Sambas is situate .about SO miles up the river of the same name. Like most other towns in Borneo, it is built of timber and bamboos, and raised by stakes above the swampy foundation. Sambas has been always a powerful state, but for sometime past, has devoted itself so entirely to piracy, as to render its existence scarcely compatible with that of its civi lized neighbours. Upon this principle, the British, in 1812, undertook an expedition against it ; but they were repulsed with great loss in the attack, and suffered still more from the malignant influence of the climate. In the following year, however, a new expedition was undertaken under Colonel Watson, who, on the 3c1 of July, carried the fort by storm, and obliged the Rajah to retire into the interior of his dominions. We presume, however, that both Sambas and Pontiana have been evacuated by the British troops, in consequence of the recent treaty with Holland.
On a general view of the state of culture and ci vilization in Borneo, Mr Hamilton estimates the po pulation at 3,000,000, which we should suppose to be rather above than under the truth. The interior is entirely occupied by a native race, called various ly, according to the parts of the Island which they inhabit, Dayak, Idaan, and Tiroon. Those which subsist by fishing, are commonly called Biajoos. The appellations of Horaforas and Maroots, have also been applied to these races. The whole may be considered as one, almost savage, and nearly similar to that which occupies the interior of Sumatra. Some, indeed, cultivate the ground,—some display considerable industry in fishing,—and a few employ themselves in collecting gold ; but their institutions, in general, indicate the very rudest state of human society. It .has been strongly reported, that they devour the flesh of their enemies ; an assertion not noticed by Dr Leyden, and which has, in many in. stances, been made' without foundation. All ac counts agree, however, as to the existence of ano ther truly savage custom, by which every man is de barred from the privilege of matrimony, till he has with his own hand, cut off the head of an enemy. Those, therefore, who are desirous of entering into that state, form themselves into what Dr Leyden calls head-hunting expeditions. They make an in road into the territories of a neighbouring tribe, and if their strength appears sufficient, endeavour to effect their object bylorce ; if otherwise, they conceal themselves behind thickets, till an unfortunate indi vidual passes, whom they can make their prey. Some are also said to immolate human victims on the altars of their divinities.
The inhabitants of the towns along the coast consist chiefly of that race so universally diffused through the Indian Islands, under the name of Ma lays. This name, to an European ear, has suggested every extreme of perfidy and atrocity. Nye have perused, however, a very different estimate of their character, fermeti by an intelligent gentleman, who spent several years in this part of India. He de. scrffies.them as honest, frank, simple, and even gen tle in their manners, decidedly superior, in a moral view, to the degenerate Hindoos. The sanguinary deeds, which have exposed them to so much re proach, be ascribes to a proud and almost chivalrous sense of honour, which makes them regard blows, or any sitnilar personal insult, as an offence only to be expiated by blood. The coarse and unfeel
ing treatment which they often experience from Dutch and Chinese masters, drives them to these dreadful extremities. Piracy, however, is a vice of which this race cannot be acquitted% and the western coast of Borneo, situate on the great naval route to China, may be viewed as the grand field for its exercise. To a poor and hardy race, who see half the wealth of Asia passing along their shores, the temptation is almost irresistible. Like the Arabs, they have formed for themselves a code of morality, in which plunder is expunged from the list of vices. Yet, though individually brave, they possess no skill or discipline, which could render them formidable to An European crew. The cowardice of the Lascars, by whom Indian trading vessels are usually navigat ed, is the only circumstance which has made our trade suffer so severely from their ravages.
Next to the two classes above enumerated, the most numerous are the Chinese. These, by the gentleman above alluded to, are considered as the moat valuable subjects whom an uncivilized state can receive into its bosom. The difficulty of finding subsistence in their own country, has led them to emigrate in vast numbers into Borneo. Nothing, perhaps, except the law which prohibits females from leaving the have prevented this almost unoccupied from being entirely filled with a Chinese population. Froth this circumstance, however, the colonists are composed entirely of men in the migour of life, and of the most enterprising and intimations- character. Their chief settlement is at Sambas, on the coast, where the num bers cannot be estimated at less than 30,000, com posing a sort of independent state. Their almost sole occupation is that of extracting the gold, which abounds upon this coast. It is found in alluvial soil, and is purified' by the simple pro ' cess of passing a stream of water over the ore. The processes employed for this purpose are daily improving, and it is conceived that the produce here and at other quarters, will be sufficient to remove all future apprehensions of the East proving a drain upon the gold of Europe.
The Commerce of Borneo, though not equal to its extent and natural capacities, is by no means incon siderable. Gold is its principal export. Mr Milburn estimates the annual quantity exported at 200 peculs, or t 6,000 lbs. avoirdupois, which would coin into up wards of 900,000 guineas. Like some other commo dities, it is divided, by a grotesque scale, into three kinds, (Balled the head, the belly, and the feet; the first being the best, and the two others gradUally dimi nishing in value. Camphire is exported to the ex tent of 30 peculs (3990 lbs.), all to China, where it is more esteemed than that of Sumatra. The singular Chinese luxuries of beech de mer, or sea slug, and edible birds' nests, are found in Borneo, as over all the Indian archipelago. Pepper to a considerable amount, canes and rattans of various descriptions, sago, and a little tin, complete the list of exports. The chief import is opium to a very great extent, with piece-goods, hard-ware, coarse cutlery, arms, and toys. By far the greater proportion of the trade is in the hands of the Chinese.
Leyden's Description of Borneo, in the Asiatic . Journal ; Hamilton's Gazetteer ; Milburn's Oriental Commerce; MS. of a Gentleman long resident in India. (B.)