The Malay Peninsula in the XVIIth & XVIIIth 



Centuries. 



By A. Caldecott. 



The following extracts from books not easily obtainable for 

 reference out here may interest students of local history. 



It is generally said that Singapore was deserted except by a 

 few Malay fishermen from the date of its destruction in 1377 A.D. 

 by the great Javanese kingdom of Majapahit down to the date of 

 its second founding by Baffles in 1819. Eeferences in these ex- 

 tracts go to disprove quite such a sweeping statement. Moreover 

 in 1552 it was still enough of a port of call for St. Francis Xavier 

 to despatch from it several letters to Goa (Monumenta Historica 

 Societatis Jesu, Monumenta Xaveriani, vol. I, p. 765, Madrid 1894- 

 1914). 



The Estates, Empires and principalities of the World. 



Represented by ye description of Countries, manners of in- 

 habitants, Eiches of provinces, forces, Government, Eeligion and 

 the Princes that have governed in every estate. 



With the beginning of Militarie and Eeligious Orders. 

 Translated out of French by Edw: Grimstone Sargeant at Armes. 



London : 

 Printed by Adam Islip for Mathewe Lownes and John Bill. 



1615. 

 Of the Estate oe the King of Spaine, pp. 184-5. 



The Towne and Fort of Malacca. 



Malacca is seated upon the river of Gaza, and is a good faire 

 Towne, having in circuite neere twentie miles. The originarie or 

 first inhabitants of this place report, that the beginning came of 

 six or seven fishermen of Siam, Pegu and Bengola, who built a 

 towne, and framed a particular language, taking all the best kind 

 of speech from other nations. They named their towne Malacca, 

 which is growne so rich and mightie in a short time by reason of 

 her situation, as she contends for precedence with the greatest 

 townes, yea with some realmes thereabouts. 



The Qualitie of the Countrie. 



The ayre is so troublesome, as not only strangers, but even 

 they that are borne there are many times troubled with divers in- 

 firmities, which fasten chiefly to the skinne and haire : so as it is 



Jour. Straits Branch R. A. Soc, No. 82, 1920. 



