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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Letters on the Nicobar islands, their
+natural productions, and the manners, customs, and superstitions of the natives, by John Gottfried Haensel
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Letters on the Nicobar islands, their natural productions, and the manners, customs, and superstitions of the natives
+       with an account of an attempt made by the Church of the
+       United Brethren, to convert them to Christianity
+
+Author: John Gottfried Haensel
+
+Editor: Christian Ignatius Latrobe
+
+Release Date: October 5, 2008 [EBook #26781]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LETTERS ON NICOBAR ISLANDS ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by The Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
+https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images
+generously made available by The Internet Archive/American
+Libraries.)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+LETTERS
+
+ON
+
+THE NICOBAR ISLANDS,
+
+THEIR NATURAL PRODUCTIONS,
+
+AND
+
+_The Manners, Customs, and Superstitions of the_
+
+NATIVES;
+
+With an Account of an Attempt made by
+
+THE CHURCH OF THE UNITED BRETHREN,
+
+TO CONVERT THEM TO
+
+CHRISTIANITY.
+
+
+Addressed by
+
+_THE REV. JOHN GOTTFRIED HAENSEL,_
+
+(_The only surviving Missionary_)
+
+
+TO
+
+THE REV. C. I. LATROBE.
+
+
+_LONDON_:
+
+PRINTED FOR THE EDITOR, NO. 10, NEVIL'S COURT, FETTER LANE,
+BY W. McDOWALL, PEMBERTON ROW.
+
+AND SOLD BY
+
+HATCHARD, 190, PICCADILLY; L. B. SEELEY, 169, FLEET STREET;
+JOHN LE FEBVRE, CHAPEL PLACE, NEVIL'S COURT;
+BINNS AND HAZARD, CHEAP STREET, BATH;
+AND MARTIN KEENE, DUBLIN,
+
+1812.
+
+
+
+
+TO
+
+_William Wilberforce, Esq. M.P._
+
+&c. &c. &c.
+
+
+DEAR SIR,
+
+Your obliging inquiries concerning the attempt made by the Church of
+the United Brethren, to establish a mission in the Nicobar Islands, I
+have not been able hitherto to answer as fully as I wished, the
+documents in my possession being few and unconnected, and a reference
+to Crantz's History of the Brethren, p. 504 and 614, furnishing but a
+short notice of the commencement of that undertaking. The difficulty
+attending our correspondence with our Brethren on the Continent, has
+likewise so much increased, that I cannot expect to be soon supplied
+with more detailed accounts from our archives; and the continuation of
+Crantz's History, in which a concise report of the progress of the
+mission is inserted, is not translated into English. I was glad
+therefore unexpectedly to meet with an opportunity of conversing with
+John Gottfried Haensel, a missionary from St. Thomas in the West
+Indies, who was formerly employed in the Nicobar mission, and resided
+for seven years in the island of Nancauwery. This worthy veteran has
+spent eighteen years in the East, and seventeen in the West Indies, and
+altogether thirty-eight years in the service of the Brethren's
+missions; yet by God's blessing, after suffering numberless hardships
+and dangerous illnesses, at the age of sixty-three he remains a most
+active, cheerful, and zealous labourer in the Lord's vineyard.
+
+In the course of our frequent conversations on various subjects,
+relating to the occurrences of his past life, he interspersed so many
+curious and interesting particulars concerning his residence in the
+Nicobar Islands; that I could not help requesting him to commit them to
+writing, as they might occur to his recollection. This he very
+obligingly consented to do; and though, by my particular desire, he did
+not study to make out a complete history, the labour and formality of
+which might have suppressed, in a great degree, the liveliness of his
+manner, but left the arrangement of the subjects to me; yet I am of
+opinion, that you will read what he has written with pleasure, and
+esteem these fragments worthy of preservation. Many of your questions
+will be pretty satisfactorily answered by them, and I have therefore
+translated them for your perusal. They exhibit a degree of patience and
+perseverance in the prosecution of missionary labours, in hope against
+hope, such as has hardly been exceeded in our Greenland and North
+American missions, with the history of which you are acquainted.
+
+The mission of the United Brethren in the Nicobar Islands, was
+undertaken in the year 1758. A person of high rank at the court of
+Denmark, having intimated to the directors of the Brethren's missions,
+that it would give particular pleasure to the King, if some of their
+missionaries would settle on the Nicobar Islands, and endeavour to
+instruct the inhabitants in the principles of the Christian religion;
+they resolved to comply with his Majesty's wishes.
+
+A commercial establishment had been formed on these islands in 1756,
+when the name of Frederic's Islands was given to them; but the first
+attempt miscarried, and almost all the colonists sent thither from
+Tranquebar, soon died. The Brethren, however, were not discouraged.
+After some negociation with the Danish Asiatic company, having obtained
+an edict, granting them necessary privileges to preach the gospel to
+the heathen, and to maintain their own church-discipline and worship,
+they agreed to begin the work, and several Brethren offered themselves
+for this service. The names of the first missionaries were George John
+Stahlman, Adam Gottlieb Voelcker, and Christopher Butler. They arrived
+July 2, 1760, at Tranquebar, and were received by the Governor and all
+the inhabitants, with much cordiality.
+
+As an establishment on the coast of Coromandel, was found indispensably
+necessary to support the new mission, they bought a piece of ground,
+about a mile from Tranquebar, built a house, with out-houses and
+work-shops, and maintained themselves by their several trades. This
+settlement was called _The Brethren's Garden_.
+
+A second company followed them in the same year. According to
+directions given by the Brethren in Europe, they carefully avoided all
+interference with the worthy Lutheran missionaries residing at
+Tranquebar, by whose pious exertions many Malabars had been converted
+to Christianity.
+
+The Danish East India company, not being able to renew their settlement
+in the Nicobar islands as soon as was expected, offers were made to the
+Brethren by the English Governor of Bengal, to settle on the Ganges;
+but they resolved to wait with patience for an opportunity to prosecute
+their first plan, and obtain the original aim of their mission to the
+East Indies. This presented itself in 1768, when the Danish government
+formed a new establishment in the Nicobar islands. Six Brethren were
+immediately ready to go thither. They settled on Nancauwery.
+
+In 1769, several officers of the company, with a party of soldiers and
+black servants, arrived from Tranquebar, and brought with them a
+considerable quantity of merchandize. But they died so fast, that in
+1771 only two European soldiers, and four Malabar servants survived.
+This second failure deterred the company from repeating their attempt,
+and the project of establishing a factory in the Nicobar islands was
+abandoned. The four Brethren residing there were charged with the sale
+of the remaining goods, and experienced no small inconvenience and
+trouble from this commission.
+
+In 1773, however, a vessel was sent from Tranquebar, which relieved
+them, by taking back the articles of trade left on hand, and bringing
+them the provisions they wanted.
+
+As the means of thus supplying the missionaries with the necessaries of
+life, by uncertain communications with Tranquebar, were too precarious,
+the Brethren resolved to venture upon annually chartering a vessel for
+that purpose. Mr. Holford, an English gentleman, residing at
+Tranquebar, rendered them herein the most essential service. He joined
+them in fitting out a small ship, which arrived in 1775, with
+provisions, &c. at Nancauwery, and returned with the produce of the
+country; the sale of which, however, by no means repaid the expence
+attending the outfit. Mr. Holford, nevertheless, did not lose his
+courage. Another vessel was fitted out, and sailed in 1776, but having
+missed the entrance into the Nicobar islands, after long combating
+contrary winds and currents, she was obliged to cast anchor near
+Junkceylon, where she deposited her cargo. A third vessel had meanwhile
+set out for Nicobar, but was equally unsuccessful. Thus the
+difficulties attending the support of the settlement increasing, this
+and other causes, mentioned in the course of the following letters,
+occasioned the final abandonment of the mission in 1787.
+
+You will however perceive, that Mr. Haensel expresses an opinion
+concerning future attempts to preach the gospel to the natives of the
+Nicobar islands, which is by no means discouraging.
+
+With the sincerest esteem and gratitude for the many proofs you have
+given of your kind notice of the labours of the Church of the United
+Brethren among heathen nations,
+
+I remain ever,
+
+    Dear Sir,
+
+        Your most obliged,
+
+            and most faithful friend
+
+                and servant,
+
+                    _C. I. Latrobe._
+
+LONDON, _May_ 12, 1812.
+
+
+
+
+LETTERS
+
+ON
+
+THE NICOBAR ISLANDS.
+
+
+
+
+LETTER I.
+
+
+As you have desired me to repeat, in writing, the substance of our
+conversations respecting the Nicobar Islands, and the mission of the
+Brethren, begun there in 1758, in which I was employed from the year
+1779, till the attempt was relinquished in 1787; I will endeavour, as
+far as my recollection will enable me, to satisfy your wishes.
+
+The Nicobar Islands are situated at the entrance of the Bay of Bengal,
+in 8 deg. N. latitude, and 94 deg. 20" E. longitude, north of Sumatra.
+Nancauwery is one of the southernmost, and forms, with _Comarty_[1] to
+the north, a commodious harbour, sheltered to the eastward by a long,
+but narrow island, called _Tricut_, flat, and abounding in cocoa trees;
+and to the westward, by _Katsoll_, which is larger. Ships may ride here
+very safely.
+
+      [1] See Asiatic Researches, Vol. II. 344, III. 292, IV. 132, 328.
+      Rennel's Memoir, p. 40. Comarty is called Sampieri, in Mr.
+      Haensel's MSS. and Sombrero in a French chart.
