The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-08-10

~ dpous I'VE uohafS per nunure0, or nIteen rupees
This is when it is ready for shipment The govern
ment, following out their characteristic policy Of re-
striction, have limited the production of
these mines to about seventy thousand piculs each
pcul being about 125 pounds. The object of this
policy is to maintain the high price. The island
could produce 900 piculs The net revenue to the
Dutch government last year, from this source was
The Island of Billion Is the private pro.
perty OF Prince Henry, son of the present King of
the Netherlands, William III. It also produces
great supply Of tin and is under the management Of
the Baron Van Tuyl, well known in this country,
where he has lived many years.
During his stay on the Island Of Banca, he re.
quested to be furnished with Malay interpreter and
secretary to instruct him in the Malay language,
which he desired to obtain knowledge of for his
future use. While here, he formed an acquaintance
with several officers, some of whom were about to
proceed to the Fort Of Palembaug, on the Moosee
river, in Sumatra where the interpreter would be Of
great service to him in his intercourse with the
natives. The interpreter and secretary had both
been introduced to him by the officers who
played the, part Of his friends, but who, as vii
be seen, gained his confidence the better to serve
their own treacherous ends. Badoo the interpreter,
was one of the private police Of the resident Cover
nor, Schapp, of Banca and had been furnished to
our voyager to watch all his actions The Dutch it
is well known are exceedingly jealous Of the appear
ance OF any American in that region, and Mr. Glib
sons being the first American vessel which had en-
tered those waters, naturally excited their suspicious
particularly as they had heard of the Cuban move
ment which at that time was in full blast here.
Subject to this espionage he left Banca, accom-.
panied by five officers and one hundred and twenty
Various interesting incidents occurred during
his passage up the Palembaug. He had two en-
counters with tigers of which hscaptured one. He
also had brush with some large monkeys, and sort
Of semihuman, semi brute creatures called Orang-
kooboos, hairy naked race, living in the trees and
communicating with each other in a language which
civilized man has found it impossible to reduce to
a grammatical system. They have no connection
with the Malay inhabitants Of Sumatra, but never
theless sort Of commercial intercourse, if mere
exchange can be dignifed by that title exists be-
tween them. The Malays place red cloth and other
attractive articles on the outskirts Of the woods in
habited by the Kooboos, and then retire to dis
tance. swhen the savage denizens of the wilds
make their appearance and replace those art-
cles with benzoin and camphor, two very valuable
drugs.
There is another savage race still more degene-
rate, called the Orang Gugur Both are utterly des-
ttute of chins almost covered with hair have little
or no calf to the Leg long heels long arms recedng
foreheads, and projecting jaws, like the monkey
tribe. In fact they appear to be more closely allied
to the brute than to the human pert Of creation.
Their heads, however, are covered NJ long, flow
ing hair, which on the females grows to great
length often falling below the waist 1t is decorated
with ornaments made Of the cocoa nut and other
articles
Proceeding up the river about one hundred miles,
Mr.. Gibson came to anchor opposite the Fort OF Pa
lerubaug, his place Of destination and was there re
ceived with a great show of attention by the resi-
dent Governor, De Brauw, and his officers Stump
tuous entertainments were given in his honor at the
Governor 8 residence, which were reciprocated by
others board the Flirt While in this part of the
country he visited various native princes and chiefs
among whom were Prince Panzorang, Osmin bin
Kassm Bar Kaba, an adherent of the Sultan of
Jamba, also the Prince Scherrif Ali, chief of the
descendants Of Arab settlers in Sumatra. He had
also opportunity of visiting the celebr aed Tang
Alan, which signifies Pillar of the World. He is
the Chief of the Passumahs, fine race of people,
highly spoken Of by Marsden and Raflles in their ac-
count of Sumatra.
1t appears that this Tiang Alan is a minister
of highly interesting and beautiful princess called
Sahdeah, who is the granddaughter of sultan de-
posed by the Dutch invaders On account of the fame
and surprising beauty, well the strange posi-
tion in which this princess is placed adventurer
was induced to visit her territory Upon intimating
his desire to do so to certain natives, in short time
information was conveyed to him that prov, a
pleasure barge peculiar to this country, ready
to take him to Ogan river, where he could have an
interview with this peerless beauty Of Snmatra,
When he her surrounded by her brilliant court.
and glitterDg with jewels her beauty shining re-
splendent amid all the ornaments with which she
was decked, our voyager could not orbear EXP Iress
ing his admiration, at which, Of course, the cour-
tiers and the fair object felt much pleased. Unfor
tur ately for him, however, there was among the
crowd of spectators one who already regarded him
with jealousy. This was Lieutenant Nicolson, a
commander Of one Of the DGtch vessels, and who
had made several Intellectual attempts to ingratiate
himself into the favor, and it Is suspected the aec.
tions Of the Princess, with the view of ultimately
becoming Ler husband, and thus obtaining posses
sion Of her territories.
Finding the interpreter unfit for his office, another
was procured from the authorities Of Palembang.
The name Of this one was kiagoes Lanang, which
literally signifies the "poetical man." This ind
vidua requested Mr.. Gibson to write letter to the
Sultan Of Iambee, expressing his desire to visit the
capital of that monarch But the "poetcal man
was also furnished as spy, as was proved after
wards on Mr.. Gibsons trial at Batavia, where he ap
peared as of the private officers employed in the
household of the resident Governor Of Palembang.
In this letter he inserted many in1smmatory expires.
sons against the Dutch, obviously with a view to
implicate Mr.. Gibson. 1t contained considerable
abuse of them, and profers Of services and assist
ance from the United States government against the
Dutch. II contained as may be supposed from this,
many inconsistent statements, the absurdity and
falsity Of which were evident. The principal charge
brought against Mr Gibson by the Dutch authorities
there founded upon the contents Of this letter aud
was called by the name Of "high treason.' This