ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 



[S'utmttra. 



disposed of it, which is sometimes three or four months, and it seldom 

 happens that a ship sets sail without leaving several sums behind unreeeived. 

 This manner of disposing of goods is seldom adopted by English command, 

 crs, as they trade with the King's Minister, or Shabundar. 



Exports. — The principal article of produce is gold ; but the following 

 are also to be procured here: — Betel-nut, benjamin, patch leaf, pepper, 

 camphire, sapan wood, rattans, and brimstone. 



In purchasing gold-dust, great care must be taken that no dross or brass 

 filings be intermixed, which is too often the case. Excellent teak and fir 

 grow in Sumatra. Precious stones are occasionally to be got reasonable ; but 

 as they are generally set in the country fashion, it is difficult to form a cor- 

 rect opinion of their value. 



Directions. — On your arrival, go immediately on shore, taking all the 

 samples of goods you have to sell, and enquire for the Shabundar, or 

 Harbour Master. Shew your samples to him, and agree about the prices. 

 It is not necessary to pay your respects to the King, until you have agreed 

 to sell, and are sworn. You pay no duties on any sales made to the King. 

 On all purchases of gruff goods, such as brimstone, betel-nut, rattans, 

 benjamin, horses, and camphire, the King's duties are 6 per cent. ; the other 

 petty duties for the Datoo, Shabundar, and Assay Master, amount to about 

 4 per cent. But whenever you purchase from, or sell to, the King, he sure 

 you agree with the Datoo (or King's Merchant) to be free from all duty, or 

 he will impose it upon you for his own emolument. 



The presents are large. If you do business, to the King should be given 

 1 long shawl, 1 piece (gold end) fine muslin, 1 carboy of rose water, 1 pair 

 of gold slippers, 1 piece of fine cossae, 1 barrel of gunpowder, and 1 hand- 

 some fusee, if you have arms to sell. To the Datoo and Shabundar your 

 presents must be in proportion ; for the King, professing himself to be a 

 soldier, does not affect to be troubled with merchandise, but leaves the 

 traffic to these two men, with whom you will find it your interest to be on 

 good terms, and fee them, after your first present, with trifles occasionally. 

 These men are fond of parade and attention ; it will be therefore necessary, 

 whenever they pay you a visit on board, to salute them on their coming, with 

 three guns, and the same at their departure ; indeed, this is expected by 

 every man upon the Malay Coast, who holds any rank or appointment under 

 the King, wherever you are. 



It will be absolutely necessary to have a touchadar (or assay er) to try 

 your gold, if paid in that metal, and to have the King's chop or seal upon it, 

 and beware of imposition. Never carry more goods on shore than you have 

 orders for at one time ; and as you sell them off, receive the returns, and 



