BOX 6 | Letter from the Datuk Penghulu of Naning to Colonel William Farquhar, Resident of Singapore, 7 Rabiulakhir 1235 (23 January 1820) | ||||||||||||
Digital content available | |||||||||||||
32.5 x 20 cm. 12 lines. Black seal in the pattern of the East India Company, reading "VEIC." English notation at the top of the letter: “From the petty chief of Naning, back of Malacca.” | |||||||||||||
Corresponds to JAWI 12, Letter Q. Annabel Teh Gallop has transliterated and translated this letter in her work Legacy of the Malay Letter=Warisan Warkah Melayu (London: Published by the British Library for the National Archives of Malaysia, 1994). See letter 203 in this work. | |||||||||||||
The Dato’ Penghulu sends a gift to Farquhar and hopes for continued friendship. He asks for a loan of 50 ringgit and a small number of weapons. | |||||||||||||
ITEM 18 BOX 7 | Letter from the Bendahara of Johor and Pahang to Colonel William Farquhar, Resident of Singapore, 10 Ramadan 1235 (22 June 1820) | ||||||||||||
Digital content available | |||||||||||||
31.2 x 20.8 cm. 20 lines; the last 3 lines are written in the right margin. Black seal in the right margin. English notation at the top of the letter: “From Johor.” | |||||||||||||
Corresponds to JAWI 12, Letter R. | |||||||||||||
The Bendahara tells Farquhar that his retainer, Nakhoda Sulaiman, will be in Singapore to buy spices, ointments, cloth, and glass. | |||||||||||||
ITEM 19 BOX 7 | Letter from Engku Syed al-Sharif Muhammad Zain ibn almarhum al-Habib al-Syed Abdul Rahman al-Qudsi from Lingga to Colonel William Farquhar, Resident of Singapore, 17 Ramadan 1235 (29 June 1820) | ||||||||||||
Digital content available | |||||||||||||
38.2 x 20 cm. 25 lines. Black seal in right margin with protective cap. English notation at the top of the letter: “From Lingga, an island south of Singapore. 1819.” | |||||||||||||
Corresponds to JAWI 12, Letter S. | |||||||||||||
Sharif Muhammad Zain asks for assistance from Farquhar to recover a debt of $99.00 owed to him by Wan Nit (k?) from Terengganu, who has absconded to Singapore. Sharif Muhammad Zain asks that Wan Nit be sent to Lingga or that the man’s family pay the debt. | |||||||||||||
ITEM 20 BOX 7 | Letter from Sultan Abdul Rahman ibn Sultan Zainal Abidin, the Yang DiPertuan Muda of Terengganu to Colonel William Farquhar, Resident of Singapore, 12 Muharram 1236 (16 October 1820) | ||||||||||||
Digital content available | |||||||||||||
40 x 23.2 cm. 12 lines. Black seal in the right margin. English notation at the top of the letter: “From Trangganu 1820.” | |||||||||||||
Corresponds to JAWI 12, Letter T. | |||||||||||||
The Sultan asks Farquhar for help to place his people, who are on their way to Mecca, on a ship heading to Pulau Pinang. | |||||||||||||
ITEM 21 BOX 8 | Letter from Sultan al-Syed al-Sharif Khaliluddin ibn al-Habib Sultan Jalil Saifuddin from Siak Sri Indrapura to Colonel William Farquhar, Resident of Singapore, 4 Mawlid 1236 (10 December 1820) | ||||||||||||
Digital content available | |||||||||||||
40.5 x 25.6 cm. 16 lines. Black seal in right margin. English notation at the top of the letter: “From the Sultan of Siak, Sumatra, 1820.” | |||||||||||||
Corresponds to JAWI 12, Letter U. | |||||||||||||
The Sultan informs Farquhar that his traders are bringing eggs to sell in Singapore. | |||||||||||||
ITEM 22 BOX 8 | Letter from the Syahbandar of Riau to Colonal Farquhar, Resident of Singapore, 3 Safar 1236 (10 November 1820) | ||||||||||||
Digital content available | |||||||||||||
41.3 x 3.17 cm. 20 lines. Black seal in right margin. | |||||||||||||
Corresponds to JAWI 12, Letter V. | |||||||||||||
