Chapter XI

General Commerce of Marocco. — Annual Exports and Imports of the Port of Mogodor. — Importance and Advantages of a Trade with the Empire of Marocco. — Cause of its Decline. — Present State of our Relations with the Barbary Powers.

The city of Marocco, besides its trade with the various districts of the interior, receives the most considerable supplies of European merchandize from the port of Mogodor, which is distant from it four days journey, caravan travelling;[181] some of the more valuable articles, however, are transported from Fas to the Marocco market, such as muslins, cambricks, spices, teas, pearls, coral, &c. and the elegant Fas manufactures of silk and gold. There is a considerable market held at Marocco every Thursday, called by the Arabs Soke-el-kumise,[182] which all articles of foreign as well as home manufacture are bought and sold, also horses,[183] horned cattle, slaves, &c. Samples of all kinds of merchandize are carried up and down the market and streets of the city by the Delels, or itinerant auctioneers, who proclaim the price offered, and when no one offers more, the best bidder is apprised of his purchase, the money is paid, and the transaction terminated.

The shops of Marocco are filled with merchandize of various kinds, many of which are supplied by the merchants of Mogodor, who receive, in return for European goods, the various articles of the produce of Barbary for the European markets. The credit which was given by the principal commercial houses of Mogodor to the natives has of late considerably decreased owing to the change of system in the government; for, in the reign of the present Emperor’s father, the European merchants were much respected, and their books considered as correct, so that a book debt was seldom disputed, and every encouragement was given to commerce by that Emperor; but Muley Soliman’s political principles differ so widely from those of his father, that the most trifling transaction should now be confirmed by law, to enable the European to be on equal terms with the Moor, and to entitle him to recover any property, or credit given; these measures have thrown various impediments in the way of commerce, insomuch that credit is either almost annihilated, or transformed into barter, which has necessarily thrown the trade into fewer hands, and consequently curtailed it in a great degree. For the purpose of showing at once the traffic carried on in the port of Mogodor, I shall here give an accurate account of its exports and imports during the years 1804, 1805, and the first six months of 1806, which are carefully extracted from the imperial custom-house books.

IMPORTS INTO MOGODOR IN 1804.

From London, 661 pieces, of from 40 to 50 yards each piece.

210 pieces, scarlet or media grana, from 40 to 50 yards each piece.

150 pieces, plunkets, about 40 yards each piece.

Superfine Cloths. — From London 50 pieces.

Leghorn 12

Other parts —

62 pieces.

Long Ells. — From London 640 pieces, coloured.

30 scarlet

60 embossed.

Leghorn 300 coloured.

Druggets. — From London 40 pieces,

Red Cloth. — From Amsterdam 17 pieces.

LINENS.

Creas. — From London 902 pieces.

Amsterdam 765

Leghorn 60

1115 pieces.

Plattilias. — From London 1047 pieces.

Amsterdam 4708

Leghorn 650

6405 pieces.

Brettagnias. — From London 500 pair.

Amsterdam 400

900 pair.

Cambricks. — From London 20 pair.

Muslins. — From London 21

Amsterdam 20

41 pieces.

Indian Blue Linens. — From London 749 pieces.

Amsterdam 30

779 pieces.

Striped India Silk. — From London 40 pieces.

Silk Velvets. — From London 131 cubits.[184]

Leghorn 250

381 cubits.

Damask. — From Leghorn 456 cubits.

Amsterdam 150

606 cubits.

Raw Silk. — From London 1150 lb.

Leghorn 1200

Lisbon 560

2910 lb.

Allum. — From London 95524 lb.

Copperas. — From London 91061 lb.

Sugar in loaves. — From London 36966

Amsterdam 9653

Lisbon 9600

56219 lb.

Raw Sugar. — From London 7100

Lisbon 2100

9200 lb.

Iron. — From London 8871 bars.

Amsterdam 1415

Leghorn 375

10661 bars, 522700 lb.

Gum Benzoin. — From London 14239 lb.

Gum Lac. 51800 lb.

Hardware. — From London 19 cases.

Amsterdam 4 barrels

Gum Tragacant. — From London 1058

Amsterdam 370

1428 lb.

Pepper. — From London 9231 lb.

Cloves. — From London 6444

Amsterdam 1056

7504 lb.

Nutmegs. — From London 712 lb.

Rhubarb. — From London 246 lb.

