39* 



ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 



[Javff. 



The principal place frequented by English ships passing through these 

 straits, is Larantouca village, on the E. part of Flores, where refreshments 

 for two or three ships may he procured, such as goats, hogs, fowls, fruits of 

 various kinds, a few buffaloes, and some turtle ; and good fresh water may 

 be procured from wells. In return for these articles, the natives will receive 

 gunpowder in small quantities, "musket balls, glass bottles, wine-glasses, 

 white linen cloth, and all sorts of coarse cutlery. They collect here small 

 quantities of wax, bezoar, and ambergris, which is sent in small proas to 

 Timor and other places, and purchased by the Chinese traders. These 

 islands also produce sandal-wood in considerable quantities. The Island of 

 Sumba, called SandaLwood Island, is independent, and the natives trade in 

 wax and birds-nests ; but they are savage and treacherous. 



The inhabitants of Larantouca generally hoist a Portuguese flag, having 

 formerly had people of that nation amongst them ; and many of them at 

 present profess Christianity- 

 There are other straits to the E., formed by the numerous inlands which 

 are scattered about, but which are seldom visited by Europeans; but the proas 

 and other vessels trading from Celebes and other ports to Timor, pass 

 through them. 



TIMOR. — This island extends about SO leagues, in a direction 

 1 :. N. E. and W. S. W. Its E. end is in latitude 8° 26' S., and longitude 

 127° T E. It is divided between the Dutch and Portuguese; the chief 

 place of the former being Coupang, on the S. W. end ; and that of the 

 Portuguese Dhel!}-, on its N. side. These two ports alone deserve the name 

 of harbours. 



As the island of Timor is now separated from the Moluccas, to which 

 it belonged till 1819, and is dependent on the Government of Java, the 

 restriction on its free trade is no longer in force. 



COUPANG, in latitude about 10° 9 S., longitude 123° 3t> E., is 

 situated at the bottom of a deep bay, which is an excellent road for shipping. 

 The Dutch have a fort here, called Concordia, close to the water side, where 

 all the Europeans reside ; without is the Chinese village. To the E. of the 

 fort is a small fresli water river, into which a long boat can go at high water. 

 Excellent anchorage is found in the E. monsoon, in 10 to 12 fathoms water, 

 clear muddy bottom, distance 1 mile to £ of a mile from the shore ; the 

 flagstaff bearing from S. to S. W. The Governor of Coupang has authority 

 over Kotti, Savu, Solor, and some other islands in these seas. 



DHELLV. — This harbour lies to the S. of an island called Cambi, 

 and may be easily known by bringing the peak on that island to bear N. ; 



