Page:Voyage in search of La Perouse, volume 2 (Stockdale).djvu/400

338 indemnification, which the greater part make themselves, by raising contributions upon the natives to a much greater amount than what they have to deliver into the magazines of the Company, the surplus of which they appropriate to their own profit.

The Chinese are almost the only persons employed here in the cultivation of sugar. They scarcely make any other than sugar-candy, which they are not allowed to sell, except to the Governor, who purchases it on the Company's account; but frequently he compels these unfortunate Chinese to sell it him at half the price which he makes the Company pay for it, though even they buy it at a comparatively low rate.

The contributions which the Governors receive in specie, are likewise a great source of profit to them, as they keep this money in their own hands, and pay the amount to the Company in paper. During my stay in Java, their emoluments in this way amounted to twenty per cent.

The nomination of the natives to different offices, is likewise a source from whence the Governors and Residents derive great profits.

On the 2d of September we anchored in the roadstead of Batavia.

4th. After we had remained two days on board, the Commandant of the roadstead conducted us