Page 211 - Gulf Precis (1-B)_Neat

405
to Bahreen, ancl made an unfortunate attempt to recovor the Island from tho Arabs. Tho
Loss which the Persians sustained, in an engagement with the Arabs, was very considerable
and their remaining vessels returned to Bushire. Since that Period, the Arabs have held
peaceful Possession of the Island, without any further attompts having been mado by the
Persians for its recovery. Bahrecn derives consequence and value from its ancient and exten­
sive Pearl Fishery, which has yielded the finest Pearl?, that have made their appearance in the
world, and which in all times, has given Wealth to its Possessors. The Commerce of Bahreen,
independent of tho Pearl Branch has till latterly been very inconsiderable.
Catiffe is a Sea Port, situated on the Arabian Shore of the Persian Gulph, and is in the
Possession of the Arabs of tho tribe of Benechalid.
Iebarra is a Sea Port situated on tho Arabian Shore of the Persian Gulph and, as has been
already remarked, is in the Possession of the Arabs of tho Tribe of Bcneattaba.
Tho Sea Ports of Catiffe and Iebarra have always partaken, but in an inconsiderable
Degree, of the benefits arising from the beforementioned Pearl Fishery j and independent of
that Branch their Commerce, has beon in all Times chiefly confined to the Importation cf the
Coffee, and of such Indian and European mercantile Articles, as have been found necessary tor
their own consumption and for the consumption of the Arab Tribes of Whahab and Benechalid,
who aro People little acquainted with any of the Luxuries of Life and who inhabit the extensive
Deserts which lie to the Southward and Westward of that Part of the Arabian shore of the
Persian Gulph. Till within or few years past the Indian and European Articles, imported at
Iebarra and Catiffe, were conveyed from Muscat, in a vessel belonging to that port to Catiffe.
The acquisition of Bahrecn has latterly, however, encouraged the Arabs of the Tribe of
Bcneattaba, who inhabit that Island to purchase Vessels proper to perform voyages from
thence to India and to employ them in such voyages. They have been thereby enabled to
convey Pearl in a direct manuer to Surat, and annually to import at Iebarra and Catiffe, a
principal Port of the necessary supplies of Indian and European mercantile Articles before,
mentioned without paying thereon the duties, to which they were liable, when conveyed
through the ebanuel of Muscat.
Grain is a Sea Port, situated on the Arabian Shore of tho Persian Gulph and near the head
of it. It has been long in the Possession of the Arabs of the Tribe of Beneattaba, aud it has
occasionally been a place of Commercial Importance. The Degree of its Importance must ever
depend on the Prosperity or Distress of Bussora. During the Time, in which the Persians
were in Possession of that City Grain was the Port through which, that part of the Produce
of India proper for the Bagdad, Damascus, Alleppo, Smyrna and Constantinople Markets,
which is annually brought to Bussora found its way to those places. Grain has always had a
free communication by the De.-ert, with Bagdad and Aleppo, and very large and rich carravans
during the beforementioned period, frequently passed to and from those Cities.
The City of Bussora is situated in Arabia Deserta, on the Western Bank of the Arab
River, which is formed by the Junction of the Kivers, the Tygris and the Euphrates, and is
distant from the Sea, or the Head of the Persian Gulph, about Seventy Miles. The Commercial
Importance of Bussora, iu former periods, is generally known. Even so late as the year,, in
which the English Factory was removed from Gombroon, and the Management of the Affairs
of the Hon'ble Company in the Persian Gulph were confided to their Chief and Council
at Bussora, and from that Period, to the year 1773, when tho cities of Bagdad and Bussera,
and the adjacent Countries, were afflicted with a most violent Plague, which destroyed the
principal part of their Inhabitants ; the Commerce of Bussora continued to be extensive and
important. Many rich Merchants then resided in Bussora, many other rich Merchants u£
Constantinople, Damascus, Aleppo, Orfa, Diarbekir, Mosul, Merdin, aud Bagdad, resorted
annually to Bussora, with large sums of Money, and rich Investments of different kinds of
Goods proper for the Indian Markets, and many Vessels belonging to the English and othtr-
European Nations, and the Moslem Merchants of Surat, annually imported at Bussora, bring­
ing thither largo and valuable Cargoes consisting of European Articles, and of the Produce and
Manufactures of India, and carrying from thence, large sums in specie, and the Goods before-
mentioned proper for the Indian Markets, the sales and purchases at Bussora, were then made
for ready Money aud on account of tho piratical Vessels, which then infested the Persian
Gulph, tho principal part of tho Freight Trade thereof, was engrossed by tho boforomontioned