Page:Journal Of The Indian Archipelago And Eastern Asia Series.i, Vol.2 (IA in.ernet.dli.2015.107695).pdf/185

 NOTICES OF LOMBOK.

Defective as our knowledge of Bali has hitherto been, of the adjacent island of Lombok we knew still less. Indeed we are not aware that any notice of it existed prior to the recent visit of Mr. Zollinger, with the exception of some very slight notes extracted from a journal, which were presented to the Asiatic Society in 1846. As these notes we believe have not been otherwise published we subjoin them.

10th. December 1844.

In July last a ship from the port of Ampánán in the Island of Lombok called "Todáh" (sword fish,) belonging to a Bugis settled there named Nákhodá Mudá, when about to clear out from Singapore was claimed by one Hájí I'sáháh as his property. An action was commenced in the court; and, as the Nákhodá had no bill of sale of the vessel, it became necessary to procure evidence from Rhio, where the former owner of the vessel, Rájá Husain, resides, and from Lombok. The Nákhodá's statement was that the vessel had been sold by Rájá Husain to Nákhodá Ishmáilá the elder brother of Hájí Isáháh, and that on the death of Ishmáilá, or Smylá, as he is called, at Lombok (where he had been long settled) without leaving any male offspring, his wife, daughter, slaves and all his property became the king's, that the king made over the whole to Nákhodá Mudá, on condition of his supporting and protecting the widow, daughter and dependants of the deceased. Hájí Sábah (Isáháh) asserted that he had purchased the vessel from Rájá Husain, but it was probable that if he failed to prove this he would claim it as administrator to his brother's estate, as he had obtained letters of administration from the court last year. The rule being that personal property descends according to the law of the place where the owner was domiciled when he died, it became necessary to obtain evidence of the law of Lombok on this point. It happens that Mr. King, an Englishman, is Sabandar at Ampánán (or Mataram as it is termed in official language) in that island, and to him application was made for information.