Page 224 - Gulf Precis (1-B)_Neat

418
for tho markets of Cairo, Damascus, Aleppo, Smyrna ami Constantinople and which still find
their wav to those places by means of tho Damascus, Carrawau, and the Suez Fleet.
Tho principal pait of tho few European Mercantile Articles, which aro in Demand at
Juddo, and Mecca, are conveyed lo Mecca, in the Damascus Carrawon, and to Judda, in the
Suez Fleet.
The Moslem and other Merchants who embark on the Suez Fleet, furnish themsolves at
Cairo and Alexacdiia from the French and Italian Merchants settled in those Cities with
BroadCloth and other Woollens, Iron, Steel, Lead and a variety of petty aitides, which
they eithor sell at Jedda, or exchange thoro for Coffee. Part of the beforomentioned Articles
are consumed in Judda; in Mecca, and in tho country adjacont thereto, and tho Remainder
is purchared atJcdda, or there received in Exchango for Coffee, by tho M crchants of Hcdeeda
and Mocha, when they repair to Jedda in Boats, laden with valuable cargoes of Yemen
Coffee, to meet the Suez Fleet, and i6 circulated through the Territories of the Imaum of Sena.
A few European mercantile Articles, have been latterly imported at Mocha by the French.
The Suez Fleet also conveys to Judda large sums of Money in Venetians aud German
Crowns coral fals coral, and otbor Venetian Beads of different kinds, Lametto cochineal,
and many other less important mercantile Articles proper for the Indian markets.
The Importations of Indian mercantile Articles are in the present times, made at Mocha,
by English Vessels from Bengal, by the Surat Freight ship, by Vessels belonging to the
Malabar Coast, & by Boats belonging to the Arabs «*f Muscat aud principally consist of
coarFe white Bengal Gcods of different kinds, Bengal Soosios, Beugal Cuttanees Porto Nuovo
Blue Goods, Guzerat Chintz, Cotton, Shauls, Pepper, Sugar, Sugarcandy, Chiuaware, Spices
of vaiious Kinds, Musk, Camphire Opium, Turmeric, Iudigo, Tobacco aud many less impor
tant ones, all which are proper for the consumption of Arabia.
The inhabitants of the Coasts of the Red Sea, are poorly provided with Boats of sufficient
strength and Magnitude to undertake voyages from thence to India.
The Arabs of Muscat, who, as has been already remarked, are of an Active and enter-
prizing Disposition, and are well furnished with Good Vessels of various kinds, are particularly
anxious to proseoute the Coffee Trade, from which they derive infinite advantage, and
they are therefore careful in their voyages to India, to supply themselves with Goods suited
to the Markets of Mocha, Hedeeda and Judda, which Goods constitute a principal part
of the cargoes of the Boats, which aro annually despatched from Muscat to the Red Sea.
The Arabs of Muscat, having latterly found it more easy and beneficial to made their
6ales and purchases at Hedeeda, than at Mocha the principal part of the Boats beforemou-
tioned row frequent the former Port. Hedeeda has within these few years considerable
increased in Importance.
The Ports on the Western shore of the Red Sea, have been littlo frequented by British
Vessels and it is therefore to be supposed, that they hold forth little prospect of advantage
to the mercantile adveuturer. The inhabitants of that Region are little acquainted with
the articles of Luxury with which India abounds, and being in a rude aud unpolished 6tate
they have few wants, beyond those, which the produce, of their own sterile country, can
satisfy. A few coarse Surat and Porto Nuovo Goods, are however annually sold to tho
people, belonging to tbst Pait of the Western shore of the Red Sea, which lies immediately
opposite to Mocha, who pay occasional visits to that place, carrying thither supplies of
Abyssinian 6beep, and as a communication is kept up, by Boats between Judda and Cossair, it
is to be supposed that a quantity of similar Goods find their way to that place aud its vicinity.
The beforementioned English Vessels from Bengal, Surat Frieght ship, & vessel
belonging to the Malabar Coast, convey from Mocha to India, a sufficient, quantity of Yemen
Coffee, for tho supply of that country large sums of Money in Venetiaus and German Crowns,
and the coral false coral and other Venetian Beads of different Kinds, Lamctte, Coohineals
& less important Mercantile Articles, proper for the Indian Markets, which 'ind their
way to Judda by means of the Damascus Carrawan and Suez Fleet.
The French Vessels which visit Mocha, convey from thence to the Mauritius consider­
able quantity of Coffee.
The Island of Socotra, has not latterly been frequented by English vessola. It is
however supposed, that a small quantity of coarso Indian Piece Goods might bo annually
bartered there, with advantage, for Socatrine Aloes.