Eastern Islands,'] 



ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 



cultivated only at Amboyna, Banda, and the other islands which were 

 under the immediate controul of the Company, and where they could 

 exercise a continual superintendence. This inquisition, introduced by Dutch 

 cupidity, was singularly counteracted by birds, which deposited the seeds of 

 the spice-trees in the islands circumjacent to those where they were culti- 

 vated. This had determined the Company also to fix Residents there, 

 whose principal mission was to make constant researches, in order to 

 destroy all those winch they might meet with. Often, indeed, the trees 

 happened to be sown in places so steep, that they escaped the most active 

 efforts of the destroyers. 



TERNATE is the northernmost, and though small, tbe largest, and 

 remarkable for its volcanoes. The Dutch have a fortress on the E. side, 

 called F ort Orange, in latitude 0° 48 N., and longitude 127° 13 E. The 

 anchorage is near the shore, abreast of the town. The King resides here 

 in great state. His dominions comprehend the greater part of the N. end of 

 Gilolo ; likewise a great part of the N. E. quarter of Celebes, where the 

 settlements of Manado and Gonong Tello are situated ; to Mm also 

 belong the Islands of Sangir, Siao, and several of the small neighbouring 

 ones. 



Trade. — Gold-dust, tortoise-shell, wax, and smuggled spices, are 

 exchanged for European and Asiatic produce, including opium, but the 

 demand is small. 



Piiovisions and Refreshments of all kinds are scarce and dear. 

 Rice is imported from Manado on Celebes. Wild hogs and deer are plen- 

 tiful in the woods; vegetables are, however, more abundant here than at any 

 of the islands ; wood and water are easily procured. 



Coi NS . — Accounts are kept in rix-dollars and Spanish dollars. Duca- 

 toons and crowns pass here. 



Weights. — Chinese weights are in common use. The bahar is 4 

 cantars and 6 lbs , each cantar 100 lbs. avoirdupc. is ; which makes the 

 bahar 406 lbs. 



TI IX) RE. — This island is situated about 3 leagues to the S. of Temate, 

 in latitude about if 43' N., and longitude 127° 37 E. The town is on the 

 E. side of the islands near which ships anchor in 30 fathoms. It is very 

 populous ; the people principally Mahometans. The King possesses great 

 part of the S. E. portion of Gilolo, in which are three towns, where some 

 trade is carried on, viz. Patany, Maba, and Weda; he likewise claims the 

 islands of Waygiou, Mysol, and Ratanta. 



Trade.— There is a great trade here with New Guinea, Gilolo, and 



