1838.] The Mergui Coast-line and Islands. 1031 



cation with each other, and the boats proceeding to the southward 

 go outside. 



Inlat. 11° 28' N. there is rather a large opening in appearance called 

 " Ye-ngan Wa" which is said to reach a long way into the interior ; it 

 however suddenly contracts its breadth, and does not lead to any village. 

 On a headland in lat, 1 1° 23' N. stands " Chadon" or " Sading" 

 the only village which is situated on the sea coast ; it is of recent 

 origin, having been established by the exertions of Mr. Commissioner 

 Maingy, five or six years ago. This gentleman induced a Malay of some 

 consequence with his followers to settle here, in hopes that it might serve 

 to increase the population of the country, and bring it more extensively 

 under cultivation. How far the good intentions of Mr. Maingy have 

 been realized is very questionable, for the Malays are far from being an 

 industrious or agricultural people, and the head-man of the village, 

 " Datoo Juan," from his former mode of living was very unlikely to 

 be the instrument of much good. The site which the old chief has 

 selected for his village is ill chosen for agricultural pursuits, there being 

 but little land in its immediate vicinity that could be brought under 

 cultivation without much labor and expense, and the only advantage it 

 seems to possess is a commanding and overlooking position towards the 

 sea : it is however well adapted for fishing, by which the people princi- 

 pally subsist. It is true, there is the appearance of much exertion 

 having been made at the first settling of the place, by felling large 

 trees, and clearing away the ground, but the attempt has been given 

 up as hopeless or distasteful, and all is growing into jungle again, 

 except where the village itself is situated, which contains only about 

 50 houses and 200 inhabitants. " Datoo Juan" is a carpenter 

 by trade, and has built two or three boats of about 50 tons each, 

 which he has finished in a very good style : they are ostensibly for the 

 purpose of cruising amongst the islands, part of which he farms from 

 government, for the purpose of collecting edible birds-nests, bich de 

 mer, &c. and for taking the produce to Penang and other markets : 

 but that he may have other objects in building these fine boats, is not 

 unlikely, and that he still continues to have some turn for his old preda- 

 tory habits, when time and opportunity may offer, I am rather inclined 

 to suspect, and therefore during my employment in his neighbourhood I 

 made a point of cultivating a good understanding with him, by making 

 a few presents, which policy had its advantages, for the old man was 

 always friendly, and ready in supplying me with such stock as his vil- 

 lage afforded, and on one occasion in particular I should have been put 

 to much inconvenience, had it not been for a timely supply I received 

 from him. 



