James Cook - A Journal of the proceedings of His Majesty's Bark Endeavour on a voyage round the world, by Lieutenant James Cook, Commander, commencing the 25th of May 1768 - 23 Oct. 1770: No. 340

From New Guinea to Batavia

Septr. 1770
up to the Village where the Colours where hoisted last night. sometime after this I received a Message from him acquainting me that he was then with the King of the Island who had told him that he could not supply us with anything without leave from the Dutch Governor who resided at another part of the Island, but that he had sent to acquaint him of our Arrival & request ~ 

Wednesday 19th  At 2 PM the Dutch Governor & King of this part of the Island wh. his attendance came onbd. with Mr Gore (he having left 2 Gentlemen ashore as Hostages) we entertained them at Dinner in the best manner we could, gave them plenty of good Liquor, made them some considerable Presents & at their going away Saluted them with 9 Guns. In return for these favours they made many fair Promises that we should be immediately supplied with everything we wanted at the same price the Dutch East India Company had it, & that in the morning Buffaloes, Hogs, Sheep &ct. should be down on the beach for us to look at & agree upon a Price. I was not at all at a loss for Interpreters for both Dr Solander & Mr Sporing understood Dutch enough to keep up a Conversation with the Dutchman & several of the Natives could speak Portuguese which language 2 or 3 of my People understood.
In the morning I went onshore accompanied by Mr Banks & several of the Officers & Gentlemen to return the Kings Visit, but my Chief Business was to see how well they would Perform their Promises in regard to the things I wanted. We had not been long ashore before we found that they had promised more than they ever intended to Perform, for instead of finding Buffaloes upon the beach we did not so much as see one or the least preparations making for bringing any down either by the Dutch Factor or the King, the former pretended he had been very ill all night & told us that he had had a letter from the Governor of Concordia in Timor acquainting him that a Ship (meaning us) had lately passed that Island & that if she should touch at this & be in want of anything he was to supply her, but he was not to suffer her to make any stay, nor to distribute, or leave behind her to be distributed any valuable presents to the inferior Natives. this we look'd upon to be Afection that hardly answer'd any purpose unless it was leting us see how the Dutch had insinuated themselves into favour with these people which never could be his intention, however both he & the King still promised we should have what we wanted, but pretended the Buffaloes were far in the Country & could not be brot. down before night with these excuses we were obliged to be satisfied. the King gave us a dinner of boil'd Pork & Rice served up in Baskets after their manner & Palm wine to drink with this & some of our own Liquor we fair'd Tolerable well, after we had dined our Servts. were called in to partake of what remain'd which was more that they could Eat.

Thursday 20th  We stay'd at the Kings Pallace all the Afternoon & at last were obliged to return