ASIATIC NATIONS. 163 is strikingly illustrative of the" character of the people, and of which those acquainted with the trade of the junks are well aware, that almost every- one of them has a pilot, a native Portuguese, or other individual of the European race and educa- tion, who has the entire direction of the navigation. I remember having once seen, in 1814, a large junk arrive from the port of Amoy, at Samarang, in Java, in the short period of thirteen days, under the conduct of an American pilot, accidentally ob- tained. Marco Polo's fleet took three months to perform a voyage of nearly the same length ; and, in short, actually performed a coasting voyage, having touched, as far as can be ascertained, at Hainan, Kamhojay Champa, Kondur, Bintan, and Sumatra, proving, past all doubt, that he did not sail by the compass. He even adds himself a remark that proves it could not have been the prac- tice in his time. Intending to convey some no- tion of those countries of the Indian islands most frequented by the Chinese junks, he supposes the whole to be one island ; and, as the Arabs do at this day, gave the name o^Java the most renowned, and the only one which had probably reached him, to this country, of which he says, '* That the Grand Khan has not brought the island under subjection to him, must be attributed to the length of the voyage, and the dangers of the navigation.** From the port of Canton to the centre of the Archipelago, this
