Page:History of the Indian Archipelago Vol 3.djvu/429

 ARTICLES OF EXPORTATION. 4lS markable, that, notwithstanding the establishment throughout other parts of the Dutch Indies, of a system of administration in principle the most free and enlightened ever acted upon in the East, the Spice Islands, by a singular fatality, were ex- pressly excluded from its benefits. The whole produce of the Banda Islands in nut- megs at present is 600,000 lbs., or 4500 piculs ; and of mace 150,000 lbs., 1125 piculs. Europe, China, Bengal, and America, are the principal markets. The civilized tribes of the Archipelago consume nothing but the long nutmeg, which they receive in the shell, and many of these also are exported to Western Asia and Hindustan. If the consumption should increase, as it in- evitably vnW in a free trade and free cultivation, spices will become a more extensive article of con- sumption than they ever were before ; and in a very few years we should see the spice trade be- come in reality an important branch of commerce. Besides black pepper and the precious spiceries there are several of inferior value which are objects of foreign commerce. These in the order of their importance are, long pepper, cubeb pepper, clove bark, misoy bark, ginger, turmeric, and cayti-puti oil. These are too inconsiderable as objects of commerce to be dwelt upon at any length. Long pepper may be purchased in Java at 30 per cent, below the price of black pepper, and the cubebs at