the Persian Gulf in Arabia to and including Zanzibar in Africa, and his resources were more than adequate to the wants of his government. His subjects were very enterprising, and carried on a traffic in their own vessels to the southern extremity of Africa, to India, Ceylon, Java, and Manila. His navy was the most formidable of any of the sovereigns of Asia, consisting of about eighty vessels, carrying from four to seventy-four guns. With these thriving people the American mercantile marine carried on a considerable trade. During the eighteen months preceding Mr. Roberts's visit thirty-two vessels of the United States had visited its chief port, while the entire navigation of Europe was confined to nine vessels for the same period. In order to protect and develop this trade Mr. Roberts was instructed to effect a treaty of amity and commerce.
The sultan received the American envoy with every mark of consideration and friendship. Mr. Roberts observed a noted improvement in the court ceremonies over those of the countries farther to the east under Chinese influence. He says, "Here was to be seen no abasing, crawling, and crouching, and 'knocking head,' like a parcel of slaves; but all was manly, and every one stood on his feet." The sultan was a humane and just ruler, and entertained liberal views as to commerce. No obstacles were interposed to a treaty, which was speedily concluded, granting trade without any vexatious conditions under a tariff of five per cent., with no port charges of any kind. When the usual provision was submitted by the envoy providing for the care of shipwrecked American seamen at the expense of their own
