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THIS BOOK
FORMS PART OF THE
ORIGINAL LIBRARY
OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
BOUCHT IN EUROPE
1838 TO 1839
BY
ASA GRAY
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A COMPLETE
H I S T OR Y
0 F
A LGI ER S.
To which is prefixed,
An ÈPITOME of the General Hiſtory of
BARBARY, from the earlieſt. Times:
Interſperſed
With many curious Paſſages and Remarks, not touched
on by any Writer whatever.
By 7. MOR GA N.
I O N D ON,
Printed by J. BETTENHAM;
For A. BETTES WORTH and C. HITCH, at the Red-Lion in
Pater-Nofter-Row.. M.DCC. XXXI.
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a
lic
Me
To the Right HONOURABLE, the
LORDS COMMISSIONERS
For executing the Office of
Lord High Admiral, &c.
+
RIGHT HONOURABLE,
T was a uſual Saying of that
9
great MECÆNAS of his Time,
the late Earl HALLIFAX, “That
“ if any Fellow, of no Charac-
uter, preſumed to Addreſs Him
“ with a Libel, or a Piece of worthleſs Traſh,
“ He would fling it at his Head, and order His
A 2
« Ser-
iv
D E DI CATION.
+
66
06
66
.“ Servants to kick him out of Doors : But, if
a Gentleman Dedicated to Him a Work
“ of any Merit, he Honoured him in fo .
doing; and he deſerved to be countenan-
s cedAnd added He) to ask Permiſsion
to do it, is the very ſame, as if he ſhould
expreſsly fay, My LORD! Will You pleaſe
“ to give me Leave to Flatter Tou?”
Purſuant to that Munificent Patron's ge-
neral Maxim, and from which I have not
yet receded, without once failing of Succeſs,
Í take the Liberty of laying at YOUR
Honour's Feet, the Hiſtory of a turbulent
and no defpicable People; concerning whoſe
Conſiderableneſs, I find our Nation, gene-
rally ſpeaking, have hitherto conceived very
wrong Notions: Nor do I know whither.
with greater Juſtice or Propriety, this Work
could be Addreſſed, than to this. Moſt Ho-
nourable BOARD: Since from thence it is,
that, whenfoever thoſe Lawleſs Free-Booters;
of whom I treat, and who are ſo pernici-
ouſly troublefome to the Commerce of the
greateſt Part of EUROPE, ſhould again pre-
fume
--
7
DEDICATION.
V
..
.
PI
fume to interrupt the Trade of theſe Mer-
cantile Realms, with their ſo frequently Ex-
perienced, and fo much-to-be- Avoided Depre-
dations; whenfoever, I ſay, My Lords, they
ſhould again dare to attack US, in fo tender
a Part, from this much-dreaded BOARD it is,
that proper Meaſures are to be taken, in
order to cruſh them, and chaſtiſe their In-
folence
The Author and his Performance, My
Lords, lye wholly at the Mercy and Dif-
cretion of Your Honours ; readily ſub-
mitting to be treated according to our re-
ſpective Merit, or Demerit.
After the juſt and equitable Choice, made
by the moſt PRUDENT and moſt DISCERNING
of MONARCHŞ;A PRINCE who fo conſpicuouſly
ſeems born for the Good of His People, and
to lay: nothing ſo near His Royal Heart as
their Welfare and Glory; after ſuch a Choice,
from a whole Common-Weal like this, in
which are ſo many able Members, it would
be but Impertinence, if not Arrogance in
me, to offer to enter on the private Charac-
ters
vi
D E DI CATION:
EN
ters of Patriots, ſelected by ſuch a MONARCIT
for ſuch a CHARGE. What can I pretend to
advance on that Topic, after His MAJESTY
has deemed it convenient and beneficial to
theſe His Kingdoms, to repoſe in Your Breaſts
the Direction of, indiſputably, the moſt for-
midable Naval Power in the Univerſe!
Wiſhing I had an Offer of more Worth to
tender, I ſhall only beg Permiſſion, fubmif-
ſively, to ſubſcribe my felf
7
Your HONOUR'S
mot obedient
and moſt devoted
i.
humble Servant,
20
1
J. MORGAN.
000
200000-0000ccogede
POSE
PREFACE
JOnſcious I am that Subſcriptions are juſtly become a public Nuſance, yet
the Countenance ſhowed me by divers noble Perſonages, and many Gentle-
men of great Worth and Character, prevailed on me to take in band this
Work: Nor mall I (as it ſeems now to be pretty much the Mode) go about to in-
finuate, that, without the leaſt View of any Advantage to myſelf, it was mere
Public-Spiritedneſs that induced me to be at all this Trouble ; not that, with all
mny Inquiries, I can yet learn, that any one of the Exclaimers againſt venal Pens
have ever complimented their Bookſellers with one Page of Copy gratis
.
With others it is a main Plea, ihat they undertook ſuch and ſuch Things purely
to oblige certain particular Friends, to whom they could deny nothing, and
for
whom they had the greateſt Deference, &c. &c. Here indeed, in ſome meaſure,
I may make the ſame Plea; for the whole Introductory Part (which is an Epi-
tome of the General Hiſtory of Barbary) is every Line of it more than I at firſt
deſigned, or had meddled with, but at the Inſtigation of ſome of my worthy Sub-
ſcribers, who were of Opinion that ſuch an Introduction would render the Un-
dertaking abundantly more acceptable to the Curious. That Part certainly coſt me
120 fmall Latour ; nor can I reaſonably complain of its Reception from thoſe who
peruſed it before Publication. But every Reader is to be my Judge in this caſe,
and to public Cenſure or Approbation I chearfully ſubmit the whole Performance.
As I profeſs frank Dealing, the Motives which induced me to write this Hiſtory
were ſeveral: - iſt, The Amuſement I propoſed to myſelf while I wrote concer13-
ing a Country and People where and among whom I had paſſed ſo many Years
• of my Life. 2d, Becauſe I was poſitive I could ſet thoſe Motters in a much
• clearer Light than they are in any of the Accounts we have extant. , 3d, The
' unaccountably erroneous Notions I found the Generality of Mankind here were
• inclined to borbour, with regard to thoſe they term Barbarians, and the Signifi-
• cany of the Turkiſh Settlements in Barbary, and particularly of the Corſairs of
Algiers, whoſe Hiſtory I have therefore undertaken.' If I had then
Motives and Indicements to go about ibis Affair, they do not now occur to my
Memory.
The Peruſal of the following Sheets will ſufficiently convince thoſe who judge
wrongly of theſe people thro' Miſinformation ; but thoſe who vilify them thro' mere
Prejudice, Iſhall reply to only in the Words of a very worthy Gentleman now li-
ving, who lately wrote and publiſh'd a ſmall Hiſtory of Algiers; I mean M.
Laugier de Taffy, bis Moſt Chriſtian Majeſty's Agent for Maritime Affairs
in Holland.
• Pcople diſcourſe, ſays be, of the Algerines, but know as little of them as they
• do of the Natioris moſt remote from our Continent?- Aguin, The Generality
of Chriſtians are ſo Irejudiced againſt the Turks and other Mahometans, that
they have ſcarce Language barſh enough to expreſs the Horror and Contempt in
A 2
« which
any other
vi
P R E FACE.
tar.
more than Time for them to break up their Ships, ſince they met with none but
« Friends abroad. Neither in the Ocean nor narrow Sea, exclaimed they, can
" we find foarce any who are not either French, Engliſh, or Dutch. Nothing
• remains for us to do, but either to ſell our Ships for Fewel, and return to our
primitive Camel-driving, or to break with one of theſe Nations. A Grand Di-
wan, of Great and Small (as they word it) was inſtantly called; whereat, with
much Člamour and Debate, pro and con, as cuſtomary, Matters were concluded
in Terms, running direčtly tbus: Franceſe Giaur-ler hem yaramas, hem inaât-
ji, &c. The French Infidels are both warlike and vindiétive ; obſtinate and
• our Neighbours. Thrice they bombarded us ſeverely, as theſe not-yet-repaired
* Ruins teſtify: A fourth ſuch Viſit ought carefully to be avoided. The Engliſh
' are a friendly People, keep their Word, punEtually remit the agreed-on Pre-
• ſents, &c. and ſupply us with many Neceſſaries we want. Beſides, notwith-
ſtanding the great Diſtance of their Country, it may not, perhaps, be ſo adviſe-
• able to quarrel with them while they are Maſters of Port-Mahon and Gibral-
As for the Flemmings (ſo they name the Netherlanders) they are a good
People enough, never deny us any Thing, nor are they worſe than their Word,
• like the French; but they certainly play foul Tricks with us, in felling their
Palles to other Infidels: For ever ſince we made Peace with them, we rarely
light on either Suede, Dane, Hamburgher, &c. All have Dutch Complexions,
all DutchPaſſes; all call each other Hans, Hans, and all ſay Yaw, Yaw.'
Thus it was carried againſt Hans; and diſtrujtleſs Hans was ſeized wherefoever
thoſe hungry Hounds could light on bim; tho' not, as I binted, without abundance
of tumultuotis Debate: For the Truth is, many were more inclined to fall on the
well-laden, thick-foued Engliſh than any others; alledging, among other Reaſons,
That it was in no wife generous in them not to ſuffer the Hollanders, at leaſt a
• little longer, to enjoy the Fruits of a Peace they had ſo lately bought, and ſo
liberally paid for. Indeed few or none were for meüdling with the French,
who, they ſaid, bad more Privateers than Traders, and whom, in plain Termis,
they rather fear than love. The Dutch Conſul, Myn Heer Van Barle (I think
I am right) was a very deſerving Gentleman, and really much eſteemed by all in
general: Nor met be with any unworthy Treatment, having ſufficient Time al-
lowed him to ſettle his Affairs; which done he departed, I believe, on an Engliſh
Bottom, with his Effects and whole Family.
As to my Performance, I ſhall not expatiate thereon : It must ſtand or fall by
its own Merits or Demerits. I am not inſenſible of its many Fasılts, which the
Candid will generouſly overlook. There are alſo ſome Expreſſions which I could
beartily wiſ bad been omitted; but it is now too late. Nor muſt I negleft ani-
madverting, that I deſigned ſeveral Matters in my Preface, which, on fecond
Thoughts, are alſo bettter out than in ; yo tbat where ſuch References occur in the
Body of the Book, the Reader may pleaſe to draw bis Pen over them. It is now Time
to make ſome Mention of what Helps I had in the Proſecution of this Undertaking.
I should be unpardonably ingrateful Mould I offer to deny my being highly obliged
to Dr. Bernardo Aldrete, that Curious and Reverend Spaniard, once Canon of
the Cathedral at Cordoua, whoſe Antiguedades de Eſpana y Africa, and other
of his Writings, bear ſuch Rank in the Republic of Letters, that few fcruple ac-
knowledging him to have been one of the moſt learned Men of bis Age : No, I
<
2
om
P R E FACE.
vii
am abundantly his Debtor; yet whoſoever went about ::o call me bis Tranſlator,
in any confiderable Degree, would not only do mne manifest Injuſtice, but, upon
Examination, find themſelves exceedingly miſtaken. This I bint, becauſe I ain
informed that ſome think fit to harbour ſuch Surmiſes.
Nor am I å little indebted to F. Diego de Haedo, Abbot of Fromeſta, whom
I frequently mention. He wrote a circumſtantial, and not contemptible Hiſtory of
Algiers, which he brought down to near the Concluſion of the ſixteenth Century.
But, excepting a few good Paſſages and Remarks, which I occaſionally pick out,
his three tedious Dialogues, in particular, concerning Captivity, Martyrs, and
Morabboths, or Mahometan Santons, are filly enough, replete with nauſeous
Cant, and, in many caſes, inſufferably partial. 'I am moſt his Debtor in the
Succeſſion of the Baſha's, &c.
I have likewiſe made a good Uſe of Luis del Marmol, another noted Spaniard,
a good Writer in ſeveral Řeſpects, tho' often ſomewhat too verboſe, virulently par-
tial, and not always correet ; more particularly, when he touches upon what regards
the People and Country I chiefly treat of, wherewith he ſeems leſs acquainted than
with any of the reſt of Barbary. With Leo Afer I ſeldom meddle: ſince Marmol
bas, in a manner, copied bim, tbo’ with many Enlargements and Correktions
. Since
Leo's Time, the Face of Affairs in Barbary is ſtrangely changed. His Book was
publiſhed in 1525. bas been tranſated into ſeveral Languages, and was Engliſhed
in 1600. by Mr. Pory: Beſides, there are large Abridgments of it in Purchas,
Harris, and others. For all thoſe Reaſons, added to the little I find in him, ci-
ther to my Liking or to my Purpoſe, occaſioned any not having much Recourſe to him,
notwithſtanding his great Reputation. I think I have been at the Pains of detect-
ing two or three abominable Blunders of his, which I did, perhaps, with more
Willingneſs, becauſe many have diſdainfully inſinuated, that Leo being in ſo many
Languages, they needed no other Hifory of Barbary. I alſo correet and rectify
abundance of Errors in other Writers. What is taken from the Antients in the
Introduction is always fairly quoted.
Nor make I much Úſe of either Gramaye, Dan, Davity, Dapper, &c. As for
our own buge Tomes, compiled from the Works of not over-ſincere Foreigners, ſince
they ſo abound with Errors, they have been of little or 110 Service to me. Fron
Háklyyt, indeed, I borrow ſeveral good, néceſſary, and ſeemingly very genuine
Particulars. Throughout the Hiſtorical, &c. Dictionaries, one ſcarce can light
on a ſingle Article relating to theſe Affairs, which does not abound with Incobe-
rencies, not worth while to enumerate.
When I firſt thought of writing this Hiſtory, my Deſign was to bave taken
Haedo and M. de Taffy for my Ground-work; 'out of which two imperfeet
Performances, with convenient Improvements and Correstions, ſome Bookſellers
would have had me compile a Regular Hiſtory, but would have cramped me up
to one Volume in Octavo. But knowing I had abundantly more to ſay, and
very much to the Purpoſe, tban I could propoſe to bring into ſo narrow a Compaſs
, :
and being, by divers Well-wiſhers, warmly diſuaded from Marving my Subject,
I extended my View.farther, and determined to give the Public a Complete Hif-
tory of this Country, as well ancient as modern, which, as already ſaid, I ſub-
mit to the Cenſure of my candid and intelligent Readers.
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CONTENTS
OF THE
INTRODUCTORY DISCOURSE; or, the EPITOME of
the History of BARBARY, in general.
1
SECT. I.
of the original Inhabitants of this country.
Page 1
Hories of Barbary unfaithfully writo Amiciema Feibese oifi Moirs, and Lybianston
2
Ancient Tribes of MoorsLybians. 6
Page Oriental People in Africa: Opinion
The Deſign of this work.
of Salluft.
ibid.
Extent of Africa in general. ibid. Of Procopius, and other Ancients.
7
Fables concerning this Region. Its an- Barbary, a fine Country, in Compariſon
cient Names.
ibid. with the more Southern Regions.
Africa Propria, or Minor. Its Name Traditions of the Africans, concerning
whence derived.
3
their Origin.
ibid.
By whom firſt Peopled, dubious: Pres Ancient Ruins in South Numidia, &c. 9
ſumed by Egyptians.
ibid. Caves.
ibid.
Africans ignorant in ancient Hifory. 4. Difference of Manners and Way of Liv-
Their Tradition concerning the Origin of ing of the primitive Moors.
the Word Barbary.
ibid. St. Auguſtine.
ibid.
Barca, a Defart.
☆ Liby-Phænicians.
ibid.
A Miſtake of Leo Afer.
ibid. Libyans.
And of later Writers.
ibid.
10
I
SECT
C O N T E N T S.
SE C T II.
12
Of Carthage and its Empire.
Page 11
2%
Page If Palmyra.
Cartbage
. Its Original.
Moors of Africa, how named by ancient
Byrſa. Its Etymology
ibid. Writers.
ibid.
Variety of Teſtimonies, concerning the Lybians; a wild and favage People. 23.
Time of its Foundation. ibid. Some Account of the Numidians. ibid.
Divers Opinions of Authors. 13 Syphax. His Kingdom.
ibida
Fragments of the ancient Hiſtory of Car- Cirtha.
24
thage.
14 Mafaniſa. A gallant Prince: ibid.
Firſt Punic War.
16 In Alliance with Scipio.
ibidi
Hannibal..
ibid. Afdrubal.
25
Second Punic War.
ibid. Sophonisba. Her Influence over: Syphax:
Third Punic War, and Fall of Car-
ibid.
thage.
17
Some of the A&tions of Mafaniſa. ibid
Carthaginian Poſſeſſions in Africa. ibid. A Scourge to Carthage.
27
Numidians.
19 Speech of the Numidian Embaſſador bc-
Carthaginians crafty and vain-glorious. fore the Roman Senate.
ibid.
ibid. Fate of Syphax and his fair Queen So-
Mauritania. Its Diviſions and Extent phonisba.
23
State of Numidia after the Deceaſe of
North-Numidia.
ibid. the Great Mafanifa.
29
South-Numidia; briefly deſcribed. ibid. Phileni, two Brothers. Their remark-
Dangerous and uncomfortable Travel, able Story
ibid.
ling.
20
21
1
SECT. III.
3.1
.
Of the Roman Provinces in Africa ; being a Continuation of
the Hiſtory to the coming of the VANDALS.
30
Uxis.
TU
3? Cafaria: Now ſuppoſed Algiers. The
Bocchus.
Regal Seat of Juba.
iv
Bocchántol2.63
116. Julius Ciefar. His Death.
ib.
Mafani[d's Sons. Kings of Numidia. ib. Bogud andBacchus. Their Fate. 359
Iugurtha. His Hiſtory.
ib. Juba II. Much favoured by Auguſtus. ib.
32 Ptolemy:
Füba; Prince of Numidia; affronted by Tutförinas
: -- A brave Robeli
7. Ciefar.
ib. Cinithii, perhaps Zeneta.
Hiempfal. He goes to Rome. ibe Cowardice- feverely paniſhed.
Bogud.
33 The infolent Demand made by Tacfari-
Death of Cato, &c.
34
was to "Tibetiks: Who highly refents:
Young Juba carried to Rome. 116.
;;;
Thar.
- ..
38
ib?
ibi
1
40
<
C 0 N T E N T S,
s6
58
That Rebel defeated by Junius Blefus. Threc Mauritania. Proved by ſeveral
Page 40
Teſtimonies.
Garamantes.
41. Commotions.
Dolabella.
ib. Comes. Its Signification,
ib.
Defeat and Death of Tacfarinas. The Firmus. An Arch Rebel.
ib.
War concluded.
42 Tbeodoſius the Great.
59
Tiberius partial. Dolabella's great Merit Algiers. Scarce any Remains of Anti-
flightcd.
43
quity there.
ib.
A cheap Way of rewarding Services. ib. Gildon, Brother to Firmus, rebels. 60
Ptolemy's Death.
ib. An impious Tyrant.
61
Caligula's Character.
44 His Death.
ib.
Ædemon rebels againſt the uſurping Ro- The State of Chriſtianity in Africa. 62
ib. Heraclion. A Rebel.
64
Claudius
. .
ib. Church Affairs continued.
65
A pretended Miracle.
45 Prelates very numerous in Africa. ib.
Vanity of Superſtitious Credulity. 46 The Author's Reinarks thereon; where-
When the Mauritaniæ, &c. becaine Ro. in are included ſeveral Curioſities con-
man Provinces.
ib. cerning the preſent State and Afpe&t
Sitifenfis.
ib, of the Country
ib.
The Diviſions of thoſe Provinces. ib. African Highlanders. Their Diſpoſition,
Some Account of thoſc Regions and and ſtrange Antipathy to Chriſtianity.
their Inhabitants.
68
4] Marked with indelible Croffes.
A Remark.
ib.
Africans deſcribed. Their Unpoliteneſs. The Author's Conjectures thereon. 69
49 Thoſe People farther deſcribed.
ib.
Commotions.
ib. Cocco.
ib.
African Cities annexed to Spain. 51 Beni-Abbas,
70
Lucius Piſo, aſſaſſinated.
ib. Zwouwa.
ib.
Diſturbances in the Carthaginenfis. 52
Remarks on thoſe Nations.
ib.
Trifling Criticiſm.
53. Diſputes between them and the Arabs.
Roman Provinces in Africa. Their Con-
71
dition.
ib. Unconvertible
16.
Africans unquiet. Excellent Horſemen. 55 St. Auguſtine's Epiſtle concerning the
State of Africa, upon the Diviſion of the Africans.
72
Empire.
ib.
SECT. IV.
The Hiſtory of BARBARY continued ; from the Irruption of the
VANDALS, to the Conqueſt of thoſe Provinces by the SARACENS, or
MAHOMETAN ARABS.
Page 73
ST
乃
Tate of the African Provinces, at the
hii.
ib.
Vandal Invaſion.
73 Africans, hating the Romans, join the Van.
Hyperborean Nations over-run the Em dals.
pire.
74 Vandal Princes Tyrants.
76
Genferic, King of the Vandals, enters Africans farther characterized. ib.
Africa.
ib. Abſtract of the Vandal Wars,
77
Bonifacius. Some Particulars relating to
Valen-
C Ο Ν Τ Ε Ν Τ S.
...,
98
IOI
ib.
Valentinian. Ætius Maximus. Ex Juſt Complaints,
96
doxia: She inviteś Genferis to Italy; Africans again briefly deſcribed. 97
who facks Rome.
79 A Diſcourſe concerning Camels. ib.
Eudoxia, and her two Daughters. 81 Odd Lyings-in.
Marciun.
ib. Trentiſe of Camels purſued.
ib.
Leo. Too clement.
ib. Intended Stratagem of an Arab. 90
Majoran.
ib. Camels fierce a certain Seaſons. 100
The Death of the execrable Genſeric. Of Dromedaries.
ib.
Soon followed by the Ruin of the Notable Account of one.
Weſtern Empire.
Soloman victorious.
103
Huneric. A ſtill greater Tyrart.
82 Jaudas. .
ib.
Zeno.
ib. Auras. A fine Mountain.
ib.
Vandal Inhumanity.
ib. Tamuga.
104
Farther Reinark concerning the Africans. Erroneous Notions of the Complexions .
83 in Africa attempted to be refuted. ib. .
Inveterate Haters of Chriſtianity. ib. Wrong Notions contradicted. IOS
A moving Scenc.
84 Wifc Queſtions.
ib.
Huneric's miſerable Death.
ib. Diſturbances.
ib.
Gunthamond. A cruel Prince. ib. Barbaracini.
ib.
Thrafimord. Such another Tyrant. 85 Mount Aſpis.
ib.
Africans. Their Genius.
ib. Gregory, the Great, converts. Pagans. ib.
Camels. Formerly terrible to the Horſes Conſpiracy againſt Soloman. 106
of Africa.
85 Tandas. A bold African.
ib.
Now quite otherwiſe; being abundantly dangerous Pals.
107
more cominon.
87 Zeb. A Numidian Province. ib.
Hilderic. A Prince not devoid of Hu- More well-grounded Complaints. Re-
manity and Virtue.
ib. marks thereon.
108
Gilimer. The laſt Vandal King of Afri- Soloman juftly upbraided.
109
Little better than the worſt of Of Wives and Concubines. A ſaying a-
his Predcceflors.
88 mong the Arabs, &c.
ib.
Beliſarius ſent againſt him by Juſtinian. Soloman's Death.
Not wholly unme-
ib.
rited.
The true Character of the Africans. 89 Procopius. A good Hiftorian. ib.
Remarks.
90 Tripolitana.
ib.
Partiality condemncd.
ib. Cabaon.
And diſavowed by the Author. 91 Fobn. Governor of Africa. Subdues
Africans, farther characterized. ib. the Rebels, and makes Peace.
ib.
The Subject continued.
92 Many Commotions. Teſtimonies con-
The chief Differences preſumed to have cerning them.
ib.
been between the ancient and modern Gennadius.
Africans.
ib. Mauricius.
113
A ſuppoſed Scene.
93 Phocas. A Tyrant.
ib.
Remarks.
ib. Heraclius.
114
Zazo.
ib. Superitition.
10,
Gilimer made Priſoner; which put an A Tyrant's juſt Reward.
ib.
End to the Vandal Empire in Africa; Khofrou. A Deſtroyer of the World. ib."
all which Provinces return to the Im- His Arrogance.
115
perial Crown.
94 Hejira begins.
ib.
Cominotions.
95 Its Signification.
ib
Beliſarius triumphs.
ib. A ncccffary Table, how to compute it.
Gilimer's remarkable Ejaculation. ib.
116
Soloman, left Governor of Africa. ib. Heraclius victorious over Khofrou. 118
Madaxſas.
ca.
I 10
III
II2
1
1
1
2
1
1
C O N T E N T S.
I20
tos.
I21
metos.
Madarſas. Syroes. This laſt a good The Africans inſuperable Avcrfion to all
Prince.
ib.
Reſemblance of Image Worſhip. 150
Puts his execrable Father to a miſerable Inſtances of it.
ib.
Death.
ib. Their Partiality, in regard to the Pagan
Kbofrou was Mahomet's Precurſor. 119 Idolaters.
IJI
That Pfeudo-Prophet's truc Name. ib. Conſtans II. A cruel, wicked Prince.
Etymology of the Word Saracen. ib. Unſucceſsful.
152
Abou-Bekra.
Beni-Ommeyah.
ib.
Aiſha.
ib. Conſtantine V. Why ſurnamed Pogona-
Conſtantine III. fucceeds Heraclius. ib.
ib.
Pyrrhus, a Traytor.
ib. Africa's Wretchedneſs.
153
Martina. Heraclion.
ib. Juſtinian II. Why ſurnamed Rhinot-
Conſtans II.
154
Gregory, Governor of Africa. ib. Leontius.
ib.
A Synod called.
ib. Unſeaſonable Capricc.
ib.
Saracens. Their Encouragement to in- Leontius. A tyrannic Uſurper. 155
vade the Roman States in Africa. 122 Juftly rewarded by his Succeſſor Abſi-
Many Teſtimonies from the Claſſics, &c. marus; who is iniferably flain by the
relating to the ancient Africans, de vindi&tive Rhinotmetos.
ib.
deſcribing their Manners, &c. Inter- Walid, the Saracen Khalifa, reduces Bar-
mix'd with various Remarks ib. bary.
ib.
The Saracen Muſulmans firſt Viſit to His mighty Acquiſitions.
ib.
Barbary,
143. He inlarges the Temple at Medina. O-
The whole Region conquered by Sidi thers of his Decds.
156
Occuba.
144 A Fragment of the Saracen Hiſtory. 157
Sitifis.
ib. A memorable Paſſage.
158
A ridiculous Criticiſm of a Spaniard. ib. Another.
ib.
The Arab General's remarkable Saying. Chriſtianity extinguiſhed in Africa. 159
145 The total Reduction of that Country.
Aninadverſions on that Conqueſt. ib. Whencc dated.
ib.
Aldrete. A very learned Spaniard. Se- Moufa. A brave Arab General. 160
veral Extracts from his curious Writ- Cairouan.
ib.
ings, relating to Africa and its Peo- Tharek. A bold Arab Captain. Enters
ple ; with ſome Remarks thereon. Spain. Envied by Mouſa.
ib.
147 Gibraltar. Whence its Naine. ib.
Pagan Outrages.
149 Moriſcues, or Spaniſh Moors. 161
The Author animadverts thereon. ib. Unjuſtly perfecuted by Zcalots.
ib.
SECT
V.
Some TESTIMONIES of the Pride, Tyranny and Injuſtice of the
Romans in general, and of the enormous Vices of the AFRICAN
CHRISTIANS in particular ; which much conduced to their Over-
throw", and the Loſs of thoſe Provinces. Taken from ALDRETE.
162
T
HE Author's Remark on theſe Another Reinark.
Teſtimonies.
166
167
Cairouan.
2
C Ο Ν Τ Ε Ν Τ S.
SECT. VI.
The Hiſtory of BARBARY, &c. continued, to the Beginning of the
Sixteenth Century; when Algiers came into the Poljefion of
the TURKS.
Page 167
171
Capronics
Nairouan. At one Time the Metro. Its Founder makes Religion as good a
polis of all Barbary.
167 Cloke as any of his Predeceſſors. ib.
State of the Country.
168 Imaum. What the Word ſignifies. ib.
Beni-Aglab: A Dynaſty.
ib. The Word Moſque whence dirived. ib.
Beni-Roſtam: Another.
ib. Who were the twelve Imaums. 184
Beni-Edris: Another.
ib. Fable of the laſt of them. And of the
Fathimites. Another notable Dynaſty; Muſulman's Antichrift.
ib.
founded by Al-Mehedi.
169 From whence Gulliver borrowed his
Sbeites. A Sect.
ib. Fable of the Empire of Lilliput. 185
Mebedia built.
170 The Author declines treating of any Mat-
Epitome, concerning the firſt Fathimite ters the Africans, &c. profeſs in com-
Princes.
ib. mon with other Muulmans. But gives
Muſulman Schiſm.
the Fragment of a Sermon, delivered
Zeiritos. A Dynaſty.
ib. by a pious Derwiſh.
186
Corruptly called Zegris.
ib. Pleaſant Sneer of a Moor.
188
Bijeya.
172
A feering Heretic.
189
Scenite Arabs. Enemies to walled Towns. That Preacher's Zealous Refentment.
ib.
Appeaſed by a polite Spahi. ib.
How firſt permitted to paſs into Bar. What Time will bring forth. ib.
bary.
173 Muſulman Sayings and Tradition. 190
They lay waſte the Country; but ſtock Adam's Shoes.
ib.
it with Camels and Arab Women. 174 Our Anceſtors Brobdingnaggians, of the
Their greater Tribes; and moſt nume-
largeſt Size.
ib.
rous Subdiviſions.
175 Ribs of Gyants.
191
Some Account of the Aral Diſtinctions, And Stone Coffins ſeen by the Author.
Helel and Zeneta.
177
ib.
Yezzia. An Arab Princeſs.
ib. Other Antiquities.
192
Anarchy in Barbary, &c.
ib. The Diſcourſe of the couterfeit Mehédi
Religion orien a Cloke.
ib. re-aſſumed.
ib.
A notable Inſtance of it.
178 Beni-Merin. A famous Dynaſty. 194
An odd Paflage.
ib. S. Yago performs Wonders.
ib.
Africans, &c. modeft.
ib: A partial Zealot ſpeaking honourably of
Of Al-Níorabbethiah, a noted Dynaſty cor his moſt hated Enemies, to the Shaine
ruptly called Almoravides.
ib. of ſuch, who, tho' not Zealots, never
179
ſpeak well even of their Friends. ib.
A Saying of the late Tunis Envoy. 181 Moors not very remarkable for their Par-
Surmites of the Author.
182 liveucfs.
195
Al-Muahe doun : Another great Dynaſty, Mulei Iſmael.
16.
corruptly named Almohades. 183 Mulci Raſsid.
ib.
C2
Some
C O N T E N T S.
200
201
Some good Effects of Tyranny. 196 Wretched Arabs.
ib.
Of the Kings of Tremizan. ib. Santons highly venerated.
206
Of the Kings of Tunis.
196 Hypocriſy turns to good Account ib.
Arabs there very much regarded.
The Author's officious Proneneſs to in-
What the Word Mulei implies.
terlard his drieſt Meats, in Hopes of
The Deſcent and Device of thoſe Princes. hitting the Reliſh of ſome particular
Palatcs.
207
Beni-Hafs. A Singularity of that Fami- Is a Lover of Truth, and condemns
ly.
203
thoſe who are not. He hopes fome
Moors in Spain.
204.
will like him the better for that very
Portugueſe in Africa.
ib. good, tho' not very common Qua-
Sherits of Africa.
ib.
lity.
ib.
Religion again made a Cloke. 205
202
E RRAT A.
11
P. 1. L. 6. dele it.-P. 47. L. 3. for his read his Patron.-P. 144. L. pennult. dele
vulgar. P. 151. L. ult. for divide read deride.-P. 172. L. 7. read Roger I.
of the Hiſtory, for Situations, read Situation.-P. 287. in the Note, read Philip I.
P. I.
G
1
THE
2
RUMBIWA
Τ Η Ε
HISTORY
OF
B A R BA R Y
EPITOMIZ’D.
张亮老婆杂杂杂杂杂杂杂杂杂杂杂杂杂杂终总部急急急总是莎慈悲。
అలలలలలలలలలలలలల లలలలలలలలలలలలలలలతలఅలలతలతలలలలలోUpలలలలలలలలలలల
of the original Inhabitants of this Country.
AVING been long converſant in the Country
I am about to treat of, and meeting with ſo ma-
ny groſs Errors, and even palpable Falſities, in
Accounts given us concerning it, I purpoſe to ſet
H
Matters in a much clearer Light than they have
hitherto appear'd in, and to rectify ſeveral Miſtakes
the Publick has been led into, by ignorant, en-
thuſiaſtick Monks, and ſuch like romancing Zea-
lots: One of the bad Conſequences whereof, and that none of the leaſt,
is, that later Writers, Perſons of the greateſt Erudition and Veracity, by
building on ſuch as apparently ſeem to have had neither Probity nor Learn-
ing, exhibit Things that would induce one to call in Queſtion, if not
their Sincerity, at leaſt their Judgment.
Tho'
LE
B
2
The HISTORY of BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
Tho' the main Subjcēt I deſign to handle, is what more immediately
relates to Algiers, and its Territory ; yet, for the better Illuſtration of my
intended Hiſtory, I find it neceſſary to advance a previous Diſcourſe con-
cerning the ancient State of this Dominion, and the neighbouring Pro-
vinces; wherein, with all convenient Brevity, and according to the beſt
Authorities, I ſhall juſt take Notice of ſome of the moſt remarkable Oc-
currences that have happen'd in Barbary, from the earlieſt Ages, till the
Time that a very conſiderable Portion of that Country fell under the Ty-
ranny of thoſe Diſturbers of Commerce, the Algerine Turks, ſomewhat
more than two Centuries ſince..
Of the part of the World in which this large Tract of fruitful Land
is ſituate, I ſhall give only theſe few general Hints. In the common Di..
viſion of this our terraqueous Globe, Africa is counted one of the four
Parts ; tho' the Partition is very uncqual. The Extent our correcteſt
Geographers allot to this vaſt Peninſula, from Cape Guardafu in the
Eaſt, to Cape Non in the Weſt, is about eighty Degrees, 4800 Miles ;
and from Cape Bona in the North, to the Cape of Good Hope in the
South, at leaſt feventy Dègrecs, or 4200 Miles. As the Equator cuts it
almoſt in the Midſt, the far greater Part of it lies between the Tropicks,
and conſequently no leſs than forty ſeven of the ſeventy Degrees of its
Breadth, or 2820 Miles, ſuffer the Inclemency of the Torrid Zone.
The little Knowledge the primitive Ages had of this Region, occaſion'd
the unaccountable Fables, of old, which have been written concerning
it, more monſtrous, if poſſible, than the Monſters it is ſaid to produce :
Doubtleſs, under thoſe Fictions may lic couch'd ſome Gleanings of real
Hiſtory, tho' hard to come at. Many were the Names given it by the
Ancients; Olympia, Oceania, Eſchatia, Coryphe, Heſperia, Eria, Ortygia,
Ammonia, Ærhiopia, Ophiuſa, Cephenia, Cyrene, with ſome others; mean-
ing ſometimes part, ſometimes the whole; but more generally Libya,
which now is adapted only to that barren, fandy Deſart, which ſtretches
along, from Egypt down to the Atlantick, or Weſtern Occan, under the
Tropick of Cancer, and borders upon the Blacks: As for its preſent Dc-
nomination, Africa, it was not ſo much uſed in former Days. Had the
bold Attempt of the ancient Egyptians taken Effect, all this great Part
of the Univerſe had been an Iſland; but the cutting through that iflhmus, .
by which it is joind to Aſia, was found impracticable.
Not:
1
The HISTORY of BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
3
Not to amufc, or rather tire, either my Reader, or my ſelf, with the
ſeveral abſtruſe, far-ſought Etymologies Authors are pleas’d to give us,
I ſhall, implicitely, join in Opinion with ſome others, but more parti-
cularly the Arabs and Africans themſelves, (whoſe Sentiments I never can
be diſpos'd to reject but when I find ſurer Ground to go upon) that A-
frica derives its Name from Ifriki, or, as ſome have it, Ifrikiſh, an Arab
Prince, of whom I ſhall ſoon have Occaſion to make farther mention.
Their Writers, as well as the Europeans, agree, that the Name properly
appertains to only one Province, which is the more Eaſterly Part of Bar-
bary, call'd by Latin Hiſtorians Carthaginenfis, Byzacena, Marmarica, Cya
rene, Zeugitana, and Africa Minor, or Propria : It includes all the North
Parts of the preſent Kingdoms of Tunis, and Tripoly, bordering to the
Weſt on the Algerine Territory, at the fame River which, if I miſtake
not, was the Eaſtern Boundary of the ancient Kingdom of Numidia.
This Province all the Aſiatick Arabs call Frikia, or rather Ifrikia ; tho
they, as well as the Turks and Perſians, the Muſulman Tartars and Indians,
and, for ought I know, many other Oriental Nations, ſpeaking, or writ-
ing of Africa, call it Magrib, that is Weft; tho' by that Name they
mcan not any Part of Egypt, neither of the Æthiopiæ, nor indeed any o.
ther but Barbary, and the Numidian and Libyan Defarts, down to the
Weſtern Ocean; all which they term Magrib, and ſometimes Al Garb,
on account of its Situation in reſpect of them: But when they would
diſtinguiſh, they ſay Magrib the hithermoft, the middle, the farthermoff,
if they mean Barbary, if the Delarts, they ſay Sahara Magrib.
Of this great Peninſula, in general, what has been ſaid ſhall ſuffice;
my Theme confining me to narrower Limits. Few, I believe, but are
of Opinion, that Egypt and Abyſinia, or the Upper-Ethiopia, were long
inhabited before the reſt of Africa. Might I preſume to venture upon
my own private Sentiment, whatever People may have ſince introduc'd
themſelves into Barbary, and the contiguous Deſarts, as Ethiopia is uni-
verſally allow'd to have peopled all the Regions inhabited by Blacks, it
is natural enough to conjecture, that the very firſt who peopled Weſt-
ward of the Nile were the Dregs and Refuſe of the primitive Egyptians :
Nor do I remember any where to have cither rcad, or heard, that any
particular People are poſitively affirm'd, upon reaſonable Foundations, to
have actually been the firſt Diſcoverers of Barbary, and its Neighbour-
hood.
11
B 2
During
1
1)
1
4
5
The History of BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
During the Courſe of ſeveral Years Reſidence in that Country, I have
had, in many Parts of it, frequent Opportunities of familiar Converſe
and Communication with ſome of the moſt intelligent, and beſt qualified
Natives, as well Arabs as natural Africans. Not to mention others of
their Books, I have heard Ibn Al-Rakik, their moſt-eſteem'd Hiſtorian
and Chronologiſt, often quoted by Leo Africanus, read quite over; tho’
not with Attention enough to have retain'd any thing conſiderable, as
little imagining ever to have undertaken a Work of this Nature. What
I recollect, in general, is, that Leo has borrow'd from him very much,
and that all his Readers and Commentators are moſt ſuperlatively igno-
rant in many Things, eſpecially in Periods of Time, making ſtrange Ha-
vock and Confuſion of Ages and Perſons; more particularly, all they dif-
courſe of, concerning the Romans, before the Decline of the Empire, is
enough to ſhock every judicious Auditor ; as the Empire decays, they
ſeem to begin to grow ſomewhat more tolerable: I ſhall not deſcend
to Inſtances.
Before I take Notice of what our own Hiſtorians advance, relating to
the peopling Barbary, I ſhall deliver the Notions of the Natives them-
ſelves, upon that Head: Leo, and, from him, others have the like, tho'
with ſome Variation, as may be obſerv'd, both in that Point, and in the
Etymology and Signification of the Word Barbary.
A certain Melic, or King, ſay they, of Part of Yeman, or Arabia Fe-
lix, whoſe Name was Ifriki, making War with the Alfrians, had with
them many Encounters with various Succeſs; till having Intelligence, that
thoſe his Enemies were preparing again to attack him, with a very for-
midable Power, and finding himſelf too weak to withſtand them, retrcated,
with five Tribes, or Nations, his Subjects, into Egypt. But the Egyp-
tians not ſuffering him to make a Settlement there, he was forc'd to re-
move into the Defart of Barca, which ſeparates Egypt from the Cyrenaica.
Finding little Suſtenance for his numerous Followers, their Herds and
Droves, in that barren Region, he diſpatch'd a Party, mounted on Dro-
medaries, in Search of a more commodious Habitation. At their Return,
the Prince inquiring what News thcy brought ; Ber! Ber! cried they,
with great Eagerneſs; that is, Land! Land! By thus duplicating the
Word, and giving their Heads and Bodies certain Geſtures (as is very
uſual when they beſtow more than ordinary Commendation upon a Thing,
or Perſon) they fignified the ſame as if they exprefly ſaid, they had dif-
cover'd a glorious Country: And ſuch the very worſt Spot of Ground
throughout
The HISTORY of BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
3
throughout Barbary muſt really be, in Compariſon with that frightful
Deſart of Barca, (callid by the Ancients Catabathmosy) as I have heard af-
firm'd by many Weſtern Pilgrims, who never ſcruple to own, that they
endure far greater Hardſhips and Incommoditics in their Paſſage between
the Cyrenaica and Alexandria, than in all the reſt of the tireſome Journey
from Grand Cairo to Mecca and Medina. Its length is above 400 Leagues.
I cannot but wonder, that an Author of ſuch Reputation, as Leo is al-
low'd to be, and whoſe Hiſtory of Africa has been ſo generally receiv'd,
and tranſlated into ſo many Languages, ſhould be led into ſuch an egre-
gious Miſtake, as to affirm, that Ber, abſolutely ſignifies, in Arabick, a
Deſart. That others have fallen into the like Error, being Foreigners,
is not ſo much to be admir'd at; but that one of his Learning and Ex-
perience ſhould ſo err, in his native Idiom, is ſomewhat ſurprizing. He
was born at Granada: In his Youth he was tranſplanted into Africa, where
his natural Language is the predominant Dialect. Perhaps, an Arab may,
occaſionally, call a Country actually deſart Berg and indeed it is ſometimes
ſo uſed; but that is no Manner of Argument, that he does it to diſtin-
guiſh it from others that are not fo.. Ber, in Effect, has no other real
Signification than Land, or Country, and did it poſitively imply a De-
fart, Why do they always uſe the Term Sahara to diſtinguiſh a fandy,
barren Region from Till, which is one whoſe Soil is of a quite oppoſite
Nature and Quality? Very few Parts of Barbary it ſelf have any
Title
to that firſt Term; nor is it ever callid ſo. Then again, Why ſhould they
generally call Chriſtendom, Ber Naſara ; Turky, Ber Turc ; Perfia, Ber
Al- Ajan ; Egypt, Ber Mallir; Arabia, Ber Al- Aarab, &c.? Can it be
ſuppos’d they mean the Deſarts of the Chriſtians, Turks, Perſians, &c.?
Stupidly ignorant as many of them may be, they cannot imagine thoſe
Countries deſerve that Epithet and Character; nor do they mean ſo.
The other Word, Burbura, which Leo, and from him, others fancy
might have given Barbary its Name, ſeems ſtill more trifling. Some
are pleaſant enough to inform us, that Barbary comes from that Word,
which, in Arabick, is to ſpeak, or mutter, ſcarce articulately, between
the Teeth, as the Language of the Inhabitants, they ſay, founded in the
Ears of the Arabs, who firſt came into the Country; and in the ſame
Breath they give us to underſtand, that, as Ber ſignifies a Deſart, that
Part of Africa was call’d Berberia, by reaſon that thoſe very Arabs, whoſe
Ears were ſo offended with the muttering, uncooth Speech of the Afrin
cans, found the Country wholly dcfart, and uninhabited. As to this
Etymo
6
The HISTORY of BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
0
i
Etymology, I never met with any of the Weſtern Arabs, that infift inuch
upon thc matter; but it is very common, when Moors are talking in
their own Tonguc, for them to ſay, Sunnut had-ho'l Bereber ; Tahanin
kif-e burburou : “ Liſten to thoſc Bcrebers; how the Cuckolds mutter."
