Life in the forests of the Far East (vol. 2 of 2)

by Sir Spenser St. John

This confidence, however, was the growth of some years, and the result of the system of government which I will now describe. In treating of the capital, I have shown the practice established there. In all the former dependencies of Brunei there were local chiefs who administered the internal affairs of their own districts. In Sarawak there were originally three, and that number Sir James Brooke continued in their employment, and permitted and encouraged them to take part in everything connected with the government of the country, obtaining their consent to the imposition of any new tax or change in the system of levying the old, consulting them on all occasions and allowing their local knowledge to guide him in those things with which they were necessarily better acquainted than he could possibly be.

It was not to be expected that his teaching and influence should suddenly change these men, accustomed to almost uncontrolled sway, into just and beneficent rulers, and he failed in moulding the datu patiñggi, the principal chief. As long as Sir James Brooke was himself present in Sarawak, he could keep him tolerably straight; but no amount of liberality could prevent him oppressing the Dayaks on every possible occasion. His rapacity increasing, he took bribes in his administration of justice, and it was at last found necessary to remove him. The third chief behaved much better, and the second, patiñggi Ali, was killed during one of Captain Keppel’s expeditions.

The last named left many sons, two of whom would have adorned any situation in life; the eldest, the late bandhar of Sarawak, was a kind, just, and good man, respected in his public capacity, and beloved in all social intercourse: his only fault was, a certain want of decision, partly caused by a rapid consumption that carried him off about two years since. His next brother succeeded him, and appears to have all his brother’s good qualities, with remarkable firmness of character. In fact, a generation is springing up, with new ideas and more enlarged views, who appear to appreciate the working of their present government, and have a pride in being connected with it.

By associating these men in the administration, and thus educating them in political life, and by setting the example of a great equality in social intercourse, Sir James Brooke laid the foundation of a government which stood a shock that many of his best friends expected would prove fatal. I mean the Chinese insurrection. None of the predicted results have followed. Trade and revenue have both actually increased, and a much better system of management has been introduced.

The example set in the capital is followed in all the dependent districts, and the local rulers are always associated with the European in the government. The effect has been to prevent any jealousy arising; and the contempt of all natives, which appears a part of our creed in many portions of our empire, is not felt in Sarawak. Nothing appears more striking to those who have resided long in Sarawak than the extraordinary change which appears to have been effected in the character of the people, and also in that of individuals. There is no doubt that Sir James Brooke was working in soil naturally good, or these results could not have taken place, but yet when we know the previous history of men, how lawless and savage they were, and yet find they have conducted themselves in an exemplary manner for twenty years, the whole circumstances appear surprising.

I will tell an anecdote of one of the very oldest of the chiefs, to show the apparently stubborn materials which had to be moulded. The man relating the story himself, said that about thirty-five years ago he was cruising near Datu Point when he observed a small trading boat passing out at sea. He immediately gave chase, and when near her noticed the crew were all armed, and preparing to defend themselves, so his own followers advised him to sheer off, but he made them push alongside, and springing on board the trading prahu with a drawn kris so effectually alarmed the hostile crew that they all ran below. There were six of them, but he killed them all, and added, one only did he pity, as in their distress five called on their mothers, but one only begged mercy of God. And yet that man has behaved well for the last twenty-five years, and much better, in my opinion, than many others of far greater pretensions. It never appears to strike him that he had committed a bloodthirsty and wicked action, perhaps he considered that to conceal his piratical act any means were justifiable; but however that may be, he has completely changed his conduct, has been faithful under great temptations, and has always proved himself a brave and trustworthy man since a regular government has been established in Sarawak.

Few would have undertaken the responsibility of ruling a country with such materials, but to render the task easier, there were some excellent men to leven the multitude, and a retired pirate is generally a good servant, if you can turn the energies that led him to a roving life into a legitimate channel.

It is obvious, however, that where a government depends for its stability on the individual character of its officers, and where a change in the system may be introduced by the head of the government not following in the footsteps of his predecessors, men will not risk their capital in the development of the country.

I have watched the gradual development of Sarawak with the greatest interest; I have seen districts once devoted to anarchy restored to prosperity and peace by the simple support of the orderly part of the population by a government acting with justice, and it is not surprising that all its neighbours appeal to it, when their own countrymen are seen to exercise so great an influence in its councils.

The experiment so happily begun might be carried on with great results, had the Sarawak government more material force to back it. At present nine-tenths of the country are forest; I believe the largest portion of that may be cultivated with great success, but population is wanting. There is but one people who can develope the islands of the Eastern Archipelago, and they are the Chinese.