Eastern Island*.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 



423 



t« be procured here, though not in great abundance. Rice is sometimes 

 dear. They liave a great variety of fruits, and fish in abundance. 



Coins and Weights. — The former are Spanish dollars; the latter the 

 Chinese pecul and catty. 



C AG AY AN SOOLOO is an island of considerable size, in latitude 

 7° N., and longitude 1 18° && E. Ships may anchor in a bay, with the 

 westernmost part of the island W. by S. two miles* The bay is clean, and 

 has a river at the bottom of it, with a bar of coral rocks, about 30 yards in 

 width, and 10 yards over. Within and without it is clear sand, free from 

 rocks, and will admit with safety vessels drawing 15 feet water. This 

 island is dependent on Sooloo, and is much frequented by proas from Borneo 

 and the neighbouring islands. Supplies of poultry, fruits, and vegetables 

 may be procured. Some trifling presents must be made to the Rajah, who 

 in return sends on board some fowls and fruits. 



SOOLOO. — The Sooloo Archipelago consists of an immense number 

 of islands lying in a N. E. and S. W. direction, the principal of which 

 is Sooloo, in latitude 6° V N., and longitude 121° 19! E., and to it all the 

 others are subject. This island is of considerable height, extending E. and 

 W. about 10 leagues. The anchorage is opposite the town of Sooloo, or 

 Soong, in 18 fathoms, the Sultans house bearing S. 26° E., distance about 

 1| mile. The town is of considerable size ; the houses are built after the 

 manner of the Malays. The number of inhabitants on the island is stated 

 to be 60,000, most of them pirates. They have extended their dominion 

 over the neighbouring islands, as well as a considerable portion of the N. E. 

 part of Romeo. To the E. they are kept in some check by the Spaniards at 

 Samboangan, or Magindanao ; yet the vicinity of that settlement does not 

 prevent them from sometimes declaring war against that nation, and 

 disturbing the internal commerce of the Philippine Islands. Every pre- 

 caution is therefore necessary, more particularly in small vessels, to prevent 

 surprise, as they have very frequently cut off European ships calling here. 



Ships bound to Sooloo should give a birth to the steep low shores of 

 these islands, as a precaution against the N. W. squalls. Coming from 

 the W,, the proper channel is between Oobeean and Pangootaran, keep- 

 ing well to the S. The gut between Pangootaran and Pandookan is very 

 narrow, with deep water. Between the S, end of Cagayan, Sooloo, and the 

 two Mooleegee islets to the S. is a safe channel, 5 or 6 miles wide. 



At Sooloo and the neighbouring islands is a famous pearl-fishery. The 

 drudges for the pearl oyster are generally made of bamboo, very slight, and 

 sunk with a stone. The large pearls are the property of the Datoos, on 

 whose estates they are found. The Chinese merchants, however, often con- 



