35 b' 



ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 



[Sumatra. 



SECTION XXIV. 

 SUMATRA. 



I 



TlIIS island is the most western of those which may be termed the 

 Malayan Archipelago. The equator divides it obliquely into almost equal 

 parts, its general direction being N. W. and S, E. ; the one extremity, 

 Acheen Head, being in latitude 5 : 4tf N., and longitude 95" 15' E., and the 

 other in 5° 56' S. 



ACHEEN.— This kingdom occupies the N. W. extremity of the 

 island, and reaches about 50 miles to the S. E, Its extent and power were 

 formerly much more extensive. At present, Sinkell is .said to be the limit 

 of its authority on the W. coast. The King at present resides at Telisomaway, 

 at the N. E. extreme, hut the Government is by no means settled. The 

 character of the Acheenese is represented as perfidious. 



The town of Acheen is in latitude 5° 36' N., and longitude 95° 26' E., 

 on the banks of a river, which falls into the sea by several branches, 

 separating the low country into islands, and this low plain is partly 

 inundated during the rainy season. The principal entrance of the river has 

 a bar, which a boat can hardly pass at low water ; but vessels from 20 to 30 

 tons burthen may enter the river at high water, and proceed about half way 

 to the town, where they occasionally heave down, and repair. The common 

 anchorage in the roads is in 8, 9, to 10 or 14- fathoms water, with the 

 entrance of the river bearing about S. E., distant two or three miles. The 

 town is situated on a plain in a wide valley, formed like an amphitheatre by 

 lofty ranges of hills. It is said to be extremely populous, containing 8000 

 houses, built of bamboos and rough timbers, standing distinct from each 

 other, and mostly raised on piles some feet above the ground, in order to 

 guard against the effects of inundation. The place differs little from the 

 generality of Malay bazars, excepting that its superior wealth has produced 

 a greater number of public edifices, chiefly mosques, but without the smallest 

 pretension to magnificence. The country above the town is highly cultivated, 

 and abounds with small villages, and groups of three or four houses, with 

 small white mosques interspersed. The King's palace is a very rude and 



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