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•

THE OIF-r OF

Midigm
JWam.

»„T--' «€:HMTI« VHI««

'.I

■

T H B

HISTORY OF SUMATRA,

Containing

An Account of the GOVERNMENT, LAWS,

CUSTOMS, and MANNERS

Of the

NATIVE INHABITANTS,

With

A Description of the NATURAL PRODUCTIONS,

And

A Relation of the ANCIENT POLITICAL STATE

Of that

N D.

WILLIAM M A R S D E N. F. R. S.

Late SECRETARY to the PRESIDENT and COUNCtL

Of FORT MARLBOROUGH.

THE SECOND EDITION.

LONDON:

Printed for the AUTHOR, and Sold by Thomas Payne and Son, Mews'Gate;
BKM)AM»ir Whxtk, FkH'Jlreeti James Robsom, Iftvi Stmi-Jlrat; P. Elmslt,
Strmii hnon tad Sot m»YfT»ri'JlrtetCiveMtGM'^iii and J. Sewkll, 0»A(^.

M DCC LXXXIV.

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. /I

PR E F A C E.

X HE ifland of Sumatra, whIcK, in point of fituation and ex-
tent, holds a confpicuous rank on the terraqueous globe, and is

• *

fUrpaffed by few in the bountiful indulgences 6f nature, has in
all ages been unaccountably negle^ed by writers ;' iAfomuch,

• 4

that it is at this day lefs known, as to the interior parts more
efpecially, than the remoteft ifland of modern difcovery ; al-

though it has been conftantly reforted to by Europeans, for fome
centuries, and the English have had a regular eftablifliment there,
for the laft hundred years. It is true that the commercial im-
portance of Sumatra has much declined. It is no longer the Em«
porium of Eaftern riches, whither the traders of the Weft re-
ported with their cargoes, to exchange them for the precious
merchandize of the Indian Archipelago: nor does it boaft now

the political confequence it acquired, when the rapid progrefs of

the Portuguefe fucceffes there firft received a check. That enter-

A prizing ptople, who caufed fo many kingdoms to fhrink from the

terror of their arms, met with nothing but difgrace in their
attempts againft Acheen, whofe monarchs made them tremble
in their turns. Yet ftill the importance of this ifland, in the eye

» _

|[ of the natural hiftorian, has continued undiminifhdd, and has

equally at all periods, laid claim to an attention, that does nor

appear, at any, to have been paid to it.

A z The

^'•Mi.;

iv PREFACE.

The Portuguefe being better warriors than philofophers^ and
more eager to conquer nations, than to explore their manners
or antiquities^ it is not furprizing that they {hoi4d have been
unable tofurnifh the world with any particular and juft defcrip-
tion of a country, which they muft have regarded with an evil
eye. j The Dutch, were tho next- people frcnn whom we had a
right, to expert informationt They . had an . early intercoqrfe
with the ifland, and have at different time? fprnxed fettlemcnt&

in almoft every, part, of it ; but they ^arc almoft filent witk

• •• ^...» . . -.Jill ,>....

(^ ,

refpedl to its hiflpry.. This might perhaps, be .popularly ac*
counted for^ from the fuppoftd hebetude of their national
gharafter, or their attachment to gain, which is apt to divert,
the mind from all liberal purfuits, ; But I believe the true
reafon is to be found, in the jealous policy^ of their commercial
fyftem, which Jeems it matter of expediency to prohibit the
publication of apy refearches, that might tend to throw a light
on the fpuroes of their profit, and, draw the attention of the reft.
of the world. But to what caufc are we to afcribe the remiflhefs
^f our own CQuntryii^eo, whofe opportunities have been equal to.
thofe of jheir pre^eceffors or cotempojaries ? It feems difficult
ta account for it, but the fad is, that,, except a (hort iketch of

» o

the manners prevailing in a .particular diftridt of the ifland,.
pobliflied in the Philofophical Tranfadtiona of the year 1778,.
not one page of information refpeding the inhabitants of Su-
matra, has been communicated to the public^ by any Englifh-

man who has refided ihere# •

PREFACE. V

To form a general and tolerably accurate account of this
country and its inhabitants, is a work attended with great and
peculiar difficulties. The neceiTary information is not to be pro^
cured from the people theinfelv^e^) whofe knowledge and inqui-
ries are to the laft degree confined, fcarcely extending beyond
the bounds of the diftrid where they firft drew breath ; and but
very raxdy have the almofl impervious woods of Sumatra been
penetrated) to any confiderable diftance from the fea coaft, by
Europeans ; whofe obfervations liave been then imperfed:;
trufted perhaps to memory only ; or if committed to paper, loft
to the world by their deaths. Other difficulties arife from the
extraordinary diverfity of national diftinj£tions, which, under
a great variety of independent governments, divide this ifland in
many directions 1 atxd yet not from their number, merely, nor
from the diffimilarity in their ]^guages or mlQQers does the em^

barraiTmeat entirely proceed : the local divifions are perplexed and
uncertain ; the extent of jurifdidion of the various potentates is
inaccurately defined ; fettlers from different countries, and at dif-«
ferent periods, have introduced an irregular, though powerful
influence, that fuperfedes in fbme places the authority of the
efiablifhed governments, and impofes a real dominion on the
Batives, where a nominal one is not afiumed. This» in a courfe
of years, is produAive of innovations that deftroy the originality
.and genuinenefs of their cun;oms and manners, obliterate ancient
diftinftions, stnd render confufed the path of an inveftigator.

Thcfc

P R B F A C R

Thefe obje£tions> which feem to have hiherto proved unfur*
mountable v^^ith fuch as might have been incUoed to attempt
aa hiftory of Sumatra^ would alfo have deterred me from aa
undertaking apparently fo arduoas ; had I not refieded^ that
thofe clrcumftaoces in which confifled the principal difficultyt
were in fa£t the leaft intepefting to the public^ and of the leaft
utility in themfelves. It is of but fmall importance to de-
termine with precifion» whether a few villages on this or that
particular river, belong to one petty chief or to anodier ; whether
fuch a nation is divided into a greater or lefler number of tribes ;
or which of two neighbouring powers originally did homage to
the other for its title. Hiftory is only to be prised, as it tends
to improve our knowledge of mankind» to which fuch invef-
tigatioas contribute in a very fmall degree. I have there-
fore attempted rather to give a comprehenfive, than a cir-
£umftaatial defcription of the diviiions of the country into its
irarious governments { ainung at a more particular detail^ in what
fefpefks the cuftomsj opinions, artSf and induftry of the original
Inhabitants, in their moft genuine ftate. The interefts of the Eu-
ropean powers who have eftabliihed themielves on the iiland ;
the hiftory of their fettlements, and of the revolutions of their
commerce, I have not coniidered as forming a part of my plan f
but thefe fubjeds, as conneded with the accounts of the native
inhabitants, and the hiftory of their governments, are occafio*
iually introduced^

I was

PREFACE. vii

I wa* principal^, encouraged to this undertaking by the pr<>-
mife&ef affiHaace I received from fome ingenious, and very
highly efteemed hknd$, who reiided with me on Sumatra. It
has alfo been urged to me here in England, that as the fubjed is
altogedliier new^ it is a duty incumbent on me, to lay the infor*
qaation 1 am in po£kflioo of, however defective, before the public,
who will not objcd to its being circumfcribed, whilfl its authen-
ticifi)r ramaikns unimpeachable. This lail quality is that which I
can with>t^ saoft confidence take upon me to vouch for* The
greateft portion of what I have deicribed, has faUei^ within the
fcope of my own immediate obfervation ; the remainder is either
matter of common notoriety to every perfbn reiiding on the ifland,

or received upon the concurring authority of gentlemen, whofe
fituation in the Eafl India Company's fervice; long acquaintance

With the natives s extenfive knowledge of their language, ideas,
and manners; and refpe^ability of charadler, render them wor-
thy of the moft implicit faith that can be given to human
tcftimony.

I have been the more fcrupuloufly tX2uQ: in this particular, be*

caufc my view was not, ultimately, to write an entertaining book,.

to which the marvellous might be thought not a little to contri^
bute, but fincerely and confcientioufly to add the fmall portion in

my power, to the general knowledge of the age ;. to throw fome

glimmering light on the path of the naturalift ; and more efpe-

cially to furnifh thofe philofophers, whofe labors have been di-

rcfted to the inveftigation of the hiftory of Man, with fads to

fcrvc

Vlll

P R E E A C E,

* ' . r *

ferve as data in their rieafonihgs; which arc too often rendered
nugatory, and not feldom ridiculonsj Jby aiFuming as truths, the
mifconceptions, or wilful impofitions of travellers. The fludy
of their own fp^ecics is doubtlcfs the moft intcrefting and impor-
tant that can claim the attention of 'mankind i and this fcience,
like all others, it is iinpoffible to improve by abftradl fpteculatioo,
merely. A regular feries of authenticated fa^ts, is what alone
can enable us to rife towards a perfe^ knowledge in it. To have
added one new and firm ftep in this arduous afcent^ is a merit t
Should be proud to boaft of.

TUX

O R

O 9

• •/■

T R

Unkno^tm to the Ancknts^'^Situation^^Name'''^tntral Defcriptiok
of the Country^ its Mountains^ Lakes ^ and Rlvers^^Ait and
Meteors — Mon/bons, and Land and Sea-breezes — Minefdli and
^offUs—Volcdnos — Earthquakes-^Surfs and Tides.

f i\.

I F antiquity holds up to us fome hiod^ls, in ditfcterrt arts tihd Ri
which have been found inhnitable ;' ttie moderns, oft the other hanrd,
have carried their inventions and imptovements^ ih a variety of inttances^
to an extent and a degree df perftflion^ of which the former touM
entertam no ideas. Among thti^ft difoeiveries in Which we have flfcpd-^
far beyond our malllers, there Is iione more ItHkittg, or moft cftihiftitTy
ufeful^ than the tAeim which the ihgetKsity of Ibme^ and the ^s^peritocfe
of others, have tat^ht mahkind, of determining with cettainfty ind pre-
cifion the relatite fitvtttton of the various countries of the earth. What
Iras fortneriy the ftbJeSft <rf mere conjcfture> or at beft of vttgvt6 and
Arbitrary cothputfttion^ is n6W the clear refiiltof fettled ru}e> founded
upon principles delnonftratively juft* It only remaini f6r i4te Kberality
of princes and ftates, and the perfevering induflry of litttigatofrs and
travellers, to efTeA the application of thefe means to their proper end^
by continuing to afcertain the unknown and uncertain pofitions of all the
f9k\B of the Worlds which tlie bmrm^ of natisile will aHow the &ill and
induftry of man to approach.

B The

S U M lA i-T R A.

Sumatra «n«
known to the
ancients.

Ceylon proba-
bly their Ta-
probane.

The exteofive and obvioufly Gtuated ifland, which is the fubjeft of
the prefent work, feems, notwithflanding fome obfcure and felf-contra-
diAory p^ffages o/^tolemjMlnd Plinf , to haTC been utterly utitnown to
the Greek or Roman geographers, whofe difcoveries or conjeSures rather,
carried them no farther than Ceylon; which with more fliadow of
probability was their Taprcbane^ thSl Sktnatra^ although that name, during
the middle ages, was uniformly applied to the latter ifland. Whether, in
hSty the appellation of Taprobane, as introduced by the ancients, be-
l<jn^d to any ,^ce really]pxifting, \%s. queftioiTifil^ich afFoF^ fome r^om
to be fceptical. Obferving that a number of \:ommodities, not produced
in Europe, came from an iiland or iflands in the fuppofed extremity of the
eaft, whofe iituaGbn Ihif WWe IjgnofilTf cf,'^tlK'y'poffibly might thence
have been led to place in their charts one of ample extent, which ihould

ihort the various arguments that have been adduced by diferept writers,
in fupportof the pretenfions of any particular ifland to. that celebrated
name* The idea of Sumatra being the couotry ot Of bir, whither Solomon
fent his fleets, is too vague, and the fubje<ft wrapt in aVeilof too remote
antiquity, to admit difcuffion.* In times much later, ^ the identity of
Sumatra, as defcrihed or alluded to by traveller3) appears not a little
equivocal. The Arab travellers who, about the year x 173, penetrated
cdled Ramni into India and China, fpeak of an ifland which they call Ramm^ whofe
vcHcn?^ ^^' defcription coinciding tolerably with t^e real fituation and produdtions of

Sumatra, allows us to conclude, that it was it they defigned. Marco

Paulo, the famous Venetian traveller, whofe writings publiflied in 1269,

though long condemned as idle tales, have many internal marks of au-

Tata Minor by thenticity, defcribcs an ifland which he calls 7^^ Mwr, that appears,

i^rco Paulo. ^^ attentive pcrufai of ilj %clt nannes, and more efpcpially of fon>c

ftriking particulars in the manners pf the people, to be no other tha^
Sumatra, as^ I think, will be ev^den^to any inveftigatpr w^o 19 acquainted
iwith the country. 'f

^ A mounUia in Sumatra it called by tlie name of Ophir ; but ibis hae been given to it by
Sitropeans in modern days. Another near Mafacca islikewife fo named. w

f Oc^ion will b^ talten in tbe^firqueLto flnnin^.intojdie audicntkity ^of'diia cunoui^ l^m
oblcure author's relation.

SUMATRA. 3

At length the expeditions of the Portuguefe in the eaftern feas mad^ this identity deters
ifland known to the reft of the world. They pointed out its fituation and Port^gucL^^
character, with as much accuracy as attended thdr other difcoverics,*
and which the experience of later ages has dctcrmiiied with more prc-
cifion as follows.

Sumatra is ; an ifland in the Eaft Indies; the moft wcftern of thofc situation*
cktfied by gec^raphers under the diftindtion of Sund^f iflands ; and con-
ftitutes^ on t^iat fide, the boundary of the eaftern Archipelago. Its general
direction is nearly north weft and fouth eaft. The equator divides it in
almoft equal parts, the one extremit}' being in five- degrees thirty-three
minutes^ nerth^ an4 the other^ in five degrees fifty*fix minutes fouth
latitude. Fort Marlborough, on the point of land called Ooj$ng Carrang,
ia latitude three degcees forty-fix minutes, fouth, the; ouly place whofe
longitude has been determined by aftual obfervation, is found to lie one
hundred and' two degrees eaft of Greenwich ;-t" but the fituation of Achecn

Head alfo is pretty accurately fixed by computation at ninety-five degrees,

•

thirty-four mimites ;. and the longitudes, in the Straits of Sunda «re
well afcertained by the ihort runs from Batavia, which, city has the,
advantage of an obfervatory. Sumatra lies expofed on the fouth weft
£de to the great Indian Ocean ; thefnprth point ftretches into the bay of
Bengal ; to the north eaft it is. divided from the peninfula of Malarfo by
the Straits of Malacca ; to the eaft by the Straits of Janca, from the
ifland of that name ; to the fouth eaft by the commencement of what
are called the China Seas ; and on the fouth it is bounded by the Straits
of Sunda, which feparate it from the ifland of Java.^

# See Oforius : "De Burbt : Do Couto. '
' t Preparatory to an obfervation of the' tnmlit of the plantt Venus oyer the fun's diic* in
June 1769, Mr. Robert Nairne detcrmiaed the longitude of Fort Marlborough* by eclipfes of
Jupiter's fateliitesy to be 10 1^* 41'. 43^. eaft from London; which was afterwards corre£ted by
ihe Aflronomer Royal to 102^.

X A tradition, tdcen notice of by feveral writers, prerailed, that Sumatra was anciently a part
of the conunenrt ot Afia* A^Iaftus fays, ** 2a infula, a feptentrione in aufirum oblique porre6la,
ab .continfipte» in qu& Malacca urbs eft, angufto et periculofo dividitur mari $ atque oh id ipfum,
peninfula quondam credita eft." John de Barros likcwife (peaks of Sumatra, as what theVmcient
geographers called the Aurea Cherfonefus } thihking it td be a continiiatipn of tlie continent.
Yartomanos dcfciihef the ftmiuof Malacca at a great .riter* • • ,

B a 'The

Kamct

4 S U M A T R A.

Tlv? iv^me of ^^ S/ipiatra^^ hy vshich thi& Ulan4 haa been called in latter
dmes> WiAg unkaawn to the thative% who indeed ^e ignorant that it
h an i^t}id«, and h^ve no general nana^ whatever for it^ I have been le4
to take, oirvich tf ouUe, {^a4 to purfue a tnope laborious inveitig^tioa than
the importance of the obje<5t demanded, in order to deduce the origin of
the appellation, or to learn, frcon whom the Portuguefe, who in their
earlieft wrrtings call it nearly by that name, adopted it, in place of the
more ancient one of Taprobane. It has by them, aa4 th(i Yoys^rs of
other nations, been fiicceffively ipek, Samoferra^ S amol ^a^ C^ganatra^
Zamatray Zamara^ SumoSra^ Sam&fra, Somatra, SamOra^ and lafily
Sumatra. I mufl acknowledge that in the event of my fefeiu«h> I ob»
tained but little fatisfadion, unlefs it may be efteemed Aich, to havo
perceived that feverai others had attempted it with the fame fuccefs*
The Arabians, wfio before the Portuguefe, were the greattft navigators
of the Indian feas, appear to have diftinguifhed it by the various natnes
of Alramif Rami, or Ramni, Lameriy SoVarmttb^ or Sobormabj Sanumdar^
and Jzihain, or Azebani; or eNe thefe names belong to diflferent iflands
in t^at part of the world, which from their fimilarity of ppodu^ons, and
vicinity of fituation, have been nviftaken for each othe^. SamatuUr bean
ibme refemblance to the modem name, but it is defcribed by the Nubian
geographer, Edrefi, as lying near to^ (he river Gmges. The Africans
are faid to call it At^ambA. Moniieur D'Anvitle, whoie 2(uthority
ihould be of confiderable weight, if the fubjeft was not fo very obfcure,
is con6dent that the JabadU mfiUs of Ptolemy, is Sumatra, though
pfually fuppofed to reprefent Java. The commentators of Arriaa ai&rt
jthat this ifland is defigned by the infula Simmdi, vel f^Ufinmnii of that
writer, in his periplus maris Erytbrai. Odoricus^ a friarj^ who in the
year 1331 Vifited fonfie of the Indian iflands, fpeaksof Java and Somalia ^
which name feems a kind of middle term between that given it by
Arrian and the modern one of Sumatra^ and may poflibly be the true
etymology* Relandus, an able investigator of eaHrecn aatiqyities, fays
that it is called Sumatra, from a certmn high land named ^ Samadr^'\
which he fuppofes to fignify, in the language of the country, «* magna
formica^* i but though ther^ i$ no fcarcity of larg^ ants in the ifla order to procure frelh water there, attraded
Vy its appearance from the fea } but the boat was loft in the furf, and the crew drowned.

C allowuig

Air.

JO SUMATRA.

allowing them fpace to accumulate to any coniiderable fize. On the
eaftern coaft^ the diftance of the range of hills not only affords a larger
fcope for the courfe of the rivers before they dilembogue ; prefents a
greater furface for the receptacle of rain and vapors ; and enables them
to unite a greater number of fubfidiary ftreams ; but alfo renders the
flux more fteady and Uniforn^ by the extent of level fpace, than where
the torrent rolls more immediately from the mountains. But it is not
to be underftood that on the weftcrn fide thereare no large rivers. Gi^-
tawny Indrapour^ Tabooyongy and Sinkelt have a claim to that title, although
inferior in fize to Pahmbangy Jambeey Indergerecy Racarty and Battoo Bara.
The latter derive alfo a material advantage from the flielter given
them by the peninfula of iWii/i^rrtf, and Borneo, Banca and the other iil'ands
of the Archipelago, which breaking the force of the fea, prevent the
farf from throwing up thofe banks of fand that choke the entrance
of the fouth weftern rivers, and render them impradticable to boats of
any draught of water. Thefe labor too under this additional inconve-
nience, that fcarce any, except the largeft, run out to fea in a direft
courfe. The continual aflion of the furf, more powerful than the ordr-
nary force of the ftream, throws up at their mouths a bank of fand, which
diverts their courfe to a direction parallel with the fliore, between the
cliffs and the beach, till the accnmirlated water* at length force their
way wherever there is found the weakcft refiftance.* In the fouthcrly
Monfoon, when the . furfs are ufually higheft, and the rivers, from the
drynefs of the weather, leall rapid,, this parallel courfe is at the greateft
extent -, but as the rivers fwell with the rain, they gradually remove
obftruftions and recover their natural channeL

The heat of the air is by no means fo intenfe as might be cxpeftcd,
in a country occupying the middle of the torrid zone. It is more tem-
perate than in many regions without the tropics, the thermometer, at the
moft fultry hour>which is about two in the afternoon, generally fluAuating

« MocQ-Moca river takes acourft, at times, of three- mileSy in this manneri before it mixes
with the fea^

betwcea

SUMATRA. u

between Sz and 85 degrees.* I do not recolledt to have ever feen
it higher than 86 in the fhade. At fun rife it is ufually as low as 70 ;
the fenfation of cold, however, is much greater than this would feem
to indicate, as it occifiona flxivering and a chattering of the teeth ; doubt-
lefs from the greater relaxation of the body, and opennefs of the pores
in that climate j for the fame temperature in England would be efteemed
a conGderablc degree of warmth. Thefe obfervations on the ftate of the
air apply only to the diftridts near the fea coafl, where, from their com*
paratively low fiiuation, and the greater compreffion of the atmofphere,
the fun's rays operate more powerfully. Inland, as the country afcends,
the degree of heat decreafes rapidly, infomuch, that beyond the firft
range of hills, the inhabitants find it expedient to light fires in the morn-
ing, and continue them till the day is advanced, for the purpofe of
warming themfelves % a prad:ice unknown in the other parts of the ifland^
To the cold alfo they attribute the backward nefs in growth of th^
coco*nut tree, which is fometimes twenty or thirty years in coming to

perfection, and often fails to produce fruit. Situations are uni-
formly colder in proportion to their height above the level of the fea,
unlefs where local circumdances, fuch as the neighbourhood of fandy
plains, contribute to produce a contrary cSeA ; but on Sumatra the cool-
nefs of the air is promoted by the quality of the foil, which is clayey,
and the conllant and ftrong verdure that prevails, which, by abforbing the
fun's rays, prevents the effed of their reflection and refradion. The cir-
cumftance of tht iiland being fo narrow contributes alfo to its general
temperateneifs, as wind directly, or recently from the fea is feldom pof>

fefled of any violent degree of heat; which it ufually acquires in paifing
over large tracts of land in the tropical climates. Froft, fnow, and hail

are totally unknown to the inhabitants.ip The amiofphere is in common

• • • ' »

* Ax Odcutia in Bengal, th« thermometer, in tlic hot iealmi, rifesto^a^: «p tbe'ctmntry
fismetimes to lo io in the iiade ] and even after Ton fet it hat been obferred at 9^^. ' •

t The hill people in the country of Lampoon fpeak of a peciUiar kiod of rain that falls there,
which Ibme have fuppofed to be what we call fleet ; but the h& it not fufHcicntly eftabliihed 1
and perhapv what the countrymen mean, ii nothing more than the thick mif^s or clouds that uAially
enoompaft the tvpt of liig|ihUl8» precipitating in rain.

C 2 more

SUMATRA.

more cloudy than in Europe, which is fenfibly perceived, frofti the in*
frequency of clear ftar-light nights. It may proqeed, fcpm the greater
rarefaftion of theair occafioning the clouds to defcend lower aqd become
more opaque, or merely from the ftronger heat e^^haling. from the Und
and fea, a thicker and more plentiful vapor. The fog, called cabojot by
the natives, which rifes every morning between the hills, is dpnfe to a
furprizing degree ; the extremities of it, even when neai: at.ljand, being
perfectly defined; and it feldom is ol^ferved to djfpcrie till, about three
nours after fun rife.

Witerfpout. That extraordinary pha?nomenon, t[> well kno^n, and accurately def-

cribed, the waterfpout, frequently' makes its appe^r^nce in tl^efe parts^
and not feldom on i^ore.^ The largefl: and moft diftinA 1 had ever aa
opportunity of feeing, I met whilft on horfeback. I was fo near it,
jhat the inward gyration, as diffinft from the volunie which furrounded
it, v»s perfectly vifible to nje. It fecmed ta have takcp ttanfe in Ben^
coolen Bay, i^s courfe temling in a dir^djon frpra thenpe ajCXof$ thc
peninfula on wl^ich the f<;ttlement; of Fort Marlborough ftands ; but ^,
bproreit reached the fea on the other lide, it vaniflied by degrees^ without
any confequent fall of w^ter, or other defirudive cfFedt ; colleftingL itfelf
into the body of. the cloud from which it depended..

Thunder and
liightniDg.

Thunder and lightni;c^ are thejre fo very rrejueot, a&^fc?^ cety. , tp- afr
traft the attention of perfons lon^g. refid^nt in. th? CQupjajy* louring, thf
north weft monfoon, the explofipns are exjtreme^y, yioj^nt ; the.fgrked
lightning Ihopts in all diredions, and the whole fky feems op fire; wbilft
the ground is agitated in a d^gr^e, • little inferior to^.tij?^ motion of .an
earthquake. In the fouth. cajft n^fogn, the lightpjijg is ajijore copftapfc
but the corufcations are tefs fierce or bright, and the thunder is fcarcely
audibte* It ibpuld feem that the canfequences of thefe awful meteofs are
not fo fatal there as in Europe ; few inftances occurring of lives bcing^loft,
or buildings deftroyed by the explofions, although eledrical cpndu Aors
have never been employed* Perhaps the paucity of inhabitants, io^prq*
portion to the extent of country, andthe unfubftantial materials of the

houfes,

SUMATRA.

fcouies, may contribute to tliis- obfervatton. I have feen fome trees, bow-
ser, that have, been Mattered on Sumatra by the aAion of lightning,*

Th« caufes which produce a fucseffive variety of feafons jnthe parts of Monfoons.
the earth without the tropics, having no relation or refpe<5l to the region
of the torrid zone^ a different order takes place there, and the year is di-
ftinguifhed into twQ divUions, ufyally qalled the rainy and dry mon«-
foons,-f from the weather peculiar to each. In the feveral parts of
India thefe monfoons are governed by various particular laws, in regard
to the timp of their commencement, period of duration, circumftances
attending their change, and diredion of the prevailing wind, according
to the nature and Qtuation of the lands and coafts where their influence
is felt. The farther peninfula of India, where the kingdom of Siam lies-,
experiences at tl^e fame time the efiedls of oppofite feafons ; the weftem
fide, in the Bay of Bengal, being expc^ed for half the year to continual ^
rains, whilft on the eaftern fide the fincft weather is enjoyed ;. and fo on
the different coails of Indbftan, the mgnfpoua exert their influence at^ «
ternately.; the oqe remaining iereoe wd undiAurbed,. whilft- the other
is agitated by ftorms. Along the coafl: of CoiFpmandel, the ctfaoge, at
breaking up of the monfc^n, ap^ it is. called, is. fitqmi^fy attend^. w^ith<
the mofl violent guiles of wind..

•

On the weA coaft of Sumatra, the S. E. monfoon, or dry feafon,. be'-
gins about May, a|^d flackens in September : the N. W. monfoon
begins about November, and the hard raihs^ceafe about March. Th^
inmSbons for the moft part commence and l^ve- off gradually there;
th^ months of Apcil and Mayi Od^ober and November, generally af&rd^
iilg weather and.windB variable andvmcertaiiK^

The caufes of thefe periodical winds have been inveflagated by feverat Caufeoftiie
able naturalifts^ whofe . Xyflcms, however, do not entirely correfpond ^^^^^^^*'

• Since the above was wfitteiiy accounts ha^btcn received that a Magazine at Fort Marl-
borough, contaming four hundred bariejs of pQ\y(kr» WM. fired by lightnifig* and blown up, on
the.iSth of March 1782.

t The term *< Monfoon,*' appears to be a corruption of the word *' MoqfeeM,*' whicb> both
in Arabic and M^lay, fignifies a yetir. Taoun, another Malay %Yord for feafoa or year, re^^s
their harrefts.

either

SUMATRA

either in the principles laid down, or in their application to the efiedts
known to be produced in different parts of the globe. I ihall fumma*
rily mention what appear to me the moft evident, or probable at leaft,
among the general laws, or inferences, which have been deduced from
the examination of this fubjeft. If the fea were perfedly uninterrupted,
and free from the irregular influence of lands, a perpetual eafterly wind
would prevail in all that fpace comprehended between the twenty eighth
or thirtieth degrees of north and fouth latitude* This is primarily occa-
fioned by the diurnal revolution of the earth upon its axis from Weft
to Eaft; but whether through the operation of the fun, proceeding
weilward, upon the atmofpheric fluid •, or the rapidity of revolution of
the folid body, which leaves behind it that fluid with which it is fur-
rounded, and thereby caufes it virtually to recede in a contrary diredion ;
or whether thefe principles co-operate, or oppofe each other, as has been
ingeniouily contended ; I fliall not take upon me to decide. It is fuffi-
cient to fay, that fuch an effed appears to be the firft genera] law of the
tropical winds. Whatever may be the degree of the fun*s influence
upon the atmofphere, in his tranfient diurnal courfe, it cannot be doubted
but that in regard to his ftation in the path of the ecliptic, his power is
confiderable. Towards that region of the air which is rarefied by the
more immediate prefence of his heat, the colder and denfer parts will
naturally flow. Confequently. from about, and a few degrees beyond,
the tropics, on either fide, the air tends towards^ the equator ; and
combining with the general eaftern current beforementioned, produces
(or would, if the furface were uniform) a N« E. wind in the northern
divifion, and a S. E. in the fouthern i varying in the extent of its courfe,
as the fun happens to be more or lels remote at the time^ Thefe are
denominated the trade-winds, and are the fubjedt of the fecond general
obfervation. It is evident that with refpedt to the middle fpace between
the tropics, thofe parts which at pne feafon of the year lie to the north-
ward of the fun, are, during another, to the fouthward of him -, and of
courfe that an alternation of the efieds laft defcribed muft take place, ac«
cording to the relative fituation of the luminary : or in other words, that
the principle whif h caufes at one time a N, E. wind to prevail at any

particular

. J

S If M A T R A. 15

particular fpot in thofe latitudes^ muft^ when the circumftaoces are
changed^ occaGon a S. £• wind. Such may be efteemed the outline of
the periodical winds, which undoubtedly depend upon the alternate'
oourfe of the fun^ northwards and fouthwards ; and this I ftate as the
third general law. But although this may be conformable with ex-
perience in extenfive oceans, yet in the vicinity of K:ontinents^ and great
iilands, deviations are remarked that almoft feem to overturn the princi-
ple. Along the weftern coaft of Africa, and in fome parts of the Indian
feas, the periodical winds, or monfoons, as they are termed in -the latter,
blow from the Wr, N# W., and S. W. according to the fituation, ex-
tent, and nature of the neareft lands ; the efie<ft of which upon the
incumbent atmofphere, when heated by the fun, at thofe feafons in which
he is vertical, is prodigious, and pollibly fuperior to that of any other
caufe which contributes to the production or direction of wind. To
trace the operation of this irregular principle through the feveral winds
prevalent in India, and their periodical failures and changes, would
prove an intricate, but I conceive by no means an impoffible talk*. It *
is foreign however to my prefent purpofc, and I fliaH only oblerve, that
thcN. E. monfoon is changed, on the weftern coaft of Sumatra, to N. W.
or W. N. W. by the influence of the land. During the S. E. monfoon,
the wind is found to blow there, between that point and S. S. W.
Whilft the fun continues near the equator, the winds are variable, nor is
their direftion fixed till he has advanced feveral degrees towards the
tropic : and this is the caufe of the monfoons ufually fetting in, as I have
obferved, about May and November, inftead of the equinoftial months.

Thus much is fufHcient with regard ta the periodical winds. I IhaU
pfbceed to give an account of thofe diftinguiflied by the appellation of
land and fea breezes, which require from me a minuter inveftigation, 1^,^^ ^^^ g^
both becaufe, as being more local, they more particularly belong to my ^""«-
fubjedt, and that their nature has hitherto been lefs accurately treated of
by najturalifts.

♦ It has been attempted, and with much ingenious rcafoning by Mr, Semeyns, in tbc third:
Vol. of the Haerlcm TranfadUonsj which bare but Utely fallen into my bands.

In.

i€ SUMATRA

In this ffknd, as well as all odier coviatries between tfhe tropics, of
any confiderable extent, the wind unifdrmly blows from the foa to the
land, &r a certain number of hour? in the four and twenty, md then
changes, and blows for about as marty from the land to the Tea : exe^pHf
iog only when the monfoon rages with remarkable violence, and even at
fuch time the wind rarely fails to indioe a few poisics, in compliance with
theefEbrts of the fubordinate caufe, which has* not power^ under thefe cir*
cumftances^to produce an entire change. On the welt coaft of SdiQatra^
the (ea breeze ufually fets in, after an hour or tvw of cairn, about t^ in
the forenoon, and continues till near fix in the evening. About feven^
the land breeze comes <^, and prevails through the night, til] towards
oight in the mornmg^ when it gradually dies awa^'.

Caufe of the Thefe depend upon the fame general principle that caufes and regu^

BfraJ" ^^ latespali other windi» Heat a^ing upon air, rarefies it^ by which it be*

comes fpecifically lighter, and mounts upward* The denfer parts of
the atmofphere, which furround that fo rarefied, rulh into the vacuity
firom their fuperior weight ; endeavoring, as the laws of gravity re-
xjwre, to reftore the equilibrium. Thus in the round buildings where
the maniifadory of glafs is carried on, the heat of the furnace in the
center being intenfe, a violent current of air may be perceived to force
itSiWay in, through doors or crevices, cm oppofite fides of the houfe,
M the general winds are cauied by the direiS influence of the fon*s
rays upon the atmofphere, that particular deviation of the current dif*
ting\iiihed by the name of land aiidfea breezes, is cavfed by the infla*
ence of his refie^ed rays, returned from the earth or fea on which they
(Irike. The furface of the earth ismore fuddenly heated by the rays of
the fun, than that of the feaf from its greatei^ denfity and date of reft i
confequently it refleds thofe rays fooner and with more power: but
owing alfo to its denfity, the heat is more fuperQcial than that imbibed
by the fea,. which gets more intimately warmed, by its tranfparency,
and by its motion, continually prefenting a frelh furface to the fun. I
ihall now endeavor to apply thefe principles. By the time the rifing
fun has afcended Co the height x)f thhty or forty degrees above the ho*

rizoDt

SUMATRA. 17

fizoiiy tbe earth las acquired^ and reflef^bed on the body of air fituated
€frsr it, a degree of heat fofficient to rarefy it and deftroy its equilibrium ;
in confequence of which^ Jthe body of air above the fea, not being equally,
or fcarcely at all rarefied, rilihes towards the land ; and the fame caufes
operating fo long as the fun continues above the horizon, a con (Ian t fea
breeze, or eiurefit of air from fea to land, prevails during that time.
From about an hour before fun fet, the furface of the earth begins to lofe
fafft the heat it has acquired from the more perpendicular rays* That
influence of courfe ces(fes, and a calm fucceeds. The warmth imparted
to the fea, ^not fb violent as that of the land, but more deeply imbibed,
and confequently more permanent, now b&s in turn, and by the rarefac-
tion it caufes, draws tbwards its region (he land air, grown cooler, more
denfe, and heavier, which cdntinues thus to flow back, till the earth,.
Hy a lenovaticb of its heat in the morning, once more obtains the afcen*-
dency. Such is tbe general rule, conformable with experience, and
fijiinded^ as it feems to me, in the laws of motion, and the nature of
&ing8» The following obfervations will ferve to corroborate what I have
iidvaaeedy and to throw adifitional light on the fubjed, for the informal
tion and guidance of any future inveftigator.

The periodical windsi which are fuppofed to blow during fix months
fr6to iht N. tV". and as many from the"S. £• rarely obferve this regula-
rity, except in the very heart of the monfoon ; inclining, almoft at all
times, feveral points to feaward, and not unfrequently blowing from
the ^. VT. or in a line perpendicular to the Coaft. This mull be attri*
buted to the influence of that principle which caufes the land and fea
ivinds proving on thefe occafions more powerful than the principle of the
periodical winds ; which two feem here to ad: at right angles with each
other : and as the influence 6f eirh'er is prevatenr, the winds approach tb
a courfe perpendicular to, or parallel with the tine of tbe coaft. The
tendency of die land wind at night has almofl: ever a correfpondcnce
with the fea wind of the preceding or following day, (except when a fquall
or other Sudden alteration of weather, to which thefe climates are parti-
cularly liable, produces an irregularity) not blowing in a diredion imme*

D diately

ig SUMATRA.

d lately oppoiite to it, which would be the cafe, if the former were, as
feme writers have fuppofed^ merely the etk& of the accamulatioo and
redundance of the latter, without any pofittve caufe, but forming an equal
and contiguous angle, of which the coaft is the common fide. Thtis,^
if the coafl be conceived to run N» and S., the fame influence, or com*
bination of influences, which produces a fea wind at N» W. prodi^cea
a land wind at N. E. ; or adapting the cafe to Sumatra, which Wei
N. W. and S. £ , a (ea wind at S. is preceded or followed by a land
wind at E« This remark mufl: not be taken in too ftrid a iienfe, but
only as the refult of general obfervation. If the land wind, in the courfe'
of the night, ihould draw round from £«to N» it would be looked upon
as an infallible prognoftic of a W. or N, W. wind the next day.' On
this principle it is that the natives foretel the dire&ion of the wind
by the noife of the furf at night, which if heard from the northward,
is efteemed the forerunner of a northerly wind, aad vice verfd. . The
quarter from which the noife is heard depends upon the'courfe of the
land wind, which brings the found with it, and drowns it to leeward—^
the land wind has a correfpondence with the next day-s iea wind— and
thus the divination is accounted for.

The cficdt of the fea wind is not perceived to the diflance of more
than three or four leagues from the fliore in common, and ioi the moA
part it is fainter in proportion to the diftance.. When it firfl: fets in, it
does not commence at the remoter extremity of its limits, but very near
the ihore, and gradually extends itfelf farther to fea, as. the day advances ;
probably taking the longer or fliorter courfe as the day is more or lefs
hot. I have frequently obferved the fails of fliips, at the diftance of four,
fix, or eight miles, quite becalmed, whilft a frefti fea breeze was at the time
blowing upon the fliore.. In an hour afterwards they have felt its effe£t.*

Faffing along the beach about fix o'clock in the evening, when the
fea breeze is making its full efforts, I have perceived it to blow with a

• This obftiradon, as well as many others I have made on the fubjeft, I find conoboiated in
theXreatife before quoted from the Haerlcm Tranfa^Uons, which X had not feen when theprefent
vork wat firftpuUUhed.

confiderable

SUMATRA. t9

confiderable degree of warmth, owing to the heat the fea bad by that
time acquired^ which would foon begin to divert the current of air to-
wards it, when it had firft overcome the vis inertU that preferves motion
in a body after the impelling power has ceafed to operate. I have like-
wife been fen fible of a degree of warmth on paffing, within two hours
after fun fet, to leeward of a lake of frefli water ; which proves the
aflbrtion of water imbibing a more permanent heat than earth ; — in the
day-time the breeze would be rendered cool in croffing the fame lake.

Approaching an ifland fituated at a diftance from any other land, I

was ftruck with the appearance of the clouds about nine in the morning,

which then formed a perfed circle round it, the middle being a clear

azure, and refembled what the painters call a Qloty. This I account

for from the refleded rays of the fun rarefying the atmofphere imme-

.diately over the ifland^ and equally in all parts, which caufed a conflux

-of the neighbouring air, and with it the' circumjacent clouds* Thefe laft,

.tending uniformly to the center, comprefled each other at a certain dif-

tance ftom it, and, like the flones in an arch of mafonry, prevented each

other's nearer approach. That ifland however does not experience the

victffitude of land and fea breezes, being too fmall, and too lofty, and

fituated in a latitude where the trade or perpetual winds prevail in their

, utmofl; fofte. In fandy countries the efFcd of the fun's rays penetrating

deeply, a more permanent heat is produced, the confequence of which

fliould be, the longer continuance of the fea breeze in the evening; and

. agreeably to this fuppofition I have been informed^ that on the coafl: of

Coromandel it feldom dies away before ten at night. . Lfliall only add on

this fubjed, that the land wind on Sumatra is cold, chilly, and damp ;

an expofure to it is therefore dangerous to the healthy and fleeping in it

. almoft certain death.

T^ foil of Sumatra may be fpoken of generally a$ a flifT, reddiih clay,

covered with a flratum or layer of black mould, of no confiderable

depths From this there fprings a ftrong and perpetual verdyre, of rank

. g^^fs, brufli wood^ or timber trees, according as the country has remained

D 2 a longer

Soil.

SUMATRA.

a longer or ihorter time undifturbed by the cotifequenoes of papulatioOy
which being in moft places extrcthety thin/ it liB(>f>ens thst at leaft thfce
parts in four of the ifland^ and to the ibuthward a much greater proportion;
}s an impervious foreft.

Uneromefs of Along the wefief n coaft of the ifland, the low country, or fpaoe of
surface. j^^^j which cxtcnds from the fea Ihwe to the foot of the mountains, is

interfedted and rendered uneven to a furprifiog degree by fwanips»
whofe irregular and winding courfe may in fome places be traced in
a continual chain for many miles, till they dsfcharge themfeives either
into the fea, fome neighbouring lake, or the fens that are fo commonly
found near the banks of the larger rivers, and receive th^eir overflowings
in the rainy monfisons. The fpots of land which thefe fwamps en*
compal^ become fo many iflands and peninfulas, (bmedmes flat at
top, and often n^re ridges ; having in fome places a gentle declivity,
aind in others descending almoft perpendicularly to the depth of
an hundred feet. In few parts of the country of Bencoolea,
or 4>f the northern diftriAs adjacent to it, coutd a tolerabty
level fpace of four hundred yards fquare be marl^ed out : about
Soongey-^lamo in particular, there is not a pkin to be met with of
the fourth part of that extent. I have often, from an elevated (ituatioa^
where awider range was fubjeded to the eye, furveyed with admiratioQ
the uncommon face which nature affumes, and made inquiries and at*
tended to cdnjedtures on the caufes of thefe inequalities. Some chufe
to attribute them to the fucceffive concuffions of earthquakes, through a
courfe of centuries* But they do not feem to be the effeft of fuch a
caufe. There are no abrupt fiflures; the hollows and iwellings are
for the moil part fmooth and Regularly Hoping, fo as to exhibit not uiw
frequently the appearance of an amphitheatre, and they are clothed
with verdure from the fummit to the edge of the fwamp. From thi|
latter circumftance it is alfo evident that they are not, as others fupp<^,
occafioned by the falls of heavy rains that deluge the country for one half
of the year. The moft fummary way of accounting for this extraordi*
nary unevennefii of furface were to conclude, that in the original con*

ftrudion

SUMATRA.

ftrudton of our globe^ Sumatra isfs thus formed by the lame hand which
ipread out the fandy plams of Arabia, and ratfed up the Alps and Aade»
beyond the r^ion of the clouds^ Sut this is a mode of {blution, whicby
If generally adopted, would become an infuperable bar to all progpefs ia
natural knowledge, by damping curioiity and retraining refearch..
Nature, we know from fufficient experience, is not only turned fromn
her original courfe by the induftry of man, but alfo fometimes checks
and crofles her own career. What has happened in feme inftances it
is not unfair to fuppofe may happen in others ; nor is k prefumption ta
trace the intermediate caufes of events, which are theniifeives derived
from one firft, univerfal, and eternal principle. To me k would feem, ^ r of •«
that the fprings of water with which thefe parts of the iiland abound in inequalit;^
an uncommon degree, operate direflly, though obfcurely, to the pro-
ducing this irregularity of the furface of the earth. They derive their
number, and an extiiaordioary portion of aftiyity, from the loftinefs of
the ranges of mountains that occupy the interior country, and btercepC
and collect the floating vapors. Precipitated into rain at iuch a height,
the water acquires in its defcent through the fiflures or pores of thefe
mountains, a con6derable force, which exerts itfelf in every direftion,
lateral and perpendicular, to procure a vent. The exiftence of' thefe
copious fprings is proved, in the facility with which wells are every
where funk ; requiring no choice of ground, but as it may refpefk the
Qonvenience of the proprietpr ; all fituations, whether high or low, being
prodigal of this vjajuftble element. Where the approaches of the fea
have rendered the clifis abrupt, innumerable rills, or rather a continued
moiftureJs ieen to ooze through, and trickle dqwn the fteep. Where,
on the contrary, the fea has retired apd thrpT^n up banks of fand in its
retreat, I hs^ve remarked thefireams of water, at a certain level, and
commonly between the boundaries^ of the tide, effedling th^r paflage
through the loofe and feeble barrier oppofed to them. In ihort, every
part of the low country is pregnant with fprings that labor for the birth ;
iod thefe continual firugg^es, this violent a&ivity of fubterraneous waters,
mull: gradually undermine the plains above. The earth is iqipercep^bly
cncavated^ th« fiirface fettles in^ aQd heyicc the incj^ualities !we ipeak of.

The

ft&

SUMATRA.

Mineral and
Foffil produc-
tions.
<Jold.

Copper.

troa«

Tin;

Sdphor^
Swtpetrc*

Coal.

Cryftal.
Ho tSpiiogt,

The operation is flow, but UDremttting^ and^ I conceive, fuUy capable
of the efFed.

The earth is rich in minerals. and other fofljl produftions. No coun-
try has been more famous in all ages for gold, and though the fources
from whence it is drawn may be fuppofed in fome meafure exhaufted,
by the avarice and induftry of ages, yet at this day the quantity pro-
jcured is very confiderable, and doubtlefs might be much increafed;
were the fimple labor of the gatherer affifted by a knowledge of the arts
of mineralogy. There are alfo copper mines, whofe ore is very rich,
and refembles the Japan copper in the appearance of a mixture of gold.
Iron ore is collected, fmelted, formed into metal, and worked up in the
pountry of JMenangcabow. That it abounds in many other places is evi-
jdent, from the color it is perceived to communicate to the foil. On
ma^iy part^ of the coaft, the fand of the beach is of a ftrong Ihining
black, and is attracted by the loadftone. The Heel manufaftured at
the abovementioned place, has a peculiar temper, and a degree of hard-
ne£i that has never been imitated in Europe. Tin, called by the French
writers Calift, ia one of the principal export commodities of the ifland.
The country where it chiefly abounds, is in the neighbourhopd of Pa-
Jembang on the caft coalt, but in many other parts the natives point out
its exiftence, and particularly about Pedattee near Bcncoolen. Sulphur
is gathered in any quantity about the numerous volcanos. Saltpetre
the natives procure, by a procefs of their own, from the earth which is
found impregnated with it ; chiefly in extenfive caves that have been,
from the beginning of time, the haunt of a certain fpecies of birds,
of whofe dung the foil is formed. Coal, moftly waflied down by the
floods, is collefted in feveral parts, particularly at Cattown, Ayerrammee,
and Bencoolen. It is light, and not efteemed very good, but I am in-
formed that this is the cafe with all coal found near the furface of th^
earth. The veins are obferved to run, not in an horizontal, but in m

•

inclined diredtion, and till the pits have fome depth, the foflil is of aa
indifferent (juality^ The little ifland of Poolo Pifang, clofe to the foot
of Mount Poogpng, is chiefly ^ bed of rock cryftal. Mineral and
hpt fprings have been difcovered in many diftridls. In tafte€hc waters

moftly

SUMATRA- ^5

moflly refemble thofe of Hirrowgate, being naufeous to the palate. The
oleum terrse, or earth oil^ ufed chiefly as a prefervative againil the deftruc* Earth piL
five ravages of the white ants, is coUeded at Ippoo and eifewhere^*
There is no fpecies. of hard rock to be met with in the low parts of the
iiland^ near the fea ihore. Befides the ledges of coral, which are co-
vered by thetide^ that which generally prevail^ is t\it vappaly 2iS ii is Soft Rock*
called by the inhabitants, forming the bafis of the red clifis, and not
unfrequently the beds of the rivers. Though this nappal has the ap-
pearance of rock, it pofTefles in fad: fo Iktle folidity, that it is difficult to
pronounce whether it be a foftitone or only an indurated clay* The
furface of it becomes fmooth and glofly.by a flight attrition, and to the
touch refembles ibap, which is its moil ftrikiog charadterillic* Except
thofe parts of it, which by long expofure to the air^ have acquired a
greater degree of hardnefs, it may eafily be cut with a knife or ztty fliirp
inftrument; it is notjoluble in water, and makes no efiervefcence wkh
acids. Its component parts appear to be clay and fajad bound together
by a glutinous or fiiponaceous matter, aud its colpr is either grey, .browo^
or red, according to the nature of the.ear|th, that prevails in its comr
pofition. The red nappal has by nauch the. finalleft proportion of fand^
and feems to pofliefs all the qjualities of the fteatite .or foap earth, found
in Cornwall and other countries. The mountain ftone is a fpecies of gra-
nite, for the moft part of a lighciflii flace colour*

Where the encroachments of the fea have undermined the land,, the •
cliffs are left abrupt and naked, in fome places to a very confiderablc
height. In thefe many curious foffils are difcovered, fuch as petrified Pctrifaai<^
wood, and fea fliells. of various forts. Hypothefes on this fubjed: have
been fo ably fupported and fb powerfully attacked^ that I fliall not pre*
fume to intrude myfelf in the lifts. I fliall only obferve, that being fo
near the fea, many would heiitate to allow fuch difcoveries to be of any
weight in proving a violent alteration to have taken place in the furface
of the terraqueous globe; whiift, on the other hand, it is unaccountable
liow^ in the common courfe of natural events, fuch extraneous matter

• The feutttain of Naphtha or liquid Mfaniy found at Pedir {Pedter), fo much celebrated by
the PortugucTe wxitcrt is doubtlcft thit okum terras^ oxmtnia tanna^ as it it called by the Malays..

fliould

S V: M AT R- A*

Colored
£artbs.

ftoiald tt6nie to be tod^d in ftfacb^ at the ]»clg{lic peHift{>4 of fifty feet
tibove the level of the Wflte>/ and as tttahy bielow ikt iurface of the land*
Here are likbwife found Various fpeddff of earths, which, nnghtbe applied
to valuable purpofes^ as painters ccAati axid otherwife. The moil cotnmoa
^re the yellow dnd red, probably- otbres, ahd the White, which anfwers
the deferif^tion Of the nrilisnum of the :diiciencsu

V^anot.

XarDiqttriiet.

THere are a nrumber of vdlcana mountains in this, as( in almoft
all the other iflattds of the eaftem Archipelago. They are called
in the Malay language g^o^Bg Hff^ I have never heard of the
lava flowing from them in fuiph a (Quantity as to caufe any damage ;
but this may be owing to the thinnefs ^f population, which does not
render it neeeflary for ^e inbabitaDrs to fettle in their neighbourhood.
The otily volcano I biid idn idppbrtifiiity of obfervihg, opened in the fide
k& d moiatimin) abbut twenty xxxAt% inland of Bencbolen, one fourth way
from ^ks tdpy as nearly as I can judge^ It fcarcely ever failed to emit
Imofceiy r tmt the eoliamii was obly vifible for two or three hours in the
ftiorning, leldom rifiiig dod prefefVing its f<^m» above the upper edge
ti the hill^ wh^ch is not of a conical jhape, bu^ extending with a gradual
flope« The high tree's with which the country thereabout is covered,
preveat the crater from bieing diicermble at a diilance ; and thb proves,
that the fpot is not confiderably raiftd or otherwife affeAed by the erup*
tions. I could never perceive that it had any conne&ion with the earth-
quakes, which are very frequently felt there. Sometimes it has emitted
fmoke upon thefe occafiohs^ and in other inftahces, not« Yet during a
fmirt earthquake which happened a few years before my arrival, it was
remarked to fend forth ftame, which it \% rarely kttown to do. The ap-
prehenfioh of the European irthabitants however, is rather more eiccited,
when it cohtimies any length of titne without a tendency to an eruptiorf,
as they conceive It to be the vent by which the inflammable matter
cfdapes, that would otherwife produce thefe commotions of the earth.
Comparatively with the defcriptions I haVe riad of earthquakes in Soiith
Ameflca and other countries, thofe Whldh ba]^pen in StiJtnatf si acege-
i^crally very flight ; and the ufual manner of building, readers them but

little

^1 U M A T R A. 25

litrie formidable to the natives. The moft fevere that I have known, ^^f '^f i^
was chiefly experienced in the diftrid of Manna, in the year 1770. A eatthquakt.
Village was deftroyed by the houfes falling down and taking fire, and fe-
veral lives were loft.* The ground was in one place rent a quarter
of a mile, the width of two fathoms, and depth of four or five. A bitu-
minous matter is defcribed to have fwelled over the fides of the cavity,
and the earth, for a long time after the fhocks, was obferved to con-
traft and dilate alternately. Many parts of the hills far inland could
be diftinguiihed to have given way, and a confequence of this was,
that during three weeks. Manna river was fo much impregnated with
particles of clay, that the natives could not bathe in it. Ac this time
was fonried near to the mouth of Padang Goochie, a neighbouring
•river, fouth of the former, a large plain, feven miles long and half
a mile broad ; where there had been before only a narrow beach. The
quantity of earth brought down on this occafion was fo confiderable, that
the hill upon which the Englilh refident*s houfe ftands, appears, from
indubitable marks, lefs elevated by fifteen feet than it was before the event.
Earthquakes have been remarked by fome to happen ufuatly upon fud-
den changes of weather, and particularly after violent heats; but I do
not vouch this upon my own experience, which has been pretty ample.
They are preceeded by a low rumbling noife like diftant thunder. The
domeftic cattle and fowls are fenfible of the preternatural motion, and
feem much alarmed ; the latter making the cry they are wont to do on
the approach of birds of prey. Houles fituated on a tow fandy foil are
Icaft affedled, and thofe which ftand on diftinft hilfs, fuffer moft from
the fhocks, becaufe the further removed from the center of motion, the
greater the agitation ; and the loofe contexture of the one foundation,
making lefs refiftance than the folidity of the other, fubjects the build-
ing to lefs violence. Ships at anchor in the road, though feveral miles
diftant from the fhore, are fbrongly fenfibk of the concufEon.

Befides the new land formed by the convulfions above defcribed, the New Land
fea by a gradual recefs in fome parts, produces the fame efTedt. Many ^^^ '

* I am informed that in 17639 an entire village was fwallowed up by an earthquake in Pooio
NfOSi one of the iilancb which Ik off the wcflcrn coafl of Sumatra*

£ inftances

.a6 S U M A T R A./

inftances of tkls kind, of no confiderable ett^tit how^^p. Tc^vre hetm
obferved within the memory of perfons now living* But k woijiUi^eom t^
me, that that large tradl of lapd, called Book Pointy formi4^the b?y <^th^
name.9 near to Silebar^ with much of the adjacent country, has thus beea
left by the withdrawing, ex thrown up by the motion of the fea. Per-
haps the point may have been at firft an ifland; from whence its appella-
tion of Feob'i and the parts isoore inland^ fince gfaduaiJy united to iL*
Various circumftances tend to xiorrpboralc fuch an apinion, itsdta evince
the probability that this was not an original portiofi of the mai^
but new^ *half-formed land* All the iWamps and marlhy grounds that
Jie within -the beach, and near the. iextremity there ai;e Uttle elfc^
are known, in confequence of repeated furveys, to be lower than the
level of high water ; the bank of fand alone preventing an inundation*
The country is not only quite free from hiHs or iiieqwlitiei of any kind,
but has fcarcely a vifibk flope. Silebar river, which empties itfelf into
Poolo Bay, is totally unlike thofe in other parts of the ifland. The mo-
tion of its ftream is hardly perceptible « it is never alfeded by floods ; its
courfe is marked out, not by banks covered with ancient and venerable
JWX)Qdsj i»ut by row« of mangroves and other aquatics, fpripg^ng fro^ tlie
ooze, and perfe&ly regular^ Some miles from the mouthy it opeq^i into
a beautiful and e^^tenfive lake, diveriified with fmall iilands, flat, and ver-
dant with rufiies only. The point of Poolo is covered with the Arotp
tree, or baftatd Pine, as fome have called it,'f which never grows but
in fea fand, and rifes faft. None fuch are found toward Soopgeyrlamq,
Encroachment ^^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^ ^^ f!l^oxt oof thward of Marlborough Point, where on
of the fea, ^^ contrary you perceive the effects of continual depredations by the

ocean. The old foreft trees are there yearly undermined, and falling,
obftruft the traveller ; whilft about Poolo, the Arow trees are cootbu-
ally fpringing up» fafler than they can be cut down or otherwife dejftroyec).
Nature will not readily be forced from her courfe* The b^ik time I vi-

<» Siroe I fonned this £on je£lurey I hare been told that fuch a tradition, of no very Mcieat dat^f
prevails amongft the inhabitants.

t This Arow tree I have rcafbn to think the fame with that which Captain Cook (^b(erved in
the South Seas, and from which he called one low fandy iiland| the lik of Pines.

^ ' fite4

SUMATRA. ^7

Stod (fast part, thehe wis a beautiful rifing grove of Fmes, eflabltfhing a
pdGcffion iti dieir proper IbtL The country, as vrcW immediately here*
about^ as to a confiderable diftance inland, is an entire bed of thnd, with-
out any mixture of clay or mould, which I know to have been in vain
fbogbt for, maoy miles up the neighbouring riversii

But uppp what bypQtheiis can it be accounted for, that the fea Ihould
copmiiit de^r^ations on the northern coaft, of which there are the mo{t
evident tokens^ as high up at lead as TppcOf and probably to Indrapcur,
where the belter of the neighboucing iilands may put a flop to them,
gnd.thatkihou^ refiore the land to the ibutbwardi in the manner I
have defcribed ? I am aware that according to the general motion of
the tides from eaft to weil, this coaft ought ta receive a continual accef-
fion, proportioned to the lofs which others, expofed to the diredion of
this motion J muft aod do iu{lain>;. and it is likely that it does gain upon
the whole. But the nature of my work obli^s me to be more attentive
to eflfe&s than caufes, and to record fadtsi though they Ihould claih with
^ilems .the mod jufl in theory,, and moil refpe^able in point of aui»

tWity*

• > . •

The chain of illands which lie parallel with the weft coaft of Sumatra, iflandi near
may probably have once formed a part of the main, and been feparated problbiy^oncc
from it, either by fome violent effort of nature, or the gradual attrition i^^"^'®"*^*
of the fea.- I Ihould fcarcely introduce the mention of this apparently
vague furmife, but that a circumftancc prefents itfelf on the coaft,. which
affords Ibme ftronger color of proof than can be ufually obtained in fucb
iiiftahcea* In many places, and parpcularly about Pa/fy and Laye, wc
obfefve detached pieces of land ftanding fingly,. as iflands, at the diftance
of one 6r two hundred yafds from the Ihore, which were head-lands of
points running out into the fea, within the remembrance of the inhabitants*
The'tops continue covered with trees or Ihrubs ; but the fides are bare,
abrupt, and perpendicular. The progrefs of tnfulation here is obvious

and incontrovertible, and why may not larger iflands, at a greater

• . * ■

diftance, have been formed, in the revolution of ages, by the fame
accidenti ? Th& probability is heightened by the direction of the iflands^.

E z Neas,

28 SUMATRA/

Neas^ Mantawcvfiy M^go, &c.^ the finiilarity of foil and produ&ions, and
the regularity of foundings between them and the main, whilfi ivithouC
them the depth is unfathomable. - , 1

carai Rocks. Where the fliore is flat or flielving, the coaft of Sumatra^ as of all.

other tropical iflands, is defended from the attacks of the fea by a ' reef
or ledge of coral rock, on which the furfs exert their violence without
further tffcSt than that of keeping its furface even, and iriduclne to'^
powder thofe beautiful excrefcences and ramifications which have been fo^
much the objeft of the naturalift's curiofity, and which fome ingenious
men, who have analyfed them, contend to be the work df infe&s. The'
coral powder is in particular places accumulated on the ihore in great
quantities, and appears, when not clofely infpeAed, like a fine white fand,

Siirf« The Surf (a word not to be found, I believe, in our didionaries) is

ufed in India, and by navigators in general, to ezprefs a peculiar fwell
and breaking of the fea upon the ihore ^ the phaenomena of which not
having been hitherto much adverted to by writers, I ihall be the more
circumfiantial in my defcription of them*

The furf forms fometimes but a fingle range along the {tiorc. At other
times there is a fuccefiion of two, three, four or more behind each other^
extending perhaps half a mile out to fea. The nun^ber of ranges Js
generally in proportion to the height and violence of the furf*

r ..

The furf begins to aflume its form at fome diftance from the place
where it breaks, gradually accumulating as it moves forward, till it gains
a height, in common, of fifteen to twenty feet, when it overhangjs at top^
and falls, like a cafcade, nearly perpendicular, involving itfelf as it
defcends. The noife made by the fall is prodigious, and, during tlie
ftillnefs of the night, may be heard many miles up the country.

Though in the rifing and formation of the furf, the water feems to have
a quick progrefiivc motion towards the land, yet a light body on the

furface

SUM A\ T Rt A. £9

furface is not ctrried forward^ but^ on the contrary, if the tide is ebbing^
wtU recede from the fliore; from wbi^h it;iyp.9ld follq}fr, that the motioa
is only propagaftetirin t|ie w;0:er^ like foi^t^^n air» aadisot the mafs of
lirater protruded*; A fimilar fpecies fOf tno|fon is- obferved ou ihaktng
at one end, a long cord held moderately flack, which is exprefied by
the word undulation* I have fometimes remarked, hpwever, th^t a bodyr
which finks deep, and takes, hpld of the waf^, will ^qv^ towarc^ flior^
with the oourfe of the fyrf, z%is perceptible in ^ boat ^^ndiijig,: ^hich
ihoots fwifdy forward onthe^ top,of,>thq,/s}rell, though ^rob^bljr it is
aided by ii9 ofwn weight in the d^c^xif^ aft^r -paving i^eachfd the fummit^
and to that owes its velocity. * '

u «•

'• r ' ' /■■■ ■>»•«.'•

Countries where ^the f*cfs:prtyail,- requixe boats. <»f a ptttfcul^^jpnr
ftrudion, and th,e art ofrTmtittgl^ them .^qfiajids the es^f^rifc^i^' 0^ . a
msin'sUfe^ All European boats are more or If fs unfit, lnd!fei4pivi:^
tooccafion the faorifioe of the people ot^ board them,, in the imprudent
attempts that are fometimes jmtde to land with>Cheln on tbe opencpaft* •

• » ' « •

:The force of the furf^is extremely great. I have knrairn it to ^nrfcrfet
a country veflcl.in fuch a mannet, that the /top of the mafl: has iftuck
in;tbe*fand,«atid the lower end made its appcsrahce through her bdttom.
Pieees. of <<:loth have been .taken up from a wreck, twifted. and rent by« its
involved motion. - . '

. In 4QQi6^faia«i^tbe fiirfb^aw ufually greater tat high, and in olhers
at low wader, but* I believe they are unifbrmly more violent during the
' i^pring tides* '--r *

lit '! • ' .' '•.« • : .• . . c:

I J i fliall proceed to inquiue btothe tfficient caufe of the furfs. The ^ i-^ •
wtnda have doiibtleft a ftroog relation to them. If the air was in all >*fpcaingthc
places of equal denfity, and not liable to any motion, I fuppofe the water Surf.
would alfo: remain perfedly at reft, and its furface even; abftradling
ifi(m th^ general courfe of the tides, and the partial irregularities
^ occafioned by the influx of rivers. The current of the air impels

the

the water, and jcaafei a fwfeU, which U the regular rKing Utd lUbfidifig of
Ac waves. This rife and- fell is'firallar to the vibffationi of a pfeoohilum,
and fubjeft to fi^ 4avlrs. ' \fr%iett ft wavr-fe at ks hei^t, It defends
bytheforc^e of gravity, intf^fhe 'momentum aoquk-ed'te dibfcending>
impels the neighbourtng patticles, which^ in thek t\ifh> rife dnd itApbl
others, and thus form a fucceflion of waves. This is the cafe la the
6penfea; but '\Vhen^^the tlrcll &ppr6Acbe« th^^ifhore^ aA4 the d^frth of
Water is not in pif6portfi6n » the file K>f the<Well> the fubfiding WiiVe^
ihftead df pyeiEhg^ on • a body of ^^w^ter, i*hich mi^ rife in equal
quantity^ ^cff(^ ofi tSie griiuhdi Miftttfe'i^eaiaiort caufe& it t&'ftiA on'ift that
manner which we call a furf. Some think ttew: the ^fe<;tf?il?r forht df it
may be plainly accounted for from the fhallownefs and fheWing of the
•beflch^^'^'^Wb^n a f;v^ll< dra^$ iiaan to /«ch ft i»eac^ theloWerpam of
«he^W^^t fifid^iftg firft t^]lh'dbAfr^8fl^'firOnlth^t>Mfom^^ ftiU^

WhiffitW higher patt^iirtfptdivdy mWve -oftlwtfd^, *y Which a rolling
Md'invdlved motion is pnoduced^* that is' latigtaWi Wd by the return of the
precediifg fweU. i objdftv ih^tf tbis 4blutk» i» funded On the fupipo^ion
of an adlual progreffive motion of the body of water in forming a furf;
and diat dertaioly not feeing. the faiS^iit ibems^cldficlenti Tht oi:^ty-*real
progreffioti of the watfc is^ oeca^otied bftht perpend iciilar fall, after ^he
•bi^akitgof tjbe fulrf^wheii, from its weighty k foams oh «>*ft gteat^r^dr
.leis diftance, ib proportion to .the height from which k fell, atMi the
Hope of the ihore.

f' \

That the furfs are not, like common woffrOyt&itltigassA^tb-^tK!^ of
the wind» is evident from this, that the higheft and mbft violent ofttfn
happen when there is the lead wind, and vice ver/d. And fomletimes Ac
furfs will continue with an equal degree of violence during a variety of
weather. On fbe ^f^ <road of SusMtra^ tiie bigheft areexpcriehced
during the & £« nMnfooRj which i( dever attended) ilrith iuch gales of
wind SIS the Ni W. The motion of the filrf is not obferved to follow
the cdurfe of the wind^ but often the contrary ; aod when it blovfs hard
from the land^ the (pray of thefeama)rbe ^feentbflf in a direAion

'Oppoflte

S' U M A T R A.

•3*

• ■ •

oppofite to the body of it, though the wind has been M many htmrs ta
the fame' point.

' • •

Are the furfs the effeft of gales of wind at fea, which do not happen
to extend to the Ihore, but caufe a violent' agitation througfiout a con-
fiderable tradt of the waters, which motion communicating with lefs
Aidant parts, and meeting at length with r^flftance from the Ihore, occa-
Sons the fea to fwell and break In the manner d^fcrlbed ? To this I
objedt, that there feems no regular correfpondence between their mag-
nitude, and the apparent agitation of the water without them : that gales
of wind, except at particular periods, are very unfrequent in the Indian
Seas, where the navigation is well known to be remarkiably fafe, whllft the
furfs are almoft continual ; and that gales are not found to produce this
cfTcfi: in other extenfive oceans. The weft coaft of Ireland borders afei
oearly as extenfive, and much more wild than the coaft of Sumata, and
yet there, though when it blows hard the fwell on the Ihore is high

and dangerous, is there nothing that refembles the furfs of India.

.' ■ ■ ■ .

Thefe, fo general in the tropical latitudes, are, upon the moft pro- Probable oufe
bable hypothefis I have been able to form, after long obfervation, and
much thought and inquiry, the confcquence of the trade or perpetual
winds which prevail, at a diftance from fliore, between the patalleU
of thirty degrees north and fbUth, whofe uniform and invariable
adtion caufes a long and conftant fwell, that exifts even in the cahneft
weather, about the line, towards which its diredion tends from either
fide. This fwell or libration of the fea, is fo prodigioully long, and tho
fenfible effe<% of its height, of courfe, fo mudh diminilhed, that it is not
often attended to ; the gradual Hope engroflSng almoft the whole horizon,
when the eye is not very much elevated above its furface : but perfons who
have failed in thofe parts may recoUeft that even when the fea is appa-
rently the moft ftill and level, a boat or other'^bbjeft'at a diftance from
the Ihip, will be hidden from the fight of one lobking towards it from the
lower 'deck, for the fpace of minutes together. This fwell, Xvhen a
ftjuall happens, 6t the Wind frefliens up, will, for the'hfrie, have oth<ir
^ - fubfidiary

52 S.U. M A T R A.

fubiidiary waves^^on the extent of its furface, breaking often in t
direction contrary to it, and which will again fubiide as a calm returns,
without having produced on it any perceptible efFedt. Sumatra, though
not continually expofed to the fouth eaft trade wind, is not fo didant but
that its influence may be prefumed to extend to it, and accordingly at Pooh
Pefang near tne foutbern extremity of the ifland, a conftant foutherly
fea i^ obfervedj even after a hard northweft wind. This inceflant and
powerful fwell rolling i^i from an ocean, open even to the pole, -feems
an agent adequate to the prodigious efie£t9 produced on the coafl;
whilft its very fize contributes to its being overlooked. It reconciles
almoft all the difEcukies which the pha^nomena feem to prefent, and in
particular it accounts for the decreafe of the furf during the N. W.
pionfoon, the local wind then counteratfling the operation of the general
pne ;. and itris corroborated by an obfervation I have made, that the furfs
on the Symatran coaft ever begin to break at their fouthern extreme, the
motion of the fwell not being perpendicular to the direftion of the ihore.
This manner of explaining their origin feems to carry much reafon with
it, but there occurs to me one "objedion which I cannot get over, and
which a regard to truth obliges me- to .ftate. The trade -winds are
remarkably fteady and uniform, and the fwell generated by them is the
fame. The furfs are much the reverfe, fcldom perfevering for two days
in the fame degree of violence ; often mountains high in the morning,
and nearly fubiid^d by night. How comes an uniform caufe to produce
•eficds fo unflc^dy, pnlefs by the intervention of fecondary caufes, whofe
. nature and operation we are unacquainted with i

It is clear to me that the fprfs, as above delcribed, are peculiar to
thofe climates which Jie within the renK)ter limits of the trade winds,
though in higher latitudes large fwells and irregular .1;)i:eakings of the ilea
are to be met with after boifterous weather* Poffibly the following
caufes may be judged to confpire, with that I have already fpeciiSed,
towards occaiioning this diflindtion. The formej region being expofed
to the immediate influence of the two great luminaries, the water, from
their direct impulfe, is liable to iiipre violent agitation than nearer the

poles,

SUMATRA;,

poles, where their power is felt only by indireft communication. The
equatorial parts of the earth performing their diurnal revolution with
greater velocity thai> the reft, a larger circle being defcribed in the fame
time, tLe waters thereabout, from the ftrpoger centrifugal force, may
be fuppofed more buoyant; to feel lefs reftraint from the fluggii^i principle
of matter ; to have lefs gravity ; and therefore to be more obedient to
external impulfcs of every kind, whether from the winds or any other caufe.

The fpring tides on the weft coaft of Sumatra are eftimated to rife in Tides.
general no mott than four feet, as little perhaps as in any pert of the
globe, owing to its open, unconfincd iituation, which prevents any
accumulation of the tide, as is the cafe in narrow feas. It is always
high water there when the moon is in the horizon, and confequently at fix ^
o'clock nearly, on the days of conjunftion and oppofition throughout
the year, in parts not far remote from the equator.'^ This, according to
Newton's theory, iw about three hours later than the uninterrupted
courfe of nature; owing to the obvious impediment the waters meet
with in revolving from the eaftw^rd.

* Owing to this uniformity it becomes an eafy matter for th^ natives to afcertain the height of .
the tide at any hour that the moon is vifible. Whilft (he appears to afeenc!, the water falls, and
vict virfii i the loweft of the ebb happenhig when (he is in her meridian. The rule for calculating
the tides is rendered alio to £oiD]tfilui« more fijttple and pradical from the fiime caufe* There
only needs to add together the epa£b, number of the month, ^nd day of the month i the fum of
which, if under thirty, gives the moon^s age— the ezcefs, if over. Allow forty-eight minutes
. for each day, or which is the fame, take four-fifths of the age, and it will give you the number '
of hours after &x o'clock^ at which high water happens. A readinefs at this calculatioa ia
particularly ufrf ul in a country ¥^et e the iea beach is the general road for traveUiog.

# tf

DiJimSioH

34 & U .M A T R A

DiJlinSiion of Inhabitants. — Rejangrchofenfor General Defcript%on\
'^-^Perfons and Complexion. — Clothing and Ornaments.

General ac-

\7eiiei*ai ac* wr^'^k

count of the Jn.AVING exhibited a general vicvr of the iiUiid^ as- it is in th« hands-
in a lun s. ^£ nature, I fliall now proceed to a defcription of the people who inhabit.

and cultivate it,, and Iball endeavor to diftinguiih the feveral fpecies oc
claffes of them, in fuch a manner as may bed tend to perfpicuity, anAtO)
furnifk clear ideas of the matter

Vai iouj mo<!e« The moft obvious divifion, and which has been ufually made by the?

writers of voyages^ is that of Mahometan inhabitants of the fea coaft, and
Pagans' of the inland country*. This divifion, though not without its^
degree of propriety, is vague and imperfed ; not only beqaufe eacb
defcription of people differ confiderably among themfelves, but that the
inland mhabitants are,' in fome places, Mahometans, and thofe of the
coaft, in others^ what they term Pagans.. It is not unufual with perfons
who have not refidcd in this pstrt of the caft, to ca;ll the inhabitants of the
iftands indifcrimintitely by the name of Malays. This is a more confi-
decable error, and prod'udlive of greater confulioa thaa the former. By
attempting to reduce things to heads too general, we defeat the very end
we propofe to ourfelves in- defining thcnx at all : we create obfcurity
where we wifti to throw light. On the other hand, to attempt enume-
lating and diftinguiftiing the variety, almoflr endkfs, of petty fovercignties.
and nations^ into which this iflandis divided, many of which differ nothing.
in pcrfon or manners from their neighbours, would be a taik both,
infurmountable andufelefs*. I fliall aim at fleering a middle courfe, and
accordingly fliall treat of the inhabitantsof Sumatra under the following,
fummary diftin&ions, taking occafion^ as it may offer to mention the
principal fubdlvifipns* And fir ft, it is proper to diftinguifli the empire

.SUMATRA. 35

6f Menangcab^jo and the Malays ; in the next place the Acb;inefc; then the
£tf//tfj ; the Rejangs ; and next to them the Lampoons.'^

Me/iangcabow hting the principal fovereigaty of the ifland, which for-
merly comprehended the whole, and (till receives a fliadow of homage
from the moft powerful of the other kingdoms, which have fprung np
from its ruins, would feem to claini a right to precedence in defcription,
but I have a fufEcient reafon for deferring it to a fubfequcnt part of mjr
work ; which is, that the people of this empire, by their converfion to

^ Atlempts to afcertain from whence the ifland of Sumafra was originally peopled muA reft-
upon mere conje&ure* The adjacent peninfula prcfents the moft obvious iburce of population^
and it Is accordingly (kid that Malayan emigrants fuppUed the Archipelago with inhabitants : but
Jio argument, except that of vicinity, can be produced in fuppoitof this, not unplautible, opinion.
The Malays, now fo called, are in coroparifon of the internal Sumatrans, but as a people of ycf*
terday { and though they have fpread their language and manners far and \vide« fmce the foun-
dation of Malacca in the thirteenth century, they are confidered as intruders only, among the
aboriginal people of the eaftern iflands* I bare el(ewhere remarked, that one general language
prevailed (however mutilated and changed in the courfe of time) throughout all this portion of
the world, from Madagafcar to the rood diflant difcoveries eafl'ward, of which the Malay is a
diale£l, mucli coiTupted, or refined, by a mixture of other tongues. This very extenfWe fimiiarity
' of language indicates a common oirigilt of the inhabitants, hilt the ciFeumftauce* and progrefa of
their feparatton are wtapped in the darkeft veil of obfeurity.

In the courfe of my Inquiries 'amohgft the natives, concerning the aborigines of the idand, I
have been informed of two diierent fpeeies of people diQierfed in the woods, and avoiding all
com^tunication w{th the other inhabits^ts* Thefc they call Orang Cooboo^ and Orang Goog^p^
The former are faid to be pretty numerous, eipecially in that part of the country which lies
between Palembang and Jcanbei* Some have at times been caught and kept as flaves in taboon^
and a man of that place is now man ied to a tolerably handfome Cooboo girl, who was carried off
' by a party that difcoveved their huts. They have a language quite peculiar to tbemfeives, and
they eat promifcuoufly whatever the woods afford, as deer, elephant, rhinoceros, wild hog» (hakes
ormonkies* T\it Gw^oo 2st much fcarcer than thefe, differing in little but the yfc of fpecch,
from the Orang Outan of Borneo \ their bodies being covered with Jong hair« There have not
been above two or three inftances of their being net with by the people^ of Laboon (from whom
my information is derived), and one of thefe was entrapped many years ago, in much the fame
manner as the carpenter in Pilpay^s Fables caught the monkey. He had children by a Labooa
woman, which alfo were more hairy than the common race ; but the third generation are not to
be diflinguiihed from others. The reader will beftow what meafure of faith he thinks due, on
this relation, the veracity of which J do not pretend to vouch for. It has probably fome foun-
dation in truth, but is exajrgerated in the circumflances-

F 2 Mahometanifm,

i6 SUMATRA.

Mahometanifm, andconfequent.changebf manners, have loft in a great
degree the genuine Sumatran charadler, which is the immediate objeft
of my inveftigation. They are diftinguifhed by the appellation of
Malays. Miilayo by the reft of the iflanders^ which, though originally and ftridlly
denoting an inhabitant of the neighbouring pcninfula, is now tJnder-
ftood to mean a Mufllilman, fpcaking the Malay language, and belong-
ing* by defcent at leaft, to the kingdom of Menangcabow, or to that part
of the fea coaft bordering on it, called jiiay Angin, which .extends from
thirty-two minutes N. to forty minutes S. latitude. Hereabout a colony
from the peninfula evidently fettled, from whence their defcendanta
emigrating, took up their-refidence at different fea ports on the foiithern
coaft, as far down as Bencoolen ; introduced th^ir language, and fcattered
every where the feeds of their religion, which, as they ftiot up, cither
withered, or flouriftied more or lefs according to the aptnefsof the foil^
and the pains of the laborer. Beyond Bencoolen there are none to be
met with, excepting fuch as have been drawn thither by, and are in
the pay of the Europeans. • . On the^^aftern fide of the tiland they are
fettled at the entrance of almoft all the navigable rivers, wliere they more
conveniently indulge their natural bent for trade apd piracy. .It muft
be obferved that the term Malay, in common fpeech, like that of Ahar
on the weft of India, is almoft fynonymous with Mahometan. When the
Sumatrans, or natives of any of the eafiern iiktnds, learn to read the
Arabic charaAer, and'fubmk to eircumcifion, they are faid to become
Malays (munjaddee Malayo.) But this is not a proper or accurate mode
of fpeaking. The fultan of Anac Soongey, it is true, ambitious of imi-
tating fhe fultan of Menangcabow, fttles himfelf and fubjefts, Malays ^
vet his neighbour the Pangeran of Soongey Lamo, chief of the Rejangs,.
who is equally an independent prince, and very enlightened Mahometan,
will not allow himfelf to be o<!her than an original Sumatran.'^ Thus much
It was neceffary I fliould fay, in order to avoid ambiguky. concerning

# He feemed offended at my fuppoliDg him a Malayman in a coBverfatton I once had with him
on the fubjcft, and replied with feme emotion, ** Malqyo tiJab, Sir j orcm^ ooloo befool fajo»
*' No Malay, Sir; I am a genuine, original countryman.^' The two languages he writes a!\d
talks with equal facility, but the Rejang he efteems his mother tongue.

the

SUMATRA.

tEe Malays, of I wkrai a more particular account will be given here*^
•after*

As the mofi^di^tnilar among the x>ther dafTes into which I have divi-
ded the inhabitants^ muft of courfe have very many points of mutual re-
lemb'lance^ and many of their habits^ cuftoms and ceremonies^ in com-
Won^'itvbeaomes expedient, in order to avoid a troublefome and ufelefe
tepetition; to Angle out one clafs from among them» whofe manners ihall
^tidergo al particular and complete inveftigation^ and fesve as a fianila^d
^r the whole ; the deviation from which, in the other claflcs, fhall
^ftenvapds be pointed out, and the* moil lingular and flxiking ufages
-peculiar to each, fuperadded. Various ckcumftances induce me, on
this occafion,. to give the preference to the Rejangs, though a nation of Nation of tfie
butcfmall account in the political fcale of the ifland. They are placed Sd'as^'fta^ndil
in what -may be called a central iituation, not geographically, but with ^^ofd^fori^
refpeft to the encroachments of foreign manners atiQ opinions, intnxlu^
ced by the Malays, from the north,^ and Javans from the fouth ; which
giv^es them a cklim to originality, fuperior to that of moft others*
"They are a people -whofe form of goverurm-ent attd whofe laws >exteod,
iVitfa very Htdg variatbn, over a coriiid^p^bUi part of the iiland, :anQ
principally that portion whe^e the corinexiotis of the Englifh lie* Thece
are traditions of their having formerly fent forth«oIonies to the fouthward;
and in the country of Paflummah, the fite of their villages is ftill pointed
out ; which would prove that they have formeHy been of more cohfider-
ation than^they tamb'oaf! at prefent. They have a proper language, ami '
a pcrfeft written 'iharadcr, that is "become of general ufe in many re-
^mote diftrifts* Th^fe advantages point out the Rejang people as aa
eligible ftandard of defcriplion ; and 'a 'motive equally flfong that in*
duces me to adopt them as fiich,. is, that my^tuation and connexions*
on the iibnd, led me to a more intimate and minute acquaintance *with
their laws and manners, than with thofe of any other clafs.. I muft
premife however that the Malay cufloms having made their way, in a
greater or lefs degree, to every part . of Synaatra, it will be totally im-
poiSble to difcriniinate with entire accuracy, thofe which are original,.

from.

SUMATRA

Situation of
the Rejang
xountjy.

Perfons of the
^habitants.

f]>pm«thofe Which are borrowed : and of courfe^ whiter fiiaU' &fi>£<ht
Rejangs, will apply for the moft part^ not only to the Sumatrans in ge*
neral, but may fometimes be, in ftridtnefs^ proper to the Malays aione^
and by them taught to the I^gher rank of country people. ^ '• -

The crountry of thei^^ii^j is divided^ to the north weA^ ixKOCk the
kingdom of Anac Soongtj^ (p£ which Moco Mh^ is the capital) by the
fmall river of O^r/, near that ofCaitcwn.; which laft^^ with the diftri^
Cff Labotm on its banks, bounds it on the north or. inland fide. The
country of Moofee^ where Palembang river takes its rife, forms its limk
to the eaftward. Bencoolen river^ precifely fpeaking, confines it on .th^
fouth eaft ; though the inhabitants of the diftridi: called Lemba^ extend'^
ing from thence to Silebary are entirely the fame people, in manners and
language* The principal rivers, befides thofe already mentioned, art
Lajey Pally, and Soimgeylamo ; on all of which the Engliih have faj^oric%
the refident or chief being ftationed at Laye»

The perfons of the inhabitants of the liland, though differing confir
^erably in diftridts remote from each other/ may in general be compre^
liended in the following defcription \ excepting the, Achenefe, whole
^commixture with the Moors of the weft of India, has diftinguiflied them
from the other SumatranSit

General de-
/cription.

They are rather below the nnddle ftature ; their bulk is in proportion ;
their limbs a,re for the mod part flight, but well flipped, and particularly
foiajl at the wrifts and ankles. Upon the whole they are gracefully
formed^ and I fcarcely recoiled to have ever feen one deformed perfon,
of the natives.* The women, however, have the prepofteroiss cuftom
of flattening the ixofes^ a^d comprefiing the heads of. children newly

* Ghirardini^ an Italian painter^ vho touc]ied at Sumatra on his way to China in 16981 ob&rv^t

of the Malaysi

Son di ferfona tantc hen format a

pernio mai finger fan piUori indi^ri»
Hefpeaks in high terms of the country-^ as bdng beautifully pifturefque^

born^

SUMATRA. 39

honkf whilft the ikuU is yet cartilaginous^ which increafes their natural
tendency to that ihape. I could never trace the origin of the pradice
fnr leara any other reafon for moulding the features to this uncouth ap^
pearance^ but that it was- an improvement of beauty in their efiimation.
Captain Cook takes notice of a fimiiar operation at the illand of Ulietea.
They likewise pull out the ears of infants, to make them Hand ercA
from the head.. Their eyes are uniformly dark and clear, and among
feme, especially the fouthern women, bear a (trong refemblance to the
Chinefe, in the peculiarity of formation fo generally obferved of that
people. Their hair is. ftrong^ and of a fliining blacky, the improve-
ment of both which qualities it probably owes, in great meafure^ to the
conftant and early ufe of coconut oil, with which they keep it moift.
The men frequently cut their hair ihorj:, not appearing to take any pride
in it ;: the women encourage theirs to a confiderable Iength> and I have
known many inftances of its reaching the ground. The men are beard-
Itb, and have chins fo remarkably fmooth, that were it not for the Ma-
lay priefts difplaying a little tuft, we Ihould be apt to conclude that na*
ture had refufed them this token of manhood. It is the fame ia refpeA
to other parts of the body^ with both fexes; and this particular at-
tention to their perfons, they efteem a point of delicacy, and the contrary
an, unps^rdonable negleft. The boys, as they approach to the ag^ of
puberty, rub their chins, upper lips, and thofe parts of the body that are
fubjed to fuperfbous. hiir, with cbunam, (quicl^ lime) efpecially of
ihells, which deflrpys the roots of the incipient beard.. The few pilse that
afterwards appear, are plucked out from time to time with tweezers, which
they always carry about them for that purppfe. Were it not for the
numerous and very refpedtable authorities, from which we are afiured
that the natives of America are naturally beardlefs, I ihould think that
the common opinion on that fubjed had been rafhly adopted, and that
their appearing thus at a mature age, was only the confequence of aa
early pradice, fimiiar to that obferved among the Sumatrans. Even
now I muft confefs that it would remotve ibmc fmall degree of doubt

firomi

S U M A T R A.

• • r

from my mind, coiild it be afcertained that n6 fochcuftom pfcvaih;*
Their complexion is properly yellow, waoting the fed tinge that cott-
ftitutes a tawny or copper color. They are in general lighter than the
Mcftees, (5r half breed, of the reft of India; thofe of the fuperior clafs,
who are not ex^wfed to the rays of the fun, and particularly their wonjen
of rank, approaching to a great degree of fairnefs- Di4 beamy coniift
in thi« one quality, fomeof them would furpa(s our brunettes inEtirope.
The major part of the females are ugly, and many of them even to dif*
guft, yet there are thofe among them, whofe appearance is ftrikingly
beautiful ; whatever compofition of perfon, features, and complexion^
that fentiment may be the refult of.

Color not The faiTnifi of the Sumatrans, comparatively with <Kber Indians,

S^ "' fituated as they are, under a perpendicular fun, where no feafon of the

year affords an alternative of cold, is, I think, an irrefragable proof, that
the difference of color in the various inhabitants of the earth, is not the
immediate effeft of climate. The children of Europeans born in this
iiland are as fair, and perhaps in genera! fairer, than thofe born in the
country of their parents. I have obferved the fame of the fecond gene-
ration, where a mixture with the people of the country has been avoided.
On the other hand, the offspring and all the defcendants of the
Guinea and other African: ilaves imported there, contimie in the laft
inftanee as pevfe&ly black as in the original flock. I -do not mean to
tiO^tr into the merits of the queftion which naturally connedts with tfaefe
obfervations ; but ihall only remark, that the fallow and adufl counte*
, * nances, fo commonly acquired by Europeans who have long refided in
hot climates, are more afcribable to the eiFedof bilious difhcmpers, which
almoft all are fubjed to in a greater or lefs degree, than of their expofure
to the influence of the weather, which few birt: feafaring people are

* It ig altowed by tiaveUers that the Patagonians have tufts of hair oa the npper lip and chin.
Captain Carver fays» that among the tribes be viGted> the people made a regular pra£bice of
civdicating tlteir beftrds with pincen. At Brulfels is prcfcrved, along mth a" variety of ancient
and curious (bits of armour> that of Montezuma king of Mexico, of which the vizor, or maJk
for the face> has remarkably large whifkers i an ornament which thofe Americans could not have
imitatedi unlefs nature bad prefented them with the model.

liable

S U M A T R a; 41

liable to, and of which the impreffion is feldom permanent* From this
circumftance I have been led to conjecture that the general difparity
6f complexions in different nations, might poffibly be owing to the more
or leis copious fecretion, or redundance of that juice, rendering the ikia
Ulore or lefs dark according to the qualities of the bile prevailing in
the coiiftidutions of each. But I fear fuch an hypothefis would not (land
the teft'of experiment, as it muft follow, that upon difledbn, the con*
tents of a negro's gall bladder, or at lead the extra vafated bile, fhould
imifbrmly be found black. Pcrfons ikilled in anatomy will determine
whether it is poflible that the qualities of any animal fecretion can fo far
afTexS: the frame, as to render their oonfequences liable to be tranfmitted
to pofterity in their full force«

*rhe ftnall iize of the inhabitants, and efpecially of the women, may
be in fonie ' tileafure owing to the early communication between the
fexes ; though, as'^the indinations which lead to this intercourfe are
prompted*here by nature fooner than in cold climates, it is not unfair

to Aippeie "tteit being proportioned to the period of maturity, this is
alfo fooner attained, and confequently that the earlier ceflation of
growth of thefe people, is agreeable to the laws of their conftitution, and
not Occafioned by a premature and itregular appetite.

Perfons of fupcrior rank encourage the growth of their hand-nails,
particularly thofe of the fore and little fingers, to an extraordinary
length ; frequently tinging them red, with the exprefled juice of a
flirub called ^eni ; as they do the nails of their feet alfo, to which, being
always uncovered, they pay as much attention as to their hands. The
hands of the natives, and even of the half breed, are always cold to the
touch ; which I cannot account for otherwife than by a fuppofition, that
from the lefs degree of elafticity in the folids, occafioned by the heat of
the cHmate, the internal adtion of the body, by which the fluids are
put in motion, is lefs vigorous, the circulation is proportionably languid,
and of courfe the diminiflxed efiedt is mod perceptible in the extremities,
and a coldnefs there is the natural confequence.

G The

4^ S U M A T R A.

Hill people The natives of the hills, through the whole extent of the iil^d, «ro

fubjcato wens f^ji^jg^ (Q |;j^fg monftrous wens from the throaty which haye. beep obieire^

pf the Vallaifans, and the inhabitants of other mountainous diilr^f^^: ^A
Europe. It has been ufual tQ attribute this afiedion to ;tlie ba4nfc&i
thawed ftatei mineral quality, or other peculiarity of the waters; maoy
Ikilful men having applied themfelves to thef inveftigation* of the fubjeift*
My experience enables me to pronounce without hefitation, thfcit! tUe
diforder, for fuch it is, though it appears^ here to mark'odiftimA'mc&of
people (oranr go^nofig), is immediately connected wi|h the hillrnefs'of
the country, and of courfe, if the circumftances of the water tHey ufe t:on^
tribute thereto, it mud be only fo far as the nature of the water is afibSed
by the inequality or height of the land. But on Sumatra neither fnow
nor other congelation is ever produced, which militates againft the
iQoft plaufible conjedufe .that has been adopted concernif^ (h^t Alpine
goitres. From every refearch that I have been enabled to make, I tfafinl^
I have reafon to conclude, that the complaint is owing, among the Suma-^
trans, to the fogginefs of the air in the vallies between the high:tiica]ntain9|
where, and not on the fummits, the natives of thele partS; .r^fi4e« . I.b^t
fore remarked, that between the ranges of hills, the cahoot pr deole Qiift
was vifible for feveral hours every morning % rifing in a thick, opaque 9nd
well defined body, with the fun, and feldom quite difperfed ^il4 after nooiu
This phaenomenon, as well as that of the wens, being peculiar to the
regions of the hills, affords a prefumption that they may be conne<9:ed ;
exclufive of the natural probability that a cold vapor, grofs to an un«
common degree, and continually enveloping the habitations, ihould
zSkOi with tumors the throats of the inhabitants. I cannot pretend to
,iay how far this folution may apply tojthe cafe of the goitres, but I rC'^
colle<% it to have been mentioned, that the only method of curing
thefe people, is by removing them from the vallies to the clear and
pure air on the tops of the hills ; which feems to indicate a fimilar fourc^
of the diftemper with what I have pointed out. The Sumatrans do not
appear to attempt any remedy for it, the wens being confiftent with th^
bigheft health in other refpe^*

• - • .

The

SUMATRA. 45

The pcrfonal difference between the Malays of the coaft, and the Difference m
countty inhabitants, is not fo ftrongly marked but that it requires feme Malays and
experience to diftinguifli them. The latter, however, poflefs an .evident ^ans.
fupefiority in point of fize and ftrengt'h, and are fairer complexioned,
which they probably owe to their lituation, where the atmofphere is
c61der ; and it is generally obferved, that people living near the fea
fhore, and efpeclally when accuftomed to navigation, are darker than
their inland neighbours. Some attribute the difparity in conftitutional
vigof, to the ni6re frequent ufe of opium among the Malays, which is ■.
fuppofed to debilitate the frame ; but I have noted that the Leemoon
and Batang Affy gold traders, who are a colony of that race fettled in
the heart of the ifland, and who cannot exift a day without opium, are
remarkably hale and flout ; which I have known to be obferved with a
degree of envy by the opium-fmokers of our fettlements. The inha-
bitants of PafTummah alfo, are defcribed as being more robuft in their
perfons, than the planters of the low country.

The original clothing of the Sumatrans is the fame with that found by Ciotiung.
tisivigators among the inhabitants of the South Sea iflands, and now ge*
fierally called by the name of Otiheitean cloth. It is Hill ufed among the
Ift^ejangs for their working drefs, and I have one in my pofleflion, procured
from thefe i>eople, confiding of a jacket, ftiort drawers, and a cap
for the head. This is the inner bark of a certain fpecies of tree, beat out
to the degree of finenefs required ; approaching the more to perfection,
as it refembles the fofter kind of leather, fome being nearly equal to the
moft delicate kid-ikin ; in which character it fomewhat differs from the
South Sea cloth, as that bears a refemblance rather to paper, or to the
manufafture l5f the loom. The country people now conform in a great
meafure to the drefs of the Malays, which 1 ihall therefore defcribe in
this place, obferving that much more fimplicity ftill prevails among the
former, who look upon the others as coxcombs who lay out all their
fubftance on their backs, whilft, in their turns, they are regarded by the
"Malays with contempt, as unpoliihed ruftics.

G 2 A man's

44 SUMATRA.

Man's drcfs. A man*s drefs confifts of the following parts. A clofe waiftcoat, withaoit:

fleeves, but having a neck like a Ihirt, buttoned clofe up to the top».
with buttons, often, of gold filagree. This is peculiar to the Malays*
Over this they wear the badjoo^ which refembles a morning gown^ opea
at the neck> but faftcned clofe at the wrifts and half way up the arm^
with nine buttons to each fleeve^ The badLjoo worn by young men is
open in front no farther down than the bofom, and reaches no lower.
than the waift^ whereas the others bang loofe to the knees, and ibme'-.
times to the ancles. They are made ufually of blue or white cotton
cloth 5 for the better fort, of chintz, and -for great men, of flowered
filks.. Ther^^;iy2inr^/?^ is not unlike a Scots high lander's plaid in ap-
pearance^ being a piece of party colored cloth, about fix or eight feet
long, and three or four wide, fewed together at the ends ; forming, as.
fgme writers have defcribed if, a wide fack without a bottom. This is
fomctimes gathered up, and flung, over the flioulder like a fafli, or elfe
folded and tucked about the wailt and hips ; and in full drefs it is bound
on by the belt of the creefe (dagger), which is of crimfon filk, and wraps
feveraL times round thebody,with a loop at the end, in which the fliealbof
the creefe hangs. They wear fliort drawers,, reaching, half way down the
thigh, generally of red or yellow taffeta.. There is no covering to their
legs or feet. Round their heads they faflen, in a particular manner, a
fine,. colored handkerchief, fo as to refemble afinall turban ; the country
people ufually twitting a piece of white or blue cloth for this purpofe*
The crown of their head remains uncovered, except on journies, when
they wear a toodong or umbrella-hat, which completely fcreens.them from,
the weather..

Woman's The womem have a kind of bodice, or. fliort waiftcqpt rather,, that

defends the breafts,^^imd reaches to the hips. The cayen farrong, be-
fore defcribed, comes up as high as the armpits, and extends to the feet,
.being kept on fimply by folding and tucking it over,, at the breafl:, exr
, cept when the talke-pending^ or zone, is worn about the waifl:, which
forms an additional arid neceflfary fecurity. This is ufually of embroidered
cloth, andfometimes a plate of gold or filver, about two inches broad^

faftening

SUMATRA. 4S

failening in the front with a large clafp of filagree or chafed work^ with
ibme kind of precious ftone^ or imitation of fuch, in the center. The
badjoo, or upper gown, differs little from that of the men, buttoning in
the fame manner at the wrifts. A piece of fine, thin, blue cotton cloth,,
about five feet long, and worked or fringed at each: end, called a\/2r&»-
dangy is thrown acrofs the back of the neck, and hangs down before ;
fcrving alfo the purpofe of a veil to the women of rank when they wait
abroad. The handkerchief is carried, either folded fmall in the hand, or at
length over the flioulder. There are two modes of drefling the hair, one
termed coondyCy and the other fangoll. The firft refembles much the falhion
in which we lee the Chinefe women reprefented in paintings, and which I
conclude they borrowed from thence, where the hair is wound circu*
larly over the center of the head, and fattened with a filver bodkin or
pin. In the other mode, which is more general, they give the fiair a
lingle turn as it hangs behmd, and then doubling it up, they pafs it crofs-
wife, under a few hairs feparated from the reft, on the back of the head,
for that purpofe. A comb, often of tortoifeihell, and fometimes fila-
greed, helps to prevent it from falling down. The hair of the front,
and of all. parts of the head, is of the fame length, and when Ibofe,
hangs together behind, with moft pf the women, in very great quantity.
It is kept moift with oil, commonly of the coco-nut, but thofe perfons wHo'
can afford it make ufe of an empyreumatic oil extracted from gum Benja-
min, as a grateful perfume. They wear no covering, except ornaments,
of flowers, which, on particular occafions, are the work of much laboiv
and ingenuity. The head drefles of the dancing girls by profeffion, who^
are ufually Javans, are very artificially wrought, and as high as any mo-
dern Englilh lady's cap, yielding only to the feathered plumes of the
year 1777. It* is impoffible to defcribe in words thefe intricate andfanci-
ful matters,, fb-as to convey a juft idea of them. The flowers worn' in
undrefs are, for the moft part, ft'rung in wreaths,, and Have a very neat
and pretty effeft, without any degree ofgaudinefs, being ufually white
©r pale yellow, finally and frequently only half blown. Thofe gene*
Baity chofen for thefe o'ccdiGons^ zre' tht Pdo^igc-iaptjon^ zhd ' iocngo^mil*
bpr: xia^ boofigO'Choompaco Is ufed'to'glVe the hair a fragrance, but w>

Qoncealedi

concealed from the fight. They, fometimes combine a variety of flow-
ers in fuch a manner as to appear like, one, jind.fix them on a fingte ;ftalk;j
.butthefe, being more formal, are l^s elegant, than t^c wjreaths. .

SSfrnwlf if^ Among tlve country people, particularly in the fouthern countries, the
wgins, <virginsY^^?^ gadde^Sj or goddeffes, as it is ufually pronounced) are

iiiflingui(hed. by a fillet which goes acrofs the front of the hair, and
fattens behind. This is commonly a thin plate of filver, about half an
inch broad : thofe of the firft rank have it of gold, and thofe of the loweft

jclafe have their fillet of the leaf of the neepab tree. Befides this peculiar

... > « -

prnamcnt, their ftat« of pucelage is denoted by their having rings or
tiracelets of filver ror gold on their wrifts. Strings of coins round the
.,peck ftfe univer-fally worn by children, and the females, before they arc
pf^an, age to be clothed, have, what may not be inaptly termed, a mo-
defty-piece, being a plate of filver in the ihape of a heart, hung before
by a chain of the fame metal, paffing round the waift. The young
women in the country villages manufadurc themfelves the cloth that
conftitutes the principal, and often the only part of their drefs, or the
'c?ye,n farrong, and this reaches from the breaft no lower than the knees.
Thofe worii by the Malay women, and men alfo, come from the Bugguefs
iflands to the eaftward, and with them extend as low as the feet ; but
here, as in other inftances^ the more fcrupulous attention to appearances
4ioes not accompany the fuperior degree of real modefty,

* « * * ■

Modeof aiinr ^t\i fexes have the extraordinary cuftom of filing and other wife dif-
«««^* figuring their teeth, which are naturally v^ry white and beautiful, from the

fimplicity of their food* For a file, they make ufe of a finall whetftone^
and the patients lie on their back during the operation. Many, parti-
cularly the women of the Lampoon country, have their teeth rubbed
down quite even with the gums ; . others, have them formed in points, and
fome file off no more than the outer coat and extremities, in order that they
may the better recdve and retain the jetty blacknefs, with, which they
almofl univerfally adojrn them. The black ufed on thefe occafions is the
^mp^eymatic oil of the CQco-nut ibejh Whicn this is not applied, the
' . filing

JL 17 M A T K A r^.

filing does not, by deffiroying what we term the enamel, diminiih the
whitenefs of the teethe The great men fomctimes fet theirs in gold, by
cafing, witha plate of that mctal^ the under rov^; and tbis.ornament^
contrafted with, the black dye, has, by l^mp or candle light,, a very
fplendid effedj. It is fometimes indented to the Ibape of the teeth, but
more usually qijite plaiiu They do not remove it eithei' to^eat 0( jfleep^^

At the agp of about eight or nine^ they borcf the ears of the female:
ehildreiit ; which isr a ceremony (iiai{ muA i)e<2eirarily precede thpir xxk9x^
f iage.. This^ they call betind^y as^ they call filing their teeth bidabong ;&
both which operations are regarded in the family,, as the occaGons of a
feilival. They (to not here, asin fome. of the adjiacent iflands» {p£ Near
ki particular) incr^ie the apeiture of the ear ta a monftr^us fizcj^
fp as in many instances to be large enough to admit the h^nd, the
lower parts being ftretched till they touch the flioulders. Their ear*
rings- are moftly of gold filagree, faftening, not with a clafp, but in tiue.
manner of ft ud?,.

valines.

4?' t SUMATRA,

V3hges •-^Buildings >^DomeJit€ Utenfils.^^Foodi

■

X 'SHALL now attempt a defcription of the villages and buildings of the
Sumatrans^ and proceed to their domeftic habits of c3economy, and thofe
fimffle arts^ on which the procuring of ttieir food and other neceflaries
depends. Thefe are not among the leaft interefting objeds of philofo-
phical fpeculation. In proportion as the arts in ufe with any people are
connedted with the primary demands of nature, they carry the greater
likelihood of originality, becaufe thofe demands muft have been admi-
niftered^toj from a period coeval with the exiilence of th^e people them-
fclves. Or if -corhplete originality be regarded as a vifionary idea, engen-
dered from Ignorance and the obfcurity of remote events, fuch arts
muft be allowed to have the faireft claim to antiquity at leaft. Arts of
accommodation, and more efpecially of luxury, are commonly the efFeft
of imitation, and fuggefted by the improvements of other nations, which
have made greater advances towards civilization. Thefe aJBTord lefs
ftriking and charadteriftic features, in delineating the pidture of man-
land, and though they may add to the beauty, diminifh from the genu-
inenefs of the piece. We muft not look for unequivocal generic marks,
where the breed, in order to mend it, has been crofted by a foreign
mixture. All the arts of primary neccflity are comprehended within
two diftinftions : thofe which proteft us from the inclemency of the
weather and other outward accidents ; and thofe which are employed in
fecuring the means of fubfiftence. Both are immediately eflential to the
continuance of life, and man is involuntarily and immediately pr6mpted
to exercife them, by the urgent calls of nature, even in the' mcrcft
poffible ftate of favage and uncultivated exiftencel In climates like
that of Sumatra, this impulfe extends not far. The human machine is
kept going with fmall effort, in fo favorable a medium. The ipring
of importunate neceffity there foon lofes its force, and confequently the
wheels of invention that depend upon it^ fail to perform more than a

few

SUMATRA. 49

^w fimple r^voUitions* In regions lefs mild this original motive to ti^*
duiitry wd ingenuity, carries men to greater lengths^ in the appHca-
Cton of arts .to the occafions of life; and which of courfe^ in an equa,!
. fpace of time^ attain to greater perfe<5tion^ than among the inhabitants
of the tropical latitudes^ who find their immediate wants fupplied
with facility, aad beyond what thefe require, prefer fimple inadtion, to
convendence pre^ured by labor. This confideration. may perhaps ;tei}d to
reconcile the high antiquity univerfally allowed to Aiiatic nations, with
the limited progrefs of arts and fciences among them ; in which they are
jmanifcAly furpafled by people who, compared with them, are but of
very TQcent, date.

