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600017 



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INDIAN AECHIPELAGO; 

OF THE PEINOIPAL ISLANDS AND PLACES 

THE IHDIAN ABCHIPEUGO ; 

WITH suaassTioHa fob pttouoTiNa couuerob and 

COLONIZATION tHESBIN ; 

AND FOR THE DEYELOPMBNT OF THE TABT 

BESOTIRCES AND THE CIVILIZATIOS OF THE IKHASITANTB 

OF THAT BXTENSITE AND UAaNIFIOENT REOION. 



By F. BOUCHER. 



PEIHTED BI JOKES AND OAUBTON, 47. BA8T0HEAP, 
AND It, PUDDING UNB. 

1857. 



Priet Two ShiUmgi and Sixptnce, 



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THE CHIEF OBJECTS OF THE FOLLOWINfi 
PAGES AEE- 

To fiiniish a concise and accurate description of the 
principal islands and countries of the Indian 
Archipelago ; 

To remark upon the piracy which prevails in that 
region — its causes and , consequences — and to 
suggest means for ita' re^seibavnd extinction ; 

To indicEite how commerce and colodizalion may be 
adTantageously extended throughout the Indian 
Archipelago; and 

To suggest measures for promoting the civilization 
and improvement of the native inhabitHnts, and 
for devebping the vast resources of that exten- 
sive and mt^ificent region. 



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THE INDIAN AECHIPELAGO. 



The Eastebh, or Indiah Abchipelaqo extends 
from about the 10th degree of south latdcude to the 
SOth degree of north lalatade, or about 3,070 miles ; 
and from 96° to 140° of east longitude, or aboui 
3,100 miles ; and in this vast epace comprises, it is 
said, upwards of tieelve thousand islands, maaj of 
which are of great extent, and have a namerous 
population. Several of these islands abound in 
valuable productions, as will be hereafter specified; 
the seas around them teem with many varietieB of 
fish, excellent for food ; and the climate of this 
region, though tropical, is pleasant and healthy, 
except in such places as are low and swampy, or 
subject to inundationB. The entire population of 
the Indian Archipelago comprises about thirty 
millions of persons ; these are chiefly of the Ma- 
layan race, and of the Mahommedan religion. They 
are mostly in a semi-barbarous condition, but seem 
to have attained to a considerable degree of skill in 
various mechanical operations — as in the working of 
metals, in some textile labricationB, in agriculture, 

......Google 



ill the erection of buildings, in the canstniction of 
vessels, and in the practice of Dayigation. Gene- 
rail; speaking, the imtiye inhabitante of the Archi- 
pelago are docile, intelligent, and susceptible of 
improTement. They are active and enterprising 
traders, and, as such, are extremely desirous of 
engaging in a commercial intercourse with the 
natives of European States. Under proper arrange- 
ments Chriatianity might be introduced and ex- 
tensively diffused amongst these people, as will be 
hereafter shown. Altogether the Indian Arcui- 
PELioo presents a vast and comparatively un- 
occupied field for commerce and colonization, and 
for the diffusion of European civilization, with all 
its attendant advantages. 

The principal and most important Islands of the 
Indian Archipelago are — Bobnko, New UcinejI, 
Ceij:bes, Java, MAaiNSANAOi SnuATBA, Timob, 
Palawan, Flobbb, Suubawa, Gxbak, Gilolo, 
TiMOB, LAtrc, the Arrc Iblaksb, the Sahdai. 
Wood Islands, the Sooloo Islakdb, the Phiu^ip- 
FiNES, and some thousands of islands of smaller 
size, but which are nearly all inhabited, and yield 
valuable productions. The European nations which 
first traded or formed settlements in the Indian 
Archipelago are — the Dutch, the Spakish, the 
PoBTUQUEBE, and the Enqlisb ; but the viemi and 
aims of all these parties seem to have been more 

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directed to the carrying on an txclurive traffic, than 
to imreiitTKt»d commerce and colonisation, or the 
improvement .of the native inhabitants. At this 
time the 0QI7 Spanish settlements within the limits 
of the Archipelago are those at the Phiilippme 
Islands, of which Maniu^ is the principal, and a 
email penal settlement at Samboangan, near the 
south'weEtem extremity of Maiindanao. The Por- 
tuguese retain but a few small settlements out of 
many formerly held by their nation. The chief of 
these is Dieu, on the north-weet coast of the Island 
of Tiuoa ; it is a place of little importance, and, in 
common with the other Portuguese settlements in 
this vicinity, ie fast dwindling into insignificance 
and decay. The Bbitish settlements in this region 
are /our in number, and consist of the Isle of 
Labuan and the Pbovihoe of Sabawaz, on the 
western coast of Borkxd ; Fobt Essihciton, on the 
north coast of Australia; and Sinqapobe, in the 
straits of Malacca. The Datch are still, as they 
have ever been, the paramount European Power in 
the Indian Archipeh^o, and continue to maintain 
therein about fifteen settlements of considerable 
importwioe, viz., at Macabsab, on the south end, 
and at Mdnadv, on the north end of Celebes ; at 
Tbbnatb, in the Moluccas ; at Aubotha and Banda, 
in the Spice Islands ; at Bihah, on the north coast 
of Sumbawa; at CoEPANa, on the south end of 

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Timor ; at Palehbamo, Bbkgoolen, and Padako, 
in Sumatra; atBAHJAJt, Mabsin, Saubas, and Pox- 
TiANAK, in Borneo ; at Rhio, near Singapore, at 
MiNTo, on tlie Island of Banca ; and at Batatia 
and 80UBABAIA, in the splendid Island of Java, 
which was captured from the Dutch, hy the British, 
in the year 1811, and (wisely?) restored to the 
Dutch in 1815. 

The monopolizing and exclusive system under 
which the Dntch ha^e heretofore conducted their 
commercial and other operations in this region, is 
now fast working the ruin aad decay of their settle- 
ments. Many of their places, formerly important 
and prosperous, have now become comparatively in- 
significant ; several have been relinquished, and 
Bome yield no advantages ; but the Dutch Govern- 
ment still maintains numerous settlements and 
considerable naval and military forces in the Indian 
Archipelago, and has still more influence and 
authority in that region than any other European 
nation. It is asserted by many writers that the 
power and influence of the Dutch have long been 
declining throughout the Indian Ocean, and that 
they are now unable to prevent the native in- 
habitants of many places, formerly under their rule, 
from trading with other parties. The exclusive and 
narrow policy, and the arbitrary proceedings of the 
Dutch authorities may be considered to have rather 

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tended to the fosterii^ and increase of piracy in 
the Arcbipeli^o, than towards the repression of 
that evil; for, however sedulously and efficiently 
they ntay have protected their own Tessels and 
eetdementa, they do not seem to have evinced any 
zealous desire to prevent or punish acta of piracy if 
committed against any other people. The good 
Hollanders appear to have regarded other European, 
American, or Chinese traders as trespassers on their 
domain, and to have heen accustomed to stigmatize 
them aa smugglers or buecaueera. In numerous 
publications the Dutch are roundly chained with 
having frequently exercised great cruelty and op- 
pression amongst the native inhahitants of such 
islands as may have refused to acknowledge their 
authority or resisted their proceedings These 
statements should, however, be regarded with mnch 
allowance, as the affairs and circumstances so referred 
to may have heen misrepresented. The system 
pursued by the greatest commercial nations of the 
present time is so diS'erent from that adopted by the 
Dutch, in the conduct of their settlements and 
traffic in the Indian Archipelago, as to present the 
greatest possible contrast ; and it is obvious that, if 
they desire to retain their power and influence in 
that region, they will have to modify their regu- 
lations BO as to render them more in accordance 
with the spirit of the age and with sound policy. 

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10 

FoT Diuch that has been effected by them in the 
Indiim Archipelago, the Duteh merit great praise ; 
but unless they will now exercise a more liberal and 
less arbitrary policy than they have heretofore prac- 
tised, they must soon ceaae to be pre-eminent in the 
Indian Ocean. 

In making these observations upon the policy of 
the Dutch in their Indian eettlemente, it may be as 
well to intimate that the same are expressed in no 
unfriendly or hostile spirit; it could answer no good 
purpose to speak in any unfair or dispart^ing 
manner of Ibe Dutch authorities, or of their pro- 
ceedings or establishments in the eastern seas. In 
that splendid and extensire region there is " ample 
reom and verge enough " for the unrestricted com- 
merce of all nations ; and, for the sake of all, it is to 
be hoped that this almost unused and very afBueut 
portion of the globe may henceforth be made avail- 
able in a maimer that will prove universally bene- 
ficial. Monopoly and exclusion should be regarded 
as exploded fallacies ; the native inhabitants should, 
in all cases, be treated with kindness, forbearance, 
and lenity ; and a powerful tribunal should be 
formed in some eligible situation for the adjudica- 
tion of all serious disputes. Of the rich and varied 
products of the numerous islands, there will always 
be a large surplus beyond any quantity likely to be 
required by native and foreign traders; and the 

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11 

ooneidenliou of this important &ct should preclude 
any feeling of commercial JBalousy amongst them. 
8ome of the certain and proximate results of an un- 
restricted and ext«Dsive commerce in this region will 
be the extinction of piracy throughout the Archi- 
pel^, and the civilization and improrement of its 
namerouB and intelligent inhabitants. Many of the 
European or foreign trading ressels, freqneuting 
these seas, will be so well armed and equipped as to 
be capable of repelling the attacks of the Malayan 
pirates, and will naturally combine for the repres- 
sion of piracy and for mutual protection ; but as this 
subject will be specially considered in future pages, 
it needs no farther mention here ; and a. concise 
description of the principal Islands of the Indian 
Archipelago will be now furnished. 

The principal Islands, previously mentioned, will 
be now briefly described. Bonieo, the largest island 
in the world except Australia, is situated near the 
centre of the Indian Archipelago, and is certainly 
one of the richest and most fertile countries known. 
It extends from about 4" south to 7° of north latitude, 
and from 108° to 119" of east longitude ; its greatest 
Isngth, therefore, from north to south, will be about 
760 miles, and its greatest breadth, &om east to west, 
will be about 690 miles. The southern coast of 
Bonieo is distant about 300 miles from the northern 
coast of the fine island of Java, the head quarters of 

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IS 

the Dutch in the Archipelago, and the eastern coast 
is about 1 60 milea distant from Celebes. The island 
of Borneo is now known to be possessed of many 
navigable rivers, several of which have been partially 
explored, and found to afford easy access to the 
interior of the countrr, presenting neither sand-banks 
nor rapids to arrest the progress of the voyager, and 
being of considerable width and depth. On many 
parts of the coasts of Borneo, and on several of the 
principal rivers, Malayan aettlementa have been 
established, it is said, for more than five centuries ; 
but the interior of the country is still inhabited by 
numerous tribes of Dyaks, the aboriginal mhabitants 
of the island, who are independent of each other, and 
seem to be frequently engaged in local wars and 
hostilities. The Dyak tribes who live near the sea 
coast are subject to the rule of the Malays settled in 
their vicinity, but are not held in slavery by them, 
as they lead a wild sort of life in their own towns 
and villages, and only resort occasionally to the 
Malayan setdements for their own purposes. The 
Dutch and the Chinese have also several settlements 
in Borneo, and the British have recently formed a 
Bettlement on the small bland of Labuan, on the 
north-west coast, and another at Sarawak, on the 
west coast thereof. When speaking generally of the 
island . of Borneo, it may be stated that the west 
coast is now occupied by Malay's and Chinese, the 

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13 

north-west coast bj half-caste Moors Jrom Western 
India, the north part by Cochin-Chin eiie, the Dorth- 
eest coast b; Sooloos, and the east and south coaats 
by Bugis tribes from Celebes, and some fen vagrant 
Malaya, or sea gipsies ; whilst the Dyaks, the abori- 
ginal natives of Borneo, have mostly retired into the 
interior parts of the country. The soil of the western 
portion of Borneo vies in richnesB with that of any 
island in the Indian Archipelago, or throughout the 
world, and is known to contsin inexhaustible mines 
of gold, diamonds, sapphires, tin. antimony, coals, 
and iron. Numerous other valuable productions are 
also exported thence, in lai^e quantities, as camphor, 
bees'-wax, pepper, dammer or pitch-wood oil, ebony, 
deers'-homs, rattans, timber of various kinds, cocoa- 
nut oil, sago, spices, &c. ; and these, with other 
valuable commodities, may be generally procured at 
the various settlements, and usually at very low 
prices, whether for money or in barter for other 
merchandize, as manu&ctured goods, &c. The entire 
population of Borneo may be stated to be as follows, 
viz. — 

OfDjaks, or Alioriginea 1,000,000 

ChiueBe and Coohiu-ChineBe 300,000 

MoIbts 1 00,000 

Sugu 16,000 

Javanese, and others TOO 

Dutch, and other EaropQBiis 300 

Total 1,316,000 

CBiii5dj.CoOglc 



but this estimEtte musC odIj be regarded ae ea 
approximation to the actual numbers of the several 
parties mentioned. The Chinese and Oochin- Chinese 
are valuable colonists anywhere, and have here mani- 
fested that they are capable of eztraordinaiy exertions 
in the conduct of commerdal, agricultural, and mining 
operations, and that they are very enterpriBing, perse- 
verii^, and industrious. The Malays and Bugia are 
mostly engaged in maritime and commercial pursuits, 
and the Dutch occupy themselves and their depend- 
ants in abortive attempts to monopoUze the commerce 
of some portions of the country, and in the exactions 
of duties, taxes, and imposts from every party. The 
Dyaka, or aborigines, reside, as previously stated, in 
the interior portions of the island, and on the banks 
of some of the great rivers, in their own towns and 
villages, and, although very inferior to the Chinese, 
the Malay's, and the Bugis, in knotrledge and civili- 
zation, have yet made some progress in the mecha- 
nical arts, and in agricultural operations.' Many of 
the Dyak towns and villt^es are of considerable 
extent, their dwellii^ are framed and constructed 
with much strength and skill, and, by all accounts, 
seem to be nell adapted to their requirements, and 
to the nature of their country and climate. Their 
canoes and latter vessels are also well constructed, 
and they have bo excellent a method of preparing 
and tempering the iron ores of their coimtry, that 

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sabres made b; them will readily cut asunder Bmsll 
bars of British iron, and without iiyaring the, edges 
of ths weapons. The Dyaks also febricate some 
coarse cotton cloths, various articles of aims sjid 
wearing apparel, and some ornaments of copper and 
gold. These people, like moat of the tribes of whom 
but little is known, were formerly reputed to be 
cannibals, and extremely cmel and ferocions ; but it 
has since been ascertained that they do not devour 
human flesh, and are rather a gentle and well- 
disposed, than a. ferocious race. Many of the wild 
tribes are certainly rather warlike in their disposi- 
tions, and somewhat prone to make hostile iucursinns 
into the territories of such of their neighbours as 
they may be at feud with, as the Highlanders of old 
were said to be. They are also in the habit of 
engaging in piratical expedidoos, under the guidance 
and control of Malayan allies ; but the people com- 
posing many of the interior trills are said to be 
amongst the gantlest and most docile of the human 
race. Several writers concur in estoUing the gentle- 
ness, kindness, and amiability of these people, and 
also apeak most favourably of their aptitude for im- 
provement. The wars and conflicts of the wild 
tribes are but prototypes of the desolating hostilities 
which have so frequently occnrred amongst more 
civilized people, and may not be deserving of greater 
reprobation; but, as the Dyaks advance in know- 

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16 

ledge and civilization, sucli exciting contestB will 
become less frequent with them, and their swords 
and spears will doubtless be converted into plough- 
shares and other useful implements. 

The fighting and piratical tribes of Borneo recall 
to the mind many of the descriptions given in 
history of the wild moantaineere, sea-rovers, and 
other predatory bands of Britain in its early daya ; 
and the adventurous Dyaks would not, perhaps. 
suffer much by comparison with those ancient and 
legendary heroes (?) whose exploits (whether real or 
imaginary) are eo highly lauded in the traditions, 
ballads, and tales of our " rude forefathers," and by 
numerous modem writers, led astray by their 
poetical imaginations. 

Most of the recent accounts of the people of 
Borneo concur in representing the great m^ority of 
them as intelligent, gentle, docile, and well dis- 
poeed. The warriors have an extraordinary custom 
of collecting and preserving the heads 'of their 
enemies slain in battle. Tbey keep these heads as 
trophies of their prowess and heroism, and use them 
as the most valued omaments of the interior of their 
dwellings. These ghastly memorials of their valour 
are held, by the Dyaka of Borneo, in the highest 
esdmation ; but a brief intercourse with Europeans 
would, doubtless, induce them to relinquish the bar- 
barous and disgusting practice of collectir^ human 

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17 

heftdii. Many of the Dyak chieftaioB vere said to 
have a great number of human heads dependii^ 
from the lafters of their dwellii^ ; but it is not 
stated that Buch heads were all those of persons 
slain in battle, so that the greater portion may have 
consisted of the heads of persons who had died in a 
natural way. A custom nearly similar to that of 
the Dyaks recently prevailed amongst the New 
Zealanders, bat was speedily relinquished by those 
intelligent and warlike people, after a brief inter- 
course with British settlers. The motives of the 
Dyaks for adopting bo strange a custom are but 
imperfectly known ; but it seems clear that the 
collections of heads were intended to show the num- 
ber of enemies slain by them in their wars, and as 
proofs of their valour. Upon being questioned by 
European visitors regarding this custom, the Dyaks 
often seemed reluctant to acknowledge its pre- 
valence, and to be greatly confused and ashamed. 
It is quite certain that the aboriginal and the other 
inhabitants of Borneo are susceptible of a con- 
siderable degree of civilization and improvement, 
and that they are veiy desirous of having Britiah 
settlements established amongst them. When-' 
soever they have been communicated with they 
have evinced much readiness to conform to the 
wishes of theit Suropean visitors ; and the con- 
current testimony of all such parties indicates 

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18 

that the; are clever, intelligent, enterprising, and 
well-disposed. 

The principal Rivers which have hitherto been 
discovered on the coasts of Borneo are the Fan- 
DASSAH, the Tahfassus, the Brune, the Bejuko, 
the Sarawak, the Saubas, the Pohtiana, the Sue- 
CADANA, the SiNKAWAN, and the Mattan, on the 
west coast; the Abrdt and the Saupit, on the 
south coast; the Pabsier and the Eokti, on the 
east coast ; and several have been observed, but not 
explored, on the north coast; while many have, 
doubtlesa, yet to be discovered on each side of this 
vast island. Several of the rivers mentioned have 
been found navigable for more than two hundred 
miles from the coast ; but, as yet, we have no 
authenticated details regarding them. The Chinese 
and Cochin- Chinese have numerous settlements in 
Borneo, and emigrate to those places in considerable 
unmbers every year. The most important of these 
settlements are IiIokirasok and Sineawam, on the 
western side, and Malladc, on the north-east coast. 
It is alleged that these people are much harassed 
and oppressed by Dutch officials, who assume autho- 
rity over them. However this may be, it is certain 
that they are generally very prosperous, and accu- 
mulate great wealth. Few people are more acute 
and clever than the Chinese, and they are, at the 
same time, enterprising, sober, industrious, and per- 

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10 

severing. By the exercise of such quetlides, in a 
country like Borneo, and amongst a comparatively 
aimple people, they can acarcely fell to grow rich 
speedily, and withont much eSbrL It is well known 
that gold, diamonds, pearls, sapphires, iron, tin, 
copper, silver, camphor, tortoise -shell, bees'-wax, 
pepper, and other spices may be obtained in abun- 
dance, and at low prices, in many parts of Borneo. 
These, and many other valuable commodities may be 
there obtained in barter for manufactured goods, 
and upon terma which would leave an enormous 
profit to European traders, even if the same should 
be obtained through the medium of the Chinese. 

