1846.] TRADING INTERESTS OF BORNEO. 167 



I cannot take leave of this portion of the world in 

 which all my feelings have been so deeply interested, 

 without a few words, influenced by the very decided 

 measures, which I am happy to find our Government 

 intend carrying out. 



The trading interests of Borneo, or the probabilities of 

 our commerce increasing in these regions to the amount 

 contemplated by some over-sanguine advocates, requires 

 to be guarded against. From the year 1843 to the pre- 

 sent time, I have made it my study, as it was my duty, 

 to collect and weigh every minute circumstance which 

 could bear upon this most important subject ; nor will I 

 yield to any one in feeling of deep interest for the success 

 of our new position. At Singapore, as well as at Hong- 

 Kong, Manila, and Sooloo, some of my readers will 

 understand the assertion I make, " that I not only used 

 every effort to open trade direct with Gunung Taboor, Tam- 

 bisan, and Kabatuan ; but at my persuasion, two persons 

 have made the attempt ;" others met me with the observa- 

 tion : " All which you state is very true, and the prices are 

 favourable in the highest degree, but you cannot warrant 

 half a cargo, even for a small schooner" At Gunung Taboor 

 the Sultan bound himself to supply a cargo for one vessel 

 filling up with rattans, Cassia bark, &c., but more he 

 could not promise, as the collection of one year. At 

 Kabatuan, I was informed, that beyond about thirty 

 canoes present, the same quantity of Pepper might 

 be added, but no more. At Kimanis, it was probable 

 that Pepper, Wax, Camphor, and Bird's nests, would 

 afford twenty canoe loads. All these proceeds would 

 amount, possibly, to ten tons, stripping the coast for the 