+
+On the north-west point of Nancauwery, behind a low hill, and
+contiguous to the best landing-place, on a sandy beach, lay the
+missionary-settlement of the United Brethren, called by the natives,
+_Tripjet_, or the dwelling of friends, where I arrived in January 1779,
+in company of Brother Wangeman. On our passage hither we were driven by
+contrary winds to Queda, on the Malay coast. Here we immediately
+inquired for Captain Light, having often heard at Tranquebar, that he
+was well disposed towards the Brethren and their missions, of which he
+had received some account from Dr. Betschler. We were soon conducted to
+his dwelling, where we met with a most cordial reception. Being here
+without any other recommendation, his friendship and kindness proved
+most gratifying and useful to us. Never have I had it in my power to
+make any returns to this excellent man, for his disinterested favours,
+but I shall retain a never-ceasing remembrance of them in a thankful
+heart, and pray the Lord to bless and reward him. His wife was a Malay,
+and a relation of the King of Queda, a worthy woman, middle aged, of
+great urbanity of manners, and better informed than the generality of
+her nation. Her countenance was pleasing, she appeared friendly and
+good tempered, and rendered us many kind services, which will not go
+unrewarded.
+
+Captain Light expressed his great surprise, at the courage, or rather
+simplicity, with which I committed myself to the crew of a Malay boat.
+For as we had lost our boat, and the road in which ships come to an
+anchor off Queda is above two leagues from the shore, we were at a loss
+how to work into the harbour with our little schooner, without a pilot.
+A Malay palong passing, I hailed her, and asked the people whether they
+would take me on shore. They consented, and I went with them. On
+hearing this, Captain Light observed, that though he was able to speak
+their language, and accustomed to their manners, he should not venture
+to trust himself alone with them, on account of their treacherous
+character. I replied, "that I never thought of being afraid of any one,
+to whom I had done no harm." This speech he used to quote, but
+observed, that among these people I might find myself mistaken.
+
+After our vessel had been brought in by Captain Light's good offices,
+we were detained some time at Queda, which afforded me an opportunity
+of becoming a little acquainted with the town and the adjacent country.
+The inhabitants are chiefly Malays; but the right side of the river is
+inhabited by Siamese, Chinese, and a few Roman-catholic Christians. The
+Malays are all Mahometans, a false-hearted, cruel, and murderous race;
+so much so, that it is hardly safe for a stranger to suffer them to
+follow him, for fear of being slyly stabbed. When they are obliged to
+walk before others, they are suspicious and cowardly, and can hardly
+speak for fear. The frequent murders committed by them are all by a
+treacherous attack from behind. They consider themselves much better
+than their neighbours, and very righteous, because they _ought not_ to
+eat pork, or drink strong liquors. But they supply the want of the
+latter by taking great quantities of opium, which stupifies their
+senses. I saw one of their principal people, during a conversation with
+me, put three or four pills of opium, as large as a grey pea, into his
+mouth in the space of a quarter of an hour. They are exceedingly
+addicted to the vilest lusts, and have no sense of shame in gratifying
+their passions. Polygamy is common among them. Yet with all their
+vices, they like to brag of their having the true faith. The Chinese,
+though more industrious, are not more virtuous; and as to the so-called
+Christians, I will not judge them.
+
+About four or five leagues up the river, the King of Queda has his
+residence, in a mean-looking town called _Allessaar_. Many of the
+inhabitants are Chinese, who have here a large temple; the rest are
+Malays. The royal palace resembles a spacious farm-house and yard, with
+many low houses attached to it, which contain his haram. His own house
+is far from being magnificent, and it seemed to me, as if his whole
+dignity and state consisted merely in the number of his concubines.
+There is else no appearance of grandeur. I frequently made an excursion
+to this place.
+
+Being at last enabled to proceed, we set sail for Nancauwery. The
+Captain steered first for Pulo Penang, (now Prince of Wales island)
+pretending that he wanted fresh water; but he employed his Lascars
+chiefly to cut rattan[2], a plant used for rigging. We were glad at
+length to leave the Malay coast, where, except our cordial reception
+and hospitable entertainment in Captain Light's house, there was
+nothing that could be called pleasant, but rather our spirits were
+vexed, and daily mourned over the shocking state of mankind, without
+Christ and without God in the world.
+
+      [2] Calamus Rotang. Lin. Miller's Gard. Dictionary.
+
+We found at Nancauwery three Missionaries, Liebisch, Heyne, and
+Blaschke. The latter being very ill, returned to Tranquebar by the
+vessel which brought us hither, and soon departed this life. Not long
+after his return, Brother Liebisch fell sick and also departed. Our
+number was therefore reduced to three, and I was soon seized with so
+violent a fit of the seasoning fever, that my Brethren, expecting my
+immediate dissolution, commended me in prayer to the Lord, and took a
+final leave of me. After this transaction, I fell into a swoon, which
+being mistaken for death, I was removed from the bed, and already laid
+out as a corpse, when I awoke and inquired what they were doing, and
+why they wept? They told me, that, supposing me to be quite dead, they
+were preparing for my burial. My recovery was very slow; and indeed,
+during my whole residence in Nancauwery, I never regained perfect
+health.
+
+After the decease of the Brethren Wangeman and Liebisch, I was left
+alone with Brother Heyne. We were both ill, and suffered the want of
+many necessaries of life: but the Lord our Saviour did not forsake us;
+He strengthened our hearts, and comforted us by such a lively sense of
+His divine presence, that we were frequently filled with heavenly joy,
+during our daily prayers and meditations. We felt assured, that that
+God, who suffers not a sparrow to fall to the ground without His
+permission, would also care for us his poor children. This I have
+frequently and powerfully experienced, insomuch, that after seven years
+residence in Nancauwery, notwithstanding all the pain, trouble, and
+anxiety I was often subject to, I fall down at His feet with humble
+thanksgiving, and exclaim: The Lord hath done all things well, and I
+have lacked no good thing. Blessed be my God and Redeemer! Amen.
+
+
+
+
+LETTER II.
+
+
+The vessel sent to Nancauwery did not arrive till 1781, and brought a
+very small portion of provisions for our use, and neither wine, nor any
+other liquors whatever, the crew having expended the greater part of
+what was destined for us on their long voyage, and during a detention
+of four months at Queda, on the Malay coast. We were, however, happy to
+receive Brother Steinman, who was young, lively, and every way
+qualified for the service, so that we promised ourselves much
+assistance from him; but in less than a month after his arrival, it
+pleased the Lord to take him from us by death. You may suppose what we
+felt on being again left alone, in want of even the most necessary
+articles of subsistence. But the Lord yet helped us, gave us from day
+to day our daily bread, and in many heavy illnesses approved Himself as
+our best physician. Oh! how many thousand tears have I shed during that
+period of distress and trouble. I will not affirm that they were _all_
+of that kind, which I might, with David, pray the Lord "to put into his
+bottle," and ask, "are they not in thy book," for I was not yet fully
+acquainted with the ways of God with His people, and had not yet a
+heart wholly resigned to all His dealings. Oftentimes self-will,
+unbelief, and repining at our hard lot, was mixed with our complaints
+and cries unto Him. Do not therefore think them so very pure, and
+deserving of pity as they may seem. Thus much, however, I can truly
+say, that amidst it all, our Saviour was the object of our hearts'
+desire; and He beheld us with longsuffering and compassion.
+
+We were as diligent as our wretched circumstances would admit, in
+clearing land and planting, to obtain what we wanted for our support;
+and having only three negroes to cook, wash, and do other jobs, we
+frequently laboured beyond our strength, and brought upon ourselves
+various illnesses. But there seemed no help for it. At the same time we
+exerted ourselves to learn the Nicobar language, and in the best manner
+possible endeavoured to explain to the poor natives, the love of God in
+Christ Jesus, and the way of salvation through a crucified Saviour.
+
+Not till 1783, had we the satisfaction to see the Brethren J. Heinrich,
+Fleckner, and Raabs arrive to our assistance, in company of the mate of
+the vessel, with which they set sail from Tranquebar. While they were
+lying in the roads of Junkceylon, a French privateer came and claimed
+her as lawful prize, because, on searching her, he found a few old
+English newspapers in a trunk belonging to Mr. Wilson, an English
+gentleman on board, who had escaped from Hyder Ali's prison. This was
+pretence sufficient for a Frenchman to seize upon a neutral Danish
+vessel, nor could any redress be ever procured, to the great loss of
+the Mission. After long and vexatious detention, the mate and the three
+Brethren purchased a Malay prow, for 75 dollars, and stole off in the
+night; as the Malay prince would not suffer them to go. Thus we
+received, instead of our expected stock of provisions, only more mouths
+to feed. However, we rejoiced to see our dear fellow-missionaries, and
+did what we could for their relief. As the prow was unfit to go to sea
+without proper sails, those with which they arrived being nothing but
+old, rotten mats, we worked up our whole stock of linen and sailcloth,
+and even some of our sheets, and were ten days employed in making
+sails, and fitting her for the voyage. A black sailor was also
+procured, and the mate, with the Brethren Raabs and Heyne, left us for
+Tranquebar. I cannot describe my feelings, when I took a final leave of
+my dear Brother Heyne, with whom I had so long shared weal and woe,
+lived in true brotherly love and union of spirit, and enjoyed so much
+of our Lord's help and comfort, in days of perplexity and distress.
+
+The three following years of my stay were spent in fruitless attempts
+to preach the gospel to the natives, and the arrangements proposed and
+made by the new-comers, seemed all to fail. But I cannot help
+observing, that when we speak of the total failure of our endeavours to
+promote the conversion of the natives, we have cause, in a great
+degree, to blame ourselves. For my part, I must confess with humble
+shame, that I soon lost my faith and courage, brotherly love having
+ceased to prevail amongst us; for how can Missionaries speak, with
+effect, of the love of Jesus, and its fruits in the heart, when they
+themselves do not live in the enjoyment of it? It is true, our trials
+were great, and the prospect, in many respects, most gloomy; but we
+have seen in other instances, what the Lord can do, by removing
+obstacles, and giving strength to His servants, if they are one in
+spirit, pray and live together in unity, and prefer each other in love.
+This was too much wanting during the latter part of our abode in the
+Nicobar islands, and O that all Missionaries would remember, that
+brotherly love is the most precious jewel in a Mission; and that no
+sacrifice of one's own opinions and schemes is too great, to maintain
+it unbroken.
