Page:The life and letters of Sir John Henniker Heaton bt. (IA lifelettersofsi00port).pdf/111



I have the pleasure to present and introduce to you my son, Rapas Chulan, the bearer of this letter, who accompanies Sultan Idris of Perak on the invitation of His Majesty's Government, to witness the Coronation.

I take this opportunity to again convey to you my heartfelt thanks for the kind assistance you have rendered to me in having worked for my release from the Seychelles. This is a debt of gratitude which it would be impossible for me to pay.

I am sorry to tax your kindness. I still solicit further help from you during this "Year of grace," the year of the Coronation of the King. I would even feel grateful if you would take this opportunity to approach His Majesty's Government and use your powerful influence and those of your friends to intercede for my freedom.

I have been in exile for 24 years. Whether I merit such treatment or not Heaven knows. I now seek for freedom and desire to return to my country, not to reside there entirely, but to be at liberty to go in and out as any free man.

Trusting you and your family are in good health, and with kind regards to all.

On the various occasions when H. H. visited the Seychelles he always had interesting conversations with the deposed Sultan. One year Abdullah presented him with a wonderful collection of walking-sticks made of carved ivory and cinnamon wood. For