the people would cheerfully pay, and
his territory ruined, this host of useless retainers (acting always
in his name) gain but very slight personal profits to counterbalance
all the mischief they do.

"The principal feature is the weakness of the governments, both of the
capital and its dependencies; and in consequence of this weakness there
is a strong desire for European protection, for European enterprise,
and for any change effected by Europeans. Supposing Labuan to be
taken as a naval post, I consider that European capital might with
safety be employed in Bruni.

"In the rivers contiguous to Sarawak the presence of Europeans would
be hailed with joy, not only by the Dyaks, but by the Malays; and
subsequently it would depend on their own conduct to what degree they
retained the good-will of the natives; but with ordinary conciliation,
and a decent moral restraint on their actions, I feel assured that
their persons and property would be safe, and no obstruction offered
to fair trade or to mining operations.

"Supposing, as I have before said, the occupation of Labuan by the
English, our influence over the government of Bruni would be complete;
and one of our principal objects would be to maintain this ascendency,
as a means of extending our trade.

"Our position at Labuan would, it must be borne in mind, differ
from the position we occupied in relation to the native princes
in Singapore. In the latter case, the native princes were without
means, without followers, and with a paltry and useless territory,
and became our pensioners. In the case of Labuan, we shall have an
acknowledged independent state in our vicinity; and for the prosperity
of our settlement we must retain our ascendency by the support of
the government of Muda Hassim. Let our influence be of the mildest
kind; let us, by supporting the legitimate government, ameliorate the
condition of the people by this influence; let us pay every honor to
the native princes; let us convince them of our entire freedom from all
selfish views of territorial aggrandizement on the mainland of Borneo,
and we shall enjoy so entire a confidence that virtually the coast
will become our own without the trouble or expense of possession. I
have impressed it on the Rajah Muda Hassim and Pangeran Budrudeen,
that the readiest and most direct way of obtaining revenues from their
various possessions will be by commuting all their demands for a stated
yearly sum of money from ea