Such as are fond of believing, that the Romans (who, as well as the Greeks,
called all Strangers Barbari) named this Country ſo, rather than any other,
on account of the ſuperlative Barbarity of its Natives, perhaps, may be
in the right, tho' I much doubt it. The Natives chemſelves agree, that
Part of the Land they inhabit was nam'd Ifrikia, from the Prince before
mention'd, the whole Coaſt Berberia, and their Anceſtors Bercber (in the
Plural, Berber is the Singular) long before the Romans, or even the Foun-
ders of Carthage, ſet Foot in their Territory: I cannot ſay they value
themſelves upon the Name; nor are they diſpleas'd if ſo callid. They
likewiſe .affirm that Prince to have been a real Arab, and his People Sa-
beans ; but they are not able to fix the Time of his being expellid Afia.
In this point, perhaps, they have fifty different Opinions, upon none
of which one can depend; tho' all agree, that the Tribes he brought
with him, were the ſame, whoſe Poſterity are the preſent Moors of Bar-
bary, not without ſome Mixture, and ſtill retain their original Names,
Mufamouda, Zeneta, Sinhajia, Gomera and Hoara; that they are of very
ancient ſtanding, but acknowledge they were not the firſt Inhabitants,
there being five other Nations, whoſe Names are Zenaga, Ganzaga, Tere
ga, Lumpta, and Berdoa, now diſpers’d throughout the Libyan Defarts,
who are of greater Antiquity; adding, that by long Intercourſe and Com-
munication with them, and other later People, their Language, original-
ly the pureft Arabick, is become what it now is. When other Grounds
are wanting, we muſt take up with Tradition, and ſuch is the Tradition
of the Barbary Moors.
Probably it may be a Matter of no leſs Difficulty, to attempt tracing
the Original of theſe people, than that of any other Nation in the Uni-
verſe: It is a Rock that many ſplit upon. But let us examine what o-
thers lay down. An Author of no leſs Credit than Salluft, fays, that the
Army, composid of ſundry Oriental Nations, which Hercules conducted
into Spain, being diſpersid, many Armenians, Medes and Perſians paſsid
over to Africa. The firſt Habitations thoſe Perſians had upon that Coaft,
were under their own Barks, or Ships, which they turned Kcel upwards:
Mixing with the Getulians, they became one Nation, and were call'd
Numidians. The Medes and Armenians joining the Libyans, afterwards
3.
were
1
!
A
1
1
The HISTORY of BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
7
were nam'd Mauri, or Moors. This muſt havc happen'd almoſt 3000
Years ago. The fame Author's Remark, that the Cottages of the Nu
midians, in his Days, reſembled a Ship inverted, anſwers tolerably well
ſtill, as well in the Huts as the Tents of the preſent Africans and Arabs.
But if a Pracopius is to be depended on, the Africans may claim a ſlill
greater Antiquity; for he aſſures us, that the Canaanites expellid their
Country by Joſhua, at leaſt two Centuries carlier, found it already peopled.
He ſcruples not to affirm, that in the Time of the Vandal War, in Afri-
ca, whither he accompanied the great Beliſarius, in Quality of his Secre-
tary, were ſtill to be ſeen, near a great Fountain, at Tangier, two Columns
of white Stone, whereon, in the Phænician Tongue, was an Inſcription
to this Purpoſe; We FLY FROM THE ROBBER Joshua The Son or
Nun. This he wrote in the ſixth Century. Almoſt innumerablc are the
Writers, ancient and modern, who make mention of this, but he was
certainly the firſt Introducer of it. Not to quote Theophanes, Nicephorus
Caliſtus, Suidas, &c. (the firſt of which will needs have the ſaid Columns
to have been concave) Ibn Al Rakik ſays the ſame thing, but places the
Stones at Caribage; and 6 Evagrius has it all at length, but ſeems in Ad-
miration, that, among all the ancient Greek, Latin, or Barbarian Writers,
none but. he ſhould take notice of lo very remarkable a Paſſage. But I
ſhall fer down ſome Particulars of what he ſays, treating of the Original
of the Africans, whom he calls Mauruſii, as do many others of the An-
cicnts.
The Gerbeſites, Jebuſites, with ſeveral other Nations, ſays he, whoſe
Names are to be met with in the Hebrew Writers, inhabited the Country
called Phænicia, being the whole Coaſt from Sidon to Egypt. Of theſe,
great Numbers, being driven away by a powerful Enemy, fought Refuge
in Egypt, where multiplying cxccedingly, they made an Irruption in
to Africa, (meaning the Province properly ſo call'd) and policling them-
ſelres of the Country down to the Herculean Pillars, they built and
pco-
pled many Towns and Cities, uſing a Semi-Phænician Dialect. Among
others, they built the ſtrong City Tingis, in Numidia, where, &c. as
abovc
Allowing all this to be Fact, as I diſcern no · Impoflibility in the caſe,
if Tingis be Tangier, as it is gencrally taken to bc, he is very much out
*
a L. 2.. De Bel. Vandal.
” L. 4. C. 18.
in
*
1
S
1
The HISTORY of BARBARÝ Epitomiz’d.
in calling that Part of Barbary, where it ſtands, Numidia; whereas it is
well known to have been the Capital of the morc Weſterly Mauritania,
which Province, or rather Empire, was from that City nam’d Tingi-
tana. If, therefore, the White Moors of Africa owe not their Original
to theſe Cancanites, or Semi-Phænicians, as by this it ſeems they do not,
I muſt even return to my firſt Surmiſe, that they were old Egyptians ;
that being the neareſt adjoining Country. What has been ſaid is ſufficient
to prove the Moors an ancient People: Their Language, (of which more
in a proper Place) together with that great Variety and Diverſity of Com-
plexion, to be ſeen among them, evidently beſpeak them a mix'd Ge-
neration.
Whoſoever were the firſt Comers, one may very rationally ſuppoſe
them to have taken up their Abode in the beſt Part of the Country,
which, beyond all Compariſon, is Barbary: So that ſuch as ſettled in the
far leſs comfortablc Regions, South of the Mountains, did it rather by
Compulſion than Choice. No People in the Univerſe, how favage and
brutiſh ſoever they be, want a ſufficient Share of Reaſon and common
Senſe to diſtinguiſh a good Country from one that is juſt the reverſe.
Barbary is a temperate, delightful Region, extenſive enough to contain
many Millions of Inhabitants; and ſuch is the Fertility of its Soil, almoſt
every where, that, were it well cultivated, it might vie with any Part of
the Globe for its plentiful Produce of Suſtenance, both for Man and Beaſt:
Whereas, for the ſingle Advantage, thoſe on the other Side the Atlas
have above their Northern Neighbours, of abounding in Dates, (which
grow only near the fix'd Habitations, at great Diſtances) they are utterly
deſtitute of moſt of the more material Comforts and Convcniencies of
Life which the others cnjoy, or at leaſt might enjoy in wonderful abun-
dance, were they but induſtrious, and ſuffered to reap the Fruits of their
Labour in Quiet ; a Bleſſing this Country fccms always to have wanted.
This ſeems to be corroborated by what the Barbary Moors tell us, con-
cerning the numerous Nations, of moſt ancient Africans, inhabiting the
Deſarts of Libya. Thoſe five Tribes, ſay they, were Poffeffors of the
whole Region, when Melic Ifriki, with his Sabeans, (their own Anceſtors
if they may be credited) were expellid their native Land. Having forc'd
the firſt Proprietors of the Country (whom they paint out as moſt mife-
rable Savages, not many Removes from Brutes) into the Mountains, where
they herded together in Caves and wretched Cottages, they built them-
ſelves many Towns, in all the beſt and moſt fruitful Parts of Barbary.
For
3
t
1
!
1
1
The HISTORY of BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
9
1
For many Years the Sabeans were quiet enough; holding an amicable Cor-
reſpondence and Communication with their new Land-lords, and con-
tenting themſelves with ſuch Portions of unoccupied Lands as the otliers
thought fit to allot them, which was full ſufficient, till their Numbers,
both of People and Cattle, began to be much increas’d. Generally ſpeak-
ing, all that follow the Scenite Way of Life, are ſworn Enemics to fix'd
Habitations, and look with an Eye of Contempt upon ſuch as dwell in
Cities and Towns; eſteeming themſelves far nobler than they, who, as
they ſay, are mean-ſpirited enough to live cag'd up between Walls; and
indeed, being Maſters of the Fields, they have it very much in their Power
to ſtarve them. In Proceſs of Time, they add, the Sabeans, growing
very powerful, ravag'd the Country; whereupon enſued a general and fu-
rious War between thoſe two Nations; and the Scenites, having the Ad-
vantage, compellid the conquer'd Canaanites to become their Tributarics.
Some ſubmitted, and remaind in their Towns, under ſuch of the Con-
querors as thought fit to ſettle among them; others withdrew to the
Mountains; but the far greater Part of them, tenacious of their Liberty,
betook themſelves to the Country callid Biled al-jerid, or the Land of
Dates, which is properly South-Numidia, where they ſettled, till they
were, likewiſc, driven thence, and forc'd into the Libyan Defarts, where
their Poſterity ſtill remain, in very great Numbers, ſome in Towns and
Villages, but abundantly more of them roving about with their Tents,
like the Arabs, with whom they are now mix’d: But the coming of
theſe laſt into Africa is of a much more recent Date, ſcarce exceeding
700 Years, as ſhall be obſerv'd elſewhere. Certainly, as I hinted, no Peo-
ple would ever have thought of ſettling in ſo comfortleſs a Region as
Libya, that produces ſcarce any thing to ſupport Life, had they been
fuffer'd to have continued unmoleſted, even in South-Numidia. This
great Revolution they affirm to have happen'd long before the building of
Carthage ; but what Authority they go upon I know not.
In ſome parts of South-Numidia, I have ſeen the Remains of ſeveral
large Towns and Callles, which carry with them a Face of the remoteſt
Antiquity; ſo that of them we may juſtly ſay, with the Poet, periere ruine,
their very Ruins have periſh'd: And even moſt of thoſe that are ſtill on
foot bear a very aged Countenancc. Many ſtrange Caves, amidſt Moun-
tains, I have, likewiſe, ſcen; ſome wholly form’d by Nature, others en-
larg’d by Art, and ſcarce credible Labour ; and am inform’d that the
Mountains are full of ſuch. Theſe were, certainly, the Abodes and Lurk-
C
ing-
IO
The HISTORY of BARBARY Epitomiz'd:
1
1
ing-Places of thoſe original Africans, who were forc'd from the Plainsy,
to retirc for Refuge to Mountains difficult of Acceſs.
All this ſeems to agree very well with the Accounts the moſt credi:
ble Authors, among the Ancients, give us of the Africans of their Days.
Some, they ſay, dwell'd in Cities and Towns, others, rich and powerful,
in Tents, while a poorer and weaker Party took up with wretched Hutts
and ſqualid Caverns, in the Mountains; theſe creeping in and out of their
Holes like ſavage Beaſts, thoſe roaming about the Country, while the
former paſs’d their Lives like other civiliz'd People. I am hereby the
more confirm'd in what has been already intimated, and the readier to fall
in with thoſe who affert, that the main Body of the ancient Africans was
compos'd' of Arabs and Canaanites, ard that, after their Tranſplantation
into Africa, they follow'd the Courſe of Life natural to each of the re-
ſpective Countries thoſe different People came from. The Sabean Arabs,
like all other Nomades, or Scenites, adher'd to the Cuſtoms and Way of
living they, and their anceſtors, had been inur'd to, ranging about with
Tents, Families and Droves, all which, it is very likely, they brought
with them, at their firſt coming into the Country; it being the gene:
ral Cuſtom of thoſe People never to take any long Journey without them,
if to be done with any Conveniency: This is the Life that is moſt agreeable
to their roving, unſettled Diſpoſition. On the contrary, thoſe who came
from the Land of Canaan, built immoveable Manſions, as rather inclin'd
to Traffick, and the Culture of the Earth, than to pafturing Cattle, and
ſpoiling Travellers. Thus, by Writers of paſt Ages, are an Arab and a
Canaanite defcrib'd and diſtinguiſh'd; the one a Merchant, the other a
Robber; and thus, notwithſtanding the many ſtrange Revolutions that
have happen'd in thoſe Parts of the World, do the Inhabitants live to this
very Hour, and ſuch is ſtill their Genius, as will plainly appear in the
Series of this Hiſtory: And as for other Strangers, who might have come
among them, as Adventurers, in all Probability, they were in far leſs
conſiderable Numbers, and betaking themſelves to one, or the other of
theſe Partics, as beſt ſuited their Inclination; or Conveniency, in time be-
came incorporated, and, as we may ſay, loſt in the greater Bodies.
St. Auguſtine ſays, “. If we inquire of any of our Peaſants, concerning
« their Original, the Anſwer they immediately give us 'is, Canaani fumus,
“ We are Canaanites.” But, indeed, he there ſeems to ſpeak of the Re-
licts of the Pæni, or Carthaginians, or perhaps of their Liby-Phænician
Subjects. Theſe were a mungrel Breed of Tyrians and old Africans,
€
ſeemingly
'
The HISTORY OF BARBARY Epitomiz'd. II
ſeemingly thoſe primevous Phænicians, or Canaanites, who remain'd behind,
and who are ſaid to have flock'd in, very early, to their Compatriots, the
Founders of Carthage, and to have greatly forwarded all their Progreſſes.
I can by no means join in Opinion with thoſe who would inſinuate,
that Barbary was peopled from Libya ; neither will any of the Moors al-
low it. Thc Libyans, indeed, may juſtly be look'd upon as the true old
Africans. Tho' they are far from being naturally Negroes themſelves,
yet, by mingling with Æthiopian Women, many of them are extremely
ſwarthy; nay ſeveral Negro Princes are reported to owe their Original
to them, particularly the Kings of Walata, Melli and Tombuto deſcended
from the Princes of Zanaga, which potent Tribe inhabits that Part of Li-
bya which is bounded by the Atlantick Ocean. Theſe Nations lye, from
Weſt to Eaſt, in the Order I have put them: But as I have never been
in any Part of their Country, nor even ſeen many of thoſe People, I ſhall
ſay little of them, but refer the curious Reader to Leo, and others, who
affirm they have travell’d in thoſe Regions. However, as Occaſion offers,
and any thing occurs to my Memory, that I have heard concerning them,
farther may be ſaid.
Of the Affairs of this Country, during the primitive Ages of Darkneſs,
and Obſcurity, very little can be advanc'd, with any tolerable Certainty;
nor, indeed, have we many good Authorities for any conſiderable Part of
its Hiſtory, till within theſe laſt 2000 Years, when the Romans firſt be-
gan to be acquainted with it; ſince, of all the Phænician and Carthaginian
Chronicles, ſcarce one Fragment is to be met with.
:
0000000000000000000
29
000000008
Of Carthage and its Empire.
ANY have treated of this famous City, tho' with great Variations
in their Accounts of it. a Servius, ſpeaking of Queen Dido, its
Foundreſs, ſays, Huic conjux Sichæus erat; and then tells us of the Liberty
the Poets take in changing Names. Quoties Poeta aſpera invenit nomina,
MA
1
.:
* L. I. Æn.
C2
vel
IZ
The HISTORY of B A R BARY Epitomiz'd.
b
с
vel ira metro non ftantia, aut mutat ea, aut de bis aliquid mutilat; nan Si-
cheus Sicharbas diftus eft ;, Belus Didonis pater Metres. He again ſays,
Appulfa ad Libyam Dido, cum ab Hiarba pelleretur, petiit calidè, it emeret
tantuni terre, quantum polet corium bovis tenere, quod cùm ille permiſſet,
corium in tenuiſimas corrigias ſectum tetendit, occupavitque ftadia XXII;
quam rem leviter tangit. Virgilius, dicendo, Fasti de nomine, & non tegere,
ſed circumdarf. And again, Aut antiqua Tyros... Cartbago antè Byrfa, poft
Tyros dicta eſt, poft Carthago.. From Trogus Pompeius, his. Epitomizer
Juſlin gives the ſame Account, but calls her Eliſa, rather Eliſa. This
Hierbas, mention'd by Servius and ſo many others,, was a Numidian Prince,
and Proprietor of that Part of the Country. d Appianus tells the ſame
Story, adding that the Africans laugh'd at her Folly, in begging only for
ſo ſmall a Quantity of Land as ſhe could cover with the Hide of an Ox ;;.
but much admir'd the Subtilty of her Contrivance in cutting it into Thongs.
This, by innumerable Authors, is held to have been the Origin of a Srate,
which has made fo great a Figure in the World.
Some will needs have the Word Byrfa to be Greek, and to have given that
Name from ſignifying a Skin or Hide: But I am ſo far of the Opinion of
Mariana, in this point, that I can ſcarce think the Phænicians would give it
a foreign Name. It much rather ſeems to have been Bifra, Boſra, or
Bozrab, there being other cities of the Eaſt ſo nam'd, as the Metropolis
of e Idumea, or Edom, one of the Cities of the Moabites, and another in
Arabia. In the ancient Hebrew the Word fignifies a Fortreſs, as I am
credibly inform’d, with which Language the Phænician bore a very near
Affinity, as I may obſerve elſewhere: So that it muſt rather have been a
Punick than a Greek Name. This City went by ſeveral Names, of which
I ſhall ſay ſomething among the few Punick Words I meet with:
Tho' Authors agree pretty well, as to its Original, yet they moſt un-
accountably vary in the Point of Time when this renowned Common-
Wealth was firſt eſtabliſh’d. Among an enormous Multitude of different
Opinions, I ſhall take notice of ſome. Strabo fays, Phænices porrò harun ;
ego rerum fuiſſe indices dico, qui ante Homeri (who was born A. M. 2914.)
ætatem optimæ Africæ & Hifpaniæ tenuerunt, & domini eorum fuere locorum, ..
donec eorum a Romanis eft abolitum imperium. Certain it is, that the Phee
nicians traffick'd upon the Coaſts of Spain, and perhaps of Africa, before
.
b Ib. L. 4:
c L. 18.
In Libycis.
e Geneſis xxxvi. 33. Iſaiah xxxiv. 6. &c.
Jeremiah xlviii. 24. and many other Places in the Old Teſtament.
Queen
3
The HISTORY of BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
13
A
I
Queen Dido's Time, and even built Cadiz; and many ſay, that happen'd
not very long before Carthage was founded.
Strabo, & Pomponius Mela, and ſome others, affirm their firſt coming
to Cadiz to have been ſoon after the Deſtruction of Troy, A. M. 2767.
And Appianus Alexandrinus ſo far ſtretches the Matter, that he will needs
have at leaſt Byrſa, the Citadel of Carthage, to have been built ſtill fifty
Years carlier, tho' he acknowledges that neither the Romans, nor Cartha-
ginians agree with him in his Affertion, which he endeavours, to modify
by inſinuating, that he means only the Fortreſs Byrfa: Not to ſay much
of the beautiful Fiction of the Adventures of its Foundreſs Dido, or Eliſa,
Queen of Tyre, with the Trojan Prince Æneas, ſo ſweetly ſung by Virgil,
or of Ovid, Silius Italicus, and others of the Latin Poets, his Imitators;
it being to be preſum'd, that few are ignorant of that Story's being long
ſince exploded as Fable, there being upwards of three Centuries between
thoſe Perſons. The different Opinions of ſeveral are mention'd by Eufebius
Cefarienfis; ſome making the founding of Carthage 143 Years after the
burning of Troy, in the Beginning of the Reign of King David: He
quotes Latinus Sylvius, ſaying 296 Years before the building of Rome; as
do, likewiſe, Caſiodorus, St. Iſidro, and others. Then again he ſpeaks
of ſome who ſay 172 Years after the Trojan War, and others 172 Years
later. h Joſephus, out of the Annals of thc Tyrians, and the Succeſſion of
their Kings, whoſe Names and Time of Reign he ſpecifies, affirms to have
found the building of Carthage to have been 143 Years after the finiſhing
of the Temple by Solomon, A. M. 2940, iDion. Halicarnales condemns
Timeus Siculues for affirming Carthage and Rome to have been founded about
the fame Time, and 38 Years before the firſt. Olympind; himſelf aſſerting
Rome to have been built 62 Years later than Carthage; and Velleius Pater-
culus 65. Solinus holds its Deſtruction to have happen'd 737. Years after
its Foundation. According to k Pliny it was in the Year of Rome 600;
cho' in another Place he has it-608. Florus ſays 606; as does Caſiodorus;
bý. which' Accounts Carthage muſt have been about 136, or 138 Years
older than Rome, which pretty well agrces with Joſephus. The Epito-
mizer of Livy ſays, Carthage was deſtroy'd 700 Years after it was built ;
and Eutropius ſays the ſame, i as does m Saidas. -in two ſeveral Places; this
ſeems to make it not 100 Years older than Rome. Eufebius, in another
{ L. 3.
L. I.
k L. 14. C. 4.
! LK15
& L. 3. C. 6. h Contra Apion. L. 1.
m In Africanus & Carchedon.
Places
I 4
The History of BAR BA'RY Epitomiz’d.
Place, ſays in the Year 669 from its Foundation; and adds, that others
make it to have flouriſh'd 748 Years. Then again Appianus, who, as is
obſerv'd, carries the Age of Byrfa ſo high, ſays, that when the Cartha-
ginians were expellid Sicily, in the Year of Rome 510, the current Year of
Carthage was 700. To have done with this Confuſion, and Variety of
Opinions, I ſhall cloſe with what * Servius ſays, which is the more re-
markable, becauſe he plainly ſeems to have taken it both from the Phænici-
an Writers, and Livy's loft Works. Carthago enim eft lingua Panoruna nova
civitas, ut Livius docet, 36. Carthago a Cartha, & le&tum eft, & in hiſtoria
Pænorum, & in Livio, &c. Urbs antiqua fuit : Bene dixit; namque &
ante LXX. annos urbis Romæ condita erat; & cam deleverat Æmilius Scipio;
que autem nunc eft, poftea a Romanis eſt condita, unde antiquam accipe, e ad
comparationem illius, que nunc eft, & Roma antiquiorem. To theſe 70 Years
Trogus Pompeius adds two inore, ſaying Condita eſt urbs hæc LXXII. An-
nos antequam Roma. Of the fame Opinion is Paulus Orofius. We may,
with Appianus and others, reaſonably conclude, that the Fortreſs Byrfa was
built ſome Time before the City came to be very conſiderably increasid:
.
As to the reſt, our exacteſt Chronologiſts fix theſe Epochas thus: Troy
built A. M. 2450. Flouriſh'd 317 Years. Deſtroy'd 4. M. 2767. Càr-
thage built A. M. 3075. Flouriſh'd 731 Years. Deſtroy'd 4. M. 3806.
Rome built A. M. 3198; which is 123 Years later than Carthage.
I ſhall ſet down a few Heads of the Carthaginian Hiſtory before the
Pinick Wars, as mentiou'd by Writers of Note, dating them from the
building of Rome; that Dare being leſs apt to occaſion Confuſion. This
Epocha is expreſs’d by theſe three Capitals, A. U. C. ſignifying Anno
Urbis Condite, and begins 752 Years before the Chriſtian Era.
4. U. C. 135. The ſecond Year of the fortieth Olympiad, King Nebu-
chodonoſor, in the ſeventh Year of his Reign, laid Siege to the City of
Tyre, and having been thirteen Years before it, at length carried his Point,
Ithobal being then King; as P Joſepbuss from the Teſtimony of Philoſtra-
tus, relates, and angain confirms; as does, likewiſe, the Prophet ' Eże-
chiel. The Carthaginians, then not very powerful, ſent them what Suc-
cour they were able.
A. U. C. 200. According to s Juſtin and
Sentence others affirm to have been paſſed by Huneric, rather thro' the in-
ceſfant Importunities of thé Arian Biſhops, than by Inclination) 'all the
good Chriſtians came out to meet them, bearing lighted Torches, caſting
themſelves and Children at their Feet, drowned in Tears, asking, Why
they abandoned them? Whom had they left to Baptize their Infants
Who muſt Abſolve their Sins ? Who was to perform their Funeral Cere-
monies? With many other ſuch Queſtions full of Grief and Compaſſion :
All which cauſed not the leaſt Emotion in the obdurate Breaſts of the Un-
believers. And by reaſon that many of them, as they were going, fell
down and expired thro? Age or Sickneſs, the Mauritanian Guards were
commanded to tie by the Feet ſuch as could not kcep Pace with the reſt,
and drag them along like the Carcaſe of a dead Animal; and many were
ſo treated, and torne in Pieces, firſt their Garments, then their Bodies.
The ſhort Paragraph runs thus in the Original ; Imperatum eft Mauris, 140
eos qui ambulare non poterant, ligatis pedibus, ut cadavera animalis mortui,
traberent per dira & afpera'loca, ubi primo veſtimenta, poftea membra lingula
carpebantur.
Viktor, Procopius, and others have theſe Wars and Perſecutions at large,
as I obſerved, interſperſed with divers Miracles, Eör. all which, to avoid
Prolixity, I ſhall omit; neither are they very pertinent to the Parpoſe in
Hand. The deteſtable Huneric died miſerably after a ſhort Reign of about
eight Ycars, viz. A. D. 484. Of his Death Vietor ſays; Nain putrefac-
tum, & ebulliens vermibus non corpus tantum, fed & partes ejus viderentur
Sepulte. $. Iſidro thus has it; Ut Arius pater ejus interioribüs cunctis effulis
miferabiliter vitam amifit. And Gregorius Turonenfis differs thus ; Arreptus
a Denione, qui diu de Sanctórum fanguine paſius fuerat, propriis le morfibus
laulabat, in quo etiam cruciatu vitam indignam jufia morte finivit.
This iinpious Fathci, and more iimpious Son were ſucceeded by four o-
ther Princes of the fame Rince and Family, namely Gunthamoni, Thraſa-
mond, Ililderic and Gilimer, ſome of them tolerable, none very good, but
the worſt far short of thofe I have been treating of, as well in Cruelty as
Impicty : Yet all except Flilderic perſecured the Cårbolicks, cfpecially their
Clergy. A. D. 484, or as ſome have it 485 Hunerit was fuecected by
his Nephew. Gunthamane, whom fome can Gondiband; and Gondimond;
I ſhall not ſay much of this Prince. His Father's Name was Genton, or
Genzon. At firſt he afed the Catholick's with Genrleneſs; cauſing to ceaſe
the Perſecution which lopig hnd raged with ſtich Titty. But it foon re-
1
vived;
The HISTORY of BARBARY Epitomiz'd. 85
L
vived; and many Prelates, and other pious Chriſtians ſuffered Martyrdom,
and more underwent grievous Tortures. He reigned ſomewhat more
than ten Years, and was ſucceeded by his Brother Thrafamond, whom
ſome call Thraſimondo
A. D. 495, or 496. This Prince was a moſt rigid Arian, as were,
indeed, all' the Vandal Nation. He publiſhed ſeveral very ſevere Edicts
againſt the Orthodox Clergy, particularly forbidding the Creation of Bi-
ſhops. Notwithſtanding which, ſuch few as were left remaining in the
African Provinces, determined to proceed to a numerous Ordination, that
their Flocks might not be deſtitute of Paſtors to protect them from the
ravenous Arian Wolves. This was ſo highly reſented by Thrafamond,
that he reſolved to baniſh the whole Number, and actually exiled about
fix Score of them to the Iſland Sardinia. Of this Number were S. Ful-
gentius, Biſhop of Rufpe, and fixty Prelates more of that Province. It
would be no eaſy Matter to direct a curious Traveller where to find theſe
- Epiſcopal Sees, or, I doubt, even any ten of them. Hc afterwards. re-
called that Metropolitan, in order to confer with him, who returned ſuch
ſtrong and diſtinct Anſwers to all his, as he imagined, invincible Objec-
tions, that this Arian Prince could not but admire his profound Erudition
and perſuaſive Eloquence. However the Perſecution was violent and of
no ſhort Continuance, he reigning near twenty ſeven Years. He had
long and bloody Wars with the Africans, wherein he was generally
worſted.
Here appears the Genius of the Moors, who can never love a foreign
Nation, for their own Sakes, looking on all as Uſurpers of their Rights;
but will ſide with any againſt ſuch Inmates as they want to get rid of:
And now it ſeems they began to be as ſick of the Vandals, as they had
been before of the Romans, were afterwards of the Arabs, and at this
Inſtant are, and, for above 200 Ycars laſt paſt, have been heartily ſo, of
the Turks. But, we are not to ſuppoſe that all, or, perhaps, a fifth Part of
the Moors were actually at War with this Prince. The Moors are a People
who never were, nor, I believe, can be unanimous: For were they ſo, no
Force could poſlibly maintain an Inch of Ground in their Country; ſince
as their: Numbers are infinite, ſo I am very ſenſible they want not perſo-
inal Courage and Refolution : But they are too volatile and quarrelſome
ever to unite.
1
..
1
1
Before
.36
The HISTORY OF B A'R BARY Epitomiz:d.
Before I have done with theſe Arian Perſecutions, I ſhall juſt hint what
L'ictor of Utica ſays of thoſe who were ſent into Baniſhment among the
Moors, and ſuch as ſuffered Martyrdom at Carthage; tho' this ſecms to
liave happened in Huneric's Time. Primo Sacerdotum & Miniſtrorum co-
piofiliman & maximan turbam, in longinquis & extremis regionibus exilio
crudcli detrufit, &c. Poſt modicum verd temporis univerfas Ecclefias præju-
dicatis venerabilibus portis cæmentis ingentibus claudi mandavit. Univerſa
namque Monaſteria viroruni, vel puellarum gentibus, id eft Mauris, cum ha-
bitatoribus donare præcepit. Tho' the Chriſtians of Africa were thus in-
cloſed on every Side, by fierce and barbarous Nations, yet, in all Proba-
bility, they might have ſtood their Ground to this very Day, had it not
been for the fatal Schiſms and civil Diffentions they nouriſhed in their
own Boſoms. As for the inconſtant Moors, they, according to Cuſtom,
were ever ready to eſpouſe his Party who offered the beſt Conditions.
Procopius, among others, affirms many of them to have frequently ſerved
the Vandals in all their Wars: Maurufii (as he always calls them) Van-
dalis quam plurima incommoda intulere, paſique item ipfi funt.
But Procopius, Evagrius, Nicephorus Caliſtus, Theophanes, and ſome others,
make very grateful Mention of a certain Gentile, or Pagan Chieftain,
whoſe Name was Cabaon, in the Tripolitana, againſt whom Thraſamond
ſent his Army, which was intirely defeated. They fain would attribute
that Victory to a miraculous Cauſe, on account of the Favour ſhewn by
that gallant African to the Catholicks, and their Places of Worſhip, which
the Heretical Vandals had ruined and profanely defiled, and he piouſly
cauſed to be repaired, cleanſed and purified. As I preſume the reſt of
thoſe Authors borrow from Procopius, I ſhall content my ſelf with intro-
ducing his Words. Cabaon, ſays he, præfe&tus quidam, apud Tripolin erat
bello exercitatus, & animo vafer. And when this Perſon underſtood, that
the Vandals were marching againſt him, the fame Author continues; Ubi
verò Cabaon hoc accepit, è veſtigio exercitum in occurſum deducit, ſepiitque
vallo camelis pro munitione diſpoſitis, ex iiſque duodecem in fronte collocavit,
pueros autem ac fæmiñas, omnemque imbellem turbami, fimul cum thefauro,
in medio ponit, fortiſſimos quoſque ad camelorum pedes crime ſcutis conftituit.
His Forces being thus diſpoſed, attending the Vandals, who were all
Cavalry, and their Horſes ſo terrified at the Camels, whoſe Forni and
Scent, as not accuſtomed to thoſe Creatures, they would not abide, that
inſtead of attacking the Moors, the Moors furiouſly fell upon them, taking
Advantage
men
The History of BARBARY Epitomizd. 87
.
Advantage of the Diſorder into which their affrightened Horſes had put
them, and, with incredible Slaughter, gained a complete Victory.
This is an indiſputable Demonſtration, that the Camels were not, in
former Days, any-wiſe near ſo common, in Barbary, as they have been
ever ſince the Irruption of the Muſulman Saracens. It is now far from
being a Novelty, to ſee Multitudes of Horſes, Mules and Camels travel-
ling, and even grazing together, very peaceably. There is not now, I
am very ſure, one Arab, or African, in the whole Region, who would
not laugh heartily at being told of a Body of Horſe, nay Horſe bred in the
Country, being put to Flight at the Appearance of a Dozen Camels. I
have often met with many Thouſands at once feeding in a Plain; nor ſhould
I ſtretch much if I ſaid I had, at one particular Time, ſeen near 300000,
belonging to a noble Neja, or Tribe of Arabs, named Heyl Ben- Ali, of
whom I may have Occaſion to relate ſome Matters; and many of thoſe
People fcrupled not to aver, that if the Camels of the whole Neja had
been together, their Amount would not have been leſs than Half a Mil-
lion. Hirtius ſays, that in the Wars Julius Ceſar carried on, in Africa,
againſt King Juba and Scipio, that Prince had two and twenty Camels :
Et camelis viginti duobus regis adductis. There is ſcarce a poor Arab, who
has any at all, but is nigh as well ſtockcd as his Mauritanian Majeſty, if
thoſe were all he was poſſeſſed of: Tho' it may be ſuppoſed, that the Au-
thor ſpeaks only of ſuch as carricd the richeſt of his Moveables.
Now I am upon this Subject, it may not be altogether impertinent to
take Notice of ſuch another Stratagem, Procopius relates, uſed by the
Moors againſt Soloman, Prefect of Africa, by which his Cavalry were
routed, which being perceived by that General, he, with soo of his Fol-
lowers, diſmounted, and recovered himſelf thus; Ipfe milites non minus quinz-
gentis fecum ducens, in parte valli mittit, mandatque, ilt enſibus utentes ca-
melos, qui in ea parte erant, interficerent. Quo facto Mauruſii, quotquot ibi
aderant, fugere cæperunt : illi verò camelos fere ducentos perimunt, quibus co-
dentibus ftatim ad munitiones adittis Romæis aperitur, qui è vefligio in medi4113
ubi Mauruſiorum feminæ erant irruunt: Thus much of Camels, for the
preſent. But to return to Thraſamond; of whom I have only to add, that
he took ſo much to Heart the Defeat given him by Cabaon, that he
fickened and died ſoon after.
A. D. 523. To him ſucceeded Hilderic, whom ſome call Huneric, ſaid
to be Son to Huneric by the Princeſs Eudoxing Daughter to the Emperor
Talentiniana
I
8.5
The HISTORY of BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
Valentinian, and conſequently Grandſon to the Tyrant Genſeric: But he
neither imitated him, nor any of the reſt of his Predeceſſors, and was, in-
deed, the only tolerable Prince of that ſavage Dynaſty. It is ſaid of him,
that Thrafamond, when on his Death-Bed, exacted from him a ſolemn
Promiſe, never to recal the Prelates he had exiled, after his Acceſſion to
the Throne, and hc, not to falſify his Oath, cauſed them all to be ſent for
before he would aſcend it, or even aſſume the Regal Ticle. A rare Exam:
ple! However, this and other Inſtances of his Lenity rendered him con-
temptible in the Eyes of his licentious Subjects; and he held the Vandal
Crown ſomewhat more than ſeven Years.
A. D. 531. The fixth and laſt of theſe African-Vandal Kings was
Gilimer. He was Son to Gilared, and Grandſon to Genton, of Genſeric's
Family; his Predeceſſor Hilderic was his near Kinſman, whoſe preſumptive
Heir he had been unanimouſly declared. Finding that vertuous Prince's
Life and Reign likely to be of longer Continuancc than ſuited his Ambi-
tion, he found Means ſo to ingratiate himſelf with the Vandals, that Hil-
deric was depoſed this Year, as I obſerve above. The Emperor Juftinian,
who had long meditated ſome grand Deſign upon Africa, which had now
been ſeparated from the Empire no leſs than a whole Century, looked
upon this Juncture as a favourable Opportunity of puſhing to refix that
valuable Jewel in the Imperial Diadem. As an Introduction and Pretext,
he wrote to Gilimer in Behalf of the dethroned Hilderic; and in Return
met with juſt what he ſeems to have expected, nay deſired; Mocks to his
Intreaties, and to his Menaces Contempt. Having thus a plauſible Han-
dle to proceed, he ſtruck up a Peace, or at leaſt a Truce with the Perſians,
in order to turn the intire Force of the Empire upon this inſolent Ulurper :
And accordingly, in the ſeventh Year of that Emperor's Reign, viz. A. D.
533, the great Beliſarius arrived on the African Coaſt, at the Head of a
powerful Army, on a Fleet of soo Sail. Being landed, that brave and
fortunate General foon gave the Vandals to underſtand, that their Tyranny
was drawing near its ultimate Period. To their Ruin their own nefarious
Procedure, together with certain impolitick Steps lately taken, in diſmant-
ling the Strong-Holds, were not a little conducive. As their ravenous
Avarice on one Side, and their infufferable Imperiouſneſs on the other,
had rendered them cqually odious to the Africans, with whom they did
and did not cohabit, they grew diffident, even of thoſe in whom they
had once placed the greateſt Confidence, and from whom they had received
+
4
the
The HISTORY of BARIB ASRY Epitomizd. 89
2
1
the moſt momentous Services. Accordingly the Walls of not one fortified
Place .were left ſtanding intire, except thoſe of their Metropolis, Carthage;
as being, and with abundance of Reaſon, in hourly Apprehenſions of Rc-
bellions and Incurſions of inteſtine Focs, tho' little dreading any foreign
Invaſion. Procopius, who, as I have intimated, was Secretary to Beliſa-
rius, and wrote the Hiſtory of all the Vandal Wars in Africa, ſays; Loca
munita Africe, excepta Carthagine, muro cineta, ne Africanis rebellandi aliquo
modo animus ele poſet, mæniis omnibus, atquc munitionibus expoliaverunt.
And, in another Place, ſpeaking of the City Sylle&tum (of which I know
nothing) near the Sea-Shore, he ſays; Cujus monia jam dudum diruta fuere,
domos oppidani circummunivere incurſus Maurorum metuentes. Certainly, by
ſuch and other Means, as inconſiderate as theſe, this impious Nation
haftened and facilitated their deſeryed and deſired Downfal.
Gilimer courageouſly ſought his bold Invader: When coming to a ſet
Battle, he had the Advantage of the Imperialiſts; and might have carried
the Day, had he known how to make right Uſe of that Advantage; which
not doing, he had the Mortification of beholding the Defeat. of his Ar-
my, and Death of his Brother, cut in Pieces in his Sight, and was him-
ſelf glad to eſcape into Numidia; inſtead of getting into Carthage, capa-
ble of making a vigorous Defenſe. Thither marched the Conqueror, and
eaſily obtained Admittance.
The ſame Hiſtorian is very particular in this War. In one Place he
mentions the ſmall Dependance Gilimer had upon, and the little Aſſiſtance
he met with from the naturally inconſtant, but now irritated Moors; with
ſome other Matters to our Purpoſe. Gilimer, ſays he, poſtquam in Corbule
campum fe recepit, qui quatuor iter dierum à Carthagine, nec procul à Numi.
darum finibus diſtat. Hic Vandalos omnes ad ſe vindicandam excitat, ac fi
quos inter Mauritanos amicos habebat : nam pauci admodum in ejus vererunt
foedus, atque hi omnino liberi, & fine principe. Quicumque enim in Maurita-
nia & Numidia apud Byzacium Mauritanis dominati ſunt, legatos ad Beliſa-
rium miferunt.
This is all fo exactly like the Moors, that méthinks I ſee them before
my Eyes. A few ragged fqualid Vagabonds, belonging to beggarly, in-
dependent Communities, dear Lovers of fiſhing in troubled Waters, mea-
ger with Hunger, and conſequently eager after Spoil, yet too proud,
L. 1. De Bel. Vandal.
N
ſtately
90
The HISTORY of BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
+
ſtately and lazy to work, or ſerve, yet not caring how much Toil boch
themſelves and their poor haraſſed Hacknies undergo, ſo they bear the
honorary Title of Allies, and not Vaffals; ſuch a promiſcuous Troop, I
ſay, of hardy Numidian and Mauritanian Varlets, inured to Miſery, I
cannot but fancy I both hear and behold, with an audacious Libcrty and
faucy Familiarity, ſcurrilouſly railing againſt the triumphant Beliſarius, yec
moſt ſycophantically adulating the half-defponding Gilimer, whom, from
the
very
Bottom of their hollow Hearts, they, moſt religiouſly, wiſh at
the very Bottom of the Red-Sea, or, perhaps, in a worſe Place, extolling,
above the dittant Clouds, Virtues he never poflefTed, as they are themſelves
conſcious, proteſting they are all ready to die before him, that is, fighting
in the Front of his Army, their uſual Term, upon every ſuch Occaſion.
And what is all this for? Why, the very ſame Motive that induces our
own Paraſites to act the detettable Parts they daily and hourly do: Vile,
ſordid Intereſt. Lucre, filthy Lucre. Alas! it is not only theſe Africans
that are tainted with having a remarkably good Hand at playing the Sy-
cophant: .Tho', indeed, as they are ſomewhat groſs in all their Doings,
they do this groſlly enough. The Algerine Turks having good Noſes, ma-
nage accordingly: I may, probably, particularize. It were to be wiſhed
this odious Faculty was confined to Barbary alone: But I know not
where it does not reign predominant.
I doubt not but this will be termed an immethodical running into Di-
greſſions; and I ſhall be cenſured for thus incongruouſly blending Matters
diametrically oppolite. But having a ſomewhat treacherous Memory, I
ſet down what occurs to my Thought, without much regarding Place,
or Seaſon: I can but, as I hinted ſomewhere, the oftner trouble a cour-
tcous Reader with References.
As I utterly proteſt againſt all Manner of Partiality, on any Side; I will,
to the utmoft of my Knowledge and Remembrance, and with the ſtricteſt
Regard ro Vera city, do as exist Juſtice to the People, whoſe Hiſtory I
have undertaken to write, in deſcribing their good and moral Qualities,
as Occaſion ſhall offer, (and ſome they, cert.inly, have, enough to make
too many of our European Pretenders to Chriflianity, Civility and good
Manner's bluſh) as I will to Truth, in painting out their Deformitics, a-
mong which none of the Icaſt is what I have been ſpeaking of above, and
which, in particular, odious as it is, is ſo far from being peculiar to iliem,
that I wiſh I could ſay it were not moſt ſcandalouſly common to all Na-
tions
The HISTORY of BAR BARY Epitomiz'd.
91
tions under the Sun, notwithſtanding the noiſy Pretenſions to Superiority,
in Points of Integrity of Morals, Uprightneſs of Heart, Politeneſs, and
what not, of Nations more refined in Manners and Politicks, inviolable
in their Fidelity, at leaſt all theſe ſhining Qualities are inceſſantly boaſted
of by them, and to ſuch a Pitch are thoſe Pretenſions carried, that foarce
any People, but their own precious Selves, are allowed to deſerve even
the Name of a People: They are Savages, Brutes, Monſters, devoid of
all Similitude of Humanity, except the bare Form. This is being exor-
bitantly partial; or I am exorbitantly miſtaken.
But let none be ſo far miſtaken, in their Notions, as to deem me, an
Advocate for the Moors. No: I ſhall, impartially, paint them out in their
trueſt Colours; as may be met with, diſperſed up and down in this Work,
by ſuch as ſhall be at the Pains of reading it over: For the more is faid
in one place, the leſs Occaſion I ſhall have of inlarging in another; and
if I do it not ſo regularly, I will, at leaſt, vouch its being performed
with a far greater Share of Trath, and diſintereſted Sincerity, thin any
other Writers, on theſe Themes, have thought fit to put in Practice, a-
mong the many I have, not without ſome Indignation, ran thorough,
more eſpecially among the Moderns. To particularize would be tirelomne,
and even endleſs.