The Syahbandar thanks Farquhar for his help with securing a loan from a Chinese in Singapore. He also asks for a loan, and in 6 months will send tin, rattan, or black pepper to Singapore. | |||||||||||||
ITEM 23 BOX 8 | Letter from Engku Syed Muhammad Zain ibn almarhum al-Habib Abdul Rahman al-Qudsi of Riau to Colonel William Farquhar, Resident of Singapore, 9 Jamadilawal 1236 (12 February 1821) | ||||||||||||
Digital content available | |||||||||||||
36.7 x 30 cm. 18 lines. Black seal with protective cap in right margin. | |||||||||||||
Corresponds to JAWI 12, Letter W. | |||||||||||||
Engku Syed Muhammad tells of how a person by the name of Syed Muhammad bin Samid owes Tengku Puteri a sum of 400 rial. It is now time to pay the debt, but Syed Muhammad bin Samid has neither cash nor a guarantor. Engku Syed Muhammad is on his way to ask for Farquhar’s assistance. He will give as surety a ship, and 5 cannon, and get Habib Sheikh bin Alwi al Saqaf to be his guarantor. | |||||||||||||
ITEM 24 BOX 9 | Letter of the Tengku Pengeran of Siak to Colonel William Farquhar, 19 Jamadilakhir 1236 (23 March 1821) | ||||||||||||
Digital content available | |||||||||||||
32.5 x 22.3 cm. 17 lines, with 10 lines written in the right margin. Red wax seal in the right margin. | |||||||||||||
Corresponds to JAWI 12, Letter X. | |||||||||||||
Tengku Pengeran tells Farquhar that the old Sultan has passed away, and as such he is asking for protection for his family. He swears to continue the friendship, and asks for eye glasses, and a keris (blade) made in Europe. | |||||||||||||
ITEM 25 BOX 9 | Letter from Sultan Syed al-Sharif Abdul Jalil almarhum Saifuddin, the Yang DiPertuan Besar of Siak Indrapura, to Colonel William Farquhar, Resident of Singapore, 20 Jamadilakhir 1236 (24 March 1821) | ||||||||||||
Digital content available | |||||||||||||
37 x 30 cm. 14 lines. Black seal in right margin. English notation at top of the letter: “Siak.” | |||||||||||||
Corresponds to JAWI 12, Letter Y. | |||||||||||||
The Sultan states that the Yang DiPertuan Tua has died. The Sultan sends a messenger to request permission for an audience with the Governor of Singapore. His Majesty repeats that Siak will continue its friendship with Singapore. | |||||||||||||
ITEM 26 BOX 9 | Letter from Sultan Muhammad Kanzul Alam ibn Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin al-marhum of Brunei to Colonel William Farquhar, 26 Rejab 1236 (29 April 1821) | ||||||||||||
Digital content available | |||||||||||||
40 x 28.5 cm. 21 lines. Black seal in right margin, with protective cap. English at the top of the letter: “From Borneo, 1820.” | |||||||||||||
Corresponds to JAWI 12, Letter Z. Annabel Teh Gallop has transliterated and translated this letter. See letter 4 in her chapter, “Malay Sources for the History of the Sultanate of Brunei in the Early Nineteenth century: Some Letters from the Reign of Sultan Muhammad Kanzul Alam,” in Victor T. King and A.V.M. Horton (eds.), From Buckfast to Borneo: Essay presented to Father Robert Nicholl on the 85th Anniversary of his Birth, 27 March 1995 (Hull: University of Hull, 1995), pp. 207-35. | |||||||||||||
The Sultan acknowledges receipt of Farquhar’s letter. The Sultan is happy to observe the continued friendship between Sultan Hussein Muhammad Shah and Temenggung Abdul Rahman with the English, as also reported by Farquhar in a previous letter. His Majesty also states that he is sending a small ship to trade in Singapore. | |||||||||||||
ITEM 27 BOX 10 | Letter from the Dato' Bendahara of Pahang and Johor to Colonel William Farquhar, Resident of Singapore, 24 Ramadan 1236 (24 June 1821) | ||||||||||||
Digital content available | |||||||||||||
