S U M A T R a; 
The pradice faid to prevail elfewherc, of men felHng thenifelves for 
flaves, is repugnant to the ideas of the Sumatrans, as it fcems to reafon. 
It is an abfurdicy to barter any thing valuable, much more civil exiftence, 
for a fum which, by the very aft of receiving, becomes again the pro* 
perty of the buyer* Yet, if a man runs in debt, without a profped of 
paying, he does virtually the fame thing, and this, in cafes of diftreft, 
is not uiicommon ; in order to relieve perhaps a beloved wife, or favorite 
child, from fimilar bondage. A man has even been known to apply in 
confideace to a friend> to fell him to a third perfon, concealing from 
the purchafer the nature of the tranfadion, till tiye money was appro- 
priated. 
Ignorant flragglers arc often picked up in the country, by lawlefs 
knaves in power, and fold beyond the hills. Thefe have fomcrimes pro- 
cured their liberty again, and profccuting their kidnappers, have reco- 
vered large damages. In the diflrld: of Ji'as^ a cuftom prevails, by 
which > if a man has been foJil to the hiil people, however unfairly, he is 
reilii^cd on hU rpfnrn^ from afTociating with his countrymen, as their 
equal, unlefs he brings with him a fum of money, and pays a tjne tor hfs 
re-enfranchifcmenr, to his caUppah or chief. This regulation has taken its 
rife from an idea of contamination, among the people, and from art and 
avarice among the chiefs. 
