The History of Java, v. 1-2Raffles, Thomas Stamford, Sir
History
The History of Java, v. 1-2
Raffles, Thomas Stamford, Sir
Java (Indonesia) -- History
industry, as his own, by such a tenure as will enable him, and his
successors for ever, to reap the fruits of his labour. He can have
gained no title, even to a definite term of occupancy, but from the
capricious servant of a capricious despot, who himself is not legally
bound by his engagement, and whose successor is not even morally bound
by it.
As a matter of convenience, the same cultivator may continue to occupy
the same portion of land for life, and his children, after his decease,
may inherit the ground which he cultivated, paying the dues to which he
was liable. The head of a village, whether called _Búkul_, _Peting'gi_,
or _Lúrah_, may be continued in the collection of the village rents
for life, and may be succeeded in office by his heirs; the superior
officer, or _Demáng_, with whom he accounts, may likewise hold his
situation for a long period, and transmit it to his family; but none of
them can stand in the possession against the will of their immediate
superior, or of the sovereign, by any claim of law or custom.
Little of the revenue collected from the occupants is transmitted to
the government treasury; the greatest part of that which is raised, and
which, in other countries, would come into the hands of government,
for subsequent distribution among its servants and the support of its
various establishments, is intercepted in its progress by those to
whom the sovereign immediately assigns it. The officers of police, of
justice, of the prince's household, and, in short, public servants of
all classes, from the prime minister down to the lowest menial, are
paid with appropriations of the rent of land.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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