Page:Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (IA journalof535419091910roya).pdf/284

 Cosen to the great King Rama Raia, It is an auncient Custome in this kingdome, that the Kinges devide their Countrie in 3 principall Naicques in manner of a Loanc to them and their heires, paying yearlie a certen Rent, and when the King hath any warres, they serve him with a certen Number of Elephantes horses and Souldiers att their owne Costs and Charges, and att this presente tyme this Kingdome is devided into 3 principall Naieques to witt to him of Tanianeo; him of Tirepopelir and to the Naicque of Madurie of which country of theise 3 Naicques betweenc Negapatam vntill St. Tome and deeper towards thecttle for himself and ffortes, and although the King eth the souereigne goverinent to himself and t without his Confirmation nothing is of any valliditie but must come yearlie to shewe their obedience, yct notwithstanding they are sufficiently Kinges, ech of them in his gouerment doing what hee will, which happened for the most parte by the Kinges age whoe hath not beene able to settle a good order in all thinges; through which meanes theise Naicques do much pill and poll their subiects, ffarming out their townes to the Bramanes, which whollie do consume the poore Commons, that it is too bee wondred howe they are able to mainteyne their famillies; This is the principall goverment of this country. And touching the trade here, the Portingalles haue had a mightie rich trade which might bee accompt- ed the verie best in the Indies, but in regarde they are put from their Trade in Jaua, Amboine, Banda, Moluccos, Solor, Borneo, Siam and Petania, this also is much decayed, so that at this tyme they are hardlie able to mainteyne their famillies; Negapatam and St. Thome beeing so much decayed as is vnspeakeable. In this kingdome the Dutch haue two ffactories, (to witt) one in Tanagapatam belonging to the Naique of Tirepopelir;