The DcTCH settlements in Borneo are Sambas, 
PoNTtANAE, Landae, and Bahjar-Masbin, and from 
these places, their traders obtain annually an im- 
mense amount of truly valuable prodace in erchange 
fur cash and goods, and at rates which yield them 
fabulous profits. The commercial operations of the 
Dutch are conducted under a monopolizing and ex- 
clusive system, and are so (xammelled with fiscal 
regulations as to be more restricted than encouraged. 
The Dutch can only avail of the inexhaustible riches 
of this fine country \a a limited eitent, yet do their 
utmost to preclude others from participating therein. 
It is time, however, that their long-continued mono- 
poly should be abolished, and that an extensive and 
magnificent region, which has for centuries been 

B a , ' 



crippled and enthralled bj their rule, should be now 
emancipated and thrown open to the commerce of 
the whole world 1 

Malayan settlements are eetabliahed on each of 
the coasts of Borneo. The town of Brun6, situated 
on ibe rirer Brune, is the principal of these settle- 
ments, and is the capital of the Sult&n of Borneo. 
It is a place of considerable magnitude, as it com- 
prises about two thousand dwellings and other 
buildings, and some forttficatians. The population 
of Brune is of a very mixed character, and is consi- 
dered to number more than twenirr thousand persons. 
The Sultan of Borneo claims the aovereignty of the 
whole island, but his authority does not extend 
further than about one hundred miles, in each 
direction, from his capital. All the Malays, Bugis, 
Arabs, and Javanese in Borneo acknowledge him as 
their sovereign, and so, indeed, do many of the Dyak 
tribes ; but, at any long distance from the capital, 
his authority ia more nominal than real, and ia but 
little regarded. Many of the rajahs and other great 
chiefe of the Malays seem to be nearly independent 
of him, and make no scruple of evading or disregard- 
ing his ordinances, should the same be disagreeable 
to them. The weakness of the Sultan's govemment, 
and the almost independent condition of the Malayan 
chieftains, his feudatories, have led to the growth 
and prevalence of piracy amongst the Mali^ra and 

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SI 

Dyftka of Borneo ; and, imtil some conttoUing autho- 
rity shall he established in the Indian Archipelago, 
piracy will assuredly he continued in that region. 
The Britiah government, at the instance of Sir 
James Brooke, then the English Rajah of Sarawak, 
formed an alliance, in the year 1948, with the Sultan 
of Borneo, and at that time obtained from the SulUn 
the cession, in perpetuity, of the little island of 
Lahuan, situated opposite to the entrance of the river 
Brune, Coals of excellent quality having beenfoond 
in abundance in Labuan, the Biitish government 
caused a small settlement to be formed upon that 
island, and in 18S3 appointed Sir James Brooke as 
the Governor thereof. Preriously to the establish- 
ment of a British settlement at Labuan, and about 
the year 1845, Sir James Brooke acquired of the 
Sultan of Borneo the cession, in perpetuity, of the 
fine province of Sarawak, on the western coast of 
Borneo, and the r^ahship or vice-royalty of the said 
province. This spacious and fertile distiict extends 
for nearly one hundred miles in every direction from 
the town of Sarawak, and is, in many respects, 
extremely eligible aa a site for a British settlement 
in Borneo. This province is said to yield in abund- 
ance all the rich and varied productions of Borneo ; 
it has a large and navigable river, called the Sarawak, 
which flovre through the country for more than a 
hundred miles &Dm the coast, and is navigable for 

......Google 



that distance by Email vessels. The fine poaidoa 
and the intrinsic natural advantages of Sarawak will 
probably condace to its becoming, ere long, an 
important Eritish settlement ; but, if the ownership 
of the province is vested in Sir James Brooke, his 
heirs and successors, it will be necessary to that end 
that Her Majesty's goverument should effect some 
arrangement with that gentleman for its surrender 
to the crown. A perpetual annuity, with a royalty 
upon its mineral products, might be goaranteed to 
bim, and to his heirs and successors, for the cession 
of this province. His important and valuable ser- 
vices in tUs portion of the globe, and without the 
surrender of Sarawak, entitle him to something of 
the kind. In future ages he will be regarded as the 
founder of British rule in Borneo ; and, while it may 
be lamented that his ultra zeal for the suppression 
of piracy in the Indian Ocean should have led bim 
into the perpetradon of much unnecessary violence, 
and bloodshed, and slaughter, it must be admitted 
by all that be has, in many respects, proved himself 
deserving of the highest consideration of his country- 
men. The adventures and achievements of this 
distinguished individual, as recorded in several pub- 
lications, are of the most extraordinary and romantic 
kind that can well be conceived. In consideration 
of these, and for his eminent public services, he 
deserves to be ranked among the most celebrated 

„.,..„G„oslc 



1 of tbiB century ; whilst it must for ever be 
I, even by hia admirers and friends, that hia 
zeal and anxiety for the suppression of piracy should 
have led him into the commission of numerous 
ezteosive and barbarous massacres of the people, 
nrhom.he should rather have endeaiioured to improve 
and cJTilize than to slaughter indiscriminately. It 
ie prolable that he will, now, concur in this opinion ; 
and it a to be hoped that the British Government 
will no longer sanction such cruel and barbarous 
massacns of either real or supposed pirates. 

In il.ustration of the preceding accouBt of the 
great ishnd of fionieo, the following extract from 
the Jounal of Sir James Brooke, having reference 
to SardwLk, may be here quoted : — 

"For tbt conntry, wliat EbsU I say? I could not wish a 
riolier; its soil is flae, aod admirabl; calculated for tbe 
enltore of fee, coffee, nutmegs, or cotton. There is a noble 
river flowin; through the teiritotj. Tbe southern bonndar; 
ia defended by a range of monntaias, of on elevation which 
afforda an European clinale ; and the climate, generally, ia 
healthy andcool. The mineral prodoctions are rich. Then 
we have wtnds which would supply atl the dockyards of 
Enrope, and of the floeeC qnaUty; for though we do not 
boast of teak, we have other timber equally hard and durable." 

The moEt considerable settlement on the east 
coast of Btmeo is the Bugis town of Koeti, or 
SemerindeD situated about seventy miles up tbe 

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34 

rivet Koed. This river is sappoaed to be the lai^est 
in the island ; it has a somewhat tortooos or serpen- 
tine course, and penetrates the coantr; for asore 
than four hundred miles from the coast, but to what 
extent it may be navigable remains to be ascertamed. 
AboQt thirty miles above Koed, or Semeriaden, 
there is also a considerable Dyak town on this river, 
near a place called Tongarron, but of this no parti- 
culars can bo furnished. Without dilating uineces- 
sarily npon the value and importance of Borneo, it 
is but just to declare that, with regard to its natural 
advantages, there is not, perhaps, a finer tenitory in 
the whole world. In point of situation, it is almost 
unrivalled ; its productions are rich, vaiied, and 
most abundant ; the climate is fine and sllubrious, 
and the conntiy posseeseB. in an eminent digree, all 
the elements requisite for the formation of i wealthy 
and powerful state. 

It is very desirable for the interests and prosperity 
of Great Britain, and for the welfare and improve- 
ment of the inhabitants of the islanc and the 
surrounding countries, that the British Gbvemment 
should acquire, by means of n^otiation aid purchase, 
the sovereignty of this vast and valuable tSuntry. If 
it be suffored to continue in its present ondition, its 
resources vrill not be developed for manj centuries ; 
and it will hardly be disputed tliat, uider British 
settlemeot and colonization, this fine country will 

„.,..„Googlc 



prove more advantageous to ths whole world than it 
oaii posaiblj be under any other government. 

New Guinea. — The Island of Papua, or New 
Guinea, is one of the lai^est islands in the world, 
ranking next in eize to Borneo ; from which place it 
is diatant about eight hundred miles. It is sitoated 
in the Indian Archipelago, and opposite to the 
northern coast of Australia, being distant therefrom 
only one hundred and fifty miles ! The entire 
Island extends from 180° to 148° east longitude, and 
from 1° to 9° of south latitude : its extreme length, 
therefore, from east to west, is about twelve hundred 
and fifty mUea ; and its greatest breadth, from north 
to south, is nearly five hundred miles. The following 
table, showing the distance in miles from about the 
centre of New Guinea to the several places named, 
will manifest the advantageous geographical position 
of the island, viz.:— ~ 

I^ou New OmMEA to 

North AuBtralia nbont ISO miles. 

Moreton Ba; 2300 

Sydney 3000 

Melbonrna 3T00 

Adelaide. 4200 

Hobnrt TOTO 3600 

Neir Zaalaod SOOO 

Borneo 800 

Celebes 600 

Java 8000 

CBiii5dj.CoOglc 



3« 

ManiUa 300O 

Timor 700 

Canton SOW 

CalcutU 3000 

The discorery of this extensive country is reported 
to have been effected b; some Earopeao voyattere 
about the year 1600, yet, hitherto, but little authen- 
ticated infortnation has been obtained regarding the 
territory or its inhabitants ; and, although more than 
two hundred and fifty years have elapsed since the 
discovery of this vast island, it still remains almost 
a terra incognita. 

Some vague and unsatisfactory reports have occa- 
sionally appeared of the coasts and the native in- 
habitants of the island, but these accounts are not 
much to be relied upon, and are generally of the 
moBt cursory and meagre nature. Judging from all 
that has been ascertained regarding the neighbour- 
ing islands of Borneo and Celebes, and from the 
little that has been reported of New Guinea, it 
seems probable that the latter hears, in iis natural 
features and productions, a general resemblance to 
Borneo. The few notices which have been pub- 
lished regarding New Guinea, concur in stating that 
the productions of the country comprise — nutmegs 
and other apices, trepang, tortoise-shell, edible birds' 
nesta, birds of Paradise, antimony, tin, gold, dia- 
monds, pearls, sapphires, massoy bark, the finest of 

......Googtc 



27 

timber, bees'-waz, and tdbot other valoable aiticlea ; 
and that these are bartered, by the Papuans, for 
gunpowder, muakets, small cannon, shot, calicoes, 
china aod earthenware, iron- work, knives, aaes, 
hardware, arrack, tobacco, coloured handkerchiefs, 
beads, cutlery, printed oottons, &c., with the Cera- 
mese and Chinese. 

It may be here stated, as a fortunate circnm- 
stance, that the sorereignty of this great island was 
formally chumed for the British Crown, In the year 
1793, by Capt^ns Bampton and Alt, in the ships 
■' Hormuzeer" and "Chesterfield;" ao that, in 
accordance with the established and reci^ised cus- 
tom in similar cases, the British Government may 
at any time claim the sovereignty, and take posses' 
sion of, and colonize this extensive and valuable 
territory. From the very few publications which 
contain any reference to this neglected and mys- 
terious country, it appears that its sonthem shores, 
wheresoever the same have been examined, are 
mostly low and muddy, and so densely ovet^rowD 
with mangroves and other shrubs as to be nearly 
impenetrable. On many portions of these southern 
shores mud flats have been found to extend for a 
considerable distance seaward, thus rendering such 
parts of the coasts inaccessible even for boats, 
and the Papuans, whensoever seen or communicated 
vith, are stated to have usually manifested so much 

„.,..„C„oglc 



hostility towards Enropeans, as to reader it in- 
expedient or extremely dangerous to seek to prolong 
any intercourse with them. " For, indeed," says 
an ancient Dutch narrative, " the natives of Nova 
Guinea are ap utterly barharoua, treacherous, and 
cruel, that very few mariners who have ever landed 
amongst those wild and ogly black savages have 
escaped without losing some of their number; for 
those cunning and ferocious cannibals have generally 
contrived to lure their visitors into some ambuscade, 
and then to attack them when off their guard in 
vastly superior numbers, showing neither fear nor 
mercy, but ruthlessly slaying or wounding all they 
could get at, until the astAnished and terrified 
strangers were all either killed, disabled, or driven 
off." In their personal appearance the natives of 
New Guinea are said to resemble the worst-lookii^ 
of the Airican negroes, to have a very black com- 
plexion, black and woolly hair, broad dat noses, and 
thick lips, and to be of great stature and strength. 
They are, also, reported to be more ferocious even 
than the Ashantee, or Congo negroes, and to be still 
more evilly disposed ; but it is notorious that similar 
statements have almost invariably been made re- 
garding the native inhabitants of newly-discovered 
and strange, or unknown countries, and have usually 
been found extremely erroneous or vaady exagge- 
ratejl. However this may be, it ia certain that the 

......Google 



Cerameae islanders (a Malayan race inhabiting tfa« 
Islonda of Ceram) and the Chinese hare carried on 
a considerable and extremely lucrative traffic with 
these terrible Papuans for some centuries, and have 
contrived nearly to monopolize the communication 
with them, by exciting tboii dtstrost and jealousy of 
EuTopeanB, and by circulating false and unfavour- 
able accounts of the Papuans amongst European 
traders and others. A little reflection will suffice 
to render it obvious that the country and the native 
inhabitants of New Guinea have been purposely 
and sedulously misrepresented by the Ceramese and 
Chinese traders, in order to preclude others from 
participating in their profitable monopoly ; and it is. 
therefore, not at all improbable that both the coun- 
try and the people will be found much better than 
they are commonly supposed to be. The Ceramese 
and Chinese are expert and crafty traders, and have 
long contrived, by all kinds of artifices and mia- 
representatione, to inspire the Papuans with a dis- 
trust and hatred of all strangers, in order that they 
may continue to cany on an exclusive traffic with 
them ; and in this they have been so successful that 
even the Butch, whose influence and authority are 
paramount throughout the Indian Archipelago, have 
been hitherto unable to trade with New Guinea, or 
to hold any continuous eommunication with its in- 
habitants. The Ceramese and Chinese traders still 

......Google 



80 

continne, however, to carry on a considerable and 
very lucrative traffic with the (ferocious ?) natives of 
New Guinea, and to exercise some dominion over 
them, keeping them in awe by meane of their supe- 
rior skill in the use of fire-arms. The Papuans, 
upon further acquaintance, will probably be found 
friendly and tractable if kindly treated; for there 
never yet has been discovered any race of people 
who proved inaccessible to kind and considerate 
treatment, or who did not endeavour to avenge in- 
jury and ill-uaage 1 

Upon a reyiew of the preceding observations, re- 
garding the Island of Papua, or New Guinea, it will 
appear that this extensive territory, though known 
to Europeans for more than two hundred and fifty 
years, and within one hundred and fifty miles of the 
north coast of Australia, is still unexplored, and has 
been singularly disregarded ! In all probability this 
country, upon examination, will be found to possess 
numerous harbours for shipping, and navigable' 
rivers, affording easy access to the interior ; a fertile 
soil, with a varied and beautiful territory; docile 
and friendly inhabitania ; and many indigenous 
productions of great value and utility. The 
olimate of some portions of the island will, doubt- 
less, be entirely unsuitable for Europeans ; but 
many other parts of this extensive country will, 
probably, be found to enjoy a pleasant and salu- 

„.,..„G„oslc 



81 

brioDB climate, and other requisites for succesaful 
coloaizadon. 

Australia, a century ago, waa but little better 
estimated than New G-uiaea now is ; California was, 
also, considered to be a worthless and scarcely 
habitable territory ; and New Zealand was uoivei- 
sally regarded as a coontrj unfit to be colonized, and 
inhabited by ferocious and bloodthirsty cannibals, 
who could not be safely communicated with ; yet 
how pre'eminently abaurd do all these notions now 
appear, when those coimtries are justly considered, 
and known to be, some of the finest regions in the 
world, and to be progressing in improvement in a 
manner wholly unexampled. The case of New 
Zealand very forcibly exemplifies that but little 
regard should be paid to vague and unauthenticated 
statements regarding places which are comparatively 
unknown. For the sake of the world at large, and 
for the honour and interests of the British nation, 
her M^esty's Government should immediately send 
a small squadron to surrey and take possession of 
the whole of the lalands of New Guinea and Borneo. 
Such a proceeding would merit and obtain the ap- 
proval of all parties, and would confer both hononr 
and distinction upon its advocates and promoters. 

Cklebbs,— The large island of Celebes is one of 
the most important places in the Indian Arohipekgo. 
It is somewhat centrally situated between Borneo 

......Google 



8!1 

fend New Guinea, and has an extnordinaiy form or 
outline, being intersected on each Bide by long gulfs, 
bays, and inlets. The whole island extends from 
S' north to 6° of south latitude, aud from US" to 
136° of east longitude; iis greatest length, there- 
fore, from east to west, is about 650 miles, and its 
extreme breadth from north to south is nearly 600 
miles ; but the area, or sur&ce, of the territory, in 
consequence of its peculiar formation, is compara- 
tively email. The finest spices, and manyother of 
the most esteemed productions of the Indian Archi- 
pelago, are raised here in great abundance, and the 
inhabitants carry on an extensive trade with the 
Dutch, the Chinese, and the Malays. The territory 
is divided into four separate states or kingdoms, and 
is said to have been so divided for more than five 
centuries, and to be, therefore, one of the most 
ancient of the Malayan settlements in the Indian 
Archipelago. The four states or kingdoms into 
which Celebes is divided are named Boni, Wajo, 
Luwu, and Sopii^, and the form of government 
established therein resembles that which prevailed 
in Europe in the feudal times. Theusland is neither 
so populous nor so prosperous as it was formerly, 
and its decline is generally attributed to the mis- 
government of the native princes and their subordi- 
nates, and to the oppressive commercial regulations 
enforced by the Dutch authorities. Under a better 

......Google 



form of goTemment, and k well-regalated oommeroe, 
this fine island might be speedily laised to a much 
higher degree of importance than it hoa heretofore 
attained, for it abounds in all the elements of 
wealth and prosperity, and these might be developed 
to an enormous extent by means of judicious regu- 
lations and arrangements. The Dutch baye two 
settlements, or, rather, trading stations, in Celebes, 
— viz , Macassar, on the south end, and Monadu, 
on the north end, — and their inSuence and autho- 
rity may be considered as paramount throughout 
the island. Ooa, or Maoassar, formerly an iode- 
peadent kingdom, and an important division of 
Colebes, is now a dependency of the Dnlch, who 
nearly monopolize the commerce of the place ; 
bat it is reported that the inhabitants are very 
desirous of emancipating themselves from the 
dominion of the Dutch, and of tradii^ with other 
European or foreign nations. The interior portions 
of this remarkable island exhibit mooh beautiful and 
picturesque scenery, but are mostly covered with 
dense forests of gigantic trees. Wild beasts and 
serpents abound in these forests, and boa constrictors 
are known to exist therein in considerable numbers, 
and have frequently been found above thir^ feet in 
length. The entire population of Celebes is stated 
to comprise more than two millions of persons ; the 
climate, though sultry, is not c<mBidered insalubrious, 

„.,..i;„ogic 



Si 

and Sir James Brooke, in his publications, reports 
very favourablj of tlio native inhabitants as being 
the best diaposed and endowed, and by far the bast 
conducted, of any of the Malayan race of people in 
the Indian Archipelago. He appears to have passed 
a considerable time in Celebes, and his account of 
the manners and institutions of the people, and of 
the condition and resources of the cooutry, is very 
interesting. The nobility and gentry of the island 
appear to form a sort of aristocracy, and are stated 
to be polished and highly pleasing in their manners 
and conversation. The inhabitants are very enter- 
prising traders, and do not enge^e in piratical 
adventures or proceedinga. They manifest, indeed, 
so much energy and ability in commercial operations, 
and in navigation, that some writers have termed 
them "the modem Phcenicians," and praise them 
in the highest terms. It is certain that they perform 
long and arduooB voyages in their prahus, trading, 
occasionally, in every part of the Indian Archipelago, 
and, by their admirable conduct, have obtained the 
character of being the most enterprising, the most 
discerning, and the most honourable of all the native 
traders of that extensive region. 

