The authorities sat in council on our arrival. John Company had had trouble with different chiefs. In 1830 the Rajah of Nanning, Dool Sayd, was in rebellion, in which he was abetted by neighbouring petty chiefs. He had then seized territory adjoining our settlement of Malacca. The following year the Company despatched a force of 5000 men. It was not successful, and they had to retire on Malacca, leaving two six-pounder brass guns in the jungle. The province of Nanning, distant from the coast, was only reached by river. Authorities decided that, while the troops prepared to advance by land, our boats were to blockade the rivers Lingghi, Moowar, and Kissang, embracing some sixty miles of coast. Here is the copy of my first order: “By James Hanway Plumridge, Esq. Capt. of His Majesty’s Ship _Magicienne_, and Senior Officer, Malacca. The Government having resolved upon the blockading the rivers Lingy, Moowar, and Kissang, and issued proclamation thereof. You are hereby required and directed after visiting the boats named in the margin and taking care to see they are provided with arms, ammunition, stores, and provisions for eight days for their several crews, to proceed to the entrance of the Moowar river and there remain till further orders. Should boats persist in endeavouring to force their way down, or do not return without gunshot, you will detain them, landing their guns on shore except the person in charge, and send their boats to Malacca. All proas and boats are in the first instance to be warned off, and informed the river is under blockade both ways; and it is my direction that you use all the diligence and means in your power to keep the said river in a complete and effectual state of blockade. I rely on your forbearance and vigilance in the execution of these duties, and have little doubt you will acquit yourself as much to my satisfaction as when last on detached service. Given under my hand on board His Majesty’s Ship _Magicienne_ at Malacca this 10th day of June 1832. (Signed) HANWAY PLUMRIDGE, Capt. To Lieutenant the Honble. Henry Keppel, of His Majesty’s Ship _Magicienne_.” I felt much interest in this small expedition. My force consisted of the _Diamond_, hired schooner, mounting four noisy brass guns; she also carried a four-oared gig for my particular use. Besides this, there was a schooner-rigged pinnace and seven man-of-war boats. We were attended from Malacca by a mixture of Dutch, Portuguese, and Malays, in various floating craft. A larger river, the Lingghi, to the eastward, was commanded by Hutton. The line of coast blockaded extended sixty miles. Before taking up my blockading position, we had a ceremonious visit to pay the chief whose rivers we were about to occupy.