We found a large ship from Macao at anchor in the roads, but no other vessel, not even a native prahu, was to be seen. After having anchored we saluted the fort with thirteen guns, which the latter returned with only eleven. On my demanding the reason of this deficiency, it was attributed to the carelessness of the officer of artillery, for which it appeared he was to be punished. Soon after entering the roads, I sent Lieutenant Bruining on shore to inform the Governor of our arrival. This gentleman having just retired to take his siesta, his people had the incivility to allow M. Bruining to walk in front of the house from noon until three o'clock, before being admitted into his presence. The Governor expressed himself much gratified at our arrival, and wished me to call upon him in the evening, when I went to his house in company with several of the gentlemen who were embarked with me, and experienced a more hospitable reception than could have been expected from the poverty-stricken appearance of the place. The Governor of the Portuguese possessions in the north coast of Timor usually resides at Dilli, and pays himself and the other officials out of the revenue derived from the trade. They are all engaged in mercantile pursuits. Their pay, indeed, is extremely small, the officers receiving only eleven guilders,[6] and the soldiers three guilders per month. Their dwellings are miserable, dirty, and poor. The Governor resides in a small wooden house situated at the back of the fort, which contains no other furniture than a few tables, benches, and old chairs. When dining at his house the following day, we plainly perceived that the chairs, dishes, plates, and even the table-linen, had been lent for the occasion by various individuals, all being of different make and fashion; and our opinion on this point was afterwards confirmed. The Governor appeared to be much pleased on finding that I was in want of some cattle and various articles, with which he offered to supply me. He charged me seven dollars a head for the buffaloes, and eighty-six guilders for half a picul (sixty-six pounds and a half) of wax candles, that I purchased from him, in addition to which I paid six per cent. export duty at the custom-house. Slaves were frequently offered to me on sale, the Commandant, among others, wishing me to purchase two children of seven or eight years of age, who were loaded with heavy irons. The usual price of an adult male slave is forty guilders, that of a woman or a child being from twenty-five to thirty. These unfortunate people are kidnapped in the interior, and brought to Dilli for sale, the Governor readily providing the vender with certificates under his hand and seal, authorizing him to dispose of the captives as he may think fit.[7]