Max Havelaar;

by Multatuli

[1] Poondootan is the obtaining of provisions and goods under the pretext of Government service. In the journeys of important personages invited by the Regent or district chiefs, all necessaries are supplied by the population, and that as often as required. [↑]

[2] Followers and serving-people summoned to increase the pomp, and attend upon the chief or other personage. [↑]

[3] Long Leiden Cross-street. [↑]

CHAPTER XIX.

[COMPOSED BY STERN.]

In the private letter which Mr. Slymering sent to Havelaar, he communicated to him, that he, notwithstanding his pressing business, would come the next day to Rankas-Betong, to deliberate on what ought to be done. Havelaar, who knew what such a deliberation meant—his predecessor had so often deliberated with the Resident of Bantam——wrote the following letter, which he sent to meet the Resident, and be read by him before his arrival at Lebak:—

“No 91.		{		Private.
Immediate.

“Rankas-Betong,
“25th Feb. 1856, 11 P.M.

“Yesterday at 12 o’clock, I had the honour to send you my missive (Immediate, No. 88) containing in substance—

“That I, after a long investigation, and after having tried in vain to bring back by moderation the party concerned [[375]]from his perversity, felt myself obliged by my official oath to accuse the Regent of Lebak of abuse of power, and to add that I suspected him of extortion. I have taken the liberty to propose to you in that letter, to summon that native chief to Serang, in order to examine after his departure, and after the corrupting influence of his extensive family had been neutralized, whether my accusation and suspicion were well founded.

“Long, or to speak more accurately, much have I reflected before determining upon this.

“I took care to let you know that I have endeavoured, by exhortation and threats, to save the old Regent from misfortune and shame, and myself from the deep regret of having been the immediate cause of his troubles.

“But on the other hand, I saw the (for many years) plundered and much oppressed population. I thought of the necessity of an example—for I shall have to report to you many more vexations,—if, at least this affair, by its reaction makes no end of them,—and, I repeat it, after mature consideration, I did what I thought to be my duty.

“I have just received your kind and esteemed private letter communicating that you will come here to-morrow, and at the same time a hint that I ought to have treated this affair privately at first. To-morrow I shall therefore have the honour to see you, and it is exactly on that account that I have taken the liberty to send you this [[376]]letter, to add, before our meeting, the following considerations:—

“All my investigations about the Regent were quite secret; only he and the Patteh (Adjutant of the Regent) knew it, for I myself had frankly warned him. Even the Controller knows only a part of my investigations. This secrecy had a double aim. At first when I still hoped to bring back the Regent to the right way, it was my object if I succeeded not to compromise him. The Patteh thanked me in the name of the Regent for this discretion. (It was on the 12th inst.) But afterwards when I began to despair of the success of my endeavours,—or rather, when the measure of my indignation overflowed on hearing of a recent occurrence;—when a longer silence would have become participation as an accomplice—then that secrecy would have been to my advantage; for I too have to fulfil duties towards my household and myself.

“For after writing my letter of yesterday, I should be unworthy to serve the Government, if what I wrote down then was vain, unfounded, or invented. And would or will it be possible to me to prove that I have done what a good Assistant Resident ought to do—to prove that I am not unworthy the functions which I have received;—to prove that I do not risk thoughtlessly and rashly my seventeen hard years in the service of the Government, and, what is of more importance still, the interest of wife and child—will it be possible for me to prove all this, unless [[377]]deep secrecy does not hide my investigations, and prevent the criminal from concealing himself?

“At the least suspicion the Regent would send an express to his nephew, who is coming here, and whose interest it is to maintain him, at any sacrifice, and to distribute money with a profuse hand to every one whom he had recently swindled, the consequence would be (I need not say will be) that I have passed a rash judgment, and am an unserviceable functionary, not to say worse.

“To prevent that result I write this letter. I have the highest esteem for you; but I know the spirit of East Indian functionaries, and I do not possess that spirit.

“Your hint that it would have been better to have treated the affair privately at first, makes me apprehensive of such a course. What I said in my missive of yesterday is true; but perhaps it would seem untrue if the affair was treated in such a manner as would reveal my accusation and suspicion before the removal of the Regent. I may not conceal from you that even your unexpected arrival in connexion with the express sent by me yesterday to Serang, gives me reason to fear that the accused, who would not listen to my exhortations, will now awake too soon, and endeavour, if possible, tant soit peu to exculpate himself.

“I have the honour to say that I still refer literally to my missive of yesterday; but I take the liberty to [[378]]observe that this missive contained a proposal to remove the Regent before the investigation, and previously to make his adherents harmless; and at the same time that I believe myself to be no further responsible for what I advanced, than so far as you may be pleased to agree to my proposition as regards the manner of investigation—that it should be impartial, open, and above all, free.

“This liberty cannot exist before the removal of the Regent; and according to my humble opinion, there is nothing dangerous in that; as he can be told that I accuse him and suspect him, that I am in danger, and not he, in the event of his innocence being established:—for I myself am of opinion that I ought to be dismissed, if it shall appear that I have acted precipitately or rashly.

“Precipitately!… After years and years of abuses!

“Rashly!… as if an honest man could sleep, and live, and enjoy, while they, over whose welfare he is called upon to watch, who are in the highest sense his neighbours, suffer extortion and injustice!

“I have been here, it is true, but a short time. I hope, however, that the question will for once be, what has been done, if anything has been well done, and not whether it has been done in too short a time. For me, every moment is too long, when characterized by extortion and oppression, and every second weighs heavy on me that is passed in misery by my negligence, by my ‘spirit of arranging.’ [[379]]

“I regret the days which I allowed to pass away before reporting to you officially, and I apologize for that neglect.

“I have taken the liberty to request you to give me the opportunity to justify my letter of yesterday, and to guarantee me against the miscarriage of my endeavours to free the province of Lebak from the worms which have gnawed, since the memory of man, at its welfare.

“It is therefore that I have again taken the liberty of asking you to approve my action, which consists only of investigating, reporting, and proposing to remove the Regent of Lebak, without direct or indirect notice beforehand; and moreover to order an investigation to take place of what I communicated in my letter of yesterday, No. 88.—The Assistant Resident of Lebak,

(Signed) “Max Havelaar.”

“No 91.		{		Private.
Immediate.

This request, not to take the criminals under his protection, the Resident received on the way. An hour after his arrival at Rankas-Betong, he paid a visit to the Regent, and asked him whether he could “say anything to the prejudice of the Assistant Resident,” and whether he, the Regent, “wanted money.” To the first question the Regent replied, “I have nothing against him! I can solemnly swear to that!” The second question he answered in the affirmative, whereupon the Resident gave him a couple of bank-notes. [[380]]

It may be understood that Havelaar knew nothing of this. We shall see by and by how he became acquainted with so shameful a transaction.