Global Media Journal Malaysian Edition Volume 3, Issue 1, 2013 ISSN :

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1 ENDEARING EPISTLES FROM A DUTCH COLONIAL GOVERNOR TO A MALAY RULER AND A MALAY RULER TO A DUTCH COLONIAL GOVERNOR: A COMPARISON Hashim, M., Ph.D 1 Department of Malay Language Faculty of Modern Languages and Communication Unviersiti Putra Malaysia Malaysia mh_hashim@upm.edu.my Adi Yasran, A. A., Ph.D Department of Malay Language Faculty of Modern Languages and Communication Unviersiti Putra Malaysia Malaysia adi@upm.edu.my Rozita, C. R., Ph.D Department of Malay Language Faculty of Modern Languages and Communication Unviersiti Putra Malaysia Malaysia ita_cherodi@putra.upm.edu.my Salmah Jan, N. M., Ph.D Department of Malay Language Faculty of Modern Languages and Communication Unviersiti Putra Malaysia Malaysia salmahjan@fbmk.upm.edu.my Abstract In this paper two letters will be studied, one from a Dutch Colonial Governor to the ruler of Sambas dated 1848 and the other from Sultan Ahmad Ibn Sultan Zain Al- Abidin of Terengganu to Genderal Baron van der Capellen in Betawi (Jakarta) dated The studies are in the forms of transliteration and annotation of the letters and also a general discussion of the historical background and content of the letters. Discussion on the common features of the two letters will be made, namely the writing of a short formulaic heading on top of the page as a kind of statement, kind words of endearment and 1 Coressponding author 1

2 honorable words of addressing the recipients, prayer to the Almighty for the long life and good health of the addressee and the mention of the exchange of precious gifts. One feature that is in complete contrast with the etiquette of Malay rulers letter writing was the conspicuous introduction in the opening line of the Governor-General s letter, of the status of the sender with grandeurs mentions of one s honor and awards, and also the use of plain paper without illumination by the Dutch Governor-General. These were in complete contrast to the Malay rulers letter writing style of a simple mention of the status of the ruler and the using of intricate illumination. This study also revealed that although the letter from a Dutch colonial Governor-General was to one of the Malay rulers in his dominions, the civility, mutual respect and appropriate decorum of addressing between rulers, were practiced and adopted. Keywords: Transliteration, Annotation, Practice of Diplomacy, Etiquette of Malay Letter Writing Introduction On April 9, 2012, we received a very interesting mail with a CD from the Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia (National Library of Malaysia) containing copies of four recently acquired manuscripts 2. They are listed as follows: 1. MSS 4013 Surat daripada Seri Paduka Sultan Pahang kepada anakanda Yang Mulia Sultan Abu Bakar Yang Dipertuan Negeri Pahang betarikh 16 Disember, (18 Sya ban, 1351) (A Letter from Seri Paduka Sultan Pahang to His Majesty Sultan Abu Bakar Supreme Ruler of the Pahang Kingdom dated 16 th December, 1932 (18 th Sya ban 1351) 2. MSS 4049 Surat daripada Governor General Belanda di Negeri Betawi kepada Raja Sambas bertarikh 27 Februari 1834 (the actual date was 1848, Rabi`ul Akhir 1264) (A Letter from the Dutch Governor General in Batavia to the King of Sambas dated 27 th Feberuary 1834) 2 We would like to acknowledge gratitude to Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia especially to the Deputy Director General Puan Nasimah Badaruddin, Senior Assistant Director Encik Faizal Hilmie Yusof and their officers in making available these manuscripts for this study. 2

3 3. MSS 4160 Surat perjaniian peraturan meminjam tanah (A Document of Land Mortgage Agreement) 4. MSS 4270 Salasilah Kerajaan Sambas (Genealogy of Sambas Kingship) Of the four manuscripts, two containing descriptions of very interesting episodes or reflection of events in the history of western colonization in the Malay world, namely the MSS 4049 Surat daripada Governor General Belanda di Betawi kepada Raja Sambas, (A Letter from the Dutch Governor General in Batavia to the King of Sambas) and MSS 4160 Surat Perjanjian Peraturan Meminjam Tanah (A Letter of Land Mortgage Agreement). In this paper, however, only the MSS 4049 Surat daripada Governor General Belanda di Betawi (A Letter from the Dutch Governor General in Batavia to the King of Sambas) dated 1848 will be studied in the forms of a transliteration and annotation of the letter and also a general discussion of the historical background and content of the letter, in order to compare with the letter from Sultan Ahmad Ibn Sultan Zain Al- Abidin of Terengganu to Genderal Baron van der Capellen in Betawi (Jakarta) dated 19 Mac, The copies of both letters are appended with the paper. The MSS 4049 was acquired by the National Library of Malaysia (PNM) on 12 April 2007 from one Syarif Hud, and its source of origin was Pontianak, West Kalimantan, Indonesia. The method of the study is content analysis of the two letters, with the following objectives: 1) To make a general discussion of the historical background and content of the letters. 2) To analyze and compare the contents of the two letters. 3

