TRADE WITH THE ASIATIC ARCHIPELAGO.
With regard to the commerce that might be carried on by Northern Australia with the islands of the Indian Archipelago I have made many enquiries, and have gained from the most authentic sources some important facts.
The points upon which I first endeavoured to obtain information were: 1.

What desire was evinced by the inhabitants of the islands of the Indian Archipelago and the China Sea to become possessed of articles of British manufacture; and, 2.

If they were able to pay a fair price, either in money, or by giving goods for which there would be a demand in European markets, in exchange for such articles of British manufacture as might be introduced amongst them.
Upon both of these points I received very satisfactory information.

In some instances most respectable merchants detailed to me the result of speculations of this kind in which they had been engaged; in others mercantile letters were placed in my hands, fully corroborating what had been told me; but the information I thus obtained bore reference also to the following points: 1.

The degree of labour necessarily required to transport articles of British manufacture to such a distant mart as the one here contemplated for their consumption.
2.