Siam, <$-<*.] 



ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 



Mandarin, and a Writer, who forward intelligence of any vessel that may 

 arrive; you must then wait a day or two for the King's order before you 

 can go farther up. If the Commander or any officer of the ship wishes to 

 go up, they apply to the Chief of the village, who furnishes them with a 

 covered boat, in which they proceed quickly. It is usual to make the 

 Mandarin and Writer a small present, such as a hat, a piece of red or 

 blue cloth, with a few bottles of sweet w r ine, these being the articles they 

 most esteem next to fire-arms. On his part, the Chief sends fresh fish 

 and betel, or some other trifle, for the place where they live is very 

 miserable ; he likewise gives you a pilot, who, like the former, points 

 out the course you are to steer, without interfering with the vessel. When 

 permission is received at the village, you weigh, and proceed up, taking 

 care to have boats ready to assist in towing, because here the channel 

 in several parts is narrow, and the tide is not regular. At some distance 

 higher up, you will perceive the masts of the vessels lying before the 

 city, and the flagstaff of the place. You may anchor before the city ; 

 but strangers prefer mooring below, because the King's godowns are at 

 that part, and it is near the grand China bazar, about three miles from 

 the City of Saigong, and where strangers have a good deal of small trade. 

 The King's vessels are a little higher up, opposite the city gates, for 

 expediting their communication with the arsenal. The Chinese arc mostly 

 on the opposite side of the river. The Portuguese generally salute when 

 thev anchor, but it is not returned ; however, as the Cochin-Chinese are- 

 accustomed to this ceremony, every merchant vessel should conform to it, 

 as the Cochin-Chinese are very tenacious in this respect. 



At Saigong you find linguists who speak the Indian Portuguese indif- 

 ferently ; they come very readily on hoard, and conduct you to the Man- 

 darin, with whom strangers treat. This Mandarin obtains for you an 

 audience of the King, informing you of the day. Although you are not 

 obliged to make any presents, it would perhaps be politic to do so, as the 

 Portuguese are disposed to do you all the had offices in their power, being 

 jealous of interlopers. Presents consist in general of articles not only curi- 

 ous, but useful ; such as lire-arms of good workmanship, a curious watch 

 or clock, sabres, or short hangers for the King; some pieces or cuts of red, 

 green, yellow, or blue cloths, velvets, or rich European stuffs for the Man- 

 darins; but you must not be too prodigal of your presents, and only give 

 to those who can be of service to you. Those customary to make on your 

 arrival are, to the King, to the Prince, his son, and to the Mandarin, who 

 has the charge of strangers ; the others are only to those who are employed 

 by the King, such as the Chief of the Marine, Commandant of the Arsenal, 



