Sketch of the Geography of Cochin China. 35 



one over the other; theunJermoft one reaches to the ground, 

 the fucceeding ones are each fliorter than the other, fo that 

 the difplay oF the different colours makes a gaudy appearanca 

 as they walk along. 



Such are the few particulars relative to Cochin China. 

 It now remains to fliow how a connexion with Cochia 

 China may prove beneficial to this country. The drain of 

 fpecie from the company's fetllements in India is become a 

 matter of fuch ferious import, that any plan which may be 

 offered to remedy fo growing an evil, I have no doubt, will 

 be deemed worthy of obfervation. I am fanguine in my ex- 

 peftations, that a fettlement in Cochin China would conduce 

 to that defirable end, as well as be produftive of many other 

 advantages. 



Our two little veffels brought from Cochin China to the 

 amount of 60,000 rupees in gold and filver bullion. The 

 Rumbold, the year before, alfo brought bullion to a confi- 

 derable amount, ou account of fales of Bengal and Madras 

 cloths, opium, iron, copper, lead, hardware, and glafs. 



The fituation of Cochin China is excellently well adapted 

 to commerce. "Its vicinity to China, Tonquiu, Japan, Cam- 

 bodia, Siara, the Malay coaft, the Philippines, Borneo, the 

 Moluccas, &c. renders the intercourfe with all thefe countries 

 fliort and eafy. The commodious harbours formed on the 

 coaft, particularly that of Turon, afford a fafe retreat for 

 (hips of any burthen duiing the moft tcmpeftuous feafons of 

 the year. 



The nations of Europe, having hitherto found it impoffible, 

 • to provide cargoes fufficienlly valuable to barter for the com- 

 modities of China, are obliged to make up the deficiency by 

 fending thither immenfe quantities of bullion ; hy which 

 mean.s it has, for a number of years paft, drained tire caftern 

 and weftern worlds of their fpecie. The number of junks 

 annually reforting to Cochin China, plainly proves how much 

 the produftions of it are in demand amongll the Chinefe. 

 Thefe produdions, had wc a fettlement and a confirmed in- 

 fluence ill the country, might with eafe be brought to centre 

 with us, piirchafed with the flaples of India and of Plurope. 

 Turon would become the emporium for them, where our 

 fliips bound to Canton, from whence it is only five days fail, 

 might call and receive them. It would prove a faving of fo 

 much fpecie to Great Britain or India as the value of the 

 commodities amounted to in China. In a few years, there 

 IS every rcafon to believe a very confiderable inveftment might 

 be provided. 



Our trade to China has ever been burthened with enor-^ 

 D % moud 



