1st. Pinhel. This district is bounded on the north by the territory of Taraeman, and inland by the Batta Allas. It has no good seaport, and the coast is marshy, very far inland. A fine river, which has its origin in the mountains of Dahalie, situated in the Acheenese territory, unites itself with the lake of Sekere; and subsequently passing through a portion of the Batta lands, with a sufficient depth of water for moderate-sized vessels, runs here with two mouths into the sea, and renders this place very important for trade.

In 1672 this district submitted itself to the authority of the East India Company, but the means of government at Padang being insufficient to maintain this newly obtained power, the Acheenese made some encroachments on it.

The trade consists in salt, opium, long-cloth and other useful articles which are imported by the Americans, and the merchants of the west of India; and the annual exports consist of 8 pekels camphor, 4000 ditto benzoin, 500 ditto pepper, 40 ditto tripangs, 2 ditto birdnests, 10 katties gold dust, 100,000 bundles ratans, and 20,000 cocoanuts*.

2nd. Tapoos. This district is situated about twenty English miles south of Sinkel, and is to be considered an Acheenese colony, the same as Sinkel. It contains a population of about 2000 souls, mostly Acheenese who are under the authority of a chief named Raja Hooda recognized by the prince of the Acheenese.

One day's journey inland this district is bounded by a numerous Battanese population, who are governed by their own superiors. The trade here flourishes pretty well; the exports consist of about 1500 pekels benzoin and 3 camphor.

3rd. A few miles south of Tapoos is the territory of Baras, under the authority of a Roja, a Bandara and four Datoos.

The rajas of Baras, whose authority reached in former days to Nattal, but who now have no influence beyond the boundaries of their own territory, were chosen by turns from the families of Ooloo and Hier, assuming by turns the rank of Bandara: so when he of Ooloo is Raja, he of Hier is Bandara; the population of this district is estimated at about 3,000 souls, among whom are 200 Acheenese.

In the interior, Baras is bounded by a numerous population of Battas, who are governed by one of their own Rojas and eight Panghooloos. Baras became subject to the East India Company in 1668. Its most northerly factory was established on this coast, for whose safety a fort of stone was erected, the remains of which are still found.

This account regarding the trade and population in this province and the following, is for the greater part derived from the information of intelligent natives.

4th. A few miles south of Baras is the province of Sogkam, which has a population of about 1000 souls, and is governed by one Raja and two Datoos, who are under the authority of the post-holder of Tappanolie. One day's journey inland this province borders on a numerous Battas population of the tribe of Passarieboo, and produces annually for the trade about 4000 pekels benzoin, 5 pekels camphor, and 20 horses. 5th. Further south is the province of Kolang, with a Battas population of about 200 souls, who are subject to the Chiefs of Sorkam.

6th. South of Kolang is the province of Semawang or Tappanolie, with a population on the coast of about 200 Malays, who formerly were governed by a Raja and two Panghooloos, but only have one raja at present.

We have established our most northern possessions on the borders of a small island named Pontjam, in a fine bay, where hundreds of ships are safely anchored against all storms.

This island is 360 paces long, 280 broad, and about 25 feet above the level of the sea.

There is on it, besides our possessions, a native population of about 300 souls, under the authority of two Datoos who are paid by this government.

This station serves at present to watch the movements of the Acheenese, who always disturb the peace and impede the trade by pillage, and to prevent them from committing any depredations on our territory and carrying on any clandestine trade in our possessions.

7th. Further south is the province of Sie Boga, or Sie Ambon, with a population of about 300 souls of the Battas tribe, governed by one raja. Inland this province borders on the Battas population of the tribe of Sie Tooka, numbering 3000 souls.

8th. Further south is Sie Bielooan, with a population of 1000 souls, most Battas of the tribe of Odabarat, who are governed by two rajas, subject to the post-holder of Tappanolie.

9th. South of Sie Bielooan is the province of Kalangan, with a population of 300 Malays, who are governed by one Datoo. One day's journey inland this province borders on the Battas population of the Papas tribe, numbering 3000 souls, over whom four rajas exercise authority.

10th. Further south is the province of Badierie, with a population of 600 souls, Battas and Malays, who are under the authority of a Malay chief, subject to the post-holder of Tappanolie. Half a day's journey inland this province borders on the Battas population of the Pangaliean tribe, numbering 2000 souls, and governed by one raja.

11th. Pinang Soorie, a small province with a population of about 2000 souls, and a navigable river.

12th. Battang Tero is little known; the territory of Tappanolie ends here.

We now proceed to the description of the provinces under the jurisdiction of Nattal.

13th. South of Battang Tero is the province of Singkooan, which borders inland on Mandheling, with a population of about 3000 souls, Malays and Battas, governed by one raja.

14th. Further south is the province of Batoo Mundom, bordering inland on Mandheling, with a population of about 2000 souls, and governed by one raja.

15th. Further beyond is the province of Tabooyúng with a population of about 2000 souls, most Battas, who are under the authority of a Malay raja. This province possesses a fine river, which is navigable far inland for moderate-sized vessels, and deep enough at the mouth during high water for merchant

men.

