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2^. 66^Z

O j) 5"-^

ORIENTAL COMMERCE;

OR THE

e^AX Snlita CraHnr'K Complete 0ttfiie ;

CONTAINING
A GEOGRAPHICAL AND NAUTICAL DESCRIPTION

OF THE

BfARITIMB PARTS OP INDIA, CHINA, JAPAN, AND NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIEB,

INCLUDING THE EASTERN ISLANDS, AND THE TRADING

STATIONS ON THE PASSAGE PROM EUROPE;

0014 ^ox Ustamt ol

THEIR RESPECTIVE COMMERCE^ PRODUCTIONS^ COINS, WEIGHTS, AND
MEASURES f THEIR PORT REGULATIONS, DUTIES, RATES, CHARGES, ^

The Commodiiies imported from thence into Great Britain^

and the DuHea payable thereon ;

TOGETHER WITH

A MASS OP MISCELLANEOUS INPORMATION, COLLECTED DURING MANY YEARS*

EMPLOYMENT IN THE EAST INDIA SERVICE, AND IN THE COURSE

OP SEVEN VOYAGES TO INDIA AND CHINA.

OHtGINALLV COMPILSD
BT THE LATE

WILLIAM MILBURN, \

OF THE HONOURABLE EAST INDIA COMPANY^S SERVICE:

A cor^nl Digut kanbag hem made firom the Papen l^ wUk kit Extcutar, tmd tkft wkdt

imeorpofoted with fHHtck adiMtumal and va h iab U Matter,

BY THOMAS THORNTON, M. R. A. S.

LONDON :

PRINTED FOR KINGSBURY, PARBURY, AND ALLEN,

LBADSNBALL STBSBT.

1825.

PREFACE.

Little more need be said by way of Preface to this Work,
than is necessary to explain how it has been reduced from its
former bulk to a more convenient size. This object has been
attained by excluding the long historical and financial disqui-
sitions inserted in the Work when first published, as well as
many tabular abstracts of official accounts, (upon the accuracy
of which implidt reliance could not be placed) ; and also by
rejecting whatsoever appeared to be calculated rather to gratify
curiosity, than to prove of real utility. Much additional matter
has nevertheless been incorporated, with all the essential inform-
ation contained in the first Edition ; and some parts of the pre-
sent Work are entirely new. A few of the MS. Notes of the
late Mb. Milbubn have been used ; but the chief portion of
the additions has been supplied from other sources, private as
well as public.

Critidsm must not be wasted upon the style of this Work.
The descriptions are mostly given in the words of the original
Author (who wrote firom actual observation) ; the supplementary
matter is expressed in language which the Editor has been
deflUDUS of making intelligible, rather than el^ant.

London, Augwt 17, ISSff.

CONTENTS.

P«ge.

— — — 8. 7%e Canary Atowcfa»»»%%%%%%%»%»»%%»%*,%«^%%^%% ^ %^^>^^%%%%^%>%» % ^ 5

~* — ' ~~ o* x^apc vT \jtooa jtiop^ %<%«»»»> » %<%%i%»%%'*i%^^»»^»»%%»%<^»*^%'%»'%%<v»%%<» w%i%»^ %<»»^ )so

— — — 7. Islands off the East Coast of Africa ^^^^^.^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 44

— — — 8. Ths Rod Sca^ or Gtuph of ATobia %»v»%%»^<^%%'%%^%'v»%%%»>%%'%%«»%^v%. o\
^ . ^ 9. Coast of Arabia to the Persian G^^A.>%^%^^>>^^%^^%%^^%^^^^^^ 77

•• — ' ~~ xv« %jff/upr^ or J^ersta <»%»^>%^%^^^ %%%^%'%%» v%%»%i%»%»%%'%^>%»i^»<»<^<»^»^<» v %«»i>^>»^<»»^» 09

^ — — 11. Coasts of Persia, Sdndy, and Guxerat .^^^.^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^lOS

— — — 12. Coast of India frotn Cambay to Bombay »%%%V%%%%»»%»%>%»%»%»%1 16

— — "^ a4w x^oaSm or XfOncan ^%»»%^%^%»%%i%%>%%%<»%%%»%%<%^>%*>%%%*i%%%%%%^%>%%i»%%^%%>%%'v»%ioi/

— ~ — 18. Coast froM Cape Comorin to 3f(g<ircW'»%%»v»*%v»%»%%»%%>%vv»%^^210

— — — tSO* Coast of Mcui/ras to Joengat %%» » %%%»^^»%w»<>%»%%«»»^^>^^'v>«%%>»»»»v»^>%,v»84?l

~ ~ ' 2S. Bengal to the Malay Peninsula <^%%^%%vw» % .%%»%^%.»»%%%%%%%»»»^»^ 3 06

— — - 23. Malay Peninsula and Singapore %^^i/»%%%%%.»»%»% % >»»%v»%.>»%%^»^^323

'^ "~ ^ SRy. ^ A6 JBAXszem Jtsionas %%%«»<^i»%%»»»»%*»»%%v%%»%%%%%»%%<%%<%^»%i% % %«%»%»%» w»%»» jRyo
^ — ^ 27. jStom, CocAtfi China, and rQwyrff>.»»»%%%%%%%%»»%%%%%^%^^<»^^»^ 4 3Q

— - - 90. Itfe of France, St Helena, dfc ^%%^%^%%^% ^^^^^^27

-. ' - 31. New Holland and Van DiemerCs Land^^^^,,^^^^^^^^^ >54S

ORIENTAL COMMERCE.

SECTION I.

THE* MADEIRA ISLANDS.

J:HE Madeiras are a group of islands, consisting of Porto Sancto,
the Desertas, and Madeifv.

PORTO SANCTO, the northernmost, in ktitude S3^ 5' N. and
kmgitude 16^ 16' W., is easily distinguished hj two or three high hum-
mocks. On the S. W. side is an excellent road, where good water, pro*
fisioiis, and refreshments may be had, and where vessds of nearly 500 tons
bnre been boye down and repaired. A rocky bank lies to the N. E* of
Porto Saaeto.

The DESEBTAS are about 12 le^^ues S. S. W. from Porto Sancto.
They extend nearly N. N. W. and S. S. E. ; are aboutS leagues in dimen*
aion, rather unereo, and not inhabited.

MADEIRA is about IS leaguea long from E. to W., and about 3
hraad from N. to S«$ rery high and mountainous, except the east end,
which terminates in a low rugged point In passing through the channd
between Madeira and the Desertas, a ship should keep at considerable
distance Scorn both.

Funchal, the capital, is on the south side, in latitude 32^ ST N., and
longitude 16P 59 W., about a mile long, and half a mile broad, containing
about two thousand houses, built of stone, with handsome Churches and
Monasteries. The appearance of most of the houses is mean, and the
streets are narrow, dirty, and badly paved. It is strongly fortified. On
the E. end of the beach is a fort, called St. Jago; another, called
St LoreuEo, where the Gkyremor resides, is near the W. end of the town;
the third, named Peak Castle, is at the N. W. angle of the town, on a hill,
about half a mile from the shore ; the fourth stands upon the Loo Roek»
about 400 yards firom the shore, and conunands the bay. The town has also
a strong wall to the sea, connecting the forts.

The landing^Iace is to the N. W. of the Loo Rock, and is sometimes
dangerous. The entrance to the town is about three-quarters of a mile
from thence, through a gate, fiom which a narrow street leads to a pubUc

2 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Madeiras.

walk, shaded wkh trees, with- a principal avenue in the centre, terminated
by the Cathedral The Theatre is on one side, and the Hospital on the other
of the entrance. The Custom House is at the sea-side, surrounded hj a
rampart mounted with cannon, and which contains barracks.

The best anchorage for large ships is in 30 to 36 fathoms water, having
the Citadel a little open to the E. of the Loo Rock, the latter distant a
large half mile. A whole cable should be used when the weather appears the
least unsettled, with a slip-buoy on the cable, having the splice so situated,
that should you be forced to put to sea, and be unable to weigh, the cable
may be cut near the splice.

Ships^ boats may land on the beach in summer ; but this is better
avoided at all seasons when goods are not landing, to preserve the boats
from the violent surge and shingly shore, and to keep the seamen from the
disorderly houses near the beach. Shore-boat^ often come on board, under
pretence of selling fruit. Sec; but their chief object is the sale of spirituous
liquors or concealed goods.

Madeira contains about 110,000 inhabitants, of which nearly 20,000 in-
habit FunchaL The merchants, mostly English, are hospitable to strangers.

Trade.— -The imports from Great Britain, in the year 18S1, were
foreign and colonial merchandize, consisting principally of wheat and flour,
flax, East India piece-goods, rice, and brandy, the official value of whidi
was <f 41,006 ; and British and Irish produce, consisting of cottcm manu-
factures, cast and wrought iron, staves, soap and candles, wooDens, apparel,
beef and pork, cabinet and upholstery ware, glass and earthenware, hatsi,
leather, linens, &c. the declared value of which was ^48,S1S«

The official value of imports into Great Britain from Madeira, in the
year 1821, was ^18,253.

The Americans carry on a considerable trade with Madara in provi-
sions, lumber, &c. The returns are in wine^ a large quantity of which is
consumed in America.

The principal and almost only export fiK)m Madeira is wine, classed
as follows, in regard to quality :— 1, London Particular. 2, London Market.
3, India Market. 4, New York Market 5, Cargo. There are, besides,
Sercial, sweet Malmsey, dry Malmsey, Tinto, or red wine.

The quantity of Madeira Wine imported into Great Britain in the year
1822, was 2046 tuns, of. which 857 tuns were brought direct from the
Island. The increase of quantity has had an effect upon the price of the article,
and deteriorated it in quality. The prices are settled by the British Factory
at the commencement of each year. The large purchases of wine by the
East India Company a few years back somewhat deranged the trade, and
was attended with a serious loss to themselves.

Madeira.} OIUeNTAL COMMERCR 9

The price ot Madeira wine in ilie years 1881 and 1892 at Cakntta irat
tram 360 to 800 rupees per pipe.

The best vineyards are on the south side of the Island ; but the produee
is seldom imported pure. The Malmsey is from rines grown on rocky-
ground^ exposed td the stin ; and the grapes are allowed to hang for about
a month longer than fbr the dry wiiies.

The good effect of an India voyage on Madeira wine is well known ;
but if tlie wine be of bad quality, it often does misdiief.

DoTiBS PAID AT MAMiiiA.-^Imports are subject to a duty of £15
per cent ad vahrem. The export duty on wine is 14 milreas 7 reas (or
£3. 178. nearly) per tun. Goods may be landed, for re-exportation, on pay-
ment of <f 4 per cent, when shipped* The period of warehousing is linnted
to six months.

Port Charobs, &c— The Consulage is £3. 68. for each ship ; Custom-
house entry costs about the sanie. A visit on arrival, and another at
departure, one dollar each. Two officers remain on board during a ship^s
stay in port, and ore paid by the ship 300 reas each per diem.^^The charge
for commasion here varies from 3) to 5 per cent.

JElui.B8 OF THB PoRT.-— 1. A ship must be visited by a Government or
Health OflSce boat previously to communication with the shore, or with
vessels in the port 2. The persons landing in the first boat from the ship,
must be examined at the Health Office. 3. The ship^s register, Mediternu>
nean pass, and manifest of cargo, must be brought for production at the
Consular and other offices. 4. No vessel can have communication with an unvi*
rited vessel. 5. No vessel at anchor can change her birth without licence. 6. No
boats can pass between vessels and shore after sunset, without licence.
7. No seaman or soldier may leave ship without permission in writing from
commanding officer. 8. Any such person found on shore after sunset with-
out such leave, liable to be taken up ; which occasions an expenoe of 9 dot-
Ian, exchmve of the individuaTs maintenance whilst in custody. 9. Com*
mandiBg Officers are required to read to their men the two aforegoing rules.
10. Captains or Pursers must notify, 24 hours befinrehand, the time of their
d^arture, at the Consular Office. 1 1. Passports necessary for persons quit-
ting the Island. 12. The Master of a vessel detected in carrying away a
Portuguese without passport, liable to a fine of 100 doUars, and imprison-
meat for three months. 13. A Captain of a vessel carrying away a person
after being judicially warned not so to do, liable to the debts owed by him.
14. Application to be made to the Government for a visiter, when vessels
are ready to depart 15. After visitation, vessels cannot have communica^
tion with the shore, or with other vessels ; or must be visited again. 16. A

ORIENTAL COMBfERCE.

[Madeirae.

special licence necessary for entering or leaving the port after sunset 17. A
vessel remaining in port a night after visitation,, must be revisited. 18, Each
visit after the first to be paid for, half a moidore each, (13s. 2id.), besides
other expences. 19. Vessek attempting to get under weigh before visitation,
will be fired at, and be obliged to pay for the powder and diot. 20. Secu-.
ritj to be given in the Consults Office for the subsistence of any <rf* the crew
left in the Island.

Provisions and Rbfrbshments are exorbitantly dear, and very indifier*
ent The provisions and water are sent off in boats belonging to the Island.

Coins.— -Accounts are kept m reas and mOreas, which are imag^naiy
coins ; the latter is 1000 reas, and equivalent to &. 6d« sterling. The
coins current on the Island are,

Spaniflfa Dollars, which pass for... 1000 Reas, equal to 10 Bits.

Pifltareens 900 SDo.*

Half Pistaieensy or Bits 100 • 1 Do.

Quarter Pistareens .•••. •• 50 (Do.

The gold coins of Portugal do not pass current on the Island.

The copper coins are pieces of 5, 10, and 20 reas, being the -^y ^Vy
and I parts of the pistareen.

Wbiohts and Mbasitre8.<-— Those of Portugal are in general use on
the Island. The commercial pound is equal to 7076§ grains English : thus
100 lbs. of Madeira is 101.09 lbs. avoirdupois.

COHHEECI

78j6iSRaii8ofWheat
4 OitaTOS •

▲L Weiohts.

make 1 Oitavo.
9 1 Ounce.
1 Qnarta.

• 1 Antek=l lb.
lArdba.

« IQnintaL

• ITondada,

[7Kfi«-— There are tw

LlQUU

8 Meyoa

4Quartillo8 ...

6 Canadaa

SFMes

> Mea

make

isures

SUEE.

1 Quartillo.
1 Canada.

% Ounces ...M..*..

88Anteb ••••...—
4 Ardbas ..*.•

iPote.
1 Afnmdft

83| Almudfti ...

8 Pipes

18 Almudfti ••••

princiiial m«

1 Tun.

13i Quintals «

Long Mbasi

1 Barrel
, the vara

the covado^ the former is five palms, and the latter three. The palm is
eight Portuguese, nearly nine English inches ; the covado being 26.7 Eng*
lish inches ; and the vara 43.2 indies.

(sx

SECTION IL

THE CANARY ISLANDS

These islands are seren in number :— -Lancerota, Fuertaventunr^
Grand Canaria, Teneriffe, Palma, Gromero,Hierra, or Ferro; tbe easternmost
is about 50 leagues from Cape Non on tbe Coast of Africa. Several smaUer
islands to the eastward are uninhabited. If a ship be laid oflTto the S..S. B.
after pasnng Madeira, care must be used in approaching the islets caHed
Salrages.

LANCEROTA, the easternmost of the Canaries, is about 15 miles •
long, and 10 brbad. The principal port is Porto de Naos, on the S. E.,
in latitude SS^ 58' N., and lon^tude 13° S3' W., where vessels not drawing
more than 18 feet, hj secure from all winds. It is the most convenient
place for deaning^ and repairing large vessels in the Islands. At the W. end
of the harbour stands a square stone castle, mounted with some cannon,
but of no great strength. There are some magazines for com, but no
town. West of the castle is another port, called Porto Cavallos, with an
excellent harbour ; but the entrance has onlj IS feet water at spring-tidest
The castle defends both harbours, being built upon a small island between
them. The rock is joined to the land by a bridge, under which boats go
from Porto de Naos to Porto Cavallos.

Two leagues N. W. from Porto de Naos is Cajas, or Rubicon, the
duef habitation on the island, containing about 200 houses, a church and
a convent, and defended by an old castle. There are one or two other
small towns.

This Island sends to TeneriiTe com, orchilla-weed, cattle, eheese,- coal,
skins, salt fish, and fowls ; and receives European goods and-cash. The
horses are of the Barbaiy breed, and much esteemed. The cattle are fat
and good, and the fish are abundant

FUERTAVENTUR A is about 7 miles from the S. W. point of Lance-
rota, and 80 miles long by 15 broad, narrow and low in the midst- There are
no ports for large ships ; the produce is diiefly com. The latitude of the
N. pobt u 89" 46' N., longitude 13^ SSf W. In tbe channel between it
and Lancerota lies the Island of Lobos, or Seals ; circumference about a
league, uninhabited, and destitute of water. Near to this is a good port for

6 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Canaries.

shipping ; the mark to find it is the E. point of Lobos N. E., and anchor
about half-waj between it and Fuertairentur& Although apparent! j exposed,
the road is rery safe with the trade-wind; the water is smooth, and the
ground clean, being a fine sandj bottom. Right ashore firom the road, on
Fuertaventura, is a well of good water, easy to come at*

On the E. side is the port of Cala de Fustes, fit only for small barks.
Four leagues further to the S. is Point de Negro, on the other side of which is
a spacious bay, called Las Playas. The best anchoring place is on the N. side,
in 14 fathoms, at a conrenient distance from the shore, a dean sandy bottom.
The principal town on the island is idtuated about 3 leagues inland
from the road of Lobos, and consists of about 100 houses neatly built.
Several other small towps are scattered in the island, but the inhabitants
are not numerous. They receive Spanish dollars, and a few articles o€
European and West India produce, for thdr corn, orchilla-weed, and
cattle.

GRAND CANARIA is the healthiest and pleasantest of the groups
Its N. £. point is about 18 leagues £rom Fuertaventura, in latitude 28^ 13"
N., longitude 15^ 38' W. On the N. E. of this island is a^ peninsula, 2
leagues round, connected by an isthmus, 3 miles long, and about a quarter
of a mile broad. On each side of this isthmus is a bay, exposed on the
N. W. side to the swell of the sea. Small barks, however, lay here
securely. On the other side is a spacious sandy bay, called Porto de Luz,
having some steep rocks at its entrance towards the N. E. Thb is a good
road for shipping of any burthen, with all winds, except S. E. ; but that wind
seldom blows so hard as to endanger shipping. The landing-place is at the
bottom of the bay, where the water is generally so smooth, that a boat
may lay broadside to the shore without risk. Along shore to the E. is
Falmas, the c^tal, between which and a castle at the landing-place, are
two forts. At the other end of the City is another castle, called St. Pedro :
none of these forts are strong. The City is large, and the houses, buHt of
stone, are generally good. A small stream of water divides it into two
parts. The inhabitants of Palmas are estimated at 6000.

Shipping that discharge at Palmas, anchor in good weather within half
a mile of the town, for dispatch ; but the road is not good there.

Traob.— The exports to TeneriiTe consist of provisions, coarse wool-
len blankets, raw and wrought silk, orchilla-weed, &c. The returns are
chiefly silver. The wine is good, but not of such body as Teneriffe ; yet
a considerable quantity was sent to the West Indies.

Provisions and RErRSSHMBNTs are plentiful, consisting of catUe,
goats, rabbits, poultry, &c. Peaches, apricots, apples, pears, cherries.

Canaries.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 7

pfaims, |nne-a{iple8, &c. are abundant in season. Vegetables are extremely
good and reasonable.

TENEBIFFE.— This island, 15 leagues from Canaria, is nearly tri-
angular, eadi side being about 12 leagues in length. The peak, situated
almost in the centre, is 2^ mfles above the sea, and may be seen in dear
weather SO leagues.

About 6 leagues from the N. E. point of the island, caDed Punta de
Nago, on the S. E. side, is Santa Cbttz, in latitude 28^ 29' N., longitude
16P 22' W. The best road for shipping is between the middle of the town
and s fort about a mile to the N. of it In all that space, ships anchor
from a cablets length from the shore, in 6, 7, and 6 fathoms, to half a mile,
in 26 to 30 fiithoms. The ground is foul in some places ; the cables should
be buoyed if the ship remains long. A mole for landing in the middle of
the town, runs to the N., and the outermost part of it turns towards the
shore. The surf is sometimes violent, against which the mole affords an
imperfect shditer. In ndld weather, goods are landed at a creek among the
rocks, near the Custom House, at a short distance S. of the mole. In going
from the mole to the town, there is a square fort on the left, named
St Pfaofip^s; to the N. of it, along shore, are some batteries; the chief is called
Passo Alto. Near it is a steep rocky valley, running a long way inland.
At the S. end of the town are some batteries, and beyond them, close in
shore, is Fort St Juan. From thence to the S. the shore is generally inac-
cessible, with a surf breaking on it The forts are connected by a thick
stone wall, breast-high within, but higher without, facing the sea. The
entry to the town from the sea is at the mole, the entrance guarded by
St Philip^s Castle. The town is not fortified on the land-side.

The Grovemor General of the Canary Islands resides at Santa Cruz,
whidi is the centre of the Canary trade with Europe and America, and may
be regarded as the capital, though the episcopal see and courts of judi-
catsre ave at Palmas in Canaria. The number of inhabitants is about 7000.

The road of Santa- Cms is in latitude 2S9 28' N. and longitude
1»> 26' W.

Tradk.— The chief articles of import from England into the Canaries
in 1821 were, of foreign and colonial merchandize, chiefly wheat, flax.
East India piece-goods, and brandy, to the amount, in official value, of
^23,197 ; and of British and Irish produce, to the amount, in declared
vafaie, of wP70,225, consisting prindpally of cotton manufactures, woollens,
Baens, iron, glass and earthenware, hardware, cutlery, and hats.

Wine is the chief export The better sort is equal to the middling
of Madeira wine, for which it frequently passes in England. The

8 ORIENTAL COMMERCIL [Canariee.

qiiaDtity of Teneriffe wine imported into Great Britain in tbe year 1888^
was 810 tuns, of which 788 tuns were brought direct

The other returns of the island are barilla, orchilla-weed, rose-wood*
Spanish dollars, &c. Tbe official value of the imports into Great Britain,
from the Canaries, in 1821, amounted to J?86yl63.

The trade with the Canaries was formerly embarrassed with prohi-
bitions to foreigners ; but the interdiction ii now taken off from eyeiy
article of merchandize, except Tobacco.

Duties.— 'By royal order of 26th Norember, 1823, the ports m the
Canary Islands are thrown open, pro tempore^ for the admission of foreigQ
cotton goods, on payment of 15 per cent, besides i per cent Consular duty.
Other imports and esqporta pay 7 per cent The values are settled aocor^g
to a tariff of rates.

Port Regulations,— *No person may land untfl a bill of healtb is
produced, or the crew of tbe ship is examined by the health-officers : mean-
time no boat but the pratique dares approach tbe vessel. No boats are allowed
to go between ship and shore after sunset The firing a morning and evening
gun is prohibited.

Poet Charges.— Visit of Captain of the port, Spanish ddlars, 3|.
Inquisition, 3|. Health Office, 3}. Waterage and anchorage dues, 12.
General licence, 4. Vessels touching only for repair or refreshments are
exempt

Provisions and Refreshments consist of good beef, pork, goats,,
and poultry. Vegetables and fruits are rather scarce, and bread is very
indifferent Fish are plentiful, particularly mackereL The water is better
here than at the other islands : the charge for it is a Spanish dollar per butt,
boat-hire included.

It is advisable for ships that call here in winter merely for refreshment,
not to anchor, but to stand off and on, sending a boat on shore to gar
through the necessary forms, and to order the requisite supplies. The
{Hreservation of the cables, and tbe safety of the ship, compensate for this
little inconvenience.

Coins.— Those current in the Canary Islands are the Mexican dollar
and its divisions. There is besides a provincial real, which is a small silver
piece, of the value of 5d. ; and the quart, a copper coin, ten of which
make a real of plate. The provincial silver coin is not current in Lancerota
and Fuertaventura ; it passes in the islands for more than its intrinsic vahie.
The imaginary money of account is the current dollar of 10 reals of
vellon, each equivalent to 8 quarts. A real of plate is equal to ^V parts
of the Mexican dollar. ^Little or no gold coin is met with.

CMories.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 9

WxiGHTs are thus diTided :«-•

16 AdanneB equal to 1 Onca, or Ounce.

8 Oncas • 1 Marco.

8 Marcos » 1 Libnu

515 lilma 1 Aroba.

4 Ardbaa. .••»•.•• « 1 Quintal.

Mrasubks are the fanega, almuda, liquid aroba, and Tar« The firal
is used for com, cocoa, salt, &c. 18 almudas make a fanega. The liquid
aroba contains somewhat more than 3 EngUsh gallons, and the quartillo
nearly equals our quart. The var is a long measure, about 7 per cent less'
than the English yard.

OROT AVA lies about 8 leagues to the 8. W. of Point Nago^ in latitude
2SR 25' N., longitude 16» 35' W. This is a good port in summer; but in
winter ships are often obliged to tHip caUes, and put to sea, for fear of bmg
surprised with a N. W. wind, which throws in s heavy sea; but these winda
rarely happen, and generally give warning.

No boat will go to a ship in the offing, until she approaches within ft
mile of the shore, when the pratique-boat puts a pilot on board, who brings
her into the road, about a mile to the W. of the town, where shipping lay
moored in 40 or 50 fathoms water: the pilot remains until the vessel departs.

These pflots are careful to slip, and put to sea, when they apprehend
danger. It is commonly calm in this road ; but a long northerly swdl
causes ships to roll very much, and makes it difficult to land a cargo there.

The landing-place is near the middle of the town, in a small creek*
among the rocks. Large boats load wines there, and cany them off to the
ships with great dispatch.

The town contains some good buildings. At each end is a Uack sandy
bay. Along the northernmost is a low stone wall ; at the other bay is a
small fort ; and between them, at the landing-place, a battery : but the
continual surf is the best defence. Port Orotava is plentifully supplied with
good water from a rivulet at some distance, which is brought oif to shipping
in the oountry boats.

PALMA is about 17 leagues from the W. end of Teneriffe ; the land
cxlmnely high; the coast bold. Its N. point is in latitude 289 SV N.,
kwgitude 17" 48" W. The chief port is Sante Cruz, on the S. E. The
mark by which it is found is, when approaching the E. side of the island,
it appears shaped like a saddle. Steer so as to fall in a littie to windward
of the midst of the saddle, till withm a mile of land ; then run along shore
to the S., till you perceive the town dose by the shore, and the shipping in
the roads. The town is in latitude SS^" 38' Nortii, longitude IT"" 58' W.

10 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Canaries.

The road is within musket-shot of the riiore, in 15 to 90 fiithoms, but is
exposed to easterly winds. It is considered securer than any at Canada or
Teneriffe, though there is a heavy surf in the winter season, that prevents
boats going off or landing for days together.

Santa Cruz is a large town. Near the mole is a batteiy, to defend the
shipping in the bay. It is supplied with good water from a fountain in the
middle of the town, filled by a rivulet

T&ADE.-— The exports from Palma to Teneriffe are sugar, almonds,
sweetmeats, plank, pitch, raw silk, and (MrhSUa-weed ; the returns are
West Indian and European goods. The E. side of the island produces good
wines, of a diBerent taste and flavour from those of Teneriffe. The dry
wine is smalL-bodied, and of a yeUow colour. The Malvasia is less luscious
and strong than Teneriffe; but when about three years oU, has the flavour
of a rich and ripe pine-i4>ple; but these wines often turn sour. Large
quantities of pitch are produced in this and the neighbouring island.

Pbovisions and Refreshmbnts are much the same as at Canaria and
Teneriffe. The natives make exceDent conserves.

60MERA is about 6 leagues S. W. £nom Teneriffe, in latitude SS^" 5'
N., longitude IT^" 20' W. The principal town, called St. Sebastian's, or
La Villa de la Palma, is dose by the se&-shore, in the bottom of a bay, on
the S. E. side of the island, where shi{^ing lay land-locked from all winds
but S. E. Tou may moor at a convenient distance fh>m shore, in 7 to 15
fathoms ; but as the land-wind often blows hard, moor with a large scope
of cable, or you will be in danger of being forced out of the bay. The sea
here is generally so smooth, that boats may land on the beach without risk.
When the surf prevents landing, boats put ashore at a small cove, on the
N. side c£ the bay, from whence there is a very narrow foot*path along the
diff to the town. After sunset, or when it turns dark, this passage is
dosed. At the cove, ships of any burthen may heave down, dean, and repair,
hauling dose to the shore, which is a perpendicular diff, with a battery
at the top. The town commences at a short distance from the beach. It
consists of about 150 houses, mostly small, and is wdl supplied with good
water, drawn from wells. The best place for a ship to lay, is where a full
view may be had through the main street of the town, and at about a caUe^s
length from the beach.

HIERRO, or FERRO, is the westernmost of the Canaries ; its N.
point is in latitude 97'' 50' N., longitude 17<^ 50' W. It is 15 leagues in
circumference, and 3 broad. It has no harbour or considerable town ;
El Golto, on the E., is the chief village. The anchoring place is an open
road, but little frequented. The island produces poor wine, which is

Capede Verda.'l ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 11

distiDed into brandy, and, with ordiilla-weed, and a few small cattle, is
eqiorted to Teneriffe. Watiar is extremely scarce here.

%»*^%^i%^»<»<^»»^%»%»i»v»»i% t><^i^%«»»^%^^^%i%

COMMODITIES PROCURABLE AT THE CANARY ISLANDS.

0&cHiLLA*WsED grows iipon the rocks on the coast of the Canaries,
Cape de Verds, and Madeira ; but mostly, and of the best sort, at the for-
mer. It is a valuable ingredient in dying ; colour grey, inclining to white ;
the stalk spotted here and there with white ; many stalks proceed from one
root. It grows to about the length of 3 inches, roundish, and of the
thickness of common twine. Those who are unaccustomed to the weed,
would scarcely find it, as it resembles the stone from which it springs. It
produces a beautiful purple, and brightens other colom*s. The darkest is the
best, and it should be exactly round. The more white spots, the better.
The prices of the different sorts vary greatly.

Bosx-WooD grows in the Canary Islands and in India : the colour
externally whitish ; internally deep yellow, with a cast of red. In the
most perfect specimens, the external part is pale, and nearest the heart the
wood is darker. These appear cut from a knotty tree, with an irregular
grain, having several convolutions, with clusters of circular fibres in the
midst, including a fine fragrant resin. Rose-wood has a slightly bitterish,
somewhat pungent balsamic taste, and a fragrant smell, especially when
scraped or rubbed. Choose the largest pieces, of the most irregular knotty
gnun, well filled with resinous fibres, sound, heavy, and of the deepest colour.
There is much which passes for rose-wood, pale, inodorous, and of little value.

SECTION in.

CAPE DE VERB ISLANDS.

These islands, which take their name from Cape de Verd, the nearest
point of the Coast of Afiica, consist of Sal or Salt Island, Bonavista, Mayo,
St Jago, Fogo, Brava, St Nicholas, St Luda, St Vincent, and St An-
tonio, besides several small islets.

SAL is about 16 miles long, and 6 or 7 broad, and uninhabited. It
is high, and has a peak that may be seen afar. The N. W. part of the

12 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Cape de Verds.

uland is in latitude lff>£(>N., and longitude 22^ 55' W On the W. side an
three bays: the chiefs MorderaBay, is one of the best in the CapedeVerds*

BONAVISTA i& very uneven. The N. end is in latitude Iff" 15' N.,
longitude 22^ 52' W. No firesh water can be had here^ The ppndpai
road, named English Road, is on the N. W. side of the island. Near the
S. E. point is a dangerous reef of rocks.

MATO is about 15 leagues to the S. of Bonavista. tinder its S. W.
point is EngEsh Road, where merchant vessels anchor. A reef projects finom
the N. end to about 2) miles. This island is frequented, espedallj B j
Americans, for its salt The anchorage is rock j and dieuigerous. The town is
wretched ; the surrounding country ahnost without vegetation, and the inha-
bitants miserable. Live stock and a few limes may be had. The water is
scarce and bad. The cotton-plant and silk-cotton-tree grow in the interior.

St. JA60, the largest and most considerable, is very high. Its prin-
dpal roluT is on the S. E., called Praya Bay, in latitude 14^ 55' N., longitude
23» sex W. The town of Ribiera Grande, on the S. side of the island, is
now, with its castle, in a state oT decay.

Porto Praya, or St Jago, about 7 leagues to the N. E. of Ribiera
Grande, is now the residence of the Governor of the Cape de Verds. The
houses are little better than huts. A battery is placed on a diif at the bot-
tom of the bay, but the guns are in a bad condition. The best anchorage
is with the fort bearing N. W., about a mile distant

Trade is very trifling. A duty is levied on imports amounting to about
10 per cent

Paovisions and Refbeshhents.— The privilege of selling cattle to
shipping, and European goods to the inhabitants, is vested in a Company;
but the natives may traffic in other articles. Cattle must be paid for in
Spanish dollars ; other refreshments are better procured for old clothes, par-
ticularly black. The firuits are oranges, guavas, cocoa-nuts, limes, plan-
tains, pine-apples, and tamarinds. Vegetables are rather scarce. Indian
com is plentiful. The water is generally very good. The cistern which
supplies the ships, is at the bottom of the hill where the fort is built, about
a quarter of a mile from the beach. As there is generally some surf upon
the beach, boats should lie at their grapnels, and the casks of water be
hoisted into them, after being filled at the cistern, rolled down, and floated
through the surf. A pump should be sent on shore, instead of using the
common buckets. Some planks will be usefiil to place under the casks when
rolling, where the ground is stony, uneven, or where it is soft sand.

FOGO, or FUEGO, is the highest of the islands, and has an immense
volcano, continually burning, seen sometimes at SO leagues' distance. The

South America.] OBIENTAL COMMEBCB. 13

peak is in latitude 14<> 56^ N., longitude H^" 22^ W. On the W. side of the
island is a snmU town, off which vessek may anchor in 10 &thoms, . and
where a few provisions roBf be pirocured.

WAVA is about 6 leagues to the W. of Fogo. Its S. ride is in hititude
14P 5r N., lon^lude 2&> ^S' W. It has a few black inhabitants, hannless
and hospitable. Its products are salt, com, liye stock, and jBsh.

St. NICHOLAS is about 10 miles long, and 3 broad. It is high and
mountainous. Its E. end is in latitude 16P 85' N., longitude about 84° lO'
W. There are two good bays: one, called Freguica Bay, on the S. W. ride^
is about 7 miles from the £• end. At this place is good landing, and plenty
of water in fine weather, firom a pond supplied by the mountains ; but no
other refreshments. The other bay, on the N. W., is 4 leagues from the
S. W. end, and called St. George^s Bay. Here every article of refreshment,
except good water, is procured, and at no other place in the island. There
is a town about 4 miles from the bay.

St« LUCIA is about 5 leagues long, and 1 § broad. It is uninhabited,
but contains wild bullocks and goats. At the S. £• part there is a good

■

road between two small isles.

St. VINCENT is about 4 leagues to the N. W. of St Luda, and has
agoodbay onitsS. W. ride. This ishnd is uninhabited ; but has wild asses,
sad is weQ stored with wood and water.

St. ANTONIO, the furthest to the N. W., is about 9 leagues long,
sad 4 broad. It has two remarkable mountains, one called the Sugarloaf.
On the S. £. side is the town of Santa Cruz, in a bay, of which the ground
If very indifferent The island produces wine, cotton, indigo, orchilla-weed,
&c^ and plenty of wood, provisions, and refireshments. Hie N. W. point
of theidandis in hititude iriaN., longitude SS^" S' W.

SECTION IK

SOUTH AMERICA.

JBrAZIL.— The ports frequented by East India outward4x>und ships,
whidi stop on the coast of Brazil for refreshment, are those of St Salrador
and Rio de Janeiro.

St. SALVADOR, or BAHIA.— The entrance into the Bay of AH
Saints is between a large bland, called Taporica, to the W., and a peninsula

14 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [South Ametiea.

on which the City of St. Salvador is built^ to the E. The anchorage is
abreast of the City, in 8 to 12 fathoms, a mile or a mile alid a half distant
On the extremity of the peninsula is a light-house. The bay is capacious^
and a great number of ships may ride In it secure from all winds.

The City is on the right-hand nde of the bay, in latitude 12^ 4S S;,
longitude 38^ 40' W., and tras formerly the capital of Biazil, though now
subordinate to Rio de Janduro. The upper town is built on the summit of
a steep hill ; the lower is situated at the bottom of the hiU^ and parallel to
the beach. They are connected by streets running slantwise up the emi-
nence. The people of business reside in the lower town. In the middle
of the t6wn is the great square. The streets are confined, badly payed,
and dirty.

St Salvador is well defended. Fort Mar stands on a small rocky bank
of the inner bay, about three^Uarters of a mile from tfiie shore, and is used
as a magazine : all vessels, except of war, must land their powder on arri-
ving in the bay. The Dockyard is defended by Fort St Philip, and the
inhabited part of the beach by several batteries. Eittensive fortifications
protect the land-side. The City is computed to contain about 80,000 whites,
30,000 mulattoes, and 40,000 negroes.

At the lower town, near the beach, stand the custom-house and wharfs,
royal dockyard, arsenal, marine storehouse, magazines, and residence of
the Intendant. The dockyard admits the building of but one ship of the
line at a time. In the private yards at Tagapippe, ships of all dimensiolia
are built with the greatest dispatch. The timber is good ; labour and ma^
terials are cheaper than at Rio de Janeiro. The English have the {Nrivflege,
by treaty, of obtaining timber, and constructing or repairing ships of war^
in any harbour of the Portuguese dominions.

The acconmiodations at St. Salvador are miserable. There is no inn ;
a house must be taken and furnished for a temporary residence on shore.

TBAns.-— The coasting trade is very considerable. The exports are
cotton (the chief artide), received from the neighbourhood, and sorted,
weighed, and baled; sugar, tobacco, drugs, &c. The foreign trade has much
increased since the separation from the mother country ; but commerce is by
no means in a setUed state.

Poet Regulations and Chaeges.*— Ofiicers visit every merchant
vessel on its arrival, to prevent illicit trade. The charges formerly were
very heavy ; they are now reduced, but they cannot be accurately stated.

The charges for caulkers from the shore were as follow :—nuister-
workman 1200 reas per day ; first assistant, working high up, €00 ; when
low down, 1400 ; second assistant, £00 and 1000.

l^mih America.^ ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 15

A chai^ of 400 reas is made for coolies ; and on the departure of a
ship, the under-linguist at the wharf expects a present

FjiOTiaiONB AND Rbfrbbhmknts are now obtained fi^elj. On fast-
dajs no supplies are granted. Beef is bad and dear. Poultiy is more
reasonable. Fruits are procurable in the market held in the lower town ;
TcgetaUes are abundant, and the bay produces a great rarietj of fish.

RIO DE JANEIRO, called also St Sebastian, is the capital of
BnudL The entrance of the harbour, one of the finest in the world, is
about 23 leagues from Cape Frio, whidi is in latitude 83^ 1' S., longitude
i\o 50' W., and maj be known by its sugar-loaf luU at the W. point of
the baj. The entrance is not very wide ; but the breeze which blows daily,
bom 10 to 18 o^dock till sunset, enables ships to go in before the wind ;
it gradually widens, and abreast of the town there is room for the largest
fleet The entrance is defended by the strong foit of Santa Cruz, and the
fortified isle of St Luda ; between these is the channeL It is proper to
moor as soon as possible.

The City of St Sebastian is on the W. side of the riyer, about 4 miles
fiom the entrance, on a projecting point of land. Its length is aboiit 1^
mile ; its breadth about three^^piarters of a mile* On the promontory
is a stitNig fi>rtification, completely commanding the town and anchorage ;
opposite this point is the Isla de Cobras, on the higl^est part of whidi
stands the citadeL This island is 300 yards long ; it slants to about
dght feet at the inner end ; round and close to it, sh^ of the greatest
dnnigfat may lay securely. It has a commodious dock-yard, with maga-
lines and stordiouses, and a wharf for hearing down and repairing diips.

The common landmg-idaoe is in the centre of a noUe stone quay ;
near which is an obelisk, whence a stream of good water issues for the sup-
ply cf shipping. The houses are handsome ; the streets are generally
stnight and wel^iaved ; the shops are numerous, and well stocked with
European and Asiatic oommoditieB.

T&AnB.— The pnndpal artides of import into the Brarils from Great
Britain, in 1821, were fordgn and colonial merchandize, mix, flour, cod*fish^
wmes, and ^irits, offidal value jPS1,718 ; Britisfa and Irish produce amount-
bg, in declared value, to ^1,857,006 : these artides consisted of cottons,
wooQens, linens, provisions, copper and brass, glass and earthenware, hard-
ware^ cutlery, hats, iron, leatiier, haberdasheiy, c<«dage, apparel, fire-arms,
and gunpowder, mills and machinery, plate, plated ware, jewdlery, salt,
soap and candles, stationery, tin, pewter^ lead and shot, &c. The chief
exports to Great Britain in the same year were annotto, balsam, bark,,
cocoa, cofiee, horse-hair, hides, India rattans, isinglass, predous stones.

16 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [South America,

drags, sugar, tallow, tapioca, Brazil, fustic and rose^wood, cotton-wool,
&c., to the amount, in official value, of 1^1,181,867. The demand for Indian
merchandize has been cfaieflj confined to piece-goods, which now scarcdj
support a competition with British fiibrics.

Fort Charoes amounted in 1818, on a ship of 600 tons, to 208 milreas ;
consisting of quarantine fees, entry and clearance at the Custom-house, fees
at Santa Cruz, boat-hire to ditto, and Consul'^s charges.

Duties on imports and exports were settled by treaty with the Portu-
guese Government, at 14 per cent ad vdorem^ on imports in British ships ;
15 per cent, in Portuguese.

Port Regulations.—- Before a ship attempts to enter the harbour, a
boat should be sent to the Fort of Santa Cruz, to give notice of the ship^s
arrival, &c. The colours should be hoisted, unless the pratique-boat be
already on board. Every particular respecting the ship, her condition,
force, and destination, must be declared under the signature of the Captain.
The landing of the ship'^s crew can only take place at the stairs opposite the
palace; and a soldier generally attends every person who lands, whilst he
rionains on shore. GuardJxMtts surround the ship, to prevent unauthorised
landing. All persons are obliged to repair on board after sunset Unless
a previous settlement is made, you are forced to hire the customJiouse
boats, which is expensive.

Provisiovs and Bbfreshments.— -The bullocks are small and poor ;
the sheep and hogs bad and dear ; some excellent goats are procurable, but
at high prices; the poultry very fine and large; firuit fine and abundant.
The spirits are very indiiferent ; the common wines cheap. Great care
should be exercised to keep the seamen from intoxication. Water is filled
from pipes let down to the quay. It is better to hire acountry boat, which
holds 90 butts ; but if you water with your own long-boat, no charge is made ;
and on application at the palace, one of the town cocks is sometimes granted
for dispatch. Washing is dear, and it is difficult to get back the clothes.

Coins.— Accounts are kept in milreas and reas, 1000 reas making a
milrea. Their notation is thus — 160,208, which is, 166 mib«as, 809 reas.

The gold monies current, and their weight, are as follow :•—

Weight.
Rea». os»dt. gr»

GoUpm »^,600....1 16 12

5 Moidoie piece, or Dobno 84,000....! 14 18
DouUooD, or 2 J<MUien . . 18,800. . . .0 IB 6

Weight.

i Doublooo, or ) JoaiMBe . . 3,800. . . .0 4 16
Goldineoe. .. I Joenew .. l,600....O S •
iMoidore 1,800... .0 1 l«i

iVohno , 12,000.. ..0 17 6 D Testoon 800.. ..0 1 8

)DouMoaB,orJoeneM.... 6,400.... 9 6\ Cmsttdo 480.. ..0 Ij)

MoUofe 4,800.. ..0 « 98

Soutk America.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 17

The fdlowing aie the current silrer eoinfl, with their weights :

WeiKht
Seat, oct dM, gt,

PUacaoorSdlo 640 11 12

Cnumlo 480 9 9

)P«tMio 320 5 18

icraMdo^oriaVktflnpMoe, 840 4 16

,1 Found.
.1 Aroba*
1 QuintaL
.1 Ton.

Weight.
JCew. 9f*dt,g9,

I Patano, or 8 VmtMi pieee 100 8M

OVintemptece 120 2 4|

4ditto 80 118

»ditto 00 1 9i

The Spanish dolhr, when received by the Portnguese from a foreigner,
18 seldom taken for more that 720 to 750 reas ; but when paid bj them, k
estimated at 800 reas.

The Portuguese sihrer coins are in general 7 to 9 dwts. worse than
British standard.

The copper coins are the i»ece of 80 reas, or 1 vmtem, and the half
and quarter vintem in proportion.

Wbiohts are about I per cent heavier than avoirdupois; 98 ttis»
SO dec being equal to 100 lbs. avoirdupob, and thus divided :

9 Drams equal to 1 Octave.

8 Octaves « 1 Donee.

16 Ounces

S9 Pounds

4 Arobas

13} Quintals.

The ounce is divided into octaves, scruples, and grains. Diamonds
ore wdghed bj carats, of 4 grains ; the Portuguese ounce is 139^ such
carats, each carat equal to 9^ grains, English troy.

Mbasurbs.-— The long measures are the covada and vara; the latter
is 5 spans, and the covada, three ; the span is near 9 inches, so that the
covada is about 87 inches English.

The measure for com, salt, and other dry commodities, is thus divided i

8 Ontavas equal to .......1 Quarto.

8 Quartos • •• 1 Meyo.

8 Meyos • 1 Alquiere.

4 Alquierea « 1 Fanega.

The alquiere measures 817 cubic inches, and 50 alquieres make 19

English boshds.

The liquid measure is thus divided :

4 Qoartfllos equal to 1 Canada.

ISCanadas • 1 Almude.

la Almudfifc • 1 BariL

SO Alnradcs.^. •• » 1 Hpa.

8Fipas • 1 Tondada •

The almude IS redconed equal to 4| English gallotts,

18 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. iSatOh Jmerica.

RIO DE LA PLATA.— The chief phoes cm. thu river vidted by
India ships are Maldonaldo, Monte Video, and Buenos Ayres.

MALDONALDO, on the N. side of the river, is in latitude 34» 58'
S., longitude about Si^' 45' W. The hartiour is safe, with depth for ships
of anj size, and partly sheltered from the sea by the island GoreUi. The
town is at a short distance, pleasantly situated ; the houses are mean.

PaovisioNs AND RBFRBSHMBMrs.^— Bullocks are good, plentifid, and
cheap. Fruits are abundant

MONTE VIDEO, in latitude 34P 53' S., longitude B6P V W., is
about 22 leagues W. of Maldonaldo. The harbour where ships moor in
2| and 3 fathoms, is on the E. side of the mount, which g^ves its name
to the town, situated to the E. of the harbour. The houses are good, the
streets are constructed at right angles, and the town is weU fortified. The
only landing-place is within the harbour, at a stone pier.

TRADB.-r-The exports from Monte Video to Great Britain in the year
18S1 amounted to J?25,772, official value, consisting of articles enumerated
under Buenos Ayres ; the imports from thence, of foreign and colonial
merchandize, amounted to ^169, principally spirits ; of British and Irish
produce, the declared value was jP30,775 z^ot the articles see Bubkos
Aybbs.

Provisions and Rbfbbshkbnts. — The market is excellent, abounding
with meat, poultry, and fish. The beef (which b fine) and mutton are
reasonable. Vegetables and fruits are cheap, and very abundant

Coixs.— Accounts are kept in pesos of 8 reals, subdivided into 16 parts,
and also into 34 maravedis. The gold coins are doubloons of 8 escudos,
with halves and quarters. The silver coins are dollars, or pesos, Mexicanos
of 8 reals, with halves and quarters, eighths (or reals), and sixteenths.

Wbights.-— The quintal is divided into 4 arobas of 25 lbs. each ; the
pound into 2 marks, or 16 ounces ; the ounce into 8 drams, 16 adarmes, or
576 grains. Merchants commonly reckon 100 lbs. equal to 102 lbs. avoir-
dupou ; but the exact proportion is 12S to 125.

MxAsuRBS.-^The Spanish foot is 11| English inches ; it is divided into
12 pulgadas, each 12 lines. The fanega is a measure for com, &c. con-
taining 12 celemins ; and 5 fanegas are equal to one English quarter.

BUENOS AYBES is on the S. side of the Biver Plate. To the E.
it is bounded by a small river, and to the N. and W. by gardens and orange
groves. The castie or fortress is in the centre of the town. The streets
are regular, and the houses lofty. The Plasa del Tauros, for bull-fights,
is atthe N. W. angle, dose to the river, and in the neighbourhood of it are
dep6ts for military stores, &c Various loads and streets lead into the
Plaza. The length of Buenos Ayres is nearly two miles ; its breadth about

Sinah Jmerica.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 19

one. The rirer is vcsy shalloiry so that resseb of burthen cannot approach
within 8 or 10 miles; and goods are conveyed to land in eraft drawing little
water, the kcpence of which is paid by the consignees.

TnADB.— The exports to Great Britain in 1821 were bark, unwrought
copper, ostrich feathers, horse-hair, hides, skins, tallow, sheqi^s wool, &c.
to the <^cial amount of <f 247,3S0. The imports were, 1st, foreign and
cokmial piece-goods, spirits, tobacco, &&, amounting, in official value^ to
jS37,058; 2d, British and Irish produce, tnx. cottons, woollens, linens,
aQu, glass and earthenware, hardware, cutlery, q)parel, beer, upholsteiy,
&c^ copper and brass, cordage, haberdashery, hats, iron, leath^, plate
and plated ware, jewellery, && to the amount of ^^560,276, in declared
value*

Post Chargbs appear lower here than at Rio de Janeiro. The vessel
whidi toodied at that place in 18L8, visited Buenos Ayres, at which port
the amoont of chaiges was ISO Spanish dollars, 7 reals, comprehending port
disiges inwards, manifest>fee. Consults duty and certificate of creiv, bill
of health, notary^s fees and stamps.

Dmrna^— These are continually fluctuating. In . 1818 they were about
90 per cent

The porta on the other side of Ci^ Horn, which are beginning to be
mted by East India vessels, and to be resorted to by merchants as a con-
went wifit^tim of remittance finom India, are Valparaiso, Coquimbo, and
Copi^io cm the Chili coast; Lima, in Peru; and Acapulco, in Mexico,
pioperiy in North America. The unsettled state of the Governments in
these oottntsies, and the imperfect knowledge we have of their regulations,
wkich jGnequently fluctuate, prevent a very accurate account of them.

YALFABAISO is in latitude 33° 1' S., longitude 71'' Sr W.,.situated
iaabay of the South Pacific Ocean. It is large^ and would be larger, but
tlie mountain at the foot of which it is built, obstructs its extension. The
proximity €if this port to Santiago has drawn hither all the commerce. The
barbour is free finom dangers, ezoqpt to the N: E. of Los Angdos, where is
asunken rock, a caUe^s length or two firom land, which must be carefully
•raided. Valparaiso, as well as Santiago, the capital, sustained considerable
damage Iqr the earthquake in November, 1828.

TaABc— *11ie demand for British merchandize, as well as Indian piece-
goods, is fittt inoeasmg. The chief articles of the former are enumerated
under Boenoa Ayres. The foreign and colonial imports from Great Britain
(qoicksilfer and sprits), amounted, in 1821, to ^15,137 ; the British and
Irnh produoe to i?346,517. Piece-goods fixmi India met with a very fiivourable
iDttket in 1881 ; a quantify of cmnamon, cassia, and Bengal rum was

B 2

20 ORIENTAL COMMEBCE. [South America.

brought back to Calcutta, for want of sale, in 1821~S2. Coffee was largely
in demand. The exports to Great Britain in 1821, amounted to £Siy4IBl9
chiefly almonds, bark, cocoa, copper, hides, skins, tin, &c.

Rboulatioxs. — Bj a Chilian proclamation in 1820, it is declared that
Valparaiso is established as a general intermediate port of the Pacific ; so
diat vessels trading with covntries between Chili and California, maj freely
enter, anchor, and depart, repair damages, or obtain necessaries, under
protection of the Grovemment Goods maj be landed and deposited in the
Grovernment stores, without specification of ccmtents, and a receipt given
for them hy the magistrate, on presentation of which, and payment of two
reals per package, weighing two quintals, (for 6 months), the goods will be
delivered for re-embarkation. If they be intended, either wholly or in part,
for consumption in the country, they will be liable to duty on landing.

Duties. — These are continually varying, through the necessities of the
Government In 1818 they were generally 34^ per cent upon the selling
prices, and on some articles 100. In 1821 the duty on Indian piece-goods
was 33 per cent on the sale price. The duty on bullion is high to foreigners;
but it is said that the miners may ship copper and other produce of the mines,
duty free, and import foreign goods, purchased therewith, also duty free.

Port CHAiiaEs amounted, in 1819, on a ship of 600 tons, to 7?
dollars.

COQUIMBO, in latitude 29° 66' S., longitude 7P 16' W., and
COPIAPO, in latitude «r 19' S., longitude 70^ 60 W., are ports to the
N. of Valparaiso. The town of Copiapo was destroyed by an earthquake
about four years since, and another is now built, about 10 leagues from it,
near the Cordilleras. The country about Copiapo and Huasoo, another
port on tiie mine coast, in latitude 28'' 27 S., longitude IV ff W., is
extremely barren. The harbours in this part of the coast are generally small
bays, under high land, which shelters shipping from S. £. winds that blow
on all the coast constantly from 10 A. M. to sunset Ships lie close to the
shore very sa£e, except when a N. wind sets in, which is rare.

Tradc.—- The W. ports of South America have furnished a large
supply of copper to India, in part payment of the exports thither ; the other
part is paid in bullion. There are many hundred mines of copper wrought
in CfailL The annual produce has lately risen to upwards of 60,000 quintals.
The greatest part goes to Calcutta; a small quantity to China; the Kst to
Europe and America. It b said that about 260,000 {neces of cotton goods
are Minually ^^nsumed in Chili, and that 200,000 pieces would meet a ready
•ale ; but the market has been glutted with English as well as India goods.
Few other descriptions of India commodities are cakukted for the Chfli

SmOh Jmerica.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 21

market, except small quantities of the inferior sorts of Bengal indigd.
There is an increasing demand for China goods ; but tea is almost excluded,
by the fondness which prevails for la yerba, or herb^of Paraguay, a decoction
of which is drunk universally in ChiH, and is preferred to tea throughout
great part of South America. Prerious to the revolution, Chili consumed
a quantity equal to m<xre than two millions of pounds of this article.
Besides its metals, Chili produces several articles suitable for export-
ation, among which are Chinchilla skins, the procuring of which affords
employment, for four or five months in the year, to many persons who hunt
the animals among the hills adjoining Coquimbo, Huasco, and Copiapo.
They are not met with S. of Coquimbo.

The copper trade of Chili is thus conducted :— Goods are sent from
England or Calcutta adapted to the Chili market, and consigned to British
or American merchants, rerident at Santiago. The returns can be made
only in bills, spede, or copper. If the last be preferred, the oonagnee at
Santiago writes to his correspondent at Ccxjuimbo, that a ship will call at
sach a time on the Coast for so many quintals of copper, which the latter
purchases at a qiecxfied price by the appointed day, and draws bills upon
Santii^ for the amount The consignee and his correspondent charge
their respective oommisaons*

The beneficial operation of free trade was never more visible than in
Chili since the revolution, as the following table of prices will shew :— *

Prion In Fbrmer Prioaate Fanner

ARTICLES. Ittl. Pikm ARTICLES. 1821.

Copper, per quintal. .DoUara 12 to 13 tf J to 7

SlMl,ditto « Iff 00

Iran, ditto ^ 8 35

Wheat, per &nega. . «• 2^ 5

BeaM, ditto « 5 6

JeAedBee^ par quintal «. 7to7i 10

GiaiM, or aoft fot, per

botica,or50n»..... ^ 6toS^ 8

DoTixs. — ^These are represented to be equal to S5f per cent, on a
valuation nearlj 30 per cent lower than the market price. Copper pays a
doty of two Spanish dollars per quintal

LIMA.— This dty, in ktitude 12« 16' S., longitude about 77' W., is
defightfiilly situated in the Valley of Rimac ; its walls are washed by a river,
orer which is an elegant stone bridge. The Cordilleras of the Andes are
towards the N. It has many ornamental buildings, churches, convents,
colleges, nunneries, besides bronze fountains, &c The streets are broad,
dean, well-paved, and at right angles. Most of the houses have gardens,
itfireshed with water by canals. The houses are built mostly of wood, and

Fine Cloth, peryard .... Dollars 12 23
Coarse Ditto, ditto .... «. S 4

Prioted Cotton Goods, dok Reals 3) to 8 IStoSd

VelTeteens,.. ditto . ... «• 2 26

Crodieryy per crate .... •» 40 SM

Hardware, ditto .... « 100 300

Glass, ....ditto .... ..100 200

22 ORIENTAL COMMERCK [Sbuih America.

the walb of Wers or canes, wattled, corered with day' painted, as a
precaution against earthquakes, which are frequent* The trade of Lima is
carried on through its seaport, Callao, distant about 5 miles. This town
is not more than 9 or 10 feet atx>ye the lerel of high«water mark; the streets
are in a line, but dusty. The public buildings are not splendid, but neat.
On the N. side are the warehouses. The Castle is in latitude 12^ 9^ &,
longitude 7T 9f W.

TsADE. — ^The exports from Lima and the Coast of Peru to Grreat
Britain, in 1821, amounted, in official value, to .£9843; the articles were
bark, rhatanj root, tin, and cotton-wool. The imports from thence into
Lima and Arica consisted of foreign merchandize, chiefij quicksilyer, to
the official amount of £3Q^3i6\ and British and Irish produce to the
declared amount of ^^127,499, consisting of similar articles to those !^ci-
fied under Buenos Ayres. The trade between the two countries is, however,
rapidly increasing.

Duties. — 'By the commercial regulation of 1821, free admission to
the ports of Callao and Huanchaco is granted to friendly and neutral nations,
and the following duties fixed :-*on all imports, 20 per cent on the current
prices of the goods, settled equitably each month by inspectors. Three-
fourths of the duty belongs to the State ; the other is for the dues of the
Consulate. Imports under the flag of Chili, Provinces of Rio de la Plata,
and Colombia, pay 2 per cent less to the consulate, but the same to the
State. Imports under the Peruvian flag pay 13 per cent to the State, and
3 to the Consulate. Foreign manufactures, directly prejudicial to the industry
of the country—as dothes, made up, tanned hides, boots and shoes, house-
hold fUmiture, coaches, saddles, and other made-up articles ; as wdl as
woollens, iron-work, candles, and gunpowdeiv- pay double duties. Quick-
silver, agricultural and mining implements, warlike stores, (except gun-
powder), scientific books and instruments, prints* maps, and machinery of
eveiy kind, lure exempt from all import duties. Exports pay as follows :— -
Stamped sQver, or specie, 5 per cent and gold 2| per cent when exported
in any vessel, three-fifths to the State, two-fifths to the Consulate. The
exportation of silver ore, gold and silver in bars, or wrought, is absolutely
prohibited. All other produce of Peru is subject only to Ccmsular dues,
namdy — ^Exported under a foreign flag, 4 per cent. ; under the flag of Chili,
Provinces of Rio de la Plata, and Colombia, 3| per cent; under the
Peruvian flag, 3 per cent—Goods reimbarked for exportation, after landing,
pay 1 per cent ; the import duty paid, to be restored. Eight months^ pre-
vious notice will be given of any alteration in the foregoing duties and their
accompanying regulations.

SauA America.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. S3

BBGui^Tiomk^^A Wfj of the manifest, attested and translated bj the
Goremmeiit interpreter, to be exhibited within ten hours after anchcnring.
If goods are not hinded fran the ship, it must sail again within six days.
A consignee to be named within 46 hours, who is responsible for duties,
which are payaUe by him in three equal instalments. A difference between the
inroioes andcaigo is punished, if remarkable, with confiscation ; if incon-
siderable, with double duty on the excess.

PnovisiOHs AVP Refbebbmvkts.— The bread at Lima is particularly
excdlent; the mutton and beef are very good ; poultry, pork, and fish are
plentifoL At the Port of Callao watering is easy; but the wood is a mileor
two distant

ACAPULCO, a port in the South Sea, about 210 miles from the
City of Mexico, is in latitude IT" 25f N., longitude 999 B^YT. It has one
of the deepest, securest, and most commodious harbours in this sea, and
almost the only good one on the W. coast of New Spain. The only incon-
yeniraee is, that ships must enter by the sea4ireeze in the day-time, and go
out by the laad4ireeze at night, which generally succeed altematdy, so that
tessds are often Uownoff" to sea, after several attempts to make the harbour.
The entrance is guarded by a castle. The town is ill-built, and makes a
poor appearance. The climate is unhealthy, espedally for stranga*s. The
trade with the Philippines passed through this port The East India com-
modities are carried by mules firom hence to Mexico^ and thence by land-
carriage to Vera Onus. Within a league to the E. of Aci^ulco is Port
IfABanis, a tolerable harbour.

TnADX.— There has been no direct trade between this port and England*
A direct traflic with India is commencing, chiefly on account of the precious
metals. (See the ArUde Manilla, in Section XXVI.) Some cochineal
is brought for Indian consumption. Bengal and Madras cotton cloths are
in request

VERA CRUZ, in latitude IQ^" 5' N., longitude 96'' 26' W., is a con-
nderaUe town of Mexico ; the houses built with stone and lime, the streets
wide, and in exoeDent order. The harbour is good, and ndght furnish
anchorage for 40 and eren 60 ships of war, in 4 to 10 fathoms ; but the
N. winds are terriUe, and often drire vessels on shore. Vera Cruz, as well
as Acapulco, is extremely unhealthy to foreigners during the rainy season,
from April to October. Earthquakes are frequent here. The town of
Vera Cruz has been nearly destroyed during the recent civil conflicts :
many of the inhabitants have sought shelter in the small town of ALYARAno,
wfaidi is occasbnally visited; but the bar of its harbour is dangerous. Two
vessels were last year totaHy lost on it

Duties and Chakgxs.— Cargoes from Europe pay 8| per cent at the

«4 OntENl'At COMMERCE. [Sauih Jmeriea.

Sf9BiAk Cttitle of St. Juan de Uloa^ attd S7i to the town. A ddlar per
(MckAgie is charged foic the hospital, iund 4} doQiirs par ton on the tbip»
The charge for witter is 8 reals per ton \ 8 dollars «e paid to the Caplain
<^ the Port ; and 32 dollars per trip Are charged for the use of large boats^
for landing the cargo. Porterage is extremely expenaiTew^-The aforegoing
are the chief expe&oes at the Port, to which the removal of goods to Mesdoo
adds much, as they pay a further duty of ahoiU. 18 per cent, on their arnvBl i
and the carriage of eyery horse or mule load, of 2 to 3 cwt^is from 18 to 22
dollars. Tlie goods sold in Mexico pay agam anothtf duty on being re*
moved to the provinces ; but if they are designed, when landed^ for the
cities beyond Mexico, an arrangement to save expence may be made at the
Fort Custom House. The harbour dues at Alvarado are 80 reab per ton ;
pilotage and other charges in proportion.

Tbaub^ — This was one of the most considerable ports for Spanish
American trade, it being the natural centre of the treasure, and the maga*
zine of merchandize between New Spain and Europe. A veiy convenient
commercial report b annually published here, alphabetically arranged, and
the average market price affixed to each article. There were no goods ex«
ported or imported between Vera Cruz and Great Britain in the year 1821,
according to the official books. This place is resorted to by Indian mar-
chants, for the sake of bullion* The produce o[ this article has diminished,
though it is now increasing again ; the annual coinage of silver and gold,
which was formerly 28 millions of dollars, was, in 1819, 18 millions only.

Coins. — The accounts are kept in Spanish America gene^y in pesos,
or dollars, of 8 reals, each real divided into half and quarter, or into
16 parts, and sometimes into 34 maravedis of Mexican plate. The gold
coins are doubloons of 8 escudos d'^oro, worth 16 pesos, (with a pr^nium
of about 8 per cent.) ; halves, quarters, &c. in proportion. The quarters
are called in Spain, Fecetas Mcxicanas. There are also eighths, or reals,
valued in Spain at 21^ quartos.

To express the fineness of gold, the Castellano is divided into 24 carats
or quilatas, each of 4 grains, each grain into 4 parts. In silver the mark
is divided into 12 dineros, each into 24 grains.

Weights. — The Spanish commercial weights are thus divided : — ^The
pound consists of 2 marks, or 16 ounces; each ounce is divided into 8 drams,
16 adarmes, »or 576 grains. The quintal of 4 arobas is equal to 101.44 lbs.
avoirdupois.

Measures. — The dry measure is the cahiz of 12 fanegas ; the fan^
contains 12 celemins, and b equal to 1.599 English bushel, and 5 neariy
equal 1 quarter. Of liquid measures, the moyo of wine contains 16 arobas,
or cantaras, each 8 azumbras, or 32 quartlQos. The aroba of wine con*

Swth America.^ OBIENTAL COMMEBCE. 85

tains 4245 English wine gaUons; the aroba of oil is divided into 4 quartillosv
or 100 quarterones or panillas, and equals 3.S3 English gallons. In long
neasure* the foot c(Kiaists of 12 pnlgadas, or 144 lines, and equals 11.128
BngUsh inches. The polmo of 9 pulgadas, or 12 dedos, eqvols 84 English
kdies. The palmo de Ribdra, for measuring masti, &c* is only S inches.
The vara, for doth, Sec is 3 feet, or 4 palmos, equal to 33.384 English
faches. The bnuM, or toesa, is 2 varas; the passo, II vara ; the estadaU
4 Yaras ; the cuerda 8| varas.
%* WkUsi this sheet p)as paging the prees^ a decree €f the Mearieem Qo^

vemment was received, which is to take effect in Europe from N^eem^

ber 1824y for prohibiting the importation of the fsUowing merchandize :

First Class— -ProoiffioiM, lAquarSy and other Articles. — Spirits from
(he cane, or anj other than from the gri^; vegetables, roots, and garden-
stufis of all kinds ; anise, cummin, and carrawaj seeds ; starch; rice, sugar,
ind molasses; coffee; salted and smoked meats. Grain — wheat, Incfian
aun, lye* barley ; pulse of all kinds, beans, peas, &c. ; green fruit of all
lands, nuts; flour, except into the State of Yucatan, conformaUj to province
cbcrees ; fowls and eggs ; soap, hard and soft ; hogs^ and bears^ lard ; ver-
ndoelli and macaroni ; ship-bread and biscuit ; ccnnmon salt; tallow, roug^
andmanufjEU^tured; manufactured wax ; chocolate.

Sboomd and Fifth Ci^ss — Fkue and Cof^on.---Cotton*wool, from
uij foreign port whatever ; cotton thread. No. 60, or above ; ready-made
dothmg of all kinds and descriptions, and parts thereof; ready-made quilts,
ciutains, table and other household linen» &c* ; shawls, or panos de Bebora,
of cotton ; tape, white and coloured ; mattresses and bed-hangings, curtain
cords, bed-Unen, &c. ; linen bags.

Third Class — Woollen and jSrajf.«»-JEleady*made dothing of every
description; table-covers (carpets); bear-skins (esalaeinas); common doths,
second and third qualities ; doaks, called sanaps fesadas.

Fourth CLABS-^Manufactured Silk and other Articles. — Ready-made
dothing of all kinds; embroidery, lace, open work, in metal or in mixtures
thereof, &c. Common hides and skins in the hair, tanned, or untanned
and prepared ; fine skins of all kinds in the hair, tanned or prepared, and
raanufiurtures thereof; leather straps (agujetas) of all kinds ; upper and sole
leather of all descriptions ; buck-skins, all colours and preparations ; boota
and shoes of all kinds, boot-patterns ; buckskin breeches, &c. ; u]^3er shoes,
dog9, &C. ; saddles and bridles, and horse furniture ; portmanteaus c£ all
kinds ; parchment ; leather hats and caps.

Manufactwres of Cfoy.— -Glased or unglaeed earthen vesseb ; bricks
and tiles of all descriptions; very common queen's ware, glazed or un^^zed.

26 ORIENTAL COMMBaCK iSmUh Jmeriea.

with or witiurat eommon prints; earthen jars, new or old, of all kinds
and siECs.

Jf«to2s— Copper in pigs or sheets; lead ditto, in shot; silirer and gdd
plate ; epaulettes of afl kinds ; embroideiy of aU kinds.

iraod»-^Wood of all kinds.

COLOMBIA.— The ports of this new RepubBc, comprehending the
N. provinces of South America, are not at present frequented by East India
Traders; but the precious metals, and other products of thecouattj, majr
attract them. It may therefore be proper to sulgoin the new tariff of duties,
whidi took effect on the Ist January, 1624.

Duty on Imfokts.— -jFtrs^ C%ms.— -Inm in bars, sheets of tin^ the
same of copper, and paper of all kinds ; every sort of medidne, and of
surgical instruments ; ropes, canvas, tar, cables, cordage, and anchors.

2. Eveiy kmd of merchandise, of cotton, wool, Knen, hemp, flax,
with the exception of those which are mentioned separatdy, and under
other heads.

3. Hats of beaver, wool, cotton, or silk ; wax or spermaceti, mani-
factured or in gross ; wines, vinegars, and acids, of aQ kinds ; gold and
silver watches, laces (galonis)^ saddles, cards, and all kinds of Europesn
earthenware, and crystal and glass of all kinds.

4. Silks, and all kinds of silk which may be manufactures and pro*
ductions of Europe; jeweb and precious stones, and tanned hides; lace
(enoaje) of thread om silk, wrought handkerchiefs or shawls (paneuloB de
punio), artificial flowers, ornamental feathers, mirrors, perfiunes, essences,
and scented waters, dried or preserved fruits, oHves, capers, and all kinds
of pickles.

5. Beady-made men^s and women^s shoes, boots ; all kinds of house-
hold furniture ; clothes, ready-made linen ; all utensils of copper, brass,
iron, steel, and tin ; tallow, in gross or manufactured ; meal, salted meats,
and all kinds of foreign provisions.

The effects in the First Class, from Colonies in national bottoms, shall
pay 15 per cent, and if thqr proceed from Europe or the United States,
shall pay 7f per cent

The same effects, imported in fiurdgn bottoms firom the Colonies, shall
pay SO per cent, and from Europe or the United States, 15 per cent

The effects in the Second Class, imported in national bottoms from the
Colonies, shall pay 17f per cent, and from Europe or the United States,

10 per cent

The same effects, imported in foreign bottoms from the Colonies, shall
pay 28j[ per cent, and from Europe or the United States, 17) per cent

SmUh Ameriea.} ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 27

The effects in the Third Class, imported in national bottoms from the
Cdonies, shall pay 80 per cent, and from Europe or the United States,
12} per cent

The same effects, imported in foreign bottoms from the Colonies, shall
pay 25 per cent, and fjN>m Europe or the United States, SO per cent

The goods in the Fourth Class, imported in nati<mal bottoms from the
Colonies, shall pay 22J per cent, and from Europe or the United States^
15 per cent

The same effects, in foreign bottoms, from the Colonies, 27} per cent,
and from Europe or the United States, 82} per cent

The goods in the Fifth Class, imported in national bottoms from the
Colonies, shall pay 25 per cent, and from Europe or the United States,
17} per cent

The same goods^ imported in foreign bottoms from the Colonies, shall
pay 90 per cent, and from Europe or the United States, 85 per cent

The other kinds of merchandize^ not comprised in the classes abore ex*
pressed, shall pay 85 per cent, if the importation be in national bottoms and
from the Colonies; if from Europe or the United States, in the same
national bottoms, 17} per cent

All kinds of merchandize in general, not comprehended in the classes
particularly expressed, shall pay 90 per cent, if in fordgn bottoms from the
Colonies ; if from Europe or the United States, in the same foreign Tcssels,
they shall pay 85 per cent

Merchandize, of whatever quality or chiss, the natural fruits of the
Anatic nations, and European estaUishments in Asia, not dependent on
the Spanish Government, shall pay 18 per cent, if in national vessels from
those countries, and 80 per cent when not from Asia direct If in fore^
vessels, direct from Asia, they shall pay 80 per cent ; and if not direct^
from Asia, 85 per cent

Merdiandize^ the produce of the American Continent heretofore de-
pendent on the Spanish Grovemment, directly from the independent nations
of this Ccmtinent, imported in national or foreign vessels, shall enjoy the
ahatement of duty respectively granted to those which proceed from Europe
or the United States ; but merchandize in general, not the produce of this
country, if imported in national or foreign vesseb proceeding fitmi this
same American Continent, are subject to the payment of ihe duties respec-
tivdy payable on goods from the Colonies, unless there be particular treaties
of commerce which stipulate otherwise, as well with respect to these States^
as to the other independent nations of the earth.

(88)

SECTION V.

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

JL HIS Colony, situated at the S. extremity of Africa, extends above
500 miles from W. to E., and about 315 from N. to S. ; on the W. side
to latitude 29^ 50' S., and on the E. side to Great Fish River, or Rio
dlnfanta, latitude 3*^ 25' S., longitude about 27° 37' E. The places most
frequented by East India shipping, are Saldanha Bay and Table Bay, on
the W. side of the Peninsula ; and False Bay on the E. side.

SALDANHA BAY is an excellent harbour sheltered from all winds.
The entrance is in latitude 33° 6' S., longitude 17° 58' E., about 16 leagues
N. N. W. of Table Bay, between two small islands. A little farther in
is another, which may be passed on either side. On the left going in is
Hoetje^s Bay, where the ships from the Cape, and American whalers,
heave down at a natural pier of granite, and have every facility for
repairing.

Regulations. — Before communication with the inhabitants, it is
necessary to obtain the Residents permission to land goods, or procure sup-
plies. At his house accommodations may be had during a stupe's stay in
liarbour.

Provisions and Refreshments. — Bullocks are poor and dear ; sheep
are plentiful and good. Poultry, fruit, and vegetables are to be had* Wood
is scarce, as well as good water, especially in the dry season. Fish is plen-
tifuL Reefs Bay is the best place for the net

TABLE BAY is large, but open to winds from the W., which
throw in a heavy swell, though it is now said to be less insecure than is sup-
posed. The Bay takes its name from the Table Mountain directly over
Cape Town, at the S. side. The N. front of the mass of rock facing the
town is nearly a horizontal line, 2 miles long ; the face, rising almost at
right angles to this line, is 3582 feet above the level of the Bay. The
Devil'^s Mountain, broken into irregular points, on one side is 3135 feet
high ; the Lion'^s Head, a more compact mass, on the other, is 2160 feet
high : small rivulets descend into Table Bay and False Bay. The proper
anchorage is abreast of Cape Town, the Table Mountain bearing S. W.,
in 5 to 7 fathoms, about a mile distant from the town. On the projecting

Cape of Good Hope.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 29

point of land between the great Mouille or Moulin battery, and Three
Anchor fiay^ under the Lion^s Rump, at the entrance of Table Bay, is a
lighthouse with a double li^t The following directions are given for
sailing into the Bay bj night Ships coming from the S. and W. with a
leading wind, not making the Hghtiiouse before night, may steer along the
coast to the N. E., until they open the lights of the arising land about the
Lion^s Head, when the two lights will be their breadth open of each oth^,
and bear about £. by N.; they may then haul in towards them, taking care,
as they approach, to keep them well open on the starboard bow : steer to
the eastward, until the lights come on with each other, i. e. are one, or
until they bear S. W. i S.; they wiU then be abreast of the N. W. extre-
mity of Table Bay, and may haul in S. by E. or S. S. E., according to
circumstances, for the anchorage. When the lights are shutting in by the
risbg land of the upper Moulin battery, bearing N. W. by W., they will
be approaching the outer anchorage, where they may safely anchor for the
night, in 7 or 8 fathoms water, fine sand. Care should be taken not to
run into less than 5} or 6 fathoms, unless wiell acquainted.— Ships from"^ the
N. and W. should observe the same directions with respect to passing the
lights, &c.^-Ship8 working in with the wind from the S. and E., after being
abreast of the lights, should not stand to the E. fiuther than 2{ or 3 miles,
•r until they shoal the water to 8 or 7^ fathoms.— N. B. The bearings are
all by compass, variation 27 W.

The non-existence of a supposed dangerous shoal, called the TSUmaquej
is now aaeertained by survey, 1822.

CAPE TOWN, the capital, is at the head of Table Bay, in latitude
33^58' S., longitude 18^35' E., on a plain sloping from the mountainsi
The houses are regular, and the streets intersect at right angles. In one
of the squares the market is held; in another the peasants resort with
their waggons ; a tliiid is used as a Parade for the troops. The Castle is a
regular pentagon. The Barracks and most of the Public Offices are within
the wiDs of the FiMrt, to the body of which there is but one entrance on
the town nde. The Conmiereial Exchange is a large and handsome building
on the W. extremity of the Parade. The number of inhabitants ui Cape
Town in 1621, was 18,422.

TaAns.— The principal product of the Cqse is wine, which of late
has greatly inereaaed in quantity. In 1821, the number of bearing vines
in the colony was computed to be 22,400,100 ; and the produce 21,338
pqpes. The otfier aiticlea are oQ, aloes, hides, ivory, ostrich feathers, argol,
harifla, ke. The exports of merchandise firom the Cape to all parts of
the wivld amouted in 1821 to upwards of two nuUiona of rix-dollars, and
that of bills to nearly 3 millions ; the imports were 6,666,244. The oolp-

30 OBIBNTAL COMMEBCB. [Cape of Good Hope.

niflts have a great taste for India goods, but hare no acceptable retunuy
except bills. Some traflSc is canned on with South America, the West
Indies, New South Wales, and the Netherlands ; and Chinese goods are
imported in foreign vessds.

DoTiss.— All imports are liable to duty* English produce is rated
at Si per cent on the inroice price : forogn and eastern goods are charged
with 10 per cent on the value, whether in a British ship, or in one belonging
to a nation in amitj. No credit is given to the merchants ; nor are fees of
any description receiTed bj the 0£Boers of Customs, for their own use.
The wine4aster diarges (but repays to Goremment) 3 liz-doDars as hb fee
on each pipe of wine exported, and one rix-dollar for gauging.

Chabobs.— Both Ei^Ush and foreign vessels pay 2 schSlings per ton
measurement for the use of the port, if they land the whole or any part
of the cargo; if not, 1 sdiilling per ton. The wharf^harges, for landing
or shipping, are as follow : for a horse, 5 riz-dollan ; other cattle, 1 rix-
doUar; sheep and pigs, | riz-dollar; a pipe, or half a ton, 1 ribc-dollar;
half a pipe, or other cask, | rix-dollar.

Port RsouLATioin.'— 1. The exact place of the ship, when moored
with bower anchor, heavy stream anchor, and buoy ropes, to be taken by
bearingfs and depth of water ; and should an accident occur, whereby the
ship may drift, or lose anchors, good bearings and depth must be taken at
the time, and notified to the Fort OiBce in writing. 2. Within 24 hours
after giving security at the Colonial Secretary's Office, lodge the certificate
at the Fort Office, with your address when on shore. 3. A permit firom
the Custom-house must authorise shipment or landing of goods^ the latter
only at the public wharf; and when landed, the goods must be removed
within 24 hours. 4. No deserter to be harboured on board : penalty 500
rix-dollars. 5. No seaman to be received on board, without certificate
from the Song's Chief Naval Officer, nor landman without certificate
from the Port Captain, countersigned by the Fiscal ; nor any person without
due certificate. & No person to be left behind without pemussion firom
Colonial Secretary; deserters to be notified to the Port and FiscaTs Qflkes.
7. No specie to be taken out of the Colony without permission ; penalty,
confiscation of the craft used, and the property, vrith three times the
amount, and imprisonment for 12 months. 8. Boats to leave the shore
after gni^fire at ni^t, except on exigencies. 9. Notice to be given at the
CustomJiouse, 2 days previous to sailing firom TaUe Bay, and 3 days
from Simon^s Bay ; and ship's enrign to be hmsted at the niain4op-gaIlant
mast-head, 48 hours previous to departure. 10. For violation of any one
of the foregoing, a penalty of £00 rix^llars, in addition to any other
penalties.

CapBofGoodBcpe.] ORIENTAL COMMBBCE. SI

The Deputy Poit Cqitain, attended by the Health Officer, visits a
▼essd on its amval in haitx>ur, to learn particulars; it is his dutj to assign
sitoations for anchoring and mooring ships, and to take care that the regu-
ktions are dul j obs^ed.

FmoTisioifs Aim RBFRSSHMnarrs are abundant and at moderate prices,
consisting of beef, mutton, and poultry, firuits of many kinds, and excellent
▼^etafales. The seeds of the latter are often carried to India for presents,
or as an article of trade The water, which is good, is brought to the
pier by pipes, where boats may lay and fill with a hose, or country boats
win faring watar to the ship. Firewood is scarce and dear. Fish is abun-
dant in the town during fine weather.

Conis.— Accounts are variously kept: occasionally the English mode

is adopted ; sometimes they are kept in GuilderB or Florins of 90 Stivers,

or 3B0 Pennings ; also in Bix-dollars, divided thus :

8 Stivers equal to*...., 1 Dubbel^ee.

8 Dubbel^ees 1 Schilling.

8 Schillin§pB 1 Rix-doUar.

The Bix-dollar is a paper currencyt generally reckoned at Ss. 4d^

hut varying according to the quantity of specie in the Colony. There is

no metallic currency except English Penny-pieces. Bills on England, at

SO days^ nght, are generally considered equal to cash, particularly Grovem*

meat Bills. The following are the rates at which foreign coins pass :

Sterlinif. Schil- Sti-
£ §• dm 11008. Ten.

at 1 8 or 44 or 864

Doubloon, 16 Spanish Dollars 4 ... 160 ... 960

Johannesy 8 Ditto • S ... 80 ... 480

Ducat and Venetian Sequin 9 6... 19 ... 114

Gdd Mohur 1 17 6 ... 76 ... 450

Pagoda • « 8 ... 16 ... 96

Spsaiah Dollar 5 ... 10 ... 60

Biqpee • •• 8 6... 5... SO

EngUflh Shilling 1 ... 8 ... 18

Copper Penny «. 1 ... ••• 1

Papbk Money.

Bix-doOar 8 4 ... 8 ... 48

Dutch SdilDing 4}... 1 ... 6

Wntomrs juro Mbasuebs.— -The En^ish are mostly used, except for
Wmes. These are sold by the Aum and Leager. One Leager is 4 Aums,
or S8B Kanaea.

HOUT BAT has been pronounced the safest and most conunodious
Imbour in ScNtth Africa, except that of Saldanha, and described as being
U miles firona Ctxpe Town, as affording beef, vegetables, and plenty of
water, with dear ground and good anchorage ; but, in opposition to these

32 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Cape of Good Hope.

advantages, which are somewhat highly coloured, it has been proved, upon
a regular survej, ordered by the late Commissioner, Sir Jahleel Brenton,
and taken by Mr. Goqdridge, the able and well-informed Master Attendant
of His Majesty ''s Naval Yard at Simon^s Town, that the bay could not be
land-locked till the water was too shoal even for a vessel of 100 tons ; that
it was fully exposed to the fury of a S. W. gale, the worst known on this
part of the coast ; and thaba strong S* Easter brought down such flurries
from the mountains, as to make at times all entrance into, or return from it,
equally diflScuIt and dangerous.

FALSE BAY is formed by the Cape of Good Hope on the West side,
and Cape False, orHanglip, on the East; distance between them about
5 leagues, and to the sandy beach at the North end, a nule or two more.
Four leagues, about N. N. W. from Cape Point, and two from the N. W.
comer of False Bay, or Muysenburg, near the foot of the highest moun-
tain on the coast, called Siman^s Bergy is situated

SIMON'S BAY, in latitude 84^' 15' S., longitude 18'> 28' K, an
excellent harbour for ships during winter, when Table Bay is unsafe, and
where, at all times of the year, if moored well in, they can be sheltered fix>m
all winds. The Bay and Town are protected by batteries from the N. W.
and S. E., and both town and neighbourhood have considerably increased
and improved within the last ten years, since becoming the principal, and
indeed only naval station in South Africa. The Naval Yard is now equal
to performing almost every service which His Majesty's ships may
require, having been rendered so under the auspices and direction of the
late Commissioner, Sir Jahleel Brenton, to whose unwearied zeal and
perseverance, aided by excellent officers under him, not only the Yard, but
Simon^s Town and Bay in general are largely indebted. There are no docks ;
but ships can be hove down, and frequently have been so, with perfect ease,
convenience, and security. Boats may communicate with shipping in the
Bay in the worst of weather, from the general smoothness of the water, and
the anchorage, which is very good, being so near the shore. They may
likewise lay at all times with safety alongside the Wharf, to which an abun-
dant supply of excellent water is brought by pipes, and conveyed into the
casks with ease. The town is fuU of small warehouses or stores, supplied
by the merchants of Cape Town, most of whom have agents here ; and
from many gardens to the S. E., as well as farms in the neighbourhood,
behind the hiUs, there are now large quantities of vegetables grown, for the
use of shipping. The hoteb and inns in Simon^s Town have latdy much
improved ; ample means of conveyance are provided to and from Cape Town ;
and the road between the two places has been made so good under the admi»
nistration of Lord Charles Somerset, the present Govenu>r» that any sort
of carriage may be used thereon with perfect ease and safety.

Cape of Good Hope.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. SS

Provisions akd Refreshments. — ^Except the vegetables before men-
tioned, hay in some quantity, with a small supply of poultry from the
oeighbouring farms and cottages, and good mutton in plenty, any other
provisions required must be procured from Cape Town; and as waggon-hire
is expensive, a ship's disbursements, as far at least as such provisions are
coDcemed, will certainly be heavier here than in Cape Town ; but the wear
and tear of all sorts in the ship herself will be so much less, and her security
so much greater in Simon^s than in Table Bay, particularly during the winter
months, that such waggon-hire is, comparatively speaking, of little import-
ance. Moreover, boat-hire is cheaper ; in fact, ships may do every thing
easfly with their own boats ; and they may also procure from Hottentof s
Holland, on the other side of False Bay, opposite to Simon^s Town, poultry
and other refreshments at cheaper rates than in Cape Town ; whilst the
whole Bay abounds ¥rith excellent fish of various descriptions, easily
procorable.

TRAi>s.«-«-Few vessels enter this Bay with commercial views.— The
tonnage in 1821 was 15,000 tons, chiefly to refresh.

MOSSEL BAT is open to S. E. winds, but they sddom blow
home, and never for cmy long period. S. W. winds throw in the greatest
swelL Cape St Blaze, forming its S. extremity, is in latitude 34^ 10' 8.,
longitude 2S9 18' E. The marks for anchorage, which is good, are Seal
Island N. W. by W., the Com Magazine S. W. by S., and the outer point
S., in 7^ fathoms water, about three-quarters of a mile from the shore.
There is a Resident, who has charge of the Com Magazine, a strong
and capacious building ; and there is some trade at this place, both with
the neighbouring fanners and with George Town, in the district of which;
it is situated.

Provisions and Refreshments are best procured by application to
the Resident, unless you are acquainted with the language. Beef and
mutton are to be had from the neighbouring farms, together with fruit and
vegetables, but the latter are not plentiful. Fish is abundant, including
good oysters and musdes at certain seasons. Brushwood is procured near
the bay; but large timber, though in the neighbourhood, is not easfly
obtainable, except through the farmers. Water is got from a spring near
the landing-place, and conveyed into the boats by a hpse.

PLETTEMBERG BAY is an open roadstead ; but the anchoring;
ground is good, in 17 or 18 fathoms. Seal Cape, or Cape Delgado, the
S. W. pomt of the Bay, is in latitude 34'' 6' S. and longitude 29" 48' E.
The landing-place is on a sandy beach, near the Residents house. Here
are a Timber Magazine, and a Barrack for troops, but both in ruins.

Teadb. — ^The trade here is very inconsiderable, and not likely to increase.

34 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Capeo/Good Hope,

Froyisions and Refreshments are best procured at a farm-house,
a short way up a small river, whose entrance is generallj closed by a saadjr
bar. Beef, mutton, and fowls may be had here ; fruit and vegetables are
rather scarce ; fish is abundant Watering is inconvenient ; the casks must
be rolled nearly 300 yards over a heavy sand, and rafted through a surf
that frequently breaks high.

ALGOA, OR ZWARTEOFS, BAY extends about 10 leagues from
Cape Recife, or Rocky Cape ; its S. W. point in latitude 34i^ 2' S., loogi-
tude 26'' 40' K, to Cape Padron, its N. £. extreme. The common anchor-
age is off the landing-place, in 7 fathoms, about three-quarters ci a mile
from the shore, Baker^s River bearing W, \ S.; the outermost point of
the land S. by £. But you may anchor in any part of the Bay, and chuse
your depth of water. On the north side of the river, a block-house, sw%
rounded with a palisade, defends the landing-place, and was originally
intended to keep the Caffres in awe. The common landing-place is at the
block-house. In the neighbourhood of thb Bay, the small tovm of Bathurst
has lately been built

Provisions and Rbfrbsbmbnts are best procured by applying to the
Conmianding Officer of the troops stationed here, who will send round to
the farmers. Most of the traffic is in exchange for supplies with the
farmers. The cattle are large and fat; sheep at reasonable prices ; poultry
equally cheap ; and from the stores salt provisions, spirits, and grain might
be obtained by a vessel in distress. Vegetables are in small quantities ;
dried fruits in abundance. Roman snappers, and other fish, are caught
near the islands and rocks. Fire-wood is procured a few miles up the
country. There is a good spring of fresh water 100 yards wiUiin Baker^s
River ; and about three-quarters of a mile to the S. is Baker^s Fountain, from
whence, with a W. wind, casks may be eauly rafted off.

Before concluding this article, it may be proper to state, that the
gentleman to whom we are indebted for much of the informatmn relative
to Simon's Town and Bay, has lately submitted a plan to the Secretary
at Lloyd's, for erecting and supporting lighthouses near Simon's Town,
on the Cape Point, Cape Lagullas, Cw^ St Blase, and Cape Recife, with
Hgnal stations at the intermediate points, for the purpose of forming a chain
of posts along a principal part of the South Coast of Africa, devoted entirely
to the preservation of lives, vessels, and cargoes, when in their neighbourhood ;
and whilst reflecting with him upon the number and value of each annually
lost in passing and repassing the Cape of Good Hope, we cannot bat
wish success to his plan, and that it may in due time engage the attention
of Government

(36)

SECTION VL

EAST COAST OF AFRICA.

^ATAL.— The Rio dlnfanta, or Great Fish River, bounds the coast
of Natal to the S. The only place frequented bj Europeans is

PORT NATAL, in latitude ^^ 66' S., longitude about 3P 30' E. ;
the coast generally hig^. The river is wide at its entrance, but fit only
for small yessels. The bar is yery dangerous, having only 5 feet at low
water. The sea rises but 5 feet more, except in September and October,
when at high water 12 feet are found. The course on the bar is to the
8. W., the swell being very great ; but as it is very narrow, two or three
seas will carry over, and then the water deepens to 3, 4, and 5 fathoms.
About a mile within the river, over against a piece of barren ground at the
dedivity of a hill, there is anchorage in 4 fathoms, at a cablets length from
the shore* It is best to moor with hawsers to the rocks on shore.

TftADE^-^The little traffic is with the Portuguese from Mozambique.
The natives appear inoffensive, but generally go armed with lances, bows,
andaiTowa.

PmoviaiONS and Rbfeeshmsnts. — The bullocks are large and good,
and poultry plentiful, exchanged for buttons, iron hoops, &c. The river
abounds with fish, and turtle is found.

DELAGOA BAY, Bay of Lorenzo Marques, or Bay of the Holy
Ghost, i^ 7 leagues broad from E. to W., and nearly SO deep from N. to S.;
hut the channel, on account of the shoals, is not more than 5 miles broad.
The N. point, or Cape St Mary^s, the N. E. point of the island so named,
aeparated by a narrow rocky channel, is in latitude 25^ S8' S., longitude
33^ 15' £• The chief rivers in the bay are Manica, Delagoa, or English
Biver, and Madiavanna. The first and northernmost is choked with mud
it its entrance. The second, the only one frequented by English vessels,
has a har, with about 15 feet on it at low water. The third and southern-
most ii about 8 leagues from Delagoa Biver, and not navigable for ships ;
but boals drawing only 6 feet, can go 30 leagues above its entrance, where
the traffic is carried on. Delagoa River is much frequented by South Sea
whalensy as the bay abounds with whales, and is very safe and commodious.
It is navigable by vessels drawing 12 feet water, for 40 miles. Ships cohk

36 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [E. Coast of Africa.

monly laj about 2 miles up, where thej have good depth of water, and are
secure from all winds. The natives are Caffres, apparently harmless and
good-natured, but cunning, and ask treble the price of their goods. Th^
are great beggars, particularly on the N. side. Higher up the river, the
natives are more dangerous than in the baj, and caution must be used
whilst trading with them.

Tradk.— -A considerable trade was formerly carried on at the rivers
for elephants^ teeth and gold dust, which has decayed. The Portuguese
send here a ship occasionally from Mozambique, and the Parsees of Malabar
have sent some small vessels freighted with beads, buttons, cutlery, pieoe
goods, && The returns are principally elephants^ teeth, (which the natives
set a high price upon), ambergris, gold dust, and hippopotamus^ teeth^
which may be purchased cheap. Coarse blue cloth is the kind of piece*goods
most esteemed here.

Provisions and Rbfreshmknts are plentiful and reasonable. A kind
of master-attendant, called king of the water, informs the chief of the
arrival of a ship ; and no bullock can be purdiased till he comes down to
the landing-place, and receives a present of old dothes and liquor. He
returns a bullock, after which supplies are obtained daOy. The master-
attendant remains on board ship as long as you please, and will accompany
any officer on shore to trade. The beef is very good. A bullock of 3 or 4
Cwt may be purchased for a piece of coarse Surat piece-goods ; a fowl for
an inm hoop, or two metal buttons ; vegetables and fruit for old dothes,
empty bottles, &c. Turtle is met with. Fire-wood and water are easily
procured. Excellent fish abounds in the bays and rivers, and which the
natives sell for a mere trifle.

From Ddagoa Bay to Cape Corientes, in ktitude 2^^ V S., longitude
S5^ 61' K, the coast is seldom visited by Europeans, and little known.

INHAMBAN BAY and RIVER.— The E. extremity of the bay is
5 leagues to the N. of Cape Corientes; 3 miles to the W. of which is the
entrance of the river, in latitude 239 47' S., longitude 35^ 62' E. ; but on
account of the numerous shoals in the bay, it is frequented by small vessels
only. The town is about 8 miles firom the entrance of the river. A Portu-
guese Resident is hoe; but the trade is inconsidendile, consisting of gold
dust, ivory, &e.

SOPAUL— This town is situated up a river, (on iU N. side), navig*.
Ue by small vessds only, having a bar al the entranoe, with onty 12 or 14
ieet on it al few water. The fort is on a point of land, iTOnlatcd at high
water, in latitude 20'' 16 &, longitude 34"" 46 R, 4 miles fit>m whidi is
the andKvage, in 6 fathoms, the flag-staff bearing N.33° W. Ships should

E. Coast of Jfriea.] ORIENTAL COMME RCE. 37

not enter without a pflot Dangerous shoals lay to the S. of Sofala. A
Portuguese Resident is stationed here ; and some merchants procure ivory,
gold dust, &C. for the ship annually from Mozambique.

Tradb.— The gold procured in the neighbourhood is considerable
The Arabs trade with this part of the coast Wherever the Portuguese have
Residents, a guard is placed on board a vessel, to prevent illicit traffic ; but,
by favour of the Commandant, trade may be carried on at most of those
places : they are all subordinate to Mozambique.

Care should be used in communicating with the natives on the less
frequented parts of the East Coast of Africa : the acts of slave-dealers have
prejudiced them against Europeans.

Provisions and Rbfreshments.-— BuUocks and poultry may be had of
the natives cheap ; but the Portuguese charge dearer for supplies. Fruity
vegetables, and fish are plentiful.

GREAT CUAMA RIVER, called by the natives Zambize, is in
many places more than a league broad, and divided, about 20 leagues from
its mouth, into two branches, the S. of which is called Lacabo, also divided
mto two ; the other is called Quilimane. The entrance of the former is
in about 19^ S. latitude; that of the latter in 18^ 10 S., longitude 37^
30'R

QUILIMANE. — ^This town is on the N. side of the river, about 5
leagues from its mouth, which has a bar, with 2^ fathoms on it at low
water. Mozambique-vessels here discharge their cargoes into small boats
for Sena, the principal settlement, 60 leagues distant, in latitude 17^ 37' S.,
where large quantities of gold, (of 19 carats only), ivory, wax, rhinoceros^
horns, and hides, are annually procured. The Africans, from great distance
in the interior, come hither to purchase European and Indian goods for
gold, which is very plentiful.

MOZAMBIQUK This island, in latitude W t S., longitude about
40^ 46' £., is the chief settlement of the Portuguese on this coast The
harbour is good, formed by the Islands of St. Jago and St. George, to the
S. of its entrance, and that of Mozambique, about 3 miles to the N. W.
of the others. Mozambique is small, about 3 miles in circumference, to
the W. of which is the harbour. Ships generally anchor within St. George^s
Island, and wait for a pilot to carry them to the proper anchorage. The
town IS strongly fortified. Many of the houses are well built, but most are
huts. Within the fort is a large dstem for water, which is scarce.

Tradb. — This has long been the emporium of the F<Mtugiiese slaves
trade. Their vessels generally stop here in their voyages to and from
India, with whidi a considerable tndfic is carried on in vessels under Por-
taguese colours, or Anglo-Indian ships. The Portuguese put a guard op

38 OBIENTAL COMMERCE. [E. CoaH of Africa.

board vessels, to prevent illicit trade; but by proper tnanagement this restraint
may be evaded. Much gold is annually broug^ here from Sena and Sofala,
and ambergris, ivory, columbo-root, tortoise-shell, and cowries are plen-
tifully procured. The chief article of export hither, from British India, is
piece-goods, of various kinds, principally from Bombay ; and ivory is the
chief return.

PnoyisiONS and RBrRssBMENTs are dear, Mozambique being dependent
upon Madagascar and other places for supplies. There are but two good welb
of water, one on the island, the other on the main. Wood is procured from
the main, where the Portuguese have gardens of vegetables and fruits.

Coins.— -The coins current are Spanish dollars, crusados, and testoons,
4 testoons making 1 cnisado, the exchange of which with Spanish dollars
varies from 250 to 270 crusados per 100 dollars.

Weights.— The weights are the frazil and the bahar, 20 of the former
making 1 of the latter, which is considered equal to 240 avoirdupois pounds.

^*|^^v%,'^^^^%■%f%'^

COMMODITIES PROCURABLE AT MOZAMBIQUE.

Ahbbe, {Cak-rubuj Hind. & Pers.), is met with on this coast, gene-
rally in irregular masses of yellowish brown colour. It should be in fine
hard pieces, clean and transparent ; the smell, when rubbed, fragrant and
pleasant ; it should attract light substances, as straws, hairs, &c. The foul
and opaque should be rejected. The Caroba, or Amber of the bazars^ is
imported from Bussorah, and is a resin, supposed to be real copal.

Ambergris (Jmber^ Hind. Ambara, San.), a concrete substmee, li^t,
inflammable, soft and tenacious like wax, slightly odoriferous, generally in
solid masses, rough and uneven when broken, and frequently containing
pieces of shells and other substances. It is found on various parts of the
E. Coast of Africa, as well as in the eastern seas. Its origin is not exactly
determined. It is often adulterated. The best is ash-coloured, with yel-
lowish and blackish veins and spots, scarcely any taste, and very little smell,
unless heated, or much handled, when it yields an agreeable odour. When
exposed to the flame of a candle, in a silver spoon, it melts without bubble
or scum ; it swims on water ; if a small piece is laid upon the heated point
of a knife, it should melt entirely away. The Chinese try its genuineness
by scraping it fine upon boiling tea, when it should dissolve, and diffuse ge-
nerally. The black, or white, is bad ; the smooth, uniform, and apparently
pure, is conunonly factitious. It is used principally by perfumers, and
varies much in price.

CoLUMBo Root, {Kalumbj Mosamb.), a stqile export of the Portuguese,
grows naturally and abundantly in the forests on the Mozambique ooaat.

£. Coast of Africa.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. S9

and inland : the plant is considered to be a species of Menispermum. It is
higUj esteemed bj the Africans. Columbo is procured in circular pieces,
from half an inch to three inches in diameter, of different thicknesses ; the
bark wrinkled and thick, externally a greenish brown, and a light yellow
within ; the pith spongy, yellowish, and slightly striped ; when fresh, rather
aromatic ; pungent and disagreeably bitter, somewhat resembling mustard
kept too long. Chuse the largest pieces, fresh, of a good colour, as free
as possible from worms ; reject the small and broken* The best mode of
packing is in cases, filling the interstices with fine dry sand. The freight
of Columbo is calculated at 16 Cwt. to the ton.

CowaiBs, small glossy shdls, used in Bengal and other parts of India
as currency. They are also brought from the Maldives. They are bought
at Bombay by the Surat Candy (746| lbs.), and sold by tale, 40 to 50 puns
for a rupee Cowries should be chosen small, dean, white, and glossy ;
rejecting the yellow, large, and those without lustre. The freight is calcu-
lated at 20 Cwt per ton.

Elbphaittb^ Tbbth.-— The Mosambique teeth are sometimes preferred
to those fitxn other parts ; but the Ceylon are said to be larger, whiter, and
of a finer grain than any from India or Africa. They should be chosen
large, straight, solid, and white, free from flaws or decay, and not very
hollow in the stump. In India, the hollow part is frequently sawed off* to
make bangles. At Surat and Cutch, where the Mosambique teeth are pre-
ferred, they are thus sold :— those above 16 seers^ weight, by the maund of
40 seers; under 16, and not under 10, by that of 60 seers; under 10, and
not under 5, by that of 80 seers ; under 5, by that of 160 seers. The trade
m London divide Elephants^ teeth into six sorts or qualities, vi^.—- 1, those
weighing 70 lbs. and upwards ; S, from 56 lbs. to 60 lbs.; 3, from 38 lbs. to
550)8.; 4, from 28 lbs. to 37 lbs. ; 5, from 18 lbs. to 27 lbs. ; 6, all under
18 Hw., wbiah are termed scrivelloes. In Europe, the African teeth are most
efleemed, as being of a closer texture, and less liable to turn yellow than
those from India. In purchasing them, the very crooked, hollow, and
broken at the ends, and those cracked, should be rejected, and care taken
that lead. Sec be not inserted in the hollow. The freight is reckoned, in
the Company^s ships, at 16 Cwt to the ton.

Elkpbavts^ Haxr, from the tail, is stiff and smooth, of a glossy black
<)(doar, 14 or 15 inches long, the size of small iron wire, solid, of a homy
natore, very tough, and wiU bear to be tied or doubled without breaking,
(though some are brittle), and therefore useful for making beards to fish-
hooks. They make neat ornaments for rings, broaches, be.

HippoFOTAMUB* Tbbth are procured only in Africa. They are long,
crooked, and diarp, sometimes 12 or 14 inches long, weighing 8 or 10 lbs..

40 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [E: Cmst <if Africa.

of a harder and whiter substance than dephants^ teeth, and do not itxn
yellow so soon ; they are therefore preferred for making artificial teeth.
Choose them large^ straight, and free from cracks and flaws: those under
2 lbs. weight are of little Value.

The hide of the animal makes excellent whips.

ToRTOisK-sHBLL is oulj obtained from that species of 8ea-tort<:^ called
the hawk'^s bill, esteemed merely for its shell, the plates- of which are &r
stronger, thicker, and cleaner than in any other kind. The shell is some-
what hearUshaped, consisting of thirteen plates or divisions^ surrounded by
twenty-five marginal pieces ; of the former, there are four on each side, anci^
five on the back, the last bent in the centre ; of the side plates, the twa
middle are most valuable, being largest and thickest; those on the back and
margin, denominated hoof^ are comparatively of little value. Tortoise^helt
should be chosen in large, thick plates ; free from cracks, carbuncles^ or
barnacles; clear, transparent, and variegated. The crooked, brcdcen, and
small plates should be rejected. A peculiar kind, said to be met with in
the Maldives, is very superior, being very dark, smooth, and beautifully
variegated, oflen with natural figures in it. At the Cape of Good Hope,^
a small land-tortoise is common, the shells of which, about three inches in'
diameter, are very beautiful, and made into snuff boxes. The freight of"
tortoise-shell is computed at the rate of 20 Cwt to a ton.

QUERIMBA, which gives name to a chain of islands extending as far
as Cape Delgado, along the coast, is in latitude about 12^ 2(X S. and longi-
tude 40^ 58' £. It may be distinguished by palm-trees on its N. point,
and a white sandy beach, with a large house serving as a fort There are-
on this island about thirty well-built houses, scattered like farms.

Tradb.— The Arabs occasionally dispose of piece-goods and a few
other articles here, receiving corn, cowries, tortoise-shell, and provisions.

MACALOE.— «The harbour is about 18 leagues to the N. of Querimba,
and formed between the main land and the Island Macaloe. On the N. side
of the point, on the main, is the town, directly opposite the island, where-
vessels trading here anchor in 7 or 8 fathoms, good holding ground, mud
and sand. If it is intended to sU^ here, a signal should be made for a
pilot.

It is essential to state that, in standing through the Mozambique
Channel, from the latitude of 12^ 30' S., the land should not be approached
nearer than just to see it in clear weather, until in the latitude of Cape
Delgado, N. of which, as far as latitude 7^ 4T S., is safe. Most of the
small islands are uninhabited.

MONGALLOU RIVER is to the N. W. of Cape Delgado, in latitude
10^7' S., and not easily distingubhed. The entrance is about a cableV

E. Coast of Africa.] ORIENTAL COMMEBiDE. 41

length wide between the sands^ and difficult of access ; but it has from 9
to 11 fathoms in the fair channel up to the anchorage above the town,
which is a little within the N. point of the river.

TiuDB is chiefly in the hands of the Arabs.

PaonftiONs are to be procured in abundance, and fire-wood ; bat good
water with difficulty.

LINDY RIVER, about 6 leagues from the former, is large, and
easy of access, having many villages around, the chief of which is Lindy,
on the N. side. It is said to be an excellent harbour, where provisions^
wood, and water may be easily procured.

QUILOA, in latitude &" 41' S., longitude SO"" iT E., is on an island^
6 mSes long from N. to S. The harbpur is between the island and main,
capable of receiving ships of any size, where they lay secure from all
weathers. The town is represented as large and well-built ; the streets
narrow ; Uie fort on one side of the town is strong.

Trabb is extensive, carried on by the Muscat Arabs, who bring piece-
goods, sugar, arrack, and spices ; and receive elephants^ teeth, &c. The
inhabitants are considered hostile to Europeans, who seldom visit the place.

ZANZIBAR, OR ZUNGBAUR, the largest island on this part of the
coast, has a beautiful appearance sailing along. Its N. end is in latitude
6^4aS., longitude SQ"" 46' E. Reefs project from both extremities. The
anchorage is in latitude ^ 6' S. There are two harbours,, outer and inner,
hoth fit for large ships. The channel to the latter is very narrow at low
water, scarcely three^uarters of a mile wide. The town has some good
houses; the rest are huts. The small Arab traders, after discharging, always
dismantle, and move into an inner harbour, behind the- town, till the return'
of the monsoon. The island is tributary to the Imaum of Muscat. The
inhabitants go armed, and appear timid. The crew of a Calcutta vessel,
wrecked near Macaloe in 1819, experienced the kindest hospitality from
the Arab Governor of Zanzibar, who furnished them with a house and
proviaons, the best the island afforded, and sent them to Bombay in his
own vessel, free of expence.

Tradk.— The inhabitants trade with Mauritius. In their traffic with
strangers they prefer buttons, or similar trifles, to coin. An instance is
mentioned of their refusal to sell fowls for a guinea, which they readily
exdiaaged for a Marine's button.

Provisions and Rbfrkshmbnts.— -The Gk)vernor has a monopoly of
sopp&Sy and sells them high ; but the inhabitants supply refreshments
chefqper. They have bullocks^ goats, poultry, rice, coco-nut oil, and
nany kinds of deHcious fruits. I'here i^ good fishings and turtle are mef

«e ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [K Coast of Africa.

with. Plentj of water is obtained at Fresh-water River^ about 4 miles to
the E. of the anchorage, bj rolling the casks some distance from the beach,
and baling out of the stream. At high water, it is rather brackish ; it is
best therefore to fill with the falling tide, and take off with the flood.

MOMBAS OR MOMBAZE.--The port is formed by an ann of the
sea, wherein fall several small rivers, and which extends round Mombaa
Island, situated inside the two points forming the entraaoe. The town and
fort are on the island, a little within the harbour, in latitude about 4^ 4' S.,
and longitude Vf 9! E. The town is large; many of the houses are hand-
some ; and the streets straight, but narrow. The Grovemment here is avarse
to Europeans, and the people treacherous. A ship in want of supplies
should proceed to Zanzibar, as Mombas is not tributary to Muscat

Traos is considerable, and the place much frequented by Arab vessdb.

MELINDA. — This town, in latitude about 3° S., and longitude
41° S' E., is large, containing some handsome houses and mosques, with
ruins of Portuguese buildings. The place of anchorage is at a considerable
distance from the town ; the coast here is very shallow.

Trads is considerable at this place, which is frequented by vessels
from the Red Sea, Persia, and the N. of India, though seldom by Europeans.

Provisions and RBFBBSHMBNT8.-<-CattIe and other articles are plenti-
ful and reasonable.

PATTE, situated at the W. end of an island so named, is in latitude
2^ 10' S., longitude 41'' 16' E. It is surrounded with shoals ; a pilot is
therefore necessary to take a ship to the proper andbcNrage, which is at the
Island £ringetty, in latitude V 8' S., to the E. of the town. It is seldom
visited by Europeans.

JUBA OR JOOB.— This small town b situated on an eminence near
the side of Govind or Rogues River, in latitude 13' S., longitude 43^ 2'
£. The river has a bar, and the surf beats high upon it ; boats may pass
over it at lugh water in the fair season. The perfidy of the natives should,
however, exclude Europeans from this place.

BRAVA.— This town is dose to the sea, in latitude I'' 8' N., longitude
AAfi 10' E. Several small islands break off the sea, on one of which is a
tower, resembling a lighthouse. Inside these islands small vessds lay aheU
tered, and ships anchor outside, in 7 or 8 fathoms.

Provisions. — Cattle and goats are plentifii] ; but this place, which is
possessed by the Arabs, is seldom visited by Europeans.

MAGADOXA, the principal town on this part of the Coast of Africa,
is in latitude V & N., longitude 45^ 49' E. It is easily known by three
remarkable mosques in the middle, resembling towers* Fronting the towir

E, Coast of Africa.^ ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 43

is a reef of coral rocks, having a sandy beach inside of it. The inhabitants
are extremely hostile to Europeans.

Between this place and Cape Gardafui, in latitude 1 1° 50' N., longi-
tude 51^ 32' E., there are no ports visited by Europeans. On the coast,
between Cape Gardafiii and the Straits of Babelmandel, are Barbora and
ZeOa.

BARBORA, OR BURBUREEA, is situated on an island at the
bottom of a bay, in latitude about 10'' 45' N., longitude 46° 15^ E. It is
a place of considerable trade, and a great fair is annually held here from
October till April, the caravans from the interior arriving during that period,
bringing large quantities of gum Arabic and myrrh. Olibanum is chiefly
produced on the coast between Barbora and Cape Gardafui, and exported,
in Arab vessels, from a small port near Cape Felix. A small proportioD
of these articles reaches Bombay and Europe ; the largest part goes up the
Bed Sea to Egypt

T&AOK.— From the fair, Arabia draws much ghee^ many slaves, horses,
mules, and asses; returning Indian piece-goods, generally sold at great
profit Some Banians from Mocha, Aden, and other parts oi India, trade
with their respective ports. Many Chie& in the interior send down caravans
of (heir own, to exchange gold, ivory, &c for Indian commodities.

ZEILA, oa ZEYLA, is at the bottom of a large bay, in latitude
10* 15' N., longitude about 45*" E. It was formerly of considerable import-
ance, and the channel of the Abyssinian trade. It is now sddom visited
by Europeans ; and on touching for refreshments, treachery should be pro*
Tided against, as the disposition of the natives along the coast, from hence
to Cape Gardafui, is Utile known. The anchorage for large ships is E*
of the Island Sadduckdeen, about 3 or 4 miles N» N. K of Zeila.

TEADB.*-*2eila carries on considerable trade with the E. coast of Africa,
Mocha, and other ports ; importing coarse piece-goods, cardamoms, metals,
bardware, spices, sugar, sugar-candy, and various other Asiatic and Euro-
pean commodities; and exporting, in return, ivory, gold, gum Arabic,
myrrh, olibanum, ostrich4eathers, rhinoceros^ horns, and other articles^
the produce of Abyssinia.

Faovisioirs.— Sheep were plentiful and cheap at Zella when the Egypt-
ian expedition touched there.

( 44)

SECTION VIL

ISLANDS OFF THE EAST COAST OF AFRICA.

iVl: ADA6ASC AH.— This island, one of the largest in the woild^ extends
from Cape St Marj, its S. extremity, in latitude 25'' 40' S., longitude
A8^ 16' E., in a N. N. E. direction, to Cape Amber, its N. extremity, which
is in latitude 12° 91 S., longitude W 25' E. It is about 100 leagues from
the Coast of Africa ; and the sea between, denominated the Mozambique
•Channel, is much frequented by ships proceeding to India, especiaUy to
Bombay.

On this account it is fit to state, that the Chart and Memoir of the
•Madagascar Archipelago, published by Goremor Farquhar, has been
declared by Captain Horsburgh to contain some dangerous errors : — 1. The
bank called the Cargados Garajos is laid down on the Chart as reaching only
from latitude \6* 15^ to 16^ 29§' S. ; whereas these shoals are ascertained
to extend from latitude Iff' 9^ to !«" 52' S., and from longitude 59^ 25' to
^ir 50' E.; the yariation 9^ deg. W. The flood sets in the direction of
the trade-wind, and continues 7 hours ; the ebb sets E., but is of short
duration. (H. M. S, Magidewne^ 1819.)— 2. The most easteriy group of the
SeycheUe Islands is omitted in the Chart, among which are Frigate^s Isle,
Three Sisters, Felicity, and Mariane Islands, which lie far to the E. of
.Mah6 ; and being situated on the windward side of the bank, are conse-
quently the first islands visible in approaching with the S. E. trade-wind.
3. Cape Amber is placed 41 miles too far E. in the Chart-'-4. Bassas d^India,
caDed Juive in the Chart, is represented as a reef of rocks ; whereas it is
an island covered with brush-wood and small trees, and 41 } miles further S.
than placed in the Chart.— 5. Europe Shoal is omitted, which is in latitude
21'' 28' S., longitude ¥f 3 E.— 6. John de Nova, and St. Christopher^
are one and the same, though represented in the Chart as two.— 7. Chester-
field Shoal is placed in latit^de W & S., longitude 43^ 33' E., instead of
in latitude 16" 19 S., longitude 44' T E.

The W. side of Madagascar contains many bays and harbours but
little known : the only one resorted to by outward-bound East Indiamen is

St. AUGUSTINE'S BAY.— At the entrance, about 2 miles from

J/riean Islands.] ORIENTAL COMMERCR 46

the S. shore, ia Sandy Island, in latitude 23° 39' S.» longitude W £. ; bu(
accounts diifer. After passing it» and standing to the E., is seen a hig^
land close to the sea, on the S. side of the bay, and another, high land
in the interior: the entrance to Dartmouth River is then open. This
part of the island is subject to the King of Baba, who resides 12 miles from
the bay. Some of his people, called pursers, who adopt English titles, come
off to a ship at anchor. Small presents are necessary for permission to get
provisions ; and if the King come, he must be saluted at arriving and dOi-
parting.

PRovinoira AKD Refrksbments are excellent. The bullocks, large
and fat, with a hump like Indian cattle, are bartered for English commodi-
ties. Provisions are salted thus :-— the bullocks killed in the afternoon, are
cut up at 2 A. M., salted, and put in casks ; about ndon, taken out, placed
on four thick deals, supported on casks ; then four deals laid over the meat,
and heavy articles laid thereon, to press out the pickle, for three or four
boors : then salted, packed in dean casks, and bunged up. Boiled pickle^
with a little saltpetre in it, is poured cold into the ca^s till fulL No good
water is obtained, but by sending 4 or 5 mfles up the river. Instead of
filling the casks at low water, begin to fill here at about a quarter-flood.
The river has a communication with the sea at other places ; and it is found
by experience, that the sea^water brought into the river by the flood-tide, ia
not discharged till a quarter-flood of tjie next tide, in St Augustine^s Bay ;
and for 3 miles up the river, the water is brackish. The river and bay
abound with fish. Alligators are occasionally, seen in the river, so that
bathing is dangerous.

TaAiME.*->The articles of barter for supplies are gunpowder, muskets,
looking-glasses, cutlery and utensik, glass beads, arangoes, and artificial
coral beads. Silr^ is in request, and generally preferred to gold.

MOROUNADAVA, in latitude 2(f 10 S., is a place of some trade,
where refreshments may be had, and water from the rivers adjacent to the
roads. It is exposed to aU winds from N. W. to S. W., and little visited
by Europeans. The town is on the S. side of the bay, and consists of
some hots by the sea-side. The wooding and watering are difficult, the
rivers being shallow at their entrance.

fiEMBATOOK BAY is large and safe ; the entrance, in latitude Id"
43' S., longitude 46^ 28' E., is about 3 miles wide. On the £. side of
it is die village Majuinga. Bembatook Town is on the S. side of a point of
the same name, about 3 leagues within the entrance of the bay on the E«
tide : here ships lay land-locked and sheltered from aU winds, in 5, 6, or 7
fathoms, close under the point near the town. Bembatook has been recom-
mended as a spot for a settlement, being healthy, easy of access, and near

46 ORIENTAL COMMERCR lAffican Idand».

the capital. The Grovemment is said to be cordial to strangers^ the natives
tnistwortby, and the country supplying numy commodities.

TRADa.-^This place is frequented by Arabs from Muscat and neigh-
bouring places, who carry on a naall trade. Arabic is spoken by many of
the natives.

Provisions akd RB9iuisifMS]rTs.-^This is a good place to re&esh at
The beef is very fine» and nwy be salted here. Wild hogs are plentifuL
Rice is abundant, and sold by the gamel, weighing 36 pounds.

NEW MASSALE6E is situated on the right side of a river, in lati*
tttde 15° 3ff 3. A bar at the entrance excludes large vessels. The town
is large, and there is a mud fort The King, who resides here, is the most
powerful on the island. In the bay, fadng the riv^, is good anchorage.
There is also a small island convenient for fitting and repairing ships. The
Arab families resident here construct small vessels, and trade to Persia and
Arabia, refreshing at the Comoro Islands : they alone can navigate the
open sea, and serve as pilots to the ships viriting the coast An interchange
of presents takes place when the King visits a ship. Rullocks, poultry, and
vegetables are offered ; and muskets, coarse linen, flints, &c. received.

PASSANDAVA is a large square bay, extending 6 leagues to the S.
The town is at the bottom, in latitude IS"" 45' S., longitude 48° 23" E. To
the N. are some islands. The great channel is to the W. of these islands ;
but there is a passage to the E.

Provisions and Rbfrbshmbnts may be procured, inducting wood and
water, on reasonable terms. The natives are shy at first, but seem to be
inoffensive and honest

From hence to Cape Amber, the N. E. extremity of the isbnd, there
does not appear a place of resort for shipping. The ports on the E. side
are seldom visited by English ships. The chief places are Fort Dauphin,
Manouro, Tamatavc, Foul Point, St Mary's Island, and Antongil Bay.

FORT DAUPHIN, the southernmost, is in latitude 25° 6' S., lon-
gitude 46*" 35' E. A ship should make the land to the N., on account of
strong N. E. and E. N. E. winds. Between this place and Cape St Mary,
the coast is generally bold. In approaching, a ship should anchor in the
night, to prevent being driven to leeward by the current The fort com-^
mands the road. The anchorage is within a reef. The quality rf the
ground is unequal, sometimes sandy, at others rocky.

Provisions ano Rbfrbshmbnts, including bidlocks and poultry, are
abundant and reasonable. Indifferent water is got by digging in the sand ;
but there are excellent springs a short way inland. The natives are not to

be trusted.

MANOURO, a vDlage of huts, at the mouth of a river, in latitude

African I$kmd9.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 47

about W S., where vessels hj riieltered withm a reef extending to the N.
It b ratber confined fcnr large ships.

Tradx.— *The natives manufacture mats^ stuffs from the fibres of a
pkat» and cotton articles; and rice is exported firom hence to Mamitius
and Bourbon.

Paomioirs and REVRBssiiBNTa-^Mnch cattle and ponltiy are reared
m this part of the island. It should not be resorted to for refreshment,
except in summer, or from necesatj.

TAMATAVE, in latitude about IS"" 12' &, is a village on a low
point of land, with an anchorage within coral reefs. To the S. and
N. N. E. are also reefs ; the latter in latitude 18^ 7' S.

FOUL POINT.— The anchorage is formed bj a large reef» extending
about 3 miles N. N. E. A large village, named Mahaveti, opposite the an-
chorage, in latitude 17" 41' S., longitude 49° 36' E., is the residence of the
lOng, and the French have a settlement there. The harbour is full of
shoals.

Provisions and Reprbshments.— -Plenty of large fiit bullocks, poul-
try, vegetables, and fruits, are procured for muskets, knives, buttons, &c«
To the S. of the village is a small river j with a bar, where finesh water may
be had.

St. MARY'S ISLAND, or NOSSI IBRAHIM, about 40 miles N. N. K
from Foul Point, extends from latitude IT & S., to 16'' 37', in a direction
N. £. bj N. On the W. side is a bay, with an island, called Quail'^s Island,
st the entrance, where small vessels maj shelter. The stormy months are
January, February, and March.

ANTONGIL BAY, oa MANGHABES.— The entrance, from the
N. end of St Mary^s Island, is distant about 10 leagues N. It is about 14
kinoes long from N. to S., and 8 broad between Cape Bollones and Point
Baldrick. At the bottom are some idets ; the chief, Marotte, is about a
imle in extent, and an equal distance fi^m the shore, in latitude 15^ 35' S.
The common anchorage is to the N. of Marotte, musket-shot distance, oppo-
nte two smal! sandy coves, in 11 or 12 fathoms. The river bears N. N. W.
from Marotte, navigable by boats. The anchorage off this river is called
PoftChoiaeuL

PnoviaioNS Avn BjiFnBSHMBNT8.-«Rice, buHocks, &c are procured,
and wood and water very easity. Tents maj be erected safer than on the
nain, where you may trade for provisioiis.

Madagascar produces fiew articles of commerce. A kind of spice has
been brought from hence, called

BAvmnuuu, the fruit oi the AgtUhophyttwn i?., a large bushy tree ;
the leaves anmiatic ; a reddish odorous bark ; the wood hard, heavy, and

48 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. IJfricanJslands.

destitute of smell. The fruit or nut is somewhat larger than a cherry ; pear-
shaped, roundish body. Internally it is divided like the walnut, but into
six parts, covered with a coriaceous shell, a green bark adhering thereto :
both are aromatic, but the kernel is almost caustic to the taste. The natives
gather it unripe, and use it as spice. The acridity leaves it in time ; it is
then thrown into boiling water for 4 or 5 minutes, and dried in the sun.
The essentia] oil it yields is more esteemed than oil of doves.

COMORO ISLANDS consist of Comoro, MohiUa, Mayotta, and
Johanna, all very high, inhalnted by Mahometans, generaUy courteous.

COMORO, the largest, in latitude ir Sg' S., longitude 43^26' E.,
is about 12 leagues long, and 6 broad. The anchorage is inconvenient,
at the N. W., in latitude IV 18' S. It is not advisable to anchor under 90
or 35 fathoms water, on account of the vicinity of the breakers. The, town
is large, with a smooth salidy beach before it, the only place where a boat
can land. Shoal water runs off three-quarters of a mile. When the town
is seen, send boats ahead, for the bank is steep. Ships may be sheltered
from the S. monsoon. This island is seldom visited by Europeans.

Provisions and Refreshments. — ^Excellent bullocks, sheep, goats,
and tropical fruits are procurable ; but no water. A present to the King
or Chief is necessary.

MOHILLA, the smallest, is 12 leagues from Comoro, in latitude 18o
2ff S., and longitude 43° 50' E. There are said to be several anchorages
among coral reefs ; the best is that to the S., behind some isles. The town
is on a bluff hiUock close to the sea. The King resides about 4 leagues
from this place ; the coast is very dangerous, and there is a large surf two
miles from his residence.

Provisions and Refresbments may be obtained here: small bullocks, rice,
paddy, and fruit. The sea abounds with fish. MohiUa was once considered
the best island for refreshments, but that of Johanna is now preferred for
its safety. The watering-place is about 200 yards from the beach of Mohilla;
the water is in a ravine, so that the casks are filled with an engine, where
they are easily rolled from the soil sandy beach.

MAYOTTA, being surrounded with reefs, is least frequented. It is
known by a conical mountain on its S. part, in latitude 12^ 54' S., longitude
46'' 14' £. The N. W. part, where is the best anchorage, is in latitude
12° 42 S. An opening in the reef at the N. part leads to another anchorage,
formerly frequented by English ships, or when the island has been mistaken
for Johanna, on account of the Saddle Island at its N. W. end.

Refrssbiibnts and water can be iHt)cured, but it is attended with
danger.

African Islands.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 4e

JOHANNA, or Anzuan, now much frequented bj European outward-
bonnd ahips, is triangular; the bay and anchorage between its two N. points,
in kUtode IV 7 S., longitude 44'' 30 K Its peak is in latitude 12' 15 S.,
bngitude 44fi 34' E. The best anchorage is W. of the town, abreast of a
nage of coco-nut trees, near the sea, having a large black rock to the £.,
between them and the town, with the rivulet, where water is procured, at
tkeir W. extremity : the bearing at anchor is the Rivulet S. by W., and
tlie Mosque £., rather above a quarter of a mile from shore. There are
two other watering places. Coral rocks extend in several directions. Care
should be taken not to make too firee with the shore after lu£Bng round
Saddle Island. The town is near three-quarters of a mile long, dose to the
seashore, tontaining about 200 houses ; the streets, or alleys, intricate.
The 'King resides about 9 miles^ dbtance ; he generally visits a ship arriving
in the roods^ and must be saluted at arrival and departure with five guns,
and gratified with presents.

Tbapb is considerable, in trankeys of 70 to 100 tons, with Arabia,
in coco-nuts, cowries, &c. Hence the natives have learned the use of
money in purchasing piece-goods, &c Looking-glasses, beads, cutlery, doth
and aiqpard, fire-arms, and other European articles, are in demand for
re&whmentn. Surat vessels bring piece-goods, and receive cowries, red
betd-nut, dammer, wax, coco-nuts, and com. The natives are attached
to the British.

PoaT Ch AftOBs.^-<-Under this head are presents to the King of a barrel
of gunpowder, some scarlet doth, and muskets. His attendants, who
•some English titles, expect as follow :-^Prince of Wales, 15 dollars;
Governor, 2 ; King^s Purser, 20 ; Abdallah, 5. Independently of these,
the Prince of Wales expects a barrd of gunpowder. • A charge of 5 dollars
is made for keeping the watering-place in order, and a doUar for watching
casb at night Visiters to the island are also asked to subscribe to the
improvement of the navigation to the Continent of Africa.

PaovisioNs AKD Rbfbeshmbnts.— The bullocks are excellent, but
not large ; goats and poultry may be procured, but are dear ; yams and
sweet potatoes in abundance; coco-nuts, large and delicious; pine-apples,
and other trqiical firuits, are brought off in canoes, and exchanged for
knives, dd dotbes, bottles, &c. Water is excellent, and expeditiously
obtained by laying down a small anchor midway between the shore (extre*
nity of Brown^s Grarden), for the boats to haul off when loaded. Wood is
•earee. This island is admirably adapted to afford refreshment, and restore
A Ak crew, if they are debarred from much fruit, and sleqpmg on
shore.

50 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [African Islands.

SOCOTRA^ an island about 40 leagues E. of Cape Gardafiii, is
27 leagues long, and 7 broad, extending nearly E. i|nd W., fa%h and
mountainous. To the E. is a dangerous reef of ro^ks. There are two
anchoring places, used at either monsoon : that on the -8. W. of the island
is called Delisa, and seldom visited. The Bay of Tamarida, on the
N. E., where the King resides, is the most eligible. The anchorage, lati*
tude ir ,4(X N., longitude 64° ZS' R, is in 10 to 12 fethoms, the body of
the town bearing S., about half a mile from shores The houses are of stone
and lime, and make, with the mosques, a handsooEie .ftppearance. The
natives are poor, but in general hospitable.

Trade.— Aloes constitute the staple of its traffic, for which article it
was formerly much resorted to. Dragon'^s Uood b met with in small
quantities.

Paovisioiis AND Refreshments.-— BuUocks, goats, fish, and dates
are reasonable. The water is good, from a sandy valley, a quarter of a
mile from the town. Fire-wood is very scarce. Rice is an essential arti-
cle to barter for refreshments.

Aloes {Elwoy Hind. Muaebber^ Arab.) are prepared firqm several
plants, chiefly the A. Sptcata and A, Perfbliata {Ghi^4$umar^ Hind. Ghrita"
cumari and Taruniy San.), growing in various parts of the worid, of
which there are four sorts. Socotrine^ from Socotra, wrapt in skins, of a
bright surface, somewhat transparent, yellowish red, ^ith a fiurplish cast ;
of a golden colour when reduced to powder ; hard and fKable in winter ;
somewhat pliable in summer. Its taste is lutter and disagreeable, accompa-
nied with an aromatic flavour ; smdl not very unpleasant, somewhat like
myrrh. BoU four ounces in a quart of water ; if pure, it will' dissolve, and
the liquor be dark-coloured ; if adulterated, the impurities will remain
undissolved. If mixed with rubbish, it should be cleaned before it is brought
to England. The packages should weigh only 160 to 200 lbs. The purcha-
ser should expect a considerable loss on the skins, and the packages should
be greased, to prevent the drug from slicking.-— fT^ipa^, produced in other
parts besides the East. The Barbadoes is generally darker coloured and
less clear than the former, but more compact and dry, though soft and
clammy: its taste is intensely bitter and nauseous, without aromatic flavour;
smell much stronger, and more disagreeable. Care should be taken that
thb sort from India should not be liquid, which deteriorates it. Horse Aloes
Bom^imes passes for Hepatic, and neariy resembles it, except in its rank
smell. It is sometimes so pure and bright, as to render it difficult for the
eye to distinguish it from Soootrine. Cape Aloes is, when powd^ed, yel-
low ; but the thin pieces, when broken off the mass, and even the edges of
the larger pieces, are transparent, appearing as if made of yellowish brown

Bed Sea.} ORIENTAL COMMERCE. £1

glass; consequently it has not the dark opaqjae appearance of the other aloe&
Cape Aloes should be chosen piire> bright^ and free from impurities ; when
hroken, of a yellowish brown colour, and the less rank, the better. About
50 miles from the Cape of Good Hope is a mountainous tract, almost
entirely covered with the aloe-plant; lal*ge quantities of this sort are brought
to England, chiefly for home consumption.

SECTION nil.

RED SEA, OR GULPH OF ARABIA.

JLHE Straits of Babelmandel, the entrance, is formed to the N. by
the Cape so named in Arabia, in latitude 18° 4ff N., and the coast of
Abyssinia to the S., having at the entrance the Island of Ferim, in latitude
12^ 3S( N., longitude 43° 29f E., which is about 5 miles long. There is a pas-
sage on both sides of the island : that to the N., between it and Cape
Babefanandel, is called the Little Strait ; that to the S. is called the Large
Strait ; the former is most frequented.

The S. or Abyssinian coast is little known to Europeans, and is shunned
on entering the Gulph, on account of the shoals. The principal places
between the entrance and Suez are Dahalac, Massuah, Sonakin, and Cosseir.

DAHALAC, an island about 7 leagues N. N. W. and S. S. K, the S.
end in latitude 15^ 32^' N., longitude iff 15' E., is almost surrounded by
groups of isles. About 4 miles off its W. shore is a dry sand-bank ; and
2 leagaes further to the N. W. a rocky bank, with 2 fathoms, distant 4
miles to the W. of a group. On the S. side of the southernmost of this
group, a vessel may anchor in 12.fathoms. It was formerly a place of con-
ndo^le trade, and the port exhibits vestiges of its ancient consequence^
The town is half a mile from the sea, a sloping beach of sand between.
To the S. of the town are large tanks for water.

Tkadb.— Vesseb from Massuah and other places occasionally visit

Dahalac

MASSUAH.— The bay is in latitude lb" 34' N., limgitude 39° 3T £.,
on the N. side of the high land of Gedom, having a town called Arkeko in
the S. part of it, where ressek anchor in 10 or 12 fathoms, sheltered from

ORIENTAL COMMERCE.

[Red Sea.

most winds, within the S. E. isle and its adjoining shoals. Massuah is on
a small island close to the Abyssinian shore. The inhabitants are civil, but
beggars, and sometimes thieves. It is the principal seaport in Abyssinia.
The Chief resides at Arkeke. The landing-fdace is near the town, to which
boats can come with ease.

Trade is considerable with Judda and Mocha, estimated at 400,000
dollars annually, besides cotton-wool, purchased by the Abyssinians, of
which three ships^ cargoes may be sold in a year. The merchants want
capital, but they are honourable, and may be trusted. The Banians are
comfortable, and some wealthy. The imports are benjamin, cotton, copper,
camphire, cloves, china, cardamoms, cinnamon, gunpowder, ginger, iron
in bars, lead, musk, pepper, piece-goods, rice, red-wood, steel, sandal-wood,
tobacco, tin, tutenague, turmeric, vermilion, and many European articles,
as glass, cutlery, &c. The exports are gold, civet, rhinoceros'' horns, ivory,
honey, rice, ghee, wax, &c. A caravan arrives at Massuah in February.
A considerable quantity of gold could be brought by these caravans, to pay
for suitable goods.

Duties.— The Nayib receives 10 per cent on aU imports and exports,
and one dollar for each individual who comes to trade ; but this is not
settled. The following is a list of articles upon which he demands a duty ;
and the sum demanded is generally moderate, though graduated by no
regular principle of trade :— •

Tobacco^ per bale of 15 mds. ... 4 doUars.

Rioe, per bag of ISS lbs ^ «

Pepper, per 9 fraxila 1) »

Cotton, per 18 mda. of S8 lbs... 3 «

Tin, per frazil I «

Copper, perSOfrasila 3 «

Fine piece-goods, per corge 6 doUars.

Blueooeaaes • 5 •

Baftaea <. 9} #

Chintz, of all sorts « 1 j «

Tutenague per frazil | •

No duty on iron and gunpowder.

Provisions and REFRBsaMENTa.— Though the country may be consi-
dered plentiful, the necessaries of life are dear. The Nayib monopolizes
the supplies, charging a dollar for 12 fowls, or 9 goats, or 3 sheep ; 5 dol-
lars for a cow ; 1 dollar for 23 skins of water; S60 beads for a man's load
of wood.

Coins.— -Spanish dollars pas; at Massuah, and Venetian sequins, as well
as Austrian dollars, -called patakas, circulate throughout other parts of the
kingdom. Large payments are made in ingots of gold, weighed by the
wakea, or Abyssinian ounce; and bricks of salt dug out of the mines,
about 80 of which are valued at a wakea of gold, are used for smaller
payments, as well as glass beads, called boijookes.

Red Sea.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. BS

The propordons of monies at Massuah are as follow :—

3 Borjookes^ or grains equal to 1 Kibear.

10 Kibean « 1 Diwani, or Panu

4 Biwania « ...... l Harf, or Dahab.

S3 Harft , 1 Fataka^ or Dollar.

2^ Patakaa «. » 1 Sequin.

The Wakea is reckoned to be worth 1 1} Patakas.

WEIGHTS.
10 Cafllas, or Drachms... equal to...l Wakea = 400 grains troy.

IS Ditto • ...1 Mocha.

18 Wakeas..... - ...1 Kottolo^orLiter=10os. tro7.orl008.15|}dr.ay.

The Mocha Vakia is to the Massuah Wakea as ^ to 6.

Mbasurbs.— -The ardeb for grain, at Gkndar, contains 10 madegas,
each weighing 12 ounces Cairo weight, equal to about an eighth of an
English bushel But the ardeb at Massuah contains 24 madegas, and is
therefore nearly | of a busheL

The Cuba, a liquid measure, contabs 62 English cubic inches, equal to
H pints.

The principal long measure is the Turkish Pic, J of an Englbh jard.

PORT MORNINGTON, in latitude Iff* 16^ R^ longitude 38** S^E.
(the entrance) is a safe harbour, formed by a chain of islands stretching across
the entrance of the bay ; the N. W. is protected by a peninsula. The only
entrance for large vessels is at the N. extremity of the harbour, though dows
enter at the S. The passage is rather narrow, but the whole Navy of England
might lie securely within, in 6 to 7 fathoms, with a safe bottom. On the W.
end of the large island, in the middle of the bay, about six miles firom the
entrance, is the village of

BADOUR, where the Dola resides. It is a miserable place, mostly
composed of grass huts.

Tbadb.— The only exports are ghee and some tortoiseshell; Money
is litde known here.

PiovisiONS AND Refreshubnts. — Cattle are plentiful, as well as sheep
sod poultry ; but the prices are high. Water is to be had equal to that of
Mocha, which is not very good.

SOUAKIN, in latitude 19^ S N., longitude 37" 33" E., is at the ex-
tremity of a narrow bay, 12 miles deep, and 2 broad Towards the bottom
ttt several islands, upon one of which the town itself is built, separated from
its suburb, £1 Geyf, on the main land, by an arm of the sea, about 600 yards
^e. The baibour is on the E. side of the tewn, formed by the*projteting
continent The arm on the W. affords no anchorage. The islands and
coontry are sandy. The town is decaying r the suburbs improve. The Aga

54 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Red Sea.

resides within the precincts of some anooit walls S.E'. of the town ; and ships
generally anchor under the windows of his house. Near it are warehouses
and a wharf. The housed are mostlj built of nuidrepore. The maritime
traders reside upon the island ; the native Arabs in the Gejf, where is the
market The whole population is reckoned at 8000. The natives are re-
presented in a bad light, as debauched ana dishonest. Such is the account
given by Buckhardt, whose description of this place shews its decay since it
was visited by the Portuguese in 1540. Few foreign vessels enter the har-
bour, except through stress of weather.

Tbads.-— Souakin imports by sea India piece-goods and spices, and
exports the commodities received from the African continent, chiefly to
Judda and Hodeyda; slaves, gold, tcfbacco, ineense, ostrich, feathers, water
skins, and turned leather, which is excellent. It is one of the chief slave
marts in East Afdca. Natives of Souakin settle in most of thetovnis of
Yemen, where they act as agents. Ships bouiid from Souakin to Mocha
genially proceed S. along the African Coast to Massuah, where they
cross to the Arabian shore. In the N. part of the Red Sea, vessels fix>m
Cosseir to Judda cross to the nearest pdint of the <q>posite coast, and proceed
along to Judda. Those from Judda to Cosseir follow the. coast as high as
the latitude of Moyla, a&d clxids thence by help of the N. winds.

Provisions and Re^EBSBisEKTs.-^Beef, mutton, fish, and vegetables
are plentiful and cheap ; fowls are scarce. The wells of water are at half an
hour^s distance jfromElGrff. The waterof a few is toleraUe,but of none good.

Coins.— <In ail small eonoems, the carrenqr is Dhourra (grain), whix^ is
measured by hahdfuls, or with a wooden measure called Moud, equal to 18
Selgas, or handfuls. For greater bargains doIlars^ are used Neither the
Piastre, nor the Para, nor the gold coins of Turkey are taken ; but they
have old Paras cut into four parts, which are paid for articles of littie value.
Sales to a large amount are paid by Wokye, or the ounce of gold, which has
its fixed value in Dollars.

' There are some good bays along the coast from hence to Judda, as
Gayaya, Deroura, El Fedja, and Arakya.

6AYA YA BAY is one of the best anchorages on the coast ; even
large ships might find shelter in stress of weather. The Bedouins sell sheep
(3 for a dollar^s wdrth of Dhourra), fish, hares, and water.

DEROURA BAY, a few miles farther, has a copious well in its neigh-
bourhood.

EL FEDJA, a noted anchorage on this coast, whither the Bedouins
bring excellent water.

ARAE YA BAY is a safe anchorage for large ships.

Bed Sea.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 6b

Owing to sudden gusts of wind, it is dangerous to cany apress of
topsails in the Red Sea, from Cosseir upwards,

COSSEIR, a smaU town, in latitude 26^ 8 N., longitude 34'' 15' £. It
is an open roadstead, with bad holding ground, a heavy swell setting in, the
anchorage very confined, shipping being obliged tp lay close to the shore*
The town is miserable; the counfry dreary. It has been a place of great note.

Teadc— Asiatac commodities are imported and sent by the caravans
into the interior. Grain is its chief export to Arabia. The garrison of the
fort is Turkish, but the Government is under the Arabs, who carry on tha
trade.

SUEZ, at the head of the Gulph, is in latitude 30^ 0)' N., longitude
38^ 2S) E., about !§ mile in circuit* Three channek run near the £• end,
fimning a curve, uniting into one branch, which runs W. to the back of the
town. It 18 2\ miles from the town to the bar. There are only two passages
into the city, of which that nearest the sea is open ; the other closed by a gate.

Taads 18 chiefly with Judda, in sh^M of considerable burthen ; the
principal import' is coffee. The quantity of grain ^x>rted to Arabia is im^
mense. When a ship arrives at Sues:, a boat usually brings off a small present
from the Governor, tonoulke enquiries. It is usual to salute the officer with
three guns. The most acceptable returns are double-barrelled guns and
pistols, silver mounted; repeating watches, shawls, muslins, &c. Such presents,
and a trifle to the officer of customs, will save you much inconvenience.

Pbotisions anp REFaESHVKKTs.— Necessaries are scarce and dear ; all
kinds of animal food, including fish, are dfficult to be procured; bread, butter,
and milk, in small quantities* To the W. of the town is a well of brackirii
water ; but the shipping is supplied with water (very indifferent), brought
on camels, from springs at a considerable distonce to the E. of the road.

Couis.— The principal current Coins are Burbers, Medines, Sequin^
and Spanish DoUara. The Burber is a copper coin, 12 of which malce a
Medine. The Sequin is of two sorts, one called Fundundee, and passes
current for 146 Medines; the other Zermabob, which passes for 1 10 Medines.
The Aaper, though not c<nned in Egypt, passes current here, 3 Aspers
making 1 Medine.

Wxi6HTs.-*»Four Grains make 1 Eellat, 16 of which make a Dram, of

whidi all the weights are compounded.

1^ Dnm is 1 Metigal, by which gAd and silver are wei^^ed.
I4i Ditto ... 1 Rottolo, equal to 1 lb. 4 ounces avoirdupois.
400 Ditto ... 1 Oke^ by which sugar and other heavy goods are weighed.

The Quintal varies from 110 to 150 Rottolos, according to the species
of gpods to be weighed.

66 OAtENtAL COMM£ftC£. [Red Sea-

TOR.— This harbour is in latitude 2B9 IV N., lon/titude SS^" 28' £.»
formed to the S. bj a reef of coral roiiks, and to the N. by a low point ct
land, on which is placed a beacoft, a stone building, SO feet high, with a
ibast in the middle, seen 3 leagues off. The town is at the N. E. part of the
harbour, and inhabited by Greeks and Afabs. When the strong N. winds
blow, the cargoes from Judda, intended fol* Sueifc, are lattded here, and car-
ried to Suez on camels. Tor has been considered the only safe harbour
between the Straits of Jubal and Suez ; but a late navigator reeoaimends a
bay on the Arabian shore, in latitude 29^ IS' N., as an c;xcellent shdter fmm
N. W. and W. N. W. winds, with good holding ground.

Pkovisioms and Repeeshmei^ts*— -The best water in this Ghilph is got
here by baling out of three wells, 200 yards from the beach. There are no
other refreshments ; but a Greek Priest ocacasionally brings down some
fruit and vegetables from a Monastery on Mount Sinai, 20 miles hence.

YAMBO, a considerable town, in latitude 24^ 10 N., longitude 38° 21'
£., is the seaport of Medina, from which it is distant about 100 miles : here
the pilgrims from Egypt land. It is the general resort of Arab vesaeli, and
has a safe and convenient harbour in bad weather, behind a chain of shoals
and breakers. The town is at the bottom of the bay, and is in a ruinous
condition. The character of the natives is represented as perfidious.

Peovisions AiTD Refeeshments may be procured here; but in 1777
a country vessel, bound to Sues;, was inveigled into this port, apd seized.

JUDDA.— This town is in latitude 21° Sff N., longitude 39^ 16' E.
It is a port of considerable trade, arising from the Mahommedan pilgrims.
The entrance to the roads is full of shoals ; it would be therefore imprudent
to attempt going in without a pilot If signals are made with two guns,
native pilots will meet a ship outside, and cany her to the anchorage, which
is in 12 fathoms, the town bearing from E. J S. to E. S. E., distant
3 miles. The proper time to leave Judda road is early in the morning.
The town is superior to that of Mocha. The landing-place is in front of the
Visier'^s palace, which, as well as the custom-house, faces the sea.

Tbads.-— The trade of Judda was once important ; but the extortion
and insolence experienced here have diminished the European trade. It is
still a mart of considerable traffic between Egypt and India. Ships from
Suez proceed no farther than Judda, and those from India seldom proceed
to Sues. Judda trades across the Gulph to Cosseir and Massuah. The
principal import consists of India piece-goods. The other commodities
from India are benjamin, betel-nut, cassia, cotton-wool, cotton-thread,
cardamums, china-ware, cinnamon, doves, camphire, ginger, iron,
lump-lac, lead, musk, nutmegs, opium, pej^r, planks, quicksilver^

Bed Sea.]

ORIENTAL COMMERCE.

ricc^ sandal-wood, stick-lac, sapati-wood, sugar, sagar-candj, steel, raw-
sflk, shawls, saltpetre, tin, tutenague, turmeric, tobacco, thread, and
Termilion. The demand for British manufactures, and other European
articles, is very trifling. Besides coffee, there are few articles procured at
Judda.

DtJTiBs AND Pr£sei7Ts— -Piece-goods pay 8 per cent customs in specie,
and all other goods are valued by the custom-house officers ; and whatever
Tslue they put on them, they will never abate. As all piece-goods pay in
qwcie, it is proper to pack even hundreds in every bale ; or thus, 100 pieces,
125, 150, 175, 200, &c. ; for whatever odd pieces the officers find in a bale,
they value at an unreasonable rate ; neither is this to be remedied but by the
Bashaw, to whom you can seldom obtain admission for that purpose.

ConsideraUe presents are necessary here, both in piece-goods and money.
The following is a list of presents given to the Bashaw and his officers, with
the different assortment of good^ and the spedes they are to consist of.

Cmse.

Baditw .•••• 49 pieces^ value 500

Xeriff. 49 ditto 500

Visier 91 ditto 950

Kial Bashaw .,..,....91 ditto 950

£ai^hi«^Visier...l9 ditto 130

Bevm Xffimdy IS ditto 140

Aboosoid Caflfai ...13 ditto 140

Kam^arAga 19 ditto 130

Vincr of Mecca ...15 ditto 160

BnhCattd 43 ditto 140

ZemyEfffendy is ditto 140

Shefaaiida Mecca ... 8 ditto 80

Cmse.
Selects Aga. 5piece89value50

Jockadar..,. 5

Eoaoph Ida Jndda 5

Surbaahey, or Cutoal... 3

ObadasbeyAxaban 3

Obadashey Janizary ... 3
Baahaw'scustomporteni 3

Xeriffa ditto 3

Four Peons at the gate 19

Pilot

Shroff. 8

ditto
ditto
ditto
ditto
ditto
ditto
ditto
ditto
ditto
ditto

40
60
95
95
95
95
95
70
30
85

Total Pieces 981 Value 3^000

The above presents are to be made out of such goods as are in your
cargo, of fine, middUng, and coarse. The Bashaw's and XerifTs presents
«24 pieces each, as by the foregoing list; and these to consist of two
pkcesofeFery assortment of the finest and middling goods; and should a
few pieces be wantmg, you are to make up the deficiency out of the ordinary
•"wrtmcnts. The Bashaw KU and the Xeriff Visier are to have 21 pieces
«<*, ashy the list, and that, one piece of each assortment as the Bashaw
«nJ Xeriff have ; the rest of the officers' presents are to be made out of the
«nadfing and ordinary assortments ; and care must be taken that the quan-
% of pieces given to each person, may be sorted, so that the valuation by
fte list may not be exceeded. The presents in money are to the petty
<™oen after visitine the Bashaw, and Amount in *\to ^h^u ^^ ocn r..^^^ ^.....^

ORIENTAL COMMERCE.

[Red Sea.

Part Charges and Beat and Cooky Hire.

Pilotage in and out 100 cruse. |

Anchorage^ to theXeriff. 500 ditto

Dittos to the Bashaw 500 ditto

Ditto^ to the Eia 60 ditto

Order for the ship's sailing... 35 ditto

Boat hire, on haggage 30 ditto

Cooleyhire 10 ditto

Boat hire for shipping ofPbaggage 30 cruse.

Cooky hire^ and trnxies IS ditto

Miibhar*! present 85 ditto

Ditto deputy's present 16 ditto

Arah writer's wages 250 ditto

House rent 1,000 ditto

Present to linguist 600 ditto

Custom-house searchers for cutting the bales to clear the customs, 8 bales for a cruse.
To the Bashaw's guard on board, 1 cruse per day till cleared, and SO cruse as buxies.

The Rates of Boat Hire are as foUow.

Robins of Pepper, each 14 duaneev

Bales of Cardanrams .« 14 ditto

ChesU of China ware 14 ditto

Chests of lac, &c. 14 ditto

Chestsof Benjamin, each ...Udvauees
Bags of rice, sogur, &c....... 7 ditto

Lead and Tutenagne^ in slabs 7 ditto
Boat hire, and writer's fees S5 ditto

The Rates of Cooley Hire are as follow.

Bales of Pepper 9 per cruse

Ditto Cardamums 9 ditto

Chests of China ware S ditto

Bags of rice, sugar, &c SO per cruse

Stowing bales in godown ...10 ditto
Chests of Benjamin 9 ditto

As soon as you anchor in the harbour, the Enubar and officers of the
Bashaw will come off, and demand a manifest of your cargo ; they do not
enquire about the contents— only say, so many chests of china ware ; so
many bales of Bengal goods, &c.

When the Enubar^s boat leares you, he will leave two custom-house
officers on board, who will remain till the cargo is all delivered, and the ship
searched, to whom, during their stay, there is a cust(Mnary daily allowance
for provisions. In addition to these officers, there will be a boat moored
arstem of you every night while any cargo remains on board: and do not
suffer your own boat to leave the ship, except when it cannot be avoided, as
the officers of Government are both troublesome and insolent ; but as soon
as the ship is cleared and searched, you have a free conununication with
the shore.

Should it so bi^ipen that you arrive at Judda before the Hodjee, get
permission to go on shore as soon as possible, and in this case the Govern-
ment will wish to hasten you ; so that there will be no difficulty in procuring
the indulgence. But do not leave the ship, until you have agreed to be
allowed to chuse your own broker and shroff: and have it in writing under
their signature, or else they will impose some creature of their own upon
you, who pay them for it. Stipulate with them also, that all your cai^

Red Sea.^ ORIENTAL COMMEBCEl fi9

pay the duties, charges, &c. in kind, which will amount to 8 or 9 per cent,
and that it be opened and examined at your own house onl j, and by no
means in the public custom-house.

A good house, with conrenient warehouses and godowns, wiQ cost jou
from 300 to 400 cruse for the season.

When you go on shore, your first visit is to the Badiaw, and then to
the XerifT, after which, and you have returned to your own house, begin to
land your cargo as fast as possible, and arrange it in your godowns fiir in^
spection, (taking care that it comes immediately from your Ifbats to your
house, and that it goes not near the custom-house,) sorting each description of
goods by themselves, fireight and private trade pronuscuously ; and when all
is assorted, send information to the Govenuoent, that your cargo is ready
for examination.

When the Badbaw and Visier come, point out to them the different
parcels of baftas, Sec and tell them they contain such a number of pieces of
such and such goods ; but be very exact as to the quantity and number in
each bale : for if they find the niunber agree with your account^ they will
not open naore than a bale or two of each kind; but if the number differs
from your report, they will open every bale of your cargo : this will be ex«
oeedii^ troniblesome, and catise you to be suspected in all your future dealings*

When examination and settling the customs are oter (which you will
find the most troublesome affiur you meet with at Judda,) you are io
make up the Government presents of piece-goods, two or three pieces of
eadi kind in your cargo, probdbly to the amount of 4,000 cruse. These
presents naust not be charged to the owners alone, but in proportion to all
the freighters ; and yonr brokerage, which will be about 1,500 or 2,000
cmse (including your Arab writer), must be charged in like proportion.

Your presents being delivered, find out (among the shroffs) what is the
prke of old and new German crowns, Venetians, stamboles, zinnabobs, and
other coins ; but do not buy any zirmabobs, missiree, or gingelees, as they
do not turn to advantage ; the best guide for your direction, is to have the
product of these coins from the Bombay and Madras mints, and make your
purchase of them according to your calculation.

When you are thus prepared, the merchants will come to you, and
eren press upon you, if the Hodjee is near. You need not talk of ready
money, as none pay until after the Hodjee ; so that you must make your
bargains to be paid after the Hodjee, and their returns firom Mecca, together
with the specie in which you will be paid, and the rate of exchange of each
kind of coin ; all these articles must be booked by your writer, as bis book
is your vondier in case any dispute arises, (and indeed this is the only real
use of having an Arab writer).

GO ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Red Sea.

The first offer is inyariably the best; and if you can agree with one
person for your whole cargo, you will reap a double advantage, for you will
get a larger price, and less trouble. The time from your arrival, until the
time of the Hodjee, will be very short ; and after its arrival, your goods will
not sell, at least not to such a good account

Tou are to be guided by the character of the merchants to whom you
give credit They say of each othei^— *^ If he has been at Mecca once, take
*^ care of him ; if he has been there twice, do not trust him ; but if he has
^^ been ther€ three times, have no kind of dealing with him, for he will cheat
«*you,''

In the event of your selling the whole of your cargo to one person, or
only one particular species of goods, you ought to observe (as they buy them
at an average price) that the proprietors of fine goods of that species should
have a proportionate advance upon their goods; and consequently the pro-
prietors of coarse goods should have sudi an advance taken from the amount
sale of their goods, being of a worse quality, and only sold (probably) by the
demand of the other (fine) goods.

As soon as the merchants return from Mecca, which will be about a
month, begin to collect your money, and send it off to your ship immediately
yott receive it ; and never, if you can possibly help it, keep any in your
house ; and at the same time call upon all the merdiants and pilgrims, and
fix upon a day for saQing. The merchants will by this means prepare their
treasure, fireight, and themselves, as passengers ; firom whom, and the pilgrim
passengers, the Captain^s principal emolument arises, as he has so much a
head for each, as well as so much more for his water and provirions ; both
of which, by custom, are allowed to him by the owners of the ship.

A further emolument of the Captain arises firom insuring the fireight
treasure which he takes on board, and which the native merchant never
objects to, although he may be a passenger on board ; and will take the Cap.
taints guarantee, though not worth a sous, fur lacs of dollars, if he has so
mudi on board.

The freight of treasure from Judda to Surat, Bombay, or Madras, is
generally 3 per cent ; the premium of insurance, as the Captain can agree,
from one to two and a half per cent The freight of gruff goods is arbitraiy,
as it must be agreed upon by both parties.

Should the season be so far advanced as to make it doubtful whether
your ship will be able to go to Surat, deliver her freight, and leave it before
the full moon in March, it would be better to decline taking any
Surat freight, unless the merchants will allow you to send the treasure by
some other conveyance from Bombay, immediatdy upon your arrival there;
if they agree to this, the additional expence must be paid by their constituent

Ned Sea.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 61

at Sunt, and not hj you. If you can pretrail upon them to do this, it will
oonaiderablj increase jour freight, as they have large consignments from
theoce in Guxenit, Cossimbuzar. and Bengal piece-goods, &c. and conse-
qnently have large remittances to make.

Probably, if the pxices of goods are low at Judda, and you do not sdl
at the first offer, your Arab writer will endeavour to persuade you to send
them to Mecca, in hopes of thdr being entrusted to his care, and himself
with the sale at the Hodjee, and have the oommissionB; they will fiimish
you with very specious and favourable accounts of the markets, as well as
bringing numbers of people to recommend them, as being well acquainted
with the nmrkets, and of the highest integrity. But do not on any account
fall bto this snare ; for as certain as you send goods to Mecca on your own
account, to be sold at the Hocyee, you will be a considerable loser (if not
lose the whole) by the speculation.

The customs upon your China ware and goods will be settled by the
Government, and (though it may be extravagantly exorbitant, complamt is
uadess, as you can have no redress) from the account you give them, and
which should be done by, the supercargo or purser, in the public custom*
iMuiae ; as it is a necessary form, it ought to be complied with.

Your nausk and agala-wood they will weigh in the custom-house, and
probably want to open it there, to satisfy themselves ; but you must not
allow it to be done. If they want to see the contents of your padcages, let
them come to your house ; for if you open any thing in the custom-house,
joamaj rest assured of losing 86 per cent, and you cannot possibly help it,
thqr are such expert thieves.

Upon both piece-goods and gruff cargo they charge you, under the head
of Galum and Xeralphie, 10 per cent upon the amount of your customs,
which thej call fees, for the diiforent writers and people attached to the
custom-house. By a small fee you may prevail upon them to take your
China ware at five per cent without unpacking or counting, whidi will re-
duce the wbole of your customs to about 11 or 12 percent ; and if the time
before the Hodjee is short, the Government will readily agree to this ; but
wiH take ten cups from every diest of China ware, exclusive of tlie customs.
As jou generally sell your China ware by the coige, which is 20 in all parts
of India, you are to recollect that the corge u 22 at Judda.

When you sell your sugar-candy, or any thing dse by weight, send for
the coalom-house steelyards (sb it will prevent disputes), and have the goods
WQghed and delivered at your own house. They make arbitrary deductions
frm 5 to 20 per cent for tare of the packages ; therefore agree previously
•boot the tare. Sugar-candy is about 10 per cent ; upon* this account a

62 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Red Sea,

small present to the custom-house weigbman (conveyed privateij) may be
advantageously disposed of, as he generallj fizetf the tare ; and as well as hb
present, give him a few cruse and a bottle of axrask occasionally. If the
Bashaw purchases your cargo, or any: part of it, the weig^an dares not shew
you the smallest favour in the delivery ; on the contrary, you may expect
the reverse : but even in this your present will not be misapplied, as he will,
fi>r arrack and a few cruse, do all he dares to serve you.

Insist upon your shroff having the weigUqg of your musk : it will save
you a great deal Musk sells by the rattle (of 400 dxBms).

You pay 1,000 to 1,200 cruse andu>rage, with about 360 cruse when
you get on the coast, which will be all the charges, beside the pUotage, you
have to pay at Judda.

It may be now necessary to caution you against disputes, which will
unavoidably arise (either about your prices, payments^ money, or goods).
They should be settled amicably, if possible, by your shroff, or by merchants
of respectalulity ; but if you are under the neoessify of r^erring the dispute
to the Government, wpplj to him who has the most weight at Judda, either
the Bashaw or the Xeriff, but not without a present If your application
is to the Bashaw, go yourself personally ; and if to the Xeriff, go to his
bouse in Judda: if he is absent, write to him at Mecca^ through your Arab
writer. But all this is only upon the most urgent necessity ; for all conunu*
nication with the Government ought to cease immediately after making
your present, and paying your customs.

Having finished your business at Judda, which will probably be at the
end of July, and able to sail by the 1st of August, you will perhaps get to
Mocha by the 10th, of which you should inform the broker before you leave
Mocha, to go up the Red Sea, and desire him to procure you all the freight
he can, and have it ready by this time. The freight from Mocha to
Bombay is 2^ per cent for treasure, and to Surat, to be delivered free of all
charges to the consignees, 3 per cent, for gold, and 4^ for silver; by this
mode you will be able to do all your business, and leave Mocha, perhi^ with
a fuU freight, by the SOth of August, (particularly if it should be a year
when there is no Compaoy^s ship there ; then there will be little doubt of
your getting full of freight), by which means you will get to Bombay in the
early part of September, and have fine weather, and the whole season before
you, to go to Surat, if necessary.

The customs upon piece-goods being taken in kind at Judda, the Go-
vernment allow the purser and linguist the customs payable to it, of two bales,
viar. one bale each, and give them leave to pick the two richest bales in the
cargo for themsdves. The Captain beug generally his own purser^ this is

Bed Sea.] OBIENTAL COMMEBCE. 63

also one of his perquisites, as well as his fineight treasure : he draws the fol-
kwing primage, irix. on every 1,260 cruse, he has one Oennan crown ; the
signing every UU of lading, one German crown ; every passenger on going
on board, one German crown ; and on every bale, chest, bundle, or package
whatsoever of freight, 25 duanees each.

The aforegoing instructions wiO, to a certain extent, be applicable to
other places in the Gulph.

Coins.-— Accounts are kept in Cruse and Duanees, 40 of the latter
making one of the former.

No money is coined here. Foreign coins of aU denominations pass
current From the great influx of pilgrims, large quantities of small coins are
in circulation ; but they are never carried out of the countiy by Eunq)eans.
List of Silver and Gold doins at Judda, and what they

commonly pa^a current for.

Judda weight 100 87 4 at 250 Cruse.

German Crowns... lOO 91 6 ... 255 Ditto.

?*^'^.(^^^'y)": 100 87 * •.- 840 Ditto.

Lump Silver, If good loo 87 4 .., 250 Ditto.

Ptetareens of Philip V loo 87 4 ... 225 Ditto.

Lion Dollars lOO 87 ... 195 to 200 Ditto.

Pope's Corns, per 100 125 Ditto.

Muswvy Coins .....l^O jy^^^

5*f ,^^^^' ••;••• ^^ 87 * - 250 Ditto.

Zelottas, per tale 100 DolIara...lOO to 105 Ditto.

Venetians, 100=22j Sicca Rupees 45 Ditto

Stambdes J j^.^^^*

Zermabobs slDitta

^^T^ • 3 Ditto.

TnWM. ; 3 Ditto

Gsbben, 100 of which are SJ per cent Iom than

that of Venetiana or Stamboles 41 mttn

Ring Gold, sold per Valda J". 4? Ditto!

The exchange at Judda fluctuates ; but the general average may be
taken at 250 Judda Cruse per 100 Spanish Head DoUara. The PiUar and
Head Dollars are esteemed here of the same value, although the Pillar is
"boot 8 per cent better than the Head. French Crowns are 13 per cent.
Jess, though of equal standard, by which an advantage may be gained in
purchasing French Crowns or Pillar Dollars ; but, if possible, the taking
»ny gold coins to India should be avoided.

A comparative View of the relaHve Value of Coitw taken

at Jiidda with Bombay.

100 Mexico DoUam wiU mint 839 2 44 lOOOldAbaasea wiUmint... 836 3 80

100 French Crowna 839 50 . loO New Abaasees 256 3

100 Engliah Crowns 239 8 74 100 Estimates 339 2 74

100 Pillar Dollars sii s 38 loo Old SeviUe Estimates 2i2 3 70

100 Genaaa Crowna 228 S 92 loO Pem, or Cobb Dollars .... 224 2 88

lOODncrtooM 244 139 100 Lion DoHan 193 1 4

64 ORIENTAL COMMERCR [IM Sea.

The above statement will be found pretty correct, exdusiTe of mintage,
which amounts to about 4 per cent. One hundred ounces of standard silver
will bring 256{ or 269 Arcot Rupees ; and there being only one per cent
difference between Arcot and Madras Rupees, makes it 7 per cent :
better thus to sell to the shroffs, than coin it into Madras Rupees.

Weights are Yakias, Maunds, Frazils, and Bahars, and are thus

divided:

16 VaUts. make 1 Battle.

9 Rattles .... • 1 Maoiid.

10 Maunds ... « ......1 FmiL

10 Frasils ..... « 1 Baharsi 82Slbs. 9 os. nearly.

But as aO goods are weighed hj the steelyards, after the Turkish
manner, the European as well as the Turkey merchants are obliged to rest
contented vdth such weights as the weigher thinks proper to give them.
No merchants are allowed to weigh goods, when bought or sold, at their
houses ; besides this, there is an unreasonable custom of certain allowances
on all weigfaaUe goods ; the particulars of such allowances, besides the
tares, being as follow :

Agak-wood 10 per cent

Betel-nut 10 ditto

Cloves 10 ditto

Camphiie ........ 5 ditto

Cardamuma. 10 ditto

Calambac 10 ditto

dnnamon 10 ditto

Ginger 10 ditto

Long Pepper 90 ditto

Lump Lac M per cent.

Metals of all kinds 6 ditto

Nutmegs 10 ditto

Pepper lo ditto

Sugar 90 ditto

Sandalwood 10 ditto

Stick Lac 90 ditto

Thread 10 ditto

Turmeric . * „ ^0 ditto

Paovisioirs and RsFaxsHXXHTs^-^heep and a few bullocks are pro«
curable at high prices. The haaar is well supplied with fhiit and vegetables.
Europeans are subject to much insolence from the natives in gobg to the
bazar.

LOHEIA, a considerable town, in latitude 16"^ 44' N. longitude 4S° 44^
E. It is at the bottom of a deep bay, protected bjr the large island Camaran,
and a group of smaller to the N. W. Most of the houses are mud huts ;
some are of stone. It is unwalled, but not quite defenceless. The harbour
is so shallow, that even the smallest vessels anchor at a great distance from
the town ; and at low water laden boats cannot approach it

Tradb.-^A considerable trade in coffee is carried on, though the com-
modity is not reckoned so good as that from Beetlefarkie, shipped at Mocha
and Hodeda, but is cheaper, and the carriage to Judda costs less. Some
Cairo merchants reside here, and Banians employed in different trades.

Sed Sea.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. e&

DuTiss.— All Indian goods direct from India, pay 5 per cent. ; but anj
goods brought from Judda, bj either Turkish or natiye merchants, pay 7
per cent. Presents are necessary here as at Judda.

Coi vs.— -The only money is a small piece of base and adulterated silver,
about the sise of a sixpence, called commassee, and by this aU different de-
DominatiDns of foreign coins are ascertained. There Bxe likewise half
commasseeSy which are the smallest coin current

1 Venetian Sequin passes for...... 90 Commassees.

1 Fandunclee 80 ditto

1 Barbary Sequin 80 ditto

1 Dollar, or Patade 40 ditto

When the Indian merchants or vessels are here, the fiindunclee is raised
3 commassees more ; but all specie is scarce, notwithstanding the quantify
brought hither in dollars, which is the coin in which aU purchases are made.
When it is necessary to change dollars, the shroff, or broker, only allows
39 instead of 40 commassees, so that there is a loss on the exchange of 2|
per cent

Weights.— The weights are the dram, ounce, rottolo, and quintal.
Thdr proportions are as follow :—

10 Drams equal to 1 Ounce.

16 Ounces .... • ......1 Rottolo.

100 Rottoloe 1 QuintaL

The rottolos are of two sorts, one of 140 drams, which is used in
adling fine goods ; the other of 160, which is used in weighing sugar, lead,
and other heary articles. There is also another weight, called the fiuttnzula,
equal to 20 rottolos.

MsASvas.— The long measure is the peek of 27 inches.

HODEYDA, tiie seaport of Beeilefackie, is a town in latitude 15^ 10'
N., where ships may anchor in soft ground. The harbour is somewhat
better than that of Loheia, yet large resseb cannot enter it The town is
laige ; some of the buildings are of stone, the rest are huts.

BEETLEFACKIE is about 30 miles dbtant from Hodeyda. The
town stands <m a plain; the houses separate, many of stone. Its situationis
frroonble for trade, being only half a day from the hills where coffee grows^
and but a few dajrs from Mocha : it is consequently the chief mart for coffee,
wUdi attracts merchants fiom Egypt, Persia, Abysania, and India. Banians
from Guzerat reside here. Europeans seldom visit Beetlefackie, as they
transact their business with the Banians at Mocha.

Teadb.— Coffee is the only product That intended for India, Muscat,

66 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Red Sea.

or Europe^ is first brought hy land to Mocha ; that designed for Judda, is
shipped at Hod^da.

Ddtibs on coffee are of two sorts— the inland, paid at Beetlefackiey on
all consumed in the kingdom, as well as exported ; and the fbrdgn duty on
that sent abroad, of which the quantity is immense. The inland and'fotcign
dutjr, camel-hiile to Mocha, and chaiges on shipping, amount to about 80
Spanish dollars the bahar.

Coins.— All foreign coins pass current here ; and as coffee is always
paid for in ready money, various kinds are met with. Payments are mostly
made in sequins and Spanish dollars. The commassee is a small copper coin,
containing a little sihrer, and used in small payments. A Spanish dollar is
worth from 40 to 80 commassees. 100 dollars in specie are equal to 121 §
piastres of account: hence this piastre may be valued at 3s. SJd.
sterling.

Accounts are kept here in piastres or Mocha dollars of 80 carats or
cavears; and also in Spanish dollars, consisting of 40 cavears. The
cavears are imaginary money, both here and at Mocha.

Weights. — These are as follow :—

15 Vakias equal to 1 Rattle

S Rattles » I Maund. lb6.ox. dr.

10 Maunds • 1 Frazily or Fared =sS0.6 . 4 avoir.

40 Frazils « 1 Sahara 81^4 lbs. avoir.

Of coffee 14| Vakias make a Rattle; of dates, jaggery, candles, and
iron, 16 Vakias make a Rattle. The latter weight is only used in the
Bazar. 7 Frazils in Mocha are equivalent to 10 Frazils in Beetlefackie.
A bale of coffee is 14 Frazils, and the allowance for tare, 8 Maunds.

A Tominond of rice contains 40 Eellas, and weighs 168 lbs.
avoirdupois.

Cotton is sold per Harraff, an imaginary money, 9 o£ which are equal
to 11{ Mocha Dollars, or Piastres of account.

The weights at this place are seldom exact, though annually rectified by
the Imaiun^'s shroff.

Measuees.— -These are as follow :—

Cloth MEASuaE. || Liquid Measure.

The Covid is 18 inches, English.

The Guz is 25 ditto.

The long Iron Coyid is 97 ditto.

16 Vakias are equal to 1 Noosfia.
8 Noosfias 1 Caddy.
The Caddy, or Gudda« contains
about % Gallons.

Bed Sea.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 67

MOCHA, the principal port in die Red Sea, frequented by Europeans,
18 in latitude 13^ 20' N., longitude 43° 80' £., 40 miles N. of Cape
BabehnandeL The town is situated between two krw points of land, pro-
jecting from the shore, so as to form a bay, which shelters ships whose
drMight allows them to anchor within a mile of the town ; other vessels lie
fiirther out, and are exposed as ia an open road. A large ship, in approaoh<*>
ing Mocha from the S., must, to avoid the shoals, not come under 14 fathoms
tiU the spire or dome of the great Mosque bears E. S. E. ; she is then to
the N« of the saadhead, and may haul up lor the road, and andior in auy
depth, from 5 to 8 fathoms, the great Mosque about E. S. £., <^«8hore^
UtoS miles. The town is built close to the sea ; it lies due N. and S., 1|
mile long, but of unequal breadth ; it is strongly walled with stone, and
defended by catties, near one of which b the only gate, by which goods or
passengers can enter seaward. Here is the station where goods imported
and exported are examined and registered. From this gate there runs out
due W. a stone pier, convenient for loading and unloading goods. The
town makes a respectable and even elegant- appearance from the sea ; the
houses are lofty, and built of stone.

Tradb, carried on between British India and the Red Sea, is consider-
able, and much in favour of the former. The principal article of export
from Mocha is coffee, most of which is sent to Judda in Mocha or Judda
vessels, whence the surplus of what is required for the home consumption, is
sent to Snez, in ships coming annually from thence, which have an exclusive
right to the trade. No ship from Mocha, Muscat, or India, may enter any
pMt beyond Judda. Coffee is prohibited to be carried from Mocha to
Judda, except in ships of either port The greater part of the foreign
trade is transacted by Banians, with whom it is safer to deal than with either
Turks or Arabs. Foreign goods are sold on credit, and payment made in
three instalments, or entire on a certain day, according to agreement.
Coffee is always paid for in ready money. All produce is likewise sold by
tale or weight, at so much the Spanish dollar, and a credit given ; or, if
ready money be paid, a discount of 9 per cent is allowed.

DuTiBS AND Fort Chamobb.— fiy the reoent treaty with the Imaum,
it is stipulated, that ^ the anchorage duty of 400 German crowns shall cease
<m British ships when they land cargoes ; hereafter no duty on this account
shall be paid, whether the cargo is landed or not, the same as His Majesty^s
ships and those of the Honourable Company.^ Also, ^* that the export duty
on British trade shall be 2} per cent, and that the import duty shall be the
•ame to the En^h, and all tiieir subjects, and no more sh^ be levied than
2i per cent on imports and exports.^ All subjects of the British Government

£ 2

ORIENTAL COMMERCE.

[Red Sea.

to be under the protection of the Bridsh flag, and the sole ocmtroul of the
British Resident. It has been disputed by the Mocha GoTemment, whether
Indian vessek, under the British flag, are entitled to these privileges. In-
dians, as well as other foreigners, paid formerly 5 per cent on the sale
amount of goods. The English now pay to the Goremment 3 per cent,
besides brokage and shroffage. The Moors pay nominally 7, but some-
times, 15 per cent

Frerions to the treaty above mentioned, (15th January, 1821), the
following were the port diaiges paid to the-Govemment on the arrival of a
three-mast vessel :—

Ancbonge • 191 40

Bashkaleb 60 60

Emir of theMisan.^ 36 36

Mirbhar 30

Writers of GiOTemineiit. 60

Cady 19 18

Muftis 10

Mirbhar's Writers, &c 10

Porters at Cuatom-hoaae 5

of the boat people 1 17

Ditto wei^en 5

Ditto seapoys 1 17

Mnocadum of the boat people.... 4

Master of the Vakella. 8 8

Mttocsdumof thehamanls. 6 6

Goremor's porter.. 8 40

Ditto writer 8 40

Ditto ShrofiL 1 44

The aboye amoont to 384 Mocha Dollais, one half of which is paid by two-mast Tessels.

Duburwnaiis, Peri Charges, 4v. paid on AeconaU oj a Brig lefhre $he went t^ to Judtk,

and on her Return from thence*

The Goretnor^a music^ as customary. Mocha Dollais 11 46

The country boata from the GovermneDt 3

Hie Gorema/a serrants 8 68

The customary preaents on the Brig's arriYsI, half what is

paid on S-mast yessebj as per ftr^going account. 198

Ditto on the vessel's departure, as customary, as per foQowing

account • 78 78

Bringing up the bng-boat which had Men to leeward. 8 34

A GoTemment boat for bringinggoods on shore 8

Hamallage on ditto^ as customary ^ 14

Charges at waiting on the Goremor. 9

An Arab writer for writing two letters to Jndda 1 17

Two shawls claimed by the Banians, as customary 48 48

Fonninga total ofMochaDoUars 366 35

Particulars of Port Charges, S^e. on Two and I%ree^Mast Fessels at their

departure frvm Moeha*

To the writers at the cnstom-faiinise. .Spanish Dollars 88

The Mirbhar ««•...• 17

The Mirbhar'a writers. 7

The CafUo, or vest , « 9

Jtei Sea.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 69

Captain Elmore says, if jou do not make anjr sale at Mocha, you do
not pay any port charges ; but if you sell any thing, even one bag c^ rice,
70U become liable to pay the whole, as if you had sold the entire cargo ;
but if your sales are likely to be but trifling, settle with your broker, and be
Tery dear and positive with him not to pay any port charges, nor presents
to the Xeriff ; or else you must put what cargo yoii sell on board some ship
m the roads, who is landing goods, and have them sent on shore as his
caigo.

If bound to Jodda, you should procure a pilot here, agreeing with him
for the run ; which will be finom 50 to 100 Mocha dollars for the trip there
and back, besides a suit of clothes at Judda.

Litt ofsumdry Presents made to the Oatfemor of Mocha and his Officers, fir Permission to go
on Shore, tnih the addtiional Duties fir Anchorage paid to him and his Attendants.

For penniasion to come on ahore Mocha Dollars 11 46

Expenoe of watering , , 29

Pennission to sail , , 92 49

ANCHORAGE.

Mocha DoUan*

To the GoTernor Idl 40

The second 60 60

Tbe writer 900 38

Armee Mason 36 36

MiiUiar. 30 '

Co^iee 12 19

Muibteei. 10

Ci]ttoiii>]io«ne porter. 5

Wa^berman S

MoehaDoHan.

Coolies nmccadum ^ ^.. 6 6

Writer at Pier head 10

Pier-head Mufihtees 5

Muflbtees' servant 5

Fishing boat miiccadum....« 9 34

Goyemor's servant 9 34

Ditto mnocadum boats....* 4 69

Cnstomrhouse porter 234

Governor's porter.... 9 34

FonmB^ a total of Mocha Dollars^ 645.19

In delireiy of rice, out of every tomand of rice, you give, as is cus-
tomary, half a measure to the Governor; and for every 12 tomands, to the
different coolies, 1 measure : besides this exorbitant demand, the Governor
takes fipom the merchant who buys the rice, 6 measures out of eveiy tomand
for himself, and 8 measures for the coolies.

Peovisioks akd Refebshhents are plentiful and good, as well as
extremely reasonable :— a fat sheep, or a milch goat and kid, for a dollar ;
12 fowls for the same ; beef, 1 Jd. per lb. Fish, of many kinds, are cheap
and excellent New cheese and fresh butter are daily brought to market
from a place called Musa, about 20 miles inland. In summer there is plenty
of various fruits, all of which are reasonable. Good water is scarce ; that
from tbe town wells is brackish, and disagrees with strangers ; that brought
from Musa is at all times indifferent.

70 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Red Sea.

CoiKs.-^TIie monies coined in the countiy are commassees and carats,
seven of the latter being equal to <me of the former. The commassees con-
tain but Uttle silrer ; thej are used for small payments, but they rise and
&I1 in value ; sometimes 80, and occasionallj only 40 pass for a dollar.

Accounts are kept in piastres, or Mocha dollars, consisting i^ 80 ca-
vears current. The piastre is an ima^nary money; 181^ being eqnal to
100 Spanish dollars, in which payments are mostly made. The piastre is
thus worth nearly 3s. S^d. : other coins pass according to weight and fine-
ness. The Venetian sequin commonly passes for two piastres, 80 cavears.

Cotton is sold by the haraff, an imaginary raonqr, value 1 piastre^ 88
cavears: thus 9 haraiTs are equal to 11§ Mocha piastres of account, as at
Beetlefackie. A tomand is equal to 80 larins, each worth 80 carats.

