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ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Gutph of Persia. 



You are next to look out for, and hire a good house, with large 

 godowns, which ought to be as nigh the creek as possible, for the con- 

 venience of landing and receiving your goods. 



In chusing your broker, much caution and circumspection are necessary, 

 as your whole transactions depend upon his being steady to your interest. 

 If possible, employ a person who trades a little for himself, and is independent 

 of any one else; the same caution is to be used in chusing your shroff (or 

 banker.) 



These persons you will find very slow in transacting your affairs, 

 though they will appear to be very assiduous. Your servants should be solely 

 dependent upon yourself, and you ought not to employ any recommended by 

 persons whom you suspect to be desirous of prying into your concerns ; 

 otherwise your transactions will be communicated to the whole town, which 

 will be much to your prejudice. 



After you are settled in your house, the merchants will come and pay 

 you a visit ; the Turks and Armenians will be very inquisitive about your 

 affairs. They are particularly tenacious of any slight ; be therefore very 

 complaisant in your behaviour, and treat them (particularly the Turks) 

 with much courtesy. 



When landing your cargo, the freight goods (if you have any) should 

 be put in different boats from your own, otherwise it will occasion much 

 confusion and trouble, as all the freight is carried to the custom-house ; but 

 your own private trade, immediately upon landing, is carried to your own 

 house ; for which reason, the officers on board should have a list of the 

 freight goods, and orders not to mix them in the boats with the trade, but 

 load them separately. 



The purser (if you have one) ought to attend at the landing-place 

 with a list of the freight, and the marks and numbers of each package ; as 

 it frequently happens that the merchants do not know their bales. 



After all your goods are landed, you inform the Shabundar you are 

 ready for his visit : he will come with his officers, attendants, writers, and 

 some of the principal merchants of the place. They will take an account of 

 your goods, open a bale or two of each quality, and are satisfied with your 

 account of the number of bales, and quantity of pieces in each. This good 

 opinion should not be abused, as it renders the inspection extremely easy to 

 you. And for the gruff goods, he takes the account entirely from yourself. 



After this visit, he pays you another, to be informed of the prices for 

 which you have sold your goods ; and if any remain unsold, they arc valued, 

 and the customs and duties calculated upon the whole. 



The Shabundar receives no duty upon grain; this is paid to the 

 Murbarall : other goods either pay to the Shabundar, or custom-house. 