The Sumatrans, however, io the oonftru&ion of their habitations,
'have ftept many degrees beycmd thofe rude contrivances, which writers
deforibe the inhabitants of fome other Indian countries to have been
contented with adopting, in order to fcreen themfelyes from the imme-
diate influence of furrounding elements. Their houfes are not only
permanent, but convenient, and are built in the vicinity of each ochef^
that they may enjoy the advantages of mutual ailifiance and protedion,
refulting from a ftate of fo<;iety«

The AofaQHs or villages, for the fmall number of inhabitants aflem-
bled in each does not entitle them to the appellations of towns, ate
.always fituated on the banks of a river or lake, for the cpnvenience of
bathing, and of tranfporting goods. An eminence difficult of afcent,

I is ufually made choice of, for fecurity. The accefs to them is by foot*
ways, narrow md winding, of which there are feldom more than two;
«ne to the country, and the other to the water; the lattet in moft places
fo fteep, as to render it neccff^ry to cut fteps in the cliff or rock. The
doofoons being furrounded ^ith abundance of fruit trees, fome of con-
fiderable. height, as the dccnan^ coco and betel-nut^ and the neighbour-
ing country, for a little fpace about, being in fome degree cleared of

' wood, for the rice and pepper plantations ; they ftrikenhe eye at a di-
Hance as clumps merely, exhibiting no cippearance of a town or any pUce

H of

so SUMATRA.

of habitation. The rows of houfes form commonly a quadrangfe, with
paflages or lanes at intervals between the buildings^ where, in the more
coniiderable villages, live the lower clafs of inhabitants, and where
alfo their paddee-houfes or granaries are erefted. In the middle of the
fquare (lands the taliy or town hal), a room about fifty to an hundred
feet long, and twenty or thirty wide, without divifion, and open at the
fides, excepting when on particular occafions it is hufig with mata or
chintz.

BuildiDss. '" ^^^'^ buildings neither flone, brick, nor clay, arc ever made ufe of,

which is the cafe in mod countries where timber abounds, and where
the warmth of the climate renders the free admiflion of air, a matter
rather to be defired, than guarded againll : but in Sumatra the frequency
of earthquakes is alone fufficient to have prevented the natives from
adopting a fubftantial mode of building. The frames of the houfes are
of wood,, the underplate retting on pillars of about fix or eight feet in
height, which have a fort of capital, but no bafe, and are wider at top
than at bottom. The people appear to have no idea of archite&ure as
a fcience, though much ingenuity is often fiiewn in the manner of wor]&-
ing up their materials, and they have, the Malays at Icail, technical
terms correfponding to all thofe employed by our houfe carpenters. Their ^
conception of proportions is extremely rude, often leaving thoie parts
of a . frame which have the greateft bearing, with the weakeft fupport,
and lavifiiing fi:rcngth upon inadequate prefifure* For the floorings they
lay whole bamboos (a well known fpecies of large cane) of four or dve
inches diameter, clofe to each other, and fallen them at the ends to the
timbers. Acrofs thefe are laid laths of fplit bamboo, about an inch
wide and of the length of the room, which are tied down with filaments of
the raitan ; and over thefe are ufually fpread mats of different kinds.
This fort of flooring has an elafticity, alarming to ftrangers when they
firft tread on it. The fides of the houfes are generally clofed in with
palccpo, which is the bamboo half fplit, opened, and rendered flat by
notching the circular joints withinfide, and laying it to dry in the fun,
prefiTed down with weights. This is foretimes nailed on to the upri^t

taxiber»

SUMATRA

timbers or bamboos^ but in the country parts, it is more commonly in-
terwoven, or matted, in breadths of fix inches, and a piece, or flieet,
forthed alt once of the fize required. In fome places they ufe for the
fame purpofe the eooHtcayOy or coolicoy, as it is pronounced by the Eu-
ropeans, who eml>loy it on board Ihip, as dunnage, in pepper and other
cargos. This is a bark procured from fome particular trees, of which
the boonoot and eeboo are the moft common. When they prepare to take
it, the outer rind is firft torn or cut away ; the inner, which affords the
material, is then marked out with a profig^ pateel^ or other tool, to the
fize required, which is uniformly three cubits by one ; it U afterwards
beaten for fome time with a heavy ftick, to loofen it from the (tern, and
being peeled off, is laid in the fun to dry, care being taken to prevent
its warping. The thicker or thinner forts of the fame fpecies of coo-
litcayo, owe their difference to their being taken nearer to, or farther
f5pom, the root. That which is ufed in building has nearly the texture
and hardnefs of wood. The pliable and delicate bark of which clothing
is made, is procured from a tree called cdawUy a bailard fpecies of the
bread-fruit.

The moft general mode of covering houfes is with the atiapy which
is the leaf of a fpecies of palm called neepab. Thefe^ previous to their
being laid on, are formed into ibeets of about five feet long, and as deep
as.the length of the leaf will admit ; they are then difpofed on the roof,
fo as that one iheet ftall lap over the other^ and are tied to the bam-
boos which ferve for rafters. There are various other kinds of covering
ufed. The coolitcayo, before defcribedj is fometimes employed for
this purpofe : the ^^/#M!^tf— -this is a thatch of narrow, fplit bamboos^
fix feet in length, placed in regular layers, each reaching within two feet
of the extremity of that beneath it, by which 9 treble covering 19
formed : ^'^-^this is a vegetable produdion, fo nearly refembling horie
hair as fcarcely to be diftinguiihed from it# It envelopes the item of
that fpecies of palm called anou^ from which the belt toddy or palm
win^ is procured, and is employed by the natives for a great • variety of
purpofes. It is bound on as a thatch, in the manner we do ftraw, and

H % not

St SUMATRA.

not unfreqiiently over the galoompye ; in which cafe the roof is fo du-
rable as never to require renewal, the ejoo being of aU vegetable fub-
ftances tjhe lead prone to decay, and for this feafdn it is a common
pradice to wrap a quantity of it round the ends of timbers or pofts which
are to be fixed in the ground. I faw a houfe about twenty miles up
Manna river, belonging to Dupatty Bandar Augooiig, the roof of which
was of fifty years (landing. The larger houfes have three pitches in the
roofj the middle dtie, under which the door is plated j . being much
lower than the other two. In fmaller houfes there are but two pitches
which are always of unequal height, and the entradci^ iB in the fmaller^
which covers a kind of hall, or cooking room.

There is another kind of houfe, ere&ed moftly for a tfemporiry pur^
pofe, the roof of which i^ fiar, and is covered in a "^tj uncooMnon^
fimple, and ingenious manner. Large, ftraight bamboos are cot of «
length Sufficient to lie acroiB the houfe, and being fpUt em&ly in tw<^
and the joints knocked out, they are dilpofed in ab order alternately
concave and convex, in fuch manner that each of the latter falls into
two of the former which lie next it, Something like the laying of pantiles.
TJie convex bamboos perfeiEtly defend tfad buii4iBg ^FOin jraiOy and the
concave ferve as gutters to carry the Water off*

The mode elf afcent to the houfes is by a piece of ^Irn^f, or flout baov
boo cut in n6tche6, which latter an Europeah fCaftiot avail ^imfelfo^
especially as the precaution is Seldom taken of. biftdtog them £afl»
TheSe are tUSe vfOnderf(]l light Scaling bdders, Which the eld POjrtuguefe
writers deScribed to have be^ uSed by the ^people of Acheen in their
Wars with their nation. It is pmbablc that the apprehenfion of danger
ffom the Wild \>eaft$5 cciuSdd them to ixlopt and continue ^his rude ex*-
pedient^ in preference to more r^ular and commodious fleps« The
detached buildings id the country, near to their plantatioes, caUed tal-

♦ I £itd tbat the odgmal iababitant^ of the Philippine ifUndf coveitdtfaieir buildings in the ftrne
manner*

SUMATRA. ,5^

tongs^ they raife to the height of ten or twelve feet from the ground, and
make a pradtice of taking up their ladder at night, to fecure themfelves
from the deftruftive ravages of the tigers. I have been affured, but
will not pledge myfclf for the truth of the ftory, that an elephant,
attempting to pafs under one of thefe houfes, which (land on four or fix
pods, ftuck by the way, but difdaining to retreat, carried it, with the
family it contained, on his back, to the diftance of feveral miles.

In the buildings of the dooCoons, particularly where the mod refpeftable
families refide, the wood -work in front is carved, in the ftyle of ba6
relief, into a variety of uncouth ornaments, and grotefcjue figures, noc
much unlike, the Egyptian hieroglyphics, but certainly without any
myllic or hiftorical allufion.

The furniture of their houfes, correlponding with their manner of punrftttrt.
living, is very fimple, and confifts of but few articles. Their bed is
a mat,,ufually of fine texture, and manufafturcd for the purpofe, with
a number of pillows, worked at the ends, and adorned with a fhining
lubftance that refembles foil. A fort of canopy or valaiice, formed
of various colored cloths, hangs over head. Inftcad of tables, they have
what rcfemble large wooden falvers, wltli feet, called doolang ; round
each of which three, or four pejfons difpofe themfelves ; and on thefe are
laid the tallams or brafs waiters, which hold the cups that contalo plieit
curry, and plaintain leaves,' or matted veflTels, filled wljh ripe. Their
mode of fitting is not crofs-kgged, as the inhabitants of Turkey,' ' and
our taylors, ufe, but either on' the haunches, or on the left fide^
fi]pported by the left hand, with the legs tucked in on the right fide ;
leaving that hand at liberty^ which they always, from motives of de-
licacy, fcrupulouily eat with ; the left being referved for lefs cleanly
offices. Neither knives, fpoons, nor any fubftitutes for them, are em-
ployed ; they take up the rice, and other viftuals, between their thumb
and fingers, and dexteroufly throw it into the mouth by the a<^ipn of
fhe thumb, dippbg frequently their iiands in water as they eat.

They

^4 S- U M A T R A.

■Utenfils. They have a little coarfe china^ imported by the Bugguefs praws,

which is held a matter of luxury. la cooking they employ a kind of
iron veflel, well known in India by the name of qualLe or tauch, refembling
in ihapc the pans ufed in feme of our manufactures, having the rim
wide, and bottom narrow. Thefe are Ukewife brought from the eaftward.
The preeo and helango, fpecies of earthen pipkins, are in more common
ufe, being xnade in fmall quantities in different parts of the iiland,
particularly in Lampoon^ where they give them a fort of glazing ; bur
the greater number of them are imported from Bantam. The original
Sumatran veffel for boiling rice, and which is ftill much ufed for that
purpofc, is the bamboo i that material of general utility, with which
bountiful nature has fupplied an indolent people. By the time the rice
is dreffed, the uteniil is nearly deftroyed by the fire, but refifts the flame
fo long as there is moifture within-

K,ea. Fire being wanted among thefe people but occaiionaliy, and only

when they cook their viduals, there is not much attention paid, in their
buildings, to provide conveniencies for it. Their houfes have no chimnies,
and their fire-places are no more than a few loofe bricks, or ftones^
difpofed in a temporary manner, and frequently on the landing*place
before the doors. The fuel made ufe of is wood alone ; the coal which
the ifland produces never being converted by the inhabitants to that
purpofe. The flint and fteel for ftriking fire are common in the country)
but it is a pradice certainly borrowed from fome other people, as that
fpecies of ftone is not, I believe, a native of the foiU Thefe generally
form part of their travelling apparatus, and efpccially with thofe men
called nefotvs (fpendtbrifts that turn freebooters), who find themfelves
often obliged to take up their habitation in the woods, or in deferred

U«deof kind- houfes. But they alfo frequently kindle fire from the friftion of two flicks.
'**™' They chufe a piece of dry, porous wood, and cutting fmooth a fpotof it,
lay it in an horizontal dire(ftion« They then apply a fmaller piece, of a
harder fubftance, with a blunt point, in a perpendicular pofition, and turn
it quickly round, between the two hands, as chocolate i; milled, preffing
it downwards at the fame time. A hole )s ibon foraged by thi^ motion

SUMATRA. ss

of the fmaller ftick; but it has not penetrated far before the la'rger one
takes fire, I have alfo fecn the fame efFcft produced, more fimply, by
rubbing one bit of bamboo, with a fharp edge, acrofs another.*

Water is conveyed from the fpring, iii bamboos, which for this purpofe,
are cut, either to the length of five or fik feet, and carried over the flioulder,
or into a number of fingle joints, that arc put together in a balket. It is
drunk out of the fruit called laboo here, refembling the calabajb of
the Weft Indies^ a hole being made in the fide of the neck, and another
at top for vent. In drinking, they generally hold the veflbl at a
diftance above tbeir mouths, and catch the ftream as it defcends. Bafkets
{broaong^ iaccole) are a confiderable part of the furniture of a man's
houfe, and the number of thefe feen hanging up, arc tokens of the
owner's fiibftance : for ia them his harvefts, of rice or pepper, are

* This mode of kindling fire is not peculiar to Sumatra : we read of the fame pra£^ice in Africa^
and even io Kamtfchatka. It it furprizing, but confirmed by abundant authority, that many oatioas
of the.earthy have, at certain periods, being ignorant of the ufe of fire. To our immediate
apprehenfion> human exigence would feem in fuch circumftances impofiible. Every art, every
convenience, every necefifary of life, is now in the raofl intimate manner conneAed with it : and
yet the Chtnefe, the Egyptians, the Phoenicians, and Greeks acknowledged traditions concerning its
firft difcovery in their refpef^ive countries. But, in fa£);, if we can once fuppofe a man, or fociety
of men^ unacquainted with the being and ufes of this element, I fee no difficulty in conceiving
the poilibility of their fappocting life without it i I mean in the tropical climates ; and of centuries
paffing before they ihould arrive at the important difcovery. It is true that lightning and ita
tSt€t»f volcanos, the firing of dry fubftances by fortuitous attrition, or of moift, by fermentation^
might give them an idea of its violent and deflru6Uve properties ; but far from being thence
induced to appropriate and apply ic, they would, on the contrary, dread and avoid it, even in its lefs
formidable appearances. They might be led to worihip it as their deity, but not to cheriih it as
their dpmeftic. There is ibme reafon to conclude that the man who firft reduced it to fubje^on,
and rendered it fubfervient to the purpofes of life, procured it from the collifion of ' two flints |
but the fpafks thus produced, whether by accident or defign, might be obferved innumerable
times, without its fuggefting a beneficial application. In countries where thofe did not prefent
themfelves, the difcovery had, moft probably, its origin in the rubbing together of dry fticks, and
in this operation, the agent and fubjed co-exifling, flame, with its propcnies and ufes, became
more immediately apparent. Still, as no previous idea was conceived of this latent principle, and
confequently no fearch made, no endeavors exerted, to bring it to light, I fee not the impoflibitity
M priori, of its remaining almoft as long conctiltd kom mankifid; as the properties of the load-
ftone, or the qualities of gunpowder*

gathered

56 S a M A T R A.

gathered and brought home ; no carts bdng employed in tlie interior
parts of the illand, which I am now dcfcribing. They are made of
ilices of bamboo, connedred by means of fplit rattans ; and are carried,
chiefly by the women^ on the back, fupported by a ftring, or band^
iK:r6fs the forehead.

Although the Sumatrans Tive^ in a great meafure, upon vegetable fbod,
they are n©t reftrained, by any fuperftitious opinion, from other aliments,
and accordingly, at their entertainments, the flefli of the buffalo {carhow)y
goat, and fowls, are ferved up. Their diftesare almoft all prepared in that
^ode of dreffing, to which we have given the nan:ie of curry, (from an Hin*
<lofl:anic word) and which is now univerfally known in Europe* It is called
in the Malay language, goolye^ and may be compofed of any kind of
^edible, but is generally of flefli or fowl, with a variety of pulfe and fuecu^
lent herbage, ftewed down with certain ingredients, by us termed, when
mixed and ground together, curry powder. Thefe ingredient are,
among othres, the cayenne or chili pepper, turmeric, ferraye or lemon
grafs, cardamums, garlick, and the pulp of the coco-nut bruifed to a
milk refembling that of almonds, which is the only liquid made ufe of.
This differs from the curries of Madras and Bengal, which have greater
variety of fpices, and want the coco-nut. It is not a little remarkable,
that the common pepper, the chief produce and ftaple commodity of
the country, is never mixed by the natives in their food. They efteem
it heating to the blood, and afcribe a contrary, effect to the cayenne ;
which, I can fay, my own experience juftifies. A grejtt diverfity of
€urrie8 is ufually ferved up at the fame time, in (mall veffels, each £a«
vored, to a nice difceming tafle, in a different manner ; and in this con-
fills all the luxury of their tables. Let the quantity or variety of meat
be what it may, the principal article of their food is rice, which is eaten
in a large proportion with every diih, and very frequently without any
other accompaniment than fait and chili pepper. It is prepared by
boiling in a manner peculiar to India ; its perfedion, next to cleannefs
and whitenefs, conGfting in its being, when thoroughly d reffed and
iaft to the heart, at the fame time whole ^nd (eparate, fo that no two

grains

SUMATRA. 57

grains fliall adhere together. The manner of efFeAing this, is by putting
into the earthen or other veffel in which it is boiled, no more water
than is fufficieat to cover it ; letting it fimmer over a flow fire ; taking
otf'the water by degrees with a flat ladle or fpoon, that the grain may
dryt and removing it when juft fliort of burning. At their entertain-
ments^ the guefis are treated with rice prepared alfo in a variety of
modes^ by frying it in cakes, or boiling it, mixed with the kernel of the
coco-nut and freih oil, in fmall joints of bamboo. This is called lemmang.
Before it is ferved up, they cut off the outer rind of the bamboo, and
the foft inner coat is peeled away by the perfon who eats.

They drcfs their meat immediately after killing it, while it is ftill
warm, which is conformable with the practice of the ancients, as re-
Coz'ded in Homer and elfewhere, and in this ftate it is faid to eat tenderer '
than when kept for a day : longer the climate will not admit of, unlefs
when it is preferved in that mode called dindinfi This is the flefh
of the buffalo cut into fmall thin fteaks, and ezpofed to the heat of
the fun in fair weather, generally on the thatch of their houfes, till it
is become fo dry and hard as to reiift putrefaction, without any ailiftance
from ialt. Fiih is preferved in the fame manner, and cargos of both
are fent from parts of the coaft, where they are in plenty, to thoie where
provifions are in more demand. It. is feemingly ilrange, that heat,
which, in a certain degree, promotes putrefaction, ihould, when

violently increafed, pperate to prevent it ; but it muft be* confidered
th^t qtoifture alfo is requifite to the former effe<^, and this is abforbed in
thin fubftances, by the fun's rays, before it can contribute to the
produAioD of maggots.

. &4ubtwg^ a pre&rvation, if it may be fo termed, of an oppofite kiod,
ts efleemed a great delicacy amoi^ the Malays, and is by them exported
to the weft of India. The country Sumatrans feldom procure it. It is
a fpecies of caviare, and is extremely offenfive and difgufting to perfonsf
who are not accuftomed to it, particularly the black kind, which is the
moft common. Th^ beft fort, or the red blachang, is madb of the

I fpawn

58 SUMATRA.

fpawn of fhrimps, or of the fhrimps themfelvcs, which they take about
the mouths of rivers. They are left in the fun to dry, then pounded in
a mortar, with fait, moiftened with a little water, and formed into
cakes, which is all the procefs. The black fort, ufed by the lower clafs,
is made of fmall fiih, prepared in the fame manner. On fome parts of
the eaft coaft of the ifland, they fait the roes of large filh, and prefervc
them perfectly dry, and well flavored.

When the natives kill a buffalo, which is always done at their public
meetings, they do not cut it up into joints, as we do an ox, but into
fmall pieces of flefh, or fteaks^ which they call bantye^ The hide of the
buffalo is fcalded, fcraped, and hung up to dry in their houfes, where it
Ihrivels, and becomes perfedtly hard. When wanted for ufe, a piece is
chopped off, and being ftewed down for a great number of hours, in a
fmall quantity of water, forms a rich jelly, which, properly feafoned, is
efteemed a very delicate difh.

The fago (fagoo)^ though common on Sumatra, and ufed occafionally
by the natives, is not an article of food of fucb general ufe among them,
as with the inhabitants of many other eaftern iflands, where it is em-
ployed as a fubftitute for rice. The tree which yields it, is a fpecies
of palm, whofe trunk contains a glutinous pith, that being foaked,
dried, and granulated, becomes the fago of our (hops, and has been too
frequently and accurately defcribed to need a repetition from me. Millet
{randa jaou) is alfo cultivated for food, but not in any confiderable
quantity.

When thefe feveral articles of fubfiftance fail, the Sumatran has
recourfe to thofe wild roots, herbs, and leaves of trees, which the
woods abundantly afford in every feafon, without culture, and which
the habitual Simplicity of his diet teaches him to confider as no very
extraordinary circumftance of hardfhip. Hence it is that famines in
this ifland, or, more properly fpeaking, failures of crops of grain,
are never attended with thofe dreadful confequences, which more
improved countries^ and more provident nations experience^

AgricuUuru

SUMATRA. /9

jigrtcuUure. — Rtce^ its Cultivation y &c. — Plantations of Coco,
Betel-nut^ and other Trees^ for Domejlic ufe.^^^Dye Stuffs.

J7 R O M their domeftic oeconomy I am led to take a view of their Agriculture.
labors in the field, their plantations and the ftate of agriculture amongft
them, which an ingenious writer efteems the jufteft criterion of
civilization.

The mod important article of cultivation, not on Sumatra alone, but Rlcew
throughout the eaft, is rice. It is the grand material of food, on which
an hundred millions of the inhabitants of the earth fubfift, and although
chiefly confined by nature to the regions included between, and bordering
on the tropics, its cultivation is probably more extenfive than thait
of wheat, which the Europeans are wont to confider as the uniyerfal ftaff
of life. In the continent of Afia, as you advance to the northward, you
come to the boundary where the plantations of rice difappear, and the
wheat fields commence ; the cold felt in that climate, owing in part to
the extreme height of the land, being unfriendly to the production of

the former article.

Rice (bras) whilft in the hulk, is in India called paddee^ and aflumes
a different name in each of its other various dates. We obferve no
diftindion of this kind in Europe, where our grain retains through all
its ftages, till it becomes flour, its original name of barley, wheat or
oats.* Among people whofe general objeAs of contemplation are few,

* The following! befide 'many others, are names applied to rice, in its diBerent ftages of
growth and preparation : padiit^ original name of the feed : wjfoffi grain of laft feafon : hunnet^
the plants' before removed to the fawoors : bras or bray^ rice, the hulk of the paddce being taken
off: cbarr^i rice cleaned for boiling: naffti, boiled rice; pttrang^ yellow dec: jambar^ a
leryice of rice, &c.

I 2 thofe

ffo SUMATRA

thofe which do of neceffity engage their attention, are often more nicely
difcriminated, than the fame objedts among more enlightened people^
whofe ideas ranging over the extenfive field of art and fcience, ^fdain to
fix long on obvious and common matters. PaddeCf oa Sumatra and the
Malay iflands, is diftingullhed into two forts, Lad.iang or upland paddee,
and Sawcor or low land, which are always kept feparate, and will not
. grow reciprocally.* Of thefc the former bears the higher price, being a
whiter, heartier, and better flavored grain, and having the advantage in
point of keeping. The latter is much more prolific from the feed, and
liable to Icfs rifk in the culture, but is of a watery fubftance, produces
lefs increafe in boiling, and is fubjed: to a fwifter decay. It is, however,
in more common ufe than the former. Befide this general diftindion,
the paddee of each fort, particularly the Laddang, prefents a variety of
fpecies, which, as far as my information extends, I fliall enumerate,
and endeavor to defcribe. The common kind of dry ground paddee :
color, light brown : the fizc rather large, and very little crooked at
the extremity. Paddee undaUong : dry ground : ihort round grain :
grows in whorles or bunches round the flock. Paddee eHafs : dry
ground : large grain : common. Paddee galho : dry ground i light
colored : fcarce. Paddee yjr»ir^^ ; dry ground ^ deep colored ; fmall grain :
fcarce. Paddee ly^: dry ground; light colored. VzAAtt honing : dry
ground : deep yellow : fine rice ; crooked, and pointed. Paddee coocoor
kallum : dry ground : much efteemed : light colored; fmall, and very
much crooked, refembling a dove's nail, from whence its name. Paddee
pcfang : dry ground : outer coat light brown i inner red : longer, fmaller
and lefs crooked than the eoocaor hallum. Paddee Santtmg : the fineft
fort that is planted in wet ground.: fmall, ftraight, and light* colored.
Ih general it may be obferved that the larger grained rice is the leaft
cfleenied, and the fRUtller and whiter, the moft prized. In the Lam«
poon country they make a diftindion of paddee crawangy and paddee
jerroc, the former of which is a month earlier in growth than the latter.

China.

Ilhall

SUMATRA. €i

I fliall (peak firft of th^ cultivation of the Laidang or upland paddee. upiaDdpad^^t
This is fown, a» \% obvious from the name, in high grounds, and al- ^^ "^'
ni6& univtrfaUy oil the fite of old woods, on account of the fuperior
richoefs of the foil ; the continual fall and rotting of the leaves^ form*
ing there a bed of vegetable mould, which the open plains cannot af-
ford, being exhaufted, by the powerful operation of the fun's rays, and
the conftant produ^ion, of a rank grafs, called tallang. When this laU
lang, with which the eaftern iflands are for the moft part covered, where
the ground is free from wood, is kept under by frequent mowing, or
the grazing of cattle, its room is fuppHed with grafs of a finer texture.
Many fuppofe that the fame, identical* fpecies of grafs undergoes this
alteration, as no frelh feeds are fown, and the change uniformly takes
place. But this is an evident miftake, as the generic charaderS of the
two are effentially different, the one being the p-amen cariccftm, and the
other the gramen acictctatum^ defcribed by Rumphiirs; The former,
which grows to the height of fiver feet, is remarkable fbr thewMteneft
and foftnefs of the down, which is its bloffdm, and the ot4ier for the
fliarpnefs of its bearded feeds, which prove extremely troublefomc to

the legs of thofe who walk among it*.

On account of the feniUty if^Bichiit oq^fions, t\» Qatives- do not
look upon the abfundapce.of wood in the couotry, as an inconvenience^

# « Oramn carK^i«0|. H^ t»tof'o^«patfl»iiipot]knil4>'i%uecoll«sr| tarn deii9d\&]«i£gei>
minansi ut, £ longmquo.haberetiiriC^xnpfU.Qry^ cos fii;us ; .tarn luJ^urios^ & fortiter crefck^ ut
Deque honos neque fylvas eyitet, atqu^ tain vehementer propepit, ut aits vix depurari ac fervari
]>ofiint, lic^t quotidie deambclentor/^ .••.;..'< Gi-amen aciculatum. UTus eju$ fere nttlltiv
•ft} fed hie detegendmudLiaadiafam liiditeiiuay qtaoA .quis habet^. £ per campos^ tcI in iylFk pro^
cedaf» ubi h«c grainen ad ft'iaf, publicai aeifcit,qj|vfit pcytece^ntuua veftiha& iemea qiaamiDauia*
inberet " Ruti^bius.

Le Poivre, in his Travels of a Philofopher, dcfcribes the plains of Madagafcar and Java, as co*
▼ered with a long graTs, which he calls Fatak^ and which, from the analogy of ^ oovmiiet in other
le^&Sv I fh»iild fuppofe to be the laUamgt. but he praties it at ail^rdiog «3DoelJ^Rrpeffi]BigB f
whereas on Sumatra it is reckoned the worft, and except when very young, it is not ediUe by thd
laigea cattle i for which reafon the carters and drovers conftantly (et fire to that which grows on
^e plaina by the road iWe, that the young (hoots which aftem^rds ipring iq>, may fupply food to
their beafts*

but

62 SUMATRA.

but the contrary. In few parts of the ifland do they ever fow grain on
land that has been long cleared, and there, more from ncccffity th^
choice. I have heard a prince of the country complain of a fettlement
made by fome ftrangers in the inland part of his dominions, whom he
fhould be under an obligation to expel from thence, lo prevent the
wafte of his old woods. ' This feemed a fuperfluous aft of precaution in
an ifland which flrikes the eye as one general, impervious, and inex*
hauflible foreft*^

On the approach of the dry monfoon, or about the month of April,
the hufbandman makes choice of a fpot, for bis laddang of that feafon,
and collefting his family and dependants,. proceeds to fell the timber, in
order to clear the ground. This is an undertaking of immenfe labor, and
would feem to require herculean force ; but it is effefted by perfcve-
ranee. Their tools, the pra/jg and billmg^ (the former refembling a
bill-hook^ and the latter an imperfeft adze) . are fe^mingly inadequate
to the talk, and the faw is unknown in the country. Being regardlefs
of the timber, they do not fell the tree near the ground, where the
ftem is thick, but ereft a ftage, and begin to hew, or chop rather, at
the height of ten or twelve feet, where the dimenfions are fmaller, till
it is fufEciently weakened to admit of their pulling it down with rattans,
in place of ropes, made fall to the branches^f • And thus by flow de-
grees the whole is laid low. I could never behold this devaftation
without a ftrong fentiment of regret. Perhaps the prejudicies of a claf-
Ccal education taught me to refpeft thofe aged trees, as the habitation
or material frame of an order of fylvan deities, who were now deprived
of exiftence, by the facrilegious hand of a rude, undiftinguifliing favage.
But without having recourfe to fupcrfliition, it is not difficult to ac-
count for fuch feelings, on the fight of a venerable wood, old as the

* The quicknefs of vegetation precludes all poifibility of clearing a country fo thinly inhabited*
Ground) where paddee has been planted^ will ^ in a (ingle month after the harveftj afford full ihelter
for a tiger.

.4. The Mai/on ruJH^ue dt Cayinm, defcribe$ a fioiilai: mode of felling trees*

S U M A T R A^ 63

foil it ftood on^ and beautiful beyond what pencil can defcribe, annihi-
lated^ for the temporary ufe of the fpace it occupied^ It appears a -no-
lation of nature, in the too arbitrary exercife of power. The timber
thus felled is of no value, from its abundance, the fmallnefsof con-
fumption, and its diftance, in common, from the banks of rivers, by
the means of which alone it can be tranfported to any diftance. Trees,,
whofe amazing bulk, height, and ftraightnefs would excite the admiray
tion of a traveller, compared to which the malls of men of war arc
diminutive, fall in the general ruin. The branches are lopped off, and
when the continuance of the dry weather has rendered them fufficiently
arid, they are fet fire to, and the country is, for the fpace of a month,
in a general blaze> till the whole is confamed. . The expiring wood,
beneficent to its ungrateful deftroyer, fertilizes for. his ufe, by its aflies
and their fait % the earth from which it fprung, and which it fo long
adorned.

Unfeafonable wet weather at this period, which fometime^ happ^fif ,
is produdtive of much inconvenience^, by . lofs .of prefent- Xim^^r ajaid
throwing the crop back. There are impoftprSi that niake a profit of tJb(e
credulity of the hulbandmen, who, like all ojthers whofe employmeoGS
expofe them to rifks, are prone to fuperftition, by pretending to a
power of caufing, .or retarding ra^n. One o(.thpfe will receive, at the ,
time of burning the laddangs, a dollar or more from ea9h family in the
neighbourhood, that he may procure, favorable weather for their bufi-
nefs. To accompliih ,this purpofe, he abftains, or pretends to abilain,
for many days and,.i)ights> from food and fleep, and performs various
trifling ceremonies, . qonjtinuing all the time in the open air. If he ef-
pies a cloud gathering, he immediately begins to fmoke tobacco with
great vehemence, walking about quick, and throwing the puffs towards
it with all the force of his lungs. How far he is fuccefsful, it is no dif-
ficult matter to judge. His fkill, in fa£t, lies in chufing his. time, whea
there is. the greateft profpeft of a continuance of fair weather in the
ordinary courfe of nature : but fliould be fail, there is an effeAual falvo»
He always promifcs to fulfil his agreement, with a Deo voknte claufe^

and

^4 SUMATRA.

and fo s^ttributes h\$ occafional difappointments to tbe particular inter-
pofition of the deity. Tbe cunniiig men, who^ in this and many other
tnftancea of conjuratira^ impofe on the £mpk country people^ are al-
ways Malay adventurers*

When the periodical rains b^n to fall, which happeq^ gradually
^bout September or Odober^ they proceed to Horn the graio« Ploughs
are rarely u&d, and only in the open plains, when cultivated, in coun-
tries where the old woods are compatalively fcaree* In the grounds I
am defcribing, the flumps of the trees would utterly preclude the pof-
fibility of working them. The huibandman enters the plantation, as it
is ufual to call the paddec fields with a iharp ftake in each hand, and
with th^fib ; makes holes on either fide of him, at equal diflances, as he
pfocecdif Another perfon follows hinr, with the feed, of which he
drops a few grains into each hole ; leaving it to accident, or the winds
and rain, to cover it* The birds, as may be expeAed, often prove de-
flrudive foes, and in a plantation far removed from any other, they have
b^en known to devour the whole* The above is all the labor that a
laddang requires, till the harveft time, which is ^flimatcd at five months
and ten days from the period of £>wihg.

Low ground The preparation of the Sawoor, or low ground phmtations, is as

follows. After clearing away the brulhr wood, and aquatic Ihrubs;
'with which the fwamps . and marlhes, when neglected, are overrun, a
number ofbuflfalos, whofe greateft enjoyment confifi:s in wading- and
rolling in mud, are turned in. Thefe work it up by their motions,
'and enrich it with their dung. The next care is to level it well, that
the water, when introduced, may He equally on all tbe parts. For
this purpofe, in fome diftrids of the country, they contrive to drag
about on the furface, a fiat board with earth on it, to deprefs the rifing
fpots, and fill up the hollow ones. The whole is then divided by pa-
rallel dams, by means of which the water is retained, or let off at plea-
fure. Thefe divifiona or plats, are called peering^ which fignifies a diiht

Whilft

nee.

SUMATRA. 65

Whilft this work is going on, a fpot is prepared in a convenient part of
the ground, where the feed paddee is Town, in fmall patches, very
thick, for tranfplanting, and in this date it is called bunnay.. When it
is about two or three inches high, the tops are cropped in order to itiu1«
tiply the ihoots. At the end of forty days from firfl: fowing, the tranf-
plantation takes place : holes are made in the fawoor, as dcfcrlbed in
the htddangy and a few plasits put in each ; a referve bting made in
the patches to fupply the place of fuch as Ihall have failed upon removal.
The innAHncrable fprings and runs of water with which this ifland
abounds, render unneceflary the laborious proceiTes by which water is^
rasibd and fapplied to the plantations in the Weft of India, where the
country is level, and the foil fandy : yet ftUl the principal art of the
pknter confifts, and is required, in the management of this article ; ta
fiimifh it to the ground in proper and moderate quantifies, and to carry it
off from time to tiaie, by drains ; for it muft on no account be long:
fiagnant, as m aegie& of that kind would occafion the grain to rot*.
When the paddee be^s to* form the ear, or to blofibm,, as the natives
exprefi it, the wafccr is all ibally drawn oC They notw b^gin to |^$-
pare their machines for brightening awfif the birds, in which th^ empky
incredible pains, and wonderful ingenuity. The firings and clappeys
are fa difpc^ed, that a child ihall be able, with the fimple motion of its
anut to.crea^ ^ loud, clattering noife^ thsougl^; e^ry part ^f, s^n ea^en-
five plantation 5 and cm the borders ase placed,, at diftanoeVra fp^cjes of
unadmill fixed 011 poles^ which> to an ^experienced traveler, hfve ^
tremendous an e&d as tiuiic whick terrified the Knight of la. Mancha*. •

In four mmtths firom tke dme pf traofplaming^ they begin to reap
the grain* The mode of domg this is the fame with both fpecies of ^^^^'
paddee« The eats are cut «ff pretty Ihert, one "by ene^ witl^ a rude in^
ftrument, rcfembling the ftump of a knife, m a bamboo haft*« Thif
is performed with one hand, at if the- ears were plucked, and each, aa
tdKncyffi is put into the other hand, till that is full;, when they asp

* 21«iaialRntt>o{Ii|eBaiq[eab«wmpwtihniAftria^ .. ^^

.K tied

66 SUMATRA.

tied up in a littk iheafp and thrown into a bafket, which they carry fc*
the purpofe, either by their fide, or flung on their back, with the firing
or ftrap acrofs the forehead. The quantity of paddee which they can
grafp in both hands, whilil thus in the ear, is faid to be equal to a bam-
boo (gallon) when threlhed out, and is often fold by that efiimation.

Different nations have adopted various methods of feparating the
ThxtihiDe. grain from the ear. The moft ancient we read of, was that of driving

cattle over the iheaves, in order to trample it out. Large planks ^ blocks

of marble ; heavy carriages ; have been employed in later times for this
end. In moft parts of Europe the flail is now in ufew The Sumatraos
have a mode different from all thefe. The paddee in the car being
fpread on mats in their barns, they rub it out with their feet ; fupport*
ing themfelves, for the more eafy performance of this labor, by hold?
ing with their hands a bamboo placed acrofs, over th^ir heads. Al-
though, by going always unfliod, their feet are extremely csdlous, and
therefore in fonie degree adapted to this work, yet the workmen, when
clofely ta&ed by their maflers, fometimes continue fliuffling till the
Hood iflues from thetr folcs* This is the univerfal pra/fiice throughout
theifland.

' A taddang, m any of the diftrids that lie near thfe fea toaftj eailitot
be ufed two following feafons, though a Awoor miy ; yet in the inlaad
^country, where the temperature of 'the air is more favorable toagriculturcy
they have been known to fow the fame ground, three fucceffive years;
It is common there alfo to plant a crop of onions, as foon as the ftubble
is burned off. Millet is fown at the fame tinde with the paddee.

m % * «

' In the country of Manna, a pregrefs in the art of cultivation is dif^f
covered, fuperior to what appears ia almoft any other part of the ifland ;
among the Battas perhaps alone excepted. Here the traveller may ob«
ferve pieces of land, in fize from five to fifteen acres, regularly ploughed
iind harrowed. I Ihall endeavor to account for this difference* Manna
|i by mudh the moft populous diftrid to the Ibuthward, with the fmalleft

extent

SUMATRA. 6f

extent of fea coaft. The pepper plantatians and laddangs together, have
in great meafure exhaufted the old woodsj in the acceilible parts of the
country, and the inhabitants are therein deprived of a fource of fertility •
which nature formerly fuppHed. They muft either ftarve, remove* theif
plantations, or cultivate the earth. The firft is contrary to the inherent
principle which teaches man to prefcrve life by every poQlble means :*
Their attachment to their natahfolumj or rather their veneration for the
fepulchres of their ancefiors^ is fo ftrong, that to .remove, would eoft
them a ftruggle equal almoft to the pangs of death : NeCefiity therefore^
the parent of art, obliges them to cultivate the earth. The produce of Rate of Pn
the grounds thus tilled, is reckoned at thirty for one : from the lad- **
dangs in common, it is about fixty to eighty. The fawoprs are gene-»
rally fuppofed to yield an increafe of an hundred for one^ and in fome of
the northern parts (at Soofoi) an hundred and twenty. * Thefe returns are
Teiy extraordinary, compared with the produce of our fields in Europe,
which, I believe, feldom exceeds fifteen, and is often under ten. What
is this difproportion owing to? Perhaps to. the diiTerenc&of grain, as
rice maybe in its nature extremely prolific :. perhaps ta the more ge^
nial influence of a warmer climate : perhaps the earth, by an exccffive
cultivatiori, lofes by degrees her fecundity. An attention to the obfer-
vations and reports of travellers, would ifcem to give countenance to this
fuppofition. Peru, which may be called new land, is faid to yield four
or five hundred for one. Babylon, anciently, two to three hundred*
Lybia an hundred and fifty. Egypt an hundred. Yet of the two lat-
ter, modern naturalifis inform us, the one produces, at this day, but
ten. or twelve, and the other from four to ten, for one. The Peruvian
account I fufpe& of exaggeration, or that it is the refutt of fome parti-
cular and partial experiment, as it is well known what a furprizing
crop may be procured from a fmall quantity of grain, (own feparately,
and carefully weeded. Th6 other accounts are probably juft, but the '
falling off in thefe countries^ as well as the difference between the Eui-
fopean and eaftern produce, I attribute, more than to any other caufe,
to the different liyle of cultivation* With us the faving of labor and
promoting of expedition, are the chief objects, and in order to effed

K^ . . .. thefo^.

€8 SUMATRA.

thefe, the grain is almofl unmrfally fcattered ia th^ fvrrmKS^ except
where the drUl has been introduced* The SqmainQ9» who do? not cal-
culate their own or their domeftics' labor on thefe occafioiiK OMtfcr hcdcft
ia the ground^ as I have defcribed^ and drop into each a few goains %
or by a procefs ftill more tedious, raife the feed in btdf^ and afttrwardt
plant it out. Mr, Charles Miller, in a paper pubUihcd in/ the Piuftg
TranC, has fliewn us the woDder&il tSkSa of tran^jpUnfiatioEU Hour fiur
it might be worth the Englifli. farmer's while, to beflow m»ir bbw itt
the buiinefs of lowing his grain, in hopes of an increaie o£ produce,
I am not competent,, nor is it to my prefent purpoCe^ to form a judg«
Hient. Poffibly, as the advantage might be found to lie rather in the
quantity of grain faved in the £awing, than gained in the reaping^ ifc
would not anfwer die purpofe; for although half the quantiliy of feed^
bears reciprocally the iame proportion to the ufnal prodiKe^ thaC doubfe
the latter does to the ufual allowance of feed, yet in point of profit it it
quite another matter* In order to increafi: this^ it is of mudL mone
importance to augment the produce from a given quantity of land, than
to diminiih the grain neceflary to fow it.

Fcitilkyoffoil NotwitfafiandiBg the received opinion of the fertility of the Mala;

iflands, countenanced by the audiority of Le Poivre, and other celebrated
ifigriters, and ftill more by the extraordinary produce of grain^ as above^
mentioned, I cannot help fayingi that I think the foil of Sumatra is in
general rather fteril, than rich. It is almpft every where a ftiff, red
clay, burned nearly to the ftate of a brick, where it is expofed to the
influence of the fun. The fmall proportion of the whole \id)ieh. is
cultivated, is either ground from which old woods have been recently
cleared, whofe leaves had formed a bed of vegetable earth, fome inches
deep ; or elfe fwamps, into which the fcanty mould of the neighbouring
hills has been waihed by the annual torrents of rain, in confequencc
of their low fituation. It is true that on many parts of the coaft, there
are, between the cliffs and the beach, finall plains of a fandy foil, pro»
bably left by the fea, and more or lefs mixed, with earth, in . proportion
to the time they have remained uncovered by the waters; and facjji
are found to prove the moft favorable fpots for rai^ng the produ&ions

S tJ M A T & A. $9

cl tlie wcAnm world. Bot thefe are partial dnd tmfatisfaAory proofs

of fertSiky* Tke great kicreafe from the feed is^ as I haye fuggefted^

siMre probably owing to the mode of^ fowmg, than to fuperior richnefs

of die land, and would not appear if tke European method of fcattering

it were followed^ Although in Manna they have got into the pradice

of tilling thegrottBd, and derive from^ thence a produce of thirty for

one, in open plains, it muft be obferved^ that this is ftiU new land,

Aough not juH then cleared for the purpofe^ and the fame fpot iSf

donbtlefs not worked a fecbnd time till it has lain fallow* Every per(bn

who has attempted to make, on Sumatra, a garden of any kind, muft

wtell know how ineSedual a labor it Would prove to attempt turning up

Wkh tke fpade a piece of ground adopted at random. It becomes neceflary

for this* putpofe, to form an artificial foil of dung, a&es, rubbifli, and

(bclr cAlher materials a? &Ln be procured. From fuch alone he can

e3tpedt to raiic the fmalleft fupply of vegetables fbr the table. I have feeu

many extecrfive plantations of coco-nut, penang, and cofiee-trees, laid

oat at acdnfiderabieezpence by di^rent gentlemen, and not one do I

recoiled to have fucceeded ; owing to the barrennefs of iSife country,

Thefe difappointments have induced the Europeans almoft entirely to

negled agriculture. The more induftrious Qiifiefe cokmifb, who^ work

the ground with indefatigable* palnsy and dung hlgh^ are rather more

fuccefsful ; yet have I Heard dnie ot tfhe moQ: able cultivators among this

people,^ who, by the dint of labor and perfeverancc, had raifed a

delightful garden near Fort Marlborough, deiigned for profit as well as

plcafure, declare^ that his heart was almoft broken in ffaruggling againft

nature ; the foil being fo ungrateful, that inftead of obtaining a return

for his trouble and expenoe, the undertaking was likely to render him a

bankrupt; and which he would inevitably have been, but for affiftance

afforded him by the India Company, The natives, it is true, without

much M any cultivation^ raife fome ufefnl treeis and planta; but they

• Key Soon t his tafte io gardening was exqitiiitei and his afllduity unremitting. Some poiti-
fUlarplattts, efjfWtially the tio^ he tifed to tell me he oonHdered m his childf^n : bis firft cftre iath^
anningi. and lift tt night* urae tl> teOd and cheriiht them. I hate beard, with concern, of hli
death, fince ttk^BiA pubiiiadoa of thk wok. I conld wilb the old lAan had lived to Know that
this finall tnbnte of attentMn had hcen paid to his merits*

are

TO S U M A T R A*

are in very fmall quantities, &nd imnrediately about their villages, wher<^ -
the earth is fertilized in fpite of their indolence^ by the comn^on fweep* -,
logs of their houfes and ftreet^, and the mere vicinity of their buildings* ;
1 have often had occaiion to obferve,. in young plantations, that thofe
few trees which furrqunded the houfe of the owner, or the hut of the.
keeper, coniiderably over-topped their brethren of the fame agp. Every
perfon at firft fight, and on a fuperficial view of the Malay countries^
pronounces them the favorites of nature, where ihe has laviihed all her
bounties with a profiifion unknown in other regions, and laments the
infatuation of the people, who negled to cultivate the fineft ibil in the
world. But I have fcarcely known one, who, after a few years refidence^
has not entirely altered his opinion* Certain it is, that in point ofic
external appearance, the Malay iflands, and Sumatra among the iieft^. majp*
challenge the world to a comparifon. There indeed nature has beect
extravagant, beftowing on many parts of the country,, where human foot
fcarce ever trod,, all that is adapted to. raife the fentiment of fublimit^
in minds fufceptible of the iuxpreilion^ But haw rarely ai^ tho& mindft
to be found ! and yet it is alone

<* Fdr fiich the riven da(h thtxt foaming tider^
The mountain fivelU, the vale fubfides,
The ftatcly wood detains the wand'ring fight,.
And the rough, barren rock growipcegoant with delight.^

Even where there are inhabitants, to how little purpofe has fhe been thus;
profufe in ornament ! In paffing through fome places, where my fancy^
has been charmed with more beautiful* and* truly pidurefque fcenes, thaa
r remember ever to have met with before, I could not avoid regretting
that a country ib captivating to the eye, fliould be allotted to^ a race of
people who feem totally infenfible of its beauties*.

- After treading out the grain^ which, is equivalent, to threihing, tha
next ftep is to winnow it,, which is done precifely in the fame manner as
pradifed by us. Advantage being^ taken, of a windy diay, it is. poured
out from the Geve or fan ; the chaff difperfing, whilfi the heavier grain
falls ta the ground. This mode feemis to. have been univerfal in all

ages.

SUMATRA. 71

ages and countries* The neztprocefs is that of clearing the grain from Modeofciwr-
the hufk, by which^ from paddee, it becomes rice. This is done in ti^f hu^l ^^"^
the Leffoongy or large wooden mortar, where it is pounded, by one or
more perfons, with heavy pellles, of wood alfo, called Allooy till the
outer coat is feparated; after which it is again fanned« This bufinefs is
likewife, in fome places, performed with a machine, which is no more
tiian a hollow cylinder of heavy wood, turned back and forwards, hori-
zontally, by two handles, on a folid cylinder of the fame diameter, and at
the fame time prefled down to increafe the friSion. The grain is put
into the hollow cylinder^ which anfwers the purpofe of a hopper, at
the fame dme that it performs the bufinefs of the upper millftone in oUr
mills, A Tpindle runs up from the center of the lower piece of wood^
which ferves as an axis for the upper to turn on«

The rice is now in a ftate foV fale, exportation, or laying up. It will Rice at wv
not keep above twelve months, particularly the fawoor rice, which begins mercc.
to ihew figns of decay . after fix. At Natal they have a pradtice of
putting a quantity of the leaves of a ihrub called Lagoondee^ amongft
their rice, in granaries or boats holds, which poflefTes the property of
deftroying the weevils that tifually breed in it« In Bengal, I am told,
they Idln-dry the rice intended for exportation, owing to which, or fome
other procefs, it will continue good for feveral years, and is on that
account made ufe of for garrifons in the Mafay countries. In the ftate of
paddee it will keep long without damaging, whicfh induces the country

« ■

people to lay it up in the flieaf % clearing it of the huik, or beating it
out^ as it Is termed, from time to, time, as wanted for ufe. By this
operatiQii it lofes one half of its quantity in meafurement, two bamboos of
paddee yielding but one of rice. To render it 'perfedly clean for
eating, a circumftance they are particularly attentive to, it is put a fecond
time into a leflbong of fmaller fize, and being fufficiently pounded.
Without breaking the grains, it is again winnowed, by toffing it in a flat
fieye, till the pure and fpotlefs grain is dexteroufly feparated from the
i)ran. ^ They ne±t wafli it in cold water, and then proceed to boil it in
tiie manner before defcribed*- w '
- 1 The

7& SUMATRA.

Thje price of this neceflkrjr of life difiers tfarougjbout the illand^
according tp the general demand at the place where k 13 purehafed^ aad
the circumflances of the feafon« At a northern port called Soofbo^ it tf
feldom under thirty bamboos (gallons) the Spaniih dollar. In the
ibuthern diAri6:s> where the cultivation is more confined^ and the ibU
lefs^produdive^ it varies from twelve to four bamboos^ according as the
harveft is more or lefs plentiful, or the market better or worfib fupplied
with imported rice#

Coco&ttt The Coco^nut tree may be efieemed the next hnp#rtant objed of

cultivatiooj from the ufes to which its produce is applied by the natives
of India ; though on Sumatra it is not converted to fuch a variety of
purpofes^ as in thofe iilands where nature has been lefs bountiful in other
gifts. Its value here confifts principally in the kernel of the nuC^
of which the conftimption is prodigious, being a principal ingredient
in all their diihes* The item is but in little ellimation for building,
where the fioeft timber fo much abounds. The hulk is not twifted intp
ropes, called coyar^ as on the other fide of India^ rattans and ejoo being
ufed for that purpoie« The ihell is but little employed as a domeftic
vtenfil, the lower dafs of the people preferring the bamboo and the
labooj and the better fort being poflefled of coarfe earthen ware. The
filaments whieh furround the ftem are probably maoufadured into cloth
in thofe countries alone, where oottou is not produced^ which is a material
infinitely preferable : befidesj that certain kinds of trees, as before
ohferveds afibrd, in their foft and pliable bark, a ipecies of cloth ready
woven to their hands* Of the coco-nut, however, they make oil for ^e
iiair, and fpr burning in lamps i though, in the interior country, the light
snoft coqimonly uled, is from the dammar or turpentine, of which linka
«re ibnned« Toddy, a li<iuor efteemed for various purpofes, and parti-
ful«rly in the manufadure of -arrack, is drawn from this, as well as
other fpecies of the palm : from the head they procure a kind of cab*
lu^e i apd of the fibres of the leaves they compofe their brooms. Every
doofooa or village is funrouaded with a number of coco-nut trees, where
die ipil aad air will fiiffer them to growi ^^ i^^v tbe basars^ ox fear

port

3" U M A T R A- 73

port cownsy what die cobcourie of inbabkitnts is much greater^ th^pe
are always large plantations of them to fupply the extraordinary demand.

Thb tree> in all its fpecies, ftages^ and parts, hfls been fo elaborately,
minutely, and juftly defcrtbed by many writers, efpecially the celebrated
Rumphius in his Hortus Amboinienfis,* that it would be mere repetition
in me to attempt a fcientific account of if. I ihall therefore only add : a
few detached obfervations on its growth. It thrives bcft in a low fandy
ioil^ near the fea, where it will produce fruit in four or five years. In
clayey ground it feldom bears in lefs than feven to ten years^ As you
recede from the coaft the growth is proportionably flower, owing to the

greater degree of cold in the hills, which is its fevereft ^nemy ; and it
muft attam there nearly its full height before it is produ£kive,t whereas in
die plains^ a boy can generally reach its firft fruit from the ground.
Here^ faid a countryman, at Laye, if I plant a coconut or doocean tree, I
may expeft to reap the fruit cf it, but in. Laboon (an inland diftrid) I
ihould only plant far my great-grand*children. This very tediows
growth may feem exa^|;erated, but it was repeatedly afierted: td be, J^,
'*^^^j gajf^ ^^ffg <two or three geoerwioDs) before the cocMMttrieea
arrived at complete maturity ; and in fome parts of the iflai^d, where
the land is particulaily high^ I have be^en aflured that neiiher diolf* tiie
betel nutj or pepper vines, will produce fruit at M. . .

4. .t

It has been' remarked by fome:'W9itev,. thai ithcigcMit piilm. ixee
(pbamx^ or palma daSyUfera) and die <:oconut tree,, are never found to
flourifli in the lame country. However this may hold good as a general
flflertion, it is a faft that net one tree of that fpecies grows .on the iiteiicl
of Sumatra, although the coconut and many other kinds of pateis
abound there* •:

All the fmall iflands which lie off the coaft are parted, near the fea
beach^ with coconut trees growing fo thick together that they almoft
choke each other, whilft the interior parts are entirely free from them.
This« beyond a doubt, isoccafioned by the accideat«l floating of the npti

' to the fhore, where tlicy are plaiited- by the hand-; of naUfire, ftMt forth

' and'bear fruit ^ which fallings; as it comes tovoataritfi fgno^ up In like
manner, and caufes a fucceffive reprodudion.* Some of thefe iflands^
particularly P^?o/^ 'MtgOy one of the fouthernmoft, are;uni«hab4^c},\eTccpt
by rats and fquirrels, who feafl: without control up^n the ^cpconuts, unlefs
when difturbed by the crews of veflels from Sumatra, which^^go

i thither occafionally to cqlleft, loadings for market. , The lea-coconuts,
which 0re known to be the produftion.of iflands that lie^ north-eafl; of

( Madagascar, are fometimes floated as far as th|e ^Nlal^y coafts, where they
are fuppofcd to be natives of the ocean, and were held in high veneration
for their miraculous efie<fts in medicine, till a lai^ge cargo of them was

. a few years fincfe brought tq Bencoolcn by a Frepch ijhip^ when their
character fell with, thdr price. / ' r

f»

Brtei.iint,ani ^ Of the PiHOMg OX bctel*nut tree, which in growth a n4 appearance; is

bies of domef^ ilot Unlike the cocQnut, the natires make large j^ai^tationsj as w^ll as of

' tlie Sceney2i creeping plant, whofe leaf, of a ftrojDg aromatic flavor, they

<^ttwith the betel^ut and other addit\0AS; .a practice which I fhall

^ hereafter defcribe. 'Cbili or cayenne peppec, which is mucl^ ufed in their

curries and. with every article of their food, always conftitutes a part of

i!ieir iiregular and inartificial gardens. Turnr^ric {curcama)^ a yellow

Tootwell known in.^vr .ihcips, islikewife uniyerfsUly cultiyatecL ' Jt Is

of two kinds, the one called cfmet mera, for domeftic ufe, being alfo an

^ntigtb^itut ih their cUnaes, pilaws, and fun^rydHhes : the other^ cfonifi

' 4Ufmw^ is an- exceUent ycUow dye> and is fometimes employed in me*-

' Cine. The .coriander, and cardamom plants, grow in the country in great

i-'^rtiundknue.* .TJiie latter Is called by: ♦the , natives ppot^ lah. There 2xe

« vfaapy fpeeies iif the fpoab, the .'moft conimpn of which l^as ex^traordinary

large leaves^ like the plantain, and pofiefles an aromatic quality^ not un«

^ AtfeiTfcocdxmtrhfiiTe been driven b^^^e te to. fame parts of die coaft «£ Madagtf€ar,/iWhen

tbe}^ are qdt ind^eoous, »i8 I wasfaiTured by a native, who told me their language bad no na^e

for them« . Rumphius fays tbey ate called f^oanhu (Soda nhr) 'a corruption x>f ifhe Sumatran name.

* They teem tO have been little if at all kjqown' to^4be ^acients^ tHougtl faidubyrOCbeophoBailr^o

-iitv<^cftpiei!i«*dciiiigyi«.:.. , '...J ,,,../. '^ , ' , . ; i^ . • V

w[ like

S U. M A T* Rr Ay 75

like that of tbo. bay; Gioger as plioted ib fmaU quantities. It is , called
fipmUafi wbich.natoe oiccafiaDS. £n« tx» reiiui:k» that itl t;^ Malay hn-
guage^ thcyi.uft thr word ^.^ paddaj/*^ to exprcfe that pungent, , acrid
quality in pepper and other ^icfcs, which we vaguely denote by the word;
^^.tof\ which has another fignification totally different. A dilh high
feafodedy niay^ according to our mode of expreffion, be at the fame time
hot and cold. . Cofius afaifieui apd ammum ztrumbet are cultivated for .
ttediciaat purpofes, ^as is iM> the ,galangnle^ Small plantations of.
tobacOD, of the fame fpect6s with vbcTirgioian^ are; to be. met wich«
every where in the country^ but the pedpk are not expert in the method,
of curing it^ elfe there is no doubt but it might be brought to great pcf-
fe^ion^ and .by inoreaflng the quantity^ rendered a cpnfiderable obje<&
of trade> It isicut^ whilft ^aen, i^td fio^ flireds^ and afterwards dried
in fthe fun. Be9{JM (fefymhfi) is fown largely, pfpf ci?Jly . in tfee Paf-
fummah coyntry^for the oil it produces, which is ufed-in burning only.^
The jarak (paimA Cbrifi'v) froqi whence the caftor oil, fo much prized,
is extrafted^ grows ^V(ild in abundance. The natives are fond of ^the
fugar cane, which they cut into joints, and chew, as a delicacy, but
they rarely ej^refe, or manufafture its juice. Their fugar or iaggr€$*
is made from a liquor yielded by the Amu^ a fpecies of palm. They
plant the kratou^ mulberry, but of a dwarf kind, for the ufe of the
£lk worms which they rear, ^ut not to an-y great extent, and the raw
filk produced from them fe^ms of an indifferent quality. . The filk. is ia
general white i^ftead, of yellow, and the. filaments appear coarfe, but
this may be parjtly occafioned by the method of loofening them.from^thQ
bags, which is by fteeping them^ in hot water. The &mples I have feen
were in large flat cakes which would require much trouble to wind offi
Calcoee is a fpecies of .nettle, of which,excellent twine,, not inferior to
oursj is made. . It grows to the height of about four feel;, without
branches, the fiem being inaperfedjy ligneous. It is cut down» dri^ d,.and

# Ifthe ancientt were acquainted with fugar, it was produced from ibme fpecies of the pabn,
- at the fugar canes were not 1>ronght into the Mediterraneaii from the eaft, *tlll a fhorc time be-
fofe the diftovery of the ptfage' to India by the Ctjib : The ^crd JatciMnimiB conjeaurad to bt
dcrircJ from y<)g|2fr^/, which the French pmounce'^^Ar^

Lz, , beatqa

7« SUMATRA.

httttn; after which ils rind is ftri{>ped off, and twilled as we do the hemp*
Twine is alio made of the bark of a flimb called Emiieba. The cm*
9mHs or hempat called ganjo by the Malays, is cultivated in qaantitics,
not for the purpofe of making rc^e^ which they never think of applying
it to, but for fmoking, and in that ftate it it called hang^ and has an in-
toxicating quality. Palafs is a fiuruby with a bloflbm much refcmblmg
our hawthorn in appearance imd 'TrtieiL Its leaf has an extraordinary
roughnefs, on which account St Is employed to give the laft fine polidi-
to their ^rvings in wood and ivory, particicilarly the beads and Ib4«ths
of their (teefes or daggers, in which they are remarkably curious* The
leaf of the S^epeet alfo, having the famt quiality^ is put to die fame uTe*
A twifte is made ia the Lampoon countty of the bark<if the Bdfg^ tree^
bea^jen oiit Kke hctnp^, for ihc oenftrudbti of large fiiking nets. The
younger leaver of this tree are efieemed delicate in cutries. On the
Hland of Neas they make a twine of the j?^r9» tt^e, which diey after^
wards weave into coarle cloth for bags. A kind of thread for fewing it
procured by ftripping filaments from the ntidtibs of the leaves, and the
trunk of the Prfafig or plantain, and I Underftand that it is in fome parts
worked in the loodi. Mafociigdy^ : the root of thrs Arob, which grows
high, with pinnated kaves, has perfedly the appearance, flavor, a^d
pungency of horferadtfh, and is ufed in the iatne manner. Eem : this
h a ihrub with a fmall, l^ht green leaf, which yields an expreSSed juice
of a red color, with which the natives tinge the nath of their hands and
feet. Cacbang gmng : thefe are the granulofe roots of an herb, which re*
fembles the clover, but that the leaves are double only inftead of
treble, and affording, like that, the richeft pafture for cattle. The
bldflbm is papilionaceous and yellow. The cacbang (which is like*
'Wife the general name for pulfe) are always eaten fried, from
whence the epithet digcring^ and prove an agreeable carminative. The
natives plant yams of difierent kinds and remarkably fine; fwect
potatoes, of which thofe who are ufed to them become very fond; {Milfe
pf various forts, particularly a fpecies of French bean, that grows IHgb,
and lafls for feveral years : the hrinjds (of which the ^gg plant is one
fpeciesj were probably introduced from China, but are much eaten by
^the natives^ fplit and fried. Their*atftntion to their gardens, however, is

very

S U M A T R* A. 77

very limited^ owing to the liberality with which nature, unfoli*-
cited^ admtnifters to their wants. Maize (jaggcfig), though very ge-
nerally planted here, is not cultivated in quantities, as an eflential ar-
dcle of food. The ears are plucked whilft green, and being flightly
roafted, are eaten as a delicacy. Paccoo beendoo refembles a young dwarf
coconut tree,' and is probably of that fpecies. The ftcm is lliort and
knobby, and the lower parts of each branch prickly. The young (hoots
are much efteemed in curries. It produces a cabbage like that of
die coconut and neebong, which is a fine culinary v^tablc. Its
flower is yellow. Though ranked by the Malays, and by Rumphios, in
the ciafs of ferns, it has no obvious affinity to thenu The uethong or
cabbage tree, a fpecies of palih, grows wild in too great abundance to
require being cultivated. The pkh of the head of the trcip is the part
eaten. The ftem, which is tall and ftraight, like the coconut, is much
ufed for pofts of flight houfes, being of a remarkably hard texture on
tiie outer part. Within fide it is quite foft, and therefore, being
hollowed out, it is often ufed as gutters w channels to convey water.
Jmou : J'fais is a tree of the palm kind alfo, and of much importance,
^ the natives procure from it fago (but there b aifo another fago tree
more produ&ive) ; toddy or palm wine, of the firft quality : fugar or
jaggree, and ejoo. The leaves are long and narrow, and though na-
turally tending to a point, are never found perfed, but always jagged at
the end. The fruit grows in bunches of thirty and forty together, on
ikriiigf difce or fefr teet long. One of thefe ftrings being cut off, the
jnrt of the Aoot ijfemaiQing is tied up, and then beaten ; afterwards an
inctfion in h ia made, and a vaflel clofely fattened, ufiially of bamboo,
into which tlie toddy (nciroa) diftUs. The ejoo, ezadly refcmhling
coarfe, black horfe bair, ^nd ufed like it, among other purpofes, for
teaking topes, and tnixing with mortar, encompaflTes the fiem, and is
feenungly bound on by thicker fibres or tw|gs, of which the Malays
mtke pens for wriring.

Indigo (tarcom) being the principal <lye«ftuffemployed by the natives, j^> ^^^
4hat fluub is always found among their plantations, but they do not ma.

^ nufadure

7S SUMATRA.

nufadlure it Into & folld fubfiance, as is done elfewhere in the Eaft and
Well Indies. They leave the (lalks and branches for fome days in
water to foak and macerate, then boil it, and work with their hands fome
cbunam (quick lime) among it, with leaves of the pacoo fabba (a fpe-
cies of fern) for fixing the color. They then drain it off, and ufe it
in the liquid (late. There is another kind of indigo (tarc^m akkary
which appears to b& peculiar to this country, as I fliew^ed fome. of the
leaves to botanifts of the moft extcnfivc knowledge, whoinformed me.
that they were totally unacquainted with k« The common kind is knawq
to have fmall, pinnated letves, growing on ftalks imperfedly ligneouSf
about five feet high. The taroom akkar, on the contrary, is a vine or
Creeping plant, with leaves four or five inches long, in Ihape like a
laurel, but finer> and of a dark green. It pofifefics the fame qualities^
and produces the fame color with the other fort i they are prepared in the
fame manner, and ufed indifi:riminatelyj no preference being given by
the natives to one above the other, except that the akkar^ by reaibn of
•the largenefs of the foliage, yields a greater proportion, of fediment* I
conceive that it muft be a valuable plant, and bav« written to my friends
on Sumatra to tranfinit me fpecimens of the flowers and feed, that its
identity and clafs may be accurately afcertaiofid..

Sappang X^^^n or Brafil wood). The heart of this bebg cue vfkpf
chips, fteeped for a confiderable time in water, and then boiiied,. i$
ufed for dying here, as in other countries. The cloth or thread is re-
peatedly dipped in. this water, and hung to dry between cMck wettingk
till it is brought to the fliade required*. To fix the ooloT^Ja^fiff (^umj)
is added in boiling.

Macwfdoo (mofinJa cHrifoUay. A tree, the outward p^a.j^f the roQt
of which, being dried, pounded, and boiled in water, afford a red dye-;
for fixing which, the aihes yielded by the ftalks^ ofrcbe fruk and middles
of the leaves of the coconut, are employed. Sometimes the bark of the
bifAppang tree is mixed with the rOQt» of th&ffmc^OiUo.

Cb^udd^,

S U -Mr A-. T R Aj 79

Ctepiiddu {jtok tttt): ' The root^ are cut into chips^ and whea boiled

in wrfter prp4v(ce a yellow dye. /A little of the caoniei (turmcricj i^

* . . * 'J

ftixed witb it; tofbr^gtbeo-the tint^ apd«a}um| to fix it.

Cadarang is ufed ds the jack tree. Thisfe yellow dyes do not hold

• • • .

well,, arid it is therefore neccflary, that the operation of fteeping and
drying fhould be frequently repeated* - -

A black dye is made from the coat of the nfangujlcen fruit, and bark
of the katappif^ or almond. With this, the blue cloth from the ^eft
of India, is rendered black/ ai nifaatty worb by the.Malaysof Menang-
cabow. It is fieeped in mud to fix the oobr. A flirub called kaiiam
by the Moofee people, and by the Malays, tinib^ akkar, yields a}fo
when boiled, a black dye, which, it is thought, if it could be manufac-
tured like indigo, might turn to valuable account, as a vegetable black
dye is faid to be much wanted.

Ooiar is a red wood which is ufed for tanning fiihing nets. It much
refembles the logwood of Honduras, and might probably be employed
for the fame purpofes.

Cajfoamboo. This is the hixa^ from which, in the Weft Indies, the ar^
n$Uo^ a valuable dye, is procured. I brought home with me, and
fliewed to the late Dr. Solander, ibme of the feed veflels and leaves, who
aflured me it was the true amotto : yet the natives of Sumatra fay that it
' is only an inferior kind, and that the beft fort comes from Java. They call
theirs caflbomboo ayer^ which addition fignifies water, and is ufed in
other inftances to exprefs a baftard fpecies ; or perhaps it may only de-
note its growing in marlhy places. Of the Javan, or genuine fort, as
they call It, tht flowers are faid to be ufed, and the color it gives is a
ihadeof pink. In the Sumatran fpecies, the y^^^ afford the dye, which
is a yellowiih fcarlet. The former is, according to Rumphius, the
flowers of the cartbamus indicus^ and in a Batavian catalogue*, I obferve

* Tran€a£^ioos of the Bttavian Society for arts and fciences, vol. i. — Although the Bixa and
Carthamms art fo nearly confounded in tfie Malay names^ yet I am aflured that the latter, which I
hare not ieea, bear» no manner of refemblance to the foimer.

that

to SUMATRA 0^

that a diftin&ion is made between ** caffixymboo,*^ Aivhicli thef call ^ ear-
^ thamusy^ and caflbomboo rfiar/* (Teliog or Coromaade)) which they
term *^ bixa". The leaf of the tree it four inches in length, broad at the
bafe, and tending to a iharp point* The capfule, about an inch in
length, is covered with foft pricUes or hair, opens like a bivalve ihellt
and contains in its cavities a dozen or more feeds, about the fiu of
raifin ftones, furrounded thick with a reddilh farina, which feems the

only part that conftitutes the dye.

The iSumatrans are acquainted with no purple dye fluff, nor <PP9*
rently are any of die Indian nations.

Frmisi

SUMATRA. Zt

Frmts, Flowers, Medicinal Shrubs atjd Herbs.

•* i\aTURE, fays a celebrated writer, fcems to have taken a plea- Fnii»,
fiire in affembling in the Malay iflands, her moft favorite produftions''—
and with truth I think it may be affirmed, that no country upon earth*
can boaft an equal abundance and variety of indigefiotis fruits ; for
though the whole of the following lift cannot be reckoned as fuch, yet
there is every reafon to conclude that by far the greater part may, as
the natives can hardly be fufpefted of having taken much pains to
import exotics, who never appear to beftow the fmalleft labor in im- •
proving, or even cultivating, thofe which they naturally polTefs. The
larger number grow wild, and the reft are planted in a carelefs, irregular
manner, without any inclofure, about the ikirts of their villages*

The Mangufietn (mangees) has, by general confent, obtained the
preeminence amongft Indian fruits, in the opinion of Europeans.
It is the pride of the Malay iflands, and perhaps the moft delicate fruit
in the world ; but not rich or lufcious. It is a drupe, confifting of a
thick rind, fomewhat hard oh the outfide, but foft and fucculent within,
encompaffing kernels which are covered with a juicy, and perfedlly white
fubftance, which is the part eaten, or fucked rather, as it dillblves in the
mouth. They are extremely innocent in their qualities, and may be
eaten in any quantity without danger of a furfeit, or other bad effeds.
The returns of its feafon are very irregular.

The Deerean. This is the favorite of the natives, who live almoft
■wholly upon if, during the time it continues in feafon* It is a rich fruit,
but ftrong in the tafie, ofienfive in the fmell to thofe who are not accuf^
tomed to it, and of a very heating quality. The tree is large and lofty ;
the leaves are fmall in proportion, but in themfelves long and pointed.
The bloflbms grow in clufters, on the ftem and- larger branches. The ,
petals arc five, of a yellowifh white, furrounding five bunches of ftami-
M, each bunch containing about twelve, aqd each ft amen having four

M antheras

Bz SUMATRA,

anthersB* The pointal is knobbed at top. "When the ilamina and pe-
tals fall, the empalement refembles a fungus, and is nearly, the ihape of
a Scots bonnet. The fruit is not unlike the bread fruit, but larger and
rougher on the outfide.

The jack (cboopada). This is diftinguifhed into the choopada eotan^
jand nanka. The former is fcarce and efteemed preferable. The leaves
are fmooth, pointed, rare. The nanko, or common fort, has roundifli
leaves, refembling thofe of the ca&ew tree. In both forts, the fruit
grows from the Item, and is very large, weighing fometimes half an
hundred weight. The outer coat is rough, containing a number of
feeds or kernels, (whicli when roafted eat like chefnuts) inclofed in a
flefliy fubftance, of a rich, and to ftrangers, too ftrong fmell and flavor^
but which gains upon the tafte. As the fruit ripens, the natives cover it '
with mats ot the like* to preferve it from injury by the birds. Of the
juice of this tree they make bird-liijie, at)d the root yields' a dy^ ftuflT.

Sfokoon. Calawee. Two fpecies of the bread fcitit tree. The former
has no kernels, and is the genuine forf:. It i^ .propagatpd by cuttjpgs
of the roots. Though pretty common, it is faid not to be a native of
the ifland, as the calawee . certainly is, the bark of which affords the in- -
habitants their cloth. They cut the bread fruit in ilices, and eat it
boiled or fried, with fugar, efteeming it much. I have frequently
taftedofit. The leaves of both forts are deeply indented, like thofe of
the fig, but confiderably longer.

BiUinghif^. Qi this there ^re two forts, cabled j^r^^ and beffee. The
' leaves of the latter are fmall and pinnated, of a fap green : thof^ of the
former grqw promifcuoully, 2|nd are of s^ filver gre^n. Th? fruit of bioth is
pentagonal, containing five flattiih feeds, and extrer^ely acid. Th^
bloflbm refembles the flower we call London pride. Cbenmin. This
refembles the billimbing beff^e, in having the leaver pointe4 and pin-
Dtttd altern^te^ The fri^t; is acid, aqd of a &^\\ xoundifh, irregu-
lar

i V U A T ^ A. ti

lar fhape, growin"^ in clufters clofe to the branch, and containitig eath a
fingle feed.

Lahfai. The tree whiiH bears this ft\Ai is large ; the leaves are of a
lightifh green and fomewhat pointed. The fruit is fmall, oval, of a
light brown ; divides into fiVe cloves, flefliy, and of an agreeable tafte ;
but the ikin contains a clamAiy juice, extremely bittei*, and which is apt
to taint the fruit, if not opened With care. Afer oyer. This is not un-
like the lanfai. The Cbcopd is alfo nearly aHied to it.

Brangan. This* fruit, tlid prbduce of a large tree, ftrongly refetnblei
the Chefnut, and is 1 think a fpecies of it, Thdy groW fometimes one,
two, and three in a hulk. Jerri^. This dfo ftems a fpecies of the chef-
nut, but It is larger and more irregularly Ihaped. The tree is fmaller thaii
the former. Tappoos. This has likewife a diftaiit refemblance to the
chefnut ; has three nuts always in one huik, forming in ihape an oblong
fpheroid. If eaten unboiled^ it is faid to inebriate. The tree is large.

Cameeting or hooa crag^ 'This much refembles a walnut, in the flavor

• -

and conliftence of the fruit i but the ihell is harder, and it is not di-
vided into lobes in the fame manner, nor does the.ihell open^ being all of
one piece. The natives of the hills make ufe of it for their curries, in
parts where the coconut-tree will hot produce fruit.

Katafping. This fruit, the produce of a'lafge tree, is extremely like
the almond; both in the outer hufk and the kernel within, excepting
that the latter, infiead of iplitting into two, as an almond readily does,
feems folded up, and opeA^ fomewhat like ajofe bud, but continuous, and^
not in di^tiiif^ pieces.

Sala. The pulp of this fruit is fweetifh, acidulous, and of a pleafant
flavor. The outer coat, in fliapc like a fig, is covered with fcales, or
the appearance of bajket*work. When ripe, it is of a dark browb. It

M a enclofe*

«4 SUMATRA.

enclofes fometimes one, two^ and three kernels^ of a peculiar horny fub«
fiance. The tree is low and thorny^

Jamhoo mera oxjamboo cling. This fruit is in ihape like a pear or cone*
The outer ikin, which is very fine, is of a beautiful red> and the infide
perfeftly white. When ripe it is delicious eating, and has more fub-
Aance than the generality of Indian fruits. In fmell it refembles the roft^
and the tafte partakes flightly of that flavor. There is one fpecies of it,
which is called the rofe-water jaxnboo. Nothing can be more beautiful
than the bloflbms, the numerous flamina of which are of a bright pink
color. The tree, which grow6 in a handfome, regular, conical ihape, has
large, deep green, and pointed leaves. Jamboo ayer^ is a delicate and beau-
tiful fruit in appearance, being a mixture of white and pink. It is fmaller
than the jamboo mera^ and not equal in its flavor, which is a faint, agreer
able acid. The leaf is a deep green, pointed, and unequal,

RambooiM. The flavor of this fruit is a rich and pleafant acid. It is
red, and covered with foft fpines or hair, from whence its name,* In ap-
pearance it is not unlike the arbutus, but larger, brighter red, and more
hirfuted.

Befides thofe which I have attempted to give fome defer iption of, the

following fine fruits axe in great abundance, and to perfons who have

• - .

been in any part of India, in general well known. The Mango^ by many
efleemed an unrivalled fruit, is richer, but of a.lels deligate and elegant
flavor than the mangufteen. The Plantain, pefang^ or Indian JSg, of which
there arc counted upwards of twelve varieties, including the banana.
The Pine-rapple fnanay). Thefe grow in great plenty without the
fmalleft degree of culture, further than flicking the plants in the ground.
Some think them inferior to thofe produced in Europe, but probably
becaufe their price is no mote than two or three pence. With the
fame attention, they would doubtlcfs be much fuperiof, and their
variety is very great. Oranges (Uemou) of every fpecies are in extreme
perfcftion. The Pumplenofe, or Shaddock (fo called in the Wcfl Indies

from

S U M A T R iU 85

from the name of the captain who carried them thither) is here very
fine^ and diftinguiihed into the white and red forts. Limes and lemons
are abundant. TheGuava 01 jamboo protoocal^ zs the Malays call it, is
well known in the weft of India, for a flavor which fome admire, and
others equally diflike. The infide pulp of the red fort is fome-
times mixed with cream by the Europeans, to imitate ftrawberries, as
we are naturally partial to what refcmbles the produce of our own coun-
try. Many I have known, amidft a profufion of' the richeft eaftera
fruits, to figh for an Englilh codling or goofeberry.. Cuftard-apple,
(feeree cayoo)^ derives its name from the likenefs which its white and
rich pulp bears to a cuftard, and it is accordingly eaten with a fpoon.
The Pomegranate {nuiltemou) requires no comment. The Papa (cakekeel
is a. large, fubftantial, and wholefome fruit,, but not very highly fla-
vored. The pulp is yellow, and the feeds, which are about the fizc
of a grain of pepper, have a hot tafte like crefles. The Cafliew-apple
and nut (jamboo eerofjg) are well known for the flrong acidity of the
former, and the cauftic quality of the oil contained in the latter, fronx
tafting which the inexperienced often fuffer. Rock or muik melons are
not common, but the water melons are in great plenty. Tamarinds.
(affam) which are the produce of a large and noble tree, with fmall
pinnated leaves, fupply a grateful relief in fevers, which too frequently
require it. The natives preferve them with fait, and ufe them as an
acid ingredient in their curries and other difhes. It may be remarked,,
that in general they diflike fweets, and always prefer fruits whilft green,
excepting perhaps the doorean and jack, to the fame in their ripe ftate : '
the pine-apple they eat with fait. Grape-vines are planted with fucceli
by the Europeans, but are not cultivated by the people of the country.
There is found in the woods a fpecies of wild grape, called ^r/iif^/; and
alfo a fruit that refembles the ftrawberry.

The following fruits, growing moftly wild in the country, are not.
equally known with thofe already enumerated, yet many of them boaft
an exquifite flavor. Booa candees^ (boca fignifying fruit, is always pre-,
fixed to the particular name) malacco^ tampooee^ rotan^ necpab^ roocum^

rumpunni^

86 SUMATRA.

rumpunnU kuddooeej tnuncoodoo^ fuccood&odoo^ keeupon^ tmbachaf^^ tats,
lejay, atnan. Some of them however are little fuperior to our common
berries^ but probably might be improved by culture.

Flowers. ^^ ^^^ breathe, in the county of the Malays, fays' the writer whom

I before quoted, an air impregnated with the odours of innumerable
flowers of the greateft fragrance, of which there is a perpetual fucctf-
fiDn the year round, the fweet flavor of which captivates the foul, and
infpires the moft voluptuous fenfations." Although this luxurious pic-
ture may be drawn in too warm tints, yet it is not without its degre.e of
juftnefs. The country people are fond of flowers in the ornament of
their perfbns, and encourage their, growth^ as Well as that of various
odoriferous fiirubs and trees.

The canangOy being a tree of the largefl ,fize, and furpafled by few
in the foreft, may well take the lead, on that account, in a defcriptioli
of thofe which bear flowers. Thefe are of a greeniih yellow, fcarcely
diftinguifliable from the leaves, and feem to open only at fun-fet, when
they.difiufe a fragrance around, that of a calm evening afieAs the fenfea
at the diftance of many hundred yards.

* Choompaco (mtbdia). This tree grows in a regular, conical fliape.
The flowers are Jt kind of fmall tulip, but clofe and pointed at top : the
color a deep yellow : the fcent ftrong, • and at a diftance very agreeable.
They are wrapped in the folds of the hair, both by women and young
men who aim at gallantry.

Sangchppo. Pretty flirub. The learcs very deep green, with a long
point. The flowers white, of the pink kind, but without vifible ftamina
or piftil, the petals (landing angularly like the fails of a windmill. P/«
char peering. This is a grand white flower, and bears the fame relation
to the foregoing that the carnation does to the common pink. The
Batavian catalogue calls it cUrodendrum^

Boong9

SUMATRA. 87

Sccni;o ni. Tall, handfome ihrub. The flower red, with juice of a
deep purple 1 called alfo the fhoe flower, from the purpofe its juice
has often been converted to by Europeans. Another fort has white
flowers. The leaves of the tree are of a pale, yellowifli green, ferrated
and curled*

CcamianganoQjpor. This is always planted about graves. The flower
Js large, white, but yellow towards the center, of a flrong fcent, and
confifting of five fimple, foiooth, thick petals, without vifible piftil or
ilamina. The tree growfi in a ftunted, irregular manner, and even whilfl:
young, has a venerable, antique appearance. Tlie leaf is long, pointed,
of a deep green, but moft remarkable in this, that the fibres which run
from the mid-rib, are bpunded by another that goes in a waving line all
round, \yithin a fm^l diftance of the circumference, forming a kind of
border.

Sal^ndaf {crinum or afphodel lily)* It grows in a large umbell j each
flower on a long footflalk, which divides into ^k. large, white, turbinated
petals, of an agreeable fcent. The (lamina are fix in nuniber, about two
inches long. The leaves are of the fpear kind, of a large fize# This
plant grows wild upon the beach, among thofe weeds which bind the
loofe fands. The Batavian catalogue calls the crinum, baccng. Pandan
oongey. AbcJ^utifulfpeciesofthe faiandap. The generic marks are the fame,
but it is larger, and has a deep fliade of purple mixed with the white.

Of the pandan, which is a flirub with very long prickly leaves, like
thofe of the pin^-apple or aloe, there are many varieties ^ of which one
produces a whitilh blofiibm, a foot or two in length, that has not much
the appearance of a flower, but has a very ftrong odoriferous fmell,
which is perceived at a great diftance* The common kind is employed
for hedging. It i? called elfewhere, Caldera*

The Melloor at melattee (nyftanthes) is an humble plant, bearing a
pretty white flower, of the moft a|;reeable fcent, in the opinion of many,

that

88 S U M U T R A.

that the country produces. It is much worn by the women, along with
the boongoo tanjong, and ufually planted near their houies. It may be
remarked that ** boongo or flower, is always prefixed to the names of
thefe, as '^ hooa** to the fruit. Thus the natives fay, hootigo mdicor,
hoongo rio.

Tanjong. A fair tree, rich in foilage, of a dark green : The flowers
are radiated, and of a yellowifli white. They are worn in wreaths by
the women. The fcent, though exquifite at a diftance, is too powerful
when brought nigh. The fruit is a drupe, enclofing a large, blackiflif
flatted feed.

Soondal mallam^ or harlot of the night, from the circumftance of its
blowing only at that time. This is a monopetalous, infundibuliform,
white flower, of the tuberofe kind. The tubes, which rife from the
Angle flem, divide into fix, deep fegments, pointed, flightly reflexed,
and placed alternately under and oven The fl:amina, which are fix,
adhere clofely to the infide of the tube, their apices only being free.
The ftyle rifes from the germen only half way in the tube, feparating
at top into three ftigmata.

Geering lania. A papilionaceous flower refembling the lupin, or the
fpartium more exadly. It is yellow, and tinged at the extremes with
red. . The leaves are broad, pointed, and treble on each fialk. The
feed rattles loudly in the pod, from whence the name ; '^ geervi^* fig-
nifying the fmall bells worn by children about their legs and arms j
•^ landa^ is a hedgehog, to the fpines of which animal they probably
may fomeumes adhere.

Baoup. A white, homely flower ; femiflofculous ; faint fmell. The
leaves of the plant are curious, being double, as if two were joined to-
^ether^ and folding with an hinge. Tiie pod refembles the French bean,
and contains feveral flat feeds.

S U M A T R A^ Zg

Itaicong irooj or monkey cup (nepenthes). A vine with an uncommon^
monopetalous flower, growing on a tendril from the extremity of the
leaf, in flxape fomewhat like the pod of a Windfor bean. At top is a
cover, or valve, which opens and fliuts with a hinge, but ufually re-
mains open, and as the cup is always cxc£ty it is found full of water,
from the rains or dews.

Imhang. A Ihrub, of which the leaf is fmall, light green, of an ir-
regular figure. The flower is a light purple, with five yellow ftamina.
The fruit is very faiall, round, whitifli, and bitter, but eaten by the
natives. .

Cacboobong (datura). Large white flower, monopetalous, infundibuli-
form, rather pentagonal than round, with a fmall hook at each angle*
The ftamina are five with one pointal. The flirub has much foliage ^
the leaves dark green, pointed, and fquare at the bottom. The fruit is
of the fliape of an .apple, very prickly, and contains a multitude of
feeds. It appears to grow moftly by the fea fide.

SetackOi A pretty rofaceous, crimfon flower, with five fmall petals,
and as many fl:amina. It is a long tube, growing from a calyx covered
with purple hair.

Weft coaft' creeper. I know not the country name. A beautiful little,
crimfon, monopetalous flower, divided into five angular fegments. It
has five ftamina of unequal heights, purple, and one ftyle, white, with
a biform, rough ftigma. The plant is a luxuriant creeper, with a
hair- like leaf. The flower clofes at funfet.

The fcorpion-flower is Angular and remarkable. In its fhape it very
much refembles the infeA from which it takes its name, and the extre-
mity of the tail has a ftrong fmell of mufk.

The foregoing is but an imperfed: account of the flowers which are
of the growth of Sumatra. Befide thofe, there are abundance, of

N which

90 SUMATRA^

which it is difficult to determine whether they are indigenous or exotics :
fuch as the rofe, or boongo mow^r^ which is always fmall, of a deep
crimfon color, and probably tranfplanted from the Weft of India : the
globe amaranthus, which is found in great plenty in the Batta country,
where flrangers have very rarely penetrated : various kinds of pinks :
the jeflamine : holyhock ; with many others which feem to have had
their origin from China.

The Sumatrans have a degree of botanical knowledge that furprifes an
European. They are in general, and at a very early age, acquainted, not
only with the names, tut the qualities and properties of every ftirub and
herb, amongft that exuberant variety with which thefe iflands are clothed.
They diftinguilh the fexes of many plants and trees ; f the papa or ca-
leekee for inftance} and divide feveral of the genera into as many dif-
ferent fpecies as our proFeflbrs. Of the pacoo or fern, I have had fpe-
cimens brought me of twelve varieties, which they told me were not
the whole, and to each there is a diftinA name*

The Ihrubs and herbs employed medicinally are as follow. Scarce
flirubs and any of them are cultivated, being culled from the woods or plains as

herbs* «» «

they happen to be wanted*

Lagoondee. This Ihrub grows to the height of five or fix feet. The
flower is fmall, monopetalous, divided into five fegments, labiated ;
grows in the manner of London-pride, with fix orfeven on each pedun-
cle ; the color light blue ; has four ftamina, and one flyle. The leaver
are fpear-fliaped ; three on one common footftalk, and that in the middle
being longeft, it has the appearance of a haftated leaf: deep green
on 'the iofide and whitifli on the baclu The leaves have a ftioog aro-

. matic flavor^ their tafte foap^what refemblcs that of the blaick currant,
but is bitter and pungent. It is eftcon&ed a fine aottfeptic, and employed
in fevers, in the ftead of jefuit's bark. The natives alfo put it into gra-
siaries, and among cargoes of rice^ to prevent the dsftctt&ion .of the

^grain Jby weevils*

Katettpmg.

Medidnal

ftXTMATRA. ^

}Cat9ffpo»g. V.6ktxibieB the nettle in gtowth ; in fruit the blackberry.
The leaf, being chewed, is ufed in dreffing fmall, frefli wounds. Semp.
Bears the refemblance of a wild fig, in leaf and fruit. It is applied to
the Ne»s fcurf or teproTy, when not inveterate. Succaodoodcd. Has the
i^pearxince of a wild rofe. A deco&ion of its leaves is ufed for curing a
diforder in the fole of theifoot, refembling the ringworm, called tnaU

tws. ^Pud^vromng. An hcfb with a pointed, ferrated leaf, bitter al-
moft as fue. An infufion of it is taken for the relief of diforders in the
bowels. Cubc^. The bark and root are applied to cure the eoodees or
Itch, rubbing it on the part afFediied. Marampooyan. The young fhoots
of thts> affe rubbed over the body and limbs after yioleht fatigue, having
•a refrefliing, and corroborating quality. Make malte. Plant with a
white, umbellatedbloflbm. The leaf is applied to reduce fwellings.
Cbappo. Wild fage. It refembles the fage. of Europe, in color, tafle^
fn\ell and virtues, but grows to the height of fix feet, and has a large,
loDgt^and jagged kaf,.with a bloffixn refembling that of groundfel. Mur^
ntHcngan^ A vine. The leaves broad, roundiih, and fmooth. The juice
of the flalk is applied to cure excoriations of the tongue, jltt^ ampL
A vine, with leaves refembling the box, and a fmall flofculous flower. It
is ufed as a medicine in fevers. Cadoo^ An herb. The leaf in ihape and
tafte refembles the betel. It is burned to preferve children newly bora
from the influence of evil fpirits (Jin). Goombay. A flirub with mo-
nopetalous, ftellated, purple flowers, growing in tufts. The leaves are
ufed in diforders of the bowels. Taboolan hoocan. A flirub with a femi-
flofculous flower, applied to the cure of fore eyes. Cacbang parang. A
bean, the pods of which are of a huge fize : the beans are of a fine
crimfon. Ufed in pleuritic cafes. Seepeet. A flirub with a large oval
leaf, rough to the touch, and rigid. An infufion of it is drank in iliac
aSedions. Damn f^dingin. Leaf of a remarkable cold quality. It is
applied to the forehead to cure the head-achj and fometimes in hot fevers^

Long pepper is ufed for medicinal purpofes. Turmeric alfo, mixed
with rice, reduced to powder, and then formed into a pafte^ is much
ufed outwardly, in cafes of colds, and pains in the bones ; and chunam»

N a or

g% S U M A T R A.

or quicklime^ is likewife commonly rubbed on parts of the body afiefled
with pain.

In the cure of the bofs, qr coorco (which is an obftrudion of the
fpleen, forming a hard lump in the fide, and giving rile to a fpecies of
fever, called dimmum cooroo) a decoftion of the following plants is ex-
ternally applied ifeepe t toongool; madang tandoi aiteeayer ; iafpar bejfee \
pacoo teang ; tappar badda ; labhan ; pefang rooco ; and pacoo lameedeen.

A juice extracted from the Malabattaye akkar is taken ipwardly.

In the cure of the pooroo^ or ringworm, they apply the gaUngang^ an
herbaceous flirub, with large, pinnated leaves, and a yellow bloflbm :
In the more inveterate cafes, barangan^ which is a fpecies of colored
arfenic or orpiment, and a ftrong poifon, is ufed.

The white, milky juice that flows from the fudufudu, or Euphor-
bium, when an incifion is made, the natives value highly as a medicine.
The leaf of the tree is prefent death to iheep and goats*

Animak.

SUMATRA.

X HE animal kingdom Ihould claim attention, but the quadrupeds AnimaU.
of the ifland being the fame as are found elfewhere throughout the eaft,
already well defcribed, and not prefenting any new fpecies that I am
acquainted with, I Ihall do little more than iimply furnilha lift of thofc
which have occurred to my notice ; adding a few obfervations, either
here, or in the future courfe of the work, on fuch as may appear to re-
quire it. The cariow, or Malay buffalo, being an animal particularly
belonging to thefe parts, and more ferviceable to the country people
than any other, I ihall enter into fome detail of its qualities and ufes,

Horfe : coodo. Th? breed is fmall, well made, and hardy. Cow : Beafb.
fappee. Small breed. Buffalo : carbow. A particular defcription will
follow. Sheep : beeree^beeree. Small breed, introduced probably from
Bengal ^. Goat : cambing. Befide the domeftic fpecies, which is in general
fmall, and of a light brown color, there is the cambing ootan, or goat of
the woods. One which I faw was three feet in height, and four feet in
the length of the body. It had fomething of the gazelle in its appear-
pearance, and, excepting the horns, which were about fix inches long, and
turned back with an arch, it did not much refemble the common goat.
The hinder parts were Ihaped like thofe of a bear, the rump floping round
off* from the back. The tail was very fmall, and ended in a point. The
legs clumfy. The hair, along the ridge of the back, rifing coarfe and
ftrong, almoft like briftles. No beard. Over the flioulder was a large
fpreading tuft of greyifli hair : The reft of the hair black throughout*
The fcrotum globular. Its difpofition feemed wild and fierce, and it is
faid by the natives to be remarkably fwift. Hog ; babce. That breed
which we call Chinefe. Dog : angin i cooyoon^ Curs with ereft earsm
Cat : cochin. All their tails imperfedt and knobbed at the end, as if cut
or broken offl Rat : teecoofe. Elephant : gaja. Spoken of in an
other part. Rhinoceros ; buddab. Hippopotamus : coodo-aycr. Tiger :
rcemow i macbang. Spoken of in another part* ^ Bear : broorong. Small

and

* A iheep is called boim in tlie Hkxdoilanic language.

Buffalo.

94 S T M A T R A^

and black ; devours the hearts of the coconut trees. Otter : Mgin-ayer.
Sloth. Stinkard: teleggc. Porcupine: landa. Armadillo: tangeeling.
It perfedly refembles the animal of America, Very rare, and made
great account of by the natives ; the fcales being fuppofed meilicmaL
Deer : ro(^f§ \ keejang. There is variety of the deer fpecies ; of whicll
fomeare very large. Wild hog : bak'C ot4Mn. Hog dear : bailee rc^fa^
Small and delicate animal ; one of thofe which produce the bezoar*
Monkey: moonia ; troo; feermirng. Prodigious variety of this genus.
Pole cat: moo/ang. Tiger cat: cocbrn rttnow. Civet cat: The na-
tives take the civet from tht? vagina of thefe, as they require it for ufei.
Squirrel : toopye. Small, dark fpecies. Bat : hoarong fetcoefe. Many
of confiderable fize, which pafs in large flocks from one country t?5 an*
other ; hanging at times, by hundreds, on trees. Some perfectly re-
femble foxes, in Ihape and color ; but thefe cannot fly far.

The baffalo (carhew^j which eonflitutes a principal part 6f the f^aod
of theSumatrans, is the only animal employed in their demeftic labors*
The inland people, where the country is* tolerably clear, avail them*
felves of their ftrength to draw timber felled in the woods : the Maiaye,
and other people on the coaft train them to the draft, and fonaetioKs to
the plough. Though apparently of a dull> obftinate, capricious nature^
the carbow acquires by habit a furprizing docility, and its taught to lift
the fliafts of the cart with its horns^ and place the yoke, which is fixed
to riiofe, actofs its neck ; needing no farther harnefs than a breaft-band;
and a firing which is made to pafs through the cartilage of the noftrils.
They are alfo, for the fervice of the Europeans, trained to carry bur-
thens fufpended from each fide of a pack faddle, in roads or paths where
the ufe of carriages is impra&icable. It is extremely flow, but fleady
in its work. The labor it performs falls fliort of what might be expec-
ted from its fize, and apparent ftrength, the leaft extraordinary fatigue,
particularly during the heat of the day, being fufficient to put a period
to its life, which is at ail- times precarious. The owners frequently ex*
pericnce the lofs of large herds, in a Ihort fpace of time, by an epidemic
diftemper, called iocndocng, that feizes them fuddcnly, fwells their bo-
dieSj and gives way to no remedy yet difcovered. The moft part of the

milk

SUMATRA. 95

milk and butter required by the Europeans (the patives ufing neither)
is fuppiied by them ; and the milk is richer than what is there produced
by the cow s but not in the fame quantity:

Though we have given to the carhtm the name of buffalo, it is an
animal very different from that inown in the fouthcrn parts of Europe,
by the fame appellation, from the hide of which the buff leather is fup-
poled to be manufactured. This from the defcription given in fome
of our books of natural hiltory, refembles what we call in India, the
Madagafcar bull ; efpecially in the flelhy protaberance rifing from the
neck, and extending over the flioulder ♦. The carbow is a beaft of greater
and more equal bulk, in the extent of the barrel. The legs are fliorter
than^thofe of the ox ; the hoofs larger ; the horns, which ufually turn
backward^ but fometimes point forward, are always in the plane of the
forehead, differing in that rcfpeft from thofe of all other cattle. Ex*
cepting near to the extremities, the horns are rather fquare than round ;
contain much folid fubftance, and are valuable in manufafture. The
tail hangs down to the middle joint of the leg only, is fmall, and termi-
nates in a bunch of hair, which is very rare in all parts of the body ;
fcarcely fcrving to cover the hide. The neck is thick znd finewj, nearly
it>und, but fomewhat flatted at top ; and has little or no dewlap depen-
dent from it. The organ of generation in the male has an appearance,
« if the extremity were cut off. It is not a falacious animal. The fe-
male goes nine months with calf, which it'fuckles during fix, from four
teats. When croflSng a river, it exhibits the Angular fight, of carrying
the young one on its back. Jt bas^ weak cry, in a iharp tone, yexy un-
like the lowing -pf oxen.

K The luxury of the carbow confifts in rolling itfelf in a muddy pool,
^hicb it forms in any fpot, for its convenience, during the rainy wea-
ther. This it enjoys in a high degree, dexteroufly throwinjg with its

horn,

* Since I wro^e the ajbove I have hee« informed, th^t^the ItaUan bpfalo dpes not much differ in
tppeaiance from the carbow, and has no protuberance from the neck. The beft engraved repre-
Ifcotatloii I have fet n of the Malay buffalo> it in a work entitled Jon/lonus d» S^uadmpiMusy Plate

^Z. P^p. I, T)ie bxmh ^WVfPf» f^ ttoe ipo^ifpaiij thr .itail \<qfi Jnpig, jwd the piMl^ e»(|» id» a
foist.

96 SUMATRA^

horn, the water and flime, when not of a fufficient depth to cover it, over
its back and fides. Their blood perhaps is of a hot temperature, owing to
which, this indulgence, quite neceffary to their health, may be rendered
fo defirable to them ; and the mud encrufting on their body, preferves

them from the attack of infefts, which otherwife prove very trou-
blefome. The natives light fires for them at night, in order that the
fmoke may have the fame efFedt, and they have, of their own accord, the
fagacity to lay themfelves down to leeward, that they may enjoy the full
benefit of it.

, » ,

They are diftinguiihed into two forts ; the white and black. Both
are equally employed in work, but the former is feldom killed for food*
Some of the people fay, that this exemption is owing to its being cf-
teemed facred, but I was affured by a learned padre, that it was neither
forbidden by the Koraan> or any religious injunction, and that the Ma-
lays eat it, at time«, withput fcruple ; efteeming it. however, very inferior
to the black buffalo. The Rejangs alfo have no general exception to

it. Some of them eat it ; and fome refufe, on the fame account that inr

duced the Rechabites to drink no wine, and to live in tents ; a vow of

« ....

their forefathers : whilft others are deterred by the accounts of the ill efFeds
that have attended it ; the body being obferved to break out afterwards

in blotches. PofGbly the whitenefs of the buffalo, may be owing to
fome fpecies of diforder, as is the cafe with thofe people called white
negros.

It is faid not to be properly a wild animal of the country, though abound-^
ing in every part; which the name of carbowgellan (ftray bufFalos) given
to thofe found in the woods, feems to confirni. Mofl: probably they
were at firfl wild, but were afterwards, from their ufe in labor and food,
all catched, and 4omcflicated by degrees, or killed in the attempts to
take them. When they now colleft in the woods, they are faid to be
ftray cattle ; as the people of a conquered province, attempting to re^
cover their natural liberties, are ftyled rebels. They are gregarious, and
commonly found in numbers together, being then lefs dangerous to
palTengers, than when met with fingly. Like the turkey, they have aa
antipathy to a red color* When wild> they run extremely fwift^ keeping

pace

S U M A T R A- 97

pace with the fpeed of a common horfe. Upon an attack, or alarm>.
they fiy for a ihort diftance^ and then fuddenly face about, and draw
up in battle array with furprizing quicknefs and regularity ; their boms
being laid back, and their muzzles projecting. Upon the nearer ap-
proach of the danger that prefTes on them, they make a fecond flighty
and a fecond time halt, and form : and this excellent mode of retreat,
which but few nations of the human race have attained to fuch a degree
of difcipline as to adopt, they continue till they gain a neighbouring,
wood. Their principal foe, next to man. is the tiger ; but only the
weaker fort, and the females, fall a certain prey to this ravager : the
fhurdy male buffalo can fupport the firft vigorous ftrokc from the tiger's
paw, on which the fate of the battle ufually turns.

Of Birds there is a much* greater variety than of beaft^. Toe&Umerate Bifdi,
the diffi^rmit fpeciefs is quite beyond my power. The moft obvious are'
as follows^ : but I do not offer this lift> as containing a tenth part of
what, might be found on the ifland^ by a perfon who ihould. confine his
refearches to this fubjtd.

Tht'COC'^cw^ or famous Sumatran or Argos pheafant, of which no com-
plete fpecimen has been hitherto feen in Europe, is a bird of uncom-
mon beauty ; the plumage being perhaps the moft rich, without any de*
gree of gaudbefs,, of all the feathered race. It is found extremely dif-

ficult to be kept alive for any confiderable time after catching it in the
woods. I have never known it effeded for above a month. It has an
antipathy to the lig^t. When kept in a darkened place, it appears at
iu eafe, and fometimes makes ufe of the note or call from whi<ih it takes
its name, and which is rather plaintive, than harfli like the peacock's. In
the open day it is quite moped and inanimate* The hjcad is not equal in
beauty to the reft of the bird. The fleih, ol which I have eaten, perfectly
refembles that of common pheaiants,.bu|t it is of much larger fize. Thefe
aUb abound in the woods.

•

There

98 SUMATRA.

There is a great variety of the ftork kind ; fome of prodigious fize,
and othcrwife curious ; as the boorong cambingj and hoorong Qolar. Of
doves there are two fpecies, which have many varieties ; the one
brown, called ^/?/&/iw, and the other green, called p^ow. The pooni-jamho
is a very beautiful bird. It i^ fmaller than the ufual fize of doves : the
back, wings, and tail are green : the breaft and crop are white, but the
front of the latter has a light Ihade of pink : the forepart of the head
is of a deep pink, referabling the bloflbm of the jamboo fruit, from
whence its name : the white of the breaft is continued in a narrow ftreak^
having the green on one fide and pink on the other, half round the eye,
which is large, full, and yellow ; of which color is alfo the beak. They
will live upon boiled rice, and paddee, but their favorite food, wh«n
wild, is the berry of the ram*poom ; doubilefs therefore fo called.

Of the parrot kind are many fpecies ; as the kaykay^ cocatoa ; parro-
. quct, and kory. There are alfo, the kite ; crow (gagba) ; plover (che^
railing) ; fnipe ; quail {cocyoo) ; wildduck ; teal (hekthei) ; water-hen ;
lark ; fea4ark ; curlew \ domeftic hen (dyam), fome with black bones,
and fome of the fort we call Friezland or negro fowls ; hen of the woods
(ayam baroogc) ; the^^^ breed of fowls, which abound in the fouthern
end of Sumatra, and weftern of Java, are remarkably large : I have
feen a cock peck off of a common dining table : when fatigued, they
fit down on the firft joint of the leg, and are then taller than the com-
mon fowls. It is ftrange if the fame country. Bantam, produces like*
wife the diminutive breed that goes by that name. • Paddee birds (boa--
rofigpeepee)^ fomcthing like our fparrows, are in great plenty, and de-
ftroy the grain. The dial (^mccri) has a pretty, but fhort note ; there
being no bird on the iiland which fings. The minor {j^ecng) has the
faculty of imitating human fpeech in greater perfcdion than any other
of the feathered tribe: there are both black, and yellow of them.
Owls, particularly the great horned one ; ftarling ; kingfifher ; fwallow
(fyang);- iffgangy or rhinoceros bird :- this is chiefly remai^kable for what
is called the horn, which reaches half way down the bill, and then turns
up : the length of the bill of one I meafured, was ten inches and an

' half;

SUMATRA.

half ; the breadth, including the horn, (is and an half i length, from
beak to tail, four feet ; wings, four feet, fix inches ; height one
foot ; length of neck, one foot : the beak Is whitifli $ the horn,
yellow and red, the body black ; tail white and ringed with black ;
rump, and feathers on the legs, down to the heel, white : claws, three
before and one behind : the iris red. In a hen chick there was no
appearance of a horn, and the iris was whitifh. They eat either boiled
rice, or tender flefh meat.

