Dutch merchant responds to everything with shooting.

[**The following takes place in the late 1590s.**] >[De Houtman](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8c/Cornelis_de_Houtman.jpg) [**Cornelis de Houtman of the Mauritius**], in turn, was a hotheaded adventurer who had already served three years in a Portuguese prison for attempting to steal secret charts of eastern waters. Upon the first fleet’s arrival at the Javanese port of Bantam, De Houtman was incensed to find the price of spices higher than he had expected; he responded by opening fire on the town with cannon. >[…] >Further down the coast, De Houtman’s suspicions were aroused by the unprecedented friendliness shown him by the prince of Madura. He opened fire again, slaughtering the members of the welcome party. __________________________ **Source:** Dash, Mike. “Gentlemen XVII.” *Batavia's Graveyard*. Three Rivers Press, 2003. 59, 60. Print. __________________________ **Further Reading:** [Cornelis de Houtman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornelis_de_Houtman)