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on onsy Teems furnish himself, with a Woollon Garment of inferior quality of French Manu­
facture and when a richmnu, is only tomptcd to incur, the Expenco, attending- the Purchase
of a garment of English Broad Cloth by its superior Fiucnoss aud by its preferable color,
choice Assortments of Woollens, can only have a chance, of meeting a speedy salo, or of
yielding a decent Profit. In short the Woollens destined for the Bussora Market ought to
bo provided in exact conformity to the Indents, framed by the servants of the Hon'ble
Company stationed, at that Place, and ought uniformly to arrive there, previous to the
Month of October in every year, when the approaching Winter, renders the Provision of Warm
Clothing absolutely necessary.
Late observation, has established an opinion, that the Hon’ble Company might reap
Advantage, from the annual consignment to Bussora of small quantities of Iron, Lead and
steel, although the private Trader, cannot adventure in those commercial Articles, with a
Prospect of gain. They will not bear the heavy chargo of Freight from India. The Hon'ble
Company can howovor convey them, from the Presidency of Bombay to Bussora, free of Expence,
on the Vessels belonging to them which annually pass between those Places, and thereforej
a Trial might, with Propriety be made.
In the year 1785 the British Government in Bengal, entertained an Idea of making
consignments to the Persian Gulph, on the Public Account, of Bengal Goods; and
orders were consequently issued, to the servants of the Hon’ble Company, then stationed at
Bussora, to furnish a List of Goods' proper for the Bussora Market, and. the necessary
Information on the subject of the Trade in Piece Goods, then carried on between Calcutta aud
Bussora; which orders were obeyed. It has already been remarked, in this report, that
it may reasonably be hoped, that if a Peace is early concluded between the Ottoman
Emperor and his European Enemies, and if Bussora and the adjacent country enjoy a
continuance of the present Tranquility, drooping commerce may considerably revive and the
well,' informed Merchant, may again with confidence speculate in Indian Price Goods. It is
to be supposed, that the servants of the Hon'ble Company, employed at the Aurungs in Bengal,
may have it in their Power, to prepare Investments there, of the different kinds of Piece
Goods proper for the Bussora Market on the Public Account on Terms, considerably more
favorable than those, on which, the private Trader, can make Purchases of similar Manufac­
tures. Those servants, impowered by Public Authority," may certainly have the Preferences
in the choice of the Goods on sale at the Aurungs, or, if it be thought necessary to order Goods
to be Manufactured, expressoly for the Bussora Market, they may select for that Purpose,
the most experienced, and able Workmen. These, and a variety of other Advantages, under
which the Hon'ble Company, can engage in the Trade carried on between Calcutta and
Bussora, in Piece Goods are sufficiently weight to justify a Trial.
If the British Government in Bengal, determine to engage on the public account, in the
Trade, carried on between Calcutta and Bussora in Piece Goods, to the full Extent of the List
transmitted from Bussora in the year 1786, a Vessel of about four hundred Tons Burthen,
will be requisite to convey tbc Goods annually to Bussora. It may not however be improper
to hint, that if the British Government in Bengal, decline to employ a Vessel on the public
account, or, as is adviseablo, give the preference to a moro confined Trial, and in consequence
thereof issue orders for the Provision of only one-half, or even one-third of the quantity of
Goods specified in the List above-mentioned, they will have an opportunity of annually
conveying suoh goods to Bussora, on the usual Terms of Freight on a Vessel, called the
Laurel, which is constantly employed, in tjie Freight Trade carried on between Calcutta and
Bussora, and which on examination, will be found to be in every respect unexceptionable.
Considerable profit generally attends the Adventures to Bussora in Cotton and Pepper ;
but it is imagined, that the private Trader, can Purchase those commercial Articles in India
on Terms equally, if not more favourable, than those on which the Hon'ble Company could
alone, provide tbem. A trial therein is not worthy the public Attention.
Observations similar to those made, above relative to Cotton and Pepper, are applicable to
the Piece Goods usually exported from Surat to Arabia, bordering the Persian Gulf.
The Establishment of an English Factory, at the Port of Muscat, whether, viewed in a
political or a Commercial Light, has over beon considered by the Framers of the present report,
as a measure of great propriety. It is reasonable to suppose, that the British Nation mighty
reap considerable advantage from suoh an establishment. Muscat, as has been alread