After we had again got under sail, and I had clearly ascertained that there was no possibility of our running in over the reef without incurring the risk of sticking fast, we fired two guns, upon which two boats put off from the shore, containing the native chiefs, who came on board to pay their respects. I acquainted them in a few words with the object of my visit, and promised to go on shore to transact business on the following day, the 17th of July, when I left the brig with M. Dielwaart, the secretary and the interpreters, in two boats manned with European seamen, under a salvo from the guns, and other customary ceremonies. We soon reached the shore, where we were welcomed by a number of people of both sexes, who had assembled on the beach to receive us, and were conducted by them into their villages, which were only separated from each by stone walls. In the centre village, chairs, benches and tables had been placed for our accommodation, under the shelter of awnings composed of boats' sails. We here held a preliminary meeting of the chiefs, according to the instructions of the Government, and then took possession of two houses which had been prepared for our reception, abundance of provisions being supplied us by the people, as had been the case on the islands we had previously visited. The inhabitants of Luan, who bear much resemblance to those of Roma, have arrived at a tolerably high state of civilization. The greater part take pride in calling themselves Christians; but they nevertheless live on good terms with the heathens, who here, as elsewhere, are considered as their subjects and inferiors. The inhabitants reside in four villages, situated in a line close to each other, each village having a separate chief. These are exceedingly jealous of each other, and strangers who visit them must pay especial attention to this particular, and carefully abstain from taking more notice of one than of another, since opposite conduct would assuredly lead to serious discord among these otherwise good-natured and peaceful islanders. This circumstance rendered the distribution of the Government presents a matter of greater difficulty than I had found it to be elsewhere. Traders from Macassar, Amboyna and Banda, annually visit the island to purchase tortoise-shell and trepang. This last production is here found of a better quality than on any of the adjacent islands, and it affords a great source of riches to the natives. The trade of the island is carried on upon the barter system, specie being little used. Cloth, which is in great demand, forms the chief import, so that even European merchants might make great profit by disposing of these articles here.