ÖÖI 8x 3 ^c- 0 - Acehbooks.org

176 S U M A T R A .
bitants under the fubje&ion of another power, or has added foreign
diftrids to their dominion, there the feudal maxims prevail: where the
natives, from fituation or difpofition, have long remained undifturbed
by revolutions, there the fimplicity of patriarchal rule obtains ; which
is not only the firft, and natural form of government, of all rude nations
rifing from imperceptible beginnings, but is perhaps alfo the higheftftate
of perfection they can ultimately arrive at. It is not in this art
alone that we perceive the next ftep from confuminate refinement, leading
to fimplicity.
The foundation of right to government among thefe people, feems,
as I faid, to be the general confent. If a chief exerts an undue authority,
or departs from their long eftabliihed cuftoms and ufages, they con*
ceive themfelves at liberty to relinquifh their allegiance. A commanding
afpect, an infinuating manner, a ready fluency in difcourfe, and a
penetration and fagacity in unravelling the little intricacies of their clifputes,
are qualities which feldom fail to procure to their pofleflbr, refpect
and influence, fometimes perhaps fuperior to that of an acknowledged
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 actual powers are very limited, and he has
feldom found himfelf able to-punifh.a turbulent fubject, any otherwife
than by private affaffination. In appointing the heads of doofoons, 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 obeyed. He levies no tax nor has
any revenue, (Vvhat he derives from the India Company being out of the
queftion) or emolument from his fubjefts, 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 aflemblies of proatteens, are competent
for life and death. But all punifhments being, by the laws of the country,
commutable for fines, and the appeals being attended with expence and
lofs of time, the parties generally abide bythe firft decifion. Thofe
• dooföons