37 x 22 cm. 16 lines. Black seal in right margin. | |||||||||||||
Corresponds to JAWI 12, Letter 2A. | |||||||||||||
The Dato’ Bendahara asks for a loan of 10,000 [rial?] for a period of 12 months. This loan will be repaid from the future sale of gold, tin, rattan, and charcoal. | |||||||||||||
ITEM 28 BOX 10 | Letter from the Dato' Syahbandar of Lingga to Baba Hock Kee of Singapore, 24 Syawal 1236 (24 July 1821) | ||||||||||||
Digital content available | |||||||||||||
31.5 x 26.8 cm. 20 lines. Black seal in right margin. | |||||||||||||
Corresponds to JAWI 12, Letter 2B. | |||||||||||||
The Syahbandar informs Hock Kee, a Chinese Baba*, that the loan he made to
Maat has been brought to the attention of the Yang DiPertuan. As such, part
of the debt has been addressed and given to Baba Koon Seng who will take it
back to Singapore. *“Baba” is a term applied to Chinese men who come from acculturated Chinese communities who still identify as Chinese from around the Straits of Malacca, and elsewhere in the Malay-speaking world. |
|||||||||||||
ITEM 29 BOX 10 | Letter from Pengeran Dipati of Palembang to the Tuan Besar of Singapore, 13 Zulkaedah 1236 (11 August, 1821) | ||||||||||||
Digital content available | |||||||||||||
30.5 x 24.5 cm. 18 lines. Black seal in right margin. | |||||||||||||
Corresponds to JAWI 12, Letter 2C. | |||||||||||||
The Pengeran Dipati of Palembang sends greetings to the new king of Singapore whose name is not known to him. He asks to begin an unending friendship. | |||||||||||||
ITEM 30 BOX 11 | Letter from the Dato' Bendahara of Pahang to Colonel William Farquhar, Resident of Singapore, 10 Zulhijjah 1236 (7 September 1821) | ||||||||||||
Digital content available | |||||||||||||
37 x 22 cm. 21 lines. Black seal in right margin. | |||||||||||||
Corresponds to JAWI 12, Letter 2D. | |||||||||||||
The Dato’ Bendahara of Pahang acknowledges receipt of Farquhar’s letter. He has been informed about the visit of the Yang DiPertuan Besar of Lingga and the Raja Muda. In relation to Farquhar’s advice to not side with the Raja Muda who is trying to obtain the royal regalia from Tengku Puteri, the Dato’ Bendahara states that he and the Temenggung have tried to gain said regalia for the Raja Muda but have not succeeded. As such, the Dato’ Bendahara is of the opinion that it would make more sense to return rule to the younger brother of the Raja Muda. | |||||||||||||
ITEM 31 BOX 11 | Letter from the Pengeran of Siak Indrapura to Colonel William Farquhar, Resident of Singapore, 5 Muharram 1237 (2 October 1821) | ||||||||||||
Digital content available | |||||||||||||
32 x 23 cm. 20 lines. Red wax seal in right margin. | |||||||||||||
Corresponds to JAWI 12, Letter 2E. Badriyah Haji Salleh has transliterated a letter that matches this item. See Surat 111, “Daripada Tengku Pangeran Siak kepada Kolonel William Farquhar,” in Warkah al-ikhlas, 1818-1821 (Kuala Lumpur: Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, 1999), pp. 243-4. | |||||||||||||
The Pengeran acknowledges receipt of Farquhar’s letter, and his gift of eye glasses, a keris, and cloth. In relation to Farquhar’s recommendation to him and Sri Pikrama Raja to counsel the Yang DiPertuan Besar of Siak, the Pengeran states that the Yang DiPertuan Besar is more likely to accept advice from Farquhar. The Pengeran also informs Farquhar about a coming attack by Raja Akil. Instead of falling to Raja Akil, Siak would prefer to get protection from Britain. In the case that Britain is not willing to offer such aid, Siak will ask the Dutch for assistance. | |||||||||||||
ITEM 32 BOX 11 | Letter from the Pengeran of Siak Indrapura to Colonel William Farquhar, Resident of Singapore, 10 Safar 1237 (6 November 1821) | ||||||||||||