4 3) To make transliteration and annotation of the letters. 4) To analyze and discuss the common features of the two letters as well as their differences in the form of content, style and etiquette of letter writing as the findings of the study. A brief historical background of the letter of the Dutch governor general in Batavia in 1848 CE The letter was written by Jan Jacob Rochussen the Dutch Governor-General in Batavia, the capital of Dutch colonial government in Indonesia, in the Hijriah year of 1265 equivalent to 1848 CE, as a reply to an earlier letter from the ruler of Sambas. (See the transliteration of the text below for the fixation of these dates). This was 24 years after the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824 which stated, among other clauses, the clear demarcation of territorial dominion between the British and the Dutch Colonial Governments, namely the Malay Peninsula including Singapore and the Northern Borneo Island were to be under the British, while the whole of Indonesian Islands including the southern half of the Borneo Island (presently known as Kalimantan) were to be under the Dutch. However, in the 18th century before the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824, the area from Sambas to Berau (see map of Kalimantan below) were tributaries to the Malay Banjar Kingdom. This eventually shrunk to the size of what is now South Kalimantan as a result of agreements with the Dutch. In the Karang Intan Agreement, during the reign of Prince Nata Dilaga (Susuhunan Nata Alam) ( ), the Banjar Kingdom gave up its territories to the Dutch East Indies which included Bulungan, Kutai, Pasir, Pagatan and Kotawaringin. Other territories in West Kalimantan given up to the Dutch East Indies 4

5 were Landak, Sambas, Sintang and Sukadana. (Wikipedia, assessed on April 13, 2012). Thus, the 1824 Anglo-Dutch Treaty merely reconfirmed the status quo, as at that time, the Sambas Kingdom was already under the dominion of the Dutch. The letter of the Sultan Ahmad Ibn Sultan Zain Al- Abidin of Trengganu to General Baron Van Der Capelle in Betawi (Jakarta) dated March, 1824 The letter from Paduka Seri Sultan Ahmad Ibn Sultan Zain Al- Abidin of Terengganu to General Baron van der Capellen in Betawi (Jakarta) dated 18 Rajab 1239 Hijrah or 19 th March, 1824, was a type of letter included in the category of illuminated letters with the following characteristics usually takes the form of purely ornamental patterns using floral, foliate and geometric motifs in a range of colours, sometimes with the addition of gold but rarely silver. (cf. Annabel Teh Gallop, 2006: ) as was in the case with this letter. The Jawi script form of the letter was very well-written with clear and neat strokes in the Naskhi calligraphic style or Naskhi khat. On top of the letter, also written in beautiful ornamental writing as a kind of statement, was a short formulaic heading wa-alnujūm wa-al-shams wa-al-qamar (The Stars, the Sun and the Moon). Embossed on the upper right of the letter was the royal seal of Sultan Ahmad Ibn Sultan Zain Al- Abidin al-wathīq bi- llāh al-sultan Ahmad ibnal-sultan Zainal Abidin sanat 1223 (Hijrah). The purpose of the letter can be summarized into five objectives: 1. To establish diplomatic and trading ties between the kingdom of Terengganu and the Dutch colonial power and kingdoms under its ambit of dominion, with its center of government in Betawi (Jakarta). The letter was carried by several Sultan s representatives, headed by Captain Man together with Wan Salleh, Abdul Rahim, Uthman and Abdul Samad in a small ship (kici). This diplomatic and trading ties 5

