426 SINGAPORE. 



thousand vessels of various sizes, that are continually pouring into 

 this mart. It may readily be imagined what a stir and life this com- 

 merce must create; and when it is considered that nearly all the 

 various nations of the East resort here for the purpose of trade, it 

 will not excite much astonishment that Singapore has grown up so 

 rapidly in the face of older and longer-established marts, which it 

 bids fair to surpass, both in wealth and importance. 



The taxes on property at Singapore are by no means heavy. They 

 are in part levied upon houses and carriages : the former pay an annual 

 tax of eight per cent, on an assessed value ; but as this valuation is 

 very low, the tax is not heavy. In the country, the rate is only four 

 per cent. These receipts are published annually, in conformity with a 

 law passed since 1839. The enactment of this law was brought about 

 by the force of public opinion, and the influence of the tax-payers, 

 which have compelled the Indian government thus to make known 

 their financial secrets. The whole amount of tax raised is $25,829. 



Another act was passed about the same time for the abolition of 

 slavery, under an understanding with the holders of slaves that they 

 should be manumitted by a certain time. This time arrived only a 

 few months prior to our arrival, but the owners showed little or no 

 disposition to carry their agreement into effect. A notice from Go- 

 vernor Bonham was indeed published, calling upon them to comply, 

 but such is the force with which they apparently cling to slave-hold- 

 ing, that I was told that many of those who were most forward in their 

 protestation in favour of abolition, still retain those belonging to them, 

 and that many persons are yet actually sold. These will no doubt 

 be held in bondage until some active measures are taken by the 

 Straits Government to put a stop to the traffic. 



We saw some of the Negritos who are held as slaves: their stature 

 is quite dwarfish when compared with the surrounding crowd. Their 

 complexion is not darker than that of the Hindoos, and entirely diffe- 

 rent from the hue of the pure negro ; but they far surpassed him in 

 ugliness. According to an intelligent gentleman's authority, they are 

 brought from Papua, and are usually spoken of as being brought by 

 the Bugis, in the same vessels that bring birds of paradise for sale. 

 Further incpiiry satisfied me that they are captured on the west end 

 of New Guinea, which coast the biche de mar fishers are in the habit 

 of visiting. Besides being distinguishable by their small size, they 

 may be known by their downcast looks, as they are seen passing 

 among the crowd of this great Babel, without appearing to be of it. 



