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A 1779 account of the archipelago between Malaysia and New Guinea, its inhabitants, and colonial rivalries over the spice trade.
List of contents
Dedication; Introduction; Part I: 1. Intention of the voyage; 2. Departure from Balambangan; 3. Account of the island of Gilolo; 4. Tuan Hadjee returns on board; 5. Sent a boat to the island Salwatty; 6. The Batchian officers refuse to proceed to New Guinea; 7. Description of the north coast of Waygiou; 8. Arrival of the Banguey Corocoro; 9. Departure from Dory harbour; 10. Departure from Bo; 11. Departure from Ef-be harbour; 12. Departure from Leron; Part II: 1. Of the island Magindano; 2. Geographical sketches of places on the banks of the rivers Pelangy and Tamantakka; 3. Description of the coast of Magindano; 4. The history of Magindano; 5. Arrival at Coto Intang; 6. Account of Subudan Watamama; 7. Celebration of a festival at the sultan's palace; 8. The island Bunwoot is granted to the English; 9. Description of the coast of Magindano south of the bar; 10. Of the great Lano or lake; 11. Sent the galley to Bunwoot to be repaired; 12. Ask leave to depart from Magindano; 13. Account of the islands Sangir; 14. Of the island Sooloo; 15. An account of the cinnamon tree in Ceylon; 16. Sail for Kamaladan harbour; 17. On the north part of Borneo; 18. Directions for sailing down the north-west cost of Borneo; A vocabulary of the Magindano tongue.
Summary
In 1774, East India Company employee Thomas Forrest (c.1729–c.1802) embarked on a year-long voyage to explore the archipelago between Malaysia and New Guinea, in a small boat with a local crew. This 1779 publication describes the islands he visited, their people, and colonial trade, particularly in spices.