Weights.— The small weights, by which gold and silver are weighed,
consist of the following :— •

OS* &Kt^ gHt

16 Carats equal to 1 Coffbia ss S . 913 troy«

S4 Ditto w 1 Miscal =0 3 1 . 368

10 Cofiblas • 1 Vakia =1 9 . 12

1} Vakia n 1 Beak =1 10 13 . 68

87 Vakias « 100 Spanish Dollan' weight.

The large or Custom-house weights are these :-*-

15 Vakias equal to 1 Rattle.

40 Ditto m l*Maund= 3lba. avoir.

10 Maunda.... » 1 Frazil, or Farcel = SO Ibt.

IS Fnzila...... » 1 Bahar = 4£0 lbs.

In Coffee 14{ vakias are reckoned equal to a rattle, two rattles to a
maund, and 10 mauads, or 290 vakias, to a frazQ. The rattle is only a
bazar weight.

Some difference exists in the reports of the Bahar^s weight, which is
variously rqiresented, as 437^ lbs. 445 lbs. and 450 lbs. The wei^ts at
the Custom House are generally found to be heavier by two or three pounds
than the regular weights ; and in the interior the difference is still greater.

Measures.— The tomand, or teman, dry measure, contains 40 mec-
medas, or kellas, and weighs, of rice, 168 lbs. avoirdupois.

The cuddy, or gudda, liquid measure^ contains about two English gal-
lons, and weighs ISlbs. It is divided into eight noosfias, each subdivided
into 16 vakias, as at Beetlefakie.

The long measures are the cobido, or covid, of 19 inches, and the gua,
of S5. The baryd is four farsakh, or 12 miles.

Bed Sea.] ORIENTAL COMMERCB. 71

ARTICLES TO BE PROCURED AT MOCHA, WITH DIRECTIONS.

Acacia, the inspissated jmce of a thorny plant, growing in Arabia, and
other parts :— two sorts are known. Vera and Germanica. The former is a
gummj substance, usually firm, but not very dry. It is met with in round
masses, enclosed in thin bladders, from four to eight ounces weight ; out^
wardly a deep brown, inclining to black ; of a lighter brown within, inclin*
ing to red or yellow. The Germanica is a juice expressed from the unripe
fruit of the sloe bush, and differs from the preceding, in being harder, h^a*
Tier, darker, sharper in taste, yielding its astringency to rectified spirit;
whereas the other is not at all dissoluble by spirit The Vera should have
little or no smell ; applied to the tongue, it should soften quickly, imparting
ft rough, not very ungrateful taste, followed by a sweetness. If quite pure,
it dissolves totally in water ; if otherwise, the impurities remain.

AcoRus, OB Calamus Aromaticos, {Bach, Hind. Vacha^ S an.) is a
reed, or knotty root, about the size of a little finger, several inches long,
reddish externally, internally white, full of joints, somewhat flatted on th^
side, of a loose spongy texture ; smell strong, taste warm, bitterish, and
aromatic. They should be chosen tough, cleared from fibres, and free from
worms, to whidi it is very subject.

Aspb ALTUM is a solid shining bitumen, of a dusky colour outside ; within
of a deep black, found in many parts of Egypt. A thin piece appears of
a reddish colour, when placed between the eye and the light. It has no
smell when cold, but acquires a slight one by friction ; when exposed to
heat, it liquifies, swells up, and bums with a thick smoke, the smell of
which is strong, acrid, and disagreeable. It is occasionally adulterated
with pitch ; but the fraud may be discovered by means of spirits of wine,
which dissolve the pitch, and only take a pale colour with Asphaltum.

Bai.m op Gilead, or Balsam of Mecca, is a resinous juice that dis-
tils from an evergreen tree, or shrub, growing between Mecca and Me*
dina; it is much used by the Asiatic ladies as a cosmetic. The tree is
scarce; the best sort is said to exude naturally, but the inferior kinds
are extracted from the branches by boiling. It is at first turbid and
white, of a strong pungent smell, a bitter and acrid taste; upon being
kept some time, it becomes thin, limpid, of a greenish hue, then of a
golden yellow, and at length of the colour (^ honey. This artide, being
scarce and valuable, is very liable to adulteration. The following me^
thods are reconunended to discover imposition :— -Cause a drop or two of
the Squid balsam to fall into a glass of clear water ; if the drop go to
the bottom without rising again to the surface, or if it continue in a

72 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Red Sea.

drop Eke oO, tbe bakam is adulterated. If, on the contrary, it qireads
upon the surface of the water, like a very thin cobweb, scarcely Tisible
to the eye, and bdng congealed, may be taken up with a pin or small
straw, the balsam is pure and natural Or if tbe pure balsam be dropped
on woollen, it will wash out ; but if adulterated, it will not The genuine,
dropped into milk, coagulates it. When a drop of the pure balsam is let
fall on red hot iron, it gathers itself into a globule ; but oil or spurioua baL
sam runs, and sheds itself all round. The genuine balsam also feels viscid
and adbeuYe to the fingers. If sophisticated with wax, it is discovered by
the turbid colour, never to be clarified ; if with honey, the sweet taste be^
trays it; if with resins, by dropping it on live coals, it yields a blacker
flame, and of a grosser substance than the genuine. When the balsam is
too thick to be taken out of the bottle, it need only be placed near the fiire,
the smallest degree of heat liquifying it The bottles must not be qtute fuU,
lest they should break, as the bekam is apt to rarify.

Amjfria Opa^Bahamum is the name of the tree whence the balsam
issues; Opa-Balsamum is the name of the juice or balsam ; Carpo-Balsa-
mum, tiie firuit ; and Xylo-Balsamum, the wood : these are all usefuL

Cabpo Balsamdm should be chosen fresh, plump, ponderous, of a hot
biting taste, smell in some degree like the balsam. Hypericum is sometimes
mixed with it, which may be discovered by its excess in size, vacuity, want
(rf* virtue, and peppery taste. The berries are about the size of a small pea,
sharp at the end, brown, with a small stalk. Reject such as are broken,
decayed, >and worm-eaten.

Xvlo-Balsamum should be chosen in small knotty rods, the rind red,
the wood white, resinous, and having a scent somewhat like tbe balsam.

Freight is charged on Balm of Gilead at the rate of 16 Cwt to the ton.

Civet. — This substance is soft, unctuous, and odoriferous, nearly the
consbtence of butter, produced by an animal called the Civet Cat They
are confined in cages, and when irritated, throw out the dvet, which is
carefully scraped off. It is brought from the Brazils, Guinea, and the
interior of Afirica ; it is of a dark brown colour, unctuous, somewhat re-
sembling Labdanura, of a very powerfol smell, far from firagrant or
agreeable. Its prindpal use is as a perfume, and when genuine, is worth
from SOs. to 40s. per ounce. The best is sud to come finom the Brazik, of a
lively whitish colour, which becomes dark by keeping. If paper is rubbed
with civet, and it will bear writing on afterwards, it is considered genuine.

CovFSS.— There is but one species of the coffee tree, the Cqff^
ArabicOf supposed to be a native of Arabia ; it seldom rises more than 16
or 18 feet in height : the main stem grows upright, and is covered with a

Med Sea,] OBIENTAL COMMERCE. 73

ligbt brown bark ; the braoches are horisoDlal, the leaves when fuUj grown
are 4 or 5 inches long, and 2 broad in the middle. The flowers are [mo-
duced in bunches at die roots of the leaves; the froit, the only useful part,
resembles a cherry ; it grows in dusters, and when of a deep red, u
gathered. It b of an oval form, smaller than ahorse bean, and of a tough,
dose, and very hard texture, prominent on one side, and flatted on the other,
having a large deep furrow running along the flatted side. It is moderately
heavy, hard to break, of a greyish yellow colour, and a somewhat bitterish
taste.

Of the cofiee produced in the Eastern parts of the world, that of Mocha
18 esteemed the best; secondly^ that of the Island, of Bourbon ; and thirdly,
that of Java.

It is impossible to ascertain, with accuracy, the quantity of cofiee raised
in the East Indies. It appears that, formerly, one year vdth another, there
were annually exported from Arabia 60,000 bahars.

Coffee was never an object of cultivation worth attention in any part
of our extensive territories in the East Indies, till within a few years : now
some considerable plantations have been formed at Chittagong, but the pro-
duce is ooDsidered inferior to either the Java or Bourbon. It is likewise
cultivated on the west coast of Sumatra, but to a trifling extent, and of a
very inferior sort.

Modia coffee is the most valuable kind, and is what is cc»nmonly called
m Europe, Turkey Coffee ; it is packed in large bales, each containing a
number of smaller bales, or frazils, and should be chosen of a greenish olive
hue, fresh and new, free firom any musty smdl, the berries of a middling
siae, dean, plump, and as free from sticks and other impurities as possible,
and particular care should be taken, that it is not fidse packed ; it is very i^t
to imlMbe moisture, or the flavour of any thing placed near it; it should
therefore not be stowed in a ship^s hold, if it can possibly be avoided. Coffee
imported in pa«ljiges of less than 112 lbs. net is liable to seixure, and no
mailer packages can be entered for exportation. The quantity allowed to
a ton, is 18 cwt

Datxs are sent in large quantities firom Arabia to the British settle-
ments in India. This fruit is somewhat in the shape of an acorn, composed
of a thin, lig^t, and glossy membrane, somewhat pellucid and yellowish,
which contains a fine, soft, and pulpy fruit, that is firm, sweet, and rather
vinous to the taste ; within this is enclosed a solid, tough, hard kernel, of a
pale grey colour on the outside, marbled within like a nutmeg. They are
generaDy left on the tree until quite ripe (at which time they are soft, and
of a hi|^ red colour,) and then are pressed into pails, or baskets, until they

74 ORIENI^AL COMMERCE. [Red Sea.

unite together like a paste ; thejr are then more esteemed, and become a ridi
sweetmeat Those which are diy and hard, are of little value. In Persia
a very excellent kind o£ brandy is made fh>m dates ; in many places the
stones are ground to make oil, and with the paste which is left, they feed
the cattle and sheep. This is practised chiefly on the Coast of Aralna, in
the Persian Gulph, and at Muscat, where they find it a very nourishing diet
Dates are seldom imported from India.

Hermodacttl is the root of a spedea of Colckicum, growing in
Turkey and Arabia, of the shape of a heart, flat on one side, with a furrow
oh the other ; of a whitish brown colour extemidly , internally whke ; com-
pact and solid, yet easy to cut or powder; it is about the size of a chesnut,
and has a viscous, sweetish, farinaceous taste, but no remarkaUe smdL
^ey should be chosen as fresh as possiUe, well dried, and flree from the
worm, to which they are very subject. This article is seldom imported from
the East Indies.

JuKCTus Odoratus, Or Sgfdnanfhumj sweet rush, or camd'^s hay, is
the produce of Arabia and Turkey, whence it is exported in bundles about
a foot long, composed of smooth stalks, that bear some resemblance to
barley straws in shape and colour. The leaves are like those of wheat, and
it is full of a fungous pith : towards the tops of the stalks are sometimes
found short woolly spikes of imperfect flowers, set in double rows. The
sweet rush, when in perfection, has an agreeable smell, vdth a warm, some-
what bitter, but not unpleasant taste.

Mtbbh is a vegetable product of the gum-resin kind, distilling by
incision, and sometimes spontaneously, from a species of the genus amyris,
{Mwrr and Bclj Hind. Boiay San.) It is generally in grains, from the
size of a pea to that of a horse-bean, or larger ; the figure is as irregular
as the size ; round, oblong, or contorted. These grains are of a resinous
greasy substance, not hard to break ; colour, a reddish brown, with a mix-
ture of yellow ; smell, strongly aromatic ; and taste, acrid, warm, bitter,
though somewhat spicy. When broken, myrrh is often marked with small
white semi-lunar specks. It is to be chosen in clear pieces, fight, friable,
unctuous, and of the bitterest taste, of a reddish brown colour : the foul
and black must be rejected. When pure, myrrh will dissolve in boiling
water; but as the fiquor cools, a portion of resinous matter subsides.
There are sometimes found among myrrh, hard shining pieces, of a pale
yellow colour, resembling gum Arabic, but without taste or smell ; some-
times masses of bdellium are mixed with it, which are darker coloured,
more opaque, softer than myrrh internally, and difi*erent in taste and smeD.
Sometimes an unctuous gummy resin, of a moderately strong, but somewhat

Red Sea.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 75

nBgratefuI smell, with a durable bitterish taste, obviously dfiBerent fit>ni
bdellium and myrrh, is found with this drug ; and sometimes we meet with
hard, compact da^-oolcmred tears, less unctuous than myrrh, of an offen-
sive smell, and a most ungrateful bitterness, so as, when kept some time
in the mouth, to provoke retdiing. The quantity allowed to a ton it
16Cwt.

RHiifocEitos^ HoKvs are much esteemed among the Mahometans, on
ftcoount of their being considered a powerful antidote against poison* They
are in general about 12 to 15 inches long, and from 3 to 6 inches in diame*
ter, though sometimes (rar^) 10 inches in diameter, and near 24 indbea
long. A good aijsed horn, sound, and not broken at the point, ia worth
firom three to four pounds sterling. At the base they are commonly of a
brown or olive colour, though occasionally grey, and sometimes neariy
white : they are nearly straight, having a veiy small curve, indining
upwards with a sharp point The horns of the Rhinoceros have not thai
interior spongy substance contained in those of other animds, but are eiw
tirely solid : they are made into drinldng-cupa and snuff-boxes.

Rhihocbros^ Hidks are in great demand for making targets or shields;
when prepared, they are proof against the stroke of a scinutar ; they are
of a variegated colour, and when polished, very similar to tortoise-shdL
At Surat they mak6 the most elegant targets of these hides, and stud
them with aihrerJieaded nails. These will fetch from 80 to 40 rupees eadi,
and are miadi sought after, particularly in Arabia.

SAOApnuii ia the concrete gummy resinous juice of a plant, supposed
to be the Ferula Peraica. It ia met with in drops, and in masses composed
of those drops; but the looae drops are mudi finer than the masses. In
both forma it is a compact subettance, conmderably heavy, of a reddish
colour outwardly, but paler within, and dear Uke horn. It grows soft on
baadling, so as fiequently to stick to the fingers. The larger, darker
coloured, broken maases of bddfium are sometimes substituted, but may
he easify- distinguuhed by the weak smelL Sagapenum has a strong smeD,
somewhat of the leek kind, and a moderately hot, biting taste. Of
Sagapenum 18 cwt. ia allowed to a ton.

Sai-bp is prepared firom the dried roots of a plant of the OrckU nuueula
(SaHb mart. Hind, and Arab.) ; it was formerly imported from the East
Indies, and held in great estimadon, being considered highly nourishing.
It ia generally in ydkwish white oval pieces, hard, dear, and peUndd,
without smdl, in taste somewhat resembling Tragacanth. It has the
singular property of concealing the taste of salt water ; hence, to prevent
the calamity of fiunine at sea, it has been proposed that the powder ni it

76 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Red Sea.

should conslitiite a part of every ship^s provisioiiB. If kept dry, it never
spoib. The fireight of this artiete is calculated at 16 cwt. to the ton.

Sbnna is the leaf of an annual pod-bearing plant, the Cassia Senna
{Sena Mecci^ Hind. Sena^ Arab.), and is imported dry from Alexandria
and the Red Sea ; of an oblong figure, pointed at the ends, particnlail j the
one opposite to where it grows to the stalk; in the middle it is abont a
quarter of an inch broad, and seldom more than an inch long, of a lively
yellowish green colour, a firm texture, somewhat thick and flat ; its smell
fiiint, but not disagreeable, and its taste somewhat bitter, nauseous, and
acrid. There are two or three inferior sorts, distinguishable by thdr being
dther narrower, longer, and sharp pointed, or larger, broader, and nmnd
pointed, with small prominent veins, of a fresh green colour, without any
yellow cast

In churing Senna, the shape of the leaf should assure us that it is of
the Alexandrian kind; it should be bright, fresh, of a good smell, soft to
the touch, and dear from stalks and spots. That which is imported firom
India is in general foul, full of sticks and dirt, in the proportion of S lbs.
of sticks and dirt to 1 lb. of leaf ; if well garbled, it might answer, but
the heat of the hold is very apt to injure it The fireight is calculated at
8 Cwt. to the ton.

Sharks^ Fins are an artide of trade firom the Arabian and Persian
Gul^phs to India, and from thence to China ; they are esteemed very strei^;th-
ening by the Chinese. In chiising them, care should be taken that they
have been properly cured ; the larger they are, when firee from decay, the
more they are esteemed. In India they are generally sold by tale : each
fin should be upwards of nine indies long ; all under that size, reckon two
for one ; the price varies from three to five rupees per hundred. In China
tiiey are sold by the pecul, which contains about 500 pieces. The East
Indiamen prefer carrying them on firdgfat firom India to China ; they are
packed in bales, wei|^ing about 7 cwt ; and from Bombay to China the
freight is about 80 to 24 rupees per bale. They are likewise prepared on
the Malabar and Coromandd Coasts, and many of the islands in the Indian
Ocean.

Gum Tkagacanth, or Dragon, is a gum exuding firom a prickly plant
(Astragalus.) This commodity, chiefly produced in Turkey and Arabia,
is of different hue and appearance, from a pale white to a dark and opaque.
It is usually in long, slender, worm-like pieces, and sometimes in roundish
drops, which are rare. It is moderately heavy, of a firm consistence, rather
tough than hard. It is with difficulty pulverized, unless dried, and the
pestle and mortar kept warm. Its natural colour b a pale white, and the

Bed Sea.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 77

deanest spedmeos are somewhat tFansparent It has little or no smell, and
a taste rather disagreeaUer It melts in the mouth to a very soft mucilage,
without sticking to the teeth, as Gum Arabic does. The most striking
difference between this and the other gums is, that it gives a thicker con*
sutence to a much larger quantity of water, and is with difficulty soluUe,
or rather dissolves but imperfectly. When put into water, it slowly im-
bibes a great quantity, swells in a large volume, and forms a soft, but not
fluid mucilage : by agitation, and an addition of water, a solution may be
obtained, but the gununy mucilage settles to the bottom on standing. Gum
Tngacanth should be chosen in long twisted pieces, semi-transparent, wUte^
Toy dear, and firee firom all other colours; the brown, and particulariy the
black, are to be whoUy rejected. There is a sort of gum, which has been
occasionally brought to England, resembling Tragacanth in outward appear-
ance, but more transparent, called Kuteera, the produce, not of a thorny
shrub, but of the SiercuUa Urene (Boxb.,) which is not i^pUcahle to the
same purposes, or indeed of any value. Of Tragacanth, 16 cwt is allowed
to a ton.

SECTION IX.

COAST OF ARABIA TO THE PERSIAN GULPBL

Aden.— About lOO miles to the E. of the Straits of Babehnandel,
isCapeAden, in lat 18^ 43}' N., long. iS"" 14' £. This Cape is high and
craggj, and forms a peninsula, with a deep bay to the W.« called Back
Baj, and another to the E., in which the town of Aden is situated, in lat
about W 4X1 N., where sh^ lie sheltered from W. winds^ The anchorage
is m 7 fathoms, with Cape Aden bearing S. ; the mosque touching the
N. W. point of Fortified Uand (a black islet with a tower on its extremity)
about tkree^qoarters of a mile from the island*

The town of Aden has a miserable ^ypearance from the sea, being
nearly a heap of ruins, out of which two minarets and a mosque rear their
beada. The rocky peninsula on which the town is situated, was formerly

78 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Coast 6f Arabia.

flUionglj fortified, the iammits of the rocks being covered with the mms of
lines and fortfl. The lesidenee of the Sultan is but an indiflferent building,
and most of the houses are composed of basket work and matting. There
ia a pier running out from the middle of the town, where boats can conve-
nicniiy land, but it does not extend to low water maiic.

In 1802, Sir Home Popham was sent on a mission fit>m Bengal to
Arabia. He nsited Aden, and prefers it to Mocha, both in a commercial
and political point of view : as a commercial port, it has manifest adrantages
over Mocha, it being aooessifale at all times of the. year. Its intercourse
with the Coast of Africa can be kept up at all seasons, and conseqnentlj there
would be a continued trade, if anj protection was given to it by theEngHdi,
to whom the Sultan y much attached.

Tradb.— *There are some merchants settled at Aden, who, though they
have but little trade, enjoy a mild Gk>vemment, and on that account they
do not remove to Mocha. The exports and imports are nearly the same as
at Mocha : Oum Arabic, and other drugs, brought from the opposite coast,
owing to its contiguity, may be procured at a cheaper rate. The natives
who inhabit the coast from Cape Guardafrii to the Straits, exclude the Arabs
from their ports, and bring their produce either to Aden or Mocha in their
own dows : a great part of the myrrh and gum Arabic b brought to the
former place, where the Banians of Mocha have each a partner established
to conduct their business. Were a regular trade carried on at Aden, the
consumption of goods would probably increase considerably, as the Africans
have no limit to their purchases, excepting the amount of their gold, ele-
phants* teeth, gums, and the produce of their own country.

The articles suitable to the market are as follow ; and the quantity that
may be disposed of, about the value of three lacs of rupees, principally the
produce of the East Indies and China :— -Benjamin, camphire, cardamums,
cassia, China ware, cloves, cinnamon, cotton, cotton thread, cutlery, gin-
ger, glass ware, hardware, ironmongery, iron, lead, piece goods, pepper,
rice, sandal wood, silks, steel, sugar, tobacco, turmeric, tin, tutenague,
and vermiUon. The exports would consist of coffee, elephants^ teeth, gold,
and gums of various kinds.

Provisions and Refreshments. — ^The beef is but indifferent; the
Sultan reserves to himself the disposal of bullocks. The best water is to be
procured from Back Bay, the only expence of which is 3 dollars, demanded
by the Dola : that from Aden is brackish, and brought in skins to the
lancKng place. .Grapes and pomegranates are plentiful, but no vegetables.
Firewood is procurable.

MACULA BAY, about 55 leagues E. N. E. from Cape Aden, in

Coast of Arabia,] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 79

ht about ly 6T N., and long. 47° 58' £., is about 8 leagues deep, and
5 broad, with high land around. At the bottom of the bay is a small town ;
but refireshme&ts are not to be expected, water, and every article of provi-
sion, except fish, b^g scarce, and the inhabitants are npt to be trusted*
Between this jdace and Shidiar Point are several small villages close to Ihe
sea sicie*

SHAHAR is about 40 miles to the E. N. E. of Maeula. This town
appears of considerable size, and stands dose to the sea side, on a flat saady
desert The inhabitants are more civilized, and give a kind reception to
stnngers. Here provisions and refiresluBents may be pnumred. The plaoe
is known by two hills, one to the N., and the other to the S. Ships anchor
in 9 fathoms, the first hill bearing N. £. by N., the other about W*

EISSEEN.-— This bay is formed by Cape ot Pcmit Ekseen, in hit
15^ lir N., and long, dbout BV BOf E., and Cape Fartash, iH lat 15'' 84^ N.,
long, fil'^ 58^ £: the former is known by two peaks that make like an ass'^s
ears, and are so called. In this bay are three towns or villages^ the principal
of which is Eisseen, in lat 15^ 8^ N. To the W.^ about a mile from the
shore, is a wdl, the only place where Water, can be proonred. There is
anchorage in the bay to the W» of Eisseen Point -

DOFAR. — This town is called Hammee Badgeree by the. natives; it
b about 68 leagues N. £. i E. from Cape Partasb, and in lat. IT" S N.,
and long. 54"" 10 £. : the andiorage is about two miles firom ihe shore.
Ships may anchor in firom 7 to 10 fathoms. This pkce was focmerly of
some importance. The town is small ; no provisions or refinashments can
be procured : the natives, who are armed with matchlocks and spears, are
shy, but do not appear unfriendly to straagera.

MOREBAT.*-^ape Moiebat, which forms the S. extreme of the
road, is in lat 17^ N^ and hmg. 54"* 32" E. The town is about two miles firom
the pobtAj and eonmts of a fisw huts, with several mosques: ithe best
anchorage iaalineast of the town, about a mile. distance, in 8 or O.fathoms.
If the iahabitanti should be shy in coming on board, wave a white flag,
^hen they will come off: they are well behaved, but it would be improper
to risk going far firom the beach, or sleeping on ahoce in the night This
bay is prefiefnble to any on the coast, and ships that lose their passage,
geacnlly wait here the change of the monsoon.

PnovisioHB AND RBvnESHMKinps.— --WatcT b to be procured by sinking
casks near the mosques ; it is brackish, but. does not ii^ure the health of
the men. Fish are plentiful ; a few fowls, some, sheep, goi^ and lean
fauDocka are to be had : the latter are scarce, but fodder more so. This
place u not recommended, except in cases of necessity. The inhabi&nts

80 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Cooii of Arabia.

here are generally at war with those of the interior, with whom they ha?e
no ocmimunication.

MAZEIRA ISLAND, the N. E. part of this island is in lat
20» 35' N., some say 18' more N., and long, about £8<> 66 E. On iU E.
side is a small nllage, but it is seldom visited bjr Europeans, the gulph to
the W. and S. W. of it being dangerous, the currents running strong, and
the coast being but imperfecUj known. There is a passage between the
island and the main for large vessds.

ROSALGATE, on RAS-EL-HAIX— This cape is the N. E. point
of Arabia ; the land is hi^ and uneven over it, but fiidng the sea it is low
and level The latitude is S2» 20 N., and long, 60» lO' K

The town, called Ras^-had Town, is situated on the banks of a snaall
river or creek, about 5 leagues from the Cape, in lat about 88^ 32' E.,
inhabited by fishermen, who bring off fish and dates to ships passing: the
town is small, has several trees near it, and 4 or 5 tombs or white buildings
on the left of it

ZOAR, oa SOR, in kt 22<» 45' N., about five leagues firom Ra»«l-
had, corruptly Rosalgate, is a considerable town, and a place of some trade,
but being so near Muscat, to which it is tributary, it is not visited by
European vessek.

EURIAT.^To the S. of Cape Euriat, or Ras Badaud, is a town of
the same name, formerly of some note. The Cape is in lat 23° 20^ N.,
and is known by a deep chasm in the hi^ land, about two leagues to the S.

The Grovemment of Muscat is said to extend to Cape Rosalgate, in-
duding the above places ; but it b not safe for Europeans to land at the
villages near the Cape, because the inhabitants are inhospitable to strangers,
and there is reason to believe, that the wandering Arabs keep some of these
viDages or towns in subjection. The only supplies that are likely to be
met with hereabouts, are fish, dates, and sometimes water, which are
brought off by the country boats to slups passing near the coast

MUSCAT.— The harbour, or cove, in lat 23^ 38" N., and hmg.
BSf 41' £., is formed by hi|^ land to the S. and W., and on the E. side by
an island, called Muscat Island, joined by a reef of rocks to the pei>insula»
<m which the town of Muscat is situated, the entrance into the cove being
from the N., and is protected by a fi>rt on each side ; there is another fort
dose to the town, that commands the inside of the cove, where the depths
of water are 4 and 5 fathoms, between the two W. forts, and where a large
fleet may moor in safety.

The town of Muscat is walled round, and none but Arabs and Banians
are permitted to live within the gates ; the others reside without, in mat

Coati ^ Arabia,] ORIENTAL COMMERCE* 81

luMises. It is stronglj fortified, and no vesseb are allowed to go in after
dusk, or come out after sunset. It is the dutj of the Serang of the Imaum»
or Prince of Muscat, to assist any vessel that comes to the port ; and they
are aDowed a certain sum for this, which they are never backward in
demanding^ whether they attend or not When a vessel comes near, by
making the usual signal for a pilot, they will come off, otherwise they will
take no notice of any one : it is best to make them attend till the vessel is
secured, as they have excellent boats for carrying out warp anchors.

Muscat is the key of Arabia and Persia ; all the ports from Rosalgate
to the 6u^h are tributary to it; it is a place of very great trade, being
poaiessed of a considerable number of large ships, which trade to the British
settlements in India, to Sumatra, the Malay Peninsula, the Red Sea, and
East Coast of Afnca. Great indulgences are allowed by the English to the
Imaum^s flag. Muscat may be considered the magazine for goods, and is
resorted to by vessels from every port in Persia, the ports of Arabia within
tiie Gulph, and from the coast as far as the Indus. It has been the usual
custom for all English merchant ships, in their voyage frbm India to Bus^
sorah, to stop at Muscat, and in like manner on their return, and they
generally sell and purchase goods here.

There is another town, about three miles to the W., called Muttra,
defended by a small fort, which is nearly as large as Muscat, with several
nDages in the valley between. At Muttra there is a good place to haul
resseb on shore ; and though they have one at Muscat, yet they always
send thar largest there to be <^eaned. There is a good road along the shore
fit)m Muscat to Muttra.

The Government of the Imaum is the strictest and civilest of any either
in Perna or Arabia, and a stranger may walk the streets any hour in the
night without molestation : goods are piled up in the streets, and lie night
and day exposed, without any watch or guard, and there never happens an
instance that such goods are pilfered, the police being so excellent

TaADB. — ^The trade carried on between British India and the Persian
and Arabian Gulphs is considerable, and of great advantage to the former.
The articles are enumerated under the different Settlements. The greater
part of this commerce, as well as that to the £., is carried on by Arabs,
under the Muscat flag. The trade between the subjects of Muscat on the
coast, and the independent Arabs in the interior, by caravans, consists of
ahmmds, cattle, drugs of sorts, dqihants^ teeth, various gums, hides,
Ivmey, ostridi feathers, rhinoceros^ horns, riiinoceros^ hides, skins, sheep,
wax, pearl-shells, horses, and raisins. The caravans take in return various
East Indian commodities, principally ginger, grain, opium, piece-goods,

its ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [CooH of Arabia.

pepper, sugar, spices, turmeric, and a small quantity of European cutleiy,
glassware, looking glasses, broad doth, &c.

The Imaum has abolished the slare trade here, at Zanzibar, and his
Other dominions.

Duties.— Foreigners paj 5 per cent ; Mahommedans 2| per cent.

Pbovisions and RBrRBsBMBMTS.— •Provisions, fruits, and regetables
^Bre to be had in plenty, and reasonably cheap. BuUoeks are extremdy
.good, at 10 to 18 dollars a head ; a good sheep 8 or 3 dollars ; fowls, large
«nd reasonable. From April to September the market is extremely well
supplied with grapes, melons, mangoes, oranges, limes, pomegranates, and
other fruits ; likewise greens, pumpkins, onions, and abundance of other
Vegetables. They are always well supplied with ddicious fresh fish, which
is the principal support of the natives ; they kill meat daily on shore for
Bale, but that which comes on board the vessels, must come from Muttrs,
in a clandestine manner, as the compradore (or steward) is dependent on the
Company^s broker, who is a Hindoo, and very desirous of saving the lives
of the buUodu, but they have not that authority on shore ; they manage so
«s to bring the cattle on board in the night-time. The best mode of watering
is with the ship^s casks, otherwise they will bring off the water in oily boats
in bulk, which will smeU disagreeably in a few days, although very good if
it is taken dear from the reservoir, which is near the sea, the water being
conducted to it from a considerable distance inland. The Muscat mangoes
«re preferable to any in India.

Coins.— --Accounts are kept here in gass and mamoodies ; 80 gass make
1 mamoody. The coins current are

so Budgerooks equal to » 1 Mamoody.

8} Mamoodies » 1 Surat Rupee.

<i Ditto « 1 Bombay Rupee.

H Ditto 1 Spaniah Dollar.

All Persian, Turkish, and Indian coins are met with here, but they
are generally sold by we^ht.

Wbiohts.— •The weights are the cucha and maund ; 84 cuchas making
a maund, wUdi is equal to 8 lbs. 18 oz. avoirdupois.

BURKA.^This place is in ktitude 23P 41}' N., longitude about
61^ 54' E., and is strongly fortified. Here the Imaum of Muscat resides
in sunmier : between it and the entrance of the Persian Gulph are several
small villages, seldom visited by any European vessels. Ships may andior
at Burka in 5, 6, or 7 fathoms water, 8 or 3 miles off shore. As the ground
is loose in Burka Road, ships should anchor well out, not under 7 or 8
fathoms. Provisions are plentiful and cheap here.

(83)

SECTION X.

GULPH OF PERSIA.

The entrance intd tbe Gidph 6f Persia is between Cvp^ Mussendom
(or Baa d Djebd) in Arabia, on the & side, in htitude 26'> 21' N., and
longitude 56^ 38' £., and Cdpe Jasques in Persia, in latitude 2BP 38' N.,
and loni^tude SBP 10' £., on tbe N. side.

On the Arabian side of the GiDph, the coast, extending upwards of
400 ndlesy from Cape Miisaendom to the Bahreen Iskinds, is denominated
the Pirate Coast

RAS EL S3IIMA, the capital of th^ Pirate Coast, is in latitude
2fi^ 47* N. and longitude about 6SP JS* The toWn stands on a sandj penin-
sula, defended in the isthmus by a welkflankdd battery with square towers,
the seirline defended by batteries of one gun each at regular intenrals
between the point and tbe wall, comprising a space of about 1 \ mile.
Many date-trees are within the walla, and huts, built of their leases and
hamboo supports, form a suburb to tbe town of flat-roofed houses. There
are sereral castles^ one of which is the residence of thdr Chief, and another
a protectioa for naral stores, &iS.

BAHREEN ISLANDS.— -The^ Islands were surveyed about six
jean back by Ueut Tanner. The S. E. anchorage, betwtoi the Debil
and Jetlia Shoab, lies in latitude 26<' 11' or Se"" 12 N.« and being sheltered
hj the iiirrounding reefis is preferable, though difficult of access^ and it
would be imprudent to enter the intricate channel without a pilot^ who will
coaeoff at the signal of a gun at the edge of the reef. The chief Island,
called Bahkken, is well cultivated s the N. shore runs nearly E^ and W.
Its principal town, called Manama, is at its E* end. It is large and popu-
Unis, the buildings well oonstructed, and the appearance of it more decent
than any in the Gulph. Its bazar is goikl, and wdl supplied with fine
cattle, pooltiy, fish, grain, vegetables, and fruit.

ARAD, another of tbe Islands, lies nearly N. and S., is very low and

sandy, and surrounded by the Jellia Shoals and other reefs, extending 4 or

5 miles. A narrow isthmus divides it into two parts, and whidi is s<mietimes

overflowed. The N. part is called Sommahee, and the S. division, on which

the town is buOt, Maharag. Ferry boats keep up the communication.

F 2

84 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Gulph of Persia.

Near the isthmus is a village called Psxtine, with a small flat islet upon a
bank in front of it.

The Port of Bahreen carries on considerable trade, and appears a place
of great resort, particularly bv the Arabs. A great many vessels are seen
in the port In 1817, thirty-nine large boats were counted, fit either for
war or traffic, besides several buildmg, and some absent at sea. The people
were friendly and hospitable, though ibey are addicted to piracy. Lieut
Tanner experienced from the principal merchants the greatest kindness.
The Saikh of Bahreen refuses to acknowledge the supremacy of Persia,
and suffers none of the coin in the Islands to bear the titles of the Persian
Sovereign. •

Trade.— 'At these Islands is the greatest and most valuaUe peari
fishery in the world. The pearl bai&s conunence in about 26^ N. latitude,
and extend to 86^ 4^ N.

The fishery generally commences in June, and lasts about two months.
It is carried on by the Persians, and the divers are Persians.

The duty on what is taken, is one third to the Sovereign, whidi the
collector receives every day, either pearls, or their equivalent in money, as
the divers, or those who contract with them, can agree. It sometimes
happens that a diver, or contractor, makes his fortune in a season. The
boats are all numbered, and no oysters are allowed to be opened in a boat,
but must be brought on shore by a certain hour, when th^ are opened in
the presence of an officer. The peark which are found, are then carried to
the collector, who receives the duty, and the day'^s business is concluded.

The oyster banks have from 15 to 90 feet water on them^ and some
more. It frequently happens that a man will bring up 900 to 400 oysten
in a day, and not find as many pearls as are worth five shillings ; as there
are more which have not any, than those that have, and of these many have
only small pearls, which are denominated seed pearl.

The oyster shells are always the property of the divers, whether they
fish for themselves, or contract with others. Some of these shells are from
8 to 10 inches in diameter, nearly of a round form, and thick in proportion.
The oysters are seldom eaten, as they are generally rank. The sorts and
sizes vary so much, that the smallest are not two inches in diameter: these
are eaten by the people on the spot The largest shells have not always
the greatest quantity, nor do they contain the largest pearls, as neither the
size nor colour indicates their contents, it being niere chance. The round
pearls are always found in the fleshy part of the oyster, and many of those
which have an irregular shape : some adhere to the inner part of the shell,
which are deformed, and flat on that side which is attached to it

Gulph of Persia.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 85

The shells are bought on the spot, and sent to different parts of Persia,
from whence they are sent up the Red Sea, and from thence to Grand Curo
and Constantinople. Manj are carried to India, and from thence to China,
where they are manufactured into a great variety of neat and useful articles.
The pearls produced here are not so much esteemed in Europe as those
of Ceylon^ having a yellowish hue ; but the natives of India prefer them.
They say they always retain their original colour: whereas the white will
in a few years become darker, firom the heat of the weather, and that of
the person wearing them.

Provisions ANnREPRESHMENT8.-»Plenty of cattle and fine large sheep
are here procurable, at higher prices than at other ports in the GulpL
Bice is scarce and dear. There are numerous springs of excellent water in
the interior of Bahreen, but at too great distance from Manama for easy
supply to shipping, The only water used on Arad is brought up in skins,
by the pearl-divers, from the bottom of the sea, in 3 fathoms, where there
is a fine epnng of good fresh water, with the top of a jar fitted to the
mouth of it, through which the water gushes. From this mode of procuring
it, water can seldom be obtained quite fresh.

CATIF, OR EL EATIF.— The town is situated in latitude about
26" 36f N., longitude 50'' 12' E., at the W. extremity of a bay of the
same name, which extends a considerable distance inland, having in it the
smaD island and town of Karud or Tarud. It is said to be a good harbour,
and a |dace of some trade, but is seldom visited by Europeans.

6RANE.— This town and harbour are situated in latitude 29"" 24}' N.,
longitude about 47° 48^ E., about .18 leagues from the entrance of Bussorah
Ri?er. The town, or village, is on the S« side of a small river, and here
tbe Company'^s cruisers generally wait the arrival of the overland dispatches
fi'om Europe. The haven, which stretches far inland, is considered secure
in most winds ; but its shores are lined with reefs. The anchorage is W.
of the village, in 5, 6, or 7 fathoms.

BUSSORAH, OR BASRA.— This town is situated in a plain, about
three miles from the great river of Arabia, from which a creek runs into
the dty, navigable at high water for vessels of 50 or 60 tons, and is in
iatitade XT Sff N., and longitude AT iff E., taken at the factory : the dif.
ference of latitude between the town and the bar at the entrance of the
river, is about 34 miles. It is about 100 miles from the Persian Gulph,
into whidi that river empties itself, and about 90 miles from Koma, the
extreme point of Mesopotamia, where the rivers Tigris and Euphrates
Quite. The river is about half a mQe broad from Bussorah Creek to the
Peraan shore.

88 ORIENTAL COMMEBC^. [Oidphof PerM.

The dty is walled^ and surrounded with a deep and broad ditch ; it
has four gates and a sallj-port The walls are of mudi from 90 to 85 feet
thick, with parapet waUs, breast-high, which have small embrasures for
musketry or arrows. The walls not only encircle the dty on the side of the
land, but likewise on thoqe of the creek, the entrance of which is at a con-
siderable distance, where the walls terminate on both sides, each extremity
being defended by a fortification and a gate, which are three miles .distant
from the town. In the intermediate space are many thousands of date-trees,
mixed with rice grounds. The walls are about 12 miles in drcuit ; and
although not half the enclosed qpaoe is buOt upon, yet it is a large city, andt
was formerly very populous. The two prindpd gates are large, and ar6
situated on the land side ; one is called the Bagdndt and the other the
Zobeir Gate ; ndther of them is defended by a ditch, which is wanting for
a considerable distance on each side. The foundation of tb^ walla, which
is built of burnt brick, reaches so high, as to be above the water when the
ditch is full. The water is let into the ditch at the flood tid^ irom the
creek, and is retained by flood gates.

The mosques and houses are all built of is/ami brick ; many houses
belonging to the merchants are large and convenient, being only one story
high above the ground-floor, which consists of a holl fadng the gate ; on
each side of which are magazines and warehouses for the reception of
merchandise.

The meydan, or great square, is very large, and is not oply used for
exercising horses, but as the great com market, where wheat, and all kind^
of grain and pulse are sold, wholesale. On one side of the meydan is the
Sfiraglio, oi" Goyemor^s palace, which is very large, but not a handsome
building.

The British factory is a good and convenient building, situated on the
banks of the creek, full three miles from its mouth, where vessels of 80 tons
may unload their cargoes at the gate of the factory. At the side of the
creek is a good garden ; and about 5 miles* distimce from the Bagdad gate,
the Compi^ny'^s agent has a country house, called MargO, distant about a
quarter of a milp from the banks of the river.

TRADB.-r?From its convenient situation, Bussorah is a place of great
trade, as merchants can here purchase the produce of most parts of India,
Persia, and Arabia, at the first hand, they being imported directly from the
place of their growth and manufiEurture. There are a number of Armenian
and other merchants resident here, who parry on a considerable conunerce
with all the ports of India, by caravans to Aleppo and Bagdad, and from
(hence to Constantinople. The trade between IncU^ and P^ia is very

Guiph of Perria.} ORIENTAL COMMERCE. ST

cooaiderBUe. The demand for British manufactures is comparatively small;
the most valuable part is supplied from Europe by caravans across the
desert The expence of carriage^ including the insurance from risk^ and
the duties paid the wandering tribes, &c. is very moderate. It is impossible
that a cargo of European goods to any extent could be found capable of
being disposed of in all or any porta in the Gulph. A recent account states,
the articles of British manufacture suited ta the Persian market, to be
woollens, metals^ chiefly iron and lead, and glass ware, including cut
bistres, decanters, &c. A considerable part of the goods imported inta
Bussorah from India is, no doubt, for Turkey and other parts, as well as.
Persia ; but as most of those articles are also imported into Bushire (tho
lodiaQ manufactures, however, in small quantities, but the others in a much
larger proportion), some of these necessary for the suj^y of Persia, are of
considerable value, and naturally entitled to a preference over woollens or
other European articles; whilst, on the other hand, the greater part of the-
products and manufactures of Persia is not suitable to the Indian markets.
They eonsbt of horses, pearls, silks, brocades, carpets, manufactures of
steel, sword blades, spear heads, gun barrels, glass, rose-water, otto of roses^
cotton cloths, shawls, skins, raw sQks, some indigo, tobacco, rhubarb, drugs
of difl&reiit sorts, dried fruits, iron, copper, Caramania wool, wines, and
fome trifling articles ; to which must be added Persian and Turkbh coins,
Venetian sequins, German crowns, and gold and silver in bars. India is
therefore a constant drain upon Persia for its gold and silver, as scarce one
third of the imports can be returned to India in the produce of Persia.

Sural piece-goods form the largest item in the list of imports from
India. Fine Bengal muslins, as well as fine Surat piece-goods, and the finer
torts of Gozerat goods, go off wdl. The first*mentbned are sdd to mer«
chants, who come from different parts of Turkey. The red and blue goods
sre the consumption of Bussorah, and places adjacent It is necessary to
observe^ that the sooner these good^ are provided at Surat, the chei^ier they
win turn out ; and by being early at market, you wiU have the advantage of
chasing or procuring the goods ci a finer quality than when the monsoon ia
fiur advanced, or at the latter end of it«.

INSTRUCTIONS RELATIVE TO THE TRADE J^ MVSSORAE.

Inunediately upon your arrival, use dispatch in going up to town, and
procure boats for your cargo ; for which you will apply to the Chief^ who
generally sends down boats, called dunnodks ; but have trankeys, as they
sre less liable to be stopped in the river, which frequently happens when
dunnocks a^ sent

88 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Gulph of Persia.

You are next to look out for, and hire a good house, with large
godowns, which ought to be as nigh the creek ^ possible, for the con-
venience of landing and receiving your goods.

In chusing your broker, much caution and drcum^pection are necessary,
as your whole transactions depend upon his< being steady to your interest
If possible, employ a person who trades a little for himself, and is independent
of any one else; the same caution is to be used in chusing your shroff (or
banker.)

These persons you will find very slow in transacting your affairs,
though they will appear to be yeiy assiduous. Your servants should be solely
dqiendent upon yourself, and you ought not to employ any recommended by
persons whom you suspect to be desirous of prying into your concerns ;
otherwise your transactions will be communicated to the whole town, which
will be much to your prejudice.

After you are settled in your house, the merchants will come and pay
you a visit ; the Turks and Armenians will be very inquisitive about your
affairs. They are particularly tenacious of any slight ; be therefore very
complaisant in your behaviour, and treat them (particularly the Turks)
with much courtesy.

When landing your cargo, the freight goods (if you have any) should
be put in different boats from your own, otherwise it will occasion much
confusion and trouble, as all the freight is carried to the customJiouae ; but
your own private trade, immediately upon landing, is carried to your own
house ; for which reason, the officers on board should have a list of the
freight goods, and orders not to mix them in the boats with the trade, but
load them separately.

The purser (if you have one) ought to attend at the landing-plaee
with a list of the freight, and the marks and numbers of each package ; as
it frequently happens that the merchants do not know their bales.

After all your goods are landed, you inform the Shabundar you are
ready for his visit : he will come with his officers, attendants, writers, and
some of the principal merchants of the place. They will take an account of
your goods, open a bale or two of each quality, and are satisfied with your
account of the number of bales, and quantity of pieces in each. This good
opinion should not be abused, as it renders the inspection extremely easy to
you. And for the gruff goods, he takes the account entirely from yourself.
After this visit, he pays you another, to be informed of the prices for
which you have sold your goods ; and if any remain unsold, they are valued,
and the customs and duties calculated upon the whole.

The Shabundar receives no duty upon gram; this is paid to the
Murbarall : other goods either pay to the Shabundar, or custom-house.

Gfdph of PerHa.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 89

Upon exporting any goods, jou must have a permit from the Shabundar,
mentioning the quantity and quality of them.

The hamauls, or custom-house porters, will not allow your own
hamanlfi to bring your goods from the water-side to your house (as these
people farm their place from Government, and pay a large sum annually for
it), for which you pay them 1 mamoody for every bale, and 5 mamoodies for
erery 100 maunds (sophy). House hamauls have only one half that sum
for their labour, and 5 mamoodies per 100 maunds (sophy) for the re-
turning cargo.

Boat hire is 2 mamoodies per bale, and 10 mamoodies per 100 maunds
(sophy). The best method is to hire trankeys for so much per trip; the
expense is somewhat more, but the safety of your goods, and the dispatch
they make, fiilly compensate for it

Presents here are very necessary, particularly to the Islam (or Bashaw);
Aey are generally made up in goods to the value of 1,200 or 1,500 cruse ;
but he afterwards receives the amount in money, and the goods are re-
turned : this makes it easy to the merchant, as he might otherwise dispute
the value of the goods.

You should make a proportionate present to the Shabundar and his
people, the Mirbhar^s people, your broker, shroiF, linguist, and the
Bashaw^s servants.

After your presents are all made, you visit the Islam, who makes you
some trifling present, as a coat, (or gown) such as is worn in the country.

A house will cost about %%%%%%%%%»%% 30 tomands for the season.
A licence to trade ^%%%%%^%%%%^%%>»,^ 5 tomands per annum.
Durwan, or door porter %%»%»»%»%%»» 36 mamoodies per month.
Waterman, or Beasty >%>%>%»%»%,^% 80 mamoodies per month.
VfTatchman %%%»%.»v»%%» » ^.»»v..%»%%%»»»%»» 20 mamoodies per month.

Owners of ships from all ports in India allow the Commanders house
rent, palanquin (or carriage) hire, oil, candles, grain, fiiel, sircars^ (or
compnidores^ pay, except at the port to which the ship belongs, when no
house rent or palanquin hire is allowed, but every thing else. And this
custom is general in India, except there is a special agreement to the con-
trary. If they bring back freight, the owners allow the Commander 5 per
cent as a commission for collecting it.

Duties akd Port Charges.— -All goods imported in EngUsh ships
pay a duty and consulage to the East India Company, which amount to 6
per cent. This duty is over and above what is paid to the Bashaw of
Bagdad ; who receives two customs on all goods which are sent from

90 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Gulph of Persia.

Bufsorah, vi^. 3 per cent from Europeans, and 8 per cent from all Turks,
Persians, and other Asiatics ; one duty is paid at Bussorah, the other at
Bagdad. These goods are rated at their current prices, on their arrival at
each place, with the exception of such goods as are conveyed directly bj the
caravan £rom Bussorah to Aleppo, which must pay two duties at Bussorah,
one on arrival, and another, called the Bagdad duty, before departure. No
' caravan can depart for Aleppo without leave first obtained from the Bashaw
of Bagdad; so that he receives 6 per cent from Europeans, and 16 per
cent from all others, and half this duty only on goods consumed at
Bussorah. By a recent account (1822) it howevo: appears, that Indian
piece-goods pay an import duty at Bussorah,^of 7| per cent upon prices
affixed to them ; and that sugar, indigo, and all drugs, pay 8^ per cent on
the actual prices.

Provisions akd RsFaB8HMXNTS.-^Provisions are very good here, and
at reasonable prices, particularly beef, mutton, and butter, as well as camePs
ilesb» which the Arabs prefer to beef, especially when young. The fruits
are ofifles, grapes, peaches, nectarines, promegranates, dates, &c.

Coins, — ^Various sorts of money are met with, which are constantly
fluctuating in value ; being higher during the monsoon than after it, when
all the foreign ships are gone. Few of the coins current in Persia are
coined in the country. The consequence of this want of standard coins, and
the introduction of foreign money, is such a constant variation in the price,
that it is impossible to ascertain, for any length of time, the value of gold
coins ; and the Governors of the different districts often alter their standard
value without assigning any reason. All coins are taken at a disadvantage*
except the tomand, and the Turkish coins. The latter have a fixed value;,
though merchants, in dealing with strangers, generally rate them some^
thing above their legal price.

Accounts are kept in mamoodies of 10 danlms or 100 floose. lOO
mamoodies make 1 tomand, which b valued at Id rupees^ The rest
money is as follows :

10 Floose equal to 1 Daalni.

18 Danims « 1 Mamoodia

Ai Mamoodies • 1 Knue or DoUar.

75 Ditto • 1 Tomand ZdoUe..

100 Ditto • 1 Tomand Howeas.

Weights. — Gold and silver are wei|^bed by the Cheki of 100 miscals
or 150 drachms. The miscal wdghs about 72 English grains. A miscal of
the finest gold is worth about 22| mamoodies : a cheki of fine silver is worth
180 mamoodies nearly; hence, the mamoodie is equal to 3t grains of fine
gold, or 40 grains of fine silver, or about Sid. sterling.

Gulph itf Petria.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 91

The pearl weight is 72 habbab, or 27 batta Surat, equal to 1 miicaly
which is equivalent to 14 oz, 19 dwts. 6 grs. avoirdupois.

The great weights are the mattod atteree» the maund sofy or sesseei
and the oka of Bagdad

1 Vakia ..•,.... ..equal tb i «...19 ot, avoir. os.

^ Vakiaa taxj v 1 Oka of Bagdia = iT^ avoir,

UJ Vakias tary • • 1 Rattle.

9^^ lbs. 08.

or96 SVakiaa tary •., « ., • 1 Maund atteree:tti5W.8avoir.

or86>

itv^^'Z} lManndao«y...«f0.4avoir.

117 Yakiaatary « • 1 CutnoflndigoesslSS. 15 avoir.

The maund sofy is equal to 1 Bengal factory maund, 8 seers, 5|
chlttacks ; and the maund atteree to 1ft seers, 4^ chittacks.

There are sundry allowances made on delivering of goods beyond
the aforegoing weights, vix,

86 Vakias per Maond, for Ginger, Pepper, and Coibe.

96 Ditto for Cardamuma, Sugar Candy, and Bei\j[aniin.

94 Ditto for Sugar and all kinds of Metals.

The maund finr cotton is equal to 8 Surat maunds; and for indigo,
S Surat maunds^ S5 seers. Rice is sold at 78| Vakias per naaund sofy.

The weights of the Arabians in the bazars differ firom the above,
whi(^ are thoae used by Europeans settled at Buasorah ; and likewise
yaiy among thauaelves. The vaUa tary, which should be about 115
miscals, varies from 110 to 118.

MsJJiuaB,— "The guz or cubit is about 37 English inches ; 93 being
sqiial to 100 yards English.

BANDAQEEK, oa BENDER RIGE.-~This port is in latitude as^"
4St N., and previous to the troubles in Persia, the Company had a factoxy
here ; it has been long since withdrawn. It was formerly a place of some
note ; the bouses are buQt of mats ; the inhabitants are chiefly Arabs ;
and thoQ^ they may i^pear civil to Europeans, are not to be trusted.

COINS.

4} Mamoodica equal to 1 Naderee.

64 Ditto ^ «r 1 GokLMdhur.

WsioHT.-^The maund weij^ 7) lbs. avoirdupois.

K0R60, OR EOUERI, is a small low island, about 4 miles long, and
a quarter of a mile broad, situated near the N. £. end of Earak ; there is a
channel between them about a mile wide, and quite safe. On both ends of
Korgo there is water, but not so good as that on Karak ; the best anchorage

62 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Gulph of Persia.

is at the N. E. part of the island, where there are a few date^trees, and
thereabouts a watering place.

EARAE.— This island is in latitude ^"^ 15}' N., longitude 50^ 87 E.,
about 13 leagues from Bushire town. It is about 7 miles long, and 4 broad.
At the N. E. end is a bay, where there is good anchorage, and near it a
strong castle built on the extreme point, which commands the whole
anchorage of the bay.

Trabx* — ^There is very little on this island. The best pilots for
Bussorah are procured here. To carry a ship there and back, they generally
receive 160 to 160 rupees, with an addition of 50 more for the trankey that
attends, and provisions for five or six people. It is custom^ to give a bag or
two of rice to the Sheik, and one to the pilot's family. During the time
the ship is stationary at Bussorah, the pilot receives 10 rupees per montk
Paovisioirs and Refrbshmekts. — The water of Earak is much better
than at Bushire. Firewood is very scarce ; what they have, is brought
firom the northern coast Fish are plentiful, which with dates are the principal
food of the inhabitants ; for they have no grain but what comes firom
Bushire, and very few vegetables. Bullocks, sheep, and poultry are to be
procured, but at an exorbitant price when a supply is wanted.

BUSHliftE, Oft ABUSCHiEHR, is the principal seaport the Persians
have in the Gulph, and is situated about S. S. E. from the bar at Bussorah,
70 leagues distance, and about 8 leagues S. E. from the Island of Earak.
The town is in latitude 29^ N., longitude 50^ 56' E., and stands on the N.
point of a low peninsula, of which Rischar Point, about 4 leagues to the S.,
forms the other extreme. It stands so very low, that the houses are dis-
covered on coming from the sea, much sooner than the land on which the
town is built The situation on one side is near the entrance, and on the S.
bank of the river of that name, having a sandy beadi between the houses
and the river, in some places about 20, in others from 90 to 40 yards in
breadth at high water. The tide rises in the river 5 or 6 feet perpendicular,
but not more than 2 or 3 in the roads. Another side of the town is on the
banks of the sea, with a sandy beach. The town is surrounded with
stone walls, except the part which is within the river'^s mouth ; but they
are not kept in good repair. There are two gates on the land side, one on
each side, facing each of which is a very large brass cannon, the diameter of
the bore of which is 11| inches: they were brought from Ormus in 1632,
and though they bear the date of 1502, appear as if new. The town is about
3 miles in circuit, and of a rectangular form ; the longest sides are those on
each sea bank. There is neither castle nor battery in or near the town be-
longing to it ; but there are many war galliots, and a number of small
merchantmen belonging to those who trade to and from Muscat* Gombroon,

(hOph of Perria.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 93

and other plaees in the Gttlph) as well in Arabia as Persia and Bossorah. The
Dumber of inhabitants is stated to be S0,000.

The entrance of the river is about 3 miles broad ; yet near the town it
is not nayigable (even for boats at low water) a hundred yards across.
Vesseb that draw more than 9 feet, cannot come into the river at high
water ; those of less draught may go above the town. The road where
ships lie, is dBrectly fronting the river, there bmg 2 or 3 &thonis three
nules from the shore. There are many channelsin the entrance of the road,
between which there are not above 8 or 10 feet, so that ships of any great
iNiiden anchor at least 8 leagues from the shore in about 4 fisithoms, with
a soft muddy bottom. The road is quite open ; and vdien strange ships
arrive, they should make signals for a pilot from the town, as all shi|M
bound to Bussorah call here, and take a pilot, while those that come from
Bussorah, put their pilots on shore at Bushire. The navigation here i^
dangerous, as the Charts are not always correct. A vessel was last year
wrecked in c<msequence of the island Zasaiini bemg incorrectly laid down
in the Charts of the Persian Gulfrfiu Its true position is stated to be in
latitude 2T 57' N., longitude fiO" 19' E., the Island of Kenn bearing S. W.
by compass, 14 miles.

TnADS.— --From Bombay, Bengal, Muscat, and other places, are im-
ported piece-goods similar to those enumerated at Bussorah ; likewise bam-
boos, cotton, cotton yam, cardamums, doves, cinnamon, China ware,
caflBia buds, cofiee, China camphire, ginger, . indigo, iron, lead, musk,
nutmegs, pepper, red lead, sugar, sugar candy, steel, shawls, silk goods,
tttrmericy tutenague, tobacco, tin, and woollens. A considerable part of
tbese importations is supposed to be for Turkey and Arabia, as well as this
part of Persia : of Indian manufactures the quantities imported into Bushire
are amaU compared with those of Bussorah, but of the European commodi-
ties a much larger proportion.

Very few of the products of Persia being suitable to the Indian market,
the returns are principally made in Persian and Turkish coins, Venetian
sequins, Grerman crowns, and gold and silver in bars. About one-fifth of
tbe imports are estimated to be returned in Persian commodities, consisting
of drugs of various kinds, carpets, rose-water, otto of roses, Schiras
wine, &C.

RtouLATioirs.— All vesseb under the British flag are subject to the
British Resident at Bushire, who must be waited upon at first anival, and
his certificate obtained before sailing.

Batbs of Pixotagk.— These rates were formerly a source of contention,
from their bemg partly paid in rice, and partly in money, and all classes of

d4 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Chdph of Perria.

testis paying; alike. But ia 1818 tfa^ were rerbed fay iht Sbaky wlio
established the following rates, to be charged on all resseb visiliBg the pert,
and requiring pflots, iiin :

Inner roads of Bttshire^-iH) 1 piastre per foot; oif#, the same. Inner
harbour of Bushire, firom inner road»-^4ft, 1 pdatftre per fiiot ; cuiy the same.
HalOah Bayo^n, | a piastre per foot; auiy the same.

Pilot detained on bcMud icif A hb boat, vessel not oon^g into the inner
road, 8 piastres per day; toiihaui his boat, 9 piastres per day ; the same
if detained after going on board to take vessels ont Moving riiips fiom
one anchorage to another^ half pilotage on dmught of water.

No rice to be given to the pilot, as his right

I>OTiBs.-*-The import duties average about S per cent In£go pafs
more. The doty on exports averages from 8) to 3 per cent British pro-
perty pays only half the dufy on native and other property &

Provisions ako REFRBsnMsirrs are all brought from the inteiicr by
caravans, and (l^e tofirn is well supplied with fruits, vegetdbles, and meat,
which are both good and cheap. A f«ffl grown sheep from 1§ to 2 rupees
each. Oxen, which weigh fiom 4 to 5 cwt each, from 6 to 8 rupees. The
fruits are good, such as apples, pears, peaches, nectarines, apricots, plums,
and grapes. Bread, butter, milk, and vegetables are excellent, and rea-
sonable. The water in the town is very bad, being brackish, and brings on
disorders, unless mixed with spirits, lim^jmce, &c., but they have some
good water, which is brought from the interior. There are fish of various
kinds in great plenty.

CdiKs.--^Many European and most of the Asiatic coins pass here at the
same rates as at Bussorah | but the price fluctuates in proportion to the
quantity of specie in the markeft

Accounts are kept in floose, mamoodies, and tomands ; 100 nuonoodies
making 1 tomand.

WniGHTs. — ^Pearls are sdd by the abas, a wei|^t equal to about 3(
diamond grains, or 2.875 gold grains.

BUSHEAB, OR SHEIK SRAIB, in latitude 80° 46' N., and ex.
tending from longitude 59'' 19' to 53" 3V £., next to Kismis, is the largest
island in the Oulph, and subject to the Sheik of Nakelo, a town on the coast
opposite to the island Schittuar, which is separated from the E. end of
Busheab by a channel about } of a mile wide. Here is good anchorage ;
but die Sheik is a predatory Chief, and not to be trusted. A shoal projects
from the W. end of the island to a considerable distance.

KISMIS, oB KISHMA, (boai-island), called by the Arabs Jesiret
Tauille,by the Persians Jesiret Draas, the largest island in the Gulph, extends

Gfitph of Pwria.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 96

aboutao leagues E. hj N. and W. by S. At the B* end, opposite to a small
island, named Larek, or Laredsh, is thetownof Kbhm, in latitude 86^ 57'
N., longitade Bff* 84)' E., which is considerable, well inhabited, walled round,
including a small oblong fort This island produces large quantities of
wheat and grain, and was formerly the granary of Ormus.

ORMUS, OE HORMUZ.— This little island, whidi is not mote than
6 ffifles Img, and about 4 broad, stands within 7 miles of the continent,
in ktitude 2T T N., longitude £8° 37' £., nearly opposite to Gombroon,
and was once one of the richest marts in theeast The Portuguese obtained
possession of it in 1514^ but were afterwards expelled by the Persians,
assisted by the English. After it once fdl into the hands of the Persians,
the place was quickly ruined, and the trade transfierred to Qombroon. A
garrison was kept in the citadel for some time ; but by degrees that has
fallen to ruin, and the island is nearly deserted : scarcely the smallest re^
mains are now left to prove that this was once a place of such great conse-
quence, and the principal magftaine of the Indian conmierce*

Tnja>B.— The only natural productions of the island are sulidiury salt,
and red earth, for which articles ressek come occasionally. The black
diiniag sitfid of Ormus is much esteemed in India.

RBFassHSOCNTs.-— lliere are said to be two dstems or tanks of fresh
water on the N. W. end of Ormus.

GOMBROON, OR BENDER ABASSL— This town, formerly so
flourishing, now reduced to a fishing town, is situated on the nuiin, nearly
opposite Ormus, in latitude 27^ 13' N., and about 6 leagues to the N. of the
£. end of Kishma Island. There is good anchorage in S) fathoms, mud, at
low water, spring-ddes ; the town bearing N. 15° W., distant 3 miles.

Teads is at present trifling ; the articles similar to those enumerated
under Bo8B»x ; but scarcely one vesael in a season calls here.

Coins.—- Accounts are kept in mamoodies current, of 80 gassas ; also
in shakees of 10 coz, or pice.

A tomaa contains 100 mamoodies ; a new abassee^ £ mamoodies or 4
shakees or diatreas; a shakee, 10 coz or cozbaugues, a small copper coin.
The shakees are imaginary money, in which bargains are made ; the returns
for goods, shewing 7 or 8 per cent for the exchange, are generally made in

A mamoodie is to contain i silver and } copper : 100 mamoodiea^
coined at Avesa, in Churfstan, weigh 71} mussels, or misrals, equal to
5196 Engfidi grains. Hence a mamoodie contains 20) grains of fine sQver ;
100 bebg worth about 240., or neariy 8d. each.

96 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [GtOph of Perria.

All sorts of coins pass here ; the exchanges generally as follow : —

Venetian at 88 Shakees.

Rupee 6{ to 9.

Dollar 13^ to 20.

Larees (Ispahan money) 2}.

Abassees and sequins are the common coins ; of the latter there are
several kinds, the Venetians being the best by 2 per cent When a parcel
of Venetian Ducats are mixed with others, the whole go by the name of
sequins ; but when separate, one sort is called Venetians, and all the rest
indifferently by the name of gubbers.

Wbiohts.— Gold and silver, and other valuable commodities, are
wdgfaed by the miscal, of 8 dwts. 83A grs* : Sj miscals are equal to a Surat
tda.

The larger weights are of different sorts, and vary according to the
commodities sold.

The maund tabree weighs 6} lbs. avoirdupois in commerce, but only
6} in the Bazar. By this weight, sugar, copper, tutenague, and all kinds
of drugs are sold.

The maund copra is 7) lbs. at the Custom-house, but in the Basar,
from 7| lbs. to 7} lbs. By this weight, rice, almonds, raisins, and other
eatables are sold.

The maund shaw is equal to 2 maunds tabree, or 13| lbs.

Measures.— -The long measure is the gus, 93 of which are reckoned
to 100 English yards.

Eight islands have recently been discovered in this Gulph by H. M. S.
Favourite, the situations and Arabic names of which are as follow :— Davss,
in latitude 25'' 10- N., longitude BV 45' E. ; Jarnain, in latitude SS'^ 8' N.,
longitude 52° 55' E. ; Arzbkib, in htitude 24<' 56' N., longitude 62^ 3S E. ;
Dalmt, in latitude 24" S6' N., longitude 52° 24' E. ; Sssr Beni Yabs, in
latitude 24'' 34' N., longitude 52^* 40' E. ; Danib, in latitude 26'' 1' N.,
longitude 52" 20' E. ; Shbrarow, in latitude 25° 13' N., longitude 52° 18' E. ;
and Hawlool, in latitude 25"" 41' N., longitude 52° 23^ E. These islands
are mostty dangerous of approach, having a coral base. They are ntoated
in the centre of an extensive pearl fishery* which affords perhi^ the best
pearls in the world. The fishing season is from April to September.

PoMports for the PerHan Gt^pA.— By order of the Supreme Govern-
ment of Bengal, 17th Feb., 1821, all British subjects proceeding from
thence to any of the ports in the Persian Gulph, for the purpose of visiting
or passing through the territories dependent on the Pashalik of B^dad, are

Gulph of Per^a.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 97

required to provide themselves with passports, to be granted upon application
to the SecretoTf to Grovemment in the political* department ; in default of
vrUch, they risk being stopped on their arrival at those ports.

ARTICLES PROCURABLE IK THE GULPH OF PERSIA.

AucoNDs are carried in large qnaiitilies from PeiBia to India ; great
ctre is neoessary in the choice of these kernels, as they are apt to become
nadd in keefnng, and to be preyed' on by an* insect which eats out the
internal part, leaving the almond to all appearance perfect They should
be chosen large, of a bright cinnamon eokaar without, breaking of a dean
pore white within. A species of bitter almonds passes current at Surat,
called baddams, about 60 of which are equal to a pie or pice.

. Guif AmcoifiAC is a concrete gummy-resinotts juice, brought from
Persia, and various parts of the East, (supposed to be obtained from a
species q£ ferula) either in fine tears, or dropSj or in masses of a milky
whiteness ; the external part of the mass commonly inclines to yellow pt
brown, and the white tears change to the same colour, on being exposed
for some time to the air. This gum has a strong smell, somewhat resem-
Uiog gaDMUium, or garlic, but not so ungrateful; a disagreeable sweet-
ness of taste, followed by a sensation of bitterness ; it soflens in the mouth,
sod (m being chewed, becomes of a white colour. Gum Ammoniacum in
maiKs riiould be chosoiTull of drops or tears, without filth or seeds, dry,
brittle, growing soft by the fire, and easily reduced to a white powder, ai
s sharp taste and smdL The drops should be round,* white internally and
extemaDy, of a bitter taste, and free from seeds or other foreign substances,
and when thrown on live coals, burning away in flame. Reject that which
if soft, dark colottred, and fouL A ton is 16 Cwt

Gvu AftABi c, (Bdbul^a^Guml^ Hind.^ a mucilage, which oozes from
aevend species of Jftmoso, in various parts of the world. Much of the
Indian gum arabic is obtained from the M. Arabiea^ (Baimlj Hind. Bof*
hero, Saa.^ It is in small ciear masses, of an insipid iriseous taste; semi-
tnaqparent; of a dear whitish, or very pde ydUow colour, though it is
sonetinieB dttkar; but the deiu!er and more pelludd, the better thegnm.
When pure, it dissolves in water, otherwise it leaves a sediment. It is
eiseBtial to have this gum well garbled in India; and care should be taken
that it is not intermixed with a gum tiesembling it, but generally in larger
pieces, which is quite wiMrthless. The freight of Gum Arabic is odculated
St 20 Cwt per ton.

Aassaic is of three sorts, the common white oxide (SamuUk^har^ Hind.

9S ORIENTAL COMMEBCE. [Gulph of Perm.

Sanc'kyarj San J, the ydlovr tiilphiiret, (HarMj ISmL HarUaU^ Stik)
called auripigmentum^ or oq)iiDjeBt ; hj the Arabs, ^«ffii«A, aod the red
sulphurety (Manaiif Hind., Mcmah Siiak^ San.,) or realg^ur. Arsenic,
properly so called, is a moderately heavy, compact, hard, brittle concrete,
of a crystalline or vitreous appearance, gradually changing, from exposure
to the air, to a milky hue, like that of porcelain, and at length to the
opaque whiteness of white enamd; 'the large masBea preserre their trans-
parency longer than the small, and in dbry longer than in a noist air. la
the fire it neither boms nor perfectly mdta, bat totally eriialea in tfaidt
fiimes of a strong fetid smell, resembling gartie. Chreat caution i» necessarj
in all operations upon arsenic, to airaid its fimes.

AssAMBTiDA ( Hwig, Hind., Hinga^ San.) it the concrete juice of the
root of a species of Ferula^ growing in Persia, which abounds with a thick
milky juice, yielding an excessively strcvng fetid smelL Assafa'tidii has a
nauseous, somewhat bitter, biting taste ; the str on g er tiiese are, the better,
as age diminishes both. It is originaHy in small drops ; b«t when packed,
it forms irregular masses, omnposed of littie shining hrnips or grains, which
have the different shades of white, brown, red, or videt It ahoidd be
chosen dean, finesh, strong scented, of a pale reddish colour, variegated
with a number of fine white tears; when broken, it should somewhat re-
semble marble in appearance, and after being exposed to the aiv, should
turn oi a violet red colour. Its peculiar scent ami taste will distinguish the
genuine from the adulterated ; that which is soft, Uaek, and foul, ahoidd be
rejected. The packages should be carefully exammed, or there will be
considerable waste; they should also be tig^ or the smdl arising fiom
this drug, will injure any other that is stowed near it Freight 90 Cwt to
a ton.

AvRiPioMBiTTUii, (Haridl^ Hind., Baritaiaj San., ZomicA, Arab.)
or orpiment, so called firom its being used as a gold pigment, is a native
fossil, found in Turkey, and the eastern countries; some is also met with
in Bohemia, but inferior in goodness to the other. The best sort is of a
lively gold colour, here and there intennized with pieces of a vermiiion red,
of a shattery, foliaceous texture, somewhat flexible, soft to the touch like
tak, and sparkling when broken. The inftrior kinds are of a dead yeDow,
inclining more to greenish, and want the bright qipearance of the fore-
going. It bums in the fire, but not very easily, wRh a dark, blneisl^ while
flame, a sulphureous smell, and at the same time melts and becomes red.
It is ususlly brought to England under its Hindoo name, HartaL Its
principal use is as a colouring drug amongst painters, bookbinders, he
Great care is necessary in securing it, or it will from its weight break the

GfOpk of PiBrria.] OBIENTAL COMMERCE. 99

pacbigefl, and modi of it be lost It has been imported in powder,
has been of a beautifiil yeilow colour. Freight 20 Cirt to a ton.

Bdwllium is produced in Persia and the East Indies, firom a tree or
plaot not well known, and is externally of a reddidi brown, somewhat like
■qrrrii ; internally dear, and not unlike ^ue ; in loose drops, not eoncieted
iato cakes. Some of theae drops are as large as hazd nuts, man j less than
8 pea, and some few of consideraUe sine ; they are seldmn regularly round,
often crooked, and of an irregular shape. This gum is mod^atdy heavy
sad hard ; taken into the mouth, it grows soft and tough, in the manner of
msitic; its smell is not disagreeable ; its taste indines to bitter, but not so
madi as that of myrrh; it readily takes fire, and bums very briskly with
ft white bright flame, crackles all the time, and finequently throws small
fiigments of matter to the surface of the flame. It shouU be chosen some^
what transparent, the more so the better, of a bitter taste, and dusky red»
dish hrown oolour ; moderately heavy and hard, becoming soft and tough
in the mouth. It entirdy dissolves in verjuice or vinegar. Frdght 16 CwL
toaton.

Baaoim.— This mediciiDBl stone» to which eztrandinary qualities were
fiMrmeriy attributed, has latterly been much more lightly esteemed. It
grows in the stomadi of an animal of the goat kind, inhabiting the moun*
taias in various ports of Persia and India. The genuine Oriental beaoar is
commonly of an oval fonn, and between tbe sine of a hand nut and a
wahnt; if larger, it is more valuable; if smaller, of little value. This
stone is externally smooth and glossy, and composed of several shining
coats, like sm onion, endosing either a powdery substance, or a nucleus,
roond which they are formed. The colour most valued, is a shining dive,
or dark green; but there are some whitish, some grey, and some of a dull
jcUow. Purchasers shocdd be careful in cfausiag this drug. The real
beioar has little smell, and no taste. It should be as large as possible ; the
ntj small pieces should be entirdy rejected^ as they are most commonly
increased irith fiMtitious substances. When a red hot needle, on entering
diebeaoar, occasSons it to firy and shiml, it is not genuine; if it only
throws olTa small scale or crust without ontering, it is good. If on rubbing
it orer paper, previously smeared with dudk or quick Ume, it leaves a
jdkw tint on the fiiriDser, or a green one on the latter, it is a good stone.
If the faesoar, after soaking five or six houn in Inkewann water, remains
uchanged in we^t, colom*, or oonsistence, it is genuine. Nor should it
qipear aflEecfced by rectified spirit any more than by water. The powder,
sfter agitatiott widi wnter or spirit, subsides unifbmly and totalty, leaving

G ft

11» ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Gulpk of Persia.

no greemsh matter i^Ussohred in the li({Uors« aft those powdem do in winch
the bezoar«tincture has been imitated by certain vegetable matters.
I fiBisrsTOKK, OR SiTLPHUB, (GondhoCf Hind. Gandkaoa^ San.) is a
wdl-known substance, hard, brittle, and inflaminafale, of an opaque jdlow
ediour ; it is founds mcnre or less pure, generally in the neighbourhood of
▼oU^aBoes ; it is an article of trade from Persia to the Britidi settlements,
bat not to any extent It is contrabimd in CUna.

CoLoauiNTiDA, CoLocTMTH, OB BiTlTCB . AppLE, is a fruit about the
siee of an orange, that grows on the OwMnit Coloeyhihis (Indrasmi, Hind.
Indravaruni^ San.) a climbing p^t of the gourd kind, in Persia, Arabia,
and Egypt; it is light, and of a ^ngous texture, with a number of round-
ish seeds in the cavities, whidt are unctuous, and ^sweetish to the taste;
the other part is acrid, nauseous, and extremdy-bitter. Chuse the largest
white apples, that are light, round, and not cracked or broken, as the
seeds are the most material part of the firuit The fi^ght is calculated at
8 Cwt per ton.

Cummin Sbeos.— The plant which produces these seeds, the Cuminwa
Cyminurttj (Jira, Hind. Jiraca^ San.} somewhat resembles fennel, and
grows in various parts of India, Persia, and Egypt; it is an article of trade
with Surat The seed is a kind of carraway, of a bitterish^ warm, aromatic,
but disagreeable flavour. They are to be chosen fresh, and of a greenish
colour. There are several sorts of cnmrnin seeds to be met with.

Earth, Rbd, or Indian Rbd, is procured from some of the Islands
in the Persian Gulph, and carried from thence to Surat^ Bengal, and other
parts of India, where it is used in paintiAg houses, 8ec. It is much esteemed
among painters, but it is difficult to be procured genuine in England.
The best kind is of a fine purple colour, extremely heavy, and of very
great hardness ; of a firm, compact, solid texture, and always full of bright
glittering particles ; of a rough and dusty surface, colouring the hands
very much ; it adheres firmly to the tongue, melts with difficulty in the
mouth, and is of a rough, austere, and veiy astringent taste ; thrown into
water, it makes a very considerable ebullition, but moulders or breaks with
difficulty in it. In the fire it burns to a greater hardness, with very little
change of colour.

Elxmi Gum is a concrete resinous juice exuding from the Amyris
EkmiferOf a tree of the olive kind, growing in the East as well as West
Indies. The East India Elemi is generally brought in cakes of 2 or 3 lbs.
each, of an oblong, roundish form, wrapped up in flag leaves ; it is semi*
tran^Murent, and of a pale yellow colour, a* little inclining to green. Chuse
that which is soflish, of a pale whitish yellow colour, and of a strong, not

Gfdph of PerHa.] 6EIENTAL COMMERCE. tOI

unpleasaQt smeD,. somewhat libe that of fennel, and of a bitterish taste.
Reject that which is hard, dark ooloured, or dirty. Freight ] 6 C wt to a ton.

Galbaitum Qvu is the produce of an evergreen plants Bubon- Galha-
nun$f found in Persia, and inJaobie parts of Africa. When this plant-
is in the third or fimrtfa year of its growth, drops of Galbanum exude
at the joints; the natives, to increase the produce, wound the main stem
at this time, at a small distance shove ' the root ; the juice then flows
plentifiillgr, and is collected for use. Gralbanum ia a gummj-resinons,
rather unctuous substance; sometimes in the natural drops or tears, but
more firequently in masses composed of a number of these blended together.
The drops, when perfet:t, approach near* to a. roundish, or oblong figin*e v
bat thej commonly lose their form in the masses : diese are pale-coloured,
semi-transparent, soft, and tenacious. In the best specimens they appear
composed of clear wfaitbh tears, <rften intermixed with stalks, and seeds of
the plant When firesh, the masses and tears are white, and with age>
change to ydDow or biown.

When the tears can be procured, they are to be preferred : these tears
should be fattash, moderately viscous, and glossy on the surfhce ; such as are
too faty of a dark brown colour, and mixed with sticks, and other foreign
suhstaiioes,.are to be rejected. The best cakes are those of a light yellow
cokor, of a strong, piercing, and, to most persons, a disagreeable smell ; of
a hitteriah, warm taste ; not very humid, nor yet quite dry ; being of a na-
ture between a gum and a resin, flaming in the fire, and with difficulty
dissolved in oiL The less chips, dirt, stalks, or other impurities, the better.
A nuztore of two parts of rectified spirits of wine, and one of Water, will
best shew its quality, by dissolving all the pure gaflbanum, and leaving the
impuriliea. .When its foulness renders it of little value, it is best purified
by enclodng it in a bladder, and keeping it in boiling water till it melts, or
becomes $o& enough to be strained by pressure through a hempen cloth. If
this i^ocess be skilfidly managed, the Galbanum loses but little of the essen-
tial oil, some of which is generally carried off in evaporation. — ^Freight,
16 Cwt to the ton.

Gaixs are hard, roundish excrescences, found on a species of oak trees,
in various parts of the East, produced from the puncture of an insect,
and aflSiiding a lodgment for its young, till they are capable of eating
a passage through ; those galls which have no hole, are generaUy found
to have the dead insect in them. The best galls are from Aleppo, (Maju
Fhal. Hind, and San.) mostly of a blueish colour, or greyish or blackish,
verging to blueness, unequal and warty on the surface, hard to break, and

109 ORIENTAL COMMESCB.

of a cloae compact texture. Those ifhiak are itaaaU, wbite^ and bvoken,
should be reJ6cted.*-Freigbt| 90 Cwt to the ton.

Gooui* is a spedes of bttumen, mudi used at Bombay, Bengal, and
other parts of India, for painttng the bottoms of sbip^ it being- raperior
to any thing else for that purpose ;^ and' wood covered with it resists the
worm a long time*

Htpocistis is an inspissated jniee, of a firm consisteMe, and a bright
black colour, prepared from a certain fleshy juicy ^egetaUe, which grows op
from the root of a species of Oistus^ common in Persia and ArMtL It is
seldom imported into England; it is in conriderable hard and heavy masses,
of a fine shining black, like that of liquorice wben fresh broken, and of a
duskier black on the surface. It should be chosen heavy, hard, and Uack,
and of an acrid, astringent taste, and burning smell.

JujuBBs, a halfi'dried fruit of the plum kind, produced in the sooth-
em parts of Europe, as well as in Persia, and other Eastern countries. The
latter is of a blackish hue, much darker than the former, whidi is of a red-
dish yellow colour. It is furnished with an asb-coloiired cup ^ the bottom,
from which it is easily parted. They should be dioeen fresh, plump, and
well-dried, or they will be subject to decay.

KiSMissBs, a species of rabin, in which a coosideraUe trade is canied
on between Persia and various parts of In£a.

Laboanom is a resinous juice which exudes from a small shrub (CUtw
Ladaniferua) in Persia and Arabia. Two sorts of it are distinguished :
the one in cakes or masses, of an irregular stse; the other in rolls,
twisted like the rolls of wax tapers. This drug is said to be collected in the
heat of summer, by lightly brushing the shrub that produces it with a kind
of rake, having thongs of leather fixed to it, instead of teedi ; the unctuous
juice adheres to the thongs, and is afterwards scnqped off with a knift. The
masses of Labdanum are dark oolouied, of the conristence of a soft plaister,
of a strong, but not disagreeable smell, accompanied with a warm, aromatic,
rather unpleasant taste. The coiled Labdanum is harder than the preceding,
and contains a considerable quantity of sandy matter. The nuuses have not
near such a quantity of impurities; some saudi dust, &c. blown on this resin,
while it renudns on the shrub, cannot be avoided.

Lapis Lazuli is a compact, ponderous fossQ, less hard than flint,
taking a hi|^ polidi, and is used occasionally for toys, &c. Its most valuable
purpose is in making that beautifiil blue colour called idtra-marine. It is
found in many parts of the worid, but the best is that of Aria; it is in
lumps usually about the siae of a man^s fist, frequently smaller, and 0ome-

OdfkofPerMa.] OBI£NTAL COMMERCE. 103

timei u pieoei of 4 or fi lbs. noeightt. It i$ Teiy seldom covered with any
cost or cnnty but resemUes tbose stones which have been washed off from
whole strata, and smoothed or rounded by accident afterwards. Its sur-
fine is natunlly snuioth and glpssy ; its colour a very elegant blue, beauti-
My variegated with white or clouded spots, and with gold coloured shining
fdas. For any purpose but toy-nuikiBg, it is the most valuable the less it
bas of these Tariegatbns. It is to be chosen of a fine close texture, heavy,
of a deep indigo Uue colour, having as few gold coloured veins as possible,
and saeh as oakiBes in a strong fire without emitting any smelL It U some-
times Tuyird over with alive oil to imrease its colour : this may be disco-
vered by hraaking the sirae ; if it be pater wkhin than without, it is aproof
tint the stone was falsified ; if it be of good quality, its colour will remain un-
changed when it is red hot in the &re. The Lapis Armenus, which externally
lesemUes this stone^ may be readily distinguished by its being less hard, and
MKm koii!^ its hhie colottr in a moderate fire«— Freight, 30 Cwt to a ton.

Lapis Tutue, or Tutty, is an argillaceous ore of Zinc, found in Persia,
fanned on lylindrical moulds into tubulous pieces of different lengths, like
the bark of a tree, and baked to a moderate hardness. On the outside it is
of a brown colour, and fidl of small 'protuberances ; smooth and yellowish
witUn, sometimes with a whitish, and sometimes with a bluebh cast The
finest is that which is of a good brown on the outside, and a yellow tinge
within, tUekest, brightest, most granulated, hardeot to bneak, and that
which has the least foulneai among it-— Freight, 20 Cwt. to a ton.

Masnc is a concrete resin, obtained firom the LeniUcus by transverse
iadnons made in the back, about the beginning of August It is in small
jcDowish-wfatte tronopaient drops, of a vesiiious, and rather astringent
toile, with a light, agreeable smell, especially when rubbed or heated,
la chewing, it first crumbles, soon after sticks together, and becomes
loft and while like wax. It is to be chosen clear, of a pale yellow cou-
loir, welLeaented, and brittk. Such as inclines to black, green, or is
dirtj, muot be rejected. When firee firom impurities, it totally dissolves
qyhcitSt The wood of the tree is sometimes imported; it

dioQld be chosen heavy, compact, and firm, grey without, and white
within, of an astringent taste.

QunairuM (Cuddur and Oentkr Jirosteh^ Hind. Cundura, San.) is a
gammy resin, prodnoed in Persia and Arabia, in drops or tears. The
tree which produces it is called by Dr. Roxburgh, BoeweUia Tkurifera
(Stdttij Hind. Sallaei, San.) Olibanum smells modera t ely strong and re-
nnoos, but not very pleasant; the taste is pungent, and somewhat bitter;
it 8|idtt to the teeth in chewing, becomes white, &nd turns saliva milky.

104 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Gulph of Perma.

The drops are of a pale yellow ccHatsr^ wfaieh hj age beeomes reddish.
Laid on red hot iron, Olibannm readOjr catches flame, and bnnia with
a strong difTusiye, not unpleasant smdL If it be run into a mass, mized
with dirt and rubbish, having but few tears, it is of little Talue« Freig^
18 Cwt. to the ton.

Opoponax is a concrete gammy^resinous juice, obtdned from the root
of tiie Pi9taca Opoponasoy a flower-bearing plant, which grows in Turkey,
Arabia; and Persia. It is of a tolerably firm texture, usually in smail gnuns,
but sometimes in large masses, formed by a number of grains connected
with a matter of the same kind. The masses are generally loaded with
foreign substances, and are much infiuior to the pure loose' drops. The
finest Opoponax is in grains from the siae of a pin^s head to that of a large
pea. The internal colour of these grains is a pale yeDow, firequently niixed
with white, and externally they incline to a red or orange colour. Th^
are moderately heavy, of a somewhat fat or unctuous appearance, smooth
on the surface, of an acrid, bitter taste, and a strong disagreeable smelL
Opoponax should be chosen in dear pieces, with the before-mentuMied
qualities. Such tears as are black, and too hard, should be rejected. The
masses or cakes are usually of the black colour, and full of sticks and
straws. Opoponax is a valuable gum, and is principally brought firom
Turkey.-^Freight, 16 Cwt to a ton.

Pbarl Shells, commonly called mother of pearl, are the shdls of
the pearl*oyster, from the fishery in the Persian Gvdph ; some of them are
from 8 to 10 inches in diameter, nearly of a round form, and thick in
proportion. These shells are sent to Bombay, and from thence to China,
where they are manufactured into beads, fish, counters, spoons, &c. The
larger the size, the more they are esteemed. They are brought to Europe
both from India and China; and when stowed loose as dunnage, are
generally admitted to pass free of fireight. For the Europe market^ these
shells should be chosen of, the largest size, of a beautiful peariish lustre,
thick and even, free firom ydlow and other spots. Rqect such as sre
small, have barnacles or lumps on them, and that are cracked or broken.—
Freight 20 Cwt to a ton.

Rose Malobs, an article of trade firom India to China, is peari^y
the consistence of tar ; it is in jars, and particular care should be taken in
examining every jar, for there is generally dirt in them. It should be
quite dear, not of a yellow, or rosy colour.

Rosa Water is. a considerable article of trade firom Persia to Snrat
and Bombay, and is packed in chests, each chest S4 bottles ; but there is a
great difference in the size of the bottles, which the purchaser must p*7

GtipkofPenia.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. . 105

attenticm to. The best is of a fine amber colour^ strongly partaking of the
StTour of the roses, and will keep several yean without losing its fragrance.
Tbe rose water broagfat to England is commonly what remains after the
attsr or oil of roses has been collected.

RimrAs.-— ^Tiiis root grows in Persia, is somewhat like liquorice both in
oze and appearance, yields a beautiful red, and is said to ifive that fine
ookrar which tbe In£an calicoes have. Tbe roots, when pulled, are very
long ; they are cut in pieces about a foot long, packed in bags, and sent to
nffious parts of India. When finesh, they are full of juice.

Sal AMMomAc, or Muriate of Ammonia, {Nostider, Hind.) is
brought firom Egypt and the East Indies, sometimes in conicial loaves, com-
monly in round cakes, convex on one side, and concave on the other. It
flkould be chosen of a very sharp penetrating taste, white, dear, transparent,
dry, the internal part perfectly pure, and of an almost transparent whiteness;
the outside is for the most part foul, of a hue inclining to yellow, grey, or
Uack : it should be in every respect as dear as it can be procured. When
broken, it should appear as if full of needle p<nnts.--*Freight 16 Cwt to
the ton.

Sarcocolla is a gummy-resmous juice, of a peculiar kind, procured
in Persia and Arabia, from a shrub of the Penosa genus, but not accuratdy
ascertained, in small, crumbly, spongy, light ydlow grains, with a few
bdining to red mixed with them. Their taste is somewhat bitter and acrid,
foUowed hj a nauseous kind of sweetness ; the tears are about the size of a
pea ; and the whitest, as being the fireshest, are preferred. This gum softens
in the mouth, bubbles and catches fiame from a candle, and dissolves almost
whoDy in water, when pure and genuine.

ScHUtAz WiMB is much esteemed by the Persians ; when old, it
tt ridi, fidl, and generous, and may be compared with the best production
of any country or climate; when new, it has a disagreeable roughness,
wUdi age wears off. There are two sorts, white and red, but the former
is most esteemed. It is said that 4000 tuns of this wine are annually made
in Persia. Its quality has latterly much deteriorated.

ScAMMOVY, (Sakmunffaj Hind, and Arab.) is the concrete, gummy-
resinoaa joiee of a spmsa of ConvolvaluSf growing in Turkey, Syria, and
Penia, extracted by laying bare the upper part of the root of the plant,
wounding it pretfy deeply, and placing a shdl, or some other receptade, to
reodve the milky juice, which hardens into masses. Scammony is of two
kinds^ Alqipo and Smyrna. Aleppo Scammony, which is preferable to the
other, is in irregular, H^^t, friaUe masses, of a spongy texture, and different
shades of colour, from grey or yellowish white, almost to black. Its surface

106 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Gulpk of I^nia.

b naturally nnooth and even betireen the holes ; when finesh brdccii» it ia
somewhat bright and glossy, but when powdered^ it is of a browner oobw;
its taste is acrid, nauseous, and rather bitter, aeeonqpanied with a laint dii-
agreeable smell. Smyrna Seammony is in compact ponderous pieces, of a
Uack colour, harder and of a stronger smell and taste than the other kind,
and full of uppurities. The former sort is sometimes to be procured ia
Persia and in India. It should be chosen so as easOy to crumble between
the fingers, glossy when fresh broken, of a gney colour, which becomes of
a whitish yellow, when touched with a wet finger ; and when diflsolved in
proof spirit, it should leave no dregs. With water it should form a greenish
milky fluid. Reject that whidi is Uack, solid^ or impureu PVeight 16 Cwt
to a ton.

WoEM SsED are small, light, oral seeds» of the Sankmiimmf oompesed
of a number of thin membraneous coats, of a greenish ydlow oohmr, witha
east of brown* These seeds easily crumble, by rubbing between thefingen,
into a fine chafiy kind of substance. Their smell is of the wormwood kindi
moderately strong. Mid not very agreeable ; taste bitter, and somewhat acrid.
Worm Seed should be chosen fresh, inclining to a greenish colour, with a
sharp, bitter, disagreeable taste, and having as small a mixture of stalks and
leaves as possible. The Turkey or Aleppo sort is raostesteemed in Ea^^and.
They are an article of trade firom Persia and Arabia to Bombay and Sorat

mtfaamaeesms

SECTION XL

CX)ASTS OF PERSIA, SCINDY, AND GUZEBAT.

The Coast of Persia extends from the Gulph to Cape Monzey
having the following towns— Jasques, Posmee, Chewabad, Outter Bay,
Chiadel, Sommeany, besides many smaller.

JASQUES. — ^This town is situated at the bottom of a bay, formed
by Cape Jasques to the W., in latitude 26« 38^ N., longitude SB""
lO' E., and a low pmnt to the E., where vessek may lie secure from all but
S. winds ; near the town is a smaB river, on which th^ie is a bar, over
which vessels drawing less than 10 feet water may go, and lie landJodted

OoiiofPwmi.} ORIENTAL COMM&BCE. 107

aloDg side the shore. Jesques, at the early period of the Company^s trade
to India, was the resort of their ships trading to Persia.

P0SM£E.~Thi8 town is situated at the bottom of a smaU bay, formed
by Cape Poamee, in latitude about 269 l& N., and lon^tade 59^ 5' E. It
18 small, and chiefly inhabited by fishermen, who are very d^il to strangers.

TRADK.«*Clanivans from the interior come down here to barter their
commodities, consisting chiefly of dates, dried hides, and cotton, for salt
fish, ke. whidb they carry up the country. Small coasting vessels likewise
call in here, and dispose of their goods, consisting of ghee, rice, &c. Thehr
manner of trade is, when they arrive at a town, where there is a probability
of selling any thing, to go on shore^ build a hut, and retail their goods,
taking in return, hides, cotton, &c. and then proceed to the next town.

FaoviaiOMS and RsFtxaHMBKTs.-— Water is to be procured here by
dialing in tiie sand; but it is very indifferent. A few goats are to be got,
but they snre very lean and dear. Fish are in abundance.

CHEWABAD, or Churbar Bay, is one of the best on the coast, and
is in latitude about 85° 15' N. ; the entrance is between the headland, iftdled
Colab» on the W. side, and Churbar low point to the E., having over it a
white tomb and scmie trees. The town is inside the low point, where ships
mqr andior in 4 or 5 fiifthoms. Here is a small mud fort, but no cannon ;
and the town is composed of straggling mat houses. The country is
generally dry, barren, and unfruitful.

T&ADH.— ^ trade is carried on here in horses, the breed of which is
very good, and camels, for whidb they receive in return, rice, ghee, and
other articles of food

Pbovisioks axb Bxfkbshmxrts. — Goats and sheep are to be had at
amoderate price ; Imt neither bullocks nor fowls can be got. There are
some small gardens, wludi produce vegetables of various kinds. The water
is better here than at any other place on the coast, and earily procured, being
very near the shora

GUTTER B A Y.*-Noa Point, the E. extreme cf this bay, is in latitude
iS"" 3' N., and Imgitude about Gl^' 5' E. At the bottom of the bay is
ntuatcd the town, which is small, and chiefly inhabited by fishermen. In
eniaring the bay from Noa Point, a small htU is seen on the opposite shore,
■ear which is an island, at the mouth of a small bay, cdled by the natives,
Ba^er Bander, where they go to fish. This is said to be one of the places
where the pinte vesseb firom Guserat lie in the fUr weather season, on
puipoae to phader the dingies, and odier small vessds, which trade on thu
coast These pirate gallivats come from Bate, Nowabunder, Jaffrebat, and
other porta on the Guaerat Coast They rove along the coasts of Scindy

lOB ORIENTAL COMMEHCB: [Ceaai if Tenia.

and Persia* and about the entrance of the Persiaa Gulph; boarding and
plundering every, small vessel they can master.

6UADEL5 oa G W ADUB.---Cape Guadd, in latitude about 26^ 4f N.,
and longitude 63^ 12^ £., is a peninsula of moderate bei^it, joini^ to the
main hj a neck of land, about half a mile over* A wall fortified with towers
formerly extended across the isthmus, from one bay to the other, to protect
the town from assaults by land ; the ruins of which, also some wells, and a
town built with stone^ are to be seen : but the few inhabitants now live in a
town composed of mat houses, situated close under the N. side of the
Cape. The principal part of them are weavers ; they manu&cture such
cloths as serve their own markets, which are dark, checks, and very
narrow, and some plain carpets of different o^dours, but not rough. They
say there are several large towns in the country, and one situated between
Fosmee and Guadel; but the principal town of which they speak most,
is Lahore, from whence they are supfdied with curious matchlocks, of inlaid
work, and scimitars, which are for the most part watered after the manner
of tlft Damascus blades. From Cape Ja^ues to this place, the peo{de csU
themselves Brodies, and from hence to Crotehey, they .take the name of
Blochees* There is some difference in their language, and perhaps in
their religion, though none is to be observed in their, dress or manners.

FaovisiONs AKD Refbbshhbnts.— A few goats, sheep, and fowls
may be purchased, but they are dear. The best water is to be got by
digging in the sand ; that which is procured from the wells in the town
being rather brackish.

SOMMEANY is a small town, situated inside the entrance of
Foorally Biver, in latitude about SS"" 30 N., and longitude 6r 25' £. It has a
mud fort, which is in ruins. The huts composing thctoWn, are constructed
id poles and mats ; the town is scarcely diacerhiUe from the road ; the
best mark for finding it, is a remarkable gap in the high land at the back of
it, which in clear weather cannot escape notice. When.it bears N.N. £.
i £., the liver^s mouth is N. £. by £., distant abwd 2 miles, in 4 ftthoms
water.

F&ovisioKs ANO Rkvbbshmbkts.— Every article of refreshment is very
scarce ; even the water, which is indifferent, cannot be procured in suffident
quantity, nor without considerable trouble : it is got by digging holes 5 or
6 feet deep, and as much in diameter, near the town, which ai^ieaiv formerly
to have been a swamp : if the water ooses through the sand, which does not
always happen, it serves them that day, and peihaps the next, but soon
becomes quite brackish, owing to the nitrous quality of the earth*

Coaet of Seindif.] ORIiailTAL COMMEfiCB* 109

COAST OF SCim) Y extenik from Ope Mouse to tkd
Gulph of Ciitch, A distance of about 80 leagues; it receives its name
from the BiTer Sdady'or Indus, iHiich discsnfaogues itself into the sea^
hy many branches extending along the coast The principal phice of trade
between Cape Monze and the Indus is

CROTCHEY, OR KOBAUCHBE, wfaieli is known by several smaB
idonds to the N., and by a white tond), or pagoda, built on a promontory^
which bounds the W. side of the harbour, and at a distance appears like an
island; the entrance into the bay is between the promontory and the largest
island. To anchor in the road outside, the tomb should be brought' to bear
N. W. by N.9 to avoid some foul ground. The town of Crotchey is about
6 miles from the anchorage, near a mile from the side of a small cfeek^
whidi can admit only small boats, and is in latitude about 84^ 4f6' N.' .The
streets are wery narrow and dirty, abounding with filth of all kinds, vriiich
makes the place very unbedthy ; the houses are of the simplest structure ;
the walls of mud and straw, mixed into a paste, and the roofs, which are
flat, covered with the same materials. Of timber, the country is entisely
destitute ; what is required for building houses and boats, is brought from
Malabar and Bombay. This town formerly belonged to the Blochees ; but
the Prince of Sdndy, fin<ting it more convenient than any part of his sea*
eoflst, for tlie caravans from the inland countries, made an exchange of
some other place for it. It seems the caravans cannot come from the
interior to Tatta, as formerly, on account of the branches of the Indus
bemg so wide and deep as to render it impossible for camels to pass;
but having no such difficulty in the road to Crotchey, the trade has mudi
increased, and continues to flourish. The population of Crotchey is
estimated at 10,000 souls ; the men aro chiefly merdmnts and' mechanics,
who carry on a considerable trade to Muscat, Surat, Botnbay, and the
Malabar Coast ; thero is also a very large inland traffic by camels to
Candahar and CabuL

TaABX.— -Fnnn Surat, Bombay, Muscat, and the Coast of Malabar are
imported the following articles :— Betel-nut, cardamums, cochineal, cloves,
doths, China ware, cassia ligaea, copper, iron in bars, ironmong^, lead,
lookbg^glasses, nutmegs, pepper, pieco-goods, rice, sapan-wood, sugar,
sandal-wood, safflron, tin, tutenague, timber, and vermilion* By the
caravans from Cabul and Candahar are brought almonds, cumnpn«seed%
dates, ghee, grain, hides, oil, and piece-goods.

The exports consist of the before-enumerated articles and cotton, which
are generally sent to Bombay.

Paovmom and KsFRBSHuaNTs.— <Black cattle, sheep, and goats ale

110 ORIENTAL COMMEBCB. [CooBtc,

to be bad, but not reasoiiaUjr. The necessaries of lift are, however,
plendful, and the conntiy abounds with wild geese, duchs, teal, partridges,
snipes, hares, and deer. Poultry is abundant. Little or no regard is paid
to Tegetables here ; excepting a few spots in the neighbourhood of the town,
which produce a small quantity of carrots, radishes, and a few other roots,
there is nothing of the kind for 40 miles round. The water is very
indifiisrent; and in. consequence of the distance from the harbour, the ex-
pence of shipping it is considerable.

L ARIBUNDER.-— This is commonly called Sdndy River, being the
principal branch of die Indus, haring 15 feet water on the bar, aild 6 or 7
fathoms inside ; it is situated in latitude about 94^90 N., having a pagoda
on the W. side of its entrance. The town of Ijaribunder is aboutSleaguei
from the sea, and vessels of 200 tons used to proceed up to it ; but of late
years the navigation has become obstructed by shoals. The town contains
about 100 houses, chiefly built of bamboos and mats. About £0 miles
fiuiher up the river stands

TATTA, the ciq>ital of the province, in latitude 24F 44' N., and
longitude 68^ IT E., which was formeriy very large; it stands about 2
miles from the river side, fit>m whence it has canals cut, to convey Tessds
and merchandise to it The river hereabouts is a mile broad, having 5 and
6 fathoms water in the channel, and is navigable by small vessels an immense
distance up the country*

TaADX.— -A considerable trade is carried on with the Oulphs of Ptenia
and Arabia, with Bombay and Surat, by both of the principal branches of
the river.

AURUNOABUNDER, (Sunder signifies harbfnsr), called also Darah,
is b latitude about 93° bOf N., and has a wide entrance, abreast of which
ships anchor, but shoal water is found on the banks near its mouth. It
is narigable for boats of burthen, and a oonsiderdble trade is carried on
with Tatta, from whence it is distant about 60 miles, by the course of
the Indus. Vessds from Surat, Bombay, and other parts of In/Sa, ftequent
this place.

TEAnn.-*-From Bombay, and other paits of the Britirii dominions, are
imported the fiiQowing commodities :''*M;opper, cochineal, eardamums, cassia,
coarse cutlery, glass-ware, ironmongery, iron, nutmegs, piece-^oods, pqpper,
raw silk, sugar, steel, tutenagoe> treasure, and a few other articles, prin-
cipally the produce and manufactore of India and China.

The principal article of export is cotton, which, with drugs, grain,
shawls, ghee, oil, sharks^ fins, and cattle for the Company^s marine, ftnns
the returning cargoes to British India.

Cotui of Seindjf.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. Ill

DaTu% Prbsbmts, 8ec.*^The import duties are 2 per cent The
foDowin; is a list of charges on a vessel sent from Bombay :-^

Boat-hire from the Bunder to Tatta with cargo^ each boat ^^upees 15
Anchorage on conung over the bar ^■*^%>w%%%»%%>%%%^>»v^»v»^^^^w»%%%w»^ 25
Presents to the Shabundar^s deputy in money and goods %%^.w%^^^%^%^^ 42
jL/iiio %»%^^«%v»»%%^ weignerman ^^%<%»<» in QibCo ■v»%^v»^»%%<%%<%%»w%v%i»%w»»^^^%v%i»^ mo
Ditto %%»%»■»%<»%%%» custom-house writers and servants ^%'»%%%^^.w%»%»%»%^^ 45
Sundiy petty officers under Government^ in money and goods «^«w« 17

The abore, with various presents of glass-ware, muslins, doth,
tdescopes. Sec to the varions pecqple'in office, amounted to upwards of
8,400 Bombay rupees.

Coins.— •Accouirts are kept in rupees, carivak, and pice; 12 pice
makiiig a earival, and 50 carivals a rupee. Cowries are current in Scmdy,
and are occasionally circulated here at 48 per pice« Bombay monqr and
olher foreign coins pass here. Thm is a diiference of 3 dwts. 14J grs.
tioy between the weight of 100 gold Venetians at Judda and at
Bombay; viz.

QZ. dwts. grs.

Weight at Judda U 4 10}

Ditto^ at Bombay 11 SO

3 14|

Wbiohts. — Gold and silver are weighed by the tola, equal to 179
English grains nearly ; heavy goods by the maund, equal to 74 lbs. 5 oz.
7 dr. avoirdupois ; the divisions as follow :—

■

Small Wbmhts. H Gaoss WsiaHTs.

Si Moons make 1 Ruttee. I 4 Pice make 1 Anna.

<» Rsttees. « 1 Masaa. | 16 Annaa « 1 PuccaSeer.

12 Maaaas • 1 Tola. | 40 Seen. • 1 Maund.

Diamonds and pearls are sold by hubbas and ruttees; 8 hubbas equal
to 1 ruttee, about 2 grains troy.

MxASORBs.— -The measures for grain and doth are as follow :<—

GbAIN MlASOKE. LOVG MXASUHB.

4 Pjitt(MB..« make •••...1 Twkr. 1 Garoe equal to .9 In. Engliali.

4 Twkn V 1 Coaaa. 16 Garcea...... » lGaz;bat

60 Coaaas • ..«...! CarivaL || A Guz of Cloth at Tatta ia 34 inches.

The caiival weighs 24 Cutcfaa seers. The carival of barley is 19
Pocea manihds; of paddy^ SO Pucca nuiunds; and of wheat, 22 Pucca
inaunds, or 21 Bombay parahs.

1 12 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Gulph of Ctsich.

The GULPH OF CUTCH extends a contidentble distaoce to the E.,
at the head of which is a k)^ barren track, annually overflowed bjr. the sea
during the monsoon, and is said at certain seasons to communicate with
the river Ran in the Gu^ph of Cambay, thereby making what is commonly
called the peninsula of Guzerat, an island. The Gulph is formed by the
coast, of Cutch to the N., and that of Guzerat to the S. ; it contains
numerous shoals, and being but little frequented by Europeans, is but im-
perfectly known. The principal place of trade is

MUDDI, OB MUSEER M AUNDVEE : this is the great port of
Cutch, and is situated in latitude 2Sr BO' N., and longitude 09^ 25' E. The
capital, called Bhoo}, whence this province is called Catcfa-»Bhoo}, is about 85
miles to the N. W. Muddi is large, and strongly fortified ; the houses are
indifferent, principally constructed of mats and bamboos. Eight mflea to
the N. is a pagoda, called Assara, from a town of that name in ita vionity.
Off this pagoda, and a small way to the W. of it, there are rotks near
the shore above water, which seem to be the termination of the broken and
bad ground in that direction. All to the E., and as far to the S. as 229 Aff
N., is foul ground, and irregular soundings : and the natives in their accounts
agree with all the charts extant, in describing the Gulph quite across to the
other coast, to be full of shoals both of sand and rocks. A vessel bound
to Muddi from any quarter not in the Gulph, should be careful to make
the Cutch coast, to the W. of Assara pagoda ; and if a leading wind, keep
along shore about E., in 8 fathoms ; and if obliged to work, her tacks must
be short, always taking care to go about as soon as she shoals on the offshore
tack. Between Muddi and the opposite coast a passage boat goes daily.

Teade. — ^A considerable commerce is carried on between this place
and the British Settlement of Bombay. The principal article of produce h
cotton, which is inferior to most of what is grown in the neighbomrhood of
Surat and the Gulph of Cambay. Many of the principal Bombay
merchants have agents residing here to transact their business. Some trade
. is likewise carried on with the Persian Gulph.

Faovisioks and Rbfbeshmbnts.— No animal food is to be procured,
but by stealth; and rice, be only in small quantities, which must be paid
for as soon as received. There is tolerable water to be got, brought
down by women to the landing-place, at tiie rate of 2} silvor cowries

per leager.

Coins.— The only coin belonging to the place is'ofsflver, called a cowrie.
The exchange varies from 285 to 295 cowries per 100 Bombay or 'Surat
rupees. All Indian coins pass current here. Their value fluctuates ac-
cording to the quantity in the market.

Coast of Guzerat.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 113

Weights.— The weights are seers and maunds, the latter of two sorts,
Cutch and Puoca.

3 Pice equal to 1 Anna.

16 Annas • 1 Catch Seer.

40 Seen n 1 Cutch Maund, aToirdapois 37} lbs.

The Fucca maund is 2 Cutch maunds, and 20 Cutch maunds are equal
to 1 Surat candj.

Mbasorss.— The measures are the grah and the guz, 16 grahs making
1 guz, about 34 English inches. Broad doth, velvet, sUks, &c. are sold by
tikis measure ; though the shopkeepers in the bazar often sell by hand, from
the finger's end to the elbow, &c. : this is rejected by the merchants.

The Coast of GazsBAT, from the head of the Gulph of Cutch, io the
islands near JIgat Point, is but little known.

BATE.— This island, and that of Artura, are situated about 10 miles
N. E. fit>m Jigat Point, and with the nuiin form the harbour of Bate,
which is well sheltered from aU winds. The entrance to it is in latitude
a* 31' N., where there is, directly to the N. of Artura, about a mile dis-
tant, the bar, having on it near high water, S| and 3( fathoms, rocky
bottom, and outside of it, at half a mile distant, 14 and 16 fathoms. The
VkoA is about five miles long from N. E. to S. W., somewhat in the shape
of the lettei* S, with the lower part of it cut off; the fort is situated on the
W. side of the island, and is a place of considerable strength. A ship
drawing 17 feet water, can get within half a mile of it ; but the passage is
narrow and dangerous. The latitude of the castle is 22^ 28}' N. ; the lon-
gitude or 2ff E.

TRADB.-»Bate produces coco-nuts, betel-nut, and grain, but in small
quantities, and some trade is carried on, in dates, sugar, and rice, in dows,
having the Bajah of Bate^s pass.

JIG AT.— Jigat Pomt is in latitude 22"^ 20' N., and longitude 69o 16 E.
On it is a pagoda ; the place where it stands was formerly called Jigat
More, but now by the Hindoos, Dorecur. At a distance the pagoda has
▼07 much the appearance of a ship under sail. In the vicinily of it are a
Bunber of small buildings, probably tombs. The wall of the pagoda
extends to the sea4>eadi, and can be approached very near by a vessel ; but
there is no aadKxring with saftly, it being all rocky ground. Great num-
bers of pilgrims from the interior visit Jigat pagoda, and are supplied with
from Goomtee and Bate.— About a gun-shot within the pagoda b

GOOMTEE.— The town is strongly fortified, and is the place where

114 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Cotua of Guxerat

the principal persond reside, who used to fit out vessds for piratical pur-
poses. A ship can approach within gun-shot of this fort without danger.
Near Goomtee is a small fort, called Cutch Ghur, belonging to the Rajah
of Bhooj, and garrisoned bj his troops, for the purpose of claiming any
property that may be captared by the pirates belonging to the Cutch
merchants.

The Coast of Guzerat, from Jigat Point to Diu Head, is but little
known to Europeans, being seldom frequented, on account of the pirates,
who are very numerous here. The principal toi^iis are Foorbunder, in
latitude about 21° 40 N., and longitude 6SP 45' E. ; N^vibuDder, in latitude
about 2V 25' N., and longitude 70^ T £. ; Mangarole, in latitude 2V& R,
and longitude 7.0° 23' E. ; and Pattan, in latitude 20° 50' N., and longitude
70^ 40^ E.

DIU belongs to the Portuguese. This island is about 2 miles from
Diu Head, the S. point of the coast of Guserat, which is in latitude 20^ 42^
N., and longitude 71° 7 E. The channel between is only navigable by
fishing boats at half-tide, the W. entrance having but 4 or 5 feet at low
water on the bar. This entrance is defended by a square fort Diu Island
is about 6§ miles long from.E. to W., and If broad from N. to S. : on the
£. end of it the castie and town are situated. It is one of the best built
and most strongly fortified cities in India. There are only two gates, one
of the sea, the other of the land, and both are fthut at sunset The houses
within the walls are built of frecHBtone. The streets ave eztremdy narrow,
but kept very dean. The landing place is at a flight of stone stqps opposite
the custom-house, at the entrance of which are many shops and warehouse
for goods. On the E. side of the castle there is water sufficient for a 74
gun ship within 500 yards of the walls, if she avoids a rock above water,
which is joined to a line of rocks firom the shore. The island is well
situated for trade.

PaovisioKs AND Refbesbuents.-— The market ii well supplied with
vegetables, which come from the main. Fish and fowls «re very plentiful ;
the latter are dearer here than at Ddbaun, but cheaper than at any of the
English ports. Beef they are obliged to procure in a dandestine manner,
and kill it within the castle, on account of the prindpal merdtants htSog
Hindoos, whose friendship u of the utmost impertanee to Uie plaee, as the
revenues of the custmn-house are the only support of the'garrisoA* Most
of the water on the island is brackish; that which is ibr use,' is kcfyt in
large reservoirs, and will last the garrison and shipping from season to

CoMt of Gusgerai.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 115

season. It is aU rain water, convejed to the wharf in a channel, and deliyered
hj a cock to the boats.

JAFFREBAT, or JAFFRABAD, next to Diu, is the principal
phce for trade in Guzerat It is in latitude 80° 5' N., longitude 71"" 38' E.,
and about 6 miles to the W. of Searbett Island. It has the best river on
this coast, owing to its easy entrance, having no bar. It is shallow, but
vessels will receive ho damage by lying in the soft mud at low water, as
th^ are well sheltered from all winds. This town belongs to the Siddee
of Radjapore. The Grovemor is said to behave civilly to the English, who
occasionally visit this place.

SEARBETT ISLAND.— The centre of this island b in latitude
20°56|'N., and longitude 71^40' E. Its 'form is that of an irregular
triangle. It affords shelter to vessels against both monsoons. The village
it on the N. side of the island, Consisting of thirty or forty houses, built of
stone, and thatched with straw. The inhabitants are about 200 in number.
The greater part of the island is laid out in fields of Badjeree grain, the
rearing of which is the chief employment of the people. They have several
wells of excellent water. This island, which is subject to the Siddee of
Radjapore, is the receptacle of all the pirates on the coast; and here they
are 8up|died with grain and water, being always ready to put to sea when-
ever they find it seasonable.

60APNAUT POINT is in latitude 2V 12 N., and so called by the
Gentoos, in consequence of a famous place of worship which is built here,
dedicated to their god, Groapnaut This buOding is said to be of mud, but
it has the appearance of a fortification, with a very high flagstaff to it, and
the priests who attend here, keep a flag constantly flying. It has a few
thick bushy trees about it, forming a neat regular grove. This point may
be seen 5 or 6 leagues in dear weather, and has a dangerous shoal projecting
near four nules firom it to the E.

60GO 18 7 miles to the N. W. of the small island of Peram, and is in
latitude 21'' 41' N., and longitude 7V 23' E. It is a place of some trade,
ttid has fiirtifications sufiSdently strcmg to resist any attack firom the neigh-
hooriag pirates. The houses are mostly built of stone^ and there being
many old erections, a penon wanting to -build, purchases three or four of
them, OB purpose to have the stones for his house. Most of them are two
Tories bi^ but very doae and badly planned for a hot climate ; they are
gcaerally tikd, and form a very pleasant prospect firom the road where the
*oitn vissseb anehor^ wfaidi is ia about S fathoms, directly abreast of the
town, the pagoda on Peram bearing & S. E. Gogp is chiefly inhabited by
I^ascars, whose number is computed to be about 2,000, fit for sea, when

H 3

116 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Coast from Ctmbay.

all present, -which seldom or never is the case. Small vessels, from 50 to
250 tons burthen, are built here ; and ships may have any damage repaired
with ease and expedition, and receive a supply of necessary stores.

Tbadb.— The greater part of the cotton grown in this neighbourhood,
and Bownaghur, is shipped from hence to fiombay ; and the vessels bring,
in return, various articles of European, East Indian, and China produce.

Provisions and Refreshments.— The market b but poorly supplied;
vegetables are scarce, though there are a number of Banians who subsist on
nothing else. Fish is not to be had at any rate, except a few mud worms,
called by the natives, newtee. Mutton is seldom killed, because no one can
afford to purchase it, but on their great feast days. Beef is never killed
for the same reasons, and also to oblige the Bramin and Hindoo merchants
who reside here. They are badly off for fresh water, all about the town
being brackish, as that and a great portion inland is overflowed every high
spring ; they are therefore obliged to bring the water for drinking, the
distance of four or five miles. Firewood b likewise very scarce. Fowk
are good, and tolerably cheap ; these, with eggs, butter, and milk, are all
an European can get to subsist upon.

SECTION XIL

COAST OP INDIA FROM CAMBAY TO BOMBAY.

CaMBAY U the seaport to Ahmedabad, the capital of the province,
and b in latitude 22° 24' N. ; it b of considerable size, and was formeriy a
place of great trade. The tides are very strong and rapid here ; at high-
water spring-tides there are 5 or 6 fathoms water, and ships could anchor
near the city ; but at low water it i^ quite dry, except some channels, in
which there remain 3 or 4 feet, so that vessels in the river must lie quite
aground, though they do not suffer much in that situation, firom the bottom
being soft. The streets are large, and have all gate^ at the end, which are
shut in the night-time ; in that part next the sea, are to be seen the reoiaiiis
of some fine houses, built by the Portuguese when they resided here. The

Cooiifram Cambay.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 117

inhabitants are numarous, composed of all nations, who cany on a trade
with many parts of India. Large quantities of piece-goods manufactured at
Ahmedabad, and cotton, are annuallj shipped from hence to Bombay.
Cambay is the only place where cornelian stones are procured.

Trade.— -Besides the before-named articles, .the chief exports to British
India are ghee, grain, oib, putchock, seeds, tobacco, soap, shawls, drugs,
horses, &c. The chief imports from thence are betel-nut, woollens, metals,
coco-nuts, piece-goods, pepper, silk, sugar, ivorj, spices, drugs, and
treasure.

Duties, Port Charges, &&— The following customs are paid by the
English on goods sold here :—

Company's duty 8 per cent.

Consulage 8 ditto.

Commission to the chief 9} ditto.

Brokerage 2 per cent.

Dustoor^ oooly hire^ &c ....1 ditto.

CoiN8.-7-Gold mohurs, rupees, and pice, are the current coin ; 48 pice
make 1 rupee. For small change, a species of almond, called Baddam,
brought from Persia, is used in the same manner as cowries at Bengal ; the
general rate is about 60 per pice.

Foreign coins are taken according to weight ; their price varying in
proportion to the supply and demand.

Weights.— The Cambay weights are the same as those of Surat, sub-
ject to a difference in the allowance on goods bought and sold, thus —

At Surat. metal is ;....iO seers to the maund.

At Cambay .^. 40 seen 11} pice to ditto;

bendes a rebate of } per cent on the whole weight

Mbasurbb. — The long measures are the cubit, about 18 inches, and
the gttz, of 28, or in the bazar, of 28} inches.

JUMBASEER.— This road lies in latitude 21 "> 49' N., and may be
known by a pagoda on the N. side of the river called Diu. The marks for
aachoimg are the pagoda N. E. by E., Jumbaseer point E. by N., in 7
fathoms water. The tide rises from S3 to 36 feet perpendicular. The town
is situated up the river, from whence a great trade is carried on in cotton,
piece-goods, grain, and oil, with Bombay and other places*

BAROACH is about 8 leagues up the River Nerbudda on its N. side :
half-way between the town and the sea, the river divides itself into two
hmdies, and forms a long and narrow island, on each side of which they
nm into the Gulph of Cambay, in the direction of £. S. £. and W. S. W.

SURAT is on the S. side of the River Taptee, about 20 miles fit>m
the sea. Vaux^s Tomb, on Swalley Point, the N. side of the entrance of

118 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Coast from Cambay.

the river, is in longitude 81'' 4}' N., and latitude TS"" 51^' E. The an-
choring ground for large ships in Surat roads is in 7 or 8 fathoms, Vaux's
Tomb bearing N. } E., and the entrance of False River E. S. £. The
tides run here at the rate of five miles an hour, but near the bar thej do
not run with such rapidity.

The navigation up the river to Surat is very difficult, in consequence
of the sands frequently shifting, by which new channels are formed, and the
old ones shut up. Near two-thirds of the distance from the bar to Surat,
is a continued chain of banks, having but narrow channels between them.

On the right hand side of the river, about four miles vrithin the bar, is
a creek, which leads to a small village called Domus, where there is a guard-
house, situated on a rising ground, with a serjeant^s guard, who send to
the chief at Surat an account of the arrival and departure from the roads of
all ships of every nation, of which a register is made. From Domus to
Surat is about fifteen miles by water; by land about ten. The dty stands
close on the banks of the river, and extends a considerable distance along
shore. On one of the bastions of the castle is hoisted the British flag, and
on its opposite, the Mogul^s. There is a wall and ditch enclosing the city,
and another surrounding the suburbs ; the distance round the outer wall is
near twelve miles ; the intermediate space between the two walls is a mile
wide, and as populous in proportion to its extent, as the city. In the
outer wall are 13 gates, including three on the banks of the river ; in the
inner are four gates, two of which lead to the castle, the keys of which
are carried to the chief every night at sunset, when they are locked : they
are opened at daybreak in the morning. To the S. of the castle is a large
open plain, called the Castle Green, where are large tents fixed, surrounded
by palings of bamboos, where goods are kept ready for shipping off.

Surat has few fine buildings ; some of the houses of the principal mer-
chants are large and well built, but the generality are of bamboos and mud.
There are some handsome mosques, likewise the customJiouse and mint,
and some fine tanks, or reservoirs for water. The streets are narrow, irre-
gular, and unpaved, extremely dirty and offensive, particularly in the wet
season. Surat is very populous; the inhabitants are estimated at 400,000,
amongst whom are a great number of rich merchants, Persees, Moors, and
Armenians, who carry on a large trade with Persia, Arabia, and various
parts of India.

TaADS.— The commerce of Surat is far less considerable than it was
formerly. When the Portuguese, Dutch, and French had factories here,
their trade with Europe, China, the East Coast of Africa, and the Malay
Ishmds, was extensive. The decay of the trade at Surat, since the Com-

Camijfwn Cambay.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 119

ftnfn power was establUhed here, has arisen partly from its being trans-
ferred to Bombay, partly from the events in the interior, and partly from
the decrease of the lucrative conmierce with the Gulphs of Persia and Arabia.
Its trade with the latter is, however, still considerable. Its principal arti-
cles of import from Madras and Bombay are raw- sUk, sugar, and piece-
goods ; and its principal exports thither are raw cotton, and Surat piece*
goods.

CusTOM-HousB RsouLATioNs.—Every trading vessel coming to anchor at
the bar of Surat, to be visited by a tide-waiter, who is to take an account
of her name, and that of her commander, the nation she belongs to, the
port from whence she last sailed, and every other particular. No goods to
he disembarked without the tide-waiter's pass-note. •

Goods transshipped at the bar, or in the river, or sent thence to other
places, without being brought within the city, to be subject to the same
duties as if they had entered the walls.

The duties to be paid on the manifest account of the cargo, which
must be delivered at the Custom-house, and the original invoices exhibited
where practicable ; if any articles in the manifest are deemed underrated,
arising from fraudulent design, the custom-master is to levy the duty on
double the amount of what he shall award as the proper valuation.

Goods not manifested, attempted to be fraudulentiy landed, trans-
shipped, or conveyed away, to be confiscated.

Where the value of goods cannot be ascertained from the manifest, the
duty to be calculated on the invoice prices ; or where the invoice price can-
not be specified, according to appraisement at the current prices of Surat

No pilot to be granted to any vessel, until a certificate from the custom-
master is produced to the boat-master, of the import and export duty being
paid.

Goods received on board a vessel in the river, after clearance, to be
reported to the custom-master by the pOot

Receipts to be given for all goods landed and lodged in the Custom-
house, by the custooMnaster, who is only in such cases responsible for
them.

Boats attempting to pass the town without landing, to be brought by
the officers to the Custom-house; any goods found on board them, are liable
to confiscation.

No tolauts, weighmen, or q>praisers, nor any other servants, not
foraished with a certificate from the custom-master, to be employed in the
CustomJiouse.

120 OBIENTAL COMMERCE. [Co(ut from Camboff.

Parcels for gentlemen, and necessaries) to be passed at the discretioD
of the custom-master.

Duties. — All foreign goods imported by sea, in ships sailing with, or
being the property of, persons under the protection of the East India Com-
pany, to pay at the Latty, Phoorza, and Khoosha Custom-houses (if
passing the latter), 4 per cent on the Surat price, tpgether with 1 per cent
in the Latty, for marine charges, and in the Phoorza and Khoosha, with the
Company'^s Ekotra, likewise 1 per cent

All merchandise imported in ships not sailing mth, or not being the
property of, persons under the protection of the East India Company, to
pay the aforesaid duties, with the following advances thereon ; except goods
from Bussorah, Jiiocha, Judda, and ports in the Gulphs of Persia and
Arabia, vix.

Cargoes of Foreign Enropean, or American ships^ an adTanoe of 60 per cent.

Ditto of ships from Bengal 15

Ditto of ships from the Coasts of Africa and Coromandel^ from Malacca,

* Acheen^ and Siam IS

Ditto of ships from Ceylon 13

Ditto of diips from China 80

Ditto of ships fttnn this Coasts between the Indus and Cape Comorin 10

Certificate goods from other ports of the British dominions in India are
exempt from duty at Surat, except from Cochin, Ceylon, and Canara, and
also imports by land or sea, under Mogul dakillas, or from^ the Custom-
house at Bownaghur. Goods imported under certificates from Bengal,
Coromandel, or Prince of Wales'^s Island, are liable to an import duty of
2i per cent, to be restored by an equivalent drawback when re-exported
by land or sea.

Baftaes and white dooties, imported by land or sea, for re-exportation,
are subject to the import duty only, unless dyed, chintzed, or otherwise
altered, within the town ; in which case they are to pay an additional duty
of I per cent on exportation*

The duties to be paid in ready money, except on goods imported finom
beyond sea, the duty on which may be secured for from S to 6 months, on
suflScient security being deposited.

The duty on cotton is distinct from the general rate, and is fixed
annually, both as to rate and valuation.

Provisions and Rsfbeshments. — ^Provisions of all kinds are abundant
and reasonable. Peas, asparagus, and cucumbers are amongst the numerous
vegetables. The river affords ample supplies of fish ; and the bread is
better than in any part of India, as the wheat is excellent Firewood is

r'!^^

Cooiifrmn Cambay.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 121

scsrce, and the timber required for building is brought from Dumaun and
the Malabar coast Water is procured from weUs, that of the river being
almost always brackish.

DUM AUNy oB DEMAUN, a Portuguese settlement, is situated up a
ri?er, in latitude 20° 22^ N., longitude 73^ 4' E. The mouth of the river is
defended by two forts, one on each side. The interior of the main fort is
neatly laid out in streets, intersecting each other at right angles. From
abreast the forts to the outside of the bar, is 1 } mile. The bar is very flat,
and mostly a hard sand, except from the N. point of the river : it has not
more than two feet water, low spring tides, and there is a rise on ordinary
tides of 17 feet ; so that on springs diere are never less than 3 fathoms at
Ugh water. Dumaun is known from sea by two very high square
steeples, the whiteness of the buildings, and a fort on a hill, about 2 miles
to the S. of the river.

Trabs.— Dumaun was formerly a place of some conunerce, but is now
madi reduced. There is some ship-buflding carried on. fieautLTul teak
vessels of 800 tons burthen have been launched from these yards. This
is the best place, after Bombay, to lay up small vessds for the monsoon, the
river being dear of danger for 3 miles above the forts.

PaovisioKB AND Bbfrxshmbnts. — ^Provisions of all kinds are remark-
ably cheap and plentifuL Water is brought to the sea<«ide in jars by the
Gentoo women. Firewood is also brought down in carts, at one rupee
per load. The country is weU stocked with ship4imber for rqpairs.

B ASSEIN. — ^This town b situated several miles up a river, the entrance
of which is in latitude 19° 18' N. It is of considerable size, strongly
fartiified, the streets wide and r^[ular. In the middle of the town is a large
•quare, in which are many good houses. It was once a place of great
trade.

Bassein river has shoal water extending a great way out from it; the
coast u rocky under 5 fathoms, and should not be ^proached dose, as some
of the rocks lie a mile from the shore. The poor fishermen^s stakes are
placed a great way out, and ought to be avoided in the night, by vessels
vofkmg along shore.

(122)

SECTION XIII.

BOMBAY.

X HIS island, the seat of Gov^nment for the western part of British
India, is situated in latitude l^" Ml 48" N., and longitude 72^ ST W E. ;
its length from N. to S. is about 6§ miles, and its extreme breadth, near the
fort, about a mile. It is separated from the main land by an arm of the sea,
and with the islands Colabah, Salsette, Butcher^s Island, Elephanta, and
Caranjah, forms one of the most commodious harbours in India.

The town of Bombay is nearly a mile long, frmn the Apollo gate to
that of the bazar ; and about a quarter of a mile broad in the vHdest part,
from the bunder, or custom-house, across the gre^ to Church gate, which
is nearly in the centre of the walls, between the Apollo and bazar gates.
There are likewise two marine gates, having commodious wharfs, and cranes
built out fitun each, with a landing-place at the dock-head, fisr passengers
only, under certain regulations. Between the two marine gates is Bombay
castle, a regular quadrangle, well built of strong hard stone. In one of the
bastions is a large tank, or reservoir for water. The fortifications are
numerous, particularly towaids the sea, and so weU constructed, the whole
being encompassed by a broad and deep ditch, which can be flooded at
pleasure, that it is now one of the strongest places the Company have in
India; besides which, there are several forts and redoubts, the principal of
which b Mahim, at the opposite extremity of the island ; so that, property
garrisoned, Bombay may bid defiance to any force that can be brought
against it

In the centre of the town is a large open space, called the Green, whidi
in the fine^season used to be covered with bales of cotton, and other
merchandise, entirely unprotected. Last year a destructive fire broke out
among the cotton bales ; in consequence, a part of the Esplanade, near the
Apollo pier, is now ^ipropriated to this purpose, and it is intended to con-
struct a cotton depot, to obviate the necessity of piling the bales on the Green.
Around the Green are many large well-built and handsome houses ; the
GovemmentJiouse, and the church, an extremely neat, commodious, and
airy building, are close to each other, on the left of the church-gate. On
the right is the bazar, which is crowded and populous, and where the native

">i

Bmtbay.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 123

merchants principaDy reside ;- at its commencement stands the theatre, a neat
handsome structure.

The dockyard is large, and well contrived, having naval stores deposited
in warehouses, together with large quantities of timber for repairing and
building ships, and forges for all kinds of smithes work. The dry dock has
scarce its equal for size or convenienc|B ; it has three divisions and three pair
of strong gates, so as to be capable of receiving three ships of the line at the
same time. Near the dock is a convenient place to heave down several
ships at once, which is done well, and with great expedition. Here is also
a rope walk, which for length, situation, and convenience, equals any in
England, that in the King^s yard at Portsmouth only excepted ; and like
that, it has a covering to protect the workmen: cables, and all sorts of
lesser cordage, both of hemp and coir, are manufactured here.

Close to Bombay, separated only by a small creek, fordable at low
water, is Colabah, or Old Woman^s Island^ which partly forms the N.
side of the harbour ; % is abou.t ^ miles long. Near its S. extremity stands
the Kght-hottse, of a -circular form ; the hei^t is upwards of 150 feet above
the level of the sea, and the light may be seen in clear weather the distance
of 7 leagues. There is also a signal station, where a regular watch is kept
day and night, the expence of which is defrayed by a rate levied on all vessels
frequenting the port. On this island are barracks for the military, and
occasionallj a camp is formed here, being esteemed a healthy situation. It has
many deligfatful villas scattered about The pomt of Colabah, on which the
light-house stands, is guarded on all sides by an extensive reef of rocks,
divided into prongs ; the most dangerous is the S. W. prong, which forms
the N. boundary of the entrance into the harbour, and Tull Reef the other ;
the breadth of the ehannel between them b about three miles.

The laland of Salsbttk is separated from Bombay by a narrow arm
of the sea, ciqpable of recdving small craft only ; it is about 20 miles long,
and IS broad. The soil is rich, and by proper cultivation, capable of pro-
ducing any thing that will grow in tropical climates. Here are excavations
of rocks, raudi'more numerous than those of Elephanta, but «iot equal to
them either in size or workmanship.

Nearly opposite to Bombay Castle, at three miles^ distance, is
BoTcmiB^s Island, on whidi is a small fort with a guard of soldiers. About
two miles from this, and still fronting the fort, is the small, but celebrated
Uand of Elbphakta. The inunense excavations and figures cut out
<^ the solid rocky afford an attraction to Europeans frequenting Bombay.
Caeaiijah produces rice, poultry, and vegetables.

At the entrance of the harbour are two smaU islands, Hbnxbt and

124 ORIENTAL COMMEBCE. [Bombay.

Kekset; the former is about a mile duftaooe from the main ; it is v&j
small) and surrounded with fortifications.

Kenery, likewise small, lies due S. of the light-house, and is just dis-
cernible from the decks of the ships in Bombay harbour. It is nearly of a
circular form, and has a small creek on the N. E. side, where boats lie, and
is the only landing-place about it The island is near 600 yards in circum-
ference, surrounded by a wall irregularly divided by towers ; it is covered
with houses, and very populous.

The inhabitants of Bombay are composed of persons fipom almost every
Asiatic nation. Nothing has contributed more to the prosperity of the
island than the mildness of its Government, and the toleration of all
religions : Persees, Mahometans, Grentoos, Arabs, and Roman Catholics, are
alike protected.

The European houses of agency at this Presidency are few. None of
them could subsist upon the agency business alone, it being very confined,
and the profits in a great measure absorbed by interest of money on the cash
balances they are obliged to keep, and the ezpences of the establishment
Their advantages arise principally from mercantile transactions ; and though
they hold out the agency business to be the line they confine themselves
to, yet without trade they would scarcely gain a subsistence. Agency,
however, gives them the command of a capital, which enables them to
embrace every favourable opportunity that occurs, to forward their com-
mercial pursuits.

The Persees rank next to the Europeans. Th^ are active, industrious,
clever, and possess considerable local kn(hvledge. Many of them are very
opulent, and each of the European houses of agency has one of the
principal Persee merchants concerned with it in most of their foreign
speculations. They have become the brokers and banians of the Europeans.
The factors belonging to these different houses resident in China, Bengal,
&c. are generally Persees, and the correspondence is carried on in the country
language, so that the British merchant knows no more than they com-
municate to l^m. The servants attached to Europeans at this Presidency
are Persees, and the best of any in India.

Many considerable Portuguese, Armenian, and Hindoo merchants
reside here, who possess great property, and are men of much int^;rity.
There are likewise some Borah merchants, or Mahometan Jews, who carry
on a great trade with Guzerat, and other places to the northward. Upon
the whole, Bombay may be considered the emporium of Persia, Arabia,
and the western part of India, and where the manufactures and produce
of all parts of the world may be readily procured.

ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 185

Bombay daims a distinguiabed rank among onr foreign naval arsenals ;
it has always been famous for ship-building, and formerly supplied Bengal
and other parts of India with shipping. Many fine ships are now buOt at
Bengal, so that this branch of commerce at Bombay has rather diminished.
Merchant ships of considerable burthen, (firom 600 to 1300 tons,) for the
country trade, and the service of the Company, have been built here,
which, in point of beauty of construction, excellent workmanship, and
durability, are superior to any class of merchant ships in the world. Many
Bmnbay-built ships of 26, SO, 3S, and 40 years^ standing may be met
with. Bombay has the peculiar honour of being 4he first place in the
British dominions out of Europe, at which a ship of the line was ever
built; it has also added several fine firigates to the Royal Navy: they
are all built of Malabar teak, which is esteemed superior to that of any
other part of India. The builders are Persees, who are very skilful and
assiduous ; so that for the skill of its naval architects, the superiority of its
timber, and the excellence of its docks, Bombay noay be considered of the
first importance to the British Empire in India.

The Crovemment of Bombay and its dependencies is by law vested in a
GovenuM* and three counsellors, who are^ in respect to the native powers,
to levying war, making peace, colleeting and applying revenues, levying
and emplajing fi^rces, or other matters of civil or military government,
under the oontroul of the Government Greneral of Bengal ; and are, in all
cases whatever, to obey their orders, unless the Court of Durectors shall
have sent any orders rqpugnant thereto, not known to the Government
General, of which, in that caae^ they are to give the Government General
munediate advice. The Court of Directors appoint the Goremov and
memben of the CouncQ, and likewise the Commander in Chief of the
forces : the latter is not, eof officio^ to be of the CouncQ, but is not dis-
qualified fiom being so, if the Court of Directors shall think fit to
appoint him ; and when member of the Council, he takes precedence of
the other Counsdlors. The civil members are to be appointed firom the list
of aril servants, who have resided twelve years in the service in India. The
method of conducting business at the Council-board is as follows : — Matters
propounded by the President, are first proceeded upon : he may adjourn the
disciisaioii of questions put by the other members of Council, but not
more than twice. All orders are expressed as made by the Governor in
CoundL Tlie Governor has power to act contrary to the opinions of the
other members of the Council, taking upon hknself the whole respcMisibility.
On such extraordinary occasions, the Governor and Counsellors are to com-
municale to each other their ofnnions and reasons by minutes in writing.

im ORIENTAL COMMERCE^ [Bombay.

and to me^ a second time ; and if both retain tbeir first . opinions, the
minutes ar^ entered on the consultations, and the orders of the Governor
are to be valid, and pbt in execution.

Traoe.^^— Bombay from its situation commands the commerce. of the
Grulphs of Persia and Arabia, and the northern parts of this side of India;
the trade, however, is only a transit, the island not furnishing from its own
products an J considerable articles ibr exportation, or even sufficient food
for its numerous inhabitants^ It is merely an emporium fiv the reception
of articles producied in other cotatriesv and a port of resort to merchants*
All sorts of Asiatic and European commodities are therefore to be procured
here. It would consequently be a waste of time to enumerate die various
descriptions of articles imported and exported between Bombay and British
and Foreign Europe and America, as well as the rest of Asia. Every yesr
a Report oi Trade is prepared at Bombay, copes of which are sent home to
the Court of Directors. Very copious details respecting the internal and
external trade of this Presidency ace contained in that Report, which fills
a very thick folio volume. The Tables published in the first edition of this
Work were extracted from that source; but Mr. G. A. Prinsep, of Cal-
cutta, has demonstrated so satisfactorily the defects jof these accounts, by
reason of the mode adopted at the Bombay Custom4iouse . of iobtaining the
▼aluationB, which, far from approximating to the truth, are not ^ve^ formed
upon' a consistent plan, that thqf serve in many cases only to mislead. The
little Work ortbis gMkleman, eirtitled ^^ Remarks 4>n^ the eMemal Commeres
and Eaehdnges of Bengali!" affords a rery useful key to underatand the
nature and extart of the trade of all the Presidencies.

The Reports ifumish the following statement of the external. trade of
Bombay in the year l8iU2A The imports into the i^residency (exdading
Company's inv^stknents), amounted to 3,79,74v672 B. Rupees:, the chief
places arie eA follow :

United Kingdom 43,94,808

Madeira 84,173

Cape of Good Hope S,980

MauritiuB 3.53,087

China 74,01,160

Maaffla 3,30,6S0^

Pensng and Eastwanl....«.... 7,58,737
Bengd 90,03,719

Coromandel Coast . 1KI,9S3

Ceylon 46,161

Malabar and Canara... 47,10,607

Goa and the Concan 4,74,639

Cutcfa and Sdndy 5,44,959

Persian Gulph .w 33,98,469

Anfaian Gul^ ..•• m.m.* 37,65,854

Coast of AfHca , 4,97,^11

The exports from the Preafiikn<6y (exclusive of Company'*s mvestments)
from the year 1821-22, amounted to 2,23,79,975 B. Rupees : the chief
places are as follow t*^

BouJuff.]

ORIENTAL COMMERCE.

127

United Eingdom 26,SS^96

Cape of Good Hope 15,918

Mauritius 3,16^958

China : 69,15,803

Fienang and the Eaatmud .... 9,33,001

Bencpd 15,76,0U

Coromandel Coast «.. 1,39,051

B,RMpeeg.

Ceylon 89,042

Malabar and Canara 14,63,243

Goa and the Concan 6,73,678

Catch and Sdndy 19,51,196

;PenianGulph 33,80,473

Arabian Gulph 90,94,613

Coast of Africa 3,23,473

The aggregate amoant of the imports from the Uniled Kingdom, in-
cluding the Conopany's iaqx>rt8, those of their^ oflkers, and of private
traders, was, in the year 1821-@8, 75,02,797 Bi Rupees ; add the* aggre^
gate amount of exports to Great Britain in the* same year was 86,83,9619
B. Rupees. But Mr.Prinsep, by pursuing a more rationid methodtif esti-
mating the value, represents the former amount at 1,12,18,852 B. Rupees,
and the hitter at 29,99,695 B. tinp&da.

The number of ' vessels which arrived at* Bombay during- the year
1821-92 WB8 130; of which 118 were English, 4 Portuguese, 1 French, 2
Turkish, and 5 Arab. The aggregate tonnage was 60,668 tons*

The number of vessels which sailed from Bombay, during the same
year, was 141 ; of which 129 were English^ 4 Portuguese, 2 Turkish, and
6 Arab. The aggregate tonnage was 67,645 tons.

As a matter of curiosity, perhaps of utility, it may be stated, that the
averageleDgth of the voyage of a fleet f»m England to Bonabay, taken for
IS years, was 121 days nearly ; the longest voyage was 142 days, and the
shortest lOa

^W»V%>»»»^*%*^^^%^V»^i%<^i»%^^»^^>%»%*%^>%»%

REMARKS ON THE COMMERCE WITH CHINA.

This is the most valuable braiidi of the eommeroe of Bombay. The
staple article is cotton wool; tiie remainder consists of sandal wood, sharks^
fins, and a few odier articles, the produce of Malabar, and the westora side
af India. The merehaats at Bengal and Madras have become <!ompetitors
in the China market in the article of cotton, which, from its being of a
nperior quaKty, or rather firom its being cleaner, has fetched higher prices
at Canton than that from Bombay. This competition therefore threatens
to aflfect the trade of Bombay in a very material degree, uaAess the same
precautions are taken in cleaning the cotton produced on this aide of India,
as have been practised at Bengal and Madras.

The East India Company have become participators in the trade from
Bombay to China, since which period the article of cotton-wool has nearly
doubled in price. They reserve to themselves two-thirds of the chartered

126 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Bombay.

tonnage of their ships dehase of goods of all de-
nominations, (except the following,) 5 per cent On the sale or purchase of
ships, houses, and lands, 2} ditto. On the sale or purchase of diamonds,
pearls, and every description of jewellery, 2^ ditto. On the sale or purchase
of treasure, or bullion, 1 ditto. On goods consigned for sale, and afterwards
withdrawn, half commission. On procuring freight, whether to Europe or else-
where, 5 per cent. On shipping for Europe or elsewhere, bale or gruff goods
of every description, 2| ditto. On shipping for Europe or elsewhere, diamonds,
pearls, jewellery, or bullion, 1 ditto. On ship^s dbbursements, when no commis-
sion has been previously charged on freight or cargo, 2| ditto. On effecting
insurances, in the insurance office, J ditto; by private underwriters, 1 ditta
On settling insurance losses with the office, •§ ditto ; with private under-
writers, 1 ditto. On del credere, or guaranteeing the responsibiUty of
persons to whom goods are sold, on the amount sale, J ditto. On the sale
or purchase of cattle of every description, 5 ditto. On collecting house
rent, 2^ ditto. On effecting remittances by bills of exchange, 1 ditto. On
taking up interest bills from the Company, exclusive of 1 per cent on
remitting, ^ ditto. On the sale or purchase of public or private bills and
Company^s paper, i ditto. On exchanging one description of Company's
paper for another, on investing money in the public loans, and on transfer-
ring Government securities from one constituent to another, J ditto. On

B(mbay.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 135

surrendering or depositing in the Treasury, Company's securities, i ditto.
On public or private securities, jewels, or other valuables lodged, and after-
wards withdrawn before the amount is realized, half commission. On
procuring money on Respondentia, or on loan, 2 per cent On recovery of
bonds or bills for persons returned to Europe, over due, 2 ditto. On debts,
where a process at law or arbitration is necessary, 2\ ditto ; and if recovered
through such means, 5 ditto. On managing the affairs of an estate for an
executor or administrator, on the amount recovered, 5 ditto. On bills of
exchange returned noted or protested, &c., 1 ditto. On guaranteeing bills
or bonds by indorsement or otherwise, 2| ditto. On attending the delivery
of contract goods, 1 ditto. On goods consigned, and afterwards withdrawn,
on invoice cost, 2^ ditto. On granting letters of credit, S{ ditto. On
becoming security to Government or public bodies, 3| ditto. On goods
consigned, which are disposed of by outcry, or sent to a shop, on net pro-
ceeds, 8| ditto. On the receipt and payment of all monies not arising from
the proceeds of goods on which commission has already been charged, (or |
per cent, on receiving, and | per cent, on paying, at the option of the agent),
independently of any charge that may become requisite through the necessity
of employing agents elsewhere, 1 ditto. Where the debtor side of the
account exceeds the creditor side by advances made, the agent to have the
option of charging his commission upon the total of either ; and the balance
of interest carried forward to the account of the current year, to be con-
sidered as money paid or received, and chargeable accordingly, 1 ditto.

When the balance of an account due by the constituent is brought
forward from an account of the preceding year, and not paid in the
course of the succeeding one, commission may be charged thereon, or upon
the residue that may be unpaid : the agent in the latter case to have the
qition of charging his commission upon the residue, or upon the sums re-
ceived towards the discharge of the original balance due at the commence-
ment of the year, 1 per cent.

Sale Commission.— In the event of the whole of* an investment not
being disposed of by private sale, the remainder is sent to auction, or to a
commission warehouse for sale, of which there are several in the Settlement,
where every attention is paid to the lotting and arranging the property, and
the value guranteed on the following terms, vix.

On Private Sales.-">A commission of 5 per cent, on what is sold ;
1 per cent for goods sold by the proprietor after having been deposited for
sale in the warehouse, but no charge will be made for goods returned
unsold.

On Public Sales.«-A commission of 5 per cent, on all goods and

136 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Homiay.

furniture, advertiBements and coolej hire not included ; the amount sales
payable at one month from the daj of the sale, or before, if required,
on deducting the usual interest of three-quarters per cent per month.

On Pbivatb or Public Sales.— -On horses, carriages, or any other
article, when sold from 500 to 1000 rupees, 2 per cent. ; from 1000 ta 5000
one per cent.

Houses, land, or ships, one half per cent, payable on receipt, agreeabfe
to the terms of sale.

Articles exposed for public sale, and bought in on account of the
proprietor, one per cent., unless left to be sold to the highest bidder at the
next public sale; in which case no charge will be made for their hayiag been
bought in at the first sale.

Provisions and RsFRESHMBNTs.^The Island of Bombay scarcely
produces any articles of consumption. It is supplied with food for its
numerous inhabitants from yarious parts of India, and every article is much
dearer than at either of the other Presidencies. Considerable quantities of
rice and other grain are annually imported. The prices are continually
fluctuating, from the uncertain state of the market, which is under the
superintendence of the Police.

Arrack from 6oa, Columbo and Batavia, at one to two rupees per
gallon, according to the quality ; out Bengal rum, equal to some of the
West India rum, is occasionaUy to be procured from the Company^s stores,
at an advance of 15 per cent, on the prime cost at Calcutta.

Water is supplied by pipes from the Bunder, and the casks filled with a
hose, for which a charge made, is by the marine paymaster, of one rupee
per ton. It is generally carried off in the ship'^s long-boat ; but large country
boats are to be preferred for that purpose.

Coins.— Accounts are kept at Bombay in rupees of 4 quarters and
400 reas«

£ 8. D. Q.D.r.

8 leaa make 1 urdee o 60

4 ress

6 reas, or 3 urdees

8 reasy or i urdees

3} ftiddeas^ or pioe

ISJ fUddeaSy or 4 annas ...
35 fUddeas^ or 8 annaa ...
50 fliddeas^orlSannas ...

6 mpeea

3 pauncheaSy or 15 rupees

.1 doogany, or single pice 1 SO

.1 doreea 1 80

1 fuddea, or double pice S 40

.1 anna o 1 3 50

.1 quarter rupee O 7 8

.1 half rupee o 1 3

.1 rupee 8 6

.1 paunchea 18 6

..1 goldmohur 1 17 S

The annas and reas are imaginary money.

Bombay.} ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 137

Remarks on the Coins of Bombay.

SiLTBR.— The old Bombay rupee is the same as was coined at Surat
under the Mogul Government It weighed 178.314 grains, and contained
1.24 per cent of alloy. By an ancient agreement with the Nabob of Surat,
the rupee of both Governments was to circulate through both at an equid
value; while they mutually pledged themselves to keep up the coin to its
exact standard of weight and fineness. The Nabob, however, did not keep ta
this agreement; for his rupees were found soon afterwards to contain, instead
of 1.24 per cent of alloy, no less than 10,12, and even 15 per cent. The
consequence of this was, that all theBombay rupees were carried to Surat to be
reooined. This mint was entirely stopped in its silver coinage for more than
twenty years, and the circulation of silver was occupied by the Surat rupee.

In this situation of things the merchants could not afford to coin their
bullion here, and therefore Bombay was long without a silver coinage of its
own; when Government in 1800 ordered the Surat rupee to be struck in
this mint, and since that time the rupee has been kept at an equal value in
both mints. In both the silver rupee, weighs 179 grains, and contains 7.97
per cent of alloy.

Gold. — In the year 1774 the gold mohur was made of the same weight
as the silver rupee. It was ordered to be of the fineness of a Venetian, and
to pass for 15 silver rupees. In this coinage, therefore, 14.9 grains of silver
represented one grain of gold; for such is the proportion between the
quantity of gold in this gold mohur, and the silver in 15 old Bombay rupees.
When the Surat silver currency had occupied the circulation, this proportion
between gold and silver was quite destroyed ; so that gold coined according
to Regulation of 1774, was now exchanged for no more than thirteen times
its weight in silver, and often for much less.

In arder to remedy this, and to bring back the coins of gold and silver
to nearly their ancient proportions, and their relative value in the market,
it was ordered in 1800, that the gold mohur should be of the sama weight
as the silver rupee, that it should contain the same quantity of alloy, and
that it should pass for 15 rupees.

The present weight, fineness, and sterling value of the gold and silver
rupees of Bombay are as follow, according to the new money system: —

GoldRnpee .
SOver Rupee.

GiBlot pure.

164.S8
164.68

Grains Alloy.

14.32
14.32

Grains

sinsgnm
Wdght.

179
179

Valub

£ 8. D.

1 9 1|.,-,
1 11

From the following recent official report from the Bombay Assay Office,
the value of the coins current at Bombay, or imported from other parts, may
be ascertained with little difficulty, and with perfect accuracy.

ORIENTAL COMMERCE.

§1

iiiili

III

^ i SSISSS BBB6B

lllltl 111
lliillp mil' iilii

111 111

liiiiip 1 11 . M i^Sii

ffi

linH

ORIENTAL COMMERCE.

ill I

IS I

m± 1111

fill

liiiiiiii
ilii MM

ilii

yisilililli

Hi 1 iiililli|55 nil III 1 1 s S

a it 1

ORIENTAL COMMERCE.

ORIENTAL COHHEKCE.

i4e

ORIENTAL COMMEACB.

[Bombay.

Bj a general order, 13th of December, 1821, the pay of the troops in
the Fresidencj is regulated according to the following table of the value of
the contiguous currencies.

Names of the different Local Currencies.

Rite per 100 Rombty Hupeei
■twhfchtobekwad.^

Cliandore rupees 104

Chinchore ditto 104

Broach, new ditto 105

Barodft Babesye ditto 109

Cambay ditto US

Ahmeoabad sicca ditto, latest eonencj i8i8...107

Cutch Cowrie 875

Kinoor Shapoory 109

Goa rupee 113

Crovind Buskah's sicca, or Aurungabad rupee ...123

Oogein ditto 106

Indore ditto 102

Persian ditto 109

New Persian ditto 123

Spanish dollars 44J

German crowns 46

Venetian (sequin) 21

Gubber (Dutch ducat) 21

Wbiohts.— The English weights being in common use here, and at all
the other Presidencies, the following account of their relatiye proportions
may be found useful

The two principal weights established in Great Britain, are the
avoirdupois and troy weights; the last is again divided into diamond and
money weights; the grain is understood to bea grain of wheat, gathered in
the middle of the ear.

AvoiKDurois Wbiohts.
3 scruples make 1 dram

16 drams ..
16 ounces .
28 pounds .
4 quarters
20 Cwt. *!. .

.1 ounce
.1 pound
.1 quarter
.ICwt
.1 ton.

Companion between TVoy and
Avoirdupois.

175 troy lbs. ...make 144 avoir. lbs.

175 troy ounces « 192 avoir, os.

1 troy lb. .... * 5760 g^rains

1 avoir, lb.... « 7000 grains

1 ayoir. oz... • 437} grains

1 troy OS. ... « 480 grains.

TxoY Wbiohts.

24 grains make 1 penny wt

20 penny wts.... • 1 ounoe

12 ounces « 1 pound.

The moneyers have a peculiar sub-
division of tbe grain troy^ thus :

24 blanks make 1 periot

20 periots « 1 droit

24 droits « 1 mite

20 mites » 1 grain.

Diamond Wsiohts

Are carats, each carat being divided
into 4 grains^ or 64 parts. The ounce
troy contains 150 such carats; therefbre
this carat is 3^ grains troy ; hence 5
diamond grains are equal to 4gold grains.

Bmbag.]

ORIENTAL COMMERCE.

14S

The other wdghts in use at this Presidency are the under-mentioned :-—

Gold and Silver Weights.

Silver is commonly sold fix>m 96 to
100 single picepertola; but oompntations
in money aie made by fuddeas, or doable
pice. The tok equals 179 gn.

The Bombay great weights are pice, seers, maunds, and candies,
thus divided :—

Scfaows make...l goonse

SJ goonzea.... » ...1 vh11=4.475 gnu

40 vdls m ...1 tola

S4 tolas • ...1

Ita.

30 pice, or 72 tanks, make 1 seer avoirdupois 11

40 seers » 1 maund S8

80 maunds » 1 candy ^60

dr.

Although the above represent the commonly received standard of gtoss

weights at Bombay, yet there are a great number of commodities which are

not governed by them, but aoU by the Surat maund, which, notwithstaadmg

it 18 said to contain only 40 seers, is sometimes 41, 42, 43, through all the

mtermediate gradations up to 46 ; nor is the candy uniformly confined to

20 maunds.

MEASUBES.

Long Mbasurb.
16 inches or tu88o..jnake...l haut or cubit
84 tosaoa « ...1 guz.=37£in.

The Engliah yard of 36 inches is in
common use.

N. B. Piece goods, and a few other
artieles, are sold by the corge of SO

Salt Msasuke.
100ba8ket8...niake...l anna =8} tons
IS annas .... « ...1 raah = 40 tons.

Dbt Mbasube.
Stipraes.... make ...1 seer=sllos.S.8dr.

4 seen. « ...1 pily

TpQya ... w ...1 parah
8perahs... • ...1 candytsUSjlb.

These measores serve ita wheat,
and all kinds of grain, except rice or
batty, which is sold by

Batty Measu&e.
Stiprees make 1 seer

7| seers «

SO adowlies j

r 1 adowley

» Ipaiah*

61 naxahs •

1 1 candy

»• 1 moorahi*

^4 I"""""" "•• 1

S5 paxabs...* i

4 candies

R — .1 moorah.

*£qnalto34lbs.8oz. ISdrs.
tEqual to 863lbs. ISos. ISdrs.
Liquid Mbasvbb.
This measBie is used fbri^iritB : one
seer equals SOBombayrapees, and weighs
lib. 8. 8) dr., and^Oseers makel maund.

Pearls have here, as at Madras, a real and a nominal weight:—

Beal Weight.

4aiuias make 1 quarter

4qQarten <, 1 mttee

18] tockas • 1 mttee

S4nitlees » 1 tank.

The tai& equals 7S grains troy.

Nominal Weight.

16 buddams make 1 docra

26 docras « 1 quarter

4 quarters <, 1 chow

The nominal standardis 1 tank to330
chow.

lU ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Bombay.

Rale for reducing the real to the nominal wei^t :— Multiply the
square of the number of tanks by 330^ and divide by the number of pearls ;
the quotient is the number of Bombay chow.

By the Cutcha weight are sold jaggery, sugar, tamarinds, turmeric,
ginger, mustard, capsicum, betel-nut, assafcetida, garlic, spices, pepper,
cardamums, sandal-wood, wool, silk, cotton, thread, ropes, honey, wax,
lac, oil, ghee, &c. The two latter are frequently sold by measure.

ARTICLES PROCURABLE AT BOMBAY, WITH DIRECTIONS.

ALKALi.»-The Alkali brought to Europe, is chiefly of two sorts ; one
of which. Barilla, is brought as ballast instead of stones, generally loose, but
sometimes in mat bags. Care should be taken that it is prop^ly dunnaged,
as it will diminish considerably if the water gets to it It should be chosen
dry and clean, of a greyish blue or slate colour, both within and without, and
full of small holes, lijce sponge ; if good, it will bubble much on being put
into vinegar. Reject that which is of a blackish green colour, and of a
disagreeable fetid smell. The other is an impure Carbonate of Soda,
(SejjMniitij Hind. Sorjicay San.), resembling a sandy earth, sometimes in
lumps, sometimes crumbled into powder. It is mostly brought, like the for-
mer, as ballast, or dead weight The freight, when charged, is at the rate
of 20 Cwt to the ton.

Anacaroium is the fruit of the Malacca bean-tree, (Anacardium
Orientaie), growing in various parts of the East Indies ; it is a kind of
nut with a double shell, containing in the space between the outer and inner
shell a fungous substance, filled with a dark-coloured viscous fluid, wbidi is
easily forced out apon cutting the nut, and squeezing it between the fingers.
This juice rubbed on linen or cotton gives a reddish brown stain, and when
rubbed with wet chunam, deepens to a full black, which is permanent : it
is used in India for marking linen, and hence the nuts are called marking-
nuts. They should be chosen large, plump, and fresh.

Anime is a resinous substance, which flows by incision from the trunk
of a large tree, (HymeruBa)^ growing in several parts of the East Indies,
and in South America. It has a light pleasant smell, little or no taste;
colour a fine pale yellow ; in the best specimens it is quite clear and trans-
parent ; it readily breaks between the teeth, but on long chewing, softens
and sticks together. Gum Anime should be chosen in large pieces, dear
and transparent ; it is much enhanced in value by having the dirty outside
scraped off, which can be done at a small expence in India, compared with
London : when laid on a red hot iron, it quickly melts, catches flame, and

Bombay.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 145

bums awaj with a fragrant smell, leaving only a small quantity of light-
Goloiired ashes. That which is small, dark-coloured, and opaque, should be
rejected. Freight 16 Cwt to the ton.

Arrack. — This spirit is manufactured at several places in the East
Indies— 60a, Columbo, and Batavia. This is a branch of trade, of which
the Dutch have almost deprived the Portuguese, the art of making it beiqg
transferred for the most part from Goa to Batavia. 60a arrack is both
double and treble distilled ; it is weaker than that of Batavia, but has a
peculiar and agreeable flavour, which makes it preferred to the other sorts.
The Columbo arrack is inferior.

There are various accounts of the materials used, and the mode of
making arrack; and the disagreement of these accounts seems to arise from
the general appellation of arrack being given in most parts of India to eveiy
kind of spirituous liquor. The natives call our gin, English arrack. It is
certain that the flavour of the several kinds of arrack differs as much as
those of brandy, rum, or any other spirituous liquors. The Groa arrack is
mvaiiably made from a vegetable juice called toddy, which flows by incision
from the coco-nut tree : when a sufficient quantity of toddy is procured, it
u left to ferment, which it soon does ; when the fermentation is over, and
the liquor or wash has become a little tart, it is put into the still, and
suffered to work as long as that which comes over has any considerable
taste of spirit The spirit thus procured is the low wine of arrack, and so
poor a liquor, that it will soon spoil if not distilled again, to separate some
of its phlegm: it is therefore immediately poured back into the still, and
rectified to that very weak kind of proof-spirit in which state we generally
find it The arrack we meet mth, notwithstanding its being of a proof-
test, according to the way of judging by the crown of bubbles, holds but a
nxth, and fometimes but an eighth part of pure spirit ; whereas our other
spirits, when they shew that proof, are generally esteemed to hold one-half
pore spirit

Batavia arrack is obtained by distillation from rice and sugar ; it is
Mid that the Chinese jimks import large quantities of samshew, a hot, fiery
spirit finmn China, which is mixed with the arrack ; but it is more probable
that it is consumed by the numerous Chinese who reside in that settlement

Tike fallowing are the East India Company's ReguUMonafor shipping
Arrack^ Sfc. — No arrack, or other spirits, are permitted to be shipped in
India, or China, on any of the Company's ships returning to Europe, ex-
eept such as shall be for the use of the ship^s company on the voyage, or in
the immediate privilege of the commander and ofilcers.

Eadi cask or chest, shipped for the use of the ship^s company, shall be

146 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Bombay.

marked ^^ Stores ;^ and each cask or chest, shipped on the private aocount
of any of the officers, shall be marked with the name at length of the person
to whom it belongs ; and such casks or chests as shall not be so marked,
shall be taken and deemed to be the property of the commander. In order
to asceitain the sums to be charged, aa hereafter mentioned, before the
respective accounts shall be adjusted and passed the Court, the armck snd
other spirits received into the warehouse, shall be the first private tnde
articles put up to sale by each ship.

Should those marked *^ Stores^ be refused to be bought, or not sdl for
a sum equal to the Eing^s and Company^s duties, the difference shall be
charged to the owners in their account of freight and demurrage.

Should those marked with the name of the respective officers of the
ship, or those deemed to be the property of the commander, in the same
manner, sell for less than the duties before specified, the diffisrence shall be
charged in their respective accounts of private trade ; but should it so
happen that an officer importing arrack or other spirits, has not a sufficient
quantity of other goods to answer the deficiency arising as aforesaid, then
in that case such officer shall not be employed again in the Company^s
service, until he has paid the amount of such deficiency into the Compan/s
treasury.

The tonnage of arrack is calculated at 353 gallons per ton.

Abrangoes are large beads formed from the rough cornelian, of vari-
ous shapes, barrel, bell, round : all are drilled. The barrel-shaped, cut
from the best stones, are from two to three inches long, and should be
chosen as clear as possible, whether red or white, having a good polish,
and free from flaws ; the bell-shaped are from one to two inches long, and
inferior in every respect, being made from very inferior stones, and of little
value. Considerable quantities were formerly imported ; but in consequence
of the abolition of the slave trade, the demand is now very trifling.
SO Cwt. of arrangoes are allowed to a ton.

AwL, or morinda, is a tree of a middling size, growing on the Coast
of Malabar, and other parts of India, the root of which spreads, and strikes
into the ground three or four feet ; the trunk is used only for fuel. The
roots, which are long and slender, are used as a dye in many parts of
India ; the colouring matter resides chiefly in the bark of the root The
small twigs which contain little wood, bear a higher price than the larger
pieces; therefore the roots when dug up, are divided into three sorts,
coarse, medium, and fine : the coarse sells for about a rupee per maund,
the medium two or three, and the fine four rupees per maund. Indepen-

Bombatf.] ORIENTAL COMMERCB. U7

dent of the consumptioii of tibis dje in the pro?iiice of Malabar, large
quantities of it are exported to Guaerat, and the northern parts of Hin«
dostan, to the vahie of several lacs of nqpees per annum. It is seldom
imported into Europe.

Bbtbl Nut, so ealled, but pnperlj Areca Nut, is the fruit ot* the
Areca Pakn, (Palma arecifera), a ^e slender upright tree, not above
6 indies in diametar at bottom, uid iqpwards of SO feet high. The leaves
groir like those of the coco-nut tree, and the nuts are in dusters. The
knk, whidi is yeUow on the outside, and brown and fibrous within, covers
anut abovt 1^ rise of a nutmeg; shape eomewhat conical: it is white, and
fflsiUed wfthin with purplish veins, of a light brown externally, moderatdy
aitringent, and insipid to the taste. The nut is grown in various parts of
bdia, Ceylon, the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and the Easterif Islands.
Hat produced on the Coast of Malabar is of two sorts, boiled and raw :
tke former is the nut cut in dices, and boiled with a smdl Quantity of
Terra Japonka, then dried, when it is fit fiu: sale ; the other is the nut in
the state we see it When new and good, the nut witt have a whitish' skin
on the broad end ; but when old, the ddn is easily robbed off. Those which
sre womKeaten and decayed, should be rgected.

The largest supjdy of Betd Nut is from the Coast of Pedir, which
produces it in great abundance. These mits Bxe seUom imported into
England, though they might be of use in some manufactures. In Coro-
Bisndel and Malabar they are used in dying cotton goods. Betel Nut is an
srfide ef condderable trade from port to port in India; and a very large
quantity is annually carried to Cliina.

Cardamums are produced in several parts of India, but the best from
the MaWiar Coast are usually brought to England. They are the produce
cf the Amomnm Co/rdamcmumy (IkuM, Hind. £2a, San.) a small plant,
growing in some places wkhont odtivatieii ; in others they are propagated
I7 cuttings from the roots ; in the third year the plants come to perfection,
hearing abundantly fer a year or two, and then die. The capsules ere
gathered as they i%ien, and when ^bied in the smi, are fit for sale.

The usual crops raised in Malabar are estimated at about 100 candies^
wfaidi are distinguished by the places of their growth, and are esteemed as
foDow :•—

L Wynaad, which is said to produce ^>%»%v»^%»%%v»%v»%.%^%%Candies 65

&L. xautsypatcsierv %^%%*'%»<» ^^ ^ • •»» ^ »»w^%<%»» ^^>%» % %%r%(»%»% » %<<%%%»%%^%%%<v%<%^% v5
IIL farfin a nd i^r f^fiilMtinn^** 1 ..i 2

E 2

148 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Bombay.

About 5 candies of an inferior quality are procured from Velater, which
are sold at about half the price of the others. Many merchants, by looking
at cardamums, can tell the country whence they came. Those from
Wynaad, including those also of Cartinaad and Tamaratchery, contain
many round, full white grains, or capsules. Those of Coorg have fewer
black, or light ones. The Velater sort are long, dark coloured, and thin
skinned. Cardamums are never garbled, except for the Europe market;
they are exported chiefly to Bengal, Bombay, Surat, Cutch, and the differ-
ent ports in Arabia. Cardamums should be chosen full, plump, and
difBcult to be broken, of a bright yellow colour, of a piercing smell, with
an acrid, bitterish, though not very unpleasant taste, and particular care
should be taken that they are properly dried. They are reckoned to keep
best in a "body ; and are therefore packed in large chests well-jointed, pitched
at the seams, and otherwise properly secured, as the least damp greatly
reduces their value. Freight 12 Cwt. to the ton.

Greater Cardamums.— This kind is produced on Ceylon, Java, and in
some other parts of the East. The pods are large and long, triangular,
thick-skinned, and dark-coloured, some approaching nearly to black ; the
smell is less acrid, and the taste nauseous and disagreeable, not the least
resembling that of the Malabar cardamums. These have occasionally been
imported into England, but are not esteemed.

Chata Root is a small root (of the OUenlandia UmbellcUa) from 15
to 25 inches long, very slender, with few fibres, cultivated on the Coasts
of Malabar and Coromandel, and other parts of India. It is used in dying
red, purple, a deep clear brown, and to paint the red figures on Chintz.
The woody part of the chaya root is white and tasteless ; it is the bark only
which is possessed of the colouring principle. When fresh, it is onmge
coloured, tinges the saliva yellow, and leaves a slight degree of acrimony on
the point of the tongue for some hours after chewing. To appearance it
loses its yellow colour in drying, but still retains the above property on
being chewed. It impregnates cold water or spirits with a straw colour,
and to boiling water it gives a brownish porter colour. The colouring
powers of the root are said to be improved by keeping three or four years.
When the wild sort can be obtained, it is preferred ; and if to be had of
two years^ growth, it is reckoned still better. It is not esteemed by the
English dyers.

Coco NuTs.^-This commodity is an article of considerable trade, in
various branches, in all parts of India — the kernel, the husk of the nut, of
which coir is made ; and the oil which is expressed from the kernel. It is
the produce of the Cocos Nucifera, a palm common throughout India. It

Bona>ay.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 149

begins bearing when seven or eight years old, and lives so long, that its
period of duration cannot readily be ascertained. A good tree will yield
from 50 to 100 nuts annually. The kernel is much used by the natives in
different modes of dressing; when cut into pieces and dried, it is called
copra*

Coir is manufactured from the husks of the coco-nut, composed of
small strings and threads, which, being soaked some time in water, become
soft When beaten, the other substance falls away like saw-dust, leaving
only the strings ; these are afterwards spun into long yams, and roUed into
balls. The cordage thus manufactured is much esteemed in India, and
preferred to that of Europe on some occasions, from its advantage of float-
ing on the surface of the water.

CoctTi.us Indicus, or Indian berry, grows in considerable clusters on
tbe Menispermttm^ a large tree on the Malabar Coast. It is a small
kidney-shaped berry, having a wrinkled outside, with a seam running along
the back, of a dark brown colour. It has a white kernel inside, of a most
unpleasant taste. It is said that the principal use of the berry in England
18 to mix with malt liquors, in order to make them intoxicating ; but this
practice is expressly forbidden by Act of Parliament, (See 13 Ann., st. 1,
c 2., § 38.) These berries should be chosen sound, dry and clean, heavy,
large, and free from stalks and dirt. The small and broken should be re-
jected. Freight 16 Cwt to the ton.

CoMBssi Bark is the bark of the Nerinm JnHdysentericunij a small
tree growing on the Coast of Malabar and Ceylon. It is of a blackish
colonr on the outside, covered more or less with a white moss or scurf, and
of an austere and bitter taste. The bark of the sm§ll young branches which
has the least moss or scurf, is preferred. It is little known in the shops
here, though much esteemed in some parts of India.

CoRNn.iAXs.^-These stones are brought from Cambay ; they are found
in roundish oval masses, somewhat like our common pebbles, from 1 to 3
inches in diameter ; of a close compact texture, and when cut, of a bright
glossy surface ; their colours are red, white, yellow, and variegated.

The colour of the red cornelian varies from the palest flesh colour, to
the deepest blood red : this sort is most in demand, great quantities being
consumed in the manufacture of seals, and other trinkets. They should be
diosen of a deep dear and even red colour, free from cracks, flaws, and
Teins, and the larger and thicker they are, the more they are esteemed ;
those which are muddy should be rejected. The white are scarce, and
when large, thick, of an even colour, and free from flaws, are! valuable.
The yellow and variegated are but in little estimation, and should be rejected

150 ORIENTAL COHMERCE. [Bmbag.

Necklaces, ear-rings, and other trinkets are manufactured at Cambay
from comdians, and are an artide of trade to Europe ; thej should be
chosen of pare dear colours, well cut, and free from cracks and flaws.

Cornelian stones are sometimes imported in their rough state firom
Bombay. In chusing them, such as are chipped should be rejected, as those
have been tried and reAised by the stone-cutters at Cambay. Freight 20
Cwt. to a ton.

CoTtoN Woot is the soft vegetable down whidi forms the covering 0/
envelope of the seeds of the G^sjpii«m, or cotton plant, which b the sponts-
neous production of three parts of the g^obe, Asia, Africa, and America.
Conriderable quantities are imported from Surat, Madras, and Bengd, and
occasionally from the Islands of Bourbon and Mauritius.

The cotton from the difierent quarters of the globe varies connderaUy
in colour and length, strength and fineness of fibre. White is in genend
considered of secondary quality. The cotton of the Levant is distinguished
by its want of colour, and the chief part of that firom North America is
also white. Tdlow, when not the effect of accidental wetting, or ind^
ment season, is indicative of greater fineness. The cotton of the West
Indies and of South America is called ydlow, but inclines more to cresm
colour.

The East India cottons rank in the fdlowing order :»-Bourboii, Sunt,
Bengal, Madras.

I. Bourbon is the most even and uniform in quality ; it is of a loDg
rilky staple, very clean, and is the most valuable kind imported into Eng-
land, except the Sea Island, Georgia.

II. Of the Surat cpttons, the Ahmood b the best ; the fibre is veiy
fine, but not of long staple. The qiedmens upon which experiments have
been made, fully prove, that if such cotton could always be imported, it
would conunand a high price, and meet a ready market The other places
are Baroach, Bownaghur, Surat, Jambooser, Oclasur, Hansoote, &c
Great advantages would be acquired by freeing the cotton of eveiy particle
of foulness, as well as every mixture of tinged or inferior staple before it is
packed up, leaving nothing to be made up into bales but the purest cotton ;
by which the value would be much increased in England, and the fireigbt
considerably reduced by the impurities left behind, which are besides not
only a great injury to the sale and value of the cotton, but the picking
alone, which costs Sd. per lb. in England, could be performed for Id. in
India.

It is impossflble to be too attentive to the great otgect of sfaqiping no
cotton but what is perfectiy dean ; it should, in fact, be put into that

Bombag.]

ORIENTAL COMMERCE.

151

predae state in which it ib placed hj the women of India previous to its being
^un into yarn. The coarse and middling qualities should be rejected.

III, The Bengal cotton imported is much like that of Surat, but
of rather shorter staple, the superior kinds being reserved for the manu-
facture of muslins and other piece-goods.

IV. Of Madras cotton but little is imported ; it is in general dirty^
containing much seed, which reduces its value in England v^ considerably.

^ Small quantities are occasionally met with raised from Bourbon seed, which
it resembles in staple, but falls far short in cleanness and colour.

In the Qrst edition of this Work, the author inserted a statement shewing
tlie progressive increase in the importation of cotton into Great Britain, in
order to furnish some idea of the prosperity of our cotton manufactures.
That statement was brought down to the year 1802, in which year the total
quantity imported from all parts of the world had reached 60,329,311 lbs.
To shew the prodigious extension since then of this branch of our trade, the
following statements are subjoined ; whence it appears, that the quantity of
raw cotton imported into ^ Great Britain last year, was nearly treble the
amount which Mr. Milburk deemed so large ; and that upwards of one
hundred and fifty millions of pounds weight were in that year spun and
manufactured.

The following is the quantity of cotton wool imported into Great
Britain from all parts of the world during three years, ending 1823.

U.S. of America

Bni. dE Portugal

Bagtlndiei

Wot Indies

Total

Official Vah»

Puctagtt.

Padbagei,

Fadeage$*

PooHtgn*

Pomti9 Weight.

1891 ..

300,100

191,050

99,700

37,950

198,573,975

4,347,958

1899 •!

..... 330,000

143,900

19,300

40,650

139,797,735

4,731,959

1893 ..

448,070

148,070

38,650

33,610

180,933,795

6,941,561

The quantity imported from the East in these years, is small compared
with that of preceding. In 1817, the number of packages was 117,955 ; in
1818, 247,300; and in 1819, 178,300. But an excessive unportation in
those years glutted the market, and reduced the price of the commodity in
this country below that which it bore at the place of its growth. The East
India Company in consequence reexported to China, in the year 1821,
upwards of three millions of pounds weight

The following is the quantity of cotton wool taken for spinning for
three years, ending 1823 .

V«r«. Pmtndt VTHghL

1891 198,597,795

1898 140,795,375

1893 150,995,795

153 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Bombay.

Official value of cotton wool ewportedjrom Great Britain^ eUAer raw or

manufactured^ far three yeare^ ending 1823.

Yoan.

1821 ..
1828 ..

Raw Cotton exported.

£
1,062,302

1,299.263

£
1,898,695

2,353,217
2,425,419

Mmnfitctuwi expoitedr

£
81,639,493

24,566,920

24,117,549

1823 ..

707-51IS

Hence it appears tbat this single commodity enriches the country to
the amount of twenty-one millions sterling annually, besides supplying the
home market with manufactures.

EuPHOBBiuM is the concrete resinous juice of the Euphorbia Antu
quorum^ a prickly shrub, growing in Malabar and various parts of India.
It is in tears of an irregular form, some of which are found, on being
broken, to contain little thorns, twigs, &c. ; others are hollow, without any
thing in the cavity ; the tears are of a bright light yellow, between straw
and gold colour, on the outside, and white within ; easy to break, haviog
little smeU, but the taste violently sharp and acrimonious. It is to be chosen
dry» clean, and of a bright colour; its acrid taste is the great mark of its
goodness, and ought to be such as to inflame the whole mouth, on holding
a very small piece therein for a short space of time.

Fish Mawb are an article of trade from various parts of India to
China, where they are much esteemed as an article of lusury. In chusing
them, care should be taken that they are properly cured, or they will be
subject to decay, and not be worth the fireight ; the largest are to be
preferred.

Folium Indicuh, Tauzpaut, said to be the Malabathrum of the
' ancients, is the leaf of ibe Laurus caeeia^ (Tejpai, Hind.) ; it is large, of an
oblong figure, smooth and glossy on the upper side, and less so on the lower.
Its colour is a dusky green on one side, and a pale brown on the other. It
is furnished with three ribs, running its whole length, very protuberant on
the lower side ; and it has two smaller ones near the edges. Its smell, when
fresh, is aromatic and agreeable, somewhat resembling that of a mixture of
ck)ve8 and cinnamon ; taste rather acrid and bitterish, but very aromatic :
when chewed, it renders the saliva slimy and glutinous. The more aromatic
the flavour, the wanner the taste, and the fresher, the more it is esteemed.
Freight, 8 Cwt to the ton.

Hemp.— The Island of Salsette produces two sorts of this commodity;
one resembles the Bengal Paut, the leaves and young fruit of which are used
as food, and the fibrous part employed in several kinds of cordage. The

Bombay.] OIIIENTAL COMMERCE. 163

other resembles the Sunn of Bengal, and is mnch esteemed for its strength
and dmubilitjr, being preferable to that of Bengal for cotton ropes, where
▼erj great strength is necessary; it is the best substitute for hemp jet
known ; and could the cultivator be ensured a certain price, and a readjr
market for the commodity, very large quantities would be produced. It has
been imported both by the East India Company and individuals ; but the
heavy freight it is subject to, has prevented its being a profitable remittance.
The purer and cleaner it is when packed, the more it is esteemed. The
tonnage is calculated at SO cubical feet to a ton.

Lignum Colubrinuh, snake wood, or snake root, is the woody part
of the tree (JStrychnoB) which produces Nux Vomica. It is of a heavy close
substance, covered with an iron coloured bark, of a yellow colour internally
with whitish streaks. In rasping or scraping, this wood emits a faint, but
noi disagreeable smell ; when chewed for some time, it discovers a very
Utter taste. '- It should be chosen in ponderous sound pieces, about a foot
and a half long, free from worms and dust

Mangoes, the fruit of the Mangifera Indica, which, when fiilly ripe,
is yellowish or reddish, replete with a fine agreeable juice, having a large
stone ; it cuts like an apple, but is more juicy. Mangoes are sent to Europe
as a pickle, and are prepared in the following manner :— -when nearly ripe,
they are cut in two, the kernel taken out, and the vacant space filled with
chillies, garlic, ginger, &c. after which they are put in vinegar, and sent
as presents to Europe and elsewhere. They should be chosen of a bright
yellow colour, firm and fleshy, free from fibres, and of an agreeable smell ;
and care should be taken to fill the cask full of pickle, or they will be
apt to spofl on the voyage.

