ABSTRACT
‘Country trade’ may be defined as maritime trade between Asian ports. That is a fairly precise définition. But one should keep in mind, that country trade also includes the islands of Isle de France and Isle de Bourbon — present day Mauritius and Réunion — a fact which is important in this context. It also includes ports on the coast of east Africa, including the Cape of Good Hope — a fact which is of less importance here. 1
