LAWS. 
207 
al persons to make attempts to domesticate them, but such essays 
have generally ended in the Jakuns disappearance on the slightest 
coercoin. Mr. Lewis, Assistant Resident at Penang, related to me, 
that he had for some time a Jakun family in his house ; they appear¬ 
ed at first to be very glad of their position, and indeed the remarka¬ 
ble kindness which that gentleman shows to all inferiors, could not 
fail to please them ; but having been one day employed in some ser¬ 
vile work, they fled away and appeared no more. The reason is 
that the Jakuns are extremely proud, and will not submit for any 
length of time to servile offices or to much control. This, if it is a 
defect, is the only one I have yet remarked in them. 
The Jakuns, by their nature and their peculiar qualities, offer the 
most encouraging hopes to the Missionaries who will be employed 
in their amelioration. Few Indians present such good dispositions 
to embrace the Gospel. With the favour of God and the assistance 
of those who are in a position to concur in the work, there is a vast 
deal of good to be effected amongst the Jakuns. 
LAWS. 
Though the Jakuns are generally good, and little inclined to evil 
they show notwithstanding, from time to time, though seldom, that, 
as the rest of mankind, they are in naturd lapsa, and participants 
in the wickedness common to all the children of Adam ; from whence 
the necessity of establishing laws amongst them ; but we can say, to 
their praise, that their laws rather prevent disorder, than punish it. 
Their laws are not everywhere the same; each tribe has its customs 
and regulations ; I will state here those I observed to be more gen¬ 
erally received. They are not written ; but they can be expressed 
in the following way. 
Form of Government . 
Each tribe is under an elder termed the Batin, who directs its 
movements, and settles disputes. 
Under each Batin, are two subordinates, termed Jenn&ng and 
Jurokr&, who assist him in his duties. 
A fourth title, is that of Pawang, but it is more a title of honour 
