quent shipwrecks which are known to take place,
that they are very trifling.
The duties and other imposts levied on external
trade are somewhat complex, and differ
in degree according to the class of vessels subjected
to them, and which consist of junks carrying
on trade with China proper, junks of the
Island of Hai-nan, junks trading to the Malayan
islands, and European shipping. The imposts
consist of a duty on the measurement or dimensions
of the vessel, an ad valorem duty upon
imports, and a rated tarif in most cases, with an
ad valorem duty in a few, on exports. The
first-named class of vessels, viz. the large junks
trading with the principal ports of China, pay
no measurement or import duties, because these
are vessels belonging to the King, or to the
Princes, or such courtiers whose perquisite it
is to be licensed to engage in this branch of
trade. The Hai-nan junks pay forty ticals per
Siamese fathom, on the extreme breadth of the
vessel. The junks trading to the Malay countries,
in lieu of measurement duty, pay one hundred
and thirty ticals each, without regard to
size. Neither of these vessels pay import duties.
The measurement duties on European vessels is
estimated at one hundred and eighteen ticals
per fathom, besides an inconsiderable impost in
the form of an anchorage fee. The cargoes of
these alone pay an import duty, which is reckoned
l2
at eight per cent, ad valorem levied in kind.
The tarif on exports is imposed indiscriminately
on all classes of vessels, and the following are
some of the particulars of it.
Sapan Wood, per picul 670 cowries.
Rose Wood, do. 450 do.
Ivory do. Qticals.
Stic-lac do. 12 do.
Sugar, if exported under 1 ^
H do.
an European flag,
Do. if under an Indian flag do. l do.
Salt . per coyan 4 do.
Dinding, or Jerk Beef, per picul 2 do.
Cabus, (a river fish) do. 12 do.
Shrimps, (dried) do. 2 do.
Deer Sinews do. 4 do.
Pepper, (long) do. 12 do.
Areca Nut do. 14 do.
Mangrove Bark . do. 480 cowries.
Peacock Tails, each do. 640 do.
Ray Skins . do. 3 ticals.
Buffalo, or Bullock Hides per picul 1 do.
Wing Feathers of the Pelican
do. 6 do.
Elephant’s Bones do. 1 do.
Deer Skins (small) per 100 3 do.
Deer Skins (large) do. 8 do.
Deers’ Horns (old) per picul ±4
do.
Deers’ Antlers (soft) 20 per cent.
Sharks’ Fins (white) per picul 6 ticals.
I 2