The American envoy having publicly spoken of the President’s letter, and his appointment, it cannot longer be a secret.
The envoy when in Sarawak, congratulated me on the success of my endeavours for the suppression of piracy and proposed a convention between the two nations on the liberal basis, giving to the flag of Sarawak, the same privilege in the parts of the United States, as the American flag and vice versa. Commentary: James Brooke had already noted American interest in the region upon the arrival of an American warship in 1845.
Brooke spoke of a letter sent to him from the President of the United States addressing him as the ruler of Sarawak, an acknowledgement of the independent status of Sarawak under his authority. The confirmation that the United States was prepared to pursue diplomatic relations with Brunei and other States in the region was affirmed with a treaty concluded between the United States and Brunei on 23rd June, 1850.
A similar treaty between Brooke and the United States allegedly made in May 1849 had not been verified.
THE FORMATION OF THE SUPREME COUNCIL Sarawak Supreme Council was es tabl i shed by James Brooke on 17th October, 1855. The Supreme Council met once a month to discuss matters in connection with the welfare and administration of Sarawak.
It was an established rule that in this Council, the European members should not outnumber the native members.
Commentary: A full historical account of the Supreme Council sittings cannot be produced, with the minutes of the meetings gone missing though there was evidence pointing to the Supreme Council still having meetings until the promulgation of Sarawak Constitution in 1941.
