Map to illustrate the Siamese question.

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" the general instructions I had received, to adopt the measures,
"apparently best calculated to ensure the speedy return of peace
" and prosperity to Pahang, measures demanded alike by the calls
"of humanity, and by the interests of the Settlement entrusted to
" my charge.
" 4. For upwards of four years, the influence of Great Britain,
" as the paramount power in this quarter, has been strenuously
" exerted to preserve the peace of the Malay Peninsula, seriously
" endangered by the civil war, by which the neighbouring country
" of Pahang has been so long devastated, the line of policy adopted
"had at last proved perfectly successful, and that unfortunate
" State, owing to our exertions, had for some months enjoyed the
"blessings of repose, when, consequent on the action taken by the
" authorities at Bangkok, the effect of our labours became entirely
" nullified, Pahang again became convulsed, and, in the case of its
" miserable inhabitants, to the sufferings engendered by the war" fare, of which their country had for the fifth time become the
" theatre, were added those of famine, caused by the seizure by
" their invaders of their rice lands, and the prohibition on the part
" of the Sultan of Trngganu, against the exportation of grain for
" their use.
"5. From the correspondence that had taken place during the
" previous year, as well as from the representations of the Sultan
"of Trcngginu, there could be little doubt that the Siamese Gov" ernment must have been perfectly well aware of the probable
'" result of the appearance of the ex-Sultan of Lingga in the
" vicinity of Pahang, whilst it is extremely difficult to believe that
" that result, if not actually planned, was not, at all events, con" templated with satisfaction.
"6. Although no time was lost in calling upon the Court at
" Bangkok to adopt immediate measures to prevent the anticipated
" attack upon Pahang, and His Excellency the Viceroy and Gov" ernor-General did not fail to express his displeasure at the con" duct of the Siamese Authorities, the repeated remonstrances of
" this Government were allowed to remain almost entirely uin"heeded; it is true that promises, in the first instance somewhat
" vague, but latterly more definite, were given that the ex-Sultan
Sshould be re-called, but no steps were taken for fulfilling the
" engagement, whilst, from information derived from other sources,
"there was every reason to suppose that its fulfilment would be
" purposely evaded, until the setting in of the Northerly Monsoon
" should afford a plausible excuse for their refusal to accede to
" our just demands.
"7. An acquaintance of upwards of a quarter of a century
" with the duplicity of the Oriental character, soon convinced me
" of the illusory nature of the promises that had been wade, still
" I trusted that, finding the British Government determined upon