IOR/G/17/1 Part 3 ff.477-486

A copy of a general letter to Robert Cowan, Chief at the Mocha Factory, from Bombay Castle, dated 1 January 1725/6 [Old Style date 1725, New Style date 1726].

The letter mostly concerns matters relating to the following: shipping, including ships which had arrived at Bombay from Mocha, and ships which had departed Bombay for Mocha; the sale of goods from Europe and India at Mocha; investment in coffee and other goods for export by the Mocha Factory; the trade of the East India Company in general at Mocha, and relations with the Government of Mocha; the buildings of the Mocha Factory, and the dissatisfaction of the authors and the Court of Directors with the increase in general expenditure of the Mocha Factory; factors, writers, officers and soldiers of the Mocha Factory, and their accounts; and the general accounts of the Mocha Factory, sent to Bombay.

The letter gives support for 'breaking the knot of Arab Merchants of whom Turbaty is principal' and warns that agreements with the present Imaum [Imam], referred to as 'an Usurper', may not have lasting authority.

Received via the ship Princess Amelia, 24 June 1727.