Japan.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 521 



as well to the ships as to their College in the island of Dezima, by several 

 clerks, who take an account of every thing that Ls shipped or unloaded, write 

 permits, and perform other offices of a similar nature. 



" Kambang money, or the sums due for goods that are sold, is never 

 paid in hard cash, as the carrying it out of the country is prohibited; but 

 there is an assignment made on it, and bills are drawn for such a sum as will 

 be requisite for the whole year's supply, as also for as much as will be wanted 

 at the fair of the island. This kambang money is, in the common phrase of 

 the country, very light, and less in value than specie, so that with the money 

 which is thus assigned over, one is obliged to pay nearly double for every 

 thing. All these kambang bills are paid at the Japanese new year only. 

 Every man's account is made out before the ship sails, and is presented and 

 accepted at the College of the interpreters, after which the books are closed. 

 All that is wanted after the new year, is taken up upon credit for the whole 

 year ensuing. 



" The 18th of February is, with the Japanese, the last day of the 

 year. On this day all accounts betweeen private persons are to be closed ; 

 and these, as well as all other debts, to be paid. Fresh credit is afterwards 

 given till the month of June, when there must be a settlement again. 

 Among the Japanese, as well as in China, in case of loans, very high 

 interest is frequently paid, from 18 to 20 per cent. I was informed that if 

 a man did not take care to be paid before new year's day, he had afterwards 

 no right to demand payment on the new year. 



*' When the Dutch do not deal for ready money, their commerce can 

 hardly be considered in any other light than that of bartar. With this 

 view, a fair is kept on the island, about a fortnight before the mustering of 

 the ship, and its departure for Papenberg, a small island near the entrance 

 of the harbour, when certain merchants, with the consent of the Governor, 

 and on paying a small duty, are allowed to carry their merchandise thither, 

 and expose it to sale in booths erected for that purpose. 



** The copper, the principal article of export, was brought from the 

 interior and distant parts of the country, and kept in a storehouse ; and as 

 soon as the ship was in part discharged, the loading it with the copper com- 

 menced. This latter was weighed, and put into long wooden boxes, a 

 pecul in each, in presence of the Japanese officers and interpreters, and of 

 the Dutch supracargoes and writers, and afterwards conveyed by the Ja- 

 panese to the bridge, in order to be put on board. On such occasions a few 

 sailors always attend, to watch that the labourers do not steal it, which they 

 will do if possible, as they can sell it to the Chinese, who pay them well 

 for it. 



