On the Maritime Commerce of Bengal. 341 



wrought, woollens of various kinds, naval and n)ilitary 

 stores of every description, gold and silver coin and bul- 

 lion ; and almost every article of the produce of Europe, 

 which people in affluent circumstances there consume, is 

 imported for the use of the European inhabitants. 



The returns from Madras and the coajt of Coromandel 

 consist of salt, red wood, some fine lung cioth, izarees, 

 and chintz, and occasional speculations of European goods, 

 or the produce of other countries previously imported there. 

 The balance due to Bengal is either absorbed by drafts or 

 bills on this government, drawn by the Madras presideucv, 

 Oi is remitted in specie. 



From the eastern islands and Malay coast are received 

 pepper, tin, wax, danmier, brimstone, gold dust, specie, 

 Detel-nut, spices, benzoin, &c. : from China, tutenag, 

 sugar-candy, tea, alum, dammer, porcelain, and lackered 

 ware, and a variety of manufactured jjoods : and from Ma- 

 nilla, indigo of a very fine quality, (which is re-exported to 

 Europe,) sugar, japan wood, and specie. The balance uf 

 this trade, meaning the whole eastern commerce, is gene- 

 rally paid into the company's treasury at Canton for bills 

 on the court of directors, (which are negotiated here, 

 and, whilst the exchange was at 53. 6d. for the Spanish 

 dollar, formed an advantageous remittance,) or it is ab- 

 sorbed by bills granted by the traders to this government, 

 and payable to the supercargoes in China. 



The Malabar coast pays her purchases with sandal wood, 

 coyar rope, pepper, some cardamums, and occasional car- 

 goes of cotton wool : the balance is remittid by bills, or 

 sunk in the annual supplies which Bengal furnishes to the 

 presidency of Bombay. 



From Pegue arc brought teak timber, tin, wax, elephants' 

 teeth, lac, &c. The gulfs make their returns in coli'ee, 

 specie, brimstone, dates, and some other articles of incon- 

 siderable value. And the Maldives and eastern coast of 

 Africa supply cowries and coyar. 



Y 3 Abstract 



