MARITIME CODE. II 



The ancient connection that existed between Malacca and Jo- 

 hor is particularly noticed in Malayan History, according to which, 

 the first Raja of Malacca, Sultan Iskaxder Shah, afterwards, on 

 his embracing the Mahoinedan faith, called Sultan Mahmtjd Shah, 

 is supposed to have been a Raja of Singa-pura (an ancient Malay 

 State near the site of Johor). who had taken refuge there on his 

 kingdom being invaded and destroyed by an armament from tha 

 Island of Java. The subsequent flight of the Malacca Raja to the 

 Southern part of the Peninsula, on the establishment of the Portu- 

 guese, is related in several Malay books in my possession ; from 

 one of which the following is a literal translation. Malacca is consi- 

 eredas the principal State on the Peninsula. The fall of its native 

 Government is interesting, although the records must be of modern 

 date. Sultan Mahmud Shah, the present Raja of Lingga and Bltio, 

 whither the seat of Government has long been transferred from 

 Johor, still traces his descent from the Rajas of Malacca. 



Translation of a Malayan Manuscript entitled a. History of 

 former times, containing an account of the arrival of the Portuguese 



at Mat a ecu. 



%> It is related, that ion Portuguese vessels from Manila ar- 

 rived at Malacca for the purpose of trade, during the reign of 

 Sultan Ahmed Shah, at a time when that country possessed an ex- 

 tensive commerce, and everything in abundance; when the affairs 

 i i Government wore correctly administered, and the officers pro- 

 perly appointed. 



'" At the lime that their ships arrived, the fort was composed 

 of Nihong alas ■ how many Portuguese entered the fort, and with 

 what presents of gold, of dollars, of cloths, and of Manila chains, 

 did they present themselves before the Raja, and how pleased 

 to excess was Sultan Ahmed Nhxh with the Portuguese; what- 

 ever the Commander required, Sultan Ahmed Shah was ready to 

 grant; but how many of the Bendah x ara and Tem'enggongs, with 

 due obedience, urged the Raja to be on his guard against the Por- 

 tuguese, "for,' said they, 'the most experienced among us does 

 'not recollect -a misfortune so great as the arrival of the Portu- 

 guese; 1 to this the Raja would reply 'alas! revered BendaMra 

 "and you respected Temenggongs, you know nothing when you 



