Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
of any new or systematic cultivation is almost impossible, except by the despotic orders of
chiefs whom they have been accustomed to obey, as children obey their parents. The free
competition of European traders, however, introduces two powerful inducements to exer-
tion. Spirits or opium is a temptation too strong for most savages to resist, and to obtain
these he will sell whatever he has, and will work to get more. Another temptation he cannot
resist, is goods on credit. The trader offers him gay cloths, knives, gongs, guns, and gun-
powder, to be paid for by some crop perhaps not yet planted, or some product yet in the
forest. He has not sufficient forethought to take only a moderate quantity, and not enough
energy to work early and late in order to get out of debt; and the consequence is that he ac-
cumulates debt upon debt, and often remains for years, or for life, a debtor and almost a
slave. This is a state of things which occurs very largely in every part of the world in which
men of a superior race freely trade with men of a lower race. It extends trade no doubt for a
time, but it demoralizes the native, checks true civilization, and does not lead to any per-
manent increase in the wealth of the country; so that the European government of such a
country must be carried on at a loss.
The system introduced by the Dutch was to induce the people, through their chiefs, to
give a portion of their time to the cultivation of coffee, sugar, and other valuable products. A
fixed rate of wages—low indeed, but about equal to that of all places where European com-
petition has not artificially raised it—was paid to the labourers engaged in clearing the
ground and forming the plantations under Government superintendence. The produce is sold
to the Government at a low fixed price. Out of the net profits a percentage goes to the
chiefs, and the remainder is divided among the workmen. This surplus in good years is
something considerable. On the whole, the people are well fed and decently clothed; and
have acquired habits of steady industry and the art of scientific cultivation, which must be of
service to them in the future. It must be remembered, that the Government expended capital
for years before any return was obtained; and if they now derive a large revenue, it is in a
way which is far less burthensome, and far more beneficial to the people, than any tax that
could be levied.
But although the system may be a good one, and as well adapted to the development of
arts and industry in a half-civilized people, as it is to the material advantage of the govern-
ing country, it is not pretended that in practice it is perfectly carried out. The oppressive and
servile relations between chiefs and people, which have continued for perhaps a thousand
years, cannot be at once abolished; and some evil must result from those relations, till the
spread of education and the gradual infusion of European blood causes it naturally and in-
sensibly to disappear. It is said that the Residents, desirous of showing a large increase in the
