Page 127 - Arabian Studies (I)

The Diary of a Mocha Coffee Agent Ill
il would take up much time and hinder the expediting the Bales
with that Speed the present prospect of Affairs seems to require
and as to the marking the Particular Weight on each Bale, he has
nobody that knows how to mark our numbers, and should we
send up Soldiers for that purpose, they are generally such idle
drunken fellows, they would occasion Disputes with the natives,
who are not accustomed to Europeans as they are . . .

1 to 3 June

By the 3rd of June, 2,148 bales of coffee are either loaded or about
to be loaded onto the Prince William. Mr. Hanys at Bait al-Faqlh
estimates that at the present rate of purchasing the cargo’s comple­
ment will be met in about fifteen days. News reaches Mr. Dickinson
that STdl Hamad has sent up to the Imam a large present and that the
altercation between them has been resolved.

4 to 6 June

A report reaches Mr. Dickinson from one of his Indian staff in
Mocha, who has a house in Aden, to the effect, that a large, probably
European ship has been seen in the offing. Neither Mr. Page or
Captain Beresford are able to give exact advice, but conjecture that
the ship may be the Heathcote, a 490-tonner formerly of the East
India Company but currently in Swedish service. Mr. Hanys is
warned accordingly and instructed to hasten his purchasing. Further­
more, as it is feared that the Heathcote’s cargo contains iron and
steel, Mr. Dickinson quickly rids himself of some Company steel
which remains unsold in the factory, selling it at 65 Mocha dollars
and a half the Bahar to the Dutch Second. 1 0

7 to 10 June
Mr. Hanys makes progress with his buying, the total having now
reached 2,474 bales.

11 June
This being the Anniversary of his Majesty’s Accession to the
Throne all the English Ships in the Road showed their Colours and
fired Guns to celebrate the same.

12 to 14 June
On 12 June, the Pondicherry embarks for Pondicherry with a cargo
of 1,850 bales of coffee.