The report given by the interpreters of the reception they had met with at Serra, gave me great satisfaction, and made me regret having been unable to proceed there in person. I went on shore at high water with the usual ceremonies, and after having read the Government letter to the assembled chiefs, and distributed the presents, I conversed with them concerning the occurrence on Timor-Laut, at which they expressed much regret. They also promised that henceforward they would be more circumspect in their transactions with the foreign traders, and would themselves visit Banda during the present year for commercial purposes. A number of large jonkos went this year to Baba, Luan, Lette, and others of the islands to the westward, for the purpose of exchanging gold and calicoes for rice, sago and other products. Among the chiefs of the island Serra, who were installed this day, was one called Linum, who was appointed as chief Orang Kaya of Walusa. I gave him a silver-knobbed baton, and a large Dutch flag, presenting the others with certificates of appointment. It appeared to me, upon the whole, that the people showed but little respect for the authority of the chiefs. I conversed with them on this subject, explaining to them the duties of the governors and the governed, and had the satisfaction of seeing that my discourse made a lively impression upon them. I shall pass over in silence the difficulties I experienced, in giving these ignorant men a clear knowledge of the mode of proceeding adopted by our Government, and in making them appreciate the value of the philanthropic views of our rulers. I never met with greater beggars than these people. Although the presents I distributed among them were of greater value than those which had been given on the other islands, some of the former chiefs had the barefacedness to ask for clothes and other articles, notwithstanding my having repeatedly told them that they ought to be contented with what they had received. The chiefs of Serra and Sebeano returned with me on board, to taste the so-much esteemed arrack. I caused the interpreter to purchase some hogs and goats for the seamen, at a tolerably high price.