From the information I could collect concerning this unfortunate occurrence, it appeared that the Papuas, who were probably unacquainted with the deadly effect of our weapons, attacked our people in great numbers when the latter were off their guard, and probably without arms.[50] Several shots were fired at them from the muskets, and from the one-pounder loaded with grape-shot, which must have done great execution. The courageous Javanese Mandor, who had remained ashore with the jolly-boat for some time after the midshipman had retreated with the tender, in order to bring off the wounded men, had kept up a constant fire at the natives with two muskets, and declared that he had seen three fall, who were carried into the forest by their companions. The unfortunate soldier, Ziengo, had been set upon by a number at once, and had received the most deadly of his numerous wounds from an axe that had been thrown away by some of our party. The natives would not have left him but for the continued fire from the jolly-boat. Notwithstanding the superior numbers of the natives, our people would never have been routed had they been on their guard. Unfortunately, my orders were not followed, and they separated from each other, thinking more of amusing themselves by bathing and walking, than of preparing against attack, which gave the natives an opportunity of falling upon them unawares, and had the latter known how to avail themselves of the confusion they had created, our loss must have been much greater than it was. The conduct of my countrymen grieved me deeply.
At the watering-place we could find no traces of people having been there since the previous night. The arms that had been thrown away, and the clothes left by the bathers, remained untouched. The ground, from the beach to the forest, was strewed with arrows and spears, among which were two intended for striking fish; these were provided with iron points, but the others were merely bamboos, the ends of which had been pointed and hardened in the fire. The arrows had wooden points and barbs; the bows, by which they were discharged, being formed merely of a bamboo-stick with a string of rattan. The force with which these arrows were shot was so small, that even from a short distance they scarcely did more than penetrate the clothes of our people, many of whom found the wooden points of the arrows sticking in their garments after the affair was over.
As the cocoa-nut trees are not numerous on the coast, while their produce forms an indispensable article of subsistence, I caused those scattered along the coast to be cut down, partly to show that we had not been driven away by fear, and partly to deter them from committing similar misdeeds in future. The interpreters assured me this would be a severe chastisement, and that they were in the habit of killing the relatives of those who injured the cocoa-nut trees.
We now went further into the bay to Kayu Merah, and pulled down some huts we found standing at the bottom of the heights, immediately behind the island. Men were occasionally seen, who took flight on our approach, and climbed into the trees, the better to observe our motions. Having rowed round the bay without meeting with any occurrence we turned towards the brig, on which a number of the natives made their appearance on the beach, who took flight, however, when we turned the boats' heads to the shore.
The treacherous conduct of the Ceramese cannot be sufficiently reprehended. It was related to me, and I afterwards had evidence of its truth, that these people, on their arrival with their prahus at New Guinea, endeavoured to pick a quarrel with the natives. If the Ceramese Raja has two or three men killed, it will be of little consequence, as they will probably be Papua slaves, and even if the natives take and plunder one of his vessels the loss will still be trifling. The Raja will be rejoiced at having an excuse for chastising the natives, and will not only attack and plunder the village, but also catch as many of the inhabitants as he can, whom he will carry away, under the plea of taking satisfaction for the injury that has been done to his people. Similar transactions occur but too often.
Be this as it may, it grieved me deeply to meet with so unfavourable a reception, as I had so anxiously wished to bring these people under our Government, and to show them, by the distribution of presents, that we entertained none but the most peaceable and friendly intentions towards them. Their barbarism is mainly to be attributed to the sinister dealings of the Ceramese, who, to retain their exclusive trade with the coast, inspire them with hatred and aversion to all foreigners but themselves. Until the rapacious and inhuman people of Kilwari, Keffing, and the Goram Islands are stopped in their arbitrary career, and are taught in an impressive manner to pay a proper respect to the Dutch Government, the coast of New Guinea will never be available to us for commercial purposes. Traders would gladly visit these parts could they do so with safety, for the productions, as massoy-bark, nutmegs, trepang, tortoise-shell, pearls, edible birds'-nests, birds of paradise, and other articles of value, would support an important commerce. The quantity of these rich productions purchased by the Ceramese on the coast for an almost nominal price, and carried by them to Bali and Singapore, is incredible. It may appear surprising that under these circumstances the Ceramese are not in a more flourishing state, but it must be taken into consideration that a restless people, constantly at war, do not hoard their riches, but squander it in leading a luxurious life. I have often been assured that traders, who have left their homes with a valuable cargo, have returned without sufficient property to pay their men, the whole having been lost by gambling, or similar modes of getting rid of wealth.
The people of Kilwari visit the bay of Lakahia regularly once or twice a year, with coarse white calico, arrack, tobacco, iron ware, &c., to give in exchange for the productions of the country. The natives of this part of the coast bear much resemblance in stature and complexion to those of the easternmost of the Arrus. According to the account of the interpreters they lead a wild and idle life.
The east monsoon now drawing to a close rendered it inadvisable to trace the coast to the westward, which should be examined during the other season; for the coast lies open to the southerly winds, while the steep nature of the shore affords but insecure anchorage. My opinions on this point were confirmed by those of intelligent natives.
As one of the principal objects of the present expedition was to visit the Tenimber Islands, so important to the native trade, during the return voyage, (while, were I to remain longer on the coast of New Guinea, this could not be effected,) I determined to take my departure, being encouraged in my decision by having already fulfilled, to the best of my power, the instructions furnished me by the Government, and at the same time being convinced that the coast to the eastward of the spot where we found ourselves was not visited by foreign traders.