R.

In all the ports of the natives, as well as those under the Dutch and
Portuguese authorities, the produce is much the same. It consists chiefly
of goats, pigs, poultry, maize, paddy, yams, plantains, fruit,
sandalwood, beeswax, and tortoiseshell in small quantities.

At Dili duties of 10 per cent are exacted and produce is rather dear.
Sandalwood is to be had at from 2 to 4 dollars the picul of 125 catties;
wax is generally from 30 to 35 dollars (Spanish) the picul of 110
catties.

The ports of Timor furnish a little gold dust at times. Good water and
firewood are to be had at most of them; that of Dili is a good and safe
one.

Gold dust, I understand, is also procurable at Sandalwood Island and New
Hebrides.

For vessels the good season on the coast is from about the 10th of April
to the 15th of October.

Cootababa affords horses and all the produce of the other places. No
duties are levied here, the place not being subject to the Portuguese. It
is a small port and should be entered with caution.

The best ports of Timor for wax are Dili, Cootababa, Ocussi, Sitranny,
Nilow, and Manatronto. It is gathered in June, cleaned in July, and sold
principally in that and the two following months; but a vessel should be
active, as enterprising people go along the coast and buy it up for the
Kupang merchants, who send it to Batavia where it is said to sell for 120
rupees the picul; the price at Cootababa, being lately about 80 rupees at
2 1/2 to the Spanish dollar.

Sandalwood can be had from March to October, the usual trading season;
but from March to May is the best time as vessels from Kupang and Macao
are on the coast early, buying it up in time to return to Macao and China
in the favourable monsoon. The best ports for sandalwood are, Cootababa,
Ocussi, and Sitranny, but it is to be had most abundantly at Ata-poopa.

ARTICLES IN REQUEST.

Spanish dollars, muskets, and gunpowder are the essentials for procuring
wax or sandalwood, but if you wish to have a greater assortment, small
quantities may be added of any articles from the following list.

Doubloons (Spanish).
Sovereigns (English).
blue cloth of Pondicherry of good quality.
ditto English (if cheap) of dark colour for officers.
white shirting or good calico for men and women.
handkerchiefs of colours and sorts.
white cotton stockings.
men and women's gown pieces of sorts and colours.
silk stockings, plain and ribbed.
shoes for men and women.
brandy