direct
commerce
from the Archipelago,
to
the various northern Ports; and we have-
no reason to believe that
therefore
will become in-
future the
hopes
Singkong intrepôt - for this traffic. Better founded-
respecting.
are owr-
a more extensive commerce_
with Canton, for from first to last a number of large cargo-boats have been running between this and the metropolis.
With
very
pare
exceptions, these vessels
supplied the immediate necessaries
ecesaries for
the Consumption at Victoria, building
Materials
as
well as provisions
and goods of Shopkeepers. The reiterated inquiries, why the merchants did not send down- articles for the European Market, have invariably been answered that it would- not pay, and that they could not obtain a ready sale here, if they did so. Intelligent
L
>
40
Intelligent- natives have always affirmed.,
that the absence of this branch of Commerce must be ascribed - to there being
no
Chinese la
large firms at Victoria to receive charge, and sell them.
goods in charge,
as soon as
there is a demand. Attempts to
such establishment's have also been made,
but not succeeded-
pom
encouragement and
found
want
of
of
At the
on account
considerable individual lose.
present moment there remains
unfortunately not one
from fanton
single large. Merchant.
in the settlement who is able
to promote by his capital and influence such
a
desirable object . The whole business is therefore in the hands of Shopkeepers, Compradors and pedtars, of whom there
are
many, though their transactions when.
considered
as a
whole
are
but
trifling.
Since their native boats have to compete
with