REPORT ON THE ISLAND OF BANKA. 
309 
from Europeans. 5(5 Several families, the names of the heads of which 
are recorded by the inhabitants of Minto, formed the first stock of 
colonization : the chief of these was the father-in-law of Raden Lam- 
bu: they were of Chinese descent, but their ancestors for several 
generations had embraced the Mahomedan religion. A large num¬ 
ber of their relations and of others adventurers from this and from 
.the neighbouring islands gradually followed; the physiognomy of 
the present generation evidently indicates their Chinese derivation | 
they have formed few matrimonial connections with the neighbour¬ 
ing Malays or with the original inhabitants. The custom of mar¬ 
rying a daughter of one of the principal inhabitants of Minto has been 
kept up as a religious duty by the sovereign of Plemblng, and it has 
been considered as treasonable for a subject from the capital to con¬ 
tract matrimony with any of the daughters of the descendants of the 
first emigrants. The present Sultan, who has been elevated sines 
the acquirement of Banka by Great Britain, has applied for the pri¬ 
vilege of following the custom of his ancestors, and a bride from 
Minto was accordingly provided and conducted to the capital by an 
embassy from the Court. 
This town, which has lately been honored with the illustrious name 
of Minto, was fixed on part of the territory of a native chief, Pa- 
Mento, from whom it took its ancient name.’j* The troubled state of 
Banka during the first period of the establishment retarded its pro¬ 
gress ; after the expedition from Batavia by which Sultan Anom was 
expelled, the population was increased by numerous emigrants from 
Menangkabau, Pontiana, Java and the neighbouring islands under 
Joliore and Linga, 
It is not known exactly at present, in what district the discovery 
of tin was made, but the first attempts at refining the ore were un¬ 
dertaken by the inhabitants of Minto. The industrious enterprising 
character of the nation from which they are descended early directed 9 
their attention to this object, and according to the relation of the in¬ 
habitants the mining operations were very extensive after the defeat 
* Pulo Srintan is the southern large island of tho north Anambas. Ed, 
7 w hich the Dutch have very properly restored. It is now written Muo* 
tok, Ed, 
