d have yellow complexions, with good features, and are of
brisk and active dispositions: But are naturally thieves, traitors,
and murderers to such a degree, that it is not safe for an European to
venture beyond the walls of the fort after dark, or to travel at any
time far into the country, lest he be robbed and murdered. Yet many of
the natives live under the protection of the Dutch forts, being
free burgesses, who carry on considerable trade. There are also a
considerable number of Chinese residents, who sail from hence in
vessels of their own to all parts of the company's dominions, and who
acquire immense wealth by means of extensive commerce.

The inland country is under the dominion of three different princes,
who, fortunately for the Dutch, are in continual opposition to each
other; for, if united, they might easily drive the Dutch from the
island. One of these princes is styled the _Company's King_, as
he lives in good correspondence with the Dutch, and promotes their
interest as far as he can. On this account the Dutch make him presents
of considerable value from time to time, such as gold chains, golden
coronets set with precious stones, and the like, in order to keep him
steady in his allegiance, and to prevent him from uniting with the
other two princes of the island. Some little time before the arrival
of Roggewein at Batavia, a rich gold-mine was discovered in Celebes,
to which a director and a great number of workmen were sent from
Batavia; but how far this has been attended with success, our author
was unable to say.

_Ternate_ is the fifth government at the disposal of the company, and
the farthest east of all belonging to the Dutch dominions in India, so
that it is a kind of frontier. The governor is always a merchant, and
has a council, like all the others already mentioned. This is one of
the largest of the Molucca islands, and the king of Ternate is the
most valuable of all the allies of the company; as, although his
island would abound in cloves, he causes them to be rooted out
annually, for which the company allows him a pension of eighteen
or twenty thousand rix dollars yearly. He has likewise a numerous
life-guard, with a very strong fort well garrisoned, all at the
expence of the company. The kings of Tidore and Bachian are his
tributaries. Ternate is very fertile, and abounds in all sorts of
provisions, and in every thing that can contribute to the ease and
happiness of life, yet its commer