ACCOUNT OF SUIT! 
547 
Bandahara in an officer superior to all others, but it is not easy 
to explain his duty, as what by the ignorance of an interpreter, and 
delicacy of the subject, I have not been able to obtain a distinct 
account of it ; however, this seems certain, that lie is next to the 
Tuan Caly, the supreme judge in important causes, which are 
determined by him, as inferior are by Data Twnanggung, and in 
conjunction with Oranky Mo,Hick, empowered to displace a sultan, 
who governs contrary to the law. 
However, as the government is so nearly popular, there is an 
office very remarkable, and extremely necessary, as such governments 
are naturally inclined to revolutions : this is the office of Mamancha, 
which is calculated to prevent all precipitate resolutions, for in all 
bechars, his assent is necessary to sanctify their legality, and ’till 
this assent passes, nothing done obtains the authority of a public 
act. But Mamancha has only an affirmative voice, so that he 
can scarce prevent any public resolution, though his office em¬ 
powers him to mediate between the contending parties, and by 
delays to temper the disposition of malecontents. The rank of 
this officer is the same with Raja Laut and Tuhan Pallawan , to 
whom the Sultan’s power devolves in time of action. It is Rajah 
Laut’s duty, to examine all foreign vessels, who arrive in the Sulu 
Seas , but this is generally performed by inferior officers. 
There is one officer in their constitution, not only extremely 
important, but singular, since I do not recollect any thing similar 
to it in public governments, though it is to be found amongst the 
institutions of Loyola. This office is the Maha Raja Lela. It 
is generally said, the Maha Raya Lela is absolute, and beyond 
the reach of justice, so that even the Sultan cannot call him to 
account for any offence ; such a power would be extremely danger¬ 
ous in the constitution, and the only advantage in it would arise, 
from the example how necessary government is, to restrain the 
inordinacy of the human mind. But the description does not by 
any means convey an adequate idea of his office. He may be 
stiled the “ Admonitory” for it is his business, to exhort and reprove 
all officers, even the Sultan, when wanting in their public duty, 
in doing this, he is secure of indemnity, though his private person 
is equally, as others, exposed to punishment, where he is guilty 
of any crime. 
Sabalmal may be termed the guardian of orphans, for according 
to the constitution, the estates of all persons who have no right-heirs, 
go into a public chest, which is entrusted to Sabalmal, who out 
of it provides for orphans till they reach their 15th year, at which 
age they are considered as capable of earning a livelihood, and there¬ 
fore after they reach this period, he can no longer let them share 
of the public chest: the charge whereof, and the execution of 
Mullock Manderassa’s office the present Sultan has taken upon 
himself. 
Oranky Mallick is one of the most considerable officers in the 
