308 On the Government and History of [June, 



extinction of such a dangerous character as the said Jumat, the dis- 

 trict of Naning will revert to its former tranquillity and happiness." 



The subjoined document, dated 27th May, 1664, b&ars upon the 

 collection of the duty on the produce of Naning. 



" The captain of Naning and the chiefs preferred in council a 

 complaint against Maria Silvens, collector of the customs on Sirih 

 brought from Naning, that he has not attended to the usual mode of 

 levying the duty on this article." 



" The measure which it seems he has adopted is this — after receiv- 

 ing the duty, he would detain the people about five days, until the 

 quantity collected by him has been disposed of, by which means, the 

 Sirih remaining on their hands, became unfit for consumption, and 

 consequently not saleable. Through his negligence, the Bongsal, (reve- 

 nue store-house) in which this article is deposited, and wherein the 

 Naning people are compelled to take shelter at night, had become 

 very dilapidated ■ nor has he troubled himself in the least to put the 

 building in a proper repair for the accommodation of these persons, who 

 were under the necessity of violating the prescribed rules, by taking 

 up their lodgings in different parts of the town, which expedient has 

 been attended with much inconvenience and disagreement amongst 

 the Naning people." 



" With a view to preserve good order and tranquillity, another in- 

 dividual shall be appointed in the room of Maria Silvens, who it 

 would appear is also desirous to tender his resignation. We have 

 therefore deemed it advisable, at the suggestion of Raja Merah, 

 and the chiefs of Naning, to nominate Anthony Pinjero and Manuel 

 Frere, as collectors of the duty on Sirih brought from Naning. The 

 president of our council having observed, that Manuel Frere is more 

 conversant in Malay language, and customs of those people, than the 

 first mentioned individual, has considered it expedient to propose him 

 for the performance of this duty, in which motion we unanimously 

 concurred, and have consequently nominated the said Manuel Frere 

 provisionally, to execute the functions of a collector of the aforesaid 

 duty, and superintendent of the Bongsal, until our further orders." 



" Early in 1680, the agreement made in 1641, by Van Twist, 

 was renewed, during Governor General Rijhlof Van Goen's adminis- 

 tration by the then Land-voogd of Malacca, Jacob Jarissoon Pits, 

 ' with the ambassadors of Naning and Rumbowe, on behalf of the 

 king of Johore,' with these additions, viz. ' that a duty of ten per cent. 

 ad valorem be paid to the Company on the sales of the pepper.' The 

 Company promise to give an adequate subsistence to the chief at 

 Naning, besides one-tenth of the collected revenue," 