Green Tea. — From London 1310

Amsterdam 200

1510 lb.

Wrought Pewter. — From London 5

Amsterdam 7

12 casks

Tin Plates. — From London 60 cases, 13875 pieces.

White Lead. — From London 2530 lb.

Copper in sheets. — From Amsterdam 1035 lb.

Thread. — From Leghorn 800

Amsterdam 200

1000 lb.

Mirrors, called in Holland Velt Spiegels.

From Amsterdam 7250 dozen.

Leghorn 350

Mirrors of various sizes. — From Amsterdam 1750 pieces.

Earthen Ware. — From Amsterdam 70 cases.

London 16 crates.

Wool Cards. — From Amsterdam 210 dozen.

Dutch Knives. — From Amsterdam 13738 dozen.

Brass Pans. — From Amsterdam 550 lb.

Osnaburg Linen. — From Amsterdam 180 pieces.

Irish Linen. — From London 170 pieces.

Leghorn 150

320 pieces.

Lanthorns. — From London 100 dozen.

Glass. — From London 5 cases.

Red Lead. — From London 1853 lb.

Calamine. — From London 2100 lb.

Argol. — From London 3 cases.

Paper. — From Leghorn 27 bales.

Cotton. — From Leghorn 2400 lb.

Tin in bars. — From London 6000 lb.

Espique Romano. — From Leghorn 3850

Amsterdam 3000

6850 lb.

Coral Beads. — From Leghorn 50 lb.

Amber Beads. — From Leghorn 150

Amsterdam 100

250 lb.

Sal Ammoniac. — From London 1200 lb.

Chaplets. — From Leghorn 7 barrels.

Gold Lace. — From Amsterdam 10 lb.

Looking Glasses, called bulls’ eyes. — From Leghorn 4 barrels.

Silk Handkerchiefs. — From London 100

Amsterdam 10

Leghorn 100

210 dozen.

Glasses. — From Amsterdam 20

Leghorn 1

21 cases.

Corrosive Sublimate. — From Amsterdam 50

Leghorn 50

100 lb.

Venetian Steel. — From Leghorn 2500 lb.

Hebrew Books. — Leghorn 10 cases.

Romals. — From London 286 pieces.

Baftas. — From London 821 pieces.

Lisbon 350

Rouans. — From Amsterdam 505 pieces.

China. — From London 330 dozen cups and saucers.

Amsterdam 30 dozen ditto.

Cochineal. — From London 375

Cadiz 700

Lisbon 230

1305 lb.

Wire. — From Amsterdam 5000 mass.

Copper Tea Kettles. — From Amsterdam 119

Brazil Wood. — From Lisbon 600 lb.

Iron Nails. — From London 11573

Amsterdam 1000

Leghorn 1000

13573 lb.

Deals. — From Amsterdam 1886 pieces.

Empty Cases. — From Amsterdam 900 cases.

Sealing Wax. — From Amsterdam 20 lb.

Coffee Mills. — From Amsterdam 20

Buenos Ayres Hides. — From London 350

Cadiz 300

650 hides.

Mexico Dollars. — From London 18000

Cadiz 47000

Lisbon 16000

Teneriffe 10000

Amsterdam 8000

99000

Total value of Imports in 1804, £151450.

EXPORTS FROM MOGODOR IN 1804.

Sweet Almonds. — To London 6853

Amsterdam 231638

Leghorn 4505

Lisbon 15524

Cadiz 61041

Teneriffe 2356

321917 lb.

Bitter Almonds. — To London 233019 lb.

Amsterdam 126607

Leghorn 2980

362606 lb.

Gum Barbary. — To London 99417

Amsterdam 213540

Leghorn 10254

Lisbon 2583

Marseilles 9642

335436 lb.

Gum Soudan or Senegal, from Timbuctoo, by the caravans.

To London 36416 lb.

Amsterdam 59021 lb.

Marseilles 519

95956 lb

Gum Sandrac. — To London 16995

Amsterdam 9056

Leghorn 3314

Lisbon 2869

32234 lb.

Bees Wax. — To London 1957

Leghorn 52616

Lisbon 11595

Marseilles 30022

Cadiz 93791

Teneriffe 4878

194859 lb.

Goat Skins. — To London 12726 dozen.

Oil of Olives. — To London 5850 lb.

Amsterdam 30757

Lisbon 14729

Teneriffe 5900

57236 lb.

