The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-01-29


Bumstrs is the most western island in the Isdian
Archipelago. At one end, it stretches into the bay
Of Bengal 1T the Other II is divided by the Sunda
strait nom Java. Inferior in size only to Bornso
and New Guinea, II NE ssures more than q thousand
miles In length, with an average breadth Of hun
cred and thirty miles. The surface Of this extern
svs country is diversified by deep valleys Of aston
ishDg fertility, and spacious levels covered with
forests, which lie between the mountain chains.
Among the mountains, which in many places
break int, double or treble lines are extensive lakes
picturesquely Graded among rocks and overshadow-
ed by volcanic peaks. They are fed by perennial
springs and form the sources Of innumerabe rivers
which discharge themselves along the coast. or
these, some are Davgable for frigatcs such as the
PalembaDg and the Jambee, at considerable dis
lance from the sea; Others bear only native craft,
and others serve alone TO bestow gracss on the land
scapes oil this beautiful country, by sho wering their
streams the crests Of hil into natural basins OF
rock. About one fifth Of the waters Of Sumatra fall
into the Indian ocean, the remainder flowing into
the straits OF Malacca, or the Java sea.
Favored In its situation and natural facilities for
commerce, Sumatra abounds in material resources.
and once disputed with Ceylon the title Of Taprobane
and Golden Chersonese. This part of india we are
Sopbara, OF the Land Of Gold. Be that as it may,
the chief wealth Of Sumatra is mineral. Iron ore Of
magnetic quality exists in various parts, but most
plentifully in Menankabao; and the steel wrought in
that kultaDate excels, according to Marsden, the
most celebrated manufactures Of Europe. The tin
Of the island, the Straits tim as known In the
markets Of the United States, though esteemed in
feJior to that OF Banca, exported largely TO India
and China, ss well as to the markets Of the West.
Sulphur, saltpetre, alum, arsenic, and valuable
cooied eartbs have been difc0vered; and excellent
bituminous coal has been found at various points, in
dicatpg the existence of inexhaustiDe beds of this
most valuable of minerals.
Offs vegetable productions rice the chief susie
nance OF SO many millions among the inhabitants of
Asia, is grown in every province. Other grains
produced in less abundance. Camphor OF good but
peculiar quality gutta percha, caoutehouc, csssa,
beDzoD, end al0es indigo gambler, cotton, coffee,
sugar, tosscco, silk, pepper, cinnamon, cocoa and
beel nuts with SALT turpeutine, several gums,
and magnificent ivory constitute materials of trade,
besides the edible birds nests, so lucrative arti ,e
OF commerce being 80 richly esteemed by the
epicureans Of China In the forests are discovered
teak timber ebony OF rare beauty. eagle iron, aud
sandel wood whilo the ungles afford Iattans fully
equal to those Of Borneo and Malacca.
The animal kingdom Of 5umatra Is large and va.
ried. Elephants, which added to the pomp of its
kings, and were used for conveyance by the people;
the tapir, the double horned rhnoceros, the stag,
the Nalayan bear, she wild boar, the buffalo, aud
the tiger, fequeDtt its vast forests, while many
tuIes useful to man have been domesticated in the
popul0us districts. Birds adorned with the splendid
pumage, distinguishing the winged creation Of the
East live in vast numbers in the woods and jungle.
Their rich and brilliant tints-orange, green, rose
red bright steel blue aud gold-contribute touches
OF beauty to the landscape OF the island, harmonic.
Ing with the gorgeous vegetation OF Sumatran
iOTest In the ESTIMATION OF one OelRQtul traveller,
(Marsden) which Is also that OF the writer Of this
article, Sumatra is enormous orchard perpetually
filed with the captivating perfume Of fruit and
flowers.
This island has an extraordinary and diversified
population. There are wild tribesa remnant of its
original inhabitants scattered from end to end in
secluded communities among the juDgy hills. They
bear different names; are found In patches-as the
Orang Kooboo, bstween Paembang and Jambee;
the Lsmpougs, dwelling as fishers in the muddy
creeks along the sea. or as mountain nomades; the
Passumshs the head hunters Of the Soath. Their
aggregate number Is about 100000 The present
Mslays Of Sumatra form, for their numbers, their
wealth, their influence, and their civilization the
most important division OF its inhabitants. They
occupy the whole Of the wide middle region and
northern portion or about twothirds OF the island,
with it finest hills, Its most fertile valleys, its most
productive mines, and predominant over all the rest
Altogether, the population Of Sumstra may be est
mated at little above 5000, 900 souls. b..
Commanding the western entrance Of the archipe-
Ago the situation Of this island for ,e is
Of the most advantageous in the tern ssas. Many
of our Boston and salem merchants have long been
familiar with it's Importance, but have only Occ a.
Aonally veDtured, as upon hazardous experiment,
to send their vessels to trade upon its coass in
sequence OF the absence of all protection to In
tertsts IN that qusrter. On account Of numerous
representations Of New York aud Baltimore mer-
chants in regard to the value Of q more general
commerce with Sumatra, the late admin strA ion
vas induced TO send Mr.. Joseph Balester on q spe-
cal mission to many OF the independent sovereign
ties Of the Indian Archipelago, and in his iDstruc.
tons from the State Department be " was directed
to visit the pepper coast the island of Sum<tra,
which for many years ha, been ffequepted by our
trading SHIPS ana where. mpre than one OCCASION
our intercourse with the natives has unfortunately
led to dipufe aud loss Of life; and with view to
place affairs on proper and safe footing, the intsr
position OF our public ships has been found necessary;
and as that COST has not been called ct by sny Of
our war ships for some ycars, it wouli not be aiss
that they should again be visitej.n This mission
was not accomplished, on account OF dlssgreaments
between the envoy and the commodore (Voorhets)
who was to convey him to .he scene OF his negotia
TONS Mr. Baestier did not succeed IN touching at
any Of the ports OF Sumatra. Il /, important shat
the mission should be revived and carried out to q
successful issue. The present administration will no
doubt give due consideration to the advancement
Of our commerce in Sumatra, and throughout the
Eastern Archipelago in general.