Mode offartcarding Mangoe Plants to Europe.^^The readiest method
of obtaining the plants in Europe is to set a quantity of the nuts in
a tub of earth, and when the plants are grown a foot high, to ship them,
placing a covering to protect them from the spray of the sea, being very
careful not to water them too much on the passage. When the ship ar-
rives in a cold climate, they should be screened from the cold.

Maxka {SkirkkUty Hind, and Pers. Terenjabifif Arab.) is a gummy
substance procured in Italy from a species of ash, Frawinue omits. The
nuuma met with in India, which is never imported into England, is of a
very inferior sort, mixed with leaves, sand, &c., and brougjit from Persia
by way of BussoraL It is supposed to be obtained from the Hedysarum
Alhagu

Nux Vomica is the produce of the Strychnos Nux Vomica^ (Cuchila^

154 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Bombas.

Hind. Culacaf San.) a middling nired tree, growing plentiAiUy on Uie
Malabar coast; the beny, or fruit, is about the use of an afqple, covered
with a hard sheU, somewhat resembling the pomegranate, of a rich beautiful
orange colour when ripe ; filled with a pulp containing the seeds, or Noz
Vomica ; these are flat and round, dbout an inch broad, and of the thicknesi
of a dollar, on both sides prominent in the middle, of a grey colour, covered
with a woolly kind of matter, internally hard and tough like 'horn, having
a taste considerably bitter, with very little smelL Chuse such as are large,
dean, and new, fi'ee from dust and dirt, rejecting the decayed and worm-
eaten. Freight, 15 Cwt to the ton.

Fbppjbr is the produce of a vine, the Piper Nigrum {Mirch^ Hind.
Mimcha^ San.) a hardy |dant, growing readily from cuttings or Uqren,
rising in several knotted stems, twining round any neighbouring support,
and adhering by its fibres, which shoot firom every joint at intervals of 6 to
10 inches ; if suffered to run along the ground, these fibres would become
roots, but then it would not bear, the prop beii^ necessary fi>r encouragiog
it to throw out its prolific shoots ; it climbs to the height of 20 feet, but
thrives best when restrained to 18 or 15; as in the former case, the lower
part of the vine bears neither leaves nor fruit, whilst in the latter it produces
both from within a foot of the ground ; the stalk soon becomes ligneous, and
in time acquires considerable thickness. The leaves are of a deep green and
glossy surface, heart^haped, pointed, not pungent to the taste, and have but
little smelL The branches are short and brittle, not projecting above
two feet from the stem, and separating readily at the joints ; the blossom is
small and white, the firuit round, green when young and full grown, snd
turning to a bright red when ripe, and in perfection. It grows abundantly
firom all the branches, in long small clusters of 80 to 50 berries, somewhat
resembling bunches of currants. It is generally propagated by cuttings from
the horizontal shoots that run along the ground* The plant begins to besr
about the third year, is esteemed in its prime in the seventh, which state
it maintains three or four years ; it then gradually declines for about the
same period, until it is no longer worth keeping : generally speaking, the
pepper-plant produces two crops in a year, but the seasons are subject
to great irregularities. As soon as any of the berries redden, the bunch
is reckoned fit for gathering, the remainder being then generally full grown,
although green ; when gathered, they are spread on mats in the sun; in this
situation they become black and shrivelled as we see them ; as the pepper
^dries, it is hand-rubbed occasionally, to separate the grains from the stalks.
That which has been gathered at the properest state of maturi^, will drivel

Bombtfg.]

ORIENTAL COMMERCE*

150

the least ; but if plui&ed too soon, it will in a short time, by removttl firom
place to place, become broken and dusty.

The pepper comitries extend from aboat the longitude of OG^'to that of
IIS^'E, beyond which none is to be found ; and they reach firom 6^ S. lati*
tttde to about 12^ N., where it again ceases. Within these limits are
Sumatra, Boineo, the Malay Peninsula, and certain countries .4ying on the
K Coast of the Gulph of Siam.

The whole produce of Sumatra is estimated at 168,000 peculs ; the
S. W. coast bdng said to produce 150,000 and the N. K coast 18,000
pecukThe pepper ports on the N. E. coast are Lankat and Delli, with
Saidang. The two first produce 15,000 peculs, and the htter SOOO
soDually. The edtivation is carried on by the Batta nation in the interior.
The porta on the S. W. coast, and the amount of their produce, as
gifen in a recent estimate, are as fidlow, oia;

Port and District of Tniinah 40^0

District of Polo Diia 4,000

of Clnat 30,000

Coast from Tampat Tuan to Susu 33,000
FdrtofSosii 1,000

Kualla Batta S0/)00

Anabalu S/)00

Districts to the N. of Anabalu ...20,000

Peculs 150,000

It is to be obsenred tKat the production of pepper fluctuates extremely,
owmg to the cuUivators putting fresh districto under cuhure, when the price
ofpepperishigh; but nerer planting fresh vines, or dressing the soQ, but
abaadooing it when exhausted. Truraahj, the most extensive pepper
district, was afew years back unknown to European traders. The pepper
trade on this coast is perfectly firee, the natives selling their produce to the
best bidder.

Penang, which produces about 15,000 peculs, (though much more
formeriy,) is the principal depdt for the pepper from the N. coast of
Sumatra.

Of the islands at the mouth of the Straits of Mahicca and Singapore,
Bintang, on which Rhio is situated, and the adjacent islands, produce
10,000 peculs ; and Lingga about 2000, most of which goes to the
emporium of Singapore.

The W. coast of the Malay Feninsuk produces only 4000 peculs in
the teiritory of Malacca. The £. coast yields a considerable quantily.
The ports of Patmi and Cahmtan, about 16,000 peculs, and Trinmma
•bout 8000.

TheE. coast of the Gulph of Siam, from the latitude of lOJo to 18i<> N.

15» ORIENTAL COMMERCE* [Bombay.

dibrds not less Uma 00,000 peculs, 40,000 of whidi go at onoe to the
d^ital of Siam as tribute, and the whde finds its w«y to Chma in junks.

The whole produce of Borneo is reckoned at about 80,000 pecuk, of
which about 7000 are now annually brought, in the native craft, to
Singi^re, and most of the ranainder is carried to China.

The W. coast of the Peninsuhi of India is esdmated at 90,000 peculs ;
adding this to the aforegoing estimates, we find the aggregate production of
pepper throughout the East to be 338,000 peculs, or 45,060,066 lbs. The
average price of pepper has lately been about 9 Spanish ddlars the pecul,
which gives the value of this commodity, 3,042,000 dollars.

The pepper of Malabar is esteemed the best; next, that of the E. cosst
(rf* the Gulph of Siam ; then follow those of Calantan, Borneo, the W. coast
of Sumatra; and last of all, the pepper of Rhio ; which, through the aviditj
of the cultivators and dealers, is plucked before it is ripe, and hence turns
out light, hollow, and ill-coloured.

There are two denominations of pepper in commerce ; black and white.

Black Pepper is of two sorts, light and heavy; the former in its
original state having a number of bad grains, sticks, and dirt in it : this is
carried to China, but should be rejected for the European markets. That
which is well garbled and clean, having the stalks, bad grains, and other
impurities taken out, is denominated heavy pepper, and ia the sort usually
brought to Europe. It should be chosen of a pungent smell, extremdy hot
and acrid to the taste, in large grains, firm, sound, and with few wrinkles,
of which it will always have some. Reject that which is much shrivdled
and small grained, or which, on being rubbed, will break to pieces.

White Pepper is also of two sorts, common and genuine: the
former is made by blanching the grains of the common black pepper. For
this process the best and soundest grains are selected, and steeped in
water. In about a week the skin bursts, which b afterwards carefully
separated by drying in the sun, rubbing between the hands, and winnowing.
But little of this sort is prepared, the price in England fluctuating much,
being frequently as low as the black pepper ; but the white has this obvious
recommendation, that it can be made of no other than the best and
soundest grains, taken at the most perfect state of maturity. The genuine
white pepper, as it is called, is composed of the blighted or imperfect
grains picked in small quantities from the heaps of black pepper, and
retains more of the qualities of the black than the manufactured sort
does. The tonnage of pepper is computed at 16 Cwt to the ton.

Piece Goons are manufactured of various dimensions and qualities at
Baroach, Jumbaseer, Ahmedabad, and other places in Guaerat, and to the

Bmbag.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 15T

northward of Bombay, They are usually datominated Surat pieee-goods^
and exported firom thence and Bombay to Europe, the Arabian and Perrian
Gulphs, the Malay Coast, and various other parts of India: they are in general
coarse coloured goods, prohihited for home consumption in Great Britain.

The demand for Surat piece-goods has much decreased in Europe, in
consequence of the impcoTed state of the British manufactures, which have
materially interfered with them ; and, from the abolition of the slave-trade^
the demand for the African market is much reduced.

The following are the q>ecies imported into England fiom Bombay^
with the number of pieces allowed to a ton.

Aniutbatchies R 400

Bombay stnfi R 400

fiynmpanU 400

Bejttt^MUiU R 400

Brawls 1200

Betdlees. 400

Chelloes R 400

Chints, of sorts R 400

Dooties. R 400

Guinea Stofis, 4) yards each...j.. 1800
LoDg cloths, whole pieces •• 160

Long cloths, half pieces 380

LemmanDees. ..R 900

Musters 400

Nunsar^es R 400

N^nepauts 400

Niccannees, large 600

DittOy small 600

SakmporeB 400

Stn£&» brown R 400

Tapseils, large 400

Ditto, small 600

N. B. When the letter B is set against pieces of 400 to a ton, it shews
those goods are to be reduced, or brought to a standard of 16 yards longt
and 1 broad ; where it is against pieces of 800 to the ton, to 10 yards long,
audi broad.

Example. — 1000 pieces of 12 yards long, and 1| broad, at 400 pieces
to the ton, make 844 pieces, or 2 tons, 44 pieces ; and 1000 pieces of 10)
yards by If, at 800 to a ton, are 1181 pieces, or 1 ton, 381 pieces.

Considerable quantities of coarse white piece-goods have been mano*
&ctared in the Trayancore. country, and shipped for England firom Anjengo;
they are blended with those of Surat

PuTCHOCK* — Of this article, a fleshy root, considerable quantities are
ammally sent firom the W. side of India to China, where it is used in their
temples, having, when burnt, a pleasant and grateful smell. It is in general
full of sticks and dirt

Kabex Lopeziaha is a root produced on the Malabar Coast, and
brought from Goa, in pieces about two inches thick, of which the woody
part is lightish and white, the medullary part qaore dense and.reddish. The
bark is rough, wrinkled, brown, soft, and apparently wooUy, covered with a
paler cuticle ; it has no striking smell or taste. When boiled in water, the
liqaor is of a yellow hue^ almost insipid, impressing the tongue with a very

IBS ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Bmbay.

light bitteiiiew. In ditrrlioeas this root is regarded as a mediciiie of great
efficaej.

SA19BAL Wood, or VMw Savdbim, (Zandal^ Arab.) — ^The tree wiach
produces saadal wood, is called bj Dr. Roxburgh, Syrium Myriifolium^
(Chandafij Hind. Chandana^ San.) and grows on the Malabar Coast, the
Ishmd of TiaKMT^ and one or two islands in the eastern seas ; but the Mala-
bar is the best The tree has something of the af^iearance of a large mjrtk,
with stiff branches ; its leaves, which are about two inches long, and three
quarters of an indi broad, are like those of the privet, smooth and shining;
it bears a small red flower, and the berry is about the Axe of a pea, smooth,
juicj, and black, when ripe. The common sise of the tree at the root,
when it is cut, b about nine inches in diameter, but sometknes consideraUj
larger. When the trees are feUed, the bark is taken off; thej are then cut
into biOets, and buried in a dry place for two months, during which period
the white ants will eat the outer wood without touching the heart, which is
the sandal ; it is then taken up and smoothed, and according to the sise,
sorted into three kinds. The deeper the colour, the higher is the perfiime ;
and hence the merdiants sometimes divide sandal into red, ydlow, and
white ; but these are all different shades of the same colour, and do not arise
from any difference in the species of the tree. The nearer the root, in ge-
neral the h^her is the perfume. The billet nearest the root is commonly
called root-«andal, and is of a superior qu^ty.

Sandal wood is sorted into three rises. The first sort contains 65, the
second sort 78, and the third sort 90 pieces to a candy : all pieces smaOer
than these, all rent and knotty pieces, whatever may be their sire, together
with cuttings, roots, and the like, are called Carippn, and form a fourth sort.
The chips, which are removed in polishing the logs, form a fifth assortment
The three first only are sent to China. The Carippu is chiefly sent to Ben-
gal and Muscat, and the dnps to Cutdi and Muscat

The produce of the coast is said to be about 8000 candies per annum,
sometimes more. The Company used to send about 800 candies to China ;
an the remainder was sent by private traders to Bengal, Bombay, Cutdi,
and Muscat. The Company^s Resident makes the purchase from the mer-
chants on the sea^Goast for ready money. These have always on hand a
consideraUe stock, as sandal rather improves by keeping.

In churing sandal wood, the larger pieces riiould be selected, firee firom
knots, rents, or cracks, of a dose texture and fine grain ; of a dark ydlow
colour, an extremely sweet smell, and die outer bark dean off. Hie snudler
pieces, and such as are decayed, and hove white wood about them, should be
rejected. Particular care should be taken that a wood mudi resembling

Bmbay.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 159

sandal is not mixed with it» wluch^ when. cut, has neither scent nor colour;
it is a species of citron wood, and being in large pieces, it more frequently"
happens that the la^r logs are changed than the smaller ones ; and you are
liaUe to the same imposition in sending it from the ship to Canton, unless a
?eiy sharp look-out is kept in the boats.

The tannage of sandal wood, is generally computed bj weight, allowing
20Cwt to a ton; but the measurement, even when piled up carefully,
&r exceeds the weight

On. OF Sa29daii Wocm is prepared from the clups.and waste of the
wood, and is sometimes to be procured of a very superior kind, nearly equal
to the Turkey oil of roses, and vary different from the common sort usually
met with in India. The best is dxmt fhe oonsistenoe of castor oil, of a
lightish yellow colour, and of a high and fragrant smeU; it sinks in water,
readfly dissolves in spirits of wine, and does not congeal except in cold
weather. That which is thick, g^utinous^ and dark coloured, should be
rqeeted.

SBSAMUM.-«-This plant is small and annual, and yields seeds, whence
an <ril is extracted in several^parts of India, which wiU keep many years,
and not acquire any rancid smeU or taste, but in two years become quite
mild; so that when the warm taste of the seed, which is in the oil when
first diawn^ is worn <^, it is used for all the purposes of salad oil. It is in
eonunon use in China and Japan.

SoAwiiS are manufiactured in Cashmere^ (which supplies the whole world,
pring activity to 16,000 looms, and emfdoyiag 50,000 men,) and from
thence ihrwarded to Surati Bengal^ and other parts- of India. The wool of
which they are manufactured, is not produced in the country, but brought
from Thib^ where it is an article of extensive traffic, regulated with great
jealousy ; it is originally of adark grey colour, andiBUeached in Cashmere.
The yam of this wool is stained with such odours as may be judged best
soited for sale, and after being woven, the piece is once washed. The borders,
wfakfa usually diqpby a variety of figures and colours, are attached to the
shawls after fabrication, but in so nice a manner, that the junction is not
diflcemiUe. The texture of the shawl resembles that of the shalloon of
Europe, to which it has probably conununicated its name. The shawls
usually consist of three sizes, two of which, the long and the small square,
are in eonunon use in India, andare the sorts usually imported into England;
the other, long and very narrow, with a large mixture of black colour in
them, are winm as a girdle by many of the Asiatics. They are generaDy
eoU in pmrs, and the price varies according to the quality, it being consider-
ably enhanced by the introduction of flower-work. For the English market.

100 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Coast of Conean.

those with coloured groimdB and handsome rich boiders and flowers, are
most esteemed ; the plain white shawls, being closely imitated in England,
are seldom in. demand. According to Mr. Strachxt, not more than 80,000
shawk are made, on an average, at Cashmere, in one year.

Squills, Scilla Maritima, commonly called sea onions, are knottjr,
crumpled, bulbous roots, like the onion ; they are large, conical, consisting
of fleshy scales, thin at each edge, surronnded by others dry and shining.
They should be chosen plump, sound, fresh, and full of juice, and care should
be taken that they are free from worms; having the outward skin taken off,
of a red colour, with but little smell, full of a bitter danuny juice, nauseous,
acrid, and bitter^ and if much handled, ulcerating the skin.

TuRBiTH is the cortical part of the root of a species of convohotua^ in
oblong pieces of a brown or ash colour on the outside, and whitish within.
At first it makes an impression of sweetness on the taste ; but when chewed
for some time, betrays a nauseous acrimony. The best is ponderous, not
wrinkled, easy to break, and discovers to the eye a large quantity of resinous
matter. Freight, 16 Cwt to a ton.

Zedoart, the root of the CtMrcuma Zedoaria (NirbUi^ Hind, and San.),
is produced in Ceylon and Malabar, and brought in oblong pieces of a
moderate thickness, and two or three inches long ; or in roundish pieces
about an inch in diameter, externally wrinkled, and of an ash colour, but
internally of a brownish red; its smell is agreeable, and its taste aromatic
and somewhat bitter ; it impregnates water with its smell, a slight bittemessy
a considerable warmth and pungency, and a yellowish brown colour, Chuse
such roots as are heavy and free from worms, rejecting those which ut
decayed and broken. Freight 16 Cwt. to a ton.

SECTION XIV.

COAST OF CONCAN.

XhE W. side of the Peninsula of India is generally called the Malabar
Coast. This appellation belongs properly to the S, part, for the whole
extent comprehends three provinces, vi«, Conean, Canara, and Malabar.
The Coast of Conean is the northernmost, extending to Cape Ramus.

Coast of Cancan.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 161

BANCOOT.— Bancoot River, in latitude IT 67' N., and longitudc73° 9
£., is about 12 miles E. of Bombay ; it has 10 feet on the bar at low water,
and on spring tides 21 feet. The channel is on the E. side of the entrance
of the river; but being narrow, ought not to be approached without a pilot.
The anchorage for large ships is in 5 fathoms abreast of the fort Upon
the S. side of the entrance of the river, and on a very high hiU, stands Fort
Victoria, commanded by a Resident

Tradk.— 'Bancoot was a port of great trade before it fell into the hands
of Angria, but at present it is very insignificant.

Pkovisions and Rbfkbshmsnts.-— Ships occasionally stop here to
procure bullocks, which are far superior to those purchased at Bombay ; and
when homeward bound from Bombay, a supply of cattle and poultry maybe
secured by application to the Resident, and i^ipointing some conspicuous
signal, that the ship may be known on her appearance off the river,
when the stores are immediately supplied. The general mode of payment
for supplies is by draft on Bombay, payable at sight

GHERIAH.— Gheriah Point and flagstaff are in latitude W 3V N. ;
and the fort at the entrance of the harbour about a mile further to the N.
The point which forms the S. side of the entrance, is high and bluff, and is
in longitude 73^ 25 R The flagstaff stands on a hill to the S. of the fort;
and may be seen a considerable distance. The harbour is excellent, the ves-
sds in it being land-locked, and sheltered from all winds. There is no
bar at the entrance, the depths there being from 5 to 7 fathoms, and from 3
to 4 fiithoms inside at low water.

The fort stands on a promontory of rocky land, about a mile long, and
a quarter broad. Nearly a mile from the entrance of the harbour, which
ibnns the mouth of a large river, the promontory projects to the S. W. on
the right of the harbour, and on the sides contiguous to the water, is enclosed
bj a continued rock, about 60 feet high, on which the fortifications are
boflt ; these are a double wall with round towers, tiie inward wall rising
several feet above the outward. The neck of land by which the pro-
montory joins to the continent, is a narrow sand, beyond which, where the
ground expands, is a large open town, or pettah. The river directing its
course to the S. W., washes the K. side of the town, the neck of land,
and tiie promontory. On the neck of land are docks^ where grabs are
built and repaired.

ELUNDY, OE MALWAN.— This island, in latitude 16^ 3' N., is

the principal place of the pirates on this coast, and is strongfy fortified.
None but the Rajah fits out vessels, which are of three kinds, gallivats, she-
bars, and grabs : the first have in general two masts, are decked fore and

162 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Coast of Concan.

aft, have square topsails and top-gallant sails, and are rigged mostly after
the Europeah fashion. The shebar is also of two masts, the after-mast and
bowsprit verj short ; they have no topmasts and very little rigging, and are
not decked ; their largest sail is extended on a yard of very great lengthy
running up to a point, many feet higher than the mast ; they sail well, and
are fine vessels in fair weather and smooth water ; many of them are of
more than 150 tons burthen. The grab is distinguished from other vessels
by having, instead of bows, a projecting prow ; they are decked, and have
either two or three masts, and are rigged in the European manner. Each of
the Rajah^s vessels, of all of these descriptions, carries eight or ten small
carriage guns, and about 100 men. Their general rendezvous is Pigeon
Island* On leaving port, each pirate-lascar receives two rupees, the serang
eight, and on their return they get com, according to their success, and 3 or
4 rupees, and more, corresponding with their rank and good fortune. Their
cruise seldom exceeds fifteen days. All prizes are the property of the Rajah,
who is at the sole expence of the outfit The vessels taken are seldom re-
tained, unless peculiarly adapted to the service ; the cargo becomes the
Rajah^s property, and the vessel is released.

They sail without any written commission, and with instructions, it is
understood, to take all vessels that they can master, except those having
English colours and passes. Sometimes, however, they are regardless of
the English protection, which they thus contrive to evade. One pirate-boat
boards the intended prey, and demands her pass ; and while some person
pretends to read it, others pick a quarrel with some of the crew, and com-
mence a scuffle, in which the pass is removed or destroyed ; however, thej
take but little, perhaps nothing, and depart. Soon after another pirate boards
her, and finding no pass, pretends that the reasons offered for its absence,
are lies, and takes all. In these cases complaint is of course made by t&e
plundered o^ner to the Bombay Government, and restitution is demanded,
and generally made without much demur.

Between Melundy and the entrance to Groa River are the forts of
Newtee, Raree, Chiracble, and Chapra; the two latter belong to the
Portuguese, but seldom shew their colours to ships passing.

GO A is the capital of the Portuguese possessions in the East Indies, the
seat of the'V|ceroy, the see of an Archbishop, who is primate of the East,
and the supreme court of judicature for all the Portuguese in Asia, and to
which all others are subordinate. Algoada Point, in latitude 16" 29' N., and
longitude 73° 53^ E., forms the N. extrenuty of Goa Bay ; it has a lighU
house and small fort on it, but the principal fort is situated dose to the sea,
on the S. E. side of the headland, where there is a well of exceQent water,

Coati of Cancan.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 163

from wf^ddk the shipping is supplied. Nostra Senhora de la Cabo, a large
monasterjr, of a white appearance, is situated on the summit of the bluff
point of land, about 8^ miles S. £. of Algoada, which forms the S. side of
the baj. The common anchorage is abreast Algoada Fort, the flagstaff
bearing about N., at half a mile distance from the shore.

The bar at the entrance of the river is about two miles to the E. of
Algoada Point, having 16 or 18 feet on it at high water spring tides ; but
the bottom about it being hard and rocky, and the channel winding and
intricate, a ship ought not to enter the river without a pilot After the early-
part of May, it is considered unsafe to remain at the anchorage in the
road ; the Portuguese then send their' large ships that cannot go into the
river, to Marmagon roads, 4 or 5 miles to the S. of Algoada Fort, where
they are sheltered from the S. W. monsoon, by mooring close under the
N. R nde of that peninsula.

The city of Goa is situated on the N. side of an island about twelve
miles long and six broad, seven miles from the entrance of the river. The
dty is large, the streets straight, the houses regularly built of stone, many
of them magnificent, but uninhabited.

As a sunk rock off Goa, on which a vessel struck in February 1833,
is not in the Charts, it will be desirable to transcribe the particulars from the
log4NM>L-- -Standing to the N. in soundings, 6 fathoms and ^ less 6, at 7.
30 P. M., the ship struck upon a rock, soundings from 6 to 5| and 6
ftthoms, soft mud. When the ship struck, Algoada Point bore N. J W.
CaboPointKbyN. iN.

Trabb.— The trade carried on by ihe Portuguese is very trifling, com-
pared with what it formerly was. There are seldom more than three ships
tent from Portugal to India in the year, and these generally proceed to the
British settlements, to complete their cargoes for Europe.

The trade from Goa to China consists of one or two ships in the year,
which are called China ships ; these sail in November and December to Surat
and ports to the N., carrying China and European goods, and, returning
with cotton and other articles, call at Goa, to complete their cargoes for
China, and depart in March or ApriL The earliest of these ships returns in
October or November to the Coast of Malabar; the latest arrives generally
in January^ They conunence their trade at the most S. settlement, which
is Anjengo, from thence to Cochin, Calicut, Tellicherry, and Mangalore,
and then to Goa. At all the above places they take pepper, cardamums,
cassia lignea, and other articles, which they resell at their N. settlements,
completing their whole voyage within the year.

The coasting trade is considerable, which is carried on with the

L 2

164. ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Coast of Concan.

diiiereni ports on the coast in small vessels, from whence thej j:«tiim
to Goa with produce, which forms the home cargoes of their ships.

Provisions and Repbeshmsnts.-— Ships are supplied with water from
the well near Algoada Fort Poultry and vegetables may at times be pro-
cured, and fine mangoes and other fruits in May. Fish is abundant in the
river, and many sorts are excellent

Coins. — Accounts are kept in pardos, tangas, vintins, and budgerooks,
but there are good and bad of each kind ; 1 pardo is worth 4 good or 5 bad
tangas ; 16 good vintins, or 20 bad ; 300 good budgerooks, or 360 bad : the
pardo is also divided into 840 good or 303 bad reas.

The current coins are, the St Thom£, a gold piece of nearly the
weight of a ducat, which passes for 11 good tangas ; it weighs 53) grains
troy, and is of the purity of 18 carats, and worth about 6s. 8d. sterling.

The silver coin is the pardo, which is of two sorts : the pardo xeraphin
passes current for 5 good tangas each, about TJd. sterling ; and the common
pardo for 4 tangas ; the former has on one side a figure of St Sebastian, and
on the other a sheaf of arrows.

The budgerook is made of tin, having on one side a globe, and on the
other, two arrows crossed.

Spanish dollars, Venetians, rupees, and all other foreign coins
pass current here; but the price fluctuates according to the quantity in
the market

Weights. — The quintal of 4 arobas, or 189) lbs. is in common use;
but they have the Indian candy, thus divided :—

lbs. oz. drs.
1 Rattle is equal to avoirdupois... 10 8

24 Rattles make 1 Mound 94 12

90 Maunds make 1 Candy 495

Mbasures.— -Com and rice are sold by the candy of 80 maunds,
equal to 14 English bushels, nearly. The maund is divided into 24 medida.
A bahar is 3^ Portuguese quintals.

The long measures are the Portugal vara and covado ; the former
1| English yard ; the latter 26\ inches.

VIZI ADROOG, a town or village situated on a piece of table land,
covered with trees, to the S. of a narrow nook of sand in the bay of
Viziadroog. This is nearly 2 miles broad and 1% deep, has regular
soundings over a muddy bottom, of 8| to 5 fathoms near the shore; it is
safe, except just off the S. point, and affords a shelter against a N. W. wind
The river is about half a mile broad, without bar, and said to be navigable

Coiut of Canara.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 165

25 miles for vessels of 150 or 800 tons ; it is perfectly sheltered from all
winds; and vessels of from 6 to 700 tons maj anchor in any part, and lay
within 150 or 200 feet of the bank. Here they may load, unload, or dock,
with equal ease and safety, as at Bombay.

Provisions and R£FRESHMENTs.*-There is plenty of good fresh water,
fir^-wood, and fish, to be obtained here.

ZY6HUR BAY is formed by Boira Point to the N., and Pagoda
Pobt, in latitude IT 16' N., longitude 73^ IT E., to the S., distant from
each other nearly 5 mOes, and is about 2| miles deep : soundings from 7f
to 6 fathoms in the middle, to 3 fathoms close in shore ; the bottom fine
sand and mud. It is safe, except off the N. point. Several large villages
are in the bay. The river, about | of a mile broad, is navigable for
several miles, and is equally large and safe, as that of Viziadroog.

Provisions and Refreshments. — There is plenty of good water in
Che upper fort, and in viUages close by ; but in the lower fort, and near the
usual landing'place, it is brackish.

SECTION XV.

COAST OF CANARA.

1 HIS coast extends from Cape Ramus to Mount Dilla.

Car WAR. — Carwar Head, which forms the N. extreme of the bay,
is in latitude 14'' 47 N., and longitude 74^ 16' E. The bay is about two
miles deep; at the bottom there is a river, with the fort of Carwar or
Sudasagur, on the N. side of the entrance : the river is capable of receiving
vessels of 300 tons. Carwar stood about three miles above the fort, on the
opponte bank of the river. It was formerly a place of considerable trade ;
but duxing the reigns of Hyder and Tippoo, it fell to decay, and at present
is of little note.

Provisions and Rbpreshments.-— On this part of the coast there are
plenty of good bullocks ; but they are forbidden to be killed, on account
of the religious prejudices of the natives. Poultry may be procured, and

166 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Coast of Canata.

the baj abounds with various sorts of excellent fish. Wild peacocks are in
plenty in the neighbouring woods..

Coins.— Accounts are kept in pagodas, fanams, and pice; by the
Country merchants, in fanams of 24 budgerooks.

6 Pice^ or 36 Budgerooks^ are equal to 1 Settle, or JettaL
48 Settles, or 36 Fanams „ 1 Pagoda.

A Carwar pagoda is reckoned equal to 3f Surat rupees ; 18 Anjengo
fanams ; li star pagoda ; or 14 fanams, 4|^ vis, of Calicut

The Darwar pagoda, being coined in the province, is most esteemed
by the natives ; but the Ikeri pagodas are worth more, being of the
same fineness, but differing in form and weight : 40 J Ikeri are equal to
4f2l Darwar pagodas.

The Darwar Pagoda passes fbr 3f Rupees.

The Venetian for 56 to 57 Settles, or 48 to 48} Fanams.

The Gubber for 53 to 54 Settles.

One hundred ounces of silver give 79 pagodas and 34 settles, equal to
886j-f Surat rupees ; or 89 pagodas, 30 fanams, 181 cash, Madras old cur-
rency. Spanish dollars pass current.

Weights.— -The candy is about 514 lbs. 14 oz. avoirdupois, though
commonly reckoned at 520 lbs.

S5 Pice are equal to ...1 Seer = 8 oz. 19 dwts. troy.
43 Seers.... • ...1 Maond.
80 Maunds • ...1 Candy.

Measures. — The covid is equal to 18 inches.

ANJE-DIVA.— This island is in latitude 14» 44' N., about two
miles from the shore, to the S. of Carwar Head. It is about a mile in
length, and possessed by the Portuguese. It appears on the outside barren
and rocky, but on the side next the land it is pleasant. Here are a
small town and castle, and a few gardens ; it is chiefly used to transport
felons to from Goa and the island of Diu. , They are taught to spin
cotton thread and yarn, and to weave stockings, which are the best made
in this part of India, and very cheap.

In case of necessity, a ship may find shelter from the S. W. monsoon
under this island.

MERJEE.— This river b in latitude 14"^ 30' N., and longitude 74« SI'
E., about 18 mUes S. E. from Anje-diva. The entrance is between two
bluff points, one to the N., the other to the S.^ which is the highest, and

Coast of Canara.^ ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 167

defended bj a redoubt, near which is a cluster of fine green trees, that
makes it very remarkable. Just within the S. point, on the side of a hill,
stands a small square fort built of brown stone, and near it the village.
Merjee River is recommended for ships wooding and watering, it being
veiy expensive and tedious at most other places on the coast. Upon the
N. side of the river, on the hill, you may cut good fire-wood, and rice may
be procured in any quantity. Fresh water is to be had also in great plenty,
extremely soft and good, and with the greatest ease, as you do not go into
the river ; the watering place is a very fine sandy cove, just within the
N. point of the westernmost part of the bay, where your boats may land,
and you can roll your casks upon the sand to a low stone wall about a foot
high, over which you may dip your buckets into the pool of fresh water,
and a.Iarge fleet may water in two or three days. The most convenient
situation to anchor is about a mile from the N. bluff, having Fortified
Island, near Onore, in one with the S. extreme of the land bearing S. S. E.
The river in no place has less than 4f fathoms at half-ebb ; on the bar there
are 3 fathoms, and within it 7 fathoms, till near the town, so that if there
was occasion, a ship might enter the river ; but it woidd be necessary to
send a boat first to sound the bar.

Weights and Measuries. — ^The candy at Merjee is equal to 540 lbs.
avoirdupois ; 42 bales or robins of rice are a corge.

FORTIFIED ISLAND.— This island is in latitude 14*^ 19 N., about
two miles from Onore ; it derives its name from being fortified all round
with a stone walL The landing place is at the S. end, where there is a fort
with eight guns mounted. The island is about six miles in circumference^
and about one in the nearest part from the main land ; between is a channel
for laige boats.

A small trade is carried on with this island for a kind of reddle, which
is used by the natives for painting their houses ; here is abundance of good
fresh water.

ONORE, OR HONAWERA, is situated in latitude W 18 N., on
the N. side of a salt-water river. Near its entrance is a shoal, on which are
only nine feet at low water ; within it has sufficient depth to receive vessels
drawing 16 or 18 feet ; the best channel is at the S. part of the entrance of
the river It is navigable a considerable way inland. A ship may anchor
in the roads^ with Onore flagstaff E. N. E., and Fortified Island N. by W.,
ikbout a mile from the shore. Fresh water is rather scarce here.

Trade b now inconsiderable, the chief export being rice, with a little
pepper, betel, and coco-nuts.

Coins.— The common currency here consists of Ikeri, Sultany, and

168 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Coast df Canara.

Bahadre pagodas ; Surat and Madras rupees, wliidi are considered of equal
value ; fanams, a small silver coin ; and dubs, a copper coin.

10 Dubs equal to 1 Fanam.

5} Fanams » I Rupee.

4 Rupees « 1 Ftogoda.

Weights.— The Seer weight is the same as at Mangalore ; it ought to
weigh 84 Bombay rupees : but these being scarce, in their stead dubs are
commonly used, and are somewhat heavier. The number of seers con-
tained in the Maund, varies according to goods sold, viz.

Common ortidea in the Bazar are 40 Seers or ayoir. Iba. 84.55

Pepper .' 48 r.86.91

Betel Nut 45} .87.92

Dry Coco-nut Kernels 48 89.46

Jaggery 44 80.88

Mbasoebs.— There are two kinds of grain measures in use, one for the
farmers, and one for the merchants ; the basis of the former is the hanj,
containing 87J cubical inches.

16 Hanies....make...l Colaga, which is equivalent to ... Bushels 0.816

80 Colagas... • 1 Moray^ or Mudy^ for common use 1.638

88} Colagaa.. « 1 Moray for sale 1.813

15 Colagas... • 1 Moray for seed IJ

The basis of the measure bj which the merchants deal, is the Sida, of
32^ cubical inches.

6 Sidas make...l Colaga Busheb 0.907

80 Colagas... • 1 Moray 1.814

SO Morays... • 1 Corge 54.419

The ba^sar moray, and that of the farmers for sale, ought to be the
same, but thej differ a little.

BARCELORE is about 14 leagues to the S. of Onore. The peak is
in latitude 13° BOf N., longitude 74"^ 58' E. The town stands on the banks
of a broad river, about 4 mfles from the sea. The river has a bar, on which
are IS feet water at spring-tides.

TRADE.-i~A considerable trade is carried on with the Muscat Arabs,
their vessels bringing horses, dates, kismisses, &c. taking in return, rice,
pepper, and a few other articles.

MANGALORE. — This town, which is extensive, is situated near the
mouth of a considerable river, in latitude 12° 50' N., and longitude 75^ TE.;
it is navigable onlj by small vessels, there bemg but 10 or 11 feet water on

Coast of Canara.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE.

169

the bar. The anchorage for large ships is abreast the fort and river, with
the flagstaff about E. bj N., distance from the town 2 or 2 J miles. The
castle is large and strongly fortified, and so situated as to command and
protect the town and entrance of the river.

Tradk. — The chief imports are cotton cloths from Surat, Cutch, and
Madras ; salt from Bombay and Goa ; raw silk from China and Bengal ; a
species of madder from Muscat; sugar from Bengal and China; and oil
and ghee from Surat and Cutch. Of exports, rice is the grand article ; it
is sent to Muscat, Bombay, Goa, and Malabar. BeteUnut is the next,
which is sent to Bombay, Surat, and Cutch. Pepper is the third great
article. They export also, sandal, cassia, and turmeric. There are numy
respectable merchants, chiefly Persees, from Surat, Bombay, and to the
northward, who have settled here since the Company have acquired the
country.

Coins.— -The following are the coins in common currency here, and
their value in rupees, viz.

Ilceri or Swamy Pagoda 4 Rupees.

Bahadry or Hyder's Pagoda ...4 Ditto.

Sultany or Tippoo'a Ditto 4 Ditto.

Kristna or Mysore Ditto 4 Ditto.

Madras or Star Pagoda 3} Rupees.

Porto Novo Ditto 3 Ditto.

Canter Raya or Ikeri Fanam... } Ditto.
Virraya Fanam J Ditto.

Of silver coins, the Surat and Madras rupees are considered of equal
value, and pass for 5^ silver fanams, the same as are current in Malabar ;
in the bazar they exchange for 10 dudus or dubs, but in revenue are taken
for 14 dubs each.

Of copper coins, the Bombay pice coined in England, and Tippoo'^s
dubs, are current here ; these with their fractions, {, 7, and |, are the
only small coins in use. Cowries are not in circulation.

In payment for goods or debts, every person must receive these coins
at the above rate of exchange. The money changers give silver for gold at
the regulated price; but they take a small batta, or exchange, when they
give gold for silver. They also give copper for silver at the regulated
price, but demand lOJ dubs for the silver fanam.

Accounts are commonly kept in Sultany pagodas, rupees, and annas ;
others are kept in pagodas, a nominal fanam or huna of 10 to a pagoda,
and annas or 16 parts of these fanams. »

Weights, — The ' seer, or sida, used for weighing, contains 4297
grains, which is rather more than 24 Bombay rupees. The seer is divided
into halves, quarters, eighths, and sixteenths. The number of seers in the.
maund varies according to the goods to be disposed of.

170 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Coast of Malabar.

The maund, bj which goods are sold in tlie market, is 46 seers, or
98.14 lbs.*— The maund by which the merchauts purchase, and by which
the Company buy and sell, weighs 16 rupees more, or 28.55 lbs.-^aggery
is bought and sold by the maund of 40 seers, or 24.47 lbs.

The candy, or bam, contains 30 maunds, and varies accordingly,
from 571 lbs. to 589) lbs.

MBA8URKs.-*-The seer in the bazar is formed by mixing equal quanti-
ties of salt, and of the nine most common grains, and then by taking of
the mixture 84 Bombay rupees weight ; this fills the seer measure, and is
about 73.683 cubical inches. The moray, or mudi, contains 38 seers, or
about Itb bushel English.

The grain measure, by which the &rmers sell their crops, is thus
formed :-i-64.1^ cubical inches make 1 hany, 14 hanies make 1 cuUishigay,
3 cuUishigays make 1 mudi, or moray, which is about 1.2525 busheL

Grain, salt, and sometimes pepper, are sold by measure ; of this last,
a pucka seer, or 73.683 cubical inches, is reckoned to weigh 51) Bombay
rupees, or 21 oz. avoirdupois. The corge of 42 robins for rice is 49
morays.

SECTION XVI.

COAST OF MALABAR-

XHIS coast is said to commence about eight leagues to the S. of
Mangalore, at a place called Declah, where there is a white wall in ruins
visible from the offing. From thence it extends to Cape Comorin ; but
Mount Dilla, a conspicuous headland, in latitude 1 1^ 59^ N., and longitude
75"^ Sr E., is considered by navigators as the limit between the Coasts of
Canara and Malabar. This is the narrowest part of the channel between
the main and the Laccadives, the distance being 27 leagues.

BILLIAPATAM is on the banks of a river, about sis miles to the
E. of Mount Dilla. The river extends a considerable distance inland, but
is only navigable by small vessels, it having a bar with from one to two

Coaa of Malabar.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 171

fathoms^ abreast of which ships may anchor in three to five fathoms, about
two miles off shore.

CANANORE is at the bottom of a small bay, one of the best on the
coast The town contains many good houses belonging to the Mussulman
merchants ; the remainder are chiefly huts. The fort, which is strong, is
&tuated on a kind of peninsula, which forms the bay, and is in latitude
11^ 5r N., and longitude 75*" 85' £. Ships may anchor abreast the fort,
in from 4| to 5 fathoms.

Taabs.— The Chief of Cananore, to whom most of the Laccadires
bebng, has several vessels trading to Arabia, 'Bengal, Surat, &c. The
European articles imported are chiefly for the consumption of the Com-
pany's servants stationed here.

Provisions and Refrbshmbnts.*— Indifferent bullocks and poultry are
to be had ; watering is difficult and expensive, and fire-wood scarce.

Coins.-— All Indian money passes here.

Weights and Measures are the same as at Tellicherry.

LACCADIVE islands, an archipelago of low islands, opposite
the Coast of Malabar, extending from latitude 10° to about IS^ N., a large
diaond separating ihem.from the coast. .There ai^e 19 principal. islands,
mostly surrounded with coral oreefs and steep rocks ;. but. their positions are
not well determined, nor their description well authenticated. An Amerkan
navigator states, that in 1818 he traversed them, and that they are in gene-
ral safe to approach, and well inhabited, the natives not shy, hut inoffen-
are. He recommends the Island Eau Battea, in latitude 10° 34' N.,
longitude 72^ 56' E., as furnishing abundance of poultry^ eggs, coco-nuts,
and very fine water. ** The ship may lie off and cm within a mile of the
laiiding.j)lace. The natives wiQ bring off poultry and coco-nuts at a rea-
XNiaUe rate. If you want water, you must land, and make a baigain with
the Chief, who understands the use of money. You then send your boat
with the empty casks, and the natives fill them. The boat harbour is
huide the reef; the entrance near the N. end of the island, a fine sandy
headi, and the water perfectly smooth.'*'^-He adds, that the old Charts are
eitremdy erroneous, which is perhaps the only part of the account that
caa be implicitly depended upon.

MINICOY, OR MALACOY, is the southernmost of the islands, in
latitude 8" 17' N., and longitude TS"" 18 £. It is about 6§ miles long, and
half a mile broad, extending in the form of a crescent to the N. W., having
a coral reef across it, the channel through which is v«y intricate and nar-
^^9 having only two fathoms water. The town is situated within this
^) the inhabitants are very civil. A trade is carried on from hence to

172 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Coast of Malabar.

Cananore, in coir and coco-nuts, and at this island is caught the fish
called commelmutch, so much esteemed in Malabar.

UNDEROOT is about 3^ miles long from E. to W., and IJ broad;
it is in latitude 10° 48' N., and longitude Ti"" E., well planted with coco-
nut trees ; the town is on the N. side of the island, and consists of a few
houses scattered along the sea-side. Turtle may be taken here. The water
is tolerably good, and the inhabitants are poor and inoffensive. This island
is the nearest of the group to the Malabar Coast, and is about 38 leagues
distant from Mount Dilla.

The inhabitants of the greater part of these islands are Moplas, and
very poor ; thej subsist chiefly on coco-nuts and fish, having no grain ;
their boats are made of coco-nut stems, and their houses are entirely con-
structed of that iree. The principal export is coir, and that which b made
here, is esteemed the best in India ; it has always been used by the Arabs,
and our ships in the Indian Ocean generally prefer it to hempen cordage
for running rigging. Ambergris is occasionally to be met with among
these islands.

TELLICHERRY, the principal English settlement on the Coast
of Malabar, is in latitude 11^ 44' N., and longitude 75^ 32^ E.^ and aboat
ten miles to the S. of Cananore. In fine weather, ships anchor in the roads
in five fathoms, the flagstaff bearing N.E. by N.ofi' the town l^toSmiles;
but when there is a chance of unsettled weather, they should andior weD
out in 7 or 8 fathoms. There is a ledge of black rocks facing the fort,
where small vessels have been known to lie during the S. W. monsoon.

Tellicherry Fort is of considerable size, with strong waUs, though
rather ruinous, having conveni^it houses for the Chief and gentlemen of
the factory ; that of the Chief is a large and handsome building. About a
mile to the S. is a small fort called Mile End, and at a short distance to the
N. of Tellichenry is a blockhouse. There are two towns, one bordering on
the sea^<x>ast, the other in the wood : the principal inhabitants of the former
are Portuguese ; those of the latter natives. Between the town and the
fort is an extensive and open place ; on one side is a pleasant garden
belonging to the Chief, who has likewise a small one adjoining his house.
There is an excellent ride through the wood, much fi:^uented by the Euro-
pean residents.

Traoe.— A considerable inland and foreign trade b carried on here.
Most of the ships from China bound to Bombay and Goa, touch here, and
dispose of part of their cargoes, which is mostly resold to the inhabitants of
the interior, who make their returns in the produce of the country, such as
pager, pepper, coco-nuts, coir, and cotton cloth, which is very good and

CoaH of Malabar.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE.

173

cheap; they haFe a particular kind of towels, esteemed the best in India.
Here are several Portuguese merchants ; likewise a few Persees. Many of
the natives are men of considerable property.

Duties. — The customs are fanned by a Persee merchant resident at
Tellicherry, and vary according to the articles bought and sold ; it is there-
fore best to make your agreement to be exempt from all duties, which may
readfly be done with the merchants.

Provisions and Refreshmbnts.— Bullocks and water are supplied by
the Master Attendant. Rice and paddy are very dear ; gram is to be had ;
poultry is indifferent ; yams and other vegetables scarce and dear.

It is difficult to procure plank or mats for dunnaging the hold, and
stowing the pepper here ; they should therefore be brought from Bombay,
or sent for to Cochin.

Coins.-— The coins current faei'e are pagodas, rupees, fanams, pice, and
tars. — There are two kinds of fanams; the one is a small gold coin, with a
considerable alloy of silver and copper ; the other a silver coin ; the pice and
tar are copper, coined in England.

S Tars equal to 1 Pice = 80 Reus.

10 Pice « 1 Fanam.

S Fanams .... « 1 Bombay Rupee.

The following are the rates at which gold coins commonly pass cur-
rent at Tellicherry : —

Porto Novo Pagodas 3^ Rupees.

Star Pagodas 3} Ditto.

Soltany Ditto ^ Ditto.

But to pay for Goods^ 430 Rupees
per 100 PiBgodBS.

Venetians^ 6 Rupees each ; but if paid^

590 Rupees per 100 Venetians.
Surat Gold MohurB...15 Rupees each.
Bomhay Ditto 16 Ditto

In selling goods, all bargains should be made for Bombay Rupees,
or you will lose considerably by the coins you are obliged to take here,
more particularly the Venetians, which seldom fetch more than four
rupees each at Bombay ; and upon pagodas the loss is from a quarter to
half a rupee each.

Accounts are kept in rupees, quarters, and reas, the same as at Bombay.

Weights.— The commercial weights are pollams, maunds, and candies,
thus divided : — ^80 pollams make 1 maund, and 80 maunds 1 candy, which
13 reckoned equal to 600 lbs. avoirdupois ; but the noAund does not exceed
88 i lbs., which makes the candy only 570 lbs.

MtAsuKss.*— The long measures are the covid and the guz ; the former
18 inches, and the latter 28f inches.

174 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Coasi of Malabar.

MAHE 18 about 5 miles to the S. of Tellicheny, on the banks of
a small riyar, in latitude ll"" 41' N. ; the river has a bar, but is navigaUe bj
boats for a considerable way inland.

CALICUT is in latitude ir 15' N., and longitude 75<> 49 E. The
tovrn is dose to the shore, maiung a handsome appearance from the sea, but
is fiur from being so in realit}". The streets are narrow and dirty, nor are
there any handsome buildings. It is well peopled, and has a considerable
trade with the inhabitants of the N. coast A short distance to the N.
of CaKcut is a river, navigable by boats for more than 100 miles.

Large ships anchcnr in 5 or 6 fathoms, with the flagstaff bearing K bj
N., off the shore two or three miles.

Tbaob.— Vessels from the Red Sea, Arabia, and the northern ports,
frequent this place for timber and plank, bringing with them the commodities
of their respective countries. Very little European merchandise is sold.

Some piece-goods are manufactured in the neighbourhood, similar to
the Madras long doth ; they are of six calls fineness, that is to say, contsin
in the warp 744 threads, and the pieces are 72 covids long, by 2^ in width.
Very few are made of a superior kind. They are sometimes bleached, and
sent to Europe.

Duties on exports are rated cut valorem ; it is therefore advisable,
in making bargains at Calicut, to agree at a certain price deliverable on
board.

Coins.— The principal coins in circulation are tars, fanams, and rupees ;
but accounts are kept in rupees, quarters, and reas, as at Bombay r-^-

16 Tan^ or Vis equal to 1 Fanam

5 Fanams « 1 Rupee

S} Rupees • 1 Star Pagoda

dj Ditto • 1 Porto No7o Pagoda

16 Ditto 1 Bombay Gold Mohur.

The Spanish dollar, full weight, is accounted 2\ rupees, but passes in
the bazar only from 10 fanams 4 tars, to \0\ fanams.

The fanam is a small gold coin, with a considerable alloy of silver and
copper ; and the tar is a small silver coin.

The Calicut fanams have been found, by assays made at Borobaj,
to contain 52^ parts gold, 29 silver, and VJ\ copper. They are worth
6d. sterling.

Weights.— -100 pools make 1 maund of 30 lbs. avoirdupois ; and 20
maunds make 1 candy of 600 lbs.

In the Malabar weights, commonly used here, the maund is 24 lbs.

Coast of Malabar.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 175

2 oz. ; and the candy 482| lbs. The Calicut miscal weighs 3 dwts. 21
grains troj.

Measures. — The covid is 18 inches, and the guz, 88f inches, long
measure. Timber is sometimes measured by the covid (18 inches) and
borell : 18 borells make 1 covid, when the timber is sawed, and 84 when
oosawed.

See also Tdlicherry.

BEYPOUR is in latitude II*' 10' N., and longitude 75^ 51' E., about
two leagues to the S. of Calicut It is a small town, and has hardly -any
trade. The situation is beautiful, on the N. side of a rirer, a short
dbtance from the sea. Within, the river hasdeep water, but like all tiiose
on the coast, has a bar at its mouth : at favourable seasons vessels drawing

14 feet may be floated over the bar by means of casks.

TIMBER OBTAINABLE AT BEYPOUR.

Teak, {Sagtmy Hind.) Tectona grandia, — This tree is a native of the
forests in many parts of the East ; it grows to an immense size, sometimes
50 feet long, and 80 inches in diameter. For ship-building the teak is rec-
koned superior to any other sort of wood, in or out of water, and has by
long experience been found to be the most useful timber in Asia. It is
easily worked, and at the same time strong and durable. That produced on
the Coast. of Malabar is the most esteemed ; next, that on the Coromandel
Coast, near the banks of the Godavery ; then that of Pegu. The largest
quantities are produced in the latter place. The rivers enable the natives to
bring it from the interior of the country at a very cheap rate ; the prices
are therefore lower than in any other part of India.

In the year 1799, 10,000 teak trees were brought down Beypour
River. Tbb was the produce of several years ; but it is estimated that froni
2 to 3000 trees may be annually procured. Bombay is generally supplied
with teak plank from this part of the coast ; the Company usually contract
for what th^ require, and the Resident at Cochin frequently has the
contract

In purchasing plank, it is better to agree for it in guz and borels, in
preference to feet and inches, from the great difficulty of converting English
measure into candies, on account of the fractions, which occasion much dis-
pute between the measurers. If the dimensions are agreed upon in guz and
borels, the above timber will stand thus :

1st sort ^%%%%%>%%%%%17to 19 guz long, and 12 to 14 borels square;
2d ditto^«^...^14to 17 ditto — ^^^ 10 to 12 ditto.
3d ditto«w.«««««««« 9 to 14 ditto %^>..%%^%%%^ 10 to 12 ditto.

176 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Coast of Malabar.

Notwithstanding the Coast of Malabar may be considered the store-
house for Bombay, yet the demand for teak timber has so much increased,
that large quantities have been imported from Rangoon.

PANIANI RIVER h in liUitude 10" 36' N., and longitude IB"" 58' E.,
navigable only by small craft, the water being thosl. The town is scattered
over a sandy plain on the S. side of the river, and contains about 500 houses
belonging to the traders, with above 40 mosques, and upwards of 1000 huts
inhabited by the lower orders of people. It is very irregularly buOt ; but
many of the houses are two stories high, built of stone, and thatched with
coco-nut leaves. The huts are inhabited by boatmen and fishermc^n,
formerly Mucuas, a low cast of Hindoos ; but now they have all embraced
the faith of Mahomet

Near this place there is a remarkable gap in the mountains, called the
Ghauts, through which the N. E. monsoon blows in general stronger than on
any other part of the coast

Trade. — The merchants of this place have many trading boats, called
patamars, which on an average carry 50,000 coco-nuts, or 1000 mudies of
rice, equal to 500 Bengal bags of 8 maunds each : these frequent Tellicheny
and Calicut for supplies of such European and Bengal goods as are in request
on this part of the coast Paniani is also frequented by vessels from differ-
ent places on the coast

CHIT WA is in latitude 10^ 38' N., and longitude 7ff» 6 E., about
six miles S. S. E. from FanianL The village stands on the N. side of a
river; it is small, and a place of but littie trade. Ships anchor off this
place in 6 fathoms abreast the river, whidi is wide, but will only admit boats
or small vessels.

CRANGANORE, or Aycotta River, jls about 3 miles to the S. of
Chitwa ; it has a bar at its entrance, with 5 or 6 feet water on it, and 14or
16 feet inside. The town is about three miles from the sea, in latitude 10^
ir N., and longitude 7ff> 15' E.

COCHIN is situated in htitude 9° 58' N., and longitude 7ff* 17' E., and
stands on die S. side of the entrance of the most considerable river on the
Coast of Malabar, which, like the other rivers, has a bar, navigable by ships
drawing 14 or 15 feet water. The channel is on the N. shore. There is at
times a surf on the bar ; strangers ought therefore to be careful in runoing
for the river in their boatsj as accidents have happened to persons crossing
the bar late in the evening. The common anchorage is in five to six fathoms,
with the flagstaff bearing E. N. E., about three miles offshore.

The present town is small, being about a mile, or little more in
circuit ; and it is now completely fortified. As the town is dose to the sea

Co(ut of Malabar.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 177

on one side, and the other is on the banks of the S. entrance of the river, it
b thus by art made a very strong island. The entrance of the river is nar-
row for some little space above the town, when it widens by degrees, and
becomes large and spacious.

The streets are straight ; the houses built of brick, and kept in excellent
order. The channels for the water are on each side the street, narrow and
isep; die sides and bottom are covered with red tiles, each about 14 inches
square, and thick in proportion. The whole town is gravelled ; the streets
and squares are raised in the middle, and slope gently to the channds, so
that even in the rainy season the streets are clean and neat.

On the N. side of the entrance of the river is a spacious green lawn,
more than a mile broad, which reaches along the banks of the river, opposite
to and above the town ; as the river is there very narrow, it serves as the
town ditch : it forms an esplanade, terminated by a thick and well-grown
wood of coco-nut and other trees.

Cochin was transferred to the English by the Netherlands Government,
in 1814, in exchange for the island of Banca.

Trade.— The principal part of the comimerce at Cochin is in the hands
of Jew merchants, several of whom are very rich. The port is frequented
by ships bound from Bengal to Bombay and other places to the N., as well
8s the Portuguese ships from China, bound to 6oa ; and a considerable
trade is carried on by the natives of India and Arabia. Here are sometimes
50 vessels from Surat, Bombay, Goa, Mangalore, Telliqherry, Opore,
Calicut, and other places on the coast, besides Arabs from Mocha, Judda«
and Muscat. By the vessels from Muscat, and places in the Red Sea,
are imported almopds, aloes, assafoetida, brimstone, cummin seed, dates,
gam Arabic, pearls, rose maloes, rose water, sharks^-fins, and salt, By
vessels from Bombay and the different ports to the N. are imported
Bmckj cloths of sorts, cotton, castor oil, copper, cummin . seed, grain,
ghee^ iron, lead, medicines, opium, quicksilver, red lead^ rice, saffron,
shawls, steel, tobacco, and wheat. From China and places to the E. are
imported alum, benjamin, camphire, cinnamon, cloves, China root. China-
ware, dnnabar, dammer, mace, nutmegs, sugar candy, silks, sago, teas,
and tutenague.

The principal articles of export are the following, mosUy produced on
the coast :-^oco-nuts, cassia, cardamums, coir, cowries, coculus ii^dicus,
Columbo root, elephants^ teeth, fish maws, ginger, pepper, sandal yrood,
tamarinds, turmeric, teak, wood, and wax.

Vessels which do not draw more than 14 feet water, load and unload at
Mutton Cherry, 1 J mile from Cochin.

1 78 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Coasi of Malabar.

PaoTisioaig AND Refrbshiunts.— -Plenty a£ good provkioiis maj be
had, particularly all kinds of poultry. It is usual for ships proceeding on
their voyage to and from Bombay and Surat, to touch at this place, to take
in a stock of fresh provisions, all of which are very reasonable when com-
pared with the prices paid at the settlements belonging to the English on this
Side of India. Fowls are in general small. Bullocks are procured from
Chitwa, but are smalL Grood yams and other vegetables are to be procured,
vrith various kinds of froit

CoiNs.-^Accounts are kept in rupees ci 16 annas, which are considered
equal to the Surat rupees. Accounts are also kept in fanams, 20 of which
equal the rupee, and 4 fanams make a schilling.

Most Indian and oth#r coins pass here : the exdianges are generally as
follow :

DacatooDs «• at 184 or 50

Spanish DoUars in tale 10 ••• 38 to 40

Venetians and Gubbers 18 ... 72^74^76

Surat and Bombay Rupees 5 ... 20

Rix-DoUan 8 ... 32

Negapatam Pagodas 16 ... 64

Copang 48)

Spanish dollars are seldom weighed here, but are taken by the tale at 2
Surat rupees eacli. When these dollars are valued at 40 fanams, an English
crown is worth 40^. When Surat rupees are 20 fanams each, pagodas
are 64. Gubbers are 1 per cent less than sequins.

Weights.— -Gold and silver are weighed by the sicca weight (See Ben-
gal) : 1 sicca is equal to 31 fanams ; 72 fanams make 8 pagodas, or 1 dollar
weight ; and 93 fanams are the weight of 10 sequins, or 3 sicca weight.

The great weights are the maund, which is 271bs. 2i oz. avoirdupois ;
20 of which make a candy, or 54S| lbs. The Cochin candy equals 7 Bengal
Factory maunds, 11 seers, 2ichittacks.

ALIPEE is in lat 9° 30 N. long. 76*^ 34' E., near a river, which has a
communication with that of Quilon, and runs nearly parallel with the coast;
the banks are woody, and the lands well cultivated. The town is of consi-
derable size, and very populous, having many good houses ; it belongs to the
Rajah of Travancore, whose flag is generally kept flying. There is a kind
of tavern, but the accommodations are dirty and bad.

Trade -«A number of merchants are settled here, some of whom act as
agents for the houses at Bombay. Afew drugs are to be procured, such as coculos
indicus, cardamums, zedoary, cassia, ^nd coffee. Elephants^ teeth are likewise
to be met with occasionally ; pepper, grain, and timber form the principal
articles of trade ; but the pepper is reserved for the Rajah to supply the Com-

Cmut €f Mahbar.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 179

paojr, wad their dups oeQaAonallf ftop here to reoeire it on bofcrd. Steal]
coasting Tauds are sometimefl bnSt here.

POBCA is situated in lal 9^ 8(y I^. about leagues S. bj £. from
Cochin, belonging also to TntTancore. It is a small town, consisting of low
houses eowed with cadjan learea ; there u one house with white walls
larger than the others, by whidi this place may be distinguished. The
anchorage is in 5 or 6 fathoms, the white house bearing N. E. by E., distance
offshore 1 j to 2 miles.

There are several villages on the coast between Cochin and Quilon^
which are only frequented by the small coasting vessels, for coir, timber for
ihip4>uildiiig, and pqpper.

QUIL.ON.— The fort of Quilon is on a point of land, in lat &" B3 N.
aad long. 76^ S7' E., about 3 miks to the S. of Iviker river, which is a wide
inkt leading to several rivers, one communicating with Alipee and Cochin,
navigable only by flat-bottomed boats. The Company have warehouses at
Quflon for pepper, and their ships call here to receive it on board.

ANJENGO, in latitude SP 39 N. longitude 76f 49' E., about SO miles to
the S. of Quilon, is the most southerly possession belonging to the Company
on the Malabar Coast The fort is regular ; on the land side it is secured
by a broad and deep river, which, after winding round the greatest part of
the fort, empties itself into the sea a little to the S. This river would
be aseful, but it has a bar navigable only for small vessels. The Chief and
the Companj^s servants reside within the fort ; and as there is no tavern or
place of accommodation for visiters, the Chief generally entertains them
during their stay in the roads. There are a few small houses and huts in the
▼ieinity of the fort, but nothing that deserves the name of a town. Ships
geatenOj anchor with the flagstaff bearing E.N.£« in 11 or 12 fathoms,
about 2 milea firom the shore. The principal intention of this settlement is
the procuring pepper produced in the Travancore country.

TftAm.— -Pepper is the staple commodity, which is generally purchased
on account of the Company, and shipped off in donies, or country boats, on
account of the surf. There are some coarse white piece-goods manufactured
here, for the Europe market. A few drugs, such as cassia, zedoary , coculus
indicQs, &c. are to be met with, and coir in considerable quantities. The
EoropeaB artides imported are vary trifling, oondsting of a few necessaries
ibr the Oief and hk establishment

PaonaioHs and Bkphssbmbnts.— -But few articles are to be procured
here. No beef, on account of the religious prejudices of the natives ; a few
foirii, vegetables, and fruit are aU that can be reckoned upon. Water is
scarce and very indifferent ; but at die red cliffs, a few miles to the N. of

M 2

180

ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Coast of Malabar.

AnjengOy it is said to be good^ but difficult to be. shipped, on account of a
considerable surf which generally prevails on the coast, particular! j to the S.,
which renders it unsafe to attempt landing in a ship^s boat The charge for
filling water by country boats, is three rupees a butt

Coins. — ^Accounts are kept here in fanams, pice, and budgerooks.

4 Budgerooks equal to 1 Pioe.

12Tke, at ieVis « 1 Faoam.

A silver rupee is worth 6 new, or (jallion fanams; and 7 old, or Tra*
▼anoore fanams. All these are real coins.

In the Company^s accounts, an Anjengo fanam is reckoned worth ^ of a
Calicut fanam, or -f of a Surat rupee; which makes its intrinsic value
about 4Jd.

The mean rates of exchange at which other foreign -coins pass current
here are as follow, in Anjengo new fanams :-^

192' Fanams equal to 1 Madras Pagoda.

6 .
70 1

» 1 Current Rupee.

, - ......... 1 Ducatoon.

- - 1 Gold Rupee.

S3 <

- - 1 Gubber. full wekht.

18 <

, ........* ■■ .rr...... 1 Carwar P-airodat

1 ,

, , . , 14 Persian Shakee.

90 ,

- - , 1 Necanatam Pa&oda.

17 1

g 1 St. Thomas old Pacoda.

144 .
2S (

V ««t«...«* • ttt. ...... 1 Str Thomas new Paffoda.

> ......... m 1 Venetian.

Wbigrts.-— The maund is SSlbs. avoirdupois; and 80 maiinds make
1 candj, equal to 560 lbs. avoirdupois ; or 7 Bengal factory maunds,
30 seers ; or 22 Madras maunds, 3 vis, 8 pollams ; or 20 Bombay maunds.

Mbasurb.— The covid is 18 inches, or half an English yard.

CAPE COMORIN, the S. extremity of the Peninsula of Hindostan,
is in latitude &" 5' N. and longitude 77^ M E. Between Anjengo and this
Cape there are several villages on the coast, which are only frequented by
small coasting vessels.

MALDIVES.— These are a great range or chain of numerous low
islands and rocks, nearly on a meridian from 7^ & N; to 0^ 40' S. latitude;
the large islands are inhabited, and abound with coco-nuts ; but many of the
others are only sandbanks and barren rocks. The greatest breadth of the
range is said to be 20 to 24 leagues, and is formed of large groups or dusters,
called by the natives Attollons, thirteen in number, the principal of which is
denominated Male, or King^s Island. The road seems unsafe for large ships,
the bottom being coral, and the anchorage very near the shore, wliich is lined

CoaH of Malabar.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 181,

with rocks ; it is customary to moor with two or three anchors and hawsers fast
to the shore, to prevent a vessel from sheering about The boats belonging
to the natives lie inside the rocks, the passages between which are secured at
night by booms. The houses are built of wood, and covered with leaves of
tlie coco-nut tree, and are scattered about, not together in a town.

Formerly these islands were much frequented by trading ships from
India; but from the difficulties experienced in procuring a cargo for a large
ressel, and the danger attending the navigation, it has lately been given up,
and the trade is carried on in their own boats, some of them of 30 tons bur-
den, which are formed of coco-nut trees. They arrive at Balasore, in fleets
of about 80 or 30, in the months of June or July, when the S. W. monsoon
is steady in the Bay of Bengal. They are Mahometans, dress after the
maimer of the Moon of India, and i^pear to be an industrious quiet people.

The American navigator, formerly quoted, states that these islands are
not so dangerous as believed^ the reefs being near the land, and visible day or
nij^t He adds, ^^ They are formed in circular clusters, enclosing smooth^
shallow seas, and are surrounded by chains of coral reefs, generally level with
the water, extending from half a mile to 50 yards of the land. Where bays
are formed by projecting parts of the clusters, there is, in some places,
anchorage over a sandy bottom, mixed with shells and coraL Many of the
islands furnish fresh water a few feet from the surface. The natives are
poor and inoffensive, and generally shy.***— A tolerably full account of
Male is derived from the Captain of the Hayston, wrecked near there in 1819,
who experienced the most hospitable treatment from the Sultan, who refused
vij recompence for his services and supplies.

Tradk.— -In return for the goods they carry to Bengal and Madras, they
bring back broad-cloth, betetnut, coarse cutlery, china-ware, coffee, glass-
ware, hard-'ware, iron in bars, looking-glasses, opium, piece-goods, rice,
sugar, silk-atuffs, steel, and spices.

The produce of the coco^nut tree, vix. coco^nuts, coir, and oil, with
cowries, form the principal part of their exports to BengaL To Acheen
they send large quantities of dried bonito, in small pieces of two or three
oonces weight, which, when properly cured, is as hard as horn ; it is dried
in the ma, and is with them a staple commodity. Some tortoise-sheQ is tq
be met with, which is black and smooth, having many curious figures in it
They make some beautiful reed mats at these islands. Ships going froqfi
Madras to Bangoon generally call here for coco-nuts, in exchange for bluo
doth of Coromandel, and coarse white cloths from Madras; the nuts are bar*
tared at Rangoon for timber. Small hatchets are much desired by the
Maldivaiis, and are a very good article of traffic.

162 ORIENTAL COMMERCB* [Ceyfen.

Coiirs.— -Their monejr is of sflver wire, and called Lsrins ; lite falue
about a quarter of a rupee each. AH other monies pass cvrreut bj weighti
and ererj man keeps weights for tiie purpose ; so that ikey are firequenUy
obliged to cut dollars, rupees, frc. into pieces, Co pa? for anr oomnodity.

SECTION XVIL

CEYLON.

JL HIS island is separated from the Peninsula of India by the Gulph of
Manar, formed between it and the Tinnevell j coast ; the gulph is bounded (o
the N. £. by a narrow ridge of sand and rocks, mostlj dry, which is called
Adam'^s Bridge. It extends nearly E. and W. 8 or 10 leagues; the E. end
joining to the Island Manar, which lies dose to Ceylon, in latitude about
9"^ N. ; and the W. end to the Island of Ramisseram, which is situated close
to the continent There is a narrow passage for small country trading boats,
drawing about three feet water, between the island and the main. The
general direction of the island is N. and S. Its length, from Dondra Head
to Point Pedro, is about 250 miles, and its greatest breadth about 150.

Since the year 1818, this island has been entirely subjected to Britidi
authority, and is governed by a liberal constitution.

The trading places are Aripo, Calpenteen, Negombo, Columbo, Matura,
Point de Galle, Batticaloe, Trincomalee, and Jaifnapatam. Of these, Co-
lumbo, Point de Galle, and Trincomalee are the only ports frequented bj
large ships.

ABIPO is about four leagues to the S. of the E. end of Manar, and
about two miles N. of the scene of the pearl fishery, in latitude about 9* 4T N.
About 500 yards to the N. of the fort lies a small village chiefly inhabited
by fishermen, and adorned with a neat Portuguese chapel rinng from its
centre. The beach is steep, and the large donies lie so close to the shore,
that a person might step into them ; at the same time they ride in perftct
security. The gulph being narrow, no surf is perceptible. The pearl fisbeiy
is carried on at

CONDATCHY, about three miles distant from Aripo, where in gene-
ral notldng is to be seen but a few miserable huts, and a sandy desert ; but

Cegbm.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 183

during the period of the fishery, it braaches out into a populous town, several
streets of which extend upwards of a mik in length. The scene altogether
resembles a crowded fair on the [grandest scale. The Baj of Condatchj is
the principal rendezvous for the boats employed in the fishery. The banks
where the fishery is carried on, extend several miles along the coast from
Manar southward, off Aripo and Condatchy. The principal bank is oppo-
site to the latter place, about SO miles firom the shore, and is 10 miles in
length and two in breadth.

The vessels employed in the fishery come firom different ports of the
continoit, particularly ^Tuticoiin, Karical, and Negapatam on the Coroman-
dd Coast, and Quilon on the Malabar Coast. The fishing season commences
in Febniaiy, and ends about the beginning of April.

CALPENTEEN.— The Fort of Calpenteen is situated upon the N.
end of a neck of land, which extends about 60 miles along the coast, and
during tlie N. E. monsoon becomes an island. The fort is about 900 feet
square, and has four bastions, one at each angle. A large native village and
many detached cottages are interspersed amongst the trees. Here are an
exceUent wharf and landing place. The land extends from latitude 7^ 56'

to8oi8'N.

TaADK.-— A small export trade is carried on by the natives in salt fish,
and dried 'fish roes to Columbo ; they bring rice in return ; and much wood
is sent from this part to the Coast of CoromandeL At this place are raised
excdlent mangoes and pcmiegranates, and wUd honey may be purchased of a
very superior quality. It is in a liquid state, of the consistence of oil, and
preserved in pots or botdes, with a few grains of rice in the husk floating
on the top.

NEGOMBO is situated near a small river, in latitude about 7^ 15' N., and
is about 6 leagues fix>m Columbo. The andiorage is abreast the fort in 5 or 6
fstboms. The fort is an irregular pentagon, having four bastions, on each
of wludi is erected a round turret. The village is beautiful, the houses are
dean and neatly built, separated from each other by rows of trees connected
together by lofty hedges. A considerable number of Dutch families have
fixed their residence at this place.

In the neighbourhood of Negombo the cinnamon plantations commence,
md spread over a wide space of the country, reaching, with cmly a few inter-
niptions, fiu* beyond Columbo.

Fish is caught here in great abundance and variety, and large quantities
sre exported in a dried state.

COLUMBO, OR COLOMBO, is m latitude 6^ 57' N. and longitude
W'E. The andiorage for large ships is about two miles from the town, the

184 ORIENTAL COMMENCE. iCeyhn.

flagstaif bearing S., but small vessds run nearer in. There being no shel-
ter, this road is much exposed in the S. W. monsoon ; it is therefore unsafe
for ships to remain during that period.

A projecting rock, on which two batteries are erected, affords shelter to
a small semicircular bay on the N. side of the fort Here the landing place
18 rendered pleasant and convenient by a wooden quay, extending about 100
feet into the sea, and answering well for the loading and unloading boats.
The depth of water is not sufficient to allow sloops or large donies to lie
alongside of the quay ; th<»8e not exceeding 100 tons burden, ride at anchor
at the distance of only a cablets length from it, and smaller yessds moor
close along the shore. Large ships seldom cmne within this road ; and when
they do, they keep at a greater distance. A bar of sand, on some parts of
which the water is not 10 feet deep, extends from the projecting rock across
the bay. As the channel, in which it can be crossed, is liable to shift, and
not easily discovered, ships commonly anchor about a mile beyond it, and
only in the fine weather of the safe season venture to go within the bar. The
outer road affords secure anchorage for no more than six months in the year,
from the beginning of October to the end of March, when the wind blows
from the N. E. off the land. During the other six months, the S. W. wind
blows flrom the sea upon the shore, and in that season a ship seldom looks
into the road. Strictly speaking, there is no harbour at Columbo ; for the
little bay, which affords shdter to small craft, does not deserve that name.

Near to the wharf stand the Master Attendants or Harbour Master's
office, and the sea custom-house. From thence an arched passage leads to
another gateway opening into a square green, railed in for the garrison parade
in the north comer of the fort. On the left hand is the Town Major^s office ;
on the right is seen the principal street running from north to south, the
length of the town, and terminated by a lofty gateway and belfry. On one
side of the parade-ground stands the church, of a heavy appearance ; on the
other a house built for the supreme court of judicature, ornamented with a
light cupola, and situated in the centre of a row of public offices.

Three gates open from the fort towards the sea. Three others commu-
nicate with the land : the delft, or main gate, which leads to the pettah ; the
S. gate, which (^ns on the road leading to Point de Galle ; and a winding
sallyport, which conmiunicates by causeways and bridges with a rugged pe-
ninsula, commonly called Slave Island. Here is a mud village, a baxar, and
an excellent parade*

The pettah, or outer town, is situated a few hundred yards to the E. of
the fort. The town is neat, dean, regular, and larger than that within the
fort. Five streets, each half a mile in length, run parallel to one another,

Ceylon.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 185

and the same number inteniect them at right angles. The pettah is of a
square form, and was formerly defended on the land side by a wall. The
N. side is bounded by the sea, the S. by the lake, and the W. by the eastern
esplanade. On this side, wiUun the limits of the pettah, stands the burial
ground of the settlement.

Beyond the pettah many straggling streets extend in various directions
several miles into the country. The fort is chiefly occupied by the English
inhabitants ; the pettah by Dutch and Portuguese; and the suburbs, whidi
are by far the most populous, by natiye Cingalese.

For some years after its capture, C^lon was under the controul of the
East India Company ; but from the beginning of 1808, it became entirely
a royal Government, and was placed under the immediate direction of his
Majesty^s Ministers. The Council is composed of the Grovemor^ the Chief
Justice, the Commander of the Forces, who is also Lieutenant Governor, and
the Secretary to Gkivemment. A supreme court of judicature is estaUished,
consisting of a Chief Justice and a Puisne Judge; annexed to it are his
Majesty^s Advocate, Fiscal, Registrar, Sheriff, and other officers. The
Chief Justice takes precedence of all His Majesty^s subjects on the island, ex-
cepting the Governor; the Commander of the Forces ranks next, and after
him the Pui^ie Justice.

TuAnE.-— The commerdal capacity of Ceylon is very considerable ; and
in the course of time, when the wants of the inhabitants shall have increased
through their advancement in the arts of civilization, the demands upon the
mother country will be considerable. At present, the natives are chiefly in
want of grain, doth, and a few articles of simple luxury, which are most
conveniently supplied from the neighbouring coast of India. The produe-
tbns of the soil in Ceylon might be almost infinite. Its staple export is
cinnamon ; the next article is arrack, which, with coco-nut oil and other
[wx)dncts of the same tree, might be furnished to a very considerable extent
from the numerous coco-nut gardens in the island. The number of those
trees between Calpenteen and Dondra Head has been reckoned at
10,000,000« The other articles are areca-nuts, coffee, pepper, cotton,
tobacco, timber and ornamental woods, pr^ious stones, ivory, and various
drugs and dye-stuffs. Most of these articles are of superior quality. The
cardamums are less valued than those of Malabar. The hemp is neglected,
though of excellent quality.

Dimxs.— -The import and export duties throughout the island were
consolidated in ISlO as foUows :—

On /mfxfffs.— Cloth, 7^ per cent, ad valorem ; grain of all sorts, 1 ditto ;
British, China, and India goods, 5 ditto ; all otiier goods, 6 ditto ; cattie.

186 ORIENTAL COMMEBOE. [Cegbm.

Uve stock, and all articles of wearing appard^ readj made, for prtrate uie»
dutyfree.

On Ewport8.^^AmA9 8 rix-doUars per kager; areca^ut, uncut,
10 ditto per amonam; ditto, cut, 10 ditto per ditto of 8 parahs; tobacco,
Ist sort, SO ditto per candy ; tobacco, 2d sort, 37 ditto per candy ; Cala-
mioder wood, 90 per c&ii. ad valorem; ream wood, SOditto; satin wood,
90 ditto ; ebony wood, 90 ditto , pabnyras, reapers, and rafters, 25 ditto;
plonks, 10 ditto ; staves, and every sort of timber, 10 ditto ; salt &li,
10 ditto ; jaggery, 10 ditto ; gingelee seed and oO, 10 ditto ; lUepay seed
and oil, 10 ditto ; Margosa seed and oil^ 10 ditto ; fruits and roots of all
8orts» with the exception of Cahya root, 10 ditto ; coco-nuts, and ooco-out
oil from Calpettteenj Putlam, Jaffnapatam, Manar, Werteltivoo, and Mule-
tivoo^ 10 ditto; ditto from dsewfaere, 5 ditto; copperas from the above-
enumerated places, 10 ditto ; ditto firom elsewhere, 5 ditto ; grain of iD
kinds, 1 ditto ; all goods not enumerated above, 6 ditto ; all articles cl
wearing appanel, being ready made for private use, duty free ; provisiooft
ior immediate consumption, ditto.

K. B« — Produce exported coastways, pays only the export duty ; sll
goods (excqit grun) re-exported, having paid import duty, are subject to
no other, if exported within four months by the origins! impoi^.

Regulations for the CoUeeii4m of DuHsm throu^^umt (ke Island,
estoNMed m 1815.— -TiM duties on imports and exports to be collected ac-
ciNrdiag to certain tables of rates, and articles not numerated therein^ to be
charged according to the iavcMoe amoimt, increased 25 per cent In cases
where there is no invoice, or where the officer distrusts it, or the owner u
dissatisfied, the goods to be s|>praised by persons appomted by both partiei.
Damaged goods to pay according to actual vabe ; except liquors, which may
be put up to sale. Cloths to be valued by Govenunent iqppraisement, SSper
cent, below the retail price ; or by joint appraisement, as before. A nuni-
fcat of cargo to be lodged at the oustom-house, befigre landing goods. Each
boatload to be accompanied by a note signifying quantity, quality,
marks, 8ec. ; penalty of default, 100 rix-ddllars. Where a difference appears,
the goods are liable to double duties. Deposits, or seeuritiesibr duties, maj
be given for European cargoes, to be redeemed within three months. No
drawback is allowed on re-exportation of goods under the vafaie of 500 rix-
doUars. No duty goods to be landed or shipped before 6 a. m., or after
6 p. m. Groods imported for reexportation may be wcurehoased, free
of duty, for four months, provided the intention be expressed in writiDg
three days after landing. If the intention be changed, 25 per cent on the
duties will be chargeid)le on those goods. Port clearances to be obtained,

Ceyl^^] ORIENTAL COMMEBCE. 187

Qoda* penalty of fine and impriMmment. Goods transshipped withoat per-
mission, or put on board a different vessel than stated at the custom-house^
to be confiscated* or charged with treble duties. Exportation of Island
coinage prohibited, under pain of confiscation. Export of tobacco of
Trarancore assortment, without licence, prohibited, under pain of fine and
confiscation. The importation of saltpetre, sulphur, gunpowder, lead,
ammunition, and arms, without ^edal licence, prohibited ; penalty, confis-
cation. Exports to be entered at the port of clearance, or confiscated.
Penons in charge of vessels, prirj to any act iuTolving confiscation of goods,
to pay a fine equal to their value. QflBcers may enter, search, and reinaia
on board vessels during their stay in port ; persons offering them a bribe,
liaUe to fine and imprisonment. Any servant of the custom-house receiving
a fee to be dismissed ; and persons informing, to have a fourtti of his
monthly salary as reward. Informers of breach of regulations entitled to
a third of confiscated property.

RegfikUUma in the Mckster-Attendatifs Department at C6hjwnbo.'-^\e&*
sels to come to anchor within 6) fathoms water ; beyond that d^th they
will be charged double boat-hire.

AD square-rigged vessels, sloops, and schooners, to employ Government
boats only ; no country boat to be allowed to ply to any of themi without
leave firom the Master-Attendant, who, when it may be deemed expedient by
Grovemment, for the sake of dispatch, is to hire such boata...

Any country boat plying to a square-rigged vessel, sto5p, -or schooner,
without leave of the Master-Attendant, in writing, liable tb confiscation, and
the boat-hire forfeited to Government

Vessels, donies, and boats of every description, having customable
goods on board, immediately after coming to an anchor, to send a manifest
of their cargoes to the custonipliouse.

No boats to be allowed to go alongside to receive any part of a
cargo, till such manifest shall have been delivered in, and certificate
thereof, signed by the Custom Master, produced to the Master-Attendant
or his officers.

The boatmen belonging to the Master-Attendairt's department, not
to be employed on board any vessels, by the commanders or f^5k»rs of
such vessels.

The fun hire of every boat to be paid for every day it is employed either
in receiving or discharging the cargo.

Boats going off after sunset, to be charged half more than usual hire.

Persons iqiplying for boats, and not using them, to pay half the hire
of the boats.

188 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Ceyhm.

No goods to be landed or shipped but at the wharf, under the penahj of
confiscation, without licence in writing from the Custom Master.

No goods which are liable to a duty, to be put on shore, or taken fiom
the ship, without a special warrant from the Custom Master.

No ballast to be Arown overboard, but deposited in a place pointed
out by the Master^Attendant.

The Master-Attendanf s servants are restricted from receiving fee or
gratuity, on pain of dismissal, fine, imprisonment, and whipping.

Pilots, however, are allowed, in addition to their pay, half the spe-
cified rate of pilotage for each ship they pQot into the roads or harbour.

%%»^>«»%»»»%^»<%^^i»%%%%»%%«%»» »%^»%<%»<w»^»%v»

Raies of Part Charges far Vessels arriving aty and sailing fromy

the Part of Columbo,

Rd*. Fs. F.

For Pilotage of all square rigged veaselB. sloops^ and schooDerB 20

For a laberlot or rowing boat^ to and from vessels lying in the outer

roads^ with sundries^ per trip 7 6

For ditto^ ditto^ in the inner roads d

For a leager of water^ filled fixnn outside the fort^ and carried alongside 3

For a ditto ditto^ from the beach^ and ditto 2

For a ditto when filled and carried alongside* by the boats and crews of

the vessels^ with permission of the Master Attendant 10

For a leager of arrack^ conveyed from the wharf alongside a vessel, or

vice versa 10

For a laberlot load of ballast 8

For a ditto employed in warping a vessel out or in 12

For a ditto carrying out^ or weigbingy an anchor 7 6

For a ditto dearing a cable 5

For a boat employed in shipping or landing rice, wheats gnm^ sugsr^

paddy^ &c per each complete bag of 164 poimds English .......«• 10

For a ton of ballast per country boat 18

For a battel^ large country boat of 150 bags of rice burthen and upwards,

employed in shipping or landing pipes of wine, casks of beer, bales,

chests, boxes, areca-nuts, &c &c. per trip 10

For a small country boat, of about 50 bags of rice burthen, employed

in carrying sundries, or as a passage boat, per trip 2 6

When boats of this last description are employed in landing or shipping

articles, particularly enumerated above, they are to be paid for as

laid down finr such articles
For abattel, or large country boat, ordered but not employed, half hire, or 5

For a laberlot ditto, ditto, ditto 2 6

For a small country boat ditto, ditto .„ 13

Ceghn.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 189

Bd»> F$. JP.

Domes limding or carrying off their cargoes in their own boats, are to

paj^pergarce 10

Cingalese donies without riggers (called collah donies) are exempted.

When a country boat is permitted to land grain at the Bankshall^ an
additional charge of one rix-doUar per 100 complete bags, is to be
paid to the boat-owners 1 .0

For the nae of an anchor, per day 3

Fordittoof agrapnel> ditto 16

Charges of Cooley Hire^for landing or shipping of Goods,
at orfoft the Port of Columbo, 4^.

For unloading a laberlot with iron, and carrying the same to the Custom

House, or putting into carts 5

For unloading a laberlot of sundries ditto, ditto 5

For unloading a battel, or country boat of 150 bags of rice burthen or

upwards, with iron, ditto, ditto 110

For unloading a battel, or country boat, and carrying the same to the

Custom House, or put into carts with sundries 10

For unln^fag rice, wheat, or grain, and weighing the same on the

beach, per 100 bags 5

For taking up from the scales « and lodging in carts, rice, wheat, or

grain, per 100 bags 8 6

For miinjtriing or loading a chest of claret, or box of that size 6

For ditto ditto a half ehest, or box of that size 3

For ditto ditto a pipe of Madeira, Port, or other wine 6

For ditto ditto a half pipe of Madeira 3

For ditto ditto a leager of arrack 4

For ditto ditto a half ditto, or cask of beer 2

For ditto ditto a cask of rum or brandy 2

For ditto ditto a cask of gin, or box of that size 10

For ditto ditto a bag of saltpetre or sugar 10

For ditto ditto a tub of sugar candy ^ 2

For ditto ditto a cask of salt provisions 12

For ditto ditto a bale of doth 4

For ditto ditto ahalf bale of cloth 2

For shipping off a coir cable, from the Custom House, or Master

Attendant's Store, per 500 lbs 10

For ditto an anchor ditto, ditto 10

A carpenter working on board ship, from sunrise to sunset 16

A carpenter working on shore, per diem 10

A canlker working on board ship, per ditto 10

A ditto on shore, ditto ditto 9

A cooley working on board ship ditto 8

190 OBIEJfTAL COMMERCE. [Cegkm.

Fees on Port Clearances throughout the Island^ 1881.

Rda, F». p.

Vessels of 400 torn or upwards ^ 39

Ditto of SOO and under 400 , Sd

Ditto of 400 and under 800 19

Ditto under 100 10

Domes with two masts ISO

Ditto with one mast s 3

EwcepHons.

Manar and Jaflha donies^ when passing j&om Port to Port^ within those

Districts^or&omHanartoJafifaajKttth>orPoiniPedro,orvK;etwrj^ 8 6
When clearing for other Ports 6 3

All boats and vessels duly certified to belong to the Port of Batticaloe,
are exempted^ at all Ports of the Island, from the common fees on Port-
dearances^ on payment of the rates following^ viz.

Of 50 and under 800 P&rahs 1 3

Of 800 and under 500 ditto 8 6

Of 500 and under 1000 ditto 3 9

Of 1000 Parahs and upwards 6 3

N. B. Batticaloe boats or cutters are also allowed the same privileges as
the Cingalese Collah donies ; namely, that of being exempted from paying
boat hire to the Master-Attendants of Trincomalee, Galle, or Columbo;
unless when the boats of the Master-Attendant^s Department are actually
employed, at the desire of the parties concerned, in embarking or landing
their cargoes.

Coins.— Accounts are kept in riz dollars, or Elephant rupees, thus
divided :—

3 Dutch or 4 English Chalies are equal to 1 Pice.

4 Fice u 1 Fanam.

18 Panama » 1 Rix Dollar^ or Rupee.

The rix dollar is worth Is. 9d. sterling, and was fixed at that rate for
the pay of the pubKc officers in 1812 ; thus

11 Bix Dollars, 5^ Fanams, are equal to 90s.

6 Faoams, 3^ Pice ..r * la.

Sf Pice • id.

The star pagoda varies from 59 to 61 1 fanams in bills of exchange
drawn on Madras. The Sicca rupee passes for }8 fanams, either in specie
or bills. The Bombaj rupee passes current for 17 fanams in exchange for

C9^] OBIENTAL COMMERCE. 191

hills, aad fbr 18 in the baxar. The Spanish dollar varies from 37 to 39
fknams, according to the demand. 353 Areot rupees are equiyalent to 400
Cejlon rupees or rix dollars, or 100 star pagodas.

Wrights. — In receiving and delivering foreign goods, English weights
are commonly usied. The candj or bahar equals 500 lbs. avoirdupois. The
garce is 82 Cwt 2 qrs. 16^ lbs.

Measu&es.-— For the produce of the Island, the following drj measure
uiued:— -

4 Cat ChundoQs are equal to 1 Cut Measure or Seer.

4| Seers « 1 Comey.

Sf Comeys 1 MarcaL

2 Marcals « 1 Parah.

8 Parahs » 1 Amonam.

9} Amonams^orlsOOMeasures^l Last.

The parah measures 16.7 English inches square, and 5.6 deep : it con-
sequentlj contains 6 j English wine gallons. It is generallj estimated by
weight, which varies according to the articles. Thus the parah of salt
weighs 55 lbs. ; of coffee, pepper, and chunam, 30 lbs. ; of rice 44 lbs. The
parah of paddj cleared from the husk, gives half a parah of rice.

The amonam contains 16 parahs to the northward, among the
Halabars ; but to the southward, among the Hindoos, 8 parahs make one
amonam.

In wine measure,

15 Drams are equal to 1 Quart.

2 Quarts « L Canade.

S| Canades • 1 Gallon.

S Canadeflyore Gallons... « 1 Welt.

75 Wells 1 Leager.

Arrack is bought at 80, and sold at 75 welts to the leager.
The EiigBsh long and land measures are used.

Pkovisions anj> Befrxsbhskts.— Bullocks, 30 rix dollars each;
Patna rice, 10 rupees per bag ; Moog^j ditto, 7 to 8 ditto ; Bengal wheat,
7 to 8 ditto ; Surat ditto, 9 to 10 ditto ; Bengal horse gram, 4^ to 7 ditto ;
Sunt ditto, 10 to 12 ditto ; Coast ditto, 4 to 6 ditto ; loose coir, 20 ditto
per candy.

Salt is veiy good. The retail price varies from 12 fanams per parah ;
but if purchased in quantities, Grovemment would sell it ibr what it
stands them in. The water within the fort at Columbo is brackish, con-
sequenUj bad for drinking. Good water must be brought from the distance
of 1 } mile : it is conveyed in skins or leathern sacks.

192 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Ceglm,

RegukUian respecting Eofpart cf Cinnamon^ 1822.—- The general
eicport of cinnamon in any ressel, and to any place whatsoever, is aUowed,
provided the same be purchased at the Grovemment stores, where public
sales are held. The cinnamon is assorted into 1st, 8d, and 3d sorts, and
packed in bales of 100 lbs., each lot consisting of 5 bales. The article to
be paid for in ready money, the currency of the island, or specie, received at
the current price of the day, at Columbo. The purchaser of each lot will
be provided with a licence, transferrable, in duplicate, entitling the holder to
export the spice, free of duty, from Columbo, the only port whence the
shipment is allowed. Unlicensed cinnamon attempted to be exported, to be
confiscated, and the offender to pay a fine of 300 rix dollars for each
pound.

POINT DE GALLE.— This fort and town are built upon a low
rocky promontory, in latitude 6^ 1' N., and longitude 80° 20' E. : the
harbour is formed between the point, and a piece of sloping land to the £•
The entrance of the bay is about a mile wide ; but having many scattered
rocks about it, a pilot is necessary to cany a ship to the anchorage, which
is abreast the town in five fathoms.

The fort is about a mile and a quarter in circumference. Som^ of the
bastions command the bay ; the works are substantial and extensive. The
houses in the fort are large and commodious. That of the Conunandant b
a buflding of extensive dimensions. Almost all the European inhabitants live
within the fort ; only a few large houses are built without it, extending along
the shore to the S. Cottages and hamlets, the abodes of the native Cinga-
lese, are scattered about in all directions.

Point de Galle ranks next to Columbo in point of trade. It was
here that the Dutch used to ship the cinnamon and other produce ot the
island for Europe.

Regulations. — In addition to those mentioned at Colun^, aU vessels
lying outside the harbour, are to come to anchor within 16 fathoms water,
flag-staff N. N. W. to N. N. E. ; beyond that depth, they wiU be chaijied
double boat-hire.

Port Charges, viz.

Pilotage and Anchorage

For vessels of 600 tons and upwards 80 rix dollars.
Ditto ..M..*^^^^ 400 and under 600 ^..^ 60 ditto
Ditto ««^^^«^^ 200 and under 400 ^.^^^ 40 ditto
Ditto ..v,^w^«^ 100 and under 200 ^.^ SO ditto
Ditto ^^*^^..^^^^^^ under 100 ^.^ 20 ditto

Cffyim.]

ORIENTAL COMMERCE.

193

Boat Hirei tnz.

tIABllOUR.

Gawrf:— Rdt. F9. P.

Shaping or loading, per trip 15 0.

Weighing an ahchor, per day or trip u _ ^.

Loherkt or Seh^t:-^

Shipping or loading, per trip S 9

If detained a whole day 7 6

filial Boa/:—

Carrying of tMllaat^ per trip 3 9

Weighing an andior, per trip S 9

Coiatry Boat, burthen ISO bags of Rice :—

Shipping or loading, per trip : h

Carrying of ballast, per trip 5

W4igr,9bu

By Goremment boata^ pei^ leager ^

By ahip'a own boats, per leager 1

Bxlra Charges, viz,

Andiora and cables, per day, each 3

Qn^nebandfaaWaers, per day, each 1

ROADS.
Rdt. Fb. p.

.30

0.
0.

10.
0.

4.
1.

.30

. 7
.15

7 6

0.
0.

ofCooliea^ 4^.

Rda.

m, earrying to Government godown, or like distance, per 100 bags 5

DHtd^ wd|^ng on the wharf, ditto 2

Iron or iron hoopa^ and lodging in the Custom Hotiie, per Uberlot, Or

in proportion ik...... ;••••; ; ;....; 4

Sundry gOods« ditto, yiz ; i 3

Chest of claret, (smaller box in proportion), each.

Pipe of Madeira ,

Cask of beer^ (small cask in proportion)

Bag of saltpetre. ; ;

Bag of sugar »....«b b u.; ;

Tub of ragar-candy , -. ;

Tutioorin bale of doth, (small ditto in proportion,)

of arrack

F». P.

4
2
1

4
4

Cooiies loading Jrom Qovemment Oodown, or like Distance.

Cinnamon Wes, each

Laager of arradc

of salt provisions

with haOast. ; 4

Anchorsy CaNes, and Cordaga

Cabla or rope, from Callanelle into boat, per candy of 500 pounds

■ I from Custom House, ditto

Anchor from shore into boat, ditto

' from wharf^ ditto, per SO Cwt,, or in proportion 1

Water filled and patting into boat at the fort, per leager

1
4

3
6

ilM ORIENTAL COMMBRCE. [Cejfhn.

Htk. Fb, p.

At the watering plaoe^ per leager 6

Coolies hauling a gamely per giunel 7 6

Ar^ficersfram 6 A, M. tUl 6 P. M,

Oh. board in the Harbour^ On Sktn.

RtU. Fa. P. RtU. Ft. -P.

Carpenter 9 6

Smith 9 6

Caulker 6 3 3

Painter 10 - - -

•" — — Workman under him .,,... 6 ...

Cooley 4 - - «

Artificers^ &c. employed on board vessels outside the harbour^ to receive double pay.

MATURA is in latitude 5° 58' N., and longitude SOP 40' E. The
fort, which is square, and built of stone, stands on the W. side of the river.
The gate communicates with two wooden bridges leading across the water
to a fortification of larger dimensions. The two wooden bridges are con-
nected together bj a small island, lying near to the W. side of the river.
They are built of strong piles driven into the sand, and covered with planks^
of sufficient breadth fdr carriages, but without balustrades.

Refkeshments. — Plenty of wood and good water may be procured in
the river, the entrance to which is about half a mile to the W. of the fort
Boats go a small distance up this river to fill water ; but the coming in is
made dangerous by the rocks which lie under water ; and the outset of the
stream is so strong, that any boat touching on them, is in danger of being
overset ; therefore it is best to have the natives to pilot you in. Ships anchor
here in the N. E. monsoon, abreast the town> in 20 fathoms.

DONDR A HEAD, the S. extreme of Ceylon, in latitude 6° 6S N.,
and longitude 80'' 43' E., is a low point, with a grove of tall coco-nut trees
on its extremity. Near it is Dondra^ a populous village, which must at one
time have been a place of great note, and much resorted to on account of a
Hindoo temple itt its vicinity, formerly a magnificent structure, nowifi
ruins. The Portuguese and Dutch used many of the stones for erecting
Matura Fort. There is still a small temple much frequented by the
Cingalese.

TENGALLE is about fifteen miles to the N. £. of Dondn Head,
and is known by the small fort and ruins of an old pagoda, situated on an
elevated and projecting point of land oh the W. side of the bay. The baj
itself is of considerable extent, being 4 J miles from Tengalle Point to the
extreme point of land opposite. Off from each point run extensive and
dangerous reefs ; within them is good anchorage and shelter during the S.W.

Ceglmk] OAIENTAL COMAfBRCB. IfiS

mooaooji^ Hare is a fibrtresi of two bastions, erected on the sumaiit of a
floall lijIL The landing-place, whkh is perfectly free from surf, Ues under
the rising ground on wbicb the fort staqds, baying the ruins of a house a
little to th0 &• of it Aliout a quarter of a mile from the landing-place,
passing the iorti is a wdl containing good water. A pathway leads directly
from the fort to the well, where water may be filled^ ancji the casks rolled
down the beach.

BATlCALOBiFv— This island is about two miles up a small arm of the
668, in latitiide V 4fi'N., and lon^^tude 81° £3 E. It is about three miles
in drpunifereuce, and there is a pleasant walk on the sand beach round it.
The fort is of a square constructioii^ having four bastions. The internal
dimensioas are small, containing only a low barrack, a granary, a magasine,
and the spacious mansion of the Commandant A little village stands a few
hundred y tarda from the walls of the fort, and several huts are scattered over
the island. At the farther end of it are two Portuguese chapels within a
short distance of each other, neatly built of stone. The great body of the
inhabitants are Hindoos and Mahometans. The number of Protestant
Christians is very small.

The inlet of the sea, which surrounds the little Idahd of Baticaloe,
extends thirty miles into the country, and contains several other islands of
omilar dimensions. The frith in many places is one nule broad, and affords
excellent navigation for boats. Unfbrtunately a sand bar stretches across
the oitrance, on which are no more than six feet water, so that only small
vends can come into it; but when once entered, they ride in complete
security. The anchorage is about two miles from the mouth of the
rirer, bearing about S., and the Friar^s Hood, a remarkable nmuntain about
fire leagues inland, S. S. W. The road is not always safe in the N. B. mon-
soon, but in the S. W. monsoon it is always so.

Pbovisioms and Rbfrbshments. — You may water at the island,
laadiog your casks at the wharf, and roll them to a well on the green. It is
necessary to carry funnels and buckets to draw the watel* up. Wood may
be cot on the banks of the river, near the bar, in any quantity. Bullocks and
other refreshments are in abundance.

TRINCOMALBE.— This bay, the entrance bf which is about five
miles broad, is formed by Foul Point, its S. E. extreme, and Flagstaff
Pobt, in latitude 8" 33" N., and longitude 8^ 2i' E. This point is the
N. extremity of a narrow and crooked peninsula that bounds the E. and
S. £. sides of Trincomalee Bay, and separates Back Bay from it, and from
the great bay to the S. Ships generally moor abreast the town. During
the S. W. monsoon ifa^>s Ue in Back Bay, with Flagstaff Point bearing

N 2

Ifl6 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. ICeybm.

8. S. E., about a mile distance. This harbour, one of the finest in the
world, from its centrical position, and the easy ingress and egress which it
affords at all seascms, is better adapted for being made a marine dep6t, and
a rendezvous for his Majesty^s squadrons, than any other station in India.
The view <>f Trincomalee firom Back Bay is striking and beautifuL On
one hand stands a projecting cliff, riring in many places perpendicularij
from the sea upwards of 100 feet, and the broken hill above it is elevated
about 200 feet more. The flagstaff is placed near to the outermost point
of the roek ; and along the summit and declivities of the higher ground are
situated the bungalows of the officers, and barracks of the {Mivate soUien.
On the other hand, a line of native villages are shaded amidst groves of
coco-nut trees. The great body of the fort and town of Trincomalee is
situated at the bottom of the rock, and. joined to a narrow neck of land,
running parallel to the sea, and separating the harbotu* from two adjacent
bays, one of which lies on each side of the promontory. The otily disad-
vantage attached to this noble harbour is, that . the tide does not rise to a
sufficient height to admit of the construMidn of wet docks for vessels of a
large size.

Trade. — This is a very convenient port for trade ; but till lately none
had been carried on to any extent. The Government has given tocour^ge-
ment to the resort of shipping, and the influx of trade hither, by lightening
the duties in regard to this port.

Duties.— By Regulation, 1817, goods brought into Trincomalee, U
any vessel arriving from Europe or America, and East India and Cfain^
goods brought direct from the place of growth or manufacture^ or the ports
at which commonly they are originally exported, are liable to only half
duties. Bombay to be deemed a port of original export for goods the pro-
duction of countries bordering on the Persian Gulph and the Red Sea ; and
Calcutta and Madras deemed ports of original export for goods the produc-
tion of places to the eastward of the Bay of Bengal, except China. Goods
thus imported are liable, upon re-exportation beyond the district of Trin-
comalee, for puiposes of trade, whether. by sea or land, to the duties
remitted, subject to the same exceptions as stated at Columbo, when
warehoused.

Articles the p^uce of the district of Trincomalee, which, by oath,
appear to be returns for goods imported under this Riegulation, are subject,
upon exportation, to hidf duty only.

Reoulatioits are the same as at Columbo, with these additions :—
All vessels lying in Back Bay are to come to an anchor within seten
fathoms of water ; beyond that depth doUUe boat hire will be charged.

Cegbm.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE, 197

No goods are to be landed or shipped but near Mr. N^'^s house, in the
Inner Harbour, at present occupied as the cutcheny of the district, and hy
the Custom-Master, under penalty of confiscation.

Vessels ar^ pnly permitted to land cargoes in Back Bay, between the
1st of April and the 25th of October, in each year ; during the N. E.
monsoon, they must land their cargoes in the Inner Harbour, at the place
above pointed out

Rates of Part Charges.

PILOTAO£« . BACK BAT. INNBB BAY.

Rig. Ft, P. Bd$. Ft. P.

A merdumt vesselj of 600 tens and upwards. 50 100

Ditto 400 and under 600 40 80

Ditto 900 and under 400 S7 54

Ditto 100 and under SOO 14 30

Boat ffircj in Back ^ay.

For every boat^ landing or carrying off rice» wheats or graiUj, per bag 10
And if employed landing or carrying off other goods^ at the rate gf

tonnage of the boat in that proportion.
For every leager of arrack, carried alongside, or landed fixnn a vessel 10

For every leager of water carried alongside 2

For ditto, when filled and carried alongside by ship's own boats and

crews, with permission of the Master- Attendant 10

For a ton of ballast, carried alongside % ^

The same rates of boat hire are fixed fin: vessels lying in the Inner
Harbour, if they lie in the anchorages near the town of Tri)ico«
malee; but if near Ostonbqry, Qr ip Clappenbmy, French ojr
Nicholson's cove, double the above rates are to be chaiged.
If boats axe detained the whole day, in shipping or landing cargo, so
as to be able to make but one trip, they are to be paid double
hire, according to the rates of their burthen in rice.

For a boat em^yed in w&rping a vessel out or iii , 12 Q

in carrying put or weighing an anchor 7 6

p in clearing a cable 5 Q

Doniea landing or carrying off their cargoes, without using the boat
attached to the Blaster- Attendant's department, or cargo of any

kind, topayp^garce .,i ••• 10

Cingdese doniea without riggers are exempted.

EiBtra Charges.

Hire of an anchor per day ..••••• m • 3

Ditto gr^nel ditto 16

Hire of coolies and artificers : — Cooliea imloading grain, and carrying
it firom Back or Dutch Bay, to Godowns in the little Bazar, per
100 bags t 2 d

198 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Oskm.

Bit, Ft, i>.

Ditto to Godowna in the town 4 6

Ditto from the Inner Harbour to Godowns on die Beach 8

Ditto to Grodowns in the town S 9

Weighing rioe^ gram^ or wheats on the beach It 9

Unloading iron or iron hoopa, per boat load of 70 bagft of rice 4 6

From Back Bay or Dutch Bay, Innar Harbour 8 9

Unloading of other goods^ per boat Ioad» from Back Bay and Dutch Bay 4

From Inner Harbour • 8 6

Unloading Sundries^ as under:

Chest of daret , • 6

} and i cheat in proportion.

Pipe of Madeira , •.., •••••?• 8

J and I pipe in proportion.

Cask of beer ^ 5

Bag of saltpetre ,. 10

Ditto of sugar 10

Tub of sugar candy 2

Baleofdoth^ large , 4

Leager of arrack 6,

From 6 J. M. tiU 3 P. M.

ON 8H0KE.
Rdk. Ft, P.

Carpenter^ per diem ,«. 10 0...

Smith .f .," 10 ...

Caulker ; 8 ...

Fainter , - . - ...

Workman under him - • « ...

Coolies, each • - - 6

Pkovisioms and Refrk8bm£Kts. — There are several watering-places.
The ships that take their water vo Back Bay, fill it in the fort, where a
wooden pier is built to facilitate the landing ; and those who lie in the
harbour, must fill it at the well in the town, where they will have a quarter
of a mile to roll their casks. Refreshments for present use may be got
here, but in small quantities, and not more than sufficient to supply two
men of war. The only provisions to be had are beef, buffaloes, hogs, and
a few fowls ; little or no vegetables, and those very dear.

JAFFNAPATAM.— The fort and town are situated in latitude

^ - _ _ _

9^ 44' N., and longitude 80° 15' E. The former is a regular pentagoDt
with five bastions, furnished with broad ditches and an extensive ^ads. It
appears to be the most modem, and is by far the neatest and best constnicted

BOARD.

JUm

. F«.

Cefhfk] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 19»

fiurtress in Ceylon, extremely cleaoiy and in a good state of repair. One
side runs parallel to the strait which separates the peninsula of Jaffna from
the rest of Ceylon ; the other sides are environed by an open and well-
cultivated plain. A large square occupies the centre of the fort, the interior
of which is a plot of grass, enclosed with neat rails, and bounded by streets
of excellent houses, shaded by mqestic trees.

About half a mile to the £. stands the pettah, or outward town, con-
taining several thousand inhabitants. All the streets are of a proper breadth,
one half of them running parallel to each other, and the other half inter-
aectingthem at right angiles. The houses are neat and dean, and the
outer walls completely white. The principal street runs through the centre
of the town. All the native inhabitants are included under the description
of Malabars. About one half of them are Hindoos ; the other half are
nominal Christians, with a small proportion of Mahometans. Most of the
Dutdi fiunilies who formerly resided at Trincomalee, have removed to this
place, which affords them cheaper living, and more agreeable retirement.
The comitry is fruitful ; a constant bustle pervades the daily markets, and
a regular trade with the opposite coast of India affords many opportunities
of improving a small fortune. This is the only district of Ceylon* the
revenue of which exceeds its expences.

<!^»^>%%»»^yi % »»^%«%^^»%» %%^%>%» % »^^^

ARTICLES PROCURABLE ON THE ISLAND OF CEYLON, WITH

DIRECTIONS.

Calamindbb Woon,^ (CcUaumidiriep Cingalese,) is the name given
to a beautiful wood, that takes a polish as smooth as a looking-glass ;
it is so hard, that the conunon edge-tools cannot work it, and must be
rasped and almost ground into shape. The heart or woody part of the
tree b extremely handsome, with whitish or pale yellow, and black or
brown veins, streaks, or waves; in the root these waves are closer and
darker. The nearer it is taken from the root, the inore it is esteemed, as
higher up in the trees the veins are thinner and paler.

CiNNAHON.— 'The cinnamon tree, Laurns Cinnamomumy (Darehmiy
Hind., Darasita, San.) is a species of laurel. The trees in their unculti-
vated state grow to th^ height of 20 to 30 feet ; the trunk is about three
fiset in drcumfi^rence, and puts out a great number of large spreading
horiaontal branches clothed with thick foliage. The roots are fibrous, hard
and tou^ covered with an odoriferous bark ; on the outside of a greyish
brown, and on the inside of a reddish hue. They strike about three feet

200 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [CeyUm

into the earth, and spread to a considerflble distance. Many of them smdl
strongly of camphire, which is sometimes extracted from them.

The blossoms grow on slender foot-stalks, of a pale jeDow colom*, firom
the axillse of the leaves, and the extremity of the branches. They are
numerous clusters of small white flowers, having a brownish tinge in the
centre, about the same size as the lilac, which it resembles. The flower is
monopetalous, stellated into six points, has nine stamina, and one stile. It
produces a fruit of the form of an acorn, in taste resembling the olive, and
when dry, it becomes a thin shell, containing an oval icemel about the size
of the seed of an apple. The smdl of the blossom is not strong, but ex-
tremely pleasant, resembling a mixture of the rose and lilac The fruity
when boiled in water, jrields an oil which floats at the top, and answers for
burning in lamps. When allowed to congeal, it becomes of a solid substance
like wax, and is formed into candles. The smell of it k much more agree-
able than that of coco-nut oil ; but it is only used for these purposes hi the
interior of the island.

The appearance of this tree strongly resembles that of the Laurus
CfMsia^ and the bark of the old wood possesses the same qualities. The
cinnamon of Ceylon, however, is greatly improved by cultivation ; and that
which is most highly prized, is stripped from shoots of young trees.

The trees which are planted for the purpose of obtaining cinnamon,

shoot out a great number of branches apparently from the same root, and

are not permitted to rise above the height of ten feet Those sprouts which

^e cut down to be barked, are of the thickness of a common walking-^stick,

and yield an incomparably fine cinnamon bark ; and from these shoots come

the sticks, which in appearance resemble those from the hazel-tree, but of

which the bark has a cinnamon smell when rubbed. Cinnamon is barked

in the woods at two diffbrent seasons of the year : the first is termed the

grand harvest, and lasts from April to August ; the second is the small

harvest, and lasts from November to January. The barking is performed

in the following manner : — ^A good cinnamon-tree is looked out for, and

chosen by the leaves, and other characteristics. Those branches which are

three years old, are lopped off with a common crooked pruning knife, from

which the outside pellicle of the bark is scraped off; the twigs are then

ripped up long ways with the point of a knife, and the bark sraduaUy

loosened till it can be entirely taken off. The smaller tubes or quills of it

are inserted into the larger, and thus spread out to dry, when the bark rolls

itself up still closer together, and b then tied into bundles, and finally

carried off: each bundle is then bound round with rattans, and packed up«

after having pi^eviously undergone an examination by tasting and chewingt

Cefhn.] ORIENTA]

which is 8 rerj troublesome and disi
8on is aUe to hold out two or tb
deprives the tongue and lips of all tl
Each bdndle is then made nearly th4
subsequently to its being well securt
when stowed in the ship^s hold, loosi
bales, to fill up eveiy hole and intersi
preserved in its original goodness.

The Dutch danamon inspectors dii
kinds, vix.

I. The first and best sort of dnnamon
is called bj the natives rone coronde, or sht

II. Is called canalle coronde^ which is l a.
The bark of this tree comes ottyerj easily, a jen
fresh, but it has a bitter taste.

III. Is called cappiroe corondey which in -aoB,
because it has a very strong smell of camphire. . nd in
the interior.

IV. Is called the weBe ooronde, or sand} ;, upon
chewing it, one feels as it were bits of sand betwect* ' t in fact
there is nothing sandy in it The bark of this tree comes oft n:«^ y ; but it
is not 80 earily rolled as other sorts are, being apt to burst open and unfold
itself. It is of a sharp and bitterish taste, and the root of it produces but a
small quantity of camphire.

V. la called sewel carondej or glutinous cinnamon. This sort acquires
a very confflderable degree of hardness, v^uch the chewing of it sufficiently
proves. It has otherwise little taste, and an ungratefid smell ; but the
colour of it is very fine, and it is often mixed with the first and best sort,
the colour being much alike, excepting only that in the good sort, some few
ydlowish spots appear towards the extremities.

VI. Is called nicke earonde. The bark of this tree has no taste or
smdl when taken off, and is made use of by the natives only in physic, and
to extract an oil, to ancHut their bodies.

VII. Is called dawd coronde^ which is drum cinnamon. The wood of
this tree, when grown hard, is light and tough, and of which the natives
make seme of their vessels and drums. The bark is stripped while the tree
is jet growing, and is of a pale colour. It is used in the same manner as
the sixth sorth.

VIII. Is caDed caiie eorondey or thorny cinnamon ; for this tree is
very prickly. The baric is somewhat like cinnamon in appearance, but the

4l«

ICeglon,

u . ' J'f •/ aiiig eitiber of tte taite or

^ . t . Aoweiiotg fooDBaofh because tbu

^ c^ the wood never becomes lo

t. jer ciiinainQntttr^es before menUoned,

' • . K 4MI feet in drcumference. If this e?er-

ed, a limpid water will iieue out of the
<e leaves and barl^
jiy there is yet another sort of eumamon,
or the three-leafed dnnamon. This grows

thes onlj in a small portion of the ifland* It
tj formed b/ the sea coast, firom Negombo to
nmop plantation is situated in the vicinity of
of twelve miles in circumference; others of a
ibo^ Calture, Point de Galle, and Matura, and
.oast
jion is known by the following properties :«^l is thin,
; it ought to be about the substance of royal paper, or
^er. It is of a lig^t colour, and rather indinaUe to yellow,,
out little upon the brown : it possesses a sweetish taste, at the
.ue time is not stronger than can be borne without pain, and is not suc-
ceeded by any ailer-taste. The more cinnamon departs from these charac-^
teristics, the coarser and less serviceable it is esteemed; and it should be re^
jected if it be hard, and thick as a half^xown piece ; if it be very dark-
coloured or brown ; if it be very pungent and hot upon the tongue, with a
taste bordering upon that of cloves, so that it cannot be suffered without
pain, and so that the mucus upon the tongue is consumed by it when seversi
trials are made. of it ; or if it has any after*taste, such as to be harsh, bitter,
and mucilaginous. Particular care should be taken that it is not false
packed, or mixed with cinnamon of a common sort.

The tonnage of cinnamon is calculated at 8 Cwt to the ton.
Oil* OF Cinnamon. — This valuable oil is drawn from the broken and
small cinnamon, wiiich yielding but a small quantity of essential oil, that of
cassia is in general substituted in its place* If the oil of dnnamon be
genuine, and you dip the pcnat of a penknife into it, it will not flame at a
candle, but smoke ; if it soon flames, it is adulterated with spirits of wine.
If adulterated vnth an expressed oD, put a few drops into water, and shake
it, when the essential oil will sink to the bottom, and the expressed oil
float on the surface. Or drop it into a glass of brandy, and if good, it will

Ceghh.] OHIBNTAL COMMERCK 909

sifik in • Inmii to the faottoiii, but if adulterated^ pert ovlj wiU waky and
wiD leave an oil on the top of the brandy. Water and sugar mixed toge-
ther ai^ tke sfcrongesl pioof ^ one drop in a glass will make the glass above
the fiqvMir turn Uue^ which is a good sign.

Chank Shiella, or the common conch shell, is an article of trade from
Ceylon to thfe Coast of Coromandel and Bengal, where they are used in
beetling the finer tloths manufactured there, and as wrist ornaments for the
tromen, when sawed into narrow rings, and the edges polished. They are
dsD met with at Chittagong and Aracan.

These shells are fished up by divers in the Gulph of Manar, in about
two fathoms water. They are of a spiral form, and are chiefly exported
to Bengal, where they are sawed into rings of various sizes, and worn on
the arms, legs, fingers, and toes of the Hindoos. A chank opening to the
right hand is highly valued by the natives of India, and being rarely found,
sells for its weight in gold.

PbakiiS are found in the MytUua MargaritiferuSy a testaceous fish of
the oyster kind ; they are formed of the nature of the shell, and consist of
a number of coats spread with perfect regularity one over another, in the
same manner as the several coats of an onion, or like the several strata of
stones found in the bladders or stomachs (^animals, only much thinner.

Feinrls are generally divided into oriental and occidental, more finom
thdr qualitieB than their place of produce, the oriental being reckoned the
best. The princapal oriental peari fisheries are in the Gulph of Manar, the
Peraan 6u^^ Sooloo Archipelago, and on some of the Japan Islands.

The Ceyloa oyster banks are scattered over a space at the bottom of
the Gulph of Manar, extending aboutdO miles from N. to S., and 84 finmi
E. to W. There are 14 beds ; but they are not all productive, and not
iMNfe than two or three can be fished in one season : the laigest is ten miles
in lenglhy and two miles in breadth ; the others are much smaller. The
depth of water ova* the diiferent banks varies from 3 to 1& fathoms, but
the best fidung is found in tMOi tf to 8 £ithoms. The pearl banks are
about fifteen miles from the shore of Condatchy.

The pearl oysters in these banks are all of one species, and of the same
ngukr lbtm» but of different qualities and denominations, fimn the natnre
of the ground to which they are attached. The shape of the oyster is an
hnperfectovali pretty nearly the same as that of the cockle, about 9^ inches
hi dronarference) with a segment cut off by a straight line at the hinge, or
point of union of the two valves. The body of the oyster is wkke, fleshy,
and glutinous. The inside of the shril is brighter and more beautiful than

fi04 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Ceghn.

the pearl itseS* ; the outside is smooth, unless when ooreied with cocdi,
sponges, and other marine productions.

The pearls are commonly contained in the thickest and most fleshy part
of the oyster, contiguous to one of the angles of the shell, dose to the hinge.
An oyster frequently contains several pearls : one has been known to pro-
duce 160, including the seed or dust pearls ; and 100 oysters jbaye been
4)pened without yielding one pearl large enough to be of any estimation.

The pearl oyster is said to attain its maturity at the age of aeren or
eight years ; after which its existence soon terminates, and its contents are
washed away by the waves.

The fishery generally begins about the 20th of February. Sometimes
Government fishes the banks at its own risk ; sometimes the boats are let to
many speculators ; but most frequently the right of fishing is sold to one indi-
vidual, who sub-rents boats to others. Although the contractor is condi-
tioned to take the contract with all risks, yet if the speculation fiul,
Government is obliged to remit a full proportion of the rent. *

The boats with their crews and divers come from Manar, JafTnapatam,
Nagore, Tuticorin, Travancore, and other parts of the Coast of Coromandd.
They arrive completely equipped, and are open boats of one ton burthen,
about 45 feet long, 7 or 8 broad, and 3 fbet deep, having but one mast and
one sail ; and unless when heavily laden, do not draw more than 8 or 10
inches water. The crew generally consists of 23 persons, 10 of whom are
divers, 10 munducs, or men to haul up the divers ; 1 tindal, 1 steersman, a
boy to bale out water, and a man to take care of the boat To these is
added a peon on the part of the renter, to guard against fraud.

The period the divers continue under water, in the depth of seven
fiithoms, seldom exceeds a minute, sometimes a minute and a half; but other
persons, who are willing to allow the greatest latitude, say they never knew
a diver remain under water more than two minutes. In- ground ridily
clothed with oysters, a diver often brings up in his basket 150 oysters at a
dip ; but when they are thinly scattered, he frequently collects no more than
five. One boat has been known to land in one day 33,000 oysters, and
another not more than 300.

The oysters are generally allowed to remab in heaps for t^ days after
they are brought on shore, that time being necessary to render them putrid.
They are not esteemed good to eat, being of a much fatter and more glu-
tinous substance than the common oyster. When they are opened fiesh,
they are sometimes dried in the sim, and eaten by the lower ckuses of peofde.

After the pearls are separated fh>m the sand, washed with salt water,
dried, and rendered perfectly clean, they are sorted into classes, aocording to

Cifhn.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 9QS

their sizes, by being passed through ten brass sieves, or saucers full of round
boles. The saucers are all apparently of one size, but made so as to go one
within the other. They are distinguished into numbers, 20, 30, 50, 80, 100,
200, 400, 600, 800, and 1000. This is akind of ratio to estimate the value
of the different sizes of pearls; and probably the distinguishing numbers in
some measure correspond with the quantity of holes in each bason. These
completely occupy the bottom of the vessel ; and as they increase in number,
they necessarily decrease in size. The pearls are thrown in a promiscuous
heap into the uppermost sieve, which being raised a little, and shaken, the
greater part of them pass through into the second sieve, and only those
remain which exceed a large pea in size. The second sieve is shaken' in thje
same maiiner ; the peafls that remain in it are of the size of a small pea, or
grain of bhick pepper. The quantity of pearls gradually increases a^f the
size diminishes. Those which fall through the tenth saucer (No. 1000)
belong to the class of tool^ or seed pearls, so called from the smallness of
their size.

The pearls contained in the sieves 20 to 80 inclusive, are distinguished
by the general name of melly or the first order. Those of the sieves from
No. 100 to 1000 are denominated vadivoOy or the second order. Both these
orders are divided into various sorts, according to their shape, lustre, and
other qualities, amongst which are annees^ annadaree^ kayarely aanuuHem^
kaOipoo^ koorwdj pesui^ and tooL

Annees are the first sort, perfectly round, and of the most brilliant
lustre.

Annadaree is a subdivision of them, possessing the same qualities in an
inferior degree.

Kayard is the next in beauty, but not so completely round, and of a
duller colour. To this class belong the samadiem, which is nearly of the form
of a pear, and the kallipoo, which has flat sidesi

The koorwel, or third class, is a double pearl, ill-shaped, and of a dull
water ; to it may be added the pesul, the most deformed of all the pearls,
and the tool, or seed pearl, the most diminutive.

. The different descriptions of pearls are sent to different markets; but
at the fishery all the kinds are generally sold mixed together, at 200 pagodas
per pound.

The method of determining the price of the different sorts of pearls is
regulaled by an im a gin a r y (Criterion-, estimating the proportion of thlit quality
which attaches to them -the highest value. It has the appearance of being
intricate and diflScuIt, but is considered simple by those who understand it
Siae, roundness, and brightness se^m to be the qualities on which it depends.

t06 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [C<#^

The peurb are then drilled The large ones are generally drilled fiist,
in order to bring in the hand to work with more ease on the snoiidler size, and
an expert workman in the course of a day will perforate 300 small, or ^
large pearls. They are then washed in salt and water, to prevent the stains
which would otherwise be occasbned by the perf<nrating instrument

The next branch of the business is the arranging the pearls on strings;
this is considered the most difficult operation in the profession of the peari
merchant, and u one in which very few excel.

The pearls of the largest sise, being most costly, and esteemed as em-
blems of greatness, find a ready sale amoi^ the ridi natives of the Nizam's
dominions, Guzerat, and the other parts of India*

The finest annee pearls, from the size of the sieve No. SO^ to that of
No. 80, which make most beautiful necklaces, are sent to Europe.

A handsome necklace of pearls smaller than a large pea, costs firom
i?170 to iPSOO ; but one about the size of a pepper^com, may be jhrdcured
for .£15 : the former pearls sell at a guinea each, and the latter at eighteen
pence. When the pearls dwindle to the size of small shot, they are aold at a
very trifling price.

The smaller sorts are sent to the maricets of Hydrabad, Poona, and
Giizerat; in which last^mentioned place, pearls of a ydlow tinge are prefer-
red to those of a pure white, being considered as having arrived at greater
maturity, less liable to fade, and retaining their lustre to a longer periods
The refuse and lower orders of all the pearls turn to gdod account in the
China market, where those of superior value cannot be so readily sold.

Pearls are sometimes met with of various colours, of an exquisite silver-
like brightness, transparent, semi-transparent, opaque, brown, and black.

Pearls from the fishery of Ceylon are more esteemed in England than
firom any other part of the world, being of a more regular form, and of a
finer silvery white than the Persian pearl They should be chosen round, of
a bright lustre, free from stains, foulness, and roughness. They are some-
times brought to Europe undrilled, but are not of so much value as when
drilled and strung ; and the pearls should be as near as possiUe of an equal
quality throughout each string.

The finest, and what is called the true sh^e of the pearl, is a perfect
round ; but if pearls of a considerable size are of the shape of a pear, as u
not unfrequently the case, they are not less valued, as ihej serve for ear-
rings and other ornaments ; their colour should be a pure white, and that
not a dead and lifidess, but a dear and brilliant one ; they must be peiftotlj
firee from foulness, and their sm&ce must he naturally smooth and glos^.
Pearls that are rough on the surface, spotted, or dull in colour, irregular in

Cegbn.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 207

didr shape, and not perfectly round, should be rejected. It ia ako an im-
perfectioD fdien they have large drilled holes, or are rubbed iSat about the
edges .of their holes by long use. As no allowance is made for tassels, care
shoold be taken that as little silk, &c. are in them as possible.

Of the smallest size, or seed pearl, the most diminutive is of more value
than the middle siae, provided it runs smooth, round, and of a fine silvery
lustre. This kind bang sold by the ounce, care should be taken that the
tassels are very slight, as an allowance of £B per cent only is made in Eng-
land, though the silk, tue. are generally much heavier.

Ceylon SxoKBS.^Stones of various kinds are found on Ceylon, but
the greater part of them are of a very inferior quality. The Moors carry
on a considerable trade in them. All such stones as are transparent, and
sufficiently hard to take a polish by grinding, are called precious stones.
They are known by the following names t-^

Ruby. — The ruby is more or less ripe, which, according to the Indian
expression, means more or less high-coloured. The ruby is for the most part
blood red ; the deejier red the colour, the larger the stone, and the clearer it
is, without any flaw, so much greater is its value ; however, they are seldom
found here of any considerable size : for the most part, they are small, fre-
quently of the size of particles of gravel, grains of barley, &c. The higher
the colour, the clearer and more transparent they are.

Aif2THY8T8.^These stones are sometimes found of a large size, but ge-
neraUy very small ; the larger their dimensions, the paler and less coloured
they are, and therefore less valued and esteemed. The small are of the deep-
est colour, but notwithstanding of no great value. The dearest and most
nduride are those which are high-coloured, without flaws, and of some
tolerable size.

So8ax.8 are dark-coloured stones, darker than the ruby, and not so hard.
They are found mostly in small pieces, are cut for setting in rings, and are
fivquently exposed to sale for rubies.

Hyacinths are small yellowish brown, or reddish stones, which, as
wen as robab, are frequently offered for sale under the denomination
of rubies.

CimfAMOK Stohb in some measure resembles the oil drawn from the
best and finest cinnamon ; it is not, however, always alike, but more or less
pale, or of a deep orange colour. These stones are seldom found of any
considerdde size in a perfect state; but in general, even the small ones,
cracked longways and across, which destroys their clearness, and renders them
unfit for cutting.

906 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Cefkm.

Cat*8 Etb^ a rery hard stone, which i4;iproache8 more or less to white,
or green, and is semi-diaphanous, with a streak of the breadth of a line in
the middle, which is much whiter than the stone itsdf, and throws its light
to what side soerer it is tmned. In this respect therefore it resembles a
cafs eye* The largest is of the size of a hazel-nut; others are found much
smaller. In its rough state it seems to hare no angles nor signs of oystal-
lization. Its value is in proportion to its size and purily. One of the siie
of a nut, without flaws and imperfections, is sometimes valued at 50 or 60
rix-dollars. Thej are cut convex and oblong, without faceB^ so that the
streak which intersects them Comes in the middle, and thej are afl^erwards
set in rings, which are worii hy the natives.

Whitb Cbtstal is found both crystallized and worn smooth by the
water ; is in uneven^ flat, and long pieces, full of pits and hollows ; the colour
is dear, more or less of a watery hue or shining white ; it sometimes it^ found
in lumps of six inches in diameter.

Ybllow Caystaii is nearly the same as white, with this distinetioB,
that it iq;>pears of a disagreeable yellow colour ; it ia seldom if everciystaU
lized, but always worn down smooth by the agitation of the water into round
pieces, with a rough knobby surface.

Brown Crystal is distinguished by its being of a blackish cast, or that
of pale ink. When laid upon any substance, it does not seem to be tamqpa-
rent, but may be seen through if viewed against the light The pieces are
the size of a walnut, and are cut into bijittons and other uses.

BiiACK Caystal. is quite black and shining, but not transparent ; some
pieces are as large as a walnut, others as small as a pea. They are cut and
polished for buttons, and bear a great resonblance to jet ; it is very commoD,
and of but little value.

Jargoon, or Zircon, is a kind of stone of the nature of a diamond, bat
much softer ; according to some lapidaries, the jargoon comes next in hard-
ness to the sapphire; and as they have, when cut and poUshed, a greai
resemblance to the diamond, they are made up in various kinds of jewelleiy ;
they are generally very small, of a smooth surface, and a bright aluning
lustre. The larger they are, the more they are esteemed.

Blub SAPPHiu.-^-Sometimes these are so pale, that they almost exhibit
the appearance of water, but generally they are of a dark blue, uniformly
coloured, and of round and various other shapes ; they are sometimes to be
met with as large as a haad-nut, but most of them are much smaller.

Grxbn Sapphire occurs of a bright green, a greenish, and a
white colour, and is a genuine sapphire.

Cegton.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 209

Water Sapphieb, a stone which very much resembles white crystal,
but when Tiewed against the light, is both clearer and whiter ; it is especially
distinguishable by its hardness, in which it surpasses the crystal, and is much
dearer. The largest are of the size of a walnut.

RjBo Tourmalin, when laid upon a table, appears dark and opaque, but
being held against the light, is of a pale red hue. Thay are sometimes as
laige as a pea, but most of them about the size of a grain of rice, and fre-
quently damaged and imperfect ; the colour is in general equally distributed.

Ge^bn Tourmauw is of a dark hue, sometimes bordering upon yellow,
sometimes upon blue, most frequently upon black ; it is in not a few instances
transparent, and in odiers covered wit^ an opaque surface ; it is in thick
and thin pieces of irregular forms, sometimes as large as a walnut, sometimes
as small as groats. The green, or cfarysoprase, is beautiful, of a grass-green
colour, dear and transparent, and is used for cutting. This is properly
called the green tourmalin.

Yellow Tourmaiin is called likewise tourmalin topaz, because it
sometimes bears a great resemblance in colour to the topaz ; in appearance
it is very mudi like amber; some are more saturated or ripe, almost of ah
orange colour ; some are of a paler, and some of a whitish yellow. They
are cut for the purpose of setting in rings, and are frequently handsome.

Whitb Tourmalin.— It is more or less white, almost always the
colour of milk, so that its transparency is not perfectly clear. It is often
found in pieces, which have spots or streaks in them. It is cut for setting in
rings, and among the most common stones in Ceylon.

Taripo is the name given in Ceylon to a white stone, which in ai\ pro-
bability is nothing more than white orystal ; its colour is pure white, or
somewhat <rf* a watery cast, but not so dear and transpairent as the crystal
It is always In shapeless lumps, and is cut for setting.

Topaz.-— This is in general a beautiful transparent stone, of a shining
gold G<dour, m^ with in various parts of the world, in the Brazils, Ceylon,
aad Madras ; they should be chosen large, of a bright deep colour^ free from
crad^ flaws, or douds; those that have a reddish tinge should be rejected.

( «o )

SECTION XVIIL

COAST FROM CAPE COMORIN TO MADRAS.

jL he Coast of India from Cape Comorin to Point Bameii^
forms the N. W. aide of the Gulph of Manar, is caUod the Tionevelly Coast
It is only frequeated by small coasting vessek. Point Bamen ia in some
degree connected with the Island of Ceylon by a narrow ridye of sand and
rocks, called Adam^s Bridge.

TUTICORIN, the principal plUce on this part of the cQ«st, is in lati-
tude 8^47' N. longitude 78^6' £• The town is large, open» and weU-
built, adorned with seyeral large buildinga of stone, pBrticularly some
churches erected by the Portuguese; Considerable quantities oi pieco^oods
are manufactured here and in the neighboiiring villagesi Between Tuticorin
and Ceylon are numerous sand-banks. A pearl fisheiy is carried on here,
thougb at present not very productifo, and considerable quantities of chank
sheUs are exported ftom hence.

Tradb.— The coounercd between this part of the coast and Madras la
piece-goods, grain, 8rc. is considerable.

In this district are manufactured calamaganzies, aunni-ketchies, and
ptftton-ketchies. These cloths are made of a hard k>ng<*grained cotton, are
of an eren, regular texture, and resemble European linen more than any of
the Indian cloths. They are preferable to the loag^loths manufactured in
the Circars, and are cheaper by at least SO per cent.

The coast from Cape Bamen to Point Calymere comprehends the pro^
vinces of the Marawars and Tondiman ; the principal towns on the cosst
are Tondy and Cottapatam, frequented only by small coasters. On Point
Calymere, which is in latitude 10^19'N., longitude 79^58 E., are two
remarkable pagodas. About half a mile to the N. of them is a small river,
and on its banks stands a large village, where a considerable trade is carried
on in tobacco, rice, piece-goods, &c. ; the river has a bar* so that only small
vessels can enter. The kingdom of Tanjore commences to the S. of Point
Calymere, and extends to the N. as far as the Colerbon Biver.

C^ComofiniQ Madras] OBIENTAL COMIf EBCS. Sit

NBGAPATAML^Tbe fort k in MUucb l(f 46' K. tod loftgIt«d^
79^ 54' E. ; it u a regular pentagon with wet ditches^ and tha wliole of th«
feitificatioM are Hrwuag, ami in good repair. The town is silMted to the N.
of the iorty near wfcaeb is a tiret capable of reddfing small eoudtiy r^sels^
whidi Ina two eMtnnoeSy erne to the N. ind the ofSbui^ to» the S., tb» land be-
tween them formingan island ; the boat» use die wbdwaon) entranee in pestt*
iiig oiit> and the leeward (tne in retiimi»g, aoeordiag to the monsooii. On
the N. side of this river is a strong batterer, to wbieb boats enlerifig, niuiit go
widua the length of' fheir oars, and the laading-place is dose to it Th^M
b a bar at the mouth of the river, whidk in bad weather breaks very moch,
and bitomes deegeBroos.

The eoBmKm aaeherage in the fair season is abreast the fort iit
i&thomsy 1 J to 2 miles off-shore. In unsetded weather it is pmdenC to an-
Aor fiwther eat ii^ 6 or 7 fathoms, the flagstaff bearing W. i Sm and the
highest of the five pagodas at Nagore N. W., which is good hokUng gmimd.

Paeyissowa avb RBrassHiCBHTs.-^The watering place ia idiout half a
mUe up the river, at a large tank entirely commanded bj the <brt» The
watering here weuU be bath troublesome and tedious widMNUt the assistance
of the natives and their boats. Fresh p rovisions for present use may be got
here, with vegetables and fhiit, snffieieBt for a fleet of sh^, andaho rice;
but fire-wood is a scarce commodity.

NAOORK-- Aboirt; fear miles from Nqjapatam, in latitude 10b 49 N.
baptude 79^ 54' K, are the five white pagodas g£ Nagore ; they are exceU
lent sea-marks for distinguishing the river, which is dose to them on the N.
side» iriiere a great trade is carried on in pieoe^^oods, rice, fce. The river
has a bar, on which are eight feet at high water, spring tides. The anchor-
igeb Nagore Road is about S^ miles off the entrance of the river, in 5 or 6
bthoms, the five pagodas bearing W. & W., or W. by S. The coast is
W, and at timea inundated near the mouth of the river.

KARICAL is in latitude l(f bt N., and longitude SO" 9 £. This
tttOement, with the places depending on it, belonged to the French, and
was granted to them by the King of Tanjorein 1739; and in 1746, anum-
her of villages was added to it In the wars between the English and
Fnndi it firequendy changed masters. It carries on a great tradie in piece-
goods and rice. Two rivers, both navigable branches of the Cavery, run
thiOQgh this district^ and fertilise the country, which abounds in rice luid
other ptonriona. The town is on die N. sode of the fiirt^ separated by an
esplanade, and is large, spacious, and wdl-built The marks for attchoring
^ aceoidiag to the monsoon: in the S. one brii^ die flagstaff to bear
W. S. W. in 5 or 6 fiithoms ;. and in die N. monsoon it is to be brought to

O 2

212 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Cape Camorin to Madras.

bear W. B j this means the passage becomes easier to boats passing to and
irem the shore.

TRANQUEBAR, the principal settlement belonging to the Danes in
the East Indies, is in latitude ir 1' N. and longitude TO^'SS'E. The
towh is upwards of two miles in circumference, the streets broad and straight,
and the' houses reiy neat, the whdie surrounded with a good stone waD,
having several bastions well provided with artillery. Before the gate that
leads into the country stands a fine citadel. The fort towards the sea is we&>
built, and regular, remarkable for its extraordinary whiteness, being visible
at a great distant. The district bdonging to the town is of considerable
extent, full of villages, many of them large and well4>uilt, and the prindpal
one is thought to contain as many inhabitants as the town of Daneburgh,
and several mosques and pagodas.

Traiw. — ^The commerce here is trifling. The natives trade with the
coasts of Pegu, Sumatra, and other places.

Coins.-— Accounts are kept here in rix-doUars of 12 fanams; and also
in rupees of 8 fanams, each fanam equal to 80 cash.

The rix-doUar is imaginary money, and 18 per cent, below the Danish
current rix-dollar ; its value therefore is JTJd.

The coins are silver rupees, double and single fiemams, and copper dudus,
or cash.

The value of the Tranquebar rupee will be 244d. sterUng ; as the coin-
age is so regulated, that 1902 are worth 600 old Spaakh dollars, weighing
43 lbs. 7oz. 2dwts. tr»y*

Star, pagodas are worth about S4 fanams, and Spanish dollars from
19to21£uuan&

WsiGHT.^— The maand wei^^s 68 lbs. Danish, or 74| lbs. avoirdupob.

DEVICOTTA This fort is situated on e smallisland just within the

entrance of Coleroon River, in latitude about ll'' 22' N., whidi has within
its bar water sufficient for large ships. The fort is strong, and built
of brick.

POBTO NOVO is in latitude about 1 1° 29' N. and longitude 79" 49 E.
It was formerly a place of considerable trade, where the French and Dutch
had factories. Here is a river navigable only for small country vessels. Fresh
water is filled out of a tank a little way up this river ; but it is brackish, bad,
and apt to give the flux. The road of Porto Novo, by being sheltered to
the S. £. by the Coleroon Shoal, is by far the smoothest and safest on the
CoYoniandel shore. Here you may anchor in six fathoms, the flagstaff W.
^ Vf.y 2 miles off-shore, and the southernmost of the Chalanibaram pa-
godas S.W.

Cape Cmorin to Madras.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 913

Coras. — Accounts are kept in collums of paddy, or in chuekmins. The
coUum is a measure which is between 70 and 80 quarts, bat varies m differ-
ent parts. The medium price of a coUum of paddy is 3| gold^ or 7 silver
&nams, about Is. 4d. sterling ; so that 100,000 collums of paddy, at the
afore-mentioned price, will produce 15,655 star pagodas, 85 fanams.

In the Tanjore country the star pagoda is valued at 45 Madras, or silver
ftnams; 1 chuckrum is equal to 20 Madras, or 10 gold fanams ; 2 chuck-
rums and 1 fanam are equal to 1 Porto Novo pagoda.

The Porto Novo pagoda passes current at Madras for 371- Madras
fanams. 100 Porto Novo pagodas are reckoned 831 star pagodas, .and 100
star pagodas equal to 120 Porto Novo pagodas. In the Company'^s accounts
tlie Porto Novo pagoda is reckoned at 36 fanams.

CUDDALORE is about three leagues to the N. of Porto Novo, in
latitude ll"" 43^ N., and longitude 79° 50^ E. The river is small, shut up
by a bar at the entrance, and navigable only by boats. The town extends
about three-quarters of a mile from N. to S., and about half a mile from E.
to W. Three of its sides are fortified : that to the sea is for the greater
part open ; but the river passing between Fort St. David and the town,
flows, just before it gains the sea, along the E. side of the town, of which,
whilst it washed the skirts on one hand, it was on the other separated from
the aea by a mound of sand, which the surf throws on the shore in most
parts of the coast. It is very populous, and a place of some trade. A little
above the town stands Trivada pagoda, which forms a citadel to a large
pettah, or town. The marks for anchorage are the flagstaff N. W. and
Fort St David N. N. W. off-shore about IJ mile. Fort St David is about
a mik to the N. of Cuddalore. In this dbtrict are manufactured dimities,
and various descriptions of piece-goods.

PONDICHERRY,in latitude ll'^ 56' N., and longitude 79" 54' £., ^
built in a circular form on the borders of the sea, and strongly fortified. It
is divided into two parts, the Black Town and the White Town ; the latter
spreads along the sea-coast, and is again divided into two parts^ the N. an4
S. The tower bearing the flagstaff is in the middle, and separates the two
qnarters. The Black Town is separated from the White by a ditch running
through the whole extent of Pondicherry ; it ceaches to the ramparts, and
contains a population of nearly 80,000 souls, and a cathedral beIoi\ging to
the Jesuits. The White Town is very inconsiderable. Its length compre^
bends the whole front of the place on the sea-shore; but its width fromjthe
shore to the ditch, which separates it from the Black Town, is not more
than 900 toises ; this space is filled with handsome Rouses, but few of them

214 OBIENTAL COMMERCE. [Cape Cmaarin to Mair0$.

axe mora than one stoiy high. It contaiof a parish diurch, the duty <yf which
18 pfiffbrmad fay the Capuchins of the French mission.

CoiNS.*^Account8 are kept in pagodas, fanams, and cash; 60
cash making 1 fanam, and 9i fanoms 1 pagoda« The coins current are
gold pagodas, silver rupees, and fwams ; also copper cash or dudus, thus
diyided :«^

90 Dudu^,, equal to *••! Fanam.

24 FanaQis » 1 Pagoda.

There are Tarious kinds of pagodas current here, and nearly all of the
same wdigbt. That of Pondicheny was originally equal in ralue to the
star pagoda; but its standard has been considerably lowered; it passes for
S| rupees, though the exchange varies from 350 to 960 rupees per 100 Pod-
dicberry pagodas. The exchange for Spanish dollars is from 210 to 815
rupees per 100 Spanish dollars.

Wbiohts.— Gold and silver are weighed by the seer, pagoda,
rupee, and fanam. A seer weighs 24| rupees, 81 1 pagodas, or 731 1
fanams ; a rupee weight is equal to SO fanams, or 480 ndlos ; a pagoda
weight is 9 fanams, or 144 nellos : thus 3 rupees are equal in weight to
10 pagodas.

71 i pagodas weigh a French mark, or 3778 English grains^ so that the
seer contains 4293 grains.

The commercial weights are the candy of 20maunds, each maund 8 vis.
The Pondicherry maund is 25 lbs* 14 oz. 5f drs. avoirdupois.

MsAsuREs. — ^Rice, and all other sorts of grain, are sold by the garee of
600marcals; and'lOO marcals are nearly 18 English busheb. Thegarce
thus equals 13| English quarters.

ALLEMPARVA, or ALLUMPAROA.— This fort is to the N. of
Pondicherry, in latitude 13^ 46' N., longitude 80" 4' E. It has many weBs
of good water, which are not to be found in all parts of the coast near the
sea. The pettah extendi along the coast to the N.

SADRAS, about seven leagues N. N. £. from Allemparva River, is in
latitude ir 31 i' N., longitude 80" ISJ' E. The fort and town are now in
a ruinous condition. About seven miles to the N. of Sadras, in latitude
18^ Sff N., longitude 80^ 15' £., are the Seven Pagodas or MmhabaSpecranh
containing some curious antiquities.

MELIAPOUR, or St. Thom£, is about three miles to the & of
Madras. This town, which lies close to the sea-side, is almost a heap of
ruins. There are some churches, especially a cathedral, the see of a Biifaop
suffiragan to Goa, and in whose diocese are all the Portuguese churches on
the Coast of Coromandel.

Madras.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 216

Inland there are high mountaint, the northernmost of which is known
fitNn the others round it bjr being rounder and flatter, with a church
built Ob its top. This is called St Thomases Mount, in the neigbbdUTr
hood of which are the country houses of many of the European residents
in Madras.

SECTION XIX.

MADRAS.

JuADRAS, or Fort St. George, our principal settlement on the Coast
of CoromaDdel, and to which all the others, and some on the Malabar Coast,
are subordinate, is in latitude IS^" 4' 45'' N., and longitude 80'' 90' 53"' £.
It is the seat of a Governor and Cottndl, subject to the controul of the
Gorernor Greneral.

Madras is divided into two parts, the Fort, or White Town, and the
Black Town. The Fort stands close to the sea-side, and iis one of the best
m the poaaassion of the British nation ; although not of so regular a design
as Fort William at Calcutta^ yet, from the greater facOity of relieving it by
aei, and the natural advantage of the ground, it may on the whole be deemed
St least equal to it.

In the middle of the Ibrt stands the old or original fortress, erected on
the first arrival of the English here ; it is about 100 yards square^ surrounded
with battlements, having four bastions and two gates ; one to the W«, where
the main guard is kept ; the other to the £., facing the sea. This building is
now oonverted into the offices of Government, and the town residences of
many of the Compaay^s civil servants. To the N« of the old fort stands the
exchange, which is a magnificent building ; on the top is a lighthouse, which
is of essential service to ship coming into the roads in the night. The light
is 90 feet above the level ot* the sea at high water ; it may be seen from the
decksof the Compahy^s ships above 17 miles, and from their mast-heads near
26 miles. The S. part of PuUcat Shoal beam from it N. by E. % £.,
distance 13 miles. To keep clear of the shoal^. the light should always bear
totheW.ofS. S. W. i W.

816 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Mudras.

There are man j large and faaodbonie hooaes within the fort, but tlie
Compan/fl servants and merchants generally reside in the. country ; thejr
repair to the fort in the momihg for the transaction of business, and retam
home in the i^ftemoon. Madras has been greatly improved within a few
years past ; it now contains three churches, besides several chapels.

The Black Town is to the N. of the fort, separated by a spacious
esplanade ; it is near four miles in circumference, and surrounded with forti-
fications sufficiently strong to resist the attempts of cavalry to sur|Mise and
plunder it. This town is the residence of the Gentoo, Moorish, Armeniaa,
and Portuguese merchants, and of those Europeans who do not hoU
situations under the Government The customJiouse, and the houses tS
some of the merchants at Black Town, are large and elegant buildings ;
these, with the pagodas and temples, have a grand appearance from the sea.

To the S. of the fort stands the country residence of the Governor ; and
a short distance to the S. of that is Chepauk, the palace of the Nabob of
Arcot. The surrounding country is called the Choultry Plain, and is covered
with the houses and gardens of the Europeans, most of them lai^ and beau-
tiful ; and from the superior quality of the chunam, or mortar, used in their
erection, have an appearance of being built with marUe.

The Choultry Plain commences about a mile and a quarter S. W. <f
Fort St. George, from which it is separated by two rivers. The one, called
the River of Triplicane, winding frotn the W., gains the sea abont 1000
yards to the S. of the glacis ; the other, coming firom the N. W., passes the
W. side of the Black Town, the extremity of which is high ground, which
the river rounds, and continues to the E., until within 100 yards of the sea,
where it washes the foot of the glacis, and then turning to the S., continues
parallel with the beach, until it joins the mouth and bar of the River of
Triplicane. From the turning of the river at the high ground, a canal
striking to the S. communicates with the River of Triplicane. The low ground,
included by the channeb of the two rivers and canal, is called the Island,
which is near two miles in circumference. About 1200 yards from the strand
of the sea is a long bridge, leading from the island over the TripKouie
River, to a road which continues S. to the town of St Thom& Another
bridge over the canal leads to the W., and amongst others, to a vBhge called
BgaM>re; from which this bridge takes its name. Coming from the S. or W.,
these two bridges afford the only convenient access to the Fort or White
Town, excepting another along the strand of the sea, when the bar of the
Trifdicane River is ohoked with sand. All the ground between the* St
Thomi Road and the sea is filled with villages and endosnres ; and so
is thai on the left, for half a mile towards the Choultiy Plain, from

MadroB.] ORIENTAL COMMfiHCR 217

which a road aad several smaller passages lead through them to the St.
Thom6 Boad.

The Choultry Plain.eartends two miles to the W. of the endosares wfaieh
boand the St Thom£ Road, and terminates on the other aide at a large body
of water called the Meliapour tank» behind which runs, with deep windings,
the Triplicane River. The road firom the mount passes two miles and a
half under the mound of the tank, and at its issue into the Choultij Plain is
a kind of defile, formed hj the mound on one side, and buildings with faridk
enclosures on the odier.

As a heavy surf breaks high on the beach, the country boats are 6n»*
ployed on all occasions where communication with the shore is requisite.
The boats belonging to ships in the roads frequently proceed to the back of
the surf, where they anchor on the outside of it, and wait for the boats from
the beach to carrjr on shore their passengers, &c. It fineqnently happens,
when the weather is unsettled, with a heavy swell rolling in, that the surf is
so high as to make it dangerous for any of the country boats to pass to or
from the shore ; when this is the case, a (lag is displayed at the beach-house^
which stands near the landing-place, to caution all persons on board ships
against landing, which should be carefully attended to ; for numerous lives
have been lost at different times through the temerity of Europeans proceed-
ing to pass through the surf, in defiance of the admonitory signdL

The road is open to all winds, except those from the land, and there is
genially a heavy swell tumbling in firom the sea, making riiips roll and
hdxmr exceasivdy. Large ships generally moor in nine fathoms, with the
flagstaff W. N. W. about two miles from the shore.

From the beginning of October to the end of December is considered
the most dangerous season to remain in MadrasRoads, or at any other ports
on the Coast of Coromandel, being subject to hwrricanes; but if a ship kept
in good condition for putting to sea on the first appearance <^a gale,' tdces
sdvantage ct the N. W. wind, which at the commencement of a hurricane
blows off the land fi>r three or four hours, there is but little danger to be
apprehended ; yet many ships, by neglecting to put to sea, have been lost,
and their crews perished.

The Government of Fort St George, and the posseasifms underthk
Presidenqr, are vested in a Governor and three Counsdlors; vaoa&ctes
therdn are to be supplied by the Court of Directors, the members of Council
being taken from the senior merchants, of twelve years^ zesadenoe in India.
If the Court of Directors neglect to fill sueh stations within tw^ montlis after
the notification of their vacancy, the King may ap^int Iberela, iaid aoohto
be reoaBed only by the Kii^. The Court of Directors nmy make provisional

818 OBIENTAL COMMBBCE. [Madras.

appointnients, but no Mlary is to be ptid till the partaei ere in the actual
possession of the office ; and if a vacancy of Govemor occurs when no pro-
visioiial racoessor is on the sptAy the Counsellor next in rtmk is to succeed,
tin a successor arrives, or a persmi on the spot is appointed. During this
iaterval^ if the Council should be reduced toene tnember only, besides the
acting Governor, he may call a Senior merchant to act as a temporary
CounseDor till the arrival of a Governor, or a ftesh appointment be ntade:
the salaries are only to be paid for the periods the offices are held, although
no provisional successor be on the spot. The Commander in Chief is not to
succeed as Govcmor, unless specially appointed so to do. If a vacancy occurs
in the Council, and no provisional Counsellor be present, the Governor and
Council may appoint a Counsellor from the senior merchants. If the Gover-
nor and Cemmander in Chief are ^fTerent persons, the latter may be
appointed by the Directors the second in Council. The Commander in
Chief of India^ not being the Governor General, is to have a seat in Council
when at Foit St. Geot^. The load Commands in Chief is to have a
seat also while the Commander in Chief of India may be present, but not to
have a vote.

When in Council, to proceed in the first place to matters proposed by
the Governor { and on any question of the Counsellors, the Grovemor may
twice adjourn the discussion for forty-eig^t hours. All proceedings to be
stated as made by the Governor and Council, and signed by the Chief

If the Governor differs in opinim with the Council, after they shaU
have stated their opinions in writing, he may direct such measures thereon
as he may see fit, on bis own resixmsibifity, so that such measures could have
been legally effected with the consent of the Council ; but these powers are
not to be exercised by Governors succeeding in consequence of death, &c.
except provisionally appointed, or confirmed by the Directors. While
Governors are acting previous to confirmation, all questions are to be decided
by a plurality of voices, the Governor having the casting vote ; but in no
ease to act against the opinion of the Council injudicial matters, or in regu-
lations for the good order of civil government, ike. ; nor by his own authority
to impose any tax, be When the Governor General may be at Fort St
George, the powen of the Governor there are to be suspended (except in
judicial prooeedfaigs) from the proclamation of the Governor General's
airival, to the proclamation to the contrary, or until his departure ; the
powers of Govenmoit during this period are to be vested in the Governor
General, the GovemcHr sitting and acting as a Member of Council.

The Governor and Council are to obey the orders of the (^(ovemor

ifa4r0$.] ORIENTAL COMMERCB. 219

General, be. extept ihej maj be repugnant to the orders of the Court of
Directon ; the Croveraor General, &c. fiaalty deciding as to the application
of those orders. The Grovemor and Council cannot dedaie war, &c. but in
consequence of orders from Bengal, or from the Court of Directors ; and are
to make all treaties ^ posol^) subject to the ratification of the Govemor
Geoeral, &c, and are also to inform the Siqpreme Grovemment of all things
materia! to be conununicated, and also of such as maj be required of them.

A Supreme Court of Judicature is estahUshed at Madras, consisting of
aChief Justice and three other Judges, who are to be Barristers of not less
than five jeara^ standing, to be named by the King. The salary of the Chief
Justice is ^6000 per annum, and each of the other Judges ^AOOO per annum
(in lieu of all fees), to be paid at the exchange of 8s. per pagoda, to com-
mence, when appointments take place in England, on the day of embarkation;
and when in India, on the entering upon the duties of the oflSce. After seven
years^ service in India, if the Judges of the Supreme Court return to Europe,
the King may direct to be paid out of the Territorial Revenues, to the Chief
Justice not more than ^1600, and to each of the other Judges not more
than £1200 per annum, so that no allowances be made exceeding together
the salary of a Puisne Judge. The salaries of the Judges to cease on thejr
quitting India.

Tbadk«— 'The commerce of this Presidency is of a more limited nature
than that of the others. One cause is the want of a secure port for shipping
on the Coromandel Coast A veiy copious Report upon the Madras Trade
is annually prepared and sent home to the Court, occupying sometimes six
folio Tohmies. But Mr. Prinsxp has shewn (Remarks on fhe Ewtemal
Commerce qfBmgmt) that the Indian Trade Beports (though he does not
specifically incdude Madras) are altogether unavaflaUe for mercantile in^
fonnation, by reason of the principles adopted in computing the values of
imports and exports. The original author of this Work, (the late Mn«
Muburm) in a MS. note inserted in his interieaved copy of the first edition,
eeiifirms the statement of Mr. Priksvp. He sajrs, << Unfortunately, the
reeofds of Fort St. George and Bombay are too inaccurate to place any aort
of relianee on the information to be derived therefrom.^

The commerce is arranged in the Reports under the following beads :*^
I. To and fWun Great Britain (exclusive of the Company'^s tnde) ; II. To
and from foreign Europe ; III. To and from America; IV. To and from
Britiflb Asia ; V. To and from foreign Asia, and various places, induding
the East Coast of Africa, New HoDflid, Cdpe of Good Hope, 8tc.

820 OBlENTAL COMMERCE. [Madra,.

The following official SUtement of the extemal Trade of the Pnaieacj,
for the four yean ending 18S0-2I, ia extracted from the A[q»endix to
Mb. PantsBp's Work : —

The products within the Prcndeney being tompnstivelj few, the
external trade consists chiefly of Foreign merchandise, imported by sea,
and brought from the interior. Piece-goods ccnnpose the Company's staple
^[wrt The inland trade of the Coromandel Coast, and the Northern
Circars, is carried on through the rarioua passes leading into the Mahratta
country. Hydrabad is partly supplied with merchandise of various kinds
from Masulipatam, and partly from Surat Previous to the last Mysore
war, a market at Fort St George was held only one d^ in the week ; at
present U is'hdd daUy, for the convenience of merchants in Mysore, and
from varioas parts of the Deckan ; to which places, Bengal manufocturefl ar«
tnuisported principally by land carriage.

PoaT Rkoulations. — A notification shall be suit by the CoHector of
Customs, through tht Master-Attendant, to the Commanden of all shifH
coming into the roads, requiring them to transmit a true and complete
manifest of all the goods and merchandise laden on board, agreeably to an
established printed form ; which, if necessary, shall be verified on oath.

Madras.]

ORIENTAL COMMERCE.

No artides shall be shipped or landed without a permit, or after 6 p. k.

Any merchandise landed, or attempted to be landed, before the mani-
fests shall have been regularly entered at the office of the Collector of
Customs, and a permit obtained ; and all goods or merchandise landed, or
attempted to be landed, that may not have been inserted in the manifest,
shall be charged with double duty ; or in the event of its being proTed to
the satisfaction of the Board of Revenue, that the goods were attempted to
be landed with a view of defrauding the customs, they shall be liable to
confiscation.

All goods (except such as may be shipped or landed on account of the
Honourable Company) shall be shipped or landed at the ghaut opposite to
the custom-house. Goods or packages shipped from, or landed at, any other
place, shall be charged with double duty.

All officers of Grovemment having orders to ship or land goods, stores,
or other articles, the property of the Honourable Company, shall apply to
the Collector of Customs for a permit to land or ship such goods, stores, or
other articles, and shall furnish to the Collector an invoice of the whole of
the articles which may be shipped or landed under such permit.

All goods (except belonging to the Company) on being landed, shall be
immediately brought to the custom-house ; and when required to be passed,
a written application in the following form shall be made for that purpose
to the Collector of Customs. Applications made in any other form will not
be attended to.

To the CoUectoT of Customs.

Please to permit the under-mentioned goods to pass
the CiMlomJiouae on account of. Sib, your obedient servant, A. B.

Madras, 188 .

Data.

No. and
uktareof

packages.

Nana of

Under what
Coloun.

Whence
imported.

Sorts of
Goods.

Quantity
of Goods.

Rates.

Total Value.

N. B. These are to be left blank, and filled
up from the piibUc tariff.

If the duty on the goods specified in the application shall have been
paid, or satiafiictory seeurity given for the payment, the Collector of Cus-
toms, or bis Deputy, shall subjoin his permit ta '^ weigfa,^ or ^ examine C*
or if no duty shaU be chargeable, to '' pass,^ such goods.

Gioods attempted to be conveyed away from the custom-house without
a pennit, or goods difieriag from those specified in the permit, attempted
to be carried away under such peraoit, ;hall be charged with double duty ;

ORIENTAL COMMERCE.

[MiidMi.

orin the ereot of its being prored ter the Board of Revenue tbftt the goods
irere attempted i» he carried awrf with bm intoitioii oi defrauiftig the
Rerentte, such goods shall be liable to eoBfiseatioD.

Betel, tobacco, ganjah, bang, and goodsodt, snuggled, er attempted
to be smuggled, shaH be fiable to seizure, and to confiiseaitioii, er to ioMe
Ait]r, a9 may be determined hj the Board of BerenueoD a eonndtenitioii of
the case.

The duty on liquors, or o&er atrtide9 of merchandise imported, which
shall be stated to be sour or damaged, shall be levied at the rates prescribed,
on the amount of the sales by pnUSc auctioii at the cnstomJiouse, provided
&e impotter shall consent to the sale of such liquors, or other uiSdes of
merchandise ; otherwise on the vahie computed at the tariff prices.

Goods attempted to be shipped without permission of the Customs, to
be applnd fosr in the following fonn, are liable to a duty of 6 imt 8 per cent,
acconfingto the country of the ship: —

To the. CoUectoT ^f CuBtoma.

Please to permit the under-mentioned gooda to pass
the Custom-house,, on account of. Sin, your obedient servant, A. B.

Date.

Nokand
nature of

Name

Under w]iat
Colours..

WTiither
booniU

Sorts of
Goods.

Rate? of Ma-

nnlacturss

or Produce.

Quantity
of Goods.

Bates.

These to be filled up from the tariff.

The Collector is aHowed a cooMsission of 5 per cent, on the amount of
duty collected on iaport»aad expoits, or computed on goods imported or
exported free; and where goods become chargeable with the additional
duty, 5 per cent, thereon.

JExemptitmsframCommiwion as toeU as Duty .'---Goods, the pr ope i ' ty of
the East India Company ; treasure, and horses, whether imported or ex-
ported.

Manifest o/ cargo must be lodged with the Collector, and a certificate
produced from the Boat-Paymaster, that he has no demand, before a port-
clearance can be granted* to a ship clearing outwards.

Note. — Europeans, not m the Eing^s or Company^s service, and Ame»
ricans, proceedfng by sea fSrom: ports in the Presidency on prrrate vessel^
must register their names, &c. wiifr the Master AttendiEmt.

Duties. — Import X>uft6»«— On articles (except as under) imported on
British or American resseb, or on vessels belonging to natives, shdl he
levied on the value, computed at tht tariff prices', 6^ per cent.

iMm]

ORIENTAL CaMM£RC£.

On articles (except as uader) imported on feragtt Tesaele (Amerioaii
excepted), or from foreign settlementftv shall be lened on the vahie» com*
puted at the tariiT prioei, 8 per cent

On grain imported at Madras (except from Bengal) oai vessels of all
nstioiis, shall be kried 3 per cent

On the following articles^ imported by sea, shall be levied at .the rales
hereunder specified, viz*

Betel-nut %^»%%i>^%^ii%%%^.»»%%%%>M>%%^ 1 fanam per bundle of 400 leaves*
Tobacco of all kinds %%%^%>^%%%^» 5 ditto per vis.
>7anian %^»%<%%i%o»*^%%^%»<%%»%%>%%i»»<»%«»%%%<» i%3 uiiio*

Goodauck.

3 ditto.

Eapari Dii^jcs.—- Goods exported in British or native vessels are firte
of duty, but must nevertheless pass the Customs^ books, and their value
must be computed at the tariff piioeSi

Table of aggregaie Rates of Duty upon Goods exported in Foreign Euro*
peon or American Veseeb^ to be adjttsted by Drawback^ or additional
Dutyy as the case may be.

AsTicuis. Bates.

Cotton piece-goods 6 per cent.

SOk ditto 15

Part silk and part cotton dittot 1 & ■
Sugar, to Europe or America S «

t o elsewhere 10 •

Indigo 10 .

Cotton wool 5 H

N.B. Tbitdatytrasieduoedftoai 10 per cent till
rather ordetiw on the firflowing nduaddnr—tbeprodaoe
orOoBBfaatae^ lUmnAd, Madanb awi TfeaeveUy, per
endy ofSOOlfai.^ 100 rupeest (he produce of any otiier
datricC, per eaidy, la lupeee. AS eotlOB ivod unae^
eoBpi^lad with oertfScete U ^r^, to Ite valued at
100 nipttt per oandy.

Hidea, dieaaed. ••••10 percent.

Camphire 10

Drygmger 10

Ctodaaioma 10

Tnrmcde 10

Coviander-aeed 10

Abticlcs. B-ATxa.

Tincal^ or borax 10 per cent.

Soap 10 rf

Alkali (Soda) 10

Raw silk IS •

Saltpetze 15 «

Coco-nut oil 16 «

Ivory : i...l5 »

Benjamin 15 •

Cofibe 15 «

Bepper ;. le •

Tin 16 «

Tutenague ..16 •

Wine 16 «

Qiiawia •»•.»•♦•.•»■■•• I— —»#>»».. ig ft

Alum 16 •

Spioes 16

Opium^ peryia 40 rupees.

Haw hideB(goat8ki&8)perlOO 5 »
All other artkba •^«.««ao par cent.

Export REGULATioNau — If goods exported Irom Madras shall have
paid a duty exceeding that specified in the aforegoing table, the difrei:»Qkce

2«« ORUSNTAL COMipR^^E. [^^^

is to be iJlowed as drawfafurk : if it slu^I lie less, the differences^ to b^ paid
as export duty : such duly not to exceed 5 per cent on cotton piece-good^
and sugar, and 9 per, cent, on other articles, Exports from the subordinate
ports to be charged yrith the tabular .rates according to the tarifT of the
port: certificates of inland or sea import duties to be r^ceived^ in part
payment

Fiece-flood^ entirelj of coitop,. exported in British vessels, or yeasels
belonging to natives^ are; subjipct onlj to | p«r cent ; the exi^f*^^ of ^^1%
paid, to be allowed as drawback. All returned cotton [4^ce<^good^ !to.^pB|;
full. import duties (fefioi^i ^ , .! -.<.r

Dnwvbaeka muit hm <laiiiia^*at Ae time'.of.eKportttiiHt; j an^ itfie;gaMi
must be exported to places not subordinsttio iUt Pnadeocf c .ns^iirHrfiiiir
jaaawredwesplan giMdi sif ettJ in tba ^Mpwi ^daaJft^iwHahitfttOt be
produced bj the conunander of the ship having goods entitled to dwi^ha^*
who miist^ wjiftpa pn ift t ic a bhs ' aake #atii4oiiB a i o Ta ^yi^^U^ iu<»u ^mTI'

The necessary documents to stibst&ntiate tiie drim lbtr<dt«#bliel[^tMf
be praented to die local Officers of Revenue befM^fh^ ^^bdlMni¥rfll^ped.

Table cf E^ehqngefmr the 4^ustf$€mijf ik^ C¥#<P^(fl(>4ffl^fW- 1^

couNTEiES. COINS. * ^ ' RArth^txc^X^P'^' ^:

Great Britain ««.»%«««w^Pound sterHng..M.^t S'pago&s^ttllitftiJhlsJ
' I>enmark^%>%^^.^^^^>^^^Rix-dollar ...^^J^^^t 21 ifanam^s eadl. ^' ' '*' ^'"'
France »%%%»%»»»%%.%%»%»%^%»Livre toumoi8»«»«^24 for '3 pagoi^hs9nit^kiiis.
France ^>%^%%%>»»vi^vvw»%%»%Maurftios livre«;»<v«^i^A't'9 iknamlf '9 ddai) %fMn
Spain %-»%^%%%»%%%%%%%»u^%^9panish dollar %%«.%«^ At SSfatidth^ 99 dfiA tikcH.
Portugal and ]lfadeira>>Milrea.«]v«^.«^w..w«At 35'fah&in^9D'i!£lr'eJich.
^.^rona %«»%<%%%»»»»%%»^%^»%v^%% x aie ■% » 4* » *<%%»v»^i%»i%%% x 3lv x pagocia*
Bengal .^^^ ^ ^^^^^^.^^ J SkcH rtipe^^u^...^^ lOO pag^^da^/ •M"*"'

Bombay .»«vu%«w««.%%««<v»%Bonibay fupe^ ^m^^^^JSSO' per 10& pagodis."' ' * ^ '
Masulipatam wJL>^%^u9^9#amy*pii^oiJte dAtd^pagfNia^'^fktt:; 40^UcJl(.

American currency to be cpfltyprt^d ii^tp^pounds sterling as foll<»j»:;|>

Nefl^Engknd and Virgiiiia«.vJy mtill%iF)r{bgby S^aad 4fi¥idiBg4if 4i' <
, Nem "gork >^>^,«»»»»w<><Mi»>^By' fmiM^l^ing by aad diyidiagJbyfJ

PeM^^yiMa »»i>iy;% Miilti^lyWg-by>8 and dwidiag hf •:» 1

8oi<li CaiWiaa and flaoiya ^by'deflndtiitg the 8Tth fart. ^ '^'"t

Salvag^^ OF ANCHORS.^The following j^egulations are establfibM in
regard to anchors when recovered.

Madroi^ ORIENTAL COMMERCE. tX5

That tlie andion when received, be delivered as directed to the Boat-
Pijrmaster.

That thej remain exposed to puUic view six montha, to give the
oirnerf a fair opportunity of identifying their property ; and further to
ftcilitate this object, that one pagoda per Cwt lie allowed to the divers and
caiaauuran people for each anchor, if brought on shore with its stock and
MMinittg part of the caUe ; but that half 'a pagoda only per Cwt be
allowed if bnnight on shore without the stodc and remaliiii^ part of the
cable, or If otherwise defiiced.

That the boat-pajrtnaster keep a register of aH anchors reported to him
ta be lost, partieslarisiiig the day of Ike raport, with tiie date of reeoveiy,
aad all W|Mnaei to wUch the owner is UaUe.

That awii rq[ister be opened at the boatfiayniaater^s office for general

Thanatial salvage to be allowed to the Master-Attendant on all such
aachonaa oaiy be retamed to the owners.

Jka Master* Attendant to be answerable for the full value of the anchor^
prsvUad ks owner can satisfy the Boafd of Trade that the buoy had been cut
eff, er amy other fraud committed by the divers, catamaran men, or any
pnoa aubardl ^ate to the Master-Attendant^s oflBce.

For erary anchor returned to its owner, the Master- Attendant is to pay
eut of hu salvage one pagoda per Cwt., to be divided equally aiyiongst the
diTen and ealamaran people.

For avary ynclaimtd anchor found in the road, the Honourable Com«
|Muy to pay the nnial hire to the divers and catamaran people.

LfaavHoaaa Dobs.— The following Bates are established towards defray-
ing the chai)|es of the Liglit: no vessel to pay oftener than twice in the year.
Ships or ifButh%%mtmmmmm*m%mm BO tous aud uiider«««^%%%vM»%v»^ i pagoda.
*jaito»i%>«%> %»!»»%» »*%■»»%*%»%»»»» ou to iia/ tons %%%% »»»»»»»»%%%%%%%» ^ ottto.
• ^Hi a>% ■ »n x ■»»i»<»'%*%<»*»»%»%<>%»»% luu to iBUU oitt o»»»» » %»»^^»v^%%v%»'»%»i ditto.

i. m o»%%i»»i%* »%%%i%%%>^^%»»»»»»o% 91X1 to yAMJ cimo»^»^»»»%»»^<»^^%%%%%i%'%%op oitto.
*a ft a M> *»a%»%»»v»»%«%'»«<^»»%<»»»fc% 44ai to oUO .qttto»»»%»»%*»»%»»»%»%%»%lg j[ Qitto.

iwsiab>o»<itoi*i»> w >»<»>^^w» >»%#»»% iaa# lo ov^/ flmo%^»»%^ » »»»<%(»i%<»»% % %%w»2f flitto.
A^Bs^M«^^ni««««««m«>«»%i«k««%«««'><» ika/ CO f lAf am o %i>%^^%i»^»»»»»»»»»»» 2i ^ ffitto.

Piito * >»»%»»v»»%%-»»^%^%»%»% 800 to 900 ditto*<»««%%*«.».*%^<v%v%*^%«44 ditto.

900 and upwards v.,v>»%v%%***v*^v*S ditto.
P

SM OKDBNTAL COMMBRGEi. [Madrm.

Rates op Anmict Aim CoMifiMioir, as revised askd settled by ihe
Merchants and Agents in Madras, on the 7th day of December, 1919.
•^i-On the Bale, or puithasey of gbods of aU denonmuitkinfl, except the fol-
loirittg, 5 per oent-*«])itto of-sli^ housee, ami lands, 2f per eent—
Ditto ef diaaioadb, pearls^ ttnd erery description of jewelleiy, d| per cent
—IXtto of treiaure, or bullion^ cnAisive of 1 per cent on neceipl of the
proceeds, 1 per t»nt--*-On goods conaigned for sale, aiid afterwards witk-
drawn, half ooBinissidn.-^On procuring frsigfat, whether to Ilarope or
elsewhere, 5 per cent.— On negotiating passages, as the agents of command-
ersof the Conpaliy^a te^fular of* extra ships, or other Tessria proceeding
ta£iirope, or ekewbtpe; corresponding witfi' passengers j kc on amcMt
of passage-money received by die commander, whether the aBRmlit shsD
paM through the agentls hands or fiot, 5 per oent.*-^-Oti shipping finr Europe,
or elsewhere, bale or gruff goods of every description, 2| per. cent«*-
Ditto, diamonjda, pearls, jeweDery, or bullion^ 1 per eeiit.^«^On sh^^s dis-
bursements, when no commission has been previously charged on' fitigbt
or' cargo. Si p^ cent.-«-Qn efihHing insurimces, hn andoont iiUtnpidd, |per
cent— ^On settlmg insurande losses, also on procuring return of ^renioin,
on amount recovered, i per cdat.-^On del credere, or gnaranfteekg the
responsibility of persons to whbm *goods sace sdid, •on'th^'aifaaunt sife,
1 pereent-^-On the>sale, or purchase,' of cattle taf every description, 5 per
cent — On collecting house-rent, 8| par cent-«-4>n effecting Remittances bj
bills of exchange, or bank-notes, 1 per cent.-*-<Oa the sale, oryforchase, of
poblic or private bills and Gonipany% pajier, exclurive of 1 percent o&
receipt of the proceeds, 1 per eent-^^On exchanging one description of
Company^s paper tbr* another, or investing esoiiey in the public loans, sod
on transferring' Governoient securities from- one ccmstitnent t^ aaother,
1 per cent*^-On public or private securities, jewels, or other valuables,
lodged^ and afterwards withdrawn before the amount is realized^ and on
lodging securities in the treasury^ half eoMmission. — ^On procuriiq^ monej
on respondentia, payable in 'Skirope, ' India, or elsewhere, 2 per Mit—
On recovery of bonds, or billsi, for persons returned to Emope, overdue st
the time of their departure,' 2 per cent«^-^n procuring loans of* money*
(exclusive of commission on receipt of cash), 1 per cent — On debt, where
a process at law, or arbitration, is neoettaty, 8^ per cent ; and if veto-
Tered through such means, 6 par cent-^^ii mana^g the affairs of ail estate
for, an < executor, or administmtor, on. the amount recovered^ whether in
Company^s paper, or otherwise, d per cent— -On guaranteeing hBb, or

Umff^ dwitrfMit gdodi to (be Gompatijy 1 ^pcr pmK^ ■ Oa^obtoinuig bonda^
<v olk^ miMwhiffneAtsi, fr»m the latfr Ndxibr ^ ibe C;iiiiift&^. fti^
DNiKey 0r ;ialM^ im U^ a notiMMU iA-Sikpoip^ otk^Indm^ prtsmttbg
the original bond, or aiSknowIedgment> to ih^ Cofniiftiifioiiei:»iil Indj^ ml
attending at their ofike during the inTestjgatiotk of ,the claip, (the daim
being preferred bj the constituent himself to the Commissioners in England),
on amotant adjudicated, 2 per cent-^-On preferring ohiims before the
Commi^oners in Indjiei,^ delivering in the bond, or other voucher, and at-
teadiflg at the Cmuoifsioiiers^ office dui^g^ the inveatigatiooy on amount
adjudicated, 9 per cent — On the sale, or purtdutfe,. of NabebV ^eon«
solidated paper^ or on the transfer of daims from the books of the register
at Madras, to the books of the register in London, on amount of sale or of
the sum transferred^ 1 per cent.-— On executing orders for the purchase of
lotteiy tickets, and renewing the tickets in Ae several classes, on amount of
pnidme, 1 par cent-— On receiving the aiaount af prises drawn to tickets,
porcbaied by the agentsi (exclusive of the usual cash eommi^on) 1 per cent
'^n the proceeds of, goods soid by retafl» or by auction, exclusive of the
nbordiDate coomiissioB^ cbargeabfc by retaH agent or auctioneer, on
amoui^ jg^tpro<^eeds, 2{ per cent-r-On, becoming security to Government
or bdividttak for. cwtrartg fHp'»gis^emeot$y. &«:. on amount penalty .to wjbioh
we are held liable, &per eenk-— On goods, treasure, Sec. eonfe%ned to for-
ward to some other place, half commission.-rQn executing orders for the
provision of goods ovtipf. Madras^ on amotot uivdict^ exclusive of dMIiyes
of merchtondbe, iipes eent-^a prociuriag cargoes of sak at any perls^^r
places oa the coAst, on lunount es above,, 4 per cent — On mdLing tip
Madras piece^Ofddfi.ndvancing the cash, and taking aUnsks^ 10 per cent.*—
On the nceipi of all monies notarising from the pMteeds of goods, or of
freight^ on wbich the superior coninussfon of 5 per cent has dready been
charged^ 1 per c^t<^Wjb»8 tbft Pr. sid^ of nccomit ^ceeds the Cr*. Mde,
bj advances niade, the agent to bave the option of eharging his 1 pcyrccBt
comnussloif On the total of eithen^^When a balance olhcc&mi due by the
ooofCiUian^ is brought forward from an account) of the preceding year, aad
not paid ia the csourse of the succeeding oney commission to be ehapged
thereqn^/iCNr upon the reddue that may be uqpaid t the agent in the latter
case to nave the /ciptipn of charging hi^, coipfoissioa upon thut residue^ or
apoo^itbtf snoM received towards the dischaige of the ^r^paal balance due at
the otMnm^pceqieat of the year, 1 per tentr-^W^en the briance of account
dae to the constituent is brought forward from an account of the preceding
year, and not taken payment of, or draws ior in .on&aum in .tiie eoiirse of

P 2

OKOBSTAL

IMtOfoi.

Ae^aiMMdiH]; bne, but draim lor m* teteral mmi, wMiomI mj £nA
cieffito, tfmeftib^ S^^S ^^ agoit the troable' of keqifag' a eontinoeil account
irtlliliim; tWageat, in the latter casttt U be eolidad lo-a «oauaiarioa aa
ill todi 7M1 jttetolSi of 1 per^wt^^A-On tbe ade of lotteij tf ekcta fioni wof
6tb(^r««i«hfn«eiit,^tff>kotnt ^

. GoDowN Rbmt.— «The monthly rates are as follow :—

I »•,, **i J V'.' (: ' ' ' J|» Af JP»

raiyQmCkith,perlideof9Opi0oet....O 8
CotUm,perbideor8001b8. 4

i't »

Indigo, per chfvt .....0 8

Wiiie,percheitori9'd«Een ../ If 8

motj fjtjiftfm im\tMtui ..% 1 \8 t

fii^i^fit JNi^ . » .»*»••... ^4*f'^> »^ •• •■•fa. *,8 "8

RawSillmnrfaiaeproportioiiatetise ..1 4 8 I Saltpetfc, per bi^i; "-I'-'f^ fl ^ ^

Opimn, per cliett 8 8 8 I Other articles in proportm.

luure heea tf«i<tMiA<»*i by the Madras Police :— .

-j .

: ) .:*'.: '' .

GoodWorkaan ....4 8 Q. .8 8 8 Stoki; GUTTERS.

•Miuin :;..: ;;.:;'8«48;.(lV2ii' •'Miir^'''.;;...:^/;;^'.^

<^c<MlbB'V.V.,..v.;.;....'a<#<e;.a •4 4» • iOoe4iirMUHiK«MM»4ar-i <' .> -v.i,:.^.. ,

MMtiT 5 8 8..8 748 Medina , 89848. .8 d«

' 4"8ir..8 i 811' Common ;.;... ...."..;.. :ib''8:?*'i^

GoodWoilanHi

i K •

Gre«t do. eicclniiTe oftpols. 8 li d..8 1^ 8 ]

6 5^(j

k^ Qp^ Wbrfawui ^. ..,«.. fix 4 8 8, .

