1846.] INDEPENDENCE OF THE OFFICER. 109 



or any further communication upon the subject, which I 

 should refer to superior authority. I begged, however, 

 to remind him, that as Great Britain invariably extended 

 her courtesy to all foreign Flags visiting her ports, I 

 thought that her ships of war were at least entitled to 

 the ordinary courtesy of civilized nations, especially from 

 one supposed to be in amity. Independent of this, I 

 considered that the letter of the Governor General war- 

 ranted me in asking for any assistance I might require 

 in any part within his jurisdiction, without reference to 

 the very simple request of the Governor of Samboanga." 



The Officer attempted to explain his independent posi- 

 tion, and tendered assistance on his own part, or to 

 further my wishes in any way, but as these explanations 

 involved discussions, which it was my duty to avoid, I 

 resolutely declined further intercourse, obtaining from 

 the military all the assistance which I required. As the 

 state of the Comandante appeared to be so serious, as 

 to require immediate assistance, I lost no time in return- 

 ing to the ship and forwarding one of our medical staff. 



The Fort of Pasanhan is situated about forty feet above 

 the sea level, and by clearing away the trees intervening, 

 commands the two entrances on the east and west of the 

 Island of Malavi. The interior accommodation within 

 the fort is intended to provide for a garrison of sixty, and 

 as the natives continue to be troublesome, cutting off any 

 who may stray beyond the picquets, it is probable that 

 the houses exterior to the fort will not begin to accumu- 

 late until great progress has been made in clearing the 

 thick woods which still hang upon its rear. Fresh water 

 is scarce, but this important treasure was discovered not 



