1846.] BALAMBANGAN. 121 



nest, Tripang (Beche-de-Mer), Pearl, and Pearl Shells. 

 The natives of Banguey have no commerce ; the only 

 chance of trade would be with Maludu Bay, and this is 

 already so completely forestalled, either by the Bugis 

 traders from Celebes, or the Arab SerifFs from Borneo 

 Proper, that there is not the slightest probability of their 

 bringing the produce of their villages in the interior, to 

 seek a British market at Balambangan. 



This is not a mere speculative opinion. I have looked 

 very closely into the general habits and transactions of 

 the accessible tribes, and their sources of trade in Borneo, 

 Sooloo, and Singapore, and I have it from personal obser- 

 vation, as well as the best European authority, that no 

 commerce can be carried on in these regions without the 

 intervention of the Arab or Malay, unless the European 

 agent visits or resides, and personally transacts the 

 business, on the spot. I have before alluded to Mr. 

 Wyndham, resident at Sooloo ; from many conversations 

 with that gentleman, who is an individual coming strictly 

 within my meaning, I have reason to know that no pro- 

 fitable trade can be pursued where the intervention of a 

 Malay occurs. I was thoroughly acquainted with the 

 value of the goods lent by him on credit, as well as the 

 returns for them, and in the offers made to me by the 

 Sultan of Gunung Taboor, begging me to induce English 

 merchants " to reside at Gunung Taboor, and trade," I 

 ascertained, that he was a loser of nearly three hundred 

 per cent, by trusting to his agent, Si Dawut. I had oc- 

 casion, also, to deal with the Bugis traders, who endea- 

 voured to monopolize the whole trade of Borneo ; and I 

 found, by reference to their transactions with the Sultan 



