Red Sea.] 



ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 



59 



pay the duties, charges, &c. in kind, which will amount to 8 or 0 percent, 

 and that it be opened and examined at your own house only, and by no 

 means in the public custom-house. 



A good house, with convenient warehouses and godowns, will cost you 

 from 300 to 400 cruse for the season. 



When you go on shore, your first visit is to the Bashaw, and then to 

 the XeriflT, alter which, and you have returned to your own house, begin to 

 land your cargo as fast as possible, and arrange it in your godowns for in- 

 spection, (taking care that it comes immediately from your boats to your 

 house, and that it goes not near the custom-house,) sorting each description of 

 goods by themselves, freight and private trade promiscuously ; and when all 

 is assorted, send information to the Government, that your cargo is ready 

 for examination. 



When the Bashaw and Visier come, point out to them the different 

 parcels of baftas, &c. and tell them they contain such a number of pieces of 

 such and such goods ; but be very exact as to the quantity and number in 

 each bale : for if they find the number agree with your account, they will 

 not open more than a bale or two of each kind ; but if the number differs 

 from your report, they will open every hale of your cargo : this will be ex- 

 ceeding troublesome, and cause you to be suspected in all your future dealings. 



When examination and settling the customs are over (which you will 

 find the most troublesome affair you meet with at Judda,) you are to 

 make up the Government presents of piece-goods, two or three pieces of 

 each kind in your cargo, probably to the amount of 4,000 cruse. These 

 presents must not be charged to the owners alone, but in proportion to all 

 the freighters ; and your brokerage, which will be about l,o00 or 2,000 

 cruse (including your Arab writer), must be charged in like proportion. 



Your presents being delivered, find out (among the shroffs) what is the 

 price of old and new German crowns, Venetians, stamboles, zirmabobs, and 

 other coins ; but do not buy any zirmabobs, missiree, or gingelees, as they 

 do not turn to advantage ; the best guide for your direction, is to have the 

 product of these coins from the Bombay and Madras mints, and make your 

 purchase of them according to your calculation. 



When you are thus prepared, the merchants will come to you, and 

 even press upon you, if the Hodjee is near. You need not talk of ready 

 money, as none pay until after the Hodjee ; so that you must make your 

 bargains to be paid after the Hodjee, and then* returns from Mecca, together 

 with the specie in which you will be paid, and the rate of exchange of each 

 kind of coin ; all these articles must be booked by your writer, as his book 

 is your voucher in case any dispute arises, (and indeed this is the only real 

 use of having an Arab writer). 