+
+Our external situation became more and more irksome, and we could
+scarcely procure the means of subsistence. My health had suffered so
+much by continual sickness, anxiety, and hard labour, (for the greater
+part of the management of affairs fell upon me), that I was apparently
+fast approaching my end; at the thoughts of which I rejoiced greatly,
+delivered my accounts, and all my concerns, into the hands of Brother
+J. Heinrich, looking forward with longing to be at rest with Jesus. I
+felt his comfort, pardon, and peace in my soul, and hoped, that every
+day would be my last. I had running sores on my legs, and a total
+obstruction, with tormenting pains in my bowels, and expected that
+mortification would soon take place, and put an end to my misery.
+Unexpectedly, a Danish vessel arrived in our harbour, on board of which
+was Brother Sixtus. He was commissioned to examine into the state of
+the Mission, and to bring home such as were still alive.
+
+A voyage seeming to offer the only hope for my recovery. I was conveyed
+on board, apparently in a dying state, and set sail the same day for
+Queda. During the voyage, the pain in my bowels was excruciating, and
+the motion of the ship afforded me no relief, insomuch, that I could
+bear no other posture than lying prostrate on deck. In this situation
+it occurred to me, that I had once read in Van Swieten's account of his
+cures, that he had found the plentiful use of honey beneficial in cases
+of obstruction. As soon, therefore, as we landed, I procured a
+sufficient quantity, and mixed it plentifully with my food and drink.
+My only nutriment indeed consisted of rice boiled in water, to which I
+added an equal quantity of honey, as also to all the water I drank,
+cold or warm, of which I took plenty, having a constant thirst upon me.
+Already, on the first day, it operated by sickness at my stomach, and
+frequent vomitings, which rendered its taste extremely nauseous, and
+unpleasant. But perceiving that it also relieved my principal
+complaint, I persevered, and experienced daily more of its salutary,
+cooling, and healing effects. As there is plenty of honey at Queda, I
+laid in a large stock for the voyage.
+
+Here I became acquainted with Mr. Scott, an English captain, who
+informed me that Captain Light was in Bengal, and had lost his wife by
+death. From hence we returned to Nancauwery, where I found that Brother
+Sixtus had departed this life, ten days after my leaving the island.
+Brother J. Heinrich accompanied me to Tranquebar, and Fleckner remained
+alone.
+
+When we arrived at Tranquebar, we represented to the governor, that it
+was necessary, that the vessel should immediately return for the relief
+of the Mission, to which he agreed; and Fleckner being re-called, the
+Brethren J. Heinrich, Rudolphi, and Soerensen, were sent thither in May
+1785. The latter soon departed this life, as likewise Fleckner, at
+Tranquebar. In September, I returned to Nancauwery, being commissioned
+to convey the house belonging to the Imperial settlement on Sombrero
+(Comarty) to our place, which I accomplished. Our old stone house was
+turned into a magazine, and the Missionaries obtained a comfortable
+dwelling, and a sufficient supply of provisions, and other necessaries.
+But as to any success in making the natives acquainted with the gospel,
+all our exertions seemed in vain.
+
+After my return to Tranquebar, in 1786, Brother Rudolphi left Nicobar,
+and arrived, after a long and tedious voyage, at Tranquebar, in 1787.
+Not long after, Brother J. Heinrich departed this life, and Brother
+Kragh remained alone.
+
+The loss of so many valuable men, the total failure of the object of
+the Mission, and the want of proper Brethren, willing to devote
+themselves to so hopeless a cause, at length prevailed, and it was
+resolved to give up the Mission. I was again deputed to go to
+Nancauwery, to fetch Brother Kragh, and all effects belonging to the
+Mission, and to deliver up the premises to the Governor, who, on our
+representation of the impracticability of our supporting the Mission
+any longer, had consented to send a lieutenant, a corporal, and six
+privates, to take possession. I accompanied these people, and delivered
+to them every thing I could not carry away.
+
+Words cannot express the painful sensations which crowded into my mind,
+while I was thus executing the task committed to me, and making a final
+conclusion of the labours of the Brethren in the Nicobar Islands. I
+remembered the numberless prayers, tears, and sighs offered up by so
+many servants of Jesus, and by our congregations in Europe, for the
+conversion of the poor heathen here; and when I beheld our
+burying-ground, where eleven of my Brethren had their resting-place, as
+seed sown in a barren land, I burst into tears, and exclaimed: Surely
+all this cannot have been done in vain! Often did I visit this place,
+and sat down and wept at their graves.
+
+My last farewell with the inhabitants, who had flocked to me from all
+the circumjacent islands, was very affecting. They wept and howled for
+grief, and begged that the Brethren might soon return to them. We
+always enjoyed their esteem and love, and they do not deserve to be
+classed with their ferocious neighbours, the Malays; being, in general,
+kind and gentle in their dispositions, except when roused by jealously,
+or other provocations; when their uncontrolled passions will lead them
+into excesses, as some of the Danish soldiers experienced. We always
+found them ready to serve us.
+
+
+
+
+LETTER III.
+
+
+I proceed to answer the questions you have put to me, and to give you
+some short account of the appearance of the country in the Nicobar
+Islands, and the customs of the inhabitants.
+
+The most of these islands are hilly, and some of the mountains of
+considerable height: but Tricut, Tafouin, and Kar Nicobar, are flat,
+and covered with forests of cocoa trees. The other islands have
+likewise a large proportion of cocoa and areca palms, and an immense
+quantity of timber trees of various kinds, some of them of enormous
+size. All the vallies and sides of the hills, to a considerable height,
+are thickly covered with them, insomuch, that the light of the sun has
+not been able for ages to penetrate through their foliage. They are in
+many places so closely interwoven with immense quantities of rattan and
+bush-rope, that they appear as it were spun together; and it is almost
+perfectly dark in the woods. Most of the plants and trees bear fruit,
+which falls down and rots. All these circumstances contribute to render
+the climate very unhealthy, the free current of air being wholly
+impeded; even the natives experience their baneful effects, but, to a
+European constitution, they are of the most dangerous nature.
+
+I am no botanist, and can therefore give you but little information
+concerning the different species of trees, shrubs, and plants, which
+seem to thrive here in such luxurious abundance; but will only add,
+that that most useful of all trees, the cocoa, is of very easy growth,
+and thrives best on the sea coast, where its roots and stem are reached
+by the flood-tide. The nut, falling into the sand, is soon covered by
+it, and springs up in great strength. I have planted many, and enjoyed
+the fruit after five years. When the nuts are ripe, you hang them about
+the house: in a short time they shoot out sprigs and branches, and when
+these are about a yard long, you may put them into the ground, where
+they continue to vegetate rapidly.
+
+Another most beautiful and valuable tree is the Mango, the fruit of
+which is extremely useful, both for eating and medicinal purposes. The
+eatable part is inclosed in a shell, which lies in a thick, pulpy rind,
+Its taste is spicy, very grateful, betwixt sour and sweet, and so
+wholesome, that there is hardly any fear of eating too plentifully of
+it. The shell is bitter and astringent, and the Nicobar doctors, or
+sorcerers, administer a decoction of it against fevers and agues, to
+which they, as well as strangers, are much subject.
+
+There is also a vast variety of roots, fruits, and herbs, with the
+medicinal virtues of which the sorcerers are well acquainted. They are,
+no doubt, noticed by various authors, but I am not able to describe
+them.
+
+As to the beasts and reptiles existing in these islands, I shall only
+mention what has come under my own observation, and remains in my
+recollection. There are no wild beasts here, such as tygers and
+leopards, as on the coast of Coromandel. Monkies are found in the
+southernmost islands, Sambelong, Tavap, and Katsoll. In some others are
+large herds of buffaloes and other cattle, originally brought thither
+by the Danes, but which have run wild in the woods, since the
+abandonment of the colony. They have increased prodigiously; and as the
+upper regions of the mountains are covered with vast quantities of fine
+grass, they find food in abundance, and grow to a large size,
+especially the buffaloes. These are always seen in herds, and I never
+ventured to shoot any, though I longed to procure some of their flesh
+for our use. Dogs and swine are found in all the islands.
+
+Serpents are numerous in some places, but they are far less abundant
+and venomous, than on the coast of Coromandel. The chief cause of this
+difference I am apt to ascribe to a custom, prevalent among the
+natives, of setting the long grass on the mountains on fire, two or
+three times a-year. As these reptiles like to lay their eggs in the
+grass, great quantities of them are thus destroyed. One kind of serpent
+struck me here as a singular species; it is of a green colour, has a
+broad head and mouth like a frog, very red eyes, and its bite is so
+venomous, that I saw a woman die within half an hour after receiving
+the wound. She had climbed a high tree in search of fruit, and not
+observing the animal among the branches, was suddenly bitten in the
+arm. Being well aware of the danger, she immediately descended, but, on
+reaching the ground, reeled to and fro like one in a state of
+intoxication. The people brought her immediately to me; and while I was
+applying blisters and other means for extracting the poison, she died
+under my hands.
+
+I saw but few scorpions, but among them an unusually large species, of
+a red colour, said to be extremely venomous. They were lying in a boggy
+place, and I had no means of taking them.
+
+One of the most formidable animals with which these islands abound, is
+the crocodile, or alligator. Kar Nicobar is overrun with them, as are
+all the other Nicobar islands, which have fresh-water lakes and
+streams. They are of two kinds, the black kayman, and the proper
+crocodile. The latter is said never to attack live creatures, but to
+devour only carrion, and is therefore not considered dangerous. Of the
+correctness of this opinion I had once ocular proof. I was walking at
+Queda along the coast, and looking at a number of children swimming and
+sporting in the water. On a sudden, I observed a large crocodile
+proceed towards them from a creek. Terrified at the idea of the danger
+they were exposed to, I screamed out, and made signs to some Chinese to
+go to their assistance, but they laughed me to scorn as an ignorant
+stranger. I really afterwards saw the monster playing about among them,
+while the children diverted themselves by pretending to attack him and
+drive him away. The kayman is less in size, and very fierce, seizing
+upon every creature that has life, but he cannot lift anything from the
+ground, as the lower jaw projects.
