\ 
«^ ADEN. 
by degrees, threw off their yoke; and in 1708 Aden was found by 
the French in the possession of an Arab prince. The fortifications 
were in ruins, and the baths were the only places which, by their rich 
marbles, bore any marks of ancient magnificence. These have now 
totally disappeared, and not a single piece of cannon defends the 
walls. The Sultaun has a small tract of country belonging to him, 
which he has hitherto defended from the Wahabees. He is much 
attached to the Enghsh, and offered to hold his country under 
them ; at the same time giving a proof of his sincerity, by admitting 
the whole army of Colonel Murray within his walls. 
Banians from Mocha reside here, to carry on the trade with 
Berbera, and purchase the myrrh and gum arable, which is still 
brought hither by the Samaulies, and pays to the Sultaun a duty 
of three per cent. 
An American was in the harbour, on board of which a son of the 
Honourable Mr. Goodhues, a senator of the United States, was super- 
cargo. Mr. Pringle had written to him by me ; I forwarded the 
letter, with an invitation to come on board the Fox. 
July 19. — By day-break Captain Vashon and I went on shore, 
to look out for a place to pitch our tents We found a tolerable one 
on the ruins of the houses near to one of the rocks. The Sultaun s 
house is a very wretched one externally ; all the others seem of 
basket-work and matting. The wind freshened very much as the 
sun rose, and by eleven it blew "so strong that we were obliged to 
let go another anchor. It was fortunately right off the land, but the 
hills formed eddies, and caused the gusts to be very violent. Mr. 
Goodhues came early and staid the whole day. In the evening it 
lulled, and the tents were pitched on shore. 
