Page:Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (IA journalofstra17181886roya).pdf/234

 enemy was repulsed with great loss. He continued, however, before the town for three weeks, and then retired, having lost 330 men, while 18 of the Portuguese were slain. On the arrival of reinforcements, having been much injured by fre- quent inroads from the fort of Muar, not far from Malacca, the Portuguese took that place by assault, killing most of the garrison, which consisted of 800 Moors, and after securing the spoil burnt Muar to the ground. There were 300 cannons at this place, some of which were brass. Nothing more of any note happened this year, except that DIEGO PACHECO with most of his men were lost in two ships, which went in search of the Island of Gold, which probably is Japan.

In the year 1519, ANTONIO CORREA concluded a treaty of amity and commerce with the king of Pegu, which was mutually sworn to between him and the king and ministers, assisted by the priests of both nations, Catholic and Pagan. The heathen priest was called the grand RAULIM, who, after the treaty or capitulation was read, made according to their custom in the golden mine, began to read from a book, and then taking some yellow paper, a colour dedicated to holy purposes, and some sweet-smelling leaves impressed with cer- tain characters, set both on fire; after which, holding the hands of the minister over the ashes, he pronounced some words which rendered the oath inviolable. The metropolis of the kingdom is called Bagou, corruptly called Pegu, which name is likewise given to the kingdom. It has the Bay of Bengal on the west, Siam on the east, Malacca on the south, and Arracan on the north. This kingdom is almost 100 leagues in length, and in some places of the same breadth, not including the conquered provinces. The land is plain, well watered, and very fertile, producing abundance of provisions of all kinds, particularly cattle and grain. It has many tem- ples, with a prodigious multitude of images, and a vast number of ceremonies.

At this time GEORGE ALBUQUERQUE was sent to Suma- tra, on purpose to restore a king of Pisang, who had been