having already been informed that the said
letter was a requisition for me to assist in putting down the hordes
of pirates who had so long infested the coast. I believe many of those
present, especially the Borneons, to have been casually concerned,
if not deeply implicated, in some of their transactions. After I had
taken my seat with Mr. Brooke at the head of the table, the rajah's
sword-bearers entered, clearing the way for the huge yellow canopy,
under the shade of which, on a large brass tray, and carefully sewn
up in a yellow silk bag, was the letter, from which it was removed,
and placed in my hands by the Pangeran Budrudeen. I opened the bag
with my knife, and giving it to an interpreter, he read it aloud
in the Malayan tongue. It was variously received by the audience,
many of whose countenances were far from prepossessing.

The following is a copy of the letter, to which was affixed the
rajah's seal:

"This friendly epistle, having its source in a pure mind,
comes from Rajah Muda Hassim, next in succession to the royal
throne of the kingdom of Borneo, and who now holds his court at
the trading city of Sarawak, to our friend Henry Keppel, head
captain of the war-frigate belonging to her Britannic Majesty,
renowned throughout all countries--who is valiant and discreet,
and endowed with a mild and gentle nature:

"This is to inform our friend that there are certain great pirates,
of the people of Sarebus and Sakarran, in our neighborhood,
seizing goods and murdering people on the high seas. They have
more than three hundred war-prahus, and extend their ravages even
to Banjarmassim; they are not subject to the government of Bruni
(Borneo); they take much plunder from vessels trading between
Singapore and the good people of our country.

"It would be a great service if our friend would adopt measures
to put an end to these piratical outrages.

"We can present nothing better to our friend than a kris, such
as it is.

"20th day of Rahial Akhir, 1257."

To which I sent the following reply:--

"Captain Keppel begs to acknowledge the receipt of the Rajah
Muda Hassim's letter, representing that the Dyaks of Sarebus and
Sakarran are the pirates who infest the coast of Borneo, and do
material damage to the trade of Singapore.

"Captain Keppel will take speedy measures to suppress these and
all other pirates