Voyages of the Dutch brig of war Dourga

by D. H. Kolff

Early in the morning of the 29th, the agreeable intelligence was brought to me, that six large prahus were in sight, coming from the direction of Larrat, which proved to belong to the chiefs of Serra, who, with the interpreters I had sent to them, came alongside at eight o'clock. At first they were afraid to come on board, but after I had personally conversed with them they ran up the side, followed by their numerous retinue, and were received by me with the greatest friendship. They expressed their regret at the event that had occurred at Maktia, and assured me that if I would stay a short time, they would place the offenders in my hands, and that they would revenge the disgrace that had been cast upon them all in a most summary manner. I told them, however, that the moderation I had shown towards the people of Maktia, afforded a strong proof of the kind disposition of our Government, while I hoped that such a misdeed would never be committed again. The number of my visitors being too great for all to be entertained on board, the meeting was adjourned to the shore, where the prahus of the newcomers were hauled up on the beach. As I wished to detain them at Vordate until our departure, that they might become acquainted with the mode of proceeding adopted by the officers of our Government, I permitted rice and other provisions to be distributed among them during their stay.

The report given by the interpreters of the reception they had met with at Serra, gave me great satisfaction, and made me regret having been unable to proceed there in person. I went on shore at high water with the usual ceremonies, and after having read the Government letter to the assembled chiefs, and distributed the presents, I conversed with them concerning the occurrence on Timor-Laut, at which they expressed much regret. They also promised that henceforward they would be more circumspect in their transactions with the foreign traders, and would themselves visit Banda during the present year for commercial purposes. A number of large jonkos went this year to Baba, Luan, Lette, and others of the islands to the westward, for the purpose of exchanging gold and calicoes for rice, sago and other products.

Among the chiefs of the island Serra, who were installed this day, was one called Linum, who was appointed as chief Orang Kaya of Walusa. I gave him a silver-knobbed baton, and a large Dutch flag, presenting the others with certificates of appointment. It appeared to me, upon the whole, that the people showed but little respect for the authority of the chiefs. I conversed with them on this subject, explaining to them the duties of the governors and the governed, and had the satisfaction of seeing that my discourse made a lively impression upon them. I shall pass over in silence the difficulties I experienced, in giving these ignorant men a clear knowledge of the mode of proceeding adopted by our Government, and in making them appreciate the value of the philanthropic views of our rulers.

I never met with greater beggars than these people. Although the presents I distributed among them were of greater value than those which had been given on the other islands, some of the former chiefs had the barefacedness to ask for clothes and other articles, notwithstanding my having repeatedly told them that they ought to be contented with what they had received.

The chiefs of Serra and Sebeano returned with me on board, to taste the so-much esteemed arrack. I caused the interpreter to purchase some hogs and goats for the seamen, at a tolerably high price.

Early on the following day I sent Lieutenant Bruining on shore with thirty men to march to Aweer, (the boats being too small to convey them), while I proceeded direct to the spot at which we had formerly assembled, between Awena and Romian. On landing, the people of the neighbouring villages, together with those of Serra, collected around us; and I employed myself until four o'clock in the afternoon, in transacting the business connected with my mission; when I informed the assembly of my proposed departure for Amboyna, and left them with the pleasing conviction, that our visit to these islands had not only been of great service, but had given the highest satisfaction to their inhabitants. The chiefs accompanied me on board, and expressed their thanks for the kindness shown to them by the Government, promising also to obtain the freedom of the two English youths on Timor-Laut, and to bring them to Banda.

On the 30th of September, after having rewarded the Orang Tua David, and the crew of the prahu that had been in our service, with some baftas, knives, parangs, brass wire, plates, &c., we took leave of our native friends, and weighed anchor to return to Banda, at which place we arrived on the 3rd of October. We here landed the pilot, Ali-Ali, and after a short stay continued our voyage to Amboyna, arriving there on the 8th. The reader will readily conceive how rejoiced we were, after so long an absence, to set foot again on the beautiful island of Amboyna, where we were received by our families and friends with lively congratulations. In addition to the pleasure which this reception gave me, I had the satisfaction of finding my exertions approved of by the Governor of the Moluccas, M.P. Merkus, by which respected and hospitable officer I was invited to reside at his country-house of Batu-Gadja. My agreeable residence there caused me soon to forget the fatigues I had undergone, so that I soon after undertook new expeditions to Ternate, Monado, and other places, the description of which I shall pass over, those being places tolerably well known, and proceed to give the reader an account of my second voyage to the parts which form the subject of my work.

CHAPTER XVII.

THE CERAM-LAUT AND GORAM ISLANDS.

Preparations for a Voyage to New Guinea.—Departure from Amboyna.—Banda.—Arrival at Kilwari.—Ghissa.—Character of the Inhabitants.—Visit from the Chiefs of Kilwari and Keffing.—Their Wars.—Force of the Islanders.—The Ceram-Laut Islands.—Their Vessels.—Commerce.—Exclusive Right assumed by the Inhabitants over the Coast of New Guinea.—Smuggling Trade of the English.—Papuan Pirates devour their Prisoners.—Slaves.—Sale of Children by their Parents.