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mony they performed with every little thing given them. He took a shell from his neck and gave it me. I then made signs if there was any water to be had, they said Houtow, and pointed amongst the hills. I showed them a small cask, the King immediately gave orders to two of the natives to go and fill it. I expressed a wish to go and see the watering-place; the King got up and desired me to follow with our friend the native-I took the carpenter and four men armed, in case of an accident-the King had gone by a shorter route over the hill; however, I soon found it was not the watering-place they were taking us to, as we found ourselves on the beach not far from the boat, in a kind of cove, with a smooth beach, when we saw his Majesty seated with all his attendants, and I was requested to sit down opposite him on the ground, which I accordingly did. The beach was marked out in apartments by rows of stones, the upper part of this spot having a little grove of cocoa-nut trees, and a great quantity of large calavances. I tasted some, they were very good: they seemed to be on their guard, as all round the place were bundles of spears of a great length, but tied together, as indicating their peaceable intentions. The women were ordered on one side, but only for a short time, when they all crowded round us: they were particular in looking at our shoes and buttons, but were very civil. After sitting some time, I presented the King a sheet, tying it round his body; in return, he presented me with his covering from the same place, likewise with another hog, and some yams, &c., as before. I then gave him a small penknife, he seemed highly pleased, and sent immediately away for more hogs and fruit, desiring us to wait until they brought them; at the same time, as far as I could understand, he wished to go on board the ship, and to take the present for the Captain at this time the small cask came down, carried by two men; we found, that instead of water, it was milk from the cocoa-nuts, which made me think they had not a great plenty of water; the water the natives drank was very good. Shortly after, the King's mother came down, an elderly woman, about 50 years of age; the King himself seemed about 30, his Queen about 20, stout, and good looking, and was the only one that had part of her

bosom covered.

She was a fine stout wo

mon, with a fine figure, her teeth perfectly even, and very clean; all the women and men had their little fingers cut off at the second joint on the left hand, and the women had their cheek bones perforated, and the blood smeared round about an inch; I suppose the mark of beauty. Some of the women were tattooed, with a red colour instead of black, especially in their arms, mostly in circles, about an inch round; they were uncommonly civil, and did not seem at all bashful, some of them very pretty girls. The signal being made from the ship for us, I expressed a wish to go on board; but the King wished me much to stop until the things came down from the country; but thinking the Captain was wishing to make sail, and finding no water, at least not in sufficient quantity to dispatch it quickly, I thought it best to go off. The King expressed a wish to go, but I wished him to take canoes off to bring him, which he would not do as he was ashore; however, it getting late, and the ship a good distance off, I got into the boat, after leaving a ram and a yew for the King, by Capt. Hunter's orders, for the benefit of future navigators: having made signs as well as I could for them not to kill them, I pulled some grass and gave it to them, to shew how they lived. The native we brought from the ship and the two others came in the boat. We shoved off, and meeting several canoes returning from the ship, one of them informed us that the native we had left on board, had gone ashore; the native in our boat seemed very sorry, and immediately embraced and kissed me, as he likewise did the carpenter, in a friendly manner, and seemed very sorry at parting. He then jumped overboard and swam to a canoe. He seemed a very good man, and interested himself very much about us on shore. We brought a number of their arms, which we got for trifles. The King could not go out in a canoe: they did not seem to have seen any fire-arms before; one of the natives that came ou shore with us had a sword made a present to him by Capt. Hunter. Iron hoops, knives, or iron of any kind were the best articles of trade. There was only one man that was different from the others; his body was smeared with some yellow substance, he was one of the King's train. The

ladies were all naked, only a small covering round their body, and that not particularly well fitted. The men mostly wore a kind of mat round their body, with leaves of trees wove into them, made like a Highlander's kilt. The island was entirely composed of lava, in some places, almost a metal. Being so short a time on shore, could not get up into the country to look for any thing the island produced: but by the appearance of it, it must be fruitful and very populous, as we could

see numbers of the natives all along the island. On the beach, the most numerous were the women, they were mostly ornamented with shells, their hair cut short, some with some kind of substance resembling flour paste, on the tops of the hair; it had a curious appearance with their dark faces.-The island lies in lat. of 15° 31' S. and long. 176° 11' E. by O and brought up by chronometer for four days previous.—[Ind. Gaz., Oct. 27.

