1/1 
NOTES ON MALACCA* 
By J, B. Westbrho^t, Esq.^ 
Assistant Resident at Malacca. 
The Malayan Peninsula may generally be described as a region 
mountainous and hilly, with very extensive plains or valleys; the as-* 
pect altogether Is very picturesque. The greater part of the interior 
is covered with extensive forests, containing fruit trees and in which 
savage animals roam ; but they are peopled and cultivated here and 
there; the largest mountain is Gunong Ledang or mount Ophir 
which is about 5,600 feet above the level of the sea/* 1 There are al¬ 
so two large rivers the Muar and the Lingey, the latter is about 480 
yards broad and navigable for vessels of about 200 tons. 
GOLO. 
The mineral productions of Malacca are principally gold and tin. 
The Gold mines of Ophir were worked till the year 1817 by the Malays. 
About that time from 20 to 30 Chinese also commenced working, and 
have increased from time to time, so that the average number at pre¬ 
sent employed there is about 250 men. Eight Klings from the Coast 
of Coromandel have gone up this year ; the gold is of 9 touch ; the 
mines are at the foot of the mountain, and their general depth is from 
70 to 200 feet. The Malay process of gathering the gold dust is very 
simple. They dig till they come to the rock, then break and pound 
it, carry it to a stream and wash off the gold dust. The miners have 
to pay a duty to Inchi Ahat the uncle of the present Tamungong of 
Muar, Toonku Salild. The gold gathered is 24 catties annually; which 
is all brought to Malacca. The gold mines at Gamunclu were acci¬ 
dently discovered about 80 years ago by Panghulu Topay, who picked 
up a stone that was lying on the ground, and breaking it, found that 
it contained gold. The Malays then commenced working and found 
a small quantity After which the Panghulu died and liis son Lasai 
succeeded. During his time he got people to go up from Malacca, 
* According to Mr. Thomson the height is only about 4,320 feet. An- 
tc p. 137 .—Ld. 
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