ON THE MALA'YU NATION. |$3t 



considerable antiquity, and were collected many years back by the Dutch 

 government, for the guidance of their different officers. Of this collec- 

 tion I possess a copy, which will, at any rate, assist in the compilation of 

 a more genuine code, from native authority, whenever circumstances 

 in ay admit of a communication being opened with the Javanese Rajas and 

 chiefs. 



From the Bugis and Macasar nations of Tana Giia, and Tana Ugi, on 

 Celebes, I have received detached parts of the Undang Undang; but the 

 copies that have yet reached me are so incomplete and. inaccurate,, and 

 bear such evident traces of being but imperfect transcripts, from,, a 

 better digested and more regular code, that they rather excite than satisfy 

 enquiry. I have for some time adopted measures with the view of 

 obtaining, if not the originals, at least more perfect transcripts ; in which 

 I have every reason to expect, I shall be successful. The two principal 

 codes on this island, are those of Macasar and Boni. The laws as well 

 as the history of the Bugis states, are of considerable antiquity, perhaps 

 far exceeding those on the island of Java. These are preserved in 

 books, the greater part of which are still extant, but only to be found in 

 their purity and correctness towards the inland. 



With respect to the Sulu islands, I have a short account of their laws 

 and usages, though no regular code: several interesting particulars con- 

 nected therewith, have been collected by Mr. Alex. Dalrymple, and 

 printed in the Oriental Repertory. 



Of the Moluccas, I have not yet been able to obtain further informa- 

 tion, than what has tended to confirm in every respect the detailed and 

 full account given by Valentyn ; but as these islands have lately fallen 

 into the hands of the English, whatever may be desiderated from that 



