On examining the charts, it will be seen that it is in the power of the Dutch to prevent Malays from going to Sincapore. The Malay trade should be protected: by encouraging these poor people, you would bring all the eastern trade to your port.
What I proposed in the year 1807, and what I would now recommend, is, to get possession of the east end of Timor from the Portuguese, and to establish a settlement at the port of Dilha: this would secure the whole of the Malay trade in the Malacca seas. You might have had, and may yet, if not too late, the west end of Timor (belonging to the Dutch,) for Bencoolen. Your having Sincapore, Malacca would have been deserted. Timor is of no value to the Portuguese, and may be of some consequence to us. Sincapore rendered Malacca of no value to any one. Bencoolen should have been given (if it was to be parted with,) for the west end of Timor. The port of Dilha on the N.E. side of Timor, a most excellent harbour, easy of access, may be fortified at a trifling expense, and defended from any surprise by a small force. The Malays in those seas have not a place to trade with, and dread leaving their creeks and rivers, through fear of the Dutch. I found them much inclined to trade, and considered they would in a short time be rendered fully independent of the Dutch, provided we had the port of Dilha, in the island of Timor. All the Malays who are taken by the Dutch, are reduced to slavery. The port of Dilha would embrace the Straits of Macassar, Seylere, Gilolo, east end of the island of Borneo, Celebes, Amboyna, Ceram, Banda, and all to the eastward of Java, would be opened to your trade in a short time. Two-thirds of the spices would centre at the port of Dilha, and it would not be in the power of the Dutch to prevent them. In the N.W. and S.E monsoons, the Malay prows could reach Dilha, and return in the space of two or three weeks, exchange spices for opium and Bengal goods, or British manufactures. You would have sufficient in a short time to supply England, even South America. India ships trading to New Holland would call there; also Americans and Spaniards, if allowed, may go there: – the island abounds with ship timber. * * * * * * *. The winds will not allow the Malays to go to Melville Island; and as the distance is very great, the Dutch may have a favourable opportunity of taking them.”
To this statement the following answer was returned, July 30, 1824:–
“Dear Sir,– I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 24th June, stating the advantages which would result from a British settlement in the port of Dilha, on the Island of Timor, and to return you my thanks for the suggestions which it contains. I do not, however, think, that as our negociation with the government of the Netherlands is now brought to a close, it would be desirable to re-open if, and it seems to me that most of the benefits which would be likely to result from it, will arise from the settlement now forming at Port Essington, on the north point of New South Wales. I remain, dear Sir, most faithfully yours,