. I broke off, leaving the diſcomfited Giliner, environed by a tattered
Rabble of undiſciplined Numidian and Mauritanian Bumpkins: Info!entiy
proud and aſſuming, yet abjectly fawning, provided thcy can get by it:
Unparallel'd Incendiaries: Perfidious and inconſtant Mercenaries: Inimi-
tably good at menacing the Abſent: Not ſo very good at facing a bolj
and reſolute Enemy: Some inúred to freeze on Mountain-Tops, eternally
buried in Snow: Others accuſtomed to fry in torrid Defarts, almoſt con-
tinually buried in Clouds of Sind: Generally ſpeaking, moſt exemplarily
and perſeveringly patient of ſuch, and other Extremities of Wretched
neſs; if, thereby, they can maintain their adored Independency: Implaca-
bly revengeful; in which reſpect they come not, I think, very far ſhort
of any of our European Nations, whoſe Character; for that Paſſion, is inoſt
eminently:famous: In everlaſting Enmity among themſelves, butchering
cach other without Remorſe, upon the flighteſt Provocations; but wear-
ing Hearts incurably cankered towards any Uſurpers upon their ancient
Patrimonies; and ſuch they have, ſucceſſively, deemed all foreign Pewers,
who have eſtabliſhed Settlements in their Country; tho' they diſſemble,
anů
N 2
92
The HISTORY OF BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
1
and carry it plauſibly till Occaſion offers of giving a home Stroak, or till
they find no farther Advantages accrue from thật Diſſimulation. Such is
ſome Part of the real Character of the Moors of theſe Days, more parti-
cularly thoſe who are in a State of Independency; and I ſtrongly fancy
their Progenitors, who, I have been obſerving, flocked in to countenance
Gilimer, and to diſpoſe and encourage his Remnant of Vandals to venture
a deciſive Puſh (while they, like the vigilant Mungrel-Cur were waiting
for the Bone the two Maſtiffs contended for) to have been, in moſt re-
ſpects, very little different.
To carry this Argument ſome few Steps farther's ſuppoſe one was to
take a circulary Trip, among the other Africans, who thought it their
Intereſt to ſide with the victorious Imperialiſts, and who, as. Procopius has
informed us, were, by much, the greater Numbers. Nor are we to con
clude, but that many Tribes remained abſolutely neuter, watching the
Event; as never fails to happen on ſuch Occaſions. I ſhall.deſcribe the
Matter as it would now be, which, as I often intimate, muſt needs have
been much the ſame two thouſand Years ago, and perhaps in ſtill remoter
Ages; the People being ſtill the ſame, with little or no material Diver-
fity, notwithſtanding their preſent Intermixture with the Afiatick Arabs;
the main Alteration conſiſting in the univerſal Profeſſion of Mahometiſi,
in lieu of the Practice of Pagan Idolatry, among the many, or of feigned
and involuntary Chriſtianity among fewer ;, yet certainly ſome Numbers of
theſe laſt real good Chriftians, others, again; Heretically diſpoſed, after
the Example of thoſe with whom they chicfly communicated, and moſt
depended on : To which may be added, Corruption of Speech; Arabian
inſtead of African Proper-Names of People, many Places, &c. the utter
Deſtruction, nay Oblivion of hundreds of once ſtately and flouriſhing E-
difices; miſerable Poverty, inſtead of immenfe Opulency, reigning almoſt
every where, except in the few Capital Cities now left in any tolerable
Condition, which is no more than what may, rationally, be expected in
Regions ſo frequently ſtripped to the very Skin, as one may fay, as the
African Provinces have been, and which, for ſo many Periods :.of Years,
have groaned under the Oppreſſions.of deſpotisk Tyrints. In theſe Para
ticulars, the modern State of Barbary, and its Neighbourhood, isg uns.
doubtedly, different from what it was in ſome of the preceding Centuries :
But as to the Manners, Cuſtoms, Morals, E-Ci of the People who inhabit
there, I cannot help thinking, but that the Alteration, from what they
formerly were, is very inconſiderable. ,
Imagine
The HISTORY OF BARBARY Epitomiz'd. 93
Imaginc, therefore, a Proſpect' of the declining Vandals, abandoned by
all, except a few half-ſtarved Free-Booters, hovering about them, as Birds-
of-Prey hover over a Place where they are likely to meet with a Glut of
Carrion, while ſeveral of the Petty-Potcntates of Africa are in deep Con-
ſultation, hugging themſelves at the Commotions, tho' dubious and in
Suſpenſe which Party to eſpouſe, till their Scouts fly with Intelligence of
what Succeſs has attended the Invaders. Turn next your Eyes towards
the Imperial Camp; behold it ſwarming with ſhabby Embaſſadors, and
Crowds of their more ſhabby Retinue, and the pompous Pavillion of the
grcat Beliſarius thronged with the Firſt-Comers, the reſt tumultuouſly cl-
bowing for Admittance, in order, as others are doing, to ſtun the Ears
of that Riſing-Sun, and now their Darling, if the noble Warrior has
Faith and Credulity enough to believe the paraſitical Proteſtations, penes
trable Lies, and moſt fulſome Flatteries, which glibly flow from the de-
ceitful Tongues of thoſe Southern Sycophants. This is really the Cha-
racter of the Africans.
But have I not been, all this While, laying out ſome Portion of the
Character of more Northern Sycophants? Alas! I greatly fear it. Have
we not any. Inſtances, in Story, of ſome ſuch-like Deportment practiſed
by politer and more refined Nations, on this Side the Mediterranean, to-
wards their own natural Princes, as theſe Såvages, as they will needs have
them to be, ſometimes practiſe towards foreign Tyrants and Uſurpersg
.
whom they have all imagin.ble Reaſon to deteft and abominate? Letting,
alone what I have both read and heard; I have even known many baſe
and villanous Enormities perpetrated by ſuch as would be highly affronted
to be named in the fame Breath with an Africa. But Prejudice will pre-
vail; Sycophantry will flouriſh, and cven be countenanced; and till Man-
kind wholly ceaſes to exiſt, there is little Appearance that any one Clime
in the whole Univerſe, if peopled at all, will cver ceaſe to be peopled by
the fame Mixture of Good, Indifferent and Stark-Naught it now is,
without
any of thoſe mighty Advantages ſo fanguinely ſtickled for by each
Pretender to a Superiority in Purity of Morals. But it is high Time to
have done with moralizing, and to return to my Hiſtory.
Gilimer had a Brother in Sardinia, named Zazo, or Zazon, whom he ſent
for over, with what Troops he could raiſe ; and joining them and his own to
their African Allies, he formed a conſiderable Army, and marched directly
for Carthage. Beliſarius met him, and the Battle was very furious, with
much
94
The HISTORY of BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
much Slaughter on both sides. Zazon loſt his Life, and Gilimer betook
limſelf to a precipitatc Flight. Beiiſarins followed the routed Vandals,
broke thro' their Intrenchments, and poſſeſſed himſelf of the whole Camp,
in which were infinite Riches, as lays Procopius, all they had amaſſed
during the ninety five Years they had been peaceable Poffeffors of the Afri-
can Provinces. In Purſuit of Gilimer were fent 200 Horſe with a valiant
Officer, whoſe Name was John; by whoſe unfortunate Death, in the Ex-
ecution of his Commiſſion, that Prince found Means to eſcape to a cer-
tain Mountain, called Papua. I do not remember ever to have heard of
that Name; but Procopius ſays of it thus; Hic mons in Numidiæ finibus
extremis, valde quidem abrupius, adituque petris undique altiſimis communitus,
in quo Mauruſii habitunt, Gilimeris amici ac in bello focii. Here we find,
that notwithſtanding what I had been ſaying of the Treachery and other
ill Qualities of the Africans, they were not all ſo perfidious; the unfortu-
nate Gilimer finding a Place of Retreat among ſome of them, in his greateſt
Extremity; which, much to the Praiſe of many of the Moors be it ſpoken,
their most invererarc Enemies ofren meet with.
The Imperial General, ſoon after, ordered Pharas, one of his moſt ex-
perienced Captains, to belcager that Mountain ; who managed ſo well,
that it was not long before he got Gilimer into his Hands, and conducted
him to Beliſarius, at C.srt hage. And to put an End to this Vandal War,
Part of the Imperial Army marched Weſtward, to Cæfaria, and thence
down to the Screights Mouth, as far as Ceuta, all which Coaſt was eaſily
cleared of the Reſidue of thoſe Arians, who had tyrannized ninety five
Years, according to ſome, tho' others make their Stay in the Country ſix
or ſeven years longer. This laſt War, from the Landing of the Impe-
rial Army to the total Reduction and final Expulſion of the Vandals, lafted
not fix Months complete.
All being over, Beliſarius made Preparation for his Departure: But be-
fore he went, Procopius, in a very angry Mood, takes Notice that; Mau.
ruſii quot apud Byzacium & in Numidia babitabant, ad defe&tionem ex nulla
penitus caufa tendebant, ac ftatim fædere foluto contra Romeos arma parare
decreverunt, & hoc quidem ex more patrio faciebant. Illis enim neque Dei
me!us eft ulus, nequi hominum reverentia, neque item jurisjurandi, aut obfidum
ulla cura: ctiam fi filius aut fratres ipforum ducentium exercitum eos eſſe
contingeret. Denique cum nullo pacem habent, nifi cum eis quoruni metu coer-
ccantur, &c. Quando clafis in Africam ab initio mittenda parabatur, formi-
4
dantes
The HISTORY of BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
95
dantes Mauruſi, nequid incommodi accciperent, feptem vaticiniis fæminarum
ſunt uſi: nam in hac gente viros vaticinari nefas. As to this conjuring Part
of the Story, I have nothing to ſay to it ; only I know, that, now-a-
Days, both Sexes are great Pretenders to Magick, tho' differing in their
Methods of Working. I may ſay more elſewhere. But here my Au-
thor paints out the Moors in even blacker Colours than I had been doing
juſt before; as a People neither fearing God, nor reſpecting Man: But,
when I wrote that, I was not come to this Paftage.
However, theſe Numidians, &c. having, by their Divinations, true, or
untruc, found that the prognoſticated, lucky Moment was at Hand, took
the Field, and over-ran thc Byzacena like a Torrent; where meeting with
little Oppoſition, they ſweeped away all that came in their Way, Wo-
men, Children, Cattle, &c. Fæminæ cum pueris capiuntur, pecunia, (peſque ex
univerſa regione abducuntur, denique fuga locus omnis referius. This exactly
anſwers the Vigilance of the Moors, who watch all Opportunities of ſud-
denly falling upon the Unwary.
Beliſarius, tho’ he heard of theſe Diſorders, could not put by his Voy-
age; but, all things being ready, imbarked, with his rich Spoils, and nu-
merous Priſoners, at whole Head went the unhappy Gilimer; recommend-
ing the Preſervation of the lately-recovered Realms to the Care of his Lieu-
tenant, the noble Soloman, a brave Soldier and wiſc Commander. The
victorious General, arriving at Confianiinople, entered that proud Metropo-
lis in Triumph, the chief Ornament whereof was that dejected Captive
King, of whom it is reported, that as he beheld the Emperor Juſtinian,
ſitting on his ſplendid and magnificent Throne, ſurrounded by his Nobili-
cy, in the great Circus, to ſee the Triumphal Ceremonies, and reflecting
on his own preſent abjiet Statc, to which his Ambition had reduced him,
he broke out into theſe memorable Words, Vanity of Vanities! All is
Vanity! The Emperor beſtowed on him, his Family and Relations, cer-
tain Lands and Poſſeſſions in Galatı, and would have inrolled him in the
Patrician Order, could he have prev siled on him to renounce Ariani/m.
Beliſarius is a notable Inſtance of the Inſtability of Mundanc Affurs;
being ſaid to have been reduced to ſuch Milery, that he ended his Days
begging for Suſtenance, in the Streets of Conſtantinople; tho' ſome inform
us, that, before he died, he was restored to all his Honours.
The new Governor, Soloman, ſent for a Re-inforcement; the Troops
left him by Beliſarius not being ſufficient to garriſon the fortificd Places,
and
96
The History of BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
and defend the Provinces from the Inſults of the Africans, who gave daily
Proofs of their not having lided with the Imperialiſts out of any Affection
thcy bore then, but merely out of Hatred to the Vandals. Soloman's chief
Care, according to Procopius, was where there ſeemed to be the greateſt
Appearance of Danger, ubi Mauruſios ereétos ad defe&tionem, turbataſque
res valde vidit. What moſt employed his Thoughts, was the Succeſs of
the Commiſſion he had given to four of the experteſt Captains of his Ar-
my, who ubi Maurufios, ubi prædam agentes, ac omnia populantes, tum A
fros ubique captivos ducentes viderent &c. Mauruſios omnes ad prædam hujuf-
modi diſperſos partim interficiunt, partim capiunt.
Upon this, four African Chieftains haſtily united their Forces, and at
Sun-Set falling upon thein, utterly defeated and flew two of thoſe Com-
manders, with a good Number of their Men, carrying off many Priſoners.
When Soloman had Intelligence of this Diſgrace, he wrote to thoſe Petry-
Princes, upbraiding them with their Perfidy, putting them in Mind of
thc Hoſtages they had given him, and their folemn Promiſes ; intimating,
that in caſe they did not defiſt from ſuch Hoftilities, the ſame People who
had been able to quell the Inſolence of the Vandals, wanted neither Strength
nor Reſolution to chaſtiſe Injuries done them by others. Their Anſwer
was in theſe Terms; Beliſarius, nos magnis pollicitationibus circumveniens,
induxit nos Imperatoris Juſtiniani ſponte ſubditos ele, nihilo bonorum nos im-
pertiendo fame prejos, amicos nos efe ac focios rogavit. Itaque non Mauru-
fios magis, quàm vos infidos appellari jure oportebit : fodera folvunt, non qui
injuriam patientes à proximis deſciſcunt, ſed qui fæderatos habere aliquos pof-
tulantes deinde violant.
Here the civilized People ſeem to be in the wrong, and not the Barba-
rians, as this Author and many others name them: But let us examine the
Extract of a Letter wrote to the Emperor Juſtinian, by one of the four
Rebel Princes, by Name Antalas: Theſe are the Words, as related by
Procopius; Servus eſſe tui Imperii nunquam ipſe negaverim. Maurufiii ta-
men, qui erant in fædere à Solomone intoleranda indignaque pali, nuper ar-
ma fumere coa&ti funt, non quidem to, ſed inimicum fuum petentes. Ego quo-
que inter cæteros maximè lacefitus, quem ipfe non folùm cibariis, quæ
mibi
paulo antè Beliſarius, tuque dedifi, privavit, fed & fratrem meum,
à
quo
nullum acceperat incommodum, interfecit. Sure Procopius did not include
this injured Moor in the Number of thoſe who neither feared God, nor
reſpected Man. I would fain know, what Army, or Body of Troops,
would
I
The History of BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
97
would not riſe, even againſt their own lawful Prince, if deprived of their
promiſed Stipend, and had the Mortification of having their deareſt Re-
lations and Friends flaughtered without Cauſe.
Tho' cheſe Moors had ſome plauſible Pretext for their Procedure, yet
Soloman was of a contrary Opinion; and his Valour and Fortune got the
better of the ſeeming Juſtice which pleaded in the Rebels Behalf. Un-
derſtanding the Purport of the Letter ſent to the Emperor, and the De-
termination of the Africans to ſtand up in their own Defenſe, he marched
his Army into the Byzacena, and, apud oppidum Mamma, (of which I
know nothing) abi quatuor Mauruſiorum duces cafirameiati ſunt, vallum
firmavit. Montes hic altiſſimi funt, & parvum oppidum Males (I know it
not) ad montium radices. Hic Barbari ſe ad pugnam accingentes, aciem hoc
modo conftituunt. Camelos circa in gyrum locant, &c. fæminas cum pueris
intus in medio ftatuunt. Nam Maurufiis mos eft fæminas cum pucris in expe-
ditionem ducere, ut valium tuguriaque faciant, præterea equos ſcirè ac diligen-
ser curant, camelis pabulum ſubminiſtrant, armaturamque omnem ferream po-
liunt ac mundant, multis denique laboribus per cas levantur. Nothing can
more exactly deſcribe the modern Africans than do theſe few Lines. They
carry their whole Families with them to the Wars; their Women look
after their Horſes and Furniture, put on and take off their Saddles, &c.
cleanſe their Sabres, Lances, and even Fire-Arms, now they have them,
feed their Cattle, provide Wood and Water, fetching the ſame on their
Backs, if they have no Mules nor Affes, make all their Tents and other
woven Furniturc; as I ſhall more diſtinctly obſerve; and in a Word, the
Men have very little to do but to mount their Horſes, except ſuch of
them as follow Huſbandry, and they only take a little Pains juſt in Seed
and Harveſt Times; fo that their Women arc perfect Drudges to their La-
zineſs all the Year round, and in all Weathers; and the Comfort of it all
is, that they do it without grumbling, looking on it as their indiſpen-
fible Duty.
To what I already ſaid concerning * Camels, I ſhall add, that thoſc
Creatures, which, I took Notice, are now in far greater Plenty than they
ſeem formerly to have been, are of great' and unvaluable Uſe to their
Poffeffors. The Moors of theſe Days have fevy of them, in Compariſon
of what the Arabs breed'; they being their chief Wealth. They aſk
* Vide-P. 86, 876
O
nots
98
The History of BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
not, how many thouſand Ducats a Man is worth ; but, how many hun-
dreds, or thouſands of Camels he is Maſter of. The Camels are to them
the
very Nerves of War, and the Regales of Peace. Without them they
could not poſſibly reach a Retreat in the Deſarts, nor ſubſiſt when there.
Provided with a numerous Drove of Camels, a Body of 1000 reſolute
Fellows, if they have but twelve Hours Warning, can tranſport themſelves
where all the Powers of Africa dare not attempt to follow them. Tho*
their Motion is but flow, never exceeding a Foot-Pace, yet, in one Night's
March, they will be out of Danger of being over-taken by any Body of
Horſe, not accuſtomed to thoſe arid Regions, who will be in great Ne-
ceſſity of Reſt and Refreſhment, while the Camcls and their Drivers can
very well hold on for thirty or forty Hours longer, without ſtopping, at
leaſt without making any conſiderable Stay, till they are paſt all Fear of
farther Purſuit ; nor are their Horſes much leſs capable of enduring that
Fatigue than are their Camels and Selves; a Draught of warm Camel's
Milk, with a few Dates, and Handfuls of Barley, being a Repaſt ſuffi=
cient to ſet both Man and Beaſt a jogging on very vigorouſly: Neither
are their Women and Children (many of which hoof it over thoſe De-
farts, tho' the better Sort ride on the Camels) very apt to lag behind. I
have actually ſeen Women fall in Labour on a March; and, in leſs than
half an Hour after all has been over, follow the reſt of the Neja, with
five or ſix more, of their own Sex, who ſtayed to aſſiſt them; their Huſ-
bands, with, perhaps, hälf a Score of their Friends, bringing up the Rear,
at a Diſtance. Our nice, tender Engliſh Females would think very much
of ſuch Lyings-in!
When I ſaid, that Camels were not ſo plenty among the Moors as 2-
mong the Arabs, I ought to have excluded the Libyans, and their Neigh-
bours the Soutb-Numidians, who dwell not in fixed Manſions; they being
poſleſſed of innumerable Droyes of thoſe uſeful Creatures. Nor, indeed,
comparatively ſpeaking, are their Numbers
very
conſiderable
on this Side the Mountains; neither do they thrive ſo well, or become
any thing near ſo ſerviceable, in a rich and "fertile Spil, as they do in a
barren and torrid Region. Cold thcy cannot:endurc; an uncven Country
they are very unfit for; and their 'Epidemical Dillemper is the Mange,
of which they ſeldom perfectly recover. In thic Deſarts they are not ſo
fubject to it, and are caſily cured, by being daubed over with Kitran, or
liquid Pitch, commonly called Tar. Among a Multitude of quaint Say-
any where
1
2
ings
The HISTORY of B.A'R BA RY: Epitomiz'd. 99
ings of the African-Arabs, they have this; Al Thilje e-berrefs al Jibeyl ;
Al Shurr e-hed al Rajeyl; Wa'l Jerubb e-fiſed al Jimeyl. That is, “ Snow
“ batters Mountains; Want pulls down Men; And the Mange ſpoils Ca-
“ mels.” They alſo ſay; If one ſhould put the Queſtion, Amma hafan-
lic, ya'l Jimil, al Aåkaba ou'l Hadlra? “ Which is beſt for you, O Ca.
! mel, to go up Hill or down?” He will make anſwer; Allah innalla-
hum mineyn't luccau: “God's Curſe light on 'em both, wherefoever they
« are to be met with.” And the Truth is, a few Hours marching on un-
even Ground does a Camel more Hurt, and tires him more than ſeveral Scores
of Leagues will do in travelling thro' a level, dry Country; as the Moors
and Arabs all agree : And after a Rain they are ſcarce able to go on at all,
their ſoft, hoofleſs Feet being extremely apt to flip; and when they once
fall it is difficult to make them riſe again. In ſtony Ways the poor Crca-
tures hobble very much; yer all the heavieſt Luggage of the Turkiſh
Camps is carried on them, notwithſtanding the many rugged Mountains
they are obliged to paſs over. I ſhall treat farther of the Uſe the Arabs
and Africans make of Camels in their Wars. What I have here ſaid, was
introduced by what Procopius reports, in ſeveral Places, of thoſe of his
Times. It ſeems that the Africans he laſt ſpoke of, had a good Number
of them ; ſince they could ſhelter all their Baggage and uſeleſs People with-
in thc Circumference made by their Camels. That Poſition was well c-
nough contrived, to oppoſe an Enemy whoſe Horſes were afraid of the
very Sight of Creatures with which they were not acquainted : But the
Stratagem would not anſwer now, ſince, as I ſaid, they are become ſo fa-
miliar. In the Miſcellanea Curioſa, I have read of one would have been
much more effectual, deſigned, ſome Years ago, by an Arab Prince, to be
put in Practice againſt a Company of Engliſh Merchants, and their Rc-
tinue, who were well provided with Fire-Arms, which the Arabs dread,
and who went to take a View of the ſtately Ruins of the famous Tadmor,
or Palmyra, in the Midſt of a ſpacious Deſart in Syria. It was, to have
loaded all their Camels with Sand, in old rotten Sacks, full of Holes, and
to march behind them, advancing towards the Caravan when the Wind
blew ſtrong, and full in their Teeth; which would not have failed of the
deſired Effect: For the Sand iſſuing apace from thoſe Holes, as the Ca-
mels moved on, and the Wind driving both that, and what was raiſed by
theirs and the Horſes Fect, in Clouds, into the Eyes of thoſe who ſtood
l'eady to receive them, and who would, probably, have made a general
02
Diſcharge,
100 The History of BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
Diſcharge, in order to prevent being over-borne and trampled down by
the impctuous Shock of the Camels, upon which the Arabs, ſwift as
Lightning, wheeling about, without allowing them Time to recharge;
in the Diſorder the Duſt and Sand muſt needs have put them, would, in-
fallibly, have diſpatched every Man, with their Sabres and long Lances.
For ſome thouſands of Dollars, in Specie and Merchandize, Matters were
accommodated, and the Gentlemen got away ſafe to Aleppo; but returned
afterwards, with better Succeſs, as may be read at large, with a curi-
ous and cxact Deſcription of the noble Remains of that once cclebrated
City.
Various are the Names by which the Arabs call their Camels; having
Diſtinctions for their ſeveral Ages, Perfections and Defects, which would
be too tedious to enumerate. A Camel in general they call Jimil, Plural
Jimell and Jimeyl; as likewiſe Ibill. The Male, when full-grown, is Baeyr ;
the Female Nagga: A young Camel is Hafbi. In Barbary they have none
of thoſe double-bunched Camels, ſuch as are in Bactria, &c. This ſhall
ſuffice. They often ride upon them, either loaded, or empty; either
with or without the Pack-Saddle; if without, the Rider fits behind the
Bunch, or Hump, uſing no manner of Bridle, guiding the Beaſt only by
ſtriking gently with a Stick on his Neck. They go very joulting and
uneaſy; nor is it pofible for their Rider to ſit ſteady. This Creature is
very docile and tractable, except at the Seaſon of its coupling, and then apt
to be fierce and miſchievous, remembring any particular ill Uſage of the
Driver, and rewarding it with a fly Kick, or a good Bite: So the con-
ſcious Clown prudently endeavours to keep out of Reach. Of hundreds
of Africans I have examined, none ever gave me a ſatisfactory Account,
as to their way of ingendering : What ſome affirm, others contradict:
But the moſt general Report is, that the Female is compelled, by the bi:ing
of her rough Wooer, to lie down, doubling her Knes under hier, as when
they load and unload. The Certainty is, that theſe modeſt Brutes are ex-
tremely ſhy of having the Confummation of their Amours expoſed to
Sight, and therefore generally chuſe to ſkreen them under a Vcil of
Darkneſs. The Female carrics her Young cleven Months.
All the Time I was in Barbary, I could never get Sight of above threc
or four Dromedaries. Theſe the Arabs call Mehera; the Singular is Me-
beri. They are of ſeveral Sorts, and Degrees of Value, ſome worth many
common Camels, others ſcarce worth two or threc. To look on, they
ſcem
The HISTORY of BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
IOT
eem little different from the reſt of that Species, only I think the Ex-
creſcence on a Dromedary's Back is ſomewhat leſs than that of a Cainel.
What is reported of their ſleeping, or rather ſeeming ſcarce alive, for ſome
Time after their coming into the World, is no Fable. The longer tliey
lic ſo, the inore excellent they prove in their Kind, and conſequently of
higher Price and Eſteem. None lie in that Trance more than ten Days
and Nights. Thoſe that do, are pretty rare, and are called Adſhåri, from
Adſhara, which ſignifies ten, in Arabick. I ſaw one ſuch, perfectly white
all over, belonging to Lella-Oirmánė, Princeſs of that noble Arab Neja,
named Heyl ben Ali, I ſpoke of, and upon which ſhe put a very great
Valuc, never ſending it abroad but upon ſome extraordinary Occaſion,
when the greateſt Expedition was required ; having others, inferior in
Swiitneſs, for more ordinary Meſſages. They ſay that one of theſe Aa-
Sharies will, in one Nighr, and thro' a level Country, traverſe as much
Ground as any ſingle Horſe can perform in ten, which is no Exaggeration
of the Matter; fince many have affirmed to me, that it makes nothing of
holding its rapid Pace, which is a moſt violent Hard-Trot, for four and
twenty Hours upon a Stretch, without ſhewing the leaſt Sign of Weari-
ncſs, or Inclination to Bait; and that having then ſwallowed a Ball or
two of a sort of Paft, made up of Barley-Meal, and, may be, a little
Powder of dry Dates among it, with a Bowl of Water, or Camel's Milk,
if to be had, and which the Courier ſeldom forgers to be provided with,
in Skins, as well for the Suſtenance of himſelf, as of his Pegaſus, the in-
defatigable Animal will ſeem as freſh as at firſt ſetting out, and ready to
continue running at the ſame ſcarce credible Ratc, for as many Hours
longer, and ſo on from one Extremity of the African Dcfarts to the other ;
provided its Rider could hold out without Sleep, and other Refreſhment.
This has been averred to me, by, I believe, more than a thouſand Arabs
and Sloors, all agreeing in every Particular. Theſe Couriers never dare
venture to take a Nap, in the open Deſart, eſpecially in the Night, for
Fear of being ſurprized and devoured hy the monſtrous Serpents, which
are moſt outrageouſly ravenous, bold and dángerous.
I happened to be, once in particular, at the Tent of that Princeſs, with
Ali ben Mahamoud, the Bey, or Vice-Roy of the Algerine Ea!tern Pro-
vince, when he went thither to celebrate his Nuptials with Ambarca, her
only Daughter, if I miſtake not : Of this Bey I ſhali ſay more in due
Place. Among other Entertaiments ſhe gave her Gueſts, thc Favourite,
white
102
The HISTORY of BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
white Dromedary was brought forth, ready Saddled and Bridled. I ſay
Bridled, becauſe the Thong, which ſerves inſtead of a Bridle, was put
thro' the Hole purpoſely made in the Griſtle of the Creature's Noſc.
The Arab, appointed to mount, was ſtraitly laced, from the very Loins
quite to his Throat, in a ſtrong Leathern Jacket; they never riding thoſe
Animals any otherwiſe accoutred; ſo impctuouſly violent are the Con-
cuſſions the Rider undergoes, during that rapid Motion, that were he to
be looſe, I much queition, whether a few Hours ſuch unintermitting Agi-
tation would not endanger the burſting of ſome of his Entrails: And this
the Arabs ſcruple not to acknowlcdge. We were to be diverted with ſee-
ing this fine Aaſbäri run againſt ſome of the ſwiftelt Barbs in the whole
Neja, which is famed for having good oncs, of the true Libyan Breed,
ſhaped like Greyhounds, and which will, ſometimes, run down an Oftridge;
which few of the very beſt can pretend to do, cſpecially upon a hard
Ground, perfectly level. We all ſtarted like Racers; and, for the firſt
Spurt, moſt of the beſt mounted among us kept up pretty well; but our
Graſs-fed Horſes foon flagged: Several of the Libyan and Numidian Run-
ners held Pace till we, who ſtill followed upon a good round Hand-Gal-
lop, could no longer diſcern them, and then gave out; as we were told
after their Return. When thic Dromedary had been out of our Sight a-
bout half an Hour, we again eſpied it flying towards us, with an amazing
Velocity, and in a very few Moments was among us, and ſeemingly nothing
concerned; while the Horſes and Mares were all on a Foam, and ſcarce
able to breathe, as was, likewile, a fleet, tall Greyhound Bitch, of the
young Prince's, who had followed and kept Pace the whole Time, and
was no ſooner got back to us, but lay down panting as if ready to expire.
I cannot tell exactly how many Miles we went; but we were near three
Hours in coming leiſurely back to the Tents, yet made no Stop in the
Way. The young Princes, Hamet ben al Guydôm ben Sakhari, and his
younger Brother Meljoud, told their new Brother-in-Law, that they defied
all the Potentates of Africa to ſhew him ſuch an Aáfhari; and the Arab
who rode it, challenged the Bey, to lay his Lady a Wager of 1000
Ducats, that he did not bring him an Anſwer to a Letter from the Prince
of Wargala, in leſs than four Days, tho' Leo Africanus, Marmol, and re-
veral others aſſure us, that it is no leſs than forty Spaniſh Leagues, of four
Miles each, South of Tuggurt, to which Place, upon another Occaſion,
as I ſhall obſerve, we made fix tedious Days March from the Neighbour-
hood
1
The HISTORY of BARBARY Epitomiz'd. 103
+
hood of Biſcara, North of which we were then, at leaſt thirty Hours
riding, if I remember rightly: However the Bey, who was a Native of
Biſcara, and conſequently well acquainted with the Sahara, durſt not take
him up. By all Circumſtances, and the Deſcription given us, beſides
what I know of the Matter my ſelf, it could not be much leſs than 400
Miles, and as many back again, the Fellow offered to ride, in ſo ſhort a
Time; nay many other Arabs boldly proffered to venture all they were
worth in the World, that he would perform it with all the Eaſe ima-
ginable. Thus much of Camels, and that nobler Species of them, the
Droinedaries.
Soloman's Arms were victorious; and with an infinite Booty of Priſoners,
of all Ages and both Sexes, with abundance of Cattle and other Spoil, he
returned triumphant to Carthage; tho' he met with notable Reſiſtance,
and the main Body of the routed Enemy eſcaped to the Mountains.
While this Governor was employed in theſe Wars, Hundas, a powerful
African, committed great Ravages and Diſorders in A'zidiu ; againſt whom
Soloman marched his Army, at the Inſtance, and with the Aſſiſtance of
two other African Chicftains, who accompanied him, and whoſe Names
are not mentioned: Romeorum igitur exercitus, duce Solomone, & Maurufiis,
qui fe illi adfciverant, juvantibus apud fluvium Abilam caftrametati ſunt,
qui juxta Aurafium tranfiens ejus circa loca oberrat, &C. Hic mons decem
dierum iter à Carthagine diftat, maximuſque omnium, quos unquam fcimus:
nan dicrum trium ejus circuitus expedito petet, &c. In vertice autem plani-
tiem, campoſque habet, &c. Hic arx eft incuſtodita, quod minime habitanti-
bus neceſaria videatur.
This fine Mountain, in ſeveral Parts whereof I have been, ſtill retains
its ancient Name, being called, both by Arabs, Africans, &c. Aurés, or
as ſome pronounce it, Oreſs. What Procopius (from whom I take moſt
of theſe Paſſages,) lays of it, is, in every reſpect, very exact. But I can-
not avoid taking Notice of one Expreſſion of the Sieur De La Croix (a-
mong thouſands of the fame Stamp throughout his Relation Univerſelle
de L'Afrique ancienne moderne) which is this ; ſpeaking of Auraz, as
he calls it;.“ Procopius, ſays he, makes Mention of this Mountain, under
" the Name of Aurazia, and places it at ten Miles Diſtance from Car-
" thage.” How this agrees with the above-quoted Paragraph, is very
obvious: One Mile per Diem feems but hort Days Marches. Procopius
is, in this Particular (as I fancy him to be in many others) very right, al-
mate
lowing
104
The History of BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
lowing about twenty five Miles a Day, at which Rate the Body of Ca-
vatry he very likely accompanied, may be ſuppoſed to have marched. It
would be endleſs to take Notice of the Myriads of ſuch crroneous Men-
ſurations one meets with in almoſt every Author one lays Hand on: I
could inſtance enough to take up, at the very leaſt, fifty Pages of full as
groſs Abſurdities as this; and what Light ſuch Hiſtories can afford a cu-
rious Enquirer into the Affairs of a Country, I ſubmit to every reaſonable
Perſon's Judgment. I may treat of theſe Mountains more particularly,
when I deſcribe the Province to which they are the Southern Boun-
dary, and ſhall here only repeat what is farther obſerved by my Au-
thor.
To the Eaſt of Auras ſtood the City 'Tamuga, (whoſe Ruins, I believe, I
have ſeen, tho’I do not remember the Name they now go by, but am almost
certain it is not Tamuga) which had been deſtroyed by the Mauruſi; and
in its Weſtern Part lies an extenſive Region, inhabited then by other A-
fricans, whoſe Prince, or Chief, was named Citaias, and who was preſent
in this Expedition. Of him this Hiſtorian ſays; Hunc ego dicentem audivi,
quod regionem quain ipfe tenebat, nulli antea mortalium habitatam, fed
vacuam fuiße penitus colonis, & C. Ultra verò hanc haminum aliquan-
tulum ele, non ficut cæteri Mauruſii colorati, ſed valde albi tum suma
flava.
Before I had read this Paſſage in Procopius, I was all along of Opinion,
that the Africans of a Hyperborean Fairneſs, in Hair and Complexion, of
which there are many thouſands, eſpecially in theſe Mountains and their
Neighbourhood, muſt of Neceſſity be the Offspring of the Vandals: But
here it ſeems wholly improbable, that thoſe he ſpeaks of ſhould be of that
Extraction; ſince he could not be a Stranger to it, and would not have
failed obſerving it, according to his uſual Exactneſs. I have never met with
any North-Briton, Dane, or any other, more carotty. and freckled than
I have known whole Families of theſe Mountaineers, and others who have
owned their Deſcent from thence: And among the Arabs I never could
light on one whoſe Hair was not either Jett-Black, or at leaſt very Dark-
Brown. Theſe are generally ſwarthy, as are their Afiatick Kindred; yet
ſome, even of them, have Skins tolerably clear ; nay many of them far
exceeding abundance of our Southern-Europeans. Again, as I ſaid, many
of the natural Africans in Libya, &c. by mixing with their Black Slaves
and Concubines, together with 'being in a manner always expoſed to the
ſcorching
2
Thei HiSTORY of BAR BARY Epitomiz'd. sos
fcorching Sun-Beams in the Defarts, have Negro's Features, and a very
duſky Hue : But what Numbers of natural Africans have I not ſeen, par-
ticularly Females, in the Algerine Eaſtern Province, who for well-featured
Countenances fait, curling Locks, and wholeſome, ruddy Looks, might
not vie with, and even be envied by the proudeſt European Damcs, wlio
arc hourly perſecuted by Crouds of languiſhing Admirers! Nor are the
African Damſels deſtitute of ſighing, paſſionate Adorers. And, yet, which
is enough to ſpoil the beſt Skin in the World, they all go ſtark naked, in
all Weathers, till they are ſeven or eight Years old., I have been quite
ſcandalized at ſome ridiculous Queſtions, put to me here ; and I believe I
Inay have been aſked a thouſand times, If the Barbary Women were not
all Blacks ? But ſuch Interrogations I thought much of a Piecc with thoſe
wiſe ones frequently made me by Moors and Arabs in Barbary; as, Whe-
ther there was any Wheat or Barley in Chriſtendom? If the Chrifians ever
cat any Fleſh beſides Pork? Whether all Chriſtian Women, as well as the
French Women, always bring forth three or four Children at a Birth?
With many ſuch like.
After the Defeat of the Rebels, I laſt mentioned, they again recruited,
doing much Miſchief to the Romans and their Allies, upon which Soloman
marched his Army againſt them, flew sooo, and diſperſcủ the rest. The
enſuing Winter, according to Procopius, that General paſſed over to Sare
dinia, in order to reduce a barbarous People, ſettled in the Mountains near
Cagliari, the Metropolis of that Iſland. They were originally 1fricans,
and not very long before tranſplanted thither, or rather tranſported as Slaves,
with their Families, by the Vandals, againſt whom they had revolted :
But they ſoon poffefled themſelves of thoſe rugged Highlands. Thë Naine
the Latins gave them was Bärbaraçint, nöd'unlike the Spaniſh Word Mo-
riſco inſtead of Moro, from Mairüs, which we have corrupted into Moor.
Their Brethren in Mount Afpis, as the Romans named it, were in open
Rebellion and War againſt the Imperial General, and all his Allies, and
had inſtigated thoſe of Sardinia to follow their Example, who, in a Body
of no leſs than 3000 deſperate Riniais, committựd terrible Outfåges upon
the iNanders. Many of thoſe rebeis icte cut off
, and the Reſidue forcca
to return to their 'L'urking-Places: " i mention this barbárợus Nation, be-
“cauſe they inoſt obſtinately perſiſted in their Paganiſm, tho' ſurrounded by
Chriſtians; 'till the Year 594, that Pope Gregory the Great wrought their
Converſion, and ſays very much concerning them in ſeveral of his Epiſtlcs.
Р
Procopius
A
100
The History of BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
Procopius ſays, that when Soloman went againſt thoſe their Kindred, in-
habiting Mount Afpis, the Army was feven Days in their March thither
from the great Mountain Auras. He thus deſcribes it ; Ad locum perve-
trerunt, quem Latine montem Aſpidis vocant, quod ſcuti fimilitudinem habeat,
sibi arx antiqua, fluviuſque perennis. And 1 Silius Italicus ſays of it;
In clypei ſpeciem curvatis turribus Afpis.
4
Strabo, likewiſe, ſpeaks of it, and ſays thus; Taphitis promontorium, &
in eo collis quidanı Afpis nomine, à fimilitudine fcuti, quem Agathocles Sicilie
tyrannus condidit, quo tompore adverfus Carthaginenfes claſſem duxit, &c.
Clypeam civitatem Siculi extruunt, & Afpida primum nominant. It is, alſo,
ſpoken of by Polybius, Ptolemy, Stephanus Byzantinus, Hirtius and Pliny;
and it is ſaid to be the Place near which Julius Cæſar landed when he ar-
rived in Africa from Sicily. in Marmol affirms it to be now in Ruins, near
the Sea, and called Eraclia,' twenty eight Spaniſh Leagues by Land to
the Eaſt of Tunis, between Hamamet and Suſa; and that it was deſtroyed
by the firſt Mahometan Arabs, for having 'made a ſtout Defenſe. I never
fiw, nor heard talk of it, fo can ſay nothing.
Theſe Tranſactions, in which the Governor Soloman met with various
Succeſs, were facceeded by a great Conſpiracy againſt him, by the Om-
cer's of the Army, A. D. $ 39. in which his Life was in great Danger,
and was, by the Inſolence of his Enemies, forced to go to Conftantinople,
and at his Return renewed the War againſt the before-mentioned bold
African Chieftain Jaudas, who with many Troops, had poffefied himſelf
of Auras, and that Neighbourhood. Coming to a Battle, the Imperialiſts
had the better, and Jaudas, with only 2000 Followers, betook himſelf
to the upper Parts of the faid famous Mountain, where was a ſtrong For-
treſs called Zerbales, while ſuch as got away fled towards Mauritania.
The Conquerors ruined the Country about Tamuga (or as others call it
Tamaguda, both which Names have a true African Sound) and advanced
up towards Zerbales, where Jaudas had fortified himſelf, but durſt noc
ſtand his Ground, retiring, with a few, to the yery Summit, among.cer-
tain ſharp Rocks, difficult of Acceſs, called by the Tumar, leaving the
reſt of his Men to defend the Fort, of which Soloman ſoon became Maſter,
! L. 3.
* L. 6.
and
+
The HISTORY OF BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
107
and following his Blow, laid Siege to his Enemy in his laſt Retreat. By
the notable Management of a certain Soldier, Soloman found Means to fur-
priſc it, and Jaudas was wounded; but had the good Fortụne to eſcape
into Mauritania... In that rocky. Place the induſtrious Solomar left a Party
of Men, and haſtened away to another ſuch Retreat, which Procopius calls
Petra Geminiani, at the Tap of which, he ſays, ſtood a ſmall, but very
ancient Tower, which faudas had pitched on to ſecure his Women and
Treaſure, leaving them to the Care of an old Moor, as not ſuſpecting the
Romans would ever have got up thithers. But the Hopes he had conceived
were vain: For the Guardian was ſoon diſpatches, and all the reſt became
a Prcy to thoſe who had been at the Pains of Scaling that, vainly ſuppoſed,
impregnable Fortreſs.
Procopius, before he brings this War to a Concluſion, gives an Account
of the Condition of the two Mauritania, in theſe few Words; Mauruſi
- poftquam è Numidia ſuperati refugientes Zeben regionem petierunt, quæ fupra
montent Auraſium eft, ad Mauritaniam pertinens, Sitifim metropolim habens
Romeorum imperio tributariam. Mauritanie verd alterius Cæfareæ caput
cſt, ubi omnia fimiliter oppida veztigalia fasta præter ipfius caput Cæfaream
de Beliſario Romeis immusem ſervatam, quam ipfi pavibus adeunt, cum fer-
reftri itinere nequeant. In bac, Maurafii regione conſedere, ac ex illa Afri
omnes Romæis obtemperant. He mentions 104 any Reaſon, why the Paſſage
to Cæfarea by Land was not free; but fays, that the Moors, who fled
from the Byzacena, had retired to the Cæfarienſis : Yet the Reaſon ſeems
to be very obvious, and no other than the ſame that occaſions the ſtern
and, as they call themſelves, the invincible Algerines, even with their
whole Eaſtern Camp, to take a Circuit of ſeveral Şcores of Miles, by
Mefila, thro’a Delart, whenever they have a Notion that Beni-Abbas, ar
other Mountaineers, near the Paſs, called Al-Béban, or the Gates, arc dif-
poſed to intercept them. The Turks call this diſmal Paſs, Damir Capi,
the Iron Gate: I ſhall take farther Notice of it; having gone that Way
many Times, but never without an aching Heart. The Province of Zeb
is herc, likewiſe, mentioned by its preſent Name: Speaking of it in the
Plural Number, as they often do, they ſay Zeban. It belongs wholly to
the Algerines, as fhall be obſerved. Of theſe Provinces, &c. Leo, his Co-
pier Marmol, and from them a Multitude of other Moderns, treat largely,
bụt ſo unfaithfully, in many Particulars, that there are ſeveral Paſſages
which I could never read with any Patience. What I am certain of I
P2
may
108
The History of BAR BA'RY Epitomiz'd.
may mention in due Place, without giving my ſelf the Trouble of deſcant-
ing upon cvery Error that might bear a Comment.
