CAMIIOGE, CAasnovv, C ofitoJA, CAMBODIA, the different names of a country in Asia, which now forums a part of the empire of Tunkin. commences a little above the 9th degree of north latitude, and ter minates at the I 2th. It is bounded on the east by Cochin china and Tsiampa, Ciampa, or Champ, on the west by the kingdom of Siam, on the north by Laos, and on the south by Cochinchina. A perpendicular chain of mountains, running from north to south, separates Cam boge, Lac-tho, and Laos, from Cochinchina and 'Punkin ; and another chain of mountains, having nearly the same direction, separates these three states from Siam and China. This chain descends as it approaches the south, and terminates at Cape Camboge, the most southern part of the empire of Tunkin. The river Camboge, called Mecon, or Maykaung. near its mouth, and by some the Japanese river, takes its origin in this country. It waters Lower Cuchinchina, and after passing la% its capital, it throws itself into the Chinese Sea on the south south east. This river is one of the largest and finest in the country. At a great distance from the sea, it is about two miles broad, and is always so deep that the largest vessels may navigate it about 20 miles up the country.' At its embouchure, there are several sand banks and low islands, which impede the navigation, but these may be easily avoided. This river begins to inundate the country in June, and it is said to have a depth of four fathoms at its mouth. At the distance of five or six miles from the shore, the depth of the sea was seldom greater than four fathoms, and no vessel larger than a boat could approach within less than two miles of the coast.
The soil of Camboge is extremely fertile, but its cul tivation has been greatly neglected. It produces abun dance of corn, rice, legumes, sugar, indigo, opium, cam phire, and various medicinal plants, whose names and properties are not well known, but which abound more in Camboge than in any of the adjacent states. The point of Camboge, and the whole coast stretching from it to the western branch of the river, is exceedingly low, and is covered with underwood. The articles of trade
exported from this country, when it was visited by Bow year in 1696, were Camboge gum, benjamin, carda moms, wax, lack heckaric, cayalaca, and Japan wood ; darner, buffaloes hides, deer skins, and nerves ; cle phant's teeth, rhinoceros's horns. A considerable quan tity of gold is found in the neighbourhood of Nanmoy, a village situated at the extremity of the country, a few days journey from the frontiers of Laos ; and amethysts, hyacinths, rubies, topazes, and other precious stones, are found in different parts of Camboge. The following passage from Mr Bowvear's journal, lately published by l‘lr Dalrymple, contains some additional information re specting this interesting country. " Here I also met the ambassador of Camboja, who complained of the usage and trouble the Coehinehinese gave to foreigners, and promised better treatment in his country, where the trade is free of imposition and customs ; a correspon dence here with the Laws, probably may be a way to dispose of some quantity of our broad cloth. This _country is said to be rich in mines of gold and silver, as dwell as iron and steel, which comes behind none ; such plenty of timber of all sorts, that the Spaniards from have sent hillier to build their galleons. The woods abound with rhinoceroses, elephants, deer, buf faloes, wild hogs, &e. They have :ice, and all sorts of provisions, in great abundance. Tile people are given up to superstition and ease." The Portuguese for a long time engrossed the whole trade of this country ; but it was afterwards opened, and an extensive trade carried on with the English, Dutch, Chinese, Japanese, Siamese, Cochinchinese, and Malays. The Dutch and Portuguese sent cloths of various kinds from Malacca, and exchanged them for the productions of Camboge. The Chinese, however, carried on the greatest trade, as will appear from the following tables.