THE TRADE WITH ALEXANDRIA ad. 



1584. 



is another waight called Pois Gerrin, which is I50.1i. 



of Marseils waight, by which are sold all things to 



eate : but spice is sold by the former waight. 



From Alexandria to Cairo is three daies journey, Cairo three 



but you must take a Janissarie with you : & to go "^f^U^^^O 



/•I 1 • • o J - -r» • 1 r from Alexan- 



up thither by water it is 8. dayes journey. Koials or iria by land. 



Spaine are currant mony there, and are the best money 



you can cary. And 4. roials are woorth 13. Medins, 



and 2. Medins, are 3. Aspers. Pistolets and crownes 



of France and DoUers will goe, but of all Roials are 



best. 



Rice is not permitted to goe out of the land, but 

 is kept for a victuall. But with a present to the Bye 

 and Ermine some may passe. 



All sortes of spices be garbled after the bargaine is 

 made, and they be Moores which you deale withall, 

 which be good people and not ill disposed. And after 

 you be searched & have leave to passe, you must 

 presently depart out of the port, and if you doe not, 

 they will search you againe. And you must depart in 

 the day, for in the night the castles will not suffer 

 you to depart. The duetie to the Consul is 2. in the 

 hundred, for his aide, and meate and drinke and all. 

 And the port of Alexandria is good when one is 

 within it with good ankers and cables. Silver is 

 better currant then gold in Alexandria, but both are 

 good. 



Commonly the Caravans come thither in October 

 from Mecca to Cairo, and from thence to Alexandria, 

 where the merchants be that buy the spices, and 

 therfore the spices are brought most to Alexandria, 

 where each Christian nation remaineth at the Consuls 

 houses. Yet oftentimes the christians go up to Cairo 

 to buy drugs & other commodities there, as they see 

 cause. And the commodities there vendible are all 

 sorts of kersies, but the most part blewes, and of 

 clothes all colours except mingled colours and blacks. 

 Pepper is usually sold for 24. ducats the quintal, 

 V 273 s 



