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BritisliTrador, and might justify, in certain ciscs the non-colleotion of fcho Customs in question i
at tho Ports of Bussora and Bushiro.
The following is the Paragraph abovemontioned.
"It appears but equitable that all Goods which havo paid duties to us at Tellichorry, or any
other of our Factories should bo excused paying tho samo over again, when imported afterwards
at Bombay, or other of our settlements provided tho Property of such Goods is not altered.
But if tho Customs of the Placo, to which tho Goods are exported oxceod the Customs first paid,
then tho full Duties are to bo charged to tho owner, and he only allowed to draw back, tho sum
collected from tho Importer at tho Factory, where they were first sold ; and this, we apprehend,
to havo been tho General Practise heretofore, particularly for Goods bought at Bombay and scut
to Surat and sold there. Tho case is quite different, wheu the property is changed, for then tho
customs at the last port, must be collected in full, from tho importer, without having any
rogard to what may have been dono before ho bought or became possessed of the samo Goods
aod no drawback must bo allowed without producing certificates of tho customs, having been
paid at the Port where they wore sold.”
The Navigation of tho Persian Gulph, is plain aud easy, and although, tho Strong
northerly winds, which generally prevail in it, in th* Months of June and July render iho
Passage from Muscat to any of its Ports, both boisterous and tedious and the violence of tho
South-west Monsoon, prevents during the Months of June, July, August, and September,
direct Passages being mado from tho Ports of India to Muscat, yet by perseverence and skill, a
passage may be made in a well fouud European vessel from any of those ports to Bussora, at
any Season : such a vessel, may with Propriety sail from Bussora on a voyage to any Port in
India, on any day iu the year. In the navigation of the Persian Gulph, some danger is justly
to be apprehended from Pirates. In former Times some English vessels have been taken by
them, and therefore although the Persian Gulph, is now on a tolerably settled and peaceable
state, and the British Flag i* there treated with great respect; a weak, unarmed British vessel,
ought not to be suffered to undertake a voyage from any of the Ports in India, to bussora.
The Dows and Q alii vats, belonging to the Different Ports, in the Persian Gulph are vessels of
very considerable Force, and many of their crews, particularly those, who navigate tho Dows,
belonging to the Islands and Coasts, in the vicinity of Ormus, are rapacious and inclined to the
commission of unjustifiable Acts of violence On falling in with them, a power of self Defence.
Defonco is the best security that the commander of an English vessel can have for their
I good behavior.
The Framers of the present report, havo in the course of it respectfully ventured,
to giv e it as their opinion that the Establishment of British faclaries at the Ports of
Mocha aud Muscat, might prove Measures beneficial to the Commercial Interest of the
Hon’ble Company, and that a new modification of tue Residency at Bushire, might tend
materially to tho Increase of the British Commercial Intercourse with the Kingdom of Persia.
It is a remark equally applicable both to Persia and Arabia, that the merchants of those
countries are pleased at the Establishment therein of European Factories conceiving the Heads
of them to be eligible Mediators between themselves and tho Government, in times of Difficulty
and Distress. i
The Framers of the present Report, beg leave previous to its conclusion, to give it as
thoir decided opinion, that the success of tho British ^enoral Commercial Intercourse with
Arabia and Persia, and of the particular Plans for its Encreaso which they have pointed out
must ever principally depend on the Propriety of tho conduct of the Gentlemen, under whose
management, thoy may be prosecuted, and to express a Hope, that as the Duties of their sta­
tions, must necessarily often, place them in situations, replete with Delicacy and Difficulty, their
Hon'ble Employers will fix their Intentions, not their success, as the criterion by which to
judge of their Merits. In order to facilitate the Transaction of Commercial affairs at those
Places, where English Factories are, or may in future be established, the servants of the Hou'ble
Company must uniformly by steady temperate and cautions measures endeavor to acquire
sufficient influence, with the people of the Government to secure their constant and effectual
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Support and Favor, and by a mild and ^sy mode of managing Business strive to give
Encouragement- to such Merchants as may wish to havo Dealings with them, who might
by contrary conduct bo deterred making offers advantageous to tho Hon’ble Company;