public buildings, in the town. As neither the fort or buildings described are those of the present day, but little need be extracted from these accounts. It appears that voluminous as are these reports of Major Macdonald, they are far from being his only productions during those few months, as several allusions are made to separate letters addressed to Government which do not appear in these records and in the present chapter he alludes to some former proposition of his for removing the town, or at all events the seat of Government from the point to the southern shore, apparently about Batoo Ooban. The The “Our fort was laid out by Mr Light and under his directions, "I presume, constructed by a jobbing Chinaman. It is placed "with the angles of the Bastions diagonaly to the cardinal points, on a bed of sea-land unpropped by any solid structure.* * 66 rampart is of a tolerably good breadth. No parapet has "ever been erected. The area contains a low bungalow built "by Mr Light for his own residence, and close to it, on the spot "where should have been the western rampart, a row of buildings "intended for his kitchen and godowns now converted to grane"ries. The fort in my opinion can never be considered "in a more respectable light than an armed barrack. * "" point is by means calculated for defence, nor is it, I fear with an "enlarged population for health, but as it must for some time be "the seat of Government, something should be done to render it "sufficiently tenable against a cursory attack. * * I am unwilling "to propose anything which adds to the expense of the Settlement "without having a permanent effect, and I am decidedly of opinion "that nothing at the point ought to be permanent. * * * To the "southward something should be done but I would limit myself "for the present to clearing away the brushwood, draining the ground, laying out the future town conveniently for commerce"and strictly for health. The example shewn, healthiness "of site opened and stability promised, a gradual secession from "the point will take place among the higher classes and the "dependents will soon follow-not that trade will forsake the point. The distance is but 4 miles by water. "buildings we have none except the Custom House, Hospital and "Jail. The latter, although termed new is in a ruinous state. "It consists of two rooms, or rather holes, which when the doors " are shut, have no air; an enclosed verandah in which remain "the guard and mixed with them the prisoners whose crimes "or faults are of a lighter die. * * The situation is inconvenient, "being in the middle of the town close to the bazaar. " Public The present hospital might be turned to excellent account as a barrack, grain magazine, &c. and another built upon a proper plan in some high, airy place at a distance from the town-if at "Batu Ooban, the future town, the better. * * * Amongst the "desiderata of the first magnitude are our Roads. With the "exception of one which continues with various degrees of "excellence for 4 miles from the fort to the interior of the Island, "the rest are but miserable footh-paths." Civil. Under this head Major Macdonald draws up a list of the Establishment he considers requisite for conducting his Adminis tration: 1 First Assistant... 1 Second ditto A Secretary .... .A confidential Counsellor & Magistrate. A confidential Assistant to Superintendent 3 European Clerks...... For Superintendent and Assistants. 2 or 4 Boys ... .. From orphan school.-"To be taught "Malay to the attainment of which 66 a foundation of Persian would "much assist." Clerk of the Marshal...."As Superintendant of the Department and of that part of Police which respects cleanliness.” 2 European Clerks...... As assistants to the above. Head Constable & Jailor. "Improperly here termed Provost." 2 Deputies (European)... As Turnkeys. A Vendue Master. 12 Peons... 3 Native Captains.. 3 Writers... "Appointed by authority of Government with exclusive privileges." (?) .....One for Superintendant and assistants. ...One to each language. ..One for each. The salaries for the above he says he gives in an appendix (not forthcoming.) He points out that Mr Light received 1,000 Rs. per month but was allowed to trade. Mr Mannington's salary was double this but he was prohibited from trading and he hints that this sum was found insufficient. The next chapter being of unusually small dimensions, may be given in extenso. "There are not any." Internal Duties. Landed Tenures. "The only tenure upon which land is held upon this Island is the Superintendent's grants, which have been but in very few instances, issued. A vague and indiscriminate order seems to have been given, on the moment of setting, entitling every person able to handle an axe to the possession of such ground as his personal exertion, or his funds, might enable him to clear. No farther obligation was stipulated, to cut down the heavy timbers, and to raise a little paddy among the roots, was deemed sufficient. "The Malays were allowed to roam at large to open as chance directed. The effect, as to quantity were soon perceived, but the benefit which might have been expected, followed tardily; vast tracts, after the first clearing, and few scanty crops of paddy gleaned, were left to revert as fast as the operation of nature would permit, to their original state. "Had such an industrious class of people as the Chinese been imported in sufficient numbers to have followed at the heels of the clearers, nothing more would have been requisite but to have afforded them protection from the vagrant population and assisted their industry by loans; neither of those requisites were in the Superintendent's power; possessed of feeble funds, and still more feeble means of protection, he was content to wait the slow operation of time." But when the unexpected prosperity of the Island gave assurance of its stability, and a better species of population was collected, when from the little business of the Shop the Chinese were gradually induced to commence the operations of husbandry, no better plan seems to been been adopted :-Land was a superabundant commodity, considered of little value, to ask was to have, or to appropriate without asking was equivalent to legal right. "Hence at present much difficulty in ascertaining the difference between what has been originally granted by Mr Light, or subsequently purchased and what has been taken without any permission:-Hence claims of extensive tracts, from 50 to 100 orlongs, by men whose funds and credit enable them not to cultivate more than 15 to 20. "This Island was established, and still continues to be supported for the extension and protection of commerce. As merchants only should Europeans be permitted to settle, if to their convenience a few acres of ground for a house garden and a few cows, were thought necessary, I certainly am of opinion it should be granted, and where a spirit of industry, a love of improvement evinced an European worthy of the indulgence, I should have no objections to an extension of grant. "To purchases from the needy lower classes of the inhabitants, I have uniformly hitherto shewn myself averse.