Cow and Calf Skins. — To London 64376

Leghorn 41611

Marseilles 14496

120483 lb.

Sheeps Wool. — To Amsterdam 62972

Marseilles 29624

Teneriffe 5300

97896 lb.

Ostrich Feathers. — To London 555 lb.

Elephants Teeth. — To Amsterdam 800 lb.

Pomegranate Peels. — To London 2184

Amsterdam 44097

46281 lb.

Dates, of the quality called Adamoh, from Tafilelt.

To London 1129

Lisbon 1305

243 lb.

Raisins. — To London 200 lb.

Worm Seed. — To London 465

Lisbon 2468

2933 lb.

Rose leaves. — To Amsterdam 138 lb.

Wild Thyme (Zater). — To Amsterdam 2860

Lisbon 1714

4574 lb.

Glue. — To Amsterdam 84 lb.

Anice-seeds. — To London 200

Amsterdam 4650

Lisbon 829

5679 lb.

Fennel. — To Amsterdam 856 lb.

Gingelin Seed. — To London 460

Amsterdam 2044

2504 lb.

Walnuts. — To Lisbon 240 lb.

Straw. — To Lisbon 24 bales.

Tallow. — To Teneriffe 1465 lb.

Tallow Candles. — To Teneriffe 350 lb.

String. — To Teneriffe 2852 lb.

Total value of Exports from Mogodor in 1804, in Europe, after paying freight, European duties, &c. £127679. sterling.

IMPORTS INTO MOGODOR IN 1805.

WOOLLEN CLOTHS.

Yorkshire Cloths.

From London, Scarlet 300 demi-pieces from 20 to 25 yards each.

Alto of various colours 970 demi-pieces from ditto to ditto.

Tier blue, or plunkets 80 ditto.

Superfine cloths 62 ditto.

Long Ells 900 ditto.

Embossed Purpetts 85 ditto.

German Cloths. — From Leghorn and Amsterdam 22 pieces.

Nankeens. — From Lisbon 1000 pieces.

LINENS.

Plattilias. — From London 1300

Amsterdam 6050

Leghorn 1395

8745 pieces.

Creas. — From London 600

Amsterdam 788

Leghorn 550

1938 pieces.

Rouans. — From Amsterdam 618

Brettagnias. — From London 625

Amsterdam 1000

1625 pieces.

Baftas. — From London 1600 pieces.

Romals. — From London 1010

Leghorn 300

1310 pieces.

Muslins. — From London 70 pieces.

Blue Linens. — From Amsterdam 117 pieces.

Gum Benjamin or Benzoin. — From London 19237 lb.

Stick-lack. — From London 18546

Amsterdam 7959

26505 lb.

Musk. — From London 20 lb.

Raw Sugar. — From London 6568

Teneriffe 10400

16968 lb.

Sugar in loaves. — From London 7892

Amsterdam 3913

Lisbon 3759

15564 lb.

Green Tea. — From London 1420

Amsterdam 350

1770 lb.

Cloves. — From London 10941

Amsterdam 2159

Leghorn 476

13576 lb.

Sal Ammoniac. — From London 8941 lb.

Cochineal. — From London 558 lb.

Tin in plates. — From London 295 cases.

Tin in bars. — From London 5114 lb.

Wrought Pewter. — From London 7 barrels.

Amsterdam 5 ditto.

Iron. — From London 10753 bars,

Amsterdam 2074

641756 lb.

Copperas. — From London 147882 lb.

Allum. — From London 93600 lb.

Raw Silk. — From London 1300

Amsterdam 255

Leghorn 2478

4033 lb.

German Looking-glasses or Mirrors.

From Amsterdam 18696

Leghorn 600

19296 dozen.

Dutch Knives. — From Amsterdam 12874 dozen.

Gum Tragacant or Dragon.

From Amsterdam 150

Leghorn 675

825 lb.

Wire. — From Amsterdam 3900 mass.

Cowries. — From Amsterdam 32000 lb.

Needles. — From Leghorn 200 million.

Red and While Lead. — From London 3320 lb.

Brass Pans. — From Amsterdam 1000 lb.

Thread. — From Leghorn 1050

Amsterdam 430

1480 lb.

Arsenic. — From London 1872 lb.

Silk Handkerchiefs. — From London 93

Leghorn 100

Amsterdam 10

203 dozen.

