148 BAY OF AMPHILA. 
Emperor addressed to the King of England ; and that on the deli- 
tery of this letter I had been appointed by His Majesty to take 
charge of an answer and of presents in return. 1 proceeded to repre- 
sent, that, at the time I had resided with the Ras, he had informed 
me, that the road by Bure was preferable to the route by Massowa ; 
and that, in conformity with this information, and a knowledge 
of the subsequent intercourse which had taken place between the 
Danakil tribes and Captain Rudland, I had determined, if he 
would ensure me a safe protection, to attempt a passage through 
their districts, otherwise I should proceed immediately to Mas- 
sowa ; and that I felt assured that neither the Nayib nor the 
Sirdar, however much they might be so inclined, would dare to 
molest me, at a time, when the Grand Seignor and the Sheriffe 
of Mecca were both at peace with the English nation. 
Alii Goveta having listened attentively to this speech, an- 
swered me very deliberately to the following effect : " that a 
considerable time had now elapsed since an Englishman (alluding 
to Mr. Benzoni) had come over to Madir, who had been met by 
another Englishman (Mr. Pearce) from Abyssinia ; that in conse- 
quence of their concurrent representations of the advantages 
likely to accrue to his country, he had consented to open the 
road, and to send a sufficient guard to secure their property up 
to the borders of Abyssinia ; that in return, promises had been 
made him of considerable presents, which he had never received, 
and that Mr. Pearce had since been doing him great mischief 
with the Ras." He added, that soon after this had occurred, 
he had received from the Nayib the extraordinary letter I have 
already given, a copy of which he had forwarded to me, and 
