The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-01-15
The Islands or Southern Asia.

The East Indian Archipelago, that has recently been
brought into notice by the enerprlsing and INTEREST,"
adventures OF one of citizens. had been previously
too generally neglected Portuguese and Spaniards Eng
lish and Dutch have long carried commercial inter-
course with It's inhabitants, and these four nations have
long conended for share monopoly OF it's trade.
Ancient European settlements exist many OF the
coasts Reports have long been circulated among all
trading communities OF the wealth and the capabilities
Astounding throughout this region yet We have been
tent leave in dubious obscurity, until in the imag
nations OF persons, sort OF mythical gloom ap
peared 10 envelope the disan, islands of Asia.
The Indian Archipelago. however, is worth the at,en
ton OF great commercial people. The multitude, the
variety and the beauty OF lis natural productions be-
ginning TO be Familiarity known. IL IS doubtless of
the impor,an, parts of Asia, and OF the world
There are within its circumference, indeed, no immense
cultivated plains like those OF Europe the continent OF
India; there are no pastoral nations dwelling 10 tents
leading their hocks from seppe seppe like those OF
the two Tartaries; there bunting tribes, ike
those which drive the elk and the buffalo over our praes
and savannah; but there In the Eastern Archs-
pelago the chief islands OF the world, the mos prolific
Soils the products. the most picturesque and bril-
liant scenes
There is romance in all The history oil the Indian
Islands Glimpses into the remoer periods show
deul episode in the fortunes Of mankind The vestiges
of an antique civilization exis, in Javs-ihe shrnes Of
gods and the oraces OF press, whose has passed
swsy--the symbols aud The dedicatons Of an exiinc,
religion. Edhces, whose builders unknown. are in.
scrbed with the characters oil language which has died
os with the ruling caste tina, used IT, In Borneo, SUI
MARIA, and the Malay peninsula, hordes Of men,
and some Of doubtful humanity, such as the Orang
kooboo OF Sumara, who practise the most primitive
manners OF species. Throughout, the islands there
traces of migiaons and the growth OF tribes which
give questions 10 the eihnogrsphefs OF future day. An
ancient intercourse The one side with India on the
other with China. the other with the Red sea- only
glmmers DOT through the twilight OF history II Is still
doubtful whether continent is rising through The
floods OF the Chinese the Indian and The Pacific oceans
or whether the islands are many Ararats remaining
after deuge which, an unrecorded era covered all
the lowlands Of Asia
The influence OF America 10 to be felt in this
quarter Of the East The policy OF Holland has been di
rect.d exclude all other nations from the ports OF the
Archipelago She has endeavored TO absorb every
tive State within her dominion, recognised indirect
While this policy was pursued in a dgnihed manner,
through the usual modes, by the usual arts o.
diplomacy. il could not be violently condemned But the
Dutch in their East India possessions, have not always
moved within the circle drawn about them by justice and
the acknowledged law OF nations They have outraged
citizens, well those OF other nations. trivial
prelepces They have obstruced our legitimate action
~ refusing The recognition Of our consular authorities
They have returned TO monopoles which they had
scented to foego They have esorted to equvoca arts,
r.. 40. IS.
sion of any other trade bat their own within the waters
Of The Archipelago They have declared their authority
paramount over territories in boneo and Samaira which
they cannot be allowed 10 possess, because they have
bad force in the East TO enable them to exercise one
single Of sovereignty these territories but have
merely sough, to maintain blockade on The mouths OF
the rivers watering these countries. Unable, through
their weakness and the hostility OF the natives to de-