WiB.en........V :M 7 «•..«»'>*•

Coole^Mw. ............. 2 8 8. .8 3 •

Ditto Women ...!....' 1. ^ 44. .8 ' 1 M

t .

^.BeltewBa ..,,,......<. 18 8..8 1 48 I Good^«rl™<^ ? 1* •-5 *•

GoodWmfaMHi 4 8 8..8 fcrt8i|lic-»i. .;■ t Cv¥4 Q^fJ^IBpfcM,^...., , ..

bsToiqmd II

Mmetfy

4 8 8. .8 8 8

GoodWorimm* 8 88 48. .8 ft

Jop ?8bidi^ a 4ione»hk3 Aulams:

GoodWorinnen 18 38 28.^ 18 19

^'^;A :V..;'..;.:r..:.^iV4i^f*if8i

AteuBp .•*.. /...S 8 8. .8 4 48

JMrM] OBIBNTAL COMMBB€E. 9it

Artificers to go to worfc in the Black Town at Fort St; jgr^wfCr^
leren oViodc ib tlie inorning, rest from twelve till two ^^dock te (he vMih
«f the daj) and then leaire off woric at six oVlock in the ereoui|> Worfcittg
al the gardens, fliejr will commenoe at halffast seren o'*cloeky reii untU
half-past two in the middle cf the daj, and leare c^ wofrk at six o^clockia
the erening.

The wages of maistries and superior workmen, who majr be entiled to
liigher rates than the abore, the sam^ shall be settled by the Super-

Bkoulatioms poa tbk Bkaoh Jh»jaLrMnnr.^^Th«i Masto^AUenoiait
» responsible in the first instance fbr all losses bj theft or iembenriemeMbn
bosid the boats. ' ' ^

No master or owner of a vessel shall employ his own boat in landing
goods, so l&hg as tte Mas^- Attendant shall be * able to supply ^m' with
boats from the number kept tip for the service of' the p6rt ; but wheii^v^it
may happen "tfiat the Master- Attendant shall be unable to comply with any
deoqaod for boats, any owner or master of a vessel shall, on representation
if the fmt*to the Board of Trade, be at liberty, with their sanction, to em-
(floy Bis^bwtt boat in unloading his vessel, 'si/bj^ct to no other regul«el6ns
Wt tli^Me ^t^blished ait the Sea Customer's Office r^pecting duties and.pp/t-
dearances, the artides of ballastt^ watery and tarpawlings excepted ; but mo
Captitn'oiJ'Cywner shall be at 19>erty to let out his bOilf foi^ 'hire, under any
prcleiicii.wjiaisoever, fbr the service of any other v^sel. * y*^^"*'

As much dday and] inconvenience have btenreiperienced from„jvieiiiels
andidtiilf/r M too great a distanee^ any fesSeF thaf lAay anchor farther'ft^m
the shore tkah in eight fatfioms water, 'mil not be ^tld^ to' f^klsYo? W
other purpose than, ffiater and provisions, unless on, Jbbe-. approach of bad
wektlifei^,' iHien it might be comMtt^d i^saft to techor nearer to the rii^re,
aoj VH sj^cn case double boat-hire ^^ to $e .charge^. ,' No greats '^nuinfier of
hoatsto'beallotted to aay.sl^p tb^p *h^ if a)>]« t« kieep constontly eix^jjliqred,
of which UieJCaitoi'^Attendant is to Wtheludg^; ' n ^ .. ^h

^% tR9^ ^^ properEyVliat^ver ^td be landed^ or shippm flflfer six
o'doekP.M.; and in case of any devii^tipn fi^oni this regulatiw^ fh^^ifisk
and resMttribBity^tii b«'ttri the propriefoi^< " - '^ ' ' V' ^km

.. . * )^T'!ljhRK.— You caoM^^ fotSr pWif jbort to ttnl6iu!,KriRfe)ut

permission of ilhe Jfaster- Attendant, i^r};,!^ H <^tcto anothef^aVfifvel^ffny
(Mr^tOhoC ^'TlMf'thlaF air^bfibMfilg: to distance fravAart. If employed

For each trip to i^essela in the South Road«%*««%«%*.%%«15 tanams.

For dittol«««,«v^««^*.%»^ the North Ji6iild>a4^a4%s^»HK4Htoc I

jilIdouUgtr%>s«tobecbArg«d«8 nw^ and ^iwwhjppfaig *> he at the
.rate of H'trip In tfie North ftoads; and Iba Boat^Pijfmaater t^ dws^ 4oiiUe
hkp tamich as lay at tad greftta dutapoe fipip rfioi^

Persons tnu^sshifiping good« in the xoads, tp Iw ^hlPSgedii^ A^Mr
^ibe boat to and ftom th^ beach, in addilion tO' (th^ rate labp v^ fifntioii^,
which is de&ajed hj the employer o^ the boat

• -For atares ttva^orted ^by «ea fyqm itha MiUixfi^J^ i9 f^ ^^^^
Ju)Ufla,&A., 4ie same rate aC hire tp be paid a^ /o|r 4. boat ivnplaj^ b Ifae
South Roads.

' Boats receiving pr deUveriqg jfurlU^ at jt^^
charged full boi^bJ)iriB.

For shipping and landing to and from the King^s ships, onri^n \^vng ia
more than &f^%,&i^owos water, dfiubIe'boa.trhii« is to bedb^iged* ;

Boats goin^ ^pip aqy pairt tp the- north of th^ sopthenuooat line of
buildings, nearest to .tbe.N* E^pJUmade, to ressels lying taJtbe ^vlbvaid of
a^e t^, ^, angle pf the- fori;, that is, when sudi vessel lies fropx ,tl>is last
sitiiaijon tp (he southward of the fort, in the same manner of bearing, the
boats are to be paid' the hire pf one trip and 4 half for^ach trip4 likewise
from -the beaoh-hpyse to vessels lying tp the $• E. angle of tfie /ort^ a trip
i|nd a quarter ft>r each trip.

Vessels only lying to the north of the sovthemmost line of bnildiiigs
i^eairest t;p the -N. Esplan94e, are to he coBsidened as lying in the N. Bosi
'Vessek also lying to the $. pf thi^ line, are to be .considered as lying in the
S. Rped, and sulyect to the lip^ pf the latter situation. .

. Vessels in the. N. Road, wtb an e^^ception • to those commanded bj
£un)pe^s,4md pf whatever .deseriptioni lying without sev^ &thoms,are to
.be charged th? hire pf one N, Itead tr^ and a half for eadi trip ; likewise
whan lying in 7§ fathoms water, the hire 'Of two N. Road trips^ which latter
is about equal to the hire with whioh vessels arp charged in the S. Bosd,
when lying ^i this last depth pf water,

Vessels commanded I^y !ISpf:opea|is, and lying in the N. Boadf to be
charj^ed as has Ji>een usual, the hi^e, of yessj^ls that li^ in the S. Rpad^

Charges for BaliiAst.-— Each load of ballast is to consist of 120 baskets
of sand. The baskets to be compared with a muster-Jsasket- at the Master-
AUenda^f Sp and. a seal or chop affixed to each, and no other made use oC

The prices are as follow, irf?.

• < ' .

. -; : -For eirery boitfJoadof ballaal ddiVered in the 8. Road w»^ fanaau.
For ditto ^%%%^^^%^%%%v%%^v%»%»%^%%»%%%^^v» in the K. Road«%««B4!Ktte.

over and aboy.e^ihe raie of boat^iire^alre^y notified.

OuuMu w^m WAn]iiM.-««SMh boaUMd of water to ooOfbt;^ two
tov^ or.finir baltt^ lent off flilL The water tobe •£ tkeilml quidit^*. T)»
pnaf eaeb boatload of water ta tie 65rApanw 40 flash*. . i.if..)

The great distance that vessels now hj from the place of wateilWlgs by
thear removal of^posite to the new Custom-house, will render it necessary.for
their moving opposite the watering-place to receive this article^ which will
not be. sent on IxMuqd in anj other jsitui^tipn in or near the roads, unl^ they
are in absolute jdistresa for it; in which case to pay an additional half.tjrip.of
7 fanams 30 cash, for vessels commanded by Europeans ; and 4. fanams 7^
osh^ for vessels conunandec} by nativ^s^foi; each trip^

For every water-cask not sent back by the returning boat, the Owjuer
or Master to pay the Master-Attendant a fine, at the rate of four fanams
each day it may be deteined on board any vessel ; and for every water or
liquor butt not landed befdre * the delivery of the port-clearance, the Own^
or Master to pi^ the Master- Attendant eight pagodas ; and for . every
puncheon or gang- cask, four pagodas. .

Inorder to obviate complaints respecting the unneeessary- detention of
boats along^e of vessels, and of their being imperfeetly manned, &c., a
printed* paper will be lodged at the 9ea-Customer^s ofBce^ to be delivered to
every Commander upon his taking out the certificate granted, on swearing to
Ills manifest, as prescribed by the regulations for levying customs : the above-
mentioned printed paper to be sent on board previously to the landing or
receiving of the cargo, for Ihe purpose of being filled' up and signed by the
oflScer commanding on board. Whea the vessel shall be ready for departure,
the said paper is to be delivered to the Sea^Customer, who is directed not to
grant a port-dearance imtil the above be complied with ; the paper to be
forwarded immediately by the Sea^iilnstomer to the Secretary to the Boacd
of Trade. No boat to be detained alongside any vessel more than an hour,
or to be entitled to double hire, and all responsftSity to be on the com-*
mander or commanding officer of such vessel.- '

Rates or Cooley Hire. — A bandy drawn by four bullocks, 8 fanams.;
ditto by two ditto, 4 ditto ; a cooley load, 1 ditto.

Hub 09 FuMWJin BxARBafi.-*»A s^t^ of bearers on field :

aewice» eaehper month ^......u«*.««««u«.««..A«««.PagQdas 9 0.0

Ueaci bearer, <iitto»%%»»».»%%%»^>'%v»» - »»%%»»%^^»%^%' ^ v»»^fMn»»»»»^i>yK%»» 2 jll 20
A set ^ bearers |rt the Fresidency, each dittcu^^^^%%»^.^^ 1 33 60

A set of bearers at the Presidency, batta on travelling

days only, each per day ^^%>»%o»»<ifc%«%>»%»^ fc »fc»»»^»»»»^ 1

Vf^: OftUSWflTftli COMHBKOB^ I^HMmj

to be in lieu of baits and all other demands ; and I«aa«i94it.tiie FrgpfalMny
airvjentitled to denuud no Jiigb^ pagr .tbati one pagoda mid thvee-fMrten

' ' WxctB USUALLY AXLowED TO Sbrvantq. — Cook^ 8 pagodas, per montli;
pantryman, 8 ditto ; 2 watermen, 4 ditto ; necessary-men, each 2 ditfo ;
2 peons/5 (htb each ; palanquin rent 4. 40 ditto; ditto bearers as above
Sftti^l boy, S Hittb'; eonicoplys, each 5 ditto; second diibasli or serrant,
10 ditto ibr Hie fime.

'* ' Two peoiis to watch any goods that may be lefl on the beach, each two
pkgbdas ito- inonth. '-'

PRpYisioN^ AND REFRESHMENTS. — Meat, poultij, fish^.and fruity in
abundance here, but not of. so good quality as at Calcutta. The folio wii^g
are the prices fixed in the bazar, but they vary according to circumstances.
Beef, stall-fed, 4fanams, 40 cash, per lb.— Ditto, 1st sort, 2f. 40c. ditto.
—Ditto, 2d ditto^l£ SOc. ditto.— Veal sold by the joint, according to size and
quality.— Mutton ^k]|d,ditto.— JP ork^ from If. 20c.to2£ 40c.|ierKi.— Cock
turkies, 1 £ 33e^ to 2 pagodas each» — Hen ditto,- 1 to 1 4 dittp '♦-Geese, 1 to 1 1
ditto. — Caponst 15 to 2P faoams ditto.— Bed fowls, 6 to 8 dttto-^ovntry
ditto for sea stock, 8 to 5 ditto.— Ducks, 8 to 9 ditto.— Wild geese, large^
IQ (o 12 <littaT-Pigeons,. 4 to 6 ditto per pair.-rrHares, 4 to 5 ditto oaoh. —
Partridge^ snipes, teal, wild ducks, sand lark;^ » &c. in plenty, and at reason-
able prices<r-Bread^. .Ist sort, 1 fai]uun per loaf.- Flour, ditto, 5 ditto per
measure.

^ , Of (jruit^ the foUQwit]^ ,kinds are to be procured in the bazar : — Custard
apples, guavas, limes, mangoes, oranges, pine-apples, pomegranates, plantains
of various sorts, and pumplenoses.

X^Q. fish to. be purchas^ u^ ihp l^^ari are of th^ folloi|riqg kinds» and
most of them are excel]enti«**Piomfrets, black and white ; aoles, prawns,
cockup, whitings, oysters, mullet^/seer fish, crabs,^ and a variety of' other
fiii|^,^,frhif^ ;are little known, to Eprppeans, or used by them.

hr.^: '^h'^ water li^ is v^ry ei^cellfent; the watering place is about pnemile
and a half ifrbm the Fort, and ships are supplied by country boats at the
rflte^vWpflP. W#<*. oWrfWJl. ?* ^%f rmtff^ 4iiiAQon^eqjw»tto; dear.

)!..{ Cpti{«--«AflOQi«fin|Fte ths oM mQnetiu7)8yst«^^
t)^ I^tao^fMyt ioNtetf iMgodaa^ fanaiis, ^d ^udi. Th« pagpd% migiied
52.56 grains troy, and waa.eoi|iii|onl)r vitlned U.B$i It Mw ^vided-faito 4£
&iMM>sMck:6liptii co«t<annig SO c«sb. This was the proportion okaerred
by Government, the Bank, and Agency Houses ; but in the shops and baaar

JMUm^

OBJKtVtSJU OOHMEfilOB.'

TbegoM'coidBirerttke dtigle and dduble p«gdda!^; tfae's&fW'fediHi^
were tbe aing^ double^ and 5 ftnam piece* } the one-eighth, qiiaMMV%dfS>
1 ind>9,Ciipeesi and qimiter. and half p Rg g das j the xofflyr cpivcmyfirtdl
of 1,1^9 JiO,^,aqd 40 cash pieces*. . * .. , c ./ ^ ,,<,^,« ._

According to. the new cnjrrenqjr, fijfii bj ppylp|0>ati<pPj dttUaj JPortt 4^^
Georgfi^ 7th Januaqr, 181£^ thaaQver riqpee.ceiutitutes tbejt4nd|«^ fy»i|«^
this Presidencj. The public accounts are according^ c omie r^y l ,frpw:4fc^
8t8rp(^;oda'(the€Q^ge qf which is diacentinned) joto. tht Madmkjrfqiee,
at the exchange of S60 rupees per 100 star pagodas. rAU GoveosqiMSilti
inmsactions^Il in future be concbded in rupees.

L t t

The new coinage of silver the same document announced would bpnsist
of the foUowine: couis, of the fineness and weifffat here specified :-*

fr. r 'AHI44.

♦ »1

# I <

Hdn^nDee

• > • •

rtva

QspiBi Allo]^ I

" r^ ,- y ^'4

Gniiii

h rf i w

ttkWBom

)4»' . ::-a
n\ I. •

MHJ^ 'l| l ,|( j ',; ,♦,,.;

VahM about

rtiS"'-

vtJj. . ,,

^0' f«|> ^, { ,:)'«iJjI

•' C[ i l^i

• • '

■ t * •♦ • " r

me nifW coinage of gold^ I'crpees, each ^ual to'Tfi Ata*' ni|)eei, ton^s^^
of T^tpefky half rupees, and <lu^tftef' rupeies ; the rupte containing IM grains
of pure gold, and 15 grmns of aUoT^; weighing cdniequently'lh'e i^e'ed
the silver rupee.

The new copper coinage consbts of pies or pSce, 18 being eqiuValent to

anna.

See alao the Assa^ Report, in Bombay.

The Aroot rupee weighs 170.4 grdns, and dohtidils 160.477 grains of
pore silter ; its sterling value is therefore Is. 1 IJd*

Many other cohis drculate on the Coromandel Coast

The old 3 Swamy pagoda, whfoh is sliout S0| carats fine, bears'
generally a batta of 10 per cent against the new coins of Negajiafauik and
Madras. \ '^•'"•

TAie ol^pagodas of Negapatam and Tuteoorfn are about the sameWo^t
aBdtalbe>airthe«iiirpagadte, (ie. M-Mgrakai, «nririhif«b4^sr6|d^)i but
in the laler'eoifiage of theae pagodas, tftfsy ace depfocialtod^ beiB|( oid;^ l^i
caraii'iit»r aiid 104 are equal to 100 star pifg^daa. ' -. '^' '-^^^

Ae PoMcr Nof o pagada is only 17|'€anrta6^ aiid')Ni^^dmttlair

-/ '. •

120 per 100 star pagodas.

I ■ . « r

• ) ,-

9M. ORDStfTAL OOlOfSllCE. [JtfMnis;

' , The Fosdiehafty. {Mgoda ^mi origiMBj -ooiiiUflmd «qiuil ia rdue
to the star pagoda; but its standard has. hmm Icrvrered lo ITcanU, aid
eraaless*. '

Aooiaage tbdk plaoe^ ial^li^ qfidoiddempe^^ naglenipees, balvts,
(|iiavicn, asd pieces of 1, 8, S^ abd 5 fimaibfl eadi, firoHi Spanish dolan,
which are estimated at 6 dwts. worse than the ttntisb standard. A silver
coiiiage of half and qaartlsr pagodaa, «f the sam? ftaen^ likewise took
place. Into the dcfaails of this numfij ith not tsqnislt^ to enter, 41 the new
citfrettojr fads placed the odbs upon a new footing.

In ism, a five rupee piece, or ohe*thinl gok( nqiee, was coined at
M^— J of the same slaiidaid as the coin iqpecified in proclamation of
January, 1818, viz. 55 grains pure goU, 5 grasnaiailoj^;. the j are issued and
laceired at the Me of 5 sihrer rupees.

The following is the relative. value of the Madras or Arcot rupees with

other rupees current in India.

Aroot Rupees.

^Skxas ..»«..... SS . 1 . 8 || 100 Siccas »equal to 109 • 6.6

100 Bombay,... . « .....JOl . 13 . 7

100 Sonaut ... 102 . 12 . 5

100 Current... .« 99. 9.6

SI I.I I— ■ ..»....f. V1V • A • %f

Bi^ba|r « 98 . 2 . 11
Swiilul4.Mfr- 97 . 4 . 9
Current 108 . .

The following is an ofBdal statement of the rates at which gold and
silver (coins of the GovenMHeots of Calcutta and Bombay vriU be received
iQtP the: ^ev^rsl Tre^s^ri^ subject to the Presidency of For^ St George:
^ted 18th' M«¥bs 1814.

Calcutta Mint Coins. Value of 100. Value of one.

. Bi«r f^ Ci^ Pk«. Tm, CMh.

GoldMofann 451 4 57 4 S8 79.77

Half Ditto ,..925«4 68J 2 11 39.885

Quarter Ditto 112 34 744 1 5 59.9485

Sicca Rupees ,., , 30 8 38 13 46,78

Half Ditto.., , ...M. 15 4 19 6 63.39

Quarter Ditto ., «• 1 ^ 49} 3 31.695

a W

Bombay Mint Coins.

. GoldMohurp ...392 4 82 . — . 3 41 35.42

Fanchea , 130 30 61 I 13 64.61

. Qrfd,a a |> e S i ,.»>.»»...*.*.«**.... M A S^ jO II 60i76'

SihsrHv^ees 29 11 ^2 ^...,0; 12 67^

Half Ditto.» , 14 5 66 m.... O 6 28.66

The fineness of gold and silver is expressed by dividing tt into I6 tendi,
or nsatt^ which. are subdivided into lO parts, answering to the Chinese
division of 10 touch.

' Kt7t.K.— ^Asilbe toneh of gross weight
Is to the out*tuni(
So. U the stundwd tovch <91 })
Tb thesikiidati fiaei

i • ■ •

OB. dwti, gsp. OS* diivti. gm

SO 5447 .0.6 91f 1782 .13 . S^\

Thus :
3447 .0.5= 2614565 X 3 X 30

S^f^CvS

^M67Bfi

•> r

"Wbights. — Pearls are valued, as at Bombajj by two Imds oif weight,
real and nominal The former they are weighed by, and are sold by the
latter. The rebl weight is the mangeHn, whih^ is divided into 16 parts, and
is eqaal to 6 English grains. The noniinal wdght is the chow, which is
divided into 64 parts, and is deduced from the mangelin thus :-^

Rui«E.— Square the number of maiigdins, and diride time-fourths of
this pcoduct by the. numli^r of pearhi* The q^yotiea^ is tJbe Jiisucab^r cf chow.

The great weights are th^ p^odtf* j^llma^ seer» vis, maundy mi cblu^Jp

thpa 4iYi4ed : . . r ,

' IbSk oz.

lA )*agodB8 equal to ......1 Pdlatoss avoirdupois IJ

8 PsUuna •^... « t Sear 10

S ft

5 Seers • 1 Vis .» 3 2.

8 Vi8,....«k,.... . 9 . ^..mI Msnnd ;..m. 25

20 Maunds « •...» 1 Candy. t—rr** f..*50D

Tli« Mfelabar'weighta ana these s^

19 VarabuDS equal to •«....! Pollam

40 Pollams « ,,.,..1 Visay, or VhizsSllis. Ooz. Sdrs.

8 Vis »•••.«..•... « ...M.l Maundy or Manungu = 24lbs. 2 o».

20 Maunda « ,^....1 Baniiiy,orGand]rc3r46Blbs.4os.

20 Barq^ .— «• # ......l Gursay, or Gaiceac SMAlks. 8 oz.

Gold isnirflter are sometimes sold by tlw pagoda weight, poising each
pagoda 2 dwts. 4.iil6 gn. troy.

The following i^ a compfuratlve view of the sereral denomina^ons of
great weights used in various parts of India, with those of the Presidency
of Madras :-*««

9» ORIfiNi^L CDUMBBOE. [JMhUL

Bengal Factory Maund d 7 S5f

IMtto !:. fi«BrMaiiiii{i«»i..;........;../^ « 11}

Bombay Cindy ^fflOiOnaiJfe^ .....;.•«' S 8

OiiM....^... Peool of 100 OhMcs •••»•..., 5 fl 90

Mpcha fiahar of 16 Frank .^ 18 0.

Sunt Candy of 80 Man^da 89 6 87^

Junkceylon... Bahar of 8 Capins. 19 3 18

Bencoolen ... Bahar 88 3 8

CaKeat MaumdoflOdOPoola 1 1 84

Cocfaiiw^ Cttdy of 80 Ifanndi 81 S Hf */

. . Malim. •• ••• BaharofaBeovli,. -..JO 1 84

TcUichewy...C«idyofaDj|i|a|id» ••o«.J^ p. . ;^ .i,, . :

' ^M[jsAflvl»m.-MGrf(ini Md Dry Ifeamife are the dhiek, ihtetar^' ii^ra],
paralli and garce, thus divided :-« • • ^i >: * J » ' •'^ : ^

1 Ollnck c9Balto\^..^«»^««^«.r,.CM&i /a. 11.719

8 Ollucka .... • 1 Measure^ or Puddy 93.758

' 8 Meameft..: '• \ ....;.! Mtttial ;..,..;.•...;.;.. 75C ' ' - ^

5 Marcala ... • 1 Arah of Chunam... 3,750

. . 400 Mm^ •.. . , .^,...1 Ga^ 300,pqo., ,„,^,,i|

,;, , Tlio marcal aod Ituer ineuiMr^ .were iwdered, wlieafidideccCtflfM
fi^ be ro^pd, »nd rimmed with |rw fr bmn, aad itib^Tn^itali MlM
9|.V Mies 4^Px and 10^^ w^e9 di^iwtar.iniUe^««rii<Mr bdldf^^
So^F- wd afli».a)fQii:(iu|¥>ifc.of A?8h,w»^ /Uncp^iMk ii««08hl«it

eqyal t(^ 15 Spgliah Iwh^ Xlie .pfffiOik jtq. jmM^geiH HuA^^^tm^tmii

., . J Wdiw ffrali) U sold b7.w^igH0,8562lb6i eqtig] |ia 18f andles, ^fl^ninuidi,
fffe^A^fftfcep If Mch ia jpeadj I7j English quail^m^' ,' ,. ; nouvnil

li i 'Li«9»'MBiBnBB.*«^a:tepaddy3bf whlA'x^ g6e«y Ml,< %^ ia^
otfmlhinibtte.iald^ isieqiialtir the 'pitddy. In gif^ iM«Mi«, eidfidUig
8 ollueks; but for wine, spirits, &c. the English measure is used. ^i"* *l

8 t)Uiick8 are equal to 1 Measure, or PuddV

I »/no> lu hJ^j «rkahW8..l. »-' -w • '''•• .J;;.|''lliaicil '' '^ ^ ^*^' *^'"' ' oilwn-ic'*

;£H9r

square

\|.' L. I, » ♦-,1 ' ' .' . .• .* t''t » ifnilf Mm ./••

The IndlMfr eftWAcy h' in prqwrtion to the Englirii acre, as 1 is to
1 J883, or as 121 18 tol65.

To reduce Indian cawtties to EngUsb anassy ^lultiply tbe given number of
cawoies l^- 160, and divide by 191 ; the quotient will be the mmber of acres,
aod the remainder the fractional pttrtof an acre. Or mntt^lj the cawnies
bgr 1.32X3, and the product, cutting off four places to thc^iright band, wifl
be the same, and the figures so cut off aire the decimal parts of an acre.

In the Jaghire, the adj, or Malabar foot, is used, whicli is 10.46 inches
Ei^^lish ; 24 adi^ mpk^ 1 cnlj ; and 10D> square culies malie 1 ca^nej, or
aesrijr an English acra The coattnon euljf, however, fs 26 adies, or
m Bnj^ feet^ wMdi^lnaleaa th»ca#Mf 1 aelv, 28$ p«tUies. The pro-
per cawnej would oidj Contain ^STTB^iiat^ft^ ' '

. JtifHCfii J49A0ts^M,f^Tlm oQvid in .rlo(h*nieaiaviSis' 18- i^oliea; hut the
English jrard Is generaHy used. -•

ABTICL|;& PROCURABLE AX MADRAS, WITH OIRRCTlONa

DiAiioln>.«^*{1i&i gem is the hardest, most beaUtifiil,' transparent, and
WIlfauAnci^lAnhn fMciMii totWdfti Dbinondlir lApe fbiltid' oMy itt th^ East
ihdii* dbdii«tBMklil,'>and'«pe dislSngrished by jewMehi iiito oriental 'aiid
adHtlnldBh;' tine Gnesiand haadert>being tdways termed oifental. ' ' tVtien Ai
Mr'wMiBh sCite, tbey ar« dtfaef in the form cT roundish' pebHes, widi
hhbiiig antfAoen, 4r of- oetohctf ral ' ^Ij^tals ; biit though geitehdlf in the
latter form, their crystals are often irregular ; thej are lametlatedv coniiif-
JngiflfVx^tty -Mtf pbfte^ Hke Aose of tcAe, htiV't&y' AdMy Mit^d, the
direction of whidi must be aseertaihed bf ihh la)Hdarfes befbref ^ty am
woik tliem pcoperijr. Tknej vM usually covered 'ti4lh a 4inn' cniBt^> t^hich
rendeia them semi4raiispareirt ; but white Ihid is iremdvied, they are) trati^-
parent ./.-••.». i- ..;.» y

The principal diamond mines in India are that of Baplconda in the
Camatfc; tiuft cSf Gani, or Coolour, also in the Camatie*; ihat of Somel-
pmr, or Ooual, m Seagal.; and ftat of Suocadana, ia Iheldand of Borneo.

These gems are geperallj- imported from .Madras in their rourikstate,
jUi^il|||r'|jytf£i^ cimed ^ iieady secu^^ in mivsHn^t sealed^ bj t|ierm^|-

VKd^rfltfll^lb^^liSiSiyty sora in Europe bj the inyoice^ that is, pre bourat
before they are opened j it Being afways found they cbntain the value ^r
whicV"^ tWa^^ sbM'lil India, ihdeiie piir^'a8^^giV^';^^e Vj^^ such
an adfance on the inToice as the state of the market varrantL, ^Thebulses
contain stones or various shapes and sizes.

< I :Tbediief tfiiiga toe hi! johaeqriid »< pwiluirfDg xiNgb dlwioirill we,
Itt The colour. 8d. The deanness. Sd. The A»|w«

I. C^Imt AnfMI^ podiatAy atytUli^

spring vtter, •• the mMk of irUsh jriou.viittptforfj^e^ii iii^Qg^l^^htfpd*^
wUb^gBOBtdedoe spirit IfUiecfNit be ihimiIIi md MgbU witib^
tiocture of gimv in iti U is moI tb^.wone^ end seUUMM pp^bs^ liod^. hut il
there k a nHsUm <tf j^dlofr wiib. pemf. then befrw^ dfiitr^^ii« toft

If4he|tW9hBs4;jrei«bi«08C|i tb«t:joii4fito htuHOf.^m.ihtngi^Hi uA
ihe ecMit be^white, wAlodk jM.jf itt.'wwni'foiigli.foj .wl^ aAtdLoer <£flmik(0
rmBA^ Md iM^MemUfrcaQtJii the bfMi]r «i(r.thr.;steii»i. (irhioh MQr.be di»*
cohered by holdmg h agaiiMl the (lighi)). tbi fltiW w9llffl«

it oftf* huppeotf thit « ^(Qie i^p^Mief a seddish hue, pa theMtward
coat, not unlike the colour of rusty iron; yet hjf loiAdnf IhvHghi^llgaiiut
the light, you obsenre the heart of the stone to be white, (and if th^» be
any black spots, or flaws, or reins in it, they may be discovered by a tme
eye, although tiieeoat of the stone be opaque), and nieh stones are gene^
rally good and clear.

K a dia i o ad i^ffwaw pS %#r^nisli bi^ht.^qtt^ iffHPWMi<»ii» jgifee of
gpeen c)ass> ittdiiiiag to jdack, it' gloeraUy proven h^^ni^frnMi
•sMsbstoiw bave he^.Juiofni %^iwe'iUtno£i^firfiiimit^
W^m than itbe aaepad } ;b|it if a^y tia<tiire.dr jfUow:W9»; jt^.be ttiguA.imA
lit^ dqpeiiAttpoiiH»being,aTaifhsidal^neu . ,^

: Al) stoics .of a mlkjjom^ l^betber tfafs OMtibe^Jbc^^ or 4^ if^Wv^fT
salilttei neH a ing to al»lii(|iih4Wtvacf B«t«ml^ sqft,tapd>iff AVQfW^^^Mv
Hawed fa the cutting 4 andlfcoiqjj]^ |Jbqr skpvldf.ba^f )khe-fl|iy>4 :^i1WI^>
escape, yati they wi]jl pime dsfMi vap4 miUiy, .apd^am tonipi nacaiattv

AUdiamays of i^aiwaon aaWvr m d«biw*r bMtif «if aljypglit ^qaaty
.nimdwith^alittfa green, then' tbeyane- certain]^' bad^i and are ^^qooimM
amongst the worst of oolours* j • •

Yaa willaiMt^ wttb a gpeasfe many dwpwds. af ,a mi^<<aili|«aoD«
aolouMdcpalk opf^pM^ .this* sort. is goaevaUy :Y^ry tw^ awl arlun-ejib
fontaiiis « ^groat daa^ of life, and lyiiji ;, If^t the caloi^ P >WT.: !ti¥Wfrj ftA>^^
4s aometiaies whiter* aM»tiipesJl^ipiiiibiiM)4 «m^tmi<^^ Sm yi#>v-

II. .Ofao«su»s.-T*Coocarniiig tba fmU and ptlwr IflW^fftWMI ^wM^^ifF
ftoni the^ vslu^ 4£ the .dianii)ipd#f it ^ W(l> tM# diMPbaMnift
origjiaally ftpd^ and, spiatiiaus,iM«till#f«pns i^i^ ^Ui|<j(wpb€K ff^f '^i ^
«ptfth, where tibey lie ti^Jl|^.itf^|^i|Woed, ^ n^ye.itb^ l^i^ice
ysaeraily find them of^ l&fiecf drop fan^a w «nti^ ftqn^ ^ co^Um^iBitf
proper bed, without coats. While this petrific juice, or the matter which

JMhteJ] 0BI!E9nrAL COMIHSBGR tN

aaws m ikt wUmtf ii in its ocigkndh tendef matxar^ it is lidbleia aB tikt

lento we find in it, and by whicsh it ig bo iAetk ilanwgrt ;. fopiif

pacticle of sttidar earth fall mto dietender iiiatt^*.it ialdckfedlup in
H, and becomes a foul, black spot ; and as this 13 bigger or len,i ria ii*diina-
Biihes the vdne of the stone. This, at least, is &r nHideiin:«kMl fouls
sre aecouBtad'for^ > *..'.,. m..

Flawrare suppoaad to be tKcmomA hy some nceifcart,. sba|ee$< or
violence which the stone receiTed whilst m ito bed,, or inic digging it oQt^.aBfl
this frequently occasions an open cradc in the stone, sometimes fiom the
outside t<r the eeatrey and someChnes ia the body of the; ston^ wUdh does
not ezleod'to the ouftMiet bat this ia much, the worsts and wflLioeqaiite
great judgaMOt to know how fkr it doesezfandi It takes half fiaom. the
▼slue. ■ • •■ ■' i . i ...I

Holes are formed on the outride of the rough diamond, and mm/tttSm
wxmemed hf soms hard particia of- sand fidUng into flieiteDder nAstance
of the ^lofeies, whidi not being heavy enough to aiak intd the middle,
remaint on th^ aulside thcftreef, like a Uadb spot, and being piekad off,
leaves a round hole.

The next arfrf greatest •diffioidty will be to aitnd beamy «steaes^ and
this requires more skill and practice than illiy thing yei spoken of ;: ^ttidie
aad opporfimily win enable you to dfecover Asm. Indeed a greai many
stones are a Ifttie hetmj in the rouadtost (by which is'.neaaf the adgea)>;
bat it is not ao very material, thoa^ it*dimiaishes the life ef tbe.dieMand.
Bf beamy Modes; ere taieaai such as 'look &iir te the eye, and yet axe so fidl
of Tetna to the-c^atte^ that ni> art ^or hbear can palish than. Tihesfevaias
ran thhw^ iei«i&l']itrle of th^ stete, and soraefimes thn)agh.rit;»ja|d
when they appeitf onthe autaide, they shew themselves lihfi i»atubeitet
exeseseeaoaB, from wheaoi run imumiwaUe smidl veins,, ^yiqaely eiosaiAg
one another, and shootmg into the body of the stone. 'Khe:staBeitodf.iriII
have a bright and shining coat, and the Teina wili look Kkfii vtgy small
pieces of pdishedstediiih^ upon the>'8«sfiwa dflfie stnsie. .{Zhiaibrt of
stone adHf btosrao^ pelisbfa^ imd is ^auxAywoiA a isnpae ptt as fagBBa ..
SouMfthHea thaknol of the vtins vnill be «i thg cetttrie*; :tfie iiMw/wittahoat
oi^atdi and the^smitt^^ termittaif^ ia'Ihe toeai af the'diaBumd4 iThis
St meee- di M tti k to^fieeovc*, and nMSibe ttamiiakl by a iiiee«ye ; yet you
oiqrtedblehfeveaadtlieletoobsei^ m atiudl pTOtaberdDCe,^ like the poiit
«r a iieedle lIMb^kilf apart of the etat of tiMf aleiie:: aaMk.l^^
deal itf* laboarftebMld.be pdiahed^' it w>iUi)e a gtfeat chai*ge,*andfaeai9Beiy
iMiy ftr the cattifi^, itod thei^fiM it it »to be esteemed iaaliMlfi .bsttar^tlsBBi

MO ORIENTAL COMMERCR [Madr^.

ihit ftrmec- But if jrou are not Terjr dueiiil, they will throw one of tiiM
itones into a parod, and oftentiines the largest

IIL jS%a(ie.-<^TIiere are stones in four points, stones in two points,
and flat stones.

Stones in four points consist in four equilateral triangles at top, and
the same at bottom, bdng a perfect steragon : thu is the most complete
shape, and mdces the best brilliants, and when sawed in four points, the
best rose diamonds, which are esteemed more than others, whether shaped
thus, or rough.

Stones in two points are when four <^ the triangular planes are broader
than the other lour. This will make a thinner brilfiant, lose more in the
cutting, and will not retain so mudi Hfe. For roses, it must be sawed
thioogh two points, and it will make fine roses, but not so ^vdj as tlie

SUmaa in (m flsAf are when the points ars so dipnMM and Manned,
tfiat yon only see Ae traces where Nature wouM have poKshed Hiem, had
ttey not been nanflwed ; nA therefiwe thejr ai^ hiegnlar attd dMortM. la
cutting these stonefi they do not regard the pmnts^ but nrishe the Hat way
eHiicr raaas or bcflliantk These stones nay be apKt kn^ in these 'shapes ;
Aajr kae aaofu in cuttfag than the oAeti.

All indian«cut stones are called lasks: tliey are fat general iMahaptd,
er irr e g u lar in their fonn ; thenr substance or depdi is iHy op or ti utied ;
aone hare more of the stone^s substance at top than at bottom ; the tabk,
or ihce, is seldom in the centre of the stone; sometimes it is of an extrava-
gant breadth, and sometimes too small, and none of them are properly
poUahed. The chief thing regarded is, that <£ saving the sine and weight
of the stones. Tllese stones are always new wrought wlien brought to
Europe. . Such as have the least stain» speck, flaw, at appearance of vetas,
sbonU be f^Bded.

For the vahiation of diamonds of aH weig^ Mr. Jefierias laya down
the fliBowing rule. Be first supposes the value of the rough diamond to be
aatlled at iPS per carat at a medium ; then to find the value of dianMNids of
graaler we%to, multiply ike square of their weight by two, and tim pro-
dhict is tiie value required. For instance^ to find the value of a rai^
dfamond of two carats, SxSsI^ the square of the wei^^t, which muUpHsd
by two, gfvea £^ the value of a rough diamond of two carats. ' Var find-
lag tte vahia of nmnufhetured &ittonds, he supposes half their weight to he
kot in aaanufiielaring tl«m ; and therefbre to find thrfr value, multi^y^
aqaare of double thefar weight by two, which will give tfieir troe value in

M<idr(u.t^ BengaL] ORI£NT,/^L COBfMERCE. ^l

» «

fovanis. Tbiis^ to find the value of. a wrought diamoud of two carats, find
the square of double the weight, that is 4x4:=;16, then 16x2^32. So that
the true valpe of a wrought diamond of two carats is £^2,

The largest diamond ever known in the world, is one belonging to tjie
Qoeen of Portugal, which was found in Brazil; it is still uncut; it weighs
1,680. caraii, and if valued according to the above-mentioned rule, this
great gipa must be worth <f 5,644,800 sterling.

PiECf^ooops are manufactured of different dimensions and qualities, at
fftrious places subordinate to Madras, and are exported from thence to
Europe,, ^e Ca|>e of Good Hope,' the Persian and Arabian Gulphs, the
Msjay CpasU Manilla, and various other places to the eastward.

The.followiofi: are the kinds usually imported into Eneland, with the
Boinber of pieces to a too.

Allejars «»^«^^..^^.^%«.«^Pieces 800
.QBlliNiWIKij:^.^^ 8QQ,

chiiil^,,9i;,aijy^4^^^.4<)p

" " ,800.

/' ; 1'

Izarees ^v«^w«%«^<^v%%^Pieces 800

jU»i^htf»tbt»^.^i4..>^.#»^^jw»^ yso

, S<teii[yoy f s»..^^^^»v>»i>^^.400 '.
Sastracuttdie^ vr«»>«^««»^«»«r^ 8^0 , ^ ,

Br Hlbenf ^« \mttr IV ia set agaimt piecea ef 400 to Oie^toB^ it.
shews those goods are to be reduced, or brtiughi to a standard o£li(yardi'
lotag.ai4yl tarMd**^ F^rezaniple:

},0Q0 pw0$ of 18 y«rcU* long fmd \\ broad, at 400 to the toln mikoi
M4 pto aii , QrdioA9.44'plecea.

. .. * ■ ■ - »

'■ ■ SBCTION XX. ■• ■ '

COAST lIlOM MADRAS TO 'Bl?m5AL!' ' *

I'ii il'*;. . /,-, #•♦.#•' • '* »- n .'» .114 <t?l^'.;.i «'ff

4M 1^ auu juiixituue ov/ ;&;& 4:^. . jl uis was a uiiicu st^tueaieiii. j. ne
fort IS caued Grueldria. . There is a ihoal off Pulicat. wlu'cli extenife 'N. E. .
WK,m'^:W:Ut .lurJ'/end lies S/E. by't ^rohi'Ue ri';:^. To"*
ttter Pittieai Boads from the S., do not come under IS fathoms till the
oagrtanoearB W., when you may stand in W., or W. by N. to bring it

Ut OBIENTAL COMMEBCB. iMaAra9 to Bengri.

W. i. S. In this track there are at least 5 j fatboni^) tUl yam get wiAio
two miles of the flagstaff in the above directbtty when you hft?e laven or
eight fathoms ooze.

TftADK.-— The trade here in arrack, sugar, Japan copper, spices, and
other articles from Batavia, used to be very brisk ; the returns W6re made
in piece-goods of various sorts, manufactured h^re and in the adjaceot
places.

ARMA60N, OR DURASPATAM, is in latitude ahwt IS"" 58 N.,
and about 12 leagues N. N. W. from Pulicat. The Shoal of Armi^Q is
about 2^ leagues N. N. £. of Point Pondy, which is about half way b^wecn
Armagon and Pulicat.

GONDEGAM, on GREAT GANJAM, is in latitude 15° Wf N.
The river is considered to bound the Coast of Coromandelto theN.) beyond
which the Coast of Golconda begins ; but the appellation of Coromandel is
oflen applied to the whole extent of coast from Cape Comorin to Balasore,
as that of Malabar is to the whole extent of coast on the W. sid^ of the
Peninsula.

MOOTAPILLY is about eight leagues N. N. E. of Gondegam. The
town is about half a mile inland, not discernible from the offing ; but with
the assistance of a glass, a pagoda is perceptible. There are some detached
palmyra trees to the N. of the landing-place^ and about a mile to the S., a
thick grove of trees, with a clump on its S. part, higher than the rest.
With the N. extremity of a piece of high land in one with a thick grove of
trees, you are abreast the proper anchorage in latitude 15^ 42' N. Large
ships lie about a mile from the shore, with Mootapilly pagod^ bearing
N. W. byN;

From jVIootapilly to Pdint Divy is about l4 leagues ; in this space the
coast is ioW and woody, having several towns on it, the principal of which
are Nizampatam and Pettapollee : the latter may be known by a grove of
palmyra trees near it, and is in latitude about 15° 50' N.

NORTHERN CIRCA RS.— That portion of the British dominions
on the Coromandel Coast, commonly called the Northern Circars, from its
relative situation to Fort St. George, is a narrow slip of maritime countrj',
extending from 15^ 30' to 20° N: latitude, and from 79** to 85" E. longitude.
The sea bounds it to the E. ii^ a du*ect N. £. course along a coast 470 miles
in length, from Mootapilly, near its S. extremity,, .to the town of Malood
in Orixa, on the borders of tlie Chilka Lake^ its N. extremity.

The grand divisions of the whole territory are naturally and propeHv
fivC) being so many portions of its length, principally marked by rivers
running across from the hills on the W. to the sea; but besides theie» *

Madnu to Bengal.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 848

aixth dklrict has been fonned from the maritime border 6( the four
Southerly Circars, to serve ai an appendage to, and secure the salt made,
or CuHonis coUeeted at the ports <^ Nisampatam^ on a S. outlet of the
Kiitna, and of Masulipatam on one of its N. branches, as well as at their
respective dependencies along the coast

I. GuifTOOR, or MooRTEZANAQUR, the most soiitherl J province, is of a
drcalar form ; the River Kistna forms the N. boundary of the Circar, and
leparates it from the province of Mustaphanagun The boundaries to the
W. and S. are the districts of Falnaud and Ongole ; and on the E., Nizam-
patam and its dependehcies intervene every where between it and the sea,
excepting a narrow conununication with tiii^ small port of Mootapilly.

II. CoilDAFIbLT, or MUSTAPHANAGUR;

IIL EiiiiORE.— -These are adjacent to each other, as well as to the
Circar just described, in a N* E. direction, and occupy the whole space
lying between the Kistna, and the districts of Masulipatam towards the
kA ; and the River Godavery describes the limits of Ellore northerly.

IV. RAiABMUiTDRY, towartls the S., is separated from Ellore in its
gmijtsi breadth by thii Godavery. This river, after receiving many lesser
bnes, from its source among the Balagaut mountains near Bombay, and
running an E. course about 700 miles, divides itself into two gr^at branches,
3S miles from the sea, within which is formed the Island of Nagur, a
triangular space comprehending only 500 square mUes, but of greater value,
in prdpordoh to its extent, than perhaps any other spot in the East. The
small river of Settiaveram running into the sea, describes its N. boundary
With Chicaoole.

V. Ma8i;upa#aii.— Tliis district forms the least of the grand divisions
of the Circars. Niseampatam, formerly a separate jurisdiction on the S. of
the Kbtna, extending along a coast of 60 miles from Point Divy, near the
great mouth of that river to Mootapilly S., and about five in breadth on a
medhim to the territory of Guntoor, constitutes the S. portion of this divi-
sion ; and from the same headkndi including the Island of Divy to Narsi-*
pore, on the S. arm of the Godavery, and from thence to Ingeram on its
N. branch, just beyond the point formed by, and deriving its name from,
this river, lie ttveral pergunnahs detached from Condapilly, and some
smaller seaporis scattered on the shores of EUore and Riyahmundry, which
together compose the N. subdivision, and extend along a coast of 105 mOes,
within 45 nnles of the River Settiaveram, and boundary of Chicacole. Both
these portions united, are immediately dependent on Masuli{)atam, which
is the capital of these districts.

VI. CaicAcoLE, the most northerly, and last in order of the grand

Q 2

'^44 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Madras to Bengal.

cUvLsioiis, is also subdivided Into two distriGU ; of which one, deriving its
name from that province^ is dependent on Vizagapatam ; the other, called
Xchapoor, is placed under Ganjam. The former lies betweed the rivers of
Sfsttiaveram on the S., and of Poondy on the N. From the cross hills
approaching the sea near these extremities, it forms a kind of semicircular
territory ; of which the diameter along the coast extends 160 miles, and its
greatest dimensions in land about one-third of the same distance. The latter
subdivision of this province is of a triangular figure, stretching its longest
side about 80 miles on the shore from Poond j to Maloud, the S. frontier
of CuttacL

The Circars, being well watered by the numerous riv«rs, abound in
grain, and may be considered the granary of the Camatic during the N.
monsoon, in like manner as Tanjore is reckoned during the S. W. monsoon.
7hey produce also bay-salt, tobacco, (the latter from the vicinity of Ma-
siUipatam, known every where for superior excellence), and abundance of
teak timber of the best sort, and largest size& The coco and palmyra
^orm the principal materials for building the unwieldy vessels for the coast-
. ir^ trade, called donies, of various burthens, from GO to IGO tons each. The
4ian)0Qd mines of Guntoor and Condapilly in this province are not consi«
d^red of any. great importance.

Tn ADs.-^In regazd to manufactures, the staple produce of the country
worked from cotton, is of two different sorts and fineness ; plain long-doth,
§0 valuable at foreign markets, is chiefly wrought in the island of Nagur
and its vicinity. It forms the groundwork of the best printed calicoes in
Europe, and of those inimitably painted ones, called palempores, in the
districts of Masulipatamu The coarser plain cloths made to the N. and S.
of the Godavery, or coloured with the Chaya noot, which grows in most
.perfection ^n the sands overflowed annually by the Kistna, are equally
articles in demand abroad, or for interior consumption ; but the muslins of
Cfaicacole, the beautiful woollen carpets of Ellore, and silks of Ichapoor,
wrought from the raw materiab imported frorfi Bengal and China, are
rather objects of curiosity, and n^riting encouragement, than considerable
i;p qjUAG^tity or benefit

Tbese several objects of natural or artificial produce, when united,
^rm the grand resources of the commerce, whidi may be classed under
tjbpee different heads^ vwr

I. The trade to Europe.-— This is confined entirely to the finer cotton
manufactures exported by European nations who have establishments on
this coast, or purchased by other foreign adventurers.

II. The trade to the neighbouring Indian ports, or coasting tradei

MadTOB to Bengal.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 245

which consists either of gnnn, amounting annuall j to- half a milHon of bi^,
or, for the most part, of the coarser cloths proper for the eastern markets.
Grain is both imported and exported. The imports from Bengal are chiefly
into Visagapatam and Masulipatam. The exports are from Ganjam and its
Tidnitj, where grain is as cheap as in Bengal Cuttack also sends a large
quantity.

III. The third branch, or interior commerce, in salt and piece-goods,
of nalire productions, or copper and ravr silk, the latter chiefly for Bengal:

MASULIPATAM.— Point Divy, in latHude 15^ SO" N., and longitude
81" 16^ £., forms the W. side (^ the Bay of Masulipatam ; the shore is very
flat all round the bay. Ships in the fair season generally anchor abreast the
toiiro, in four or fire fathoms, the flagstaff bearing W., distant four or five
miks.

The fort and town of Masulipatam are situated a considerable distance
from each other. The fort stands a mile and a half from the sea-shore, on
the edge of a sound, formed partly by an inlet of the sea, partly by drains
from the drcumjacent ground, and still more by a continued stream which
the river Kistna sends off about 15 miles to the S. W., and which falls into
the upper part of the sound, very near the fort. The sound has sometimes
three fathoms, and at others only three feet water ; and oppose to the fort,
is five hundred yords in breadth. The ground along the sea-shore, for two
mUcs to the N. and S. of the inlet of the sound, is a collection of sand-hills,
which extend about half a mile inland, when they cease on the borders of Ibl
morass, which sunrounds the fort on every side for a considerable distance.

The town of Masulipatam is situated a mile and a half to the N. W. of
the fort, on a plot of ground rising above the morass, across which the
communication between this ground and the tort is by a straight causeway,
2000 yards in length. The town is very extensive, and its ground on the
farther side still to the N. W» is bounded by another morass, which stretches
sloog it from S. W. to N. E., but is stopped by the sand-hills of the
lea-shore, along which is the only access to the town on dry ground. - '

Masulipatam is rerj populous : it is the capital of the district, and 'the
principal fort and bulwark of all the Northern Circars. It was formerly
the principa] place on the Coast of Coromandel.

Tobacco, (TambaoUj Hind. Tamract^lo, San.) of very snpdrior
quality, is cultivated in the vicinity of Masulipatam. The snufTis occa-
sionally brought to England as presents.

YANAON is situated at the confluence of the River Coringa with ohe
of the principal branches of the Godavery River. The mouth of the lattei^ is
ohstruded by sandbanks, and therefore cannot be entered without the assist-
ance of an experienced pilot. The river is deep within the bar, and is navi-

246 ORIENTAL COMMEECK [M^OIras t9 Bengal.

gabk to a considerable distance, though Utile frequented b^ vessels ; and la
very broad and rapid at the tofm of Yanaon. This town, with the teriitoiy
bdonging to it, and a small island situated to the S., forms a space about fbur
miles square, and contains a population of about 6000 persons.

POINT GOBDEWARE, or GODAVERY, in laUtudel»>4tf N.,
and longitude about 82** IT £., is a low, narrow sandbank, several miles ii
extent ; within which, about six miles W. by N., is an opening of one of the
branches of Godavery River, commonly called Coringa River, o^ which stand
the town and English factory of

CORINGA.-^-CoringaBay is between the above point and Jaggernaqt-
poram, whose river's mouth lies about ten miles N. W. by N. ftom the
point ; the usual anchorage for country vessels is Jaggemautpor^ N. N. W.,
and the bar of Coringa S. W. by S. ; on the bar there are thirteen or fourtem
feet water. When over it, the leading mark up the river \s ^ small dump
of trees libout 180 yards from the starboard shore, kept a-head tBI yon open
the river on the starboard side. The town of Coringa is situated on the
S. bank of the river. Large ships anchor in fiv^fiithoms, Jaggemautp(»*am
bearing N. W. by W., and Coringa flagstaff S. S. W. Up the river is the
town of Ingeram, where the Company has a Chiff, and where large quanfi?
ties of piece-goods are manu&ctured.

C(Minga Bay and River are capable of being of infinite' service to tiie
King's, Company's, and country ships, being the only place on the W. coast
of the Bay of Bengal where a vessel above two hundred tons can be refitted^
or stop her leaks during the S. W. monsoon. It is always during that mon-
soon so smooth in this bay, that a vessel mi^ venture to take a large heel for
that purpose, and if occasion required, could heave down. There are always
a great minlber of caulkers and carpenters employed here all the year round,
repairing and building country vessels. In case of necessity, several hundred
of these artificers could be procured along the coast } there are also timber
and several stores to be got. Wood and water are obtained with (M>nvenienee
and facDity , and fresh provisions of all kinds, were it an established port,
could be procured in great quantity. There are also a great number of
decked country boats, called donies, which would be of infinite service to a
squadron putting in here to refit To all these advantages, add the vidmtf
ti Coringa Bay to Pegu River, for the supply of large tenk timber of dl sorts,
and other naval stores, not being more than ten days^ sail from it in either
monsoon ; also the port of Rhio in die S. part of the Straits of Malaccs,
fipom whence poon masts and spars are brought, with several other useful
articles. The navigation ot* Coringa Bay has been improved by the erection
of a flagstaff lighthouse on Hope Island^ to guide ships to the anchorage in
that bay.

Madras to Beng^a.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. H7

JAGGERNAUTPORAM is in latitude le"" M N., about wven milas
N. of CoringB. This town is also called Cocanara. It is in a deep bay, and
is kBown by a white fort having a flagstaff. The anchorage is in 5|6thoms,
soft mud, the flagstaff N. W*, about two miles from the shore. About a
Hitle to file E. of the town is a river with a bar, navigable by boats at low
water. You may land in the ship^s boat, keeping the fort open with the
movlh of the river, which you enter, and which go?s a long way above the
town. %\SfB and vessels are weU built here, and cheap.

Provisions and Rkfresrucntb. — Wood^ water, and stock are obtained
easily, and are very reasonable,

VI2A6APATAMisinlatitudel7''43 N.andlongitiide83'96 £. A
river coning fi^om llie N., and turning short E. to the see, .forms an arm
of land, a mile and a half in length, and 600 yards in breadth. Nearly in
the middle of this ground stands the fort The town is about 300 yards to
the N«^ the fort^ and there is a small village to the S. The harbour is ca^
{lable of adnaiCting vessels 'Of SOO tons,

Vieagapatam is distlngubhed by the headland called the Dolphin>i
Nose^ which rises on the 8. W. point of the road, but is better known by a
Ugh mountain {dainly seen seven or eight leagues inland ; whereas the Dol-
phin^s Nose is obscured by the high land at the back of it* The road has
been recently surveyed by order of the Madras Government, and the follow-
ing extract puUished for general information : —

Tlie safest and tnoist convenient birth for large ships to anchor, is in
nine fathoms ; however, the roadstead may be consid^-ed perfectly safe to
begin north, ui rix, seven, and nine fathoms, where the serjeanf s house, and
tbe S. extremity of the huts north of \h^ flagstaff, are in one ; and soalih,
where the house and Dcdphin'^s Nose bear West ; the bottom being all over
this tract peifectly clear of rocks up to the beach, imd to the foot of the hilL

On the bar at the entrance of the river tliere are eight or ten feet water,
and sometnnes more in tbe N« E. monsoou ; but the sands are lii^le to
shift. The surf is very considerable on the ebb tide ; and as European boats
are obliged to be used, for wi^nt of country boats, they should keep close to
the Do^hin^s Nose, otherwise they run a risk of being upset, especially if the
tide is ebbmg.

Taads.*— Large quantities of piece-goods are mannfactured in thi^ dis-
trict, and the natives are very expert in worlcs of ivory, siniilar to those nm-
nufactnred at Canton, but inferior in workqianship

BIMLIPATAM is about five leagues from Vi^agapatam, iiv latitude
17" £3' N. The Dutch had formerly a factory here for supplying themselves
witli piece^oods from the neighbouring villages. TIh^ anchorage. ioi\ ship-

2i» ORIENTAL COMMBfiCB. [Madras to BengaL

ping in tfauB S. W. monsoon is abreut the river and yillage ; and a little far-
tfier to the N. in the other monsoon.

Between Bimlipatam and Ganjam are the rivers of Chicaoolb and
CalikoapataM) places of but little trade, and seldom frequented.

GANJAM is sUuated in latitude 19'' 9S! N. and longitude 8BP 10' K
The fort, whidi is small, but compact, stands <m the S. side of a river of om-
sideraUe sice. This place is much frequented, particularly by cxMdng
vessels canying on a considerable trade, many of which can enter the river.
Ships anchor abreast the fort, or river^s entrance, in eight or nine fathoms,
about two miles oflfTshore.

MANNICKPATAM, m latitude 19^40 N., is about 11 leagues to
the N* of Ganjap, and is situated on a branch of the Chilka Lake. It is
known by a small pagdda, encompassed with houses and other buildings,
having near them some large trees. Grain is scarce here.

JAGG^RNAUT PAGODAS are the most celebrated in India; the
largest is in latitude 19° 48' N., and longitude 85° 52 E. Here is a large
town, about two leagues from the sea^de, which is seen far off by the height
of its buildings. At a distance the pagodas appear like a large shq> under
sail ; but on approaching, there are three pagodas very near each other, th^
S. W. one exceeding Ugh and round, with a spike and a large ball at top
The second, which almost joins the first, appears less round at the ti^; it
has also a spike and ball, as has like^vise the third, which is the least, and
round, like the first These three pagodas, which seem joined together, form
a high and broad building. They are enclosed in a square wall made of
enormous black stones; ea<^ side of the wall is 100 fathoms in extent,
having four gates facing the four points of the compass* Besides these, there
are many small ones, and numerous buildings for the reception of pilgrims,
of which 100^000 are said annually to visit this venerated place, and are en-
tertained here.

BLACK PAGODA is about five leagues E. N. £. from Jaggemaat,
and at a distance also resembles a ship under sail ; about a league to the W.
of it is another small pagoda, standing, like this, on even reddish ground,
without trees. This oireumstance is sufficient to distinguish the Black Pagoda
fitmi that of Jaggemaut About five leagues E. N. E. from the Black
Pagoda is the principal branch of the River Gonga, called also Cuttack, from
» long town of that name situated at some distance inland.

POINT PALMIRAS, called by the natives Mypurrah, is in latitude
209 44' N. and longitude 87"" 6^ E. The Poiift is low, and covered with
palm-»trees, having on each side of it a small river ; that on the S. side is os-
vigable by small vessels. Ships seldom seethe point in passing, unless in very

Madras to Bengal] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. S49

dear weather^ as there are aereral shoab near it, running a oonsideraMe dk»
tanoe into the sea, which render it unsafe approadbing wiihtn fonr leagues:
A lighthouse is novr ereeted on the Point, and may be seen at about twenty
mSes distance.

About five mSes N« W. of the Point is Eankaka, or Cuttack River,
which is wide at its entrance, and • navigable for vessels drafwing twdve 0f'
thirteen feet water ; but it is necessary to eaploy'a pih>t. It is much fk^
qaented by the coasting vessels belonging to the natives, who carry rice' and
various articles of trade from heaee to Madras and other parts of the ooast,^
during the favourable monsoon. Latterly, vesseb belonging to European
residents at Calcutta have been employed in conveykig stores from Fort
William to the Kannaka, returning with salt, com, and rice. Some nitiM
veaseb from the Maldives trade to the Kannaka. Vessds entering the rirer
import at Hoonswah ; the Deputy Master-Attendant is stationed at Do«-
BAB ; the Master-Attendant resides at Poobxb. An inland trade is carried
on with the Nagpore country.

Six leagues N. N. W. of the Kannaka is Churiuga River^ situated in' li
bqr affording good anchora^ in. the S. W. monsoon ; but, being out mttlm
track of ships bound to Bengal, is seldom visited.

Rbdwood, properly Ran Saunders, is produced chiefly on the Coves-
mandel coast, whence it has of late' years been imported in considerable
quantity to England^ where it is employed in dying. It is the wood of the
Pteroearpus SaniaHnusy {Raet Clumian^ Hind. ; Macia ChatHUumiy San,)^
aod comes in round biUets of a blackidi red colour on the outside, a iUqp
brighter red within, with a wavy grain ; no smell or taste^ unless tmxaL
Caliatour wood is likewise a red wood growing on this coaat ; bat it mmt
not be confounded wtth Red Saunders.

BALASORE.-^The entrance of the river u in latitMle about 21^981 N.
Balasore was formerly a considerable town, but at present is vaalj about a
mile long, and half a ndle broad in the widest part It is built*along the
river Beree BeDaun, where the tide commonly rises eight feet» and serves ta
carry vesaeb up to the dry docks, of wfaidi there are OMny here; but the
spring tides rise much higher. The stream is navigable only for vessels of
100 tons burthen ; and these cannot get over tlie bar at the mouth of the
river, except at high»water, spring tides.

Trade.— A ooasideraUe trade is carried on here by sonll country v^
tds, in riee, doU, and other grain, tobacco, wax, oil, and various piece^ oods
manufa c tured in the neighbourhood.

Boats from the Maldive Islands arrive in fleets t>f twenty or thirty, in
the months of Jiine and July, bringing with them the produce of their

aSO ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Mudrat to Bengal.

ifltandft^ coAiifting of <^oiiv cocxHMitai cowrito, nit fish, tortoise-sfaeU, &c., and
xetura ia December, ladea irith broadxcbtli, coarse cottoxM, cuttery, hard*
ware, lookulg-glasses, rioe^^ilk^goodi^sugar, tobaccKs mid other cammoditieB,
the produce of Europe, India, and China.

At Balasore, pilots are alwi^s ready to cany the shipping up the Hugh-
ky Bivar. It sometimea happens Ihat MpB arrimg in Balaaore Roads have
to. anchor, and seMl a boal on shore for a pilot; but a boat should not
Uttempt to pass over the bar but at the lart quarter flood, as in the firstquar-
ter the aaa breaka very high on it. In the fine season the pilot ressels are
geoGtiUy met with as soon as Point Palmiras is doubled. £adi nation has
its own; nor is it proper to use them promiacoousij, bntgjive Uie preference
to those of your own nation. So many serious aoddeats have happened to
commaodera who have trusted to strange pilots, that the greatest caution is
Inquired io the choice of them.

FIFIfEY is about six leagues £. by N. from the entrance of Balasore
Biv^T It is situated on the banks of a river, and is known by a pagoda to
tho W., and a thicket of trees veryne^rit. Fiplqr was once th^ mavt of this
country ; but the walers washing away « great part of the town, at the same
time that a dangerous bar ivas form^ at the month of the river, the mer-
{dhants renwvad to Balasoi^.

B£N6AL.-^Tfae province of Bengal commences at Pipky River; it
is interaeoted with two rivers, the ijranges and Barnampooter. The Ganges
is very unequd in wktth, viirying Scorn three-^u^tors of a mile to three
fniles. About 400 miles from the sea, the channel is 30 &et deep, when at
its lowest; and it continttes this depth to tiie sea, wliere the auddea eaqtsD-
aion of the stneamdeprives it of the force neoessaiy to aweep Mmy the banks
of sand and mud thrown across it by the strong S. winds ; so that the prindpsl
branch of the GaacBS cannot be entered by lat^ vessels. About 300 miles
fiom "ite sea, reckonmg the windings of the liver^ commences the head of
the Delta of the Ganges, or low coantiy ; the two W. branohea, named the
Cossimbusar and JeUinghy rivers, unite, and form what is afterwards named
the Htt|^y, or Hoogley River, which is the port of Calcutta, and the oeij
branch of the Granges that is navigable by large ships: this biBuch has t
ipdch deeper outlet to the sea than the prindpal branch.

That part of the Delta bordering on the sea, is composed of a labyrintli
of rivers and creeks, all of which are salt, except those that immediately
communicate with the principal arm of the Gangts. This tract is kaown
by the name of the Sunderbunds, and is completely enveloped in woods,
and infifisted with tigers. Here salt, in quantities equal to the whole con-
Mmption of BeagpU and its dependeneie% is made, and transported with

Maira$ t6 Beng&L] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 2ftl

great facility ; and here also is fbund an {iiexlunistible store of tiinber &t
boatbuiUBng. Hie breadth of the lower part of the Ddta is upvrards of
180 mOes, to which, if we add that of the two branches of the rirer that
bound it, we shall haVe about 000 for the distance which the Ganges es-
pands its branches at its junction with the sea. There are two distinct
passages through the Sunderbnnds> one named the S. or Sunderbund
Passage ; the other, the Baligot passage. The first is the farthest about,
and leads through the deepest and widest mers ; it opens into the Calcutta
lirer^ through Channel Cre^k, about 6$ mOes below the town. The Baligot
Passage opens into a lake on the £• side of Calcutta, from whence, some
years since, a small canal was dqt, to join the lake with th^ river.

The bore, (whidi is knqwn to be il sudden and abrupt influx of the
tide into a rirer or iiairow strait), prevails in the principal brandies of Hm
Ganges, and in the Megn^ ; but the Rughley Hirer is more subject to them
than the others. In the Hughley, or Calcutta Rirer, the bore commeqe^
at Hughley Poii^t (the place where the nrer first contracts itielf)^ and is
perceptible above Hughley Town ; and so quick is its motion, that it hardly
employs four hours in travelling from one to the other, although the distfmc#
is nearly 70 miles. At Calcutta it sometimes occasions an instantaneous rise
of fire feet ; and both here and in eveiy part of its track, the boats on it|
approach immediately quit the shore, and m#ke fbr safbty to the middle
of the rirer.

The intricate and dangerous narigation of the entrance to the Hughiey
leqmres greftt skill and experience. PuD directions hure been published by
Capt. Horsburoh {India Directory^ S;c.) and Capy. Mai»»li)» (DirecHoM
for $aiHng from False Poiwi Paimitaa to the Sand Heade^ 4*^.). Tba
pilot ressels cruise, 4unng the N. £. inonsoon, about the ricinity of the £.
reef and Sagor Simd, in Ifttitude SI"" 3' N. ; and in the interval, between tha
monsoons, for about a month, in the S. or W. chantteL In the early part
of the S. W. monsoon, they are more frequently met between the p^raflel
of Point Palmiras reef, and latitude W 51' N. In the latter part they
cruise ofr Point Palmiras^ but nerer Very far S. of it ; th^ are brigs of 200
tons. On shewing a jack at the fore, they answer with a red at the main a
carefully Qbserre their morementA and signals (Marriott^s) as they are
sometimes in perikus situations ; attend carefully to the lead, and keep i|
good look-out.

Burrampoota* and Megna are names belonging to the same rirer in
diflferent parts of its course. The Megna fhlls into the Burrampooter, and
though a much smaller rirer^ communicates its name to the other during the
Rst of its course to the sea. The Blirrtaipoottf, for a dntance of 400miles

2SSt ORIENTAL COMMBRCE. [Madras to J^mgoL

throngh Bengal, bears a reflemUance to the Ganges, except that during the
last 60 miles, before its junction with the Ganges, it forms a stream, whidi
is regularij from four to 6¥e miles wide, and but fyt its freshness, might
pass for an arm of the sea. In the channels between the islands in the
mouth of the Megna, the height of the bore is said to exceed 12 feet, and is
so terrific in its appearance, and dangerous in its consequences, that no boat
will venture to pass at spring tide.

KEDGEREE is a small village on the W. bank of the river, where
the ships of war frequenting this river, usually anchor. The European
residents are the agent who has the care of the post-office, loading and
unloading the Company^s ships, and another agent who supplies shij^g
with provisions and other necessaries. The village is small, but the land
around it flat and low, and the situation considered unhealthy during the
months of July, August, and September, when the periodical rains take
place, and the heats are excessive.

Provisions and Rrvrxshm ents of all kinds are abundant here, and
very cheap. Fowls, ducks, geese, pineapples, plantains, limes, shaddocks,
&C. are all extremely reasonable.

DIAMOND HARBOUR is on the £. bank of the river. There is
a good carriage road hence to Calcutta, distance 31 miles. Here the
Company^s regular ships usuaOy remain to unload their outward, and the
greater part of their homeward-bound cargoes; the remainder is taken m
Iffket dbwil the river, in Sagor Roads. The Company have mooring chains
laid down, mnd warehouses, or bankshaUs, for the reception of ships^ stores,
rigging, &c. ; and a regular market is hdd, where all sorts of provisions and
sefieshments are to be procured in abundance, and checqp. The only
Buriqpean residents are an agent, as at Kedgeree, the Port Master (who acts
mi Post Master), and ys assistant

A short distance above this anchorage, the bed of the river turns to the
left ; and a Httle further is the mouth of a large river, improperiy called
the Old Ganges, but its true name is the Roopnarain. The plsce
whfere it unites with the Hugfaley, is the most dangerous part of the
navi^tion of the river.

FULTA is a short distance higher up on the right side of the river.

The ^age is considerable, and has a bazar well supplied with pro-
visions, vegetables, fhiits, &c. There is generally an European reddiog
here^ who undertakes to supply the homeward-bound East Indiamen with
sheep, poultry, and other stock at reasonable prices.

Hie settlements above Calcutta are the following :— -

BARNAGORE, a small village on the E. bank of the river^ about five

Madras to Bengal.] QRI6NTAL COMMSfiC^. 96S

nikt firom Caknitta. Various kinds of pieee^goods are manufactwad
bene, parlknikurlj a coarse kind of Uue handkerchiefs ; and Surat piece-
goods are imitated, but they are generally of a thin and open textuD&

SERHAMPORE, or SERAMPORE.-— This town is situated on the
W; bank, about five miles from Barnagore. The town extends about two
miles in length, but its breadth is inconsiderable ; it has no fortifications,
only a battery for saluting. Nearly opposite, on the other bank of the river,
are the cantonments of Barrackpore«

BANKIBAZaR. — ^About three miles higher up the river, oq its £.
bank, is this small village, where the East India Company of Ostend had
formerly a factory.

CHANDERNAGORE is situated on the W. bank, about four mUes
above the latter place. The territory attached to it extends about two miles
aloog the banks of the river, and about 1^ mile inland. The fisrt, now in
ruins, is nearly at an equal distance between the N. and S. extreiokies . of
the territory,- and about thirty yards from the river. The town . is of con-
siderable extent, and much trade used to be carried on here.

CHINSURAH is also on the W. bank. The town is built along the
river, in an irregular manner, and many of the houses are large and. hand-
some : on the land side it is closed by barrier gates. Here is a handsome
ehmdi. The Dutch forty which bears the name of Fort Gustavus, is cOn-
stracted in a large open space, about 500 feet from the river. There are
three gates ; one towards the river, one on the land side to the N., and the
other to the S. The warehouses and residence of the Chief are within, the
fort A battery ci SI guns is«on the river-side, for the purpose of firing
salutes.

HUGHLEY, oa HOOGLEY, is about two miles above Chinsurah.
The town extends near three miles along the banks of the river* At its Ni.
extremity is- a finrt, now in ruins.

BANDEL is a native village of considerable extent, about three, miles
to the N. of Hughley* The trade carried on is 'veiy trifling.

The following are the estimated distances between theundevomantipned
stations, from Point Palmiras up the Hughley to Calcutta, by. the cbanaels
narigated by diipping^

From Point Palmiras to the Floating Xjgbt Vessel, stationed *in the
centre of the eastern channel, 85 miles ; thence to Sagor Pomt,. 37 miles ;
thence to the New Anchorage, 13 miles ; thence to. Diamond Herboiir, 30*
miles ; from Sagor Point to Kedgeree Point, 18 miles ; thence to Diwiood
Harbour, 80 miles ; thence to Fulta House, 20 miles ; thence, to the
Meyapove Magazine, 1 1 miles ; thence to Fort Gloster, 6 miles i ibence to

$M ORIENTAL COMMERCE. {CnUmUa.

theOld Powder Millt, 10 miltt; thereto Raj Gting«, S mfln; Oeaoe to
KUderpore Dock; 7 miles ; thence to Chandpaul Obaul, S. W. etttmSfy of
Caloitta, S mQes.

SECTION XXL

CALCUTTA.

Calcutta, the pnndpal settlement bdongihg to the English k
Uie East Indies, and the residence of the GoTemor-Greneral, to which all
their other settlemetits are subordinate, is situated on the £. bank of the
river, in latitude 229 SS N., and lon^tude 889 26' E.

The town extends along the banks of the river about four miles and a
half; its breadth in many places is inconsiderable* On landingt and entering
the town, a very extensive square presents itself, witii a large piece of
water in the middle, for the public use. The pond has a grass-pliH round
it, and the whole is enclosed by a wall with a railing on the top ; the sides
of this enclosure an^ each nearly five hundred jfurds in length. The square
itsdf Is composed of magnificent houses, which render Calcutta not only the
handsomest town in Asia, but one of the finest in the world. One nde of
the square consists of a range of biiildings occupiM by persons in the dfil
service of the Company, and is called the Writers^ Buildings. Part of the
dde towards the river is taken Up by the old fort, the first dtadelbuik by the
English after their establishment in BengaL It is no longer used ms t
fartifieation ; the ramparts are converted iiM» gardens, and on the bastions,
and in the inside ef the fort, houses have been baitt for persons in tiieoernce
of the Govemment, particulariy the Oftoers of the Custom House. Betvreen
the old fort, and the right wingof the Writers* Buildfaigs, is erected a monu.
ment in remembrance of the barbarous conduct of the Nabob, on llie cuptare
0fthefortinl75&

There are several churches of the estdbljabed rd^oa at Catarfta, and
also churdies for the Portuguese Catholics, another of Qm Greek persMMifia,
aa Armenian conventicle, a synagogue, several mosques^ and a great number
of pagodas ; so that nearly all the reUgions in the world are assembled id
this ci^taL

CakuHa^] O&IENTAL OOMMEBOE. MS

Tke Bbick, Town ia tp the N. of Caleulta, and eoniigvous to it ; it ia
ftrtreiPily large aad papukNiay wilb very narrow, confined, and crooked
sticetsy a few of which are paTod. The housea are yarionslj. built, some
with brick, others with mii4 and a greater firoportion wkh bamboos and
mats. These diffident kinds of bdldfaig^ standii^ iattrmixed with each
other, fixnu a curiotia appeavaoca Those o£ the latter kind are hinuiablf
itf one story, and covered with thatch ; those of brick sektom exceed two
storks, and have flat tedraDed roofit Most of the streets have a small canal
on each side, about a foot and a half to two feet wide^

Fort WiDiaai is sftuated about a quarter of a mile below the town,
and makes a noble appeaiance from the river. It was built hj the English
soon after the battle of Flassey, and immense sums* have been expended
upon it

The fort contains only such buildings as are necessary, such as the resi-
dence of tfie Commandant, quarters for the officers and troops, and the
arsenal. Exclusive of these, the interior of the fort is perfectly open, pre*
sendng to the sight large grass plots, gravel walks occasionally planted with
trees, piles of cannon, bombs, balls, and whatever can give to the place a
grand, noble, and military appearance. Each gate has a house oy^r it^
destined for the residence of a Major ; they are large and handsome buildings;

Between the, fort and the town a level space intervenes, called the
Esplanade. The Government House^ and Chowringhee Road^ a line of
detached bouses belonging to Europeans, make a very interesting fig;uce :
they are detached fram. each other, and insulated in a great apaec^ the
general approach to which is by a flight of stepa^ with large projecting por«
ticoes, which g^ye an elegant and handsome appeatance» The Govenuaent
House is situated on the W, side of the Esplanade.

The aiotvgoi^g account ia pvobably a verjr hnperfeet picture of the
presaat atate. of Cakutta. Every year witaicaaea aatouahiag impnovcBMits
tbast, ia the enlargemeBt of old roada^ the formatioii of new ones, the
eractiiig oi churches andapkadid puUie and private edifieca, the removal
of mwaaacea^ &c. Uoder the adminiatratioD aS Mar^ais HaatiagB) Caltiitta
alaioct cMoged ita^aapect*

The population of Calcutta, which was formerly climated at 706,000,
was iKaetlttibrt fa ktet, during (he new aaaeasment, when the numbers were
faoad to be ai iUEtow :•—

Cbiteians, 13,138 ; Mahommedans, 48,162; Hindoos, 118,303 ; Chi-
nese, 414 ; making a total of 179,917 only. Besides the resident population,
about 100,000 persons enter Calcutta daily, from the suburbs and opposite
side of the river.

8tt» ORIENTAL COMMBBCE. [Cakuita.

The civil and militarjr g«vemmeiit .rf Bengal, Bahar, and Orixa is
vestad in a Govemor^srencral and three Counaellors. Vacancies tbcreiii aie
to be supplied by the DiieolorBy and the Counsellors to be taken from the
dnl seiranis, of not less tfaan.tHrelfe ytesB ^tandii^. If the Directors
neglect to fiU up Yacancies for two montfas after the notification thereof^ the
King maj supply such ; but. the partifs so appointed^ only to be recalled by
the King^ « Provisional appointment may be made .by the.Directois, b«t no
salary paid till the parties are in the actual possession of the office. If a
vacancy in the office of Govemor^Seneral takes {daoe^ when there is no pro-
visional successor on the spot, the Counsellor next in rank^ to , ^ the office
till a sttcoessor arrives, or a person on the spot is appointed ; and if, duripg
this interval, the Council should be reduced to one member only, besides the
acting Governor-General, he may call any Senior Merchant he may think
fit, to act as a temporary Counsellor till the arrival of a Governor-General,
or fresh appointments made ; the salaries only to be received while holding
the offices. Although no provisional successor be on the spot, the Commandei*
in Chief not to succeed to the office of Governor-General, except specially
appointed so to do ; but the Counsellor next in rank to him to succeed. If
a vacancy occurs in the Members of Council, and no provisional Counsellor
be on the spot, the Govemor-General in Council to appoint such from • the
Senior Merchants. The Commander in Chief, not being Govemor^General
also, when appointed to the Council, to rank next the Govemor-
General; but not to receive salary as a Counsellor, unless specially
appmnted so to do.

If any Member of Council become incapable of acting, or be absent, and
the Governor-General should require the advice of a full Council on any
nrgancj, he may call provisional successors ; or if none such be on the spot.
Senior Merchants to the Council. Persons so called, not to be paid any
salary, m>r to be deprived of any office on account thereof The King may
remove any servants of the Company ; a duplicate of the instrument for
sudi removal being transmitted to the Chairman, or Deputy Chairman,
within eight days after being signed by His Majesty. The Directors may
also remove thrir servants, &c. exc^t in case of appointments made by the
King, in consequence of the Court of Directors not appointing. Departure
firom India, or arrival in Europe of Governor^General, &c. deemed resig-
nation of office ; but during residei|ce in India, resignation must be notified
under hand and seal. Salary, &c. to cease on the respective days such sets
take pl#ce. If the Presidency be quitted, except on the knovm actual ser-
vi^ of the Company, salary, &c. not to be paid during such absence; and if
parties quitting, do not return, the salary, tic. to cease on the dfiy the Fxe-
sidency was left.

ddetOta.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 257

When Council assembled, to proceed in the first place to matters pro-
fosei hy the 6oyemor*Getieral ; and on any question of the Counsellors,
the Goreraor-General maj twice adjourn the discussion fbr forty-eight hours.
AH proceedings of CouncQ to be e^nressed as made by the Govemor-GreBeral
in CouncQ, and to be signed by the Chief Secretary.

The Governor-General and Coundl to superintend the other Presi-
dencies ; the latter to obey their orders, except they may be repugnant
to orders of the Directors, acquainting the Governor-General, &c, with
their orders, stating the dates of the last dispatches from the Direc-
tors; the subordinate governments also infomung the Governor-General
in Council of the receipt of such dispfatches as they may deem contrary
to the orders of the Governor-General, &c. who is finally to decide.
The Governor-General, &c. not to commence hostilities against native
powers, nor to enter into treaty fior those purposes, but by the authority of
the Court of Directors, except in cases where hostilities have been com-
maiced, or preparatioiis for that pui'pose made. Subordinate governments
not to declare war, &c. but in consequence of orders firom the Governor-
General, fcc or the Court of Directors ; and to make all treaties (if possible)
nibject to the ratification of the Governor-General, &c.; also to inform the
Governor-General in Council of all things material to be communicated, or
that may be required of them.

The Governor-General may issue warrants for securing and proceeding
against suspected persons, and may also seise ships, &c. with the persons
of those engaged in illicit trade, and send them to England.

If the Govemor-Greneral differs in opinion with the Council after they
shaU have stated their opinions in writing, he may direct such measures
thereon as he may see fit, on his own responsibility, so that such measures
could have been legally effected with the consent of the Council. These
powers not to be exercised by Governors-General succeeding in consequence
of death, &c. except provisionally appointed, or confirmed by the DirectcM^.
While Grovemors-General are acting previous to confirmation^ all questions
to be decided by plurality of voices, the Governor-General having the
casting vote ; but the Governor-General in no case to act against the opinion
^ the Council in judicial matters, or in regulations for the good order of
dvil government, 8cc. nor by his own authority to impose any tax, &c.

When the Govemor-Greneral maj be at either of the other Presidencies,
the powers of the Governors there to be suspended (except in judicial pro-
ceedings) firom the proclamation of the arrival to tiiat of the departure of
the Governor-General, or tOl his departure ; during such period the powers
of government to be vested in him, the respective Governors sitting and

258 ORIENTAL OOMICBBCEL [CiOeMa.

acting as Membeni of Comicil ; and when absent from Bengal, the ^roromor-
General maj app<nnt a Member of Council, VJoaJPresident and Dqmtj
Governor of Fort William, such Deputy to exel*(»e only similar powers to
those of the Governor of Madras, &c The Governar^arenend^s ocden to
the other Presidencies, or officers acting under them, to be obeyed as though
issued by the Govemor«Generai in Council, he taking the responsibility upon
himself, and giving the req)ective Presidencies copies of such orders, and also
transmitting them to the Court of Directors. The Directors, with Uie
q)probation of the Board of Commissioners, may susprad the exercise of
the independent authority of the Governor-General, whenev^ they see fit,
such su^ension to take place from the receipt of tiw orders to that effect,
and may also revive such powers.

The Governor-General, &c. demanding or receiving presents, gifts, &€.
wilfidly neglecting or disobeying the orders of the Court of Directors, and
the making of corrupt bargains, deemed misdemeanours in law, amendUe to
Courts in India and in England ; and for acts committed in the territories
of native Princes, and against them and their subjects, the same as though
committed within the British territories. No action against the GovenioF-
General, &c. to be stayed or compounded before a final judgment, except
with the consent of the Board of Commissioners; and after any sentence
pronounced, the judgment not to be compounded, nor persons suspended or
dismissed by such JBentences, to be restored.

The Governor-General, &c. not to be oonoemed in trade, except on
account of the Company. May appoint ooivenanted servants, ac other
British subjects, to act as Justices of the Peace and Coroners.

The Governor-General signifying his intention to be absent finom
Council, the senior member present at the Board to preside, with thepowen
of Governor-General, while the Council is assembled. Acts of such Coandi
not valid, without the signature of the Governor»Greneral, if he shall be st
the Presidency, and not indisposed ; but if the Governor-General shsli
refuse to sign such acts of Council, the Members who do sign, and himself
mutually to exchange in writing their opinions ; the Governor-General to
be subject ultimately to the same responsibility which attaches to his dissent
from proposed measures when present in Council, by the 33d Geo. Ill*
chap. 52. The Governor-General not hereby prevented from appointing s
a Vice-President during absence from his Government

The Governor*Genend in CouncU to take order for the transportation
of persons (other than natives), convicted of certain crimes, to the easteni
coast of New South Wales.

The Court of Directors may appoint the Commander in Chief at

Cakutia.] ORIENTAL COMMBBCE. SM

Beogri to be a Mendier of ComMil, ind to f auk imtt tbe Gdt^mor-Generd,
altkough the chief command of the forces in India maj be vested in ttieh
Oofernor-General ; but in case of a vacancy in the office of Oovernor-
General, such Commander in Chief not to succeed Aereto (except provi-
tionallj appointed so to do) ; but the vacancy to be filled up by the Coun-
idlor next in rank to the Commander in CSiief.

The Governor-General and Council not amenable to the Supreme
Court for acts done in their public capacity, nor for thdr rules and regula-
tions in revalue matters ; persons impleaded for acts done by their order,
tbe production of such order to be their discharge. Governor-General, &c.
and persons acting under their orders, subject nevertheless to process^ &c. in
any competent Court in the kingdom. Parties aggrieved by orders of
6o?emor*General, &c., on making oath of the same in the Supreme Court,
and giving bond to complain in Great Britain before a competent Court,
the Supreme Court to compel production of those orders, &c. and to exa-
mine witnesses, which i^ramination is to be token as evidence in any of the
Courts in Westminster. No suit to be carried on against the Grovernor-
General, &c. in Great Britain (the High Court of ParUament excepted),
unless coounenced within five years after the commission of the offence, or
five years after the arrival of the parties in England.

TiuoK. — ^The annual reports of trade, drawn up by the Cakutte Board
ofCustoms, have exhibited results which, it appears, are so much at va*
rianoe with tbe real sUte of tiie trade in Bengal, that no advantage can
veQ arise fix>m the publication of stetements drawn from that source, by
reason of the unsatisfactory mode in which the goods are valued. The
total amount of exports during eight years, ending 1830-21, are therefn
shewn as follows :—

Mvpees.

Imports, viz. Merchandise m » ^a4»^»%%%v%v%vv%%^1 6,79,14,286

Balance of specie ^.««««ww«^^21,66,79,214
Bills returned to Calcutta .^^ 8,14,95,993

46,60,89,493
Exports ,^.^.^..^.^.^.....^.^^^.>^>^..^.>^.^44»68,91,038

2,01,96,455

It would appear from hence, that a quarter of a mfllion sterling nearly,
it due to Bengal, instead of a large annual surplus remittance from thence
to Europe, estimated by some at three millions. Mr. Prinsep has clearly

MO ORIENTAL COlfMESCE. [CahMa.

sbewn that had the raluations been taken after a better plan, the statement
would have corresponded with the result which he has obtained from com-
puting the respective accumulations of the various classes of European
residents. The chief causes of the discrepancy between these statements
and the truth, are the want both of approximation to accunusy, and also of
uniformity in rating the exports, and the loose mode of converting the
invoice values of imports into Indian money.

Mr. Prinsep has furnished the following estimate of the real state of
the external commerce of Calcutta, for the period above mentioned :

Imports. ExporU.

Total value of Merchandise *.. Rs. 16,64,96,078 — 67,08,47,596

BuUion 19,90,46,261 .^ 82,34,368

Billson theBengalTreas. 8,14,96,993

Grand TotaL^ .^...^^..^....^Rs. 44,70,38,332 67,90,81,967

Hence it would appear, iJiat the average annual amount of the im-
ports during that period was Rs. 6,68,79,792, and that of the exports
Rs. 7,23,86,245 ; the latter exceeding the former by Rs. 1,65,06,453. He
represents the real balance^ exclusive of the Company^s surplus prc^ts, &c
«l Rs. 1,89,07,700, in favour of Bengal.

The total value of merchandise imported into Calcutta from the United
Kkigdom, during the eight years before mentioned, according to the Trade
Reports, was Rs. 8,69,25,064 ; but according to Mr. Prinsep^s amended
statement, Rs. 8,14,34^978, which forms nearly half the aggregate amount
of imports.

The following is a statement of the number of vessels, and their amount
of tonnage, which arrived at, and sailed from, Calcutta, in the respective
years of 1818-19, 1819-20, and 1820-21 :

1818-19. 1819-80. 18>0-91.

ShSft. Tonnage, ^dpi, T<mnagt. iS%». T^ommgt.

Anived under British flag ~ 390 ... 128,384 ... 839 ... 97»705 ... 809 ... 89,8ff

Danish do 6 ... 8,946 ... 8 ... 836 ... 8 ... 569

Fortnguefle do 16 ... 6,788 ... 18 ... 6,900 ... lH ... 7.807

Spanish do 3 ... 8,803 ... 1 ... 396 ... 1 ... 616

Freiicb do 84 ... 10,146 ... 13 ... 4,754 ... 13 ... 5J5f

Dutch do. » 4 ... 1,107 ... 4 ... 651 ... 1 ... 806

American do, 64 ... 16,498 ... . 24 ... 6,977 ^ 13 •«, 4,386

Arab & Dhonj do. 166 ... 89,104 ... 187 ... 38,845 ... 69 ... 15,946

< ■

*563 190,966 "^ mMi "5l J48.467

Cakutia.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. tn

1818*1819. 1819*d0. 1880-91.

Shipi, Tonmigt. SMpi, Tmauigt. Sktpi, T^mm^ge,

Siiled under British fla^ Mi ... 130,110 ... 159 ...104,030 ... 940 ...101,750

Banish do 4 ... 1,393 ... 7 ... 2,960 ... 1 ... 400

Portuguese da 15 ... 6,518 ... 19 ... 5,990 ... 18 ... 8,799

Spttdah do. •• 9 ... 1,833 ... -». ... — « ••• •*-• ... «•'

French do. 98 ... 9^740 ... 13 ... 4,636 ... 11 t. 4,861

Dutch do 3 ... 969 ... 5 ... 846 ... 1 ... 683

American do 53 ... 16,129 ... 36 ... 10,937 ... 1 ... 3,695

AxHb & Dhonj do 166 ... 30,496 ... 186 ... 32,745 ... 67 ... 15,958

"580 196,611 Us 161,444 "347 135,646

The priyate tonnage shipped to Great Britain was, in 1818-19,
49,1 14 tons; in 1819-20, 34,675 tons; in 1820-21, 26,734 tons: the lat-
ter consisted entirely of Bengal extra and licensed ships.

Country TaADs.— What is termed the country trade, is that carried
on by British subjects resident in India, or by native merchants, in India-
buQt ships^ between the British settlements and other parts of British and
foreign Asia, including ports and places from the Cape of Good Hope to
Japan. This trade has considerably diminished since the competition of
British traders from Europe has been permitted.

Port Regulations.— On arriving off Calcutta, (or if the vessel moors
at one Of the lower stations, on his arrival in town), the commander must
report himself at the Master-Attendanf s office, where passengers must also
appear, as well as at the Police^ffice. Immediately on a ship^s coming
round Kyd^s Point, (opposite Fort William), she hoists a blu«-peter at th^
main, as a signal to the Harbour-Master to send an assistant on board, who
takes charge of, and moors the ship. A list of the crew and passengen
must be delivered at the pdice-office, where an import manifest, according
to a printed form, is sworn to, and then deposited at the Custom-house.
A list of officers, passengers, crew, &c. filled up on a printed form, must
be delivered to the pilot who takes charge of the vessel ; a copy to be sent
to the Marine Registry Office, where the crew must be registered. Letters,
packets, &c. are to be delivered to the Post-office boat alongside the ship.
No ballast or rubbish to be thrown into any part of the river.

Commanders carrying Batta Lascars, or other natives, to sea forcibly,
are punished vrith rigour. No vessel to be moved in the river, unless a pilot
or Harboor-Master^s assistant be on board, under the penalty of 200 rupees.
No pilot can take charge of a vessel outwards until a certificate be obtained
fiom the Marine Paymaster, that all port-charges are paid, to be presented
at the Bfaster-Attendanf s office.

9m ORISNTAJL COMMERCE. [C^imUU

Pretiouslj to a skip's clearing from Calcutta, applicatioii must be made
at the Master-Attendanf s office for a pilot ; and if the yessel wants anj part
of her cargo, permission must be obtained from thence to proceed to the
required station, to complete the lading. Commanders may, by tuage^
chuse their pilots. Commanders must be on board tbcir shqM whikt
moving up or down the river, unless prevented hy siekness op unavoidaUe
cause. A list and specification of crew and passengers must be delivered on
oath at the Police-office. An application to the Collector of the Customs
for a port-clearance must contain a list of the cargo, according to a printed
form, and must be accompanied hj the affidavit and a certificate from the
Police^ffice, the ship^s pass and certificate of registry, with a certificate
from the Commissariat Office in discharge of hospital charges. The port-
clearance, when obtained, must be taken to the Master-Attendanf s office,
with the ship^s pass and certificate of registry, and a certificate from the
Marine Paymaster in discharge of the pilotage and port-diarges.

DuTiBs.— By Regulation, 1810, (subsequently altered and modified), it
is enacted, that Custom-houses shall henceforth be fixed in the Cities of
Agra, Fumickabad, Allahabad, Benares, Patna, Moorshedabad, Dacca,
and Calcutta, and in the towns of Meerut, Cawnpore, Mirzapore, Chitta-
gong, Hughley, and Balasore ; and that duties, under the denomination of
Government customs, shall be levied on the under-mentioned goods, at the
foUowing rates, viz.

Five per cent ad valorem, on the importation, exportation, or transit
of the following goods :-—

Gold and silver tissues, lace and thread, gunnios, sugar, jaggery, goer,
syrup, dammer, vitriol, or tooteah, raw hides, leather, boots and shoes,
stone plates, and Bengal paper.

The same duties on the under-mentioned articles, taken at a fixed
valuation, viz.

Cutch%.%%%^v%.^v>%^^%%%.%^w^%^%»v>% 8 rupees per factory maund.

Coco-nuts ^%>%%^%%^^.%v>^>%%w>v%^w>%20 ditto per thousand.

Stick and shell-lac ^,»%%%%^»%^^>%^%^10 ditto per md. of 80 Sic wt

Soap ^.w»%^%»w>^%«%%%^->%»^^%>»%-v.^^%^ 8 ditto per maund.

Cake and seed-lac ..^..^^^%^«w.^««^10 ditto per md. of 80 Sic. wt

Sal Ammoniac ^.%^v>^%^%%^'*.^%%%>»»%25 ditto per factory maund.

Alkali, soojee muttee, or natron«« 1 ditto per maund.

7^ per cent, ad valorem, on the importation, exportation, or transit of
the following goods :—

Cotton yam, carpets and setrenjees, cnI and oil seeds, mustard,

CaimOia.] OBIBNTAL COMMERCE. 99»

mum, and all other oils, aromatic seeds, Chuckrassj wood» Toon and Sit-
8ol ditto, hookahs and snakes, vidree ware, chanks, and pipe staves*

The same duty on the under-mentioned articles, at a fixed valua-
tion, vix.

Baw silk filature %%%%%%v%^%^»>»^^^%» 7 rupees per seer of 80 Sic wt.

Bengal wound silk ■v»%>»%%%»>%^%%»^» 6 ditto per ditto*

Tusha ^^^^^^^^. ^^ ^^v^^^^^^^v^^^^^ 5 annas per ditto.

i^nassum ^%%%^.%%^ »'»% % %%%i%i%<%.»%<»v»v»'%%<»%«» %§ oitto per ditto*

Betel-nut««v%*.««v»«w^<^w^%«.«^«««% 5 rupees per factoiy maund.

Long pepper ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^12 ditto per ditto.

PiplamuL^^^.»^^^^^^^>.^^^^^.^^^>^.,^12 ditto per ditto.

*^fj p^g^^ ■■>^^'v*%'w%^%<»»%^v%*%%<%^ 4 ditto per ditto*

Saltpetre ^>^^^^%%^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^i> 4 ditto per ditto.

Elephants^ teeth^^.M.w^^%w.^vv^l 10 ditto per ditto.

10 per cent ad valorem, on the importation, exportation, or transit of
the following goods :

Assafbetida, Saul timber, Sissoo ditto, Jarrool ditto, Soondrj ditto,
yellow ochre, vermilion, Indian red, minium, Prussian blue, peoree, ver-
digrease, arsenic, sulphur, alum, and coral.

The same duty on the under-mentioned articles, at a fixed valua-
tion, viz.

Wax ««^^%.«wi,«««%^««««^«'w««w^«««««45 rupees per fiustorj maund.

Wax candles ^vw>^vw>%^%>»%»^v»^m»^70 ditto per ditto.

Pepper, black and "white ^^.^^^^11 ditto per ditto.

isaiiron v»»%>»^%»%»«%*/»%%^»»%%%%%iw%%%i%% % %%»^jo oitto per seer.

Cbunam «%«%w.^%%«.v«v»^%^«.%«.««%.^%«.««%40 ditto per maund, to be levied at

Calcutta and Dacca only.

On the importation, exportation, or transit of cotton wool, 12 annas
per md. of 96 Cal. Sic. wt. But by Reg. 1815, it is declared, that the
inland or transit duty on cotton wool, in its cleaned or uncleaned state,
shall not exceed 5 per cent, ad valorem ; so that the afore-mentioned rate is
reducible accordingly.

Nate. — A drawback of all the duty is allowed on the exportation to the
United Kingdom of cotton wool, the produce of any part of India.

5 per cent ad valorem, on the importation, exportation, or transit,
generally, of borax and tincal, and 2^ percent, on the importation from
Nepaul of the same articles.

7) per cent ad valorem, on the importation, exportation, or transit,
generally, of the foOowing goods, and 2| per cent on the importation from
Nepaul of the same articles^ f>i».

Mt ORIENTAL COMMERCE, [Cakutta.

OttsTy and other essential oils, perfumed oQs, ambergris, civet, musk,
benjamin, frankincense, putcha paut, rose-water, and keerah-water.

10 per cent, ad valorem, on the importation of pig lead, sheet lead,
small shot, and tobacco, imported into Cuttack, (to be levied at Balasore
only.) The same duty upon quicksilver, taken at a fixed valuation of four
rupees per seer ; and tin and tutenague at 20 rupees per maund. The
same duty upon an advance of 50 per cent, on the invoice valuation of
shawls.

5 per cent, ad valorem, on the importation by sea of the followiog
articles t—

European woollens.

All canvas, except such as is manufactured in the country, or of coun-
try materials.

Cordage, and other marine stores, except sunn hemp, or materials for
cordage, of country growth.
Rosin and turpentine.

Cowries imported at Calcutta, Chittagong, or Balasore only.
The same duty on coir, the produce of Ceylon or the Maldives, at 9
rupees per factory maund.

7^ per cent, ad valorem, on the importation by sea only of the follow-
ing articles :—

Mahogany, and all other sorts of wood used in cabinet ware.
Beads, malas, or rosaries.

Carriages, (the duty on which is to be levied under rules especially
tnacted for Calcutta).

China goods (tea excepted), cofiee, sago, and rattans.
The same duty on galangal and kullinjan, taken at a fixed valuation
of 8 rupees per maund.

10 per cent, ad valorem, un the importation by sea only of wines,
European goods, and tea.

5 per cent, ad valorem, on the importation generally of ftirs, cow^tiuls,
and cowries ; and 2{ per cent, on ^he iipportation of the same articles from
Nepaul.

10 per cent, on the importation by sea of spices, t^tjar. pimento, doves,
mace, nutmegs, cassia, malabathrum leaf or tauzpaut.

2\ per cent, on the importation of the same articles from N^pauI.
The same duty on copper or brass, wrought or univrought, at a yalua-
tion of 20 rupees per maund.

10 per cent, oft the inland importation generally of imwrought copper
ftnd brass, nt a valuation of 20 rupees per maund.

Cfl&titta.] ORIENTAL COMMEBCE. MB

10 per cent ad valorem, on the importation bj sea of iron, steely and
manufactured iron and steel ; and the same duty on importation by land
generallj ; and 2^ per cent, on the importation from Nepaul of those arti-
cles, taken at a fixed yaluation of 7 rupees per maund.

10 per cent, ad yalorem on the importation fi*om Europe or Ameriofty
and 90 per cent oh the importation from! foreign territories in Asia, of gio^
braodj, rum, and arrack.

Salt made out of the limits of the territories dependent on this Presi*
deocy, is subject, on importation bj sea, to the duty of 3 sicca rupees per
maund of 40 seers, each seer 82 Sic. wt.

Opium made out of the limits of the territories dependent on this Pre-
sidency, is subject, on importation by sea, to the duty of 24 Sicca rupees
per seer of 80 Cal. Sic. wt

Tobacco, imported or exported, is subject to a duty of 4 annas per
inaund, to be drawn back on exportation to the United Kingdom.

Two rupees each on the importation or transit of matchlocka, one
rupee each on swords, and four annas each on shields.

7i per cent, ad valorem, on the importation and transit generally, and
2| per cent on the importation from the Vi^ier^s and Nepaul territories^ of
cotton piece-goods, sflk piece-goods, and goods partly of silk and partly of
cotton, embroidered goods and brocades, thread, tape, and fringes.

5 per cent ad valorem, on the transit or exportation of countiy wool-
lens, viz. looys and blankets, the manufacture of the Company^s territories ;
and 2| per cent, on their importation from NepauL

7^ per cent ad valorem, on the transit or exportation of the following
goods, the produce of the country, or on their importation by sea :— ^

Dying drugs, viz. allah, morinda, cochineal, cossum flower, madder,
loadh, and toond dower.

Woods used in dying, viz, sapan-wood, and sandal ahmer, or red
sandal-wood.

Fragrant woods, viz, white or yellow sandal-wood, ugger,.or aloe-
wood, and tuggur.

71 per cent, ad valorem, on the transit or exportation of the foUowiog
gums and drugs, the produce of the country, and 10 per cent on their
importation by sea, viz.

Camphire, cherayta, Columbo root, Soonamooky leaf> copal or ka-
roba, galbanum, gum arable, senna, spikenard, mastic, hurrah^ ptorax,
buhera, ownla, and myrrh.

5 per cent on the importation, exportation, or transit of indigo^ taken
at a fixed valuation of 100 rupees per factory maynd,. and ^n addkiooal

988 OBIENTAL COMMERCE. [Ctfontta.

dutj of 2) per cent on the ezportstion hj sea of indigo, the produce of the
Viiier^s dotninions.

Note.'^Bj Reg. 1815, a drawback it allowed on indigo exported to
the United Kingdom- in British legiitered or Indian Jniilt ships, trading
aeeording to law, as follows :— If the produce and manoftcture of territories
lieionging to this Presidencj, the whole amount of duty; if the produce and
manufacture of the Vizier\ or anj other native power, after the same rate
as the preceding, although the duty levied may have been higher.

5 per cent adTaIorem,-on the exportation by sea only, of tallow,
tallow candles, and hog'^s lard ; salted provisions and purser^s stores.

A drawback of S| per cent, is allowed on the exportation by sea of
the following articles : —

Long pepper, piplamul, dry gmger, aniseeds, cardamums, coriander
seeds, cummin seeds, adjuan seeds, camphire, cherayta, Columbo root, copal
or karoba, galbanum, gum Arabic, spikenard, mastic, hurrah, buhera, ownla,
myrrh, Soonamooky leaf, senna, storax, stick lac, lahijoory lac, shell lac,
cake lac, seed lac, attah, awl or morinda, cochineal, cossum flower, dhye
flower, hursinghar flower, loadh, mimjeet or madder, toond flower, sapan
wood, red sandal wood, white ditto, yellow ditto, ugger or aloe wood, and
tuggur.

The same drawback is allowed on the exportation to Europe or
America, of sugar, jaggery, goor, and syrup.

A drawback of 5 per cent, is allowed on the exportation by sea, of
such cotton piece-goods, silk piece-goods, goods made partly of silk and
partly of cotton, and all such silk as shall have previously paid a duty of
7i per cent.

An additional duty of 2} per cent, is charged on the re-exportation by
sea, of all foreign articles, which have paid an import or transit duty, not
exceeding 2{ per cent.

The goods specified above, afler having paid the prescribed duties once,
are not liable to any further impost, save such additional duties as they may
be particularly subject to, on their exportation by sea. All goods not spe-
cified above, are liable to a duty of 5 per cent on importation or exporta-
tion by sea, with the exception of the following, viz.

Imports,— Teak timber, horses, bullion, coin, precious atones and
pearls, goomootoo, and other articles (coir excepted), used for the manufiic-
tui'e of cordage.

Exports.— Grain of all sorts, precious stones and pearls, ojHiim pur-
chased at the Company's sales, carriages, palanquins, and spirits distilled

Cakntla.} QRIEIITAL COMMERCE. M7

after the European manner in the provmces under this Presidency, to an
amount not exceeding 1000 gallons.

A drawback of the whole amount of duty is aDowed on hemp and sunn,
the produce of anj part of India, exported to the United Kingdom.

On the exportation to the United Kingdom of all other articles liable
to duty (including saltpetre), such a drawback is allowed as shall reduce the
duty actually receivable by GovemiiiMt to 8i per cent

The prices of those artides, on niiioh the duties are leried ad Talorem^
are specified in books of rates which are kept for public inspection at the
different custom-houses, &c. If any article is omitted in the book of rates,
its value is taken at an advance of 80 per cent on the prime cost, as proved
by the invoice or othnwise to the satisfaction of the Collector. Damaged
goods are rated at their actual value.

In the enumeration of articles subject to duty, the maund, where not
otherwise specified, is always taken at 80 Calcutta Sicca weight per seer.

Any attempt to pass a larger quantity of goods than is specified in the
application to the Collector, or subsequentiy to pass a larger quantity than
is described in the rowannah, or pass, subjects the whole of the goods to con-
fiscation. An attempt to pass goods of superior value to those specified in
the pass, subject them to double duties.

Free rowannahs, entitling the goods to pass without question, are
granted by the Collectors at Calcutta, Chittagong, and Balasore, on such
artides as are exclusively imported by sea, on payment of a duty of \ per
cent on the value, and a fee to the Collector of 1 rupee per niille.

Groods found in transit, unaccompanied by a rowannah, are chargeable
with double duties ; and in the event of the owner refusing or omitting pay-
ment, such part of them as may be deemed equivalent to the duties, is seized^
and after three months sold, and the balance of the proceeds of the sale is
paid to the owners, the duties and customJiouse charges being first deducted.
Any attempt clandestinely to pass goods within the limits of any of the
chokies, unaccompanied by a rowannah, or without having paid the duties, is
punished by confiscation of the whole.

The transportation of all arms and military stores, without a pass firom
Government, is stricUy prohibited ; the importation of opium, the produce
or manu&cture of any foreign country, is also prohibited.

By Regulation, 1823, the following alteratbns are made in the export
duties:—

ORIENTAL COMMERCE.

[CakuUa.

Schedule afDutiee payable on Exportation hy Sea of the under^fneathned Goods,

imported Jrom the Interior of the Country,

OoBritiihBottonw QiFonl^Bottgnb
Cotton or pieoe-goodB^ the manu&ctore of the British

territtties (in India) Free. ... 5ii per cent

Cotton or piece-goods, the mann&cture of Oude and

other foreign States, if exported to Europe « ... 7f •

Cotton or piece-goods, the mannfactore of Oude and

other foreign States, if exported to other quarters... 9i per cent ... 7i «

Silk and mixed pteoe-goods, if exported to Europe... Free. • ... 7f «

Ditto, if exported to other quarters S§ per cent. ... 7f

The following Table exhibits the changes and modifications of the
Import Duties :—

TABLE OF THE RATES OF DUTIES

Levied an thefoUowf'ng Goods (not being the Produce or Mawtjaeture of the United Kingdom,
or of Foreign Europe), on their Importation into Calcutta by Sea, on British or Foreign
Bottoms ; and the Drawbacks allowed on Re^xportaHon I0 the United Kingdom, by Fef"
sets trading under the Provisions of the Acts for regulating the direct and dreuHous Trade
between the United Kingdom and India,

The Duty on Goods imported on Foreign Bottoms is double that of the First Coimnn.

XHuicxE^Tioy or oooss.

Allspice

Aloe Wood

Alum

Ambeigris

Airack, Batavia •

Ditto, from America

Ditto, fVom forei^ territories in Asia

Arsenic, red, white, or yellow

Asssftetida

Attah

Awlroot

Beads, Malas or Rosaries

Betel-nut

Ditto, town duty

Benjamin

Borax

Brandy

Ditto, from foreign territories in Asia

Brass

Brimstone ,

IF IMPORTED

Oir A BUTISH

oir ▲ roasiev

BOTTOM.

Impoit Dory per

Dnwbeck on Re*

DnnilMMfc OB Re-

Cfot. OB Value.

U. K*'»Plopo^

u;K.^Piqpee>

tkmorDttty.

tionorDafef.

S-4ths.

7-8 ths.

S^Sds.

5-6ths.

3-4ths.

7-8ths.

S-3ds.

5-6ths.

ditto

rSa.]is. 551
iperleagerj

S-4ths.

7-8ths.

n-12ths.

29-34ths.

S-4ths.

7-8ths.

ditto

S-Sds.

5-6tfas.

ditto

totsl

total

8-Sds.

5-6ths,

ditto

3-4ths.

S-4ths.

7-8ths.

Il-I2ths.

89-34ths.

S-4th8.

7-8ths.

ditto

CakuUa.]

ORIENTAL COMMERCE.

nrvMSBATioy of oooDf.

Brocade

Buhera

Buckhmn Wood .
Bullion and Coin.

Caliyeerah

Camphire

CaiiTts ..*.•..

Cardammns

IF IMFOETED OK A BEITIUI
BOTTOK.

Import Duty per
Gent, on Value.

Cassia

Chanks

Cherayta

China Gooda
Cloves . ......

Cochineal.....

Cooo-nuta ..

Cofiee

Coir

CoIumboRoot

Cooaum Flower ...
Copal> or Knhrobft

Copper

Cond

Cordage .,

Cowriea ,

Crirodana.

I>unnier ,

Dhyc Flower

SIcvhanU' Teeth....
EmDroidered Goods

Frankinoenae

Galbanoin ,

Galingal

Ghee

Ditto, town duty

Gin

Ditto, from foreign territories in Asia

Gooniootoo and other articles (Coir ex^ )
cepted) und for the mannfiusture of S
Cordage }

Goopee Matee

Gum Arabic

Gvideberosa

Hones ,

Hurrah

HnniMh Flower

Hnrtaol

Ind^ ^ ,

Iron, and maonftctiired Iron

Jntta Mnnaee „

Itojtt .,.„

Knlhiijeen

Kntch

Lac

<*^ P%i ihee(^ mUledj and small Shot...

no duty

10
6

H
ditto
10

10
10

7*
10
ditto
ditto

6
ditto

ditto

&
10
10
30

no duty

10
ditto

7*
no duty
10

7*
10

&
10
ditto

7*
ditto

5
ditto
10

Dmwtedc OD IU>
exportatioatothe
U. K. — Piopoir>
ttmof Duty.

OV A FOSXIOM
BOTTOM.

Diawtadi on Re-
ocpartBtkiD to tho
U. K.-— Propoi^
tlonofDaty.

8-3d8.
3-4th8.
S-Sda.
no drawback
S-3d8.
Smiths.
S-Sda.

ditto

ditto
3-4tha.
S-Sds.
S-4tha.
S-^da.
S-4tha.
8-Sda.

ditto

diUo
3-4 tha.
S-3da.
3-4ths.

ditto

ditto
9*Sds.

ditto

3-4tha.

S-3da.

ditto

total

S-4th8.
ll-18ths.

S-4tha.

ditto

S-Sda.

3-4tha.

8-3da.

3.4tha.

total

3-4th8.

ditto

2-3ds.

ditto.

ditto

d-4ths.

5-6th8.
7-8 tha.
5-6tha.
no drawback
6-6 tha.
7-<8tha.
S-4th8.
5-6tha.

ditto
7-8 tha.
5-6 tha.
7-8th8.
5-6tha.
7-8tha.
5-6tha.
3-4th8.

ditto

ditto
7-8tha.
5-6th8. '
7-8tha.

ditto

ditto
8-4th8.

ditto
5-6tha.
3-4tha.
6«6tha.

ditto

ditto
7-8th8.
^6th8.
8-4th8.

total

7-8 ths.

93-34th8.

7-8ths.

ditto

5-6tha.

7-8tha.
5-6tha.
7-8th8.

total
7-8tha.

ditto
5-6ths.

ditto
3-4ths.

ditto
7-8ths.

•TO

ORIENTAL COMMBBCS.

[Cotntiiff,

unncsxATiov of soods.

IF XXFOETED OV A BUTUH
BOTTOM.

Loadh

Loben ,

Maoe ,

Madder ,...,

Mahogany ,

Marine Stores ,

Mastic ,

Morinda ,

Mnnjeet ,

Musk

Myrobalans ,

Myirh

Nutmegs ,

Oils, vi^getable or animal

Ditto, town duty ,

OU Seed

Ditto, town duty ,

Oils, perfVuned or essential ,

Opium ,

Orpiment, or Yellow Arsenic ,

Ottar

Ownla ,

Pepper, Black and White ,

Piece Goods, Cotton ,

Ditto, Silk, or partly Cotton and pardy Silk...

Pimento .TT....

PipeStsYes

Pkeeious Stones and Pearls

Anasian Blue ,

Putdiapaut

Qoickauver

Rattsns

Raw Hides

Red Sandal Wood

Rosin

Rose Water

Rum

Ditto, from foreign territories in Asia

Saffion ^

Sam)

SJt (foreign)

Sandal Wood, Red ^ i

Ditto, WhiteorTeDow ^.... f

Sapan Wood

Senna ..,.

Soonamooky Leaf

Spikenard

Steel, and manufactured Steel

Storax 1

Siusr* wetordry, induding Jaggery and/

Ditto, town duty

Sulphur

Tkpe k

Tampaut ,

lo^^ Duhr per
Gtnt.onValu&

74
ditto
10

7*
ditto
5
10

ditto
ditto
10
ditto
ditto
H

a
H

7*
84 Rs. per Seer
10

7*
10
ditto

ditto
10

7*
no duty
10

7§
10

7*
5

7*
10

7f
3Rs.perMd.

ditto
10
ditto
ditto
ditto
ditto

ditto
10
7f

DnwIiRk m ll»

exportation to Uie
U. K. — Propoiv
tionofDuty.

OK ▲ FOBEI6V
BOTTOM.

S-4ths.
S-3ds.
S-4ths.
2-3ds.

ditto

ditto
8-Sds.

ditto

3-4ths.

lN19ths.

S-iths.

9-3ds.

no drawback

8-3ds.

ditto
8-4th8.
ditto
ditto
ditto
ditto

S-Sds.

total
3-4ths.
d-Sds.
S-4th8.

Difewtack OD Re*
ocpoitatlaDiothe
u» K. — Propor*
tionofDuty.

6-6tln.

ditto

7*6tllS«

ditto
3-4diB.
7-8tfas.
5^uis.

ditto

ditto
7-8th8.

ditto

ditto
5-6tfa8.

total
5»6ths.

total

5.6ths.

nodrmwlMu^

7-*8tfas.

6^tlis.

r^sths.

ditto
5-tfths.

ditto
7-8dtt.
5-«ths.

7-8ths.
5-6ths.
r-Sths.
.5-6ths.
3-4ths.
5-6tfa8.
S-4th8.
5-6th8.
S-4ths.
5»-S4th8.
7-8tb8.

no drawback

5-6ths.

ditto
7-8th8.
ditto
ditto
ditto
ditto

S-4ths.

total
7-8iltt.
5-«tils.
7-dtbs.

Calcutta.}

ORIENTAL COMMERCE.

271

KYUUnLkTIOir OF OOOM.

str

ir IMPORTED OK A BRITISH
BOTTOM.

Iniioit Dumper
Oant on Viiiiie.

Dnwtedc on Re-

XJ. K. ^— Propor*
tioD of Duty.

OV A FOREIOH
BOTTOM.

Dnwbadc on Re-
ccportatfaM to tiM
\J« K. —^ Piopoiv
tlonof Duty.

Teak Timber^ used fiir Ship-boilding

Tineal ,

Tobsooo, town duty only

TooDd Flower

Tnggvr •• •••-•• •••••...•••••••

Tonneric

Df ttd, town d«ty

Turpentine

Tatenagne

Uggnr

Vermilioa -

Verdigreue

Wtt

Wax Candles

WhiCT

Wood, of «11 sortSy used in Cabinet-work...

Woollens

Yellow Ochre^ or Goopee Muttee

All articles not specifled in^e above list...

no duty

5
10

ditto

10
ditto
ditto
ditto
ditto

7*
6
10
5

2SdB.

6<6thB.

S-4ths.

7-8th8.

S-Sds.

3-4«fcB.

S-4th8.

7-8th8.

S-Sds.

5-6th8.

ditto

S-4th8.

total

telal

S-Sda.

S-4tfa8.

S-4th8.

7-8th8.

d-Sds.

S^ihB.

S-iths.

7-8tb8.

ditto

8-Sds.

S^iSbM.

ditto

d-4th8.

S-4tb8.

7-8tlM.

2-3d8.

S-iths.

Sekedule of Dulies on Goods the Produce or Manufacture of the United Kingdom,
imforied hy VeueU irading under Ute Provisions of the Acts for regulating the
direct and circuitous Trade between the United Kingdom and India ; hut not
otherwise.

Articles nU^fect to no Duty :-*Anchors and grapodf, bellows, bird
shot, blankets, blocks of sorts, boxes (pump), brass work and ware, broad
doth, farasieiy, buntin, camblets, canvas, ciqpstaa furniture, carpets of
woollen manufacture, diannel-work for shqps, clocks, coffin furniture, com*
passes (asimutb, hanging and steering), copper of every description, copper
pomps, copper rings, cordage, cotton screws (iron), cutlery, deals of
sorts, figure-heads, fire and garden engines, gold leaf, Guernsey shirts,
guns and pistols, hammers, hatchets, saws, hawse rollers, hose (wodkii),
jewellery, iron, iron butts, ditto hoops, ditto rivets and sheet, ditto cables,
ditto diains, ditto chests, ditto kentledge, ditto knees, ironmeogery and
iron-wiMrk of every description, iron (plate or wrought), kitchen utensils,
lanthoms, lead in sheets (cast or rolled), lines and twine, locks, holla,
and hinges, mangles or hackles of iron, marine stores, masts, span, and
oars, mathematiral instruments, metals (wrought or unwrought), mooring
chaiiis, naik of iron or copper, palm inms, pitdi and tar, plate and plated
ware, pomp hide, rosin, sail needles, scupper leather, shawls (woollen manu-

mi ORIENTAL COIfHERCE. [CakMa.

facture), sheaves and pins, shot, span, speaidng trumpets, stationery and
books, steel, table utensils, time and binnacle glasses, tin, tin plates and tin
ware of every description, toys of iron or tin, types, trinkets composed
wholly or chiefly of metal, vitry, watdies and time-keepers, weights and
scales, wire (of iron, brass, steel, sU ver, and gold), woollens and all artides of
wool, worsted, or yam,

Artides subject to 2| per Cent. :— Articles for wearing apparel (not of
woollen manufacture), beads, beer, blacking and brushes, bottles (empty),
canes and rattans, carriages and conveyances, chalk, coals, confectionary and
sweetmeats, coral, corks, eotton yarn and thread, crystal ware, cyder and
perry, earthen-ware, eatables, engravings, filtering stones, flint stones, furni-
ture (household), glass and glass-ware of every description, gold and siker
lace, gunpowder, lackered ware (not metal), leather of sorts, marble slab
and tiles, medicines, musical instruments, oils, ochre, paint and paint brushes,
perfumery, piece-goods, pictures, printed cottons and calicoes, red and white
lead, saddlery, seeds of all sorts, soda water, spirits of turpentine, tallow
(British), tobacco and snuff, tobacco pipes, turpentine, varnish, vegetable
soup, verdigrease, vinegar.

Articles subject to 10 per Cent. : — Spirituous liquors.

All articles not before enumerated are subject to a duty of 3] per cent

Schedule of Duties on Goods the Produce or Manufacture of Foreign
Europe^ imported. — Opium, 24 rupees per seer. Wines and spirits, 10 per
cent Other articles, 5 per cent

Import RbouiiAtions.*— All goods attempted to be landed at any other
place than the Custom-house, are liable to confiscation. A manifest of the
cargo of every vessel entering the port, must be delivered in on oath.

In landing the cargoes, each boat to be accompanied by a note, specify-
ing the quantity- and quality of the goods addressed to the Collector, who
shall write an order on the note, to weigh, or examine, or pass them.

Goods not manifested are liable to confiscation ; or if the goods are
laden on freight, the Master or Supercargo is liable to a penalty not exceed-
ing the value of them. In case of a refusal, the Board of Revenue rosy
prohibit the landing, and may withhold a port-clearance and pilot

Previous to landing, security must be given for payment of the duties,
either by a deposit of goods, or of Company^s paper ; in default of payment
in three months, the said deposit is forfeited.

The original invoices of all goods imported must be produced at the
Custom-house, and the duties adjusted according to their amount In the
event of no invoice being produced, or of the Collector seeing cause to sus-

CokuUa.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 87S

pect that the mToioe does not exhibit the true prime cort, the duties are to
be settled 00 the Calcutta prices.

British ships importiiig at the foreign settlements, pay the same duties
88 if imported at Calcutta.

Duties on Conmiaadel goods are levied on an advance of 15por cent, on
the iuToice prices, and on China goods on an advance of SO per cent

The duties on all spirits imported bj sea in casks (Batavia arrack ex<-
eepted) are. calculated on a fixed valuation of ^SO per pipe. A deduction
of 10 per cent is allowed for leakage, provided the Collector is satisfied that
the casks bave not been filled up. Otherwise, the casks are to be gauged,
and the duty levied on the actual quantity.

The duties on the caigoes of Portuguese ships importing from Macao,
are levied on the amount of the account sales; or, in the event of those
accounts not being produced, or the Collector having reason to suspect
that they exhibit a false statement, on an advance of 40 per cent on the
prime cost

Goods imported mi American vessels, pay the same duties as the cargoes
of British vessels; and the duties on American produce are adjusted from
the account sales.

The duties on goods imported under any other foreign flags, are levied
OD an advance of 60 per cent on the prime cost And all goods from sea
imported into Calcutta firom any of the foreign setCfements, are assessed in
the same manner as if imported on a foreign bottom.

No remission of duty on damaged goods is allowed after they have
passed the Custom-house ; and all such goods, to entitle the owners to a
remission, must be publicly sold at the Custom-bouse, and the duty settled
on the proceeds.

Receipts are granted for all packages regularly marked and numbered,
which may be lodged at the Custom-house ; and the Collector is liable for the
safe custody of the same. But the owners are liable to godown rent, if they
aOow their goods to renuun for more than seven days in the Custom-house
godowns, or under the shed ; and to wharfage, if they leave them for more
than fourteen days on the wharf.

Precious stones, thou^ exempt firom duty, must be entered, with a
specification erf* their value, under a penalty of 10 per cent

Copper and other goods, received at any of the other Presidencies in
payment of advances due on contracts with the Company, or purchased at
the Company^s warehouses, pass duty free.

Security must be given, as in other cases, for the eventual payment

S74 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [CaieuHa.

g£ the import duties, oh goods landed ibr exportation, or transshipped
in port.

Parcels, or neces«aries from Europe, are .passed- free of duty at the dis-
cretion of the Collector. But no other exemptions from duty are allowed,
without special orders from die GoTemor-General in CoundL

The importation of saltpetre from the interior into any settlement or
possession, subject to the dominion of any foreign European State, situated
within the limits of the Presidency, is strictly prohibited, except in cases
provided for in Section 8 of Reg. X. 1816.

The following is a Table of Exchange for the settlement of the Calcutta
Customs.

COUNTRIES. COINS. KATE OF EXCHANGE.

Great Britain»%%%^^v%^%»%%Pound sterling..^wvvat 10 Sicca Bupees.
Germany %%%>%%.%^%%%>%%'»»»%%CrQwn ««.v%«v»«%<%«%««at 2 Sicca Rupees.
Denmark %,%%.%%%%^^'>»^ %.>%%Rix-dollar «^i^..%^%««^t I Sicca Rupee, 10 Annas.
Ceylon vwi^v»%<%^%'*^%^'>%J8.ix-dollar «<wk^.v%«%at 14 Annas.
France >»>%*%>%%%%'%%%%%*'>^^%'>Livre Toumois .».«^at 24 for 10 Sicca Rupees.
Ditto >.%%%%^>>v%^v%%>%%^i^^^Mauritius Livre^^^t 48 for 10 Sicca Rupees.
Spain »»%.%>%^%%%%%%^%%^^%'%^'» Spanish dollar ««««%%at 2J Sicca Rupees.
Portugal and Madeira%%^Milrea^.>^^%%.>^%^v^.>^t 3 J Sicca Rupees.
Bu8sorah<t^»%*%%%v%%>»%'>%%-»'»^'»RaLge Piastre «^<«^«%at 12 Annas.
\^uina »%%»%%»%%/%%'%%i»»'»%''%'*»*<%%%» X aie %/»%i%%%%<%»»%<%%.%%^%'»aCi ^y dicca ii>upe6s.
Madras »%*»»>»%*%%%%>%»^%^*%Star Pagoda ^w..v«^t 3| Sicca Rupees.
Ditto ^^%^%.>%^^o^^w>^^^Swamy Pagoda %.w«at 4 Sicca Rupees.

American currency to be converted into pounds sterling, as follows :

New England««w»««w.^by multiplying by three, and dividing by four.
Virginia ^^v%>%^%v^^%>%w^by multiplying by three, and dividing by four.
New York^^w»%%%^^^%<%by multiplying by nine, and dividing by sixteen.
Pennsylvania «%««..^^^«v.^by multiplying by three, and dividing by five.
South Carolina «%^«^^%*^by deducting one twenty-seventh part.
Georgia ^*«v%v%*%«%««»«%%by deducting one twenty-seventh part.

The pound sterling to be rated as above at 10 Sicca Rupees. Where
the invoices are in dollars, the dollar to be rated at 2| Sicca Rupees.

Export Regulations, 1810. — ^The export duties, unless otherwise
directed, are levied on the Calcutta market price of the goods, after
deducting 10 per cent, therefrom.

Articles of home produce or manufacture, which shall be exported to

CakuHa.] OHIENTAL COMMERCE. 275

any of the fbraign ^ttlemeiite, shall be Ikble to the same duties as if they
were exported by sea on n foreign bottom.

All priTatfe goods for exportation roust b6 shipped from the Custom-^
house ghaut, with a permit from the Collector, with the exception of grain,
which, after being enteted, may with permission be shipped ftota the other
ghauts, and of goods going to Europe on the Company^s tonnage, which may
be shipped fW>m the export warehouse, on a certificate stating that the
duties have been paid^ being produced tilong with the inanifest, to the export
warehouse keeper.

The export duties must be paid, or security given for their payment,
within ten days before the goods are permitted to be shipped.

When the Collector suspects that the value of any bale of piece-goods
exeeeds that which is set forth in the chelaun, the goods are to be appraised,
and the shipper must either pay the duty agreeable to the appraisement, or
he will not be allowed to ship the goods. With the sanction of the Board
of Trade, however, the proprietor may have the option of transferring such
goods at their appraised value to the Company.

Bales, containing a greater quantity of piece-goods than is described in
the cheUun, are liable to confiscation; and whatever goods tnay have
been previoudy shipped under the same chelaun idthoUt examination, must
pay double duty.

Of all other sorts of goods, the Collector is at liberty to examine
one or more parcels at his discretion ; and if their contents be fbund to
vaiy firom the chelaun, the owner is liable to the same penalties as in the
case of piece-goods.

Goods attempting to pass Calcutta, without bringing to at the Custom-
house, and receiving the permission of the CoUector, are liable to con-
nscati o n.

Naval stores and provisions, the property of the Crown, pass free of
duty ; but not articles furnished to the navy by contractors or their agents.
Parcels for individuals, and necessaries, are passed at discretion.
A drawback to the amount of two-thirds of the import duties, is allowed
on the le-ezportation of all goods imported expressly for re-exportation,
except in cases where the amount of the drawback is otherwise fixed.
An such goods must be exported through the Custom-house, and in-
cluded in the manifest And no drawback is allowed on any packages,
but such as are entire as imported^ nor in any case after the port^rlearance
is taken out.

No ehdm for return of duty, on goods stated not to have been shipped,
is admitted, after the departure of the Vessel from Sagor.

S 2

S76 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Calcutta.

Opium for exportation most be accompanied bj a certificate, stating
it to have been purchased at the Company^s sales.; and any attempt to pan
opium not so purchased, or not corresponding with the certificate, is
punished by confiscation.

After a vessel has obtained her clearance, if any goods are recaved on
board, unaccompanied by a certificate of the duties having been paid, the
pilot is authorized to detain the vessel, and the goods are liable to confis-
cation. All goods, moreover, seized in an attempt to ship them in a
clandestine manner, are also liable to confiscation.

The exportation, by sea, of saltpetre, except in vessels bdongbg to
British subjects, is prohibited.

Goods transshipped without permission firom the Collector, or shipped
on a different vessel from that for which they may be passed, are subject to
double duty.

No arms or military stores can be exported, without permission of the
Grovemor-General in Council.

In no case either of imports or exports, can any objection to the rate
of assessment be received, after the duties have been paid.

[According to the Regulations (VI, 1814), the rates should be revised
and republished annually ; yet no printed book of rates exists, and the
practice cannot be easily ascertained by perusal of the various ordinanoei
Some articles are rated at a fixed valuation, others at the supposed market
prices, others at the Aurung prices. Re-exported commodities are entered at
the valuations assumed on their arrival.]

Rules relative to Chittagong^ Balasoref and Hughley.-'^ln the valua-
tion of imports, the Collectors at Chittagong and Balasore are guided by the
same rules as are enacted for Calcutta, in as far as these may be applicable
In the valuation of exports, the market price of the goods at the ports from
which they are exported* is taken as the standard.

The regulations with respect to the drawbacks which are laid down for
Calcutta, are also applicable to Chittagong and Balasore,

Goods imported by sea into any of the foreign settlements on the
Hughley, are liable, on exportation to the interior, to pay to the Collector
at Hughley the same duties as are charged on goods imported into Calcutta
on a foreign bottom. In like manner, goods brought to the foreign 8ettl^
ments from the interior, are liable to the same duties as are charged on the
exportation of such goods from Calcutta on a foreign bottom.

Regulations respecting Town Duties. — In the assessment of the town
duties, the several articles are valued at their current prices, according to a
book of rates prepared by the CoUector.

Cahttta.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 277

Anj attempt to import clandestinely articles liable to the town duties,
without paying the same, is punished hj a fine equal to the amount of the
duties withheld : the fine to be levied by distraint, if not immediately
discharged.

Any farmer, collector^ &c. attempting to levy a town duty on articles
not declared liable thereto, is subject to a fine equal to thrice the duty col-
lected, besides such costs and damages as may be farther awarded. The
illegal detention of articles not liable to town duty, although no duty be
actually levied, is also punishable by a fine not exceeding 500 rupees, besides
such costs and damages as may be awarded.

CaictMa special Rules. — ^The town duties of Calcutta are collected by
the Collector of Customs, and are levied on the several articles above
described, whether imported into the city, or its suburbs.

The duties must be paid on the several articles as they pass the
chokies, or sufficient security must be given for their payment within
fifteen days.

Goods intended for transit or shipment, and therefore not liable to the
town duties, are conveyed to the Custom-house wharf by a peon, who does
not quit the boat until the goods are shipped or passed.

All boats passing the town with goods on board, must be examined ;
and in the event of their attempting to pass, after being required by die
officer to stop, the goods are liable to confiscation.

Should any person dispute the payment of the town duties, the Collector
is at liberty to detain such part of the goods as may be equivalent to the
same, and aAer fifteen days, to put them up to sale, as in the case of a re*
fusal to pay the Government customs.

Every attempt to convey clandestinely into the city or suburbs, articles
subject to the town duties, is punishable by confiscation.

Rates of Filotagb.— Pt/otojpe of British Ships and Vessels.'-^The
following Table shews the rates of full and broken pilotage, chargeable to
British ships and vessels, inward and outward of the River Hughley.

278

ORIENTAL COMMERCE.

[QdeiUla,

Draft of

Full
*flotai

9 to 10

10 - 11

11 - 12
IS - 13
13 r- 14

U- 15

15 - ;6

16 - 17

17 - 18

18 - 19
19-20
20-21
21-22
22-23
23-24

Pflo

ftet 100
ditto 120
ditto 140
ditto 160
ditto 180
ditto 210
ditto 250
ditto 3Q0
ditto 350
ditto 400
ditto 450
ditto 500
ditto 550
ditto 600
ditto 600

Additlanl
outwanL

rapees 10 rupees,

ditto 10 ditto

ditto 90 ditto

ditto SO ditto

ditto 20 ditto

ditto 40 ditto

ditto 60 ditto

ditto 60 dittp

ditto 60 ditto

INWAB^ FBOPOBTION FJlOV B^^,

ToS(>gDr.,. i tweUBw,

Kedgeree 6 dittp

Cnlpee 8 ditto

Di^niopd H«|rlipi;r 9 ditto
Fult^,9rMyF«in:i* lO rti^ta
Calcutta full pilotage.

OUTWARD FRO PORTION FROM CALCUTTA.

To Mypurrah or Fult^ 2 twelfths
Diamond Harbour 3 ditto

Culpee 4 diUo

Kedgeree Q ditto

SagQr f 8 ditto

Sea full pilotage.

By broken pilotage is meant the proportion of full pilotage betweea tbe
different stages or places of anchorage.

AU ships, the property of foreigners, as well Asiatic as European, to
be, as heret<^ore, subject to the charge termed ^^ Lead Money,^^ it being in-
dispensably necessary that the pilot should have with hiqi a leadsman io
whom he may confide, when in charge of other than a British ship.

A consideration for detention to be authorized to be charged by persons
in the pilot sendee, who may be kept on board of ships at anchor by the
desire of the commander or owner, at the rate q£ two rupees per day from

British, and four rupees per day from foreign vessels.

The charge for transporting a ship from her moorings ipto any of the
docks at Eiddeipore, Howrah, or Sulkea, or froni any of tbie docks to her
moorings, to be 50 rupees, and no higher charge for such service to be
authorized in future.

A deposit of 10 per cent is made on the amount of outward pilotage,
returnable by the Marine Paymaster (who receives the bills for pilotage,
mooring hire, and Kedgeree lighthouse duty, from the Mast^-Attepdanfs
Office), in the event of its i^ot being anticipated by any intermediate
charge.

Hire of Mooring Chains. — The lowest charge to a ship requiring the
accommodation of the chain moorings at Sagor, Kedgeree, Culpee, Fulta(or
Mypurrah), or Calcutta, to be for ten days ; and upon using them longer, a
charge to be made at the established rate per day, according to the season of
the year, and the burthen of the ship, for every day exceeding ten.

CalmUa.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 379

In the months of March to October, eight mooths, the hire of the chains
to be 20 rupees per day.

In the four months, November to February inclusive, 16 rupees
per day.

(By an order in March, 1821, the rates for hire of the moorings were
reduced, as a temporary experimental measure, to 10' Sicca rupees per day,
for such number of days as ships may occupy the modrhigs, not as*
heretofore.)

By an order in July, 1824, the rates for hire of moorings at Diamond
Harbour were fixed as follows :-— Vessels above 500 tons, 16 Sicca rupees per'
diem ; vessels under BOO tons, 12 Sicca rupees per dienL

MoYAPORB Magazikb Dutt. — Onc anna per ton of each vessel passing
the Magazine.

Lighthouse Di7E8**-Ships, brigs, and sloops, including coasting ves-
sels and donies, navigating the river, pay a duty of two annas per ton
per annum.

Boat Hibb.— First dass, 18 oars, 12 rupees per day ; second dass,
14 oars, 9 rupees per day ; third dass, 10 oars, 7 rupees per day. The num-
ber of row-boats is regularly apportioned to ships ; but commanders may
have an addition, upon application.

Ratbs of Commissiok, Agbbct, &c. settled May, 1822.— On the sale or
purchase of ships, vessels, houses, and lands, 2} per cent. On the sale, pur-
chase, or shipment of bullion, { ditto. On the sale, purchase, or shipment
of jewellery, diamonds, or other precious stones, 2 ditto. Qn the sale, pur-
chase, or shipment of indigo, lac dye, country piece-goods, silk, opium,
cochineal, coral, spices, coffee, copper, tin, and tutenague, 2^ ditto. On
the sale, purchase, and shipment of all other kinds of goods, 5 ditta On
goods or treasure, &c. ecmsigned, and afterwards withdrawn or sent to auc-
tion, and on goods consigned for conditional delivery to others, half com-
mission. On all advances of money for the purposes of trade, whether the
goods are consigned to the agent or not, and where a commission of 5 per
cent is not charged, 2§ ditto. On ordering goods, or superintending
the fulfilment of contracts, where no other commission is derived, 2| ditto.
On guaranteeing bQls, bonds, or other engagements, and on becoming
security for administrations of estates, or to Government, or individuals, for
contracts, agreements, &c., 2} ditto. On del credere, or guaranteeing the
responsibility of persons to whom goods are sold, | ditto per month. On
acting for the estates of persons deceased, as executors or administrators,
5 per cent On the management of estates for others, on the amount
received, 2J ditto. On procuring freight, or advertisiiig as the agent of

280 ORIENTAL COMMJBRCE. [CakutUL

owners or commanders, on the amount of {raght, whether the same passes
through the hands of the agent, or not, 5 ditto. On chartering ships for
other parties, 2| ditto. On making insurance, or writing orders for
insurance, | ditto. On settling insurance losses, total or partial, and on
procuring returns of premium, 1 ditto. On effisctiuig remittances, by bills of
the agent or otherwise, or purchasing, selling, or negotiating bills of ex-
change, 1 ditto. On debts, when a process at law or arbitration is
necessary, 2§ ditto ; and if recovered by such means, 5 ditto. On bills of
exchange returned, noted, or protested, 1 ditto. On collecting house-roit,
2§ ditta On ships^ disbursements, 2| ditto. On negotiating loans on
respondentia, 2 ditto. On letters of credit granted for mercantile purposes,
2| ditto. On purchasing or selling Goremment securities, and on each
exchange of the same in the transCeirirom one loan to another, f ditto. On
ddivering up Government securities, or depositing the same in the Treasuiy,
I ditto. On all advances not punctually liquidated, the agent to have the
option of charging a second commission as upon a fresh advance, provided
the charge does not occur twice in the same year. At the option of the
agent on the amount debited or credited within the year, including interest,
and excepting only items on which a commission of 5 per cent, has been
charged, 1 per cent. N. B. This charge not to apply to paying over
balance due on an account made to a particular period, unless where such
balance is withdrawn without reasonable notice.

Bates of Commission on sales by auction, viz :—

Groods sold in detailed lots, likewise horses and carriagea^^^%^8 per cent
Ships and landed property, for the first thousand rupees of

eacn lot %»%»%%<»%'»I%^V»»%»%%'%^^%'»»'»»»%<%»^%<»%^^>%%<»%%%^<»|»»%%%»%%%%%»^|%'%0 oiuo.
■ ■ , for the remainder of the amount

(exdusive of expences) ^^»%%»m>%^%%%^%%^»»%%%.>^%%^%%>xv>%%%^l } ditto.

GODOWN RENT.

R. A. P*

Bales of piece-goods and silk ^«^«%^«%%<v^per month each 8

Ditto cotton, screwed «%<»««.*^%««vi^%%««%%^«««<«%«%««%««^ ditto 4

Chests of indigo, opium, and wine ^^»%>>».%%^vv.^%v> ditto 8

Silk, piece-goods, shell-lac, and gum8^w>%%%%>%%%w>^^ ditto 8

Pipes of wine, or spirits^^i.vv»^%^v»%'v»%»%%%%%*>»<^*»*>v»»»%»» ditto 10
Saltpetre, sugar, rice, &c. in bag8v^v«.».v»%v%w%*^««.«vi, ditto 0.20
Other articles, proportionately to bulk and value.

Cakuita,]

ORIENTAL COMMERCE.

281

There are several established commission warehouses and public auctions
at Calcutta. The commission charged on the transacting business is gene-
rally 10 per cent including servants^ wages, expences of advertisements, &c.

Rates of Cooue Hieb for shipping or landing at the Custom-house

Wharfi tw.-—

For half-chest or hogshead

Whole chesty or pipe

Puncheon of spirits

fialeof cotton of 300 lbs

Ditto of 150 lbs

Betel-nut^ P^P^r^ coffise^ and

dovesj per 100 bags 1

Bale of piece-goods

K. A. P.

For iron^ per 100 rods ...Old

Sheet copper, per box 6

Copper in large pieces^ per piece 10

Lead in pigs, per 100 pigs 1 8

Rattans, per 100 bundles

Grain in bags of S mda. from

any ghaut, per 100 bags I

Daily coolies, 4 to 5 rupees.

Bates of coolie and cart to and from the wharf, according to distance.
Hire of bhurs, carrying from 200 to SOO maunds^ 2 rupees per diem ;
in blowing weather, 2 j rupees.

Ratbs op Ritbr Sloop Hire^ from Calcutta to ships at lower
stations, fnz : —

Per Bag. Per Bale.

R. A»- P. I S. A. P«

To Diamond Harbour, or Culpee ^^%%^^^^^ 16 «w«^ 4 6

jLeflceree %I»%%%^»'%%%%»%^%^%'»<^»%*%%^%'%<^%'%»%»'%%%|%»% u z t/ ^»^%»% 11 vi (J
New anchorage, or Sagor»»»»»»<^»»»»%%%%%»%»» 3 •»%«**« 9

Ratxs op Wagbs of native artificers employed in ship-buildiog, wk :— *

B. A. P.

Joiner

... per month 13

tiomer •.•.•.•■•••••■• « 7

Carpenter Maistry • 10

Caipenter • 6

BroomadarMaistry « 10

Broomadar. * 6

Caulker Maistry... per day

Caulker .

6
i

per month 18 12

3
S

B. A. p.

Carver ^. per day 8

Painter Maistry ... per month 10

F^ter • 7

YardTindal . 14

Ditto Lascar • 9

Coolie m 5

Boy . 3 8

Yard boat> € oars^ per day 18

Dinghee • 8

Working hours, from 8 A. M. tOl 6 P. M.— Extra pay for over time :—
Mustrj, 1 anna ; men, 6 pice. Artificers sent from Calcutta to work at any
of the lower stations of the rirer, are enUtied to double wages, and convey-
ance back.

288 ORIBNTAL COMMBBCE. [Cakuitd

Batbb of Dock Hirs, estaUSshed March, i822:-^FQr punq^gout
tke dock, sbmng, and the use of shores, stages, and warps, (exdiisive of
shores for hanging a ship to shift the keel), and opening and shutting gates,
£00 Sicca rupees.

For every ship of 500 tons and upwards^ entering dock, 500 ditto.

For every ship of less than 500 tons, 400 ditto.

For every ship remaining in dock beyond 6 days, including the day
she enters, per day, 50 ditto.

Sbips^ Rbgistbrs akd Licbkces.— Certificates of British Plantation
Registry are granted by the Deputy Collector of Customs, on production of,
1st. the Builder^s certificate, accompanied by the grand and intermediate
bills of sale, with the owner^s affidavit 2d. Certificate of the Surveyor
appointed uiyler the statute, with the assent of the person attending the
survey on behalf of the owner. 3d. Bond by the owner and master, attested
before the Dejuity Collector. 4th. Oath of the owner, sworn before the
samaoffii^erB.-r The following fees are authorized to be taken on granting
each registry certificate : — To the Deputy Collector of Customs, 10 gold
mohurs, for ships of 200 tons burthen and upwards ; 5 gold mohurs for
ships below that burthen. To the Surveyor, 2 gold mohurs.

Licences for ships proceeding to England are issued from the Board of
Trade. A fee of 10 gold mohurs is payable to the Secretary for each
licence (including bonds, &c. for the care of Asiatic seamen). Lichees or
passes ace issued from the office of Secretary to the Government, in the
general department, to persons and ships employed in the country trade in
India. A fee of 2 annas per ton measurement of the vessel, is charged for
eacli pa§s Of lipenpe, an4 I gold mphur for registering the same.

CoiN8.-^Accounts are kept here in imaginary money, called rupees,
either Current or Sicca, with their subdivisions, annas and pice ; 12 pice make
1 anna; 16 annas 1 rupee; and 16 rupees 1 gold mohur. To this cur-
rency must all the real specie be converted, before any sum can be regularly
entered into a merchants book. The Company keep their accounts
in Sicca rupees, which bear a batta of 16 per cent against the current

The coins current are gdd mohurs, with their subdivisions, halves and
quarters ; Sicca rupees, halves and quarters ; annas, pice, and half pice. The
t^o last are of copper.

In 1766 the Bengal gold mohur weighed 179.66 grains, was of the
fineness of 20 carats, and passed for 14 silver rupees. The gold was here
overvalued, £dr it passed in proportion to silver, a4 16.45 to 1. In 1769 it
was ordered that the Bengal gold mohur should weigh 190.773 grains, and
in tliis coinage gold was valued to silver nearly as 14.8 to 1 ; and, by

CakuttOi]

ORIENTAL COMMERCE.

BeguhtioB 85, Abiio 1703» it was digested that tlie nmeieea Son gold
mobur siiould weigh 190.804 gndns) aad contain J of a grain in 100 of alloj,
and that it should pass fin: 16 nineteen Sun Sicc^ rupees. Here gold is valued
in prapqrtiQn to n)ver as 14.85 to 1.

Gdd mohurs are coined onlj at the mint of Calcutta; at the subordi-
nate mint of Furruckabad, silver alone is coined. The fineness of both
matab is the same as English standard gold, namely H* The following
statement shews the present weight, fineness, and sto-llng value ei the
coins, reckoning the value of gold at J03* 17s. lO^d. per standard ounce,
and silver at 5s. Sd.

GqldMohnr

Sicca Rupee

Fam^diabM Pvpve

OiHimpure.

175.1123

GraiiM alloy.

17.0iCi
15.993
1^10

Weight
Gxainsgron

204.710
191.916

Valu&

13
3
i 111

11 Si

By Regulation, 1610, the coinage of the Benares rupee is discontinued;
and the Furruckabad rupee made the legal coinage of Benares.

It will be observed that the alloy has been increased ; a regulation
which took place in 1819, whereby much expence is spared in refining.
The charge for coining and for refining is the same at both mints, for
silver; namely, 2 per cent, if the bullion be of the standard fineness ; but
where it differs, a prq)ortioni4 charge of from i to 9^ per cent. 14 iq^fle for
refining.

See also the Bombay Assay Report, 1821, p. 138.

The standard of the Bengal money has ever been silver. Gold is
occasionally coined, but the great bulk of the currency is silver. The most
common silver coin is the rupee of 1 Sicca, or 10 Massa weight

These rupees were formerly called Sicca rupees only during the year
after their coinage, when the batta they bore on current rupees was 16 per
cent ; the second this was reduced to 13, and the third and following years
the batta was 11 per cent ; they were then called Sonaut or Sunat rupeea*
But with a view to abolish this distinction, all the rupees coined of lat^
years by the East India Company, have been dated the nineteenth Sun, that
is the nineteenth year of the MoguPs reign ; and by Regulation 35, Anno
1793, it was ordered that the nineteen Sun Sicca rupees should be received as
the legal coin of Bengal, Bahar, and Orixa,

There are various other kinds of rupees to be met with in Bengal,
whose fineness and weight are different, though their denominations are the
same. From this, and from the natives frequently punching holes in the

8S4 ORIBNTAL COMMERCE. [CakuHa.

rupees, and fiOiag up the vacancy with base metal, and their wilfully
diminishing the weight of tlie coin after coming from the mint, the currencies
of rupees from the different provinces are of different values. This defeet
has introduced a custom of employing shroffs or money-changers, whose
business is to set a value upon these different currencies, according to everj
circumstance, either in their favour, or their prejudice. When a sum of
rupees is brought to one of these shroffs, he examines them piece by piece,
and arranges them according to their fineness ; then by their weight ; he
then allows for the different legal baitas upon Siccas and Sonants ; and this
done, he values in gross by the rupees current what the whole are worth;
so that the rupee current is the only thing fixed, by which coin is valued.

A current rupee is reckoned at 2s., and a Sicca rupee of account com-
monly at 2s. 6d.

A lac of rupees is 1,00,000 ; and a crore, 100 lacs, or 1,00,00,000
rupees ; and in accounts, sums are distinguished into crores, lacs, and single
rupees, by marks or divisions, as in the aforegoing examples.

Cowries, small white glossy sheHs, are made use of for small payments
in the basar, and are generally thus reckoned :— *

4 Cowries equal to 1 Gunda

90 Gondas n 1 Pun

iPoiiB m 1 Anna

4 Annas » « 1 CahuD> which is about J of a rupee.

But they rise and fall according to the demand there is for them, and
the quantity in the market

Weights.— Great weights are maunds, seers, chittacks, and siocasi
thus divided: —

S Siccas are equal to 1 Chittack.

^16 Chittacks » 1 Seer.

40 Seers « 1 Maund.

There are two maunds in use here, vix. the factory maund, which is
74 lbs. 10 oz. 10.666 drs. avoirdupois ; and the bazar maund, which is 10
per cent better, and is &i lbs. 2 oz. 2.1S3 drs.

80 Sicca Weight equal to a Calcutto Bazar Seer.

60 Ditto a Serampore Seer.

82 Ditto ; a Hughly Ditto.

84 Ditto a Benares Mirzapore Ditto.

>06 Ditto an Allahabad and Lucknow Ditto.

• A Gdcutta Factory Seer is equal to 72 Sicca weight, 11 Annas, 9 Pans,

10 Gundas, 3.63 Cowries.

Cakuiia.]

ORIENTAL COMMERCE.

28&

Gold avd Silysk WxiaHTS.
4 punkos are equal to 1 dan or grain.

4 dans...

6^ ruttiea

8 mtties

10 mi

100 ruttiea
18|mafl8as

16 annaa.
169} ruttiea

18.98 naaaaa

17 annas.

1 rutty.

1 anna.

1 maasa.

1 aieoa weight
^179|gFaina
tro7^6.^70a
dnuaToirdu.

Itolah.

1 mohur.

Imohur.

1 mohur.

The toiah is equal to 924.588 gr. Troy.

Cloth Mea0ukk.

3 Jorbea niake......l angolhu

aangoDas * Igheriah.

8 (^eriaha. m 1 hautorcuhit,

= 18 hichea.

Shauta « lguz=lyard.

Land Meaburk.
Land is measured hy the hant^ or euhit ;
5cn]nt8 hmg and 4 hroad ia 1 chittack^
equal to 45 square feet.

16 chittacka ...make 1 oottah.

20 cottaha « Ibiggah.

SOJhiggahs • 1 English acre.

40 higgaha « lMad.cawney*

Liquid MsASoax.
5 sicca weight... make ...1 chittack.

4chittack8 »

*Po«ahs .

40 seers «

V Beers. ..••...•••• «

8 meaanrea

...1 pouah^ or pice.
...1 seer
...1 maund.
...1 pusaaree^ or

raeaaure.
...1 basar maund.

Gbain MXAaUKB.

6 dnttacka make ...1 koonkee.

4 koonkeea • « ...l laik.

4raik8.

20 palliea v

16 soallees v

...lpeny=:OA

Iba. ayoir.
...1 soallee.
...1 khahoon = 40

LoKG Measukx.

3 grains make ...1 finger.

4 fingers ■

3 handa «

5 spans V

•••1 hand.
...1 span.
...1 armor cubit
= 18 inches.
...1 fiithom.
...1 cofis^ or mile.

4 arms «

lOOO&thoms .... IT
which ia one English mile> 1 furlong,
3 poles^ and 3} yards.

For Goods reckoned by Tale.

5 particulars make 1 gunda.

4 gundas^ or 20 i c 1 koorjCj or

particulars ) c corge.

%|%%^>»^^^^^^ ^ %<%%^»»%%%K^I%^>»%^<%%^

ARTICLES PROCURABLE IN BENGAL, WITH DIRECTIONS.

Anv OTTO is a dry hard pastey prepared from the seeds of a plant com-
mon in the East and West Indies ; the best is from the latter part, brownish
on the ootside, and of a beautifiil red colour within. It is generally in
lumps wn^ped op in leaves. It has occasionally been brouf^t from Bengal^
where it is prepared from the pulp of the seed-capdules of the Bi/ca OreUanoy
or MUetta tmctoria ; the best specimens of which have been nearly equal to
the West India kind. The Society of Aits have offered apremium for the
importation of East India Annotto.

aw OBIENTAL COMMBROE. [CdmOttL

Arrow, or Aroo Boot, is prepareA from a root r^embling the gtdahgal ;
the plant {Marcmta) is common in the East and West Indies. It is ob-
tained bj the following process : — ^the roots, wheh a jekc old, are dug up,
washed in water, and beaten in deep Wooden mortars to a pulp ; it is then
put into a tub of clean water, well washed, and the fibrous part thrown
awaj. The milkj liquor, being passed through a sieve or coarse doth, is
suffered to settle, and the dear water is drawn off; at the bottom of the
vessel is a white mass, which is again mixed with dean water, and drained;
lastly, the mass is dried in the sun, aiid is pure starch.

Bit Noun, or Salt of BrruMak, {Bitlabafif and Cala^^/iemeCy Hind.)
a specific in high repute among the niitiyes of India. The artide is nothing
more than muriate of soda, or comibon salt, {Nemec^ Hind.), fused with
the fiiiit of the PhyUanthiM Emblica^ a spedes of mjrabolans, wherebj it
acquires some of the qualities of the fhiit, and also, as appears bj analjsis,
a portion of iron. Mr. Hbudbrson {Dissert, on the Bit Noben^ cr FeHd
Salt of the Hindoos), and Dr. Fleming (Asiai. Res^^ Vol, XL) have in?es-
tigated this artide minutdy. . It has been occasionally brought to England.
A small quantitj was imported in the year 181 85 under the name of
BlaOcSaU.

BoRAXj Sub-borate of Soda, {Sohaga^ Hind., Tanccma, San.) is dug
up in a crystallized state from the bottom of certain lakes in Thibet, and is
of two scnrts, viz.

ttouoH Borax, or Tincal, which is in a very impure condition, con-
sisting partly of six-sided crystals, but chiefly of smaller irregular ones, of
a white or green colour, joined together in one lump by a fetid, gressj
substance, mixed with sand, stones, and other impurities. Tincal should
be chosen in tb^ deanest and brighter solid pieees, resembling white sugar
4:andy, greasy to the touch, and of a strong rank smell.

Rbfinrd Borax, whieh dieuU be ehesen of a pungent but somewhat
«weet taste, perfectly white, resembling crystals of alum, of rather a greasy
appearance, but firee from all impurities : it readily dissolves in hot water,
and swdls and bubbles in the fire. A ton of rough borax is 16 Cwt ; of
refined, 20 Cwt.

Castor Oit. is obtained fhmi the seeds of the RMnuSj or Pabm
ChrieH, {Arend, Hind., Eranda, San.) of which there aare seireral rarieties.
It is se^MHated from the seeds by boiling or expression ; the former method
proeores the largest quantities, but it has less sweetness, and becomes randd
mueb sooner than that obtauied by expression. iQenuine castor oil is Tiseid
When obtained by expression ; the oil that is somewhat opaque is newer,
and said to be more effectual in medicine than that whiib is peUucid and of

CakuUa.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 967

a jellow colour. The colour of the recent oil b 9 Uueish greeny approadi*^
iiig to solidity in the cold, resembling in that state the col<IUr of amber^ and
almost pellucid Castor oil should be chosen of a pale coloto*, inclining to
a greenish cast, almost insipid to the taste, with but little smell, and of a
good consistence ; that which is dark coloured and rancid, should be re-
jected. Freight^ 16 Cwt to a ton.

Chillies, or Capsicum, {Lai Mirch^ Hind.) ai'e long roundish tapier
pods, divided into two or three. cells full of small whitish seeds. When this
fruit is fresh, it has a penetrating acrid smell ; to the taste it is extremdy
pungent, and produces a most painful burning in the mouth. * They are
occasionally imported dry, and form the basis of Cayenne pe[q)er; put in
vinegar when ripe, they are an acceptable present in Europe. At Bengal
the natives make an extract from the chillies, which is about the consistence
and colour of treacle.

Cochins AL is an insect which lives upon different species of the Opwntiay
and is imported in large quantities from South America, in the form of little
grams of an irregular figure^ of a deep reddish purple colour, and covared
more or less with a whitbh down. They are light, and easily rubbed to
powder between the fingers. On one side they are roundish and ivrinkled ;
the other is flat

The attention of the East India Company was for many ;f ears directed
to the production of this insect ; but with little success. What has been
brought from India has been very small, not veiy abundant in colouring
matter, very inferior to any brought from New Spain, and used only in
djing coarse goods. The use of lac dye has superseded it.

Cochineal is an article in general demand at Bombay, and occasionally
at China : for the former market the large black grain is preferred, as free
from the grey or silvery appearance as possible. Ln purchasing this com-
modity, care should be taken thait the dark colour has not been occasioned
by art : this may be discovered by its smell, which is unpleasant, whereas
goiuine cochineal is quite free from smelL

CoaiAiTDBR Sbbds, from the Ceriandnim SaHmtm^ (JXhanyOy Hind.,
IThanyaca^ San.) are used in making curry, and also in medicine.

Datuba, or Stramonium. — ^This herb, which is well known in this
country, as the thorn apple, has been lately brought from Bengal The
D. Stramomum does not grow in India, but the i>. Meiel (JfhartUTiiy
Hind., IXhusturoj San.) nearly resembles it The plant has long been
used in that country, and is so still, as a secret means of poisoning, the
extract being of a very destructive quality.

Flax, LiMim UMatiarinmmy {Ti^ Hind., Atari^ San.) is vary gene-

888 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [CaktUta,

rail J cultirated in Bengal and Bahar, for the oil which is obtamed from the
seeds, the stalks being rejected as useless.

Gheb is the butter made from the milk of buffaloes, and clarified ; it
is an article cf very considerable commerce in various parts of India, and
generallj conveyed in duppers, or bottles made of hide, resembling what is
called a carbo j ; it will keep sweet a considerable time. The duppen con-
tain from 10 to 40 gallons each.

GiNOBR (Sanfhy Hind., SunChi^ San.) is the root of the Jmmnum
Zinziber, {Adrac^ Hind., Ardraca, San.), a reed-like plant, growing spon-
taneouslj in the East and West Indies, and China ; it is in knottj, branched,
flattish pieces; when freed from Uie outer bark, of a pale odour, and
fibrous texture. It is imported in consideraUe qu^tities from Bengal, and
should be chosen in large roots, new, not easily broken, of a light brownish
green colour, resinous within, and of a hot, pungent, aromatic taste. That
whidi is small, dark coloured, soft, or very fibrous, should be rejected It
is sometimes imported green finom the East Indies. In fi:«ight, 16 Cwt. of
dry, and 90 Cwt. of green ginger, are allowed to a ton.

HEMPiF— The hemp-plant. Cannabis saHva {Rhangy and Ctaf^cLy Hind.
Ganjica, San.) has a long root comparatively slender, divided into branches,
and full of fibres ; the stalk is thick and ridged, or somewhat angular ; it
grows firom six to twdve feet in height, and taller in warm than cold coun-
tries. The leaves are divided into five, in the manner of the fingers ; thejr
feel rough, and are notched at the ends. The male plants are distinguished
from the female in the cultivation and management of the crop.

Hemp has been cultivated in Bengal firom time immemorial for the
purpose of intoxication; but is never used by the natives for cordage or
doth, as in Europe. The intoxicating preparation made from it is called
Bang. There is no perceptible difference between the European and Bengal
plant The sunn of Bengal is prepared from the fibres of the bark of the
Cratolaria Juncea.

In Bengal, instead of sowing the hemp very thick, as it ought to be
done when the plant is intended for cordage, the natives sow it very thin,
and afterwards transplant the young plants, placing them at a considerable
distance firom each other, often nine or ten feet By this mode the plant
grows to a large size, a great deal too large to admit of the stalks being
properly bruised. This mode of cultivation is too expensive, if used with a
view (^preparing cordage from the plant ; but the ryots, or farmers, would,
if due encouragement were held out to them, readily adopt the Europeaa
mode of cultivating the hemp, and also of dressing the fibres for cordage.

There are many other vegetable substances used by the natives (x

Cakuita.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 889

cordage, &c. such as murgha, kantala, mertjr-paut, c6ir, and gumatty:
but tbe principal, and those by far in the greater use, are sunn and paut ;
these are cultirated at Comercollj, Chittagong» Jungypore, &c.

At Comercolty there are two species of sunn ; the best is called phool,
the other boggy : the former grows about four feet high, and produces the
strongest, whitest, and most durable kind of sunn ; the other grows about
se^en feet high, but its produce is darker coloured^ and not so strong as the
phool-sunn.

In Chittagong very little hemp is raised, except for the purpose of
preparing bang.

In Jungypore there are four species of plants cultivated, which produce
different kinds of raw materials, fit for cordage and other uses. The first
is called by the natives ghore-sunn, and approaches very near to the hemp-
plant The article next in quality to the ghore-sunn is the paut; but as it
does not grow to the height of above four feetj and shoots out many lateral
branches, which render the fibres very di£Scult to be separated from the
woody parts, it is not a profitable article to the landholder : it is in general
found near the houses of the inhabitants, the leaves and tender shoots being
ased as an article of food. The third plant, producing a species of hemp,
is called by the natives cooch-murden-paut The fourth description of
plant is called amleeah-paut, and this is in the most general use throughout
the country for coarse cordage, and other purposes which do not require
the fine twine produced from the ghore-sunn.

The cultivation of this important plant in our colonies has not only at
an times met with encouragement from the Government, but also of late
years from the East India Company in Bengal, where extensive experiments
have been made in the culture of hemp and flax on their account. The
freight is calculated by measurement, allowing 50 cubical feet to a ton.

HitoBs are sometimes brought from India, both in a raw and cured
state ; but the length of the voyage* and the high rate of freight, prevent
their beconiing an extensive article of trade, though Bengal, it is conjec-
tured, could supply the demand of the home market, if they could be pro-
perly cured : but they would never answer when salted, firom the high price
of salt in Bengal Freight, 20 Cwt to a ton.

Ho&v s.«-*Bu£falo horns are generally allowed to pass as dunnage when
brought by the conunanders of the Company^s ships ; but they vriOll not
bear the heavy charge of freight They should be chosen large, free from
cracks and flaws, as straight as possible, and in their original state, or they
win be subject to the manufactured duty. Freight, 20 Cwt to a ton.
IvDiGo is a dye prepared from the leaves and small branches o[ a plant,

300 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [CdcuUa.

of wUeb there are maiij nurieties, the mott remftrkable of which is the
ImUgrfeta Tindoria, {Nil, Hind. Nta, Siw.) from which the dje is
made. The root of this plant ia three or four lines thick^ and more
than a fbot long, of a faint 8Hidl» something like parsley ; from which
issues a single stem nearlj of the same thickness, about two feet iif^
Btra^;ht, hard, almost woodj, covered with a bark slightly split, of a grej
ash colour towards the bottom, green in the middle, reddish at the extre-
mity, and without the appearance of pith inside. The leaves are ranged is
pairs round the stalk, of an oval form, smooth, soft to the touch, fuxrowed
above, of a deep green on the under side, and connected with a very short
pendunde. Frdm about one-thkd of the stem to the extremity there are
ean that are loaded with very small flowers, £rom 12 to 15, but destitute of
smell. The pistil, which is in the nuddle of each flower, changes mto a
pod, in which the seeds are enclosed.

This plant requires a good soil, well tilled, and not too dry ; the seed,
which, as to figure and colour, resembles gunpowder, is sown in the broad
cast during the latter months of the hot season, or at the commencement of
the rains. Continual attention is required to eradicate the weeds ; and with
no further labour, the early plant is ready for cutting in the b^inniog of
August^ and the fidds arriving successively at maturity, supjdy the worb
until the commencement of October.

When the {dant has been cut, it is placed in layers in a large wooden
vessel, and covered with water. It soon ferments, the water becoma
qmque, and assumes a green colour. When the fermentation has continued
long enough, whidi is judged of by the paleness of the leaves, and which
requires from 6 to 24 hours, according to the temperature <^ the air, asd
the state of the plant, the liquid u drawn off into laige flat vessds, where
it is constantly agitated till the blue floculi begin to make their appeanmce;
fresh water is now poured in, which causes the Uue flakes to precipitate.
The yellow liquid is then drawn off, and the sediment, when the water v
sufficiently drained from it, is formed into small cakes, and dried in tk
shade.

The indigo imported from India is classed by the trade undet the fol-
lowing denominations :— East Indie, blue, puiple, violet, and copper. The
chief signs of good indigo are its lightness, and feeling dry between the
fingers ; its swinuning in water ; if thrown upon burning coals, its enuttiDg
a violet coloured smoke, and leaving but Kttle ashes behind. In chonDg
indigo, the large regular formed cakes should be preferred, of a fine rich
blue colour, externally finee from the white adhesive mould, and of a dean
neat shape, as it is much dqireciatedan consequence of an irregular shape

CahUta.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 291

in the cakes, and the incrustation of white mould ; when broken, it should
be of a bright pUrpIe cast, of a close and compact texture, free from white
specks or sand, and when rubbed with the naQ, shouM have a beautiful
sluimig copper-like appearance ; it should swim in water^ and when burnt
hy the candle, it should Hj like dust. That which is Iiearj, dull coloured,
and porous, should be rejected ; likewise the small and broken pieces, which,
though equally good in quality with regular formed cakes, do not obtain an
equal price.

This article has attracted much attention, and speculation has urged its
production very far. The average crop of nine years, endmg 1881-22, was
89,800 maunds ; the following year it was 106,904 maunds, whflst that of
1823-24, is said to be but 75,800 maunds. A large stkpply, it is stated, might
be obtained in Bengal ; perhaps as mach as 150 or 200,000 maunds, little
short of 15 millions of pounds. In the last edition of this Work it was
observed, that ^^ the demand of all Europe was estimated at 3 millions of
pounds per annum ; (the demand in peace is ^timated at 24,000 chests of
4 factory maunds each, about 3,500,000 lbs.) ; but supposing it to extend to
4 millions, Bengal could supply the whole !*" The quantity of indigo
exported from Calcutta in 1821, was 32,887 fkctory maunds; and the
average annual export in 7 years, 63,139 iactory maunds. The home
(Bengal) consumption b estimated at 4 per cent of the produce.

Lac {LcuPh and Za^ Hind. Lacsha, San.) is an article of considerable
importance in many arts ; it is principally produced in Bengal, and is a kind
of wax, of which a species of insect, the Coccus LaccOy fbrms cells upon
trees, like honey-combs. The trees are chiefly two species of Picus, the F.
MUcoj and F. religiom. It is principally fbund upon the uncultivated
mountains on both sides the Ganges, where it is produced in such abundance,
that, were the consumption ten times greater than it is, the markets might
readily be supplied ; the only trouble in procuring it, is to break down the
branches, and carry them to market It is likewise produced in Pegu, and
some other places to the eastward. It is distinguished in commerce into
four kinds, vi«. stick-lac, seed-lac, sheU-lac, and lump-lac.

I. Stick-Lac is the substance, or comb, in its natural state, incrusting
small branches or twigs. The best lac is of a reddish purple colour ; for if
it be pale, and pierced at the top, the value is diminished, because the insects
have left their cells, and consequently these can be of no use as a dye, but
probably may be better for varnish. Chuse the dark red kind, which, on
diewing a small piece, will turn the spittle of a purple colour ; when held
up against the light, it should look bright and lively, and when broken,

T 2

902 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [CaleiUta.

should appear in diamond-like points. That which is yeUow or brown,
should be rejected.

II. Sbed^Lac is the former kind when separated from the twigs, and
reduced into small pieces. Tbb is seldom imported, it being manufactured
into shell-lac in India.

III. Lump-Lac is in cakes, and formed from seed-lac liquified by fire.
This is consumed in India in making ornamental bangles for the women's
arms, and for other uses in a common way, for which the best shelLIac is
used in the superior sorts.

IV. Shsix-Lac is prepared from the cells liquified, strained, and
formed into thin transparent sheets. Transparent, or amber coloured shell-
lac is best, and whidi, on breaking a piece firom the edge, appears of an
amber colour : avoid the very thick, dfU'k, or speckled. There is a kind
very thin, which looks fine, but is reaUj the black sort, run thin to deceive;
the deceit will be discovered by breaking a piece, and observing if the edge
is an amber colour; for if it is dark brown, it will not do. When laid on a
hot iron, shell-lac, if pure, will instantly catch fire, and bum away with a
strong, but not disagreeable smelL That which is specky, drossy, black,
liver-coloured, duU, or cloudy should be rejected. The principal uses of
this article are for varnishes and sealing-wax. The heat of the ship^s hold
is very apt to run this commodity into a solid mass, in which case, though it
was originally of the best kind, its value is much depreciated.

Lac-Laju.— This article is imported from Bengal in small square
cakes, similar in form to those of indigo ; it should, when broken, look dark-
coloured, shining, smooth, and compact ; when scraped or powdered, it
should be of a bright red colour, approaching to that of carmine. That
which is sandy, light-coloured, and spongy, and which, when scraped, is of a
dull brick-dust colour, should be rejected. Lac-lake is used instead of
cochineal in dying.

Lac-Dye is a similar article to the preceding, but of superior quality.
The importations of both have in former years been excessive, so as per-
manently to glut the market

The quantities of the lacs allowed to a .ton in freight are as follow :—
Stick-lac, shell-lac, and lac-lake, 16 Cwt ; seed-lac, 18 Cwt.

LoKo Pbpp£b is met vrith in various parts of India. It is the fruit of
the Piper Langum (Pipel, Hind. Pijppo/s, San.), and about an inch in
length, of a cylindrical figure, the thickness of a large goose quill; the
colour a brownish grey. It is used.as acondiment in culinary preparations,
and also in medicine.

Calcutta.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 96S

Mtrabolaks are dried fruits of the plum kind, brought from Bengd
and other parts of the East Indies ; there are fi^e kinds of them, visf.

I. India Mtrabolans are a small long fruit, of the size of a finger^
end, Uack without and within, without stone, and very hard. Chuse such
as are black, plump, and dxy, of a sharpish astringent taste, and the heaviest
that can be procured.

II. Chebulic Mtrabolans, Hut or Hurra nuts, verj much resemble
a date, but are rather larger and longer, and have five comer ridges, of a
yellowish brown colour. These should be chosen fleshj and plump, the
least wrinked and black that is possible : such as are resinous within, of a
brownish colour, an astringent taste, with a little bitterness, are to be pre-
ferred.— -The plant is the TermineMa Chdnda {Har and Hara^ Hind.
Hariiacay San.)

III. Bbiabrick MybaboikAns are a small fruit, from the TerminaUa
Belerica (fiahiraj Hind. Vibhi-tcu^a^ San.) of the bigness of a nutmeg, of a
reddish jellow without, and yellowish within, having a stone with a kernel ;
this sort 18 of little value.

IV. Emblick Mtrabolans are about the size of a galLnut, rough and
ridged on the outside; the plumpest and blackest of these are most
esteemed. — The plant is the PhyUanthus Emblica (Aonla, Hind. Armtaci^
San.)

v. Citbon Mtbabolans.— This kind grows in various parts of India,
more particularly about Goa and on the Malabar Coast ; they are about the
size of a French plum, having a stone with a white kernel. The natives
frequently candy them. Chuse the citron myrabolans of a reddish or
golden yellow colour, weD fed, heavy, and hard to break, and of an astringent
disagreeable taste ; sudi as are decayed, should be rejected. — ^The plant is
distinguished by the name Terminalia Ciirina {Caducay^ Telinga.)

Mukjebt, Rubia Manfifh {Manjifhy Hind. Manjiahfhaj San.) is a
spedes of madder-root, imported from Bengal. The roots are long and
slender, and when broken, appear of a fine red colour, having a yellowish
pith inside ; it imparts to water a dark red tincture, and its smell somewhat
resembles Hquorioe root Freight 16 Cwt. to a ton.

Opivm (4/^fcis, Hind. Offwn^ Arab.) is the produce of the Papaver
mrnifdfBrum {P^i, Hind CThasa^ San.), whose root and stem become pretty
large, and abound with a bitter juice. It is cultivated in great abundance in
the province of Bahar, and in other parts of Bengal. The stalk of this
phmt rises to the height of three or four feet, and produces long indented
leaves, resembling those of the lettuce, while the flower has the appearance
of a tulip. When at full growth, an incision is made at the top of the plant.

8^ * OBIBNTAL COMMERCE. [Cakiata.

Irom wfafiofie tiiare mm s wbite milkj jwM, whiA aooa concretofl^ and is
scrapedofftbeplaats,«ad wrought iiiftooakeft: these aire aMrerodwidileavci,
to prerei^ their atiddag together, and in this aituatioo are dried, aad packed
19 chests Hned with bide% and covered with guwiy> eftch eoataining ftiij
cakes, and weigUng two mauods, and b that state exported to the |deeas
where is it esteemed. This drug is always in great demand in China, not-
withstandling the prohibUiona which have been from time to time issued
against it; likewise in aU the eastern couatcies^ the Malaj Peniasuls,
S«matra». Boneo^ Cekbes, See.

This preparation, thougl^ mple, requires great attentioa to prevent
adnUeration,towUehitisli«ble,ifl«fll»thee«illSv«tor: it is vitiated iriA
a powder composed of the dried leaves and stalks of thepoppy^madeiDtoa
paste with gum Arabic, or some other mucilage.

Opium is veiy heavjr, of a dense texture, eootunonly 90& eaough to re-
ceive an impression from the fingar. It should be chosen moderately firm;
its colour a very dark brown yellow, so dark thai, unless held to the hgbt,
it appears black ; of a strong smell and bitter taste ; as free frona kaves as
possible ; and care should be taken^ by rubhbg it between the finger and
thumb, that diere is no roughness or grittiness. Tiuut which is aeft should
be rejected. In fi^^ht 14 Cwt are allowed to a toa

The monopoly in the trade of opium, or the cultivation of the pqppj)
may be traced at leaat as far back as the Gommencement o€ the British
influence in Bengal The advantages resulting from it were for
several years merety ecmsidered as a part of the emoluments of certain
officers under the Government In the year 1773 it was taken out of their
hands, and the profit of the- trade assumed for the benefit of the Company.
The provision of the article was for many years lei out upon conteact The
opium concern continued under the direction €S the Board of Bevenue tiD
1793, when it was transferred to the Board of Trade* On the expiralioD of
the contracts in 1797, the cultivation of opium was reatmted te Bahar sad
Benares, and discontinued in Bengal ; the nu>de of provision by agency wss
resorted to, and stiU continues in practice. In July, 1799^ some scgolatioeB
were published ** for the guidance of all persona concerned in the piovisiofl
of opium on the part of Oovemment, and for preventing the lUieit culti-
vation of the poppy, and the iUidt in^portation cor traffic in the artiekcf
opiion.^ Under these regulations, which were further modifiedin UK)?, tk
cuttivation of the poppy, except on account of Grovemment, is e^piesdj
prohibited ; but it is left entirely at the qption of the cultivator, to enter
into engagements on account of Government at a settled price, or to dediae
it altogether. The quantity 9row% which is limited^ is aold by public

CakmUa.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 966

auction at two anoiial sales at Cakittta, in December and February. It is
osnalty about 4000 diests.

The trade in opium is liable to be affected bj many contingencies, not
only from adverse seasons, but by the state of the markets to the eastward,
which fluctuate considerably. The superior advantages of the agency
sjBtem, and the measures resorted to for securing the provision of the drug
pure and unadulterated, have proved of essential service.

The Bengal opium is distilnguished in commerce into two kinds, Patna
and Benares ; the former is moat esteemed.

There is another kind of India opium, which is less esteemed, produced
in considerable quantity in the province of Malwa ; it usually fetches little
more than half the price of Patna opium.

The quantity o£ oipymx exported by sea from Calcutta, in 1821, was
4337 chests, of which 3137 were to China and Macao, 638 to Penang and
Eastward, 480 to Java, the rest in small quantities to various parts.

In spite of the regulations which forbid the importation of opium into
China, the supply is as large as ever ; even the functionaries appointed to
exdude the drug, being as anxious as others to obtain it

PiECE-GooDS are manufactured of innumerable qualities and dimensions
in almost all parts of the country under this Presidency, and are distinguished
by various names, according to the fabrics, and the places where manufactured.
The following are the names of a few of the numerous kinds, and the places
where made.

BafiM, at Patna, Tanda,Chittagong, Allahabad, Beerbhoom, Eoirabad,
and Lockipore.

Casaas^ at Patna, Tanda, Allahabad, Johannah, Hurrial, Santipor^
Mow, and Lucknow.

Dwreasy at Chunderconnah, Tanda, Dacca, Santipore, and Hnrripaul.

MammooHeSf at Tanda, Allahabad, Koirabad, Johannah, and Lucknow.

If fitotffr, at Dacca, Patna, Sant^^ore, GhasipcNr^ Midnapore, Cos-
rijirah, and Malda.

Sansioeay at Tanda, Allahabad, Johannah, Mow, and Balasore.

Terrmdanuj at Dacca, Santipore, Casmahbad, Baddawl, andHurripaul.

Piece-goods form the staple commodity of Bengal, from whence they are
sent to all parts of India, to the United States of America, and to all parts
<^ Europe. The foUowing are the kinds imported into Great Britain, with
the number of pieces allowed to a ton.

296

ORIENTAL COMMERCE.

[Caleutia.

Addaties Pieces 700

Allachas 1200

Alliballies 400

Allibanniea R 800

Arrahs R 400

Atdiabannies 800

Aubnhs 400

Baftas R 400

Bandannoes R 800

Betellees 400

Ditto handkerchief .... 400

Blue doth R 400

Calicoes 400

Callipattiea R 400

Cambays 400

Cambrics R 400

Carpets R 400

Carridarries 600

Charcoimaes 600

Chniaes 600

Chintz of all sorts ....R 400

Chinechuras R 800

Chowtars 600

Chunderbannies R 800

Chundraconaes^ thick R 400

Chucklaes 400

Clouto .^..R 400

Coopees 600

Corahs R 800

Cossas 400

Cufihtaes Fiooes 800

Cuttannees R 800

Diapers^ broad 400

Ditto^ narrow 600

Dimities 600

Doreas 400

DoosooUes R 400

Dungarees R 400

Dooties , R 400

Dysucksoys 600

Elatches R 800

Emmerties 600

Ginghams^ coloured ... 600

Gurrahs 400

Ditto, long SOO

Habasdes 600

Herba Taffiities 800

Humhums 400

Ditto^ quilted 100

Jamdannies 800

Jamwars 600

Kincha cloth R 400

KiBSorsoys 600

LaccoTvries 600

Lungees Herba 800

Mammoodiatties 400

Mammoodies ....R 400

Muggadooties R 400

Mulmuls 400

Muhnul handkerchief. 400

Mushmes Pleees R 800

Naibftbies.*. »..««.R 80^

Nainsooks 400

Nillaes 800

Palampores 800

Peniascoes 800

Percaulahs 800

Photaes R 800

Pulicat handkerchief R 800

Putcahs R 400

Raings 400

Romals R 800

Sannoes 400

Seerbands 600

Seerbetties 400

Seershauds R-400

Seerhaudoonnaes 400

Seersuckers....... 600

Shalbafts 400

Sicktersoys ....R 800

Soosies 400

Sorts 400

Subnoms, or subloms ... 400

Suocatoons R 800

Taffatie8,ofallsQrts...R 800

Tainsooks 400

Tanjeebs 400

Tartorees 400

Tepoys R 800

Terindams 400

The following is the mode in which the tonnage of piece-goods is
ascertidned: —

When the letter R is against pieces of 400 to a ton, it shews those
goods are to be reduced to a standard of 16 jards long and I broad ; when
against pieces of 800 to a ton, to 10 yards long and 1 broad.

