Indian Antiquary Vol 60

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Charles E A W Oldham, S Krishnaswami Aiyangar, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarka
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 309

JULY, 1931)
THE SCATTERGOODS AND THE EAST INDIA COMPANY
105
profitt may be made yearly by transporting them to Madrass, where you may sell hundreds from 300 Pagodos to a 1000, according to their height and bigness. Some small quantities of eliphants teeth, wax, dammer, 19 rattans, 80 canes, 31 wood oilo and stricklacks are likewise to be had.
So that by what has been said afore, what vast reveniue must this Island in a few years bring in to the Companey, or any number of persons that will undertake to settle it, by leave of the Companey, let any body judge considering the healthfullness of the air of the place, the commodities it produces or may produce, noe enimies of any consideration that can doe you any prejeduce if you have but a small force to protect you. ALL the natives would be glad of your proteotion, nay, in a little time thousands will joyn you from all parts round you; for what won't people that live in missary and salvery [sic] doe to gett into a place where they may have liberty and property, and call what little they have their own. So that by a good mild goverment a vast reveniue may be drawn by customes (for trade from all parts round it must center there), and some small duties laid upon beatle, tobacco, arrack, &c.
Ground rent will in time produce a great income, as thus : Lett every freeman, either Euripians or blacks, have what ground they please or can manage, and after 3 years to pay the Companey an acknowledgement of a shilling or sixpence per aker. It will amount to a great gume, for once the Island is aettled all the stragling Euripians in India will come and live here, and as many Chanamen as you please to permitt.
Sence the Companey are settled for ever, and money at 4 per cent, now is the time to settle such places. I am sure it is much more benificiall then Polioundore, ** and the China trade may be as easily brought here as at Batavia ; and this place is more in the center of India then Batavia.
The way to settle this place easily and cheaply is thus. Suppose the Companey sends, out 2 ships for the Coast and Bay, 'tis but sending those ships 2 months earlier, that they may reach Junkeelone in June or July and carry about 150 men all together, as miners, planters, gouldiers, &c., with stores proper. These two shipe may putt all these things and men ashoare there and gett to Bengall in October, which will be time enough to be dispatched for England by December or January without loseing any time. Besides, such a place, when once it is settled, may be a great security to Madrass and Bengall, by being so near; for upon any oocation they may have help and assistance from hence whenever they want it.
[Added in a different band.35) Within 8 miles of Junkcelon lyos an Island cald Pulla Panjong, *6 as large as Junokslone, which is not settled by any nation, it being much frequented by roges that has forat them of This Island, by report of the people of Junkoelon, will predue [produce) as much or more tinn then Junkoelone. As I have saild along it, I have taken great notece that its full of fine green plaines and trees, as fine and larg as one Junkeslone. I have saild along the West sid of it within 2 or 3 miles of the shore severall times in 10, 12 fathom, fine softt ground, 806 that a ship may with securety ly all weathers, &ca.
There Lackways: one this Island sappen wood : Im informd Lackways one this Island is more viretios then one Junkcelone. ST
(NOTES ON DOCUMENT No. 27.) 1 By the "Peninsula of India " the writer means Further India. Junkceylon (Junk Ceylon), Salang or Puket Island in reality lies off the north-west of the Malay Peninsula.
: The extent is overestimated. There is a marginal note here in a different hand : “ The Island is in sercomfrance about 90 milles ; along the shore is every yeare found amber. grece.” For varying estimates of the size of Junkceylon, see Bowrey, Countries round the Bay of Bengal, p. 236, n. 1.
3 Bowrey, however (op. cit., p. 259), says that, though there are "very excellent roads," the "barts or entrances into the river are very shoale, not affordinge more then 7 foot."