Dhow Chasing in Zanzibar Waters - The Search For Mecca

APPENDIX. 331
foreigners, who at present have it all in their
hands, and whose vessels, arriving with the
latest state of the markets, they are thus enabled
to regulate their purchases and sales. Nearly
the whole of the local trade of Zanzibar is in
the hands of British-Indian subjects, viz.
Banyans, Khojahs, and Borahs, some of
whom
are very wealthy. The American, French, and
German merchants conduct nearly all their
business through these natives of India, who
would however much prefer trading with English
merchants, as they know that all disputes arising
would then be settled by the British Consul,
and according to the same law for both parties.
The way in which the want of postal communication
operates to prevent any of the trade
being carried on by merchants at Bombay, may
be illustrated by the following example of what
several times occurred during my residence at
Zanzibar:—A wealthy native firm at Bombay
chartered a large British ship to proceed from
Bombay to Zanzibar to load a cargo for London
;
the letter of advice to their agent at Zanzibar
to purchase a cargo being duly sent by the
mail steamer to Aden. There being no postal
communication between Aden and Zanzibar, the
letter does not reach the latter port for
several
months. In the meantime, the ship arrives at
Zanzibar ; the agent, having no advice, has no
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