ExAHPLB.— 1000 pieces of 12 jards long and 1} broad, at 400 pieces
to a ton, make 844 pieces, or 2 tons 44 pieces ; and 1000 pieces of lOJ Icmg
bj If, at 800 to a ton, are 1,181 pieces, or 1 ton 381 pieces.

The piece-goods exported from Calcutta to Great Britain in 1821-%
amounted in official value to 14,51,722 Sicca rupees. The number of pieces

CatcuUa.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 297

exported by private traders from January to December^ 1822, is stated at
880,040, a very small portion of which was probably destined for England*
The quantity exported to Great Britain by private traders in 1821, was but
71,800 pieces ; and on an average of 7 years, 208,382 pieces. The quantity
of piece-goods exported to all ports, exclusive of Great Britain, in the three
years ending 1821, was as follows :—

£. I. Co. Private Traders. Total.

Ficeei. PUeet. Piece$.

X o 1 " %»»»»%^%»%%^% xxyTbiSO *>»»%v»»%%%%<» «5,«7UU,«lliX »%»»%'»»»» ^ *%»% «j,«fXM,oS&4l
AOiSX»%»%v»%%v»%% 04f, f DU »»%%%%»»%%»» #5,vmKI,010 »%»»»»%»%»%»%»% )S,ClvlX,46i O

The improvement in the cotton manufactures of Britain has not merely
diminished the import of Indian piece-goods, but has opened a market for
them in India itself. The lightness as well as cheapness of the British
calicoes and muslins has rendered them the chief article of dress amongst
all classes of people in England, and annihilated the manufacture of many
of the lighter kinds of woollens and worsted stuffs, formerly so much in use.
The demand for, and the use of, these articles are proportionate to their
cheapness and elegance. India, however, maintains her superiority in the
finer kinds of mudin, some of which are of most exquisite beauty and fine-
ness. The common kinds are also preferred, on the score of enduring great
hardships, and retaining their whiteness better; and in respect to the
coloured, or prohibited goods, for the foreign markets, they will always
retain their superiority. In the article of Guinea stufis manufactured at
Surat, and in request on the Coast of Afiica, many attempts have been
made to imitate them, more particularly by the French, but in vain. The
Moors discover merely by the touch whether they have been manufactured
in Europe or India ; nor is it even to their feel and colour which they
chiefly trust— they ascertain by their smell, as the indigo with which they
are died, gives them a peculiar smell which cannot be imitated.

Rice {Oryza Saiiva) is the principal article of food amongst the Eastern
nations, and of an extensive trade firom Bengal to other parts of India, and
China. The kinds of rice are numerous, and the native names of the plant
various. It is called paddy in its native state ; each grain is fastened to a short
stalk, joining to a main stem, and furnishing a bunch of grain, somewhat re-
sembling an ear of oats, and sometimes containing from 150 to 900 grains of
rice. There are two methods of clearing it from the husk ; one by scalding,
which occasions the rice to swell and burst its sheD ; the other by pounding
in a mortar, and afterwards winnowing it The export trade is principally
m what 18 denominated cargo rice, of a coarse reddish cast, but peculiarly

SOe ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [CaleuUa.

sweet and large grained; it does not reodflj separate from the husk, but is
preferred by the natives to all others* Some kinds of riee^ more particulsriy
the Patna, are of a yerj superior sort, small grained; the latter is rather long
and wiiy, but remarkablj white, and is the kind most esteemed byEuropesns.

Mb. Dalbymplk states, that a small bag of paddy, given as a present
from Mr. Dubois, Treasurer of the East India Company, to a Carolins
trader, was the origin of rice-cultivation in America. The ton of rice is
20Cwt.

RosBS, Oil of.-— This valuable perfume is prepared in India, Persia,
and Turkey- The quantity to be obtained from roses being very precarious
and uncertain, various ways have been thought of to augment the quantity
at the expence of the quality. It is often adulterated with the oil of sandal-
wood ; this imposition, however, cannot be concealed ; the essential (h1 of
sandal will not congeal in ocmunon cold, and its smell cannot be kept under,
but will predominate in spite of every art They liave likewise the art of
mixing this oil with spermaceti, more particularly that imported fram
Turkey. The best mode of dbcovering this fiwid, is by spirite of wine:
this will dissolve the oil, and leave the spermaceti in lumps, which, if heated,
vdH form one soUd mass. In the genuine oil, when congealed, the crystals
will be found short and uniform, not more in one part than another ; for if
they are of different lengths, the oil nuiy be considered as adulterated. It
is said that the colour of the attar is no criterion of its goodness, it being
sometimes of a fine emerald green, of a bright yellow, and of a reddish
hue^ firom the same ground, and from the same process, only from roses
obtained on different days. The real oil, or attar, congeals with a slight
eold; it floats in water, and dissolves in highly rectified spirite of wine. It
is seldom imported from India for sale, but considerable quantities sre
brought from Turkey.

Run.— Large quantities of this spirit are manufieictured at Bengal, some
of which, when it has attained a proper age, is not inferior to the Jamaica
rum, and it has this advantege— it is made of better materials. When new,
it coste from ten annas to one rupee per gallon ; as it increases in age, the
price advances in proportion. That rum which is of a brownish tranqiarent
colour, of a smooth, oOy, grateful taste, of a strong body, and a good con-
sistence, is best; that which is of a dear Umpid colour, and hot pungent
taste, is new, and should be rejected.

Safflowxb (Cttssoffi, Hind., Jsfourj Arab.) is the flower of an annnsl
plant, the Carthamtsa Hnctorku^ (Cuehmandaf San.) growing in Bengal, snd
other parte of India, which, when well-cured, is not easQ j distingiiiahed firom
safiion by the eye, thoiigh it has nothing of ite smell or taste. Safflowcr

CakuHa.Tl ORIENTAL COMMERCE. S99

should be chosen in flakes of a bright pink colour, and of a smell somewhat
resemUiog tobacco ; it gives a deep saffirontinctare to rectified spirits of wine,
and to water a paler yellow. That which ia in powder, dark coloured, or
oilj, should be rejected. For freight, 14 Cwt. are allowed to a ton.

Saltpbtbb, {ShorOf Hind., Yavcu: Shora^ San.) or Nitre, is a salt
prepared in various parts of India, but more particularly in the pro-
vince of Bahar, likewise in Persia, China, and in the southern parts of
Europe. We have had no account of the manner in which it is prepared
la the East Indies, no person on the spot having taken particular notice of
the manufacture. The general account is, that it is obtained from the soil
of certain districts, which, are called saltpetre grounds, where the soil is
very cold, barren, and unhealthy. The salt is there ready formed by nature.
It is only necessary to gather large quantities of the earth, and to put it
ioto a cavity, throuj^ which a great quantity of water is poured, which
dissolves and brings away the salt which it contains. The brine is evapo-
rated by boiling, and when cold, affords nitre by crystalliaation. The salt
thus obtained, is again dissolved, boiled, and scummed ; and when it is
cooled, after sufficient evaporation, the brine yields the saltpetre of comp-
merce. For freight, 20 Cwt are allowed to the ton.

SiiiK, RAW, is a very soft, fine, bright thread, the work of an insect
called bombymy common in some parts of the East Indies, Persia, China,
and in the southon parts of £urope.

The silkworm is a species of cateipillar, of which there are several
varieties, and, like all others of the same daas, undo'goes a variety of
changes. It is produced fi*om a ydlowish coloured egg, about the siae of
a small pin-head, which has been laid by a kind of greyish coloured moth.
These eggs are hatched by potting them into the sun for a few days. Yihta
the animal is first protruded from the egg, it is a small active black worm ;
when it has attained its full growth, it is firom 1| to 1} inch long, and about
half an inch in circumference, of a milky or pearl colour. The body is
divided into seven rings, to each of which are joined two very short feet ; it
then begins fonning the cococm by winding the silk, which it dravfs from
its bowels round itself into an oblong roundish balL During this operation
it gradually loses the appearance of a worm ; its length \a much contracted,
sad its thicknena augmented. By the time the wd» is finisbed, it is found
to be transformed into an oblong round ball, covered with a smooth shelly
skin, and a^peMrs to be dead. In this state it remains for several daya^
entirely motionless in the heart of the cocoon ; after which*it bursts, like an
egg hatching, and from that comes forth a heavy dull looking moth with
wings, but these wiags it never uses for flying ; it only crawls slowly about

900 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [CaktUta.

in the place where it had been hatched. This creature forces its way
through the silk covering which the worm had woven, and goes immediately
in quest of its mate ; after which the female lajs the eggs, which on an
average may amount to about SOO, and both male and female die in a vezy
short time.

In Bengal the largest and best cocoons are preserved for the grain, and
kept in bags suspended to the roof of the hut of the peasant When the
insect is ready to burst its prison, a few balls are placed in a large basket,
on one shdf of a frame provided for the nurture of the worm. The frame
in common use consists of 16 shelves, placed in a shed upon vessels filled
with water, bj waj of jprecaution against ants. After the moths quit their
covering, attendance is required to move the males as soon as their functions
have been performed, and the females when they have produced their eggi
The basket is carefully covered with a doth, and in a fortnight the worm
quits the egg. They are first fed with mulberry leaves, chopped very fine;
as they advance in their growth, they are dispersed into more baskets on the
several shelves of the frame, and are supplied with leaves cut into larger
pieces, and latterly with whole leaves until the period when the insect quits
its food. As soon as it recommences eating, branches of mulberry-trees are
thrown on with the leaves upon them, and the insects eat with eagerness,
and soon fill the baskets on the whole number of shelves : they arrive at
their fiill size in a little more than a month from their birth, and changing
their skins for the last time, are disposed to begin their cones. They are
now removed to baskets, divided into spiral compartments, where they spin
their webs, and cover themselves with silk. When the cocoon is completed,
a few are set apart for propagation, and the rest are exposed to the heat of
the sun, for the purpose of killing the chrysalis.

The peasants sell the cocoons to the filatures, or winding houses, roost
of whom are in the employ of the Company. From the rejected balls they
wind the silk by the following process :— The cocoons must be allowed to
cool after exposure to the sun. The excretions of the worms are collected
from the feeding baskets, and thrown into a hole dug for that purpose. The
balls of silk are put into the hole, which is carefully covered up. In tvfo
days they are taken out, and boiled in an earthen vessel, and the silk is
wound off by a hand-reel, or by the common one, both of which are simple,
and do not differ materially from the machine used for that purpose in
Europe. From the fur picked off the cocoons, and from those which are
perforated, coarse silk is spun, which is used for making carpets and other
purposes.

The following is the mode of propagating the mulberry-tree in Bengal.

CaleuUa.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. SOI

The waste land is opened with the spade in the month of April ; good soil
is brought^ and enough is thrown on to raise it one cubit The ground is
well broken with the plough, and levelled with an implement which in form
resembles a ladder, but which supplies the place of a harrow. The mul-
beny is planted in October; the slips are cut a span long, thrown into a
hok, covered firom the sun, and are continually watered until at the end of
a fortnight they begin to vegetate. They are then transplanted into the
field, in holes distant a span from each other, and nearly one span deep ;
four or five cuttings are placed obliquely in each hole, which is then filled
up, so as to cover the slips with a finger of earth closely pressed down. As
soon as the plants appear, in December or January, the field is weeded. In
April, when they are grown to the height of a cubit, they are topped, so as
to leave a stem one band high ; otherwise it b thought that the leaves would
be bitter and hard, and that the'wonns would refuse them. A hand*hoeing
is now given, and a fortnight afterwards the leaves are ready for use. The
pUnt is then cut down a little above the root, and the silkworms are fed
with the leaves ; the field is weeded, if necessary, and another crop is ob-
tained in June, and a third in July ; but the leaves of this last crop only are
gathered without cutting the stem, because that operation at so late a season
would, it is apprehended, injure the plant. The field is again weeded^ and
a fourth crop is ready in September ; after gathering it, the ground is
pbaghed several times, and levelled with the implement above mentioned.
In November a hand-hoeing assists vegetation, and accelerates the best crop,
which is cut in December; this is followed by a hand-hodng and weeding,
and is succeeded by another crop in March. The same course recommences,
and the field, if sufficiently attended and cultivated, wiU continue to be
productive during many years.

Bengal raw silk is divided into two classes ; that reeled according to
the old method, commonly called country wound, and that reded according
to the new or Italian method. The places where the former is manufactured
are CcMueroolly, Jungypore, Rungpore, and Bauleah ; and those where the
latter is prepared, are Comercolly, Malda, Radnagore, Jungypore, Rung-
poKe, Bauleah, Cossimbuzar, and Gonatea : these are also distinguished by
the manufacturers^ names, as Beecher, Frushard, CoUinson, &c

The leading point which determines the value of Bengal raw silk, is
deannesa, or, being free from knibs or knots known amongst the manufac-
turers by the appellation of ** foul T evenness of thread is also most essential,
but rilk free from foul, will very rarely be uneven, and if foul, cannot be
even ; indeed, the terms foul and uneven in this case may be considered
synonymous.

309 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Cakutia.

To judge if silk be dean, the best mode is to open the Am, and stand
with jour back to a window, lo that you look down the extended lilk in
the same direction that the light falls ; by this means you will eeflly peroeiYe
any foulness that exists, and a very little, practice will enable any person bjr
a mere eaup d^cM to judge accurately upon this most essential quali^ of
Bengal raw silk. The skein being well shaken, ahould not exhibit any dtut
(NT loose ends.

The different degrees of fineness and coarseness are denoted by tin
letters A. B. C— ^ilk of 4^ cocoons is called A. No. 1 ; of 0-8 oocooiu A.
No. 8; of 8-10 cocoons B. No. 1 ; of 10.18 cocoons B. No. 8; of lS-14
and ie-18 cocoons B* No. 8; of 18*80 cocoons C. No. 1 ; of 90l8S cocoooi
C. No. 8 ; and of 88^ cocoons, be C. No. S.<— All filature silk, or that
wliidi is reeled in fhctories, is included within the above-named letters and
numbers ; but silk whidi the natives reel by hand, is much coarser, and is
marked by the letters A. B. C. D. R—- It must be understood that the A. 1
ailk of one district in India will importantly diffsr in fineness from the A. 1
sflk of another district, <£ependent upon circumstances of climate, caltiire,
be. &c. : thus Bauleah filature silk is inferior in fineness to Radnagore or
Cossimbunar filature silk of corresponding letters, and ComerooUy filature
aflk exceeds these, and so on.

Eadi skein of raw silk should be gummed in one part, but not so muck
as to occasion it to adhere too strongly; a sufficient gumming causes tk
d:ein to preserve its regularity of thread ; too mudk will cause the thresd
to break in the winding, during the operaticHi of throwing, or preparing for
the hands of the consumers. The skeins should also be banded, or bound
round in various parts with threads.

The value of the Bengal raw silk is by no means to be estimated hj
the lustre or brilliancy of colour. Many have been decdived upon thii point ;
it therefore becomes the m<»*e necessary to guard against simikr errors.
That these qualities are not essential, appears when we consider that the
silk win be dyed before it is manufiu;tured, when both will be necesssrOj
ehanged. Silk of indififkent colour is often dear and even, vi^ch tk
manufacturers most regard in their purchases, while silk of supericH: lustre
is sometimes defident in these desirable points ; still colour and lustre are
not to be overlooked ; when combined with cleanness and evenness, they
give an additional value to Bengal raw silk. Foul silk in the winding is
continually liable to break at the knibs or knots, whidi renders the woii(-
manship both unpleasant and expensive.

The demand in England for the several letters continually varies, Bod
it seldom occurs that their value is regulated in ratio with their ropectire

CitkmUa.] ORIENTAI. COMMERCE. a03

fioeneii: ooane silk often obtaming s higher price than the finer siseei, the
demand being regulated bj a limited supplj of a particular letter, or by an
extra comumption in some particular species of manufactured goods, or by
some other accidental cause.

The distance of India is too great to allow speculation upon contingen*-
cies at home, and consequently prevents qpedal directicms being given as to
tbe regnlation of siaes in an investment ; but as a general mle^ the letters
B and C should predominate over the letters A, and the pitqportion of
akdn silk diould be very trilling; if a demand fi>r exportation exists in
England, it constantly runs on the lower priced nlks ; and sudi has been for
Uke last few yean tbe restriction of foragn houses in this respect, that the
exjxHt trade has dwindled to nothing.

When, owing to the above4Bentioiied causes of limited stqpply, w extra
consumption, a particular letter has*secured an exorbitant price, upon the
accounts readung India, all the silk that can be procured of the same sine,
is immediatdiy hurried home, in the hopes of realising the same extravagant
[vofit : this expectation has been inyariabiy disappointed, a glut being occa-
netted, while the cause of the consumption has long sbce ceased, and the
neglected letter of the former season now meets a ready sale with the same
advantage of price.

In dosing these remarks upon Bengal raw silk, we must note thnt the
greatest care is requisite in packing it for the voyage ; if loosely packed, the
outside skeins will rub against eadi other^ and the silk will be cut as if by
a knife. Slk in this state is of no value whatever. To prevent the possi-
bility of friction, the bales must be packed exceedingly tight and compact

The various sices nrnst on no account be mixed in the same package;
lilk so confused will never obtain a due price. Private investments are
generally fiuilty in this respect; and the Company^s bales, though gen^Blly
tolerably correct, are not altogether unexceptionable in this particular.

There are two other kinds of worms whidi produce silk in Bengal,
m. the Tusseh and Arrindy worms : the former are found in such abun-
dance over many parts of Bengal, and the adjdning provinces, as to have
afforded to the natives, from time inmiemorial, a considerable supply of a
most durable, coarse, dark-coloured alk, commonly called Tusseh silk,
which is woven into a kind of doth, called Tusseh dooties, mu<^ worn by
Braminsy and other sects of Hindoos. This substance would, no doubt, be
highly useful to the inhabitants of many parts of America, and the south of
Europe* where a cheap^ lii^t, cool, duraUe dress, such as this silk makes, is
mudi wanted. This species cannot be domesticated.

The Arrindy silkworm is peculiar to the interior parts of Bengal, in

SM ORIENTAL COMMBRCE. [CakuHa.

the difliricts of Dinagepore and Rnngpore, where the natives rear and breed
it in a domestic state, as they do the silkworm. The food of this kind
consists entirely of the leaves cf the common Ricinus, or Palma ChrisH
plant, which the natives of these districts call Arrindy, and is abundantly
reared over every part of India, on account of the oil obtained from the
seed. Feeding these caterpillars with these leaves will therefore make it
doubly valuable, where they know how to spin and manufacture the silk.
Their cocoons are remarkably soft, and white or yellowish ; and the filament
80 exceedingly delicate, as to render it impracticable to wind off the silk : it
is therefore spun like cotton. The yam thus manufiutered, is wove into a
coarse kind of white doth, of a seemingly loose texture, but of incredible
durabOity. Its uses are for clothing for both men and women ; and it will
wear constantly ten, fifteen, or twenty years. The merchants also use it
for packing fine cloths, silks, or shawls. It must, however, be always
washed in cold water; if put into boiling water, it makes it tear like oU
rotten cloth. For frdght, 10 Cwt. of silk are allowed to a ton.

SKms.-— The skins of tigers and leopards are occasionally brought fivm
India, not in any quantities as articles of trade, but as curiosities, and are
used as hammer-cloths for carriages, &c.

TioBR Skins should be chosen large, of a bri^t yellow colour,
beautifully marked with numerous broad black stripes; the more in-
tense the yellow, and well defined the black stripes are, the more these
skins are esteemed. Particular care should be taken that they are well
dried, or they will soon decay. They are sometimes met with near four
feet long, including the tail.

Lbopard Skins.*— These skins are much esteemed in Europe. They
are smaller than the former, seldom exceeding four feet in length, including
the taiL They should be chosen large, of a lively yellow colour, marked
on the back and sides with small spots disposed in circles, well defined, and
closely together, the belly covered with longish white hairs, and the spots
OB the tail large and oblong.

Spiubnarj), or Nardus Indica, a species of Andropcgon, (Gendbdy
Hind., ffhtuirinay San.), as brought to Europe, is a congeries of smalli
tou^, reddish brown fibres, forming a bunch about the sise of a finger ;
it is moderately warm and pungent, accompanied with a flavour not dis-
agreeable. It is described as growing in wild and uncultivated countries,
and is the conunon grass which covers the surface of it, growing in large
tufts dose to each other, very rank, and in general firom ^ree to four feet
long. The whole plant has a strong aromatic odour ; but both the smdl
and the virtues reside principally in the husky roots, or lower parts of the

Cakuita.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 905

ataib, which in chewing have a bitter, warm, pungent taste, accompanied
widi some degree cf that kind of glow in the mouth which cardamums occa-
lioiL Chuse such as ere dry, of a yellowish red, or cinnamon colour, fresh,
with long fibres, and a sweet scent. Those which are moist, and without
fibres, should be rejected. It is seldom imported into England. Ten Cwt.
of spikenard are allowed to a ton.

Sir Wm. Jones has demonstrated that the ancient spikenard was the
plant called by Dr. Roxburgh ValeriatM Jatamanri, (Jatamansi^ Hind,
sod San., Sumbitl-tU'IIind^ Arab.), which is materially different in cha-
racter from the foregoing.

Storax.— Solid storax is the odoriferous resin of a tree (Siyrax) of a

middling sise, bearing a filbert-like fruit, growing in various parts of India.

Two sorts of this resin are distinguished : storax in the tear, and common

storax in larger masses. The former is very rardy in separate tears ; but

generally in masses, composed of whitish and pale reddish brown tears, or

having an uniform reddish yellow, or brownish appearance, beiiig unctuous

and sofl like wax, and firee firom visible impurities. This is preferred to

the conunon storax in large masses, which are lighter, and less compact

than the preceding, and having a large admixture of woody matter, like

saw-dust Although the impurities of this kind of storax render it less

valuable than the other, it is not less useful, nor its medical qualities, when

purified, less potent : this is done by softening it with boiling water, and

pressing out the impurities between warm iron plates ; a process which is

unnecessary with the former kind. Storax should be chosen of a reddish

brown colour, rather soflish, and unctuous to the touch, yet brittle and

friaUe, and of a pleasant sweet smell.

This article is in little demand, and seldom imported from India.
Sugar.— A solid, sweet substance, obtained from the sugar-cane, or
Saocharum officinale^ {Casa and Icshu^ San.) which is common in the East
and West Indies, China and other places; or, according to chemists, an
essential salt, ci^ble of crystallization. It is of a sweet and agreeable
ffevouTt &>i^ is contained in a greater or less degree in almost every species
of vegetable, but most abundant in the sugar-cane. The expressed juice of
the cane is clarified, and boiled down to a thick consistence ; it is then
removed from the fire, and the saccharine part concretes into brown
coloured masses, and is the sugar in its raw state, as we see it

The sugar-cane is a smooth jointed reed, of a shining greenish colour,
whidi^ as the plant approaches to maturity, changes by degrees to a yellow^-
ish one. The sixes of the canes vary much, according to the soil, season,!
and circumstances ; the usual height is from four to seven feet, the thickness.

SOS OBiBNTAL CQMVBROE. [C^lmUa.

€f « midd l i p g ticed otuae, about a& inch, tfaelargsii; three #r ftur iachei, and
Uie small one^ not mare than half an loch. The dutaice of the kaots is
no less Tarious than the height ; in some not abov^e two inchet, in otlien
nine or ten ; those <»nes which have the knots fiuthest apart, are eileeiBed
the best.

The saccharine juice is contained in a sponger pith whieh the uifide of
the cai^e is fiUed witb« The pith of the smooth part of the cane is soft, and
of a whitish colour ; that of the joints harder, more compact, and dsrker
ooloursd. The first ii bjr much the more juicy ; but the joite of the latter
is sweetest, and seems to be most perfectly elaborated.

The maturity, or degree of perfeetion, of the cane is not to be judged
of from its age or siM atone, but chieflj from the quality of the juice. If
jftis has a rich^ gihitinous, sw^t taste, and if at the same time the case be
weighty, and of a good yellow colour ; if the skin is smooth, dry, and
easily breaks, the pith of a grey colour, or inclining a little to brown, tke
plant,, in these circumstances, may be said to be in its utmost perfectioD,
and will yield a very fine sugar, in large quantities, and with very little
trouble.

The additional duty imposed on East India sugars, to protect the
West India trade, has drawn much attention to this article of essten
commerce.

A vohiminous and comprehensive Report upon East India Sugar wsi
published by the Court of Directors in March, 1823, containing a mass of
ipfonnation respecting tliis trade. From official tables inserted in thst
publication, the following comparative statement of the different sorts of
sugar imported into Great Britain, and of what was entered for home
consumption, for & years, ending 18S1, is deduced.

Imported. Entered Jor Some Oonsitmptifm»

Brit Plant. For. Pkat. East India. West India. East Mia.

•j^

Yean. Cwts. Cwts. Cwts. Cwts. Cwts.

1817 *. 3,440,565 ^ 192,780 ^ 127,203 ^ 3,220,696 *. 33,131

1818 ^ 3,663,741 *. 105,916 ^ 126,893 ^ 4,161,239 ^ 27,059

1819 ^ 3,666,620 ^ 138,032 ^ 162,395 ^ 2,672,226 ^ 24^776

1820 ^ 3,786,434 ^ 86,048 ^ 206,627 •. 3,283,069 ^ 99,440

1821 ^ 3,623,319 ^ 162,994 ^ 277,228 ^ 3,661,731 .. 83,232

That the Conqpany^s share of this traffic, which is chiefly in the ksnds
of private traders, is not profitable, is apparent from the statement of their
sugar importations, which averaged in the 5 years above mentioned, a Avi
of jei2,l07 upon a quantity of 20,132 Cwt

TAe ffuutkf «f tugal: eitp4hed by ant fina €ileiitta by priyate
(nders, doiing Ih^ ahroire y«Bi«> was as follows :— ^

► ENGLAND. TO

OTHBR PARTS.

1817

<^«^%«Cwts.

129,858
129,195

199,288

254,930

1818

^<W%«^«'%«^

1819

«/«%^'«>^«<«^« v^

157,957

258,T46

1820

134,613

«%%«%'VW«>«

146,234

1821

«^'%^%^«>%vV»«

112,830

%%'»^»^^%%^

132,137

t^AtiJCAvttr.^^A Tery superior soift is matitifa^tired at Btng^y lA
nttdl masses of fl^tn S to 6 lbs. each. Large quantities of this ai*ticie afe
(eonsumed tii India ; but Che prindpal part of the supply is imported from
Ghisa in tiftis^ made tf( thin deal, eadi oontainittg half a pecul, or SCj Ib^.
aroittiupois. The best kind of siigar'<iatidy h maatifiietured at tiodhifi
€htea I it ts in fine, dear, aiMl trahspAi^t crystols.

20 Cwt. of sugar-candy are allowed to & toi).

Talc, a species of fossil, of a soft smooth surface, of a whitish or silken-
like lustre, which may be split into numerous fine plates, or leaves, which
singly prove somewhat flexible and elastic, and perfectly pellucid. It is
found in many parts of India and China, and Used instead of glass. Itt
Bengal a seer of talc will sometimes yield a dozen panes, 12 inches by 9, or
.10 by 10, according to the form of the lump> and so far clear as to allow
ordinary objects to be seen at 20 or 30 yards^ distance, tt should be chosen
of a pure pearl colour; but it has in general either a yellowish or faint blue
cast ; and when split into leaves, it should present a smooth surface, though
frequently it has small scaly blisters, which depreciate its value. It is sel-
dom imported into Europe.

Tamarinds are the fruit of the Tamarindus Indica^ (Jmli, Hind.
Amlicaj San.), a tree common in the East and West Indies* The fruit is a
pod, somewhat resembling a bean cod, including several hard seeds, together
with a dark coloured viscid pulp ; this pulp is connected with the seeds by
Domeroua tough strings or fibres, and these are freed from the out^r shell.
The oriental sort is drier, darker coloured, and has more pulp than the
other ; the former is sometimes preserved without addition, but the latter
has always an admixture of sugar. Red, brown, and black are brought
from die East hdits ; of these fhe blaek is preftited. CbiMe soeh as are
new, Uaok^ pulpif » ^ ^ sharpish grateiiil taste, and vbious soMdI. Reject
s«cb aa are mnstyy and hate the seeds soft and swoln. 90 Cwt are
allowed to a too.

U 2

908 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [CukuUa,

Terra Japonic a, or Cdtch, {Cai'^h^ San.) is an extract from the wood
of the Mimosa Catechu {Guvaca^ San.), whidli grows wild in Malabar. liii
felled at any season, the white wood removed, and the heart cut into small
pieces, which are boiled in an earthen pot, for 3 hours ; when the decoction
has become ropj, it is decanted. The same quantity of water is again added,
{visf. half the measure of the wood), and it is boiled until it is ropy, when it is
decanted, and a third water given. The three decoctions are then mixed, and
the next morning boiled until the extract becomes thick like tar; it remains
in the pots for two days, and becomes so hard as not to run. The inspissated
juice is then formed into balls or cakes, dried 7 days in the sun, and two
months in the shade. It is imported firom Bengal and Bombay : the latter
is of an uniform texture, and of a red brown tint ; the Bengal kind is more
friable, and less consistent* It is generally in square cakes ; its colour
resembles chocolate externally,, but when broken, it appears in streaks of
chocolate and brown. It is frequently mixed with sand and other impuri-
ties ; has little or no smell, but a sweet astringent taste, melts in the mouth,
and is gritty. It should be chosen of a clear uniform chocolate colour, the
brightest and least burnt that can be, and as free from impurities as possible;
if it be perfectly pure, it will totally dissolve in water ; if otherwise, the
impurities will remain behind. It is sometimes met with of a pale reddish
brown, of a dark blackish brown, or black like bitumen. Some kinds are
ponderous, others light ; some compact, others porous ; some more, otben
less astringent ; and these differences happen according to the manner of
obtaining them ; but the heaviest and most compact are reckoned the
best It is an article of considerable trade from India to China. 17 Cwt
are allowed to a ton.

SECTION XXII.

BENGAL TO THE MALAY PENINSULA.

The head of the Bay of Bengal, ttom the Hu^ly River to the
principal branch of the Ganges, which is low, level, and woody, is called the
Sunderbunds, and is intersected in various directions by creeks and rivers.
The country on each side being covered with wood, affords a harbour for

Bengal to ihe Mala^.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE.

309

robbers, who invariably infest this navigation. From the danger which oon-
sequentlj attends passing through these rivers and channels, which conned
tbe Calcutta River with the Burrampooter, the general commerce of the
eountiy is frequently much impeded, notwithstanding the exertions of
Government.

CHITTAOON6.^The entrance of Chittagong River is in ktitude
28^ 13' N. Islamabad, the principal town, is about S| leagues up the river,
in latitude. SSP. 2V N., and longitude 9V W K The town extends along the
shore a considerable distance. The first part is called the Fringey Baxar,
bebg inhabited by a number of Portuguese and other foreigners ; here are
dockyards, where vessels of considerable burthen are built in an excellent man*
ner. Canvaa of very superior quality is manufactured here ; and considerable
quantities of hemp are raised. Chittagong being under the Bengal Govern*
meat, the conunerce carried on is trifling, except in small coasting vesseb.

RoLss RXSPScTiNO Imports ako ExpoaTS.~-In the valuation of
imports, the Collectors at Chittagong and Balasore are guided by the same
roles as are enacted for Calcutta, in as far as these may be applicable. In
the valuation of exports, the market price of the goods at the ports firom
which they are exported, is taken as the standard.

The regulations with respect to the drawbacks whidi are laid down for
Cakutta, are also qiplicable to Chittagong and Balasore.

Goods imported by sea into any of the foreign settlements on the
Haghly, are liable, on exportation to the interior, to pay to the Collector
at Hughly the same duties as are charged on goods imported into Calcutta
on a foreign bottom. In like manner, goods brought to the foreign settle*
ments from the interior, are liable to the same duties as are charged on the
esqKNTtation of such goods fiiom Calcutta on a foreign bottom.

PiiiOTAos RATEs.^-By a Regulation of 188S, a Harbour Master is
appointed at Chittagong, to provide assistance to shipping driven into the
port, and the following rates are established :-^

DftAUGHT OF WATER. PILOTAGE.

Vessds under 10 feet..^. R. S3

10 to 11

11 to 12

12 to 13

13 to 14

14 to 15

15 to 16

16 to 17 ,..^**100

*<%»%*<*♦'

40
46
53
60
70

^»<»%i%i»%^%«%%%%%

%%%<»»%%%%%%»o»

%i%%%%%%^%%%^^^

»%%^%i%%i%%«»%^^i^

%«»%'»»^«%»»»»%^

DRAUGHT OF WATER.

FILOTAGE.

Vessels 17 to 18 feet^^S. R. 120

18 to 19

19 to 20

20 to 21

21 to 22

22 to 23

23 to 24 «%%%««•»%

%%«%%i%%^^i»%«»i»»»

%»»»»%»^i»%% % <»»

%^»»%' % <»»%%«<»i»»

^«%%%%<%%%0%V%l<»%

»»»»%'%%%%^%>%%l%

>%%

133
150
166
183

aoo

S20

m9 ORIENTAL COMMERCE [JMg^ te the Maiay.

Boot DiTTT.^*-«BTcr7 vessel not f«qu]iiiig a pQot^ ptjrt a buoy Mj.af
9 annat per ton, for the fint 900 toii% and 8 ohms per ton above tket
buf then. Donies and 8quare.4Jgged vcflMla kaTiag the rirer for intanal
liade, pay B aanas per 100 nunmda bHcthen. A donejr exceeding fiOO
maunds, pays 3 rupees only.

If ooRiNO RATss.~yesseb of 100 looa and lipwltfds^ pa^ S5 nqiees for
mooiiog, and 25 for uamoormg. Donies and ooaating veseeb ore exempted
PoBT BsouLaTiONs^ 1822.— ^Commandtrs of Tceselt entering flie river,
to fornisfa the Haribour Master with the names of the Tesseia, their natioBB,
ports, and other necessary particidaffs. Vessds to be moored off the Custom
House only, exoept special permisnon is granted by the Collector. Tlw
Harbour Master's certificate to be obtained before a port dearaaoe is gi^cn,
withoat which no vesid can saiL Attempts to evade duties and chai^
punidiable with double port charges, or confiscation of caq;o, aa the csie
maybe.

AKAC AN.— The kingdom of Araean was conquered about 40 yesn
agb by the Burmese) and is governed by a Burmese Viceroy) generally rs-
siding at Bangoon. The natives are called Mugs.

The Coast of Araean stretches S. S. E. from the NaiT, a broad aad
deep river, which is the boundary that divides the state fipom the territories
of the East India Company, as far as the Island of ChedulNL The prind-
pal place of trade is Araean, utuated a considerable distance up a large and
■aVigdble river, which is scarcely paralleled in the East, of which Mosque
Point, in latitude about 90^ l&' N., fbrms the N. side of the entractc^. The
river near the fi)rt is narrow ; large boats can come up to it ; the benks are
cultivated.

The disputed tide to the Idaad of Sh^uree in the NafTBiver, which
the Burmese daim aa a dependency of Araean, is the ground of the existiog
war between the British Government and that of Ava, The former having
sent a guard of British troops to the Island, as a police station, tbey were
attacked, and driven off by the Burmese; and subsequently the Com-
mander of a Company^s schooner was enticed on shore, seized, and sent
prisoner to Araean.

Traos. — ^Araean produces large quantities of rice, of which 15 seen
may generally be procured for two puns of cowries, equal to 12 maunds for
a duss massa rupee. A few elephants^ teeth, some wax, wood oil, and
several kinds of coarse piece-goods art the principal exports of the countrj.
PaovistoNs AND Refreshments. — Plenty of elephants, buffaloes, hofs»
goats, and deer are to be met with, likewise geese, ducks, and fowls ; and
of vegetables, nearly the same kinds as are produced in Bengal. The

Bengal to the Malay.) ORIENTAL COMM£ltCl!!. il i

countrj about Aracan rirer dl>oimd» wHh ini^, which may be procured at a
moderate price ; but Ae natives are not to be trusted, being unfHendly tO'
Europeans.

Coins.— There was a mint at Aracan, where silver rupees were coined.
An Aracan rupee is equal to 12 annas duss massa, or hi Aracan to three
kahawons, each kahawon 16 puns of cowries.

CHEDUBA.— This island extends neariiy N. W. and S. E. about 7

leagues, and is situated between the latitudes of 18" 9S and IS*' SOV.\ it is

about twenty miles from the coast, and thefe is a safe passage between the

island and the main. The town is situated on the E. side of the island, in

bng. 99* Aff £», up a small river, into which it is difficult for boats to get at

Ming tide, on account of a number of mud banks which lie off its entrance

more than 1 \ mfle from the shore. The river is narrow and winding, but

deep enough, after passing, the flats, for large boats at all times dt the tide.

The landing-place is near a small wooden bridge, about two miles up on the

right hand side of the river, where there is a bazar, well supplied with

poohry, hogs', goats, vegetables, and fruits in abundance, at reasonable

prices, and of excellent quality. Shipping may fill water here in &eir own

boats at half ebb ; though it may be procured more expeditiously, but at a

greater expence, by application to the Chief, to employ the boats of the

country. Permission must be obtained from him previous to procuring any

supplies. The sale of cattle is restricted, not only by the Government, but

also by the tenets of their religion ; and so rigidly do the natives adhere to.

them, that it is impossible to procure a bullock at any pske, though the

idand aboonds with them. The anchorage for large ships is die mouth of

the river W. 18* S., and the town pagoda W. 19^ S. in 4} fathoms.

Large quantities of rice are grown upon tile island. The Island of
Ramree, to the S. B. of Cheduba, ako produces large quantities of rice.
Chednba was occupied by the British fbrees in 18S4.

The Coast of Ava extends in a S. direction from near Cheduba to Capo
Negnds, forming several bays destitute of shdter for ships, and having seve-
ral small islands and dangers in its vicinity.

NE6RAIS. — Cape Negrais, the south-westernmost land of the Coast
of Ava, is in lat Iff* 2" N. and long. 94^ IS' E. ; but the southernmost extre-
mity of that coast is generaUy called Pagoda Point, from a pagoda standing
opon it, and Is in lat. 15^ tIS N. This point forms the W. side of Ava
Biver, called also Persaim and Bassein River, and Point Porean the E.
side.

The Island of Negrais is in the entrance of the river, about four or five
mOes inside of Pagoda Point It is about six miles in circumference,

SIS ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Bepigal to the Makf

extending N. K and S. W., almort covered with thick jangle, and full of
deep inlets of salt water. At the N. £. extremitj is a hill with an old
pagoda upon it ; and on the S. W. end is a plain, or flat, which is the ovij
part sufficiently cleared, to allow of the erection of a few fisfaennen^s huts,
and the pasturage of some cattle. No run of fresh water could be found
when the British troops landed there in 1824.

The entrance into Negrais harbour is described as difficult, thediannd
being narrow ; it is quite secure from all winds. The riTer thence to Bas-
sein is clear and safe from the island to Bassein.

DIAMOND ISLAND, in latitude 15' 52 N., and longitude 94"" 19 £^
is about seven miles to the S. of Pagoda Point, and fronting the entrance
of Ava River; it is about 1^ mile in extent, low, and covered with trees^
but should not be approached by large vessels, on account of the ree& that
surround it.

Diamond Island is at some seasons much frequented bj turtle, and h»
been, occasionally visited by men of war stationed in India ; but a great
number of lives have been lost, it being extremely dangerous and unhealtbj
for people to remain on shore during the night

PEGU.^-The coast of Pegu extends from Ava, or Persaim River, to
the Gulpb of .Martaban, and is generally low and woody, intersected by
many rivers, with reefs and shoal water extending along it to a oonsideiable
distance. Rangoon River, called also Sirian and Pegu River, is the only
place on this coast frequented by European ships. The entrance to the
river is known by a grove of trees, about fifteen miles to the S. W., called
China Buckeer. This mark, ships that are bound into the river, fint
endeavour to make.

RANGOON.-^This town is about twenty miles up a considerable
branch of the principal river, having a bar, on which are only about two
fathoms at low water ; but the perpendicular rise and fall of the tide is frfr*
quently 21 feet Ships bound into the river should anchor at its entrance,
and make the signal for a pUot, or dispatch a boat into the river for one, iT
the weather be favourable.

Rangoon stretches along the banks of the river about a mUe, and-is
not more than the third of a mile in breadth. The city is a square, sur-
rounded by a high stockade ; and on the N. side it is further strengthened
by a fosse, across which a wooden bridge is thrown ; in this face there are
two gates, but in each of the others only one. On the S. side towards the
river, which is about 20 or 30 yards from the palisade, there are s number
of httts, and three wharfs with cranes for landing goods, whidi enaUe
ships to deliver and receive cargoes expeditiously, and without the use of

Bengulio the Malag.] ORIENTAL COMMEBCE. 813

aiiitll craft. The Custon^houBe is buQt of brick and mortar, and corered
with tiles, having within a number of pktforms for the reception of bal^
goods. Close to the principal wharf are two ccwmiodious wooden houses,
ssed 1^ the merchants as an Exchange, where thej usuallj meet in the cool
of the morning and erening, to conyeme, and transact business. The streets
of the town are narrow, but dean, and well pared; thwe are numerous
cbanneb to carry off the rain, over which strong planks are laid, to prevent
an interruption of intercourse. The houses are raised on posts from the
ground, the smaller supported by bamboos, the larger by strong timbers.
All the officers of Government, the most opulent merchants, and persons
of consideration, live within the fort ; shipwrights and people of inferior
nok, inhabit the suburbs. Rangoon was taken by the British in 1824.

This town, having long been the asylum of insolvent debtors fiT>m the
different settlements in India, is crowded with foreigners of desperate fbr*
tunes, who, for the most part, support themselves by carryhig on a petty
trade. Here are to be met fugitives from aU countries in the east The
Exchange exhibits a motley assemblage, such as few towns of mudi greater
magnitude can produce. Malabars, Moguls, Persees, Armenians, Portu-
guese, French, and English all mingle here, and are engaged in various
branches of commerce. The Persees, Armenians, and a few Mussulman
engross the greater part of the trade ; and individuals from their number
are frequently selected by Government, to fill employments of trust that
relate to trade, and transactions with foreigners.

Heavy complaints have been made of oppression at Rangoon. In 1619,
the commanders of two vessels were not only subjected to heavy fines, but
to confinement, upon pretended charges of maltreating their crews.

The river of Rangoon is very commodious for building and repairing
ships. The forests produce inexhaustible quantities of teak timber, and the
banks of the river are so soft and flat, that there is little heed of labour for
the formation of docks. Ships of considerable burthen, from 600 to 900
tons, have been built here, of excellent workmanship, and of the best ma-
terials.

T&ADB.— The commerce carried on here is not to a considerable extent
Piece-goods form the most material part c£ the imports from India, and are
generally of common kinds of British commodities. Broad cloth of two
colours, one side red, the other green or blue, is in great request, being
used for mantles in the cold season.

The chief exports are teak timber in balks, called duggies and aities,
keel (ueces, mast-fishes, planks, and sheathing boards. They have other
timber in great abundance, but it is seldom exported, particularly an infe-

SU OftlEMTAL COMMEBCfi. [Brntgul to the ifiifay.

rior kind of eedar, bMh red nd white, eaikd jafroU, and whidi ii used
litre drieflj' for eocaptas and crooked timber, n ship-bnildii^.

Tfce prices of timber at Bangooii in 1882 were as foHow:-4iait
pieces ttO to fiOOticabeaek; doggies 1» to 16 tieds eaek; sUnbins 1«
to 14 ticals per pair; pipe staiies W ia M tleab per 100; skeathing
boaide 70 ticalf per lOa

Pcgo also pioduoes rubies, dtamondi, eawralds, and o&er precioas
stones; iron, cappet, tin, lead, wood oU, eartk oil, wax, damnicr, ele>
phants^ teeth, cutch, nod silver. The iron is eaid to be of so excdlent a
qoalitjr, as to be little inferior to sleel ; but Europeans who build ships si
Bsingoon, generallj carry their iron work, ready forged, &om the Englidi
Presidendes, particularly ftom Cakuttai

Fqbt C]URGns.-«-The import and export charges ^n a ship, of what-
ever burthen she may hc^ Md presents to the principal men. Sec used to be
as follow ; but a mpre recent rqxnrt makes the ohargea aomewhat higher,

ft • «

and. they vary from time to time at the pleasure of the Shahbunder, or
Port Officer^ who^ in 1819^ was an En^^ish subject, named Gibson.

Measenger belonging to the Kng ^>^>%%%>%>^^-%>*%.^ 115 Ticab.
The head Government altogether «.««.»«%«.«^««v««««% 6A0 ditto.

Liidgena, petty writers, &c. ».%%^^» ^ ^>»%%%%»%%*%%%»»%% 75 ditto.

Chantry ■»»-.^^%.>%^»%<%<^^%.vv>%%»%<wi»^>%%.%%%^%»%»%%<^ ^ %^<% 10 ditto.

j-zOor** Keeper %^^^%»%^^^^%<%<»%»»»i%vi»%«»%%»^vi» %%i»>»%^%»v»%'%%%»»»% iv imxo.
^mcoorage uues %>«»%%i»«.»^»%»<^>%»m> »»%%n>%»'^<%wi»^»%^» » '»%v»%» on uiwio*
Sundry charges on cdearing out the ahq>, f isr.
Cups> plates, and soft si^ar %»»%.i.»%<»»w»%^»<»v»%»%%v» 30 ditto-
Fowls, hogs, &c. for breakfast ««%%^%%«%<^%«%%<^% 20 ditto.
Pilotage in and out of Rangoon %.>v%^%^vwv»v%.»v%%% 300 ditto.
A boat to take the pilot out ■»%%^.>^%»%^^^%.>%%%^v% 25 ditto.

Ibnning a total o£ 1345 ticals. A new ship built in the river, on proceeding
on her first voyage, is exempt from the port-charges, but she ia afterwards
subject to all charges, as other ships.

DuTiBs.— -The duty levied on all goods in^ported was 12 per cent,
except on timber, which waa I per eent ; goods exported paid 5 per ceiit
AH canvas, cordage, wrou^ iron, and other stores, imported for the equip*
ment of a ship building at Rango<m, were sutyeet to half duty. Presents to
the Princes, Minbters, &c. are necessary ; and the more libtiraUy they arc
given,, the more accommodation ia eitperienoed in the transacting of business.

Since the occupation of Rangoon by the Britiah forces, the fiillowiog
duties havE been imposed upon the under^mentioned artides, vin : 4 rupees
per gallon upon all kinds of spirits ; 2 rupees per dozen upon wine and beer ;

Bmgml to ik€ Mtfk^.] OHtENTAL OOinf ERCE. 81ft

and upon all other import and export artides 8 per eent, except upon tim-
ber, which bears a duty of 2 per cent odIj.

Bboulations. — ^Manifest of cargo must be delivered, including ammu-
nitioB, annt, fcc Bverjr article oniltad it liablelo s^uie. Sv^ time
a penon lands fiovi the sUp, be must sobmit to be sesMhed at the Custom-
houae» or Godowii.

PBOYinovs Aim R]urU8aaiXKTS.^^-HChDeB and buffaloea are pleatiAiI^
but are not permitted to be killed, on account of the religious prejudices of
tlie nalires; tliey ean tbettfore onlf be obtamed ehmdestinelj^ Poultry is
abundant, and as reasonable as at Calcutta. Hogs, geats, and deer are
numerous, and the latter forms the principal food of the Europeans and
natives. Bice, fruit, and vegetables are likewise plentiful. Water is ob-
tained from the river, or from wells in the town.

Coiv8»-<^The Burmans, like the Chinese, hare no coin. Siber in
bullion, and lead, are the current monies of the country ; weight aud pucHf
are of course the standard of value, and in the ascertaiument of both, the
natives are exceedingly scrupulous and expert

What fiardguers call a tical, or tackal^ properly kiat, la the most
general piece of silver in droulation ; it weighs 10 dwts. 10.75 grs., and is
thus divided :-«-

2 Tubbees equal to 1 Moo«

2 MooB • 1 Math.

4 Maths « ..^.ITicaL

lOOTicals • 1 Via,

The Burmans keep their accounts in decimals, after the manner of the
Chinese.

Money scales and weights are all fabricated at the capital, where they
are stamped, and afterwards circulated throughout the empire ; the use of
any others is prohibited.

The Bankers, called by foreigners Pymons, are likewise workers in
silver, and assayers of metal. This class of people is very numerous, and
indispensably necessary, as no stranger can undertake either to pay or
receive money without having it first examined. Every merchant has a
banker of this description, with whom he deposits all his cash, and who,
for receiving and paying, gets an established commission of 1 per cent. ; in
consideration of which, he is responsible for the quality of what goes
through his hands, and a breach of trust is very seldom heard o£

The quantity of alloy varies in the silver current in different parts of
the empire. At Rangoon it is adulterated 25 per cent In pure, or what
is called flowered silver, all royal dues are paid. The several modifications
are as follow :— :.

816

OBIBNTAL OOMMEltCE. IBtngal to the Makf.

IUmuu* •w*«;«*Mr pim Sil

Rounika or 5 per cent, alloy.

Rooiiizee or 10 ditto.

RonuMMe or 90 per oent ittoy.

Moowadzoo or 25 ditto.

Woombo or SO ditto.

Adj person majr have his silver either purified or depreciated to wbst-
ever standard he chuses. The nearest silvectmith wiU perform the work
free from charge ; as the bringer bj the operation must lose a trifle^ windi
the artist gains ; the small quantity of metal that adheres to the cmdUe,
being his profit

Weights and MaAsimnB.«-The weights are the moo^ tual, vis, sal
candy, and are thus divided :—

100 Moos equal to 1 TuaL

100 Toals... • 1 Vis.

150 Vis m 1 Gsady.

The vis is considered equal to 3 lbs. 5 oz. 5.33 drs., and tiie candy to
500 lbs. avoirdupob.

Rice is sold by a measure called tayndaung, or basket ; the weight n
16 vis, about 53^ lbs. : it is said to be 56 lbs.

The measures of length are the paulgaut, or inch, 16 of which compoie
the taim, of cubit.' The sauhdaung, or royal cubit, is equal to 28 inches,
but varies according to the will of the King.

' The dha, or bamboo, consists of 7 royal cubits ; 1000 dhas make 1
dain, orBurman league, 'equal to 2 English miles, and 2 furlongs; the
league is also subdivided into tenths.

ARTICLES PROCURABLE AT RANGOON, WITH DIRECTIONS.

Earth Oil, or Petroleum, {Mitti4elj Hind., Nefty Arab.), a muse
given to a liquid bituminous substance, which flows between stones or rocksy
and different places in the earth. This oil differs in lightness, smell, con-
sistence, and inflammability, in its several specimens. Authors have dis-
tinguished many varieties: the principal are naphtha, petroleum, and
mineral pitch.

Naphtha is the thinnest of the liquid bitumens, perfectly fluidj colour-
less, of a strong smell, not highly fragrant, extremely subtile, so light as
to swim on water, spreading to a large surface, and highly inflammshle.
By the slightest contact of a burning body it takes fire, and bums with s
copious blueish yellow flame, a penetrating odour, and much smoke.

Pbtrolbvm, properly so called, is in consistence next to naphtha, hot
grosser and thicker ; of a reddish or brown colour, but so light as to swim

Bmigal to the MalAy.] OftlENTAL COMMERCE. 317

in spirits of wine ; it is* inflmmiuible, of afaitter taste, and its smctt strong
and penetrating.

AsPHALTUM, or mineral pitch, is already described in page 71 .

In the neighbouriiood of Rangoon are many petroleum welk.

ExKajiLOs are to be met with at P^u. . Thej are of a shining, trans-
psrent, dark grass green colour, generaUy of a round or oral fium, seldom
81 Urge as a hasd-nut It is rare to find the eofeur pure, and of good
strength ; hence such specimens are highly valued. In the choice of eme-
nlds great care should be taken to avoid all fouls, or spots within, to which
tkejr are very subject, and which materially depreciate them.

GxRiiaTs are mit with at Pegu, and other parts, of the East. Indies ;
tbqr are of various siaes, from an inch in diameter to the siae of a pin^s
head, and in roundish or oblong pieces, apparently polished. They should
be chosen as large as possible, free from specks, flaws, a^d other impurities,
sad the colour of the juice of a ripe mulberry. The drill boles should. be
small, and not broken or flawed round. They are qccasionally imported in
large rough pieces, undrilled.

RoBZss are produced in Pegu, and occasionally some very excellent
ones may be procured ; they are of four kinds, viz. ruby, spmelle ruby, ba-
lass ruby, and mbycelle.

The ruby is a transparent gem, of a beautiful reddish colour, not like
that of vermilion, but of blood, or cochineal. They are generally found
very smaO, about the siae of a large pin^s head, of a roundish or oval form,
but are met ?rith of one and two carats, and sometimes much larger. They
diould be chosen of a lively fine colour; the deeper the red, the larger the
stone, and the dearer it is, without flaws or veins, the wore it is esteemed.
The pale and veiny stones should be rejected.

Tiie qiinelle ruby is nearly of the same colour as the true ruby, but has
not its beauty and splendour.

The balass ruby, is more of the colour of crimson, and when well po-
lished, is a handsome stone.

The rubycdleis red, with a cast of yellow in it, and is the least valuable
of the kind.

Aooording to Dutens, a perfect ruby, if it weighs more than three carats
and a half, is of greater value than a diamond of the same weight, such
stones being remaikably scarce : a stone of one carat, and perfect, he esti-
mates to be worth ten guineas ; two carats forty guineas, and three carats
one hundred and fifty guineas.

MARTABAN.-*-This town is situated on the N. side of a river, in
iat. 1^ 2K N., about 20 leagues to the E. of Rangoon river. A large island.

S18 ORIENTAL COMMEBCB. [Bmgta io Ae Malmi,

cslkd Bugs, ftonU the eHtnultt of the lifcr, like proper ehftniid into which
is to the E. of the island, between it and the main land, having a Inr at tk
entrance; die distance firen niddi to the icnm of Martaban is about seven
leagues.

Martaban was fiinncrljr a phoe of coimdendile trade, and once dKcapi-
talof an independent kingdom; bnt it was taken by the King of Ara^ wlio
mhiced the plaoe to ashes, and sunk lasge vessels with dtooes at the month
-of the port, so that at present only smaH ships can enter« It still retains its
potteries, and maanfactnres large jars^ someof irhich will eontain two hogs-
heads.

TAVAY.-^Tamgr P«nt, on which stands a pagoda, is in kt la^ SS' N.,

and long. 98^ 9 E., and fimns the W. side of the eitranoe of Tavaf livsr.

The river runs in a N. direction, and sibout eight lcn|;nss «p atn theftrt

and town of Tavay, sddom visited by Europeans. Inside the Point tliore is

good anchorage for large sh^s ; it is convenient for wooding asid watering.

Water is procured at a small brook, a short distance to the N. of the PoiDt

MER6UI is situated on the principal branch of the Tenanntrim Birwi

in hit about IS^ 19f M. and kmg* 06° 241 £. Lai^e skips anchor In the

fisiuls, with a small idkoid called Mandramaoan, Which fionna the & W. side

of the river^s entrance, bearing S. distant 3 or 4 miles^ The town cf Mergai

Is about six mileB np the ri^sr; vessds of nuidente siae, bj taking pilots,

«an go over the bar into the river, and anchor opposite the town, in 5 Ci-

4hsnis water.

TiiAnK.»--It b fin^ncnted to procure provisions and refieshmeats.
lliepe are many Mahometan merchants, and natives of India, who cairj os
the remaining trade of the place, which under a better government would be
much increased The articles prisieipalljr in demand^ and which ore imported
from sevend ports of India, are iron, Madras piece-goods, salt, tobacco, &c
Their principal exports are tin, elephants^ teeth, and rice. Chtntn, and other
#ne painted goods, will, if the market be not overstocked, find immediate
vent There is abundance of fine timber, and many carpenters here.

Pmovisioifs Ann RcFiiBSHMEif Ts.-«-The oxen here are good, but, from
religious motives, are difficult to be procured. Other articles at« plentiiul
and cheiqp. Fish Bre rery fine, abundant, and dieap. Fire-wood and water
nreeasilj procured.

Cours.'^Tbe prindpal is the tical, worth about hdf a Spanish dolisr.
WmoHT.-— The China pecul is mostly used.

TENASSERIM is situated about 30 miles up the river, on the S. flUk^
and is a place of considovbie trade. The whole of this coast from Marts-
ten formed a part of the dominions of the King of Siam ; but after cooti-

Bmg^ 19 the ilMiy^] OBDBNTAL CQMMKfeCE; Sid

aiied wlurs b«fcvraai tliftt OBtioii and 4he BimMos* ifae latter power obtained
possessioii of the coast of Tenasserim, with the two importaat ports of Her*,
gtti and Tayaj ; acqumtioiis of gf«at momcot, when coatidered eitW in a
political or commercial light

The narrow part of the continent, which sefMcatet the Baj of Bengal
from the Gulph rf Siatt^ is sometimes caQed the I^thams of Kraw. The
whole extent of eoast, fiom Tavay to Junkoejrloo, is generallj celled the
Coast of Tenasserim, having several bays and harbours, seldom visitad bf
Europeans.

JUNKCEYLON, on JAN-SYLAN.^This isknd is divided fiom the
eoatinenl by a narrow isthaiis of sand, about a anle in length, and half a
mile in breadth, and is covered at high water ; it shuts up, on the N« party
an excellent harbour, called Popra, where a vessel drawing 20 feet water
maj get in, on the springs, over a mud bar. The island extends from lat.
8° 9^ to 7'' 46' N», and is about 84 miles long, and 10 broad. A high moun^
taio on its S. part is in long. 98^ 20" £.

The place where ships generally anchor, is in a good road, well shel-
tered behind a small island, joined to the main at low water, in lat. 8° lO' N,
On the main, opposite to this island, is a creek, that leads to a village called
Terowa, consisting of about 80 houses, built of timber, and covered with
palm-leaves. Here resides the Viceroy, or Governor, from the Court of
A?a. On the S. W. side of the island is another good harbour, where
vessels occasionally stop.

Trade. — A considerable trade used formerly to be carried on here ; but
in consequence of orders from the Burman Government, the use of opium is
forbidden to the natives, and a heavy duty laid on the exportation of tin.
The trade has much declined. It is occasionally visited by country ships,
which bring the following articles :— 0>arse cutlery, China ware, iron in
bars, looking-glasses, opium, piece-goods, steel in faggots, tobacco, and
woollens.

The Malay and Buggess [xoas, previous to the establishments at Pinang
and Singapore, used to exchange their produce here, which consisted of
Buggess cambays, Java painted cloths and handkerchiefs, China gongs, brass
utensils, the blue and white coarse cloths, called kangan, &c. with the country
vessels for opium, giving in exchange the tin they procured here for their
own imports.

The principal export is tin, of which article upwards of 800 tons have
been in some years exported ; a few elephants'* teeth are occasionally to be
met with. The tin ore is here pounded in wooden mortars* Before it is

SM ORIENTAL COMMERCE/ [Amgal to the Mahy.

redttoed to powdar, it is roasted in pits, and a quantitj of pure tin is obtained
bj this first process.

PnoYtsioNs AND RBFRE8HMBNTs.-^Bi]l]ocks and buiialoes, wild hogs,
and deer are to be had; also common poultiy, but not in abundance.
Rice and various vegetaUes, with seTeral kinds of tropical fmits, are to be
procured. The water is good, and got with little difficulty.

Coins and Wbights.— *A11 kinds of Indian coins pass current here;
but the preference is given to Spanish doUars. Thejr have not the small
cash in circulation, as at Acheen and other places. Thej have certain pieces
of tin, shaped like the under half of a cone, called poot, which are used on
the island as money, weighing about three pounds : these are also their
weights:—-

3 Punchors equal to 1 Poot.

4 Poot§ . 1 Vi«.

10 Vis I, 1 Capin. lbs. os. dr.

8 Cqdns • •••......1 Bahar ss48tf . 5 .Siavoir.

which is equal to 6( Bengal factory maunds. The China pecul is in use
here, by which tin is generally sold ; the price varying from 18 to 16 Spa-
nish dollars per pecul.

ANDAMAN ISLANDS.— This group comprehends the Great and
Little Andaman, and the small islands in the vicinity ; they are situated on
the E. side of the Bay of Bengal, about three degrees from the Coast of Te-
nasserim. .

GREAT ANDAMAN is about 43 leagues long from N. to S., and
its breadth varies from 6 to 10 leagues. About 5 leagues from the N. ex-
treme of the island, on the E. side, is Port ComwaUis, inlat 13^ 2ff N. and
long. 92^ 51' E., a very good bay and harbour, so named from Admiral
Comwallis, who was anxious to make it a naval station. The dwellings of
the natives are the most wretched hovels imaginable ; three or four posts
stuck in the ground, and fastened together at the top in the form of a
cone, over which a kind of thatch is formed with the branches and leaves
of trees. The people are ferocious, crafty, and revengeful, and the least
civilized of any perhaps in the world.

These islands are covered with wood, fit for building and many other
purposes ; the most common are the poon, dammer, ebony, soondry, and
bindy : many of them afford timbers and planks fit for the construction of
ships, and others might answer for masts. A tree grows here to an enor-
mous size, one having been found to measure 90 feet in circumference, pr»*
ducing a very rich dye, which might be of use in manufacture.

Bengal io the Malay.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. SSi

Provisions.— Port Cornwallis at)ound8 in a great varietj of fish-*
nrallets, soles, pomfrets, rock fish, skait, garnets, sable, cockup, seer fish,
snippers, &c. likewise prawns, shrimps, and craj-^fish.

LITTLE ANDAMAN is about 30 miles to the S. of the former;
28 mfles long, and 17 broad, but does not afford any harbour, though tole-
rable anchorage maj be had near its coast ; it is therefore never frequented.

^The wild appearance of these islands, and the well-known disposition
of the natives, have deterred navigators from visiting them; and they
have JQstlj dreaded a shipwreck on them, more than foundering on the
ocean : for though it is known that manj vessels have been wrecked upon
their coasts, an instance does not occur of any of the crews being saved^
or a single person returning to give an account of such a disaster.

NICOBAR ISLANDS.— This cluster of islands extends N. N. W. to
S. S. £. near 60 leagues, and contains seven principal islands, with eleven or
twelve smaller ones. The northernmost bears from the Little Andaman
S. 97"" E. 29 leagues^ and is called

CAR NICOBAR.-«-It is about six miles long, and five broad, its centne
in lat 9"" 10 N. long. 92^ 5& £., very low and level, and appears at a di^
tance as if entirely covered with trees ; the island has good soundings every
where, firee from danger. It is veiy populous, and the inhabitants are a
quiet, hcmest, and inoffensive people ; their houses are generally 4>uilt upon
the beach, in villages of 15 or 20 each, and each house contains a fiunily of
20 persons or upwards. These habitations are raised upon wooden pillars,
about 10 feet from the ground : they are round, and having no windows^
look like bee-hives covered with thatch : the entry is by a trap-door bdow,
where the fiumly mount by a ladder, which is drawn up at night. The
timber on the island is of many sorts, in great plenty, and some of it remark-
ably large, aflfbrding ezedlent materiab for building or repairing ships.

Trads.-— The coco-nuts produced on these islands are reckoned the
finest in this part of India. Most of the country ships boifnd to Pegu
from either of the coasts of India, stop here, in order to procure a cargo
of coco-nuts, in exchange for which they take the following articles, mx.

Cloth of diffierent colours, hatchets, and hanger blades, which they
use to cot the outs down with: tobacco and anrack are acceptaUe, but
expected as presents. The natives have no monqr of their own, nor
allow any value to those of other countries, further tiian as ornaments ;
however, they are good judges of gold and silver, and it is no easy
matter to impose baser metals on them as such* They jpuidiaae a mudi
larger quantity of doth than is consumed npon their own island, which

92S Ql^liQNTAX. C0M»fB9BlCB. [BMg^ taihe lUlof.

is ki^B^ed fifr Choufrj^ ^ smU island to the S. 9f thein» to wluch s
Ifurge 4eet of titneir boasts sajla eFeiy year, aJxHtf tbe month of Novtmto,
to exchange doth for cowries. The village ia on the N» £, side of
Chowrj, abreast of which you may anchor ii| 20 fathoms, sandy giouni
Provisions and RBFgB8«jiKNT8.-*Tbis island, beiqg very fertik^ pi^
duces abundance of fruits-granges, lemons, citrons, bananas, and pine-
apples ; the only animal^ are hogs, which are plentiful, remarkably fst,
being fed on coco-nuts ; they have likewise fowls, pigeons, several kinds
of wild fowls, exceUent yams, and sweet potatoes.

To the S. of Car Nicobar are three small islands*— Terressa, Bemr
bocka, and Eatchull, seldom visited by Europeans. About five miles to
the E. of Eatchull is

NONCOWRY HARBOUR, in lat 8* N. long. 93* 41' R, one of
the best harbours in the East Indies* formed by the islands of Cannorta
and Noncowry ; it is of very easy access, and will hold 40 sail of
large ships, in the greatest security, sheltered from all winds, about half
a mOe from the shors^ with the additional advantage of two entrances,
that may serve for going in and out in both monsoons.

CARMORTA,—This island, to the N. of the harbour, is about I<
miles long, and in no place above 5 wide ; the principal port is on the
W. side '6f it, at the foot of a- high mountain ; the island is almoat cth
vered with trees, among which are three or four sorts of poon, very fit
Sat masts, and for budding. Sugar-canes grow h«re without cultivation;
and it produqes the finest yams in India, besides several excellent kinds
of fruits. Water is got ia wells ; but in the dry season it b rather
scarce, owing to the small number c£ wells sank by the natives.

NONCOWRY, which gives its name to the harbour, is about four
mUes long on each side, bebg of a triangular form, and separated from
Onaoita by a narrow channel ; it affirds the same fitdts bb Carmoits,
but is more covered with wood.

The Sombreiro Channd, bounded on the N. side by the iabiidi
KatehiiQ and Nonoowry, and by Meroe on the S. side, u very safe^ sad
about s«vcn leagues wide. In August 1880, the Prince Regent India*
man sailed through the passage between Meroe and the smaH ialsnd
called Track, and liod no soundings with SO fathoms line.

TBAnB.-*At the conunencement of the N. E. monsoon, the nstifes
sail in lai;ge canoes to Cor Nioobar to trade ; and for doth, iron, to-
baoeOf and some other articles, which they, obtain ftom Europeans, tber
giva in esehange the produce of their own iriand, consisting of coeo-

BengiU to the Mahp.] ORIENTAL COMMEBCE. MS

mtfy oil) eanoes, birdB^.ne8t8, tortoise^hctt, vmhergtisy ke. Witb respeet
to tKe kttor artide, which is sometimes met with liere, the aatires hsnrel
learned a mode of adriterating it ; therefcMre it is seldom genmne. Bfrds^^
■csts are t<mnd among the rocks, and a great Fariet7 of beoatlfal shells
met with on the shore. Money being of no use here, the country ships
(Mirdiase eoeo^nuts, feur for a loaf of tobacco, and 100 for a yard of
Uue calico, and a bottle of coco-nut oil Ibr fbur leares of tobacco.

PaoTrsiONs ahd RBffEKSHiiENTs.-^Hogs, fbwls, and fi^iH are plen-
tiM ; the sea abounds with excellent fish^ and the islands are much fre-
quented by turtle. Water is procured from wells at Carmoita, and fire-
wood may be got with the greatest ease on any of the islands.

The Gfeat and Little Sambelong are but little known ; they afo,
haireTer, said to be very populous. All the islands, esoept die Quoin,
and sonae of the smaller ones, are inhabited.

SEES

SECTION xxm.

MALAY PENINSULA AND SINGAPORE,

The coait be t w een Junkceykm and Queda is fronted by numemiM
idands of various sixes ; and inside most of the groups, and between them,
en paenflTfi for small ressds, but large ships generally sail outside. The
tmmtry of Queda extends from the Biyer Trang, in lat T"" 30^ N. to thai
sfCariaBialat5'^10^N.; its length is about 160 miles^ and te fareadtk
from 00 taSS miles. From Trang to Purlia the coast is sheltered by many
Uands and sandbanks narigable tx small reaads only ( the entire eountry
is eaeeefia^y well watered, and fertile. Twenty4hree riyors, all navigable
for proas, and many of them fi»r larger vaasels^ empty theaadives into the
sea; the principalis

PU&LIS. This rifer is deepandaarrow ; at its entrance is asmall sandy
islaadyOii'Whidi stands afisUngviUage. The barof tiieriverisvery long, with

X %

9M ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [IMag Penimuk.

paly 10 feet Wftt^ upon it at spring tides ; the town is situated 4 or 5 miles
firom this entrance^ in a valley encompassed with sljieep hills. Fulo Lsdda
and several other islands lie to the W. of this port, about 5 leagues. TheGrest
Ladda is inhabited by a race of Malays, who are in general great thie? es,
and commit frequent acts of piracy. There is exceeding good anchorageoQ
the £• side of them, sufficient for the largest fleet, with a plentiful sup^y of
wood and water at hand. On the S. W, side is a harbour, where the Frendi
rifitted and masted, after an engagement with Conmiodore Bamet in 1745.

QUEDA, the principal seaport, called Qualla Batrang» ia in latitude
6p 6' N. The river is navigable for vessels of 300 tons, but its entraoce k
choked up by a mud bank, 2^ miles in length, with about 12 feet water is
spring tides. Large ships anchor about 4 miles off, in 5 or 6 fathoms, the
entrance of the river bearing E» N. E. and a mountain called the Elephant
M* E. The river is about 300 yards wide ; both . shores are muddy, sod
have swampy plains covered with jungle. Seven miles up the river it
Allestar ; all vessels that pass the bar, can go to AUestar: the river is nar-
row, but deep. About two years ago, the Rajahor King of Queda, was dis-
possessed of his territory by the Siamese, during their war with the Bunnans.
The inhabitants have emigrated in considerable numbers to Pinang.

Queda contains about 300 houses, inhabited by Chinese, Cbulias, and
Malays. It was formerly a place of considerable trade ; but since the ests-
blishments at Pulo Pinang and Singapore, the Malay proas have carried
the greater part rf their trade thither, for the European and country ships
bound to China*

TaAOB.-*-0pium and Spanish dollars form the principal part of the
cargoes of the country ships. For the latter you are certain of procuring
goods, if any are to be had; and frequently a few chests of opium will bring
a good price. The Chinese junks import coarse China-ware in GonsideraUe
quantities, thin irons, pans, gqngs, white and blue cloths, and other articles
suitable to the Malay market

The chief produce of Queda is tin, which is brought ftom a distentpiit
of the interior by water; but beech de mer, bees^ wax, birds^^nests, cvitcby
dammer, fish-maws, rice, rattans, and sharks^4ins, are to be procured is
their way to China. These compose the return cargo of the Chinese joaks,
and of the few country ships which visit this plaoe.

Duties.— 'Before the troubles here, the duties were 2^ per cent* oolf t
ttid few impoeitions were met with. Presents are necessary.

Pbovisioms and RBFRESHMcifTs. — ^Bullocks, wiUi poultry of Tsriooi
kind% findts, and yegetaUes, are in abundance. Very good water is pro-
cured from the river at an inconsiderable expence

Muiay Peninmlm.] ORIENTAL COMMEBCB. SC6

Coiirs AND WEioHTs.-^Spanish dollars are the priiicipBl eoin. ' AU
goods are weighed hj the China dotchin, or wooden stedyards ; but English
scales and weights are in common use. The bahar is 424 lbs. avoirdupob.

QUALLA MOORBA, about 18 miles to the S. of Queda, is a larg€
river, deep and rapid ; the water here is alwajs fresh to the sea ; the heavj
surge, which breaks upon this shore during the S. W. monsoon, has, bj op*
poring the current from the riyer, formed a dangerous sandbank, extending
S miles out to sea, and on which there is only one fathom water. This
ri?er is, howerer, convenient, on account of its situation in respect to
the tin mines. The annual produce here is about 1000 peculs ; this small
qoantitj is not, however, owing to the scarcity of ore, but to the want of
iuuids, tod to the few people employed being badly paid.

PRY RIVER is abreast the N. point of Pulo Pinang; it has a mud
bar, with 18 or 13 feet water on it in spring tides. The town is at the
entanoe of the river.

PULO TEECOOS, a rocky islet, off the N. £. point of Pulo Pinang.
In Pulo Teecoos Bay, a settlement has recently been formed, and an
emporium established, which seems already to have attracted a considerable
trade in Malay productions.

PRINCE OF WALES'S ISLAND.-^This island, caUed by the
Malays Pulo Pinang, extends from latitude &* 16' to 5"" 30' N. ; it is of an
imgular four-sided figure, the N. side being the longest, and the S. the
shortest ; it is near 5 leagues in length, and 7 or 8 miles in breadth. The
N. W. end of the island is high uneven land ; and excepting the S. part»
sad the E. side, where the town is built, and where there is a considerable
tract of low land cultivated contiguous to the sea, the rest of the island is all
high, and covered with trees. About 5 miles W. from the fort stands a
mountain, 2170 feet high, on which signals are displayed for ships approach->
ingthe island.

Prince of Wales's Island is separated firom the Malay Pemnsula by a
narrow strait about two mfles broad, which forms the harbour, and affords
excellent anchorage for the largest ships : there is also an inner harbour^
where ships may receive every kind of repair that can be performed
without going into dock. The S. channel may be entered by ships drawing
mider 18 feet water ; pUots having been lately stationed at Pulo Jarajah»
who come out on the proper signal, and carry the ships into the harbour.

Port ComwaDis is built on the N. E. point of the island, and b in latitude
5p 24' N., and longitude 100^ 31' E. ; it was originally badly constructed,
viA large sums have been spent upon it writhout cmnpleting it. The sea has

ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Malay Penkmk.

of late yean nade enoraaciimeRto on the N. face irf'the fort, and aloog the
ef|daaade, and for upwards of a mile in that direction.

The town, called George Town bj the English, and Panjang Pnvqae
by Uie Malays, is of considerable extent ; bounded on the N. and E. by the
sea, on the S. by a small river, and on the W. by the high road. The
streets, which cn»s each other at right angles, are qpadous and airy ; the
principal ones are now properiy raised and drained, and the town has lo
consequence improved much in appearance and deanliness. There is a
large pier for landing and shipping goods, to which fresh water is coa-
ducted by pipes.

Since the island has become the seat of Government, considerable aitv-
ations have taken place in every department A Govomment house, a
cborch, a jail, and several substantial bridges have been built ; the fortifi-
cations have been improved and strengthened, and the public roads repaired
and widened. The inhabitants have greatly increased; by thecenwsiB
June 1822, the numbers of all nations amounted to 45,127, Including 400
Europeans.

Pulo Pinang was originally granted to the East India Company bjr die
King of Queda, at the request of Captain Francis Ligbt, of the Covatij
service, who had married his daughter. The Bengal Government, seeing
the island so peculiariy adapted as a mercantile station for vesseb from sD
the Malay ports, the Moluccas, Borneo, Celebes, and the Plull^ine Isbmdsi
did not hesitate to accept the King of Queda*s grant; concdvingthat,byan
establishment properiy secured, the Bengal trade with that of China would
be connected, and from the conduct of the Dutch, it became necessaiy to
have a port where the Country ships might meet the Eastern merchants, «
wdl for the promotion of Aat valuable commerce, as to afford a windwarl
station of refineshment and repair to the King^s, the Company^ and the
country ships. In 1805, the Court of Directors, in consideratioo rf tbecoa^
venknt position of the island, formed it into a regular government

Tradb.-— Pinang has few productions of its own to export, besidci
areca and pepper; of the latter a large quantity is grown; but it ii a
mart for the commodities of China and the Eastern islands. The
European artides imported comprehend a vast variety calculated for the
Malay, Chinese, and Eastern markets. Large quantities of woollens, metsby
&c have been sent out by the Company since it became a sqiarate Govcn-
ment Considerable supplies of Bengal and Madras piece-goods are impoiUi
Ibr the Malay trade. Ofnom is likewise an important article of import it
IHnang ; besides the quantity exported, 88 chests are anBoaDy coi isnm ed hf

JTo^AfUfMlfte.] ORIENTAL COMMfitlCE. M7

tk Maky ted C^inete MiabitaatB, jidAiig a reviehM ti tn^Mj ¥KiO MU
IM montUj, from tke tern of the moiiopolj. The drug fa Imbrtillled td li
iiii|^ operation^ bj whkfa a fini and second iort of ntract b iMde» cAUA
dttudooy preWout to iti being retailed. It fa calculated tiibt the coftsttftM*
pajs between M and 85^000 per cent abore th^ prime cost

The Mak^ proaa firosi tbe ttaixnu ports on SntnatkB) on the MalAj^
Peninsula, and from the Uands to the E« as fier as New Ouinea^ import Vbb
following commodities :— -Arrack of Java, beech de noer, beteLnut, beMjiu
min, brimstone, birds^nests, bladiWood, birds of paradfae, be2oar stones,
CQtcii, iteres^ ditto oil^ canes, canphire, tfove bark^ cajeputa oil, dammd^,
diamonds, dragon'^s blood, ekpbants^ teeth, gutta gambir, gold-du^t, mace,
ditto oil, nutmegs, ditto oil, precious stones, pearls, pepper^ rice, rattans,
ditto gtound^ redwood^ spars, sago^ stick*lac, tin, tii^^er, tortoise^eH^
and waz»

From China are brought the following articles for the Malayli, and the
use of the Europeans and Chinese :-^China-ware, China carophiire, copper-
ware, Chin»ih>ot, fireworks, iron utensik^ lackered ware, nankeens, stigaf,
tweetmeals, ailk piece-goods^ tea, tutehagae, umbrdlas, and wearing
sppa^

Dottcs.-— Ort ImpofU. Woollens, including manufactures of wod or
wonted thread or yam, unmanufactured metals, canvas, cordage, and
■larine stores, in British ships ; also grain, bullion, and precious stones, are
free of duty. All other articles of British produce, in Britfah ships, pay S]
per cent on the invoice. All articles of foreign produce, and Madeira wine^
in Britfah ships, 5 per cent on invoice : — ^these articles imported into a port
in Britfah India, and shipped from thence to Finang, are not subject to duty
ie novo^ if accompanied with a certificate that the duty has been paid ; or if
a drawback has been received, the difference only will be levied. The afore-
gomg arttdea in foreign European cit American ships, pay 8 pe^ tent on
mvoice. Articles the produce of China, in ships under Britfah colours, S per
cent on invoice ; under foreign European cdoura, 6 per cent Goods im-
ported under British cdonrs, from places W. of the Biver Aracan, not having
previously paid duty at a Britfah port, 4 per cent on invoice. Goods the
produce of Britfah possearions to the E. of Finang, in Britfah vessels, not
having paid duty on export hither, 3 per cent on invoice. Fepper, nutmegs,
doves, and maee, 8} per cent on the current price, to be paid by the pur-
chaser. Salt, 6 doUars per coyang. Oil, ghee, lard, and tobacco, 5 per
cent on the invoice. All merchandise imported in ftreign European or
resaals, to pay double the duty, egcc^ aa before p^vided fhr.
Export i>ulies.— Marine stores, provisions, and cabin stores for 4he

MB ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Maiap Pehinmla.

use of veftselfl bdotigii^ to this port ; pepper, nutmegs, maee, dotes, pieee-
goods, and colton-wool, exported on square-rigged ressels, under British
pilours, are free of duty ; on foreign vesseb, 2^ per cent on current price;
1(11 other goods paj 2^ per cent on the current price, on British yessels;
on foreign vessels, 5 per cent Groods not free of duty, transshij^ed in the
harbour from British vesseb, to be charged 2 j p«r cent on the invoice price,
except Malay articles, which are charged at current prices. Transshipments
into foreign vessels, double duty.

The arrack farmer has likewise the right of levying a duty of 1
rupee on every gallon of spirits, and 3 rupees for every docen of wine, beer,
and brandy, imported and sold, in addition to the Customs.

By a Crov^mment notification, the duties on the export of oil, ghee,
hogs^ lard, salt, and tobacco ; and on goods the produce of Great Britsin,
Foreign Europe, America, China, and British India, as well as the duty on
timber and planks ftom Ava, were suspended from August 1, 1823.

RBGUI.ATIONS. — ^A manifest must be delivered within 24 hours after
arrival : goods attempted to be landed will be diarged with double duties,
and if with intent to defraud the Customs, will be confiscated. When re-
mission of duty is claimed for damaged goods, they must be sold, and the
duties leried on the proceeds. A porUdiearance is not furnished until a cer-
tificate is obtained from the Collector.

Anchoragb BjkTEs. — ^The following rates are payable to the Master-
Attendant, on Foreign and British vessels :-«

For Vfsaebtewiiii; vadv lOfiset, S Spuiah ddlura
^ . ^ ^ frMQ 10 to 12,.., 8 ditto
. - - . . . , . 12 to 18. .. 10 ditto
^ . . • .... 14 to 16 .. 18 ditto
*..--.... 16 to IS... 15 ditto
. . . * .... 17 to 18. .. 20 ditto

PiiiOTAOB.— The rates in the S. channel are f a Spanish dollar per foot

Poax-CuiARANCB is 2 Spanish dollars.

Coins. — Accounts are kept by the Company in Spanish doUsn,
oqpangs, and pice ; 10 jnce making 1 copang, and 10 copangs 1 Spanish
dollar.

The merchants keq[> their accounts in Spanish dollars and cents.
The current pice are coined on the island, being pieces of tm, nearly the
size of an English penny ; they have the Company'^s mark en one side, sikI
are plain on the other : 100 of theov ought to contain 4} catties of pure tia.

On the exchange of dollars into pice there is a loss of 2 per cent;
cm doUars. without the head» 10 per cent. ; and on dollars defaced, from 3 to
^Operxent.. . . . -

Vor VenwU dimwinp 19 feet, S2 Sponidi dolbn

... 20 SK6 ditto

... 21 28 ditto

... 22 .... 91 ditto
... 23 .... 93 ditto.
... 24 .... 36 ditto

Mtlag Patauubk] ORIENTAL COMHEBGE. SSft

In ezdiaoges of the fiAowing niotiqr>

A Spanish dollar passes for... S Sonaut rupees^ 3 annas.

10 Star pagodas 15 to 16 Spanish dollars.

£1 Sterling i Ditto.

918| Sonant Rupees 100 Ditto.

1^9) Sicca.^tto 100 Ditto.

S80{ Bombay ditto 100 Ditto.

i25 Current ditto 100 Star pagodas^ or 350 Madras rupees.

Weights. — Gold and siiyer are weighed by the buncal, equal to 8SS
grs., which is divided into 16 meams, and 192 sagas. A catty is 80 buncab>
and weighs 34 oz. 13 dwts. 8 grs.

The great wdgbts are the foUowiiig:—

16 Tales equal to 1 Catty.

100 Catties » 1 PecnI.

40 Peculs V 1 Coyang.

There are two pecnk in the baJEar, one of which, used to weigh tin and
pqyper, is 142| lbs., and three of these make a bahar. The Chinese basar
pecul is 1331 Ihs. The merdiants purcliase by the former, and sell by the
latter.

MBA8URss.-^rain, ofl, and liquids are sold by the ganton, equal to 1 1
gallon Engluh :—

4 Choopahs equal to 1 Ganton.

10 Gantons « 1 Fttrah.

800 Ditto • 1 Coyang^ = 217,380 cub. m.

The parah, though nominally 10 gantons, is sometimes 5, 15, and 20.

Cloth is measured by the astah, of 18 inches English.

Land is measured by the orlong, equal to 80 English yards, divided
into 20 jambas, 40 depas, and 160 astahs.

Protisions akd Rbfreshmsnts.— Bullocks are to be had for the
ship's crew at reasonable prices. Poultry and Tegetables are in abundance,
and cheiqp. Sheep are imported from Bengal, and are consequently dean
Goats are procured from the Peninsula and Sumatra, and when of a proper
age, the meat is good. There are also various kinds of tropical fruits ; and
the harixmr abounds with fish of an excellent quality.

Ships were formerly supplied with water from the river, which is about
a mile to the S. of Che town ; but it was attended with consideraUe delay,
and in consequence, to obviate which, the water has been brought in pipea

«Q ORIENTAL COMMEBCB. {Mmhg AnteMfa .

to the pier-head, where boats nuqr trnw tfceir cftrics filled with a hoie from
the cocks on the wharf, at the expence of a SpaDish dollar per butt

ARTICLES PROCURABLE AT PRINCE OF WALES'S ISLAND^
Brought hji Coasting Feaeb, and chiefy eakalaied for the China Markd.

AoAL AoAL, a species of sea-weed, dissoluble into a glutinous substance
like congee ; its principal use is for gumming silks and paper, as nothing
equals it for paste, and it is not liable to be eaten by insects. The Chmese
make a beautiful kind of lanthom, formed of netted thread, washed ofer
with this gum, and which is extreoidy light and transpattent

Arous Fbathbrs, — The Sumatra or Argus Pheasant is a bird of on-
common magnificence, the plumage being perhaps the richest, without
any mixture of gaudiness, of all the feathered race. It is about the sise of
a cock-turkej) and extremely difficult to be kept alive for any considerable
time after it is caught ; never more than a month. Of the wing4eatbefB,
the nine outer ones are pale y^ow brown, marked with sttiall dusky spota,
aa big as tares, on the outer, and smaller spot! of white on the inner webi;
the eleven remaining quills are dark brown, marked with round and oblong
spots on both webs, and on the outer, near the shaft, a row of large ej&t
from 12 to 15 in number, the largest an inch in diameter, somewhat re-
sembling those in a peacock^s train. The tail consists of 14 feathers ; tbe
two middle are three feet in length, the next 18 inches, and giadusllj
shortened to the outer ones, which are 12 inches only ; the colour is duskj
brown dotted with white, and the two middle have round white spots,
endrded with black on the outers and brown irregular ones surrounded with
dusky on the inner wd). Tbe feathers used to be much esteemed in
England, but at present are little regarded.

Bai«acrano, called by the Burmans Ngapi, is a species of csvisrf
esteemed a great delicacy by the Malays, and forms an artide of trsde
amongst them, and to some parts of India. To Europeans it is vciy
offensive, particularly the black kind, which is the most common. Tlie
best sort, or the red balachang, is made of the spawn of ihrimpsy or of the
•blimps themsdves ; they are, after boiling, exposed to the sun to drf» then
pounded in a mortar with salt, moistened with a little water^ and formd
into cakes, which is the whole process. The Uack sort, used by thelower
dasStt is nsade of small fish Dreiiared in the same manner*

Bban or St. leNATius.— -The artide so called is the small soHd let'

Malag Affjnmfa.] ORIENTAL COMMEBCS. SI

oTafirolt^f tlw gourd ldiid» pnrodaoed bjr a tree now caOed IgnaHa amani
(MoMmoeg and Camtanh Maky,) growing in some of the Eastern islands.
Thefigmre of thb seed is insular; it is nearly the size of a small nutmeg,
with a musky scent when ftesb, and a taste somewhat bitter. Its external
seloar fa grey, fcbt k indines to Uack when stripped of d»e thin skin which
invests it ; the inside resembles n dailc cokmred jelly, bnt it is of as hard a
oonsistenee «s horn, so Aat iC fa difficult to cut or break it If grated
(whieh is the easiest w«y of using it), it appears white in Uiose places
tooehed by the points of the grater, wldch deoeiTes those who see it of that
eoloor ; it must be cat through the middle with a knife driven by a hannaer
or maliet, in older to new its natural colour.

BsBCH ns Mbr, {Beeko do Mar^) Trepan, a marine slug (neariy
allied to the genus OmMdimm) ; it is an artide of trade from the Easton
islands to Chma, where It is considered as highly nouridiing, and used in
soaps, &c. It very much resembles the large garden-slug in appearance, but
is considerably larger, some weighing half a pound eadi. It is of two kinds,
the black and white ; the black is what we commonly see, and is reputed the
best; the white is larger, and one land of it is said to be most esteemed in
China. It should be chosen in large pieces, well dried^ and care taken that
the worm is not in it.

BnyjAMiM, or Bencoin, (Lti6cm, Hind, and And).) is the ooncrete
resinous juice of the Stjfram jBsftsPDe, a tree growing on Sumatra, not to any
considerable sise^ and of no vidue as timber. When the trees have attained
the age of 7 years, and are 6 or 8 inches in diameter, incisions are made in
the bark, from whence the gum exudes, which is careftdly pared off. It ia
dcttomimted head, belly, and foot

Hbab, the purest, comes firom the incisions during the first three years^
and is white, indining to yellow, soft and fragrant :— -this is again divided
into Europe and India head, of whidi the first is superior, and is the only
sort adapted to the home market ; the latter, with most of the inferior sorts»
is exported to China, and various parts of India and Arabia, whereit is
homed as a perfume.

BuLT comes from the incisions after the first three years, and is of a
reddish yellow, indining to brown, harder than the former, and less
fragrant : at length when the tree, which will not bear a repetition of the
process for more than ten or twelve years, is supposed to be worn out, they
cut it down, to procure the

Foot, or third sort, which is obtained by splitting the tree in pieces,
and sending up the gum, which ia dark coloured, hard, and raized more or
less widi parings of the wood and ottier impurities. Benjamin is brought

sat ORIENTAL COMMERCSL [Malay PmnmUa.

down from the counfrj for sale in large cakes, called tompong% covered with
mats ; and these, as a staple commoditjr, are employed in dealings as a
standard of value, to which the price of other things has reference, as in
moat parts of the worid, to certain metals* In order to pack it in cheits,it
ia neoessarj to soften the coarser parts with boiling water ; for the finer, it
is sufficient to expose it to the heat rfthe sun.

Benjamin, for the home market, should be chosen fiill of dear, light
coloured, and white spots, having the appearance of white maiUe when
broken ; it is seldom to be met with in so pure a state, therefore the nearer
it qpproachea to it, the better. If it is of a brownish colour, it should be
dear and pure, and when broken, appear somewhat like rosin, and as free
from dirt and other impurities as possible : it has rerj little taste, impressing
on the palate only a sUgbt sweetness ; when rubbed or heated, it is ex-
tremdj agreeable, and when set on fire, it diffuses a fragrant smdl. Frdght,
aO Cwt. to a ton.

Bians^ Nbsts are much celebrated as a peculiar luxury of the taUe,
eqiedally amongst the Chinese; they are found in caves on the sea-coast of
Sumatra, more particularly towards its S. extremity, on the Island of Java,
and on many of the Eastern Islands. The bird which constructs them,
resembles the^swallow. The nests differ from each other, in sise, thickness,
colour, and weight ; their diameter is commonly three fingers in breadth at
the top, and their perpendicular depth in the middle sddom exceeds an
inch. The substance of these nests is white, inclining to red, somewhat
transparent; their thickness is little more than that of a silrer spoon, and
their weight is firom a quarter to half an ounce. They are very brittle, snd
have a shining gummy appearance internally, when broken, and aie
wrinkled, or slightly furrowed, on the surface. They are of three deoonii-
nations, tix.

Hbad. — The deanest and best are almost as white as writing pq^f
9nd as transparent as isinglass, having only a few downy feathers hanging
about them. This is the kind which suits the China market, and is the
only sort which should be taken. In purchasing them, be careful that they
are perfectly dry; if so crisp as to break, the better, because they then wogh
light ; they are firequently damped to make them heavy, and are then tough
and pliable. They are generally packed one with another, to the length of
18 or 15 inches, and secured with split rattans, to prevent their breaking.
Always open the bundles before you weigh them, or you wiU hare a good
deal of dirt amongst them.

BxttY. — ^These are of a darker colour, yellowish, but dear of dirt, and
may with pains be made nearly equal to the head, by picking out thel

ifa% Peniniula.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 8S3

finlhera, washing the dirt off, and laying them in the dew at night ; but if
left for the son to shine on, they grow yellower, and spoiL

FooTdPi^-These are very dirty and dark-coloured, having many feathers
in them ; this sort should be rejected, as it is not saleable at China.

On the Island of Java alone about 20 peculs are annually procured,
snd sent to China; they are sometimes brought in small quantities to
Europe as presents.

Black-wood is procured in viEirious parts of India and the Eastern
idands, but the best is from the Mauritius. It is in logs of various sixes,
sometimes 12 inches in diameter ; but those trees which are about 6 inches,
and bug and strai^t, are preferred. It should be chosen free from cracks,
not worm-eaten or decayed, having the bark and white wood carefully
cleaned off. There is a wood called milk-wood, {Antafata^ Madag.) somer
what resembling it on the outside, which is sometimes imported instead of
it It is striped black and white, and of Uttle use ; whereas black-wood is
in regular demand.

Cajbputa Oil, (Cqfupuiu, Malay.) or Kyaputty Oil. The tree which
fiunishea this oil is the Melaleuca Leucadendron^ found in the Moluceas,
and other islands in the Eastern seas. It is a medicine in great estimation
amongst the Malays, and is obtained by distilling the leaves. The best is
lirocured at the Island of Bouro ; it is generally of a greenish colour, but
sometimes nearly white and clear, very limpid, lighter than water, of a
strong volatile smell, resembling camphire and cardamums mixed, and a
strong pungent taste, like that of the latter. It is said that if a drop of
genuine cajeput oil be rubbed on the temples, it will occasion a pungent pain
in the eyes, with a disdiarge of tears. That which is dark-coloured, and
not perfectly soluble in spirits of wine, should be rejected.

Campbibb, {Cafur^ Hind. Cwrfwa^ San.). Native Camphire, or
Camphire Baroos, (from the [riace of its growth,) is a soUd unotuous
concrete, obtained from a tree found on the N. part of the Island of Sumatra.
It grows without cultivation in the woods lying near the sea-coast, and is
frequently found upwards of 15 feet in circumference, and high in pro-
portion. The genus^ of the tree is imperfectiy known ; it is called by
Gaertner, /Voboibfiops. For carpenters^ work the wood is mtich esteemed,
being easy to work, light, durable, not liable to be injured by insect^,
and retaining a pleasant and agreeable smelL

The camphire is found in the state in which we see it, in natural
fissures of the wood, but does not exhibit any external appearance by
wittdi ita existence can be previously ascertmned ; and the persons whose

9M ORIfiNTAL COM MBAGX. [i##fay PmimuU.

emplojtnettt it b to collect it, usuaDj cut down a iraoribet of tviet befat
thej find one that contains a sufBcient quantity to repay tbeir labcur ; it b
said that not a tenth part of the number felled produce rfther eanpUre or
campbire oil, althotrgh the latter is less rare : this scarcity tends to tahinot
the price. The tree, when cut down, is divided transverseljr into serenl
blocks, and these again are split with wedges into, small pieces, flxMO the ia-
terstices of which the camphire, if anj there be, is eztraetedw It is ^
tinguished into three sorts :<—

Kbad.— This comes readily away in large fiakes, dtaiosi trantpamt,
somewhat like crystals of saltpetre, free from dust, dirt, or other hapuritiii.

Belly consists of small flakes, mixed with that which is browoidi, Iwt
transparent, somewhat resembling rosin coarsely powdered, with few stldi
and straws in it

Foot, resembling dark coloured rosin, is chiefly scn^ied iirora Ae
wood, and often mixed with it, having a number of shining partades^^
more of them, the better.

The mode of separating Aecamplttreihimitsimpuntiesisbywaihing;
it is then passed through sieves or screens of diffhrent siaes, ta anke tk
assortment, so far as it depends upon tiie siae of the grains; but naeh
of the sdection is also made by hand, and particular case is taken to db-
tinguish, from the genuine kinds, that which is produced hy an artiiddl
concretiion of the essential oiL The method usuaUy observed in puwNwig
it, is to take fbur sieves and a catty of camphire out of eadi sort, in (ki
f6llewing proportions :•—

eapaUo^ or large head %^ % ^%^%%% 9 2

9d ditto «««« canallo caehelL

SA ditto ««»% baddan» or belly*%»»%^^%«>» >^^^% 4 8

4hi ditto «»«%- cakeef or foot%^%»%w»»%»»»%^w^%«*i 6 1

Making in the whole «%«« Tales 16 equal to one csttf.

The quantity annually brought down for sale on the W. side, does ao(
exceed SO-peculs. The head should be chosen in thin white scales^ Jbed
the breadth of a nail, which is mixed with two or three sites smaller, the
smallest much resembling sea-sand in grain and colour; the mere of the first
sort, the better. It should be of a strong, fragrant, and penetrating vboA
at a bitterish aromatic taste, softening under the teeth, and accompaiiieil witk

JMy iPMfMttAi.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. S95

ftaenseofeodlnen* H it proved bj putting it in water; if good, it will
swim on the Mirfact ; if adolterated, it w9[} sink. Particular care should be
taken in paeUng it, or it wUl evaporate, and lose much of its weight.

TUs kind of eamphire is also produced on the Island of Borneo^ of
viiicli about 90 peculs are annually ezpcnrted; and is said to be held m
gnater estinMtion by the Chinese than that of Sumatra, the whole of which
is sMt to the China market ; the eamphire imported into En^end being the
produce of China, and described hereafter.

Cambhhib OiL.-*«This valuable commodity is not manufactured, under-
goes no preparatioD, and, though termed an oil, is rather a liquid and
volatile resin, without any oleaginous quality. It is procured in the fidlow-
ing manner .—The natives make a transverse incision in the tree to the depA
of same inches, and then out sloping downwards from above the notch, till
thqr leave a flat horiaoatal superficies ; this they hollow out till it holds
aiwnt a quart : diey then put into the hollow a piece <^ lighted reed, and lei
il remmi for about ten minutes, which acting as a stimulus, draws the fluid
to that part, and, in the space of the night, the liquor fills the reeeptacle<
The nadvea of SmMtfa consider this oil a valuable domestic medicine, and
it is much used by them in strains, swellings, and inflammations.

Cambi are of several kinds, and principally brought firom the Straita of
Makcca. Thedragon^s blood canes are of two sorts, male and female: the
fint is perfectly round, the other not so, having a projection, or seam, on
one side; the nude canes are preferred, and should be chosen round, taper,
supple, and donded, the more so tike better, and of a dark brown or maho-
gsay colour; the middle jmnt must be Sff inches long, and the top and
bottom jointa 8 or 10 inches more. Such as are light, and under 90 inelies
kM^, should be rejected/

Walking canes, called Jambees, are generally about 4 feet long, witb
joints, or knobs, about 6 to finches apart ; these are of little value.

The canes called Japan, or wangheei!,^ are procured at China ; they
ihodd be dioeen pliaUe, tough, round, and taper, of a good cohur, and
wdl glased, having the knots at r^;ular distances ; the light and if ono^
eaten should be refected.

^000 dragon^s blood canes, 3^000 walking canes, or 6,000 wanghees^
«!S allowed to a tan*

Cu>vK Bark, called by Hie natives, CoeUMawang^ is.the baik of a
tree growing on Amboyna and the neighbouring islands. It is thin, of »
greyish cast, and when upon the tree, smooth, but when dried, beeomea-
rou^ aad shnvded ; it is red within, and that taken from the bottom of
the tvee^ has a strong clove smell and taste; but higher up, the smell is not

9K ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Malay PenimuhL

no strong, and the taste is more astringent. It is dried in tbe suo, and
must be kept in an aiiy place. . It is much more esteemed than tbe Missof
bark, though its flavour and smell sooner decaj. A reiy excellent and
penetrating oil is extracted from this bark, almost as fine as oil of dores,
and possessing the same qualities. The appearance of this bark differs
with the country which produces it. In the Moluccas, it is browDer
than at Amboyna ; the latter is also much thinner, harder^ and of a moic
pleasant taste.

Coppsa (Tamba^ Hind. Tamre^ San*) is produced in Persia, Sumatn,
and Japan. From the former place it used to be imported into Europe,
and is at present an article of trade from the Gulph of Persia to the
British settlements%

The copper from Sumatra is produced on and in the hills near
^abuonajee. The ore produces half its weight in pure metal. It is formed
into small pointed cakes; and firom its state when purchased, requirei
much preparation and expence to render it fit for use, or perfectly mal-
leable and ductile.

Japan copper is in small bars, about six inches long, flat on one side,
and convex on tbe other, weighing four or five ounces each, and packed in
cases, each containing a pecul. This copper contains more gold, and is
finer than any other that is met with in any part of the world. British
India is now supplied with a large quantity of copper from Chill

CoBsuMBA, a red dye much used among the Malays. Some kinds are
manufactured amongst themselves, but the sort most esteemed is procured
ftom Chinchew, in small round or oUong balls, about die sixe of a pes,
without smdl or taste, and which, when good, wOl throw out a beautifsl
red to the second or third water. That which f^ dull coloured, should
be rejected.

Dammbr is a kind of turpeutine, or resin^ which flows spontaneoudy
from a species of pine, named by Dr. RoxBuaoH, Shorea robfiata^ growing
on Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula. It is exported in large quantities to
Bengal and other parts of India ; and is so plentiful, that the natives gather
it in lumps from the ground where it has fallen. It is hard, dark coloured,
and brittle, and should be chosen as clear from impurities as possible. There
is another kind which is soft and whitish, having the consistence and sp*
pearance of putty. Dammer is much esteemed in India for covering the
bottoms of vessels, for which use, to give it firmness and duration, it ought
to be nuxed with some of the hard kind.

Ejoo, or gumatty, is a vegetable substance, so much resembling horse-
hair, as scarcely to be distinguished firom it. It envelopes the stem of*

Malay PeniMula.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 987

species of palm {Polma Indiea veniferay) growing on Sumatxa and most of
the Eastern islands. It is of all vegetable substances the least subject to
decay, and is manufactured into cables ; the small cordage of most of the
Malay vessels is niade of it. Ejoo is equally elastic with coir> but much
more senrioeable, and floats on the surface of the water.

Gold-Dust is found in many parts of the East Indies, more parti-
calarly in the Islands of Sumatra, Borneo, and Celebes. The size of the
grains of gold is various ; the greatest part of them are very small, some as
large as the seed of an ^ple, and some much larger ; but a piece of pure
gold is very rarely found one ounce in weight The appearance of the gold^
dust, when gathered high up in the interior of the country, is rougher and
larger than when near the coast ; the grains are then more dispersed, of a
smaller size, more worn, and smooth.

The gdid in Sumatra is found mostly in the central parts of the island,
it being sddom observed to the S. of Limun, a branch of the Jambee river,
nor to the N. of Annalaboo. Padang, on the W. side of the island, ia the
prindpal mart for it The metal brought down is of two sorts. The first
is distinguished by the terms amas stipayangj and anuia sungev-abu^ usually
called rock-gold, consisting of pieces of rock, or quartz, more or less inter-
mixed with veins of gold, generally of fine quality, running through it in
all directions, and forming beautiful masses, which, being admired by
Eunqpeans, are sometimes sold at the same price as if solid metaL The
mines yielding this sort are commonly situated at the foot of a mountain,
and the shafts are driven horizontally to the extent of from 8 to 20 fathoms.
The other sort, termed amca lichin^ or smooth gold, is found in the state of
smooth solid lumps, in shape like gravel, and of various sizes, sometimes
weighing upwards of nine ounces. This form of gravel is the most com-
mon in which gold is discovered. Gold-dust, or amaa ureij is collected
ather in the channeb of brooks running over ground rich in the metal, in
standing pools of water occasioned by heavy rains, or in a number of holes
dug in a situation to which a small rapid stream can be directed.

A considerable part of the produce (perhi^s one half) never comes into
the hands of Europeans, but is conveyed to the E« side of the island. It is
stated that there have been annually received, on public and private account,
12,000 ounces at Padang alone ; at Annalaboo S,000 ; at Natal 800 ; and
at Moco Moco 600 ; making in the whole 15,400 ounces per annum.

Before the gold is weighed for sale, in order to cleanse it from im-
purities and heterogeneous mixtures, whether natural or fraudulent (such as
filmgs of cooler or of iron), a skilful person is employed, who, by the
sharpness of his eye, and long practice, is able to effect this to a surprising

388 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [iTofay Penkuitk,

degree ci nieetj'. The dust is spread out on a kind of wooden platter, and
the base particles are touched out from the mass, and put aside one by one
with an instrument, if such it maj be termed, made of cotton cloth rolled
up to a point. If the honesty of these gold-deaners can be depended upon,
their dexterity is almost infallible ; and, as some check upon the former, it
is usual to pour the contents of each parcel, when thus cleansed, into a
vessel of aqua-fortis, which puts their accuracy to the test The parcels,
or bulses, in which the gold is packed up, are formed of the integument that
covers the heart of the bufialo ; this has the appearance of a bladder, but is
both tougher and more pliable. In those parts of the country where the
traffic in the article is considerable, it is generally employed as currencj
instead of coin. Every man carries small scales about him, and purchases
are made with it so low as to the weight of a gndn or two of paddy.

Borneo produces immense quantities of gold; it is procured atSambass,
Momparva^ Pontikna, Borneo Town, and Banjar Massin. It is stated, from
very good authority, that 200 peculs of gold-dust are annually procured bj
the Chinese, Dutch, and English, chiefly the former, from the places
visited by their junks.

At Banjar Massin gold-dost is divided into head, belly, and foot The
head is abo called Molucca gold ; it is sometimes in grains as large as iwj-
salt, of a very irregular shape, free from any artificial alloy, and comes
up in fineness to about 22 carats. The second sort, or belly, is in smaller
grains, like sand or brass filings. The foot nearly resembles the belly to
outward appearance, but is often found mixed with iron dust, or sodm-
thing much resembling it. The natives clear it by the help of a loadstone
which attracts many of the particles ; but it is never quite clean, therefoTe
too much circumspection cannot be used in purchasing it At BsDJar
Massin they esteem the highest coloured gold the best, provided it be with-
out alloy, which it always is when in dust ; the lighter coloured or inferior
gold is called amaa mooda^ or young gold.

Gold-dust is sometimes adulterated with brass filings. To discover this
fraud, pour a little aqua-fortis upon it, which will immediately receive from
the base metal a. blue tincture. There are several otiier modes by wIM
this abuse may be discovered ; if the gold-dust be spread thin upon >
piece of paper, and moistened with any volatile alkaline spirit, as that
of hartshorn, or sal ammoniac, the spirit will in a few minutes dissoht
so much of the copper as to stain the paper blue ; stale urine has a lii^^
effect in an inferior degree, and a solution of crude sal ammoniac applied in
the same manner, produces a greenish stain. In some of the ^^^
where gold-dust is procured, it is not permitted to make these trials ; io

!&% Penmmla.] ORIENTAL COMMXSRCE. 999

that oaie it b usual to obtain the Rajah^s stamp upon it, who takes care it
» of good qualitj*

Gotta Qauvm, {Gambir Hind.) or Gambia, is a juice extracted firoin
the leases of a plant nearly allied to the genus Nauelea^ (CadambOf
Saa) groiring on Sumatra, and elsevheie, inspissated by decoction, strained^
suffered to cool and harden, and then cut into cakes of different nzes, or
femed into halls. The ctuef places of manufacture are Saik, Malacca, and
Rhio on Bintang. It is used by the Malays with the leaves of betel, in the
same manner as cutch in other parts of India: for this purpose the finest
and whitest is sdected ; the red, being stronger tasted andrank, is exported
to fiatavia and China, for the purposes of tanmng and dying. Gambir,
when first tasted, impresses on the palate a strong sensation of bitterness and
astringent^, but it leaves a sweetish taate^ which remains a long time. The
finest and whitest kind is ^mned into little round cakes or lozenges. It is
sold par laxa of 10,000, and one laxa wei^ about 40 catties. This article
is frequently adulterated with sago powder, but it may be detected by
salation in water.

Kbmo Shxcls (Chama gigaa) are the diells of a very large species of
cockle, commonly called Dutchman's cockle, comm<»i on the shcHres of
many of die Eastern islands, and are sometimes upwards of 3 feet im
<Gameter, and weighing from 2 to 4 Cwt per pair. They are occaaionaUy
brought home as curiosities, and are much esteemed. They should be
diosen of the largest size, the intanal part perfectly white, and free from
craduand decay.

Licvnx Aloes, {Jgallochtim)^ or calambac, is the wood c^ a tree
growing in some parts of the Malay Peninsula, Cochin China, Siam, &a
It is described as resembling an oiive; and the wood, beii^ so much
esteemed among the Asiatics, is carefully watched. The trunk is of three
colours, aad distinguished by different names in commerce, mx.

I. Eaglb Wood is that immediately under the bark, and is black,
compact, and heavy, somewhat resembling ebony» and called by the Portu-
guese paa d*aquHa^ or eagle wood ; it sinks in water.

II. Is light and vdny, of a yellowish brown colour, somewhat like
ratten wood, and when burnt, affiwds a pleasant smell, and does not sink
in water. This is the kind commonly known in Europe; it is harder,
drier, more like dust in the moudi, and weaker in all its qualities than
die real ealambae, or heart of the tree ; the nearer it approadies to that,
the better.

III. Calambac is the heart, or centre part of the tree, and is the
wood so much esteemed in all parts of India. It should be chosen of a

Y i

840 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Malay PetAmb.

shining yellow colour, and weU veined externally, but more inclined to white
within, and of a highlj resinous qualitj ; it should have an agreeable fra-
grant smell, and a bitter aromatic taste, and be of a suflident softness to
receive an impression from the teeth or nails. The true calaDd)ac is gene-
rally in flat bits ; and its goodness is tried bj putting a small piece intothe
fire ; if it seems to melt like wax, and emits an agreeable finagrance while
burning (which should continue till it is wholly consumed), the wood is
considered of a good qualitj.

MissoT Bark is generally brought iBrom the Aroo Islands and New
Guinea ; it is almost flat, of an obscure yellow /colour, covered with a greyish
outer bark, of a sweet smell and taste, mixed with the flavour of do-
namon.

Rattans (Calamus Rotang) are produced in Sumatra, the Malay
Peninsula, and several of the Eastern islands, and great quantities are an-
nually carried to China, which is the principal market for them. For caoe-
work, they should be chosen long, of a bright pale yellow colour, well glased,
and of a small size, not brittle, or subject to break. They are purchased by
the bundle, which ought to contain 100 rattans, neatly tied in the middle,
the end%))ent together. In China they are sold by the pecul, which contains
from 9 to 12 bundles : it is therefore necessary to examine the average
weight of the bundles, as they are frequently considerably reduced in mt.
Such as are black or dark-coloured, that snap short, or the glaadng of which
flies off* on their being bent, should be rejected. When used as dunnage,
they are generally allowed to pass free of freight — The ton is 6000 canes.

Rattans, Ground, should be chosen in long joints, at least 9 inches,
tapered, heavy, and well-glazed. Those with the roots are most esteemed ;
but as such cannot be procured without paying an exfra price, care should
be taken to have them of sufficient length to make two, three, or four stkks,
each S8 to 42 inches long. Such as are dark^oloured, short jointed, badly
glazed, or decayed, should be rejected.

Sago, {Sabudana^ Hind.) is the produce of several trees, diiefly a
species of palm, (Saguerua) growing in the Moluccas and the neighbouF-
ing islands. The tree, when at maturity, is 80 or 40 feet high, and consists
of nothing but a spongy and mealy substance, somewhat resembling the
pith of an dder-tree, surrounded by a hard bark of about half an inch thict
When felled, the sago is loosened from the bark, and reduced to the appear*
ancie of saw-dust. The filaments are separated by washing ; the meal is laid
to dry, and afterwards made into cakes about 8 inches long, 2 broad, and
half an inch thick ; it is then baked till it becomes dry and hard, and forms
the principal article of food in the Eastern islands. The finest part of th^

Malay Pemmula.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 341

meal is mixed with water, and the paste rubbed into little round grains, like
small shot, and dried. This is the sago as imported into England, for
which market it should be chosen of a reddish hue, and readily dissolving
in hot water into a fine jelly. It should, previously to being shipped, be
carefully sifted and cleaned, and if possible, only the middling sized grains
be brought; the remainder might be readily disposed of to the Chinese,
who trade very largely in the article, importing it in their own junks from
the Eastern islands. — The ton for freight is 16 Cwt

Tin, {Ranga^ Hind. Manga and Trapu^ San.) — This metal is found
iu most parts of the Malay Peninsula, on Sumatra, Banca, and at places
between (T S. and l(f N. lat. : it is an article in which a considerable trade
b carried on with China and various parts. The best tin is said to come
from Banca, the mines on which island are stated to yield 1500 tons per
annum. In China, Banca tin is preferred to Cornish. In 1813 a large
quantity was brought to England from China, for want of sale. It is gene-
mlly made into slabs or ingots of different sizes, from .20 to 60 lbs. each ;
in some parts of the Malay coast it is cast into the shape of birds, and fanci-
ful forms^ and is frequently in very small pieces. In purchasing tin, only
the large slabs should be chosen ; but if obliged to take the small, particular
care is requisite both in receiving and delivering it from the ship, or the
sailors will steal it, to sell for spirits. At many of the Malay ports, where
Un is purchased, it is usual to run it over again in a Chinese taich^ as it is
flometimes offered full of dirt.

Wax (Mam, Hind, and Fers. MedhuchJiishta, San.) is a commodity
of great importance in the Eastern islands, from whence it is exported in
considerable quantities to China, and other parts, in large oblong cakes. It
is divided into head, belly, and foot The head is of a bright yellow colour,
free from dirt and impurities ; the belly is darker coloured and veiny ; and
the foot is of an ash-<x)lour, soft and foul. Wax should be chosen somewhat
brittle, of a pleasant yellow colour, an agreeable smell and taste, not ad-
hering to the teeth when chewed, and burning entirely away. That which
is dark-coloured and foul should be rejected ; and care should be taken that
the inside of the cakes is equal to the outside. It is occasionally imported
in small quantities from Bengal ; but the heavy freight prevents its being
profitable, otherwise Bengal could supply the wants of Great Britain.—-
% Cwt of wax are allowed to a ton.

Wood Oil.— This oil is produced on Sumatra, and is used for preserv-
ing timber from the white ants, and when boiled with dammer, for covering
the bottoms of ships and boats. It is procured in the same manner as cam-
phirc oiL

S42 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [MtOoif Peninsula.

PERA— From the S. W. end of Prinoe of Wales's Island, Pulo Dm-
ding bears S. S. E., distant about 60 miles. This island and the Sambe-
longs lie at the entrance of Pera River, which is in kt about 8^ 6(y N.
The ebb tide runs strong near the mouth of the river, where it narrows,
especially after rain ; it will admit of a vessel drawing 12 or 14 feet watery
but the bar requires attention, being hard sand. There is but one dan-
gerous shoal in the river. In other respects it is navigable with safety,
having a continued muddy bottom up to the place where the Dutch had a
factory. The town of Pera, where the King rendes, is about 00 miles fixmi
the sea.

Trade is chiefly in tin, cdlleeted firom the intaior, which is proStabl]r
disposed of in the Chinese market.

Provisions and Rbfresbments.—- Cattle and poultry are not so dieap
here as at Queda. Oysters are to be had in quantities near the river^s mouthy
and great plenty of excellent fish. Grood water may be procured at a wa-
tering-place near the ruins of the Dutch fort^ on the E. nde of Pulo fa-
ding.

SALAN60RE.-^The kingdom of Salangore extends from the river
Bima in lat 8** 85' N. to Ginting River, E. of Tanjong Tuan, in kt. JPltf N.
There are several rivers navigable for vessek ; the only one fifequaited hj
Europeans is Salangore river, in lat 8* JO' N. and k>ng. 101* 18' E. The
town where the King rendes, is ntuated a short distance up the river, to
which small ships occasionally proceed. You are perfectly safe in this port
while in the river, and it is the only one upon the Malay Coast, except
Tringano, where you are free from apprehensions for your life and property.
But lying in the roads, it will be necessary to be on the alert, and ready to
repel any attack made by the straggling proas that are always about, and
ready to take advantage of any inattention : you should not, therefcve,
suffer any proas to come near after dark. It never has been known that any
accident happened in the river of Salangore by a ship being cut off, as the
Rajah finds it his interest to establish a good name to the port Coining
into the river, steer for the look-out house, keeping it rather on the larboard
bow, and the river*s mouth fairly open. It is said that the Dutch hare
sunk large stones across the entrance of the river, which should be guarded
agwist. The fishing-stakes may be run between, observing to keep dear
of those to which nets are attached, as you may do the fishermen an injury*
which they will not easily forget. You anchor off the Shabundar^s houae,
which is on the right hand side of the river as you go in.

DiftECTioNs.— Upon your arrival, your first visit is to the Shabundar,
who will introduce you to the Rajah. The next day you bring your

Malay Peninsula.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 343

musta*s on shore ; and haring made your bargain to sell, jou will stipulate
likeirise for your returns^ Should there be any Bugis proas in the river»
avoid making any private bargains with them, as the King does not allow
any to trade with them or the Chinese ; he monopolizes all this trade, and
if he finds it out, which he is certain of doing by bis informers, he will ever
after give a preference in trade to any body else than you.

Trade.— By the country ships from India, and by proas from Pulo
Pinang, are brought coarse cutlery, cotton, china-ware, copper goods,
gunpowder, glass-ware, gold thread, iron in bars, lead, looking-glasses^
opium, piece-goods, swivel guns, steel, tobacco, and woollens.

The Bugis proas import many articles of Eastern produce, taking in
Fetam Spanish dollars and the before-mentioned goods. The produce of
the country, aa well as what is brought from the neighbouring ports, is
taken away by the country ships, or sent in their own proas to Pulo Pinang,
and consists of beech de mer, betel-nut, cloves, camplnre, cutch, canes,^
dragon^s blood, dammer, elephants'* teeth, gold-dust, nutmegs, pepper,
rattans, sago, tortoiseshell, and tin. In the choice of tin the preference
here should be given to the smaller pieces, as the slabs are frequently adul-
terated with dross, stones, and iron shot If you take gold in return for
your goods, it riiould be examined by a touchadar, and have the King^s
chop on it, to prevent adulteration.

I>UTiBs.— Two dollars per bahar, (that is about 2 in 30), is the amount
of the Customs here, and the presents are many, though not so valuable aa
at Acheen ; and you will find it mudi to your interest to be on good terms
with the Sbabundar and the weigh-master.

Coins and Wbicbts*'— -Spanish dollars are in general use, but imaginary
doDars are dealt for here, which are computed by weight, in the following
manner :— -8 tompongs of tin, of 8 catties weight, are 1 Dollar ; 30 dollars^
or 840 catties, are 1 bahar, equal to 384 lbs. The Malacca Bahar of 300
catties is sometimes used for selling ; it is therefore necessary in bargains to
mention what bahar you agree for, and insist upon having your tin
weighed by your own weights, as their dotchin is generally short of the
weight yoQ ou^t to receive.

Another Bahar here is 3 China Peculs, or 400 lbs. avoirdupois.

Malacca."— This dty, which gives its name to the straits formed
by the Malay Peninsula and the Island of Sumatra, is situated at the bead
of a smaU bey, in latHude 2'' 12 N^ and loikgitude lOr 15' £., and has
a very neat and beautiful appearance from the sea. The city is large ;
many of the houses are of stone and well built ; and several of the streets
are spadous and handsome. The fort is cm the S. side of a sooall river^

344 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Malay Pmintula.

over which is a bridge of several arches. The church stands upon a hOI,
and being always kept white, is conspicuous at a great distance.

Large ships anchor with the church bearing E. 27^ N. in 10 fathoms,
about H mile from the town. Ships^ boats may proceed into the river at
about three-quarters flood. In going in, keep the fort well open to the
starboard, till the river is open between the fort and the houses ; then steer
directly in for the river, that being the deepest channel ; the landing-place
is on the larboard side, as soon as you enter the river, about two ^tones^
throw from the bridge. A lighthouse is now erected, 146 feet above the
level of the sea. .

By the recent treaty between the British and Netherlands Govern-
ments, Malacca b ceded to the former.

Duties. — ^The duties in all the Dutch Indian possessions were, by a
proclamation of 1822, assimilated to those at Java; but the foUowing
exception was made as to Malacca :—

The import duties at Malacca shall henceforth, with the exception of
that on opium, and all such articles as whereon, by the now existing tariff,
a certain duty is fixed, be levied as follows :— -

On goods imported with Dutch ships, one per cent

On goods imported with foreign ships, two per cent., to be calculated
on their value at the time of importation, while the exemption of duty with
regard to Java and Madura shall likewise be applicable to Malacca, on
native vessels considered in equality to the Dutch.

Likewise shall the exemption of duties, with regard to settlemenU
distant from Java and Madura, in every respect be applicable to Malacca.

The export duty on goods, being the production either of the soil, or
of the industry of the inhabitants of Malacca, shall for first, and in expect-
ation of other arrangements thereabout, remain as they are at present

The export duties on all other goods whereon import duty has been
paid, or of which certificates will be shewn, are by these presents abolished.

The transfer of this place to the British will of course occasion an
alteration in the duties upon its trade.

TRAnx. — The East India Company^s ships, and the Country shipi
firom India bound to China, used to call here for refreshments, and to pur-
chase goods. The trade of Malacca has been fast decaying, and the city is
represented to be almost deserted.

The gold-dust met with here is first examined by the officers ci the
Company, and then made up into small packets in Chinese paper, bound
round with a thread, and impressed with Malay characters. £ach packet
contains a catty, and b worth from 460 to 500 dollars. The packets wbea

M^hff Peninmla.] ORIENTAL COMMEBCE. 345

sold are neirer opened, but are taken on the seller^s report ; and no instance
is known of any fraud ewex having been practised on such occasions. ^

Fbovisioms AMD RsFRBSHMKNTS.— Sheep and bullocks are scarce here;
but there are buffaloes, hogs, poultiy, and fish in plenty. Here are the
finest yams of any produced in India, and a great variety of fruits, amongst
the rest mangosteens and pine-apples in abundance. Water is brought off
in bulk, for which you pay one dollar a butt ; but it is sometimes brackish.

Coiiifl.— -They have no particular coins of their own ; some few Dutch
schillings and stivers are to be seen; the rest are gold, as coupangs, ducats,
&c. ; but all contracts for goods, bought or sold, are made in Dutch dollars.

Accounts are kept in riz^ollars, sduUings, stivers^ and doits, which

are thus divided :«-

4 doits make 1 stiyer.

6 stivers , « 1 schiUing.

8 schillmgB • 1 rix-dollar.

All Indian coins are current here. The following are the rates at
which they usually pass :— -

Bombay rapee 6 schilliogs.

Madias rupee 4 ditto.

Speniah dollar 10 ditto.

Japan cobang, stamped 80 schiUingB.

Ducatoon.... 13 ditto.

English crown 10 ditto.

A dubbeltjee is 10 doits, and 3 are equal to a tangre or schilling.
10 tangres, or 68 stivers, equal to a Spanish dollar, exchange for 27 dub-
beltjees, 2 doits. 1 J Spanish dollar, equal to a pagoda, exchanges for 40
dubbeltjees, 8 doits. 2 rupees, or 24 dubbeltjees, are equal to 1 Keesers
daaldar.

Wbiohts. — ^All goods are weighed here by the dotchin, for which 1 per
cent is paid to the Captain of the Chinese, who is dotchin-keeper.

Gft£AT Weights.

16 tales make 1 catty.

loo catties « 1 pecul.

3 peciils m 1 bahar.

Gold Weights.

16 miams make 1 buncal.

20 buncals • 1 catty,

equal to 29 oz. 17 dwts. 16 gn. troy.

The pecul weighs 135 lbs. avoirdupois ; but what is called tlie China
pecul at Malacca, weighs only 125 lbs.

Measures.— 1 ganton is equal to 6 Dutch lbs. or 6) lbs. avoirdupois^
10 gantons, one measure ; 50 measures, 1 last ; 800 gantons, 1 quoyane.
40 China peculs make a quoyane of rice, which then weighs 5400 lbs. avoir-
dupois.

A kip of tin contains 15 bedoors, or 30 tampangs, and weighs 37§ lbs.
Dutch troy, or 40 lbs. 11 oz. avoirdupois.

The covid is two-thirds of a Dutch ell, about 18f English inches.

346 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Mahtf Penin$ula,

JOHORE. — The town of Johore is about 20 miles from the entranoe
of the river, of which the bluff laDd, called Johore Hill, forms the S. side.
There are two entrances into the river. It was formerly a place of con«
siderable importance.

Trade. — The surrounding countiy produces pepper, gold, tin, canes,
sago, and elephants^ teeth.

BINTAN6. — This island, situated at the entrance of the Straits of
Singapore, is in latitude about l"" 2' N., and longitude KH"^ 90' E. Bhio,
the principal town, is about five miles to the N. of the S. W. extreme of
the island, and was formerly a place of considerable trade.

Trade. — Large spars for masts are procured here of an excellent qus-
lity. Gold-dust is occasionally to be met with. There are no duties leTied
on imports or exports ; but some presents ore necessary to the Sultan, and
the principal men about his person.

PAHANG.— This town is IS miles up a river, the entrance of which
is in latitude about 3^ 45' N. The river has an island at its mouthy whidi
makes two channels into it ; the N, has 4{ fathoms at high water, and the
channel is about 150 yards broad ; just within the bar is excellent anchorage
in 6 fathoms. The river is a mile broad, but so full of shoals as to be only
navigable for small vessels up to the town, the houses of which are built of
timber and bamboos, surrounded with trees. It is under an independent
Rajah, or King.

Trade is scarcely deserving of attention since the establishment of the
settlement at Singapore. The exports are gold-dust and pepper. The
former is abundant in the river, and is the best in the Peninsula. Pepper
might be produced to the extent of 3000 tons, if required.

PACKANGA RIVER.— The N. point of this rivo* is a bluff head-
land, in latitude 4^ 50' N. The town was formerly a place of some note,
but fell to decay, being dependent on Rhio, the place where most of the
eastern trade was carried. This river is very conveniently situated for
trade, being deep enough at its mouth to admit vessels of 100 tons burthen.

Trade. — The produce of the place is gold-dust and rattans, most of
which is exported in their own proas. Chinese junks occasionally come
here.

TRIN6AN0 is situated at the entrance of a river, in latitude 5^2rN.i
and longitude 103^ 4' E. This is a place of considerable trade ; the Rajah
resides in a strong fort, and is very friendly to Europeans. Ships are in do
danger of surprise from the inhabitants of Tringano. The usual ancbonge
is with the flag-staff bearing S. W. by W., the Redang Islands N. by W.,
distance from the mouth of the river about two miles. Ships occasmsUjT

Malay Penkuula.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 347

salute the fort with nine guna, which is considered a great compEment bj
the Rajah, and a like number is returned.

In Norember this is a lee-shore, and no ships should staj in the roads;
December^ January, and February are the blowing months, and a heavy
nirf rolls in from the China seas and the Gulph of Siam. Commanders are
sometimes detained on board ten days on account of the large surf on the
bar, and the ship riding with three anchors a-head.

DiKKCTioNs.-— The following remarks on the Malays were made by a
gentleman long conversant with them and the whole trade to the eastward.
— '' Though the Malays are not possessed of many virtues, they admire
them in Europeans, and invariably give the preference to the man who has
dealt honourably with them. Endeavour by all means to learn the language,
which, with proper application, may be done in a few months. Your lin^
guist and touchadar are often great knaves, which renders it absolutely
necessary for every man to be his own linguist. When yon are dealing
with them, guard yourself from passion ; it is common for them, when yoo
ask 600 dollars, to offer 150 ; they will tell you not to be angry. Never swear;
though you mean no harm to them, their jealous disposition makes them
think otherwise, and it may be attended with serious consequences, particu-
hirly when expressed in anger, which is too common a case. A man of this
temper they will keep in constant agitation, in order to harass him, expect-
ing by such means he will be glad to sell, in order to get away ; but when
they meet with a man who, if they offer one dollar, will put on a pleasant
countenance, and tell them they have an undoubted right to offer what they
please, they are gratified with bis behaviour, and give him the name of a
sensible man. If you take a touchadar, be cautious he plays you no tricks
in cleaning the gold ; you should therefore always carry a bottle of aqua-
fortis, which must have a glass stopper ; and likewise some magnets. If
you take gold-dust, dear it from the sand as well as possible ; then put it
into a glass, and drop some aqua-fortis upon it, which wiU destroy and
turn black every thing else but the gold. Let it dry, then use your magnet;
it appears in the gold like black sand, and will all stick to the magnet ;
practice will soon make it familiar to you. Be careful of keeping aqua-
fortis, as it is easily put into fermentation, and the vapour arising therefrom
may be of the most fatal consequence, by either instant death, or the loss of
yoor sight Never keep any thing of value on shore vrith you, and always
remember to send off* your gold-dust as you receive it : you will then be
safe ; for 100 dollars are sufficient to induce a Malay to assassinate yon, if
he can with impunity. Tou should likewise have a set of gold touches and
stone, to try the bar-gold, whidi is done with the different touches, by

348 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. IMalay Peninsula,

rubbing them on the stone, and observing which the gold comes the nearest
to, and value it accordingly, always taking care to cut it lengthwise and
through the middle. Practise on board with your touches, and the different
sorts of gold will soon make it familiar to you.^

Tradk.— -The tin procured here is brought from Palembang orBanca,
in the Malay proas. The pepper, which is the produce of the countiy, u
good ; but they often mix it with the Dutch sweepings from Palembang,
which must be looked into : they will always garble it if you mention it in
your contract The merchants may want credit for about 20 days; more
they will not expect, as you should always tell them you are bound to
China, that they may use dispatch. If your time will admit of it, gi?e it
them ; it ensures you so much sold ; and it often happens they have not the
pepper Inrought in, or gold-dust ; and if you refuse them credit, the mer-
chants, among whom the King wants to distribute the opium, go away,
and you thereby lose the sale of 30 or 40 chests : besides, you may iepeoA
upon receiving the goods as they come in. You should make it a part of
your agreement to have the Eing^s seal put upon the gold, as he will then
be in some degree answerable for its quality. Besides gold, tin, and pqpper,
betel-nuts and rattans are met with. The chief imports are opium and cutlery.
Duties. — The established duties are 5 per cent., but you should always
agree that the King should pay the duty, for you cannot trade publicly with
any one else ; at Tringano it is always customary. However, be careful
to mention it in your agreement, or they will endeavour to take advantage,
and make you pay them. The presents necessary are, to the Rajah to the
value of not less than 50 dollars ; the Prince about 50 ; the Shabundar and
agent about 50 each.

FaovisioNs AND Refreshments.— Fo^wls may be procured here in
great plenty ; and they have an excellent though small breed of cattle.
Fish and fruits are in abundance.

Coins. — Throughout the Malay Peninsula, Spanish dollars are the
common coin, and the Chinese pecul the conmion weight ; the currency
here consists also of the following:—

400 patties equal to 1 koasang.

4 kossanga « 1 mace.

16 maoe • 1 tale.

Weight.— The pecul at Tringano is 140 lbs. avoirdupois.

REDANG ISLANDS.— These islands, which extend along the coast
about 30 miles from 5^ 30' to &" 4' N. latitude, belong to the Government
of Tringano, and from some of which pepper, rattans, and black-wood are
brought for the King^s use. The inhabitants are apt to take advantage of

Malay Pemnstda.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 349

anj small vessels they can overcome. Having no convenient harbours, the
islands are seldom visited by European ships.

PATANY is in latitude about 6° 50' N. ; the town is about 6 miles
from the road, and was formerly a place of very great trade. The town is
sorrounded with wooden paUsadoes, and has a strong fort The houses are
built of timber and bamboos, and have a mean appearance. Considerable
numbers of Chinese are settled here, who carry on a trade in their own
junks with Siam, Cochin-China, China, and Batavia.

Tbabs.-— The Chinese import from Batavia, cutlery, gunpowder, iron,
lead, looking-glasses, opium, piece-goods, and steel. From China are im-
ported, for the consumption of the resident Chinese, and for the natives.
China-ware, furniture, ironmongery, lackered ware, silk-goods, sugar and
sugar candy, tea, and wearing apparel; and from Siam, Cochin-China,
Borneo, &c. a variety of eastern commodities.

The exports consist of the under-mentioned articles, the greater part
of which are sent to China :— Agala-wood, betel-nut, beech de mer, black-
wood, canes, dragon^s blood, rattans, sapan-wood, skins of sorts, tin, tor-
toise-shell, and wax.

CALANTAN RIVER*— This river is in latitude &" l& N., and under
the Grovemment of Tringano. The bar of the river is shoal, and there is a
number of sandbanks inside, on which boats will ground. Ships sometimes
touch here to procure pepper. The anchorage is with the river bearing S.,
about 3 miles^ distance. The coast from hence stretches W. into the Gulph
of Siam ; the principal place in which is

LI60RE, about 12 leagues to the N., between which is a low island
called Papier. The anchorage is about 2 leagues from the river. The
town is built of bamboos covered with reeds. There are many temples
with small steeples, which at a distance appear like ships^ masts. This
place is under the Siamese Government There used to be a great trade
earned on upon this part of the coast. The Malay proas carry on what
little trade remains.

SING APORE.— The Island of Singapore is situated at the extremity
of the Malay Peninsula, in what is called the Straits of Singapore, through
which lies the route of vessels to and from the China seas. The town
stands on a point of land, near the W. part of a bay, and is easily
distinguished by a pleasant hill behind it, partly cleared of trees which
abound on the island. Between the W. part of the bay and the town is a
creek, in which native vessels anchor close to the town, and European
vessels of easy draught may repair in.

3S0 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Jfofay Ptmmk.

When the Dutch retained their Eartem poflteMons in 1814, they
seemed bent upon reviving and extending their ancient exdumve eosnDerdal
system with Malacca, which was transferred to them at the Peace. They
claimed a sovereignty over Rhio, and the whde of the ancieiit Empin
of Johore, which included Lingen and Pahang. To obviate dieir views,
and to establish a free entrepot for trade. Sir Thomas Stamford BaCBes
was authorized in 1818, by the Supreme Government in India, to fix upon
a spot not under Dutch power, adapted for a settlement. He selected
Singapore, and concluded an arrangement with the Toomoongong, or
Chief, by which the island was ceded to the Company fiir a certain stipend.
Some remonstrance was made on the part of the Dutdi, but without soy
ground, as the Chief held the lands of Singapore, and of most of the Islands
about the Straits, as \&A own independent inheritance.

By the subsequent treaty between the British and Neth&lsnds
Governments, Singapore was formally ceded to His Majesty ; and by the
Act 5, Geo. IV. is transferred to die East India Company.

Its rajnd rise is truly astonishing. In the first two months, it WHS
visited by S7S vessels. Its admirable position in regard to India, China,
Java, Borneo, Sumatra, and the Eastern Archipdago— its phyncsl ad-
vantages in a rich and fertile soil— 4ts harbour unrivalled in these seas, as
to capacity and security-^and its freedom from imports, lessen our wonder
at the progress it has made. When the British flag was first hoisted, the
island scarcely contained 200 souls, mostly fishermen; it is now a eohxiy
of more than 10,000 industrious inhabitants, collected from ail quarterSf
(the largest portion Malays and Chinese), living in harmony undar British
Government ; and plantations of pepper, gambia, spices, and oofiee aie
fast riang. Singapore is declared a free port, and the trade open to veawk
of every nation, free of duty.

At the anchorage in the harbour ships are shdtered from £. N. &
round to N and W., aa far as S. by W., by the S. point of JohoKie, SingapoR>
and many smaller islands, extending to St. John% and thence round to
the N. point of Batang, bearing E. S. E., by the numerous islands fisrming
the S. side of the Singapore Strait ; the bottcmi to within a few yards of
the shore is soft mud, and holds well.

As the directions for Kngapore Harbour are not found in Capt.
Horsbttb6h'*s Work, it may be useful to subjoin those of Capt. Rosa, of
the Bombay Marine, who surveyed it in 1819*

<< Ships that are coming from the E., have nothing to appr^end ia
rounding the small peaked island which is on the E. side of St. Joho^a^ ^

Mala}/ Penimuh.'i ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 851

the re-does not extend above a cablets length off it ; and just without that,
the depth of water is from twelve to fourteen fathoms. Having rounded
the peaked island, at half a mile, a N. or N. by E. course will lead to the
anchorage, and twelve or fourteai fathoms be the depth ; but when at one
mile and a half from the island, it will decrease to five or four and three-
quarters fathoms at low water, on a flat which is two miles and a half long,
and is parallel to the coast : there is no danger whatever on this bank, being
soft mud. Continuing the N. or N* by E. course, you will deepen into a
channel of twelve or thirteen fathoms, and again shoal rather quickly to
ax fathoms on the shore bank ; after which the depth decreases gradually to
the shore. Large ships will find the best anchorage to be with Peaked
Ishind about S. by W., and the £. extreme of Singapore Island about
N. £. by E., in five fathoms at low water, where they will have the tower
bearing N« W. by W., distant <me mile and a half Ships ot easy draught
can go nearer into three fathoms at low water, with tlie Peaked Island
bearing S. W., and Jcbore Hill on with the E. extreme of Singapore Island,
where they will be distant about three-quarters of a mile from the towar,
and about half a mile from the E. low sandy pcunt of the bay.

*' The coast to the E. of the Town-bay is one continued sandy beadi ;
and half a mile to the E. point of the bay, or two miles and a half from the
town, th^e is a point where the depth of water is six or seven fathoms, at
three or four hundred yards from the shore ; and at dx hundred yards a
small bank, with about three fathoms at low water : the point offers a
favourable position for batteries to defend ships that may in time of war
anchor near it.

** The tide during the neaps is irregular at two and three miles off
shore, but close in it is otherwise* The rise and fall will be about ten or
twelve feet, and it will be high water at full and change at 8 h. 80 nu
The latitude of the town is about I'' 15 J' N., and the variation of the
needle observed on the low E. pmnt of the bay, is S° 9' E.^

A new route having been discovered into the Straits, the following
directions are pubhshed for general information.

DirecHonB far ptusing through the N, E. Entrance into the Straits of
Singapore^ from the Straits of Dryonj or Philip's Channel*

After clearing the Middleburgh Shoal either to die E. or W., a direct
course may be steered for Cap Island, which lays near a bluff headland
on the E. shore. This island bears N. E. by N. from the centre of the
Middleburgh Shoal, and N. N. E { E. from the centre of Red Island. On

353 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Malay Penintula.

this bearing there is an extensive reef of rocks, distant one mile to the
N. W. of the Twins. With a working wind, and standing to the N., a vessel
ought not to approach too near it; the shoal of coral rocks is diy at low
water, spring-tides. When on it, the North Passage Island bore S., Sabon
HiU W., the E. end of Red Island S. and by W. : the soundings are from
ten to seventeen fathoms round it, steep-to. After leaving Red Island,
Pulo Doncan is the first island that will be distinguished from the group of
islands forming the E. shore. Pulo Doncan are two low woody islands,
bearing N. E. | N., distant 8 miles from Red Island ; in passing it to the
W., it ought not to be approached nearer than one mile, as there are
some rocky rerfs which surround it, from whence, and bearing N., distant
4 miles and a half from Pulo Doncan, the soundings are from twelve
to seventeen fathoms. Cap Island, or Rocks, so named from its appearance,
is a rock of perpendicular ndes, flat at the top, about 40 feet in height, and
surrounded by a reef of rocks projecting about three hundred yards;
the soundings near it are from ten to fourteen fathoms, decreasing as
you near the Island. Between it and the bluff headland is a reef of
rocks, on which account it would not be advisable to go to the E. of
Cap Island.

When abreast of Cap Island, Long and Round Island, and the Rabbit
and Coney, may be distinctly seen. A direct course may be steered, to pass
in mid-4)hannel between Round Island and the E. shore, which is three and
a half miles across ; the soundings are from seventeen to twenty-two fathoms.
Long and Round Islands ought not to be approached nearer than three-
quarters of a mile, as there are rocky reefs round them. In working and
standing to the westward off the S. end of Round Island, go no farther to the
W. than to bring the N. W. end of Long Island on with the centre of the
Rabbit, as there are four rocky reefs to the S. W. of Red Island. When on
the S. E. end of the southern reef in a boat, Red Island was in one with the
Rabbit ; the centre of Round Island, E. ) S. The soundings are irr^ukr
near these shoals and Long and Round Islands.

After pairing Long and Round Islands, Singapore can be distinctly
seen, and a course ought to be steered for St. John^s, to clear the Buffalo,
and a patch of dry rocks to the S. W. of the Buffalo.

Poet Rsgulations, Boat Hiks, &c.«— 1st The arrivals of all ships
and vessels shall be immediately reported to the Master- Attendant in the
ordinary Report Book, and afterwards by the Commander in p^wn at
the Master-Attendant^s Office, as soon as the vessel shall have andKHtd.

Malay Pmimula.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. BSS

Sd. The intended departure of anj ship or vessel shall be rqpotted to
the Master-Attendant twentj-four hours previous to her sailing, exc^t in
cases of emergency, which will be determined bj the Resident

Sd. Commanders of all vessels are requested^ when boarded bj the
Haster-Attendant^s boat, to deliver to the Post-OflSce letter-carrier, all
letters, packets, and dispatches^ for the Settlement^ and to receive and furnish
a receipt f<H: Past-Office packets which may be sent on board on their
departure.

4th. With a view of affording an authentic record of the progress of
the trade of the Settlement, all Commanders of European or square-rigged
▼essds, are required to give in before sailing, to the Master-Attendant, an
accurate specification of the goods imported and exported by them ; such
statement to be sealed, and not opened until the vessel shall .have quitted the
Port To facilitate this operation, the Master-Attendant will supply the
Commanders with proper forms.

5th. With the same object in view, a verbal Statement of the import
and export cargoes of Native vessels shall be given in by their Commanders.
6th. After reporting at the Master-Attendanfs Office on their arrival,
and immediately previous to tbeir departure, all Commanders of European
aad Native vessek are required to wait on the sitting Magistrate, and supply
him with a list of the passengers intended to remain at or depart from this
Settlement

7th. All vessels, European and Native, will promptly receive a port-
clearance on application to the Master- Attendants Office, and such port-
clearance will be given without fee or charge.

8th. All cargo boats shall be regularly admeasured, numbered, and
registered in the Master-Attendanf s Office, and each boat shall have marked
upon the bow, her No. and her tonnage.

9th. All cargo boats shall be supplied with good and sufficient cover-»
logs, adequate to protect the goods received on board from damage.

10th. The following shall be the maximum of charges taken for boat-
hire, wooding, watering, and ballasting of ships touching at the portj and
whose stay does not exceed 48 hours, as well as in all other cases where no
previous arrangement or contract is made.

Boat-hire—^ cents of a Spanish dollar per koyan of 40 peculs.
Boat-hire, for a return boat 34 cents.

Fiie-wood, per 1,000 billets, (of 18 katties per billet,) 5^ Spanish
dollars, with a proportional price if the billets are smaller or larger.
Ditto, ditto, boat-hire included, SJ Spanish dollars.
Ballast-sand per koyan, including boat-hire, 80 cents.

Si4 ORIENTAL COIUIERCE. [Afofay Peninsuk.

Stooe-ballagt, inchidkig boat-hire^ 90 cents.

Wster, if with ship^s casks, one dollar per too, mduding boat4ire.

Ditto, when ship'^s casks are mot issed, one dollar 1£ eents.

11th. The bfiiuness of supply ng wood, water, and ballast for ships,
and the employment of cargo boats, sfadi not be considered subject to asf
official restraiot or r^iulation beyond those already meaticmed ; and tk
mediation and assistance of the Officers of GroTernmiest with regard to tkem,
is deemed in the present advanced state of the trade of the port, no longer
necessary.

12A. Nothing contained in tlnse regulations diall be constraed to
operate against the most perfect liberty to riups, to wood, water, and baSsit
with their own boats.

Fbbs h>e AiicHOiuoa and Poet Clbarancbs. — These are dcelsnd
by Regidation 1883, to bein AiH of all chaises for port dnes:~

FVor dups of 500 tons and upwards ^»%^%*%>>^% 1 2 dollars.
■ rf30Q tons and upwacds »%%<%%%^%*<%*^10

^■^■""■"^^"^'"^ less man oiaj vt wis »»»%»»» n. ^»%%ifc%»%««%»>%%>% o
For brigs and all other sqnare-iigged vessels-^ 6
For junlcs of 600 tons and upwards .v%^^^%.^%.%^15

»mm>^mmmmm>mmt ^ 0^{^ tO OUll COUS ^^»r%»%%»»%%»»»»»%%%^»% 18

■■■"^^■^^■■^'■* Ox oiA/ \o 9amj iiOns ^%%%%%%i%%«v»^»i»»%i%»»% 4

All OUieiD ■W»^%»»)%«%r%(%%»»%%%<%^< < %%»»%«»%%%'»»%»%%%»^»%^»%<»i^» o

Native proas and vessels above 20 tons «««««^m« 5

I ■ 12 dkto ^^ 8

I I ■ ' 10 ditto %■»%«»»%»» 2

■ ' ■ ■ S ditto <%»»»%>% 1

—-——-—————* Sditto...^^^ i

Trade.-— The trade of Singapore is represented to be in a state of
progressive improvement

The following is the general statement of the trade in 1822 :<—

TONS.

Arrivala. Ships 51^076

Native VesselB.... 15^892

oa,S68. Number of Vessels^ ld9S.

Dq^nures. Ships 48>037

Native Veasels.... 15,694

§3,661. Number of Vessels, 17S3«

Mdt/g FenmnOa.} OBIENTAL COMMERCE. $fid

▼ALUE IK DOLLARS.

Imports by Ships 8^597^975

by Native Vessels. 1^012,331

■ 3,610,206

Exports by Ships 8,044,871

by Native Vessels 1,127,461

3,172,832

6,782,538
Not included inofficial returns 1,713,634

8,496,172

Since that period the trade of the Settlement has much increased;
Junks with CAfgoes of considerable value visit it from Cochin China, Siam,
tod China ; oif the latter, two arrived in Ae begfinning of 1824, one from
Aflioy, and the other from Ampo, in the River Sautao, the cargoes ^f eadi
▼riued at ^^60,000.

Bj recent accounts it appears that a commercial intercourse has been
opened between Kngapore and the Philippine Islands.

The imports of Bengal produce are considerable, especially piece-goods
and coarse chihtz. The Chinese junks bring from thmr own countiy, tea
sad other products, which may be purchased here cheaper than at China ;
and carrj awaj opium, pepper, ivorj, tortoiseshell, and articles suitable to
that market. From 0)chin China thej Ining silks, sugar, ivorj, and
treasure, in return lor opium, iron, and piece-goods. From Kam are brought
sugar, riee, salt, ivory, he. exdianged for piece-goods, ir^m, and opium.
The EasteA trade brings pepper, gold dust, tb, betel-nut, rattans, spices^
and otho* comsnodtties enumerated under places already mentioned, in ex-
diange for coarse fnece-goods and iron. The articles chiefly in demand tins
jea (I8B4), have been fire-arms and ammunition, white British cottons,
bombasina, light broad cloths, opium, iron, and steel.

?nne respectdble houses, conducted by Europeans, Mre estaUiAed heve»
besides those banging to Portuguese, Arm^iians^ Arabs, Chinese, and
Native traders of the ArcUpdago.

Pnovisiovs AKD Rbfbbshmbnts.— As may be expected in a rapidly
mcreasing Settlement, tdl jMrovirions, excqvt fish, tfe dear. The water is
exceOent. A river of fresh water lies at a short distanoe from the bay.

Coiirs AHB WBtGHTs.-— The currency of Singapore is the f^mmsh
dollar, fivided into cents, represented by the copper money of Prince of
Wales^ Island. The common weight is the pecul of ISSf lbs. avoirdupois,
divided into 100 catties. Sak, rice, and coarse sago are sdd by the looyaii
of 40 pecids neariy ; and gold by the bunkal, whieh weighs two dollars, or
b equivalent to about 742 grains.

Z t

3S6 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Sumatra.

SECTION XXIV.

SUMATRA.

X HIS island is the most western of those which may be termed the
Malayan Archipelago. The equator divides it obliquely into almost equal
parts, its general direction being N. W. and S. £. ; the one extremitj,
Acheen Head, being in latitude 6P 4ff N., and longitude OS'' 15' £., and the
other in B^ 5& S.

ACHEEN.— This kingdom occupies the N. W« extremity of the
island, and reaches about 50 miles to the S. £. Its extent and power were
formerly much more extensive. At present, Sinkell is said to be the limit
of its authority on the W. coast. The King at present resides at TeUsomaway,
at the N. E. extreme, but the Government is by no means settled. The
character of the Acheenese is represented as perfidious.

The town of Acheen is in latitude 5° 36' N., and longitude SB" W £.,
on the banks of a river, which falls into the sea by several branchesy
separating the low country into islands, and this low plain is partlj
inundated during the rainy season. The principal entrance of the river has
a bar, which a boat can hardly pass at low water ; but vessels from 20 to 30
tons burthen may enter the river at high water, and proceed about half wsf
to the town, where they occasionally heave down, and repair. The common
anchorage in the roads is in 8, 9, to 10 or 14 fathoms water, with the
entrance of the river bearing about S. E., distant two or three miles. The
town is situated on a plain in a wide valley, formed like an amphitheatre bj
lofty ranges of hills. It is said to be extremely populous, containing 8000
houses, built of bamboos and rough timbers, standing distinct from eBi^
other, and mostly raised on piles some feet above the ground, in order to
guard agamst the effects of inundation. The place differs little from the
generality of Malay bazars, excepting that its superior wealth has produced
a greater number of public edifices, chiefly mosques, but without the smallest
pretension to magnificence. The country above the town is highly cultivated,
and abounds with small villages, and groups of three or four houses, with
small white mosques interspersed. The King's palace is a very rude sad

Sumatra.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. SAT

onooiith piece of architecture, designed to resist the attacks of internal
enemies, and surrounded for that purpose with a moat and strong walls, but
without any regular plan, or view to the modem system of defence. The
King resides generally at Telisomaway. The main street only in the town
ii raised a little, and covered with sand and gravel, and even this is sometimes
overflowed by the swelling of the river, firom sudden and heavy rains on the
hills behind the town, in which case they make use of canoes.

The King of Acheen, as is usual with the Princes in this part of the
world, is the chief merchant of his capital, and endeavours to be, to the
utmost of his power, the monopolizer of its trade. His revenue arises chiefly
from import and export duties. In 1819, amission to Acheen obtained fos
us a treaty with the King, which provides for the residence of a British
agent, and a free and uninterrupted trade.

Traps. — ^A considerable trade is carried on, as well with private
European merchants, as with the natives of the Coast of Coromandel ; the
latter send annually from Porto Novo and Coringa, the following assortment
of piece*goods adapted for the Acheen market :-*

Blue cloth, 9 calls ^ %.»^^%%%%%%%%^^ % %v%^%%%^%%v%%%v» 100 corge.

XiiiLto, • ano o calls »»» » %%»»%«»%%»%%<%%'»%%%%^»%%%»%^<»%*»fc aI/I/ 01110.

Blue suckertoons, gold head, 40 cubits by 2 «»«^ SO ditto.

J5lue uivto, nne, qilwo » % %%vw»%%v%»%%»%%^»%%%%%%»%%>»%%%» ts Qitco*

w niie Qiivo, onto ^fc%^»%%'»i%<»i%»%%»»«»%^%<%%^^^<>»%%»%%«»%^ z qiuo.

Brown cloths, 8 and 9 calls %%%%%%%%%%^^%^v>^*^^ 100 ditto.

w nice qivlo, qiho »i%»^»%%<%%%i%%»»%<»%»< %«»%<%^%%'»»%%^» % %^%% xia/ cuho*

Ti^>pie8, 4 in a piece, 6 and 8 cubits longv«*«««^ 50 ditto.

A few fine long cloths, Pulicat handkerchiefs, taffaties, be. generally
are included in the assortment.

The other articles which are imported from the Coromandel Coast and
Bengal, are cotton, dried fish, gold thread, JaiTnapatam tobacco, opium,
salt, and sticklac.

Of European commodities imported, the following are the principal :•—
brass wire, broad cloth, cutlery, gunpowder, glass ware, gold thread, hard*
ware, iron in flat bars, muskets, looking glasses, lead, shot, small arms,
steel in faggots, and swivel guns.

The trade is in general troublesome, there being no great dealers
resident here, so that the goods are sold by retail in a kind of shop und^.
the bouses. In thu way all dealings are for ready money; but if any con«.
iiderable quantity is sold together, the purchaser expects credit till he h^

SaS ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Swmair^

ikpo$ed cf it, wMeb i^ sometiifies three or four mon^s^ and it iddom
Hflppnis that « ^hip $et» sidl wit&oiit leavhif sereral sute behind mireoeived.
This manner of dbposuig of goods is seldom adopted bj English oonmiBtii-
«rs, tfs tbey trade with the Eingfs Mioister, or Siablindar.

Bwoirrs.'-^The pdncipal article ef produce is gold ; but the ibHowiBg
are abo io be pfoeuredf here :-*-BetdUiiiity beDJamfai, patdi hid, pqipcr,
camphire, sapan wood, iBttOds, and brimsteine.

In ^urehaaiag gold-dust, great care amat be taken that no drcas or bran
fiUiga be ftitefndsed, which is too ofken tie oM. ExceHent teek and fir
grow ixt Smnaitra. PimIous stones are oeeasionally to be got rcesooiible ; but
m they are generaUy Mt in the country fashion, it is diflBcnH to fom a eor^
riet optnion of their value.

DiRBCTioNs. — On your arrival, go ianoediately on Anre^ talcbig all the
samples of gooda you hare to sell, and enquire fer the Shdbvndar, or
Harbour Master. Shew your Samples to him, Ond i^;ree about the ptioa.
It ia not necessary to play your respects to the Khig, until yo« ha've agreed
to seU, and are sworn. You pay so dnties on any sales made to the Ein^
On all purchases of gruff goods, such as brimstone, betel-nut, rattans,
benjamin, horses, and camphire, the KingV duties are 6 per cent. ; the other
petty duties for the Datoo, Shsrbundar, and Assay Master, amount to about
4 per cent But whenever yoa pttithase frontf, or seH to, the King, be sure
you agree wkh tiie Datoo (or King^s Merchant) to be fi^e from all duty, or
he will impose it upon you for his own emcdumentk

The presents are large. If you do busbiess, to the Xing shodld be giveD
1 long shawl, 1 piece (gold end) fine muslin, I carboy of rose water, 1 pair
of gold slippers, 1 piece of ine cossae, 1 bffi^rel 6t gunpowder, and 1 hand-
some fusee, if you have arms to sell. To the Datoo and Shabundar jour
presents must be in proportion ; for the King, professmg himself to be a
soldier, does not aftbct to be troubled with merchandise, but leares the
traffic to th^e two men, with whom you will find it your interest to be od
good terms, and fee them, after your first present, with trifles occasionaDj.
These men are fcpud of parade and attention ; it will be therefore necessary,
whenever theiy pay you a visit on board, to sdute them on thdr conking, with
three guns, and the same at their departure ; indeed, this is expected bf
every man upon the Malay Coast, who holds any rtask or appointment under
the King, wherever you are.

It win be absolutely necessary to bs(ve a touchadar (or ass^er) to trj
your gold, if paid in thet meti^, fukt to have the King^s chop or seal ttpooit}
and beware of imposition. Never cany more goods on sfaofe than youhsri>
orders for at one time ; and es you sell them off, receive the returns, Sfld

Smmifm.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. SU

give no credit upon any account ; for if yoo giire credit aveii to ike Datoo»
jou will probably be a loser. Houses are always ready for hire ; but if
jour sales are made to the Kbg, he furnishes you with ^ house gratis^ till
bis payments are finished ; after which time you must hire the same» or
some other» from the Datoo ; for which you will pay one or two buncals of
gold fer the seasoDy or while you stay there.

In all oases be particalariy cardiil of your lAip while in the roads; for
the Acheteese are connected with the people and pirates on the Pedir Coast;
sad if they find you unguarded, will give them information, and you may
thereby lose your ship. Yon run no risk on dbore but firom fire ; though it
may be proper to have, besides your servants, two or three Sepoys or
Eoropeans with you ; and particularly if you have any quantity of goods
insold, it wiH be also necessarjr to keep fire-arms in your house ; for the
•hew of being always prepared to repeJ, may be the cause of {Nreventiag
an attack.

PoftT Charokb, DoTiBe, Pafisawte, Ssc.-— Present to the King, 2 per
cent King^s officers, on the sale of every cargo imported, 7 buneals. Im-
port duties, 5 per cent Export duties, 6 per e&d. Chokey custom, for
attendance at the time of diopfHng goods, 9 mace per bale. Chopping fees,
to the man who chops or marks the goods, 1 ditto. Dotchin dues to the
weighing-man, i mace per bahar. QuaUa duties^ on ev^ boat load of
goods imported, S mace.

These taxes have been probably much reduced since Sir Thomas
Raffle8*8 mission to Acheen.

The contents of each bale of piece-goods, upon which the above customs
are levied, are as foUow :— •Brown long doth, 2| corge per bale. Blue long
doth, 7 ditto. Suckertoons, 6 ditto. Blue moorees, 15 ditto.

PnoTistons Airn RxrassHMBKTs. — ^A bazar is held daily during the
period any ships are in the Roads ; and the following articles are to be pro-
cured :— Bullocks in plenty, good, weighing when cut, 2 to 3 Cwt. each,
ducks, fowls, and goats. The vegetables are red and white yams, calavances,
pumpkins, and sweet potatoes. All sorts of tropical fruits in abundance,
particularly mangosteens, rambusteens, mangoes of a superior kind to most
in India, pfne-apfdes, oranges, limes, &c. The water is good, and brought
off in the country boats at a moderate expence.

Coins.-— Spanish dollars, rupees, and other foreign coin, pass current
They have a small gold coin, called a manna, which serves to pay servants
and other small disbursements ; but it is of very base metal,, and difficult to
pass : also a small lead cash, of ifriiich abqut 2500 aro.usuidly obtained ^^^^
a mace.

360 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Sumatra.

Acoounta are kept as follows : — i

4 Copa^gs e^ual to , 1 Mace.

4 Mace » , 1 Pardow.

4 P&rdows..., » i...l Tale.

In the gold dust trade, imagmaiy coins are adopted, dmt. tales and
maces of gold ; and 5 of these are reckoned equal to 4 pieces of the same
denomination of the common coin, •

The gold dust is reckoned 9} touch of Malabar, or 82| carats fine.
A buncal of gold is valued at 7 tales of gold in merchandise, but at 7f
tales in goods.

Weights. — ^All goods are weighed by the dolchin, which should be
carefully examined and proved The smaller the quantity c^ gooda
weighed at a time to the natives, under 100 catties, the more to the
advantage of the seller.

The great weights are the bahar, which equals 423 lbs. 6 oz. IS drs.
avoirdupois, and contains 200 catties* and 4000 buncals.

One Chinese catty and a half is commonly equivalent to a Malay catty,
which makes 3 Chinese peculs equal to 1 bahar ; but this is under the true
equivalent.

The lesser weights are as follow ; —

4 Copapgs equal to 1 Mace^

8 Mace.. « 1 Pa^oda^

9 Pagodas « 1 Tale. oz. dwts. gr.

5 Tales m 1 Btincal= 1 • 10 . 21 troy.

80 Buncals ^.. I Catty =srS0 . 17 . 19

In gold, the buncal is 92 touch, and is therefore worth ^6. Qs. T^d.

Th^ buncal is often altered in its proportion to the standard, number
of ma^e (80), at the pleasure of the merchants, and consequently the
catty v^iries.

A maund of 75 lbs. rice contains 21 bamboos. The bamboo consists of
4 ^u^s, wh^n the King'^s chop is on it ; but it is reckoned commonly at 5.

Measures,-— With the following they receive and deliver all kinds of
grain,

2 Chopas equal to 1 Quarter, lbs. ox. drs.

2 Quarters » 1 Bamboo=:3 .10 . lOaToiid^

a Bamboos « 1 Nelly.

10 Nellies v— « -1 Guncha.

10 Gunchas » 1 Coyang.

Sumatra.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE^ 961

They have a {mrticular measure for salt, called a parah, which ougfct
to contain 25 punies or bamboos, 80 of which make a coyang, about § of a
Madras garce.

Betel-nut is measured by the parah swept off with a board, one of
which, being counted, serves for a cargo. A loxa of betel-nut is 10,000
nuts, and, when good, should weigh 168 lbs.

The corge of cloth is 20 pieces.

ANNALABOO; m latitude 4"^ Sf N., is remarkable for a grove of
coco-nut trees on a small promontory. The anchorage for large vessels is
eight or ten miles from the mouth of the river, in 5 fathoms generally,
Annalaboo Point bearing about W., the S. extremes S. E. by E. ; but for
smaller ones not above one, in 4][ fathoms, the point S. W., breakers on the
bar N. by E., and S. extremes S. E. by E. The river is navigable for
boats and proas, and they go up a considerable way into a plentiful country,
abounding in cattle, rice, &c. In the N. E. monsoon the trade is carried on
in small boats ; but in the other monsoon these are laid up, and larger ones
used in their stead. The gold dust procured here is very fine, and it is said
that upwards of 2000 ounces are annually collected.

The Coins and Weights are the same as at Acheen, this place being
subject to it

SOOSOO is situated at the bottom of a bay, of which Cape Felix, or
Oujong Rajah, forms the W. extremity ; the town is in latitude 3° 4Sf N.y
and longitude 95^ 59^ E. The anchorage is about 3 miles firom the town.
Cape Felix bearing W. by N., and the town N- E. by E., in 18 to 20
fathoms. Soosoo Point may be known by the bazar on a high beach.
There are many shoals in the roads. The river is very small, apd some-
times blocked up with sand, and is always dangerous for boats to enter.
The best landing place for a ship''s boat is close round the inside of the
breakers to the N. of the Point

Trade. — Copper is procured from the lulls, and sold in pointed cakes.
Rice is abundant Soosoo is much frequented by small ships for pepper, &c«
but the natives are treacherous.

MUCEAY, OB MUCKLE, in latitude 3" 23^ N., is a sraaU place,
where coasting vessels stop occasionally.

SINEELL.— This river is the largest on the W. coast of Sumatra.
At the distance of thirty miles from the sea, it is very broad, and deep
enough for vessels of considerable burthen ; but the bar is shallow and dan-
gerous, having only 12 feet water at spring tides ; it is navigated by proas
^nd other small vessels. The town of Sinkell is forty miles up the river*

dot ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Smuiin.

Tke roads are in ktitode r 1(X N., and kogitude ST 88^ E., atabouttwo
nuks from the mouth of the riTer, bearing E. by N.

If a ship b likelj to staj here any time, it would be adyisafale to run
in betireen a small lalaad caUed Se Leaga, cohered with trees^ and the
makiy where jou are safe finom nil winds that blow. This is the plsee
where the Sinkellers used to transact aU busineis; bat It is now feprssentid
as entiftlj deserted.

Tradb. — The European and Indian articl€s in demand here are cutleiy,
China-ware, gunpowder, gold thread, iron in flat bars, muskets, lead,
locking glasses, opium, steel, swivel guns, salt, and pieee-goods from Ben-
gal and Madras^ c^ similar kinds to those enumerated at Acheen.

The principal exports are benjamin, camphire, gold-dust, and bees^ wax.
Tou are generally paid for your goods in the two former articles, of the
kinds denominated belly and foot ; but for the head you frequently pay
dollars, and it is seldom you can procure gold-dust without dollars, unlen
they are much in want of goods. In the examination of articles purchased,
particular attention is necessary, as the natives frequently adulterate their
commodities.

DuTiBs.-<*No customs are levied, but presents are expected.

Coins.— Spanish dollars are th^^rincipal currency ; but accounts are
kept in tales, sooccoos and satallies, viz,

4flatallies make 1 loocooo.

4 soocooos « .....I tale.

1 tale • 4 Spanish dollars.

Benjamin is bought here by the tompong or cake, which ought to
weigh 20 catties, each catty 56 ounces avoirdupois, and for camphire 56
ounces troy weight

WaioHT.-^The Chinese pecul is in common use in buying and sdfin;
most commodities.

TAPOOS is about SO miles S. E. of Sinkell ; it is proper to stand out
from Sinkell in 25 or 26 fathoms, to avoid the shoals in shore. It is not
easHy seen at a distance. As you get well in, you will see a bay, in the
bottom of which are tall arroo trees. The anchorage in the bay is in 6 or
7 fathoms ; Tapoos Point S. W. i W. ; Pulo Carrang S. K ; breaken
between them, S. £. by E. ; Tapoos River N. by E. } E., distant about
two miles, and from the N. point of the bay about half a mile Boats go
into the river ; but when the surf is high, it is^ best to land at the bottom
of die bay, and walk to the river side. The town is to the S. of the rirer.
There is seldom any surf in the bottom of the bay ; and wood and water
may be got by employing your own people.

Sumaim.] OBIBNTAL COMMERCE. S6S

BABOOB^^THais fowii b dxmt two leagues ftom ihe emut, mi the
banks of a rirer ) and two leagues fiurther inland tae dgfat smaH village^
iafcafaited hy Batla^ Who purchase tiie camiriih^ and benjamin ttom the
pto^le of <h# anotintidM, extending f^rom the 9. of Sinkell to the back of
Beraoi. The «iM4oritge id aboot threcMiiHtrten of a mfle to the 8, of Pnio
Gtitaag, in krttHide VBT N., and loAgHode 99> SS* E. The place i^
fiunoiu for haying giren name to the native camphire produced here, to
dblmgaish H ftom that which is imported from China.

Tiuam.'^^tht artides are ftmDar to thoto ftt SiidtdL The proportim
of Injktg c aa u pMre should be 96% lbs. Dutch, of head, 33^ lbs. c^belty,
and 85 Am. foot ; nftakfatg in the Whde 125 Dutdi pooitdi, which are eqnal
toonepecuL

l^aoYMtona Aim Rn»BB«tHftitTs.-^BiiIIocks, pooltrjr, and fldi ane to
be had good aaid reasonable, likewise terj eacedlent water; when yoitr boat
goes on shore the first time, she must lie a short distance firom the ahore^
untfl ibij smA a person 16 oondoct her into the river, otherwise jou may

*OSc flM* •

TAPPANOOLT.-^The celtArated bay of TapfMittOoly stretches into
the heart of the country^ and its shores are eveiy where inhabited by the
Batta people, who barter their prodnoe for the articles they stand in need
of ftom abroad, but do not themselves make voyages by sea. Navigatora
assert thai the natural advantages of tUs bay are scarcely surpassed by any
other ; that all the niwied of the world might ride here in perfect secnrfty
in an weathers ; end that such is the eomf^cation of anchdritig jdaces
within each other, that a large ship could be so hid in them as not to be
found without a tedious s^ardi.

The settlement of Tappanooly is situated on a small island, with a
little hSl at one end, in the bottom of the bay on the N. W. shore, called
Pondiang Cached, in latitude 1" 49 N., and longitude 99* 90' £., where
there ia a fbrt ahnoat defenceless, two or three houses for the resident, and
a smaD butu*. The anchorage is with the flagstaff bearing S. by W. in seven
fathoma. In standing in for it, you may pass to the N. or S. of the island^
and aoehor in seven fathoms, the body of it bearing about S. W. The
village of Tappanooly ia at the N. part of the bay, about four miles from
Ponefaaog Cached. It ia a common practice to moor ships by h hawser to
a tree on shore. Timber for masts and yards are to be procured in the
varioua creeks with greet facility.

Tkade.— The natives of the sea-coast exchange their benjamin, cam-
ple, and cassift, (the quantity of gold-dust is ineonsiderable), for iron^

SM ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Sumaira.

steel, brass-wire,. and salt These are bartered again with the more inland
inhabitants for the products and manufactures of the country.

FaovisioNs AND Refreshhekts.— Most of the articles mentioned m
the neighbouring places are to be had here ; but the demand being but
sviall, no great quantity of supplies could be obtained without a short pre-
vious notice. Water is conveniently procured from the 'main land, and is
very good.

Coins.— Accounts are generally kepi in dollars of 84 fanams, or 400
keppings. Spanish doUars are the principal coin used in foreign trade ; but
among the natives, the value of goods is estimated by tompongs, or cakes
of benjamin, and sometimes by buffaloes ; also by brkss-wire, beads, and
salt

Weights and Measures.— -English weights, as well as the Chinese
pecul, are used here. A measure of salt, called a salup, weighs about 2 lbs.
avoirdupois.

NATAL.— This settlement is in latitude (f 82 N., and longitude
98'' 5T E. The anchorage is in five fathoms, about two miles off shoce,
with the flag-staff bearing E. by N. This is one of the worst roads on the
W. Coast of Sumatra, having numerous shoals in it, and often a very large
sea run^iAg, and dirty weather ; and when the wind blows hard from the
W., you cannot without great difficulty clear the shore. Notwithstanding
which, it is a place of considerable trade, and inhabited by settlers fircMn
Acheen, Rhio, and many other places, who make it populous and rich.

Tkadb.— From India are imported beer, brass-wire, cutlery, doths,
China-ware, gunpowder, glass-ware, gold-thread, household furniture, iron
in bars, muskets, looking-glasses, lead, opium, patent shot, swivel guns,
steel, salt, wearing apparel, and wines.

Gold-dust of a fine quality is procured here in considerable quantities.
Some of the mines are said to lie within 10 miles of the factory ; it is gene-
rally of the fineness of 32 to SS carats. The annual produce is stated to be
from 800 to 1000 ounces; this, with camphire and wax, form the principal
exports.

Provisions ahd Refreshiients.— Beef, vegetables^ fruit, and fish are
procurable at moderate prices ; likewise wood and water.

Coins.— 'Spanish dollars and rupees are current ; besides these, there
are single, double, and treble fanams, the latter called tali, coined at Mt«
dras ; M fanams, or tali, being equal to a Spanish dollar.

In this part of the Island, where the traffic in gold is consideraUe, it is
generally employed as currency instead of coin. Every man carries somH

Sumatra.] ORlfiNtAL COAiMERC£. 366

scales about him, and purchases are made with it so low as a giMn or two
of paddy weight

Weights.— Various seeds are used as gold weights, but more especially
two, one the well-known scarlet pea with a black spot, 84 of^v^hich, called
rackays, make a mace, or ammas, and 16 mace a tale. The other is a
scarlet, or rather coral bean, much larger than the former, and without a
black spot. It is the candarine weight of the Chinese, of which 100 make
a tale. The tale differs in the northern and southern parts of the Island ;
here it is only 24 dwts. 8 grs. troy \ but at Padang, Bencoolen, and else*
where, it is 26 dwts. 14 grs. troy.

Commercial Weight^.

1*6 talies b. are equal to 1 China catty.

48 ditto • 1 catty ootao.

20 catties ootan « ......... 1 tompoDg:= 80 lbs. aroir.

Mbasubes.— The measure for grain and liquids is the coyan, eqiial to
S8S932O cub. in., each coyan divided into 80 tubs, each tub into 10 sUkats,
and each sukat into 12 pakhas.

TICOO ISLANDS.— These islands are small and woody, about 1 }
mile distant from each other, and the innermost 1^ mile from the main.
The outermost is in latitude 0° 23^ S.

PRIAM AN is about seven leagues N. W. of Padang ; the flag'^tafTis
ia latitude 0^ 40' &, off whidh are several small islands ; the northernmost
is the smallest, and has a well of fresh water, where the Dutch vessels used
to supply themselves. The river is small ; a pinnace cannot gd in till high
water ; you land on the right hand side.

PADANG. — ^This settlement was the principal one belonging to the
Dutch on the W. Coast of Sumatra ; it is situated up a river in latitude
0^ 58' S., and longitude Og"" 58' E. The fort is within 40 yards of the
river, about a mile from the sea. It is shoal water for nearly two miles
without the river^s mouth, though there are two or three fathoms at high
water, and about 10 feet on the bar. You go in round Padailg Head ; and
when in the river, in a small bay, under the foot of the head, there is water
enough for sloops and small vessels. You keep close to Padang Head in
going in; the entrance is narrow. After passing the saluting battery,
which is on the right hand side, you cross the river, and keep near the shore
tall you come to the stairs, or landing-place.

Tkadb. — Great quantities of piece-goods are annually imported here ;
the other articles of European and Indian produce are similar to those enu-
merated at Natal.

Crold ia the principal product procured ; this article, and camphire,

966 ORtSNTiU^ COMMENCE. [Smatra.

popper, wd wax, form tbe «Kpoi:tfL GumJac^ io cqpAfideraUe ^^uantidM,
18 to be met with on this part of the <!oast.

Protuions a»d SlEFii^9awsiir«*-'**CMtle ar« in great pl^tj, as well
ai dkicks and AmtIs ; of friuta ao4 i^egataUes Aey have an abundance. Tke
water here is verj good > it nana from the rock, and is conveyed in baobooB
in m»»f plaeepy on the starboard side, so that your boat majr haul ^wier
them, and fiU; the hurgest is about 200 jajcds above the Siflt

Coiira.*-Accouats are kept in rix dollars and stivers ; 48 sturers making
1 rix dollar. S^ianish dollars and most of tfae lodian coins pass^ nearly «t
the same rates as at Batavia.

Weights.— -Both Dutch and Chinese weights are in common use.

AYER RAJA.— This settlement is in latitude V BB S. The town^
which is about two miles up a small river, is difficult to find, it being in the
woods, were it not for the flag-stalir^ whidd may be seen a considerable dis-
tance ; bring that to bear E., and anchor about two miles from th^ shore.
It is A dangerous place to anchqr at, as you cannot dear the land, shoold it
blow hard, and you will ride very badly. It is not prudaot to send your
own boat into the river, as at low water the surf breaks very faigfa upon
the bar.

INDRAPOUR.— From Indrapour Point, in Jatit\ide fP Iff S., loogi-
tQde 100° 65' E., the coast forms an e^ctensiva bay, aft the bottom of whidi
IS a river, one of the largest in the S. part of this coast, and capable sf
admitting sloops.

MOCO MOCO, in latitude «° Sff S., and k>n^it«de lOl'^ 12" E., is
situated at the bottom of a bay ; the two points that form it are covered
wiUi tall trees. The fort, wbkk is called Fort Ann, lies on the S., and
the settlement on the N. aide of a small river, called Se Luggaa, whidi
name properly belongs to the place also^ and that of Mooo Moco to a smsU
village higher up. The basar consists of about 100 houses. At tfae N. eod
is the Sulfcan^^ which has nothing particidar to distinguish it, ezoqpt iU
beittg larger than other Malay houses. The anchorage is abreast of tk
fiiirt, in 10 fathoms, soft ground. Here you must not attempt going oa
above in your own boat, but must wait till a:boat comes from the shave te
carry you in <>ver the sucf.

Trade.-— The exports from this place are pepper and gold-dust Tbi
annual produce of the former is about 170 tons, and th^ of the latter 600
to 1000 ounces. It is sent to Bencoolen, £rom whence the articles required
for thdr consumption and internal commerce are imported.

Provisions ahd Refrbshmbnts.— All provisions and refreshments U^
easily procured here, except water, which is obtainad with difficulty, io

Smatra.] ORIENTAL COHMEBCE. 367

CQnsequence of die lieaTy muf and shoal water which jirepreiit the use of your
own boats ; but the ni^Fes will bring it off, chargiag about I4 SpaniA
dollar per butt

Between Moco Moco and Benooolen are the several places from whence
the Company received pepper, the principal of which are

Ippoe, or Aypovff, in kt S° lO' S., which produces annually from SO to 35 tons of pepper.

Cattown« or CajUme .... t* t& &, ditto SO to «6 ditta

Laye •..•••.•....•...-.— ... 3^ 40^ 8., ditto 100 to ISO.ditta

and at each of which they had an European resident. Hie produce varies
of course, as the seasons are more or less productive, but on an average does
not exceed the above amount.

BENCOOLEN, till its recent transfer to the Dutch, the principal
English settlement on the W. Coast of Sumatra, and to which all the others
were subordinate, is in latitude S° 4S S., and longitude 102° 2& E. Fort
Marlborough and the town are built on Oojong Carrang, a point of land,
having a level appearance, and moderately elevated.

The best place for anchoring in Bencoolen roads is the flag-staff E.N.E.,
Pulo Point S. E. by S., and Rat Island S. W. by S. Ships sometimes run
into Pulo Bay to anchor ; the best place is where Sandy Point bears N.,
about half a mile from the Company'^s godowns.

Should an European ship expect to be detained long here, it would be
advisable to moor in Rat Island basin, it being safe in all weathers ; and
boats are able to make a trip each day with the land and sea breezes, and
the goods are secure in the boats, which is not the case in the roads ; for
sometimes the North-westers give so short a warning, that boats, with half
loading, are obliged to put off for Pulo Bay. In going ashore from the
ship, keep the Company^s hospital, which is to the S., on the starboard bow,
or right a-bead, till you come near the shore, or S. point of the rocks ; then
you will have the channel open, and the S. breakers without you ; then
stand right in for the sugar-loaf, keeping nearest the breakers from the
shore, till you have the fort on your beam ; then steer in for the carrang,
or landing place, the passage into which lies dose to a bluff red point, wiUi
a grove of trees on it

A ship running for Bencoolen in a North-wester, should, after making
Rat IsUnd, bring it to bear S., and keep dose to the reef, with the island
S. by E. \ E., pitch of the reef N. W., distance from the reef 60 fathoms^ .
and doae to the buoy in 8 fathoms, when she will be tolerably sheltered,
and enabled to take the first opportunity of hauling into the basin.

By the treaty with the Netherlands of 17th March, 1824, Bencoolen,
and the other British possessions on Sumatra, are ceded to the Dutch, in

SfiB ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Sumatra.

exchange for Malacca, and the daims of the latter on Singapore. The
British Goremment, moreover, engages that no establishlnent shall be msde
on the Carimon Isles, Battam, Bintang, Lingen, or any other island S. c(
Singapore, nor anj treaty concluded with the Chiefs of those islands.

Traob. — Whilst this settlement wets in our possession, the European
imports were chiefly for the consumption of the Company^s establishment
The commodities sent hither from India were prindpally piece*goods and
opium ; of late years this trade was altogether carried on by the country
vessels. English goods were either sold by invoice, with an advance accoid-
ing to demand, or by auction^ the charge for which was 7 per cent. The
Company^s chief object in trading here was pepper; but latterly much
attention was paid to agriculture at Bencoolen, and the spice plantations
have so thriven, that, in 1S21, it was computed that the produce of nut-
megs exceeded the average consumption of Britain by about 4000 lbs.

Duties. — With the exception of foreign opium, all imports were ad-
mitted free by Reg. 1819. The Dutch Government will probably assimilate
the duties and regulations of this port to that of Java.

Pilotage Rates.— An European pilot was stationed at Rat Island;
rates as follow :— -

IN. out'.

JML Sue, DoU, Stte,

Rat Island basin, per 100 tonsw^%««.%«^^ 5 «««««^ 5
X uio pay %.%%»%%<»»%v»v%%^»»%»»»%%%%'»%^ ^ '%^>%%%»%»%v^ o u »<^»%%» o li
xnner jicoaos %%»%<»^'%%»v»»%%%»%%^^^^^>»%»%%»»%^%<»^^ is n %^»^%^ 7 <b

Vessels mooring in the basin to pay pilotage, whether pOot be employed
or not ; but vessels coming into the roads, or proceeding to Pulo Bay, were
chargeable only when a pilot was employed.

Wharfage was charged to Government at the rate of 50 cash, or
4 annas per ton, computed as in the next article.

