SPENSER ST JOHN.
4 Chester Street, S.W.
Note.—I would wish to add a few words to explain why, in the course of this Life of Rajah Brooke, I have not dwelt on the controversy which raged for some years about the character of the Seribas and Sakarang Dyaks. The only person who, to a late period, held to his view that these tribes were not piratical was Mr Gladstone; but after reading my first Life of Rajah Brooke, in which I defended the policy of my old chief with all the vigour I could command, I received the following note from him, which rendered unnecessary any further discussion of the subject:—
February 25, 1880.
My dear Sir,—I thank you very much for sending me your Life of Sir James Brooke, which I shall be anxious to examine with care. I have myself written words about Sir James Brooke which may serve to show that the difference between us is not so wide as might be supposed, and I fully admit that what I have questioned in his acts has been accepted by his legitimate superiors, the Government and the Parliament.—I remain, yours faithfully,
W. E. Gladstone.
His Excellency Spenser St John.
It is as well that I should publish another letter, to show that Mr Gladstone bore me no ill-will on account of the vigorous way I had attacked him whilst defending the policy of my old chief. I had applied to Lord Granville to be sent out as Special Envoy to renew relations with the Republic of Mexico, and the following is his Lordship’s reply:—
Foreign Office, May 28, 1883.