344 COCHINCHINA. 
against us, and thus cut off the grand supply of that timber 
AV'hich is best suited for the purpose. 
The river Sai-gong^ usually called Cambodia, flowing into 
the sea at the southern extremity of Cochinchina, runs 
through inexhaustible forests of stately trees, possessing every 
quality requisite for naval architecture, such as teak, iron- 
wood {Sjjderoxylon), and poon {Callophyllum) ; the last of 
which grows tall and straight as the Norway fir or the larch, 
and is extremely well adapted for ships' masts. In the forests 
of Cochinchina are also ebony (Diosperos), cedars, mimosas, 
walnuts, and indeed most of the timber trees that grow in 
India. Down this magnificent river all kinds of timber might 
be brought to Prince of Wales's Island, almost as conveniently 
as from Rangoon. 
Having thus briefly stated some of the important advan- 
tages which an intimate connection with Cochinchina might 
be expected to produce, the next point to be decided is the 
mode in which such a connection would most effectually be 
established. With this view it may not be amiss to inquire 
whether any, and what, steps have hitherto been taken for the 
accomplishment of so desirable a purpose. The first at- 
tempt to open a friendly intercourse with this country appears 
to have been made by Mr. Hastings, in the year 1778, when, 
on his receiving some favourable representations of the ad- 
vantages that would probably result from such a measure, he 
was induced to give permission to a mercantile house to send 
a couple of ships laden with merchandise, entrusting, at the 
7 
