ÖÖI 8x 3 ^c- 0 - Acehbooks.org

288 S U M A T R A . .
harat Shah Mooalïam Shah. The presumptive heir is, in all Malay States,
called Raja Moodo.
Pakmbang, as has already been obferved, is peopled moftly by Javaiis,
in confequence of that part being formerly under the jurisdiction of
the Bantam empire, whence its fovereigns were appointed. It is now
under the immediate protection of the Dutch government at Batavia,
who have a chief -and factory there, and procure from it pepper and tin.
It proves likewife an ufeful mart to them, for vending opium, and other
commodities from the Weft of India. Its river ; which takes its rife
in the diftrict of AJoofie* near the Weft coaft, and within a day or two's
journey of that of Beiuoolen, 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 Pajfummab are moftly Supplied with opium, fait and peice
goods, from Palemba g. The king's agent (for trade in thefe parts is
ufually monopolized by the fovereign power) comes up the river with
large boats, which are towed againft the ftream. In this manner the
goods are conveyed to a place called Moarro Moolang; from whence
they, are tranfported, on men's hacks, to that country. The voyage by
the river, is faid to take up fourteen days ; but the journey from Mooarro
Moolang, where they difembark, to Pajfummah, is- performed in one.
Their returns are moftly in a fpecies of twine called poky; filk in its
rougheft State; and elephants teeth. The tin, (which the Malays call
thnar, and fame nations, calin) though exported from Palembang, is dug
* Mr. Charles Miller, in his account of a journey made into this part of the country, mentions
that after having crofTcd the range of hills which form the boundary of the Company's
diflrict, he came to a doofoon called Caloobar, fituated on the bajiks of the river Moofee, (or Palembang)
which is there pretty broad. Here he was fliewn famples of fulphur, which is collected
in great quantities, and carried to Palembang for fale. Tobacco, and poolay twine are likewife
font thkher. Caffia is produced there, of which there are large woods. The country there
about is level, the foil black and good, and the air temperate.
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