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of their general distrust and aversion towards the white people, 
and their unfortunate passion for money. But we cannot do 
otherwise than mention these vices, which were made evident 
to us by a long residence among the natives, and the seeds of 
which, unhappily, were fostered by Europeans themselves, 
who treated them, at the discovery of the island, with unex- 
ampled cruelty, and set before them an instance of shameless 
avarice. Those Europeans, who speak differently on this 
subject, must either desire to disguise the truth, or they have 
not had such opportunities of discovering it as we had. If 
foreigners would hope to be always respected and well treated 
by these people, they must possess much wealth; as those 
who travel without ample means are sure beforehand to be, 
if not despised, yet very indifferently received. The more 
they have been honoured if supposed to be rich, the more 
they are contemned if poor; and any service that is done 
them must be attributed to a well-lined purse, and not to 
their persons. It is most needful to be on one’s guard, for 
it is rare when an European has trusted a Huwa with money 
for purposes of trade, that he receives a faithful account of it, 
and we are well persuaded that very feepiciait) the half is 
notforthcoming. — . 
As soon as a white person enters a village, the intelligence 
spreads like lightning, and he is surrounded by a curious 
multitude. Having entered a house, he is loaded with civili- 
ties, the inmates prepare the best lodging, and spread out the 
finest and cleanest mats for him. Every one hastens to give 
him a present, consisting of eggs, poultry, manioc, &c., and 
he will be delighted at seeing fine beef, fresh fish, and rice as 
white as snow, &c. He is imposed upon by these artifices, 
which illustrate the old proverb—* Throw out a sprat to 
catch a whale," for the charge is commonly double and treble 
the value of the articles, and they expect that this will be 
readily paid in consideration of the civility they have shown. 
For once such practices might be borne, but it is the same 
everywhere, and your desires are ofliciously fulfilled with the 
sole intention of cheating you. 
As for their general dislike to Europeans, the women who 
