400 
SINGAPORE. 
self of the charges he is liable to incur, and of the advantages it has 
in that respect over the other ports in the Eastern seas. What renders 
the traffic at Singapore still more convenient is, that almost every 
thing is sold by weight, probably because so large a proportion of the 
population is from China, in which country this method is habitual. 
In employing it, however, the articles from different countries are sold 
by the weight of the country whence they come. For instance, gold- 
dust being for the most part brought by the Malays, is sold by their 
weight, called a “ bunghal,” which is about equal to two ounces; rice, 
&c., the produce of Bengal, is sold by the bag, containing one hundred 
and sixty pounds, which is termed a “ maund.” The foreign business 
is generally in the hands of a few English houses, but the greater part 
of the mercantile class at Singapore are engaged as agents, or do a 
commission business, for various houses in Europe, Calcutta, &c. 
There is a branch of the India Bank at Singapore, which, however, is 
limited in its discounts and business; and there, are besides a large 
number of insurance offices, in which policies may be effected on 
almost any risk. The capital of these companies is for the most part 
owned in Calcutta. 
Although Singapore has fewer real advantages for trade than many 
of the ports around, yet it has now acquired the superiority, and holds 
intercourse with the surrounding countries. 
Its trade with China has of late much increased, in consequence of 
the difficulties between that country and England, during which it 
was the only port where the junks were allowed to trade free of 
molestation. It in consequence became for the time a place of tran¬ 
shipment for teas and other Chinese articles to English vessels. For 
this reason, Singapore may have appeared to us a more active place 
of business than it would have done had the trade with China been no 
more than ordinary. No large commerce can well exist between 
China and Singapore alone, for the supplies the latter furnishes to that 
empire, are confined to birds’-nests, biche de mar, tortoise-shell, &e. 
Borneo probably furnishes the most valuable products that are 
brought to Singapore, and there are more than one hundred prahus 
engaged in the trade. These are for the most part navigated by 
Bugis from the island of Celebes, who may be termed the carriers of 
this archipelago. This people frequent all the ports on the south and 
southwest side of that great island, and are frequently employed by 
the rajahs or chiefs to conduct their trade with the other ports. The 
restrictions they are under in visiting the Dutch possessions, and the 
restrictive policy of the latter, which admits them to but one or two 
ports, has driven them to seek that of Singapore, though more distant. 