Files. — From London 200

Amsterdam 135

335 dozen.

Lavender. — From Leghorn 14800 lb.

Razors. — From Leghorn 500 dozen.

Box Combs. — From Leghorn 3600 dozen.

Amber Beads. — From Leghorn 300 lb.

Coral. — From Leghorn 50 lb.

Nails. — From Amsterdam 1181 lb.

Wool Combs. — From Amsterdam 2268 pair.

Padlocks. — From Amsterdam 515 dozen.

British China. — From London 40 dozen.

Osnaburgh Linens. — From Amsterdam 50 pieces.

Swedish Steel. — From Amsterdam 7000 lb.

Espiquo Romano. — From Amsterdam 13088

Leghorn 5213

18301 lb.

Hebrew Bibles. — From Amsterdam 4 cases.

Dutch Boxes.

Green Gin Boxes containing 12 square bottles each.

Case 392 cases full.

300 do. empty.

Potatoes. — From London 9000 lb.

Bellows. — From London 60 dozen.

Copper Kettles. — From London 242 dozen.

Amsterdam 13

255 dozen.

Cotton. — From Teneriffe 5400 lb.

Vermillion. — From Amsterdam 150 lb.

Turners Boxes. — From Amsterdam 1000 nests.

Venetian Steel. — From Leghorn 11400 lb.

Planks. — From London 886

Amsterdam 1250

2136 pieces.

Coffee. — From Teneriffe 3600 lb.

Sarsaparilla. — From Amsterdam 150 lb.

Scales for Gold. — 48 pair.

Candlesticks. — 64 pieces

Painted Boxes. — From Amsterdam 240 pieces.

Earthen Ware or British China. — From London 10 crates.

Sealing Wax. — From Amsterdam 100 lb.

Medicinal Drugs. — From Amsterdam 1 case.

Chaplets. — From Leghorn 3 casks.

Amsterdam 1 cask.

4 casks.

Toys. — From Amsterdam 300 dozen.

Capillaire. — From Leghorn 2200 boxes, or 2200 bottles.

Confectionary. — From Leghorn 300 boxes.

Ivory Combs. — From Leghorn 25 dozen.

Quicksilver. — From Amsterdam 50 lb.

Mercery. — From Amsterdam 1 case.

Glasses. — From Amsterdam 2 cases.

Gold Thread. — From Leghorn 25 lb.

Manufactured Silks. — From London 50 pieces

Amsterdam 239 cubits

1239 cubits.[185]

Hardware. — From London 3 barrels.

Wrought Copper. — From Amsterdam 1 case.

Clocks. — From Amsterdam 20.

Mexico Dollars. — From London 24,000

Amsterdam 3,200

Lisbon 29,500

Cadiz 4,000

Gibraltar 12,000

Leghorn 12,000

Teneriffe 4,000

88,700

As the prices of these merchandise vary considerably, the calculation of their value in West Barbary is omitted.

EXPORTS FROM MOGODOR IN 1805.

Sweet Almonds. — To London 24020 lb.

Amsterdam 474994

Barcelona 6148

Teneriffe 300

505462 lb.

Bitter Almonds — To London 128442

Amsterdam 357198

Barcelona 2620

488260 lb.

Gum Barbary. — To London 277534

Amsterdam 211598

Lisbon 2409

Barcelona 809

492350 lb.

Gum Senegal. — To London 8047

Amsterdam 23509

23509

Gum Sandarac. — To London 11367

Amsterdam 27776

Other ports 1040

40183

Gum Euphorbium. — To Amsterdam 782 lb.

Elephants Teeth. — To London 1373 lb.

Amsterdam 336 lb.

1709 lb.

Sheeps Wool. — To Amsterdam 29731 lb.

Cow and Calf Skins. — To London 250783

Lisbon 9178

259961 lb.

Goat Skins. — To London 9957 dozen.

Lisbon 80

10,037 dozen.

Pomgranale Peals. — To Amsterdam 650,40 lb.

Citrons. — To Amsterdam 1540 pieces.

Olive Oil. — To Teneriffe 35727

Lisbon 10217

45944 lb.

Worm Seed. — To Amsterdam 12483 lb.

Fennel. — To Teneriffe 1360 lb.

Tallow. — To Teneriffe 1600 lb.

Tallow Candles. — 178 lb.

Packing Thread. — To Teneriffe 3895 lb.

