We now went further into the bay to Kayu Merah, and pulled down some huts we found standing at the bottom of the heights, immediately behind the island. Men were occasionally seen, who took flight on our approach, and climbed into the trees, the better to observe our motions. Having rowed round the bay without meeting with any occurrence we turned towards the brig, on which a number of the natives made their appearance on the beach, who took flight, however, when we turned the boats' heads to the shore. The treacherous conduct of the Ceramese cannot be sufficiently reprehended. It was related to me, and I afterwards had evidence of its truth, that these people, on their arrival with their prahus at New Guinea, endeavoured to pick a quarrel with the natives. If the Ceramese Raja has two or three men killed, it will be of little consequence, as they will probably be Papua slaves, and even if the natives take and plunder one of his vessels the loss will still be trifling. The Raja will be rejoiced at having an excuse for chastising the natives, and will not only attack and plunder the village, but also catch as many of the inhabitants as he can, whom he will carry away, under the plea of taking satisfaction for the injury that has been done to his people. Similar transactions occur but too often. Be this as it may, it grieved me deeply to meet with so unfavourable a reception, as I had so anxiously wished to bring these people under our Government, and to show them, by the distribution of presents, that we entertained none but the most peaceable and friendly intentions towards them. Their barbarism is mainly to be attributed to the sinister dealings of the Ceramese, who, to retain their exclusive trade with the coast, inspire them with hatred and aversion to all foreigners but themselves. Until the rapacious and inhuman people of Kilwari, Keffing, and the Goram Islands are stopped in their arbitrary career, and are taught in an impressive manner to pay a proper respect to the Dutch Government, the coast of New Guinea will never be available to us for commercial purposes. Traders would gladly visit these parts could they do so with safety, for the productions, as massoy-bark, nutmegs, trepang, tortoise-shell, pearls, edible birds'-nests, birds of paradise, and other articles of value, would support an important commerce. The quantity of these rich productions purchased by the Ceramese on the coast for an almost nominal price, and carried by them to Bali and Singapore, is incredible. It may appear surprising that under these circumstances the Ceramese are not in a more flourishing state, but it must be taken into consideration that a restless people, constantly at war, do not hoard their riches, but squander it in leading a luxurious life. I have often been assured that traders, who have left their homes with a valuable cargo, have returned without sufficient property to pay their men, the whole having been lost by