+
+The bats of Nicobar are of a gigantic size; I have seen some, whose
+outstretched wings measured from five to six feet across the back, the
+body being the size of a common cat. They are of two kinds; the head of
+one somewhat resembling a dog, and that of the other a cat; the former
+making a barking, and the latter a mewing noise, when on the wing. I
+never saw more than one at a time. They appear hideous, and in their
+solitary flight resemble a cloak in motion, chiefly and awkwardly
+perching upon the mango tree, the fruit of which they eat, breaking
+down the smaller branches, till they light upon such as are able to
+bear their weight.
+
+Of birds, I shall only notice one, called by some the Nicobar
+swallow[3], but I will not venture to determine its generic character.
+It is the builder of those eatable nests, which constitute one of the
+luxuries of an Indian banquet. These birds are called _Hinlene_ by the
+natives, and build in fissures and cavities of rocks, especially in
+such as open to the south. In the latter, the finest and whitest nests
+are found, and I have sometimes gathered fifty pound weight of them, on
+one excursion for that purpose. They are small, and shaped like
+swallows' nests. If they are perfect, 72 of them go to a _catty_, or
+1-3/4 pounds. The best sale for them is in China. After the most
+diligent investigation, I was never able fully to discover of what
+substance they are made, nor do any of the opinions of naturalists,
+with which I have become acquainted, appear satisfactory to me, neither
+have the authors alluded to ever seen the birds. They have remarkably
+short legs, and are unable to rise, if they once fall or settle on the
+ground. I caught many in this state, and after examining them, threw
+them up into the air, when they immediately flew away; they cannot
+therefore, as some suppose, obtain their materials on the coast, or
+from rocks in the sea. My opinion is, that the nests are made of the
+gum of a peculiar tree, called by some the Nicobar cedar, and growing
+in great abundance in all the southern islands. Its wood is hard,
+black, and very heavy. From December to May, it is covered with
+blossom, and bears a fruit somewhat resembling a cedar or pine-apple,
+but more like a large berry full of eyes or pustules, discharging a gum
+or resinous fluid. About these trees, when in bloom or bearing fruit, I
+have seen innumerable flocks of these little birds, flying and
+fluttering like bees round a tree or shrub in full flower, and am of
+opinion, that they there gather the materials for their nests. I relate
+the fact, having often watched them with great attention, but will not
+venture to affirm, that I have made a full discovery. I observed
+before, that these birds dwell in cavities of rocks, like bees in a
+hive, flying in and out, and building their nests close together, like
+martins or swallows. The hen constructs a neat, large, well-shaped
+nest, calculated for laying and hatching her eggs, and the cock
+contrives to fix another, smaller and rather more clumsy, close to his
+mate: for they are not only built for the purpose of laying eggs, but
+for resting-places, whence they may take wing. If they are robbed of
+them, they immediately fall to work to build others, and being
+remarkably active, are able to finish enough in a day to support the
+weight of their bodies, though they require about three weeks to
+complete a nest. During the north-east trade wind, they are all alive
+and fly about briskly, but as soon as the wind comes round to the
+south-west, they sit or lie in their nests in a state of stupor, and
+show animation only by a kind of tremulous motion over their whole
+body. I have sometimes taken one out of his nest in this state, and
+laid him on the palm of my hand, when I observed no sign of life about
+him but this trembling, and on returning him to his place, could hardly
+prevent him from falling on one side. If their nests were taken away at
+that season, the poor birds must inevitably perish[4].
+
+      [3] Hirundo edulis. Linn. Syst. Nat.
+
+      [4] See Fontana's Account of these Birds. Asiatic Researches,
+      Vol. III. p. 292.
+
+I did not perceive any great variety of birds in these islands; but
+wild pigeons and parrots are numerous.
+
+As to fishes, the sea abounds with various descriptions, but my
+attention was principally directed to shell-fish, which are found in
+great abundance and beauty on most of the islands, the Mission being in
+part supported by collections of these and other natural curiosities,
+made by me and other Brethren, whose time and disposition allowed of
+it. It became at one time peculiarly my business, and though I
+possessed no previous knowledge of these things, and would not venture
+to determine upon a proper classification of the various natural
+productions which I collected, both on the coast of Coromandel and in
+the Nicobar islands, yet constant practice and experience gave me by
+degrees sufficient skill to distinguish what was really worthy the
+attention of naturalists. I had moreover the satisfaction to perceive
+the blessing of God resting upon these exertions, by which a
+considerable part of the heavy expences of the Mission were defrayed,
+there having been at that time a great demand for productions of this
+kind in England, Holland, Denmark, and other parts of Europe.
+
+On my frequent excursions along the sea coast, it sometimes happened
+that I was benighted, and could not, with convenience, return to our
+dwelling; but I was never at a loss for a bed. The greater part of the
+beach consists of a remarkably fine white sand, which above
+highwater-mark is perfectly clean and dry. Into this I dug with ease a
+hole large enough to contain my body, forming a mound as a pillow for
+my head; I then lay down, and by collecting the sand over me, buried
+myself in it up to the neck. My faithful dog always lay across my body,
+ready to give the alarm, in case of disturbance from any quarter.
+However, I was under no apprehension from wild animals. Crocodiles and
+kaymans never haunt the open coast, but keep in creeks and lagoons, and
+there are no ravenous beasts on the island. The only annoyance I
+suffered was from the nocturnal perambulations of an immense variety of
+crabs of all sizes, the grating noise of whose armour would sometimes
+keep me awake. But they were well watched by my dog; and if any one
+ventured to approach, he was sure to be suddenly siezed, and thrown to
+a more respectful distance; or if a crab of more tremendous appearance
+deterred the dog from exposing his nose to its claws, he would bark and
+frighten it away, by which, however, I was often more seriously alarmed
+than the occasion required. Many a comfortable night's rest have I had
+in these sepulchral dormitories, when the nights were clear and dry.
+
+But before I dismiss this subject I cannot conclude my letter, without
+observing, that on the continent, as well as in some of the other East
+Indian islands, it would be hazardous in the extreme to expose oneself
+in this manner, during the night, on account of the number of wild
+beasts, of various descriptions, with which they abound. I feel truly
+thankful to God, that He preserved me, on my many journies, from all
+harm; nor can I speak of having ever been in much danger. Yet one
+instance of His merciful preservation of my life, I must be permitted
+to add.
+
+On one of my voyages either to or from Queda, (for I have forgotten the
+precise time) a Danish ship hailed us, and approaching incautiously,
+ran foul of our stern, and broke our flag-staff. We therefore put into
+a creek, and some of our men landed near a wood, to cut down a tree to
+make a new one. Hoping to be able to procure some fresh meat for
+supper, I accompanied them, armed with a double-barrelled gun. While
+they were at their work, I walked on the outside of the wood, eagerly
+looking for some game, and soon discovered, among the high grass, an
+object, which, by its motions, I mistook for the back of a hare. I took
+aim, and was just going to fire, when the animal rose up, and proved to
+be a tyger, of which only the top of the head had been visible. My arm
+involuntarily sunk down; I stood motionless with horror, expecting that
+the creature would immediately make a spring at me, and gave myself up
+for lost; but, by God's providence watching over me, the beast seemed
+as much alarmed as I was, and after staring at me for a few moments,
+turned slowly about, and began to creep away, like a frightened cat,
+with his belly close to the ground; then, gradually quickening his
+pace, fled with precipitation into a distant part of the wood. It was
+some time before I recovered presence of mind sufficient to trace back
+my steps towards the beach, for I felt my very heart tremble within me.
+As I approached the water, there was a piece of jungle, or low thicket
+before me, and I was turning to the left, to pass round by the side
+opposite the boat, thinking that I might yet find some game, when,
+seeing the men labouring hard to drag the tree they had felled, towards
+the water, I altered my course, and went to their assistance. No sooner
+had I entered the boat, than I discovered on that side of the jungle,
+to which I was first going, close to the beach, a large kayman,
+watching our motions, whom I should certainly have met, had I gone
+round by the way I intended. Thankful as I now felt for this second
+preservation of my life, I could not help discharging my piece at the
+animal's head, and by the sudden plunge he made into the water, and the
+appearance of blood on the surface, as he was swimming towards the
+opposite shore, it seemed that one or both of the shots had penetrated
+his eye or throat. We saw him reach the shore, and crawl through the
+mud into the jungle.
+
+Part of the flesh of the crocodile or kayman is good and wholesome,
+when well cooked. It tastes somewhat like pork, for which I took it,
+and ate it with much relish, when I first came to Nancanwery; till, on
+inquiry, finding it to be the flesh of a beast so disgusting and
+horrible in its appearance and habits, I felt a loathing, which I could
+never overcome; but it is eaten by both natives and Europeans.
+
+
+
+
+LETTER IV.
+
+
+Since you have expressed satisfaction with my imperfect account of some
+of the natural productions of the Nicobar islands, and desire me to
+continue the subject, I regret that I cannot gratify you with a sight
+of the lists I kept, of the different kinds of serpents, crabs,
+spiders, and other creatures, which I caught everywhere, either to
+stuff, put into spirits, or otherwise prepare for my customers. At our
+garden near Tranquebar, I had a shop or work-room purposely constructed
+for these operations, and kept sometimes two or three Malabar boys at
+work to help me. Of serpents and snakes I had a list of upwards of
+eighty different species, from the size of a common worm, to sixteen
+and twenty feet long; of crabs, upwards of ninety; and of spiders, more
+than forty. Whether I went into the woods, on the beach, by land, or by
+sea, I was accustomed to look about, and examine every object I saw,
+and acquired great facility in catching some of the most dangerous
+animals, without harm to myself. Far from being afraid of serpents, I
+went out purposely to discover their haunts, in the jungle or among the
+rocks, defending my legs with a pair of strong boots; and if I could
+prevent their slipping off into their holes, and irritate them so as to
+make them attempt to strike me, my work was done. For a serpent thus
+situated, will coil himself up, and instantaneously darting forward his
+head, strike and bite whatever comes in his way. I then presented my
+hat, which the animal violently seized with his fangs; when, instantly
+snatching it away, I seldom failed to extract them by the sudden jerk;
+for, being curved, they cannot be readily withdrawn, and sitting but
+loosely in the gums, are easily disengaged. Being thus rendered in a
+great degree harmless, I pinned their heads down, and tied them up.
