Journal of the Indian Archipelago and Eastern Asia/Series 1/Volume 2/Notes on Malacca
NOTES ON MALACCA.
By J. B. Westerhout, Esq.,
Assistant Resident at Malacca.
The Malayan Peninsula may generally be described as a region mountainous and hilly, with very extensive plains or valleys; the aspect altogether is very picturesque. The greater part of the interior is covered with extensive forests, containing fruit trees and in which savage animals roam; but they are peopled and cultivated here and there; the largest mountain is Gunong Ledang or mount Ophir which is about 5,600 feet above the level of the sea.[1] There are also two large rivers the Muár and the Lingey, the latter is about 150 yards broad and navigable for vessels of about 200 tons.
Gold.
The mineral productions of Malacca are principally gold and tin. The Gold mines of Ophir were worked till the year 1817 by the Malays. About that time from 20 to 30 Chinese also commenced working, and have increased from time to time, so that the average number at present employed there is about 250 men. Eight Klings from the Coast of Coromandel have gone up this year, the gold is of 9 touch; the mines are at the foot of the mountain, and their general depth is from 70 to 200 feet. The Malay process of gathering the gold dust is very simple. They dig till they come to the rock, then break and pound it, carry it to a stream and wash off the gold dust. The miners have to pay a duty to Inchi Ahat the uncle of the present Tamungong of Muár, Toonku Sahid. The gold gathered is 24 catties annually; which is all brought to Malacca. The gold mines at Gámunchí were accidently discovered about 80 years ago by Panghulu Topay, who picked up a stone that was lying on the ground, and breaking it, found that it contained gold. The Malays then commenced working and found a small quantity. After which the Panghulu died and his son (illegible text) succeeded. During his time he got people to go up from Malacca, among whom was a man named Haji Amát who went up with 200 Malays about the year 1807, and worked the mines till the year 1824, when he left it, and Sengkong went up in his stead. He left off working on account of the Naning War, after which it was worked again from 1833 to 1840 by Amát bin Ludane. After his death they were often attacked by the Malay Rájás, on which they deserted the place, but since the year 1844 the Panghulu of Johore, having promised to protect them, encouraged their commencing again; still there are very few at present. There are seven hills where gold is found, Gámunchi, Chindras, Tabong, Ládáng, Ayer Kuning, and two others. In Háji Amat's time they brought from 40 to 50 catties to Malacca annually. The distance from town is about 40 miles, and there is a good buggy road as far as the 19th. mile. The present population under Panghulu Mah Japar, consists of about 200 men.
Tin.
The working of the mines at first was trifling, principally from the want of capital, but lately they have been very successful; the first tin mine that was worked was at Titian Akar about 11 miles from town by a Chinaman, in the year 1793; and in 1807 Dool Syed opened one at Lendeck in Naning. In 1833 I opened several tin mines at Pandoy, Tunguay Balu, and Lendeck in Naning, till 1835 when I left off working. In 1840 I assisted a Chinaman who opened one at Durian Tungal. He made a great profit, and was followed by many other of his countrymen. The principal mine here, I mean in the Company's territory, is at Cassang, at present worked by about 2,200 Chinese which was lately discovered. The quantity of tin brought to town from this mine is from 300 to 350 piculs monthly, which is readily sold at the rate of $16 per picul. More mines have been discovered towards Naning, Gapum, Duyong, during this month, where they have commenced working, and I think there is no doubt they will become equally rich and valuable when largely worked. There are about 1,200 men working in the other mines, at Durian Tungal, Naning and Ayer Párás. These mines are all divided into Kong-ces or companies, each under its respective Towkay. They have each a share in the produce. The quantity of tin exported from Malacca yearly is 16,277 piculs, of which 4,277 piculs is from the Company's territory, 7,000 from Sungei Ujong, and 5,000 from Lukut. There are about 4,600 miners at Lukut, and Sungei Ujong, and 3,400 in the Company's territory. The mines are generally excavated in the swampy flats at the base of hills, from six to twenty feet deep, following the streams of ore, which will run to the distance of two or three miles. These exca- vations are called by the natives Limbongan. The excavations made by the Malays are inferior to those dug by the Chinese as they are too lazy to work the layers which lie deep.
Population of Malacca taken in the month of April 1847.
| 1846. | 1847. | |
|---|---|---|
| Christians, | 2,700 | 2,784. |
| Malays, | 33,161 | 33,473. |
| Chinese, | 9,414 | 10,589 |
| Arabs, | 177 | 195. |
| Battas, | 329 | 387. |
| Hindus, | 1,082 | 1,023. |
| Chulias, | 5,048 | 5,454. |
| Siamese, | 31 | 35. |
| Bengalese, | 179 | 199. |
| Javanese, | 173 | 313. |
| Bugese, | 178 | 248. |
| Balese, | 11 | 46. |
| Caffres, | 45 | 50. |
| Convicts, | 185 | 199. |
| Total, | 52,713 | 54,995. |
Malacca, August, 1847
- ↑ According to Mr. Thomson the height is only about 1,320 feet. Ante p. 137.—Ed.