79 
from committing their atrocities by a dread that Mr. 
Deighton would i-eport the circumstance to the govern- 
raent of the Moluccas. The articles obtained by the 
traders are chiefly trepang^Qx sea-slug ; tortoise-shell, which 
is of excellent quality ; massoij and other odoriferous barks ; 
and mother-of-pearl shell ; the articles given iJi exchange 
being blue and red cahcOj sarongs or Dative cloths, brass 
Vt'iTG, parangs or chopping-knives, china cups and basins, 
and diflfercut kiads of hardivarc. The produce is chiefly 
adapted for the markets of China, and a considerable 
portion finds its way to Macassar and Singapore, whence 
a direct trade is carried on with that empire. 
Native Character arid Disposition. — It is a sin- 
gular fact, that whenever civilized man is brought into 
friendly comm'unication with savages, the disgust which 
naturally arises from the first glance at a state of society 
so obnoxious to his sense of pmprietyj disappears before 
a closer acquaintance, and he leama to regard their 
little delinquencies as he would those of children ; — wliDe 
their kindhness of disposition and natural good qualities 
are placed on the credit side of their account. It becomes 
necessary to enter into these particulars ^ in order to explain 
the origin of the highly favourable statements respecting 
the Papuan character and disposition made by Captain 
Forrest and Mr. Bruiju Kops, both of whom were so 
cautious, and, it may be added, humancj as to bring their 
long visits to a close without a rypture with the natives. 
On the other hand, those whose communications with the 
Papuans have been of a hostile nature, become so impressed 
with the savage, wild-bcast-Iike, cnnning and ferocity of 
their attacks, that they cannot believe that the same people 
