COASTS OF AUSTRALIA. 
129 
no merchant vessels, that have not some particular 
object in view, will visit this place ; so that it has 
very little communication with other parts, ex- 
cepting through the Chinese traders, who are 
constantly in motion. In fact it is, to use the Resi- 
dent’s own words in describing it to me, “ a poor 
place;” and it seems to be the policy of the Dutch 
government to keep it so, for no vessel is allowed 
to trade with Coepang without having first visited 
either Batavia or Amboyna, for the purpose of 
procuring permission. 
The town is situated principally on the east 
bank of the river; which, rising in the mountains, 
runs through a torrent- worn course until it reaches 
the valley in which the town is built ; here the 
tide meets it, and at low water its bed is nearly 
dry: it communicates with the sea by a shoal 
bar, immediately under a rocky eminence on which 
the Fort of Concordia is constructed. This fort, 
from its favourable situation, protects the harbour 
and outer anchorage, as well as commands the 
town. 
From the anchorage, Coepang presents a very 
picturesque and lively appearance. The houses, 
a few of which are built of stone, are roofed either 
with red tiles or thatch, and are shaded from 
the heat of the sun by thick groves of trees ; 
among wdiich the bread fruit-tree, the Jaca, and a 
Vol. I. K 
1818 . 
June 
5 — 13 . 