6 were very crucial due to the fact that in the same year of writing of this letter (1824) The Treaty of London was signed which stated, among other clauses, the clear demarcation of territorial dominion between the British and the Dutch Colonial Governments, namely the Malay Peninsula including Singapore and the Northern Borneo Island were to be under the British, while the whole of Indonesian Islands including the southern half of the Borneo Island (presently known as Kalimantan) were to be under the Dutch. However, the Treaty did not mention about the curtailment of trading relationship between any kingdom within the dominions of both the English and Dutch. Hence, Sultan Ahmad of Terengganu was anxious to establish trading relationship between Terengganu and kingdoms under the ambit of Dutch dominion especially the lucrative trades with Java. 2. To continue good relationship which has been established in the past between the Kingdom of Terengganu and the Dutch colonial power, and to acknowledge the Dutch dominion in Betavia (Betawi). 3. To request the assistance of the Dutch General to facilitate the smooth flow of trading goods from Terengganu to Java especially to Semarang. 4. To invite the Dutch to Terengganu to establish trading relationship. 5. To present gifts to the Dutch General consisting of a long dagger (keris panjang), a couple of spears, a couple of elephant tusks and a piece of long cloth. Common features of the Dutch letter with the style of the Malay ruler s letter The content of the Dutch colonial governor s letter was very interesting because it contains etiquettes of letter writing some having common features with the writing style 6

7 of epistles among the Malay rulers, with some other features contrasted completely. Some common features were: 1. The writing of a short formulaic heading on top of the page as a kind of statement, that is Qawluluhu Haqq (His word is true), which was similar in format with the letter of Sultan Ahmad I of Terengganu to General Baron van der Capellen with the heading al nujūm wa l-shamsu wa l-qamar (The stars, the moon and the sun). 2. Kind words of endearment and honorable words of addressing the recipients: The Dutch Governor s letter: Adapun akan tanda cinta kasih kita kepada Paduka Pengeran Ratu adalah kita mengirimkan Paduka Pengeran Ratu Barang disampaikan oleh Tuhan Sarwa Sekalian Alam, apalah kiranya datang kepada Paduka Pengeran Ratu Mangku Negara di Negeri Sambas. Maka dipohonkan atasnya umur panjang dengan sihat selamat yang tiada berkeputusan. (As a token of our affection to Your Majesty the Pengeran Ratu we herewith send you.. ) (May God of the Universe convey (these gifts) to your Majesty Pengeran Ratu the Supreme Ruler of Sambas and may He also confer Your majesty a long life and continuous good health. ) The Sultan of Terengganu s letter: Bahawa warkah al-wujud hidayat al-mamdûd yang terbit daripada fuad alzakiah yang amat gilang-gemilang hingga putih jernih bercahaya yang tiada menaruh cemar dalamnya. barang disampaikan Tuhan sekalian alam apalah kiranya ke hadapan Tuan Jenderal yang amat kuasa di dalam mashriq dan maghrib, yang mengdiami di atas takhta kerajaan dan kebesaran di dalam negeri Betawi, yang telah termasyhur dengan segala daerah takluknya semuanya di bawah perintah hukumnya, yang amat setiawan dan lagi dermawan, bertambah2 pula dengan budi pekerti yang amat ramah perangai yang lemah lembut dengan sempurnanya serta arif bijaksana pada melakukan atas jalan berkasih-kasihan dan bertolong-tolongan dengan segala handai taulannya, karib dan ba`id. Dan lagi ialah yang teramat teguh setianya selama-lamanya yang tiada berubah2. 7

8 ( Verily this epistle was written by means of an inspiration from a heart which is pure and enlightened free from of any ill-feeling.) ( may God Almighty convey this epistle to the Honorable General whose power extends from the West to the East, whose seat of government is in Batavia and who is well-known throughout his dominion for his fairness and kindness, excellence of character and gentlemanliness, wise of council in promoting good relation and mutual help among close and distant allies alike, as well as unfailing faithfulness.) 3. Prayer to the Almighty for the long life and good health of the addressee: The Dutch Governor s letter: Shahadan pada akhir satar ini lain tiada hanyalah doa kita mudahmudahan Paduka Pengeran Ratu beroleh umur panjang dengan sihat selamat sejahtera yang tiada berkeputusan jua adanya. ( To conclude this epistle, we earnestly pray for the Pengeran Ratu s long life and continuous good health. ) The Sultan of Terengganu s letter: Maka barang dikekalkan Tuhan Allah apalah kiranya yang demikian itu, serta barang dilanjutkan daripada usia umur zamannya serta bertambah2 kebesaran dan kekayaan di dalam sihat dan `afiyat pada selagi ada peredaran cakerawala matahari dan bulan pada tiap2 perkitaran malam dan siang. ( May Allah the God, perpetuates the current excellent condition, and gives you a long life, increase your greatness, wealth, and excellent health so long as there still exist the sun and the moon and the changing of night and day. ) 4. The mention of the exchange of precious gifts: The Dutch Governor s letter: Dan lagi persembahan Paduka Pengeran Ratu kepada kita jadi tanda tulus ikhlasnya iaitu satu buku air emas sebagaimana didapat dari tanah yang jadi satu ajaib berpatutan berat sembilan belas ringgit lebih tiga emas, itupun kita sudah terima dengan suka hati. Adapun akan tanda cinta kasih kita kepada Paduka Pengeran Ratu adalah kita mengirimkan Paduka Pengeran 8

