SOOLOO. 369 



later. In trading with the natives, all operations ought to be carried 

 on for cash, or if by barter, no delivery should be made until the 

 articles to be taken in exchange are received. In short, it is neces- 

 sary to deal with them as though they were undoubted rogues, and 

 this pleases them much more than to appear unsuspicious. Vessels 

 that trade engage a bazaar, which they hire of the Ruma Bechara, 

 and it is advisable to secure the good-will of the leading datus in that 

 council by presents, and paying them more for their goods than others. 



There are various other precautions necessary in dealing with this 

 people ; for they will, if possible, so act as to give rise to disputes, in 

 which case an appeal is made to their fellows, who are sure to decide 

 against the strangers. Those who have been engaged in this trade, 

 advise that the prices of the goods should be fixed upon before the 

 Sultan, and the scales of the Datu of Soung employed ; for although 

 these are quite faulty, the error is compensated by the articles re- 

 ceived being weighed in the same. This also secures the Datu's 

 good-will, by the fee (some fifty dollars) which he receives for the 

 use of them. Thus it will be perceived that those who desire to 

 trade with Sooloo, must make up their minds to encounter many im- 

 positions, and to be continually watchful of their own interests. 



Every possible precaution ought to be taken ; and it will be found, 

 the treatment will depend upon, or be according to the force or reso- 

 lution that is displayed. In justice to this people it must be stated, 

 there have been times when traders received every kindness and atten- 

 tion at the island of Sooloo, and I heard it even said, that many vessels 

 had gone there to refit ; but during the last thirty or forty years, the 

 reigning sultans and their subjects have become hostile to Europeans, 

 of whom they plunder and destroy as many as they can, and this they 

 have hitherto been allowed to do with impunity. 



Although I have described the trade with Sooloo as limited, yet it 

 is capable of greater extension ; and had it not been for the piratical 

 habits of the people, the evil report of which has been so widely 

 spread, Sooloo would now have been one of the principal marts of 

 the East. The most fertile parts of Borneo are subject to its autho- 

 rity. There all the richest productions of these Eastern seas grow in 

 immense quantities, but are now left ungarnered in consequence of 

 there being no buyers. The cost of their cultivation would be ex- 

 ceedingly low, and I am disposed to believe that these articles could 

 be produced here at a lower cost than any where else. 



Besides the trade with China, there is a very considerable one with 

 vol. v. 93 



