324 



ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Malay Peninsula. 



only 10 feet water upon it at spring tides ; the town is situated 4 or 5 miles 

 from tins entrance, in a valley encompassed with steep hills- Pulo Laddu 

 and several other islands lie to the W. of this port, about 5 leagues. The Great 

 Ladda is inhabited by a race of Malays, who are in general great thieves, 

 and commit frequent acts of piracy. There is exceeding good anchorage on 

 tbeE. aide of them, sufficient for the largest fleet, with a plentiful supply of 

 wood and water at hand. On the S. W. side is a harbour, where the French 

 refitted and masted, after an engagement with Commodore Barnet in 1745. 



QUEDA, the principal seaport, called Qualia Batrang, is in latitude 

 6° 6' N. The river is navigable for vessels of 300 tons, but its entrance is 

 choked up by a mud bank, 2} miles in length, with about 12 feet water in 

 spring tides. Large ships anchor about 4 miles off, in 5 or 6 fathoms, the 

 entrance of the river bearing E. N. E. and a mountain called the Elephant 

 N. E. The river is about 300 yards wide ; both shores are muddy, and 

 have swampy plains covered with jungle. Seven miles up the river is 

 Allcstar; all vessels that pass the bar, can go to Allestar: the river is nar- 

 row, but deep. About two years ago, the Rajahor King of Queda, was dis- 

 possessed of his territory by the Siamese, during their war with the Burmans. 

 The inhabitants have emigrated in considerable numbers to Pinang. 



Queda contains about 300 houses, inhabited by Chinese, Chulias, and 

 Malays. It was formerly a place of considerable trade ; but since the esta- 

 blishments at Pulo Pinang and Singapore, the Malay proas have carried 

 the greater part of their trade thither, for the European and country ships 

 bound to China. 



Teade. — Opium and Spanish dollars form the principal part of the 

 cargoes of the country ships. For the latter you are certain of procuring 

 goods, if any are to be had ; and frequently a few chests of opium will bring 

 a good price. The Chinese junks import coarse China-ware in considerable 

 quantities, thin irons, pans, gongs, white and blue cloths, and other articles 

 suitable to the Malay market. 



The chief produce of Queda is tin, which is brought from a distant part 

 of the interior by water; but beech de mer, bees' wax, birds'-nests, cautch, 

 dammer, fish-maws, rice, rattans, and sharksMuis, are to be procured in 

 their way to China. These compose the return cargo of the Chinese junks, 

 and of the few country ships which visit this place. 



Duties. — Before the troubles here, the duties were £\ per cent, only, 

 and few impositions were met with. Presents are necessary. 



Provisions and Refresumknts. — Bullocks, with poultry of various 

 kinds, fruits, and vegetables, are in abundance. Very good water is pro- 

 cured from the river at an inconsiderable expence 