9 Ratu satu perangkat perabut minuman kopi dan selai yang berkembangan warna warna. ( Your Majesty s gifts to us as an expression of sincerity in the form of lumps of gold as a wonder of nature weighing an equivalent of 19 Ringgit and three gold, we have received it with utmost happiness. As an expression of our affection to Your Majesty Pengeran Ratu, we are respectfully sending Your Majesty herewith a complete set of coffee making shelf and several jams in various colours. ) The Sultan of Terengganu s letter: Maka suatu pun tiada hadiah kita akan Tuan Jenderal akan dalil tulus dan ikhlas kita, hanyalah keris panjang sebilah, dan lembing sepasang, dan kain besar sepasang, dan gading sepasang tiadalah dengan sepertinya. Adalah seumpama bunga setangkai adanya. ( As a small token of our appreciation and sincerity we are sending herewith to the Honorable General a long keris (saber), a pair of spears, a pair of large cloth, and a pair of ivory, which are no doubt of small significance, as if they are just like a stalk of flowers. ) Features of the Dutch which contrasted to the Malay ruler s letter writing style One feature that was in complete contrast with the etiquette of Malay ruler s letter writing is the conspicuous introduction in the opening line of the Governor-General s letter, of the status of the sender with grandeurs mentions of one s honor and awards: daripada kita Sri Paduka Yang Dipertuan Besar Minister van Staat Gouverneur Generaal dari Tanah Hindie Nederlands Jan Jacob Rochussen yang terhias dengan Bintang Besar Yang Pertama Bahaduri Singa Nederlands dan Bintang Besar Rajawali Merah dari negeri (illegible), dan Bintang Besar dari Maharaja. (illegible) di negeri (illegible) serta lagi menjadi Officer Besar tanda kehormatan dari negeri Francis serta terhias dengan Bintang Besar negeri Brusselle, yang bersemayam di atas takhta kerajaan di Negeri Betawi. 9

10 ( from us the Honorable Supreme Commander Minister of State, Governor General of the Nederland s East Indies Jan Jacob Rochussen, who was awarded the Order of the Dutch Lion as a Knight, also the Red Eagle Medal from. (illegible), the Highest Star from the Emperor.. (illegible) in the state of... (illegible) also appointed as an Honorary Senior Officer by the French government, and also awarded the Highest Star by state of Brussels, who is currently occupying the seat of government in Batavia. ) This is in complete contrast with the opening paragraph of the letter of Sultan Ahmad I of Terengganu, with the mention of sincere intention and purity of heart and a simple introduction of the status of the sender as the Ruler of Terengganu: Bahawa warkah al-wujud hidayat al-mamdûd yang terbit daripada fuad alzakiah yang amat gilang-gemilang hingga putih jernih bercahaya yang tiada menaruh cemar dalamnya, iaitu daripada Paduka Seri Sulţan Ahmad ibn al- Sulţan Zainal`Ābidin yang di atas takhta kerajaan di dalam negeri Terengganu dengan segala daerah takluknya sekalian ( Verily this epistle was written by means of an inspiration from a heart which is pure and enlightened free form any ill-feeling, that is from us His Majesty Sultan Ahmad ibn al-sulltan Zainal Abidin who occupies the throne of the government of Terengganu and all its territories. ) Another feature of the Dutch Governor-General s letter which contrasted to the Malay ruler s letter writing style was the use of plain paper without illumination, while illumination among Malay letters was a practice with a long tradition, although according to Annabel T. Gallop & Bernard Arps (1991: 58), little is known about the context and techniques of Malay illuminations. In this context one of the most beautiful illuminated Malay letters, perhaps, was the Sultan Ahmad I of Terengganu dated 1824 (appended with this paper). Also the beautiful calligraphic art in naskhi khat of the letter of the Sultan Ahmad I of Terengganu is far superior to the Dutch Governor-General s letter. 10

