Having at length arrived at the town of Calecut, the first officers of the king whom we met with were the receivers of the king's dues, who have a house on the seashore, erected on piles, where they remain by day only: for the town and harbour are more than a league in length, and there are three of these buildings, for the watching of all the goods that are landed, for the taking of the number and quantities in writing, and for the conveyance of them thence to the Alfandigue. This is a great square building of stone, with galleries above and below, and vaulted with stone arcades like those of our Place Royale, but not so grand or so elegant, with a large number of rooms and warehouses for keeping all the different sorts of goods separate. Over the door is written the name of the goods kept in each warehouse; an officer of the king has one key, while the owner of the goods has another, and neither can enter without the other. The goods remain there till they have paid the dues and the customs, and the exports have to pay as well as the imports. This Alfandigue is two or three hundred paces from the sea, between the town and the port: it is strong and well guarded, all the the doors being well locked, and none may enter but on business, for the guards are always stationed there.