Boat Hias : — ^For landing or shipping goods, the charge was not to ex-
ceed 1 dollar per ton, to be computed thus : — ^grain, saltpetre, salt,, or other
heavy articles, 13 bags, of 164 lbs. each, to the ton ; pepper, 16 Cwt to
the ton ; wine, 2 pipes to the tun ; beer, and other hogsheads, 4 to the
ton ; cases and bales by measurement, 50 cubic feet to the ton ; lead, iron,
steel, copper, tin, or other dead weight, 20 Cwt. to the ton. A ton of bar
iron to pay 1 dollar 1 succ. For boats losing a whole day, double boat hire
was chargeable. A boat carrying cargo to a vessel in Rat Island Basio, or
the outroads, and receiving return freight, the proprietor of such freigbi
to pay only half hire outwards.

Water Rate, one succoo per ton to Government.

Sumatra.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 369

Port Clbarancb, on certificate that the pilotage, &c. hare been paid,
was granted by the Secretary, on payment of a fee of S dollars On vessels
exceeding 50 tons ; no charge was made on vessels under that tonnage.

The aforegoing charges included all that were due at this port : what
the charges are at present, cannot yet be known.

Peovisioxs and Rkfreshmbnts.— Provisions and vegetables of all
kinds are very dear. Poultry scarce and dear. The mangosteen and other
tropical fruits are met with here, but not in abundance. The water is very
indifferent, and considered unwholesome.

Coins.— Accounts are kept in dollars, sometimes called reals, reckoned
at 5s. sterling.

8 satalliet equal to. 1 aoooooo.

4 800C0006 • 1 dollar or reaL

Weights;— The gold and silver weights are as follow :

oz. dwts. grs.
30 ooondees ...equal to... I keping = 2 5.166

SkepingB . ...1 ringit = 17 17.333

l|ringit » ...1 tad ... = 1 6 lit

The Chinese weigh gold by the catty, which equals about 1 lb. 7 oz.
5}dr8.

The Chinese commercial weights are these i

10 hoots equal to 1 see.

10 sees „ I'lee;

lOkes « 1 cheh.

10 chebs i. » 1 tael =± S7S^ grs. troy.

16 taels M .k ;1 catty = 1 J lb. avoird.

100 catties 1 pecul= 133} lbs.

The following weights are occasionally used :

4 koopaogs^ or sooocoos, equal to 1 maa = 39.87 grs. trojik

4 mas , • 1 pauh.

SJpauhs I ringit.

1} ringit » 1 tael.

16 titels • 1 catty =: 1 lb. 7ot. S drs. aTOird<

MxASUABS are the following :

Dry Measubk.

4 chupahs equal to 1 koolah = 25S cub. in.

800 koolahs • 1 ooyan.

The koolah is occasionally used as a weight, 17 being equal to the
pecuL The ooodee or corge is 20 baskets, except of tobacco, which is 40.

Long Measusc.
9 tempohs ...equal to 1 jankal ss 9 En. in.

3T0 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Sumatra,

9jiwkiil9 ..equaJlto >•• I esto.

S estos M 1 hailoh.

S hailohs « i depoh = 72 En. in.

Th» Chinesf use the following :

10 boons equal to 1 choon.

10 choons * 1 chgoh.

4 cheohs « 1 gocheoh.

5 gocheohfi n 1 tung= 144 £n. in.

Between Bencoolen and the S. extreme of Sumatra, are the under-
mentioned places, from whence the Company drew supplies of pepper, and
where they used to have residents :— -

Sftloomah, in lat. about 4^ IS' S , the average annual produce from 200 to 950 tona.

Manna, ditto 4<> 95' ditto 950 to 300 ditto.

Cawoor, ditto 4P 64/ ditto 80 to 90 ditto.

Crooe, ditto 5^13' ditto 1 TO to 180 ditto.

This produce varies of course as the seasons are more or less productive;
but on an average of five years, it did oot exceed the above quantity.
Crooe is also celebrated for birds^ nests, which are gathered in considerable
quantities from some caves about four miles up the river.

There are a number of islands lying off the W. Coast of Sumstn,
running in the same directioii» at about the distance of 20 leagues, the
principal of which are Pulo Neas, Se Porah, Poggy or Nassau Islands, and
Engano ; they are little frequented, and of course but imperfectly known.

PULO NEAS is the largest, most productive, and important of the
whole range, and extends from latitude 1^ 18' N., nearly in a S. £. direction
to 0° 28^ N ; its inhabitants exceed 200,000, and are of a race very different
from the Malays in general. Those in the N. differ considerably from those
in the S. The island is divided into a number of small districts under
Rajahs, who are independent of, and at perpetual variance with, each other ;
the ultimate object of their wars having been to make prisoners, whom tbej
sold for slaves, as well as all others not immediately connected with tbeni)
whom they could seize by stratagem. These violences were doubtless encou-
raged by the resort of native traders from Padang, Natal, and Acheen, to
procure cargoes of slaves, who are also accused of augmenting the profits of
their voyage, by occasionally surprising and carrying off whole families.
This trade has been greatly checked by the settlement established here hj
Sir T. S. Raffles in 1821.

The island possesses several rivers of considerable size, whose qualloes,
or mouths, afford entrance to native vesseb and boats. There are good
harbours at the N. and S. ends ; and there is anchorage for ships almost sU
along the £. coast.

Sumatra.] ORIENTAL COMMERCB. S71

TftA»B.— Oontderable quaDtitiet of rice aad paddy «« aiintiallj takea
hence by the traders, in exchange for iron, steel, beads, tobacco, and coarse
piece-goods. Numbers of wild hogs are reared here, and some parts ef the
mam, espedally Baroos, are supplied from hence with yams, beans, and
poultry ; neither buffaloes, catUe, nor horses are indigenous. Some of the
Bajahs are said to have amassed frond 10 to 20,000 dollars each, which are
kept in ingots of gold and silver ; much of the latter consisting of small
Dutch money (not of the purest coin) melted down, and of these th^ m^e
an ostentatioua display at weddings and other festiTak.

NASSAU, om FOGGY ISLANDS.— These two islands are called
the North and South Poggy, or Nassau Islands ; Cape Cuddalore, the N.
point of the fbmser, is in latitude fP 9Sf S. They are separated by a nar-
row strait, called Se Cockup ; the straits are about two miles long, and a
quarter of a mile broad, and an excdknt pbce for ships of any sitt to
anchor, being perfectly secure from every wind. They have both inha-
bitants divided iqto small tribes, each occupying a small river, and living in
one village. On the S. island are five, and on the N. seven villages, of
which Kakap is reckoned the chief, although Labulabu is supposed to con-
tain the greeiter number of people. Their houses are built of bamboos, and
raised on posts, the under part of which is occupied by hogs and poultry.
Sago constitutes the principal food of the inhabitants, who do not cultivate
riccL Large red deer, hogs, and fowls are common, but they have neither
bofialoee nor geats. They are strangers to the use of coin of any kind, and
kave Kttle knowledge of metals. The iron ImII or choppingi-knife, called
parang, is in much esteem amongst them ; it serves as a standard for the
value of other commodities^ such as articles of provision. A metal coat
button is of equal value in their esteem to a piece of gold or silver coin.
On the N. island, near the entrance ei the straits, are a few houses inha*
Mied by some Malays from Fort Marlborough ; they reside here for the
purpose of building large boats, the timber and planks for which are found
dose at hand; llie mountains being covered with various kinds of timber,
amongst which are poon trees, of sufficient dimensions Tgf lower masts to a
first-rale man of war, and several sorts suitable for building ships of large
burden.

ENGANO, the southernmost of the large islands fronting the W.
Coast of SMaalr% is large, triangular, and the inland country high ; its
& atKaae ia in latitude B"" SOf S., and longitude }02* W £. The N. point
b in latitude £^ 15' S., longitude 108^ 85' £. The N. coast is bold; no
soundmgs from 3 to 5 miles off; the shore in some places rocky, but the
beach mosttf of sand The idand is veiy imperfect^ known ; all attempts

Aad

S7« ORIENTAL COMMEBCE. [Sumatrn.

to Open ia friendly communication with the natives having hitherto proved
fruitless. To the £. of it, near its southernmost point, are four small
islands, which form an exceeding fine bay, with clear ground, good
anchorage, and shelter from any wind for ships of any burthen. One of
these islands is sandy, and there vessels may go in, and rqpair or careen witb
great facility, having four fathoms clear ground close to the shore ; there is
also good running water, plenty of fine wood for building or repairing
ships, and abundance of excellent fish, yams, and coco-nuts. The island is
said to be well inhabited ; the houses stand singly in the plantations, are
circular, about eight feet in diameter, raised about six feet from the ground
on slender iron-wood sticks, floored with planks, and the roof, which is
thatched with long grass, rises from the floor in a conical shape. Thej
have a number of canoes, which are very neat, and in general contain six or
seven men. A ship requiring refreshments should anchor so as to protect
the boats and people, as the natives are very treacherous. The crew of the
Union, wrecked herein 1815, were retained by them in captivity some time.

There are several bays on the South Coast of Sumatra, but they are
seldom visited by Europeans, as they produce no articles of trade, and the
natives, being very treacherous, are not to be trusted.

PALEMBANG. — This kingdom is of considerable importance, audits
river one of the largest in the island, disemboguing itself by various branches
into the sea. Its principal entrance is in latitude about 2° QZ S., and longi-
tude 104° 50' E., opposite to the city of Palembang, which is l^ league
from its entrance; it is upwards of a inile in breadth, and is convenientlj
navigated by vessels drawing 14 feet water. Those of a larger description
have been carried thither for military purposes ; but the operation is attended
with considerable difficulty and danger, on account of the numerous
shoals in the river, the lower parts of the country being flat and marshy,
and overflowed during the rainy season.

The City of Palembang extends about 8 miles along both banks of the
river, and is mostly confined to them, and to the creeks which open into the
river. As the nature of the surrounding country, being overflowed in high
tides, scarcely admits of roads, almost all communication is carried on bjr
means of boats, which are seen moving in every direction.

The policy of this Government having always .encouraged fordgn
settlers, the city and lower parts of the river are in a great measure
peopled with natives of China, Cochin China, Siam, Cambodia, Fataoj;
Java, Celebes, Boritfeo, and other eastern places.

TBAPE.-rVery few articles of European or Indian produce are disposed

Sumatra.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 373

of at Palembangy its wants being supplied from Batavia. A few chests of
opium and piece-goods form the principal part ; the remainder consists of
Spanish dollars, and for them alone tin can be procured.

Tin and pepper are the staple exports. The former is procured from
Banca, and is delivered to the King at a fixed rate per pecul, and by him to
the Dutch. It is stated that 3,000,000 lbs. are annually supplied to them,
of which the greater part is sent to China, and the remainder to Europe^
The pepper produced at Palembang is in general very foul, and considered
inferior to what is brought from the W. side of the island, and that of
Malabar. The other articles procured here, are diamonds, canes, and
rattans. Of the first, it is stated that about 1000 carats are annually pur-
chased by the Dutch, and of the latter from 70 to 100,000 bundles per
annum, which are principally sent to China. Palembang is much frequented'
by proas from Macassar, Borneo, Bally, and Java, which bring rice, salt,
and some few cloths i^anufactured to the eastward, and worn by the Malays,
taking in return opium and other Indian commodities.

Late accounts represent the trade as declining. Siamese salt is excluded
in favour of that from Java, and a heavy tonnage duty on the Chinese
junks diminishes this branch of the trade.

Duties.— No regular traffic being permitted here, presents only are
necessary to the Dutch Resident, and the Shabundar or Eing^s Minister,
according to the business likely to be transacted. On your arrival in the
roads, send your long boat into the river (for water), and send accounts of
the ship^s arrival to the Governor. The fishermen will let the natives know
of your arrival; and if the Governor means to do any business, you will
have accounts in the course of three or four days ; but should he not be
prepared to deal with you, no time should be lost in getting your boat on
board, and proceeding to sea.

Coins.— -The currency of the country, and the dnly money allowed to
be received at the Eing^s Treasury, is Spanish dollars ; but there is also in
general circulation a species of small base coin, called petis, which are cut
out of plates composed of lead and tin ; and having a square hole in the
middle, like the Chinese cash, are strung in parcels of 500 each, 16 of which
are equivalent to a Spanish dollar. Accounts are kept in rix dollars (a
nominal coin) of 48 stivers ; the exchange between Spanish and rix dollars
being five of the latter for four of the former.

Wbiohts.— Here, as well as at all other places where the Chinese
have settled, their weights have become in common use. In weighing
gold, the tale is considered as the tenth part of the catty, or equal (o the
weight of 2| Spanish dollars. The catty weighs 11 oz. Id dwts. 14grs., Iroy,

374 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Sum^ir^.

The oommercial weights are the ganton, baly, and oopaog ; 10 gtAtons
make 1 balj, (about 60 catties, or 81 f lbs. aToirdupots), and 80 balies 1 oo.
pang. By this measure rice is also sold.

The goelack of pepper is 1 1 catt j, or 27 oz. amrdupois ; but the
weight used by the Dutch Company is the pccul» which is equal to
183 lbs. avoirdupois.

BANCA. — ^This island is nearly opposite the rarious mouths of Palem.
^mg River. The passage between it and Sumatra is called the Straits of
Banea, and extends in an undulating course about 34 leagues. Monopia
HiH) which answers as a guide to ships ^pproadiingthe island, is in latitude
V &, and longitude 106'' 14' £., about S leagues S. W. Urorn which is
Mintow Point, the W. extremity of Baaca The principal town is a short
distance to the E. The best anchorage is in 10 or 11 fathoms, about three
miles off the town, Monopin Hill bearing N. 10^ E. and Mintow Point
N. SSP W.

This island is famous for its tin mines. They are worked by a colony
of Chinese, consisting of upwards of 90,000 persons, under the nomioal
direction of the Sultan of Palembuig, but for the account and benefit of the
Dutch Company, and the Sultan is under a standing contract to furnish
them with the tin produced, at a fixed rate per ton ; but the enterprising
spirit of private merchants finds means to elude their vigilance, and the
annual export amounts to firom 40,000 to 60,000 peculs. It is the only
export they possess. The island is said to produce gold and silv^, but the
Sultan will not suffer the mines to be worked.

TRAns.— -The Sultan and the Dutch Resident live at Palembang : wiUi
the latter some business may be transacted; in case he should decline tndii^,
you must endeavour to find out the agents of the Princes of Baaca, and
those of the Caranga, or Prime Minister, who have always carried on an
illicit trade, in exposition to the Dutch and the Sultan. Access nsay be had
to the Datoo at Mintow, on observing certain ceremonies, which the com-
manders of Dutch cruisers expect from strangers. It is necessaiy to cut
through some of the slabs of tin, as iron shot and stones are often in the
middle of them. Opium is usually brought by the country ships firequentiDg
these Straits ; but nothing will secure tin but Spanish dollars. There ii
another place for tin, called Yre Mass, at the N. end of Banca; andyoa
deal chiefly with the Captain Chinaman, who resides there.

SmaU ships or vessels passing through the Straits rf Banca» ought
always to be upon their guard to repel any attack that may be made by the
piratical proas» numbers of which lurk about the mouths of the riven on the
Coast of Sumatra, to surprise defenceless vessels.

Sumaira.] OEI£NTAL COMMERCE. 3TS

JAMBEE.^'this river k of co&sidmible rise. The town <tf Jatidi^
18 about sixty miles from the sea.

Trade. — Tlie trade consists chiefly of goM-dust, pepper, rattans, and
ctties ; but most of the gold jHt»ceeds across the cooiitrj td the W. ctMst;
snd the pepper, like that of Palembeng, is not held in esteem. Sometiases
a trading ship from Bengal endeavours to dispose of a few chests of opi«m ;
but the masters scarcely ever venture on shore, and deal with Midi ^ tte
Malays as come off to them at the sword^s point, so strong is tlie idea of
their treacherous character.

INDRA6IRI.— This river is aboat a degree to the N. of Jambee, nmi
n navigable a great distance ; sloops tide it up for five or six iveeks, as ifa^
assert, anchoring as the ebb begins to make. It is but little frequented.

SIAC. — This river, which is the most considovble on the island^
empties itself into the sea, nearly opposite to Malacca, in latitude abottft
r W N. Opposite its entrance are several islands. From the place wfaer^
it discharges itself into the Straits of Campar, or Bancalis, to the town of
Siac, is about 65 miles, and from thence to a place called Pakanbharu, k
about 100 more. The width of the river is in general from about | to J of
a mile, and its depth from 7 to 15 fathoms ; but on the bar at low water
there are only 15 feet, and several shoals near its mouth ; the tides about H
feet at the town. Not far within the river is a small island. According to
the information of the natives, the riv^ is navigable for sloops to a place
called Panti Chermin, being eight days^ sail, with the assistance of the tide,
and within half a day'*s journey by land, of another named Patapahan, which
boats also of 10 to 20 tons reach in two days. This is a great mait of tradie
with the interior, and here its merchants resort with their gold.

Traob. — ^The commerce is chiefly carried on by kling vessels, as
thej are called, from the Coast of Cok-omandel, which are supplied, generally
at Pinang, or Singapore, with the feUowtng articles, which, with the piece*
goods brought from the coast, find a ready sale here : — Brass wire, coarse
cutlery, China ware, gunpowder, iron, looking glasses, lead, muskets, opium,
salt, steel, and tobacco.

In return they receive brimstone, camphire (head), beaoar stones,
dsmmer, elephants^ teeth, gutta gambir, gold-dust, rattans, sago, and wax.

Between Siac and Diamond Point is the river Arakan, or Rakan, by
far the largest in the island ; it may be considered as an inlet of the sea, and
is nav^ble for sloops to a great distance fVom the sea ; but from the
danger apprehended from the natives, it is scarcely at all known to
Europeans.

On this part of the coast are prodigious numbers of wild swine.

376 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. (^tMiia^fa

which, when killed and salted, make excellent food, and form a connderable
article of trade.

BATOOBARRA is on the banks of a river, nearly opposite the Two
Brothers, in latitude about 3° 85' N., and navigable by small vessels at high
water ; but the unfriendly disposition of the natives prevents Europeau
frequenting it : they therefore carry their produce in their own proas to
Prince of Wales^s Island, or Singapore*

PULO VARELLA.— This isknd is in latitude 3" 47 N., and longi-
tude 99"" 36' E., about 20 miles from the Coast of Sumatra. On the S. £
part is anchorage, where plenty of fire-wood may be got This island being
frequented by turtle, ships becalmed near it sometimes send their boats on
shore to obtain a few of them ; the crews ought to guard against the perfidy
of the Batoobarra people, who frequent the island to look out for plunder, or
to diy their nets, and who have more than once made slaves of the grews of
boats that have landed to procure wood and water.

The N. point of Sumatra, extending from Diamond Point, its N. £.
extreme, to Point Pedro, its N. W. extreme, is denominated the Pedir
Coast ; in which space are numerous towns and villages, the principal of
which are Telisomaway and Pedir. The whole of this coast afifords safe
anchorage during all the year.

TELISOMAWAY is situated at the bottom of a bay to the S. E. of a
point of the same name, and is known by a square clump of trees on its
extremity, which makes it resemble an island, when first seen. The fort u
situate near the mouth of a river, close to which are the town and bazar.
The anchorage is about half a mile from the shore, the town bearing S. W.
by W. and the Point N. 15° W. The lawful King of Acheen has taken up
his residence at this place.

Besides Telisomaway and Pedir there are many trading places on thii
coast, as Batoo, Bengala, Chilaw, Gingeea, Ire Laboo, Sawhon, Durian,
Gadee, Mardoo, Sambelangun, Jonga, Passangan, and Papeir, the produce
of which places is usually carried to Acheen, or Pedir.

PEDIR, whence the coast takes its name, and in which the trade of all
the other places W. of Telisomaway centres, is situated up a small rivefi
which boats may enter at low water, neap tides, but not until a quarter
flood on the springs ; for then there is a considerable surf on the bar. Tlie
marks of anchorage are Pedir Point, which is in latitude about 5^ 29' N.,
bearing N. W. and the entrance of the river, which is not very conspkoooa^
S. S. W., distance about two miles.

Tradb. — ^A considerable trade is carried on with Penang and Singapore,
both by means of proas and coasting vessels from Coron^andel, Bengal, and

Sumaira.]

ORIENTAL COMMEBCE.

377

other parts of India. Many Chulias, chiefly from Najore, make an annual
voyage with cloths, salt, &c. A small vessel also comes from Surat, or
Bombay, with about 200 bales of cotton. Those from Penang and the
Eastward bring opium, iron, fire-arms, gunpowder, and other necessaries.
The chief articles of produce are betel-nut and rice, (10,000 tons of which
are said to have been exported in one year from this coast), with a small
quantity of pepper. A few catties of gold-dust are collected from the beds
of the rivers, and brimstone and camphire are sometimes to be bought
They manufacture silk and cotton cloth, which is very durable. Mats of all
kinds are made, and filagree and embroidery followed. The staple product
is betel or areca nut, of which Pedir produces for exportation about 40,000
peculs annually. In the year 1821-22 upwards of 16,000 maunds were
imported into Calcutta from the Coast of Pedir.

The following is a list of India goods suitable to the market on the
Pedir Coast, with the quantity of each particular article which should form
an assortment.

Blue Cloth 9 call 100 corge.

Ditto .7 and 8 ditto. ..100 ditto.

Blue Suckertoons, gold heed... SO ditto.
Brown cloth ....8 and 9 call ....100 ditto.
M'^hite ditto ....S and 9 ditto...l50 ditto.

Negapatam salt 50garce.

Jaffnapatam tobacco^ 1st sort 90 candies.

Ditto Sddo. 60 candies.

Iron^ broad bars 500 maunds.

Patna opium SO chests.

DfjTiBs.— The only duty collected is 4 per cent on exports ; lut
certain voluntary contributions are expected. The Rajahs of Pedir profess
a nominal obedience to the King of Acheen, but a force is necessary to
obtain the rcTenue. It is dangerous to transact business on shore, except
with the principal merchants. It is a common custom to buy and sell on
board ship. The present Rajah attends to business.

Provisions and Refreshments. — Buifaloes and poultry are in abun-
dance, particularly ducks and fowls, which are reasonable ; likewise tropical
fruits, similar to those at Acheen ; and the sea supplies various sorts
offish*

Coins. — Spanish doUars are the principal currency ; the other coins are
nearly similar to those at Acheen.

Weights. — The Pedir catty weighs 37 Spanish dollars; and the
bahar is equal to 424 lbs. avoirdupois.

sriB ORIENTAL OOMMSACB. [/«««.

SECTION XXV.

JAVA.

TfilS island b separAted from diat of Sumfttni by the Strut of
Suftda. The length of this channel on the Sumatra ride, from Flat Point to
Hog Point, is about 20 leagues, and on the Java side^ from Java Head to
Bantam Point, about 25 leagues. There are several islands in the Strait,
the principal of which are Hippins, or Princ^^s Island, and Craoatoa.

PRINCE'S ISLAND, called by the Malays Pulo Selan, is in the
mouth of the Strait, about 2 leagues from Java, and 6 from Sumatra ; its
N. end is in latitude & 2T S., and longitude lOS"" 15' E. ; on its S. E. part
is a peak, by which it is known. The common anchorage is on the K side
of the island. There is a bay on the S. W. side, into which two smaD
rivulets of fresh water empty themselves. There is a town called Samadang,
consisting of about 400 houses, divided into twa parts by a small river.
This island was formerly much frequented by the India ships of many
nations, especially the English, who have of late forsaken it, and touch
either at North Island, or Anjerie Point.

Pbovisions ano Refaesbmekts.— HerB may be got some excellent
turtle, large fowls, small deer^ not larger than a rabbit, larger deer^ about
the size of a sheep; many kinds of fish tolerably cheap. Coco-nuts,
plantains, pine-apples, water melons, jacks, and pumpkins, besides yams and
many other yegetables are plentiful, and at reasonable rates. The water is
procured from a rivulet in a small sandy bay, at the easternmost part of it,
where a path is cut through the woods to the place where you fill, about 100
yards up, but very convenient for rolling the casks ; but if you fill below,
though at low water, it will be brackish.

CRACATOA.— -This island is remarkable for its peak, and is in lati-
tude about er 9 S., and longitude lOS'' 25 E. On its N. side is a veiy
convenient watering-place ; about a quarter of a mile from which there is
also a Malay town, where supplies, nearly tlie same as at Princess Island, are
to be procured. Abundance of turtle frequent the shores of this island.

ANJERIE, or Anjer viUage, is in latitude 6^3' S., longitude 105' 54

yoM.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. Stt

£^ ibout two leagues to the E. of the fourth point of JaTt, aftd is not MiiFf
perceived coming from the W.> being situated in a bay, where the houtss
are scattered amongst the coco-nut trees ; it is nearly obscured by them, and
by a chain of high hills inland, the ea^mmost of which is a sharp peaktd
hilly called Aiyerie Peak^ directly over the houses* The ootximon ancfaoragi
b in from 9 to 14 fathoms abreast of the village.

PaovisioKs AND BsFftESHMBNTS. — Buffalocs, hogs, poultry, and froiti
sre to be procured at reasonable rates ; turtle is occasionally to be had ; pine*
apples, oranges, mangosteens, and other fruits are in abundance. Th#
sprbg from which the water is filled, is only separated by a narrow slip ^
land from the sea ; it is but indifferent. Ships therefore prefer watering at
North Island, where the water is excellent

NORTH ISLAND is dose upon the Sumatra shore, without the
Strait ; it is about two mOes in circumference, in latitude 5° 41' S., and
longitude 105"" 49^ £. It used to be much frequented for wood and water ;
bot the treachery of the Malays has occasioned the pnefbrence to be given to
Anjerie Point. Should a ship stop here. Wood should be cut flrom the
island. The water is [urocared from the main^ about 500 yards from the
beach. Care should be taken that the people do not go fiir fh>m the water-
side, or they will be cut off. The Malays bring off turtle, fowls, coco-nuts,
pumpkins, yams, &e. in their proas to the riiip, and sdl them at reasonable
prices.

BANTAM.*^This city is seated at the bottom of a large bay formed
by St. Nicholas or Bantam Point, which is in latitude S" Bit! S.^ and longi^
tode 106^ E., and Point Ponttmg ; there are many small islands in the
bay, mostly uninhabited. The marks f<Mr andiorage are Bantam Hill S.S.W.,
m 6 fathoms water.

The city is about one ftiile from the sea-side, betweefi the bfatiches of a
river, about 180 feet over at its mouth, so very shallow, that at low water
a common ship^s boat does not lie afloat in it ; at high water and in spring
tides it is from 6 to 7 fiset deep. Though this is called Bantam Biver, it is
properly only a branch of it ; the river itself is divided above the town into
three ehannds) of which this is the middle one ; the other two run into the
aca, about a league off on each side. The houses b the town are scattered
without regularity, and round each is a plantation of cOco-nut trees ; the
whole surrounded by a paling of split bamboo, by which each family i»
«parated trom its neighbour.

The Kbg of Bantam, although a vassAl to the Dutch Company, is a
soverdga Prince, uncontrouled in his authority oter his own subjects ;
but is reatrkted from eilteriiig lata any affiatiees or Migagements witii any

380 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Java.

European or Indian power, as likewise from selling the productions of his
territories to any other than to the Company.

TRAD£.*-The commerce carried on between Bantam and other parts
of India and China is very trifling, the trade centering in Bataria, to which
the pepper, and other produce of the territories of the King of Bantam,
are sent, and from whence the foreign articles necessary for the consumption,
are imported.

Coins.— Those current are Spanish dollars, ducatoons, rupees, schil-
lings, dubbeltjees, doits, and cash ; the King having no coin of his own.
The cash vary in their value. Accounts are kept decimaily, thus :— -

^ lOPeoooes equal to 1 Lazsan

10 Laxsans • I Catty

10 Cattiea • 1 Uta

10 Utas • 1 Bahar.

The peccoe should contain 1000 cash, but they are frequentlj deficient
The price varies from 25 to 35 per Spanish dollar.

Weights. — The weight for gold, musk, &c. is the tale, equal to 1055
English grains ; nearly double the Chinese tale.

Of the great weights 100 catties make a pecul ; and 3 peculs 1 bahar,
which weighs 396 lbs. avoirdupois: but the bahar of pepper is 2 CO k
or goelacks, and weighs 375 lbs. Dutch troy^ or 407 lbs. avoirdupois. A
coyang of rice is 200 gantams. The gantam is 8 bamboos, or 32 catties.
The coyang weighs 8000 lbs. Dutch troy, or 8681 lbs. avoirdupois.

The pecul at Cheribon weighs 125 lbs. Dutch troy, or 135 IhsL
10 OS. avoirdupois; and the tiayang of rice is 2000 catties, or 2640 lbs.
avoirdupois.

Measures.— The long measure is the hasta, which u 18 Eo^li
inches.

For further information consult the ensuing article.

BAT AVIA, the principal settlement of the Dutch in the East Indies,
and to which all others are subordinate, is situated at the bottom of a large
bay formed by the points Ontong, Java, and Crawang, and is in latitude
&" 9 S., and longitude 106^ 52" £. It is considered one of the best harboon
in India, having a number of small islands about two or three leagues from
the city, which shelter the bay from N. W. to N. £., the principal of
which are Onrust, Edam, Cooper's Island, and Furmerend. Large ships
generally ride at single anchor in the roads, at about IJ mile from the shore,
in six fathoms, the dome of the principal church bearing about S. ; M
smaller vessels approach within a mile of the shore. Fronting the smiD

Jam.] ORIENTAL COMMERCft. 881

riTer, or canal, which leads to the citj, there is a bar, on which there are
about three feet at low water. The channel for boats to enter, is to the E.
of the bar; and as there is at times a surf upon it at low water, when
blowing 'strong in the N. W. monsoon, strangers ought not then to send
their boats to the river, as many have been overset upon the bar, and the
crews devoured by alligators, which are here of a large size, and very
numerous.

The City of Batavia is an oblong square, the longest way facing theE.
and W. about one mOe, and the shortest facing the N. and S., about J of a
mile broad. Through the middle of the city, from N. to S., runs the river
Jaccatra, over which are three bridges, one at the upper end of the town ;
another at the lower part, near the Castle ; and the third about the middle,
bebg thence called the middle point bridge. The breadth of the river
within the city is about 180 feet ; it runs into the sea, past the Castle and
the Admiralty wharf On both sides of the mouth are long piers of wood
and brick-work, about 3800 feet in length, taken from the moat of the city.
The vessels belonging to the merchants are laid up and' repaired between
these piers, on the W. side ; but along the £. side, the passage is kept open
for the lighters, which go in and out of the city with the cargoes of the
ships. At the outward point of the E. pier there is a shed, which serves for
a stable for the horses which draw the small vessels and boats up and down
the river.

The Island of Onbust is about three leagues N. W* from Batavia, and
is nearly round. It rises six or eight feet above the surface of the sea, and
is of small extent, being about 4800 feet in circumference. In the centre
of the island, and within the fort, stand the warehouses and other buildings,
likewise a small church. The warehouses are generally full of goods of
various kinds. On the N. side of the island are two saw-mills ; and on the
S. side there is a long pier-head, on which are three large wooden cranes,
erected for the purpose of fixing or unstepping masts. Three ships can lie
here behind each other, alongside the pier, in deep water, to be repaired, or
to receive or discharge their cargoes. There is another pier, a little more
to the W., called the Japan pier, where one more ship can lie to load or
unload. There are 20 feet of water or more against the piers, and it rises
about 6 feet once in 24 hours. All ships that require it, are hove down at
the wfaaifi along the piers, and receive every reparation with convenience,
safety, and dispatch.

EoAX is about three leagues N. N. E. from Batavia ; it is very woody,
and has abundance of large and ancient trees.

CooPBR^s Island is about 1600 yards from Onrust, and about one-third

asa 0RI£NTAl4 COMMERCE. [/m.

kssinwe. Tbei^ are twp pier Jimds, whore vesieh nmy load aiidi dw
at ite south side*

The Island of PuitMaKKirn is to the E« of O^rutt, and abpitt half as
large again. It is (Wanted with shady treea» and in the centre is a large
building, which serves for a hospital, or lazaretto.

TuADv^-p-'-The eommerce of Batavia, premua to our conqueaA «f the
island in 1811, was conducted upon the exclusive system. The vast im-
provements^ commercial and financial, inlrodueed during our retention of
the island, are aUy stated, with the description and reaources of Java, ia
Sir T. a Raffles'a History of the Isbnd.

The eoastiog trade ia carried on by Arabs» Bugis, and Chinese, wlio
4re enterprising and in general fair traders. The Bugis import campUre
(Barooa), tortoiseshf II9 birds^ neata, bees^ wax, aaroags (cloth oi strong tei-
ture), and gold dust ; which they barter for opium, iron, steel, Eurepeaa
chintz and broad cloth, and Indian piece-goods^ besides rloe, tobeoeo, sail,
and other Javan products The Chinese navigate brigt as well aa junki.
They carry on, besides a coastii^ traffic with the neighbouring islandi as
far as the Moluccas and Timor^ a considerable direct eomnaeree between
Java and China in junks. They bring, &om Canton and Anoy, teas, rav
and manufactured silk, China ware, sweetmeats, nenkeeoy paper, and va-
lious mijior artides ; (bey convey also indnstrious settkra, who atquire con-
siderable wealth in the island. The return cargoes, in Javan produce, sod
the supplies required from the islands, amount to a verj conaidendble sum.
A trade with China is also carried on by the European residents at Java.
Frevioua U> the restoration erf* this possession to the Dutch, a very exteisire
traflc was carried on by English country vessels from the three Presidaidti)
bringing opium, piece-goods, bcw and returning with gdd-dusl, bees^ was,
tie, Japan copper^ canipbire^ sago» and teak timber, which is plentiful here,
and considered superior to theft of Pagu or Malabar.

The exports to Europe are sugar and coffee, of superior quafity, prs-
ducad here, and likewise pepper ; besides tin, (which promises to he a Isfge
ittna* as mbes have just been diaoovered and opened in the Island of BilUiea),
sago, Japan copper, spices, ivory, sticklac, long pepper, cabebs, tortoisttkeO,
gold, diamonds, Sapan wood, ebony, rattans, indigo, &c. Among the isa-
ports from Europe most in esteatn with the Javaaese durii^ oar oceupatiaa
of the island, were iron and (deee^ods ; the imports of the klter dascriptka
of Britbh manufactures increased rapidly, and entirely siqperseded the Am
Indian cottons^ A trade exists between Japan and Java, and ia the oolj
channel of intercourse between Europe and that ooiutKy. It is
confined to the Government of Java.

Jmt.] O&iSNTAL COMMEBCB. 9»

By a regulation of tbe Netherlandi GoTtrniaent in 1818» trade with
its lodian posseasioiis, except tbe Moluoeaa, is declared free and open to all
frieadly nations. Tbii eoncession U^ however, dogged with restraints. AU
reasek bound to Java from Europe, Aineriea» or i^uropean possessions in
Asia and Africa, are not permitted to enter and unload in any other port
than Batavia, unless by spe^ud permission they are allowed to proceed tp
Samarang and Sourabaya. Ships lading at either of tb^e three ports, nuist
receive their entire qargaea at the pert of clearance. The article ^ opium
is importabto into Jiivf^ ool^.

Duties. — ^Tfae customs on imports and exports have been so frequentfy
altered to meet existing circumstances, that it is difficult to furnish a correct
statement of them. By a Proclamation of 1818, the following duties were
fixed for Ja^a and Madura : — Opium, Bengal, 350 guld. per chest ; other
opium 800 guld. AU other goods Imported in Netherlands vessels, 6 per
cent In foreign vessels, cleared out in the Netherlands, 9 per cent. In
foreign vessels coming from foreign ports, 12 per cent. The invoice value
to be increased 90 per cent., or if too low in comparison with other invoices,
to be improred by the owner, or the duties charged according to the market
prices. But by a decree of 1819, the productions of the Netherlands (pro-
visions excepted) imported into Batavia in Netherlands bottoms, are declared
free of import duty. The export duties are the same as on imports, calcu-
lated on the market prices of the goods, except the following, which are
lubject to specific duties, viz,

Ni^fherkmii, Shkft. To Netherlands. ElaewhcK^
GM. GM, Gfdd.

CoAe^ per pecul of 1!^ lbs. Dutch «%«*«»«» 3 %»>^%%%^%%% 3 «««v.*«» 4

l^epper, per ditto o%%%wt>% »»»«%»%%%**»*•%*»%%»»%* * %^^t»«»»iiw.»»^ i y %%»%»»<o Sb

wUsaf , per cli»to »»•>»»% %%%i»<r>»»»»%ix» »»»»•»%»%•<• i ^»»%»^^w^%»«^ x ^ •'»%i*»^^% s

Arrack, perleager, Ist quality ^%%%^%^%^^^% 10 *«»%«««««»%*10 *«*«.m^10

.•WMHW**

xtice, per coyang %»%*%»% %<%^»%^»%^»%%>%%'%%'%»%%»%^^%'%»'% o ^^■%^%»%%%%>%»» o %^%^%%%«» o
Jtxorses, ^acn i^»%%>%»%%.v»%%.%%%v%%%%<»%>% v%%»%^^%^%>%^»^ )si/ «>%%^>«>%«>w%*<»2>u «<%^«v»«%i{?C/

The foHp whig are free of tatpoi^ duties :^^Coin of gold and silv^, maw-
fiKtured gold, and silver bars, &c., jewels and precious stones, horses, caltie,
sheep, goats, and baggage. Free of ewpoH duties :-««-Cobed gold and silver,
jewela nod predous stones, sah, baggage.

984 ORIENTAL COMMEECB. [Jatni.

By proclamation of 1828, the following provisions are made !*^

Art I.— All goods being the production of places in the Eastern Archi-
pdago, and under the Netherlands dominion, or tinder the dominion of
Indian Princes and nations, with whom the Netherlands Government is on
amicable terms, immediately imported from these places without having
touched at a foreign port, in Java or Madura, in Dutch ships, or native
▼esseb on an equality with those ships, shall be firee of import duties.

Art 2.— All goods mentioned in the foregoing article, imported in Javs
and Madura in foreign vessels, or in Dutch ships, or native vessels on an
equality with them, not immediately, and not without touching a foreign
port ; and likewise aH other goods not falling under the terms of Article 1st,
on their importation on the Islands of Java and Madura, renotain subject to
the full payment of the existing import duties.

Art. 3* — In general goods exported from Java shall pay for exporta-
tion duties, two per cent, of their value, estimated at the market prices,
whether loaded in Dutch or foreign vessels, or whether going to Dutch or
to foreign ports, provided that with respect to some goods, no spedal orden
have been given, or shall be given, or enacted by these presents.

Art 4. — Until the completion of the general tariff, for the collection
of the import and export duties in Netherlands India, the following expor-
tation duties shall be collected on the under-mentioned goods, viz.

In Dutdi Shipi, In Forv^ Sh^.

On camphire, (Japan), per caitj^^'^^%^^^ 3} guld.«^v.v«« 7 guld.
Copper, (Japan), per pecul %»%%%^%%%^%v^%%^ SJ ditto «%««%% 7 ditto.
Mace ditto%%^%^^^%^^%^%.%.^.^%^^10 ditto «««%«%20 ditto.

Cloves ditto^»^^%>%^^%%>%*%%%^^ 9} ditto «%«^^19 ditto.

Nutmegs ditto%^»»» » »%%%i»%»»<>»%r%%%%%%% 9} ditto «%%««%19 ditto.

Coco-nut or cadjany oil %.%%^»%^>%%%^%>%^%>%%% IJ ditto «%««««. 3 ditto.
X in, per pecui^%%%»»%%%%*»»<<»»%»%%«»>»»»%>»%%%%%%%'%%» z qivlo ^»%%»%<o v qimo*
Birds' nests, 1st sort, >^.>>^^.^^^^^^%^..^ 475 ^^^^^^ 950
•■•■■■"■■■^^^^■^ ^sa son, %»%%<»%»%%<»»v»%^»^>»%*»%»<w»* jjio %%»»%'%%^ ^^^^ o^mb

Art. 5. — All goods exported from Java and Madura, in Dutch or na-
tive vessels, or on equality thereto, shall, on application of the owner, be
provided with a certificate, in proof that the duties have been paid, on which
certificate these goods are allowed to be imported in all the Netherlawb
possessions in India, and brought back from thence to Java, without paying
any duty, as long as they shall be accompanied with their original certificate*

Jawi.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 986

Art. 6.— An entrepot shall only exist at Batavia, with exclusion from
henceforth of sugar, which no more shall be received therein.

The fees of the entrepot are herebj fixed at a quarter of the duties for
importation.

Art 8. — At all Dutch possessions in India, equal duties on importation
shall be levied as in Java and Madura ; wherefore, henceforward on all
goods about which as jet no fixed regulations* are made, import duties shall
be paid —

When they shall be imported in Dutch ships, or native vessels consi-
dered equal therewith, six per cent. ; and when impoited in foreign ships,
or ships navigating under Dutch colours, and belonging to owners residing
in India, but coming from ports belonging to foreign Potentates, and
situated in Europe or in America, twelve per cent Calculated alter the
stipulations expressed in the Regulations of August, 1813.

Art. 10.— The dutj levied at present at the different setdements out of
Java and Madura on exportation of goods, shall continue till other arrange-
ments respecting them shall be made, with exception alone of such goods as
are the productions of the soil, or of the industry of the inhabitants in those
settlements, on which goods, when exported to foreign ports, the double
exportation dutj shall be paid, which, according to the existing regulations,
are not levied on them when exported to a Dutch port, or tO' ports belong-
ing to native Princes in amity with the Dutch Government, Siam included.

Art 15. — By the above, it is not understood that any alterations have
been made, either in the regulations now in vigour at the places or harbours
in Netherlands India, which may or may not be touched at, or in the
existing regulations on the trade and navigation in Netherlands India in
general ; all which must be considered to remain in full force, till other
orders shall be given.

Art 16. — ^No seizures of any goods shall take place, except in cases of
evident fraud, and wilful intention to avoid payment of duties, and all con*
traventions, neglect of formalities required by law ; and such lilce trespasses,
when accompanied by any aggravated circumstances, shall henceforward be
punished by a fine of one to three per cent on the value of the goods,
according to circumstances ; and those fines will in singular cases be reduced
below one per cent on the value of the property ; or at five and twenty
florins to Europeans, and at ten florins to natives.

N. Jff.— Opium is excepted from the aforegoing provisions.

Shippers in foreign vessels destined to the Netherlands, in addition to
regular duties, must deposit the surplus paid by foreign ships destined
el9ewhere^ which will be refunded on their arrival at the Netherlands.

38« ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Jam.

The imporUKtkm of clores, notmegs, and mace, and likewise of ?rarlike
stores, is prohibited.

By a Batarian edict, dated Febmary, 1684, all woollen and cotton
goods, the manufacture of foreign countries^ westward of the Cape of Good
Hope, imported direct from such places in foreign or Netherlands bottoms,
are subject to a duty of 85 per cent, on the value; and if imqported from any
foreign settlement eastward of the Cqpe, 35 per cent. The values to be
regulated by a price current drawn up every three months.

The duty on goods brought by Chinese junks is so much per junk,
varying from 2000 to 6000 guldens. These vessels are confined to Batavia.

Vessels in distress, or that anchor in the roads, pay customs only (m
the goods sold at the port Groods transshipped are subject to the full and
highest duties. Goods may remain a year in store, sutyect to rent.

Regulations.— -These are very, multifarious and minute. A particular
account of cargo mu^ be delivered at the CustomJiouse within 84 houn
iifter arrival, which must be verified on oath, testifying that no attempt to
defraud the Government is intended. This account must be accompanied
with all the original ship^s papers. The cargo cannot be landed without a
regular permit by the proper officer, nor take place before sun-riae or after
sun-set The officers may be present at loading or discharging of cargoes,
and may examine ships, but are forbidden to harass traders, and are re-
quired to give information and assistance. Previous to sailing, the intention
of departure must be expressed, and a duplicate manifest given at the
Custom-house, with all permits recdived. After the necessary certificates
are obtained from the collector, and have been laid before the water-fiscal,
the commander, chief officer, and supracargo, must join in an oath that tbe
manifest is correct, and that no fraud has been practised, or is intended. A
passport is then given by the magistrate, or resident.

The penalties on breach of the regulations are forfeiture of goods, and
fines. Those who wilfuUy oppose or annoy Custom-house officers in dis-
charge of their duty, are punished with scourging, banishment, pr fines.

Commanders or supracargoes are required to wait upon the harbour-
Inaster as soon as possible. This officer may go on board vessels, to mus-
ter crews, and compare the muster-rolls. No vessel may clear without a
clearance from the harbour-4naster.

The following are the questions to be filled up in the harbour-master^
hailing letter on arrival :— -Flag of ship ?— name ? — broker ?*-how manned ?
— *-how armed ?— where from ?— when sailed ?— «t what places touched ?—
where bound ? — what cargo ? — names, country, profession, age, and last
residence of passengers ?— -state of health ?— important tidings f

J(m.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 387

No ballast can be thrown overboard in the roadfl«

All veflsels sailing under the Duteh flag, (but belonging to the Colony)^
when deared out from foreign European or American ports, pay the sam^
import duty as foreign ships jQrqm foreign ports.

Anc^horagb RATBs.^-Vessels not owned in India, vix. Netherlands
ships, 15 stivers per last of measurement; foreign ships, I gulden. These
dues are not required more than once in six months, even though the vessel
enters other harbours. The shipping dues are said to be levied on vessels
anchoring tn the roads merely for water and refreshment.

Port Clearances. — Vessels not belonging to Netherlands India, viz.
clearance, 5 guldens ; stamp, 8 guldens 21 stivers.

Water Rates, &c.*-The harbour-master supplies fire«wood and water;
the tariff of charges hangs in his office open to the public.

Provisions and Refreshments. — Bullocks, hogs, and sheep are to be
procured here, with poultry, vegetables, and fruits in abundance. Buffaloes
are very poor, and weigh 80 to 100 lbs. each ; hogs, of the China breed,
and very excellent, 70 to 80 lbs. each ; sheep, the flash of which is hard^
tough, and in every respect bad ; goats, which are, if possible, worse than
the sheqp ; fowls are in general of a large size, very good, and in plenty ;
ducks and geese are very cheap, but turkeys are extravagantly dear ; fish is
amazingly plentiful, and yams are very good. Of fruits they have the fol-
lowing:— Custard apples, durion, grapes (scarce), guavas, limes, lemons^
mangosteens, mangoes, oranges, pomegranates, pumplenoses, plantains^
papaw apples, pine>-apples, pumpkins, tamarinds, and water melons.

CoiNS.^-*A new nUmetary system has recently been established in Java
by the King of the Netherlands. A brief account of the former system may,
however, still be useful.

Accounts were kept in rix dollars, an imaginary money, containing 48
stivers, and valued at 5s. sterling. But the currency consisted of the fol-
lowing coins :— rupees of 4 schillings, 12 dubbeltjees, 15 cash, 30 stivers,
or 180 doits. The rupee valued at 3s. l^d. ; and the stiver at l|d. Half
doit, doit, and 2 doit coins of copper were in circulation.

In the new system, the monetary unit is the new gulden or florin of the
Netherlands; but instead of decimal divisions, it is here divided as follows t-«

4 doits... .»..i equal to 1 Indian Btiver.

5 doits....". 1 Dutch stiven

9 Dutch stiyers.... « 1 duhhel.

Sduhbda • 1 schilUngi

4 schillings « ..«* .1 gulden.

Bb2

388

ORIENTAL COMMERCE.

[Jam,

A paper currency has been also established, consisting of billets of 1000,
600, 300, 100, 50, 25, 10, 5, and 1 guldens ; which are convertible into
specie on demand. For thb purpose. Exchange Offices are erected at Ba-
tavia, Samarang, and Sourabaya; the two latter issue no paper of greater
value than 100 guldens.

The prindpal coins of the island are patacks and cash. The patack is
equal to 6 mace, or 84 cash. There are also pieces called [Hties, composed
of 4 parts lead and 1 part tin, 50 of which make 1 stiver.

The rates at which foreign coins pass here are subject to variation;
they are mostly valued, both silver and gold, according to weight and fine-
ness. The foUowing coins are current, and their value is established bj the
Government at the rates of exchange here specified :— -

The pound sterling at »•«.•.«•. 10 guldens

The 5 franc piece of France 2 «

The Danish dollar ^ •

The Portuguese milrea Si •

100 Sicca rupees llo ^

100 Arcot or Madias andi lotfgoldew

Surat rupees j

The star pagoda 4 »

The Chinese tale » S| «

The Spanish dollar 66 stifoi

Weights. — ^Gold and silver are weighed by the Dutch mark troj)
divided into 9 reals, each weighing 432 grains English, taking the mark at
3798 grains, which, according to Dr. Kelly, has been recently determined
to be its true value at the London Mint, from attested standards transmitted
from abroad.

The Dutch troy pound of 3 marks is used generally in foreign trade,
but the Chinese weights are those in common use, viz,

16 tales equal to 1 catty = IJlh. Dutch troj.

'100 catties ... a 1 pecul = 125 lbs. Ditto, or 135 Ifos. 10 oi. avoir.

.3 pecnls 1 small behar.

iipeculs... • llaigehahar.

The small bahar is equal to 406 lbs. 14 oz., and the large bahar to
610 lbs. 5 oz. English avoirdupois. Examination and coigparison are,
however, necessary to guard against deception.

Measures.— Rice and other grain are sold by the coyang, which
should weigh 3300 lbs. Dutch troy, or 3581 lbs, avoirdupois ; or in small
quantities by the timbang of 5 peculs, or 10 sacks. There is also the
kulack of 7^ catties ; and the last of 46 measures, each containing 5 gantoDi.

The liquid measure generally used is the kanne, containing 91 Englisii
cubic inches : thus 33 kannes are equal to 13 English gallons. A leager of
wine is reckoned 360 rands, each rand 10 mursies ; and a leager of arrack
396 rands.

Jaaa.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 889

A vorm of firevrood is 225 feet long, and 4 feet high. The ell of
stone is 10 inches long, 5 broad, and 2| thick.

Of Long Measure^ the ell is 27 English inches ; and the foot, 12
thumbs, or inches, Dutch or Rhineland measure, equal to 12 inches English.

Along the north coast of Java are many towns and villages ; the prin-
cipal of which are Cheribon, Samarang, Japara, Joana, Grissee, Soura-
baja, Passourwang, and Panaroukan.

CHERIBON.— This town, in longitude 108^ 26' E., is about 35
leagues to the E. of Batavia, and lies at the bottom of a large baj. Ships
anchor to the N. E. of the fort, in 3 J to 5 fathoms water, at about 2 leagues
from the shore. Here is a river, having two branches, which fall into the
sea a short distance from each other ; the country vessels, drawing from 4
to 6 feet water, are obliged, in coming in, or going out, of the principal
branch, to wait for high tides, the bar having only 2\ feet on it at low
water. On the right bank of the river, near the sea-side, stands the fort,
which is small The town is large ; the principal houses are surrounded
with gardens, and have a picturesque appearance.

Tradk. — There are a number of Chinese resident here, and a consider-
able] trade is carried on in the produce of this part of the coast, whicb
consists df coffee, cotton, indigo, sugar, timber, and pepper.

Provisions and Rbfreshmbnts of all kinds are in abundance, and at
reasonable prices.

SAMARANG. — This town, which is the principal on the island next
to Batavia, is at the bottom of a bay, in latitude 6° 57' S., and longitude
about 110° 25' E., situated on the £. side of a river of the same name,
which has a bar, having on it, at low water, not more than two feet. It
is strongly fortified, and has a small neat church. The Government house
is facing the river ; the warehouses and workshops stand in a row under
one roof to the S. W. of the town by the river^s side ; they are about 300
feet long. *The Chinese and Javanese towns are on the W. side of the
river, and that of the Bougis to the E. A bridge is thrown across the river
from the fort, leadbg to the usual residence of the Governor, which is a
large and handsome building.

The shoalness of the coast nuikes the road of Samarang inconvenient,
both on account of the great distance at which large ships are obliged to lie
from the shore, and of the landing in the river, which cannot be entered
before half-flood. The anchorage is with the flagstaff bearing S. S. E. and
the high land of Japara N. E. by E. in five fathoms, about three miles from
the shwe.

390 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Jam.

Feotisionb are remarkably cheap here.

JAPARA is about 25 miles N, E. of SamaraDg, on the banks of a
small river, having a bar, on which are not more than three feet at low
water. The fort is on the N. side, upon a small eminence. On the S. side
of the river is the Javanese village, where there is a bridge thrown across
to the N. side, on which is the house of the Resident, planted with shadj
trees, and railed round.

JO ANA is about three miles up a river, which is the largest and mosi
navigable along the N. £. coast of Java, being at the mouth, and a great
waj up 20 feet deep, and about 200 feet broad. The town consists of
two rows of houses, built along the river on its W. side. On the opposite
side, upon an island formed by the river, stands the Chinese campon. The
fort is a redoubt, in which are the rice warehouses, the barracks for the
soldiery, and some other buildings. The house of the Resident b without
the fort, on the £. side.

6RISSEE is in latitude about T'' 10" S., nearly opposite to the S. W.
end of the Island of Madura. Here is a small fort, and warehouses within
it. A wooden mole runs out opposite the fort, about 600 feet in length.
The town is small, and divided between the Javanese and Chinese. The
principal street runs along the coast ; it consists of four or five large houses,
built of stone, inhabited by the Resident and other Europeans. The street
is wide, and shaded by several rows of tall thick trees opposite the houses.
At the end of, and behind the street are the campons of the natives and
Chinese ; also the grand square, in which are the residences of the native
Chiefs. There is no water fit for drinking here, but whttt is fetched firom
two springs about 1^ mile from the town, or from Sourabaya.

SOURABAYA is about three leagues from Grissee, the coast between
forming a large angle. The town is on the banks of a river, about two
mfles from the sea, in latitude T IS S., and longitude 118^ 4& £. Ships
visiting this place require pilots ; but they do not come off unless a signal
be made. The anchorage is about a mile to the N. of the river, with the
flagstaff of the fort bearing S. 2 E., and Grissee W. 30 N. As purates
oflen lurk among the fishing proas, great caution is necessary in sending a
boat to the shore. The fort is on the right bank* of the river. On the
opposite bank are the principal Malay and Chinese campons, to whidi there
is a communication by two large wooden bridges. There are two moles
erected at the mouth of the river, with batteries to defend them. The
banks are full of villages, inhabited by Malays and Chinese. The large
house at Zidayo is the Sultan% and its roof is visible among the trees as
soon as the latter are seen.

Java.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 391

The river is navigable for ships of 100 tons burthen, and much fre*
quented hj vessek from the neighbouring ports. By confining the stream,
the mud is carried off, and vessels of 400 tons may now enter the river to be
careened. There are several yards for building ships and vessels. Timber
is abundant, and of excellent quality. The ships destined for the Philippine
Islands and China usually touch at Sourabaya, v^here every refreshment,
except good vegetables, is to be procured in abundance.

Trade. — The country about Sourabaya is the greatest coffee plantation
in Java, and it is the granary for rice to all the other Dutch settlements.

MADURA. — This island, which extends about 20 leagues due E., is
sqwated from Java by a narrow channel, called the Strait of Madura,
formed by Point Panka, and the S. S. W. end of Madura ; but it is only
navigated by vessels of small burthen. Its N. W. point is in latitude 6*" 53'
S., longitude 118^ 45' E. On the S. E. side of the island is the principal
town, called Samani^, where refreshments of various kinds are to be
procured.

TJiAnK.— The island abounds in rice, and excellent timber for ship-
building. A great quantity of rattans is also produced, which are bought
up at Sourabaya, as well as buffalo and sheep skins. Salt is manufactured^
from sea-water in great abundance, and is the staple article, but it is
monopoluied by Government. Several ships are employed in carrying
this article to Sumatra, Java, Borneo, and most of the Dutch settlements.
PASSOURWANG is situated on the banks of a river navigable
for several leagues up the country, at the bottom of a bay on Java.
Here is a neat and well-constructed fort, about a mile from which there is a
fine wooden bridge across the river ; the boat yards are near its mouth.
The houses are neatly built, and the country is well cultivated. The chief
produce b rice, of which large quantities are exported. The coast here-
abouts is very shoal, so that large ships are obliged to anchor three or four
miles firom the land, in latitqde T 36' S., the entrance of the river bearing
S. W. Th€ banks of the river are mud, and very shallow, having many
offensive dead animals about them^ which generally occasion an intolerable
smelL

PANAROUK&N. — ^This town is situated upon a river, which empties
itaelf by several mouths into the sea, about 20 miles to the W. of Cape
Saodana, the N. £. extreme of Java, in latitude about W 49' S. The
fort stands about three-quarters of a mile from the sea.

PaonsioMs are chei^, and the place abounds with fish and fruits.
BALEMBOUANG is the only place on the E. coast of Java where
^''^frcdunents can be procured. Thi^ was formerly a place of considerable

89S ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Java.

trade ; but it has gone to decaj. Numbers of Malays and Chinese reside
in the village. It is considered very unhealthy, and is the |daoe where the
convicts from Batavia are sent to work in the pepper and oofTee plantationi,
of which there are several, likewbe a small indigo manufactory.

The S. coast of Java does not contain any places of trade, and bdng
seldom visited, is but little known. There are several bays, but the
greater part of the coast is inaccessible, from the heavy surf constantlj
beating upon it.

To the E. of Java is a range of islands ; between them are channds
or straits, occasionally frequented in time of war by the East India
Company^s ships bound to China, and which obtain refreshments at several
places on the islands. The principal straits are Bally, Lombock, and Alass.

BALLY STRAIT is in latitude 8^ 99 S., and longitude 114** 37' E.,
between the island of the same name and the E. end of Java, and is 5 or 6
leagues wide. Nearly in the middle of the strait, on the Coast of Java,
is Balembouang Bay, already described. Ships passing through this strait,
should endeavour to keep in mid .channel, with boats out ready to tow, as
the tides run very rapid, with eddies near the points in the narrow part
On this account Bally Strait is now little frequented, the pi:eference beiog
given to those to the E.

LOMBOCE STRAIT is formed by the Island of Bally to the W.,
and that of Lombock to the E. ; the S. entrance is in latitude 8*^ 45' &,
and longitude 115° 43' E., and is known by a large bland, called Banditti
Island, to the W. of which there is no passage. Ships under the necessitj
of passing through this strait, seldom find anchorage, and the tides are
very rapid, with strong eddies, which are a great inconvenience. There
is a place called Carang Assem, on the Island of Bally, where ships in
want of provisions and refreshments may obtain a few supplies. There
is also a small town on Lombock, nearly opi)osite.

ALASS STRAIT, called by the natives. Gilleesee, is about 44 miks
to the E. of that of Lombock, and formed by that island to the W.,
and Sumbawa to the E. The strait extends about 16 leagues N« N. K
and S. W., and is about six miles wide in the narrowest part. The S.
entrance is in latitude about S^ 45' S., and longitude 116^ 38' E.

This strait is considered the best and safest to the E. of Java,
having anchorage at the several towns and villages, where cattle and re-
freshments of aH kinds may be procured in abundance, and from a peopk
with whom you safely trade, whose character is very opposite to thai of
the Malay tribes. The principal place visited by ships frequenting tih
strait is Bally Town, or Loboagee, on the Island of Lombodr, whick is

Jam.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. S93

about 15 miles within the entrance of the strait, in latitude 8° 4S' S.,
and longitude 116^ 33' E. It contains a great number of inhabitants, of
whose industiy every part of the surrounding country exhibits decisive
proofs. Large proas come here from Macassar, Amboyna, and other
places, for rice, and lie upon a beach within a reef, through which there
is a passage for them even at low water.

Provisions.— Cattle may be procured here in any number for Spanish
dollars, the value of which is well known, as a considerable trade in the
produce of the island is carried on with many of the Dutch settlements.
Rice may be had cheap, and in plenty. Fruit, poultry, and vegetables are
to be purchased for dasp knives, glass bottles, buttons, cotton handkerchiefs,
iron hoops, &c.

SAPY STRAIT is formed between the E. end of the Island
Sumbawa and the W. side of Commodo, or Rotti Island. The S. entrance
is in latitude &" 40' S., and longitude 119° 20' E. ; and from the facility
with which wood, water, and refreshments are procured, and finom the
navigation being safe, it has frequently been preferred to the other straits £•
of Java. The principal place is Sapy Bay, on the Sumbawa side.

The village or town of Sapy is built on a creek in the S. W. part of the
bay, about three-quarters of a mile from the sea, where beef, fowls, goats,
yams, sweet potatoes, and coco*nuts are to be obtained from the natives,
in exchange for red and blue cotton handkerchiefs, large clasp knives, empty
bottles, iron hoops, and muskets. Of the value of money they seem to have
but little knowledge. The water procured here is excellent; but getting it
off is attended with some difficulty ; the best watering place is to the S. of
Rees^s Bay, which is not more than 20 yards from high water mark.

On the £. end of Sumbawa, in latitude 8^ 10' S., and longitude about
IIS^' 15' E., is BiMA, where sapan wood grows in abundance, and of a
superior kind.

MANGERAY STRAIT is formed by Commodo Island and the
W. end of Flores, or Mangeray ; but it is intricate, being full of rocks and
small islands little known, and ought therefore to be avoided. The N. part
of this strait is in latitude 8^ 90 S., and longitude 119^ 39" E.

FLORES STRAIT is bounded on the W. side by the E. part of
Mangeray Island, and on the E. sid^ by the Islands of Solor and Adenara,
or Sabraon ; it extends nearly N. N. E. and S. W. fThere is a burning
moontain cm Fbres of a consideraUe height. Ende, the principal port,
is near the centre of the S. side of the island, has an uncommonly fine
harbour, and is the only safe port on the S. side of any of these islands.
Its exports were oonsiderable.

SM ORIENTAL COMMEBCE. [Java.

The prinetpal pliK^e frequented by Engluli ships passiBg through these
straitB, is Larantouca ▼iUage» on the £* part of Flores, where refreshments
for two or three ships may be procured, such as goats, hogs, fowb, fruits of
various kinds, a few buffaloes, and some turtle ; and good fresh water nuy
be procured from wells. In return for these articles, the natives wiU receive
gunpowder in small quantities, mudcet balls, glass bottles, wine-glasses,
white linen doth, and all sorts of coarse cutleiy. They collect here small
quantities of wax, besoar, and ambergris, which is sent in small proas to
Timor and other places, and purchased by the Chinese traders. These
islands also produce sandal-wood in considerable quantities. The Island of
Sumba, called Sandal-wood Island, is independent, and the natives trade in
wax and birds^-nests ; but they are savage and treacherous.

The inhabitants of Larantouca generally hoist a Portuguese flag, having
fcnrmerly had people of that nation amongst them ; and many of them at
presoit profess Christianity.

There are other straits to the E., formed by the numerous islands whidi
are scattered about, but which are sddom visited by Europeans; but the proas
and other vessek trading from Celebes and other ports to Timor, pass
through them.

TIMOR.-~This island extends about 80 leagues, in a direction
E. N. E. and W. S. W. Its E. end is in latitude 8** 26' S., and longitude
127'' 7' E. It is divided between the Dutch and Portuguese ; the chief
place of the former being Conpang, on the S. W. end ; and that of the
Portuguese Dhelly, on its N. side. These two ports alone deserve the name
of harbours.

As the island of Timor is now separated from the Moluccas, to which
it belonged till 1819, and is dependent on the Government of Java, the
restriction on its free trade is no longer in force.

COUPANG, in latitude about 10* 9' S., longitude 123^ 36' E., is
ntuated at the bottom of a deep bay, which is an excellent road for shipping.
The Dutch have a fort here, called Concordia, close to the water side, where
all the Europeans reside ; without is the Chinese village. To the E. of the
Sort is a small fi*esh water river, into which a long boat can go at high water.
Excellent anchorage is found in the E. monsoon, in 10 to 12 fathoms water,
dear muddy bottom,^istance 1 mile to | of a mile from the shore ; the
flagstaff bearing from S. to S. W. The Governor of Coupang has authority
over Rotti, Savu, Solor, and some other islands in these seas.

DHELLY.— This harbour lies to the S. of an island called Camfai,
and may be easily known by bringing the peak on that islMid to bear N. ;

/oDd] ORIENTAL COMMERCK 3M

you are then off the entrance of the coral reefs which secure the harbour.
You are obliged to take a pilot, who always comes off on a signal being
made, and carries you in to anchor, with the flagstaff bearing S. 59° E.
The town is large and well-inhabited, and a large trade is carried on with
Macao by the Portuguese and Chinese, of whom numbers are resident here.
Laphoa is another Portuguese town.

Tradb. — The power of both the Portuguese and Dutch Governments is
ahnost nominal in Timor, though they claim the entire sovereignty. Two
of the rivers, most productive of gold, are within the Dutch line of possessions*
Some of the lumps of gold found in Timor weigh full 2 ounces. Copper is
said to abound in the centre of the N. W. side of the island, the Chief of
which acknowledges the authority of Coupang. The specimens are lumps of
native copper imbedded in hard white shiny stone. The trade of Timor is con-
siderable, especially at Dhelly, which is under stricter regulations, to prevent
exports from the small ports, than Coupang. The imports are coarse blue
and white cloth, large pattern chintzes, a few fine ; and handkerchiefs with
much red in them. China silks, coarse and of gaudy patterns ; China ware,
coarse and green ; payongs, muskets, gunpowder, iron, coarse British
cutlery. Macassar parangs, lead, &c. The exports are gold-dust and birds^-
nests, but principally wax, sandal-wood brought from the S. coast,
earth oO, and cattle ; the last chiefly to the Isle of France and Amboyna.
The Timor sandal-wood is not so prized in the China market as that from
Malabar. It is not easy to calculate the value of the entire trade of the
island ; but the fair annual commerce of Coupang alone (supposed about
one fourth) exceeded, for the last five years, 1,800,000 Spanish dollars,
according to the farmers'" books. (Malay MisceL Vol. I.)

Provisions and Refreshments are plentiful and cheap, both in the
Portuguese and Dutch districts. The sea abounds with fish of various
kinds, and many curious and valuable shells are met with.

Coins. — In the Dutch ports the money is the same as at Batavia. At
Dhelly, Spanish dollars and Portugal coins are current.

Weights.— In both districts goods are bought and sold by the
Chinese pecul.

The small Islands of Sebrao, Pantar, or Alao; Ombay, and Wetter,
are inhabited by the same class of people as the mountaineers of Solor (who
difler from those on the coast) ; nor is it safe for a boat to land on any of
them, unless well armed, as they are all cannibals. They occasionally
barter wax with proas that frequent their ports, and even supply the
whalers with stock; but the utmost caution is requisite in trading with
them, as they are always on the watch to surprise the unwary.

S96 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Eastern Islands,

SECTION XXVI.

THE EASTERN ISLANDS.

The Eastern Seas contain an immense number of islands, msBj
of which are large and inhabited, and carry on a considerable trade with
each other ; but the greater part are uninhabited, and imperfectly known.
The principal islands frequented by Europeans, are the various Spice Islands,
Celebes, Borneo, the Sooloo Archipelago, and the Philippines.

BANDA ISLANDS.— This group consists of ten islands: Banda
Neira, Gonong Apee, Banda Lantoir, Pulo Ay, or Way ; Palo Rondo,
or Pulo Boon ; Rosengyn, Pulo Pisang, Craka, Capella, and Sonangj.
The harbour is formed by Great Banda on the S. side, Gonong Apee, and
Banda Neira on the N., with Pulo Pisang and Capella on the W. entrance.
The anchorage, in latitude 4^ 31 S., and longitude 13(P £., is at the foot
of Gonong Apee, or the Burning Mountain, which smokes almost con-
tinually, and from which proceed frequent earthquakes, whose shocks are
sometimes repeated three or four times in a day. You moor directly off the
wharf on Banda Neira, at about half a mile distance.

BANDA NEIRA is the seat of Government, and subordinate to
Amboyna. Besides the forts, there are a number of redoubts and militsiy
posts all round these islands, to prevent smuggling, and protect the
plantations and villages against the pirates from New Guinea, who fre-
quently land, and carry off the inhabitants, and whatever else they can
take by surprise, but are seldom hardy enough to attack where resistance
may be expected.

Trade. — The spice trade is monopolized by the Dutch Grovemment,
and intercourse with the Moluccas and their dependencies is interdicted to
foreigners. On the visit of the Governor-General, in April 1824, some new
regulations were promulgated by him ; the object of which was announced
to be that of abolishing the unnecessarily oppressive laws, relative to the
monopoly of the spice trade, &c., whereby it was directed that all the laif'
and regulations tending to protect the existing monopoly of the spices,
especially in nutmegs and mace^ should be maintained in their rigour. AO

Eastern lalands.] ORIENTAX. COMMERCE, 997

other laws, which owe their origin to this monopolj, but do not tend to
protect or maintain it, were declared null and void.-~It was provided by
the same edict, that the Residency of Banda should thenceforward consist of
the following, besides the Banda islands :— -The East part of Great Ceram,
the Islands of Kessing, Ceram Laut, Gisser (Gasses) Goram, Key, and
Arou, and in general all the other little islands to the East and South of
Banda. *"

^%»*^»»%%*<»%»%%^«%»%%^ % »» %% %^<%% « *%«^

ARTICLES PRODUCED AT BANDA, WITH DIRECTIONS.

Nutmegs {Jaephaiy Hind. JcMphalOy San.) are the produce of the
Myriaticaf a tree, native of several of the islands to the £., but which has
in a great measure been extirpated from them all, except that of Banda.
The tree is handsome and spreading, the bark smooth, and of a brownish
grey colour ; the leaves elliptical, pointed, obliquely nerved, on the upper
side of a brightish green, on the under whitish, and stand alternately upon
foot stalks ; they afford a most grateful aromatic scent when bruised. It
does not bear fruit till the eighth or ninth year, when little yellowish buds
a[^ar, out of which small white flowers are blown, hanging two or three
together upon slender peduncles ; in the centre of the flower is an oblong
reddish knob, from which the fruit is produced, though no more than one
blossom out of three commonly ripens. The fruit is eight or nine months
arriving at maturity ; but blossoms and ripe fiiiit are found at the same
time upon the tree, and the nutmegs are generally gathered three times in a
year. The fruit appears like a small peach, in shape and colour, only
pointed towards the stalk when ripe ; the outer coat, which is almost half
an indi thick, opens, and shews the nutmeg in its black and shining sheU,
encircled by a net-work of scarlet mace ; the outer coat is generally whitish,
a little bard, and is very good preserved in sugar, or stewed. You then
come to the mace, which is of a fine bright red colour, and under it a black
shell, about as thick as tliat of a filbert, but very hard ; it is opened by being
first dried successively in five different drying places, made of split bamboos,
upon which the nutmegs are laid, and placed over a slow fire, in each of
which places they remain a week, till the nutmegs are heard to shake within
the shell, which is then easily broken. The nutmegs are then sorted, and
delivered ; each sort is separately put into baskets, and soaked three times
in tubs of sea water and lime; they are then put into distinct closets, where
they are left for six weeks to sweat : this is done that the lime, by doong
the pores of the nuts, may prevent their strength firom evaporating, and

S98 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Eaaimi Iriands,

likewise because such a prepared nuuneg is not fit for propagation. The
nutmeg tree is distinguished into three sorts : male, or barren nutmeg; royal
nutmeg, a female producing long nuts ; and the queen nutmeg, yieUiog the
round nut The only difference between the royal and queen nutmeg is b
the fruit; that of the royal is thicker, longer, and more pointed ; the grees
shdl is thicker, and it is longer ripening ; the green shell, after opening,
preserves its freshness eight dr nine days ; the mace is more substantial, and
three times as long as that of the queen nutmegs and its stripes or thongs
(from fifteen to seventeen principal ones) are of a livelier red ; they are
also broader, longer, and thicker, and not only embrace the nut through its
whole length, but pass it, and cross under it The royal nutmeg remains
on the tree a long time after the opening of the green shell, and gives birth
to an insect in the shell that feeds upoil it. The queen nutmeg produces
much smaller nuts, well auirked by a longitudinal groove on one side;
it is round, and the green shell is not so thick ; the mace, composed o( nine
or ten principal stripes, grows only half down the nut, leaving it at
liberty to escape, and plant itself. By thus detaching itself, the nut pre-
vents the insect from destroying it ; the green shell also, changing at the end
of two or three days, soon falls, and separates firom the nut

Nutmegs should be chosen large, rotind, heavy and firm, of a lightish
grey colour on the outside, and the inside beautifully maii)led, of a strong
firagrant smell, warm aromatic taste, and a fat, oily body. They are subject
to be worm-eaten, unless properiy prepared. Particular care should be takes
that the worm holes are not filled up ; the best manner of packing them is
in dry chunam. The oblong kind, and the smaller ones should be rejected.
For fre^ht, 15 Cwt are allowed to a ton.

Oil (»* Nutmegs is expressed firom the imperfect nutmegs^ and such as
are unfit for the European naarket : there are three sorts of it, commonlj
called oil of mace. The best is brought in stone jars ; softish* of a
yeOowish colour, an agreeable fragrant nnell, greatiy resembling that of
the nutmeg. This is denominated Banda soap, and should be chosen free
firom impurities, and of a pleasant smell and good colour. The next comes
from Holland, in scdid masses, generally flat, and of a square figuie; paler
coloured, weaker in its smell, and inferior in its quality to that of India.
The last is the worst, and seems to be a composition of suet, or some such
matter, flavoured with a little of the genuine oil of nutmegs.

Magi, {Jawairif Hind., JaUpatrif San.), is a thin flat membraneous
substance envebping the nutmeg ; of a lively reddish yellow, saffinmJike
odour, of a pleasant aromatic smell, and a warm, bitterish, pungait taste.
Mace should be chosen fresh, tough, oleaginous, of an extremely Batgnti

Eastern I$hmd$.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 999

smell, of a bright reddish yellow, the brighter the better ; . the smaller
pieces are esteemed the best. The state it is in when packed, should be
particularly attended to ; if it be too dry, it will be broken, and lose much
of its fragrance ; if too moist, it is subject to decay, and breed worms. The
best mode of packing is in bales, pressed down close and firm, which pre-
serves its fragrance and coasistenoe.

A production is met with on the Coast of Malabar so like mace,
that at first sight k is not easy to be distinguisbed ; it differs, however, in
form from real mace, which appears of a leafy texture, while this is in
thinner filaments ; the colour is exactly alike, but thb has not the least
spicy flavour, and when chewed, has a kind of resiny taste. The ton of
mace is 8 Cwt

k«A%%V»4

LANTORE, or Great Banda, is to the N. of Banda Neira. It
is unhealthy : the water is said to be very bad, and the smoke which
descends from the volcano on Gonong Apee, is represented as being parti-
cularly noxious.

GONONG APEE is likewise to the N. of Banda Neiia ; it derives its
name firom a large volcano, which constantly emits smoke, and sometimes
cinders and stones. A new crater has recently opened, and is in activity.

PULO WAY is about nine miles to die W. of Gonong Apee ; here
is a strong fort. It is esteemed the most healthy of the group, and produces
nutmegs in abundance. Both the nutmegs and mace grown on this island,
are said to be superior to those from the other islands.

PULO RONDO, or Fulo Roon,is about four miles further, in a some*-
what more northerly direction. The Dutch have not inhabited it ; it has
therefore become a wilderness.

BOSENGYN is about seven miles to the S. E. of Lantore; it produces
nutm^s, mace, and some yams, and feeds a few cattle.

PULO PISANG is about two miles N. £. from Banda Neira, and
yidds some fine fruits as well as nutmegs and mace. The other three
ishnds are uninhabited, being little more than barren rocks.

AMBOYNA is the largest of the islands denominated the Clove
Islands. It b divided into two parts, a greater and a less peninsula ; the
largest is called Hitoo, and is about twelve leagues long, and two and a
half broad ; the other, called Leytimoor, is about five leagues long, and one
and a half broad. This is the southernmost part of the island, on whidi
stand the fort and town. The islands subordinate to Amboyna are ten in
number : — Ceram, which is equal in size to all the rest ; Ceram Laut,
Bouro, Amblaw, Manipa, Kelang, Bonoa^ Haraucka, Saparoua, and

400 ORIENTAL COMMBBCE. [Eoiiem Islands,

Noossa Laut ; but it is in Amboyna, and the three last islands onljr, that
doves are now cultirated.

Fort Victoria, the capital of the island, is in latitude 3^ 40' S., and
longitude 'I2ff* 15' K The bay is veij deep, and formed at its entrance hj
Allang Point on its W. side« and Noessaniva Point to the E. The best
anchorage is abreast the town, and rather above the wharf, in from SO to
35 fathoms ; moor with hawsers to the anchors, which are placed at con?e-
nient distances on the shore for that purpose : the bank being veiy steep,
ships are frequently driven off by neglecting this precaution.

Provisions and Refreshmknts.— Fresh meat for a ship'*8 crew is sel-
dom to be procured. There are no sheep, and poultry is scarce and dear;
a few deer and wild hogs are in the woods, but difficult to be got Water
is procured up the harbour, seven or eight miles from where the ships lay.
The watering place is up a smaU inlet ; it is a fine full river, running down
from the rocks, and with hoses you can fill your butts in a veiy short time:
It will be necessary to get the boats in and out as near high water as possiUe.
You will be directed to the watering place by two houses, which are situated
at about a musket shot on each side of it

HARAUCKA« — This island is about three miles to the £. of Am-
boyna.

SAPAROUA is about 35 miles from Amboyna. This island and
Noossa Laut yield an abundance of fine cloves.

NOOSSA LAUT is the easternmost and smallest of the Clove Islandi,
and bears from Amboyna E. } N. about 40 miles^ distance.

^^t^^^^^^^^M^im^m^i^^^^^^^^^^^u^v*^ ^ ^

ARTICLES PROCURABLE AT AMBOYNA, &c WITH DIRECTIONS.

Cloves, {Lounge Hind., Lavanga, San.)— The clove-tree is a nstiTe
of the Molucca Islands, particularly Amboyna, where it is principally culti-
vated. It is very handsome, somewhat resembling a large pear-tree; its
stem is straight, and at the distance of five feet from the ground its branches
begin ; the bark is thin and smooth, and adheres closely to the wood. The
wood is heavy and hard ; the leaves stand two and two opposite, about t
hand^s breadth long, and two inches broad, pointed, ribbed, and reddish oo
the upper side, but smooth and of a bright green colour on the under side;
they have a very aromatic smell when bruised between the fingers. Wbeo
a tree is nine years old, and has been well attended to, it begins to jieU
cloves ; they appear in the beginning of the rainy season ; they are then
little dark green longish buds, and become perfect cloves in shape in the
month of August or September ; they then turn yellow, and afterwards red.

EaHem Igkmda.] ORIBNTAL COMMERCE. 401

which is the time for gathering them. If thej are suffered to remain three
or four weeks longer, tbej swell, and become what are called mother cloves,
which are proper for propagation or for candying, but not fit for drying as
a spice. The cloves grow on separate stalks, but in bunches of three or
more together. Valentyn describes four sorts; that which he calls the mala
clove is the sort used for drying ; the female produces cloves of a pale
colour, which are the best for extracting of oil ; the king^s clove is a very
scarce species, bearing larger and double cloves ; the fourth sort is called
rice cloves, which are very small, but likewise very rare. The clove pro-
duced upon the wild dove-tree has no kind of spiciness. At the time of
gathering the dove, the ground is carefully swept under the trees, that none
may be lost They are generally pulled off by long hooks, or beaten down
with bamboos ; large cloths are spread to receive them, and they are after*
wards dther dried by the fire or in the sun : the last mode is the best The
usud time of the dove crop is in October, and it lasts till December. The
crop of doves depends much upon the temperature of the weather in June
and September ; an after-crop is sometimes made, but the time is uncertain,
and it does not often happen.

Cloves should be chosen large*sized, perfect in all parts, and heavy, of
a fine fragrant smdl, and hot aromatic taste, so as almost to burn the throat;
the colour should be a dark brown, almost approaching to black, and when
handled, should leave an oily moisture upon the fingers. When fresh
gathered, doves will yield, on simple pressure, a fragrant thick reddkh
oil They have sometimes a considerable portion of their essential oil drawn
from them, and are then mixed with those which are fresh. By this mixture
the purchaser may be deceived ; but, on examination, those cloves which
have lost their virtue, always continue weaker than the rest, and of a paler
colour; and whenever they look shrivelled, having lost the knob at the top,
and are light and broken, with but little smell or taste, they should be
rejected, as it affords reason to suspect the oil has been extracted from them
As cloves readily absorb moisture, it is not uncommon, when a quantity is
ordered, for them to be kept near a vessd of water, by which means a con-
siderable addition to their weight is made. The ton is 1 S C wt for freight.
Oil op Clovbs is procured from the doves by distillation. When new,
it is of a pale reddish brown colour, (which becomes darker by age), ex-
tremdy hot and fiery, and sinks in water. The kind generally imported
from India, contains nearly half its weight of an insipid expressed oil, which
it discovered by dropping a little into spirits of wine ; on shaking it, the
genuine oil mixes with the spirit, and the insipid separates. It is sometimes
adulterated with a cheaper essential oil ; to discover this, dip a rag into it^

402 ORIENTAL COMBnSRCE. [jEMtotiAtoub.

and hold it before the fire; tbellavour of lihegciittiiieoil mil fljoff, leanoj
€b&t of the added behind.

BOURO. — This island, which ia of contidersble sist, isaboutiSnuIes
W. of Amboyna. The princ^Md town, called Cajeli bj the Dutch, is situated
at the bottom of Bouro Bay, on the £. side of the island, in latitude S^iilS^
and longitude 127^ 4/ E. On the coast E. of the village is a large deep
river, called Aer Bessar, which fidls into the sea. The best anchorage ii
with the fort bearing S^hy E. § £., distance three^uarters of a mile. Tidi
island is considered the granarj of Ambojna; large quantities of rice, sago-
flour, and other provisions are constantly sent there. It also prodnoef
several kinds of excdlent timber, and many beautiful sorts of wood, similar
to those at Ambejna, which are in request in China for inlaid work. The
famous cajeputa oil is chieflj prepared here, and sent to Fort Victoria.

Provisions and Rbfeesrmbnts«— *Beef is difficult to be procured, it
being reserved for Ambojna ; the only Uve stock thej have^ are goats and
fbwls, both of which are scarce. Deer and wild hogs can be got, but not in
sufficient quantities for two or three ships. The best method of procuring
stock is bj bartering knives and common Coast cloths ; for so little do the
natives know the value of money, that thej prize a common Lascar knife
as mudi as half a doUar in sUver. Fish does not appear to be very plentiful,
or in any great variety ; there are, however, a few turtles ocoaaionally ; and
several sorts of beautiful shells are to be found on the sea-shoore. Yams,
bananas, lunes, and various other fruits and vegetables are brought off bj
the natives, and exchanged for common clasp knives, and coarse red and
white China handkerchiefs. The best watering place is just above high
water mark, about 100 yards to the K of the fort, where the water is veiy
good ; it is necessary to swim your casks on shore, and back again when
foil, as the shore is so flat, that a long boat cannot come within 100 yards
of low water mark.

CERAM. — ^Thb island, which is high and mountainous, extends
nearly E. and W., about 54 leagues ; the S. W. point is in latitude if 31' &,
and longitude IST" B& E. There are several harbours :~Lahoo, near the
S. W. point ; Sawa, on the N. coast, in latitude 2° Ar S., and kmgitiide
129* & E. ; and Wakoo, on the N. E. part, in latitude 3? 25' S., and Ion-
gitude ISO"" 40^ E. The inhabitants are in general hospitable to Buropeans,
who touch here fbr refreshments, or to trade. The natives of the neigh-
bouring • islands bring beech de mer, birdsVnests, long nutm^, biids of
Paradise, and sago ; sometimes spices are smuggled firom Banda and Am-
boyna, and may be procured at reasonable rates ; in return for which, thc^
take coarse blue, white, and red piece-goods, India silks, opinm, iron.

Eoiiem l0kmd$.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 40S

eoane catlery, looking-glftsfles, lead, and tin, wUeh the tuttives grealty
rahie, and convert into ear-rings, &c.

Provisions and Represbmbnts. — ^There are no cattle to be 'procured ;
but wild hogs, deer, and [K>ultry are in abuadance. Some presents are
necessary to the Rajahs and principal men $i, tiie diiftrent places, for per-
mission to trade, or to obtain refreshments.

MYSOL.— 'This island is about 15 leagues N. E. of Ceram ; it extends
E. and W., dK>nt 14 leagues. On the S. side, in latitude 8° IS' S., Mid
longitude 127^ E., is the harbour of Efbe, formed bj an island of the sasne
name, and the coast of Mysol. The village of Efbe is mall, and the houses
are all built upon posts in the water. Presents are necessary to tht Rajah,
in the event of a vessel touching here for refreshments. Fresh water may
be had on the island, or from a small river opposite it, on Mysol.

The N. W. poist of New Guinea is about 85 leagues firom MysoL
To the N. are sevend id^ds, the principal of which are Salwattt, Ba-
TANTA, and Watoiou. There are several harbours and bays winch have
been occasionally visited by European vessels ; but not affording articles of
trade, are but imperfectly known.

TRAOE.*^The inhabitants of New Guinea, and the neighbouring isbmds,
who are called Papuans, carry on a trade in their own boats with the Spice
Islands, conveying their own produce, which consists of asibergris, beech
de mer, birds of Paradbe, Missoy bark, pearls, pearl shells, slaves, tor-
toise-shell, and many kinds of curious birds, whidi the Papuans have k
{Moticular way of drying ; for which they receive in return, beads, China^
ware, brass-wire, coarse piece-goods, cutlery, gold and silver lace, iron in
bars, and looking-glasses.

Birds of Parax>ise.— These birds are valuable, and extremely well
suited for an ornament of dress, both by their lightness and beauty ; they
are employed for the same purposes as the feathers of the ostrich. There
are seven species.

I. The labor Bird, commonly two feet four inches in length ; the
head small, the btU hard and long, of a pale colour. The head and back of
the neck is lemon-coloured, but about its little eyes black ; about the neck,
the bird is of a bright gloss emerald green, and soft like velvet, as is the
breast, which is black or wolf*coloured. The wings are large and chestnut ;
the back part of the body is covered with long straight narrow fealhers, of
a pale brown colour, similar to the plumes of the ostrich. These feathers
are spread when the bird is on the wing, which is the cause that he can ke^
very long in the air. On both sides of the belly are two tufls of stiff

Cc2

404 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Eastern lAinds.

and shorter feathers, of a golden yellow^ and shining. From the rump
proceed two long stiff shafts, which are feathered on their extremities.*
They come always in flocks of thirty or forty, and are led by a bird
which the inhabitants call the king, distinct from the little king-bird. This
leader is black with red spots, and constantly flies higher than the rest of
the flock, which never forsake him^ but settle as soon as he 8ett1es-«a cir-
cumstance which becomes their ruin when the king lights on the ground,
from whence they are not able to rise, on account of the singular structure
and disposition of their plumage.

The natives catch tliem with bird-lime and in nooses, oc shoot them
with blunt arrows ; they then cut their legs off, draw the entrails, and
fumigate them, and sell them at Banda for about a rix-doUar each ; whereas
at Aroo one of these birds may be bought for a spike-nail, or a piece of
old iron.

II. The small Bird is about twenty inches long; his beak lead-
coloured, and paler at the point, the eyes small, and enclosed in black;
about the neck he is green ; the head and back of the neck are of a dirtj
yellow ; the back of a greyish yellow ; the breast and belly of a dusky co-
lour ; the wings small, and chestnut-coloured. The long plumage is ahout
a foot in length, and paler than in the larger species, as in general the
colours of this small bird are less bright. The two long feathers of the tail
are constantly thrown away by the natives. This is in all respects like the
greater sort; they follow likewise a king, or leader, who is however
blacker, with a purplish cast, and finer in colour than the rest ; though
this bird is also different from the third and fourth black species. This
kind is found only in the Papua Islands.

III. The large black Bird is brought without wings or legs for
sale, so that of this species it is difficult to give an exact description. Its
figure, when stuffed, is narrow and round, but stretched in length to the
extent of four spans. The plumage on the neck, head, and belly is black
and velvet-like, with a hue of purple and gold, which appears very strong.
The bill is blackbh, and one inch in length ; on both sides are two bunches
of feathers, which have the appearance of wings, although they are vert
different, the wings being cut off by the natives. The plumage is soft,
broad, similar to peacocks'* feathers, with a glorious gloss and greenish hue
The feathers of the tail are of unequal length ; those next to the belly are
naiTOw,«like hair; the two uppermost are much longer, and pointed; those
immediately under them are above a span and a half longer than the upper
ones ; they are stiff on both sides, fringed with a plumage like hair, black
above, but glossy below. Birds of this kind are brought from no other

Eastern Inlands.] OBIENTAL COMMERCE. 405

place than New Guinea. The inhabitants cany them to Salwatty in hollow
tubes of bamboo, and sell them for small hatchets or coarse cloth.

IVI Thb smaller black BiRD.-^The plumage of this sort is equal in
length with that of the above, but thinner in body, black above, and without
any remarkable gloss, not having those shining peacock-feathers which are
foand on the greater species. This wants likewise the three long pointed
feathers of the tail, belonging to the larger black species of the Bird of
Paradise. The inhabitants of the mountains of Mysol shoot those birds,
and sell them to the people of Tidore.

y. The white Bird is the most rare ; it is of two species, one quite
white, and the other black and white. The first sort is very rare, and in
form like the bird of Paradise from Papua. The second has the fore part
black, and the back part white, with twelve crooked wiry shafts, which are
almost naked, though in some parts covered with hair. This species is very
scarce, and only to be procured by means of the people of Tidore, since it
is found on the Papua Islands.

VI. TuE UNKNOWN BLACK BiRD.—- lu the ycBT 1689 a new species was
seen at Amboyna, carried from Mysol, only one foot in length, with a fine
purple hue, a small head, and straight bill. As on the other birds of Para-
dise, on its back, near the wings, are feathers of a purple and blue colour ;
but under the wings, and over all the belly, they are yellow coloured, as
in the common sort ; on the back of the neck they are mouse-coloured
mixed with green. It is remarkable in this species that there are before
the wings two roundish tufts of feathers, which are green edged, and may
be moved at pleasure by the birdJike wings. Instead of tail, he has twelve
or thirteen black, naked, wire-like shafts, hanging promiscuously like fea-
thers. His strong legs have sharp claws ; his head is remarkably small ;
the eyes are likewise small, and surrounded by black.

VII. The Kino Bird is about seven inches long, and somewhat larger
than the titmouse. Its head and eyes are small, the bill straight, the eyes
included in circles of black plumage ; the crown of the head is fire coloured,
the back of the neck blood coloured, the neck and breast of a chestnut
colour, with a dark ring of the brightest emerald green. Its wings are in
proportion strong, and the quill feathers dark, with red shining plumes,
spots, and stripes. The tail is straight, short, and brown. Two long
naked, black shafts project from the rump at least a hand's breadth beyond
the tail, having at their extremities semilunar twisted plumage, of the most
glaring green colour above, and dusky below. The belly is white, and
green sprinkled, and on each side is a tuft of long plumage, with a broad
inaif[iii, bdng on one side green, and on the other dusky. The back is

406 ORIENTAL CX>MMSaOE. [Euitem Idands.

blood red and brown, shiniiig Hke lilk. The legs are in sise like those of
the lark, having three fore toes and (Hie back toe. This kind is chiefly
brought from Aroo, where it is oceasionaUj worn at an ornament bj the
natives.

6IL0L0. — This island, which is of considerable size and smgulsr
form, seems to divide the Indian Ocean, to the E., from the Great Soaih
Sea. The W. side is nearly straight. On the E. side is a peninsula thsi
points due E., and from the base of that another to the N.^ leaving between
it and the W. extent of the island, a bay, extremely narrow, but very deep,
penetrating about half through the island, called Ossa Bay. The town of
Ossa is in latitude 0'' 45' N., and longitude US' 2Z E. The S. side of the
bay abounds with nutmegs, and has a fine watering place. Here ships may
procure water and refreshments, and on some of the iaUinds excellent timber
fbr spars.

The Gilolo passage is now much frequented, eafieciaUy by vessels from
America bound to China.

There are several other towns in various parts of the island, vur. Maba,
Patany, and Weda ; but being seldom visited by Europeans, they are little
known.

Traoe.— A considerable trade is carried on in their own proas with
Amboyna and the neighbouring islands, from whence they impmt cutlery,
doth, (chiefly scarlet,) China-ware, gold lace, iron in bars, opium, piece-
goods, and steel.

The articles in which they make their returns, are chiefly nutmegs,
mace, cloves, beech de mer, birds^-nests, pearl sheik, seed pearl, and tor-
toise-shell. Large quantities of sago are to be procured extremely rea-
sonable.

Provisions.— The Island of Gilolo abounds with bullocks and bofla*
Iocs, goats, deer, and wild hogs ; the latter frequent the places where sago-
trees have been felled, and feeding upon the remains, grow very fat, and
make excellent meat

The islands of Tbkisate, Tidore, Mottr, Matchian, and Batchux,
adjacent to the W. coast of Gilolo, and situated between the equator and
the first degree of N. latitude, were formerly considered as the principsl,
and even the only Spice Islands, the nutmeg-tree and clove-tree being dif*
fused in these islands in a much greater quantity than at Amboyna, Bands,
or any other island ; but the Dutch wishing to appropriate these valoaUe
trees exclusively to themselves, forced the Sovereigns of the former islands
to destroy the plantations of them. At their Courts they kept agents who
were very busy and strict in their visits ; and these trees vrere allowed lo he

Eastern Islands.] ORIENTAL COMMEBCE. 407

cultivated only at Ambojna, Banda, and the other idandi which were
under the immediate controul of the Company, and where they could
exercise a continual superintendence. This inquisition, introduced by Dutch
cupidity, was singularly counteracted by birds^ which deposited the seeds of
the spice-trees in the islands circumjacent to those where they were culti^
yated. This had determined the Company also to fix Hesidents there^
whose principal nussion was to make constant researches, in order to
destroy all those which they might meet with. Often, indeed, the trees*
happened to be sown in places so steep, that they escaped the moat active
efforts of the destroyers.

TERNATE is the northernmost, and though small^ the largest, and.
remarkable for its volcanoes, The Dutch have a fortress on the E. side,
called Fort Orange, in latitude 0^ 48' N., and longitude 127'' 13' £. The
anchorage is near the shore, abreast of the town. The King resides here
in great state. His dominions comprehend the greater part of the N. end of
Gilolo ; likewise a great part of the N. £. quarter of Celebes, wkere the
settlements of Manado and GKmong Tello are situated; to hin» also
belong the Islands of Sanghr, Siao, and several of the small neigbbottria^
ones.

Trade. — Gold-dust, tortoise-shell, wax, and smuggled spices, are
exchanged for European and Asiatic produce, including opium, but the
demand is small.

Provisions and RBraasBMEirTB of all kinds are scarce and dear.
Rice is imported from Manado on Celebes. Wild hogs and deer are plen-
tiful in the woods ; vegetables are, however, more abundant here than at aaoy.
of the islands; wood and water are easily procured.

Coma.— ^Accounts are kept in rix-dollars and Spanish doUara Duca-
toons and crowns pass here.

Weights. — Chinese weights are in common use. The bahar is 4
cantars and 6 lbs.» each cantar 100 lbs. avoirdupois ; which makes the
bahar 406 lbs.

TIDOBE.— This island is situated about 3 leagues to the S. of Temate,
in latitude about OP 43^ N., and longitude 127'' 37' E. The town ia on the
£. side of the island^ near which ships anchor in 30 fathonm It is v&ry
populous ; the people principally Mahometans. The King possesses great
part of the S. £* portion of Gilolo, in which are three towns, where some
trade is carried on^ viz. Patany, Maba, and Weda; he likewise claimtf the'
islands of Wajgfo^ My sol, and Batanta.

Trajdb.— There is a great trade here, with New Guinea, Gikdo, st^d

40ft ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Ea^em Mundi.

with the N. islands ; and the Chinese, who are an industrious people, are
much interested in it.

The commodities imported are as follow :-^China-ware, scarlet dotb,
coarse cutlery, guns and muskets, gunpowder, glass-ware, iron in han ;
ironmongery, looking-glasses, lead ; lace, gold and silver ; nails, piece-goods
of sorts, shot, steel, and watches.

The proas import from Sooloo, New Guinea, Gilolo, Wajgiou, and
the other islands, agal agal, birds^-nests, black-wood, beech de mer, birds
of paradise, Missoy bark, nutmegs, pearls, pearl shells, rattans, sago, B&k*
lac, sandal-wood, tortoise-shell, and wax, taking in return the produce of
India and China, before mentioned.

DuTiEs.-^There are no duties levied on imports or exports, bot
presents are made to the Sultan and his principal men, according to the
business done.

Pbovisions and Refreshments. — ^Bullocks and goats are to be got
from Gilolo; deer and wild hogs in abundance; various kinds of fruits, and
some vegetables. The sea yields plenty of excellent fish. The Eemoo or
Chama cockle is in abundance amongst these islands ; the small ones, aboat
the size of a mane's head, are very good, and will keep long alive, if wetted
frequently with salt water.

CELEBES. — This island is separated from Borneo by the Strait of
Macassar, which is about 115 leagues long, and generally from 35 to 45
leagues wide, except where it is contracted by the projection of Point
Kanneevongan, to 17 leagues; it is mu^h frequented by ships bound to
China late in the season, though it has no ports where provisions or refresh-
ments can be readily procured.

Celebes is of considerable extent, and very irregular and singular form.
It is peopled by various tribes, the chief of which are the Macassarese, and
Bugis. Their manners are peculiar and whimsical.

M ACASSAR.-*-On the W. side of Celebes is this principal settlement;
all the others are subordinate to it The road is one of the most beautiful
in India, and very secure, being defended by numerous small islands and
sand-banks from almost every wind that blows ; but a pilot is necessary to
get into the inner roads. The town is built upon a point or neck of land
watered by a river.

Fort Rotterdam is situated in latitude S*" 9' S., and longitude 119° 96
£. ; it was built by the natives with the assistance of the Portuguese, and
is about 800 feet from the beach, opposite to the road, where a pier extends,
which serves for unloading the ships, and close to which are 15 or 16 feet

EoHem l9lands.] OBIENTAL COMMERCE. 409

water. Without the land-gate is a large plain, on the N. ride of which is

situated the town, where most of the Europeans reside. The streets cross

at right angles, pointing to the four Cardinal points ; most of them are

broad, and formed of tolerably good houses ; at the end of one of them stands

the orphan-house, which is large, but in a very ruinous state. The Chinese

all live in one street This town is palisadoed all round, and at night closed

by gates, where a watch is constantly kept. Without the town, to the S.,

there is a row of buildings, which bounds it on that side, and where the

house of the Governor stands. The Bougi and Malay campons are not far

from it; the Campon Baro, where most of the natives and some Europeans

live, is S. of the fort ; there are likewise a few brick houses in it The envi-

rons of Macassar are very pleasant The plain reaches to the foot of a

range of high mountains, extending 8 or 10 miles, and is covered with rice

fields and pasture grounds.

Tea oB.-— The Dutch East India Company imported piece-goods. The
other commodities which used to be brought by the commanders of their
ships, are anchors and grapnels, brass wire, coarse cutlery, gunpowder,
guns and pistols, gold thread, iron in bars, lead, looking glasses, lace, nails,
small shot, sugar, steel in faggots, woollens, and watches.

The Dutch allow a junk to come direct from China every year. The
articles imported by her are China-ware, Canton cloth, fireworks, gongs, iron
in bars, iron pans, nankeens, silk piece-goods, sugar, sugar-candy, sweetmeats,
teas« and a number of small articles for wearing apparel, and other uses.
Gold, of which immense quantities are procured on the island, and rice,
form the chief productions exported. The following articles, which are
taken by the annual junk to China, are imported into the settlement by proas
from the surrounding countries :— Beech de mer, black-wood, bezoar stones,
cloves, cotton wool, clove bark, nutmegs, rattans, rice, sago, tortoise-shell,
and wax.

A parUcular kind of cotton cloth, called Cambays, is manufactured here,
and is an article in great demand in all Malay countries ; it is red, checkered,
and mixed with blue, much resembling the Tartan plaid ; some are as fine
as cambric.

Provisioks AMD RcpREsuMEKTs.— The bccf here is excellent, and at a
reasonable price. Rice, poultry, deer, and wild hogs are plentiful, and fruits
of various kinds. Water is generally procured from a small rivulet which
runs near the town; but the best-is from the wells, and which can be readily
ahipped off from the pier. Abundance of excellent fish are caught in the
roads, and about the islands.

Coins.— "Accounts are kept in rix-dollars and stivers. Spanish dollars

«(► OBIBNTAL COMMJifiCB* [Emim^ Idatuls.

are the common coid,. bu(. the «iider-i»entiQiied ako pass current at the

followuig ratea:**-

Dacfttoom IS SchSHags. ||

Sngllsb Cfowni ••^.•'•Id IMtui* i

BombafRnpeet ;....^...a ScKSiagik

Madni Riqpeea M A Bilta.

The exchange ia 4 rix-doQars for 3 Spanish dollars. AH bargains are
made in the former^ whieh la a nominal coin. They have a kind of mace,
7 of which go to a dollar.

WsioiiTa.— All merobaHdiBe is weighed by the dotchin, and then
reduced to other weights.

The pecul ia 100 catties^ or 135 lbs. 10 oz. avoirdupois. The ganton
among the natives is 7} lbs. Dutch troy, or 8 lbs. 5 oz. avoirdupois ;
but the ganton used by the Dutch is 1 1 1 lbs. Dutch troy, or 12^ lbs.
avoirdupoia.

Gold and siver are weighed by the. tale of 16 mace, equal to 837f Dutch
asen, or 614 English grains.

BONTHAIN BAY is about 30 leagues S. E. from Macassar, and
may be known by a hill at the bottom of a bay which is in latitude about 5^
30' S., and longitude 119° 53' E. The bay is large, and ships may lie in
perfect security in both monsoons ; the soundings are good and regular, and
the bottom soft mud ; the anchorage is with Bonthain Hill bearing N., aboat
half a mile from the shore. In this bay there are several small towns, tbe
principal of which, from whence the bay takes its name, is in tbe N. E. part
of it Most of the ships bound to the Spice Islands touch here, and pass
between Celebes and Saleyer.

TiUBE. — The principal article of trade here is rice, of which large
quantities are annually exported;, the others are chiefly brought by the
proaa, and are similar to those enumerated at Macassar.

Provisions and Refreshments of all kinds are plentiful and at a
cheap rate. The beef is excellent ; rice may be. had in any quantity, as naaj
fowls and frulL Fish may be caught with the seine, and turtle is occasion-
ally to be procured. The bullocks have humps similar to the Indian ones;
there are besides buffaloes, goats, sheep, and deer. Wood and water are to
be had in great plenty ; the former near a river, under Bonthain Hill ; and
the latter both from it and another river near the fort : if from the latter,
the boats must go above the fort with the casks which are to be filled, where
tbere is a good rolling way ; but as the river has a bar, a loaded boat can
come out only at high water.

BOOLECOMBA is about 20 miles from Bonthain, near a small
river. ^ Is the S.W. mooaoon the coad is dangerous for shippmg; smaO

Eatkm Islmdi^] OBEBNTAL COMME&CB. 411

v€fi8ek cfOi} howvrer^ ran into the rirec at high vatar. The buid pro^
duces large quantilifs of rice, vhich is sent to Amboyna and other islands^
The anchorage for large ships is, with the flagstaff N. N. W. in 6^ or 7
fiuboms, about fti miles from the shore*

SALEYER.^ — This island^ vhich extends about 10 leagues N« and S.^
is separated from the S. point of Celebes by the Strait of Salejer. It is
well inhabited, and produces large quantities of grain ; and much coarse
Uue and white striped doth is manufactured from cotton grown on the island.

BU6IS BAY.— This bay begins on the £. side of the S. point of
Celebes, which forms, with the island of Saleyer, the Straits of that name»
and stx^tches about 9" lo the N. into the middle of the island. The W. side
of the bay is better inhabited than the £.» and has several villages belonging
to the natives. The principal river and town are called B<Hii, near the bot-
tom of the bay on the W. ade, in latitude about S^ S. Ships from Bei^
have occasionally vLdted this place, with a view of trading in o{Uum and
pieceugoods, and receiving gold-dust, &c. in return ; but they have generally
been disappointed.

BOUTON.— The S. point of this island is in latitude F ^% 8., and
longitude ISS"" 44" E. It is well inhabited. The principal town is
Bouton, in latitude S" 87' S. ; it is built upon an eminence, with a very steep
declivity to the N. W., and is surrounded with thick walls, which secure the
mhabitants from the incursions of the Malay pirates who frequent this sea.
The houses are built of bamboos, and covered with pahn-leaves. The
anchorage is with the flagstaff bearing S. IT"* W., and the watering place
£• N. E., three miles.

BBrKXSBMKiTTS of various kinds are to be procured hcr^ i^. goats,
ducks, fowls, rice^ and sugar, for which they will take coarse cutlery,
hardware, Sec, but prefer money. The inhabitants are inclined to be trea-
cfaeioua, therefore care should be taken against them.

The E. coast of Celebes u very imperfectly known, and little frequented.
The exten&ve peninsula by which this coast is formed, is fronted by islands
of various rizes, and many islands are interspersed over the great Bays of
Tolo and Tominie, or Gonong Tello.

GONONG TELLO BIVEB, in latitude ff VS N., and lonptude
123^ 16' E^ is on the N. side of the great Bay of Tominie, or Gronong
Tello, which stretches inland nearly to the W. side of Celebes. The town
is about two miles up the river. Ships can only anchcx* at its entrance in
deep water. Qn the £. side, just within the entrance, are two small coves,
of whidi a ship may haul intcs and lay sheltered frcxn the very strong

Hi ORIENTAL COMMERCE. ' [JEiutem Idandt.

freshes that come down the river ; immense stones lie on the beach in these
coves, which are very convenient for mooring to. The inhabitants are
chiefly Mahometans.

Trade. — A considerable trade is carried on here. The Rajah is the
principal merchant. For what they have to dispose of, they ask double the
price they will take ; and for what they want to purchase, they will not at
first o£Per above half what is asked. The articles most in demand are opium,
iron, gunpowder, piece-goods of a common kind, and coarse cutlery. Very
few European goods answer on this part of the island. Gold is one of the
principal exports ; but it is necessary to be a good judge of it, as they will
take every advantage they can, and it is only to be bought in small quan-
tities of different merchants. There are four or five qualities of it ; the
price, in bars, from nine to eleven Spanish dollars for one dollar weight,
and gold-dust about the same price. It is said that gold to any amount
might be procured from Celebes. The mines are about a degree to the
W. of Gonong Tello. Rice, wax, beech de mer, and a few other articles
may be got reasonably. Tortoise-shell is procured here in conaderable
quantities.

Paovisions Aif d Refbeshments. — Bu£Paloes are in abundance ; sheep
and goats are cheap; fowls are procured for pice, or for knives — ^large ones,
four for a knife. Water and wood are easily procured.

Coins.— Spanish dollars are the best coins to make purchases with.

The N. coast of Celebes is in general high bold land. Near die N.
extreme are two places of trade, Kemar and Manado.

KEMAR, in latitude !<> 2^' N., and longitude 125o 19' E., is on the
W. side of the point, and there is good anchorage within 1} mile of the
shore. This place is easily known by the high mountains, the southernmost
of which. Mount Chabot, may be seen 30 leagues in clear weather.

Trade.-— >Little is carried on here. Opium is always in request, but is
under restraint. A small quantity of coarse piece-goods is sold annually.

Provisioks AifD Refreshments are to be had clieap, but not in aoj
quantity without permission from the Resident. Bullocks and hogs are
good ; fowls, rice, and paddy, cheap ; yams, onions, and some other vege-
tables in abundance. The water here is very excellent.

MANADO is on the W. side of Cape Cofl; in latitude 1* 80' N. and
longitude lS4o 47' E. Opium and piece-goods are imported here, for wbici
they receive gold in return, besides wax and many other articles. Tbe
Dutch kept this place and Kemar to furnish provisions for Temate, this
part of Celebes being very fruitful, and abounding in rice, &c.

SANGIR.— This island extends from latitude S^ ftV N., nearly in &

Eastern IslandB.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 413

N. N. W. direcfibn, to S'' 46^ N., of an obloDg form ; broadest towards the
N. end, and tapering sitiall towards the S., having several good bays.
The principal town and bay are about the middle of the W. coast, and
called Taroona, in latitude 3'' S8' N., and longitude IZff* 44' E. The
anchorage is within a mile of the shore, in 60 fatlioms, near a small river or
watering place. There is also another town, called Tabockang, nearly
opposite on the £. coast. On anchoring, the canoes come off in great
numbers with goats, fowls, yams, coco-nuts, and various fruits and
vegetables, for which they prefer white metal buttons to any other com*
nuxlity ; of money they have scarcely an idea. This and the neighbouring
islands abound with coco-nuts ; a fathom of brass wire will purchase 100 ;
an ordinary knife 800 ; and four knives, a ballet, or 60 lbs. of coco-nut
oil, and other articles in proportion. Water is procured from the river,
but must be rafted off, which requires great caution, as the tides run very
rapidly near the island. The inhabitants are numerous, and appear mild
and benevolent ; many of them are habited like Chinese.

The island of Siao bears about S. by W. from Sangir, distant from 12
to 13 leagues.

BORNEO, one of the largest islands in the world, stretching from the
4th deg. of S. to the 8th deg. of N. latitude, and from 150 to 158 degrees of
£. longitude, abounds with rivers and harbours, of which the following are
those chiefly frequented by the Enghsh: — Banjar Massin, Succadana,
Pontiana, Momparva, Sambass, Borneo, and Passier. There is a place
called Sinkawang, between Pontiana and Sambass, peopled with Chinese in
conaderable numbers, which has lately been much resorted to by our ships ;
but the Dutch, to whom it belongs, have interdicted foreign intercourse.

By recent advices, it appears that the Netherlands Government, having
subjected several native states, have become undisputed masters of all that
part of Borneo, from the Eastern confines of the state of Banjar Massin to
the Northern boundary of that of Sambass ; which includes all the gold and
diamond mines of the island. The ports which are now open to European com-
merce, are said to be Banjar Masmn, Pontiana, Momparva, and Sambass only.
The latest and most authentic account of this vast island may be found
in the late Dr. Leyden'^s Sketch of the Island of Borneo.

l^ANJAR MASSIN is situated a considerable way up a river, which
empties itself into the sea some distance from Point Salatan, the S. extreme
of Borneo, which is in latitude 4"" 10' S., and longitude 1 U'' 4^9! E. There
was foqnerly a town of that name, about 12 English miles from the sea ;
but it 18 now removed about six miles higher up, and called Tattas.
The mouth of the river is shallow, which, obliges vessels of I)Qrtben to

414 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [EMiem Idandi.

remain in the offing. After pttsmng the bar, the wAter deepens to 6 or
7 fathoms. The branch on which Tattas stands, is called China River.
The town consists of about SOO houses, most of them buik upon floats in
the river.

DiEscTioxs.-— 'The Dutch Chief oocaskmally trades with riiips visiting
the place, but it is in rather a clandestine manner. Should circumstanoei
admit of touching here, you must send a boat well manned and armed
up the river to the Dutch factory, and say you want wood, water, and
provisions : if possible, hire a small proa, and a man to go with you as
linguist; but you must be very much upon your gnard how you trmt
him. You will get a man of this description to go with you for a few
dollars, provided he behaves virell. Inrite the Dutch Chief on board;
in all probability he will send down a boat, and request your company
on shore, in which case takie nothing of value with you except your 8id^
arms. Enquire if the Commandant of the troops and the Chief are on
good terms; if they are not, you must be cantious bow you talk aboat
trade. Should there be any vessels from the E., you should visit them;
they may probably have spices, which they will dispose of for opinm and
Spanish dollars. A number of Chinese rende at Tattas, who cany on a
considerable trade with China and other places, and have a number of
shops, which are well supplied with the various productions of the East

TRADE.-^From China the junks bring various artides, auch as are
enumerated at Borneo Town. The proas from Cdebes, New Guinea, and
die islands to the E., bring birds^-nests, beech de mer, Inrds of Paradise,
doves, mace, nutm^, sago, tortoise-shell, wax* Rice, sugar, salt, opium,
piece-goods, and China-ware meet a ready sale.

Of European and Indian commodities the following ate eommcdj
imported :-— 'Brass wire, ooene c«tlery« gunpowder, guns (1 to 8 Cwt),
grapnels, gold lace, iron in bars, looking-glasBes, lead in sheets, nails of
all s<»rts, small arms, sted, scarlet doth, and watches.

Tepper is the staple export, of which there are three qualities :-^«
first and best is denominated Lout pepper^ the next Cay tongee, and tk
third and worst Negaree pepper ; of this last sort they have the largest
quantity. It is small, hollow, li^t, and the most dusty ; therefore, yoa
must agree to buy by wdght, and not by measure, otherwise they will give
you the worst and lightest sort, reserving the heavy sorts for the China
junks.

Large quantities of gdd ore fikc^se to be procured here, which ia <^
a finer touch than that of Sambass; this, like many other eastern icoouno-
dities is divided into head, belly, and^fbot* The he«d, or best, is calld

Eattem /^fomit.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 415

Molucca gold, and is hi grains as large as baj salt, of a very irregular
shape, and about 22 carats fine. The belly is a smaller sort, like sand or
brass filings. The foot is much the same in appearance as the belly ; these
two sorts are often found mixed more or less with iron dust, or something
much resembling it, which comes out of the rivers. The natives clean it
by the help of a loadstone, which they rub among the gold-dust in a shell
or dish ; but it is never got clean out, therefore you cannot be too circum-
spect when you purchase any ; the natives esteem the highest coloured gold.

They have likewise gold in bars, which if you buy, you must cut half
through with a chisel ; then break and touch them, as they very often
cover a base metal so artificially with gold, that if you cut right through
with a chisel, instead of breaking it, you will draw the gold Over it, and
prevent the discovery.

The following articles are likewise to be procured : — ^Diamonds, fine
and large ; birds^-nests of the best sort, beech de mer, black wood, bezoar,
cloves, camphire, mixed ; dragon^s blood, nutmegs, pepper, rattans, sago,
and wax. The wax and birds^-nests should be carefully examined, as they
generally are very dirty Imd foul. .

Pbovisions ahd REP&ssHxzinrs.— Provisions of all kinds are in abund-
ance and cheap. Wood and water are eadly procured ; but it is usual to
ask permission officially of the Dutch Chief for leave to procure refresh-
ments, this bang considered your only plea for visiting the settlement.

Coins.— Spanish dollars are the chief currency, with a few coins from
Batavia, and Chinese cash for small change. The fi^llowing coins likewise
orculate :—

Pillar dollars, which, if full weight, pass for the same as Spanish.

French crowns ; there is a loss on these, if taken to China.

Rupees of various kinds^ Kable to the same objection.

Ducatoons, which pass at the rate of 185 Spanish dollars for 100 du-
catoons.

Weights.— Those m common use for gross articles are the pecul and
catty ; the small weights are teeas, mace, and malaboorongs :— •

3 malaboorongB equal to 1 teea.

6 teeas * • 1 mace.

IdBMoe 1 tale ^ 614 gn.

Meabubbs.- Grain is measured by the ganton, 230 of which are a last
irf* rice, weighing 3066! lbs. avoirdupois. Cloth is measured by the covid.

SUCCADANA is in latitude about 1° 16' S., and longitud^ 109^ 18* E.,
on the E. ade of a deep bay, having good anchorage in the roads in 5 or 6
bthoms, with a group of islands to the S. It is now entirely in the hands

416 OBIENTAL COMMERCE. [Easiem Isimdi.

of the Malays, who are under the goTemment of a natiTe PiiDcei re»dent
at Mattan, about 40 miles S. of the ancient Succadana. Numbers of Chi-
nese reside here.

This is an excellent market for opum, and it b oocasioQally visited bj
the countxy ships.

Directions.— On your arrival, first visit the Shabundar, or Custom-
Master. It is the custom here, as at all eastern ports, to make presents.
The Shabundar will enquire what you have brought for sale, and will be
inquisitive about the quantity ; but you must evade giving him this infor-
mation, till you have ascertained the market prices, and what goods are
most in demand. It has been the custom of this place for the Uajah's
family to engross all the opium trade. No strangers are allowed to purchase
of the Europeans, nor are the Chinese. All other trade is free ; but per-
mission of the Shabundar will be necessary, as elao to keep on good temu
with him.

In bargaining for opium, or other goods, you must settle what returns
you are to have. This is generally arranged according to the demand the
goods are in. If in great want of them, insist on having all tin ; if other-
wise, in proportion, half tin, and half pepper ; or one-third tin, and two-
thirds pepper; or else a proportion of tin, pepper, and gold. Be sure to
agree about the price, and let your agreement be in writing, and signed bj
the party agreed with, whether King or subject, to prevent their flying off,
and evading payment, which they will do, if possible.

Tbadb. — The imports are similar to those already enumerated at
Banjar Massin, but in smaller quantities. This place used to be resorted
to for diamonds, of which considerable quantities were to be got ; they were
not considered equal to those procured in India, being generally of a dull
water. Gold, tin, and pepper are to be got here ; if gold is taken in return
for goods, you must trust to the King for its goodness, by having it
inserted in your agreement that he is to seal it, and be answerable foi
its quality. This is the only sure way to take gold at any of the Ma-
lay ports; but if you are going to China, the less gold you take, the

better.

Duties and Presents.— There is a charge of 250 dollars for anchor-
age, if you sell goods to that amount ; if under that sum, no anchorage is
paid. The customs are 5 per cent upon both goods and dollars. The
presents to the principal people should be— the King, to the amount of
50 dollars, the Ilajah about 30, and to the Shabundar, and agents, 90
each. The Kings's is generally given at the first audience.

Coitfs.— -Spanish dollars are the only coin in circulation in the tndfi

Eastern Islands.] ORIENTAL COMMEBCR 417

with Europeans, and all bargains are made in this money ; but accounts
are kept among the natives in tale and mace.

Weiohts.-— All gross goods are weighed by English weights, and
dien turned into China peculs. Their small weights are busucks, ku«
pangs, mace, pahaws, and tale, thus divided :—

8 busudu equal to 1 kapang.

ikupaogB... • 1 maoe.

<• i mace « 1 pahaw.

i pahaws « 1 tale.

By these weights diamonds, gold, besoar, and other valuable ai tides
are weighed.

PON TI AN A, the most recent of the Malay states, is situated upon
the principal branch of a large river, named Lewa, whose entrance is in
latitude 0^ 2' N., and longitude lOQ"" 12' E., and which discharges itself
into the sea by several mouths. This branch is at its entrance 12 feet
deep, and at high water 16 or 17 feet, so that vessels can proceed to the
factory. The passage requires 10 or 12 hours. At the distance of 7 or 8
miles from the sea, the river divides itself into two branches, on the south-
ernmost of which the factory stands. The anchorage in the road is from
9\ to 5| fathoms, safe and free from shoals, the river^s mouth £. S. E. ofi-
shore about 5 miles. The population consists of Chinese, Malay, Bugis,
Arabs, and Javan slaves.

The principal diamond mines in the island are at some distance at the
back of this place. The spots where they are to be found, are said to be
known by certain small flints, generally of a black colour, which lie on the
surface, and also by the yellow colour of the stony soil. The place is dug
in the presence of an overseer ; and if any stones are found above five
carats, they are claimed as the property of the Sovereign. Besides these
mines, diamonds are sometimes found in the rivers, but seldom of any size,
or to any amount.

TaAnB.— The Dutch import piece-goods for the supply of the na-
tives; but opium and other articles are imported either by their own
proas from Pinang, or by country ships stopping here. In 1810, the im-
ports at Pontiana in English ships amounted to 210,000 dollars.

The following are the principal commodities procured here :— Birds'-
nests, beech de mer, diamonds, gold-dust, pepper, rattans, sago, and wax.

DuTiKs, be— The duties on sales are 6 per cent, on piece-goods and
other articles generally ; 1 dollar per pecul on iron, steel, tin, and salt-
petre; 2 dollars per pecul on bees^ wax f]x>m the interior ; and on opium
50 dollars per chest ; but late accounts state that the English are charged

418 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Eoitem Idandi,

100 dollars per chest* A few presents are usuallj j^ven to the Riyah, but
not required.

Coins Aif D WsioBTs.— Spanish dollars are the princqial coin ; and the
China weights of peoul and catty are in common use. There is an inferior
coin, called a wang, worth the twelfth part of a rupee.

MOMPARVA.— This river is about 8 leagues firtnn a high but not
very large island, called Pnlo Dattoo. The point at its entrance is in lati-
tude about 0^ 18' N., and longitude 109^ IT E. ; it is remarkably low and
flat, and difficult to be seen ; there are eight or nine islands in the offing}
and to the N. of it. A very small island, which lays about two miles from
the river to the N., and quite close in, is a good mark for it. You anchor
in 4| fathoms, soft mud, with Momparva Point about N. E., distance two
or three miles. The bar of the river is very shallow, and soft mud ; ships'
boats will seldom get in before half-Aood. 'About three miles up are
some houses belon^g to the Bugis : here you will get a man to pilot
the boat to the town of Momparva, which is about 16 miles farther up.

DiBBCTiONs.— Upon your arrival, you must wait upon the King, and
state to him the business you are come upon ; he will then introduce you
to the Shabundar, and Captain of the Chinese, with whom you generallj
begin and transact trade. You must insist upon it that no country boats
shall come along^de your ship, but anchor without your baoys, tillyoa
send a boat to know their business, when the Noquedah and one more
should be admitted, in order to examine the goods; keep your musters
up at town, and all boats that go on board from the King or Shabun-
dar, should be furnished with his chop or seel, because that will in some
degree make him responsible, if any loss should hiqipen. There are a
great number of Chinese merchants settled here, and seldom less tbas
foUr or five of their junks, which generally arrive in February or March;
so that if you come before that time, you may probably make a better
sale of your goods. Momparva is one of the best markets to the £. for
opium, as a considerable trade is carried on in the Chinese junks, and
by the proas firom the n^hbouring places and islands.— -Caution is neces-
sary in dealing here, as the Captain of a Calcutta vessel was attacked ifi
his boat, and killed in this river, through the treachery of the Rayk ^
Momparva.

TK*o..-The impart. «« much krger here than at any ^ on di
coast, especially opium. Of {Hece^goods and other imports nmilar to those
enumerated at Borneo Town, the quantity is considerable. The es^iorts
are principally gold and pepper ; sometimes you will procure tin, but vd
so dieap as in the Straits of Banca. Pepper you get cheap. The gfH *

Eoitem l9kmdB.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE.

419

inferior to that obtaiaed on the Coast of Sumatra, and to tbe S« of Borneo ;
it is called maa moodo^ or young gold, but the price varies according to the
demand, so that you must be guided by a strict enquiry, which your lin-
goist will make, if you do not understand the Malay language yourself.

Duties, &c.— On opium a duty of 100 Spanish dollars per chest is
charged ; on other imports and exports 6 per cent It is necessary to make
a present of a piece of each sort of piece-goods you import, on being intro*
duced to the King, and likewise to the Shabundar, with whom it is your
interest to be on good terms.

Coins and Weights are the Spanish dollar and Chinese pecul ; the
Chinese cash is current among the natives.

SAM BASS.— -This town is 10 leagues up the principal branch of a
river, Uie entrance of which is in latitude 1^ IS' N., and longitude 109^ S E.
The anchorage is with the river^s mouth bearing E., about two miles off
shore. In trading here, more caution is necessary ' than at some of the
other ports.

TaADE.— The Chinese settlers carry on a great trade. Opium is the
largest article of import; piece-goods the next Gold forms the chief ex«
port, and is the usual return. It is only of the fineness of 7 touch. Pearls
ve met with occasionally ; likewise tortoiseshell, and a few other Mala/
articles. An article has lately been discovered in a range of mountains
north of the Principality of Sambass, which appears to be an ore of anti-
mony, of the species called grey foliated antimony. The same mineral is
said to exist at Bulang, and at Eamamang, in the territory of TringanOj
on the Malay Peninsula. This mineral is extensively used in England
medicinally, as well as in the arts, where it is imported from Germany and
Spain. It would be a profitable article of export from the East to Europe.
The Chinese traders appeared ignorant of its existence as well as uses ; but
a sulphuret of antimony is used medicinally in Hindostan, where it is termed
Surmeh (Hind.), and Saubira (San.)

Duties are levied here as at Momparva, at the rate of 100 dollars per
diest of opium, and 6 per cent on other commodities. A few presents to
the Bajah and (Nnneipal men are necessary.

Coins Avo WxioHTs.— -The Chinese weights are in common use.
Spanish dollars are the coin in which all bargains are made ; but hereabouts
wax is the current of the country ; it is melted, but not refined, and cast
into moulds of an oblong shiqpe, the breadth about two-thirds of the length,
and the tUekness about half the breadth, having a rattan to lift them by,
^t in the wax. A piece weighs a quarter of a pecul, and is valued in

D d 8

430 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Eaaiem hhnds.

payment at about 10 mace ; for smaller payments they have pieces of eight
and sixteen to a pecul ; and for smaUer money, cowries are in use.

BORNEO TOWN.— This town is about 10 miles up a river of the
same name, bearing S. W. from Pulo Chirming, a remarkable island on
the coast One mile from the town, the river bends in a short reach, round
a small island, in almost an opposite direction ; being up with this island,
which you must leave on your right, there appears a branch of the river to
the left, or S. E. ; keeping to the right, you approach the town, to which
junks of 600 tons come up. The houses are built on each side of the river
upon posts, and are ascended by stairs and ladders ; those on the left side
going up, extend backwards to the land, each in a narrow slip. The land
is not steep, but shelving ; every house has therefore a kind of stage erected,
for connexion with the land. There is little intercourse from house to house
by land, the chief communication being by boats. On the right going up,
the houses extend half a mile backwards, with channels like lanes between
the rows. The river here is almost as wide as the Thames at London
Bridge, with six fathoms water in the channel ; and here lie moored, head
and stern, the Chinese junks, four or five of which come annually firom
Amoy, of 500 to 600 tons each. Some of the houses on the right side of
the water are two stories high, with stages or wharfs to them, for the con-
venience of trade.

A considerable traffic is carried on here with Amoy, and several places
in China,, and with the neighbouring islands ; and timber being plentiful
and good for ship-building, the Chinese build large junks, the artificers and
iron work for which are brought from Amoy.

The treacherous disposition of the inhabitants of this extensive island
has discouraged almost every European from venturing to trade with them.
On the N. W. coast, particularly at this place, they have in the river 40 or
50 large proas, which are instantly ready and filled with men, when a ship
is to be assaulted. Therefore, unless trading in a large ship, well fitted for
defence, it is not safe to remain in the road, and certain destruction to
proceed up the river to the town. If a boat is sent on shore, the Bajah
will offer to trade when the ship is brought into the river, and when the
commander comes to visit him. Beware of complying with these requests;
as a short time since, the commander of a large ship, with four of his
officers, and part of his crew, were massacred, and the ship and cargo seised.
Soon after another ship, mounting 18 guns, anchored in the roads, anil
after remaining a few days, and communicating in her boat vnih. the tows,
:i8 large proas came out of the river with the intention of attacking her,
which compelled her to leave this inhospitable place without trading.

Eastern Islands.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE.

421

Trade. — From China are annually imported the following articles to-
a considerable amount: — Brass ware, China-ware, Canton cloth, coarse
cutlery, fire-works, glass-ware, gongs, household furniture, iron in bars,
iron pans, looking-glasses, nankeens, raw-silk, silk piece-goods, tea of sorts,
sugar, sugar-candy, kittisols, sweetmeats, and woollen goods.

The following piece-goods from India are suitable to the market, and
generally find a ready sale : — Beerboom gurrahs, red curwars, blue gurrahs,
white gurrahs, Patna chintz, Mow sannoes, Radnagore soosies, Boglepore
ditto, Sanno cossaes, ditto mamoodies, Sallan) blue, blue baftas, Fatna blue
cloth, Patna chintz, Illahabad baflas, and blue Tanda cossaes.

Of opium the consumption is considerable. Of European articles the
following are the kinds most in demand, but to a very limited extent :—
Anchors and grapnels, fire-arms, gold lace, gunpowder, iron, looking-
glasses, steel, and watches.

The produce being adapted to the China market, is generally sent in
their junks to Amoy ; it consists of birds^ nests, beech de mer, bees-wax,
black wood, bezoar stones, cloves, canes, diamonds, dammer, gold-dust,
mother-o^pearl shells, pearls, pepper, rattans, sago, and tortoise-shell.

Camphire is also procured here, and is preferred by the Chinese to that
of Sumatra.

DoTiBS.— The duties on imports and exports are 6 per cent., and pre-
sents to the principal men are necessary.

Coins. — Spanish dollars and Chinese cash constitute the common cur-
rency. The Chinese kangash are used in the same manner as at Sooloo.

Wkights.— These are the Chinese pecul and catty.

From Borneo Town to the N. extreme of the island are several bays
and harbours ; but from the unfriendly conduct of the natives, they are sel-
dom visited by Europeans. To the E. of Tanjong Sampanmangio, the N.
extreme of Borneo, in latitude 7° 3' N., is Malloodoo Bay, which stretches
inland a great distance to the S., having regular soundings and good an-
chorage in most places. This part of the coast abounds with rattans, 10 or
IS feet long, of which a ship-load can easily be obtained. It has also plenty
of grain, and inland it is very populous.

BALEMBANGAN.— This island is about 5 leagues N. E. of Tanjong
Sampanmangio ; its length is about 14 miles, running in a N. E. and S. W.
direction : a dangerous reef, dry at low water, projects 3 or 4 miles off its
N. extremity. It has two harbours, the N. E. and S. W. ; the former is
the largest, but on the S. side it is swampy. At the entrance of. the S. W.
harbour is great convenience for w^atering. Fresh water may be conveyed

4S8 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Eastern Islands,

into the lower deck ports of a first-rate lying in 5 fathoms, by means of a
hose from a rivulet close by.

B ANOUE Y.— This island is about SO miles long, haying on the N.W.
part, near the sea, a high mountain, called Banguey Peak, in latitude
T* 19^ N., and longitude 117^ 6 E. ; it is separated by a channel about a
league broad from Balembangan. Ships in want of water, anchor about
1 i mile off the mouth of a river, with the peak bearing N. N. E., where
fresh water may be got with facility ; but care must be taken to have the
boats properly manned and armed, or they will be liable to the attacb of
the roving and piratical Malays who frequent these islands.

PASSIER is a considerable distance up a river, near the bottom of a
large bay on the E. side of the island ; the entrance is in latitude about
t^54'N. The anchorage, is with the N. extreme of the land bearing
N.^j E., and the river^s mouth W., distance about nine miles, from whence
you see some fishermen^s huts on the N. side of the river. Let your boat,
well manned and armed, leave the ship at low water ; steer in W. till she
is over a flat at the entrance of the river, and then steer for the houses.
The fishermen will in all probability endeavour to prevent your going np
till they try whether they can purchase for themselves, or not Your boat
is not to pay any attention to them, but proceed on. Passier River omtaios
sixteen reaches, and has five other rivers joining it. The first river jou
leave on your right hand ; the next three on your left ; and having passed
the fifth, which you leave on the right hand, you are within half a mile of
Passier, which consists of about 300 houses, built of wood, situated od
the N. side of the river, most of tliem inhabited by Bugis merchants. The
house and fort of the Sultan is on the S. side, a short di&tance from the
river.

Trade.— The imports are nearly similar to those of the other Malij
ports. The Bugis proas import many articles from the eastward, such as
spices, pearl-shells, beech de mer, sago, &c. which are again exported bj
the Chinese junks. The articles procurable here, and the prices of them,
are nearly similar to those at Borneo. You should make the natives bring
the articles you wish to purchase on board, in their proas ; then exsmine
them carefully ; weigh them, and pay the amount. Your bringing oS
property in your own boat is a sufficient inducement to the Malays to
attempt to cut her off.

Duties, &c. — No duties are levied on imports or exports; butpf*-
sents to the Sultan and his principal men are necessary, ki propertioa to the
bunness transacted.

PaovistOKS Avo RaraK8mnNTB.«^Bunoeks, poidtry, and skt^ ^

Eaaiem Islands.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 483

to be procured here, thoiigb not in great abundance. Rice is sometimes-
dear. Thej have a great variety of fruits, and fish in abundance.

CoiMB AMD Weights.— The former are Spanish dollars ; the latter the
Chinese pecul and catty.

CAGAYAN SOOLOO is an island of oonuderable size, in latitude
T" N., and longitude US'' 86' £• Ships may anchor in a bay, with the
westemmoBt part of the island W. by S. two miles. The bay is clean, and
has a river at the bottom of it, with a bar of coral rocks, about 30 yards in
width, and 10 yards over. Within and without it is clear sand, free from
rocks, and will admit with safety vessels drawing 15 feet water. This
island is dependa:it on Sooloo, and is much frequented by proas from Borneo
and the ndghbouring islands. Supplies of poultry, fruits, and v^taUes
nay be procured. Some trifling presents must be made to the Rajah, who
in return sends on board some fowls and fruits.

SOOLOO. — The Sooloo Archipelago consists ot an immense numb^
of islands lying in a N. £. and S. W. direction, the principal of which
is Sooloo, in latitude 6^ T N., and longitude 121'' 12' E., and to it all the
others are subject. This island is of considerable height, extending £. and
W. about 10 leagues. The anchorage is opposite the town of Sooloo, or
Soong, in 18 fathoms, the Sultan's house bearing S. 26° E., distance about
1} mile. The town is of considerable size ; the houses are built after the
manner of the Malays. The number of inhabitants on the island is stated
to be 60,000, most of them pirates. They have extended their dominion
over the neighbouring islands, as well as a considerable portion of the N. £.
part of Borneo. To the E. tliey are kept in some check by the Spaniards at
Samboangan, or Magindanao ; yet the vidmty of that settlement does not
prevent them from sometimes declaring war against that nation, and
disturbing the internal commerce of the Philippine Islands. Every pre-
caution is therefore necessary, more particularly in small vessels, to prevent
surprise, as they have very frequently cut off European ships calling here.

Ships bound to Sooloo should give a birth to the steep low shores of
these islands, as a precaution against the N. W. squalls. Coming frcmi
the W., the proper channel is between Oobeean and Pangootaran, keep^
ing well to the S* The gut between Pangootaran and Pandookan is very
narrow, with deep water. Between the S. end of Cagayan, Sooloo, and the
two Mooleegee islets to the S. is a safe channel, 6 or 6 miles wide.

At Sooloo and the neighbouring islands is a famous pearl-fudiery. The
<hudgea fer the pearl oyster are generally made of bamboo, veiy slight, and
sunk with a stone. The large pearls are the property of the Datoos, on
^ose estates they are found. The Chinese merditants, however, crflen con-

4S4 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Eaiftem Islands.

trive to purchase from the fiahemieii pearls of conffiderable value. Thej
are considered inferior to those produced on the pearl banks at Ceylon, being
frequently discoloured, and of irregular shapes ; they, however, iGnd a ready
sale to the Chinese.

Trade. — Country ships from India oocaaonally visit Sooloo, notwith-
standing the danger they run of being cut off. They import brasierj)
cutlery, cloth, gunpowder, glass-ware, guns of sizes, hardware, iron in
bars, ironmongery, looking-glasses, opium, piece-goods, saltpetre^ shot of
all sorts, swords, tin ware, tobacco, sugar, vermilion, and watchea.

The China junks import brass salvers, brass wire, beads of sorts.
China-ware, cloths, cangans, dried fruits, drugs, fireworks, furniture^ iron,
kowsongs, black ; kompow, white ; lackered ware, paper, quallis, raw olk|
talk piece-goods, steel, sugar candy, tea of kinds, tutenague, wines, and
wearing apparel.

The products of Sooloo have been divided into four classes :— -

1st.— Articles of value, but such as are either in no great abundance, or
occupy little space: — ^Ambergris is frequently to be had, birds^-nests in
great plenty ; civet, small quantities only ; camphire,in great abundance od
Borneo ; gold, extremely fine and plentiful ; gum anime, or copal, in cob-
ttderable quantities; lac, a little only; pearls, many of the finest water;
tort(Ase^ell, in great abundance ; and wax in small quantities.

Sd. — Staples, which must form the cargoes of ships frequentiDg the
place : — ^Agal agal, betel-nut, beech de mer, canes, cowries, dammo*, ebony,
kemoo shells, rattans, shark-fins, sago, and sea^-weed.

8d. — Goods which may hereafter become staples, but bdbag in no
demand, are at present in small quantities : — Cinnamon, dove bark, cotton,
coffee, dying woods, ginger, indigo, pepper, rice, red-wood, saltpetre,
sapan-wood, sugar, sandal-wood, and wheat

4th.-— Productions which may be useful, but can scarcely be reckoned
artides of trade :•— Timber of various kinds, fit for ship-building and sU
other uses, in any quanUty, viz. blackwood, mahogany, poon, nudawee,
bintangol, calaotil, palomaria, and banaba ; with several other commodities,
such as coco-nut oil, earth (nl, gumatty, honey, wood oil, &c.

The cargoes of the Chinese junks, homeward bound, consist of agal
agal, beech de mer, birds'-nests, blackwood, dove bark, cassia, camphire*
gold, mother-o^pearl shells, pearls, rattans, sago, shells, pepp^, tortoise-
shell, and wax.

The Bu^s also trade here, bringing chiefly the cotton manufactures of
Celebes ; the principal traffic is in slaves.

Provisions and Refbeshmemts. — Bullocks and all other kiml^^

Eastern Islands.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 435

Fefreshments, except rice, are to be procured here, and reasonable, chiefly in
barter for doth, cutlery, small looking-glasses, &c. The water is good and
plentifuL Green turtle may be had in great abundance, and for a mere
trifle. Yams and sweet potatoes are plentiful ; and of fruits they have
oranges, equally as good as those of China ; jacks, mangoes, guavas, man-
gosteens, &c.

Coins. — They have no coin at Sooloo, only a currency which they rec-
kon by sanampoory, cangan, and cowsoong, or nankeen : the first is a term
only, and the second a coarse China cotton doth, which goes in payment of
goods, and ia reckoned equivalent to a Spanish dollar, a few of which are
occasionally met with among them. In small payments they make use of
paddy, or rice in the husk, which rises and falls according to the plenty or
scardty of grain. In their accounts they sometimes reckon by Spanish
money, but commonly by the cangan and sanampoory, of which the following
is the rate:«-

4 Sanampoories make 1 Cangan, of 6 fathoms long.

4 Sanampoories » 1 Cowsoong, of 4 fitthoms long.

The cangan was formerly seven fathoms long; but as the Chinese
snfiered by impoations here, they have debased the manufacture, and con-
tracted the measure, which example the natives so weU imitate, that it
scarcely happens a cangan is found six fathoms in length.

The use of paddy as a currency has introduced the custom of
measuring instead of weighing grain and some other commodities, as
cowries, &c.

WxiOBTS.— The Sooloo weights are similar to those of the Chinese;
but they have ^ven them other names, and they correspond with the latter
in the following manner :—

10 Moobooks make 1 Choochock equal to I Candarine

10 Choochocks.... • 1 Amroas » 1 Maoe

10 Ammas • 1 Tale • 1 Tale

16 Tales • 1 Catty • 1 Catty

S Catties • 1 Booboot.. ; • 5 Catties

10 Booboota 1 Lacksa • 50 Catties

2 Lackaaa « 1 Pecul m 1 Pecul

The wdghts in some of the islands are heavier than the standard ;
however, as implicit confidence is not to be placed in their dotchins, it
will be necessary to compare them with English weights.

Mkasurks. — ^Their smallest grain measure is a half coca»nut shell,
called a panching.

4M ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Eiutem Ishndi,

8 Ftocfaiiigi «qiial to 1 Gantang

10 Gantangs « I Raga

8} Ragas » 1 Pecul.

The gantang of rice b reckoned to weigh 4 catties, according to whidi
S| ragas make 1 China pecul of 188| lbs.

The measure for cloth is the fathom, but the Chinese coTid is in
common use.

BASSELAN.-— This island is high and mountainous ; its E. extremity
is in latitude &" SO' N., and longitude 122^ 30' E.; it is separated from
the Island of Magindanao by a channel called the Strait of Basselan.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.— This Archipelago consists of an immense
number of islands of various size8» on many ci which the Spaniards have
establishments; the principal of those frequented by the English are
Magindanao, or Mindano, and Lu9onia, or Manilla.

MAGINDANAO. — Thb island is of a triangular form, having three
remarkable promontories, one near Samboangan, in latitude 6^ 48' N., and
longitude 122° 14' E., where the Spaniards have their principal settlement
to the W. ; Cape Augustine to the S. E., in latitude 6^ 41 N., and longitude
I9ff 48^ K ; and Suligow to the N. The island may be divided into thice
parts: the first under the Sultan, who resides at the town of Mindano, or
Selangan, by far the largest and most Mieient ; the second is under the
Spaniards, comprehending a large portioa of the sea^coast ; and the third if
under the Illano Sultans, a sort of feudal Chie6.

I'he town of Magindanao, in latitude T lOf N., and longitude about
ItM"* Sfi' E., stands about six miles from the bar of the River Pelangy, on the
right band going up, just where the Meiampy joinfi it. The Pelaagy is then
about the width of the Thames at London Bridge. The Melarapy is about
half as broad ; and as you go up, it strikes off to the right, whilst the
Pelangy on the left retains its breadth for many miles. A branch of the
Pelangy, called Tamantakka, discharges itself into the sea about three miles
to the S. of the Pelangy, which has three fathoms on its bar at high water
in spring tides, while that of the Pelangy has only two fathoms.

The town of Magindanao, properly so called, con«sts at present of
scarcely more than 80 houses ; they stand just above where a little creek,
abiKit 18 feet broad, called the River Magindanao, runs into the Pelangy.
Clo« to the Mi^ndaftao, and opposite the few houses making the town of
that name, stands the (owaof Selangao, which may be said to make cme tomi
widi the other, cx»»unicatuig with it by several bridges over the river. It
extends about one mile down the S. side of the Pelangy, fonning a decent

Eaiiem Ateidi.] ORIENTAL COMMBRCE. 4gf

street fbr one half of the dktance, and oontainiog about 200 houses. The
fortified palace of the Sultan, and the strong wooden castles of the Datoos,
take up one side of the river ; the other is occupied by individuals.

On the point of land where the Melatnpy runs into the Pelangy, is a
fort, called Goto Intang (Diamond Fort), and also a town. The fort is <»
the extreme point of land, in extent about six miles. From the gate
which is on the middle of that nde of the fort next the land, and which
is nearly perpendicular to both rivers, leads a broad and stnught street
for the distance of above half a mile. It is so well raised as never to be over-
flowed, and is moated on both sides. At the end of this street a canal
is cut from river to river, which bounds the town. On the side next the
Pelangy dwell many Chinese families, mostly carpenters, arrack-^listiUers,
and millers. On that side next the Melampy live a few Chinese, but
many Magindanao merchants and vessel-builders. Th^ build vessels of
various dimensicms, and employ them in trading from one port to the other,
or in cruising among the Philippine Islands fi>r slaves and plunder.

Trade.-— All kinds of India |Hece-goods answer well here, espedally
ordinary long cloth, white, blue, and red; handkerchiefs of all kinds;
chinta, principally dark grounds; Surat goods of most sorts ; and all kinds
of European cutlery and iron. The following articles are to be procured
here, in small quantities :— Birds^-nests, cassia, gold-dust, pepper, rattans,
sago, tortoise-shell, wax, and several kinds of wood. Precious stones may
likewise be procured, but it requires great care to prev^it impositions. One
pecul of wax is the usual exchange for two peculs ol iron. Presents
are necessary to the Sultan and principal men, according to the business
transacted.

Coins and MsAsuaBs.— The currency in most parts of the countiy,
as in Sookw, is the Chinese kangan, a piece of coarse doth, thinly woven,
19 inches broad, and six yards k>ng; the value at Sooloo is 10 dollars for a
bundle of 85, sealed up, and at Magindanao much the same : but heie
Spanish dollars are scarce. These bundles are called gandangs, rolled up
in cylindrical form. They have also as a currency cousongs, a kind of
nankeen, died black ; and kompow, a strong white Chinese linen, made
of flax.

In the baxar, or market, the immediate currency is paly ; 10 gantaogs
of about 4 lbs. eadi, make 1 battell, and 8 battells (a cyKadrical measure,
ISf inehes high, the same in diameter) about 120 lbs., are commonly soU
for a kangan. Speaking of the value of things here and at Sooloo, they say
fsadk a horse, proa, flic, is worth so many slaves, the cdd valuation being one
slave f<» 80 kangans.

4«8 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Eastern Ishnds.

China cash is in use here, their price from 160 to 180 for a kangan.
In making bargains, it should be specified whether is meant real or nominal
kangan ; the deahng in the nominal or imaginary kangan is an ideal barter:
When dealing in real kangans, they must be examined ; and the gandangs,
or bundles of 25 pieces, are not to be trusted, as the dealers will often forge
a seal, having first packed up damaged kangans ; — ^at this the Chinese here
and at Sooloo are very expert.

S AMB0AN6 AN. — The Spaniards are in possession of a considerable
part of the S. coast of the island, the principal place in which is Sam-
boangan.

The anchorage in the road is with the Church E. | N. about half a
mile from the shore. The channel between this point and Basselan being
narrow, the Spaniards prevent Chinese junks parsing this wav.

MANILLA. — This city, the capital of the Philippine Islands, and
the principal settlement belonging to the Spaniards in the East Indies, is
situated in latitude 14^ 9& N. and longitude l9Xf &91 E. in a fine large bay,
on the W. side of the Island of Lu^onia, or Suzan, the largest of the Ar-
chipelago. The city stands on the banks of the river Pasig, obstructed by
a bar, but which is navigable for small vessels a considerable distance inland.
It is about two miles in compass, and in length about half a mile ; the shape
is irregular, being narrow at both ends, and wide in the middle. Several
considerable rivers empty themselves into the bay, besides tlie Pasig.

Small vessels generally anchor in Manilla road in five fathoms, the N.
bastion bearing N. ST' E., the fishing stakes at the river^s mouth N. 18° £.
distant about a mile ; but large ships anchor at Cavite, where is a good har-
bour, well sheltered from W. and S. W. winds.

Cavite, the port and marine arsenal of Manilla, is about 7 miles to the
S. W. ; it stands on a long narrow neck of land, on one side of which is the
sea, and on the other the bay that forms the port. It is defended by the
Castle of St. Philip, which is by much the best fortress in the island. On
the same point stands the arsenal, where the galleons and other vessels are
built The town, which is of considerable nze, is in a state of decay.
Vessels not requiring more than 17 feet of water, unload inside the low
sandy spit of land ; large ones lie off the castle. No foreign vessel can be
repaired at the arsenal, without special permission.

Trade.— A fertile soil and favourable climate multiply the products of
this island. The tobacco is excellent ; this article is monopolised by Govern-
ment. The indigo is inferior to that of Bengal. The coco is fine. It
grows spices, sandal wood, ebony, rice, cotton, sugar in abundance, and,
latterly, coffee. Native iron is found in masses.

Eastern Islands.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 489

The following 5orts of Madras piece-goods were supplied for the
Manilla and Acapulco markets :-^Blue handkerchiefs, red ditto, blue Cain-
bays, cambric, bordered handkerchiefs, coarse Pulicat handkerchiefs ; ditto,
English pattern ; and Cambays.

Considerable quantities of punjum cloths, and Ventapollam handker-
chiefs, are supplied from Madras bj contract.

The following sorts of Bengal piece-goods are suitable to the same
markets : — ^Luckipore baftas, 24 by 2 ; Jugdea ditto^ 24 by 2 ; Chitabooloo
baflas, 24 by 2 ; Calandia ditto, 24 by 2 ; Luckipore cossas, 40 by 2 ; Ter-
rindams, 40 by 2^ ; Dacca Selly doreas, 20 by £J ; Conder charconnahs,
20 by 2 ; tanjebs, 40 by 2 ; Dacca and Santipore white handkerchiefs, 10 in
a piece ; Beerboom cossas, 40 by 2^ ; gurrahs, 36 by 2| ; Patna cossas, 40
by 2| ; gurrahs, 36 by 2| ; tanda doreas charconnas, 36 by IJ ; cossas
mamoodies, 40 by 2} ; Bengal blue cambays, blue handkerchiefs, 10 in a
piece; white Santipore handkerchiefs, 10 in a piece; alliballies and
bootadas, 20 by 2 ; gold flowered muslin, 20 by 2 ; and fine neckcloths.

Junks come from several parts of China, bringing various articles for
the consumption of the numerous resident Chinese. Their returns are
principally dollars, some cochineal, and black-wood, which is here in
abundance.

An intercourse has been opened between the Philippines and the Bri-
tish settlement at Singapore ; and recent accounts state, that a cargo of
British manufactured goods went olf well by auction at Manilla.

A French work contains the following estimate of the commerce and
revenue of Manilla : —

Commerce. — Amount of imports, 2,200,000 piastres, viz. from Bengal,
400,000; Coromandel, 200,000; Europe, 400,000; China, 600,000;
Mexico and Peru, 600,000 ; America, 100,000.

Amount of exports, 2,600,000 piastres, vix. to Bengal and Coroman-
del, 700,000; China, 400,000; Europe, 600,000; America, North and
South, 600,000 ; other places in Asia, 300,000.

Revenue.^^Gross produce, 2,625,185 piastres ; expences, 799,240.

Duties. — Foreign vessels were burthened with prohibitory duties;
latterly they have been reduced, especially since the revolution in Spain ;
but no regular tariff has been published. Imports, except bullion, pay about
11 per cent. ; coined gold 1| per cent. ; coined silver, 2^ per cent. Exports
pay 2} per cent, except bullion; coined gold pays 1^ percent.; coined
silver, 5^ per cent. The values are regulated at the Customs, and are
usually below the actual prices.

4a0 ORIENTAL COMMEBCE. [Easiem IdandM.

A recent prodamation of the Intendant General directsp Ist That
dyed cloths of Madras and Bengal shall paj the established duties at a
valuation of 900 dollars per corge, or 10 dollars per piece, whether fine or
coarse. Printed cloth, and any other kinds not dyed, are not included.
8d. That dyed handkerchiefs of the aforegoing description (excluding printed
handkerchiefs), shall be valued at 180 dollars per corge. 3d. That all coarse
China cloth (except angua woollens, or colitas, and any other sort of fine
linen) shall pay an additional duty of half a rial per piece, equal to 12}
per package. 4th. Twist and dyed twist, of which the fine Madras doth is
made, and also the ingredients from India for dying the said twist flesh
colour, shall be free from import duties.

RbgdiiATioxs.— -The Cortes of Spain in 1819, opened the trade
between the Philippines and their own ports, in America and Europe, as
well as foreign ports in the East Indies and China, but clogged it by
several limitations ; espedally one which forbade the importation, by the way
of the Cape of Good Hope, of more than 60,000 dollars worth of foreign
merchandise on each vessel. A manifest of the cargo, and list of crew, must
be delivered at the Custom-House before unloading.

Coins.— 'Accounts are kept thus :—

34 Maravcdisy or 7 Granos equal to 1 Rial.

8 Rials, or 16 Quutellos • 1 Dollar, or Fteao.

16 DolUin • 1 DouUoon.

The course of exchange between Bengal and Manilla varies from 38 to
45 Spanish dollars per 100 current rupees.

Weights. — ^Besides the Spanbh weights, the Chinese pecul b used here.
The small weights are as follow :—

1 Mexico dollar in weight equal to 1 Ounce.

16 Ounces • 1 Pound s= 1 lb. 7}^ drs. avoir.

10 Ditto • m 1 Tale of gold wei^t.

11 Ditto ^ ■ 1 Tale of silk.

9 Ditto • 1 Panto ofgold or sflver thread.

88 Ditto m 1 Cattj.

8 Ditto..... 1 MarkofaiWer.

Siamj ^.] ORIENTAL COMMEKCE. 491

SECTION XXVIL

SIAM, COCHIN CHINA, AND TONQUIN.

ol AM.— At the head of the Gulph of Siam is the great River Meinanv
which empties itself into the sea by several mouths, forming a number
of small low islands, which cannot be seen above three leagues off; but it is
rather more elevated at the E. branch, by which it may be known. This is
the best navigable channel, although the bar, partly composed of hard
sand and partly of soft clay, has on it only 8 or 9 feet at low tide ;
there are 17 or 18 feet on it at high water, spring tides. Just beyond the
bar there is an extensive mud flat, which does not injure a ship taking it*
The entrance of the river is in latitude about 13° SOf N., and longitude
101"^ 15' E., and the anchorage is to the S. of the bar, about 3 or 4 leagues
off. Ships intending to proceed up the river, ought to procure a pilot A
short distance within the bar, on the £. bank, there is a town called Paknam,
where all vessels proceeding up the river, land their guns, ammunition, &c.
From hence the navigation is safe to Bankok, and it is said still higher, and
the soundings regular from 6 to 9 fathoms, mud. Ships may anchor dose
to the shore in 4 or 5 fatlioms.

Bankok is about 10 leagues from the sea ; it is about 1} mile long, and
half that breadth. It is enclosed with walls on the E. and S. sides, which
are washed by the river. The country hereabouts is well inhabited.

Juthia, or Judia, the capital dty and residence of the King of Siam,
formerly stood on the place which is now called Bankok, from whence it was
afterwards removed to the place where it now stands, being a low island
about four miles in circumference. The country round is very fiat, and cut
through by many canals coming from the river, and by them divided into
so many squares or islands, that the people pass from one part to another
in boats. The dty is surrounded with a brick wall, which on the N.
and S. sides is about 25 feet high. The defences are very weak, though
it is stated that the Siamese are strengthening their fortifications, and con-
structing a dtadd at Paknam. To secure the dty wall from bdng injured

432 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Siam,^.

by the current, a narrow bank or quay is left, which is built upon in many
places. Several large canals from the river run quite through the city,
generally at right angles, and many smaller ones branch out from them.
Ships may come from the river up into the town, and land their cargoes
near the principal houses. The streets run in a straight line along the
canals ; some of them are tolerably lai^ge, but the greater part narrow,
and in general very dirty ; some are also overflowed at spring tides. The
first street, on entering the dty, runs W. along the wall ; it contains the best
houses, and is that in which the EiUY)pean factories formerly were. The
middle street, which runs N., is well inhabited, and full of the shops of
tradesmen and artificers. Numbers of Chinese and Moors reside here;
their houses are all built of stone, very small and low, covered with fiat tiles;
those of the natives are in general of timber and bamboos, covered with palm-
leaves. The many canals occasion a great number of bridges; those which
are over the great canals are built of stone, but those over tlie smaller are
generally constructed of wood.

Round the dty lie many suburbs, or villages, some of which consist
of inhabited vessels rather than houses, containing two or three families
each: they remove them from time to time, and fioat them, particularly
when the waters are high, to places where fairs are kept, to sell their goods.
The houses which stand upon firm ground, are generally built of bamboos,
planks, and mats ; those on the banks of the river stand on posts about six
feet high, that the waters may freely pass under them. Each house is fur-
nished with steps to come down in dry weather, and with a boat to go about
when the waters are out

A mission from the Indian Grovemment was dispatched to Siam in
18SS ; but few authentic particulars are yet known of tlie country from
this source.

T&ADB.— *From the difierent parts of India and China are brought
the following articles for the use of the country, few of which are again
exported :— -Brasiery, scarlet cloth, cutlery. China-ware, glass-ware of every
kind, guns and pistols, hardware, ironmongery, ink of China, lackered
ware, looking-glasses, gold lace, nankeen, opium, piece-goods of sorts^
paper, raw silk, silk piece-goods, China safTron, sweetmeats, swords, spices,
sugar-candy, tea, toys, vermilion, watches, and coarse woollens.

Various articles of eastern produce are brought by Malay proas to
meet the country ships and China junks, which are enumerated among
those exported.

The King is the principal merchant, and engrosses the greatest part of

SHmn, 4«.] ORt£NTAL COMMERCE. 433

the trade. Wlien you have settled with the Datoo, or King's merchant,
what part of your cargo the King is to have (which is commonly called a
present, traless he asks particularly to buy any thing), some of the pruicipal
merchants of the place are called in to value them; and as they are valued^
you are paid by the King, as a present, in the goods which he monopolizes,
at the highest prices they will bring at most markets in India.

No private merchants are permitted to trade in tin, tutenague, elephants'
teeth, lead, or sapan^wood, without leave from the Ejng, which permission
is seldom granted, as he monopolizes these articles to himself, and pays in'
them for any goods he purchases.

In purdiasing sapan-wood, it is customary to allow five catties per pecul
for loss of weight ; and as each draught is weighed by the five pecvl
dotchin, you are allowed 5S5 China catties, which, if it is the first sort,
should not be more than from 16 to 18 pieces ; the second sort runs 22 to S4
pieces; and as the number of pieces increases, the price falls in proportion.
The quantity of this article exported, is in some years 300,000 peculs.

The mountains produce a few diamonds, which are of an excellent
water ; likewise sapphires, rubies, and agates ; gold is also met with in
various parts of the country. They have also excellent copper, but not in
any great plenty.

The following articles are also procurable from private merchants : —
Agala wood, betel-nut, beech de mer, benjamin (head), birds'-nests, carda-
mums, copper, diamonds, gamboge, gold-dust, pepper, rattans, rice in large
quantity, salt, sugar, and wax.

The commercial intercourse between Siam and the settlement at Singa-
pore is increasing every season. During the months of January and
February, of the present year (1824), no less than 16 Siamese junks
entered the harbour, laden with sugar, rice, sticklac, benjamin, salt, coco-
nut oil, tin, sapan, and rose wood, qualies, (cast iron cooking pots,) &c.

All accounts received at Singapore concur in representing that the
Siamese Government is desirous of cultivating a commercial comiexion,
though upon their own terms.

Duties, Poet Charges, &c. — By the treaty entered into with Siam,
the free admission of British commerce is stipulated, and an engagement is
made that the duties shall never be raised. These duties are generally 8 per
cent, on imports, except a few articles which are excused. The exportation
of bullion and even coin is free. Sugar pays H tical the pecul. The
charges, however, are of the nature of duties ; and it is represented that
1200 dollars is about the amount of the port charges on a ship of 350 tons.

Every implication for a permit to purchase any description of goods

£e

.,*|4 OHIBNTAL .(?Ojpffi)RCE. i[-%i»..*c

. cobU IQi ticals. Th^ppermit onlj semres ^pr . one haose^fiid one time of
weighing; so thut if you.ajne 9bo¥t Tecavingai)7.qufuijtitjr.of goods, of the
same qfialitj^ from different mercbfuits, agree with them to send it all to one
house, and ni^ke ,one day for weighing off t(ie w]iole in i\ie mercbanfs
name.at whose hpo^e^t is weij^ed. This, will save the expenee of a multi-
plicity of perpitsy find forward business. Bach weeing day you must hsTe

. three of. the.^iqg^s nfrritefs, the first and second Shabundar, and the^nguist,
and to each you daily pay* one quarter tical ; but it will be to your intecest
to give them ;K>me .trifling presents. The Sihabundar .is .gf9erally sn
European, but not more on that account to be trusted.

Ships from any part of the Peninsula of India pay tbe foUawiqg customs
befpre they are permitted to sail :-—

Measurage, if above 16 feet beam, to the Eing ^<.«^10 ticals.
Ditto to the Barcola, or first Shabundar^^^^^^^^^^^^^^y^lQ ditto.
Ditto to the second Shabundar.»««%^^...«^«^^<,^«^«.v««v«10 ditto.

■

For arriyal at .the bar IQi tifal&

For pilots and entrance 10$ ditto.

To pass the Ist chop-house 10| ditto.

Ditto .M ditto 10$ ditto.

On departure to Ist ditto 20 ditta

I>itto Jd ditto 90 ditto.

Ppr Qsch ffs^t }^ ticdi

A permit tp measure.. • 10} ditto.

Ditto to open bales 12 ditto.

Ditto for leave to sell ...^ 10) ditta

Registering inwards l$ ditto.

Tiropenmtstopaaithechpp.hou8e21 ditta

At the place where the guns and ammunition are landed (which sD
vessels frequenting the port are obliged to do), you pay 20 ticals, with
some other charges.

Vessels from Malacca, Palembang»Banca, Batavia, Tringano, Cambodis,
and Cochin-China, pay neither duties npr customs on their goods ; they osij
pay the following port-charges : —

For registering inwards %«^^^^%^^%>v^^w^>^w>%w^%^^ H iical.
Two permits to pass the tobangoes, or chop-houses^^lO) ticals.

If the vessel has no goods, she will pay a tical per covid of 14 inches
for her breadth of beam ; but if she comes here to tr^de, she pays 2 ticsis
per covid.

All vessels from India going to Siam, should take a fresh port-cfearsnce
from Malacca, as the great indulgences she will f iyoy» must obviously appesr,
and the saving in the measurement and charges.

It is important to mention that a strict conformity to customs is
requisite in trading here. Last year a commander and supracargo of ^
English vessel at Bankok were cruelly treated, because t^y sMQ'fired a horse

timt^ ««.] OIUBNTAL <X>MHEHCB. 481

to be kiM wMcl bad beta imkeuM^ te» but not «ocqited hj^ fhft King ;
nd beeiiMe tlief were uuwiUing to be seBrdbl wbcn on shore.

Provisions and Refreshments.*— Bullocks^ slieep, and goats aia in
pleotj ; but the former are not permitted to be killed, from rel^ous
motives. Poultry of all kinds is in abundance, and cheap. They have
all the tropical fruits, and the sea yields excellent fish of all kinds, particularly
flouiidef^ which are dried, and exported to all the eastern ports. Here is
procured the best balachong, a composition of dried shrimps, pepper, salt,
aod sea-weed, && beaten together, to the consistence of a tough paste, and
then packed in ^ars for use and exportation ; it is much sought after by
the Malays, but to an European palate it is not very pleasing.

CoiNS.-i-Accounts are kept in tales, ticals^ miams, fbuangs, and cowries,
thus divided : —

800 Cowries equal to 1 Fooang, caUed by Ae natives Pfatiani.

8 Fouangs ....•• » 1 Miam, orMace

4 If ianit.. .*•••..• h 1 TScaI« «: Bast

4 Ticals ..*«.^.^ .1 Tale^ or Tamlwii

80 Tdea.^..* • 1 Catt^.

There are likewise silver coins called songfais, 2 to a fouang; and
faiDungs, 2 to a songfai.

10 miaiiis are equal to a China tais^ an^ 6 Sim tales «re alvagrs rec-
koned at 8 China tales.

The coins are gold ticab, which pass fiir 10 silver tieab ; memh
fouangs, and samporft, the latter being one^quarter of a foaang. The ^^
tical weighs 236 grains, and ia from 11 os. 4 dwta. to 11 oa. 12 dwts. fine ;
these GoiM are often adoltaratod. Two ttcala pass cammaaly for a Spanish
dollar, and 2} tioals fiur a Dutch ducatoon.

Th^ iineneas of gold asul siber is expressed, as in Ghiaa,. by touches*

Wcioa^re.^— Great weights are tioals, catties^ and peeuk^ thus dl
vided :*-^0 ticals make ana catty of 20 tales ; and 50 Siam catties should
be equal to 1 China pecul of 133ilbs. avoirdupab; for all their gooda
are weighed by the China dotcUn ; hot the King^s pecul at Siam is never
found to j^^ve more thaa ISStta., and the eatty 41 02. 4^ dis. The commoa
fcshion is to diiride the peeal iailo 100 parta

Gold and silfer ara wcigfaad by dia deal, wfaieh it equal to ddmU
Wgrs.

MaAavBBs.-— The kargesl maasura far earn is the coaki^ of 40 saatcti
Ae seita oenlaha 40satf^ and weigha 100 Suas caitieq, or 256 lbs* avoir*

Ee2

4M ORIENTAL COMMBBCE. [Sim, ^

The long meuure is 2 soks^ makihg 1 km; 2 ktiu, 1 Tonah, whidi is
75} English inches ; 90 ToiiAhs make 1 sen, and- 100 sens, 1 league, or
roeneng, which is 4904 English yards.

CANCAO is situated on thcE. side of the Gulph <^Siam, about four
miles up a river, navigable for vessels of burthen, in latitude about 10^ & N.,
and longitude 104° & E. A number of Chinese are resident here, who
carry on a considerable trade with Canton and various parts of Cochin-
China.

Trade.— The commerce of this place is chiefly in the hands of the
Chinese. Tutenague forms one of the principal articles of their imports.

The exports are nearly the same as those enumerated at Siam.

Coins. — ^Most bargains are made in Spanish dollars, which, with Ciii-
nese cash, are the current money.

Wbights.-— Ail goods are bought and sold by the Chinese pecnil and
catty.

Between this port and Polo Oar, a small island off the S. W. point
of Cambodia, in latitude &" 2& N., and longitude 104'' 54' E., there are no
places of trade. On the N. side of that island a few families are settled,
near the w;atering place, where 100 butts of water may be filled with con-
venience in a day. About 40 leagues to the E. N. E. of Pulo Oby is

PULO CONDORE, the principal island of a small group whicrh goes
by this name, about three leagues long from N. E. to S. W., and two to
four miles broad ; the centre is in latitude 8'' 40 N., and longitude 109" 42" £^
and is about 17 leagues S. by E. from the mouth of Cambodia Riven Thb
island is the only one inhabited ; it is a ridge of high mountains, diflScult of
access, and separating the harbour from the great bay, where the inkahitants
dwell, who amount to about 200, all fugitives from Cambodia and Cochin-
China, said to be exoe^ngly indolent, covetous, and poor; but a late
visiter gives a better account of them. The mission to Siam in 1822
touched at Pulo Condore, and were received with great kindnesa by the
inhabitants. The middle island is advantageously atuated to the W. of the
great one, fb^ming between the two an excellent harbour. On the & E
^e of the great iakuid there is a very spacious bay, at the eatraace of
which are some small islands that close it up, as it were, halfway. Its
chirf entrance is to the S. E. ; the others are neither so good nor so conve-
nient Within this bay, upon a marshy and sandy pliun, is the village,
consisting of about 40 huts, built of timbov bamboos, &c. Pilots are pro-
cured -here for ships proceeding to Saigdng River. A person landiiig heie
in 1818, was presented with some Chinese characters, which, being afUr-

Simy ^.] OEIENTAL COMMERCE.' 43f

wards tnuulated, signified, <^ Whither is your vessel bound P What has
brought jou here P*

Polo Condore produces odij sweet potatoes, snuill gourds, verj bad
water<4nelans, and black beans, all in small, quantities. It contains many
forest trees, some of which are fit. for nias.ts and jards to ships. It has no
springs, affording, only rain-water, which running down the mountains
among the rotten leaves of trees, acquires an unwholesome quality ; where-
fore the inhabitants prefer the whitish water of the wells to the clear water
from the mountains. Their only game consists of wild pigeons and a species
of woodcock. The island abounds in reptiles^ consisting of snakes of a
prodigious siae and length, others aoudler, and many of them venomous i
likewise centipedes, scorpions, and a variety of insects ; but the ants are
the most troublesome of all, getting into every thing, and spoiling whatever
they enter. All these, with the sterility of the soil, and the unwholesome-
neas of the air, render Pulo Condore a wretched abode.

COCHIN-CHINA.— The whole extent of coast from the Gulph of
Siam to that of Tonquin, which is commonly called the Coast of Cambodia,
Tsiompa, and Cochin-China, was subjected by the latter Government, and
formed into three divisions : — ^the southernmost extends from the Gulph of
Siam to latitude about I?* (X N., and is called Dona! ; the centre extends
about three degrees to the N., and is called Chang; the northernmost
extends from thence to Tonquin, and is called Hu^. The Siamese have,
however, possessed themselves of some of the ports of Cambodia. There
are few countries that contain so many excellent bays, roads, and harbours
as Cochin-China, or that are better situated for commerce, from its interior
communication by means of numerous rivers.

The visit of Mr. Crawfurd in 1888, it is expected, has furnished better
information than we have hitherto possessed, respecting the condition of this
country, and the character of its Government ; but few authentic particulars
have yet been suffered to transpire.

The principal places on the coast are Cambodia, Saigong, or Sey-gun,
Nhiatrang, Quin-hone, Turon, and Hu^ ; but the British trade is confined
to Saigong, Turon, Hue, and Faifoe.

CAMBODIA.— The dty is situated about 80 leagues up a river of tha
same name, which is said to communicate with the Meinam, and which
disembogues into the sea by three principal branches. The westernmost b
the f/roper one for large ships ; its entrance is in latitude about 9° 35' N«,
and 18 leagues N. by W. irom Pulo Condore. The sands at the entrance
render Ui^ navigation into, the river difficult, particularly as they are liabk

4n OBIENTAJL OOMMEBGB. [Sim, ie.

U tti^ft; a is ihet<««M^ prudeM to bddlMr id 4t)r AffltbomitNrtndB, iliti
a pOot can be procured.

Ttie Coast Htf Cambodia ft Md to eontalift ^saam t«ry im imtl; atioDg
wkkh is CtKantibon, tribirtairy t)o Siatt),«otitaiiiiifg 10,000 inluibitairt%aBda
place df touch trade in pep)>er «iil eardamMia ( KaMg«kiu>, or AtUea, th
IhMter towfi of Odchin-GhiiMt5 anailjr equll fai (iiw to Ae tenar. Tkn
are besides NakoiMiitait, NuiigJki^i&, and Ea«MD. . Akmg At yAA mu^
fixMii the latter phce^ <iiitoe/ted ott the poMt of Cambodia), to Cape Liait,
(called bjr the Siaaeie Lcfkn SHa»4ti6»4an), b mi aaiateiTa{ytri arcUpdifo
of beailtiAil islands, kihabited bjr CoehiD-(%itiese, C^udiodiaD^ and CU*
nieae, H/h^ tollecft sea shiga, which abcnind iiere, and sgala woad.

A reixsit ta^nynAMHis aoeoiOit sMtt, thtat the fcitigdom of CamfaodiB is
s^fMOt^d into three divisions ; one ^ "^kh h tribotarjr to Biaa, or to
Cachifi-Chite, and « third is indepeadent. Tile tm> fomier conoprfM tk
sea^oast ; the third, the capital of Hrhidtk b a populous dtjr named PaDO»
pin, is several days^ journey up the river.

Trai««— The country being subject to Cochin-China and Siam, iti
trade has merged in that of those two states. The Chinese junks, of whidi
two or three come annually to Cambddia, import China-ware, dried fruits,
lackered ware, pepper, sweetmeats, silk goods, tutenague, and tin. Fev
European commodities are saleable, except cutlery, hardware, and broad
doth.

The productions of the country are elephants^ teeth, wood of various
kinds, gamboge, and some gold.

Coins. — The gall, a small piece of silver, worth about fourpence, vitli
characters on one side, is the onl^ coin of the country. Spanish doUon
and Clunese cash are current.

Weights. — The Chinese pecul is the weight commonly used.

SAIGONG, OR SE Y-GUN.— This dty, the capital of Cochin-ChiDS,
is situated upon a fine unobstructed river, in latitude l(f 15' N., and lon-
gitude 106^ 40^ E., of which Cape St. James forms the £. boundaiy. Ships
proceeding up the river, anchor in a bay within the Cape, where there is i
village. There is no need of a pilot ; but if you want one, you must appW
to the Chief, who will give you a fisherman that generally proceeds before
the vessel in his own boat, during the N. E. monsoon ; but in the ethe^
monsoon, as they do not keep their boats in the bay, which is open to Ik
W. winds, he conies on 1)oard the ship to conduct htt* to the -viOage tf
Cangio, which is on the left side of the river, iabont amOeflpomilBenlraiee;
fbr which service you present him with a few dollars.

It !s oustomary to tmcfaor before Cangio, 'where <Iiert is >ai infa^

Simih*^]^ 0£IBNTA£ OOMMEBCIi 49»

Maftdma, and ft;W«ita»» wkforwud intdUi^iiee of aiijr remltiui ungr

airive; younnialtben wait ftday or;tvo for the KimgYotAv heSbTejou

caaga farther up. If the CooMunderor anj officer of the ship, wishes to

go ep,. they- apply to the Ghtef of the viUitge^ who fumidies them with a

covered »boal« in wUek they proceed, qukkly. It is usual to make the

tfaadann f and Writer a small presenti saeh' as a hat, a piece of red or

Uae cloth» with a few bottles of sweet wine, these being.ibe articles they

most esteem next to fire-anns* On«.his part, the Chief sends fresh fish

ami betel, or some other trifle, for the jdaoe whore they live is. very

miserable-; • he likewise gives yod a pilot, who, like the former, points

ottt the cottrse you are to steer, without interfering, with the vessel.* When

permission is received at the village, you wd^, and proceed up, takmg

care to have boats ready to assist in towing, because' here • the channel

ia several parts b nanrow, and the tide is not regular* At some distance

higher up, you will perceive the masts of the vessda lying before .the

dty, and the flagstaff of the place. You may anchor before the dly; .

but strangers prefer ndeoring bebw, because the King's godowns are at<

that part, and it ia near the' grand China basar, about three. miles fitwi

the City of Saigong, and where strangers have a good deal of small. trade.

The King's- vessels are a little- higher up, opposite the city gates, for

expediting., their conununteatioa with the arsenal The Ghineie are mostly

on the oppbsite vsidr of the river. The Portuguese gBnevaUy*salute wben *

they anchor, but it is> not returned; however, aaitke Gocfain'-Qhi&ese are

soeustomedfto this ceremony, every merekadt- vessel; should conform te it,

ss the Cocbia^Chinese are very tenacious ia this respect.-

At Saigong you find lingubtd who )^eak>the Indian Portuguese indl&
ferently ; they come very readily on board, and conduct you to the Mai^
darin,.witb whom strangers treat* Tbb Mandarin obtains for you an
audience of< the King^ informiAg you of the day« Although you are not
obliged to make any presents, it would perhaps be poUtio^ to do so, as the
Portuguese are disposed to do you all the bad offices iu their power, being
jealeuac^ interlopers. Pj^eots consist in general of artides not only curi-
otts, but- useful; such as fire-arms of good workmanship, a curious watch
or clocks sabres, or short. hangers for the King; some pieces or cuts of red,
green> ydow^ or blue cloths* velvets, or rich European stuffs for the Man*
daritts;.bot'younmst'nottbetoo prodigal of your presents^ and only give
to those who can be of service to you. . Those customary to- make ott.iyour
snival are, to tlio Ki^g, to th^ Prince^ his sou, and to the MandariUt who
has the obaijge of atrai^gefff ; the others «ne only to those wha are em^yed:
by the King, such as the Chief of the Madae, Commandant of the* Arsenal,

448 ^ ORIENTAL COMUBSCSBJ [Sium, ^

Storekeeper^ lu. F6r theoi doth, laift loiiad hati^ or 'aay othor trifles
are sufficient, sod these eparinglj; &r 'tbese men are very awicknu, and
make no Bcmple to ask, through jour intarpceter^ ibr what they maj wut,
without aay shame. You must be on your guard against the thievish dis-
position of the coolies and writers in ddiyering and reowring yoar cai^ as
tbqr Srill cheat you in the weights and measures with an ei&mtfliy and
dexterity unequalled. The Governor is a person of great influenea The
number of inhabitants in Saigong is from 30 to 40,000.

Saigong b said to be regularly fortified, after the Frendi model Aii
the principal articles for ship-building are here in great abundance ; timber
of every description, of excellent quality, and intelligent shipwrights; span
for large and small masts, dammer, oils of many sorts, very long rattans,
excellent heinp, both for cordage and sail-doth, and mines of iron and otiier
metals. The S. provinces furnish rice, beteloiut, and sugar in large quan-
tities. The province of Donai produces indigo, and Cambodia aboonds io
various woods for dying, gums of several descriptions, odoriferous woodsr
aiid oils for varnish ; also fish and birdsVnests; the middle provinces produce
pepper, silk, cotton, aloes, and silver; and those to the N., agala^wood,
tea, and gold.

Chinese merchandise is in great abundance, from the number of junb
whidi annually frequent the different ports ; and it would be easy for an
European nation established in Cochin-China, to procure there all the siti-
des which they how go to China for, and purchase at a dear rate.

QUIN-HONE.— This harbour, one of the best in Cochin^^hina, is
formed on the left by a neck of sand about four miles long, and on tlie
right by steep mountains ; its entrance i» in latitude about 1^^ 45' N., and
longitude 1 09"^ 1 T .£. This was formerly a place^f considerable trade, and
all the neck of sand was covered with houses ; its position is nearly in the
middle of the kingdom, and in the neighbourhood of the City of Qnin-hone»
the capital of the country.

NHIATRANG.— Nhiatrang Bay is large, and wdUbdtered; the
anchorage is in 8 fathoms, with the entrance of the river N. W. about «
mile ; the river has a bar, and will only admit vessels drawmg 7 w 8M
water. It communicates with the dty, which is about five miles to the W.,
and the capital of the province. This place is well situated for tnde, snd
is the grand mart for the commerce of this part of ^e coast A eoiuidenhie
quantity of silk is manufactured here.

There is a rocky bank in the bay with about four fathoms. When on
it, Dune Island.bears S. 83^ 39 E. ; and a small white rack, caDed Seck^
is in -one with the B. extreme of the land. : ^

SkUh^] OBIBNTAI. COMMEKCaL ' 4M

FAIFOE is flitiittted on Ae bonfcs tf s nrar^ aavigftUfe now^mljr fti^
reanh of about 160 tons butlieiif ; the rivtr comnnuncatet wkh Tunm Bogr^
Faifoe is diilaiit from Turon aboat 40 miles. The jimka lie about three
miles from the tovm, in another rirer that commanieates>with that of
TttTon^ where vessels of 800 tons bmthen may enter easily. Opposite the
rirer, about three leagues from the muin, lies the island of Cham Calloa, iu
latitude 15^ 54' N.^ on. the W« side of which is good aaicbonge ; and here
jou ought to- anchor tiD you have penuissioii to trade^ and (if your Tessd
is small enough) to enter the rirer. The town of Faafoe is about ten miles
fipom the sea; it is almost entirely inhabited by Chinese, 5,000 in nundM^v
and is at present the principal seat of the oommerce with China.

Trade^— The country ships from India which -trade to the diSfarent
ports in Cochin-China, carry the- following European and Asiatic common
dities, e«r.^— -Brimstone, brasiery, cutlery, docks, doths, scarlet, cotton
wool, camlets, furs, ginseng, gmis, gunpowder, glass*ware, hard-ware,,
ironmongery, lead, looking-glasses, lace, gold, matheitotical instruments,
opium, pepper, {nece^oods, pisfols, tin, tobacco, saltpetre, silver, sandaU
wood, swords, shot, vermilion, watches, and wooHens.

The Chinese have the greatest share of the CochiiwChina trade ; ttiey
supply not merely their own products, but those of the adjacent countries,

Tlie Japanese carry on a considerable trade with Faifbe ; their princi-
pal import is copper, with several artides similar to those from China,
already enumerated.

