410 



ORIENTAL COMMEIU'K 



[Stoat) 



Storekeeper, S:c. For them cloth, large round hats, or any other trifles 

 are sufficient, and these sparingly ; for these men are very avaricious, and 

 make no scruple to ask, through your interpreter, for what they may want, 

 without any shame. You must be on your guard against the thievish dis- 

 position of the coolies and writers in delivering and receiving your cargo, as 

 they will cheat you in the weights and measures with an effrontery and 

 dexterity unequalled. The Governor is a person of great influence. The 

 number of inhabitants in Saigong is from 30 to 40,000. 



Saigong is said to be regularly fortified, after the 'French model. All 

 the principal articles for ship-building are here in great abundance ; timber 

 of every description, of excellent quality, and intelligent shipwrights ; spars 

 for large and small masts, dammer, oils of many sorts, very long rattans, 

 excellent hemp, both for cordage and sail-cloth, and mines of iron and other 

 metals. The S. provinces furnish rice, betel-nut, and sugar in large quan- 

 tities. The province of Donai produces indigo, and Cambodia abounds in 

 various woods for dying, gums of several descriptions, odoriferous woods, 

 and oils for varnish ; also fish and birds -nests ; the middle provinces produce 

 pepper, silk, cotton, aloes, and silver; and those to the N., agala-wood, 

 tea, and gold. 



Chinese merchandise is in great abundance, from the number of junks 

 which annually frequent the different ports ; and it would be easy for an 

 European nation established in Cochin-China, to procure there all the arti- 

 cles which they now go to China for, and purchase at a dear rate. 



QUIN-HONE. — This harbour, one of the best in Cochin-China, is 

 formed on the left by a neck of sand about four miles long, and on the 

 right by steep mountains ; its entrance is in latitude about 45' N., and 

 longitude I09 1 11' E. This was formerly a place of considerable trade, and 

 all the neck of sand was covered with houses ; its position is nearly in the 

 middle of the ^ingdom, and in the neighbourhood of the City of Quin-hone, 

 the capital of the country. 



NHIATKANG. — Nhiatrang Bay is large, and well-sheltered ; the 

 anchorage is in 8 fathoms, with the entrance of the river N. W. about a 

 mile ; the river has a bar, and will only admit vessels drawing 7 or 8 feet 

 water. It communicates with the city, which is about five miles to the W., 

 and the capital of the province. This place is well situated for trade, and 

 is the grand mart for the commerce of this part of the coast. A considerable 

 quantity of silk is manufactured here. 



There is a rocky bank in the bay with about four fathoms. When on 

 it. Dune Island bears S. 83" 30' E. ; and a small white rock, called Seche, 

 is in one with the E. extreme of the land. 



