We have already seen proofs of the desire shown by the natives to adopt, in some particular or other, the mode of dress of our countrymen. As may be supposed, they have no idea whatever of making clothes, and this is the chief reason of their having such a ludicrous appearance when clad in their European vestments. They were, therefore, not a little delighted at finding that I had had several coats made on board, of red, blue and green cloth, which I gave to them, in addition to the Government presents. Garments of this description are not only viewed as a dress of state, but are considered as distinguished tokens of honour; and it will, therefore, readily be conceived that they are preserved with the greatest care as heirlooms, and used only on festive occasions. Early on the morning of the 12th, I went on shore with a numerous escort, and under the customary salute from the guns. In the middle of the village of Watidal a booth had been erected, and covered with the sails of vessels, under which were numerous seats of plank, the part assigned to me, as Vakeel or Embassador of the Dutch Government, being arranged with especial care, and covered with fine coloured calico. Voluntary homage to our Government was apparent in all their actions. The people not only filled the booth, but surrounded it on all sides, leading me to believe that the entire population, young and old, were present. The presents were received with the loudest expressions of joy and thankfulness. The entire day was spent in installing the village chiefs, and making arrangements for preserving peace and unity among them. The villages are all independent of one another, each having its own territory, consisting of a portion of land, and contiguous trepang banks, and being governed by its own chief. So long, therefore, as they respect the property of their neighbours, and live according to the old usages of their forefathers, they remain in perfect peace with each other. The upper chief, whom I appointed for Watidal, was an aged man, not at all deficient in good sense and ability. He spoke very good Malayan, although the language of the natives consists of a peculiar dialect, in which point there is a remarkable difference between them and the people of the neighbouring islands. I could no where discover any remains which would point out that an officer of the East India Company had resided here, whence I concluded that the Dutch had not visited these islands for a long series of years.