Eastern hlands.\ ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 



427 



street for one half of the distance, and containing about 200 houses. The 

 fortified palace of the Sultan, and the strong wooden castles of the Datoos, 

 take up one side of the river ; the other is occupied by individuals. 



On the point of land where the Melampy runs into the Pclangy, is a 

 fort, called Coto Intaug (Diamond Fort), and also a town. The fort is on 

 the extreme point of land, in extent about six miles. From the gate 

 which is on the middle of that side of the fort next the land, and which 

 is nearly perpendicular to both rivers, leads a broad and straight street 

 for the distance of above half a mile. It is so well raised as never to be over- 

 flowed, and is moated on both sides. At the end of this street a canal 

 is cut from river to river, which bounds the town. On the side next the 

 Pelangy dwell many Chinese families, mostly carpenters, arrack-distillers, 

 and millers. On that side next the Melampy live a few Chinese, but 

 many Magindanao merchants and vessel-builders. They build vessels of 

 various dimensions, and employ them in trading from one port to the other, 

 or in cruising among the Philippine Islands for slaves and plunder. 



Trade. — Ail kinds of India piece-goods answer well here, especially 

 ordinary long cloth, white, blue, and red; handkerchiefs of all kinds; 

 chintz, principally dark grounds; Surat goods of most sorts; and all kinds 

 of European cutlery and iron. The following articles are to be procured 

 here, in small quantities : — Birds'-nests, cassia, gold-dust, pepper, rattans, 

 sago, tortoise-shell, wax, and several kinds of wood. Precious stones may 

 likewise be procured, but it requires great care to prevent impositions. One 

 pecul of wax is the usual exchange for two peculs of iron. Presents 

 are necessary to the Sultan and principal men, according to the business 

 transacted. 



Coins and Measures. — The currency in most parts of the country, 

 as in Sooloo, is the Chinese kangan, a piece of coarse cloth, thinly woven, 

 19 inches broad, and six yards long; the value at Sooloo is 10 dollars for a 

 bundle of 25, sealed up, and at Magindanao much the same: but here 

 Spanish dollars are scarce. These bundles are called gandangs, rolled up 

 in cylindrical form. They have also as a currency cousongs, a kind of 

 nankeen, died black ; and kompow, a strong white Chinese linen, made 

 of flax. 



In the bazar, or market, the immediate currency is paly ; lOgantangs 

 of about 4 lbs. each, make 1 battell, and 3 battells (a cylindrical measure, 

 13{- inches high, the same in diameter) about 120 lbs., are commonly sold 

 for a kangan. Speaking of the value of things here and at Sooloo, they say 

 such a horse, proa, &c. is worth so many slaves, the old valuation being one 

 slave for 30 kangans. 



