3?« S*U M-' A T R A, 
the Englifli and Dutch from their fettlements at Priaraan and Ticoo, 
where the principal quantity of pepper was procured, and of which 
places he changed the governor every third year, to prevent any con- 
nexions dangerous to his authority, from being formed. He had like- 
wife driven the Dutch from a fa^ory they were attempting to fettle at 
Padang ; which place appears to be the mod remote that ever the Ache* 
nefe attempted to exercife dominion over, on the weftern coaft of tho 
inand.*^ 
le^g^ Still retaining a llrong defire to poflefs himfelf of Malacca, fo man/ 
years the grand obje^ of Achenefe ambition, he imprifoned the embaf- 
fador then at his court, and made extraordinary preparations for the 
fiege, which he defigned to undertake in perfon,* Lacfemailna liis ge* 
neral (the fecond great man of that name or title, and who had effected 
all the king's late cm^qucAs) attempted to oppofe this reiblution^ but 
the Maharaja, willing to flatter his maftcr's propenfity, undertook to 
put him in poffeilion of the city, and had the command of the fleet given 
to him, as the other had of the land forces. The king fet out on the 
expedition with a fleet of two hundred and fifty fail, (forty feven of 
them not lefs than an hundred t"eet in the keel) in which were twenty 
thoufand men well appointed, and a great train of artillery. After being 
fome time on board, with his family and retinue as ufual, he deter- 
mined, on account of an ill omen that was oblerved, to return to the 
Ihore* The generals, proceeding without him, foon arrived before Ma- 
lacca, Having landed their men, they made a judicious difpofition, 
and began the attack with much courage and military fltilL The Portu* 
guefe were obliged to abandon feveral of their pofts, one of which, after 
a defence of fifty days, was levelled with the ground, and from it's ruins 
ftrong works were raifed by Lac fe manna. Maharaja had feized another 
poft advantageoufly fituaxed* From their feveral camps they had lines 
* Taria y Soufa mentions an engagement in 1616, m which the Jdng loft thirty four gallirt* 
three thQufand me»| and «lght hundred pieces of catinon* 