11 Conclusion In this paper a study of two letters, one written in 1848 by the Dutch Governor-General in Betavia (Betawi or Jakarta), to a Malay ruler of Sambas, and another is a letter from Sultan Ahmad Ibn Sultan Zain Al- Abidin of Terengganu to General Baron van der Capellen in Betavia dated March 19, 1824, was made in the forms of brief descriptions of their historical backgrounds, analysis of their contents and styles of the two letters, and finally a transliteration and annotation of the letters. As a finding, there are four features having similarities between the two letters, namely letter writing styles, short formulaic heading on the top of the page, kind words of endearment and honorable words of addressing the recipients, prayer to the Almighty for the long life and good health of the addressees, and the mention of the exchange of precious gifts. However, two other features were in complete contrast between the two letters, firstly the conspicuous introduction in the opening line of the Governor-General s letter, of the status of the sender with grandeurs mentions of his honor and awards, and secondly was the use of plain paper without illumination, while illumination in the Malay letter was a practice with a long tradition. Thirdly the calligraphic art of the Sultan Ahmad I of Terengganu s letter is far superior to the Dutch Governor-General s letter. This study also revealed that although the letter from a Dutch colonial Governor-General was to one of the Malay rulers under his dominions, the civility, mutual respect and 11

12 appropriate decorum of addressing between rulers as was the norm among Malay rulers, were also practiced and adopted. References Ab Razak Ab Karim. (2002)..Aspek penggunaan bahasa dalam warkah-warkah Melayu lama: Satu kajian. Kuala Lumpur: Akademi Pengajian Melayu, Universiti Malaya pc, and (assessed on April, 16, 2012). Freeman-Grenville, G. S. P. The Islamic and Christian calendars AD (AH ). Reading: Garnet Publishing. Gallop, Annabel, T. (2006). Malay Manuscript Illumination. Jurnal Filologi Melayu. 14, Gallop Annabel, T. & Bernad Arps. (1991). Golden letters: Writing traditions of Indonesia. London: The British Library. Wikipedia, assessed on April 13, ABOUT THE AUTHOR : Hashim bin Musa (Ph.D) is a Professor Emeritus in Malay Linguistics in the Department of Malay Language, Faculty of Modern Languages and Communication, Universiti Putra Malaysia, specializing in Malay grammar, sociolinguistics, Malay thought and civilization, Malay manuscripts and Jawi writing. He is also the Chairman of the Advisory Committee of Malay Manuscripts, National Library of Malaysia (Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia). 12

13 APPENDIX 1: The Letter from Gouverneur Generaal Van Nederlands-Indie to Paduka Pengeran Ratu Mangku Negara Negeri Sambas Dated 1265 H / 1848 CE 13

