252 On Tabular Returns of [No. 111. 



and to meet with the most ready sale, the merchants from Khiva, 

 Bokhara, Khorassan, Samarcand, Lodauk, &c. &c. buying it up with 

 avidity. 



Our broad cloths, too, are eagerly sought after, {sombre colours 

 are preferred to gay,) and immense quantities are said to be ex- 

 ported from Bombay. It is only the coarser quality that is inquired 

 after here. The same remark applies to Birmingham and Sheffield 

 ware, cutlery, &c. which is very much admired and prized ; especially 

 when contrasted with the miserable wares of Russia, specimens of 

 which, when contrasted with the rudest workmanship of the Delhi 

 artificers, have shown the comparison to be greatly to the prejudice 

 of the former. 



The next article in point of importance is metal, (lead, copper &c. 

 the former in pigs, and the latter in sheets,) and of this it need only 

 be said, that the demand for the Northern marts is greater than 

 the supply here, i. e. the surplus supply — the home consumption 

 being enormous. 



Island produce, of which the several kinds of spices compose 

 the principal export staple, (black pepper is the chief item,) will 

 always exercise a very important influence on the Cabool trade; 

 for, although not strictly coming under the term " necessary," the 

 customs and habits of Asiatics render the consumption of Island 

 produce , spices, beetlenuts, pigments, &c. a matter of course. 



The trade, as will be seen in Island produce, has been tolerably 

 brisk during the past year ; but it would have been considerably more 

 so, were it not for customs' restrictions. 



Almost all articles of Island produce are subjected to port duties 



* Spices, beetlenuts, when imported seaward into Calcutta, and there- 

 logwood, pepper, 

 long pepper and its fore, agreeably to the liberal principle allowed by 



moor,) sandal-woo^ Government, ought not again to be taxed any 



jar^n; C red n eL t r n b red , where within the Com P an y' s territories. This, 



lead - however, is not, and cannot be done, inasmuch as 



most of the produce of the Islands is also liable to the payment 

 of inland customs' duties ; that is, they (vide margin*) are borne on 

 the tariff, which regulates the levy of duty in the inland cus- 

 toms' houses. 



