Page 126 - Arabian Studies (I)

110 Arabian Studies l

We arc informed the Emaum certainly goes upon the intended
Expedition, and that right speedily, his Son’s Artillery and
Baggage being already sent out of Sinan [San‘a’]. If this induced
the Merchants to send their coffee to market to turn it into
money, as it most likely it will, we hope you will have the
opportunity of buying cheaper. . .

24 and 25 May
After a further two days’ hard negotiations, to no avail, and fearing
to allow delay in the departure of the Prince William, Mr. Dickinson
reluctantly accedes to the Governor’s blackmail. He pays the 2,500
Spanish dollars now demanded from the Company.

26 May
On 26 May, 150 bales of coffee are loaded on the Prince William.
A letter is received from Mr. Hanys, the substance of which Mr.
Dickinson includes in his Diary. . .
He had got the Camel fellow imprisoned whose Bales came short,
and as to the Coffee Trees we ordered him to procure, he believes
it impracticable, the Government having formerly fined one of our
Banians Five hundred Spanish Dollars for attempting to get some,
but if we desire it, he will get some Coffee Seed which the planters
make use of for raising young trees which he believes will answer
the same purpose. That the same Day arrived Twenty Camels, and
the Day before Forty and if it continues to come in that manner,
he hopes soon to finish the Investment.
Taking stock at Mocha, Mr. Dickinson confesses to a deceitful
stratagem:
We have made our Banians speak to the weighers, and desire them
to show us how far their Dexterity extends, which they have given
us a specimen of in the above Coffee, in which we find we have
grained above Three and a half per cent at the Sale, tho’ the
manner of doing it is not very commendable, for it is done by
giving the weighers a small Sum of money, and keeping them
constantly supplied with Liquors, for which they have given us so
great an overweight, and for a small Trifle wronged the owners of
the Coffee of a considerable Sum.
27 to 30 May

On 30 May, Mr. Dickinson receives from Mr. Hanys a reply to his
letter of the 23rd. Mr. Hanys confirms he will send lists of camel
drivers’ names but if he were to weigh every bale