+Great care, however, is required, not to suffer yourself to be
+lacerated by their teeth, or in any other way, while preparing their
+heads, and refixing the fangs; for if a wound is thus inflicted, even
+long after their death, the consequences are dreadful, and often fatal,
+of which I might relate many singular instances, which came immediately
+under my observation.
+
+There is among them a short serpent, found in the neighbourhood of
+Tranquebar, and called by us, the _Split-snake_, (_die Spalt-schlange_).
+It is black, with a white streak down its back, dividing the body
+longitudinally. Its bite is extremely venomous; and being slender, it
+can insinuate itself into a very small hole or cranny, and will enter
+rooms and closets, in quest of food. There was a door in a dark part of
+my work-room, with a large clumsy lock to it; and one evening, as I was
+attempting to open it, having to pass that way, I felt a sudden prick
+in my finger, and at the same time a violent electrical shock, as if I
+were split asunder. Not thinking of a serpent, I first imagined, that
+my Malabar boys had, in their play, wound some wire about the handle,
+by which I had been hurt, and asked them sharply, what mischief they
+had done to the door. They denied, that they had meddled with it, and I
+made a second attempt, when I was attacked still more violently, and
+perceived the blood trickling down my finger. I then returned into my
+room, sucking the wound, till I could draw no more blood. I applied
+some spirits of turpentine to it, put on a bandage, and being much
+hurried that evening with other business, made no farther inquiry about
+it. However, in the night it swelled, and was very painful. In the
+morning, I went again into the work-room, when I thought I perceived an
+unpleasant, musky smell. On approaching the before-mentioned door, the
+stench was intolerable. I again asked the boys, what nasty thing they
+had brought into the room, for they were always at play; but they again
+denied any knowledge of the cause of the nuisance. A candle was
+brought, and I now beheld the origin of all the mischief. About six
+inches length of the head and body of a young split-snake hung out of
+the key-hole, quite dead; and on taking off the lock, I found the
+creature twisted into it, and so much wounded by the turn of the bolt,
+in attempting to open the door, that it had died in consequence. It
+had intended to enter the room through the key-hole, when I thus
+accidentally stopped its progress, and got bitten; and considering the
+deadly poison this serpent always infuses into the wound inflicted, I
+felt very thankful to God, my Preserver, that, by sucking the infected
+blood out of my finger in time, and applying a proper remedy, though
+ignorant of the cause of the wound, my life was not endangered. I have
+heard and believe, that the bite of every serpent is accompanied, more
+or less, by a sensation similar to an electrical shock, as the poison
+seems almost instantaneously to affect the whole mass of blood. We
+considered also the name of split-snake given to this animal, not so
+much as descriptive of its split appearance, as of the singular
+sensation its bite occasions, and which I then experienced.
+
+Of other remarkable serpents I will only quote, the _Whip-snake_, which
+is green, from four to six feet long, slender, and springs horizontally,
+from tree to tree, whence it is also called the _Flying-snake_. The
+species, known by the name of the _Double-headed-snake_, has not two
+heads, but is equally thick before and behind; and, like some
+caterpillars, furnished with a kind of protuberance at its tail, which,
+to a superficial observer, may pass for another head. They are of a red
+colour, sluggish, and resemble a long sausage. The _Wall-snake_ climbs
+a wall with great agility, and is small and spotted. The bite of all
+these serpents is attended with great danger; indeed I believe there is
+not one of this class of animals that is not more or less venomous,
+though some in a very slight, and almost imperceptible degree. Their
+poison principally affects the blood, and is not hurtful to a sound
+skin. Yet I hardly ever cased one of the larger serpents for stuffing,
+but I turned sick with the extraordinary, musky, and loathsome smell of
+their flesh, though ever so fresh.
+
+But I have detained you already too long with this unsavoury subject,
+and will, in my next, proceed to answer your inquiries concerning the
+habits and customs of the natives of the Nicobar islands.
+
+
+
+
+LETTER V.
+
+
+The natives of these islands are a free people, perfectly independent,
+but have a captain in every village. There are, indeed, several who
+claim the rank of captain, as being more sensible and clever than their
+neighbours, but only one of the number is considered as the _Omjah
+karru_, or the great master of the house. Yet no one is bound to obey
+him, for all of them, male and female, consider themselves under no
+control whatever; and the captain must take care, that he does not
+offend, by pretending to command. He is sure to be disobeyed, unless
+they are pleased to listen to friendly representation. All the
+preference given him, consists in this; that when a ship arrives, he is
+allowed to go first on board, and to make the bargain, if they have any
+thing to barter. They are commonly good-natured men, disposed to make
+and preserve peace among the common people. In every other respect they
+live and act like the rest, get drunk, commit fornication, and, when
+there is, as they say, a necessity for it, murder; and are equally lazy
+and unclean. But they can use their tongues more glibly than their
+neighbours.
+
+Their houses are generally spacious, and built upon pillars, six or
+more feet from the ground, resembling those of the Malays, but round,
+not square, like the latter. The inhabitants ascend by a ladder, which
+they can draw up after them. The house has only one room, but generally
+contains more than one family. Parents and children, guests, young and
+old of every description, pig here together, lying naked on the floor,
+with nothing but a _hetfat_, the leaf of a species of palm, under them,
+in lieu of a mattrass, and very few have any covering. The furniture of
+such a house consists in a few pots, made by the women, some highly
+polished cocoa-nut dishes, to hold water, some hatchets, a sabre or
+two, a few sailor's knives, and a good many spears. A family generally
+possesses two or three palongs, or boats.
+
+Their chief food is melory bread, made of the fruit of a kind of
+palm-tree[5], which is very palatable; yams, several other good roots,
+and great plenty of fruit from various trees and shrubs; all which grow
+in great abundance. Of pigs and common fowls they have a vast
+profusion. These are fed with cocoa-nuts, and their flesh is remarkably
+good. The sea furnishes them with various kinds of fishes, and an
+abundance of crabs and other shell-fish, so that they may easily enough
+serve their god, which is their belly.
+
+      [5] A species of Pandanus. See Asiatic Researches, Vol. III. p.
+      292.
+
+The clothing of the men consists of a narrow piece of cloth, about
+three yards long. This they wrap twice round their waist, then passing
+it between their legs, and through the girth behind, leave the end of
+it to drag after them[6]. The women wear a piece of cloth, commonly of
+a blue colour, about a foot wide, fastened round their waist, so as to
+hang down like an apron, reaching not quite to their knees. They pride
+themselves upon their fine skin, which indeed they keep very clean, and
+do not in general use any paint. Both sexes live from their infancy
+without any restraint, and commit every kind of abomination, often to
+the utter ruin of their health and constitutions, in very early life.
+In general they do not live regularly in the married state, till they
+are past their prime; though I have known some who had married early,
+remain faithful to each other, and keep their families in good order.
+
+      [6] Hence the fabulous stories of men with tails, related by
+      Kloping, a Swedish navigator.
+
+As savages, they may be justly esteemed a good-natured race, being
+always ready to do a kind action, to their friends; of which I will
+relate one instance. We used to buy of them what we wanted, and pay
+with tobacco, the current medium. Even when they had nothing to sell,
+they would come and fetch their portion of tobacco, which we never
+refused them, as long as we had any, till, by the non-arrival of the
+ship, we were left entirely without it. We therefore told the captain
+of the village, that, as we had no more tobacco, the people need not
+bring us any more provisions, for we had nothing to give in exchange.
+The captain did as we desired, yet, on the very next day, we were
+supplied more plentifully than ever, with the things we wanted. They
+would not even wait for pay, but hung up their fruit and meat about the
+house, and went away. We called after them and told them how we were
+situated. Their answer was: "When you had plenty of tobacco, you gave
+us as much as you could spare; now, though you have got no more of it,
+we have provisions enough, and you shall have as much as you want, as
+long as we have any, till you get more tobacco." This promise they most
+faithfully performed. Such kindness we did not expect from such people;
+but they always showed great affection for us.
+
+As to religion, they are in a state of deplorable ignorance. Their
+notions of a Divine Being seem most oddly perplexed, insomuch that it
+is difficult to make out any thing among them like a fixed opinion of
+His existence and attributes, nor do they seem to possess any curiosity
+to know more about Him.
+
+But they are not professed idolaters, like most of the other oriental
+nations. They have not even a word in their language to express their
+idea of God. They use the word _Knallen_ when they speak of Him, but it
+only signifies, "above, on high:" for instance, they say, _Knallen
+maade_, "on the hill;" _Knallen uniga_, "on the top of the tree;"
+_Knallen gamalee_, "on the surface of the sea;" speaking of something
+swimming. However, they believe that this "unknown God" is good, and
+will not hurt them; but wherein His goodness consists, they neither
+have, nor seem to wish to have, any understanding, nor ever trouble
+themselves about Him. Therefore, when we endeavoured, as well as we
+could, to explain to them the goodness of God, in pitying the lost
+condition of man, and providing the means of our redemption; and spoke
+to them of Jesus Christ our Saviour, and of what He has done and
+suffered to purchase for us salvation, they heard us indeed with
+astonishment and silent submission; but that they should be at all
+interested in it, and become virtuous and happy if they believed and
+turned to Him, and after this life enter into everlasting bliss by His
+merits, was more than they could possibly comprehend. When we told
+them, that we were come hither for no other purpose, but to make them
+acquainted with their Creator and Redeemer, and to bring them the glad
+tidings of salvation; and begged them only to take it to heart, and
+reflect upon what we thus made known to them in the name of God, they
+laughed at us. They observed, that they could not believe that the
+sufferings of one man could atone for the sins of another; and that
+therefore, if they were wicked, what we told them of a crucified
+Saviour would not help them: but they insisted, that they were good by
+nature, and never did any thing wrong, as we well knew. When we
+replied, that we knew, that they had but lately murdered some people,
+and afterwards abused the dead bodies, each thrusting his spear into
+them, mutilating them in the most wanton manner, and at last cutting
+them to pieces, and asked them, whether this was a proof of their
+natural goodness, their answer was: "That you do not understand, those
+were people not fit to live, they were _Gomoy_, cannibals!"