Java is one of the finest islands of the Indian 
Archipelago, and is remarkable for the munificence 
of its natural scenery and for the exnberant fertility 
of its soil. It extends from 105" to lU°of east 

„.,..„G„oslc 



86 

longitude (630 miles), and from 6" SO* to 8° of south 
latitude, averaging about 00 milea in width. This 
splendid island was taken from the Dub^h by the 
British in 1811, and was retained by the latter for 
about three or four years, and then restored to the 
Dutch government under some treaty. Batavia, the 
capital of Java, has always been the head quarters of 
the Dutch government in the Indian Archipelago, 
and is a large, handsome, and very populous town. 
It is situated on the north-western end of the island, 
and may be considered as the emporium of Dutch 
commerce iu this region. The site of the tovm has, 
unfortunately, been very badly chosen, being in a 
swamp, where the receding tide leaves lai^e tracts 
of mud uncovered ; besides which, there are many 
docks and canals in the town, wherein much stag- 
nant water collects, and from these mud-banks and 
stagnant waters a dangerous malaria arises, which 
renders the town extremely unhealthy. The great 
haat of the climate, acting upon the swampy and 
muddy soil of this vicinity, and upon a rank and 
luxuriant v^tation, continually generates an atmo 
sphere which frequently proves fatal to Europeans, 
and is nearly as perilous to the natives of the country, 
by causing intermittent fevers and many other dan- 
gerom maladies. Vessels lying in or off the port 
are every night enveloped in this fatal malaria, 
which is conveyed to them by the land wind, which 



86 

blows in that direction efuy evening throughout the 
greater portion of the year. Most of the foreign 
trading vessels lose some officers and men during 
their staj in this port, and it seems nnaccoontable 
that the Dutch should have selected so bad a sit« for 
their principal town and port in Java, whilst GMte 
are so manj other places on the island &r more 
eligible for commercial and general purposes, and 
quite healthy. Some writers, indeed, have (mali- 
ciously) insinuated that the worthy HiJlanders were 
induced to make the selection by an inherent par- 
tiality for swamps and morassee, and by a desire to 
repel the visits of foreign traders ; but it is hardly 
necessary to state that such insinuations are unwar- 
rantable, as their fondness for hilly and mountainous 
countries, and their dislike of any kind of monopoly, 
are sufficiently notorious. The docks, warehouees, 
quays, end public buildings, and many of the dwelling 
houses of Batavia, are handsome and substantial 
structures, and, altogether, it is certainly a very fine 
and spacious town. The principal merchants and 
traders of Batavia, and the chief goremment officialB, 
have country residences some few miles distant from 
the city, and usually resort thither at an early hoot 
every evening. These gentlemen and their families 
live in considerable splendour and luxuiy, axe very 
hospitable to strangers, and associate much together. 
By lemainiug in Batavia during the day only, they 

......Google 



87 

avoid tlie evening malaria ; and all accooota concai 
in representing tlie interior of Java as a splendid 
eonntry, and to be perfectly healtbj and agreeable. 
Many British merchants and traders ore established 
in Bataria, and these gentlemen are said to own 
upwards of two thonsand square miles of land, in 
various parts of the island. Such lands are mostly 
used as pkntadona for coffee, rice, sugar, spices, &c., 
and yield immense crops. The European population 
of Bataria comprises about 10,000 peisons, the Java- 
nese number about 40,000, the Chinese about 30,000, 
and the Malays and others about 30,000; so that 
the entire population consists of about 100,000 
persons. The extent of the commerce condacted 
here by the Dutch is very coneiderable, but is chiefly 
engrossed by " the Commercial Society of Holland," 
an association composed of the highest and most 
wealthy and influential persons of that kingdom. 
The principal productions of the island of Java are 
rice, coffee, sugar, tobacco, pepper, spices, sago, 
cotton, teak timber, and minerals ; and the surface of 
the country is more extensively cultivated than that 
of any other island in the Indian Archipelago, as 
the Javanese are eminently an agrictiltural people, 
and remarkably clever and industrious, and cultivat« 
much land for European proprietors, as well as for 
themselves. The natives of Java are of the Malayan 
race, but are, in all respects, very superior to the 

......Google 



88 

Malays usually met with in the Archipelago; and 
are, therefore, more highly esteemed by Europeans. 
Teak forests, of great extent, are found throughout 
the island, and in situations where the timber is avail- 
able for ship building, or exportaCioa. BlaTery, in a 
modified degree, prevails in Java, the Dutch being 
the greatest slave-owners ; but it ia to be hoped they 
will not long remain liable to this reproach, any such 
system being clearly jnconaistent with the real im- 
provement and prosperity of the oonntiy, and the 
civilization of its inhabitants. In addition to Batavio, 
the Outeh have another place of considerable trade, 
near the north-eastern end of Java, named Sourabaya. 
This port is mach better situated for commercial 
purposes, and far more healthy, than Batavia ; and 
the town is one of the most important places belong- 
ing to the Dutch in Java. The port of Sourabaya is 
in 7° 13' south latitude, and 113° 46' 40' east longi- 
tude, and has as excellent naval yard, many baUding 
slips, and a good hospital. Supplies, refreshments, 
ftc., are here abundant and cheap, and good water 
may be readily obtained in any quantity. The river 
here is broad, but has many extensive fiats, which 
are uncovered at low water. Cali-Pigang, another 
port, on the south coast of Java, is said to be in many 
respects preferable to either Batavia or Sourabaya, 
tmd to be greatly resorted to. It is capable of con- 
taining the whole of the British navy, and may be 

......Google 



entered with fscilit; b; the largest vaasels. This 
port ia much nearer to the British settlements in 
Australia than Batavia, and, whensoever the Dutch 
maj adopt free trade arrangements, in place of their 
present exclusive system of commerce, will become a 
place of great importance. The northern coast of 
Java is mostly fiat, but covered with large trees to 
the beach; at a short distance in the interior there 
are several lofly mountains, 10,000 to 11,000 feet in 
height, and their high peaka serve as sea guides to 
mariners; some of them may be seen, in clear weather, 
at a distance of 90 or 100 miles. About thirty miles 
inland from Batavia the Goenong Gedeh, or Blue 
Mountains, rise to a height of 10,000 feet, and the 
Tegal Mountain is 1 1,000 feet above the level of the 
sea. The south coast Is generally high, and com. 
poaed of steep tmd rugged rocks, coveted always with 
foam or breakers, and the whole shore wears a barren 
and desolate appearance ; a terrific swell, especially 
during the south-east monsoon, lashes with unceasing 
fury the headlands of this coast, or, supported by the 
full force of the ocean, rolls into its ports and 
havens ; but there are aome few bays and harbours, 
on this coast, which afford safe retreats for vessels. 
The creeks and bays on the north coast of Java are 
frequented by pirates, who sometimes congregate in 
them in considerable numbers, and, being well 
armed, fierce, and enterprising, render it advisable 

„.,..„G„oslc 



40 

that vessels of every kind shonld be on their guard 
while in that vicinity. A group of islands, called 
the Thousand IslandB, but which really compriaes 
about sixty or aeventf only, lies to tha north-west of 
fiatavia, and near tho northem entraoce of the Strait 
of Sunda, which separates Java fTom Sumatra, and 
is from ten to twenty miles in width. These islands 
are small, but beautiful in appearance, and are but 
little known, as the navigation amongst them is both 
intricate and dangerous. 

The Dutch have only trading stations, and small 
government establishments, at numerous places in 
the Indian Archipelago, but do not colonise any- 
where as the British have done in Australia and 
ot^er countries. In the island of Java, where they 
have their bead-quarterB, and their most important 
establishments, the Dutch inhabitants (including the 
military and naval forces, numbering about 4,000) 
consist of about 10,000 persons only, after an occu- 
pation of more than 150 years I Under the rule of 
the British, in 1811, 1812 and 1619, the prc^ss of 
the island, in internal prosperity and improvementa, 
was most extraordinary; and it is, perhaps, to be 
regretted, for the sake of all concerned, that it was 
ever restored to the Dutch Government. A reference 
to the works of Sir Stamford EafBes, and others, 
will furnish the reader with information regarding 
this magnificent island, whii^ will abundantly mani- 

„.,..„G„oslc 



41 

feat ila value and importance in OTOiy point of view ; 
and which will go far to prove that it would have 
been better for all parties if the territory had re- 
mained under tlie fostering dominion of Great 
Britain. Some arrangements might be entered into 
between the Dutch and British Govemmeata, for the 
ceesion of thia extenaiTe territory to the latter. It 
might then, perhaps, improve, as the State of Kew 
York did, upon being transferred from the Dutch to 
the British, though probably not in quite so mar- 
vellous a degree. Ae the Dutch establishments in 
Java are now managed, it is doubtful if the same 
yield any great balance of profit to Holland, after 
dedunting the cost thereof; while, if the island 
should be colonized by the British, in their customary 
manner, Holland might still continue to receive 
therefrom a larger yearly revenue than it now obtains, 
and some other advantages. Under such an arrange- 
ment all existing interests might be properly re- 
garded and provided for ; and care should be taken 
tiiat the Dutch Government and people sboold 
profit more by the cession, than they are likely to do 
by the retention, of Java. It is not meant as any 
digparagemeot of the Dutch Government and people, 
when it is assumed that, if cobnized by the British, 
Java would increase in prosperity and importance more 
rapidly than it is likely to do under the rule of the 
Dutch, as at present eseroised ; but is intended to shew 

......Google 



43 

tliat a mere trading monopoly rather limits than dere- 
lops the resources of that fine comitrj' ; and that, as a 
British colony, it would bs turned to better account 
than, as a Dutch tradbg station, it ever can or will 
be. It may be easily shewn that G-reat 'Britain is 
far more capable of colonizing and improving such a 
country than Holland can poeeibly be, and that the 
Dutch people might profit more by transferring their 
interests in Java to Great Britain than by retaining 
the same. 

Maoihdanao, a lai^e island in the Sooloo Sea, ia 
situated between Celebes and the Philippine Islands. 
It extends from 132" to 1^7' of east longitude, and 
from &' to So 30' of north lautude ; and is, therefore, 
about 350 miles long, and about 240 miles in breadth. 
The Spaniards have a small penal settlement at 
Samboangan, on the south-western extremity of this 
island, but do not seem to clfdm the sovereignty of 
the whole territory. The native inhabitants of Ma- 
gindanao are termed Illanune, or Lanuns, and they 
are regarded as the most formidable pirates of the 
Indian Archipelago. They cmise about in every 
direction, with lai^e Sects of prahus, attacking and 
plundering all trading vcmoIs which may be incapable 
of making any efiectual resistance, and frequently 
make descents upon some of the islands, and carry 
off great numbers of the inhabitants, in order to sell 
them as slaves. When the Lanuns have collected 

......Google 



48 

sufficient quantitjes of plondar and sIbtss, and have 

diBpoBed thereof, they return to their own eouDtry, 
and their place is supplied by others, who settle on 
the coast for a time, to enrich tbemseWeB by similar 
means. The Illannns display great ability in mari- 
time pursuits, and are so bold and warlike, that they 
seldom fail of being succeasful in their piratical 
expeditions. Their numerous and daring exploits 
have rendered them famous throughout the Indian 
Archipelago ; and they are regarded with a mixture of 
fear and admiration, rather than with any great 
abhoirence, by the inhabitants of the different islands; 
but it is to be hoped that the time is fust approach- 
ing when the energies and talents of these clevBrand 
enterprising people may be exercised upon better 
olgects than piratical adventures. The climate, and 
the general features, and the produce, of Magindenao, 
resemble those of Borneo, and do not, therefore, 
require to be particularised. The extension of 
British colonization and commerce in this direction, 
would speedily have the effect of converting the 
Illanuns from pirates and slave-dealers, into active 
and enterprising traders, ^riculturista, and me- 
chanics ; and their transformation would have great 
influence amongst tbe pirates of the surrounding 
countiies, the Illanuns being regarded as the leaders 
of all the corsairs and freebooters of that region. 
Whensoever they may discorer that piratical expe- 

......Google 



ditione are fai more likely to end in disaster Bud 
niiD, than in any advantage to themselves, they nil! 
natundly relinquish soch adrentures ; but it is very 
doubUnl if any oocRsional destruction of their vesaeis 
(tad strongholds, and of their crews, will ever effect 
more than a temporary interruption of the piracies 
ot the Illanans and their neighbours. 

Timor is an island of considerable extent in the 
Indian Archipelago, being about two hundred and 
fifty miles in length, and having an average breadth 
of fifty miles. It is situated about seven hundred 
and fifty miles to the westward of the northern 
coast of Anstmlia, andis much resortedto by Anstia- 
lian traders for the procuration of Timor ponies, a 
snull breed of horses of excellent qoality, and which 
are numeroua and cheap throughout the island, llie 
climate of Timor is said to he sultry and unhealthy' 
on the coasts and in low situations, but to be pleasant 
and Bulubrious in the interior. The Portuguese have 
several small establishments on this island ; the 
principal of these is at Dieli, on the north-west 
coast, and it is not a place of much importance. 
The Dutch have a considerahle settlement at Coe- 
pang Bay, at the west end of the island, and many 
Chinese and Malays have established tliemselves on 
different parts of the coasts Coepang Bay, on the 
west side of Timor, is very extensive ; and the town 
of Coepang is on the south side of the bay. The 

„.,.. .Google 



15 

Qag-staff of Fort Concordia, a Dutch fortress in the 
town of Coepang, is in latitude 10° 10' south, and 
longitude 123" 35' east. The island is yery hilly and 
mountainous in the interior, but contains a large 
quantity of fertile land, which Jielda in abundance 
most of the productions of the Indian Archipelago. 
An excellent breed of small horses or poniea is 
possessed by the inhabitants, and man; hundreds of 
these animals are annually exported from Timor to 
the colonies of Australia and elsewhere. The price 
of these ponies in Timor used to be from A)ur to ten 
dollara each ; and ihey fetched at Sydney from £5 to 
£10 each, and were much esteemed. The native 
inhabitants of Timor are black, but not woolly- 
haired, and their features are more like those of the 
Malaya than of the negroes. They mostly reside in 
" ■ - ■ -■ -<■ .L- "'and, the coasts being 

neae. Some of the 
aed to be as lofty as 
units being visible at 
s ; but the shores «r« 
aly grown with num- 
j Taluable metals and 
lis island, bnt do not 
thence in any large 
riously mentioned, is 
[uently resorted to by 
being the principal 

„.,.,„G„oglc 



4S 

Enropean settlement, it is mora coDTonient of scoess 
than any other port in Timor, Provisiona, fruits, and 
vegetables of excellent quality may be obtained 
here in any qaandty, and at very moderate prices ; 
and Tesaels proceeding from Australia to China of 
Java, and t>tc« vend, usually touoli at Coepang 
Bay. 

SuxATRA nearly adjoins the north-nestem ex- 
tremis of Java, being only separated therefrom by 
the Strait of Suuda, which is there only twelve or 
fifteen miles in width. It is abont one thousand 
miles in length from north to south, and of an 
average breadth of one hundred snd &tty milea, 
extending from 7° south to 6° of north latitude, and 
from S5° to 106' of east longitude. The population 
of this extensive territory is supposed to comprise 
about three millions of persons, and consists chiefly 
of Malays, Chinese, and Arabs. The conntiy is 
divided into many states, and ia under the govern- 
ment of native princes or rulers. The principal and 
most impoiiant of these divisions are Acheen and 
Falembang. Sumatra ia generally considered to be 
the most ancient of the Vslnyon settlements in the 
Indian Archipelago ; and the people of the Malayan 
race found in the other islands are Eupposed to 
have originally migrated from its shdres. Judging 
from the position of Sumatra, which extends the 
whole length of the Straits of Malacca and Banca, 

„.,..„G„oslc 



47 

it seemB probable that the territory first became 
peopled from the Malaj Peniusula, and, Bubae- 
(jaently, distributed the Malayan race throughout tbe 
islands of the Indian Archipelago. The whole coast 
of Sumatra is low, and conBtats nearly everywhere of 
mud fiats, which extend seaward for two or three 
miles, and are uncovered at low water, rendering the 
shores difficult of access for shipping. There ore 
many lai^e rivers on the island : the principal of 
these are the Salsee, the Oepang, die Soensang, and 
the Assing ; the two last named being navigable for a 
great distance by vessels of heavy burthen. Although 
the shores of Sumatra are mt^tly low and muddy, 
they have numerous creeks and inlets, which are 
inhabited by a savage race of Malays, who have 
many prahus, and are ever on the watch to plunder 
and destroy any trading vessels which may approach 
their lurking-pliices. Vast and dreary jungles, 
which are nearly impenetrable, cover the greater 
portion of the country; and the solemn stillness 
which prevails In those gloomy and desolate vnlder- 
nesses b said to be quite appallit^. Wild beasts 
and serpents of the most formidable kinds abound 
throughout Sumatra ; the lai^est and fiercest tigers, 
the most enormous boa constrictors, with numerous 
other serpents ; and alligators, and other dangerous 
animals thrive here amazingly, and render the forests 
and imfreqaented ports highly perilous to travellers. 

