403 



ORIENTAL COMMERCE, [Eastern Islands. 



with the N. islands ; and the Chinese, who are an industrious people, are 

 much interested in it. 



The commodities imported arc as follow s — China-ware, scarlet cloth, 

 coar.se cutlery, guns and muskets, gunpowder, glass-ware, iron in bars ; 

 ironmongery, looking-glasses, lead; lace, gold and silver; nails, piece-goods 

 of sorts, shot, steel, and watches. 



The proas import from Sooloo, New Guinea, Gilolo, Waygiou, and 

 the other islands, agal agal, birds'-nests, black-wood, beech de mer, birds 

 of paradise, Missov bark, nutmegs, pearls, pearl shells, rattans, sago, stick- 

 lac, sandal-wood, tortoise-shell, and wax, taking in return the produce of 

 India and China, before mentioned. 



Duties. — There are no duties levied on imports or exports, but 

 presents are made to the Sultan and his principal men, according to the 

 business done. 



Provisions and R t\F re s k m en ts. — Bullocks and goats are to be got 

 from Gilolo; deer and wild hogs in abundance; various kinds of fruits, and 

 some vegetables. The sea yields plenty of excellent fish. The Kemoo or 

 Chama cockle is in abundance amongst these islands; the small ones, about 

 the size of a man's head, are very good, and will keep long alive, if wetted 

 frequently with salt water. 



CELEBES. — This island is separated from Borneo by the Strait of 

 Macassar*, which is about 115 leagues long, and generally from 35 to 45 

 leagues wide, except where it is contracted by the projection of Point 

 Kanneevongan, to 17 leagues; it is much frequented bv ships bound to 

 China late in the season, though it has no ports where provisions or refresh- 

 ments can be readily procured. 



Celebes is of considerable extent, and very irregular and singular form. 

 It is peopled by various tribes, the chief of which are the Macassaresc, and 

 Bugis. Their manners are peculiar and whimsical, 



M ACASSAR.— On the W. side of Celebes is this principal settlement; 

 all the others are subordinate to it. The road is one of the most beautiful 

 in India, and very secure, being defended by numerous small islands and 

 sand-banks from almost every wind that blows; but a pilot is necessary to 

 get into the inner roads. The town is built upon a point or neck of land 

 watered by a river. 



Fort Rotterdam is situated in latitude 5° 9' EL, and longitude 119° 36 

 E. ; it was built by the natives with the assistance of the Portuguese, and 

 is about 800 feet from the beach, opposite to the road, where a pier extends, 

 which serves for unloading the ships, and close to which are 15 or 16 feet 



