Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1851-03-08


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correspondence must be gone through befor,
ne could recover MS commission He there
fore threw up the service, proceeded t,
China, passed through the Indian Achpela
go, and for the first time toasted his eyes oil
the magical variety of these splendid islands
He at once saw that their riches were no
| yet half developed that some unusual energ,
was required for the task, and he resolved t,
dedicate his life TO the performance. /,
England, therefore, he again bent his way
| and formed scheme, in company with an
other gentleman. From some cause, how
ever, this plan of partnership was abandoned
and he resolved to undertake the proec
alone. His fathers death placed him il
| possession of a handsome fortune, of which
he determined to hazard the entire loss ia
the cause of commerce and civilization.
| He purchased the Royaist, large anC
handsome yacht, formerly belonging to the
Royal squadron, aud by way of testing heI
sailing qualities, made a voyage along the
Mediterranean, landing at many harbors tc
delight himself with The sight of those place.
that are hallowed by the memories of fadcc
glory.
The Alhambra, with its old traditions o
power and magniicence ; Malta, that ''tigh
little spot - Turkey, with its turban-
ed armies /; Rhodes, with its famous harbors
Ionia and the adjacent islands, the shore Of
Simoeis and Scamander, the scene of the
Illiad, where the warriors of Achaia fought
their battles under the walls of Troy these
were the scenes that the adventurous English
man visited. Then returning once more to
England, prepared his gallant yacht for her
long and perllous voyage to the Indian
Islands.
CHAPTER II-ARRIvAL AT THE ARCHIPELA-
GO. EVENTS AT SARAwAK.
Free as pirate he made the journey, and
safely reached the Archipelago. Once with
in its clear, blue, waters, his gaze was de-
lighted by every varying beauty of scenery
Every hour some new green coast opened on
the horizon, expanding to the view, and
sank in the distance behind, as another and
another seemed to rise out of the waves in
front James Brooke reached Sarawak, en-
tered tie river, sailed up to the town Of
kuching, visited the Rajah Muda Hassim,
established friendly relations with him, and
was entreated by his dark-sknned host to
lend his assistance towards the termination
of civil war that then desolated the pro
vince.
After considerable hesitation, he agreed
The rebellion was suppressed. The chiefs
of the disafiected party were captured. Mu-
da Hassim would have put them to death,
but our countrymen interceded for them, and
threatened to quit the country if their lives
were taken His meditation succeeded and
the men were spared; though had the Raiah
wiled it, he might have cut of Brooke and
his companion as Murray was cut off in the
Rotl River, and gone unpunlshed tor the
murder In the datails of the succeeding
few months we cannot enter minutely. The
Englishman was Of the utmost service to the
native prince, who voluntarily offered him
the government of Sarawak, which was re-
peatedly declined until, when Muda Has
sim proceeded to Bruno, the capital of Bor-
neo proper, as the Sultan's minister, Mr..
Brooke was persuaded to accept the propo-
sltion But In answer to those who as
sert that he forced the cession Of the pro-
vince, we may refer the reader to the his
tory of the transactions, which will show that
Muda Hassim, with tears in his eyes begged
Brooke to stay, and only prevailed after a
long solicitation. The story of the cannon
and the threats has been wholly misrepre-
sented 1t was only when the weak but
crafty Ralsh endeayored to detraud and i'm
pose upon our countryman, who had risked
a large portion Of his fortune on the faith of
his promise, that he was compelled to adopt
energetic measures to secure the fuihment
of the stpuIations. Great men always create
enemies by the success of their endeavors.
Columbus did so-Rafiies did so--Clive did
so-Cromwell did so-Rajah Brooke has
done so. He was proclaimed in his new Dig
nity on the 9th of September, 1871, amid
the roar of cannon and general display of
flags and banners.
We now, therefore, see him elevated to
the position of Rajah of Sarawak-a brilliant
title, indeed, but bringing danger with its
honor, difficulty and anxiety with the chance
of its fortunate possession. The province
was then wilderness, clothed with Jungle,
only spotted here and there with rude Dyak
farms, and those singular villages, composed
of one vast house, which form the habitation
of the simple savages. The condition oil the
population was low and barbarous. Head
hunting and pilage were the chief delights
Of the mem labor and contempt was the lot
of the women. The village was invariably
erected on the peak of some hill, in the depth
of some woods, in the midst of some belt of
Jungle or on the crest of some rocky ridge.
to be safe from sudden assault. Bloodshed
and robbery were daily occurrences. No
more land was cultivated than sufficient to
procure bare subsistence and popula-
tion of ignorant blood-loving, heathen, fero-
cious savages, was thiniy scattered over
wild and barbarous but beautiful and abun-
dant province.
Now, how changed with force of about
twenty-five Englishmen, Rajah Brooke en-
tered upon his government of that savage re-
gion. During the eight years which have