......Google 



48 

In so extenaiTe a conntiy there vill amnredly b« 
manj tracts b^hlj favoured by nature, and poasegs- 
ing great adyantages ; but, from the various accounts 
which have been published, it seems clear that 
Sumatra, generally speaking, viU not bear any com- 
parison with Borneo, New Guinea, Celebes, or Java. 
Many of the Malayan inhahitants of Sumatra are 
extensively engaged in piracy in connection with the 
pirates of Lingin, Magindanao, Borneo, and Sooloo ; 
and a large proportion of the slaves captured by 
these oonfederated corsairs are sold to the Malays 
who have plantations in the island. 

The Dutch have several stations or settlements in 
Sumatra ; the chief of these are Falembong, on the 
north-east coast, and Bencoolen and Fad&ug on the 
west coaat. Each of these settlements ia a place of 
considerable importance ; but Palembaog is regarded 
as the principal. An extensive traffic is conducted 
by the Dutch in Sumatra, and they exercise much 
autlionty throughout the island ; hut the countiy 
cannot be regarded as a possession of the Dutch, for 
the natives have successfully resisted the various 
attempts to Eubjogate them which have been made 
by the Hollanders. Sumatra does not seem to be 
a desirable territory for European colonization; hut 
an immense and lucrative commerce mightbe carried 
on with the native inht^itants, if the restrictions 
imposed by the Dutch authorities were aboliahed, 

......Google 



49 

and the piracies of the Makys and their confederatfis 
were completely repressed. 

The blftcd of Palawan is situated between ths 
northern end of Borneo and the Phillippine Islands. 
It is 270 miles long, and of the average width of 
thirty mites. The population is composed chiefly of 
Malaya, but considerable numbers of Chinese, and 
Cochin-Chinese, are settled in various parts of the 
island. The inhabitants of this island are much 
addicted to piracy, and generally act in coiyunction 
with the other Malayan and Bomean pirates of the 
Archipelago. The people of Palawan do not, how- 
ever, entirely depend for subsistence upon their 
piratical operations, but contrive to nuse a largo 
quantity of produce, and to traffic extensively with 
the natives of the other islands, and with foreign 
traders. The interior of this island is much com- 
mended by various writers, who describe it as being 
replete with natural advantages, and of remarkable 
fertility. Though of considerable extent, and well 
situated, Palawan seems to be but little known. 

Flores. — The island of Flores is about 150 miles 
long, and thirty miles in breadth. It is situated 
between the islands of Timor and Sumbawa, is 
inhabited by a rude Malayan race of people, and is 
hut imperfectly known. The noith-east extremity of 
Flores is a high and steep promontory, of consider- 
able extent, called Flores Head ; it is in 8° 4' 45' 

D 

„.,.. .Google 



60 

south, and 1!2S° 50' east. VesaelB may procaro 
wood and water at various places on the coaat, but it 
Is doubtful if any valuable productions may now be 
obtained here ; and the natives, though conaidered to 
be Mendly, should not be implicitly trusted, aa they 
are rather uncivilized, and have saffered much injury, 
occasionally, from the violence of pirates and traders. 
Flores is a place of resort for pirate fleets, and vessels 
passing, or touching at, the island, should guard 
f^Qst their attacks. The native inh^itanta of 
Flores are often carried off by pirates, and sold as 
slaves. " The Tzer river, on the north coast, is 
navigable by prahns &r upwards, and the stream 
carries down a considerable quantity of iron-ore, and 
also some gold-duat." Some few articles of pro- 
visions, as also wood and water, may be obtained at 
various parts of the coasL 

SoMBAWA is a high volcanic Island, about 150 miles 
long, and forty broad. It has been but thinly 
peopled since the memorable and tremendous erup- 
tion of Monnt Tombora, in I8I6, by which many 
towns and villages, and great numbers of people, and 
cattle, were destroyed, and many thousands of the 
inhabitants perished from starvation. This island 
is situated between Flores and Java; the natives 
are uncivilized, but good-natured and well-disposed. 
The Dutch have a small establiahmeut at Bimah, on 
tlie north coast of this island, and, by means thereof, 

„.,..„G„oslc 



SI 

contrive to monopolize nearly all the trade of tb« 
place. Much aandal-wood ia produced here, and the 
yearly export of horses from Bimah exceeds I(J0O. 
Piratical fleets and prahus frequent the shores of 
this bland, and attack Tessels paasing, but the natives 
of Sumbawa do not appear to engage in acts of piracy. 
Wood, water, and provisions, m^y be readily pro- 
ourod at many places on the coast of Sumhana, and 
at a very cheap rate ; but the crews of vessels should 
always be on their goard against any treachery on 
the part of the natives. Teak forests are found in 
Sumbawa, but generally at too great a distance from 
the coast to enable the Inhabitants to export the 
timber with advantage. The island extends from 
about 116° to 11 9° of east longitude, and its latitude 
is about B° 10' south, Bimah Bay, where the Dutch 
establishment is situated, is on the north coast of 
Sumbawa, and stretches deeply inland, forming a safe 
harbour, where many ships may lie quite land- 
locked, and sheltered on all sides by high land. 

The SANDAI.-WOOD Island is so called from its 
producing large quantities of sandal'Wood, which is 
much esteemed by the Chinese. This island is 
situated about SOO miles to the westward of Coepang 
Bay, in Timor, and from 70 to 100 miles from the 
southern coasts of Sumbawa and Flores. Besides 
sandal-wood, the country yields the several produc- 
tions common to the islands of the Indian Archi- 
s A 



53 

pelago. The country is inhabited bj half-oivilized 
Malaya and Chinese, but has no European aettJe- 
ment on its coasts, and the trade of the place is 
inconsiderable. The nortfa-eaet coast has a mono- 
tonous and dreary aspect, shewing like a calcareous 
nail, with a nearly lerel top. about ISOO feet high; 
the east part appeals to consist of sloping plains, 
covered with grass and bushes. The island extends 
from 130° to 121" 30' east longitude, and from 
0° 40' to 10° 30' of south latitude, and is, therefore, 
abont 100 miles in length, and fifty in breadth. 

The island of Gbbah extends from 1Q7° tO' to 
130° 46' east longitude, and from 2° 46' to 30° 35' of 
south latitude, and is, therefore, about 200 miles 
long, and fifty miles in width. It is situated between 
the west ooast of New Guinea, and tlie east coast of 
Celebes, and is inhabited by a Malayan race of 
people, who are extensively engaged in commercial 
and maritime pursuits, and in agriculture, and who 
are also pirates and slave-dealers. The Ceramese 
islanders are very active and enterprising, and have 
contrived to monopolize nearly all the trade with 
New Guinea. They have obtained a great ascendancy 
over the more uncivilized Papuans, and have so 
prejudiced the minds of the latter against fore^ 
traders, as to render it dangerous for them to touch 
on the Coasts of New Guinea. Many slaves are 
annually obtained by Ceramese and Chinese traders 

„.,..„G„oslc 



58 

from die coasts of New Gniaea; Hiese are mostly 
FapuAu negroes, from the interioi of that great 
island, who have beea captured hj the coaat natives, 
and are either sold at the neighbouring island of 
Kilwarj, or to foreign traders, who hold them in 
mucli estimation, on account of their great stature 
and strength. Numerous smaller islands are scat- 
tered around the large island of Geram, to which 
they bear a close resemblance, and are similarly 
inhabited. The Dutch settlements of Amboyna, 
Banda, and the Spice Islands, are situated off the 
southern coast of Coram. If it should ever be 
thought desirable to establish any commerce, or 
oommDnication, with New Guinea the Ceramese 
islanders miglU: be very usefully employed for such 
purpose, as they have acquired great influence with 
the Papuans, and are also well acquainted with the 
coasts and harbours of the country. With regard to 
the unfavourable accounta which have been promul- 
gated regarding New Guinea and its inhabitants, it 
is probable that all such accounts have but little founda- 
tion in fact, and have been artfully circulated by 
Ceramese and Chinese traders, in order to deter 
Europeans and other foreigners from visiting that 
extensive and almost imknown territoiy. 

GiLOLO and the MoLnccA Islands are situated about 
100 miles to the northward of Coram, and in respect 
to their general aspect, inhabitants, and productions, 

.......Cogfc 



Si 

are veiy eimtkr to that island. The mhahitants are 
said to carry on a conaiclerable trade with the Dutch, 
and others, and their laads are considered to be tbi^ 
fertile and productive. The natlTea are of tiie 
Malayan race, but have man; Chinese settled amongst 
them. These people are very desirous of extending 
their commerce and communication with European 
traders, and might be made extremelj useful, should 
any British settlements be established in the Indian 
Archipelago. 

TmoR Laut is an island of considerable extent, 
being about eighty miles long, and forty miles in 
width. It is situated near the Tenimber Islands, 
and between the Arru Islands and Timor. The 
interior of the island is lofty and mountainous, and 
the country is inhabited by a half-savage race of 
Malays, who hold but little intercourse with foreigners, 
and, conseqaently, enjoy the reputation of being 
treacherous, cruel, and rapacious. They are ac- 
cused of having surprised and murdered the crews of 
several vessels who endeavoured to traffic with them, 
and are, moreover, said to be generally engaged in 
piratical operations. Having, whether deservedly or 
not, acquired so bad a character, the natives of Timor 
Laut are not often visited by foreigners, and have, 
therefore, remained comparatively unknown. The 
island is well situated, and will probably be found ta 
be fertile and productive, and to possess many 

......Google 



65 

natural advantages. This, and all similar places, 

ought to be visitfid, and reported upon, as but little 
ia actually known of these numerous islands, except 
their several positions. 

The Abbd Islands couBist of a numerous group of 
small islands of coralline formation, extending from 
5* to 7° of sonth latitude, and from 134° to 135° of 
eut longitude. The inhabitants ore a l^alaj'an race 
of people, who have made some progress in ciyiliza- 
ti«n and the mechanical arts, as the; reside in towns 
and villages of well-conBtructed houses, cultivate the 
soil, construct excellent vessels and boats, and are 
rather skilfal in working metals, and in various 
otlier mechanical operations. Hiese islanders have a 
8e:tled 4ind orderly kind of government, and are 
mMtly of the Mahomedan religion, hut there are 
some professed Christians amongst them, whilst 
many appeu' to be of no religion. They entertain a 
very exalted opinion of Europeans, and shew them the 
utmost deference upon all occasions. The Dutch 
had formerly some stations, or settlements, in the 
Ami Islands, but have long since relinquished them ; 
many of their buildings, however, still remain stand- 
ing, and are kept in repair by the natives, who 
regard them with great reneratioD, and only make use 
of them upon occasions of state and ceremony. . All 
these islands are low, and appear from the sea to be 
SEtremely verdant and fertile; birds of beautiful 

„.,..„G„oslc 



se 

plunu^e abound in their woods, fish are caught off 
their cossts in great plenl^ and variety ;.hog3, goats,- 
rabbite, and ponltry, with numerous fruits, and veg;- 
tablea, are here raised in abundance, and the in- 
habitants, as before stated, are Teiy friendly towards 
Europeans. The trepang (a sea-slog), and edlbte 
birds'-nests, both highly prized by the Chinese, an 
procured at these islands in considerable quarndties; 
as are pearls, and tortoise-shell, and numerous Other 
valuable productions, and the trade carried on by tie 
islanders is of some m^nitude and importance. The 
natiTes of the Arm Islands are termed " Arafurai," 
they are anxious for an extended commercial inttr- 
course with Europeans, and are kind, orderly, indus- 
trious, and well-disposed. Their produce is bartertd 
for manufactured goods with Malay and fora^ 
traders who visit their ports and places, for they do 
not appear to perform long voyages by sea. The 
pearls found upon their coasts are not large, nor of any 
great value, and'are usually obtained near the island cS 
Vorkay. The proximity of these islands to New 
Guinea, and the docility and good qualities of their 
inhabitants, will always cause them to be regarded 
as valuable auxiliariee in any proceedings which may 
be adopted for the colonization or improvement td 
that vast territory ; for, in the development of ita 
numerous sources of wealth, and in the clvilizatioD 
of its barbarous inhabitants, the Arafurss may be 

„.,..„G„oslc 



67 

made eminently serviceable. The most recent ac- 
counts of these interesting people represent them "as 
living in peace and brotherly love, and nithoat any 
discord ever occurring among themselves, or viith 
their neighbours, although somewhat addicted to 
intoxicatiun, the chief, if not the sole, vice exisdng 
amongst them." " They are strongly disposed to 
become ChriBtianB, and seem greatly to prefer Chris- 
tianity to Mahomedanism ; evincing, upon all 
occasions, a desire to be admitted as members of the 
Christian church, and an anxiety that Christian 
missionaries and teachets should be established 
amongst them." 

The SooLoo, or Suhv, Islands are situated betvreen 
the north-eastern end of Borneo and the south- 
western end of Magindaaao. These islands are of 
small size, but are numerously inhabited by a Ma- 
layan race of people, notorious for their addiction to 
piracy and slave-trading. The Sooloo islanders 
strongly resemble the Illanuns, of Magindanao, in 
their characteristics and practices, and are nsually 
associated with them in their piratical enterprises 
and depredations. Like the Illanuns, they evince 
great ability in all maritdme operations and pursuits, 
and are of a bold, enterprising, and warlike dispo- 
sition ; but their general resemblance to them, in all 
respects, renders it unnecessary to repeat what has 
been stated of the nativee of Magindanao. The 

......Google 



6S 

800I00S KK great traden, as well as pirates, and send 
tlieir prahas on long voyages, and in every direction, 
throughout the Indian Archipelago, either ibr com- 
mercial or piratical purposes, as maj be deemed 
most eipedient. They resort with large and woU- 
armed prahus, and in considerable numhers, to the 
coasts of Borneo, Celebes, and other islands, and 
carry on an extensive and lucrative commerce with 
the inhabitants of those countries, but are withal so 
dissipated and extravagant in their habits, and so 
much addicted to gambling, that, notwithstanding 
their superior abilities, their extraordinary energy 
and exertions, and their enormous gains, they fre- 
quently incar the most extreme vicissitudes of for- 
tune, and when reduced to poverty, or necessity, seek 
immediateljto retrieve their circumstances by engag- 
ing in piratical operations and adventures. The 
establishment of important British settlements in the 
Indian Archipelago would effect an immediate and 
complete change in the habits and proceedii^ of 
these people, and would at once convert them into 
enterprising and useful traders. 

The FHuauFprNE Isiandb are situated between 
Magindanao and Formosa, an island off the southern 
coast of China, and comprise many istsnds of con- 
dderable size. Upon the island of Luzon, the 
latest and most northerly of the group, a Spanish 
colony has been established for more than two cen- 

......Google 



Be 

turiea, on the shoFSB of the spacious Bay of Manilla. 
The capital of this colony is called Manilla : it is 
an eitensive, populous, and well-bnilt town, havii^ 
mauy pablio buildings of a superior character, and 
some fortificalioua of a massive and formidable de- 
Bcription. This celebrated and well-known place is 
the emporium of the Spanish nation in the Indian 
Arobipel^o, and is in many respects highly credit- 
able to that renowned and once most powerful king- 
dom. Manilla is too well known to need any 
lengthened description here ; bat it may be stated 
that the city of Manilla contains aboat thirty-fbnr 
streets, built at right angles, and each fully one- 
third of a mile long, comprising about ten thousand 
houses, besides numerous churches, convents, public 
institutions, warehouses, and Govemment buildings, 
and a very mixed population, numbering nearly two 
hundred thousand persons, of whom only about eeven 
or eight thousand are Europeans, the remainder con- 
sisting of Chinese, who have m^rated thither, and 
Mestizas, or natire Indians, and Vangleys, or half- 
breeds. The chief productions of the Phillippines 
are sugar, hemp, cordage, tobacco, eapan wood, and 
nomerouB other valuable woods ; coffee, indigo, hides, 
mother-o '-pearl shell, tortoise-ahell, beche de mer, 
cocoa-nut oil, gold-dust, grass cloth, cotton, opium, 
and rice. 

The principal cultivators are the Mestizas, or 

......Google 



xathe Indians ; the ahopkeepers ore generally 
Chinese ; the merchants are Spaniards, British, and 
other Enropeana, and some few Americans ; and all 
the Government poats and offices of any importance 
are held by Spanish emigrants. The population of 
the nhole of the Phillippine IslandB has heen 
estimated to comprise about five millions of persona. 
All the Phillippine Islands belong to Great Britain, 
having been captured by the British in or about the 
year 1780, and mortgaged for the payment of the 
ranaom agreed upon at the time of our conquest ; 
and as, up to this time, neither the principal eum 
nor the interest has been paid by the Spanish 
Government, the Phillippine Islanda may at any 
time be claimed hy the British Government. 

In thia age the Britiah nation may justly claim to 
he regarded as the foremost of all colonizing conn- 
tries ; but the Spaniards were formerly entitled to 
that high distinction, and, by their extraordinary 
achievementa and operations in America and else- 
where, have acquired a renown which will endure to 
the latest times. It is impossible to r^ard what the 
Spaniards have effeotod in Mexico and Peru, and in 
many other portions of America, in Cuba, at the 
Phillippines, and in numerous other places, without 
astonishment and admiration ; and more especially 
when it is remembered that they had many serious 
impedimenta and difficulties to overcome, from which 

„.,..„G„oslc 



British colonization has, fortanatelj-, been exempted. 
Those impediments and difBeulties thej surmounted 
with wonderful ener^ and ability; and the nume- 
rous memorials of their power ajid greatness still 
existing in America and in other countries will long 
continue to attest the former supremacy of the 
Spanish nation in the fonnation of colonies. The 
vast and sudden influx of the precious metals into 
Spain from various quarters, and at a time when the 
rest of the world had but a scanty supply thereof, is 
generally considered to have caused the rapid decline 
which ensued of the power and pre-eminence of the 
Spanish nation, by diverting the people from indus- 
trial pursuits, and by inducing a sort of national 
indolence and corruption. This, however, may have 
been but one ingredient amongst many which tended 
to occasion a result so greatly to be deplored; 
another, probably, was that the vast colonies of 
Spain absorbed the wealth and energy of the parent 
country without yielding any adequate return, thus 
proving the truth of the old saying, " that even gold 
may be bought too dearly." The example should 
not be disregarded by Great Britwn, now that Aus- 
tralia is yielding more gold in one year than all the 
Spanish colonies ever produced in five years ! 

British colonization is now, however, conducted 
upon a system so totally different from, and so supe- 
rior to, that which was adopted by Spain in former 

......Google 



days, that there is abundant reason for believing that 
tlie colonies of Great Britain irill be more per- 
manently proaperoQS and more beneficial to the 
parent country than the Spanish colonies have been. 
Having brieflj described some of the principal 
islands and places of the Indian Archipelago, and 
endeavoured to manifest the importance to the world 
of that magnificent and estenaive but still unde- 
veloped region, a few observations will now be sub- 
mitted for consideration regarding the piracy and 
slavery which have so long prevailed, and still con- 
tinue in operation therein, and upon the most effec- 
tual means that can be adopted for the repression 
and extinction of those great evils. 

