at any time occur with the Netherlands government, that line of ports would become actively hostile; and even in the event of a war with the United States of America, it is of importance to possess a harbour near the China seas, because experience has shown that the Americans make the entrance of the Straits of Sunda a principal station for their cruisers, and resort to the neighbouring bays for water during their cruise. In any case of war therefore the facilities which the new establishment would then possess in affording a naval station for the protection of the China trade would soon repay the expense, if it were only in the single circumstance of lessening the distance of convoys. Moreover, if the British flag were established at Rhio, other establishments might be considerably reduced; there could then be no question as to the practicability of dispensing with a separate government and council, at Prince of Wales island; and the savings effected in the one instance may very fairly be set off against the expense incurred in the other. Penang, since it has been pronounced by professional authority to be inconvenient as a naval station, derives its value from the proportion of native trade resorting to it, or as it may be considered an emporium to the British merchant trading to the Eastern islands or China. It was this commerce which contributed so much to raise its prosperity after the conquest of Malacca, and when Java was held in a state of blockade; but the same causes have ceased to exist; for, whether Rhio become a British possession or not, the settlement in Prince of Wales island cannot expect to recover what it has lost; because if a new establishment be formed at Rhio, the native traders will undoubtedly rather go to that port than to Penang; and if the policy of the Netherlands government be successful, the native trade will not be suffered to find its way direct into any British port whatever. either case, therefore, the expense of government at Prince of Wales island is susceptible of reduction; and any amount so gained may be considered to come in aid of an establishment which has in view the very same objects that were contemplated in securing the possession of Penang. In With this remark I shall conclude the present observations; and if they lead to a further investigation of the subject of them, by any person better informed than myself with regard to it, or induce a more general attention to the propriety of obtaining a position in the Indian Archipelago, while yet it can be done without aggression on the legitimate rights of other nations, my object in offering them to public notice will have been accomplished. NO. XXVIII. VOL. XIV. Pam. 2 N Sp. Dol. Strs. 5,692 0 per ton 99,532 32 APPENDIX. A. Abstract Account of the Annual Commercial Adventure, from Batavia to Japan, in the Year 1806. Dr. Cr Sp. Dol. Strs. To invoice price of the outward bound cargo 161,008 62 By sale proceeds, at Japan, of the outward cargo 100,557 30 Charges at Batavia Freight of two ships, at 100 dollars Presents from the Emperor By amount sales of 8,238 peculs of copper, at 50 2,812 32 411,942 0 105,224 32 Ditto camphor, at 40 stuivers per lb. $48,350 0 Charges at Japan. Presents to the Emperor 10,800 0 Ditto to inferior officers at the court 5,516 0 Balance, being the profit on this concern 175,505 34 Commission, 5 per cent. on the cargo 7,143 0 3,462 O Charges in landing and storing cargo 3,036 0 Short deliveries and petty charges. 2,193 30 B. Account of the Commercial Adventure sent to Japan in the Year 1813-14. 201 Allowance to the chief of the Factory for 1,400 25,709 25 Freight of two ships 85,094 0 Presents to the Emperor. 4,845 11 Interest ce 6,000 0 Insurance Salaries and allowances to the commissioners Sundry charges, as per statement Balance due to the Treasury at Nangazacky, and. Cr. By Cargo brought from Japan. 1,208 lbs. of pitch, sold for Add Damaged goods brought back and sold Total 362,333 85 494,343 39 Balance in favor of the voyage 132,099 54 15,000 To which is to be added The debt of the former Dutch government to Total profit C. Account of the Adventure sent from Batavia to Japan in the Year 1814-15. Cr. By the under-mentioned Articles received from Japan, viz.- Freight of the ship 72,000 0 Camphor, Dutch weight 290 40, Allowance to the chief of the factory for 700 sold for 17,842 93 peculs of copper 12,727 27 Copper .6,470 112, Presents to the Emperor 5,089 9 sold for 190,558 10 3,000 0 Insurance 6,000 0 sold for 48 O Petty charges 1,488 47 50 Japan gowns, sold for 1,000 0 7,642 64 209,449 3 Salaries to the officers employed from Batavia Balance due to the Emperor of Japan, lent for the of completing the expenses in the bepurpose ginning of the year 1815 By H. Doeff. 199,169 32 Amount of cash left with him for defraying the charges attendant on the customary journey to Jedo, which he was to have undertaken in the year 1815 |
