REPORT ON THE ISLAND OF BANKA. 
321 
not suffer an attack. Two causes have probably contributed to af¬ 
ford it security; the connection which still existed between the pre¬ 
sent generation and many families derived from the ancient inha¬ 
bitants of Johore latterly removed to Linga, and the apparent pos¬ 
ture of defence which the inhabitants of Minto assumed. Shortly 
preceding the arrival of the Lanons, the princes of Linga had pro¬ 
mulgated the report of an intended attack on Minto, in order indi¬ 
rectly to annoy the princes of Plembang. A fortification was in 
consequence commenced with great energy on a commanding situa¬ 
tion above the town, which on account of the contribution of a sum 
of money by the Sultan, has been named Binting Saribu; but it 
has never been completed. 
But although Minto did not suffer immediately, like the other 
parts of B6nka, from the visits of the Lanons, it experienced during 
this period calamities of a different kind, which affected it nearly in 
the same degree as the disasters above enumerated affected the other 
parts of the island, and affords another proof of the culpable negli¬ 
gence with which the affairs of Bank& were conducted at the capital. 
Soon after the attack of the Lanons on the southern parts of the 
island, nearly one half of the inhabitants of Minto, including most 
of the principal families, abandoned their native place and retired 
to Linga. This emigration was occasioned by the treatment of 
one of the principal inhabitants of Abang-tawi a direct descendant 
of one of the ancient families which established Minto, and who 
commanded the esteem and affection of his fellow citizens in an 
eminent degree. Under the accusation of having committed some 
atrocious offence, he was summoned to the capital where, with¬ 
out a hearing, he suffered a violent death. Disgusted and incensed 
at this tyranmical act, all his relations and friends deserted their ha¬ 
bitations at Minto, and retired into voluntary exile. Another afflic¬ 
tion of Minto displays in a stronger degree the excessive indifference 
of the Sultan of Plemb&ng regarding the affairs of Banka. Raden 
Japhar, a near relation of the Sultan, having carried off by force the 
lawful wife of another person, was threatened with punishment. 
He therefore privately left the capital and retired to Linga, where 
