1832.] 
ISLAND OF SUMATRA. 
199 
ing ambition, at the thoughts of crowns and diadems, and of be- 
coming mothers to a long race of pepper monarchs and spicy 
kings. How such a proposition would be received at the present 
day by our own republican fair ones ; how far it might inspire 
them with the desire to depart from the simplicity of their grand- 
motheis,we would not for the world even hazard an opinion ! 
The Dutch were also viewed with favour by this prince, who 
appears to have been more mild and humane than some of his 
immediate predecessors. This harmony, however, was not des- 
tined to last long. News of the cruelty and oppression of the 
Dutch over their neighbours the Javanese was now daily reaching 
him, and could not but produce in his mind sentiments unfavour- 
able to their characters, as well as create well-grounded fears, 
that the time might not be far distant when he and his people 
might become victims to the same policy ; and these well-grounded 
apprehensions on his part led to the interruption of that harmony, 
which, for several years, had so happily existed. 
In sixteen hundred and twenty-one, the French sent out a fleet 
with magnificent presents to the Sultan of Acheen, the importance 
of whose trade was greatly exaggerated, and which, in fact, never 
had been commensurate with his military power and resources. 
They were by no means successful in their negotiations, and re- 
ceived from the king but little encouragement. 
In sixteen hundred and forty-one, a new sultan had ascended 
the throne, with whom the Dutch concerted a joint expedition 
against the Portuguese establishments on the coast of Malacca. 
The Achenese entered with spirit into this campaign, as it was a 
conquest their ancestors had long, though unsuccessfully, attempted 
to achieve by their own strength. The Portuguese could not 
withstand the combined forces of the' allies, and were, after a short 
though desperate struggle, compelled to yield to the fortunes of 
war. It was the long contest with this power that had raised the 
Achenese monarchy to so great a height, and with the overthrow 
of this enemy, its power and splendour began rapidly to decline. 
In sixteen hundred and eighty-four, the English turned their 
attention to Sumatra again, having recently lost their possessions 
at Bantam, after having had a foothold there for more than eighty 
years. A deputation was sent to Acheen, to effect such arrange- 
ments as would continue to secure them in a share of the peppey 
9 