JOURNAL OF A ROUTE FROM JYPOOR TO AGRA. THE fourth day after leaving Jypoor I encamped at the foot of a range of hills close to a pass near the village of Balitieree, distant from the capital sixty-six miles as near as I could ascertain. Scarcely had I proceeded a coss on the following morning, when the evident improvement in the appearance of the country convinced me of the proximity of the Bhurtpore country, the boundaries of which I soon passed. The territories of the Rajas of Jypore and Bhurtpore are separated by successive ranges of precisely the same description of hills which I have already had occasion so frequently to mention; on my prospect of getting rid of which, I assure you, I heartily congratulatled myself. After crossing the pass in the last range, I found myself in Bhurtpore; and the change was certainly most gratifying: instantaneously, as if by magic, the vast, uncultivated plains of Rajpootana vanished, and gave place to numerous beautiful mangoe topes, and a most extensive and luxuriant cultivation. Of the extent of the province of Bhurtpore I can by no means speak confidently, but its mean breadth I take to be about sixty miles, and its length, I should imagine, cannot be more; it is a level country, possessed of a fine soil, with abundance of water, and apparently every requisite to ensure the prosperity of agriculture, which is evidently the chief and favourite employment of the inhabitants, no manufactures of any consequence existing or being desired. If the extent and luxuriance of the cultivation may be considered as signs of the prosperity and happiness of the people, which with any sort of justice and liberty they certainly must be, Bhurt

pore may be reckoned amongst the most thriving provinces in India; certainly far beyond any I have seen. Every description of grain peculiar to the upper provinces appeared to flourish; and great quantities of corn, which are grown in excess to the consumption of the country, must be exported. The villages are numerous, and in their appearance indicative of the wealth of the people, many of them being chiefly pucka, and almost all strongly fortified amongst those which have the credit of being particularly impenetrable is Waree, a considerable town, all the approaches to which are carefully guarded to prevent a European even getting a sight of the fortifications, of which they are very jealous. To my knowledge there is no place of any great celebrity, except the capital, and that I unfortunately did not see, although I passed within a very few miles of it; but I hear from an officer, who remained there several days, that great additions had been made to the fortifications, on European plans, and that there was nothing curious or entertaining to attract the attention of a traveller. person, the inhabitants of Bhurtpore are tall and robust; courage is a virtue highly regarded, and very generally possessed by them but generosity and hospitality are little known, and less practised. In every town or village through which I passed I was subjected to taunts and mortifications which I could ill brook; and more than once was I obliged to turn a deaf ear and affect a comfortable ignorance of insults, which had I appeared to notice I must have punished. The most exorbitant prices were demanded for every necessary of life, and double, treble, and

In

quadrupled rates were universally insisted on; these impositions they were not backward in supporting by force; and on one occasion, at a village called Goordah, when I expressed a determination of resisting them, and only paying what they allowed to be usual prices, a body of villagers, headed by an insolent rascal calling himself a sepoy of the Raja, coolly told me that my baggage was in their power; but that was ali bravado, for when I gave orders, and made preparations for resisting the attack, they thought it most advisable to reflect a little, as I convinced them they would meet with a pretty warm reception.

Like their neighbours in Jypoor, the Burtporeans are constantly armed, and seem to pay very little regard to the preservation of human life, which is wantonly sacrificed in their almost daily quarrels and feuds on the slightest provocation. From the observations which I have made, I am firmly convinced that a European, in the least degree, even unwittingly interfering with their prejudices, entering into, or in any way laying himself open to a quarrel, would run the greatest risk of being murdered.

I should not forget, while on this subject, to mention that they have the greatest veneration for the peacock, and that the wanton destruction of one would place the life of the offender in imminent peril. In addition to my other annoyances in marching through this inhospitable province, that of being halfstarved was added; it was not always that I could procure a little wood and milk, which were all that I required for myself, at any prices, from the obstinacy and insolence of its inhabitants, who, you will easily guess, are no great favourites of mine. Like the Rajpoots, they are experienced horsemen, although I imagine somewhat inferior to them; their management of their steeds, use of their swords and spears, are well worthy of imitation. The sharpness of their bits enables them to turn and manoeuvre the horses as they please; and their feats, when mounted, give them, single-handed, a decided superiority over the troopers of our cavalry. The soil of Bhurtpore is rich, and very favourable to cultivation, and the climate is temperate and healthy; so that under a mild and beneficent government, its inhabitants ought to be as prosperous and