A. D. 540, the fourteenth: Year of the Emperor Juſtinian's Reign,
we learn from Procopius, that a new War broke out in the Eaſtern Parts
of Africa, upon this Occaſion: Manrufii Leuchate appellati cum magno ex-
ercitu Leptim magnam virinam venientes, palam dicebant bec de caufa pro-
feetos eſſe, ut digna dona, ciſque debita dando pacem firmarent.
Who theſe Leuchats were I cannot tell : But I cannot much condemn
them for acting Hoſtilities againſt People who deal perfidiouſly and in-
gratefully by them. If a Prince, General, or Governor, after having
courted the Alliance and Aſliſtance of warlike Men, baſely refuſes to re-
quite their Services with the Stipend he promiſed-chem, are thoſe Men
to be blamed for reſenting ſuch injurious Treatment? And this apparent-
ly, is the Caſe here. The African Potentates, and, I fancy, more parti-
cularly the Beys of Tunis, keep Tribes of brave Arabs and Moors in con-
ftant Pay, ſending for them when they have Occafion; nor do they ever
fail coming, or fighting their Battles faithfully, tho' againſt their own
Kindred, provided their Stipend is conſtantly and regularly paid them:
Otherwiſe they over-run and ruin their Country. The only thing I can
blame them for in all this is, that the Chaftiſement, due alone to the
Guilty, is too often inflicted on the Innocent: Would not our gallant
Swiſs, who fight with ſuch Bravery and Fidelity for, and are courted by
ſo many great Princes, preſent their Bayonets to the Breaſts of any Gene-
ral who ſhould injure, or defraud them of the Bread they purchaſe at the
Experice of their Sweat and Blood? Would not any other Soldiers do the
like? Why then are the Africans alone to be called Savages and Barbarians
for ſhowing a Manlike Réſentment? And yei many zealous Writers have
not ſtuck to beſtow on them thoſe Epithets, and others of the fime Stamp,
on Occaſions of this very Nature.
When Soloman, the Imperial General, a Soldier otherwiſe of great Re-
putation, beheld the Byzacena thus miſërably haraſſed, and all thro' his
Avarice and Breach of Faith, lie made- Preparation to apply fome Reme-
dy to theſe Diſorders. The Wår 'was cruel; and the Succeſs various.
Soloman finding the Task he had taken in Hánd likely to prove more dif-
ficult than he had expected, began to wheedle the Moors, exhorting them
to maintain the Peace he had once ſettled with then, and making them
mighty Offers and Promiſes'; all which they heard' with Scorn and Con-
tempt 3
The History of BARBARY Epitomiz'd. IOD
tempt; returning for Anſwer; “ You have ſo ill regarded your former
- Promiſes and Oaths, that thoſe you now make us are very little to be
“ depended upon. Pray, what Security would you pretend to give us,
" ſince a folemn Oath, which ought to be the moſt facred of all Securi-
" ties, could not bind you? What Sort of Oath, or Obligation, would
you
have us believe you deſign to obſerve, ſince you have violated thoſe
“ made already.? Shall we look upon any ſecond Oath of yours more
" binding than the firſt you have ſo little regarded?” He next proceeded
to Threats, putting them in Mind of their Children, whom,, according
to Cuſtom even now, they had given in Hoſtage ; defiring them to cor-
ſider the Danger thoſe Pledges were in, who ought to be held ſo dear:
Minime memores, quod fædera iniveritis, liberofque veftros obfides dederitis,
&c. Si filios veſtros admittitis, pro quibus jam utro bella periclutamini? To
this, among other Reaſons and Arguments, they, ſeemingly between Jeſt
and Earnett, replied ; Quod fi filiorum cbaritas vobis eft curæ, quibus licet
unam tantum ducere uxorem, nos, quibus, li fia contingat, quinquaginta ſunt
uxores, filiorum nunquam deftituet foboles.
Mahomet has limited that Multiplicity of Wives to four, that is legally
contracted ones, as is well known ; in regard to Cońcubines the old
Lecher left na Reſtrictions to his Profelytes. It ſeems the African Pan
gans, as well as the Aſiaticks, who were not Chriftians, indulged their libi-
dinous Diſpoſition and Appetite in fuch extravagant Variery. In all this
the preſent Moors, Arabs, &c. of Barbary, differ very much from their
Anceſtors, particularly in ſpeaking ſo flightly of their Children'; no Peo-
ple in the World being ſo indulgently fond and tender of their Offspring;
eſpecially thc Males, as they: Nor is it common to meet with any Man
who has more than two Wives; or three at the moſt: As for the wiſer
Turks, they think one Wife at a Time very ſufficient, and full as much as
they can well manage; and that one they generally uſe extremely well,
for ſome material Conſiderations, which ſhall hereafter be taken Notice
of: For I would not have a Reader miſtake me ſo far, as to fancy the
Turks one Jott more continent, or endowed with a larger Portion of Mo-
deration than other People. The Natives, indeed, make perfect Hand-
Maids of theirs, according to the Arabick Saying; Fe Nahr Debba, wa fe
Leyl Shebba : All Day a Shc-Aſs, and at Night a Doxy.
The Event. of thele Negotiations was, that Suluman, when hic found the
Moor's were not any more to be prevailed on, either by his Inſinuations -
ar
IIO
The HISTORY OF BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
or Menaces, he muſtered up his whole Force, and gave them Batile. For-
tane does not always favour the injured Party: The Moor's loſt the Day,
and the Imperialiſts got an immenſe Booty, which their avaricious General
appropriated intirely to his own proper Uſe. This was taken ſo heinouſly
by thoſe to whom he owed his Triumph, that, when the Enemy; being
recruited, came to try a ſecond Bout with him, both Officers and Men
behaved in ſuch Manner, that he was utterly defeated, and loſt his Life,
together with a very conſiderable Part of his Army.
This News being carried to Juftinian, he fent down a new Prefect,
with a Recruit of Officers and Soldiers, and the Wars were obftinately
continued with the utmoſt Fury, in which ſucceeded much Bloodſhed on
both Sides, and many remarkable Occurrences. It was not concluded till
the nineteenth Year of Juſtinian's Reign, when Procopius finiſhed his cu-
rious Hiſtory, which was 1. D. 544. A Hiſtory worthy Perufal, as well
for the Variety of Incidents it contains, as for the ſeeming Sincerity and
Exactneſs of its Author. I ſhall quote from him one or two Paflages more,
to our Purpoſe, and then haſten to bring this Diſcourſe to a Concluſion,
in order to enter upon more modern Affairs. Speaking of the End of
thoſe African Wars, he fays; Imperator, &c. Joannens, &c. mifit. Is
quam primum in Africam venit, nihil antiquius habuit, quàm Antale do
Maurufiis apud Byzacium bellum movere, quod feliciter gerens multis in pre-
lio interfe&tis, Esc. reliquos extorres à finibus Romæorum fecit. Procedente
verò tempore, Leuchate Mauruſii cum magno exercitu fe Antale conjungentes,
è finibus' Tripolitanorum in Byzacium irruerunt, quibus Joannes occurrens, ac
prælio cum fuis fuperatus Laribum confugit. Hoftes verò uſque Carthaginem
excurrentes, magnas clades incommodeque omnibus circa locis intulerunt. Paulo
deinde poft Joannes redintegrato, quoad potuit undecumque exercitu, Mauruſis
aliis quibufdam, fimul cum fequentibus Cuzinam fibi adjunctis, hoftes rur-
ſus petens, partim peremit, partim ad extremos ufque Africæ fines fugavit.
According to this Account, a great Number of Moors had aſſembled in
the Tripolitana, near the Sea, and from thence made Incurſions into the
Byzacena, which is looked upon to be one of the fineſt and moſt fertile
Spots of Ground in all Africa. This Province n Pliny informs us, was
peopled by the, Liby-Phænicians, and wherein ſtood the Cities Leptis,
Adrumetum, Rhufpina, Thapſus, Tbene, Macomades, . Tacape and Sabatra,
1
* L. 5. C. 4.
all
The HISTORY of BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
III
4
ز
Thoſe ac:
all in the State of Tripoly and the Eaſt Part of that of Tunis. In the
Weſterly Part of the Tripolitana always inhabited certain faithful Tribes
and Families of natural Africans; and Gabaon, • I mentioned before, was
one of their Rulers. The Emperor Juſtinian uſed all poſſible Endcay.ours
to make Chriſtians of them, and at length prevailed. After their Con-
verſion, they were called Mauruſii Pacati by the Latins, after the fame
manner as the Spaniards call their Mooriſh Allies, Moros de Paz, and of-
ten Moros de Pazes. Of this Procapius makes Mention in theſe Words;
Tripolis hic promontoria ſunt, habitantque Maurufii & Barbari Phænicum
gens, & Romanis antiquo fædere juncta. Hi omnes à Juſtiniano rege perſuaſi
Chriftianorum dogma Spontaneè amplexati ſunt, vocanturque Pacati, quod
Romanis ſemper confæderati funt, à Pace ita di&ti Latina voce.
companied the Prefect Jobn in his Expedition againſt the rebellious Pagans,
who moleſted and ravaged the Byzacena, making Incurſions to the very
Gates of Carthage. Of this Governor's Victory over the Africans, his E-
nemies, Jornandes treating, uſes theſe Words; Joannes verò in Africana
provincia feliciter degens, Mauris partis adverſe per pacificos Mauros fuperar
tis, una die decem & feptem Præfectos extinxit, pacemque totius Africe, ju-
vante Domino, impetravit. By theſe ſeventeen Prefects he means, Chiefs of
the African Tribes; and the Moors, which Procopius ſays followed the
Governor John to the Wars, were jurider the Command of one Cuzina,
and of thoſe newly converted Mauruſi Pacati; and in the ſame Province
were, likewiſe, good Numbers of other Africans, who were neither Chrif-
tians, nor Allies to the Imperialiſts. This Peace laſted ſome Years. Juf-
tinian the Emperor dicd A. D. SOS; tho' Nicepborus Caliſtus, and ſome
others, diſſent from that Account.
I ſhall next take Notice of ſome other Wars and Diſturbances, where-
with Africa was haraſſed, after the Deceaſe of this great and vigilant
Emperor; I mean ſuch of them as have been tranſmitted to us by the
few Writers of thoſe Ages: For, doubtleſs, many notable Matters were
tranſacted, among thoſe turbulent Nations, of which no Remembrance
remained to their: Poſterity,
A. D. 591.-P Pope Gregory ,the Greaty, writing to Gennadius, Exarch
of Africa, (the Title the Greek:Emperor's Vice,Roys frequently bore)! ſays:;
Vos Dei pre oculis indefinenter habere timerem, ac festari juftitiam fubmiſa
• Vide P. 86.
2
PL. 1. 'Epif. 59. Indit. 9.
C
hoftium
+
II
The HISTORY of BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
}
boftium colla teſtantur'. He afterwards goes on upon the violent Procedure
and Irregularities of a certain great Officer, named Theodorus, exhorting
him to redreſs them. 9 Again, writing to the ſame Perſon, he uſes theſe
Expreſſions ; Sicut Excellentiam veftram hoftilibus bello in hac vita Dominus
victoriarum fecit luce fulgere, ita oportet eam inimicis Ecclefiæ ejus omni vi-
vacitate mentis & corporis obviare, quatenus ex utroque triumpho magis ac
magis eniteſcat opinio, cum & forenſibus bellis adverſariis Catholice Ecclefiae
pro Chriſtiano populo vehementer obfiftitis, & Ecclefiaftica prælia ficut bella-
tores Domini fortiter dimicatis. He afterwards injoins him to infift, that
a Council ſhall be aſſembled, in order to ſupprefs Hereſies; and then takes
Notice of thc Wars of thoſc Times, and of fome Victories obtained : Si
non ex Fidei merito, & Chriftianæ Religionis gratia fanta Excellentia veftra
bellicorum actuum profperitas eveniret, non fummopere miranda fuerat cum ſci-
amus etiam hæc antiquis bellorum ducibus fuiſe concela. Sed cum futuras,
Dco largiente, victorias non carnali providentia, fed magis orationibus præve-
nitis, fit, ut hoc in Juporem veniat gloria veſtra non de terreno confilio, fed
Deo deſuper largiente deſcendat. Ubi enim meritorum veftrorum loquax non
diſcurrit opinio? Quæ bella vos frequenter appetere non deſiderio fundendi ſan-
guinis, fed tantum delatanda cauſa reipublicæ in qua Dcum coli conſpicimus,
loquitur, quatenus Chriſti nomien per ſubditas gentes Fidei prædicatione circum-
quaque diſcurrat. Theſe Wars and Victories muſt liave been very conſi-
derable. Photius, in the Obſervations he makes upon, and extracts from
the Writings of Theophyla&tus, on the Life and Actions of the Emperor Mau-
ricius, has theſe few Words; Libro feptimo agitur, &c. De Mauruſiorum
etian adverſus Carthaginem expeditione, utque Gennadii fortitudine bellum il-
lud extinétum fit. And Theophanes ſays; Sed & Mauruſiorum gentes adver:
fus Africam-magras perpetraverunt perturbationes. Theſe ſhort Hints give
one an Idea of a long and furious War; and the African Armies muſt
have been very numerous, ſince they durſt attack even the Metropolis
Carthage
Genradius governed Africa till the Year 597, as appears from divers
Epiſtles wrote by Pope, or Saint Gregory I. commonly named the Great,
to be ſeen in his Regiſter. In one of thoſe he wrote to him.hcüles Words
worthy to be taken Notice of by all ;Sovereign Princes: and Governors.
+
1
4 Epift. 72."
*. L. 3. Epiſt. 7: Indiet. 12: and" L. 5. Epift: -67. & 63. Tel 161, 89
163. L. 6. Indift. 15. & in Epiſt. ad Columb. Numid. Epiſcopuri
, & alibi.
3
Scito
Tha HISTORY of BAR BARY Epitomiz'd. 113
1.
Scito autem, excellentiſime fili, fi victorias quæritis, fi de comiſe vobis pro-
vinciæ ſecuritate traélatis. Nihil vobis magis aliud adboc proficere, quàm
zelari ſacerdotum vitas, Es inteſtina ecclefiarum, quantum poffibile eſt bello
compefcere. All theſe are Matters which, certainly, ought not to be ne-
glected : But the Queſtion is, whether every Pope would allow the In-
ſpection of Pricſts Lives and Morals, with the other Ecclefiaftical Affairs,
to fall under Cognizance of the Laity. This Gennadius was a Perſon en-
dowed with ſingular Virtuc, Courage and Prudence, as that good Paſtor
teſtifies, upon ſeveral Occaſions. By the ſame Regiſter, it appears, that
A. D. 600. Innocentius was Exarch, Prefect, or Governor of Africa, and
the ſeveral Letters wrote him by Pope Gregory', particularly two of them,
treating of Temporal Government, are well worth reading. This Year
both Italy and the African Provinces were grievouſly amicted with
Peſtilence; whereof the Paſtor ſays; Quanta in Africanis partibus lues ir-
Tuerit jamdudum cognovinus, & quia nec Italia à tali percuſſione eſt libera,
geminati; in nobis dolorum funt gemitus. Another War, likewiſe, brake out
in Africa, about this Time, of which · Nicephorus Caliſtus takes only this
brief Notice: Tum quoque Maurorum gens in Libya viſa eſt à Germani duci-
bus bello locis ſuis expulſa.
Mauricius the Emperor was barbarouſly murdered, with four of his Sons,
and ſucceeded by the moſt execrable of all uſurping Tyrants, the baſe-born
Phocas, A. D. 602: Onc young, and the only remaining Son, named
Theodofius, not falling into tbar Butcher's Hands till five years after. The
Life and deteſtable Actions of Phocas are tranſmitted to us by Nicephorus
Caliſtus, Cedrenus, Theophanes, &c.
A. D. 608. The firſt of theſe Authors ſays ; « Narfem equidem ducem
opiimum[Phocas] igni combuſfit. Igitur Priſcus gener ejus, & quicumque Sena-
torii ordinis erant confilio inito ſecreto, Heraclio Heraclii, qui poft Phocam impe-
ravit, patri, in occidentali Africa Es Libya cum militaribus copiis multis rem-
publicam adminiftranti fcribunt, ut modis omnibus populum Romanum ab im-
pia tyrannide liberare contenderet, neque illum ita pereuntem in conſpectul fuo
negligoret. Erat di&to duci legatus Gregoras. Hi inter ſe conſilio communicato
filium uterquc ſuum cum fortiſimis copiis pedeſtri & navali apparatu adverfils
tyrannum mifit. Heraclius Heraclii filius claſli præfuit. Nicetas Gregoræ
filius pedeſtres ordines duxit. Almoſt the ſame is ſaid by Theophanes; only
L. 8. Indift. 3. Epift. 37, &* 38. & L. 8. Indiet. 3. Epift. 4. & A. D. 601. Epift. 1.
i L. 18. C. 34.
L. 18. G. 55.
* In Pboca.
L. 9. India. 4. ad Innocentium directa.
lic
Q
I14
The HISTORY of BAR BARY Epitomiz'd.
he adds, concerning Heraclius, that he was ſuſpected of a Deſign of ſet-
ting up for himſelf in Africa; the Words are theſe ; Eur rebellionen me-
ditari in Africa, unde ncc navigia hoc anno Conftantinopolim confcenderunt.
The ſame Author ſays, that in the ſeventh Year of the Reign of Phocas,
which was A. D. 609, the African Armies were getting ready for the
ſucceeding Year's Expedition, againſt that Tyrant.
A. D. 610, ſays he, in the eighth Year of Phocas, and of Heraclius
the firſt, Heraclius imperator appellatus venit cum navibus caſtellatis habenti-
bus intra ſe arculas, & imagines Dei matris quemadmodum Piſides : Georgius
quoque perhibetur ducens exercitum copiofum ab Africa & Mauritania veniſe;
fimiliter & Nicetas Gregore Patricii filius, per Alexandriam & Pentapolin,
habens ſecum multum populum pedeſtrem. And Cedrenus adds, that Heraclius
took with him Venerandam imaginem Salvatoris nullo manuum miniſterio
fastam, ſed miraculo efigiatam. Superſtition reigned in thoſe Days as it has
ever ſince, and ſtill continues to do. My Authors ſeem to intimate, that
Heraclius needed no other Protection than thoſe inanimate Logs. How-
ever, with or without their Affiſtance, he took the inhumane and impious
Phocas, and rewarded him anſwerably to his Demerits, firſt ſeverely re-
proaching him with his Enormities, then cauſing his Hands, Feet and
Privities to be amputated, while alive, and laſtly put an End to his abominable
Life by ſevering his Head from a deteſted Carcaſs, which was afterwards
conſumed to Aſhes by the.inraged Populace. Hetyrannized ſeven Years, ten
Months and cighreen Days, and was ſucceeded by the victorious Heraclius.
Khofrou, King of Perſia, whom our Hiſtorians corruptly name Cofrhoes,
had began a molt fierce and cruel War againſt the Empire, but particu-
larly againſt Phocas, to revenge, as he gave out, the Death of his Friend
and Ally, the Emperor Mauricius. The Arabians call the Perſian Kings
of that Race Kefra, in the Plural. The Imperial Army had been miſerably
defeated; and many Provinces fell into the Hands of that ambitious and
blood-thirſty Invader. From thc Eaſt the Perſians came down Weſtward;
and Theophanes, treating of what was tranſacted A. D. 615, ſays thus;
Ceperunt Perfæ totam Ægyptum, & Alexandriam & Libyam ufque ad Æ-
thiopiam, multaque præda conſumpta, & eximiis quam plurimis & pecuniis,
ad propria remearunt. Carthaginem autem minime valuerunt capere: fed
cuftodia dimiſa obfidendi caufa receſſerunt. To this > Nauclerus adds; In-
Generat. 12. Vol. 2.
terec
The HISTORY of BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
IIS
1
terea Perſe omni Aſia, quæ ad meridiem vergit, ſunt potiti. Quo tempore
Heraclianus (rather Heraclius] Imperatoris pater defunctus eſt, cum magnum
exercitum ex Africa duceret in Ægyptum : quod cùm effet Perſis renuntiatum,
illico in Africam duxerunt, ac Carthaginem ceperunt, inde potiti Africæ in-
perio, impoſitiſque illi præfidiis competentibus in Aſiam ſunt reverſi. In theſe
African Expeditions the Perſians employed two Years. Theſe Provinces
were in a very helpleſs Condition at the Time of their coming; the Impe-
sialiſts hated by the Generality of the Natives, their Strength exhauſted
by continual domeſtick Broils, and thoſe few Forces the Emperor Heraclius
had left behind him, when he went againſt Pbocas, remained without a
Head, by the Death of his Father.
This Fate had the unhappy Africa, whoſe Misfortunes opened a Gate
for ſtill greater Revolutions. Carthage was taken A. D. 616, as Theo-
phanes affirms : Caſtrametati ſunt Perſæ contra Carthaginem, quam & bello
ceperunt. However the Emperor Heraclius, having in vain ſued for Peace,
carried on the War very vigorouſly, and obtained ſignal and glorious Vic-
tories over the inſulting Perſian, who was grown to ſuch a Pitch of Pride
and Arrogance, that he abſolutely refuſed all Terms of Accommodation,
except the Emperor, and all his Subjects, would firſt renounce Chriſtianity'.
A. D. 622. This Year begins the. Hejira of Mahomet, concerning
which, before I proceed in my Narrativc, it may not be improper to lay
down the following Rules, for reducing that Epocha to the Æra of the
Chriſtians, very neceſſary for Renders of Oriental Hiſtory.
The Signification of this Arabick Word Hejira, the grand Epocha of all
the Diſciples of Mahomet, is Flight; and bears Date from July 15.
1. D. 622. on account of his Flight from Mecca to Medina, in the
thirteenth Year of his imaginary Miſſion, and in the Reign of the Em-
peror Heraclius.
For the better underſtanding this Epocha, it muſt be obſerv'd, that the
Year of the modern Arabs, and all Mahometans, is Lunar, conſiſting of
12 Moons, or Lunary Months, containing 30 and 29 Days, alternatively;
ſo that their Ycar has but 354 Days. We muſt next take Notice, that
they make uſe of a Period of 30 Years, conſiſting of 19 common Years,
and 11 cxtraordinary, or ſuch as have each 355 Days. Theſe longer, or
extraordinary Years, are the 2, 5, 79.10, 13, 16, 18, 21, 24, 26, and
The others, viz. 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, &c., are the common,
or ordinary ones. It muſt be farther obſerved, that this Lunar Year is
thorter,
29.
02
1
116 The HISTORY of BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
2
ſhorter, by 11 Days, than the Solar, or Julian Year, which conſiſts of
305 Days. Thus 32 Arabian Years complete fall ſhort of ſo many of
ours 32 times 11 Days, which amount to 352 Days, wanting but 2 of
a Lunar Year. Or take it thus; in 33 Lunar Years are wanting 33 times
11 Days, or 363, which come but 2 Days ſhort of a Solar Year'; ſo that
32 Julian and 33 Arabian Years are much the fame. By this tolerable
Computation, which hits the Period pretty near, and ſerves the Purpoſe
of Hiſtory, it may ſuffice to throw in a 33d. Intercalary Year, repeating
the Intercalation every 33d. Year. To explain this yet a little farther,.
and avoid the Miſtakes of many Writers, who make great Miſcomputa-
tions in their References of the Hejira to our Æra, we are to remember,
that the Hejira bears Date from July 15. A. D. 622. and the 2d. Year
of the Hejira began July 4. 623. the 3d. June 23. 624. going thus on,
rr Days backward, thro' all the Months of the Yulian, or Solar Ycar.
F. Riccioli has publiſhed Tables to this Purpoſe, out of which I ſhall fet
down only what is juſt ſufficient for the Turn. To calculate any Period,
after having added 621 to the Year of the Hejira, we are to ſubſtract from
the Total the Numbers (et down in the enſuing Table.
T A BL E.
33.
66.-
2.
.
99: 3
132. 4
T65:-
198:-
6
2.31 . 7.
264.
8:
297: 9
3:30. -IO.
363.-II.
i in ģito nöö
396.-12.
429.-3.
402.-
14
495.IS
528.-16.
SOI -17:
59418
627.
660.20.
693.-21.
726.-22.
759.-23
792.
24
825.--25
858.-26.
801.-27.
924.
-28:
957.-29.
990.-30.
1023. -31.
1056.32.
1089-33. and ſo on.
191
Thus, by adding 33 to the greater Number, and I to the ſmaller, opo
poſite to it, we may compute any Date. An Example or two may not
be improper. Suppoſe in reading, you meet with a Paſſage tranſacted in
the Year of the Heira 2go: to know what Year of our Ærs that was,
look
+
The HISTORY of BARBARY Epitomiz'd. 117
look in the Table if that preciſe Number be there. Having found it, add
thereto.621, which make 1611, from which ſubſtracting 30, the Num-
ber oppoſite to it, the Reſidue amounts to 1981, which is the true Darc.
Again; you find the Year of the Hejira 757. which is not there: Adding
to it 621, the whole is 1378. then look at the Number immediately above
it, which is 726, and oppoſite 22, which laſt Number ſubſtract from
1378, and you find the Remainder to be 1356, which exactly correſponds
with 757 of the Hejira. At my firſt going to Algiers, the current Year
of the Hejira was 1113, to which if 621 be added, the Total makes
1734. now the Number 1113, being greater than the laſt of the forego-
ing Table, in order to find it out 33 muſt be added to 1089, which will
be 1122, and the oppoſite Number muſt be 34. So according to the
above Rule, and fuppoſing the Table ran on farther, the Number next
above 1122, wherein the Date 113 is included, is 1089, and oppoſite
to it 33. I add to 1113 the Number 621, the Total making 1734, from
which ſubſtracting 33, which in the Table anſwers to 1089, the Year in
which I went to Barbary appears to be 1701. Our preſent current Year
1727, correſponds with the Mahometan Epocha 1140; thus proved.
4
1089.-
II22.
3.3.
-34.
-35.
۲۰رII
In which laſt greater Number is 1140. whereto add 62r, which amounts
to 176 1.,, from whence deduct 34.
I'140
621
1761
34
1727
This fall fuffice; ſtill obſerving, that from every 33 Mahometon Years,
I is to be deducted; from 66, 2; from 29, 3; from 132, 4, &c.
A. D.
1
IIS
The HISTORY OF BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
A. D. 627. This Year, being the eighteenth of Heraclius the Empe-
l'or, delivered the Chriſtian World from one of its moſt formidable Enc-
mics, the proud Khoſrou, King of Perſia. Innumerable were the Calami-
tics under which the whole Empire had groaned for ſeveral Years; nor
would the Oppreſior liften to any Terms, but on thoſe inglorious Con-
ditions: And almoſt miraculous were the Succeſſes which attended the
Impcrial Arms, when the generous Heraclius, diſdaining to purchaſe Quiet
at a Price ſo infamouſly diſhonourablc, determined to repel Force by Force,
ſince no other Means would prevail. The baffled Tyrant was now o-
bliged to fhun the Preſence of thoſe, over whom he had been accuſtomed
to triumphı
. Slame, Rage, and, laſtly, Deſpair brought him to a Rclo-
lution of quitting his Crown, in Favour of one of his younger Sons, named
Madarfas, to the Prejudice of his elder, Syroes, a gallant Prince, and Heir
apparent to all his Rcalms. This injured and reſenting Prince, ſent an
Embally to the Chriſtian Emperor, with whom ſoon coming to an Agrce-
ment, he found Means to ſet at Liberty a conſiderable Number of Pri-
ſoners, taken in ſome former Battles and Incurſions, and with them, to-
gether with thoſe who were diſpoſed to follow his Banners, he marched
in Search of his unjuft Father and uſurping Brother, routed their Ar-
my and became Maſter of their Perſons, whom he treated as they de-
fcrvcd.
Theſe memorable Tranſactions are related by Theophanes, in theſe Terms;
Cumque Cofrhoes fugere tentaſſet, nec valuiſet, tentus eft & validè vinetus
ferreis compedibus colligatus, cui & circa collum ferrea pondera imponunt, &
mittunt eum in domum tenebrarum, quam ipſe munivit à novitate conſtruens,
ad recondendas pecunias. Panis quoque parum ei & aquæ tribuentes, hunc
fame necabant. Aiebat enim Syroes: Comedat aurum, quod incalum collegit,
propter quod multos fame necavit, mundumque delevit. Porro mifit Satrapas
Syroes ad cum injuriis impetendum, & confpuendum, & duftum Mardeſan,
«quam coronare volebat, filium ejus, ante ipſum occidit, & reliquos filios ejus
in confpeétu peremerunt, & mifit omnem inimicum ejus injuriis eum cumulare,
& percutere, & confpuere illum. Denique per quinque dies hoc facto juſſit
Syroes hunc arcubus interficere, ficque paulatim nequiſimam animam fuam tra-
didit. A Fate worthy ſo inhumane and ſo haughty a Tyrant:
From the fame Author, among many other Particulars, we learn, that
Syroes concluded a firm Peace with the Emperor Heraclius, threw open
cvery Priſon throughout his whole Dominions, and ſent away to Conftan-
tinople
The HISTORY of BARBARY Epitomiz'd. II
tinople all the Emperor's Vaſſals whom his Father had detained in Capti-
vity, and among the reſt the Patriarch of Jeruſalem. At this Time the
true Croſs was, likewiſe, recovered out of the Hands of the Infidels.
By Vertue of this Peace the conquered and miſerable Provinces return-
ed to the Empire, and among the reſt thoſe of Africa. What they had
ſuffered ſurpaſſes all Deſcription. An Idea may be given in the two Words
which Syroes ſpoke to his Father, when he came to upbraid him with his
Enormities : Deliſi Mundum. This Ravager may be looked upon as Ma-
homet's Precurſor'; ſince he left the Empire in a Condition little able to
defend itſelf againſt another violent Attack, ſuch as it ſoon after underwent
from the growing Saracens : However, that Tyrant's own Territories be-
came their earlieſt Prey.
Theophanes makes fome Mention of the magnificent Triumph in which
Heraclius entered his Capital City, after the Concluſion of that Perſian
War: But Suidas is more particular. y Anaftafius Bibliothecarius ſays thus ;
Cum diebus illis Imperator Heraclius cum victoria à Perfarum bello reverte-
retur, per Æthribum tranfiturus eſſet, obviam ei ivit ille exofus Mahomet,
ferens ei vi&toriales laudes, ficut ipſum docuerat ſceleftus ille monachus petita-
que ab eo terra quæ pecoribus alèndis ſufficeret, petitionis compos factus eft.
This Requeſt, from one whoſe Succeſſors could not be ſatisfied with ſo
large a Portion of the Eaſtern World as they acquired ſo ſuddenly, ſeems
very modeſt and moderate.
Syroes did not long enjoy the Perſian Crown. Theophanes affirms him
to have reigned but one Year: Anno XVIII. Heraclii rex habetur Perfa-
qum Syroes, qui anno regnavit uno, quando & Muhammat Arabum ſeul Sars-
cenorum princeps fub Perfis degens fextum agebat annum perventurus ad no-
I ſhall here take Notice, once for all, that our corrupt Way of
writing and pronouncing that Pſeudo-Prophet's Name is borrowed from
the Turks, who, indeed, call him Mahumet and Mehemet, but the true
Arabian Name is Mohammad. As to the Etymology of the Word Sara-
cen, it is variouſly reported; nor is it uſed by the Arabs themſelves at all,
eſpecially according to our Pronunciation. Some will have it to be com-
pounded of Sahara a Défart, and Sakin, to inhabit; and ſo Sahara Sa-
kinîn, Inhabiters of the Deſart: Which cannot well be; for cxprcfing
that in proper Arabick muſt be Sakinin Al Sahara. The moſt likely Ori-
num.
y In Fragmentis.
gins
11
1
I 20
The HISTORY of BARBARY Epitomisd.
gins I can attribute to the Word, are theſe: Sarrak in Arabick is a Rob-
ber, or rather a Thief, in the Plural Sarrakin, an Epithet the Arab Frec-
booters have been intitled to in all Ages; and it is very probable the
Chriſtians, Jews, &c. of the Eaſt, who, experimentally, knew thoſe their
troubleſome Neighbours ſo well deſerved the Name of Thieves and Rob-
bers, might have ſo called them. The other Etymology I beſt like, and
which is the only one an Arab cares to hear of, is from Sberak, the Eatt,
and ſo Sheraka, and Sherakin, Eaſtern People; tho' none could properly
term them ſo but ſuch as lay Weſt of their Country: And nothing is more
common all over Barbary, and I believe every where elſe, among thoſe
who ſpeak the Arabick Tongue, than for a Weſterly Tribe to call any
People to the Eaſt of them Sheraka, or Sherakin, and do they all ſuch as
lie Weſt of them Garaba, and Garbiên, from Al Garb, the Weſt.
Tho' many Writers affirm, that Mahomet died at Yathrib, or Medina
'nta'l Nabi, i. c. The Prophet's City, in the tenth Year of the Hejira, or
his Flight thither from Mecca, the Place of his Birth, yet, according to
Theophares, he died there A. D. 630, which could be but the ninth Year,
and the twenty firſt of the Reign of Heraclius. He ſays; Moritur Moham-
mat Saracenorum, qui & Arabum princeps, & Pſeudo-Propheta, promote
Ebubezar cognato fuo ad principatum ſuum. Ipfoque tempore venit auditio
ejus & omnes extimuerunt. At vero decepti Hebræi in principio adventus
eftimaverunt illum ele, qui expe&tatur ab eis, Chriſtus. Inſtead of Ebube-
zar, it ſhould be Abou-Bekra, which fignifies, the Father of the Virgin;
Mahomet and the Arabs having given him that Name on account of his
Daughter Aifa, whom the Prophet married very young, and exceedingly
loved, beyond all the reſt of his Wives, of which, firſt and laſt, he is
ſaid to liave been legally, or at leaſt formally wedded to no leſs than twenty
onc, and left the better half of that Number actually in his Houſe, when
he died.
1. D. 640. This Year died the Emperor Heraclius, having reigned
ſome few Months more than thirty Years. He was ſucceeded by his eldeſt
Son Conſtantine III. whom he had by his firſt Wife the Empreſs Eudoxia.
But that unfortunate Prince was, in leſs than four Months after his Father's
Deceaſe, poiſoned by the treacherous Pyrrhus, Patriarch of Conftantinople,
being ſet on by Martino the Empreſs, his ambitious Stop-Mother, to
make Room for her own Son Heraclion, in Conjunction with whom ſhe
herſelf ruled the Empire, tho' not long; ſomewhat above a Year. The
4
Maho-
The His To RY of BAY BA RY. Epitomizd.
[21
Mahometans were already Maſters of Perfia, and many other Ajiatick
Realms.
A. D. 641. The Senate depoſed Heraclion, cutting off his Noſe, and
depriving his Mother of her Tongue, banithed them. Conſtans II. his
Nephew, Son to Conſtantine III. and Grandſon to Heraclius, was advanced
to the Imperial Throne. Some name this Emperor Conftantius; others
Conſtantine ; but Theophanes, every where, calls him Confians. Of the
Affairs of Afrisa at this Time, all I find is this; Et confecratur Paulus E-
piſcopus Conſtantinopoleos, & ipfe Hereticus. Joannes autem Romanus pre-
ſul colle&to Epiſcoporum concilio Monothelitarum hærefin anathematizat. Si-
militer & in Africa penes Byzacium, Numidian & Mauritanian diverſi
Epiſcopi convenientes Monothelitas anathemate percutiunt.
The Year following, viz. 1. D. 642. The abovefaid Patriarch Pyrrhus,
being degraded and ſtripped of all his Benefices, ſought Sanctuary in Afri-
ca, and was received by the Patrician Gregory, then Vice-Roy, or Gover-
nor, who, by this Circumſtance, ſeems not to have been much in the In-
tereſt of the Emperor Conſtans. Under the Year 645, Theophanes ſays;
Pyrrhus verò cùm perveniſſet Africam mutuis cum fanctifimo Maximo videtur
adfpe&tibus, Abba videlicet religiofiffimo in monaſticis correctionibus : nec 1104
& divinorum illic exiſtentium Pontificum præfentatur obtutibus, qui hunc re-
dargutum & perfuafum Romam ad Papam Theodorum direxerunt. Qui or-
thodoxo tradito libello Papæ, ab eo receptus eft. The Diſpute between Pope
Maximus and this Pyrrhus, chiefly about Hereſies, was wrote by that
Pope himſelf, whom many call St. Maximus.
The Year following, viz. A. D. 646. the Primates of Africa aſſembled,
each in his reſpective Province convoking a Synod. With Stephanus, Pri-
mate of the Byzacena, met forty two Biſhops. Columbus, Primate of N1-
midia, aſſembled all his Suffragans, whoſe Number I do not mcet with:
Reparatus, Metropolitan of Mauritania, was attended by ſix Prelates.
Guluſus, Biſhop of Puppa, as the eldeſt Prelate, aſſembled ſixty eight Bi-
ſhops out of the Carthaginenfis : Here the Epiſcopal Secs ſeem much di-
miniſhed from what they once werer. At theſe Synods ſeveral Letters
were written againſt Hereſies, particularly that of the Monothelites, which
were read in the Lateran Council celebrated by Pope Martin I. Victor,
being elected Biſhop of Carthage after the Synod broke up, wrote, like-
z Vide P. 62. & feq.
R
wiſe,
IZZ
The History of BARBARY Epitomiz’d.
wiſe, upon the ſame Subject. Under this Year Theophanes writes ; Simul-
tatem concinnat Gregorius Patricius Africe una cum Afris. The Emperor
Conſtans having openly declared himſelf a Heretick, Gregory, Governor of
Africa, began, likewiſe, to throw off the Mask, taking to Arms, and de-
nying him all Obedience. The Steps and Method he took are not parti-
cularized; but this Rebellion ſeems to have been much of the fame Na-
ture with thoſe treated of by Procopius, and others. Nor is it to be ſup-
poſed, that the natural Africans let flip ſo favourable an Opportunity of
putting in Practice their accuſtomary Incurſions and Ravages, in which
they ſo greatly delight.
A. D. 647. Theſe Diſorders and Commotions rather increaſing than
diminiſhing, the Saracens, already Maſters of Egypt, thought the Occa-
fion good of inlarging their Conqueſts, as being but a few Days riding
diſtant from a noble and fertile Region, ſtill panting for Breath after the
late Perſian Deſolation, and now afreſh torn in Pieces by Civil Diffentions.
The Imperial Forces in a Manner exhauſted in the late cruel Wars, and
the miſerable Remnant hated, nay deſpiſed, by the Majority of the African
Nations, againſt whoſe daily Inſults they, with Difficulty, maintained their
Ground, much leſs in a Condition to withſtand an Attack from a warlike
People, fluſhed with a Series of ſcarce credible Succeſs, as were then the
victorious Saracens.
But as their coming into Africa occaſioned ſome very conſiderable Al-
tcrations, as I have a already hinted, and ſhall farther obſerve, before I in,
troduce them, to mix with the more ancient Africans, I ſhall ſet down
fome more Teſtimonies from old Writers concerning them and their Man-
ners before that Mixture.
b Livy has this Paſſage, which gives a lively Idea of their Manner of
Riding, &c. in thoſe Days, which agrees exactly to what they now are,
cxccpt in their Uſe of the Bridle, which, perhaps, they learned of the
Arabs; at lcaſt they now never offer to go where any Danger may be with-
out it; tho' I have ſeen even little Boys ride a furious Horſe, and make
him do almoſt what they pleaſed, with only ſtriking on his Neck with
the Flats of their Hands, and turning him by the Noſe if refractory. Du-
ring the Ligurian War, ſays that Hiſtorian, as the Roman Army marched
-- thro' a narrow Paſs, the Conſul, finding the Ligurians had way. laid him,
1
a Vide P. 92.
.
b L. 35:
r
faced
The HISTORY of BARBARY Epitomiz'd. I 23
up, which
put him
faced about, and endeavoured to return the way he came, but was in-
formed, that the Avenue behind was likewiſe blocked
into great Confternation. Among the other Auxiliaries, he had about
800 Numidian Horſe, whoſe Commander afſured him, that he would un-
dertake to break thro', on which Side he pleaſed; only aſked him, where-
abouts the Villages lay thickeſt. The Conſul gladly embraced his Offer,
and promiſed him, and his Followers, a great Reward. The Numidians
inſtantly mounting, made towards the Enemy, without offering the leaſt
Hoftility. To ſuch as had never ſeen them, nothing could be, at firſt
View, a more contemptiblc Sight, than this tattered, and ſeemingly hunger-
Starved, Body of Cavalry: The Horſes extremely lean, without Bridles,
going very aukwardly, with ſtiff Necks, and their Heads thruſt out; and
their Riders meager, half naked, ungirt, and without any Arms, except
Sabres and Javelins, or ſhort Lances. This ridiculous and deſpicable Fi-
gure they, likewiſe, induſtriouſly, augmented, ſliding off their Horſes,
and playing a hundred Buffooncries, on purpoſe to be taken Notice of;
all which had the intended Succeſs: For the Enemy, who before were
intent, and ready to receive them, had they been provoked, had moſt of
them laid aſide their Weapons, and ſat ſtill gazing at this Troop of Tat-
terdemalions. The Numidians rode farther on, and then back again, when
facing about once more, they, by Degrees, got pretty near the Paſs, ſeem-
ingly as if they could not ſtop their Horſes, and then ſuddenly clapping
Spurs to their Sides, they, like Lightening, brake thro' the Midſt of the
Ligurians, into the open Country, where in a Moment all they came ncar
was in a Blaze, Houſes, Villages, and even Towns, deſtroying all around
with Fire and Sword. Thoſe who were poſted to ſecure the Paſs, per-
ceiving their Habitations all in Flames, immediately haſted away to ſave
what they could, and the Roman Army marched off undiſturbed.
Innumerable are the Authors who take Notice of their skill and Ex-
pertneſs in Horſemanſhip. Juſtin has theſe Words; Numide jaculatores
oprimi, atque equitandi peritiſimi, ſic ut equos etiam infrænes, virgå tantum
currentes, moderentur. Of their wandering about with their Tents, as well
as their way of Riding, - Silius Italicus ſays;
L. 3.
R 2
Nulla
124
The HISTORY OF BARBARY Epitomiz’d.
Nulla Domus, plauftris habitant, migrare par arva
· Mos eſt, atque errantes circunivetare penates:
His mille alipedes turme, velocior Euris,
Et doftus virge fonipes in caftro ruebat.
Salluf fays of them; Uti mos gentis eft illius, equitare, jaculari, curſu
cum aequalibus certari. And again ; Pleraque tempora in venando agere. Of
them and their Country - Florus ſays; Ipfa verò Africæ regio eft longè maxi-
ma, & beata, & dives; homines verò habens patriâ indignos : regio quippe
ipfa optima, homines verò non æque : fraudulenti quippe fere omne's ei dicun-
tur, qui aliud quidem dicant, aliud verò faciant ; quare haud facile bonus quis
inter cos reperitur, quanquam & inter multos pauci boni ele poſſunt.
The Character this Epitomizer of Livy here gives of the Region, is
really very juſt; but of the People ſomewhat too partial.
I
Hinc Getulæ urbes, genus inſuperabile bello,
Et Numide infreni cingunt, & inhoſpita Syrtis.
Virg.
