established his panglimas or governors in many places within the territory of Menangkabau, particularly at Priaman, near the great volcano-mountain.  This grant is said to have been extorted not by the force of arms but by an appeal to the decision of some high court of justice similar to that of the imperial chamber in Germany, and to have included all the low or strand-countries (pasisir barat) as far southward as Bengkaulu or Silebar.  About the year 1613 however he claimed no farther than Padang, and his actual possessions reached only to Barus.*

(Footnote.  The following instances occur of mention made by writers at different periods of the kingdom of Menangkabau.  ODOARDUS BARBOSA, 1519.  “Sumatra, a most large and beautiful island; Pedir, the principal city on the northern side, where are also Pacem and Achem.  Campar is opposite to Malacca.  Monancabo, to the southward, is the principal source of gold, as well from mines as collected in the banks of the rivers.”  DE BARROS, 1553.  “Malacca had the epithet of aurea given to it on account of the abundance of gold brought from Monancabo and Barros, countries in the island of Camatra, where it is procured.”  DIOGO de COUTO, 1600.  “He gives an account of a Portuguese ship wrecked on the coast of Sumatra, near to the country of Manancabo, in 1560.  Six hundred persons got on shore, among whom were some women, one of them, Dona Francisca Sardinha, was of such remarkable beauty that the people of the country resolved to carry her off for their king; and they effected it, after a struggle in which sixty of the Europeans lost their lives.  At this period there was a great intercourse between Manancabo and Malacca, many vessels going yearly with gold to purchase cotton goods and other merchandise.  In ancient times the country was so rich in this metal that several hundredweight (seis, sete, e mais candiz, de que trez fazem hum moyo) were exported in one season.  Volume 3 page 178.  LINSCHOTEN, 1601.  “At Menancabo excellent poniards made, called creeses; best weapons of all the orient.  Islands along the coast of Sumatra, called islands of Menancabo.”  ARGENSOLA, 1609.  “A vessel loaded with creeses manufactured at Menancabo and a great quantity of artillery; a species of warlike machine known and fabricated in Sumatra many years before they were introduced by Europeans.”  LANCASTER, 1602.  “Menangcabo lies eight or ten leagues inland of Priaman.”  BEST, 1613. " A man arrived from Menangcaboo at Ticoo, and brought news from Jambee.”  BEAULIEU, 1622.  “Du cote du ponant apres Padang suit le royaume de Manimcabo; puis celuy d’Andripoura-Il y a (a Jambi) grand trafic d’or, qu’ils ont avec ceux de Manimcabo.”  Vies des Gouverneurs Gen. Hollandois, 1763.  Il est bon de remarquer ici que presque toute la cote occidentale avoit ete reduite par la flotte du Sieur Pierre de Bitter en 1664.  L’annee suivante, les habitans de Pauw massacrerent le Commissaire Gruis, etc.; mais apres avoir venge ce meurtre, et dissipe les revoltes