346 S O O L O O. 



much if they had been fired off for years, and many of the houses 

 built upon the water would require to be pulled down before these 

 guns could be brought to bear upon any thing on the side of the bay, 

 supposing them to be in a good condition ; a little farther to the east 

 of the town, I was informed they had a kind of stockade, but none of 

 us were permitted to see it. 



According to our estimates, and the information we received while 

 at Sooloo, the island itself does not contain more than thirty thousand 

 inhabitants, of which the town of Soung may have six or seven thou- 

 sand. The whole group may number about one hundred and thirty 

 thousand. I am aware, however, that it is difficult to estimate the 

 population of a half-civilized people, who invariably exaggerate their 

 own strength ; and visiters are likewise prone to do the same thing. 

 The Chinese comprise about an eighth of the population of the town, 

 and are generally of the lower class. They are constantly busy at 

 their trades, and intent upon making money. 



At Soung, business seems active, and all, slaves as well as masters, 

 seem to engage in it. The absence of a strong government leaves all 

 at liberty to act for themselves, and the Ruma Bechara gives unlimited 

 freedom to trade. These circumstances promote the industry of the 

 community, and even that of the slave, for he too, as before observed, 

 has a life interest in what he earns. 



Soung being the residence of the Sultan, as well as the grand depot 

 for all piratical goods, is probably more of a mart than any of the 

 surrounding towns. In the months of March and April it is visited by 

 several Chinese junks, who remain trading until the beginning of the 

 month of August. If delayed after that time, they can scarcely return 

 in safety, being unable to contend with the boisterous weather and 

 head winds that then prevail in the Chinese seas. These junks are 

 said to come chiefly from Amoy, where the cottons, &c, best suited for 

 the Sooloos are made. Their cargoes consist of a variety of articles 

 of Chinese manufacture and produce, such as silk, satin goods, cottons, 

 red and checked, grass-cloth clothing, handkerchiefs, cutlery, guns, 

 ammunition, opium, lumber, china and glass-ware, rice, sugar, oil, 

 lard, and butter. In return for this merchandise they obtain camphor, 

 birds'-nests, rattans, biche de mar, pearls and pearl-shells, cocoa, tor- 

 toise-shell, and wax ; but there is no great quantity of these articles to 

 be obtained, perhaps not more than two or three cargoes during the 

 season. The trade requires great knowledge of the articles purchased, 

 for the Chinese and Sooloos are both such adepts in fraud, that great 

 caution and circumspection are necessary. 