-Mr Young, not content with 40 times more ground than he will, it is my opinion ever cultivate, some months ago purchased from the Burmah settlers a large tract, which they had cleared, thus throwing them back upon the Company's ground, where from charity Mr Light had received them on their emigration from Queddah to be a burthen to it, and useless to themselves. I have refused to register the sale and have ordered the Burmahs to resume their property, as they shall not be encouraged without proving themselves by industry worthy of protection. Of every spot which Mr Scott's sagacity pointed out as, at a future hour, likely to become valuable he has, by assumption or purchase made himself a part owner. But I believe his views, the ultimate bequest of his estate excepted, have always turned to the prosperity of the island towards which his own improvements, on an extended scale contribute. What he does not immediately cultivate, I have reason to think he would dispose of to the Company at a fair valuation, or on the terms by which he acquired it. Mr Layton is like wise an industrious and prospering farmer, as was Mr Brown previous to his junction with Mr Young. The latter gentleman I consider in every walk a speculatist much too ardent and versatile to permit to any one of his schemes even a distant chance of success. Although here a settler 3 years, and long possessed of land, no part of it yet promises to reward his own labour, or the public expectance from it." Land and other Public Revenue.. "The only Revenue accruing to the Company from land is a trifling quit-rent imposed on all grants varying as caprice or the degree of favour in which stood at the time the Grantee with the Superintendent apparently dictated. I have taken the average of imposition as my guide, fixed it at 2 copangs, or one shilling per orlong for farms in general; in a town or bazar it will be considerably more-the amount is trifling." The Farms are then enumerated and it is stated that they yield 2,150 dollars a month. After which "I had resolved in my mind "and long adhered to the idea of making a Farm of tobacco and "betlenut, but the difficulty of preventing smuggling has hitherto "prevented me I am assured that no fewer than 150,000 "betlenut trees flourish in the Island. Admitting them of suffi"cient age, 5 to 7 years, to yield for the market, a tythe on them "alone at one copong would give us 15,000 dollars per annum.' The above, and the following extract from the section of Marine show that Major Macdonald was quite equal to his predecessor in forming brilliant anticipations of future prosperity. "situation can be found more eligible for every department of "naval architecture and marts, and timber of every requisite "dimensions can here be procured and under the auspices of "the Company laid up under shed to season, as well as furnishing the other Settlements with such quantity as they may "require." "No The dispatch concludes with the following final blow aimed at the obstreperous English settlers, and as the only appendix forthcoming contains the replies of these men to the call made on them, a few of their answers are here given and thus concludes this terribly long report upon the state of Pinang in 1796. "Immediately on the receipt of your commands, I sent in circulation to the European Inhabitants requesting the authority under which each of them has taken up his Residence here, their answer I have the honor to forward to you. Adverting to the contest I have had with the majority I could wish to decline stating my opinion of their characters as merchants or rather traders. It is not very favorable to them, the house of Scott excepted; what I have before said of them in the aggregate on further knowledge I confirm; that by their removal neither the particular interests of the island, nor those of trade in general, could on the most minute scale of deterioration be affected; not that I wish any step to be taken to their prejudice. I would much rather witness their prosperity, provided they merited it by a quiet and orderly behaviour. In what estimation they may stand with their employers as agents I know not, but as traders on their own account, their sphere is certainly very limited. "Of Mr Fenwick I have not heard for some time, report speaks of him as prisoner to the French; previous to his departure, I had some idea he had repented of his folly; his violence made him the stalking horse of more prudent men. The only difference between them was, he attacked openly, while they were contented to work by sap." Copy of a Cicular Letter to the European Inhabitants. Sir, I have the honor to enclose to you a copy of a paragraph of a general Letter from the Supreme Government, under date the 27th August 1796, received yesterday by the ship "Diana," with the purport of which you will be pleased immediately to comply, that I may take the earliest opportunity of forwarding your answer to the Governor General in Council. I am &c. [Signed] Forbes Ross MacDonald. Answers Fort Cornwallis, 21st Sept. 1796. To Forbes Ross McDonald, Esquire. Sir, Superintendent. In answer to your Letter of yesterday, I have to inform you, that I came to settle on this island under the protection of Mr Light early in the year 1788, and have been on it since that time, but have no authority or permission whatever for my residing here. I am &c. [Sd.] W. Lindsay. I have to acnowledge the receipt of your Letter of |