Of Reptiles there Is fome variety. The lizard fpecies are in abun« Re|id]es.
dance i from the cokay^ which is ten or twelve inches long, and makes a
very lingular noife, to the fmalleft houfe lizard, of which I have feen
fome fcarce half an inch in length. They are produced from eggs^
about the fize of ajB^ren*s. A remarkable circumftance refpe&ing them^
which I do not find mentioned in the accounts of any writer, is, that
on a flight ftroke, and fometimes through fear alone, they lofe their
tails ; which foon begin to grow again. The tail may be feparated, with
the fmalleft force, and without lofs of blood, or evident pain to the
animal, at any of the vertebra?. . The grafs lizard is a fpecies between
thofe two. There is, I believe, no clafs of living creatures* in which the
gradations may be traced with fuch minutenefs and regularity, as in this.
From the finall houfe lizard abovementioned, to the largeft aligator or
crocodile, a chain may be obferved containing almoft innumerable links,
of which the remoteft will have a ftriking refemblance to each otherj^ pxd
feems at firft view, to differ only in bulk. The houfe lizard . is th^
largefl: animal that can walk in an inverted fituation : one of thefcj of
^ze fufiicient to fwallow a cockroach, runs on the ceilingof a room, an4
in that pofture feizes its prey with the utmoft facility. This they arc
enabled to doj,from the rugofe make of their feet, with which they ad-

here ftrongly to the fmootheft furfacc : fometimes however^ on ^ring*.
ing too eagetly at a fly, they lofe their hold, and fall to the groun^.^;
They are always . cold to the touchi and yet the tranfpajpcncy of tbebq*^ •
dies of fome of them, fliews us that their fluids have ^s briik,a ci^cuU-
tipn as in other animais : in none that I have feen, is the periflaltic mo«

O a tion

*.^ • .

loo SUMATRA.

tion fo obvious as in tbefe* The female carries two eggs at a tiine^ one
in the lower, and one in the upper part of the abdomen,- on oppofice
fides. They are called by the MaUys ^^ cbttcbaby^ from the nqife they
make.

The cameleon, and the flying liwrd are alfo found on Sumatra. Th^
former, including the tail, are about a foot and a half long ; green,
with brown fpots, as I have them prefer ved. When feen alive in the
woods, they are generally green ; but not from the reflexion of the
trees, as fome have fuppofed; and when caught, they ufually turn
brown ; feemingly the effetft of fear, as men become pale. Like others
of the genus, they fe6l on flies, which the large fize of their mouths
is well adapted for catching. They have five long" toes, armed with
fliarp claws, on the fore and hind feet. Along the fpine, from the head
to the middle of the back, little membranes Hand up, like the teeth of
a faw. The flying lizards are about eight inches long. The membrane
which conftitutes the wings, and which does not extend from, and con-
neft with, the fore and hind !eg, as in the bat fpecies, is about two or
three inches in length. They have flapped ears, and a kind of bag, or al-
pborges, under the jaws. In other refpe&s they much refemble the
cameleon in appearance. They do not take diftant flights, but merely
from tree to tree, or from one bough to another. The country people
take them in fpringes faftened to the ftems.

With frogs and toads the fwamps every where abound. Thefe fall a
^ey to the fnakes, which are found here oi all fizes ; though the largeft
I ever happened to fee, was no more than twelve feet long. * This was
kUkd in a hen^iioufe, where it was devouring the poultry. It is very^
Airpriadng, but no lefs true, that they will fwallow animals of three or
or four times their own apparent bulk or circumference ; having in their
jaws or throat, a compreflive force, that reduce^ the prey to a conve-^
meat dimenfion.. I have feenr a (mall fnake, with the hind legs of a frog^
fticking out of its mouth, each of them nearly equal to the final ler
parts of its own body, which in the thickeft di4 not exceed a man'a

litdc

SUMATRA. toi

Htt}^' 'iiiigdr. The ftorics told, of their fwallowing deer and bu^alos,
ki Ceyi^m and Java, almoft choke my belief, but I really cannot take
upon me toprbnounce them failfe. If a fnake of three or four inehes dt*
aiBeter> can gorge a fowl of fix or eight inches, I fee not but that a
ihake of thirty feet in length, and proportionate bulk and ftrength,
might fwallow almoft any beait ; after having fmaihed the bones, which
they are faid to do by twining round the anitnaU I imagine that the bite
of yery few of the ibakes of Sumatra is mortal, as I have never met
with a well authenticated infiance of any perfon fuflfering from them,
tiiough they are very numerous, and frequently found in the houfes*
The hooded fhake is found in the country, but is not common.

Infeds, the iAackl may literally be faid to fwarm with. I doubt if infeftt.
there is any part of the world, whete greater variety is to be found ; but
this branch of natural knowledge has of late years become fb extremely
ocunprehenfive, diat I cannot take upon me to fay there are many neW
and undefcribed fpeciea. It is probable however that there are a few;
but in order to afcertaiti thefe, it is neceflary to have an Accurate know-^
ledge of thofe afaready elafled> which I do ndt pretend to. I ihall only
make fome few remarks upon the ant fpecies,. the multitudes of i^^hlcK
overrun the country, and its varieties are not lefs extraordinary than its
numbers. The white ant, or lermes, I had intended a defcription of,,
with an account of its deftrudlive effeds, but this fubje£t has lately beea
fo elaborately treated by Mr. Smeathman^, who had an opportunity of
obferving them in Africa, that I purpofely omit it as fuperfluous^ Of the-
fcrmic^, the following diftinftions are the moft obvbus. The great nd
ant, called by the Malays ^' cratigc :** this is about three fourths of an
inch long ; bites feverely, and ufually leaves its head, as a bee its fiing,
in the wound : it is found mofily on trees and buihes, and forms its
neft, by fattening together^ with a glutinous matter, a colledion of the
leaves of a bough, as they grow. ThJe etmrnon red ant, refembling our
]^mke« The mnm$ red ant, much fmallcr than the former. There

* See PhiMbplucal TnuiiaAiont for the year 178U

afi9

lot S U M A T R A*

are alfo, the large black ant, not equal in fize to the crango^ but with a
head of extraordinary bulk; tht common black ant; ztiA iht mimUc black
ant. Thefe I fay are the moft ftriking difcriminations \ but the clafles
are in faft, by many times more numerous, not only in the various gra-
dations of fize, but in a circumftance which I do not recoiled to have
been attended to by any naturalifi; and that is, the difference with
which they affedt the tafte, when put into the mouth ; which often hap**
pens without defign, and gave me the firft occafion of noticing this
fingular mark of variety. Some are hot and acrid, Ibme bitter, and
fome four as verjuice. Perhaps this will be attributed to the dffereot
kinds of food they have accidentally devoured ; but I never found one
which tailed fweet, though I have caught them in the faA of robbing a
fugar or honey pot. Each ipecies of ant is a declared enemy of the other,
and never fufiers a divided empire. Where one party eiSbfts a fettle-
ment, the other is expelled ; and in general they are powerful in pro-
portion to their bulk ; except the white ant, which is beaten from the
field by others of inferbr fi^e ; and for this reafon it is a common expe*
dient to ftrew fugar on the floor of a warehoufe, in order to allure the for-
mic^e to the fpot, who do not fail to combat and overcome the ravaging,
but unwarlike termites.

Fr^duSlhm

m i

SUMATRA; 103

ProdU^iom of the ijland confidered as articles of commerce. Pep^
per trade. Cultivation qf pepper. Camphire. Benjamin. Caf-
Jiay &c.

Vy F tbofe produ^oDS of Sumatra^ which are regarded as articles <^ Pepper,
commerce, the mod important and mod abundant is Pepper^ This is
the objeA of the Eaft India company's trade thither, and this alone they
keep exclufively in their own hands ; their fervants, and merchants under
their prote&ionj being free to deal in every other commodity the country
affords*

Many of the chief inhabitants in different parts of the iffand^ having, Eftablifliniciir

of the trade*

as ihall be elfewhere related more particularly, invited the Engiilh to
form fettlements in their refpeiftive diftri(5ts^ factories were accordingly
eftabliffied, and a permanency and regularity thus given to the trade,
which was very uncertain whilft it depended upon the fuccefs of occa-
£onal voyages to the coa^l : difappointments enfuing not only from fai-
lure of adequate quantities of pepper to furnilh cargoes when required,
but alfo from the caprices and chicanery of the princes or chiefs with
whom the difpofal of it lay* Thefe inconveniences were obviated when
the agents of the company were enabled, by their refidence on the fpot, to
infped the ftate of the plantations, fecure the coUedion of the produce,
and make an efUmate of the tonnage neceffkry to tranfmit it to Europe*

In order to bind the native chiefs to the obfervance of their original
promifes and profeffions, and to eflabiilh a plaufible claim in oppofition
to the attempts of rival European powers to interfere in the trade of the
country, Contrads, attended with much form and folemnity, were en*
tered into with the former; by which ihey engaged to oblige all their
dependants to. cultivate pepper, and ta fecure to us the exclufive pur-
chafe of it; in return for which they were to be prote&ed from their

enemies.

Z04

S U- M A T R A.

enemies, fupported in the rights of fovereignty, and to be paid a certain
a}}OWance^ ot cuftom, on the prpdute of their reipeftisre territories.

The price for many years paid for the pepper, was ten Spanilh Dol-
lars, or fifty Ihillings per babar of five hundred weight. By a late refo-
lution of the Company, with a view to the encouragement of the plan^
ters, it has been incrcafedto fifteen dollars. The customs or duty to the
chiefs, varying in different diftrids according to fpecific agreements,
may be reckoned on an average, at one dollar and an half per bahar. This
low price at which the natives fubmit to cultivate pepper for us, and
which does not produce annually, to each man, more than eight dollars,
according to the old rate of purchafe ; and the complete monopoly we
have obtained of it, from Moco Moco northward, to Flat Point fouth*
ward ; as well as the quiet and peaceable demeanor of the people under
fuch reftridtions, is doubtlefk m a principal degree owing to the pecu*
liar manner in which this part of the ifland is cut off from all
communication with ftrangers, (who might infpire the people with
ideas of profit and ofrefiftance) by the furfs which rage along the fouth-^
weft coaft, and almoft block up the rivers« The general want of an*
chorage too, for fo many leagues to the northward of the Straits of Sunda^
has in all ages deterred the Chinefe and other eaftern merchants, from
attempting to eftablifli an intercourfe that muft have been attended with
imminent rifk, to unikilful navigators* Indeed I underftand it to be a
tradition among thofe who border on the fea coafts, that it is not many
hundred years fince thefe parts began to be inhabited, and they all fpeab-
of their defcent as derived from the more inland country.'* Thus it
appears that thofe natural obfirudions which we are ufed to lament as
the grefiteft detriment to our trade, are in fa6t advantages to which it in
a great meafure owes its exiftence. In the northern countries of the^

* Beaulicu, who rifixitd Sumatra in |6tt9 and todc much paiB$ to ac^ire authentic imfbnna«
tiojpLf fays that the routhern part of the waft coaft wai then woody and uninhabited $ and though
this wat doubtleft not firidiy true^ yet it ihews the ideaa entertained on the fubje£fc by th*
MaJayty of whom he made his enquiries and jurorci bov littk c«aimwMC«Kaa» there was with the

ibuthfrn pcoplt*

ifland^

S U M A T'R A. 105

Hland^ where the people are numerous and their ports goodj they are
found to be independent alfo^ and refufe to cultivate plantations, upon
any other terms, than thofe on which they can difpofe of the produce
of them to private traders.

The pepper-plant being fcientifically arranged in our catalogues, and P«pp«r PWt,
accurately defcribed by good writers, it is almoft unneceflary for me to
fay, that it is a vine, or creeping plant, with a ligneous ftalk, and dark
green leaves, heart fhaped, pointed, not poignant to the tafte, and having
but little or no fmelL The bloflbm is fmali and white, and the fruit
hangs in bunches refembliug thofe of the currant-tree, but longer and
Icfs pliant. It is four or five months in coming to maturity. The ber-
ries are atfirft green, turning to a bright red when ripe and in perfedion,
and foon fall off, if not gathered in proper time. As the whole chifter
does not ripen at once, part of the berries would be loft in waiting for
the latter ones : it is therefore neceflary to pluck the bunch, as ibon as
its firfi berries ripen ; and it is even ufual to gather them green, when
they attain to their full growth. Small baikets flung over the ihoulder,
and a triangular ladder are ufed in colle&ing the fruit ; which, when
gathered, is fpread out upon mats, or fmooth fpots of clean, hard ground^
without the garden. It there ibon dries, and loofes its color, becoming
black and flirivcUed, as we fee it in Europe. That which is gathered
at a proper age, will flirivel leaft : if plucked too foon, before the berry
has acquired the due degree of hardnefs, it will in a fliort time, by re-
moval from place to place, become mere duft. When fpread to dry,
it undergoes a kind of winnowing, to render it perfedly clean. As
there will ftill, however, be light pepper among it, the planter being
willing to throw away as little as pofSble, it muft again be garbled at the
fcale, by machines for that purpofe. A common trial of its goodnefs,
is by rubbing it hard between both hands : if this produces little or no*
ifkdt on it, the pepper is found ; but if it has been gathered too young,
or has been fuffered to lie too long upon the earth, ip moid weather,

P a great

io6 S U M A T R A^

a great part of it will be reduced to dud. Pepper which hai!i falleiv ta
the ground over- ripe, and been gathered from thence, will be known bf
being deprived of its outer coat. It is in this ftate, an inferior kind of
white pepper.

Cultivation o£ In the cultivation of pepper, the firft circumftance that claims at-
tention, and on which indeed the whole depends, is the choice of pro-
per ground. The experioients hitherto made by Europeans have not
been fufEciently accurate, to determine the particular foil that fuits it
belt; but it appears to thrive with nearly equal vigor in ail. the different
kbds between the two extremes ; of (and, which prevails throi^gh thd
low country near the fea coaft, and of the barren, yellow clay, of which
is formed the greater part of the rifing grounds, as they approach the
hills* The latter indeed, at greater or lefs depth, conftitutes generally
the bafis even of the beft foils : but when covered by a coat of mould,
sot lefs than a foot deep, it is fu$ciei»tly fertile for every purpofe of
this cultivation. The leyel ground, along the banks of rivers, if not fo
low as to be flooded by the frefliies, or even then, if the water does not
remain opon it above a day, affords in general the moft eligible fpots,
both in poiw: of fertility, and the convenience of water carriage for the
{)roduce. Declivities, unlefs very gentle, are to be avoided; as the
mould, loofened by culture, is liable in fucfa fituations, to bcfwept awaj
by the heavy rains. Even plains, howjBver, when covered by long grafs
only, will not be found to anfwer, without the aififtance of the plough,
and of manure ; their long expofure to the fun, exhauiling the fource of
tneir fertility. How far the prodi^ce in general might be encreafcd by
the introdudion of thefe improvements in agriculture, I cannot take upon
me to fay, but I fear, that from the natural indolence of the people^
and their averfenefs from the buiinefs of pepper-planting, owing in great
meafure to the fmall returns it yields them, they will never be prevailed
upon to take more pains with it than they now do« The planter, there-

urn

fore, depending more upon the natural quality of^ the foil, than on an^
Improvement it may receive from, his labor, will find none to fuit
his purpofe better than that covered with old woods; whofe rotting

trunks

S U M A T R A.

407

trunks^ and falling leaves, infure to him a degree of fertility, fuperlof
to any that is likely to be given to other ground^ by a people with
whom agriculture is in its infancy* Such fpots are generally chofen by
the induftrious ; among them for their ladddHgs (paddee or rice plantar
tions) i and though the labor that attends them is coniidcrable, and it
may be prefumed that their fertility can fcarcely be fo foon exhaufted^
it is very feldom that they feek from the fame ground, a fecond crop of
grain. Allured by the certainty of abundant produce from a virgin foil,
and having li^n^ for the moft part at will, they renew their labor annu-^
ally, and defert the plantations of the preceding year. Such deferted
plantations, however, are often favorable for pepper gardens ; and young
woods, of even thr^e ot fqtir years growth (balookar), frequently cover
ground of this nature, equal to any that is to be met with. Upon tho
whole, whe^re variety of fitus^tions admits of choice, the preference is to
be given, to level ground ; moderately elevated ; covered with wood ;
as near as may be to the banks of rivers or rivulets ; and the furface of
whofe foil is a dark mould of proper depth. This is to be cleared as for
a laddang ; the imderwood being firfi cut down, and left fdme days to
wither, before the larger trees are felled. When completely dry, and
after ibme continuance of fair weather, the whole is burned ; and if ef?
feftually done, little is wanting to render the fpot as clear as is requifite*

The garden ground is then marked out, in regular fquares of fix feet,
or five Malay covits, the intended diftance of the plants, of which there
are ufually a thoufand ia each garden. The next buiinefs is to plant
the cbinkareiMs. . Thefe are to ferve as props to the pepper-vines, (as
the Romans planted elms for their grapes) and are cuttings of a tree of
that name, pur ia the ground ieveral months before the pepper, that the
flioot may be flroDg enough to Support the plant, when it comes to twine
round it* Sometimes the qhinkareens are chofen fix feet long, and the
vine is then planted the &me fes^fon, or as foon as the former is fuppoled
to have taken root : but the principal objeAioos tp this mqtbod arc, that
jo fiich ftate, they are vei^ liable to fail, and require renewal, ro the
prejudice o£ the garden; (hat their. fl>oots are not is> vigorous as thofe of

Pa the

io8 S U M A T R A^

the fiiort cuttings ; and that they frequently grow crooked. The cir*
cumftances which render the chinkareen particularly proper for this pur**
pofej are, its eafinefs and quicknefs of -growth ; and the little thorns or
fpines with which it is armed, enabling the; vine more firmly to adhere
to it. Some, indeed^ prefer the bitter chinkareen, (with a brownifh red-
flower) though fmooth, to the prickly, (bearing a white) bccaufe the ele-
phant, which often proves deftrudtive to the gardens, avoids the tormer,
on account of its difagreeable tafte, though it is not deterred by the fpines,
from devouring the other Tpecics. Thefe> however, are more generally
in ufe.

When the chinkareen has been fome months planted, the moft promi*
fing, perpendicular Ihoot, is to be referved for growth, ai)d the reft to
be lopped off; and when it has attained to the height of two, or at moft
two fathoms and a half, it is to be headed or topped ; no further height
being required.

It has been often doubted, whether the growth and produce of the
pepper-vine, is not confiderably injured by the chinkareen,. which muft
rob it of its proper nouriflunent, by exhaufting the earth. On thiy
principle, the vine, in other .of the eaftem iilands, and particularly at
Borneo Proper ^ is fupported by poles that do not vegetate, as are hops in
England. Yet it is by no means clear to me, that the Sumatran method
is fo difadvantageous as it may feem. By reafon of the pepper vine
lafting many years, whilft the poles, expofed to the fun and rain, and
loaded with a coniiderable weight, cannot be fuppofed to lad above
two feafons ; there muft be a frequent Ihifting, which, notwithftanding
the utmoft care^ muft tear the plants, and often deitroy them. Befides,
it may perhaps be the cafe, that the flielter from the violent rays of the
fun, afforded by the branches of the chinkareen, to the plants, and
which, during the dry monfoon^ is of the utmoft confequence, may
go near to counterbalance the injury occafioned by their roots : not to in«
fift on the opinion of a celebrated writer i that trees, acting as fiphons^
derive from the air, and tranfmit to the earthy as much of the principle

SUMATRA. 169

of vegetation^ as is expended in their aouriihtnent. I believe it is not ob' '
ferved, that ground^ covered with large trees or other perennials, is much
impoveriihed by them; which perhaps may only be the cafe with an«
Duals. Of this however I do not pretend to judge*

The chinkareens are planted one fathom, or one fathom and a quarter,
afunder, that they may not impede each other's growth, or keep
too much of the air from the vines. The boughs are carefully lope
from the ftem, and the top cut in fiich a manner, as to make it ex-
pand itfelf, for the purpofe of more efFedtually fliading the garden.
The proper feafon for lopping them, is during the rainy months, or
November, December, and January, which, befide the view to their
ftooting forth again towards the dry feafon, prevents the plants from
being injured By the dropping from the branches. Great afliduity is
required of the planters, to keep the gardens from being over-run with
weeds and Ihrubs, which would foon choke the plants. Thefe they re-
move with the prang (biH^ and hoe ; taking care not to injure the rootf
of the pepper : yet, in the hot months of June, July, and Auguft, they
' fuffer the ground to remain covered with lallang (long graft), as it con-'
tributes to mitigate the eifedts of the violent heat upon the earth, and
pireferves the dews, that at this time fall copioufly, a longer time on the
ground 5 which tends much to encourage the growth of the young vines,
and thofe newly turned down.

The plants of the pepper are moft commonly taken from the fhoots
that run along the earth, from the foot of an old vine ; and as thefe,
from almoft every knot or joint, ftrike roots into the ground, and ihoot
up perpendicularly, a fingle joint, in this ftate, is a fufficient plant for
propagation. It require^ at firft fome little affiftancc, to train it to the
chinkareen ; but it will foon fecure its hold, by the fibres that Ipread
from the joints of its ftem and branches.

• Two vines ate generally planted to one chinkareen. Thefe are fuflered
to grow for three years, with only a little occafional attention; by

which

S .U M A. T R A.

which time they attain, accordihg as the foil i$ feitikj the. Imigkt dli
eight to twelve feet, and begin to (hew their fruit. Then the opera>3oa>
of turniHg imn^ is performed ; for which, moderate rainy weather is ne^i
ceflary. They are cut off about three feet from the ground^ and betngi
loofened from the prop, are bent into the earth, in fuch a manner, that
the upper end of the remaining ftem returns to the roots, lying horizon-
tally, and forqiing a kind of circle. This, by laying a^ it were a neV:
foundation, is fuppofed to give.frefli vigor to the plants^ ^nd they bearr
plentifully the enfuing feafon ; whereas, if permitted to r«n up in th^.
natural way, they would exhauft themfelves in leaves, and produce but
little fruit. The garden fliould be turned down at the feafon whea
the clufters begin to ripen ; and there is faid to be a great nicety in hic«^
ting the exaS: time ; for if it be done tod fo(Mi, the vmes ibmetimes do
not bear for three years afterwards, like frelh plants ; and on the other,
band alfo, the produce is retarded, when they omit to turn then down
till after the fruit is gathered ; which, avarice of preient, at the expencc
of future advantage, fometimes inclines them tOw It is not very material
how many Items the vine may have, in its firft growth, but after turn*
Ing down, two only, (or, if very ftrong, one) muft be fuffered to rifi^
and cling to the chinkareen : more are fuperfluous, and only weakea
tiie wholes The furplus nunaber may however be advantageouily uied^
by being cut off at the root, on turning down, and tranfplanted either
to the chinkareens, whofe vines have failed, ox to others* encrearfinfg the
garden. With thefe ofF-fets, whole gardens may be at once planted, and
the flem thus removed will bear as foon, or nearly fo, as that from which
it has been taken* The chinkareen intended to receive them muft, of
courie, be proportionably large» Where the plants or off-fets of this
kind (called lade aagore)^ can be procured in plenty, from gardens that
are turning down, they are fometimes planted of the full fize, two fa«
thorns ; by which means, fruit may be obtained, at fartheft^ by the fe-i
cond feafon. The luxuriant fide-iboots from the vines are to be plucked
off; as well as thofe that creep along the ground, unlefs where they may
be required for plants ; and if the head of the v^ becooies too buibf^ it

muft be pruned away*

Befides

# U M A T R A«

1 1 f

' Befides the method already defcribedj of turning down vines, the plan*
tcrs fometimes praftife the following. The original vine when cut
fliort, is not bent into the earth* but two or three of the beft flioots from
it are turned down, and let to fpring up at fome diftance ; being ftill
1)rought back, and trained to the fame chinkareen. By this means the
Hourifliment is collected from a more extenfive circuit of earth. Some-
times the gardens are fuffered to grow without turning down at all ;
but as the produce is iuppofed to be confiderably injured by the no-
gleA, and doubtlefs with reafon^ the contrary is enjoined by the ftrideil
orden.

When the vinel originally planted to any of the chinkareens, are ob*
1erv«d to fail or mifs ; inftead of replacing them with new plants, they
frequently condud one of the ihoots, or fuckers, from a neighbouring
vine, to the fpot, through a trench made in the ground, and there fuffer
it to rife up anew ; often at the diftance of twelve or fdurteen feet from
the parent ftock*

This pradtce of turning down the vines^ which appears very fingulaf,
and certainly contributes to the duration, as well as Itrength of the plants
yet probably nuj amount to nothing more than a fubftitute for tranfplan-
tattoo. The people of Europe obfervtng that plants often fail to
thrive^ when permitted to grow up in the fame beds where they were firft
|bt» foutid it expedient to remove them, at a certain period of their growth^
to freih ficuations* The Sumatrans ob&rving the fame failure, in the
^rft cafe, had recourfe to nearly the fame alternative ^ but effe^ed it in a
different, and perhaps more advantageous mode. It Ihould be remarked^
that attempts have been made to propagate the pepper by cuttings, or
layers, called 4harrafigy inftead of the ufual method ; which at firft
feeoied to promife great fuccefs i but it was found that thefe did not. con*
linue to bear fpr an equal number of years ; which was*a powerful ar*
l^eat for difcontinuing the experiment*

The

XI2 SUMATRA.

The vines, as has been obferved» generally begin to be^r in* three yean
from the time of planting ; but their produce is retarded &r one, or per-
haps two years, by the procefs of turning them down. This afterwards
continues to encreafe, till the feventh or eighth year, when the garden
is efteemed in prime ; and that {late it maintains, according to the good-
nefs of the foil, for one, two, or three years, when it gradually declines,
till it grows too old to bear. Fruit has been gathered from fome at the
age of twenty years ; but fuch inftances are very uncommon.

A man and woman, if induftrious, may with eafe look after a garden
of a thoufand vines ; befides railing paddee fufficiefit for their fubiift*
ence : or one hard working man can perform it. In order to lighten
the tafk^ a crop of grain is commonly, and may without detriment, be
raifed from the garden ground in the firft feafon* When cleared^ juii:
before they fow the paddee, the fliort chinkareens are to be planted k an4
when it is reaped, and the halm of it cleared away, theie are of proper
age to receive the vines. By thus uniting the obje£U of his culturei
the planter may have a garden formed, without any other (for a fea-
fon) than the ufual labor neceflary for raifing provifion for his family*

The pepper gardens are planted in even rows, running parallel and at
right angles with each other. Their appearance is very beautiful, and ren*
dered more (Iriking by the contraft they exhibit to the wild fcenes of nature
which furround them. In highly cultivated countries, fuch as England,
where landed property is all lined out, and bounded and interfered with
walls and hedges, we endeavor to give our gardens and pleafure grounds^
the charm of variety and novelty, by imitating the wildnefles of nature^
in lludied irregularities. Winding walks, hanging woods, cn^gy
rocks, falls of water, are all looked upon as improvements ; and the
(lately avenues, the canals, and lawns of our anceftors, which afforded
the beauty of contraft, in ruder times, are now exploded. This
difference of tafte is not merely* the effeft of caprice, nor entirely of rc-9
^nement, but refults from the change of circumftances. A man who
ihould attempt to exhibit on Suaiatra, the modern^ or irregular ftyle of

laying

SUMATRA. 113

hying out grounds, would attraft but little attention^ as the unimproved
fceties adjoining on every fide, would probably eclipfe his labors.
Could he, on the contrary^ raife up, amidft thefe magnificent wilds,
one of the antiquated parterres, with its canals and fountains, whofe
fymmetry he has learned to defpife ; his work would produce admiration
and delight. A pepper garden cultivated in England, would not, in
point of external appearance, be confidered as an objed of extraordi*
nary beauty, and would be particularly found fault with for its unifor-
mity ; yet, in Sumatra^ I never entered one, after travelling many miles,
as is ufually the cafe, through the woods, that I did not find myfelf af-
feded wifh a ftrong fenfation of pkafure. Perhaps the fimple view of
human induftry, fo fcantily prefented in that ifland, might contribute to
this pleafure, by awakening thofe focial feelings that nature .has infpired
us with, and which make our breafts glow on the perception of wh^tevec
indicates the happinefs of our fellow creatures.

Once in every year, a furvey of all the pepper plantations is taken
by the Company's European fervants, refident at the various fettlements,
in the neighbourhood of which that article is cultivated. The number
of vines in each particular garden is counted \ accurate obfervation is
made of its (late and condition ; orders are given, where neccflary, for
further care, for conntpletion of ftipulated quantity, renewals, changes
of fituation for bettec foil ; and rewards and punilhments are diftributed
to the planters, as they appear, from the degree of their induftry or re^
miiTnefs, deferving of either. Memorandums .of all thefe are noted in
the furvey-book, which, befide giving prefent information to ths chiefs
and to the governor and council, to whom a copy is tranfmitted, ferves
as a guide and check for the furvey of the iucceeding year. An ab*
ftrad of the form of the book is as follows. It is divided intp fundry
columns, containbg the name of the village \ the names of the planters 2
the number of chinkareens planted j the number of vines juft planted;
of young vines, not in % bearing ftate, three clafies or years ; of
jjTOung vines in a bearing ftate, three ala£&s v of vines in prime ;
of th(^e on decline ; of thofe that are old, but ftill productive ;
the total number; and laftly the quantity of pepper received

C^ during

ri4 S U M A T R A,

during the year, A fpace is left for occafional remarks^ and at the con-
cluiion is fubjoined a comparlfon of the totals of each column^ for the
whole diftrift or refidency, with thofe of the preceding year. Thi$
bufinefs, the reader will perceive to be attended with confiderable
trouble, exclufive of the aftual fatigue of the furveys, which from the
nature of the country, muft necelTarily be performed on foot, in a
climate not very favorable to fuch excurfions. The journeys in few
places can be performed in lefs than a month, and often require a much
longer time.

The inhabitants, by the original contra&s of the head men with the
company, are obliged to plant a certain number of vines ; each family one
thouiand, and each young unmarried man, five hundred ; and in order
to keep up the fucceflion of produce, fo foon as their gardeas attain to
their prime ftate, they are ordered to prepare others, that they may begin to
bear as the old ones fall off; but as this can feldom be enforced, till
the decline becomes evident, and as young gardens are liable to various
accidents, which older ones are exempt from, the fucceflSon is rendered
incomplete, and the confequence is, that the annual produce of each
diftrid fluduates, and is greater or lefs, in the proportion of the quan-
tity of bearing vines to the whole number* To enter minutely into the
detail of this bufinefs, will not afford much information or entertain-
ment to the generality of readers, who will however be furprized to hear
that pepper planting, though fcarcely an art, fo little fkill appears to
ht employed in its cultivation, is neverthelefs a very abflrufe fcience.
The profoundeft inveftigations of very able heads have been beuowed on
this fubjedt, which took their rife from the ceiifures naturally expreiled
by the Diredlors at home to the Servants abroad, for a fuppofed mif-
management, when the inveftment, as it is termed, of pepper, decreal^
ed in comparifon with preceding years, and which the unfavorable-
nefs of feafons did not by any means account for fatisfadrorily. To ob-
viate fuch charges, it became neceffary for the gentlemen who fuperin*
tended the bufinefs, to pay attention to, and explain the efficient caufes
which unavoidably occafioned this fluduatim, and to eftablilh general

principles

SUMATRA- 115

principles of calculation^ by which to determine at any time, the pro*^
bable future produce of the different reiidencies. Thefe will depend
upon a knowledge of the medium produce of a determinate Dumber of
vines, and the medium number to which this produce is to be applied ;
both of which are to be afcertained only from a comprehenfive view of
the fubjeft^ and a nice difcrimination. Nbthing general can be deter-
mined from detached inftances* It is not the produce of one particular
plantation in one particular ftage of bearing, and in one particular fea*
fon ; but the mean produce of all the various clafles of bearing vines
colledively, drawn from the experience of feveral years^ that can aloae be
depended on in calculations of this nature. So in regard to the medium
number of vines prefumed to ezift at any refidency in a future year, to
which the medium produce of a certain number, one thoufand for inftance,
is to be applied, the quantity of young vines of the firft, fecond and third
year, muft not be indifcriminately advanced, in their whole extent, to
the next annual ftage, but a judicious allowance, founded on experience,
muft be made, for the accidents to which, in fpite of a refident's utmoft
care, they will be expofed. Some are loft by negled or death of
the owner ; fome are deftroyed by inundations^ others by elephants and
wild buffalos, and fome by unfavorable feaf(H)S and from thefe feveral
confiderations, the number of vines will ever be found confiderably
decreafed, by the time they have arrived at a bearing ftate. Anotherim^
portant objed of confideration, in thefe matters, is the comparative
ftate of a refidency at any particular period, with what may be juftly
confidered as its medium ftate. There muft exift a determinate propor*
tion between any number of bearing vines, and fuch a number of young
as are neceffary to replace them when they go off and keep up a regular
fucpeffion. This will depend in general upon the length of time before
they reach a bearing ftate, and during which they afterwards continue ift
it. If this certain proportion happens at any time to be difturbe^i the
produce muft become irregular. Thus, if at any period, the number of
bearing vines Ihall be found to exceed their juft proportion to the total
number, the produce, at fuch period, is to be confidered as above the
mean, and a fubiequent decreafe may be with certainty prediAed, and

ii6 S U M A T. R A^

wee verfd^ If then this proportion can be knpwn^ and the ftace of po«
pulation in a refidency afcertained^ it becomes eafy to dotcrmine the true
mediJLun number of bearing vines in that refidency* • > ' •

There are, agreeably to the form of the forrey book, ele?en ftages
or claiies of vines, each advanced one year. Of tbefe dsOes^ fix are
bearings and five young. If therefore the gardens were not liable to
accidents, but pafled on from cohbmn to cdblnui undnttoilhed^ tbe true
proportion of the bearing vinet ta the young would be at fix to five,
Oi to the total, as fix to eleven^ But t^ TScioQt cmtiogeikfes above
hinted at, muft tend to reduce this proportkn; while oa the other handy
if any of the gardens ihould contimie loogeir than is necefiary to pa&
through all the flages on the furvey book^ or fliould reoMtn more than
one year in a prime date, thefe circumftances WMtd tend to increafe tbe
proportion. What then is the true medium proportion, can only be
determined from experience, and by comparix^ the ftate of a refidency
at various fucceifive periods. Ia order to afcertdin this point, a very m^
gcnious gentleman, and able fervant of the Eaft India Company*, to
whom I am indebted for the mod part o^ what I have laid before the
reader on this fubjeft, drew out, in the year 1777, a general compa-
rative view of Manna refidency, from the furveys of twelve years, an-
nexing the produce of each year. From the ftatement it appeared,
that the proportion of the bearing vines to the whole number, in that
diftrid, was no more than 5,1 to it^ inftead of 6 to 11, which would
be the proportion if not reduced by ticcidents ; and further, that when
the whole produce of the twelve years was difiUfed over the whole num-
ber of bearing vines during* that period, the produce of one thoufand
vines came out to be four hundred and fifty three pounds, which mufl:
therefore be eftimated as the medium produce of that refidency. The
&me principle of calculation bdng applied to the other refidencies, it
appeared, that the mean annual produce of one thoufand vines, in all
the various flages of bearing, taken collectively throughout the country,
deduced from the experience of twelve years, was four 'hundred and

* Mr. John Criip.

four

S -U M A T R A. 1U7

foor peufids. It likewife became evident from the ftatements drawn out
t^ that geatleman^ ckat the medium annual produce of the company's
fettleinefits-on tbe^v^efl: coaft of Sumatra^ ought to be eftimated at twelve »
bandred tons,- of fixteen hundred weight ; which is corroborated by an
average of the adual receipts for any coniiderable number of years«

Thus much will be fufficient to give the reader an idea of pepper
planting, as a fcience. How far, in a commercial lights this produce
aiders the Company'ft views in fupporting the fettlements^ is fbrdgR
from ray piKpofe to dHcuft, though it is a iiibje^ on which not a little

ft ^^

might be iMd.' It is the hiitory of the tHand^ and its inhabitants^ and
tiotr of the European interefts, that I attempt to lay before the public.

The natives difttnguifli three fpecies of pepper, which are called
at different places by different names. At Laye^ in the Rejang country^

they term them lado CowooTj lad^ Manna^ and lada Jamhe, from the-
partsf where each fort is fuppofed to prevail, or from whence it was firft
brought to them. T*he lado Cawoor, or Lampoon pepper, is the flrong-
cft p3ant, and bears the largeft leaf and fruit ; is flower in coming to
perfection than the fccond, but of much longer duration. The leaf and
fruit of lado Manna are fomewhat fmaller, and it has this peculiarity,
that it bears foon and in large quantities, but feldom pafles the third or

•

fourth years crop. The Jambee, which has defervcdly fallen into great
dtfrcpute, is of the fmallell leaf and fruit, very ihort lived, and not
without difficulty trained to the chinfcarecn. In fome places to the fouth-
ward they diftinguiih two kinds only, lado Soodool and lado Jambee.
Lado foolaer and lado angire are not diftinftions of fpecies ; the former
denoting the young ihoots of pepper commonly planted, in oppofition to
the latter, which is the term for planting by ffips.

• White pepper is manufadured by ftripping the outer buflc or coat from White Pepper.
the ripe and perfect grains. This was for centuries fuppofed in Eu-
rope to have been the produce of a different plants and to poilefs qua-'
lities fuperior to the common fort j on the flrength of which idea, it ufed

1«

1x8 SUMATRA.

to fell for fome timcj at the India fales^ for treble the price of the
But it loft this advantage as foon as it came to be known, that the fecret
depended merely on the art of blanching the common pepper* For this
purpofe it is fteeped for a certain time ; about a fortnight ; in water, in
pits dug for the occafion in the banks of rivers, and Ibmetimes in fwamps
and ftagnant pools ; till by fwelling it burfts its t^ument, from which
it is afterwards carefully feparated by drying it in the fun and rubbing it
between the hands« It has been much difputed, and is ftill undetermined,
to which fort the preference ought to be given* The white pepper
has this fuperiority, that it can be made of no other than the beft and
founded grains, taken at the propereft ftate of maturity ; but on the
other hand it is argued, that by being fufTered to ficep the neceflary time
in water, its ftrength is confiderably diminiihed, and that the outer huik
which is loft by the procefs, has a peculiar flavor diftin& from that of
the heart, and though not fo poignant, more aromatic. The white pep*
per ftands the Company in about three times the price of the blapk ;
owing to the encouragement they were obliged to give the planters to in*
duce them to deviate from their accuftomed track ; but having been fold
a few years ago at an equal, and I believe one feafon at an inferior rate,
orders were fent out for reftraining the manufadure to a very fmall
quantity.

Pepper Sea* The fcafon of the pepper vines bearing, as well as that of moft other

fruits on Sumatra, is fubjed: to great irregularities, owing perhaps to the
uncertainty of the monfoons, which are not there fo ftri&ly periodical,
as on the weftern fide of India* Generally fpeaking, however, the pepper
produces two crops in the year ; one called the greater crop, (poopool
augoong) about the month of September, the other called the lefler or half
crop (booa kilo) about the month of Marclu Sometimes in particular
diftridts, they will be employed in gathering it in fmall quantities, during
the whole year round ; bloflbms and ripe fruit appearing together on the
fame vine ; whilft perhaps in others, the produce is that year confined
to one crop. In Laye refidency, the principal harveft of pepper, in the
year 1766, was gathered between the Months of February and May, in

1767

8 U M A T R At 119

176^7 and 1 7685 about September and Odober ; in 177S, between Jun«
and Auguft, and for the four fucceeding years was feidotn received earlier
than November and December. Long continued droughts^ which fome*
times happen, ftop the vegetation of the^rmes, and retard the produce.
This was particularly experienced in the year 1775, when for a period
of about eight months^ fcarcely a Ihower of rain fell to moiften the
earth. The vines were deprived of their foliage ; many gardens perilhed,
and a general deftrudion was expeAed. But this apparent calamity
was attended with a confequence not forefeen, though analogous to the
ufual operations of nature in that climate. The natives, when they
would force a tree that is backward, to produce fruit, ftrip it of its
leaves, by which means the nutritive juices are referved for that more
important ufe, and the blofibms foon begin to fhew themfelves in abun-
dance. A fimilar effefk was difplayed in the pepper gardens, by
the inclemency of the feafon. The vines, as ibon as the rains began
to defcend, threw out bloilbms in a profufion unknown before; old
gardens which had been unprolific for two or three years began to bear i
and accordingly the crop of 1776,7 coniiderably furpafled that of many
preceding years.

The pepper is moftly brought down from the country on rafts (rache)
which are fometimes compofed of rough timbers, but ufually of large
bamboos, with a platform of the fame, fplit, to keep the cargo dry»
They are fteered at both head and ftern, in the more rapid rivers, with
a kind of rudder, or fcuU rather, having a broad blade, fixed in a fork
or crutch. Thofe who fleer are obliged to exert the whole ftrength of
the body, in thofe places efpecially where the fall of water is fteep^
and the courfe winding. But the purchafe of the fcull is of fo great
power, that ;they can move the raft bodily acrofs the river, when both
ends are aded upon at the fame time. But notwithftanding their great
dexterity, and their judgment in chufing the channel, they are liable to
meet with obftrudion in large trees and rocks, which, from the violence
of the ftream, overiet, and fometimes daih their raft to pieces*

*i20 S U M A T & Jl.

^ It is a generally received opinion, that pepper does not fuftata any dft*

mage by an immeriion in fea water; a circumftance that attends per«

haps a fourth part of the whole quantity (hipped from the coaft. The

• furf, through which it is carried in an open boat, called a fampan hn^

tbore^ renders fuch accidents unavoidable. This boat, which carries oi>e

' or two tons, being hauled up on the beach, and there loaded, is ihoved

•off, with a few people in her, by a number coUefted for that purpofe,

'•who watch the opportunity of a lull, or temporary intermiffion of tbe

'fwell. A tmhongon^ or country veflel, built to contain from ten to

twenty tons, lies at anchor without, to receive the cargoes from the

:iampans. At many places, where the qualkes^ or mouths of the rivers,

sre tolerable practicable, the pepper is fent o]3t at once In the tprnfaon-

•gons, over the bar ; but this, owing to the common ihallownels-of dio

water, and violence of the furfs, is attended with conGderable nilu

Thus the pepper is conveyed, either to the warehoufes at die Pcefidcncy,

or to the fhip from Europe lying there to receive it,

Camphire. Among the otlier con^modities of the ifland, a eonipicuous pUee

belongs to the camphire.

This, diftinguiflied amonjg us by the epithet of native camfdiire, and
called by the Malays, Capocr Barroosy is a produftion for which Sumatra,
' as well as Borneo, hds in all ages been much celebrated ; the Arabians
being, at a very early period, acquainted with its virtues. Cfaymifts
have entertained opinions extremely difcordant, in regard both to the
nature and properties of camphire ; and even at this day it feems to be
lut imperfectly known^ I ihall not attempt to decide whether it be a
refin or not ; though the eircumftance of its being foluble in fpirits and
not in water, would feem to entitle it to that clafs ; nor fhall I pretend
to determine whether its qualities, as a medicine, are hot or cold. My
province is to mention fuch particulars of its hifiory as have come
within the fcope of my own obfervation, leavinjg to others to fpeculate
upon its ufes.

The

SUMATRA; izt

, The campbire tree is a native: of the northern parts of the iiland only,
growing, without cultivation, in the woods which lie near to the fea
coaft, and is equal in height and bulk, to the largeft timber trees, being
frcqueatly . found, upwards of fifteen feet in circumference. The leaf is
imallj, of a).ro\^4iih,oval^ ending. io a long point or tail ; the fibres run-
fiing all paratlel ^nd nearly ftraight. The wood is in much efteeo^ for
^rpenter's purpofes^ being eafy to work, light, durable^ and not liable
50.be if^ured^by; infeds, particplarly by the combang, a fpecies of bee»
Mfh^h from i^ts f^quky of .borii^g tixnber, for its t^, ii called in com-
mon, the carpenter^

«w ■ S

. ThcPftmphilreiiJieb^of i dry nature does not . exfude fidom the tree,
or ma^feft* a^yvtippcarani^e aa' the outfide. The natives, from long
Mperifoc^t knoytf whether iaofy is contained within, by ftriking it wirh
It ftick. Int^at csife, they cut it.down and fplit it with wedges into fmal^
•pieces, finding the camphire in the interftices in the ftate of .a concrete
cryftalU^adon. Some have afleited that it is from the old trees $loai
that .this fubftance is procured, and tfiat in the young tree it: is in a
fluid ftate, called mecnia cafcorj or camphire pil ; but this, I have good
authority to. pronounce a miftake. The fajjie kind of tree that pr«»
dvces the fluid, does not produce the dry, tranfparjent, and flaky fub*
fiance^ nor ever would. They are readHy diftinguiihpd by the natives^
Many of the trees, however, ptodmgenditbfir.tbe oq^.nor the' other. .

m m

I * A • »

: The native camphire is purchafed.on the ^t, at the rate of ^ Spaniik
jiollars the pound, or eight dollars the. catty,' for the bcft ibrt^ wbiirh
iclla at the Chipa market, foriafegftt twcWc or. fiftccd hundred rdottaif
rfje.pccu.l of ap hvmdre^ saitfe^ -fir, we, J»wj4fcd» tWtty ihKC.p«u«U
and a third. The traders difiinguiih ufually three diSbrent degrees of
quality in it, by the names of head, belly and foot, acoardiii|^-«> its
purity and whitcneft, whicb depend upott its being more oif "left free
from particles of the wood, and other heterogeneous matter, that mix
SifUb Jt in colJeajqg, aft^r the firijk large. p^coes .awrpiflkwl. ,«uti.., fi^me
add a fourth fort, of extra<Hedilutfy finntt^^ ic^ wbidi 9P'4i^ pffiiitdff Only
'■ R are

ta« ^ U KT A r: R' A^.

are impoi^d to Canton, in th^ year, arii ftll ^ere at tho f ate ol two

thoufand dollars ibepecuJ*. ' •

• ft • ■

. ' - ■

The Chinefe prepare, it is generally fuppofed, a factious fubftance re*
fembling this native camphire, and impregnated with it» virtues, by the
admixture of a fmall quantiry o^ the genuine ; which they fell to the
Dutoh for thirty or forty dollars the pecul, who afterwards refine it to
the flate in which we fee it iaour fliof^s, where it is* (bid for eight
ihiiltngs the pound weight. This appears an extraordinary circumftante,
that any article could |>offibly be fo adulterated^ and at die fame time
bear the likenefs, and retain the qualities of its Original, as that the
dealers Ihould be aUe, with profit to th^ibfelves,, to (felt it ^gaia for the
fiftieth, part of the price they gave. Bus uponinqifky of an logenious
gentleman long refident in China, I Idimed that the Chioefrf or mpm
properly, die Japan camphire, is not a.fad:itiovs fubftancej but the puit
produce of a tree which grows in. abundance in the latter country, dif-
fecent entirely from tihat of Sumatara, and well known^ to our botanifls
byi the name of Lauras Campbora^ : that thejc^ nqeer mix the native fort
(as. we teem i|:) with the Japan, but purofaafc the former for their own
ufe, at the above extravagant price, from an idea, fuperftitiouis proba*
bly, of its efficacy, apd export the latter, as a drug they hol<i in no
eftimatioii. Thiis, we buy the leaves of their tea plant, at a high rate,
and negleA herbs, the produce of our own foil, pofleffing perhaps equal
virtues. It is known, that the camphire termed fa&itious will evaporate
till it wholly difappears^ and at all periods of its diminution, retain
its foil ftrength ; which do not feem the properties of an adulterated or
compounded body* Kemfer fays that it is prepared from a dnoSion ci
'the WQod and ipots of ike tree, cot itito fmall pieces. The native fort^

^■j . '....:/

e *i Bee^ee Ovntati ot tke tiMaa Maiiieu Oiaphile wis-putchaTed on Sumim by Besiil2f«,
, ia lits^ St tb^ ratfrof fifteen SpaoUk dpUsn^ortwenqr «i|^ ovncet, which diftn but little froft

the modeoi price.

^ -

\ ^ SpeciaMae of -tbeL^ftM of tibe^Jap^ Canplafetiier, and thoft af tba SamilraaorBomeaa
..Ce^pkke^ laajb^ifcaK.bj^jMf it^rofta^Vilft^ IWb^7.

though

•# ••

SUMATRA; nf

dNW^ d<mbdc£i from its: vidatilicy it mvA be fubjeft to fbnie decrcafe»
does not appe^ to lofe mudi in quantity from being kept, as I bare par* '
ticular experience. o£. Wkat I had of the Cbiiiefefort is long fince^
etraporated. I know not what fuperiority in the materia medical is al«
lowed to the ufoorhr^os^ in point of eCcacy : it is poffibly oonfiderable,
though certainly not in the proportion of fifty to one. Perhaps it may
not have had a fiur trial, being rasefy braoght ta Europe but as a cori-
ofity* J , »

The campbire oil before mentioned^ is a Tthiable ddmiftic medicbe^
and much ufed by the Sumati^ansy in ftrains^ fwelllngs, and iniOamniacioas^
the particles, from thtfirrcxcrem^ fubtil^, rei^y entcjing the pores; , It;
is not matiufa&ttFed, imdefg^ no preparation, and thooglh termed an
oil, is rather a liquid sdid ▼odatile refin, diftiUing firom one ^cies ofr
the campbire rtrte, withtet any oleaginous quality^ To procure it^rthey >
proceed in the following manner. They make a tranfverfe incifion into
the tree, to! the depth of fiHtoe inches, and then cut floping . dovh wards
ftdm above thenotdi, till they leave a fiat, hbrizonul fuperficies« This*
they hollow out, till it is of a capacity to receive about a quart. They
then put bto the hollow, d bat of lighted reed, and let it remaih for about
ten- minuteSf whlah afting as ii ftimulus, draw's the fltiid X6 that part.
In thefpaceof a ni^t^ the liquor fills the receptacle prepared for it,
and the tree condnues to yield a lefler qMfsntity, for three fucceffive
nights, when fir« muft be again applied : but on a few repetitions it i«
ezhaufted. An oil not much uplike that from the camphire, is procured
ftom anotlier tiM, by the lame noetfaod. It is called mntiia offu or wood
oili and is ufed to rub on timber expofed to the weather, to preferve it;
ftom decays and it is ftlfo boiled Willi the dasffMr Co pay the bottoms of
fii^ and boats.

Benjamin ot htnzoSaik fcmimtf^Js otlled a guA, tlyMigh from its fi>« Benjtmui.
liibility in fpirits it Would ftem nore properly a refin» is produced from
a tree which grows in great aibuadancie in the leathern parts of the
ifiandi partkttiarlgf ib ihft Jktfa couocry, and .met with^ though

R a rarely

^ai 5. U; KI A T K A.

ijtrely^^tbtbff'roittbward x)f;]tke: lin^^ wiifire^. from BatacaQ: liiferibrity^r
or.Mfant of AsiklUn cblldfikin^it, uhtc'fmali qiiadtityiptodoced isr/bladc and >
of little Ttaluc^ . The ti bijHoeA inot ^cow to Jmy confiderablc --^e, • and » r
n^et juf^d.as tim&er» .TMifccds am 230|uiod;.{6f a(browiifcbl6r, ind abcmt >
tbe fize' of ai rribderafe Ldlus; Tke'Ieaire^ fire (ough, crilp, inclmiiigtol
cyrliat the poifit, aoti }fU14yBl vf^rjTc i&io^^^eiit^ rtffeaKbUifgf tbatof tiir- ;
pcotisie, /cnofid tbrnxfl ttteiDrlgaipdr ^nna 7^>ft)g)fi*:plBces^ bear theiba..
coaft, the natives cultivate large plantations of it, as the quickneld of ^
its growth aifords them a probability of reaping the advantage of their
ioduftry,^ ^ vv^ifch they cbulnd - fcardely expefl from the eampbire tfee, and
L believe that none of them are fo prowdcnt ds to look forward to the-
h&efie of ^pdttcrhy. * Thfe'&edaor-nitii ferefexvri in the padde^i fields,
and afierwiird^ Y^ui^ na«tb^ cuiclvltbtt iti0^^ 'iWajr thelhrubs

friom^ about them; When the bees*hi!t gix^nf lb big, 4s to- have truhlLS
of fix, or eight inclies in diameter, incifions are theii made in the bark^
froni whence afterwards the gum esfuddf, n^ith is carefully ^ pared off
withaka^. .Ttie pureftof the gum, ^n^ng firft Iromi the trec^ it'
ivhite/foft and fragrant, and is called heid bcrijamift, according to. the,
ufoal difUndion of thequalities ^f drugs in India;! Th^ linferior fort9» :
•which, in the operation, are more or lefs mixed with the parings, and -
perhsips other juices of the tree, are darker colored^ and harder;:
particularly the foot^ which is very fout.* The t«l«| WiU feldom bear a
repetition of 't!b^f6lRciiions m^ore than ten or twelve years. - The head is
fubdivided hito Europe and India heaid, of which the firfl is fiiperior^i
and is the only fort adapted to that market : the other, with moft of the
belly, goes to Arabia, the Gulph- of Perfia, and fome places in India,
where^it is burned, as in the Malay' iltends, to perfume the houfos, e?^>
pel ^ ti^Ubkibme iflfeds, and-obvidte the pernicious effeds c^« un^i
wholefome air, or noxious exhalations. It is brought dowist froia:
the country in tompangs or large cakes, covered with matting* In
order to pack ' it in chefts, it ii heoefliry to folftcn with boiling water
thecoarfef forts; the' head bie^j jtmijiiltefcAeniihb' pieces^' atjd: exposed J
te the heat -of the f*», whieh proveirfbffidienK to: mtf ij: dbwiu Tfaei;
g4^^teft ptft ef lfae'qiiantit^.%Fo^ght^^'<^Tfg|lbndi ](^^«S«]pcrte^ (terfi
. : i 'i thence

SUMATRA. t2^

tlie&ce again to the Roman catholic x:ountries> where it is burnt as in-
cenfe in their religious rites. The remainder is chiefly employed in

medicine^ being much efteemed as an expectorant and ftyptic^ and con«
ftitutes the bafis of that valuable baifam, diflbguiihed by the name of
Turlington, whofe very falutary efFefts, particularly in the cure of green
and <oiher wounds, is well known to gentlemen abroad, who cannot
always obtain ^Mftance from the faculty, and to which I can bear myfelf,
Ae aippleff tellimony. It is alfo e nployed, if I am not mifinformed,
in tUe xiompc^tion of our court flicking plaifter. There isreafon to regret
liiat'its virtues have not been more carefully explored, as there is the
ftrbng^ft prefumption of its poflefling as powerful and falubrious qualities,
as any vegetable produdbion in the materia medico. I have not a doubt
but that fome phyfician of genius, afliftcd by the fkill of an able chymift,
will one day bring this article, as well as camphire, which has been too
much, though tjot equally negledted, into the repute they feem fo emi*
liently to deferve^ There are two other fpecies of Benjamin ; the one
diftinguifflied by the epithet of fcented (doolang) from its peculiar fra-
grance ; and the'other, a wild fort {roxtmalla) of little value, and nol
amfidered as an objeA of commerce* ,

Caflia {cQoket mUmes). This is a coarfe fpecies of cinnamon, w^
known in Europe, wlnich floutiflies chiefly as well as the two foregoing
articles, in the northern part of the ifland ; but with this difference, that
the camphire and benjamin grow only near the coaftj whereas the caflia
is a native of the central parts of the country. It is moftly procured
in thofe diftrifts which lie inland of Tappanoofy, but it is alfo found in
Moofie^ where Talembang river takes its rife. The leaves are about four
inches long, narrower than the bay, (to which tribe it belongs) and more
pointed ; deep green ; fmooth furface, and plain edge« The principal
fibres take their rife from the peduncle.. T4i^ young leaves are moftly
of reddiik faue# The bloflbms grow fix in ntunber upon flender foot-
ftalks, clofe to the bbttom of the lea£ They are monopetalous, fmall,
whif e, fteUate^ io fix points. The flamina are fia^, with one fly le, grow-

i^girom the germen, which flands up in three brownifli fegments, re*

fembling

li^

$ u M A T & a:

Kattans*

Cotton*

fembling a cup. The trees gr<»w from fifty to fixty feetliigh^ with Uurg^
{preadingi horizontal branches^ almoft as low as the earth. The root it
faid to conuiti much camphire, that may be obtained by bdling or other
procefles uD'known on Sumatra. No pains is beftowed on the eultivatioa
of the caifia. The bark^ which is the part in ufe^ is commonly taken
from fuch of the trees as are a foot or eighteen inches diameter^ for
when they are younger, it is faid to be to thin^ as to lofe all its qualities
very foon. The difference of foil and fituation alters confiderably tho
value of the bark. Thofe trees which grow in a high, rocky foil^ hava
red ihoots, and the bark ts fuperior to that which is produced in ti
moift clay, where the ihoots are green. I have been aflured by tL perfbtt
of eztenfive knowledge^ that the caffia produced on Sumatra^ is from the
fame tree which yields the true cinnamon, and that the apparent diffe<«
rence anies from the lefs judicious manner of quilling it. Perhaps the
younger and more tender branches fliould be preferred ; perhaps thb i^
of the tree, or the feafon of the year ought to be more nicely attended
to ; and laftly I have known it to be fuggeftcd, that the mudlaginbus
fiime which adheres to the infide of the freih peeled rind, does^ when not
carefully wiped off, injure the flavor (^ the caffia, and render it inferior
to that of the cinnamon. I am informed that it has been purchafed by
t>utch merchants at our India fales, where it fometimes fold to much
Io6j and afterwards by them flupped for Spain, as cinnamon, being
packed in boxes which had come from Ceylon with that article.

Rattans (rotan) furnilh. annually many large cargoes, chiefly from the
caftern fide of the ifland, where the Dutch buy them to fend to Europe ;
and the country traders, for the wcftcrn parts of India* Canes alfo, of
various kinds, are produced in the ports which open to the ftraits of
Makcta.

In almoft every part of the country two fpccies of cotton are culti-
vated, namely, the annual fort (g(i0pium bifiaceum), and the ftriib eotton
(goffyfiwn ariffTHtm). The cotton procured from botk appewY to be
of very good q[ualicy, and might, with enco^srageo^ent, be procured %n

SUMATRA, iij

tttf quftfitttief S but ihe natiyes raife no more than is ncceflary for theiir
own domeftic manufadures. The filk cotton (hmiax ccibdy ts alfo td
be met with in every village. This is, to appearance, one of the moft
beautiful raw materials the hand of nature has prefented. Its finenefs,
glofs, and delicate foftnefs, render it, to the fight and touch, much fu«
perioi: to the labor of the filkworm ; but owing to the ihortnefs and brit*
(leneis t£ the ftaple, it is efteemed un6t for the reel and loom, and is
only applied to the unworthy purpofe of ftuf&ng pillows and mattraflesi
Poffibly it has not undei^ne a fair trial in the hands of our ingenious
artilb, and we may yet fee it converted into a valuable manufiatdure. It
grows in pods, from four to fix inches long, which burft opoi when
ripe. The feeds endfely refemble the bback peppet, but are without
tafte. The tree it tlemarkable, from the branches growing out perfectly
fKraighc and horizontal, and beingalway&tbrce, forming eqaal angles^
Et the fame hdght : the diminutive ihoots likewife grow flat ; - and the
feverahgpdations ci branches obferve the fame mgularity to the tpp«
Some travellert hwe called it the uinbrella tree^ but the ^tece of fumi^
ttire called a dumb waiter, exhibits a more firiking pi<fture of it.

The penang or betel nut, before menkioned^ is a confiderabie arthrle Betd Kst.
of traffick to the coaft of Coromandel or Telinga^ particularly from
Acheen«

The coffee treea arb timvcrfally planted,, but the fruit produced here Coffcc.
is not excellent in quality, which is probably owing entirely to the want
of AlUI in the management of them. The plants are difpofed too cloie
to each other, and are fo much overihaded by other trees,, that the fun
cannot penetrate to the fruit; owing to which the juices are not well
ripened, and the berries,, which become large, do not acquire a proper
flavor. Add to this, that the berfies are gathered wbilit red,, which is
biefore they have arrived at a due degree of maturity,, and which the
Arabs always periait them to attaia to, efieemli^ it eflential to the good-*
nefs of the coffee. As the tree is of the fame fpecies with that culti-t
vated in^ Arabia,^ these is little dottbt but with proper case, this article

might

xt8 SUMATRA.

might be produced of a quality equal, perhaps faperior, to that itnportedl
firotn the Weft Indies ; though probably the heavy rains on Sumatra,
may prevent its attaining to the perfedion of the coffee of Mocha K

Tuipentin^c The dommor is a fpecies of turpentine, and ufed for the fame purpofes

to which that and pitch are applied. It is exported in large quantities
to Bengal and etfewhere. It exfudcs, or flows rather, fpontaneoufly;
from the tree in fuch plenty, that there is no need of making ipcifio&s
to procure it* The natives gather it in lumps from the ground j^^ Where
it has fallen, or coUeft it from the ihores of bays and rivers, whither it
has floated. It hangs from the bough of the tree which produces it, ia
large pieces, and hardening in the air it becomes brittle,, and is' blown
off by the firft high wind. When a quantity of it hasfalltn in the iame
place, it appears like a rock, and thence, they fay, or ihore probably
from its hardnefs, it is called dammar iaNoo ^ by which name it is difr
tinguilhed from the dammar aruyen^ This is another, fpeciei of turpen-
tine,' yielded by a tree growing in Lampoon called «r»y0i, the wood of
which is white and porous. It differs from the common fort, or dammar
battoo, in being foft and whitifli, paving the confidence, and fomewhat
the appearance of putty. It is in-aiuch eftimation for paying the bottoms
of veflels, for which ufe, to give it firmnefs and duration, it ought to be
mixed with fome of the hard kind, of which it correds the. brittle^'
nefs. The natives, in common, do not boil it, but rub or fmear it on
ivith their hands ; a practice which is probably derived from indolence,
unlefs, as I have been informed, that boiling it, without oil, renders it
hard. To procure it, an incifion is made in the tree,

<*»»^ There is a gum produced abundantly from a tree called Paty^ which

much refembles gum arabic, and as they belong to the fame genus of
plants, it is not improbable that this might anfwer equally well, for

• This obfcrvation on the growth of the coffee, as ^ell as tnany others on the vegetable pro*
4u£Uon< of 1^ ifland, I am in^tbted for^ to the lettm of Ml*. Chadtt Miller, caccied on tlM
Cpiiipai)j'« recpxdt at Bcncooico. . *'•,.•.•

SUMATRA. 129

every purpofe the other is applied to. There is likewifc a gum which'
I have feen in fmall quantities^ brought from the country, called am*
pallou, which I believe to be gum lacca^ refembling it in hardnefs and.
color.

The forefls contain a great variety of valuable fpecles of wood, which Variety of
though not in general confidered by the natives as objcfts of trade, are ^*^*
employed as fuch in other countries, and might perhaps in this be turned
to account, if properly attended to. Ebony trees (jooar) are in the ei^„
greateft plenty. Cayoo gaddees^ a tree poffefling the flavor, qualities, and
virtues of the Saflafras, but liker to the elm, than the fir, which that of
South America is faid to refemble, grows in great abundance, and is
ufed in medicine, as a fweetener of the blood. The fpruce pines which Pinc.
Captain Cook mentions to have met with in diiFerent iflandsof the South
Sea, particularly at that which he named the ifle of Pines, appear from
the defcription and the plate, to be exadly the fame with the arcu
of Sumatra, which we have been ufed to call the baftard pine, without re*
flefting on the probability of its yielding the fpruce. I have before
remarked of this tree, that it delights in a low, fandy foil, and is
ever thefirft that growls on land relinquiflied by the fea : by what means
propagated, I know not, unlefs the cones float on the water, and are
driven on the beach by the tide. On the weft coaft of Sumatra, there
are no arou trees to be met with to the fouthward of AUaf^ except near
Siggin bay, where the river is called Wye arou. Sandal wood (chendana)^ Sandal.
alfo the celebrated eagle or aloes wood (garoo)^ are the produce of g ^ ^,
this ifland, and have been much boafted of by the early writers i but I
fufpedt that they h^ive, fince thofe days, loft much of their reputation,
as well as the different kinds of bezoars, procured from the bodies of
various animals, which are now fuffered to live unmolefted. For fliip*
building there is much excellent timber, and fome which is found by
experience to refift the worm, but the ftiallownefs of the rivers and
dangerous furfs, will ever prevent its being made ufe of for tbatim*
portant purpofe. Teak (jattee), the pride of the eaftern forefts, though Xcajt.
growing in abundance to the north and fouth of the ifland, at Pegu and

S Jiva,

130 SUMATRA.

Java, is there fcarcc to be met with, except where it has beett rectotly
planted *. This wood is in many refpedls preferable to oak, working
more kindly, and equal, at lead, in point of^ duration; many fhips
built of it at Bombay, continuing to fwim for fo many years, that noiie
can recolledt the period at which they were launched. Its appearance
is ftately ; the leaves are broad and large, and yield when prefled a red

Mftnchinecl. juicc. The rarigee or manchineel, well known in the Weft Indies, is

found here, and proves ufcful from its quality of refitting the deftrufikive

Iron-wood. ravages of the termers or white ant. The iron wood (^cayoo tray} is from

its extraordinary hardnefs, applicable to many ufeful purpofes. Maranfi
fnaracoofy and murboWy are in much eftimation for buildings Camooning $
the appearance of this tree is very beautiful, refembling in its leaves
the larger myrtle, with a white flower*. The wood, which is light*
colored, clofe, and finely veined, takes an exquifite polifh, and is ufed
for the Iheaths of creefes. There is alfo a red grained fpecies inferior to
this* Langfanni has likewife a beautiful grain^ and is ufed for cabinet and
carved work.

The foregoing is but a very xmperfcft view of the treafures of forefl^
that feem to poflefs an ine;^hauftibk fund of variety, but of vehich it
muft be owned, that the gre^^ter number of the fpecies of wood, from
their porous nature, and proneaefs to decay, are of very little value,,
and fcarcely admit of ieafoniag> ere tbey become rotten^ Before I quit
the fubjeA I cannot avoid mentioning a tree, which though of no u/e,.
and not peculiar to the ifland, deferves, for its extreme fijigularity, that it
fliould not be paffed over in filence. I mean that which is,, by the En-

BaavftB-tne. g^^^ ^" ^^^ V7t& of India, termed the bartfan tree ; by the Portugueze

arbffr it raiisy and by the Malays called jawte Jawie. It pofiefibes the
uncommon property of dropping roots or fibres from certain parts of its.

^ Mr. John Marfdetij when refident of l^yt, in the ysif 17^6, fowed hmt fe^dt of the Teik

tree and diftributed a quantity amongft the' iaha'biMtt of his diftri£fc. The former at leaft throve

exceedingly, as if in their natural foil. Mr. Robert Hay had a plantation of them near 3en*>

cooleui but the (ituatioa (eeoied unfavorable. At Pegu.it is laid to be called ticamf from whence

' the oame of teak*

boughs

9 V J^ A X H ^ «si

boughs, which, when they touch the earth, become new ftems, and go
bn increaiing to fuch an extent^ that fome have meafured in circucnfer-
enceof the branches, upwards of a thoufand feet, and have been faid to
afibrd (belter to a troop of horfe. Thefe fibres, that^ look like ropes
attached to the branches, when they meet with any obflrudtion in their
defcent, conform themfelves to the ihapc of the refitting body, and thus
occafion many curious metamorphofes. I recoiled: feeing them fiand
in the perfeft ihape of a gate, long after the original pofts,, and ctqCs
piece, had decayed and difappeared ; and I have been told of their lia-
ing the internal circumference of a large brick well, Ijke the worm in a
diililler's tub ; there exhibiting the view of a tree turned infide put, th$
branches pointing to the center, inftead of growing from it. It is not
more extraordinary in its manner of growth, than whimfical and fan*-
taftic in its choice of fituations« Pvom the fide of a wall or the top of fli
boufe, it feems to fpring ^ntaneous. Even from the fmooth periphery
of a wooden piikr, turned and painted, I have feen it ihoot forth, as
if the vegetative juices, of the fcafoned timber had renewed their circular
tion^ and begun to produce leaves afreih. I have feen it flouriih in the
center of a hollow tree, of a very different fpecies, which however ftift
retained its verdure, its branches encompafiing thofe of the jawee
jaweey whilft its decayed trunk enclofed the ftem, which was vifible^
at interftices, from nearly the level of the plain on which they grew.
This, in truths appeared fo ftriking a curiofity, that I have often re-
paired to the fpot, to contemplate the * Angularity of it. How the feed,
from which it is produced, happens to occupy ftations feemingly fo un«
natural, is not eafily determined. Some have imagined the berries car-
ried thither by the wind, and others, with more appearance of truth,
by the birds ( which, cleanfing their bills where they light; or attempt
tp, light, leave, in thofe places, the feeds, adhering by the vifcous

• The following is an account of the dimcnjions of a remarkable Banyan or Bucr tree, near
Manjec^ twenty miles weft of Patna in Bengal. Diameter 363 to 375 feet. Circumference of
Ihadow at noon^ 1 1 16 feet. Circumference of the ieveral ftems, in number fifty or fixty, 921 feet.
Under this tree fat a naked Fakir, who had occupied that fituation for twenty five years ; but he
did not continue there the whole year through, for his yow obliged him to lie, during the four
cold months, up to his neck lA the waters of the river Ganges.

S 2 matter

13*

U M A T R A.

matter which furrounds them* However this be, the jaweejawee, wthouC
earth or water, deriving from the genial atmofphere its principle of
nourifliment, proves in its increafing growth, highly defirudive to the
building that harboiirs it. The fibrous roots, which are at firft extremely
fine, penetrate common cements, and overcoming, as their fize enlarges,
the moft powerf\il refiftance, fplit, with the force of the mechanic
wedge, the moft fubftantial brickwork. When the confidence is fuch
as not to admit the infinuation of the fibres, the root extends itfelf
along the outfide, and to an extraordinary length, bearing not unfre-
quently, to the ftem, the proportion of eight to one, when young. J
have meafured the former fixty inches, when the latter, to the extremity
of the leaf« which took up a third part, was no more than eight inches.
I have alfo feen it wave its boughs at the height of two hundred feet,
of which the roots, if we may term them fuch, occupied at leafl oqe
hundred ; forming, by their clofe combination, the appearance of a ve-
nerable gothic pillar. It flood near the plains of Crocup^ but like other
monuments of antiquity, it had its period of exiftence, and is now no
more*

G<M

SUMATRA. ijj

Gold^ Tin, and other Metals — Bees-wax-^Ivory — Birds *nejl —

Jmport^Trade.

Beside thofc articles of trade afTordcd by the vegetable Kingdom, ^•^^
Sumatra produces many others, and among the chief of thefe \% Gold.
This valuable metal is found moftly in the central parts of the iiland ;
none, except very rarely, being obferved to the fouthward of Leetn'^Oft^
a branch ofjambie river, or to the northward of Nalaho, from whence
Acban is principally fupplied. Mtnxftgiakow has always been efteemed
the richeft feat of it; which probably induced thel>utch to eftabliih their
head factory at Tadangy in its neighbourhood. The Mdays are fettled
in, or about, all the diftridts where gold is coUedred, ami ai far as my
knowledge and inquiries have extended, they appear to be (particularly
at Leemoortj Batang affy^ and Pacallang JamboOy where colonies of them
are eAablilhed) the only petfons who dig for and coUeft it : the ori-
ginal inhabitants, whom they diffinguilh by the name of drang icofeoH-^
or villagers, confining their attention to the raifing of provifions, with
which they fopply the Malap who fearch for themetaL

The earth taken up from the beds of the rivers, (upplies them with Manner of
the greater proportion of what they procure, being for that purpofe well procuring i^
waflied and fffted, till the pure grains are feparated and cleanftd from
the particles of mud and flone. They occafionally loofen the earth of
the adjacent banks, and often divert the courfe of rivulets, which high
up the country are tittle torrents, through ground newly opened for that
purpofe. In fome parts they dig into the earth in pnrfuit of the gold*,
which however can fcarcely deferve the appellation of mining, as they
do not venture at any confiderable excavation^ Some of their pits are
dcfcribed as being of great depth, but this is probably exaggeration, for
their ignorance of the ufe of windlafles and other machines, muft necef-
(arily keep them near the furface. The gold being foujid in a complete

metallic

'iPnctt

,34 S U M A T. R A,

aneftallic ftate, does not undergo any procefs of refining, purifying, or fc*
parating, except from the white rock or marble it fometimes ahheres to.
They fimply beat and wafli it* and fell it in the lumps or duft in which they
find it. Some of the former have been known to' weigh as heavy as fix or
>feven ounces, without mixture ; but they arc often joined with an equal
bulk of marble, and thefe pieces being admired by the Europeans, fell
for the fame price, by weight, as if they were all pure gold. |n m<>(l of
:the fpecimens of this fqrt which I have feen, the gold might more pro-
perly be faid to enclofe the rock> th^n the latter to contain the gold*

It does not paf^ tbrpugh any third hand, before it reaches the Eu-
^opeans. Of thofe who dig -for it, the moft intelligcwt (diftinguiflied by
the name of Jbudaggar, or trader) are trufted' by the reft with what they
colled, who carrj^ it to Jamkec^ Pakmbang or the Weft coaft^ and bsirter
it for opium and the fine goods of Bengal and Madras, with which they
return, loaded, to their country. From Palembang and Jambee, they
have the convenience of water carriage for a confiderable part pf the way,
i)Ut it is tedious, being againft the ftream. From other places they
carry their returns on their backs, to the weight, commonly of eighty
pounds, through woods^ pver rivers, and acrofs mountains. They ge-
nerally travel in parties of one hundred or more, and have frequent
occafion to defend their property againft the fpirit of plunder and ex-
tortiooi which prevails among the poorer afitio^s^ through whoiediftrids
they are obliged to pafs.

When brought to our fettlements, it is purchafed at the high rate of
three poundsj five Ihillings fterling the ounce ; fo that on exportation
to Europe^ it fcarcely afibrds a profit even tp the original buyer ; and
others who employ it as a remittance incur a I06, ^fter the India Com-
.pany's duties^ and other incidental charges are deduced** It has often
been thought furprizingt that the Eurc^ans fettled on the ifland ha,v^

* *. BeaulleUf in i(a«i fayt that gold was purchafed at Adic^jBO iof Ac pn^e it^bqrr ^is F^rm^^,
but in fome parts of the ifland thirty fire per cent, cheaper.

not

S U M A T R A. f^^

lifM: found it worth their pains, to work, in a proper manner, the mines
with which the country does certainljr abound ;. but calculation and ex- ^"^^
perience appear to haVe taught them, that it is not a fcheme likely to be
attended with fuccefs, owing,, among other caufes, to the dearnefs of
labor, and the neceflity of keeping up a force in diftant parts of the
country, for the proteftion of the miners. Europeans cannot poifibly
work in this climate, and the natives are unfit for the laborious exer-
tion it would require, to render the undertaking profitable. The
Diitch have at different periods made attempts of this nature. They
fent our, many years fince,. a^Sazon mineralogift to work a mine at Stlledop.
but no profit accrued from it ^ and in latter times they commenced upon-
. a vein that ran cloie to their iettlement of Padanr, but not finding returns^
. adequate to the expence» their Company ordered it to be let to farm, when^
in a few years, it fell into fuch low repute, as to be at length difpofed of'
at a rent of two Spanifli dollars, by public audtion^.. The whole quantity-
of gold procured at the ports on the Weil coail of Sumatra, may be-
eflimated at about ten thoufand ounces annually, of which, li'adai^ alone-
has been ufed to draw to it (before its late capture by the Engliih) at
feaft one third part-f-. What quantity finds^ its way to Palembang and
other places on the eaftera fide of the ilknd,.itis not iamy power tocom-^
pute, but I think it cannot be lefs than the former*.

* The Blnglifh Company having intelligence oi a. Ruae difcorered near Fort Marlborough oi*
dered it to be worked ; but it utter came to any thing.

f The foliowing is an cxlra^ of a. letter from Mr« James Moorr, a- fervanr of the Conipaiiy9
dated from Padang^in I'VvS. ** They have lately openeda Tcin of gold in the country inland of.
Padang; from which the Gbremor at onetime raceived an hundred and fifty tial (about t\v6
hundred ounces) !!« has procurcd'a map to< be made nf'a particular part of the gold coumry,.
whtchpointtoutthedififerenc places where they work for it ; and alio the (kuation of twenty one
Maliy forts, that ape all inhabited and in repair. Thcfe diftri£is are extremely populous, com*
pared to the more ibuthem part of the inland. They collet, and expo: t annually to Batavia^
about twathoufiHid five hundred tialsof gold fvpm tfai$ place t the quantity never exceeds threA^
thouland tials, nor falls ihort of two."

I am aifored- that the quantity of gold procured: at Padanig afed to be nueh grattefi but that
ahrough the mal-adminiaration of a former govej-nor, of the name of Palm, the country wm
thrown into confufion» and the traders induced to form connexions on the eaftem fide of the iiland^
Mither a lai^ fiiopbtcttti of the gold huMa teen annt&lly direrted*

Gold

^^^6 SUMATRA-

iHfcriorgoid. "Gold of a vcry inferior toud^, cal)ed mas moodo^ or young gold ^ is

. found in the fame countries where the other is produced, and fells for

about twenty five px thirty per cent lefs value, Frgm its palcnefs, it

ihould feem to contain a jnixture of filver, but the grains refift the

force of aqua fortis, being attended with no effervcfcence. The people

- of India fuppofe the difference to proceed from an original, effential in-

. feriority in the quality of the metal : but I believe that our chymifts

allow of no difparity of this kind, nor any but what proceeds from the

greater or lefs quantity of alloy. In Lampoon^ a very little gold is now

and then difcovered, but of this latter kind, the mas moodoy only.

Mode of Before the gold duft is weighed for fale, in order to cleanfe it from

oold! "^' ' ^'^ impurities, and heterogeneous mixtures, whether natural or fraudu-
lent, a fkilful perfon, called a Pandiy is employed ; who by the fliarp-
nefs of his eye alone, is able to efFeA this to a furprizing degree of
nicety; owing to long experience and praAicc. No Englifliman but
one, a Mr. Saul, was ever known to attain to this art. The duft is
fpread out on a kind of wooden platter, and the bafe particles (lanchongj
• are touched out, and put afide, one by one, with an inftrument which
the Pandi hokls in his hand, made of linen cloth rolled up to a point. If
the honefty of thefe gold cleaners can be depended upon, their dexterity
is almoft infallible ; and as fome fecurity for the former, it is ufual to
pour the parcels when cleanfed, into a veflel of aqua fortis, whicli is
a powerful teft of their accuracy. In thofe parts where gold is much tra-
ficked in, it is generally employed as currency : every man carries his fcales
about him, and purchafes are made with it, fo low as to the weight of a grain

Cold wci^t. or two of paddee. Various berries are alfo ufed as weights, particularly

a little red fpecies, with a black fpot, which we call Indian peas. The moil
eftabliftied weight in trade, is the Hal or tael^ which differs however in
the northern and fouthern parts of the illand, being at Natal twenty four
penny weights, nine grains> and zl^adangy BenccoUn and elfewhere, twenty
fix penny weights, twelve grains. At Acbeen the Buncal^ of one ounce,
ten pennyweights and twenty one grains, is the (landard* The Spanilh

Cfins. dollars are every where current, and where the gold duft is not in

circulation, the following diminutions arc for the moft part adopted :*

the

S U M A T R Ar ,37

thcf^c00^ an imaginary tnonef, equal to the fourth part of a dollar ;
the 9oang or fanam, larger than thofe of Madras, but coined there, be-
ing the twenty fourth part of a dollar ; of thefe there are likewife dou-
Wc and treble pieces ; and laftly the keppeig or copper cafli, of which
6ne hundred conflitute a Spanifli dollar, which is always valued in the
Ettglilh fettlenients at five ihiilings fterling. I do not know that gold, or
♦ any other metal, is coined by any native power on the ifland j though it
is faid to have been formerly done at Acbec» and Pedfr.

Tin (timar)i copper (tmhago); iron (beffce); have been already Tin.
fpoken of in the beginning of this work. The tin is a very confidera-
,blc article of trade, and many cargoes of it are yearly carried to China ;
fiwr. the raoft part in tompangs or fmall pieces, and fometimes iq flabs.
The mines, which are laid to be moftly on Banca^ and to have been
accidentally difcovered there in 1710 by the burning of a hoi^fc, are^
worked by a colony of Chinefe, under the diredion of the Dutch at
Palembang^ who endeavor to monopolize the trade ; but the enterpriz- '

ingfpirit of private merchants finds means to elude the yigilfmce of
their cruizers, and the commerce is largely participated by them. The
copper, s^'hich feems of good quality, is chiefly colleded in the neigh- copper.
. bourhood of Nalabeo. The Malays are fond of mixing this metal with
gold, in equal quantities, making' what they ttxm fooajfoy which is much
tried for buttons, beetle-boxes, and heads of creefes. Sulphur, /^/ny- Sul hur
rang) ; arfcnic, (barangan) ; and faltpetre (meffeoo tMonia) are alfp the ^**'P*'^
produce of Sumatra. In the country oiCaUowrty near the head of Oori

river, there are caves, from the foil found in which, the faltpetre is pro» V

cured. Some few of our Company's fervants have penetrated a confider* -^

able way into them. Mr, Whalfeldt advanced into one, feven hundred and
forty three feet> when his lights were extinguiihed by the damp vapor%
In a fecond he advanced fix hundred feet^ through a narrow pafilage
about three feet wide, and five in height, when an- opening in a rock
led to a fpacipus place, forty feet high.^ Thefe caves are the habi*

♦ Mr. ChriHofhcT Tcny and Mr. charks Ij^cr vSM Uic iame utc.

T tation

138 SUMATRA.

ration of innumerable birds, of the fwallow kind, which* he perceived
to abound the more, the farther he proceeded. Their nefts are formed
about the upper parts of the cave, and it is their dung (imply that
forms the foil (in many places from four to fix fe.t d^ep, aad from
fifteen to twenty broad) which affords the nitre. A cubic foot of this
earth, meafuring feven bamboos or gallons, produced on boiling (even
pounds, fourteen ounces of faltpetre ; and a (econd experiment gave a
ninth part more. This I afterwards faw refined ta a high degree of pu-
rity ; but I conceive that its value would not repay the ezpence of the
procefs.

Bees wax* g^^g wax IS a commodity of great importance in all the eaftern idands,

and is from them exported to China, Bengal, and other parts of the con*
tinent. No pains are taken with the bees, which are hft to fettle where
they lift, and are never colledled in hives. In quality the honey is. much
inferior to what we have in England*

Vmf^ The forefts abounding with elephants (gaja)y ivory is of courfe in

plenty, and is carried both to China and Europe. Excepting a few of
thefe, kept for ftate by the King of Acheen, they are not tamed in any

Ehphant. part of the ifland. As they are gregarious, and ufuaHy traverfe the

country in large troops together, they prove highly de(tru(ftive to the
plantations of the natives, obliterating the traces of cultivation, by
merely walking through the grounds ; but they are alfo fond of the pro-
duce of their gardens, particularly of plantain trees and the fugar cane^
which they devour with eagemefs* This indulgence of appetite ofteiv
proves fatal to them, for the owners knowing their attachment to thefe
vegetables, have a. praftice of poifoning (bme part of the plantation, by
fplitting the caries and putting, barrangan into the clift ; which the ant-
inal unwarily eats of and dies. Not being by nature carnivorous, the
elephants are not fierce, and feldom attack a man, but when fired at, or
btberwidb provoked. The rhinoceros (budda) is alfo a native of thefe
woods> and his horn is efteeined an antidote againfl poifon. I cannot
vouch for the (lories told of their nuitual antipathy, and the defperate ea-
counters between tbefe two enormous beafts..

Th«

SUMATRA. X39

The birds-neft^ fo much celebrated as a peculiar delicacy of the table^ BWi,Ncft.
efpeciaily among the Chinefe^ is found in different parts^ but in the great-
eft abundance about Croee^ near the fouth end of the ifland. Four miles
up the river of that name, is a large cave, where the birds, called lay^
ang layangy an<} which refemble the common martin, build in vaft num«
bers. The nefts are diftinguilDied into white and black, of which the firft
are by far the more fcarce and valuable, being found in the proportion of
one only to twenty five.*

The white fort fells in China at the rate of a thoufand to fifteen hun-
dred Spanifli dollars .the pecul; the black is ufually difpofed of at Bata«
via for about twenty dollars the fame weight, where I underftand it is
chiefly converted into glue, of which it makes a very fuperior kind. The
difference between the two, has by fome been fuppofed to be owing to
the mixture of the feathers of the birds, with the vifcous fubftance of
which the nefts are formed ; and this they deduce from the experi-
ment, of fteeping the black nefts for a fliort time in hot water, when they
are faid to become, in a great degree, white. Among the natives I have
heard a few affert, that they are the work of a different fpecies of bird.
It was fuggefted to me, that the white might probably be the recent
nefts of the feafon in which they were taken, and the black, fuch as had
been ufed for a number of years fucceffively. This opinion appearing
plaufible, I was particular in my enquiries as to that point, and learned
what feemed much to corroborate it. When the natives prepare to take
the nefts, they enter the caves with torches, and forming ladders accord-
ing to the ufual mode, of a fingle bamboo notched, they afcend and pull
down the nefts, which adhere in numbers together, from the fide and
top of the rock. They Informed me, that the more frequently and re«
gularly the cave is ftript, the greater proportion of white nefts they are
ijire to find, and that on this experience they often make a practice of
beating down and deftroying the old nefts, in larger qu^ptitles thap they

* I had an opportunity of giying to the Britiih Mufeuoiy fome of t|ieie white neftt, with ^gg^
in them. Tbofefovnd in tl^ Saltpetre cave before mentlooed, w pcp^ably of tbc fame fpecie*
fii bird.

J 2 troublj;

)

i^ SUMATRA.

• • •

• trouble tliemfclves to carry away, in order that they may find white
nefts the next feafon in their room. The birds, during the building
time, are feen in large flocks on the beach, coUefting in rheir bills the
foam which is thrown up by the furf, of which there is Kttlc doubt
but th,ey conftrudl their nefts, after it has undergone, perhaps, a prepa-
ration, from a commixture with their faliva, or other fecretion, with
which nature has provided them for that purpofe.* The fooaltoj or fea
Aug, is alfo an article of trade, to China and Batavia; being employed
as the birds-neft and vermicelli, for*enriching foups, among a luxurious
people.

Xmport-Tndv The general articles of import-trade, are the following. From the

poaft of Coromandel, fait ; long cloth , blue and white ; chintz, and a
• variety of other cotton good's : from Bengal, opium and taffetas : from
China, coarfe porcelain ; fome tobacco ; qHoUies or iron pan^^ and a num-
ber of fmall, milcellaneous commodities : from the eaftere iflands, Bug*
guefs clouting, a coarfe, ftriped, cotton manufa^ure> much worn ;
guns qz&qA rantakkcrs ; creefes and other weapons ; iilkea creefe-belts ;
toodengs ox hats; fait of a large grain; and fometimes rice, efpeciallj
from the ifland of BMy : from Europe, filver ; iron ; lead ; cutlery
and other hardware ; brafs wire ; and fcartet cloth. It is not within niy
plan to enlarge upon this fubjeA, or to enter into a detail of the markets
aod prices of the various articles^ which^ as in all countries where
roBsmerce is in its infancy or decline^ are extremely fluduacing. The
jdifierent ipecies of goods above enumerated, come, for the mofl: part^
{under confideration in other places of the work, as they happen to be
.conoeAed with the account of the natives who purchafe them.

* Lmnaeut has conjedured, and with much plaufibility, that it it the animal fubftance fre-*^
qucntly found on the beach which "fiihenneD call blvbbtri er jellies, and not the foam oftbefea^
%tharthefe^indfcdleA» .

Arts

• » * • » »

S U MA T R A. 141

Arls 0nd MtmuJ^ur€s,x—Art of M^dic^lnc-T—Science:. — Artthmttia

Gf^rapby: AJtrommy: Mufic^ G?c*

X S H A L L now take a view of thofe arts aad manufa^iires which the Am andMa-
SumatCHM are &iUed in, aod which ar^ not mcf ely domeAic, but con-
tribute .rather to dhe isonveniences^ ftnd ifi fomeinftances ro the luxuries,
than to the neceflaries of life. I muft remind the reader that my ob-
fervations 'on thi9 fub^ed are moftly drawn from the Rajaugjj or thofe
people of tiie iflamd, who are vpoQ their level of * improvement. We
meet with accimats in old writers, of great foianderies of cannon in the
dominion of i^^Jb^#», aad it is certain^ thatiire^^rnk^ as iv^U as creefes,
areatthk day mahnfadtured in the country of MeMm^cahwi but:my
prefent defcription does not go to thefe fiaperior: ekerdohs of art^ which
certainly do not appear among thofe ptople of the lifond whole manners^
mofe efpeeially, 1 am attempting iw)- deUneater What- follows fliould
£eem an enoeption from this UmkatiOB.^ There is^ no manufadure m'
thitt pan' oif the world, and perhafpa-I misht bejuftified in laying, many
part of the world, that has been more adntiifred and ceiebratedV than tfbe
fine gold and filver filagree of Sumatfa. This however is, ftridly fpeak- Filagree*
mg, the work of the Malay, and not of (he original inhabitants ; but as it
is in univerfal ufe and wear throughout the country, and asthegoldftniths
are fettled every whefe along' the coaft, I cannot be- guilty of much irre-
gylarity in defcribing here the procefs c^ their art.

There is no circumftanee that renders the filagree a matter of greater
euriofity, than the <*oarfenefs^ of the tools employed in the wbrkmanihip^
and whlch> in the hands 0^ an European^ wdutd not b^ thought (u&
ciently perfeft for the aioft ordinary purpoibs. They are fodely and in'^
artificially formed, by the goldfinith (j^andi\ from any old iron he caa
pick upb When you engage one of them ta exequte a piece of work,
his firft requaft is uiiiaHy for a piece of iron bpop, to , piake bif ^fo*
dfanpringkyfin]meiir}ias^#ld^alnQier1vettd> ^hiaktaA bUxsk^ Serves fair

14* S TJ MA T R A.

an anvil ; and I have feen a pair of compafles, compofed of two old nails
tied together at one end. The gold is melted in a piece of a freeoo or
earthen rice pot, or fometimes in a' crucible of their own make, of or-
dinary clay. In general they ufe no bellows, hut blow the fire with
their mouths, through a joint of bamboo, and if the quantity of metal
to be melted is confiderable, three or four perfons fit round their fur-
nace, which is an old broken quail^e or iron pot, and blow together.
At Padangdlont, where the man^fadure is more confiderable,. they have
adopted the Chinefe bellows. Their method of drawing the ware, dif-
fers but little from that ufed by European workmen. When drawn to
a fufficient fineoef^i they flatten it, by beating it on their anvil ; and
when flattened they give it a twift, like that in the whalebone handle of
a punch-ladle, by rubbing it on a block of wood» with a flat ftick. Af-
ter twiilir^ they again beat it on the anvil, and by thefe means it be-
comes flat wire with indented edges. With a pair of nippers they fold
down the end of the wire, and thus form a leaf, or element of a flower
in their work, which is cut off. The end is again folded and cut ofi^
till they have got a fuflicient Qumber of leaves j which are all laid on.
fingly. Patterns of the flowers or foliage^ in which there is not very
much variety, are prepared on paper, of the fize of the gold plate on
which the filagree is to be laid* According to this, they begin to dif-
pofe on the plate the larger compartments of the foliage^ for which
they ufe plain flat wire of a larger fize, and fill them up with the leaves
before mentioned. To fix their work they employ a glutinous fubftancc,
made of 'the red berry .called hoa /ago, groynd to a pulp, on a rough
flone. This pulp they place on a young coconut, about the fize of a
walnut, the top and bottom being cut ofl*. I at firfl imagined that ca* -
price alone might have dire&ed them to the ufe of the 'pOi;oDut for this
purpofe 5 but I have firxce reflcfted on the probability of the juice o£
the young fruit being neceflfary to keep the pulp moift, which would
otherwife fpeedily become dry and unfit f6r the worlf. After that the
leaves have been all placed in.order, and Auck on, bit by. bjt, a folder
is prepared of gold filings and borax, moiflened with water, .which they
iftrcw, over the pljit?, ai«l iben putting it jfn thQ< fire /or a ihtort tiQw^

the

SUMATRA. 143

the whole becomes united. This' kind of work on a gold plate, they
. call carrang papan : when the work is open, they call it earrang troufe.
In executing the latt'et, the foliage is laid out on a card^ or foft kind of
wood, and ftuck on; as before defcribed, with the iago berry ; and the
work, when finiflied, being ftrewcd over with their folder, is put into the
fire, when the card or foft wood burning away, the gold remains conne&ed.
If the piece be large, they folder it at feveral times. In the manufadurc
of had)4o buttons, they firft make the lower part flat, and having a moulfl
'formed of a piece of buffalo's horn, indented ta feveral fizes, each like
one half of a bullet mould, they lay their work over one of thefe holes,
and with a horn punch, they prefs it into the form of the button. After
this they complete the upper piart. When the filagree is fintflied, they
. cleanfe it, by boiling it in water, with common fait and alum, or fome-
times' lime juice ; and in order to give it that fine purple color which
they call fapo^ they boil it in water .with brimftone. The manner of
making the little balls, with which their works are fometimes orna-
mented, is as follows. They t^ke a piece of charcoal, and having cut
it flat and fmooth, they make in it a fchall hole, which they fill with,
gold dud, and this melted in the fire, becomes a little balL They are
very inexpert at finifliing and poliihing the plain parts, hinges, icrews,
and the like, being in this as much excelled by the European, artifts,. as
thefe fall fliort of them, in the finenef&.'and minutenefs. of the foliage.
The Chinefe. alfo. make filagree, moftly of filvcr^ which looks elegant,
but wants likewtfe the extraordk^ary delicapy of the ^lay work- The
price of the workmanlhip depends upon the difficulty of uncommonnefs
of the pattern. In (bme su-ticles of ufual demand,, it does not exceed k
one thifd of the vi^ue of the gold ;. but in matters of £ancy, it is gene-

• rally equal to it. The manufafture is not now held in very high cflrima-

* tion in Etigtand, where coftiinefs is not fb'muchtheobjeftof luxury, as
variety ; but in the revolution of t^US^, it may probably be again fought
after and admired as fafliionable*.

But little ikill is fliewn amongft the country people in forging iron, iron M^i«^
. Xbey make, nails however, though not miich ufcd' by them in building, ^*^**"'-

wooden pins bieiog genoraUy f^bftituted ; alfo various kio^s of tQois^.;as

the

f44 S tJ M A t R A.

the prang or hiW, the hMchee^ riMbayybilUojigj and papatedf which
are ditferent fpecies of adzeSj tlie ^ap0 or zx, and the pan^Mr or hoe.
Their fire is made with chatx:oal ; the foffiltoal which the country pra-
duces being rarely, if ever, emplDycd, except by the Europeans. ♦
Their bellows are thus conftrudted* Two bamboo^ of about four inches^
diameter and five feet in length, ftaod perpeftdicuriarlf near the fire;
open at the upper end, and -ftopt below. Abolut an inch or two from
%he bottom, a fnnall joint of bamboo is infirrOed' mtb each« wtucit ferve
as nobles, pointing to^ and meeting at the fire. To produce a ftream
; of air, bunches of feathers- or other ^ft fubftaoce^. being £aftened. Co

long handles, are worked up and down in the u^pright tube8> like the
pifton of- a pump. Thefc when poihed! downwards^ force the air through
the finall horizontal tubes; and by raifing and fihking each ajtectacel)i»
a continual current t>r blafi is kept up ; for which purpofe a boy is ufii^
ally placed on a high feat or ftamd.

carDenteet The progrefs they have made in carpenter's work has been already

"^^^ * pointed out, where there buildings were defcribed* They are ^noradt

of die ufe of the law, excepting where we have introduced it among

them. Trees are felled by chopping at the ftems, and in procuring

boards^ they are confined to thofe, the diredlion of whofe grain, or

Mher qualities, admit of their being eafily fplit afuoder. In this refpeft

, the maraud and maracody have the preference. The tree, being firipped

* of its branches and its bark, ia cut into the lengdy required, and by the

I help of wedges fplit into bosdds* Thefe being of irregular tbickneis>

^ Toolf • \ ; are ufiially dubbed upon the fpot. The tool ufed for this purpofe is the

remhojfj thecorner&of which turn up towards the Workmen^ to prevent

. jthel( catching in the board I but this feems an unneceffary precaution.

Moft of their imaUer.work^ and particularly on.(be bamboo* n perform-

:\ng with the papatal^ which refemhles in (faape, as nliuch ^ ki narne^

the faioopates of the New Zelanders> but has the vaft iuperiartty of

^^ • • • • •

^ Andnotby them of laie years : yet the report made of it in 1719 wa$t tbat it ga?c a^irr^r ^/«^
•than the coal from England : the bed of it (though ^fcribed ratliier as a large rock above ground)
iMfldwrdayFJoiirMy Up Btneeoieiyri^O ¥nm^Wlieiic«^iian|iMaffe ^||tf dt^vml^y.tbeilffOds..

being

SUMATRA. 145

being made of iron. The blade, which is faftcned to the handle with a
curious kind of bafket work of fpHt rattans, is fo contrived as to turn in
it, and by that means can be employed either as an adze or fmall hatchet.
Their houfes are generally built with the affiftance of this fimple inftru-
ment alone. The billiong is no other than a large papateel, with a handle
of two or three feet in length, turning like that, in its fockct.

The chief cement they ufe is mude of the curd of the buffalo milk. Cements,
called ^rtf^*^^. It is to be obferved that butter is made (for the ufe of
Europeans only *) not as with us, by churning, but by letting the milk
ftand till the butter forms of itfclf on the top. It. is then taken off
with a fpoon, (lirred about with the fame in a flat vefTel, and well waih*

ed in two or three waters. The thick four milk left at the bottom^

when the butter or cream, is removed, is what I term the curd. This
muft be well fqueezed, formed into cakes, and left to dry, when it will
grow nearly as hard as flint. For ufe, you muft fcrape fome of it of^
mix it with quick l|me, and moiften it with miUu I think that there 15
no ftronger cement in the world, and it is found to hold, particularly in
a hot and damp climate^ much better than glue ; proving alfo effedluai
in mending china ^are. The vifcous juice of a particular berry, is
likewife ufed in the country as a cement.

Painting and drawing they are quite ftrangers to. In carving, both i>efignuis>
in wood and ivory, they are curious and fanciful, but their deflgns are
always grotefque and out of nature. The bandies of th ^ creefes are the
tnoft common fubje£ts of their ingenuity ih this art, which ufually ex-
hibit the head and beak of a bird, with the folded arms of a human
creature, not unlike the reprefentation of one of the Egyptian deities. In
cane and baiket work they are particularly neat and expert ; as well as ia
matSj of which fome kinds are much.prized.

^ The words mfed by the Malays, for butter and cheefe, are M9n(fij^a «nd ifjfiijo, which are
ytuvPortoguel^*

u Silk

946

SUMATRA.

Silk and coUon cloths, of varied colors, manufaftured bjr themfelVe$><
'•re worn by the natives in all parts of the country ; efpeciaily by the
women. Sonie of theie work is very fiae, and the patterns prettily fan-
cied. Their loom or apparatus for weaving (tunnme) is extremely dc-
fedive, and renders their progrefs Cedioiis. One end of the warp being
made fall to a frame,, the whole b kept tight,, and the web ftretched out.
by means of a fpecies of yoke^ which fattens, behind thebody^ as the
perfon weaving fits down. Every fecond of the longitudinal threads,,
pafles fe][)arately through a fet of reeds, like the teeth of a comb, and^
the alternate ones tbfOQgh another fet» Thefe are forced home at each.
return of the ihuttle, rendering the warp clofe and* even^ The alternate-
threads of the warp crofs each other, up and down^. to admit the ihuttle,,
not from the extremities, as in our looms, nor efFeded 1>y the feet^
but by turning edge ways two flat fticks which pafs through.. The
fliuttte (toorab) is a bollew reed,, about fixteen inches long,, generally
ornamented on the outfide, and dofed at one end,, having in. it a fmali
bit of flick, on which is rolled the woof or (hoot.. The fiik c}outs have
ufually a gold head^ They ufe fometiipes another kind of loom,, ftill.
more (imple than this, being no more than.a frame in which the warp is
fixed, and the woof darned with a long, fmall pointed flxuttle.. They
make ufe of a machine for fpihning the cotton very like ours. The
women are expert at embroidery, the gold and filver thread for which, is
procured from China, as well as their needles.. For common work,,
their thread is the foaolay before menUonedi or filaments of the pefang

Barthcnware. Different kind's of earthenware, I have elfewlieca obferved,, are ma*

Qufadured on.the ifland..

'^unK*»

They have a pradrice of perfuming their hair with oil of benjamin,
which they diftil themfelves from the gum, by a proceis doubtleis of
their own invention. In procuring it,, a pneoOf or earthen rioe por, car*
vered clofe, is ufed for a retort.. A fmall bamboo is inferred in the fide
of the veflel, and, well luted with day and aihes> from whioh the oil

drops

SUMATRA. i^i

drops as it comes over. Along with the benjamin they put into the
retort, a mixture of fugar cane and other articles, that contribute little
or nothing to ihe quantity or quality of the diftilation ; but no liquid
is added. This empyreumatic oil is valued among them at a high price,
and can only be ufed by the fui^crior rank of people.

The oil in general ufe is that of the coconut, which is procured in the ^*
following manner. The flelhy part being fcraped out of the nut, which for -
this ufe muft be old, is expofed for fome time to the heat of the fun. It
is then put into a mat bag, and placed in the prefe (campaubar/) between
two floping timbers, which are fixed together in a focket in the lower
part,of the frame, and forced towards each other by wedges in a groove
at top, compreflSng by this means, the pulp of the nut, which yields an
oil, that falls into a trough made for its reception below. In the farther
parts of the couptry, this oil alfo, owing to the fcarcity of coconuts, is
dear, and not {o much ufed for burning as the dammar or rofin, whi<ih is
always at hand. When travelling at night they make ufe of torches or Torchet.
links, called fioioo^ the common fort of which are nothing more than
dried bamboos of a convenient length, beaten at the joints, till fplit in
every part ; without the addition of any refinous or other inflammable
iubftance. A fuperior kind is made by filling with dammar a young
bamboo, about a cubit long, well dried, and having the outer jkin taken off.

Thefe torches are carried with a view, chiefly, to frighten away the eanicd to
tigers, which are alarmed at the appearance of fire ; and for the fame the n^r^T*^ '
reaibn it is common to make a blaze with wood, in diflerent parts round
their villages. The tigers prove to the inhabitants, both in their jour*
neys and even their domeflic occupations, mod fatal and deflrudlive
enemies. The number of people annually flain by thefe rapacious ty- ^ ^^

rants of the woods, is almoft incredible. I have known inftanccs of whole ^^^^ awaalf.
villages being depopulated by them. Yet, from a fuperftitious pre-
judice, it is with difficulty they are prevailed upon, by a large reward
wbi^ch the India Company oflfers, to ufe methods of deftroying them ;
till t|icy have iuftaised fome particular injury in their pwji family or kin•^

U 2 drcd.

148 SUMATRA.

dred. Their traps, of which they caa make varict)', are very ingeniouHy
contrived. Sometimes they are in the nature of ftrong cages, with falling
doors, into which the bead is enticed by a goat or dog enclofed as a bait:
ibmetimes they manage that a large timber Ihall fall, in a groove, acrofs his
back : fometimes he his noo&d about the loitis with ftrong rattans ; fome^
times is led to afcend a plank, nearly balanced, which turning when he
is paft the center, lets him fall upon fharp ftakes prepared below. In-
itances have occurred of a tiger being caught by one of the former
modes, which had many marks in his body of the partial fuccefs of this
laft expedient. The efcapes, at times, made from them by the natives
are truly fupprizing, but thefe accounts in general carry too romantic an
air to admit of being repeated as fads. The fize and ftrength of the
fpecies which prevails on this iiland- is prodigious. They are faid to
break with a ftroke of their fore paw, the leg of a horfe or a buffalo;
and the largeft prey they kill is wi thout diffisatfty drjggiil by iliiimanto^
the woods. Thb they ufually perfcJirm on the fecond night, being fop-
pofed, on the firft, to gratify themfelves with fucking the blood only.
Time is by this delay afforded to prepare for their deftrudion; and to the
methods already enumerated, beiide ihooting them, I ffiould add that
of placing a veffel of water, ftrongly impregnated with arfenic, near the
carcafe, which is ftftened to a tree to prevent its being carried off*. The
tiger having fatiated himfelf with the flelh, is prompted to afiuage his
thirft, with the tempting liquor at»hand, and periihes in the indulgence.
Their chief fubfiffence is mdft probably, the unfortunate monkeys with
which the woods abound. They are dcfcribed as alluring them to their
fate, by a facinating power, fimilar to what has been fuppofed of the
fnake, and I am not incredulous enough to treat the idea with contempt^
having myfelf obferved that when an aligator or crocadile, in a river,
comes under an overhanging bough of a tree, the monkies, in a ftate of
alarm and diftradion, crowd to the extremity, and chattering and tren>
bling, approach nearer and nearer to the amphibious hionfter that
waits to devour them as they drop, which their fright and number ren«
And of alig«' ders almoft unavoidable. Thefe aligators likewife occafion the lofk of

many inhabitants, frequently deftroyiog the people as they bathe in the

river.

tOCA«

S U M A T R A^ 149

river, according to their regular cuftom» and which the perpetual cvi-'
dence of the rilk attending it, cannot deter them from. A fuperftltious
idea of their faoftity tlfo, prefervcs them from maleftation, although,
with a hook of fufficient ftrength, they may be taken without much dif-
ficulty* A muiket ball appears to have no eif(Kft upon their impenetfa-^
ble hides.

