On The 10th Of June We Had A Conference With The Governor, And, Among
Other Discourse, He Told Us That
He was governor of Aden when the
Ascension was there, when he imprisoned the captain and Mr Joseph
Salbank for
Two days, suspecting them to be freebooters, and not
merchants, as he alleged. He said also that he was governor here at
Mokha when Sir Henry Middleton was apprehended, but laid the whole blame
of that transaction on the then pacha, whose servant he was, and who had
given orders for that and much more, which he called God to witness was
much contrary to his inclination, and declared that these things were
past, and we had now nothing to fear. By this avowal, we had a clear
evidence how far he and the scrivano were to be trusted. The governor
sent for us again on the 13th, saying that he had acquainted the pacha
with our purpose of sending to him for his phirmaun, and that he had
promised a hearty welcome and full contentment, whether we went
personally or sent a messenger; but the governor advised that one of us
should go up to Sinan, for which purpose he would provide us with
horses, camels, and attendants, and should write in our behalf to the
pacha.
The 19th a junk arrived from Jiddah, with many passengers from Mecca,
bringing camblets, bad coral, amber beads, and much silver, to invest in
spices and India cotton goods. She brought news of a ship, laden last
year from Mokha for Grand Cairo, which had lost her monsoon, and was
forced to wait till next year, at a place only a little way beyond
Jiddah. By this ship, the governor had letters informing him that the
Grand Signior had sent various state ornaments to the pacha of Sinan,
whom he had confirmed in his government for seven years longer, and
appointing himself to continue governor of Mokha for the like time, of
which he seemed not a little proud.
As I was constantly indisposed, it was thought fit that Mr Salbank
should go up to Sinan to wait upon the pacha with a present, and to
carry up some goods also with him for sale at that place. On this
occasion, the scrivano offered him his own mule to ride upon, which he
thankfully accepted. He was furnished with two camels, a cook, a
horsekeeper, and three servants belonging to the governor, all of whose
wages he agreed to pay at certain fixed rates, and was also accompanied
by a linguist named Alberto. Taking leave of the governor, who gave him
letters for the pacha, he departed from Mokha about six in the evening
of the 23d June, the nights being the accustomed time of travelling.
In the morning of the 23d, we had a letter from our captain; then at
Assab, informing of his safe arrival there, and the good health of the
people, and that he had procured ballast and provisions to his
satisfaction.
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