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which, although not of great calibre, are capable of throwing a shot 
bevond the range of small-arms. It is said that they seldom attempt 
an attack unless the sea is calm, which enables them to approach their 
victims with more assurance of success, on account of the facility with 
which they are enabled to manage their boats. The frequent calms 
which occur in these seas between the land and sea breezes, afford 
them many opportunities of putting their villanous plans in operation; 
and the many inlets and islets, with which they are well acquainted, 
afford places of refuge and ambush, and for concealing their booty. 
They are generally found in small flotillas of from six to twenty 
prahus, and when they have succeeded in disabling a vessel at long 
shot, the sound of the gong is the signal for boarding, which, if suc¬ 
cessful, results in a massacre more or less bloody, according to the 
obstinacy of the resistance they have met with. 
In the winter months, the Straits of Malacca are most infested with 
them; and during the summer, the neighbourhood of Singapore, Point 
Romania, and the channels in the vicinity. In the spring, from Fe¬ 
bruary to May, they are engaged in procuring their supplies, in fishing, 
and refitting their prahus for the coming year. 
I have frequently heard plans proposed for the suppression of these 
pirates, particularly of those in the neighbourhood of the settlements 
under British rule. The European authorities are much to blame for 
the quiescent manner in which they have so long borne these depre¬ 
dations, and many complaints are made that Englishmen, on being 
transplanted to India, lose that feeling of horror for deeds of blood, 
such as are constantly occurring at their very doors, which they 
would experience in England. There are, how T ever, many difficulties 
to overcome before operations against the pirates can be effective. 
The greatest of these is the desire of the English to secure the good¬ 
will of the chiefs of the tribes by whom they are surrounded. They 
thus wink at their piracies on the vessels of other nations, or take no 
steps to alleviate the evils of slavery. Indeed the language that one 
hears from many intelligent men who have long resided in that part 
of the world is, that in no country where civilization exists does 
slavery exhibit so debasing a form as in her Indian possessions. 
Another difficulty consists in the want of minute knowledge of the 
coasts, inlets, and hiding-places of the pirates, and this must continue 
to exist until proper surveys are made. This done, it would be neces¬ 
sary to employ vessels that could pursue the pirates every where, for 
which purpose steamers naturally suggest themselves. 
What will appear most extraordinary is, that the very princes who 
are enjoying the stipend for the purchase of the site whereon the 
