MOCHA. 
497 
sides of the Gulf. The most elFectual plan, I conceive^ of opposing 
this influence, which appears to me fraught with remote danger, 
even to our Indian possessions, would be best accomplished by 
forming a native power in the Red Sea, sufficiently strong to 
counteract its effects, and likely to prove more friendly inclined 
to the English interests. This could be brought about without 
any great difficulty by means of the Imaum of Sana, who might 
readily be induced to concur in any plan which had for its object 
to repress the ambitious schemes of the rulers at present in pos- 
session of Jidda, since he has lately been threatened with an 
attack from that very quarter against one of the most valuable 
parts of his dominions. 
I may farther observe, that if some such general plan as the one 
I have ventured to suggest were carried into efiect, and any one 
point on the Abyssinian coast taken under the protection of the 
British flag, there is not a doubt that a considerable demand 
would shortly arise for both English and Indian commodities, 
which, though not in the first instance of any great importance,* 
* The duties at Massowa at present average from 20,000 to 30,000 dollars annually ; 
which, at the rate of ten per cent., makes the value of the goods imported about 
250^000 dollars : this would undoubtedly admit of considerable increase. Tin sells at 
Massowa for seven and a half dollars per Mocha frasil : copper for nine and a half ; 
pepper two and a half ; and cotton, which is the principal article in demand, for from two 
and a half to three. Broad eloth will not fetch more than three dollars per yard English 
measure ; but the natives are not particular about quality ; colour being the chief thing they 
regard. Cloth of two colours on the different sides would sell well, either here or in 
Arabia. Brass foil, or silver leaf, fetches two and a half dollars per ounce : wrought 
silk one and a half per wakea ; red kid skins sell at one and a half dollar each ; tobacco 
at from three to four dollars per frasil. Besides these articles, a few low-priced velvets 
and coarse muslins might answer, together with cheap looking-glasses. Any ship 
