MALAY BOATMEN. 365 



of Holland, freights were difficult to be pro- 

 cured, although a large quantity of produce 

 remained for shipment ; but the owners were 

 afraid to ship until news of a more settled state 

 of European affairs arrived. Flour was scarce, 

 and maintained a high price at Batavia. Malay 

 boatmen are employed for ships' boats in prefer- 

 ence to the crew of the vessels, as the boat has to 

 be tracked up the river, by which the Europeans 

 would suffer much exposure to the sun. The na- 

 tives, thus employed, are also spies of the custom- 

 house, and are ever on the watch, when un- 



journals, and was copied into most of the India papers : — " A 

 passenger who came round from Batavia has favoured us with 

 the following intelligence relative to the Dutch squadron, &c. 

 In Batavia roads there were— one line-of-battle ship, mount- 

 ing sixty guns ; three large frigates ; four brigs and smaller 

 vessels of war, all well armed and manned. In the canal 

 there were — twenty gun-boats, mounting two long brass guns 

 each. All the troops were marching in from the interior, 

 and the fortifications were placed in a complete state of de- 

 fence. A large frigate was lying at Sourabaya, well manned 

 and armed. If the Dutch should determine on making repri- 

 sals, a few days sail would take them to Lintin, where they 

 might seize British property to an immense amount." 



A very kind hint ! deserving the thanks of the Dutch Go- 

 vernment; for the capture would have been easy, the loss of 

 British property great, being without a vessel of war to pro- 

 tect them. This is the way British affairs are conducted in 

 the east. 



