Series 03: Joseph Banks - Endeavour journal, 25 August 1768 - 12 July 1771 (vol. 2) - No. 0450
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[Page 450]
346
Some account of Savu
when Mr Parkinson boasted of the knowledge he had got of these people certainly having a knowledge of the spices as they had in language names for them.
I shall proceed now to give such an account of the Island as I could get together during our short stay which short as it was was so taken up with procuring refreshments in which occupation every one was obligd to exert himself that very little I confess is from my own observation almost every thing is gatherd from the Conversation of Mr Lange who at first & last was very free & open & I am inclind to beleive did not deceive us in what he told us how much soever he migh conceal
[Margin note] peaceable]
except perhaps in the strengh & warlike disposition of the Islanders which account seems to contradict itself as one can hardly imagine those people to be of a warlike disposition who have continued in peace time out of mind as for the other Islands in this neighbourhood his information alone was all we had to go upon I would not however neglect to set it down tho in general it was of little more consequence than to confirm the policy of the duch in confining their spices to particular Isles which being full of them cannot furnish themselves with provisions