ACCOUNT OP SULU. 
-) 4 () 
The Sulu Government is divided into three Estates: the Sultan; 
Nobility, or Datos, chiefly personated by Dato Bandahara, 
■whose authority appears to be little less than the Sultan’s; and 
Orankys, or rather the People, personated by Oranky Mallich. 
In former times, their Government was executed constitutionally : 
but at present, many of the offices are vacant, and the Sultan little 
considers the others, but in particular exigencies or disturbances, 
where a regard to his own security extorts from him promises and 
professions, by which he means nothing. It is an observation 
of old Balia,tol, that all former Sultans and the Officers, were 
like the stone and setting of a ring, where there was a mutual 
connexion and dependance; but that at present, the stone seemed 
to have rejected the setting as useless: this adds to my difficulties, 
as the Sultan had a point in view, in all the eclaircissement he gave 
of the officers of state. 
The offices, in general, are hereditary jurisdictions j though 
incapacity, or other reasonable objection, may prevent this rule 
taking place. The appointment of these officers, on vacancies, 
seems a part of the royal prerogative, though not witbout a Bechar 
of the other Estates. The officers which have been related to me 
are, 
Amongst the Nobility or Datos, who are all of the Royal line, 
legitimate or bastards. 
Dato Bandahara, who on the Sultan’s death governs until 
another is elected, and afterwards is styled Baja Bandahara. 
Dato Mamaneha. 
Baja Laut, i, e. Lord of the Sea. High Admiral- 
Juhan Palawan, .Captain General. 
Toomang-goong, ..... Chief Justice. 
Moollock Manderassa , . . . Collector of the Customs. 
Maharaja Bela. 
Sabalmal. 
Sawa Jan .Vice-Admiral. 
Mannabeel, the same office as Mannabee, the first being the 
denomination of the office, when executed by a Dato, the last when 
filled by a plebeian. Governor of the Fort. 
Officers not Datos. 
Oranky Mallich . Rear Admiral. Tribune of the People. 
Pangleema . 
Mannabee. 
Sarre Lama . 
Sarre Bangsawan, 
Sarre Bajah. 
Nakib. 
Mamed al AUam. Standard Bearer. 
These officers, as must be the case, wherever there is no stand¬ 
ing army, have a civil and military capacity; and he, who is a 
chief person in the former, has but an inferior rank in the last. 
