Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1885-07-09
Rajah Torrey.
REMARKABi-E CAREER OF BATH MAN IN
FAR OFF LANDS.

For several months past, says the Boston
Post, Boston has entertained unawares a
high Asiatie dignitary, monarch whose
sway was unbounded over millions Of peo-
pie, who merited from his position all the
public honors lavished upon King kalakua
and other representatives of distant coun-
tries who have visited this city. More than
other guests this man should have found
hearty welcome here, for he was not the ill.,
nocent inheritor of throne, but ruler
who made his own kingdom, developed his
realm BY his individual force and achieved
his title and recognition by means of pluck,
brains and enterprise. This man was Joseph
W. Torrey, rajah of Ambong and Mavoodu
in Borneo. who died Monday morning a, his
Boston residence on Wabon street.
Mr.. Torrey was born in Bath, April %,
1928. His father, J. 6. Torrey, printed the
Name Gazette, the first paper published in
Bath. Soon after the birth of his son, the
elder Torrey moved to Roxbury, where he
became city printer. His son received his
education in the Roxbury high school. In
1853 he left Boston for Melbourne, where be
entered upon commercial career in the en-
4
Train was a clerk in the house at that time.
Although now more of merchant than a
newspaper man, Mr.. Torrey's bright wit and
ready pen led him often into journalistic
work. and during his seven wears residence
in Melbourne he was frequent writer for
the local papers. He joined the Masonic
order and was elevated to the grand master
ship of his lodge. From Melbourne he went
TO Hong Kong. Here he continued his mer-
camille work, having been admitted as a
partner in the firm of Montgomery, Parker
X 90. of Boston. While a resident of
Hong Kong, be was for time editor and
manager of the Hong Kong Times and Of
the China Mad. He was eventually APP
pointed United States Vice Consul to Siam,
and while resident in the latter country,
strange TO say practiced law with good sue
cess. In Siam he began the undertaking Of
his life. He founded the American Trading
Company of Borneo. Several American
merchants were interested with HIM IN this
scheme. which aimed to develop large
tract of country in the north side Of Borneo
for commercial purposes.
A. the time the American Trading Com
pany was organized. nearly the whole Of
Borueo was governed by a Sultan, whose
SWAY was absolute The Trading Company
settled upon about 10000 square miles Of
the SGltan'> land, !. e.. the provinces of Am
bong and Mavoodu, and began operations.
Their action was much similar to what i
known IN the western part Of TINS country As
preemp'lon. These provinces are rich III
natural products. prominent among them
beng gutta prrcha. spices. tan and gold.
and the coast line Is we'll adapted for com
mercial purposes.
At The time Mr.. Iorrey began his work
there the provinces contained about 2,0Do,ooo
inhabitants. Il was not long before the Su'-
tan Of Borneo, Abdul Mum.n E5u MArLauu
Nuiaun Abdul Wahap, SAW that Mr. Tor
r,v mad come to STAY. The sultan. powers
were threatened by the eneroachmeui q for
elgn powers. and he knew that strong fl
for; in the right direction would wre>t h.>
northern provinces entirely from bi> sta>r.
II may have been that Mr.. Torre,'. lAnke,
pluck Impre s>ed and teri he'd the sultan, and
Il una, be that he was won over bv ihe j.
plomacy; in either event MI 1orrcy Obtain
ed in l>b5 a commission from the sultan.
recognizing him a. ralah. or governor ofthe
territory operated by the American Trading
NlA4 'AiANs ~ NtA-t4 'NtNSN- "a At'hN lA'''
ince Mr. rofrev had absolute power, being
the tiual and sole authority over the life duI
death Of hls subjects exercising 10 short tire
functions % an irresponsible sovereign. He
had the power Of retaining hi> office for lie
aud OF naming has successor. H. continued
his sway with eminent success for fourteen
wears. y, this time al. his business a,so-
GATES in the trading company had died, ard
MIR lorres sold out hi. interest 10 a syndi.
cate Of Brush capitalists who continued de
,eioping the resources OF the country. their
capital being placed al t2."0oN'0. \ few
months ago he returned to Boston. HIS Ab-
>oluie power over IA, borneo Kingdom was
maintained 10 the end ANA he could have re-
>umed The executive cOuirJ! al any tine.