Transport of ( [202]Alk Sudan) gum of Sudan, bought at Timbuctoo, on account of Messrs. James Jackson and Co. by their agent, L'Hage Muhamed O----n, and dispatched to Akka by the spring (akkaba) accumulated caravan, in February, 1794.
M. Doll
Footnote 202:[ (return) ] This gum is the produce of an enormous tree of Sudan, which flourishes near Timbuctoo, Housa, Wangara, and Bernoh (or Bernou) it is transported by the caravans to Alexandria in Egypt, to Tripoli, Tunis, and Algiers. From the African ports in the Mediterranean it is shipped to Smyrna and Constantinople, and from thence to England, under the denomination of Turkey gum; some goes to Mogodor and Tetuan, and thence to London.
200 camel loads of gum-sudan, each weighing
250 lb. net, bought at Timbuctoo, at four Mexico
dollars per load, 800
Charges.--Cow-skins to pack it in, sticks
to stow it on the camels, &c. 25
200 camels hired to Akka, at 18 Mexico
dollars each, 3600
Stata, i.e. convoy through the Sahara,
from Timbuctoo to Arawan, at 20
cents per camel, 40
Do. from Arawan to East Tagrassa, at
20 cents per camel, 40
Do. from East Tagrassa to Akka, at
40 cents per camel, 40
20 per cent., or one-fifth, on the first
cost, to be allowed to the purchaser
on safe arrival at Akka, 160
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4705
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The adventure is subject to this charge, provided it arrive safe at Akka, not otherwise, as also to encourage the agent at Timbuctoo, to exert himself in procuring trusty guides and competent statas, which he would not do, without having a certain interest in the safe delivery.
N.B. No stata is necessary from Akka to Santa Cruz, but the hire is 3 dollars per camel.
Translation of a Letter from Timbuctoo, which
accompanied the foregoing Consignment.
Praise be to God alone; for there is nothing durable but the kingdom of heaven.
To the Christian merchant, Jackson, at Agadeer. Peace be to those who follow the right way.