SUMATRA. tf7l 
tably true, by the Malay's reiiding at a diftance from his immediate do- 
minions, who poffefs a greater degree of faith than wic ; and with this 
addition, that he dwells in a palace without covering, free from incon - 
venience. 
The feats prefixed to his warrant, befide his own^ are thofe of the 
Saltan of Rome^ or Grand Sigmor, (the empire of the Romans having 
been transferred to ConftantinopU ) who is looked upon, fince the ruin of 
the Calipbsy as the head of the Mahometan religion, and whom he honors 
with the title of his eldeft brother ; and of the Sultan of China ; a king- 
dom w^ell known throughout the eaftern feas, and by the Malays called 
Ncgree Cheena \ whom he ftyles his fecond brother ; moceftly regarding 
hlmfelf as the youngeit This gives a pidure of the conception thefe 
monarchs formed of their relative importance in the world, and fliews 
the extent, if not the accuracy, of their geographical and hiftorical know- 
ledge. 
The royal falute, is one gun ; which is a refinement in ceremony. Certmom«, 
As no number could be fuppofed to convey an adequate idea of refpcft, 
but muft, on the contrary, eftabhlh a definite propurtion between his 
dignity, and that of his nobles, or of other princes ; the Sultan of Ms- 
nmcdhow chufes to leave the meafure of his importance indefinite, by 
this policy — and fave his gunpowder. It muft be obferved, that the 
Malays are in general extremely fond of the parade of firing cannon, 
which they never negledt on high days, and on the appearance of the 
new moon ; particularly that which marks the commencement of their * 
poajfoy or annual faft. Yellow being efteemed a royal color, is faid to 
be conftantly, and exclufively, worn by the Sultan and his court. His 
ufual prefent on fending an enibaffy ; for no Sumatran has an idea of 
fubri&ing between us and our foai are Woken ; aud we direct that Ite fmd us an an Aver imme* 
diately^ that wc may know the refutr^ and take our jneafurcB accordingly — fer all this iHand h 
our own.'* 
It b diffic^jlt ta deterroine, wb ether the preamble, or the fubje^l of th« letter^ be the more ex- 
iraordinaiy. 
4 A making 
