chap, xtii.] THE CULTIVATION SYSTEM. 401 



intelligence of the race have made their progress rapid ; and 

 how important this is, is well illustrated by the fact, that in 

 the immediate vicinity of the town of Menado are a tribe 

 called Banteks, of a much less tractable disposition, who 

 have hitherto resisted all efforts of the Dutch Government 

 to induce them to adopt any systematic cultivation. These 

 remain in a ruder condition, but engage themselves will- 

 ingly as occasional porters and labourers, for which their 

 greater strength and activity well adapt them. 



No doubt the system here sketched, seems open to serious 

 objection. It is to a certain extent despotic, and interferes 

 with free trade, free labour, and free communication. A 

 native cannot leave his village without a pass, and cannot 

 engage himself to any merchant or captain without a 

 Government permit. The coffee has all to be sold to 

 Government, at less than half the price that the local 

 merchant would give for it, and he consequently cries out 

 loudly against "monopoly" and "oppression." He forgets, 

 however, that the coffee plantations were established by 

 the Government at great outlay of capital and skill ; that 

 it gives free education to the people, and that the monopoly 

 is in lieu of taxation. He forgets that the product he 

 wants to purchase and make a profit by, is the creation of 

 the Government, without whom the people would still be 

 savages. He knows very well that free trade would, as 

 its first result, lead to the importation of whole cargoes of 



vol. I. b D 