Salluſt and Servius have theſe Words; Gætula urbes. Ad terrorem urbis
dixit, nam in mapalibus habitant. And Pomponius Mela ſays; Getulorum
latè vagantinm. Theſe ſeem to be Libyans ; of whom Pliny ſays; Ge-
tulos Autololes; and afterwards; Jis (Pharufiis ſcilicet) jungi mediterraneos
Getulos Daras. And, & ſpeaking of the Tingitana, he ſays; Gætule nunc
tenent gentes Banurri, multoque validiſſimi Autololes. The laſt have 110
Footſtep left of their Name, in Africa, that I could ever hear of: 'But
Dara, or D'ra is a Province in the Tingitana, and Gezula. is another,
which ſeem to bear great Affinity with Getule and 'Dare : And Errif, or
Rif is a mountainous Province, inhabited by the Tribes of Gomera and
Hoara, running up from near the Streights Mouth, about fifty or fixty
Leagues to the Eaſt, the Inhabitants whereof are ſometimes generally
called Beni-Errif, and one particular Clan of them.Beni-Aros, of which
laſt Name I know two or threc other Clans in the Algerine Territories;
but whether related to thoſe of Errif or not I cannot be certain : Me-
thinks the Tranſition from Beni-Errif and Beni-Aros. to.Banuri and Ba-
L. 2. C. 15.
Æneid. 4.
{ L. 3. C. 1.
& L. 5. C. 2.
1141'1'QS
The HISTORY of. BARBARY Epitomizd.
125
in.
nurros is eaſy and natural enough. Theſe are, by ſome Latin Authors,
called Bamuri, Barume, &c.
h Lucan elegantly ſums up ſeveral of the African Nations ;
undique vires
Excivit Libyce gentis, extremaque mundi
Signa fua comitata Jubam: non fufior ulli
Terra fuit domino, quæ-Sunt longißima regna
Gardine ab occiduo, vicinus Gadibus Atlas
Terminat : à medio
, confinis Syrtibus Ammon.
At qui lata jacet vaſti plaga fervida regni,
Diſlinet Oceanum, Zoneque exufia calentis
Sufficiunt ſpatio; populi tot caftra fequuntur.
Autololes, Numideque vagi, femperque paratus
Inculto Gætulus equo: tum concolor Indo
Maurus, inops Nafamon, miſli Garamante peruſo
Marmaridæ volucres : æquaturuſque ſagittas
Medorum, tremulum cum torſit miſile Mazax.
Et gens quæ nudo refidens Malylia dorſo,
Ora levi fle&tit frenorum neſcia virga...
Et ſolitus vacuis errare mapalibus Afer
Venator, ferrique fimul fiducia non eft,
Veftibus iratos laxis operire leones.
i
Silius Italicus thus deſcribes the Africans :
Quin & Mallyli:fulgentia gnia tuleret. :
Heſperidem veniens lucis domus ultima terre :
Prièfuit intortos' demi jus vertice tristes
Bocchus vatrox, qai fäcratas
. in littore ſalvasg'
Atque inter frondes 'rovireſcere viderat duruni.
Posiqmoque defertis in caftra mapalibus itis.
.:Mifceri gregibus Getulisalueta ferarups .
Indomitiſque.loqui, & fedare-leonibus, iras;.
Nulla domus, &c.
1
6
L. 4. a. verf. 667.
3 L. 3
And
1 26 The HisTORY OF BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
1
And again;
Marmaride medicum vulgus ftrepuere catervis,
Ad quorum cantus ſerpons oblita venini,
Ad quorum cantus mites jacuere ceraſte.
Tum chalybis pauper Barume cruda juventus
Contenti parcâ duraſe haflilia flammd,
Miſcebant ávidi trucibus fera murmura linguis:
Nec non Autololes levibus gens ignea plantis,
Cui ſonipes curſu, cui ceſſerit incitus amnis.
Tanta fuga eft, certant penne, campimque volatt
Cùm rapuere, pedum fruftrà veſtigia quæras.
-
k Claudian, of Getulia, ſays;
3
Namque procul Libycos venatu cingere ſaltus
Et juga rimari canibus Getula videbar.
:
1 And;
Quidquid monfriferis nutrit Getulia câmpis.
And;
repetunt deſerta fugaces
Autololes.
1
Getulia is frequently mentioned by m Martial, and among others he has
this Diſtich;
:
Tecum ego vel ficci Getula mapalia Pæni,
Et poteram Scythicas hofpes, amare caſas.
que moribus
Salluſt often mentions their Fierceneſs and wild Manner of Life: Hi neo
neque lege, aut imperio cujufquam regebantur, vagi, palantes, quas
nox compulerat ſedes habebant. Again; Super Numidiam Getulus accepimus
partim in tuguriis, alios incultius vagos agitare. And again; Jugurtha poſt-
quam amilla Thala, nihil fatis firmum contra Metellum putát, per magnas
ſolitudines cum paucis profetus pervenit ad Gætulos, genus hominum ferum in-
cultumque, & eo tempore ignarum nominis Romani: eorum multitudinem in
! In Manl. Theod. conf.
In L. 10. Epig. 20.
* De Bel. Gill
I
Unu172
4
.
411
II
127
The HISTORY of BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
unum cogit, ac paulatim conſuefacit ordines habere, figna fequi, imperium ob-
ſervare, item alia militaria facere, &c. Theſe Getulians muſt be Libyans;
tho' they are ſometimes mentioned as diſperſed in ſeveral Parts, even of
Numidia and Mauritania, as well as in the Deſarts of Libya. * S. Iſidro,
treating of the Tripolitana, and its Limits, ſays; A meridie Getulos & Gam
ramantes uſque ad Oceanum Æthiopicum pertendentes: And, deſcribing the
Carthaginenfis, which he calls Africa vera, or propria, he ſays; Et a me-
ridie uſque ad Getulorum regionem porrecta. When he comes to ſpeak of
Getulia, or Libya itſelf, he ſays; Getulia Africe pars mediterranea eſt. In
o another Place he affirms, that the Goths were of Opinion, that the Ge-
tulians were deſcended from the Getes; but this they ſeem to be led into
rather by the Similitude of the Words, than by any Authority they could
basle in produce. Such of theſe Getulians as bordered neareſt the King-
doni of Numidia were apparently ſubject to thoſe Kings; and aſſiſted King
Fuia I. againſt Julius Cæfar, by whoſc Induſtry and Management they
rebelled, and appeared in his Favour, as A. Hirtius at large relates, to-
gether with other Particulars concerning thoſe People. That ſome of
them were Vallals to the Numidians, is likewiſe confirmed by p Dion
Caſius, who ſpeaking of P. Sitius, has theſe Words; Obſervato tempore,
quo Juba è regno fuo exercitum eduxiſſet, in Numidiam irrupit, eamque &
Getuliam, que pars regni Fubæ eft, vaſtavit. Many Authorities are extant
to prove, that the Libyans, or the ancient Getulians, extended, as they
now do, from the Weſtern Ocean upwards, even beyond the Syrtes,
where Virgil places them, and from them, in two Places, calls thoſe Quick-
fands Getulian Syrtes.
i
Hunc ego Getulis agerem fi Syrtibus exul.
Quibus in Gætulis Syrtibus ufi.
Strabo is very particular, ſaying; Ad Ægyptum quidem Marmaridas uf-
que ad Cyrenem, ſuper bos & Syrtes, Pfillos, Nafamones, & quofdam Ge-
tulos, &c. And again; Syrtis & Cyrenaica Superne incumbentem regionem
Afri obtinent fterilen fanè & aridam, primi Nafamones, poftea Pſilli &
Getulorum pars.
# L. 14. C. 5.
• L. 9. C. 2.
P L. 43-
This
I
!
IPS The HISTORY of BARBARÝ Epitomiz'd.
This Region, he ſays, ſtretches along from Weft to Eaſt; between
two Chains, or Ridges of Mountains-almoſt equally diſtant in all Places;
and affirms the Inhabitants to be more numerous than any others of the
African Nations. Mons qui a Cotibus per mediani Mauritaniam tendit, &
ipſe & montes, qui cum eo pari porriguntur (patiorum diftantia, commodè ha-
bitantur, in initio quidem a Mauruſis in ipfo vero regionis intimo à maxima
Libyæ natione qui Getulæ appellantur. : And P. Mela calls them, Natio
frequens multiplexque Getuli. Of them Feftus Avicenus ſays;
Marmaride juxta procul hinc tamen ultima regni
Ægypto inclinant, tergo Getulia glebam
Porrigit, & patulis Nigretes finibus errant.
Of the Troglodyta, in latter Days, inhabiting between Libya and the
Cyrenaica much is ſaid: Among others 9 Strabo hints; Troglodytas, quod eft,
qui cavernas intrent, appellant. And Pliny ſays of them ; Troglodyte ſpecus
excavant. He illis domus, viétus ſerpentum carnes, ſtridorque non vox, adeò
ſermonis commercio carent. Theſe were ſtrange Savages indeed; nor could
I ever hear of any ſo brutiſh as theſe, wanting even articulate Utterance.
As for Caves, there are, I believe, many Africans who have no other Ha-
bitation ; and to my own Knowledge many Arabs, and Africans cat Lo-
cuſts, Foxes, Dogs, Leopards, Lions, and ſeveral other loathſome Meats ;
but I never heard of any that feed on Serpents; tho' even the Spaniards
and Portugueſe, having Icarned of the Americans, have, of late Years,
found even Serpents of a moſt monſtrous Size, to be a very dainty Diſh.
Of theſe People r P. Mela ſays; Tum primum ab oriente Garamantes, poſt
Augilas, & Troglodytas. And again; Troglodyte nullarum opuni domini
ſtrident magis, quam loquuntur, fpecus ſubeunt, alunturque ſerpentibus. They
are ſpoken of by Pliny in ſeveral Places, Q. Curtius, P. Orofius, and o-
thers. Seneca ſays ; Troglodytæ, quibus ſubterranea domus ſunt. + Pliny,
quoting King Juba the Hiſtorian, ſays of their great Swiftneſs; Gentes
Troglodytaruni, idem Juba tradit Therothoas à venatu diktos mire velocitatis :
And; Troglodytas ſuper Æthiopiam velociores equis. "Strabo, from Aga-
tharcbides, gives the following Account of their Manncrs and Way of
Life; Troglodytarum vita paftoralis eft; ii multos tyrannos habent, mulieres
IL. I.
L. I. C. 4.
Ib. C. s.
'L. 6. C. 29. & L. 7. C. 2.
u L. 16.
& filii
I
The HISTORY OF BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
129
E filii iis communes, nifi quæ tyrannorum funt. Qui tyranni uxorem corru-
perit, ove muletatur. Eorum mulieres diligenter fibi cerufam inducunt. Con-
chas adverfus faſcinationes collo appenfas geftant. Viri de paſcuis contendunt,
primo rem manibus gerentes, mox lapidibus. Quòd ſi vulnus fiat, etiam fa-
gittis & gladiis: & mulieres in medium prodeuntes, & preces interponentes,
pacem reparant. Defcuntur carnibus, & uflibus fimul contufis, & in coria
involutis, & poftea afatis, ac variis præterea modis, quos ufurpant. Cocos
immundos vocant, ipfi non folum carnes, fed etiam coria comedunt. Veſcuntur
etiam fanguine admixto latte. Vulgus aquam bibit, in qua paliurus fit mace-
ratus : tyranni mulfum potant melle è flore quodam expreſo. Hyemem habent
cum etefie flant, tunc enim et imbres, eſtatem verò reliquum tempus. Nudi
funt & pelliti; & fcuticas geftant : & funt non folùm glande mutili, ſed etiam
circumciſi nonulli quemadmodum Ægyptii. What is ſaid above of their w drink-
ing Blood mixed with Milk, is now an Abomination. Again; At qui mu-
tilos Greci nominant totam illam partem, quam reliqui circumcidunt, novacula
infantibus amputare religione & more fancitum habent. Unde cognomentun
illi fibi ipſi conſciverunt. Of theſe unaccountable People, whoſe beſtial
Cuſtoms ſo much differed from all the Africans I ever faw, or heard of,
Herodotus makes frequent Mention; I ſhall only give this one Obſervation;
Troglodytæ Æthiopes omnium, quos fando novimus, perniciffimis pedibus funt ;
ferpentibus, lacertifque, & aliis id genus reptilibus veſcentes, lingua nulli al-
teri fimili utentes, ſed veſpertilionum more ſtridentes. Perhaps it was theſe
Brutes, whoſe Language reſembled the Screeking of Bats, or Rcar-mice,
who fo affronted the Ears of the Arabs, when they firſt came into the
Country, as I obſerved before *. All I can ſay to it, till I treat of the
Languages of the Country, is, that of all the African Dialects cver ſpoken
in my hearing, which I believe were moſt that are now in Uſe, none of
them in the leaſt deſerve that Compariſon.
Claudian, ſpeaking of the Rebel Gildon, and of thoſc Times, gives
theſe Deſcriptions of the Africans.
Ut vino calefa&ta Venus, tunc fcvior ardet
Luxuries, mixtis redolent ungucnta coronis,
Crinitos inter famulos, pubemque canoram
Orbatas jubet ire nurus, nuperque peremptis
In Agath. L. 5. C. 30. De Mar. Rubr.
S
* Pag. 5. vide.
Arridere,
130
The HISTORY OF BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
Arridere viris. Phalarin, tormentaque flamme
Profuit, & Siculi mugitus ferre juvenci,
Quam tales audire choros, nec damna pudoris
Turpia fufficiunt : Mauris clariſima quæque
Faſtidia datur, media Carthagine dufte
Barbara Sidonie fubeunt connubia matres:
Ethiopem nobis generum, Nafamona maritum
Ingerit, exterret cunabula diſcolor infans.
His fretus fociis, ipſo jam principe major
Incedit, peditum precurrunt agmine longe,
Circumdant equitum turm, regeſque clientes,
Quas noftris ditat ſpoliis, perturbat avita
Quemque domo, veteres detrudit rure colonos.
This is all anſwerable to the Complexion, Manners and Diſpoſition of
ſome of theſe Nations, as deſcribed by other Authors. y Livy ſays; Ut
eft genus Numidarum in Venerem præceps. And 2 again; Sunt ante omnes
Barbaros Numide effufi in Venerem. But, to borrow a few Lines more,
upon the fame Theme from Claudian:
.
Gildonem domitura manus promiſa minaſque
Tempus agit, &c.
Nec vos, barbariem quamvis collegerit omnem,
Terreat, & noftros paſuri cominus enſes.
Non contra clypeis tectos, galeiſque micantes
Ibitis; in folis longis fiducia telis.
Exarmatus erit, quum miſſile tor ferit hoftis.
Dextra movet jaculum, prætentat pallia levag.
Cetera nudus eques, fonipes ignarus habenæ,
Virga regit, non ulla fides, non agminis ordo,
Arma oneri, fuga preſidio, connubia mille ;
Non illis generis nexus, non pignora cure,
Sed numero languet pietas, hæc copia vulgig.
Umüratus dux ipſe rofis, & marcidus ibit
Unguentis, crudufque cibo, titubanſque Ly&o,
: : 3
2. L.. 27°
3
Confectus
The HISTORY of BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
I3I
Confectus fenio, morbis, ſtupriſque folutus.
Excitat inceſtos turmalis buccina fomnos,
Imploret citharas, cantatriceſque choreas,
Offenſus Aridore tubæ diſcatque coaétus,
Quas vigilat Veneri, caftris impendere noftes.
I have already hinted, that no African, for many Ages, has been known
to ride unbridled Horſes. • Pliny, treating of the Africans, ſays; Car-
thago tamen tanta cùm eſſet, capta eft & deleta, Ditionem Carthaginienfibus
ſubditam Romani in provinciæ formam redegerunt, niſi qudd Maſinile partem
tradiderunt, &c. Is Numidas civiles & agricolas reddidit, & loco latroci-
niorum cos militiam docuit, &c. Nam cùm regionem uberem colerent, niſi
quod feris abundabat, his omifis, & agri colendi tuto ſtudio, in Jefe manus
converterunt, agro feris dimilo. Itaque contigit eis, ut vagi & patria ex-
pertes vitam egerunt, haud aliter quàm qui ob inopiam & locorum fterilitatem,
& aeris inclementiam ad ejuſmodi vitæ genus adiguntur. Hinc Maſjæſylii No-
madumi nomen funt adepti. Ef vero necefle tales viltu uti vili, plerum.radices
edere, & carne, & lacte, & cafeo nutriri.
The Prince of Latin Pocts, b Virgil, thus elegantly ſings;
1
i
Quid tibi paftores Libye, quid pafcua verſu
Profequar? & raris habitata mapalia teftis?
Sæpe dien, noctemque, & totum ex ordine menſen
Pafcitur, itque pecus longa in deferta fine ullis
Hofpitiis : tantum campi jacet omnia fecum
Armentarius Afer agit, tectumque, laremque,
Armaque, Amyclaumque canem, Creffamque pharetram.
Non ſecus ac patriis acer Romanus in arnis
Injufto fub faſce vian cùm carpit, & hoſti
Ante expectatum pofitis ftat in agmine caſtris.
And Lucan ſays;
populi tot caftra fequuntur.
This ſhews their Manner of encamping to have been the very fame as
it is now, ſince the Arabs are mixed with them. Pomponius Mela, in
a L. 17.
• Gerg 3.
S 2
his
132
The History of BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
his Deſcription of their Way of Life, in the more Eaſterly Province,
is very exact and particular, and very well agrees with moſt of the poorer
Scenites in general. Cyrenaica provincia, &c. Ora. fic babitantur ad nof-
trum maxime ritum moratis cultoribus, niſi quòd quidam linguis differunt, &
cultu deorum, quos patrios ſervant,ac patrio more venerantur. Proximis qui-
dem nulle urbes ftant, tamen domicilia funt, quæ mapalia appellantur : vietus
aſper & munditiis carens. Primores ſages welantur : vulgus beftiarum, pe-
cudumque pellibus: humi quies, epulæque capiuntur. Vafa ligno fiunt aut
cortice. Potus eft lac, fuccufque baccarum. Cibus eft caro, plurimum ferina;
nam gregibus (quia id folum optimum eft) quoad poteft, parcitur. Interiores
etiam incultius. Sequuntur vagi pecora, utque à pabulo ducta funt, ita fe, ac
Buguria fua promovent : atque ubi dies deficit ibi mottem agunt. Quamquan in
familias paflim, & fine lege diſperſi, nibil in commune conſultant : tamen quod
fingulis aliquot fimul conjuges, & plures ob id liberi, agnatique ſunt, nuſquam
pauci degunt.
This is all well deſcribed; only I know of none, now-a-Days, who
have their Women in common: But as for their beaftly Naſtineſs, I can-
not fancy it poſſible for any of thoſe ancient Numidians, &c. to have had
a greater Share of it than have the Generality of the preſent Moors, in
every part of Barbary, &c. except ſome of the better Sort of ſuch as
dwell in good Towns and Capitals, notwithſtanding the over-nice Clean-
lineſs injoined by the Religion they now profeſs: On this Head I ſhall
fay more.
Dionyſius thus deſcribes them, as delivered by his Interpreters: The
ancient Tranſlator has it chus;
Sed fummum Libyen habitant ad Tethyos undas
Alcide quâ funt ftatuæ, Mauruſia plebes.
Poft hos immenſe Nomadum de femine gentes,
Atque Marſylii, nec non Malylia proles.
Saltibus hos duris afper ſylviſque vagantes
Viętus alit ceva quæfitus cede ferarum,
Scilicet ignaros terras perfindere raftris,
Agricolaſque bovcis plauftris domitate Sonoris:
Namque errant nemorum per dumos more ferarum.
© L. 1. C. 8.
di Averfu 18.4.
The
The HISTORY of BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
133
The other renders it;
At vero procul Herculeis vicina columnis,
Progenies extrema colit Mauruſidos ore.
Queis Nomadum innumere ſuccedunt ordine gentes,
Atque Mel'efyli paſim, miſerique Maſyle,
Cum natis.ſteriles ſylvas faltuſque peragrant,
Viftum infelicem dura conquirere preda.
Quippe illis nec terra gravi ſulcatur aratro,
Nec gratos edunt gemitus volventia plauftrag
Nec fua mugitu repetunt præcepia vaccæ :
Sed pecudum in morem vaſtis in faltibus errant,
Indociles jactare ſatus aut cogere meſſeis.
Feſtus Avienus ſpeaks of thoſe more favage Africans much to the
fame Purport;
.
Propter proceras Zephyri regione columnas,
Mauri babitant; bis fiuxa fides, & inhofpita ſemper
Corda rigent, trabitur duris vaga vita rapinis.
Proxima se latè Numidarum pafcua tendunt,
Maſyliique ſuper populi, per aperta locorum,
Palantes agitant, certi laris inſcia gens eft.
Nunc in dumoſas erepunt undique rupes,
Nunc quatiunt campos, nunc ſylvas inter oberrant.
Conjugibus natiſque fimul, cibus afpera glando,
Oninibus haud ullis fulcatur ceſpes aratro.
Non his mugitis pecudum ftrepit.
The ſame Author, in fanother Place, ſpeaking more particularly of the
Nafamones, and other barbarous Nations, inhabiting about the two Syrtes,
viz. Major and Minor, ſo much to be dreaded by Sea-faring. People, ſays;
Hanc rurfum gens late priſca virorum
Lotophagi includunt. Duroſque. Naſamonas inde
Accipe, queis quondam populorum examina multa
1
• A verfu 277
A verfu 302.
Verfavere
134
The History of B A R BARY Epitomiz'd.
Verſavere folum, multe fonuere per agros :
Balatu pecudes: nunc lati jugera campi :
Et grege nuda jacent, & ſunt cultoribus, orba.
Of theſe People Lucan ſpeaks, in theſe elegant Terms;
+
Hoc tam ſegne folum raras tamen exferit herbas,
Quas Nafamon gens dura legit, qui proxima Ponto
Nudus rura tenet, quem mundi Barbara damnis
Syrtis alit; nam littoreis populator arenis
Imminet, & nulla porrus tangente carina
Novit opes. Sic cum toto commercia mundo
Naufragiis Nafamones habent.
Regna videt pauper Naſamon errantia vento
Diſcuſaſque domos. Volitant à culmine rapte
Detecto Garamante caſe.
.
Theſe noted Quick-ſands lie on the Eaſtern Coaſts of Barbary, beyond
Tripoly. Of the Syrtis Minor, ſo called to diſtinguiſh it from the other,
which is much greater, Strabo has theſe few Words ; His continua eft
minor Syrtis, quam Lotophagitin Syrtim etiam dicitur. And of thoſe ſavage
Lotophagi, he adds; Lotophagos dici, quod herba quadam, E3 radice loto vef-
cantur : nihilque opus habeant poti, neque ob aquæ penuriam, &c. eoſque uf-
que ad loca Cyrene imminentia pertinere: Andupon another Occaſion, ſpeak-
ing of other Africans, he ſays; Hi & in viltu & ornatu frugales ſunt, ux-
ores multas, & multos filios habent, cætera Arabum Nomadibus per fimiles.
Pliny, of another brutiſh Tribe of theſe people, ſays ; Troglodite ſpecus
excavant. He illis domus, vietus ſerpentum carnes, ſtridorque non vox, adeò
ſermonis commercio carent. Speaking of the Numidians and Mauritanians
in general, and of their Multiplicity of Wives, &c. Salluſt ſays; Etiam
antea Fugurthe filia Boccho nupferat, verum ea neceſitudo apud Numidas
Mauroſque levis ducitur, qui ſinguli pro opibus, quiſque quam plurimas uxores,
denas alii, alii plures habent, ſed reges eo amplius: ita animus multitudine
diftrahitur, nullam pro ſua obtinet, pariter omnes viles funt. Of their Food
Theophanes ſays; Panis apud Maurufios non fit, neque vinum, neque oleum,
fed far, & hordeum immaturum ut irrationabilia animalia comedunt.
1
All
The HISTORY of BARBARY Epitomiz'd. 13S;
All this agrees very well with abundance of the baſer Sort of the
pre-
fent Moors; as will appear when I come to treat of ſuch as I have ſeen:
And by what I have already quoted from ancient Writers, in ſeveral of
the foregoing Sheets, and more particularly in theſe laſt preceding Pages
and what I may farther fer down, as Occaſion offers, if compared with
the Account I deſign to give of the preſent Manners and Way of Life
of thoſe ruſtick Africans I have been among, during the Courſe of my
ſeveral Journies thro' the Inland Parts of Barbary, the Alterations produced,
by the coming of the Mahometans, among them have not been very man.
terial. Nay even as to their Habit (commonly nothing but courſe, white
woolen Garments, of their own weaving, whereof I ſhall give a Deſcrip-
tion) it ſeems to be the ſame as it was in the remoteſt Ages. The Sybil:
affirms this, by thoſe two Verſes:
9
Verum quando ſuper for.denti veftiet album.
Barce veſtitum, nolim nafcive, vel elle.
The Deſart & Barca, between Egypt and Barbary, ſeems to have given
this People their Name. They are often mentioned. by old Authors.
Virgil ſays;
Hinc deferta ſiti regio, latèque.furentes
Barcæi.
Servius to this adds; Deferta inhabitabilis : dixit autem Xeralibyem, quæ
eft inter Tripolin & Pentapolin. Es bene terret dicens, juxta effe aut bellico-
fas gentes, aut deſerta loca ;, unde non fperaretur, auxilium. Barcei.. Hi pro-
priè funt à Carthagine, unde addidit, latè furentes. Hi ſecundum Titianum
in Cbarograpbia Phænicem navali quondam fuperavere certamine. Barce
autem civitas eſt Pentapoleos, quæ hodie Ptolemais dicitur : nam Cyrene &
Barce reginæ fuere, que fingulis dedere. civitatibus nomina.
h Silius Italicus calls it ; Æternumque arida Barce. And i again;
Nec tereti dextras in pugnam armata dolone
Deſtituit Barce ſitientibus arida venis.
Vide P. 5.
D L.. 2.
Thoſe
11
19
136
The History of BARBARY. Epitoniz'd.
-Thoſe who would have a more ample Account of that Defart, may read
it in Leo Africanus, and his Imitator Luis del Marmol, from whom moſt,
if ndt all of the Moderns ſeem to have taken all they give us concerning
the Africans and their Country. How great foever may have been the
Reputation the Libyass once hady of being famous Muſicians, and of
having invented tlie Pipe, or Flute, called by Greek Authors Hippophorbos,
I fancy few of them would be now much liked at our Opera. However,
they have Numbers of Muſicians in the grear Towns and Cities, as I ſhall
také Notice: "But as for this Tibicen, Flute, or Pipe, it is certainly loſt,
except it be the Gajfa, ſomewhat like the Hautbois, called Zurna, in
Turkiſh, a martial Inſtrument. * Julius Pollux, in a Chapter intitled De
Tibiarum Specie, ſays; Hippophorbos quam quidem Libyes Scenetes invenerunt.
And again, ſhewing the Uſe and Quality thereof; Hæc verò apud equorun
paſcua utuntur, ejuſque materia decorticata laurus eft, cor enim ligni extraēlum
acutiffimam dat ſonum. The Sound of the Gayta agrees well with this
Deſcription, tho' not the Make. Several Poets mention the Tibicen Liby-
cus, and Arabicus: And Atheneus quotes Duris, and ſays; Libycas tibia
Poetæ appellant, ut inquit Duris, libro fecundo de rebus geftis Agathoclis quòd
Scirites, primus, ut credunt, tibicinum artis inventor, è gente Nomadum Li-
bycorum fuerit, primuſque tibia Cerealium hymnorum cantor. The Arabs
have the Cuſluba, or Cane, which is only a Picce of large Canc, or Reed,
with Stops, or Holes like a Flute, &c. and ſomewhat longer, which they
adorn with Toffels of black Silk, and play upon like the German Flute:
And the young Fellows, in ſeveral Towns, play prettily enough on Pipes
made, and founding very much like our Flagelet, of the Thigh Bones of
Crafies, Storks, or ſuch large Fowl. Neither of theſe Inſtruments being
made of Laurel Wood, as it ſeems the ancient Hippophorbos wås, ſure that
celebrated Pipe cannot have degenerated into the Mooriſh Bou-Shukua, a
moſt abominable Bag-Pipe, which fometimes accompanies their Tubboul,
or lugubrous Drums, to the diſmal Sound whereof the modern Numidian
Mourners houl out their more diſmal Dirges, as in duc Place I ſhall
relate.
The famous Getalian Purple, &c. ſpoken of by i Pliny and others, have
long ſince diſappeared; that Hiſtorian, in particular, ſays ; Cum ebore cia
troque Sylve exquirantur, omnes fcopuli Getuli muricibus ac purpuris: And
L. 3:
* He dedicated his works to the Emperor Commodus. ! L. 3. C. 1.
m Pom-
3
The HISTORY OF BARBA RY Epitomiz'd. 137
m Pomponius: Mela ſays; Nigritarum, Getulorumque paſim vagantium ne lit-
tora quidem infoecunda funt purpura & murice. He calls them a People,
nin familias paſim, & fine lege diſperſi. Pliny relates ſeveral Particulars of
the Africans: 'Some few of them may not be improper. Speaking of the
Garamantes, a numerous, rude and warlike Nation, in, or on the Borders
of Libya, hc o ſays ; Garamante's matrimoniorum exortes paſſim cum fæminis
degunt. And p Pomponius Mela inlarges upon the fame. Treating of their
Country, 9 Pliny adds; Matelge oppidum Garamantum, itemque Debris affuſo
fonte à medio die in mediam noctem aquis ferventibus, *otidemque boris ad me-
dium diem rigentibus. Clariffimum-oppidum Garama caput Garamantun, on-
nia armis Romanis fuperata, & à Cornelio Balbo triumphata, &c. In that
Expedition Balbus conquered twenty Cities and Towns, and triumphed
over five African, or rather Libyan Clans, or petty Tribes, and indeed the
whole Region of the Garamantes. Theſe People Servius calls Populi inter
Libyam & Africam, juxta Kinauufunu, Regionem exuftam; on which ac-
count Lucan fays they go almoft naked; as do many other Africans : His
Words are;
Mifti Garamante peruſto Marmarida,
Qua nudi Garamantes arant.
There are no People of that. Name in Africa, that I could ever hear of.
I have been told, indeed, of ſuch a Sort of a Fountain as that above-men-
tioned, ſcalding hot for one twelve Hours, and extremely cold for the
twelve ſucceeding Hours. This was related to me, very circumſtantially,
by a certain Gademfi, that is, a Native of Gademmis, far South of Tunis,
within the Sahara, beyond the Confines of Biled al-Jerid, or Al-Jerid,
peculiarly ſo called, being that Part of South-Numidia belonging to Tunis;
in which City are many of thoſe Libyans, who ſpeak one Dialect of the
old African Language, and employ themſelves in ſervile Offices, as do the
Natives of Biſcara, and other Parts of the Province of Zeb, as likewiſe
the Beni-Mezzab, another Libyan People, at Algiers ; of all which more
hereafter. Perhaps, tho' the Names are little analogous, theſe Gademſi
are the Poſterity of the Garamantes, and the Inheriters of their Country.
m L. 3. C. II.
* Vide P. 8, 9. 20,
A L. I. C. 8.
• L. 5. C. 8.
PL. 1. C. 8.
9 L. 5. C. 5.
T
The
**
+
138
The HISTORY OF BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
The Relation that civilized African made me of his Country, as near as I
can remember, agreed perfectly with the Account given of it by Leo and
Marmol: viz. That it is a very extenſive, and dry, barren Region, hav-
ing many Towns and Villages, and the Ruins of ſeveral moft ancient
Forts and Caſtles; that the Northern Borders of its Territory are near
twenty Days eaſy March from the Mediterranean (allowing, may be, about
twenty Miles a Day for the Caravan of Camels, and thoſe who go on foot)
which makes good 100 Spaniſh Leagues; that Part abounds in Dates, and
Scorpions, but wants Bread and Fleſh, except Camels, fome Goats, and
Dogs (which laft are common in the Shambles of every South-Numidian
City and Town) and laſtly, that the People have a good Trade with the
Blacks, and are conſequently wealthy. They are ſometimes cributary to
the State of Tripoly, but oftener to that of Tunis.
My ſaying theſe People may be the Deſcendants of the old Garaman-
tes, is only bare Conjecture at the belt, partly grounded on that Moor's
affirming, that he had ſeen ſuch a Fountain, and that near the Ruins of
a ſtately Edifice, as ſo many ancient Authors aſſure us ſtood near the fa-
mous Temple of Jupiter Ammon, and at the ſame Time aſſert the Gara-
mantes to have inhabited that part of the Libyan Deſart: But how to re-
concile all this, in Point of Diſtance, and other Circumſtances, I am ut-
terly at a Loſs, having never viſited any of thoſe Parts, nor made the
fame Scrutiny as I would now do, had I the opportunities : I have let
ſlip. And, indeed, the old Writers, ſome of whole Words I Thall: pre-
ſently cite, ſeem to fix that Fouătain, & much nearer Negroland than
are the Gademfan Regions, by what I can gather, or recollect: Nor am
I certain whether the Moor told me, that the Spring he ſpoke of was in
his own Country: So that I have Reaſon to fear, that ſome Cynic or bither
will be apt to ſnarl out and ſay, that I have given my ſelf a great deal of
Trouble to ſay nothing atáll.
I
1
Protinus ad
regem curſus detorquet Iarban,
Incenditque animum dictis, atque aggerat iras.
Hic Ammone fatus rapta Garamantide. Nympha
Templa Jovi; & CO
Virg.
Æneid. L. 6.
i Lucan
The HISTORY OF BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
739
mont
. Lucan fixes them near the Temple:
Ventum erat ad templum, Libycis quod gentibus unum
Inculti Garamantes habent, ftat corniger illic
Jupiter, ut memorant, fed non aut fulmina vibrans,
Aut fimilis noftro, ſed tortis cornibus Ammon.
Non illic Libycæ poſuere ditia gentes
Templa, nec Eois Splendent donaria gemmis,
Quamvis Æthiopum populis, Arabumque beatis
Gentibus, atque Indis unus fit Jupiter Ammon.
And Ptolemy fixes them, and their Metropolis Garama, and Garamatica
vallis, in the Interior Libya. Stepbanus Byzantinus rehearſes ſeveral of
the Particulars mentioned by Herodotus, concerning this conſiderable Peo-
ple: He, likewiſe, conciſely ſums up what Pliny, in divers Places, relates
of their wonderful Fountain, their Cities, Wealth in precious Stones, &c.
Triumph of Balbus, and other Matters. a Claudian of them and their
Territory, ſays;
Sternitur ignavus Nafamon, nec ſpicula fupplex
Intorquet Garamas, repetunt deferta fugaces
Autololes, pavidus projecit mifile Mafas.
Strabo fixes their Region bordering on Getulia, towards the South;
Supra Getuliam Garamantum regio, quæcumque illa equalibus ſpatiis porrigi-
tur, unde Carchedonii lapilli afferuntur. Dicunt Garamantes ab Æthiopibus,
& oceani vicinis, abeſſe novem aut decem dierum itinere, ab Ammone quinde-
cem. This is unaccountably different from the reſt, no leſs than fifteen
Days Journey; except there is ſome Miſtake. ,* Dionyfius ſays;
Mox & Marmaride Memphi proprioribus arvis
Getulique ultra, & finitimi Negretes,
Pharuſiique colunt, quorum quæ proxima terris
Innumeri Garamantes habent.
Feftus Avienus;
Marmaridæ juxta procul hic ultima regni
: L. 9. A verfu 514.
# In laud. Stilicon.
w L. 17:
* A verfu 213
T2
Y A verju 320.
Ægypto
140 The HISTORY OF BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
1
T
f
Egypto inclinant. Tergo Getulia glebane
Porrigit, & patulis Nigretæ finibus errant. .
Protinus hinc Garamas lata confinia tendit;
Trux Garamas, pedibus pernix, & arundinis uſu
Mobilis.
z The ancient Interpreter of Dionyſius has it;
Marmaridæ poft hos Ægypti ad flumina vertunt:
Getulique ſuperſunt, vicinique Negretés.
Continuo poft hos fequitur Pharuſia tellus..
Hanc habitant juxta Garamantes Debride clari,
Quæ ſuperat cunctas urbs miro munere fontis,
Frigore qui no&tis fervet calefa&tus & umbris,
At folis friget radiis glacialis & igni.
1
1
:
i
1
· Pliny ſays ; Ad Garamantes iter. inexplicable adhuc fuit latronibus gentis
ejus puteos (qui ſunt non altè fodiendi, ſi locorum notitia adfit) arenis oparien-
tibus. And bagain he relates an odd Paſſage of one of their Princes; Ga-
ramantum regem canes ducenti ab exilio reduxere præliati contra reſiſtentes. I
never knew any Uſe that Dogs were put to, by any of the modern Afri-
cans, but to guard their Tents, &c. in the Night, only in South-Numidia
and Libya, as I obſerved, they are eaten. Their Greyhounds, for Hunt-
ing, are in great Eſteem.
I, perhaps, immethodically enough, dwell the longer upon theſe Gara-
mantes, by Rcaſon, that they were one of the moſt conſiderable Nations
in thoſe Regions, much dreaded by the Romans, who thought it a ſtrange
Sight to ſee their Deputies at Rome, as happened upon the Defeat of
"Tacfarinas. However, I ſhall only recite a few more Quotations, out
of the many to be met with, and then have done with the Subject. Lu-
cian, in one of his Dialogues, treating of the venomous and dangerous
Serpents, called Dipſe, or Dipfade (which I believe is the ſame the Afrin
can. Arabs call Thaaban, and wherewith moſt parts of the Sahara are re-
ported to abound) naturally deſcribes the Country and their Way of Life:
He ſays; Ea pars Libyæ, quæ ad auſtrum tendit, arena eft profunda, &
terra eſt exufta ſolis ardoribus, deſerta ut plurimùm, frugibus in totum infe-
cunda, campeſtris univerfa, &c. Præterea ipſa arena magnopere fervens,
A
.
A verfu 199.
* L. 5. C. 5.
bL. 8. C. 4o
Vide P. 45. 43.
regionens
The HISTORY of BARBARY Epitomiz'd. 141
regionem prorſus fecit inviam & inacceſſibilem. Soli verd Garamantes iis locis
finitimi, gens levis atque frugalis, vitam degentes in tentoriis, venationibus ut
plurimum viventes, nonnunquam irrumpunt venantes juxta folftitium biber-
num, fidere maxime pluvioſa obſervato. Of thoſe Serpents, which are the
principal Theme of Lucian's whole Dialogue, Silius Italicus ſays thus ;
Quique atro rapidas efferveſcente veneno
Dipſadas immenfis horrent Garamantes arenis.
1
Lucian very rightly obſerves, that in the Winter thoſe Parts are abun-
dantly fitter for Hunting, and every thing elſe, than when the Sands are
light and moveable, there being then no Tract to be found. All thoſe
Southern Nations are great Hunters, and their chief Game is the Oftridge,
which they cat with an Appetite. I once tafted it, but liked not ſuch
rank Food. The Fleſh is hard, black and ſlimy, cſpecially the Thigh-
The Egg is well enough, but by much too ſtrong. The Feathers of the
Male are far better than thoſe of the Female, which are of a ruſty brown.
The Arabs, Moors, and ſome of the Turkiſh Cavalry adorn their broad-
brimmed Straw-Hats with them. The ancient Africans uſed to be very
fond of thoſe Ornaments; I am not ſure whether they uſed them as they
do now-a-Days. Tertullian ſays; Debebunt & ipfi infignia defendere ut
pennas Garamantum, aut crobylos Barbarorum. But fSilius Italicus gives
them a very different Sort of a Head-Dreſs, in Imitation of their Deity
Jupiter Ammon,
Tu quoque fatidicis Garamanticus accola lucis
Infignis flexo galeam per tempora cornu,
Heu fruftra reditum fortes tibi fæpe locutas,
,
Mentitumque Jovem increpitans occumbis Hyarba.
Strabo thus deſcribes ſome of the African Nations, and their Country:
.Etfi Mauri adeo uberem regionem inhabitant, tamen ad boc uſque tempus
magna ex parte incertis ſedibus: vagantur, Hi comas cincinnas exornant,
&
barbam comunt, aurumque geftant, &c. Raro dum una deambulant je contin-
gunt, ut maneant compoſiti capilli, quod fieret [neutiquam] ſi ſe invicem con-
tingerent. And again; Ferè autem & hi fequentes Malleſylii
, & Libyes
L. 3.
• De velard. cirgin. C. 10.
i L. I.
magna
The HISTORY of BARBARY Epitomiza.
14.2
:
snagua ex parte cultu eodem utuntur, & in cæteris per fimiles funt. Thus
they were in Strabo's Days; and Procopius acquaints us how they were in
his: In particular this following Relation of their miſerable State in the
Time of Gilimer, the laſt Vandal King, is extremely natural, and anſwers
exactly to the preſent Condition of ſome of the poorer Pedlápits of
Barbarys
At Mauruſii (ſays & Procopius) contrà duris aſueti in parvis tuguriis (ma-
palibus nempe) ubi vix reſpirare licet, degunt : hyemiſque ac æftatis tempori-
bus, neque nivibus, neque folibus, neque alio quocumque malo, neceſario ca-
rentes. Dormiunt nuda humo, ſi qui beatiores inter cos, aliquid fubfternunt :
veſtes infuper ſecundum tempora variare ex lege probibentur, ſed laceram vef
tom atque craſam tunicamque afperam in omne tempus induunt.
Pane vino-
que & aliis bonis omnibus ufui neceſſariis carent ; fed & triticum, five fili-
ginem minime aut coquentes, aut in farinam terentes, fed more belluarum de-
pafcuntur. But to have done with theſe Teſtimonies, which ſome may
think tedious, and even ſuperfluous.
I left Africa full of Confuſions, by the Rebellion of Gregory thc Ex-
arch, or Governor; the Pretence whereof was the profeſſed Hereſy of that
miſguided and impious Prince, the Emperor Conſtans II. Theophanes gives
Account of thoſe Troubles, which opened a Gate for the firſt Irruption
of the Saracens into Africa; But firſt he ſays; Anno fexto imperii Conſtan-
tis factus eſt in terra ventus vehemens, qui multa germina convulſit, arboreſ-
que ingentes radicitus extirpavit, atque multos columnatorum depofuit mona-
chorum. He goes on: Eodem item anno Saraceni hoſtiliter Africam adierunt,
& confliktu agitato adverſus tyrannum Gregorium, hunc in fugam vertunt, &
ipfos qui cum ipſo erant interimunt : & hunc ab Africa pellunt, atque tributis
in Afrsa ordinatis & pactis reverfi funt.
This could not have been the firſt Expedition the Muſulman-Arabs
made into Barbary; who, according to many Authors, came down from
Alexandria, over the Deſart of Barca, as far as Tripoly, which Place they
took, A. H. 22. and no farther, in the Reign of the Kbalifa Omar, who
was Mahomet's ſecond Succeſſor. Among others, this is in particular af-,
firmed by D'Herbelot, who, certainly, had peruſed more Oriental Hil-
torics than any European whatever; and had that moſt learned, curious
and indefatigable Traveller lived to have reviſed his laborious Collection
& L. 2. De Bel. Vandal.
of
The HISTORY of BARBARY Epitomiz'd. 143
of Eaſtern Curioſities, it would have been a very complete Piece. The
Muſulman Hiſtorians themſelves do not agree either in the Years of their
Prophet's Life, or in the Time of his Death. Some will have him to
have lived but ſixty three Years, others two or three more: And ſome af-
ſert he died in the ninth, fome in the tenth, and others in the cleventh
Year of the Hejira; tho' moſt fix his Death A. H. 10, which muſt be
1. D. 632, of which Theophanes comes about two Years ſhort: And by
his making this firſt Irruption of the Saracens into Barbary in the fixth
Year of the Reign of the Emperor Conftans II. wlio, according to him,
and many others, ſucceeded Heraclion A. D: 641, this could not have
happened in Omar's Days, who was killed by a Perſian Captive, A. H. 24,
or A. D. 645; whereas that Emperor's feventh Year was the ſecond of
Omar's Succeffor Othoman.
To reconcile this, I ſhall juſt hint the Length of the Reigns of Mabo-
met's four immediate Succeſſors, as almoſt unanimouſly agreed by all his
Diſciples; and allowing the Prophet himſelf to have taken his final Adieu
of them in the tenth Year of his Hejira. Abou-Bekra, who alone died
a natural Death, reigned only two Years, three Months; and died A. H.
