SINGAPORE. 129 



the payments liave been regularly made. This is an example which has been very rare among 

 the European governments, -who have generally seized violently upon the finest countries 

 without scruple^ and subjected the inhabitants to political, if not to social, servitude. The Eajah 

 had reason to pride himself upon his bargain with Baffles, when he reflected how much better 

 he had been treated than his royal ancestors, who had been driven from their homes and 

 despoiled of their possessions by the former European invaders. 



The present Eajah, with his numerous wives and children, occupy a native village about a 

 mile from the English town. The Commodore did not see him, but his son, a fine intelligent 

 youth, came on board the ship to pay his respects. His father probably thought his dignity 

 called for the first visit from the Commodore, which, however, was prevented by reason of 

 engagements. 



As a stopping place and depot for coal Singapore, is of great importance to the English mail- 

 steamers. The wealthy and enterprising Oriental Steam Navigation Company have erected at 

 New Harbor, about two and a half miles from the town, a magnificent depot, comprising 

 wharves, coal-.sheds, storehouses, workshops, and other buildings, such as would do credit to any 

 English colonial establishment ; and this is no slight praise. Singapore is in the course of the 

 regular mail route between India, China, Australia, and Europe. There is a constant postal 

 communication, by means of the English and one or more Dutch steamers, with Hong Kong, 

 Penang, Batavia, Shanghai, Calcutta, Madras, Bengal, Bombay, Ceylon, the Mauritius, Cape 

 of Good Hope, and, by the Bed Sea, with Europe and America. 



Supplies of most kinds required by vessels can be obtained at fair prices in the port of Singa- 

 pore. The water is good, and is supplied from tanks, under the supervision of an official of the 

 place, the master attendant. There was not a pound of coal, however, to be purchased at 

 Singapore, and there was reason to fear that the Mississippi would be deprived of her necessary 

 supplies. It was not practicable to make any arrangement with the Labuan Company, for the 

 whole produce of the mines under their control was exhausted by the Oriental and Pacific Com- 

 pany, with which a contract existed for a supply of one thousand tons per month. Fortunately 

 for the Mississippi, however, the stock of the last named company at Hong Kong was falling 

 short, and, as it was difficult to procure vessels to transport an additional supply, the agent of 

 the company at Singapore agreed to lend the Commodore two hundred and thirty tons, provided 

 it would be returned at Hong Kong. By this arrangement both parties were accommodated, 

 the Mississippi obtaining her necessary supply at Singapore, and the company securing what 

 they wanted at their principal Chinese depot, without the expense of its conveyance. 



The chief articles of export from Singapore are tin, nutmegs, sugar, drugs, tortoise shell, and 

 some minor commodities, the product of the neighboring countries. The British settlement of 

 Singapore embraces not only the island of that name, but a number of smaller ones scattered about 

 in the neighboring seas. The main i.sland, Singapore, is about twenty-five miles long, and fifteen 

 in breadth, containing an estimated area of two hundred and seventy-five square miles. Inland, 

 the surface of the country is diversified with low hills and shallow valleys, while the sea shore 

 is low and overgrown with mangroves, and occasionally broken by the entrances of salt 

 creeks, which, penetrating sometimes to the extent of six or seven miles, overflow their banks, 

 and convert the neighboring soil into marsh. The artists of the expedition have supplied a 

 view of the river Durong, which will give an idea of the characteristic scenery. 



When the English first obtained possession of Singapore the island was covered with a forest, 

 17 J 



