SUMATRA. 
of inconfiderable magnitude* Where a degree of difcrctionar\r power 
is iritrufted to fingle perfons, abufes will, in the nature of things^ arife 
in fame inftances; cafes may occur, in which the private paflionsiof 
the Reiident^ will interfere with his public duty; but the door has ever 
been open for redrefs, and examples have been made. To deftroy thia 
influence and authority in order to prevent thefe conftrquences, were to 
cut off a limb in order to remove a partial complaint. By the Company's 
power, the diftridts over which ic extends, are preferved in uninterrupted 
peace. How invaluable a blefiing this, let Poland, let America, let 
other defolated countries fpeak. Were it not for this power, every doo- 
foon of every' river, would be at war with it's- neighbour. The natives 
themfelves allow it, and it was evinced, even in the fhort fpace of time 
the Englifli were abfent from the coa(^, in the former war with France, 
Hoftilities of diftrid againft diftrid, fo frequent among the independent 
nations to the northward, are, in tbe Company's jurifdiftion, things un^ 
heard of ; and thofe difmal cataftrophes, which, in all the Malay iflands, 
are wont to attend on private feuds, but very rarely hapi>en. ** I tell you 
honeftly" faid a dupztty, much irritated again 11 one of his neighbours, 
that it is only you," pointing to the Rcfident of Laye, ** that prevent 
my plunging this weapon into his breaft*" The Refident is alfo conii- 
dered as the protestor of the people, from the injuftice and oppre^Eon 
of the chiefs. This oppreffion, though not carried on in the way of 
open force, which the ill-defined nature of their authorlt}' would 
not fupport, is fcarcely lefs grievous to the fufierer.. Expounders of the 
law, and deeply verfed in the chicanery of it, they are ever lying in w^ait 
to take advantage of the neeefli-ous and ignorant, till they have Gripped 
them of their property, their family, and their liberty* To prevent 
thefe pradiices; the partial admin iftration of juftice in confe.quence of 
bribes; the fubornation of witnelTes; and the like iniquities, a conti- 
nual exertion of the Relident's attention and authority is required; 
and as that authority ts accidentally relaxed, the country falls mto 
confulion. 
It 