13. A. D. 634. Omar reigned ten Years, fix Months, and was affaſlina-
ted A. H. 24. A. D: 645. Othoman reigned cleven Years, ſix Months,
or thercabouts, and was flain in an Inſurrection A. H. 35. A. D. 055.
Ali reigned four Ycars, and nine Months, and was likewiſe aflaflinated
A. H. 40. A. D. 661. This is the moſt generally received Account of
thoſe Particulars.
Bat the firft Viſit the Mabonetan Arabis made to this Country, with
the View of making an intire Conqueſt of it, was under the Direction
öf a ſtour Arab Commander, named Ucba,' or 'Occuba áben Nafic; ſent,
with upwards of 80000 of the Flower of the Arabian Cavalry, by the
Khalifa Othoman. The Date of this moſt remarkable Invaſion is variouſly
related. Lco Africanus has ſtrangely led abundance of later Writers into
a moſt unaccountable Error by fixing it under A. H. 400. Tho' Marmol,
his ſtrict Adherer in many Reſpects, bas corrected that Blunder ſo far as
to leave ouť tħe fält Cypher, and reduces, it'to 40: But even thạt Amend-
ment is ſtill deficient ; lince Ali, that Khalifa's Succeſſor, lived till that
very Year, as is obſerved above; and it is univerſally agreed, that Africa
was conquered by the Arms of Othoman. Much is talked among the
Arabs and Africans of the Conduct and Proweſs of that General'; buro
w bat
1
144
The History of BÁRBARY Epitomiz'd.
I
what obcy.ſay, and ſing of a young Prince, who accompanied him, whoſe
Name was Sidi Abdatiab aben Jiaffer, of the Prophet's own Family, ſeems
to furpaſs all Belief: Nor, indeed, are they without whole Volumes of
the ſame Stamp as our Romances. This Sidi Occuba, whoſe coming, as
I hinted, muſt needs have been ſome Years enrlier than Marmol, and many
others would inſinuate, found the Imperialiſts fo weak, and ſo involved in
Civil Dificntions, fo generally hated by the Pagar Africans, even by ſuch
of them as were ſometimes in their Alliancc, and by a great Part even of
thoſe who profeſſed Chriſtianity, all grecdily waiting for Innovations, that
he met with no very conſiderable Oppoſition. He ſoon reduced Carthage
(which, in ſome of the African Hiſtories of thoſe Conqueſts, I have heard
named Al Máalka). and about 120 Miles from thence built, and ſtrongly
fortified, the City Caerouan. The ſame Hiſtories affirm, that no one
Place in the whole Region made ſo ſtout a Reſiſtance as did Sarif, or S'tif,
the ancient Sitifis, a famous Colony, Capital of that more Eaſterly Mau .
ritania to which it gave a Name. They acquaint us, that the Governor,
whom thcy, after their Manner, corruptly call Darje aben Hamamma,
had ſeveral terrible Encounters with the united Strength of the Arabs and
new African Muſulmans, and put them hard to it, till they cloſely beſieged
him in his City, which they carried not without great Loſs on both
Sides.
I cannot forbear mentioning a fierce Conteſt, between two Spaniards,
about this Name, upon the Inquiry made by an Arab, who was reading
the Hiſtory in our Hearing, Whether the Chriſtians had any ſuch Name
among them? Tho' I am certain neither of them could make any more
of it than my ſelf could, which was juſt nothing at all, yet both, with-
out Heſitation, anſwered, Yes. One poſitively maintained, that it was a
Corruption of Ambroſio, and that the Tranſition was very eaſy and natu-
ral. The other, in Wrath at his Ignorance and Obſtinacy, called him
illiterate Blockhead, and told him, that tho' he knew he could not rcad,
in order to inform himſelf from the Writings of learned Men, yet, at
leaſt, if he had not loſt the Uſe of his Ears, he might have diſtinguiſh-
ed, that Darje was no other than Gregorio, tho' ſomewhat Barbarized; and
then, to give us a Specimen of his Learning and Memory, with a Valga
el Demonio tales animales necios y ignorantes, meaning that he wiſhed ſuch
ſtupid and ignorant Animals at the Devil, “ Any but ſuch vulgar Beaſts
5 as you, ſaid he, would have known, that when the Emperor of Rome,
1
I
as the
?
The History of BAR BARY. Epitomiza: 145.
2
CC
.
(6. the great Conftantine, built this * City; and gave'it
: his own Name, he
cc. left Gregory as his Vice-Roy, or Governor, of all theſe: Provinces; and
is that before Conſtantine the Great was well got home to Rome, that
« Traytor rebelled, and was for getting himſelf crowned King of Bar-
oc
bary; without which the Arabs. could never have ſet Foot in the
Country.” They were near coming to Blows; and we had much ado
to pacify: them. The Moors, who underſtood them nót, asked me, What
they quarrelled about, and which of them I thought in the right? A
Queſtion which puzzled me very much: But in order to prevent farther
Miſchief, I. fajd, that he who had edified the Company with that: mate-
rial Fragment of Hiſtory, (for he told that in Arabicky) had a great Advan-
tage over his Antagoniſt, who, for: Want of Reading, or at leaſt of re-
membering what he might have heard, was incapable of producing ſuch
authentick Teſtimonies to prove his Affertions. To return.
The Arabs eaſily became Maſters of all the level Country, which they
over-ran like a Torrent; nor did the Muſulman General- meet with any
conſiderable Stop, till he came to the Weſtern Ocean; into which he is
reported proudly to have ſpurred his Horſe, till the Waves covered his
Stirrops, ſaying; “Farther would I purſue my Conqueſts, O-Seagdidit
not thou, envious of my Glory, intercept my Paces.!” As for the
Mountaineers, as I faid i before, they, almoſt generally, agreed to profeſs
themſelves Mahometans, moſt of them, till then, ſeeming to have had their
Religion to chuſe, and this that was tendered them agreeing well enough
with their Diſpoſition, as not debarring them from many of their darling
Vices. They thought it not adviſable to leave their Faſtneſſes on Pur-
poſe to enter into a War with a martial and victorious People, whó pro-
feffed, they demanded nothing of them but to relinquiſh their blind Wor-
Tip of contemptible, inanimate Idols, and to acknowledge, that the ever-
living Allah, the omnipotent Creator of all Beings, was, alone, the truc.
God, and that Mahomet, their Prophet, was that great and only: God's
faithful Apoſtle and Meſſenger. This provided they complyed with, they
were freely welcome to carry on with them a friendly Commerce and
Correſpondence, and, under their Banners, partake of the Spoil.of their an-
CC
"
We were at Costantina, the Seat of the Bey of the Algerire Eaftward Province, which,
as I have obſerved," is taken to be che ancient Círtha, Capital of North-Numidia.
Vide P. 68, & feq. ad. P. 73.
cient
U
...
.
146
The HISTORY of BAR BARY Epitomizd.
Yi
o
cient and mutual Enemies the Chriſtians, and all their "Abetcors, whom
they, equally with themſelves, had Reaſon to hate and contemn, and by
whom they never had been offered ſuch favourable and advantageous
Terms: Their Papaſſes, or Prieſts, will not, ſay they, be ſatisfied with
a bare verbal Profeſſion of Belief; they are for diving into Peoples very
Thoughts: They will not grant a Divorce from the hated, ill-tempered
Wife, even tho' the very Siglit of her is become loathſome ; and to
attempt a Plurality, they make an unpardonable Sacrilege, and as ſuch
will puniſh it.
This, and much more to the ſame Tune, ſome of the Mountain Moors;
when they are in a good Humour, will not ſcruple to tell a Stranger was
the Method taken with their Anceſtors, by thé Afiatick Muffilmans, who
came into Barbary with Sidi Occuba aben Nafic: When they' are with
rigid and preciſe Muſulmans, they are more reſerved. But none of them,
except a few miſerable Wretches, whoſe Mountains are eaſy of Acceſs, will
ever own, that they were compelled to become Mahometans, ás were moſt
of thoſe who had been Chriftians, and inhabited the Cities and Towns
in the Low Countries. They never fail praiſing God for the Change.
The remote Libyan and Numidian Tribes, who were generally Pagans,
are alſo reported to have ſwallowed the Bait without much Difficulty;
as finding it anfwer their Ends to fall in with the then eafy Meaſures
of the Arabs, who, for many Years, made no Shew of aiming farther
than to quell the Pride and Inſolence of the tyrannick Imperialiſts; and
inſtead of Pagan and Chriſtian Idolatry, (thus blending them together) to
eſtabliſh Al Idam; for ſo they term their Religion, which Word ſome of
our Writers Barbarize into Iſlamiſm, which Termination is, in Effect,
Barbarous to the Arabians.
The Rapidity of the Saracen Conqueſts is not, therefore, ſo ſurprizing
as fomc endeavour to render it, if one conſiders all theſe concurring Cir-
cumſtances. Kbondemir, a celebrated Perſian Chronologiſt, ſpeaking of the
latter Part of Omar's Rcign, who lived but till A. H. 24, remarks; that,
in that ſhort Period of Timc, the Muſſulmans poſſeſſed themſelves of no
leſs than 36000 Citics and fortificd Towns, deſtroyed 4000 Chriſtian
Churches and Pagan Temples, and created 1400 Mahometan Moſques ;
and then Africa, I mean Barbary, except the Eaſt Part of it, down to
Tripoly, as I ſaid, was wholly untouched: And what Conqueſts they made
in a few Years after, Spain and its Neighbourhood, Illands and Terra
firma, ſufficiently tcſtify.
To
The HISTORY OF BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
147
+
To enter into a Detail of theſe Wars would be too tireſome, and
per-
haps not very entertaining; ſince what has been advanced may ſuffice to
give an Idea of what Defenſe the diſunited Chriſtians were able to make
in a Country, ſo often proſtituted to the Pleaſures of its relentleſs Invas •
ders, and ſo lately left in a manner deſolate by the crueleſt of all Op-
preſſors, the inexorablc Khoſrou; and wherein, beſides their own incura-
ble Diſunion, on account of Difference in Tenets and Opinion, they were
ſurrounded by, I may fay, Millions of implacablc Enemies, ready, with
open Arms, to receive and ſide with any Invader whatever, who would
but declare his Sentiments of the Name of Chriſtianity to be conformable
with their own: And how theirs were, and arc, I need not repeat.
Many grave and zealous Writers, and particularly the learned Aldrete,
upon whoſe Judgment I frequently depend, ſtick not to affirm, that the
Chriſtians of Africa owed their Ruin chiefly to their own inſufferable
Pride, Tyranny, Injuſtice and other impolitick and moſt unchriſtian Enor-
mities; of which I ſhall elſewhere give ſome Inſtances. But before I en-
ter upon that ungrateful Theme, I ſhall, to what has been already ob-
ſerved, in divers of the foregoing Pages, add ſome of the Sentiments of
that curious, and ſeemingly ſincere, Spaniard, concerning the Condition in
which the Saracens found the African Provinces, when they attempted,
and ſo eaſily accompliſhed, the intire Conqueſt of that noble Extent of
Country. What he ſays is to this: Effect: For the better underſtanding, ſays
he, what is advanced by Leo and Marmol, I thus diſtinguiſh the Languages
uſed in Africa when the Saracens came thither, which, beſides the ſeveral
different African Dialects, were the Latin and the Punick. [Of the Afri-
can Languages fomething ſhall be ſaid in particular.] Thoſe who ſpoke
the Latin Tongues were a polite, civilized People, whoſe Abodes were at
Carthage, and all the other principal Cities, never roaming the Country,
or retiring to Mountains, like other unpoliſhed Africans. The Majority
of them were Orthodox Chriſtians, ſome Idolaters, and many infected
with divers Hercſies. They had, ſucceſſively, been ſubject to the Romans,
Greeks, Vandals, &c. Theſc oppoſed the Mahometans; and, their Sins
both requiring and deſerving ſuch Calamities, were conquered, and left
expoſed to the Diſcretion of the cruel and barbarous Victors. Some fled,
and others received the Mahometan Impiccy, together with their Language,
tho' it was 200 Years before either became univerſal. Being intirely re-
duced, they incorporated with the Arabs, and became one People; info-
much,
U 2
148
The HISTORY OF BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
much, that now they are not at all to be known, or diſtinguiſhed, not-
withſtanding the vaſt Numbers there muſt :have been to people ſuch
great and ſo many Cities; &c. This may plainly be gathered from the
Words of thoſe Authors.
As for thoſe who uſed the Punick Tongue, continues he, they inhabited
their own Towns and Villages, never quitting their ancient Phænician
Cuſtoms, &c. which the Carthaginians had all along obſerved and recained,
dwelling in fixed Habitations. Of them there were both. Chriſtians and
Idolaters.; and they underwent a like Fate with the Latins; nor did they
ſooner gencrally receive the Language and Religion of the Conquerors
who in order to compel them ſo to do, took away and deſtroyed all their
Books, and exerciſed upon them great and unheard-of. Tyrannies, where-
by thcy forced them to embrace their impious and pernicious Sect. Such
as refuſed, loft not only their Subſtance and Liberty, but, generally ſpeak-
ing, their Lives: And the reſt, who would not hazard. ſuch. Violences,
conformed to the common Calamity of the Times and Country, and be-
came one People with their Oppreſſors, nothing differing in either Man-
ners, Language, or Religion.
Thoſe People among whom the other more ancient African Languages
were uſed, had different Succeſs: For ſome of them had Cities and
Towns of their own whither they had retired, and led civilizęd Lives.
[I here preſume he ſpeaks of the unconquerable Mountnineers, and ſome
of the. Libyan and remoteſt South-Numidian Towns; tho' Hiſtory ac-
quaints us, that Sidi Occuba had no ſooner over-ran Barbary, ſwift as a
Thunderbolt, and left no Part of it unconquered (ſtill excepting the
Mountains and Tangier, Ceuta, . with ſeveral other ſtrong Places in the
Tingitana, long after held by the Gothijs Kings of Spain, as I ſhall obſerve)
he, with like Succeſs, did the ſame in Numidia and the Libyan Deſarts, to
the
vcry Banks of the Niger.] Theſe Cities, &c. did not all come into the
Power of the Mahometans; in ſuch as did they took the ſame Methods
as they had done with thoſe belonging to the Romans, &c. Thus far
Aldrete; and moſt of what he has here laid down ſeems very rational..
That the Chriſtians of Africa were intermixed with Pagan-Idolaters,
even in the Towns, is not to be difputed. Two or three Inſtances ſhall
fuffice. k S. Profper deſcribes the Temple they had in Carthage, and the
* L. 3. De Pred. G. 38.
Idol
+
The Hi's TOKY\of :BARBARY Epitomiz'd. 149
Idol named. Den Celeftis, which Temple was held in the higheſt Vene-
ration, not only by the African Pagans, but by thoſe of ſeveral remote
Parts of the World. Heg likewiſe, gives Account of the many Idols, which
were diſcovered and deſtroyed in ſeveral other Places, and in Woods,
Caveś and Mountains, where the Idolaters, for Fear of the ſevere Laws
and Penalties, had concealed them, and whither they privately uſed to re-
fort to hold their impious Aſſemblies, and exerciſe their ridiculous Rites
and Ceremonies; affirming withal, that thoſe were not the Practices of
only ſuch of the free African Tribes and Nations, who enjoyed their Liberty
to do as they pleaſed, acknowledging no Superior, but even of great Num-
bers of thoſe who lived in Subjection to the Imperial Laws, and which
were rigorouſly put in Execution, againſt Delinquents, by the reſpective
Governors, and their Subſtitutes. In S. Auguftine's Time, the Chriſtian
Affairs ſeem to have been in their Zenith of Proſperity; and yet he gives
ſeveral Examples of what I alledge: And I ſcarce believe Matters ever
grew better, or Paganiſm: ſuffered any Decay, upon the Invaſion of the
Vandalss and other ſucceeding Troubles. In the Epiſtle he writes, in An-
ſwer to Nectarius, he relates what happened at Calama, a City I know
nothing of, haying never heard of any ſuch Name among the preſent
P.cople of that Country. Thę fame Paſſage is, alſo, :taken Notice of by
Poſidius,. Biſhop of that: Place, in his Life of S. Auguftine.' The Sum of
what that, pious Father of the Church ſays, runs thus; ? That, notwith-
ſtanding the Laws newly made againſt Paganiſm, the impious Idolaters,
without Oppoſition, and with an Inſolence ſcarce to be equalled cven in
the Days of the Apoſtate Julian, had preſumed publickly and ſolemnly to
celebrate their ſacrilegious Rics, and to march in Proccffion thro? the
very Street where the Chriſtian Cathedral ſtood. That, when the Prieſts,
& C. belonging thercto endeavoured to interrupt their audacious Procedure,
they, in a moſt tumultuous and outrageous Manner, ſtoned the Church,
which they did thrice, with the utmoſt Rage, and began to plunder the
Chriſtians Houſes, &c. Some loſt their Lives; and the Biſhop was forced
to hide himſelf, great Search: being made after him, in order to facrifice
him to their Fury.
If this was tranſacted in an Epiſcopal City; how muſt Affairs be in
Places of leſs Confideration? I have given m two Quotations from the
5
1
1
! Epiſto 154
m Vide P. 72.
A
i
fame
.
ISO
The HISTORY of BARBARY Epitomigd.
fame Author, which afford a farther Inſight into theſe Matters, and ſhew
upon what Footing the Chriſtians ſtood with regard to their Neighbours,
when they were in their moſt flouriſhing State; and ſhall conclude this
Diſcourſe with one ſhort Quotation more from S. Auguftine, in his own
Words, cxtracted from a Letter he wrote to the Idolaters of a, City hc
calls Colonia Sufetana, the Gentiles of which Place having; in a Tumult,
killed fixty Cbriſtians, on account of their having pulled down a Statud
of Hercules: His Words are; Immanitatis veftræ famofilimum fcelas, e
inopinata crudelitas terram contutit, & percutit cælum, lft in plateis, & de-
lubris veftris eluceat fanguis, & refonet homicidium. . Apud vos Romanæ fe-
pultæ funt leges, judiciorum rectus calcatus eſt tenor, Imperatorum certè nulla
veneratio nec timor. Apud vos fexaginta numero fratrum innocens effufus eft
fanguis, & fi quis plures occidit, fun&tus eft laudibus, & veftra curia tenuit
principatum.
All this evidently confirms what I ſo often intimate, that, notwithſtand-
ing the namerous Affemblies of African Prelates, whoſe Congregations
muſt needs have been in ſome Meaſure proportionable, ſcarce one African
in ten was ever a true Chriſtian by Option; Chriſtianity, in all its Branches,
ſeeming to be utterly incompatible with their very Genius : Nor can I
really believe, that they were ſo very much bigoted to their Pagan Rites,
eſpecially in the later Ages of Paganiſm, but merely in Oppoſition to the
Chriſtian Clergy, who took Meaſures to aboliſh it ſo directly contrary to
an African Diſpoſition. This, perhaps, is a Thought which never en-
tered
any Head but my own; neither have I any thing to back it with:
But it is evidently demonſtrable, that they liked the Meaſures taken by
the Saracens, to make them relinquiſh their Idolatry, far better than all the
Preachings, Exhortations, or any other Methods whatever, the Chriſtians
could invent; ſince ſuch potent Nations of them, as the Arabs could never
pretend to reduce by Force of Arms, and who, afterwards, expelled thoſe
vey Arabian Conquerors themſelves, forcing the far greater Part of them
to the barren Deſarts, where their Poſterity ſtill remain, ſo readily for-
fook their Idols. It is ſcarce credible what an irradicable Antipathy the
Moors, even to a Man, have to all Reſemblances of an Image, or Idol of
any Sort, or Faſhion whatever, cven greater, if poſſible, than have the
very Arabs themſelves. They cannot bear the Mention of them without
a viſible Horror ; but the Sight ſets them a Shuddering, and they never
want bitter Invectives on ſuch Occaſions. Many Times, as I have been
riding
I
The HisTORY Of BARBARY Epitomizd. ISI
riding in Company with Moors, whom I have known to ſpeak lightingly
enough of their own Religion, and very irreverently of ſeveral highly ve-
nerated Marabotés, or reputed Muſulman Saints, tho' we have all been
pretty much tired with our Journey, and were ſtill ſome Miles from our
reſting Place, they would diſmount at Sight of ſome mangled Figure, not
to be known what it had been deſigned for, and, with their Mouths full
of Curſes and Execrations againſt the Chriſtian Dog, Jew, Infidel, what
not? who had preſumed to take the Creator's Work out of his Hand;
and if they could meet with any Part of it that was not utterly defaced,
would lay about them like Furics, ſometimes to the ſpoiling of a good
Lance, or Dagger, in order to pick out the Eyes, and deform as much
as poſtible what they fillily call the God made by ſome vile Papaſs, or
Prieſt, for the Chriftians to worſhip: This they do if a Stone will not
ſo effectually anſwer the Dictates of their Zeal, Spleen, Malice, Caprice,
or I know not what; for I am at a Loſs how to define the Paſſion which
agitates them, in thoſe Intervals of Frenzy. Some have actually employed
ſo much Time and Labour in this laudable Exerciſe, that, tho' in a dan-
gerous Part of the Country, infeſted by Free-Booters, they have not been
able to overtake us in more than an Hour after we had left them ſo hard
at Work. I do not inſinuate, that all the Moors are fo zealous, ſpiteful,
fooliſh, or what you pleaſe: Nor do I ever remember to have ſeen an
Aral
go ſuch Lengths; they commonly contenting themſelves with ſtick-
ing the Points of their Lances in the Mouth, or Eyes of a Statue, or ra-
ther in the Parts where it ſhould have had them, and ſpitting at it, with
a few Curſes, or, may be, firing a Ball againſt it. One thing is remark-
able cnough in the Moors; and that is, their being far leſs partial and in-
veterate in reſpect of Pagans'than of Chriſtians. “As I was always looked
on as a great Rcader, they would teaze me with abundance of Queſtions:
And I have more than once prevented Moors from getting off their Horſes,
to verit their Fury upon fome Remnant of a Stone which once bore a
humanc Figure, merely by affirming it never to have been the Workman
fhip of Nafara, or Chriſtians, but of Jehel, or Pagans: Whçreupon they
only ſhook their Hends, and ſaid; Alas! poor blind:Wretches. This Par-
tinlity, perhaps, procecds from their Conſciouſneſs, that their own An-
ceſtors were ſuch: For few of them care to own their being deſcended
from Chriſtians. As for the Turks, they ſeldom take any Notice at all;
or if they do, it is only to divide the Folly and Superſtition of the Statuary:
Nor,
IS
The HISTORY of BARBARY Epitomizd.
A4
Nor, indeed, are there many Statues, or, even the Remains of them, to
be met with in the whole Country.
But as, before I fell into theſe Digreſſions from the Hiſtory, it was
hinted, that two Centuries elapſed between the Saracen Conqueſt and the
utter Abolition of Cbriſtianity, in the once flouriſhing, but-never quiet
African Provinces, doubtleſs many notable-Tranſactions intervened; in ſo
great a Period of Years, ſome of the moſt remarkable whereof, men-
tioned by Authors of the beſt Credit, ſhall be here inſerted. -
The Emperor Conſtans II.'in whoſe inglorious Reign this irrecovereable
Calamity befel Africa, having rendered himſelf odious to the whole World,
was ſo far from being in a Condition to make a powerful Reſiſtance, in
order to prevent theſe Miſchiefs, had he: been ſo diſpoſed; that he was:
worſted in every Encouitcr he had with the Muſulmans in Afia, while
thoſe in Africa were carrying all before them. Theophanes, having related
many of that Tyrant’s Enormities, among which are the Baniſhment of
Pope Martin I. and Martyrdom of S. Maximus, with two of his Diſci-
ples, and many other Impieties, as the inhumanc Murder of his own Bro-
ther Theodofius, having firſt forced him to become a Monk ;-of whom
Cedrenus affirms, that he appeared to his Murderer ſeveral Times, in a
Deacon's Habit, with a Cup full of Blood in his Hand, ſaying ; Bibe
Frater; Drink Brother. It is true this wicked Emperor, after all his
Loſſes, brought the - Saracens to deſire a Peace, and for a while to allow
him ſomething of an annual Tribute: But that was only during the Time
that Moawia the firſt Khalifa of the Family of Beni Ommeyah (corruptly
callcd Ommiades) had his Hands full of domeſtick Diſturbances, and a dan-
gerous War carrying on againſt him by the contrary Faction, the Sons
and Partiſans of Ali his Predeceſſor; which Quarrel, among the Muful-
mans, ſtill fubfifts. But no ſooner was Moawia eſtabliſhed on:his Throne,
but the Scale turned, and Conftans himſelf was obliged to become his
Tributary, and under that Pretext moſt grievouſly ſpoiled his Subjects.
The laſt ſix Ycars of his Life he paſſed in Sicily, and was ſmothered in a
Bath, A. D. 668, which was A. H: 47, having reigned, or rather tyran-
nized, almoſt twenty ſeven Years.
His immcdiate Succeſſor was his Son-Conſtantine V. ſurnamed Pogona-
105, i. e. Barbatus, or Bearded, by reaſon of his returning to Conftantinople
with a great Beard, and having left it before he had any. He
put to
Death Mizizus, an Armenian, who was concerned in his Father's Murder,
)
1
I
and
The HISTORY of BARBARY Epitomiz'd. 133
aud whom the Sicilian Army had proclaimed Emperor. Theophanes ſays,
that the ſame Year, viz. 1. H. 47. A. D. 668. the Saracens ſent another
great Army into Africa, and carried away into Captivity 80000 Souls.
Marmol relates the Matter very differently: And by what I could learn
from the Arabs and Africans, it was not another Army, but the Return
of good Part of that which came with Sidi Occuba, &c; they aſſerting,
that the Conquerors ſtayed no longer than till their Affairs were pretty
well ſettled, and leaving their new City Cairouan ſtrongly garriſoned, and
ſome Numbers of Arabs peaceably allianced with the principal Citizens
of all the conſiderable Places in the whole Country (whoſe Poſterity are
ſtill called Hadára, as I ſhall obſerve) the reſt, who were all the chief
Nobility, returned to Arabia, loaded with the Riches of Africa, and
many thouſands of Captives of the beſt Account, moſt of them young
Women and Children.
A. D. 675, in the eighth Year of this Emperor's Reign, was celebrated
the cleventh Council of Toledo, in the Time of Wamba King of Spain.
About this Timc, according to Don Lucas de Tuy, and the Arch-Biſhop
Don Rodrigo, the Coaſts of Spain were invaded by a great Saracen Fleet,
conſiſting of 270 Ships of War, where they committed very great Dir-
orders, but that they were in a manner utterly deſtroyed, both Men and
Ships, by the Spaniards. This could not be effected without a ſtrong
Naval Power. Tho' Morales and Mariana ſeem abſolutely poſitive, that
this Fleet was fitted out in Barbary; it is far more probable, that it
was ſent down from Alexandria, whence came all the mighty Armadas
ſet on Foot by the Saracen Khalifas, while their Empire flouriſhed.
Pogonatos was very ſucceſsful in the feyen Ycars War. he maintained
againit the Saracens, and even compelled them to pay him ſome Tribute.
But, A. D. 680, having ſollicited, and prevailed with Pope Agathon, to
convoke a General Council, he is ſaid to have conceded to them the whole
Province of Myſia, in order to prevent their diſturbing the Empire while
the Aſſembly werc fitting. At this Synod the Corruption of Manners,
&c. among the Africans, were complained of, in the following Terms;
Porrò hoc quoque ad noftram cognitionem pervenit, quòd in Africa, & Libya,
& aliis locis, quidam ex iis qui illic funt, religiofiſimi Præfules cum propriis
uxoribus, etiam poftquam ad eos proceſit ordinatio, una habitare non recuſant,
ex eo populis offendiculum, & ſcandalum afferentes. Cum itaque ſtudiun
noftrum in eo magnopere laboret, ut omnia ad gregis in manus noftras traditi,
X
nobifquc
H:
134
The History of BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
-
nobiſque commiſi utilitatem fiant, nobis vifum eft, ut nibil hujufmodi deinceps
ullo modo fiat. Thus, at the Time when the Ecclefiaftical Diſcipline ought
to have been moſt reformed, to appeaſe the Divine Wrath, it ſeemed to
be as depraved as ever; but I ſhall give farther Inſtances of the Depravity
of the African Morals, not of the Hereticks and Pagans only, but, like-
wiſc, of the Generality of thoſe who profeſſed themſelves Members of
the Orthodox Communion.
A.D. 685, A. H. 64. This Year died Pogonatos, and was fucceeded by his
Son Juftinian, ſurnamed Minor, a Youth in his ſixteenth Year. Heafterwards
was called Rbinotmetos, i. e. Cui nafus preciſus, his Noſe being cut off
by the Uſurper Leontius, and the rebellious Senate. In the firſt Years of
his Reign, he is recorded to have recovered many of the Imperial Pro-
vinces, and among the reſt thoſe of Africa, froin the Saracens, and obliged
them to become his Tributaries, concluding a Peace with them, both by
Sea and Land, for ten Years, but upon fuch Conditions, as produced
very pernicious Conſequences: Theophanes ſays; Mittit Habdimelich [Ab-
dalmalec] ad Juftinianum, confirmare pacem, & convenit inter eos hujuſmodi
pax.
Ut ſcilicet Imperator deponeret Mardaitarum agmen de Libano, & pro-
biberet incurſiones corum, & Habdimelich Romanis tribueret, per ſingulos dies,
numiſmata mille, & equum, & fervum; with other Preſents and Duties.
He adds, that thoſe People he expelled from Libanus were terrible Scourges
to the Arabians. This ſo honourable and very conſiderable a Revenue
he afterwards loſt, thro' a fooliſh and obftinate Caprice, in refuſing the
Tribute-Money, becauſe it was not his own Coin. I am not certain as to
the Value of the 1000 Pieces, which were to be paid daily; but it is cer-
tain, that the Khalifa ſo far reſented this Haughtincts, that the ill-adviſed
Emperor ſoon had Cauſe to repent his Nicety: For his Army was utterly
touted, and himſelf treated in the unworthy Manner I obſerved.
Anaftafius, in the Life of Pope John V. takes Notice of the aforeſaid
Contract, and of the Recovery of the African Provinces from the Maho-
metons, his Words are; His temporibus regnavit Dominus Juſtinianus Au-
guftus, defunéto patre, &c. Qui clementifimus Princeps, Domino auxiliante,
cum nec dicenda gente Saracenorum pacen conſtituit decennio, terra marique;
fed & provincia Africa ſubjugata eft, & reſtaurata. And, ſpeaking of this
Emperor, Paulus Diaconus ſays; Is African à Saracenis recepit, & cum
iiſdem pacem trans maria fecit. Before he ſays this, he affirms, that Car-
thage had been laid level with the Ground by the Arabs. Our pious and
learned
1
1
.
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iss
The History of BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
learned Compatriot, the Venerablc Bede, who flouriſhed ſo near thoſe
Times, has theſe Words; Juſlinianus Minor, &c. Hic conſtituit pacem cum
Saracenis decennio, terra marique, fed & provincia Africa ſubjugata eft Ro-
mano Imperio, que fuerat tenta à Saracenis, ipſaque Carthagine ab iis capta
atque deſtructa. The ſame is affirmed by Adon, Arch-Biſhop of Vienna,
4. D. 686. But none of them particularize how this Province was re-
covered. They all ſeem to intimate, that it was only the Eaſt Part of
Barbary, or Africa Propria.
A. D. 690. This Year happened all thoſe Diſgraces to the Empe-
ror Juftinian, and his Throne was uſurped by Leontius, who baniſhed him
to Pontus. The Saracens were again gone into Barbary, with a great
Force ; and the new Emperor ſent the whole Imperial Fleet to repulſe
them, under the Conduct of a prudent Patrician, named John; who, at
firſt, was ſomewhat ſucceſsful, tho' the Chriſtian Affairs were in a moſt
confuſed and deplorable Condition. However he wintered in Africa. Leon-
tius, being as univerſally hated, as Abſimarus, afterwards named Tiberius,
was beloved, the Army proclaimed him Emperor, who ſeized on Leontius,
cut off his Ears and Noſe, and ſhut him up in a Monaſtery. This hap-
pened to him before he had reigned quite three Years. Nor was it quite
ſeven Years before both he, and Abfimarus himſelf, who had uſed him ſo
cruelly, were ignominiouſly dragged about the Streets, and put to Death,
by Juſtinian Rhinotmetos, when he recovered the Throne, which he held
till 4. D. 711. For every Drop of Water that iſſued from his amputated .
Noſe, he is ſaid to have facrificed a Senator to his Vengeance and Re-
fentment.
But we may date the total Reduction of Barbary (excepting the few
Strong-Holds in Poſſeſſion of the Spaniſh Goths) by the Saracens, from the
firſt Years of the fortunate Rcign of Walid aben Abdalmalec, the ſixth
Khalifa of the Ommiade Race, and Mahomet's tenth Succeffor. . This is
the Prince who is called Ulit, in fome Spaniſh Hiſtorics. He ſucceeded
his Father Abdalmalec aben Marwan, (who reigned but thirteen Months)
4. H. 86, and moſt triumphantly ſwayed the Saracen Scepter till A. H.
96, almoſt ten years, and died A. D. 715. His Generals made him ab-
ſolute Lord not only of very near all Barbary, but alſo of the Iſlands Sar-
dinia, Corſica, Majorca, Minorca, Ivica, &c. and laſtly of almoſt all Spain,
and a conſiderable Part of Gallia Narbonenfis, or Eaſt-France. It is ob-
ſerved by Khondemir, that the Muſulman Hiſtorians differ much in their
Sentiments
X 2
7
ISO The History of BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
܀
Sentiments concerning this Khalifa; thoſe of Syria reckon him the com-
pleteſt Prince of that whole Dynaſty; while the Generality of the reſt,
I mean ſuch as hare both him and all that Race, deſcribe him as a Ty-
rant, of a cruel and violent Diſpoſition, intirely imitating his Nameſakes
the Faraonah, or Faraenah, the Pharoahs of Egypt: For the Alides, and
Abbaſides, their ſworn Enemics, always termed them ſo; and all Ma-
hometans give the Surname of Walid to all the ancient Egyptian Mo-
narchs, who bore the Name of Pharaoh.
Beſides the prodigious Succeſs with which that Prince's Arms were
attended, in thoſe his Weſtern Progreflies, his Eaſtern Conqueſts were very
conſiderable. A good Part of India, on this Side thc Ganges, was rendered
tributary to him; and he compelled the great Province of Mauaralnahar
(or the Tranſoxana, as our Geographers call it) together with all Turkeſtan,
to receive the Muſulman Faith: And Katibah aben Moſlem, his Governor
of Khorofan, ſcorning to ſuffer his Troops to lie idle, led them over the
River Gibon, and laid Siege to the mighty City Samarcand, which he
forced to capitulat:. The chief Articles were, That the King, and all his
Subjects, ſhould becomc Muſulmans; and that he ſhould pay to the Kha-
lifa an annual Tribute of 2000000 Dinars of Gold, and 3000 Slaves.
The Saracen General immediately deſtroyed all the Idols, and built in that
City a ſtately Moſque.
This victorious Khalifa rebuilt and inlarged the Temple at Medina,
where Mahomet, and ſome of his firſt Succeſſors, are interred, and not
at Mecca, as ſome have confidently affirmed; not to ſay any thing of the
abſurd Fable of the Load-Stone, ſaid by many to hold the Prophet's Iron
Coffin ſuſpended in the Air. When this work was in Hand, the Houſes
where Mahomet's Wives had lived, and which were then ſtanding, and
greatly venerated, werc, by Walid's expreſs Order, pulled down, to'make
Room for the Additions made to the Moſque. This the Inhabitants of
Medina, and many others, took moſt heinouſly; and reproached the Kha-
lifa with having deprived the Muſulmans, who, in their Peregrinations
from moſt Parts of the World, reſorted to viſit that Holy City, of the
moſt bcautiful Inſtance and Monument their Prophet: had left them of his
tranſcendent Modeſty; ſince he, whoſe Power was ſo extenſive, would
afford them no better Manſions; they being low, mean and ill-contrived,
little becoming his Rank and Character. This Khalifa, likewiſe, built
the ſumptuous Moſque at Shaum, or Damaſcus, whereto he joined the
ſtately
The HISTORY of B.AR BARY Epitomiz’d. 137
ſtately Cathedral of St. John Baptiſ, which, for ſeveral Centuries, the
Greek Emperors had, with Emulation, inriched and embelliſhed. He was,
the firſt who erected Minarats in the Moſques, which are thoſe Towers
from whence the Muedhins, Mabometan Bells, or Eccleſiaſtical Criers, call
the Muſulmans to their Devotions, five Times every twenty four Houi's.
I inlarge the more on the Character of this Saracen Prince, becauſe
many Parts of Chriſtendom had ſo much Reaſon to remember his Succeſſes;
and ſhall cloſe this Digreſſion with a brief Account of that Dinaſty, which
gave Rife to the irreconcileable Enmity among the Muſſulmans, having
divided them into two oppoſite Factions; one, the Perſians, and other
leſs conſiderable People, declaring for Ali, Kinſman, Son-in-Law, and
fourth Succeſſor to Mahomet, the reſt for his three Predeceſſors Abou-Bekra,
Omar and Othoman, whom the others hold as Uſurpers. The Princes of
Beni Ommeyah, or the Ommiades, were in Number fourteen, in the fol-
lowing Order. 1. Moawia aben Abou-Sofian, who reigned, after the Death
of Ali, 19 Years, 3 Months. 2. Yezid aben Moawia, his Son; 3 Years,
2 Months. 3. Moawia II. aben Yezid, his Son; only 40 Days. 4. Mara
wan aben Hakem, aben Afs, who was of the ſame Family, tho' not de-
ſcended directly from Moawia : He reigned 1 Year, 9 Months. 5. Al-
dalmalec aben Marwan, his Son; 1 Year, 1 Month. 6. Walid aben Ab-
dalmalec, his Son; 2 Years, 8 Months. 7. Soliman aben Abdalmalec, his
Brother ; 2 Years, 8 Months. 8. Omar aben Abdalaziz, Grandſon to
Marwan; 2 Years, 5 Months. 9. Yezid II. aben Abdalmalec, Brother to
Walid and Soliman, before mentioned ; 4 Years, 1 Month. 10. Haſhem
aben Abdalmalec, Brother to the laſt and the other two Princes; 19 Years,
8 Months 11. Walid II. aben Yezid II. aben Abdalmalec, Son to rezid
II. 1 Year, 2: Months.' 12. Yezid III. aben Walid II. aben Abdalmalec,
his Son; only 6 Months. 13. Ibrahim aben Walid II. aben Abdalmalec,
Brother to Yezid III. only 2 Months. 14. Marwan II. abes Mohammad,
aben Marwan I. aben Hakem, Grandſon to Marwan II. This was the laſt
Khalifa of the Ommiade Race, I mean in Aſia, as I ſhall farther explain.
This Family reigned in Syria ninety two Y cars, viz. from A. H. 40, to
A. H. 132: : The Seat of the Ommiade Khalifas was Damaſcus. Con-
cerning the Fall of this Dynaſty I ſhall take Notice of two notable Parti-
culars, as related by Khondemir, and the Author of the Nighiariſtan. The
Arabs have a quaint Proverb, or Saying, which is; Dhahabat al Doulat
Beni Ommeyab te-boulan: q. d. The Sovereignty of the Ommiades vanithed
4
ia
I
'
..4
158
The History of BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
in a Stream of Urinc. The Story, which gave Riſe to that Saying, is
this. The Family of Abbas, called Beni Abbas, or the Abbaſlides, were
avowed Enemics to the Ommiades, on account of the Murder of Ali, and
his Sons, &c. In the fifth and laſt Year of this Marwan II. they had
ſo far ſtrengthened their Party, and were become ſo formidable, that Abou'l
Abbas Saffah, the Chief of the Abbaſides, was in a Condition to advance
with an Army, to diſpute with Marwan for the Saracen Empire. This
bold Rebel was the Son of Mohammad, the Son of Ali, the Son of Ab-
dallab, the Son of Abbas, Uncle to the Prophet Mahomet. The Armies
being marching to meet and engage, Marwan, who, with a Party of Ca-
valry, was a-hcad of his Troops, in order to view the Enemy, who were
really inferior in Numbers, but well diſciplined and reſolute, rode off a
little from his Retinue, and diſmounted to make Water. His Horſe im-
mediately ran away full Speed, and got back to the Groſs oi the Army,
who in Confternation to ſce him without his Rider, concluded the Kha-
lifa was ſlain, and betook themſelves to a precipitate Flight, it not being
in the Power of any of the Officers to ſtop them. Marwan, amazed to
find himſelf ſo deſerted, and his fine Army ſo ſcattered, without ſtriking
a Stroke, is ſaid to have uttered theſe memorable Words; Edha atmaat
al Meddat, la n'enfa al Yeddat; If the Meaſure is complete, Hands avail
not: Meaning, that when the appointed Period is arrived, no Strength,
Power, or Numbers can obſtruct its Effect. He fled away, almoſt alone,
to Damaſcus, where, by the Reception he met with, not thinking him-
ſelf ſafe, he made a Shift to retire into Egypt, and there ſoon loft his
Life, in an Engagement with a Party of the Abbaſlides.
The other Paſſage is, that Abdallah, the new Khalifa's Uncle, having
put to Death all of the Ommiade Family that came in his Reach, there
were about 80 of them ſtill remaining with his Guards, who waited to
know how thoſe Priſoners ſhould be diſpoſed of. He had them brought
before him, and knocked down with great wooden Maces; and then, ſtill
groveling and breathing as they were, he ordered them to be laid, cloſe in
Ranks, on the Floor, and large Carpets thrown over them, on which he
ſat down, with the Officers of his Army, and cauſed a 'magnificent Re-
paſt to be ſerved in, making themſelves very merry amidſt the Groans and
Complaints of thoſe unhappy Victims. He ſtopped not there; for he
commanded the Bodies of all the Khalifas of that Family, except that of
Omar aben Abdalaziz, to be taken out of their Graves, cxpoſed on Gib-
bets,
I.
+
The HISTORY of BARBARY Epitomizd. 139
bets, and aftcrwards caſt on Dunghills. Abdalrahman aben Moawia,
Grandſon to Haſhem, the tenth Khalifa of this Race, alone had the good
Fortune to eſcape, and, about ſeven Years after the Maſſacre, to erect an
independent Monarchy in Spain, which flouriſhed ſome Centuries. But
to return to the Affairs of Africa.
1. D. 722. This was the fatal and diſastrous Year, which put a Period
to the very Name of Chriſtianity throughout Barbary, and all its Neigh-
bourhood. The Saracens had not attempted its total Extirpation, in
Africa, till they had got firm Footing in Spain. But having reduced the
far greater Part of that opulent Country, and inriched themſelves with
the Spoils of the vanquiſhed Goths, their Tyranny and Pride increaſed
with their Wealth and Power. The African Chriſtians, of what Sect
ſoever, who would not immediately become Mahometans, were either
killed or baniſhed. Vaſt Numbers of them, ſtripped of their whole Sub-
ſtance, paſſed into Europe. Pope Gregory II. anxious and vigilant, left
his Orthodox Flock ſhould be infected with Hereſies, and being informed,
that
many of thoſe Fugitives, deſtitute of other Means, had betaken them-
ſelves to the Church, wrote circular Letters to his fubftitute Paſtors ; ad-
moniſhing them to be on their Guard, and forbidding them to admit into
Sacred Orders thoſe Africans, as tainted with Hercrodoxies. He ſeems
not wholly to exclude the unhappy Exiles, but only ſuch as might give
Room for the leaſt Suſpicion. In onc, he ſent to the People of Turingia,
in Germany, he ſays thus ; Fratrem & Coepiſcopum noftrum Bonifacium vo-
bis ordinavimus Sacerdotem, cui dedimus in mandatis, ne unquam ordinationes
præfumat illicitus, ne biganum, aut qui virgincm non eſt fortitus, &c. per-
mittat ad facras ordines áccëtlere, &c. Afros paſſim ad Ecclefiafticas ordines
prætendentes nulla ratione ſuſcipiat, quia aliqui eorum Manichæi, aliqui rem
baptizati ſæpius fiunt probari. This Epiſtle bears Date December 1, 722;
the ſeventh Year of that Pontiff.
