In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt of the content:

APPENDIX VI a) Sultan of Palembang’s letter to Raffles (Raffles Collection IV, no. 15) This letter is from Sultan Ratoo Mahmood Bada Roodin of the Country of Palembang with many compliments to Thomas Raffles Esqr. I have received your letter from Captain Macdonald with much pleasure; I fully understood the contents. Radin Mahmood with Abu Bakar Room who are my vakeel will acquaint you with every thing that is not written in this letter ... I am sorry your vakeel has been detained here so long. I have received the muskets, for which I am greatly obliged to you ... I believe what you say—that the English only desire to act with benevolence and kindness to all the Eastern Nations / black men. The English name will become famous throughout the islands and seas of the East.... With respect to the Hollanders who are at Palembang, do not be uneasy; all shall be done as you desire ... I therefore do not wish to say more / written with a long pen / Radin Mahmood and Abu Bakar will tell you all .... I have sent a pair of spears with gold ... and eight piculs of tin. I wish to be on the best terms of friendship with the English. In the fort of Palembang 29th of Rabial [sic] awal at 12 o’clock 1226 [=23 April 1811, Tuesday].9 372 9 The date of this letter was wrongly recorded by Raffles. It should be 29 Rabi’ulakhir instead of 29 Rabi’ul-awal. The letter was written on 23 May, not 23 April 1811. See the similarity in content with that of Palembang X, above. ...

Share