ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 



[Sumatra. 



to open a friendly communication with the natives having hitherto proved 

 fruitless. To the E. of it, near its southernmost point, are four small 

 islands, which form an exceeding fine bay, with clear ground, good 

 anchorage, and shelter from any wind for ships of any burthen. One of 

 these islands is sandy, and there vessels may go in, and repair or careen with 

 great facility, having four fathoms clear ground close to the shore ; there is 

 also good running water, plenty of fine wood for building or repairing 

 ships, and abundance of excellent fish, yams, and coco-nuts. The island is 

 said to be well inhabited ; the houses stand singly in the plantations, are 

 circular, about eight feet in diameter, raised about six feet from the ground 

 on slender iron-wood sticks, floored with planks, and the roof, which is 

 thatched with long grass, rises from the floor in a conical shape. They 

 have a number of canoes, which are very neat, and in general contain six or 

 seven men. A ship requiring refreshments should anchor so as to protect 

 the boats and people, as the natives are very treacherous. The crew of the 

 Union, wrecked herein 1815, were retained hy them in captivity some time. 



There are several bays on the South Coast of Sumatra, but they are 

 seldom visited by Europeans, as they produce no articles of trade, and the 

 natives, being very treacherous, are not to be trusted. 



PALEMBANG. — This kingdom is of considerable importance, and its 

 river one of the largest in the island, disemboguing itself by various branches 

 into the sea. Its principal entrance is in latitude about 2° 52' S., and longi- 

 tude 104 3 50' E., opposite to the city of Palombang, which is 14- leagues 

 from its entrance; it is upwards of a mile in breadth, and is conveniently 

 navigated by vessels drawing 14 feet water. Those of a larger description 

 have been carried thither for military purposes ; but the operation is attended 

 with considerable difficulty and danger, on account of the numerous 

 shoals in the river, the lower parts of the country being flat and marshy, 

 mid overflowed during the rainy season. 



The City of Falembang extends about 8 miles along both banks of the 

 river, and is mostly confined to them, and to the creeks w!>ich open into the 

 river. As the nature of the surrounding country, being overflowed in high 

 tides, scarcely admits of roads, almost all communication is carried on by 

 means of boats, which are seen moving in every direction. 



The policy of this Government having always encouraged foreign 

 settlers, the city and lower parts of the river arc in a great measure 

 peopled with natives of China. Cochin China, Siam, Cambodia, Patany, 

 Java, Celebes, Borneo, and other eastern places. 



Thade.— Very few articles of European or Indian produce are disposed 



