performance of their covenant. It was, most certainly, the first time they had ever been parties to any thing in the shape of written treaty. I was anxious to give them an idea of the justice of our dealings with, and intentions toward them. I also considered, that by endeavouring to raise them in their own estimation, I should not only advance them in the scale of civilisation, but add to the security of the commercial intercourse which might hereafter exist. The sum which they have agreed to pay falls far short of that which Mr. Lingard, the late master of the Mary-Anne, has stated to be his loss. But on an attentive consideration of this statement, it will be seen that much of it depended on his probable profits, if he had been in possession of his vessel; a mode of calculation certainly not admissible under such circumstances. It is well known, that the last season has been unusually bad throughout the whole of Abyssinia, no rain having fallen, and the crops consequently failing: the unfortunate burning of Burburra, by which property probably to the amount of 50,000 dollars was consumed, was another circumstance which rendered the expectation of a larger sum hopeless at the moment. On the other hand, it must be observed, that produce to the amount of fifteen thousand dollars at Burburra, will, on an average, bring at least twice that sum in the Indian or Arabian markets; and I therefore beg to express my hopes, that, on a view of the ease in all its bearings, you will. Sir, consider that the arrangement entered into was the best that circumstances enabled me to make. The inhabitants of that part of the coast had never before seen ships of war; the appearance of the squadron has had the best effect, by shewing them the power of that flag which they had ventured to insult. Intelligence of our force was, I know, sent from one extreme to the other; and their astonishment at the strength and magnitude of our vessels was so great, that I am convinced they will hereafter be glad to cultivate our friendship, and that a British vessel may trade without the smallest risk of molestation.
“I am happy in thinking our visit has opened a new and wide field for mercantile adventure, and the employment of British capital. The port of Burburra is a very fine one, and the articles of export from it are valuable – they consist of gums, myrrh, copal, the best kinds of hides, ostrich feathers, ghee, in immense quantities, ivory, and occasionally a small quantity of gold-dust: – their coffee is in extreme abundance, and is said to be equal to that of Yemen. These articles are brought down by caravans from the interior to Burburra, in the N.E. monsoon, from October to April, during which period the weather is very fine. In exchange for these valuable articles of trade, they take iron and linens, British or Indian; but it is very probable that broad cloth, and many other articles of English manufacture, would here find a ready sale, Sheep and oxen are abundant and good; the former, indeed, excellent.
“Burburra, unfortunately, does not, however, afford water but, eighteen miles to the eastward of it, at a place called Kearra, are good
