Mr. Hogen-
dorpss view
the Javan co:
gtitation. -
mending a policy similar to that which we subsequently pursued. They
contain a just account of the principles, of the Javan government, and of the
state of the regents under the Dutch Company. A fter remarking,. In perhaps
too broad andunqualified terms,, that the straetureof the government
is feudal, he proceeds to state :
f “ The first principles of the feudal system, which form the basis of the
• “ whole edifice, are : that the land , is the property of the sovereign. ;ytbat
“ the inhabitants are his slaves, andean therefore-possess no property* all
“ that they, have and all. that they can obtain hekmging. to the sovereign,
“ who allows them to keep it no. longer than he chooses j and that thenwill
“ of the prince is the supreme law.
P These are the real fundamental! principles .of the feudal system i for
“ though the English and French kings could not always maintain their
“ despotic sway, but were sometimes opposed, hostilely attacked, and-even
“ forced by arms to treat for terms witb their subgect^ this was only the
“ natural consequence of the acknowledged rule, that iyrawny destroys itself;
“ and it is only necessary to revert to what James and .Charles of England,
“ in so late a period, thought their divine rights of royalty, to ascertain what
“ were the rudiments of the feudal form of government: and even now,
“ notwithstanding the numerous t changes and revolutions which have hap-
“ pened in England, the most surprizing traces}of. that; system are to- be
“ found, since in that country, so free, no individual soever possesses: a
“ foot of land in absolute property (allodium), but merely from the king
**" (feodum), to whom only belongs the deminimn absolutum et Hreeium,
** although subsequent laws and regulations have rendered this title more
“ imaginary than real.
“ The same system of government has been continued in .the .Company’s
“ districts, under the pretext of allowing the natives to retain their own
“ laws and customs, bat in reality from ignorance and self-interest»
“ Although they were too ignorant to effect any improvement, they knew
** perfectly well- that this plan was the best adapted to promote tfaeirr own
“ interest and advantage.
“ The princes of Java, as well- as' those of Europe1- in former times, and
“ as a natural effect o f the same cause, were also almost conthma% at war
** with their chief vassals, until the Dutch power and influence re-esta-
“ Wished and maintained the general tranquillity. This, however,-hasmeyer
“ had any effect on the-system of government itseff, and the sufejeet who
“ dethroned
dethroned his, sovereign and tbensueceeded him, thought that he had
ifotBiFlÉy o b t a i n e d ® ! ® o f prbjyérty in the lands and per-
«. gons of hisöshbjeets, as hiss predecessor had possessed.
The 'Prinees allotted- the^lhnds toctheir .'chiefs and immediate depend
u dents,. as rewards for' military and other services;. These chiefs (termed
o hy the Dutch, (regents) again ■ subdividledr I the lands among, others óf
^»ip&rior rank, os .the same- conditions,; and :m! an,. down £0 the poöt
<|y%onr.e.r; who»jÉèlÉaifeA-the land, :%atifo'wham a-very small proportion of
the- fruits; of his lafeour was:leftforihiKio-wn support».
“ Thor exclusive ^administration of the coutntiy .was-conferred pn the
yi^ggentS,’ 'J-ant ap'peifetidn givepf ti ativ'e ■fcfiie^,v" who had acquired
«)thën; .lands ..from the, Dutch,. Ijy continet' or.rygreeinent,,.binding .them
“ annually,t'o deliver,partly.for payment and-partly not-, a quantity,,! a some
“ 1 jtSö'és fi^eal in'(pilfers^ uncertain,-- of tff^fodu'ce- of such lands, obliging them
« also to-’the performance-of feudal services, ’froth' of a military and other
'J' -fo The these regents a re > either. Tumung’gung, or
m jingebai, The ,Prkiee .-of Madura, styled Panambdhany and- thé Prince
“•-■of’ Sumenap, who is-éalled' PemgérW, are however 'only regents - a® well
« as'thé rest. The Prinfee df MdMra enjoys that trtJe as being of the
« imperial family, and the Priiièe of fifimenag purchased’.fiis fcy a large
^payment to a Govenor-GeaeraJ» ,; _
-ju. .These . regents are .only officers «fgowesjmsot, -possess iSOfc- the
* smallest 'right -W'-hereditary possession; or ^accession-. Yet when, óïië
k. of them cfi£s,'' "he' frs in general replaced'by ófte ót Kis1- kolas, ^ coti-
Msidered most fit >n£or the office, v provided .iie^ can afford to pay the
« jeustomary present to the. governor of the, north-east coast, ©f Java j. foE if
« be i® unable to» do- this, -or-if any other pers©® offers a ssorfr considerable
« sam) § pTeterice%1'- easily- found to exclude- the* children'in favour of the
u more'liheraï purchaser!.
' *f [These presents fopm.a, principal part ofthe emoluments,.of the-governor
« Qf the north-east coast,, and consequently all new appointments of régents
« are for his- advantage. ‘The present chïef regent of Sam&rmg paid
“ 5Ö,ÖÜÖU dollars for promotion, and' all the chllÜrèïi of his predecessor
i( were superseded. The others pay in proportion to the value of their
M regencies } and as this is arbitrary and uncertain,, it is. :easfly to 6®
“ • conceived,