Series 03: Joseph Banks - Endeavour journal, 25 August 1768 - 12 July 1771 (vol. 2) - No. 0442
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[Page 442]
338.
Savu
Steerd from thence towards that which we were now upon in case such ship was to touch there in any distress she was to be supplied with what she wanted but was not to be allowd to make any stay more than was necessary & was particularly requird not to make any large presents to the inferior People or to Leave any with the Principal ones to be distributed among them after they she was gone this we were told did not at all extend to the Beads or small peices of cloth which we gave the Natives in return for their small civilities as bringing us palm wine &c. Some of our Gentlemen were of opinion that the whole of this Letter was an imposition but whether it was or not I shall not take upon myself to determine
In the Evening we had intelligence from our trading place that No Buffelloes or hogs had been brought down a few sheep only which were taken away before our people who had sent for money could procure it some few fouls however were bought & a large quantity of a kind of Syrup made from the Juice of the palm tree which tho infinitely superior to melasses or treacle sold at
a very small price. We complaind to Mynheer Lange. He said that as we had not ourselves been down upon the Beach the Natives were afraid to take money of any one else least it should be false. On this the Captn went immediately down but could see no cattle. While he was gone Mr Lange complaind that our people had yet offerd no gold for any thing; this he said the Islanders were displeasd at who had expected to have gold for their stock.
20. In the morning early the Captn went ashore himself to purchase Buffeloes. He was shewn two, one of which they valued at five guineas the other a musquet; he offerd 3 guineas for the one and sent for a musquet to give for the other. The money was flatly refus'd and before the Musquet could be brought off Dr Solander, who had been up at the town in order to speak to Mr Lange, returnd followd by 86 Spearmen and 20 musqueteers sent by the King to tell us that this day and no more would be allowd us to trade, after which we must be gone. This was the message that Dr Solander had from the Radja by Mr Lange's interpretation, but a Portugese Indian who came from Timor, probably