Arrival of Captain Bethune and Mr. Wise.--Mr. Brooke appointed her Majesty's Agent in Borneo.--Sails for Borneo Proper.--Muda Hassim's measures for the suppression of piracy.--Defied by Seriff Houseman.--Audience of the Sultan, Muda Hassim, and the Pangerans.--Visit to Labuan.--Comparative eligibility of Labuan and Balambangan for settlement.--Coal discovered in Labuan.--Mr. Brooke goes to Singapore and visits Admiral Sir T. Cochrane.--The upas-tree.--Proceeds with the Admiral to Borneo Proper.--Punishment of Pangeran Usop.--The battle of Malludu.--Seriff Houseman obliged to fly.--Visit to Balambangan.--Mr. Brooke parts with the Admiral, and goes to Borneo Proper.--An attempt of Pangeran Usop defeated.--His flight, and pursuit by Pangeran Budrudeen.--Triumphant reception of Mr. Brooke in Borneo.--Returns to Sarawak. "_February 25th._--Borneo River, H.M.S. Driver. Scarcely, on the 17th, had I finished writing, when a boat from her majesty's steamer Driver, bringing Captain Bethune and my friend Wise, arrived. How strange, the same day, and almost the same hour, I was penning my doubts and difficulties, when a letter arrives from Lord Aberdeen appointing me confidential agent in Borneo to her majesty, and directing me to proceed to the capital, with a letter addressed to the sultan and the Rajah Muda Hassim, in reply to the documents requesting the assistance of the British government to effect the suppression of piracy. "My friend Wise I was glad to see, and a few hours' conversation convinced me how greatly I have been indebted to his exertions for success and my present position. His knowledge of trade, his cheerfulness regarding our pecuniary future, all impart confidence. Thus I may say, without much self-flattery, that the first wedge has been driven which may rive Borneo open to commerce and civilization, which may bestow happiness on its inhabitants. Captain Bethune is commissioned to report on the best locality for a settlement or station on the N.W. coast. I will only say here that no other person's appointment would have pleased me so well: he is intelligent, educated, and liberal, and in concert with him I am too happy to work. "On the 18th of February the Driver arrived; on the 21st left Sarawak, and at noon of the 24th arrived at the anchorage in Borneo river, having towed the gun-boat against the N.E. monsoon. Mr. Williamson was dispatched to Borneo, and found all right. They were delighted with our coming and our mission, and the sultan himself has laid aside his fears. A few presents have been sent, which will delight the natives, and all will prosper. "_26th._--Budrudeen arrived, and from him I learned the politics of Borneo since my last visit, when Muda Hassim was reinstated in authority.