Page:History of the Indian Archipelago Vol 3.djvu/241

 EUROPEAN NATIONS. 225 points out at once the odium in which the Company was held, the jealousy of the people of Borneo of all political interference, and their desire for a free trade, especially with the inhabitants of this coun- try. The re-establishment of the factory was found utterly impracticable ; but the two ships under the orders of Captain Beeckman succeeded in obtaining complete cargoes by the stratagem of the parties Jeigni?ig themseh-es to Oe private traders unconnect- ed with the Company. The success in this respect ap- pears to have been principally owing to the extraor- dinary address of Captain Beeckman, and his most conciliatory conduct towards the natives. " After," says he, " we had cast anchor, we espied a small praiso or boat under the shore ; we sent, in a very civil manner, to the persons that were in it, and entreated them to come on board. We lay then with our English colours flying, at which they were much surprised, knowing how se- verely they had used our countrymen when last among them. However, partly through fear, and partly through our kind invitation, they came on board. They were very poor-looked creatures, that had been at Tomhorneo, and had been return- ing to Tatas. We expressed all the civility ima- ginable towards them, gave them some small pre- sents, and desired they would acquaint their king or grandees in the countiy, that there were two VOL. III. p