6 U M A :y R A. 
conjeftured to have been owing to the expediency refulting from their 
fituation, rather than their confanguinity, or any formal compad* There 
are aLlb feveral inferior tribes. 
Each river or diftn^:, (for it is by the riven the parts of the country 
are diftingui^ed) and indeed each doofoon^ is independent of, though 
not unconne^ed with^ it*s neighbours ; adling in concert, only by fpe- 
ctfic confcnt. On every river there ia at leaft one Pamharab or fuperior 
pr oat teen, who differs from the reft, in the tight of prefiding at thofc 
fuits and feftivals, in which two or more doofoons have a common con- 
cern, with a larger allotment of fines and provifion.* If more tribe 
than one are fettled on the fame river, each has ufually it's pambarab, 
.who is chofen by the refpeftive proatteens : thefe are chofen in like mari- 
ner by the dupattics, but with the concurrence of the elders of the doo- 
foon. If the choice difpleafes any of the inhabitants, they agree among 
-themfelves what chief they will follow, and remove to his doofoon, 
•There is no reflraint or compulfion in the cafe. Sometimes a few fami- 
lies feparate themfelves, and ele^ a chief, hut without contefting the 
right of him whom they leave. The chiefs do not however aflume the 
title of du patty, without being confirmed by the pangeran, or by the 
Company*s Refident, who in truth exercifcs many of the fun^lions of 
fovercignty. 
The fyftem of government among the people near the fea coaft, who, influence of 
towards the fouthern extreme of the iiland, are the planters of pepper, ^ny!**'*^^^' 
is much influenced by the power of the Europeans, who are virtually 
the lords paramount. The advantages derived to the fubjeft from their 
fway, both in a political and civil fenfe^ are infinitely greater than per* 
^ns at a diftance are ufually inclined to fuppofe, OpprelEons may be 
Sometimes complained of at the hands of individuals, bur, to the ho- 
nor of the Company's fer\1cc let me add, they have been very rare, and 
' • The moft diftinguiflicd of the heitwi of the Uiad were fkrved at Me with« larger proper- 
uati of cblDc* 
