1845.] DELIVERY OF TEN LASCARS. 235 



person, property, and freedom of religion, with the sole 

 trade, and to secure cargoes for any vessels which I would 

 send with papers bearing my seal. With respect to 

 trading up this river, I am afraid that until the mouth of 

 the Sabanoon is more closely examined, vessels drawing 

 above ten feet would find difficulty in getting over the 

 bar, but once within any of the mouths, there is sufficient 

 water for a frigate. It would be easy to transfer goods, 

 by prahus, from hence to Gunung Taboor, where the 

 principal trade would flow, and where we have proof 

 that the ' Samarang ' could safely enter and depart, and 

 by care, and lightening, could even be taken up to the 

 city of Gunung Taboor. 



On the evening of the second day, ten Lascars were 

 sent in, several ill, and very weak. It is almost needless 

 to say that they were delighted at this unexpected release, 

 but it grieved me much to learn that so much duplicity 

 had been practised, and that they were all in the town, 

 and neighbourhood, at the time of our arrival ; however, 

 the Sultan appeared to be really pleased when he had it in 

 his power to release them, and I believe that the cause of 

 delay arose principally from the reason, that the Malay 

 masters to whom they had been assigned, were, not able 

 to arrange about their missing clothes and effects. 



Some difficulties were now interposed on account of the 

 two Lascars still missing, but upon my reply that " conic 

 they must," and that any delay beyond the time stipu- 

 lated, would be fatal to some fat Bullocks grazing near us, 

 as well as to the various fowl preserves ; and further, that 

 a tribute of Rice for the Lascars, would be exacted from 

 the Bugis traders, they began to be more anxious for our 



