The Sun. — 1849-01-29 (London, England)

THE COL O.N Y UE LAJWAN.ii The following letter has just been ,received by a near relative of one of the officersi:of" Sir :Jams Brooke's suite : " Labuan, Nov: 2iB4Ee "A merchant-ship sails to-day for Singapore, by which opportunity I write to say we are all well. You will probobly hear miserable accounts of the unhealthy state of this settlement, and in fact there is a great deal of fever, but of a mild intermittent kind. We are living in a marsh, which fully accounts for it. The Europeans are fixing on sites for their bungalows on the high lands in the interior. The Raja's house is to be commenced at once, and I doubt not in a few weeks we shall get out of this unhealthy spot. We have just returned from Bruni —a most satisfactory visit. The Sultan built us a very good house close to his palace. The Borneans have quite knocked under to us. Macota (the wily one) was as oily and soft as if he had never been anything but our staunchest friend. They br  stillthere Labuan,is no anddivsegruyiscioengti the fact w•-• 1111:101.6 .16 AIS• Juan to the beet of their ability, and are to send us over workmen to build the Raja's house. I am myself ivtes enthusiasticry about ultimate success ; that this sickness has created a panic which may greatly retard our progress. The Admiral paid us a visit of a few hours the other day in the Auckland, visited the Europeans, dined with the Raja, and took a short ride on the road to the barracks. He left us with an unfavourable impression of Labuan. The Meander is to be sent back here immediately; and-probably we shall be off to Sooloo next month. The Sooloos have again been committing piracies. One account of an attack made by them on a Bornean boat has just reached Us; they tempted the crew on shore and murdered them to a man ; we shall have fighting there yet. The Raja, lam sorry to say, is not looking so well as usual. He has much to harass him ; the sickness in the island is a source of anxiety to him. One of our own party has been laid up with fever, but is now recovered. The ungenerous attacks made by the jealous Singaporeans are another annoyance to the Raja. I have enjoyed the best health, and the interest I take in all that goes on in every little improvement prevents my feeling ennui. My life is a very regular one, and far from unpleasant. I get up every morning between seven and eight, bathe and dress, then read and write till ten; we breakfast at eleven, read, write, study Malay, and chat till half-past four, when all sally out for a walk, or sometimes a pull or sail. Our walks are very circumscribed. We have a fine sandy beach for two miles in one direction; in the other, the road to the barracks, which is progressing rapidly; it is cut for two miles through the heart of the jungle, and we can now ride over it with ease; of course it will be a long time before it is macadamised. Our bungalows will be built near this road. The Rajah has chosen a spot close to a very pretty ravine with a waterfall. Our communications with Singapore are so uncertain you must never be surprised at not getting letters. I hope soon to be able to send you better accounts of our progress. I am quite confident myself. We are most anxious that the Eastern Archipelago Company should commence operations here. The settlement is at a standstill for -want of European enterprise and capita/. Do not be surprised if you do not hear from as for the next month or two. We shall ,probably be at Sooloo."