The most notorious and enterprising pirates of 
this region are the inhabitants of the free Mabo- 
medan states in Sumatra, Lingin, Borneo, Magin- 
danao, and the Sooloo, or Sulu Islands. 

The system of piracy carried on by these people is 
exceedingly well organized for its- objects, and ex- 
tremely formidable. Some chieftain erects a village 
in a convenient situation as a depot for slaves and 
plunder, and then lies in wait with his armed prahus 
in the frequented waters for trading vessels, or makes 
o Aao,.D-r,t i.nou gojao isUud to obtain plunder and 
minently successful, he soon augments 
id enlarges his town; and, in a little 
it of prahus becomes suf&ciently nume- 

„.,..„G„oslc 



roiis to be subdivided into squadrons of about twenty 
prahus each, whioh cruise in every direction. These 
vessels axe from thirtj to one hundred tons burthen, 
sail very quickly, and, in calmsor light winds, are pro- 
pelled with great rapidity by means of long oars or 
sweeps; they are armed with nine-pounder and 
swivel-guns, and carry crews of from twenty-five 
to one hundred and fifty men, armed with muskets, 
sabres, spears, krises, knives, and other weapons. 
The officers and crews have mostly been accustomed 
to maritime and warlike pursuits, and generally con- 
duct their enterprises with great skill and bravery. 
In the extent of their fleets, in their appearance and 
equipments, and in their daring achievements, these 
adventurous rovers ezcel all the sea-kings and cor- 
sairs of old ; and, throu^out the region wherein their 
depredations are committed, are regarded by the in- 
habltantis with a mixture of fear and admiration, 
rather than with hatred and abhorrence. The pirate 
chieftains, who are generally men of rank and ability, 
frequently unite their forces; their combined fleets 
sometimes comprise more than two hundred large 
prahus, and are then, indeed, extremely formidable 
to any opponents, as they manceuvie llieir vessels 
admirably, and often fight with the most determined 
and desperate valour. They will even defend them- 
aelves bravely E^alnst British ship of war, and, in 
many such encounters, have evinced the most un- 

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64 

daunted resolution ; so much so, indeed, as to hare 
frequently elicited the admiradon of their gallant 
adversaries, whe could not help expressing their le- 
gret that persons capable of sooli chiTalrous brarery 
were not more vorthily employed than in piratical 
adventures. Trading vessels of every countiy are 
captured by these pirates, plundered, and bonit ; 
their crews are sold as slaves to the Malaya of 
Sumatra, Lingin, and other places ; and the goods 
obtained in exofaange are sold amongst the islands by 
the trading prahus of the corsairs and their allies. 

The Illanuns, or Lanuss, of Magindanao, are con- 
sidered the moat formidable pirates of the Indian 
Archipelago ; and, when not engaged in other piratical 
adventures, are generally occupied in attempts to 
surprise and carry off some of the islanders, in order 
to sell them for slaves. When resisted, they are 
said to be extremely BODgninary, and frequently to 
commit the most horrible atrocities. Almost every 
island affords a refuge, and a place of succour, for 
pirate fleets, and they either traffic, or commit depre- 
dations, in every directioa. The practice of piracy, 
in this region, ia so congenial to the dispositions of 
the parties irho engage in it, and so extremely 
lucrative, and is, moreover, conducted in such an 
extensive £eld, and upon so grand a scale, that it is 
questionable if its complete suppression can ever be 
effected by occasional hostile operations. 



...Google 



panied hy other measures. For many centuries 

piracj, upOD a very extensive scale, bas prevailed 
throughout the whole extent of the Indian Archi- 
pelago. Though frequently checked, during the 
present century, by the violent and sanguiuaiy pro- 
ceedings of foreign powers, both piracy and akve- 
trading are BtOl carried on, and almost as extensively 
as ever, by, and amongst, the native inhabitants of 
that vast and magnificent region. The origin, ami 
the long continuance, amongst these people of such 
incureive and predatory practices, may be attributed 
to various causes, and amongst these the following 
may be regarded as the principal, viz. : — 

1. The extraordinary natural formation of the 
region, and its peculiar features, comprising, as 
these do, innumerable islands, easy of aix:es3 
and abonnding in creeks and havens, in an 
ocean generally placid, and navigable in every 
direction. 
S, The great facility with which vessels may be 
constructed, manned, and equipped, at the 
several islands, and the consequent tendency of 
the inhabitants to maritime pursuits and adven- 
tures. 
8. The enormous, though hut occasional, gains 
obtained by means of piratical enterprises, and 
the small risk of resistance, or failure, incurred 
by any numerous and powerful body of pirates. 

„.,.. .Google 



4. The fiuMlitiea afforded, in many of the conntriea 
of the Aichipelago, for the dispoaal of elaves 
and plunder. 

5. The individual weakness of many of the islands 
and places of the Archipelago, and the absence 
of any hononrabte and profitable occupations for 
the superior claBeeB of the native inhabitants. 

6. The comparatively undvilized and disunited 
condition of the native inhabitants of the Archi- 
pelago. 

7. The want of a safe, profitable, and uniestricted 



And 8, and most of all, to the absence of any great 
paramonnt controlling power or authority in 
any portion of that extensive region. It is 
highly probable that the reports and statements 
which are occasionally received from that por- 
tion of globe comprise veiy eza^erated accounts 
of the calamities and evils occasioned by the 
proceedings of the pirates of the Indian Archi- 
pelago. 
All these are, doubtless, BufQciently deplorable ; 
bnt, if even a hundred times worse than they are 
admitted to be, it may well be doubted whether 
indiscriminate and barbarous massacres of real or 
supposed pirates, and the destruction of their fieets, 
towns, and possessions, by any foreign or alien powers 
can be fully justified until after other and less 

......Google 



violent and nnguinary means of inducing these 
peculiar people to relinquish the practice of piracy 
shall have been attempted, and found ineffectual for 
that purpose. CoTHpaiBtivelj small outrages and 
depredatione are effected by piratical 9e.ets amongst 
the islands of the Archipelago, and bj way of 
repairing the damage ao occasioned, benevolent and 
enlightened foreigners take upon themaelrea the 
commission of much greater outrages, by effecting 
indiscriminate massacres of real or supposed pirates, 
and the destruction of their fleets, towns, and effects. 
Such massacres and deetructions have been frequently 
perpetrated, at intervals, during the present century, 
hut have certainly occasioned more calami^ and 
misery than advantage to the people for vhose 
benefit the same were, doubtless, intended. It is 
indisputable that, from the superiority of theirforces, 
tactics, and discipline, a few European vessels of 
war, if well managed, may, at any time, and vnibbut 
small loss or damage, effect the demolition of large 
fleets of Malayan pirate vessels, the slaoghter of a 
vast proportion of their crews, and the destructioa of 
many towns and villages; but it is as certain that, 
after every such event, new fleets, fresh pirates, and 
other towns and villages will speedily arise, aud 
that the practice of piracy will he resumed, nntil 
the people may be nearly eiterminated by successive 
massacres ; while the calamities and sufferings occa- 
B 2 



fiioaed by these benevolent proceedingfl will, in 
reality, be iar more deplorable than the evils in- 
tended to be repreaaed thereby. Suoli casual and 
occasional resorts to Tiolent and songuinaiy measaree 
may check, but will never suppress or eradicate the 
oi^anised and formidable piracy which predominates 
in this region, associated as it is in the minds of 
the native inhabitants with notions of glory, honotir, 
and profit. Tremendous and mmt desolating attacks 
have been repeatedly made by European vessels of 
war upon the supposed pirate fleets of the Indian 
Archipelago ; bat the bloodshed and destruction 
effected by such operations have rather aggravated 
than lessened the evils they were intended to remedy. 
In such indiscriminate massacres, the captnred slaves, 
the plunder of the pirates, and much valuable pro- 
perty, were probably destroyed, or, in any case, did 
not revert to the parties from whom the same were 
obtained; while the calamities and afflictions caused 
by the operations of the pirates may have bean vastly 
aggravated by the slaughter and mntilation of these 
people, and the destruction of their towns, families, 
and property. European vessels of war are fre- 
quently cruising about portions of the Indian Archi- 
pelago, and mostly without any definite purpose or 
olgect. The gallant and high-spirited officers and 
crews of such vessels soon become weary of inaction, 
and anxious to distinguish themselves in some active 

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and sdveDturouB manner. While in this frame of 
mind, iofiated reports reacli them occasionally of 
piratical outrages having recently occurred in their 
vicinity. But little ecqimnted with the nature and 
habits, or with the conditiou of the very peculiar 
and semi-barharooB people amongst whom the re- 
ported atrocities have taken place, and regarding 
themselves as specially constituted for the extinction 
of piracy and slavery, they become inflamed with 
virtuous indignation, and resolve upon immediately 
chasing and destroying the pirates, of whose deeds 
they have heard euch soul-harrowing accounts, and 
upon the suppression of piracy and slavery by force 
and arms only. In pursuance of such resolves, plans 
are devised for sorpriEing and destroying pirat« fleets 
and their crews. After a long and diligent search, 
some fleets of Malayan vessels are discovered, and 
are of course r^arded as pirate vessels and imme- 
diately attacked. A ruthless and indiscriminate 
massacre and demolition takes place ; many hundreds 
of the supposed pirates are slaughtered or wounded ; 
their vessels are destroyed or disperaed ; their towns 
and villages are razed ; and thus much life and pro- 
perty are cruelly and uselessly sacrificed. After all 
such engagements, reports and statements of the 
operations effected are prepared and circulated, in 
which the evils of piracy and slavery are indignantly 
denounced and aligmalized, as they deserve to he ; 

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70 

whilst the atrocities eomraitted, and the injaties 
ocoaaioned bj the pirates are, iierhapa, oonsiderablj 
magnified. The immense slaoghteT and destruction 
BO effected, and with but little loss on the part of the 
aesailants, will commoDlj be regarded by bmttolmt 
foreigners and their conntiTmen as highly commend- 
able; and those who took part in sucb onslaughts 
will also, and with some justice, consider that thej 
displayed great personal valour, some heroism, and 
much skilful management, in tbns attacliing and 
dispersing numerous and well-armed bodies of dee* 
perate and ferocious pirates. All this will have a 
tendency to influence other and similar exploits, and 
it will, therefore, be evident, that the outrages and 
fttrocities wbioh have been perpetrated by the Indian 
pirates in the Archipelago hare usually been fol- 
lowed by indiscriminate massacres of those parties 
and their adherents, and the destruotioD of their 
fleets, towns, and property. It is certain, however, 
that these benevolent proceedii^ have ruher aggra- 
vated than lessened the erils which they were 
doubtless intended to remedy; and it is much to be 
r^retted that so great an amount of bloodshed and 
destruction should have been uselessly effected, whilst 
more humane and effectual measures for the accom- 
plishment of the ends in view have been entirely 
disregarded. The piracy and daveiy of the iDdian 
Archipelago are not to be luppressed by such hostile 

„.,..„G„oslc 



71 

and violent proceedings sa those above referred to. 
More radical and effectual, bat less sangainaiy and 
destructive measures should be attempted for the 
purpose, and it is hoped that, in the following pages, 
it will be manifested — 

That the piracy and slaveiy of the Indian Archi- 
pelago may be speedily eradicated, and without 
bloodshed and destruction. 

That the native inhabitants ot that region may bo 
readily improved and civilized. 

And, that a lucratJTO and most exUnsive commerce 
may be (»%ated, and safely carried on, tbrough- 
ont the whole extent of the Indian Archipelago. 

In order that the practice of piracy may be pro- 
perly and efTectually si^preased throughout iho - 
Indian Archipelago, it is indispensable that several 
British settlements should be immediately formed 
therein, in eligible positions, and supported by forces 
aofficient, in case of need, to compel the due observ- 
auoe of such regulations as may be established for 
the common benefit of the inhabitants and traders of 
tliat region. 

These regulations should be &amed in the most 
liberal spirit, and so as to avoid all unneoessary 
interference or collision with the native institutions, 
or with the authorities or people of the different 
islands or places. 

A perfectly free and unreetricted commerce should 

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7a 

be allowed throagboat the Archipelago, to tbe 
traders of every place or nation, and exclosiTe 
prifil^es should oot be conferred upon British 
subjects. 

Under arrangements similar to those above indi- 
cated, the clever and enterprising inhabitants of tbe 
country would rapidly improve; piracy and slavery 
would speedily be relinquished by these people, upon 
tbeir becomiug aware that they could no longer con- 
tinue to carry on the same with safety and advantage, 
and that they could profit more largely and con- 
tinuously by means of trading operations ; ^hile tbe 
civilized world will no more be shocked by occasional 
recurrences of the indiscriminate and barbarous mas- 
sacres which during the present century have been 
{>erpetrated by foreign powers upon the real or sup- 
posed pirates of the Indian Arobipel^o. The cruelty 
and inutility of these occasional massaores are too 
obvious to need insisting upon ; and the published 
accounts of engagements between British vessels of 
war, and Indian pirate fleets, will more than bear 
' DUt all that may be herein advanced in reprobation 
uf such proceedings. 

Assuming that British settlements may be shilrtly 
established, in the manner, and for tbe purposes 
previously suggested, in various parta of the Indian 
Archipelago, tbe first care of the principal authorities 
thereof should be, to notify formally and ofGcially to 

„.,..„G„oslc 



78 

all the nativ« ralera, chieftains, and inbabitanta of 
the country, and to all foreign powers — 

1. The eatabliahment of sudi eettlemente hj the 
British Government, and the chief pnrposes for 
which the same were formed. The principal 
T^ulationa and arrangements to which all partiee 
would be required to conform. That neither 
piracy nor slavery would be any longer per- 
mitted in the Indian Archipelago. And that 
the Bridsb government would have constantly 
in the Archipelago forces soScient to compel, 
when necessary, a due oleervance of its decrees. 
S. The said authorities should most fully and 
clearly notify that the British government does 
not desire, and will not seek to obtain or estab- 
lish any peculiar or exclusive privileges or 
advantages whateoever for British subjects ; hut 
will guarantee for all nations a safe, free, and 
unrestricted commerce throughout the Indian 
Archipelago. 
3. The British anthorities should also notify that 
they will not sanction or suffer any serious 
infractions (whether by British subjects or by 
other parties) of the established and recognised 
rights of any native or foreign power in the 
.Indian Archipelago i but that they are pre- 
pared to enter into treaties and alliances m*' 
the native authorities of the Archipelago, 

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74 

with each foreign powera u any trade or poa- 
Bess settlements therein. 
i. The British authorities should, also, and exten- 
sively, notify that they will, whenaoever pnio- 
tioable and expedient, employ (he native gentry 
and people of the country as locftl officera, agents, 
Ac., and that the native inhabitants shall, in all 
cases, be treated with kindness and forbearance 
by British Bul^ects, and protected from any 
wrong. 
5. A eapreme court of legislation and judicature 
shoold be established, at an early period, in the 
principal British settlement in the Indian Archi- 
pelago. The regnlationB, ordinances, and decrees 
of this court should be binding upon all parties ; 
all serious disputes or questions should be re- 
ferred to it, and its decisions should be regarded 
as final, and without appeal. 
In such a court josticfl would be ten^ierately and 
impartially administered ; all parties would have im- 
plicit confidence in its integrity, and would be aware 
tliat its decrees would be duly enforced. A con- 
trolling and virtually irresistible power has long 
been the chief requisite in the Indian Archi- 
pelago. 

It is muuly owing to the absence of any such 
anthority in that region, that so fine a portion of the 
worid has continued for centuries in a compuatively 

„.,..„G„oslc 



T5 

ODproduotive aQd semi-borbaroas ooadition, althongb 
abounditig in all the elements of prosperity. 

Piracy and slavery, vith nnmerouB minor erils, 
have prevailed therein from the vant of such a power ; 
its establishment, in the manner suggested, will 
effectually suppress those enls, nhile it will promote ' 
the development of the resources of the countt;, and 
the civilization of its inhabituita. 

There will not then be any pretext fors recurrsnes 
to each barbarous and indiscriminate massacres as 
have frequentl; been perpetrated upon the supposed 
pirates of the Indian Archipelago. A safe, free, and 
lucrative commerce will necessaril; and speedily 
supersede all piratical operations and adventures, by 
furnishing a congenial occupadon for the intelligent 
and enterprising people by whom the same were 
conducted; and when these, and all other parties 
shall become fully aware of the nature and objecu of 
the British settlements in that region, and the forces 
at their disposal, resort to force and arms will seldom 
or never be needed. In a little lime it will become 
known to the inhabitants generally, and to foreign 
traders and others, that the regulations and arrange- 
ments of the British authorities are free from any 
monopoliziug or exclusive conditions ; are intended 
for the common benefit of all parties ; and that the due 
observance of the same will be impartially required. 
They will also learn that piracy and slavet; must be 

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76 

immediately disoontinned ; tlut free trade is to 
prevail throughout the Arohlpelaga ; that tlie natire 
princes and rulers muat govern their dominions 
properly, and that neither wars nor depredations will 
be permitted amongst them ; that the British govern- 
' ment is willing to enter into treaties and alliances 
vrith the native authorities ; and that all Berions 
disputes or questions must be submitted for decision 
to such supreme court as the British government 
may establish in the Indian Archipelago. In pur- 
Buonoe of the preceding remarks, and with the view 
of obtuning for the measures proposed that con- 
sideration which their importance merits, it may not 
he amiss to repeat here that the objects which the 
British public should be particularly desirous of 
immediately effecdng in the Indian Archipelago, 
are — 

1. The establishment of a paramount controlling 

power and authority therein. 
S> The establishment of several British settle- 

ments at various places in the Archipelago, and 

the promotion of free and unrestricted oommerce 

throughout that region. 
3. The complete suppression of piracy and slavery, 

and the civilization of the native inhabitants. 
And 4. The development of the vast resources, 

and the general improvement of that extensive 

and magnificent portion of the globe. 

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77 

It has already been n^ed th^, for Oie accomplish' 
ment of objects so desirable as those just mentioned, 
it la indispeDSsble tliat Brittsh settlements should be 
forthwith established at Tarious places in the Indian 
Archipelago ; and it is now submitted that the beat 
positions for such settlements are the following, vix, ; 

At Fort Essington one, on the north coast of 
Australia. 

At New Qoinea three, one on the western, one 
on the soathera, and one on the northern coast. 

At New Bntoiu one, at Fort Montagae, on the 
aoath coast- 

At Timor two, on* on the south, and one on the 
north coast. 

At Floras one, on the south coast. 

At Sumbawa two, one on the south, and one on 
the north coast. 

At Java one, on the south coast 

At Borneo three, one at Sarawak, one at the 
Koeti River, one at Banjar Massin. 

At Celebes one, at Macassar, south coast. 

