Examines misinterpretations of the conditions of the eighteenth, early nineteenth, and, to a more limited extent, even the mid-19th century Sulu. It shows the role of one influential man (Raffle) in the perpetuation of the original concept of the Sulu state. The author points out that the raiding in Sulu were obviously rooted neither in political disintegration nor in the people's poverty, but - it appears - largely to an aggressive people's initiative in promoting their own ambitions. They also could he looked upon as a response to foreign pressure evidenced by the long standing warlike operations against Brunei and Spain. Raidings are also analyzed as being profitable in terms of captured slaves. The author also points out that Raffle's assessment of Sulu based on his brief stay in the area is a complete misconception of the state of Sulu society. He recommends that James Brook's account on Sulu be checked with that of Raffle's account before any conclusion on the Sulu raidings be done.