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


Bumstra Is the most western island in the Isdan
Archipelago. AT one end, it stretches into the bay
Of Bengal ut the other, it Is divided by the Sunda
straits nom Java. Inferior in size only to Bonso
and New Guinea, II measures more than thousand
miles In length, with an average breadth Of hun
cred and thirty miles. The surface Of this extern.
sivs country is diversified by deep valleys of aston
ishing fertility, aud 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 ovcrshadow-
cd by volcanic peaks. They are fed by perennial
springs, and form the sources Of innumerable rivers
which discharge themselves along the coast. or
these, some are Davigable for frgates such as the
PalembaDg and the Jambee, at considerable dis
lance nom the sea- Others bear only native craft,
and others serve alone to bestow gracss on the land
scapes OF this beautiful country by sho werng their
streams over the crests Of l 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
informed by Josephus, was called by the ancients
S0phara, or 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
plentfully in Menankabao; and the steel wrought in
that kutapate excels, according to Msrsden, 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
and China, ss well as to the markets Of the West.
Sulphur, saltpetre alum, arsenic, and valuable
coloied eartbs have been discovered and excellent
btuminous coal has been found at various points, in
dcatpg the existence of inexhaustiDle beds of this
most valuable of minerals.
Otis vegetable productions, rice the chief susie
nance Of so many millions among the inhabitants of
Asia is grown in every province. Other grains are
produced in less abundance. Camphor of good but
peculiar quality, gUtta percha, caoutchouc, csssis,
bepzoiD, and a0es; indigo, gambler, cotton coffee,
sugar, tosacc0, silk, pepper, cinnamon, cocoa and
betel nuts, with sat turpentne, several rare gums,
and magnificent ivory constitute materials Of trade,
besides the edible birds nests lucrative an ar Sic
Of commerce, being so richly esteemed by the
epicureans OF China In the forests are discovered
teak Timber ebony Of rare beauty, eagle iron, aud
sandel wood, while the junges afford Iattans fully
equal to those Of Borne0 and Malacca.
The animal kingdom Of 5uulatra 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 rhinoceros, the stag
the Maayan bear she wild boar, the buffalo, and
the tiger frequent its vast forests, while many crea
tuIes useful TO man have been domestca,ed in the
populous districts. Birds adorned with the splendid
plumage, 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 q Sumatran
forest. In the estimation Of one delightful traveller
(Marsden) which is also that of the writer Of tdis
article, Sumatra is an enormous orchard perpetualy
filed with the captivating perfume of fruit and
flowers.
This island has an extraordinary and diversified
population. There are wild tribes-a remnant Of its
original inhabitants scattered from end to end in
secluded communities among the jungly hills. They
bear different names; are found In patches-as the
Orang kOoboo, bstween Palembang and Jambae;
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 Sumstra 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 twothifds OF the island,
with it, finest hills, Its most fertile Valleys it, most
productive mines, and predominant over all the rest
Altogether the population of Sumatra may be esti-
mated at q little above 5000, 900 souls. fA
Commando the western entrance Of the archipe.
kgo the situation Of this island for CONNER e one
Of the most advantageous in the ca stern SEAS Many
Of our Boston and Salem merchants have long been
MonalIy veDtured, as upon hazardous experiment
to send their vessels to trade upon its coass in
sequence OF the absence Of all projection to our In
tertsts IN that quarter. On account of numerous
Representations Of New York aud Baltimore mer.
chsbts in regard to the value Of more general
commerce with Sumatra, The late admin ,tra'ion
vas induced to send Mr.. Joseph Balester on spe.
cial mission to many OF the independent sovereign
ties OF the Indian Archipelago, and in his iDstruc
tons FROM the State Department he was directed
to visit the pepper coast on the island of SumStra
which for many years has been frequented by oul
trading ships, amt where. more than one occasion
Orr intercourse with the natives has unfortunately
led to dispute aud less Of life; and with view t.
place affairs on proper and safe footing, the iDtsr
position OF our public ships has been found
and as that coast has not been called ct by any ol
our war ships fer some years. IL wouli not be anss
that they SHOULD again be visited" This mission
was not accomplished, on account Of disagreaments
between the envoy and the commodore (Voorhet ~
who was to convey him to .he scene OF his negotia-
tons. Mr. Balester did not succeed Ia touching at
any Of the ports Of Sumatra. It /, important that
the mission should be revived and carried out to
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
Fire I'm Savannah Explosion aud Loss Of
Life.
From the savannah Republican. Jan. %
A fire broke out on Sunday night last about half
past eleven O'Clock, In small wooden store, corner
Of Congress and Barnard streets, occupied by d.
Abratams D Brother, hat and CLOTHING merchants
and situated directly west Of, and very near, the
scene of the late fire, which originated in the drug
store Of MessIs SOlomons Il Co. The bulldogs
south Of the corner store, facing on Barnard. and
running back to the laneas also those west, facing
Congress street and extending to the three story
brick building Occupied bv Mr.. w. M. Davidson M a