39<i 



ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Eastern Islands. 



SECTION XX VL 

 THE EASTERN ISLANDS. 



THE Eastern Seas contain an immense number of islands, many 

 of which are large and inhabited, and carry on a considerable trade with 

 each other; but the greater part are uninhabited, and imperfectly known. 

 The principal islands frequented by Europeans, are the various Spice Islands, 

 Celebes, Borneo, the Sooloo Archipelago, and the Philippines. 



BANDA ISLANDS. — This group consists of ten islands: Banda 

 Neira, Gonong A pee, Banda Lantoir, Pulo Ay, or Way ; Pulo Hondo, 

 or Pulo Roon ; Rosengyn, Pulo Pisang, Craka, Capella, and Sonangy. 

 The harbour is formed by Great Banda on the S. side, Gonong Apee, and 

 Banda Neira on the N., with Pulo Pisang and Capella on the W. entrance- 

 The anchorage, in latitude 4° 31 S., and longitude 130° E., is at the foot 

 of Gonong Apee, or the Burning Mountain, which smokes almost con- 

 tinually, and from which proceed frequent earthquakes, whose shocks are 

 sometimes repeated three or four times in a day. Y ou moor directly off the 

 wharf on Banda Neira, at about half a mile distance. 



BANDA NEIRA is the seat of Government, and subordinate to 

 Amboyna. Besides the forts, there are a number of redoubts and military 

 posts all round these islands, to prevent smuggling, and protect the 

 plantations and villages against the pirates from New Guinea, who fre- 

 quently land, and carry off* the inhabitants, and whatever else they can 

 take by surprise, but are seldom hardy enough to attack where resistance 

 may be expected. 



Trade. — The spice trade is monopolized by the Dutch Government, 

 and intercourse with the Moluccas and their dependencies is interdicted to 

 foreigners. On the visit of the Governor-General, in April 1S24, some new 

 regulations were promulgated by him ; the object of which was announced 

 to be that of abolishing the unnecessarily oppressive laws, relative to the 

 monopoly of the spice trade, &c, whereby it was directed that all the laws 

 and regulations tending to protect the existing monopoly of the spices, 

 especially in nutmegs and mace, should be maintained in their rigour. All 