happy as those of any part of India. Futtipore Syhia, about twenty-four miles from Agra, is the commencement of the British territories: this was formerly a city holding a high place amongst the first class of native towns, but now gone to decay, and nearly reduced to ruins. Agra, still a considerable Musselman city, was in former times one of the most opulent and magnificent places in Hindoostan, and celebrated as the occasional residence of the emperors of this country. Its original extent must have been very great, the ruins and remains of the ancient town covering many acres of ground; but the modern city is in comparison insignificant, with narrow, dirty streets, and small, inelegant, and mean houses. The fort, which was surrendered to us in 1803 or 1804, is built of a red stone peculiar to Agra, and is, with the improvements and additions which have been made to it since its capture, sufficiently strong to resist the attack of any native or European power without a regular siege. It is situated on the banks of the Jumna, and is surrounded by a ditch capable of itself of putting an effectual stop to hostile approach. This fort, from its strength and situation, is an excellent dépôt for all the military stores, guns, &c. &c. required for the troops employed in that quarter. A description of the Taj would of itself require a volume, and to give an adequate idea of it would be far beyond my ability; suffice it then to say, that however high an opinion description may have given you of its elegance and really magical splendour, it would prove, on examination, far below the reality. In Agra and its vicinity are other splendid buildings, in particular at Secundra, five miles distant, the mausoleum of the Emperor Acber; and the fort the Motee Musjid is allowed by many to exceed in beauty even the Taj itself. So very general an account of such buildings perhaps you will think a fault; but I believe the majority of your readers who have not seen them, will have read descriptions of them much more interesting and correct than I can give; besides, I have already written more than I am justified in supposing you will be able to insert. At the fort ghaut is the famous gun captured with the fort; its size and excessive weight have hitherto prevented its being transported to Calcutta, for the purpose of

being sent, as I understood, to England. An unsuccessful attempt was once, I believe, made to put it on board a boat, since when, it has remained in its present position. The exact size of this monstrous piece of artillery I regret that I did not ascertain, but as far as I recollect, it was about four feet in diameter; but doubtless, should you desire it, some of

your correspondents at the place will furnish you with the measurements. The natives assert that there are considerable quantities of the precious metals in it, and that its value is several lacs of rupees; one lac has, it is said, been offered to Government for it.

Barrackpore, Sept. 26.

[India Gaz.

LEASES IN JAV A.

Translated from the Batavia Gazette, of the 24th May 1823.

We, G. A. G. P. Baron van der Capellen, Grand Cross of the Order of the Belgian Lion, Secretary of State, Governor-General of Netherlands' India, &c. &c. &c. in Council, to all those who shall see, or hear read unto them, these presents, send greeting and inform them :

That it has appeared to the Supreme Government, that since the restoration of the authority of the Netherlands in Java, and particularly in the latter years, a considerable number of lands and dessas, situated in the territories of the Javanese (native) princes, have been taken, either in rent or farms, by Europeans and others, not forming part of the Javanese population, some of which are for a period of several years, and on which rents said persons have made considerable advances.

Taking into consideration that these proceedings are contrary to those regulations which have ever existed, and not been repealed at any time, that they are, therefore, contrary to the conditions on which permission of residence in Netherland's India has been granted to all Europeans and others, not being Javanese :

Considering also, that these proceedings can, at all events, not be considered valid without the particular sanction of the Supreme Government, which alone and exclusively has the power to grant dispensations from existing regulations, in consequence of particular and weighty reasons of which it alone can judge; and in consequence of such dispensation, allow of exceptions from such regulations.

Considering that the Supreme Government had, in order to prevent the prejudicial consequences which might arise out of such proceedings, both to the interests of Government and of the Javanese

princes, by a resolution of the 30th October 1821, given strict orders to the Residents of the Courts of Surakarta and Djocjocarta to forbid and prevent in the strongest manner all such further leases of farms as above-mentioned, and has since, on the 14th January last, passed the strictest orders, and taken the measures necessary with respect to these illegal leases and farms.

