416 
MOCHA. 
On the SOth, another American, Captain Lee, arrived. He sailed 
before Captain Elkins, and therefore brought no news, but was so 
kind as to share with us his Madeira. He thought there were four- 
teen more ships coming here * 
The Emir Bahar, who had offended every one as well as me, had 
been turned out of office. The soldiers were again gone to Moosa 
to bring in a cargo of provisions. 
The Dola had notified to Captain Lee that the Imaum had ap- 
pointed a brother of Seid Mahommed Akil, agent to the Americans, 
and a Banian, to transact their business, having prohibited the others 
from selling to them under a penalty of five thousand dollars. 
This was partly done to annoy Mr. Pringle, but still more to bene- 
fit himself, by the large presents he exacts from the Seids. Captain 
Elkins had brought this on the Americans, by his requesting that 
some one, besides Devage, might be permitted to buy for them. He 
thought they should, by having an option of brokers, get it cheaper 
than from Mr. Pringle, who let them have it at thirty-five dollars, in- 
stead of which it was now up at fifty-two ; and they were more likely 
to suffer from a monopoly than ever. The price was not likely to fall, 
and the trade was exposed to ruin. The Dola sent to tell me what had 
been done : I answered , that I was very happy to hear it, as I disliked 
the Imaum, for his conduct to the English, and, that this act would 
punish him, by ruining his trade. He replied, that he hoped I was 
mistaken ; but if not, it was no fault of his, as he had positive orders 
from Sana on the subject. I desired Captain Benzoni to ask him, 
in confidence, respecting Mr. Pringle's pumps. He declared, he 
thought them very dangerous things ; that all the brass on the in- 
side could be meant for no good. Captain Benzoni explained to 
