t 2000
rix-dollars but to my great disappointment no one offered to purchase
before the auctioneer had lowered the demand to 295 rix-dollars, for
which price she was sold, the purchaser being an Englishman, Captain John
Eddie, who commanded an English ship from Bengal. If no strangers had
been present at the sale I imagine they would have let her run down to
200 dollars, in which case I should have had no alternative.

The launch likewise was sold. The services she had rendered us made me
feel great reluctance at parting with her; which I would not have done if
I could have found a convenient opportunity of getting her conveyed to
Europe.

Little as the schooner had sold for I found I was in danger of having the
sum lessened; for the Sabandar informed me that by an order of the
council there was a duty on the sale of all vessels. With this demand I
would by no means comply for I thought I had sufficiently suffered in
sustaining a loss of 705 rix-dollars out of 1000 by the purchase and sale
of the vessel, she having cost 1000 rix-dollars.

This day Thomas Hall, whom I had sent to be taken care of at the
hospital, died. He had been ill of a flux from the time of our arrival at
Timor.

Monday 12.

I agreed with the captain of the packet for a passage to Europe for
myself, my clerk, and a servant. The Sabandar informed me it was
necessary that my officers and people should be examined before a notary
respecting the loss of the Bounty, as otherwise the governor and council
were not legally authorised to detain her if she should be found in any
of the Dutch settlements. They were therefore at my desire examined, and
afterwards made affidavit before the governor and council at the
Stadthouse.

My officers complaining to me of the unreasonableness of some tradesmen's
bills I spoke to the Sabandar. A bill of 51 dollars for five hats he
reduced to 30 dollars and in other articles made proportionable
deductions.

Paper money is the currency of Batavia and is so understood in all
bargains. At this time paper was at 28 per cent discount: there is
likewise a difference in the value of the ducatoon which at Batavia is 80
stivers and in Holland only 63 stivers: this occasions a loss of 21 1/4
per cent on remittance of money. It therefore follows that if any person
at Batavia remits money by bills of exchange to Europe they lose by the
discount and the exchange 49 1/4 per cent.

Those who have accounts to pay and can give une