But, previously to fixing upon any position for a 
settlement, the vicinity should be carefully aorveyed 
and examined ; and it should not be adopted nntil it 
may be found to possess all the chief natural re- 
quisites for the intended purpose. The meaeurea 
and operations heretofore suggested are so manifestly 
to the interests of the British nation, and of the 

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78 

rest of the vorld, that it is to be hoped namerons 
influential parties will urge the immediate adoptdon 
<tf the same upoa her Mtyeaty's Gaveniment. 

The proper authorities, upon having the aaid 
matters brought under their consideration, will, 
doubtless, perceive the expediency of promoting the 
measures suggested ; and, for the sake of all con- 
cerned, it is to be hoped that all parties will cor- 
dially and zealously unite and co-operate for the 
speedy accompliahment of objects so truly desirable 
in eveiy point of viev. 

In the eetabliahment of the proposed British settle- 
ments in the Indian Archipelago, it is uot improbable 
that some of the native or foreign powers of that 
Tegion may endeavour to impede the necessaij opera- 
tions, by uiging unreasonable objections, or question- 
able claims, or by making exorbitant demands for 
the cession of such territories, claims, and privileges 
OS the British anthorities may wish to acquire. 
Difficulties of this nature, and other impediments, 
may reasonably be expected to arise ; but, as such 
occur, means will doubtless be found for sarmoonting 
them ; and if the parties concerned can be induced to 
consider the same with a view to the conclusion of 
amicable and equitable arrangements, the results 
will, in most cases, be petfectly satisfactory. 

Of whatsoever nature or kind such actual, or even 
assumed, rights and privileges may really be, it will 

......Google 



79 

be better that the British goremment shall scqoire 
all which it snaj, upon consideratign, deem it advis- 
able to obtain, b; means of negotiationB, treaties, and 
armngements, rather than by any G«rtii>n of force. 
Hostile or violent messures osnally oost mnch more 
than arrangentents of a peaceful kind; and vhon it 
may be made evident to the claimants of tlte rights 
and privilegeB referred to, that, by sarrenderiDg the 
same foe cert^ valuable considerations, they viU 
benefit &T more tlian by retaining them, they vrill 
not be found nnwilling to cede dubious or even valid 
daims, vhich in their hands can only continue to be 
barren and unproductive. It is certain that a country 
so eminently powerful and wealthy as Great Britain ' 
should be one of the last to condescend ta the com- 
mission of any vroi^ for the acquisition of an increase 
of territory or dominion ; or to seek to wrest by 
force, or ui^ustly, from any other state that to which 
the British nation may have no valid or recognised 

Should the country require the cession of any 
particular territory or privileges, owned or claimed 
by some other state, the desired cession should be 
acquired by means of a negotiation and treaty, and 
not by a seizure ; and if a reasonable and friendly 
arrangement cannot be effected for obtaining the 
olgect sought, the same should be left in the quiet 
possession of the holders or claimants thereof. The 

......Google 



immeDse wealtli of the British nation clearly enables 
its authorities to acquire, by negotiation and purchase, 
and without diffioul^ or inconvenience, any terri- 
tories now lying waste which its people may desire to 
oocupy ; and it is highly probable that any territory 
or privileges which the country may require, for the 
promotion of commerce and colonization in the 
Indian Archipelago, may be tbua, and very cheaply 
and easily, acquired. It ig scarcely warrantable to 
suppoae that, in treating for the cession to Great 
Britain of any territory, or of any rights or privileges, 
the Britiah authoridea will enter into any diaad- 
VEtntageouB or injudicious ^reements. 

Negotiations for the Eicquisition of any sncb objects 
should, however, be made provisionally and con- 
ditionally, and sutgect to the approval and modifica- 
tion, 01 to the rejection of the British government. 

This precaution will prevent the nation &om 
getting involved, by any of ita functionariea, in any 
serious dispntea, or in any treaties or agreemoDts 
which may be disadvantageous or embarrassing. 

In reviewing the seveml measures and operations 
hereinbefore proposed, for the adoption of the British 
government in the Indian Archipelago, some few 
cursory observations will be made thereupon, con- 
secutively. The great importance and desirabihty of 
the said measures and operationa will, it is believed, 
be very generally admitted ; and the following remarks 

......Google 



are intended to manifeBt that the proceedings Bug- 
geeted are quite practicable, and likely to prove 
beneficial to all concerned. 

The colonization and improvement of extensive 
and valuable territories, now comparatively waste and 
unproductive, tbe civilization of the native inhar 
bitants of such countries, the development of their 
rraources, and the creation of new and inexhaustible 
fields for the free commerce of all nations, are objeota 
deserving the highest consideration of Great Britain, 
and other maritime states, and which all should be 
desirous of promotji^. 

It will also be generally allowed that the British 
nation is now preeminently qualified, in every way, 
for the accomplishment of such operations, and more 
likely than any other country to carry the same into 
effect successfully and satis&ctorily. 

The merchants and traders of Great Britain, 
and her colonial possessions, deem themselves capable 
of competing, upon equal terms, with those of any 
other nation, and will not, therefore, require any 
monopolizing or exclusive regulations in their favour 
in any arrangements which the British government 
may cause to be effected in the Indian Archipelago. 
Native and foreign traders, and others, vrill doubtless 
be permitted to conduct their operations and aSairs 
under the same conditions and regulations that will 
be applicable to the proceedings of Bntdsh subjects, 

F 

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and more than this they can hardly desire or 

nipect. 

In the TarioDS operalioDs and pioceedings vhidi 
may bo effected by the direction, or on behalf of the 
British Government in the Indian ArchipetagD, there 
vrill be no needless or unwarrantable interference 
with the rights, claims, or privileges, or with the 
customs and habits of any party therein, 

The British government will, of course, assert and 
maintain its own just and valid claims, but will do ao 
with equity and moderation; and will enter into 
negotiations for any concessions which may be required 
for its purposes. 

In every point of view it is desirable that reason- 
able, or even liberal, compensationB or considerations 
should be allowed for such concessions, and there will 
seldom be much difficulty in estimating and deciding 
upon what should be granted for the same. 

The value to the owners or holders of the posses- 
sion, claim, or privilege, that may be required, is 
what should be allowed for it. Such owners or 
holders will usually have the option of accepting or 
declining any offer or proposal that may be made to 
them, and in determining whether they will retain or 
part with the rights or privileges required, it will be 
expedient that they should consider whether the 
same might not continue as heretofore to be nearly 
useless and unproductive in their hands. 

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88 

When it shall be generally known that the British 
go7emment will sot sanction or allow of any trespass 
upon, or any interference with, the rights or privi- 
I^OB of any native or foreign power in the Indian 
Archipelago, otherwiae than in the manner above 
indicated, the formation of British settlements there- 
in, and the necessary proceedings in relation thereto, 
will not be viewed with any apprehension or jealousy, 
but will probably be regarded approvingly by all 
parties. 

To suffer such a magnificent and extensive region 
to remain any longer undeveloped, and comparatively 
unproductive, would be nearly ineicusable, when the 
measures necessary for rendering its immense re- 
sources available to all the world, are not only 
practicable and necessary, but are snch as will re- 
dound to the honour and advantage of Great Britain, 
and are entirely unobjectionable. 

The leign of Queen Victoria has already been 
rendered memorable by numerous important events ; 
and as " Peace hath her victories aa well as war," it 
is most desirable that her Majesty's reign should be 
still further signallized by the accomplishment of 
accurate and complete surveys and explorations of 
the Indian Archipelago ; and by a just and peaceful 
annexation to the British dominions of several im- 
portant and extensive territories, which, under the 
fostering care of British rule, may hereafter become 
F i 



84 

as TBltiftble as some of our Indian or AuBtralian poo- 
sessiouB. 

For the occotapUsbment of purp(Me6 so desirable 
and unobjecdonablo, and so likely to produce advan- 
b^eouB results to Great Britain, and to all theworld, 
the necessary funds and powers will be readilj voted 
bj a Failiameut anxious to promote the national 
interests in & legitintate and honourable manner, and 
to such an anthorization hy the legislature but fen, 
if any, will be found to demur. 

The voyages and discoveriw of Coos, FuNnEBS, 
and other celebrated navigators, have reflected the 
utmost renown upon the reign of the sovereign in 
whose time the same were effected; and it should 
ever be remembered that it is to the promoters of 
such voyages, and to those who so ably accomplished 
them, we owe all the benefits and advantages which 
the British nation has derived from our Nourishing 
and prosperous colouies in Australasia. 

It is not, however, asserted or assumed that the 
proceedings herein suggested may produce results so 
immensely benefidal as those just cited ; but there is 
assuredly good reason for anticipating that the nadoQ 
will be most amply compensated for all the trouble 
and outlay which may be incurred in the prosecution 
thereof; and when it is considered that, apart &om 
any commercial profit or advantf^, a vest amount of 
real good may be eCTeoted, and much national hononr 

......Google 



may be attained, by means of the opentiona recom- 
mended, it b to be hoped that, for the sake of all 
concemed, the requisite Brrangeinenta for the acooio- 
pliehment of the same may be forthwith and sealoualy 
entered upon. 

We poBsera an abundance of veBsela admirably 
adapted for the service, well equipped, manned, and 
officered ; is it possible that these con be better or 
more adrantogeously employed ? We have a redun- 
dancy of naval, military, and civil officers, vr^o would 
be well pleased to be eagt^ed in the anperintendence 
and management of the necessary operations. We 
have also civilians, aeameo, soldiers, mechanics, 
labourers, and others, in abundance, and who would 
gladly occupy themselves, in their respective places, 
in furtherance of the required arrai^emeuts. We 
kave stores of every kind that can possibly he wanted, 
in the warehouses and arsenals of Great Britain ; and 
such occasional supplies as the expeditions may re- 
quire can be readily procured from our Australian 
ooloniee. We bavo many learned and scientific 
men, as astronomers, naturalists, geologists, bota- 
nists, artists, lawyers, and odiers, who, in their 
severed vocations, would zealously engage in such 
expeditions. We have ship-owners, and merchants, 
manu£icturers, mechanics, and traders, to whom 
the opening of new fields for commerce and 
oolonizatjon will be most acceptable. We have 

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86 

clergymeD, mieBionaries, and other 6vlj qtulified 
persons, who will gladly aid in pFomotiDg the civi- 
lization and improTement of the native inhabitants of 
the Archipelago. We have all other requisite or 
conceivable meana and inducements essential for 
the accomplishment of the objects propoecd ; and a 
government capable of aiding therein, able to extend 
a. jvst and neceesaiy protection to its subjects tmd 
allies in any part of the vorld, and melding powers 
and forces sufficient, in case of need, to compel a 
due observance of its regulations and ordinances. 
Id short, there really appears to be nothing wantii^;, 
and the time seems to be most propitious for the 
establishment of British settlements, and the accom- 
plishment of the other objects proposed in the Indian 
Archipelago. 

With some few necessai? alterations and modifi- 
cations, the plan adopted in founding the colony of 
South Australia may be advantageously followed in 
the formation of the settlements suggested. Under 
such a plan, the sales of lauds that would be effected 
at the various settlements would help to reimburse 
the requisite outlay for theii establishment and 
maintenaace, and the customary fiscal arrangements 
would also contribute towards the defrayal of such 
outlay ; bat, and probably for several years, the 
expenditure may materially exceed the receipts. 
Such excess might properly constitute a charge upon 

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87 

the futnre revenues of the BetdementB formed, and 
shonld be made payable nnder some convenient 
urangementB. 

It has already been stated, but it is proper it 
should be here repeated, that the climate generally 
of the Indian Archipeh^ is much less suitable to 
the European constitution than that of our Austra- 
lian colonies. 

In many localities it is t4)0 hot for the permanent 
residence of Europeans, and, in some particular 
situatiouB, would, perhaps, be found extremely uji 
healthy ; but all the published accounts of the place 
concur in stating that, except in low and swampy 
posidons, or in places encnmbered with a dense and 
rank vegetation, the climate, though hot and tropical, 
is exceedingly pleasant and salubrions, and highly 
favourable for the cultivation of numerous valuable 
productions. 

Many writers have stated that the climate of 
several of the principal islands and places of the 
Indian Archipelago is quite equal, if not superior, to 
that of Singapore, Hong Eong, Canton, Manilla, 
and Java, and bj no means unsuitable to Europeana. 
In fovourable situations, and with proper Banitary 
regulations, the natives of European countries will 
not find the climate either tinpleasant oi unhealthy ; 
but it is not to be expected, nor is it desirable, that 
European mechanics and labourers should emigrate 

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thither in great numbers, becanse tbe native in- 
habitanta are numeroue, and mnj be readilf con- 
verted into useful mecbanics and labourers. 

Tbe proposed Brideb eettlemente in the Indian 
Archipelago will bear a nearer resemblance to Singa- 
pore than to our AuBtralian colonies ; and the great 
bulk of the labouring population tlierein will be 
alwajB composed of MalayB and Chinese, people who 
are singularly tractable and industrions. 

The superior elaseea of those people have, also, 
b»en found very docile and intelligent; and it ia 
certain that, with kind and judicious treatment, the; 
may soon be rendered competent to the performance 
of almost any services or duties in a very satis&ctory 
manner. 

Many of the natiTe inhabitants will in all pro- 
bability, and like the natives of some of our Indian 
possessions, become considerable shipowners, mer- 
chants, traders, planters, manufitoturers, builders, 
contractors, Ac. 

When piracy and slavery cannot any longer be 
carried on with secority and advantage, those de- 
plorable evils will naturally and permanently cease. 

The warlike and adventurous pirates and slavers 
of the Archipelago will suddenly become transformed 
into aodve and enterprising traders, and the com- 
plete suppression of piracy will be thus effected 
without carnage oi deetmction, and in the most 

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80 

laudable manner posmble. The necaasaiy operations 
for the formation of the proposed new settlemeiits 
mtl be materially faciUtated hj the proxiinity of tha 
British oolomes in Australia : between these places 
s considerable intercourse will ensue, and, bj means 
thereof, all parties will be benefited. The other 
portions of the world will indirectly participate in 
the wealth that will be deriyed from the Indian 
Archipelago, and, in place of bearing occasionally of 
indisGriminate and barbarous massacres of the clever 
and enterprising people of that region, we shall be 
gratified by receiving accounts of their commercial, 
agricoltoral, and trading operations, and their rapid 
progress in civitizatioa and prosperity. The arrange- 
ments and operationa previously suggested will, upon 
examination, be found free from any valid or in- 
superable objections. 

There is, certainly, no power that can so well or 
80 effectually accomplish the development of the im- 
mense resources of the Indian Archipelago as Great 
Britain ; nor is there any other state which, having 
a complete ascendency and control over that region, 
would throw it open, unreservedly, to the commerce 
of alt the world ! 

Under Britieh supremacy, all matters in the Indian 
Archipelago are likely to be better and more equi- 
tably conducted than under the rule or sovereignty 
of any other power that can be named ; because 

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go 

every other govemment stjll dings, in Bome degree, 
to tbe fallacieB of exclusion, monopoly, high tari&, 
protection, and the like, whilst that of Gieat Britain 
has adopted free trade in its fiilleat signification. 

I.t is considered that the foregoing propositions 
cannot be controverted, and that the same will fur- 
nish complete and satisfsctory answers to any objec- 
tions that may, unadvisedly, be made to tbe extension 
of British dominion or to British supremai^ in the 
Indian Archipelago. 

In conclusion, it may be safely stated that the pro- 
ceedings and operations recommended will effect — 

The beneficial and unolgectionable employment of 
a considerable number of British subjects of 
every grade ; 

The surrey and exploration of many important 
countries now but little known ; 

Tbe formation of several new and valuable British 



Tbe creation of profitable and inexhaustible fields 
for the commercial enterprise of all nations ; 

The extinction of piracy and slaveiy in the Indian 
Archipelago ; 

Tbe development of vast, but now unavailing 
wealth; 

The civilization and improvement of several mil- 
lions of intelligent human beings ; and 

CBiii5dj.CoOglc 



91 

The annexation (so to speak) of another India, or 
Australia, to the British dominions. 

All these important and desirable resnlts may be 
attained without violence or iifjustice ; and it is to 
be hoped that the proceedings neceBsar^ for their 
accomplishment may he forthmUi entered upon. 

The propositiona which have been submitted for 
consideration are no idle dreams — no visionary 
aotions of improbable events— no complicated or 
unsound projects — no plans impossible of accom- 
plishment ; but will be found to comprise measures 
and suggestions which will assuredly be soon and, 
perhaps, completely realized. 

The whole of the spacious, habitable, and magni- 
ficent region, known as " Th» Indian Archipelago" — 
its immense and fertile territories, its numerone and 
intelligent people, its vast ind^enous wealth, and 
its inexhaustible resources — seem to have been mar- 
vellouBly reserved until the present time, in order 
that the British nation may now worthily achieve 
what is evidently its exalted and truly glorious 
mission — viz., the occupation, the development, the 
improvement, and the civilization — by unobjection- 
able measures, of many extensive countries which, 
in respect of natural advantages and capabilities, 
may certainly be ranked amongst the richest and the 
most highly-favoured portions of the world. 



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Bdj,Googlc 



APPENDIX. 



Fob the ulconiplisbiiient of oljjecU recommeaded In the pm- 
oediug Bcconnt of the Indian Archipelago, it is proposed tbat 
the tbUomng Address sliall be nnmeronslf and infloeatiallT 
ngned, and presented to Hsr Uiyest;, viz. i— 
"ASDBESB TO THE QDEEH'S MOST EXGELLEKI HAJESII. 

" May a plbaig toub Uuxstt. 
" We, the onderaigned, Noblemen, Qectlemen, Morchants, 
Bankers. Ship Owners, Traders, and others, have the 
honour W approach jonr M^esty's Throne, for the par- 
pose of Bohdtiug 
" That jonr Miyea^, b; and villi the adnce of jonr 
Mqes^'s CboQoils, will be graciously pleased to oanse an 
Expedition to be forthwith prepared and dispatched to the 
Indian Archipelago, for effecting SnneTS and Eiplorationa 
in iliat eztensWe and magniflcent Kgion, villi a view to the 
establishment oi British Settlements npon the great Islands 
of BoBtiEO and New Gdinka, and at other eligible places 
thereiu ; measnres which the mdenigned, in oonmton with a 
great nnmber of jonr M^estj's sabjects, are foil; convinced 
will hononrably and most henefloiaUy extend the dominions 
of the British Crown ; ooakc the great advantages of British 
and European Comraerce and Colonization upon a moat 
extensive and magnificent, bnt hitherto undeveloped portion 
of the Globe ; open many new, abondant, and iuexhanslible 
aoDTces of Wealth and Commercial Enterprise to all Nations; 

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u 

and whicli, while eonfening inegdmabls benefita vpoD the 
World at Urge, will eS^ in the most efficacious maimer 
poBsible, and without eoercioo, *iolaaoe, or bloodshed, the 
■peed; uid complete sappressioii ot Piracy and Slaver; 
throughout that region, and the improremeDt tmd civiliza- 
tion of several millions of intelligent haman beings now in 
ft conditioD of semi-barbariam, bnt who have long, and moot 
eamestl;, dedred to obtain the advantages of European 
Cotnmerce and oommnnicalion. 

