ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Malay Peninsula. 



rubbing them on the stone, aud observing which the gold comes the nearest 

 to, and value it accordingly, always taking care to cut it lengthwise and 

 through the middle. Practise on board with your touches, and the different 

 sorts of gold will soon make it familiar to you." 



Trade. — The tin procured here is brought from Palembang or Banc a, 

 in the Malay proas. The pepper, which is the produce of the country, is 

 good ; but they often mix it with the Dutch sweepings from Palembang, 

 which must he looked into : they will always garble it if you mention it in 

 your contract. The merchants may want credit for about 20 days ; more 

 they will not expect, as you should always tell them you are bound to 

 China, that they may use dispatch. If your time will admit of it, give it 

 them ; it ensures you so much sold ; and it often happens they have not the 

 pepper brought in, or gold-dust ; and if you refuse them credit, the mer- 

 chants, among whom the King wants to distribute the opium, go away, 

 and you thereby lose the sale of 30 or 40 chests : besides, you may depend 

 upon receiving the goods as they come in. You should make it a part of 

 your agreement to have the King's seal put upon the gold, as he will then 

 be in some degree answerable for its quality. Besides gold, tin, and pepper, 

 betel-nuts and rattans are met with. The chief imports are opium and cutlery. 



Duties. — The established duties are 5 per cent., but you should always 

 agree that the King should pay the duty, for you cannot trade publicly with 

 any one else ; at Tringano it is always customary. However, be careful 

 to mention it in your agreement, or they will endeavour to take advantage, 

 and make you pay them. The presents necessary are, to the Rajah to the 

 value of not less than 50 dollars ; the Prince about 50 ; the Shabundar and 

 agent about 50 each. 



Provisions and Refreshments. — Fowls may be procured here in 

 great plenty ; and they have an excellent though smal I breed of cattle. 

 Fish and fruits are in abundance. 



Coins. — Throughout the Malay Peninsula, Spanish dollars are the 

 common coin, and the Chinese pecul the common weight \ the currency 

 here consists also of the following: — 



400 patties equal to 1 kossang. 



4 kossan>;s 1 mace. 



16 mace « Lale. 



Weight. — The pecul at Tringano is 140 lbs. avoirdupois. 



RE DANG ISLANDS. — These islands, which extend along the coast 

 about 30 miles from 5° 30' to 6° 4 N. latitude, belong to the Government 

 of Tringano, and from some of which pepper, rattans, and black-wood are 

 brought for the King^s use. The inhabitants are apt to take advantage of 