+
+
+
+
+LETTER VI.
+
+
+The inhabitants of the Nicobar islands believe, that all dangerous
+diseases proceed from the devil, who is nevertheless under the controul
+of their sorcerers, or _Paters_[7]. If, therefore, these men cannot
+cure a disorder by their tricks and inchantments, by which they pretend
+to catch the devil and drive him off the place, then they are sure,
+that he has entered into some man or woman, sitting in his or her
+house, and by witchcraft, sucking all the power of healing out of the
+patient's body. The sorcerer then proceeds to discover the witch, and
+finds no difficulty in fixing upon some one he hates. The word of such
+a wise man is, of course, taken by all for the voice of truth, and the
+poor person accused is murdered without further inquiry. Murders of
+this kind occurred but seldom in our neighbourhood, but were said to be
+more frequent in some of the other islands. We told them, that the
+devil everywhere proved himself the father of lies, and a murderer from
+the beginning; and, till they turned to the true God, they were Satan's
+slaves, and his works they must do. They seem indeed to be continually
+engaged with him, whenever they profess to perform any religious rite.
+They even ascribe the creation of the world to the _Eewee_, or wicked
+agent. If they do any thing wrong, or commit any atrocious crime, and
+are reproved for it, they immediately answer: "It was not me, it was
+the devil that did it." If you convince them, that they did it
+themselves, and with their own hands, their usual phrase is, "The
+_Eewee_ did not make me perfect, or better;" and therefore they cannot
+help some times doing what is wrong. They speak of a great many sorts
+of devils, but all malicious, and disposed to hurt them, if they had
+not such great and powerful paters among them, who had a superior
+power, and could catch, and bring them into subjection. It is not
+difficult for the sorcerers thus to impose upon the poor ignorant
+people, for they really do possess superior cunning, and astonishing
+dexterity, being the most expert jugglers on earth. Every one who has
+visited the East Indies, well knows, with what unaccountable
+exhibitions and slight of hand tricks the jugglers endeavour to amuse
+the people; but in the Nicobar islands, these arts being applied to
+what they consider as religious exercises, the deception is so great,
+that I have myself often stood astonished, being unable to account for
+what I saw.
+
+      [7] An appellation borrowed from the Portuguese Missionaries.
+
+I went once purposely into a house, where a sorcerer was about to
+perform as doctor, and to cure a woman, who lay very ill. I was
+determined to watch him as narrowly as possible. Both doctor and
+patient were stark naked. After a series of most horrible grimaces, the
+sorcerer produced a very large yam, which he held up, pretending that
+he had _limpt_ it, (for thus they call this species of legerdemain),
+out of the body of the woman, and that it had been, by witchcraft, the
+cause of her disorder. When he entered, I particularly noticed that he
+had nothing in his hands, or about him, nor did there appear any
+possibility of a substance of that size being concealed in the empty
+room. At another time, I saw a sorcerer under similar circumstances, on
+a sudden exhibit three large stones, which he pretended to have
+extracted from the patient's body. To the first of these patients, he
+afterwards administered a decoction of herbs, and she recovered. The
+cure was probably owing to his skill in preparing the potion, but was
+of course ascribed to the incantation, and the seizure of the enchanted
+yam.
+
+After I had resided five years in the island, my legs began to inflame
+and swell to a prodigious size[8]. A suppuration took place, and till
+the discharge commenced, I suffered excruciating pain. During this
+dreadful illness, several paters called upon me, and in the most
+friendly manner, expressed their pity, offering me their assistance,
+and assuring me, that if I would submit to their mode of cure, I should
+soon recover. At last I thought, that as their skill in various
+medicinal arts, and their knowledge of drugs was very great, I would
+suffer one of them, called Philip, who always attended us as
+language-master, to try what he could do for me, on condition, that he
+should omit all superstitious ceremonies. He agreed, and immediately
+putting on the most solemn and significant expression of face, worthy
+of so eminent a practitioner, began to paw me all over, varying his
+features with every motion of his hand, so that, notwithstanding the
+pain I felt, I could not refrain from bursting into laughter at his
+grimaces, which he could not possibly avoid, though bargained to be
+omitted. At length, the preamble concluded, he began his work, first by
+stroking my legs, from the knees downwards, with the palm of his hand,
+muttering all the while, and then by applying his mouth, and sucking
+the parts affected, accompanying the operation by a most strange kind
+of purring or grunting. Thus far his practice seemed to do good, and I
+felt relief, when, rising on a sudden, he produced a potsherd, which he
+exhibited to the company, as having _limpt_ it out of my leg, saying
+that he should soon bring forth more pieces. I cried out, "Stop there,
+you deceiver, do you pretend that my body is full of potsherds; that
+broken piece in your hand, you drew out of your own mouth. Open it
+directly, and let us have the rest." He stood confounded, and soon
+sneaked out of the house, laughed at by all his former admirers, nor
+did he call upon me again, till about a fortnight after.
+
+      [8] A disorder known in India by the name of the Cochin leg.
+      Asiatic Researches, Vol. III.
+
+As it sometimes happened, that when the skill of the sorcerers proved
+ineffective, a missionary had administered some simple medicine, which,
+by God's blessing, had the desired effect, they looked upon us, as the
+first of paters, though our medicines consisted in nothing but a little
+magnesia, spirits of nitre, and a few simples. But what astonished them
+most, was this, that we could inform them before-hand, by means of a
+perpetual almanack, that an eclipse of the sun or moon would take place
+on the very day when it happened. Their notion of the cause of an
+eclipse is the most preposterous and ridiculous, that ever entered into
+the head, even of an heathen. They say, that the devil is come to
+devour the sun or moon, and falls to work to gnaw off the edge; that
+therefore it is necessary he should be driven away; consequently all
+the sorcerers or paters assemble, and amidst singular and hideous
+grimaces, throw up their spears towards the luminary attacked, all the
+villagers sounding their gonggongs with the greatest violence, to
+frighten away the voracious invader. After some time, their efforts
+succeed, and he must betake himself to flight, without effecting his
+purpose. Though we endeavoured, in every possible way, to explain to
+them how an eclipse was occasioned, and they seemed in some degree to
+comprehend it, they only declared us to be the greatest paters that had
+ever been on the island, but ascribed the deliverance of the sun or
+moon from the fangs of the devil, solely to the skill and power of
+their sorcerers, and all we could say to prevail upon them, for once to
+be quiet, and observe how the luminary would regain its former
+appearance, by those means which God the Creator Himself had ordained,
+was in vain.
+
+The expulsion of the devil from a sick person or family, is a ceremony
+as singular as it is silly, but as I have frequently been a spectator
+of this farcical performance, a description of it may not be
+uninteresting to you. I have before observed, that if their medicines,
+(many of which are very powerful), or, as they will have it, their
+incantations, are of no avail, they then ascribe the illness to the
+immediate agency of the infernal spirit, who must be subdued and
+caught. The pater, previous to the commencement of his operations,
+summons all the young men in the village, to assist him in constructing
+a small raft, of light wood. Three poles are fixed upon it, to
+represent masts, and some bamboos laid across like oars. The masts are
+hung with young white cocoa-leaves. This toy, which they call _Hanmai_,
+they place between two palongs, each rowed by a crew of stout young
+men, with a piece of rattan, as a towing-rope, fixed to it. Every rower
+carries five spears, besides his oar. They now wait with great
+eagerness for the pater's further orders. He has meanwhile begun his
+work, which he finds either hard or easy of performance, according as
+the patients are rich or poor. He is stark naked, and painted all over
+with various colours, making as terrific an appearance as possible, to
+frighten the devil, and indeed it is enough to terrify any man, to see
+him brandishing a short clumsy bludgeon, which he holds up with both
+hands, and dancing in the most furious manner. He accompanies his
+gesticulations with the most horrible yells and howlings, and at length
+is fortunate enough to seize the enemy by a leg, an arm, or even by the
+hair of his head, which the poor deluded people believe, without seeing
+what he grasps. Now the whole company rush towards the water, and the
+pater deposits the supposed devil on board the raft, on which the
+palongs row off with the greatest possible expedition, dragging the
+captive out to sea, to a considerable distance, when, having turned him
+and his vehicle adrift, they row back with the utmost speed to shore.
+For two days the enemy may survive this rough usage, and again land in
+safety, if driven on shore by the tide or wind, but on the third day he
+must die. Should he land at another village, he then does the mischief
+there, which he was prevented doing at the former place.
+
+The worst consequence of such an unfortunate conclusion of the business
+is, that the greatest enmity immediately takes place between the two
+villages, and nothing can atone for the aggression, but a formal
+combat. The village invaded sends a challenge to the former, and a day
+is fixed for the battle. The captains of all the neighbouring villages
+having met to a consultation, the combatants are chosen, and as there
+are others who wish to take advantage of so just a mode of settling
+their disputes, they are summoned to appear. One has stolen something,
+another run off with his neighbour's wife, and the like. All these
+people now meet, both the injured and the guilty, and each being
+provided with a sufficient supply of long sticks, of the Mango tree,
+they proceed to the place of rendezvous. There the captains examine the
+sticks, and those that are too thick are thrown away. This being done,
+two of the combatants step out, and lay about each other's back and
+head, till one of the party is obliged to give up. A second couple
+follow, and after them others, till in a proper space of time, the
+whole company has got a good drubbing. The most innocent among them are
+generally the worst handled; however, the business is now decided, and
+all are convinced, that whoever was first obliged to give up, was the
+offender. Peace is thus restored, both parties being perfectly
+satisfied with so wise and just a decision, nor could anything we said,
+convince them of the folly and wickedness of such superstitious and
+injurious practices.
