562 
ACCOUNT OF STTLU* 
I 
the custom of measuring instead of weighing, grain, and some 
commodities, as cowries, &c. They reckon 
8 Panelling, or § Cocoanut Shells 1 Gantang. 
10 Gantangs 1 Raga. 
The gantang of rice is reckoned to weigh four catties ; according 
to which calculation 2J ragas, or 25 gantangs, is equal to one pekul, 
and also to a cawan of Manila. 
PART III. 
ESSAY TOWARDS THE HISTORY OF SULU. 
Every attempt, to investigate the history of the eastern nations, 
has a claim to attention from the uncommonness of the subject: 
the general ignorauee, ? till very lately, was beyond credibility • and 
though the thick cloud, which obscured the history of Hindustan, 
has, in good measure, been dispelled by some late tracts; by the 
remarkable events, of which it has been the scene; and by its 
having become the common topick of conversation ; yet the public 
continue still much in the dark, in regard to the countries, w T hich 
lye farther eastward : this consideration has induced the author of 
this essay, to endeavour to give a clue to the history of Sulu, by 
which, hereafter, others may be enabled to pursue the subject. 
Had the author been possessed of such a work, he would have 
been enabled to have gone much greater lengths; but wanting 
some general heads, the conversations he had, were the less satis¬ 
factory and precise from his ignorance ; which did not permit the 
proper enquiries : Occupations also intervened, and the conversa¬ 
tions, by which he at last attained to a tolerably exat idea of 
the present state of Sulu, were merely accidental, when, after long 
acquintance, at times a free intercourse had opened the heart with¬ 
out reserve ; the author cannot but lament, that in so short a period, 
those who were the best able to convey the information, necessary 
to compleat the subject, have been swept ofF, since he first visited 
. Sulu, in 1761: the oldest were the best informed, and of these 
many have paid their debt to nature; and now few are left, who 
have the knowledge of any remarkable events, but from second 
hand. 
The author had great hopes of satisfaction, from the Sulu histo¬ 
ries ; but here he met with frequent disappointments : promises he 
received many, but accidents prevented the completion of some, 
others were never intended to be fulfilled, and some were deceitful; 
amongst the rest, after much trouble, and some expence, he received 
a book in the Malay characters, just on his departure from Sulu, 
described to be the history he required; which upon enquiry, after 
his retnrn, he learnt to be only the transcript of some Arabian 
fables. Hence, although the author does not relinquish his hopes, 
or pursuits, he can give little more at presen^ from the Suliis* 
