MASSOWAH. 
445 
" On going oflp to the ship the former complinaent of eleven guns 
was repeated. After dinner we returned, and took up our abode 
on shore. The Nayib declared to Hamed Chamie that he had sent 
Lord Valentia's letter to the Ras. 
July I. — The Nayib sent us a message in the morning, desiring 
that the boat, which they observed conveying our baggage on 
shore, should land it at the wharf, in order that it might be ex- 
amined at the Custom-house, instead of bringing it round im- 
mediately to our own house. Captain Court remonstrated with 
them on the inconvenience of this plan, as the packages contained 
merely articles that were necessary to us on shore, and which 
would not be carried out of the house; if, therefore, they meant us 
to stay on friendly terms, he should persist in bringing the baggage 
by the most convenient way; but, that if they wished it, it should 
be opened at our own house for the inspection of any person whom 
the Nayib should think proper to depute for that purpose. This 
proposal gave satisfaction, and accordingly two men were sent 
down, but they appeared to be soon tired of their office, and went 
away again in the course of an hour. 
The Nayib's brother and the Vizier came to us before breakfast, 
demanding, and that in no very delicate terms, the extravagant 
sum of one thousand dollars, half for the ship's anchorage, and 
half for permitting us to pass through the country on our intended 
visit to Ras Welleta Selasse; and this, I believe, exclusively of the 
expenses of our three or four days journey through the country. 
We stopped the conversation abruptly, by saying that we never 
discussed matters of business before a multitude of people, (for the 
room was full of strangers) and desired them to choose some more 
