“The book is a medley; there is no order, nothing but a desire to make a sensation. The style is bad; the author is inexperienced; no talent, no method.”…
Good! good!… all very well!… but the Javanese are ill-treated! [[409]]
For, the merit of my book is this:—that refutation of its main features is impossible. And the greater the disapprobation of my book, the better I shall be pleased, for the chance of being heard will be so much the greater;—and that is what I desire.
But you, whom I dare to interrupt in your business, or in your retirement, ye Ministers and Governors-General—do not calculate too much upon the inexperience of my pen. I could exercise it, and perhaps, by dint of some exertions, attain to that skill which would make the truth heard by the people. Then I should ask of that people a place in the Representative Chambers, were it only to protest against the certificates which are given vice versa by Indian functionaries.
To protest against the endless expeditions sent, and heroic deeds performed against poor, miserable creatures, whose ill-treatment has driven them to revolt.
To protest against the cowardice of general orders, that brand the honour of the nation, by invoking public charity on behalf of the victims of inveterate piracy.
It is true those rebels were reduced by starvation to skeletons, while those pirates could defend themselves.
And if that place were refused me, … if I were still disbelieved.…
Then I should translate my book into the few languages that I know, and the many that I yet can learn, to put [[410]]that question to Europe, which I have in vain put to Holland.