Hence we may date the intire Reduction of Barbary: For tho' the Go-
thiſ Kings of Spain had poflefled ſeveral Parts of the Tingitanian Coaſts,
under the Direction of a Comes, or Governor (which Title the Spaniards
have corrupted into Conde, and we into Count, or Earl,) the laſt of which
Governors was the Traytor Don Julian, who introduced the African Arabs
and Moors into his native Country, to its utter Ruin, yet the Sovcreignty
of thoſe Spaniſh Dominions in Africa, which was to have been the Reward
of the too ſucceſsful Treaſon, foon became incorporated in the reſt of
4
the
160
o *cluſive of thoſe who are
The HISTORY of BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
the Muſulman Conqueſts. It is really ſurprizing to reflect, that, among
apparently Arabs, it is in no wiſe poſſible to diſtinguiſh which are of
Chriſtian, and which of Pagan Extraction. Indeed, the remote Libyans,
and ſome indomable Mountaincers, may be preſumed to owe their Origin
to the latter; yet it is but bare Preſumption, carrying with it a Face of
Probability.
Theſe memorable Exploits were all performed during the fortunate Ad-
miniſtration of the famous Mouſa aben Nafſir, whom Walid the Khalifa's
Uncle Abdalaziz (or rather Ab’d-al-Aziz) Vice-Roy of Egypt, ſent Go-
vernor of Cairouan, and conſequently of all the Saracen Conqueſts in Bar-
bary, &c. that being the Seat of thoſe Governors. He entered upon his
Vice-Royalty A. H. 89. 4. D. 708, by diſpoſſeſſing a Grandſon of the
beforc-mentioned Sidi Occuba, who built that City, out of the Ruins of
the ancient Cyrene, as ſome affirm. Before he had been there full three
Years, his Arms, or other Methods were ſo ſucceſsful, that A. H. 92.
A. D. 711, he was in a Condition to liſten to the Infinuations of the
infamouſly famous Count Julian, Governor of the Gothiſh Dominions in
Hiſpania Transfretana, or the ancient Tingitana, and to ſend over with
him into Spain one of his Captains, named Tharek aben Zeyad. The firſt
Arabs and Moors he carried over were ſo ſmall a Number, that they are
recorded not to have exceeded soo: But when Mouſa perceived, that
they had got firm Footing on the oppoſite Shore, he foon ſupplied them
with a Reinforcement of 12000. This brave and fortunate Moor, ſaid to
have been Mouſa's own Slave, has rendered his Name immortal to all
Poſterity. The Place of his landing was under Mount Calpe, that high
Rock, at whoſe Foot now lies our Gibraltar, which Word is no other
than an odd and uncooth Imitation of Jibil Tharek. In Arabick a Moun-
tain is Jibil; and ſo Tharek's Mountain. The Spaniards, after their cor-
rupt and abuſive Manner, pronounce it Khibraltar. So the ſmall Town
Algezira, which fome call Old Gibraltar, oppoſite to it in the Bay of that
Name, is, by the Arabs, called Al Fezeirat Tharek, or the Iſland, or ra-
ther Peninſula of Tharek; for they uſe only that Word to expreſs both.
Tarifa, another little Town, not far from thence, takes, alſo,' its Name
from Tarif, or T'rif, an Arab Commander in the fame Expedition.
This Tharek may juſtly be counted to have been the Conqueror of Spain:
For tho' Moufa, emulous of his Scrvarit's Glory, came over and compleated
the
--
}
168
The: HISTORY of BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
the Conqueſt; yet it was not till after he had, in eight ſucceſſive Battles,
againſt the whole Power of the Goths and Spaniards, gained the compleateſt
Victory that is to be met with in Story. To this Mouſa ſome attribute
that proud Speech I mentioned p. 145. Marmol erroneouſly dates this A-
frican Invaſion of Spain A. H. 100, which he makes A. D. 710. Wherc-
as, (according to that uncrring Table, p. 115, 116,) A. H. 100. muſt
infallibly be A. D. 718.
But, ſooner or later, it proved a moſt inauſpicious Expedition to Spain;
ſince from the Defeat of Don Rodrigo, the laſt of the Gothiſh Kings of
that Country, which was but a few Days from Tharek's firſt landing, till
A. D. 1492, when Granada was reduced by Don Ferdinand the Catho-
lick, the Moors maintained a ſovereign Authority in Spain; tho', indeed,
they latterly were only Maſters of the Kingdom of that Name, in Anda-
luzia. Nor were they totally expelled 'till A. D. 1610. Nay, that im-
politick, as well as not very equitable Expulſion of the Moriſcoes pro-
duced Conſequences not much leſs prejudicial to Spain, than did even the
Saracen Invaſion, and their 900 Years Cohabitation; thoſe Regions, never
over ſtocked, being thereby in a Manner depopulated, loſing at that Time
near a Million of their moſt induſtrious Inhabitants, and ſuch as, notwith-
ſtanding all that is inſinuated to the contrary, would have remained tole-
rable Subjects, had not thoſe fiery Zealots, the Inquiſitors, and the reſt of
the Bigots, been ſo very rigid, and borne ſo hard upon their Conſciences.
For plainer Demonſtrations upon this Theme, read what I ſaid concern-
ing the CASE of the MORISCOES *
1
. Vide Mahometiſni Explained, V. II,
1
1
Y
Soix
1
162
The HISTORY OF BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
Some TESTIMONIES of the Pride, Tyranny and Injuſtice
of the Romans in general, and of the enormous Vices
of the AFRICAN CHRISTIANS in particular; which much
conduced to their Overthrow, and the Loſs of thoſe Pro-
vinces. Taken froin ALDRETE.
A
nh
S I intimated, that ſomething ſhould be faid on this Subject, I chuſe
this Place to inſert ir: And tho' much might be collected from other
Authors, yet I pitch upon Part of what I find in Aldrete, rather than any
other; he being a Writer of Repute, deemed a good Catholick, and was a
Spaniſla Churchman. Surely, one of ſuch a Character is to be depended .
on; and doubtleſs he approved of all he quoted. Out of the much he
advances a few Inſtances only ſhall be remarked.
Having firſt given a particular Account of the Care taken by the Em-
peror Juſtinian, to ſupply the ſeveral Garriſons, throughout thoſe Pro-
vinces, after the Expulſion of the Vandals, and to diſpoſe Matters in the
moſt advantageous Manner, in order to defend them againſt the Incurſions
of the Barbarians, he next exclaims very much againſt the Ambition,
Avarice and inſufferable Arrogance of the Romans, both in former and
later Ages. Among many Examples hc ſays might be produced, he cites,,
the Return made by the Roman Senate to Simon, who ſent them that no-
ble Shield of Gold, which weighed 1000 Mine, and which he tranſlates
mil Libras, 1000 Pounds. What anſwered the Romans to this? ſays he.
Why it was decreed; Quam gratiarum setionem reddemus Simoni, & filiis
ejus, &c. Et ftatuerunt ei libertatem, & defcripferunt in tabulis æreis, &c.
He wonders at the Inſolence of the Romans, in preſuming to affect a Su-
periority over a free People, and to pronounce, as it were graciouſly and
generouſly, Liberty to a Perſon, who made them a Preſent merely to cul-
tivate with them a friendly Alliance; and that Favour of Liberty was
vouchſafed to only the Donor. He quotes Trogus Pompeius, Inughing at
the Roman Liberality, in diſtributing what was none of their own to give
away: A Demetrio cùm defciviſſent [Judæi ] amicitia Romanorum petita,
primi omnium ex Orientalibus libertatem receperunt, facile tunc Romanis de
alieno largientibus,
3
He
re
The HISTORY of BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
163
+
He juſtly finds Fault with their Ingratitude towards their Allies, the
Haughtineſs with which they treated them, and how ill their promiſedº
Stipends were paid, which occaſioned much Bloodſhed and Diſorder; then
quotes Suidas affirming it; and to conclude ſays, that the Moors would not
be ſo ſerved, nor wait their Leiſure, but would be their own Pay. Ma-
ſters; adding, that they did no more than what any others would have
done on the like Occaſion.
To back this, he repeats what p Procopius ſays of the military Exorbi.
tances in Italy, where Diſcipline ought to have been in its Center. To
ſay nothing of the Luxury and Debaucheries which reigned in the Camps,
which he deſcribes as the filthieſt of Brothels; their Subjects and Allies were
more grievouſly opprefled by thoſe Armies, whoſe Duty it was to protect
them, than they could have been by the moſt favage Enemy. The ſame
Author before obſerves, that the Arrears were very great, and much neg-
lected, which was one chief Cauſe of the People's Sufferings.
Theſe, and many others, were the Calamities the harraſſed Provinces
underwent in War Time: But he makes them more inſupportable in
Times of Peace. Salvianus, (who wrote his De Providentia, in the fifth
Century) after a Preamble, grievouſly lamenting the Miſery of the Times,
particularly the Licentiouſneſs of the Great, is introduced ſaying, 9 Nam
illud latrocinium, ac ſcelus, quis dignè eloqui poffit? Quod cum Romana Refo
publica, vel jam mortua, vel certè extremum ſpiritum agens, in ea parte quie
adhuc vivere videtur, tributorum vinculis, quafi prædonum nanibus frangulata
moriatur. He ſays well, (procceds Aldrete) and ſpecifies the Calamities
and the miſerable Inundation of Vice and Enormitics, with a ſtill greater
Torrent. of Injuſtice and Violence, the inſeparable Companions of Im-
morality. Among other moſt pathétick Expreſſions, Salvianus uſes
theſe, Interea vaftantur pauperes, viduæ gemunt, orphani proculcantur in tan.
tum, ut multi eorum, & non obfcuris natalibus editi, & liberaliter inflituti,
ad boftes fugiant, ne perſecutionis publicæ aflictione moriantur : quærentes
fcilicet apud Barbaros Romanam humanitatem, quia apud Romanos Barbaram
inhumanitatem ferre non poffunt. . Et quamvis ab bis ad quos confugiunt, dif
crepent situ, diſcrepent lingua ipfo etiam, ut ita dicani corporum, atque indı-
viaram Barbaricarum fætore diffentiant, malunt tamen in Barbaris pati cultum
diffimilem, quàin in Romanis injuftitiam fevienten. Again. *Prætereo ava-
1
• Vide P. 96, &r. 103, &c.
P L. 3. D: Del Goth.
Y 2
4 L.4.
[L. 7
ritiæ
1
.
*.។
4
The HISTORY of BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
164
1
ritiæ inhumanitaten, quod proprium eft Romanorum penè omnium malum : reo
linquatur ebrietas, nobilibus ignobilibuſque communis : taceatur ſuperbia, &
tumor : tam peculiare hoc divitum regnum eſt, ut aliquid forſitan de jure fuo ſe
putent perdere, fi hinc fibi alius quidquam voluerit vendicare. In another
Place he ſays; Quis æftimare rem hujus iniquitatis poteft? Solutionem ſu-
ſtinent divitum, & indigentiam mendicorum : plus multo eft, quod dicturus
Jum, indi&tiones tributarias ipſi interdum divites faciunt, pro quibus pauperes
folvunt. Sed dicas cum ipforum maximus cenfus fit, & ipforum maxime pen-
fiones, quomodo id fieri poteft, ut ipfi fibi augeri debitum velint ? Neque ego
id dico, quod fibi augeant. Nam & ideo augent, quia non fibi augent. Di-
cam quomodo. Veniunt plerumque novi nuncii novarum epiſtolarum à fummis
fublimitatibus miſi, qui commendantur illuſtribus paucis ad exitia plurimorum.
Decernuntur his nova munera, decernuntur novæindictiones, decernunt potentes,
quod ſolvant pauperes, decernit gratia divitum quod perdat turba miſerorum.
Ipfi enim in nullo fentiunt, quod decernunt, &c. Eftote ergo vos divites primi
in conferendo, qui eſtis primi in decernenda. Eftote primi in largitate rerum,
qui primi eſtis in liberalitate verborum. Qui das de meo, da & de tuo: tan-
etfi reftifimè quiſquis ille eft, qui folus vis capere gratiam, folus patereris
expenfam. Sed acquiefcamus pauperes veflre divites voluntati, quod pauci
jubetis, folvamus omnes. Quid tam juftum, quid tam humanum? Gravant
nos novis debitis decreta veſtra, facite faltcm debitum ipſum vobiſcum eſſe com-
mune. Quid enim iniquius elle aut indignius poteft, qıràm ut foli fitis in-
inunes à debito, quàm qui cunétos facitis debitores? Et quidem miferrimi
pauperes, fiċ totum quod diximus ſolvunt: quod qua re, vel qua ratione fols
vant penitus ignorant.
All this is a moſt lively Deſcription of the Oppreſſions of the Roman
Subjcēts, eſpecially of thoſe of the rich Provinces. Of all the Provinces
in the whole Empire Africa was juſtly eſteemed the inoſt opulent. The
fame + Author inlarges much on its great Trade, and immenfe Wealth,
and adapts all the Prophet u Ezekiel ſays of Tyre to the African Cities;
faying, with a ſeeming Emotion ; Quæ omnia nunquid non talia funt, ut
vel Specialiter de Africis di&ta videantur ? Ubi enim majores theſauri, ubi major
negotiatio, ubi promptuaria pleniora ? Auro, inquit, impleſti thefauros tuos ä
multitudine negotiationis tuæ. Ego puto adeo divitem quondam Africam fuiſe, ut
mibi copia negotiationis fuæ non fuos tantum, ſed etiam mundi videatur implelle.
+ L +
: L. 7.
" C. 27, 28.
This
The HISTORY of BARBARY: Epitomiz'd.
165.
This Wealth was what the Romans thirſted after, and wliar the Vandals
took from them, and they again from the Vandals. Of theſe laſt this
Author fays, that when they ſubdued other Provinces, they only fucked
the Blood from the Veins, but left ſome Life remaining; but from Africa
thcy took the very Soul: Africam ipfam, id eſt quaſi animam cepere reipub-
licæ. Again, he thus paints the Effects of the Roman Tyranny, the Con-
ſcquence of their Pride and Avarice. Itaque paffim vel ad Gothos, vel Bao-
gandas, vel ad alios ubique dominantes Barbaros commigrant, & commigrale
non pænitet. Malunt enim fub fpecie captivitatis vivere liberi, quàm fub fpe-
cie libertatis elle captivi. Itaque nomen civium Romanorum; aliquando non-
fulum magno æflimatılm, fed magno emptum, nunc ultro repudiatur ac fugitur,
niet vile tantum, ſed etiam abominabile pene habetur. Et quod elle majus tef.
timonium iniquitatis Romanæ poteft, quàm quod plerique & honefti, & quibus
Romanus ſtatus fummo & fplendori ele debuit & honori, & hoc tamer Ro..
mance iniquitatis crudelitate compulſi ſunt ut nolint eſe Romani?
Thus degenerated, the Romans necded no Enemies but themſelves. Whena
Rome was in its Glory, what greater Reward had it to beſtow than that
of the Honour and linmunity due to a Roman Citizen! Salvianus ſeems-
to have taken theſe Matters more to Heart than any other Writer, and
ſpeaks of them very feelingly. Having inlarged upon the Vices and Im-
moralities of other Provinces, he comes to thoſe of the Africans, in theſe
remarkable Sentences: Omnes denique habent ficut peculiaria mala, etian-
quædam bona. In Afris pene omnibus nefcio quid non malum. . Si accufanda
eft inhumanitas, inhumani ſunt, fi ebrietas ebriofi funt, fi falſitas fallaciſſimi,
fi dolas fraudulentiffimi, fi cupiditas cupidi ſini, fi perfidia perfidiſſimi. Im-
puritas corum, atque blafphemia bis omnibus adiiffenda shon funt, quia illis
Supra diximus malis aliarum gentium, bis autem, ctiam fua ipforum vicerunt.
Ac primùm, ut de impuritaic dicamus, quis neſcit Africam totam obfcænis li-
bidinum tædis ſemper arſils, non ut terram, ac fedem hominun, ſed ut- Ætnami
putes impudicarum eſſe. flanimarum.
This is really a ſtrang. Character of a People: And it evidently ap-.
pears, that he means not the rude, unpoliſhed, roving Africans, but the
polite, civilized Citizens, who had Orthodox Paſtors to let them better
Examples: What he relates of the Metropolis of Carthage, when beſieged
and taken by the Vandals, ſufficiently demonſtrates the contrary : Quis
alimare hoc malum pofſit ? Circumſonabant armis muros Carthaginis populi
Barbarorum, & Eccleia Carthaginienfis inſaniebat in circis, luxuriabatur in
3
theatrisa.
1.06
The History of BARBARY Epitomiza.
1
theatris, alii foras jugulabantur, alii intus fornicabantur: pars plebis erat foris
captiva bominum, pars intus captiva vitiorum, &c. Fragor, ut ita dixering
exira muros, & intra muros preliorum & ludicrorilnz confundebatur, vox mo-
rientium, voxque bacchantium : vix forfitan diſcerni poterat plebis ejulatio, quæ
cadebat in bello, & fonus populi qui clamabat in circo. Farther on he ſays;
Denique prope omne fraudun, falfitatum, perjuriorum nefas : nulla unquan
bis malis Romana civitas coruit, fed ſpecialius hoc fcelus Afrorum omnium fuit:
Nam ficut in ſentinam profunde colluviones omnium fordium, fic in mores eo-
rum
Ilm, quaſi ex omni mundo vitia fluxerunt. Again. Unde & quod Vandali
ad Africam tranfierunt, non eft divine ſeveritate, fed Afrorum fceleri deputa
tandum. In another Place he compares the Africans to the People of So-
dom, &c. but it cannot be ſuppoſed, that he ſpeaks of thc Pagan Africans,
in the Mountains and Deſarts, but he certainly means the Inhabitants of
the great Cities, with whom he muſt needs have been moſt acquainted.
I have tranſcribed all theſe Teſtimonies in the Author's own Words,
as Aldrete has done, with an Infinity of others, not much leſs to the
Purpoſe, which I omit, theſe being ſufficient to prove that the Romans,
&c. were not ſo univerſally hated, by the natural Africans, without Cauſe,
and that the Grandees, among the Chriſtians of Africa, who were chiefly
of Roman Extraction, had ſo far inherited the Pride, Haughtineſs, and all
the other Vices of their Fathers, and had even improved them to ſuch
a Degree, that had the Saracens never attacked them, they could not long
have ſubliſted; ſo degenerate, ſo effeminate, and ſo diſunanimous were
they grown, and ſo contemptiblc had they rendered themſelves. This
Diſcourſe I ſhall cloſe with one more Quotation, from Vietor of Utica,
concerning the Hatred of the natural Africans to the Romans, and pro-
bably to all Chriſtians for their Sakes: And I am apt to believe, that in
the ſucceeding Times this Hatred rather increaſed than diminiſhed: So
that all Circumſtances conſidered, I ſay, it is not at all to be wondered
at, that the Mahometan Saracens found the African Moors ſo pallive, and ſo
ready to fall in with their Meaſures, ſince they apparently tended to thic
ridding them of their greateſt Eyeſore, the imperious, impiouſly vicious,
inſatiably, avaricious, and conſequently inſufferably tyrannical Chriſtians.
What Victor ſays is this. * Nonnulli qui barbaros diligitis, & eos in con-
demnationem veſtrum aliquando laudatis, diſcutite nomen, & intelligite mores.
* L. 3.
Nunquid
The HISTORY of BARBARY Epitomiz'd. 167
Nunquid alio propriore nomine vocitari poterant, niſi ut Barbari dicerentur,
ferocitatis utique, crudelitatis, & terroris vocabulum, poſſidentes ? Quos quan-
tiſcumque muneribus foveris, quantiſcumque delinieris obfequiis, illi aliud nef-
ciunt, niſi invidere Romanis, & quantum ad corum attinet voluntatem, fem-
per cupiunt ſplendorem, & genus Romani nominis nebulare; nec ullum Roma-
norum omnino deſiderat vivere. Et ubi adhuc nofcuntur parcere ſubjectis, ad
atendum illorum ſervitiis illorum parcunt : nam nullum dilexerunt aliquando
Romanum. Tho' the good Paſtor utters this in ſuch plaintive Terms,
ſeeming to exclaim againſt the natural Africans, as perfidious and ungrate-
ful Barbarians, not to be won by any good Offices, but hating the Ro-
mans merely becauſe they were Romans, without mentioning any Reaſon
they had for ſo doing; yet the foregoing Teſtimonies fully evidence, that
the Motives of that Hatred were the ſame which cauſe the preſent Moors
to hate the Turks of Barbary'; their Pride, their Inſolence, their rapacious
Avarice, their Tyranny: But ſtill, this I know, a Turkiſa Bridle, harſh as
it is, will ever feel calier in the Mouth of an African, than will that of
a Chriſtian, for the Reaſons I have advanced in other Places : Morc ef-
pecially, if the Reins happen to be lodged in the Hands of ſuch as aſſume
to themſelves the peculiar Title of Good and Catholick. Chriſtians. The
Turkiſh Inquiſitor ſearches the Depth of the Purſes of all within his Reach;
but as for their Morals he little concerns himſelf about them; and their
Conſciences he leaves wholly unſcrutinized.
BILDER
The Hiſtory of BAR B A R Y; &c. continued, to the Begin-
ning of the Sixteenth Century; when ALGIERS came
into the Pofeſion of the Turks.
Cc
AIROUAN, as I obſerved, was the Capital of Barbary, after the
Conqueſt of thoſe Provinces, and was the chief Sent of the Saracen.
Vicc-Roys; tho' they ſometimes viſited the Tingitana, in order to have
an Eye upon thcir Affairs in Spain. The Arabs were indifferently nume-
rous; but few in Compariſon with their mercenary Moorijl Allies; who,
P. 6;. 146. IV. 150, 151.
according
193
The HISTORY of BARBARY Epitomizid.
according to Cuftom, fided with them to curb ſuch other Africans as be-
g:n to be weary of thoſc Interlopers; who, doubtleſs, were not ſo oblig-
jag as they fecnie to promiſe, when they wanted their Concurrence, or
at leait their Neutrality, the better to enable them to exterminate the
Chriſtians. 'Thc Khalifus reinforced their Garriſons in Africa; and the
Vice-Roys of Barbary took Care to ſupply thoſe of Spain, with a Mix-
ture of Arabs and Africans. The Arabs were Lords of all the Cities,
Towns, &c. throughout the level Country of Barbary, and great Part of
South-Numidia : And few, or rather none of them dwelled in Tents, as
they do now; nor did they till many Years after. Crucl and bloody
Wars were carried on between thoſe two haughty Rivals, the ancient
Africans, and the African Arabs, allifted by Multitudes of Proſelyte Moors.
Of theſe Wars their Hiſtories are full: But the Khalifas made Shift to
maintain their Sovereignty, without any very material Interruption, till
about the tenth Year of that great and magnificent Saracen Prince, Ha-
trou al Rapid, the fifth Khalifa of the Abbaſſide Family.
A. H. 184. 1. D. 8oo. This memorable Prince, on whom the Orien-
tal Writers beſtow ſuch Encomiums, ſent to govern Africa a certain am-
bitious Arab Captain, named Ibrahim aben Aglab, who ſoon fhook off his
Allegiance, and erected a Dinaſty of Princes, in the Eaſtern Parts of Bar-
bary, down to Tunis, known by the Title of Al Aglabiah, Beni Aglab, or
the Aglabites, which laſted about 112 Years. Other Provinces were
ſeized by another Captain, fent Governor by the Abbaſlides, whoſe Name
was Rofiam, and who founded a Dinafty, called Al Rotamiah, or Beni
Rojiam, which ended with the other, and by the ſame Mcans, both be-
ing rooted out by the Fathimites. They reckon eleven Princes of the
Aglabite Family. The laſt, named Ziadat Allah, eſcaped to Egypt, from
whence he removed to Ramla in Poleſine, where he dicd.
Some will
have it, that theſe Princes returned to their Duty, and acknowledged the
Khalifas for their Sovereigns.
Much about the Time of Aben Aglab's Revolt, Edris aben Edris, aben
Abdallah, ſaid to have deſcended, in a direct Line, from Ali, the fourth
Khalifa, Kinſman and Son-in-Law to the Muſulman Prophet Mahomet,
erccted another Dinaſty in the Tingitana, which uſurped all the reſt of the
Country; ſo that between thoſe three Rebels, who divided the whole
Region, the Khalifas loft every Foot of their African Conqueſts, except
Egypt. The Memory of this Edris is highly venerated by the Africans.
They
The HISTORY of BARBARY Epitomiz'd. 169
They call him Moulei Edris, and acknowledge him as the Founder of the
famous City Fez, or rather Fefs; which is to be underſtood of that much
larger Diviſion of it, called Old-Fez: The other two Diviſions are more
modern. This Family, called Al Adaraſah, had the ſame Fate with its Co-
temporaries, the Aglabites, &c. being extinguiſhed in a bloody Miſacre,
by that cruel Incendiary, and Mahometan Schiſmatick Khalifa of Africa,
who, in a Manner, laid the whole Région defolatc; I mean Al Mehedi,
who began his tyrannick Uſurpation, A. H. 206. A. D. 909. I had al-
moſt forgot to inſert another Dynaſty, founded about the ſame Time with
the other three, named Beni Medrar, and who met with the like Fate.
Their Capital was Segelmela.
This Al Mehedi, who was the Founder of the Dynaſty of the Fathimi-
tes, was Son to Obeid- Allah. He had the ſame Name with his Prophet Ma-
Bomet, being called Mohammad Abou'l Callem, and ſurnamed Al Mehedi,
which ſignifies, the Director; ſetting up himſelf for that fabulous Al Me-
Bedi, the twelfth of thoſe called the Imaums, or Teachers, who is expected
by the Muſulmans as a Meſſiah is by the Jews. The Pſeudo-Prophet
left a prophetical Tradition to his Diſciples; the Words are theſe; A la
ras thalatha miah tathla al fimſh men magribha: i. C. In the Year 300,
the Sun will riſe in the Weſt: This Date is to be underſtood of the
Hejira. But he anticipated that Date by four Years; tho' ſome fay but
two, and that he did not begin to appear till A. H. 298. His Reſidence
was at Segelmela, in the Weſtern Part of South-Numidia; a great and ancient
City. Tho' he, his Son and Grandſon aſſumed the Titles of Khalifa, and
Amir al Mounienis, yet moſt of the Mufilman Hiſtoriaus allow them only
to his 'Great-Grandſon, Mocz-al Din Allah, who removed his Regal Seat
from Barbary to Grand Cairo, in Egypt, where he eſtabliſhed a powerful
Empire, which laſted many Years. This Dynaſty is known, in the Oriental
Hiſtories, under the Appellation of Doulat al Fathimiah, or Fathimioun :
For to every Dinaſty it muſt be obſerved, that Doulat is prefixed, as
Doulat al Aglabiah, thc Reign of the Aglabites, and ſo of the reſt. Theſe
Fathinites are ſometimes called Alides and Iſhmaelites.
The Sheites, or the Partiſans of Ali, as are the Perſians and ſome others,
pretend that this Impoſtor Al Mebedi deſcended, in a direct Malc Line,
from Iſhmael, the Son of Jiaffer-Sadik, the ſixth Imaum. But the Sun-
nites or Orthodox Mufulmans, as they call themſelves, will never agree
to it, reckoning all that Party as Hereticks; and the Abbaſide Hiſtorians
Z
produce
".
1.70
The History of BAR B.A RY. Epitomiz:d.
produce authentick Teſtimonics' to prove that Uſurper's Origin from a
mean Fellow in Egypt. However, he proved himſelf a Perſon of no meani
Conduct and Reſolution. He ſoon became abſolute in all the Weſtern
Parts of Barbary, &c. and from thence made himſelf Maſter of all thereft.
In tle Year intimated by the Prophet Mahomet, for the Mehedi; or. Grand
Director to appear, viz. A. H. 300, he tent no leſs than three Armies
into Egypt, in order to add that rich and important Region to the reſt of
his late Acquiſitions: But they were all defeated by the Arms of Mostader
B'illah, the Abbaſide Khalifa of Bagdad. Yet he loft nor Courage at:
thoſe Repulſes; going in Perſon and laying Sicge to Scanderia, or Alex-
andria, which Capital he took by Storm; but made no farther Advantage
of that Succeſs. Returning to Cairouan, he built the. City. Mehedia, on
the neareſt Coalt, ſaid to have riſen out of the Ruins of the ancient Aphro-
diſium, or rather, according to many others, Adrumetum, more commonly
called Africa. Thither he removed his Court, and it became the chief
Reſidence both of him and his Succeſſors. This City was taken from the
famous Dragut Rais, and demoliſhed by the Emperor Charles V. under
the Conduct of his Admiral the brave Andrca. Doria, A. D. 1551, as is,
very particularly, related by Marmol. Al Mehedi died A. H. 322, A. D.
934; having tyrannized .twenty fix Years.
He was ſucceeded by his Son, Caiem-\'Emr.' Allah, who compleated the
Ruin of Africa. In the twelfth and laſt year of his Reign, Abou Yezid,
his ambitious and too powerful Wizir, or Prime Miniſter, revolted, and
ſtraitly beſieged him, and his whole Family, in the Caſtle of Mehedia.
He ſo reſented the Inſolence of that ungrateful Rebel, that he ſickened
and died, A. H. 334. A. D. 945. His Son and Succeſſor, Al Manſir
Ifmael, concealed his Death, for ſome Timc, when waiting an Oppor-
tunity, he found means to take a ſevere. Vengeance. This Prince lived
till A. H. 341. 1. D.952.
He was fucceeded by his Son Moez-al Dini Allah, who kept his Court
ſometimes at Cairouan, and other times at Mehedia, till he quitted Barbary's
.
for Egypt, which his brave and ſucceſsful General Jauhar had conquered.
The Hiſtorian Nouairi remarks of this Prince, that he paſſed over into
the Iſland of Sardinia, wherс he continued almoſt a Year, This Iland,
Malta and Sicily, had been conquered long before. At his Return he
touched at Tripoly, and ſoon after, failing away for Alexandria, A. H. 362.
4. D. 973, he utterly abandoned Barbary. He employed himſelf chiefly
in
The HISTORY OF BARBARY Epitomiz'd. "171
in finiſhing the ſtately City of Al Caberah, (i. c. the Victorious or Trium-
phant) or Grand-Cairo, which his General Jauhar had founded, under the
Horoſcope of the Planet Mars, named Caberah by the Arabs. Aben
Sbunah writes, that, before this Prince left Africa, he cauſed all his Gold
and Silver to be caſt into Pieces, of the Shape and Bigneſs of Mill-Stones,
one of which was a Camel's Load: Which Mill-Stones muſt have been
of the ſmalleſt Size. He adds, that he ordered his own Name to be men-
tioned in the Moſques, ſuppreſſing that of the Khalifa Mothi Lillah; and
that they admitted it not only in Egypt, but alſo in Syria and Arabia,
even in the City.Medina ; and that Mecca alone refuſed to acknowledge
him. The reſt of the Saracen Empire in the Eaſt remained to the Kha-
life of Bagdad.
This Schiſm of two Khalifas continued till A. H. 567. 4. D. 1171,
when Saladin, or Salahadin ruled in Egypt, under the Direction of Sultana
Nouredin, Monarch of Syria, Arabia, &c. having put an End to the Dy-
nafty of the Farbimites, and commanded that Moftadhi, the Khalifa of
Bagdad, thould alone be acknowledged for the legitimate Succeſſor of
Mahomet, and Sovercign Imaum, or Pontiff of all the Muſulmans. They
count fourteen Khalifas of this Family, tho' only eleven of them can be
-properly ſo called; the three firſt irigning only in Barbary. Mocz died
A. H. 36554. D. 975; iaged forty'five Years, of which he reigned twerity
four.. Of this Prince ir is reported, that being asked, What particular
Branch of Ali's Family he belonged to? He laid his Hand on his Sword,
and ſaid, Hadda Jinſi; This is my Genealogy: And then throwing Gold
among his Guards, he added, 'Huddi Neſi; This is my family.
The Perſon he Icfe in Africa, I incan Barbary, to govern în Cairouan
during his Abſence, namely loufouf aben Zeiri, aben Mennd, of the Tribe
of ¥;Sinhajia, immediately ſet up for himſelf, tho'he pretended to ſeize
the County for the Khalifa of Bagdad, and founded a Dynaſty, which,
according to fome, flouriſhed, under ninic Prinices; till A. 11. 543. A. D.
1148: Tho' others affirm, that it was diſpoffelfed of all 'Sovereignty ſome
Years earlierj. as I fhall obſerve. " It is known by the Name of Doulat al
Zeiriat, oftepeſpokori of in the Spaniti Hiſtories, under the coriupt Name
of Zegris. Thoſe of this Family made a great Figure among the Nobility
of Granada, and were very remarkable for their Enmity with the noble
*
: را
: .
nie
37
* Vide P, 6.
Z 2
Family
172
1
The HISTORY of BARBARY Epitomiz"..
.
Family of the Abencerrages, rather Beni Serrajah, whoſe Poſterity are ſtill
in Spain, and in great Repure, having become Chriſtians before the City
Granada was conquered. The Name of the laſt Prince of this Dynaſty
was Hajjan aben Ali
, ſaid to have been killed in a Battle by the Forces
of Roger II. King of Sicily and Calabria, and others, who were deſigned
for the Holy Land, but came upon the Coaſt of Barbary, A. D. 1148.
Roger II. Great Uncle to this Prince, recovered Sicily from the Saracens.
The Founder of this Dynaſty built, or rather repaired ſeveral Cities, which
the Schiſmaticks had ruined; and among others Bujeya, which we call
Bugia, famous for Sir Edward Sprag's notable Exploit in 1671, againft
the Algerines, when he deſtroyed twelve, tho' ſome ſay but nine of their
beſt Ships, under the Canon of the Caſtle.
It muſt be obſerved, that this Family of the Zeiriat enjoyed only a
Part of what their rebellious Founder had uſurped; being obliged to con-
tent themſelves with a Corner of Barbary, in Compariſon with the whole,
and which ſeems to have been only ſome of the Coaft; and that, of the
contiguous Mountaineers, ſome were actually their Vaffals, but more their
Allies. I cannot but fancy Algiers to have been their Seat, on Account
of the Name; and ſhall, elfewhere, give my Reaſons for being of that
Opinion. As for the level Country, they were diſpoſſeſſed of it, by an In-
undation of Arabs, from Afia; which Arabs are reported to have been
the firſt of that Nation in Africa, who had accuſtomed themſelves to
dwell in Tents, as they now do, ſince the Riſe of Mahometiſm. Till then
they inhabited all the principal Cities and Towns, intermixed with the
ancient Mooriſ Citizens, and doubtleſs with many of Chriſtian Extraction,
tho' utterly undiſtinguiſhable. The beſt Account I find of this Revolu-
tion is as follows.
As the preceding Khalifas had been all very ſenſible what inveterate
Enemies the Scenite Arabs were to Cities and walled Towns, and, indeed,
to all fixed Habitations, they had all along ſupplied their African Vice-
Roys only with ſuch Reinforcements as they required, but ſtrictly forbad
their Governor of Egypt to ſuffer any Arabian Tribes to paſs down into
Barbary, which they had often follicited; as well knowing they would
ruin the Country. Nor did the Saracens there ſettled ever defiſt from
preventing it, as much as poſſible, by Preſents and Interceſſions; and by
this ſome of the greedieſt Khalifas repleniſhed their Coffers; ſeeming to
grant Leire to the Arabs to paſs, with their Families, thro' Egypt, in
order
2
The HISTORY of BARBARY, Epitomiz'd. 173
order to take Poſſeſſion of ſuch Lands, in Barbary, as, upon thoſe Occa-
fions, the crafty Khalifas would feign they were about to purchaſe. The
African Vice. Roys rightly judging it would turn to far better Account
to give Encouragement to ſome natural Africans, who, while they were
well paid, would not fail to ſtand by them, and ſo keep up the Ballance;
that their Authority might be maintained without having Recourſe to ſuch
Locuſts, as they knew the Scenites to be. Thus they continued, I believe,
till the Fathimite Family was eſtabliſhed in Egypt; tho' Authors diſagree
as to the exact Time. z Leo Africanus, beſides the Miſtake, I mentioned,
of above 360 Years, enough to breed the greateſt Confuſion imaginable;
makes a long Story of this coming of Arab Tribes into Barbary; but is
very much out in Point of Chronology: For he fixes the Time A. H.
400, (as, by the bye, he does the ſecond Viớt made by the Mahometans
to this Country, in the Reign of - Othoman) and in the Reign of Al
Caiem, whom he calls Elcain, Son of Al Mehedi, Founder of the Family
of the Fatbimites; whereas, as appears in the foregoing Pages (from the
Teſtimony of D'Herbeloi, in divers Places, who quotes the moſt celebrated
Muſulman Hiſtorians) that Prince lived bur till A. H. 534: Nor was he
eyer in Egypt.
What is moſtly to be gathered from D'Herbelot, and from what I re-
member to have heard, read, and talked of in Barbary, and from whence
neither Leo nor Marmol, much diſſent as to Particulars, is, That
when Moez, the Khalifa of Egypt, was informed that the Khalifa of Baga
dad was coming to attack him, and that he had eſtabliſhed the Rebel
Youfouf abeu Zeiris
, &c. in the Vice-Royalty of all Barbary, which he
feigned to hold in his Name, and finding his Treaſury much, drained by
tlie prodigious Expence he had been aţ in carrying on the ſumptuous
Buildings he had crected at Grand Cairo, his new Metropolis, he was at
a great Non-plus. He meditated ſome terrible Chaſtiſement for his brave
and ſucceſsful General Jauhar, notwithſtanding the many and important Ser-
vices he had rendered him, during his prudent and faithful Adminiſtration ;
being thro? his. Importunities that he abandoned his Barbary: Dominions.
One of his Counſellors, whoſe Name I find: not mentioned, . perceiving
bim to be extremely penſive and uncăſy, told him, that if he would give
Ear to his Advice, he ſhould not fail of having a ſtout Army, which
1
z Pide P.143..
1
Ibid,
vould
1
174
The History of BARBARY Epitomiz::.
ever.
would afford more. Employment to his Rebel than he was able to dif-
penſe with, and which, far from putting him to the leaſt Expence, ſhould
ſupply him with a Sum of ready Money ſufficient to enable him to face
his other Adverfaries. This was Muſick to the Ears of the half-deſpond-
ing Mocz, who, in a Rapture of Joy and Impatience, told that Statef
man, that, provided he made good his Promiſe, hc had won his Heart for
“My Promiſe will be, infallibly, made good, in every Tittle, ſaid
"
he, if
your Highneſs will but grant the long follicited for Permiſſion to
" the Arab Tribes to paſs Weſtward into Barbary. I will venture to
engage for their giving you a Ducat per Head, for themſelves and Fa-
6 milies, and to takc a ſolemn Oath of being irreconcileable Enemies to
“ all that are in Rcbellion againſt your Highneſs.” Tho' this Propoſal
fhocked the Khalifa, as well gueſſing at the Havock thoſe Frec-Booters
would inake in that his dear native Country; yet the Exigence of his
Affairs, his all being at Stake, and the Defire of Revenge, prevailed with
him to conſent; and from Arabia Deferta and Arabia Felix; upon the
aforeſaid Conditions, there came down many Tribes of warlike Arabs, con-
fiſting of no leſs than yoooo Men fit for Battle, all Cavalry, with Multi-
tudes of Women, Children and other uſeleſs People, and innumerable
Droves of Camels; but no other Cattle except Horſes. Till this 'Time, few
or no Arabian Women came into Barbary, as the Natives' report. Theſe
Arabs are now diſperſed all over the Country, few of thein in the Moun-
tains, but ſtill fewer in any of the Towns, b they looking down, with
the utmoſt Scorn and Contempt, upon all who conform to a fixed Man-
ſion: And theſe are the Arabs who ſtocked Barbary with Camels, there
not being any very conſiderable Numbers of thoſe Creatures before the
Arrival of thoſe Tribes, as I have hinted s.
· Leo quotes the African Hiſtorian Ibnmil Rakik, and ſays, that theſe
Arabs firſt laid Sicge to Tripoly, which Place they took, and put to the
Sword all the Inhabitants who had not the good Fortune to eſcape by.
Flight: Thc like they did by Capes, now belonging to Tunis; as does,
likewiſe, Cairouan, which was the then Metropolis of all the Country,
and the next Place they attacked. In this noble City the' Arabs com
mitted.unhcard of Inhumanities, therein but too well-obſerving their
Oath of being cruel Enemies. · Youfouf aben Zeiri is ſuppoſed there to
7
I
• Vide P.9.
Vide P. 872 97, & feq.
have
The HISTORY of B'AR B'A RY Epitomiz'd.
175
1
have loſt his Life, together with ſeveral of his Family: But it is certain
that at leaſt one of his Sons had the Happineſs to eſcape, and found Sanc-
tuary among the Mountaineers; ſoon gaining a Party ſufficient to enable
him to crect and to maintain a no inconſiderable Sovereignty, in the Name
of the Khalifa of Bagdad, who qualified him his Vice-Roy of Africa.
The Arabs over-ran and deſtroyed all the plain Country, and penetrated
into
many Parts of South-Numidia, and from thence even into Libya; in
which Incurſions they failed not of the Company and Aſſiſtance of ſome
Mooriſh. Tribes, ever ready to ſerve for Plunder, tho' againſt their own
Kindred. In this. Reſpect, as in many others, the Moors and Arabs ſo
exactly agree, that they may well paſs for the fame People.
Leo, from Ib'n al Rakik, the African Chronologiſt; gives an ample Ac-
count of theſe Arabs. He ſays they were ten Tribes, or Families, from
Arabia Deferta, and half the Inhabitants of that Region; with many from
Arabia Felix ; tho' to all he gives but three general Names: But the
Subdiviſions he makes 6oo, many of which he mentions by Names ſtill
in Being, and ſome I never heard of; tho' that is no Argument of their
Non-Exiſtence: And I believe, that had he ſwelled the Number of petty
Diviſions, including the Moors, or natural Africans, to 6000, he would
not much have over-ſhot himſelf; they being almoſt innumerable.
Barbáry being thus, in a manner, divided among a People without any
ſupreme Head, the Chief of each Tribe diſdaining to ačknowledge a Su-
pcrior; and the Natives of each Arabia claiming a peculiar Nobility of
Deſcent, great Diſſentions aroſe, and the whole Country was lamentably
harafted, during thoſe Days of Anarchy and Confuſion.
The general. Diſtinctions the Arabs make among them are there. Tlie
more ancient Arabs, who pretend a lineal Deſcent from Farah, the Son of
Joetan, the Son of Heber, who, after the Deſtruction of Babel, inhabited
that Afiatick Peninſula, known to us under the Name of Arabia, and
which is divided into three Regions, Fælix, Deferta, and Petrea; tho' T
think the Orientals themſelves feldom make any other Diſtinction, than
Hajiaz for the two laſt, and Yeman for the firſt. From this Jarab the
whole is ſuppoſed to have derived its Name, Arabia ; obſerving that the
I is a Vowel, and not a Conſonant. Theſe pure and unmixed Arabs they
term Adrab- Airaba, Aroub, and Arouba. The next, who claim their
Origin from Iſhmael, arc termed Mêrab-Mofakraba, as it were, Accidental
Arabs, as having introduced and incorporated themſelves with ſome of
thore
2
17.6 The History of BARBARY ·Epitomiz’d.
.
thoſe morc ancient Tribes. Theſe can never rightly agree; each claiming
a Superiority. The laſt, and more modern Arabs, are the Marab-Moſta-
jcma, ſuch as thoſe of Syria, Egypt, &c. but more particularly of Barbary
and its contiguous Deſarts; being ſo called for their having debaſed their
Blood by mingling with ſtrange Nations. But the Arabs have another
general, and better known Diſtinction; and that is, the Bildia, or ſuch
as dwell in Cities, &c. and the Bedouia, or Itincranit Scenites. Theſe are
dçemed much nobler, more witty, valiant and ingenious than the others :
Tho' all the Arabs in general are quaint, bold, hoſpitable and generous,
exceflive Lovers of Eloquence and Poeſy ; but extremely jealous and
vindictive.