The principal aitide of produee for a cargo to India is sugar, of which
there are three sorts :— Sugar-candy, white powder sugar, middling sort,
dndlar to Manilla sugar, and brown powder sugar/

The sogar-'Candy is thie ' finest in the'world, and is much esteen»d at
China, forming a considerable part of the cargoes from hence to Ctiina ; it
is manufactured prindpally in this ndghbourbood

The sugar is brought down for sale in June, July, and August; but
the greatest quantity in the end of July, when the Chinese are busy buying
it up to send to China. The Portuguese factor who has permission to stay,
frequently buys in the latter end of August and the beginning oi Sq>tember,
after the Macao ship and all the junks are gone, and prices are lower.
The women sometimes sit in the street with small samples ; but they will
generally come to the houses of considerable buyers, and after the price is
agreed by sample, they bring it all into your house, and there, before it is
weighed, eadi basket is tried by a long taper bore,' by which you eaaQy
delect any fhnid. It is alwaya in very unhandy baskets, of four or fifO
Cwt each ; and each parcel, item 5 to 15 baeke^ of a diArent sorT; IRir

44m OflEBmHAJL COMMBBOIL [i!^4e

iriAsk mBsmrifeUcoMMnnj te itatt aD.jralip mgvs^ ttdtlnk ildllfibgdher
whet (aaaB9tvimask ior f lil»yv 'aiid at jom ^mm oxptHM. r&piidc .k into
raoris icalMrctiieDli pafotb ;l the y/vhalk cbArgnr iof *w|Httkittg- it udiDr htakdi^
siippBig, tic do^nal excaBil'50 otebifcr. pctuL

'. Tiicjr ki^e pfbaAjr vi Ak^ wUeh tU)r nranuftctttre into. Tvioiif artidtt
fiNV their own use*; hitt tf flitjr hai ol&cnwifl&Adelbaad fiir thai cfiaunodif^
thtjr vfudi amm fariag it to>ai.gilBBll penfeelwn as intChioa. Cibuuutiaaa&d
d|fe ftufi m-e al» to be poooaBHi hera GaUiatotie had iir oiiuidemUe
ifjawtitioii i> it«dik% canieB»thfloiq;h'lhe haada af the King, andtianm into
small biDs or atgats of lO.talesieaoh^. whidh.haiiiogf the King's staoop, whnp
pass in China at 94 tuioch.;. snek as have nety ciaiiot be depended on..

Tb^ leemeD here are the/paineipal^iiieDdniDts^. Theji are vesj iedus*
trioa% and OMioe itKrscinipie'tii'GORTserBe'Biid deal- with 8ti»ilgens^;> and yew
boosrifiold'afiaiBB wiUaavev be rigbtfy manegtdl uilil under the aave of ene
of* tbeniy who will hr vesjp fiuthM to y» tedious* work, of cotuttaig jour
cask ; bat you BMnt safer tabr ane wilhanl being well necomaieiidad. She
should be » ChinameiiV widoMr^ to berreoeiived Crom her ptarentaiov frieada
Take great care of tampeidog with ymtt linguist;, make Usai belieme yov^fftUt
great cmifide n ce* itt hiiDv hut aevertmist hsiL Learo some words« of the
langisayraaiooD as pDasiblr» thatjroo, with jour female housekaqMr,.niqr
ba-aUr to transact some basiness withoot alwajs tisouUluig your liUgMist

' Sorend JEuahs.frooi Coehiii-ChiM' visited Siogiipore inr the eariy paK of
the present year. They came from Saigofng, and reached the aetilement in
fcRirdaya» fariagiajg viae, sugav^simafmaai^,. rfirw sUk> Xanqmh.kad^ tea,
and athar Chinese commodilies.

DiBKCTioKs. — On the arrMral of a shjpi oSeers/aee sent oit board tin
ytaihara the JKing^s chop, and the charge of your entraace^jveed upon,
which is atoording toi the site of your vessel* or yout; aloak 00 board* Theie
is a person at Faifoe, in ad oftoe like that of Shgiha>idT» laho wflLasikl
ymi in your enteance^ to wheati it will be. aeoessany td»DMibe a amaU praseDt,
tiioogh you wiUr not he abia to fiatsh, this busbesfr till you see oa. the spot
where it is traasacted^ which is alwasss* at Hu^ (or Whey),, whese tke
King resides, two days^ joafney firom Faifoe^ whitfcen it will> be best to
pioceed as soon as possibly where you. will adi y^tik wtate oertain^y sod
nei^ risk tiie being deceived by any itferior officer wfaomay poetesidto have
it ia hia posver to serve yoiib.

These U aothiag beUeri, (and aearte aaj^ ttfog ^ that will do)> to
canry toi CoeUit-Cbina than tutenagne,. whichi the Xing abfay^ engrosns
tprlUmsdf. You win find n lass of 3r per <ieQ<^ kt th* weight, of
saU tcrtbetKii«. If ^sbantM fimi IndM Ifie koier end o£ Apri^, it

Amn 4^] ORIENTAL >CO)f MEBGE. Hi

be Jaftst k> aarj tmMiM^^ if it«aa be botighft io<!heip that f^ni ehn have
jour ova money ^r H, e^ you" have thet advaalagt of. rtfoetvyig new cask
from the Kiagia payoHNit; but Jf g^ld b dear/ yeu wiU la« nothing by
canyiog dellars^ and . s^Uiog them est your arrival to the Portuguese or
CbiMse, i^ffco, not beiag ^iged tof latest the jretar44 of tbdr tutenagu^ ia
sttgarsy are compelled sometimes to carry gold at a great diaadvaatage. Tba
greatest part of jeiir stock ^of^t to be in4oUars or tuteaagae^ for other
goods are not to be depended oa at6nt» till they hifte been tded^ unless a
little cutlery in low-priced spring knives and ecfaaecsp and a ftw pieea-goads
of various kinds ; Uiere will be na loss an cowriei, •cocbiaeal, sulphur, and
beech de men:

The greatest difficulty here is (as probably you are not acquainted with
their language), the transacting idl your afllirs througb the Medium of a
liogiust, who is always with you,, and Uvt$ in your house ; they are gtne^
rally paid 2 or 300 quans a season, besides perquisites, which it w31 ba
difficult to hinder them ot I^ nn your arrival, yon are greatly at a loss
ibr want of one tili you go to Court, you will find somebody that may do
for two or three days about the Portuguese Hoase, who generally at all
tiroes of the year have peof^ at Faifoe ; if not, it will then be proper to
make appUcatJon tp 4be goaerung Mandarin to send Ibr one fram Court,
where the professed ones j^aaeraUy reside^ It ia a very material pbintta
loeep him in your intnreat, for an that your snceess greatly depends ; but
whoever aims at having an easy and smooth tnade with the Cochin-Chinesa^
roust as soon as possible begin to learn their language, which- may be eaeily
attdined. Though the Chiaese ebaracters aie used to expieaa the same
meanog and things, yet the qieecb is qwta dtfiereat^ and of a nmckaasiaf
and plainer expression.

The following affieial aetifiattite has appeared at Cakutta >^
GovsBiiMENT ADvaHvisEWEtvTi J«Iy94^ 188S.<«^Tfae public are beeaby
iofiinned, that the Government of Cochin^hina has officially communicated
to the agent of the Governor-General, lately deputed to that countiy, its
consent to the admission of all Baitisb veslelB into the ports of Sey-gun, Han
or Turon, Faifoe, and Hu^, on the terms specified in the annexed tmnsla»
tion of an cffidal copy of the Cochin-Chmese Tariff^ and regulationa of
trada» daMvered to the Governor-General's agent

TramlQiion<^thB Coehm-ChmeMe Tarij:^'' Theae are the Rtguk-
tions of Commerce ibr all nations trading to the Kingdom of CochinXhiua.

<< Foa HuK.~Vea8els of Canton, Chu^ao, Nam.hong, WaUChan,
SaOienfr To4Ceini ChiJi:oa^ (praffndtf itf Qvifeon), and the ships nf the
Earopean natiwib f«r as Ulkmr^m

4M OfllI£Nl>AL €OMM)^CB. {Siam, ^.

'^Vesseb measiiriiig frMx14 to 35 cubito in the beam, "pCij 84 ktram
per cubit Vessels measuring from 11 to 13 cubits, 54 kwans ; from 9 to
10 cubits, 42 kwans ; and from 7 to 8 cubits, 20 kwt^ns a cubit

^* For Sey-oun.' — ^Vessels of Canton, Chu-Cbao, Nam^hong, Wai-Chao,
Sa-heng, To-Kein, Chi-Kong, (Te-he-Kian),' and the ships of European
nations, pay as fellow :—

** Vessels measuring from 14 to 25 cubits paj 140 kwans per cuUt;
from 11 to IS cubits, 90 kwans ; from 9 to 10 cubits, 70 kwans ; and from
7 to 8 cubits, 35 kwans a cubit

« Fob thb Port ov Hxif.—Vessels of Canton, Cfau-Chao, Nam-hong,
Wai-Chao, Su-heng, To-Kein, Chi-Kong, (Te-he-Eian), and the ships of
European nations, pay as follow :

<< Vessek measuring from 14 to 25 cubits in the beam, pay 1 12 kwans
a cubit; from 11 to 13 cubits, 72 kwans ; from 9 to 10 cubits, 56 kwans;
and from 7 to 8 cubits, 28 kwans.

^ Export Duties.— -Caidamums, pepper, onnamon, ivory, rhinoce-
ros^ horns, esculent birds^nests, sapan-Wood, ebony, and rose-wood, paj a
duty on every 100 kwans, of five kwans.

Wood for coffins or ship-buOding, pays a duty of 10 per cent

In passing the duties, Spanish dollars are received at the rate of one
kwan five mas, and the silver currency of Cocfain-China at the rate of two
kwans and eight mas, for each ingot. Payment of the duties may be made
in silver, or in the sine currency of the country, or partly in each, at the
option dT the merchant

<< CoNTRABAiin Articlbs.— The exportation of the wood called tetJss
(a fiuicy wood)) and the wood nam (a perfumed wood, used by the rich in
making coffins), is prohibited.

** The exportation of the gold and silver ingots of the country is also
prohflnted ; as also of the seed called suk, rice, salt, copper, zinc coin,
aga]a wood. The carrying off men and women from the country is abo
prohibited.

^* Ships or vessels paying the duties at one of the ports enumerated,
are exempted during that voyage from the payment of duties at any other,
with the exception of export duties. This applies if they should sUy a jetf
on the coast of Cochin China ; provided that during that time they ahooU
not visit any other foreign country.

** Note by Government Secretary. ^^ A, Cochin-China cuUt used in
measuring the ships and vesseb for the tonnage duty, is equal to 16 inches
English.''

CoiMS^—The only cunreni^ of the country is a sort of cask, called
sappica, composed chiefly of tutenague, ^40(>fknabing a quaif ; this is di^c'

iSiam, 4v.] OHIENTAL COMMERCE. Mf

into 10 iBflce of '60 ctsb each/ the whole strung together* and dmded bj a
knot at each mace» Those received from the King in payment for goods,
are always new, and may be paid away again without any doubt of a defi-
ciency ; but in dealings with the merchants^ the cash is old and mixed,
which occasions trouble in disposing of them, besides^ loss of 6 or 7. per
cent The ingot of silrer, which is marked with characters, and passes as
coin, is valued at 3 quans. It weighs 597 grs., and is 174 dwts. fine.
Bars of silver are sometime^ us^d as money.

Wbiohts. — The weights are exactly the same as in China, and aU
goods are wei^^ed. by th^ dotchin. Only for sugars they allow, instead ot
100, 150 catties to the pecul,' though the Chinese in geperal receive 160
catties to a pecuL The common pecul at Faifoe is however said to be but
112 catties.

MBA8i]rRBs.-*-Tbe measure is the oovid, equal to about 16 English
inches.

TURON.— Cape Turon, in latitude 16^ 5' N., and lonj^tude lOT 15' £.»
is the £« extremity of the peninsula that forms the £. side of Turon Bay ;
and Turon Island, in hititude 10" IT N., is close to the point of land diat
forms the N. W. side of its entrance. This is an excellent harbour, where
ships are sheltered from all winds. At the S. part of the harbour is the
mouth of the river that leads to Turon town, on the point of which is a
watch-tower, consisting only of four very high pillars of wood, over which
a very slight roof is laid, and a floor fixed upon cross posts, into the pillars
towards the upper ends ; to this floor the watchman ascends by a long ladder,
and there he can readily see through the harbour'^s mouth any vesseb to the
N., and those which are to the S. over the isthmus. Near the watch-tower
is an offioe where boats and small vouels going into the harbour, are stopped
to be examined.

The town of Turon, to which, as well as the liarbour, the natives,
give the name of Hanson, b situated on the W. bank of the river, a few .
miles from its entrance ; it is now ;Httle better than a viUage, but it is said
to have been a place of considerable trade. The neighbourhood is cultivated
with rioe^ tobacco, and sugar-canes.

PRovisioKs.-^The market-place is wdl supplied with all the yegetaUe
produce of tropical climates ; also large quantities of poultry, particularly,
ducks ; and the harbour abounds with fish of various kinds.

HU£, OR WHEY.— This city is situated about 3 leagues up a river,
about 18 leagues to the N.W. of Turon harbour, in latitude about 16° S& N.;
there is good anchorage off it in six fiithoms. The river is broad, and runs
over a bed of white sand. Though shallow, and not convenient for navi.
gation, fit is finequented by junks firom Tonquin and China.

U0 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [akm, 40.

The dty !s v^ eztdRaire, ebntsitiltng about 90,000 inftaMUmts ; the
bouses are straggling ; several small rivers meet bere, and the eeavejraiiee
firom one part to another is mostlj bjr water, fbr whicb purpose every sub-
stantial familjr keeps a eomfiiodious e#rer^ boat, and there mre others fop
hire, that at any part raaj be had oa eaU. Xhe streets near the pahce,
whieh is a considerable distance from the begimiingof thetown, are regulsr,
long, and very wide. The city is fcMtlfied aecordttag to^ European fHw^
and surrounded by a double fosse. The arsenal is said to b6 in the fint
oraer*

The cotfntry about Hndf though not ftrtile, is b^ly csHivated, airf
when near the shore, very pieturesque. The eily epchibita a very handsome
and imposing appearance from the sea. A beautlfiil walk planted with
trees surrounds the ramparts inside the dty.

Tram. — ^A considerable trade is carried on faeve with Caneao^ Saigong,
and all parts of their own coasts, in vessels of about 100 tons burthen, ivhich
can easily go op to the eity, the rivev having a bar, wttib only two £ithomi
at low water. The Chinese cany on a great trade^here, having somethaes
SO junks in the river at a tkae Theip imports and exports are similar
to those emiitierated at FUfoe.

REOirLATtoKs.^-Mueh scrupidousness b Asplayad in admittit^perMos
to pass up the rivev. At the entrance is a battery, with a flagustaflT) kens
the boats are brought to, and the chops, or passes, strictly eKamlned.

TONQUIN.— The Gulph of Tonquin is bounded to the £. by ths
Island of Hai-nan, to the N. by the coast of China, aad to the S. by tbs
coast of Coehia-Cbina $ it is about 95 Ic^ues whie, having numerous small
ishnfkds within it, two of which, in the bottom of the Gulph, are marks toe
the two principal brantihes* of Tonquin river. One of these months, or
branches, is called Rokbo, and discharges itself into the sea near the N. W.
comer of the Gulph, in.about 80^ 6- N. li^itnde ; this branch has not abo?e
twelve feet water at its entrance ; It is^ however, frequented by Ckinese aad
Siamese vessels, which proceed up it to Hean.

DOMEA, the principal branch of Tonquin river, fails into th» Gutph,
about 20 leagues N. E. from the former, in latitude 20^ £0^ N. It hasa btr
liable to shift ; therefore ships commonly wa»t ftr a pilot The pflots are
fishermen, wha live at a vilbge called Batsha, near Uie mouth of the river,
so situated, that they can see the ships, and hear the gnns fired, to ghe ootiss
of their arrival. The naark to approach tiie river is a mountain ialaod,
culled the Elephant, bearing about N. W. by W. ; and when a small ishnd,
called Pearl Isfamd, on the S. side of the road. Is about N* N. E., three miitf
disUnt, k will be proper to anchor, and wajt fbr a pilot The depth cf tke
river U various in diArent seasoni, being 96 Aet in the M* mpnsoon, aad aot

abore 18 in the S. one; it u tbamt a. mile wide at .its entranoe, b«t becomes
narrower upwards- About 6 or 7 leagues up is the town of Domea, which
is handsome, situated dose to the ^hore or the right hand side of the river ;
it consists of about 100 houses. The trade of the kinjgdqm being .ci^rried on
at Cachao, you proceed in couptry boats from ihis place ; and it requires a
sharp look-out to prevent your goods being plundered by the boatmen.

HEAN is about 40 miles above Domea, and 60 from the sea; it is situ-
ated on the E. side of the river, and is a town of considerable extent. Here
the Chinese merchants reside; they were formerly settled <it Cachao, bi|t
removed from thence by order of the Tonquinese (^overnmeut, and pro-
hibited from again returning: they, however, gp there to buy and self good4»
but do not make it their constant residence. A little Wore reaching Hean,
the main stream of the river, divides into the two channels of llokbo and
Domea, up the former, of whiph the Chinese and Siamese vessel^ .come and
anchor before Heap. The Gpvemor of the province resides here, who gives
his chop or pass to every vessel proceeding up or down the river*

CACHAO, the capital of Tonquin, (though now subject to .Cochin*
China) is about SO miles from He^, or 80 from the sea ; it is situated on
the W. side of the river, is very large, bpt without any fortifications; many
of the houses are built of brick, but the gepei:ality .are of mud and tin>J^,
thatched with palm-leaves. The princip^ streets are wide, and mostly pavcyl
with small stones. The Kings of Tonquin made this city their constant
residence.

TRAPR»---Tbe natives carry otn little or no trade themselves by aea; it
is therefore transacted by the Chinese and Siamese vessels, and x)ccasionalIy
by Europeans. The articles imported are loqg cloths, red allejars, ordinary
white betellees, brimstone, betel-nu^, fine and coarse chintz, Caliatour
wood, fine and coarse ginghams, large .and small gups, fine white morees,
putchock, pepper, ordinary white salempores, saltpetre, silver in coin^
Cossimbuzar pilk^ and taffeties,

English broad cloth and other European con^n^ipditie^ are in little
estimation ; the only colpvirs of the first at all regardi^, ac^ red,l)lack,gra^
green, and blue.

The returns made to the Chinese and other traders frequenting Tonquipy
are aniseeds, jcassia, China-root, earthen-ware, galanga], gold, ginger,
lackered ware, musk, paper, rhubarb, raw si^, wrought siUcs^ timber of
iortfl^ tortoi^^hell, aqd worm-seeds.

Of gold great qii^antities may be procured, about the same quality pf
China gold, froqi 92 to 94 touch. They manufacture many kinds of beau-
tiful silkay pelongs, gauzes, &c., which are very cheap, an4 their lackered

448 ORIENTAL COMi^RCE. [SUm,^

ware used to be more esteemed than that of Japan. For these goods it is
necessary to make an advance of one-third, or a half to the merchants, who
«re poor, and have no goods hy them. The ships are generally oUiged to
wait tni thej are brought from the interior.

Duties.— -No customs inwards are paid, but merchants are obliged to
tnalte considerable presents. On silks and lackered ware exported, a duty of
5 percent, is levied.

Provisions and Refreshments.-— Bullocks, sheep, goats, and hogs are

to be procured ; likewise ducks, geese, and fowls, with a variety of wild

game ; and of fruits they have plantains, melons, pine-apples, guavas, &c

The river and bay abound with fish, and turtle is occasionally to be

'met with.

Coins.-— Cash are the only coins here, and are of two sorts, large aod
small : 600 large and 1000 small cash make 1 maradoe. Accounts are kept
in tales, mace, and candarines ; all of which are regulated by the price of
maradoes and copper cash.

The price of silver coins varies according to the quantity of sO ver brougbt
in : of this variation the Chinese take advantage. Sometimes they allow 28
maradoes for a bar of silver of 10 tales weight ; at others not more than 21.
All the Mexican and pillar dollars imported are run into bar silver ; these
bars should weigh 10 tales each. They frequently alloy them, so that tbej
are seldom so good as the dollar silver ; though in payments they expect sd
allowance of three per cent., to make it their standard, as they term it

Weights.-— All goods are weighed by the Chinese dotchin. The Kings
weights hold out full 132 lbs. to a pecul of 100 catties; but every person
should have a true dotchin of his own. The tale equals 1 oz. 4 dwts. lUff^
being about 11 grains more than the Chinese tale.

Measures. — The Chinese covid and punta are in common use for long
measure.

HAI-NAN.— This bland, which bounds the Gulph of Tonquin to the
£., extends about 55 leagues in a N. E. and S. W. direction, and is about 25
leagues in breadth. The S. point, which is bold and rocky, is in latitude
IS"" 9 N., longitude 109° 34' E. It is subject to the Chinese GoverDmeot
The N. W. coast is but little known to Europeans. The S. £. coast hs
been surveyed by Capt Ross, the East India Company^s Marine SunrejoTi
who has furnished the following particulars :— -

YuLiNKAN Bay is formed by a rocky point on the S. £., 1| mile N. ^*
from the S. point of Hai-nan ; the S. W. extreme is 4| miles further to tke
W. by N. About 1 mile to the N. of the S. E. point, and very near the E.
shore of the bay, is a small island, named Zonby, in latitude 18^ H^'**

Siam fe.] OBISNTAL COMMBKCE. 410

and 2 mfles more to the N. W. is a narrow passage leading to an ex«

tensive salt-water lake. Yulinkan Bay is exposed to the wind and swell

from the S. W. The usual anchorage for ships is about | of a mile to the

N. W. of Zonbj, in 9 or 10 fathoms water, on a mud and sand bottom. A

small ship may proceed sufficiently into the Jake to ride in perfect security,

and repair any damage. At a village at the back of the E. point of the

passage into the lake are some weUs of water, and bullocks may be obtained.

6ALL0N6 BAY.—The W. extreme of this bay is a black rocky

point, 8| miles to the E. of the S» point of Hai-nan ; the E. extreme is 5

miles farther the E., a little to the N. of two small islands, named Brothers.

£. Brother is in latitude 18^ ir N., longitude 109^ 41' E. The bay is 3

miksdcep; about the middle is' an island, W. of which are severallarge dry

rocks. The UMud andiorage for ships is between Middle Island and the E.

shore of the bay, in 8 fathoms water, over sand and mud, the two extremes

of the bay 8. 41|'' £. and S. fiO^ W., distant about i of a mile firom the E.

shore. In tins station much swell is experienced with a 8. E. wind. A few

yards from the heaeh^ a little to the W. of IDddle Idand, is a pond of fresh

water. Bullocks may be met with, and plenty of fire-wood is procured in a

small core near the anchorage.

LUEN6S0Y, or LIN6SOUI BAY.— The 8. part of St9 point is in
latitude 18"" 28* N., longitude ll(f E. The coast betwe^ Luengsoy Point
and the £. point of Gallong Bay fbross a considerable curve in to die W.
Two islands are near the shore, too sbmA to afford shelter for ships. To tiie
W. of the S. part of Luengsoy Point are several dry roeks, about ) of a mile
off another point ; 1| mile to the N. by W. of the latter is a narrow shallow
passage, between two sandy pomts, leading iato an extensive salt-water
lakfc This is supposed to be a plaee of some trade, from the number of
junks seen at anchor.

Several ialands, among which are Nankin and Tinhosa, as well as rocks,
appear along the coast from Luengsoy Point

It appears ftom Ciqpt Roasts statement, that the E. coast of Hai-nan
has no ^ace of safety for a ship to anchor in, and the bottom has in nMmy
places coral rocks. The land is belter cultivated than to the S., and from
the number of coco«nut trees, it would seem that the Chinese procure tiience
their coir, whidi is blacker than the common coir, and not so durable.

Fmovisiova awd Bbfebshmbnts.— Bullocks are plentiful, though smaB.
Capt. Rosa says, die people on Hai-nan were found to be dvfl, and ready to
part with refreshments when the Mandarins were not present ; hut when
the latter appeavad, they proved just as arbitrary and r^musous as on the
Coast of China.

440 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. ^ [China.

SECTION XXVIII.

CHINA.

The S. coast of China, from the Gulph of Tonquin to the entrance
of Canton river, has several bays and harbours, citable of receiving large
ships ; but thej are not visited hy Europeans, in consequence of their ex-
clusion from all ports in the empire, except Canton, unless in cases of
distress. The principal place is Tienpak, or Tien-pe^hien, in latitude 12^22
N., and longitude 111^ 13' £., where immense quantities of salt are made,
and several hundred junks are employed in transporting it to Canton, and
the neighbouring places.

The entrance of the river of Canton is fronted bj an Archipelago aC
islands, extending to the N. £. The southernmost of these is the Great
Ladrone, in latitude 2r dr N., and longitude 113°44'£. The approach
to this river is verj safe, and there are no hidden dangers. Ships frequeotlj
push through the nearest convenient channel for Macao roads, without
waiting for a pilot to conduct them.

MACAO, called Ou-moon hy the Chinese, belongs to the Portuguese,
and is the only settlement possessed by Europeans within the limits of the
Chinese empire. The town, which is in latitude 22^ KX N., and longitode
113° 32^ £., is on the S. extreme of a large island, separated from the continent
by a small arm of the sea. The peninsula, upon which the town stands, is
connected with the remainder of the island by a long narrow neck of land,
not exceeding 100 yards in breadth ; across it a wall has been erected, which
projects into the water at each end, having a gate and guard-house in the
centre for Chinese troops. Beyond thb boundary of their possessions the
Portuguese are seldom permitted to pass. The extent of their territoijt
which is completely under the jurisdiction of the Viceroy of Cantos*
although the Portuguese are permitted to retain the nominal government
of the town, is from N. E. to S. W. about three miles, and its breadth not
qiute a mile.

Macao is « place of some extent ; the houses are of stone, constructed
on the European plan, but without exterior elegance ; the streets are toj

Cki»a.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 451

narrow and irregular. The public buildings consist of churches, convents,
and the* senate-house ; the latter terminates the only spacious and level street
in the town. The Govemor'^s house is situated on the beach, opposite the
landing place, and commands a beautiful prospect, but is not remarkable for
external appearance or internal accommodation. Contiguous to it is the
English factorj, a plain commodious building ; the other factories are in the
same style, and all of them surrounded with gardens. The harbour does
not admit vessels of burthen ; large ships generally anchor six or seven miles
off, the town bearing about W. N. W. The town is defended by several
strong forts, mounted with heavy cannon, and garrisoned with Portuguese
troops, seldom exceeding 250 in number. There are a Portuguese custom-
house and quay on the S. side of the town, where all ships coming into the
bay, are obliged to send their boats.

When a ship arrives among the islands, a pilot generally comes on board
to carry her into Macao roads. Immediately she is brought to anchor, which
is generally about six or seven miles from the town, he proceeds to Macao,
to acquaint the Mandarin with what nation she belongs to. Should there be
any women on board, application must be made to the Bishop and Synod for
permission to send them on shore, as they will not be permitted to proceed
to Whampoa in the ship. As soon as the Mandarin is satisfied in his
enquiries, he orders off a river pilot, (who seldom comes on board until the
ship has lain 24 hours in the roads,) who brings a chop, or licence, to
pass the Bocca Tigris, or mouth of Canton river, and carries the ship to
Whampoa.

The Chinese treat the Portuguese very cavalierly on many occasions,
exacting duties sometimes in the port, and punishing individuals for crimes
committed against the natives; and whenever resistance is attempted
against such proceedings, the Mandarin, who commands the Chinese troops
at the guard-house, immediately stops the supply of provisions from their
market until they quietly submit.

The possession of this place has been extremely beneficial to the Por-
tuguese ; for from thence they carried on for very nearly a century a most
beneficial commerce with Japan, by which Macao became one of the richest
and most considerable places in their possession ; but since their expulsion
from Japan, and the interference of other European nations in the commerce
with Canton, together with the unsettled state of Slam, Cochin-China, and
Tonquin, the place has fallen to decay.

Tram. — ^Tbe following account is given of the articles and amount of
the anntial imports :—

Ff«

4St

01IIENTAL COMMERCE.

lltt .8000 to

CdtUm .••.-*• IJOO lo

Pepper ..,. .^^.MOO to

Wax..., 800 to

Catch 500 to

Black-wood 500 to

SmdaA-'wood SOBO to

Aed«^RFOBd.««... 500 !•

Opram 140 to

Pntchock..— .»••••« 100 to

P^arl-ahaUa S50 to

Rattans .....7000 to

Sapan-wood 350 to

Blrdir*iiaat8. ••.••••• 00 to

aooofaaka.
7500 peonla.

250 ditto.

700 ditto.

800 ditto.
5000<titto.

«00 ditto.

850peo«]a.

350 ditto.

10,000 IkUs.

500peculs. fl

75 ditto. I

BctdMmt .5eao

Oltbanam 850

Mona 100

Rose maloes 50

SharkVfins 300

Fiah-iiiawB 850

Caaoa 100

Cow besoir ••••••««• 5

CoHd 50

Elephants'-teeth ... 75

Spices 50

False axtihet 100

Fiece^goods 100

Pearls, iMl«e ...... 50

t» rooopseok

to S50ditts.

to 150 ditto.

to 75 ditto,

to 400 ditto,

to S50 ditto.

to 150 ditto,

to 7ditto.

to 70caltiei.

to lOOpecnlSi

to 75 ditto,

to 150 ditto.

to 150bikL
to rOjOOO rapeaL

And of silTer firom 150 to 250 chests, each containing 3000 doUan, chieflj
from Manilla.

The exports are exhibited as follow :—

Tatenagae 8,000 to

fiogar 9,000 to

SagarHaoidy ... 5,000 to

Ahun l/)00to

Ckinayinchesto 500 to
Ditto, in rolls... 15,000 to
Coarse teas ... 1,500 to

Fine teas 75 to

China-root ... 1,000 to

Chonchore. 500 to

Dammer 5,000 to

Lackered ware 80 to
Kittisols, lazge 8,000 to
Ditto, small ... 8,000 to

18,000 pecols.
14,000 ditto.
7,000 dktOL
1,500 ditto.

700 chests.^
80,000 rolls.
8,000 peculs.

100 ditto.

1,500 ditto.

750 ditto.

8,000 ditto.

100 ditto.

3,000 ditto.

10,000 ditto.

White copper 80 to lOOpecnk

Campfaiie 100 to 150 ditlou

SOfcs 8,000 to 9500 piseo.

VelTets 8,000 to 8500 ditto.

Hartall 800 to 850 pecok

Coloured paper ...150,000 sheets.

White ditto 50,000 ditto.

Musk 7 to 9 peonls.

Iron torches 15,000 in amber.

False pearls 50 lacs, each 100,000

Tinsel 50 to 70 peculs.

Gold thread 100 chests.

China toys 100 ditto.

Ooldyindioes 150 to 800 dbsoL

The Government of Macao has recently made thb port the emporium
of the ojnum-trade. Thdr decree abolishes the restrictions upon that bnock
of commerce, and all classes are allowed to traffic in it, according to their
inclination, paying the duty of 16 tales (or dollars) per chest, or pecuL

Duties.— No duties are paid to the Senate for goods exported. On
imports the duty is 6 per cent, except on tin and bezoar, which pay oojj
£ per cent ; and opium, which pays 16 dollars per chest to the Senate sod
Chinese^ the latter are paid for conniving at its being landed, as it is i
prohibited article.

Provisions ahd Rxfresrvbiits.— AH sorts of provisions, regeUhht
and fruits are sent off here in great abundance, as soon aa Che ship^bostitf

China.} ORIENTAI^ COMM£RC£. 453

aimooiiced her aniTal to tlie Gorernment It is not (vudeBt to feod tbQ
boat on shore, unless the ship is near Macao, and the wind fiur for her ta
run in, as the Ladrones are num«rouSb These captured two boats with their
crews, proceeding to Macao lor plots.; and 7000 doUar9 were paid for tbe^
ransoBi of one of them.

About thirty miles above Macao is lintin, where ships of war anchor, at
they are not permitted to proceed to Whampoa. This island is remiurkabl^
for a high peak, which is in latitude 88^84' N. The principal village is on
the S. W. side of the island, and the anchorage is about 1 ^ mile firpm tha
beach. The watering-place is half a mile from a village at the foot of tha
peak, where the stream runs through a bamboo into the casks ; but it is of a
very indifferent quality. Men of war lying here, generaUy receive theii?
rappUes of provisions from Macao.

BOCCA TIGRIS, or mouth of the Tigris^ so called from the appear^
ance of one of the islands at its entrance, which is between Ananhoy Fort on
the E. side, (a small semicircular battery, nearly level with the water^s edge,
mounted with a few guns,) and the Whangtong Islands, on the pvindpal or
northemmoat of which there is a fert with some trees, from whence a Man-
darin comes off to examine your chop, and leaves one or two revenue officerp
on board, who remain tiH you arrive at Whampoa ; and here, if necesswy^
twenty or thirty small boats are lured to tow the ship, or to be stationed on
the shoals in passing up the river. Should it be night-time on reaching the
Bocca Tigris, the ship must anchor below the fort tUl daylight.

About ten miles to the N., in latitude 23^ 5&' N., is the Second Bar,
where the Compaay^s ships complete their cargoes for Europe ; the bar
being considered dangerous, as well as another spot about midway betweea
the Second Bar and Whampoa.

WHAMPOA.— The place ii^ere the ships anchor, is in latitude
23" S N., and is finrmed on the & side by Danes and French Islands, and to
the N. by the £. part of the island, on whidi the town of Whampoa is
situated, which ia low, and sometimes overflowed, and is called Bankahall
lahnd, from its being the spot where bankshalls, or storehouses, are built to
contain the ships^ stores, overhaul the rigging, repair casks, &c which are
under the charge of one of the junior officers. The storehouses are built of
bambooa and mats ; and on a ship leaving Whampoa, are taken down by the
comprador, and a fixed sum diarged for the materials.

On Danes Island, a portion of the ships^ orews are occasionally permit-
ted to go on shore for recreation on Sunday evenings, who return at a fixed
hour; and ibr whidi the English ships pay 18 t^Iea each month. The

454 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [China.

fVench keep on another island, called French Idand, wher^ they generallj
have their bankshalls.

The Commanders of all European ships are allowed, as a great favour,
to wear a flag in their boats, which prevents their being stopped at the
hoppo, or custom-houses, of which there are several between Whampoa and
Canton ; but all other boats, whether belonging to ships, or the Chinese,
must have a chop, which is renewed at every custom-house in their way up
to Canton. It has occasionally happened that some Commanders have
abused this favour : this ought carefully to be avoided, more particularly
with such a people as the Chinese.

Immediately on a ship^s arrival, two hoppo, or custom-house boats are
stationed alongside, one on each quarter, to prevent clandestine trade; and
no goods are landed, or received on board, without their permission ; aod
they remain with the ship till her departure from the second bar, homeward-
bound.

CANTON. — This city is situated on the N. of the river, csdied by the
Chinese, Choo-keang, in latitude SS"" T N., and longitude 113° 14' £.; it is
defended towards the water by two high walls, having cannon mounted, and
two strong castles built on two islands in the river; on the land-side it is
defended by a strong wall and three forts. The city wall is about 5 miles ia
circumference, and on the £. side has a broad and deep ditch dose to it It
has several gates ; within side of each is a guard-house, and no European is
permitted to enter.

The English factories extend a considerable distance along the banks of
the river fronting the city, at about 100 yards^ distance from the water^s side:
they consist of large and handsome houses, each having a flag-staff before it,
on which is hoisted the flag of the nation to which it belongs. The English
factory far surpasses the others, both in elegance and extent ; it has a large
Terandah, reaching nearly down to the water^s edge, raised on handsome
pillars, paved with square marble slabs, and commanding an extensive view
both up and dow^n the river ; adjoining to this verandah is the long room,
where the Company'^s table is kept for their supracargoes, to which the Com*
manders of their ships had formerly free access, but at present have factories
of their own, and only visit theCompany^s by invitation.

The streets in the suburbs are in general very narrow and confined, and
paved. The principal one is denominated China-street ; it contains nothing
but shops, in which are to be met with the productions of every part of tbe
globe, and the merchants are in general extremely civil and attentive. Esdi
trade seems to have a particular street allotted to it ; no dweUing-bouse is

China.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 465

to be seen in the suburbs ; all are shops, which seldom consist of more than
two stories, the lower floor being the place where the goods are deposited
for sale, and the rest of the house serving as a warehouse. At night they
all retire inside the city.

The river is somewhat broader than the Thames at London Bridge ;
and for the space of four or five miles opposite Canton, is an extensive
wooden town of large vessels and boats, stowed so dose together, that there
is scarcely room for a large boat to pass. They are generally drawn Tip in
nmks, with a narrow passage left for vessels to pass and repass. In these
vast numbers of families reside, who betake themselves to this mode of
living. In the middle of the river, the Chinese junks which trade to the
Eastern Islands, Batavia, &c. lie moored head and stem ; some of them
are of the burthen of 600 tons.

The crews of the Company^s ships used to be permitted to pass three
days at Canton ; but in consequence of their misconduct, and the risks that
have been incurred, the liberty is now abolished.

Tradb.— The external commerce of Canton is very considerable, and
may be classed under the following heads :—

L That carried on with Great Britam ; this includes the imports and
exports on account of the East India Company, and the private trade of the
commanders and officers of their ships.

II. That carried on with the British settlements in India, in ships
commonly called Country ships, the property of European resident mer-
chants or natives, at the different Presidencies.

III. That carried on with the other European powers, who once had
factories at Canton, but which are at present abandoned, viz. France^
Holland, Denmark, Ostend, Portugal, Sweden, Spain, and Leghorn.

The trade carried on with the United States of America is blended in
the Chinese accounts with that of all other foreigners, except the English
from Europe and India. The account of their imports and exports is kept
separate.

IV. That carried on in their own junks or vessels to the Coasts of
Siam, Cochin-China, Tonquin, Japan, the numerous islands to the east-
ward, and to Batavia.

The commerce of Canton, immense as it is, is carried on vrith an
astonishing regularity, and in no part of the world can business be trans*
acted with so much ease and dispatch to the foreign merchant. The cargoes
imported are all weighed on board, and the duties paid by the purchaser,
who is generally one of the Hong or Security Merchants, expressly licensed
by the Chbese GovenimeDt to deal with Europeans. Their number is

466 ORIENTAL COMHEBCE. [Chma.

small, though Bot limited. They coasitt at present of the foUowing
penons:

h How-K]ua, or £-wo, the chief, a very opulent raerchtnt, and cf
shrewd character. He has had large dealings with the Americans, to whom
he is said to be attached ; and be deals also with the East India Company.
He has been concerned in several sbipaents to Euiepci and is sopposed to
have sustained considerable loss therefiram*

2. Mow-qua, or Wong-lee, confines his transactions chieflj to the
East India Company, though he trades occasionally with persons fhn
India and America. He is described aa a mo$i independent and libenl
man.

3. Fuan-kerqua, or 1\u>ng-&u» was formerly the first Hong, and
retired ; but several of the subordinate merchants having fiuled, he wn
cooipelled by the Government to return to business as third, and bear a
proportion of the losses, as he was considered to be one of the securities in
the transactions. He was fijrmeriy oonnected chid^ wiih the Dutdi,
Danes, and Swedes ; but he now confines his business exchuivdy to the
Company. He is very opulent.

4h Chun-qua, or Toun^^hong, is distinguished by his oosmexioBs at
the Court of Pekin, and by his interest with the Mandarins at Cantos.
He is respectable, and in good circumstances ; trades dnefly with the Coov
pasiy, but considers himself the merchant for the French trade ; he also has
to do with the India Country 4rade.

5. Con-se-qua, or Ly-chuen* a very r e pu t a ble merohaat, but has sai-
tained much injury through his connexions with the Amerioaiis ; bjr the
credits given to them, he is supposed ta have lost a miliion of dollan. His
conduct has been so satisfactory, that he has been supported by the Con-
pany. He is represented as agreeable ia his manners, poHte, and hospitable,
and the most attached to foreigners. He sdll does business with Americaas
and the India Country tradem, but mostly with the Company. He possenei
a very superior knowledge of the English language.

6. Fack-qui^ or Sy-shing, one of the inseivent Hoi^, mpportcd bj
the advances and credit of the Company ; be is paying Us debts fcy imlal-
ments. He trades with India, and with the Americans. He is an hsaeit,
but weak man.

7. ManJbop, or Hock4on, another insolvent Honj^. He is expert is
business, and considered comet in his dealings with individnals. He is
cautious and iirudent, does less business than the jxiit, and chieiy oaniiDes
his transactions to the Company. He is paying his debts by laslidmeDti.

8. Foon-qua, or Tooa-tl, another iasdveat, wlio Jms veaily, if ^

China.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 4ft7

entirely, cleared himself from his embarrassments. He transacts business
not only with the Conpaoj, but with Country traders, the AmerJcans, and
also widi the commanders and officers of the Conqpany^s ships. Hb cha-
racter is distinguished by honour and punctuality ; and he possesses great
skill in the choice of tea.

9. Gnow-qua, or Tog-yeu, was formerly a linguist He has failed as
a HoBg ; his amall business is with the Company.

10. King-qua, or Tin-poo, way originally an outside trader, or shop-
merchant, on a large scale. He is the shrewdest of the lesser Hongs, and
is considered intelligent and safe. He does much with the India traders
and the Americans ; and in conjunction with an eminent shop-merchant^
named Lin-shong, has made large purchases from the Company.

11. Fat-qua, or Man-yune, an inconsiderable merchant, who transacts
some trifling business with the Company.

With these merchants the supracargoes transact all the Company^s
concerns ; they dispose of the goods imported, and purchase the Tariou^
commodities of which the homeward cargoes consist. At the close of the
season they are generally much indebted to the Company ; the balances
amounting to sums of from half a million to a million sterling, exclusive of
the imports remaining on hand, and of the teas unshipped, which generally
are near half the amount of the sums owing by the merchants.

CoMPANY^s Imports from ENOLAND.^-The articles carried by the
East India Company to Canton from the United Kingdom, are chiefly
woollens. The result of these adventures is extremely fluctuating, some-
times realizing a profit, more frequently producing a loss, sometimes to
the amount of upwards of 16 per cent. The circumstance of British mer-
chants being excluded from China by the provisions of the East India
charter, operates upon the Company as a motive to keep the Chinese
market well supplied with British manufactures, from a sense of duty to
the country ; no other consideration seems assignable for their perseverance
m incurring such heavy losses. The speculations of the Americans have in-
duced a taste for British cottons, which are now introduced, in small quan-
tities, bj the Company^s ships.

The quantity of British manufactures imported by the East India
Company into Canton in 1821-82 and 1822-23 was as follows :

1821-22. 1822-23.
Woollens, vtsr..^Broad cloths ^^.^^..^.^^..No. 13,320 ^v^ 10,963

Stripe list cloths «^v«»«w.^Pieces »- .».««%«« 285
Long ells «««<^«^w«^^^«^Do. 132,600 ^.^^^1 05,000
Embossed long ells ^««««%J)o. 2,800 ««%««% %160

HIS OKIENTAL COHMeRCE. [China.

1821-2.

182S^

Woollens, vMr.^v^Broad elb*^ ««^Pieces

2,280

Worleys ^^%..^>>w^^%^^^%^Do.

3,520

11,340

Cottons, vuv.««««««British calicoes & cottons, Do.

5,828

—

Cotton twist %^%^%>»%»%%^«%,^^b8.

—

British iron ««^«««^.^«.w»*^tons.

1,479

721

500

287

The value of the above in 1831-28 was .£848,302 ; in

1822-23,

^604,975. The cargo of the ship Prince Regenty which was lost in the
latter year, amounted to the value of ^133,623.

The number of ships belonging to the Company clearing out from the
Port of Canton was the same in both years, t>t;ir. 2)^1.

The Company make their purchases of cloths gradually, and the quali-
ties are the best that can be procured ; the tradesmen are paid punctuallj ;
in shortj the system is regular and uniform. The chief consumption in
China of woollens is at Pekin, or farther northward ; it is therefore impos-
sible to carry on, much less to extend the sale, except the most implicit
confidence with regard to us subsist in the minds of the Chinese. The
French at one period having procured English packages, and made up tbdr
bales in a manner exactly conformable to those of the Company, imposed s
considerable quantity of their cloths upon the Chinese for a season ; but the
fraud was soon discovered, and they could not afterwards sell an entire
bale, nay scarcely a single piece, without the most scrupulous examination.
The Company'^s woollens meet with a very different reception. The Chi-
nese merchants at Canton will take them according to their invoice ; and
there is every reason to believe that the bales under the Company^s mark,
after being transported to an immense distance, and passing through a
number of hands, are received every where with the most perfect confidence,
and are never opened ^ntil they reach the shop of the person who sells for
actual use.

CoMPANY^a ExpoScTS TO ENGLAND. — The Comj)any^6 exports from
Canton to England consist chiefly of drugs, ^ilk. nankeens, and tea.
The extent of these exports cannot be stated with accuracy, because in
the official accounts their imports from the East Indies and China into
England are blended together ; except in so far as regards the article of tea,
the quantity of which shipped by the East India Company from Canton ifl
the years 1881-22 and 1822-23, was as follows :

China.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 459

1821-22. 1822-2a

Bone&wk -^^^^^^^^^i^^M^^^Jbs. 1,653,099 <%«««mm^ 19738,393
Congou ......«.,^.^^^^ 19,442,034 >...*^21,256,129

SouchoDg«^^^.«.««.««^«. 69,387 ^^^^ 142,345
SoDchi ^%^v^^^^.>^%w>^%^ 37,494 ...^vvk^^ 41,004

Twankay ^^v*^*^^,.^ 3,678,040 ..v.**^ 3,486,629

Hyson Skin ^%«v«<^«v%«««^«^ 168,620 ..^«««.««% 165,71&

Hyson ^^^«««^«.w«^.^»«.«^ 665,789 .»«%.w%«^ 624,007

Young Hyson ^^^^*^v.^ 31,976*.*^^^ 9,228

lbs. 25,746,439 27,478,813

The prime cost of the first yearns quantity was 1^1,852,715 ; that of
the last year's ^1,924,738.

Much useful information (not exactly of a character to be introduced
into this Work) connected with the trade of Canton, may be found in Sir
George T. Staunton's Miscellaneous Notices relating to China^ and our
commercial intercourse with that country.

Imports from England in Private TEADE.-^The following articles
form the investments of the Commanders and Officers of the Company^s
ships from England.

Lead, — Considerable quantities of this article used to be imported in
private trade ; but some lead-mines have been discovered in the province of
Houquang, which have proved extremely productive, and from whence the
tea country has been partly supplied, on more moderate terms than the
English lead can be effected at fit)m Canton.

Skins. — Large quantities were formerly brought out ; but the demand
has much abated.

Ginseng. — ^I'he market for this article is mostly supplied by the Ame«
rican ships : the price fluctuates much.

jS'ma/tff.x— This article forms a part of almost every Commander^s
investment

Prussian Blue.'^The price of this article varies, taking one kind with
the other, from 100 to 150 Spanish dollars per pecul.

Scarlet CtUtings.^^These are generally in demand, more particularly
the finer sorts. The Chinese have a mode of extracting the colour from
them.

Cochineal. — For this market the grey sort is equally esteemed as the
large black grun. A small quantity will overstock the market

460

OEIENTAL COMMSBCE.

[Chim.

Window Otem. — This article aometimes sold to advantage ; but smce
the Companj have imported it) the price has fallen cansidendily.

Camlets. — This article the Company reserve to themselves, and s
heavy penalty is attached to any individual who may bring them out, not-
withstanding which, they are sometimes illicitly imported ; but the price
obtained has seldom left a profit, more particularly when they have been
brought in foreign vessels, which they sometimes are to the extent of 6 or
TOGO pieces ; they have then fallen to 20 dollars per piece.

Clocks, — Some years ago immense quantities of clocks, and other vala-
able pieces of mechanism, were annually imported into Canton ; and when
they pleased the fancy of the Hqppo, or officer who measured the ship od
her arrival, sold at a great profit, and the Security Merchants were under
the necessity of making him a present of them. This exaction became so
great an evil, that representations were sent to Europe, requesting that no
more such valuable commodities should be sent ; in consequence of which,
the Court of Directors have prohibited any Conmiander or Officer from
carrying out any dock, or other piece of mechanism, the value of which
shall exceed d^lOO.

IFa^cAes.— The quantity which were formerly sent to China was veiy
great, varying in price from 4iQs. a pair, to the most costly that were made.
They must be in pairs, to suit the taste of the Chinese.

A ftw other articles are sometines broo^t, our. cutlery, hardware,
looking-glasses, coral, be. ; but the demand is very limited, as the ChincK
manufacture the inferior kinds nearly equal to the English.

Exports to England iir F&ivatb Trabk.— -llie Commanden sod
Officers are allowed to ship goods, under certain restrictions, in the tonosge
allowed them by the Company, which is, according to their respective
ranks, as follow :

Commander «%««w..%»%«%Tons 38
v^niei v/incer %%»%<k%'»»*»%%i%%i%»<»i» o
Second Officer .^v*w.«««^««^%« 6
Third Officer ^v^^^..,.^..^^ 3

Purser
Surgeon

%^'%'%%^i%%%«»%^%^»»%%%%%«^>»^^

*^^%»^>»%|»^%<»»%%>»V»^|%V%%»

3
6

Surgeon^s Mste «.»>.»»%.>Tobi 3
f ourui vimcer %%^[%^j » »»% » » v»^»%i»^» z
£ uui '^iijcer %!%*<%%»%%<%»»%%< i»%»w%^t» X

runner %»^i»v»^^^%»%» % % ^ i%»»%»»»»»» x
v/arp en i er %%%»%%»%<»%%»»»»^a % »»»»%%» 1

Besides which, it is customary to allow the Commanders and Officen
an additional quantity of 30 tons as extra indulgence, to be stowed in parts
of the ship wherein the Compiuiy^s cargo is not permitted to be stowed.

China.] OKIENTAL COMMERCE. 461

and provided the Commander bai not reteed anj pott of the goods intendtd
to be shipped on the Compan/s acoount.

Tea forms the principal item of the private trsde ; the remainder coo-
fists of nankeens, China ware, drugs, &c. The Compan j^s duty on prin-
lege tea used to be j?7 per cent, on the sale Talue of a smali portkn, and
^17 pear cent on the remainder of the stipulated allowance, which is as
follows :

C^itain

*%%%^»»%»%<»%»»»»

%%%%»»»%%%%»»%%<^

^>%%»»<»»»*i^»»%»

ourgecHi ^■%%%%»*»%%%%i%%i » %i»»>»i M g« i3b
SurgeoB^s Mat e ^» »%%»»%»%>»»»» 488

« urser »%^»%»^»%»%»i»»^»<^%r»^i»<fc%i» #oo
jioaunr am »»<^i%<»%^«% ■%»%n»»n^xf» jb9^

Mate

Seceod Ditto

Thinl Ditto

Fourth Ditto

KiUi Ditto %.vMw»%%»<>»»»%%%^ 246 | Carpenter ^»%f»%% »■%»»»»»»»»»% 846

But the Court of Directors in 1817 abolished the distinction of duty,
and substituted a duty of ^16 per cent, upon the sale value of all private
trade tea, imported on the accustomed privilege and indulgence. AH
ezceedings of the above-mentioned quantity is charged with an additional
duty of £20 per cent, making 36 per cent ; and if hyson tea be imported
in private trade to an extent exceeding double the respective weights above
stated, such excess is charged with a fiirther duty of £90 per cent., making
^56 per cent, thereon: that is to say, a Commander may bring 16,678 lbs.
of hysoD tea without being subject to the last-mentioned additional £20
per cent*

The duty on tea imported as presents is ^7 per cent, except such as
may be consigned by tlie members of the China factory, which is subject
only to the duty of ^17 per cent, to the extent fixed by existing regulations;
beyond those quantities, the excess is to be charged iP87 per cent The tea
presents subject to ^37 per cent, are not to pay Ae usual fee to th^ iund,
which is indoded in that duty.

The charge on other articles besides tea, China ware^ and ladcered
ware^ is £7 per cent ; China ware and lackesed ware pay £9 per cent

The East Inifia Company receive into their treasuries at Canton, and
the d^ierent Presidencies in India, any part of the produce of the outward
adveAlure of their OoouBanders and Officers, not exceeding £6000j iar
which certificates are granted them on die Court of Directors, at the usual
ntes of exdumge, to be divided in certain proportions, aoeordbg to their
rank, payable a moiety in 90 days, and a moiety in 366 days after sight

CoMMucK WITH Baitish iNDTii.— *-A vcry considerable trade subsists

4<« ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [CAtno.

betweeik Canton imd the Biitiah settlementst especiaHy Bengal and Bombaj.
The Bengal China trade forms nearly one-^eventh of the total imports, and
one-third ef the gross imports of Bengal, exclusive of the trade with Great
Britain^ The articles are tea, tutenague, nankeens, velvets, silk, raw and
wrought, camphire, paper, toys, cassia, rhubarb, &c.

The principal articles of import at Canton from the British settlementi
are cotton and opium.

Cotton in general will turn out a surplus at China, from various causes.
In India you generally get a pound in each draught, besides the turn of Ibe
scale ; the bales accumulate dust and dirt before sent on board, the quantity
of grease used in stowing them, and the cotton itself imbibing mouture od
the voyage ; as it has been found, where ships were a Uttle leaky, without
doing any material damage, they have delivered the greatest surplus. At
China it is customary to deliver to a standing beam, or as near as possible:
a bottle of wine and a few sweetmeats given to the Mandarins on board,
are of material service; it makes them civil, and you can get them to do
many things : in trivial matters it is better to yield rather than dbpute ; but
in matters of consequence, be stedfast, and you will carry your point

Cotton b sent to Canton in boats called chops, which carry 55 draughts or
bales; and all weighable articles are by the same number of draughts, whether
of 4 (»: 7 Cwt. ; consequently in tin, iron, or lead, the heavier you can
make your draughts, the less number of chops will be necessary; and as that
charge is paid by the seller, you wfll save expence, and in many days save
time also. The musters of cotton should be drawn in India by a handful
from each bale, packed into two or three small bales, and sent on board to
be kept at hand, and marked ^^ Musters C and when the cargo is sold, thej
should be produced as a muster of the whole, whereby no dispute can arise
on account of the quality ; for should there be an inferior cotton on board,
the Chinese will take advantage of it, and make a deduction from the
price agreed upon.

All damaged bales should be wdghed in die state they are in, and a
deduction made for the supposed damaged cotton, by whidi means you are
certain of having the weight of all the good cotton ; whereas if you cut out
the damaged, you must certainly lose some of the good with it, and the
people who are sent by the Chinese merchants to weigh the cotton, are im^
judges of the quantity of water die bale may contain : although they thvA
there may be 30 lbs. damaged, it often happens there are 50 lbs. of water m
the bale.

China.] OEIENTAL COMMERCE. 468

Prefioua to the year 1808, the cotton dc^tined'for the Ckba market
came from Bombay exdnsirely : the other Presidencies have since partici^
pated in the trade ; but the Bombay cotton still continues to be preferred,
if we may judge from the following rates of profit whichthe Company^s
cotton produced at Canton in the jear 1816-16 :»-Bombay 56| per cent. ;
Bengal 39^ ; Madras 7J.

The amount of trade (includbg bullion) between the three Presidencies
and Canton for the year 1821-22 was as follows :-—

Imports from Canton. Exports to Canton.

Bengal.^>^v.^..^...^S. R.^.^62,22,240 ^.^ 1,05,06,373
Madras «M^%%v«%%«'««%«v«« R.<»««%«% 5,18,462 *<%«%«« 6,07,285
Bombay ....^^^^^.^ R.^v*^74,01,160 *^^ 69,15,803

CoMMBBCB WITH FoREioN EuROPE.^-Thc Continental nations are not
absolutely interdicted from trade here, although much jealousy is shewn
towards new comers, and some of them have factories ; yet their commerce
has dwindled away, and the European Continent is now chiefly supplied
with tea by the Americans and by ourselves.

Commerce with America. — There is an American factory at Canton,
but no settled establishment ; and their ships are under separate manage-
ment The articles they bring are chiefly skins, furs, cotton, and ginseng ;
and their exports consist of tea, nankeens, China-ware, wrought silks, and
drugs. The amount of their trade with the Chinese is not easily known ;
but it is understood to be considerably less than it was during the years
immediately subsequent to the Peace.

Commerce with Cochin-China, Siam, Eastern Islands, Japan, &c.—
The commerce of the Chinese with the adjacent Continental States, and the
Islands in their vicinity, is carried on chiefly in their own vessels. The
provinces of China which prosecute foreign trade are Canton, (including the
island of Hai-nan) Fokein, Tchekien, and Kiangnan. No foreign inter-
course is permitted with the island of Formosa ; and the dangerous navigation
of the Yellow Sea deters the natives of the maritime provinces of Shanton
and Petchdee from engaging in external commerce.

Exclusive of Corea, Formosa, and the Lew-Chew islands, the following
places are visited by the Chinese for purposes of trade: — Japan, the
Philippines, Sooloo, Celebes, Borneo, Java, Singapore, and the Straits of
Malacca, East Coast of the Malay Peninsula, Siam, Cochin-China (including
Cambodia), and Tonquin. The junks which carry on this trade are of
various siaes, being generally from 200 to 1000 tons burthen, and the capital

464 ORIENTAL COMM£BCE. [China.

en wUdi tJhej trade bdng often as aman as 3000, and not unfinaiiiieatlj as
large as 50 to 60,000 dollars. Some are built ia the couiitriea to which they
trade, particularlj in Siam and Cochin-china, and these are the best ; bot
the greater number in China itself, of the fir and other inferior woods of that
coiintrj. Sooie are owned 1^ Chinese residing in foreign countries, some bj
the Chinese themselves, and often there is an intimate connexioB betwea
those residing on the spot and the colonists abroad ; every where they are
commanded and navigated hy Chinese. The smallest, but the most
numerous, junks sail from the island of Hai-nan. Canton furnishes the
largest description of junks— these trade every where but to Japan.
The junks of Fokien or Amoy are small, but valuable — thej trade also every
where but to the last place, but are fewer in number than those of Canton.
The junks of Tchekien are the only Chinese vessels which trade to Japan;
iiesides which they trade to Manilla, Cochin-China, and Siam, but do not
appear to cross the Equator. Those of Eiangnan are few in number, bot
krgc^ «nd carry very valuable cargoes; their trade is confined to tbe
PhilippiiieSy Siam, and CocbiB-Chtna.

The construction and rigging of a Chinese vessd is her proper registry,
and a very effectual one it is ; for any deviation from the set form and
character subjects her immediately to foreign duties, and what (if possible)
is still worse, to all kinds of suspicion. No measurement or tonnage dutjb
|wud in China, on native vessels trading with foreign parts ; but there is i
kind of tariff, which^ however^ varies in the different provinces. At Can-
ton, a pecul of manufactured silk goods pays seven dollars^, and a pecul of
fine earthenware one dollar. These duties are highest in the ports of Fokieo,
and the lowest of all in the island of Hai-nan. The Chinese traders of Siam
state that they carry on a fair and easy trade with the cities of Nimpo and
gianghai, in Tchekien, and Kiangnan. Every where the Chinese traden
exhibit a very admirable dexterity in evading the Imperial Custom-house
laws, and putting them upon a footing of more fireedom and liberalitj than
is allowed by their letter. The coasting trade of China, for example, h
nearly free of duty. The merchant takes advantage of this, and, intendin;
in reality to go to Siam or Cochin-China, he clears out for Hai-nan. When
he returns again, his junk will be four or five days off and on, at the moatk
of the port, until he has made a regular bargain with the Custom-hoQS?
oflScers, for a reduction of duties ; threatening aH the time to disclMU^ Us
cargo at some other port, and whee(Ue them out of their perquiaitea, if tbrr
will not come into his terms. The following may be looked upon at as
approximation to the amount of the foreign trade, which Cbiaa either do*
conducts, or has lately in general conducted with fiweign oountrias, m

Chtna.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 485

JONKt.

900100 XalAIIQS %%%%*'%»%<x %%%% % %*»%%»%%%%%%^iv»*^%^^»%%i%%'»^%%»»»%v» 4

Singapore, and other places in the Straits of Malacca 6
R Coast of the Malajan Peninsula «««««*^%«v%«%««*^«^ 6

Cochin-China and Cambodia %^%%%%%%»»%%»»^%%%%%%%^%%^% 66

Total of junks aanuaDy 294

The tonnage of these vessels will probably not be overrated at from 90
to 100,000 tons.

China is to the native of the further East what Great Britain is to all
America, and to manj of the nations of the Continent of Europe. She fur-
nishes eveiy where teas, coarse pottery, umbrellas, fans, shoes, and sacrificial
paper. To the Tonquinese and Cochin-Chinese, wrought satins and gauzes.
To the Siamese, crapes, mirrors, and ornaments for their temples. To the
Malayan tribes, raw silk. The Ctiinese Colonists, placed under favourable
circumstances, and certain of the countries to which they emigrated, have
been able to equal or surpass the industry of the mother country. It is
thus that in Java* the Philippines, and Siam, they manufacture sugar ; in
Siam, iron and iron utensils, which, within the last twelve years, have super-
seded those of China ; and that in Borneo, and in the Malayan Peninsula,
they have wrought mines of gold and tin^ much superior in productiveness
to those of their own country.

The Chinese receive firom Japan diiefly fine copper and camphire ; from
the Philippinefl, Sooloos, Moluccas, and Celebes, tortoise-shell, mother-o^pearl
shells, beech de mer, and esculent nests ; from Java, many of the commodities
now enumerated, with some tin, cotton, and spices; from the Malay
countries, similar articles, with timber, barks, scented wood, tin, Malayan
camphire, pepper, opium, and some European commodities. Siam affords
by far the most extensive catalogue, such as tin, pepper, gamboge, carda-
mums, perfumed woods, fancy woods, dye woods, hides, horns, bones,
ivory, feathers, be ; from Cochin-China, Cambodia, and Tonquin, nearly
the same articles, with the exception of tin and pepper ; but besides these.

466 ORISNTAL COMMERCE. [Ckma.

ciniiainon, betd-nut. Tarnish, and certain dye stuffs. The Chinese Cdonists
of the countries with which China carries on a trade, may be sa&Iy estimated
at one million, of which Siam contains by far the largest number ; and the
hands actually engaged in navigating the junks themselves may be moderatdj
estimated at from 18,000 to 20,000.

Commerce with Russia. — ^A considerable inland trade has been long
carried on between Russia and China, at marts fixed on the boundaries of
the two countries ; but no attempt had ever been made to open a commuiu-
cation by sea till 1806, when two Russian ships, which had been fitted oat
for discovery, arrived at Macao, and procured a cargo of goods. The
jealousy with which die Chinese viewed these strangers, will appear by the
following extract from an Imperial Edict relative to tbxSr visiting Macso,
and will shew that thcattempt of that nation to open a trade with Canton
has not met with much encouragement.

'* We are just apprized by the Hoppo that two Russian ships had suc-
cessively anchored in the roads of Macao, and that on board of these ships,
two foreign merchants, Xjrusenstem and Lysianskoy, had airived, and had
brought with them a sum of money and a cargo of furs, with the intent of
opening a trade at the port of Canton ; that the Hong merchants had, upon
an investigation, found these Russians to belong to the nation termed by the
Chinese, Go-lo-se, and had translated and laid before him their petition for
leave to trade ; upon which he, the said Hoppo, having consulted with the
Viceroy and the Sub-Viceroy, had issued the usual orders, directing the
merchants to trade honestly and fairly with them.

<< This is a very negligent and summary mode of proceeding; for it
ought to have been recollected that the trade with foreign nations is restricted
within certain limits, which it is never permitted to violate or transgress. It
is true that all such foreign nations as are accustomed to fi^uent the porti
of Canton, Macao, and the neighbouring islands, are likewise allowed the
liberty of trading in those parts ; but amongst these the name of the Rusaaa
nation has never yet been observed by us : wherefore their sudden iqppeannce
at thb time, and design of opening a trade at the port of Canton, cannot be
conndered otherwise than as a very novel and extraordinary circomstance.^

After declaring the conduct of the officers of Government at Canton to
be very culpable, the edict states—

'* The Viceroy and Hoppo shall, immediately on the receipt of tkae
donunands, in the first instance suspend for a time all transactioiis at the
Custom-house on behalf of the said ships, provided they are not ahtsdj
laden ; if they shall have completed thor lading, but not have quitted the
port, the Viceroy aild Hoppo shall proceed, without dday, aocuratdj to
enquure and investigate whether these Russians really came from the nstiop

Ckmm.] OBIBNTAL COMMERCE. 4«7

Go-lo-se ; and if so, bow Ae aatirei of the Gkhb-se aailon, wlio hsve hitiierto
always traded by way of Kiariita, in Tartary, and never before visited the
coast of Quan-tong, have now been able to navigate their ships thith^ , and
have become acquainted with the shoals and islands with which that coast
abounds. Also, whether they have not passed by some other kingdoms in
their way from Russia, and what kingdoms ; whether they were not
from some, and from what kingdoms, directed and informed how to pro-
ceed to this country,

** Lastly, they are to enquire whether the Russian merchants embarked
in these ships, brought their cargoes with them for their own private emolu-
ment and advantage, or were dispatched to China to trade, by the orders of the
King. The Viceroy and Hoppo, having taken measuiies for collectilig full and
distinct informatkm oh alllliese subjects, shall transmit the same to us by ex-
press. In reply we shall give to them our final inatructions for their guidance.
*' But should these ships, having taken in and completed their cargoes,
have been permitted to depart, and no channel remain, through which this
subject may be investigated, we, in that case, do direct that, in the event of
any ships visiting for the future the ports of Canton and Macao, or their
vicinity, bdonging to any other nation besides those which have customarily
frequented those porta» they shall on no account whatever be permitted to
trade, but merely be suffered to remain in port until the Viceroy and Hoppo,
having reported to us every circumstance respecting them, shall have been
apprized, in return, of our determination.

<< We dispatch this edict by express, that the Viceroy may know our
pleasure, and conform to it^

PoBT-CHAnoss.*-^oon after a ship^s arrival, the principal Mandarin
sends word to Ifae Security Merchant, appointing a day for the purpose of
measuring the ahip, which is put off till there are six or more ships waiting,
(for the Mandarin will not go down in the early part of the season to measure
a less number than six.) The Hong merchant fixes, through the Linguist,
the day; when it is expected all work shall be niapended, and the ship cleaned
and dressed. The Hong merchant, by means of the Comprador, sends
tea, sweetmeats, be. on board, for the Hoppo^s entertainment. The boat in
which he comes, is distinguished by a yellow flag, which is the Imperial
colour; and as soon as he is in sight, a boat with an officer is sent off from
each ship that is to be measured, to attend him*

A ahip fe not properly imported until she is measiBred, which measure-
meat is taken fhxa the centre of the misen-maat to the centre of the foremast
for the length, and dose abaft the main-mast firom side to side for the breadth;
the length is midtipUed by the breadth, and the product, divided by 10, ^ves
the ship^s meaaurage.

Gg2

468 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [CUna,

The Emperor^s books ha^e all ships imported^ entered into them

under the following denominations, in proportion to which thej pay a dutj

of measurage, mx.

X c c
1st ratesw.^74 cubits long, and 23 broad, though erer so

much larger, paj> per cubit %^w>%w»%%%>%%^v%%%v»Tale8 7 7 7 7

2d ditto 71 to 74 ditto ...^22 to 23 broad.*...^.^ 7 14 2

3d ditto 66 to 71 ditto ..v^20 to 22 ditto .^ 6

Ships, however small, pay as third rates, which is a heavy charge upon
small vessels frequenting the port

£d;amp26«— -Suppose a ship measures 79 cubits 9 punts in
length, and 26 cubits 6 punts in breadth ; these multiplied
together, produce 178 cubits 3 punts, 66 dec. which, at the rate
of 7tales, 7 mace, 7 candareens, 7 cash per cubit, is«w«^Tales 1,387 2 8 S
Deduct the Emperor^s allowance of 20 per cent %%»%%%%^w>v» 277 4 5 6

xne Jcimperor s net outy »%%%%^%%»%»'»%»<»%»%%%%%%%<>»*»^*»%%^^»»%^ x axes x,iU9 o z *
A.cux I per cenc* lo ma&e u sycee %v»»%>%%%%«»%%»%i»^[%%»'%»%»»»%» » »%»» / • o o o

1,167 6 1 S
TotheHoi^,orrecdverofeustoin8,10percentthaeon«M* 118 7 52

1,306 2 67
To the Collectors, &c. 2 percent to be pudin current silver^^ 22 1 9 6

1,328 4 63
Impositions at sundry times since the year 1704, under the

denomination of presents to the great Mandarins, and

which are now claimed to be as much their due as the

snips measurage %%»%»^^>%»i%»»^>»<<%%>»v%%»»<<%%%»%%'»»%%^»»»»%%%%»»%%»%i»^ m.^^om u v "

Tales 3,278 4 6 3

All European ships do not pay a like sum under the denominatios of
presents.

TALKS.

Ships, belonging to the English, psj 1,950

Ditto, French 9,050

Ditto, Moon 1,950

TALSl

Ships, belonging to the Dutch, pi^...!^

Ditto, Swedish ^...*.AJ^

Ditto, DBniah....M If^

In 1821 , the following was the amount of measurement and Goreni-
ment duties paid by two Country ships : one of 513 tons paid 4356 deDaDi*
one of 412 tons paid 4161.

The distribution of the 1,950 tales, charged as presents, is said to be
thus made :-—

China.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 469

M C C

To the Emperor, on the ship^s arrival^%>^%^%%^^Tale8 l^OSO 6 4

xo oilco oil oer Qepftrvure^»iv%» % %« » %%»'»»%»»%<»%<%%»»%%'»%»w»i%%» oxo o o x

JL o uie lije&iitow tor toe poor%%»%%»»»%»»»%^<%i»%»%» » »'»»%»»»%v» l^fis u u u

To the Security Merchant's Dispatchador .^^..%..v^w> 12

To the Writers, on the measuring the ship, for boats 8 4
To the soldiers that attend the measuring of the ship,

xor Doai^mre, ccc« ^%i%%%«»%%»%i^< » »%v»^>%'%<%%%»i%»r»%»^^^%'»%r^>%«%^» o o o i/
To the Hoppo's soldiers, on the arrival of the ship v««<» 16 7 8
To the Foyen, on the notice of the ship's arrivalv*«««% 8 S'O
To the Quongchefou, ditto ^% ^ %%»%»%»^^%»«^»»»%v»-»%%%%v»>»%» 8 8
To the Fonnew-hyen at Whampoa, ditto ^.v»w»^»^^^%% 17
To the Namho-hyen, ditto ^.vi ^ %^%,%^v»w»%%%»%»%v%%^w»»%»% 18
To the Quonan-fou at Macao, ditto «%«.%w^«%«%«%v«»%«%«<» 12
To two oflScers belonging to the Hoppo, for their at-
tendance on the ship during her stay in the river 150
To the difference of the Emperor's weights, &c. ««*%«« 9 3 5 9

Total of the presents%%%%^.%v v >%^>%%%^^i^Tale8 1950

The charge of unloading a ship at Whampoa per day, is as follows :—

M c c
X ne xioppo ■»■%»%%%%<% »»»%%%%^»%%^»^%«% »»%>%% » v»%%%^%^»»»% »^»%»»» A. ales iS \^ x) \f

X ne deciciai'Y »%^%%<»%>%%>%%%^^%»%%%%«»i%< % »%%%%>%^<%^^%^%»%^'»^%»%%r%%%iv»^%%% v ■ 7 v

The Whampoa officer's eating ««««w»^«^«%«.«.«%%w^««^««^^^«^ 3
Ditto, betel-nut, &c. %.>%^^%%»%%%^%%^^»^%^»v^%^>»%^^^%^^fc^^>%%^ 3
The Weigher ..^,^>^^«%>^%%%%%%v%%^%%%.>%^.>%%»^%%^%%%^^^.^w%^^^ 1110
jTor a Doav »%^%v^%» % ^^'%'%%^»'v»»%<^%i>^.%^^w%^^%»»%r%%%%^»%%^%^»^,i»%»% % '%%%'»%%>fc x 4 4 u
The Hoppo's man to protect the goods>%>»>.%>>^^%%%'>^^-%%v^ 8
To the three Hoppo-houses..>.......>^.....^..^.>......^>^^ 7 8

The Hoppo's officer's eating comes to about ^%%^^%%%%^.>»% 3

Forming a total of^^^.^.^..v^.^^Tale8 112 3

The Linguist is obliged to make the following presents for each ship,
preriotts to her departure :—

xo uie nrsii xjoppo™nouse»%%»»%>»^»»%%%%%»^o » »%%>%»>%»%%%%%»'»»%*i%*'» xvi laics*

To the second ditto ^v%w^ ^^»%^^%^%%%%%%%%%%^%%%^%%%%.>%^^<*'*%»» 5 ditto.

To the third ditto .>%^.t.%.>%%^^>»%v % ,.»v> . %>>)>.v>.w%^^.v.^^^%^^^^^ 10 ditto,
making in the whole 25 tales. The fees at going away, which were only
4 or 5 dollars formerly, and which charge was and is paid by the Company

470 ORIENTAL COMMBRCE. [China,

are now increased to upwards of 40 dollars per ship. What the Merchants
pay besides, cannot be knowt, but it is reckoned to be considerable.

By a recent Edict of the Imperial Court, foreign ships are allowed to
bring rice (withotkt clandestinely importing other goods) free of measurage
duties. The cargoes are to be stored by the Hong merchants, and sold at
the market prices. The vessels, after waiting till the rice is sold, may cany
away return cargoes, subject to the same duties as in other cases. To
entitle a vessel to this remission of the port diarges, she must bring 4050
peculs net of rice, or 4500 peculs gross.

Pilotage. — The following are the usual rates of pQotage paid by tbe
Company^s ships fireqnenting the port :—

From the Lema Islands to Macao.,.Spaii.D. SO

From Macao to Whampoa 40

Cumshaw, or present to pilot. 5

10 boats Ijring on the second bar. 10

Pilot going on board at Whampoa 10

10 boats lying on the second bar............... 10

Pilot coming on board tO

4 boats lying on bar below 4

Balance of nilotaffe to Mafan^.....! ,- 4

Cumsbaw •••- i

forming a total of 85 dollars inwards, and 09 dollars outwards.

%* Mr. Crawfurd states that the amount of duties, under the deno-
mination of Fort-charges, Cumshaw or present, &c. is at present only about
27s. per ton on a vessel of 1200 tons ; and about 508. 6d. on a vessel of
400 tons.

Duties.— The duties on all goods imported and exported are paid hj
the Chinese ; it is therefore very difficult to ascertain the real duties of aoj
commodity, as they are frequently altered by the Mandarins. The foDowiBg
is an account of the Emperor^s customs on Bohea tea, and of sundry chaiges
at Canton in 1756 :— >

Gross weighty 1 pecul 11 catties ; deduct for package 10 per cent 11

catties ; leaves net 1 pecul.

M c c
Emperor'^s duty, per pecul »%»%>%»»»»»»»%%%»%»»»%»%»K»»)»%Tales 8

14 per cent, on the 8 mace for charges of sending the

money to Pekin, and for Secretaries and Accountants 8 8
8 per cent, on 8 mace, 8 candareens, 8 cash, to make it

sycee %%v%%^»%»%»%»%<^» % »%»»%»»»%%>»iv%%s>i%^»^%ii^i%%»»%^'*^i»%%%i%%»%*^i^% i/ v x o
5 mace 4 candareens per cent, (part of the 6 per cent

duty) on the valuation, being 8 tales per pecul «««%*« 4 3 2
A duty of 1 mace per pecul» called peculage duty %%^%%%^ 10
The Linguist^s charge for victualling the Hoppo^s peqple

at shipping ofi^ and for boat-hire to the ship %%%%>%%% 3

Tales 6 8

CAtna.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 471

The 6 mace 4 cancL duty, part of 6 per cent, duty on the valuation of
8 tales per pecul, is paid in dollar money.

The 6 candareens, or 6 per cent, duty on the valui^on of 8 tales per
peculy is paid in dollars ; but it is properly a duty of fi candareens 4 cash ;
the other 6 cash are for the Hongist who ships off, to defray the charge
of his Hong.

Of the 6 candareens 4 cash duty, the Emperor has only 4 candareens
8 casL An hospital for poor persons, who have no children to maintain
them, has the remaining 6 cash.

The Emperor^s share is by the Hoppo made into sycee» at the Emperor^s
charge.

The duty of 1 mace per pecul, called peculage, was veiy lately only 9
candareens. The merchants then, for their house of meeting, or joss house,
had only 4 cash per pecul out of the peculage duty ; but they have now
1 candareen 4 cash. The dbtribution of the peculage duty of 1 mace is as
follows :—

Ja oppo » %% » ^ ^ %!»■ %»'»i»%*^%i%»»i%<»>%i%i%»»%<»»% % i»»%»%>%^v«>a nuar coBS 9 o
j^inguist%%%«%»^^%»%^»<»^ »^%%%%»^*^%^%»»%^»»%^^»»»»%^^%^»»^^^%%i»»%<^ n M
w cigners »^» » »%»%»%»^%<»%%%'%%<»*»»%%%%^>%^%%«»%'%%i%^>%^»%*%»»%i%^i^%^ i/ a?
Persons at the first Hoppo housevv««^«^%««v«w.^^^%«% 8
xxoppo s guard or soicuers <^ v»%»%»»%%%»»%<*'%^» % %* v%<<»^»«»i»»% x o
Merchants for their joss house »%%^%%'»%%%»^%v»^»%.»%»» 1 4

Shopkeepers and others who cannot ship off goods, but are forced to

employ the Hongists for that purpose, pay 8 mace 8 candareens the pecul for

the expoirt duty oo tea.

M c c dec.
They pay 6 per cent on the valuation of 8 tales the

pecul, which makes their charge more than those

^T no pay oniy o nt ^ % %^^^>^%%'%»%% % w%»%%»%>%^%^%^%»%^»^%^ v 4 o v
Instead of 3 candareens, they pay 5 candareens for the

victualling the Hoppo'^s people, &c. ; the differ-

ence is »%%»»%i%%^%%%»%'%%'^v%%^»»%^%^^^%>%%^i%^o%%^'%i»*» » %%%i%%%^% \j 75 \^ \j
When the Linguist collects the money, he commonly

cnarges, to maKe ii even %'v» ^ %>v»%%»»%%%>%»%%%i%^v%%»v%%% vi (i %§ §0
Which, with the amount enumerated, as duty on

j3onea lea %%%%%'»v%»^»'%%%iv%^»%»%%%%«%%'%»%%%»%^»»«»%»%'%%^»%%«» o vi o vi

xofflBB a total 01 ^»%»w»<»«»»»»%»%»^»»»>»*<»Mace 8 7 9 76

The Hong merchants have therefore an advantage over the shopkeeper
of 7 1 76 the pecul in shipping off Bohea tea, which is appropriated to
defray the charges of the Hong. There is a proportionable advantage to the

472 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [CIma.

Hongist for all other goods. Bobea tea is only taleea here for the example.

10 per cent only being deducted for packages, all^ealerB lose 4,06 per
cent on Bohea tea chests, and 6,66 per cent per pecnl on Singlo diests^and
more on smaller chests ; but as this 10 per cent, is always deducted on ail
goods imported, whether in packages or not, as lead and tin, as it is od
tutenague exported, the merchants are of opinion they lose nothiog bj
that charge.

There is not any doty of 6 candareens, or 5 4 per cent on goods
imported.

The Emperor^s dotchin and the merchants^ are the same ; the latter
hare a standard dotchin at their joss house, which agrees with the EmperorV

The weighers are often bribed by the merchants to make goods imported
weigh less than they really do, and those exported, to weigh heayier.

TheEmperor's pecul is 132 lbs. 3 02. 964 dec. avoirdupois. One hundred
tales in sycee money, weighed by a merchant or a refiner, when carried to
the receiver of the customs, is found deficient in weight 1 tale 3 mace, or
thereabouts ; formerly it was only 3 or 4 mace less : this plunder the Hoppo
and his people have.

The Linguist gets 2 cand. 2 cash of the peculage duty on every pecid
of goods imported or exported ; but he abates from it 20 per cent, that be
may be paid in dollar money, instead of money of 75 or less touch : tliis
reduces the 2 cand. 2 cash to 1 cand. 7 cash 6 dec. ; so ^hat if a ship import
6000 peculs, and export as many, those 10,000 are only accounted him as
9,000, because 10 per cent is taken off for package ; his gain, therefore,
on that ship is 158,4 tales ; he has moreover a present of about 70 tales,
forming a total of 228 tales 4 mace. What he gets by impositions, cannot
be known.
Fine China-ware pays«%«^7 4 per pecul; is valued at 4 0, and the duty bO 3

China-ware in chests, of whatever sort, is reckoned fine.

Ditto in bundles of blue and white, is reckoned coarse ; if coloured, fine.

Bbgulatioms.— By the indentures entered* into between the East India
Company and the owners or commanders of vessels trading to Canton from
the different ports in British India, it is covenanted that no person or per-
sons, whether supra-cargo, passenger, crew, or otherwise, shall be left io
China after the ship has departed.

An order of the Marine Board of Calcutta, dated January 31, 1821;
after stating that the practice of leaving English seamen on shore at Macao
is calculated to create embarrassment and expence to the Company, prohilHt)
the masters of vessels from leaving any seamen on shore, on pain of the
responsibility they will incur thereby.

ChmaJ]

ORIENTAL COMMERCE.

473

Pboyisiomb and RnpRXtfRMSNTS.— In no part of the world are pronsions
more abundant than in China, or of better qualitj. The prices are in
general moderate. All provisions are weighed.

The following is a list of the stores taken on board a ship of 1900 tons
at Canton, for the use of the homeward passage. The Companj^s ships
are obliged to take in nine months^ proraioiis in time of war, and six
months^ in time of peace.

Shifts Storbs.
1650 catties of beef.

6 calves.
416 catties of pig, 8 in number.
6836 ditto biscuit "
900 ditto fine ditto.
2983 ditto rice.
496 ditto fine ditto.
3080 ditto calavances.
1051 fine flour.
11126 ditto paddj.
4707 ditto gram.
3000 ditto sugar.
3000 ditto yams.
180 ditto wax candles.
449 ditto pumpkins.
443 ditto sweet potatoes.
60 Macao cabbages.
Sundry small stores, vegetables, &c.

Cabik Storbs.
2160 catties of hay.
400 ditto bran^
635 ditto Macao potatoes.
665 ditto capons, 197 in number.
621 ditto fowls, 840 in number.
192 ditto pigs, 1 sow and 1 boar.
569 ditto ditto, 20 pigs.
6 sheep.
1 cow.
260 catties geese, 50 in number.
60 wild ducks.
72teaL
12 wild geese.
48 pigeons.
36 quails.
1000 eggs.
100 catties of hams, and pig^s faces.
Sundry vegetables, fruits, &c.

%^»<»|»%%<»%«%%%%'%»^ % «%%%%^»»»%|%|%% » »%v%

ARTICLES PROCURABLE AT CANTON, WITH DIRECTIONS.

AoATSS are generally found in pebUes, kidney shaped, variegated with
veins and clouds, and are arranged according to the different colours of their
grounds. Of those with a white ground there are three species ; the white
vdned, the mBky, and the lead coloured. Of those with a red ground there
are four spedes; the flesh coloured, the blood coloured, the clouded,
and the red. Of those with a yellow ground there are two species ; the
yellow and the pale yeDow.

The white veined Agate is most commonly known by the name of
the Mocha stone. It is of a very firm, compact, and fine texture, though it
is found in the shape of a flinty pebble stone. The sizes are various, from
one to right inches in diameter. The venis of this stone are veiy beautifully

4T4 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Chma.

diipofed in difibrent figurest but gmBoSly tbere ape Qmny coaoentrk ]iTq[ii-
lar circlei drawn round* from one to three pointfty in variooB places. Thej
are commonly a little whiter than the groundy though •ometimei thej cm
scarcely be seen. Those of this kind are of the highest value, and contain
figures of treesy mosses, sea-plants, and the like. This kind of agate, when
perfect, is only found in India, hut there are some of an inferior sort to be
met with in Germany.

Thb dull milkt AiiATE is not so valuable as the former, though it
is of a very firm texture. It is fimnd in the shape of pommon flint stones,
and from one to ten inches in diameter. It is of the colour of milk, or rather
like that of cream, and when broken, has a smooth glossy surface. It is more
opaque than the former, but will bear a very fine polish* This qpedei is
common in India.

Tns LBAD COLOURED AoATE, with black and white veins, ia of aveiy
fine, firm, and compact texture^ though it is found, like the former, in the
shape of common flint, and of as rugged a surface. The colour ia of a pale
blueish grey, and is often without variation, though it has sometimes bisck
and sometimes white veins, which are generally towards the centre of the
stone. It is very hard, and will bear a fine pdiish ; it is found in India, where
they make cups and boxes of it

The flesh coloured Aoate is not so valuable as either of tbe fonner,
though it has a firm compact texture, and is from one to ten inches in
diameter. The flesh colour is very faint and almost whitish, yet it is never
entirely wanting ; sometimes it has no veins at all, and at other times it
abounds in veins, spots, or clouds. The spots are generally very small, about
the size of a pin^s head ; when broken, it is veiy smooth and g^say, though
it is not always of the same transparency.

The blood coloured Agate is more beautiful than most of this dsfls.
It is always of a deep blood red colour^ sometimes throughout, but more
fipequently variegated with a pale blue and brown ; the bhie always surrouids
the red, and inclines to the colour of whey, but it is in no other part of the
stone. The brown is of the colour of horn, and generally appears in iircjgnlsr
veins, sometimes in such plenty as to make the ground to the irtone, and the
red with its blue edges only the variegation. This stone is much esteemed
when well marked, and is chiefly used for the tops of snufi*4x>xe8.

The clouded and spotted flesh coloured Aoaxs is of a very te
dose texture, though it is sulgect to flaws and cracks when the pieces
are large, for which reason the lesser stones are preferred; in geneniit
i^ but little esteemed.

The red Agate, variegntfd ^itb yellow, is of the oQlour of red kidy

China.] OBIENTAL COMMB^S^ 47«

of a fine pure equal texture, with a smooth regular spr&ce, and 10 commotiljr
found in Ihe shape of a pebble stone. It is from one to four inches in
diameter, and its ground is of a paler red with one that is deeper, disposed in
concentric veins round from one to three points ; but this does not appear
without close examination. Besides these, it has irregular bright jellow
blotches that are never intersected by the veins, but are either within or
on the outside thereof; and they are always extremely short—- never above
one sixth of an inch in length. It is very hard, and will bear a fine polish.

Tbb tbllow Aoatb has been found from one to seven inches in
diameter, in various shapes and ttzes ; butthey are all of a very firm compact
texture* It is sometimes of the same cokmr throughout ; sometimes it con*
flists of irregular veins, and at others it has a pale and almost white ground,
veined and spotted with a strong yeUow, exactly resembling that of fine
yellow bees-wsx. It is very hard, and capable of a fine polish ; but the
degree of transparency dUTers greatly, for sometimes it is as much so as the
rest, and at others it is almost entirely opaque. It is found in India, and is
used for making kufe-handles.

Tbb palb txi*u)w Agatb, variegated with white, Uack, and green, is
called Leonina, from its resemblance to a lion^s skin. It is more variegated
than the rest of the stones of this kind, and has a fine compact dose texture,
though it is found in very irregular shapes, with a rugged outside. The
ground is always a pale yellow, but very differently disposed. It breaks
with some difficulty into pieces with fiiie smooth surfaces. It is brought
from India, but is not commonly known, being veiy scarce.

Tbb blackisb vxinbo browb Agatb is found in pieces that have a
pretty smooth surface, though of an irregular shape, from two to seven
inches in diameter. The brown is pretty deep, and freely ckuded, spotted,
and veined with a colour that is almost blade, and the veins are paler and
browner than the other variegations. The veins are disposed in irregular
and concentric drdes, and the innermost are generally broadest It is capa-
hie of a very beautiful polish, and is commonly cut into seals, buttons, heads
of canes, and the tops of snufi*-boxes. It is frequently adorned with
fictitious coburs, iHiich sink into the substance so much, that they appear
like the natural veins of the stone, and then it is of great value.

AxuM is an article of considerable trade at China, from whence it is
carried to various parts of India. It is generally in large lumps or pieces,
dear and transparent It is sddom imported into England, it bemg pro*
duoed there in large quantities.

Amomoii Ybrum, or true Amomum, is the firuit or seed-vessel of a
pbmt (Jrdraea and £I0, San.) growing in Arabia, several parts of the East

476 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [China.

Indies and China. It is in figure like a grape, and contains, under a mem-
braneous covering, a number of small rough angular seeds, of a blackish brown
colour on the outside, and whiter within. The seeds are lodged in three distinct
cells, and those in each cell joined closely together, so that the fruit, on being
opened, appears to contain but three seeds. Ten or twelve of these pedides,
about an inch long, stand together upon a woody stalk. The seeds area
strong grateful aromatic, of a penetrating fragrant smell, and of a warn
pungent taste. Chuse amomum that is fresh and large, the pods being round,
of a light colour, inclining to grey, heavy, and well filled with odoriferous
grains : to have the grains neat and dean, they should be separated from the
shell, which is of little value. The pods which are light, and of which the
grains are wrinkled, are also of little worth.

Angctstura Babk.— This bark is the produce of a tree growing in
Abyssinia, and other parts of Africa, and on the Spanish Main. It is in
pieces about 6 inches long and 1} broad, curled up; the external surface
whitish, the substance dose and compact, of a bitter taste, and when powdered,
the colour of rhubarb ; it claims a high rank as an antiseptic.

ANisEBns, Stab, are the produce of a small tree {Itticium) growing in
China and the Philippine Islands. They consbt of rusty coloured hard
wrinkled husks, about half an inch long, joined together by their ends to the
number of six or seven, in the form of a star, each including a glossy seed
that is internally white. The husks of these seeds have a glowing sweetish
aromatic taste, but not fiery. The seeds have little smell, but fill the mouth
in chewing with an agreeable flavour, of the same nature with that of the
husks, but weaker, accompanied with great sweetness. Such as are broken
and mildewed should be rejected. For freight, the ton is 8 Cwt.

Ben, or Bbhbn, The ben nut is the produce of a tree growing spon-
taneously in the East Indies and China, of a light colour, about the sise of
a filbert, of a triangular yet somewhat round shape, endosing a kemd of the
same figure, covered with a white skin. The nuts should be chosen of a
disagreeable, bitter, oOy taste, fresh, plump, and sound ; the decayed and
broken should be rejected.

The Ben Root is of two sorts, white and red. The white ben root is
grey without, and inclining to a white within ; of a taste almost insipid,
which, however, leaves a disagreeable bitterness when kept some time in the
mouth. The red ben is a fibrous root, brown on the outside, and inclining
to red within. Both sorts should be chosen fresh, diy, of a deep colour, and
of an aromatic astringent taste.

Blood-Stone.— This stone is hard, and capable of an degant polish;
it does not approach near to transparency ; its general colour is green

China.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 477

with a blueish cast, having a number of blood red spots, reins, or clouds
in it The best comes from India, and is in request with the Chinese as
an ornament to their j^dle-clasps. Chuse such as are of a fine deep green,
smooth and shining, full of bright red spots, like drops of blood on it, in
large pieces, free from cracks and flaws.

Camphibb, China.— This article was long supposed to be prepared
from the Baroos or Sumatra camphire, but is now ascertained to be the
produce of a species of Laurusj growing in the Chinese dominions and Japan,
different from that of Sumatra or Borneo. It is prepared from a decoction
of the wood and roots <^ the tree, and cut into small pieces. It is made
into cakes, which incline to a greyish colour, and are composed of small
grains, mixed with some impure matter ; thej are not very heavy, nor veiy
compact, but easil j crumble to pieces. If these cakes be tolerably pure»
they will, when set on fire, bum away, and leave but few ashes ; the fewer
the better. What is brought from China is of two kinds, refined and unre-
fined ; but the latter is preferred, the duty thereon being much less than on
that which is refined.

15 Cwt of camphire are allowed to a ton; but it is not permitted to
be imported in ships firom China.

Cassia Lignka (7V> Hind., Twachay San.) is the bark of the Laurus
Casna (Tijpaty Hind., TanuUa patra^ San.), growing in China, on Su-«
matra, the Malabar Coast, and other parts of India. It is a different
species of the same genus as the dnnamon tree, and is separated firom
the branches of this tree in the same manner as cinnamon. They take off
the two barks together, and separating the rough outer one, which is of no
value, they lay the inner bark to dry, which rolls up, and becomes what
we call cassia lignea. It resembles cinnamon in appearance, smeU, and
taste ; the best is imported from China in small pipes or tubes, sometimes
the thickness of the ordinary tubes of cinnamon, and of the same length ;
but usually they are shorter and thicker, and the bark itself coarser. It is
of a tolerably smooth surface, and brownish colour, with some cast of red,
but much less so than cinnamon. It is pf a less fibrous texture, and more
brittle, of an aromatic smell and taste, truly of the cinnamon kind, but the
smell weaker, and the taste much less acrid and biting. It is distmguished
from cinnamon by this want of pungency, and yet more by its being of a
mucilaginous or gelatinous quality, when taken into the mouth, and held
there some time. There are some that incline to a yellow, and some to a
brown colour ; but these varieties depend on accidents which do not much
affect its value. It should be chosen in thin pieces, of an agreeable, biting,
and aromatic taste, and the best is that which approaches nearest to ciniui.'

478 ORIENTAL COMMBBCE. [CAm.

mon in flavMir ; that which it Bta$31 and broken, ahoold be rejected. Tbe
Mi^bar kind is thicker and darker coloured than the China kind, and is
more sabjaet to foul packing ; therefore each bundle dMmld be carefuUj
inspected, or you will hare a good deal of dirt and rubbish in it. The
quantity of cassia allowed to a ton is 8 Cwt

Cassia Fistola is the firuit of a tree so named, {AmeUa$9 Hini,

SUoemaca, San.) that grows spontaneouslj in Egypt, and some ptrti of

the East Indies, and from thenee has been introduced into America. It it

a long slender pod, of about an indi in diameter, and from one to two feet

in iMgth ; externally it is of a dark brown eokwir, soinewhat wrinkkd,

with a large seam running tbe whole leogUi upon one side, and another leu

visible on the other. It is yellowish witUa, diidded by woody partitioBs

into a number of little cells, containing hard, flattish, oral seeds, endosed

in a soft black pulp ; this pulp has a sweetish taste, followed by more or

less of an ungratefbl kind of acrimony. The orietttsl caina hss a more

agreeable sweetness, and less acrimony than the Ameriean, to which it is

preferred on that account. The eye may distinguish them fbem each other ;

the oriental pods being smoother and smaller, baring a thinner rind^ with a

pulp of a deeper shining black colour than the American. The oriental

casda should be diosen in full and fiesh pods, heevy, and not rattling when

shaken ; when broken, the pulp, which is the medicinal part, should be of a

riilnuig black colour, sweet an4 agreeable, with Kttle or no roughness ; and

this roughness is predominant when &e fnii has been gathered unripe ;

neither should it be monUy or dry, which is the ease when it has been long

kept 10 Cwt of cassia fistula are allowed to a ton.

Cassia Bons are sud to be tbe berry of the cassia tree, and are brought
fi«m China; they bear some resemblance to a ddve, but are smaller, sod
when ftesh, possess a fine rich cinnaman flavour* They are to be chosen
sound, fresh, and free from stalks and dirt ; they are occasionaUy pscked
widi cassia lignea, by which it is said the flavour of both is consideFably
impreved. The ton of cassia buds is 8 Cwt

Cassia OiL.«-«The best is manufactured in Chinuy and the finer kind
differs bat little in its properties from that of cinnamon, for which it is
generally substituted. There aite few bdtter modes of proving its goodness
than by takmg the poittt of a pin, dip|HBg it in the oil, and rubbing it oe
the back of the hand ; if genuine, the smell ocmtinues a long time, and does
not readily fly off; but if after remaining some tim^ it partakes of any
otho* audi, it is adulterated.

Cassumawaa is a moderately large root of a plant growing in the E>st
Indies, whidi we tssuaUy meet Irith cut into inegular slices of variotf

aina.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 479

forms, for the sake of drjitig. The foot is of a tuberous aud irregular
shape, bent and jointed, or knotted ; its surface is somewhat wrinkled, and
its cortical part is marked, at certain distances, with a sort of circle or ribg,
somewhat prominent, which surrounds it ; it is of a close texture, verj
hard, and heavy. It will not cut freeljr with a knife, nor easOy powder in
a mortar. When cut, it shews a smooth shining surfkce, of a dirtj greyish
white, with an equal admixture of yellow. It is of a brisk aromatic smell,
somewhat resembling ginger, and of a putigetit bitterish taste. It is to be
chosen in large firm pieces, as plump as can be, of the most fragrant smell,
and of an acrid taste. It is hardly liable to any adulteration, except putting
pieces of the long zedoary albng with it, which is easily discorered by the
size and figure of the latter, (scarcely ever exceeding an inch in diameter,
frequently less), and by its internal white colour, when broken.

Chika Root (Chob Chini, Hind.) is the root of the Smihuff, a species
of climber, in China; it is oblong and thick jointed, full of irregular knobs,
of a reddish brown coloor on the outside, and of a pale red within ; when
cut, it exhibits a close, smooth^ glossy surface ; while new, it will snap
short, and look glittering within ; if old, the dust flies from it when broken,
and n light and keeky. China root should be chosen large, soimd, heavy,
and of a pale red colour internaDy. It is of no value if the worm be in it.
II Cwt. of China root are allowed to a ton.

Chiva WARK.-«Connoisseurs divide China ware into six classes, vbt.
the trouted China, the old white, the Japan, the Chinese, the Chinese
Japan, and the Indian ; these several appellations rather denote 6 difference
that strikes the eye, than a real distinction.

I. TVouted China, from its resemblance to the scales of a trout, seems
a^e most ancient ; it has two imperfections— the paste is alwa3rs very brown,
and the surface appears full of cracks ; these' cracks are not only in the
glaxing, but in the China ware itself, and therefore this sort has but a
small degree of transparency, does not sound so well, is very brittle, and
bears the fire better than any other. To hide these cracks, it is painted
with a Tariety of colours ; in this kind of ornament its only value consists.

II. 7^ oM whUe China. — ^This is very valuable, but very scarce, and
litlle used. The paste of k seems to be extremely short, and fit only fat
small vases, figures, and other ornamental China ; it is sold in trade fi>r
Japaiit though it is certain that some very fine of the same kind is made in
China. It is of two Afferent hues, the one a perfect cream-colour, the
other a blueish white, which makes it look more transparent, and the
ghiastng aeems te be more incorporated into this last.

III. Japan China is not so easily distinguished, as mo^ people ima*

480 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [China,

gine, from the finest sort made in Cluna. It is stated that in general tk
glazing of the true Japan is whiter, and has less of the blueish cast than
the porcelain of China ; that the ornaments are laid on with less profosioa;
that the blue is brighter, and the patterns and flowers are not so whimsical,
and more closely copied from nature ; and some writers tell us, that the
Chinese who trade to Japan, bring home some pieces of China that make
more show than their own, but are not so solid ; and that thej senre to
ornament their apartments, but that they never use them, because they wiD
not bear the fire well : all China glassed with coloured varnish, whether
sea-grem, bludsh, or purple, is said to be Chinese. All the Japan brought
into Europe comes from the Dutch, who are the only Europeans that are
suffered to come into that empire. Possibly they may have chosen it oat
of the porcelains brought there every year by the Chinese, or they nsj
have purchased it at Canton : in either case the distinctbn between the
porcelain of Japan and that of China would not be founded on fact, but
m^ely on prejudice. From this opinion, it is plain that what is sold is
Europe for Japan, is only very fine China.

IV. China Porcelain.'^The glaadng of this sort has a bluer cast than
that of Japan, is more highly coloured, and the patterns are more whimsi-
cal ; the paste is in general whiter, and more compact ; the grain finer and
closer, and the China thinner. Among the several sorts made in Chios,
there is one that is very ancient ; it b painted of a deep blue, a beautifol
red, or a green like verdigrease, and is coarse, thick, and very heavy.
Some of this is trouted, and the grain is often dry and brown ; that which
is not trouted, has a clear sound, but both want transparency ; it is sold
tor old China, and the finest pieces are supposed to come from Jiqpan. The
essential difference between this and other China is, that it is made of s
shorter paste, and is very hard and solid ; the pieces of this China have
always at the bottom the marks of three or four supporters, which were
put to prevent its giving way in baking. By this contrivance the Chinese
have succeeded in making very large pieces of porcelain. The China whicb
is not of this sort, and which is called modem China, is of a longer piste,
finer grain, higher glased, whiter^ and clearer ; it seldom has the marb of
the sttjqporters, and its transparency has nothing gUssy in it All that v
made with this paste is easily turned, so that it is visible the workmas'i
hand is glided over it, as over a fine smooth cUy ; there is an infinite
variety of this sort of China, both as to form, colojiring, workmaoshipi
and price.

V. Chinese Japan.— So called because it unites the ornaments of the
porcelam, which is thought to come fit>m Japan, with those that aie taoK

China.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 481

in the Cfaisese taste. Among this kind of porcelain there is some that is
ornamented with a rery fine blue with white scrolls ; the glazing of this
kind is remarkable for being a true white enamel ; whereas that of the other
sorts is half transparent, for the Chinese glazing is never entirely so. All
the above sorts of porcelain are manufactured in the province of EiamsL
In the neighbourhood of Canton is made the kind we commonly see, and
that is known by the name of

VI. India China. — The paste of which this is manufactured, is long
and yielding ; but in general the colours, especially the blue and the red,
are far inferior to what comes from Japan and the interior parts of China.
All the colours except the blue stand up in lumps, and are very badly laid
on. It is of two kinds, the best of which is denominated Nankeen China.

The articles brought to Europe consist of table and tea services, painted
jars, garden pots and stools, butter-«ups, fruit-baskets, &c.

50 cubical feet of China-ware are allowed to a ton.

The Company allow 20 tons of China-ware, fans, pictures, and lackered
ware to be brought on each ship from China ; in other ships only two tons
are allowed in each, on paying the Customs, and to the Compuiy 9 per cent
on the sale value of China and lackered wares, and on other articles 7 per
cent ; all exceeding are charged ^30 for each ton, and so in proportion for
a greater or less quantity.

Cinnabar, a ponderous, red, sulphureous ore of mercury, produced
in various parts of the world, as well as in China. It comes from the
latter place in pieces of an irregular size, with a smooth outside. It is
of an elegant deep red colour, both externally and internally, which is much
improved by grinding the lumps to powder. The heaviest cinnabar should
be chosen free from earthy or stony matter, and such as will leave a beauti-
ful red on white paper ; by heating a piece of iron red hot, or by holding a
little on the blade of a knife by the fire, you may discover if it is mixed ;
when genuine, it will bum entirely away, but if foul, there will iqppear a
black or white powder, according to what it is mixed with. The Chinese
sometimes impose a red earth upon purchasers for cinnabar. Ared sulphuret
of quicksilver, or factitious cinnabar, {Shengerf^ Hind.) is prepared in India.

CoNTRATEBVA (so caUed because the root is an antidote to the juiee,
which is said to be poisonous), is the root of the DorHeniOf a small plant
growing in the East and West Indies. It is in pieces firom one to two
inches long, and half an inch thick, full of knots, surrounded with fibres
of a reddish yellow colour externally, and pale within ; it has a peculiar
kind of aromatic smell, a somewhat astringent, warm, bitterish taste, with

H h

we ORIENTAL COMMERCE.

• Kght and sweHish Uftd of aerimony when long cheired. Tkeae roots
should be chosen pkimp and fresh, free firom fibres and decaj.

GoPFBR, wHira.*— In Du Haiders History of China is the foUowing
aoeount of white copper. ^ The most extraordinaiy copper is calkd
te4»ifgy or white copper ; it is white when dug out of the miae» and still
more white within than withont It appears^ bjr a rast numba: of ezpeii
ments made at Pekin, that its colour is owing to no ntixtare— on the con-
tvary, all mixtures diminish its beauty ; for, when it is rightly managed,
it hides exactly like sihrer, and were there not a necessity of mixing a little
tutenagne, or some such metal with it, to soften it, and prevent its biittk*
ness, it would be so much the more extraordinary, as this sort of copper it,
perhaps, to be met with no where but in China, and that onty in the pm-
finee of Yun-nan.'' The export of this metal is said to be prohibked. It
is certain that it is not known in commeroe; but its name is ofken givea to
tutenague.

CoBVMDUH, or CoBOMS, is the Indian name fbr the ftssfl eaUed Adi-
BMntine Spar. The first specimens of it came from China; its colour is
grey, of different shades ; the laiger pieees are opaque^ but the thin (neees
and the edges are transparent; the second yaiiety comes from India, and ii
eonsiderably whiter than that from China ; it is this wUdi is. caiM
corundum by the natives. The remarkable quality of oorundiuB, and kt
which it is chiefly valued, is its extreme hardness ; it scratches every sub-
stance bat diamond, and is tiierefore of great vakie to lapidaries and nsI-
ctttters. It is used throughout India and China for pcdishing stones, (cc
It is but little harder than the raby, the sapphire, or oriental topas. It ii
&r superior to emery, partioilariy for grinting on the w heel , to which it
adheres like diamond dust

CoBKBS (Cubab Chinh Hind.) are the produce of the Piper CubOa, a
tree growing on Java and in China. The cubeb is a small dried fruit, like
a peppa^^^xUf but genetnlly somewhat longer; it is of a greyidi brown
eolour, and tcompoaed of a wrinkled external^ covering enclosing a sugle
seed, bladkish <m the surftcc^ and white within; it is a warm spice, cfi
pleasant aromntk smell, and of a hot, pnngent taste, weaker than that of
pepper, but of liie santt kind ; its acrimony remains long upon the tongoe.
We sometimes meet with this artide in an tmripe state, when it is veiy
small, the covering much wrinkled, and the ondosed seed of a softer kiod
than when r^* Cubebs should be chosen large, fresh, sound, and tk
heaviest that can be procured* From their resembkmce to pepper, froai
whidi its diflfarence is a sh<^ slender stdk, it is often mixed with thit
artide. 16 Cwt of cubebs are allowed to a ton.

Ckima.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 48d

DmAQOwi^B Blood, ob Savguis Dbaconis.— This drug is said to be ob««
taiued Stom • large spedes of raltao, {Calamua Draco), groviag abuo'*
daotljr Oft Siuatrs, wheie it is manufactuxed and exported to China ; it is
tkere hdd in nmch eaftimalion. It is either in oval drops, wrapped up in
flag leaves, or in lai^ge jind generally more impure masses, composed of
analer tears. It is extemallj and intemaUj of a deep duskj red colour,
and when powdered, it should become of a bright crimson ; but if it be
black, it is worth little. It easily melts over the fii», and is inflammable,
diSusii^ a singular, biM Jiot disagreeable amelL When broken, and held up
against a strong light, it is somewhat transparent It has little or no smdl
or taste ; what it has of the latter is resinous and astringent. The dragon^s
blood in drops is much preferable to that in cakes, the latter being more
finable, and less compact, resinous, and pure than the former. Other com-
positions, coloured with true dragon^s Uoo^, or other matierials, hare been
sold instead of this article* Some of these d$s3olve like gums in water, and
others crackle in the fire without proving; inflammable ; whereas the genuine
dragon'*s blood readUj melts and catches flame, and is scarcdj acted on by
watery liquors. It is most prudent to purchase the drops, rejecting the
impure masses. For freight, the ton is ^ Cwt

Galangai*. — There are two species of this root, the great and small ;
of these the latter is most esteemed.

Great galangal is a tough woody root, about an inch and a half thick,
of a brown colour on the outside, and whitish within, having a very thin
bark, which b beset, at about a quarter of an inch distance, with rings or
circles. It is of a bitterish taste, and somewhat aromatic, but weaker in
all its qualities than the small galangal, which is a much shorter and smaller
root It is to be met with in pieces about half an inch thick, seldom so
loog as two inches, of a reddish brown colour on the outside, and a pale
red within, being knotty, and having several circular rings that stand out
beyond the rest of the surface. It is of an extremely firm compact texture,
but not heavy. It cuts with difficulty, and the knife leaves a smooth glossy
appearance. It is to be chosen full and plump, of a bright colour, very
firm and sound, and of an acrid, hot, peppery taste, leaving a stronger
impression in the mouth than that wfaidi spice does. The ton, for
firdght, is 18 Cwt.

Gambook {GahkatUy Cingalese), or Gumgutt, is the concrete joice of
a tall tree with spreading opposite branches, a native of Cambodia and
China; it is in cakes or rolls, externally of a brownish ydlow, internally of
a deep reddish orange colour ; of a anaooth surface, equal and lu^orm
through its whole texture. The Siamese gamboge occurs in sii^all tears,

HhS

484 OBIENTAL COMMERCE. [Ckma.

farmed as the juice drops from die stalks. It has no smell, and when first
chewed, makes but little impression on the taste ; but after remaining sobk'
time in the mouth, discovers a considerable acrimony. If it be wetted and
rubbed upon the nml, it gives a curious bright lemon colour, bj which,
and its appearing smooth, and free from imparities, it is known to be good ;
if applied 'to a lighted candle, it bums with a white flame, leaving bdiind
a greyish ash. The larger cakes, and such as are dark coloured, should
be rejected. The ton is 90 Cwt.

61NOEB, PRSsERVEn. — ^The West Indies and China furnish this com-
modity; flie former is preferred, but that from China, when good, is
always in estimation, and when prepared from the young roots, is almost
transparent. It should be chosen in large and somewhat transparent pieces,
of a bright yellow colour, and not fibrous or stringy when cut. Such as is
dark coloured and small, should be rejected, and the jars should be carefiillj
sefQed up, to prevent insects getting in.

61NSEN0, {Jin^eng^ Chinese, i. e. figure of a man), a root produced
in Chinese Tartary, and in several parts of North America, whither it was
transplanted from China ; the latter is what we generally see in this country,
and is now an article of trade to China. Large quantities used formerly to
be sent from England ; but since the Americans declared themselves inde-
pendent, they have carried it direct to China, so that the export from this
Qountry has fallen off considerably. The name of the plant is Panai
quinquefoUium.

The dried root, as it is imported from America, is seldom so large as
the little fioiger, about three or four inches long, frequently forked, trans-
versely wrinkled, of a homy texture both within and without, of a yellowid
white colour ; to the taste it discovers a mucila^ous sweetness, approach-
ing to that of liquorice, accompanied with some degree of bitterness, and t
slight aromatic warmth, with littb or no smell. Ginseng for the Chins
market should be chosen in laige roots, sounds firm, and of a fresh ocdour,
(moderately heavy, not very tough, but such as will snap short, free from
vormJioles and dirt

GoM>.^»^A conmdftraMe trade b carried on in China in g<Jd, which they
reodive in dust at the various eastern islands, and afterwards melt into shoes
<x bars, which, when pure, have a depression in the middle, from the
^king of the metal in cooling, with a number of circular rings like those
on the bail of the fingec, but larger.

In trading in gold, great ^rcumspection is necessary, as many finsods
ju« practised ; the shoes are often gilt over with a thick coat of metal, finer

CMna.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 486

than die interior part ; and it often happens that lumpa of other metab are
nuxed with it, generally silver.

When the mass is much adulterated, the fraud can be discovered at
dght, the middle being elevated instead of depressed, and the sides uneven
and knobby. If it is suspected to be ^t with a thick coat of metal, finer
than the internal part, it should be raised with a graver or chisel to some*
depth, so that the exterior coat may be broken through : cutting the piece-
in two is a less certain way of discovering this abuse, the outer coat being
frequently drawn along with the chisel so as to cover the divided parts.

Gold, when pure, is of a full yellow colour ; it is never obscured with
tarnish or lust When alloyed with copper, the colour inclines to a reddish
hue ; mlver makes it pale, and if the proportion of silver be as oue to four> ,
a greenish hue is produced.

The degree of fineness of gold, or the proportion of alloy it contains,.
IB accounted by imaginary weights called carats. The whole mass is con«
ceived to be divided into S4 parts, or carats, and so many twenty4burth;
parts as it contains of pure gold, it is called gold of so many carats, or so-
many carats fine. Thus gold of 18 carats is a mixture of which 18 pacta
m 124 are pure gold, and the other 6 parts an inferior metal ; and in like
manner gold of 20 carats contain 20 parts of pore gold and 4 of alloy. The
standard of the English gold coin is 22 carats fine, so that in a guinea iher^
are 22 parts of pure gold and 2 parts of alloy.

Those who are accustomed to the inspection of gold, variously alloyed,
can judge nearly, from the colour of any given mass, the proportion of
alloy it contains, provided the species of alloy is known. Difierent com*
positions of gold with different proportions of the metals which it is com*
monly alloyed with, are fcnrmed into oblong pieces, called needles, and kept
in readiness for assisting in this examination, as standards of comparison.

The proportions in the composition of the several needles are adjusted
in a regular series, according to the carat weights before explained. The
first needle consbts of fine gold, or of 24 carats ; the second of 23| carats
of fine gold, and half a carat of alloy ; the third of 23 carats of fine gold,
and one carat of alloy ; and so on, the gold diminishing, and the alloy
increasing, by half a carat in each needle, down to the twentieth carat ; all
below this are made at differences of whole carats, half a carat being
scarcely disdnguishable by the colour of the mass, when the proportion of
aDoy is so considovible. Some make the needles no lower than to twelve
carats, that is, a mixture of equal parts of gold and alloy ; others go as low
as one carat, or one part of gold to twenty-three of alloy.

Four sets of these needles are commonly directed : one in which pure
silver b used finr the alloy ; another with a mixture of two parts of nlver.

486 ORIBNTAL COMHEKCE. [CMm.

and (me of copper ; the third idih a mixtive of twa pttrts of copper to one
of silver; and the fourth with equal parts of the two; to which some add
a fiftti set with copper oilly, an tSkyj which sometimes occurs, tlioagh niudi
more nurely than the others. If needles so low as three or fbur carats csa
be of any use, it should seem to be onlj in the first set ; for in the othen,
the proportion df oof^per bang krge, the differences in oriour of diffurent
sorts of copper itself, will be as great as those which result from very ctm*
siderable difPerences in the quantirty of gdd. When the copper is nesri;
equal in quantity to the gold, yerjr little can be judged by the odour of
the mass*

The colours are best exatiiined by menns of stndLes draws with the
metak on a particular kind of stone^ brought chiefly from Germany, sod
called from this use a touchstone; the best sort of which is of a deep Uack
colour, moderately hard, and of a smooth but net poHshdd surface. If it is
too smooth, soft gold will not easily leare a mark upon it; and if rough, the
mark proves imperfect If very hard, the frequent cleanbg of it fionn the
marks, by rubbing it with tripoli, or a piece of charooal wetted with water,
gives the surface too great a smoothness; and if very idft, it is liable U> be
scrlttched in the cleaning. In want of the proper kind of ston^ moderately
t^ooth pieces of dint are the best substitutes ; the more those approach id
colour to the other, the better.

The piece of gold to be examined, being well deened in some ooa-
venient part of its surface, a stroke is to be made with it on the stone, and
another close by it, with sudi of the touch-needles as appear to come the
nearest to it in colour. If the colour of both upon the stone la exactly the
same, it is judged that the ^ven mass is of the same fineness with the needk;
if different, other needles must be tried, till one is found which esucdy cor-
responds with it* To do this readily, praetioe only can teach.

In making the strokes, both the given pece and the needle of com-
parison are to be rubbed several times backwards and forwards upon the
stone, that the marks may be strong and full, not less thim a quarter of tf
inch long, and nbout the eighth or a tenth of an indi broad ; both marksaie
to be wetted before the examination of them, their colours beiag thu
rendered more distinct* Astroke which has been drawn some days, is never
to be compared with a fresh one, as the colour may have mifiered an akenrtioB
from the air, the fine atoms left upon the touchstone bdmg mueh moteeiV'
ceptible of sqch alterations than the metal in the mass. If the piece a
impposed to be superficially heigfateued by art in its colour, that psrtef
it which the stroke is designed to be made with, should be previously rubbed
on another part ixf the stone^ or rather on a rougher kind cS stooe than the
eommon touchstones, that a fresh surface of the metal may be exposed.

Oima.] ORIENTAL COMMERCB. Wt

The meCalUc compositions made to re semble gcid ib colour, 9re readSy
known by means of a drop or two of aqua^fortis, which has no effect upon
gold, but discharges the marks made by all its known imitations. That the
touchstone may be able to support this trials it becomes a necessary charac-
ter of it not to be corro^ble by acids, a character which shews it to be
essentially different from the marbles^ whereof it is by many writers reckoned
a species* If gold is debased by an admixture of any considerable quantity
of these compositions, aqua-fortis will in this case also discharge so much of
the mark as was made by the base metal, and leave only that of the gM,
which will now appear discontinued, or in qpecksu Silver and copper are in
like m«Euier eaten out from gold on the touchstone; and hence some
judgment may thus be fenued of the fineness of the metal, from the pro-
portion of the remainiBg gold to the vacuities^

It has been observed that haxd gold apfiears on the touchstone less fine
than it really is. It may be presumed that this dUkmmo^ does not proceed
from the simple hardness, but from the hardness being oeeasioned by an ad-
mixture of such metallic bodies as debase the colour in a greatar degree than
AD equal quantity of the eommsm aOoy. Silver and ccfipet are the tmly
metals usually ibund mixed with gold, whether in bullion or i» coins,
and die only ones whose quantity is attempted tq be judged of by thia
method of triaL

The Chinese aie estrsmdy expert in the use of the touchstone, soaslo
distBigoish bj it so small a difiereace in the fin^Mss as half a toudi. It is
the only test by which they regulate the sale of th^ gold to Europeans,
and it ia subject to fewer difllenltiea than in Europe, on aecount of the
unilbnemty of their atloy^ which ia afanost always silver ; the least appearance
of copper being used in the alloy givea a sn0picio& of fraud. As an assay
ef the gold ia rawly pernHtted at Chma, it bebxres theEuropean tradertobe
weD praelised in thia wi^ of examination^ By carefully attending to the
feregeiag directions, and by aeeuatoning hianself to compare the colours of
a good set of toucbaeedles, hanng the fibenesa marked on each,, it is pre-
sumed he will be able to avoid being in^weed upoi% cither in the touch
itself, or by the abuses said to be sometimes committed^ of oovmng the bar
or ingot with a thick ooat of finer metal than the tnterior part,, or of including
masses of base metal within it A set of needles may be prepared for this
use with silver alloy in the aeriea of the ObuMse touches ; or the European
needks may be easily aooommodated to the Chinese by tile following Tables,
which reduce English carats into Chinese touches, and.Cbbese touches into
Enghsk cants, cakubting 100 toudi equal to M carats.

468

ORIENTAL COMMERCE.

ICAma.

SKOLI8H CAKATS IKTO CHINA TOUCHES.

CHINA TOUCHES INTO EVOLISH i

CAKATS.

Gnati.

Gn.

Touch. Parti.

Canti.

On.

Touch. Pirti.

Touch.

Carati. Gn. SSUu.

ToudL

CuBte. Gn. SSOl

KM)

100

3 13

98 23

23 3

2 U

97 22

23 2

1 15

96 21

23 1

95 20

23 6

3 17

94 19

22 3

2 18

93 18

22 2

1 19

92 17

22 1

91 16

•3

3 21

90 15

21 3

7»

2 S3

89 14

21 2

1 28

88 13

21 1

87 . 12

The finest gold among the Chinese is 100 touchy vhich corresponds
with our 24 carats, and is called sycee, that is, pure gold without any alloy
in it ; so that if an ingot or shoe of gold touch 99, then it hath 9S parts of
fine gold, and 7 parts of alloy in it Gold is bought ait Canton by so msnj
tales weight of Spanish dollars, 94 touch ; and whra bought at toudi for
touch, 10 tales weight of sycee or pure silver are paid f(»: 1 tale weight of
sycee or pure gold ; therefore 9 tales of silver are to be paid for one of that
mixed n^ass ; for 10 times 9 are 90, the sycee gold there is in it when at 90
touch. :If it touch 969 then are 9x7 of silver to be paid for one of gold;
if it to^jph 88, then 8/^ of silver for 1 tale of gold ; so that if you separate
th^ last figure of the touch for a decimal, and then multiply tliis number
by the w^ht of the mass, you will have the w^ht of the ^ver to be
pa^d for it.

When gold is sold above or under touch, so much must you add to 01
subtract from the touch, and then proceed with the touch, so increased or
diminished, as by the above directions.

As, if it touch 96, and is to be sold at 4 under touch, then fix»m 96
deduct 4, and the remainder is 9^ ; then are 9^^ of silver to be paid for one
of gold. If it b 96 touch, and is to be sold 8 above touch, then add
8 to 96, which are 104 ; then are lOi^r of silver to be paid for one gold.

Gold is bought by 10 tales weight; for upon that quantity they
make their price on silver.

The following are some of the various sorts of gold to be bought
at Canton :—

Twanghan. — This is bar gold, and is good 94 J touch, butgeDoallj
sold at 95 touch. The bottom or back of this bar, if good, is very rough.

Soangcatt is very smooth genially, but when true, is very rough, and
baa a large bumpy branch at the bottom ; then you may dep^ upon 9(
^ouch, otherwise not above 90.

China.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 489

Tungzee.— This is reckoned in shoes 96 touch.

Toosee, or Toujee, is good 92 touch, when it has a little rinng at the
bottom, like a twig with two branches.

Cheaujee is good 9^ touch, and sometimes better. When good^ it has
a large bump at the bottom.

Seongpoa. — ^This gold is good 98f touch. The face has little rough
knobs in the middle ; the back or bottom is pretty smooth.

Seong-yeukz, or Song-yeux, being a double chop, is good at 94, and
sometimes 95 touch. It is made at Coe-Sue, near Pekin.

Pouzee, or Seongpo, being a double chop, is >about 94 touch.

Chuzee.— -This gold is generally in bars, and is good 94 touch.

Swarhzy, or Chauzee, is esteemed the best shoe, and has a bump at the
bottom, being 9S touch, and somedmes more.

Ongee.— This is accounted 93, but is seldom above 90 or 91 touch.

Too-zee.— This gold is generally something better than 92 touch.

Cutzee is shoe gold, and called songcatt, song being the Chinese word
for double, or a pair, and cutzee, the name of g<dd, whidi joined are vulgarly
called songcatt ; never more than 90 touch.

Cochin-China bars are 96 touch, with a chop on the inside, and called
king'^s gold, or sowchew, and when scarce, 97 touch.

It has been found, by numerous experiments, that the gold in China of
93 touch is of the same fineness as English standard gold ; if so, their sycee-
or pure gold is not equal to English 84 carats, and some deduction should
he made. In the purchase of gold, if you have a friend resident at Can-
ton, you should consult with him, and get him to touch it for you, as,
however careful you may be, the Chinese will deceive you if they can.

Human Haib is frequently brought from China to Europe, to make
ornamental head-dresses; and it is in general very dark coloured. The
longer and finer it is, the better, and care should be taken that it is per-
fectly dry when packed.

HuBSE Skins are the skins of a fish, with a hard rough coat, chiefly
used in Europe to cover pocket-cases. They should be chosen large, well-
dried, and free from holes.

Indian Ink, or China Ink, is an artificial preparation, in small
quadrangular cakes, generally marked with Chinese characters, and some-
times handsomely painted ; it is said to be prepared from lamp black, ox
galls, and fish glue. It should be chosen to appear glossy ; when broken,
of a bright black, not brown, and dull ; when wetted and rubbed on the
nail, it should feel smooth, free from sand and other impurities, and have a
perfumed agreeable smell. It should readily become difiiised in water by

480 ^ ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [GUm.

rubbmg, and tlie blackness remain suapended, and not settle to the battom,
unless it stands a considerable time*

20 Cwt. of Indian ink are allowed to a tea.

Jet is a black lMli«nen» hard and compact, capable of UJtmg a good
polish ; by friction it attracts light substances, like attber. It hm no
smell unless heated, when it acquires oaei similar to that of asfriialtum.
This article is produced in CUna and Ceyhui. Its principal use is ia
makii^ ocnaments. It is not an article of trade to Europe.

Lake is a preparation made m China for pamters^ uae^ It is bvougfat
to Europe in pots> and has somewhat the appearance of rasplieny jam,
but very bitter to the taste* It should be chosen of a bright crinaaon
colour, dean, and free from griltiness.

LACKBREn Ware.— The finest lackeied ware comes from Japaot, but
it is very diflScuk to be piocmfed; what we commonly see, is maaufac-
tured in China. It should be chosen without specks, and of a aluning
black, that you may see your face in ; the figures in raised work, and
wdl executed; the bottoma, ddes, and comers sound, and the gold not
to be easily rubbed off. Great attention is necessary in packing it, in
prevent friction, as the smallest pairt bemg rubbed off, greatly lowers its
value* 60 cubical feet are calculated to a ton.

Mats of various kinds are manu&ctured in China, and the folkywing
sorts are occasionally brouj^t to England.

Rattan floQr<»mats^«-*The usual riaes are seven feet long l^ five feet
broad, but the Chinese will make them to any dimensions. They ahoold
be chosen <^ a quite clean rattan, long jointed, having a good gloss, aad
free ftom Uack spots or nuldew.

Rush floor-mats.«*-These are to be met with of various siaea and
colours, some of them beautifully checkered, but the generality are of «
rush colour. They should be chosen clean, of a bright colour^ and not
broken or tumbled ; and care should be taken that they are quite dry
packed, otherwise they will get mouldy, and spoiL

TabIe*>mats*-^These are manufactured both plain and coloured,
always packed up nx in a set, of three different sixes ; the former,
made from rattans, are to be preferred. They should be chosen of a fine
dear bright colour, and free from loose ends; those made of grey dark
rattans should be rejected, bang of little value. The coloured mats ave
occasionally brought ; th^ should be chosen well and neatly made^ harii^
the ends of the border perfectly secure, of an even colour, and p wps ri y
dried, otherwise they will mildew, and spoiL

MoTHEft-oTsARL AETici.Bs.«^The Chinese manufacture beads of

Chim.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 401

▼arioufl kinds^ fiah-eounters, be. firom the mother-^'^pearl shellsi in a far supe*
rior maimer to that of artists ia Europe. Three sorts of beads are
brought from China ; aae perfectly round, the second not quite round,
and the other cut ; they are tied up in bunches ; each bunch ought to con-
tain 100 strings^ and eaeh string 100 beads, but they are generaUy somewhat
defident in number. They should be chosen of an equal sice, and of a
beautiful pearly appearance. The fish-counters are cut of various shapes,
round, ova), and oblong, and are put up to sale in sets, each containing
140 pieees. They are sometimes bioiight as an ardde of trade,, but the
dsmand is very liauted.

MuBV, (Meehky Hind, and Fers.)'— This very strong scented substance
is found under the belly of an animal called by some a goat, by others a
(ktf , and is brought from China in round thin bladders, generally about
the size of a walnut, covered with short brown hairs well filled, and without
any appearance of having been qpened. The name of the Aninff J in Thibet
from whence the musk is duefiy obtained, is Kustooia. The musk itself is
a dry, light, finable substance, of a dark colour, with a purple tinge : its
taste is somewhat bitter, and its smell too strong to be i^reeable in any
quantity. It is met with in grains, which feel unctuous, smooth, and sofL
and are earily crumbled between the fingers. This drug should be chosen
of a very strong scent, in the dry and sound natural bags of the animal
not in the factitious <mes made of skins sewed together, which may be dia»
tinguished by the dos^ess and length of the hair on the latter kind of bags,
these factitious <mes having more and longer hair than the genuine, and
that generally ij£ a paler colour. A small quantity of musk n^fK^rated for
a few days in rectified spirits of wine, imparts a deep colour, and a strong
impr^nation to the fSfinU This tincture of itself discovers but little smell ;
but on dilutiim it manifests the full fragrance of the nuisk; a drop or two
communicating to a quart of wine or watery liquors a rich musky scent
The quanti^ of liquor which may thus be flavoured by a certain known
propc^on of musk, appears to be the best criterion of the genuineness and
goodness of this commodity.

Few drugs are more liaUe to sofdnstication than musk. It is adul.
terated mi the spot with the animal^s blood, which acquires so stroeg a aeent
after drying among the musk, that it may pass alone on the unsuqxdous
for real musk. This fraud may be discovered by the largeness of the lumps
or cbts, MM the bkx)d dries to a harder and firm^ sdbstance than the genuine
musk. It is sometimes mixed with a dark coloured friable earth; this
spears to die touch of a more crumbly texture, aa^ harder as wdl as
heavier than genuine musk; but this deception is best discovered by burning

492 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [CUna.

a small quantity, in which case musk adulterated in this manner leaves a
large and heavy remainder ; the genuine, or even that mixed with blood,
either evaporates, or leaves only a few white ashes. The best musk, when
ehewed, and rubbed with a knife on paper, looks bright, yellowish, smooth,
and free from grittiness. That which appears to have been opened, or whidi
feels very heavy and hard, should be rejected. 90 Cwt are allowed to
a ton.

Musk Seed are flat, kidney-shaped, striated seeds, about the size of a
large jnn^s head, of a greyish or brownish colour on the outside, and wUte
within, produced by a shrubby plant, a native of India and China. Tha
seeds have a fragrant smell, approaching to that of musk, and a slight
matic bitterish taste. Chuse such as appear new, plump, dry, and well,
scented, rejecting those which are black and musty. 16 Cwt of musk-aeed
are allowed to a ton.

Nankeens.— There are two kinds of nankeen cloth brought firom
China, the broad and the narrow ; the former is what is commonly called
the Company^s nankeen, and is the sort best suited to the home consump-
tion ; the finer they are, the more they are esteemed : the narrow are com-
paratively of small value.

Ony^. — The onyx is so called from its likeness to the colour of the
nail of a man^s hand. It is seldom transparent, and generally consosts of
a mixture of black and white colours, which are quite distinct fitym ead
other. The homy colour is often marked with whitish veins or zones,
somewhat resembling an eye. The kinds of onyx are distinguished either
from the places where they are found, or from their difiPereut colours.
The Arabian onyx is black with white zones, and a variety of other co-
lours. When the white zone is carvmg, any figure is placed at the top,
and the black serves for a ground; it is then called a cameo hy the
jewellers, as if it was a distinct gem ; when it is white, it is called a
chalcedony. Some are quite black, others are tinged with yellow, whitish^
blueish, and horn colours, mixed in an agreeable manner. They have all
zones or streaks, which distinguish one colour from another. The ooyx
is sometimes found of considerable size, and is much esteemed in some
of the eastern countries, more particularly in China.

Opal.— This gem is commonly found in detached jneces, in an en-
velope of a different kind of stone, fit>m the dze of a pin^s head to that
of a wahiut Beautiful opals of this last size are extremely rare, so that
it is di£Bcult to find an opal suflidently large and perfect to be oampletdT
poss cste d of all its beauties. This renders it difficult to determine its
value: it is, however, considered that a beautiful oriental opal is worth

China.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. ASS

double the price of a sapphire of the same size. There are three priti-
dpal species. The opal of Nonnius. This appears olive-coloured by
reflection, but .when held between the eye and the light, is found to be
transparent, and of a beautiful ruby colour. The white opal has its
ground of a white glass-like complexion, fiom whence green, yellow, blue-
ish, and purple rays are thrown out; but when held against the light,
appears of a reddish, or rather flame colour. The blueish and semi-
transparent opal is less valuable than the others, on account of its being
more easily imitated by art

Opals are to be met with in several parts of India, and at Palem*
bang on Sumatra; but great caution is requiute in purchanng, as the
natives are very expert in imitating them.

Ostrich Fbathbbs^-— The feathers of the ostrich are divided into
loose nlky filaments. The long white plumes of the tail and wings have
always been highly esteemed. The feathers most admired are those which
are plucked from the animal while alive, and are known by thb property,
that the quill contains a moist substance, whilst those which are pulled
after death, are dry, lij^t, and liable to worms.

The short feathers are most esteemed for female dresses. Those
from the Cape of Grood Hope are not considered so good as those from
Barbary ; they are of a better colour, but not so perfect in the flue or
feather, and run thin and ugly. The best are of a huffish tinge ; the
grey and coloured are used for dying. The stalks of the large feathers
are heavy, and the edges of the feather broken and hairy ; these are of
little value, and should be rejected.

PADDT-Btan FsATUBs somewhat resemble those of the ostrich, but
are much finer ; they are of a cream colour, and should be chosen with
their tops not brok^, the sides or flue perfect, and the stem not bent ; the
larger they are, the more esteemed.

QaicKsiLvm, (Para^ Hind., Parada^ San.), or mercury, is sometimes
found in the earth in a fluid form, and is then called virgin mercury. The
principal mines are in Hungary and Spain. A quantity is also produced
at China, from whence it was formerly imported into Europe, but of late
years it has been sent from Europe to China.

The best quicksilver is of a shining silver colour, very fluid, appearing
to the eye like melted lead, or tin. The following are the best modes of
ascertaining its goodness :— Put a little into a rilver spoon over a gentle fire ;
if it is good, it will evaporate without leaving any impurity behind ; but if
had and drossy, the spoon will remain black. When struned through a
piece of leather, if good, it will leave no impurities behind, and be white,

484 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [China.

ninmng clear and beautiful. That irfiich k of a livid odoar, and does
not readily sepamte into globules, or iMdi has the i^pearancse-of a peBde
on its surface, from dust or greasiness, afltar b^g strained llivoiigh leather,
should be rejected.

90 Cwt. of quicksilver are allowed to a ton.

Rhubarb {Revand Chimin Hind.) is an oblong tapering mot of the
Rheum Palmatum^ cultivated in China, likewise in the Russian doBnakms
in Tartary : the latter is called Turkey rhubarb, 1)eeause it fimneriy •came
to us from Turkey, but may more properly be caDed Ruaiiaa or Tar-
tarian rhubarb. That imported firom China is in pieces of 4, 1^ or 6
inches in length, and S or 4 in diameter at the top ; it is of a Mnooth
even surfiEu^e, moderately heavy, but not hard ; externally of a y^ow
colour, wiih an admixture of brown; intemdly variegated with Kvdy
reddish streaks, forming a marbkd appearance -when cut The yellow
is the ground colour, and the red is disposed in short inregular veins,
much in the manner of nutm^s. The Chinese are very careful in their
method of diying \U> They take up the root only in winter, or eaziy
in the spring, before the leaves b^n to appear; they cut it into auch
pieces as they think proper, and lay it on a taUe in a diady place,
turning it once or twice a day for two or three days ; afler this they
string the piec^ on a oord, at a distanoe>&om each other, and hang diem
up in a shady place, that they may dry leisurely. It is l^ this manage-
ment the rhubarb is rendered 00 firm and solid as we find it; fiir if it were
hui^ up to dry at once in a warm aiiy place, it would become light and
spongy. They say also, that if the root be taken upiin the summer, it is
not only light and of little value, but l}iat it has nothing of the leddidi
marbling, which is one of the great characters ot its goodpeas. Sometimes
the root is cut down the middle, and afkerwards divided into pi e cca of 4 or
5 inches in length, which appear flat, and dry 'better duin the round. For
some time past flat rhubarb has sdd considerably better than round of the
same goodness.

Rhubarb is not so often adulterated as damaged. To be geod, it
should be particularly dry and sound ; if it be wet or rotten, it is wordikss.
By long keefung, it frequently grows mouldy and worm-eaten, and some-
times the worm-holes are filled with mixtures, and the outside of the
damaged pieces ccdoured with the powder of fine rhubarb, or acme cheaper
materials. The marks of the goodness of rhubarb are, the liveliness of il»
colour when cut ; its being firm and solid, but not flinty or hard ; its heiog
easily pulveraUe, and appearing, when powdered, of a fine br^t ytUov
colour; its imparting to the ifnttle, on being chewed, a deep safitm ismgt;

CUM.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. ^5

itf not pionng aMmj or mucSaguiow in the moutb. Its taste is sub-acrid,
bilterisliy and somewlMit styptic, and its smell slightlj aromatic. Those
pieees which appear green or blacky when broken through the middle, should
be rejected. 8 Cwt» rfrhubarb are allowed to a too.

SKA.WBBiK*>-*SoHie species of sea-weed are much esteemed in China.
Tbefucus Mocharmus is ef considerable breadth as well as length ; when
cleansed from aand, salt, and other impurities^ and dried, it is used on serenJ
occasions ; it is sametanses eaten boiled, and at other times raw, when it is
scn^ied till it is white, and cut into jnall slips about the breadth of a
nail, and 2 inches hmg. Some kinds of greenish and brownish ses-weed,
which are naturally toi^, are well washed, cleansed from sand and other
impurities, then cut into sasall pieces, formed into little cakes, and eaten
without any ottier preparation.

SHKLL8.-^The most beautiful shells we are acquainted with, oome from
the E«at Indies, China, and the Bed Sea. Amboyna suites the most beau-
tiful spedmens of the cabbaga-shcffl, the docal mantle, a great ^rarietj of
beautiful muscles, wreaAed diells, trumpet shdk, and that called the
ifitbiopiaa crown in .its greatest perfection. The ddia are also ibund
there in great beauty. Many elegant snails and screw-shells are also twougbt
from thence, and finally the serqiion and spider shells. The MttlAive and
Pfailip|iine Islands, Bengal, and the Malabar Coast abound with the mo^
elegant ^ all the q>ecies of snails, and fomish many other kinds of shells in
great abundance and perfiaction. China abounds in^ the finest q^ecimens of
poroelmn shells, and has also a great Tariety of beautiful snails. Japan
furnishes the thicker and larger bivalTes. The east coast of Africa is very
rich in shells ; here are founda great variety of die (large procelains, many
of them of great beauty, and aH the species of nautilus, many of which
are very beautiful. The Jled Sea is, beyond all odier parts of the world,
abundsmt in Aells ; scarcely any kind is wanting these; butwhatweprind-
pally have firom thence are the purpura, porcelain, and sea-eggs.

In eoUeeting shdk it is most advisable, whenever it can be done, to get
those which have in them the living animals, because the diells are then ob-
tained ia their natural beauty, and the foil glow of their colours ; for when
they have been much exposed to the sun, their colours fade, and they
are liable to ether accidents that injure them. To kill the fish, it ia recom-
mended to give them a quick dip in bmling water; and when they are
cooled, ta lay them in cM water till they are cleaned.

Sbdls are sul)je0ttK> several imperfections, some of which are natural^
and otbers accidental; the natural defects are the effect of age, or sickness
in the fiah. The greatest misdiief happens to shells by the fish dying in

496 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [China.

them; Th^ curious pretend to be alwajs able to distiiigubh a shdl taken up
with the fish alive, from one found on the shores ( they call the first a Uving,
the second a dead shell ; and say that the colours are alwajs much fainter in
the dead shells. When the shells have laid long dead on the shores, tbcj
are subject to many iiyuries, of which the being eaten by sea-worms is not
the least ; age renders the finest shells livid or dead in their colours. Besides
the imperfections arbing from age and sidcness in the fish, shells are aulgect
to otlier deformities, such as morbid cavities, or proturberances in parts
where there should be none. When the shell is valuable, these faults may
be hid, and much added to the beauty of the specimen, without at all
injuring it as an object of natural history. A shell that has a amootk
surface, and a natural dull polish, need only to be rubbed with the hand, or
with a piece of chamois leather, with some fine rotton-stone, and it wiD
become of a perfectly bright and fine polish.

Silks, wroitght. — China wrought silks are of numerous sorts, cheap and
good. In chusing them, care should be taken that they are receired dir,
or else they will mildew and spoil, as they are sold by weight, and are oftoi
damped to make them heavier. The fineness and price are generaUy agreed
upon by muster. They should not have too much gum or congee in them,
which increases their weight, and makes the silk lie close, whereby the
fineness of it is not so well seen, and it always mildews them. A fine limber
sUk, dear of knots, knobs, and uneven threads, fine and glossy on the back,
as well as on the right side, is the best. The pieces should be unrolled and
measured, as they will sometimes want a yard or two in length, and be of
two or three different colours.

The tonnage of different sorts of silks is calculated as follows .-«—

Tafiaties of all sorts 38 covids long, equal to 15 yards, 2 covids, £pimti
broad, is equal to i yard, of which 609 pieces make a ton. Of gorgoroons,
paduasoys, poisees of all sorts, goshees, and bed damasks, 18 yards hng,
and S covids broad, equal to } of a yard ; of these 592 pieces make a ton.

Handkerchiefs 40 covids long and 2 broad, equal to i of a yard ; of
these, 666 pieces make a ton.

Ditto, 44 ditto, equal to 17^^ yards, and 2 covids 2 punts broad, equal
to f of a yard ; of these 454 pieces make a ton.

Silk, raw. — China may be said to be the country of sQk, of whidi it
seems to be an inexhaustible source. It furnishes large quantities to the
neighbouring nations and to Europe, and also clothing for the greater part
of the inhabitants ; there are very few, except the lowest orders, but whst
are clad in silk garments.

The silk produced in China is of various qualities ; the best is from

China.] OBIENTAL COMMERCE. 497

Nukio. What is usually imported) is of eKceUent staple, and answers many
purposes for which Italian silks are used. In purchasing China raw-silk,
considerable care is requisite in examining it, and the following should be
particularly attended to.

The colour should be a beautiful pure white, not the cream-coloured
white, and be free from any discoloured threads ; the threads are rather
QDCven compared with the Italian silks. If it is rough to the touch, it is a
bad sign, and it should be rejected. The Chinese often mix their silk with a
good deal of ordinary in the middle of the skeins ; so that great pains must
be taken in the opening and examination, and regard must be had to the
double bands they tie the bundles up with ; these bands should not exceed a
tale weight Particular regard must be had that the silk is perfectly dry,
otherwise there will be a considerable deficiency in weight, independent of
its becoming discoloured and damaged on the voyage. The Chinese are apt
to sell silk which has been previously kept in a damp place, with a view of ^
increasing its weight. That which is gouty and uneven, or appears
stiffened with gum, should be rejected.

Soy is prepared in China and Japan, from a particular species of
DoUchos^ or bean, in the following manner :— the beans are boiled till they
become rather soft, to which an equal quantity of wheat or barley is added,
tnd set in a warm place to ferment ; the same quantity of salt is then put to
the mixture, and three parts as much water added to it. After being pro*
perly mixed, it is left to stand, well covered, for two or three months; it is
then pressed, and strained off, and kept in wooden vessels. Some places
produce better soy than others, but exclusively of that, it grows better and
clearer through age ; its colour is invariably brown. Japan soy is esteemed
superior to the Chinese, and is an article of trade from th^ce to Batavia.
The Dutch, in order to preserve the best sort, and prevent its fermenting,
boil it up, and afterwards draw it off into bottles, which are then well corked
and sealed.

Soy should be chosen of a good flavour, not too salt or too sweet, of a
good thick consistence, of a dark brown colour, and clear; when shaken in
a glass, it should leave a coat on the surface, of a bright yellowish brown
colour ; if it does not, it is an inferim* kind, and should be rejected.
252 gallons of soy are allowed to a ton.

Sugax^Caitdt is an article of trade from China to the British settle-
ments, and diovU be chosen white, dry, clean, and transparent It is
general^ padced up in tubs, each containing a pecul. The best b firom
Chindiew, and is as wUte and dear as crystaL Powder sugar is also an
ntide of trade from Ckba to India.

I i

498 ORIENTAL COMMERCK [China.

TsA.— The dried leaves of the tea-plant, which grows in China and
Japan, are a commodity which about a hundred and fiffy years ago was
scarcely known as an article of trade ; it is now in common use throughout
the British dominions, and in most parts of Europe and America.

The Chinese all agree that there is but one sort or species of the tern-
tree, and that the differences in tea arise from the mode of curing, and the
difference of seasons when gathered. The tea-tree is an evergreen, and
grows to the height of five or six feet ; the leaves, when full grown, are
about an inch and a half long, narrow, indented, and tapering to a point
like those of the sweet briar, of a dark green colour, glossy, and of a firm
texture, veined on the under side, flattish, and channelled above; the root
b like that of a peach-tree, and its flowers resemble those of the white wild
rose, and are followed by a pod about the size of a filbert, containing two or
three grains of seed, which are wrinkled, and very unpleasant to the palate.
The stem spreads into many irregular branches, inclining to an ash colour,
but reddish towards the ends ; the wood is hard, of a whitish green oolour,
and the bark is of a greenish colour, with a bitter, nauseous, and astringent
taste. The leaves are not fit for being plucked till the shrub is three yean
old ; in seven years it rises to about 6 feet; it is then cut down to the stem,
and this produces a new crop of firesh shoots the following year, every one of
which bears nearly as many leaves as a whole shrub. Sometimes the plants
are not cut down till they are ten years old. The trees are not manured,
but the ground is kept clean, and free from weeds. The tea is not alwayi
gathered by the single leaf, but often by sprigs, and in general by men, though
women and children gather it It is gathered from morning till ni^t^ whoi
the dew is on the leaves as well as when it is off.

Teas are generally in parcels, denominated chops by the Chinese,
consisting of from 100 to 1000 chests each, bearing the name of the grower,
or place where grown ; an4 they are, generally speaking, found to be of an
equal quality throughout, although, from a variety of seasons, or some other
cause, it is found fresher and better in one year than another.

Teas are divided into black and green. The former are again divided
as follow :—

Black Teas.— I. Bohea, orVoo-yee, the name of the country ; it is in
the province of Fokien, and very hilly ; not only the hills are planted with
tea trees, but the vaUies also : the former are reckoned to grow the best tes.
On them ^w Congou, Pekoe, and Souchong ; in the vallies or flat parts cf
the country, Bohea. There are four or five gatherings of Bohea tea in a
year, according to the demand there is for it, but three, or at moat, four
gatherings are reckoned proper ; the others only hurt the next yearli crop.

ChiM.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 499

Of souchong there can be but one gathering, which is of the first and yotmgest
leaves ; all others make inferior tea.

The first gathering is called tow-tchune, and is from about the middle
of April to the end of May, and the leaves are reckoned fat and oily. The
second gathering is called eurl, or gee-tchune, and is from about the middle
of June to die middle of July ; these leaves are less fat or oily. The third
gathering is called san-tchune, and is from the beginning of August to
the end of September ; these leaves are scarcely at all &t or oily, yet they
look young.

The following is the metiiod of curing Bohea :—

When the leaves are gathered, they are put into large flat baskets to
dry, and these nre put upon shelves or planks in' the air or wind, or in the
sun, if not too intense, from morning until noon, at which time the leaves
begin to throw out a smell ; then they are tatched. This is done by throw-
ing each time about half a catty of leaves into the tatche, which is a flat pan
of cast iron, and rtirring them quidc with the hand twice, the tatche being
veiy hot ; they are then taken out, and again put into the large flat baskets,
and nibbed by men^s hands to roll them, after which they are tatched in
larger quadttties, and over a slower fire, and then put into baskets over a
charcoal fire, as it is practised on some occasions in Canton. When the
tea is fired enough, which a person of skill directs, it is spread on a table,
and picked or separated firom the too large leaves, and those that are unrolled,
yellow, broScea, or bad.

Bohea tea is never imported by individuals ; formerly it was about
one-Hxth of the whole of the Company^s imports; but at present its
quantity is less than half that proportion. Being a common tea, it is
not so carefully examined as the better sorts. The best is of a small
blackish leaf, and dusty, to the smell somewhat resembling burnt hay ; of a
rough and brackish taste, and it should be crisp. Reject those which are
yellow, or though good in appearance, smell faint and disagreeable.

The chops or parcels of Bohea teas have no names or distinguishing
characters.

II. CoxGou, or Cong-foo, great or much care, or trouble in the making,
or gathering the leaves. This tea is tatched twice, though some say both it
and Souchong are not tatched, but only fired two or three times : the latter
is most probable, and yet the former may be true ; for as tatching seems to
give the green colour to the leaves, so we may observe something of that
greenness in the leaves of Congou and Souchong teas. It is further stated
that the leaves of Souchong, Congou, Hyson, and fine Singlo teas are beat
with flat sticks or bamboos, after they have been withered by the sun or air^

Ii8

wo ORIENTAI4 COMMERCE. [CJUw.

fmd bave squired tougboew epough to k«ep H^m from breal^iigi to font
out of them a raw or harsh smell.

The trade in Ji^oadoa inake three sorts ef Congou teas, vir. Congou,
CfLV^poi Congou, ^nd Ank^y Coagou. The foUowipg arQ jifoctioni for
chiising them :-^

Congou 19 a superior kind of Bdbea, larger leaf, and less dotty. It
should be chosen of a fresh imell, the taste less strong than thut of Bobei,
to feel crisp, and be easily cnunhled : those Congous which ma broken and
dirty, of a heated smell, and faint unpleasant taste, should be rejected. This
tea does not yield so high a colour on infusion 9s Bobea ; the leaves are some-
times of a greyish hue, and often black.

Canpqi CoifQOD is 9 superior kind of Congou, from whioh it Ysria
very little in appearance, t^te, or smell, except that it is fresher sod oft
cleaner flavour, more resembling Sogebong,

Akkay Congov, so called from the country that produces it, sboot
twenty-four days^ journey from Canton, is the tea-tree from the Bolw
lK)untry propagated at Ankay. When gathered, the lenyes are pnt into flit
baskets to dry, like the Bohea ; they iire then tatched, and afterwards rubbeJ
with hands and feet-to roll them, tJien pi|t in the sun to dry. If this tes »
intended for Europeans, it is packed in large baskets, and those are hesteJ
by a charcoal fire in a hot-house, as it b oAen practised in Canton. Tk
worst sort of Ankay is not tatched, but Ankay Congou, as it is cslled, s
cured with care ; this sort is generally packed in small chests ; there ii ab
Ankay Pekoe, but the smeU of all these teas is saucb inferior to those of the
Bohea country ; however, Ankay Congou of the first sort is geoerallj deaitf
at Canton than Bohea. This tea is often mixed with the leaves of oto
trees, but there are only two or three trees whose leaves will answer tbe
purpose ; and they may be known when opened by hot water, as tbej iR
not indented as tea leaves are ; otherwise, from the resemUanoe, it is dificnk
to distingubh theoL

This tea is sometimes taken by the commanders and officers ia ezdtfngc
for such part of their investments as cannot be disposed of by a direct aik
and has at Cantona very high flavour; but it files eif in the course if^
voyage. The leaf is small and wiry, of a burnt smelL Not bring mA
esteemed in London, it should be rejected if it possibly oimi, and snj otbs
tea taken instead of it

The following are a few of the numerous chops of Congou tees broup
to the Canton market, with the number of chests usually eonUus^ i> *
chop, and a descriptioA of their quelity, aocer^Unig ta the tecbsicsl tei*^
of the trade.

CMna.] ORIENTAL COMM£RC£. 501

Wa Chum. . . .1139 middling, biackiah lea£
YockChonn . .1167 ditto, ditto.
CheemChnmi. .1206 ditt6, ditto.
ITh Chmui . . . .1194 tal dkiddlidgfi laigidi k«£
Q«M|^Tsy .. 600 ditto, ami^ Uacluah leaf.
QuoDg Fat ... . 1000 ditto, rather blackish leaf.
Quoog Tack . . 1(100 ditto, small Uackiah leaf.

SaKm 1000 but MlMKngotoatt.

Be Hop 1000 ditto, bladdsb liaf.

EeeHing ... .1000 but middling.
Gee Me« .... 1000 ditto.

CkMk

HochHang.... MO mid. iHther biwkiflb laii:

Heeh Ke 600 ditto, clean blackish leaf!

£e Chimn .... 1006 ditto, strong.
TonnChi^ ..10Wtftt4^biacilMkift
King Woe .... 1004 ditto, largish lerfl

Ka Kee 1010 rather strong, blackish leafl

Quong Low. . . .1000 flavour inclining to Pekoe.

E«eMow 1000 ratbar blAcUA feat

EeeYeek 950 ditto, ditto.

Kee Chunn .... 700 strong blackish leaf.
Sing Kee 698 middling, blackish leaC

III. SouctfoKO, or Se»ow*cbong5 smflU good tbiag^ ifl made firofu the
leaves of trees three years old, and where the soil is very good, of older
leaves ; when not so good, Congou is made. Of true Souchong teA very
little is produced; the value of it on the spot is 1| to S tales per catty.
What b sold to Europeans for Souchongs is only the first sort of Congou ;
and the Congou they buy, is only the first sort of Bohea. Upon a hill
planted with tea-trees, one only may produce leaves good enough to be called
Souchong, and of these only the best and youngest are taken ; the others
make Congous of the several kinds, and Bohea.

The trade in London distinguish the fdllowing species of Souchong.

Souchong, or what is commonly called so. This tea should be chosen
crisp and dry, of a pleasant fragrant smell, and as free from dust as possible.
When tried in watar, the more reddish brown leaves, the better^ and the
water of a lightish brown ; it is sometimes of a high colour, and sometimes
pale ; but the tea, if good in other respects, should not be rejected, though
the colour is not very high. Such as are broken, dusty, and foul, or that
smell old and musty^ should be avmded.

Capsr Souchong.-— This tea takes its name from being rolled up some-
what resembling a caper. The leaves of this should be chosen of a fine
black gloss, heavy, of a fresh good smell, taste full flavoured and high. Oa'
being infused in water, it tinges it of a bright reddish brown colour. Reject
that which is dusty and broken, and of a faint unpleasant smell. This tea is
not imported by the Company, and only in small quantities by the com*
manders and officers.

Padbe Souchong, or Pow-chong.— This is a very' superior kind of
Souchong, having a finer taste, smell, and flavour ; the leaves are largar and
of a yellowish hue, not so strongly twisted ; it is packed in papers, each coiw
taining about a quarter of a pound. This tea is scarce, and difficult to be
procured gtnuine ; it costs a dollar per catty at Canton, and is seldom im-
ported exeepi as prtsents, as it i^ n6t considered to keep so wri) mb the other

50S ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Chma.

kinds of Souchong. That which is small and broken, and smeUt miistj
or disagreeable, should be rejected.

Pekoe, or P&how, white first leaf, is made from the leaves of trees
three years old, and from the tenderest of them, gathered just after they hare
been in bloom, when the small leaves that grow between the two first that
have appeared, and which altogether make a sprig, are downy and white, and
resemble young hair, or down. This tea is esteoned superior to Souchong.
The quantity imported into England is inconsiderable. This tea should be
chosen with small white leaves, or flowers at the ends of the leaves ; the more
flower it has, the more it is esteemed. It has a peculiar flavour, and a smeD
somewhat resembling new hay; it greatly improves Souchong on being
mixed with it : that which is old, small, broken, and with little flavour,
should be rejected.

The following are a few of the chops of Souchong teas hroaght to
the Canton market, with the number of chests usually contained in a
chop, and a description of their quality, according to the technical termi
of the trade.

Ck€»tt.

WoeKee 454 middUnfc.

MaraKee SSSditto.

LyKee 400 good niddli^.

Qaoog Woe 900 auddlmg'.

ChieKoe 904

UnoMoe a024itto.

PreeqiiA WoeU SJO but

Chats,

Wapoo Lan Hang SIO nuddliog.

ChuKee 310 bat middling.

Quong Tay 300 ditto.

Ying Tay 220 good middling.

Lap Tay 288 fresh and good.

Chnnn Fiie Sfifi middlity.

EeKee 406 ditto.

Gbeev Teas are cured in the following manner. When thelesTes
are gathered, they are directly tatched, and then very much rubbed hj
men^s hands to roll them, after which they are spread to divide than, for
the leaves in rolling are apt to stick together ; they are then tatched veiy
dry, and afterwards spread on tables to be picked : this is done by girls or
women, who, according to their skill, can pick fh>m one to four catties eadi
day. Then they are tatched agam, and afterwards tossed in flat baskets,
to dear them from dust ; they are then again spread upon tables, and picked,
and then tatched for a fourth time, and laid in parcek, which parcels are
again tatched by ten catties at a time, and when done, put hot into baskets
for the purpose, where they are kept till it suits the owner to pack them is
chests or tubs ; before which the tea is again tatched, and then pat iiot
into the chests or tubs, and pressed into them by the hand. When tbe
tea is hot, it does not break, which it is apt to do when it is cold. Singk
tea being more dusty than Hyson tea, is twice tossed in baskets ; HyMMi oolj
once. It appears that it is necessary to tatch these teas whenever thtj

Ckma.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. MS

contract any moiBtare; so that if Uie seller is obliged to keep his tea any
time, especially in damp weather, he must tatch it, to give it a crispnessy
before he can sell it.

It is a common opinion that the verdure on green teas is occaricmed by
their being dried on copper ; but it does not appear, from experiments which
have been made, that there is any foundation for it.

The trade in London divide green teas into the following sorts :<-—

SiKOLO. — There are two gatherings of Singlo tea, the iBrst in April and
May, the second in June ; each gathering is divided into three or more sorts.
The leaves of the first are large, fine, flat, and clean ; of this sort there may
be collected from a pecul, from 40 to 55 catties, usually 46 ; the second sort
is picked next, and what then remains, is the third or worst sort.

Singlo tea u seldom imported by individuals. It is of a flattish leaf.
It should be chosen of a fresh strong flavour ; it is of a light green colour
when chewed, and on infusion, should yield a pale amber colour, and none
of the leaves turn brown or dark coloured ; it should feel crisp and
brittle. That which is yellow, of a large loose leaf, and dusty, should
be rejected.

TwAKKAY, or Tunkey, is a superior kind of Singlo. It grows near the
Hyson country, and is oftener tatched and picked than the common Singlo.
Twankay, like other Singlo tea, is made into two or three sorts ; the best is
sometimes sold for Hyson of an inferior growth. It should be chosen with
the leaves well twisted or curled ; it ought also to have a burnt smell, not
too strongs but pleasant, and on infusion, yield a paler colour than Singlo.
That which is yellow, and the smell inclining to that of sulphur, should
be rejected.

This tea is only imported by the Company, and there are no particular
chops of a superior kind.

Htson Skin, or Bloom Tea, has its name from being compared to the
skin or peel of the Hyson tea, a sort of cover to it, consequently not so good.*
It consists of the largest, unhandsome, bad coloured, and uncurled leaves that
are picked out from the Hyson tea.

Hyson Skin is a superior kind of green tea, of a round, knobby, bright-
ish leaf; but great part of what is imported, is of an inferior quality, of a
yellowish open leaf, somewhat resembling Singlo, and in consequence varies
greatly in price. It should be chosen of a fresh smell, on infusion yield
a pale yellowish green colour, and of a delicate taste, though somewhat
of a burnt flavour : the more it approaches to Hyson, the more it is
esteemed.

504 ORIENTAL COMMEBCB. [CMio.

SupJCKioft Htsoit SKnr.~*Thi8 ii a disdoetioB made in tb€ t«tt^trade, to
divide the common Hjsoa Skin and the H json. Tb» is said to be H json
tea a year or more old, which, after undergoing the process of tatdiing
repeatedly, is brought to market a second time; its appearance is much
darker than Hjson, with less bloom on iU Its smell is somewhat oiustr,
and the taste has more of that brassy flavour peculiar to green teas, withovt
any of the delicate aromadc taste of good Hyson ; on infusion, the water is
darker coloured, and with less fragrance than Hyson.

Hyson, or He4chune, the name of the first crop of this tea. There ire
two gatherings of it, and ^ach gathering is distingidsbed into two or raoR
sorts ; but as great care is taken in gathering it, 60 catties may be chosen
from a pecul of it, when only 45 catties can be diosen fix>m Single

Hyson tea should be chosen of a fbU siaed grain, of a fine bloommg
appearance, very dry, and so crisp, that with a digbt pressure it w31 cmnUe
to dust : when infused in water, the leaf should open dear and smooth,
without being broken, or appearing shrivelled, (which is one of the indies-
tions of old tea)« It should give the water a light green tinge ; the wstff
should also have an aromatic smell, with a strong pungent taste. Tboie
leaves which appear of a dead yellowish green, or give the water a similar
tinge, or rather a brownish hue, should be refected; Ukewise that whid)
appears highly glazed, which occasions it to yield a darker colour to water.

GuNFownca is a superior kind of Hyson. This tea should be chosoi
roimd, resembling small shot^ with a beautifbl Moom upon it, which will not
bear the breath ; it riiould appear of a greenish hue, with a fragrant pungent
taste. The chest of gunpowder, which is of the same dimen^ons as that of
Hyson, should weigh from 75 to 80 catties ; and the heavier it weighs, tbe
better the tea is considered. Gunpowder tea is sometimes adulterated ; an
inferior kind of tea is dyed and glazed, to bear the appearance of the finest
taa, but which^ on infusion, is very inferior in every respect. This filioiild
be carefully avoided, likewise ihst of which the leaf is open and loose^
the face of a darker hue (NT bloom, and that has a brassy un{tosiBt
taste.

Chulak Hyson is a peculiar kind of Hyson-leaf, having the berries d
a small plant, called by the Chinese Chulan, mixed with it, which gi^es it
the cowslip flavour, on which account it is sometimes called covrsliptea. &
should be chosen of a yellowish leaf, a fragrant and perfumed smell, w
when infiised in water, of a strong cowslip flavoiff. This tea is sddoffi ^
ported but as presents.

Ball Tea is so called from the form into which it is made, being rooo"

Clnna.]

ORIENTAL COMlii£ItCK

and nearly the dae of a nutiMg, couipoMd of the Imtcb of blaek tea,
generaUy of the best kind, gummed together. It is somettmet brought to
England as presents.

Brush Tea — ^so called firom the leaves being ttrlsted into small cords,
like packthread, about 1) to 2 inches long; usually three of these are tied
together at the ends by different coloured silks. These are made both of
green and black tea, and, like the former, only imported as presents.

There are many different gro¥rths of Sidglo and Hyson teas, and also
some difference in the manner of curing them, according to the skill or fancy
of the curer. This occasions difference of quality in the teas, as does also
a good or bad season ; a rainy season, for instance, makes the leaves yellow,
and a cold season nips the trees, and makes the leaves poor. The Chinese
at Canton also seU all sorts of old teas for netr, after they have prepared
them for that purpose, either by tatching or firing, and mixing them with
new teas ; but these deceits may, upon strict inspection, be discovered ; but
where the advice of a person resident at Canton can be obtained, it is prefer-
able to depending on your own judgment The taste in England should
be the guide ; as teas, which may please the sight and palate at Canton,
may, in the course of the voyage, lose their flavour, and be comparatively
of little value.

The following are a few of the chops of Hyson teas brought to
the Canton market, with the number of chests usually contained in a
chop, and a description of their quality, according to the technical terma
of the trade :— •

C%e»tt.

TmHimr IMlMtttoMriML

Hung Hung.. . . .100 mid. and good mid-
Hung Hee HOmiddliag.

WanHeo 161 diUow

CowMovr 168 middlimr and betltri

Cktiti.

Cttwkmg 170 middltag ndlisttat.

MunKee. )40ditlo.

Khee Kee 110 dittow

Hiong Chee l^M good niddHng.

W^Hnng. 184middUig«

The smfaoe of a chest of tea often carries a superior appearance to the
middle or bottom ; it is therefore neeeasary to have some of them turned out
In the Company^s teas about five in every 100 of the black teas are tamed
out, Imt m greens Bot so many, as the exposure to the air iifjures the appear-
ance of the teas. Of teas purchased from the merchants who do not belong
to the Hong, it is necessary to be very partieukr hi exauinbgtbeiDs as th^
are often falsely packed.

fiP6 ORIENTAL COMMERCE.

Tbe following are the tares and allowanees on. teas at tbe Eait India
Company^s sales :—

When goods are received into the Priyate Trade warehouses, thej
are brought to sale with all possible dispatch. In these warehouses in
even beam is never admitted ; but in such cases a one pound weight is alwsji
added to the tare ; and on all packages taring 28 lbs. or upwards, one pound
super-tare is allowed.

Upon packages weighing 28 lbs. gross, a two ounce weight is plsced
in the scale, by way of ^ving a turn in favour of the trade. One pound is
also allowed for draught on goods of the above weight, and in case of an even
beam, one pound is deducted ; this pound is also allowed by the Excise,
and also the two ounce weight, which the Excise allow on tea only.

In taring goods, the scale in which the weights are placed, is allowed
to preponderate. On quarter chests, if on averaging those tared, they tun
out even pounds, no further allowance is made, unless the chest weighs gross
84 lbs. or upwards, in which case one pound is allowed for super-tare cm
each package; but if there be a fraction, the fraction wanting is onlj
allowed. Thus if the average tare be 22 lbs., the allowance is 23 lbs., sod it
is the same, viz. 23 lbs., if the average tare be 22 J lbs. On half chests, if oo
averaging those tared, they turn out even pounds, a pound is allowed for
super-tare on each package ; and if there be a fraction, it is reckoned a pound,
as before : thus if the average tare be 36 lbs., the allowance is 37 lbs., and if
36 1 lbs. the allowance is 38 lbs.

On whole chests, if on averaging those tared, they turn out even
pounds, 2 lbs. are allowed on each package for super-tare ; but if tliere
be a fraction, 1 lb. and the fraction wanting are allowed. Thus if tbe
average tare be 661bs., the allowance is 68 lbs., and it is the same if the
average tare be 66} lbs.

The foregoing allowances on tea are also made by the Excise, under
which revenue, tea is now exclusively placed.

Teas are generally allotted and arranged for sale by the East Indis
Company, according to tbe Chinese chops, which indicate them to be of one
growth : all the Hyson teas in one mark or chop being classed in the ssne
bed or parcel^ which thus become almost synonymous terms : they are then
subdivided into lots of a certain number of chests, because it is found tbst
the tea in each chop is always exactly the same kind, although it may hsppeo
to be rather fresher and better in one year than in another. Themunbercf
chests in a lot are usually

China.]

ORIJBNTAL COMMEBCE.

507

Twaakay .^

The following are the broken^ marks on teas, and their explanation :— ^

Hyson Skin
Hyson

^^»»*%%^»^i%»%%%<»

6 chests.
6 ditto.
6 ditto.

Gunpowder^%%*^%«% 8 or 3 ditto.

Musty and mouldy

Musty.

Barely sweet.

Ordinary.

Middling.

Good middling.

Better face than the common
run of the sort

Heated.

Blooms.

Large Leaf.

Small Leaf.

Singlo Leaf.

Flaggy.

Good.

Very good.

Fine.

Plundered.

Damage taken off.

Tared chests.

MAEK.

Woody.

Odd smell.

Dusty*

Little burnt

High burnt

9mo

Smokey.

Signifies half a degree better.

Shippy.

The brokers^ charge on managing Private Trade teas at the sale is
generally half per cent

The quantities and prices of tea sold by the East India Company in
1828, and 1683, were as follows :—

»^>»%*>»»«»»^

Bohea
Congou «<»«%«%«»
Campoi
Souchong«««
Pekoe

%^»^»^^^^%

Twankaj.
Hymn Skin
HyaoD.

1828.

Quant Sold.

lbs.

8419081

18669269

196729

1405060

44757

4161146

221693

832834

Aver. Price.

£ 9. d.

2
2
3
3
5
3
3
4

1823.

Quant Sold.

lbs.

1904435

18681884

406769

1286230

46005

4158355

3194^5

916846

Aver. Price.

£ 9.

2
3
3
5
3
3
4

d
43

7i
6

6J
SJ
5

4i
4

im OBIBNTAL COMMXaCE. [Chm.

TURMERIC.P.-A «iiudl root^ of th« (hm>uma Longm {HtMi, Bind.
Haridarif Sftni) of an oUoog fimtiy utualty met with m (»ece» of from balf
an inch, to an inch or two in length, and about an inch in circttnifereiiee.
Its surface is unoven and knotty, and the longer pieoat are saMom straiglit
It is not easily cut through with a knife ; heavj, hard to break, and of t
glossy smooth surface when it is cut through. Its external colour is a
whitbh pale grey^ with a faint yellowish tinge ; internally, when broken, it
is a fine bright, pal^, unmixed yellow^ when the root is fresh ; by keeping,
it becomes reddish, and at length is much like saffron in the cake. It speedily
gives a fine yellow tinge to water, and the same colour to the spittle whtt
chewed. It k easQy powdered in the mortar; and according to its age,
makes either a yellow, an Orange colourid, or a reddish powdef • It has a kind
of aromatic ginger-like smell, and a warm, bitterish, disagreeable taste.
Turmeric should be fresh, thick, heavy, and hard to be broken. This root is
produced in China and Bengal ; but the former is most valuable. Casks or
cases are preferable to bags for packings as the least damp depreciates its
value. The ton, for freight, is 16 Cwt

TuaauoisB, commonly called Turkey stone, is hard, opaque, and of a
beautiful pale blue colour ; it is of two kinds, the oriental and the ocddental:
they are found in the East Indies, Persia, and Germany. In Perna it
adheres to blackish stones, and is very common, but it seldom exceeds tk
size of a hazel-nut Those of the East Indies difier in their colour ; for
8dch aa are said to be of the old rock, always preserve the same colour; but
those of the new rock are greener. This stone is in so much esteem amongst
the Turks, that those of the superior ranks are Mldom without one. It is
generally valued in proportion to the brightness of the colour. Those that
are of the size of a hazel-nut^ are of a fine sky blue without any Uackidi
veins, but the leaser sort are not so good ; those that have blackish veins,
or are inclinable to greenish, Or to the colour of milk, are of liftle value

TuTENAOuB is a whitc metallic compound, somewhat like tin ; the best
is hard, compact, and heavy, very sonofous when struck, and pure and
brilliant when brokeiL It is ail artide of considerable trade from China to
varioua parts of India, in manufactured articles, and in blocki. Tuteaagne
should be chosen of a blueish white colour, considerably brighter than the
best lead, of a dose grain, and free ftom dross and impurities.

80 Cwt of tutenague are reckoned to a ton.

VARirisn is prepared from a tree that grows plentifully in Jnpan and
China. It is procured by wounding the stems of the trees when three yein
old. When first taken, it is of a lightiifa colour, and of the oonaisteiiee et
cream, but grows thicker and blacker on being exposed to the air. It is o'^

CMm.] ORIENTAL CQ}f MERGE. fl09

so tranaparent a nature, that vh?n it ]$ laid pun) and unmixed upon boxes,
and other pieces of fumitur?, every vein may be deariy feen, For the
most part a dark ground is spread underneath t it hardens to a transparenoy,
will not endure any blows, but flies and cracks almost like glass, though it
will stand boiling water without receiving any damage. It is an article of
trade with the Chinese, but is not imported into Europe.

YaaifiLioN is prepared from Cinnabar, and is imported from China
in the form of powder, which should be chosen of a deep cochineal red,
approaching to the greyish hue on steel, and leaving a most beautiful red
on white paper. Reject that which is of a yellowish red, mixed with sandy
matter, or otherwise impure. 20 Cwt. are allowed to a ton»

Ui*TaAHARiNE is prepared from Lapis Las^uli, by a very peculiar pro-
cess ; when genuine, it is an extremely bright blue colour, somewhat trans-
parent both in and out of water. Ultramarine should be chosen of the
most beaudful blue, well-ground, and not gritty. To ascertmn if it be
genuine, heat a little of it red hot on an iron ; if its colour be not changed^
it is good ; if it be adulterated, there will be dark^oured spots in it* Its
principal use is in painting. It is imported from China occanonajly^

Unicorks^ Horns.— What is commonly called the unicornis horn is
the horn of the narvaul, or sea unicorn. They are from 6 to 7 feet long,
some more ; very sharp pointed, running taper all along, twisted or wreathed,
of the colour of ivory, but of a much closer and finer grain, and very white
within. The larger and whiter they are, the more they are esteemed.

Wanghees, sometimes called Japan canes, should be chosen
pliable, tough, round, and taper, the knots at a regular distance from
each other, and the nearer the knots^are to each other, the more they are
esteemed ; those with crooked heads, if straight and regularly tapered, are
always in request Such as are dark coloured, badly glazed, and light,
should be rejected. 6000 wanghees are allowed to a ton.

a*^

The ports to the N. E. of Canton which have been visited at any period
by Europeans, are Amoy, Chinchew. . the Chusan Islands, Ningpo or
Uampo, and Nankin.

AMOY. — This harbour is in latitude about Z4{' 80' N., and is formed
between the Island of Amoy and the main. It is very safe, being sheltered
from aD winds. It was formerly frequented by Europeans ; but an edict
of the Emperor having restricted all foreigners to the port of Canton, it has
not been frequented by them since that period.

In 1678 a ship was dispatched from England to Amoy, with a view
of establishing a factory there, in which they succeeded ; but the trade was

510 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [China.

obstructed by the civil wan which then raged in China. In 1680 the
Tartars drove the Chinese from Amoy, and destroyed the Company's
factory, their servants escaping to Tonquin and Bantam. In 1684 the
Tartar General permitted the factory to be re-established. In the follow-
ing year the Company^s Residents there observed that, <^ having had five
months^ experience of the nature and quality of these people, they can
diaracterize them no otherwise than as devils in men^s shapes ;^ and they
stated, ^ that to remain exposed to the rapaciousness of the avaricioos
Grovemors, was considered as more detrimental than the trade would be
beneficial.^ The factory was, however, continued, till the Emperor's
edict for confining the trade to Canton, compelled them to withdraw.

CHINCHE W is in latitude about U'^ B41 N., and longitude 118" 40
E. The harbour and town are situated at the bottom of the bay od
the western side. The harbour is covered from the bay by a point
of land, having on it a large square pagoda. Within this point may be
seen the numerous masts of the junks frequenting the port, which is a place
of considerable trade. Here is manufactured the best sugar-candy in China.

CHUSAN.— This harbour is in latitude about SO'' SG' N., aod
longitude lai"" 41' £• ; it stands near the S. W. end of the bland of
Chusan, which is about nine leagues long, and five broad, and gives its
name to an extensive Archipelago ; it is about three leagues from the main
land. The harbour is very safe and convenient, where large ships may
ride within a cablets length of the sliore. The town is about three quarters
of a mile from the shore, surrounded with a fine stone wall, about three
miles in circumference, mounted with SS square bastions, placed at ]nq[u-
lar distances, having four great gates, on which are pla|ited a few old iron
guns. The houses are but meanly built Here the Governor of the island
rendes, and about 4000 inhabitants, mostly soldiars and fishermen.

In 1700 the English first visited Chusan, and were received in a
frendly manner by the Governor ; but they experienced great difficulty in
obtaoning permission to land goods, or to tiade ; and in the foUowmg year
an order arrived from the Emperor to quit the port, which they were com-
pelled to do, by which the Company experienced a very severe loss.

NINGPO, or Liampo River, is nine leagues to the westward of
Chusan. Here the English once had a factory ; but the oppressions their
trade was subject to, compelled them to abandon it

NANKIN is situated on the river Eiang, in latitude about SS° 5' N.|
and longitude 119° E. ; it is a place of very great trade, being one of the
largest dties in the Chinese enqfnre. The river is about a mile wide at the

Japan.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 511

dty, and is navigable for vessels of considerable burthen. The
maDufactured here, are in general very superior to those of the other parts
of the empire, particularly China-ware, and various kinds of nlk-goods,
the raw silk being of the best kind.

SECTION XXIX.

JAPAN,

Opposite the coast of Chma are many islands running in a N. E.
direction towards the Japanese Archipekgo, the principal of which are For-
mosa, and two groups of small islands, the Patchow and the lieu'chew
Islands.

FORMOSA.— This island, caUed also Ty.^van and Pa-kan, is about
70 leagues in length, extending nearly N. N. E. and S. S. W. The S»
part haa on it a high double-peaked mountain, discernible at SO leagues*
distance in clear weather ; ifrom this the land slopes down, terminating in
a low iNTojecting point, called the South Cape, or S. E. point of Formosa.
This point is ntuated in latitude 21° M N., and longitude ISl"* 5' £.
About 525 leagues to the N. W. is the harbour, where the Dutch had
formerly a settlement and fort, from which they were expelled by the
Chinese.

Europeans are not allowed intercourse with this island. Some par*
ticulars of its internal character have been lately obtained from a native at
Batavia.

The capital of the island is Seng Tyan-hu, where the Dutch fort
Zelandift stood; thb place and Lo»kang are frequented by Chinese ship-
ping. Seng Tyan-hu is a large town, and well fortified. Besides the
Chinese population of the island, there are tribes of abori^es distinct
from each other ; some of whom are in an undviliflsed state, and in con*
stant boedlity with the Chinese. The soil of the island is described as
fertile ; the principal agricultural product is rice ; the next, sugar, which
is generally of a coarse quality. The tea plant is cultivated on the
hilla ; it is of the green sort, and chiefly exported to China. The greatest
river of the island is the Howdg-he ; it passes by the fort ofChu-lo-kwan,

«18 OBIENTAL COMM£BCE. [Japan.

•bout two deLjf joumej from 8^g TyanJui. The revenue arises firom
ibe ^uftosis md, a laiid4ax; both are very moderate. A Fekin Ga-
sette of 1819 declares the oiBce of Governor of Formosa to be extremdj
difficult, because it produces sulphur, an ingredient of gunpoirder, And
because the people are quarrelsome.

Trade.— The commerce of the island is confined to China. The rice
and sugar of Tj-o-van are exchanged for teas, silks, &c. ; and the number
of junks employed b about 100 monthly. The Ty-o-vanese wishing to
engage in the trade with Siam, Cochin>China, the islands, and Japan, must
carry it on from the opposite harbour of Amoy.

PATCHOW, OB EIGHT ISLANDS.— These are the westemmoit
of the two groups, being nearest to Formosa. The southernmost is b
latitude 24^ & N., and longitude 1231' 62 £. The E. extremity is formed
by Ty-pin-san, a large island, having on its N. side an extensive reef, in
latitude 25'' 6' N., and longitude 125^ 11' £. These islands 9n tributarr
to the Great Lieu^chew.

LIEU-CHEW ISLANDS.~This group extends in a N. N. £. and
S. S. W. direction. The S. end of the largest island is in latitude 26° 3 K.,
and longitude 128^ 18' £» It is of considerable slae, and welUinhabited;
and there are a number of junks which <any on a trade with Amoy anj
with Japan.

The Lieu-cbew Islands are sulged? to Japan, to which they paj id
annual tribute. The inhabitants, howerer, are treated in their trede like
the Chinese frequenting Japan, and are compelled to trade only at Satxuma,
and not to frequent any other port The import and sale of their goods
art alao limited to a yearly sum of 195,000 tales, beyond which aothuig
should be sold ; they, however, dispose of goods to a much larger extest,
through the connivance c{ the Japonese directors of their trade. The goods
imported by them into Japan, are silk and other stuffs, and various Chinae
commodities brought in their own junks firom China, some rice and otbff
gndn, pearl sheUs, and cowries.

The visit of the British vess^, which carried out Lord Ajnherstsod
Ids suite to China in the year 1817, to these islands, made ue better ac-
quainted with the mannera of the inhabitants^ but imparted few paiticulsn
of commercial intelligence.

J AP AN.^-^The empire of Japan coosista of three larg«^ and rasay
small islands. The names of the finrmer are Niphon, Xiaao, and Xicooo.
There are five chief mjuritima or trading towns in the eaqpire— Mssoo,
Jeddo, Osacca, Sakai^ and Nangaaadki : the four first are upon the gitst
island Niphon, and the other on the S, W. extremity of the island Ximo^

Japan.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 513

NANGASACEI, the sole port in the empire into which the Dutch,
the only European nation suffered to trade with Japan, are admitted, ifl
situated near the S. W. extreme of the island Ximo, in latitude about
SI? 4» N., and longitude 130^ 12' £. The harbour is about three miles
long, and one broad ; it extends N. and S., and has a muddj bottom, where
ships lay in five or six fathoms, within gun-shot of the factory and the
town of Nangasacki, at the head of the harbour.

