It is without the slightest idea of boasting that I state I have always remained among the Sakais alone and unarmed, in my work as a colonist. In this way it was possible for me to overcome hostility and mistrust, winning confidence and affection from one of the most uncivilized of peoples. And the fact gives me the greatest satisfaction for it demonstrates in a modest, but not for that less eloquent manner, that armed expeditions however fine and imposing in appearance (according to taste) have not the practical or lasting value of peaceful, friendly overtures. Civilization which pretends to impose itself by violence, slaughter and sackage only sows hatred. The pretended saviours become oppressors, and having begun by force they are compelled to resort to force if they wish to keep the dominion which a ferment of hatred, little by little, is undermining.
Therefore no arms, no missions (tending to substitute one terror for another) but only patience and calmness are necessary for the conquest of those simple souls and to subsequently teach them, through example, to devote themselves to work. They must be made to feel that civilization is useful, the inspirer of good and not an insidious injurer.
What can savages think when they are subjected to depredation and bloodshed by those who, with these measures, have come to them to proclaim the principles of respect for other people's property and the inviolability of human life?
It is indeed a great pleasure to me finding that to-day the Sakais no longer distrust civilization and some of them, especially the younger ones, do not refuse or shrink from work as they once did and neither do they oppose such an obstinate resistance to those innovations which I too had a part in introducing among them.
I leave it to my readers to judge if I am guilty of vanity in thus expressing my contentment.
And now I have finished.
Transcriber's Note: This errata prepared by the author/translator is included for historical and archival interest only. All the changes specified by this errata have already been implemented in the etext.
ERRATA
| Page | 14 | line | 26 | — | qualities. |
| " | 39 | " | 32 | — | wished. |
| " | 50 | " | 16 | — | read debtors for creditors. |
| Chap. | IV | " | 3 | — | twilight. |
| Page | 61 | " | 3 | — | centuries. |
| " | 80 | " | 14 | — | inefficacious. |
| " | 84 | " | 19 | — | safeguard. |
| Chap. | VIII | " | 7 | — | coronation. |
| Page | 85 | " | 12 | — | gratify. |
| " | 96 | " | 30 | — | previous. |
| " | 107 | " | 12 | — | too. |
| " | 111 | " | 13 | — | too. |
| " | " | " | 17 | — | search. |
| " | 112 | " | last line | — | enjoy. |
| " | 124 | " | 1 | — | attained. |
| " | 128 | " | last line | — | equal. |
| " | 131 | " | 28 | — | for economic read financial. |
| " | 133 | " | 29 | — | consequence. |
| " | 134 | " | 13 | — | without. |
| " | 139 | " | 2 | — | read same time. |
| " | 141 | " | 2 | — | obliged. |
| " | 146 | " | 16 | — | appetizing. |
| " | 178 | " | footnote | — | chinneloy. |
| " | 187 | " | 6 | — | falsehood. |
| " | 193 | " | 1 | — | But it is. |
| " | 207 | " | 32 | — | Sakai. |