18.32.] 
ISLAND OF JAVA. 
267 
common people, of dangerous and what were then considered 
fatal disorders. This gained them a reputation for superior and 
supernatural attainments, which furthered their missionary projects 
to the extent of their wishes. 
About the year fourteen hundred and twelve, according to the 
Javan records, a considerable number of Chinese emigrants ob- 
tained a settlement in the island. Mild and inoffensive in their 
manners, and backward to resent acts of oppression, they were 
subject to many restrictions and exactions from which the natives 
were exempt. They often intermarried with the Javans, how- 
ever, and thus introduced a mixed breed, which are called by the 
Dutch Pernakans. The Chinese still remained distinct from the 
natives, from whom they were distinguished by being more intel- 
ligent, more laborious, and more luxurious. They were, in fact, 
the life and soul of the commerce of the country. The Malays 
obtained a footing much earlier than the Chinese, though we can- 
not refer to the exact date. They were from the Malayan pen- 
insula, which was then overrun with pirates and Arabian free- 
booters. These were viewed as honourable occupations, worthy 
of being followed by young princes and ijobles. No wonder that 
their descendants are fond of navigation, war, plunder, emigra- 
tion, adventures, and gallantry ; talk incessantly of their honour 
and bravery, while in their habits and conduct they are the most 
treacherous and ferocious people on the face of the globe. 
After the Portuguese had discovered a new route to India, by 
the Cape of Good Hope, they soon visited all the principal islands 
of the Indian Archipelago, for the ostensible purpose of opening 
a commercial intercourse with the inhabitants, but with the ulterior 
view of obtaining territorial jurisdiction for their sovereign in the 
east. Success attended their measures, though blood and deso- 
lation too often tracked their progress. In fifteen hundred and 
eleven, the enterprising and victorious Alphonso de Albuquerque, 
having conquered the city of Malacca, on the western coast of 
the Malay peninsula, opposite Sumatra, which island he had pre- 
viously visited, sent envoys to announce to such islanders as had 
been in the habit of trading with Malacca, inviting them to con- 
tinue their intercourse, and making liberal promises of encourage- 
ment and fair dealing. To Java he sent Antonio de Abrew, who 
landed, it is supposed, at Gresik, on the northeast coast, in the 