Digital content available | |||||||||||||
42.2 x 26.7 cm. 17 lines. Red wax seal in right margin. | |||||||||||||
Corresponds to JAWI 12, Letter 2F. | |||||||||||||
The Pengeran acknowledges receipt of Farquhar’s letter. In reply to Farquhar’s statement that he needs to secure the agreement of Bengal before protection can be given to Siak, the Pengeran discloses that the Dutch have sent a letter to Siak, which states that a representative will be sent to discuss the matter at hand. The Pengeran implies that Melaka is closer to Siak than Pulau Pinang. | |||||||||||||
ITEM 33 BOX 12 | Letter from Tengku Long of Riau to Major William Farquhar, Resident of Melaka, written at Pulau Penyengat, 17 Safar 1227 (2 March 1812) | ||||||||||||
Digital content available | |||||||||||||
36.4 x 24.8 cm. 24 lines. Black seal in right margin. | |||||||||||||
Corresponds to (JAWI 12, Letter 2G). In the Hikayat Abdullah, Abdullah bin Abdul Kadir informs readers about the long-standing friendship between Tengku Long and Farquhar. Tengku Long owed Farquhar large sums, resulting in the “sale” of Singapore to the English. | |||||||||||||
Tengku Long asks Farquhar for a loan. | |||||||||||||
ITEM 34 BOX 12 | Letter from the Yang DiPertuan Muda of Riau to Colonel William Farquhar, Resident of Singapore, 10 Rabiulawal (5 December 1821) | ||||||||||||
Digital content available | |||||||||||||
35.5 x 22.5 cm. 17 lines. Black seal in right margin. | |||||||||||||
Corresponds to JAWI 12, Letter 2H. | |||||||||||||
The Yang DiPertuan Muda asks Farquhar for help in retrieving a loan given to a Chinese called “Si Pendek” who was granted a monopoly while in Riau. | |||||||||||||
ITEM 35 BOX 12 | Letter from Colonel William Farquhar, Resident of Singapore, to the Yang DiPertuan Muda of Riau, 25 Rabiulawal 1237 (20 December 1821) | ||||||||||||
Digital content available | |||||||||||||
37.5 x 22.5 cm. Red wax seal in the right margin; under it is Farquhar’s signature. | |||||||||||||
Corresponds to JAWI 12, Letter 2I. This is the only letter in the collection from William Farquhar. Annabel Teh Gallop has transliterated and translated this letter in her work Legacy of the Malay Letter=Warisan Warkah Melayu (London: Published by the British Library for the National Archives of Malaysia, 1994). See letter 197 in this work. | |||||||||||||
Farquhar informs the Yang DiPertuan Muda that he has investigated the issue of the debt of “Si Pendek.” “Si Pendek” does not admit to owing said debt to the Yang DiPertuan Muda. Farquhar is sending the man to Riau for the Yang DiPertuan Muda to settle the matter, whereupon “Si Pendek” will return to Singapore. In connection to the Yang DiPertuan Muda’s request to obtain rice, Farquhar informs him that there is a rice shortage in Singapore as well. | |||||||||||||
ITEM 36 BOX 13 | Letter from the Yang DiPertuan of Kelantan and Tengku Syed Abdul Rahman bin al-Habib Hussein Aidid to Colonel William Farquhar, Resident of Singapore, 3 Syaaban 1237 (25 April 1822) | ||||||||||||
Digital content available | |||||||||||||
33 x 28 cm. 13 lines, and 9 lines written in right margin. Black seal in right margin. | |||||||||||||
Corresponds to JAWI 12, Letter 2J. Annabel Teh Gallop has transliterated and translated this letter in her work Legacy of the Malay Letter=Warisan Warkah Melayu (London: Published by the British Library for the National Archives of Malaysia, 1994). See letter 206 in this work. | |||||||||||||
