The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-02-27
Selected for aAe MadisonisR from Robnts' Embassy
10 the Eastern Courts u Cochin CANA, MHseai and
Siam.


0CffEfc0 NA0Nf&0Nf4N
10 tie Eastern Courts u Cochin CANA, Maseal and
Siam.
sEMANGs.
fthe origin Of that singular and curious race
called Semaag the Malsys possess no tradition GER
tain is however, that the tribes OF them when hha
bIed parts both sides Of the peinsoia ~sie
much more numerous before many 81 tns Maisyah so,o
MES we're founded BY elngrants from Sumalra Inc
Sesnlngs are designated BY the Maays, nenang IayS
Bukil, Bskow, and Bia. The Senaug Paya are lhose
who reside the plains and borders o. noiasses ue
Semang Bakit whose abode is on The hills ana ne 90
mang Bakow are so called from their ifeqnenung the
seasorc and occasonsy taking up their quarters among
the naansroyc iunnes: the Semang Bia are those who
have been somewhat reclaimed from Their savage habits
and have had intercourse with the Maays similar
ofpeope are SAID 20 have formerly iaannen an sle
islands Of the Archipelago, and small parties are still 10
be found on many OF them To the eastward, they are
called Dyake, aud the east coast Of the peninsula,
Pangan. They are at present nost numerous ~ the
interior OF Jan, small river % the norih~ard Of MS
low near the lofty Jerei in the Qnedah Ter
riiory There small parties as0 in The mountains
inland Of Jooryo and krian, opposite Periang. Their
huts temporary dwellings, tlor they have no liked
hsbatons and move sbou, like the beasts OF the loress
consist OF two posts stuck INTO the ground with small
cross piece. and few leaves branches OF trees laid
over them from the weather; some Of them,
indeed the thicker parts Of the forests, where the
elephants, tigers and other wild animals most abnn-
dant, make their temporary dwellings upon the cliffs,
and branches OF the large trees their clothing consists
chiefly OF the inner bark Of having manuiac-
lures OF their own; few who have ventured to APP
proach the Malayan villages, however, Obtain little
cloth in exchange for elephants teeth, gahru, danmer
and canes which they procure III the Forest but OF the
intrinsic value Of which they possess little knowledge,
and are imposed upon by the crafty Malay. From the
Maays also they procure their arms knives aud tobac
co. Of which last they make great they in turn c-
qnenlly impose upon the superstitious Malays, when
they have products TO barter and wish TO procure
az tha rAgdI-
eines derived from particular shrubs and trees, which
they represent ebcacous for the OF headaches
and other complaints The Semangs subsist upon the
birds aud beasts Of the forest and upon roots they eat
elephants rhnocerosos monkeys and rats and with the
exception of the partial and scanty supplies which they
obtain from the Malays, they have no lice nor salt
they very expert with the smpt and poison their
darts with the ssoh procured from the juice OF various
trees, which are deadly poison; they handle the bow
and spear with wonderful dexterty, and destroy the
largest and most powerful animals by ingenious
tnvances. They seldom suffer by beasts Of prey, as
they are extremely sharpsghed and as agile 10 ascend
ing trees as the monkeys. Their mode OF destroying
Elephants order procure their ivory or their fesh
is most extraordinary and ingenious small parties Of
TWO and three lie in watt when they perceive any ele-
plants ascend hill aud they descend again (Which
they usually do at slow pace plucking the branches
IS they move along,) while the hind legs arc lifted up,
the Semang, cautiously approaching behind, drives a
sharp pointed bambc or piece Of weebong, which has
been previously well hardened in the FIRE, and touched
with poison, into the sole of the elephants foot with all
his force which etiectually lanes the animal and most
commonly causes him TO fall, when the whole party
rush upon hlrn with spears and sharp pointed sticks,
and soon despatch him.
The rhinoceros they Obtain with even less difficulty.
This ANIMAL which is Of solitary habits, is found fire.
quenty in marshy places, with its whole body miners
ed in mud, and part Of the head only projecting. The
Maays call them bodak tapa, the recuse rhnoceros
Toward the close Of the rainy season, they said to
bury themselves In this manner IN different places, and
upon the dry weather setting and from the effects OF
vertical the mud becomes hard and crusted, and
the rhnoceros cannot effect It's escape without consid
cradle difficulty and exeron; the Semangs then pre-
pare themselves with large quantities OF conbustibe
materials, with which they quietly approach the animal
who aroused from his rcvere by immense fire over
him, which being kept well supplied with fresh fuel,
completes his destruction and renders him in fit state
to make meal of; the projecting horn the snon Is
carefully preserved being supposed TO he possessed oi
medical properties, and highly priced by the Malays,
TO whom they barter it for tobacco and other articles
A more simple and natural mode Of beslowing names
cannot well be imagined, than that adopted by the Se-
mangs-lhey called after particular trees that is,
If child is born under cocoa nut, or duran,
or any particular tree in the forest named accord
ngly. They have chiefs among them, but all property
is IN common--they worship the sun
Some years ago. am told, the blndlhaya, or general
Of Quedah sent two Of these people for the inspection
Of some OF his English friends at Penang; but shortly
after leaving Quedah, Of them, whose fears could not
be appeased became very obsreporous aud endeayorcd
10 upset the small boat in which they embarked the
Malays, therefore, with their usual apathy and nder-
about human life, put the poor creature TO death
and threw him overheard the other arrived in safety,
was kindly treated and received many presents OF
spades, hatchets, and other implements, winch he APP
peared to prize above every thing else. On his return
TO Jan, he built himself small hut, and began to culti-
vae malse sugar cane and yams and II is said that he
is still there and quiet inofensve man. his man
was at the time of his visit to Penang according TO
port, about thirty years OF age, four feet nine inches IN
height his hair woolly and tulted, and Of glossy
Jet black his lips were thick, his nose fiat, and belly
very proluberant resembling exactly the natives oil the
Andaman islands The Scmanss are found also at
Tringand, on the eastern side Of the peninsula. an
informed by the Malays that the dialect OF that tribe IS
different from those Of Qnedah, hut much the same as
Of those Malacca they not of such jet black,
glossy appearance as the Semangs from Quedah, nor
the Andamans There is little doubt that the dege
neatc inhabitants Of the Andaman islands, in the bay
of Bengal, are descended from the same parent stock
the Semangs, and il extraordinary that they have pre-
served the uniformity OF manners and habits,
through such series OF ages.
A LAND OFrIcE TRANSACTION We are informed
of the following facts by gentleman who took part
in the transaction. A short time since gentlemen
went to the land Office at Springfield, to enter l60
acres of land He had bank notes, but was told they
would not do TO enter land, and he get the spe-
Gle. On inquiring where IL could be had he was
told by Of the officers or their clerk that could
be got Of The postmaster. OF he went TO the postmas-
Ter and agreed with him for the silver al four per
cent premium. The postmaster then went with him
to the land office and told the officers their clerk
Zone or both Of the officers being presently 10 lt The
gentleman hare the tand he rsoaid get ths slrer for
hsm. Whcreupon the person wishing to enter the
nd r1niI fhp m thn Gle