Befides the common methods of taking fifh, of which the feas that Fiihinif.
Wafli the coafts of Sumatra afford an extraordinary variety and abundance,
the nativ es employ a mode, unpradifed, I apprehend, in any parr of
Europe. They fteep the root of a certain creeping plant, called ioaBe,
of ftrong narcotic qualities, in the water where the fiih are obferved,
which produces fuch an effefl, that they become intoxicated and to ap-
pearance dead, float oa^he furface of the water, and are taken with the
hahd. This is generally made ufc of in the bafons of water, formed hf
the ledges of coral rock which, having no outlet, are left full when the
tide has ebbed.* Birds, particularly the plover (jherooling) and quail's
(pooj'oo)j are caught by fnares or fpringes laid for them in the grafs. gj. ^^^
Thefe are of ejoo, which refetnbles horfehair, many fathoms in length,
and difpofed in fuCh a manner that their feet get entangled ; for which
purpofe they are gently driven towards the fnares. In fome parts of the
country they make ufe of clafp nets. I never obferved a Sumatran to
fire a Ihot at a bird, though many of them, as well as the mor^ eallcrn
people, have a remarkably fine aim ; but the mode of letting off the
matchlocks, which are the pieces mofl habitual to them, precludes the
pofEbility of fhooting flying. Gunpowder is manufaftured in various Gunpowdfcr.
parts of the ifland, but lefs in the country I am more particularly fpeak-

* In Captain CookU fecond voyage is a plate reprcfrating a plant udd for the fame purpofe at
Otahcitc, which is the exa£k delineation of one whofe appeaiance I am well acquainted with on Su«
matray and which abounds in many pans of the fea beach j but thoug,h its qualities be fimilar to
tbofe of the tootooy the htter is a difiereni plant, being a vine or creeper. In bouch America alfo^
we are informed, the inhabitants procure fiih after this extraordinary manner^ employing three
different kinds of plants \ but whether any of them be the lame with that of Otaheite or Sumatra^
lam ignorant. I have lately been informed that this pra^ice is'not unknown in England, but has
.beenpfobibiccd. It is termed <* foxing": the drug made ufe of Vfis rhc cofuius intiicuj,

ing

H$f> .4 U Nf A T H A.

Jngbf, and to thefouthward in general, tlian anson'gd the people of Mc»
Dfsngcabow^ the Battas, and Achenefe, whofe frequent wars demand large
fupplics. It is made, 2is with us, of proportions of charcoal, fulphur,
and nitre, but the compofition is very imperfectly granulated, being
.often haftily prepace^^, in fmall qtiantities, for uiunediate ufe. The laft
article, though found in the greateft quantity in the faltpctre caves before
, fpoken of, is moft commonly procured from goat's dung, which is always

to be had in plenty-

fiutfu:. The J^ggree or country fugar is ufually made from the juice of the

^ncK, a fpecies of palm tree, extra^fted in the manner already defcribed.
In feme places, but rarely, they prefs the fugar cane for this purpofe, in .a
rniill, the rollers of which are worked by the endlefs fcrew, inftead of coggs;
'One of the two, which is longer than the other, having a bar through it that
is turned by the hand* The juice is fimply boiled till a confiftence is
formed, but fcarcely at all granulated, being little more than a thick
fyrup. This is made into cakes, fprcad upon leaves to dry, and after-
wards folded up in oopee or the inner bark of thcpenan^tvcc. This jaggree,
i^eiide its ordinary ufes as fugar, being mixed with lime, makes a fine
icement for building, and an exquifite plafter for walls, which in fome
parts of India equals marble in appearance. The liquor of the anou,
<:alled neer^o or toddy, is drank whilft frelh, and proves an agreeable
beverage. It is alfo made ufe of in a fermented ftate, to effed which
a compofition is employed . called raggee ; and a quantity of rice being
at the fame time fleeped in it, the liquor then becomes intoxicating, and
is called hum. This is in fad the bafis of the fpirit called arrack, but
itheSumatrans have not the art of diftilling it«* The Malays, when re*

* Many .attempts havelxsen made by the Englidi to bring to perfeflion the manufaflure of fug^fr
4md arrack from the cane 5 2 but the expencesi particularly of the (laves, were alw'ays found to
«exceed the advantages. Within thefe few years^ that the plantations and works were committed

to the management of Mr. Henry Botham, it has manifeftly appeared that the end is to be obtained,
<l>y employing the Cbiuefi in the works of the field, and allowing them a proportion of the produce^

for their labor. The manufacture had arrived at a confiderable extent, when the breaking cut of'
ithe wargaveachecktoitsprogrefs I but the path is pointed out^ and it is worth purfuing with
«igor« The foms of money thrown into Batavia for arrack and fugar hare been immenfe.

'flraioed

£<**^:

SUMATRA.^ f^r

fttrained from the ufe of opUimi are apt to have recourfe to this liquor»
Ibut among the country people inebriation b ^erfedly^rare. «

^altisheret astnmoft other countries^ aiK artide o£ general confump* Saki^
Cion. The demand for it is moftly fupplied by cargoes unported, but
#iey alfo manufa^ure It themfelves.^ The method is tedious. The/
kindle a fire clofeto the feabcach^ and pour upon it fea watery by d^
grees.. Wlien this has been continued for a certain time, the water eva**-
porating, and l^e fait being precipitated among the aihes^ they gather
diefe in bafk<jts, of in funnels made of the bark or leaves of trees, and'
again pour fea water onr them, till the parcicks of fait ate welLfeparated,.
and pafs, with the water, into a veffei placed below to* receive them..
This water,* now ftrongly impregnated^ is boiled till the fait adheres in a^
thick cruft to the bottom and fides of the vefleh In burning a fquare.^
fathom of firewood, a&ilful perfon procures about five gallons * of fait..
What is thus madc> faas.jb confiderable a mixture of the fait of the wood,.
t)hat it foon diflblves,. and caanot be carried. far into the country^ The*
coarfeft grain ia preferred.

cinfti

The art of medicine, among* the Siimatrans, confifisalmoft entirely An of med^
in the application of fimples, in the virtues of which they are furpriz*
tfigly flLiltedii^ Every old man and woman it a pbyfician; their rewards
depending upon their Aiccefs ; but they generally procure a fmall fum in*
advance,, under the pretext of purcfaafing charms 'f-. The mode of prac^

tico

♦ in.oneof'tbt eauiMlettcn from BcQcoolen^ t* tKe Pitfiilesicy of Mad/as, it is mcntioaedi
that Salt could xhoC'bedifpofcd ^f* as an article ot tnulc.

f' Channs are there worn about tho necks of children, ai m Europe. I know' not mhiV thcf -
aiie compofed o^ nor is it of much confequence, being merely impofkions of the Malay priefts.
A charm aga^nA an ague I OAce accidentally met with, which from ciccumflances I conclude to be
a tranflation of fucha* are employcdby the Porti^efe Chriftians in India* Tbough not pro-
prly bcJonginji to my fubje^l, I will prefcnt it to the reader. '< (Sign of the crofsf W'htft
Cbrift faw the crofs, he trembled and ihaked ; andchey fald unto him, hail thou an ague ? and'
1m find UBto them, I have neither ague nor fever } and whofoever bears thefe words, cither in
writiog or in mind, ihall. never be trottbied with ague or ferer. So help thy fcrrantt, O Lord,

15^ SUMATRA.

tice is either by adminiftering the juices of certain trees and herbs i^i-
wardly, or Jjy applying outwardly a poultice of leaves chopped fo^ril,
upon the bread or part afFedted, renewing it as foon as it becomes dry.
For internal pains, they rub oil on a large leaf of a ftimulant quality,
and heating it before the fircj^ clap it on the body of the patient, as a
blifter, which produces very powerful cffedks. Phlebotomy they never
ufr, yet the people of the fieighbouring ifland of Neas are famous for
their ikill in cupping, which they pradicc iu a manner' peculiar to tbcm-
felves.

I^everi. j^ fevers they give a decoftionof the herb lakoon, and bathe the pa-

tient, for two or three mornings, in warm water. If this does not prove
cffeAual, they pour over him, during the paroxyfm, a quantity of cold
water, rendered more chilly by the daoun feitin^hf which, from the
fudden revulfion it caufes, brings on a copious perfpiration. Pains and
fwellings in the limbs are likewife cured by fweating ; but for this pur-
pofe, they cither cover tfaemfelvcs over with mats, and fit in the fun*
ihiae at noon, or if the operation be performed within doors, a lamp,
and fometimes a pot of boiling herbs, is cnclofed in the covermg with
them*

I^profy. There arc two fpecies of leprofy known in thefc parts. The milder

fort, or impetigo^ as I apprehend it to be, is^ very common among the
inhabitants of Neas ; great numbers of whom are covered with a white^
fcurf or fcales, that renders them loathfome to the light. But this dif-
temper, though difagreeable from the violent itching and other incon-
veniences with which it is attended, does not appear immediately to af*
feft the health ; Haves in that fituation being daily bought and fold fo?
field and other out-dpor work« It is communicated from parents to their

who put their truft in thee !" From the many folds that appear in the onginal, I have reafon to
apprehend that it had been worn, and by {omt Engliihmeny whom frequent ficknefs and the fond
love of life, had rendered weak and fuperftitioas enough to try -the effects of this barbarous and
ddlcttious quackery.

offsprings

SUMATRA. «C3.

oj^pring, but though hereditary, it is not contagious, I have fometimes
been induced to think it nothing more than a confirmed ftage of the '
ferpigoox ringworm, or it may be the fame with what is elfewhere termed
the Jbfngles. I have known a Nea» man who has effeftcd a temporary re-
moval of this fcurf, by the frequent application of fuch herbs as are ufcd -
to cure the ringworm, and fometimes by rubbing gunpowder and ftrong
acids to his fkin ; but it always returned after fome time. The other fpe»-
des with \yhich the country people are in fome inftances affedted, is doubt-
lefs from the defcription given of its dreadful fymptoms, that fcvere kind
of leprofy which has been termed ehpbantiqfis ; the Ikin coming off in
flakes, and the flefli falling from the bones, as in the lues venerea. This
diforder being efteemed highly infcdlious, the unhappy wretch who
labors under it, is driven from the village he belonged to, into the woods,
where viftuals are. left for him, from time to time, by his relations. A
prang and a knife are likewife delivered to him, that he may buil^ him*
felf a hut, which is generally erefted near to fome river, continual bathing
being fuppofed to have fome effed in removing the diforder, or alleviating
the mifery of the patient. Few inftances of recovery have been known.
There is a difeafe called the namhee which bears fome affinity to this, at-
tacking the feet chiefly, the flefli of which it eats away. As none but the
Joweft clafs of people feem to fuffer from this complaint, I imagine it
proceeds in a great degree from want of cleanlincfs.

The fmall pox fometimes vifit« the ifland and makes terrible ravages. Snali p^k*
It is regarded as a plague, and drives from the country thoufands whom
the infedion fpares. Their method of flopping its progrefs (for they
do not attempt a cure) is by converting into an hofpital or receptacle
foe the reft, that village where lie the greateft number of fick, whither
they fend all who are attacked by xhc diforder, from the country round.
The mod effectual methods are purfued to prevent any perfon's tfcape
from this village, which is burnt to the ground as foon as the infedtion
has fpent itfelf, or devoured all the vifl:ims thus offered to it. Inocula*
tion feems to be an idea npt thought of, and as it coul^^ not be univerfal,
it miglit be a dangerous experiment for Europeans to introduce it par-..

X -^ * ' tiaily,'*

«5^

SUMATRA.

tially, in a country where the diforder make \t$ appearance at diltant
intervals only ; unlefs thofe periods could be feized, and the attempts,
made, when and where there might-be well founded apprehenfion of itt^
being communicated in the natural way« A diftem[>er much refembling
^ the fmall pox» and in its firft ftages millaken for it^ is. not unconunon*

It caufes an alarm, but does not prove mortal^ and is probably what we^
term, the chicken pox.

VMer«a dif- "Hie venereal difeafe, though common in the Malay bazars, is in the
- ' inland country almoft unknown. A man returning to his village, with

the infe&ion, is (hunned by the inhabitants as an unclean and interdicted
perfon. The Malays cure it with the decodion o£ a china root, called^
by them gadoongy which caufes a falivation^.

Jifiuutj^ When a man is. by (icknefs,. or othecwife, deprived of his reafon, or whea

fubjedt to convulfion fits, they imagine him poflefled by an evil fpirir,^
and their ceremony of exorcifm is performed by putting the unfortunate
wretch intoahur^ which they fet fire ta about his ears, fufiering him to
make his efcape through the flames in the beft maimer he can. The
fright,, which would go nigh to deftroy the intelled:s of a reafonable man,
may perhaps have„ under contrary circumflances,. an oppofixe effeft.

Scieoccs. The fkill <rf the Sumatrans in any of the fciences, is> a* may be pre-

^rithmetk. fumed^ very limited. Some^ however, I have met with, who, in arith*

metic, could multiply and divide, by a fingle multiplier or divifor, feve-
ral places of figures. Tens of thoufands (laxa) are the higheft clafs of
numbers th« Malay language has a name for.. In counting over a quan-
tity of fmall articles, each tenth,, and afterwards p^ch hundredth piece,,
is put aficte; which method is juft conibnant with the progrefs of fcien-
tific numeration, and probably was the origin of it. When they may
have occafion to recolleA at a difiance of time, the tale of any commo-
dities they are carrying to market, or the like, the country people often
aiSft their memory, by tying knots on a firing, which is produced w<ien
they want to fpecify the number. The Peruvian quips- were, I fuppofe,.
gi) improvement 4apon this fimpte inventicm.

They

S ,U M A T R A' ijS

' They cftitnatc the quantity of moft fpccies of meVchandtze by what MMfurti.
we call dry raeafure^ the ufe .of weights being apparently introduced
among them by foreigners ; for the pecul and caUee are ufed only on
the fea coafl:, and places which the Malays frequent,* The cochb or
bamboo; containing very nearly a gallon, is the general ftandard of
meafure among the Rejangs : of thefe eight hundred make a coyan : the
cbcopa is one quarter of a bamboo. By the bamboo almoU all articles,
even elephants teeth^ are boUi;ht and fold ; but by a bamboo of ivory "

they mean fo much as is equal in weight to a bamboo f rice. This
ftill includes the idea of weight, but is not attended with their priiicipal
objection to that mode of afcertaining qua ntity, which arifes, as they
fay, from the impoflibility of judging by the eye of the juftnefs
of artificial weights, owing to the various materials of which tlrey
may be compofed, and which meafurement is not liable to. The
meafures of length here, as perhaps originally axnong every people upon
earth, are taken from the dimenfions of the human body. The deppo,
or fathom, is the extent of the arms from each extremity of the fin-
gers : the eito^ or cubit, is the fore-arm and hand : cakee is the foot :
janca is thefpan ; and jarree^ which fignifies a finger, is the inch. Tiidfc
are eftimated from the general proportions of middle fized men, others
making an allowance in meafuring, and not regulated by any exaO:
Aandard.

The ideas of Geography, 'among fuch of them as do not frequent the Geo«»pky.
fea, are perfeftly confined, or rather they entertain none. They know
• not that the country they inhabit is an ifiand, nor have they any general
name for it. Habit renders them expert in travelling through the woods,
where they perform journeys of weeks and months without feeing a dwel-
ling, in places little frequented, where they have occafion to itrike
out new paths, (for roads there are none) they make marks on trees, for
th£ future guidance of themfelves and others. I have heard a nian fay^

* Thtfi^ut it 1 3 3} ib s 100 conns are one p^ul » eack being eAimated at a poui&d and a third.

X z ' " 1 will

iS6 SUMATRA.

** I will attempt, a paflfage by fuch a route, for my father, when living,;
told me that he had left his tokens there/' They cftimate the diftance of
places from each other, by the number of days, or the proportion of the
day, taken up tn travelling it, and n(^ by nieaibrement of the fpace.
Their journey, or day's walk, may be computed at about twenty miles;,
but they can bear a long continuance of fatigue.

AimMiy. The Malays, as well as the Arabs and other Mahometan nations, fix

the length of the year at three hundred and fifty four days, or twelve
lunar months of twenty nine days and an half; by which mode of reck-
oning, each year is thrown back above eleven days*. The original Su«
matrans rudely eftimate their annual periods fronx the revolution of the
feafons, and count their years from the number of their crops oi grain
(taoun paddei) I a pra^ice, which, though not pretending to accuracy,
is much more ufeful for the general purpofes of life, than the former,
which is merely adapted to religious obfervances. They, as well as the
Malays, compute time by regular lunar periods^ but do not attempt to
trace any relation or correfpondence, between thefe fmaller meafures ami
the folar revolution. Whilft more poliihed nations were multiplying
mifiakes and difficulties, in t^eir endeavors to afcertain the completion
of the fun's courfe through the ecliptic,, and in the mean while fufTcring
their nominal feafons to become almoll the reverfe of nature, thefe peo-
ple without an idea of intercalation, prcferved the account of their
years free from eflential, or at leaft progreflive error, and the confufion
which attends it. The divifion of the month into weeks I believe to be
unknown, except where it has been taught with Mahometanifni ; the
day of the moon's age being uled inftead of it, where accuracy is re-
quired ; nor do they fubdivide the day into hours. To- denote the time
of day, at which any circumftance they find it necseflary to fpeak of,
happened, they point with their finger, to the height in the Iky, at
which the fun then flood. And this mode is the more general and.jpre*
cife, as the fun, fo near the equator, afcends and defcends almoft per-
pendicularly, and rifes and fets, at all feafons of the; year, within a few
, minutes of fix o^clgck. Scarce any of the flats or conflellations are dif-

tinguifhed

S^ U KT A r R A; jjy

tibgiriflied by tfaecru They no^ice^ however, the planet Venus, but d6
not imagine her to be the lame at tKe different periods of her revolution ;
when flie precedes ttie rifing, and folW^ the fetting- fon. They are
aware'of the night on which the new moon ihovtfd make it» appear*-
ance, and the Malays lalute it with the difcharge of guns. They alfo
know when to exped the returns of the tides, which arc at their height,
on the fouth weftern coaft of the ifland*, when that luminary is in* the ho^*
rizon, and ebb a»-ifrifes.. When they obferve a bright ftar near the moon,
tliey are apprchcnfiveof a ftorm*; as European^feilors foretel a gale from
the fharpnefs-ofher horns.. 1 hefe are both, in part; the confequence of an
unufual clearnefe in the airi, which proceeding from an extraordinary
alteration of the ftatt of the atmofphere, muft naturally be followed by
a violent rulhing of the circumjacent partr, to reftore the equilibriuni,
and thus prove the prognoilic* of high wind. DCiring an eclipfe they
make a loud noife with founding inftruments, to prevent ' one luminary
ifK>m devouring the other;, as^tlie Chincfe, to- frighten away the dragon.
They tell of a niar\ in the moon^ who is continually employed in fpin-
ning cotton, but that every night a rat gnaws his thread, and obliges
him to begin his work afreih. This they apply a^ an emblem of erid-
lefs and ineffcdiual labor, like the Hone of Sifypbus^ and the fieves of
the Da)iaidiS4

Hiftory and chronology they are entirely without; .the memory of alL
paft events being preferved by tradition only.

They are fond of mufic^ and have many inftruments iiy ufe among Mufic,
them, but few, upon inquiry, appear to be original, being moftly bor-
rowed from the Chinefe and other more eaftern people ; particularly the
calima'igy gcng^ znAfooleen. The violin has found its way to them
"frbm the well ward. The f^/rn/^Ag refembles the fticcado and the har-
monica; the more common ones having the crofs pieces, which are
ftructwith two little hammers,. of fplit bamboo, and the moreperfed:>
of a certain compofition of metal which is very fonorous. The^^Ajfj,,
a J^ind. of bell, but differing much in Ihape, and flruck on the outfide^

ar<j

^ V MAT R A,

«re caft in fet^Tcgulaudy tunned to thirdi, fourtht fifth, and o^sfve, oacl
often ferve as a bafe, or under part, to the cali^t^ng^ The footctn is
the Malay flute. The country flute is called y^r^ww. It is made of
iamboo, is very imperfeft, having b;it few flops, and refenibles much
an inftrument defcribed as found among the people of Otaheitc. ' A
Angle hole underneath^ is covered with the tbuuib of the left hand, and
'the hole neareft.the end at which It is blown^ 9a the upper fide, with a
finger of the iame hand. The other two holes are ftopt .with the right
iiand fingers. Inblowiag they hold it inclined to the right fide. They
jiave various infliruments of the drum kJn4, particularly thofe called
Jinkab^ which are in pairs, and beaten with the hands at each end. They
arc made of a certain kind of wood hollowed out, cover-ed with dried
goat ikins, and lanced with ^lit rattans^ It is difHcult to obtain a pro-
per knowledge of their diviQon of the fcale, a« they know nothing of it
in theory. The interval we xall an oitaye, feems to be divided with
them into fix tones, without any intermediate femitones, which muft
xonfine their mufic to oac key. It confifl:s in general of but few notes,'
and the third is the interval that moft frequently occurs. Thofe who
perform on the violin, ufe the fame notes as in our divifion, and they
tune the inftrument, by fifths, to a great nicety. They are fond of
playing the odtave, but fcarcc ufe any other chord. The Sumatran tunes
very much refemble, to my ear, thofe of the native Irifli, and have ufually,
like tlieaij 9 flat thirds

Laf^Mj;i^

& r M A T K A.

»^

Language — Malay — Arabic cbaraSler ufedr^Languages of the in^
terior people — Peculiar cbaroBean-^Specmeut ofj languages
and of alphabets^

jjEFORE I proceed taan accountof the Taws,, cuftbms^ and manners'of l^r»*
the people of the ifland, it is neceffary that I fhould fay fomething of the
different languages fpoken oa it; tbie diverfity .of which ha$ been thoi
fubjed: of much contemplation^amd conje^rfc. ' .

The Malay language,, which is original in the peninfufk of Malays, and* KWay^
has froni' thence extended itfelf throughout the eaftern ifland»j. fo as to*
become the lingua franci of tb^it part of the globe, is fpoken every where
along the coafts of Sumatra, prevails in< the inland country of Menang*
caboiw and its immediate dependencies, and is undecftood in almoft every;
part of the ifland. k ha^ been much celebrated, and juftly, for the*
finoothncfsand fweetncft of itS'foundv which have gained it the appel^
lation of the Italian of the iafi^ T'bis is owing to the prevalence of vowels--
and liquids ih^the wtoitd";,. and^ the infWquency of any harih<e6ilibiBallo«i:
of mute confoiiants^ Thefe qualities' rendep:: it well adapted to poecify,.
which the Malays are p^orfatdy addi<5ted to; They amufe alt theip
liaifure hours, including the greater portion of their lives, v^'ith tixc repe-
tition of fongs, which are, for trhe moff part, provetbs illuftratcd, ofsopg^,
figures*o£ fpeech applied torfle otrwfren'des^ <of life. ' Some that they'
whearfe, in a kind of recitative, at their himbangs or ^afts, are hirforical-'
love tales, like our old Englifh ballads^ but often, extempore. An exam*
pie of the former fpecie$ is as- follows^

* I

i^Q 'SX UJi W A'. T. Ki K.

'Callo teedah dangan /oomhoonia f
jipo gootio hermine maito^
Callo, lecdaJj dajtgan /opnrooiiia f .

V. ' ' ^^ What«figt>ifies^altenipttng <o tight % lakip, '" *

If the wick be wanting ?
What fignifies making love with the eyes,
If nothing in jearndl be intended ?

itifiuftbebtferved hov^ver, tliat it often proves a very difficult matter
totr^ce the Connexion betwe^ tKe figurative and the literal fenfe of the
ftanza* Thc^eflendals^m the compoiition oi xht pa' tooffy for fuch thefe
little pieces are called, the-lomger. being called dendaf^g^ are the rhyth-
nius and the figure, particularly the latter, which they confider as the
Hfeand fpiut'of the poccary/: fhad a proof of this in an attempt which
I made to impofe- a pfl«/o<^« of niy own compdfing, on the natives, as
a:,WQvk ofvtbeir wuufrynjen. The^ ftjbjediwas a dialogue between a!
' lov^ri.^cl'^arrieb^ coy tail '1refs( The expreffions were, proper to^the
oircikfipn^.a^ irf fome degree, chara^leriftic. : I.t pafled with feveral, but.
s^'oWiady who. was a oxore difcermng critic than the .others, remarked
•that it was ^^.. catii^ cattojafd*. — ^mere converfatio» ;* meaning that it was
.de'ftitute. of the quaint and: figurative cxpreflions which adorn their own
poetry* - Xb«ir language, in. eomaion fpeakiiig, b proverbial and fen^
t^ntiousv'l^ ^ young woman prove with child before marriage, they ob*
ferye it is, *^ i^uloo l?ooa, cadcean *^/ifo"-— "ithe fruit before the flower."
Hearing of a perfon*s death, they fay, " nen maUfe, matter \ nen fcdoop^
hicrajo: £aUo fafftfi-lajanj^enia, ape hoU$ booat ?'^*' Thofe who, are
dtad^ are ded4 ; thpfe wfep furyiverimuft work : if his aJtetted time^was
^fpircd/wljat refojirceisthcreT?'* : : >

» < « ■

♦ The " apo hooUe boat f** is « phrafc they ilwayt make ufc of, to cxpr^s their fenfe of iifivi*
MUitjf and hat mow force thau any tranflationof it .1 can employ.

' Their

§ U M A T R A< ij6<

' Their t^iEing is IntheAtobTC cbaraftcfr, very Uttle corrupted^ owing' Arabic ch«.
to^^^^itchf andthfr sidopdbii of aboir; rdigion'^&om the: fame quarteri a Malays! ^
gv^t niunber of ^cabiciwordiiacs'' iacoEpoi^ed; whh tike Malay, The'
Pomigu€tfetooli^^ Aariiil^edllthcA lUth raaay terms, chieiy-far fuch
ideas as they have required 4(ice4hepetji0d ^of fuisopeati dikwr^viti to
thfe' eaftw^rd* They wrtte' diip^apprj ^ifrflng inh^ ofc«hew;dwjn compoft*'
tidn, with pens made ofkhe fwlg 6£'tHtJn^i^>^di • V cdttld rt^v«r dif-
cover that the Malays • had 'any 'original ^rSft^n- 'cih»jfift*r«,' pecuHar
to themfehres, befbre theyacquiffed thdft Aft^ ih die J ^im^ S: is'^lfible
that fuch might have been toft ; a fate that' may ftereffifter attend thofe
of Sumatra, on which the Arabic daily makes fttroachments. Yet I -have
had frequent occalfioiV to^obfetve tht -Mkfeiy Atfiguatrf ivritten by .ThliWd
people, in the country charader; which WoUltf indicate that thefpeefcfe
is likely to perifh'flrft.' Their 'i)6oks tkrefoi the moftpart, cither t'rsihf*
fcripts from the Alcoran (kcraan), or legendary jtales (kaiarj^ of little
merit as compofitions.

« « * A A J

The pureft, or moft efteemed Malay is faid, and with great appearance
of reafon, to be fpokea at Jffalaeca. "If differs Yrdm the dialeft ufed on
Sumatra chiefly in this, that %ords, in the latter, ln)ad& to terminate in
*^ O," are, in the former, founded as ending in ** A*\ Thus they pro-
nounce ladii (pepper)* ihftcad^ of lad(^. Thofe words which end with
a " K** in writing, are,, oii^ Sumatra, always foftened infpeaRing, by
omitting it ; as *^ taibe bumtA^ ^ niany coiripltfrientS',^ -* - for tabiek^
iumiak ;" but the Malaccans, and ef^cially the more eaftern people,
who fpeak very broad, give them generally the full found. The pet-
'fonal pronouns alfo differ materially mthef reiJ)eftiv^-coumrle?k ^ * : :- .

Attempts have iieen itiade to*6mpbfe a Grartmsff of the^ Malay t©ftgue,
upon .the prppiples on which thofe of the ^European languages are
formged« But dM* abfurdity .«f \iuch .{Nrodu&iont .is . obvicHisL,!. Whore
Vhere is no inflexion of eithet Courts bt verbs, there can be WO cafes* de-
clcnfions^ moods, or conjugations. * All this is performed by the addifion
. Y of

i«a S U 1^ A t R A.

of certain words expreffive of a <Ietenmaate*meamng, which fitould not be
confid^red as mere auxiliaries^ or aa j^itBeles fubfervient to other words.
Thus, in the inftancie of Jtmmm^ a houfe ; ^ ^rres fads r$0ma^* figni-
fies '^ fcom a houfe" ; but it wbuld be talking without Uie or meanings
to fiy that Jar^€ pada is tke.fign of the ablative oafe of that ooun^ for
then every pet po&ioo > ftfould Qi|uflly require an appropriate cafe^ and
as well as ^ g€l •! to-* aad*^ Crooii** we (hquld have a cafe for «* deaSas
rom^^^en Mp of the hMil^#V ; So of ictcbs : ^ qUUfaj^ i^oUtt gellan*' —
«< if I coold wallc i*^ this oaay be tended tdie pretecrimperfed tenfe of
the fiibjuadure or potential n^ood, of the verb gellatt i whereat it is in
ia£t a fentcnce, of mbickgijitafi ^^f> ^^« ^^ cooftituent words.* It is
knpropc^r, I lay, to ttlfc o£ the cafe of a noun^ whidh dbes not change
its tjcrminations or the oiood of a verb, which does not alter irs form*
An vfeful fetof obfervations might be coUedbed, for fpeaking the lao*
guage with Qorrei^efs and propriety^ but they muft be as different from
the artificial and technical cures of our grammarians, as the drefs of an
European lady^ feom the iimplicity of a Mala^ habits

l^fide the Malay there are a vpriety ofttaguages (poken on Sumatra^
life langutgcs* whicb^ howevcr, hsvc not only a^mamfefi: affinity among themfelvcs,
the MaUy. but alfo to that general language which is found to prevail, in, and to be

tnjdigenqus to all the iilands of the eaftprp.f^;; from Mada^fear to the
remoteft of Capuin Cook*s difcoyeries ;^ cpm^rchending a wider .exr
tentthan the Roman^orany other Dongue^: has yet boafied. Jndtfpur
tabte examples of this connexion and fimilarity,, I have exhibited in a
paper which the Socitty of Antiquaries l^ave done me. the honor to pa--
bliih in their Archsaologiiau In d^erent places it has been more or. Wis

# UoyffjM «iM h«wailNHMi^lhi» tO^^iif&f Mm0itvfm fki^fjafrnttUB^ ofUit word ** jm»»'*
thus, ** coma mooQ hocha^** which it»^ «' we chufe, or aarcLiiieliiied to read." To form .the Paffire
▼oiccy he ftyt theparciclfl *' bn^* U to be fmfijiedl but he is miftl^etty for '« I' ftnd'this latter^
k exprcaiBd in M«lsy, by ^ /ippi Ur>4itf^ Jmrtu kma*:* Theft eodtston to f^upn wxj
tbio^ioo»ro«ahM>lapd paitiai ideM»* put ii)e ia imnd .of , fon^e vpciyblufatfies Ihavefeeoj io
which the cooatryTiilet wejre thul espluQed^i?aiif#r«w-i<i Duke :— nZ>^/M— aii Eaili Z7is^M^—
9Loff4 ASa^or.

mixed:

SUMATRA.. i^j

• * ■ .

mixed ;mdconiipted^ butbemeeo tl^ mofi diffimilar branches^ anevi*
dent fameaefs of ipany radical words is Apparent, and in fomei v^r/
diftaot from each otl^r in point of fituation^ as fot tnftance the Philip*
ines and Madagafcari the deviation of the Word ^r is fcarcdy more than
is obferved in the dialers of neighbouring; provinces of the &me king-
dom.* .

■ • . *

The principal internal languages of Sumatra, are .the Rejang and thcf Theflure^
Batta^ whofe difference is marked, not fo .much by the want of corre- amc^Bim!*^
fpondence in the terms, as by tlie circumftan«e of ^ their being each ex-
prefled in a diftlnA and peculiar written character. This I conceive to
be extraordinary^ and perha^ fingular, in the hlftMy of human improve-
ment ; chat two divifiops of people on thie fame iflandi with equal claims
to originality, in ftages of civilization nearly equaU and fpeaking lan-
guages derived from the fame fource, ihould write in ckaraAers eflenti-
ally different from each other, and fjrom the reft tif the world. What
corroborates the evidence of the alphabets being feparate and uscon-
nedcd inventions, is, that the order of the'Iecters isnot thefame;' as
wUl appear by an infpedion of the fpecimens I have fubjoined for the
gratification of the Curious, f^ The Achenefe making ufe of the Arabic
charafter, their language hai the tefs claim to originality. The Lam«
poon« as a dialedt, is fufficiently diftind from all the others, but a few
of the letters of the alphabet, particularly tKe'firft and fecond, are ex-
prefled by charaders manifeftly the fame with the Rejang, though (he
major part feem entirely unUke. Perhaps, as the Greeks are faid to have

'^ I an eagaged in an ationpt i6 render this compaiiibn of languages more extenfi vci and as far as
faMlcy so brittg %ccaMaadr attdM^e^olcMkiD the luMmm worli^ -iafo «ne p^int of yIcv.

f See the folUwing plate. The Javantft^ and all other eaflem writing, that I have examinei^
differs as much Irom thefe, as the K^at^ from the Batta, The (]Mtimen of a y mmm alphabet
given in Comeille le Brun is yitry )iift. The TagMia al^bel is to I* UMBd is- TlKTeaoC** Eei-
Mauon desttesPhiltppines,' ' • t «.i ^

Y 1 done

t^4 S b M 'A T R A.

donje in the da)r$ qf Cadmus, the Lampoons may have borrowed from
their nptg;hbours^ in order to complete the .number of their letters. All
thefe pepple, it^ writing* fojrm their lines from th^ left hand towards the
right) contrary to the pra&ige b£ the Malays and the Arabians,

Write on bark Their Writings, of any bulk and importance, are executed witth ink,

#f tfCCf »

. . pn the inner bark of a tree, cut ioto.narrow ftrips of confiderable length,

and folded together in fqjLiares ; f ach Tquare or fold anfwenng for a page.

On more common occafions they write oni the outer coat of a joint of

ud on bam- bamboo^ fonietimeft whole, and fometimes. iplit into pieces of (vyo or

three inches in breadth, with the point of their creefe or other weapon,
which ferves the purpofe .of a .ilylus.^ Thefe writings or fcratchings
rather, are offea performed with a confiderable degree or heatnefs ; of
which I have fpecimens in my pofleffion, as well as of their larger
works. The proportion of thqfe among the natives who can read and
write^ particularly the Battas^ is very, great, and perhaps not furpafled in

* * •

many cotinti ies of Europe. - , . /

It- .

None of thefe languages are fo agreeable to the ear ^s the Mal^y, and

the Lampoon in particular is very gu^ural, making frequent ufe of the

found we denote by ^' g/* which they introduce even in Malay words,

and liquifying the confonant •* r// Thus the word Croee, they pronounce

Csgb^ee^ and bra^ they change into beeas.^ .

In Java, Siam, and other parts of the eaft, befide the common lan-
guage of the country, there is edabliihed a court language, fpoken by

* TKeChideftan ftki, b/tMrtalAMiMity to ini?e wiittoi «» pwotft of BAniboo» before th«y
invented paper.

f It is ramarkable that the Mabiys^ai)Jiot exprefs the cbafopant F, or Vh, nor the people of
dM ifland Nms, near SuaiaMy tlie confonant P. The fame diftin^lion it obTerved amongft the
inhabitants of fome of the South Sea iflands, and I believe holds good lyitfa reljped to^ the I'erfian
and Arabian alphabets.

* *

perfons

S U M^ A T R A.

peribns of rank only. This diftindion^ artfully invented for the pur*
pofe of keeping the vulgar at a diftance^ and infpiring them with refpedt
for what they cannot underftand^ does not take place in any part of Su«
matray J^^^png the inhabitants of which^ difparity of fituation is not at«*
tended with "much ' i-eferve^ or diftance of hehavior between the
perfons.

i L

' #

Specimens I

a U M. A T E .A..

Sp£cxmen$ of Languages fpokea on SUMATRA.

i »
1 i

Mala]r«

Aeheen.

Batea.

Rejang.

Luni|>oon«

One
Two

Satoo

Sah

Sadah

Sye

Duo

Dua

Dooy

Rowah

Three

Teego

Tioo

Toloo

Tellon

Tulloo

Four

Ampat

I'aat

Opat

'Mpat

Anpah

Five

Leemo

Lecmung

Leemah

Lemo

Lcenah

Six

Anam

'Nam

Onam

Noom

AnnaM

Seven

Toojoo

Paitoo

Toojooa

Feetoo

Eight

Slappan
Sambilan

D'lappan

Ooalloo

DetapfK>n

Ooailoo

Niae

Sakooraog

Seeah

'cmbilan

S<ewah

. Ten

Sapooloo

Saploo

Sapooloo-

Depooloo

:'ooloO

Huflnna

Xiackee

Lackaye

Morah

Lackye

Cadjooii

, Wife

Beenee

Beenaye

Aboo

Sixxna .

Cadjoon

Father

Bapn

Bah

Amroah

Bapa

Mother

Man

Enang

lodo

Eeoah

Head

Capallo

Oolou

Ooloo

Oolou

Oolooh

"Bfes

Matto i

Matta

Mahtah

Matty

Mat tab

NoTe

Eedong

Eedooa

Aygong

Eeooog

Eerong

Hair

Eamb^ i

Oboo

Boo

Boohoo

Teeth

Geeggee

Geguy

Ningee

Aypen

Eepan

Itaod

Tangan

Jarrooay

Tangan

Tangoon

Chooloo

Dajr

Haree

Ooraye

Torang-haree

Beety-looeog

Rannee

Night

Maliam

Mallam

Borgning

B.-caiemmooo

Beenghee
Mandack

White

Pootee

Pootee-

Nabottar

Pooteah

Bladk

Etam

Hetam

Nabeero i

Meloo

Malloom

Good

IBaye

Gaet

Dengtn

Baye

Btmie

Die

Mattee

Mattay

Mahtay

Mattoee

Jahal

Fire

Appee

Appooy

Ahpfee

Op ay

Aphooy

Water

Ayer

£er

Ayck

Beole

Wye

Earth

Tana

Taoo

Tana

Pecta

Tanno

Coooniit

Clappo

Crambee

Neele

Clappab

Rioe

Brat

Breeai^

Dahano

Blat

Beeas

Fifli

Eecun

Incoor

Dakkay

'Conn

Bwah

Hog

Babee

Boof

Bdiee

Sooeetemba

Bnfaooye

Sun

Matto»haree

Mattowctye .

Mahtah haree

Mattey*beely

Matarannen

Moon

^Boolan

Booloon

Booian

Booloon

Booian

Aoilio, Sayo

Ooloon

Apoo

Ookoo

Gniah

God

Allab-uUali

Allah

Daibattah

Oola*taUn

Alkktalla

Cmp0r§tiv€

-i*

7h /aiY J\it>'4.

RE JAI^ G ALPHAS E T.

•Hr'' * m!' • eea ooa * AAri' ?Hva naa^r- ^am Vy/7

"^Jft^ ar/r/ffj /I'A/rA fwa^iau M/^Jitr//i/^f/t/^^// //^//t 1 a ^

L/tf/ise/rfn - ,^ 00

Coi^r^t^ orLJ^tto t/eAon/n cAnMMd a/i) nA / L/f/o(r/ajia cA/rffar^ /?' /5? ii'n47

C (a/seAfin. #$? t^

L Ca/oo//>f>M^. '. ^ €^nr

f/riOi>/ttf>api^. , /v itr

A C/r/fhH^mi ; fv er

« C/ffHercAa /$? aiy

A Art' ^ Arr/i f^A/iA A A^i^r lAAw^ ^Aay k'A/ifiyy /^Aot> ficA^ ^ Aoh/^

^^/if itri/i'Ma lo ^<y9n' meurrAfiNr/ /o /A^ rtn^AA ,

Batta

ftrfy ?9€r /yin m. Arr A

a fi/fy ?9€r /yin m. m /^fr MfT ^ev

Ui Aa mta i^i an hu4i

lAMPOOlsr

fy eeO' 00

y n< df

Aa a/i ana' Aa -Oa //ta ,/a aa /h/i^ cAa

y" /'

^/iia r^ay a^ la^ ra ^a Tua^ Aa^

nCMu-aUm dditf

A-

•*. '• -.»,•'••'

I<| '■ o !

3 .c

J - . .

. r^ .

I • «

' t

SUMATRA. 4^

Comparative fiate of the Sumatrans in *eivil focicty^^Diffcrence (f ^^

CharaSler between the Malay and other inhabitants. Govern^ n^»i-r

ment^^Titles and power of the chiefs among the Rejangs. hflu^
enceoftbe Eunfeans-^^Gffvernment in Pajiunah^

NSIDERED as a people occupying a certain rank in tfic firale
of civil fociety, it is not eafy to determine die proper fituation of the
inhabitants of this ifland,. Though far diftant ftom that point to wKich
the poliihed dates of Europe, have afpired, they yet Ibok dbwn^ with an
interval almoft as great, on the fkvage tribes of Africa and America.
Ptriiapsif we diftinguifli mankind fummarily into five clafles ; but of
which each would admit of numberlefs- fubdivifions; we might affigo a
third place, to tfie more civilized Sumatrans, and a fburtb, to the re^
maindeK Ci the firft clafs, fihould of courfe ihcIiKl^ ibmc of the re*
publics of ancient Greece, in the days of their fplenddr; the RoiiMttkt,
jfbr fome time before and after the Auguftan age ; Prance, Engltod, and
other refined* natibnr of Europe, in the litter aenturiearaad periips
China# The feoond' might comprehend' the great Afiatie em{HKet oi At
period of theii' profperity ; Perfia, the Moguls the Turkiili, wkh
European kingdoms*. Ih the third' claft, along with the
Xoldant, and a few other (Hites of the eafiem archipelago^ Sflioiild'
rank die nattbns on the northern coaft of Africa^ and the moae Qoliflied'
Arab^b The fMrth olafs, with the leftcivilixed ShimatfiMft will taltic'
in the people of the new difcevered ifland» in the South Sea ; perltt{)fi
the celebrated Klexican and Peruvian empires; the Tartar Hordes; and
all thofe focictics of people in various parts of the globe, who, poOeffihg
petiboal: property, and acknowleding fome fpecies of eflablilbcd fubor*
dinatibn^ rife one ft^p above the Carribs^ the New HollaiKlers, the

LaplandAiy^

%tt^M0^.

1^ S*. U' M' A T R A.

Laplanders, and the Hottentots, who exhibit a pidure of mankind in
its rudeft and moft humiliating afpeft.*

Few improrc- As mankloU er(i ftiv'' nature i(^ i^ron^-to imitation^ 4t may feem fur-
from tlic Euro, -prietog that thefe people have not derived a. greater ihare of impipvc-
pcans. ment, in mam^ers, and jacts, from their long connexion with 'Europeans,

particularly with the £ngJiih, who have now been fcctled amoiig tneni

for an hundred years. ' Though ftrongly attached to their owm habits,

they are neverthelefs fenfible of their inferiority, and readily admit the

preference which our attainments in fcience, and efpccially in mechanics,

intkle us to. I have he:rd a man .exclaim, after contemplating tbe

-ftruiitmre and ufes of a houfe clock, *^ Is it not fiuing that fuch as Hve^

[fjftjcrul4rbc ilaves to people who have the ingenuity to invent, and the

ikUl to.-conftruifli, fo wonderful a machine as this? *' The .fun,*' he

.added| /< is a machine of this nature. But who winds it up, faid his

companion? Who jjut i4/.'tf/>, replied he,"

t.4

Somis probijble caufes of this hackwardnefs may be fuggefted. We
-carry QA; fi:^ pr no fpecies of manijfadliire at our fcttlements : every
, littng^ k ta&pqrt43<| F^4y wrought to its^higheft perfection: the natives
i.have no opportunity of examining the firft procefs, or the progrefs of
. the imodkb *AbundfWtl}f fqpplied yrith every article of convenience fro^n
sBuio^.and foreju^ioed' in thmr favor becaufe from tbenpe^^ we m^ke
dlwb Uttkr jude of'ihe rayr mtifertfth Sumatra affords* ^e 4o not fpin
.its wtfiob ; we Bo-inot teas Us filk-wdrms ; we do not fmelt its metals ;
. KPe- db 4ior even ' iie^V'. its flone^ neglecting tbefe, it is in vain we would
ielthibit ^ tb^ peopU for itheir impoovetnent in the arts|, our rif h bro-
^i&d^) o«ir ttme^ptedes; or difplay to them, in drawings^; the e^gance

' ■ • • • • 1 1

» There ar« tiu^ Aple«r^iiited out by different writers (Le PMvre, Robertfbn, and Richard-

Tob) by which to mcafure and afcertain the ftatc of ciyih'zation any people ha?c arrived at : the

♦ one U the degree of pcrfeAion of their agficultnre j another, their progrefs in the art df nume-

'^'ratioBrand ti tWrdtht fiumber of aWlfaft tennt an ibcir hnfuage., FormMig a judgment by

'^ 'die^p teA^ ethe reader* will be^i^^le to dfteroAme with what fiure of propriety I have afTigned t6e

,^hov£ nmkf to the Sunrntrans,

SUMATRA* 1^9

of ow archkeifture. Our manrtrrfl likewife are little calculated to
excite their approval and imitation. Not to iniift on the licentioufnef^
that has at times been imputed to our communities ; the pleafures of
the table; emulation in wine; boifterous mirth; juvenile frolics, and
puerile amufements, which do not pafs without ferious, perhaps con*
temptuous^ animadverfion — fetting thefe aHde, it appears to mej^ that

even our beft models are but ill adapted for the imitation of a rude, incu-
rious, and unambitious people. Their fenfes, not their reafon, ihould
be aAed on, to roufe them from their lethargy; their imaginations
muft be warmed; a fpirit of enthuGafm muft .pervade and animate them,
before thejr will exchange the pleafures of indolence for thofe of induftry.
The philofophtcal influence that prevails, and charaderifes the prefent
age, in the weftern world, is unfavorable to the producing thefe efiedts.
A modern man of fenfe and manners, defpifes, or endeavors to difpife,
ceremony, parade, attendance, fupcrfiuous and fplendid ornaments in
his drefs or furniture : preferring eafe and convenience, to cqmbroiis
fomp, the peribn firft in rank is no longer diftinguiihed by his apparely
his equipage, or his number of fervants, from thofe tnfericMr to him ;
and though pofieffing real power, is divefted of almoft every external
mark of it. Even our religious wor(hip partakes of the fame fimplicity*
It 15 far from my intention to condemn or depreciate thefe manners, con*
fidered in a general fcale of eQimation* Probably io proportion at the
prejudices of fenfe are dlfiipated by the light of reafon, we advance
towards the hzghell degree of perfection our natures are capable of :
poffibly perfc&ion may confift in a certain medium which we have
already flept beyond ; but certainly all this refinement is utterly incom-
prehenfible to an uncivilized mind, which cannot difcrlminate the ideas of
humility and meannefs. We appear to the Sumatrans to have d^ne«
rated from the more 4j^lendid virtues of our predeceflbrs. Even the
ricbnefs ci their laced fuits, and tjie gravity of their perukel, atfiradted
a degree of admiration ; and I have heard the difufe of the large hoopi
worn by the ladies, pathetically lamented. The quick, and to them
inexplicable^ revolutions of our faihions, are fubjedfc of much aftonifli*
coent, and they naturally conclude, that thofe modes can have but little

2 ii\trinfic

170 S. U M A T R A.

iiitr'mfic merit which \vt are to ready to change; or at leaft that our
caprice renders us very incompetent to be the guides of their improve-
ment. Indeed, in matters of his kind, it is not to be fuppofed that aii>
imitation Ihould take place, owing to the total incongruity of manners
in other refpeds^ and the diffimilarity of natural and local circumftances.
But perhaps I am fuperfluoufly inveftigating minute and partial caufes
of an eiFed, which one general one may be thought fuflicient to pro-
duce. Under the frigid, and more cfpecially the torrid zone, the inha-
bitants will naturally preferve an uninterrupted fimilarity and coniiftency
of manners, from the uniform influence of their climate. In the tern*
perate zones, where this influence \» equivocal, the manners will be
fluAuating, and dependent rather on moiral than pbyiical caufes*

Kilerence in Thc Malay and native Sumatran differ more in the features of their
twcentheMa- mind than in thofe of their peribn. Although we know not that this
^aiunaa^. *' ifland, in the revolutions of human grandeur, ever made a diftinguHhed

figure in the hiftory of the world, (for the A chenefe, though powerful
in thc fixteenth century, were very low in point of civilization) yet
thc Malay inhabitants have an appearance of degeneracy, and this l*en*
ders their chara&cr totally different from that which we conceive of a
favage, however juftly their ferocious fpirit of plunder on the cafl«m
coaft, may have drawn upon them that name. They fcem rather to
be finking into obfcurity, though with opportunities of improvement,
than emerging from tlience, to a flate of civil or political importance.
They retain a flrong flterc of pride, but not of that laudable kind
which reftrains men from the conimiffion of mean and fraudulent adions.
They pofifefs much low cunning and plaufibie duplicity, and know how
to difiemble the ftrongeft paffions and moft inveterate antipathy, be*
neath Ac utmaft compofure of features, till tha opportunity of gratify*
iflg their refentment offers. Veracity, gratitude, and integrity are not to
be found in the fift of their virtues^ and their minds are almofl: totally^
ftrangers to the fenttments of honor and infamy. They are jealous and
Ttndi^live. Their courage is deiultory, the effeA of a momemtary tin-

thufiafln^

SUMATRA. tft

thufiafin, which enables diem to perform deeds of incredible defperation;
but they are ftr^ngers to that fteady magnanimity^ that cool heroic re*
folution in battle^ which conftitutes in our idea the perfection of this
quality, and renders it a virtue.* Yet it muft be obferved, that from
an apathy almoft paradoxical^ they fuffer under fentence of death, in cafes
where no indignant paffions could operate to buoy up the mind to a con-
tempt of punilhment, with aftoniihing compofure and indifference ; ut-
tering little more dn thefe occafions, than a proverbial faying> common
among thc^m, expreffive of the inevitability of fate— *^ apoo boobe booat** ?
To this floicifm, their belief in predeftination, and very imperfed idea
of a future, eternal exiftence, doubtlefs contribute.

Some writer has remarked, that a refemblance is ufually found, be<«
tween the difpofition and qualities of the beafts proper to any country^
and thofe of the indigenous inhabitants of the human fpecies, where aa
intercourfe with foreigners has not deftroyed the genuinenefs of their,
charader. The Malay nuty be compared to the buffalo and the tiger.
In his domeilic ftate, he is indolent, flubbom, and voluptuous as the
former, and .in his adventurous life, he is infidious, blood-thirfty, and ra-
pacious as the latter. Thus the Arab is faid to refemble his camelj and
the placid Gentoo his cow.

The original Sumatran, though he partakes in fome degree of the chara£^er ol

Malay vices, and pJirtly from the contagion of example, pofiefles many ***"** Sam**^

exclufive virtues ; but they are more properly of the negative than the

pofitive kind. He is mild, peaceable, and forbearing, unlefs his anger

be roufed by violent provocation, when he is implacable in his refent-

mcnts. He is temperate and fober, being equally abitemious in meat

and drink. The diet of the natives is moflly vegetable ; water is their

oply beverage 5 and though they will kill a fowl or a goat for a fbranger,

whom perhaps they never faw before, nor ever expe& to fee again, they

III tha hiftory of the Portuguef« wan is thts part of the eafti there appears (bme excep:;ij:i
U thif remark* and partieularlj tAthe charafierof Latfe$»anMa^ whp was truly a grcai man ?.i;i
moft confummate wani«r» j

^73^ S U M A T R A^

tre nrely guilty of tlist extravagance for themfelves ; nor even at tfteif
fellivak (Jbimbatig)^ where there is a plenty of meat> do tbty eat much of
any thing but rice^ Their hofpitality is extreme^ and bounded by their
abUity alone. Their manners are Ample ; they are generally, except
among the chiefs^ devoid of the Malay cunning and chteane ; yet endued
with a quicknefs of appreh«iiion, and on many oecafkms difcovering a
confiderable degree of penetvation^ and fagacity. Tn refped^ to women,.
they are remarkably continent, without any fliare of infenfibility. Thef
ar^ modeft; particularly guarded in their expreffions;. courteous in:
their beha>uor ; grave in thtxt deportment^ being feldom or never ex^
cited to laughter •, and patient to a great degree.. On the other hand,,
they are litigious ^ indolent ; addi&ed to gaming ; diihoneft in their
dealings with ftrangers, whieh they efteem no moral defedk i. fofpicious;
fegardltis of truth ; mean in their tranfaftions i fervile ; though cleanly
m their perfons, dirty in their apparel,, which they never wa& They are
cardefs and improvident of the future, becaufe their wants are few, for
though poor,, they are not neceffitous ; nature fupplying; with: extraor*
dinary facility,, whatever Ihe has made requifite for their exiftence.
Science and the arts* have not, by extending, their views, ccmtributed* to>
enlarge the circle of their defires; and the various refinements of lux--
ury, which in poliihed' foeieties become neccflaries. of life, ase total! jt
unknown to them»^

Having endtavoured to tract tbe chamAer of tiicfe peop&,. with as
much fidelity and accuracy as poffl:>le, I ifaall now proceed to give aa.
account of their government, laws, euitoms^ and maooers ; and in or-
der to convey to the reader the cleaneft ideas in my power, I ihall de-
Yelope the various cirgumihinces> in fuch order and connexion, as/ fhaU*

* The Macafar and Buggmfs peoplei who eoaie annually in Xhtir framts from CeUbis to trade at
Sumatray are looked up to by the inhabitantSy at their fuperiors in matiners. The Malays afie£kifiO''
40py thetrftyleof drafty and frequent alhifiena to-the feau mdA atGhierements of thele peopk *
are made in thetr fongi* Their reputation for couiage, which certainly lurpafles that of all other
people in the eaftem reat» aoquirea them^thit kiitteri»g ditiDAioA* They aifo ^eriro part of tba
n^^tSt paid them, from the richaefs of the cavgooa they impoMi md'tliafpint with which they^
^nd the produce in gtuaingi cock-fi^htingi and 0{i«m-imokxiig«

ff U Kf A T.K A. 173

hdk to anft^er this intenv withqut confining myfHF^ in eTcrf-
Ittftuice^ to a rsgpd and fcrupulous amngetaent into diftindt heads^

The iohabitaots^ of the Rejmg country live in viliages or dooficns,
flseh under tie. governincnt of a magiftrate %kd Dupatty, His dcpen- r^L*^
daots arc termed AM-b^a^^ «k} in number feldom exceed one hundred.
A certjHo pr<^rcion of the dupatties bdongtng^ to each river^ the vil*
l»ge» being atorays (kuated by the water fide»-f^ are chofen to meet in*
a legiflative or judicial capacity ;p 9t tkit qualUe or river's mbuth, and
thefe ate diftinguiflied by the name of Proatteen^ The Pangera/t or ^'^^^
fgmcc of the country^ prefldfes over the whole* I would poiitt out in
what eenftfts the fealty of a dupnify to a pangeran^ and of his ana hooa to
him, l>ut fd* very Ikde is to be obferved in either cafe, that it is not an.
eafy matttF to defcribe it. Almoft without art», and with but little in*
duAry, the ftate of pioperty is nearly equal among all the inhabitants,
and the ctaie^ fcarcely diflerbuc in title, from the bulk of the people.
Their authority ifle no more than nomimal, being without that coercive B» sushority*
power> necefl&ry ta make themfelvcs* feared and implicitly obeyed.
This is the natural refult of povert)^ among nattons- habituate'd to peace;'
where the fJiro great political enginef*, of intereft and military force, are
wanting.: Their goveitnmeat \% founded in opinion, and the fubmiflSun
e£ the people i$ voluntary. The-domeftic rule of a private family, beyond
a doubt, fuggeftedfiieft tl^a idea of government in fociety,. and this people
havings. made but fmatf advao4ie9 in civil policy, theirs rctaina a ftrong
pc&mblance of its erigtoaL It is connected alfo with the principle of
the- feudal fyflenn into which it would, probably fettle, ihould it attain to>
ai gvcater degree of refinement. All the other governments throughout
tile iiland ave llkewife a mi&ture of the patriarchal and feudal ; and it
may be ob&rved, that where a fpirit of conqueft has reduced the inha^

* Apparently a iig\uRtive^(»pre{fioo,.fiom fruit bapging on a tret.

f Tfas namei^whtch'we uAially apply to countriea or diftri£by belong properly to tbe riTcn t
aadit is» wkk thtna^ivei) more oommon to fiiy, the people of fuch a rtver, than of fuch a coan«- «

try« Rivers in Burope divMe providces, but in India they ar& confidered as ruoning through tfa^
•enter of iheia*

bitant^

174 SUMATRA

bitaots under the fubjedion of another power^ or has added foragtt
diftnds to their dominioD, there the feudal maxims prevail : where the
natives, from fituation or difpofition, have long remained undifturbed
%Y revolutions, th^re the fimplicity of patriarchal rale obtains ; which
is not only the firft, and natural form of government, of all rude qiationt
riiing from imperceptible beginnings, but is perhaps alfo the higheft ftate
of perfeAipn they can ultimately arrive at. It is not in this art alone
that we perceive the nc^t ftep from confummace refioemeot, leadmg to
fimpligity,

MoA limited. The foundation of right to government among^ thefe people, feems,

as I faid, to be the general confent. If a chief exerts an undue autho- '
rjty, or departs from their long eftablilhed cuftoms and ufagps, they con-
ceive themfelves at liberty to relinquilh their allegiance. A command-
ing afped, an in(muating manner^ a ready fluency in difcourfe, and a
penetration and fagacity in unravelling the little intricacies of their dif«
putes, are qualities which feldom fail to procure to their pofleflbr, re-
fpcd: and influence, fometimes perhaps fuperior to that of an acknowf*
lodged chief. The pangeran indeed claims defpotic fway, and as far as
he can find the. means, fcruples not to exert it; but his revenues being
infufficient to enable him to keep up any force, for carrying his mandates
into execution, his aftual powers are very limited, and he has feldom
fpund himfelf able to punifh a turbulent fubjed, any otherwife than by
private aflalfination. In appointing the heads of doolbons, he does little
more than confirm the choice already made among the inhabitants, and
was he arbitrarily to name a perfon of a different tribe, or from another
place, he would not be iibeycd. He levies no tax nor has any revenue*
(what he derives from the India Company being out of the queilion)
o; en^olymeyt from his fubje£ts, other than what accrues to him from the
determination of caufes. Appeals lie to him in all cafes, and none of the
inferior courts, or affemblies of proatteens, are competent to pronounce
fentence of deaths But all puniihments being, by the laws of the country,
« ' cemmutable for fines, and the appeals being attended with expence and
lofs of time, the parties generally abide by the firft decifion* Thofe

doofoons

SUMATRA.^ 175

doofoons which ftrc fituated neareft to the refidencc of the pangcran, at
Socngey-lamoy acknowledge fomewhat more of fubordination than the
diftant ones, which, even in cafe of war, efteem themfelves at liberty to
affift or not, as they think proper, without being liable to confequences.
In anfwer to a queftion on this point, " we are his fubjeds not his flaves,**
replied one of the proatteens. But from the pangeran you hear a tale
widely different. He has been known to fay, in a political converfation ;
•* fuch and fuch doofoons, there will be no trouble with : they are my
powder and fliot ;'' explaining himfelf by adding, that he could difpofe
of the inhabitants^ as his anceftors had done, to purchafe ammunitiot^ in
time of war.

The father of Pangeran Munco Raja (whofe name is preferved from origin of th«
oblivion by the part he took in the expulfion of the Englifh from Fort ^^^^ ^[^ ^^^
Marlborough in the year 1719) was the firft who bore the title of pafh^ 3^S*
giran of Soongey-lantQ. He had before been fimply Belinda Sebjam. Till
about an hundred years ago, the fouthern coafi of Sumatra, as far as.
Oori river, was dependent on the king of Bantam^ whofe Jamang (lieu-
tenant or deputy) came yearly to Silebar or Bencoolen, colledted the pep*
per, and filled up the vacancies, by non^inating, or rather confirming ia
their eledtion, the proatteens^ Soon after that time, the Englifh having
eftabliihed afettlement at Bencoolen, xht jennang informed the chiefs
that he ihould vifit them no more, and raifing the two head men of
Scoj^iy lamo and Sowgtf itam^ to the dignity of pangeraHy gave into
their hands the government of the country, and withdrew his mailer'^
claim. Such is the account given by the prefent pofleflbrs, of the origin
of their titles, which nearly correfponds with the recorded tranfa&ions.
of the period. It followed naturally that the pangeran ihould lay claim
to the abfolute authority of the king whom he reprefented, and that the
proatteens ihould flill confider him but as one of themfelves, and pay
him little more than nominal obedience* He bad no power to enforce

• The latter is chief of the Lmba country, in the neighbourhood of Bencoolen rirec \ on
which howerer, thefonnerpoflefict feme riUagct, and is chief of the Rejang tribet.

- • • hij

J76 S M A T H A.

his pica, and they retain their privileges, taking no oath of ancgiance,
nor fubmitting to be bound by any pofitive engagement. They fpeak
4)f him however with refpeil, and in any moderate requifition,' that docs
jiot affedt their addai or cuftoms, they arc ready enough to aid him,
Qolof^y as they exprefs it) but rather as matter of favor, than ackno^- *
Jedged obligation*

The exemption the BupaUies contend fer, from abfolute fubjeftion,
•they allow in turn lo their Mabeoasy whom they govern by the influence
jpf opinion only. The refped paid to a Dupatty, is itcttc mofc riian as
to an Elder x>f a family held in efteem, and this the old men- of the doo-
.foon fliare with him, fitting by his fide in judgment qn the little dif-
ferences that arifc among themfelves. If they cannot determine the
xaufe, or the difptite be with one of a feparate village, the proatteens
-of the fame tribe that five adjacent, meet for the purpofe. From thefc
4itigations arife feme fmall emoluments to the dupatty, whofe dignity, in
^ther-refpeds, is rather an cxpence than an advantage. In the ereftion
4>f public works, fuch as their Balli or town hall, he contributes a larger
ftare of materials* He receives and entertains all (Irangers, his depen-
dants fumiihing their quotas of provifion, on particular occafions, and
their hofpiulity is fuch, that food and lodging are never refufed to thofe
iiho aik it.

#«Meffimi cff f hM|^ die rank of dupatty is not ilriftly hereditary, the fon, wheil
yiiy^n* ^£ ^^ ^^ capable, generally fucceeds the father, at his deceafe : if too

young, the father's brother, 6x iuch one of the family as appears moft
qualified, aflumes the poft ; not as a regent, but in bis own right ; and'
<fce minor eotnes in perhaps at the next va^cancy*

^fOif^ This JLejangs ue ctifl&nguiibed hito tribes, tiye defeendailt^ of a diF<»

fereait fo^ng or «nar(ior«. Of thtfe there are low principal tribes, J9(ff^
^allMg^ Beremamii, Sehapo and ^wlye ; faid to derive their orijgin from
four Brothers,, and to have been united from time immeiaorial ina.lcagoa
Afftnfive and defenfivt : the permanency however of this bond, may be

€onje£hired

SUMATRA.

>77

conjedured to have been owing to the expediency refulting from their
fituation, rather than their confanguinity, or any formal compadl. There
are alfo feveral inferior tribes.

Each river or diftrifl^ (for it is by the rivers the parts of the country influence of

thelc
panj.

tre diftinguiihed) and indeed each doofoon^ is independent of, though *'^^'***** ^™'

not unconneded with, its neighbours ; acting in concert, only by fpe-
cific confent. On every river there is at leaft one Pamharab or fuperior
proatieen, who differs from the reft, in the right of prefiding at thofe
fuits and feftivals, in which two or more doofdons have a common con-
cern, with a larger allotment of fines and provifion.* If more tribes
than one are fettled on the fame river, each has ufually its pambarab,
who is chofen by the refpedtive proatteens : thefe are chofen in like man*
ner by the dupatties, but with the concurrence of the elders of the doo-
foon. If the choice difpleafes any of the inhabitants, they agree among
themfelves what chief they will follow, and remove to his doofoonl
There is no reftraint or compulfion in the cafe. Sometimes a few fami-
lies feparate themfelves, and eled a chief, but without contefting the
title of him whom they leave. The chiefs do not however affume the
title of dupatty, without being confirmed by the pangeran, or by the
Company's Refident, who in truth exercifcs many of the functions of
fovereignty.

The fyftem of government among the people near the fea coaft, who,^
towards the foiithem extreme of the ifland, are the planters of pepper,
is much influenced by the power of the Europeans, who are virtually
the lords paramount. The advantages derived to the fubjcdt from their
fway, both in a political and civil fenfe, are infinitely greater than per-
Ibns at a diftance are ufually inclined to fuppofe. Oppreffions may bc^
fometimes complained of at the hands of individuals, but, to the ho*
nor of the Company's fervice let me add, they have been very rare, and

• The iBoft difU^gulAed of tbe hoot of the Iliad weit (eryed at table wkh a larger pr«})orti«a

A a .f

i.7« a ^ W A T H A.

of incoofiderabte naagnltnde« Where a- di^M df 4i&rtAoMrf* ptmtr
is intruded to fingle perfons^ abufes will, ia the nature of things^ arift
in fome inftances ; cafes may occur, in which the private paifions of
the Refide&t^ will interfere with his public duty ; but the door has ever
been open for redrefs^ and examples have been oMub^ To deftni^.this
influence and authority in order to prevent thefe confequeoces^ w»c to
cut off a limb in order to remove a partial complaint. By tho Company's
power^ the difirids over which it extends, are preierved 10 uninterrupted
peace. How invaluable a bleffing this^ let Poland^ let America^ let
<>ther defolated countries fpeak. Were it not for this power^ every doo^
ibon of every river would be at war wiith its neighbour. The natives
thenorliblvea allow it^ and it was eyinced> even in the ihort fpace of timo
the Engliih were abfent from the cooft^ 10 the former war with Fraoce.
llofiilities of dsftri^ againft diftrid^ fo freq;upnt among tha independeoe
jiationa to the northward^ arei io the Compajny's juriiUi^ion^ things uo**
heard of ; and thofe diim^I cataftrophes^ which^ in all the Malay iflands^
ore wont ta attend on private feuda, bot very rarely happe&« ^^ I tell you
honeflly/^ faid a dupatty^ n>uch irritated agaioitt oae of his neighbours^
"that it is only you,** pointing to. the Refident of jt4DJ^, ** that prevent
my plunging this weapon into his breaff TbeRefideot is alio confix
dered as the protedtor of the people^, from the injufl;ice and oppreffion*
of the chiefs. This oppreffion, though not carried on in the way o£
open force, which the ill-defined nature of their authority would
Qpr (bpport, is fcarcely lefs grievous to the fufierer* Expouaders of the
law^ and deeply verfed in the chicanery of it, they are ever lying in wait
to take advantage of the neceflitous and ignorant, till they have ftripped:
them of their property, their family, and their liberty. To prevent
tbefe pra^icfes -, the pa^rtial. adminifiratioa of jaftice in confequence of
bribes ^ , the fufaornat^on of wltneQ^ ; and the like iniquities^ a contir
n^9l esfertion of the Refidex)t's attention, and authority is. required;
apd as- that, authority iit accidentally rel|xed, the country falls into,
confufion.

* tt M A t It A. 17^

it k trti^ tbit this inttfrf^vtnce is not ftridly confonant wkh tha
%>irit of tke original contrads, entered into by the Company with
dM native chiefS) who in confideration of prote<fl:ion fiom their enemies ;
regular purchafeof the produce of their country; and a gratuity to
thedifelvesy proportioned to the quantity of that produce, undertake,
cm their part, to obMge their dependants to plant pepper ; to refrain from
the ufe cff opium, the praiftice of gaming, and other vicious excefles ;
a&d to punift them in cafe of non-compliance. But however prudent
or equal thefe <ontrads might have been at the time their form was
eftabltflied, « cbmge of crrcumftances ; the gradual and necefiary increafd
of the Company*ls fway, which the peace and good of the country requi-
red ; and the tacift ccmfent of the chiefs themfelves,(among whom the oldeft
living has never been ufed to regard the Company, who have conferred
on them their refpeftive dignities, as their equals, or as trading in their
diftrifts upon fufferance) have long antiquated theAi ; itid cuf!om and
experience have introduced in their room, an inihietite on 6ne Dde, and
a fubordlnation on the othei*, more confiftent with the power of the
Company, and more fuitable to the benefits derived from the moderate
attd humme exercife of that power. Prefcription has given its fandioA
to this change, and the people have fubmitted to it without murmuring ;
as it was introduced, not fuddenly, but with the natural courfe of events,
and bettered the condition of the whole, while it tended to curb the ra«
pacity of the few. Then let not fiiort-fighted or deiigning perfons, upon
faHe principles of juftice, or ill-digefted notions of liberty, ralhly endea-
vor to overturn a feheme of government, doubtlefs not perfed, but which
feems bed adapted to the circumftances it has refpeift to, and attended
with the feweft difadvantages. Let them not vainly exert themfelves ta
procure redrefs of imaginary grievances, for perfons Who complain noty or
to infufe a fpirit of freedom and indepeadeoce, ia a climate whcr^ liature
poflibly never intended they ihould flouriih, and which, if obtainecly would
apparently be attended with efie^, that all their advantages would badijr
compcnfatc.

A a 2 td

* . ,

i8o " SUMATRA.

Government In Pafunmab, which nearly borders upon Rejang^ to the fouthwardi
mPaflummah. ^y^^^^ appears fome difference in the mode of governments though the

fame fpirit pervades both ; the chiefs being equally without a regular
coercive power, and the people equally free in the choice of whom they
will ferve. This is an extenfive^ and, comparatively, populous country*
bounded on the north weft by that of Lamattsngj and on the fouth eaft by
that of Lampoon ; the river of Padang-gocbie marking the divilion from
the latter, near the fea coaft. It is diftinguifliod into Paflummah leiiarf
or the broad, which lies inland, extendmg to within a day's journey of
Mooaro MoolaHg^ on PaUmbatig river ; and PaiTummah coho A£iff»tf9 which
is on the weftern fide of the range of hills, whither the inhabitants are
faid to have moftly removed, in order to avoid the government of the
Dutch»

Paflummah is governed by four pangerans, who are perfedly inde-
pendent of each other, but they acknowledge a kind of fovereignty in
the Sultan of Palembang, from whom they hold a chop (warrant) and re^
ceive a faling (inveftiture), on their acce£Qon.* This fubprdination is
the eonfequence of the king of Bantam's former influence over this part
of the ifland, Palembang being a port at that time dependent on him^
and dill on the Dutch, whofe inftrument the fultan is ; and the people
are for the greater part Javans.^f There is an inferior pa^^ran in almoft
every doofoon) that title being nearly as common in Paflummah,
as dupatty towards the fea coaft) who are chofen by the inhabitants of
the doofoon, and confirmed by the fuperior pangeran, whom they affifl
in the determination of caufes. ' In the low country, where the pepper
planters refide^ whofe race i& mixed with coloniPiS from Rejang and a place

* The GnndrSignior in likt nunner fendt » yn£l and turban to hU great yafi^Fi.

f *' Akingof Bantam, in 1596, fell before Pali nban, a rebel town of Sumatra which he war
Befiegingi and the- fiege was raifed thereupon/* Navigation auz Ind. Ori. i6of • «

Fw^fTOM ii proper]^ a Javeneie title, introduced on Sumatra^ and prerailing only in the (bni^tm
part*

called

SUMATRA^ 181

called Hadjeif the title of Calippab is found. Each of thefe prefide over
various tribes, which have been coUeded at different times, and have
ranged themfelves, fome under one, and fome under another chief;
having alfo their fuperior proatteen^ or pambarab^ as in the northern di-
firidts. On the rivers of PeenOy Manna and Bankannon^ are two calippahs
refpedkively, fome of whom are alfo pangerans^ which laft feems to be here
rather a title of honor, or family dift indion, than of magiftracy. They
are independent of each other^ owning no fuperior ; and their number^
according to the ideas of the people, cannot be increafed*

Laws

lit |i U M* it T' H A.

Laws and cufioms — Mode of deciding Casffcs^-rCaie g/* Lawt.

Laws or cuf- % HERE js HO wofd in the languages of the Mand which properly
"** suid ftridkif fignifies. Ijm ; nor is there any perfon or daft of pcrfons

among the Rejangs, regularly iHhTefted DVkh a legtflaHvt power. The/
are governed in their various difputes^ by a fet of long eftabliihed cuf-
toms (addat)j handed down to them from their anceftors^ the authority of
which is founded on ufage and general confent. The chiefs^ in pro*
nouncing their decifions^ are not heard to fay, *' fo the law diredts'* but,
" fuch is the cuftom/' It is true, that if any cafe arifes, for which there
is no precedent on record (of memory), they deliberate and agree on
ibme mode, that ihall ferve as a rule in future fimilar circumftances.
If the affair be trifling, this is feldom objected to, but when it is a mat-
ter of confequence, the-pangeran, or calippah, confults with the proat-
teens, or lower order of chie^s^ who frequently defire time to confider of
it, and confult with the inhabitants of their doofoon. When the point

is thus determined, the people voluntarily fubmit to obferve it as an ef«

tablUhed cuftom ; but they 4o not acknowledge a right in the chiefs, to
eonftitute what laws they think proper, or to repeal or alter their an-
cient ufages, of which they are extremely tenacious and jealous. It is
. notwithflanding true, that by the influence of the Europeans, they have
at times been prevailed on, to fubmit to innovations in their cuftoms i
but, except when they perceived a manifeft advantage from the change,
they have generally feized an opportunity of reverting to the old mode.

Mode of dc All eaufes, both civil and criminal, are determined by the feveral
cidingcaufcs. ^j^j^f^ ^f ^j^^ diftria:, aflembled together, at ftated times, for the purpofe

of diftributing juftice. Thefe meetings are called hecbarrcy (which fig- *
nifies alfoto difcourfeor debate) and among us, by an eafy corruption^
kecban. Their manner of fettling litigations, in points of property,
is rather a fpecies of arbitration, each party previou% binding himfelf

-*. •

SUM- A T R A. tBj

to fbbmit t6 the decifion, than through ^ coercive power poffefled by the
courts for the redtcfi of wrongs.

The want of a written criterion of the laws, and the imperfeft ftability
of traditionary ufage, muft ffeq^ntly, in the intricacies of their fuits^
give rife to contradi^ory decifions; particularly as the intereils and
paffions of the chiefs are but too often concerned in the determination of
the caufes that come before them* This evil had long been perceived by
the Englilh Refidents, who, in the countries were we are fettled, prefide
at the bechars, and being inftigated by the fplendid example of the
Governor-general of Bengal, under whofe direftion a code of the laws
of that empire was compiled, it was refolved, that the fervants of the
Company at each of the fubordinates, Ihould, with the affiftance of the
ableft and moft experienced of the natives, attempt to reduce to writing,
and form a fyftem of the ufages of the Sumatrans, in their refpe£tive
refidencies. This was accordingly executed in fome infiances, and a tran*
flatlon of that compiled in the refidency of Lojfe coming into my pof-
feilion, I infert it here, in the original form, as being attended with more
authority and precifion, than any account furnifiied fr6m my' own me-*
morandun:is could pretend to*

Re JANG Laws.

*'The laws and cuftoms of the RejangSy hitherto preferved by tra-
^^ dition, are now, after being difcufled, amended^ and ratified in an
** aflembly of the pangtratty pamharabs and prcatteens, committed to
•^writing, in order that they may not be liable to alteration; that juf-
'•"tice may be regularly and impartially adminiftered; that thofe de-
** ferving death or fine may meet their reward ; that caofei may be
*• brought before the proper judges, and due amends made for defaults ;
^^ that the compenfation for murder may be fully paid ; that property
^^ may be equitably divided ; that what is borrowed may be reftored ;
*** that gifts may become ,the undoubted property of the receiver ; that
^^ debts mqr be paid^ and credits received^ agreeably to the cufloms
• *' " that

CodeofLawtb

|84 S U M A T R A;

** that have been ever in force, beneath the heavens and on the faeeof
the earth. By the obfervance of the laws, a country is made to flouriih,
and where they are neglefted or violated, ruin cnfues.

^* B E C H A R S.

Procefs in fm'ts ^* The plaintiff and defendant firft ftate to the bench the general cir-

cumflances of the cafe. If their accounts differ, and they confent
to refer the matter to the dicifion of the proatteens, each party is to
give a token, to the value of a foocoo, that he will abide by it, and to
find fecurity for the cbogOy a fum ftatcd to them, fuppofed to exceed
the utmoft probable damages.

dollars. doUan.

^* If the £bogo do not exceed 30 the beo or fee paid by each is ij
Ditto 30 to 50 ditto •— af

Ditto 50 to 100 ditto — 5

Ditto 100 and upwards ditto — 9

*^ All chiefs of doofoons^ or independent tallanis^ are entitled to a feat on
, the bench upon trials.

<* If the pangeran fits on the bechar, he is entitled to one half of all
teo, and of fuch fines, or ihares of fines, as fall to the chiefs ; the
pambarabs and other proatteens dividing the remainder.
^^ If the pangeran be not prefent, the pambarabs have one third, and the
other proatteens two thirds of the foregoing. Though a fingle pamba-
rab only fit, he is equally entitled to the above one third. Of the
other proatteens, five are requifite to make a quorumi.
** No bechar, the cbogo of which exceeds five dollars, to be held by the
proatteens, except in -the prefence of the Company's Refident, or hil.
aififtant (reprefenting the pangeran.)
'' If a peribn malicioufly brings a falfe accufation, and it is proved
fuch, he is liable to pay a fum equal to that which the defendant
would have incurred, had his defign fucceeded ; which fum is to be.
divided between the defendant, and the other .proatteens, half and
half.

"The

SUMATRA. tS5

'' The fine for bearing falfe witncfs^ is twenty dollars and a bufiaK
?* The punilhment of perjury is left to the fuperior powers {prang akas).
Evidence here is not delivered on previous oath.

^< Ikhbritance.

*' If the father leaves a will, or declares before witnefles his intentions j^^, ^^ j^^^
relative to his effeds or eftate» his pleafure is to be followed in the ^^^^^
diftribution of them*

^* If he dies inteftate, and without declaring his intentions, the male

children inherit, fhare and Ihare alike, except that the houfe and pejakk0

(effects on which, from various caufes, fuperftitious value is placed^

devolve invariably to the eldeft.

V The mother (if by the mode of marriage tcxtni^djoojoor) and the daugh-
ters, are dependent on the fons.

'^ If a man, married by femmio^ dies, leaving children, the effeds re-
main to the wife and children. If the woman dies, the efie£bs remain
to the hufband and children. If either dies, leaving no xhildren, the
family of the deceafed isintitled to half theeffeds.

« OnTTtAWRT.

<< Any perfon unwilling to be anfwerable for the debts or adions of his
fon, or other relation under his charge, may outlaw him, by which ^ o«tl«wij.
he, from that period, relinquiihes all family connexion with him, and
i; no longer refponfible for his conduct.

^< The outlaw to be delivered up to the Refident or pangeran, ac€om«
panied with his writ of outlawry, in duplicate, one copy to be lodged
with the Refident, and one with the outlaw's pambarab.

*^ The perfon who outlaws muft pay all debts to that day.

.«' On amendment, the outlaw may be recalled to his family, they pay*
ing fucb debts as he may have contraAed whilft outlawed, and redeem-
ing his writ by payment of ten dollars and a goat, to be divided among

* ^e pangeran and pambarabs.

fib ^* IS

«»

Theft.

r »

186 1^ U M A T R A.

*^ If an outlaw commits murder he is to fuffer death.

** If murdered, a bangocn, or compcnfat^onp, of fifty dollars, is. to be
paid for him to the pangeran,

^* If an outlaw wounds a perfon, he becomes a flave to the Company or
pangeran for three years. If he abfconds, and is afterwards killed^
no bangoon is to be paid for him. -•'•

" lif an outlaw wounds a perfon, and is killed in the fcufflc, no bahgoon
is to be paid for him.

«^ If the relations harbour an outlaw, they arc held willing to redeem him,
and become anfwerable for his debts.

'* A jperfon convifted of theft, pays double the value of the goods
ftolen, with a fine of twenty doUars,and a buffalo, if they exceed

the value of five dodlars : if under five dollars, the fine is five dollars

_ • . . <

and a goat ; the. valQe of the goods 'ftiU doubled.,

'* All thefts under five dollars, and all difputes for property, or offences
to that amount, may be eompromtfed 6y the proatteens whofe depen*
dants are concerned.

*• Neither affertion^ nor oath of the profecutori are fufficieht for con-

- I

vi&ion, without token {eheeno) of the robbery, viz. fome article re-
covered of the goods ftolen ; or evidence fufficient.

." If any perfon, having permiffion to pafs the night in the houfe of an-
; otber, H^fiU kavc it before day^break, without givkig notice to the

. ■

family, he IhaU be held accountable for any thing that may be that
night miffing*

^ If a perfon paffiog the night in the houfe of another, does not con^
tnit hb effeAs to the charge of tiic owner of it, the latter is not ac-
countable, if th^y are fiolen during dre ht^t. If he has given them
in charge, and the (tranger's effects, only, are Ipft during the night,
the owner of the houfe becomes ac^countable. If effefts both of the

owner

g U M A T R A, 187

* QVifntr and lodger are ftplen^ each is to make oath to the other that ho

is not coocerned in the robbery » and the parties put up with their lofs^

. or retrieve it as they can. - . ,

^^ Oaths are ufually made on the koraan, or at the grave of aa asccftor,
' as the Mahometan religion prevails more or lefs. The party intended

to be fatisfied by the oath^ generally prefcribes the mode and purport

^r ir*

t I ^

1 # » • /

Dollar!,

^ The hang€6n or c<:«npet^i<»i fQrthe murder: of a'^Mi&nr4^is:^oO Bangoonor

Ditto — — — of an inferior proatteen g^o for murder.

DlttQ r-. ~ ' :ofacoffini9nperfop-rniw>:ftrbo3f 1180

Ditto — rr , f iWtt^ — ./wo!ma»of;girli dso

-/:.;. P**P>: of fb« ^eg^i^fit? f ^n^ren or wif€ pf ? f<i#!«r«A ,f 5W

Exciufive of the abovey a fine of fifty dollars and a buffaloy i%'tip*
pang k'ocmei (expiation) ^ i^ to be paid 6n the murder of a fmi^fi^l
of twenty dollars and a buffalo^ on the murder of any othci^*; "(dUch
goestotb^.p^pabaiRiVasdpyoatteens^

'f Jh^baogoon of sp m^wM ffty ^pl^rs, yrithqut fi^flg-^ffef. ; .

^^ No bangooa it to>be p^id £ora peribu killed in the conjmiffion jof a

robbery* ' '

** Th^ baiigiiDon of pamba^r^bs and ^pn^toeonsis <tb be divided bstwetfA

the pangeran andpiTObpabp^ ©BCj^lJ^j.^g^ ijhpj f4m% <>g tJie.de^

.„9e^ed; tbeptherbajf., ,,r,.,; . • : :.. ,. .

<« The bangoonof private perfi?»a Js.fpfee.p/ddto tbej|r.fi»^ies j,de-
du&ing the addat oolajfan of ten per cent, to the pambarabs and pro-
attcens. . ,., ,.

^' If a man kills his ilave, he pays half his pricet as bangoon, to the pan*

• ;gerahi ^nd the Hf^pong iodme to the pnikttfeens.' - ' ' i ; . : . / ^ . ■ 'J • * » ' *

'«'If a man kills his mft hy jodjodr, lie'pays Ker'baftgbon 'folier* fa-
. i^lly^ or to the proatteensi according as the talkc kco/00 fubfifl's or not.

Bba "If

i88 S U M A T R Ai

^^ If a man kills or wounds his wife hj femundo^ he pays the fame as for
a ftraiiget.

'* If a man wounds his wife hy jooj oar j flightly,he pays one tial or two
dollars.

** If a man wounds his wife by joojoor^ with a weapon, ^and an apparent
intention of killing her^ he pays a fine of twenty dollars.

^' If the taUie kooho (tie of reiationfliip) is broken^ the wtfe^s family can
no longer claim bangoon or fine : they revert to the proatteens.

'^ If a pambarab wounds bis wife by joc^r^ he pays five dollars and a

. goat. . . _

^^^If a pambaraVs daughter^ married by joqjoor^ is wounded by her
hufbandi he pays five dollars and a goat. '

^^ For a wound occafiohing the lofs of an eye or limb^ or imminent dan-
ger of death, half the bangoon is to be paid.

^^ For a wound on the head^ the pamfey^ oi compenfttion is twenty
dollars*

<^ For other wounds^ the pampay from twenty dollars upwards.

'Mf a perfon is carried ofi^ and fold beyond thehills^ tb^ ofiender» if
convidcdy muft pay the bangoon« If the perfon hai been recovered
previous to the trial» the offender pays half the bangocm. .

^^ If a man kills his brother, he pays to the proatteena the tippo^ iameii

^ If a wife kills her huiband, (he muft fufier death.

** If a wife by fetnufido wounds her hufband; her relations muft pay
^at they would receivci if he wounded her.

DbbtsaiidCridxts.

Dcta* ^ On the death of a perfon in debt (unlefs he die an outlaw^ or married

by mihl sua) hb ncareft relation becofnes accountable to the ere*
diton*

«0f

SUMATRA. X89

^ Of a perfoo married b]r amkel ana, the family he triarried into^ is an*
fwerable for debts con traded during the marriage : fuch as. were pre*
vious to It^ his relations muft pay*

^^ A father or head of a family has hitherto beeii in all cafes liable to
the debts of his fons, or younger relations under his care ; but to
prevent as much as poffibie his fuffering by their extravagance, it is

. nftW ifefolircid,

• • • r • • •

*♦ That if a young, unmarried man (hoojong) borrows money, ot piir-
., ipHafe^.gj^pds -without the concurrence ^pf his. father, or of the h^dof
his fajEQ^lyy the parent ihall not be anfwerable for th^^debt- Should
the fon ufe his father's name in borrowing, it ihall be at the lender's
liik, if the father difavows it..

*^ if any.perfbn gives credit to the debtor of another (publicly kipown

"as i\x^ imengemng or' ta-hla) the latter creditor can- .neither diillurb

the debtor for the ium, nor oblige the former to pay it. He muft

pjif the firft debt, (mn^oUftte^^ cpnfolidate; or let his clai^ lie

, )i#T«^t.tUI the debtor finds m^anf tor difchai^eitw

^ Intereft of money has hitherto^ been three/^WMi per dollar perenonth,
- or one hundred and fifty per cent, per annum. It is now reduced to
ont fanam^ or fifty per cent, per annum, and no perfoo is to receive
r more, under penalty of fine accordmg to the circumftances of the .cafe.

^ Nq mfi(i[e,than double the principal tan in any cafe be recovered at
^ law. A perfpD leading niqiiey at intereft^ and letting it lie over be*
yond two years, lofes' the furplus.

f' No pepper planter to be taken n^arifig^ under penalty of forty
dollars.

^ A planter in debt may engage in any work for hire that does not inter-

fere with the care of his garden, but muft on no account mef^eering,
even though his creditor oficrs to become anfwerable for the care of
his garden.

^ If a debtor mngeemg abfconda from his mafter without leave of ab-
ience^ he is liable to. aO' increafe of debt,, at the rate of three fanams

• per

190. S .U M A T JRA..

* * . >>

per day. Females have been hitherto diargcd fit ^ifiiiSiSi Vllt^aie nwh

put upon a footing the fame as the men.

) '•- .^

■^:^ ' • '

^* If a debtor mengeeriftg, without fecurity, runs away, his debt is liable
to be doubled, if he is abfent above a week. * * " ' - '^ -

M If a Dsaa cakes a perfon moQMifgf without fi^utity for t^ debt,
Ihould the debtor die in that predicament, the creditor loftiS: hit M^*
ney, having, no claim on the relations for it^ . ♦, rn^

•' If a perfon tafc^s up money/ tinder proinife of meffgeering iit ;^<!e#tiin

pericpd, ihould he not perform his agreement, he muft pay intereft for

• * •

the money, at one fanam per dollar per month.

'* If a perfon, fecurity for^ another, is obliged to pay the d^ebt^ he is f n«
titled to demand double from the debtor :, but this claim to' \tic (node«
rated according to circumuances.

^ ^If a perfon ^esfor a debt which is denied^ the miis frohnfi lies with

the plaintiff. If he fails in procf^the defendant, on mUklng datfrto

/tiiciui^efiLdfhisieiuri, fliaU:bcac^itaed» ,. :_ ] >*

" c!

^ U SL debtor .taking care of a pepper 'garden, "or one that gives fialf
produce to his creditor (bd^-hld)^ neglidts it, the perfon in whofe debt
he is, muft hire a man to do xhk neceuary work } ' and the hire fo piud
fliall be added to the dLeU, " fri^vioiisf Atici fliall h6t*feverlfc given to

- . . ' ' * ♦ ' ' . • .

the debtor, that he-hiay, if he f^leaib, avoid' the paymeht of the hire, 'by
doing the work himfelf. . • ; il -rJ ^ : , r ; . .

V^^ 44^*1..* ^^ ti Vj^i ,^'' ' ''

*' If a perfon's flave, or debtor mengnringy be carried off, and fold* beyond
the hills^ tl^e offi^nde^ is. lifible to th^ bangoon, if ^.debtor, or to his
price, if^a Have. Should the perfon be recovered, the oSflfendcr ij liable
to a fine of forty dollars, of wbicH the'pertbn that.fiCCQvers him''has
half, and the owner, or creditor, the remaiiideri If the o.ffendej:,bc
not fecured, the reward Ihall be only five dollars to the perfon that
brihgrfthe flaVe, and three dollars, the debtor, if on this fide the hills;

'' ifT^*'fcey66dthe hills,' the ' ' ' '' ••' •" • -'

** Marriagb

S U M A T R A* 191

Marriage.

^* The nwJeS'Of marrisige prevailing hitherto, have been pxixicipallY by Laws reg;an!.
joojoor^ or ambel ana 5 the Malay fsmundo beiiig little ufcd^ The ob» ^^^ Carnage,
vious ill confequences of the two former, from the debt^ or fl^vefy
^hey cntkiled .upon the man that married, and the endlefs lawfuits
/that they g^ve* rife to, have at length induced the chiefs to concur

* ill their l>eing, as far as poffibk, laid afide; adopting in lieu of them,
ih^ fmuf^o fnatayo, ot wandeeco; which they now ft'rongly recom-
mend to their dependants, as free from th« incumbrances of the otter

^ modes, ind tending, by facilitating marriage, and 'the confequent in-
tte&ft of population, to promote the welfare of thchr Country • Un-

'' 'ivilling howevef to '^bolilh arbitrarily a favorite cUftom oJF their an-
ceftors, marriage ty ^'^«j;^w^ is ftill permitted to take' ^lace, but under

« fodh^'reftrtdioAS ^as wUl^ it hi$ hoped, efiedosdfy ^counceraft ks' hidierta
pefnkioui confequences. Marriage by omM ana^ which rendered a
Hittniiftdhis dtefeeiidaiits the property of' the family 'be married into,
ii no'# prbhibktfd, ahd n6he pkntiktodi fer'^efae future, bift hjfmandoi

" tory^'iw* fubjeift to the following fegtalaticinti' .^''

"*' The joojoor of a virgin fgadJess) has been hitherto one hundred and
twenty dollars : the addat annexed to it, toolis iangeet^ fifteen dollars^^
copa daoun codi^ -fix 'dollars, alid tfofib^ dvdb, five dbllarf :: * ^

'^^ 't\AJ96J9W of a widotw, xigUty dollars, witltottt the addat; vniefs htr
childpeft 4)y the; farmer xnvoiig^ went livith her, ia wiuch cafe the
' J90JM' gdddfHi was paid in fulk

^* It is now determined that on a man's giving his daughter In mar*
riage, Tjy jdojcvr^ for the future, dierelhall, in lieu of the above, be
iBxed afum not exceeding one hundred and fifty ddlars, to be in
full for joojeor and all addat whatever* That this fum fliall, when
the marriage takes place, be paid upon the fpot ; that if credit is

• given for the whole or any part, itihallnpt be recoverable by courfe
of. law; and as the fum includes the tallee koolo, or botid of relation-

• ' ihip, the wife thereby becomes the abfolute property of the hufband*
The marriage by joojccr being thus rendered equivalent to adual

lale

I9» SUMATRA:

Ikle, and the difficulty enhanced by the neceffity of paying the full
price upon the fpot^ it is probable that the cuftom will in a great
meafure ceafe^ and though not pofitively^ be virtually abolilhed. Nor
can a lawfuit follow fix)m any f\xtXLTc jscjoor*

^^ The iu/iiat^ or cuftotn> of tlic fnminJd malofo or muredieko, to be paid
by the hufband to the wife's family upon the marriage taking place,
is fixed At twenty dollars and a bufialoci forfuch as can afford it;
and at ten dollars and a goat^ for the poorer clafs of people.

^* Whatever may be acquired by either party during the fubfiftence of
the marriage, becomes joint property, and they are jointly liable Xm
debts incurred, if by mutual confent. Should either contraft debts
without the knowledge and confent of the other, the party that con-
trads, muft alone bear them, in cafe of a divorce.

** If either party infifts upon, or both agree in it, a divorce muft follow.
No other power can feparate theou The effeAs, debts, and credits
in all cafes to be equally divided. If the man infifts upon the di-
vorce, he pays a cbarro of twenty dollars to the wife's family, if he
obtained her a virgin; if a widow, ten dollars. If the woman infifts
on the divorce^ no $b4irr0 is to be paid. If both agree in it, the man
pays half the charro.

^Mf a man married by yWmMri^ dies-^Vide '< Inheritance.**

^ If a man carries off a woman with her confent, and b willing either
to pay her price at once hjjoyocr^ or marry her hj/emMmU^ as the fa«
ther or relations pleafe^ they cannot reclaim the woman, and the mar-
riage takes place.

'^ If a man carries off a girl under age, (which is determined by her not
having her ears bored, and teeth Bcd^hcUcm btund^^ htdabcng)
though with her own confent, he pays, exclufive of the adiat jo^ow^
wfmundo^ twenty dollars, if ftie be the daughter of a pamhrai ; and
ten dollars for the daughter of any other, whether the marriage takes
place or not.

SUMATRA. 1^3 .

^ If a nejbw^ or perfon without property and charadcr, carries off a

woman (though with her own confent) and can neither pay the joajo^r,

not addat^femtmdOf. the TAzinsLge ihall not take placed but thd' mafi* be

fined five dollars and a goat for nxifdemeanor. If ike be Under age,

. his fine ten dollars and a goat. » ,, ■

'^ If a man has ^ut one daughter^ whom to kbep h<if near himy h^ Wfdies

* to ghre in marringe- by fenmndo^^ iho^ld a mad carry her off/ ht ihaH
not be allowed to keep her by ^^^^r, though he 6ffer fSie money upon
the fpot. If he refufcs to marry her by femundo, no marriage takes
place^ and he incurs a fide to the father of ten dollars and a goat. '

^' If a man carries off a woman under prete&ce of marriage^ fie muft'
lodge her immediately with fodie reputable funily« If he carries har
elfewhere^ for a fingle nighty he incurs a fine of fifty dollars^ payable
to her parents or relations. \

'^ If a man carries off a Virgin againft her inclination (me^oUe) he in»
' curs a fine of twenty doUsirs and a buffalo : if a widow^ ten dollars '
' and a goat, and the marriage does not take place* If He commits !a
rape, and the parents do not chufe to give her to him in marriage^ he

* incurs a fine of twenty dollars.

^* The addat feel^a^e, or cufiom of giving one woman in exchange for
another takeh in marriage, being a modification of the Jcdjoar^ is Hill ad«
mitted of ; but if the one be not deemed ah equivalent for the other^

' thcr neceffary cbmpenfation (as tht pangaldppang^ for nonage) mull be
paid upon the fpot, or it is not recoverable by courfe of law. If a

> virgin is carried off (te4arr€i gaddeis ) aik<) another is given in exchange '
for her, by addi^ Jieiaye, twelve dollars muft be paid with' the latter^
as addai ka-^fala. ^%

*' A man married by ambel ana, toky, redeem himfelf and f amily» . cn
payment of thtjoajcpr and ad^f of a yirgin befor^mentioned*

^^ The €barr0 of tJ9$focr marriage is twenty five dollars* If t}x^j§ef0$r
brnot yet paid in fuU^ and. the man infifts on 9 divaroci he retofei^iea

Cc back

«94

SUMATRA.

back what he has paid, l^s rwcnty fived^lam If the Wcrniao ib^^
fiftss no ebarro can be claimed by her relations. If the taUee hokp it
pdO^s (broken) the wife is the huiband'ft property^ and he tuny f<dl
her if he pleafes*

^' If a man compels a female debtor of hift to cohabit with him» her
debt, if the fad be proved^ is thereby difeharged^ if forty dollars alid
upwards ; if under forty^ the debt is cleared, and he ptys the differences^
If ihe accufes her mafter^ falfely. of this offietice) her debt is doubled.
If he cohabits with her by her oonfent, her parents may compel him
to nuirry her, eiitiet hy jo0jo^f or fmUMd^^ as they pleafe.

^^ If an unmarried woman proves with; child,^ (he man againU whom the
fad is proved, mufi mapT her ; and they pay to the proatteens a joint
fine of twenty dollan and a buffalo. This fine, if the parties agree
to it, may be levied in the country by the neighbouring proatteens
(without bringing it before the regular court.)

'^.If a n^roman proves with child by a relation w:ithin th^ prohibited de-
grees, they pay to the proatteens a joint fine of twice fifty dollars, and
two buffaloes; (boocum duo aM€99f).

*^ A marriage mud not take place betweeo reladbnp, winhin the third ,de-
. gree, or toongal najnaj. But there are exceptions^ for the defcendanu.
^ of females, who paffing into other families become as (Grangers* Of

two brothers, the children may not intermarry. A filter's fon may
. marry a ]»rother*s daughter ; but a brothei^s ion may not marry a fi£terlB

daughter.

^ If relations within the prohibited degrees mtermarry, they incur a fine
, of twice fifty dollars and two bufiaios, and the ouuriage isnot valid.

^ On the death of a man married bf joyim or purchafe, any of hk
brothel), the eldeft in prefereoee, if he pleaies, may fucceed to kis
bed. If no brother cbufei it, they may give the woman in marrii^
CO any rdKiononthe faiiier's fid^ without aiiM% the perfon wb^-
nantca Jier rppUicing the 4ecealed (igM^4MK9p> If no relation takes

ber

SUMATRA! 195

her, and flie is given in nfxarriage to a ftranger, he may be either adopted
into the family, to replace the deceafed, without addaty or he may
pay hcxjoojooTf or take her by fentundoy as her relations pleaffe.

•' If a perfon lies with a man's wife, by force, he is deferving of death,
but may redeem his head by payment of the hangoouy eighty dollars, to
be divided between the hulbai^d and proatteens.

f^ If a man furprizes his wife in the aQ: of adultery, he may put both
man and woman to death upon the fpot, without being liable to any
bangoon. If he kills the man and fpares his wife, he muft redeem
her life, Ijy payment of fifty dollars to the proatteens. If the hufband
Ipares th^ offender, or has only information of the fad from other
perfons, he may not afterwards kill him, but has his remedy at law^
the^ne for adultery being fifty dollars, to be divided between the
hufband and the proatteens. If he divorces his wife on this account,
he pays no fbarro,

^' If a younger fifier be firft married, the hufband pays fix dollars, ad^
dat pilaBoo^ for paffing over the elder.

^* Gaming.

^ AU gaming, except cock-fighting at ftated periods, is abfohitely pro- Lawitfpcainii
hibited. The fine for each oflcnce is ' fifty dollars. The perfon in &*^H*
whofe houfe it is carried on^ if With his knowledge, is equally liable
to the fine, with the gamefi:ers. A proatteen knowing of gaming in
bis doofoon, and concealbg it, incurs a fine of twenty dollars. One
half of the fines go to the inlcMrmer ; the other to the Company, to be
difiributed among the induftrious planters, at the yearly payment of
the cuftoms.

'^ Opium Farm.

^* The fine for retailing of opium by any other than the farmer, is fifty
dollars for each offence : one half to the farmer, and the other to the
informer.

C c » *« The

196 SUMATRA.

EzeeadTe '* The executiv« powcr for enforcing- obedience to thefe laws and cuf-
^^*'*'* tome, . and for prefcrving the peace of the country, is, with th^ con-

currence of the pangeran and proatteensy veiled in the. Company's Re-
fident.

^* Done at Layc, in the month Rabioel-Achir, in the year
of Hegira 11 93, anfwering to April 1779. •

JOHN MARSDEN, Rcfident.**

1 '

« «

Remarks

. /

•f

-: ; '

i i. . J ; ';

. / 1 i»

SUMATRA. 197

IUmarh4n^ and elucidation of the various laws and cuftoms — Modes of
Pleaathz-^Nature ^of Evidence^^^aths-^lnheritance — Outlaw^'
rjt—TAeft— Murder, and compenfation for it — Account of a '
Feud'-^Debts-^Siavery.

X HE foregoiog fyftcm of the addat, or cuftoms of the country, being Remarkt oa

^, ^ ^ *• /• * /• «t • . , '^* foregoing

aigefted for the ufe of the natives, or of perfons well acquainted with lawt*
their manners in general, and being defigned, not for an illuftration of
the cuftoms, but fimply as a ftandard of right, the feweft and con-
cifeft terms poffible have been made ufe of, and many parts muft ne*
cefTarily be obfcure to the bulk of readers. I ibaU therefore revert to
thofe particulars that may require explanation, and endeavor to throw a
light upon the fpirit and operation of fuch of their laws efpecially, as
feen^ moft to claih with our ideas of diftributive juftice. This comment
is the more requifite, as it appears that fome of their regulations, which
were judged to be inconfiftent with the profperity of the people, were
altered and amended, through the more enlightened reafon of the gentle*^
man who afled as the repreientative of the Engliih company. I muft
endeavor to recall the idea of the original inftitutions..

The plaintiff and defendant ufually plead their own caufe, but if Modeoiplead*
circumftances render them unequal to it, they are allowed to ptnjam "^^*
mooloot (borrow a mouth )« Their advocate may be a proatteen, or
any other perfon indifferently ; nor is there any ftated compenfation for
the alfiftance, though, if the caufe be gained, a gratuity is generally
given, and too apt to be rapacioully exadted by the proatteens from
their clients, when their, condufi: is not attentively watched. The pro-
atteen alio who is fecunty for the daniages, receives privately fome con*^
' fideration ; but none is openly allowed of.

Evidence is ufed among thefe people* in a mannef very different from ' . -^
iSbt forms of our courts of juftice. They never admit it on both fides of

• the

198 S y M A T R A.'

the queftion ; nor does the witnefs firft make a general oath to fpeak the
truth, and nothing but the truth. When a h& is to be fii^bliibc^^
either on the part of the plaintiff, or of the defendant, he k i&ed if he
can produce any evidence to the truth of what he aflerts. On anfwering
in the afErmative, he is dire(fted to mention the perfon« This witnefs
muft not be a relation, a party concerned, nor even belong to the
fame doofoon. He muft be a refponfible man, haying a family and t
determinate place of refidence. Thus qualified, his evidence may be a<l*
mitted« The fadt to be proved is mentioned to him before he is fworn.
If he confirms the aflertion, it remains for him^and the party concerned^
to make oath to the truth of it ; and thus the fadt is eftabliihed. They
have a fettled rule in refped to the party that is to produce evidence.
For inftance ; A. fues B» for a debt : B. denies the debt : A. is now to
bring evidence to the debt, or on failxire thereof, it remains with B. to
clear himfelf of the debt, by fwearing himielf not indebted. Had B*
acknowledged that fuch a debt had formerly fubfifted, but was flnc6
paid, it would be incumbent on B. to prove the payment by evidence'
or on failure it would reft with A. to confirm the debt's being ftill due, hy
his oath« This is an invariable mode, obferved in all cafes of property*

Ottilia As their manner of giving evidence difiers from ours, fo alio does die

nature of an oath among them differ from our idea of it. In many cafes
it is requifite that they ihould fwear to what it is not poffible in the na^
ture of things, they fliould know to be true. A. fues B. for a debt due
from the father or grandfath^ of B. to the father or grandfather of A»
The original parties are dead, and no witnefs of the tranfadtion fiir-
vives. How is the matter to be decided ? It remains with B, to make
oath, that his father or grandfather never was indebted to thofe of A* ; or
that if he was indebted, the debt had been paid. This, among us, would
be efteemed a very ftrange method of deciding caufes ; but among thefe
people, fometfiing of the kind is abfolutely neceffary. As they have
DO fort of written accounts, nor any thing like records or regifters
among them^ it would be utterly impoifibie for the plaintiff to efiabliih.
the debt^ by a pofitive proof, in a multitude of cafes ; and was the fuit

SUMATRA.

195^

M i^ difcnifled at once, as with us, for want of fuch proof, numbera
of innocent perfons would lofe the debts really due to them, through
the knavery of the perfons indebted, who would fcarce ever fail to deny
« debt. On the fide of the defendant again } if he was not permitted
to clear himfelf of the debt by 02ith^ but that it refted with the plaintiff
only, to eftabliih the fadt by his fingle oath, there would be a fet of un*
principled fellows daily fwearing debts againft perfons who never were
indebted to any of their generation. In fiich fuits, and there are many
6f themi it requires no fmall diicernment to difcover, by the attendant
circumftances, where the truth lies 1 but this may be done, in mod in«
ftances, by a perfon who is ufed to their manners, and has a perfonal
knowledge of the parties concerned. But what they mean by their
/dath, in thofe cafes, where it is impoffible they Ihould be acquainted
with the fads they defign to prove, i$ no more than this ; that they are
fo convinced of the truth of the matter, as to be willing to fubjeft them*
felves to the pajocfiompab (deftrudive confequences of perjury) if what
they afiert is believed by them to be falfe. The form of words ufed is
nearly as follows. " If what I now declare, namely** (here the fa£l is
recited) ^^ is truly and really fo, may I be freed and clear from my oath :
if what I aflert is wittingly falfe, may my oath be the caufe of my de«^
ftrufbion,** But it may be eafily fuppofed, that where the punifhment
for a falfe oath refts altogether with the invifible powers, where no di*
red infamy, no ccMrporal puniihment is annexed to the perjury, there
cannot be wanting nuiny, who would maccan foompah (fwallow on oath)^
and willingly incur the pajcc, in order to acquire a little of their neigh«
hour's calh.