The island of Dezima is let by the inhabitants to the Dutch Company,
and is considered merely as a street belonging to the town : the inhabitants
therefore build all the dwelling-houses, and keep them in repair. The
island is joined to the town and main land, and at low water is separated
from it only by a ditch ; at high water it becomes an island, which has «
communication with the town by means of a bridge. At the entrance from
the bridge there is a large stone pillar, upon which hang on several tables
the Emperor's edicts for the regulation of the Dutch trade. The size of
this island is very inconsiderable, it being about 600 feet in length, and
120 m breadth : it is planked in on all sides, and has two gates, the one
towards the town near the bridge, and the other towards the water-side.
The latter gate is opened on such days only as the Dutch ships are dis-*
charging or taking in their cargoes ; the other is always guarded in the
daytime by the Japanese, and locked at night. Near it also is a guards
house, where those that go in and out of the town are searched. Length*
ways upon this island are built, in form of a small town, the Dutch Com*
pany'^s several storehouses, their hospital, and separate houses for their
servants, two stories high, of which the upper part is inhabited, and the
lower used as store and lumber rooms. Between these houses run two
streets, which are intersected in the middle by another. Excepting the
Dutch large and fire-proof storehouses, the houses are all built of wood and
day, covered with tiles, and having paper windows and floor-mats of straw.
By the sea-gate is kept in readiness every kind of apparatus for the preven-
tion of fire, and at the other end are a pleasure and kitchen garden, and a
large summer-house. For the purpose of keeping a vigilant eye over the
Dutch, several Japanese officers, interpreters, and guards are kept on the
island. There are watch-houses built in three comers of it, in which watch
is kept during the time that the ships lie in the harbour. The interpreters
have a large house on the island, called their College ; there is also another
house for the Ottonas, or reporting officers, whose business it is to take
notice of every occurrence that arises on the island, and to inform the
Governor of Nangasacki of it Within this small compass the Dutch are
compelled to pass their time during their stay in Japan.

514 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Japan,

The town of Nangasacki is situated at the head of the harbour, and is
destitute of walls or fortifications. The streets are neither straight nor
wide. Three small rivulets run through the town, which is divided into die
inner and outer town, the former of which contains 26, and the latter 61
streets, in none of which strangers are suffered to dwell ; they have parti-
cular suburbs allowed to them, where they are narrowly watched. The
houses are low and mean, though well inhabited, containing merchants and
artificers.

Trade.— 'The only people allowed to trade at Japan are the Chinese
and the Dutch.

Chinese Commerce^^The Chinese have almost from time immemorial
traded to Japan, and are the only people in Asia who have engaged in the
trade, or are allowed to visit the empire. Formerly they proceeded to
Osacca harbour, although it is very dangerous, on account of rocks and
shoals. The Portuguese shewed them the way to Nangasacki. At first
the annual number of their vessels amounted to upwards of one hundred.
The liberty which they then enjoyed, is at present greatly contract,
since they have been suspected by the Japanese of favouring the Cathdic
missionaries at China, and have made attempts to introduce into Japan
Catholic books printed in China. They are therefore as much suspected
and as hardly used as the Dutch. They are also shut up in a snudl
island, and strictly seardied whenever they go in or come out*

When a vessel arrives from China, all the crew are brought on
shore, and all charge of the vessel is taken from them till such time as
every thing is ready for their departure; consequently, the Japanese
unload it entirely, and afterwards bring the vessel on shore, where at
low water it lies quite dry. The next year it is loaded with other goods.

The Chinese are not suffered to go to the Imperial Court, which
saves them oon«derable sums in presents and expences* They are allowed
to trade for twice as large a sum as that granted to the Dutch; but
as their voyages are neither so long nor so dangerous, they are obliged
to contribute more largely to the town of Nangasacki, and therefore pay
more, as far even as 60 per cent fannagin, or flower money.

Their merchandise is sold at three different times in the year, and
is brought in 70 junks. The first fair takes place in the spring, for the
cargoes of SO vessels ; the second in the summer, for the cargoes of SO
vessels; and the third in autunm, for the cargoes of the remaining 20.
Should any more vessels arrive within the year, they are obliged to re-
turn without being allowed to unload the least article. Although their
voyages are less expensive than the Dutch, and they are not under the

Japan.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. BW

neceanty of sending an ambassador to the Emperor, nor is any director put
over their commerce, but interpreters, a guard, and superyisors are ap-'
pointed to them, the same as the Dutch ; yet, on account of the greater
value per cent, deducted from their merchandise, their profits are less than
those of the Dutch : and as they are no longer allowed to carry away any
specie, they are obliged to purchase Japanese commodities for exportation,
such as copper, lackered ware, &c. nuiny of which are produced in their
own country.

When their vessels are loaded, and ready for sailing, they are con-
ducted by a number of Japanese guard-ships, not only out of the harbour,
but likewise a great way out to sea, in order to prevent their disposing to
the smugglers of any of the unsold wares they may have been obliged
to carry back. «

A considerable part of the Chinese commerce is carried on with Siam,
Cambodia, and Cochin-China.

Dr. Aioslie, who visited the port of Nangasacki in 1814^ on a mission
from the English Government of Java, states, that the Chinese trade is.
limited to 10 junks annually, which are fitted out from the province of
Nankin^ bringing principally sugar, with other trifling articles, and a large
quantity of English woollens. In return 1000 peculs of bar copper are
aUotted to each junk ; the remainder of the cargo consists of lackered ware,
dried fish, whale oil, be He adds, that the Chinese are treated in Japan
with great indignity ; and that their intercourse is tolerated chiefly on account
of certain drugs which are produced in China, and to which the Japanese
are attached.

Dtdch Cammeree.'^The imports from Batavia consist of borax, cam-,
phire Baroos, dnnamon, doves, coffee, elephants^ teeth, glasa-ware, iron
bars, lead, looking-glasses, nmce, musk, nutmegs, pepper, quicksilver,
rattans, raw silk, safBron, sapan wood, soft sugar, sugar candy, tin, tor-
toiseshell, unicorns^ horns, and various kinds of Indian piece-goods, both
of cotton and silk manufacture.

The exports are chiefly copper, camphire, silks, lackered ware, and a
few trifling artades ; but Dr. Ainslie states that they might be extended to
a long list of teas, bees^ wax, pitch, gamboge, assafcetida, cinnabar, iron,
linseed oil, &c. He farther states, that the Dutch have greatly misrepre^
sented the diameter of the people, and the difficulties encountered in trading
Japan. He considers the Japanese to be entirely free froni any pre-
which wodd interfere with a free and unrestricted intercourse with
Europeans; they are remarkable for fitmkness of manner and intelligent
enquiry.

K k 2

416 ORIENTAL COMBCERCE. [Japan.

It may not be superfluous to insert an account of the mode in whidi
tiie Dutch conduct their commerce with Japan, as given by the accurate
Tfaunberg, who visited Japan in 1775 :~^

*^ On anchoring at the entrance of the harbour, all the prayerJboob
and Bibles belonging to the sailors were collected, and put into a cheat, whick
was nailed down. Thu chest was afterwards left under the care of die
Japanese, till the time of our departure, when every one received bis book
again. This is done with a view to prevent the introduction of Christian or
Roman Catholic books into the country.

^ A muster-roll of the ship^s company, consisting of about 110 men and
34 slaves, was made out, mentioning the age of every individual, whidi roll
was given to the Japanese. The birth-place of each individual wns not
marked in the list, as they were all supposed to be Dutchmen, although
many of them were Swedes, Danes, Germans, Portuguese, and Spaniards.
According to this muster-roll, the whole ship^s company is mustered im-
mediately on the arrival of the Japanese, and afterwards every morning and
evening of such days as the ship is either discharging or taking in her cargo,
and when there b any intercourse between the ship and the factory. Bj
these precautions the Japanese are assured that no one can eitiier get awaj
without their knowledge, or remain in the factory without their leave.

*' As soon as we had anchored in the harbour, and saluted Uie town of
Nangasacki, there came immediately on board two Japanese superior oflBcen
(banjoses) and some subaltern officers, as also the interpreters and their
attendants. The business of these banjoses was, during the 'whole time of
our ship^s lying in the road, to take care that all the wares, and the people
that went on shore, or came on board, were strictly searched ; to reodre
orders from the Governor of the town ; to sign all passports and papers whick
accompanied the merchandise, people, &c.

*^ After having several times fired our cannon, in saluting the Imperisl
guards, and on the arrival and departure of the Dutch principal officeis, we
were obliged to commit to the care of the Japanese the remainder of our
powder, as also our ball, our weapons, and the above-mentioned chest Ml of
books. For this purpose were delivered in a certain quantity of powder,
^ barrels full of ball, six muskets, and six bayonets, which we made then
believe were all the ammunition we had remaining. All these artides are
put into a storehouse till the ship leaves the road, when they are fiutlrfiillf
restored by the Japanese. They have of late years had the sense to leave
the rudders of our ships untouched, and the sails and caimon on board. Ihej
erere likewise weary of the trouble with which the fetching them
attended, and which was by no means inconsiderable.

Japan.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. fil7

^* The Japanese having thus, as they suppose, entirely disarmed us, the
next thing they take in hand is to muster the men, which is done every day
on board, both morning and evening, when the vessel is discharging or taking
in her lading. Each time the number of men that are gone on shore, is set
down very accurately, as well as the number of the sick, and the number of
those that remain on board.

** On all those days, when any thing is carried on board, or taken out
of the ship, the banjoses^ the interpreters, derks, and searchers are on board
till the evening, when they all go on shore together, and leave the Europeans
on board to themselves* On such occasions, the flag on board the ship is
always hoisted, as well as that on the £EM:tory ; and when two ships arrive
here safe, business is transacted on board one or the other of them, by turns,
every day. The ship^s long4>oat and pinnace were also taken into the care
of the Japanese, so that both the people and the merchandise are carried to
and from the ship by the Japanese. To prevent the Dutch coming from the
skip, or the Japanese from going to it, and trafficking, especially under cover
of the night, and when no Japanese officers are on board, several large guard-
vessels are placed round the ship, and at some distance from it ; and besides
Uus, there are several small boats ordered to row every hour in the night
round the ship, and very near it.

'* A great number of labourers were ordered to attend to the discharge
and loading of the boats, and bringing them to and from the ship, others
being set as inspectors over them. The Dutch formerly took the liberty to
punish and correct with blows these day-labourers, who were of the lowest
class of people; but at present this procedure is absolutely, and under
the severest penalties, forbidden by the Government, as bringing a disgrace
upon the nation.

'^ When an European goes to or from the ship, either with or without
^7 haggage, an officer is always attending with a permit, on which his name
is written, his watch marked down, &c.

<< On those days when there is nothing done towards dischar j^g or
loading the ship, no Japanese officers, nor any other Japanese, come on
board, neither do any of the Dutch themselves go to or from the ship on
such days. The gate of the island also, towards the water-side, is locked at
this time. Should an urgent occasion require any of the officers to come on
board of the ship, such as the Ci^tain or the surgeon, which is signified by
thehoisting of a flag, in such case leave must be first obtained from the
Governor of the town ; and should this be granted, still the gate towards the
sea-shore is not opened, but the person to whom leave is granted, is con*

618 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Japan.

ducted by interpreters and officers through a gmall pert of the town to a
little bridge, from which he is taken on board in a boat, after having gone
through the strictest search. The banjoses and interpreters, who accom-
pany him, do not, however, go on board the ship, but wait in their boats
till he has transacted his business on board, fh^m whence he is conducted
back to the factory.

'< Custom-houses are not known, dther in the interior ci the countiy or
on its coasts, and no customs are demanded on imports or exports of goods,
either from strangers or natires. But that no prohibited goods may be
smuggled into the countiy, so dose a watch is kept, and all persons thai
arrive, as well as merchandise, are so strictly searched, that the hundred eyei
of Argus might be said to be employed on this occasion. When any
European goes ashore, he u first searched on board, and afterwards as soon
as he comes on shore. Both these searches are very strict ; so that not only
travellers^ pockets are turned inside out, but the officers^ hands pass along
their bodies and thighs. All the Japanese that go on board ci ship, are in
like manner searched, excepting only the superior orders of banjoses. All
articles exported or imported undergo a similar search, first on board the
ship, and afterwards in the factory, except large chests, which are emptied
in the factory, and are so narrowly examined, that they even sound tbe
boards, suspecting them to be hollow. The beds are frequently ripped open,
and the feathers turned over. Iron spikes lu^e thrust into the btttter-tubi
and jars of sweetmeats. In the cheese a square hole is cut, in which part a
thick-pointed wire is thrust into it towards every side. Nay, their suqridon
went even so far, as to induce them to take an egg or two from among thoae
we had brought from Batavia, and break them. The same severe conduct
is observed when any goes from the factory to the ship, or into the town of
Nangasacki, and from thence to the island of Desima. Every one that
passes, must take his watch out of his pocket, and shew it to the officers, who
always mark it down whenever it is carried in or out ScHnetimes too,
strangers^ hats are searched. Neither money nor coin must by any means
be brought in by private persons ; but they are laid by, and taken care of
till the owner^s departure. No letters to be sent to or from the ship sealed;
and if they are, they are opened, and sometimes, as well as other manuscripti,
must be read by the interpreters. Religious books, especially if they are
adorned with cuts, are very dangerous to import; but the Eurcqpeans are
otherwise suffered to carry in a great number of books for their own use;
and the search was the less strict in this respect, as they looked into a few
of them only. Latin, French, Sweduh, and German books and maDUscnpts

Japan.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 519

pass the more easily, as the interpreters do not understand them. Arms, it
is true, are not allowed to be carried into the country ; nevertheless, we are
as yet suffered to take our swords with us.

*' The Dutch themselves are the occasion of these over-rigorous
searches, the strictness of which has been augmented on several different
occasions, till it has arrived at its present height. Numerous artifices have
been applied to the purposes of bringing goods into the factory by stealth ;
and the interpreters, who heretofore had never been searched, used to carry
contraband goods by degrees, and in small parcels, to the town, where they
sold for ready money. To this may be added, the pride which some of the
weaker-minded^ oflScers in the Dutch service very imprudently exhibited to
the Japanese, by ill-timed contradiction, contemptuous behaviour, scomfiil
looks, and laughter, which occasioned the Japanese in their turn to hate and
despise them; a hatred which is greatly increased upon observing in how
unfriendly and unmannerly a style they usually behave to each other, and
the brutal treatment which the sailors under their command frequently ex-
perience from them, together with the oatlis, curses, and blows with which
the poor fellows are assailed by them. All these circumstances have induced
the Japanese, from year to year, to curtail more and more the liberties of
the Dutch merchants, and to search them more strictly than ever ; so that
now, with all their finesse and artifice, they are hardly able to throw dust in
the eyes of so vigilant a nation as this.

<' Within the water-gate of Dezima, when any thing is to be exported
or imported, are seated the head and under banjoses, and interpreters,
before whose eyes the whole undergoes a strict search. And that the
Europeans may not scrape an acquaintance with the searchers, they are
changed so often, that no opportunity is given them.

^ This puts a stop to illicit commerce only, but not to private trade, as
every body is at liberty to carry in whatever he can dispose of, or there is a
demand for, and even such articles as are not allowed to be uttered for sale,
80 that it be not done secretly. The camphire of Sumatra, and tortoise-
shell, private persons are not permitted to deal in, because the Company
reserve that traffic to themselves. The reason why private persons prefer
the smuggling of such articles as are forbidden to be disposed of by auction
at the public sale, is, that when wares of any kind are sold by auction, they
do not receive ready money for them, but are obliged to take other articles
in payment; but when the commodities can be disposed of underhand,
they get gold coin, and are often paid twice as much as they would have
had otherwise.

'* Some yecurs ago, when smuggling was still in a flourishing state, the

5t0 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Japan.

greater part of the contraband wares was carried bj the interpreten fiwi
the factory into the town ; but sometimes they were thrown over the wall of
Dezima, and received by boats ordered out for that purpose* Several of the
interpreters, and other Japanese^ have been caoght at various times in the
fact, and punished with death.

** Smuggling has always be^n attended with severe punishments ; and
even the Dutch have been very largely fined, which fine has of late beea
augmented, so that if any European is taken in the fact, he is obliged to paf
200 catties of copper, and is banished the country for ever. Besides this, a
deduction of 10,000 catties of copper is made from the Company^s aceouot;
and if the fraud is discovered after the ship has left the harbour, the Chief
and the Captain are fined 200 catties each.

<' The Company^s wares do not undergo any search at all, but are
directly carried to the storehouse, on which the Japanese fix their leal;
where they are kept till they are all sold and fetched away*

<* The interpreters are natives of Japan, and speak with more or lot
accuracy the Dutch language. The Government permits no foreignen to
learn their language, in order that, by means of it, they may not pick tip aof
knowledge of the country ; but allow from 40 to 50 interpreters, who are to
serve the Dutch in their factory with respect to their commerce, and on other
occasions. These interpreters are divided into three classes. The oldeit,
who speak the Dutch language best, are caUed head interpreters ; those who
are less perfect, under interpreters ; and those who stand more in need of
instruction, bear the denomination of apprentices, or learners. Formerly the
Japanese apprentices were instructed by the Dutch themselves in tbdr
language ; but now they are taught by the elder interpreters. The appRB-
tices had also, before this, liberty to come to the factory whenever thqr
chose ; but now they are only suffered to come when they are on actual
service. The interpreters rise gradually and in rotation to prefenneats sod
emoluments, without being employed in any other department Thar duty
and employment consist in being present, generally one, or sometimes two of
each dass, when any affairs are transacted between the Japanese andDvtdit
whether commercial or otherwise. They interpret either vivA voce or is
writing, whenever any matter is to be laid before the Governor, the officen,
or others, whether it be a complaint or request Thqr are obliged to be
present at all searches, as well as those that are made pn board ship» as at
those which take place at the factory, and likewise to attend in the jouney
to Court. They were formerly allowed to go whenever they chose to the
Dutchmen's apartments ; but now this is prohibited, in order to prevcsi
smuggling, excepting on certain occasions. They are always aoeoiBp*B>^

Japan.] ORIENTAL COMMEKCE. 521

as well to the ships as to their College in the tdand of Bezimt, by several
derksy who take an account of eveiy thing that is shipped or naloaded^ write
permits, and perform other oflBoes of a similar nature.

*^ Kambang monej, or the sums due for goods that are sold, is never
pidd in hard cash, as the carrying it out of the ixmntry is prohitiited; but
there is an assignment made on it, and bills are drawn for such a sum as will
be requisite for the whole yearns supply, as also for as much as wOl be wasted
at the fair of the island. This kambang money is, in the common phrase o£
the country, very light, and less in value than specie, so that with the money
which is thus assigned over, one is obliged to pay nearly double for every
thing. All these kambang UUs are paid at the Japanese new year only*
Eveiy man^s account is made out before the ship sails, and is presented and
accepted at the College of the interpreters, after which the books are closed.
All that is wanted after the new year, is taken up upon credit for the whole
year ensuing.

<< The 18th of February is, with the Japanese, the last day of the
year. On this day all accounts betweeen private persons are to be dosed;
and these, as well as all other debts, to be paid. Fresh credit is afterwards
given till the month of June, when there must be a settlement again.
Among the Japanese, as well as in China, in case of loans, very high
interest is frequently paid, firom 18 to 20 per cent I was informed that if
a man did not take care to be paid before new year''s day, he had afterwards
no right to demand payment on the new year.

^ When the Dutch do not deal for ready money, thdr commerce can
hardly be considered in any other light than that of bartar. With this
view, a fair is kept on the ishmd, about a fortnight before the mustering of
the ship, and its departure for Fapenberg, a small island near the entrance
of the harbour, when certun merchants, with the consent of the Govornor^
and on paying a small duty, are allowed to carry thefar merduokKse thither,
and expose it to sale in booths erected for that purpose.

^ The copper, the principal article of export, was brought fWxn die
mterior and distant parts of the country, and kept in a stordionse ; and as
soon as the ship was in part discharged^ the loading it with the copper com-
menced. This latter was weighed, and put into long wooden boxes, a
pecul in each, in presence of the Japanese officers and interpreters, and of
the Dutch supracargoel and writers, and afterwards conveyed by the Ja*
panese to the bridge^ in order to be put on board. On such oocaacms a few
sailors always attend, to watch that the labourers do not steal it, which they
will do if possible, as they can sell it to the Chinese, who pay them wdl
for it

£82 ORIENTAL COMMEBCK [Japan.

^ When the ship is nearly laden, she is conducted to Pjqpenbetg, there
to remain at anchor, and take in the lendue of her cargo, and all ^e mer-
chandise and other things bekwiging to the officers, the ship^s pforiaons,
&C. A few days after, when the ship has anchored in the harbour, the
Governor points out the day when she is to sail; and this command must be
obeyed so implicitly, that, were the wind ever so oontraiy, or evenif it blew
a hard gal^ the ship must depart without any excuse, or the least shadow
of opposition. Before the ship leaves the harbour, the powder, arms, and
the diest of books that were taken out, are returned ; the sick from the hos-
jntal are put on board ; and whilst she is sailing out, the guns are fired to
salute the town and the factory, and afterwards the two imperial guards at
the entrance of the harbour.^

Poet Rxoulations, OnnBKs, &c-»The following are extracts from
instructions delivered by the Japanese to the Dutch :—

I. Our imperial predecessors have ordered concerning you, Dutcfainen,
that you shall have leave to come to Nangasac^ on account of the Japan
trade, every year. Therefore, as we have commanded you heretofore, you
shall have no communication with the Portuguese. If you should have
any, and we should come to know it, you shall be prohibited the trade to
Japan. You shall import no Portuguese commodities on board your
ships.

II. If you intoid not to be molested in your navigati<m and trade
to Japan, you shall notify to us by your ships, whatever comes to your
knowledge of any endeavours or attempts of the Portuguese against us;
we likewise expect, to hear from you if the Portuguese should conquer any
new places or countries, or convert them to the Christian sect Whatever
comes to your knowledge in all countries you trade to, we expect that yoo
should notify the same to our Gk>vemors at NangasackL

III. You shall take no Chioa junks bound to Japan.

IV. In all countries you frequent with your ships, if there be aay Por-
tuguese there, you shall have no communication with them. If there be
any countries frequented by both nations, you shall take down in writing
the names of such countries or places, and by the Captains of the ships you
send to Japan yearly, deliver die same to our Governors at NangasackL

V. The Liquejans being subjects of Japan, you shall take none of their
ships or boats. *

The following are the regulations respecting the Island, or Street Be>

I. Women of the town, but no other women, shall be suffered to
go in.

Japan.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 698

II. All persons living upon charity, and bq^gars, shall be excluded.

III. Nobody shall presume with any ship or boat to o(Mne within the
palisades of Dezima. Nobody shall presume with any ship or boat to pass
under the bridge of Derima.

IV. No Hollander shall be permitted to come out but for weighty
reasons.

All the above-mentioned orders shall be punctually obeyed.
The following are the orders to be observed during the Dutch sale at
Dexima:-^

L No Dutchman shall be permitted to go out without leave.

II. Nobody shall be suffered to come into the island before the sale
begins, but the ordinary officers and servants.

III. No goods whatevOT shall be earned out of the island before the
sale begins. No tent, nor any Spanish wines, shall be sent out of the island
without special licence.

IV. No Japanese arms, nor the pictures, or representations, or puppet
figures of any military people, shall be brought to Dezima. Pursuant to
our often repeated strict commands, no goods whatever shall be sold pri-
vately to the Dutch ; and no goods shall be bought of them in the same
private way.

V. When the time for the departure of the Dutch ships draws near,
notice shall be given to the Ma^strates and the College of Interpreters, of
what.goods have been sold to the Dutch, together with a written list of the
same, that so the^ums agreed on, be paid in time, and all trouble and incon-
venience avmded on the last days of their stay in the harbour.

VL The Dutch and Portuguese interpreters who frequent the island^
and are ficensed for so doing, shall not plot, nor privately converse to-
gether.

VII. Nobody shall come to Desima without special leave, but the
Bugjo and the officers of the island.

All the articles aforesaid every body is commanded duly and strictly
to observe.

PnoHiBiTSD Goods.— The following is a list of prohibited goods, none
of which the Dutch are suffisred to buy, or to export from the country.

The Emperor^s coat of arms.

All prints, pictures, goods, or stuffs, bearing the same.

Warlike instruments.

Pictures and representations, printed or others, of soldiers and military
people.

SM ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Japw.

lectures, &C. of any penons bdongiiq^ to the Court of the eocleati-
tical, or hereditary Emperor.

Kctures or models of Japanese ships or boats.

Maps of the empire of Japan, or any part thereof.

Plans of towns, castles, temples, and the like.

Puppets, or smaQ figures, representing military men.

Crooked knives, such as carpenters use.

Fino Ginu. A sort of silk stuff made at Fina

Kaga GiDU. The like made at Kaga. These are made up in kng
rolls, like the silks of Tonquin.

Isu muggi. Another sort of stuff, in long rolls, made in Jspttn.
, All sorts of fine silken stuffik

All sorts of stuffs made of hemp and cotton.

Mats of silk.

All sorts of scimitars, and other arms made in imitation of those bo-
ported by the Dutch.

If any foreigner or Japanese endeavours, contrary to orders, to dispoie
of any contraband goods whatsoever, and it be discovered, notioe shall be
forthwith ^ven to the proper ma^stratea. If any of thea€ooiB{dioesd»
covers himsJf, and turns evidence, he shall have lus pardon, and mcw^ovcr t
reward proportionable to the crime. Offenders found guilty upon tbe
evidence of their accomplices, shall be punished according to law.

DnTiBS.-»The levying of duties or imposts on goods is nowhere ob>
served in Japan, except at Nangasacki, and it was formerly moderate. It
is called fimnagin or flower money^ and is levied for the maintenance and
advantage of the town. The duty laid upon the goods imported by tbe
Dutch Company, is 15 per cent, which upon the amount of the sales, pR>>
duces 45,000 tales. The goods belonging to individuals, which are floU
after those of the Company, pay much more, and not less than 65 per cent
on all stuffs and goods sold by pieces, which upon 20,000 take, brings is
18,000 tales. Goods sold by weight pay a duty of 70 per cent, which upon
S0,000 tales, makes 14,000 duty. The reason given for the great diftraiee
in the duties on goods the property cf the Dutdi Company, and that of m-
^viduals, is, because private goods are brought on board the Compsnj's
ships at thdr risk and expcnce, and consequently deserve less profit

The Chinese, for the like reason, because they are not at the expoioe of
such long and hazardous voyages as the Dutch, pay also a duty of 60 pcf
cent on all their goods, which upon the 600,000 tales, the vidue Aey are
permitted to sell every year, brings in a sum of 860,000 tales. Addbd to

Japan.] ORIENTAL OOMMEBCE. 5C6

which, the rent of the Dutch factory and houses, which is SJS80 tales, and
that of the Chinese factory, which is 16,000 tales a year, forms a total of
453,580 tales, which the fordgn commeree produces annually to the town of

CoiK8.-»Accottnt8 are kept in tales, mace, and candarinas ; 10 eand»-
rines make 1 mace, and 10 mace 1 tak. The Dutch reckon the tale at
3} florins, equal to about 6s. 8d. The gold coins cmrrent are the new and
old itjib, and cobangs, or kopangs ; the silver coins are the nandiogin, ita-
ganne, and kodama. They are in general very simple^ struck plain and
unadorned, the greater part of them without any rim round the nuu*gin,
and most of them widiout any determined value. For this reason they are
always weighed by the merchants, who put their chop- or stamp upon them,
to signify that the coin is standard wdght, and unadultorated.

The new cobangs are oblong, rounded at the ends, and flat, about two
inches long, and rather more than two inches broad, scarcely thiek^ than
an English farthing, of a pale yellow colour ; the die on one nde consists of
several cross lines stamped, and at both ends there is a parallelogramical
figure, with raised letters on it, and, besides, a moonlike figurCt with a
flower on it in relief. On the other side is a circular stamp, with raised
letters on it, and within the margin, towards one end, two smaller sunk
stamps with raised letters, which are different on each cobang ; these are
valued at 60 mace. There are old cobangs occasionally met with, which
are of fine gold, somewhat broader than the new.

The old cobangs weigh 371 Dutch asen, or 875 English grains ; and
the gold is said to be 88 carats fine, which would give 44s. 7d. for the value,
of the old cobang. But the Japanese coins are reckoned at Madras only
87 touch, which is 80j-| carats ; this reduces the old cobang to 41s. lOd.
The new cobangs weigh 180 gnuns ; the gold is about 16 carats- fine, and
the value 81s Sd. The oban is thrice the value of the cobang.

The itjib is called by the Dutch golden bean, and is made of pale gold,
of a paraUdogramical figure, and flat, rather thicker than a farthing, with
many raised letters on one side, and two figures, or flowers in relief on the
other ; the value of this is one fourth of a cobang. There are old itjibs
also to be met with ; these are thicker than the new ones, and in value 88
mace 5 candarines.

Nandiogin is a paraHdogramical flat silver com, of twice the thic|:neas
of a half|)enny, one inch long, and half an inch broad, and formed of fine
nlver. The edge is stamped with stars, and within the edges are raised dots.
One side is marked all over with raised letters, and the other on its lower

5% ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Jafan

and larger moietj is filled with raised letters, asd at the same time exhibits
a double moonlike figurew Its valne is 7 mace 5 candaiines.

Itagamie aiid kodama are denomiiiatioDS hj which various lumps of
silver, without form or fashion, are known, which are neither of the same
size, shape, nor value. The former of these^ however, are oblong, and the
latter roundish, for the most part thick, but sometimes, though seldom, flat
These pass in trade, but are always weighed in payment firom one individusi
to another, and have a dull leaden appearance.

Seni is a denomination applied to pieces of copper, brass, andiron coin,
which bear a near resemblance to our old farthings. They differ in sixe,
value, and external appearance, but are always cast, and have a square hole
in the middle, by means of which they may be strung together; and like-
wise have always broad edges. Of these are current Sjumon seni, whidi
pass for half a mace, or 10 common senL Simoni seni, of the value of 4
conunonseni, are made of brass, and are almost as broad as a halfpenny, but
thin. The common seniare the size of a farthing, and made of red copper;
60 of them make a mace. Doosa seni is a cast iron coin, in appearance like
the last, of the same size and value^ but so brittle that it is easily broken hj
die hand, or breaks in pieces when let MIL on the ground.

The seni are strung 100 at a time, or, as is most conmionly the case,
96 on a rush. The cmns in one of these parcels are seldom all of one sort,
but generally consist of two, three, or more diflferent kinds ; in this case,
the larger sorts are strung on first, and then follow the smaller; the number
diminishing in proportion to the number of large pieces in the parcel, which
are of greater value than the smaller.

The schuit is a silver piece of 4 oz. 18 dwts. 16 grs. troy, and is 11
ounces fine, which gives its value 26s. 3d. The name is Dutch, referring
probably to its sluqpe, like a boat.

Weights^—- These are the candarine, mace, tale, catty, and pecul, thus
divided:—

10 Candsrines make 1 Maoe.

10 Mace « 1 Tale.

16 Taka » 1 Catty.

100 Cattiea • 1 Pecal.

The pecul is 125 Dutch pounds, which are equal to ISSi lbs. avoir-
dupois. It is, however, said to weigh only ISO lbs.

MEASuazs.— The revenues of J^mn are estimated by two measures of
rice, the man and kokf ; the former contains 10,000 kokfs, each SOOO bales
or bags of rice.

Isle of France, ^.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. fij87

The long measure 19 the inc, which is about 4 Chma cubits, or 6| feet
English, nearly ; and 2| Japanese leagues are computed to be about 1 Dutch
league.

SECTION XXX.

ISLE OP FRANCE, ST. HELENA, AZORES, &c.

In the Indian Ocean are several islands, the principal of which are
Rodrigue, called also Diego Rais ; the Isle of France, or Mauritius ; and
Bourbon, or Mascarenhas.

RODRIGUE.— This island extends £. and W., about 16 miles, and
is about 7 in breadth from N. to S. It is situated in latitude 19^ 41' S., and
longitude 63° 1(X E. Near the middle of the island is a r^narkable peak,
which answers as a guide for the road ; when it bears south, jouare abreast
of the road, which is called Mathewren Bay : it is safe when jou are in,
but the channel is very intricate. The bay has been surveyed by Lieut
Grubb, who describes the bottom as good holding ground, free from rocks,
being a mixture ci sand and mud. There are two channeb for entering or
leaving the harbour : the E., being only about 250 yards broad, is intricate
for large ships ; the W. or leeward channel is free from danger. Ships
should enter by the E., and leave by the W. channel

Provisions and Rkf&bshmbnts.— Here is abundance of turtle and of
fish ; but some of the latter are said to be poisonous. Ample supplies of
wood and water may be obtained with the greatest facOity.

ISLE OF FRANCE, called Mauritius by the English and Dutch, is
about 100 leagues to the W. of Rodrigue. It is high and mountainous, and
may be seen 18 leagues off in clear weather. It extends in a N. E. and
S. W. direction, the S. W« point being in latitude 20"" 2^ S. and longitude
57^ Iff £., and the N. E. point in latitude 19° 58' S., and longitude 67" 35 £.

There are two ports or harbours. Port Louis or Port North-west, and
Port Bourbon.

Port Louis, the ciq[>ital of this island, and seat of Government, is
situated at the bottom of a triangular bay, the entrance to which is very

588 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Isle of France, ^.

intricate. It ia in latitude StT 9" S., longitade 57* 29^ E. The piindpal
town, or as it is sometimes called the Camp, is chieflj composed of wooden
houses, which have only a ground floor, on account of the winds and heat ;
thej are separated from each other, and surrounded with palissdes ; the
streets are tolerably straight The GoTemment house is built entirely of
stone ; the place of arms and the parade are before the GrOTemor*s boiue,
and the hospital is at the extreme point of the harbour. The town has no
regular fortifications ; but to the left of it, on looking towards the sea, there
is an entrenchment of stone. On the same side is Fort Blanc, which de-
fends the entrance ; and opposite to it, on the other side, is a battery on a
small island, called Tonneliers; and there are several other batteries
mounted with heavy cannon.

The powder magazine is situated on a small island, which is connected
with the shore by a causeway, nearly opposite the Govemment house. This
causeway serves also for a quay, and it encloses a part of the great baain lor
the refitting of vesseb, and near it they take in their fresh water with the
greatest convenience. Here also is a curious machine, by which vessels are
lifted out of the water, so that they are cleaned and repaired with the
utmost expedition*

Since the island has been ceded to the British Government, very conn-
derable improvements have been made in the capital, and great commercial
conveniences and facilities have been added to the port, consisting of roads,
canals, docks, and other marine establishments.

The harbour of Port Louis u apt to get choked up ; so that vessds,
instead of taking in their cargoes in the Trou Fanfaron, have been obliged,
with great inconvenience and expence, to lay athwart that called La
Chausste.

Fort Bourbon is the S. E. Fort of the island, and situated in lati-
tude 20^ 22r S. and longitude 57* 41' E. It is not much frequented ; bdng
on the windward side of the island, the trade-wind blowing in renders the
navigation out difficult, as the channels are narrow, and formed between
reefi.

Traoe.— The trade of this island has much increased since its annex-
ation to the British Crown, notwithstanding the heavy duties imposed upon
its sugar in England, but which are now reduced. Sugar forms the staple
article of produce ; the hurricanes to which the island is subject, haring
baffled the attempts of the inhabitants to raise cloves, cotton, and coffee, to
the growth of which the soil is adapted, and which are of excellent qoslity.
The quantity of sugar produced here, under the French Grovemment, was
estimated at five millions of pounds, (French) ; but since the cultivation of

Isle of France, ^.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 5fl9

this article has been extended, by the abandonment or neglect of the coffee,
cotton, cloYC, and indigo plantations, the amount has increased to 4000,
5000, and latterly to 18,000 hogsheads annually. The island produces ex-
cellent black wood, and other woods adapted for the dyer and the car-
penter.

When the island was first occupied by the British, its trade, as well as
that of Bourbon, was declared free. Upon its cession at the Peace, by the
French Government, (to whom Bourbon was restored), the trade of Mau*
ritius was placed under restrictions, whereby its' intercourse with foreign
nations was interdicted. Subsequently, however, the trade was opened,
and by an order of His Majesty in Council, dated 12th Julyj 1820, the
following provisions were made.

Goods, the growth or production of countries in amity with Eng-
land, (except articles composed of cotton, iron, steel, or wool, of foreign
manufacture), may be imported in British vessels, which may export to
those countries the prodjuce of Mauritius. Foreign vessels belonging to
states in amity with England (which shall allow British vessels to carry
on trade between their ports and Mauritius) may import and export similar
goods, with the same exception.

No foreign vessel is allowed to export a cargo from the island or its
dependencies to any British possession, or to any other place than a port
belonging to the state or power to which the vessel itsejf shall belong;

The extent of the traffic between Great Britain and the Isle of
France cannot be ascertained, as the official accounts in this country pom.
prehend the importa and exports from places withia the limits of the
East India Company^s charter under one general head The amount of
its trade with Bengal, during the years 1818-19, 1819-20, and 182Q41
is thua exhibited in the Trade Reports of Calcutta :—

Imports from the Island.

MardtamUu, Trmsmre,

1818-19^^^8. R. 4,10.835 4,S6,8S0

1819-aO 4,44,069 «,28,«S7

1820-21...^ - 8,32,200 3,58,911 j

Total.*.^ 16,86,494 10,13,978

EXFOHTS TO THE ISLAKO.',
Mer^oHOte, Trmaure.

6,63,450

7,55,809 2,07,687
7,47,600 3,38,407

21,66,769 6,46,034

Its oeauneroe with Bombay k thus shewn in the Trade R^Mtrts
Prendencj for the same jean.

680 ORIENTAL COMIOSBCE. [Isk of France, ^.

IMFOEVS. I EXVOETf.

1818-19 Rs. 3,62,337 1,19,279

1819-20*.>^ * 5,92,939 1,38,7«9
1800-21,..^ . 2,70,758 5,194

TotaU.^ 12,26,034 2,63,242

5,46,649
89,44»
74,576

7,10,667

The artides exported from the Uand to British India, oonnst of
French silks, wines, and spirits, and British goods in tranMu ; the re-
turns are chieflj rloe and pieoe goods. The exportation, as well as im-
portation, of coin and buUioni is unrestricted, and free of dutj.

Port Rbgulatioks.— The regulations of the Port, for the prevention
of the plague, or other infectious disease, are veiy strict Vessels arriTiDg
at the island must anchor at the spot called Les Pavilions, till leave be
granted for entering the harbour. Thej are then visited bj the health-
officers, and afterwards bj the port-officer, to whom the commander ct
each vessel must declare his own name, that of his ship, her burthen,
flag, arms and equipment, number of crew and of what nation, number
of passengers, cargo, from what port she sailed, and the reason of her
visiting Mauritius. The commander must then deliver his log-book and
muster-book, a list of his passengers, their passports, the bills of lading,
any dispatches for Government, public papers, and letters. The letters
must be sent to the post-office, and a fine of 50 dollars is payable for
every letter delivered in any other way. The captain and paasengen
must» on landing, report themselves at the General Police Qflke; the
former presenting himself previously at the GrovemmentJiottse. Afler
these formalities, vessels may enter the harbour, and anchor within tk
ports.

On the departure of vesseb, notice must be given at the CiMtom-
house and PorUoffice 48 hours before sailing, and a flag hoisted at tbe
main-top gaUant-masL Before a vessel can receive a port dearance, s
certificate must be obtained from the Collector of tbe Customs, that no
claims are unsatisfied. The pilotage is paid at the PorU>ffice; and com-
manders are to give the pilots a certificate, specifying whether their vcsffb
have sustained injury in entering or leaving port No passengers to be I
taken on board without regular passports, and no deserter or negro t«
be taken off the island under severe penalties.

Vessels under 100 tons burthen may be warped in, and Bocred e^
the births pointed out by the Port Captain.. All vessels in. mooring ni^
have two anchors out forward, and one astern, with buoyi on tbei^

Isk of France, ^.] ORIENTAL COMMEBCE. 531

BaUast most not be taken out of a ship without leave of the Port Cap.
tain ; baUast or filth may not be thrown overboard. A boat is sent round
once a wtA, or oftener, if necessary, to take away the filth from the
vesseb in the harbour.

No goods may be shipped, transshipped, or landed, without a permit
firom the Customs ; and no boats may land goods, except at the wharf,
widiottt « Customs peimit Goods landed firom boats must be taken away
within 84 hours. No boats to remain at the wharf after gun-fire; fires on
board vesseb in the harbour to be extinguished at 8 o^dock in the evening,
and not lighted until day-break : all fires are expressly forbidden on board
vessels in the Trou Fanfaron« Vesseb at anchor in the harbour must not
scale thar guns, or fire salutes, without leave of the Port Captain.

Vesseb moored on the buoys are obliged to receive the tow-ropes from
any vessel warping in, and to execute the pilots orders. Boats are not
allowed to be hauled up in the slips of the Government wharfs, without
leave of the Port Captain.

DuTics.— The duties are generally fixed at 6 per cent upon the value.
By the Order in Council before quoted, foreign vesseb trading as there
described, may import goods paying the same duties as British vesseb ;
provided that if higher duties are charged by the state to which they belong,
OB goods exported to the island, then a countervaiHng duty b chargeable,
of equal amount, over and above the ordinary duty. Exports from Mau-
ritius in fordgn vesseb are subject to a duty of 8 per cent, over and
above the duty paid by British vesseb : provided, however, that if the
articles, when imported into the -state to which such foreign vessels belong,
pay no higher duties when imported from Mauritius in a Britidi ship, than
in their own, and are entitled to the same privileges as to warehousing, and
internal consumption; then no higher export duties are chargeable on
exports firom the island to such state, in vesseb belonging to it, than in
British vessels.

FoBT Di7xs ANo Chabgbs.— The following were fixed in 1817 : Eng-
liA and foreign vesseb pay the same port charges.

TBS FLAO BUOT. TBS KABBOUm.

^^otage >»%»^%»%»»»»v%%»%%i»%%%%%»>>%>»%^per foot«*l dollar 50 c%<w%l dollar 50 c.
Soats and warps »%%%%%%%»%%*>%.%%%%%%»»»%%»%»>»»%15 dollars 15 dollars,

jlt Oft clearance %%%%»»^»»»%%%%»%»%»^^^^%»»<^%»^^^>% o uouars o uouars.

Ancbon^ R«tes, vbi.

Vessels wcdnng cargo or |^^j^„_20^j,

pieaKing puuc»i%»%%%»%<^<'% *

L 12

SSi. OBIENTAL COMMERCE. [Ideof^FranM,^

THB riiiuO BUOY. THX X^BBOUB.

Coasters »>%%%>»%%.>%%^%%%%^*^-^^per toD««««10 cents. — —

Vessels receiving cargo, or 1 ^^ 20 cents.

breaking bulk>%%%%%%^%%*% i
After 8 days, not breaking 1 ^^ 10 ^y.

bulk, or receiving cargo i

HiRB OF MooRiNO CHAINS.— In tbc Harbour, mooring with a dksis,
per daj, 1 dollar.

At Point aux Forges and Trou Fanfaron, vix.
Vessels under 100 tons v%v^^^>»>..»>*»%%%%%y^^'* p er day««%««« 26 cents.
«^-— ^■""^■"^ •JUU do. %<»%%%%%%» % %%%'%%>»»%^»»%»%%^%%»^'*'^oo. ^'^^'^^^^^ ^Jv uo.
•»-*^— above 200 do. <.^>»»<^%^>>t»<>>%^ %^^*»»*%*-»v%»%^'»^^QO.-»%%^i^i>v»% 1 aollar.
Mooring a vessel by pilot to the hulk, &c. »,%»%»%%%%%%%%■»%'*%'«■ 20 do.
W^inding alongside the hulk%%%'»%<»»%%'%%<%»%<'%v»»%»%v»»%%^%^%%^*^»^ 10 do.

Anchors and Cables.— Rates per day :—
An anchor from 4500 lbs. to 3500 Ibst »»>»» »»% »» »%» » »^»»%»»» 4 dollars^

^mimmm^m^^m^mt^mm ^O^J^J luSt CO S80UU IDS. %%»^^^»»%%^V%%<^%»»»%%^ *i UO.
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm^mm XOUU luS. -tO ISXj^J^} IDS. ■V»%%»%W%»1»%*»»»%«»»'%%^%'» W QO.

,. 2000 lbs. to 1500 lbs. and under ««*««%»« 1 do.

£^ cable from 14 to lo incnes»»»»»%%%%»»'»»»%%»»%»%%%%%%%<«»%»%»»'<«» o do.

mi^mm^mm^mm^l^^mm X 1 lO Xd flO* %<»%»%»%<^%%'»»%%%»^%»»» »(%'%%<»»^^%*<»%%»%^^*i» O tlO.
mmtm^mmi^m^^^''^m O lO Xvl 00.%%^>»%%*«»»%»»>»%<»%»%%%»»%»%%%>»<»^>%i%^ » ^*i%0» O UO.

•«.>^^— av^i*"*^* O vO I C10.*%V%%%%<»%%»%%%%%»»%»%<^*'%%%^<%»% % %»%%%%* o vIO*

"■^■^■^"^■■^"^■^ tJ lO o oo. %%%%»»»% »%%%%»»^<^ %»%%%«»%%<^»%%^%%*^%» )C uO.

Boat Hirb, &c.««-Rate8 per day :-—

A lighter^%^%^%%v*v%% ^ v%%^ 5 dollars.
Ditto small %%%^»%v»%%%'»%% 3 do.

£l launcn %»%^»»%%%%%%»'%%%%% 4 cioiisrs*
Uixxxi sro a i i % % %%%%%%»%%%%'%»» 9 do.
A capstan, per day, 5 dollars.

Carbbkino.-— Charge for careening a vessel hove down, of 100 tons
and under, per day, 3 dollars. Boats, pirogues, &c. per month, 6 dollsn.

Waobs of Workmen.-— Marine blacks, boatmen, &c. per day, S)
cents i per night, 60 cents; between hours, 20 cents.— Divers, perdsj*
1 dollar 50 cents.

Watbr.— A tank of water, 12 dollars.

Rates of Commission, settled 1816. — ^On all sales or purchases (except
as hereafter mentioned) 5 per cent. ; on bullion or treasure (including 1 p^
cent on receipt of proceeds) 1 per cent ; on diamonds and other predous
stones, 2) per cent. ; on ships, houses, and lands, i\ per cent ; on goods
eonsigned, and afterwards withdrawn, or sent to outcry, or to a sbspi

file of France^ ^.1 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 633

half commission on net procieeds ; on eflecting remittances, (not being piHV
ceeds of goods on which commission has been charged), 1 per cent ; on
sale, purchase, or negotiating of bills of exchange, 1 per cent ; on bills of
exchange returned, noted or protested, 1 per cent ; on giving orders for
provision of goods, SJ per cent ; on procuring freight, 5 per cent ; on
shipping goods where no commission has been charged upon purchase (ex-
cept aa hereafter), 5 per cent. ; on treasure, bullion, and jewellery, 1 per
cent ; on effecting insurances with public o£Eices, on amount insured, ^ per
cent ; on effecting private insurances, 1 per cent ; on writing orders for
insurances, ) per cent ; on settling insurance losses, partial or general,
1 per cent ; on procuring return of premium, (exclusive of commission
on receipt of cash), 1 per cent. ; on ships'* disbursements, where no com-
mission has been charged on freight or cargo, 2| per cent ; on manage-
ment of estates, on amount recovered, 5 per cent. ; on guaranteeing bills,
bonds, or debts in general, by endorsement or otherwise, 2| per cent ;
on del credere, or guaranteeing the responsibility of persons to whom
goods are sold, H per cent; on becoming security to Government, or
to Public Bodies, 2} per cent ; on recovery of money by law or arbi-
tration, 5 per cent ; on obtaining money on respondentia, or loan, 2 per
cent ; on granting letters of credit, 2) per cent ; on collecting house
rent, 2§ per cent ; on receipt or payment (at the option of the agent)
of all monies, not arising from proceeds of goods on which commission
has been previously charged, 1 per cent

Warehouse Rent.-— Rates per month :—

Silk, piece goods, &c.«%<^«%«%%%«vi^«%«%^%«*«*«per bale<.^»« ^ rupee.
Gunny bajp, cotton, &c. ^%<%%%^%.»»%»%%%v»%»%.%»%%%do.^^v» i do.
Indigo, opium, &c«««^«%^*«<^««««.vv.^««««««««per chest«%««. i do.
Arrack, wine, &c. w*w»«^«%«%w.^^«%per leager or pipe«%«« 1 do.
Coffee, sugar, rice, saltpetre, &c. ^«««.««%per pecul«%*« ^ do.
xron, sceei, leau, iin, gcc. %<%%'%%%%%*»%» % %%»%%>%%>»%%»^flo« %«»%^%% "ys no*
Other articles in proportion, according to bulk or weight

PsovisioKs AND REPfissHMENTS.-— Provisious of various kinds are to
be procured here, the greater part of which is imported from Bourbon,
which island may be considered the granary of the Mauritius, m«.— •Beef
and mutton, kid, pork, fowls, ducks, geese, turkies, and pigeons. Bread
aod wines fluctuate according to circumstances. Of vegetables, the fol-
lowing are to be met with : — peas, beans, cabbages, and cauliflowers ; and
c£ fruits, oranges, apples, guavas, apricots, &c. Round the island is
abondance of fish of various kinds, and from Rodrigue are brought great

£34 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Ide of Franee, ^

numben of turtle, which are fold at reasonaUe prices. The water is ei-
cellent, and is brought from a small river, about a league from the town,
by pipes to a reservoir, under which boats comie and fill their casks with
ease and expedition.

Coins. — The principal Frencb coin in common currencj is the sd
marqu6, of copper, equal to 3 colonial sols :—

9 sols 1 equal to 1 otnt

1} cent m 1 8oI marqu^.

10 cents •.••••••••••.•• • .••••••.•••••••1 UTie*

66f maiques 1 doUsr.

The following are the Rates of Exchange, compared with the doBar,
at which foreign coins pass here :—

S sicca rapeea per 1 dollar.

1 Sombay gold mohQr......iter 7} doiUan.

15 doable fimama 1 •

4a. 8d. sterling .v.... 1 «

590 cash 1

SSO Bombay, or Aroot rapeea. ...100 •

10 star pagodaa....... IS •

10 Porto Novo pagpdaa IS^ «

10 Ikeri pagodas..^ ••••.. 17 •

Accounts are kept either in dollars of 100 cents^ the mode geDera%
adopted in public or Government transactions, or in dollars of 10 livres, or
800 sob, mostly used by merdiants. These livres are called colonial ]ivie%
two of whidi equal a French franc.

The following is an oflkial tariff of the current money, and its eqmv»-
lent in colonial money. The ten liwe pieces strudc in the Cokmy imder
the French Grovemment, the five franc pieces of France, and the German
crown pieces, have the same value in exchange as the Spanish dollar. In
converting these monies into steriing, it will be sufficiently correct, for oidi*
nary purposes, to reckon the livre at SJd., and the sol at |d.

SlLTCR COIKS.

Spaniah dollar at 10 ooloBial livres.

Sicca rupee 6

Bombay and Aroot rupee 4}

Half ailvar pagoda 8

Doable fSmam... Ij

Faoam 12} iola.

Gold Coinb.

Spaniah doubloon at 160 colmiial firrea.

Portttgaeae half doabloon 80

Ikeri pagoda 17

Porto Novo pagoda t$l

$tar pagoda 16

Bombay gold mohor. 75

Bengal gold mohor m«. 90

Ide of France, 4^] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. ASS

The chkf cuircncjr of this place U GrovermneAt paper, payable to
bearer on demand in Spanish dollars. The specie dollar is generaDy at an
agio, being the most marketable kind of bullion in the East

The scarcity of three sol pieces induced the Ooremment in 1818 to
issue Indian copper pice, at the rate of 100 per dollar, or 2 sols, or 1 cent,
each pice.

Weights.— The weight used here is generally the pmds de marc of
France, 100 lbs. of which are considered equal to 108 lbs. aroirdupois. The
pound poids de marc is equal to 7655 grains English troy weight.

MsAsoEBS.— The English and andent French measures of capacity
are both used.

BOURBON.— -This island is of a round form, about 14 leagues from
N. W. to S. E., and about 35 leagues fh>m the Isle of France. St Denis,
the principal town on the island, is situated on its N. side, in latitude
80*" 58^ S., and longitude 65^ 27 E. The anchorage is near the shore, and
unsafi^ Thb island has no port where ships can lie sheltered from bad
weather ; and the hurricanes at Bourbon are thought to be more violent
than at Mauritius.

The town of St. Denis is agreeably situated on a small plain near the
sea, and contains about 150 houses built of wood, a few built of stone, and
the greater part of them have gardens behind tbem. The hanging bridge
here merits particular attention ; it is constructed to project as it were into
the sea, and by its assistance goods may be embarked or disembarked with
conTenience and safety in the most boisterous weather, and when it is im«
possible to i^iproach the shore, from the violence of the waves breaking
against it.

The population of Bourbon is now stated to consist of 14,790 whites,
4348 free coloured persons, and 49,759 slaves.

Teadx.— The commerce of this island is free to all nations. Besides
France, to which it belongs, and its neighbour Mauritius, Great Britain
and British India carry on a considerable trade with this island. Its pro-
ducts are similar to those in the Isle of France, but its coffee is particulariy
celebnited« Bourbon likewise produces a considerable quantity of com.

Cotifs, WxiGBTs, AKD MxASORBS.— While the English had possession
of the Isle of Bourbon, the same system of monies, weights, and measured
was in use here as at the Mauritius; but since 1814» die French system
has been portiaUy re-establisbed.

SAINT HELENA.— -This island is situated m the Southern Atlantic
Ocean ; its length is about three leagues, nearly N. E. and S. W., of a dr.
cular form, diout 86 or 87 miles round. When'firBt observed, it presents

d86 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [IMe of France, ^.

th» appearance of an abriqpt and nigged mouiitaia, divested of tree» shnib,
or herbage. The prindpal ridge in the centre of the iaknd is called Diana's
Peak, and is about 3200 feet above the level of the sea ; near the & W.
part there is a hill c£ a conical form, called High Peak, rather less elevated
than the other. There is very little level ground on the island v the wkolt
of it appears in abrupt ridges and chasms, but the vallies are fruitful, and
clothed with continual verdure, unless in very dry seasons.

At the N. £. extremity of the island there i» a pyramidical hill dose
to the sea, called the Sagar-loaf, with a signal post upon it ; at the base of
this hill there ajce three batteries, at a smidl distance from each other, called
Buttermilk, and Banks^s Upper and Lower Batteries. A little to the S. W.
of these, Rupert^s Battery appears, at the bottom of a vaUqr of the same
name, which is a strong stone wall and battery mounted with heavy cannon ;
and Munden^s Point divides this valley from James'*s, or Chapel Valley,
where Jameses Town, the only one on the island, is situated. On Miaidoi*B
Point there . is a fort of the same name^ and several guns placed mi the
heights over it, which command that side of Jameses Valley. This vaUqr
has on the S. W. side a hill, elevated nearly 800 feet perpendicular finon
the sea, called Ladder Hill, with a heavy battery of guns upon it, that
commands the S. AV. entrance to the valley and anchorage. On the 19th
June, 1824, a huge mass of overhanging rock, just below the barrier gate
of the upper side of the road from Ladder Hill, gave way, and fdl in laige
fragments into the valley. Jameses Valley is also protected by a wall and
strong line of cannon at its entrance, close to the sea. There is also a
battery at Sandy Bay, on the south side of the island, where boata may
land when the surf is not great ; but this, and every other part where there
is a possibility of landing, are well secured by batteries or guns phioed on
the heights over them ; and on the summits of the hills there are convenient
signal posts all over the island, communicating by tdegnqphs with ead
other and with the castle, which add greatly to the natural sti^ength of the
island.

When a ship is descried, a gtm is fired at.the signal post where she is
first seen, and this is repeated by the other posts to the castle, which is
called an alarm ; if more ships appear, a gun is fired for each till five in
number, when the signal is made for a fleet ; but if more than two sail
appear to be steering together for the island, a general alarm is beat, and
every person takes possession of the post assigned him, and inemains under
arms till the Governor is made acquainted by the boats with what ships
they are.

All ships coming in from the eastward, heave-to to windward of the

hie of FtanMy i^.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 587

island, and send a boat on shore with an offirar,' to report their nation
and business, and obtain the Governor's permission for anchoring. The
boat is generafly hailed from the battery at Sngar-loaf Point ; but she must
proceed to James's Town to give the Governor information, before the dup
is permitted to pass the first battery at the Sugar Joaf. Ships of war as
well as merdiantmen must observe this precaution, or the batteries will
open upon them. When the boat is perceived returning, the ship makes
sail for the anchorage.

On rounding Munden's Point, the eye is relieved from the dreary
aspect of the iskuad by a view of the town, situated in a nanrow valley be-
tween two lofty mountains ; this valley is called James's Valley, opposite to
which you may anchor in from 8 to 15 fathoms, witii the flagstaff at the
fort bearing S. S. £., distance from the shore about half a mile ; this is a
good and convenient birth for watering. Upon landing, which is at a kind
of jetty, and passing the drawbridge, the way leads between a fine line of
32 pounders and a double row of trees. The town is entered by im arched
gateway under a rampart or terrace, forming one side ' of a parade, about
100 feet square. This parade, were it not disfigured by some mean build-
ings on the right, would have a handsome appearance. On the left side ai«
the Government-house and main guard-room ; the former is enidosed with a
wall, having the semblance of embrasures, and is called the castle : it con-
tarns the habitation of the Governor and the piibKc officers. The church is
fronting the gateway, and is a handsome building; on the right of which
is a neat little theatre, far superior to many of the provincial in England.
The principal street commences between the church and a small paBsadoed
enclosure, called the Company^s garden. It consists of about 80 houses,
most of them neat and well-constructed. At tiie top it divides into two
other streets, one to the east, leading to that side of the country; the other
proceeding to the upper part of the valley, across a wooden bridge thrown
over a small rivulet ; in this street are the barracks, the new garden, the
hoepital, and a number of shops well stored with all sorts of European,
Indian, and Chinese commodities ; but the houses are in general far inferior
to those in the lower part of the town, whe^e the principal inhabitants
reside.

The following are extracts from the Company'^s instructions relative to
St. Helena :— -

When diqMtched from India or China, you are to use your utmost
endeavours to round the Cape of Good Hope, and proceed to the Island of
St Helena, if not otherwise directed ; observing to fall in to the eastward
of the island, and carefuUy run down upon it, to prevent surprise. On your

58B ORIENTAL COMMERCE, [hie cfFrdmeey 4e.

apppoadi, make die prirate dgjui^ and fiinrard jovr boat with a letter to
the GoytrooTt hjing to at a proper distance till the ngnal is aaswered, aad
jour boat is returning ; nor are jou to pass fia&ks^s Battery till yoa bafe
the Govemor''s leare.

You are not to depend on a supply of salt provisioDs from St Hdens,
or appi^q[Miate to your ship^s use any of the stores iatcnded fer the island.

You are particularly cautikmed not to let your officers or craw be the
occasion of any tumult or disturbance there, as you will answer to us fiv
any misdtiief your authority or exertion could ha^e presented.

Anchors, cables, topmasts, aad other stores being sent to SL Hdeaa,
in Older to preTent any plea or motive for putting into Ireland, or aaj
western port, you are directed, if in want of those articles, to apply to ov
Governor in Council, who, being satisfied of your wants, will supply yoo
accordingly, at 50 per cent advance.

On your arrival at St Helena in war time, in order to prevent sorpciK,
or the consequences of any attack, you are required to attend to the direc-
tiom of your senior officer for the birthing of your ship, in order to reaii
an enemy in the most effectual manner, by veering away, and thus bringiiig
the guns of the whole fleet to bear, or by any other dispontion whicb msj
be concerted for your defence.

Port Rxoulatiohs.— -Ships touching at the island, are to have the
preference of asdstance in the following order :-—

L British men of war, which are to have the use of both cranes, M
they require it, until they are watered.

II. Sh^is with Company's stores are to have one crane to themsdfes,
and their turn at the other.

III. English Indiamen.

IV. English whalers.

V. Foreign men of war.
VL Foreign merchant ships.

Any commander of a British ship, who wishes to water at Lcmoa
Valley, must first apply ta the Town Major for permission.

No boat is to make fast to the hawsers, or buoys, at either crane^ bet
the boat that is under the crane ; those waiting for their turn, mustiidebj
th<dr respective grapnels, or lie upon their oars, until the boat, then under
the crane, haul out, and leave a vacancy.

No boat is to lie dose to either stairs longer than necessitf absohAdf
leqmres; but to keep at a sufficient distance to allow other boats to appnacL

None but Kings's boats, or the boats of Government, are pcmittsd k
nass to windward beyond the battery, at the point under SogarJosC

lOeafFranee^^.] OBISNTAL COMM£BCE. 5S§

nor to board, or to have intereourse with aiiy ship ooming jb, before radb
ship shall have anchored*

No foreigner can, on any pretence whatever, be permitted to go into
the oountiy, nor land on an j other part of the ulaad, bat James^ WtSkj*

None but boats bdonging to British men of war are allowed to knd at
any other part of the island but Jameses VaUej, without permission fsoM
the Governor.

Any ship or Tessdi approaching the roads with a jdlow flag, is to be
considered under quarantine so long as it shall remain boisted.

The commandevB of ships, not in the Caaxpanys regidar employ, and
foreignera on t^eir arrival in the port, before application tor water, or any
other refreshment, are first to give bond or security, in the Secretary's
office, against taking any person firom the island, or leaving any person on
it, without permission from Grovemment. The certificate of their- having
signed such bond is to be delivered to the Master Attendant, to whom the
charges for anchorage, boat4iire, &c are to be paid.

The conunanders of all ships to give forty-^ht hours' notice to the
Governor before they intend to sail, and are not to sail after sunset in the
evening, nor before sunrise in the morning; for the due observance of which
they shall give bond, if required, as befone mentioned.

No gunpowder is to be landed without previous notice being given to
the Commissary of Stores and Master Attendant, in order that proper pre^
cautions may be adopted to prevent accidents.

Tbadr.— In the privflege of the commanders and officers of the store-
ships, of which one or two are annually consigned to the island by the East
India Company, are imported the following articles for the omsumption of
the settlement, and the supply of the homeward-bound ships, visr.— Ale in
casks, books and pamphlets, boots and shoes, cabinet ware, canvas, cloths
and casimeres, chintz and muslins, cutlery, glass ware, garden seeds, hats,
hams, haberdashery, hardware, hosiery, Jewelleiy, ironmongery, mudcal
instruments, miDinery, oilman's stores, perfumery, plated ware, porter,
port wine, provisions, salt, rum shrub, saddlery, ship-chandleiy, stationeiy,
tin-ware, tobacco, and watches.

The homeward-bound ships bring the following East India and China
produce :-— China-ware, Canton doth, furniture, long-doths, lackered ware,
muslins, nankeens, rioe, sugar-candy, sugar, silk piece-goods, sweetmeats,
teas, toys, thread, and wax candles.

For the outward-bound investments dollars are generally paid, and
those homeward-bound are in general of so small an amount, that if the
ships remain any time, it is absorbed in the expences of the ship, and that
of the commanders and officers.

540

ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [IsU of France, ^.

Provisions and Rbvusbmsnts.— The beef here is exeellent ; but in
consequence of the small number of cattle on the island, and the great
demand for the Eing^s and Company^s shipping, who are generally allowed
two fresh meals in a wedc during their stay, thej sddom attain the age of
four years. Salt meat is therefore the principal food of the inhabitants
and garrison : it is issued fh»m the Company^s stores at prime cost, and other
articles, as flour, peas, tea, sugar, rice, &c. at a small advance, covering
fraght and expeoces. The other articles of provision procunble here, are
mutton, pork, grown fowls, turkies, geese, dudts, mackdrd, buIFs eyes,
potatoes, cabbages, pumpkins, eggs, milk, apples, turtle, and Conger eels.

Of fish there is a great variety round the island^ most of them excellent,
- and they are to be purchased cheap. The fruits met with are grapes, figs,
plantains, guavas, oranges, lemons, apples, &c. and of vegetables, cab-
bages, yams, and potatoes ; of the latter great quantities are produced on the
island, and are in general of the best kind. Fresh water is conveyed from a
spring in the valley by leaden pipes to the wharf, and from thence into the
boats, but generally the casks are landed, filled, and hoisted into the boats ;
the water is excellent, and any quantity may be procured without delay.
There is another watering place in Lemon Valley, which is esteemed the
best water, and you will fill the casks in the boat with a hose ; only it
iff a little farther to fetch it Firewood is very scarce, and procured with
great difficulty.

The officers of ships and passengers during their stay on the island are
accommodated with board and lodging in the houses of the principal inhabit-
ants, for which they pay in proportion to the existmg price of fresh provi-
sions, and half price for each child or servant.

In the year 1819, the price of eggs at St Helena reached the
extravagant price of 6s. per dozen : whereupon tlie Governor directed by
proclamation, that any person asking more t^an 3s. per dozen^ should be
subject to the penalty of 40s. He also prohibited the exportation of poultry
sold at higher rates than the following :—

£ 8. d.

Turkies, if full grown ««1 5

— — - half grown****0 18

%^^>»^%»^>»%i%»%»%%%^>%%^^«%

Geese

Ducks, full grown%«%««%v%0 6

£ 9. (L

Ducks, half grown «««»««0 4

Fowls, full grown>%*%^>jO 5

Pullets, fit for Uble..^.^O 3 6

Coins.— -Accounts are kept in pounds, shillings, and pence; but ooios
of every denomination pass current here, both Indian and European.

lute ofFrtmeet <^.] OJUENTAL COMMEIK^E. 541.

Porto NoTo pagodas used to pafs at the same rate as star, pagodas,
notwitl»tandingtheyareinferior;b«t,Goven.me«t having made «» alter-
ation, thej only pass current at 7s. 6d. .Guineas, sovereigns, and Bank
notes are gen^iaUy at a preouum ; passengers returning to England pre-
ferring to put up with the loss here to that .in En^^d, upon, the sale oC
East India coips.

Wkigbvs Avp ,MsAsniLSs.-<-All weighaUeconunodities are bought and
sold by avoirdupois we^ht, and the English yard is the common measure for
doth, linens, &c. . . .

ASCENSION.-— This island is about SfiO leagues N. W. of St Helena.
It is three leagues long from N. to S., and about two from E« to W., and
evidently of volcanic origin. It is covered with a reddish earth, not unlike
brick-dHst,, and, the hilla are strewed with a large quantity of rocks, full of
holes and pummice-stones : the whole island has a dismal appearanee. It
may be seen about 10 leagues distant in dear weather. There .are neither
^rings.nor strean^ on the island; water is found in some hollows, but it
very soon evaporates. There are a number of wild-goats, which are yery
lean ; some rats and mice, and a few insects*

This island is at present only frequented on a/coount of its turtles, of
which it furnishes the finest in the world ; their weight is in general from 4
to 700 lbs. and may with care and caution be taken to any extent The
anchoring place is on the N. W. side of the island, off Sandy Bay. A good
mark for anchoring is to bring Cross HDl on the middle of Sandy Bay ;
when it bears S. S. E. and 10 fathoms, you will be about half a mile
off shore. There is a great surf upon the shore, and the landing is
troublesome.

The centre of the island is in latitude T SH N., and longitude
ly 64' W.

FERDINAND NORONHA,— This island is situated near the Coast
of Brazil, in latitude 3^ 55' S., and longitude 32° 35' W. ; and in the event
of any circumstance preventing the homeward-bound East India ships firom
touching at St Hdena, their instructions from the Company are to proceed
to Ferdinand Noronha.

This island is about ten miles long and two broad, and is remarkable
for a high rocky peak, called the Pyramid, very barren and nigged ; and by
its & W. point, named the Hole in the Wall, which is pierced through, and
gives a free passage to the- sea. The S. point is distinguishable by a little
rocky islet that appears like a statue. There are two harbours capable of
recdving ships of the greatest burthen ; one is on the N. side, and the other
on the N. W. The former is in every respect the prindpal both fpr shdter.

file ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Ide of France^ ^.

ospadty, and goodneto of itv bottom ; but both are exposed to N. or N. W.
winds. ItissabjecttotheGotemmeitofPeraambiieo^aiidispeopledwith
«]]es from Brazil and PortugaL

The Rbecas, a very dangerous low isle or reef, lies between this island
and Braail, abovt 50 miles W. of the former.

PaoTisioNS AKD Rbfrbshmbnts.— Cattle, sheep, poultij, and vege-
tables are to be procured' here, hilt they are dear ; water is rather a scarce
aitide in the dty season. The well which supplies the shipping, is near the
6ovemor'*s house ; but the landing the casks, and getting off the Water, is
inconvenient, on aeeoutlt-of the surf The wood is cut on a small island
near the N. point of the large one, called the Wooding Island ; but there is
much difficultj in getting it off.

Vessels employed in the southern whde fishery occasionally not the
idand fbr sup|d!es.

AZORES, OE WESTERN ISLANDS, are nine in number, viz.
Plores, Conro, Fayal, PicO, Tercehn^ Graciosa, St George, St Midiad,
and St Maiy, exclusive of small islets or dangers contiguotks to some of them.
Azores is corrupted from the original name given to these islands by the
Portuguese, Ilhas dos Afores, or Ha^dts^ Islands, from the number of those
Inrds seen there.

FLORES, the westernmost island, extends dx>ut 3} leagues N. and S.;
the N. extremity of which, caUed Point Delgado, is in latitude 39^ 33* N.,
and longitude SrirW.

CORVO, separated from the N. end of Flores by a safe channel about
4 leagues wide, is the north-westernmost of the group, its N. extremity being
in latitude 39^ 44' N. There is a small bay on its S. E. side, and a village,
where stock and a few refreshments may be procured.

FAYAL, the westernmost of the central group, is high, about three
leagues in extent, of a circular form, and its W. extremity is in latitude
38^34' N., and longitude 28^ B9 W. On its S. E. side is a good bay, in
which the town is situated ; the points forming the bay, wUdi is nearly 1{
mile deep, bear nearly N. E. and S. W. firom each other, about two miles*
distance. The ground is in many parts foul ; and when the wind blows
from the S., a heavy sell is thrown in* The common anchorage is with the
Town N. W. half a mile distant

There are several English merchants setded at Fayal, who cany on s
trade with the neighbouring idands, more particular^ in wine, whidi,
though principally produced on Pico, bears the name of Payal wine; and in
some years, from 8 to 10,000 pipes are exported, exclusive of what is
retained for the consumption of the inliabitants. It also produces brp

hki^ France^ ^.] ORIENTAL COMMEBCE. 543

cpniititiea 4xf omu; and pnmooas and refreshments of all kinds are to be
procnredi

PICO is separated hj a narrow channel from Fayal. The peak from
which the idand takes its name, is situated near the S. W. part, in latitude
39" 2T N., and longitude 28° 29 W. It is a very remarkable mountain, of
a circular form, and terminating on its summit in the figure of a sugar Joaf,
eztremelj regular in its shape. It is 7,000 feet abore the lerd of the sea,
and in fine weather majr be seen 25 leagues. This island has several towns
well inhabited, and produces yearly fh>m 16 to 24,000 pipes of-a white wine,
of a remarkdblj salubrious quality, something between Madeira and Hock.
This wine has of late years been much improved ; it becomes quite mellow
in about three years, or in about eight months, if sent on a sea voyage. The
Passado, or Fayal Malmsey, is peculiar to tbb island. The method of
making il; is as fidlows :«— when the grapes are ripe, the choicest benches are
cidled,aiid esspoaedfoor fifteen daya on large lava stones, and the grapes are
turned evtty day, so tlwt all the watery particles are exhaled ; when aflef^
waids oompressedy their jnioe is quite thick and luscious, and brandy is put
in to preserve it, so that it becomes quite a cordiaL The chief exportation
of wine is to the West Indies, for the use of the British navy and army. As
the prindpal part of the island of Pico belongs to the inhabitants of Fayal,
all the wine is shipped off from tibe latter, and thus it is called Fayal wine.
Besides oedar, and other timber^ it produces a wood called. Teixo, which is
extremely hard, and when polished, is beautifully veined, and of a bright
scarlet colour ; it is highly esteemed, and is reserved for the use of the
Portuguese Court

ST. GEORGE is about three leagues fh>m Pioo. There is a small
road on the S. side of the island, and a towncaQed Villa deVallas, where the
small vessels belong^g to the island lie sheltered firom every wind

6&ACI0SA is separated flfom the N. end of St George by a safb
channel, about eight leagues wida The principal town is Santa Cruz on
the N. £. side of the island, where vessels andior. The produce of this
island and St Geoi^ is sent to Teroeira in smaQ vessds built here.

TERCEIRA.— This island is about eight leagues from the S. £• point
of St. George ; it is about six leagues in length firom £. to W., and of a
moderate he^j^t Its principal bays are Porto Praya on the N. £., and Angra
on the S. £. side.

Porto Praya Bay is the largest and best in the Western Ishnds,
and is oqpaUe of receiving a fleet of ships at its anduHage ; it is in the
form of a crea^^t Vessds may anchor in 16 to 20 ftthoms, the town

fiU ORIENTAL COMHOHICK [Isle of Prmee, ^

bearing Seoai N. W. to H. N. W« Tbcre- is^a good landug-plaoe for boots
near the casUe.

Angra Bay is known by means of a remarkablo forked hill near the
sea, named Mount Bracil ; the haj is about half a mik broad, and open to
all winds from S^S. W. bj the & to the £. The S. W. sea, in patticiilar,
which sets round Mount BrazU on the W. side ,af the bay, is tremeadooi.
The ground, excepting a veij small part of it, is so rockj, as to make it lo-
quisite to moor with four anchors. Vessels may safely remain in Uie noodi
from May to September, when the winds are light, and blow from between
W. and N. W» At Qie commencement of. wipter the winds ore so violeBt^
that upon the least appearance of bad weather, it is necessary to put to sea,
the coast affording no shelter^

The city of Angra, ih latitude ST SO' N., and Ungitude 2T IS' W., is
the metropdia of the Azores; and the residetice of the:GoyemoE. It is wdl
built and peopled, • and is an . Episcopal See, under ihe Archbishopric of
Lisbon; it has five parishes, in one of which, fit "Salrador, is Ijie cadiednd ;
four monasteries, and four nulmeries. . It is sumunded with strong woiks^
and has a large castle mounted with heavy cannon.

In this city are kept the royal magazines for naval stores, for the men
of war and merchant ships. The maritime affairs are under an officer, called
the Desembargador, who has persons under him who pilot ships into the bay,
and supply them with provisions, water, and other refreshments, which are
here plentiful, and at very moderate prices.

ST. MICHAEL, separated from Terceira by a safe channel, about 24
leagues wide, is the longest of the Azores, being 10 or 11 leagues in extent
E. and W., and only two or three in breadth. The principal town, called
Ponta del Gado, is on the S. side of the island, where vessels anchor in a
small bay near the shore ; but it affords little shelter from the storms that
frequently happen in winter. The W. point of the island, called Femuria»
is in latitude Sr Ml N., and longitude 85° &9t W. Th^iown has a hand-
some appearance from the sea. The principal fortification, is the Castle of
St Braz, which is dose to the se% at the W. extremity of the town. About
three miles to the E. are two small forts. There is a mok for the pro-
tection of the small craft, which naight aX a.^mall escj^oe be made aqpahle
of receiving vessels of a considerable draught of .wfUter^..

St Michael is the largest in extent in squ^r^nvSie^ of any. of the Wcotem
Islands, and is thermo^t productivciof aUk^i^s qf giMOfi^aa weUaaaninuiawl
vegetable food ; it may with propriety be termed the granary of Udboo; u,
upon a moderate computation, in a year of faiioornMe<r»ps» it lumittees gnus

Ide of Frunee, 4«] OBIENTAL COMMERCE. 645

tuScieiit Ibr tm times tbe number of tts inbalntaiits. The population has
been estimated at lOO^OOa

TEAJ>B.-*»The commeroe of St Miduid with Great Britain is very ex-
tensile ; from thenoe the Pbituguese natives are supplied with the various
commodities suitable to their wants^ which are similar to those enumerated
at Madeira: in exchange for which» about fifty or sixty vessels sail
annuaUj with fruit, to the extent of from 60 to 80^000 boxes of oranges
and lemons.

From the United States of America are received staves, rice, fish^
pitch, tar, iron, and a variety of East India goods, which are paid for chiefly
b wine.

The principal productions <^ St Mi c hael are Indian com, wheat, barley,
broad beans, and calavanoes, an immense quantity of the finest oranges and
lemons, gnqpes of every sort, and melons, with various other fruits.

pROvisiom AMD Rbfxxshments of aU kinds are to be procured at
reasonable prices. Poultry and eggs are. easily procured at a very small
ezpenee, as well as an abundant supply of vegetables. Turkies and sheep
are to be got, but they are very indifferent Butter is difficult to be
met with.

ST. MART, the easternmost of the Axores, is about 12 leagues to
die S. of St Michael; tiie W. p<unt is in latitude 36" 57' N., and longitude
8S°16' W. On the S. side of the island are a small bay and town, firequented
by small coasting vessels.

SECTION XXXI.

NEW SOUTH WALES and VAN DIEMEN^S LAND.

pIEW HOLLAND, now called Australasia, is a vast island, or
rather continent, extending from E. to W., about 43 d^ees of longitude, in
the medial htitude of 25^ ; being thus about 8340 geographical miles in
IcngttL Its breadth, frgm N. to &, is about 28 degrees of ktitude, or 1680
geogn^ikical miles.

The discovery of New Holland is claimed by the Dutch, who assert

646 OBtBNTAL COMMBBCB. [NewSoMik Wuks,^

that it was fint Men by nrrigiilwt of thdr aalioiit in At yem KM, lAea
it bore the name of Terra Australia Incognita. B«l Uuerfe ia la cbnK in die
Harleian Colleetion, dated lA4fi^ cxhibitiag an esAcaanre ti*a6t :of 0mtj
south of the Moluoeaa^ ealled Ghreat Jara^ which i^rets viore nearly with
New Holland than with any other oountty, espedallj the fiL W« <oiit

The first English nayigator, who appears ta have «en anjipart of New
Holland, was Dampier, who, in 1668, touched at the N. W. ootst £»
refreshment. In 1770, Ciq[>tain Cook visited it, and in the coime of Us
Toyages, left but a poort of tts drcint nneacplor^ The Ekatelm Coatt was
most particularly examined by him; and he took formal ]M>aseas{Qii of it,io
the name of the King of Great Britain, giving it the name of

NEW SOUTH WALES.—'This temUny^ how. geii«c*U^ denomi-
nated Australia, is at present divided into firar ooubtiea : CiunbeikDd,
Camden, Argyle, and Westmoreladd. The firat, which la boonded on tk
E. by the sea, on the 8. by hills, and on the other sides fay the rivcxs Nepesn
and Hawkesbury, is computed to be 5S mites from N. to & its grenlest
breadth from the sea to the base of th0 Bloa Mosmtains, is 46 miks. It
contains the principal town of Sydney, and tfiosa of Pataniatt% Windav,
and Liverpool. The external appearance of the Coast of Cumberiand is
sterile ; and there is a great want oif water in the interior.

Camden is the tract lying between the Sbbal Haven river and tk
Nepean ; the County of Argyle adjoins that of Camden to the S. W., leaf
separated from it by the river Wingee Caribbee. It is bounded on tk
S. and W. by the Shoal Haven river, the Cookbundoon, and the Wolon-
dilly. This district abounds with good timber, vigorous natural grasses,
Davyesia, and wild indigo. The limits of Westmoreland County are not jet
defined ; it includes the settlement of Batburst, and the tracts of land dis-
covered and occupied to the W. of the Blue Mountains.

At the dose of the American war, it was determined to make a settb-
ment in New South Wales, for receiving felons sentenced to transportatioo.
The spot fixed upon was a spacious bay on the S. E. coast, called by Csft
Cook, Botany Bay, firom the variety of unknown vegetables he found theiv.
The bay was supposed to afford perfect shelter and good anchorage ; bat
when the first embarkation of convicts arrived, it was found that the water
in the bay was too shallow for large vessels, which lay exposed ia the road;
and that the intended site of the colony was in other respecta objactJoaaMf-
The expedition proceeded, therefore, about Ave mUes, to a place since aid

PORT J ACESON, where they landed, and laid the fisundaCions of «
town named Sydney. Port Jackson is considered to be one of the beat aai
safest harbours in the world. Its entrance is in kCitude SSt Sty 8.» and ko-

New South Wakty ^.J ORIENTAL COBUIERCfi. 547

fftxukfl&VWE* There B DO particiilar niark bj wUdi it otn be kaowtH
die latitade ia til« best guide. . SouncKngs generidfy extend 4 or^kagues off:
SYDNEY COVE, the tOat of G^TeraoBeiity and prindpal settlement in
AustnUa, and to UrUdi those oa Ydn Diemen^s Land are subordinate^ ia
about £ niiles. within Ibe Heikdsy on the 8. tide of the great douf^rn arm of
the Harbour of Port Jackson. The town is situated at the base of two
enunences, a rividei trMrerabg the centre. It is rapidly enburging, and the
aurnb^ of its inbdbftMita ia fast iocreaaiiig. Aecordbg to the offldai
returns in the year 1890, tba number of inhabitants in New South' Walei
was 23^039, whiereof 15^24^ were, or had been coiiYicts. Of this number,,
the resideiits at Sydney, and the adjoiaii^ diatricts, amounted to 12,079, in^.
eluding 4467 eonviets. The lai^gest preportibn of the Dree class in the
iSohmy coilsiata of indiridualB beni.in the country, of whose character Iklvj
Bigge, dw Commissioner appointed by the Prince Regent to enquibe iiita
the state of Ihe ookny, in the year 1681, baa given the foUowang interesting*
particijlars :-^

^ They are generally taU in person, and slender in their Umbs, of fail!
campleodon ' and small lieatures; thc^ are capable of tindei^oing morq
fiitigue, and are less exhausted by labour, than Europeans ; they arei actird
in their habits but remarkably awkward in their movements. In their
temper they are quiek and. irascible, but not vindietive ; and I only repeat
the testimony of persons who have had many opportunities of observing theni^
that they neither inherit the vices nor the feelings of their parents (the
convicts). Many of the native youths have evinced a strong disposition for
a seafaring life, and are excellent sailors ; and no doubt can be entertained
that that dais of the population will afford abundant and excellent materials
for the supply of any department in the commercial or naval service.^

The ravages to which the town and district of Sydney are exposed from
the inundations of the Hawkesbury are very great. Although the alluvial
deposit made by the inundations is rich, the loss both in labour and grain is
often considerable. Its lands are infested, also, with a plant, called in the
colony, the silk cotton plant, which was brought thither under n belief that
its down nnght be useful in manufactures.

The colony, being now in possession of a charter, and other privileges
granted by the Crown, is rising fast into importance.

Tkadb.*— Besides its trade with Great Britain, New South Wales carries
on a c<HisideraUe conmieree with Bengal, from whence it imports chiefly
sugar, apirits, soap, and cotton goods ; with Canton, (which is carried. on by
India buOt vessds) ; the articles brought from whence are tea, sugar candy,
nankeen, China silks, and (according to Mr. Bigge^s report) wearing appar.

Mm2

«46

ORIENTAL COMMERCE. ^Nmo SoM Wala,^.

vet made of British wooUens, sent firom Bngland to Canton. A few success-
fill attempts have been made to supply- the China and Batavia markets witk
sandal-wood, pearl shells, and beech de mer, from the Fejee and Marquesii
islands ; but this branch of the colonial trade is understood to faaire dedioed
A growing trade has begun between New South Wales and the idandf ii
the South Sea.

The principal products of the colonj are as fidlow :— >»Wool of nrj fine
^ualitj, whidi has been much improved hj the introduction of the Merino
breed of sheep ; tobacco of an excellent kind, flax from the Pkormum
tenaof^ or New Zealand plant ; bark for tanning, of a species a( Mmm;
gums, of which the red is considered to be a species of Kino; timber snd
wood of various kinds, ornamental as well as for building-^the latter &
tinguished for hardness, heaviness, and durability, though the cedar is nid
to be diminishing fast A redundant quantity of wheat is produced in the
colony, and constitutes an article of export ; and coals, whidi abound in the
colony, have been exported to Batavia and to Calcutta. A whale^fii^eiy tf
Kkewise carried on upon the coasts, and with encouragement is likely to be
productive, since both the Uack and sperm whales are, at particular sessons,
found in great numbers along the E. coast of New Holland.

The trade of this colony with the Mother Country is aeen from the
ftUowing detafled account, which comprehends (unavoidably) the tmde of
its dependencies on Van Diemen's Land

Jn Account of the Trade of Great Britain with New South Wdu

and fhe Dependencies.

omcui.
TALins or

IMPOATt IXTO

omcuK TAKux or bxtosts ^som aksa* Banjn.

TXAlt.

Pnd)Kt^lllamM.

CoUmM

nuL

ax. BUTAIV.

UniUd Kingdom.

MenkamdiH.

£ ■

1818

5,111

9,301

772

10,073

1819

o,d99

40,906

7,876

48,782

1820

5,030

84^2

33,844

118,066

1621

22,639

100,563

13,642

114,205

1822

16,592

176,130

37,613

213,743

1823

51,376

137,908

42,608

180,716

1824

47,409

145,142

67,519

812,654

The following account shews the amount of the principal artidei fi
import and export from and to New South Wales and the DqwndeodA
during the last three years of the aforegoing statement.

New South Wake,^.} ORIENT AJj COMMERCF.

549

IMPORTS.

1822.

1823.

1824.

422

1608

Oil^ train and spermaceti «%««Tund. 434

661

619

197,168

Skins, seal «%m^m^m^««^«<%««,»»««»«No. 5668

12,272

38,866

Wooly sheep^s %»v»vw»^»%^»><^bs. 1389498

477,261

382,907

OFFICIAL VALUE OF EXPORTS-

£
Agricultural Implements ««v%«.«^«%^«% 4,344
Apparel, slops, and haberdashery .^^17,746
Beef and pork, salted ^«^..^«.««.w«^«.w«. 6,223
xyeer ano aie ^^v»%^%<»%^»%'%% % ^^%^»%%i^%%w»^ o,o • •
Books, printed ^^%%^%^%v^^^^vm>,w%^^>.. 790
Brass and copper manufactures «««.w«. 2,160

^%^%%i'»%^»^W»%'%^^'V%%%^%'»»^i%«%'%>^i%^%i^

<«»^»%»%%%%^>V%»<%»»'

Cabinet and upholstery waresw.^«^«^ 4,397

Cordage

Cotton manufactures

Glass and earthenware «%

Hardware and cutlery

Hats of aQ sorts

1,004

««30,526

«^%%^ 4,026

16,090

4^109

Iron & sted, wrought & un wrought. 19,499
Leather and saddlery

Linens

^^I%%%>»%>%%^|%'»»%%^%<»

^'^»l%0%r»i^%%f»^%i»%%%'%%'»%%»»»%<»V%^^%l%%»»

5,123
6,262

Mttsical instruments »^»v»>»»»>»>.»»»»» 1,003
Plate, plated warei, jewdleiy, and

2,388
2,455
1,187 .

4,243
17,140

k«^«^ v% 1 o,9 1 D

watches
Painters^ colours
Silk manufactures ««,,
Soap and candles
Stationary
Woollen goods.
Other articles

%<%%>%%>%i%'%^^i%i%<^i%>»%%^<%%>»

^»%<%»»%»%%^»i

Total of British aad Irish produce

and manufacture v>«««»*>»»»».<..*176,130

Foreign goods, conasting chieflj of

wines and afitita ».>»v.»^^»»>»» 37,613

£
2,154

14,731
4,069
4,543
1,108
1,194
4,308
1,016

20,658
2,523

6,789
2,565
19,076
3,521
4^410
580

ToU1,.vw^.«»jP 213,743

£
1,019
20,122
1,749
3,223
1,637

735
2,981

491

45,800

1,849

3,020
10,794
2,707
3.574
1,546

2,796

809

2,599

3,960

3,514

10,315

16,559

145,142

67,512
212,654

550

ORIENTAL COMMEECR [New South Woks, ^.

The extent of the trade between Calcutta and New South Wales is thus
shewn in the Trade Reports of the Presidency :—

.Years.

lolo— 19«%v%«%v%S. R*
1819-20
1820-31
1821-22

IXPOETB iiTTo Calcutta*
Mgi'dum^se^ TVmtwre.

'»»%<%>%%%»»

. %%%'^»»i%%%

»%%%»»

11,443
9,685

61,391
6,617

1,37,250

11,250

6,625

89,136 1,54,125

2^,588
6,86,778
2,12,187
2,56,368

1S,£4,921

The chief articles of export from Calcutta to New Soufli Wales
piece-goods, (of which, in 1821, there were 138,561 pieces exported,) mgar,
and rice.

The coasting trade emplojs about 30 vesseb, which are ttnaU, kidlj
equipped, badly navigated, and ill qualified to resist the heavj gales widi
which the coast is sometimes visited. The trade between Van Diemen^s
Land and New South Wales coDsbts of supplies from England thiougb the
latter to the former, and of wheat, salted meat, and potatoes, sent in retoni.
The quantity of com exported from the settlements on Van Diemen^a Land
to Port Jackson is consideraUe, amounting in six years, ending 1880, to
107,664 bushels of wheat.

REGVLATioMa.— "By the Act 59 Geo. III. c 122, vessels of lesa than
350 tons may trade between Great Britain and New South Wales.

The following is an abstract of the Port Regulations promulgated
by the Governor of New South Wales in 1819, which are appUcaUe
to Port Jackson, and all the ports and harbours within the territory and
its dependencies.

A vessel arriving off or near the Heads of Port Jackson, is to be taken
in charge by a port plot, and to be boarded by the naval officer, to whom
the master is to deliver the ship^s papers and proper documents^ and a OMTect
list of the ship^s company, and to afford such information conoeraiag the
voyage, &c. as may be required. Public dispatches, letters, and packets,
and the Post Office letter bags, to be delivered inunediately to the naval
officer, or his deputy ; penalty, £90 per day, any such dispatch^ 8cc shaB
be delayed. — ^Foreign ships are not to proceed furdier up the haibour of
Port Jackson than Neutral Bay, without special permission.

No person is permitted to land from any yessd arriving in the hailMiar.
without permission, under penalty of ^5, to be paid by the master of Ck
ship, and another £5 to be paid by the person lakidbg. No peraons nar

New SaaihmdBs, 4c.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 561

fcnd inai^ pnrt-of Sjfdnty Cove, but si tfe Kin^s Wharf, except £com
Gofernmenfcy^or SjDg^'bMtt, or bj qpedal permission of the Governor;
peuiltf, pcbseeillioii for a ndsdemeadow, aodfinrfeitureof theboat— No
person but the nwal officer, or a penon specially authorized, maj go on
board a vessel in tfe harbour, until Ae cargo has been reported, and the
proper bonds shall have been jiven, and permission obtained to hoist the
admission flag : penalty £5, to bepaid by the msister of the sh^ and £&
faj the <ificndir«

Masters, or other pcrsoni belonging to ships, are duly to answer chal-
lenges by senipiea when on-shore. Masters must easecute bonds with sureties,
that'they will observe the Port RegnUriions ; aud that they wiD carry away
ne patron from the Cofany without permissbn ; and that their vessels shall
not depart until duly and fully cleared ; fuid that they will not export the
liivcr m -oopper coin in ^iretdation within the Colony. Masters of vessels
ate also to fiinish the puUie beUraan of Sydney, before the admission flag
is hoisted, with a coirect list, under his signature, of his crew, in order
that all credit to the ship^s company may be duly cried down ; and no sub-
sequent daim upon the crew, -duiing the ship^s continuance in the port,
shall prevent a seaman from proceeding to sea on board the vessel by which
Ik arrived^

Any goods bnded, or delivered out of the ship, with intention to land,
at any place in New South Wales, other than is specified in the manifest
and entry of the cargo, may be seized. Wine, beer, spirits, and all strong
h^pioTB, discharged or unriiipped frosn any vessel, without special and proper
licence from the Governor, may be seused, and the nmster may be fined
£60. iirms, ammunitioi^ naval or military stores, unshipped or landed,
or wiMuIly suffered by Hfte master to be landed or unshipped, without special
permisaion in writing from the Governor, to be fiirfinted, and the master to
be subject to a fine of ^£0.

Goods and paekages discharged from a vessel in the harbour, to be
landed at the King's wharf oidy, pr they wffl be lialde to srizure.

Penons landing without the Govemor^s pemdsrion, on Garden Island,
Cockle Bay, or Farm Cove, after sunset, are liable to prosecution for At
flsisdeDOMuaour, and the boats to seizure.

Boats employed in smuggling are liable to seizure ; and any person

privy tOi or assisting in, smuggling, liable to be sent to hard labour.

Masters of vessels lying in Sydney Cove, from whence iron hoops,
stonea^ ffwd^ ballast, or rubbish shall have been thrown bdow high water
mark, are fiable to a fine of £6. Masters knowingly leaving persons bdiind
ur the -Colenyr without the Govemor^s pennission, will be held responsible

56e ORIBNTAL CXJlWHWlimL [NewJSmOh Wmkg, ^

for all €xpeiioes iocuited tbtrehy, and be Jitklk iB^pe^seeutiom finr the

demesnour, as wdl as to ptooeei|iBgi «t knr foariboaich of bond.

must keep a watch daj and night on boadd tliiBir akipa^ if of mder 100 toai^

tiro men ; if of 100 tons and npwurda, four men i.^thej ase also responsible

for the proper conduct of their crews whilst Jb the 'port The

ioferior officer of a vessel, whn engages. Aoy seansaa heleii|^g to

ship in the haibour, who is not^duly disduu^^edyis liable to a fine ^JBIS,

Seamen absconding may be apprehended, and confined in gaol: aH
gaol fees and expenoes to be paid by the master of the ship. Seamen, or
other persons, purdiastng Government .stones, liable -to be punished widi
rigour. Seamen, or other persona, found in the Colony after the vesed in
which they arrived, shall have departed, may be apprehended, and pnt to
Grovemment labour till sent away. ...

No spirits, wine, beer, or other liquor of Uke U&d, to be aidd or given
to the natives from on board ; and any personal injury Qt insult oflfcred to
male or female natives, to be punished, as if offieced to any other subject of
His Majesty. .

The corpses of persons dying on . board ship in the harbour, to be
interred in the public burial ground.

Masters of vessels are to give public notice twice successively in the
Sydney Gazette, of the time the vesaela lenvH ^>pQrt-;' and to leave at the
Secretary's office a written notice, at least ten/ daysh previous to the nonstcr
of the ships' companies. Other pisrsona, eoDoqyt-erews - of the vessels, must,
previously to Isaving Fort Jackson, (unless. by^apecial pemuasion of the
Governor), give public notice thereof twice- suoeesiiv^, in the Sydney
Gazette, (the first notice < to be at least ten days previous to the ships' dear-
ance) ; and also procure a certificate firom -Aei Jndge Advocate's OSce»
(dated at least eight /day^ after the first notice aforesaid), that no detaiaen
are in force against them. .- ::^oi n * .

No vesid, though cleared,, may dqpart, 4£.xerbal.JUggestion be given
by a civil, military, or naval oflieer, that thtfriGinremar finds oc casi oB to
detain it, on pain, of being fired at, and theinonta! Jmag praceeded against
on bis bond. . . .. . :,• ^'.jj^n ; •

The master of eveiy vessel sailing from this port to China or Indh,
must give bond not to land in^any pact of the^ iEhfltiIi|diatGompaoy's teni-
tories, any person from the Colony, without jpwnfifwifrMt of the Govenai^
General of India, or other |G}ovemoc.in those. teniUMest The nnaler cf s
vessel to whom letters or padoeta shall be dejSveredjfer.the CfOvurnaMaonenl
of India, or.ebewhere, must enter iat»>bond'i)Hhdi5 due. defivery.

No vessd is to unmoor or quit anchorage in the Cnve until ready fir

Nmo So^Ok Wmh$,^] OmmnTMi OOMilBHCE. 553

sety and'havingafMrtdfiaraMe; or, iMmngniimooved, and made aafl, is
toaRiioragainwitlim.ttaili«ada^or faarhaarof P«^ mikss forced'

timnq^ Ac weatiier^ or by aoeideBt

The pilot in charge of a Teasel casuallj detained, is to remain on board
duree entire days, or longeiv if bj oceasicm of winds, weather, <xr tides,
witiMmt finther charfS v-aar^is lie Jitlibertgr t» qnit thesfaqp, however long,
or on wfaaterer aocflimt detninody.if 8sl per day bo tendered to him.

DmriBs.— *The fi9llowang.is. a schedule of the duties on goods imported :

'.'it,', .^t. ,. ■ dv « • Cm

SpintS ^^m% %i ^^mmAmm^mmn%mmm »m /vM m i^i^9»k0wy^*i*i^m^ > »pe i * gallOn U 111 O*

Wine %%»«»»»»^»i»«f>»i»»»i»»%%»>»%*»%>»* % %^^^ii»*»i»^<*%%*»uo«< ^ »» V u «7
xoDacoo >»»»ii ^ »»»»%»'»<»»»'%»»»»»%»»»%*i*»^>%^^>^*^***^ p er id*«i« " 9 u
\i/Oa J S »%%i%»%%%»%»%^»%^<»»%%%«%%'%%^i%%»%<>»%>»%%%»%»»*'%»^<w» p er ion«<» v ss 1/
SMmoai wooQ v»<»»»»i>%%»<iw«»»»»%%oi>%»>i«%%%»%»»*'%<^<»^<»»%%fl o >%'%^i» 3S x v o
A earl snoiis »»»»»^»»»%»>»»w»>»«»«w>%»i»»'»%'»^>'»fc'»%^»%»^*«*fl O i »»<^ 7 All ci
jfeecn «w mer » 4 j<i^»i»»*^i»»»»»<»<»»<%»i»»%%w*»»*»»»»4i»>%»»iiOii»»*% o v v
Ofl, spermaceti %%»»%%%^%%%.,i%»%>»%>%»%%%%%%%»%%^do.^%%% 8 10 -
*DiacK. wnsae 4»%<<i*<»%i»»%'»%»»»%>»%ix»»% »»w4»w»^%*»^^<^iio»%%»^i 9 v u
seal %r»»%%i»»%%%%%%%%<»%)»%<%%<»»%%^»%»^»»»»»%%»» »ca c n t»> » " \m x^
iiare amt icangayoo ♦*v»»%%%^^»»»%i»>»»%»%<«%»%oor%%%% u u o^
Timber :«-^edBr, or other timber^ imported from
Shoal Haves, of miy other patrt of the coast (eoE^
cept Neweastb) when not sufqdied by Govemmoit
laboufeKS 44?»v»»ii*<%»»»»%^%%»»»»< » »%<»»'%>»»<»i» p er soitfi loot U ' 1 O
Ditto; spars'from New Zealand, or elsewhere,

per score 10
Ditto ; impoyted from Hnnter^s BiTcr, addUJono^

perlOOOfeet 3
Ditto ; either in log or plank, imported from New

^eaiano »»> » aitiii^ ■ %i^» » #»» >rw%i»»%i»w^*^*»»*%» per soua toot u A u
Goods, wares^ and merchandise, not the growth,
prodooe^ or ^raanuiactuxe of tiie United Kingdom,
imported directly from thence into the Colony,

percent 5
Coals pay an export duty of 8a. 6d» per ton ; and timber from Hunter^s
Hirer, £3 for erery 1000 feet

Fort CHAacBSw^^The followijig are fixed by Government regulation:--

LighUiauMe 2>Mas.-«*A charge oTid. per ton is levied uix>n every vessel

entering within the heads of Port Jaclcsbii'/ to deihiy the expenccs of the

erected

564 OBIBNTAL OQMMBBCB. [New SmOh Wmki,^

MidUanage MaUtr^'^ any renel ranome fism'andbqrage cr mooringi
to Esther flttchonige or vuwriDgB, aoi fo the puifNiie of tdliiig^ iv prac^
ing on the Toyage, the following charges are ]ia]fmhk to the Hachnr-

£ 9» dL
xot % Te0H uiuer xXW tons %p»»%>»»%»%%»>%»%^<<« ^^o^iffc -0 Lo

t aOO and ander 400 ,^^>4>t>»>^.^^%>> 1 10

■•■•^■'^*"^"^^^^ tr^/ ano unQer ouv »%»%%%»%»»%»%i%%'»%»»»»>»%%% a? v u
' III " i» m ivOO 8^4- npwaids ■%»»»%>»» • ■■■■■ 2 10

Hire of Mooring Chains^ 4*^.-— If a vessel use Ihe mooring chains or
buoys, on the heaving down place in Sydney Cove, the following charges
are paya][>le ;-r-Heaving down place, per day, IBs.; moonng chains or buojs,
per week, Sis.

Wm^ and fTofar.^-Masters of vesseb requiring wood and water, are
to be supplied at such place as the naval oflScer, or bis deputy, may direct,
paying to him the fbUawiog rates :—

£
A vessel not .exceeding 100 tons»%%%»%*»»i*%»%%»%%*<»»%»%»% 1
— — ^"*- above 100 and not exceeding 200 «««««« 2

above 900 and not eacooeding 300.,^^ 3

— — ^-*- above SOO and not exceeding 400*«»««.. 4
>. i I above 400 and not exceeding 500.^«<»^»% 5

Persons taldng wood and water without due permission, are sabjed to
prosecution, and die boats to seisure. '

PUotage.'^The charges for pilotage of vessels into or out of the hsr-
hour, from or to a distance of two leagues out at sea, are as follow :—

£ 8. d.
Vessels drawing less than 7 feet %%^»%%%%%»%%'»%»%%»%%%»» 4

^■MMBMMaaaaa^^Ba^^ ir0Q& I vO X U ieeW%%«%%%%»y»%»»'%>%'»%%%^»% O 1 vl ' U

. . ■ ...

; • _ ♦

«.

Nmo «SteM mOti, 4ft] OSIBNTAL CQIIMSBXIB. 5SS

Vessels drawing 18 ie€t »w>»»#»»b%»%»%»%>iw»»*4*%h%»»»»%>»»»»«*il 16 * -0

i*AaB^M«Mi**

^ sDove iR^ leet »%%»»%4»*»»»% ' 4%ii%^»»<w%»»<kio v u

Ships not having BiiUsh registers, or irom the East India Company,
and not chiefly laden with com or provisions, not on Government, but pri-
vate account, are chargeable with one-fourth more of and at the rates aborr^
specified. No charge, however, is to be made but for half a foot; but if
for half a loot exceeding the above draughts, then at the medium price
between those limits;

Fkes.— The following fees are payaEble'ih the Colony :—

At the Secretary's Office j viz.

£ 9. d.

On registering vessds excee^g 40 tons«.wM^per ton 10

X o tne pnncipai cierK ^%%%%%^%%%%»%^<*<%%'%%%%i%^»»%%%%%% u J,u \3

For aB ressds not exceeding 40 tona.>%v%%,%.»w>»%%.i^>» 8

JL o tne prmdpai cierK %%%%%'»%»%<»%»»<»%^%%»%%»»<%%%%»»%i»i fi v\3 %3

On affixing official seal to clearances of Vessels for

foreign voyages, or fishing «.».^.««w^«v^«*<«<.^4)er ton 6

For every person on leaving the Colony ^^^^^^^^^^ 8 6

TVanscripts of all papers«««wM^per foHo of 78 words 13

Licences for colonial vessds, coasting to the Coal

River, Hawkesbuiy, or elsewhere, not extending

to Van Diemen^s Land, or Basses Straits %^^^^^v% 5

At the Na/ool Cygice^ viz.

Entry of a ship with articles for sale, and in Govern-

menx sei^ice %»%%^%%%%»%%»%<v%»%%i%%%^<»%'%%'»*>%%«»»%%>%v%<»% % %%%%^ v/ xo u

Ditto not in Government service %^»»%%>v»%v%%-»%%%.»%%% » »% 1 10
Entry of a ship with no articles, not in Govern-

uiem service ^>%^^i%^»%%»%^%^%^^^%^^<»%»%^^;%<%%%^^^»%%%%.»%^%>^%r% \i xo \3

jLtVXTf 01 loreign vesse l s^ %)»%^»^*%'%%»%'%%^^%^«»%%»%^ %»»%%%»»% 9 (i ii

Permission to trade ^^%^%%%%%.>^. ^^^^^>%v^%%.>^^%^%^^% 11

x^ues or escn uonu ^»%%»%%<»»'»»^»%^»%^»%%^^»v»%^»'%% ^ »%%'%%<»%i%%»v 1/ j \i \3

of port clearance >%>%>%>%>;»^>%>%y%>>U%%>%%%%%%%%%%^ 5

lo navai oiucer s cierK %i%%<%<>»%»»i»%»»%%%»»%»»%%»»%^»» v )v o

for permit to land spirits and mne«^per cask 6

U6 ORIIMTAL COM MSRCBl> [New »mth Wmki, ^.

Deeds rfeiitiy and cl6u«iii» fbf coloniilTends, trf^^

To tiM Fiiher7, or Settkineiilt at the MMithwiid 10

The naval officer ako receives 5 per cent on all duties collected at
the port

Wharfinger'M Peea, vis.

£ 9. d.

On every bale, cask, or package landed or shipped 9

Aieuisfe 01 coais »%»»%%%'%»%%%»»%»%%<%»%»%%»%%%%i%i»«%i»%%%i p er ion u w o

Measuring timber %%%^%%%%%^%%%^^%^»%%%%^per 100 feet 8

^^* A rsduoticMi of several, and an abolition of some of the duuges
(as well as duties) at the Colonj, were recommended by the ComnussiaMer ;
but it is uncertain what reductions are made.

Provisions avo Rbfrbshbcshts.-— Provisions of all kinds maj be pro-
cured at Sydney ; beef^ mutton, pork, and kangaroo flesh ; fowls, eggi,
butter, bread, potatoes, and fruits. But the prices fluctuate extremdy.
Bread is sddom so cheap as in England ; the loaf of 21bs. selling for5d. or
6d. To prevent the reduction of stock in the territory, the Oovemment
levies a duty upon slaughtering cattle. Except potatoes, the price of no
artide of provision is reasonable m the Colony.

CoiKs.— -The circulating medium consists ci British money* and like-
wise of Government dollars. There is a bank at Sydnqr, and its notes pasi
current in the Colony. The duties are payable either in sterling money,
Crovemment dollars, store recdpts, ap pr o ved' bBls by the Commiisaiy on
the Treasury or the Colonial Agent* or in the notes of the Bank of New
South Wales. In the sale of commodities, bills of long date are usaaDy
given.

The uncertainty in the relative value of British money, which lias bees
the standard, has produced great embarrassment occasionally, and affected
the value of every spedes of property ; insomuch fliat it became necesasry
to stipulate in bargains, the mode of payment

Wbiohts aho Mbasvebs.— -These are the same as in V.n glimii-

GUMS TO BE FOUND AT NEW SOUTH WALES.— The bbd
Gum of Botany Bay is produced by the Eucalyptus resifufenu^ a tree cf
considerable sise, growing to a great hdght before it puts out brsndies.
The gum mi^ be drawn from the tree by tapping, or taken out of the veias

]

NewSauth Watea^ 4^] CMtlBNTAL C0M1CBBC& tt7

of the wood wlieii drj. The wood ^is heavy and fiie gndned ; Inii beuig
inteneeted by the dwiiiiioh eonttiiiiag the g«io% eplita and warpi.

Thb gum b said to be the finest specie of kuio {Gwnmi rvbrum
aairingmui), which usedJo be imported froniAfinoay end is aaid to be there
produced by a species of i^eroeatpti^. loBois.TeijfiiaUe^jeasQylireaking
between the fingos ; without smdl ; of an opaque, dariunddirii colour, ap-
peering almost Mack in the mass, and when powderec^ of a deep lateiidous
red. In chewing, it first crumbles, then coheres slig^itly, and soon seems
to ifisBolre, with a very astringent, sightly sweet taste. It has been con-
founded mth true gwn Senegal, and also with dragoons blood. It is easily
distinguishable from both by its styplicity when tasted. Itis astringent
properties render it a y&ry usefisd drug, and a powerful remedy for the
dysentery* Kino is occa^ohally brought from India under the name of
gum dawk. This is probably the produce 6f the Buiea firondoM^ which
Dr. Roxburgh (Flor. Cor^, Tiali»Sl) says exudes a gam rich in cdmur as the
ruby, and astringent

The TSLLow Gum of Botai^ Bay .is stiietly a resin ; itis insduble in
water^ and in qipearance .resembles gamboge, but does not.stain.K It is
g^oeridly dug out of the soil under the tree which produces it^ flpom whence
it drops ; and it is probably what Tasman calls gum lac of the gronnd.

BASS'S STBAIT.-p-Between New HoDand and Van Diemen's Land
is a stndt, about 90 league^ wide^ called Bass's Stndt, fifom Mr. Bass, who,
with Captain Flinders, drcamnavigated Van IMunen's Land, and therdiy
proved Ae correctness of his own cocjeoture^ that the latter was separated
from the former by a navigidde strait

The passage through .Bsbs's Stiait» and round Cape Van IXeaoen, has
somedmes been made by vessels which left Wnglswd too late to parstte the
ordinary route to Clmyi ; end-instead of passing thseugb.any of the struts
E. of Java, (as usual, when late in. the season), they bavf proceeded round
New HoUand, by the way of tlie Piwific Ooeaiu

In approaching the strait from the westward, great caution should be
used ; and it is better that it sbould not be eafteiad in the n^ht time. Vesseb
may anchor convenientiy in the strait with easterly windss under the N* W.
end of King^s Island;: or Port Phillip (on New HoUand) just within
the entrance on the S. side; or. Hunter^s isl(i% between Three Hummoek
and Barren Islands^.ti^iuiig ,care iwt. to. anchor too dose to thewnther
shore, lest the wind v^etfkj ch«nge»

PORT PHILLIP is the westaramost harbour on the.N. side of tiie
strait; the entrance is in latitude S8P 19! &, dxmt41eaguivtQthe£.ofa
bluff headland without trees, rinng fiom low^ but thieUj wooded land :

SM ORUaNTAI^ COMMBBOE. [NewSauth Wak9, ^

thesoiiii£iigi,dboottkMiBilc9fioiiithe oitnmce^ arelSjnd 13frtlMiiiiB»
decreasiiig t9 7 and & ▲ jrocf prqjeeta finmi utk fide oi tbe cu ta mce.
The htttioiir is timUeit, b«ft thore ii M in tUykmity «r the

enftnncrf ; tie ttdubii bring f«Mid at the 8^^^
W. oftheliitt caUU Arfhv's Sett

VAN DIEMEN'S I^ND k an iikiid, the ttedid ki^ of whkhis
about 160 geographkal milM i&6m N. to S^ and the bceadth 146 fimi
K to W. It 18 HtiMtcd betvreen the ktitbdea of iP /and 4(f SS" S., aad
betweeBthelongitudetoflM^SSrwdliff'SfirB. Ita lurface is uMdnhded,
mvl diverdBed widk Bioiiiitafait aad didea, foreats and oeado^^ Ithaalakei,
rneri) aad Mets; and ila dimaie k temperate, not verj different from
that ef Eni^and, thoagh leis Mlgect to Mdbkn changes; It k dmded kto
tvo countiefl, Bnekinghanidure and Cdnmtlil ; the foroMr extenda from
the S. ooaat to the 48d d^. of ktittid^ induding Hobart't Ttfwn wilhin ks
Kauti ; the ktter reaches from Ae nme^fine to the N. coaat,' and oonipm-
henda tbe town of Launceaton.

The W. coast k of a rocky and sterik aspect; bvt it contains si
cKOsUent harbour, called Port Darqr, m ktitude 43° 88' S^ longitaide
146° E. It has not only ifbiindanea ef fresh water, but die diores abourf
with Hnon pke.

The & coast k tf a sinnkr character to the W. ; it k mottkd with
TOcka of white qoarta and bkck faa^t^ and the prqjecting points are lughi
steep, and barren. Port d^Entrecaateinx, at the W. extremitj of the bsj
ibrniedbj the S. Cape of Van Dkmen's Land, and Tasasan's Head» k aai^
and convenient for procuring wood and water. D'Entteeasteaox*a Slnit
affords safe anchorage in from SO to 6 fatlioms, soft mud, oceanDnaDj
arixed with sand. Fresh water nnrf be pcocnred, b4t it k dkBcdt to gd
the eadcs to the boat, on aooount of the mnddj shorn.

STOBM BAY k a deep gulph, formed between Cepe Pilkr and Cape
Frederick Henry, and stretdung to thd N. W. A channel 9i its N. W.
angk kads to

DEBWENT BIVBB, which k safe aad navigaUe fi>r large aUps to
a considerabk distaww. At the eotranoe it k 2 miks wide, with dqiths of
from lOto 12 fathoms; the pokton the E. side k rocky ; but Shoal Fbiat
on the S. shiHre, k the onty (dace of danger, and here the river k oootnoteJ
tohalf amik. Upon dns ritcr k a settkment, made by a ooknj from Port
Jackson, caUed

HOB AET*S TO WN.~Thk town k buflt at the foot of a kfty moos-
tain, calkd Mount Wellington, near a river, named the Jocdan, vriii^ s
confined to deep poofc, or narrow diannds, in sammer, and overflows k

NmShuHtWuk^^.} ORIENTAL COMBfESCB.

banks, HHiiidatiiig tlie comtrj to. a cooddcftidble dbtanm^ in wintan The
eoUiTatcd dktrieta of BUckiiighamslike are mare produdiva thaa the bimI af
New South Wales^ todtfaeigBaw (£t^ wlwat blavgerialdheajnev. Stnoe
1811, the imgreat of improVaimt at Habart'f Tom haa btcn ywj fHpUU
The wntchad Imli, of whidi it was tboK oonqiotad^ have gireti fince tb
Mbstaalial buildings^ laid ont iani^uhnr aiieets,' of a good width, thoi^
unpaved. The number of houses is about 700, chieflj brick. The pnblie
buildtiiga consist of a Churob, frhaadaone brick liniotiire ; &Coiirt.hoilse, of
stone;! Governoc^s iesideofc^ Gorenuneni atore^ hospital, and gad. Tha
inns are. pakiy, and ill adapted to recetre atiangera Theinhabitahtaara
not at first sight prepossessing in dress and appearance, and thestate of
society is not spdcen' of genendlf in favonrafale terms, as- many of the
settlera ^nre . men of brokte £Hrtune& The merofaants cotdblaa tbe wholesale
and retail business^ and icemoaUj seen bahiad a counter.

The. anchorage in the baiboiar' is. safii and conTenfent: a Urge and
substantial quaj is thrown out, for the facility of hmding goodt, and ships
of considerable burthen may lie within hitil of it.

TnAAKr^Thi principal artides of eiqport are wheat and potatoes, which
conatitate the stiqple agrioultiuial products ; ako woa^ Udes, whak oil, and
skins. The latter articles are shipped for Europe. The wheat is ezpoMed
to NefT South Waleii in cons i d ef abl e qiiantity, and occasjemdly to the
Mmiaitids'and Bid Janetso. fVom 1815 t^ 188(\ the qnantity of wheat
txpmrted from Hobant's Town to Port Jackson waa 60^309 baabak. The
w«ol of Van Diemeli'lLand is not eqnal to that ef New South Walas^
owiiq^ peobably to want of equal attention being paid to it; bat a socaaty
kaa lately been establbhed these for eneeuraging its growth and improve-
ment.

The aceounts of importil^ and other eommercial details* are blended
wkh those 4s£ Sydney^ already given.

OiJTiss.— The duties of Van Diemen'^s Land are the same as those
levied IB New South Wales. The following account of the duties received
apoo goods imported into Hobait^s Town, for a pariod commcnoing July,
ISIff, and anting Deoendfeer^ 1819, wiQ shew the p rog r es si ve incnaae of
its trade up to that date :-^

Duties
Ditto

in 1816 £2877.

inl817«%«^4819.

Duties received in 1818..*^5305.
Ditto ml819.^«.7850.

These duties are ezclu^i^e. of those on spirits j wine, and tobacco, im*
ported from Sydney, which are received in the latter port

Coii^s, WaiGHTs, AKo MEASURES.-— Thcsc are also simihu: to those at

560 ORIENTAL COMlfEBCE* [New Sauik Woks, ^

dM seat of GoferameBtr except llwt much of tbeMT^^ confltbof
notes of hand, or what we termed I. O. U.\ payable at sight; these are
hmied by any hidindttal, and are negotiahle in proportion to the credit of
the issuer. Much buriness is also transacted by barter: sheep being ex-
changed for sugar, rum, or tobacco. Both praetioes, howerer, are now
less common than formerly, owing to the issuing of notes by the bank at

Sydney*

With the exception of Orsran Bat, in latitude «r 48r &, hmgitnde
liS'S' E., formed on the W. side of an idand separated firom Van IXemen^i
Land by a strait, there seems to be no harbour of consequence known oo
the R coast

The N. coast contains only one harbour, which is

PORT DALBYMPLE, situated in ktitnde 4r 9 &, longitude
147^ ir E. The harbour is difficult of access, and its entrance is not eady
discerned. The shoals which beset the passage are dangerous, and mostly
covered at half4ide.

A considerable intercourse subnsts between this port and New Sooth
Wales. It is a Tory large com district; and there is a communkaliaa
betwixt Port Dabymple and Hobait's Town by bmd; the distance ia about
150 miles.

TxAox.— The trade by sea is almost wholly confined to Port Jackson;
consequently manuftctured and other goods are charged here with doubk
fieight and diarges. At the period of Mr. Bigge's Report, the ifififarcase
in prkes of common articles between Sydn^ and Launceston, (m tows
situated at some distance fimn Port Ddrymple), was nearly 100 per cent

Among the merdiantable products of the county of ComwaU, is irsa.
A few miles from Port Dalrynqple, considerable quantities of iron oie
have been discovered upon the surfiwe, which proves to be pure protoxide
of iron, (similar to the black iron ore of Sweden), and furnishing a Tciy
pure and malleable metal.

GEORGE TOWN.---This is a new settlement withm a very few ndki
of the N. coast and Bass's Straits. It is yet in its iuEmcj ; bnt bciag
fiivourably situated for trade, and roads being already finished, communi-
cating with the interior, it is making rapid progress.

APPENDIX.

No. 1.

Table of the Duties of Customa and Eacise payable on Goode^ Ware$t
a$id Merchandise imported into the Untied Kingdom.

ACORUS ..p«r)k

Agates or CorneBBiiB, set, per 1002 Talae 20
,iiot«et, perlOOfTalne 10
Alkali, not cthenriae charged with
Datjy vtf.

Any article whereof Mineral Alkali
is the most Talnable part, not
coatala&iig a g-nater propdrtikm
bTsoch Alkali than SO per cent

in a British buUt ship, per cwt 8
not in a British hnih ship

percwt. 9
^ ■ oontainiag more than

20 per Cent and not exceeding
S5 par Cent.

n a British built ahip, par ewt. 11
not in a Britiah hnilt ship

per cwt. 11
■ « eotttaining more than

2ft per Cant, add not elcMding
aOperCent
in a British bailt ship, per cwt. 14
not in a British built ship

par cwt 16
■ miitamiag laoie than
90 per Cent and not exoeedmg
40parCeBt.

in a Britiah haih ship, per cwt. 18
aot B a British hiuk ship

per cwt* 19
— ^*"-*-^ eontaining more than
40psrCeiit

iaaBritishhoiltahipfparart* 1 2
a British bniH ship

per cwt. 1 S

per cwt. 16

<if any other aort.... per cwt. 2 7

perlbb 2

9 tbe pradnea of; and imported
tbe Oipe oTOood Hope, .per lb. 9

perlb. 9 9

8
9

Alum .•..«.».......•.•.••• .per cwt.

■ Roch ...«• .....percwt.

Amber, mana&etarss dt, onennmerated

per lb.

, roogh per lb»

Ambergris,the prodnoe of British fishing

peroc
, the pDodnea of Foiaign fish-
ing peroc

Anacaidium per lb.

Anisesd per cwt.

AnBotto,flag • •.••perlb.

■ ■ of any other sort ,.•... per Rk

Aqna-fiartis percwt

Arangoas per lOOf vahie

Algol •••• ••• .perewt.

——^ the prodvoB of and imported A^om

any British possession per cwt

Arrow Root per lb.

■ ■, theprodii6e of and imported
from wag Britiah possaflirion ..par lb.

Arsenic, white per cwt

■ of any other sort . . . .per cwt

Aapiudtnm, the produce of and imported

fron» any British poaaeasion. .. .per lb.

AssafistidB , per lb.

Balsam, artificial or natural . . . .per lb.

Baric, AngostnfB. per lb.

■■ ■ ■ » ClOTe per lb.

Peravian per lb.

-, onennmented, «tt.

ftnrmodicinlaae perlb.

fiw the aae of Dynt or Taimer8>

the produce of and imported

from any Britiah pnaseerimi

perlOOfTafaie

of other sorts . . . .par lOOf Talae

£ s. <«.

17 6
11 8

12
1

2 9

9 10

9 19

9 2 9

10 9 9

29 9

9 12 9

29 9 9

15 10

^Crystal per 1000 1 8 8

Beads, Amber per lb.

, Arango per 1001 value

perlb.

-, Coral.

£62

APPENDIX.

4
6
3
2

£ ». d.
Beads, QnenuBierated. . . .per KMM value 90
Beef wcx)d, unmanufactnred, imported

from New South Wales per ton 5

Benjamin, or Benzoin per lb. 2

Bezoar Stones per oz. 3 6

Bones of Cattle and other Animals, and of

fish (except Whale fins) {Msr 100/ value 10
Books, bein^ of Editions printed prior
to the year 1801, bound or unbound

percwt. 10
, being of Editions printed in or
since 1801, bound or unbound, per cwt. 5

Boracic Acid per lb.

Borax or Tincal, refined per lb.

, unrefined per lb.

Bottles of Earth or Stone. . . .per dozen 3
of Glass, covered with wicker,
until the 1st of January 1826, per

dozen quarts 1 2

and further per cwt. 6 6

— *— on and after the 1st of January,
1820, per dozen quarts, Imperial

measure..... 1 2

and further per cwt. 6 6

I of Green or Common Glass, not

of less content than one pint, and not
being phials, via. full, until the 1st
Januaiy, 1826, per dozoi quarts. ... 4

on and after the 1st January,
1826, per dozen quarts, Imperial

measure 4

■ ■ empty, until the 1st January,

1826, per dozen quarts 20

•.«— — on and after the Ist January,
1826, per dozen quarts. Imperial

measure 2

of Stone, not exceeding two

quarts measure percwt. 6

Brass, manufactures of, nnenumerated

lier loot value 80

Brimstone, rough percwt.

, refined percwt 6

, in flour percwt. 9 9

Bronze, all works ofart made (^, per cwt* 10

Cambogium ....per lb. 18

Camefs Hair..-- See Hair.

Camphor, refined per lU 10

, unrefined per lb. 5

Camwood per ton. 15

Candles of wax per lb. 2 6

Canes, Bamboo per 1000 1 14

, Rattans (not ground), .per 1000 10

Canes, Reed ...A per 1000

, Walkings or sticks mounted,
painted, or otherwise ornamented.

per 100/ value

■ ■ , Wasghees, Jamboo, grooiid

Rattans, Dragon*s Blood, and other

Walking Canes or Sticks ..per 1000

Canthaiides per lb.

Caoutchouc, or Elastic Gum . . . .per lb.

Capita Papavemm per 1000

Caps of Cotton per 100/ value

Cardamoms par lb.

Cannenia Wool .per lb.

Carmine ..per ox.

Carpets of Persia per yard square

Carriages per 100/ value

Cassia Buds per lb.

Fistula P^ 1^

' Lignea per Ih.

Caste of Busts, Statues, or Figvres

percwt.
Catoch% or Terra Japonica . . . .per IK

Cedar Wood per too.

— > the produce of and im-
ported from the Cape of Good Hopa

portOB.

China Root per Dk

China or Porcelain ware, plain,

low

gilt or ornamented. . . .per 100/ vaine

Chocolate and Cocoa Pasta, the produce

of and imported from any Britisb

poasessioB., per lb.

» the pro.
duce of any other place, or if othemae

imported .per Ib^

Cinnabar, native or ftetHkiiB • .per Dw

Cinnamon per Ik

Citratof Lima ...perDk

Cloves per Ik.

Cochineal per Ilk

, the produce of and igyntad
from any British po oseas ion . .per lb.

Dust per lb.

Cocoa Nuts, the |»t)dnoe of and im*
ported from any Britiah pnaBwsiiinB
within the Units of the BastlaAi

Company^s Charter per Ik

, the produoeof anyothflr

place, or if otherwise imported, per ft*

Cocoa Nut Husksand SlieUs. . . .per IK

£ 9, i.
1 6 I

5 6

3 S

le 9

4 •

S 10

90 a

i •

0)1

1 •

2 C

oil

1 •

10 f

I I

U •

90 •

4 4

I •

2 C

1 €

2 1

9 9 h

f 1 9
S

APPENDIX.

563

£ 9. d,

CocnluB Indicos perlb. 2 6

CocuB Wood, the produce of and im-
ported from any British poBseesioo,

per ton. 3

Coffee, the prodoce of the Maaritios

perlb. 6
■ , the produce of and imported
fVom any other British possession,
within the limiU of the East India

Company's Charter perlh. 9

^ the produce of any other place,

or if otherwise imported « perlb. 13

Coloc3rnth, or Coloquintida . . » .per lb. 1 8
Cokmrs for Piunters, onenumerated

per 10(U value 50

Cdumbo ftoot perlb. 2

Copper ore per cwt 12

, old, fit only to be remanufiic-

tured percwt. 16

, in plates and copper coins

percwt* 1 10
^ unwrooght, vts. in bricks or
pigs, rose copper, and all cast cop-
per percwt- 17

, in port wrought, viz, bars, rods,
or ingots, hammered or rused, percwt. 1 16
-.-i— — mannfikctures anaiumerated, and
copper plates engraved, per loot value 30

Coral, in fragments perlb. 10

, whole, polished perlb. 12

^ unpolished per lb. 6 6

, ^ ofBritish fish-

ingortaking perlb. 6

Costos per"*- 1

Cotton,manufactnresof. .per lOOC value 10

and further if printed per

square yard 3J

Cotthage perl^ 13

Cowries per lOW value 20

Crystal, cat, or in any way manuiiM}.

tared, (except beads). .perlOOf value 30

Cnbebs per lb. 2

IHamonds • • * free*

Drawings and Prints, plua each 1

■ .» ookmied . .each 2
- in books, half

bound,orinanyway bound, .percwt. 6 10

^ un-
bound r percwt. 5

Dngs,nnenumerated.... per low value 20

Kartheoware, unenumerated . .per lOOf

value 16

Ebony per ton

, grsoi, the produce of and im-
ported from any British possession,

per ton 3

Elephants' teeth .per cwt. 10

Extract or Preparation, vis.

of Opium per low value 26

of Quassia per 100^ value 50

of Vitriol per low value 26

Solid vegetable extract fincxn
Oak Bark, or other vegetable
substances, to be used for tan.
ning leather, and for no other

{wrpose percwt 3

of any article unenumerated

per low value 20

Peathera, Ostrich, dressed perlb. I

' — 9 undressed . .per lb.

i unen u merated, dressed, .per

low value 20
i unenumerated, undressed

per low value 10
FhxandTow, or Cedilla of Hemp, or
of Flax, dressed or undressed, vts.
From 6th July, 1826, till 6th July,

1826L percwt*

From 6th July, 1826, tlU 6th Jnly,

1827 per cwt.

From 6th July, 1827, till 6th July

1828. percwt.

From and after 6th July, 1828,

per cwt.
Flowers, artificial, not made of silk

per 100£ value 26
Frames fbr Pkturca . . . .per lOW value 20

Galangal per lb.

Galbonmn perlb.

Galls per cwt.

Gamboge per lb.

Garnets, cut per lb.

>, rough per lb.

Gauze, of Thread per lOW value 30

Ginger, the produce of and imported
from any British posseesion. .percwt.

, picsei le d per lb.

Ginseng per lb.

Glass, Crown, German, Sheet, or any
kind of Window Glass, not being

Plate Gkiss per cwt.

, Flint per cwt.

», nate, per square foot, superficial

4
6

I 4

II 2

1 8

11 6

1 6

18
3

6 7

n 2

664

APPENDIX.

£ B» d.

A farther daty (in lieu of Excise) is pay-
able on Glass, vis.
on Plate Glass, and all other Glass
Manufactores, not being oil or
wine .flasks, or Foreign green

Glass Bottles per cwt. 6 6

Granilla perlb. 6

Gum Ammoniac perlb. 13

— — Animi, rough, and in no way

cleaned j^rlb. 6

, scraped, or in any way

cleaned perlb. 6

— Arabic per cwt. 12

——Cashew per cwt. 7 6

I Copal,roogh and in no way denned

perlb. 6
■ ■ ■■ , scr&ped or in any way

cleaned perlb. 6

Elemi perlb. 8

Guaiacma perlb. 1 10

— — Kino or Gum Rubrum astringens

per lb. 1 6
— — Lac, vts. Cake LaC, per 100^ value 10
Lac Dye. .per 100/ value 6
LacLake, per 1002 value 10
Seed Lac. .per 100^ value 6
Shell Lac, per 100/ value 20
Stick Lac, per 100/ value 6 00

-— — Opoponax perlb. 3 6

Sagapenum per lb. 10

— -—Sandarach or Juniper. .. .^jer cwt. 19

Sarcocolla per lb. 10

Senegal percwt 12

Tacamahaca perlb* 2

Tragacanth perlb. 10

— unenumerated . . . .per 100/ value 20
Hair, cow, ox, bull, or elk ... .per cwt. 10
'■ , Goat or camel hur or wool, the
produce of and imported from any

British possession Free.

— ' , the

produce of any other place, or if other-
wise imported per lb. 1

—-~, Human perlb. 6

— — ; articles manufactured of hair or
goat's wool ; or of hair, or goat's
wool, and any other material un-
enumerated. '. per 100/ value 30

Hemp, rough or undressed, or any other
vegetable substance, of the nature tad
quality, and applicable to the pur- '
poses of undressed hemp . . . .perton 8

£ 9.1

Hemp,roaghornndre8ied,tlieprodiiceof

& imported from any British possession Fm.
Hides, buflalo, bull, cow, or ox, in the
hair, not tanned, tawed, or in any way

dressed per hide 6

I, tanned
and not otherwise dressed. . . .per lb. 1 I

, Horse, mare, or gelding, in the
hair, not tanned, tawed, or in any way

dressed per hide If

, tan-
ned, and nototherwise dressed, per lb. 1 f
— — , Horse, mare, gelding, buffido,
bull, cow, or ox, in the hair, not tan.
ned, tawed, curried, or in any way
dressed, the produce of and imported
from any British possession, vis.

dry percwt. 2 ^

wet percwt 1 J

tanned, and not otherwise dressed,

perlb. • i
■ > or pieces of Hides, raw or un-
dressed, unenumerated, per 100/. value 20 t

" ■■■■■ f , tanned,
tawed, or in any Way dressed, unenu-
merated per 100/. value. 7$ ' '

Honey, the produce of, and imported

frcHu any British possession, percwt. ^ ^
Horns, Horn Tips, and pieces<^ Horns,

unenumerated per cwt. ^ ^

Horses, Mares, or Geldings . . . .each 1 f

Japanned Ware per 100/. value M *

Jewels, Emeralds, Rubies, and all other
preciousStones, excqptDiamonds, viu

Set .per 100/. value 20 9 «

Not set per lOtt: value 10 *

Indigo perlb. 4

Juice of Lemons, Limes, or Oranges,
the produce of, and imported finon any
British possession, whether raw or
ooncentnted, per gallon, for everf
degree of specific gravity or strength 0^

Lace, Thread per 100/. vahw 30 f

Lackered Ware per lOOC value 90 I

Lapis Calaminaris per cwt 1 *

Lazuli perUw 3^

Tuti» I««^ VI

Lead, White perewt 7 *

Leather ; any article made of Leather,

or any manufiuture whereof Leather

is thamoat valuable part, unenama-

ntad per lOOL valee 7i *'

APPENDIX.

565

a 9. d.

Mace perlU 8 8

Madder percwt. 9

Root percwt. 10

Mangoes, until Ist Jan. 1828. .pergaL 5
) on and after Ist Jan. 1828,

per gallon, Imperial measure 8

Manna per lb. 13

Maaoacripts per lb. 2

Maps and Charts, pbdn or ookrared,

each, or part thereof 8
.———»—»-« in books half-hoand,

or in any way bound per cwt. 8 10

t in IxxAs, unbound,

percwt. 5

Mannalade per lb. 8

, the produce of, and imported

from any British possession . .per lb. 3

Mastich perlb. 14

Mats, unenumerated . . .per 100£. value 20

Matting per 100^ value 20

Medals of Gold or Silver Free.

•^-^— of any other sort, per 100^ value 5

Melasses percwt 10

Models ofCork or Wood, per 100£.value 5
Mother of Pearl Shells, rough, per

1006 value 5

Musical Instruments. . .per 1002. value 20

Musk per ox. 6

Myrrh perlb. 1 8

Nutmegs perlb. 2 8

Nuts, Cashew, the produce of, and im-
ported from any British possession,

perlb. 1

, Kernels of. per lb. 2

, Cooo or Coker, the produce of and
imported from any British po8se8si<»,

perl20 5

Nnx Vomica perlb. 2 8

CMlorAaiaeed perlb. 4

ofCnjepntn perob 10

of Cassia peroE. 10

of Castor perlb. 10

M , the produce of^ and im>

ported from any British po ss e ss ion,

perlb. 8

^-«9 ClMaucal,miennmented ..perlb. 4

— .ofCfaiDHBOB peroc 10

— ofClovw peroc 2

— ofCoooNuts percwt. 2 8

— oTPchmI perlb. 4

•— oTLiMMd, aCil 1st JanoBiy. 1826,

per ton 33 5

Oil of LinseedfOn and after 1st January,
1828 ... .per tun. Imperial measure 39

— of Mace peroz.

— of Nutmegs peroz.

of Orange Flower, or Neroli, per oz.

— of Pahn per cwt.

of Rosewood per oz.

of Sandal Wood peroz.

, Train, tns. — ^The produce of Fish

or Creatures living in the Sea, taken
by the crew of a Brilish built ship,
wholly owned by His Majesty's sub-
jects usually residing m Great Bri-
tain,Ireland, or the Islands of Guern-
sey, Jersey, Aldeniey, Sark, or Man,
and imported in such shipping :

Blubber per tun

Train Oil, Spermaceti Oil, or Head
Matter per tun

, the prqi^uoe of Fish or Crea*

tures living in the Sea, taken wholly

by His Majesty's subjects, usually

residing in any part of his Majesty's

dominions, and imported directly from-

the Cape of Good Hope, or from any

British Colony or Territory within-

ihe limits of the East India Compa.

ny's Charter, in a British built ship :•

Blubber per tun

Train Oil, Spermaceti Oil, or

Head Matter per tun 1,

, the produce of Fish- or Craa*

tures living in the Sea, of Foreign

Fishing t

Blubber per tun 22

Train Oil, Spermaceti Oil, or Head

Matter per tun 33

-—of Turpentine perlb.

— unenumerated ....per lOOf. value 50

Oker or Ochn , .per cwt.

Olibanum percwt. 2

Opium perlb.

Orange Flower Water, until Ist Ja-

Buary, 1826 per gaL

, on and after

Ist January, 1826, per gaL Imperial

measure

Orchal, Archal, or Orchelia . .per cwt.

Orfument percwt* 1

Orris, or Iris Root percwt. 1

Otta, Attar, or Oil of Roses. ...per ox.

'* G^onis, ODennmerated, per

lOOe. value 30

«. d^

2 8

5 8
8 3

13 4
0-

3 4

8 9

3 2

3 9

8 6

566

APPENDIX.

Paintbgs oo Glass . . . .per lOM. value

And further per cwt*

Paper, printed, painted, or stained, or
Paper Hangings, or Flock Paper,

per jard square
, Waste, or nnenumerated, p«r lb.
Pencils (not of slate) . .per 1002. value
Pepper, viz. — ^AU Pepper, Cayenne
Popper, Long Pepper, Guinea Pep-
per, Capsicum or Cliillies . . . .per lb.
Pickles of all sorts, nnenumerated, until

1st January, 1826 pergaL

, on
and after 1st January, 1826, per gaL

Imperial measure

Pictures under 2 feet square each

— - of 2 and under 4 feetsquara, each
— of 4 feet square, or upwards,

each
Plants, Shrubs, and Trees, alive ....

Plate, of Gold per oz. troy

, of Silver, gilt per 02. troy

■ ■ , part ^It. .per oz. troy

-^ un^t . . . .per oc. troy

PUtina per ox.

, Ore of per 1002. value

Prints. — See Drawings.

Quicksilver per lb.

Radix ContrayervB per lb.

Raisins of all sorts per cwt.

Red Wood per ton

Rhubarb per lb.

Rice, rough and in the husk, or paddy,
until 1st January, 1826 . .per bushel

» on
and after 1st January, 1826, per
bushel, Imperial measure
—— the produce of any British posses-
sion, vts.—- Rough and in the bosk,
or paddy^ until 1st January, 1826,

^per bushel

, on

and after 1st January, 1826, per

bushel. Imperial measure

Rosewood per cwt.

Safflower per cwt

Saffron per lb.

Sago, Pearl per cwt.

- ■ ■ ■ , Common per cwt.

■ > Powder per cwt.

Sal Ammoniac. .. : i. per lb.

—.Gem per cwt

2 6

3 8

6 16

10 4

Fiea

•

S 16

2 6

1 10

£ I. i

Salep per lb. 9 1 3

Saltpetre per cwt 6

Sanguis Draconis perUv 18

SapanWood per ton 15

Sassafras percwt 6 4

Saunders, Red per ton 13 •

, White or Yellow.... per lb. 10

Scammony, or Diagrydinm . . . .per lb. € 4
Sea Cow, Sea Horse, or Sea Mone

Teeth.... percwt 3 4

Seed, Anise, or Aniseed percwt 3

Castor per lb. 4

Coriander percwt IS

Cummin percwt 100

Flax, until 1st Jaikuary, 1826,

perboshel i
" , from 1st January to 6th
April, 1826, per bushel, Imperial

measure i

— , after 5th April, 1826,

per quarter. Imperial measure 1

— ^, Forest per lb. «

Garden, nnenumerated . .per lb.
Hemp, until Ist January, 1826,

per quarter 2
■ , 00 and after 1st January,
1826. .per quarter. Imperial measure 2
, Linseed, until 1st Januaiy, 1826,

per bushel S
- — , fixmi Ist January to 6th
April, 1826, per bushel. Imperial

measure i

, after 5th April, 1826,

per quarter. Imperial measure 10
> Shrub, or Tree Seed, niitrnumo-

nted perlb. 6

^, Wonn perlb. 1

, unenumerated. . .per 1002. value 30

Sena perlK 1 3

Silk, vis.— Raw Silk, Knubs or Husks
of Silk, and Waste or Fhies Silk,

perlb. 3

—.., Thrown, dyed or not perlb. 7^

^— Manulactures, from and after 5th

July, 1826 per 1002. vahie 30

JST. B» Until that period the impartation
of Foreign Silk Manu&ctures is pro-
liibited.
Skins in the hair, not tanned, tawedt
or in any way dressed, vts.

Calf percwt 4 B

Dog perdoi. 010

APPENDIX.

S6T

£ 8, iL

Skijis,Elk perskin 10

Seal perskin S

-^-> of foreign Sshiiig.... per skin 3 6

, undresMd) vis*

Goat per dozen 2 10

Husse perskin b*

Lamb per 100 14

Leopard and Tiger perskin 9 6

Martin per skin 18

Sheep perdocen 3 8

Sqiurrel perlOOskms 11 6

— — and FnrS) or pieces of Skins and

Purs, not otherwise described or

charged with duty, raw or undressed

per 1002. vahie 20

, tanned, tawed,
or in any way dressed, per 100^ 7ahte 76

Sottff (in lieu of Excise) perlb. 6

Soap, Ha^ per cwt. 18

— > Soft .per cwt 13

Specimens illustrative of Natural His-
tory, unenumerated Frefr

Spelter, from 6th July, 1826, to 6th

July,1826 percwt 14

yfram 6th July, 1826, to 6th

Jn]y,1827. percwt. 12

, from and after 6th July, 1827,

percwt 10

Spikenard perlb. 2 9

8|nrits, until 5th January, 1826, vtt.

Arrack and Spirits unenumerated,

pergaL 3 1

Brandy and Geneva pcgaL 1 11

Rum and Spirits of the Cape of

Good Hope per gal. 13

And further, in lien of Excise, viz.
Single Rnm, Spirits, or Aqua Vitas,
imported by the East India Com-
pany per gaL 16 6|

Rum, Spirits, or Aqua Vite, above
proof, imported by the Bast India

Company per gaL 17^

Single Brandy, Spirits, AquaVitm,
or strong waters of any other

kind pergaL 17 0^,

Brandy, Spirits, Aqna Vits, or
strong waters, of any other kind,

•bovaproof pergaL 1 10 6^

" -^ on and after 6th Janaary,1826y

not exceedmg the strength of proof by

Sykes*s hydioBMter, and for any pn>-

P'^tion above proof, m's.

1^ prodnoe of any British posses-

£ 9» d^

sion within the limits of the East
India Company^s Charter, not
bmngsweetened spirits, or sprits
mixed with any article so that
the d^ree of strength cannot be
exactly ascertained by such hy-
drometer per gaL

Not the produce of any British
possession, as aforesaid . . per gal*

Sfurits, sweetened or mixed with any
article so that the degree of strength
cannot be ascertained, as aforesaid

pergaL

Squilb), dried per cwt

) not dried percwt

Stone, scnlptnred, or Mosaic work,

percwt

Storax, or Styrax, Calamita per lb.

, Liquida .... per lb.

, in the tear or gum,

perlb.

Snocades, the produce of and imported
from any British possession within
the limits of the East India Compa-
ny's charter per lb.

— — , the produce of any other
place, or if otherwise imported, per Ilv

Sugar, the produce of any place within
thelimits of the East India Company's
charter, (except the island of Man*
ritins)t»s.

Of any British Colony or Terri.

tc»7 per cwt

Of any other oonntiy or place,

percwt

> the produce of the Mauritius,
white or clayed percwt

' ' ■*— ^ I iiiiiBB^ brown
or Muscovado per cwt

> R^ned per cwt

— Candy, Brown per cwt

i White per cwt

Talc perlb.

Tallow per cwt

Tamarinds per lb.

' » the produce of, and import-
ed from any British possesion within
the limits of the East India Compa-

ny'scharter per lb>

Tapioca, or Tapioca Powder, .per cwt.

1 a
1 2 6

1 10

6 9

2 6

3 4

8 4

6
3 3

3 3

1 16

1 10

8 8

6 12

8 8

1 10

::^

568

APPENDIX.

Tea FreeofCwtoms.

Kzciae Duty on Tea, vts.

On Ten sold at or under 2b. per IK

per loot, vafaie. 96 •
above 2«. per IK
per 1001. valoe. JOO
Teake Wood, 8 inches square or up-
wards ... .per load of 50 cubical feet 1 10
TerraJaponica, or Catechu.... per cwt 3

Tin per cwt. S 10

— , Manu&ctures of . .per lOOL value 20
Tobaooo, unnwnnftctnred (in lieu of
B«ase) perlK 4

■ ■ > manuftctured, and Segars
nMuiuftctured from Tobacco, .per IK 12
And further, in lieu of Excise, per IK 18

Tortoiseshell, wunaaufactured, .per IK 2
' ■ " » the produce o^ and hn.

ported fixxm any British possession,

per IK 1

'^^^ per low. nJua 20

T-fWth perib. 2

Turmeric perlb. 4

■> the produce of, and import.

ed from any British possession, per IK 2

Vermicelli ^i^ 8

Vermiiion pgrib, 1

Wax, Bees' unmanufactured, .per cwt 3 6 6

9 the pro-
duce oiy and imported from any Bri-
tish Colony or Territory... .per cwt. 2 6 6

■ * " » White, or manufactured,

per cwt. 6 3 6

— -— »6eaUng per lOOL Tshie 30

Whalefins,tak«a by the craw of a Bri-
tish built ship, whf^y owned by His
Majesty's subjects, usually raddmg
in Grant Britshi, Ireland, or the Is-
lands of Guernsey, Jersey, Aldemey,
Sark, or Man, and imported m such

■Wpping perton 2 7 6

i taken wholly by His Ma.
jesty's subjects, usually raddmg in
any part of his Majesty's domuiions,
and imported directly from the Cape
of Good Hope, or finon any British
Cokmy or Territory within the Umits
of the East India Company's charter,

in a British built ship perton 3 3 4

, of foreign fishing ....perton 05
Wine, of the Cape of Good Hope, ia«

£ ui
ported dirset from thence, until Isl

January, 1836 P^rgaL 3 <^

From 1st Januaiy, 1836, to «tk
January, 1880, per gallon, Iiii|».

rialmearare 2 i
Alter fth January, 1830, per gsL

Imperial measoie 3 t
Wme, French, until 1st January, 18SS,

pergsL M
— — — ,on and afUtr Ist Jami-
aiy, 1836, per gaL Imperial measure 7 ^

, unenn mer a t ed, nntU 1st Jaauaiy,
1826 pergaUon 4 •

■ , on and after 1st

January, 1826, per gallon, Imperial

measure 419
Wood fit fbr ship buildmg, per load of

Mcnbicalfeet 1 Ul t
i^. A Teake, or other Wood fit for
ship building, the produce of New

South Wake, Noifitft Island, Van
IHemen's Land, or of any place
within the limits of the East India
Company^ Charter, ia M^m^^ to
entry, dutyfree

, unmanufactured, the produce of

New South Wales, Norfolk Islsad,
or Van Diemen's Land, unennme-
rated perlOOfLvahe h • •

Wool, Cotton per lOOL valae 6 • •

, Sheep or Lambs' the produce of
and hnported finom any British p(»-
wMion Fm.

, the prodnoe of
any other place, vis.
Underthevalueofls.perlK.4wrlC • • h
Ofthe valueof Is. per IK and up-
wards ....perIK I 1

Woollens, ms.— Maaofhctnreaof Wool,
(not Goats* Wool) or of Wool mi»d
with Cotton, anenumerated, per 1001.

vahwM • *
Zedoaria ..perlK • ^ '

Goods, Wares, and Merchandise, either
in part or wholly mannftebired, un«
enumerated, and not prohibitad to be
hnported per lOOfL vahs S» • *

■ II ■ — — ^.*— — i— ^—^M.— ^— ^ not

being in part or wholly mana&dned,
being uneoumeraisd, and not pnU-
hibited to be hnported, par lOOLfakK 10 * *

APPENDIX.

Na II.— South AKaaiCA.— CommarcioZ Laws a/md Regulaiiohs of

Cofomfiia.— 1884.
9utinr 0t gmportxtiati.

CLASSES.

Ist Iron in ban

TinShMU

Copper Shdotfl. •

Puer of efWT deMiiftioii

All aorts of Medidiie

Sofgical lostmiBeirts

Ships' Rigging

Pitch

Cables

Cordage •

Anchors

2d. AU kinds of Cotton, WooUen, Thread, Hemp, and
Worsted Goods, (except snch as are in other classes) . .

3d. Umbrellas ^

Beaver Hats ' •

WooUen Ditto

Cotton Ditto

Silk Ditto

Wax or Spermacetiy mannftctured or in its natural state..

Wines .r

Vinegars »

Oils ofereiy description

Gold and SUTer Watches

Importsdin
nsdonalwe*
aebftomEu-
zopeorflM
UnitedStattd

NaUfloal

Saddles

Playing Caids

European Earthenware
Crystal and Glass of all
4th. Silka, and all Silk Goods of the growth and manu-
facture of Europe

Precious Stones and Jewels

Tanned Skins

Thread and Silk Lace

Haadkerchiefe

Artificial Flowers

Plumes or Feathers

Looking Glasses * * • •

Sweet«9ented Waters

Fruits, dry or in Wine, (H^ or Brandy

OUycs

Capers

All sorts of PicUea

dth. Sooaa. ••• •••.•....• ••••••.••«•«•

Boota

All aorta of House Funitara

Ready-nwdeClothea s

All sorts of Furniture, and Utensils of Copper,Composition,

Iron, StseU or Tin

Tallow, in its nataral state, or manu&ctured

Floura

Salt Meats

A U kinda of Foreign Provisions

All othfsr aorts of Merchandise and commercial Articles

not eoimecisd m the above elasaes

Except an Goods whatsoever of the growth and manuiac-^
tare of Asiatic nataooa or European settlements in Asia, }-
ezeepting those

percent.

ps oflnt.

WiflOM l

flnm Asa.
12

fflj

Fowip
ramilsftmn
Europe
theUai

States

percent.

17J

22}

Natkmal

fkom Ada.
20

percent*

3S|

9»

■nuBon

per ceatages are atpresentooUeoied agreeably to an Arancel, Ymrnaj^ ody, in many ii»^"a»«
ee vahii^ons for articles that have a great variety of gT«datk»s lo value; consequentiy the

two or three

•hove Duties can eekbm be levied with accuracy.

670 APPENDIX.

Reoclations.— Goods coming f^bin mids of the fbmier S|^aiiuli ooloniei u
are now independent States^ whether In national or foreign vessels^ pay no more
duties than if from Europe or the United States^ provided they be of the
growth and manufacture of ihe aforesaid former colonies: other goods are
considered as coming from oc^onies, and do not enjoy the difference of duties od
articles from Europe or the United Sta!tes> ui^ess by treaty it be otherwise <!»>
termined.

Merchants must either pay the duties of importation immediately^ or find
two good sureties ; in which latter case^ three and six months are granted for
payment in moieties. If the payment be anticipated, one half per cent, per month
is allowed ; but if the indulgence be accepted, 1 per cent, per month must be
paid.

Foreign merchandise, wines, gins, grape-brandies, beers, pitnrisions, snd
articles of the first necessity of life, imported with the design of being exported
from Colombia to friendly or neutral nations, have the duties returned, provided
ihe importer, at the time of importing, states his intention of so doing, and that
the exportation be made within the space of six months. The repayment of the
duties to be made on the day of the sailing of the vessel, of which eight dsyi'
notice must be given, 2^ per cent, being reserved for the benefit of the State.
These articles, imported with the intention of being exported, cannot be dii-
posed of in Colombia without special permission.

Articles exkmptbd from paying Duties op Importation.— Printed boob
in any language, maps, geographical charts, philosophical instruments and appa-
ratus, engravings, pictures, statues, collections of antiquities, busts, and medals.

Iq^ implements of agriculture.

Plants and seeds.

Machines and utensils for the cultivation of land, and the preparatioD and
working of its productions.

Those machines and utensils which in any manner contribute to fiKiliti^
the extraction and working of metals, semi-metals, and minerals.

All machines and utensils which may conduce to ihe amelioration of the na-
vigation of lakes and rivers.

All machines and utensils conducing to the increase of domestic mamfit^
tures of woollen and cotton.

Instruments, utensils, and apparatus, belonging to citiaens or strangas,
professors of any liberal or mechanic art, who may arrive at the ports of the R^
public, with the intention of establishing themselves in its territory, and eztf-
dsing their profession.

Printing machines and apparatus, types, and printers' ink.

Precious metals, either coined or in bullion.

Lead and muskets. If the muskets be of a superior quality, fit to be fe-
ceived by the Government Authorities, it is enacted that they shall be!!paid fir
fidthfully within the space of four months ; and any quantity of mei€faaiidise».<^

APPENDIX. 671

a value equal to that of the muakets and kid imported in the same vessd, shall
pay 5 per cent, less than the regular importation duties; and if no merchandise
be in^rtedin the same vessel, an equivalent to be paid within the space of four

months.

Abticlss prohibitbd to bb ihfortbd« — Coffee, cacao, indigo, sugars

(law and refined), and molasses.

All pE^ductions and manufiwtures of Spain and her dependencies.

Gunpowder.

Tobacco, whether in leaf, segars, snuff, or raj^ee.

Foreign spirits extracted from the sugar-cane, or their compounds.

Foreign salt.

Consumption Duty. — Three per cent, upon the value of the im^rted artU
cles ; which if dtfqposed of in the sea-port, the duty to be there paid either im-
mediately; or by giving security, within the term of six numths, one per cent, to
be paid every six months ; and if disposed of in the intmor, to be paid there
under similar conditions.

Duties of Expobtation.— Undressed Hides, 10 per cent, upon the market
price; Cacao, 15 ditto; Coffee, 6 ditto; Indigo, 5 ditto; Dye-wood, 5 ditto;
Mules, 20 dollars a head; Horses, l6 ditto; Asses, 6ditto; Catde, 12^ ditto;
Coined Gold, 8 per cent ; Gold in ban fiom the province of Veragua, 8 ditto;
Silver from the Isthmus and Guayaquil, S ditto; aU other articles,. 4 ditto.

Abticles bxemptbo fbom paying Dutibs of Expobtation^— Cotton, rice,
and maiae, or Indian conu

Abticles pbohibxted to be expobtbd.— Mares aqd cows.

Uncoined gold, except bars of gold fixun the province of Veragua.

All silver, except from Guayaquil and the Isthmus.

Flatina, under penalty of loaing the metal, and paying for each pound a fine
of 50 dollars.

It is enacted that all vesseb, before sailing, shall be examined.

Tonnage Duty.— Foreign vessela pay 4 reals per ton ; National, 1 ditto.
Ditto, proceeding from one port to another of the Republic^ pay,fQr each tonex«i
ceeding 20, half a real. Ditto, not having 20 tons burden, pay no tonnage duty.
— The Colombian ton is 20 quintals.

The registers, manifests, and licences of merchant-vessels are taken posses-
sion of by the Collectors of the Custom-houses, and not returned until the ton-
nage is paid ; or they are delivered to the Consul of the nation to which the
vessel belongs, who becomes responsible for the payment of the duty.

Anchobaob DuTy.— -Collected upon the old Spanish system, and appears
to average about 2 dollars lor every 120 tons.

Special Tbibunals of Commebce are established in various cities and
lowns, to decide exclusively on commercial disputes and differences.

572 APPENDIX.

Pknaltieb on the Dbfrauder8 op Custom-house Dvrtms.'^Cmiom'kimK
q^feffrj.-^Loss of situation ; double the defrauded duties.

Oipnerf^<A«cori<ra6ancf|9roperQf .---Fir St oiFenoe: confiscation of the ooo-
traband articles; and if they exceed in value the fifth part of the cargo, the loss
of the whole cargo, and the transaction to be published in the CrovemaoeBt Ga-
settes. — Second offence : confiscation of the contraband property ; and if it ex-
ceeds the tenth part of the cargo, the loss of the whole.— Third offence : can*
fiscation of the contraband goods; and if they exceed one-twelfth of the
cargo, the loss of the whole, and suspension ibr ten years finom the zighta of a
citizen.

Consignee* are subject to the same penalties as the owner, and aie also
responsible to the consignor.

Aiders.-^A fine of from SOO dollars to 800 dollars; and if ihey cannot pay^
four to six months' imprisonment.

Ca|>tatiitf and 5tfprviciirgoef concealing the number of pieces, packages, cheats,
or trunks, in the manifest, are punished with the loss of the Tessel.

On Colombian Vessels.— Any Tessel, wherever it may have been baOt, can
be inscribed as a national vessel of Colombia, provided it be the property of a
Colombian citizen, the owner making oath that it in no manner belongs to any
foreigner, and binding himself that the vessel shall never bear any other fla^ than
the Colombian; and that whenever she sails, more than one-half of the crew
shall consist of citizens or natives of the Country. Any one offending agamst
these provisions, shall be fined 50 dollars for every ten tons of the vessel, besides
bemg subject to the punishments inflicted on perjurers.

The Intendants of the maritime departments can grant, in the name <^tfae
Republic, and for the term of four years, merchant rasters finr navigation to
foreign vessels, whose owners intend to naturalize themselves. For this purpose,
the proprietors must present the registers of their vessels to the custom-house of
the port where they reside.

The titles of navigation must be renewed whenever the vessel is transferred
from one citizen to another, or any important alterations be made in its quality
and construction, or its name changed, or the number of its tons diminished or
increased.

No Colombian merchant vessel can navigate without the register, pstentp
and roll of its crew, under penalty of being embargoed, and the confiscation of
the vessel, its sails, rigging, and utensils.

Vesseb trading with the Mosquito and Guajira coasts, must enter, and take
out licences, at some of the Colombian ports, for which one dollar and a half po
ton must be paid, independently of unavoidable expences of |»lotag^

APPENDIX. 673

The foU0wiiig aie the'Ports of Colombia open to foreign commerce :-^
In the Atlantic— -Pampata, Juan-Griego^ Antigoa-Guajana, Santo-Toma9

de Angostura^ Cumana, Barcelona^ L»>Guaira, Puerto-Cabello, Coro, Maracaibo>

Riohaca, Santamarta, Cartagena, Chagre, Portovedo.

In the Pacific— Grnayaquil, Esmeraldaa, Buenaventura, Panama.

No. III. Calcutta.— f'or/ WUUam, December S, 1824.— The following
modified Regulation regarding the Shipment of Baggage of Passengers pro«
ceeding to the Cape of Good Hope, St. Helena, and Europe, on the Honour^
able Company's ships, is republished for general information:—

Gentlemen proceeding to the Cape of Good Hope, St. Helena, or Eng-
land, in the under-mentioned stations, a^e restricted from taking with them a
larger tonnage of Baggage and Stores than the following, exclusive of their
bedding, table, and a sofii, and two chairs, for their respective cabins^ viz.

This allowance includes the Baggage of Servants.

Gentlemen of Council, 5 Tons ; General Officers, 5 ditto ; Colonels in His
Majesty's or Company's Service, 4 ditto; Senior Merchants, 4 ditto; Lieute-
nant-Colonels, S ditto ; Junior Merchants, 3 ditto ; Majors, 2{ ditto ; Factors,
2^ ditto; Captains, 2 ditto; Persons not in the Company's Service, 2 ditto.

Gentlemen proceeding to England in ei£her of the above-mentioned sta«
tions, who may be permitted to carry home their families, are restricted from
taking more tonnage than one half of ihe preceding allowance, in addition, as
the Ladies' baggage, and one ton for each child.

Married Ladies proceeding alone to England, are restricted firom taking more
than one half of the tonnage prescribed for a Grentleman of the same rank as
their husbands, exclusive of one ton of baggage for each child.

Widows proceeding to England, are in like manner restricted from taking a
greater quantity than one half of the tonnage prescribed for a Gentleman of the
same rank as their deceased husbands, exclusive of the allowance of one ton for
each child.

Writers, Lieutenants, Ensigns, and other cabin passengers, are restricted
from taking a larger quantity of baggage and stores than one ton each, exclusive
of their bedding, a table and sofa, and two chairs.

Married Ladies proceeding alone to England, or Widows of either of these
last mentioned descriptions, are restricted from taking more than a similar quan-
tity of baggage.

Gentlemen of these last mentioned descriptions who may be permitted to
carry home their wives, are restricted from taking more than one ton in addition
as the Ladies' baggage.

Single Ladies are restricted from taking more than the same quantity of
baggage, and cabin furniture.

The baggage of persons proceeding to Europe on the Honourable Company's

674 APPENDIX.

ships, will in iiiture (if required) be shipped through the Export Warehonse;
and such persons are accordingly required to send thdr baggage, or any part of
the same, to the Export Warehouse, at least 14 days previous to the time appoint
ed for the dispatch of the ship on which they may proceed ; as afler Ae dispatch
of the last sloop with Company^s cargo, no baggage will be received finr transmis-
sion to that ship through the Export Warehouse.

The baggage of persons above mentioned shall be accompanied by a letter,
addressed to the Sub-Export Warehouse Keeper, specifying the number and tof
tare of the packages ; the dimensions thereof^ and the rank of the owner, and a
list, to be accompanied by a certificate from the Custom Master, that the da-
ties thereon have been settled, shall be furnished.

It shall be the duty of the Sub-Export Warehouse Keeper, or other Officer
of the Export Warehouse, upon the receipt of the baggage into the Elxpart
Warehouse, to cause the square contents of each package to be ascertidned,
and to register the same, and also to grant a receipt of their number to the
proprietors of thenu

The Sub-Export Warehouse Keeper wiU also adopt immediate measures
for forwarding them to the ships, on which they are to be laden, at the risk
however of the proprietor.

In the event of persons desiring to ship their own baggage, they wHl, on
application to the Sub-Export Warehouse Keeper, or the Commander of the
ship they may be about to proceed on, be furnished with printed forms of
application, which they are required to fill up as directed therein, and for-
ward to the Sub-Export Warehouse Keeper, who will cause the soUd contents
of the baggage therein described to be ascertained, and grant an order to the
Commander of the ship on which they may have engaged their passage^ for the
reception of the same on board.

The Public are hereby informed, that the Conunanders of the Honourable
Company's ships are not only positively prohibited from receiving on board of
their ships any baggage except under an order from the Sub-Export Warehouse
Keeper, or any Officer of the Warehouse, but held also responsible for the conse-
quence of taking any baggage in excess of the authorized quantity, and made to
pay freight for excess so taken, at such rate as the Honourable Court of Directors
may deem proper.

No baggage in excess of the allowance above stated, can be permitted to be
shipped, without previous reference to the Board of Trade, who will transmit
such applications for the consideration of the Governor General in Council.

Each person, whose baggage may be shipped through the Export Warehouse,
will be permitted, on his final departiure, to take with him a small trunk and an
escrutoir under his own custody.

To meet the contingent expences of the Baggage Department of the Export
Warehouse, the following fee shall be levied fhrni the parties, on obtaining from
the proper Officer a receipt for their baggage.

APPENDIX. . 575

A fee at the rate of 20 Soca Rupees per ton d 90 cubical i^, on baggage
shipped through the Export Waiehouae.

A fee at the rate of l6 Sicca Ru^pees per ton of 50 cubical feet, on ba^^^age
shipped by the proptietora tiienaselTea.

No package will be received without adirection, and unless the nameof the
ship to which it is to be sent, be distinctly i^kten upon it.

Baggage, if left to be shipped through the Export Warehouse, will be sent
on board without any additional ezpence to Ae parties; but it will, frmn the
date of delivery at the Export Warehouse, remain at the entire risk of the Pro-
prietors.

Published by Order of the Board of Tradet,

W. NISBET, Secrdanf.

No. rV. SivoAPOREv— At a Meeting of die Merchants of Singapore, hdd
the l6th October, 1824, the following Resolutions were adapted r^-^

1. That a diange from the ousting currency to the hard dollar is lughly
desirable, and that the present scarcity of rupees <^erB an efigible opportunity of
effecting it.

2. That from and after ^e 1st of January 1825, the parties assenting hereto,
will conduct all transactions, and keep their Books and Accounts, in hard dollars,
and the decimal parts thereof.

3. That from and after the said date, all sales and purchases shall be effected
for hard dollars ; but, with a view of fadlitating tnmsactiinis, purchasers shall
have the option of paying in Dutdi guilders and rupees, at the rate of 2&> per
100 hard doHars.

4. That on the said 1st of January all balances shall be transferred fh>m the
current to the hard dollar at the then agio, whidi shall be fixed at a meeting
to be held on that day..

The following rates of Connnission were agreed upon ;•—

1. On all Sales or Purdiases except the followix^: »%>%%%^^%»%%%^% 5percent.

2. On Purdiase of Goods or Produce for Returns »%%%^%>.»%%%%%%%%^% 2^

3. x/n Sale or ifnrcnase oi vpiu m »»i*^*%%.»»»»%»»%%»%%»i»*>»*»%»»%<%»%%^><^ s
4» On Sale or Purchase of Ships* Vessels, Houses, or Lands «%«*«% 2^

5. On Sale, Purchase, or Shipment of Bulhon%%%%%%%%%%»%»%»%%%%%%<»%% 1

6. On Sale or Purchase of Diamonds, Jewels, &a ^»%%%%^v%%»%^%%%>» 2

7. On Returns in Treasure, Bullion, or Bills %»%%%%v%%%^.»vv»%.v%»%%%% 1

8. On all Goods consigned and withdrawn, half Commission.

9* On Sale, Purchase, or negotiating of Bills not serving for pur-
cnase oi \700Ci8 or xrociuce »%»%^%%r%%»%^^»%^%»%^%%ii»^»^%%^^»%»%%^<^»^^%^%^%i»%» j

10. On all Goods sold by auction by the Agents themselves, in ad-
Qition vo tne aDov e %%%i%%%%%%%%^v»»%%>%%^»»%^»^%^'*»%»%%%%%»»»»v%%%»^»'%%i%%%%%^^%»»%» 28"

1 1. On del Credere, or guaranteeing Sales when specially required 2^

12. Shroffage, 1 per miUe.

A16 APPENDIX.

18. On all advances of money fixr the purpoae of tndr, wti^itbef
the goods are consigned to the Agent or not, and where a Commisaion
ot o per cent* is not ciiargecl »%%»»%»»%i»»%<<»^«%%«^>»%%^%^»%^%<»%%%^»^*^»%i*»%»»^»i% zi^ per cu

14. On ordering goods or superintending the fhlfifanent of
Contracts whence no other Commission is derived »»%^%%»%%%»»%%%»%%»»»^ 8^

15. On guaranteeing Bills, Bonds, or other engagements, and cm
becoming Security for Administrations ot Estates or to Government,

or Individuals for Contracts, Agreements, &c. »%»»»»%%»»%»»%%%^»»%%%%»%»» 2^

16. On acting for the Estates of persons deceased, as Executors or
^kominiBLfattirt %^^^^%^^^^%^i^»^^»^i%^^^<^%^^^i%%%'%%^^^>^^^^^%^^»»^<^»%^»»^»»»»^^% o

17* On the management of Estates for others, on the amount re-
oeiveci ^<»%^»%%^%«»%^%M^^%*%*»ww»%<^»^»%%i%%i%%i»%%»%%^*»%»%»%%»»i»»%i%»«»»v»^»%i%^»%<»»%v»^»»» itnf

18. On procuring freight, or advertising as the agent of Owners or
Commanders, on the amount of freight, whether the same passes
through the hands of the Agent, or not %%%%%%»%%»%%»%i»%%»»%»%%%»%%«»»%*»%%»%<^ 5
19* On chartering Ships fbr other parties »%%»%%%%i^%»»»^%^%»^»-»»%»%i^ 24
20. Onmaking Insurance, or writing orders fordittc. %>»%^>%*%%%»% i
81. On settling Insurance Losses, total or partial, and un procuring
revum ox ■rr' ivfckfcmm <^%»%%%%*»»%^»%«»v% * %i<^»^»»%»»%»^i»^»%»»%»>^^%»%^%%v»»»%%*<»%<»%>»%» i

28. Ondebts, when a process at law or arbitration is necessary, 8-1;
^nci IS receiveQ dv sucn means %'»%%%^»»%^»i%^%%%»^%%%»%i»i%«»»»%%»»»»%^%»%iv%»»»i»»%» o
fiS^ On Bills of Exchange noted or protested %^^%%%%%%,>%>%%.%^>>»^%^ 1
jc9» \jti collecting nous^rent %^%^%<»^i%%'»»%<%»^»^»^»«%%%»%»%%%%»»»%»%i%v»i»^%% Sj
xo« v/n iSinips oispursem en ts %^i»^i%»%i%%'%»%%<»»»»^%^i»%^<»%%»%»%i»%»%^%%^<»%<»^ xx
8o. On negotiating Loans or Respondentia %.%»%»»»^»%%^»%i^»%%%»%»%»% 8
87* On Letters of Credit granted for mercantile purposes «%«««*^ £f
88. On purchasing or selling Government Securities, or on ex-
cnanging or vransiernng tne same %»%^%^%«%%i%»%i*<%»^%»%%%%%%»%%%%%»%%%%%v»»%»% y
z9« v/n deiivermg up cuvto %>»K%%i%»%»^^^%%»»iv%%«%%<»%i»%»»v»^^»%r%»«%%.%»%^»^»%i» ^

80. On all advances not punctually liquidated, tiie Agent to have
the option of charging a second Comnussion, as upon a fresh ad«
vance, provided the charge be only made once in the same year.

81. On transshipping all Goods or Pkoduce, except the following 1
88. On transshipping whole Chests of Cassia Buds, Aniseed,

Camphor, Nankeens, and Gunny Bags^^^^>^>^^%>^>^>^>^>^,^>>>^l DoU. perpackagC'

SS. At the option of the Agent, on the amount debited or credited
within tile year, including interest, and ^cepting only such items,
on which at least 8| per cent, has been charged 1 peroeoL

This change not to i^yply to paying over a balance due on an Aoooooi
made up to a particular period, unless where such balance is withdrawn witM
reasonable notice.

APPENDIX. sn

At the ame meeting the following Rates of Warehouse Rent were agreed
upon:^*

PxR Mensem.

ChesU of Opium, Chests of Silk, Bales of Woollens, Pipes of
Wine or Brandy, Leagers of Arrack, &c ■>%%«»<^%%%i.v»%.wv>^^.Mfc%%%^%%%» 1 Dr.
Bales of Indian Piece Goods, Bales of Cotton and Gunny Bags.^ 50 Cts.
Cases of Europe Piece Goods, Trusses of Woollens, &c%w^%%%>»%%»% 25 •
Hogsheads of Liquor, half Chests of Wine, &c. ^vw%%w>%%%%»%v% 40 •
Pepper, Rice, Coffee, Sugar, Saltpetre, &c. ^^%>^%%^^vw%wv%^^ 10 •
Iron, Tin, Tutenague, Spelter, Copper, Lead, &c.v%»»vwvi^%%%%^>v». 5 «
All other Goods not mentioned to pay accordingly or by mea-
surement, at the rate of, per Ton of 50 Cubic feeti%%^w%*%i^*%^*>»%%%^*>% 1 Dr.

INDEX.

<fc.i i ■

N. M. NmriM of Places oft dUUngui

CapiiaU.

ACAPULCO ." S8

ACHKEV ^6

Acoruf 71

A«"» 77

Ajtaica, East CoMt of JI5, 44

Agal AgaL MO

AgaUochum.— -See Lignum Aloes.

Agates 478

Alas Stsait Mi

AxooA Bay 34

Albpee 178

AlkaU 144

Allsmpaeva 914

Almonds 97

Aloes 50

Alum ^ ...476

Alfaeado S3

Amber 88

Ambei^gris Ift.

AlCBOTVA.. MO

Amethysts ,.807

Ammoniac, Gum 97

. Sal 105

Amomum 475

Amoy 509

Anacardium I44

AWDAMANS , 320

■ , little ^1

Anime ,.„, I44

AngustunBark 478

Aniseeds, Star...... «.

Avje-Diva , 188

AvjEXGo , 179

AVJEBIE ^78

Avxalaboo ..,.881

AatuMfiy.........M..-o...................— -^419

AvTovaiL Bat .....•.•.•.•..••.••••. 47

Aeabia, Coast of ^ 77

Arabic, Gum 97

Aeacait —....310

Aead 81

Aeakta Bat 54

Areca Nut 147

Afgus Feathen •^.•..«... J30

Aeipo 18t

Aekagon J42

Arrack 145

Arrangoes _.14C

ArroirRoot .9gf

Aiaenic 97

Ajubevie 99

AacEVSiov —..541

Aqjhaltum ^.71. 317

AssafoBtida _ ff

Attar of Roses... Mi

Auripigmentum 9g

AUEUVOABUITDEE ^.,110

AuSTEAlJkSIA ^. 545

Awl 149

Ata Raja M6

avoexs j4i

Badoub. _ ss

Bahia -.•••••••—•••••••••••••—•... U

Baheebv 91

Balachang ...................J90

Balasoee ....,^..* .....,.,^19

BALEXBAirOAy 4t!

BALEMBOITAyO J91

Balm of GUead .^.................^ 71

Ballt Steact ....:.." ^ J9t

Bawca ....•.^••.J74

INDBX.

679

Eamcoot
Bahoa

Page
, •..•.^ Wl

•••••••••••••••«•»••• •••••••mHPw

•■••••••••• Vm

.....MM

Asa

.....AIM

•••••«•«••••••••••••«•»••••••■

••••••••••••••••••••••t ••■••• •••••*•••

Bavtam

JM79

...............^ 41

168

SSM

BAmoACH*. • 117

BABoof. •.••••...••.••••• .••.« — .....S6S

BAM*tSTBAIT........................«......— .J(57

uri

•••«

Batavta.
Batavia «

Bats ••••••.

BaTICAIiOK«

,jaM

.000
.Am

..lis

..105
.JMU
.99

Beta of St. Ignalii» ..........,...............M0

deUu............... ....Ml

,...^........ 4»

Bkicbatook Bat and Towv 45

Ben Nttt 476

— ■' Book ••..•••••MM.........................*.* A.

BK>rcoounr.«....... M7

BmoAi. 950

Be^jamiSyorBensoui Ml

Bote! Nut 8ae Anca Nut.

BxTFOum... 175

BlIiLIArATAII<

170

fi7

BimrAiTA ••.••«....... MS

Birda* Neila »• «..•«••••..••.•.•• ••

Bhda «r Ften&e.....

Bit Noben

Black Paooda •.....•••..... .S4S

Blackwood MM

Bloo^one 476

BoccaTious 453

BOMBAT......................^ 182

Bowatuta. IS

Bonito. 181

Pkge
BovTBAur Bat.. , ^....UIH

BOOUSCOMBA •m.«...«.............m....m.»»m i>.

».. .. «JW

BOBVSO

».««• .*• •••.« «.

BoinuK>v.».M«

...... :..9...%-99

Towx 49Q

•««....*....f0o9

.«•»•.•••.«••.•••«. ...^i

BOVBO .a.......... M<..M...409

BovTov •..••..••........•••••••••..,. ......41|

pa Aya ....♦•.. .......«.....M....».*.*.»..»...*.*^y 09

BaAxa.................. .^.M..... m

543

St. Hxlxea J3I

St. Ignatius Bean ..JW

St. Jaoo U

St. Maet 54S

St. Maet*s Islaeb 47

St. Lucia , -.... 13

St. Michael 344

INDEX.

585

Page

St. Nicholas 13

St. Salvadok .••.. •....ift.

St. VnfCZKT ii»

SufBower 998

Sal

Sal Ammoniac • 105

Salaxooex 849

SAL9A2fBA BaT 98

Salep 7«

Salztek 411

Saltpetre ^ 999

Salwattt ......... ........403

SAMSAsa .... ...- 419

Sambblovo 393

Sakboajtoax ......••••• 498

Sandalwood 158

OU 159

SAVoni .419

Sanguis Braoonia •••.•.... ....489

Sastta Ceuz ..•••• .' 7

Safakoua ....•....•.•••.•••• 400

Sapphires 908, 909

Saft Steait .398

SazcoGolla. 105

ScammoDj •••• • ^

Scliiras Wine ift.

ScuTDT, Coast of ....U)9

SeaBBBTT ISLAITD .• 115

Sea-weed 495

SXBKAO 396

SeedUu: 999

SxxK Buri Yass 96

Senna 76

SKmHAXPOWB.. 968

Seaamum, OU of. 159

SBAHAm 79

Shaiks* FSna 76

Shawls 159

Shell Lac Mi

Shells 495

Shkbabow 96

SxAC ^75

SiAif 431

SiDnr Coirs J^47

Silk. 999, 496

Si]kB» wxDugfat..... 496

Skins 304

SzMOv's Bat

FSge

SnroAFOBX .349,575

SlVXJEXL 361

SOCOTRA 50

SOFALA •• 36

SOKMEAVT - 108

SooLoo 498

Soosoo 361

SouAxnr ^ 58

SOVBABATA. 390

South Aiobica •......•• 13, 569

Soy 497

Spikenaid 304

Squills ................... 160

Sticklac 991

Stonx 306

Storm Bat .••.•..•.«••....•.. .558

Stramonium 987

SVCCADAVA 415

Svsz 55

Sugar 305

Candy .......... ......307, 497

Sulphur lOO

Svmatbla. • • -856

SURAT *• 117

Tabuc Bat 98

Talc 807

Tamarinds • ^

Tamatatx 47

Tafoos MM

Taffavoolt 868

Taripo 909

Tatta 110

Tauzpaut 159

Tavat .818

Tea 498

Teak 175

Txcoos MS

TsLZMAaux Shoal 99

TsLiaoMAWAT .376

Tjeluchxrrt ..•••. 179

TXVASSSRIM .« .818

TSKERIFrX 7

Tsxgallb 194

Tercezra J{48

Tsevats 407

Terra Japonica •

Ticoo IsLAims

TiDOES 407

INDEX.

P»ge

nncal .....; •*. *^—.SM

IVibaooo ••..•• .•••••.^4ft

>••••*•••••••■%*••»

Tim

Tartoueihcll *>»*.». 40

Ttwm n M iiM •>»«■■•<» •>>■»■»««>— >»>—^—iWiP

1Vag«cixitli,6uin.....—.«..^«*.k«M.«...... 71

Tifc4Kac n 4 B >4>>.>>^^lf

TiWTf rft MA flit* ■——•>■>■••#••••— —■••■♦••■■I H ^
XJUlffGiiLirO —♦»■•■■■—■■■■»■■■»■»■*«■»■■»■•■■"*•• »P*P
^^ffultll ^••♦♦•••■•♦♦— •••■■■■*>— —— —••>»*»*iWf

XiUfi*i #r i C i»«» w »»— ■»■«■■■■■■■*»■■■*»»* » »>— ••••MM

ITttteiuigue ... ^•••.•••.••••••••. .•••••^. Jft.

TvTicouir...*— — «-«..«>*«M— ^•••— •••••^10

▼iCLPABAiaO »^.-«*«*.*«»*«-«««*«««* 19

▼ MfDllll .»>•»»#»■ — —■■• » ■»>>• — •••—»••••— ■■PUP

Tak Dxx]C£v*sXiAn> .•••••• — BS8

yennUion ...•^...•..•«... .•••.....M

V ttAftAPATAiKI •—»••■■■»•■■•■.».—•»•»»• .....JW
ViEXAlUlOOO ............Ifl

XJltwmuiriTM^ ••••••••••••••••^••••••«MM*.M«..J08

Ui^ooniB' Honis ^•..•....•...•.•............Jfll

Watoiou •^•^^ —.401

Wbtteb. ••.•••.....•-....185

WRAMPOiA •••••••••—••••.•••««•••. ••••••.••••.••151

Wood Oil .... .341

ttQuu O fl B ll i ■••♦••.•■•.•••...•♦........■.•••— ••••I^^

Xy\o BdnamiiTn. 7i

X AJfcliO»». «•.■■.••■»•■■•.•••••»•.♦•...♦.•.•••••••»•■ «V

X Am AO JT .«•.••••«•.•.•«•.•••••• •••••• ...•••••...•SbB

YtTLurKAV Bat ....-..- .448

ZaMzoam. •..••.•.••...•..•••••••...•—......... 41

AOBOKj^ •■■■■■•••■»..»» ••»••... .■••••..•.••.•••••HP
^hXHaA •»••♦•>.>•.■•»■■■....•»•».••.•....••••••••».» Iv

^^^(^.•.•.•..•...•.•.••••.•...•.••••.•.••..•...-JM

iUvAM ••»■•••«•—••••>.••.•#••.•» •■■..■..•••.»>•—. Hr

Zt«hur Bat ....•••.••.•••... —•.Itt

FINIS.

%^%%%^»i^%<%^^n

S.1f1>o«rAxx, Primv. liwlMliin stunt.

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