Star.
London, England, 1819-01-16 00:00:00

PALEMBANG and Pie ISLAND of BANCA.

The following is stated to be an Offcial Reply to
the Protest made by Sir THOMAS STAMFORD It
against the proceedings of the Dutch Commissioners
at Palembang :
" In former times the Sultan of Palembang, like
all the other native Princes in those quarters, was
sabject and tributary to the Dutzli Government. Ile
paid this tribute in pepper, tin, &c. and ti!ir Duch
had a fort and garrison, with a civil jurisdiction, at
Palembang.
" In 181'2, the local British Authorities in Java, for
reasons be,t known to themselves, dethroned the then
reigning Sultan, and put his brother in his place,
with whom they made a treaty, by which the Island
of Banca was ceded. •

" In ISIS, Mr. Robinson, the then British Resi-
dent, concluded another treaty, by virtue of which
the new Sultan was in his turn deposed, and his bro-
ther (the same who had been before deprived of. his
authority) was again raised to the Throne, and rein-
stated in his former dignity.
" This praeeding was, however, disapproved of
by the superior British authority, and things were re-
placed nearly upon the same footing as in 1811.
The ticaty of 1814, between the British and Ne-
therland Governments, stipulates (Art. 1), that all
die factories and establishments which bad been pos-
sessed by Holland on the Ist of January, 1803, should
be restored to the King (then Prince Sovereign) of the,
Netherlands. Palembang was one of the establishments.
" By the second article of the same treaty, the
Island of Banca was ceded, in full sovereignty, to
the Netherlands, in exchange for the settlement of
Cochin and its dependencies on the coast of Malabar.
Palembang, therefore, under this treaty, was com-
prised in the other Dutch factories and establishments
thus restored, whilst Banca was considered by itself ;
a point of view which does not appear to have been
absolutely just, as this island formerly supplied the
tin which the Sultan of Palembang was (by treaty)
bound to furnish to the Dutch, and which exceeded
in quantity (as fixed by that treaty) the present pro-
duce of that island.

" It is perfectly true, that when the Agents of the
British Government transferred the Government of
Java to the Netherland Commissioners, they called
upon them to fulfil the engagements which the Bri-
tish Agents, during their administration of Java, had
contracted with the native Princes. The British Au-I
attached this condition to the surrender of
Banta, which surrender they declared ought to be
considered as not having taken place, if the Treaties
with the Sultan of Palembang were not confirmed.
But it is equally true,. that the Netherland Commis-1
sioners most decidedly and positively refused to ac-1
cede-to that condition, and for this very simple rea-
son—that the Treaty of 1814 was positive and un-
conditional, and that it would have exceeded their
'powers, as a delegated Authority, to have added any
dne stipulation whatsoever to the contents of tire
Treaty, of phich they were not the contracting par-
tici, but only the executors.
" The British Agents protested against this mode
of reasoning ; but as such a Protest could not give a
right which did not previously exist, the Netherland!