Although an oath, as being an appeal to the fuperior powers, is iiippo*
led to come within their cognizance alone, and that it is contrary to the
Ipirit of the cuftoms of thefe people, to puniih by human means, a per-
jury, even if it were clearly deteded ; yet fo far prevalent la the opinioD
of their interpofition in human affairs, that it is very ieldom toy man of
fubfiafiCCi .or who has a family that he fears may fufier by it^ will venture

200 SUMATRA.

to forfwear himfelf: nor are there wanting apparent examples to <on*
firm them in this notion. Any accident that happens to a mao^ who has
been known to take a falfe oath^ or to his children or grand children^
is carefully recorded in memory^ and attributed to this ible. caufe*
Dupaity Gooncng Ceylong and his family^ have afforded an inftaftce that is
often quoted among the Rejangs^ and has evidently had great weighty
It was notorious^ that > he had abput the year 177Q9 taken in the moft
folenm manner, a falfe oath* He had at that time five fopsgrpwnup
to manhood. One of them, foon after, in a fcufiie with fome h^uejfes,
(country foldiers) was wounded, and died. The Dupatty, the next year,
lofi: his life in the ififue of a difturbance he had raifed in the diftrift Two
of the fons died afterwards, within a week of each other. Mas Cadd^i
the fourth, is blind ; and freman^ the fifth, lame. All this is attributec^
to, and firmly believed to be the confequence of the father's perjury*

•

Collateral In adminifiering an oath, if the matter litigated refpeds the property of

the grandfather, all the collateral branches of the family defcended from
blip, are underftood to be included in its operation : if the father's ef-
fects only are concerned, or the tranfadion happened in his life time, his
defcendants are included : if the affair regards only the prefent parties,
and originated with them, they and their immediate defcendants only,
are comprehended in the confequences of the oath. Thefe oaths they
accordingly call foompab feping addo najnay^ oxfeping addo bapa \ and if.
any fingle one of thefe defcendants refufes to join in the oath, it vitiates
the whole ; that is, it has the fame efieA, as if the party himfelf refufed
to fwear ; a cafe that not unfrequently occurs, tt may be obferved that
the fpjxit of this cuffom tends to the requiring a weight of evidence, and
an ingreafe of the importance of the oath, in proportion as the diftaoce
of time renders the fa& to be eftabiiihed lefs capable of proof in the.
ordinary way.

Sometimes the difficulty of the cafe alone, will induce the court to
hifift on adminiflering the oath to the relations of the parties, although
they are nowife concerned in the tranfadion. I recoUedk an initance

wbere

SUMATRA.

20 1

ivhere three people were profecuted for a theft. There was no pofitive
proof againft them^ yet the circumftances were fo ftrong, that it appeared
proper to put them to the teft of one of thefe collateral oaths. They
were all willing, and two of them fwore. When it came to the turn of
the third, he could not perfuade his relations to join with him, and he
was accordingly brought in for the whole amount of the goods flolen^
and penalties annexed.

Thefe cuftoms bear a ftrong refemblance to the rules of proof cfta-
bliihed among our anceflors the Anglo Saxons, who were likewife obli*
ged^ in the cafe of oaths taken for the purpofe of exculpation, to pro*
duce a certain number of compurgators ; but as thefe might be any
indifferent perfbns, who would take upon them to bear teftimony to the
truth of what their neighbour fwore, from an opinion of his veracity,
there feems to be more refinement, and more knowledge of human na-
ture in the Sumatran practice. The idea of devoting to deftrudtion, by
a wilful perjury, not himfelf only, but all, even the remoteft branches
of a family which conftitutes his greateft pride, and of which the
deceafed heads are regarded with the veneration that was paid to the t/ii
lares of the antients, has doubtlefs retrained many a man from taking
a falfe oath, who, without much compunftion, would fufFcr thirty or an
hundred compurgators of the former defcription, to take their chancy
of that fate. Their ftrongeft prejudices are here converted to the m.ofl;
beneficial purpofes.

The place of greateft folemnity for adminiftering an oath, is the Cciemony of

irammdt or burying ground of their anceftors, and feveral fuperftitious »*^»«ano*t*»-

ceremonies are obferved on the occafion. The people near the fea coaft

in general, by long ihtercourfe with the Malays, have an idea of the Koraan

(Al-coran), and ufually employ this in fwearing, which the priefts do not

fail to make them pay for j bm the inland people keep, laid up in their

houfes, certain old reliques, called in Rejang, pefakko^ and in Pafium-

mah, faffesHf which they produce when An bath is to be taken. The

perfon w'no has loft his caufe, and with whopi it coqimonly lies to bind

Dd • '• • J

foa SUMATRA.

hB adrerfary by an oath, often defires two or three days time, to get
ready his fwearing apparatus (feompatan). Some of thefe are looked
upon as more facred, and of greater efficacy than others. They confift
of an old rufty creefty a broken gun barrel, or any ancient trumpery, to
which chance or caprice has annexed an idea of extraordinary virtue.
Thefe they generally dip in water, which the perfon who fwears, drinks
off, after having pronounced the form of words before mentioned.*
Th^pangeran of Soogey4amo has by him certain copper bullets, which
had been fteepcd in water, drunk by the Sopngey-cfam chiefs, when they
bound themfelves never to moled his diftrifts : which they have only
done fincc, as often as they could venture it with fafety, from the re*
laxatioQ of our government. But thefe were political oaths. The moft
ox^iTLZxy fwffpatan is a creefey and on the blade of this, they fometimes
drop lime juice, which occasions a (lain on the lips of the perfon perform-
ing the ceremony ; a circumftanee that may not improbably be fuppofed
to make an impreflion on a weak and guilty mind« Such would fancy
that the external ftain conve5''ed to the beholdersi, an image of the inter-
Dal. At Manna the fiompatan moft refpeded b a gun barrel. When
produced to befwornon, it is carried totbefpot in ftate, under an un>-
brella, and wrapt in filk. This parade has an advantageous cffc6t^ by
influencing the mind of the party, with an high idea of the importance
and folemnity of the bufinefs. In England, the familiarity of the ob«
jed, and the fummary method of adminiftering oaths, are well known
to diminiih from their weight, and to render them too often nugatory*
They fometimes fwear by the earth, laying their hands upon it, and
wifliing that it may never produce aught for their nourifhment, if they
fpeak falfely. In all thefe ceremonies, they burn on the ipot a little gum
benjamin; *' £/ aarra f bur is plena, po/iiufjue carhain afpHevivoy

It is a ftriking circumftanee, that practices which boaft fo little of
teafon in their foundation ; which are in fad fb whimiical and childiib.

• The form o£ uling sq oatb tpuw ^^ ptopl* of hMi^afcwtt y^ oearlj nftnUet tbi
feremoniet ufeAby tbe SvoHitnins. Thexe is a ftroog (imilarity in thq arti<dt$ thcrj Twfir on, and
in the circuffiiancc of their diinking the coniccrated water.

0iou2d

« tJ ^ A t R A.

203

Ihould yet be common to nations, the moft remote in fituation^ climate, '
language, complexion, charadler, and every thing that can diftinguifli one
face of people firocn another. Formed of like materials, and furniflied
with like original Sentiments, the uncivilized tribes of Europe and of
India, trehibled from the fame apprehensions, excited by iimilar ideas,
at a time when th^y were ignorant, or even denied the poffibility of each
others exiftence. Mutual wrong, ind anirtiofity, attended with difputes
and acculatiOTS, are not by nature confined id either defcription of
pe6ple« Each, in doubtful litigations, might feek to prove their inno<
cence, by braving, on the jultice of their caufe, thofe objeAs which in-
fpired amongft their countrymen, th^ greateft terror. The Sumatran,
imprefled with an idea of invifible powers, but not of his o^n immor-
tality, regafda wkh awe the fuppofed inffrumentt of their agency, and
fwears on cr^efeSi bullets and gun barrds ; weapons of perfonal deftfuc-
tioti. The (Jerman Chriftian of the feventh century, more indifferent
to the perils of this life, but not lefs fuperftitious, fwore on bits of rot*
tetlwood, and rufty nails, which he was taught to revere, as pofleffirig
e^cacy to (icutt him from eternal perdition.

When a man dies, his effefts, in common courie, defcend to. his male lahcritantc.
children in equal Ihares ; but if one among them is remarkable for his
abilities above the reft, though not the eldeft, he ulually obtains the
largefl: propdftion, and becomes the head of the t0ongooan or houfe ; the
others voluntatily yi^ldin^ him the fuperibrity* A fangeran of Manna
left feveral children : n6ne of them fucceeded to the title, but a name
of diftindtion was given to 6ne of the younger, who was looked upon at
chief of the: family, after the father^s deceafe. Upon aiking the eldeft,
how it happened thsit the &am6 of diftihi^tion pafted over him, and was.
-conferred on his younger brother, he anfwered with great naivete, ^^ be-
caufe I am accounted Weak and iSily.'* If no male children are left, and
St daughter only remains, they connriv^ to get her married by the mode
of ambelana^ and thus the toongoodn of the father continues. An equal
diftribution of property among children is more jnatural, and conform-
able to juftice, than vefting the whole in thfiiieldeil.fon, as prevails

D d a throughout;

204 SUMATRA.

throughout mod part of Europe j but where wealth confifls in laoded
eftate, the latter mode, befide favoring the pride of family, is attended
with feweft inconveniences. The property of the Sumatrans being perfonal
merely, this reafon does not operate with them. Land is fa abundant in
proportion to the population, that they fcarcely consider it as the fubjedt
of right, any more than the elements of air and water ; excepting fo far
as in fpeculation the prince lays claim to the whole. The ground, how«
ever, on which a man plants or builds, with the confent of his neigh^
bours, becomes a fpecies of nominal property, and is tran<^ferable ; but
as it cods him nothing, befide his labor, it is only the produce which
is efieemed of value^ and the compenfation he receives is for this alone.
A temporary ufufruft is accordingly all that they attend to, and the
price, in cafe of fale^ is generally afcertained by the coconut, doorean,
and other fruit trees, that have been planted on it ; the buildings being
for the mod part but little durable. Whilft any of thofe fubfift^ the
defcendants of the planter may claim the ground, though it has been for
years abandoned. If they are cut down he may recover damages, but if
they have difappeared in the courfe of nature^ the land reverts to the
public. ^

They have a cuftom of keeping by them a fum of money, as a re-
fource againft extremity of diftrefs, and which common exigencies do
DOt call forth. This is a refined antidote againft defpair, becaufe, whilft
it remains poffible to avoid encroaching on that treafure> tbeir afiaiis
are not at the worft, and the idea of the little hoard ferves to buoy up
tbeir fpirits, and encourage them to ftruggle with wretchednefs. It
ufually therefore continues inviolate, and defcends to the heic, or is loft
to him by the fudden exit of the parent. From their apprehenfion of
dilhonefty, and infecurity of their houfes^ their money is for the moft
part concealed in the ground, the cavity of an old beam, or other fecret
place ; and a man, on his death bed, has commonly fome uuportant dif-
covery of this nature to makQ to his aflembled relations.

Tie

SUMATRA. to$

iThe praftice of outlawing (^leppay je foora^) an individual of a family Outlawry.
by the head of it^ has its foundation in the cuftom which obliges all the
branches to be refponfible for the debts contracted by any one of the kin-
cbred. When an extravagant and unprincipled fpendthrift is running a
career that appears likely to involve his family in ruinous confequences^
ihey have the right of diflblving the connexion, and clearing themfelves
of further refponfibilityj by this public ad, which, as the writ exprefles
it, fends fonh the out caft, as a deer into the woods, no longer to be
confidered as enjoying the privileges of fociety. This charafter is what
they term reefiw, though it is fometimes applied to perfons not abfolutely
•outlawed, but of debauched and irregular manners.

In the Saxon law we find a flrong reiemblance to this cuftonof ; the
kindred of a murderer being exempt from the feud» if they abandoned
him to bis fate. They bound themfelves in this cafe neither ta con*
verfe with him, or to fiirniih him with meat or other necefiaries. This
is precifely the Sumatran outlawry, in which it is always particularly
Ipecified (befide what relates to commcm debts) that if the outlaw kills
a perfon, the relations fliall not pay the compenfation^ nor claim it if he is
killed. But the writ muft have been iflued before the event,, and they
cannot free themfelves by a fubfequent proceis, as it would feem the Saxoni
might. If an outlaw commits murder, the friends of the deceafed may
take perfonal revenge on him, and are not ^liable to be called to an a^«
count for it ; but if fiich be killed, otherwife than in fatisfadKon for
murder, although his family have no claim, the prince of the countiy
is entitled to a certain compenfation, all outlaws being nominally his pro-
perty, like other wild anitpals..

In cafes of theft, the (wearing a robbery againft a perfon fbfpeded is of ^f^h^V*^
no effedt, and juftly, for were it otherwife, nothing would be more com-
mon than the profecution of innocent perfons. The proper proofs ace
either, feizure of the perfon in the faft, before witnefles, or difcovery of
the goods ftolen, in pofleffion of one who can give no fatisfaAory account
how he came by them. As it frequently happens that a man finds part

onljf

to4 SUMATRA*

only of what he had loft, it remains with him, when the robbery is proved,
to afcertain the whole amountj by oath, which in that point is held
fufficie&t«

Coinpenfation It feems ftraoge to thofe who are accuftomed to the feverity of penal

laws, which in moft inftances infli& punilhment exceeding by many de-
grees the offence, how a fociety can exifl, in which the greateft of all
crimes is, agreeably to eftabiilhed cuftom, expiated by the payment of
a certain fum of money ; a fum not proportioned to the rank and abiltity
of the murderer, nor to the premeditation, or other aggravating circum-
fiances of the fa&, but regulated only by the quality of the perfon muiv
dered. The pra&ice had doubtlefs its fource in the imbecility of go-
vernment, which being unable to enforce the law of retaliation, the itiofl:
obvious rule of punifhment, had recourfe to a milder fcheme of retri-
bution, M being preferable to abibhite 1 indemnity. The ktter it was
competent to carry into execution, becaufe the guilty perfons readily
fubmit to a penalty, which effedually relieves them from the burthen of
anxiety for the confequences of their adtion, Inftances occur rn the
hiftory of all ftates^ particularly thofe which fu0er from mternal weak-
ne6, of iniquities going' unpuniihed, owing to the rigor of the pains de-
nounced agarnft them by the law, which defeats its own purpole. The
original mode of avenging a murder, was probably by the arm of the
perfen nearefi in confangumity, or friendihip, to the deceafed ; but this
was evidently deftruftive of the public tranquillity, becaufe that the wrong
became progreflive, each aft of fetisfaftion, or juftice as it Was called,
being the fource o( a new revenge, till the feud became general in the
community ; and fome method would naturally be fuggefied to put a
ftop to fuch confiifion. The moft direft ftep is to veft in the magiftrate
or the law, the rights of the injured party, and to arm them with, a vin-
diftive power ; which principle, the policy of more civilized focicties
has refined to that of making examples rn terrorem^ with a view of pre-
venting future, not of revenging paft crimes. But this requires a firm-
nefs of authority to which the Sumatran govemcnents are ftrangers.
They are without coercive power, and the fubmiifion of the people, is

little

SUMATRA. 207

little other than voluatary ; ^fpecially of the men of influence, who are
held in fubjet^ion rather by the fenfe of general utility, planted in the
bread of mankind; attachment to their family and connexions; and
veneration for the fpot in which their anceftors were interred, than by the
apfHfeheniioo of any fuperior authority. Thefe confiderations, however,
they would readily fcnrego, renounce their fealty, and quit their country,
if in any eaft they were in danger of paying with life, the forfeit of their
ci;in)^a: to- kflfer punilhments tb<^e tie» induce them to fubmit; and to
iliengthen this hold^ their cuftoms wifely enjoin, that every the remoteft
lKai¥:h 9S the family, fhall be refponfible for the payment of their judg<*
ipeot, and other debts ; wd in cafes of murder, the batfgoon^ or compen«>
fation, may be levied on the inhabitants of the village the culprit be^
longed tOy if it hajppen that neither he^ nor any of hid relations can be
found.

Thp equality of punifliment, which allows to the rich om tbe faculty
of coiDmitting, with fmall inconvenieneQ, crimes that bring utter di^
ftru&ion 00 the poor man, and his faonly, and which 16 in iz& the
gr^oeft inequality, originates certainly from the.interefled defign of thofe
through whofe inflpence the regulation came to be adopted » Its view was.
to eflabliih a fubordination of perfons. In Europe, the abfolute diftindiott
between rich and poor, though too fenfibly felt, is not infifted upon in
fpeculation^ but rather denied or explained away in general reafomiig.
Ampng the Sumatrans^ it is. coolly acknowledged^ and a man without
property, family* or connexians> never, i» the partiality of felf love,,
confiders his own life a$ being of equal value with that of a man of
fubftance, A maxim, though not the pradice, of their law, fays,,
** that he who is able to pay the bangoon for murder,, mull latisfy the.
relations of the deceafed ; he who is unable, muft fuflfer death." But

•

the avarice of the relations prefers felling the body of the delinquent
for what his flavery will fetch them,, to the fatisfadtion of feeing the
murder revenged by the public execution of a culprit of that mean de-
fcriptioB. Capital punilhments are therefore almoft totally out of u&:
among thcmi and it is only par la M dii plus forty that the Europeans

uke

2o8 S U M A T R A.

take the liberty of hanging a notorious criminal^ now and then ; whom^
however^ their own chiefs always condemn^ and formally fentence.

Corporal pu- CorpoTal punifliment of any kind, is rare. The chain, and a fort of

niuuncnu

fiocks, made of the penang tree, are adopted from us; the word
*^ f J}oo*gj^ now commonly ufed to denote the latter, originally fignify-
ing, and being ftill frequently applied to confinement in general. A
kind of cage made ufe of in the country, is probably their own invea-
tion. ^ How do you fecurc a prifoner, (a man was afked) without em-
ploying a chain or our flocks ?** ^* We pen him up, faid he, as we
would a bear/' The cage is made of bamboos laid horizontally, in a
iquare, piled alternately, fecured by timbers at the corners, aud ftrongly
oovered in at top. To lead a runaway, they fatten a rattan round
his neck, and pafs it through a bamboo fomewhat longer than his arms,
which are made faft to it at their full extent. If the offender is of a def-
perate charaifter, they bind him hands and feet, and flbg him on a poIe«
» When they would convey a perfon, from accident or otherwife unable
to walk, they make a palanquin by fplitting a large bamboo near the mid-
dle of its length, where they contrive to keep it open, fo that the cavity
forms a bed ; the ends being preferved whole^ to reft upon their ihoul*
ders. '

The cuftom of exadling the hangoon for murder, fcems only defigncd
with a view of making a compenfation to the injured family, and not
of puniihing th^ offender. The word fignifies *' awaking*' or ** raifing
up,*' and the deceafed is fuppofed to be replaced, or raifed again to his
family, in the payment of a fum proportioned to his rank, or equivalent
to his or her perfonal value. The price of a female flave is generally
more than that of a male, and therefore, I heard a chief fay, is the bang*
oon of a woman more than that of a man. It is upon this principle
that their laws take no cognizance of the diftindtion between a wilful
murder, and what we term manflaughter. The lofs is the fame to the
family, and therefore the compenfations are alike, A dupatty of T^e^
in an ill hour, ftept unwarily acrofs the mouth of a cinnon, at the inftant

S U MA T R A.

209

it was firing for a falutc, and was killed by the explofion ; upon which ^
his relations immediately fued the ferjeant of the country guard, who
applied the match, for the recovery of the bangoon ; but they were caft,
and upon thefe grounds ; that the dupattywas inflrumental in his own
death ; and that the Company's fervants being amenable to other laws .
for their crimes, were not, by eftabliflied cuftom, fubjecft to the ban-
goon, or other penalties inflidted by the native chiefs, for accidents re-
fulting from the execution of their duty. The tippong boomecy expiation,
or purification of the earth from the ftain it has received, was however
gratuitously paid. No plea was fet up, that the ad:ion was unpremedi-
tated, and the event chance medley.

The amount of the bangooKy in the countries fouthward of Rejang, is
fixt at eighty eight dollars and eight fanams ; and the tippong ioomety
called there hajfmg loora^ is twenty eight dollars ; befide finding a buffa-
lo and rice. There is alfo the palanian or ieeo, of fourteen dollars,
paid both by the profecutor and profecuted, where there have been kil-
led or wounded on both fides ; but if a man kills another who makes no
refifiance, the whole palantany or twenty-eight dollars, is paid by the
murderer.

The introdudion of this cuftom is beyond the extent of Sumatrap
tradition, and has no connexion with, or dependance on Mahometanifm,
being eftabliihed amongft the moft inland people from time immemorial.
In early ages it was by no means confined to that part of the world. The
langoon is perfectly the fame as the compenfation for murder in the rude
inftitutions of our Saxon anceftors, and other northern nations. It is ^
the eric of Ireland, and the aptinon of the Greeks. In the compartments
of the Ihicld of Achilles, Homer defcribes the adjudgment of a fine for
homicide. It would feem then to be a natural ftep in the advances from
anarchy to fettled government, and that it can only take place infuch fo* .
cieties as have already a ftrong idea of the value of perfonal property ; •
whocfteem its poffcffion of the next importance to that of life, and place

E e it .

xip SUMATRA.

it in competition with the ftrongeft paffion, that feizea the humaa
feul.

The compenfation is fo regularly eflablilhed among the Suniatran$».
that any other fatisfadtion is feldom demanded. In the firft heat of re«
fi^ntment) retaliation is fometimes attempted, but the fpirlt foon evapo-^^
rates, and application is ufually made, upon the immc(4ate difcovery of
the faft, to the chiefs of the country, for the exertion of their influence,
to oblige the criminal to pay the bangoon. His death is then not thought
of, unlefs he is unable, and his family unwilling, to raife the eftabliihed
fum. Inftances, it is true, occur, in which the profecutor knowing the
European law in fuch cafe, will, from motives of revenge, urge to the
Refident the propriety df executing the offender, rather than receive
the bangoon ; but if the latter is ready to pay it, it is contrary to their
laws to proceed further. The degree of iatisfadion that attends the
payment of the bangoon, is generally confidered as abiblute to the parties
concerned : they receive it as full compenfation, and pretend to no far-
ther claim upon the murderer and bis family. Slight provocations how-
ever have been fometimes known to renew the feud, and there are not
wanting inftances of a fon's revenging his father's murder, and willingly
refunding the bangoon. When, in an affray, there happen to be feve-
veral perfons killed on both fides, the bufinefe of juftice is only to ftate the
reciprocal loffes, in the form of an account current, and order the ba-
lance to be difchargcd, if the numbers be unequal. The following is 2
relation of the circumftances of one of thefe bloody feuds, which hap-
pened whilft I was on the ifland ; but which become every year more
rare, where the influence of our government extends.

Account of a RadJsen SeebdH was the head of a tribe in the diftriA of Manna, of
^^^" which Pangeran Rajah Calippab was the Calippah or official chief i

though by the cu Horns of the country he had no right of ibvereigiQty
over him. The Pangeran^s not allowing him an adequate ihare of fiaes^
and other advantages annexed to his rank, was the foundation of a jea«*
loufy and ill will betweeo them, which an event that happened a few

yeats

S V a A t H A. 211

years fince^ raifed to the faighefi pitch of family f<!ud. Lejfoot^ a younger
brother of the PangeroHy had a wife who was very handfome, and whom
Rdddcen Stiban had endeavoi^ed to procure, whilft a virgin, for bis younger
brother, who was in love with her : but the pofigeran had contrived
to circumvent him, and obtained the girl for Leffm. Howe vet, it feems
the lady herfelf had conceived a violent liking for the brother of RaddeeA
Seebattj who found means to enjoy her after fhe was married, or was vio-
lently fufpefted fo to have done. The confequence wa^, that LeJJoot kiU
led him, to revenge the dilhonor of his bed. Upon this the families
were prefently up in arms, but the Engliih Refident interfering, preferved
the peace of the country, and fettled the affair agreeably to the cuftoms
of the place, by bangoon and fine^- But this did not prove fufEcient to
extinguifh the fury which raged in the hearts of Raddeen Sieban*s family,
whofe relation was murdered. It only ferved to delay their revenge until
aproper opportunity offered of gratifying it. The people of the country
being called together on a particular occafion, the two inimical families
were affembled, at the fame time, in Manna bazar. Two younger bro-
thers (they had been five in all} of Raddeen Seeban^ going to the cockpit,
faw Raja Moodo the next brother of the pangeran, and Lejfoot his younger
brother, in the open part of a houfe which they paffed. They quickly
returned, drew their creefes, and attacked the pangeran^s brothers, calling
to them, ** if they were men, to defend themfelves.** The challenge was
inibuitly accepted. Leffoat^ the unfortunate hufband, fell ; but the ag*
greflbrs were both killed by Raja Moodo^ who was himfelf much wounded.
The affair was almoft over before the fcuffle was perceived. The bodies
were lying on the ground, and Raja JW&^^/^ was fupporting himfelf againft
a tree which flood near the fpot, when Radieen Seeban^ who was in a houfe
on the oppofite fide of the bazar at the time the affray happened, be-
ing made acquainted with the circumftances, came over the way, with
his lance in his hand. He pafled on the contrary fide of the tree, and
did not fee Raja Moodo^ but began to ftab with his weapon the dead body
o{ Lejfoot J in excefs of rage, on feeing the bloody remains of his two bro-
thers. Juft then, Raja Moodo^ who was half dead, but had his creefe

in his hand, ilill unfeen by Raddeen Seeban^ crawled a itep or two, and

£ e 2 tbruft

2ia SUMATRA.

thruft the creefe into his fide, faying *^ Mattee camf*-^^^ die wretch I"
Raddeen Sceban fpoke not a word, but put his hand on the wound, and
walked acrofs to the houfe from whence he came, at the door of which
he dropped down, and expired. Such was the cataftrophe. Raja Moodo
furvivcd his wounds, but being much deformed by them, lives a me-
lancholy example of the effeds of thefe barbarous feuds.

Ltw rcfpca. The law which renders all the members of a family reciprocally

bound for the fecurity of each others debts, forms a ftrong connexion
among them, and occafions the elder branches to be particularly watch-
ful of the condud of thofe, for whofe imprudence they muft be an-
fwerable.

When a debtor is unable to pay what he owes, and has no relation or
friends capable of doing it for him ; or when the children of a deceafed
perfon do not find property enough to difcharge the debts of their parent,
they are forced to the ftate which is called mengeering : that is, they be-
come a fpecies of bondflaves to the creditor, who allows them fubfiftance
and cloathing, but does not appropriate the produce of their labor, to the
diminution of their debt. Their condition is better than that of pure
flavery, in this, that the creditor cannot ftrike them, and they can change
their matters, by prevailing on another perfon to pay their debt, and ac-
cept of their labor on the fame terms. Of courfe they may procure
their liberty, if they can by any means procure a fum equal to their debt ;
whereas a ilave, though pofleffing ever fo large property, has not the
right of purchafing his liberty. If however, the creditor Ihall demand
formally the amount of his debt, from a perfon mengeering^ at three
feveral times, allowing a certain number of days between each demand,
and the latter is not able to perfuade any one to redeem him, he becomes,
by the cuftom of the country, a pure flave ; upon the creditor's giving
notice to the chief, of the tranfadtion. This is the refoufce he has
againft the lazincfs or untoward behavior of his debtor, who might, in
the ftate of mengeering^ be only a burthen to him. If the children of a
deceafed debtor are too young to be of fervice, the charge of their main-
tenance

SUMATRA. ^l^

tcnancc is added to the debt. This opens a door for many iniquitous
pradices» and it is in the rigorous, and frequently unjuft exertion of
tKeferights, which a creditor has over his debtor, that the chiefs arc^
enabled to opprefs the lower clafs of people, and which the Englifli re*
fidents find it neceffary to be moft watchful to reftrain them from
abufing.

When a man of one diftrid or country, has a debt owing to hun
from the inhabitant of a neighbouring country, which he cannot re-
cover payment of, an ufual refource is to feize on one or more of his
children, and carry them off ; which they call amiac. The daughter of
a Rejang dupaity was carried off in this manner by the Laboon people.
Not hearing for fome time from her father, ihe fent him cuttbgs of her
hair and nails, by which Ihe intimated a refolution of deftroying herfelf,
if not foon releafed«

The right of Slavery is efiablifhed in Sumatra, as it is throughout the siavtry
caft, and has been all over the world ; yet but few inftances occur of
the country people actually having flaves, though they are common
enough in the Malay, or fca port towns. Their domeftics and laborers
are either dependent relations, or the arang mengeering above defcribed,
who are emphatically ftyled debtors,* The fimple manners of the
people require that their fervants Ihould live, in a great meafure, on
a foot of equality with the reft of the family, which is inconfiftent
with the authority neceffary to be maintained over Haves, who have no
principle to reftrain them but that of perfonal fear,-!" and know that their

• The Malay terms, orbing ^rottaug, ^xAcrattgrnt^giring^ can only be rendered by the Engliih
wQxAdibtor, though they apply toperfons in rery different circumdances : the epithets oi fol'vent,

* »

and tirfoivinif would give ibme idea of the diftin^^ion.

f Ido notmean to aifert, that all men in the condition of {laves are devoid of principle : I have *
experienced the coiitnry> and found in them affe£^ion and ftri£k honefty : but that there does not
refalt from thek fituation, as flavesi any principle of moral rectitude ; whereas every other con- .
dition of fociety hat annexed to it> ideas of duty and mutual obligation, arifing from a fenfe of
general utility. That fublime fpecies of morality derived from the injunftions of religion, it is
almoft univerfally their fate to be likewife Grangers to } becauie. flavery is found inconfiftent with *
the fpvit of the gofpel, not merely a« inculcating philanthropy, but infpiiing a principle of equality
amongft mankind*

civil

^14 S U M^ A T R A;

civil condition cannot ht altered for the wor^fe. Tk^^^ is tins advantage
alio, that when a debtor abfcondsi they have recpurfe to hif reflations foTj
the aoicmnt: of his debt^ who, if unable to pay it^ muft m^ngfering in hia
rpom; whereas^ when a ilave makes his efcstpe^ thd taw can give no
redrefs, and his value is loft to the owner. Thefe people, nrareover,
are from habit, backward to ftrike, and the date of flavery unhappily
requires the frequent infliction of puniihment in that mode. A flave
cannot poljfefs, independently, any property ; yet it rarely happens that
a mafter is found- n^ean and fordid enough, to defpoil* them of the fruits of
their induftry ; and their liberty is generally granted them, when in a con*
ditton to purchafe it, though they cannot demand it of right. It is nothing
uncommon for thofe belonging to the Europeans, to poflefs Haves of
their own, and to acquire confiderable fubftance. Their condition- is
here, for the moft part, lefs unhappy than that of perfons in other fitua-
tions of life. I am far from wilhing to diminiih the horror that fhould
ever accompany the general idea of this Hate, which I am convinced is
not neceflary among mankind ; but I cannot help remarking, as an ex-
traordinary fad, that if there is one clafs of people eminently happy
above all others upon earth, it is the body of Caffres^ <k negro flavea
belonging to the India Company at Bencoolen. They are well clothed
and fed, and fupplied with a proper allowance of liquor ; their work is
by no means fevere ; the perfons appointed as their immediate overfeers,
are chofen, for their merit, from amongfi themfelves ; thf y have no
occafion of care or anxiety for the paft or future, and are naturally of
a lively and open temper. The contemplation of the effcdls which fuch
advantages produce, muft afford the higheft gratification to a benevo-
lent mind. They are feen perpetually laughing or finging, and fince
the peripd they were firft carried thitheCt from different parts of Airier
9Xi^ Madagafcar^ to the prefent hour, not fo much as the rumor of di(-
jturbance or difcontent has ever been known to proceed from them. They
hold the natives of the illand in contempt, have a degree of antipathy
towards them, and enjoy any mifchief they can do them ; and thefe in
their turn regard the Caffru as devils half humanisted.

The

SUMATRA. 115

The pra&ice faid to prevail clfewhere, of men felling themfelves for
ilaves^ is repugnant to the ideas of the Sutnatransi as it feems to reafon.
It is an abfurdity to barter any thing valuable* much more civil exigence,
for a fum which> by the very. a£t of receivings becomes again the pro-
perty of the buyen Yet, if a man runs in debt, without a profped of
paying, he does virtually the fame thing, and this, in cafes of di{trefs»
is not uncotnmon ; in order to relieve perhaps a beloved wife, or favorite
child, from fimilar bondage. A man has even been known to apply ia
confidence to a friend, to fell him to a third perfon, concealing from
the purchafer the nature of the tranfa&ion, till the money was appro»
IHriated*

Ignorant (Iragglers are often picked up in the country, by lawlefs-
knaves in power, and fold beyond the hills. Thefe have fometimes pro^
cured their liberty again, and profecuting their kidnappert, have reco*
vered larg« damages* In the diftridt of JllaSy a cuftom prevaih, by
which, if a man has been fold to the hill people, however unfairly, he is-
reitri^ed on his return, from aflbciatihg with his countrymen, as their
equal) unlefs he brings with him a fum of money, and pays a fine for his.
Fe*enfranchifement, to his calippab or ohief» This regulation has takepe
its rife from an idea of contamination, among the people,, and from arte
and avarice among the chiefs*

Modn

2i6 S U MA T: R • A.

..V • • •

Modes of Marriage, ^nd cufloms relative thereto^^FeJUvaJs-^

Polygamy.

flumdnV^'hc ijY iiiuch the greater number of the legal difputes, among tbefe people,
^^J^^rth^ir tave their fource in the intricacy attending their marriage contrads. In
marriage cuf- ^^fj uncivilized countrics thefe matters are very fimple, the dictates of

corns*

nature being obeyed, or the calls of appetite fatisfied, with little cere-
mony, or form of convention ; but with the Sumatrans, the diiicultiet
both precedent and fubfequent^ are increafed to a degree unknown even
in the moft refined ftatcs. To remedy thefe iqcon venicnces, which might
be fuppofed to deter men from engaging in marriage, was the View of
the Refident of Ltfy^, beforementioned, who prevailed upon them to
fimplify their engagements, as the means of preventing litigation between
families, and of increafing the population of the country. How far his
liberal views will be anfwered, by having thus influenced the people to
change their cuftoms ; whether they will not foon relapfe ibto the an*
cient track \ and whether, m fad, the caufe that he fuppofes, did ac-^
tually contribute to retard population, I ihall not pretend to determine ;.
but as the laftis a point on which a difference of opinion prevails, I fluU .
take the liberty of quoting here, the fentiments of another fervant of
the Company, who poflefles an underftanding highly enlightened/^

ReafonsagainA ^ This part of the ifland is in a low date of population, but it is an er«
tcra ion. ^^^ ^^ afcribc this to the mode of obtaining wives by purchafe. The cir-
cumftance of children conftituting part of the property of the parents,
proves a moft powerful incentive to matrimony, and there is not perhaps
any country on the face of the earth, where marriage is more general
than here, inftances of perfons of either fex paffing their lives in a ftate
of celibacy, being extremely rare. The neceffity of purchafing does

* Mr. Johu Crlfp.

not

B V U A t R A.

417

QOt prove fuch an obftacle to matrimony as is fuppofed. Was it indeed
true that every man was obliged to remain fiogle^ till he had accumui
latedy from the produce of his pepper garden, a fum adequate to the
purchafe of a wife, married pairs would truly be fcarce. But the people
^aye other reiburces ; there are few families who are not in pofleffion
^f ibme fmall fubftance ; they breed goats and buffaloes^ and in general
)Leep in referve fome fmall fum for particular purpofes. The purchafe
money of the daughters ferves alfo to provide wives for the fons. Cer^
tain it is, that the fathers are rarely at a lofs for money to procure them
iviveSy fo loon as they become marriageabk. In the diftrids under my
charge are about, eight thoufand inhabitants, among whom I do not
concjnvc it would be poffible to find ten inftances of men of the age of
thirty years unmarried. We mull then feek for other caufes of the
paucity of inhabitants, and indeed they are fufficiently obvious ; among
tbefe^ we may reckon that the women are by natuve unprolific, and
pe^fe geflation at an early age ; that alm^ totally unikilled in the me^
dical art, numbers fall vk^ms to the endemic difeafes of a climate, nearly
as fatal to its indigenous inhabitants, as to the ftrangers who fettle among
them : to which we may add, that the indolence and inadtivity of thq
natives, tend to relax and enervate the bodily frame, and to abridge thQ
patural jleriod of their lives.**

w U

\i?^

The modes of marriage, accordmg to the original inftitutions of thefe Modes of mar.
people, are by j^joar, by amM ana^ or by femundo. The joojoar is a ^*^*'
certain fum of money, given by one man to another, as a coniideration
for the perfon of his daughter, whofe fituation, in this cafe, differs not
ipuch from that of a flave to the man.ihe marries,, and to his family. His
abfolute property in her depends however upon fome nice circumfiances.
Befide the batang j^ojcar (or main fum), there are certain appendages or
branches ; one of whicb^ the taUee koalooy of five dollars, is ufually, from
motives of delicacy or friendfhip, left unpaid, and fo long as that is
the cafe, a relationihip is underftood to fubfift between the two families,
and the parents of the woman have a right to interfere on occafions of
ill treatment ; the hufband is alfo liable to be fined for wounding her ;

F f with

»iS ♦ SUMATRA*

frith otker Itmitatians of abfoiute right. When diti: ium is finaUf paid^
which feldom h4pp>en9 but in cafes of violent quarrel) tho twXkn ito^^ (tie
of relationiliip) is faid to be foot$9$ (broken), and the voman becocnet
to all intents the flave of her lord. She has then no title to cktion a di^
vorce in any predicament ; and he may fell her^ making otiljr die firft
offer to her relations. The other appendage^, as already meodoiieli
are the toolis tanggel^ the derivation of which I cannot fattsfiadorily (trace 4
and the oof a daotm codtty which b a conlideration for the expenoe of die
marriage feaft^ paid to the girrs parent^ who provides it. But 'fameciaM
it is depofited at the wedding, when a .diftcibotioo is made of \t amoogft
the old people prefent. The words allude to the kuf in which the ribe
IS ferved up. Thefe branches are feidom paid or claimed, before the ^
iat^ (ftem) is defrayed, of which a large proportion, as fifty, eighty,
and fometimes an hundred and four dollars, is laid down at the time «f
marriage ^ and until the firft mentioned of thde Turns, at leaft, is - pro-
duced, the man cannot take his wife home. In this cafe he^commonfy
mtngemi^ feoffor ^ continues a debtor with thie family, tiH he can rat&
money fufficient to redeem himfelf ^ and after this^ long credit is ufually
given for the remainder. Years often elapfe, if the families continue oti
good terms, without the debt being demanded, particularly when atk
hundred and four dollars have been paid, unlefs diitrefs obliges them to it*
Sometimes it remains unadjufled to the fecond and third generation, and
it is not uncommon to fee a man fuing for the jcq;oor of the fifker of his
grandfather. Thefe debts conftitute in faA the chief part of their fub«
ftance^ and a perfon is efteemed rich who has feveral of them due to
him, for his daughters, fifters, aunts, and great aunts« Debts of this
nature are looked upon as facred, and are fcarce ever loft. In Pajfhm*
mah^ if the race of a man is extind, and fome of th^e remain unpaid,
the doofoon or village to which the &tmily belonged^ mud make it good
to the creditor : but this is not infifted iq>oo amoQgft the Rejangj.

In lieu of paying the jeojoory a barter tranfa^ion, called fiehajiy ibme-
times takes place, where one gdddets (virgip) is given in exchange for
another j and it is not unufual to borrow a girl for this pUrpofe, from a

friend

SUMATRA.

219

friend or relation^ the borrower binding himfelf to replace her, or pay
her joojoor when required. A man who has a ion and daughter^ gives
the latter in exchange for a wife to the former. The perfon who receives
Ker, difpofes of lier as his own child, or marries her himfelf. A brother
will give his iBfter in exchange for a wife, or in default of fuch, procure
a coufin for thcpufpofe. If the girl given in exchange be under age, a
certain allowance per annum is made, till ihe becomes marriageable.,
Begiippoke is a mode of marriage differing a little from the common joo-r;
joor, ahd^ probably only taking place, where a parent w;ants to get oS 4,
chitd laboring under fome defed. A certain fum is in this cafe fixed,
below the ufual cuftom, which, when paid, is in full for her value,
without any appendages. In other cafes likewife, the joojoor is fome-
times leffencd, and fometimes incrtafed, by mntual agreement ; but od
trials it is always eftimated at an hundred and twenty dollars. If a wife>
dies foon after marriage, or at any time withdut children, the full joo-
jobr cannot be claimed ; it is reduced to eighty dollars : but ihiould more
than that have been laid down in the interim, there is no refunding. ' Tfaie
joojoor of a widow, which is generally eighty doilars,without ap|)bndSge9,'^
is again reduced upon, a third marriage, allowances being madfe for de-^^
lapidation* A ' widow, being with child, cannot marry again till ih&
is delivered, without tncurrmg a penalty. )n divorces it is the iarne.
If there be no appearance of pregnancy, ihe niuft yet abftain from
making another chpicci during the period of three months and tenf d^j^s.^^

When the relations and friends of the man go in form to the^ {^arenta
of the girl, to fettle the terms of the marriage^ they .pay st that timcv
the addal befafalay or earneu^ of fix dollars generally j and thefe kill a
goat or a few fowls to entertain them. It is ufually fome'fpac^ <^,tinia r
(except In cafes oitelarree Jifiddees^ or elopement) lafter the payment of the 1
hifafala^ before the wedding takes place ; but, wher^ithe father has ;re-i
ceived that, he cannot give his daughter to any other perfon, without
incurring a fine ; which the young lady fometimes rendgni him liable
to j for whilft the old folk ^^ planning a ^izrx^^h;jf pa{fQtaiiy ex regular \
agreiement between families, it frequently happens that MJs difappears

fit with

:> t »sj * ••

• »

240 S U M-A. T R A.

with a more favored Twain, and fecures a match of her own choice.
This practice, ftyled telarree gaddees, is not the leaft common way of
determining a marriage, and from a fpirit of indulgence and humanity,
which few codes can boaft, has the fanftion of the laws. The father
has only the power left, of dilating the mode of marriage, but cannpt
take his daughter away, if the lover is willing to comply with the cuf-
torn in fuch cafes. The girl muft be lodged, unviolated, in the houfe
of fome refpedtable family, till the relations are advifed of the enUvemettt^
and fettle the terms. If however, upon inimediate pqrfuit, they are.
dvertaken on the road, flie may be forced back, but not after fixe has "
taken fanftuary.

Bv the Mofaic law, if a man left a widow, without children, his bro*
thcr was to marry her. Among the Sumatrans, with or without chil-
dren, the brother, or neareft male relation of the dcceafed, unmarried,
(the* father excepted) takes the widow. This is pradifed both by'

Malays and country people. The brother, in taking the widow to him*

* * *

felf, becomes anfwerable for what may remain due of her purchafc mo*

ney, and in «vcry refpeA reprefents thedeceafed. This is phrafed guntet

UtMfy boMt^fnia — placing himfelf on his mat and pillow* '

»
Chadicy oftht Chaftity prevails more .perhaps among theie than any other people. *

It is fo materially the intereft of the parents to prefervc the virtue of
their daughters unfuilied, as they conllitute the chief of their fubftance,
that they are pariicularly watchful in this refped. But as marriages in
general do not take place fo early as the forwardnefs of nature, in that
climate, would admit, it will fometimes happen, notwithftanding their
precaution, that a young woman, not chufing to wait her father^s pleafure^^
taftes the fruitby'ftealth. When this is difcovered he can oblige the
man to marry her, and pay the jadpor; or if he chufes to keep
his daughter, the feducer muft make good the difference he has occa*
iioned in her valpe, and alfo pay the iine, called tippong ioomee, for re^
moving the ftain from the earth. Proftitution for hire is, I think, un^
known in the ccuntrj^ and confined to the more polite Malay bazars,

whfiie

%oiiien.

^ U: M A T R A'. tit

.vvihere thcxt^jirufiMllX^a concourfeof^ ikUorsvand others, who have na
hon^tt. fectlem$nfi of t^^r own^ )anLd . \9h0m therefore it is itnpoffible to
reftrab ffom promifc^uoiis coQQVtbingge. .:At*tbefej>laQeS| ^ce generall}^
reigns in a degree proportioned to the number and variety of people of
different natioosi vfhf> inhabit thein> Or. occtffionatly.refort thither. From
the fcenes whic^ thefe fea-ports^ ptefeiit^ trav^Uerft too commonly form
their judgment, and imprudently taKe upop them to^ draw^ for the in-»
formsitioR offth? world, apidure of the. manners of a people.^ i

The .difterent fpec^ies pf horrid and di^uftful qrime?„ which are em-
phatically denominated, againit nature, are unknown on Sumatra ; nor
have any of their languages terms to exj^refs fuch ideas.

Inceftj^ or the internaarriage.of perfons within a certain degree of con- 'aceft.
languinity, whi9K is perhaps (at leaft after, tbe.firft degree) rather an of-,
fence againfl the inilitutions of human prudence, than a natural xrime,
is forbidden by" their cuftoms, and punifhable by fine : yet the guilt is
often expiated by a ceremony, a^d the ; marriages, in many inflances,

• • ■ • M

confirmed- •......,. ; ' .

- .. . < • . • ■ • •

Adultery is puniftiable by fine ; but the crime is rare, and fuits^ on the Adulteiy.

fubje& ftill lefs frequent. T^e huiband, it]is probable, either conceals .

his Ihame^ or revenges )t \^ith his own han4*

-.1 . , . ' r i ' . . .- I . . I

If a man would <fivprcc a wife he has man^d by joojoor^ he may ^*^<>*«««»^
claim back what he h^ pUd'tn part; lefs twenty five dollars, the addai
ri&tf rrv, for the damage he has done her; but if he has paid thejoojoor
in full, the relations may chufe whether they will receive her or not ; if
not, he may fell. her. • If k man has paid part of a joojoor, but cannot
raife the remaindet^ though? repeatedly dunned- for it, the parents of the •
gkl may obtain a divorce ; but if it is not with the hufband's concur-
reitce^ they Lofethe advantage- of the ^i&tf^^ and muft refund all they
have received. .A woman mcarried by joojoor muit bring with her, effefls
tathe aoKtantoftca dollars, or. if ti4t, it'bdeduftitf froiti' tHe- joojoor ;

»„ svii £ r Ti. A.

if (he brings more, the huftabdi U iccountobte fof. iht di&fthee. T%b
original ceremony of divorce coofifts in cutHtfg'O^ ibtttia caM iii cwo^ ih
^rdtocc of the pactidij tSidt MlatioAt> aod the etiiefirof 'ihd ^dtttfti^. - '

« f

)jii J

Second mode Iiilthe modt of nWatrlage by aa^ianui the fiatRftr of a( virgin makes
o marnagc. ^j^^^^f ^||j^;y,jgi,g.nbaii* fon her hiilband; generally from anf inferior

family^ which* renounces all- fortfaer right to, ort intereft int hin^ and he
is taken into^th^ hpufe-of his- fttther in law^ who kilh a buffalo on thi^
occafion, and receives twenty dollars from the fon*s relations* After this,
the booroo hyiaia (the good and bad of him) is yeilcd in the wife's fa-
mily. If he murders or robs, thfey pay the bangoon, or the fine* If
he is murdered, thfey receive the bangoon. They are liable to any debts
he nuy contradt after marriage j thc^e prior to it remaining with his pa-
rents. He lives in the family, in a ftkte 'between that of a foif, and a
debtor. He partakes as a fon of what the houfe afibrds, but h^s no pro*
pcrty in himfelf. His rice plantation, the produce of his pepper garden,,
trith every thing that he can gain or earn, belong to the family^ He
is liable to be divorced at their pleafure^ and though he has children,
muft leave all, and return naked as he came. The family (bmetimes
indulge him with leave to remove to a houfe of his own, and take his
iirile with him ; but he^ his children, and efiedrs, are ftiU their propeity;
If he has not daughters by the marriajge, he n^ay redbem! hitnfdf and
wife, by paying her joojoor.; but if there^ are daughters* before th*y
become emancipated, the difficulty it enhanced, becaufe the family are
equally entitled to- their value* It; if common^, liowferor^ w4ieti 'thty
ai:e upon good terms, to releafe ' btmy oh; the payment of one' jo(>^
joor, or at moft with the addidon df an addat of fifty: doltlih.
Wjth this-^addition, he^may infift upon:a rekaft^whilfl hi^ daughters-
are not marriageable. If thefafnily have padd any debtb for hiitei' be*^
muft alfa> -make them good* Should he contraA more than they ap-
prove of, and they fear his adding to them^ they procuiie a dfaM>rt^ aiid .
fend him back to his parents ; but muft pay hia debts^ to that time. If ^
he is a Qo^orious fpendthrift, they v outlaw him. Inftead of taking out % '
wxiti they have only to prefeot otictothe proaoieeni iodip«itDfaBmb4 Thia* *

% d M A t R A.

423

irc^HBd-'io^Hii pfH^AJf'" Tlifey'moft baniffi liim from home, and
if they receive him again, or affift him with the fmalleft fum, they
are liable to »ll his debts. On . the prodigal fon's return, and pronufe
of ameodment, this writ may be redeemed, on payment of five dollars
to the ijroattcchs, and fatisfyin^ the creditors. The writ of outlawry 19
ihfcribeVl 6n a piei^ of' b^boo. This kind of marriage is produdive
bf tnuthtonfuiion, for till the time it takes place^ the young man belongs
to one dodb6ii atd family^ aiid 'afterwards to another, and as they have
no records to refer to, there is great uncertainty in fettling the time
when debts were contrasted, and the tike. Sometimes the redemption
of tlie famfly, and their return to'tlie former doofoon, take place in the
fcconfl or riilrd getferation j and in many cafes it is doubtful whether tjiey •
cter took place or ntJt'; the two parries contradiftin^ each other, and
perhaps 00 evidence to refer to. Hence arife various and intricate
hicharu * \

Befides the modes of marriage above defcribed,. a third form, cal* '^^^^^Xi
led SmwtJ^^ has been adopted from the Malays^ and thence termed maniagt.
femmdo i4al^y^ of maredeeko (ftee)^ This, mtrtiage is a tegular treaty
between the parties, on the foot of equality. The addsi fmd to; the girrs^
friends, has ufually been twelve dollars. The agreement ftipulates, that
all effeAs, gains, or earnings, are to be equally the property of both,
and In cafe of divorce by mutual confent, the ftock^ debts^ and credits
are to be equally divided. If the man only, infills oa the divoi'ce, he-
gives the woman her half of the efFeds, and lofes the twelve dollars he
has paid. If the woman t>nly, claims the divorce, flie forfeits her right
to the proportion of the efiefbs, but is entitled to keep her teecar^ bantaly
and dundun (paraphernalia), and her relations are liable to , pay back the
twelve dollars; but it is feldom demanded. This mode, doubtlefs
moft conformable to our ideas of conjugal right and felicity, is that
which the chiefs of the Rejang country have formally confented to efta-
blifli throughout their jurifdidion, and to their orders, the influence of
the Maby padres will contribute to give e/Hcacy..

It will not be improper here to mark the cuftoms of the people of ^^^^J^.
^ajfummaby in regard to their marriage contracts, which though pervaded Uf^i"* ^'*""^"

entirely

«4 S V M .^ tT ^ ^^.

entirely by the i^ie.fpir^t, difTer from tbofe eft^bUi^e^an^pg^^^^
jangs, in feveral particulars. .%,..,

The marriage by joojoor is there termed \oobo. When the parties are
determined in their regards, the father of the young man, or the .^^^^rf
himfelfy goes to the houfe of the father of the woman, carrying ^ith him;
forty, fifty dollars, or more. *Qn opening his defign he- tenders this
money as a prefent, and the other's acceptance pf it is a token that be.
is inclined to forward the match. This is the bufinefs of the iirft ^iiit.
The money thus depofited is called puggatan^ and ^hen the marriage
is agreed upon, it is confidered as an equivalent for the. drefs^ and orna*,
ments which the bride carries with her. It lies often in thfs hand;Siof the
girl's father, three, fix, or twelve months, before the maniage is confum-
mated. He fometimes fends for more, and \\ never refufed-; but it
would be deemed fcandalous for him to liften to any other proj)ofalsj
whilft he thus continues dallam raffan (in treaty) with the former perfon.
The purchafe money confifts of three diftin& fams. The.^r^ ntMw
(price of life), forty dollars; a creefe with a golden headland filver flieath,
valued at ten dollars; and l\i^ foudo am hiUn ox poctoos ko$ho {comclM-
Son of the bargain^, twenty dollars. Thefe are generally tbade dillinft

payments. ;

The kcoko marriage may be diflblyed at the pleafure of either of the
parties. If the woman infilb on feparating, the children, if any, remain
with the father. If the hufband fues for the divorce, the children are
divided. In thefe cafes the purchafe money is returned ; an exad efti-
mation is made of the value of the woman's trinkets, and what are not
reflored,.mu(l be made good by the hufband. Sometimes a dedy^ion is
made from the purchafe money, according to the circumftances of the
affair. All this is fettled by the chiefs aflembled, if the parties cannot
>ijgree upbh the t^ms amongft tbemjfelves.

In the aitthel ana marriage, when the father refolves to difmifs the
huiband of his daughter, and fend him back to his doofoon, the fum for

which

SUMATRA.

225

which he can redeem his wife and faniilf, is an hundred dollars; and
if he can raife that, and the woman is willing to go with him; the father
cannot refufe theni ; ahd now the affair is changed into a kooho marriage ;
the man returns to his former toongooan (fettlement or family), and be-
comes of more <:onfequenpe in fociety. Thefe people are no ftrangers
to that fentiment which we call a regard to family. There are fome
families among them more efteemed than others, tliough not graced
with any title or emploj^ment in the ftate. The origin of this diftindion,
it is difficult to trace, but I am inclined to think that it arifes from a fuc-
ceffion of men of abilities. Every one has a regard to his race, and the
probability of its being extinft, is efteemed a great unhappinefs. This
is what they C2M UdiigjoiMt ffstoosy and the expr«i5on is ufed by the
lowieft meaiber of the conmiunky. To have a wife, a family, collateral
relations, and a fettled place of refidence, is to have a to$?igooany and this
they are anxious to fupport and perpetuate* It is with this view, that
when a fingle female only remains of a family, they marry her by ambd
ana ; in which mode the hufband's confequence is loft in the wife's, and
in her children the toongooan of her father is continued. They find her
a hulband that will menegga toongooan, or as it is expreffed amongft the
Rejangs, menegga rooma^ fet up the houfe again.

The fcmundo marriage is little known in Pajfummah. I recoiled that
SLpangeran of Manna having a fon by a femunijo marriage with a Malay
woman, ihe refufed, upon the fath-er's death, to let the boy fucceed to his '
dignities, and at the fame time become anfwerable for his debts, and
carried him with her from the country ; which was productive (3f much
eonfufion. Nor did it appear that the laws of the country would compel
the child to be refponfible for his father's engagements.

When a young woman is difcovered to be with child before marriage,
flie, or more properly, her father, is fined forty dollars, or in failure of
payment the girl becomes a flave. The man is fined thirty dollars. This
is c^Wed gaway pa/ijin^an. The woman's fine goes to the calippah, and
the man's to the inferior proatteens. The offending parties arc likewife

obliged

zz6 SUMATRA.

obliged to give between them, a bufFalo and rice, to remove the ftain,
which ceremony is here called baj/ing bora. If the woman does not dif-

' cover by whom ftie is become pregnant, fhe muft pay the whole fine^
This regulation has much feverity, and falls particularly hard on the
girl's father, who not only has his daughter fpoiled/ but muft alfo pay
largely for her frailty. To the northward, the offence is not punifhed
with fo much rigor, yet the inftances arc there faid to be rarer, and mar-

' riage is more ufually the confequence. In other refpefts the cuftoms of
Fajfummab and Rejang are the fame, in thefe matters.

The rites of marriage, neeka^ (from the Arabian word) confift fimply
'iage. in joining the hands of the parties, and pronouncing them man and wife,

without much ceremony, excepting the entertainment which is given on
the occafion. This is performed by one of the fathers, or the chief of
the doofoon, according to the original cuftoms of the country ; but where
Mahometanifm has found its way, a padre or imaum executes the bu«
finefs.

Couiti|»ip

But little apparent courtlhip precedes their marriages. Their man-
ners do not admit of it : the boojot^ and gaddees (youths of each fex)
being carefully kept afunder, and the latter feldom trufted from under
the wing of their mothers. Befides, courtlhip, with us, includes the idea
of humble intreaty on the man's fide, and favor and condefcenfion on the
part of the woman, who beftows perfon and property, for love* The
Sumatran, on the contrary, when he fixes his choice, and pays all that he
is worth, for the objeA of it, may naturally confider the obligation on his
fide. But ftill they are not without gallantry. They preferve a de-
gree of delicacy and refpeft towards the fex, which might juftify their
retorting on many of the poliflied nations of antiquity, the epithet of
barbarians. The opportunities which the young people have, of feeing
and converfing with each other, are at the bimbafjgSy or public feftivals,
held at the balliy or town hall of the doofoon. On thefe occafions the
unmarried people meet together, and dance and fing in company. It
may be.fuppofed that the young ladies cannot be long without their par-

ticular

SUMATRA. M7

ticular admirers. The men, when determined in their regards, generally
employ an old woman as their agent, by whom they make known their
fentiments, and fend prefents to the female of their choice. The parents
then interfere, and the preliminaries being fettled, a bimbang takes
place. At thefe feftivals, a goat, a buffalo, or fevera^, according to the Marriage fef-
rank of the parties^, are killed, to entertain, not only the relations and in-
vited guefts, but all the inhabitants of the neighbouring country who
chufe to repair to them. The greater the concourfe, the more is the credit
of the hoft, who is generally, on thefe occafions, the father of the girl ;
but the different branches of the family, and frequently all the people of )

the doofoon, contribute a quota of rice.

The young women proceed in a body to the upper end of the balli, Order ob-
where there is a part divided off for them, by a curtain. The floor is ^'^^^ '
fpread with their bed: mats, and the fides and ceiling of that extremity
of the building, are hung with pieces of chintz, palampores, and the
like. They do not always make their appearance before dinner ; that
time, with part of the afternoon, previous to a fecond or third meal,
being appropriated to cock-fighting, and other diverfions peculiar to the
men. Whilft the young are thus employed, the old men confult to-
gether upon any affair that may be at the time in agitation ; fuch as re-
pairing a public building, or making reprifals upon the cattle of a neigh-
bouring people. The bimbangs are pften given on occafions of bufinefs
only, and as they are apt to be productive of cabals, the Europeans re-
quire that they ihall not be held without their knowledge and approba-
tion. To give authority to their contracts and other deeds, whether of
a public or private nature, they always make a bimbang. Writings, fay
they, may be altered or counterfeited, but the memory of what is
tranfaded and concluded in the prefence of a thoufand witncflTes, muft
remain facred. Sometimes in token of the final determination of an af^
fair, they cut a notch in a poft, before the chiefs ; which they call f4-

In the evening, their fofter amufements take place ; of which the .
dances are the principal. Thefe are performed either fingly, or by two of Dancing.

G g 2 women.

%i$ SUMATRA.

women, two men, or with both mixed. Their motions and attitudes
arc ufually flow, and too much forced to be graceful ; approaching often
to the lafcivious, and not unfrequently the ludicrous. This is, I believe,
the general opinion formed of them by Europeans, but ,it may be the
eiFedt of prejudice. Cei tahi I am, that our ufual dances are, in their
judgment, to the full as ridiculous. The minuets they compare to the
fighting of two game-cocks, alternately approaching and receding. Our
country-dances they efteem too violent and confufed, without ftiewing
grace or agility. I'he ftage dances, I have not a doubt, would pleafe
them. Fart of the female drcfs, called the fakndawg^ which is ufually
of filk, with a gold head, is tied round the waift,. and the ends of this,
they, at times, extend behind them with their hands. They bend for-
ward as they dance, and ufually ciirry a fan, which they clofe and flrike
fmartly againfl their dbowSy at particular tadences. They keep time
well, and-tii^mifct|crt prdferve a cdnfiftency with each other, though
^!q[Tfteps are ad libitum. A brifker movement is fometimes
which proves more conforrflablc to the.taftc of the EngUih
ipedators.

Dancing is not the only amufement on thefe occafions. A gaddees

fometimes rifes, and leaning her face on her arm, fupporting herfelf

againft a pillar, or the flioulder of one of her companions, with her

«(l Singing, back to the audience, begins a tender fong. She is foon taken up, and

anfwered, by one of the boojongs in company, whofe greateft pretenfions
to gallantry and falliion are founded on an adroitnefs at this polite accom-
pliihment. The uniform fubjeft, on fuch occafions, is love, and as the words
are extempore, there are numberlefs degrees of merit in the compofi-
tion, which is fometimes furprizingly well turned, quaint, and even witty.
There are alfo characters of humbr amongft the men, who, by buffoon*
fry, mimickry, punning, repartee, and fatire, (rather of the Sardonic
kind) are able to keep the company in laughter, at intervals, during the
. s, courfe of a night's entertainment. The affembly feldom breaks up be-
fore day light, and thefe bimbangs are often continued for feveral days
together, till their ftock of provifions is exhaufted. The young men

frequent

v^^.

V.^

SUMATRA. 229

frequent them in order to look out for wives, and the lafles of courfe
fet themfelves off to the beft advantage. They wear their beft filken Drcifcs*
drefles, of their own weaving ; as many ornaments of filagree as they
poffefs ; filver rings upon their arms and legs ; and earrings of a particular
conftrudtion. Their hair is varioufly adorned with flowers, and per-
fumed with oil of benjamin. Civet is alfo in repute, but more ufed by
the -men. To render their Ikin fine, fmooth, and foft, they make ufe Cofmetic ufcrf^
of a white cofmetic C2il\ed poopocr. The mode of preparing it is as fol- preparing k»
lows. The bafis is fine rice, which is a long time fteeped in water,,
then dried, reduced to a powder, and by wetting made into a pafte.
. They mix with this, ginger, and the leaf of a plant called deeJum (psitch
leaf), which gives it its peculiar fmell, and alfo, as is fuppofed, a cool-
ing quality. They add Hkewife the flowers of the y^^^ 7^ ^( maize)*;
cajoo cbendano (fandal wood) ; and the feeds of a plant called there capay
antco (fairy cotton), which is the abel mofc^ ot mulk feed. All thefe in-
gredients, after being well mixed together, are made up into little balls,
and when they would apply the cofmetic, thefe are diluted with a drop
of water, rubbed between the hands, and then on the face, neck, and
ihould^rs. They have an apprchenfion, probably well founded, that a
too abundant or frequent application, will, by flopping the pores of the
ikin, bring on a fever. It is ufed, with good effeft, to remove that
troublefome complaint, fo well known to Europeans in India, by the
name of the prickly heat ; but it is not always fafe for ftrangers thus to
ch^ck the operations of nature, in a warm climate^ The Sumatran
•girls, as well as our EngHfli maidens, entertain a favorable opinion of
the virtues of morning dew, as a beautifier, and believe that by rubbing
/ it to the roots of the hair, it will ftrengthen and thicken it. With
this view they take pains to catch it before fun-rife, in vcflTels, as it
falls.

If a wedding is the occafion of the bimbang, the couple are married confummatiott
perhaps the fecond or third day ; but it maybe two or three more, ere ° "*»"»*£**•
the hufband can get poflTeffion of his bride ; the old matrons making it
a rule to prevent him^ as long as poflible, and the bride herfelf holding

130

SUMATRA.

it a point of honor, to defend to extremity that jewel, which Ihc
would yet be difappointed in preferving.* They fit up in ftate, at night,
on raifed cuihlons, in their bed cloaths and trinkets. They are fome*
times loaded on the occafion, with all the finery of their relations, or
even the whole doofoon ; and carefully eafed of it when the ceremony is
over. But this is not the cafe with the children of perfons of rank. I
remember being prefent at the marriage of a young woman, whofe beauty
would not have difgraced any country, with a fon of Raddten^ prince
of Madura^ to whom the Englilh gave proteftion from the power of
the Dutch, after his father had fallen a facrifice.^ She was decked in
unborrowed plumes* Her drefs was eminently calculated to do juftice
to a fine perfon ; her hair, in which confids their chief pride, was dif-
pofed with extreme' grace ; and an uncommon elegance and tafte were
difplayed in the workmanihip and adjuftment of her ornaments. It
muft be confefled, however, that this tafte is by no means general, ef-
fpecially amongft the country people. Simplicity, fo eflential to the
idea, is the charafteriftic of a rude and quite uncivilzed people ; and is
again adopted by men in their higheft ftate of refinement. The Suma«
trans ftand removed from both thefe extremes. Rich and fplendid arti-
cles of drefs and furniture, though not often procured, are the obje&s of
their vanity and ambition.

The bimbangs are conduced with great decorum and regularity.
The old women are very attentive to the condud of the girls, and the
male relations are highly jealous of any infults that may be ihewn them.
A lad, at one of thefe entertainments, afked another his opinion of a
gaddees who was then dancing. ^' If ihe was plated with gold, replied
he, I would not take her for my concubine, much lefs for my wife." A
brother of the girl happened to be within hearing, and called him to

« It is recorded, that the jealoufy between the EngliOi and Dutch at Bantam^ arofe from a
preference ihewn to the foimer by the King, at a feftival which he gare upon obtaining a victory
of this nature, which his bride had long difputed with him.

t The circumftances of this difgraceful affair, are prelerved in a book entitled ** A voyage to
the Eaft Indies in 1747 and 1748.'*

account

SUMATRA. 231

account for the refledion thrown on his lifter. Creefes were drawn, but
the byftanders prevented mifchief. The brother appeared the next day,
to take the law of the defamer, but the gentleman, being of the reejow
caft, had abfconded, and was not to be found«

The cuftoms of the Sumatrans permit their having as many wives by Number of
joojoor, as they can compafs the purchafe of, or afford to maintain ; but ^^
it is extremely rare that an inftance occurs of their having more than
one, and that only among a few of the chiefs. This continence they in
fome meafure owe to their poverty. The dictates of frugality are more
powerful with them, than the irregular calls of appetite, and make
them decline an indulgence, that their law does not refirain them from.
In talking of polygamy, they allow it to be the privilege of the rich,
but regard it as a refinement which the poor Rejangs cannot pretend to.
Some young reefows have been known to take wives in different places,
but the father of the firft, as foon as he hears of the fecond marriage,
procures a divorce. A man married by femund$ cannot take a fecond
wife, without repudiating the firft, for this obvious reafon, that two or
more perfons could not be equally entitled to the half of his effedls.

Montefquieu infers, that the law which permits polygamy, is phyfi- Qii«ft'on ©^
cally conformable to the climate of Afia. The feafon of female beauty
precedes that of their reafon, and from iis prematurity foon decays.
The empire of their charms is fhort. It is therefore natural, the prefi-
dent obferves, that a man ihould leave one wife to take another : that
he ftiould feek a renovation of thofe charms which had withered in his
poffeffion. But are thefe the real circumftances of polygamy ? furely
not. It implies the cotemporary enjoyment of women in the fame
predicament : and I ihould cohfider it as a vice, that has its fource in
the influence of a warm atmofphere upon the paflions of men, which,
like the cravings of other difordered appetites, make them mifcalculate
their wants. It is probably the fame influence, on lefs rigid nerves, that
renders their thirft of revenge fo much more violent, than among northern
nations; but we are not therefore ta pronounce murder to be phyfically^

conform-

«3» S U M A T R A.

comfonnable to a fouthern climate. Far be it from my iotendoB bow-

ever^ to put thefe paffions on a level ; I only mean tso ifacw that the pcefi«
dent's rcafoning proves too much. It muft further be confidcred^ that
the genial warmth which expands the defires of the men, and prompts a
more unlimited exertion of their faculties, does not infpirc their confti-
tutions with proportionate vigor; but on the contrary, renders them, in
this refpeft, inferior to the inhabitants of the temperate zone ; wbilft it
equally influences the defires of the oppofite fex, without being found to
diminifli from their capacity of enjoyment. From which I would draw'
this conclufion, that if nature intended that one woman only (hould be
the companion of one man, in the colder regions of the earth, it appeaVs
alfo intended, a forliori, that the fame law Ihould be obferved in the
hotter ; inferring nature's defign, not from the defires, but from the abili-
ties with which ihe has endowed mankind.

Montefquieu has further fuggefted, that the inequality in the compa-
rative numbers of each fex, born in Afia, which is rcprefented to be
greatly fuperbr on the female fide, may have a relation to the law that
allows polygamy. But there is ftrong reafon to deny the reality of this
fuppofed excefs. The Japan account, taken from K^eirifer^ which makes
them to be in the proportion of twenty two to eighteen, is very inconclufive,
as. the numbering of the inhabitants of a great city, can furniih no proper
teft ; and the account of births at BMtam, which ftates the number of
girls to be ten, to one boy, is not only manifellly abfurd, but pofitively
falfe. I can take upon me to aflert, that the proportion of the fexes,
throughout Sumatra, does not fenfibly differ from that afcertained in
Europe ; nor could I ever learn from the inhabitants of the many eaftern
iflands whom I have converfed with, that they wete confcious of any dif-
proportion in ihis refpedr.

Connexion But from whatever fource we derive polygamy, its prevalence feems

gam'yTnd'^ur- ^^ ^^ univerfally attended with the pradice of giving a valuable con-
fihafe of wives, fi Juration for the woman, inftead of receiving a dowry wich her. This is

a natural confequence* Where each man endeavors to engrofs fcveral,.

the

SUMATRA!

^33

the demand for the commodity^ as a merchant would exprefs it, is in-
creafed, and the price of courfe enhanced. In Europe, on the contrary,
where the demand is fmall ; whether owing to the paucity of males from
continual diaiinution ; their coldneis of constitution, which fufTers them
rather to play with the fentimental, than ad from the animal paffion ;
their corruption of manners leading them to promifcuous concubinage ;
or in fine, the extravagant luxury of the times, which renders a family
an infupporta^le burthen 5 — whatever may be the caufe, it becomes ne-
ceflary, in order to counteraft it, and produce an additional incitement
to the marriage (late, that a premium be given with the females. We
find in thehiftory of the earl ieft ages of the world, that where a plura-
lity of women was allowed of, by law or cuftom, they were obtained by
money or fervice. The form of marriage by Semundo^ among the Ma-
lays, which admits but of one partner, requires no fufn to be paid by
the hufband to the relations of the wife, except a trifle, by way of token,
or to defray the expences of the wedding fealt The circumflance of the
Rejangs confining themfelves to one, and at the fame- time giving ^ price
for their wives, would feem an exception to the general rule laid' down;
but this is an accidental, and perhaps'temporary reftraint, arifing, it may
be, from the European influence, which tends to make them regular and
induftrious, but keeps them poor : "affords the means of fubfiftence to
all, but the opportunity of -acquiring riches- to fevVW -none.' rri'tlieir
genuine ftate, war and plunder caufed a rapid fluftuatiori of property ; the
Httle wealth now among them, derived moflly from the India Compahy''^
expenditure, circulates through the country in an 'Cqual ftream, returning
chiefly, like the water exhaled in vapors from* the fea, to its original
fource. The cuftom of giving joojoors, had moft probably its founda-
tion in polygamy ; and the fuperftrudlure fubfifis, though its bafis is
parfly mouldered away : but being fcarcely tenantaWe, the inhabitants
are inclined to quit, and fuffer it to fall to the ground. Moderation in
point of women deftroying their principle, the joojoors appear to be de-
void of policy. Open a new fpring of luxury, and polygamy now con-
fined to a few individuats amdngft the chiefs, will fpread throughout tlie
jeoplc. Beauty will be in high rcqueft ; each fair one will be fought

H h • fas

t34 S.U M A T R A^

for by many competito?*; and the paymejUi of the joojoot be a^la eA
|:cfm€d a reaifeaiable equivalent far pofleffios. Their acknowledging
the ciiftoiU0i y^aadef the pre&cits ctrcumft^iKes, to be a pteju4kial ene, ib
contrary to the fpirit of eaftero mannerd^ which i» ever itiarkied with a
blind veneration- for the eftabliihments of antiquity^ contributes to
itrengtheo confiderably the ojnmon I have advanced*

<;aming. Through every rank of the people there prevails a flrong fpirit of

gaming^ which is a vice that readily infinuates itfelf into minds naturally
averfe from the avocations of induftry. The thoughts of man are aftive^
and where the fphere is circumfcribed, they ruih into thofe channels
which convey them with the moil: rapidity* Gaming being in general
a fedentary occupation, is more adapted to a warm climate, where bodily
exertion is, in- very few inflances, coofidered as an amufcment* A com*

Dice. pon Ipecies. of gambling is with dice, (dadoo*) but thefe, throughout

the pepper diftrids, are rigoroufly forbid ; becaufe it is not only the
child, but the parent of idlenefs, and by the event of play, often throw^

Cock-fighting, whole villages into confulion. Cock-fighting they are fiiU more paf«

fionately addided to, and it is indulged to them under certain regula«
tions. Where they are perfedly. independent, their propenfity to it is
ib great, that it refembles rather aferious occupation, than a fport;
You feldom meet a man travelling in the country, without a cock uncfer
his arm, and foBietimes fifty perfons in a company,when there is a bimbang
in one of the neighbouring villages. A country man coming down,
on any occafion, to the qualhe^ or mouth of the river, if he boafts the
leaft degree of fpirit, muft not be unprovided with this token of it*
They often game high at their meetings ; particularly when a fuper-»
^itious faith in the invincibility of their bird, has. been ftrengthened
by pail fuccefs. An hundred Spanifh dollars is no very uncommon
riik, and inftances have occurred of a father's flaking his children or
wife, and a fon his mother or fitters, on the ififue of a battle ; when a

* There is reafon to conclude, from thename^ that Diceweve locroductd in thjt j^ of the,
world by the Poituguefe.

run

S U M A T R A* Z35

ran of ill luck has dripped them of property, and rendered them def-
perate. Quarrels, attended wkh dreadful confequences, have often arifen
on thefe occafions.

1^/ their cuilomiS, there are four umpires appointed to determine on all Rules of cock-

dlfputed points in the courfe of the battles ; and from their deciGon ^^*
there lies no appeal ; except the Gothic appeal to the fword. A perfon
who lofes, and has not the ability to pay, is immediately profcribedj
departs with difgrace, and is never again fuffered to appear at the galan*
gang. This cannot with propriety be tranilated, a CQck-^pitj as it is gene*
rally a fpot on the level ground, or a flage eredted, and covered in. It-
is inclofed with a railing which keeps off the fpedators ; none but the
handlers and heelers being admitted within fide. A man who has an
high opinion of, and regard for his cock, will not fight him under a
certain number of dollars, which he places in ordlf on the floor : hi$
poorer adverfary is perhaps unable to depofit above one half : the ftanders*
by make up the fum, and receive their dividends in proportion, if foc-^
cefsfui. A father, at his death-bed^ has been known to defire his -fbn
to take the firll opportunity of matching a certain cock, for a fum equal
to his whole property, under a bliad conv^ion of its being bdooab^ oc
invulnerable.

Cocks of the fame color are never matched, but a grey againft a pile, Miit^jj^^^
a yellow againft a red, or the like. This might have been originally de-
figned to prevent difputes, or knavifh impofitions. The Malay breed of
cocks is much efteemed by connoifieurs who have had an opportunity of

^^^ ft

trying them* Great pains is taken in the rearing and feeding ;. they arc
frequently handled, and accuftomed to ipar in public^ in order to prevent
any fliynefs. Contrary to our laws, the owner is allowed to take up
and handle bis cock during the baitk, to clear his eye of a feather^ or
his mouth of blood. When a cock is killed, or runs, the othe^ muft
iiavc fufficient fpirit and vigor left to peck at him three times, on his
1)eing held to him for that purpofe, or it becomes a drawn battle ; and
fometimes ati experienced cocker will plaee the hq^d of his vanquxiked
t>ird^ in fuch an uncouth pofture, as to terrify the other^ and render him

H h ;& unable

h^ s u M A T R a:

iftiable to give this proof of vidtory. The cocks are never trimmed*
but matched in fall feather. The artificial fpur ufed in Samatra, refem-
bles in fliape the biade of a fcimitar, and proves a more deftrudive wea^
pon than the European fpur. It has no focket, but is tied to the leg,
and in the pofition of ir^ the nicety of the match is regulated. As in
horferacing, weight is proportioned to inches, fo in cocking, a bird of
fuperior weight and fize is brought to an equality with his adverfary,
by fixing the ffeel fpur fo many fcales of the leg above the natural fpur,
"and thus obliging him to fight with a degree of difadvantage. It rarely
happens that both cocks furvive the combat* •

In the northern parts of the ifland, where goldduft is the common
medium of gambling, as well as of trade,, fo much is accidentally dropt
in weighing and delivering, that at fome cock-pits^ where the refort of
people is great, the fweepings are faid, probably with exaggeration,, to be
worth upwards of a thoufand dollars per annum to the owner of the ground j
befide his profit of two fanams (five pence) for each battle.

Qjjail-fighting, In fomc places they match quails, in the manner of cocks. Thefe fight

with great inveteracy, and endeavor to feize each other by the tongue*
The Achencfe bring alfo into combat the dial bird, (moori) which re-
fembles a fmall magpye, but has an agreeable, though imperfed note^
They fometimes engage one another on the wing, and drop to the ground
in the ftruggle.

Fencing. They have other diverfions of a more innocent nature. Matches of

' fencing, or a fpecies of tournament^ are exhibited on particular days ; a$
at the breaking up of their annual fa(t, or month of ramadatty cajled
there the pooajo. On thefe occafions they pradice ftrange attitudes, with
violent contorfions of the body, and oftfio^work thcmfelves up to a degree
of frenzy 5 when the old men ftep in, and carry them off. Thefe ex-
ercifes, in fome circumftances, refemble the idea which the ancients have
given us of the pyrrhic or war dance ; the combatants moving at a diftancc
from each other, in cadence, and making many turns and fpringa, ua-
neceffary in the reprefentation of a real combat. This entertaum;\ery:

SUMATRA. »3t

is more common among the Malays^ than in the country. The chief
weapons of offence ufed by thefe people, are the coojcQr or lance, and the.
creefe. This laft is properly Malay, but in all parts of the ifland, they
have a weapon eauivalent, though in general lefs curious in its ftruc-
ture, wanting that waving in the blade, for which the creefc is remark-
able, and approaching nearer to daggers or knives*

Among their exercifes we never obferve jumping or ruhning. They
fmile at the Europeans, who, in their excurfions, take fo many unnec^i^
fary leaps. The cuftom of going barefoot, may, be a principal impedi-
ijnent to this pradice, in a country overrun with thorny Ih rubs, and
where no fences occur to render it a matter of expediency..

They have a diverfion fimiiar to that defcribed by Homer, as pradlifed Diyerfion of
among the Phaeaciansj which confifts in tofling an elaftic, wicker ^^^^ng*^*^^-
ball, from one to the other, in a large party. They arrive to a great de-
gree of dexterity in the fport, receiving it; with equal facility, on the
foot or the hand, the heel or the toe ; from whence it is thrown either per^
pendicularly into the air, and caught again, or obliquely to fpme other
perfon of the company, who ftand in an extended circle. It is to be re^ '
marked that the Sumatrans are, in general, very expert in the ufc of their
feet, employing them, as their hands, to lift any thing, not heavy, from
the ground, between the great and fecond toe, or by a contraction of the
whole foot,

The Sumatrans, and more particularly the Malays, are much at- Smokbgof
tached, in common with many other eaftern people, to the cuftom of ^*"'"'
fmoking opium. The poppy which produces it not growing on the iiland,
it is annually imported from Bengal in confideiable quantities, in chefii
containing an hundred and forty pounds each. It is made up in cakes of
five or fix pounds weight, and packed with dried^leaves ; in which fitua«
tion it will continue good and valuable for two years, but after that pe^
(iod grgws hard, and diminiihes confiderably in value^ It is of a darker

color.

15* SUMATRA.

color, and has Icfs ftrength than the Turkey opium. About an hundred
and fifty chefts are con fumed annually on the Weft coaft of Sumatra ;
where it is purchafcd, on an average, at three hundred dollars the cheft,
and fold again at five or fix. But on occafions of extraordinary fcarcity I
have known it to fell for its weight in filver, and a fingle cheft to fetch
upwards of three thoufand dollars.

The method of preparing it for ufe is as follows. The raw opium is
firft boiled or feethed in a copper veffel ; then ftrained through a cloth,
to free it from impurities ; and then a fecond time boiled. The leaf of
the baco0y Ihred fine, is mixed with it, in a quantity fufficient to abforb
the whole ; and it is afterwards made up into fmall pills, about the fize
of a pea, for fmoking. One of thefe being put into the fmall tube that
projedts from the fide of the opium pipe, that tube is applied to a
lamp, and the pill being lighted, is confumed at one whiff, or inflation
of the lungs. The fmoke is never emitted by the mouth : it ufually
receives vent through the noftrils, and fometimes, by adepts, through
the pafifage of the ears and eyes. This preparation of the- opium is cal*
led nmddaf^ and is often adulterated in the procefs, by mxTkfig jaggru, or
pine fugar, with it ; as is the raw opium, by incorporating with it, the
fruit of the ptfatig or plantain.

Effcfts of '^^ "^^ of opium among thefe people,, as that of intoxicating liquors

Opium. among other nations, is a fpecies of luxury, which all ranks adopt ac-

cording to their ability, and which, when once become habitual, it is
almoft impofiible to ihake off. Being however, like other luxuries, ex-
penfive, few only, among the lower clafs of people, can compais the re-
gular enjoyment of it ; even where its ufe is not reflrained, as it is among
the pepper planters,, to the times of their feftivals. That the pra<9ice of
ibioking opium muft be in fome degree prejudicial to the health, is highly
^ probable ; yet I am inclined to think that effed:s have been attributed

(o it, mruch more pernicious to the conftitution, than it is in reality the
caufeof. The Bugguefs foldiers, and others in the Malay bazars> whom
9ve fee molt attached to it, and who ufe it to. excefs, commonly appear

emaciated ;

Sumatra. aj^

emaciated; but they are in other refpefts abandoned^ and debauched.
The Leemoon and Battang AJJy gold traders, on the contrary, who are an
ajftive, laborious clafs of men, but yet indulge as freely in opium as any
others whatever, are, notwithftanding, the moft healthy and vigorous
people to be met with on the ifland. It has been ufual alfo to attribute
to the pradtice, deftruftive confcquences of another nature j from the
frenzy it has been fuppofed to excite in thofe who take it in quantities. ,
But this fliould probably rank with the many errors that mankind have
been led into, by travellers addidled to the marvellous ; and there is every
reafon to believe, that the furious quarrels, defperate affaffinations, and
fanguinary attacks, which the ufe of opium is faid to give birth to, are
idle notions, originally adopted through ignorance, and fince main-
tained, from the mere want of inveftigation, without having any folid
foundation. It is not to be controverted that thofe defperate adls of in-
difcriminate murder, called by us, mucksy and by the natives, fno»gam&, do
aftually take place, and frequently too, in fome parts of the eaft, (on Java
in particular) but it is not equally evident that they proceed from any
intoxication, except that of their unruly paffions. Too often they are
occalioned by excefs of cruelty and injuftice in their oppreflbrs. On the
Weft coaft of Sumatra about twenty thoufand pounds weight of this
drug are confumed annually, yet inftances of this crime do not happen,
(at leaft within the fcope of our knowledge^ above once in two or three
years. During my refidence there I had an opportunity of being an eye-
witnefs but to one muck. The Have of a Portuguefe woman, a man of
the ifland of Neas^ who in all probability had never handled an opium
pipe in his life, being treated by his miftrefs with extreme feverity, for
a trifling offence, vowed he would have revenge if flie attempted to
flrike him again ; and ran down the fteps of the houfe, with a knife in
each hand, as it was faid. She cried out^ mongamo ! The civil guard
was called, who having the power, in thefe cafes, of exercifing fum*
mary juftice, fired half a dozen rounds, into an outhoufe, where the
unfortunate wretch had flxeltcred himfelf, on their approach j and from
whence he was at length dragged, covered with wounds. Many other

mucks

C40 SUMATRA.

nuieks might perhaps be found, upon fcrutiny, of the nature of the fore*
£oing, where a man of ftrong feelings was driven, by excefs of injury ta
domeftic rebellion.

It is true that the Malays, when, in a ftate of war, tbey are bent oa
any dari«g enterprize, fortify themfelves with a few whiffs of opium, to
Tender them Infenfiblc to danger; as tbe people of another nation arc.
faid to take a dram ; but it muft be obferved, that the refolution for the
aft precedol, and is not the cffeft of the intoxication. They take the
fame precaution, previous to being led to public execution, but on thefc
occafioab ihew greater figns of ftupidity, than frenzy. Upon the whole,
* it may b J reafonably concluded, that the fanguinary atchievements, for
•which the Malays have been famous, or infamous rather, in hiftory, are
more juftly derived from the natural ferocity of tbeir difpofition, than
from the qualities of any drug whatever. The pretext of the foldiers of
the country guard, for ufing opium, is, that it may render them watch-
ful on their nightly pofts ; we, on the contrary, adminifter it to procure
fleep; and according to the quantity it has eitlier effccft. The delirium
it produces is known to be fo very .pleafing, tbat Pope lias fuppofed this
to have been dcfigned by Homer, when he defcrlbes the delicious draught
prepared by. Helen, called Nepenthe^ wlitch exhilarated the Ipirits, and
baniihed from the inind th<^recQllcftion of woe, I

It is remarkable that SitBatavia, where tbe aflaflins juft now defcribed,
when taken alive, are broken on the wheel, with every aggravation
of punifhnient that the mod rigorous juftice can infllft, the mucks yet
happen in great frequency.; whilft at Bensoolen, where they are executed
in the moft limple and -expeditious manner, the offence is extremely rare.
♦Exceffes of feverity in punilhmcnt may deter men from deliberate and
intcrefted afls of villany, but they add fuel to the atrocious enthufiafm
of defperadocs. A further proof of the influence that mild government
ri!!I«f*^ *^' basupon the manners of people, is, that the piratical adventures, focom-

ttion on the eaftern coaft of thelfland, are unknown on the weftern. Far
ixQva our having apprehcnTiohs of the Miays, the guards at the fmaller

Englifk

vein u 17^

S U M A T H A.

241

Si^^ fetdementit are almoft entirelj compofed of them, witli a mix*
tne of Bifgmfi or MMimJmr pieopAe» Eliwpeaiai» attended by Ma%f
only, are contbuaUy traveUiog tktougli'the couotrjfr. They are the only
peribos employed in carryii^ treafure to diftant placet ; in the capacity
of fecretuTfet for ihe country eorfeipondence $ as ^ivil oficer% in leizing
delinquents^ anaong. die planters, and eHewliefe; and aa maflett aad
Ibpercargoes of the ttrnkoi^onSf frmm, and other fimll coafttng yitSkh.
So great is the tSsA wUch habit has upon a nstkmal chattftcff cfteemed
die Bic^ tftacfaerous nd ftagowaiy*

»>

.1 f

» r
t

: J ' )

• «

J.I*.

^ 'i I

. t

Qt/ti

ft4* -1^ ^ SI A r It' il.

-•/. . f fill.' rr: «r[ J '•; L/V^{rr.oD v'ji' '-:•,> ' •':!:> s*:.*: t^l.'rt:; /^fj .."^i' - TI

chcw'iTgletci.: "V.>^'i H l&TFDH^!U-)tof:btiiftirthe'^«dg^--of ^mlM f^fi^iMbi 9% omv^

i tt aii:rftmtfioitohir'n«iffri hxirt Ifmnv tMxi ifiaAioQ^ 4mA «Mtkns^ Jlilve

Americans chew the cocoa and mambeCi 'Oif^j&bcHOmi-pfaBfdd^fltes idbi^i
and ^r^r^y or, as they are called in the Malay language, foerei and pe*
nang. This cuftom has been accurately defcribed by various writers, and
therefore it is almoft iuperfluous to fay more on the fubje^ than that the
Sumatrans univerfally ufe it; carry the ingredients conltantly about them;
and ferve it to their guefts on all occsifions 3 the prince in a gold (land,
and the poor man in a brafs box, or mat bag. The beteUftands of the
better rank of people, are ufually of filver^ cmbofled with rude figures*
The Sultan of Moco Moqo was prefented with one by the* India Com«
pany, with their arms on it ; and he pofieifes beGde, another of gold
filagree. The form of the fiand is the fruftum of an hexagonal py«
ramid, reverfed ; about fix or eight inches in diameter. It contains
toany finaller vefiels, fitted to the angles, for holding the nutj^ leaf and
ebunam, which is quick lime made. from calcined Ihells; with places for
the inftruments employed in cutting the firft, (cacbeep), and fpatulas for
fpreading the lad*

When the firft falutation is over, i^diich confifts in bending the body,*
and the inferior's putting his joined hands between thofe of the fupe*
rior* and then lifting them to his forehead, the betel is prefented as
a token of hofpitality, and an adt of politenefs. To omit it on the one
hand, or to rejeft it on the other, were an affront ; as it would be like-
wife, in a perfon of fubordinate rank, to addrefs a great man, without the
precaution of chewing it before he fpoke. AH the preparation confifts in
fpreading on thc/eeree leaf, a fmall quantity of the cbunam^ and folding
it up with a fUce of the penang nut. Some mix with tbefe, gambeir^

which

S V M :A TiR A.r.

243

<fci«Ms a AbflaMe pre^red from tht leaves -of a tree of cdat name ty
beifittg &Akt jyices to a oofnfilteMe) and mde up into little balls or
fquares * : tobat.«Q is likcwifc added, whkfk is fhreij.fine for the ptorpofcv
apdcaipried between the I5p, apd upper row of teeth. From the mafti-
cation of the firft three, pt^^eds a juice which tinges the faliva of a
bright red, and which the leaf and mn^without the chunam, will not yield.*
This hue .being como;iumcateaio th? itiwith and'lips; is cfteemed oraa-
mental ; and an agreeable flavor is imparted to <Jie briatli. The juice is
ufually, though not always, fwallowed by tbe cHewerb of betel. We mmht
reafonably fuj;)pofe that its a<^ive qualities would injure 'the coats of the
ftomach, but experience feems to difprove fuch a confequence. Tt is com-
mon to fee the teeth of elderly perfons ftandiobfe in the giims, which is
probabfy the. rffe ^ of . tb^ cuflom* fbut jyj:^.rOflf ^,hiBk that k ^ffedts the
fowdne^ qC;«li^ «e|;)i themi^lves. Q^^ii^^^iii*^ betel very,

young, and y-et their teeth are always bf^jmfuj^; wjiii^^^
taken to diafigwe them, by filing, ^d^&^ifiix)^^fjxtifl^^ Toperfop^

who axe DM bahittuited to the c^^no^ti^ :it^ $p4bfl ;% :I^T9^(8J4^fJ^;^
aftri^i^gca and texcot^ijes tike ionguftaft^ faHCf^j* ;?n4^eflj^
faculty of tafte^ Duriog th^e timtlhy:Qf.<^ .fiiJUfftaiiwi . r^ .j^ho^c,
tans arDOQg tih^ abftain from che ^e f«f jbe^^, wl^UA the Aid contin\iea
above the horizon; but tyict^]^f[^^:ilmft^Q^r*^^^%9)^
of both fexes, from an early period of childhood^ till, becoming toothlefs,
they:airc veduced to the fi|tc^x.%^^ k«^ii^ the^ ipgr^i(^e<^s.rprev|0|^y
Kalu4md.tb a ^Oc fw Jthen^gotbit ^xiiifbput jfertlfer .?^t ^^^}4iff¥i^
diflblvein the month* . Aloi^ wi^^4^^ b^Mi ^a4 genct^dlly in the chut
imniy is-the mode of icoDveyiog pbiltFes^.qr love charms. . : How.ffir the/
prove efibfibui I cannot t^ upoi\>in9 Je &y, but fujBP?^ j^hat thc^y . s^rf
ofithe. nattire isf bur itioaalaqt .qtedfeiftttWl aad<that tho'dtf^efti^n^^. th^
fiftffiit) Js»^f JMurfe liftdUbripifioatd; oTibc |)]SH$ic0 of nitanaiiliyriil^g;! PQ}(Qn
in thk''thadnet ts not f(>Uo(Wfid in Ibttdr tirmi; b{kt that qh^ idqa if
n«t (b f^r eradk^cd, asemireiy.tefHterYieiM:.'^^ a^p^edrd Ucm ^bis

(ttrcumftkn^i^iitkat «he gttdOt,';thott^ WciiQgia.1e^jftbm£hf) J^fHelrfgryijCf
of liis edteytttki^, notunftoquectly appttte ixi lt!'h!i)Qmitd9¥iai)^r Ah^

* A particular detail of the cultii^tion and manufacture 'of r!tii gamlfir U given in the i&'vo*
iuiue of 'th'el*iaaf. of the Batavim Sofictj.

I i z never

•*.r

«44

8. U-MTA TIUA.

TobMe»»

Bmblemttio

Ontorjr.

nerer omits to ^ft therformer betwfcpi)- hh thumb sw) . fotUi 4qfQ^. i
order to wipe offaByextnudiniioaetcr; . This :m^tr«^»l |ptoi # rf| |li ft in
fp commoD aa.QOt to giy^ pffl^iA^'

♦ ♦ *

I* *' ' "••»

Befidc the mode beforementioned of cnjo/ing the flavor of tobacco/
it is aKofmokcd by the natives, and for chis uXcj after Ihredding it fine,!
whilft greeny anddrying it well, ^^ is jrolie<i up. in leaves of the «^^i ,
tree (a fpecici of palm), and it is in that form called rcko. The r^W
are carried ia the b^tcl-box, or more comrnonly under the ^iar qi
bandkerpbief which, in imitation of a. turban, furrpunds the head. Much
tobacco i» likewife ithported from China, and fells at a high priqe. It
fpems CO pofTefs a greater pungency than the Sutpatran plant. ;

\ »V/.

I T

'" The cufixWbf ifehdbig iftttbfdHlEidcal prefents, ttn order to inkke known,
ih a covert mahnerl the birth/ piogrefs,* or change ^of certaiii difedions
of the mtnd, prevails here, as in fome other parts of the eaft ; but the
fendmeiits of ^e correfpohdents are not conveyed in the elegant iftanner
which fome ^(rrieirs have defcriberf, as prevaiUlftg in l\irkey ndeUewhere,'
by mean^ of flowers; al different hues, variotifty combined m notfegays.:
Small patceiVof'&It, cayehffe pep^^ betel, and the like^ are her^em*
ployed, whSch, among adept^ are kooWii to denote k>ve, jealoiifyf re*'
&mm€ja^p hatted, and <>ther ftrong feelings.

' :• to . .-'

' > < # k

o r

•' 1 > .

X The Sumatrias 10' ginetti iti gdidd. i^iken. The gift of oratory-
feems iiafunfl to them; ' I knew many anioBg them, whofe hanmguea
I have Kllened to with pleiafure and admiration* This may be accounted
lor, perhaps, from the conftitation of their government, which beii^
for removed from defpotifmi ieems to admk, in feme degree, evcry^
member of the foci^ty to' a ihare in the public deliberadoas. iWherO)
perfoiiaS ettdowmems, as has b^en obfisrvod, will. iof ten rai(e a pfivaiif
man to a fii«^ of importanbe in the community, fiiperior.to thai of .«
nominal chief, ^ere is abiQMiaM inducement for the acqutftioa of thefe.
valuable talents* ' The forms of their judieiai piooeediDgi, likewifiv^
where tbere^avetiaeftabUflicd advocates, and each naw ^^ndy upon hit,
«wiy. pr l\is friend's abiUties^ fpr. t)^e jgiana|;emen( pf his caufe, muft

4wbtlefi

Sr U: M A T R a; H5^

d|^vil>tlefi contribfite to this' habitual eloquence. Wo may add to thefe
•OBQcftureB, the qature of their domeflic thannersy which introduce the
foa%9 at an early period of life^ into the bufincis of the family, and the.
cdunfels, of their elders. There is little to be perceived ahiong themy of;
that paffioti for childiih fports' which marks the charader of our boys, from
the feventh to the fourteenth yean On Sumatra you will obferve infants^
not exceeding die former age^ fi)U drefied, and armed with a cfecfe, feated •
in the circle of the old men of the doofoon, and attending to their debates^*
with a gravity of countenance not furpafled by their grandfathers. Thu&
initiated, thef are qualified to deliver an opinion in public, at a time of
lifet when an Engliih fchoolboy could fcarce return an anfwer to a queff
tioD| beyond 'the lltnks' of his grammar or fyntax, which he ha»
learned by ro^« 'It is not a little unaccountable, that this people, who
hold the art of (peaking ki fuch high efteem, and evidently pique them-
ielvet on the attainment of it, iUbuld yet take fo much pains to deflroy
the organs of fpeecb; in filing down, and otherwife disfiguring'their teeth ^
^nd likewife adc^ the uncouth praAioe of filling their mouths with be-^
td, whenever tfaqr prepare to hold forth. We muft conclude, that it
is not upon the graces of elocution they valuef an orator, but his^ artful
and judicious management of the fubjed m^ttei; ; together with a copt-<
oufnefs of phrafe, a perfpicyity of thought, an advantageous arrange-
inent, and ia readinefs, efpeciallyi^ at unravelling the difBcylties and in^i

trlcacies of tbclr fuits; .

The curfe entailed on womep in the article of child- bearing, does Qiiid-beariDet
not fall fo heavy io this^ as in the northern countries^ Their pregnancy,
fcarcely at any period prevents their attendance on the ordinary domeftic
duties ; and ufyally within a fipw hdiirs after their delivery, they walk tq
the bathing place^ at a fniall diftanoe from the houfe. The prefen^e of
ifag€fmm$\% ofteo efte^med fuperfluoua. This facilitv of parturitioQ
may probably be owing to the relaxation of the frame, from th? warmth
of the climate ; to which caufe alfo, may be attributed the paucity of
children borne by the Sumatrao women^ and the early decay of their
\wAy and ftrengtli# They have the tokcps of old age^ at a fe^fon of

* life

•24^

SUMATRA.

Treatment of
childrea.

Age of the

people*

Natnet.

life when European woman have not pafled their prime. The early
communication between the fexes, may poffibly concabute to (hoitt»
both their lives and ftature. They are like the fruits of the country^ fooa
ripe, and foon decayed. They bear children before fifteen^ are generally
paft it at thirty, and grey-headed and flirivelled at forty. I do not recoU
left hearing of any woman who had fix children^ except the wife of RaJU
deen of Madura^ who had more, and Ifae, contrary Co the univtriai cuf-
torn, did not give fuck to hers.

Mothers carry the children, not on the ami, ^s our nurfes doi but
(traddling on the hip, and ufually fupporced by a cloth, which ties in a
knot on the oppofite ihouldcr. This pradtioe, I have been told, is cona-«
mon in fome parts of Wales. It is much &fer tha^ the other method,
lefs tireibme to the nurfe, and the child has the advantage of fitting in a
lefs conftrained pofture : but the defenfive armour of fiays, and offen**
five weapons called pins, might be fome objedioo to the general intro-
du^ion of the fafliion in England^ The Chikfami are murfed but little $
not confined by any fwathing or bandages; and being iiiffered to roll
about the floor, ibon learn to walk and (bift for thamfelves. When cra-^

dies are ufed, they fwing fufpenckd from the ceiling of the rooms*

The country people can very feldom give an account of their age,
being entirely without any fpecics of chronology. Among thofe who
profefs themfelves Mahometans, to very few is the number of the Uegira
known ; and even of thofe who in their writings make ufe of it, not«^ne
in ten can pronounce in what year pf it they were born. After a few
tamn paddee (harvefts) are elapfed, they are bewildered in regard to the
date of an event, and only guefs at^it fron^ fome contemporary circum-
ftance of notoriety; as the appointment of a particular ^//p^/Zy ; the in-
curfion of a certain enemy, or the )ike* As far as can be judged from
obfervatioh, it would fcem, that few attain to the age of fifty, and fixty
years is extreme long life.

The children^ among the Rejangs, liavc gencplly a name given them
by their parents, foon after their birth, which is called l^ namo dagging.'*

The

•SUMATRA. 147

STim^gitl^ ("a^MMIIJIs VH>di«r fpeciei oi name^ or ticle^ as we improperly
tratlitote itj h. b^<)wed at a^ fi^bfequcnt, but not at any determinate pe*
xiod D (baatettn^tSi. 4s the litds rife to ;nanhood^ at an entertainment given
•by the parent^ oo fome pai?ticuUr occafion ; and often at their marriage.
It is generally oooferrcd by the old men of the neighbouring villages,
«hen aflemblcd ; but inftanc<» occut; of Its being, irregularly, affumed
by the pctfopf thcfhfelvts { and (ottid never obtain znygalar. It is alfo
QOt unufg^l^ at a coQVentiop held on bufinef^ of Importance, to change
thcgaiar clS one or two of the principal perfonages, to others of fuperior
eftimation; thoMg^it is not eafyto difcovet in what this preeminence
confifts^ the appeUsi^dons being entirely arbitrary, at the fancy of thofe
who confer tbem ; {ierhaps in the loftier found, or more pompous allufion
in the iefifr, i^hieh latter la. forpettmes carried to an extraordinary pitch
4)f bombafti a* iAltoJiinftance of *^ Pwtgo^mh^wg^ hvom$t^ or ** Shaker of
«be world^' thetkJ^Q'oif a p4ngtrtm of Mantuu But a climax is not always
pcrcep^ibk ip .(h$ change*

^ •

The father, in many parts of the country, and particularly in Pajfum^ Father nat^
mh, is diilingpiibcd by,tbe,aame of hisfirft child as ^' Pa-Laddem,'* ^"*"*^"*^^
ix '' Pa^Rindaa," (" -P^" for '' bapa;* fignifying « the father oP) and
Jofes in this acquired, his own proper name. This is a lingular cuftom^
jind furely lefa coniprD(iable t9 the order of natyre, than that which naoie$
jhe ionfroq^ the father. Theie^ it ia notufual to give them a^^Azr^
on their nwrfiagei af w^ the; ^^9^/9 amoog whom the Jllhf^mic is
not fo common, though fometimes adopted, and perhaps joined with
thcgalar; as P. add^en^fa-Cbiram. The women never change the name
given thepi fit the tjrae of thek birth ; yet frequently they are called^
tbroi^h courtefy* from their eldeft child, " Ma fe anno^* the mother
pf fuch an qne ; but rather 8$ a polite defcription, than a name. The
word or particle '^ Se^ i^ always prefixed to proper names of perfons,
where the name confifts* of but a fingle word ; as & Bintang ; but not
Sf Mallim M^cio. , r

I • • »

A Sumatraitt ever fcjrupulouflyjabflaipsfrom pronouncing his owo name; jj^^^g^^

sot» as 1 uhderftand, from any motive of fuperttltion, but merely as* a "^""" ^^"^^

to prop

own nam«.

puniftilio

«48 SUMATRA;

pundilio in manners. It occafions him infinite ^ttAwrriKBhien^ iwliefl it
firanger, unacquainted with thetr cirfioms^, requires k of him. As iboH
as he recovers from his confufion^ he folielts the interpofittoo of his
neighbour. He is never addrefied^ except in the caie of a fiiperior die*
^5J*jJ^^^ tating to his dependant, in the fecond perfon, but always in the third i

uiing his name, or title, inflead of the pronoun ; and when thefe are un^
known, a general title of refped is fubftituted, and thej lay, for inftance^
«* apo crang a^o poonia fioco ?" '* what is his honor's pleafure'* for *• what
is your, or your honor's pleafure ^' M^hen criminals, or other ignomi^
nous perfons, are fpoken to, they make ufe of pronouns peribna), both
mafculine and feminine (^ Qnf^ ^ cavw^) particularly expreffive of con-
tempt. The idea of difrefpe£t annexed to the ufe of the fecond peribiiy
in difcourfe, though difficult to be accounted for, feems pretty generd
in the world. The Europeans, to avoid the fiippofed indecorum, ex-
-change the fingukr number for the plural ; but I thiiik, with lefs pro-
priety of effed: than the Aiiatic mode ; if to take off from the bluntneis
of addrefs, be the objedt aimed at«

eutmciSoB. The boys are circumcifed, where Mahometatiifm )[>revails, between ^e

fixth and tenth year. The ceremony is called heoakg maho (calling away
their ihame), and a bimtang' is ufually given on the occafion ; as well as
at the ceremony of boring their daughters ears, and filing their teeth, (be«'
fore defcribed) which takes place at about the fame ageif and before
' which is performed, they cannot, with propriety, be dfuirried^ >

At their funerals, the corpfe is carried to the place of interment, on a
broad plank, which is kept for the public fervice of the doofbon, and
lalls for many generations. It is conftantly nibbed with lime, either to
• prcferve it from decay, or to keep it pure. No coffin is made ufe of;
the body being fimpfy wrapped in white cloth, particularly of the fort
called bummums. In forming the grave, after ' digging to a convenient
depth, they make a cavity in the fide, at bottom, of fufficient dimen-
fions to contain the body ; by which means the earth literally lies light
upon it; and ^is cavity, after ftrewing flowers in it, they flop up by two

boards.

