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vessels, which annually import at Bussora, from thence to the different ports of the Persian
Gulph, to Muscat and to Indis.
Tho dates, the produce of tho vicinity of Bussora, arc valued annually on an average, at
a sum of Money equal to one Million of Bombay Rupees, and the principal Part thereof, is
exported from Bussora, to different Ports of the Persian Gulf and to India.
The duties collected by the Government of Bussora, on all Importations made at that
Place from Sea and fr.un Bagdad and on all Exportations made from thence to sea, and to
Aloppo except on those made by Europeans, aud on provisions are very heavy ones.
Importations of fine goods from sea and from Bagdad, pay 7$ per Cent. Duties and importations
of Gruff Goods from sea and from Bagdad pay 8J per Cent. Duties. Exportations to Aleppo
pay similar duties and exportations to sea, of all kinds pay 5 $ per Cent. Duties.
It has already been remarked, that in order to avoid the payment of the exorbitant Duties
in question, some of the merchants of Bussora have latterly caused a part of their merchandize
intended for the Aleppo Market, to be conveyed from Muscat to Grain. Others in order to
accomplish the same fraudulent and have caused part of their Merchandize intended as well for
the Markets of Bagdad and Bussora, as for that of Aleppo, to be landed at Busliire, or at the
Island of Carrack aud to be from thence conveyed to Bussora River; on the Banks of which
they have had camels placed in readiness to convoy it to Zebere, an Arab Village situated at
about Ten Miles distance from Bussora, from whence tho Carravans depart for Aleppo, and
people in readiness convey it by night secretly into the city of Bussora.
The beforementioned conduct of some of the Merchants of Bussora, tends very Materially
to increase their profits aud to injure the fair Trader, who is consequently obliged to sell his
Merchandize both at Bussora, Bagdad and Aleppo, on tho reduced terms on which the Merchants
in question, are enabled by the euccess of their schemes to defraud the Bussora Government to
vend their property at those places.
From the foregoing intelligence, relative to the commerce of Bussora, it is evident that
even in its present languid state, it must engage the attention « f a great number of merchants
and employ very large pecuniary Funds.
The Privileges granted by the Ottoman Emperor to the British and other European Nations
at Bussora, are exiensivc aud beneficial ones. The Firmanns of the Ottoman Emperor direct
that the property of the Hon’ble Company and of Individuals belonging to the British Nation,
shall only be subject to the payment in his territories of the moderate duties of 3 Per Cent, on
its Importation at Bussora, and although from some unknown causo the proper advantage has
not been taken of the Ottomau Emperor’s Inclination, to favor the British Nation and British
Property is now liable, notwithstanding the tenor of the beforementioned Fermanus, to the
Payment of 3 Per Cent. Duties, as well on its Importation at Bagdad, and Aleppo as at Bussora,
and on its Exportation from Bussora j yet, eveu on these Terms and under the Disadvantage
arising from the unavoidable payment to the Honourable Company’s Representatives at
Bussora, on all their Importations at that place, of 3 Per Cent. Company’s Duties and 2 Per
Cent. Consulage British subjects, are enabled to trade in the Turkish Dominions, in an iufiuitely
more advantageous manner, than tho fair dealing country, resident unprotected Merchants
whose Property on its Importation at or its Exportation from Bussora, Bagdad and Aleppo is
subject to the Payment of exorbitant Duties. The British subject enjoys at Bussora, many
other consequential commercial Advantages, in virtue of the beforementioned Firmanns, and
in particular, of an extraordinary Nature. In the Event of a Country Merchant of Bussora
odc
indebted to a British subject, Becoming a Bankrupt the claims of the British subject are by
the Firmanns, directed to be satisfied in preference to those of the other creditors, eveu if the
whole of the property of the Bankrupt, does not exceed in Value, the amount of su«-h claims.
The ancient Friendship subsisting between the Ottoman and British Empires, the privileges
granted by the Ottoman Emperor to the British Nation in his territories, by the before-
mentioned Firmanns, the services rendered by the Hon’ble Company, and by some of other
servants, to the Government of Bagdad and Bussora, and the General conduct of some of those
servant, during their Residence at Bussora, have secured to the Hon’ble Company's Factory at
that olace, a very considerable degree of CroJit and Influence, and have enabled the Gentlemen,
who have been honored with the charge thereof, since the period of the removal of the Hon’ble
Company's Factory from Gombroon, to give compleut Protection at Bussora, to all British