Page images
PDF
EPUB

Inscriptions E of Hammam on the coast of Arabia.

[merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small]

can now be inferred only, from the loose dark nature of the soil, and a few small fragments of glass and copper, scattered here and there, so common a circumstance in most of the ancient towns on the Arabian coast.

A walk of about 12 miles brought us on to Nakhul Mayuk, a very small date grove, at the foot of the lofty range of mountains a little to the eastward of Wady Shulkhowi. Here we began to ascend, and having attained an elevation of about 1500 feet, we came to a spacious cave, in a part of which we found the adjoining characters, written exactly in the same manner with red paint as those at Hammam. Immediately underneath is said to have been a well, more probably a small reservoir for water, from its position and the dryness of the soil. It is now filled up with loose stones and rubbish. The surrounding country, with the exception of one or two very small date groves, pressing out from some obscure corner of a valley, is one unvaried scene of barrenness and desolation. We were told, however, that after a fall of rain, the scanty herbage which springs up was a sufficient inducement for the Bedouins to bring their flocks up to the hills, and during which time, they inhabited this and any other caves which they found convenient.

Having slept here for the night, under the protection of a few Bedouins of the Menahil tribe, we started early the following morning, to return by the same dreary path which conducted us on our pilgrimage.

II.-Account of Súngie Ujong, one of the States in the interior of Malacca. By Ensign T. J. NEWBOLD, 23rd Regt. Madras Light Infantry. [Read at the Meeting of the 5th August.]

[The following information, touching the population, customs, amount of produce, boundaries, &c. of the states described, has been principally and necessarily derived from the natives themselves. It is therefore offered with diffidence; but, at the same time, it is to observe here, that fully alive to the disadvantages of such sources, no labor has been spared by me to check and render by collation and patient investigation, such information now submitted, as correct and near the truth as possible.]

The states in the interior, formerly under general sway of the princes deputed from Menangkabowe, are under the immediate government of their respective Panghúlús and Súkús. As each state has its peculiar features, it would seem advisable to give them a separate notice. By Malays, the precedence is ascribed to Súngie Ujong; the Panghúlú of which territory is addressed, by his brethren, by the

appellation of Abang, elder brother; the second place is given to Rumbowe, and the third to Johole. Srimenánti, whose claims still remain unsettled, aspires to the fourth place.

Boundaries.-Súngie Ujong is situated towards the source of the right branch of the Lingie river. It is bounded to the north by Jellabú; to the south, by part of Rumbowe and the Lingie river; to the east, by Srimenánti, and to the west, by Salangore. Its boundaries with Jellabú are said to be Búkit Tángoh and Dhúlúkáru bander Barangan; with Rumbowe, Bukit A'ngin, part of the right branch of the Lingie river, and Parentian Tingih; with Srimenánti, part of Teráchi and the Páro stream: and with Salangore or Calang, by the river Lángkat, Kobak Kámbang, and Tongal Sejága.

Population. The population in 1832, was estimated at 3,200 Malays, principally Menangkabowes; and 400 Chinese employed in the mines. Many of the latter have since fled to Malacca, in consequence of the disturbances in 1833. The principal villages are Lingie, (the residence of the Dattu Múda, KÁTAS;) Pantei, (the residence of the Panghúlú;) Jíboi, Sála, Linsom, Durian, Tanjong, Rassah, Kopaiyong, Rantou, Síliou, and Jirrah. The Teráchi territory, a portion of which appertained to Súngie Ujong, now claims independance.

Trade. The trade of Súngie Ujong is principally in tin, which is got at Sála, Sa Máraboh, Battu Lobong, Kayu Arra, and Tímiong. Thence it is brought down to Lingie, and landed at Pankálangs, Cúndang, Durian, and Mangis. It is here deposited in ware-houses, and generally bartered for rice, opium, salt, tobacco, cloths, oil, and shells for making lime, brought up by boats, from to coyans burthen, which cannot easily ascend higher than this part of the river.

The tin is conveyed by Malay coolies, by land, from the mines, as far as Jíbói; a village estimated at 30 miles from Lingie; and thence to Lingie, by small boats, down the river.

From the following extracts from treaties made by the Dutch, it would appear that they did not neglect to avail themselves of this source to increase the revenue of Malacca.

Article I. of a treaty concluded by the Dutch Governor W. BOELAN in Council, with the chiefs of Rumbowe and Calang, dated Malacca, 24th January, 1760.

"The tin being the produce of Lingie, Rumbowe, and Calang, without any exception, will be delivered to the Company at 38 drs. a bhar of 3 piculs; and this price will always continue, without its ever being enhanced; it will be in the power of the Company to seize and confiscate, and to appropriate for their use, all tin which might be

« PreviousContinue »