->S U iM' A T R A. 24^

boards^ fafteiietl angularly, to each 'other, fo that the one is on the top
bfthQ corpfe, whilft* the other defends it on the open fide f the edge
refting oil the bdttom" of the grkve. The outer hole is then filled up
with earth ; and little white flags, or ftreamers, are ftuck in* ordtr around.
They Ukewife plant a fhrub, bearing a white- flower, called edwibang*
anoiffoar, and ki fome places, wild ikiaijoram. The women who iattehd
the. funeral make a hideous noife, not^tfruch uriGke the Irifli howK On
Che third And ifevtoth day, therelations perform a cerernony at the grave,
called ^ondonei;' Md at the end of twelve months, the ceremony of
teg^4 battooj or fetting up'a few long, eTliptical (tones, at the head and foot;
Which being fearce in fome parts of the country, bear a confiderable

price. On this occafion, they kill and feafton a buffalo, and leave* the
head to decay on the fpot, as a token of the honor they have done the
lAeceafed, iti eati]bg to his nieftidry. The burying |>laces are called
arammat* They are' held in extraordinary reverence, and the leaft diftur^*
•bance or viobtion <^ the ground, though all traces of the grives be
obliteritt^dj is ^regarded as an unpardonable facrilegeJ

In' works defcmptive of the manners of people little known to the Reiigian.
^orld; tke account of their reKgion^ ufually conftitutes an article of the
tfirft importance. Mine will labor under the contrary difadvantage%
'The ancient and genuine religion^ of the Rejangs, if in fadt they ever
'liad any, ' is (car^ely now to be traced i and what principally adds to its
;db&uffty, and the diflkulty <rf. getting infofniation on the fubjeft,
aa,. that even tbofe among thorn who have not been initiated in
*die' principles of Mahotnetanifm, yet regard thofe who have, as perfotis
tdfeanced a iirep in knowledge beybnd th«n, and therefore hefitate to
?own' circumftantjally, that they rerri^in ilill unenlightened. Ceremonies
*ifre fafcinating to mankind, and without ccmiprehending with what^ vi^wi
'they were inftituted, the ptofamm vir/j^^ natuitlly give them credit for
^mething myfterious and above their capacities ; and accordingly p£(y
^em a tribute of refped. With Mahonietanifm, ii'mo^e^iftenfive fidtd
iof literature (I fpeak in compariibn) is opened to its conve^; and Ibrtfe
-Additional notions of fcimce are conveyed. Tbefir help *tO'g^e it vtth
'pertincc ; though k muft be confefled they are not the moft pure tenet^

Kk of .

SUM A T R A.

p{ that religion^ which have fouod their way to Bumatn;. jfpt aiV9,4ve9
the ceremonial parts very ferypulouijy adhicr^ to^ Many «kIip pKofeb
fo follow it, ^ive tbemfelves not the leaft concerfi about i^ ii\)miSitllif ^
or even know what they require* A AUl^ at ManM upbraided «
cuuntrjman^ with the total ^norance of reli^ionj his tiatioa labored under.
'^ You pay a veneration to the tombp ^ ypi^r anceftora : wfhtt foqiidatioii
have you for fuppofing that your 4ead ancefiors cun lend you nffiftahce?*'
<^It may be true; aafwered the others but what foundation have jFot^
for expedifig affiftance from Muh and MaboinUf** Art you *not awas%
replied the Malay, that it is written in a Bo^f have you not heard of th«
K^aan ?** The native of Pafmmah^ with coj^ious iafjepri<^ity»^^ fubmiilMl
tp the foroe of this arguments

If by reVpM is meant a pnblip or private foim of worfliipt df attjr
kind ; and if prayers^ proceffions, meetings^ (^etlngs^ imago^^ or pncfli^
Me any of them neceflaty to conAitute it^ I can proimmcc that the Re^
jangs are totally without religion> and cannot^ with propnety^ be eveft
termed Pagans^ if that, as I apprehend, conveys the idea of miftakea
worfliip. They neither worlhip God, devS^ nor idoL Thty ace iot^
however, without fuperftitious beliefs of auny kinda^ and tjive ecv-
tainly a confufed notion, though perhaps derif ed from their intetcourlb
fvitb other people, of ibme fpeciea of fuperior beings,' who have the
power <tf rendering themfelves vttble. or invifibfe at pleafute. Theft
they call ^ ^r^sj^ ^Uos^* ** fine, or impalpable mcn^^ and regard them an
pofleiSng the faculty of doing them good or evil ;. depreaating thdr
wrath, as the fenfe of preient misfortunes, or appifebenfion of fTfitora,
prevails in their minds^ But when they fpeak particular] y of thirm, tluy
cj|ll them by the appelUtidnsf of ^^makykai*\ and ^^jiM^^ wUch aoe
the angel9» and evil fpiriits of tj)e Ar^iam, and the idea may profaaldy
b^ve been borrowed, at thie ianae time with the names. Thefe are the
powers they alfo. riifef tOy in. an oath» I have heard a dufi^iy fay» <^ mjr
gr^dfatber %of^ t a^ oath that he vrOuld not demand the joojoor of that
^won^jln, 9Bd impfeeated a cutfe on any of his defcendaots that fhouU
dp^ k; I never h4ve, nor coidd I witlmtt /Ua iapada wu^hykat*

8 C M A T a A-

^5^

f«sco tpm^ .die angrls.? Th«s eh^y % alC^ " de tthtig nehbttt fwtaj-
i^i* th^iprefilKK a^iUngds It^Bftiog^" Tliii is pure Mahometanifin.

llie clcar^ft proof that they never entertained an idea of Theifiii, or
tbe belief of one fupreme power^ is, that they have no Word in their the Deux,
"language to cxprefs the perfonof God^ except, the " Allah tallah** of the
Malays^ corrupted by them to *' Oola iallo** Yet when queftioned on
tlie fulued^ they aflert their ancestors knowledge of a deity^ thougn
their thougBts were nevejr employed about hini i but this evidently means
bo more than that their forefathers, as well as themfelves. had heard
b£ the AOab of the Mahometans ^Allab orang Iflaem)*

They ufe, botk vnk K^ung anfct Faffkmmtk^ the word ^^ iiwi^ tocff^
prefs a fuperior, invifible clafs of beings ; but each country acknowledges idet of idtI.
ic* tO'be of 'foreigiv dertmtiiMy am); €bty fb^polb ^ ^mm^ Riidm^ of ^^^ ^'
Maditru^ ujt iftuijd doA ia Jma^ «^lio «* wSX coRverfant with tM^ reii-
^ousopiiiiMitef moftnatfoAB, aCorcdS-fo tM t\mr^4dmfa)^ or ^< ^
wk^ wail VI Qi%i(ial WQrd4>f d«r«iniMry> for a fi^e^ior borng^ wbkh lAfe
iaterhMf y^rpam iMlievad in f btM fe^eAmg 'whom tte^^ ufed m: cemm^aiife
ef fofmi'.df woribi^* : diat tboy- had foiM idfea 6t a" Aits»e Itff > but noi A
t ftnw of fiivibutkftt;. cwaei^f&gtimmortallty^fio be the IM of ricb^ ri^
ther t^a« •£ gQod liiM^ { moliedb tlxat an inhabitant of ono of^ the
Htandt* faiihdr' e aftwwwi ^ ofaftrvoct to me^ mtii- great implioity^ th^:
gTMa men oqly #eoti» thi( JLies ; how iwukl poor OMi find adnilawnct
tfacfse i Tins SwnaCDanSy wlkere untioftuted by Mkhometanifini dd oo^
appear to h»M ny notion of a^ future fl!9ice« Thair conoeption of viriu t *
or vlce> extends no finrthtf dian^to.tke imme^te effefi: of adion% txi
the benefit or prejudice of ibciety, and alt luch at tend not to either of
thefe ends, are, in their eilimatbn, perfectly indifferent.

Notwlthftandiog what b aflerted of the originality of the word
€i ie^af or '^ itwah^^ I cannot help remarking its extreme affinity tp^

the Perfian word *• icm^ which fignifics *^ an evil fpirit** qr ^^ bad ge*

•• • « •

• Ia ^e T^MifiMaM eftbe tmavUn fol^I hm lattly found % Hlfliry of tliefl^H^mi^l df >
»» 3hfawr:u»iilimiifcww igi ojgwri W. Tlw iqjtiifii<)g]r is chiidtlh and mpohrciic. Tbt/
Ihitcb comavaiaitaff fujipofet tlwm to haTC been ^ of^ of^cabeU fiicrcdj forming a Q)ccic9 of
Hicnvthj, Uit» tb» gcwauncm ef tbc Xm»m in 7ar/<ir|r,

K k a- nius,*^

252

S U M 'A T R A.

nius/* and is called in our cranflatkMi ** divif\ Perhat^s, long antece«
dent to the mtroduftion of the faith of the Ca/q|»IrT among the eafbrft
people, this word might have found its way, and been naturalized ia jhc
iflands ; or perhaps its progrefs was in a contrary direAion. I It has like*
wife a connexion in found, with the names ufed to exprefs a deity, or fome
degree of fuperior being, by many other people of this region of the
earth. The BaUas. inhabitants of the northern end of Sumatra,whom I
(hall defcribe hereafter,, ufe the word ^* daibatiah^ or *• daivaitab ;" the
Chingakfe, of Ceylon,' dewijoo ; the Tdingas^ of Indoftan, dii waondco ;
the Budjoos of Borneo, de-wattab i xhtBafooas oi New Guinea, W/;
and the Bampangos^ofxht Philippines, 'ir«tf to* It bears like wife an affi-

jiity (doubtlcfs acqidwtal) tojthe fl^«r of the Romans.: \^ t - ''^

» • •

Veneration for Tb« fttp^rfljtioD wkjch had the fifoogeft influence- on the miods. df the
fDm£^*their Sumatran^ and which ap'prpadies the neareil to ^ fpeCiis of ^Hgion,
ttcefton. ^ ^^^ which lead* them to ve&etate» alm^ft to- the point of worfliippingy

the. tombs and mants of their deceaiM ^anccftoni (MMiry /i^44i;f ^. Thefc
they aic attached to as ftrangly as to Hfe ki^, and tof oblige them to
temove iroU' the noigbbouifhood ^f t\kpt crmnm^it (timftitri£iy\% X^
tearing up a tree by the roots. Theft, tfaic motse geamne, country people.
regajTi} ehteflyf when they take ^.folcoo oatb» and to thefe tbey a^ftro*
:phi2^ in indances of fudden calamity* Hid they the. art of aiaking
imi^^i or other repr^ntations of theip> they twukl be perfed Utrcst
ftmHis^ or houfehcdd godd. It has been aflerted to one, that in ver^
ancienttbnes, the Sumatr^^s made apraAkeof burning the bodies of
their dead, but I could never find iny tracea of the citftdm, or any cir<«

ciiQiilances that corroborated it. .

• ■ » •

Mefcmpfy. ' They Jiaye an imperfedl notion of a Meterppfychofis, but not in any
•^^- degree fyfteriiatic, and T (J^ubt its having any original connexion with

the do6lrines pfthc IJindoos^ Popular ftorics will often prevail, arid be
generally received, of fuch a particular man being changed into a tiger,
or other^aft. They think indeed .thstt tigers \\x \ general are a^uated
with the fpirits of departed meo^ and no confideration will prevail' oi
a countryman to catcH or to wound one, but l?l felf defencie, or immedi-

S* U M A T I^ A. a$3

ttely after the aA of defiroying a fHend or relation. They fpeak of them
with a degree of awCf and hefitate to call them by their common nacne
/reem§iVf or macbang)^ but rather, with a degree of tendernefs^ their $ien--
Mi^ (anceftors), w feiuo (th% old people); as really believing them
fuch^ or by way of foothing or coaxing them ; as our ignorant country
folk call the fairies ^^ the good people.^ When an European procures
traps to be fee, by the means oi perfons lefs fuperftitious^ thofe have been
known to go at night to the place, and pradife fome forms, in order to
perfuade the animal, when caught, or when he ihall perceive the bait,
that it was not laid by them, or with their confent. They talk of a
place in the country where the tigers have a court, and maintain a regi>
lar form of government, in towns, the houles of which are thatched with
women's hair. It happened that in one month, feven or eight people
were killed, by thefe prowling beafts, in Manna diftridi;; upon which
a report became current, that fifteen hundred of theni were come down
from PaCummah ; of which number| four were without underfianding
(geeh)^ and having feparated from the reft, ran about the country occa<^
fioning all the mifchief that was felt. The Aligators, almoft equally
deftru^ve, owing to the conftant pradice of bathing in the rivers, are
regarded with nearly the fame degree of religious terror. Fear is
the father of fuperftition, by ignqrance. Thefe two animals prove the
Sumatran's greateft fcourge. The mifchief the former commit^ is
ji&credible, whole villages being often depopulated by them. The peoplp
leam to reveren<;e^ as fupernatural eficds,^ the furious ravages of an ene-
my they have not refolution to oppofe«

In fome parts likewife ; but chiefly to the fouthward j they lliper-
ftitioully believe that certain trees, particularly thofe of a venerable ap- opiojoa*
pearance (as an oXdi jawee jawee or banyan tree) are the refidence, or ra«
ther the material frame of fpirits of the woods : an opinion which exadly

■

anfwers to the idea entertained by the ancients, of the dryades and bama-'
dryades. At Bencd^naty in the Lampoon country, there is a long fion£,
ftaading on a flat one, fuppofcd . by the peoj[)le to pofleis extraordinary

pawes

■a54

Sumatra:

power or virtue. It b reported to have been once tlifown down ttifb
the water, and to have raifed itfelf agam to itt original pofition ; agt<>
'catiog the elements at the fame time with a prodipous fbrm. To aph
proach it without relped, tbej believe to be she fource of miafbrtune to
the oflender.

The inland people of that country are feid to pay a kind of adoration
to the fea^ and to mak;e to it an offering of cakes and fweetmeats (joada)^
'on their beholding it for the firft time, deprecating its power of doing
them mifphief^ This is by no means furprizing, when we confider
the natural pronenefs of unenlightened mankind, to regard with
fuperftitious awe, whatever has the power of injurbg tkem without
control, and particularly when it is attended wkh any circumftances,
myfterious and inexplicable to their underftandings. The fea poiMes
all theie qualities. Its deftrudive and irrefiihble power is often felt,
and efpecially on the coafis of India, where tremendous furfs are conflandy
l>reaking on the Ihore, rifing of^en to their greateft degree of violence^
without any apparent external caufe. Add to this, the flux and refltur,
and perpetual ordinary motion of that element ; wonderful even to phK»
lofbphers who are acquainted widi the caufe ; unaccountable to igno*.
rant men, though Ibng accuftomed to die^efieds; but to thoie wh6
only once or twice in their lives, have been eye witnefles to the ph«7
nomena, ftipematural and divine. It muft not however be underftoed^
that any thing like a regular worihip is paid to the fea, by theie people,
any more than we Ihould conclude, that peoj^e in England worfti^
witches, when they nail a horfe-ihoe on the threihold, to prevent their
approach, or break the bottoms of egg Ihells, to hinder them from failing
in them* It is with the inhabitants of Lampoon no more than a tem^
porary fentiment of fear and refpeft, which a little familiarity fbon ef*
faces. Many of them, indeed, imagine it endowed with a principle of
voluntary motion* They tell a ftory of an ignorant fellow, who 6b«
ferving with aftoniihment its continual itgitation, carried a veflel of iea
water with him, on bis return to the country, and ppured it into a lake^,

S U M A T K A. 255

1r mi ezpefttrioa of Ibeing it perform the fitme fanciful motions, he had
•d^uivd It for, in iti nadve bed.*

The

^ ThentannerB of the iwdtes c^ the Pbilipt>iii^ or Luzon iflan& conefpond In (b many firikin|[
ytttici^n mMk thofe of the inlaiid Sumatrans, and efpecially where they differ mod from the
Maltyk, tfattlthidc no douht canbeeiitertained, if not of a famenefs of origin, at leaft of an
ilitercomleand connexfon in farmer times, which now no longer exifts. The following inftancet
are taken Iroai aa eflhy prtlerved by tkvm^basg entitled Itleuion dts FtUippiMes far un religieux ^
trmUti An maaufirit ^^t^^ du cabinet dt Monf. Dm. Carlo dilFiXKo (without date), a^n^
from a nuiftufbipt communicated to me by AUx, Dalryn^lt^ Efq. ^* The chief Deity of the
fi^«Jkr is Called Batbaia nui Capalf and alfo Dinata \ and their principal idolatry confifts in ada«
sing thoA of tikeir anceAors, who fignaliaed themfelves for courage or abilities $ calling them
tbaiadag^f \. e* mams* They make ilaves of people who do not keep filchce at the tombs of
ihcSr ancefton. They hove great ▼eneration for the crocodile, which they call nono, fignifying
gnmdfather, and make cfierxngs to It. Every Ml tree they look upon as a Aiperior being, and
^liiik it i crime to cut it down. They worlhip alfo ^ones, rocks, and points of land, ihootin|^
i/rewt tt thefe laft as they pais them* They have priefts, who, at their iacrifices, make many
eontorfloos and grimaces, as if pofielled with a deviL The firft man and woman, they fay, were
produced from a bambdo, which budl in the iiland of Sumatra j and they <|uarrelled about their
ftmrriige* The people mark their bodies in various figures, and render them of the color of
aihee t bare ktge holes in tbeir ears : blacken and file their teetb^ and make an opening which
they fill up with gold : they ufed to write from top to bottom, till die Spaniards taught them to-
wrild from leffc to right : bamboos and palm leaves fcrve them for paper. They cover their houfea
with flraw, leaves of trees, or bamboos fplit in two, which feive for tiles. They hire people to
ing and weep at their funerals ; bum benjamin ; bury their dead on the tliird day ia ftnong. co£*
itts I and ibmc^es kiU flaves to accompany their deceafed mafterak'

*»•

The latter account it more paiUcular, and appears of modem date^

M Theft la&oa have no cnftotfik of perpetuating the names of families i bat on the birth of
ft child, the mothers named it from fome accidental drcumflance,. as MaH'v^, or difficult, be«
aanle the birth was fuch i Malaccas or ftrong, becaufe it appeared to be a ftrong child : and at
«ther timet they gave them the fikil name that occurred, as Daa»^ a road. Thefe names eon^^
tinned until the children were grown upland married, and then the Ton or daughter gave a fumame
to their parents. Others, who bad no children, invited their relations and ac<|ualritance to aa>
entertainment, when they received anothei^ name or appellation, called pamagctt^ founded, by
|bme aMtaphor, on dieir firft naine ) as when this was Bacal^ or iron, the pamagat would be
JHmatasMffcMf or he that caonct be deftroyedby thne i Baj^ant\ or valiant, they fumamed Dima*
kifitan, he whom no one dares attack. It was a cuflom aifb amongft them to call one another
by correlative names, founded on ibosepanicular tranfaAion ; as if one had given another a iweet
b^ thefe called eadiiHhcr Cafola/f which is the name of the thing given.^

The

ts6 S U M A T R A.J;

The Sumatrans are firmly perfuaded that variom, particular pcrfoosgj
arc, what they term «* bctooaV' (facred, impaflive, in\iilnerabl^, flo|

liable

The exceflive indolence and fupinenefs of this people, i% evident from their hftring no written
account of their religion, government, or hlftory. All their knowledge therein vas fouaded^m
tradition, or handed from father to ion in fongi, which they repeat in their voyite^, fnts» aadr
funerals. In thefe hallads are related the fabulous genealogy and deeds of their gods and gpvat
men. Superior to the reft of their deities, they worihipped one whom the TegaUu called Baihalm
Meycapal, which (ignifies God the Maker. They .adored alfo the funt moon, and raiabow^
and different kinds of animals and birds. They reverenced a blue bird of the iize of a {^arling^

to which alfo they attributed the name of Baltala, and adored the crow, calling it Meylupa, or
lord of the earth i they held the caiman^ or aligator, in great reverence, and when they faw him
diey called him nonOf or grandfather, praying with great tendcrnefs that he would do ^hcm na
harm, and to this end, offered him of whatever they had in their boats, throwing it into tht.
water. There was not an old tree to which they did not oflfer divine worlhip, elpecially that
called hatiU \ and even at this time they have foroe rcfpefl for them. Befi^e thefe they had* cq:«
tain idols inherited from their anceftors, which the Tagalas called AnitOt and the Bifitj^anSm
Di'vaia, Some of thefe were for the mountains and plains, and they aiked their leave when i\^
would pafs them : ofhen for the com fields, and to thefe they recommend them, that they migh(
be fertile! placing meat and drink in the jSelds for the ufe of the Aultos, There was one, of
Che fca* who had care of their fiihing and navigation ; another of the houfe, whoij; f^vor tl^y
implored at the birth of a child, and under whofe protedlion they placed it. They made Jhui^^
^fo of their deceafed anceftors, and to thefe were tlieir inH invocations in all difficulties an4
dangers. They ivckoned amongft thefe beings, all thofe who were killed by lightning or aligators»
or had any difaftrous deaths and believed that they were carried up to the happy ftate, by the raja«
bow, which they call Balan-gao, In general they endeavored to attribute this kind of divinity
to their fathers, when they died in years, and the old men, vain with this barbarous notion^ a(«
fe£led in their iicknefs a gravity and compofure of mind, as they conceived, more tl>an human,
becaufe they thought themfelves commencing Amtos, They were to be interred at places matked
out by themfelves, that they might be difcovered at a diftance and worihipped. The Mifljonarics
Jiave had great trouble in demoliihing their tombs and idoIs» but the Indians, inland, fiiil Ma*
finue the cuftom of pafing tabifa none, or afking pcrmiilion of their dead anceAors, when they
enter any wood, mountain or com iield, for hunting or fowingj and if they omit this c^r^moD/*
imagine their nofios will punijh them with b^d fortune. They ha'd no temples or plaoes.of
worihip^ but the idols were placed in their houfes^ or fome /cave^ or like place, with a pan of in«
cenfe burning before them; but they had great numbers of priefts and priefteiTcs, which, the
Tagalas called CatolonaM and the Bifi^ans^ fabc^Jan* Their facrificcs had different ceremQBiea»
agreeable to theoccafion of .making them^ If it was in compliment to any of their chiefs, they
called it, for greater odentation, thp fpaft of Bsabalm Mfycapal^ and they ratfed an arbor bafove
the houfe, ornamented with different colore^ clqths, in which the gueils affembled^ and the C^^
foloHftn or prieftcfs ordered a girl of the bed appearance among them, to kill the animal^ whieh
was brought for this p.urpofe; accompanied, whb muiip and dancing* Tba baaft being killed.

^S V-U A T jl A. fSl

mble. to accidrat) ; and tbU quality they .fotnetimes extend to things

inaaii|i9te ; ^ mp^ and boats. §uch ,2a ofunion, which we ihould fup*

; ..•■.•.■. t !> pofe

.♦

flPas dre0ed;aiid 4iyldtfd amongft them ^. xyfiAfei^eral. odier diilicfty after their jufe ; but this was
llie moft eileemedi «;id eatep wi^ gr^t reyerpncc an4 refpeCt. The. ceKOony concluded with
copious libation}, and fongs. If the facrifice was made for a fick perfon» the prieft ordered a
new houfe ot arbor to \^ built at his expence, c^piible of celebrating itr and removed hhn thi*
ther. They Iteought the ikciifice otar hlm^ wfaUh wi^s (hmetiincs a^flave, but moft commMUly
f)aie ja^ aa%iifiLoc ie^'tuitfey and hamig placed tMmjon A niati with feveral diihesrof oieat mu&d
hiiiij the prieftcft .dandng alKmt him with little bells^ wouoded the aoimali and anointed the
man with its blood.; ^er which they drew ic.afidey and the prieftcfs muttering certain words^
opened it, and esamined the entrails with great care : then diftorting her features, and makhi^
ttttcm&omilotibns wiU her feel ind 6and»r and foaming at the month, ihe pifete&tded.for ibmo
time tobe inta ^^fafj t when (he e^mff to herfdf, ikejForftold the fate of tftc ikfk n|an#; If ihe
prophdied his recovery, they fell Jto eating, drinking,. and iiug|^^ t^e biftpry of ,hi8 anceftors,
and the praife of hi^ M^o ; but wbep his death was foretold, the prieftefs (bothed the bad news
With a recital of the Tirtues and valor of the fick perfon, whom, ihe (aid, the Ami^j had diofto
ID beonciof themftltcs, and immediaeriy recommended herlelf and ail the Easily, thai; ho mighfr.
lemember them in bis- new ftiicef and fliem thence forward ihe obliged his frienf|s to. treat
and regard him as an AjtiiQ* The wliole ended with eating the moft delicious parts of
Ae Sacrifice. Thofe who were prefent, ufually gaye fome gratuity of gold, eottons, or other
tilings, according to their abilities ; W^di were ibr the prieft or pnefteft who ipiniftertd- the fa*^
crifice ; fo that they were generally well drefled, and wore jewels and other ornaments : but not*
withftanding this, at other times they were little reputed or eftecmed amoogft the Indians, who
looked on diem as drones who lived by the labor of othen.

Their notions of the creation of the world, and formation of mankind, hkd fomething ridictf^^
louily extravagant. They b^li^ed that the world at firlt conMed only of iky and water, altid
Between theft two, a Gl/d^ i which ^eary with flying about, and finding no pluce to reft, fbt the
water at variance with the iky, which, in order to keep it in bounds, and chat it ihould not get
oppermoft, loaded the water with a number of iilands, in which the Olede might fettle and leari
^em at peace. Mankind, they iaid, fprong out of a large cane with two joints, that floating^
about in the water, was at length thrown by the waves againi^ the fbet^of the Glede, as it Utooi our
fB« ihore, which opened it^th in bill, and' the man came out of one jMat, and diewomaflautdf
the oth^. Tbefe were foon after married by^ oonic^t .of Aieir^odi Baift^a. Meyet^fSf wiMl

taufed the fidi trembling of the earth ^ and from thence are defcended '^e diftcitnt nations oiP th^
wotld.

Tlie foregoing defcnptlon does not belong to the barbarous and fayag^ race of ^ple, living
16 the mountains, who are' of the color and (ize of the Hottentots oflthe dape o^(iQod Hope : liktf
them they have iHbrt twifted hair, anfi daub their bodies all over with greafe and ai9i£s ^ their onlyl
cMxittg is made of the lind of trees, with which they cover their middle, befides fome bracelets

L 1 (uriouily

a58

"» '

* \

S U M AT R A.

pofe every man might have an opportunity of bringing tathe teft of
truth, affords a humiliating proof of the weakncfs and .credulity of^hu--'
mad nature, and the fallibility of tiftimony, when a film of prejudice
obfcures the light of the underftanding. I have known two men, whofe
honefty, good faith, and reafonablcnefs in the general concerns of life
were well eftablifhed, and whofe affertions would have, weight in tranf-
adions of confequence ; thefe men I , have . hc^rd (naintam, with the
moft deliberate confidence^ and an appearance of inward jCoavidioa of
their own fincerity, that they had tiiore than once, in 'the co«fe of their
wars, attempted to. run their weapons iritjb the^naked body of their ad-
veirfary^ which they foynd impenetrable ; their points being continually
and miraculoufly turned, without any effort oxk the part of the orar^ie*^
tvoab : and tfeat hundreds 6f inftanc^fs, of the Hke natfure, where th6 'ini-
Vulnerable nlan did not poffefs the fmalleft Aatdral means of oppofition,
bad come within their obfervation. An Engliih officer, ;ivith more cotv*
rage and humor, than difcretion^ expofed one impofture of this kind.
A man having boafted in his prefence,- that he was endowed with thb
fupernatural privilege, the officer took an opportunity of applying to
his arm the point of 9. fword, and drew the bloqd ; to the no little di-

ciirioofly madeof rattans ; and for marks of dtftin£bton they have garlands coropoicd of feathera*
Their weapons are bows and arrows, and a large thick knife. In fome refpefls they refemble the
fiiTages of Nonh America, for tl^eir greateft ambition k to drink out of the iku^a of their enemies,
after haying fcalped them« They lire mc>ft]y on fruits, and roots, io the woodi, and whisn they
meet with any game they make a feaft, and after tiring thcmfelres with dancing, ikep together
in heaps, like brutes, in the open air. They have neither letters, laws, nor other goTemment»
than that every family is fubje£t to ita head, and their only care is to defend their diflri^, about
which they have freguent and bloody wara* Formerly, as natural. loids of the country, they
obliged the people who fettled in the low lands, to pay them a tribute for the uie of the woods
and rivers*' in different parts of the iiland they have different names, f»ttt the Spantardt in ge»
9l^ca)ii^limnNegrit0sdtl$MQjitef fame of them being as black as, the natives of (?ir/«i:0, parti-
cularly in the.^ Jf V^m. It i& believed that they were the original inhabitants of the iflaadst
but it is a matter of fome difficulty to difcovcr from whence this race, fo different in color and
cuftoms from all the neighbouring people, could proceed ; if it is not allowed that their different
aliment, and being continually expofed to the weather, would produce this effe6^. The more
civilized nation^ before defcribed, whom the Spaniards call the Indians, are a robuflA ^^^ mad*
fec|^le> fair^ ,but inclined to copper color, with flattifli nofesj black eyes and hair.

iicrfioa

5. U.M A T K M

^S9

verfion of the fpedtators^ and mortiiication of the pretender to fuperior
gifts^ who vowed revenge^ and would have taken it^ had not means been
ufed to k«ep him atTa difiaiite. iBut'a Bngle detedion oi cbOrlatanarii^
is not efTedu^ to defbojr a prevalent fupcrftitiod; Tbeife. impoftors are
ufually found among the Malays^ and not the more fimple country people.

No attempts, I have reafdd to think, havii 'iver been made by mif- nto MifioiuH
fionaries, or others,' to convert th>5 inhabitants of the iiland to Chrifti- "*••
anity, atid I have mucti doubt^ whether the moft zealous and able wouTa
meet with ' any permanent fuccefs in this pious work; Of the many
' thoufands bapti:^ed in the eaftern iflands by the celebrated Francis Xa^
viiTi in the fixteenth century, not one of their defcendants are now found
to retain a ray of the light imparted to them ; and probably, as it was

♦ » • r - ^ ^

novelty only, and not convi^ion, that' induced the original converts to
embrace a new faith, the impreffion lafted no longer than the fentiment ,

which recommraded it, and diiappeaf ed as rapidly as the itinerant apoftle«
Portuguefe and Chrifttans zit confounded, in the Malay Isfnguage, under
the fame general name; the forniet being called ^ oran^ Z^ani%'* by
corruption for ** Nazerad!* . This oegleft of miifibnis to Sutaatra is ^ne
caufe that the country has been fo little known to the civilized worlds

k* 1

* I

.1 )

4 ' l< t 4

I J

* •

' ) • .

. f

.» ; ■

L.la

• I .

The

t4<»

4r U M A T It A.

• I

Liiniu of tbe

X4uiipoon

coMitfy.

'Inliabkants.

I i

AVING thus far ipokeix of the Bian^rs-«nd cuitoias 9f the Rysf^s

tnpre especially, and adverted, as; oo^sdlionierycd, to thofc of thie /^<^

fiom^ab people, who nearly resemble, thjjm, I ftiall no3v yrrfont a curfoqr

view of thofe circumftances in which the inhabitants of the Lampoon

cqfpntry differ from thoa; though thii diijimilimde is not very con*

fiderabkf

ij J

1 1-

f .

• I

By the Lampoon cocuitry is undcrftood^ a portion of the fouthern ex-
treme of the ifland, beginning, on the well coaft, at the river oi Padaf^*
gcdcbi0y which divides it from Paffkmmab, and extending acrofs as far as
•Pllikmbnfig^ on t^ north cjiil fide, at . \yhich laft place ^ the iettlcrs ase
soioftly JatH^HS. On tjbe fouth and eaft (ides, it is waihed by the fea» hav*
ilig ftveral ports in the ftraits of Sunday particularly Kgfers and Lam^
poon bays i and the great river Tcplang boumig runs through the beart
of it, riling from a confiderable lake (ranou) between the ranges of
mountains* That divifion of Lampoon which is included by Padang-pm^
chie and a place called Naffall, is diftinguifhed by the name of Briuran,
and from thence fbuthward to Flat^point, by that of LaouS^cavwr ;
although Cawoor^ properly (b called, lies in the northern divifion*

The country of Lampoon is beil inhabited in the central and moun->
tainous parts, where the people live independent, and in fome meafure
fecure from the inroads of their eaftem neighbours, the Javansp whoy
from about Pahmhang and the ftraits, frequently attempt to moieft
them. It is probably within but a very few centuries, that the foutk-
weft coaft of this country has been Ihe habitation of any confiderabte
cumber of people ; and it has been ftill kfs vifited by ftrangers, owing
to the uniheltered nature of the fea thereabouts, and want of foundings,
in general, which renders the navigation wild and dangerous for country

¥eflek;.

SUMATRA.

261

yeflels; and to the rivets being ■finall and rapid, with fhallow bars and
iltnoft ever a high furf. If you alk the Lampoon people of thcfe parts,
whence they originally came from ; they anfwer, from tbc hills, and point
out an inland place near the great lake, from whence, they fay, their
forefathers emigrated : and further than this it is impoffible to trace.
They, of all the Sumatrans, have the ftrongeft refemblance to the Chi-
nefe, -particularly in the roundnels of face, and conftrufture of the eyes.
They are alfo the faireft people of the ifland, and the women are the
tillett, and efteemed the moft handfome.

Their iapguage differs confiderably from that of the It^yai^3> md the Lw^^eo.
jcharaaers they tife are peculiar to themfelvcs ; as may be ohferved in the
Ipecimens exhibited^

The titles of government are Pan^erdn (from the Javans), CiircfioOr GoT<nun«nt.
and Kiddimong or Nebeebee ; the latter nearly anfwering to dupatty among
the Rejangu The diflriA of Croee^ near Mount P^^^^ig, is governed by
€ve magiftrates> called Pangow-Umo^ and a fixth,. Tuperior, called by way
of eminence, Pangow; but their authority is faid to be ufurped, and is
^rea difputed. The word, in common, figniiies a gladiator or prize-
fighter.. The pangiran of Sooko^ in the hills, i» computed to have four
or five thoufand dependants, and fbnietimes, on going a journey, he levies
a taUee^ or eighth part of a dollar, on each family ; which Ihews his aui»
fhority tabe mo^e arbitrary, and probably more flridlly feudal, than
among the Rejangs^ where the govermnent is rather patriarchaL. This
difference has doubtlefs its iburce in the wars and invaiions to' whick
tbe former people ace expofed*.

The Javenefi hzxt^ixtV^ as has beep obierved, often advance into the Waru.
country, and commit depredattona on the inhabitants, who are not, in
general, a match for them. They do not make ufe of fire arms, though
m the tiQTtlKarji part' of the ifland they are manuiaAured. Befide the
common weapons of the country, they fight with a long lance, which is
earned by three men;, the foremoft guiding the pointy and covering

! himfclf

ftfia S U M A T IBL ^ ,

,himfelf and his jcompanions with a large Ihield*^ A compaft body, thus
armed, would have been a counter pan of the Macedonian phalanx {
but can prove, I fliould apprehend, of but little ufc among a people^
with whom war is carried on in a defultory manner, and more in the way
of ambufcade, than of general engagement, in which alone troops (q
armed could aft with efied:*

Inland of Santanka, in the Straits of Sunda^ there is a diftrid, fay the
Lampoons^ inhabited by a ferocious people, who are a terror to the neigh*
bouring country. Their mode 6f attoning for offences againft, their own
community, is by bringing to their doofoon the heads of ftrangers. The
account may be true, but without further authentication fuch ftories are
not to be too implicitly credited, on the faith of a people who are fond
of the marvellous, and addicted to exaggeration.*

Manneri. The manners of the Lampoons are more free, or rather licentious,

than thofe of any other native Sumatrans. An extraordinary liberty qf
intercourfe is allowed between the young people of different fexes, and
the lofs of female chafiity is not a very uncommon confequence. The
of&nce is there, however, thought more lightly of, and inftead of pu«
nifliing the parties, as in Pajfummab and elfewhere, they prudently en«
deayor to conclude a legal match between them. But if this is not ef«
feded, thp lady ftill continues to wear the infignia of virginity, the fillet
and armrings, and takes her place as fuch, at feftivals. It is not only
on thefe public occafions, that the ^oung men and women have oppor*
tunities of forming arrangements, as in moft other parts of the illand.
They frequently affociate together at other, times ; and the former are
feen gallantly reclining in the maiden's lap, whifpering foft nonfenfe,
whilfl ihe adjufts and perfumes his hair, or does a friendly office, of iefs
delicacy to an European apprebenlion. At bimbangs, the women often
put on their dancing drefs in the public hall, letting that garment

* Til! within t ftvr yeart the Lainpoon people believed the inhftbiCtntt o£ tb«. ifland SMgatf^
to be all females, who were impregnated by the wind j like the maret in Virgil'i georgta. They
ftykd tbem, in the Malay language A^a Sajtcm^ or imps of tht deviL

which

SUMATRA. t9%

^hich thejr mean to lay afide» dextcrolly drop from under^ as the other
pa&s over the head; but ibmetimes^. with an air of coquetry^ difplay*
ingf as if by chance, enough to warm youthful imaginations. Both
inen and women anoint themfelves before company, when they prepare
to dance ; the women> their necks and arms, and the men their breads.
They alfo paint each others faces; not, feemingly, with a view of
heightening, or imitating the natural charms, but merely as matter of
fafhion ; making fantaftic fpots with the finger, on the forehead, tern*
pies, apd cheeks, pf white, red, yellow, and other hues. A brafs falver
^taJJaai) covered with little china cups, containing a variety of paints, is
ferved up for this purpofe.

Inftances have happened, though rarely, of very difagreeable.conclu*
fions to bimbangs her<r« A party of reef$ws among t;^ young feUows,
have been known fuddenly to exftinguiih the lights,' for the purpofe of
robbing the girls, not of ^ their cbaftity, as might be ^apprehended, but
of the gold and filver ornaments of their perfons. An outrage of this
nature I imagine could only happen \n It0ampoon, where their vicinity
to Jiiva. affords the, culprits eafi^r and furer means of efcape,^than 1^
the central parts of the iflanfl ; and here too thpir companies appear to
be more mixed, colledted from greater diftances> and not compofed, as
with the Rejang people, of a neighbourly aflemblage of the old men of
a few contiguous doofoons, with their foos and daughters^ for the fake * ^

of jconv-ivial mirth, of celebrating a particular doipeftic event, and£M:or
moting attachments an4 courtlhips. ap;iongft tpe young people.

In every doofoon there is appointed a youth, well fitted by nature and p^^icuiar r
education for the ofii e, who ads as mafter of the ceremonies at their ^<»na«»
public ineetings, arranges the young men and women in their proper
places, makes choice of their partners, and regulates air other circum-
ftanccs of the affembly^ except the important occonomy of the -feftival part
or cheer, which comes under the cognizance of one of the elders.. Both
parts of the entertainment are preceded by long, complimentary fpeeches,
delivered by the relpeftive ftewards, who, in return, are anfwered and

complimented '

f,%^ & U M A T R A;

• • •

complimented on their IkiU, liberality, and other qualities, bjr fom^e of
the bcft.bred amongft theguefts* Though thentanner of conduftin^
and the appendages of the Latnpaon feafts, arc fuperior in fty*e, to the
ruftic hofpitality of fome of the nothern countries; yet they are cfl
teemed to be much behind thefe, in the goodnefs and mode c^ dreffi n
their food.^ The Lampoons eat almoft all kinds of flelh, indifcriminateTy.
and their gobies (curries or made difties) are laid> b^ connoiflfcurs, to have
no flavor. They ferve up the rice, divided into portions for each per-
fon, contrary to the praftice in the other countries ; the tallam beiiid
covered with a handibme, crtmibn napkin, manufiad:ured-f6r that xxfti
They are wont to entertain firangers with much m<M'e profufion> thati is
met with in the reft of the ifland. If the guefi is of any confequcnce^
they do not hefitate to kill, befide goats and' fowls^ a bufl&lo^ or feve-
ral, according to the period of his ftay, and the number of his atten*.
dams. One man has been known to entertain a perfon of rank and his
fuite, for fixteen days^ during which time there were not lefs than ad
hundred dilhes of rice ffuread each day, containing, fbme one,^ fome two
bamboos. They have diihes here, of a fpecies of china or earthen ware
called '^ 4;iatoo bsncuang^ tnrought from the eafiward \ remarkably heavy,
and very dear ; fbme of chem being valued at forty dollars apiece. The
breaking one of them, is a family lofs of no finall importance.

R^iception of Abundantly more ceremony is ufcd among thefe people, at Interviews

with ftrangers, than takes place in the countries adjacent tq them. Not
only the chief perfon of a party travellings but every one of his atten-
dants, is obliged^ upon arriving at a town, to give a formal account, of
their bufinefs, or occaHon of coming that way. When the principal m{tn
of the dooibon is acquainted by the firanger with the motives of his
journey, he repeats his fpeech at full lengthy before he gives an anfwer ;
and if it is a perfon of great confequence, the wotds muft pais throug]^
two or three mouths, before they are fuppofed to come with fufficient
ceremony to his ears. This in fad has more the air of addbg to his
own importance and dignity, than to that of the gueft ; bitt it is not
in Sumatra alone^ that refpe£t is manifcfted by this Jeeming contra*
di^lon.

The

d t^' M A f H' it

The terms of tHkt jocjoor^ or equivalent for wives^ is the fame here^ Mafnag^.
ncarljn^ as witji the Rejsti^s. The creefe-bead is not eflential to the bar*
gain, as among the ]^p\t g£ Paffummab. The father of the girl never
admits of the poafoos ialfee kocho^ or whole fum being paid, and there-
6y withholds from thd htifband^ in any cafe^ the right of felling his
wife, wko, in the event of z divorce^ retarns to her relations. Where
^ fM&»s iM&ilarMo^&ihto^Bkt ptace^ he has a property in her little
differing from that of a flave, as formerly obferved. The particular fyms
which conftitute the jcofoor are lefs complex here^ than at other places.
The vi4tte 0^ tha OMuuka's* gplden trinkets is nicely cftimated, and htc
J49l0nnf§^t^«coordiiig&9.tl|tt udtfa^ rank of her parents. The
Jmunda marct;^ fimc^ ever lakes^ plaM but among poov people^ where
there is no property on eithe]f.fide» or i&tbscafe of a flip in the conduct
of the female, when the friends are glad to make up a match in^ this
wi^t ioftead of dtmandiog « price for het • Jni^oc•s have - occurfed,
howcuec, of couBCrymcn of rank affediqg a^ fmtmi^ marriage. In order
ta imitate the Malay mannf rs ; but it has been looked upon as improper,
apd liable to create confufion*

The jbes and compenfation for murder are in. every refped the fame^
aa in.tkc countries already defcribed#

. The Mahometan reli^on has made confiderable progrefs amongft the Rdi^oa.
LamfMu, and moft of their villages have mofques in them :. yet an
attachment to the origpal fuperititions of the country, induces them to
regard with particular veneration the aattmaU^ or burying places of their
fathers, which they pioufly adorn, and cover in from th^e weather.

I • » »

Mslc9

r«

» i

> . •

1 1

• . J

%66 SUMATRA.

»■»

Ma/ay governments — Empire of MenangcaSow— 'Extent of the
Sultans ancient and prefent power— '.His titles — Literature and
Arts among fl the people — Period of converfon to Mahometanifm-^'^
Genera/ acceptation of the word Malay^^CanJlitution of their
fiates — BencooUn -~ Indrapour^-^A^tac Soonsgeri --- Paftmbmig «-«
Jambetf, &c. /

I» « • •«

SHALL now take a view of the Mal^ govd* nments, as diftiR^

guiflied from thofe of the more genuine S^muitnins, who, by the Ma-^

lays^ are named ora^g ooloo, or countrymen^ and femetiines^ oramg Ao-^

foon, from their refiding in TiUages lb called^ •

Bmpipe«rMe* The principal feat of empire of the Malays, and of the whole iilandj
Miigcabow, jj Menaf^eahow. This lies near the ce'tater, extending partly to the

northward, but chiefly «o the fouthwarrf of the equinoftial, about (ixtf

or an hundred miles*. Such are die limits that/now eonfine a monarchjT^

whofe juriididien formerly comprehended all Sumatra^ and whofe fi>^

Tere^gn was talHed of with refpefit in the furtheft pans of the eaft. The

country is, generally fpeaking, a large plain, bounded by hills, clear of

woods, and, comparatively, well cultivated. It has an eafy . Qommuni-

cation with both 5des of the iiland, lying nearer to the weQem. coafl;^

but having the advantage^^ to the eaft, of the large rivers,. Rdcafty Tnder'^

gerte^ Siaky Jambeey and even. Pakfnbang^ with which it is faid to have

connexion A by means of a lake, that gives fource to the two laft, as welt

as to the river of Cattoun on the oppofite fide. Colonies of Malays from

MsnangcalMiWy are fettled on feveral branches of Jambee river, oc rathec

thofe imall sivers which ran into it,, oi Leemoon, Battang J^y^ PacaUangr

jambo$ii and fome others. Here they collect large quantities of gold*.

The name of Menangcabow is faid t& be derived from the womIs ^ me^-
Mff^,** to win, and ^^ \arlow/* a buffalo ; from a ftory, which car-
ries a very fabulous air^ of a famous engagement on that fpor, between.

the

S U M A t 'R A. 2^

the bufialos and tfgers } in 'which the former are reported to huve ac«
quired a complete vidor^. Such b the account the natives give ; but
they are fotid of dealing in tk&ion, and I am apt to fuppofe that the
etymology has no better foundation than a fanciful refemblance in the

found.*

» ■ ' I

' • • • • •

The actual power.^nd ieibur^eMof cheSukan, areatthis day, fcarcely - Power of thr
fuperior to thofe of a common rofi]; yet he dill alTerts all his ancient,
rights and prerogatives ; which are not ^difputed fo long as he refrains
from attempting to carry ihiem into foree. 'tho kings of Acbeen^ B$Jra» -
jMr^ hSM Mo€0^ P4fimbMg'Mjij4Hi$kef ackiHoi^Mge their authority to
be derived fr<xh Mnt^ as their lord paramount^' and fome among them^
pay him a trifling complimentary tribute i a&ing» however^ entirely m<-
<fependent of him. His charafter is held iii a &cred l^t^ and the obfcu- •
rity and air of inyftery 'Whieh fiirround his coprt, t(^ther 'with the in-
fluence of the^Mahometan priefts^ who regard him *• the bead elf their
religion^ keep up this veneratioo. In fliort* his ftuthority not a little
rcJembks thi^ of the Ibvereign pontiffs in ^urope^ fome years back» .
foundi^ as it is on fuperftitious opinion i holding terrors over the weak,
and coocdimked by the flvoog*^ He attempts to effefk, what arms alone
can accompliiht by pompous, diftatorial edi^s, which are recdved with-
outward demonftration of profound refped, but no further obeyed than
may happen to be confifteht with the political interefts of thofe princes
to whom they are addrefled« This en)pire Is looked upon by the Summit
trans to have fubfiiled from the reaK)teft gmiquity ; but as they have no
annalSj recordt, or other hiftorical documents, it is impoffible to make
even a guefs as to Its origin. I^iere cannot be a doubt but that it 1$ ex*
trcmely ancient, having every internal evidence, a;nd being acknowledge
fuoh by every tradition. When the Europeans firil made difcoveries in
thefe parts, it was in its decline, as appears from the importance and tR«
dependencci at that time, of the kings of Acheetiy Pedcer and Pafay^ the

* Some m«p*makcr« have pla^d the i^ame of Mt^nancaubo in the Qcpter of t]>f penlnA^U of
Uliiacc^ inftesd of the ifiaud of Sumatra^ •

M m » formier

s^S SUMATRA.

former of wb6nx hcAds a graat under t^e.Sultim of A^mmgeahm^ fd'tkt^
fcft t09ft* 9B far fottthward as Stncculoo \ tbough b 1613 bb poflSffoof^
extended do farther than to Bafwcs^ and kU a&ual dam did aot ceadk
beyond Padang. All the early navigators who frequeiited this iiUmdi
of whom the moft mtelligent and inquifitive was certainly the Fxeocb
commodore^ BeauiieUf who arrived in 1620, fpeak of Menat^eatowt
ekber dlrediy i^ ia4i«?e^^^ as ^ \plM9 si ^ gwtteft knportaft<e ;
particubrfy 00 acooupit of ih« goM \^i^(^ otririod 0^9 a«d abaafi^
n»onopotiaed by id inhalntMtfSy Md ibor fupplyoig tlna M%)ibow*
tog countries with orcefes, fire «mm> aMc}ftth» As t)ie]f eoold ha^o off*
igkovediaisc co^MSion whh- am i»^«ji p^wrfTs aii^tfct piiqoea wkk whMir
their coimaerciat coooeni^ ^^ woi^d npt bfc ionw)r4 t» fetfartb thr.
Ci^dfeq^noa of apotfafr ftM^ by a^oqyafi^ witliipihick t)|iki<mft Vn^
fufier^ the aeownti whkb navigaitorK giv^ of diis ^mpir^^M obiiqirte a«^
ioiperfed^ and but for, the ^oU which flqwAd froto it coiMvds Ihe fetiooefti^.
it prqbably w;0uV} har^ p^tffed uo^ticed H) the fatftoiietf <]f 'tb^eir ^ages^ .
The cofiMnodore fpf«fcs of tho kiiygs 0^ Ai^bnth . P^tfimh^g^ . a»d ltfdr4^
fQUTt fl^ ind^eodept, $DV»r^%n8^ but- aa thafe ai^W; ihf( d^gi^ion of tb<iir
aychocity. from A4rai^Mi^p99v it oidy pcaveatbit tiheyfeidt bftbitfn^*
riod, ibaJfiiea off iheii fiil^edion ti^ an empire^ idie»; d<wltDHig.faQgi ii»

i£»xvli4»^ (md fioikioe ill tl^ golph of ttme^*

• TtiefoIWwingiiiftKi^hwik ocouiaei' c» an, of vfati6irfin«fte ^ wmen^ at dil^rent pe^
inods, of the ltingdbm> of Menangcabow. Odoardus Barboiky 15 19- Haoaufio* <' Simuurit.
•iBofr lai^ and beantifiil iStod, JMIir «he ptwci pai city ; tlica Faetm^ Aihmf and Gm|Nvw
iM i r# # irf "* • ia ^ cail4% w^h it tkt fffinijit^ lonscm of fo|<h-Ui4Ao(fte«t SS79«^ ** ^
Mai0n€MbQ^ tMt$\i€^ |oi|p9rdii made* C9)icd eritftfi Ml wc^poi^ of a)l tbe arieat* Iibnd»
along the coaft ol^Siunatng called iflands of, MimoMcato^ You muft run bet^yeen tbf ilbat ttOur9>
and the land. Fut ki» the iibind cid!ed lAa ^TOttro, dt MinancaAOt a high and fair Ta&d.'^-^Men-
daa^lePlDto, »55a« *'• ltftatiow».foMka ^JUmamtiko ua, aa annyt tkatuMadtdjAnkiMiia t5ff^
Gobi ty » » j Spart>d ^W9a lfr«49iryi&t to cbo Jciogdon of fiiai^ara o» clit watm of Ja p^ if «a4
Br^H9*' — ^LanBaftcr,.i6o*. ^ MttHu^obo lies eight or tan leaguet inland of Mmms"-— Beft.
»6i3. << A man axriYed fron Mtnaugcaboo 9IL fftdo, and brought newt from J^aaftr/***— Beau^
lieuy »6aa. '^ Totheeaftward of PadangUes the kingdom of MamwaA^ The moll i^owerfol
king of the Mbtrigims refidet between that place and ^00, being poileired of the country that
produces jioldy which is trucked with the inhabitants of MemancaBo^ for rice, arms, and clodi."-«
Dc AtfBOit publiiked about 153s* « Malacca had the q^itbcto£AiBnr«giv«A to it| 90 account of

SUMATRA. 26f

In later day3, the influence of the Dutch, whofe fcttlemcnt of Pj*
iMg lies in the neighbourhood, has greatly contributed to the under-
mining the political confequence of its monarch, by giving countenance
and fupport to bis difobedient vaflals ; who, in their turn, have often
ejcperienced the dangerous effeds of receiving favors from too powerful
an ally. Rajab Canalhe^ who was his viceroy of Pajfamman, maintained
% long War with the Hollanders, which was attended with many reverfes
of fortune.

The titles and epithets aflunsed by the Sultans, tn the preambles to HbThkn
their edlAs and letters, are the moft extravagantly abfurd that it is pof>
fible to ioMgiae } iurpaffing, in wkldne& and ielly, the preternatural
attributes of the Perfian genii aad dives^ Maiy of them defoend to mera
c^ildiibiefB ; 910A k is difficult to conceive hom My pe#pk, fo fM ad^
iMDced in civiliaattoB, as to be able to wriM> eotild poffiMy da^lay focli
f videncM of bavbarifiB. A fpecimen of a warrant of recent date, femt
to TMM^f Si9f^. Pi^, a bigb ptioft nefidiag near Beaooolen, is aft
foUowk

dhc i(haB<Uingc of g»Id omricd thldwr fimn Mintmcak^ uA tarron, countries xa Ctamatra**-**
Hobert's trswls t printed 1677. ^ MediterraneaD town Msnancado, formerly called SyrntU
tStmtUT^^ArgtnM^, i$Si. ** Criiet th^t^^t' MiMajlgcaibf and cannoti caft^ nran^ yeait'
MFoM Ibt BttMptBM l»hmt in ikb €t}Mtf^*'^'W^t da <9*vafMiirt Oentriiua HdttanAoit*
*• W^Goaft ol Swaatilk^faiiglit iiadar i^bjaHiGb t#tba 9iKch in 16(4, by fba iast 6f Pime
it Bitter >irom SUkAar to M^rtos. , ^adaag, {Mtmrnii cftabllfLcd ia i667* Tht commandant
cf Poifm^ i» Stadbwdit to tha £]iiperor of Mauingcabo. Revolts in the country in the years
1665, il) 70, 16^09 and 1713*" Dio^o de Couto, i6oo. He gives an accouikt dP a Pbrtugueffi
Aipinrredced'Oirtlie eoaft ofSttffvafra/ atfafM'thft ttmtxfj tt NhHMciiS9f\k #j6o. Six handreH
fftrfims got on awre^anong wlmnfwei^ ftma twrnesy one of wkom» Dona Fraaciiba Sardlnhtl^
was of fuch fcmarkable beauty, that tbe people of the qauotry refolved to earry her offfor their
king I and they effe&d it» after a ftruggfie in which fixty of the Europeans loft their lives. At* '
thlt petiod-tiiere was a great intercourftf between *Afhf^%dt5^ ^& Mdkar^; many vttkU goiti^
yaa^ wltligald^ t* putebkft oococca goadb a&A odur anefclteJidbew la atodeat times the ceoatty
liaa> (» iich in this metal* that feveral hundred vfttght (fits ffiu, i mais candiXj dt qtti trfs/oKim
kmmyt!) uTcd to be exported in oneieaibn* Vol* 3. p, a;^.

•(Tmtlit

• • as

nat.

47^^ SUMATRA,

^ Three circular (eals with

theft infcriptions in ^ #^ '

Arabic £hftra£kefs.)
< Eldcft brother.) ( Second br^therO

Sultan of Rome. Sultan of OitM.

Key Dummool Allunu Nour Mum.

Maharaja Alliff\ Maharaja DmpMgp

» ( Youngeft brother. )

Sultan of Menangcabow.

Aour Allum.

Maharaja 4e Raja.^

Copy af a war- '^* The Sultan of Mdongcahoto, whofe refidence is at Pd^^6^o$ng'i

(after pardon aiked for prefuming to mention his name) who is king of
kiBga^ fonof Raja Izeunierzukar^nainttfy and was poflefled of Mkn€C9t9^
who was brought from heaven by the prophet Adam \ mailer of the third
of the wood maccummaf^ one of whofe properties is to enable matter to
ijr ; of the lance omanKnted with the beard of J^ngee, of the palace of,
the city of Rame, whofe entertainments and diverfions are exhibited in
the month of DuUfadjee^ and where all A/ims, PakkeeahSf (faquirs) and

* - •

Moulabnocarrees^ praife and fupplicate God ; of the gold of twelve grains^
named £oodarai i0$darat$ee, refembling a man ; who receives his tiixes la
gold by the kffoi^ (qaafi bufliel) meafure ; whofe beteUfiand is of gold* fet
with diamonds ; who is pofTeffed of the fword^ named tboorfe-fe^mendwg^
geree^ which has an hundred and ninety gaps^ made in the conflid with
the arch-devil^ Si CatUi-mwmo^ whom it flew ; who is mailer of freih water
in the ocean^ to the extent of a day^s failing \ poflefled of a lance fwmed
of a twig of €JH ; ^ a calewang wrapped in an unmade <bifiday^ of a
ir^efi formed of the foul of fteel, whicbi by a noife, cxprefles an un«
willingneis at being iheathed, and fliews itfelf pleafcd when drawn { of
a date coeval with the creation ; poflefled of a gun brought from beavoi

named

t Tbs iMunt ^ JhnrMkm h the tlt^iftg^ 8n4 iMar^td^ ik ^^a, ibMgakir, 9gmMf
aisfiioB bcfeit fsptoiacd.

SUMATRA. 271

mibtA fmibahanaUuouatanalla ; of a horfe of the race of firimboraknee^
Superior to all others; fukan of the burning mountain, and of the moun-
tEins gotmtang-^goontang^ which divide Pakmbang and Jambee ; who may
ilay at pleafure;, without being guilty of a crime ; who is poflefled of the
dephaat naoied Setta dewa \ who is vicegerent of heaven ; fultan of the
golden river ; lord of the air and clouds ; mailer of a balli^ whofe pillars
are of the Ihrub y^/tf //tf /ff ; oi gandangs (drums) made of hollowed branches
of the mbute lluubs fooUot and feelofoorec ; of the gong; that refounds to
the ikies ; of the buffalo named Se Bifino$awg Sa^M^ whofe horns are ten
feet afunder; of the;, unconquered cock, Sengoonannce ; of the coconut
treej whofe amazing height, and being infefted with ferpents and other
noxious reptiles^ reader it impoflible to be climbed ; of the flower named
feeret menfene, of ambroiial fcent ; who, when he goes^ to ikep, wakes not
till the gandang ncbat founds ; one of whofe eyes is as the fun, and the
other as the looon, ■ To his fubjeda declares this. his will) &c,''*

BrobaUf

• The fbllowihg Eetter ftom the fultan ofMemmcafo^ to the father of the prelent faTtan of JRTmv'
M9C9, and appareotly written about fifty years ago* was communicated to me by Alexahd^ IM«^
rymple, Efq, and though it is in part a repeiitiony I efieem it too curiode to hefitate abott^ inftrtSi9|^'
it. The ftiie is much more rational than that of the foregoing^

. ^ Fraifed be AUnighty God V Soltaa Cc^ior Attam dit great and a^ble Kii^, whole vAtaAt^
power reacbetb unao the limita of. tlie wideoeeani ustoi whom God gnmii ivhaterer he deiiMa»>
aad orer whom no^eiui tfinti nor even Satan MmfiUI. bab 4l»y. influeueek who is invefied wijth am
authoiity to pv^ilk^ evil doecs; and 1^ the moil tender htert in the fuppdrt of the innocent |/hnM
np malice Jn his mtndi but pseferveth the lighteotta with, the 'greatieft i*eience»: aadnouriihcCli dm;
poor and needy, feeding them daily from.his own. table* His notbonqr reachetb over. the wkoki
univerfe, and his candor and goodneft i« known to all men. (Mention made of the three brothers. X
The ambafidor of'Gbd and his prophet Mahomet; Ae beloved of mankind' $ and'rulerof the
i&md called fertb^. Ac the time God made the heavens, the earth, the fixtiy the moon/and'evenr
before Evil Spirits were createdi this fultan G^^ar Mtim had' his reiidence fn the clouds ; but*
wben the worlds wae habkaUe> God'gavt him a bird ealled'lr<7niv//| that had 'dib gift of ipeech ; *
this ho -fent down on eaith, fo look out for a fpot whens he might eftablifli ah inheritance, and
the firft place he alighted upon was the fertile ifhmd of Lancap&re^ fituatcd between PiUMau and'

jMibit^ and from thence fprang the famous kingdom of Mancutcaifow, whith will be itnowned:
and migfaty until the Judgment Day.

^ TIris *Mitm*M^fitk D$9rfM is bMed with a long life, andean rniihterropted'eourfe ofprorperityi
yMA he- will maintain in the name, and through the grace of the holy prophet^ to the end that

GodV

271 S U M A T it A«

Probably no x^cotds upon earth, can fumiib an example- of 'omco-
vaintdligible jargon : yet tbefe attributes axe believed ta be io<i^u««

tabi/

Ood*s divine WHt may be fulfilled tipon ttrdu He it •ndowcd with the higheft ahilkiti» nd
the m«ft f raf9itfi4 vriAtOfo «nd ctrcutt%edio» in d^ goTfnisg the- aumy uitetai^ ttigi aad
Cubjefts. He is ri^teoui. amd cbnicablc, and pafervtdi the hon^s and glory of bit anceAort^
His juilice apd clemency are (rlt in diftant cegiont, and his name will be leyered until the lail
aay. When he openeth his mouth he is full of goodneft* aad his words are as grateful as role

ft _

watfv to thfr thiifty. His breath is like the fofr wind of the hcKnat{yaitatuaoi FtrS^ori)^ tnt
iMsliptatPp fehe-iiilUmittms of ttubj itaimg forth, perfuiwa moDt dbtig^tfai ttnm Irafwh tr
•nyrrh. His BpfbdU brwhaambeigrcafe and mu& s and faia counteaanM fau the ivftse tf dia*^
monds. He is dreadful in brittle,, and not to be Gonqueied» his courage and valor being march-

ttfs. He, the fultan Maba Rajab Doorja, was crowned with a ficred crawn from Godj and pof* *
Jbitstl^ wood called JteMI^ in cosjonam with thoensperaia of Rmm an^Gfitim*. Mth tli«
fiUtan thu k^epa the cbtfb.caUcd Smi/ih^ MMt which waarts kftlfi a»d nAi% om tlMMdiyaa4y
of 6p$ pearls |. and when that cloth IhaH be finiihcd^ the world will be no more. He alio poflcflea
the ttee Nef^aiarMimt and a kind of gold called Jatia J^Uif which is fi> heavy that a "fitaall lump
will (nap the Dmti wood. This is the fultan that enfoys the IworS' Si Mtmimig <^ift whidr
1^ oneknmired and ninety wide notches in the field of battle* and is the weapon that killed the
lt>irit of KMtiii MooM % the dagger known by the name of HoMgin Cii^a is alio his» and will* at
hif «DiiHiwpd« fight of itMf» wiik wWch h» hu.viBqfnilhsd. nmnf nations. Ho aUb pofaAa ibe
iitflft t^ m t f ur Lamkftrm^ shfkhlada^Mf. whi«ii».<aUcil %'4r, was^fjvcA him, by an inh a h i ranr oil
dia.ft«t. He likfwife hpm jiirfw otirfmti Ibwngth md comw^i and monniaina of fpiw ta nywai
lire* This is the fultan who keeps t|ie fiowar Qi|iH|iaiK thafr is bkie,awltobarfenn4uin4l other
country but his (being yellow elleipdiere). He pofi'efies the ihrub Sera Mm^gHnt, and the reed
M va^ WrimiUi to which' birds of. all eouttnaa oamn «t tiie>timo o#^ their ^ladi. ii^ has> allb
aMM»aMda«f the trm. fl fti f sa w^ and aaMber* ioAranent «0 tte Hho^naMwe-^ the wmmI calMl
9 % ^M f m k0 i whicH And their IbunA ilHoi^ Ms wbok dwniaiona w h u m u tfi^^- aie bMk
Knliai n Ail«f» hottlb botftof ifaa hnUowaa^wood f^m^md ta s i i b saa ip ii^ thongh itfrnf
mA laagai ss^yesaa lights i n i isi. Honllb p oi hi as a c a sf^t m ni fc i i f gw(% and a Itittp o^l^^
in tlto Jmp&ofn nn» givflii him by «God ol tho

^ Afi«c.thU ^-'-"iTiriii -nf tr -nTmrirrT n turn gifn nf mj ppiifcajj gmig
nmibote to the good an4 holypipphat Mahonit^ I awh tm. nayiamt yywwir ^>iht iwawandt <»
the foltia whofcpitiance Wingeth dfath;tn all who atumpt tn^iffoiMdi Inin wiiJbMit pmnifioni.
and alio thofo of.theiukaa of Jmb'itipri, wh9 hn^ four hmalls. Tins fdisadl^^-teet^ paper h^
bfraui^l^from tht two Xnkana above mmiad^. by thaiv,biid^%«t, nmn^dviAn* MtmCmMwmi
$M, to acquaint him with thek intention, nidar this gnu ifal» wibich i^ thilthtyotfkrihiifr
ftnfultao. GfmkmSM to oblige thn Buglifli Comp^my to icttloin.th» diftrift ariViitJtiiii<m»>
at a place called the <« field of fiieep/' that they may not Imw oacaANaio tenAanaaar
fttqiienc refuial of our goodneft, in pcrmitttng them to trade with vs and with oir fubjedsj

S U M A T R A^ 273

tably true, by the Malays refiding at a diftince ifrom his immediate do-
minions, who poflefs a greater degree of faith than wit; and with this
addition, that he dwells in a palace without covering, free from incon>-
venience.

The feals prefixed to his warrant, befide hts own, arc thofe of th«
Sultan of Rjjme^ or Grand Signior, (the empire of the Romans having
been transferred to Conjiantinople) who is looked upon, fince the ruin of
the Caliphs J as the head of the Mahometan religion, and whom he honors
with the title of his eldeft brother ; and of the Sultan of Cbinay a king^
dom well known throughout the eaftern fcas, and by the. Malays called
Nigree CbeenOy whom he ftyles his fecond brother ; modcftly regarding
himfelf as the youngeft. This gives a pi&ure ofn±e conception thefe
monarchs formed of their relative importance in the world, and fliews
the extent, if not the accuracy, of their geographical and hiftorical know*
ledge* . ': ^ :i ■ *

■ r .

• ^ ' »«. •'•..^.....

I . •

The royar felute, is one gunr 5 which is a refinement in ceremony^

As no number could be fuppofcd to convey an adequate idea of refpeft,

but muflr, on the contrary, eftablifli a definite -proportion between his

dignity, and that of his nobles, or of other princes, the Sultan of Me^

nangcabow chufes to leave the meafure of his importance indefinite by

this policy — and fave his gunpowder. It mull be obfcrved, that the

Malays are m general ejftremely fond of the parade of firing cannorf,

which they never negledt on high days, and on the appearance of the

new moon ; particularly that which marks the commencement of their

pooaJ^Oy or zi\wa\ faft. Yellow being efieemed a royal color, is faid to

be conftantly, and exclufively, worn by the Sultan and his court. His

ufual prcfcnt on fending aa embafify (for no. Sumatran has aa idea of

flibfiftlng between us and our Tony are broken ; aad we dirc£k that he fend us an anfwer imme-
diately^.tbat we may know the refult, and. take our meafures accordingly—for all this illand 13

our own."

.1th difficult to determine, whether the prcamblCi or the purport of the lettcfi be the more ex
Q:aordinary*

N n makin

Ceremoniei.

274 S y M A T Jl AJ

making a formal addrefs, on any occafion, without a prefent in hand^
be it never fo trifling) is a pair or more of white horfes ; being emble-
matic of the purity of his charafter and intentions. The relations of
the royal family, and many who have no pretenfions to it afTume that
diftindion, are treated, wherever they appear, not only with the moft
profpun?! refpedt, but in fome parts of the ifland, independent in other
points, with fuch a degree of fuperftitious veneration, that the country
people fubmit to be infulted, plundered, and even wounded by them,
without making refiftance, which they would eftecm a dangerous pro*
fanation, amounting to facrilege\

Lkectture. Like the other people of Sumatra, thofe of Menangcabow are entirely

without records or annals : none fuclx> at leaft, have ever been fpoken
of in the various negotiations we have had with them. They are ex-
pert at writing, ia the Arabic charg^er, but their literature amounts to
nothing more, than tranfcripts of the keraan^ and r^jr or hjiloric
tales, refembling our old romances, but having lefs ingenuity. Songs,
called fmitoon^ before mentioned, they are famous for compofing. Thefe
fpread throughout the ifland, and though likewife mvented in many
other parts, are held in the firfl; efteem, as coming from the Mufes
moft favored feat*

jUti. The arts in general are carried, among them, to a greater degree of per-

USc ion, than by the other natives of Sumatra. The Malays are the fole

* A man of thk defcription, who called himfelf Jiaudirfatooan Sin HoMit SbaS, heir to the
Empire of Minangcabaw^ in oonfcquence of fome dtffeiencef with the Dutch, ca0e and fettled
Among the Englifli at BencooUn in the year 1687, on bis return from a journey as far as Lamp^ttti
and being much refpefled by the country pe(4>le, he gained the entire confidence of Mi;. Bloom,
then governor* He fubdued fome of the neighbouring chiefs who were difkffe&d to the Englifh,
particularly Raja Moodo of Soongey lamo, and aifoa Jinuang (lieutenant) from the king of Bantam ;
Ik coined money , called ^/^/ ; eftabliihed a market ; and wrote a letter to the Company, promifing
to put them in poffeifion of the trade of the whole ifland. But ihortly afterwards, a difcovery was
made of bis having formed a delign to cut off the Settlement, and he was in confequence driven fitom
the place. The records mentiouj at a fubfbqueat periodi that the&haA ai Indt^fourym raifing
ttoops to oppoie him.

fabricatoril

SUMATRA. 175

fabricators of the gold and filver filagree^ which has been particularly Fiiagitc^
defcribed. M:>iangcaboiv has alfo been celebrated for its confiderablc
traffick in gold, lying in the midft of the mines where it is chiefly pro- Gold,
duced. Much cloth is wrought in, and exported from it. In this coun- Cloth.
try they have, from the earlieft times, manufa&ured arms for their own Fire-armt.
ufe, and to fupply the northern inhabitants of the ifland, who are
the mod warlike ; and which trade they continue to this day ^ fmelting^
forging^ and preparing the iron and fteel for this purpofe. How early
they began to caft cannon, and make fire-arms, I cannot take upon me
to fay, but if they learned this art of the Europeans, which there i&
reafon to doubt, they muft have acquired it very fuddenly, as the firfl:
Portuguefe hiftories mention their ufing them. Their guns are thofe
pieces called matchlocks (^fatinga)^ the improvement of fprings and
flints not being yet adopted by them * ; the barrels are well tempered,
and of the jufteft bore, as is evident from the excellence of the aim they
take with them. From the great difficulty attending the procefs of pre*
paring the metal from iron ore, I would have been inclined to think \t
more probable, not with (landing the afTu. ranees I have received to the con*^
trary, that they procured their fteel from the weftern nations ; but befides
that 1 know the fmall importation of that commodity from Europe ^t
prefent, can by no means be adequate to their confumption, it is evi*
dent that their creefes and other weapons of the fword kind, are made
of a fpecies of that metal, entirely different from ours ; and there can-
not remain a doubt of its being their own manufafture. Powder they owiikwAi.
make in great quantity, but either from the injudicious proportion of
the ingredients in the compofition, or the imperfedt granulation^ it is
very dcfedive in ftrength. Their arms, befide guns, are the coojoor, or giac-j
lance, roodcoj, caUwa^, hkUil, pamandab, fnoar and creefe. Thcfe are»
for the moft part, weapons of a make between that of a fcimitar, and a
knife s fome, as the r^i^oi, which iaa kind of fhort, broad fword, and the
calewangj being flung at the fide, and others (hick in front through a
belt that folds feveral times round the body. T he ftwar is a (hiall inftrument

# Firelocks they call/r^s^/aff^ from the Dutch, who perhaps wcrejthe ML who u&d them ia
Ibdiiu

H nz of

•anas*

476

SUMATRA.

Creefet.

jOther imple-
incnts of war*
|are.

of the ftiletto kind, for affaffination chiefly. The creefe is a fpecies of dagger,
of a particular conftruftion, worn bjr all defcriptions of people. The blade
is fourteen inches in length, of fteel tempered in fuch a •manner, as to
have an uncommon degree of hardnefs. It is not fniooth' or polifticd,
like the blades of our weapons, but by a fingular proccfs, made to ap-
pear like a compofition, in which veins of a different metal feem to be
•vifible. It is formed, not flraight like a fword, nor uniformly curved, but
waving in and out, as we fee depided the flaming fwords that guarded
the gates of Paradife. This probably renders a wound given with it the
more fatal. The head or haft is commonly of ivory, or fine grained
wood,* ornamented with gold, or a compofition of that and Japan cop-
per, called fooaffoy poliflied, and curioufly carved into a figure that bears
fome refemblance to the Egyptian Ifis ; having, like that fymboUc deity,
the beak of a bird, with the arms of a human creature. The flieath is
alfo made of fome beautiful fpecies of wood, hollowed out ; with neat
folds of fplit rattan, ftained red, round the lower part. The value of
a creefe is enhanced in proportion to the number of perfons it has flain.
One that has been the inftrument of much bloodfhed, is regarded with
a degree pf veneration as fomethihg facrcd. The horror or enthufiafm
that the contemplation of fuch adlions infpires, is transferred to the in-
flxument ; which accordingly acquires fandtity, from the principle that
leads ignorant men to reverence whatever pofleflts the power of eifeft-
ingmifchief. The abominable cuflom of poifoning weapons, though
much, talked of, (begofo^ it is termed) is rarely, I believe, if ever, put
in pradtice by the Sumatrans in modern times ; but it may have been
prevalent formerly*

Ranjaws are Iharp pointed flakes of bamboo^ of different lengths,
fluck it\to the ground, in order to penetrate the naked feet, or body,
of an enemy. Thffe ar^ made ufe of in cafes of flight, to annoy and re-
tard the purfuers, and planted in the path*ways, or among the long graft,
by the vanquiflied party, as they run. They are alfo difpofed in the ap^
proaches to fortified doofoons. In time of war, they always form part

* In fome places tb^y employ black corali and alfo the tooth of the Manatee (Do^Mgox Sapfti*

S U Kf A T R A.

277

of the military ftore of each combatant ; and reefows, or lavvlcfs vag^
bonds, never fail to carry a fupply about them at all feafons, to fruftrate

attempts of apprehending them for their crimes.

The people of Menangcab^w are faid to go frequently to war, on Horfes.
borfeback, but I Ihall not venture to give their force the name of ca-
valry, as I doubt much its coming, in any degree, within that defcrip-
tion. The chiefs probably may avail themfelves of the fervice of this
ufeful animali from motives of indolence or ftate; or poflibly, in
marches, for the fake of expedition, they may employ horfes for the
troops ; as they are in great plenty in that country. The natives, any
more than the Europeans, never ihoe them ; nor is it neceflary where
there are no hard roads. The breed is fmall, but well made, fpiritcd,
and vigorous. Their wars, in general, are carried on rather in the way Mode of carry.
of ambufcade,' and furprize of ftraggling parties, than open combar«
When the latter does take place, they are careful to make it a long (hot ;
and the firing is quite irregular. The foldiers have no pay, but the
plunder is thrown into a common fund, and divided. Whatever might
formerly have been the degree of their prowefs, they are not now much
celebrated for it; yet the Dutch, at Padangy have often found them
t'roublefome, from their numbers, and been obliged to fecure themfelves
vithin their walls, which the others have befieged. Between the MenangcO'
how people, thofe oiRou (called in the old writings jiru)^ and the Ackenefe^
wars ufed to be perpetual ; till within thefe twenty years, that ovir autho-
rity has been efiablilhed at the fettlement of Nataly and ferves as a check
to them. It was impoffible to walk a few miles into the country, with-
out meeting the remains of feveral breaftworks, (coobo^)^^ thrown up
for defence, and fome of them very fubftantiaU Our factory there, was
firfl: raifed upon one of thefe country fortifications* They carried on
their campaigns very deliberately ; making a practice of commencing a
truce at funfet, when they were no longer under apprehenfion from each
other. They fometimes agreed that hoftilitiey (hould take place^ only
between fuch and fuch hours of the day. The Englifli refident, Mr*
Carter, ufed frequently to be chofen their umpire, and upon thefe occa^

p A fortified Tillage the Malayt call coti or cetai which is uftd in the fame fenfe throughout
Jndoftant ud ai far a9 the B^Qtan hillt.

fionsj

•78 SUMATRA.

fions, fixed in the ground his golden headed cane, on the fpot v^hera
the deputies (hould meet, and propofe terms of accommodation ; till a€
length the parties, weary of their fruitlefs contefts, agreed to place them*
felves refpedtively, under the dependance and protection of the Company*
This muft not be underftood of the kingdoms of Menangcabcw and Jcbeen^
but of the fettlers of thefe nations in the vicinity of Natal*

Religion. The people pf Menangcabow are all Mahometans, and in that refpeft

diftinguifhed from the other inland inhabitants of the ifland. This
country is looked upon as the fupreme feat of that religion ; and next
to a voyage to Mecca^ which fome Sumatrans have undertaken^ to
have been at Mtnjfigcabow^ (tamps a man learned and of fuperior fandity.
The chief imaums, mmlanas^ catiths^ and panMUas, either proceed from
thence, or vifit it, and. bring away a diploma, or certificate of deg^ee^
from the fultan or his miniflers. How it has happened that the moft
ancient, and the mofi central kingdom in the ifland, fliould have be*
come the moft perfectly Mahometan, is a point difficult to account
for; unlefs we fuppofe that the circumftance of its importance, and
the richnefs of its gold trade, naturally drew thither its pious converters,
from temporal as well as fpiritual motives. In attempting to aiceitaio

verfiontoMa- the period of this converfion of the Sumatrans, much accuracy cannot

be expedted : the natives are ignorant on the fubjed, and we can only
approximate to the truth, by comparing the authorities of different old
writers. J^bn di Barros^ a Portuguefe hiAorian of great information^
fays, that according to the traditbn of the inhabitants, the city oi Ms«
lacca was founded abput two hundred and fifty years before the arrival
of his countrymen in that part of India, or about the yeiur xa6o, by a
Javan of the name of Faramifira and his fon Xatbem Dotm, amd that ia
the reigns of their fuccefifors the people began by degrees to be con-
verted to MahcMXietanifm, by Pcrfian and Guzerai merchants who re«
fbrted thither; fo that about an hundred and fifty years. before the date
of his writing, or in the beginning of the fifteenth century, that faith
kad fpread confiderably, and extended itfelf to the neighbouring iilnnds.
Diego do Couto^ another, celebrated hiftorianj^ who profecuted bis inqui-

lies

SUMATRA. 279

lies in Inclta> differs from the former in relating the circumltances of the
foundation of Malaaa^ wfaofe firft prince he calls Raja Sabu^ and fays
that in the reign of his fecond fon Cafemo, an Arabian pried arrived, and
firft preached the dodrine of the Caliphs, converting this king thereto,
find giving him the name of Xa Mabanied, in the year 1384. CorneiUe
Je Brun was informed by the king of Bantam^ in 1 706, that the people
of Java were made converts to that fed, about three hundred years
before. From thefe feveral (burccs of information, which are per-
fedly diilinft fix)m each other, we may juftly draw this conclufion, that
Mahometanifm, which fprang up in Arabia in the feventh century,
had made no progrels on Sumatra before the year 1400, and that the
period of its introduAion, confidering the vicinity to Malacca^ could
not be^much later. Marco Pauloy the Venetian traveller, who, notwith*
fianding all the inaccuracies of his work, was doubtlefs in moft of the
countries which he defcribes, and certainly vifited Sumatra or Java^ or
botbj fays, that thofe of the people who lived near the fea fliore, when
he was on Java minora about 1268, were addided to the Mahometan
law, which they had learned from the Saracen merchants. This throws
the period of converfion back, upwards of an hundred years ; but I
am fcrupulous of infilling on his authority .• Francis Xavier, the ce-
lebrated

• To tna the eourfe#f MarooPaulo*s travels^ is wandering in a veiy obfcure path, but not alto-
gether deftitute of glimmering light. The foilowing abftrafl will enable the reader to form a judg-
ment of his much deputed authenticity . *< Prom Fetan you go to the kingdom of MeUfur,v»htrt are
many fpiceti and a peculiar language* Steering to the ibuthward of FitoHf thirty «three leagues, you
arrive at the iflacd of Janm miuar^ (evidently Sstmatra) in circuit about fix hundred and fifty leagues.
It is divided into eight kingdoms, and has a proper tongue. It flretches fo far to the fouthward,
that the north pole is invifible* I, Marco Paulo, was there, and vifited fix of the eight king-
doms ; namely, Fwlecb^ Bajmattj SamarMf Dragwam^ Lambri^ and Fanfitr. Thoie of the peo-
ple of ForZrr^ who inhabit the mountains, are without law, and live bruttUy, eating the fle(h of
all forts of beafts indifcriminately, and even human ilelh : thofe who live near the borders of the
fta, are Mahometans, converted by Saracen merchants. In Bafman (qu. FaJJamman?) they
have a peculiar language. Here we find elephants and unicorns (rhinoceros) with hides like
buffalos, feet like elephanu, heads like wild boars, and a fingie horn on the fnout ; many moa-
kies alfo, refembling the human figure, the ikins of which are ftuffed by the natives* deprived of
the hair, and fold to Arangers for a diminutive race of men* I was five months in Samara^ wait-
ing for the fcafon. The inhabitants are favage, cruel, and acidised to eating human fltfli.

They

48o SUMATRA.

lebrated Jefuit Midionary, mentions, that when he was at Amboinay lb late
as 1 546, the people were then beginning to learn to write from the Ara-
bians : but that ifland lies very far to the eaftward, and being of lefii
coniiderable account in that age, than fubfequent tranfadions have ren-
dered it, the zeal and avarice of thofe religious adveaturers did not happeft
to be earlier attracted thither«

The inhabitants of Menangcabow cUd not only change their religtotH
or rather adopt one where there was none before, but an entire al-
teration was likewife wrought in their language, laws, cuftoms, and
manners. This has indifputably been eSe<^cd> by the fettling among
them of Malays from the peninfula, with whom the former correfpond,
at this day, in every point of refemblaoce ; infomuch that throughout
the ifland, a Menangcabow man, and a Malay^ are nearly fynonymous
terms ; including in the limits of that kingdom, the fea coaft of Ai^
angin,^ wheace they more immediately emigrate to the fouthern part&»

They have no wheat, but u(e rice for bread. They are apparently without vmesi and extra^): (heir
liquor from a certain tree, in which they make an inciiion ; the juice as it didils, being receired
in a veflel. India nuts are likewife found here. la the kingdom ef Dragoim (pol&bly that
cilled An-drageri^ and which in later times ha« been corrupted to Dre^n)^ the people are favage
idolaters, and fpeak a language of their own. When any of them are fick or infirm* and their ma»
gicians tell them they cannot recover, it is the pra6bicc for their friends to kill them by fuffbcation*
and then to eat their bodies, (which they jufiify by a curious argument). They alfo kill, and
eat fuch ilrangers caught amongft them, as cannot pay a ranfom. In Limbri (a name mentioned
by Barrost and other Pqrtuguefe hiftorians) grows much fpicQ> and certain pbnts by. them called
Bjrco, which, after tranfplantiag^ they let giiow for three years, and then pluck them up by the
roots. The inhabitants of ihe mountainous parts have tai-ls a palm long. Unicorns, and other
wild beafts abound here. In Fanfur (perhaps Campar) grows moft rare and exquifite camphire*
cftcerocd equal in valtie to gold. The inhabitants, eat rice, snd draw their liquor from trees. Here
are ieen trees with a. foft bark, under which ia fouod a white, mealy fubftanqe that i^ prepared
into excellent food^ 1 have eaten of it majiy times with much fatisfa£Hon. (iago). Fifty leaguet
from Ja*va minor ^ lie the i (lands of Nicuran zndAfij;aMia, and from the latter to the great ifland
of Stylam, {CeyloH) is three hundred and forty leagues. Italian Edit, of 1 60 1^ and French of 1 556.

* Atay-angin fignifies windward \ but the part of Suinatra fo calle.d, exte/idfng from Naial to
Trtaman^ does not, I fhould apprehend, take its name from its fituation, but from the people^
who probably fettled there in con(iderab!e numbers from ihofe eaftem countries which lie to wind-
ward (with regard to the North caft monfoon) of the peninfula of MalayOp and which are thence,
termed Atajf-angin, as diofe en the weilern fide of the peninfula, are termed Dtbwa •angin.

iDfa^

SUMATRA, a8f

•

In fad the word '* MaUif^^ all over the eaft, no longer denotes an in* General accept
liabitant of MalayOy ftridtly, nor one claiming his defcent from thence; word << Ma*
but a perfqn whofe language and religion are the fame with theirs* Thus ^*^'"
every black CirifttM is called, in India, a Portugnefi, though his veins
boafl not a drop of European blood. The entire conformity of thofe
people with the real Malayans would induce us to think, on a fuperficial Opinion that
view, that they are, altogether, no other than a colony from the penin-* it a coiooy
fula; or that an army from thence conquered that part of the ifland, ^^ ^^^'^
and extirpated the ancient rinhnbitants ; to which op^nk>t^ fome have
added a cohje£ture, founded however on no hiftory or tradition, that
the firft fultan was a defcendant of the CaUpbsj and fettling in Sumatra,
acquired. e:rten6ve authority, as ' foijie others of that defcription, deno-
minated Xerijfiy have dotae to the eaftward. But to tbefe hypothefcs,
there- are ftrong objections. The idea entertained by the people, and objeaions to
ftrengthened by the glimmering lights that the old writers afford us, '^^ opinion,
befpeaks an antiquity to this empire that ftretches far beyond the pro-
bable aera of the efts^bliihrnent of MahometaniCm in the ifland;. Thi3
antiquity b proved by the exteniive and acknowledged jurifdidion of
,Menangcabiym^ at a period fo early ^ that when the Europeans firft viiited
Sumatra, about the year 1 500, it was then in the wane. The fuper-
ftitious veneration for that incient monarchy excends itfelf, not only
where Mahometanifm has made a progrefs^ h\x\ among the Battas^ and
other people not tinftured with that faith ; which would not be likely
, to. attend the governqient of a foreign, intruder, who introduced a- reli-
gion which they have refufed to accept. So memorable an event would
certainly have been long preferved by regular tradition, and fome traces
pf it would have been difcoverable, even at this time. The fultan, in
the lift of his titles, would not faiU any more than the Xerins in the
eaft, to boaft of this facred extraftipn from the royal prophet, which
he does not at all allude to. T^he moft .intelligent Indians whom I have
confulted on this he^d, among whom was i?<2^^/.f^», befpre mentioned,
who as a prince himfelf, was converfant in thefe topics, pofitively af-
ferted, that Mknangca w is an original Simairan empire, antecedent to the
introdudion of the Arabian faith ; inftruAed, but in no fliape conquered,

O o ' "' hy

28i SUMATRA.

by people from Malacca, tt does not feem- probable, or co&fifteift witk
the general courfe of Malay calomsation^ that they Ifaould have fubdued
an inland country ; being found, in eveiy ifland whither they have had
^cce^^ fettled uniformly on the fea coaih only ; to which they are na*-
turally confined by their invariable attachment to trade and piracy.

Cftufes of tiie Perhaps it is lefs furprizing that this one kingdom ihould have beeit
SS^^omeun. ^^ompleatly converted to the Mahometan rcfigbn, than that fo many
iumXSf.** dift^i^s of the ifland, (hould remain, to this day, wichout any religion

at all. It is obfervable, that a perfon of this latter defcripdon, coming
to refide among the Malays, fooh affittiilates iro them in manners, and
conforms to their religious prafHces. The love of novSty ; ' the vanity
of learning ; the fafcination of ceremony ; the contagion oT example ;
veneration for what appears above his immediate comprehenfion ; and
the innate aAivity of man's ihtelledual faculties, which, {purred by
curiofity, prompts him to the acquifition of knowledge, whether tnie
' or falfe— all confpirc to make him embrace a fyftem of belief, and
Ibhenae of inftru^on, in which there is nothing that militates againfl the
'prejudices he has already imbibed, but is rather congenial with them.
He relinquilhes no favorite ancient worfhip to adopt a i)ew ; and is ma-
Bifeffly a gainer by the exchange, when he barters, for a paradife and
eternal pleafures, fo fmall a confideradon as the flelh of his foreikin.

Kingdom of \ By late accounts it appears that the kingdom of Mtnar^tahrjo^ even
divid^^into 1^ its limited ftate, is rent into various fovereignties. Two Rajas, of
tt^dBf/^*' Soorooafo^ and Soongey Tarapy claim a fliare in the dominion, and in thit

*qulality fent each a deputation to the Engtilh chief at Fadings after the
'capture of that place in 1781, congratulating him on the fuccefs of our
^arms. Pajfamman^ a populous country, and rich in gold, ' cailia, and
'.camphire, which immediately borders on Menangcabew^ to the north-
ward, now difclaims all manner of dependance on it. This is go-
verned by two rajas, of Sablooafiy and Cdnallee^ who boaft an origin
pi high antiquity. One of them preferves, as his pefakko (relick), the
Ipark of a tree,^ in which 'his anceftor was nurfed in the A^oods, before

the

8 JJ M A T R A. laj

Pajfanfm^ pMple hud fie^clusd their prcfent /i9/{it&A/ ibte» ' The other,
CO be pn a level with biov ho^fts poflfeifioQ of the beard of ^ cev^reofl
predecefifori which was fi> buihy that a large bird had made its nefl tn
it* His fon^ on the deceafe of the old man, cut it <^, and it is fiid to
be carefully preferved to thi> day.

The Malay governmeocs, which are founded on principles more nearly Maia^gorrrn.
feudal, than others on the iflandj confift of a Raja* or prince, who moftlv rai!^
aflumes the title of SuUan^ introduced by the Arabians ; under whom
are a certain number of Dattpos^ chofen from among the body of orang
€<tfOS^ or men of rank ; ^\o have ufually fubo^rdinate to them^ a confi*
derable train, of immediate dependams or yaflals, Frosp, th^e dattm^
the fultan appoints the officers of ft^tc ; as th^pa^an i ir^ who regulates
the cuftoms of the port ; the famcngoo^^ (ft cq^upander in t]fLC' wars ;
the hawdara^ or adminiftrator of juftice, and others ; differinfir in
pumber and authority, according to the ficuation, and impqrtance of t]fp
jkingdom* There is likewife a ckis of officers qalled OQlcabaJIang \ jiyhich
word is ufually tranflated ^* champion/' frpm tjieir %bt^ig iingly, wbefi
required* in the caufe of the prince or noWe ,wJjo maintains them ; bijt
they may be defcribed, more jwfoperly, 33 ajiijfins^ who ^ike the origina|s
of that name, (in the government of a prince of 4fia minor ^ called tl^e
•* old man of the mountain, cotemporary with Richard the firft of
^England) are difpatched by \a wcak^ but arbitrary and blood tbirfty .mo-
narch, to cxerutc by fqrprize and fiealth, his commiffions of death :
removing obnoxiqus perfons, whom he dares not attack openly. In
comiT^on they form.^he body guard of their ,.mafters, who do ngt every
where employ them in thefe fecret fervices.

The title of Dattoo is, on Sumatra, peculiar to the Malay governments, Titlco£dattoo.
and wherever it is in ufe, the people may be diftinguiihed as fuch. It has
not however, proceeded from Malacca, but from Menangcabow. Bencoo- Bcncoolcn.
len (Bencouloo)j near which the Englifh Prefidency of Fort Marlborough
is fituated, and where Fort York formerly flood; is a Malay town^ go-

^Raja was a title amongft the natives from the earlieft times. It prevails alfo in Indofiauy but
whether adopted from tbenc( bj the more £afteni peopki is uncertain.

O 2 verned

:284 S U M A' T R A.

verned by four dati^s^ xindtr the protcftion» or domitiion of the two
.fOftgetOftSj* of SMngey-iamo, and Scmgey*0tdfn^ who each have pofleffions
on different parts of the river which flows through the town, the prin-
cipal fway being in the hands of him, of the two, who has moft perfonal
ability. They are conftant rivals, though upon familiar terms with
each other, and arc only reftrained from open war, by the authority
of the Engliflu Thefe, properly, are not Md!a^^ but native, countrv
princes.

The fettlers on the rivers of Leemoon^ Batang Affy^ and Pacallang-Jam^
hoo^ who are colonifts from Menar^caboWy eftablifhed in thofe places,
' on account of the gold trade, are governfed-, each, by four dattcos like-
wifc^, who, though not immediately nominated by the Julian^ are con*,
firmed by, and pay tribute to him. The LeenioM iattoos^ whofe fituation
i% moft foutherly, receive alfo the inveftiture, with title, badjoo (gar-
ment), and d^tar (turban) from the fultan of Pakmbar^ ; which is a
political proceeding, and adopted by thefe merchants, for the conveni-
ence it may be produftive of, in their trade with that place. I am un-
certain whether the title of ^* Rattoo^y which is of confiderable dignity,
be Malay or not ; but incline to think, notwithftanding the near affinity
in found to ** daffoo^y that it is an original poloo or country word.

Indrapour. Indrapour was once the feat of a monarchy of fome confideration and

extent. Its antiquity appears from an hiftorical account given by the
fultan of Bantam^ to CornHlU le Brun % in which it is mentioned, that
the fon of the Arabian prince who firft converted the Javans to Maho*
pietanifm, about the year 1400, having got himfelf declared fovereigh
of Banfamy under the title of pangeran, married the daughter of the
raja of Indrapouray and had, as her portion, the couqtry of the SilUh
hans^ a people of Banca-bifuku. This was probably the firft difmem*
berment, which the Javan monarchs long availed tbemfelves of; and
iince, the kingdoro of Indrapour has dwindled into obfcurity. From ifi
c- oongey. ^^^^ j^^^ fprung that of Anac-focngey ; extending, on the fea coaft, from

* A titU intcoducpd from yava, by the fuluni of BoMtam.

MandQoU

SUMATRA; 285.

Mandocta river to that of 0$ri; the prefent capital of which, if fuch.
towns dcferve the appellation, is Mcc$ Moco.^ The fultan of BantanCs
dominion is faid to have extended from the fouthward, as far as Ocriy
and before that, to ^ttta or Ajer etam^ between Ipfoo and Moco Moco ;
but this laft ipace was ceded by the fultan of Bantam to the raja of /«-
dropout y in fatisfadion for the murder of a prince. A fmall tax was laid
on the Anac'foongey people, on account of this murder, by the latter,
and is now paid to the fultan of Moco Moco. It is a foocoo (fourth
part of a dollar), a bamboo of rice, and a fowl, from each village,
every year* The government of Anac-foongey is Malay^ but great part
of the country dependent on it is inhabited by the original doojoon peo*
ple.'f The pr oat teens (chiefs) are obliged to attend xhc fultan znd carry
their contribution or tax ; but his authority is very much limited. The
officers next in rank to the fultan are called Mantree, which fome appre-
hend to bjp a corruption of the word Mandarin, a title of diftindion
amongft the Chinefe^ The name of the prefent monarch, is, PaJ/iJficr

* Sultan Guilimoi was the firft monarch of this new kingdom, of Anac Soongeyt and eftablifked
himfelf at Mandooia^ by the aififtance of the Englifh, in 1695* A revolution had happened in Indra^
/Mr, by which the old fultan, who had prote£bd the Englifh at their firft lettiing, was driven
out of bit kinj^domj by the intrigues of the Dutch. This induced the former to fupport GuiU^
mo^f who was |it variance with the fucceiTorf as were al(b two other chiefs, named Raja Addil^ and
Rc^a Macocia* In 1698 the old fultan of Indrapour returned to his throne, but left GuiUmot in
quiet pofleffloB at Mandpaia* Many years after, Guilemot was removed^ and G§ndam Stah, the
li^ther of tHt piclent fultan of Mtco Moco^ fet up in his room. The fpace of time occupied by tbefe
three teig^a it very extraordinary, efpecially if W9 confidcr that the firft fultan rouft have been
at man's eftate in 1695; that the fecond fucceeded him before hit deceafei and that the third ia
BOW alive. The hdi is fufficiently corroborated by this circumftanee, that the fon of fultan Gui^
kmatt called fultan AwaiLaddtntf itftili living, at taft^Mo^b* ^^ fu}>pofed to be not lefs than
nine^ years of age. He was a ftate prifoner at Madras in thf government of Mr. Afor/#.

J^ At the back of Indrap^ur and Anac Soon^ey lie the countries of Siran^f ^d Cmncbia^
vif^ere ^be JHUlaf manners or religion have not made the fmalleft progrefs. The people are inof-
feijfive and laborious, but uncivil iztrd, and feed coarfeljr* From the latter abundance of horfei
ard procured.

X The Dune title prevails at Malacca, and fit>m thence, it may be prefumed, it was introduced
Sn AnaicS99i^gf*

larat

a86 SUMATRA.

barat Sbab Moodlam Sbab. The prefutnptlve heir iSt in all Mglay ftates»

called Raja Mocdo.

Paienabang. Pakmbangy as has already been obferved, is peopled moftly by JofOMS^

in confcqnence of that part being formerly under the jurlidifticm of
the Bantam empire, whence its fovcreigns were appointed. It is now
under the immediate proteftion of the Dutch government at Batwia,
who have a chief and fadiory there, and procure from it pepper and tin.
It proves likewife an ufeful mart to them, for vending opium and other
commodities froni the Weft of India* Its river, which takes its rife
io the diftridt of M)ofee^* near the Weft coaft, and within a day or two's
journey of that of BemooUny is the moft advantageous for navigation of
any in the ifland* High up, on its banks, the pepper is cultivated^ and
purchafed of the natives at an extraordinary cheap rate, as I am informed,
by an agent of the king or Dutch company, who refides there^ The
inhabitants of Paffummab are moftly fupplied with opium, fait and piece
goods, from Palembaffg. The king's agent (for trade in thefe parts is
ufually monopolized by the fovereign power J comes up the river with
large boats, which are towed againft the ftream. In this manner the
goods are conveyed to a place called Mooarrc Moolang ; from whence
they are tranfported, on men's backf , to that country* The voyage by
the river is faid to take up fourteen days ; but the journey from Mauirra
Mooia/jgf where they difembark, to Pajjummabf is performed in one»
Their returns are mo(lIy in a fpecies of twine called f^i^l filk in its
rougheft ftate ; and elephants teeth. The tin, (which the Malays call
tinuiry and fome nations^ calin) though exported from Paknibangy is dug

# Mr. Charles Miller^ m his accoane of a journejr made into this part of the couatryi men.*
tions that after haying croiTed the range of hills which (orm the boundary of the Company's
diihidf he came to a doofoon called Calookar, fituated on the banks of the river Moofei, (or Pa*
lembang) which is there pretty broad. Here he was fliewn famples of fuJphur, which is colie£ied
in great quantities, and carried to Palembang for fale. Tobacco, and poolay twine are likewife
fcnt thither. Caflia is produced there> of which there are large woods* The country there*
about is level, the foil black and good,^ and the air temperate.

SUMATRA. 487

up in the ifland of Banca^ which covers the mouth of the river, and con-
fiitutes a trade of confiderable importance^*

The idea which has been given by a celebrated writer of the im-
menfe riches accumulated by the king of Palemhangj I had been ufed
to look upon as wanting foundation in faft, both from the political
improbability of the circumftance, confidering his ftate of dependance
and from my not having ever heard the natives talk of his wealth, the
fame of which might be fuppofed to reach our connexions in the inland
country, did it really exift. Yet I have fince heard it obferved by well
informed perfons, who were long converfant in the trade of that place,
that the influx of Jtlver there, without which tin cannot be purchafed, is
prodigious, and that there is no apparent channel through which it
might be conje&ured to flow back; the Dutch themfelves being obliged
to pay a lai^e proportion of the value, in dollars, for all the cargoes
they receive. This would prove that the country muft be rich, if not the
king, who appears to have no excluiive property in the produca of ..ihe
mines; and yet the dTed of thefe riches is not to be perceived. A dif-

■

ficulty, in a point of a fimilar nature, prefents itfelf on the weft coaft of
the ifland, where thirty or forty thoufand dollars are annually fent ii\to
the country by the Englifli for pepper ; little or none of which ever
vifibly returns, (the profits of the private trade of the reiidents being
always remitted by bills) and yet both chiefs and people are univerfally
poor. China is fuppofed, with reafon, to be the gulph which, fooner or
later, fwallows up all the filver of India, and of America alfo ; but in the
infiances before us, it is hard to trace the fubfidiary ftreams.

The late king o£Pakmbaf9g left (he fucceffion of his dominions, by lot,
to a younger fon, whom the eldeft, after his father's death, obliged to

* The ifland of Junkcelon, on the Malayan cosift, likewtfe produces abundaace of tin. Ree$,
• port of great commerce in the ifland of Bintangt and wbich is now the medium of communica*
lion with China, is the mart to which this commodity is moftly carried • A number of European
veffelsy Malay praws, and China jnaks, annually refort thither, faioth on account of the goodoefs
•f the harbour^ wbidi it a fait water creek, and of its being a free port.

relinquifh

2S8 SUMATRA.

relinquifli his crown, and fly for protedlion to the fultan of yamhee*
Thither a number of armed praws were fcnt, with a rcqui6tion to the
fultan to deliver up the fugitive. That monarch, on the contrary, de-
clared his intention of fupporting the younger brother's claim, and cap-
tured the veflels. The king of PnUmbang^ apprehenfive that this hoittle
proceeding would be followed by an attack on his country, was, about
the year 1777, employed in collecting a large quantity offtones^in order
to block up two of the mouths of the river ; obliging each of the chiefs
to contribute according to the number of their dependants, and fortified
the third. This relation I have on the authority of an intelligent Malay.

Tambcc. J^mhct was formerly a place of coiifiderable note, and both the En-

glilh and Dutch Companies had eftablilhments there. The town is fituated
about fixty miles from the fea, on a large river.* The trade confifts
in gold duft, pepper and canes, but it is now efteemed of little im-
portance, the gold being moftly drawn to the weftern coaft acrofs the
country. There are many other petty Malay ftates, at every large
river on that fide of the ifland, but the extent of their rcfpcftive powers
are little known, their ports being feldom frequented except by the CHng
(Telinga) or Moor veflels. Sometimes, but rarely, a private trading fhip
from Bengal endeavors to difpofe, at thefe places, of a few chefls of
opium, but the captains fcarcely ever venture on fliore, and deal with
fuch of the Malays as come off*, at the fword point ; fo ftrong is the idea
of their treacherous charafter. They are generally at war with the inland
people, who confine them to the fea coaft, and in fome parts to the mere
rivers. The principal of thefe are Indergeree^ Sink and Battoo Bara^
The river Racan^ fituated between the two latter, and which is confiderably
the largeft in the ifland, is defcribed to be fo rapid, and attended with
fo great a fwell, where it encounters the tide at 'the mouth, as to be
unfit for navigation. The country of ^r// or iSw, often mentioned by
the Portuguefe hiftorians, borders on its banks.-f- Catnpar^ another

kingdom once famous, is fallen into obfcurity.

• A Portuguefe fqtiadrofiy in 1629, was twenty two days, employed in getting up this river, ia
order to deili oy fome Dutch ihips that were ihcltered near the town. Faria y Soufa, rol. 1 1 1.

f I fufpe^t that the modem name of this river, Racan^ or Jrraantf as it is ipelt in fome chartf«
is an European corruption of the word Jrn* The former I never beard a native make ufe of,

Mendcx

SUMATRA. 1B9

All the country on the eaftern fide of this ifland, from the ftraits of
Sunda to Diamond point or Tanjan^ Gooree^ is very low laud, with fcarctly
any mountains vifible, and moftly covered with woods. The northern
coaft, from thence to Acheen, prefents a very different appearance, having
a gradual flope to the foot of a range of high hills, and the lands
well cultivated, Pafayy which was once the principal feat of govern-
ment of this extreme of the ifland^ is fituated in a fine bay^ called ^tUo^
Samoway^ where cattle^ grain, and all forts of provifions are in plenty.
Timber, which in quality and fize, is feid to be adapted for mafis to
the largeft ihips, and of which abundance is cut on Sumatray to be tranf-
ported to hfaiacca and Batavia^ grows ctofe to the fliore of this bay.
The government and cufloms of thefe places are the fame with thofe of
' all others where the Malay manners and language prevail^ with very few
and immaterial exceptions.

Mender Pinto (ays, tiiat the tows ^ Am ftood upon the rirer Tanitican^ and gives an infiance o£
the extreme rapidity of its current, aa well as of its great (ize* Mention is madej at a fabfe^uent
fCiiod^ of a riyer/drrtf/T)

Pp *th(

290 SUMATRA.

7be country of B^tta — Its produBions — The inhabitants — Ac^
count of their manners^ government j and fome extraordinary
cufhms..

