Political will of 2nd Rajah Charles Brooke, 16 December, 1913.
And finally, for the better administration of the Government and affairs of the country which covers so large and extent and considering that two heads are better than one to weigh the business that will come before the Rulers of Sarawak also being aware that my eldest son Vyner and his wife will be unable to spend so much of their time in Sarawak as I have done I hereby having regard to the above consideration appoint my second son Bertram to hold a position in authority in the Raj second only to that of my eldest son Vyner and I direct that my son Bertram shall carry out the duties of Rajah and administer the Government of the State during such times as my son Vyner may be in England or absent from Sarawak and that my son Bertram shall hold the position of Vice President in the Supreme Council and other Councils of Sarawak and be President of the Advisory Council in Westminster when he is not in Sarawak and that during his absence in Sarawak the member of the Advisory Council Senior in point of view of his previous service in Sarawak shall replace my son Bertram as President of the Council. I furthermore urgently enjoin that no material developments or changes in the State or in the Government thereof and no new works such as public works and buildings estates railways or waterways and other extensions that may from time to time be required shall be initiated by my son Vyner without first consulting my son Bertram. I also direct that my son Bertram shall at times when residing in Sarawak have free admittance to and use of the Astana with its table and other furniture and it is my wish that the Government European and Native Officers as well as the inhabitants shall pay him the same respect as is shown to his eldest brother. I raise my second son to this position hoping that he will by his extended experience be an additional safeguard against adventures and speculators who would desire to make profits out of the country without regard to its real welfare. And I fervently hope that my two sons will see the necessity of acting together to keep intact and develop the resources of the country which has been brought to this present state by myself and my faithful followers after so many years of devotion to it. The two together and I persuaded will have the necessary power to carry out the project in view and it is my firm belief that it will require both of them working hand and heart together to keep the edifice on a firm base more espevially in these times when speculators are always seeking for some new place to exploit in a money making sense when the white man comes to the fore and the dark coloured is thrust to the wall and when capital rules and justice ceases, whereas the main consideration should be an honest and upright protection afforded to all races alike and particularly to the weaker ones. I furthermore direct that on my death when my successor is proclaimed my second son Bertram shall by the Supreme Council in Sarawak be given the title of Tuan Besar and thenceforth shall be known by that title. With these as my last wishes I bid my two sons Adieu and may they both prosper.
Commentary: The political will of Rajah Charles Brooke made in his capacity as Rajah of Sarawak named his successor Vyner Brooke but with a caveat that ‘no material development or changes in the State or in the Government thereof’ shall be carried out without first consulting his younger Bertram. Charles Brooke spent long periods away from Sarawak and in his absence, Bertram administered Sarawak and was addressed as Tuan Besar. Later it would turn out, in disregard of Charles Brooke’s political will, Rajah Vyner Brooke would sign over the cession of Sarawak to Britain without consulting Bertram.
