Page:Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (IA journalof788019181919roya).pdf/98

 due to earthquake. It is still the burial place of Benkoelen, but in the accompanying plan only the locations of the English tombs are indicated, with a few exceptions which are not mentioned in the text.

The author's thanks are due to Mr. Westenek, the Resident of Benkoelen, Mr. van den Horst, and Mr. P. Jansen, T. Pzn., for assistance in compiling these notes.

To the right on entering the barbican and below the barbette, are three altar tombs, side by side, each surmounted by a massive slate slab. The inscriptions are now illegible with the exception of the names and a few words in No. 1 and 2, and entirely in the case of No. 3.

No. 1 (Near the barbette)
 * Charles Murray Esq.
 * Assist. Residt. Ft. Marlboro., 1807.


 * 2 Thomas Parr Esq.

The inscriptions are long and both terminate with the name of Lord Minto. In one case it seems that it was erected to his order, this would then follow for the other.

This handsome monument, a well proportioned domed pavilion. stands by itself in a small grass square in the busiest part of the town, at the top of the main Pasar adjoining the recreation ground.

There is no inscription indicating the purpose for which it was erected, and at the present time the inhabitants both European and Native are almost entirely ignorant of its origin.

Resident Parr was murdered by the natives in 1805.

The condition of affairs preceding the tragedy, and later the revenge taken by the Government on the natives is described in Nahuy's Letters, and Lady Raffles's Memoir, (vide, Onze Indische Financien, by E. de Waal, p. 8 & 9.) of which the following is a brief summary:—

The business of the East India Company was essentially in pepper, and to insure the largest profits against the lowest prices only elementary agreements were made with the head. natives.

The Governor and other functionaries were allowed to trade on their own account, especially in the importation of opium and piece goods to Java.

The total trade of the port at this time was worth about £100,000 per annum, while the Company's trade in pepper was declining, they—the Company—decided to economise.