Marocco Goat Leather. — To Teneriffe 600 skins.

Marocco Calf Leather. — 300 pieces.

IMPORTS TO MOGODOR

During the first seven Months of 1806.

Cloths. — 79 pieces Superfine Cloth

360 pieces Media Grana

230 pieces Alto

Long Ells. — 120 pieces coloured

180 pieces embossed

Linens, viz. Osnaburgs, 50 pieces

Baftas (India Cottons) 1303 pieces

Irish Linen — 33 pieces

India Blue Linens — 784 pieces

Muslins — 300 pieces

Plattilias — 3224 pieces

Creas — 1020 pieces.

Rouans — 200 pieces

Striped Silks — 80 pieces

Brettagnias — 632 pair

Silk Handkerchiefs — 406 dozen

Romals — 200 pieces

Raw Silk — 68 lb.

Cloves — 875 lb.

Gum Benjamin — 5113 lb.

Ginger — 675 lb.

Stick-lack — 18600 lb.

Arsenic — 4876 lb.

Sal Ammoniac — 8029 lb.

Spianter — 1673.

Mercury — 150 lb.

Vitriol — 375 lb.

Red Lead — 1852 lb.

Tin plates — 70 boxes.

Hardware—viz. Tea-trays, Tea-pots, Candlesticks, Knives, &c. —28 cases.

Allum — 578,27 lb.

Copperas — 655 lb.

Pepper — 3123 lb.

Sarsaparilla — 400 lb.

Wine — 12 pipes

Iron — 2864 bars.

Raw Sugar — 5000 lb.

Loaf Sugar — 213,48 lb.

Green Tea — 1074 lb.

Paper 30 bales

Venetian Steel — 19000 lb.

Cochineal — 571 lb.

Liqueurs — 2 cases

Coral — 1 case

Capillaire — 400 bottles

Razors — 1000 dozen

Files — 100 dozen

Wire — 2000 mass.

Wool Cards — 128 dozen pair

Gum Tragacanth — 801 lb.

Dutch Looking Glasses, called Velt Spiegles — 4950 dozen

Crown Mirrors — 450 pieces

Brass Pans — 850 lb.

Needles for Tapestry — 9000

Coffee — 1823 lb.

Dutch Knives — 875 dozen

Spico Romano — 1236 lb.

Turners’ Boxes — 4000 nests

Coffee Mills — 100

Empty Bottles for Tea — 200

Mexico Dollars — 78,000

EXPORTS OF BARBARY PRODUCE

From the Port of Mogodor from January 1, to July 31, 1806.

Sweet Almonds — 5062,58 lb.

Bitter Almonds — 2138,11 lb.

Bees Wax — 2345,55 lb.

Gum Barbary, Tolh, or Arabic — 1839,12 lb.

Gum Sandrac — 270,000 lb.

Gum Soudan (Senegal) — 6330 lb.

Calf Skins — 2130,30 lb.

Raisins — 842 lb.

Anice-seeds — 3687 lb.

Carraway Seeds — 219 lb.

Dates (Adamoh) — 1237

Pomgranate Peals — 5155 lb.

Worm Seed — 563 lb.

Elephants Teeth — 5536 lb.

Goat Skins — 6480 dozen

Ostrich Feathers — 556 lb.

Cummin Seeds — 2013 lb.

Lead Ore — 320 lb.

Citrons — 340 lb.

Capers — 100 lb.

Caraway Seeds — 219 lb.

Oil of Olives — 5604 lb.

Tanned Leather — 2660 lb.

Packing Thread — 3900 lb.

Tallow — 625 lb.

By a careful perusal of the foregoing account of the exports from, and imports into, the port of Mogodor, the commercial reader will be enabled to form an accurate idea of the trade of that place: there are several things exported in such small quantities, that they cannot be reckoned as articles of trade, but rather as samples; but being in the custom-house books, they are given here to make the account complete; they shew the produce of the country, and might, if the trade were duly encouraged and protected, form articles of considerable importance in a commercial view; but, with consuls, who are equally unacquainted with the language of the country, and the manners, politics, and complexion of the court, we must not expect that the British merchant will be sufficiently encouraged to make considerable adventures to West Barbary; and hence one reason why the trade has of late years been in a great degree abandoned by us, and has fallen into the hands of a few Jews, subjects of the Emperor.