14 APPENDIX 2: Transliteration and Annotation of The Letter From Gouverneur Generaal Van Nederlands-Indie To Paduka Pengeran Ratu Mangku Negara Negeri Sambas Dated 1265 H / 1848 CE Qawluluhu Haqq. (illegible) iaitu daripada kita Sri Paduka yang Dipertuan Besar Minister van Staat Gouverneur Generaal dari Tanah Hindie Nederlands Jan Jacob Rochussen 3 yang terhias dengan Bintang Besar Yang Pertama Bahaduri 4 Singa Nederlands 5 dan Bintang Besar Rajawali Merah 6 dari negeri (illegible), dan Bintang Besar dari Maharaja. (illegible) di negeri (illegible) serta lagi menjadi Officer Besar tanda kehormatan dari negeri Francis serta terhias dengan Bintang Besar negeri Brusselle, yang bersemayam di atas takhta kerajaan di Negeri Betawi. Barang disampaikan oleh Tuhan Sarwa Sekalian Alam, apalah kiranya datang kepada Paduka Pengeran Ratu Mangku Negara di Negeri Sambas.Maka dipohonkan atasnya umur panjang dengan sihat selamat yang tiada berkeputusan.waba`da kemudian daripada itu kita memberi tahu kepada Paduka Pengeran Ratu darihal suratnya yang tertulis kepada 13 haribulan Sya`ban tahun telah sampai kepada kita dengan selamatnya. Dan lagi persembahan Paduka Pengeran Ratu kepada kita jadi tanda tulus ikhlasnya iaitu satu buku 8 air emas sebagaimana didapat dari tanah yang jadi satu ajaib berpatutan 9 berat sembilan belas ringgit lebih tiga emas, itupun kita sudah terima dengan suka hati. Adapun akan tanda cinta kasih kita kepada Paduka Pengeran Ratu adalah kita mengirimkan Paduka Pengeran Ratu satu perangkat 10 perabut minuman kopi dan selai 11 yang berkembangan warna warna. Shahadan pada akhir satar 12 ini lain tiada hanyalah doa kita mudah-mudahan Paduka Pengeran Ratu beroleh umur panjang dengan sihat selamat sejahtera yang tiada berkeputusan jua adanya. Tertulis warqah ini di dalam istana kita di Negeri Betawi kepada 27 haribulan Februari tahun. (illegible), iaitu 5 13 haribulan Rabi`ul Akhir Hijrah Jan Jacob Rochussen was assigned as Governor- General of the Dutch East Indies , and arrived in Batavia in 1845 CE. (ref. Wikipedia, assessed on April 13, 2012) 4 bahaduri = bintang pingat tanda keberanian, pahlawan = Knighthood 5 Order of the Dutch Lion as a Knight awarded to Jan Jacob Rochussen on July 4, Rajawali = burung helang = eagle 7 ۲۱٦۴1264 H = 1847 CE, old Arabic numeral for number 4 = ۴ 8 buku = bongkah kecil-kecil daripada tanah, batu dll. = lumps of soil, stone, etc. 9 berpatutan = bersamaan, sama dengan = equivalent 10 perangkat = selengkap = complete set 11 selai صلي = (Dutch Indonesian) jem = jam 12 satr (Ar.) = baris tulisan = written line, 13 5 = ٤ old Arabic symbol for number 5 (ref. Origin of the numerals: Al-Biruni s testimony, Ahmed Boucenna, Laboratoire DAC, Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences,Ferhat Abbas, University Stif, Algeria. (aboucenna@wissal.dz, aboucenna@yahoo.com), / pc., and (assessed on April, 16, 2012) 14

15 Global Media Journal Malaysian Edition Volume 3, Issue 1, 2013 APPENDIX 3: The Letter from Sultan Ahmad I Terengganu to the Dutch General In Betawi Dated 18 Rajab 1239 (19 March 1824) 14 ۲۱٦١ = 1265 H = 1848 CE (ref. G. S. P. Freeman-Grenville. The Islamic and Christian Calendars, pg. 60) 15

16 APPENDIX 4: Transliteration and Annotation of the Letter from Sultan Ahmad I Terengganu to the Dutch General in Betawi Dated 18 Rajab 1239 (19 March 1824) Cap:al-Wathīq bi- llāh 15 al-sulţan Ahmad ibnal-sulţan Zainal `Ābidin sanat 1223 Al nujūm wal-shamsu wa l-qamar. 16 Bahawa warkah al-wujud hidayat al-mamdûd 17 yang terbit daripada fuad al-zakiah 18 yang amat gilang-gemilang hingga 19 putih jernih bercahaya yang tiada menaruh cemar dalamnya, iaitu daripada Paduka Seri Sulţan Ahmad ibn al-sulţan Zainal`Ābidin yang di atas takhta kerajaan di dalam negeri Terengganu dengan segala daerah takluknya sekalian barang disampaikan Tuhan sekalian alam apalah kiranya ke hadapan Tuan Jenderal yang amat kuasa di dalam mashriq dan maghrib, yang mengdiami di atas takhta kerajaan dan kebesaran di dalam negeri Betawi, yang telah termasyhur dengan segala daerah takluknya semuanya di bawah perintah hukumnya, yang amat setiawan dan lagi dermawan, bertambah2 pula dengan budi pekerti yang amat ramah perangai yang lemah lembut dengan sempurnanya serta arif bijaksana pada melakukan atas jalan berkasih-kasihan dan bertolong-tolongan dengan segala handai taulannya, karib dan ba`id 20. Dan lagi ialah yang teramat teguh setianya selama-lamanya yang tiada berubah2. Maka barang dikekalkan Tuhan Allah apalah kiranya yang demikian itu, serta barang dilanjutkan daripada usia umur zamannya serta bertambah2 kebesaran dan kekayaan di dalam şihatdan `ǎfiyat pada selagi ada peredaran cakerawala matahari dan bulan pada tiap2 perkitaran malam dan siang. Wa ba`dahu 21 daripada itu adalah kita permaklumkan kepada Tuan Jenderal dari hal kita menyuruhkan Juragan 22 Man dan Wan şǎleh dan Abdul Rahǐm dan Uthmǎn dan Abdul şamad membawa sebuah kici 23 mendapatkan Tuan Jenderal serta membawa warqat alikhlǎs yang tiada dengan sepertinya daripada hal membinakan perhubungan dan persatuan antara Tuan Jenderal dengan kita, karana daripada zaman Tuan Jenderal yang dahulu itu dengan Paduka Nenda kita dan zaman itu, kita Sultan Terengganu itupun tiadalah berputusan berkasih-kasihan dan bertolong-tolongan telah sedia tetap adanya senantiasa pada selagi ada perkitaran malam dan siangnya, demikian adanya. Maka dari hal kita pun dipohonkan kepada Tuhan Allah antara kita dengan Tuan Jenderal demikian 15 al-wathīq bi- llāh = yang yakin kepada Allah 16 Wa-al-nujum wal-al-qamar, wa-al-shams = bintang dan bulan dan matahari 17 warkah al-wujud hidayat al-mamdud = surat yang tercipta daripada petunjuk untuk disebarkan 18 fu`ad al-zakiah = hati yang suci 19 Dalam manuskrip tertulis hinga 20 ba`id = jauh 21 wa ba`dahu = dan kemudian daripada itu 22 Juragan = 1. nakhoda (kadang-kadang juga pemilik kapal); 2. (Sunda) tuan, puan; 3. Jw pengusaha (terutama batik) 23 Kici = sejenis perahu yg kecil dan bertiang dua 16