"We, therefore, ventnre to hope that yonr Mnjeslj will 
favonrabl; regard this Address from some of ;oai M^estj'e 
iDOSt loyal and dntifnl snbjects ; and 

" We devoutly pray for a long oontinnance of joor H^eaty'e 
Beigt), and for (be health, happineie, and prosperi^ of 
youi Miyssty, of your Majesty's illnstriom Consort, and 
all jonr Royal Family." 

And that an ABSOciation ebaU be formed in London fbr 
the promotion of colonizaUon sod commerce in tbe Indian 
Archipelago, and for civiliiing the inhabitants, and develop- 
ing the resourcei of that extenuve region. 

It ie intended that Buch Asaociation shall be constitnted 
in the maimer set forth in the annexed plan, and that it 
shall comprise, amongst its patrons and memhers, a con- 
siderable nmnber of the nobility, gentry, merchants, bankers, 
traders, and others of the United Kingdom. 

The prooaedings of such Assooiatioik will, donbtless, be 
jadidoas, and well calculated U> effect the desired ends. 

It is to be understood that the anneied plan, fbr the 
proposed Associatioa, is suggested for raodiflcation and 
adoption, in so far as it may be deemed adequate for effect- 
ing the objects to be accomplished. 

The Connoil of the Association will decide upon all its 
arrangements ; and it is only reasonable to 



95 

expect that a nomerons body of enligliteDed EngliBhineD, 
coDBtltnted for specific poiposeB, vill act in such a mtumec 
as will best promote tha ands in view, and 1)e honourable to 
themselves and to their conntry. 

To pretend to dictate precisel; the coarse and operatioita 
which it may be necessarf for the Association to adopt for 
carrjing iia objects into eflfeot, or to previse and provide for 
every contingency or incident which may arise in the course 
of its proceedings, would be both abanrd and useless. 

Suggestions for tha oonaideratioi) of the Council may, 
however, be propeti; submitted, and will, doubtless, receive 
due attention. 

Upon the formation of the Aaaociation, the Conndl should 
immediately communicate with sucb departments of Her 
Mf^esty's Government as may have any inflnence or antho- 
ritj in the matters to be efibcted ; and the Cooncil should 
always endeavonr to obtain the aanction of the Government 
to its intended proceedings. 

Measures whtcb may have isference to colonization, or to 
sdentlGc or commercial enlerpriaea to be conducted in a 
region so distant, and ao peculiar as the Indian Archipelago, 
will frequently require to be initiated and supported by the 
power and authority of tha British Govammant. 

Without such authority much time may be lost, and great 
difOcolties may arise in the promotion ot the objects of the 
AsEociatioD ; while it is obvious that the mutual co-operation 
of the Government and the Aasociation must be condaciTe 
to the national interests. 

The following is tbe plan proposed for an Assodalion for 
promotii^ colonization and commerce in the Indian Arohi. 
pelago :— 

It should number amongst its patrons many of the most 
eminent of the nobility and gentry of the Mngdom. 

„.,..„G„oslc 



Its ftSiius thoald be raaniged uid coiidiiet«d by means of 
a Council, and a Committee of the membera elected from 
the general body. 

The Connoil and Coiujnitl«e should be asuBted by all 
teqniBile offloers — aa truBtaes, treaflnrBra, bankers, seeae- 

SdbBoiiptiont, in aid of the ftmds and for the pnrpoaes of 
Che AsBooiatiOD, thoold be received froni partjea deBirona of 
beaoming membeni, and ft-om other partieB irbo m^ not 
wlBh to become membera thereof. 

A HnbBdipliDn of not less than t«n ponnds should render 
the HubBoiiber eligible for election for any oCBce of the 
AsBodation, if otharwiBe dol; qoaKfied. 

A BQbsctiption of not less than fire pounds ahoold qnalify 
the BubBoribei to be electad on the Conunitl^e, if otherwiie 
eligible. 

A subscription of not less than one poond will constitute 
the sabscriber an ordinaiy member of the Asaodation. 

The funds of the AssodsCon ahonld be Tested in die 
tmstees, and administered by the Conndl, the CotomiUM, 
and a Finaaoe Committee. 

Aa an Aasodation thus formed will exempt its members 
from all peoDniary liability, any party favourable to its 
proposed otyeota may join it without apprehension. Aa 
previously stated, the chief objeeta of the ABSOciati<m 
will be— 

To induce Her M^estya Oovemment to oauae all neces- 
sary Burveys and explorations to be forthirith effected in the 
Indian Archipelago. 

To adopt measures for efieoting the fonnation of settle- 
ments at various plaoea in that region; and, generally, to 
oany into effect the measures and operations suggested in 
the pre&xed aoooont of the Indiiu Arcbipelago. 



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Tha Tsoent occnmneM in Ohina, and the Ewnding thi^ier 
of powsrftil armameuta troa Great Britun, are inddents 
which beiiT bo mateiiallj npon Uis contenta of the foregoiog 
pages, BB to induce a few additional obaerc ationa in anpport 
of the taeaanrea and arrangementB therein reoommended. 

The Britisb natian, in the name of " The Honourable 
East India Campan;," has, h; meana of a vast and lavish 
expenditure of hlood and treasure, acquired tha dominion, 
in India, over an inunense terdtorj', abonnding in all the 
elementa of waalth, and peopled by naariy (me handled and 
Bfly millions of inhabitants. Tlie nation is eommonlj snp- 
posed to hmi derived, and to be atill ohtainiog, raUier more 
than commenBDiate advantages from snoh ontla; ; bnt it is 
econewhat donbtfol whether the commeriHi and the revenue 
whiob Qreat Britain has acquired innn India have proved 
adequate, comiQereiiillj speaking, to the enarmoDS espendi- 
tnre which has been inemred in the aeqnintiou thereof 
This nncertuntr, aa to the advantages of the British Empire 
in India, indiiiates that the local govermnent^ or adminia- 
tiHtion of the aSaiiv of that eoontiy, requires great improve- 
mentj and, certunij, manifests that the vast resonrces of 
that eitonuve and opulent oountrf, and the prodnotive 
powers of ita unmerons inhabitants, have not been judi. 
eiansly avEuled of. 

In advanmng these opinions it is not intended that any 
nndue reproach should be oast npon the past goveroment of 
British India; the faults and errors nbich have prevailed 
therein have resulted more &om an ignorance of, and an 
indi^renoe as to, the requirements of the eounti; and ita 
inhabitants than from any tjraltny or oormpt proceedingi ; 
but, in thus ezonsiDg anch faults and enora, it is proper to 
speiu^ the same and to deprecate their continnanoe. It 
ma; be admitted, in a general sense, that the British Oo- 

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venunent of India has been condiioted in an honoTmble 
and eqmt^le maimer, and with a benerolent consideiation 
of the conditiou and welfare of the native inLabitants. Aa b 
necesBBiy result, it is quite clear that the oonditiou of the 
population, nnder British nile, is vastlf preferable to tbat 
vbicb they sustainad while tinder the dominion of native 
princes. The faults of the Briti^ adntinistraition in India 
have been mora those of Dtniwion and neglect than of eom- 
muiion. and have consisted chiefly of the very abortive and 
inadsqnate manner in which the benefits of European 
civilization have been intiodnced into that counti^, and of 
the comparatively trifling development nbich baa been 
eflecled of the unlimited rewnrces of India. In the native 
population we have a very ample supply of docile, clever, 
and indnstiious labourers, and a reasonable meaanre of 
superior persona. Much of tha territory is eiuberantly 
fertile and productive, and well adapted for the growth of 
products and materials which are Ini^ely imported into 
Europe, and of which the importation may be indefinitely 
increased. Until this time, however, the British Govern- 
ment of India has effected but Uttle for the promotion of 
otyeets so desirable as those just mentioned; neariy all its 
eSiiTts and operations having been directed to SDce«saiTe 
annezationa of new territories, to the military and other pro- 
ceedings rendered neceseat? by such annexations, and to 
the rusing of a revenue, by the taxation of the native in. 
habitants. 

It may now be advisable to adopt measorss for the 
improvement of the country and the (uvilization of the 
native inhalutanta, aud to commence a new era in the ad. 
ministration of India. Whilst the natives of the distant 
provinces may have no means of conveying Iheir produce to 
the prinoipal ports of the country, there would be bnt little 

„.,..„Gooslc 



prnctioid nliliiy in indndug them to raise large qnantilieH of 
bnlky commoditieB, however greatly tbe same ma; be re- 
quired in Europe, inssmncb as Uib conveyance thareof 
would DOW cost mora, perh^)s, than sDcb pcodnce wonld 
realize ; bnt tbe immediate formation, -wheresoever neces- 
Btij, of roilroadB and tnuuwajs will enable the iobfibilaiita 
of manj distant portions of the coimtry to raise articles of 
export with advantage. Condderable alarm prevaUa at tliB 
present time, in Iianoashire and elsewbere, lest there should 
be a Bbort st^ply of cotton from America. 'Whether this 
ftpprehendoD be vreU founded or not, need not be here dis- 
cussed ; bnt it seems clear Uiat more cotton is reqnired than 
can be obtwned from America ; and, if the fact be admitled, 
it may well be aaked, Why may we not proonra cotton from 
some of OUT Indian terntories which are known to produce 
the article most rednndautly, and in the greatest perfection, 
and where tbe labourers neoessar; for its cultivation and 
praparaldoD maybe obtained at very low wages? The im- 
provement and prosperi^ of India will be more rapidly and 
extensively promoted by tbe formation of railroads and 
tnmwajs than by any other measnres or operations that 
can be devised ; and, by means of stlob undertakings, we 
may insure a constant and regular supply of cotton of tbe 
best quahty, and at a low price. 

The co-operation of steam vessels with sacb rsilways and 
tramways will also tend to induce the prodnction of cotton 
and other artieles of export, and to reduce tJie cost thareof 
to tbe consometB. Numerous other staple articles will; 
moreover, be produced in India when sucb means of con- 
veyance shall be prorided — viz., tea, eoffee, angar, rice, 
tobacco, saltpetre, indigo, silk, teak, and other timber. 

In many of the islands of the Indian Archipelago cotton 



100 

is now giovn; and it ia aMtain that it coold be produeed 
theraju irith great ftdlity, and in an; qnantil;, b; tli* 
native inbabitanta, if the; were afforded tha meauB of 
exdhmging the article for Britiah manufoetiiied goods or 
njone; ; and the same ma; be said vith regard to many otheor 
artjelea of East Indian prodnce. Labonr in tropical eotm- 
tries will always be better Temnnerated, if employ«d in 
growing cotton, eugtt, Bpioea, &a^ than if employed in 



The ooet of the oonatmetion of any naoeasary railroads 
and tramwaya may be neariy defrayed from the proceeds t£ 
■alea and laaaes of Isndi aloi^ the lines of roada and 
aroond the principal stadonB. The lands neoeaasry fen; enioh 
railroads and tramwaya, atatdona, &c,, irill be obtunable at a 
eomparatiTaly small cost in India ; and aa native labourars 
■nd naefol assistante may be there procured in an; reqnired 
nnmbor, and at very low wages, the neceatai; coat of snoh 
worln should not exceed one-third, or, at the most, one-half 
of the cost of sijnilBr worb in England. Assuming that 
sales and leaaea of lands along the Unea of roods that maj 
be oonsfrocted will nearly defr^ the first cost of snoh roads, 
the trafflc theretqMn may, perhaps, suffice to maintain the 
iForks and ways in an effluent eonditioa, or ma; prove mcR« 
considerable than is now anlicipal«d. In additioa to the 
oonstraotionof theieqniredrailroada and tnmw^sin India, 
lands ms^ be there leased or sold by the Government, at 
veiy low rotes, to individnala or to companies disposed to 
raise produce of any kind, or otherwise to employ SDch landa 
beneflciBlly. Such leases and sales of Qovamment lands 
would indnee oapilalists to engage in a variety of osefril 
enterprises, and would materially promote the imjvoTement 
and i^Miperity of British India. The regnlalioiia under 



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101 

whiah Hnah lutia may b« leued or •old Aonld t>e m litda 
onerODB as poBsible to tlie (enante and purohaaan ; audi 
Kith Uiis proviso, those parties m^ be very lafely left to 
Uisir own devices tot turning the land* to a profitable 
aoconnt, end for taking care of th«r own interests. For Uie 
ftttore, Buoh leases and sales of lands in Indie should form 
important sonrcee of rerenne in that oonntiy. Hitherto, the 
distant laoda in that territory have been of bnt comparatively 
litUe vaitie, beoanse the means of eonunonicAtion end oon- 
veyanoe between Booh lands and the chief ports aod places 
were wanting. 

When railways and tramways shall he formed from verioni 
inland places to the principal ports, and be met thereat by 
Bteam and ssiling tsssgIb, a oonriderable proportion of each 
distant lands will probably become vslnahle; while it is 
near^ certain that lands in the ridnit; of ports, stations, 
Ao., win lireqaeutly cealize very high prices. It me; also b« 
stated, that a revenne, derived from leases and eaJei of 
lands, will be advantageons to the Goverunent, without 
being onerons to the oommnni^; and that the progress of 
Ae oonntiy, in Che way of productiveness and of general im> 
provement, is liliel; to be proportionate with the formation 
of railroads and tramvi^, and the facilities which may be 
aSbrded for the procnration of frediold and leasehold lands. 
Oonsidenng how long a large portion of India has been 
under British rnle, it does seem lemarbible that so few 
British planters shonld have estabUshed themselves through- 
out that eitansivB territory ; but this may, perhaps, have 
arisen from the regulations of the East India Company 
being adverse to such operations. 

Beverling from this digressitHi to matters peTtaiiiiog more 
immeiUately t<i the Indian Arehipelago, it m^ be safely 
piodioted that Uie diSarenMS now existing between the 

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103 

Govemnients of GKat Britain uiil China will be Bhoitl; 
a4jnated; and that the British tmnaments, in the vicinity of 
China, m^ ioon be employed elseirbere, and for a better 
pnipoae than that of coenring the Chineae into airHnge- 
uienta and oonoassionB which to have no right to require 
of them, and irhich, if desirable, should have been obtained 
by negotiation and treat;. 

Om empire in India has beea aoqnired b; eneceiBive con- 
qaesta, and has been mwntained b; meaoa of a profose and 
enonnoDB eipeaditnre, and b; the continaal emplo;pnent of 
large militaiy and naval foroen. That this empire is doit 
higblj valuable to the Brituh nation, and likelf to beconte 
mnob more so, will bardl; be disputed ; bat it is also dear 
tbat the advantages which England has derived &om lodia 
have not been so fiiUy adequate to the costs inenrred in l^e 
attwnment of tlie same, aa might reasonabl; have been 
anticipated. Up<»i a careful and lenient azamination of tlie 
enonnona ontlaj which has in Tarions ways been made npon, 
or in respect of, the Briliab .dominions in India, tbe balsuoe 
of advantage to Britain ma; seem bnt smaU ; bnt the 
benefits which India has secured and aqjoyed from Britlab 
mle are iucaloulablj greater and more eetimable. Eenoe- 
forward, Eagland will, donbtless, reap more important ad- 
vantages from India than have hitherto been attained; a 
aonsnmmation derontly te be wished, and which the forma- 
tion of reilroada and tnunvaya will help to aooomplish ia 
the most desirable manner. 

With many great and important entaiprises or nnder' 
takings a large oatl^ has to be made, and to be eontinned 
for a long period, before any returns or profits oan be 
derived therefrom; bnt, aiter secnring a oertain position, 
such enterprises or nndertaldngs mtij prove immensely ad- 
vantageoos, and yield returns which mv «eU ^ deemed 

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108 

sitiafBctoT? ^ all concemed. In the time to eome it maj 
be tfans with tba British Empire in India, and, in all pro- 
babilitj, the formation of railways and Iramwajs, and iJie 
BOggesled leasingB and aalea of lands in that coontry will 
tend to prodnoe a reaolt so desirable, and which is not 
entirely nnmerited. The progress and prosperity of the 
country will be wonderfully accelerated and improved by 
prodding the means of rapid oonunnnlcatiou and convey- 
ance at cheap ratee, ae the growth of prodooe will necessarily 
ensue therefrom- 
Many of the remariiE above eipreaaed, and which are 
intended to manifest that the Britiab Empire in India has 
been far more costl; and mncb less advantageous to England 
than it should have proved, win equally apply to the com. 
metce and relations which have heretofore snbeisted between 
Qreat Britain and China. It ia considered that, in place of 
restricting British oommerdal opeialioua to Canton and 
Hong Kong, we ahoold have obtained from the Chinese 
Government the oesdon of the islands of Formosa and 
Chnaan, on the eastern coast of China. 

Witb British trading establishments, npon an eitennive 
scale, at Canton, Hong Kong, Formosa, and Chusan, we 
shonld never have been brought into any hostile collision or 
nn&iendly relations with the Ooverament or the people of 
China, and might have carried on a more extended and 
profitable commerae with that extraordinary eoontry than wo 
have hitherto effected. The important and well situated 
ialands of Formosa and Chnean wonld have been readily 
ceded to na npon advantageous and equitable conditions by 
the Imperial Qovemment of China; and it is certain that 
the Chinese traders and merobsots would resort in vast 
numbeiB, and with eveir Mnd of Chinese produce and mar- 
ohudise, to any British trading estahlishmenta within an easy 

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1(U 

diBtuiM of IheiT oomL The Imperial Ooreniment of Cbin* 
U natnnllf . and, perhqia, iriiel;, jealous of tlie iutmaon of 
Eoropeens or other ftoreigneTS into the inleiioT of their 
ooimti? ; and foMignen hare olead; no mors right to efleot 
Mty iuch inlmsioD, I^ ftme. than the Chinese have to eflect, 
by f(«ce, ft Mtllement in Qnat Britain. The freqnant and 
lamentable wan and dispntea which hftTB oocumd betwean 
Great Britain and China, and the anonnons waste of lite 
and propert; whioh haa ensued tbare&om, might thna hare 
been eftsil; avoided ; while a fax more extensile and print- 
able oonunaroe and more cordial ralMioaa with the Chinese 
Empire would have been enjoyed than has hitherto been 
attuned. Now that the British OoTemmsnt has formidable 
armaments in the China Seas, n^^tia^ns should he opened 
with the Chinese anthoiitieE for tlie oasdon, to Great 
Britain, of the islands of Formosa and Ghns^n, and, per- 
haps, of some other islands oS the coaat of China. Those 
who know aoTthing of the Gbineee, know full wtll that an; 
British trading stations which m^ be eatablisbed in the 
vidnitf of an; part of their coast, would tot; soon be 
abtmdanti; aapplied with Chmeae prodnce and mannfikc- 
tores, and that British mannfaetures and other merchandize 
would, to a considerable extant, be reoeived in barter for the 
same. B; means of each arrangements, we m^ henoe- 
fbrth BToid disagreements and hoslililies with the Chinese, 
which can onl; end disastronsl; for all ooneemed ; extend 
oar commerce with them veij materially ; and exonerat* 
ounelies from their customs and port datjes, as well as 
from nnmeroDS other embarrassing and onerous impon- 

Man; pubUo writers, and other well informed persons, 
are of opinion that the opium trade, now earned on by 
British mearchants with China, should be forthwith relin- 



105 

qoishad. That this trade is exoaadingly proflUble to th« 
parties by vhraa it is conducted ouuiot be doabtad ; but it 
is eqnftU; oertun that it is tsij iqjmions, demoralisiDg, and 
destmotiTe to vast nmnben of tha Chinese people ; and that 
their, goremmsiit is mmt anzions to effbot its eidiKdion. 