Batut. JL H £ next confiderable diftinAion of people, as we advance to the

north ward, is the nation of the BattaSy whofe remarkable diifimilitude,
in the genius of their cuftoms and manners, to the other inhabitants of
the iilandy renders it neceflary that a particular degree of attention ihoukl
be paid to their defoription. Althoygh thefe people had frequently
been mentioned by old writers, yet it was not until about the year I75X«
when the Englifli fettled at Natal, and formed connexions in that part of
the country, that they became properly known to any European^ and
that their ufages^ extraordinary in fome inftances, were accurately alcer-
tained«

^ituatioBof the The Country of Batta may be faid, in a fummary way, to be bounded
country. ^^ ^j^^ ^^^j^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^£ Acbeen^ and to the fouth by Pafamman and

the independent diftrid of Rou or Aru : but more precifely, it is marked
as extending from the great river of Sinkell to that of Taiooyong^ on
the fea coaft, and inland^ as far fouth as Ayer BoMgey, at the back of
which the Rou people commence. The country is very populous^ but
the bulk of the people refide at a diftance from the fea^ in the central
parts of the land, in exteniive plains between two ridges of hills, on the
borders of a great lake i where tlie foil is fertile, aud cultivation fo
much more prevalent than in the fouthern diftridts, which arc covered
with woods, that there is fcarce a tree to be fcen but what the natives
themfelves have planted for ufe. The ifland being very narrow in this
part, their towns lie, as well on the rivers that difcharge themfelves
into the Straits of Malacca, as thofe which have their courfe towards the
weft coaft ; but their communication is now more open with this Jc.»tter

fide;

SUMATRA.

291

fide; owing to the fupplies of fait and other articles, which they arc re-
gulary furniflied with from the Englifli fettlements, and by traders from
the continent of India.

The country is divided into a number of diftrifts, of which the fol- Divifion.
lowing are the principal; Ancola; Padambolai Mandeelifig\ T$ha\ Se^

* _

lendong •, and Sinkell. The inhabitants of thefe are fubdivided again into
tribes ; of which Ancola has five, Mandeeling three, and Tobn five : the
others I am not informed of.

Our fettlements in this part of the ifland, are at Nat^l (Natar) and Engiifli ftitie-
Tappaneoly. At the former the communication with the Bat4as is indi- ^^^^^'

Natal.

red ; none of them refiding on the fpot. It is inhabited by peribns fettled
there, for the convenience of trade, from the neighbouring cbuntries of
Acbeen^ Rots and Kbnangcahow^ and is, by their concourfe and traffic, po-
pulous and rich. A large quantity of gold is procured from th« country,
(fome of the mines, or pits, lying within ten miles of the faftory)
and a confiderable vent is found for imported gdods. l*ike otlier M^laf
towns, it is governed by Daltoos, one of whom is ftyled BatU0 itfffar^
or chief magiftrate, and bis fway is very grdat. Although the influ*-
tncc of the Englifh company here is ^xttfifivei their authority is by ti0
means fo firmly cftabliihed, as in the pepper provinces, to the fouthwaj'dj
owing to the numbers of peiDple, their wealth, and enterprizing, in^
pendent fpirit.* They find the Engtiih convenient for their protedioh

^ Upon the re-eflabltibnent of the hBmj in 1762^ the refident pointed out to (he Daiido bujfar^
with a degree of indignation, the number of dead bodies which were fre^ently Jcen floating
down the ri 'er, and propofed his co-opperating to prevent aflfaflinations in the country ; occaHoned
by the anarchy the place fell into, during the temporary intemiption of the company's influence.
<* I cannot aflent to any meafures for that purpofe, replied the dattoo : I reap from thefe murders
an advantage of twenty dollars a head, v^cn the families pcolbcute." A compenfation of thirty
dollars per month was offered him, and to this he fcarcely-fubmitted, obfcrving that he ihould
be a confiderable lofer, as there fell in this manner at Icaft three men in the month. At another
time, when the refident attempted to carry fome regulation into execution, he (aid, ** camee tra^
dab fooco bfgeito, orang cayoT ** we do not chufe to allow it. Sir j" and bared his right arm, as
>a fignal of attack to his dependants, in cafe the point had been infifled on. Of Jateyeart« habit,
and a fenfe of inutual interell, have rendered them more accommodating,

P p 2 from

292 S U M A T R A* '

from the ufurpation, as they term it, of tke Dutch ; who formerly laid
ftrong claim to the country, and perfifted in their attempts to eftablifh
themfclves there, till an article of the treaty of Paris, in 1763, put tlic
matter- out of difpute. It is therefore unneceffary to enter into any dif-
cuffion of the refpeftive claims of the two European nations; for which,
however, I am in pofleffion of the ampleft materials. Neither, in fgft,
have any rs^hPf but wliat proceeds from the will and confent of the na-
tive powers.

Tappanoolj. The Other fettlement is on a fmall ifland, called Pumbong cacbeel, in

the famous bay of Tappanooly, which is not furpafled, for natural ad-
vantages, in many parts of the world. Navigators fay that all the
aavies of Europe might ride there with perfed fecurity, in every
weather; and fuch is the complication of harbours within each other,
as to lead fome to afiert, that a large ihip could be fo hid in them, as
not to be found without a laborious and tedious fearch. Unfortunately
it is but ill fituated with refpeA to the general track of fhipping, and
in point of diftance from the feat of our important Indian concerns ; fo
that little ufe bas Uthcrto been made of it. This bay itretches into
the heart of the Baita donunions, and its borders are inhabited by that
|)eople, who barter here the produce of their country, for the article^
which they ftand in need of from abroad. The natives are in general
inoffenfive, and give little difturbance to our eftabliihmrats. The Jkbenefe
long ftrove to drive us from Tappa$wcfy, by force of arms, and we were
under a neceffity of carrying on a war, for many years, with parties of
that nation, in order to fecure our tranquillity. They wanted to recover
their trade with the country people, which our interference had obftrufted
and diminiihed.

^^ k is faid that no European ever penetrated twenty miles into the
Miio thfi Batta country which lies at the back of Natal. At Tappanoofy^ Mr. Ht^loway,

chief of that place, and Mr. Miller, botanift, by orders from the
council, performed a journey, in the year 17721 through the Bat/a
diftri^s in that quarter, wii^ a view of enquiring into, and giving en«

ceuragement

SUMATRA. JC3

couragement to the trade in CqJ^a^ which had been feme time difconti*
oued.*

The

4» The report of this jourAey is entered in tbe Company's records* An extract, containing
the geographical part, is here given. '< June tiil, 1771. We fct out from P09I0 Puneboftgf and
went in boats to the qualloe of Ftnang Soorte river, which is fituated in the bay of Tappanooly^
about ten or twelve miles to the fouth eaft of the former. The next morning we went up tliis
river in iampans, and in about fix hours, arrived at a few Malay houfes, at a place called qualloi
LooMoot. The whole of the country, on both fides the river, is low, covered with woods,
and uninhabited. About a quarter of a mile ^m hence, on the oppofite fide of the river, is
z Batta Campong (village) fituated on the fummit of a very beautiful and regular little hill, which
rifes in a pyramidical form, in the middle of a fmall meadow. Ju n 23d. We walked through a
level woody country, to cawipong Loomoot $ and next day to Sa'tarong, We next proceeded to
Tt^poii/t, to Siccia, and to Sa-pejea^', The lafl is fituated on the banks of Batang Tara river,
three or four days journey from tbe Tea } fo that our courie had been hitherto nearly paiTiUcl with
the direAion of the coaft. July tft. We left Sa-pifang^ and dire£led our courfe towards the
hills, following nearly the courfe of Baiatig Tara river. We travelled all this day through a
low, woody, and entirely uncultivated country* Odr guide had propofed to reach to a Batta cant*
f9i^ called Loomboo 1 but mifling the road, we were obliged to wade up the river between tour
and five miles, and in the afternoon arrived at a ladiang (rice plantation) extremely fatigui^d ;
where the badnefs of the weather oblig^ us to ftop and take up our quarters in an open paddee*
ihed* The next day the river was fo much fwelled by the heavy rains, that we could not pro-
ceed, and were forced to pafs that day and night in the fame uncomfortable fituation. July 3d.
We left the ladda^gf and walked through a very irregular^ uninhabited country, full of rocks,
and covered with woods* We this day crofled a ridge of very fieep and high hills, and in the
afternoon came to an inhabited and well cultivated country, on tbe edge of the plains of Ancolap
We ilept this night in a fmall open (hed, and the next day proceeded to a campong called Ceto
Lambottg, July 5th. We went through a more open, and very pleafant country to Terimbaroo^
a lai^e Batta campong fituated on the fouthern edge of Ancola* The country hereabout is entirely
cleared of wood, and either ploughed, and Ibwn with paddu or jaggong (Indian corn), or ufid
its pafture for their n umerous flocks of buffaloes, kine and horfes. July 7th. We left Tirlm*
baroOf and proceeded on our journey to Sa-majam* The country' round is fuH of fmall hills,
but cleared of wood, and moftly pafture ground. July loth. We proceeded towards Batang Onan,
the campong where the Malafs vfed to purchafe caffia of the Bat fas. After about three hours
walk over an open, hilly country, we again came into thick woods, in which we were obliged
to pafs the night. The next morning we crofled another ridge of very high hilts, covered en«
tirely with woods. In the evening we arrived at Batang Otian, This campong is fituated in a very
extenfive plain, on the banks of a large river which empties itlelf into the ftraits of Mahcca^ and is
faid to be ni^vigable for large {loops, to within a day's journey of this place* July 1 ith. We went to
fanha dpoioot^ the rajah of which claims the property of the caflia trees ; and his people ufed to cut
and cure the calfia^ and carry it to Batang Onan* The neareft caffia trees are about two hour^
walk from Fankm doolo^ti on a very high ridge of mountains. July 14th. We left Eatang Ouan^

•294

SUMATRA.

Produaions. ffae produftions of the country are, camphire, gum behjamrn, caffid,

cotton, and indigo. The don?.eftic animals are horfes, cows, buffaios,
goats, hogs, and dogs of the cur kind ; with the wild ones that are com-
mon to all parts of Sumatra. There is ijo gold found in the northern
parts^ nor any brought dow;n to Tappanooly* Rice is extremely plenty
in fome of thofe diftri^fts which lie near the fea ; ind as fcatce ill othera.
At I^atal this grain is faid to yield a produce of feventy or eighty f6t Ode ;
and at a place called Soofoo, to much as an hundred. No benjamin U
produced to the northward of SinktUy nor to the fouthward of SaiaMg*
rata, near the bay. The growth of the camphire tree is ftlfo much li-
mited in point of extent ; none being found fouth of the equlnoftial.

Ancient buiM- High Up OH the rivcr called Batico-btira, which, hafvihg its fdurfc^
iiig ound. jj^ ^^^ Batt a country y empties itfelf into the ftraits of Afi^/^r^^, and is

always fpoken of as the moil navigable in that part of the ifland, is
found a large brick buikiing, concerning the eredtion of which no tradi--
tion is preferred among the people. It is defcribed as a fquare, or
feveral fquares, and at one corner is an extremely high pillar, fuppofed
by them to have been defigned for carrying a flag. Images^ or reliefs,
of human figures, are carved in the walls, which they conceive to bfe
Chinefe Joffes or idols. The bricks, of which fome were brought to
Tappanoofy^ aire of a fmaller fize than thofe ufed by the Englifh.

Pcrfon* of the The Battas are in their perfons rather below the ftature ^f the Mal^s^
, and their complexions are fairer; which may perhaps be owing to their

diftance from the fea, an element they do not at all frequent*

jn orider to return, and flopped that night at a campong called Goto Moran^ and the flext'evening
reached Sa-maffam \ from whence we came by a diflFcrent road from what we had travelled before,
to Sa-pefang j where we got fan^pans and pafled down the Batang Tara river, to the fea. July
2 id. We returned to Poolo Puncbong,*] It fliould be obferved, that owing to fome difficulties *
made by the country people, and the difatisfaflory condu£l of the principal perfon who accom-
panied them as a guide, the obje£l of Mr. Miller's journey was fniftrated, and they did not even
fec'the caflia trees. During the courfe of the journey they were every where treated with great
hoQ'lcality and rcipe£U

• Their

S U M A T R A^ ^295

Their drefs is commonly of a fpecies of cotton cloth, which they Drcft.
tiianufadure thcmfelves, firong, haHh^ and of mixed colors^ the moft
prevalent being a brownifh red^ and blue nearly approaching to black.
They are fond of adorning it with ftrings of beads. The covering of
the head is ufually the bark of a tree. The young women wear rings
of tin in their ears, often to the number of fifty in each.

The food of the lower people is jaggong (maize), and fweet potatoes ; Food,
the rajas and great men only, indulging themfelvcs in ordinary with
rice. Some mix them together. It is on public occafions alone th^t
they kill cattle for food ; but not being very dainty in their appetites,
they do not fcruple to eat part of a dead buffalo, aligator, or other
animal, which they happen to meet with. Their rivers do not abound
with fifh; which is the cafe with moft in the illand^ owing to their rapi-
dity and frequent falls :* yet no fca coaft teems with greater abundanpe
or variety. Their borfes they efteem the moft luxurious food, and fcyr
this pxirpofe feed them with great care, giving them grain^ and rubbing
thcni well down. They abound in this country, and the Europeans get
many good ones from thence ; but not the fineft, as thefe are referved
for their feftivals.

• • • ^

Some expcUent fpecies of timber, particularly the camphire, (the wood HQufts.
in general of the country being light, porous, and prone to decay) are in
plenty here, and their houfes are all built with frames of wood, and boarded ;
wit)i rpofs x?f ^oQ, a vegetable fubftance that refembles coarfe horfe-
hair. They ufually confift of one large room, which is entered by a
trap^rdoorin the middle. Their towns are called ^^ campong^^* m \\h\c\^ Towns called
the number of houfes feldom exceeds twenty ; but oppofite to each, i^ ^'^i^^s*
a kind of open building, that ferves to fit in, during the ds^r, ^nd fot ih^
unmarried men to lleep in at night ; and thefe together fprm a kind of
ftreet. There is allb to each campong a balliy (as it is called by the Mar

♦ Some Qf the fcuHi eaftem rivers aoe an exception. Sii^ is noted for a trade in fiffti roes/
cured there, god caiM /rto^«.

lays) .

acrs*

29« SUMATRA,

lays), or town hall, for the tranfaftion of public bufineft, feftivab, and
the reception of ftrangers, whom they entertain with hofpitality and
franknefs. At the end of this building is a place divided off, from whence
the women fee the public fpeftacles of fencing and dancing ; and be«
low that is a.kind of orcheftra for the mufic.

Pomcfticman- The men are allowed to marry as many wives as they pleafc, or ,cau

afford, and to have half a dozen ts not uncommon. Each of thefe fits in
a different part of the large room, and fleeps expofed to the others ; not
being fcparated by any partition, or diftindlion of apartments. Yet the
hufband finds it neceiSary to allot to each of them their feveral fire-
places, and cooking utenfils, where they drefs their viduals feparately,
and prepare his in turns. How Is this domeftic ftate, and the fiimfinels
of fuch an imaginary barrier, to be reconciled with our ideas of the fu-
rious, ungovernable pa'flions of love and jealoufy, fuppofed to prevail in
an eaffern Baram ? or muft cuftom be allowed to fuperfede all other in-
Jluence, both moral and phyfical ? In other refpe&s they differ little
in their cuftoms relating to marriage from the reft of the ifland. The
parents of the girl always receive a valuable confideration (id buffalos
or horfes) from the perfan to whom fhe is given in marriage ; which is
returned when a divorce takes place againft the man's inclination^
The daughters^ as eliewhere;^ are looked upon as the riches of the fa*
thers..

The condition of the women appears to be little better than that of
flaves. They alone, befide the domeftic duties, work in the rice plan-
tations. Theie are prepared in the fame mode as in the reft of theiiland;
except that in tht central parts, the country being clearer,* the plough^
drawn by buffalos, is^ more ufed. The aien, when not engaged in war,
their favorite occupation, lead an idle, ina<ftive life^ pafiSing the day To
playing on a kind of a flute, crowned with garlands of flowers ; among
which the glole-amarantbuSy a native of the country, moftly prevails^
Theic mufic is fomewhat preferable to that of the other Sumatrans.

They

SUMATRA. S97

They are much addided to gaming, and the pradice is under no AddiAedto

_ _ _ ■

kind of reftraint^ until it deftroys itfclf, by the ruin of one of the parties, sam^g,
When a man lofes more money than he is able to pay, he is con-
fined and fold as a flave ; which is almoft the only mode by which they
become foch. A generous winner will fometimes releafe his unfortunate
adverfary, upon condition of his killmg a horfe, and making a pubUc
entertainment.

A favorite diverfion with the(e people is horfe-racing. They ufe no Horft ncmg.
faddle ; the bit of the bridle is of iron^ and has feveral joints ; the head-
ftall and reins of rattan : in other parts the reins are of ejoo, and the bit of
wood. They are faid likewife xq hunt th.e deer on horfeback.

They have, as was obferved in another place, a language and writeen
cbarafter pecdor to themfelves ; . and the Malay has there made lefs ^^^^'
progrefs than in any part of the iiland* It is reoMurkable, that the pro-
portion of the people who know how to read and write^ is much greater
than of thole who do not ; an advantage feldom obferved in fuch uncivi*
fized parts of the worlds, and not always found in the more poliihed.*

Their crimes agaiiift the ordcc of ibciety^ ate not numerovs. Tktfit . crimes,
is almoft unknown among them ; being ftri&ly honeft in their dealbgs.
with each other. Pilfering, indeed, from ftrangers, when not refirained-
by the laws c^ bofpitality^^f they are tolerably expert in, and think no

♦ Fox ^ecimens of thck laognagie^ and wridiig ctanSttr, fee page 1 6 S^,.

*f Mr. MiUer gives the MIovriDg inflBuices of thtir liofpitality in the receptioa of ftrangert* .
*' The rt^a of TirmSar^, being infonned of our intentions to come there, fent hit fon and be-
tween thirty and forty men, armed with lances and matchlock guns, to meet us ; who efcorted us
to their campong, beating gongs, and firing their gunt all die way. The raja received us m
great form, and with civility ordered a buffalo to be lullcd» and detained us a day. When we
proceeded en our journey, he lent his, (on and a number of armed people with us for our guard*
Haying made theaccuftomed prefents, we left TertMidaroot and proceeded to Samafami the raja
of which place, attended by izty or icTenty men well armed, ibon met us, and efcorted us to
^s'compang, where he had prepared a houfe for our reoeptioui and treated ut with great hofpi*.
taticyanditipeft"^

Q^q moral

a<)8 : S U tt A -T R. A.

moral offence; becaufe they do not perceive that atiy HI cefvdts from it.
urn men ^ Adultery, in the men, is punilhed wjth death ; but the women are only
difgraced by having their heads ihavedj and are fold for ilaves^ whkh
in fad: they were before. The dtflribution of jufiice in this cai^ ]$, I
think, perfeiStly lingular. It muft proceed from their looking upon
women as mere pafiive fubjeds, ^ Can you put butter near to a fire,
fay the Hindoo fages, and fuppofe that it will not melt ?'* The men alone
they regard as poffeffing the faculties of free agents, who may control
their aAiona, or give way to their paflions, as they are well or ill indraed.
Lives, however, are in all cafes redeemable, if the convi^, or his rela*
tions, have property fufficient ; the quantum being in fome meafure at
i the diicretion of the injured party*

Extraordinary Biit their moft extraordinary, though perhaps not the moft fingular
lent^^p^" cuiitom, remains yet to be defcribed. ^ Many old writers had furniflied
^**^ die world with accounts of Mtbr9piph4^i, or man*eaters, and their rc^

lations, true or falfe, were, in tho^e days, when people w^re ad^ded* to
the marvellous, univerfally credited. In the- fucceeding age, when a
more fceptical and fcrutintzing fpirit prevailed, feveral of ihefe a$<»ted
fads were found, upon fubfequent examination, to be falfe ; and men,
from a biofs inherent in our nature, can into the oppofite extf^ne* It
dien became eftabliflied as a philofophical truth, capable almoft of do*
monftration, that no fuch race of people ever tlid, or could axift. But
the varieties, intfonfiftencies, and conteadifi^iisn^ pf humaa manners, arci
fo numerous and glaring, that it is fcarce poiEble to fix any general
principle that will apply to all the Incongruous races of mankind ; or
even to conceive an irregularity which fiune or other of them havte 9et
given into. The voyages of our late famous circumnavigators, the au-
thenticity of wbofe aflertions is unimpeachable, have already proved
to the world, that human flefli is eaten by the favages of New Zealand ;
Sat humia *^^ ^ ^^"» ^^^^ ^^^^ Confidence, though not with equal weight of w
^^ thority, aflure the public, that it is alfo, at this day, eaten on the ifland

of Sumatra by the Ba^a people i and by them only* Whether or not

the horrible cuftom prevailed more extenfively, in antient times^ I can*

net

& IT Xl A T & A. 299

MC caKe upon me to afcertasn } but the fbme old hiftorians, who meo-
iioA H as pvaAtfed by the Battas, and whofe accounts were undefeivedly
looked upou as fabulous^ relate k aUb of many others of the*' eaflecn
pe6pk» and tfaoft of the iihind of Java in particular, who, fince that
period^ may hare beccMtie inoirehimunized.^

They do not eat huoftn flefb, as a means of fatiafying the cravings KSJST
of nature, owing to a deficiency of other food ; nor is it ibugbt after as
a glutonous delicacy^ as it would feem among the New Zealandtrs.
The Baltat eat it as a fpecies oi ceremony ; as a mode of ihewing their
deteflation of crimes, by an ignonunious puniihment ; and has a horrid
indication of rexrehge and infult to their unfortunate meoites. The ob«
j££ka of thb barbarous f epaft^ are the pnfonera taken in watf ; and offen*
ddirs coa\ided and condemened for capital crknes* Perfons of the fof mer
defeription may be ranibmed or exchanged!, for which they oftba wait
a confiderabk time ; aod the latter fuflbr ouly when their friend^ cannot
redeem thiem by the cuflksmary fine of twenty bMuBi0n§fi, or eight^y
dollars. Thefe are tried by tiie people of the tribe where the fad
was coOMoitted, but cannot be exetuted. till their own patfticular
rajay or chief, has^ been acquainted with the fentence; who, when. he
acknowledges the juftic& oi the intended puniihmNsnt,. isndiiacloth to

. 1

* MftBtiim is nfed# of thelbMdr ^dtfattieufloiMv by tkt ftdlQwing. wrkfft, ^'t^le^
Conti 1449, Ramufiq. /< The S«ifnauS»Bft ^ goB^l^ .T^ jpc4^1e ol'^otetf&eat (Mioiap A^r
and ufe the fkulls of their enemies inflead of ,mpney^ and he is accounte4 the greatfcft man who
has thr mofl[ of thefe in bis houfe."— -'Cdoardus Bart^ofa. '1$^^* Ramuiio. '* It) Jf-if
(which is contiguous to B^Uta) they eat hiiman fleih**'-*Meiklee Pitto, ih S5^».«BSftnc<lft
^H embafly to the king of the £«//aj.-*-— Beaulicu, i6ft2* ** Inland people independent, and
fpeak a language different from the Malayan. Idolaters and eat human flefh. Never ranfoas
])riibnersy but cat them with pegyer and (alt. JElaire no roliyon, but fome polity." ■ ^ ■
Dtt Bansos, 15$$. ** The gentiks retreated from the Malays tothei^teriorpart of the ifUnd..
Thoffr who live in that part oppofite to Malacca, are called Baitas* They eat human fleih> and
are the moft iarage and warlike people of the ifland. Thoie which ^inhabit to the fouth are
called Sotumai and are more civilised. "•^—-Captsun Hamilton. '< The inhabitants of DelUy
(on a river which runs £jK>m the Batta country) ajre iaid to be cannibals." <' Vartomanus, iii 1504^
writes that the J^ntans were manreatersi before that, traffick was had with them by Chincfe
^H^ch the pepplfc /aid w^b« sKivethan an i^ndred.yeprs. The fame cnftom has been attributed
t» thfi <Sy#M» IfiibAd qI CmB^bo^a« apd f\£o y» th^ inhabitanti of the Qgrnkobar iflands,

Q^q % cover

3°o SUMATRA.

Moieotpro. '''*''^' ** delinquent's head, together with a large difli of fait aoi
ceeding. Icmons. Thc unhappy objed, whether prifoner of war, or makfaftor, is

then tied to a flake j the pebple affemWed throw their lancfs at him fr^n
a certain diftance, and when mortally wounded, they run up to him, as
if in a tranfport of paffion ; cut pieces from the body with their knivl*;
dip them in the difh of fait and lemon juice ; flightly broil them over a
fire prepared for the purpofe ; and fwallow the morfels with a degree
of favage enthufiafm. Sometime* <I prefume according to the de-
gree of their animofity and refentment) the whole is devoured ; and in-
ftances have been known, where with barbarity ftill aggravated, they
tear the flefli from the carcafe with their mouths. To fuch a depth of
depravity may nun be plunged, when neither religion nor phiJofophy
enlighten his fteps ! All that can be faid in extenuation of thc horror of
this diabolical ceremony, is, that no view appears to be entertabed of
torturing the fufferers j of increafing or lengthening out the pangs of
death ; the whole fury is direfled againft the corfe ; warm indeed with
the remains of life, but paft the fenfation of pain. I have found a dif-
ference of opinion in regard to their eating the bodies of their enemies
JlaiH m battle. Some perfons long refident there, and acquainted with
their proceedings, affert that it is not cuflomary ; but as one or two par-
Cicular inftances have been given by other people, itisjuflto conclude,
that it fometimes takes place, though not generally. It w«s fuppofed
to be with this intent that raja NeaUa maintained a long conflid for
the body of Mr. Naime, a moft refpedable gentleman, and valuable fer-
vantof the India Company, who fell in an attack upon thc campong of
that chiefs in the year 1 775.*

The

« Ifind «tt (bme perfont ffiU doubt the reality of the hB, Oat homui flefli h ny whcfc
0»»ea by nunkiBd, and think that the proof* hitherto addnctd are inTviBcitet to eftaUilk • ptMSt
•f fi> much moment in the hiftory of the fpeciei. It it objeaed to me that I never «•• an eye
witAcfs of a B«tta feaft of this nature, and that my authwity for it i« confidenbly wcakcaed by
mning through a fecond or perhape a third hand. I am fenfiMe of the weight of thit mfening,
and am not anxioua to force any man'i belief, much left to deceive him by preteseet to the higheft
^tgne of certainty, when my relation can only lay claim to the next decree. I can only fty,
that I thoroughly believe the fad myfelf, and that my conrtaion haf ariftn from the Mowing
itKiHoS»e», fomco{lefi,fgmeof morcMioiity. Itit, ktfiefirft place, •Mtur«f gaaena

and

SUMATRA. 30I

The government of the country is divided into a number of petty Governmmu
chief-fhipS) the heads of which, ftyled rajas^ are feldom dependent upon
any fuperior power; but enter into afTociations with each other, particu-
larly thofe of the fame tribe, •for mutual defence and fecurity againft
iany diflant enemy. They are extremely jealous of the increafe of each
others power, and on the flighted pretext a war" breaks out between
them. The force, however, of different campongs is very unequal^ and
fome r^^ poflefs a much more extenfive fway than others ; and it muft Power of the
needs be fo, for every man who can get a dozen followers, and two or ^*^*' ^ * **
three mufkets, fets up for independence, and fcarcely acknowledges any
iuperior« In the two diftrids of Ancola and Mandeeling^ there appears
fome exception to this general defed of fubordination, as they have each
a fovereipn raja over all the tribes ; but their power is nominal merely,
the great vaflals acknowledging little fubjeAion, but when it fuits their
inclination, or intereft.^ Inland of a place called Sokum, great refpeA
was paid to a female chief, or ooti^, whofe jurifdidion comprehended

aii4 uncontrov c ned notoriety In the ifland : I baTe talked on the fubjeft wich natives of the
countiyi who acknowledge the pcadicef and become alhamed of it when they haveftfided among
-moie humiAixed people: It hat been my chance to hare had no left than three biothert^ chiefs
of the ffttlement of N0al and T^tfpojtooiy, where then it daily interconxfe with the Battas,
mad who all afluie me of the truth of it : The fame account I have had from odier gentlemen
who had tquaU or fuperior opportunities of knowing the cuftomt of the people ; and all their
rehitions agree in ereiy material point : A refident of Tappaxooly (Mr. Bradley) fined a raja a
few years fince, for haying a prifoner eaten too eloft to the company's icttlement : Mr. Alex-
ander Hall made a charge in his public accounts of a fum paid to a re^a in the country, to induea ^
him to fpare a man whom Mr. Hall had feen preparing for a Tiftimr hSx. Charles Miller, in
the journal before ^oted, Ays ** In thtfi^ffeWf or houfe where the rafa recehres ftrangen, wo
law a man's IkuU hanging up, which the lajah told us was phiced diere as a trophy, it being the
IkuU of an enemy they had aken prifoner, whoft body (according to the cuflom of the Battat}
they had eaten fboax two months before- Thus the experience of later days is found to agree
with the uniform teftimony of old writers i and though I am aware that each and erery of thefe
proofsytakenfingly^ may admit of fome cavil, yet in the aggr^te I think they amount to (ktif-
laAory evidence and fuch as may induce any perfon not very incxtdulous to admit it as a h€t,
that human flefh is eaten by inhabitants of Sstmatraf at we have pofitive authority it it by inha-
bitants of A^#w Zi^dwid.

* The nephew is (aid to fuceeod to the place of Baja, in preference to the 6b« I bafve heard
>|hat this unaccountable pik it obrerve4 u^ finat other parte of the caft*

many

302 SUMATRA;

many tribes. Her graodfoiij the reigning prinoej had lately been omr-
dcred by an invader, and Ihe had afiembled an army of two or three
thoufand men to take revenge. An agent of the Company weiiM: up
the river^ about fifteen miles^ in hopes of being able to acQommodatse a
matter which feemed to threaten materially the peace of the country ;
but he was told by the eoUCy that unlefsh^ would land his men and guns,
and take a decided part in her favor, he had no bufinefs there; and he
was obliged to reimbark without efiedting any thing. The- aggreflbr ^pK
lowed him the fame night, and nude his efcape. It does not appear
likely, from the manners and difpofitions of the people^ that the whole
of the country has ever been united undfcr the juriidlffeion of one mo
narch.*

The more powerful rajas aflume authority over the lives of their fbb-

jeds. The dependants^ in all the campongs, are bound to attend their

Servket due chief in his journeys and in his wars, and when an individual refufe^

to ^jf ci^fi. be is expelled from the fociety, without permifli>n to take his property

along with him. The raja, fupplies them with food for their expeditions,
and aUowft d^t^^iAoivMo^buncbangs^ for each pedbn thejr kilL Whea
he pays his- gaming debts, be impofes what arbknary* ^ue hft: dunks
proper on the horfes and buffalos (no coin being ufed m the counr-

^ Tht account given by Mtndlpz Fmto of his^ emba^ to Afiga fiy ftMW raja, king of tbt
Batiasy in the year 15399 may perhaps be thought to contradi£k this obferyation 1 but it is diffip
cnlt to recoBcUe iQao]i;o£ the circuiaftancca he selatesj-or to £brm an idea of the place he went to*
Afttrleafnng Mala$ic»and donJbling Aebcen headt he (ailed for four days down the coaft of the
oceasp till he cafno to. a river called G^uummgim (Atq)fangm)$ which had leren fathom water
(quaere SinkiU)., He proceeded eight leagues op this river, when he aachoivd at BoiUrendagi
near Paitaiu,, tfao^ refidence of the king* Ketmning, ha coaHed back for twenty fix ie^guei^
mbsa be; entered the ftrak^ of, Miabagaru and then flood over to JunkcekH. The king men*
tione4viushavi^ loll two places called ryocar and Utigati, by the Achenefe, who put many of
le»■OolookaUa^g^ znd^Am^^^ar to dcath» (theie are MtUay, not Satta officers)> apd that he had
^om by his God ^'^ Uxomkinor, the diipenfer of judice, to take revenge. (This name is-
Kkewiie Malay fomewhat corrupted.) The king alfo paid adoration. to a cow^s head. He
aiaixhed ta Acbeen, which is but twenty three leagues^ over land, and attacked the city with fif*
teen thouiand men* He fumiflied a cargoe <^ Tin and Benjamin for the veflcl Pirito came io^ and
fait a pneftnt of gold, headed lances> caktmbiua wood, and a tonpileflieU box oi;pameBted with
' fold, to the governor of Malacca.

f Aa iaufifiury valuation^, about eqpal to four SpamflL Dollan»

tiy)

•»"

SUMATRA* 303

Uy) wluch he deirvers, and his fubjefts are obliged to accept them at
the rate he tenders them. They are forced to work a certain number of
days each, in his rice plantations. There is alfo a lefier kind of fervicej
for land held of any other perfon. The tenant is bound to pay the land-
lord refped: wherever he meets him, and to give him entertainment
whenever he comes to his houfe. The people feem to have an abfolute
and permanent property in their polTeffions ; felling them when they think
fitting to each other. If a man plants trees and leaves them> no future
occifpier can fell them> though he may eat the fruit.

The chief's revenues arifc principally from the fines adjudged in ju- Rcnmucs.
dicial proceedings^ which he always appropriates to himfelf ; and from
die produce of the benjamin and camphire trees throughout bis diftrid:,
which are confidered as royal property ; but this, in general, is not ri-
goroufly infifted on.

Difputes and litigations of any kbd, that happen between people be- Suits.*
longing to the fame campoffg, are fettled by a magifirate appointed for
that purpofe, and from him there . is faid to be no appeal ' to the raja :
when they atife between perfons of different campongs, they are adjufted
at a meeting of the refpe&ive rajas. When a party is fent down to the
bay, to purchafe fait, or on other bufinefs, they are accompanied by an
officer who takes cognizance of their behavior, and fometimes punifhes
upon the fpot fuch as are criminal or refradory; This is produdive of -^
much order and deceiicy.

Notwithftanding the independent fpirit of the Sottas, and their con- ReQjea paid

tempt of all power that would effect a fuperiority over their little focie- *^ mcim^oi^

ties, they have in general a fuperlKtious veneration for the fultan of ^^^-
JMenangcahWj and ihew a blind fubmiffion to his relations and emiifaries,

real or pretended, when fuch appear among them : even when infulted
and put in fear of their lives^ they make no attempt at refiflance : they
think that their affairs would never profper ; that their paddee would be
btightedi and their buffalos die ; that they would reraakt under a kind
of fpell^ fbr ofTendlng thofe facred meflengers*

The

304 SUMATRA;

The fpirit of war is exited among thefe people by finall pmyocatiofij
and their refolutions for carrying it into effed: are foon taken. Their
life appears, in fa<ft, to be a perpetual date of hoftility, and they are
always prepared for attack and defence. When they proceed to pat
their deiigns into execution, the firft ad of defiance is firing, without
ball, into the campong of their enemies. Three days are then allowed
for the party fired upon, to propofe terms of accommodation, and if
this is not done^ or the terms are fuch as cannot be agreed to, war s
then fully declared. This ceremony of firing with powder only, is
ftyled, ** carrying fmoke to the adverfary." During the courfe of their
wars^ which fometimes laft for two or three years, they feldom meet
openly in the field, or attempt to decide their conteft by a generaf en-
gagement ; as the mutual lofs of a dozen men might go near to ruin
both parties ; nor do they often venture a dired attack upon each others
campongs, but watch opportunities of picking off ftragglers paffing
through the woods. A party of three or four will conceal themfelves
near the* footways, and if they fee any of their foes,, they fire and run
away immediately ; planting ranjowj (fharp ftakes) after them, to prc^
vent purfuit. On thefe occafions a man will fubfift upon a poutoe a day^
in which they have much the advantage of the Malays^ (againil whom
they are often engaged in warfare) who require to be better fed.

Fortlficatiimi. They fortify their campongs with large ramparts, of earthy halfway

up which they plant brulh-wood. There is a ditch without the rampart
and on each fide of that, a tall palifade of camphire timber. Beyond
this, is an impenetrable hedge of prickly bamboo, which, when of
fufficient growth, acquires a furprizing denfity, and pcrfcdly conceals
all appearance of a town. Ranjews, of a length both fov the body, and
the feet, are dHpofed without all thefe, and render the approaches hazard-
ous to affailants who arc almoft naked* At each corner of the fortrefi,
inftead of a tower or watch-houfe, they contrive to have a tall tree, which
they afcend to reconnoitre or fire from. But they arc not fond of re-
maining on the defenfive ia their campongs, and therefore, leaving a
few to guard them, ufuaJly advance into the plains^ and throw up tem-
porary

S UxM\ A;T R^A. 305

porary breaftwbrks and cntrtnchmdnts. They never engage hand t©
hafid^ alwtyi keeping at a pretty fafe diftance^ feldom nearer than random
fhot^ dxceptift cafeof fuddenfurprizc.

Their ftandarfl in war is a horfe's head, from whence flows a long Atms.
mane, or tail of hair. Their arms are matchlock guns, bamboo lances,
and a fide weapon like a fword, or large knife. They carry no creefe
like the Malays. Their ammunition boites are provided with a number
of little wooden cafes, each containing a charge for the piece, which are
juft our ancient bandoleers ; and inthefe are carried likewife their match,
•and (mtdUv PdOfjaws^ the larger being in a joint oibamhoj like a quiver,
^llung over the ihoulden They have machines curioufly carved and
ddoirned, for holding their bujlets, and others, of uncommon conilruc-
tion, for a refervc of gunpowder. This article they manufafture them-
felvesi procuring their laltpetre ufuially from goat's dung. The match-
locks they are fiipplied with by traders, who bring them from Menang"
tiibciWi, where they are made : their fwords are of their own workman-
Jhip.

The natives of the fea coaft exchange their benjamin and camphire, xrade.
for iron^ ileel^ brafs wire, and fait ; of which lad, about an hundred
thoufend bamboos (gallons) are annually taken off in' the bay of Tnp-
pan90fy. Thefe they barter again with the more inland inhabitants, in
the mode I ihall prefently defcribe, for the produds and manufa<ftures
of the country, particularly their cotton cloths ; of which article very
little is imported from abroad. Some-wear a ftrip of foreign blue clotli
about their heads, in imitation of the Malay day tar, and a few have iad-
j^as (outer garments) of chintz; but upon the whole, the falaof piece
goods in the bay is very inconfiderable,*

R r Having

■

* A gttat trade is carried on from Nataito thetiland of l/ias, wkich Het tiot fardiflant*
The articles received from thence are Rice and Slaves , and of thefc laft not lefs than fotxr
hundred and fifty konually, befide about an hundred and fifty which go to the northern porti.
In catching thef^ 'tinfortunate ytftimi of the avarice of the 6h!efi» it if^ eompvtted that n^t
fewer than two btmdrcd are killed i which together torm aconfidcmble ^ntitnbfcr fbr fath a countty

» I i • ' '. • * • '»<o.

366 S U M- A TR A.

wro^'it^M ' Having no coin, all value is eftimated among^thcm byccrtiin com-
infieadoi coin., moditicsr In trade they calculate by tatrtpMgs (cakes) of beiymijn ;. in

tranfa<flions among themfelves, .more commonly by bmf&los > famif*
times brafs wiie, and fometimes beads are ufed as a medium. A gaU
leon, or ring of bcais wire, reprefents about the value of 'a dollar. But
for fmall payments, fait is the moH in ufe. A meafure called a fabopt
Ufeighing about twp pounds, is equal to ^.fanarn or two pence halfpenny.:
a bailee J another fmaller meafure^ goes for four kep^eng^ or^.thsee fifths of
a penny.

For the convenience of carrying on tradie, there, are iCftabliihed,
Fnn held acrofs the country inland of Tappanaolyy which is their great mart, four

fiages, at whieh they fucceilively hold public fairs or markets,, on
every fourth day, regularly throughout the year ; each fiair lafting one
day. The people in the diftridt of the fourth ftage aflcmbie with their
- goods at the appointed place ; to which .thofe of the third rt%rt and
purchafe of them : the people of the third, in like manner,, fupply the
wants of the fecond ; and the fecond of the firft, who difpofe, on the
day the market is held, of the merchandize for which they have traf-
ficked with the Europeans and Malays. On thefe occafions all hofiifities
are fufpended. Each man, who poflefles one, carries his mufquet,
' with a green bough in the muzzle, as. a token of peace, and afterwardf,
when he comes to the fpot, following the example of the direAor or
manager of the fair, difcharges the loading into a mound of tssnSn ; in

. to fupply. The people of Nim are foiall in their perfons ;. of a fair«complexion» paiticularlf

* the women> who arc moftlyfent to Batatviai but a great proponioa of botbfcxcs areinfc6^ed
with a fpecies of Jeprofy, that covers their bodies whh white fcalc$ ; and their eaai are made to
extend in fy prepofttrous a manner as to- be often near touching theif ihouMers 5 which, the pur*
chafers of females fometimes get trimmed to the natural fiae. They arc remarkable for their

.iagenoity in handicraft works, and as an indance of their fkill ia the arts, they pn^ice that of
letting blood by cupping, in a mode nearly fimilar to ours. Among the Sumatrans blood is neyer
drawn whh fo falutary an intent. The- language and manners of this people haTc a refemblance
to thofe of the Battas j but yet differ in many material fefpefts.. Their principal food is pork, and
the chiefs make ap«a6Uce of ornamenting their houfes with the jaws of the hogs, as wdl as the

. jkuIU of the enemies wbi9b they kill. They are reveng^ul in their tempen, and eileemed dan-
gerous as domeftic flails ; a defed in their chara&er which philofophert will not hefitate to excufe
M an independent people, torn by violence from their country and connexioni.

whicb^

S U: M A T R A. 3o>

wKicfa^ before his departure^ he ifeirches for his ball. There is but one
houfe at the place where the markets are held, and that is for gaming ;
regular rows of fruit trees, moftly dcorean, are plaitfed, which ferve for.
booths ; one avenue of which is rcferved for the women, v People from
the extremes of the north and fouth meet at thefe fairs, where all their
trade is oarried cm.^

Their religion, like that of' all the other original inhabitants of the Rci»g*»on«
ifland, i^.fo difficult to be traced, as fcarcely to afford room to fay that any
exifts among them* Yet they have rather more of ceremony, than the
people of Rejang or Pajfammab ; and there is here an order of perfons

who may be denominated prieils, as they perform the office of burying
the dead, and of fortelling lucky and unlucky days, in the obfer- ,
vance of which they are extremely fuperftitious : one of thefe is, employed
in each campong. They have fome idea of a powerful Being, difpofed
to benevolence, and of another, the worker of ill to mankind ; but they
pay no worlhip to either : nor do they appear to entertain any hopes or
apprehenfion of a future (tate« It is faid that they have a name for the
^ormeti which they fear to pronounce, but I have fome reafon to think
it the word *^ Daibaftab^** v/hich 1 learned from a different authority j
that nanoe correfponding, as before obferved, with the general name
for the Deity throughout the eaft% The evil fpirit they call Murgifo.
Their only ceremonies that wear the appearance o£ religion, are thofe
ufed on taking an oath ; in their prognostications i and at their funeral
rites* A perfon accufed of a crime, and who aflerts his innocence, is in
fome cafes acquitted by folemnly fwearing to it, but is fometimes obli-
ged to go through a kind of ordeal. They have different modes of ad- ^^^^^^
miniftering an oath. A cock's throat is ufually cut oa the occafiOi. j the
accufed thca puts a little rice into his mouth, and wifhes that it may
become a ilone, if be is guilty of the crime with which he Hands charged 5
or holding up a muiket bullet, wilhes it may be his fate to be ihot, in
that cafe* - In more imporunt inftances, they put a fmaU leaden o|^ tin

. ^ TbeirG fairly ollid onan byi tho .Malayty are ttoit xonHned to tfhe Ba^m country : (b^r^ m

\\ X z image

Pivinatioiis<

go8 S U M A T R'

image into the middle oJF a diih of rtce^ garmfl^d with mufquet tndliv
and the man, kneeling down, prayt that hh crop of paddjce majr /ail^
bi« cattle die, and that himfelf may never tajse fslt^ (which I pnsA&m^
is regarded as neceffary to exigence) if he does not declare, the iiuth«.
Thefe tin images may poflibly be looked upon as objedbs ef adQlatrou&
worfhtp ; but I could never learn that any fpecies of edaradon was paid
to them on other occafions. Like the relicks of faixjfs, th^y are paer? ly
employed to render the form of the oath more myfterious, and thereby
incrcafe its awfulnefs* I have feen carved refemblances of a horfe's head^
^hich though vulgarly called Batta gods, are nothing more than the
ftandards in war before mentioned.

Before they go to war, they kill a buflfalo, or a fowl that is perfeftty
white, and by obferving the motion of the inteftines, they judge of the
good or ill fortune that will attend them. The prieft who performs this
ceremony had need to be infallible, for if he predifts contrary to the
event, he is fometimes put to death, for bis want of fkill.

Funeral rites When a roja, or pcrfon of* confequencc, dies, the funeral ufually takes

aad cereinoniei • .

up feveral months; that is, the corpfe is kept, for fo long a fpace <rf
time, unburied ; until the neighbouring and diftant rajas, and in com-
mon cafes, till the relations and creditors of the deccafed, can ot aflera-
bled, in order to celebrate the rites with becoming dignity.' Perhaps the
fcafon of planting, or of harveft intervenes, and thefe neceffary occupa-
tions muft be firft attended to, before the ceremonies can be concluded*
The corpfe, in the mean time, is depofited in a fort of coffin, made of the
hollowed trunk of the ^»^ytree, well covered over with dammar or refin.
A bamboo tube,^ however, is inferted in the lower part of the coffin» and
paffing thence into the ground, ferves to carry away the offcnfive matter ;
fo that iu fadt the bones alone remain.

When the people aflemble, the coffin Is brought out, and fet down \xk
an open fpace. Each of the women who arrives, brings 4i bifket of
rice, and places it near the corpfe t they dance rounjl it, and maki merry,

till

SUMATRA. 3C9

till t6e pK>vifion is' expended ; ope xxr more buffalos^ or hotfesV being
killed and feafted on at tlie £ini[e time. The prieft then^ (whofe Uoibs
are iattowed In the ftiape of birds -and beafts^ and painted of different
colors)^ takes a piece of buffalo's flefii; fwings it about, throwing
himfelf into violent attitudes, and |bange contorfions ; and then eats the
morfel in a voracious manner. He afterwards kills a fowl over the dead
body^ letting the blood run upon the coffin ; he then takes a broom, of
the coco^nut fibres, and fweeps furioufly about him, as if to chace away
fome evil fpirit ; when fuddenly, four men, appointed for the purpoie^
lift up the coffin, and run quickly off with it, as if efcaping from the
fiend ; the prieft continuljig to fweep after it for fome diftance. It is
then put into the ground, at the depth of three or four feet ; the earth
about the grave is raifed ; a ihed built over it; and the horns of the
DuflTalos killed upon the occafipn are nailed to the polls, -j- The people
then depart in peace to their refpedive homes.

This nation has preferved the original genuinenefs of its charadter and origkiaiitr
manners, more unmixed than any other inhabitants, at leaft of the nor- preferved m

' '' ' ^ this nation,

them parts of the ifland. This may be owing to feveral caufes ; as their ^^ ^^ ^^^j^^
diftance in general from the fea coaft, and total unacquaintance with na-
vigation ; and to the want of gold in their country (except at the fouthern
extremity) to excite the rapacity of invaders, or avarice of coloaifts ;
the vegetable' riches of the fwl being no objed for fuch, as they are
more advantageoufly obtained in trade, from the unmolefted labors of
the natives themfelves. To this we may add, the divided nature of the
government, and confined independence of the petty chiefs, which is un- •

♦ In the Naffau iilands (called by the Malays the Fcggies) the inhabitants (.oratig Mantawayi)
areuniverfally tattowed in this manner, and their (kin difcolored. This cuftom appears to have
been once yery gene**ai in this pan of the eaft, but an intercourle with other nations cauies it to-
wear away. Befide the pintados of the Philippines, it prevails among the people of Laos^ and
has bten oblerved of the Siamifi^ See an Hiftoxical Relation of Expeditions to thofe iflands by
Alexander Dalrymple, Eft^f

f Mr. Miller fays he was prefent at killing the hundred and fixth buffiilo at the grave of a raja,.
[^ which ceremony they continue for a year after the interment*

favorable

3IO S U M A T R A.

farorable to the propagation of new opinions and euftdm9» (as the $dop«
tiot\ of them by no one raja would ferve as authority to others, but the
contrary) and which is not the cafe where the people are united un4er one
bead^ whom they look up to as the ftandard of their condu& Thii
was probably the reafon of the complete conv/erfion of the fubje£ts of
Menangcaicw to Mahometanifin. And laftly, it may be prefumed that
the idea maintained of the ferooioufnefs of the people, from their praAicc
of eating their prifoners, might probably damp the ardor j and reftr^io
the zealous attempts of religious innovators..

Xifffd^m

SUMATRA. 311

Kingdom ofAcheen — Prefentftate of its Oommercc^^Air and SoU-^
Inhabitants — Gavernment-^Rev^nufi-'-^Modes of puniflnng Cri^
minds* •

jlCHEEN (properly Acbe)^ is the only kingdom of Sumatra, that
ever arrived to fuch a degree of political confequence in the world,
as to occafion its tranfadtion^s becoming the fubjed of general hiftory.
But its prefent condition is widely different from what it was, when by
its power the Portuguefe were expelled from the ifland, and its princes
received embaffies from all the great potentates of Europe.

Its fituatio*! occupies the North Weftem extreme of the ifland. The Situatioiw
extent, ftriAly fpeaking, reaches no farther, inland, than about forty or
fifty miles, to the fouth eaft, ^nd now but little farther even on the fea
coaft ; though formerly its king boafted a dominion as far down as Zv*
drapour, and poiTefied a complete jurifdidtion at Ticoo. A place called Cart^
not far diftant from Batt^o Bara river forms the boundary on the ea(t
coaft ; the principal intermediate towns being Pedeer^ Samerlonga^ and Pifay.
On the weft coaft it extends to Baroos ; between which and Acbten, lie
Tappoos, Sinktll, Tampat Tocaff^ Lahooan Hadjte^ Soofooy Nalaboo^ Arigas^
and I^ab. ^

The interior inhabitants, from Acheen to Sinkell^ are diftinguifhed into
thofe of Alias y Reeab, and Carrazv. The Achenefe manners prevail
-among the two former, but the Carrow people refemble the Batras^ 'from
wbofe country they are (fivided by a chain of mountains.

On a river which empties itfelf near the north weft point, or Acheen
bead, ftands the capital, about two miles from the qualloe or mouth, in ^*P*^»
a wide valley, formed like an amphitheatre, by two lofty ranges of hills.
The river is not large, and by emptying itfelf in feveral channels, is
rendered very ihallow at the bar. In the dry monfoon it will not admit
boats of any burthen, much lefs large veffels, which lie without, in the

• It is faidy by the Malay»> to hare been fo named from a fpecies of tree called AcbSy peculiar
to that place.

road

3^*

S U M A T R^ A,

- road formed by the iflands off the point. Though no longer the great

mart of eaftern commodities, it ftxU carries on a coofiderable trade with

Prtifent ftateof ^j^^ natives of that part of the coaft of Indoftan called Telmga,* who fupply

its commerce. * «»**,/

it with the cotton goods of their country, and receive in return, gold
duft, fapan wood, betel-nut, patch-leaf,-!- a little pepper, fulphur, cam-
phire, and benjamin. The two laft arc carried thither from the ports of
SinieU and Tappoos, and the pepper from places more to the fouthwardj
Acheen itfelf not producing any in thefe days, nor in much abundance
^ at any former period, though cargoes were often taken tn from thence.
There are employed in this commerce, from fix to ten TtUnga fnows,
of an hundred and fifty or two hundred tons burthen, which arrive annu^
ally about Auguft, and fail again in February and March« They are
not permitted to touch at any placet on the eaft or weft coaft, that are
under the king of Acheen's jurifdidion, as he would fufTer both in the
profits of the trade, the port cuftoms, and the prefents ufually made on
the arrival of veflcls, which, in that cafe, his dependants would ihare
with him. The people of Acheen themfelves carry the cloth to thefe
markets after the duties, and other advantages to the king have been recei ved«
who is, as is ufual with the princes in that part of the world, the chief
meFcha[nt of bis capital, and frequently the monopolizer of its trade.
There is likewiie a ibip from Sarat every year, and fometimes two, the
property of native merchants there. The country is fupplied with Bengal
opium, and alio with iron, and many other articles of merchandize, by
the European traders.

All*.

Acbcen is cfieemed, comparatively, healthy, being more free from
woods and fwamps than moft other portions of the iiland ; and the fevers
and dyfenteries to which thefe are fuppofed to give occafion, are there
faid to be uncommon. But this muft not be too readily credited ; for
the degree of falubrity attending fituations in that climate, from infcru-
table caufea, is known fo frequently to alter, that a perfon who has re-

* Tfiinga, or Telin^ana, is properly the country lymg between the Kiflna and Godavity riverii
but it would fecm that the eaUem people apply that mtme (which they corruply pronouucei Cli^g)
toihe whole of the cogft of Coromandil,

i This is the faciauhaut or cojhts Indicus^ and called delum by the Malays.

fided

5 U M A T .R "A. 34.5

fidodoftlf twfa bt tKree years bo aipot^ canhot pretend to form a judg^
ncnt r an^ ihe natives^ from' a natural partiality ^^ are always ready iV6
extol 1^ fae^lthincTs^ as well as other im^ed advantages of their b^ft
paiitlculaif countrtes.

The foil is Tight and fertile, and the produfts, befide thofe which I Soa.
have enumerated as articles of export trade, and a variety of fine fruits,
are chieftf rite and cbttoti. There is likewife a little raw filk procurea
In the Country, of very inferior quality. Gold dull is cdlleded in the
mountains near Acheen, but the greatcft part is broti^fit froni the fouthera
ports of Nalaboo and Soofio.^ The fulphur is gathered from a volcano
mountain in the neighbourhood, which fupplies their own confumption
for the itrianufafture of gunpowder, and admits of a large exportation.
' The . A cheiiefe differ extremely, m their perfons, from the reft of the laiiabiuntt.
SamatrStttf, being, in general, taller, flouter, and much darker com-
plexioned. . They are by no means, in their prefent ftate^ a geiiuioe
peoplci but thought^ with great appearance of reafoB^.^ bea^>iiiuKMiie
oSBsMU^Md^Sy 'mA Mpots from the weft of India. In their diffid-
fiffons thiy art niore adlveS and induftrious than their neighbours j they
pofTefs more penetration and fagacity ; have more general knowledge ; .
and at laerchanu, they deal upon a more exteiifive and Jiberal footing.
But m this latter refpcft, I fpeak rather of the traders at a diftance from
the capital, and their tranfadionsj than of the conduct obferved at Acbeeu^
whlclij according to the temper of the reigoiog monarch, is often narrow,
QStoiitioiiaryy and oppreffive^ Their r^l^ion is Mafaometanifm, and
b«^tig a giett number of mofques and priefts^ its forms and ceremonies
are obferved with fome ftriiflnefs.

The appearance of the town, and the nature of the b^ildlngs,'|• are
much the fame as are found in the generality of Maliay bazars^ except-
ing

^ l« thtt dUiiMlte» p« 137, of the <jt»antity of gold exported fronj the ifland, I did not include
^kitn$ sad Innder-mted the produce of Padang by at lead one thirds not malcing allowance for
]dvfit9traAckj which, though contraband, is veiy confiderable.

t The following dcfcription of the appearance of Acheen, by a Jcfuit mi/Tionary who touched
Air* ia hit way to China In 1^98, is (0 pi6luref<jue, and at the iame time fo juft, that I Hiall

S f make

Buildingf.

314 S ,U M A T R A*

ing that the fuperior wealth of this place has occafioned the eredton of
a greater number of public edifices^ but without the recnoteft preteofioos
to magmficcncc. The king's palace, if it defervcs the appellation^ is
a very rude and uncouth piece of architefture, defigncd to refift the force
of an enemy, and furrounded for that purpofe with ftrong walls^ but
without any regular plan, or view to the modern fyftem of military
a^tack.^ The houfes in common are built of bamboos and rough
timber, and raifed fome feet from the ground, on account of die place
being overflowed in the rainy feafon*

MsumfaOares, Thof^ few arts and manufactures which are known in other parts of

the iiland, prevail likewife here, and fome of them are carried to more
perfeftion. A confiderable fabrick of a thick fpecies of cotton cloth^
and of fluff for the fliort drawers worn both by Malays and Achenefe,

make no apology for introducing it. " Imaginez rous une for6t de cocotiersy de tiainbousy d'a«
«anasy de bi^aniert^ au miHeu de-laquelle pafle une aSkz belle riniSre toute coorerte de bateaux ;
mettea da;^ eette for£t ujie n^mbre incroyable de nDaifons hafm avec de caaaety de i»fta«s, dat
ecorces, et difpofez. les de telle maniere qu'elUs forment t^ntdt des rues, e,t ta^tdt.dea quartim
fepair^s: coupez ces divers quartiers de prairies Sc de bois : repandpz par tout dans cette grand
m forky autant d'hommes qu'on en t oit datis nbs villesy lorsqiiMles font bien peupUes j vous votis
formerea ui^e ideeaffes jufte ^*Acben ; et rout conyiendrec qu'uiie Tille^e ce go(h iiouveau peat
faire plaiiir k des etrangers qui paifeot. £lle me parik d'abord comme cea payfagcs f^itit de I'l*
magination d'un peintre ou d'un poete^ qui ra^Tamble fous un coup d'oeil, tout ce que la com-
pagne a de plus riant. Tout eft neglige et naturel, champctre ct meme un peu fau^rage. Q^iand
imeft dana la tude, on n'apper^oit auctva reftigey ni aahine appar^nbe de vilky patteque des'
grands arbres qui bordent ic rivage en ca^hent tovtes les mal£ons ; mak outre le pajpfiige qui eft
tres beauy rien n'eft plus agitable qu^ de ygir d/e matin un infinite de petits ba^eaiif de p^chenra.
qui fortent de la riviere avec le jour, et qui ne rentrent que le foiry lorfque le ibieil fe couche.
Vous diriez un eflaim d'abcilles qui reviennent a la cruche cbargees du fruit de leur travail,*^
Lettrcs Edifiantes, Tom. u /

« Fear the gate of the palace afe feveral pieces af brafs ordnance of an extraordinary fixe \ of'
vvbich fome are Poituguefe ; but two in particulary of Englifh roakcy attra£k curiofity. They
' were fent by king James the firft to die reigning monarch of Acheeny and hare Hill the foundei^s
namey and the datey legible upon them. .The diameter of the bore .of one is eighteen indies f
of the other twrnty-two or twenty-four. Their flrergth however does not appear to be in pro*
portion to the calibery nor do they feem in other refpedbs to be of adequate dimenfions. James^
who abhorred bloodihediumfelf^ was refolved that his prefent ihould not be the inftniment of it
aoothen» '

-is

SUMATRA. 315

is cftabltlhed, and fuppUes an cxtenfive demand* They weave alfo very
handfome filk pieces, of a particular form, for that part of the drcfs
which is called by the Malays, arfcn farrong ; but their filk manufac-
ture has much decreafed within thefe twelve years, owing, as they fay,
to an unavoidable failure in the breed of filk worms ; or more probably
to the decay of induftry amongft themfelves*

They are expert and bold navigators, and employ a variety of veflTels, Na'*g*tion»
according to the voyages they have occafion to undertake, and the
purpofes, either of commerce or war, for which they defign them,
the river is covered with a multitude of fiihing Jampans or canoes, which
go to fea with the morning breeze, and return in the afternoon, with
the fea wind, full laden.

Having no convenient coins, though moft fpecies of money will be
taken there at a valuation, they commonly make their payments in gold
duft, and for that purjpofe are all provided with fcales or fmall fteelyards
i^datchin). They carry their gold about them, wrapped up in pieces of
bladder, and often purchafe to fo finall an amount, as to make ufe of grains ,
of paddee,. or other feeds for weights. Their principal ftandard weight
is the huncalj of one ounce, ten penny weights, and twenty one grains.
The tMl^ an ima^nary valuation, is one fifth of a buncal of gold, and
is ^qual to fixteen mace^ which are very fmall gold pieces, of the value
of fifteen penoe each.

The monarohy is hereditary, and is more or lefs abfolute, in pro- GovernmtnL
portion to the talents of the reigning prince : no other bounds being
fet to his authority, than the counterbalance or check it beets with,
from the power of the great vaffals, and difaffe&ion of the commonalty,
^t this refiftance is exerted in fo irregular a manner, and with fo little
view to the public good, that nothing like liberty refults from it. They
experience only an alternative of tyranny and anarchy, or the former
under different ihapes. Many of the other Sumatran people are in the
poflefiion of* a very high degree of freedom, founded upon ^ a rigid at-

Sfa . ' '• * -tachment'

31^6 SUMATRA.

tachmcnt to tbcir old eftabliflied cuftoms. and laws. The king ufuallf
maintaiiiis a- guard of an hundred Sepoys (from the CorcmanJ^loQi^}
about his palace, but pays th^m indifferently.

The grand council of the nation confifts of, the King or Sidiati
four Ookoballangs^ and eight of a tower degree, who fit on His right
hand, and fixteen CajoorangSf who fit on his left. At the king's
feet fits a woman » to whom he makes knoWd his pleafure : by. her
k 16 communicated to an Eunuch^ who fits next to her, and by- him tQ
an officer named Cajcorang Gondongy who then proclaitns; it aloud to the
aflembly . There are alfo prefent twjo other officers, one of whom has the
goyernment of the Bazar or market, and the ot^er, the., fuperiateoding
and carrying into execution the puniihment of 9ciminaU>< AJtl maltterf
relative to commerce and the cuftoms of the port come under the jurif-
di&ion of the SbaiandoTf who performs the ceremony of giving, the
cJ>ap or licenfe for trade ; which is done by lifting a golden bafted ^eeie
over the head of the merchant who arrives^ and without whiish. IkQi dares
not to land his goods. Prefents, the value of which, are become pn^tty
regularly afcertained, are th^ fentto the kbg. andr hi3 officers.. If the
ilranger be in the ftyle of ao ambaflador, the. royal elephiDts are fent
down to carry him and his letters to the mcmarch^ff pfofeiice j dieft bang
firH delivered into the bands of an, eunuch who. place» diem, in a filver
diih, covered with rich filk, oa the baick of the lacgril elephant^ which
is provided with a machine (bouder) for that purpofe* Witliio about
an hundred yards of an open hall where the king fits, the cavalcade ftopSj
and the ambafifador difnx>unts^, aod makea his ob^ifance by. bendipg^his
body, and lifting^his joined hands to his head. When bt^ Qptera the
palace> if an European, he. is obliged to take off his'fltges^ jand: hawQg
made a fecond obeifance, is felted upon a carpet on tl>e flopr»: ; whcfi^
betel is brought to biou . The thrcme was fome years agf^ of ivory aii4
tortoifeihel, and when the place was governed by Queers, a curtain of
gauze was hung before it, which did not obftru£t the audience, but pre*
vented any perfedfc view. The firanger, after fqme general . difcourfe,
is then conduced to a feparate building where he is entertained witb
the delicacies of ^the country, by thQ officers of flate, and in the evening

returns

S IT M A T R A^

317

rcturnj ia the manner he came, furroundcd by a prodigious number of ^
lights. On high days (aree ryah) the king goes in great ftate mounted
xm an elephant richly caparilbncd, to the great mofque, preceded by
his oolooiallaffgs ; who arc armed nearly in the European manner.

The country under the immediate jurifdidlion of Acheen, is divided
into three diftri€ts, named Duo pooloo duoj Duo pooJoo kemoy and Duo poo--
ho anant. Each diftrift is governed by a Pangleemoy and under him, an
Imaum and four Pangeecbees to each moftjue. The country is wonder*
fully populous, but the computations with which I have been furnifhed,
exceed fo far all probability, that I do not venture to infert them. The
number of mofques in the three diftrifts is faid to be, in the firft, five
hundred, in the fecond two hundred, and in the third four hundred';
which alio appears irtcredible, confidering the fmall extent of territory
that the whole includes. Could we fuppofe the account juft, we muft
•allow them to be the mod devoted to religion of any people on the face
of the earth.

The only regular tax or impofiticm the country is fubjed to, for the R^^cnu^
ufe of the crown, is a meafure of rice, annually, from each proprietor
of land, which they carry in perfon to the court j and this can be looked
upon only as a token of homage, for they never fail to receive from the
king, an equivalent in return, of tobacco or fome other article. His
revenues arife foldy from the import and export cuftoms, which I am
informed, amount to forty catties weight feach being eltimated at one
pound and a third'^) of gold; or about two thoufand five hundred pounds
fterling, yearly. The Teiinga merchants pay very high duties -, in tbfi
whole not lefs than fifiteen per cent. The revenues of the nobles arife
from taxes on the different countries under their refpedive jurifdi&ions^
At Pede^r^ a meafure of rke is paid to the feudal lord for every meafure

♦ The weight of the catty diB^n extremely— In fome placc!>, and I bclierc at Malacca, it i§
ifckoaed at 30 oa. i7dwt« i2gr. troy.

3i8 ^SUMATRA.

of paddei fown, which is about the twentieth part of the produce of the
land. At Nalaboo there is a capitation tax of a dollar a year. At vari-
ous places on the inland roads., there are tolls collected upon provifiona
and goods which pafs*

The kings of Acbecn poflcfs a grant of territory along the fca coafl:, as
far down as BencooUny from the fultan of Menangeabow^ whofe fuperiority
has always been admitted by them, and will be, perhaps, fo long as he
claims no authority' over them, and exacts neither tribute nor homage.

Adminiftra- ^^i&^^/r has evcr becn remarkable for the feverity with which crimes
tion of jufticc. 3^g puniflxed by their laws ; the fame rigour ftill fubfifts, and there is

DO commutation admitted, as is regularly eftabliihed in the Ibuthern

countries. There is great reafon however to conclude, that the poor

alone experience the rod of juftice ; the nobles being fecure from re-

Puniflimcnts. tribution in the number of their dependants. Petty theft is puniihed

by fufpending the criminal from a tree, with a gun or heavy weight
tied to his feet ; or by cuttmg off a finger, a hand, or leg, according
to the nature of the theft. Many of thcfe mutilated^ and wretched ob-
jeds arc daily to be feen in the flrcets. Robbery on the highway and
toufebreaking are puniihed by drowning, and afterwards expofing the
body on a ftake for a few days. If the robbery is committed upon an
Imaum or prieft, the facrilege is expiated b5^ burning the criminal
alive. A man who is convifted of adultery, is feldom attempted to be
fcrecncd by bis friends, but is delivered up to the friends and relations
of the injured huiband. Thcfe take him to fome large plaioi and
forming themfelves in a circle, place him m the middle* A large wea-
pon called a Gadoohongy is then delivered to him by one of his family,
^ and if he can force his way through thofe who furround him, and make
tis efcape, he is not liable to further profecutionj but it commonly hap*
pens that he is inftantly cut to pieces. In this cafe his relations bury
bim as they would a dead buffalo, refufing to admit the corpfe into
their Iwufc, or to perform any funeral rites. Would it not be reafon*

able

SUMATRA.

319

able to conclude* that the Achenefe^ with fo much difcouragement to
vice^ both from law and prejudice^ muft prove a moral and virtuous
people ? yet all travellers agree in reprefenting them as one of the
moft diihoneil and flagitious nations of the eaft i which the hiftory of
their government will tend to corroborate.

Bijl^

izo

s u JW A T :!. A.*^

Hilary of the kingdom of Acheen and the count fies ai^acint, front

tie period oftbelr difcovery by Kuropidns.*

HE Portuguefc, under the condufk of Vafco dc Gama, doubled the
Cape of Good Hope in the year 1497, and arrived on the coaft of Ma-
labar in the following year. Thefe people, whom the fpirit of glory,
commerce, and plunder, led to the mod magnanimous undertakings,
were not fo entirely engaged by their conquefts on the continent of In*
doftan, but that they turned their idea to the difcovery of regions yet
more diftant* They learned from the merchants of Guzerat Ibme ac-
count of the riches and importance of Malacca, a great trading city in
the farther peninfula of India, fuppofed by them the Golden Cherfonefc
of Ptolemy. Intelligence of this was tranfinitted to their enterprizing
fovereign, Emaouel, who became imprefled with a ftrong dcfire to avail
himfelf of the flattering advantages which this celebrated country held
out to bis ambition. He equipped a fleet of four fliips under the com*
mand of Diogo Lopez Sequeira, which failed from Liibon on the eighth

^es« day of April 15081 with orders to explore, and eftabUih connexions in

tbofe caftem parts of Afia. After touching at Madagafcar, Sequeira
proceeded to Cochin, where a fliip was added to his fleet, and departing

<5^* from thence on the eighth of September 1509, he made fail towards

Malacca ; but having doubled the extreme promontory of Sumatra (then
called Taprobane) he anchored at Pedeer,^ a principal port of that ifland,

* A regularly «onnefted detail k it impoiBUe to furniih from the tmperfeQ and dbfoiri ac*
eaonts which have been handed down to ut of the tran&£Hont of tliis part of the world 1 but yet
it will not be eftcemed a labor quite uiblefi and unfatisfa^ory, thui to coll^^ and arrange, in tho
order of their dates, the numy events, .more or left detaehed, which hiftoriani and navigators have
aecorded in their wrltingt*

f ^edtir and Pa/qj^ were anciently the pUcei of mod Importance in this part of Sumatra* The
power of the former, which had been predominant, was beginning to decline about the period of
the Pertugueft difcovery, and that of Pa/ay to gain the afcendency. De Barr^u Mention is
made of Pedeer by Ludcvicus VartomanuSf who wrote fome years previous to this time, and had
himfelf vificed it in 1504. The writers whofc accounts I chiefly follow in this early pan of the
hiftory, are De BarrsswoA O/brim.

S U M A T R A.' 331

in which he found veffels from Pegu, Bengal, and other countries;

The king of the place, who, like other Mahometan princes, was ftyled

Sultan, fent . off a deputation to him, accompanied with refreihments,

by which he excufed himfelf, on account of illnefs, from paying his

compliments in perfon ; affuring him at the fame time that he Ihould

derive much pleafure from the friendihip and alliance of the Portuguefe^

whofe fame had reached his ears, Sequeira anfwered this melfage in fuch

terms, that by confent of the fultan, a monument of their amity was eredled

on the flipre ; or more properly as the token of difcovery and pofleflion

ufually employed by the European nations. .He was received in the

fame manner at a place called fafay^ lying about twenty leagues farther

to the eaftward on the fame coaft, and there alfo ere&ed a monument

or crofs. Having procured at each of thefe ports as much pepper as

could be coUefted in a Ihort time, he haftened to Malacca, where t]ie

news of his appearance in thofe feas had anticipated his arrival. Here

he was near falling a facrifice to the inlidious policy of Mahumad the

reigning king, to whom the Portuguefe had been reprefented by the

Arabian and Perfian merchants, (and not very unjuilly) as lawiefs pirates,

who under the pretext of eftablifliing commercial treaties, had, at firft

by encroachments, and afterwards with rapacious infolence, ruined anH

inflaved the princes who were weak enough to put a confidence in thenit

or to allow them a footing in their dominions. He efcyped the fnaiies

that were laid for him» but loft many of his people, and leaving others

in captivity, he returned to Europe, and gave an account of his proceeds

ings to the king*

♦*

A fleet was feot out, in the year 1510, under Diogo Mendez, to e(^ >5<o
tablifli the Portuguefe interefts at Malacca ; but Affonfo d'Alboquerque^
the governor of their affairs in India, thought proper to detain this
Iquadron on the coaft of Malabar^ until he could proceed thither him-
ielf with a greater force ; and accordingly on the fecond of May 151 1,
he fet fail from Cochb with nineteen ihips and fourteen hundred men»
He touched at Pedeer, where he found fome of his countrymen who
had made their efcape from Malacca in a boati and fought protection

Tt • 00,

ISLtt

SUMATRA.

on the Samatran ftoce*. They reprefeoosd, that arrivifig off Paiay, they
had been ill treated by the natives, who killed one of their party, and
obliged tbeAi to fly to Pedeer, where they met with hofpitaliey and kind^
nefs from the prince^ who feen^ed deiirous to conciliate the regard of
tl^eir nation* Alboquerque exprefled himfelf fecfftble of this iaftance of
friendOupr Md renewed with the fulcan the alliance that had Bew
formed by Sequeirar He then proceeded te Pa(ay^ whole monarch e»-
deavcared to exculpate him&lf fmm the emtrage commstred agait^ the
Portoguefe fugitives^ and as he could not tarry to talce redreft^ he conv
vcealed bis reientment. In etoAng onrer to Mahcca^ be fell in with t
large junk, or country vefEel) whith he en^ged^ and atten^peed to
iboard ; but the enemy fetting fire to a qisandty of inflammidile, oleah
ginow matter, he was detensed from his^deiign,, with a narrow efcapc
joi the deftrudaon of his owa ihip. The jmfc was then, battered from
a diiftanoe^ until loity of her men were kUledj- when Albeqwrque, ad^
smring the braterf of the crew, propofed to them, tbat i£ tfaey would
firike, and acknowledge themfelves vaffals of Portugal, he would treat
them aa friends, and take them nndor bis pcotr^on* Thie oibr wai
iiccepted, and the velsast defender of theyeflci bformed the governor^
dut hit name wae Gtkiglt^ the ktwfu} beir of die kingidom^ of Pa&y ; he
lowborn st waw i^n ruled being an ulurper, who taking advamtgeof his
MdMerky, and hit «Wi finiiKion at rc^t, bed feUed the emwn r that
h9 had made attempct to afl*ert bis Hghts, but bed* beta defeetcd in twto
lKtttles,.and was now proceedkg with hit adhwrentt «>^ Java,^ £)me of
the princes of whidi were his relations, and would, hd hoped, eotbto
-him to obtain pofleffion of his thronet Alboquerque promifed to cffeA it
jbr bim^ end deflred the prince ta eeeoaipaojr Urn to Mdaco^ where
tiJi. diryatiivAitbefirftof July 1^1 («

lo order to fkve the Ure> of the PorMiguefe pHfcNiein j txA M poffibk
40 oflfeft their recovery, he negotiated wtth the kkfg of MolaQca before
lut proceeded to an attack on the plaee-j which eonduA of \A», GtUnl

«onftrued

SUMATRA. 343

conftrued into fear, and forfaking hw new friend, he pafled over in the
night to the Malay monarchy whofc proteftion he thought of more con-
fequence to him,. When Alboquerque had fubdued the place, which
made a vigorous refinance, the prince of Pafay, feeing the error of his
policy, returned, and threw himfclf at the governor's feet, acknowledged
his injurious miftrufl, and implored his pardon ; which was not denied
liim. He doubted, hdwevcr, it feems, of a fincere reconciliation and
forgivenefsj and perceiving that no mcafures were taking for reftoring.
him to his kingdom, but, on the contrary, that Alboquerq^ue was prepa-
ring to leave Malacca with a ftnall force, and talked of performing his
promife when he fliould return from Goa, he took the refolution of
a^ara attaching hlmfelf to the fortunes of the conquered monarch, and
fecretly connefting his dependants, fled once more from the prote<ftipn of
the Portugueft. He probably was not infenfible that t;he reigning king
of Pafay, his adverfary, had for fome time taken abundant pains to pro-
cure the favor of Alboquerque, dreading the eiFcfts of Tiis power, and

had embraced every opportunity of recommending, himfelf j:ohis friend-

■ > ' * •

jhip. An occafion offered of demonftratlng his zeal. Alboquerqoie, on
his return from. Malacca, met with a violent ftorm on the cqafl: of Su-
matra, near the point of Timiang, where his Ihip was wrecked. Pa,ft
of the crew making a raft were driven to Pafay, where the king treated

^ _ *

them with kindnefs, and fent them to the coaft of Coromandel, by a
merchant Ihip. Some years after thefe events, Gcinal was enabled bv
his friends to carry a force to Pafay,, and obtained the afcexulency there^
but did not long enjoy his pow^r. ^

Upon the reduction of Malacca, the gov£rxu)r received meflag/es^ froBj^
feveral of the Sumatran ,pdnc;es^ and amongft the reft from the kjng of ,a
place called Camfar,. on the eaftern coaft^ wjio had married a daij|g^x|£jp
of the king of Malacca, but was on ill terms with his father-in-law. He
ddiired to bccoine a vaiTal of the Portuguele crowB, and to have Jq^ve
to refide under their jurifdidion.^ Hb view was to obtain Dhe itapor-
tant office of Bandara, or chief magiftratc of the Mala}'^, •htely vacant
by the execution of him who pofleffed it. He fent before him a prcfent

T t 2 of

I * T

324 SUMATRA:

• )

of lignum aloes and gum lac, the produce of his country 5 but Albo-
querque fufpedting the honeily of his intentions, and fearing that he
either afpired to the crown of Malacca, or defigned to entice the mer-
chants to refort to his own kingdom, refufed.to permit his conung, and
gave the fuperintendance of the natives to a perfon named Dina Cbe^

1514* tuan. After fome years had elapl^d, at the time when Jorge Albo-

querque was governor of Malacca, this king {Abdallab by name) per«
filling in his views, paid him a vifit, and was honorably received. At
his departure, he had aflurances given him of liberty to efiabliih him-
felf at Malacca, if he ihould think proper, and Nina Chetuan was
ihortly afterwards removed from his ofEce, though no fault was alledged
againft him* He took the difgrace fo much to heart, that caufing a pile
to be ere&ed before his door, and fetting fire to it, he threw himfelf
into the iSames.^ The intention of appointing Abdallah to the office of
bandara, was quickly rumored abroad, and coming to the knowledge
of the king of Bintang, who was-driven from Malacca, and now carried
on a vigorous war againft the Portuguefe, under the command of the
famous Lacfemannaf he refolved to prevent his arrival there. For this
purpofe he leagued himfelf with the king of Lingen, a neighbouring
ifland, and fent out a fleet of feventy armed boats to block up the pott
C>f. Campar. By the valor of a fmall Portuguefe armament, this force
was overcome in the river of that name, and the king conducted in tri-
vmf^to Malacca, where he was invefled in form with the important poft
&e a^red to. But this facrifice of his independence proved an unfortunate
meafure to him ; for although he conduced himfelf in fuch a manner
as fliould have given the ampleft fatisfa&ion, and appears to have been
irreproachable in the execution of his truft, yet in the following year

*5»S the king of Bintang found means to infpire the governor with diflEl-

dence of his fidelity, and jealoufy of his power. He was cruelly fen-
tenced to death, without the fimpleft forms of jufHce, and periihed in

.^ * ^

f TbU nan was not a Mahometan^ but one of the uncoaverted natives of the peninfula^'
^ffhoaie always diainguiflijed from, tha Malays by the Portuguefe writers.' I have fome <}oubs
IVkcth|» tbc tarm Malajo is at aU applicabia to the inland people^ gr their couotvy*

the

S U MA T k ^A,-

3^5

the prefence of an indignant multitude, whilfl he called heaven to wit^
befs his innocence, and dircft its vengeance againft his interefted accu*
fers. This iniquitous and impolitic proceeding had fuch an effedt upon
the minds of the people, that all of any property or repute, forfook
the place, execrating the government of the Portuguefe. The confe-
quences of this general odium reduced them to extreme difEcuUies for
provifions, which the neighbourmg countries refufed to fupply them
with, and but for fome grain at ^length procured from 5iak, with much
trouble, the event had proved fatal to the garrifon.

Fernapdo Perez d'Andrade, in his way to China, touched at Pafay, 151$.
in ord^c to take in pepper. He found the people of the place, as well
as tKe merchants from Bengal^ Cambay, an4 other parts of India, much
difcontented with the meafures then purfuing by the government of
Malacca, which had ftationed an armed force to oblige all vefTejs to refort
thither with their merchandize, and take in at that place, as an ernpo*
riupi, the cargoes they were ufed to.colkft in the flraits. The king^
'iiQtwithilanding, received Andrade w6ll, and confented that the Porta*
guefe Ihould haVe liberty to eredt a fortrefs in his kingdom.

Extraordinary accounts having been related of certain iflands abound-
ing in gold, which were reported by the general fame of India, to lie
off the fouthweft coail of Sumatra, a fhip and fmall brigantine, under
die command of Diogo Pacheco, an experienced feaman, were fent in
order to niake the difcovery of thcpi. Having proceeded as far as
D<ya^ the brigantine was loft in a gale of wind,, Pacheco flood on to
Bar^4, a ^ place renowned for its gold trade, and for gum benjamin.
of a peculiar fcent; which the country produced. It was much fre-
queQted by veilehj^ both from the Jieighbouring ports in the ifland,
;and fropi thojfc in the Weft of India,- whence it was fupplied with
cotton cloths. The merchants, terrified at the approach of the Portu-
guefe, ftHfibok their Ihips, and fled precipitately to the Ihore. The
chiefs of the idountry fent to inquire, the motives of his vifit, wbi<^.t^e
iiiforrixed them were to eftablifli friendly connexions, and to give them

alfuranccs

i5to«

$i& S U M A T R A.

aiTuratices of unmolefled freedom of trade at the city of Malacca. Re«
frelhinents were 'then ordered for his fleet, and upon landing lie was
jreated with refpe<3: by the inhabitants, who bpught the articles of their
country to exchange with him for merchandise. His. chief view was
to obtaiQ information refpeding the fituation and other circumftances oi
the ilbas d'Quro ; but they feemed jealous of impjhrting it, At lengthy
after giving him a labored detail of the dangers attending the navi-
Mtionof the feas where they were Jfaid t;olie, they reprefented their fitua-
tion tabe diftant an hundred leagues^ tol the fotitheaft of Sarpos^ amidft
labyrinths of fhoals and reefs, through which it was impoQible to fteer
with any but the fmalleft boats. If tbef(? iflandsf, fo celebrated about
this time, e^tifted afty where but in the regions or fancy,* they were pro-
bably thofe called the Ticpos, to which it is poifible that tnuch gold
might be brouglxt from the neighbouring country of Menangca1)oW.
Pacheco leavii^g Baroos, proceeded to the fouthward, but did not nlake
the wiihed for difcovery* He reached the channel that divides Sumatra
from Java, which he. called the ftrait of Polimban, /rom a city he errp-
neouily iuppofed to lie on the 'J^van (hore^ and pafllng through this,
returned to Malacca by the.eafi; being the firft ^propean who failed
round the ifland of Sumatra. In the following year he failed once more
in featch of thefe iflands, which were afterwards the objeA of many fruit-
^ lefs voyages ; but touching again at Baroos, he met with refiftance there^
and periflied with all bis companions,

A little befbre this time^ a fhip under the command of GaJpar d'Acofta
was lod on the ifland of Gamifpola (pooh Ocmez) near Acheen head, wheA
the people from Acheea attacked and^ plundered the ctew, killing many^
and taking the reft prifoners* A flup alfb which f>ebnged tt> Jomo 4e
Lima^ was plundered in the load, and the Portuguefe ^ich belonged to
her put to death. Thefe infults, and others committed at Pafay, induced
the governor of Malacca, Garcia de Sa, to difpatch a vef&l tinder Manuel

e Linfchoten makes particular mention of haring feen tfaon^ and glides -praMca] dtredioii
fur tlMfiangatioii^but the gulden dream s oltheBoKtugncfe wexcneTcr lealucdinihaxu

?8iCh«V

S U M A T R -4. 327

]^ftcheco> to take fathfadion ; wkich he endeaYared to efieA by blocking
up the portB^ and depriving the lo^^ns of all fources of provifion,
particularly their filheries* As he crui&d between Acheeh nigh to Pafaf ,
a boat with five men going to take in freih water at a river near the
lattd'^ Wad near being cut clSy had not the people^ by wonderful efforts
4>f valor, ^overoome t&e numerous party which attacked them. The ful-
tan^ alarmed for. the coofequences of this afTrayy fent immediately to fue
for recoiic&iatkmy ofierbgL to -make aconement for the k>fs of property
the a»f chknta had iwftMqed by the licentioufnefs of his people^ from
a paurticipation in whofe. crimes be endeavored to vindicate himfelf.
The adv^tage derived ficxn the connexion with this place, induced the
Dtoernoient of Malacca to > be fatisfied with his apok>gy9 and cargos of
^pper andxanr filk were ihortly after procured there j the former being
muck wanted, fior the iliips bound to China.

Gieinal who had ikd to the king of Malacca, as before mentioned,
fallowed that montrch to the iihind of IKntang, and recrived one of his
«laughteM ib^ marriage. Six cnr feven years elapfed before the fituation
4f Ufairt emtbled the- king xk lend him any eiiedrual affiftance, but at
length fome vi6faDries gained over the Portuguefe afforded a proper op*
pCMutiityf and accordingly a fleet was fitted out, with wliich Geinal
jfoUed fotf Paiiqr. In ocder to form a judgment of the traaftdions^f
j)ms kingdomi it muft be underlbod, that the people having an idea df
pred^inationi always '^OMciyed prefeiit pofleillon to conftitnte rights
Jhcfwcveff that poBeflion might have bteo acquired : but yet they made
:4iOK fcruple cR depdfing^ and murdering diesr f o v ereigns ^ and juftified
j^ri^Slt^by this argument^ that ^^^ fate of concems fo important as
Ifhe lives of klngSs was b:the'|iands'^God^wboie vieegeretita tb^ w^
jild tbi^ if ttfitr«r noeagnscible to^him, and thelconfii^uence t^ histw^l^
that theyihouldiperiak by t^e dsj^geri of their flibje^s, it coold not fb
liafipen. Thurit appcan diat thAr reUgioiiSi id^^ wens" joft ' fttdng
enough to banilh fronni their minds every moral fcntiment. The na-
tiiral ecmfeq^e^r of thefe.maartmV was; that theiV kings weire merely
the tyrants of the day i and it is faid tha^'^ whilft a certain ibip 'remained
: . in

«5'9«

328 S U M A T R A«

in the port, no Icfs than two were murdered and a third fct up : but
allowance fhould perhaps be made for the medium through which thcfc
accounts have been tranfmitted to us.

The maternal uncle of Geinal, who, on account of his father's in^
firmitics, had been fome time regent, and had deprived faim of thefuc*
ceiBon to the throne, was alfo king of Jru (Rou) a country not far diftant^
and thus became monarch of both placed. The caprices of the Pafaj
people, who fubmitted quietly to his ufurpation, rendered 'them ere
long difcontented with his government, and being a ftranger they had.
the lefs compun<5l:ion in putting him to death. Another king was fet
up in his room, who fbon fell by the hands of fome natives of Am who
reiided at Pafay, in revenge for the affaffination of t&eir cbuntrytnan^
A frefli monarch was elected by the people, and in im leign it was that
Geinal appeared with a force from Bintang, who carrying every thing be-
fore him, put his rival to death, and took pofleffion of the throne.' The fbti
of the deceafed, a youth of about twelve years o£ age, made his efcape,
accompanied by the chief prieft of the city,, who .W9^ named Mauhna^*
and procured a c6ovcyance to the wtft of India. ' There thef threw ilhem-
felves at the feet of the Portuguefe governor, Lopez Sequeira, then en»
gaged in an expedition to the Red Sea, imploring his aid to drive the
invader from their country^ and to eftabliih the young prince in his rights,
who would thenceforth confider himfeif as a vaflal o£ the, crown of Pbn-
.tugah It was urg^d that Geinal, as being, ocady allifad to the king of
Binung, was an aydwed enenfiy to that nation, which be had manifefted
in fome recent outrages comitiitted againil the merdhants from Malacck
who traded at Pafay« Seqiieira, partly from compaifion, and partly from
political motives, relblved to (uccour this prince, and by placing him on
the throne, efliabliih a firm interpfi in the affaii? of his kingdom. 'He
accordingly gave orders to Jorge Alboquerque, who was then proceeding
with a ftrong fleet towards Malacca, to take the youth with him, whoft

# MouioMa u a woHl fignifying a certain rai^k Of the pricfthood, fuid h^t been ooftRkte &t
« prefer name by tlie Portvgueifi writert*

iiam^

S U M A T K A. 329

•aamc'W&s Orfacamyf and after having expelled Geinal from the fove-
xeignty, to put him in pofTcffion of it«

, When Oeinal entered upon the ad mini ft ration of the political con-
cerns of the kingdom, although he had promifed his father-in-law to
carry on the war in concert with him,, yet being apprehenfive of the ef-
feds of the Portuguefe power, he judged it more for his intereft to
feek a reconciliation with them, than to provoke their refentment, and
in purfuance of that fyftem, had fo far recommended himfelf to Garcia
de Sa, the governor of Malacca, that he formed a treaty of alliance with
liim. This was, however, foon interrupted, and chiefly by the impru-
dence of a man named Diogo Vaz, who made ufe of fuch infulting lan-
guage to the king, becaufe he delayed payment of a fum of money, he
owed him, that the courtiers, feized with indignation, immediately ftab-
bed him with their creefes, and the alarm running through the city,
^others of the Portuguefe were likewife murdered. The news of this af-
fair reaching Goa, was an additional motive for the refolution taken of
.dethroning GeinaK

Jorge d'Alboquerque arrived at Pafay in 1521, with prince Orfacam,
and the inhabitants came off in great numbers to welcome his return.
The king of Aru had brought thither a confiderable force the preceding
day, defigning to take fatisfaftion for the murder of his relation, the
uncle of Geinal-f, and now propofed to Alboquerque that they Ihould
make the attack in conjundtion, who thought proper to decline it. Geinal,
although he well knew the intention of the enemy, yet fent a friendly
meffage to Alboquerque, who in anfwer required him to relinquifli his
crown in favor of him whom he ftyled the lawful prince. He then
tcprefented to him the injuftice of attempting to force him from the

* Evidently corrupted} at are mod of the country names and titles s which ihews that the
Portuguefe were not at this period much conyerfant in the Malay language.

t The revolutions at Pafay were fo quick, that when an injury was committed againft any fo«
rei|;n power, their forces fould never take revenge before another prince had afcended the throne.

U u pofleflSon

15214

tz^

SUMATRA.

^oflefiioh of what wias his, not only by right of conqyeft, biik of heredU
tary defcent, as was well known to the govei'Dor himfelf: that hie Wjit
willing to confider himfelf as the vaffal of the king of Portugal, and to
'grant every advantage in point of trade, that they could exp6£t from the
adminiftration of his rival : that fince his obtaining the crown he had
manifefted the utmoft friendftiip to the Portuguefe, for which be ap-
^pealed to the treaty formed with him by the government of Malacfca, and
which was notdifturbed by any fault that could in juftice beunputed to
tim. Thcfe arguments, like all others that pafs between Aate^ which
harbour inimical defigns, had no effeifk upon Alboqucrque, who after
reconnoitring the ground, gave orders for the attack. Geinal was how
ienfible that there was nothing left for him but to conquer or die, and
refolved to defend himfelf to extremity, in an intrcnchment h^e had formed
at fome diftance from the t&wn of Pafay, where he had never yet ventured
to refide, as the people were in general incenfed againft him on account
of the dcftruflion of the late king of their choice : for though they were
ever ready to demolifh thofe whom they difliked, yet were they equally
zealous to facrifice their own lives, in the caufe of thofe to whom they
were attached. The Portuguefe force confifted but of three hun-
dred men, yet fuch was the fuperiority they poffeffed in war over the
inhabitants of thefe countries, that they entirely routed Geinal's army
which amounted to three thoufand, with many elephants, although they
fought bravely. When he fell, they became difpirited, and the people of
Aru joining on the purfuit, a dreadful flaughter fucceeded, and upwards
of two thoufand Sumairans lay dead, with the lofs of only five oriix

< «

Europeans ; but feveral were wounded, among whom was Alboqucrquc
himfelf.

The next rheafui'c Was to place the young prince upon the throne,
which was performed with much ceremony. Moulana the prieft was
appointed his governor, and Nina Cunapam, who in feveral inftances
had fhewn a friendfhip for the Portuguefe, was continued in the office
efShabandar. It was flipulated that the prince ihould do homage to
the crown of Portugal; give a grant of the whole produce of pepper

SUMATRA; 3J7

4Df his country at a certain price ; and defray the charges of a fortrefs
which they l^en prepared to ered in hts kiagdom, and of which Mi-
fanda d'As^euedo was appointed captain, with a garrifon of an hundred
fpldiers* The materials were moftiy tunber, which the ruins o/Geinal's
^ntrencho^eat fuppHed them with. After Alboquerque's departure^ the
Work« had nearly fallen into the hands of an enemy named Melique
^adtt» who caUed faimfelf fultan of Pa£iy» and made feveral. defultory
•ttaiJ^iipon tbdm.{ but he was at length totally routed^ and the fortifr*
catiojna weifexon^plfced without fimfaer mol^ation,

A fleet wbich fitiled from the weft of India a Ihort time after that of
Alboquerque^ under tlio command of Jorge d^ Brtto». ftopt in the road
of Acfaeen^ in tih^ way to ^e l^olucca iflands; Tber^ was at this
time at Achcen a iban of the name of Joano Bothst, who fpojce the lan-
guage of tbe comftry, having fiMFmerly fled thither from Pafay^ at the time
l3Sogo Taz was aflaffinated. Being afterwards ifitrufted with the command
of a trading veflel from Goa, which foundered at fea^ he again efeaped
SO this ploccj with nine men in a fmall boat, and was ho^tably received
by the king, when he learned that the fliip had been deftined to his port%
Borba came off along with a meflenger fent by the king to welcome the
fiommandcr, and offer him refrefliments i<»r his fleet, and being a: man o£
extraordinary loquacity, he gave a pompous defcripticm to firito of a
temple in the country in which, was depofited aijarge quimtity of gold : be
inentioned likewifethat the king was in pof&ffion bf the artillery and
merchandiae <^ Ga^r d' Aeoihi's veflH, fome time fincc wrecked there i
tod alfo of the ^oods faved from a brigantine driven on fliore at Daya-,
in Pacheco-s e:spedition ; as well as of Joano de Lima's fliip, which
lie had caufid to JK cut off. . bmol bdng teriipted bythe golden prize^
which, he'oonceived already in his power, and inflamed by Borba^ lepre*
ieotation of the ^king's iniquities, fent- a n^flage in rbturn, to demand
tiie reflitution of the artillery, ihip, and goods, which had been unlaw-
fully feJEed. The king replied, that if he wanted thofe articles to be
lefunded, \it muft make his demand to the fea which had fwalloived
them up. ^xko and his captains now refolved to proceed toan attack upon

U u 2 the

i5t^.

33a SUMATRA.

the place, and fo fccurc did they makethemfelves of their prcjr, thit
-they refufed permiffion to a fliip lately arrivdd,. and ivhicli did not he^
long to their fquadron, to join them or participoos in the profits df
their adventure. They prepared* to land twolilindred* men in fmail
boats ; a larger, with a more confiderablc detachment and' their artillery^
being ordered to follow. About day. break they had proceeded half wa/
up the river, and came near to a little fort defigned to defend the paflage^
where Brlto thought it adyifable to fiop till the reminder of their foret
ihould join them ; but being importuned by hit peoffle^ be left a pattf
of fifty men to facilitate the landing, and advanced to make himfelf
maftcr of the fort, which was 'readily effe£ted« Here be again refofved
to make his {land, biit by the imprudenoe of his enfigb, who had drawn
fome of the party into a fliirojiih with tjie Acfaenefet he wa) forced to
quit that pqft in qidto to fave his col^s which were in danger. At
this jun^fture thef king appeaired at this head of eight huodred or a thou-
fand men, ahd fiX elephants. A defperate non&vBt enfued, in which tkt
Portuguefe repeived confiderably injqry. Brito fcnt orders /or the party
he had ^eft to come up, and endeavored to retreat, to fhe fart, but . he
/ound himfelf fo.iitu^^d; that it could not be executed without niQcU
lofS) and prefently after he received a wound from an arrow through
the cheeks. \No afliftance arriving, it was, propofed that they ihould
jretire in the beft manner they could to their b0a|;s ; but that firito would
nbt; coafent to, preferring death to flight. Immediately upon this a
Jance pierced bis^ thighs^ and he fell to the ground. The Portuguefe,
rendered defperate, .renewed the con^bat with redoubled vigor, all crowd<»
ing to the fpot where their commander lay, but their exertbns availed
^em nothing againft fuch unequal force, and they only ruihed on to
factifice* Almoft every man was killed, ^ among .(hefe.were neajr
fifty perfons of family, who had embarked as volunt^rs. Xhofe who
efcaped belonged chiefly to the corps de referve, who did ^ot, or could
not, come up in time to fuccour their unfortunate companions. Upon
this merited defeat, the fquadron immediately weighed apchpr, and after
falling in with two vefiels bound on the difcoyery of the ilbas iOnrOy
arrived at Pafay, where they found Alboquerque employed in the .qoqy

tf 1/ M A T R A? 353

'llruftion of his ^ortreft, and went with him to make an attack oh Bin-
tang< ■ ■

At the time that Malacca fell into the hands of the Portuguefe, j^cbein
' and Diya were provinces fubjeA to Pedeer^ and governed by two flaves
belonging to the fultan of that place, to each of whom he had given a
niece in marriage. It muft be underftood that ilaves are in that country
on a different footing from thofe in moft other parts of the world, atid
.ufually treited as children of the family. It frequently happencfd alib
that men of g^iod birth, finding it necefiary to obtain the prote<ftion of
fome perfon in power, became voluntary ilaves for this purpofe. The
nobles, being proud of the fervice of fuch dependants, encouraged the
pradice by treating them with a degree of refpeft, and in many in-
tAances they made them their Ueirs.* A flave of this defcription who
•lield the government of Acheen, had two fims, the elder of whom
ivas named Raja Abraham^ and the younger Raja Leila, and were brought
.up. in the houfe of their matter. The father being old was recalled
from his poft, but on account of his faithitil: fervices, the fultao gave
the fucceffion to his eldeft fon, who appears to have becfn a youth of an
ambitious and very fanguinary temper. ' A jealoufy had taken place
betweeii him and .the chief of Daya, w&ilft they were together at Pe*
deer, and as foon as he came into power he relblved to feek rievenge^
and with that view entered in a hoftile manner the diftrid of his rival*
When the fultan interp<^ed, it not only added fuel to his re&ntmeat^
but Infpired him with hatred towards his mafter, and he (hewed his dif*
refpeA by refufing to deliver up, on the requifition of the fultan, cer-
tain Portuguefe jM'ifoners taken from a veflel loft at Poolo Gomez, and
Which he afterwards complied with at the interceffion of the Shaban-
dar of Pafay. This conduft manifefting an intention of entirely throw*
tng off his allegiance, his father endeavored to recall him to a fenfa
of his duty, by reprefenthig the obligations in which the family were

• The fiuae evftom preraih at Acheca to this daf^ Thefe flavctt vrho.ait ^kfL Moor&.fjn>m tlift^
Wet of India, tcade for their maften, aad have a certain propqirtioB of the profits^ refiding; in a
fifWHe ^usQcr of the city.

^ . indebted

334 S- U M A T' R A>

f5sf.

indebted to the fultan, aad the relattonftip which fp Afiartf conned^
them. $ut fo far was this admonition from producing any good efie^,
that he took offence at his fatber*s prefumption, and ordered him to be
confined in a cage, whiere he died. Irritafetd by thefe a^ the foltan re*
folved to proceed to extremities agaioft him ; but by means of the plun-
der of fome Portuguefe veflels, ai before related^ and the recent defeat
of Brito*s party, be became fo ftrong in artillery and ammunition, and
fo mudi ekiied with fuccdCi^ that be kt hts mafter at defiance, and pie-
pardd to clefend himfelf* • His force proved fuperior to that of Pedeer,
and in the end be obliged the fultan to fly fOr rcfftige and aififtance to the
European fortrefii at Paiay, accompanied by his ne^diew tiie chief of
Daya, who was alfo forced fc6m Ids poffeffioni.

• • • *

«5at. ' Abcaham had for fiime time Infefted die Fortagtieie by fending ccK
parties againil th^, bath by fea and land ; but thefe being always baf-
fled in their attempts with much lofi, he began to' conceive a violent
asyttpathy againft thac nation^ which he ever after indulged to exceft*
He gfA pofieifion of the dty of Pedeer by bribing the principal officers {
• mode of warfare that be often found fucce6fol» and icldoOi negleded
to ^attempt. Thefe hfe made to write a letter to their omfter couched in
anfiil. leniMy in which tiiey befoi^kt Um to jcone to their affiftanoe
inridi a body jof PMtuguefe^ as tht only dumee of repelling the eoemy
hj whoih tbqr pretdided to be invefled. The inkan ihewqd this letter
to A3idr£ Henriques> then governor of .the fert^ who t&inldng it a good
cipiportubtty to chaftife the Achenefe, &nt by fee a detachment of eigktf
SurqpeaiM and two hundred. Malays, under (he command of hia brother
Manviel> whilft the fixltan marched over land with a tlv>tfr2UMl men, an4
fifteen elephants, tx> the relief of the place. Th^ arrived $t Pedeer io
die nighty but bdng fecredy informed that Abraham was mifter of the
cityi and that the dnnand for fiiccour was a iirat^gQm» they endeavored
to make :dieir retreat; whidi iSxt land tt^z effefted^ bi^t btfore the
tide could enable the Portuguefe to get their boats afloat^ they were
ItfCacked by ilJ)raham's people^ who killed 'Manuel and thirty €ve of hia
ineiii

JHenriques

SUMATRA. 335

Henrique^ perceiving his fituatlon at Pafay was becoming critical,
not oiriy from the force of the enemy, but the fickly ftate of his garrifon,
and the want of provifions, which the country people now witheld from
him, difcontinuing the fairs that they were ufed to keep three times in
the week, difpatched advices to the governor of India, demanding im-
mediate fuccourS) and alfo fent to requeft affiftance of the king of Aru,
who had always proved the (ledfaft friend of Malacca, and who, though
not wealthy, becaufe his country was not a place of trade, was yet one
of the moft powerful princes in thole parts. The king exprefled his
joy in having an opportunity of ferving his allies, and' promifed his
utmoft aid ; not only from fricndihip to them, but indignation againft
Abraham, whom he regarded as a rebellious ilave. A fupply of ftores
at length arrived fit>m India, under the charge of Lopo d'Azuedo, who
bad orders to relieve Henriquez in the command ; but difputes having
arifen between them, and chiefly on the fubjeft of certain works which
the ihabandar of Pafay had been permitted to ereA adjoining to the
fortreis, d'Azuedo, to avoid coming to an open rupture, depadrted for
Malacca. Abraham having found means to corrupt the honefty of this
ihabandar, who had received his office from Alboquerque, gained in-
telligence tbroi^h him of all that paffed. This treaibn it is fuppofed he
would not have yielded to, but for the defperate fituation of afiairs. The
country of Pa&y waa now entirely in fubje&ion to the Achenefe, and
nothing remained unconquered but the capital ; whilft the garrilba was
diflraAed with internal divifions.

After the acquifitioaof Pedeer, Abraham thought it neceflary to re^
main there fome time, in order to confirm bis authority, and fent his
brother Raja Leila with a large army to roduce the territories of PafajTt
which he efie£ted in the courfe of three months, and with the more faci*
lity, becaufe that all the principal nobility had fallen in the adioa
with GeinaL He fixed his camp within half a league of the city, and
gave notice to Abraham of the ftate in which.matters were, who fpeedily
joined hin[), being anxious to render himfclf matter of the place, before
the promhed fuccours from the king of Aru could arrive^ His firft ftep

was

«5*5«

336 S U M A T R A.

was to iffue a proclamation, giving notice to the people of the town, that
whoever ihould fubmit to his authority within fix days, fliould have their
lives, families, and properties fecured to them, but that all others niuft
expedt to feel the puniflimentdueto their obftinacy. This had the efFeft
he looked for, the greater part of the inhabitants coming over to his
camp. He then commenced his military operations, and in the third
attack got poffeiEon of the town of Pafay, after much flaughter; .thofe
who efcaped his fury taking ihelter in the neighbouring mountains and
thick woods. He fent a meflage to the commander of the fortrefs, rc^
quiring him to abandon it, and to deliver into his hands the kings of.
Pedeer and Daya, to whom he had given protediom Henriquez re*
turned a fpirited anfwer to this fummons, but being fickly at the time^
at bed of an unfteady difpofition^ and too much attached to his trading
concerns, for a foldier, he refolved to relinquiih the command to hisTe-
lation Aires Coelho, and take paflage for the Weft of India.

1523. He had not advanced farther on his voyage than the point of Pedeer,
when he fell in with two Portuguefe ihips bound to the Moluccas, the
captains of which he made acquainted with the fituation of the garri*
fon, and they immediately proceeded to its relief. Arriving in the night
they heard great firing of cannon, and learned next morning that the
Achenefe had made a furious aflault, in hopes of carrying the fortrdfs,
before the fliips, which were defcried at a diftance, could throw fuccoucs
into it. They had maftered fome of the outwofks, and the garrifon
reprefented that it was impoifible for them to fupport fuch another
fhock, without aid from the vefiiels. The captains with as much force
as could be fpared, entered the fort, and a ially was ihoftly afterwards'
refolved on and executed, in which the befiegers fuftained confiderable
damage. Every effort was likewife employed, to repair the breaches, and
ftop up the mines that had been made by the enemy in order to affe^
a paffage into the place. Abraham now attempted to draw them into a
fnare by removing his camp to a diftance, and making a ihow of aban*
doning his enterprize 5 but this ftratagem proved ineffedual. Reflecting
then with indignation, that his own force confifted of fifteen thoufand men»

whilft

SUMATRA. 337

whilft that of the Europeans did not exceed three hundred and fiky^
many of whom were fick and wounded, and others worn out with the
fatigue of continual duty, ^intelligence whereof was conveyed to hiiil)
he refolved once more to return to the ficge, and make a general aflault
upon all parts of the fortification at once. Two hours before day-
break he caufed the place to be furrounded with eight thoufand men,
who approached in perfeft filence. '^The night time was preferred by
thefe people for making their attacks, as being then mod fecure from
the effeft of fire arms, and they alfo generally chofe a time of raiit,
when the powder would not burn« As foon as they found themfelves
perceived, they fet up a hideous fhout, and fixing their fcaling ladders,
made of bamboo and wonderfully light, to the number of fix himdred,
. they attempted to force their way through the embrafures for the guns-;
1>ut after a ftrenuousr conteit they were at length repulfed. Seven ele-
phants were driven with violence againft the palmg of one of the baflions,
which gave way before them like a hedge, and overfet all the men who
were on it. Javelins and pikes thefe enormous beafts made no account
of, but upon fetttng fire to powder under their trunks, they drew back
with precipitation, in fpite of all the efforts of their drivers ; overthrew
*their own people ; and flying to the diilance of feveral miles, could not
'again be brought into the lines. The Achenefe jipon receiving this
check thought to take revenge, by fetting fire to fome vefilels that were
in the dock yard ; but this proved an 'unfortunate meafure to them, for
-by the light which it occafioned, the garriibn were enabled to point (heir
g;uns» and ^d abundant execution.

