EAST INDIAN GOVERNMENT. 167 



fectly acquainted with the subject, while I was in the 

 island. I have also received some valuable infor- 

 mation since my return home from a gentleman 

 whose name I wish I was at liberty to mention, and 

 thus publicly acknowledge my obligations to him. 



In the first place, as regards the home government 

 of Holland, it appears that the middle and lower 

 classes of the Dutch people are but poorly repre- 

 sented in the chambers. This aristocratic consti- 

 tution of the Dutch Government at home gives to 

 its Colonial department an almost purely arbitrary 

 or despotic character. The East Indian dominions 

 of Holland are ruled over by a Governor-general 

 and a Council. The Council is composed of four 

 members and a vice-president, the Governor himself 

 being president : it can, however, only offer advice, 

 has no power of its own, and the Governor can, if 

 he please, act quite independently of, and totally con- 

 trary to, the advice of his council. The Colonial 

 Minister of Holland is, of course, ostensibly respon- 

 sible to the Chambers, and it is from him that the 

 Governor-General receives his orders. I believe, 

 however, that this responsibility is almost a nullity, 

 and that, virtually, the King of Holland is the ab- 

 solute monarch of his East Indian dominions. 



There is another body, which, although not part 

 of the Government of the Netherlands East Indies, 

 must, from its nature, have great influence and 

 power there, so great indeed that it seems to be 

 principally for its benefit that the Government is 