About half a mile from the mouth of this river is the beautiful island of Tabooyung, which affords safe anchorage for large vessels.

This place may be considered very important, from the advantages which it offers for trade and internal communication; consequently it is a question whether it would not be better to establish the presidency of the northern division here, instead of at Nattal..

16th. Runcan has a population of about 500 souls under the authority of one raja.

17th. Nattal, situated about 73 English miles south of Tappanolie, is our second possession in the northern division and at present its presidency. This province borders inland on Lingabaya, and has a trading population of 3000 souls, who are under the authority of one Raja and six Datoos.

This population is probably a collection of different nations, who first established themselves as traders, and subsequently obtained the privileges of citizens. They are now divided into six different tribes or Sookoos, namely:

1. Sookoo Menangkabau. Menangkabau tribe.

2. Sookoo Barat, western tribe.

3. Sookoo Padang, tribe of Padang.

4. Sookoo Bandar Sepooloo, tribe from the places situated between Padang and Bencoolen.

5. Sookoo Atje, tribe of Acheen.

6. Sookoo Rau, tribe of Rau.

These tribes have each one of the above mentioned Datoos as

for their superior. They again are the advisers of the raja, who has supreme authority and the title of Twanku Bezoar.

Nattal subjected itself to the East India Company in 1668, as a part of Baras; but having revolted, the English, without paying any attention to the rights of the (Dutch) East India Company, established themselves there in 1755-60, by which means it was separated from the authority of Baras, and now, through the influence of the European government, holds the first rank among the provinces of the northern division.

The unfavorable situation of this place with regard to its physical constitution, as well as to trade and cultivation, must necessarily prevent Nattal from ever becoming an interesting country, and points out distinctly, that the English only established themselves there, because at the time of their establishment on this coast, no other choice was left to them. Ships never touch at this place without the most urgent necessity, and never venture to remain here longer than three days on account of the heavy N. W. winds, which occur during every change of moon, and generally continue from three to seven days with great violence. During such weather they are necessitated to quit the roads, and to sail to a small island, 12 English miles south of Nattal, named Tammong. A small canal, about three quarters of an English mile in breadth and from 6 to 10 fathoms in depth, situated between it and the continent, affords a safe anchorage to four or five ships in all winds. Little use is made of it however, on account of the great distance from the usual roads, and the difficulty of communication with the capital.

The river at Nattal has its origin in the hills, four or five days' journey east of the mouth, and is navigable for vessels drawing five feet water as far as the Bazoar, situated fifteen minutes walk from the coast, and for prows (Sampangs) drawing two feet, as far as Lingabaya situated two days' journey inland.

The entrance is difficult, and in bad weather even dangerous, there being a bank at the mouth, on which at low water only two feet water remains.

At the rising of the N. W. winds a great and broken surf is occasioned, which often upsets ship's boats, and prevents all communication between the shore and the roads.

This establishment is situated on the north side of the river, immediately on the strand. Close on the bank of the river there is a square fort of stone, 212 feet in length and 150 feet in breadth, with four bastions of 10 guns each, and surrounded by a ditch of 10 feet in depth and 14 feet in breadth, which can be flooded by means of a sluice. In the

fort are three water troughs, with a Resident's house built on pillars of stone; besides which there were formerly six other buildings for the purpose of warehouses, powder-magazines, laboratory, &c. most of them with flat stone roofs. At the time of the transfer this possession was found in a very neglected condition, and its insignificancy rendered the expense of rebuilding it useless: the walls are rent and threaten to fall. Of the Resident's house only the skeleton remains, and a plank barrack with a small infirmary. Outside the fort, at a distance of about 200 paces, the houses of the officers and servants form a straight line of buildings along the strand. They all are necessitated from want of accommodation to reside outside the fort. The house of the Assistant Resident is the last of this line. Further on, the hospital, now no longer in existence, formerly stood, being situated on a small elevation at the back of a hill, whereon used to be placed the flag-staff, and from which the fort can be surveyed.

At the foot of this hill there was also a Government or Botanical garden of which nothing remains at present. A little above the fort, east of the river, the bazar is situated, containing about 200 houses. On the west, immediately on the strand, is a small but well planned warehouse, the only building worthy of notice; on the other side of the fort and the right side of the river there is an Indian village. In consequence of the dilapidated state of the buildings and environs, Nattal does not present from any side that view, which one would expect from a place which has been the capital of the north coast of Sumatra since the English established themselves there.

This possession was established by the English Company in the year 1755 or 1756, with the understanding that they would protect the population against all their enemies both by sea and land, and in compensation enjoy the privilege of exclusive trade, free of all duties; it was also agreed that the chiefs should insist on their subjects growing such productions of the soil, as the said Company would consider most advantageous for its interests.

18th. Beyond Nattal is the province of Lingabaga bounded by Mandheling, with a population of about 3000 souls, who are governed by one Raja and six Panghooloos.

19th. South of Nattal is the province of Battahan, bordering inland on Mandheling and inhabited by 2500 souls, governed by one raja. Here is also found the small island Tamor, of which mention has been made before.

20th. Further south is found our third possession on this coast, named Ayer Bangies, which borders inland on Man