QG6 commerce with situated in such places as the Straits of Ma- cassar, the northern coast of Borneo, and the Country of spices. The Dutch ah-eady possess establishments in the latter, and it is only neces- saiy to declare a free trade, establish a tolerably li- beral administration, and relieve the neighbouring islands from the fetters which shackle their indus- try, to insure their immediate advancement to prosperity. The European establishments in Java, with the distinguished fertility of that island above all the other countries of the Archipelago, will always insure to it a pre-eminence, and render it the favourite and principal resort of the distant trader of Europe. The situation of the countries of the Indian Archipelago is naturally so favourable to the set- tlement of foreigners of all descriptions, that hard- ly an establishment was ever formed by them that did not flourish in a remarkable degree as long as any share of prudence or good government was maintained in it. The indigenous civilization of the country, indeed, has not been formed on the sea-coasts, or through the medium of commerce, but wherever the improved agricultural nations of the interior have been moved to emigrate, and form commercial establishments on the coasts, these have been sure to be attended with success. We may quote for this the examples of ancient Malac- ca, a colony of the Malays of the interior of Suma-
