se to gain a more accurate knowledge of
the nature of trade in China, and in consequence of their discoveries
in that manner, have been induced to decline entering upon any direct
trade to that country. While they were possessed of the island of
Formosa, they carried on a direct trade to China with great profit:
But, since their expulsion from that island in 1661, they have
not been able to make that trade turn out profitable. After the
establishment of the Ostend East-India Company, they tried to send
ships to China, direct from Holland; but even this came to no great
account, the profit having seldom exceeded twenty-five per cent.
which, considering the hazard of so long a voyage, was not considered
a very encouraging return. It has been doubted whether the Dutch were
able to deal with the Chinese, where both nations are upon an equal
footing, as the latter are certainly the cunningest of men: Besides,
the Chinese are less inclined to deal with the Dutch than with any
other Europeans; and, when they do, always hold them to harder terms.
The port charges also in China, and the presents they are obliged to
make, cut deep into their gains.

Besides the foregoing circumstances, as China is at a great distance
from Batavia, and as the officers of the Dutch ships can so easily
consign their effects into the hands of the Portuguese, English,
and other foreign merchants, they have been found to mind their own
affairs much more than those of the Company. But the principal
reason of avoiding the trade to China is, that the Chinese carry on
a prodigious trade with Batavia; and though the voyage exceeds 550
leagues, the Chinese junks make the run in six weeks, sailing from
Canton in the beginning of December, and arriving at Batavia in the
middle of January. The company has in the first place a duty of four
per cent. on all the goods brought by the Chinese, which are gold,
silks of all sorts, tea, anniseed, musk, rhubarb, copper, quicksilver,
vermilion, china ware, &c. For which they receive in exchange lead,
tin, pepper, incense, camphor, cloves, nutmegs, amber, and many
other articles, on all which the Dutch fix their own prices, and
consequently buy much cheaper than other nations can do in China. They
have also found by experience, that a direct trade greatly lessens
this more profitable mode at Batavia. They have also opportunities of
dealing with the Chinese in many other parts of India, where, after
the Chinese merchants