ment of the capital of our merchants. Commerce has been carried to an extent which cannot be continued, now that the European nations are at liberty to encourage their domestic manufactures; it has become therefore more necessary than ever to seek for distant markets; and there is a field still open in China and in the eastern seas, which I think may be obtained without any considerable expense, and without interfering with the legitimate rights of other nations.

But the more clearly to explain this question, it is necessary to offer some remarks on the course and nature of the trade in the Indian Archipelago, and on the consumption of the products of these islands in China.

From the earliest times of which there is any record, the foreign trade in the Indian islands was carried on at certain ports or emporia, to which the native traders resorted with the produce of their respective countries, and bartered it for the commodities of Europe and of China.-Acheen, Malacca, and Bantam, were chief places of this description, until the Dutch established a paramount authority, and by obtaining an exclusive control in the minor ports, were enabled to force the native trade to Batavia. They wished to render this place the emporium of their eastern possessions, and when they had subdued any of the neighbouring native states, they uniformly exacted the execution of a treaty which stipulated that the produce and trade of the country should be placed at their disposal, and the local port regulations be made subject to their immediate direction; the consequence of which necessarily was, that they became enabled to change the course of the native trade, (so far as it was not comprehended in their own monopoly,) to such ports as best suited their policy and con

venience.

But the native traders have at all times been unwilling to proceed to Batavia; the regulation was contrary to established usage, and to the ordinary and convenient course of their voyage; it was both arbitrary and oppressive; and whenever the Dutch government were too weak to enforce submission, it was evaded. Thus it will be found that Rhio was a place of great resort, although the Dutch would rather have directed the native trade to Malacca ; and as soon as the eastern seas became more free, Penang rose to commercial importance; and a direct intercourse was established between the East India Company's possessions and the Indian Archipelago; and hence it has followed that the British nation has acquired an interest in the commerce of these islands which was not formerly possessed. The mutual relations thus established, have led to an increased consumption of European manufactures among the Malay tribes, and have tended to im

prove their habits and condition, by presenting to them a ready and unrestricted sale of the produce of their industry; and the Netherlands government cannot prohibit the continuance of these relations without committing a positive injury on the legitimate rights of Great Britain.'

It may also be presumed, that if a conveniently situated port were established under the British flag, that port would be resorted to by the Malay and Chinese traders, in preference to proceeding to Batavia; because such a course would be conformable to former usage and convenience; and, further, because the natives of the eastern islands have, on more than one occasion, during and since the restitution of Java, evinced a decided preference towards the British nation.

:

The trade between China and the islands in the Indian Archipelago is of ancient date, and of considerable extent; the Chinese junks proceed annually to Java, to the Celebes and Suluh Islands, and to the principal ports on the island of Borneo: they also go annually to Palembang on the coast of Sumatra, and to the islands of Bintang and Lingin their export cargo from China consisting principally of coarse earthenware and silks, together with various articles of domestic consumption among the Chinese settlers residing on the different islands: gongs also are a great article of export from China to Borneo. In return the junks receive sugar from Java; tin from Banca; and from almost all the islands, edible birds'-nests,3 tripang (otherwise called sea-slug)

1

2

In a report made by the Dutch Governor of Malacca to the Governor General at Batavia in the year 1793, it is observed that "all vessels from Siam, Cambogia, Borneo, and China pass by Bintang, which forms the southern side of the Strait of Sincapore at its opening from the China Sea; it lies also in the track of Buggese vessels trading to Malacca; and Rhio has become the principal mart for Chinese goods used by the Malays, who, as I have observed, bring hither their produce, so well calculated for the China market, for sale.

2 The Chinese prefer the Banca tin to any other, and will pay about 1-7th more for it than for the Cornish tin. The greater part of the tin procured in Banca is sent to the China market; and the quantity obtained from the Banca mines has been as follows:

-19,149 peculs, of 133lbs. per pecul. 1815- -25, 190

1816- -26,677

3 The birds'-nests are distinguished by the Chinese by the names of Pashat and Chikot, and each kind is divided into three classes of best, middle, and inferior quality; the sale is so certain that birds'-nests are considered equivalent to specie, and the average selling price of the two kinds has been estimated to be, the Pashat at 3,200 Spanish dollars, the Chikot at 2,200 Spanish dollars per pecul. It is estimated that more than 200 peculs of birds'-nests are annually imported at Canton, and that the supply

1

a kind of holithurea, and some other articles which are among the luxuries of a Chinese epicure; besides rattans, wax, woods: employed in dyeing, and other such products of woody uncultivat ed countries.

There is moreover a considerable native trade among the islands themselves: Java supplies most of them with salt and with cotton cloths; gambier is a very principal article of export from Bintang iron is found in Borneo, and exported from Banjarmassin to Pontiana, where it sells at a higher rate than the European iron these, with rattans, mats, dammar, agar-agar, (a: species of sea-weed which is used for food) and other minor articles in common use, furnish cargoes to the numerous vessels that trade along the coasts in the eastern seas, and shew the extent of the trade that might be looked for if the native population were allowed the fair progress, which in the ordinary. course of the human mind they would attain to, if they were not restrained by the shackles which European policy imposes on

them.

But I proceed to a more particular notice of the ground that had not been occupied, by any European power, at the date of the latest advices from Batavia.

