Page:History of the Indian Archipelago Vol 3.djvu/533

 ARTICLES OF IMPORTATION. 517 in these commodities, and is Hkely long to continue to supply them. After the picture which has been given of the state of manufacturing industry among the islanders, it may readily be believed, that, did the same freedom prevail in our silk manufacture and trade which exists in those of cotton, silk goods might be disposed of in the Indian Islands to a great extent. The establishment of a colonial trade, on the principles described in the fourth chapter of this book, would be the means of bringing the raw silks of China and Tonquin to the emporia of the Archi- pelago, for the consumption of Europe. The raw silk of Tonquin, one of the most productive coun- tries in the world in this commodity, it is remark- able enough, is at present as unknown to the mar- kets of Europe as the gold or silver of Japan, al- though in the early periods of our intercourse it was a considerable article of commerce, being sent to Europe, as well as constituting one of the chief articles of import by European nations into Japan, The raw silk brought at present into the Indian Islands, from China, is of inferior quality. From it the native women manufacture heavy rich stuffs, principally tissues, which, it is remarkable enough, were at one period imported into Europe, such, at that early time, was the rude state of our manu- factures. The wrought silks imported are satins, of various colours, with a few velvets and bro- cades.