1878: Grant by the Sultan of Sulu

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THE DEED OF 1878

(TRANSLATED FROM A DOCUMENT WRITTEN IN ARABIC

CHARACTERS FOUND IN WASHINGTON)

Signature of Sultan                                                                                                            Official seal of the

Mohammed Jamalul Alam                                                                                                      Sultan of Sulu

GRANT BY THE SULTAN OF SULU OF A PERMANENT

LEASE COVERING HIS LANDS AND TERRITORIES

ON THE ISLAND OF BORNEO

DATED JANUARY 22, 1878

We, Sri Paduka Maulana Al Sultan MOHAMMED JAMALUL ALAM, son of Sari Paduka Marhum Al Sultan MOHAMMED PULALUM, Sultan of Sulu and of all dependencies thereof on behalf of ourselves and for our heirs and successors, and with the expressed desire of all value in common agreement, do hereby desire to lease, of our own free will and satisfaction to Gustavus Baron de Overbeck of Hong Kong, and to Alfred Dent Esquire of London, who act as representatives of a British Company together with their heirs, associates, successors, and assigns forever and until the end of time, all rights and powers which we possess over all territories and lands tributary to us on the mainland of the Island of Borneo, commencing from the Pandasan River on the east, and therefore along the whole east coast as far as the Sibuku on the south including all territories on the Pandasan River and in the coastal area, known as Paitan, Sugut, Banggai, Labuk, Sandakan, China-batangan, Mumiang, and all other territories and coastal lands to the south including of Darvel Bay, and as far as the Sibuku River, together with all the islands which lie within nine miles from the coast.

In considerations of this (territorial?) lease, the honorable Gustavus Baron de Overbeck and Alfred Dent Esquire, promise to pay His Highness Maulana Sultan Mohammed Jamalul Alam and to his heirs and successors, the sum of five thousand dollars annually, to be paid cash and every year.

The above mentioned territories are from today truly leased  to Mr. Gustavus Baron de Overbeck and to Alfred Dent Esquire, as already said, together with their heirs, their associates (company) and to their successors and assigns for as long as they choose or desire to use them; but the rights and powers hereby issued shall not be transferred to another nation, or a company of other nationality, without the consent of their Majestic's Government.

Should there be any dispute, or reviving of aid grievances of any kind between me, and our heirs and successors, with Mr. Gustavus Baron de Overbeck or his company, then the matter will be brought for consideration or judgment in their Majestic's Consul-General in Brunei.

Moreover, if His Highness Maulana Sultan Mohammed Jamalul Alam, and his heirs and successors, become involved in any trouble or difficulties hereafter, the said honorable Mr. Gustavus Baron de Overbeck and his company promise to give aid and advice to us within the extent of their ability.

This letter is written in Sulu, at the Palace of the Sultan Mohammed Jamalul Alam on the 19th day of the month of Muharram, A. H. 1295 that is on the 22nd day of the month of January, year of 1878.
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