WESTERN H I N D O O S T A N. 



their goods on the backs of camels in the very manner that their 

 defcendants the Arabs continue to do from that period. They 

 took the fame route as the patriarch "Jacob did, and delivered 

 their articles of luxury at the proud Memphis. As foon as they 

 became a naval people, much of the commerce of Aj-abia, as 

 well as of India, was conveyed to Muza *, a port not remote 

 from the modern Mocha, and from thence fliipped to Berenice 

 or to Myos hormos, and placed on the backs of camels, conveyed 

 to the Egyptian markets. But in refped; to the IJJmia elites 

 who had met with Jofeph and his brethren, it is highly 

 probable, that it was prior to the time of their knowlege of 

 navigation. They had therefore performed the whole jour- 

 ney to and from India by land. On their return they increafed 

 their caravan by the addition of the myrrh and balm, the pro- 

 duce of their own country, or of Gilead\ which they had left 

 not long before they met with the patriarchs at Dotham, a place 

 in the middle of Palejiine, not far to the weft of the fea of Ti- 

 berias. They then proceeded on their journey to Egypt, with 

 the addition of another article of commerce, a flave, in the 

 perfon of Jofeph, whom they had juft purchafed from his en- 

 vious brethren. 



This communication with India was carried on for a great 

 length of time. To ufe the authority of Holy Writ, our fafeft 

 guide on all occalions, we find that Solomon gave it every en- 

 couragement. He founded Hamath in the country of Galilee, 

 and Tadmor in the wildernefs, or Palmyra, and many other cities 

 ofJlore\, or emporia, for the commerce of India, and lyre, Sidon, 

 and all the furrounding nations. 



* Arrian. Periplusj p. 152. f Kikgs I. Ch. 9. V. 8, 119. Chron. II. Ch. 8. V. 4. 



I SHALL 