+
+
+
+
+LETTER VII.
+
+
+You wish to know what were the chief external causes of the failure of
+our exertions; and ask, whether our residence on the island had been
+with the consent of the natives, or whether they considered us as
+intruders. The latter circumstance was guarded against by a regular
+treaty made in December 1774, between the Brethren, and the captain and
+inhabitants of the village Malacca, near to which they had made their
+settlement. They then obtained legal possession of that piece of land,
+which they occupied. Such presents as the natives required, were
+delivered, and the terms contained in the treaty fully explained, to
+them; after which the principal men signed their names, by drawing a
+pen with ink over the letters, as written with a pencil. The
+neighbouring village likewise received a proper consideration for a
+treaty of friendship with them, and now the Brethren were looked upon
+no longer as _Kaleng_, "foreigners;" but as _Baju Tripjet_, "natives at
+Tripjet." Objections were however started, when they began to build
+their dwelling-house; and some wicked people endeavoured to raise
+suspicions in the minds of their countrymen, as to the intentions of
+the Missionaries. The latter were, for some time after, in danger of
+their lives, from the fickle disposition of their new friends; but the
+Lord preserved them. Their upright intentions were at length
+acknowledged, and ever after all due respect and confidence shown to
+them by all the inhabitants of Nancauwery.
+
+The failure of the Mission was owing to other causes, of which I will
+mention some, according to my view of the subject. First, the extreme
+difficulty of learning the language. We had indeed an opportunity of
+speaking with some of the natives, in a kind of bastard Portuguese, but
+it would by no means answer the purpose of preaching the gospel to them
+in general. It was their own native language, of which we wished to
+acquire a sufficient knowledge, thereby to gain access to the whole
+nation. To this end, a pater, called Philip, was engaged as
+language-master. A few of the Missionaries made some proficiency,
+notwithstanding the peculiar difficulties attending the study; for
+impediments arise even from the habits of the natives. Their language
+is in itself very poor in words and expressions, and they are of so
+indolent a turn, that even talking seems a trouble to them; and as long
+as they can express, by signs, what they mean, they are unwilling to
+open their mouths. If a stranger comes into their houses, they sit
+still and look at him, or perhaps, pointing to some food, motion to him
+to sit down and eat. There he may sit for hours, without hearing a
+syllable spoken, unless he can himself begin, when they will answer
+with friendliness. Again, both men and women have always a huge quid of
+the betel, or areca-nut in their mouths, which renders their speech so
+indistinct, that if you ask them the names of the various objects
+before them, you can hardly distinguish between the sputtering sounds
+they make. Often were we obliged to tell pater Philip to take his quid
+out of his mouth, that we might hear what he attempted to articulate.
+As to books and vocabularies, we found none, nor could we make any,
+while our knowledge of the language was so imperfect.
+
+Secondly, the unhealthiness of the climate; by which most of the
+Missionaries were carried off before they could learn the language, or
+just when they had got so far, that they were able to speak to the
+natives. During the comparatively short period of the existence of the
+Mission, eleven worthy Missionaries found their graves in Nancauwery,
+and thirteen more, shortly after their return to Tranquebar, in
+consequence of the malignant fevers and obstructions in the liver,
+contracted in the island. These dreadful disorders, and the seasoning
+fevers, which every newcomer must suffer, are all accompanied with such
+pain in the head, dejection of spirits, and constant sickness, that the
+senses are in a degree stupified, and learning rendered doubly
+difficult. The mind being likewise filled with desponding views of the
+possibility of relief and of future usefulness, the effect is very
+unfavourable to that persevering diligence, with which such a barbarous
+language must be studied; and death snatching so soon those away, who
+had made some small progress, their successors must begin the uphill
+work again and again, and the prospect of obtaining the aim of the
+Mission is put off from one period to another.
+
+Thirdly, our mode of life, and too great exertion in clearing and
+planting, and other laborious work, which necessity obliged us to
+undertake, was likewise a principal cause of the prevalence of various
+disorders and complaints of the liver, the region of the stomach
+swelling, and becoming quite hard below the ribs. All who were thus
+affected, died either in the island, or soon after their return to
+Tranquebar. I was not seized in this manner, but, besides other
+illnesses, got a quartan ague, of which I have not lost the symptoms to
+this day. When I mentioned it in a letter to Dr. Betschler at
+Tranquebar, he wrote in answer: "Ah, my friend, if you have got the
+Nicobar ague, it will keep you company all your life, if you live to be
+an hundred years old." Thus far his words have proved true, and to this
+present time, after thirty years have elapsed, I perceive the remaining
+symptoms regularly returning every fourth night. While I was at
+Nancauwery, they were very violent, and weakened me so much, that I
+often thought my life in danger. After my return to Europe, they abated
+considerably; but on being appointed, to the service of the Missions in
+the Danish West India islands, the heat of the climate caused them to
+increase in strength, though by degrees they again became bearable, and
+the fever almost imperceptible. At present the symptoms are various,
+sometimes a great degree of thirst, sleepless nights, and uneasy
+sensations; at other times heavy yet restless sleep, with dreams
+approaching to delirium; but whatever they are, never failing to recur
+every fourth night regularly. I will not venture to say, whether, if I
+had staid in Europe, the use of proper means, under skilful treatment,
+might not have entirely removed the complaint, but the fact, as it
+exists at present, has verified Dr. Betschler's prediction.
+
+To return to the former subject, I must add, that not one of us ever
+learnt the Nicobar language so perfectly as to be able clearly to
+explain the will of God concerning our salvation to the natives. But I
+am of opinion that they are not the most hopeless subjects, and think
+that the gospel might be preached to them with success, if the
+abovementioned obstacles were removed.
+
+
+
+
+LETTER VIII.
+
+
+The birds-nests, which I have described in a former letter, brought a
+great number, both of Malays and Chinese to our coasts, in quest of
+them. These people always created much confusion and quarrelling among
+our otherwise peaceable islanders, by their knavery and frequent
+assassinations; and also gave the Missionaries a great deal of trouble.
+In general, fifteen or sixteen, and in one year, nineteen, large prows
+full of these vagabonds came to Nancauwery. After the officers and
+soldiers who had accompanied the Missionaries to this island were all
+dead, and it was known, that the latter would not quit their post, the
+government at Tranquebur required, that always one of them should be
+appointed Danish Royal Resident, and hold, as it were, the presidency
+of the islands. The patent was always signed by the King. Brother
+Voelcker was the first who filled that station, and was succeeded by
+Brother Armedinger. He was followed by Brother Blaschke, and after his
+return to Tranquebar, I was appointed. As I thought it was left to my
+own option, whether I would accept of it or not, I declined it, in a
+letter to the Governor of Tranquebar, conceiving it to be inconsistent
+with the duties of a Missionary. However, I was obliged at length to
+yield, and became Resident. I was succeeded by Brother J. Heinrich, and
+Brother Soerensen was the last.
+
+I will add an instance or two to show, how this office proved
+frequently a source of much vexation to us. The Danes, when they formed
+their first settlement in Kar Nicobar, an island 75 English miles in
+circumference, to which they gave the name of New Denmark, had conveyed
+a considerable number of cannon thither; but after the death of all the
+soldiers, the carriages rotted, and I saw seventeen of these guns lying
+on the ground. By one or more at a time, the Malays kept stealing them
+away. It happened, however, that a Nacata, or general of the King of
+Queda, as he styled himself, arrived at Nancauwery with a large prow,
+and being informed by the natives, that he had no less than five of
+them on board, I thought it my duty, as Resident, to protest against
+this theft, and spoke to him about it. He flew into a great rage, and
+began to use threatening language, pleading the orders of his king. I
+answered, that his king very well knew, that as he had laid nothing
+down there, he had no right to take any thing up; and that if he
+persisted, I should give notice to the King of Denmark. I then left
+him, but heard, that he afterwards threatened soon to prevent my
+reporting his conduct; adding, that when I was dead, I should be quiet
+enough. The natives also assured me, that it was his intention to kill
+me, but that they would stay with me for my defence. I replied, that
+though I thanked them for their kindness, yet they, as well as we, were
+much too weak to withstand the diabolical influence which actuated
+these murderous people; every inclination to commit that and other
+crimes, being of the devil; but that our hope and trust was in God our
+Saviour, who was infinitely more powerful than the devil, and could and
+would protect us against all the designs of wicked men. We took that
+opportunity of speaking to them again of the love of our Saviour, and
+of His desire to deliver them from the power of Satan, and grant them
+everlasting life. They heard us with attention and surprise, and staid
+with us till late at night, when we desired them to return home, but
+could hardly prevail upon them to leave us.
+
+As soon as they were gone, having performed our usual evening
+devotions, we were preparing to retire to bed; when we heard a noise
+without, and immediately after, a violent knocking at the door. On
+opening it, I was not a little alarmed to see a great number of Malays
+surrounding the entrance. I cried silently to the Lord to protect us
+against their evil designs; but though my fears were great, I assumed
+an authoritative air, keeping my station in the door-way, as if
+determined not to let them enter. The foremost, however, pushed in, and
+now the Nacata himself came up. He treacherously held out his hand; but
+on my offering him mine, he grasped it firmly, and dragged me with him
+into the house. The Malays immediately filled all the chairs, and I
+stood before them. I had no other hope but in the mercy of God, to whom
+I sighed for help in this trying moment. Meanwhile more of them crowded
+into the room, and sat down on the floor, closely watching me, armed
+with their creeses or daggers. Though I preserved a firm and undaunted
+appearance, I cannot describe my feelings, for I expected to be
+immediately sacrificed to their fury. The Nacata addressed me by
+saying, that he was come hither to ask, whose property the cannon were
+to be, his or mine? I answered, "that he came to the wrong person to
+make that inquiry; for I was only a servant of the King of Denmark, as
+he, according to his own account, was only the servant of the King of
+Queda. Neither of us, therefore, could determine who was to have the
+cannon. Our respective masters, and they only, were able to settle that
+point. He had told me that he had received orders to fetch them; and I
+could assure him, that I had orders to protest against it: we both,
+therefore, had only done our duty. All now depended upon this point,
+whether my king, or his king, had any right to give orders in these
+islands, and to claim the property in question." At this answer, he
+became quite furious, and began to talk about the ease, with which the
+Malays might murder us all. Some of them even drew their daggers, and
+shewed how they were tipped with poison. They looked, indeed, more like
+a host of devils, than a company of human creatures. On a sudden they
+all jumped up, and seemed to rush upon me. I commended my soul to the
+Lord, and called upon Him for deliverance, awaiting the issue in
+silence, when, to my surprise, they quitted the room, one by one, and
+left me, standing alone, in astonishment at their conduct. I shall
+never forget the dreadful scene, and think of it at this moment, with
+shuddering. As soon as they were all gone, and I found myself in
+safety, I fell on my knees, and with tears, gave thanks to God my
+Saviour, who had heard my prayers, and rescued me out of the hands of
+these savages. My Brethren, who had very properly retired into the
+wood, when the Malays first burst into the house, now returned, and we
+wept for joy to see each other alive.
