Page:Max Havelaar; or, the Coffee Auctions of the Dutch Trading Company (IA dli.granth.77827).pdf/397



observe that this missive contained a proposal to remove the Regent before the investigation, and previously to make his adherents harmless; and at the same time that I believe myself to be no further responsible for what I advanced, than so far as you may be pleased to agree to my proposition as regards the manner of investigation—that it should be impartial, open, and above all,.

“This liberty cannot exist before the removal of the Regent; and according to my humble opinion, there is nothing dangerous in that; as he can be told that accuse him and suspect him, that  am in danger, and not, in the event of his innocence being established:—for I myself am of opinion that I ought to be dismissed, if it shall appear that  have acted precipitately or rashly.

“Precipitately After of abuses!

“Rashly as if an honest man could sleep, and live, and enjoy, while, over whose welfare he is called upon to watch, who are in the highest sense his , suffer extortion and injustice!

“I have been here, it is true, but a short time. I hope, however, that the question will for once be, what has been done, if anything has been well done, and not whether it has been done in too short a time. For me, every moment is too long, when characterized by extortion and oppression, and every second weighs heavy on me that is passed in misery by negligence, by  ‘spirit of arranging.’