As it is possible that, in the many severe- strictures passed, in the
Course of this .work, upon the Dutch Administration in Java, some
of the observations may, for want of a careful restriction in the
words employed, appear to extend to the Dutch nation and character
generally, I think it proper explicitly to declare, that such, observations
are intended exclusively to apply to the Colonial Government
aud its Officers. The orders pf the Dutch Government in Holland
to the Authorities at Batavia, as far as my information extends,
breathe a spirit of liberality and benevolence; and I have reason to
believe, that the tyranny and rapacity, of its colonial officers, created
no less indignation in Holland than in other countries of Europe.
Bor such, and all other inaccuracies, as well as for the defects of
style and arrangement which may appear in this work,, an. apology
is necess 'y; and in the circumstances .under which it has been
prepared, it is hoped, that an admissable one will be found. While
in the active discharge of the severe and responsible duties ;of an
extensive government, it was not in my power to devote much time
to the subject: the most that I could do, was to encourage the exertions
o f others,* and to collect in a crude state such new or interesting
matter as fell under my personal observation. I quitted Java in
the month of March in last year : on the twelve months that have
b since