Eastern Island*.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 



417 



with Europeans s and all bargains are made in this money ; but accounts 

 are kept among the natives in tale and mace. 



Weights. — All gross goods are weighed by English weights, and 

 then turned into China peculs. Their small weights are busucks, ku- 

 pangs, mace, pahaws, and tale, thus divided : — 



2 husucks equal to I kupang. 



* ku pangs - 1 mace. 



1 mace . ) pah aw. 



4> pahaws « 1 tale. 



By these weights diamonds, gold, bezoar, and other valuable ai tides 

 are weighed. 



PONTIANA, the most recent of the Malay states, is situated upon 

 the principal branch of a large river, named Lewa, whose entrance is in 

 latitude 0° 2 N., and longitude 109° 12' E., and which discharges itself 

 into the sea by several mouths. This branch is at its entrance 12 feet 

 deep, and at high water 16 or 17 feet, so that vessels can proceed to the 

 factory. The passage requires 10 or 12 hours. At the distance of 7 or 8 

 miles from the sea, the river divides itself into two branches, on the south- 

 ernmost of which the factory stands. The anchorage in the road is from 

 3$ to 5\ fathoms, safe and free from shoals, the river's mouth E. S. E. off- 

 shore about 5 miles. The population consists of Chinese, Malay, Bugis, 

 Arab^, and Javan slaves. 



The principal diamond mines in the island are at some distance at the 

 back of this place. The spots where they are to be found, are said to be 

 known by certain small flints, generally of a black colour, which lie on the 

 surface, and also by the yellow colour of the stony soil. The place is dug 

 in the presence of an overseer ; and if any stones are found above five 

 carats, they are claimed as the property of the Sovereign. Besides these 

 mines, diamonds are sometimes found in the rivers, but seldom of any size, 

 or to any amount. 



Trade. — The Dutch import piece-goods for the supply of the na- 

 tives; but opium and other articles are imported either by their own 

 proas from Pinang, or by country ships stopping here. In 1810, the im- 

 ports at Pontiana in English ships amounted to 210,000 dollars. 



The following are the principal commodities procured here : — Birds'- 

 nests, beech de raer, diamonds, gold-dust, pepper, rattans, sago, and wax. 



Duties, &c. — The duties on sales are 6 per cent, on piece-goods and 

 other articles generally; 1 dollar per pecul on iron, steel, tin, and salt- 

 petre; 2 dollars per pecul on bees 1 wax from the interior; and on opium 

 50 dollars per chest j but late accounts Btate that the English are charged 



Dd 



