Page:Max Havelaar; or, the Coffee Auctions of the Dutch Trading Company (IA dli.granth.77827).pdf/394



cerned from his perversity, felt myself obliged by my official oath to the Regent of Lebak of abuse of power, and to add that I  him of extortion. I have taken the liberty to propose to you in that letter, to summon that native chief to Serang, in order to examine after his departure, and after the corrupting influence of his extensive family had been neutralized, whether my accusation and suspicion were well founded.

“Long, or to speak more accurately, much have I reflected before determining upon this.

“I took care to let you know that I have endeavoured, by exhortation and threats, to save the old Regent from misfortune and shame, and myself from the deep regret of having been the immediate cause of his troubles.

“But on the other hand, I saw the population. I thought of the necessity of an example—for report to you ,—if, at least  affair, by its reaction makes no end of them,—and, I repeat it,, I did what I thought to be my duty.

“I have just received your kind and esteemed private letter communicating that you will come here to-morrow, and at the same time a hint that I ought to have treated this affair privately at first. To-morrow I shall therefore have the honour to see you, and it is exactly on that account that I have taken the liberty to send you this