302 REPORT ON THE ISLAND OF RANK A, 
During the first period of the 18th century, soon after its emer¬ 
gence from an ancient obscurity, the island was overbrim by an exile 
from Plembang and harrassed by the contentions between two princes 
for the supremacy of that kingdom ; during the latter periods, it was 
nearly ruined by a combination of the most distressing calamities. 
An interval of rest and prosperity was afforded between these periods 
from the years 1760 to 1780. The discovery of the tin now attract¬ 
ed numerous foreigners, chiefly Chinese, who with the working of 
the mines introduced the first attempts at agriculture and commerce ; 
various Settlements were formed, and a commencement was made in 
cleaning the ancient forests, wliich had till lately not been disturb¬ 
ed, for the purpose of forming permanent places of residence. The 
principles of civilization were offered to the rude inhabitants. 
During many years of this period, this small island has yielded an 
annual revenue in Tin, which for a district of the same extent, equals 
the metallic wealth obtained annually from the mines of Mexico, 
according to an average calculation of the produce of the whole king¬ 
dom ; and it is an unpleasant pursuit to follow the circumstances 
which have contributed to reduce its produce in later periods. 
The name of Banka has been applied to different territories near 
the southern extremity of the island of Sumatra. Banka, Plembang 
was the ancient denomination of the present kingdom of Plembang on 
the Eastern Coast, extending in the west to B&nka-ulu. The 
name of this district, and of its principal Settlement, has first been 
contracted into Bdnkd-itlu and finally converted into Bdnhulen. 
The situation of Bdnko-Musso is undetermined, and this name is at 
present almost exclusively applied to that island, which forms with 
the opposite shore of Sumatra the Strait of Banka, 
During the first two centuries of the enterprizes of Europeans in 
India, this island attracted no notice Regular factories had been 
established at Jambf, A chin, Plembang, B&nka-ulu and Padang, 
while Banka was covered with impenetrable forests, and only known 
as an inconsiderable appendage of Sumatra. 
The antiquity of the Settlements of the Dutch in various parts of 
Sumatra has been preserved by the Historian of India, Valentyn ;the 