Commissioners did not allow themselves to be many
Manner inflttenced by it.
" It is, however, evident that this protest, or rather
the reasoning upon which it is founded, vs-wild have
gone to renter nugatory the exchange of P toed
against Cochin, stipulated by the treaty of 1814; for,
iithe cession of llama was to be void unless the
British treaties with the Sultan of Palembang v. ere
ratitied, this condition not being fulfilled on the part
of the Dutch Authorities, must have annulled the
whole tenour of the article respecting the cat:Lange
of 13auca against Cochin, and both possessions must
have revertel to their original owners.
" But the fact is, that the settlement of Palembang
partook of the nature of all the others that were to be
restored to their former possessors of the year ISO 3 ;
and the moment the Netherland Government was
replaced in the possession of it, all its former rights
revived. Consequently, no one has any right to in-
terfere with its measures respecting that settlement.
" It is therefore impossible to understand, upon
what principle the Sultan of Palembang can be con-
sidered as an independent Prince, being under the
immediate protection of the British Government.
" By the retrocession of Palembang, the Britiah
Government have renounced all claim to interfere in
its concerns; and any tight they might have had to
do so, under intermediate engagements, can only
apply now to the Netherland Government, to whom
that settlement has been restored.
In a contrary' supposition, the argument made
use of by the British Agents would extend to all the
former Dutch Settlements, particularly in the Island
of Java ; the natural consequence of which would
be, that the Netherland Government would hold their
Settlements in India by a precarious tenure. entirelyl
dependent on the pleasure of the delegated British
Authorities in the neighboinhood, who would be thus
entitled, not only to sit in judgment over every act
of the Netherland Government in India, but even to
interfere, vi et armis, as has been done in this instance
at Palembang.
" It is hardly necessary to point out the conse-
quences which would result teem such a state of
things, and which would evidently tend to endanger
the good understanding so happily subsisting between
the two countries in Europe.
" 'With respect to the late occurrences at Palem-
bang, and to the actual state of things there, the 11)1-
lowing is an accurate statement of facts:—
" In consequence of the dispute between the two
brothers above-mentioned, each aspiring to the sove-
reignty, the inhabitants of that petty kingdom were
most Miserable.themselves, and their contentions were
a constant subject of alarm to their neighbours. The
younger brother occupied the Throne when Mr. NI un-
tinghe, the Netherland Commissioner, was sent to
Palembang. Utterly incapable ofgoverning the coun-
try, he was distinguished only by excessive cruelty,
which manifested itself in the shocking punishmentshe inflicted, and by his toleration of-the Malay pi-
rates, who carried on in those seas a regularly - Or-
ganized trade in slaves, of the profit of which the
Sultan partook. When Mr. Muntinghe first arrived,
he was hailed by the natives as their deliverer, ant
their defection from the Sultan enabled him to
conclude, on the 20th of June last, a Treaty, both
with him and with the Pretender, by which their au-
thority was limited to a certain number of districts;
whilst this Treaty entirely abolishes the trade in
slaves, restores the inhabitants to their indastrious
pursuits, and puts an end to the horrible system of
punishments formerly introduced. It was after these
arrangements had begun to operate; that three En-
voys from Sir Thomas Stamford Rallies arrived at
Palembang, under ari armed escort, and caused the
British flag to be hoisted-om the Palace. Mr. Mun-
tinghe communicated to them the Treaty which had
been entered into some days heb,re, ri.'preseiting to
them with great civility, but at the same time with
much earnestness, that neither under the recent
circumstances which had taken place, nos under the
old Convention, had they any right to interfere.—
Atter some discussion the British flag cll.:appealed,
and Sir Thomas Raffles envoys accepted thesafe-
guard which bad been offered to them, and which, in
fact, was rendered necessary by the. situation the
country at that time stood in. They are since ar-
rived at Batavia, whilst Mr. Muntinghe writes, snider
date of the 10th July, that he had taken the neces-
sary measures to stop, on their march across the
mountains, and to cause, if possible, to retrograde, a
detachment of some hundreds of Sepoys and Malays,
sent by Lieutenant-Governor Raffles from Bencoolen
to Palembang. in order to give support to the opera-
tions of his agents there. In every thing that has
passed, Mr. Muntinghe, the Netherland Commis-
sioner, has acted with the greatest propriety and re-
spect towards the agents of an allied and friendly
Power, and has manifested that skill and wi:hloni
for which lie is eminently disting..nslied."

1,.t. Messrs; or llos:ArAitzz.—The ship Edward, Captain
Chittenden, arrived at RAU:note, was boarded on the :rah of
October in lat. 5S N. long. tZ W. by the British sloop of war
Racoon, 10 day> finm St. Helena, and was informed that Bona.
parted was confined to his quaters by sickness.
The Highlander and l're Dandy !—Friday se'nnight, as a High-
land laird was walking up George-street. Perth, dresses! in his
native garb, he company with a friend of his in town, the? were
met by a Dandy, who stood directly before them, fulled lions
his breast a quizzing-glass, put it t‘7, his eye, and examined the
highlander with much minuteness from top to toe; and seemed
greatly astonished at his robust and manly form, particularly his
brawny and shapely limbs, which appeared bare and free, in Lis
neat and graceful tartan hose, beneath his plaited pbillbeg. The
highlander observing this fanciful being, sternly said, " What
is the fella* looking at ?" when his friend replied, " 0! don't
mind him he is only o::e of these fellows we caibliattilies here."
" Dandies 7* say; the enraged Highlander, " Vll dandy hiin;"
and instantly thiust his good oak stick thrintrh the itaitsi.siL'>.
quiziing glass, and nearly through. his eye too. Upon it hick,
the alarmed Dandy sheered off, muttering same oaths :Tana
the Highlander ; which so irritated him, that with out spring
he caught hold of the helpless Dandy by the breast; and in
taking him a desperate pull, off came all that be had laid hold of,
cunsistirg or a frill and a false vest that had been fastened with
pins, and a pair of corsets, all which the mouutaineer threw
with vengeance to the opposite side of the street. The trenildieg
eminii4te, now almost naked, having had to gather them up,
the honest and amazed Highlander exclaimed, " Mess me! has
thera,sr thing mitt sark at a' on ?" and instantly putting his hand
into his purse, threw a half crown piece after the panic-struck
Dandy, saying--" Hae, poor creature ! there is hall-a-crown
for you to help to buy you a sark." The street being throng
with people at the time, the ludicrous scere soon galiCreSi
great mob; and nothing could exceed the mirth and laughter
which this singular fracas afforded to all present—eseepthg the
frightened Dentin, at whose expense the wk.& had excited.
The hardy Highlander, in walking of, Mew: Ted to lea friend,
" How thankful we Caltaloniinta ought to he, wium Nature has
so kindly endowed us wish bodily forms that do not require the
asaistanee at milliners and consettuthers to gran 43 an artificial
!aluipe, like you Perth 1::11s."

