Map to illustrate the Siamese question.

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same cause, was forced upon me in 1861, and would again have
been pursued in the present year, had I not trusted in the good
faith of the Siamese Government, and fully believed, that upon being made acquainted with the state of affairs in the Peninsula, no
delay would be allowed in retrieving the error that had been committed, and withdrawing the ex-Sultan of Lingga from the scene
of his intrigues; I need not refer you to the dates of my numerous letters* on this subject, suffice it is so that in consequence of
your earnest representation, on the 30th September, a distinct
promise was made for the withdrawal of the ex-Sultan, whilst it
was not until the 8th of November, that you received a letter to
the effect that a Steamer would be prepared for the purpose of
carrying out that promise, it being, however, at the same time
specially mentioned, that the Northerly Monsoon having set in,
it was quite possible that communication with Trengganu might
be barred, and her voyage therefore prove utterly fruitless.
4th. After allowing full time for the despatch of a vessel from
Bangkok, and knowing equally with the Court at Bangkok that,
during the Northerly Monsoon, the surf over the bars at the
mouths of the Rivers in the Peninsula often, for weeks tegether,
runs too high to admit of any communication with the shore, it became my duty, as I had previously clearly intimated, to take the
necessary measures for protecting British interests, and preserving
the peace of the Peninsula. The best means for effecting this purpose was evidently the removal of the known instigator of the existing disturbance. Had this been permitted by the Sultan of Trcngginu, he would have been duly conveyed to Bangkok with all proper consideration and respect, and as this course would have been
in strict accordance with the avowed wishes of the King of Siam, it
must have met with his Majesty's approbation. That it was not
pursued is not to be ascribed to any fault on the part of the British
authorities, but to the refusal of the Sultan of Trengganu
to accede to our just demand, it was therefore evident that
he identified himself with the policy of the ex-Sultan, and
in conformity with orders received, it became necessary
for the Senior Naval Officer to neutralize, as far as
practicable, all intentions of affording assistance to the invaders of Pahang by bombarding his fort, thus destroying any
Magazines or Store-rooms therein contained, and effectually depriving him of all power of furnishing further supplies of arms and
ammunition. Of this intended bombardment, due notice was given
with the hope of inducing the inhabitants of the Town to leave the
neighbourhood, and thus preventing their suffering from the mis* Governor CAVENAGH repeatedly protested against the action
and interference of Siam, but I have not thought it necessary to
quote more than these two letters.-F. A. S.