17 itulah adanya, kita pinta kepada Tuan Jenderal janganlah kiranya berubah2 daripada berkasih-kasihan dan bertolong-tolongan hingga sampailah kepada yaum al-mutakhirǐn 24 jua adanya. Syahadan daripada itu adalah kita menyatakan kepada Tuan Jenderal akan hal kici kita itu, maka ada kita muatkan dagangan wangkang 25 sedikit2 ala kadarnya. Maka hendak pun kita menyuruh kepada segala kantor 26 yang lain membawa dagangan wangkang itu menjadi larangan. Dengan sebab itulah maka kita menyuruhkan Jurangan Man dan Wan şǎleh dan Abdul Rahǐm dan Uthmǎn dan Abdul şamad itu datang mendapatkan Tuan Jenderal ke Betawi maka telah haraplah 27 akan tuan Jenderal menolong suruhan kita itu daripada sebarang hal ehwalnya di dalam negeri Betawi itu. Dan lagi jikalau menjadi kebenaran kepada Tuan Jenderal serta dengan penolong Tuan Jenderal akan kita, melainkan minta Tuan Jenderal menyuruhkan akan dia lalu ke Semarang kici kita itu serta dengan tanda Tuan Jenderal sekali adanya. Maka sekalian perkara yang tersebut itu telah sangatlah harap kita akan Tuan Jenderal menolong jua adanya. Dan lagi akan hal Tuan Jenderal pun jikalau ada kesukaan dan keredaan, maka janganlah kiranya berputusan bersuruhan datang ke Terengganu berniaga berjual-beli sedikit2 dan barang apa yang dimaksudkan oleh tuan Jenderal dan barang yang ada di dalam negeri Terengganu itu, boleh Tuan Jenderal menyatakan di dalam surat, dengan sebolehbolehnya kita tolong ikhtiarkan. Maka suatu pun tiada hadiah kita akan Tuan Jenderal akan dalil tulus dan ikhlǎş kita, hanyalah keris panjang sebilah, dan lembing sepasang, dan kain besar sepasang, dan gading sepasang tiadalah dengan sepertinya. Adalah seumpama bunga setangkai adanya.tamat. Terkarang warqah ini di dalam negeri Terengganu, kepada delapan belas hari bulan Rajab, hari Jumaat, jam pukul tujuh, tarikh sanat yaum al-mutakhirin = hari mutakhir 25 Wangkang = sejenis jong yang kecil, perahu besar 26 Kantor = pejabat 27 Dalam manuskrip dieja harablah 17

18 APPENDIX 5: Map of Kalimantan RB-DESKART 18