366 JOURNAL OF A VISIT 



a great trade is carried on by their proprietors, who 

 must, consequently, be as rich as the generality of their 

 class ; but, perhaps, they fear to attract the avarice of 

 the Patingi, who, as far as his power extends, would 

 probably treat them as their Rajahs did those of Sara- 

 wak ; but being himself one of the people, the same 

 reverence is not paid to his title as to that of the noble 

 of high descent, and, consequently, he cannot be so 

 despotic. 



We saw a great number of large prows hauled 

 up on the beach, most of which were repairing and 

 getting ready for sea ; this being the beginning of the 

 south-west or fine monsoon. They export rice in very 

 large quantities; also sago, fine cloths, bees'-wax, &c. 

 They import iron, coarse china ware, Turkey red cloths, 

 &c. Gold is found in the country, but not worked to 

 any extent. 



In the evening, many people came off to our boats ; 

 some to see if they could do a little trade with our 

 people, who trade wherever they go, and others to see 

 Williamson, and talk politics and business. Many of 

 them wished him to let them accompany us to Sara- 

 wak ; but, as they cannot do this without the permis- 

 sion of the Patingi, and he is naturally averse to it, 

 Mr. Williamson gives them no encouragement. At 

 present, the numbers of persons who flock to Sarawak 

 is perfectly astonishing whole tribes of Dyaks, and 

 villages of Malays. At this time, a Dyak tribe, be- 

 longing to the Sambas territory, are anxious to come 



