It is known that this country, protected by a mountain range, is watered by the great river that traverses the country. Its equatorial situation must of necessity give it a torrid climate, and in order to avoid the burning heat only the banks of rivers or lakes are inhabited. Travellers have much to suffer from the attacks of insects.
This country, one of the most fertile of the Indies produces corn, rich harvests of rice, vegetables of fine quality, and oil which commands a high price. Seafarers of all nationalities have landed to take in supplies. Besides these important products, sugar and indigo of good quality are produced, which form leading native industries. The country is well wooded and fruit trees are plentiful. Sapan, sandal and other rare woods occur in the forests. All sorts of drugs, opium and camphor are abundantly produced. An extremely transparent variety of crystal is found in the rocks. This happy land produces amethysts, rubies, topazes, chrysolites, agates, bloodstones and other precious stones. Raw silk and ivory are very cheap. An ox weighing 500 lbs costs only a crown, and 150 lbs of rice can be bought for eight sols. Everyone is allowed to hunt elephants, and tigers and lions are found in the forests as well as most of the wild beasts which appear to flourish only in the African deserts.
The coast line 140 leagues in extent has only five or six safe anchorages for vessels. The most noteworthy port is opposite to the Siamese coast and has a great trade in lac, gums and ivory. The harbour of Pontameas would attract a great number of foreign ships but its trade has greatly fallen off since it was demolished in 1717 by the Siamese. The other harbours are but little known. The sea lying between this kingdom and that of Siam is dotted by numerous islets which render navigation dangerous. The two largest, although fertile, have been laid waste because the pirates who infest these seas have seized the results of the work and industry of the inhabitants. It would be an easy matter to set up an advantageous trading-station in Quadrol island where there are many natural sandy harbours. There is as well a group of eight islands having a good anchorage; Pulocondor is the only inhabited member of the group. This island is called the island of Orleans by the French and is about three leagues long and one and a half wide.
The harbour is commodious and the anchorage easy. The sea abounds with many species of fish, and turtles, the shells and oil of the latter being valuable articles of trade. It is a land of monkeys and lizards some of which are ugly and covered with scales. Their bite is fatal. Others have claws and their tails, seven or eight feet long, are triangular in shape. They are good to eat. Flying squirrels and rats having ears shaped like those of human beings are to be seen. Most of the trees are balsamic, one species yielding gum has the bark and leaves like that of a chestnut tree. Oil is extracted by making an incision in the trunk and applying heat. There are many wild fruit trees bearing appetising looking fruits, but of insiped taste and frequently poisonous. A botanist could make a fine collection of plants and flowers unknown in other climates.
There is only one village inhabited by about 400 persons; frequently it is deserted as the inhabitants take up their abode in spots where they can satisfy their needs. The Cochin Chinese send the Christians to this island. It was captured by the English who set up a trading post in 1702. The governor had hired Macassar mercenaries and had promised to terminate their engagement after three years. He did not keep to his agreement and he kept them to strengthen the growing colony. This breach of trust ought to have made him wary, but he forgot that his example might cause his betrayal. As a result these savages, who although being rigid observers of treaties, thought they had a right to exact vengeance, and all the English were massacred the same night.
The Kingdom of Cambodia is inhabited by Portuguese, Japanese, Cochin-Chinese and Malays of whom some are passing traders, but others have become residents. The Portuguese have no priests and their religion is a mixture of idolatry and Christianity. They are in receipt of a small subsidy from the King, which together with the spoils of the chase forms their means of livelihood. The men are well built, and the women are distinctly handsome, but their lack of modesty counterbalances all the advantages they might otherwise derive from their personal appearance. These people never risk the perils of the sea in order to gain wealth, but they see the ships of all nations coming to their harbours for the purchase of the natural products of the land which are plentiful. They dig a fair quantity of gold and manufacture fabrics of as good quality as those of Holland. Their skill in embroidery is well known. The Dutch used to have a trading station and they had estimated that by the export of black lacquer, deer-skins, oxen and buffaloes to Japan, a profit of from 40 per cent to 70 per cent could be gained. But they met with opposition from the Portuguese who were jealous of their prosperity, and, on account of the various revolutions which have disturbed the peace of the kingdom, they have been obliged to forego all the advantages that they had hoped to gain. For these reasons, the different European nations have had no desire to form trading stations in these parts.
The religion is somewhat similar to that of Siam. They grant the existence of several heavenly abodes for the souls of the departed. In some of these heavens they are regaled with the finest liquors and the most delicious viands, and the senses are stimulated by all manner of delights. Women always young and beautiful, reciprocate the passion they inspire.
There is another heaven specially reserved for the solitary priests who have lived apart from the world. Their felicity consists in the utter absence of sensation, a sort of annihilation which is considered the height of bliss by lazy folks. The gods abide in the highest heaven and the privileged persons who imitate their virtues partake of their happiness. They also grant the existence of thirteen hells to which evil-doers are consigned according to the heinousness of their offences.
The priesthood contains many members and is divided into several classes, of which the first takes precedence even of the King himself. The second class consider themselves as his equals, and as the general belief is that they share the perfection of the deity, a profound respect is paid to them although the majority of them are of the lowliest origin. Their chief is known as the King of the priests and in certain districts he has supreme authority.
There are two ranks of nobility. The governors of towns and provinces, the ministers and judges are drawn from the first rank and are distinguished by a golden betelnut box. The nobles of the second rank have silver boxes.