The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-10-18

that the import, export, or measurement uuucs, a.
might hereafter be agreed upon, would 60 to his
encouragement thus afforded to our citizens, the
Sultan OF America, when occasions offered, would
manifest his friendship and thanks by sending TO
his Majesty samples Of the productions and manu-
features Of our own country To this speech, care
fully conveyed to his Majesty in detached sentsn-
ces, by our interpreter, he replied through his
chief minister, that il met his appreciation, but that
within very short period he had granted to the
English government the exclusive right OF trade In
Boneo-proper and now he could do nothing for
America.
To this l replied That it was not the custom
of maritime nations to grant exclusive rights OF
trade to any particular ons that, in doing, nation
fettered its own industry deprived its citizens of
many advantages in the arts and agriculture; that
the Divine Hand, for wise purpose, had not be-
slowed the fruits Of the earth equally and alike
upon every country and climate; and that when il
was too lae, the "Suan" might have cause to regret
90 ruinous policy.
His reply TO this seemed TO have been made with
view of closing the door to anything in the shape
Of treaty. II was, that Mr.. Brooke was now the
English Raah of Borneo-proper, and that nothing
could be done without reference to him.
The next object Of importance in your instruc-
tons was TO ascertain whether we might obtain, by
purchase otherwise, the right to certain mines
Of COAL said exist in the island But all negotia-
ton on this point was cut short by the Sultans in
forming me that, within three weeks past, an Eng.
lish steamer had visited Borneo, with special
agent of the Queen Of England, who had purchased
the exclusive right to all the coal within the domin
ions of the "Suan." The excuses Of this potentate
for his inability to negotiate with u.s. as related
above, might be regarded as new evidence Of the
crafty disposition, the scheming and treachery of
the Malay character, and as an attempt to extort
from us a more lucrative inducement for the privi-
ege of their tradet but we are possession of evil
d. ohnra Of
TAM" and forces us to admit that in the influence so
recently acquired by England over the mind of this
obscure sovereign, she has been more prompt in ac-
ton than ourselves, and better prepared to take adj
vantage of the trade of his dominions and Of that
which is still more important--the use of the i'm
mense mines Of coal supposed to exist In this part
of the island, which, in course Of time, must render
incaculabe benefit to commerce, when steam, al
ready an important auxiliary, becomes chief agent
in the commerce of the world.
The evidence alluded to in this case may be gath
cred from paragraph in the English papers of No
vember last, which announced the appointment of
Captain Bethunc, Of the royal navy, as special agent
to the island Of "Borneo, "-of his arrival at Snga.
pore, while the Constitution at anchor in that
por-his sudden transfer from a sailing vessel to a
steamvesse and the sudden change in the destination
of that vesseland this, at time when we had reason
to know that he of the destination and OBJ
ec of this ship. The fact also that Mr. Brooke pr-
waite English gentleman, for many years resident and
Raah in Borneo, has been DESTROYS of transferring
his large domain in the island to the English gov
eminent, together with his influence over the
ves, which is known to be great that in the in
stance before us, he was readily admitted to share
the authority of the Sultan of Borneo proper;these
circumstances forced the conviction on my mind, of
the entire inability of the native sovereign to nego-
tate with US; and that further exertion my part,
for the present at least, would be fruitless.
Taking leave Of his highness, our course was
again directed towards the ship. Passing in our
boats through the streets Of this singular city,
found it difficult to account for the within, or taste,
that led these people to build their large town
a deep river, upon the insecure foundation of bam-
boo piles: it the more strange, even supposing
this point the river to be the most desirable site;
for here the hills generally arising abruptly from the
water, recede further from its margin, and leave be-
activities sufficiently gentle to afford site for
much larger town, and certainly for one of greater
convenience to the inhabitants.
Communication even between near neighbours is
accomplished by means of boats; and on the present
occasion, which our arrival seemed to have turned
into HOLIDAY the streets and alleys Of the town
thronged with small craft filled with people Of all
ages from the toterng grandsire to the almost help
less infant and many Of these little barks were
fragile and diminutive as to cause constant appre-
hension for the safety of their living freight The
houses are rudely constructed and Of small dmen.
tai jealousy has found the to secude the gen.
tier sex from the gaze of strangers. The formida-
BILE Crccse appears to be the constant companion of
the men--evincng, perhaps, natural timidity
of character, from which flows the disposition
proverbia Of the Malay race; while the dap-
idated condition Of the heavy gun batteries that
occur at two points on the river exposes the
incidence of their habits, their want Of energy,
and total inability to Withstand an attack, If
made with any degree of vigor. A description of
the bay and river of Borneo will be more compre-
hensve if taken from the southeastern point of the
island of "Mooarro;' which point may be regarded
as the western cape of the bay. From il the spec
tator beholds wide expanse of water, hemmed in
on the by thick forests of mangrove and other
marsh trees; the west by range Of hills, rising
abruptly to the height of two hundred and fifty
feet and extending southerly direction until lost
to the sight. The river is not perceptible from
"Mooarro;" but, pursuing souihwesterly course
through narrow channel running parallel with, and
within mile Of, the hills on the western side Of the
bay vessel may carry four or 1--WE fathoms water
to it's entrance. This slender passage is separated
from the land on the west by continuous bank Of
sand and rocky reef, which forces il within two
hundred yards Of Pulo Cheriman, and directly un-
der the muzz'es of 6vc-gun battery. To the east
ward of the channel, and extending to the mangrove
border of the bay--a distance of six or seven miles
lis spread out an immense fiat or bank Of mud,
the dcpositc of centuries from the unexpored rivers
of the Mooroot country this bank is perceptibe at
low water, and the edges of the channel on both
sides are very abrupt
Passing the island of "Cheriman" to the north
and within pisto-shot Of battery that covers the
passage, the river is gained.
1t is this island (situated at the entrance of the
river, and connected at low water by muddy 18TH
mus with second range Of hills running parallel to
the frst) that will hereafter contribute to the steam
navigation Of the China seas. Between these two
ranges of hills flows the river of Borneo; the second
range, like the embankment Of canal, separates it
from the waters of the bay.
The soundings in the river vary from four TO
twelve fathoms, being deeper as you approach tho
city: on both sides the hills rise sharply, and are
covered with shrubbery and dwarf pines. The
stately palm, with its numerous kindred, so COM
mon within the tropics, is here almost a stranger
while the constant mangrove rears its sombre and
leafy boughs over the silent waters, wherever the
debris from the hill-sides affords sufficient support
for its tenacious roots. Two clusters Of houses
only occur along the river, and, like those of the
city, elevated on posts above the surface Of the
water; their aquatic inmates were observed toiling
through the mud on their return to their homes