188 
VOYAGE OP THE POTOMAC. 
[February, 
territory; while an almost universal state of anarchy appears 
to prevail among them. 
We have said that the sovereignty of Acheen once extended to 
Indrapoor, on the west coast of Sumatra, two degrees south of 
the equator. Of course, it included the seaport of Troumon, in 
latitude 2° 47' north. This is, perhaps, the only place on the 
pepper coast, where any faith can be safely placed in a verbal or 
written contract. The former rajah, who died about the year 
eighteen hundred and twenty-two, left his dominions to two sons ; 
one of whom was by his lawful wife, and the other by a concu- 
bine from Pulo Nyas, who was, as a matter of course, first pur- 
chased as a slave. The son of the bond-woman governs Trou- 
mon, and is highly respected, both by his own people, and such 
foreigners as visit the place for pepper. 
The other son governs a more southern district ; where he is 
almost universally despised by his own people, and is too well 
known to be trusted by strangers. There was, for a time, much 
difficulty, and some bloodshed, in consequence of the enmity of 
these brothers ; but the quarrel was finally adjusted to the satis- 
faction of all parties, and the reconciliation was duly ratified, 
according to the custom of the country, by a grand feast over the 
graves of their fathers. 
This incident occurred in eighteen hundred and twenty-four, 
when the amount of pepper collected by both governments was 
thirty-five thousand piculs. This is the only article of export to 
be procured at this place, and this they cultivate to the entire 
neglect of every thing else ; and notwithstanding it frequently 
happened that they were almost starving for rice, they never 
attended to its cultivation until very lately, although the soil is 
excellent for that purpose. And yet they have frequently been 
compelled to give a picul of pepper for a picul of rice. They 
even neglect to raise vegetables, and fowls are very scarce ; so 
much so, that it is very difficult for a vessel to procure sufficient 
for the cabin. 
The rajah's house, bazaar, &c., are situated on the south side 
of the river, which, after extending some distance inland, becomes 
two separate rivers, one flowing from the north, and the other from 
the south, all the banks thickly covered with trees. But like 
most of the rivers on the west coast of Sumatra, it is obstructed 
