A grammar of the Malayan language, with an introduction and praxis..

156 A GRAMMAR OF THE
rying off with him a number of the Patanese whom he had seized, (the
Patani country being intermediate between the dominions of Siam and
Traiigganu). We shall now proceed to make our son acquainted with
the genealogy of the kings of JoJior down to our own time, for his con-
sideration." (On this descent he grounds his resistance to tlie king of
6Vflm'5 claim of personal homage.) "Written on the fifteenth day of
the month Slidban, in the year 1201 (1787)."
" The king of Siam still persists in requiring that either your ro)'al
and gracious father or the heir apparent should appear in his presence
but from the beginning of time, through all generations, the kings of
Johor never did personal homage to the kings of Siam, but only sent
complimentary messages. With regard to this journey to the presence
of the king, your royal father has not yet made up his mind ; but on
the other hand the king has declared, that if his will is not obeyed, he
intends to enter our country in the fiftli month from this time. Now if
our son feels any concern for our situation, he will give orders for a
couple of guaida castas to proceed to this place in the course of four
months, bringing with them a set of English colours There is
nothing we can send in token of our affection l)ut two pieces of cloth ;
they are not a suitable gift, and must be considered merely as if we pre-
sented him with a flower. This letter is written on the sixth day of the
month Safar, being Friday at nine o'clock, in the year 1202 (1787)."
" The reason for making this request is that we still continue at va-
riance with the king of Siam, and are unable to ascertain his good or his
I)ad intentions. We have transmitted to him the flower of gold and
;
the