The Yang DiPertuan of Kelantan informs Farquhar that his letter to the Yang DiPertuan and Tengku Syed Abdul Rahman has arrived. However, the ship from Singapore cannot carry out trade in Kelantan because black pepper is still not ripe at the time. Trade will be carried out when the ship comes at another time. The Yang DiPertuan asks Farquhar to help with obtaining copper sheets for mending ships. | |||||||||||||
ITEM 37 BOX 13 | Letter from Sultan Muhammad Kanzul Alam ibn Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin al-marhum of Brunei to Colonel William Farquhar, 6 Syaaban 1237 (28 April 1822) | ||||||||||||
Digital content available | |||||||||||||
22.5 x 31 cm. 24 lines. Black seal in right margin—partially torn. English notation under seal: “From Borneo.” | |||||||||||||
Corresponds to JAWI 12, Letter 2K. Annabel Teh Gallop has transliterated and translated this letter. See letter 15 in her chapter, “Malay Sources for the History of the Sultanate of Brunei in the Early Nineteenth century: Some Letters from the Reign of Sultan Muhammad Kanzul Alam,” in Victor T. King and A.V.M. Horton (eds.), From Buckfast to Borneo: Essay presented to Father Robert Nicholl on the 85th Anniversary of his Birth, 27 March 1995 (Hull: University of Hull, 1995), pp. 207-35. | |||||||||||||
The Sultan acknowledges receipt of Farquhar’s letter and gift of perfume, and thanks him. The Sultan tells Farquhar that his traders, Pengeran Tajuddin, Ence’ Hassanuddin, and Ence’ Jalaluddin will go to Singapore, Melaka, and Pulau Pinang. The Sultan will send scales—dacing gantang dan cupak—from Brunei, as requested by Farquhar. His Majesty also states that Brunei is experiencing suffering from an outbreak of disease that has resulted in a hundred deaths a day. | |||||||||||||
ITEM 38 BOX 13 | Letter from Pengiran Muda Muhammad Alam ibn Sultan Muhammad Kanzul Alam, Sultan of Brunei, to Tambi Muhammad ibn Arshad of Melaka, 27 Syaaban 1237 (19 May 1822) | ||||||||||||
Digital content available | |||||||||||||
40.5 x 31.5 cm. 25 lines. Black seal in right margin, with protective cap. English notation on top of the letter: “From Borneo Proper, 1823.” | |||||||||||||
Corresponds to JAWI 12, Letter 2L. Annabel Teh Gallop has transliterated and translated this letter. See letter 16 in her chapter, “Malay Sources for the History of the Sultanate of Brunei in the Early Nineteenth century: Some Letters from the Reign of Sultan Muhammad Kanzul Alam,” in Victor T. King and A.V.M. Horton (eds.), From Buckfast to Borneo: Essay presented to Father Robert Nicholl on the 85th Anniversary of his Birth, 27 March 1995 (Hull: University of Hull, 1995), pp. 207-35. | |||||||||||||
The Sultan acknowledges receipt of Tambi Muhammad’s letter. His Majesty cannot send Tambi Muhammad’s goods because Haji Abas’ ship is rather small. However, the goods will be sent later. | |||||||||||||
ITEM 39 BOX 14 | Letter from Sultan Ahmad ibn Sultan Zainal Abidin of Terengganu to Colonel William Farquhar, Resident of Singapore, 5 Syaaban 1237 (27 April 1822) | ||||||||||||
Digital content available | |||||||||||||
40.5 x 23.5 cm. 19 lines. Black seal in right margin. | |||||||||||||
Corresponds to JAWI 12, Letter 2M. | |||||||||||||
The Sultan acknowledges receipt of Farquhar’s letter—a letter of introduction for a trader, Captain Farrel, who asks for permission to trade in Terengganu. The Sultan informs Farquhar that Captain Farrel has been granted permission to trade, but informs him that at the time, there was not much tin or black pepper. Nonetheless, the Sultan has obtained sugar and black pepper for him. | |||||||||||||
ITEM 40 BOX 14 | Letter from Sultanah Siti Fatimah binti Jamaluddin Abdul Rahman of Pammana to Colonel William Farquhar, Resident of Singapore, 13 Zulkaedah 1237 (1 August 1822) | ||||||||||||
Digital content available | |||||||||||||