. Henctquezy after beating ibmetime againft a contrary wind, put back
to Pafay, and cmning on fliore the day after this coQfli&, refumed his
command. A oduDci] was icon after held, to determine what meafures
were fittefl to be purfiied : ia the preient fituation of afiairs, and taking
into their confidcration that no further affiftance could be expeded fron>
the weft of India in lets tlian fix months ; that the garrifon wias fickly,
«id provifiona ftiort, it was reiblved, by a majority of votes^ to abandon
the pkce, Md ncsUurea were ukea accordingly* In order to conceal

X X their

«$*♦•

i5»5-

3^8 S U M A T R A.

their intentions from the enemy, they ordered fuch of the artillery and
flores as could be removed conveniently, to be packed up in the form
of merchandize, and then fliipped.ofT A party was left to fet fire to
the buildings, and trains of. powder were fo difpofed as to lead to th©
larger cannon, which they over charged, that they might burft as foon
as heated. But this was not efftrtlually executed, and the pieces moftly
fell into the hands of the Achenefe^^ who upon the firft alarm of the
evacuation ruflied in, extinguifhed the flames^ and turned upon the
Portuguefe their own artillery^ many of whom were killed in the water,
as they hurried to get into their boatsu They oow loft as much credit
by this ill conducted retreat, as they had acquired by their gallant de-
fence, and were infulted by the reproachful fhouts of the enemy; whofk
power was greatly increafed by this acquifition. of military ftores, and of
. which they often feverely experienced the effefts. To render their dit
grace more ftriking, it happened that as they failed out of the harbour, they
met thirty boats laden with provifions for tkeir ufe from the lang of
Aru> wbp was himfelf on his march over-land wixh four thqufand mea :
and when they arrived at Malacca they found troops and ilpres embarked
there for their relief. The unfortunate prince* who had fought an
afylum with them, now joined in their flight ; the fukan <jf Pafay pror
cceded to Malacca, and the fultan of Pedeer, and chief of Daya took te^
fuge with the king of Aru^

Raja Narra king of Indergeree, in conjundion with a force from
tang, attacked the king of a neighbouring iiland called Lingen, who
was in friendihip with the Portuguefe. A mefiage which pafled on thi&
occa^on gives a juft idea of the flyle and manners of this people. Upon
their acquainting the king of Lingen^ in their fumm»ns of furrender,
that they had lately overcome the fleet of Malacca, he replied that his
intelligence informed him of the contracy; that he had jufl made a
feftival and killed fifty goats to celebrate one defeat which they bad
received, and hoped foon to kill an hundred^ in order to celebrate a
fecond. His expe&ations were fulfilled, or rather anticipated, for the
Portuguefe having a knowledge of the king of Indorgeree^s de%i, ient

out

SUMATRA; 339

out a faiall fleet which routed the combined force, before that the kiog
x>{ Lingcn was acquainted with their arrival ; his capital being fituated
)iigh up on the river. In the next year, at the conqueft of Bintang, this *5**«
kingi uniblicitedj^ feot affiftance to his European allies.a

However well founded the accounts may have been which the Por- is*:*
tuguefe have given us of the cruelties committed againft their people
by the king of Acheen^ the barbarity does not appear to have been only
on one fide. Frgncifco de Mello being fent in an armed velTel with
difpatches to Goa, met,^ near . Acheen head, with a ihip of that nation
juft arrived from Mecca^ and fuppofed to be richly laden* As Ihe bad
on board three hundred Acheaeib and forty Arabs, he dared not venture
to board her, but battered her at a diftance ; when fuddenly ihe filled
.and funk, to the extreme difappointment of the Portuguefe, who thereby
loft thtir prize % but they wreaked their vengeance on the unfortunate
crew,' as they endeavored to fave themfelves by fwimming, and boail
that they did not fuffer a man to efcape. Opportunities of retaliation
foon offered*^

Simano de SovSk gcnng with a reinforcement to the Moluccas from t5«^.
Cochin, was overtaken in the bay by a violent ftorm, which forced him
to ftow many of his guns in the hold ; and having loft feveral of his men
through fatigue, he made for the neareft po^t he could take ihelter in»
which proved to be Acheen. The king having the deftruftion o^ the
^ Portuguefe at heart, and refolving, if poffi'ole to feize their veflel, fent off
a meflage to De Soufa recommending his ftanding in ciofer to the ftiorcj
where he would have more Ihelter from the gale which ftill continued, and
lie more conveniently for getting off water and proviGons ; at the fame
time inviting him to land. This artifice not fucceeding, he ordered out
the next morning a tho.ufand men in twenty boats, who at firft pretended
that they were come to alHft in mooring the ihip ; but the paptain, awans
of their bpilile defign, firfcd amongft them ; when a fierce engagcQienjt

Xjlz took

340

SUMATRA.

took place, in which the Achcnefe were repulfed with great ihugtitef,
but not until they had deftroyed forty of the Portogucfc. The king
enraged at this difappointment, ordered a fecond attack » threatening to
have his admiral trampled toxJeath by elephants if he failed of* fuccefV.
A boat was feut ahead of this fleet with a (ignal of peace^ and affurances
to De Soufa, that the king, as foon as be was made acquainted with the
injury that had been committed, had caufed the perpetrators of it to be

puniihed, and now once more requefted him to come on (here and trnft
to his honor. This pr6pofal fome of the crew were inclined that Itt
(hould acce^, but being animated by a fpeech that he nMde to them^-
it was refblved that they ihould die with arma in tlieir hands, in pre**
ference to a tiifgraceful and hazardoM fubmii&on. The combat vrat^
therefore renewed^ with extreme fury on the one fide, and uncommm
effort* of courage on the other, and theaffailants^wcrea fecohdtimfe rr-
pulfed ; but one of thofe who had boarded the ve&l and rfterWarA
made his cfcape, reprefented to the Achcnefe the reduced and helpleft
fituation of their enemy, and ftefli fop plies coming offV they were en?^
couraged to return to. the attack. De Souia and his people were at length
almoft all cfut ta pieces^ and thofe who furvived, being defperately
wounded, were overpowered, attd lid ptifoncrs to the king, who unex*
pefiedly treated them with extraordinary kindnefs, in order to cOTclr
the defigns he harbouied^ and pretended to- lament the fate of thehr
brave commander* He dltsded them to fix upon one of their compa^
nions,. who fhould go in his ndmt to the governor of Malacca; to define
he would immedktely iend to take pofleffion of the ihip, which he
meant to rcftore, as well as to Hberatii them. He hoped by this artiftce
to draw more of the Portt^uefe into his power, and at the fame time
to cffedk a purpofe of a political nature* A war had recently broke out
between him and the king of Aru, the littef of trfiom had deputed
ambafladors to Malacca,, to folicit' affiftance, in return for his former
fervices ;, and which was readily promifed to him. It was highly the
intereft of Abraham to prevent this junfticm, and therefofe, though de-
termined to relax nothing from his plans of revenge, he haftened to dif-
patch Antonio Caldeica, one of the captives, with propofels of accom*

modatioa.

SUMATRA. 3^

•

modation and alliance, o^ing to tt&6ve not only this^ veSKi, but alfo'
theiirtilUry which he had taken atPafay. Theie terms appeared to the
governor too adrantagcous to be rejedted* Conceiving a favcnrable id^
of the king^s intenrions> from the con6dence which Cakldira, who was
dec^iTed by the hu$9apity Ihewn to the wounded captives, appeared Co
ftace in his fixurerity, he became deaf to the reprefentations that were
iiia^e to him by more experienced peribns, of Abraham^s infidious ch^-^
fa£br« A me0^ was fent back agreeing to accept his friendihip on
4he propoied additions, an4 engaging to withoid the promifod fuccouES
from the king of Aru« Caldeira, in his way to Acheen, toticfied at an
iifend 'Where be was cut ofif^ with thofe who accompanied him* The
Mlibafladora from Aru being acquainted with this breach of &itb» retired
in .g^fi&at^^%tiit> and (be king tnceniedat the ingr{ititude ihewn hini. Con-
cluded a peace with tAcheen ; but not till after an rengagemenr between
their fleeta had tai^ca pla<;e^ in which the ^vBboitj nemained undecided^Q

In order that he might Jeam the caufes- of the obicuritAr in which bis
negotiations with Malacca reded, Abraham difpatched a fecret meflen-^
ger to Scnaia Raja, Baiidara of that city, with whom he held a^ corref-
pondence ; defiring alfo to be informed of the (Irength of the garrifoiK
Hearing in anfwcr, that the governor newly arrived was inclined a>
think favorably of him^ he immediately fent an ambafTador to wait o(^
bim^ with ailurances of his pacific and friei^dly difpolition ; who returneil
in company with perfons empowered, on the governor's part, to negotiate
a treaty of commerce. Thefe, upon their arrival at Acheen, were loaded
with favors and collly prefents ; the news of which quickly flew ta
Malacca ; and the bufinefs they came on being adjufted, they were fuffer-
ed to depart ; but they had not failed far before they were overtaken by
boats fent after them, and were flript, and murdered. The governor,
who had heacd of their fetting out, concluded they were lofi by accident.
Intelligence oi this miAafeen opmioi> was tran^itted to Abraham, who^
thereupon had tl^e audacity to requeft that he mig^t be honored witb

• I '

f Caaa&facda« Dy>go Uo Couto*

34^

S U M A f R A.

_ t *

the prefence of fome Portuguefc of rank and confcqucuce in his capital,

to ratify in a becoming manner the articles that had been drawn up ; as

fce ardently wiflied, to fee that nation trafficking freely in his dominions.

The deluded governor, in compliance with this requeft, adopted the re-

»529* iblution of fending thither a large fliip, under the command of Manuel

Pacheco, with a rich cargo^ the property of himlelf and feveral mciv

chants of Malacca, who themfelvcs embarked, with the idea of making

extraordinary profits. Senaia conveyed notice of this^ preparation tt

Acheen, informing the king at the fame time, that if he could make hinv

ifelf mafter of this veflel, Malacca muft fall an eafy prey to him, as the

place was weakened of half its force for the equipment. When Pacheco

approached the harbour he was furrounded by a great number of boats,

and fome of the people began to fufped treachery, but fo ftrongly did

the fpirit of delufion prevail in this buiinefs, that they could not per-

fuade the captain to put himfelf on his guard. He foon had reafon to

repent his credulity. Perceiving an arrow pafs clofc by him, he haften*

ed to put on his coat of mail, when a fecond pierced bis neck, and he

foon expired. The vcffel then became an eafy prey, and the people

bemg made prifoners, were fliortly afterwards maffacrcd by the king's

order, along with the unfortunate remnant of De Soufa's crew, fo long

flattered with the hopes of releafe. By this capture Abraham was fup-

pofed to have remained in pofleffion of more artillery than was left in

Malacca, and he immediately fitted out a fleet to take advantage 6^it$

expofed ftate. The pride of fuccefs caufing him to imagine it already ia

his power, he fent a taunting meflage to the governor, in which he

thanked him for the late inftances of his liberality, and let him know he

fliould trouble him for the remainder of his naval force*

•

Senaia had promifed to put the citadel into his hand^ and this had
eert^nly been executed but for an accident that difcovered his treafon-
able defigns. The crews of fome veflels of Abraham's fleet, landed on
41 part of the coaft not far from the city, where they were well entertain^
ed by the natives, and in the opennefs of conviviality, related the tranf*
;i^ons which had lately paff^d at Ac)teep> the correfpondence of Senaia^

and

» U M A T R A, J43

and the fchemc that was laid for rifing on the Portuguefe when they
fliould be at church, tiiurdermg them, and fei^ing the fortrefs. Intel-
ligence of this was reported with fpeed to the governor, who had Senaia
inftantly apprehended and executed* This punilhmcnt ferved to intimi-
date thofe among the inhabitants who were engaged in the confpiracy,
atd difconcerted the plans of the king of Acheen.c

Thefe appear to be the laft tranfa&ions of Abraham's reign, of whicii
any mention is made by hiftorians. The time of his death is not {atis-* •
fiadorily afcertained, but it is faid that he was difpatched with poifon
given him by his. wife, who was filter to the chief of Daya, in revenge foir
the injuries her brother had fuilained at his hand.^^

He was fucceeded by cwie who ftyled himfelf Siry SuUan Alradin,^
king of Acheen, Barods^ Pedeer, Pafay, Daya, and Batta, prince of
the land of the two feas, and of the mines of Menangcabow. Nothing*
15 recorded of his reign until the year 1537, in which he twice attacked ^SiT*
Malacca. The firfl time he fent an army of three thoufand men, wha
landed near the city by night, unpei'ceived of the Portuguefe, and havings
committed fome ravages in the fuburbs, were adviindng to the bridge,,
when the governor, Eitavano de Gama, fallied out with a party, and
obliged them to . retreat for ibelter to the woods. Here they defended
themfelves during the Qext day, but on the following night they re-eooi*
barked, with the lofs of five hundred men. A few months afterwardsi
the king had the place inveited with a larger force ; but ii;i the interyal
the works had been repaired and firengthencd, and after three days
inefiedtual attempt the Achenefe were again conftrained to retire.fi

c Caftanheda. Diogo do Coiito.

• De Banros placet his death in 1528, but the accounts of the tranfa^Uous of t!ie following fca»
contradI£^ that date. Probably the event took place in 1519 or 1530*

f Radin is a name often found among the Malays^ to which the Arabic panide is hereprefixed»
^ De Barrot.

344 S U M- A T R A^

'f439* In the 1539 we find Alradm «ngigc4 in a wsur with bis neighbonry. a
•king of Battay named JMg<$ Siry fitMr rofa. The caufe of their quarrel
was the latter^s refufiog to become a Mahometan at the requifition of
the former. A battle waa fought in which the Acheneie monarch was
worfted, and peace was <K>neludcd on the condition of his paying a cer^*
tain fum of gold to the yiAor ; but a fupply of three hundred Arab
troops, with a quantity of ftores, arriving at this time, he did not hefi*
tate to break the treaty ; and falling upon fome towns beloi^og to the
* Batta king, he put to death three of his fons and a number of hia
principal warriors. Irritated by this treachery, Timw raja, made a ifovr
tK>t to tafte fruit or faft^ till he ihould have revenge. He rai&d an
army of fifteen thoufand men, feven thouiand of which vKn auxiliariea
from the countries of Menangcabow, Indergeree, Jambee, Lufon, and
Borneo, and fent a requeft to the governor of Malacca for aid^ who
furniflied him with arms and ammunition, as againft a common enemy.
With this force, and forty elephants, he marched towards Achera, and
not far from that phce encountered his adverfary, when a bloody engs^e«
ment enfucd, in "the event of which Alradin was obliged to retire, after
Ibfing fifteen hundred of his men, among whom were faid to be an
Itundred and fixty Turks, with two hundred Saracens, Malabars, and
Abyffinians. The Batta king {)tirfued him to the city, which he conti%
nued to befiege during three and twenty days ; but loGng many of his
people, and hearing that a fleet was off the port, in wliich was^ sm army
of Acheen returning from an expedition againft the kingof Siam, he
thought it prudent to make a hafty retreat to his own country, where he
arrived on the fifth day>

In the latter end of the fame year a meflenger arrived at Malacca from
the king of Aru^ to folicit fuccours againfl the kin^ of Acheen, who
was preparing a powerful force to invade his dominions, in order that
~by poiTeffibg this kingdom, which hy oppofite to Malacca, he might the
apore conveniently profecute his deBgns agttaft that city, which wa^

ever

SUMATRA.. 34^

ever his chief obje£t« Owing to the divided Rztt of the Portuguefe
government at that' jundhsre^ the meflenger returned with an: unfatisfac*
tory anfwer, but a fenfe of their intereft induced them afterwards to
order a veflel laden with ftores to proceed to the relief of Aru, where
the Acheen fleet foon appeared^ confiding oi an hundred and fizty fail,
of which fifteen were large veilels* In thefe were embarked feventeen
thoufand men, of whom twelve tkoufand' wQre nulitary, and among
them four thoufand foreigners. The whole was cooEimanded by Heredin
Mahomet, who had married the king's fiiler, and was his governor of
Baroos. Whilil thefe entered the river Panjetican, the king of Aru was
employed in fortifying hicnrelf on Ihore, with fix thoufand of his fub*
je6ks. For fix days the enemy battered the town from their vefiels, and
then landed with twelve large pieces of artillery. Having demoUihed
the outer forts, they gave a general aflault ; but the befieged fuilained
it with fo much refolutioo, and exerted themfelves fo efie^ally, that
they repulfed the aflailants, and killed the leader, an Abyffinian, who
had arrived from Judda but a nionth before, to confirm a league ntiade
by the BafiQi of Cairo, on behalf of the Grand Signior, with the kiiig
of Acheen* But in the end the place was taken, apd the brave king of
Aru killed^ owing to the treachery of one of his own captains, wham
the Achenefe had corrupted. The commander, from being governor>
was made fultan of Baroos for this eminent fervice.. ,

Inche Seenee; the queen of the deceafed monarch, having retired to t^^^
the woods before the fiege, now infefted the Achenefe garriibn with
many irregular attacks, but at length, upon the fetting in of the rains,
file was neceffitated to quit the country, and embarking her people in
fiich boats as ihe could procure, pafied over to Malacca> in order to
iue for aid to recover her huiband's kingdon>« Here Ihe attended in vaift
for five months, and then departed, to- implore of the king of Oojong^
tana (formerly of Bin tang) that affiftance which the Pbrtuguefe denied
her. This prince had compafiion for her fituation, and in order to fur- |
nifli a pretext for demanding the reftitution of Aru, he took her tO'
wife» After a letter had paBTcd between him and the king of Acheen,

Y y itt

346 ^ Sumatra:

in which the latter told him he ooold percciw he had wttften frdm th e
table of his nuptials^ atntdft drunken oowskWors^ he fitfied out a fleet
iinder the oommand of the great LacfemaaDa,^ which retook, Aru^ aod
put the garrifon^ which ^oafifted of fourteen hundred men^ to the fword«
This was no fooner effected than a powerful fleet arrived from Acheen
to fuccour the town, commanded by Heredin Mahomet^ whom his maf-
ter thought invincible. A defperate engagement cook place m the
riven The advantage was a long time doubtful^ tmtii Heredin fell by
a cannon fliot. His captains^ difconcerted by this accident, endeavored
to (belter the fliips, by getting round a neighbouring point of land, but
the violence of the current forced them out to fea, and entirely difperfed
them, by which means all but a few fell into the hands of Lacfemanna.

«5*«- Fourteen veflfels that efcaped carried the news of this defeat to the king
of Acheen, who ordered that the heads of the captains ihould be ftruck
xi/St, and that the foldiers ihould ever afterwards be drefled in women's

'^7- apparel;^ In the year 1^47 he fitted out a fleet againft Malacca, where

a defcent was made ; but cotitented with fome trifling plunder,, the army

f e-embarked, »3d the veflels proceeded to the river of Paries on the

Malayan coaft. Htdier they were followed by a Pbrtuguefe fquadron,

' which attacked and defeated a divifion of the fleet, at the mouth of

< ihe river. This vidory was rendered famous, not fi> much by the valorl>f

4he combatants, as by a revelation which was opportunely made from heaven

ito the miffionary Francifco Xavier, of the time and circumftances of it,

and which he announced to the garrifon, at a momoot when the approach ,

of a powerful invader from another quarter, had caiufedmuch alarm aod

apprehenfion among them,^

J3«4*

Am contiaued in the poflfeffion of the kii^ of Ocjoni^tana until the
year 1564, when it was re-taken by the Achenefe^ who fell upon it by

* This £unous warrior, wbofe renown ftill lives in tradition amongft the Malays, fongbt the
Fortnguefe during a period of forty years, and though often defeated fliil ihewed hlmfeif fuperio^
.io his fortune. Re died in battle in the year ^5 $o.

• Mendea Pinto, f Diogo do Couto#

furprsze>

S U l^r A T R A^ 347

forprize^ and committed great ilaiighter^ putting the king and all bis
family to death. The eld^ft fyn of the king of Acbeen was placed in
the government^ who fell^ as we ih^U prefently fee^ at the fiege of Ma-
lacca.s

' The weftern powers of India having formed a league for the purpoft
of extirpating the Portuguefe, the king of Acheen was invited to ac-
cede to it, and in conformity with the engagements by which the refpec»
tive parties were bound, be prepared to attack them in Malacca, and
carried thither a numerous fleet, in which were fifteen thoufand people ,^6^.
of his Own fub jefts, and four hundred Turks, with two hundred pieces
of artillery of different fizes. In order to amufe the enemy, he gave
out that his force was deftined againft Java, and fent a letter, accompa-
nied with a prefent of a creefe, to the governor, profeffmg ftrong fen- *
timents of friendlhip. A perfon whom he turned on Ihore with maAs-
of ignominy, being fufpedted for a fpy, was taken up, iind being put
to the torture, confefled that he was employed by" the Grand Signior and"
king of Acheen,, to poilbn the principal officers of the ptace,. and'to fet'
fire to their magazine. He was put to death, and his mutilated carcaffe '
was fent off to the king. This was the fignal for hoftilities* * Heim-*
mediately landed with all his men, and comtjienced a regular fiege. Saf-
lies were made with various fuccefs, and very unequal numbers. Iti
<Mio of thefe, the chief of Aru, the king's eldefrfon, was killed. In an-
other the Portuguefe were defeated and loft many officers. A variety of
ftratagems were employed to work upon the fears, and fhake the fidelity
of the inhabitants of the town* A general aflTault was given, in whicb^
after prodigious efforts of courage, and imminent riik of deftruAion, the
befieged remained victorious. The king feeing all his attempts fruitlefs^
at length departed, having loft three thoufand men before the walls, be-
fide about five hundred who were feid to have died of their wounds
on the paffage. The king of Oojong-tana, who arrived with a fleet
to the affiftance of the place, found the fea for a long diftance covered

t Mendez Pinto«

Y y a with

.348 S U M A T R A*

With dead bodies. This was efteemed one of the mod: defperate and
honorable fieges the Portuguefe experienced tn lodia^ thdr whole force
coiuGfting of but fifteen hundred men| of whom^iio more than two hun*
dred were Europeans^

X5^s* In the following year a veflcl from Acheen bound to Java, with am«
bafladors on board to the queen of Japara^ in whom the king wiihed to
raife up a new enemy againft the Portuguefe, was met in the fbraits by
a veflel from Malacca, who took her and put all the people to the
fword. It appears to have been a maxim in thefe wars^ never to give
quarter to an enemy^ whether refilling or fubmitting^ In 1569 a fingle

'^^^* ihipt commanded by Lopez Carrafco^ pafling near Acheeo^ fell in with
a fleet coming out of that port^ confiding of twenty large galUes, and
an hundred and eighty other vefiTels^ commanded by the king in perfon^
^nd fuppofed to be defigned againft Malacca. The fituation of the For-
tuguefe was defperate. They could not expeft to efcape^ and therefore
rtfolved to die like men. ' During three days they fuftained a continual
attack^ when^ after having by incredible exertions deilroyed forty of
the enemy's veflels^ and being themfelves reduced to the ftate of a wrecks
a fecond (hip appeared in fight The king perceiving this, retired into
th^ harbour with his fliattered forces*

It is difiicult to determine which of the two ii the more aftoniihing :
the vigorous ftand made by fuch an handful of men as the whole ftrength
of Malacca confifted of ; or the prodigious reiburces and perfeverence
of the Achenefe Monarch. In 1573^ after forming an alliance with
*^'^' the queen of Japara, the objeift of which was the deftru&ion of the
European power.^ he appeared again before Malacca with ninety veflels^
twenty five of them 4arge galKes^ with feven thoufand men^ and great
ilore of artillery. Hie began his operations by fending a party to fet
fire to the fuburbs of the town, but a timely Ihower of rain prevented its
taking tfkO:. He then r^folved on a different mode of warfare^ and

# 1^ Diogo do Couto. Faria y Soufa. «

tried

SUMATRA. 349

tried to ftarvc the place to a furrenderj by blocking up the harbour,
and cutting off all fupplies of provifions. The Portuguefe to prevent the
fatal confequences of this meafure, collected thofe few veflels which they
were mafters of, and a merchant fliip of fome force arriving opportunely,
they put to fea, attacked the enemies fleet, killed the principal captain,
and obtained a complete vidtory. In the year following, Malacca was 1574*
invefted by an armada from the queen of Japara, of three hundred fail,
eighty of which were junks of four hundred tons burthen. After be«
ficging the place for three months, till the very air became corrupted by
their ftay, the fleet retired with fcarcely more than five thoufand men, of
fifteen that embarked on the expedition.

Scarcely was the Javanefe force departed, when the king of Acheen once ,^7^.
more appeared with a fleet that is defcribed as covering the (traits. He
ordered an attack upon three Portuguefe frigates that were in the road
protecting fome provifion veflels ; which was executed with fuch a furi*
Ous difcharge of artillery, that they were prefently deltroyed with all
their crews. This was a dreadful blow to Malacca, and lamented, as
the hiftorian relates, with tears of blood by the little garrifon, who were
not now above an hundred and fifty men, and of thofe a great part non-
effective. The king, elated with his fuccefs, landed his troops, and laid
fiege to the fort, which he battered at intervals during feventeen days.
The fire of the Portuguefe became very flack, and after fome time to-
tally ceafed, as the governor judged it prudent to referve his fmall (tock
of anmiunition, for an effort at the laft extremity. The king, alarmed at -
this filence, which he conftrued into a preparation for fome dangerous
flratagem, was feized with a panick, and fuddenly raifing the fiege,
embarked with the utmoft precipitation; unexpe&edly relieving the gar-
rifon from the ruin that hung over them, and which fecmed inevitable
in the ordinary courfe of events*'^

In 158a we find the king appearing again before Malacca with an ,^3^^
hundred and fifty fail of veffels* After fome flLirmilbes with the Portu-

" < ^ Diogo do Covto. Faria v Soufiu

guefc

350 SUMATRA.

guefe fhipSy in which the fuccefs was nearly equal on bath fides^ the
Achenefe proceeded to attack Johor, the king of which was then in
alliance with Malacca. Twelve (hips followed them thither^ and having
burned focne of their gallies^ defeated the refl:^ and obliged them to fly to
Acheen.*

1586. About four years after thi$ misfortune, the king prepared a fleet erf no
lefs than three hundred fail, and was ready to fet out once niore upon his
favorite enterprize, when his general, named Moratiza, who had long
fince defigned to ufurp the crown, murdered him, his queen, and the
principal nobility .^

About this time the confequence of the king^dom of Acheea had
arrived at a great height. Its friendlhip was courted by the moft con-
iiderable eaftern potentates ; no city in India poflefled a more flouriihing
trade ; the cuftoms of the port being moderate, it was crowded with
merchants from all parts, and [though the Portuguefe and their ihips
were continually plundered, yet thofe belonging to every native power
from Mecca in the weft, to Japan in the eaft, appear to have enjoyed
perfcft fecurity in the bufinef* of their commerce. With refpedt to th«
government, the nobles, or orartg cayos as they are called^ formed a
powerful counterpoife to the authority of the king. They were rich j
had numerous followers, and cannon planted at the gates of their hopfed;
and thus feeling themfelves independent, often gave a licentious
range to their proud and impatient tempers^ Although the generality
of Portuguefe hiftorians have indiredlly attributed the tranfaftions of
the laft fifty or fixty years to a fingle reign> yet we have fome authority^
. befide the evident probability of the matter, for faying that during that
fpacc of time there were many revolutions in the court, brought about
by the intrigues of the nobles, until at length the antient royal line be<^
came extin&»^

\ Faria y Sou& ^ faria j Soula. ^ Beauliett*.

The

SUMATRA. 351

' The ufurperjnountcd the throne, by the title of fultan Aladi^y* at an isse.
advanced period of life. He was originally a fifherman, and afterwards
fervcd in the wars againil Malacca, where he fliewed (o much courage,
prudence, and (kill in maritime affairs, that the late king made him at
length the chief commander of his forces, and gave him one of his neareft
Icioiwomen to wife. The monarch's only child, a daughter, was mar-
ried to the king of Johor,-!- by whom ihe had a fon. The infant was fent
to Acheen to be educated under his grandfather, whofe heir he was dcr
figned to be. Upon the death of the king, Aladin at firft affumed the pro-
tection of the child, but foon after difpaiched him alfo, and then de-
clared himfelf fovcreign in the right of his wife. J Having the royal
force in his hands, he curbed the power of the reft of the nobles, who
attempted to make refiftancc againft this ftep, and put numbers of the.n

* This name, which the hero of the Cnifades rendered famous in the eaft, is common among
ibe MaJaysy who pronounce itj Laditn,

f The king of Acheen fent on this occafion^ to Johor^ a piece of ordnance^ fuch as for great-
nefs, lengthy and workmanihip could hardly be matched in all Chriftendom. It was afterwards
taken by the Portugnefei who ihipt it for Europey but the veflel was loft inlier paflagc. Linfchoten*

X Commodore Beaulieu relates the circumilances of this revolution in a very different manner*
The nobles* he fays, upon the extinftion of the royal line, fetting up each their rerpe£Uve pre-
tcnfions to the crown, were proceeding to decide the matter by force, when they were prevaiJed
on by the chief prieft to prevent bIood(hed» and at the fame time preferve their claims, by raifing
to the throne an old nobleman of much wifdom and experience, and who was defcended from
one of the firft families (tf the kingdom, but had not afte6(ed any pretenfions to the dignity.
That after ainny refuHls to quit bis retired life, he was at length forced to acquiefcence, on the
condition of their regarding him as a father. Bnt no (boner was he in pofleifion of thefovereign
power, than he (hewed a different face, and the firft ftep after his acceffion, was to invite all the
nobles of the realm to an entertainment, where, as they were introduced one by one to an inner
court of the palace, he had them murdered. This ftoiy, allowing for the difference of iituation
nnd mannen, bears n ftroi>g relcmblance to the ele£^ion of Sixtus the fifth fo the Papacy. The
Commodore had great opportunity of informatioa» and was a fenfible mam, but he appears in
this cafe to have been amufed with a plaufible tale bythegrandfonof this monarch, whom pro*
bablybehad it from. John Davis, an intelligent Englifh navigator, whofe account I follow,
was more likely to bear the truth j and he was at Acheen during Aladin's reign, whereas the
Commodore did not arrive till twenty years after. Befides, a Dutch Admiral, who was at Acheen
nbout three yean after Davis, confirms the report of Aladin^s Iiaving been originally a fiiherman.
But both the Commodore and Ddvis place the event of his acceffion about fiye yearscarlier than
Ibe 9paniih biftorian*

SS^ SUMATRA,

to death, raifing his own adherents, from the lower clafs of peopte^ to
the firft dignities of the ftate."^ To enfure the future fubmiffion of the
nobiIity> he feized their cannon and arms, demolilhed their fortified
houfes, and prohibited their rebuilding with any fubftantial materials^
Of thofe among the people who prefumed to exprefs any difapprobatioa
of his conduct, he made great ilaughter, and was fuppofed to have
caufed not lefs than twenty tboufand perfons to be executed in the firfl;
year of his reign.

A$ the Portuguefe writers make fcarcely any mention of this king's ac-
tions, we have reafon to conclude that he did not prove fo formidable an
enemy to Malacca as his predeceflbr had been ; and it appears that am-
baffi^dors from that city refided, at different periods, in his court. Some
expeditions, however, he fitted out*again(l it, in which a general of his,
named Raja Macoata^ had opportunities of fignalizing his valor .^^ He had
long and frequent wars with the king of Johon

i6oo. Towards the clofe of the fixteenth century, the Hollanders began to
navigate the Indian feas, and in the year 1600 fbme of their (hips arrived
at Acheen, where they had no caufe to boaft of the hofpitality of
their treatment. An attempt was made, and pi»obably not without the
orders, or connivance of the king, to cut. off two of their veffels, and
fevcral of the crews were murdered ; but after a defperate conflid, the
affafiins were overcome and driven into the water \ ^ and it was fome
pleafure (fays John Davis, who was the principal pilot of the fhips) to
fee how the bafe Indians did fly, how they were killed, and how well
they were drowned.** This treacherous adion was attributed to the in-
{ligation of the Portuguefe. A fecond party of that nation, who endea*
vored to trade there a fliort time afterwards, met with a little better ufage,
and were obliged to haften out of the road, leaving a part of their mec-^

,401. chandizc. on Ihore.*

n John Davif » » Q^ecn Elisabeth'* letter to the king of Acheem

* it it fomewhat remarkable that the Hollanders, not on^ at Acheen but at Bantam, we*
abont thia time always called Englilh by the natives, not^ithtanding tbej endeaxored, or fo
pretended, to eftabliih a juft idea of the diftinftion between the two nations* See O>lle£don of
toyages which contributed to the eftablifhment of the Ncthcrhmds Baft jAdia Company.

The

ft in A t H A^ 353

The firft EngMi fleet that made its appearance in tliis part of the
world, and iitid cbe fonndation of a. commerce which was in time to
eclipfe that of every other European ftate, vifited- Acheen in the year
1602. Lancafter, who commanded it, was received b;^ the king with
abundant ceremony and refpeft, which feem with.thefe monarchs to have >*<>*'
been ufualty proportioned to the number of vefleU and apparent ftrength
of their foreign goefts. The queen of England's letter was conveyed to
court with great pomp, and the general, after delivering a rich prefent,
the moft admired article .of which was a fan of feathers, declared the
purpofe of hb coming was to eftablifli peace and amity between his^
royal miftrefs, and her loving brother, the great and mighty king of
Acheen. He was invited (o a banquet prepared for his entertainmetit>
in which the fervice was of gold, and the king's damfels, who Were richly^
attired and adorned ' with bracelets and jewels, ^were ordered to divert
him with dancing and muiic. Before he retired he was arrayed by the
king in a magnificent habit of the country, and axmed with two crftfes*
In the prefent fent as a return for the quefcii's, there was, among c^er
mattersj a valuable ruby (u in a ring. Two of the nobles, ^ne of ^^Aooi
was the chief prieft, were appointed to fettle with Lancafter thetenns
of a commercial treaty, which was accordingly drawn up and executed
in an explicit and regular mamier. The Pbrtuguefe ambaflado*-; or
more properly (he Spantfli, as thofe kingdoms were now imited, kept' k
watchful and 'jealous eyeupoii-his proceedings •, but by bribing the fpiei
who furrounded kira, he foiled them at their own arts, and acquired
intetligence that, envied him to take a rich prize in the ft raits of Ma-
lacca^ with which he returned to Acheen; and havmg loaded What
pepper he could procure there, took his departure^ X)n this occafion it
was requefted by Aladtn, that he and his officers would favor him by
finging one of the pfalms of David> which was performed with great
iolemnity,*

Aladin had twofons, the younger of whom he made king of Pedeer^
and the elder he kept at^^Acheen in order to fucceed him in the throne

5 Lancafter'rVoyage.

Zs la

354

SUMATRA.

In the year i'6o j, he refolved to divide the charge of government with
his intended heir, as he found his extraordinary age began to render hint
unequal to the taik, ^nd accordingly invefted him with royal dignity ;
but the cfFed: which might have been forcfeen quickly followed this
meafure.P The fon, who was already advanced in years, became impatient
to enjoy more complete power, and thinking his father had poflefled tho
J 604, crown fufficiently long, he confined him in a prifon, where his days
were foon-cnded.^ He was then ninety-five years of age,* and defcribed
to be a hale man, but extremely grofs and ht. His conftitution muft
have been uncommonly vigorous, and his mufcular ftrength is indicated
by this ludicrous circumflance, that when he once condefcended to
embrace a Dutch admiral, contrary to the ufual manners of his country,
the preffure of his arms was fo violent as to caufc exceffive pain to the
perfon fo honored. He was paffionttely addided to women, gaming,
and to drink, hb favorite beverage being arrack* By the feverity of
his puniihments he kept bis fubjeds in extreme awe of him ; and the
me5phants who traded to his ports were obliged to fubmit to more exac-
tions and oppreffions than were felt .under the government of his pre-
deceflbrs^

The new king proved himfelf, from indolence or want of capacity,
ynfit to reign. He was always furrounded by his women, who were not
only his attendants but his guards, and carried arms for that purpofe*
His occupations were the bath and the chace,, and the affairs of ftate
were negle&ed ; inlbnuich that murders, robberies, opprefiion, and -an
infinity of diforders took place in the kingdom, for want of a regular
iind ftri£t adminiftration of jufliceJ A fon of the daughter of Aladin
liad be^n ^ grcjait ifavorite of his grandfather^ at the time of whofe death

f CoUe^ion of Dutch yoyages. 4 John Davis,

« According to Beaulieu. Dayis fays he was about an hundred ; and the Dutch yoya<^es meii-^
lion that bu|p«at ^ge prevented his ever a^aring out of hit palace.

^ Dutch yoyages, Beaulku.

SUMATRA- iS5

be was twenty « three years of age, and continued, with his mother, to
reiide at the court after that event. His uncle, the king of Acheen,
having given him a rebuke on fome occafion, he left his palace abruptly,
and fled to the king of Pedecr, who received him with affedion, and
refufed to fend him back at the defire of the elder brother, or to offer
any violence to a young prince whom their father loved. This was the
occafion of an inveterate war, which coft the lives of many thoufand
people. The nephew commanded the forces of Pedcer, and for fome
time maintained the advantage, but thefe at length, feeing themfelves^
much inferior in numbers to thofe of Acheen, refufed to march, and
the king was obliged to give him up, when he was conveyed to Achcen,^
and put in clofe confinement/

Not long afterwards a Portuguefe fquadron, under Martin Alfonfov ,^^^^
going to the relief of Malacca, then befieged by the Dutch, anchored
in Acheen road» with the refolution of taking revenge on the king, for
receiving thefe their rivals into his ports, contrary to the fiipulations of
a treaty that had been entered into between them.t The viceroy landed
his men, who were oppofed by a ftrong force on the part of the Achenefe :
but after a (lout refi dance they gaioed the firft turf fort with twoi
pieces of cannon, and commenced an attack upon the fecond, of ma*
fonry« In this critical . juncture, the young prince fent a meflage to
his uncle, requefting he might be permitted to join the army and
expofe himfelf in the ranks ; declaring himfelf more willing to die in
battle dgainft the Caf&es (fo they always affeded to call the Portu*
gueie*) than to languHh like a flave in chains. The fears which ope-
rated upon the king's mind, induced him to confent to his releafe. The
prince Ihewed fo much bravery on this occafion, and conducted two or
three attacks with fuch fucceis, that . Alfonfo was. obliged to order a
retreat, after wafting two days, and lofing three hundred men in tUs^

* Beaulieu. <^ Faria y foufa.

• The Adicnefe warriors were faid to^ aflume as a favorite title, that of " DrinkeFt of the
Mood of mifeiable Cafires*'— calling them acQ\irlc4.dogs who were come from the end of the world:
to ufurp the property of others. Mendez Pioto.

Zzz fruitlefs

3S^

S U .M A ;T R A,

fruitbfs attempt. The repiitaetion of t\fc pracc was uiScd by tbis^tSair
to a high pitch amongd the people of Acheeo« Hb motjieri who waf^
an a&ive, ambitious woman, fottaed the defign of plaeiiig Him on tbc
throne, and furntihed him wich large fuihs of money to be dtftributod
in gratuities amongft the principal orang cajros. At the fame time he
endeavored to ingratiate himfelf by bis manner^, with all daCea of people.
To the rich he was courteous ; to the poor be wa» affWble ; and he
was the conftant companion of thofe who were in tbe^^irdfeffidn of
arms. The king died fuddenly, and at the liour of his death the prince
got accefs to the cafile. He bribed the guards ; made liberal promifes
to the officers ; advanced a large fum of money to the governor ; and
fending for the chief prieft^ obliged him by threats to crown him. la
fine, he managed the revolution fo happily, that he was proclaimed king
before nighty to the great joy of the people, wh6 conceived vaft hopes
fiK>m his liberality, courtefy, and valor. The king of Pedeer was fpeed*
tly acquiinted with the news of hts brother's death, but not of t}ie
fiibfequent traniadtions, and came the next day to take pofleffion of his
inheritance. As he approached the caftle with a fmall retinue, he was
feized by orders from the reigning prince, who, foigemng the fsvors
ht had received, kept him prifoner for a month, and then fending him
iOto the country, under the pretence of a conunodious retreat, had him
murdered on the way. Thofe who put the crown on hki head were not
better required ; particularly the Maharaja, or governor of the caftle.
In a fliort time his difappointed fubjeds found, that inftead of being
humane, he was cruel ; inftead oi^ being liberal, he difplayed extreme
-avarice ; and inftead of being af&ble, he manifefted a temper auftere and
inexorable,'* . '

1(07

- This king affumed the title of Sultan Peducka Sifii fovereign of
Acheen, and of the countries of Aru, Delhy, Johor, Paham, Queda,
and Pera, on the one fide, and Baroos, Paffamman, Ticoo, Sileda, and
Priaman, upon the other. Some of thefe places were conquered by

. r-»

^ Beaulieu.

him

SUMATRA.

357

him, and othera he inherited. He fliewcd much friendihip to the Hol-
landers in the early part of his reign; and in the year 1613 gave per- *^'^*
miffion to the Englifh to fettle a faftory, granting them many indul-
gences, in confequence of a letter and prefcnt from king James the firft.
He beftow^ on Captain Beft, who was the bearer of them, the title of
Orang utya po^ee, and entertained him with the fighting of elephants, buf-
fa}os, rams, and tigers. In his anfwer to king James, which is couched
in the moft friendly terms, he ftiks himfelf king of all Sumatra, a name
and idea, which, if they exift- in the original,^ he muft have learned from
his European connexions. He ezprefled a ftrong defire that the king
of England ibould fend him one of his countrywomen to wife, and pro«
mifed to make her eldeft fon king of all the pepper countries, that fo
the EngUfli might be fupplied with that commodity by a monarch of
their own. But notwitbftanding his ftrong profeifions of attachment to
us, and his natural connexion with the Hollanders, arifing from their
joint enmity to the Portuguefe, it was not many years before he began
•to opprefs both nations, and ufe his endeavors to ruin their trade. He
became jealous of their growing power, and particularly by reafon of the
intelligence which reached him, concerning the encroachments made by
the latter in the ifland of Java.

The conqucft of Aru fecms never to have been thoroughly effeSed
by the kings of Acheen. Peducka carried his arms thither, and boafted
of having obtained fome victories. In 1613 he fubducd Siak, in its
neighbourhood, and in the fame year ravaged the kingdom of Johor, and
had the kings of thefe two places, who were brothers^ brought captives
to Acheen ; but relea&d them upon their confenting to become bis tribu*
taries* The old king of Johor, who had fo often engaged the Por^uguefe,
left feverai fons, the eldeft of whotfi fucceeded him by the title of Eeang
de Patoean^ the fecond was made king of Siak, and the third. Raja Bon^
fco by name, reigned jointly with the firft. He it was who affifted the
Hollanders in the firft- fiege of Malacca, and corref^ionded with prince
Maurice. The king of Acheen was married to their fifter, but this did .

♦ Tranfiations of this letter and of that written to Q^ccn Elizabeth arc to be fouiul in Purcjias.

not

358 SUMATRA.

not prevent a long and cruel war between theni»'*» A Duteh fadory at
Johor was involved in the confequences of this war> and feveral of that
nation were amongft the prifoners.^

In 1615 the king of Acheen failed to the attack of Malacca in a fleet
which he had been four years employed ia preparing,^ It confifted
of above five hundred fail, of which an hundred were large galUes, greater
1615. than any at that time built in Europe, carrying each from fix to eight
hundred men, with three large cannon and feveral finaller pieces*'
Thefe gallics the orang cayos were obliged to furniih, repair, and man,
at the peril of their lives. The foldiers ferved without pay, and carried
three months proviiion at their own charge.? In this great fleet there
were computed to be fixty thouland men, whom the king commanded
in perfon. His wives and houfehold were taken to fea with him. Coming
in light of the Portuguefe ihips in the afternoon, they received many fliot
from them, but avoided returning any, as if from contempt. The next
day they got ready for battle, and drew up in form of an half mo6iu
A defperate engagement took place, and lafted without intermiffion till
midnight, during which the Portuguefe admiral was three times boarded,
and repeatedly on fire. Msuiy veflels on both fides were alfo in flames,
and afforded light to continue the combat. At length the Achenefe
gave way, after lofing fifty fail of different fizes, and twenty tboufand
men. They retired to Bencalis, on the caflern coaft of Sumatra, • and
ihortly afterwards failed for Acheen, the Portugufe not daring to puD-
fue their viAory, both on account of the damage they had fuftained,
andthcirapprehenfionof the Hollanders, who were ezpeAed at Malacca.
The king propofed that the prifoners taken Ihould be mutually given
up, which was agreed to» and was the firft inftance of that zSi of hu*>
manity and civilization between the two powers.^

« Collection of Dutch voyages. '

* The title of Etang di Falcoan it common amongft the Malays, and is the lamt with liaX
which in a former note, p. a 74, is corruptly fpeit JiandnfaioooM. The chief of Bomeo*proper
n always fo ftyled*

V C. Bcft. « Fairia y Seu&. > Beaulieu. Faria y Souia. y Beaulieu. * Faria y Soula.

Three

SUMATRA. 359

Three years afterwards the king made a conqueft of the city of Queda, «^»5'
on the Malayan coaft, and alfo of a place called Delby on Sumatra.
This laft had been ftrongly fortified by the affiftance of the Portuguefe,
and gave an opportunity of difplaying much fkill in the attack. Tren-
ches were regularly opened before it, and a fiege carried on for fix week«,
ere it fcU.« In the fame year the king of Jorcan* fled for refuge to
Malacca, with eighty fail of boats, having been expelled his dominions^
by the king of Acheen. The Portuguefe were not in a condition to af-
ford him relief, being themfelves furrounded with enemies, and fearful
of an attack from the Achenefe more efpecially ; but the king was then
making preparations againfl an invafion he heard was meditated by
the viceroy ofOoa, Reciprocal apprehenfions kept each party on the
defenfive>

The French being delirous of participating in the commerce of
Acheen, which all the European nations had formed great ideas of, and
all found themfelves difappointed in, fent out a fleet commanded by
Beaulieu, which arrived in 1 621* He brought magnificent prefents to 162 1.
the king, but which did not content his infatiable avarice, and he em-
ployed a variety of mean arts ^ draw from him further gifts. Beaulieu
met alfo with many difficulties^ and was forced to fubmit to much ex-
tortion, in his endeavors to procure a loading of pepper, of which
Acheen itfelf, as has been obferved, produced but little. The king in-
formed him that he had fome time fince ordered all the plants to be
deftroyed, not only becaufe the cultivation of them proved an injury to
more ufeful agriculture, but alfo leaft their produce might tempt the
Europeans to ferve him, as they had ferved the kings of Jacatra and
Bantam. From this apprehenfion, he had lately been induced to expel

» Beaulieu.

# I am uncertab what place is defigned by this name t perhaps a country on the banks of the
river Racan or Ircan. The time of the event would lead us to conclude that the kmg of Jorcan
was the fame who defended Delhy*

^ Faria y Sou(k«

the

36o SUMATRA,

the EngUih and Dutch from their fettlements at Priaman and Ticoo,
where the ^principal quantity of pej^r was procured^ and of which
places he changed the governor every third year, to prevent any con*
nexions dangerous to his authority! from b^ing formed^ He had like-
wife driven the Dutch from a fadfcory they were attempting to fettle at
iPadang ; which place appears to be the moft remote that ever the Ache^
nefe attempted to cxercile dominion over^ on the wdUcn coaft of the
ifland.*^

i6aS. Still retaining a ftrong defire to poffefs himfelf of Malacca, fo many
years the grand objed of Achenefe ambition, he imprifoned the ambaf*
fador then at his court, and made extraordinary preparations for the
fiege, which he defigncd to undertake in perfon.* Lacfemanna his ge-
neral (the fecond great man of that name or title, and who had effeded
all the king's late conquefts) attempted to oppofe this reiblution ; but
the Maharaja, willing to flatter his mafler*s propenfity, undertook to
put him in poiTeflion of the city, and had the command of the fleet given
to him, as the other had of the land forces* The king fet out on the
expedition with a fleet of two hundred and fifty iail, (forty feven of
them not lefs than an hundred feet in the keel.) in which were twenty
thoufand men well appointed, and a great train of artillery. After being
fome time on board, with his family and retinue as ufual, he deter-
mined, on account of an ill omen that was obferved, to return to the
ihore. The generals, proceeding without him, foon arrived before Ma*
lacca. Having landed their men, they nude a judicious difpolitioo,
and began the attack with much courage, and military ikili»- The Portu-
guefe were obliged to abandon feveral of their pofts^ one of whicb^ after
a defence of fifty days, was levelled with the ground, and fropi its ruins
flrong works were raifed by Lacfemanna. Maharaja had feized another
pofl advantageoufly fituated. From their feveral camps they had lines

c Beaulieu*

■

« Faria y Soufa meatioot an engagement in i626> in which the king loft thirty four galliei,
three thoufand men, and eight hundred pieces of cannoi^

SUMATRA. 3^1

of eommumcatiOQj and the boats on the river were Rationed in fuch ^
manner, that the place was compleatly invefied. Matters were in this
pofture, when a force of two thoufand men came to the ai&ftance ^ of
the befiegedj from the king of Paham^ and likewife five fail of Portu«
guefe veflels from the coaft of G>romandel ; but all was infufficient
to remove fb powerful an enemy ^ although by that time they had loft
four thoufand of their troops in the different attacks and ikirmiihes*
In the latter end of the year a fleet of thirty fail of Ihips, large
and fmall, under the command of Nunno Alvarez Botelloj having on
board nine hundred European (bldiersj appeared off Malacca, and blocked
up the fleet of Acheen in a river about three miles from the town.
This intirely altered the complexion of affairs. The befiegers retired
from their advanced works, and hafiened to the defence of their gallics i
ere&ing batteries by the fide of the riven Maharaja being fummoned
ta furrender, returned a civil, but refolute anfwen In the night, en«
deayoring to make his elcape with the fmaller vefifels, through the midft
of the Portuguefe, he was repulfed and wounded. Next day the whole
force of the Achenefe dropped down the ftream, with a defign to fight their
way, but after an engagement of two hours, their principal galley, named
the ^^ Terror of the world*' was boarded and taken, after lofing fiv^
hundred men of feven which Ihe carried. Many other veffels were
afterwards captured or funk. Lacfemanna hung out a white flag, and
fent to treat with Nunno, but Ibme difficulty arifing about the termSf
tiht engagement was renewed with great warmth. News was brought to
the Portuguefe that Maharaja was killed, and that the king of Paham
was approaching with an hundred fail of veffels to reinforce them. Still
the Achenefe kept up a dreadful fire, which leemed to render the final
fuccefs doubtful ; but at length they fent propofals, defiring only to be
Allowed three gallics of all their fleet to carry away four thoufand men
who remabed of twenty that came before the town. It was anfweredj
that they muft furrender at difcretion ; which Lacfemanna hefitating to
do, a Airbus afilault took place both by water and land upon the gallies
and works of the Achenefe, which were all effe^ually deftcoyed or cap*
lured { notaibip> and fcafccly a man efcaping. Lacfemanna in the

A a a laft

^6%. SUMATRA.

laft .extremity fled to the woods, but was feized ere long by the kmg of
Paham's fcouts. Being brought before the governar, he £ud to him,
with an undaunted countenance, '^ Behold here Lacfemaona, the firfl:
time overcome !'* He was treated with refpe6l, but kept a prifoner, and
fent on his own famous ihip, to Goa, in order to be from thence con-
veyed to Portugal ; but death deprived his enemies of that diftbguiihed
ornament of their triumph.^

This fignal defeat proved fo important a blow to the power of Acheen,
that we read of no further attempts to renew the war^ until the year
t^ss* ^^359 when the king, encouraged by the feuds which at this time pre*,
vailed in Malacca, again violated the law of nations, to him little known^-
by imprifoning their ambafiador, and caufed all the Portuguefe about
his court to be murdered. No military operations, however, irnmedi*
ately took place, in confequence of this barbarous proceeding. In tho

t«4o. y^^^ ' ^^' ^^^ Dutch with twelve men of war, and the king of Acheea
with twenty five gallies, appeared before tliat harrafied and devoted
city j^ which at length, in the following year, was wreflcd frpm the hands
of the Portuguefe, who had £> long, through fuch difficulties, maintaioed
pofleffion of it* This year wasr alfo marked by the death of Sultan Pe«
ducka Siri, at the age of fixty, after a reign of thirty five years.^ Thu«
he lived to fee his hereditary foe fubdued ; and as if the oppofitioD of the
I'ortuguefe power, which firft occafioned the rife of that of Ackeeo^
was alfo neceflary to its eziftence, the fplendor and confequence of the
kingdom from that period rapidly declined. '

The prodigious wealth and refources of the monarchy during his reigo»
are beft evinced by the expeditions he was enabled to fit out ; but being
no lefs covetous than ambitious, he contrived to make the expences fall
upon his fubjeds, and at the fame time filled his treafury with gold, by
prefiing the merchants, and plundering the neighbouring fiates. An
intelligent peribn who was for fome usm at his court,^ and had opportu^

* Ftria y Soufk. » Here Fana j Soufa't hiftory of Portoguefe Afia coacluder*

f Yici dc« G^feraeuKi HoUandoie^

Aities

si4<<

S U . M A T R A. g6|

nities of infotmation on the fubjed, ufes this ftrong expreffion-— that he
was infinitely rich*9 He conftantly employed in his caftle three hun-
dred goldiiniths. This would feem an' exaggeration^ but that it is well
known the Malay princes have them always about them in great num-
bers, at this day, working in the manufaAure of filagree^ for which
the country is ib fanjous. His naval ftrength has been already fuffici-
ently defcribed. He was pofleffed of two thoufand brafs guns, and
finall arms in proportion. His trained elephants amounted to many
hundre4^. His armies were probably raifed only upon the occafion
which called for their aAing, and that in a mode fimilar to what was
eftabliihed under the feudal fyftem in Europe. The valley of Acheen
alone was iaid to be able to iumilh forty thoufand me^ upon an emer*
gencyJ A certain number of warriors, however, were always kept on
foot, for the protedion of the king and his capital. Of thefe the fii*
perior clais were alkd cchaiallMgf and the inferior, amtoraja, who were
. entirely devoted to his fervice, and refembled the janizaries of Conftan*
.tinople.* Two hundred horfemen nightly patrolled the grounds about
the cattle, the inner courts and apartments of which were guarded by
.three thoufand women. The king's eunuchs amounted to five hundred.*

The difpofition of thi$ monarch was cruel and fanguinary. A multi-
tude of infiances are recorded of the horrible barbarity of his puQi(h«
fuents^and for the moft trivial offence. He imprifoned his own mother^
and put her to the torture, fufpeding her to have been engaged in a
confpiracy againft him> with ibme of the principle nobles, whom ho
caufed to be executed. He murdered his nephew, the king of Johor's
ion, whofe favor with his mother he was jealous of. He alio put to
death a fon of the king of Bantam^ and another of the king of Paham^

* Beaulieu. ^ Beaulieu*

• a The^Hlm^Mgff noivtppMr jm cSflen ofaste, sadaie ftwtt mmteri but in tte sU
•m wt lead of ievsii htmdred falling in one a6Uon«

g B«a«liw.

Aiaa ^m

354 S U M A T R A;

who were both his near relations. None of the royal family fiirvtved
in 1622 but his own fon^ a youth of eighteen, who had been thrice ba-
niihed the court, and was thought to owe his continuance in life, only
to his furpaffing his father, if poffible, in cruelty, and being hated by
all ranks of people. He was at one time made king of Pedeer, but
recalled on account of his excefTes, confined in prifon,^ and put to ftrange
tortures by hb father, Whom he did not outlive. The whole territory
of Acheen was almoft depopulated by wars, executions, and opprelfionl
The king endeavored to repeople the country by his conquefis.
Having ravaged the kingdoms of Johor, Paham, Queda, Pera, and
Delhy, he tranfported the inhabitants from thofe places to Acheen, to
the number of twenty two thoufand perfons. But this barbarous policy
^d not produce the ttkSt he hoped ; for the unhappy people being
brought naked to his dominions, and allowed not any kind of mainte*
nance on their arrival, died of hunger in the ftreets.* In the planning
his military enterprizes, he was generally guided by the diftrefles of his
neighbours, whom he ever lay in wait to make a prey of; and hispref-
j>aratory meafures were taken with fuch fecrecy, that the execution alone
unravelled them. Infidious political craft, and wanton delight in bloody
united in him to complete the charaAer of a tyrants

Leaving.no male heirs, he was peaceably fiicceeded In the government
by his queen ;^ and this prefents a new era in the hiftory of the king*
dom, as the fucceffion continued for many years in the female line.* The
nobles finding their power tefs reftrained, and their confequence more
felt, under an adminiftration of this kind, than when ruled by kingSj
fupported thefe pageants whom they governed as diey thought fit, and
thereby virtually changed the conftitution into an arifiocracy» The bii«
£ne(s of the ftate was managed by twelve orang cayos, of whom the

^ Betolievi * BeaulltQ. Crileflion of Dutch, voya^gei. ^ Viei det Gonnmaru

# It hat been a common etrar» repeattd in many books o£ Gsographyf to fiippoft tfaat^uocB
XlkabethcorreTponded wkhaqueettf andnot akin^of Acbcou But the finoale itignt didaot
* mmtnmtr till foity yaan after Eliiabcth'i 4cath»

Maharaja^

jl U M A T R A. 3^65

Maharaja^ or governor of the kingdom^ as it became ufual frootthat
tmt to call htdij was co&fidered as the chief* It does not appear that
the queen had the power of appointing or removing any of thefc
great officers. No applications were made to the throne^ but in their
prefence^ nor tiny public reiblution takenjt but as they determined in
counciL^

In proportion as the political importance of the kingdom declmed^
its hiftory becomes obfcure. There are no accounts to be met with of
the tranfaAions of this reign^ and it is probable that Acheen took no
a&ive part in the affairs of the neighbouring powers^ but fuffered the
Dutch to remain in quiet poileffion of Malacca. Even the period of
its duration is not marked. In 1688 a queen of Acheen died^m but aa
ihe is defcribed by the Englifh gentlemen who went there on an embafly
from Madras in 1 684^ to be then about forty years of age, ihe mufthave 16(4.
been a fucceflbr^ and perhaps not the immediate one^ of Peducka's
widow* Thefe perfons declare their fufpicions,, which were fuggefted to
them by a doubt prevailing amongft the inhabitants^, that this . fovereigdi
was not a real queen^ but an eunuch drefled up in female apparel^ and
impofed on the public by the artifices of the orang cayos.^^ But as fucb
a cheatjt though managed with every femblance of reality (which they ob*
ferve was the cafe) could not be carried on for any number of years
without detedionj and as the fame idea does not appear to have been
entertained at any other period, it b probable they were miftakeo
in their furmife. Her perfon they defcribe to have been large^ and her
voice iurprizingly ftrong^ but not manly..* ^

The

T Lidia Company*! recordi. m J^mpiier^ voysgei. Vkt det Oovftraeunt

fi India Company*! records.

• Tlic following cuiiout paflage it astnidad £rom the Jomrnalof theft gentlemen^ prooeadinga»
^ We weni to pve our attendance at the palace thia day at cnftomaiy. Being airifed at tile
place of audience with the orang cayoty the queen wat pleafed to order ut to come nearer, yihea
ker majefty wat Tery ittquifiiire into the ufe of our wearing Perriwigs, and what wa$ the convex
skncc of thoa; to aUivU* wb momcd fittttfaOoiy anftwi. Afttrihiij her oajclly ddired

S66 S U ^f A t R A\

The purport of the embafly was to obtain liberty to ereft a fortifica^
tion in her territory^ which flie peremptorily reAifed^ being contrary to
the eftabliihed rules of the kingdom ; adding, that if the governor of
Madras would fill her palace with gold, ihe could not permit him to
build with brick^ either fort or houfe. To have a faAory of timber
and plank, was the utmoft indulgence that could be allowed ; and on
that footing, the return of the Englifh, who had not traded there for
many years, ihould be welcomed with great friendihip. The queen
herfelf, the orang cayos reprcfented, was not allowed to fortify, leaft fome
foreign power might avail themfelves of it, to enflave the country. In
the courfe of thefe negotiations it was mentioned, that the agriculture
of Acheen had fuffered confideratly of late years, by reafon of a gene-
ral licenfe given to all the inhabitants to fearch for gold^ in the moun-
tains and rivers wbich aflbrded that article ; whereas the bufinefs had for-
merly been reftrided to certain authorized perfons, and the reft obliged
to till the ground. It llkewife appeared, that through the weaknefs of
Its. government, and the encroachments of the Dutch, the extent of its
i^nciept dominion was. much reduced, and no abfolute jurifcli^on was
[ti^ claimed mcure diftant than Pedeer. The court feared to give a public
ifanftion for the fettlement of the Englifli on any part of the fouthern
coaft) left it ihould embroil them with the other European powei^.^

The

• • •

:ai3tk.Otd, if.hwarenoaffinittoliim, tet.^esvmddtAe.off likpeixMgy tUHht^j^fet

•^•w lie appeared without it 4 whick accardiagly to her majefty^e nqueft he did. She thea lold

lit (he had heard of our bufinefs, and would, give heranfwer by the orang cayoi; and fowc

retired." I venture, with fubmiiion, to obicrve, that thii anecdote feenuto pul the^uefiion of

•^ofez beyond «oatiOTerQr.

« IndiaConfMy'a reoodda ...

^ The defign of fettling a faftory at this period, in the dominions ofAcbimgt Wt Mcafioncdby
the recent lofs of our eftabliihment at Bitntam^ which had been originally fixed by Sir Jamet
.Lancafl«r in afo^. The circnniftaaccs of this event were «a fSsllowi, Tbe'old S«lt»i hadi
:Xboi|ght jptofK to ihare the regal power with hb £00, in ihe year 16^77, and dus aMifure w»
;«tteD<M wkh theobiiouff eitft» of a )eaJo«fy hetweoi the parent and child, wImA^I^qb hralv
iojrth iatocfien hoAiliito. The policy of the Buteh kd them t^ takeenadiae pert in fiieer 4K
V the yo«n|; iAwm^ who had .indsMdaote their intcrefts, ani aow -fofiaiiod ttaei^ aid. 1\m
•£ngiiih| on the other hand^ dlfcoumged what appeared to them an unnatunl xtbeilion^ but with-

Cttt

SUMATRA. 567

The people of Acheen being now accufiomed and reconciled to female
rule, which they found more lenient than that of their kings^ ae-

quiefced

out interfering} as they faid^ in any other chara£(er than that of m<;diatorsy or affording military
afliftance to either party 2 and which their extreme weaknefsj rather than their afFertionsi renders
probable. On the twenty-eighth ot March 1682, the Dutch landed a confidcrable force from
Batayia^ and foon terminated tlie war. They placed the young fqitan Qn the throne, delivtrlng
the father into his cuftody, and obtained from him in return for thefe farors an cxclufive privilege:
of trade in his territories ; which was evidently the fole objeflthey had in view. On the firft day^
of Aprili pofleffion was taken of the Englilh faftory by a party of Dutch and couniry Ibldiers,
and on the twelfth, the Agent and Council were obliged to embark, with their property, on veflels
provided for the purpofe, which carried them to Batavia. Fron^ thence they proceeded to Suraty
on the twenty -fecond of Auguft in the following year.

In order to retain a i&are in tfie pepper trade^ tb« EngUflh turned their tbonghcs towants Acheen^
and a deputation, confiftiag of two gentlemen, of the names of Ord and Gawley, was fent thither
in 1^94 1 the fucceft of wtrich is above related. It happened that at this time, certain Rajas or
chiefs of the country of Triamant and other places on the weft coaft of Sumati-a were at Acheen
alfo to foticft aid of that cotnt agatnft the Dutch, who had madt war Ytpon^ aiKl otherwife moiefted
them. Thefe immediately applied to Mr. Ord, expreffing a Ihong de6re that the £ngliik ikouU
^le in their refpe£Hve dlftri As, offering ground for a fart, and tha Ciclulive f^urchafe of thdr
Pepper. They confented to embaik for Madras, where an agnement was formed with them by -di^
governor, in the beginning of the year 16^5, on the terms tliey ha<f pix)p6fbd> In conie^uence of
this, an expedition was fitted out, with the defign of eftabliihting a fettlement at F^riamatt 5 but a
day or two before the fhips failed, an invitation, to the bke purport, wa^ received firom thechielii of
Brncouho (fince corruptly called Bencoolen^ ; and as it was knCNvn that a eonfiderable proportion
of the Pepper that ufed to be exported from Bantam, had been c^IleAed from the netghbourhood
of Bencoolen, (at a place called SiU6ar), It was judged advifable that MV. Ord, who was theperfoli
intrufted with the management of this bufineft, fbouH firft proceed thither; pEwtteuAarly
as at that ftafon of the year it was the windward |;)ort. He arrived there on the twenty-fiftik
dayof June 1685, and after taking pofieffion of the country affigned to the Englilh Company^
Snd leaving Mr. Bloome in charge of the pface, he failed for the purpoft of eftablifliing
dke other fettlements. He ftopped firft at Indrapour^ where he found three Engiifhmen who
intre left of ^ fmall fa^ory, that had been fome time before fettled there, by a man of the
name of Du Jardin. Here he teamed that the Dutch, having obtained a knowledge of thl»
original intention of our fixing at Priaman, had anticipated us therein, and iient a party fb>
occupy the fituacion. In the mean time it was underftood in £uit>pe that this place wao
Ihe chief of our eftablilhments on ' the coaft, and iklps were accordingly C9nrigned thither*
The fame was fuppofed at Madras, and troops and ftores were fent to reinforce it, which
were afterwards landed at Indrapour. A fettiement waa then formed at Mandutay and anothev
attempted at BdUmg Capast in 1686 % but here the Dutch, aflifted by a party amongft the nattvee^
aflaulted and drove out our people. Every poffible oppofidon, as it was natural to expe£^, wa»
givea l^y thcfe our rivaii 'to the fuoceis of our foftoirics. They fixed themfelres in the neigW*

hourhooi

J 69 5-

368 fS U M A T R ^

quiefced in general in the continuance of the eftabliihed mode of jgo^
vernment, and a ^ueen accordingly, fuccecded in i688« But this di4

not

bourhood of thm, and erfifeavored to obflnift the coaotry peqple from canying pepper to
them, or Aipplying them with proWfions either by Tea or land. Our interefts howerer in the end
j^revailedj and Bencoolen in particular, to which the other places were rendered fubordmate in
1686, began to acquire fome degree of vigor and rcipe£tability. In 1689 encouragement was
jgiven to Chinefe colonifb to fetde therCf.whofe number has been continually increafing ftom
that time. In 1691 the Dutch fejt the lofs of their influence at Silebar and other of the fouthera
countries, where they attempted to exert authority in the name of the f^ltan of Bantam, and
the produce of dieie placet was deiirered to the £ng(li(h. This revolution proceeded from
the works with which about this time our fa^ory was fhrengthened* In 1695 a fettlement waa
made at Triamo^gf and two years after at Catt9<wn and SMat. The fiift, in the year I700, was
ivmored to B^kUU* Various a^pKcations were made by the nativca iu diftrea^ parts of dm
ifland for the eftabliflunent of fadories, particularly from Ajir B^i^^y to the noithward, F/dm^
^ang on the eafltm (ide, and the people from the countries fouth of To/^, near Mantuu A
{perfon was feot to furrey tbefe Mt, at far as Pvoh Ftfang and Crorr, -in 7 72 5. In coniequenoe
4>f the inconvenience adcading the fliippbg off goods from Bencoglen riveri which it often inif*
yrafticable from the furft, a warehoufe was built, in 1701, at a place they called the c<i^i \ whicb
gsre the firft idea of xemoving the (ettlement to the point of land which forms the bay of Bencoo*
Jen. The ficUenefs of the old fituation was bought to render this an expedient ftcp \ and
accordingly about i7t4« it was in great meafure relinqviihed, and the foundatiaas of Fort
Marlborough were Ittd on a fpot two or thnee miles diftant. Being a high plain it was judged to
poffcis confiderable advantages ; many of which, however, are counterbalanced by its want of the
▼icinity of a river ; io neceffary for the ready and plentiful fupply of provifiont. Some progreft
had ^pen made in tbt eieSioii- of this forti when an accident happened, that had aearly lUfStvftA
ihe Company^s ^iewt* The couutry people incenfed at ill treatment received front, die Europ^^
who were then but little verfed in the knowledge of tbehr diippfitioAS, or t^&.air 9^ JVapaffA^lbte
;by conciliating methods, role in a body in the year 17199 and forcedthe garriibn, w^frignorant
fears rendered them precipitate to feek refuge on board their flups. They began now to feal
alaxms leaH the Dutch ihould take advantage of the abfbnce of the £ngliib» and foon permitted
ibme peribns £rom the northern faQories to refettlejthe place ; and fupplies arriving fqom Madras^
^ngs returned to their former courfe^ and the fort was complet^* The Company's afiairr
on this coaft remained in tranquillity for a number of yearst The important fettlement of Nat«I
was eftabliihed in 1752, and that of Tappanooly a ikon time afterwards 1 which involved the
;£ngUih in frtih difputes with the Dutch, who fet up a claim to the country in which they ar«
iituated. In the year 1760 the French, under Gomte . d'Ellaign, deftroyed all the Knglllh
lettlemeots on the eoa& of Sumatrs 1 but they were foon re-eilabUihedi and our poflWfion ftcuitd
' by the treaty of Paris in 1^3 . Fort Marlborough, which had been hitherto a peculiar fuboidinat*
of Fort St« George, ht^ now formed into an independent Preiideney, .and was furoUhed vieb
a charter for ere£lbg a Mayor's court, but which has ncv^ b<^ j?Af4tetd. In 1 7 8 1 a detachmeut
of Military f/pm thence embarked upon five i-aft Jadia4ip9,aud t^ jK^^ffioo of Pa4in{[ au^

til

S -U MA T R A.

not take platff \^ithout H itrt)i% opp6fi Hon from a fa&kfn* amongft the
oraing cayos who wanted tp fet up a .biftg; and a civil war a&ually com-
sneDcisk].: The t^yd parties drew up on ^sonttary fides of the river, and
for two or three nighcs continued to fire jat .each other, but in thd diy
timifoHowed their: ordiha/cy.occupatidns. \Thefe opportunities of iuter-
Gourfemade them:fenfible of their mutual follyi* .They agreed to throw*
afide their arms*} and the crown rjefnamed :ia polFdSionof theiie^eleAed
queen.P It was faid to have been' cfteioicd efleniial, th^t ihe Ihould be
a maiden^ advanced in years, and connected by blood with the ancient
royal line. In this reign, an Engliih faftory,. which had been long dif-
Continued, was re-eftabliflied at Acheen : in the interval, however, fome
private traders of this ' Nation, had always ' refidcd on the fpot* • Thefe
ufually cndekydred to perfuade the ftate, that they reptefented the India
Gompany, and Idmetimcs acquired great influence, which they employed
in a manner not only detrimental to that body, but to • the incerefts of
the merchants of India in general, by monopolizing the tr«de of the
port, throwing impediments in the way of all-lhipping not coniigned
t^ their mahagemctot, arid cmbezzHbgthe carg03 of fuch as were.* An
afylum was aMb afForded,'be^ond' the reach of law, for all perfbns whofe
crimes or debts induced them to fly from the feveral European fettle
mentsi Thefe confiderations chiefly made the Company. refolve to aC-
fert their aneient privileges in that kingdom, arid a deputatioo was fent

' I

- all the other Dutch faftones, in confequence of the war wttb that nntion. - lo-tySt the powder
magftitne of Fort M^rfborough, in which >vere four hundiied barrels of powder, was fired by
lightning, and blew up ; but providentially it only deflroyed their (lores, with the lofs of a few
lives. The return ofpeace affords an opportunity, which it is hoped will not be negte£led, of
ilnproTing th^s eftabliihment and rendeiring it beneficial to' the' Company. The hiilory of the trade

'. of a place, whi^ is an entire- liiottopoly, can neitlier.be geneiklly iotCrefling.nor uftful. Su£Sce it
then to, fay, th^t the cj^^ntity of pepper produced In all therpompany's diAri(!b on Sumatra, is,
communibus anmSf twelve, hundred tons ;. of . which the greater part comes to Europe, and the
remainder is lent to dhina*.

p Sampler s voyages.

* The rooft diilinguiihed of thefe independent fafiors, was one of the name of Francis Delton,.
who went out fupercargo of a Ihip to 5iam, from whence he made feveral voyages to China, and
at lengthf^ttled'aft Acheen in'tiss. TheCompany's eftabliAment in i695>was foon reduced to no-
thing, whiereas Delton *s trade flouriihed in 1704, when Lockyer was there.

B b b from

• I

1700

370 S U M A TlBi A.

jg^, from tb« prefidtncy of Madras, in thcy-ear f %^ fQi;,thtt fiwf pofc^ witk
letters addreffed to her illufiriouf tiiijefty the ^tea ^ AtbeeB^tfefifiog
permUHon to fettle, on the terms her predecfeiibrs htd granted tot them :
whtch was reafdily complied with, aiid a f^oty^ buton a very IJbrited feaiq^
was eftabliihed accordingly. At .this time, the Achenefe were alarmed by
tbe ^rrbral of fix iail of JDir^ch ftips of forces with a number of troops
on boards in their road ; not having been vtfited by any tf that nadon
for fifteen y^rs : but they departed whhoDt afiering any moleflation^t

The queen died in the year 1 700^ and with her the female axnarchy
expired* A prieft found meanSj. by bis intrigues^ to acquire the £»ve«
1702. reignty. He attempted to im^iofe fooie duties 09 the merchandize im?
ported by the Englilh, who had long been indulged with an exemption
from aU charges^ except the complimentary presents on their arrival.
This innovation the mailers of ihlps then in the port determined to
eppofe^ and in ^a very unwarrantable manner proceodcfd to immediate
hofi^Uties ; firing upon the villages fituated near the mouth of the river,
and cutting off from the city all ibppKes of provifion by iea. The in«
habitants feeling feverely the eff^s of qtus {Mrpceeding^ grew daoiocous
againft the governmenti which was fton obliged to rellore^ the£e infolent
traders the privileges contended for. Advantage was taken of th^
public discontents to raife an infurrection in fayor of the Ute queen'$
nephew,^ who fucceeding in his views, was in poffeffion of the throne
in 1 704. " - * ' — And here the clue t>f our hiftory, which has not been
traced without confiderable difficulty, breaks off; and we are totally
in the dark with f efpeft to the tranfaftions of the fubfequent reigns* It
is, however, brought down to . a modern date, within the compais x>f
authentic tradition; and' I do not defpair of being enabled hereafter
to continue the account, unimportant though it be, to the days of the
prince now upon the throne, whofe reign' has proved loqg, and attended
with many reverfes of fortune^ which more than once have obliged him
to fly from his kingdonu . .

■. ~ ■ '

4 India Company'! records* ' |Iaoulton*« royage. * I#ocky.ar«

1704.

S V M A T iR A. 371

Conclujon,

.31'

AV I N G ibbfi brought tQ % tloie, the digeft of fuch tnaterialif
for M Account of the; iilaiAl c^ Sumatras as I had been induced^ from
ctKtofity, atid loVtt of fdenee^ to. coUeQ- together during my refidence
theire^: aiid httvn had.opportimhy/.of a^quirnig Hnce my return; and
having 6«ideaiA>fied to render my Ubors aj fitting as my talents would
aI1ow> to meec the eye of the publid^ I aow fubmit them cHearfuUy^
but not eonfideotlyj to their mfpe&ioo. I am feufible of the awfulnefs
^ the tribunal before whsch I zsok going to appear i but I alfo know
1^ itidi^lgence&ise^er.ready to fliew^ sp:K p^ticular manner, to thofe
i^Mfeofawriciflgstendto eftablilh fafts^ rathir than fyitems, and humbly
46 ddcribe things as'diey ezift^.vather than to^ifptay the powers of %
^peatire imagination^ - . .

1^0 th^fe^ who »Ay objeiffc that my defcrtption of the iiland is in fbmc
ft(peds ificeknplete^ ^od in maay^ points unfijentifiCy. I am ready to
-AH^w itb tnanifeft deikienciesiy of which I feel the ftrongeft qraviSiion..
lean only ilate in juftification, that I was enoouraiged by perfcms of the
firft confideration in the world of fciehce^ and in fome meafure againfl my
own feelings, to prepare for publication whatever materials I did poilefs for
the Natural hiltory of^he country^; as^ laying thereby a fbundation-ftone,
in, a new biijldin^ upon which others hereafter itiight raife a more perfeft
fuperfiruAure... Many will d6ubtlefs obferve, that the detail of man*
^ers and cyfioms of an uncivilized people defcends often to circum*
ftances fo trivial, as neither to intereft nor- to amufe the reader who has
been accuftomed to perufe volumes that trait of more important topics.
•iy>Jthc$)Jifi{ily,jttiMfpvery'Epaa^|i^iQ^ own favorite-

^jt& of i^mriint .t6 be the moft genisBEaUy intercAu^^ but candor
'AMild ioducethemjto refled:, ifbat what "^ them appear insignificant mi-
-fttitn^^ byotbsni»qr4»re^fdedja»\ttiatt€|ir v^ phibiophical cu*

4ioiiy^^ ol^Ldetailsji iaiaid;, oftei» . prq^ the moA acceptable parts of a
-#ork/from their greater chance of originality* All the races of man-

B b b & ki|id

kind bear to each other fo ftrong a refemblance, in the general outline
and complexion of their fentiments. and aftions^ and more efpecially of
thofe which are ufually termed important^ that to exhibit fuch alone
would mark no diftindtion. The moft prominent features in th^-d^-
lineation of slny fubjed^ are liot found the moft charaSberiftid ' Xmc
fpirit of ambition in men/who aim at ibvereiga^ pMrer, jOx of jpoUtic^
jealoufy in thoib who already^ poffelsk^oareobikrvdd toch^yejprodvce^
the fame effeds^ in all countfiesj and in all ages; and ; cojiifequeptly
afford no criterion of the genius and- manners of a ipftrti.cydar people.
This muft be fought for rather in the lefe obviousioccttrrcnc^ pf j^rivat^
and domeftic life ; and win better appear iri the focial ouAoms qf ap.oibf-
fcure village^ than in the. fp4endid ceicmonies.and. arbitrary infiitutiofis
of a ' ^wcrful court. The* former are the fettled rdufit of. loAg, previa
lent^ ideas and habitual (>rejudice9 ; the latter, have their : oHginra^
temporary cxiftence^ in the caprice of^ individulals^: who, if ig^jofai^
headftrong, and flagitious^ make the moft refpedlfid cuftoms; of . .th^i^
people, the fpott of a momentary paffion ; or if wife and benevolently
inclined, borrow their tnaicims of- gQvirnmibil!: and ^i^ll .t^gfiUApns^
from the moft enlightened "amongft other .natibitfii.^qd .thps^^l^iift tk^y
improve the condition of their fubje£bS| d^roy the pe(\}||?^Tityiyid g^^
nuineneft of their charafter^ -^ c... . . .' , f

'^I would by no means ,be..ur>aerftood .to contend that the hiftory of
&ch tr^niaftions is without, its propriety and ufe. Man cnuft be exhibited
in. every point of view; an^ in every 'light we behold it^ the fubjeft
.will be intereftine« But I would fuggeft, that when he is found in his
}eaft fophifticated ftate^ even though that IhouVd be iri the rudeft fcene
of - uncultivated i^ture, the pidture of bis manners does pot then claim
a.n inferior degree of attention,*

I have vainly wiflied that my performance couldbetTMdered accept-
able 'to ail defcriptions of readers ^ but us. that is chimerical^ I viltfiir es-
teem my felf happy if I meet the approbation^' or even che/indulgen^j
of the tibial, whom I would pierfuade myi^lf ari not the few« (Qcqu-
Inenefs^and a rigid adherence to truths fofar as i( liAS.bednL|ioffiblf! for

Ai . t

SUMATRA. 373

?L Ihort-fightcd mortal to diftinguilh between that and error, are what I
prefume chiefly to arrogate to myfelf, and on thefe I refl: my claim to
public favor. If any more experienced and better informed traveller will
point out to me where I have been deceived, in thofe matters to which
I had an opportunity of being an eye witnefs, or mifled, where I was
obliged to depend upon the. teftimony of others, I ftiali be more forward
to correA my miftakes, than I am now, unintentionally, to obtrude them
on the world.

THE E N D»

INDEX.

■■I

BRAHAMikingof Adbe^a, his biftoiy,
?• 333» to 343.

Aiheen^ kingdcnni^f, it« fituation, divifions,
tiapital^ 311. Prefent ^ate of its com-
merce, i\z. Air and Soil, ^12, 313.
Inhabitants dcfcribed, ^13. Buildings
and appearance Af the city, 313, 314.
Navigation, 315. GovernmQnt, 315,
316, 317. Ceremonies, 316. Rcvc-
nuea, 317.' Admtniftratton of jnftice,
and punimments, 318, 319. Htftory of

' its difcov^ty by Europeans, and revolu-
f ioiH of ks government, 3 20, to the end.

Acheen btad^ its longitude, 3.

s/Mf/ery^ laws re^xsding, amongft<the Su«
matraus, 195, 221.

Agriculture^ 59, et fcq,

Air^ temperatune of, 10, ii*

AlaJin^klng of Acheen, his biftoty, 350, to

354-
Awoquarque^ Affonfo, vifits Sumatra, 3*21*

AUgatorsj 148. Held in veneration, 153."

Alradm^ king of Acheen, his hiflory, 343,
to 350,

AmufimentSy of tht, Sumatrans, 227.

AnacSoong^^ kingdom of, 284, 28$.

Anceftors^ veneration for the tombs and
manes o^ 252.

Ancients^ Sumatra apparently unknown to
them, 2,3. .

AndeeWiiiit Indalas, name applied to Su-
matra, $•

Animalsy 93. et feq.

AntSy abundance and variety of, toi, 102*

•^r^7^iV, cbaradbers ufedby the Malays, 162 •

Arithmetic^ 154.

Aru and manufactures, i4Tt
^Afirmwmy^ x$6, \yu ,

Atay Angin^ diftria on the fea coaft fb na«

. med> 36, i8o.

Banca^ ifland of, 137, 287*
Banyan trt^^ defcription of, 13b.
ISantamj city of, 175,1180, 130, 284, 285,
366.

Battat. country of, 290. EngliOi fcttlc-
ments there, 291. Journey made into
that country by Meifrs Holloway and
Miller, 292, 293. Productions of, 294.
Perfons of the inhabitants, 296. Food,
houfes^ towns, 295. Domeilic man-
ners, 296. Gaming, horie racing, lan-
guage, hofpitality, crimes, 297. Pu-
nifhments, 507, Extraordinary cuAom,
298. Eat human flefh, 298. Motives
to this prad^ice, 299. Mode of pto-
ceeding, 300. Doubts fuggeiVed con«
cernlng the authenticity of ttwt account,
and proofs given, 300, 301. Govern,
ment, 298. Wars, fortiiicatioos, 304,
Arms, 305. Trade, 30J, 306, 307.
Religion, 507, Form of oaths, 307.
Divinations, funeral rites and ceremo-
nies, 308, 309. Originality of manners
preferved ampngft the people of this
country, and its probable caufes, 309)
310.

BattooBara^ river of that name, 10, 3ii,
' Beards^ of the Sumatrans, plucked out, 39,

Beafts^ 93, et feq.

Bees-wax^ 138.

BcncMien river and town, 3*, 38^ 136. 483,
284, 267.

Bencoonat^ river and diftridl, ti;3,

Benjamin^ gwm^ 123, 124.

Betel'ttutj'j^ 75, 127. Cuftom of chewing
it, 34a.

Bintangf ifland of, 324, 345,

BirdSf 97, 98.

Birds fuft^ 139.

Breezes^ land and fea, 15.

Buffalo^ account of the, 94 1 9$*

Buildings^ 49, 50*

CaliHt or tin, 22, 137, 286.

Campar^ kingdom of, a88, 323*

Cam^ire^ 1 90, et feq,

Caffia^ ia|» l^»

Cis//tf<u;«, river and diftriiS^, 20, 3f8, 1391 368.

Caufes^ or fuitsi, .mode of deciding^ j&s,

184.
Caw^r^ diflriA of,. 260*

Cctttents^

Ce»ienh, 145.

CharaHer^ difference between Malay and

Sumatran, 170.
CharrnSy IJi.

Chaftity ot women, aao, a 2 5.

ChiUhearingy 24.5.

Children^ Creatmeni of, 245,. 246*

Ch'tnrfiy colonics, 69.

Chronology^ i j6.

Circumcijumy 148 •

.Clothing, 43, 44-

dothy manufacture efy.46, 275, 305. Made
of the barkoftrees^ 43, 51*

Coaly 22^

Cockfighting, aj4, 23 s, 236.

Coco-nut, 72, 73, 74.

Codcy of laws, 183^ et feq. Remarks on,
1^7, ct feq.

Coff€eyi2T.

Cotm^ 136, 315.

CaloTf of the inhabitai>t8, 40.

Commerce^ psodudions of Sumatra confi-
dered as articles of, 103.

Compattyy £nglifli £aik India, their influ-
ence, 177, 17?, 179* Refufcd perroif-
fion to build a fort at Acheen, 366.
Form a fettlement at Bencoolen, 367,

Compenfation^ for murder, 187, ao6, 208.

Confinement, methods of, ao8.

Contrary made with the inhabitants for
planting pepper, 103*

Coppery 22, r37*

Co/metic^ ufed by Sumatran women^ 829*

Cottony 126.

Courtjbipy 226fe

Creefi^ a weapon, defcription of, 276*

Croety river and diftrid, a6i| 568*

€ryfialy rock, 2%

Cwrry^ di(h fo galled, ^6.

DammaTy a fpecies of turpeiuine, ia8*

DanciSy I28«

IMtiy and debtors, laws refpedihg, 188,

aia.
Doitfy no name for, amongft the Rejaogs,

Dj^r^/, 154^153,. 154-
Dvverfioniy 236, t*,^.

JDitforeesy laws refpe^ing, 192, izu

Doofoonty or villa^s, 49,

J)refsy of the inhabitants,. 44^. a 29*

'EmnhqnojMx

Earthsy colored, 24,

Ears, ceremony of boring, 47.

Eatingy mode of, ^3.

EcU^esy idea of, 157.

Elephants^ dedruCtive to plantations, z jff.

ElizaSethy queen, writes a letter to the

king of Acheen, 353.
ElopementSy lawsrefpecting, 19a, 193.
Emblematic prefents, 244*
^jfj'tfw^, ifland of, 251.
Engiijbyfir& v'lCxt Siiaiatpa, 353,

^i/zV^cr, mode of giving, i9jr, 198, aoj.
Eunuchs f 316.

Fairsy held, 306, 307.
flej^w/fwr/}, penalty for, x84«

Fertilitjy ot foil, 67, 68.

Fejlivalsy 22'jy 230.

Feudy account of a remarkable one, a 10,
211.

Filagreoy manufafture of, 141, 14a, 143,

145,
Fire armsy manufa6hire of, 275,
Firesy mode of kindling, 54, 55,

Fi fifing, 149.

Flowersy 86, et feq.

FogSy extremely denfe, 12-

Foody 56, J7, 58.

Fortificationsy country,. 27.6, 277, 304.

Fort Marlhorougby Chief Engtifh fettlenneot

on Sumatra, its longitude, 3. EAab-

lifliment, 368.
J^^produdions,. 2 1 •
Frencby fend a fleet to Acheen, 359.
FruitSy 81, et feq,
jP«««r.a/ ceremonies, 248, 249, 3^08,

Gaming^ laws refpeding, 19$, ^34^
Geinaly or Zcinal, fultan of Pafay, his hif-

tory, 322, y^.
Geogroffyy fkili of the Sumatrans in, 155..
Goldy 22, 133, et feq. 27^, 313. Iflandsof,

Of^^^mmems 173, 174, 175,, 176,, 301:^ yj,
Gar^iS^^m^, manufacture of, 140, 37c.

H*^

Hm/, of the. air, xu

Horhsy and ihrubs, ufed medieinaUy,^ gp,

91, 92,
ifi/f people, fubjed to wens, 4a*

HMmdifs

z«

JUUmArSi vifit Indht and arrive at Acheen^

„3S^ 357-

Horf€$y 93, 377, 295, 297.

Uunum flefh eaten by the people of Batta^

Jamlety river and kingdom of, 10,. 135^^

134, 28S.
James^ king, writes a letter to the king of

Acheen, 357.
IfueJ!^ laws reipe6ting, 194, 2 : i •
Indakuy or Andeeiees, name of Sumatrai {•
Indigo^ 77. ^ New fpecies of, 78*
/ff^iprj^^^f^nver^and kingdom, 10, 28S, 338.
Ittdrapoftr^ river and kingdom, zo, 26, 284^

3"»3^7- ' ^
InbabifantSj of Sumatra, general account

of, 34.

Inhmta$ice^ laws refpeding, 185, 203.

In/edsj taiy I02.

InJirununtSf of tnudCf 157-

Jntereft^ of money, 189.

y<?iwr, kingdom of, 3 J2*, 357.

.^^, river and diftri^ of, 26, 28^,

/rtfiv, 22, 143.

Iflands^ new formed, 27*.

Keetfw^ ihell of the cockle kind, of extra-
ordinary £ze, lo*
JCoraem^ or .Alcoran, 187, 250,

laSootij diftrift of, 3^.

lAtc/hnattnaj famous commander of that
name, undier the kings of Malacca and
Bintang, 224* A fecond great man of
that name or title, 360*

J^aies^ 9*

Lamattimg^ difiriA of, i8o.

Lampoon^ country of, its fituation, 260.
Language, Gorerument, Wars, 26 k
Manners, particular cuftonis, 263, 264,

JLanJj not confidered as fubje^l of pro^
perty, 204. New formed, 25.

Land ancT fea breezes, 1 5 to 1 9^

Language y i$9 to i66.

Zftfwx, 182, et feq.

Laycy river and diflrid of, 27, ^8, 183.

Leemoan^ diflrifl of, 133,
Lemha^ diflrid of, 38, 175,

Le/nojy^ Ij^t «53»

Lon^tude, of Fort Marlborough,* determl

ned byobfervation, 3..
Looms^ 146V

M-

Mi^gajcar^ ifland of, 202* \

Mahometauijitty period of the Sumatrans
converfion to, 278, 279.

Mahometans^ difliadliou of inhabitants, 34.

Malacca^ city of, on the Malay peninfula^
^^» 285, 320y etfeq»

JkTtf/ixy, language, 159, et feq*.

Malays^ 34, 35, 36. Diftin6t fronv the ort«
ginal Sumatrans, 43, i.7o« Govern-
ments of the, 266, 283. Acceptation of
the term^ 281.

Mandutay river and diftri^l pf, 285, 367.

Mankind^ firft produced in Sumatra, 25$^
257. •

Mannaj river and diftri^l, of 10, 24, 52, 66^
202, 203, 225.

Manfeiar^ or Mailelar, ifland of, 9.

Mantawaye^ iflands and people, 27.

MarW^oughy Fort^ 368.

Jlf^irr/tf^^, laws refp^ing, 191, et feq. 216^
etfeq. Feftivals, 227.

MeafureSy I55«»

Medicine y art of, i $ r, i ^ 2»

ik/A&V/JM/ herbs andflirubs, 90, 91, 92*

Mego^ ifland, of, 27, 74.

MenangcahoWf 35. Account of that em^
pire, 266, ex feq. Power of the fultan
of, 267 » Mention of it by old writers^
268^. Sultan's titles,. 269.. Copies of
warrant and letter, 270, 2 7x« Cere*
monies, 273- Arts and manufadures in
that country^ 274. Mode of carrying
on war, 277. Religion,- 278, 282* Ori-
gin of the empire, 281. Divided into
different fovereignties, 282. Refpedt paid
to the fultan's relations, 303.

Metem^chq/Uy 2 C2*

Mineral prodn&iont^ 2-2, 23, 24.^

Mijfionsy none formed in Sumatra, 258. '

Moco Mocoy river and kingdom of, 1 1, 285*.

Monfoonsy 13,. i'4, iC«

Moifeey riveranddiftridof,.38, 286*.

Mountains y^ 8, 9. ' r

Mucksy nature of, 239,

Murder y laws refpefUng, 287, 206, 208k

•fij/£r, 157.

G c c NaJdoooy

N D E X

NalaBoOf port of, 133. i37»

Namej of Sumatra, origin of it AitcxxSkdf

4107.
Karnes^ of the people, 246, 247, t46«
Natal or Nacar, Sngliih fettlement there^

177. 291. 368.
Neas^ ifland of, 24. 27. 47, 164, 30 j«

Oaths^ 187. 199, et feq. 3&7«

O/V, earthy 33. Camphire, iJ3« Coco-
nut, 147. Benjamin, 147.

Qori^ river, 38.

O^iry mountain fo called, 1. 8.

Opium^ pradice of fmoking, 337. Effe£U
of it, 238.

Oratory^ natural to the Sumatrans, 244*

Ornaments^ Worn, 4$, 46*

Outlawry^ laws refpeding, i8(t «oj.

PaJangy principal Dutch fudory^ i33t >3$5

136. 277. 368.
Padang goocbie^ river and diftri&of,i8o. 260.
Paddee^ or rice^ its cultivation, 59 to 72.
Palembang^ river a«d kingdom of, lo. 58*

134. 137. i8o. 260. 286. 287. 368*
Palfy^ river and diihidof, 27. 38,
Pafay^ kingdom of, 289* 320, et feq.
Pajfamman^ river and diftri6t of, 282. 3 $6.
PaJfummMh^comtktrfofy i8a Governoient^

f8o, 181. 223.
PtJeer^ kingdom of, 320, et feq.
Pedu^M^ kingof Aeheen, his hiftory, 356,

to 36 J,
Phm^ river and diftrid of, l8i«
PeppfTy trade of, loi. Plant, co{» Cul-
tivatioQ, io6y et feq. White pepper,

117.
JVr/Mi, of the inhabitants, defcription of,

38. 43.
PetrifoHions^ 23

Pheafanu famous Sumatran, 97.
Philifpm iflands, cuftoms jeicmbling thole

ot Sumatra, 2^5, et feq.
Pine^ tree, fpecies of, 26. 129.
Piratical adventures, %^
Plantations^ of rice. 59. Of p^pper^ io6«

ct feq.
P^ggH^ iilaads of, j^
Polygamy^i^i*

P9ol§^ appellative for w ifltnd, faJSm. ^
bay fo called, 26.

Papulation^ 216, 2x7. 3x7.

Porimguefty iirft make Sumatra known t<»
£uropean8, 5. Double the Cape of
Good Hope, 320. Hiflory of their
connexion and wars with the people of
Sumatra, 326^ et feq.

Priamm^ river and difirid, 360. }67,

j^M, government of Aeheen devolves to a
queen, 364 to 370.

Racan^ river of, xo; 288. 3{9.

Raddeen^ prince of Madura, 230. 2^1. 28r«

Ramni^ name for Sumatra amongft the*

Arabians, 2.
Rapes^ laws refpe^ing, 192, 193, xq4,
Re4^ng^ feafon and mode of, 65, 66.
R^ja^gj people of, adopted as a itandard

of defcription, 37. Situation of the

country, 38. Government, 173, Reli*

gious ideas, 2 co.
Religion^ 25, etteq. 3Q7«
Reptiles^ 99, too.
Refidents^ £nglifh chiefs of fubordinate let*

tlements io called, 178.
Riit^ method of boHtng, 57* Cultiva«

tion, &c. 59 to 72.
Riversy o, 10, 175. 177.
Rockf fott, 23. Coral, 28*
Ron or Aru, countiy of, 288. 33$, 338*

342.346.
Rome^ for Conitantm^pie, 273*

Sago^ a vegetable fubfiancey $8.

Salty manu£!i6ture of, i f i. Trade in^ 305*

Saltpetre^ 22, 137, 138.

&Yf, encroachments of the, 26* A]i-

preached with reverence by^ certain of

the inland people, 254*
Se^ueirafi Diogo U>pe7, fiiil Portngucfe who

viiited Sumatra, 3209
£brubsf and herbs, uiiBd medicinally^ g^

9x,92.
Siak river and kingdom of, 288. 3 $7.
Silebar^ river and diftri£bo^ 2$, 38, 367*
^kday gold mine attempted, to be worked

there, 13 c.

SinhUy

J ' ' - ^^^^^^m-^^mtum^mmm^^^mmm^mmmtm

O N T ' E NT

OF THE

HISTORY OF SUMATRA.

Island if Sumaramin^ /» th ^ncients^-^iuatwn^Name
--General Defcriptkn of the Count fy, its Mount aim. Lakes

^^ ^^^^ «nd Meteors^Moffoons. and Land and Sea
£ree^^4Snirab and FoJUs^^anos^Emhjuahs^utfs

^^Vfi'fi'^Omflexun^-^ChtbingandQrm P. 34,-47.

nU^s^Buildings^DomeJic Utmfls-^Food, R ^g.^^g.

Agriculture—'

X contents;

Agriculture'-'lRice^ its CuItivatiM, ^c. — Plantations of CocOt Betel'*
nut, and other Treestfor Domejlic ufe — Dye-fti^s» P. 59, — 80,

Fruits, Flowers, Medicinal Sbru&s and Herbs, P, 8 r, — 92.

Animals^-Beaftst Birds, Reptiles, Infers, P. 93, — 102,

' • / ' • •

ProduStions of tie Ifiand conjidered as Articles of Commerce^^Pepper
Trader-Cultivation of Pepper — Camphire--^ Benjamin — Cc^/ia^
&c. ?. 103, — 132.

GoJd^ Tin, and other Metals — Bees-waoc—Tvory-^Birds-neft^^
Import^Trade. V. 133, — 140.

jtrts and MantifaSlures — Art of Medicine'-^Sciences — Arithmetic :
Geography: Aftronomy : Mufic.&c. P. 141^—158.

JjtnguagOr^Mcday'^ArqbiC Chara^er ufed^^lanffuigfs ^ tbetn^
ierior People-^^Peeutiar Chiu^a^ers-^Spefimens t^^

of Alphabets ^ &c. P.. i59,-«-*i66.

.ComparattveJiateoftbe\Sumatransin civil /odety-^^p^frence 6f
CharaBer between the Malay and other inbabittmts. ,. Gwern^
ment — Title and power of the cbiejs among the Rejangs.^^Influ-^
ence of the Europeans— C(n)ernment in Pajfummab^ P. i67>— i8i.

Law

CONTENTS.

Lams and cu/ioms > Mode of deciding Caufes-^-^Code of Latvs^

P. 182—195

Remarks on, and elucidation of the various laws and cujloms"^
Mode of Pleading — Nature of Evidence^^aths^-'Inheritance —
Outlawry^-^Theft-^Murder, and compenfation for it — Account of
aFeud^^Debts — Slavery. P. 197 — 215,

Modes of Marriage f and cufioms relative thereto — Fejlivak — Poly^
gamy. P. 216 — 241

Ci^om of chewing Betel — Emblematic prefents-^Oratory-^ChiU
dren-^Names — Circumcifion — Funerals — Religion. P. 242—259.

The country of Lampoon and its inhabitants — Language — Govern-^
ment^-^Wars — Peculiar cufioms — Religion, P. 260 — 265.

Malay Governments — Empire of Menangcabow — Extent of the
Sultanas ancient and prefent power — Kis Titles — Literature and
Arts amongB the people — Period ofconverfion to Mahometanifm---^
General acceptation of the word Malay-^Conftitution of their
jlates ^- Bencoolen — Indrapour — jinac Soongey — P alembang^-^
Jambee, &c. P. 266 — 289.

Tbe country of Batta^^Its produffionp^^Tbe Inbabitants^-^jiccount
of their manner s^ government^ and fome extraordinary cuf^
toms. P. 290— "3 10*

Kingdom

^ii

CONTENTS*

Kifigdom ^ Acheenr^Pr^ent Jiate of its Cemmerce^-^Jir Mtd SaS-^

Inhabitants — Government-^^Revenues'-^Modes of punijhhig Cri^
mnah. P* 3 ^ i — 3 1 9*

Hiftory of the kingdom of 4<^^^ ^ '^^ €ountriet u^acent^ fron
the period oftb&r difcovery hy Sur^ans. ?• 320—370

Conclufion.

P. 37^— 37«-

Index.

E X.

Sinkett^ riveri xo, 3 1 1 •

SUpvesy 187^ 213, 214, 333«

SptaU-faXi 153.

SMkes^ lOOy loi*

Soilf 19. Fertility of, 68, 69*

Smgs^ 1 59, 160, 228, 274.

So&nreyEtam^ river and diAriA of, 175, 202,
284.

Soofigfy Lamoy river and diftrift of, 96, 38,
17$, 202, 284.

Sfringsoi water, 19, 20* Hotipring8| 22*

Sugar^ manufadhire of, ijo,

SuiUy 184, 197.

Sulfbur^ 22, 137.

Sumatra f fituation of, 3. Name, 4 to 8.
Inhabitants, 34. Whence peopled, 3$,
Perfoni of the inhabitants defcribed,
38,^ 39* Their comparative date in civil
fociety, 167. Charader of the native
Sumatran, i7i« Mankind faid to be
firft produced on this ifland, 255, 2{7*
Diogo Lopez Sequeira the firft Portuguefe
who vifited it, 320. Portuguefe finally
driven from thence, 3^8.

Syptrior beings, ideas of, entertained by the
Rejangs, 2j|o, 251.

A^^rr^/VzW opinions, 253, et feq.

Smfy 28 to 33,

Surface^ of the ifland, uneven nefs of, 20, 21.

Surwysy of pepper plantations made an-
nually, 1 1 5.

Tahoo^ongy river, 10, 290.

faffanooijfy famous bay of, 292. Settle-
ment at, 368.

Taprchane^ Sumatra in the middle ages fo
called, 2.

Teaij uiefiil fpecies of wood, 1 29.

Teetby practice of filing and ornamenting
them, 46,

Thefiy laws refpe^ting, 186, 205.

Thunder and lightning, 12, 37, 369*

Ttcooy river and diftria of, 360.

TiVfc, 33.

Tigers^ account of tlie ravages of thcfc
animals, 147. Held in veneration, 253,

Timif manner of dividing, 156,

7/ff, or calin, 22, 137, 286

Titles^ amongft the Sumatran*, 175, 176,
180, 261, 269, 283, 301, 316, 317, 357.

Toolang Bouang^ nvcr, 260.

9oolsy 144.

TrOde^ produAions of the ifland confidered
as articles of, 103. Import trade, 140.

Turpentine, or dammar, 126,

U, V.
Fegetahky produdions, account of fundiy,

Feneraticn of the Sumatrans for the tombs

and manes of their ancefiors, 252*
/^ff^Tifit/ diftemper, 154,
rittagesy 48, 49«
VokanoSy 24*
UtenJUi^ 53, 54.

^»y »77» 304*

Watery how conveyed for domeflic ufe. cc.
JFatiffaUs, 9* ' ^^

Waitrjpwty \z,
Weapmuy 275. 305.
Wusvif^^ 146.
Weights f X36, 317,
Whuy hill people fubjed to, 42.
^Aw, laws refpcaing, 191. zig 220.
Wtnasy 13, etfeq.
Wt'vesy number of, 231.
WMy various fpecies of, 137.
Woadsy 9. 6j, 62*
Wmuuby penalties for, i88,
JTritikg, charaficrs ufed in, 161 • 163. 164,
and plate.

ritar, mo4e of efiimating its period, 1 56.

ERRATA.

R R

«" k

//.

vi.

1. I.

97-

16.

^3-

J^-

94.

21.

95-

?•

98^

i6.

102.

10.

I20*

12.

I3I,

137.

22.

138.

^7*

141*

m* n»

144.

28. 29*

i47«»

ou n«

148.

ZI«

26.

^9.

152.

^ii^

lyo.

3«

vlt.

183.

202.

2l0m

20. 21.

248.

• X9«

264.

S-

268.

n. 7*

269.

n. ult.

293.

lu 9*

299.

o«

io«

306,

309.

312.

n. 2*

314.

n* $•

.9-

ib.

327.

33S-

Hit.

352.

antep.

358.
263.

^3'

24.

366.

n. 4*

.368.

9.
0. 28,

for hiherio fcad

ctbres read

^^ read

jfrnholnienjis read

2/i read

frotaheroHce read

rp^00 read

ilfftrent read

tolerable read

after i&<?f/^ Ihould be an

for ^«//e read

W//> read

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bitherio.
others*
five.

Amboinenfa,
is.

protuhcrancen
pooyoo.
different*
tolerahfyt
afteriik.
biteU
cleft.

ManufaBures%
performed,
frighten,
furprizing*
fafcinating.
crocodile.
praBife.
of.
this.

mmentary.
where*,
Soongey*
feveraU
fixth.
dreffuig.
ilha.
hum.
June,
gluttcngns.^
as.-

praHife.
chafe,
corruptly,
grande.
raffemble.
cantpagne.^
and.

little better*
Portuguefc
principaL
putm

kfi.

ditto.