"دليل الخليج. مجلد I. القسم التاريخي. الأجزاء Iأ و Iب. ج.ج. لوريمر ١٩١٥" [‎٤‎٣] (١٧٨٢/١٨٦)

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zines were plundered and local rebellions occurred^ resulting^ in 1631, in
the dissemination of Persian silk far and wide over Turkey and Russia;
the new Shah, moreover, was addicted rather to dissipation than to business,
and he did not at first maintain stocks of silk for disposal as had been the
custom of his grandfather. Much difficulty, too, occurred in transporting
the silk, which was collected at Isfahan, to the port of shipment at
Bandar ^Abbas; and in 1681-32 no less than six English Factors
succumbed to the hardships of the road, while accompanying caravans
between those two places. After this a short-lived attempt was made to
have the silk brought to Bandar ""Abbas by Persian agency; but the
frauds committed by the native transporters were enormous, and it was
found necessary to re-weigh and examine every bale at Bandar 'Abbas.
In 1633 a profitable trade was done. The conclusion was now 1633.
reached that, inasmuch as private merchants in Persia had no credit and
were unreliable, the only practicable method of carrying on the silk
traffic was by means of a general contract with the Shah,—an arrange
ment however not free from drawbacks, for there was a constant danger
of the Dutch outbidding the English for the contract. In the same year
also some frauds, in regard both to the quality and quantity of the silk
supplied, were discovered ; but redress was obtained by a representation
to the Shah, to whom the faulty silk was shown.
In 1634 it was reported that the last contract, which was for nearly 1634.
£100,000 worth of silk, had been satisfactorily fulfilled by the Shah's
agent; but the Dutch were busily engaged in bribing the Persian
officials, and it was feared that in future the Shah would demur to receiv
ing any portion of the price of his silks in kind and would insist on full
payment in cash.
In 1635 the Company in London instructed their servants in India 1635.
to procure pepper and fine spices, for the purpose at once of facilitating
the trade in Persia and improving that in India. About the same time
the commercial position was reconsidered by the Company's representa
tives in Persia, who were inclined to recommend that the royal contract
system for silk should be discontinued and the article bought instead in
the open market j but, before orders on their proposals could be given, a
fresh contract was arranged by Gibson, the Agent at Isfahan, on the
16th July 1636 : under this agreement the Shah undertook to deliver
1,000 loads of silk to the English within three years at the rate of 43
TOmans or about £130 per load, and to accept -payment for one-third of
the whole amount in ready money and for the remainder in broadcloth,
kerseys and tin.