AND THE ECONOMY OF THE MINES. 823 
Ron in forming an estimate of the price actually paid for tliis metal 
during' the former administration. 
Although the system just detailed contains various abuses, and is 
far from being applicable to the present state of things, it must he 
kept in view,infixing apian for a more consistent arid equitable ad¬ 
ministration. If we may credit the relations of the old inhabitants 
these abuses were less extensive in former times, when the Tikes 
were more true to the interests of the Sultan, who on his part ad¬ 
hered more rigidly to his engagement. But while the mines were 
productive in the degree above mentioned, in. the interval of the 
years 1750 and 1775, the quantity of Tin manufactured on Banka 
exceeded the demands at Batavia, and the surplus was disposed of 
privately to indemnify the Tikos for the expenses incurred, and of¬ 
ten with the connivance of the Sultan. This gradually led to a regu¬ 
lar habit of clandestine dealing, which was in later periods carried to a 
great extent. This must also he considered as having given rise to that 
custom of granting advances which prevailed so largely on Banka. 
Calculating on a liberal profit from the Tin privately disposed of, 
these advances were indulged to pacify the miners in those cases in 
which the mines were less productive. 
But although these advances were conducted at random and with¬ 
out proper regard to economy, they are in some degree unavoidable, 
and arise, in a great measure, necessarily from the condition of the 
Island. 
Bankd requires all necessaries of life from other countries, and it 
therefore becomes an object of consideration with the power which 
exercises dominion and derives the proceeds of the mines, to supply 
the inhabitants and particularly the workmen ; in doing which a re¬ 
gulation may be adopted tending to the mutual advantage of him 
who furnishes and of those who receive the supplies. But it is for¬ 
eign from the object of the present essay to enter into details on this 
subject. It is sufficient to remark, in concluding, that by a late re¬ 
gulation, all the duties formerly exercised by the Tikos or by their 
Agents, the Kongsies, have been entrusted to persons acting on be¬ 
half of government, and under the superintendence of the Resident, 
as Inspectors of the particular districts in which mines are worked. 
The defects and abuses of the former administration will soon be¬ 
come evident, and point out the necessity and the means of reform. 
The pirates being removed from the coast and tranquillity and secu¬ 
rity being established, many of the exiled mountain-people will an- 
