The inhabitants of the villages on Wadia profess the Mohammedan religion. In point of numbers they are far inferior to the Christians of the neighbouring islands, with whom they live on very good terms, and like them consider themselves as subjects to the Dutch Government, although they appear to be more restless in their characters than the others. A difference had long existed between the people of Wadia and the _Orang Tua_ of Fannabel; and the _Orang Kaya_ of Wokan, with the minor chiefs of that island, had followed me hither to assist in inquiring into and deciding the dispute. After I had made known to the inhabitants the philanthropic and humane object of our Government, they gave me many proofs of their wishes to pursue a proper course. I was subsequently petitioned to examine into and decide the affair of the Orang Tua of Fannabel, which, from the evidence given by both parties, appeared to be as follows:-- The Orang Tua of Fannabel possessed a stone building, defended by cannon, on the north-east side of Wokan, and being a skilful trader he soon increased his property until he became one of the wealthiest men in the islands. This aroused the envy of the people of Wadia, of which island the Orang Tua had formerly been an inhabitant. On the occasion of the marriage of one of his daughters, there arose a difference between a native of Fannabel and another of Wadia, of so violent a nature, that each threatened to take the life of the other on the first opportunity. Some time after this, a number of the people of Wadia visited Wokan to assist the _Orang Kaya_ in the construction of a church, and on their return home, one of the parties engaged in the above-mentioned quarrel, with four others, were murdered in their prahu. The offenders, who were soon after taken, declared that they had been paid for committing the deed by the people of Fannabel, on which those of Wadia, without enquiring farther into the matter, went to the house of the Orang Tua of Fannabel during his absence, and by way of taking revenge for the murder, they shot several of his family, took away the remainder as slaves, and then plundered and burned the house. The Orang Tua, on his return to his home, seeing the destruction that had taken place, fled to Wokan, where he was received with hospitality. The Orang Kaya of that place, however, considering that he was not sufficiently powerful to obtain redress for his friend by force, and being also unwilling to go to war with the people of Wadia, commenced negotiations, by which means a portion of the stolen property was returned.