568 
OBSERVATIONS ON MR. SALTS 
posed of her cargo in the above manner, but the captain was ob- 
liged to pay five hundred dollars for anchorage ; and Hadje Hassan 
is of opinion, that the Nay ib, in defiance of his engagements, would 
insist on receiving the same from any British merchant vessel 
which should trade in his country. Till a regular arrangement 
shall have been made with Abyssinia, it is an object hardly worth 
a dispute, and had therefore better be paid. 
The only articles of val ue which Abyssinia produces, are gold and 
ivory : but of these the quantity is sufficient to pay for the manu- 
factures at present imported ; and the former would increase, as the 
trade should extend to the eastward into those countries, where it 
is produced in the greatest abundance. A considerable caravan 
arrives at Massowah in February, which brings down slaves, mules, 
cattle, honey, zibet, ivory, rhinoceros horns, and a few trifling ar- 
ticles. The balance of trade is in favour of Abyssinia, so that several 
thousand dollars find their way there, but are hardly considered as 
a current coin. Two hundred wakeas of gold were brought down by 
the last caravan ; and Currum Chund informed me, that, at a 
month's notice, he could procure two thousand, to pay for goods 
that were desirable. The wakea, or ounce of gold, costs at Massowah 
eleven dollars and three quarters, which, at two shillings and six- 
pence the dollar, is two pounds twelve shillings and tenpence half- 
penny. One pound of this gold contains as follows : 
oz. dwt. gr. 
Pure gold g 6 6 
Fine silver q id o 
Copper o 3 i8 
13 O O 