The French, aware of the importance of a trade which carries off manufactured goods of all kinds, and furnishes in return raw materials, were induced to attempt an establishment of considerable capital; but the British cruizers in the Mediterranean rendering it almost impossible for their ships to sail to or from Marseilles, have lately obliged them to relinquish their enterprize for the present, though, there can be no doubt, that in the event of a permanent peace, it will be resumed with additional vigour. The same causes have also compelled the other merchants, natives of countries now under the dominion of France, to remain almost entirely inactive, waiting impatiently for some change that may enable them to resume, with some security, their commercial negociations; so that, with the exception of two or three houses, there is, at present, no European establishment of any consequence at Mogodor.

The commerce of Mogodor with America during the years 1804 and 1805, was impeded by a dispute between that country and the Emperor, which however has been amicably adjusted, and the trade is now resumed. Vessels going from Salem, Boston, and other parts of America with East and West India produce to Mogodor, receive, in return, the various articles of Barbary produce; and by this means, the agents of the American merchants established at Mogodor are enabled to undersell us in all East and West India articles.

A close connexion with the empire of Marocco is of the greatest importance to Great Britain both in a political and commercial point of view; for besides the various articles of trade already enumerated, it affords ample supplies of provisions; and if a friendly intercourse between the two nations were firmly established, we should never have any difficulty in victualling not only Gibraltar, but also all our different fleets which cruize in the Mediterranean, and on the northern coast of Africa, a resource, which, in the present state of things, certainly merits the serious attention of this country. The advantages of a trade with this empire must be evident from what has been detailed in the preceding pages, where it will be seen that nearly the whole of the exports to Marocco consists of manufactured goods, and that the returns for these are entirely raw materials, many of which are essentially necessary in our manufactures. That the present trade is so inconsiderable, arises entirely from the little encouragement and support it meets with; for British subjects, finding they had to depend on their own exertions alone, for the protection and safety of the property embarked in this traffic, have, for the most part, abandoned it, and now it is falling into the hands of subjects of Marocco, established in England. This is the more to be regretted, as we have it in our power, by proper representations and a judicious negociation, to supply, through this channel, a great part of the interior of Africa with our superfluous manufactures, while we might receive in return many very valuable and useful articles, such as oil of olives, hides, skins, almonds, gums, wax, silver, and gold, in addition to which may be mentioned oranges and lemons, of which a greater quantity might be procured from two ports[186] in the empire, than is afforded by both Spain and Portugal. The oranges of Tetuan are the finest in the world, and are sold for eight drahims, or about 3s. 6d. per thousand. Those of Marocco, of Terodant, of Fas, of Mequinas, of Rabat, and the adjacent country, are also very good, abundant, and equally cheap; they might be imported from Rabat to England with considerable advantage: but I believe the exportation has lately been prohibited, this fruit being included in the general prohibition to the exportation to Europe of all articles of provision. The season for gathering them for exportation is from November till January.

It may, perhaps, be objected by some, who have experienced difficulties in treating with the Emperor, that he would not, probably, allow fruit to be exported: to this I answer, that it is possible, by proper means, to obtain almost any favour from a Sovereign who is uncontrollable; it is not gold which rules his conduct, though some ingenious persons have imagined that to be the only means of procuring any thing from him: had this been the case, he would not have granted me the privilege of exporting mules to the West Indies at half the duty that another house offered him. In short, nothing is wanting to secure a most extensive and lucrative trade with Marocco, but an established friendship between the two nations, strengthened by a mutual return of good offices and attentions. Indeed the present Emperor, Muley Soliman, may be said to have made overtures of this nature; but from our impolicy, and inattention, added to the ignorance of the proper mode of treating with him, these overtures were neglected.

