176 MR. BROOKE'S MOTIVES. [1846. 



motives resulting from ignorance on their part, may cause 

 difficulties not easily removed. During my first visit to 

 Mr. Brooke, at Sarawak, in 1843, he very kindly lent 

 me for perusal several papers, penned in 1838, connected 

 with his original intentions in taking a voyage to the 

 Eastern Archipelago, and as they bear, in a most remark- 

 able manner upon our present relations in Borneo, as 

 well as the mission in question, I now, with his permis- 

 sion, introduce them. 



" Whatever difference of opinion may exist, or what- 

 ever degree of credit may be due to the views which 1 

 have recommended, there can be no doubt of the future 

 advance of our commercial interests in the Archipelago, 

 and a previous acquaintance will therefore greatly facili- 

 tate the result, and must, in all probability, tend to a 

 more just appreciation of these highly interesting 

 countries; for when public attention be once aroused, 

 and a stimulus given to inquiry, it cannot fail in fully 

 developing the resources, and exhausting the mine which 

 has hitherto been left to the weak and casual efforts of 

 individual assertion. It has been remarked by Mr. 

 Farquhar, that the indifference of the British Govern- 

 ment must have originated solely from the want of infor- 

 mation, or incorrectness of knowledge, since it is not im- 

 probable, that the riches of Sumatra and Borneo are 

 equal to those of Brazil and New Spain. The lapse of 

 years has by no means weakened the force of this obser- 

 vation, for Borneo, Celebes, and, indeed, the greater 

 portion of these islands are still unknown, and the Go- 

 vernment is no less indifferent now to these countries, 

 equal in riches, and superior in commercial advantages, 

 to the New World. 



