tTfl S U M A T R a: 
bis plea, and they retain their privileges^ taking no oath of allegiance* 
nor iubmitting to be bound by any politive engagement* They fpeak 
of him however with refpedt, and in any moderate requifirion, that does 
not affeO: their addaf or cuftoms, they are ready enough to aid him, 
(tdong, 35 chcy exprefs it) but rather as matter favor^ than acknow- 
ledged obligation. 
The exemption the Dupattiis contend for, from abiblutc fubicction, 
tjiey allow in turn to their ana-booas^ whom they govern by the influence 
of opinion only. The rcfpcd: paid to a Dupatty, is little more than as 
to an Elder of a family held in efteem, and this the old men of the doo- 
foon ^hare with him; fitting by his fide in judgment on the little dif- 
ferences that arife among themfelves. If they cannot determine the 
caufe, or the difpute be with one of a feparate village^ the proatteens 
of the fame tribe that live adjacent, meet for the purpofe. From thefc 
litigations arlfe fome fmall emoluments to the dupatty, whofe dignity, in 
other reQ>e<ftsj is rather an expence than an advantage. In the erection 
of public works, fuch as their Balli or town hall/ he contributes a larger 
fliarc of materials. He receives and entertains all Grangers ; his depen- 
dants furniihing their quotas of pr^viiion» on particular occafions ; and 
their hofpitality is fucb, that food and lodging are never refufed to thofe 
wlio aik it. 
Succeffionof Though the xankof dupatty be not flriitly hereditary^ the fon^ %vhen 
Diipatties. ^£ ^^^^ ^^^^ capable, generally fucceeds the father, at his deceafe ; if too 
young, the father-s brother, or fuch one of the family as appears moft 
qualified, afiumes the poll; not as a regent, but in his own right; and 
the minor comes in perhaps at the next vacancy. 
The Rcjangs are diftinguifhed Into tribes, the defcendants of a ^li- 
ictzut pQoyang or anceftor. Of thefe there are four principal tribes, JqqT' 
cdlang^ Beumnmie^ Seloopa and Toplye ; faid to derive their origin from 
four brothers, and to have been united from time immemorial in a league 
oifenfive and defenfive ; the permanency however of this bond, may be 
eonjedured 
