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With a rare map of Brunei

[Brunei]; Leys, Peter Report by Consul-General Leys on the Rivers of Borneo. London Harrison and Sons. 1884
First edition, folio, pp.(17)-21, map. Included in: Reports from Her Majesty's Diplomatic and Consular Officers Abroad on subjects of commercial and general interest (whole issue included). [C.-3831, Commercial, No.2 (1884). A very good copy stitched in original series paper covers. A few spots to cover. Library stamps of the Peace Palace in the Hague in covers.

Peter Leys served as acting Governor of Labuan, 1881-88. Desirous of opening trade between Labuan and ports opened by the newly formed North Borneo Company he borrowed the launch of Pangeran Tumonggong of Brunei to visit the three principal rivers opening into Brunei bay, the Padas, the Lawas, and the Limbang. In this brief report he discusses taxes, makes a plea for the opening up of the country, and manages to insult the Brunei rulers: ".. the Brunei rulers are ignorant, weak, and dilatory.. although possessed of considerable refinement and dignity of manner and shrewdness of intellect, they, as a rule, can neither read nor write.." The map, measuring 29.5 x 18 cm, covers the coastal area from the Baram river to Gaya island.