'Travels in Assyria, Media, and Persia, including a journey from Bagdad by Mount Zagros, to Hamadan, the ancient Ecbatana, researches in Ispahan and the ruins of Persepolis, and journey from thence by Shiraz and Shapoor to the sea-shore. Description of Bussorah, Bushire, Bahrein, Ormuz, and Muscat, narrative of an expedition against the pirates of the Persian Gulf, with illustrations of the voyage of Nearchus, and passage by the Arabian Sea to Bombay.' [‎384] (415/582)

384
TRADE OF BUSSORAH.
in Arabian horses; treasure in various coins from Europe; pearls
from Bahrein ; dates from Arabia; copper from Tocat; gall-nuts
from Koordistan; lametto, or gold-fringe, and coral from the Me
diterranean, by the caravans from Aleppo ; gums from Arabia;
rose-water from Bussorah; assafcetida, almonds, dried fruit, and
sometimes horses from Bushire, as the port of Persia; and occa
sionally, some few articles, in addition, from Muscat. Gold and
silver coin forms, however, by far the greatest amount in actual
value, and pays the most profitable freight to ships; the rate being
four per cent, ad valorem to Bengal, three per cent, to Bombay,
two per cent, to Muscat, and one per cent, to Bushire; and in
stances have occurred of the whole amount of treasure sent in
one ship yielding a freight of 5,000/. sterling, and, consequently,
amounting to 150,000/. in capital.
Horses form the most important return next to the precious
metals. These are brought into Bussorah from all the surround
ing country ; but those of Nedjed are generally preferred. There
is a standing order of the Porte prohibiting the exportation of
horses from any part of the Turkish dominions, on the old prin
ciple of confining what a nation is likely to want within itself.
The consequence of such a regulation, while it was adhered to,
was, that no one bred horses but for his own use, or just in pro
portion to the demand of the market, if for the use of others.
For this reason, about twenty years ago, fifty Arab horses could
not have been collected in a year, for any purpose, except a mili
tary one. The exportation of them to India, offering, however, a
considerable profit, the Governor of Bussorah was prevailed on by
bribes to wink at their being sent off in English vessels. The
precedent being once established, there was no difficulty in ob
taining the same privilege every year; for the Turks have such a
regard for old customs, that they will do more in favour of a
former precedent, than by virtue of an order even from the Porte.
The one is held sacred in proportion to its immemorial usage ;
the other is frequently evaded, particularly when it enjoins any