The convention concluded between Great Britain and the Netherlands in the year 1814, has restored to the latter government the factories and establishments which the Dutch held in the year 1803. This restitution has comprehended Java, the Moluccas, and Celebes, with their respective dependencies; but it does not express that the Netherlands government shall, under this convention, have a right to resume factories or establishments which were not in the year 1803 actually held or administered by the Dutch; and it may reasonably be doubted, whether it was intended to convey the restitution of those establishments which the Dutch had abandoned between the year 1803, and the date of the signature of the convention.

On the decision that may be taken on these different views of the subject, the present field in the Indian seas becomes more or less narrowed. If it be admitted that such positions as were not held by the Dutch in the year 1803, have not been given up to them by this country, all the establishments which have been resumed for the Netherlands government on the western coast of Borneo, since the restitution of Java was carried into effect, become

might be extended to 500 peculs, without much risk of lowering the sale price. Sea-slug is of several kinds, and various in estimation accordingly-the average sale price of the whole may be calculated at about 65 Spanish dollars per pecul, and the annual demand is not less than 400 peculs.

open to further consideration and discussion; and if a formal abandonment of factories held in the year 1803, has excluded such factories from the terms of the convention above alluded to, Banjarmassin, on the south-east coast of Borneo does not belong to the Netherlands government by virtue of that con

vention.

It is indeed stated in the latest accounts from India, that the present authorities at Batavia have not only re-occupied all the possessions which the Dutch at any time held in Borneo, but have also declared the Netherlands government to be the sovereign of that island, and have it in contemplation to place the whole Archipelago under one general system which shall secure the monopoly of its commerce in their own hands, and exclude other nations from any direct participation or access; but it can hardly be argued that these more recent arrangements, which would materially affect the rights and interests of this country, and were not included, nor perhaps imagined, when the convention of 1814 was framed, can be considered conclusive until they are found to be consistent with the system of political relations in Europe.

On the present occasion then it may be assumed, that those islands or countries which are not comprehended in the cluster of the Moluccas or Celebes, and have not been actually restored under the convention which was concluded with the Netherlands government in the year 1814, constitute a field that is still open in the eastern seas: Java, of course, does not come within the scope of the argument; and Bali, though not actually occupied by the Dutch, is too near to their establishments to be, alone, worthy of consideration. I proceed therefore to notice the commercial facilities within the space that remains open; tracing the different positions round the eastern and northern coast of Borneo, to the Straits of Sincapore.

The Suluh islands, and that part of Borneo which is dependent or tributary to them, come first in this track, and may be considered to include Magindano and the other islands, which do not acknowledge the authority of the European government at Macassar.

A mission was sent to them from Batavia, in the year 1814, for the purpose of renewing the treaty which had been concluded in 1774, when the island of Balambangan was taken possession of, and the authority of the Suluh government in Borneo was transferred to the East India Company. It appears from the information then obtained, that the government of the Suluhs is nominally administered by a despotic sovereign, but is in fact controlled by a few powerful chiefs, who are the proprietors of the greater part of the armed vessels, which, under the general name

of Ladrones, scour the adjacent seas, and plunder indiscriminately whatever falls in their way. The native chiefs in Magindano, and of the extensive settlement in Celebes called Tantoli, are also connected with them, and it is estimated that the collective strength of these piratical establishments will amount to about 200 armed prows, of different strength and dimensions, and from six to seven thousand fighting men. They make descents on the neighbouring islands, and generally lay waste the country where they land, and carry off the inhabitants, whom they afterwards sell or employ as slaves. On their return the booty is divided, and one-fourth of it falls to the share of the Sultan and his principal chiefs.

The great Suluh island is the principal market for the sale of their plunder; and the Magindano pirates resort thither for the same purpose; but besides this traffic, there is a regular trade, principally with the annual junks from China, and, by tacit agreement, no violence or interruption is offered to it. The junks bring European manufactures, and coarse China goods; and they convey back camphor, birds'-nests, betle-nut, rattans, &c. including about 220 tons of mother of pearl shell, and a small quantity of pearls.

Of the island of Borneo, and especially the Bay of Malludu and the division termed Borneo Proper on the north and northwest coast, the following account has been given by the late Dr. Leyden. "Borneo Proper is one of the states which grows rice enough for its own consumption; its camphor is the best in the world, but does not exceed the annual quantity of 35 peculs of 133 pounds per pecul. When the original settlement was formed in Balambangan in 1774, Mr. Jesse found that not more than 4000 peculs were produced; and I understand the country, still produces pepper equal at least to that quantity. The trade between Borneo and the Chinese port Ammoy is very considerable; according to Foster there were seven junks at Borneo in 1775, and the return cargoes procured by the Chinese are chiefly camphor, sea-slug, tortoise-shell, birds'-nests, dammer, sandal-wood, rattans, and various articles used in dyeing.

"The commodities produced at Malludu are nearly the same as at Borneo Proper; it abounds particularly in rattans and clove bark, and is said to be well-peopled in the interior. It has a deep bay, on the east side of which are pearl banks. Magindano, the

The following has been stated to have been the amount of plunder in the year 1813-14.

A Spanish brig from Manilla.

Twenty small craft captured among the Philippines.

About 1000 slaves, Christian inhabitants of the Philippines.

7

A large coasting vessel from Macassar, the commander of which was ransomed for 120 Spanish dollars.

And some small craft in the Moluccas.

VOL. XIV.

Pam.

NO. XXVIII.

2 M