Voyages of the Dutch brig of war Dourga

by D. H. Kolff

The inhabitants of the western parts of the group carry on a constant bartering trade among the group; the long and light vessels previously described, which are from twelve to sixteen tons burthen, being employed in transporting the goods from island to island. The period which elapses between the cessation of one monsoon and the commencement of the other, is the fittest period for these voyages. They are fearful, however, of going to Banda or Amboyna, not only from the reasons already given, but from a dread that the Government would chastise them for some deeds they had committed. I endeavoured, as much as lay in my power, to banish this idea from their minds, promising them forgiveness on the part of the Government; and my exertions were attended with so much success, that during the following year, while I was remaining at Amboyna, a greater number of their vessels arrived at that place, and also at Banda, than had been the case previously.

The inhabitants of the villages on Wadia profess the Mohammedan religion. In point of numbers they are far inferior to the Christians of the neighbouring islands, with whom they live on very good terms, and like them consider themselves as subjects to the Dutch Government, although they appear to be more restless in their characters than the others. A difference had long existed between the people of Wadia and the Orang Tua of Fannabel; and the Orang Kaya of Wokan, with the minor chiefs of that island, had followed me hither to assist in inquiring into and deciding the dispute.

After I had made known to the inhabitants the philanthropic and humane object of our Government, they gave me many proofs of their wishes to pursue a proper course. I was subsequently petitioned to examine into and decide the affair of the Orang Tua of Fannabel, which, from the evidence given by both parties, appeared to be as follows:—

The Orang Tua of Fannabel possessed a stone building, defended by cannon, on the north-east side of Wokan, and being a skilful trader he soon increased his property until he became one of the wealthiest men in the islands. This aroused the envy of the people of Wadia, of which island the Orang Tua had formerly been an inhabitant. On the occasion of the marriage of one of his daughters, there arose a difference between a native of Fannabel and another of Wadia, of so violent a nature, that each threatened to take the life of the other on the first opportunity. Some time after this, a number of the people of Wadia visited Wokan to assist the Orang Kaya in the construction of a church, and on their return home, one of the parties engaged in the above-mentioned quarrel, with four others, were murdered in their prahu. The offenders, who were soon after taken, declared that they had been paid for committing the deed by the people of Fannabel, on which those of Wadia, without enquiring farther into the matter, went to the house of the Orang Tua of Fannabel during his absence, and by way of taking revenge for the murder, they shot several of his family, took away the remainder as slaves, and then plundered and burned the house. The Orang Tua, on his return to his home, seeing the destruction that had taken place, fled to Wokan, where he was received with hospitality. The Orang Kaya of that place, however, considering that he was not sufficiently powerful to obtain redress for his friend by force, and being also unwilling to go to war with the people of Wadia, commenced negotiations, by which means a portion of the stolen property was returned.

This affair had taken place four years previous to my visit. The ill-treated Orang Tua assured me that he often thought of visiting Banda to obtain redress through the interposition of the Government, but had always been withheld by the hope that the latter would again take possession of the Arru Islands, in which case he would have brought the case before them, although he was himself aware that it would be difficult, if not impossible, to obtain back all the goods of which he had been plundered.

At the assembly which had been called together strong debates took place, which lasted until four o'clock. Some of the arguments put forth will tend to show their erroneous ideas of right and equity. A man who had carried off three of the Orang Tua's slaves, was unwilling to return more than one, or at most two, wishing to keep the remainder to pay for the maintenance of the whole. I explained to another, that as there was not the least proof of any offence on the part of the Orang Tua of Fannabel (they themselves holding him guiltless of the murder which had been committed,) while he had already suffered severely from the loss of his son, and of all his goods, it was nothing but just that he should have every thing possible restored to him. "Here," answered he, "are four of our family slain in their prahu; we must therefore have redress from somebody, no matter whom." At length it was determined, that a portion of the goods should be restored, and several gongs, elephants' tusks and slaves were immediately given up.

After I had thus changed the inveterate hatred into friendship, and had settled some other differences, I appointed a certain Abdul Wahab as their Orang Kaya, to the universal satisfaction of the people, and ceremoniously installed him in his office.

During our stay here I examined the neighbourhood of the village, and met with some former strongholds, the remains of which proved that they must have been extensive. We also found the traces of a long street, enclosed by walls, running east and west through the village, together with the ruins of many stone houses. The natives could give us no clear information concerning them.

On the 8th of September we made ready for our departure. When our people were on the point of embarking in the boats, the above-mentioned Orang Tua of Fannabel came to me to complain that the four slaves had not yet been given up to him, and that if we departed before this took place he would never get them back. I therefore caused it to be announced to the defaulter, that if he did not perform his contract I would take the slaves from his house by force, on which they were immediately given up. After having impressed him with a sense of the injustice and impropriety of conduct he had been guilty of, I caused my interpreter to draw up, in Arab characters, a solemn agreement of mutual reconciliation and friendship, which was signed by both parties, who promised in my presence that they would henceforward live together in amity.

The Orang Kaya, with all his chiefs, accompanied us on board, and took a friendly farewell of us, after having received some presents of coffee and arrack. On the same day we left our anchorage off Wadia, and stood to the southward under press of sail, towards the Tenimber Islands.