PARSWIENTARY PROCEADINez,

HOUSE OF LORD* JANUARY I:.
ROYAL APPROBATION OP TOR SP EA KF.It OF r:4,

HOUSE or COMMONS.

Their Lordships met by Special Adjournment.
day at a (platter before two o'clock. Several Peen
tended, and the Royal Conunissionets, vie. the Lab
PRESIDENT (Earl of H.tautowaT), the LORD Pl'Ort
SEAL (Earl of WESII4O.IRELAND), the Dti!!,! of
WriLLINGTON, Earl BATHURST, and the Eal tl
SllAFl'Etr.uur,. having robed, torl their placo
Bench in front of the Throne. • ,

The Gentleman Usher. of the Black Rod was :in
deputed to order the attendance of the Cep in tr
st:o;-tly after, in a very considerable netit*,,
appeared at the Bar, preceded by Mr. )I.t:;Nv
Sul Tos, their newly-elected Speaker.

On reaching the Bar, Mr. SlA'xsztes Surrox
dressed their Lordships nearly as follows;

" Mr Loans—ln obedience to the commands of his rcl
Highness the Prince Regent, acting in the time a:ld on :lir kt.
half of his Majesty, his Majesty's faithful Commons of the
tett Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, have
the exercise of tht*.r ancient and undoubted ..1e eler.:es
nt a Speaker, and • I am now to acquaint your I.nrdsblps
their choice has fallen upon rne. Whatever eansiderniera, ry
I.ortis, may have induced his Majesty's Litisful Comeir.3s la
have formed that choice, I ant well aware that sect dogs
never can be final until sanctioned by his Alajesty's Royal ap.
probation; and I now, my Lords, with all humility, oa dint
behalf, present myself in this plate, to know whether It may nat
be the Royal pleasure th.tt his Majesty's faithLl Connreyss
should prows) to a fresh election, by which they nny Lee ra:..
bled to F 4 kCt some other person fully competent to disclttge s
high and important duties of their Speaker r
The Lonn PnEstnEsr (as organ of the Comn:'.s-
sinners), then answered as follows:
" Ma "MaNseas Surma—We have It in command from Its
Royal I lighness the Prince Rrgent, acting in :he same and en
the behalf of his Majesty, to inform you that his Royal /1412.
ness, fully confident of your eminent and tried abilities, a 4 L-.
ness to discharge the important duties of the office of Speaker ef
his Majesty's faithful Commons, to which you have been efi.e.nt
by them, has been pleated to comtnathl us to nice, that hi
Royal l ligliness, in the Fame behalf, folly arrrores of the esGi.v
which the House of Commas have made; and therlote ht
Royal Highness fully approves of your being their B,)ealter." •
The SPEAK Lit (as fully confirmed in his office)
replied— •
" Mir Loßm—soce his Royal Ilighr.ess the Prince 7'.:eti
has been graciously pkasesl to approve of the vrLi. a 41,
Majesty's faithful Commons have made, I accordinglyo.4:l
humility, submit mr...lf to the expressed pleasure of his Majesty.
I have now, nay Lords, to protekd, in the name and en the be-
half of the Commons of the United Kit:;;Sun of Great li:Haia
and Ireland, to lay claim, by humble applica:ion, to all tleir
ax-
cient and undoubted rights and privileges' more espceialiy of the
fullest freedom of speech and of debate of tn:edem from wrests
and molestation of the prnons of themselves and of their !•!--
vants, of free access to the Royal Person sehenever stecasinn mac
require, and that the most favourable conattaction nosy hr
npon all their words, votes, ar.el proceedings. For Erviself,
Lords, I have humbly to claim of his Weyal Hightess
whatever errors or imperfections is the disetarge of my Erin
may occur, they may be &tabard to ate alone, and not to his
Majesty's faithful Com-Mons." •
On which the Lt)IID PRESIDENT said—

