Bengal to the Malay.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 



311 



country about Aracan river abounds witb rice, which may be procured at a 

 moderate price ; but the natives are not to be trusted, being unfriendly to 

 Europeans. 



Coins. — There was a mint at Aracan, where silver rupees were coined. 

 An Aracap rupee is equal to 12 annas duss massa, or in Aracan to three 

 kahawons, each kahawon 16 puns of cowries. 



CHEDUBA. — This island extends nearly N. W. and S. E. about 7 

 leagues, and is situated between the latitudes of 18° 36' and 18° 5Qf N.; it is 

 about twenty miles from the coast, and there is a safe passage between the 

 island and the main. The town is situated on the E. side of the island, in 

 long. 93° 4C E., up a smaU river, into which it is difficult for boats to get at 

 falling tide, on account of a number of mud banks which lie off its entrance 

 more than 1 \ mile from the shore. The river is narrow and winding, but 

 deep enough, after passing the flats, for large boats at all times of the tide. 

 The landing-place is near a small wooden bridge, about two miles up on the 

 right hand side of the river, where there is a bazar, well supplied with 

 poultry, hogs, goats, vegetables, and fruits in abundance, at reasonable 

 prices, and of excellent quality. Shipping may fill water here in their own 

 boats at half ebb ; though it may be procured more expeditiously, but at a 

 greater expence, by application to the Chief, to employ the boats of the 

 country. Permission must be obtained from him previous to procuring any 

 supplies. The sale of cattle is restricted, not only by the Government, but 

 filso by the tenets of their religion ; and so rigidly do the natives adhere to 

 them, that it is impossible to procure a bullock at any price, though the 

 island abounds with them. The anchorage for large ships is the mouth of 

 the river W. 15° S., and the town pagoda W. 19° S. in 41 fathoms. 



Large quantities of rice are grown upon the island. The Island of 

 Ramrec, to the S. E. of Cheduba, also produces large quantities of rice. 

 Cheduba was occupied by the British forces in 182-i. 



The Coast of Ava extends in a S. direction from near Cheduba to Cape 

 Negrais, forming several bays destitute of shelter for ships, and having seve- 

 ral small islands and dangers in its vicinity. 



NEGRAIS. — Cape Negrais, the south- westernmost land of the Coast 

 of Ava, is in lat. 1(T 2 N. and long. 94-° 13' E. ; but the southernmost extre- 

 mity of that coast is generally called Pagoda Point, from a pagoda standing 

 upon it, and is in lat. 13' 68' N. This point forms the W. side of Ava 

 River, called also Persaina and Bassein River, and Point Porean the E. 

 side. 



The Island of Negrais is in the entrance of the river, about four or five 

 miles inside of Pagoda Point. It is about six miles in circumference, 



