They are jointly and individually responsible for each other to the Emperor and to foreigners, trading with them, and no article can be imported or exported without a chop or certificate from a Hong merchant. No foreign ship can enter until a Hong merchant becomes responsible to the Emperor for every person on board, and also for payment of all duties and exactions. This security will not be given by any prudent, solid merchant, without an engagement on the part of the Captain or Supercargo to trade with him to a certain amount; beyond this stipulated sum, he is at liberty to trade as he pleases. But as the ship may remain 12 or 14 days without entering, the captain has sufficient time to ascertain the state of the market, and to select the Hong merchant, who will best accommodate him as to the terms, and the time of furnishing the cargo. All goods purchased of the Chinese are to be delivered alongside of the ship, free of duty or expense to the purchaser, but it is necessary to guard against the fraudulent attempts of the lightermen, while on their passage to the ship, and also when they are passing the goods on board. Certain silk goods having been lately made, short of the proper measure, it is now necessary to inspect them closely; since pieces, intended for particular patterns, are much injured in this way. And as some goods, when coloured, especially black, gain in the weight, it is necessary to be particular in this respect when contracting. Thus, should 18 tales white crape be contracted for, to be furnished in black, it should then weigh 19 tales, to correspond with the agreement. The Chinese year commences about the beginning of February, at which time all accounts must be settled among merchants, and the balances paid, or else a loss of credit ensues, which with them is a species of bankruptcy. This renders them very desirous of selling the goods they have then on hand, to enable them to comply with their engage ments. As it may sometimes be contemplated, in arranging a voyage beyond the Cape of Good Hope, to send part of the return cargo immediately to Europe in the same vessel from the United States, it is important in making the Manifest, to say-for in the United States and for Europe. In such case the merchant is not obliged to land any more than be wishes, and there is then a saving of time and expense, and a'so of the loss that would arise on the drawback, if the goods were landed. = 142" 66 Measures The Vara or Spanish Yard = 33 inches Eng. "Cavan 21 bushels " The principal articles of this Island, suited to the European or North American market, are sugar and indigo. "The sugar is brought to market in its raw state, and when clayed produces three qualities, first, second, and third. It is for the advantage of a supercargo, who selects for the European or North American market, to purchase all of the first quality, even at a higher rate, on account of its superior character in those countries, as well as the saving of freight." The indigo is brought from the provinces in sacks, and is of two kinds, or first and second quality in each sack. Great care and circumspection are requisite in selecting it. It is necessary to examine every cake, when purchased of the natives, "as they are in the habit of mixing other substances with it, such as stones, mud, &c." The shape of the cake is no proof of the quality, as the hard, or what is termed the burnt indigo, being of a more firm or flinty consistence, is more likely to retain its shape. The first quality is of a deep blue or purple colour, porous, breaks easily, weighs light, and when put into water, should be buoyant, at least two thirds of it should be above the surface. It is the more necessary to try it in this way, as one mode of deception, practised by them, "is to keep it for some time before delivery in a damp vault or cellar to increase its weight by absorption of moisture, to which its porosity renders it pervious. The best indigo is produced in the Lagunna or Lake district." COLUMBO, ISLE OF CEYLON. The money is in paper, silver, and gold. certain value. Silver is in the rupees of the different parts of India. The Sicca rupee is worth more than any other by 7 to 8 per cent. Gold is the Mohur pagoda. The exchange is various, as silver is rarely seen. 6 stivers 8 shillings 30 stivers 64 do. make JAPAN. 1 shilling Flemish. Accounts are in Tales, Mace, and Candareens. 10 candareens make 1 mace. 10 mace are equal to 1 rix dollar. of a dollar, or 75 cents. 6 tales make a corban, a gold coin not used in accounts In Weights-10 tales make 1 mace; 16 mace 1 catta The ichan or hickey is 34 feet. The balee is 65 quarts. Thirty-five per cent. was the duty on privileged imports in 1799. It is on the exports (which are all free of duty) that the Dutch make their profit upon their return to Batavia. A privilege is granted to the captains of the Dutch ships to carry money, which often sells at an advance. The returns for the Dutch Government vessels is mostly in copper, which is esteemed the best in the world. This is chiefly shipped to Madras and Calcutta, as remittance for goods. It is packed in boxes of one picul each. How much is the net proceeds of 4 silver watches, at 35 tales each, deducting the duty of 35 per cent.? The article is given in the first column, the price in the next column, the duties in the third, and the net proceeds in the fourth. WEST INDIES. JAMAICA AND BERMUDAS. Accounts are kept in Pounds, Shillings, and Pence. The Spanish dollar passes at 6s. 8d.-3 dollars make £1. To change Jamaica currency to Federal money. RULE. Multiply the pounds by 3 for dollars. If there be shillings, &c. increase the pence in the given sum by for cents. EXAMPLE. Change £54 12 11 Jamaica currency to Federal money. £54 12 11 = 13115 pence. Ans. $163,93 102896 feet of Boards at £15 per M. 8519 lbs. of Sugar at 70s. per 100. 5 hhds. Sugar, Gross 86 cwt. 2 0 tare 585 lb. at 75s. per 100, and 5 hhds. at 30s. BARBADOES. The Spanish dollar is 6s. 3d. currency. To change Barbadoes currency to Federal money. RULE. Increase the pence in the given sum by for cents MARTINICO. The money of account is in the Franc of 100 centimes. The Franc is valued at The Livre 45 Livres are equal to 18 cents. The Current dollar is The Round dollar 5,40 Francs. The difference between them is there said to be 10 per cent. in favour of the Round dollar. It is therefore necessary, if the bargain be made in dollars, to ascertain the kind before contracting. Stating it in Francs would prevent any difficulty. The Kilograme is 24 lb. Avoir. 100 Kilos. 220 lbs. The Hectolitre is 24 Bushels. GUADALOUPE. = 185 Livres Guadaloupe currency 100 Francs. A Spanish dollar is 10 Livres Currency. A Current dollar is 9 do. do. A Spanish Doubloon is 16 Spanish dollars, or 160 Livres A Guinea 49 Livres 10 Sous. A Joe of 3 drams 54 grains = 851 Livres. All kinds of gold pass current. Portuguese and Spanish gold is at 224 Livres per dram of 72 grains. American gold at 201 livres per dram of 72 grains. Accounts are kept in Havana in Dollars and Rials, reckoning 8 Rials plate, or 20 Rials vellon to the dollar. The par with London is $444 per £100. دو France is 5 Francs per dollar. On the south side of the island,-St. Jago and Trinidad, Doubloons pass at $16, in lieu of $17, as on the NorthHavana and Matanzas. 4 Arobes make a quintal. The Spanish Arobe is 25 lbs. 140 One Fanaga is 3 bushels nearly, or 200 lbs. Spanish. The Tonnage duty on Foreign vessels is 20 Rials or $21 per ton. The keg of 5 gallons in Havana is considered to make but 5 gallons in the United States. The loss on the gauge or measure being about 10 per cent. In buying white or yellow sugar, there is an augmentation of 1 to 1 Rial per arobe on either quality, according to the |