SUMATRA. 
It IS true, that this interference is not ftridly conionant wiih the 
fpiric of the origuial contra<£ts, entered into by the Company with 
the native chiefs, who, in confidcratlon of protection from their 
enemies; regular purchafc of the produce of their country; and 
graatity to themfelves, proportioned to the quantity of that produce, 
undertake, on their part, to oblige their dependants to plant pepper ; 
to refrain from the ufe of opium^ the practice of gaming, and other 
vicious excefles ; and to punifli them in cafe of non compliance. But 
however prudent or equaJ thefe contradls might have been at the time 
their form was eftablilhed, a change of circuraitanccs; the gradual and 
neceffary increafe of the Company's fway, which the peace and good of 
the country required; the tacit confcut of the chiefs themfelves, (among 
whom the oldeft living has never been ufed to regard the Company, who 
have conferred on them their refpedtivc dignities, as their equals^ or as 
trading in their diflriifts upon fuffcrancc) has long antiquated them; 
attd cullom and experience have introduced m their room, an influence 
on one fide, and a fubordination on the other, more confident with the 
power of the Company, and more fuitable to the benefits derived 
from the moderate and humane exercife of that power. Prefcription 
has given it*s fandion to this change, and the people have fubmitted to 
it without murmuring; as it was introduced, not faddenly, but with 
the namral courfe of events, and bettered the condition of the whole, 
while it tended to curb the rapacity of the few. Then let rrot fhort 
fighted or deGgning perfons, upon falfe principles of jufticc, or ill-di* 
gefted notions of liberty, rafhly endeavour to overturn a fchemc of govefn- 
ment, doubtlefs not perfea, but which fccms befl: adapted to the cir- 
fiumllaoces it has refped to, and attended with the feweft difadvantagcs. 
Let them not vainly exert themfelves to procure redrefs of imaginary 
grievances, for perfons who complain not, or to iofufe a fpirit of free* 
dom and independence, in a climate where nature apparently never in- 
tended they fliould flourifli, and which, if obtained, would inevitably 
be attended witlx. efre<fts, that ail their advantages would badly compen- 
late* 
