Its possession would certainly be desirable, not only as a centre for future trade with Bankok and the East, but as a port from which our vessels of war might suppress the piracy that prevails all along the Malay coast, and in the neighbouring island of Sumatra.

Such information may be extremely useful in the future, and when our power in this country is consolidated.
"But this is not the sole object of your mission.

You will proceed, either before or after your visit to this rajah, as we will determine, to Batavia; bearing a despatch from me to the Dutch governor, narrating a number of acts of piracy that have taken place among the islands, and requesting that, as they are the paramount power in that district, they will take steps, both for their own sake and ours, to suppress piracy; and offering, on our part, that two or three of our ships of war shall, if they think it desirable, aid them in the punishment of the Malays.

You will be accompanied by an interpreter.
"There are several Malay traders established here; and some of them, no doubt, speak Hindustani fluently.

I will have enquiries made among them, and will also procure you a Dutch interpreter.
"I do not propose that you shall go in a trading vessel to Java.
The appearance of such a vessel, off Batavia, would be resented by the Dutch.