The depravation and destruction of a few himdred 
tlionsandB of Chinese per annum, and ths onlrBges effected 
agunst their goremment by the traders in opium, cannot, 
howBTsr, be regarded as of mooh importance, in comparison 
-with the fei* hundreds of thonssnds of ponnds sterling 
wliich may be aimtiflUy derived from the opium traffic by a 
small number of British merohanta and others ; and, more 
espedsUj, irtien it may be manifested that the very same 
parties might readily, snd with less cost and trouble, obtiun 
equsl, if not anperior, sdvsnlagcB by conducting some more 
honest commerse with tlie Chinese. In lien of sendii^ 
them opimn, they might send Brilkh mannfiuitiired goods 
and other merchandize ; and, in so doing, would, probably, 
soon discover that the opinnt trade had been a kind of 
suiddal mistake ; and that tlie substitntion of a general 
trade, and the disaonturaanoe of the trade in opium, must 
prove rempnM^ly more advantageons to the parties con- 

With many persons engaged in commeroial operatjona, 
profit seems to be the only ol^ject in view; and all other 
considerations ^tpesr to be disregsrded by them. It is this 
limited perception of the eflbots f^ their proseedings and 
arrangementa which oanses slave -traders, slave-owners, 
pirates, robbers, smugglers, snd other mslsfaotors, snd 
possibly opium traders, to see nothing wrong in their trans- 
sotions, snd which renders them impervious to sny lesson 
or argument opposed to their notions. The time mi^, 
however, Brrive when the opitun tnde will be leguded as 

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10«t 

■n;tbing bnt denrable, and as eomewhat Mi&Logans to the. 
dsTB-trada of former days. The game wnount of capital, 
labooi, and anperinteiideace tbat is n<nr devoted to the 
oondncC of the opium traffic wonld, perhaps, ^eld a greater 
profit, if employed in some lagitimate aod honourable com- 
merce with the Chinese, and be reoiprocall; beneficial. 

While admitiiug the value and importance to Great 
Britain of the British Empire in India, and of the trads 
vith China, the preceding remarks <rill, perhaps, have, 
shown that the cost thereof to the British nation bos been 
mnch gi«ater than it ahoold have been ; and the following 
observations will be submitted with the view of manifesting 
that, in the Indian Arobipelago, England ma; now obtain a 
new Indian Empire, and a commeroe more eitensive and 
advantageons than that which b at present carried on 
between Great Britain and China, b; means quite nnob- 
jectionable, and with a comparatirol; small oatlaj. 

It wotdd be difficult to over-estimate the value and im- 
portance of the numerous isLandB comprised within the 
limits of the Indian Archipelago ; a glance at the m^i wiU 
show their relative positions. In the aggregate, these 
islands present an area of some millions of sqaars miles, or 
a surface nearly equal in extent to that of all Australia. 
The soil is generall; fertile; in man; placas, eznberantl; 
so ; and the climate, thongh tropical, is said to be agreeable, 
and not nnhealthy. The islands aboimd in valuable in- 
digenous productatws, and ever; sort of East Indian produce 
mas ^* nused therein with great ftioili^. Commodious bar. 
boors, navigable rivers, inlets of the sea, and positdona well 
ad^ited for settlements are to be fonod at some of the 
principal islands. The native inhabitauta comprise ueail; 
tbiit; milfions <i persons, and aie, most!;, doule, intelli- 
gent, and active, favourably disposed towards European*, 

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107 

nod likel]', if required, to form TslaaUe labooreis, meohaiiira, 

luid asBistants. Nearl; all tlieae people are eitiemelj de- 
Birons of placiog ihemselvee and their several coontriea 
under British rule, itell Imowing how greatly they would 
benefit bj bo doing. They are now in what inaj be termed 
a half-clTilised condition, bnt are snaceptibla of great im- 
provement ; and it is cartain that an extensive and most 
profitable commer«e ma; be forthwith oondnct«d with them. 
The establishmaut of Biitiah aetUements amongst Uiem 
would be moat favoorabl; regarded bj Ihaz present Tolera, 
and b; the people generally ; but anch settlements should 
not be formed upon a petty scale, nor condaoted in a mean 
or paltry manner. Upon a careful and diapasaionate con- 
sideralion of the facta Jnat recited, and of other matters, 
there reaJly appears to be no valid objection or serioas im- 
pediment to the BritiBh nation's immediately assmning the 
sovere^ty over the whole of the Indian Archipelago, with 
a clear reaervation and a faithful observance of all eiiatJng 
rights, privileges, poasessionB, and (just) duma. 

In porsaanoe of this view it may stated that, ap to the 
present time, we have expended, perhaps, nearly two hon- 
dred millions of pounds sterling in the aoqinaition and 
maintenance of onr Indian Empire, and a vast amonnt in the 
estabUshiuent of oar oommerce with Gliina ; we have now a 
olear opportnnitj of acquiring another and, it maybe, a more 
valuable Indian Empire, and a new and preferable com- 
maree, in a peaceful and nnobjeclionable nuinnei, and at a 
oomparatiTely trifling cost I In ikong so, we shall clearly 
benefit the uadve inhabitontg. 

We Bhall promote the proBpedty of all the snrraundiiig 



We shall open a free, Mfe, and lucratdfe o 
natiouB; 

......Google 



And va ahall ellbot, irith advuitase to aH Oie worid, Hi* 

derelopmant of mnnenniB Bonroei of wetlth and *ffln- 

enee wMch are now unavailing. 

It ii possiblA tliat Mme {nnlenable) oligeotiona may be 

i^Bed to snob prooeedingB, by parties who mar not hwa 

pioperiy oonBidflied tlie natnie and probable afbela thereof. 

There will be bot little difflonlty in obriating tnj objeeliona 

that can be ofCered ; and, with reference thereto, it ma; be 

Ib there anj other nation than Qreat Britain that is both 

able and willing Co do all that is above statsd r 
Ib there any other nation that ia able to say — 

We require aa eioloslTe or faioniing oonditi<mB or priri- 

l^eE for oor Bnbjeots. 
We fear no omnpetition, and will, therefore, open a f^a 
and tmreatjieted commerce, npon equal tanni, to all 
natioQB. 
We seek not to OMmse, to enBlare, or to injnre the native 

inhabitants, bnt to improve thor condition. 
We can and will eBt*blisb law, order, and aeonrity for all 

parties, and will make all equal beGxre the taw. 
We have oqiital anffleient for any purposes we may desire 
to eStet, and parlies oapable of applying It eBloamonBly 
for anch purposes. And that — 
We bave both the will and the power to do all that we 
ma; deem to be jnst, and risbt, and neoessary, either in 
the Indian AnhipelBgo or elsewhere. 
Whether wisely or not, we have frequently had Isije 
armaments dispatj^d to Indie and China, and employed 
for hatg periods in those eonntzies. The outlay consequent 
i^n Buch expeditions must have been enormons, and it ia 
to be hoped that Oie objeota whioh may have been achieved 
by them have not proved imworthy of the lioahle and 

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ezpenae which the naliot) has inonimd in thdf ociMunpIiBh- 

K, upon minor oonrnderatious, «e ootdd prepare nnd die- 
patAh BOoh expeditions, and inonr snch an imnieiise erpen. 
ditnie, tuTsly a eomparaliTely small ontlay may be nov 
made for the aoqni^tion of— 

A new Indian Empire, 
A new and extensive oommeroe. 
New and tainable tettlemente, 
and of nnmeraoa sooroes of wealth. 

The people of the Indian Arohipelsgo are absolntely soli- 
citb^ and entreating ns to asaome the soverugntr of their 
Beyeral islands. 

Xhe7 are well aware, and it is easy for an; other partiea 
to parceire, that the native inhalutanta would benefit ex- 
Uxm^eij by sneh a proceeding ; while it m^ be tralf stated 
that it would alio prove advantageoiu to onrssWes and to 
the world at large. Onr Bhipownen, merahants, and traders 
are eontinnaUj requiring new fields for ccmunerdal entar- 
prisea, and for the extansian of our commerce; yet, still, 
this BpaoioDs and magnificent region — everjvhere navigable 
and accessible, marreUaus in the natural beauties of its 
saen«i7, of eztraoidinarj fertility, teemii^ with nndeveloped 
riches, and eertnnl; oonslitating one of the finest portione 
of flie globe (and, though aotnallj cooriing onr oeoopaDcy) 
— is, in B manner disregarded, and parmitt«d to remnn ia 
desolation and nnprodueliveueaB ; while great exertions are 
made, and vast expenses are incurred, tot the promotioD of 
undertakings of oomparativelj' triffing importanna. 

Do we need increassd importations of East Indian pre. 
dooe generallj, and of eottonespedalljF 

Do we require former supplies of the most valaable 



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110 

nwtals and wiin ftyln— m gold, silvsr, ti^ , fluthnoiiyt qnick- 
silTer, cc^per, Sso. ? 

If BO, There, in all the world, mB7 the same be obUJaed 
BO abandaiitl7 and cbeiqil}' as in Uia Indian Arobipelagof 

Tlie labonrera uid mechamcs neoegBBi7 far the prodno- 
don of BQcli Bapplies are already in the ialauds in enffldent 
nnmbera, as previously etated, and nill woA well and &ith- 
fiilly onder Biitisb snperintendenoe. 

U it be more advantag^us to obtain the produce and 
mercbaadise above-men lioned, in barter for British manu- 
factures, than for ooin and bullion, it is in the ialanda of the 
Arebipelago, above all other placos, where sach an exchange 
may be eSbctsd. 

In Moomplishing these operationB, we abonld do no 
wrong either f> any native or foreign power, but Bhoold 
■□mpulouBly respect Uieir lights and privileges; while we 
should caretWy abstain from infringing thdr cnstoms aod 
legnlatJonE. Should it be found essential for the promotion 
of our objeda that we sbotild acquire any pardonlar iU' 
tarestB or clums, there wonld be no great difficnlty in oon- 
duding bargiuns for the same with the parties in whom 
BOoh interesta, Ac, may be vested. 

With our oi^adty for naing such poeaessiona adian- 
tageoosly, we can affbrd to pay for the same in a manner 
that would probably be highly BatlB&otory to the parties 
oonoeding or tnuisferring them ; while it ia certain that even 
a reiy fine estate may be unavailing, while possessed by on 
indigent owner. In order to reap, it is necessary te bow ; 
and it ia only a wealthy and powerfol maritime state, like 
Qmat Britain, that can make the outlay and arrangements 
neoetsary for rendering the isiands of the Indian Archi- 
pelago as produotive and proaperoua as they onght to be_ 
The European states holding claims, or who mty be in- 



...Google 



Ill 

tenated in tlie Indian Archipelago, hsTe not the CB[atal and 
tlie power oecesaaiy to derive mnch advimtaga there&otu, 
and would, in moat caaes, he happ; to ooncede their in- 
terests, fot Bome Teasonable oonsideratioD, t« such a power 
as Oreat Britain. The whole of the Phillippine lalanda, 
now held b; Spain, seem la belong of right to the British 
nation, inasmach as the said islands were osptnTsd bj the 
British in 17S2, bat were restored to Spain, npon tiie latter 
couotry mortgaging the same to Great Britain, aa seonritf 
for the pajment of the ranaom agi«ed opon. 

Neither interest nor prindpal has GTer been paid by 
Spain, and the islsnds, therefore, belong to QreaC Britain; 
but it would be for better to purchase Che said islands for 
some reasonable consideration, if the possession thereof 
should he considered desirable, than to take them In virtae 
of the mortgage abore'mentioned. Formosa and Chiuan, 
with some other islands off the Coast of China, may be 
obt^ned in a similar manner of Iba Chinese Oovammeut 

Borneo, New Ooinea, Timor, New Britain, New Ireland, 
Floras, Sandal Wood Island, Sumatra, Somhawa, and nume- 
rous other important places m^, if demred, be obtuned as 
New Zealand was procured — tix., by means of treUias, bar- 
gains, and atiangements with the native chiefs and people. 
Tbe Dntch possessions in the Archipelago will, probably, 
eontinne to be held and oondnctid by that power; and, if 
not ceded for some valuable considerations, will surely par- 
ticipate in tbe benefits which the establiabment of British 
rale over the Indian Archipelago will confer upon that 
region generally. 

It Is hardly to be e^tected that the British GoTemment, 
which is in effect but the executor of tiie will or wishes of 
tbe Britdsb nation, will originate plans and measures for 
aaliisTing what has been hereinbefore proposed, or show 

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113 

any eijraordiiiflrir elaent; m oanTing any saoh plana into 
effect. That po<reri\il, bnt eumeirhBt ineit body will require 
to be strongly DTged to ondsrtake the neceMar; proceed- 
inga, »nd to be most ftilly satiffled that SDob will be odvaD- 
tageoui for the nation, and are, in otbi/ rBspeet, desirable, 
jostiflKble, pnuitieable, commandBble, and requisite. The 
QoYsnunsnt will not merely require to be coDTiuoed of the 
ezpedieney and adTtutagee of all tbat ie propoeed to be 
done, and that the measnres suggested aie well ealoolatod 
to efitet the de^red ends, bnt will leqnire eitreme prestnre 
•Dd aolioilation &om thosa who may be auxiotii to promote 



Uany of our most important oolonial possessions hftTO 
been obtained almost in despite of the Colonial Department 
•nd of the ezeontiTs body of the time — as Virginia, Hew 
England, and many other Betllsments in America ; our 
East Indian potseuioDS, the ooIocieB of South Australia, 
Kaw Zealand, and Vletoria, with anmeroua other plaeea; 
and it is Jnst poasible that the Colonial Department of the 
piesent iaj is not maoh wiser or better eondncted than !t 
was formerly. The defects of the Colonial Offioe are 
those which seem to be inherent in all our adminislratiTe 
departments ; bnt tliese need not be mncb regarded in re- 
lation to mattera ho momentous and desirable as the 
aoqnimtion and development of the Indian Arobipelago. 
Foitnnete^, affairs of this kind do not entirely depend upon 
the aagaci^ aod discretion of colonial ministers and their 
snbordiiiales, " for tiiere be higher than they." 

There wiU not be mach difflonlty in manifesting the fol- 
lowing fketa to the British Qoremnient and pablio, viz.— 

That the Indian Archipelago it a region of extraordinary 
value and importanoe ; 

That it is desirable and expedi«ot that the sorereigntf of 

„.,..„G„oslc 



113 

tlie EHtiBlk natdon Bhonld be fortliwitli « 
the vbola of the Indiiin Archipelago ; 
That on or before ttie conclnsioii of a traatj of peace irith 
China, a portion of the Britiah expedition, nov in the 
China Seas, ahonld be employed in snnejing and par- 
tially eiplotiug the prino^ai islands of the Indian 
Archipelago; 
That meaanres should be adopted for the formation of 
BritiBb settlementa at various places in the Indian 
Archipelago ; and 
That the proper offloera of the expeditions suggested 
should make knom thronghout the Indian Aroh!- 
pelago, and in encli a manner aa majr be deemed 
Toqoidta, the intended procsedings of the British 
QoTonunent. 
In the conduct of the arrangements which maj be fbnnd 
desirable, OTerTthing in the way of force or violence is to be 
deprecated, as at Taiiance with sooad policy. 

An; oonceaaions, Bnrrenders, tTBOBTers, or aokuonledg- 
ments vhiah may be required, will be obtainable by means 
of friendly arrangements. 

Titles should not be too ligidiy inqnired into ; and 
cUimanla will, in moat cases, be willing to transfer for a 
moderate consideration that which, in their hands, may be 
almost imaTuUng. 

Under any cinramstancea, it would hardly be poHlic tat 
Great Britsia to take forcible posaesaion of any of the 
islands of the Indian Archqielago, if the cession of any 
required place may be obltdned by means of negotiation end 
trea^, or some arrangement. 

Any necessary ontlay or expenditure which m^ be in- 
ooired on the part of Great Britain, in ftirtherance of Oie 
objeots recommended, will be rumbnrsed to the British 



...Google 



114 

pnbHe a tboasand-fold, bj means of the dereli^inent wUch 
must ensue of manf of the richest oomttrieE in the world. 
The Uancbester mill-owners and mannfactmen will be 
enabled to procnra unlimited supplies of enperior cotton 
at a low price from tnany of the countries mentianed, and 
will, doubtless, ud iu seonring those places for the British 

On the aSrd Jane, 1867, Mr. Aspinall Turner stated, in 
the House of Commons—" That he knew, from his own 
experience, thai the Indian cotton was quite equal to the 
best American cotton, and that it could be had at a price 
mth which America could not compete j bat it was not 
properlj cleaned, and capital alone was wanting to make 
the roads, so that cotton might come easily and cleanly to 
the coast] and that capital, and tbose roads, the Indian 
Qoienunent ought to supply." 

Mr. Boss Mangles {the present Chajiman of the East 
India Company), in continuation of same debate, stated — 
" That the industrial development of India was proceeding 
at a greater rate than England conld pay for. iETerything 
but cotton was produced in the greatest abundance. What 
made cotton an ttioeption? The reason vas that the men 
of Manchester would do nothing for themselTes ; but con- 
tented themselves with abusing the Oovemment. But the 
tenth was that the Oovemment had done mtich tor India. 
They had sanctioned, and provided for, the making of forty 
thotisaud miles of roads in India. There was nothing to 
ftmeat Engliahmeo from going to India and onltivatiiig 
eotUm ; and there was nothing in the tenure of land to forbid 
them. One Englishman, a Mr. Landels, had done so, and 
was rapidly miking a fbrtnne. If Uanchesler men would 
send out their agents to India, and follow the example of 
Mr, I«ndelB, there would be no soarcit^ of cotton." 



...Google 



115 

la condusion, it miy be obserred tliat the British nation 
has now an unimpeBchable opportomt; of ac^mring, in tbe 
Indian Archipelago, a laat and most valuable extension of 
dominion, an immense oommerce, important supplies, and 
maah real honoor and glory in the improvement and civiliza- 
tion of thirtj millions of intelligent people. 

Let na hope that anch an opportnnity may be properly 
availed of for the sake of the vrorld at lai^e. 



Id OiuetoD, Prinlen, 47, EHtohup, ud 14, Faddisg Ltme. 

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