Sumatra.] 



ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 



373 



of at Palembang, its wants being supplied from Batuviu. A few chests of 

 opium and piece-goods form the principal part ; the remainder consists of 

 Spanish dollars, and for them alone tin can be procured. 



Tin and pepper are the staple exports- The former is procured from 

 Banca, and is delivered to the King at a fixed rate per pecul, and by him to 

 the Dutch. It is stated that 3,000,000 lbs. are annually supplied to them, 

 of which the greater part is sent to China, and the remainder to Europe. 

 The pepper produced at Palembang is in general very foul, and considered 

 inferior to what is brought from the W. side of the island, and that of 

 Malabar. The other articles procured here, are diamonds, canes, and 

 rattans. Of the first, it is stated that about 1000 carats are annually pur- 

 chased by the Dutch, and of the latter from 70 to 100,000 bundles per 

 annum, which are principally sent to China. Palembang is much frequented 

 by proas from Macassar, Borneo, Bally, and Java, which bring rice, salt, 

 and some few cloths manufactured to the eastward, and worn by the Malays, 

 taking in return opium and other Indian commodities. 



Late accounts represent the trade as declining. Siamese salt is excluded 

 in favour of that from Java, and a heavy tonnage duty on the Chinese 

 junks diminishes this branch of the trade. 



Duties. — No regular traffic being permitted here, presents only are 

 necessary to the Dutch Resident, and the Shabundar or King's Minister, 

 according to the business likely to be transacted. On your arrival in the 

 roads, send your long boat into the river (for water), and send accounts of 

 the ship s arrival to the Governor. The fishermen will let the natives know 

 of your arrival ; and if the Governor means to do any business, you will 

 have accounts in the course of three or four days ; but should he not be 

 prepared to deal with you, no time should be lost in getting your boat on 

 board, and proceeding to sea. 



Coins, — The currency of the country, and the only money allowed to 

 be received at the King's Treasury, is Spanish dollars; but there is also in 

 general circulation a species of small base coin, called petis, which are cut 

 out of plates composed of lead and tin ; and having a square hole in the 

 middle, like the Chinese cash, are strung in parcels of 500 each, 16* of which 

 are equivalent to a Spanish dollar. Accounts are kept in rix dollars (a 

 nominal coin) of 48 stivers ; the exchange between Spanish and rix dollars 

 being five of the latter for four of the former. 



Weights. — Here, as well as at all other places where the Chinese 

 have settled, their weights have become in common use. In weighing 

 gold, the tale is considered as the tenth part of the catty, or equal to the 

 weight of 2.; Spanish dollars. The catty weighs 1 1 oz. 15dwts. ligrs., troy. 



