The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-04-06

precarIous condition ofshe Wrecked s'es" :,
Nisero's crew-captain Chr'ss'anse"'
f,rnphic story.

nlexed as 10 what steps must De hkeh y,
order 10 compel the Raiah OF Tenom 10 ses
free the shipwrecked crew OF the steaihe.
Nisero. winch was cast ashore on the coast
~ Acheer. i'm the island OF Sumatra' ou-
ring the latter part OF last November.
The Nlsero hailed from Sunderland, ana
xas ON her passage from Sourabaya to
Sinrapore. Aterrible storm having arisen,
Canfain Woodhouse found II Impossible
10 take observations, and the vessei II,
consequence got out OF her course anu
was wrecked at short distance from
land. When the storm subsidized the cap.
fam and crew went ashore, and were al
once confronted BY a body OF natiyes'
headed by the Rajah OF Tenom, who con-
ducted them 10 village OF hnts made OF
bamboo. With mat covering and open
sides. The crew, who numbered twenty
Ave men, among them being Second o1ncer
Moore, two Germans, two Italians, TWO
Norwegians, and one American, were put
under strong guard and otherwise III
treated, their only food being small por-
ton OF rice, which Was given TO them I'D
the morning and evening.
Meanwhile q rumor OF the occurrence
had reached the Government OF the Dutch
East Indies, and, as the Rajah OF Tenom
had been for long time IN enemy OF the
Dutch, they concluded that he would make
this an opportunity for extorting large
ransom for The lives OF his captiyes. steps
were at once taken to thwart him. Early
in January battalion Of Dutch infantry
landed at Ten0m, in the Eastern district
OF the Province Of Acheen, and, after plum
dering some villages, bombarded and burn
ed the Raiah's capital. The natives fought
desperately, and the Dutch, after capturing
two strongholds aud losing several OF their
officers and men, were forced to retreat.
II was then proposed to the Rajah that he
should ransom the captiyes for reason
able sum, but the Raiah refused to take
less than 100000.
Meanwhile the British gunboat Pegasus
had been sent to Acheen from Singapore
for the purpose Of inducing the Raiah TO
come to tern Ii was found impossible,
however, TO conciliate him, and British
Consul Kennedy reported that II the Pega-
sus had fired q single shot upon the tribe
the captives, who had been removed some
distance into the interior, would have been
to man.
The danger which an European incurs
in entering the RajaRs territories is fully
exemplifed by the treatment shown to
Captain Christensen, who was requested
by the British Government to intercede for
the captiyes. In letter written to bis sis
ter, who lives near this city, and which
bears date January 4th, Captain Christian
sen says:
"Here am. on board the Pegasus, living
off Tenon, where the crew OF the Niscro
are kept prisoners by the Raiah. AS the
British Government asked me to intercede
Tor the captives, went on shore and tried
my very best to induce Tunku lmum, the
Rajah, to give up his prisoners; but all in
vain. had full power to treat with him,
and agreed to pay him $500, 200 and to
give bin libery to export his pepper, but
the only terms he would accept were that
the British Government should guarantee
10 protect him against the Dutch, which, OF
course, the British Government could not
accept, being on friendly terms with
Holland and not wishing to interfere with
Dutch rule IN Dutch colony. The con-
sequence is that the expedition of about
900 men will arrive here tomorrow and
and on the 9Th instant, to try to recover
he British seamen by force OF arms. am
truly thankful that | am safely back on
BOARD the Pegasus, as there is little doubt
hat had very harrow escape being kept
prisoner myself, in which case, / think,
on would have heard the last OF me.
rad to use diplomacy TO return on board.
told Tunko Imum that before could
,lose the bargain with him must return
o the Pegasus and speak 10 the British
consul and ask him to come on shore and
negotiate with the Rajah In person.
The rascally Raiah, who thought he might
make prisoner OF the British Con-
nj as well as myself, allowed me to return
N board unmolested, and you may rest
ssured that have not again tempted Pro.
idence by going on shore. 1t was very
dangerous experiment TO face the Rajah. |
ut as the lives OF twenty-five men were at
take l did not hesitate moment. espe-
tally as had come from Penang for that
purpose. in compliance with the request Of |
'onsul Kennedy. II / had been success
III / suppose would have received the |
hanks OF both the English and Dutch ma
ion. As failed, my effort will be soon |
orgotten.
Captain Knuth l.. Christensen, whose |
eady wit alone saved him from the Raiah's |
lutches, is well known throughout the |
last Indies, having lived there for the past |
weuty years. He was for some time the |
lptain OF the steamer KalahOme, of the |
butch Government service. The fact that |
e speaks a great many of the native Lam
uages induced Consul. Kennedy TO solicit |
is services as ambassador to the Rajah.
The Pegasus returned to 0elih and the
)utch forces started from Padang, re-
Dlved to liberate the captives. But the |
iaiah proved himself too stout foe, and
ne Dutch were discounted. After their
eparture the Raiah informed the Gov
rnOr OF the straits settlements that every
ossible care would be taken Of the prison.
rs. Whether irony or humanity dictated
MS message the Governor could not deter
line. Early in March Captain Wood.
ouse, OF the Nisera, arrived in London.
nd informed the Government that the
.ajah had agreed to release the captiyes
n the following conditions: A PAYMENT
e62, 900 ransom, the Punishment Of rival
ajahs, and the declaration that Tenom il
zee from Dutch rule.
What further steps the British Govern.
rent will taken In the matter are as vet un-
nown. but 1t Is rumored that the Dutch
re about to make fresh attempt to sub
ne the Raiah by force Of arms.
Tunku imum, the Rajah OF TenOm. is a
IAN OF imposing appearance, splendid
hysique, and great muscular powers. He
aries two reyovers and a scimitar with
,welled hilt. The most notable part of
is costume Is a turban entwined with sill.
er ornaments. Though ne makes no pre-
'nsions to royal grandeur. be demands the
tmost obeisance from mis- subjects.
'ben the Nisero was piundered he an
ropriated several of the most yalua-
lie articles on board, and was espe-
ally pleased with watch which had be-
'nged to one Of the crew. Indeed. he
'ok such good care that none OF the can
yes should retain any property that Cap
rive his ships papers and his watch. He
icceeded, however, in binding them
,und his body underneath his cIotbino