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Surat, and from Bahreen to Mocha, vid Muscat, Buahire, Sciudy, Sur.it and Calcutta from
which four last mentioned Places, it is circulated through Candahar, Multan, India, Tartar/
and China. Tho remainder supplies the Markets in the Persian Gulpb, nnd in Part finds
its way, through the channels of the Levant to those of Europe.
Although the commerce of Bahreeu independent of the Pearl Branch is even now incon­
siderable, it has materially increased since the Arabs obtained Possession of the Island and
6inee they furnished themselves with Vessels, proper for the Performance of Voyages from
thonce to Iodia. It has already been remarked that in consequence thereof, tho Arabs have
had it in their power to make a principal Part of their annual Importations of Indian and
European Mercantile Articles, at Jcbarra and Catiffe without their been landed at Muscat.
Those Articles in the present Times, are however first conveyed' in a direct manner from Surat
to Bahreeu, and from thence to Jebarra and Catiffe. The Importations made from Surat at
Bahreeu, for the consumption of that Island principally consist of email quantities of Surat
Blue and othor Piece Goods, Guzerat Piece Goods and Chintz, Cambay Chauders, Shauls,
Bamboos, Tin, Lead aod Iron. The Proprietors of the Vessels iu question belonging to Bahreen
with a view of rendering their Intercourse with Surat, more beneficial to them, have latterly
made consignments to that Place of Sundry Gruff Articles of commerce, aud have engaged in
small Adventures of Cotton Yarn, Shauls, Surat Blue and other Piece Goods and Guzerat Piece
Goods and Chiotz proper for the Aleppo, Bagdad aud Bnssora Markets; Pan of which has found
its Way through the Channel of Grain, to the two first mentioned Places, and the remainder has
been imported at Bussora. The Importations made at Bahreen from Muscat consist of Coffee
partly intended for the use of Bahreeu and partly intended for the Bussora Market, and of a
quantity of Sugar, Pepper, &ea., Spices of Bengal Soosies, Oil, Ghee, and Rice, necessary for the
consumption of the Islands; and the Importations made at Bahreen, from Bussora consists of
a quantity of Dates and Grain, necessary for the consumption of the Island, aod of small
quantities of Copper, Arsenic, Galls, Lamette, Ora Contarino, Venetian false Coral, and Bead
of different kinds, Cochineal and Saffron, all which are proper Articles for the Surat Market. The
late Encrease in the Trade of Bahreen though small, has proved advantageous to the Island has
awakened, in the Merchants thereof a spirit of commercial Enterpizc and will probably induce
them to endeavour, by the Purchase of larger and better Vessels, and by the Extension of the
present Intercourse with India, to engross a considerable part of the Trade of the Arabian Shore
of the Persian Gulph.
The Government of Bahreen does not collect Duties of any kind on Mercantile Articles.
It has been already remarked, that the Sea Ports of Jebarra and Catiffe enjoy only an
inconsiderable share of the Pearl Fishery, of the Persian Gulpb ; and that their commerce
is a confined one. The Incentives which actuate the Merchants of those Places to Commercial
Enterprizes cannot, however, materially vary. They must ever possess their present share of
the Pearl Fishery, and their annual Importation of Surat Blue and other Piece Goods, Cambay
Chauders, Guzerat Piece Goods and Chintz, Shauls, Bamboos and many less important mercan­
tile Articles from Surat, by the way of BahreeQ, of Coffee, Sugar, Pepper, etc., Spices,
Bengal Soosies, Iron, Lead, Tin, Oil, Ghee, Bice and many less important mercantile Articles
from Muscat; and of Dates aud of Grain from Bussora ; must ever prove in demand, as
well at Jebarra aod Catiffe, asia the countries inhabited by the Arabs of the Tribes of Whahab
and of Beuechalid. Part of the importations in question is retained at Jebarra and Catiffe
for the consumption of those places, and of their immediate Vicinities ; and the remainder
is conveyed, by Land by means of Camels at a moderate cxpence, and without any
considerable Risk to Draeeah, the usual residence of the Shaik of the Arabs of the Tribe of
Whahab, and to Hassa the usual Residence of the Shaik of the Arabs of the Tribe of Benechalid
from which places it is circulated through the Districts, under the Jurisdiction of those
Tribe.
The Government of Catiffe, is extremely favorable to Merchants, who there enjoy
compleat protection, in their Persons and Property, and the Duties collected at that place aro
very moderate, and are confined to Imports. A Zcrmaboob is levied on a Bale of Coffee, or
a Robin of Pepper, and about 1 per cent, in kind, on all other Articles, except provisions.
The Government of Jebarra, does not collect duties of any Kind on Mercantile Articles.
Although Grain, as has beea already remarked, is a Sea Port of occasional comincroial
importance, annual Imports of mercantile artioles usually made there, ore inconsiderable.