Page 132 - Arabian Studies (I)

116 Arabian Studies I
NOTES'2

1. In Thorkild Hansen, Arabia Felix London, 1964.
2. According to the East India Company Records of 1733, the following
weights were used in Mocha:
1 Frazcl (fardsilah) ................ . 30 lbs.
1 Bahar ................................. 450 lbs.
In Bait al-Faqih, however, they were:
1 Frazcl (fardsilah)................ 20 lbs., 5 oz., 9 drachms
1 Bahar ................................. .........................814 lbs.
3. In Orders given by the Court of Directors, on 10 November 1732, to
Captain Bcresford of the Prince William bound for Mocha the Captain is
instructed:
... If you meet with any good Aloes Soccatrina at reasonable prices, We
would have you buy and lade as far as Ten Tons, provided they are of the
right Sort, clean and good, and for your Information therein, the best when
broke are brittle like black Rosin, very clear and transparent, and makes a
fine yellow powder, which sort will yield a good price, if it is of a muddy liver
Colour and soft, it is worth very little, this Commodity is generally run into
Skins or Bladders, and then put into Chests or Casks, which is the best way of
bringing it home.
4. Arabia Felix.
5. In a report to the Directors, Mr. Dickinson states:
The price of camel hire generally rising the latter end of the season as your
Honours observe, to prevent which it was thought the best way to agree with
the Muccadom (,Muqaddam, headman) of the Camelmen at a certain price for
the whole season, and it was agreed to 3 Spanish Dollars and 5 Cavers (Kabirs)
per load.
6. The Company’s directors in London had written, in Captain Beresford’s
orders of 10 November 1732:
... We have dispatcht this Ship early, in hopes she will get to Mocha by the
middle of April at furthest, that you may have time before you to get the
Cargo speedily on Board, and be returning to us in July ...
7. The precaution of sounding out the political situation was suggested by
the Court of Directors in England, in their orders and instructions of 10
November 1732:
By our Advices from Bombay We have been inform’d of the bad temper
and disposition of Fuquehamed [Faqih Ahmad] the present Governor
of Mocha, that he is an enemy to all Europeans, extorts Money from the
Merchants and that he disputes over Priviledges of Shipping Coffee paying
only the 3% Custom as granted by the Imam’s Phirmaund, [firman, decree] if
on Your Arrival he should still be Governour, that first fully informing
Yourselves how Affairs stand, which you may easily do in case Mr. Dickinson