When we recollect, however, that the envoys to Marocco for the last century, have been men almost wholly unacquainted with the manners, customs, and religious prejudices of the people, and ignorant of their language, we shall cease to be surprised that our connection with that empire has been so limited, and impeded by mutual misunderstanding of each others sentiments, originating, but too often, in deficiency and inaccuracy of interpreters. What expectations can be indulged of terminating successfully negociations with a prince, in conversing with whom some ignorant illiterate interpreter, generally a Jew, and a devoted subject of the Emperor, must be made the confidential servant of the party treating? besides, every one acquainted with the nature of the government, and political principles of the Court of Marocco, is well aware, that, even supposing it possible to procure a Jew, capable of interpreting accurately the English into Arabic, and vice versa, yet there are many expressions necessary for an Envoy to use to the Emperor, which no Jew in the country would dare to utter in the imperial presence on pain of losing his head: the general garrulity of these people, moreover, is such, that they are perhaps unworthy of being entrusted with any secret wherein the interest of a nation is concerned. Of this the Emperor himself is convinced, as was also his father, who frequently, during his reign, expressed his regret to Mr. A. Layton, that no English consul could be found, capable of holding direct intercourse with him. The weakness and instability of our treaties are generally in proportion to the weakness and inaccuracy of the interpreter, their force and meaning being often frittered away by the misplacing of a word through his indecision or fear; and possessing, probably, but a slight knowledge of the style of writing, he is obliged to have the treaty read by a Moor, and explained according to his own manner, in the vulgar Arabic, or Moorish language, which alone is sufficient, without any additional cause, to do away the force and intent of any document, possessing that energy of expression for which the Arabic language is so remarkable. Suppose we were negociating a peace with France, what would be the probable result if there were no person attached to our embassy but a French subject, who understood the French and English languages sufficiently to convey the aggregate only, but not the precise sense of the stipulations? we should certainly have but little expectation of success under such circumstances, and should probably be worse off than if no treaty had been concluded, so easy would it be to give a turn to any clause, the force and point of which was not distinctly ascertained. This has been literally our case with Marocco: treaties have been made without being understood, or even translated, till many months after the conclusion of them; how then can we expect to acquire influence or consideration at a court, where a man who does not speak the Arabic is considered as an illiterate barbarian (ajemmie m’dollem), and is treated accordingly? The Emperor has frequently expressed a wish to communicate with our Sovereign, but the publicity to which his sentiments must be exposed in the present routine of British diplomacy, deters him from it, and restricts or diminishes the intercourse between the two countries.[187]

By way of shewing the extreme disadvantages under which our negotiations are carried on with the Barbary powers, I will relate a circumstance which happened during the last embassy to Marocco; I do not mean to say any thing prejudicial to Mr. Matra, who conducted that embassy; he was a man of capacity, and understood the nature of the court, as well as a long residence in the country, without a knowledge of the language, could enable him: he was attended by a Jewish interpreter, a subject of Marocco, who was required by the Emperor to wear the dress of his tribe,[188] but being in the suite of the Ambassador, and his interpreter, Mr. Matra repeated his injunction to the Emperor, alleging, that as he was in his immediate service, he was, and ought to be considered as, a British subject, and therefore entitled to wear the dress which the Jews of Great Britain wore: this argument was admitted by the Emperor, and the Jew was accordingly permitted to appear before him in the English dress. This was certainly a point gained by the Ambassador, and might have been the prelude to more considerable concessions, had it been judiciously followed up; indeed, the Emperor was desirous to temporise with the English, and treated the Ambassador and his suite in a better style than he had done any former one, and, as I was credibly informed, even permitted Mr. Matra to sit down by him, an honour never before conferred on any but a prince. Much affability and politeness of this kind was terminated by a long treaty of peace and amity, written in Arabic, but which unluckily nobody in the Ambassador’s suite could properly understand, except by circuitous and inaccurate explanation by a Moor to the Jew interpreter, and then from him to the consul; the latter, however, being dissatisfied with it, was persuaded to entrust it to a Spanish student, who, instead of giving an accurate translation to the Ambassador, sent one, as it was reported, to Madrid, kept the paper a month, and then returned it to Mr. Matra, so that the whole treaty was known at Madrid before it was known at London, or even by the Ambassador himself at Tangier! and in this manner, I am sorry to say, are our affairs conducted at Marocco. In short, I am well persuaded, that so long as gentlemen are sent to the Barbary powers as ambassadors or consuls, and remain there four or five years before they can make themselves sufficiently acquainted with the complection of the Mohammedan courts and intrigues, not to say the language, which but very few are at all likely ever to acquire sufficiently to hold colloquial intercourse at Court: we must not expect to gain any considerable commercial or political advantages with these countries.

It may also be necessary here to observe, that there are various expressions, not considered indelicate, among Europeans, which ought not to be used before the Ceed, or Emperor, by any one who is desirous to negociate advantageously. I have known a negociation totally frustrated by one trifling, or incautious expression. Accuracy of pronunciation, and refinement of expression, added to easy and affable manners, and a good person, would be attended with incalculable advantages in negociations at this court, the language, as well as the manners and customs of which, although fixed and regulated by invariable rules, are unknown and unattended to by the nations of Europe, at least by those of the North: and this I conceive to be one of the reasons why a negociation with the Court of Marocco seldom or ever terminates advantageously to the European negociator.