+
+Having somewhat recovered from our fright, I went to the village, and
+told our old Nicobar captain, Jan, what had happened, upon which he
+sent messages to all the neighbouring villages, when in a short time,
+great numbers arrived, well armed, and watched at the landing-place all
+night. Had the Malays offered to return to shore, not one of them would
+have escaped with his life.
+
+In the morning, the Nacata's prow, with two others, were seen at anchor
+under Tricut, many miles from hence. The people there told us
+afterwards, that the Nacata had said, that the Danish Resident at
+Nancauwery was a very great sorcerer, for he had tied their hands, and
+they could do nothing with him. It was not I who tied their hands, but
+God, who heard the cries of a poor, defenceless and trembling child,
+trusting alone to His mercy and power.
+
+I might add many other instances of the trouble and mischief occasioned
+by the visits of these robbers, and which it was my business to
+prevent, if possible; but will close my account, with relating only one
+more, to show in what manner they treat even their own countrymen; and
+also, how willing our neighbours were to defend our rights.
+
+Having this year obtained, by foul or fair means, a pretty considerable
+booty, no less than nineteen prows, full of Malays, came, the ensuing
+season, into our roads, for birds-nests. I had, however, got the start
+of them. As soon as the north-east wind commenced, I went to the
+southern islands, where I staid a month, and not only collected a vast
+quantity of nests, but purchased all those which the natives brought
+for sale. The Malays, therefore, were disappointed, and got but few. We
+expected that they would have been thereby discouraged, and
+discontinued their visits. But we were mistaken. While I was at
+_Manjoul_, a small island, east of the channel of St. George, a prow
+with about sixty Malays arrived there, commanded by a Nacata, who
+called himself _Sayet Ismael_, a priest of the King of Queda. He was
+the most civil and well-behaved Malay I ever conversed with. I advised
+him therefore to stay where he was, to make a regular agreement with
+the natives about the price of the birds-nests, pay faithfully, and
+keep good order among his men, so as to prevent all cause of complaint;
+and assured him, that thus he would get a good cargo. He took my
+advice, and procured a considerable quantity of nests, while those, who
+followed him, got none.
+
+Among the latter was a man who styled himself a Prince of Queda, and
+had two Nacatas, some women, and a numerous crew on board his large
+prow. He committed everywhere the grossest acts of barbarity, and in
+Kar Nicobar murdered two persons, of which I was soon informed. Shortly
+after, he came into our neighbourhood, and anchored under Tricut, where
+he seized upon Sayet Ismael's prow. The latter, having sent his palong
+to Nancauwery, with eight sacks of rice, two of nests, and other goods,
+soon followed, claiming our protection. Thus, though we ourselves were
+in a defenceless state, the oppressed came and sought help from us. We
+suffered the priest to occupy one of our negroe-houses, where he
+remained very quiet. Meanwhile the prince heard, that we had obtained a
+large quantity of nests, and thought it would be no difficult matter to
+plunder us likewise. For this purpose, he arrived with two large prows,
+filled with some of the most ferocious of the Malay race. They entered,
+occupied our house without any ceremony, and seemed to be a determined
+set of banditti. I was alone in the midst of them, and cried to the
+Lord to take me under his protection. While I was walking to and fro
+across the room, the prince inquired, whether I had any birds-nests. I
+replied in the affirmative; upon which he pretended, that he was come
+to purchase them of me, and wished to see them. As I happened, during
+this conversation, to step towards the door, one of our Caffre
+servants, who stood near it, thought I had made a sign to him, to call
+the natives to my assistance, though, in fact, I was so much agitated,
+that I had not even observed him. He ran immediately into the village
+Malacca, and called the people together. Meanwhile I spoke in a
+decisive tone with the prince, forgot all his grand titles, and assured
+him, that he should not get a single nest from me, sharply reproving
+him for having murdered two men at Kar Nicobar, who were under the
+protection of my sovereign. He flew into a passion, saying, that he
+would soon shew me, that he had it in his power to sieze all my
+birds-nests; and as to the two men, who had been stabbed at Kar
+Nicobar, he was not bound to answer for that deed to me.
+
+He had scarcely finished this insulting speech, when a party of natives
+unexpectedly leaped in at the windows, with drawn sabres in their
+hands. The Malays, terrified beyond measure, asked, what all this
+meant. I replied: "They come to prevent your committing more murders."
+In a short time, the house was surrounded by the natives, both men and
+women being armed with sabres, spears, and bludgeons, their number
+continually increasing. The prince and his men now began to beg, that
+we would take them under our protection. At first I gave them no
+answer, but continued reproving them for their base and treacherous
+practices, among which I particularly noticed their plundering people
+of their own nation. I asked: "Who therefore can trust to your word?
+You deserve punishment at the hands of those you have so often provoked
+by your injustice, and if I were now only to lift up my hand, not a man
+of you would escape." Being convinced, that they were in my power, they
+began to entreat me to interfere in their behalf, and the prince
+offered to restore all he had taken. "How can you," said I, "restore
+the lives of those you have murdered? However, you shall for once keep
+your word, and restore the prow you took from Sayet Ismael, with its
+whole lading." This he readily agreed to, and having called Sayet
+Ismael, I made the prince repeat his promise, and asked Sayet, whether
+he could trust him; which, after some words had passed between them in
+their own language, he assured me he could, and they shook hands, in
+token of sincerity. I now informed the prince, that his men might go
+unmolested to their palongs, but that he himself should stay with me,
+till Sayet Ismael's prow had been sent hither and delivered up to him.
+He was exceedingly terrified at this sentence, and said, that unless he
+was permitted to accompany his people, the natives would certainly kill
+him. At length, Sayet Ismael himself warmly interceding for him, I
+consented, that they should go away together, and went out to pacify
+the natives. It was with some difficulty that I succeeded in appeasing
+their indignation against these robbers, whom they now had in their
+power, but when I told them that I should look upon their compliance as
+a proof of their regard for me and my brethren, they were satisfied,
+and made, of their own accord, a passage through their ranks, for the
+Malays. Their appearance was indeed formidable, as they stood on each
+side, armed with their spears and bludgeons. The Malays however were
+still afraid to leave the house, till, after much entreaty, I myself
+agreed to accompany them to their palongs. The prince seized my hand,
+and would not let me go, till he had got into the boat.
+
+I thought it my duty to avail myself of this opportunity to impress
+these ferocious invaders of our islands, with some sense of the danger
+they were in, and to teach them, that they might not always he
+permitted to commit their depredations with impunity. For a time I
+believe it had a good effect: but I confess, that I felt not a little
+intimidated by this unpleasant visit, and much regretted the necessity
+of holding the office, and doing the duty of a Resident, or agent of
+government. God was my refuge, and had He not granted me presence of
+mind sufficient to avoid all show of the fear I felt, we should
+probably have fallen a sacrifice to the revengeful and murderous spirit
+of these barbarians.
+
+Sayet Ismael returned to us that very night, with his recovered prow
+and cargo, thankful for the justice which he had obtained, and as he
+offered us his services, we intrusted him with a parcel of letters to
+our Brethren in Europe, which we found he had regularly forwarded, as
+they all came safe to hand.
+
+The prince had talked of nothing on the way to Tricut, but of the
+wonderful power of the Missionaries, and declared, that he would
+certainly never again set foot on Nancauwery.
+
+You must, by this time, be quite tired of reading these fragments. I
+hope I have succeeded in giving you some idea of our situation in the
+Nicobar islands, and of the circumstances, by which our attempts to
+convert the natives to Christianity were frustrated. I bless the Lord
+my Saviour, for preserving me in the midst of all trouble and danger,
+and if I appear to you to have endured some sufferings in body and
+mind, in the East Indies, more especially by the total failure of our
+endeavours to gain souls for Christ from among the heathen, in the
+place to which we were sent, I call upon you now to praise the Lord
+with me, for the great mercies I have since experienced, in the West
+Indies, where I have beheld, with joy, the power of the word of His
+cross, in the conversion of hundreds and thousands of negroes, among
+whom I have had the favour to proclaim it. I still think of, and pray
+for, the poor ignorant inhabitants of the East, and particularly of the
+Nicobar islands, and trust, that now the time will soon come, when,
+though some of Christ's servants have sowed in tears, others shall reap
+with joy. May the glory of His saving name be made manifest in all the
+earth, and the gospel be proclaimed in its most dark and distant parts,
+by the present extended circulation of the bible, and the exertions of
+His people of every denomination. With sincerest affection, I remain
+ever, &c. &c.
+
+                    JOHN GOTTFRIED HAENSEL.
+
+_To the REV. C. I. LATROBE,
+London._
+
+
+_W. McDowall, Printer, Pemberton Row,_
+_London._
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Letters on the Nicobar islands, their
+natural productions, and the manners, customs, and superstitions of the natives, by John Gottfried Haensel
+
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