BARRETYTO DE RESENDE’S ACCOUNT OF MALACCA. a7 
they may render. Other vessels are sent out from Malacca with 
advices such as bantims,”’ very much smaller than jaleas the only | 
expense being, as aforesaid, the sailors, and the provisions for the 
soldiers. The latter, who receive their pay on shore at rare 
intervals, embark with much good will; because, at times, when 
they put in at a certain place such as Pera, and other ports, they 
can earn a quartel” from the merchants. They are not discharged 
from the fortress when they thus go to sea, neither do they lose 
their pay; but, while away from the fortress, they are masters. 
But for this no soldier would remain in the fortress for the King’s 
pay is very small and the country very dear. Even as it is, it is a 
source of wonder that any soldiers are found who will remain 
there. 
One thing may be said of the married women of this land 
which is greatly to their credit; and that is that there is not one 
who would ask for any help from her husband towards the expenses 
of the home, which really is their support; for they themselves 
supply the household money by making eatables which are usually 
sold in the streets by their slaves, and their houses take the place 
of inns in the town. Their daughters are brought up from child- 
hood to the same custom, so that there is no girl who has not her 
own fortune put aside in this way in her father’s house; and thus, 
as in India, girls are not afraid of their husbands not being able to 
support them; for this reason too persons of much merit are 
satisfied with a small dowry. This custom has greater effect in 
this country than in India. 
As regards the merchandise in the fortress of Malacca very 
little is of the country, and the greater part is imported. The chief 
products of the country are tin, some bezoar stones,” porcupine 
quills” and wild agallochium.” <A certain quantity of Japam,®” or 
red wood, for dyes, of somewhat less value than that of Brazil, 
is brought from the interior. All the southern commodities and 
merchandise from China and cloths from Cambay and the Coro- 
mandel coast are imported. All the southern tribes were wont to 
come here to buy in exchange for other merchandise so that the 
commerce was very extensive, and profits no less; but now it is 
almost entirely extinct, for never or rarely do any natives come to 
Malacca to seek anything: having all they require from the Dutch. 
But nevertheless voyages are still undertaken from Malacca to 
many parts, China, Manila, and Cochin-China being the principal 
points of destination and the less important voyages being to 
Patane. As Siam is now at war, communication with Camboja, 
Champa and those parts, which would otherwise be very frequent, 
is interrupted. The ships bear to the South to avoid the windy 
season which in Malacea is from April to end of August. 
The merchandise carried to these places is as follows :— 
To Patane, **’ stuffs from Cambay and all the Coromandel coast, 
according to the stuffs in use, as every southern tribe follows a 
different fashion. From Patane, patacas, * some gold, good bezoar 
R, A, Soc., No. 60, I91I. 