44.7 x 32.5 cm. 20 lines. The first and last lines are written in Thuluth script. | |||||||||||||
Corresponds to JAWI 12, Letter 2N. This letter is rare, being one of the only known extant Malay letters from a reigning female monarch from the nineteenth century. Annabel Teh Gallop has transliterated and translated this letter in her work Legacy of the Malay Letter=Warisan Warkah Melayu (London: Published by the British Library for the National Archives of Malaysia, 1994). See letter 199 in this work. | |||||||||||||
The Sultanah informs Farquhar that Sultan Ali Dato’ Pamanah passed away in February. The Sultanah asks that weapons be bought. In relation to Farquhar’s request to obtain scales, the Sultanah tells him that it would be better to procure from Sailan. | |||||||||||||
ITEM 41 BOX 14 | Letter from Sultan Hussein Shah ibn Sultan Mahmud Shah to Colonel William Farquhar, Resident of Singapore, [date unknown] | ||||||||||||
Digital content available | |||||||||||||
41.8 x 30.5 cm. 26 lines. Black seal in right margin. | |||||||||||||
Corresponds to JAWI 12, Letter 20. | |||||||||||||
The Sultan acknowledges receipt of Farquhar’s letter. He states the reasons for placing a cincu—possibly a Chinese trader or ship captain—in stocks: the cincu has committed an offense, and has broken Farquhar’s rules. In addition, the Sultan claims that in punishing the cincu, he is acting in accordance with long-held royal customs, which the English had stated would not be touched in the treaty. | |||||||||||||
ITEM 42 BOX 15 | Letter from the Bendahara of Pahang to Colonel William Farquhar, Resident of Singapore, 10 Syaaban 1238 (22 April 1823) | ||||||||||||
Digital content available | |||||||||||||
40.4 x 25 cm. 17 lines. Black seal in right margin. | |||||||||||||
Corresponds to JAWI 12, Letter 2P. | |||||||||||||
The Bendahara explains that even though Kamal Jalal—a slave—is his property, he is not often in Pahang to oversee his slave’s activities. If the Temenggung desires to take care of the slave, Farquhar may surrender said slave to the Temenggung. | |||||||||||||
ITEM 42½ BOX 15 | Letter from the Pengiran of Siak to Colonel William Farquhar, Resident of Singapore, 23 Rabiulakhir 1238 (7 January 1823) | ||||||||||||
Digital content available | |||||||||||||
32 x 20 cm. 19 lines. Red wax seal in right margin. | |||||||||||||
Corresponds to JAWI 12, Letter 2Q. | |||||||||||||
The Pengeran acknowledges receipt of Farquhar’s letter. He confirms that the Dutch are at Minangkabau. He also informs Farquhar that the Dutch have sent a warship and a treaty with 12 clauses. The Pengeran still has not replied to the Dutch. Together with the letter, the Pengeran is attaching a letter for Sir Stamford Raffles. | |||||||||||||
ITEM 43 BOX 16 | Letter from the Yang Di Pertuan Muda of Riau to Colonel William Farquhar, Resident of Singapore, written at Penyengat, 8 Syawal 1238 (18 June 1823) | ||||||||||||
Digital content available | |||||||||||||
33.3 x 20.5 cm. 17 lines. Black seal in right margin. | |||||||||||||
Corresponds to JAWI 12, Letter 2R. | |||||||||||||
The Yang DiPertuan Muda of Riau acknowledges receipt of Farquhar’s letter that speaks of his return to England. The Yang DiPertuan Muda wishes Farquhar peace, and hope the friendship they have forged continues. | |||||||||||||
ITEM 44 BOX 16 | Letter from the Dato' Bendahara of Pahang to Syed Sharif Umar Jumad of Singapore, 6 Syawal 1247 (9 March 1832) | ||||||||||||
Digital content available | |||||||||||||
32.3 x 23.4 cm. 14 lines. Black seal in right margin. | |||||||||||||
Corresponds to JAWI 12, Letter 2S. | |||||||||||||
The Dato’ Bendahara asks Syed Sharif Umar Jumad to buy him a table and a music box. |