The natives of the Tenimber Islands are extremely anxious to obtain gold coin, especially ducats, and give their trepang and tortoise-shell more readily in exchange for these than anything else. Both this and silver coin they work up into clumsy ear-rings, bracelets, and other ornaments, losing a considerable quantity of the metal in melting it down. It is extremely difficult to obtain these ornaments from them. I continued constantly employed among the islands, especially at Vordate, until the 15th of June, when we sailed for Banda, carrying with us favourable winds and weather. We passed, during our voyage, near to Bird Island, an uninhabited spot, on which considerable quantities of sulphur are collected, and carried to Bali and other places, where it is employed in the manufacture of native gunpowder. At Banda I put my interpreters on shore, and continued my voyage to Amboyna, where I arrived on the 26th of June, much rejoiced at the successful result of the expedition, of which I had soon a satisfactory proof, in a Government Resolution of the following import:-- "_Extract from the Register of Transactions and Resolutions of the Governor of the Moluccas._ "Friday, July 14, 1826. "A communication from the Naval Captain, Commandant of Division, was read (d. d. N. 104), containing the account of the voyage lately performed by H.M. brig _Dourga_, under the command of Lieut. Kolff, of the First Class, in the Banda Sea, and to the coast of New Guinea, according to the instructions given him by a Resolution of the 24th March (1.1. No. 1). It appearing from the narrative, that the above-named officer has fulfilled those instructions to as great an extent as lay in his power, and has spared no pains to acquire the information he was requested to collect, or to effect the duties with the execution of which he was charged:-- "Approved of and understood-- "That M. Kolff, Lieutenant in the Navy of the First Class, receives the thanks of the Government for the laudable manner in which he has executed the commission entrusted to him; and that a report of this, and of the above voyage itself, be sent to His Excellency the Governor-General. "An extract of this to be forwarded to Lieut. Kolff for his information and direction. "Copy from the above-named Register. "Signed (W.G.) Paape, "Secretary." * * * * *