'Having seen the latter reports of the Residents at these courts, as well as the declarations made in their letters by H. H., the Susuhunan of Surakarta, and the Regency of H.H., the minor Sultan of Djocjocarta, as also the Pangerang, Adipatti, Ario, Mangko, Negoro, to the Governor-General, and now seriously desiring that all such doubts and uncertainties as seem still to exist with respect to this matter, be removed at once; and at the same time, that the contracts entered into contrary to the above-mentioned regulations, shall cease to be of any force, excepting as shall be pointed out hereinfurther; and more particularly that no such contracts be renewed hereafter:

We have thought proper to make known, unto whomsoever it may regard, by this our publication;

1st. That all contracts entered into by Europeans, or other persons not being Javanese princes or their subjects, or with the Pangerang, Adipatti, Ario, Mangko, Negoro, for the rent or farm of lands or dessas, for a period not exceeding three years, and with an advance of no more than six months, may be allowed to continue in existence, provided that by the former registration of these contracts at the offices of Surakarta, or Djocjocarta, or any other legal form, it do satisfactorily

appear to these respective Residents that these contracts have already existed before the 15th November 1822, and provided these contracts be presented anew for registration to the Resident in whose district the rented or farmed lands or dessas are situated, within two months after the publication hereof; it being most expressly declared, that all the lands and dessas situated throughout the whole extent of the territory of Surakarta and Djocjocarta are, without any exception whatsoever, comprehended in this regulation.

2dly. That, on the other hand, all above-mentioned contracts that have been entered into for a longer period than three successive years, and with a larger advance than six months, lease or farm-rent, by any Europeans, or other persons not being Javanese, with the Java princes, or other subjects, or with the Pangerang, Adipatti, Ario, Mangko, Negoro, shall terminate and cease to be of any effect on or before the 31st of January 1824; with the exception only of such contracts as have been made with the express previous knowledge and consent of the Government; the persons desiring such permission being obliged to petition the President in whose district the lands are situated, who will present such petitions, with his considerations thereon, to Go

vernment.

4thly. That these petitions shall only be agreed to under the following provisions, except in some extraordinary cases where such may be considered undoubtedly advantageous, either towards assisting the establishment of useful manufactories, or promoting the purposes of science and the

arts:

A.-That the lease shall not be allowed for any longer period than three years, nor a larger advance than one half-year's rent; this being understood not to allow of any arrangements for, nor the liquidation of any other debt or engagement.

B. That the agreement shall be passed by a notary, or any other public officer duly authorized, both in the Netherlands and Javanese languages; that in this act the special Government shall be made mention of, and that it be registered by the President.

C.-That the petitioners be inhabitants of Surakarta or Djocjocarta, and that these

lands be intended and used merely as pleasure or vegetable gardens, or for obtaining paddy, grass, labourers, or other necessaries for the use of a family; but on no account for the culture of coffee, pepper, or other produce; that therefore these leases are to be granted merely for small parcels of ground situated in the neighbourhood of the principal towns.

D. That the lessees are in no case to be vested with the least public authority, much less with any Javanese title or rank; on the contrary, that the lessee shall take care to keep himself from any interference with matters relating to the public administration of police.

5thly. That all Europeans, Chinese, or others not being Javanese, which shall be found after the 31st of January 1824 in the possession or enjoyment of any lands in the residencies of Surakarta or Djocjocarta, without the special consent of the Government, or without those contracts by which they possess or enjoy such, having been registered agreeably to the first article of this publication, shall be ordered immediately to quit those residencies; while, at the same time, Government shall take such measures as it may, according to circumstances, think fit for the powerful execution of the laws against such persons as are lease or shareholders in such lands, or domiciliated elsewhere, annulling without delay, in both such cases, the existing contracts, and confiscating in favour of the lessors all the revenues and advantages which the said persons still have derived from the above-mentioned

agreements.

To prevent any pretended ignorance of these presents, they shall be published and affixed wheresoever it is customary, in the Netherlands, native, and Chinese languages. We further order and decree that every constituted authority, judges, and public officers, shall, in their different capacities, look strictly to the execution of these presents, without any circumvention or regard

to persons.

VAN DER CAPELLEN. Given at Batavia, on the 6th of May 1823. By order of the Governor-General in Council.

The Secretary-General,

BOUSQUET.

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