On the west side of the river we discovered the remains of some strong masonry, from which it appeared that this must have been the site of a stronghold. I could gain no correct information from the natives, (who are wretched chronologists, and can rarely tell their own age), as to the period in which this was standing, much less as to that in which it was built. They could only tell me that the Dutch garrison here had been very numerous, and that it had been removed on a sudden by the Government, on account of a great mortality which had occurred. Some aged natives also remembered that at one time Company's ships often came here. These ruins were, probably, the remains of the fort Wilhelmsburg or Nassau, which was built here by our old India Company, in the year 1646, as at that time the island produced a considerable quantity of spices. The establishment, which consisted of a factor, a lieutenant, and seventy soldiers, was shortly afterwards withdrawn, on account of a great mortality which existed, but subsequently a block-house was erected for the military, as upon the other islands. The church, houses and block-house had been built with the remains of the fort, but even this was now in a most dilapidated condition. The inhabitants themselves were in a state of great poverty, and without occupation; a considerable number, indeed, had emigrated to other islands, that they might obtain the necessaries of life by becoming bondsmen[16] or slaves. M. Kam, with several of the officers, had come overland, and arrived here at the same time with ourselves. The whole of the inhabitants, old and young, ran out to see us, and touch our clothes; and they shouted with joy at the Company having paid them a visit. Each of us was soon adopted as a _sobat_, or friend, by one of the natives. On the first day it was impossible for us to get away from them for a moment; especially after I had served out to them a _Sopi Compania_, that is, a glass of arrack. Their joy was sincere and universal. The village at which we had arrived, called by the natives Kaayn, consisted of about forty houses, and was considered as being the capital of the island, the chiefs of all the other villages assembling here on the occasion of a general consultation. The _Kota Compania_ was situated near the sea, and like all the others we had met with, was surrounded by a wall. Above the door of the building, on a half decayed plank, were carved the following words:--"Ghebout 1773 Mat Got Halp."[17] The name, which was written under it, was illegible. In front of the gate of the inclosure was a post, four feet high, surmounted by a square stone, on which the arms of the Dutch East India Company were engraved. This had been cleaned and white-washed on our arrival; and the church, which stood in the centre of the village, was supplied with a new roof, and otherwise repaired and beautified.