Page:Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (IA journalofstra11121883roya).pdf/330

 LANDING OF RAFFLES AT SINGAPORE.

In No. 10 of the Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, page 285, is an interesting account of the "Landing of at Singapore, by an Eye-Witness." So long as, the name given to this venerable deponent, keeps to what he saw, his narrative appears to be strictly correct; but other details are so evidently contrary to what would have taken place, that I veuture to question their accuracy. For instance, he says:—" Batin, an Orang laut, went to bring Tunku from Bulang. I think he was away four days. Batin  came back first, and then Tunku  came."

Now, it is very unlikely that Sir, who had some knowledge and experience in Malay etiquette, would send a single "Orang laut" to summon to his presence a Prince of the Royal Blood, whom he intended to make Sultan of Johor, in order to obtain a proper cession of Singapore, and considering it a pity to allow such an erroneous statement pass to posterity as history, I have made enquiries from the best authorities, and find that two Anak Raja, namely, Raja and Inche , were the persons entrusted with the mission, and they brought Tunku  here, having found him fishing in the Straits of Rhio. These Anak Raja received cach $500 for their trouble. My chief informant has been Mr. C. F., who derived his information from Tunku , wife of Sultan ; from Kaja , brother of Raja , and from Tunku and the account scoms generally accepted by the Malays as correct. It is