S P 1 C Y i S L A N D S. 183 



he poffefTes, befides Tidor, great part of the fouth and eafh of 

 GiiolOi and clames the Papuan illes of JVaygioUi Myfol^ and 

 FaUnta. 



"Ternate is the mod northern and moll important of all the Ternate, 

 Moluccas, yet it is not more than eight leagues in circum- 

 ference. Dependent on its monarch are the greateft part of 

 the north of G//0/0, and of the north-eaft of Celebes ; the ifle of 

 Morti, that of Batcbian and Motir ; and feveral other diftant 

 ifles, fuch as Xula, BucrOy Sanguir, and Feranulla, near Am- 

 boitia ; he had even part of New Guhiea, and received a tribute 

 of gold, amber, and birds of Faradife. All thefe, Nezv Guinea 

 excepted, contribute their quota of militia, Mr. Forrejl gives* 

 a regular lift of the number formerly furniflied, exailly pro- 

 portioned to their fize or population, as we do at prefent in the 

 regulation of the militia to be raifed in each Britijh county; the 

 fum total amounted to 90,700. The naval power was alfo very 

 confiderable, and they and the Ttidorians have had fome well- 

 contefted battles with the Europeans. Soon after the arrival of 

 the Portuguefe, they burnt at once all the forefts of cloves ; but 

 they fpeedily revived with as much vigor as ever. The Fortu- 

 ^§7/^ rendered themfelves mafters of the ifland, and built a ftrong 

 fort. The natives thrice abandoned their country ; till at lengthy 

 defperate with the oppreflions of ftrangers, in 1530 they re- 

 turned in the night, and burnt and deftroyed even their own 

 habitations. 



The Dutch, on their arrival, were received as deliverers; 

 but the natives foon difcovering that the objeft of every Eu- 



ropeafi 



