Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: CHAPTER III. Palamban, its Commerce.—Palambanese ixar with the Dutch.— Departure from Mintow.— Monsoons.— Currents. — Pulo Condore. — Cambodia. — Cape Saint James. — Arrival at Vung-tau. Palamban river is the largest in Sumatra, and empties itself into the sea by several channels at the northern entrance of Banka strait; it is navigable for merchant vessels quite up to the city, and men of war have occasionally, with much difficulty, ascended it. Palamban is fourteen leagues from the mouth of the river, and occupying both banks, extends several miles in length. The principal articles of export here are tin, black pepper of an inferior quality, rattans, rough diamonds and gold dust: their imports are similar to those of Banka. At the time of the occupation of Batavia by the British in 1811, the Dutch settlements at Palamban and Mintow also submitted to their arms, and remained in their possession till the late peace, when they were given up to their former occupants, the Dutch; From its local situation, no difficulty was experienced in the re-occupation and firm possession of Mintow by the latter, when evacuated by the English ; it was not so at Palamban. Disgusted at the monopolising policy of the Dutch and suffering, as they had, from their former rapacity, the Palambanese had determined not to admit the Hollanders into their country, on their former footing. They were however not prepared, on the first return of their ancient neighbours, to repel them by force; they therefore temporised with them, while every effort was made to put themselves in a posture to prevent their again becoming permanent inhabitants : nor were they long in preparing for this event. The present sultaun, a man of an enlightened mind, and prompt in his measures, of extensive views, ardently loving...