In treaties of peace between any European power and the Sultan of Marocco, one of the clauses always affects to protect the subject: so in the English treaties, if an Englishman residing in the empire commit any misdemeanor, he is not to be judged by the Mohammedan law, but by that of his own country, and is to be delivered up to the Consul until satisfaction be given; From the supineness of Consuls, however, this clause, as well as many others, has been often disregarded, and the wording altogether misunderstood or misconstrued.

As various reports have gone abroad relative to the affair of Mr. A. Layton, a British merchant at Mogodor, having had his teeth pulled out by order of the Emperor, it may be interesting to set that transaction in its true light.

Mr. A. Layton was the chief partner in a house of considerable capital and respectability; the other partners were Frenchmen, who having had official notice given them, that as the King of France had broken off all connection with Marocco, the French merchants should quit the country, or seek some other protection; accordingly, the affairs of this House being extended in the country, various impediments rose against their quitting their establishment suddenly; they proposed therefore to take Mr. A. Layton as a partner under the firm of A. Layton and Co. making it by this stratagem an English house. One afternoon the three partners, A. Layton, Secard, and Barré, together with a clerk, went out on horseback with some greyhounds belonging to the former; and in returning towards Mogodor, one of the dogs attacked a calf belonging to a neighbouring village; a Shelluh, who was the owner of the calf, shot the dog; on this a fray ensued, and the village was soon in an uproar; in the scuffle some Shelluh women were seen to throw stones, and Mr. Barré was considerably bruised: Layton also received and gave several blows. The party returned to Mogodor, when Layton immediately made a complaint to the Governor, who promised him justice should be done, and accordingly sent for the parties, who on their part insisted on justice being done to them, alleging, that a woman had had two of her teeth knocked out by Layton, and called out in the name of God and the Prophet for justice from the Emperor himself: this appeal obliged the Governor to write to the Emperor, and the parties were ordered up to Marocco: witnesses having been brought against Layton, who declared that he had knocked the woman’s teeth out with the thick end of his whip, the Emperor was compelled to order two of his teeth to be pulled out as a satisfaction to the lady for the loss of her’s: his Majesty, however, did not appear disposed to put the sentence into execution, but the people, who had assembled in immense numbers on this extraordinary occasion, exclaimed loudly for retaliation;[189] when the tooth drawer approached, Layton requested that he might have two of his back teeth taken out, in lieu of two of his front teeth, which request the Emperor granted. His Majesty was pleased with the courage with which Layton suffered the operation, and apologized to him the next day, and it was intimated, that he would not have allowed the sentence of the law to have been executed, had it not been necessary to allay the fury of the people; he then desired him to ask any favour, and he would grant it; Layton accordingly requested permission to load a cargo of wheat, which was granted, and, I believe, free of duty; he afterwards conferred on him similar favours, and wished so much to have him appointed British Consul, that he offered to request his Majesty to appoint him, but this Layton declined; the Emperor, however, often repeated to him this wish, alleging the advantages of negotiating with a person who could converse with him in his own language, and promising, in case of his accepting the appointment, to grant every favour that England should ask of him. Whether Layton felt himself not sufficiently supported by his country, after this personal outrage, or what other reason he had to refuse the repeated overtures of Seedy Mohammed, is not for me here to declare. Some general remonstrance was made by all the European Consuls collectively respecting this affair, and the Emperor, it appeared, would have made proper apology to the British Consul had it been demanded with energy and resolution; the influence of Great Britain suffered by not supporting her subject, and ever since this transaction, encroachments have been making on the privileges of Europeans, insomuch, that it is now a remark at the Court of Marocco, that, “If the European nations will not protect their own subjects, how can they expect that we should protect them? The Consuls at Tangier are of no use but to determine disputes of captures amongst the belligerent powers of Europe, which we do not understand, nor wish to interfere in, and if they refuse to adjust these matters they may all leave the country, they are of no further service to us.”[190]

FOOTNOTES:

AN ACCOUNT OF WRECKS, AND THE CAPTIVITY OF BRITISH SAILORS, ON THE WESTERN COAST OF AFRICA.