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The Diary of a Mocha Coffee Agent                             107

         To Francis Dickinson Esqr.
         Sir
           This serves to advise you of the arrival of the Prince William
         Cap’ William Beresford of which Ship we are appointed Super­
         cargoes. As we arc at a Loss to know how the Mocha Government
         may be disposed towards the English, or whether any Disputes
         may be Subsisting which may render it necessary to come to some
         particular Terms of Agreement with them before we come ashore,
         we have thought proper first to dispatch this Boat to you, and
         desire you’ll return her as soon as may be with any Advices you
         may think proper for our notice.7 We must inform you that a very
         large French Ship from Europe is come in with us, and its not
         improbable that the Arrival of these two Ships may somewhat
         enhance the Price of Coffee, but we must leave it to you to make
         the best use of this Intelligence for the Interest of our Hon’blc
         Employers. We hope however a good part of our Cargo is
         provided, and as we are in very good time that we shall meet with
         no very great Difficultys in getting a full loading, but be able to
         dispatch the Ship for England this Season, which will be very
         much for our Hon’ble Master’s Advantage, and what they have
         earnestly recommended to us.
                                                  Sir,
                                                    Your most hum Ser
                                                       Edward Page
                                                         Wm Beresford

         30 April
         In reply, Mr. Dickinson assures Mr. Page that there are no disputes
         with the Governor and that half the coffee cargo is ready for loading.
           Later, Mr. Page and Captain Beresford come ashore and, after
         discussing the implementation of their respective instructions from
         the East India Company, arrange with Captain Frampton Lervis of
         the Prince of Wales for the transfer from the Prince William to the
         Prince of Wales of twenty-two European soldiers bound for service in
         Bombay.
         31 April to 7th May
         For the next week, the purchase of coffee at Bait al-Faqlh continued
         as fast as possible. Mr. Dickinson expresses his anxiety lest the
         presence of the three large European ships in Mocha would raise the
         price of coffee but this did not happen. By 7 May, Mr. Dickinson
         estimated that 700 camel loads more were required. He exhorted Mr.
         Hanys to speed up his purchasing to ensure its completion before the
         ‘Feast of Hajj’ on 13 May.
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