" Me. Stutz—We have it further in eornmard from !!",
Royal liiglmess the Prince Regent, in the r-st.te end en the
half of his Majesty, to inform you, 'ha: his Royal highness-.-..at
freely }'rant; and 'ARAI,* to Lis .M.,:etis faiaitel Coalman., al
those rights and privileges, in the most and ample manner,
whir 11 !Lime ever been Framed to them by :kis iy
any ‘f Royal rrediretwirf. With :,:sp.:et to what emu. t•s.
csorself, Mr. Speaker, you may be asoureii, tint his
aihness, juti;Ong from what has taken ;Lee in the last
merit, !n respect then.of, will be angir,;'.l.::!,lined to psi:
mc,t favourabk construction up= all your words and attixa,
in the discharge of your highly important duties."
The SPKAKEK then retired, and, accompanied by
the Members present, withdrew to the Lower House.
The Lords Comntissionera having retired to stwobe, and the
Douse being resumed, after a corresponding adjournment, such
Peers as.pres:istA lb rnselves for the purpose, were sworn is
by the Clerks. Among these were—
' The Illarquistes of Ormontle, Cornwallis, and Sligo.
The Vans of Morton, Galloway, Delaware, Ikiboroogk,
Stanhope, Grosvenor, Fottescue, and Digby.
The Bishop of Ch,ster.
Lends Gambier, Gray (Scots P•vr), and ifarris.
At four o'clock their. Lordships adjourned till Moodily, •
HOUSE OF COMMONS. •

The SPEAKER elect entered the House at about a
quarter before two o'clock, when about fifty or silty
Members wet c present.
At two o'clock the I.7surn of the ULACX ROD sum.
molted the noose to attend the Peers, to hear the
Royal (7ommission road.
Mr. MANNERS SUTTON, in.rull dress, but not
in his robes olotlice, accordingly left the Chair, which
he had taken on the entrance of the lisle: of the Black
Rod, and went to the House of Pees, followed by
nearly all the Members pre:mt. *On his return he
addressed the House to die following eXect : •

-" I have to acquaint the I lonsathat thiV 'Louie has been to
the I fouie to reef., where the lan‘l authorised by his Ma-
jesty's I...*Ammioinit,tratre declared hit Royal Highness the Vance
Itvgeties approvAl and confirrnatiun of the election by this Howe
of lac at a Speaker, and that I dnl
tit VII- Olt lay claim, by
humble pteitiort, to all its ancient undo:11.1.1 rights and rid-
• I—dri ; more sslecially freedom of di-as..ion sad OW!, fret;
shun fur the Members, their servat.t4 3;O: (44:41111;170M Mtn
and molestation ; (set aecesa to the Royal. presences ut tal tints
when pecessary; and that the roust favourable- cm:gr.:oat
should be ;an upon their all ol'whicb. were.gtt.ined
and allowed hi a. full and ample manlier as- they have hers
t; se ited and allowed by his sty or ;try ef his itoyalry it-
cessors. I may be now 0110: ::ore 1).o ttlined to erire-t, t)
i:uuse the deep sense of gra: itude 1 feet for this 11106 t distin-
guish...l mark of its confidence. I implore of the liczttse i:s cc:l-
- and steady sapport, in euabling me to or:lilt:tin stria at-
tantian to its t stabil-heti n:l.-s anti orders, whi.ih are not mote
triential to the ionvanhia dispatch of bt site ss, thaa they are fy
the a..d oi the House i'sCif. I hare ni-'7
only eurtia,t to submit tothe !louse, that the at:dotty Ire-
ce.:dini, we cm now t .:ter 'Jai& taking the Oat.Os si.prent:s.:..
allegiatwe, a-A st.b...iribing the drchr.ltio3,'
taking the oath of r_iiihration. For the sake of gmtev.criuvt-
uleuce„ the counties will be over 4%2n:tic...ay free: ti:c
rt.tar;:, and Al,tr.ber,., as their counties ore Laretd, wrd tome
to the 'ruble to hr sworn." _ _ _

The SPEAKI;It then took the usual oaths aloud;
and the Clerk prc,ceeded to read over the'names of
the several couties. One Member pima from
Bedfordshire, two from, Berkshire, one from Cnr.
bridgeshire, and more than thirty fi am ComsralL-m
This disproportion excited some laub l ter, parficoiariv
on the tarl of MOsirs. Tierney and Calciak woo
counted the Durhhers. _ _ _

The SPEAKER toe: the opportunity of informirg
all- the Mcinbers yreient, that th,-.se only toed take
the oaths in the House who had-previously:taken them
below the. Lord Steward i
.the Long,itootp; the
certificate of qualification they had ,slieww-ureic
. .
also be produced here.
At a quarter past rive, ll the Tembees presert
hosing been sworn in, the $r.A X Eli aflaginCeil that
he would comedown to the:Hoyle to-morrow at three
o'clock, in order that such of tie bieruherc us bati
.
not attended tu.day might lt,kie an .lepp:rtunity
taking the oaths as early As poisito.e. tltc metick:l
of Mr. BitooogN, the thetti:l•Setkre-.1.