WCP7116

[1]¹

Burrator. Meavy W Tavistock.

Sept. 22^nd 1862.

My dear Brooke.

I need scarcely touch on the subjects mentioned in your letter of June 26^th — as events have so entirely changed everything. I had great hopes once when I found M^r Layard² strongly for the cession of Sarawak to England, and Lord Russell³ favourable, but since hearing of Mr Gladstone's⁴ sharp opposition to any further expense being incurred by England I fear any very decisive results need not be anticipated. But I do not think it very material — If the Government grant recognition, it will be a great step in the right direction, and as all chance of the Belgium business coming to anything is past. Sarawak can go on in her own way and develope quietly. I do not find many people interested in Sarawak itself, but I find numbers who think the Rajah⁵ has been disgracefully treated, and among them are the present Ministers: the latter say therefore we should like to do something for him, and their interest appears to end there. Indifference appears to me to be the order of the day, and ignorance as profound as it can be. Since I went down with Mr Abel Smith⁶ to Richmond to see Lord Russell last December, I have had little or nothing to do with the business but I [2] hear how things progress and I know that the recognition is to be settled shortly either for or against. I told you in my last that the Duke of Brabant⁷ asked me to write him a memoir on the subject of Sarawak, which I promised to do, but being a Government Officer I was obliged to ask permission of the Foreign Office — I therefore wrote to Lord Russell's secretary⁸ mentioning what had occurred and though I ^have sent my note above three weeks I have as yet had no answer. — M^r Abel Smith mentioned the Duke's request to Mr Layard, who answered directly "Tell Mr S^t John he must on no account do it, without the direct permission of Lord Russell. — Upon[?] what I wrote to M^r Layard and told him of the great interest shown by the Duke and mentioned my note to M^r Elliot⁹. — But Lord Russell is in Germany and M^r Layard is in Italy, so that nothing is stirring at this moment. The very fact that Belgium is showing this interest may rouse[?] a dog[?] in the manger[?] sort of feeling in the British Government and for that reason I entered into the subject. My observations appear contradictory saying Belgium has an interest in the subject and yet that that business is at an end: but I hold by the latter as if Sarawak were handed over to Belgium, the people would be unused[?] to the conditions of serfs round[?] there [3] is a meanness about their ideas which is inconceivable.

Now about the Sugar Company — I have long been urging on Crookshank¹⁰ the absolute necessity of having a European superintendent, and I hear from him he will send for one directly the machinery arrives. I have the greatest confidence in our future pursuits[?] and hope you will take the other ten[?] shares as I am quite ready to do: in fact I hope ere this reaches you that my rents will have covered my liabilities.

I think you will like Mr Houghton¹¹, he is a cheerful pleasant fellow, and can work. I have not met Mr Rodwell¹². I never did think much of Paul¹³ and your character of him really coincides with what I had previously heard remarked of him during your voyage out. If you want a new man in the course of a year or two, there is my cousin¹⁴, the son of the Surgeon at Montecute [sic] (D^r Hansard¹⁵) who is anxious to join you: but as yet I know nothing of him, except that he's reported to be a pleasant and gentlemany[?] fellow with a good education. — I will make some inquiries about him before I leave.

I should not much trouble myself about the Rajah's gloomy views: they have been gloomy for the last five years and none of his prophecies have come to pass, and after all they will not in any way affect the country. I myself cannot conceive anyone daring[?] to change the status of Sarawak. [4] It is as Wallace says (who is sitting opposite to me at this moment) a unique thing in the world, and if the Gov[ernmen]^t acknowledge you and give you an increased[?] support I can conceive nothing more worthy a man's ambition than to be the Ruler of a Small State, with the fair prospect of its gradually increasing. It is useless telling the Rajah this, but I hold that as Sarawak has gone on for twenty years of times full of trouble it has a good chance of going on another twenty. with increased prospects of success. I look upon your finances as the only weak point, and everything that entails unproductive expenditure (as wars and warlike interventions) should be avoided, while every scheme which is likely to develope the resources of the country and with that the revenue should be encouraged. — I hope to hear of your German D^r Seltley[?]¹⁶ in Sarawak and perhaps we may find him as you say a good fellow and fitter to be mixed up with our Sugar Scheme. — Don't you be depressed by any one and I am sure there is a bright future for Sarawak. — I am glad you tore up that letter to Lord Russell, as I don't think it would have done any good at present: I sent in to the Foreign Office my scheme for suppressing piracy, but no notice has been taken of it — but yet one never knows what effect it may have had.

Ever affectionately yours | Spenser S^t John [signature]

J[ohn] Brooke Brooke Esq.