Thoſe Mofiadraba, or Moflaarabín, muſt not be confounded with the
Moçarabes, corruptly ſo called by the Spaniards, who pretend to derive
the Word from Mixti Arabes, as being Chriſtians mixed with Arabians,
and conforming with them in Language and moſt things elſe, except Belief;
they retaining the Religion of their Anceſtors. Their Liturgy, with the
old Gothiſo Ceremonies, is ſtill uſed in ſeven Churches at Toledo in Spain,
from whence they originally came, and were no other than the Inhabitants
of that City, to whom the firſt Muſulman Conquerors allowed full Liberty
of living after their own Manner, and exerciſing all their Religious Rites.
Many others there, likewiſe, were in Africa, who deſcended from the
Followers of the Sons of King Witiza, and of the Traytor Don Julian,
who rebelled againſt Don Rodrigo, who loſt Spain, after they had intro-
duced the Moors. The Mofaárabín, or naturalized Chriſtians, were highly
favoured and eſteemed by the African Potentates; and the Emperor Charles
V. when he took Tunis, found ſeveral hundreds of them there, called Ra-
batin, becauſe they dwelled in the Suburbs, all gallant Cavaliers, moſt, if
not all, of which he tranſported with him into Spain. In Arabick a Sub-
urbs is Rabat. They had been ſettled there long before by the Great
Jacob al Manför, of the Almohade Family, Emperor of Spain and Barbary,
when he conquered thoſe Eaſtern Provinces, as ſhall be obſerved.
In Mahomet's Days, and fome Time after, before the Arabs were all
Muſulmans, the Term of Diſtinction, for the Gentiles, was Aarab al Je-
heliat, and for the others, who embraced the new Doctrine, Miſilmin,
thc Exempted, mcaning from the Flames of Hell, or as the Turks, and
we from them, have it Muſulmanler; their Plural Termination being ler,
inſtead of our s. Jehel ſignifies Ignorant. It is trùe many of them were
3
Jews
The HISTORY of B A R B’ARY Epitomiz'd. 177
Jews and Chriſtians ; but they confounded them all under the general
Title Jehelia. For larger Accounts of the Arab Gencalogy, read Specimien
Hiſtorie Arabum, by Dr. Pocock.
The three general Names I hinted-given by Leo and others, to the
Arabs, who purchaſed Leave to paſs into Barbary, were Helel and Ekikin,
from Arabia Deſerta, and Makil from Arabia Felix; the two laſt of which
are now ſeldom mentioned : But they have large Volumes of the long and
furious Wars between Helel and Zeneta ; this a powerful African Nation,
which has given Barbary many Kings and Princes, the other a potent and
numerous Tribe of warlike Arabians; of which I have heard much read
out of two in particular. Tho' they have no Books written in
any
Dia-
lects but Arabick, I mean the African Arabick, yet by the different man-
ner of relating Facts, and an apparent Partiality, it is very obvious, that
one of the Authors was a Moor, and the other an Arab. I do not rc-
member either the Titles of thoſe Chronicles, or the Names of the Writers :
I only recollect, that much is ſaid in Praiſe of Al-Jezzia, an Arabian
Princeſs, of one Aânter aben Shadded, and of Khalifa, Prince or Chief of
the Zeneta. A few Miles towards the South of Coſtantina, I have often
ſeen a Place, juſt by the Road, where the Africans ſay that notable A-
mazon lies interred; and accordingly call it Kubbôr al Jezzia, that is Jez-
zia's Grave, or Sepulchre : And ſhe is painted out as a very Maſculine
Lady, of uncommon Staturc. Great Part of thoſe Hiſtories carry a ro-
mantick Strain ; and are interſperſed with abundance of quaint and elegant
Pieces of Poetry.
The African Provinces being in ſuch Confuſion, under no Head, or,
indeed, rather under many Heads, tho' none of much Conſideration, the
Occaſion ſeemed favourable for any enterprizing Genius, who would un-
dertake to found a Monarchy upon that Chaos of Anarchy. The Family
of Zeiri, protected by Bands of ſturdy Mountaineers, could caſily ſtand
their Ground, where they had fixed their Abode, againſt whatever Attacks
the Arabian Cavalry could pretend to make againſt them; but were not
in a Condition to inlarge their Territory; as wanting Horſe, in which
the main Strength of the Arabs always conſiſts: And the Mountaineers
are remarked, to be as much out of their Element in the Plains, as the
Arabs, and moſt other Scenites, are in a mountainous Country.
The Cloke, or Pretence of Religion, has often deſtroyed fome States, as
it has erected others : And that was what, at this Juncture, erected a
A a
mighty
V
178
The HISTORY OF BARBARY Epitomiz’d.
-
mighty Empire in Africa and Spain; which Dynaſty is known to us,
from the Spanib Hiſtorians, under the corrupt Name of Almoravides.
The true Word is Al Morabethah, Morabethien, and Morabethoun, whoſe
Singular is Morabboth, which ſignifies, a ſtrictly religious Perſon. They
were, likewiſe, called Molathemiah, Molathemin, Molathemab and Mola-
thenioun, that is, the Veiled; becauſe they were accuſtomed to keep their
Faces generally covered with a certain Veil, called Letham. This Cuſtom
was introduced among them, upon the following Occaſion, by Sheikh
Abdallah aben Jaſlin, or Baſſin, a learned Doctor from Mecca, in great
Eftcem for his reputed Sanctity. Being ready to engage an Enemy, more
numerous than themſelves, the Women, who, according to their ancient
Faſhion, went veiled up to the Eyes, took Arms, and ranked among their
Huſbands and Rclations: Whercupon the Sheikh, or Doctor, leſt the
Adverſaries ſhould diſcover they had Women among them, ordered all his
Troops to veil their Faces, after the ſame Manner. They got the Day;
and that Faſhion was thenceforwards eſtabliſhed. Nowari relatcs of one of
theſe People, that having ſtripped quite naked, by a Fountain, in order to
waſh his Garment, he covered Part of his Face with his Left-Hand, while
his Right was employed in waſhing. A Stranger paſſing by, bad him, for
Shame, conceal his Nudities, ſince he had one Hand at Liberty. ".Do
“ not you ſee, replied he, that it is buſy in covering my Face."
Whatever Notions thoſe People had, this I can affirm, that, at preſent,
all the Africans in general, as likewiſe the Turks, Arabs, Negroes, .&c.
when once in their Years of Puberty, are extremely ſhy of being ſeen
naked: And as for all large Garments, the Moors and Arabs waſh them
with their Feet į and never without ſomething wrapped about them.
This is carefully obſerved by even the moſt abandoned. Catamites, if ex-
poſed to publick View.
This Family has made too much Noiſe in the Weſtern World, (I mean
not in America) for me to paſs it by in Silence. They claimed their 0-
riginal from the Country of Hemiar, called by ancient Geographers the
Land of the Homerites, in Arabia, and removed into Syria under the Admi-
niſtration of Abou-Becra, the firſt Saracen Khalifa, Father-in-Law to
Mahomet, and his immediate Succeſſor. From Syria they, ſome Years after,
pafled into Egypt, and from thence into the Weſtern Parts of the Sahara,
or Libyan Delarts ; chuſing that ſolitary Retreat, to be more at Liberty,
when ſeparated from the reſt of the People of Africa, frecly to exerciſe
their
The HISTORY of BARBARY Epitomiz'd. 179
their Ricligion, in its Purity. They are reported to have been Chriſtians
in ſecret ; but in Time, by communicating with thc Muſulmans, became
Mahometans. However they, at length, turned Robbers, and utterly de-
generated from both, as to Practice, tho' in Name and outward Profeſſion
they paſſed for Muſulmans; which is the very Caſe of, I darç ſay, four
Parts in five of the Country Moors throughout thoſe Regions, as I have
elſewhere intimated. About the Middle of the eleventh Century, one
Jauhar, ſurnamed Al Jelali, a principal Man among them, took the Op-
portunity of a Caravan going to Mecca, and went thither in Pilgrimage.
At his Return; he brought with him the before-mentioned Doctor Abdal.
lah, by whom he was well inſtructed in the Mahometan Law, and to
whom he allotted a noble Penſion to inſtruct his People, who were be-
come perfect Reprobates, quite devoid of all Religion. This Tcacher ſo
deported himſelf, that he gained very great Authority among them all;
and they liſtened to his Doctrine, with a favourable Ear, approving of all
he taught, while he only dictated Faſting, Prayer, and the Diſtribution
of the Tithes of their Subſtance among their neceſſitous Brethren: But
when he came to pronounce Death to the Murderer, cutting off the Hand
of him who Stole, ſtoning of ſuch as meddled with other Mens Wives,
and the like, the Majority abſolutely refuſed to conform to Manners ſo
different from thoſe to which they had been ſo long inured; and it was
only Jaubar's own Tribe that condeſcended to reccive his Doctrine ;
which Tribe was far more powerful and numerous than any ſingle one of
the reſt. I know of few Tribes in Barbary that would care for ſuch
Doctrine. Sheikh Abdallah applauded their Zeal; and gave them to un-
derſtand, that ſince they had engaged themſelves to a ſtrict Obſervance
of the Law of the Alcoran, they, by that Law, were injoined and obliged
to wage War againſt all who would not ſubmit to its Ordinances. This
Propoſition was readily embraced by People who delighted in nothing ſo
much as in Plunder and Rapine; and they immediately proceeded to the
Election of a Chief to lead them to War againſt the Infidels, as thcy were
taught to term their non-conforming Brethren. The Choice pitched up-
on one of their Elders, whoſe Name, according to Aben Sbanah and Novari,
was Abou-Becra aben: Omar, furnamed Al Lamethouni, both he and Jauhar
being of the Tribe of Lamethóuna, which by the Affinity of the Name,
ſeems to be no other than d Lumpta, one of the five ancient Libyan Tribes.
។
1
d lide P. 6.
A a 2
For
ISO The HISTORY of BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
For tho'my Authors inform me, as I obſerve, that the Original of theſe
Al Morabethab was from Arabia ; yet it ſomewhat confirms me in my O-
pinion, that they were become ſo intermixed with the ancient Africans,
that they ſcarce were diſtinguiſhable, becauſe the City Marrach, which
we corruptly call Morocco, was founded by this Family, where, and in all
the circumjacent Provinces, they all along uſed the African Tongue, as
they all do to this Day; nay the Arabick is ſcarce underſtood in any of
thoſe Parts: And I take it, that the Majority of their earlieſt Profelytes
were real Moors.
To this Perſon, whom they declared their Prince and their Sovereign,
they gave the lofty Title of Amir al Moumenîn, and Al Mifelmin, that
is Prince, or Commander of the Faithful, and the Exempted: And ſo full
were theſe new Muſſulmans of their new Religion, that they breathed
nothing but Ruin, nay Extermination to all who refuſed to accept it, or
attempted to oppoſe its Propagation: And to fhew how much they were
in Earneſt, the firſt Victim they facrificed to their Zeal, was the very
Perſon who had been at the Pains and Expence of fetching it from the
diſtant Arabian Defarts: For Jauhar, reſenting his being excluded at the
late Election of a Sovereign, to head the Muſulman Troops, in the ap-
proaching, meritorious War, refuſed to be of the Party, and even was
heard to ſay, that he would renounce the Principles he had introduced,
ſince he met with ſo ungrateful a Return. For this he was ſentenced
to receive Death, and with his laſt Breath acknowledged he had his
Deſert.
It is ſomewhat remarkable, that in the very firſt Encounter the new
Amir al Moumenin had with the Miſbelievers, Sheikh Abdallah himſelf,
the chief Stirrer up of that religious War, was hurried into the other
World, to receive a Gratification, for his zealous Endeavours, at the Hands
of his Prophet, whoſe Inſtitutions he ſo piouſly would have propagated.
The Arms of theſe Reſtorers of Mahometiſm in Africa, mer with Succeſs
every where, and their Number daily increaſed. A. H. 448. A. D. 1055,
they were ſtrong enough to lay Siege to, and carry by Affault, the great and
ancient City Segelmeſſa, in the Weſt Part of South-Numidia, from whence
came Obeid- Allah, Father of the pretended Al Mehedi, Founder of the
Fathimite Dynaſty; and which was formerly the Regal Seat of the Dy-
naſty of Beni Medrar, as has been ſaid. Having gained this important
Ciry, Abou-Becra aben Omar became very formidable. Leaving the fa-
| 1
I
mous
.
A
I 81
1
1
U
The HISTORY of BAR BARY Epitomiz'd.
mous Youſouf aben Telifin, his Nephew and immediate Succeffor, Vice-
Roy of that City, during his Abſence, he marched, with a very nume-
rous Train of Profelytes, to inlarge his Conqueſts. All this happened in
the Year aforeſaid, under the Reign of Caiem Be-emrillab, the twenty
fixth Abbaſide Khalifa of Bagdad, and of Moftanſer Billah, the fifth Fa-
thimite Khalifa of Egypt. The Princes of this ſanctified Race, who go-
yerned the greateſt Part of Weſt-Africa and Spain, were only four, viz.
1. This Abou-Becra aben Omar. 2. His Nephew, the great Youfouf aber
Telifing. (or, as Aben. Shunab has it, Babkehin) who.compleated the Re-
duction of all Barbary, &c. built Morocco (removing the Imperial Seat
thither from Segelmela where his Uncle and himſelf had till then kept
their Courts) and conquered Spain, expelling the Ommiade Family, which
had reigned there in great Splendor, and had only a ſhort Interruption
from one of the Alides, who found Means to intrude himſelf into the
Throne. This fortunate and triumphant Prince, after a long and glorious
Reign, died A. H. roo. 1. D. 1079, and was ſucceeded by his Son
3. Ali aben Youfouf. 4. Iſhac, or Ifaac aben Ali, Son to the former, and
Grandſon to Youfouf the Victorious, was the laſt Prince of this Family:
He was put to Death, at Morocco, as I ſhall preſently obſerve, A. H.843.
4.D. 1148: So that this Dynaſty laſted not quite a Century.
I omit farther particularizing upon the noble Exploits of ſome of theſe
Princes, they being ſo largely treated of by Marmol, and other Spaniſs
Writers: And for the ſame Reaſon I, alſo, omit all Deſcription of thoſe
celebrated Capitals of Weſt-Africa, viz. Morocco and Fez, their Hiſtorics;
together with thoſe of Tremizan, Tunis, and all the other chief Cities of
thoſc Parts of the World, being to be met with in Leog. Marmol, and a-
bundance of other more modern Authors of ſundry Nations; among
which Mouette's Account of Weft-Barbary is well worth Perufal.
I ſaid, that the Ommiade Family, in Spain, was extirpated by Youſouf
aben Teſifin. This brings to my Remembrance a Saying of Youfouf Hojia,
the late Envoy from the Bey of Tunis at our Court, with whom: I had
ſome Intimacy. Onc Day he was railing againſt a certain Domeſtick of
his, originally a Spaniſh Moor, with whom I had been acquainted in
Barbary ; and I took the Liberty to let fall a ſew Words in his favour:
" What Good (faith his Carthaginian Excellency, with ſome Warmth)
" can be expected from that Heretick, whoſe Veins are filled with the
66 Blood of the execrable Beni Ommejah, whoſe impious. Hands were im-
i
ليدا ،،
18:
The HISTORY of BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
1
“ bruet in the precious Gore of the Children of our matchleſs Cham-
b6 pion Ali, that invincible Deſtroyer of Chriſtian and Heathen Idolatry?"
But I made him almoſt quite angry, by unadviſedly aſking him, preſently
afeer, Whether he was a Sheite, or of the Sect of the Perſians ? « What!
6 faid he; Cannot I vencratc the Memory of God's Lyon, who ſent ten
times more Infidels to Hell than your paltry Idland contains, but, pre-
" fently, I muſt be a miſbelieving Kizil-Baſh? That Word is Turkiſhin
ſignifying Red Head ; and ſo the Turks, who are of the Sect of Hanifah,
in Contempt, call the Perſians, on account of their fine Caps and Tura
bants, ſhining with Gold. To appeaſe his Excellency's Choler, I told
him, my Meaning, however I might have miſplaced my Words, was
only to inquire of him, if he was deſcended, maternally, from the Abbaf-
fides: Which was doing him as great an Honour as he, tho' not deſign-
elly, had before done to the Fellow, by ſaying he came from ſo noble a
Stock as the Ommiades: Yet all I could alledge would ſcarce prevail with
him to believe, but that I had made a wilful Miſtake, while I was
cndeavouring to perſuade him, that, at the very Worſt, it was but a
Blunder.
To return. Referring my inquiſitive Reader to the above-mentioned
Authors, for farther Particulars concerning the remarkable Dynaſty of
thc Morabboths, which was in its utmoſt Glory, A. H. 462. A. D. 1069.
I ſhall only remark of them another Inſtance, or two, which induces me
to fancy the Bulk of their firſt and moſt favoured Followers, to have been
rather Moors, or natural Africans, than Arabs, whatever Pretenſions their
Founder might have made to a Deſcent from Ali. Tho' ſome intimate,
that Youfouf aben Tellifin expelled the Family of the Zeiriat, who, as I
obſerved, were Sinhajians, it is certain, that they were ſo far from being
expelled by cither him, his Son, or Grandſon, that thoſe Princes inoſt
strenuouſly protected them, tho' having rendered themſelves ſo abſolute
in the whole Country, it was very much in the Power of at leaſt Youfouf,
to have ruined them: This Prince is reported, with that Deſign, to have
attacked their Territory, with a huge Army, in his Way to the Eaſtern
Provinces, in order to drive the Arabs from Cairouan, who there tyran-
nized), and had deſtroyed the whole Country: But finding thoſe Mouriſia
Princes ſubmiſſive, he eſtabliſhed them in their Sovereignty of thoſe Coats
and Mountains, promiſing them his utmoſt Protection. Another Reaſon
for my ſurmiſing this Dynaſty of Zealots to have been merely Mooriſh, is
theis
1
1
!
The HISTORY of BARBARY Epitomiz'd. I 83
their Inveteracy to the Arabs, never reſting till the Generality of them
were forced to the Defarts; as I learn from ſeveral Places in D'Herbelot's
Bibliotheque Orientale, where the Authorities of the moſt authentick Muf-
ſulman Hiſtorians are produced.
The next Dynaſty was that of the Almohades, as the Spaniards call them :
The true Name is Al Mokhedoun. This Family, tho' actually Mooriſh, of
the Tribe of e Mufamouda (called, likewiſe, Moſamedoun) with the very
ſame View and Pretence of a fanctified Origin, as not only their imme-
diate Predeceflors but ſeveral others had done, would needs affirm themſelves
the direct Offspring of Ali and his Wife Fathima, Daughter to their Grand
Prophet Mahomet. The Spaniſh Writers ſay ſo much of theſe Princes, that
I ſhall be very brief in my Narrative, juſt taking Notice of their Riſe, and
ſome few Particulars on theſe Subjects, by them not mentioned. Their
Founder was one Abdalmoumen aben Tomrut. His firſt Appearance was among
his own Tribe, near the Atlas in the Weſt, in the Reign of Ali the Son of
Youfouf, the Conqueror of Spain and Africa. Being an aſpiring Genius,
he travelled into Arabia, in his younger Days, and there cloſely applied
himſelf to the Study of the Mahometan Law, and all the Sciences of the
Arabians. At his Return, he ſet himſelf to teach a new Sort of more
refined Doctrine, and had many Diſciples. But the Perſon with whom
he contracted the ſtricteſt Friendthip was a learned African Doctor, who
expreſſed great Admiration of our Traveller's profound Erudition, and
would needs put it into his Head, that he muſt, unavoidably, be no o-
ther than the real, and long-wilhcd-for Al-Mebebi, or Director, as I have
obſerved the Founder of the Fathimites pretended to have been. This
agreeably flattered Abdalmoumen's Ambition; and whether he really ima-
gined himſelf ſuch, or not,certain it is that lie ſpared no Pains, nor omitted
any Artificc to palm upon the African World, that he was that very in-
dividual twelfth and laſt Imazni, concerning whom the Partiſans of Ali,
eſpecially the Perſians, and all other Sheites, have whimſical and fabulous
Traditions. On this Head I fhall expatiate.
The Arabick Word Imaum has properly the ſame Signification as the
Latin Word Antiſtes, one who precedes, or goes before : But the Mabo-
metans adapt it, peculiarly, to thoſe wbo precede their Affemblics at the
Moſques. The Word Moſque is, by us, corrupted from Miſkite, as the
"Vide P. 6.
Aiaia
...
11
184
1
The HISTORY OF BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
Arabs, from Ecclefia, have formed Kinniſia, as they call all Chriſtian
Churches: This Hint, en paſſant. When a Muſulman ſays, abſolutely,
Al Imaun Al Miſilmin, he always ſpeaks of Mahomet's true and legitimate
Succeffor, who in his own Perſon poſſeſſes the Source of the one and the
olher Juriſdiction; becauſe in him reſides the intire Authority, as well
in Affairs Temporal and Civil, as in Matters Religious and Spiritual. This
induces the Mahometans to maintain, that their Legiſlator built upon the
Model of Moſes, and not upon that of the Meſſiah, who always declared,
that his Kingdom was not of this world. All the Khalifas aſſumed this
abſolute Title of Imaum. However, Mabomei's Diſciples have very great
Conteſts upon this Subject, too tedious to enumerate. But as for the
Sbeites in general, the moſt conſiderable of which Seet arc the Perſians,
tho' they are not unanimous in ſeveral Points about the Succeſſion of theſe
Imaums, yet they agree in preſerving that Succeſſion in the Family of Ali,
preferable to any other whatever, they obſtinately inſiſting upon his be-
ing the firſt and rightful Imaum, thereby excluding his three Predeceſſors
Abou-Becra, Omar and Othoman. . Not to make any Mention of the
furious Debates theſe diffenting Opinions ſtill produce, even among the
Partiſans of Ali, I ſhall ſet down the Names of the twelve Imaums al-
lowed and accepted by the Majority of thoſe Sheites, in Oppoſition to
the four other great Sects, the Malikites, Shefites, Hambelites and Hani-
ſites, who agree in all the chief Points of their Creed, and hold each o-
ther for Orthodox. 1. Ali. 2. and 3. His two eldeſt Sons, ſucceſſively,
named Haſan and Houſain. 4. Ali, ſurnamed Zin-al-abadín, eldeſt Son
of Houſain. 5. His Son, named Mohammad Bakir. 6. Giafer Sadik, his
Son. 7. His Son, Mouſa Al Kiadhem. 8. Ali Ridha, his Son. 9. His
Son, Abou Giafer Mohammad, ſurnamed Al Giouad. 10. Ali Aſkeri, his
Son, ſurnamed Al Zek. 11. His Son, Haſan Aſkeri. 12, and laſt. His
Son, named after the Prophet Aboucaſſem Mohammad, ſurnamed Al
Mehedi.
The Lives of all thoſe Imaums are written at large, by one Aben al
Sabbagh, or the Son of the Dyer: But it is of this laſt that ſo many
ſtrange Fables are reported, the Heads whereof are as follow. He was
eldeſt Son to the eleventh Imaum, and conſequently his rightful Succeſſor.
Being born at Sermentai, A. H. 255. A. D. 869, the contrary Faction
prevailing Itrongly, when the young Imarm was in his ninth Year, his
Mother, to preſerve her beloved Son, and the Darling of all the Faithful,
(this
The History of BARBARY Epitomiz'd. 185
11
(this is as the Perſians, &c. tell the Story) removed him to a certain Sub-
terraneous Cave, or Ciſtern, known to no Mortal but herſelf, where ſhe
moſt carefully preſerves him, even to this Day, till the appointed Time
ſhall arrive, for him to make his Appearance, in Company with Jeſus
Chriſt, and the Prophet Elias, to combat and deſtroy Dagjial, or Anti-
chriſt, with all his impious Abettors, and to reduce Chriflianity and Muf
ſulmaniſm to one and the ſame Religion and Belief. Much more is ſaid
of this wonderful Perſonage by his impatient Expecters: And as for the
Notions all the Muſulmans have of the Antichriſt, of whom the good Pro-
phets are to make ſo terrible an Example, are really incrry. In Chaldea
is a Place, which the Arabs call Ahwaz, where ſtands an ancient Caſtle,
named Hes'n Mebedi, near which all the Waters thereabout uniting form
a Lake, which diſgorges itſelf into the Sea, at ſome Diſtance. That is
the Spot, they affirm, where Al Mehedi, when he comes to execute his
allotted Functions, is, infallibly, to make his firſt perſonal Appearance.
Among a ſtrange Heap of moſt unaccountable Fables, ſome of the moſt
ignorant, and conſequently bigotted Muſulmans, with grave Countenances
and reſpectable Beards, are very apt to tell ſuch as they deem under a Ne-
ceſſity of their Inſtructions, concerning the future Affairs of the World,
at that mighty and ſtupendous Revolution, which is to be the Conſe.
quence of the dreaded Approach of their imaginary Anti-Mahometan An-
tichriſt, whom they, alſo, call Al Malib al Dagjial, that is the Falſe
Meffiah; among many other odd Stories, I ſay, they tell us of that won-
derful Impoſtor, that rebcllious Infidel, that ſacrilegious Tyrant, that im-
pious Enemy to God, the Angels, the Saints, and Prophets, nay to all
Goodneſs, that Devil Incarnate, that what not! one Particular I muſt
necds take Notice of (tho’ it will ſcarce bear relating) merely becauſe I
have heard it, perhaps, from more than a hundred reverend Teachers, and
yet never met with the Icaſt Mention of any thing like it, in all the
Multitude of Authors I have rummaged: Nay, another main Reaſon for
my mentioning it, is, that, thereby, one who is not over-ſtocked with
Credulity, would be almoſt induced to call in Queſtion the Vcracity of
our celebrated Country-man, that renowned Traveller, Captain Guillzącr,
and to fancy he from thence took the Hint of his Lilliputians.
But before-hand, you muſt take along with you, gentle and curious
Reader, that the Muſulmans, I believe, in general are mighty Sticklers
for the enormous Size and Stature of our primitive Fore-Fathers; being
Bb
immutably
1
186
The HISTORY of BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
immutably prepoſſeſſed, that as the Earth approaches its Diſolution, its
Sons and Daughters gradually decreaſe in thcir Dimenſions. As for Dagjial,
they fay, he will find the Race of Mankind dwindled into ſuch diminutive
Pigmies, that their Habitations in Cities, and all the beſt Towns, will be
of no other Fabrick than the Shoes and Slippers made in theſe preſent
Ages, placed in Rank and Filc, in ſeemly and regular Order; allowing
one Pair for two round Families : Tho', indeed, they ſeem to intimate,
that they mean not Cities, &c. after the Manner of real Cities, but after
the Naturc of Tents, ſuch as the Scenites inhabit : And yet ſo ſuperlatively
vicious are theſe Pigmy Vermin to grow, fo-infamouſly wicked, fo dege-
nerate from all Senſe of Piety and Religion, nay ſo devoid of even Huma-
nity it ſelf, and withal ſo formidable, that the few remaining Faithful will
ſtand in need of Leaders of no lower a Claſs to head them, in order to
quell the Infidels, and reform the World, than thoſe Firſt-Rate Prophets
(as they terin them) f Aifa, Khedher and Al Mebedi. It is only the groſſer
Mahometans who talk at this Rate, and confound this Khedber with the
Prophet Elias; whom, however, they all affirm to be ſtill living: But,
were I to enter into their Chaos of Notions, I ſhould not only run quite
away from my Subject, but, likewiſe, not be able caſily to extricate my
ſelf from ſo pathleſs, as well as fo endleſs a Labyrinth.
I ſhall, therefore, juſt give one Specimen of their way of talking up-
on this copious Theme, and no more; I being poſitively determined to
be very ſparing of my Diſcourſe, concerning the People of Barbary, on
every Topick wherein nothing is to be ſtarted which they have not in
common with all other Mahometans : And therefore, as to their Religion,
in particular, I ſhall ſay little or nothing at all; that being a Subject which
has already blunted the Pens of a whole Army of Travellers, many of
them more inquiſitive and curious in thoſc Affairs than my ſelf. But in
regard to the Argument in Queſtion, take the following Fragment of an
elaborate Lecture, as near as I can remember, delivered in my hearing, on
the side of a Mountain, and in the open Air, by a wandering Derwiſh,
a deyo t Moor, with Tcars in his Eyes, to his gaping Audience, to their
unſpeakable Satisfaction, and no ſmall Edification.
“ Alas! my Children! ſaid he, after a deal of Preaching: You ſay you
« are True Believers : But your Works beſpeak you the Diſciples of the
? So they call Jefus Cbrift and Elias.
66 accurſed
The HISTORY of B A R BARÝ Epitomiz'd. 187
+
66 accurſed Dagjial! Pray, Sidi, (faid aloud a ſerious-looking Fellow,
thirſting after Knowledge) “ tell us, a little, who this Dagjial is; let us
“ know his Story; for tho' here was a certain 8 Marabboth once; who
« made a long Preamble to us about him, yet mỹ Uncle Bou-Dhiaf af-
« aſſures us, he has heard it related in quite different Terms; tho' he
" had more Manners, and Reſpect to the Saint, than to ſay any ſuch
C6 Thing till after he was gone away." Ay, my Son, replied the good
Derwijl, “ I will inform you, with all my Heart: Liſten attentively.
“ He is juſt what his vile Name beſpeaks him; a Lyar, an Impoſtor;
" has but one Eye and Eyebrow. In all this he exactly anſwers his Namc. .
“ Towards the Approach of the Day of Judgment, (when that is to be
66 God alone knowcth,) the Traytor is to appear, riding on an Aſs, in
" Imitation of the Immaculate " Sidina Aiſa, Rob Allah, (Adorations and
“ Salutations be offered unto hiin,) who, in Token of Meekneſs and Hu-
“ mility, ever rode on one of thoſe Animals, which very Creature is now
“ feeding in the delightful Paſtures of Paradiſe, waiting for his Lord's
“ ſecond Appearance upon Earth. This ſanctified Prophet of the Moſt-
“ High, that Rebel, that Servant of Satan, will, moſt audaciouſly, pre-
ſume to perſonace; and will ſo delude the Sons of Adani, by his perni-
66 cious and deceitful Infinuations, that his Followers will be more nume-
rous than tlie Sands of the Ocean, or than 836. &c. But; alas, my
,
" dear Brethren! How wilfully blind and infatuated' muſt thoſe miſera-
« ble and hardened Wretches be, not to diſtinguiſh Truth from Error,
“ Light from Darkneſs, Beauty from Deformity! Would any, who had
“ the Uſe of his Eyes and Faculties, miſtake the beautiful Aifa for that
« deformed Monſter Dagjial, created after the deteſted Image of the
very
Devil himſelf? And all that only becauſe, like that beatified Pro-
phet, he is to ride on an Aſs! But that accurſed Aſs will burn, cter-
“ nally, in the Flames of Hell, as well as his perfidious Rider. I hope
- there is none here preſent, but would diſtinguiſh which was the right.
" The World, indeed, is even now, (ſorry I am that I have ſo much
“ Cauſe to ſay it) but too vicious and perverſe : But; alas! we are Angels,
“ in Compariſon to the execrable Mortals of thoie direful Days: And
yet,
" it is amazing to comprehend with what Polibility thoſe little, creeping,
CC
N
Onr Lord Aisa or Jesus) the Soui or Spirit of God; ſo they
A pretended Saint.
have it.
Bb2
66 dimi-
1 88
The HISTORY OF BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
+
" diminutive Inſects can be capable of ſuch monſtrous and inconceivable
• Villanies, as our moſt Icarned Doctors aſſure us they are to commit.
“Ay, Sidi; (interrupted the ſerious Moor, who had requeſted this Lec-
ture) “the Saint I ſpoke of told us, that when Dagjial came, he would
“ find the People not much bigger than Rats.” “Rats! returned the Lcc-
turer, with great Emotion; “ What could the poor ignorant Soul mcan
" by Rats? Do you behold this Shoe of mine?” With that he haftily.
plucked off one of his cobbled Pumps, and expoſing it to View, went on
thus: “ This Shoc, in thoſe Times, would ſerve to the very fame Pur-
poſe as now does yon · Khaima : (pointing to the Sheikh's Tent, which
" was very large) Pray how many Perſons has your Sheikh in Family?"
“ About fourtcen, Sidi, including Children; replied another Moor.” “Well!
continued the Derwijl: “And would this Shoe contain fourteen Rats,
" and all Furniture proportionable? Yet, I tell you, nothing is more trucs
" than that this very Shoe of mine will beg individually, the fame, in Pro-
“ portion, in the Days of that Traytor Dagjial, as that Tent is now."
A Moor, whoſe Pumps werc in very bad Order at the Sides, with ſome
Diſcontinuations in the Upper-Leathers, pleaſantly ſaid, “ My Grand-
« children cannot, very conveniently, dwell in theſe fame Tents, upon my
" Feet, without great Repairs : And how the poor Girls will do, to darn
up theſe Holes, I know not. "This, and other ſuch Jokes, ſet moſt of the
Aſſembly a ſniggering: The graver Sort looked mighty ſerious and dif-
pleaſed at it: The Derwiſh frowned, and deſired that their Mirth might
ceaſc; he thinking it very unſeaſonable.
Tho, were it worth while, I could relate ſome hundreds of ſuch Ĝlly
Tales, yet this ſhall ſerve for a Taſte; it being certain, that the Muſul-
mans have no manner of Reaſon to yield one Inch of Prerogative to thoſe
of any Perſuaſion whatever, in Point of a voluminous Legend; in which
Reſpect I dare venture to ſay, that they can vie with cven the Vatican
itſelf. But I had like to have left out the very merrieſt Paſſage in the
whole Story. Almoſt at the latter End of the Diſcourſe, three or four
of the Turkiſh Spahis, who were gathering in the Tribute from thoſe
Moors, came from the Tents, to ſee why the People were all crouding.
there, and with them a Jerbin Merchant, who was going to Coſtantina.
The Natives of the Inand Jerba, belonging to Tunis, are all Sheites, of
the Sect of the Perſians, and conſequently, by the Sunnites, or Orthodox
i So their Black Tents are called, as ſhall be farther explained.
3
Muſulmans,
A
19
The HISTORY of BARBARY Epitomiz'd:. 189
Muſulmans, deemed moſt incorrigible Hereticks. To paſs away their idle
Time, they ſat down among the reſt, Room being made for them to come
near the Expoſitor, who was holding-forth ſo. Icarnedly. The Jerbin,
who had looked fleeringly all the Time, but ſpake not a Word, at laſt
brake Silence in theſe Terms : “ Would it not be a meritorious Deed, and
“ whereby.we ſhould draw down upon our Heads the Prayers and Bene-
“ dictions of our Poſterity, if we ſaved them the Labour of making
• Tents, by carrying, or ſending all our old Shoes, to be laid up for them,
“ in the Temple at Mecca, before they are too much worn? We can do
“ no leſs than leave them ſo ſmall a Legacy. I chuſe Mecca for the Re-
“ pofitary, before any other Place, becauſe that moſt holy City is endowed .
« with ſo peculiar an Efficacy to preſerve Things uncorrupted for many
« Ages; witneſs our Grandfire Adam's own Shoes, which, as we all know,
are therc to be ſeen, as freſh as when they came out of the Workman's
" Hands." “ You talk like a Kharji (or Heretick) as you are, retorted the.
cholerick Derwiſ, with Fire in his Eyes. “ None but ſuch as you would
“ cver be for promoting the Intereſt, or conſulting the Eaſe and Conve-
“ niency of the worſt of Infidels, ſuch as will be the Followers of the
« deteſtable Dagjial! If I could have my Will, you ſhould be ſtoned to
“ Death upon the Spot.” “Ay but, Bobba Derwiſh, ſaid one of the Turks
ſmiling, “ be not ſo angry, without knowing what. Cauſe you may have
“ for being ſo: The Gentleman, to be ſure, intends this good Office
" only for our Believing Children, who are to ſtand firm about Mecca
« and Medina, to defend thoſe facred Manſions from the Inſults of the
" Unfaithful: For them, indeed, our half-worn Shoes.would do extremely
" well; and we really ought to take this Propoſition into Conſideration,
" ſince we know not what Occaſion they may have for them; and bem.
« Gides, upon a March, a ſingle Cow will ſerve very well to carry the
". Tents and Baggage of a whole Dorvar (or itinerant Village) of thoſe
« littlc Muſulmans.” This fage Diſcourſe of the Spahi ſomewhat appeaſed
the zealous Der wiſh (who ſeemed not to ſurmiſe, that the Turk was ban-..
tering him, as he really was) and the Concluſion of all was his faying,
very ſeriouſly; “ You cannot, Sir, bc in Earneſt, when you talk of a
" Cow's carrying ſo many Peoples Luggage : Lack-a-Day, Sir, cvery
" thing will be dwindled away to juſt nothing; the very Horſes will ,
« be mere Weaſels, niere Weaſels, I aſſure you; and the largeſt Camel
« will be abundantly leſs than one of our ſmallett Hedge-Hogs."
The
i
ting
190
The HISTORY of BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
1
Tho' this Turk was in Jeft, yet I have often heard ſome of their grave
Seniors diſcourſe to the ſame Purpoſe, and very much in Earneſt, to my no
(mall Surprize; becauſe, generally ſpeaking, they are not ſo very ſuper-
ſtitiouſly credulous. Concerning the poor Aſs, that is to undergo fach
a fovere Puniſhment, in the next World, much Mention is made. They
ſay, Proverbially, “The hungry Hound, when he finds a Bonc, examines
es not, whether it belongs to Dagjial's Afs, or Saleh's Camcl.” Of this
Prophct Saleh, Son of Arphaxad and Father of Heber, goes a long and
moſt romantick Story, of his preaching to the People of Tbemud, and other
Unbelievers, and in order to convince them by Miracle) of his cauſing a
beautiful She-Camel to iſſue out of a ſolid Rock, which miraculous Crea-
ture thoſe Wretches impiouſly flew; whereupon the Arch-Angel Gabriel,
or Jibrael, aſſuming a prodigious Form, deſcended, and pronounced Con-
demnation upon them all, with ſo hideous a Voice, that with the ftupen-
dous Out-cry he made, their Cities, &c. all fell down about their Ears,
and the Infidels were cvery one buried in the Ruins. Thus, the Camel
is mentioned with as much Veneration as the Aſs is with Dereſtation.
Many I have heard ſay, they were ſo hungry they could eat a Piece of
Dagjial's Afs: But enough of this Legendary Nonſenſe.
We are told, indeed, of an old Pair of Slippers, exhibited at Mecca, as
a moſt rare and ſacred Relict; but the Pilgrims ſeem to diſagree very much
in their Accounts of the real, original Proprietor thereof. Some ſay they
belonged to Adam, others to Abraham and his Son Iſhmael, and again
others will not allow them cver to have been upon the Fect of any,
but
of the Prophet himſelf; whereas ſome, reſolving, if poſſible, to be in the
right, will needs have them to have been worn, ſucceſſively, by almoſt
all the Prophets and Patriarchs, and to have fitted every one of them as
exactly, as if made on Purpoſe. But I would not much care to be the
Perſon who ſhould affert ſuch a Matter, in the Preſence of the Derwiſh
I have been ſpeaking of; cſpecially if he had his Congregation about him:
For nothing of leſs Dimenſion than the Hull of a Venetian Galleaſs, or
that of one of our largeſt Hulks, would, by his Calculation, havc fitted the
Foot of our Fore-Father Adam, or the other primitive Patriarchs, his
Succeſſors. What I have to ſay on this Head is, that the Mendicant
Pilgrims carry about with them ill-contrived Draughts of the Sacred
Things and Places, at and about Mecca and Medina, among which they
have ſomething, clumſily drawn and painted, to repreſent a Pair of Shoes,
or
The History of BARBARY Epitomiz'd. I91
or Slippers: But all vary, as I ſaid, in the Account they give of the true
Owner. All this, filly and ridiculous as it is, need not ſhock a Reader ;
ſince we may daily meet with enough, not a Jot leſs filly, fulſome and
ridiculous, among the politeſt, wiſelt and brighteſt Nations, much ncarer
Home, in fome Meaſure to extenuate our Wonder at finding People fo
fuoliſhly ſuperſtitious and credulous in Aſia and Africa.
As to their idle Notions concerning Gyants, in the preceding Ages, I
always lent them the fame Ear as I do to moſt of thoſe ſtrange and incre-
dible Relations, of the monſtrous Products of Nature, with which the
Works of ſo many of our ſerious European Writers abound. Among o-
ther Sights and Stories of that Nature, I have both ſeen and heard, there
are to be viewed, by any who go that Way, as well as my ſelf, two Ribs,
affirmed to be of Gyants; the one hanging over the Portico of the Co-
Sabba, or Cicadel, at Tunis, and the other in that of Coſtantina : The Size
of which, tho' they are not intire, good Part of them being wanting, I
ever looked upon to be too in moderate to have belonged to any terreſtrial
Animal, even to an Elephant. This I advance not by Way of diſputing
the Exiſtence of People of gygantick Bulk and Stature; we being aſſured
by Writ both facred and prophane, that there were, and ſtill are in the
World, People of a very uncommon Size and Dimenſion. Near and a-
mong old ruinous Places in Africa, I have met with ſeveral Fragments
of very large Stone Coffins, and which apparently were deſigned for
nothing elſe, it being plainly viſible that they were cloſed up with Covers
of Stone nently fitted to thoſe Receptacles. Two I ſaw of exquiſite
Workmanſhip, tho' without any Figures, one of them intire; but the
Cover was wanting; the other was in three Pieces. The Moors who ac-
companicd us, aſſerted, that, many Years (ince, as they had it by Tradi-
tion, the Rib I ſpoke of, at Coſtantina, was found in that whole Coffing
together with all the Bones appertaining to a human Body. But, in my
humble Opinion, that could not poſſibly be true; ſince that Cheſt, or
Coffin, is not full twelve Foot long, and in Breadth proportionable,
whereas, tho' I could not come at the ſaid Piece of Rib to meaſure it,
the Party who owned it (whether Man, Beaſt or Fiſh) muſt have required
a Place every Way abundantly more capacious. I cannot now recollect
where thoſe remarkable Pieces of Antiquity are; bit certain I am, it was
ſomewhere about the Neighbourhood of Auras, or Oreſs, that I ſaw them:
That famous Mountain I have mentioned Page 103, and ſhall ſay more
3.
of
1
1
when
A
ht
4
2
The History of BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
of it elſewhere. Now I am upon this Subject, the Graves, dug out of
folid Rocks, may deſerve a Place, many of which are to be met with in
ſeveral Parts of Barbary; tho' they feldom exceed the Size of common
Sepulchres. Particularly at the Bottom of the rocky Mountain on which
Coſtantina ſtands, on the Bank of the River, near where it runs in between
the two Mountains, are to be ſeen, I believe, eight or nine ſuch, dug in-
to the hard, blackiſh Rock, not above two Feet deep, with the Places
to receive their reſpective Covers very plain and intire. None of them
are, as near as I remember, above ſeven Feet in Length. The Rock
where they are is indifferently ſmooth and flat, not made ſo by Art. Near
them, on the Sides of other Rocks, likewiſe ſmooth, but ſeemingly made
fo, are the Remains of ſeveral Inſcriptions; but ſo defaced that they are
not legible, tho' the Characters plainly appear to have been Roman. I
could make no more of the whole than I could of ſome forry Remnants
of ſomething like an Apartment, howed out of a firm hard Rock, very near
the ſame Place, which I take to be all that is left of what Leo, Marmol,
and others from them, inform us, was a fine Houſe, the Roofs, Floors,
Pillars, &c. whereof were all, moſt artificially, faſhioned out of the very
Stone itſelf. Whatever it has been, the Moor's themſelves all
me in their Opinion of it, that it could never have been worth the fiftieth
Part of the Pains and Labour it muſt have coſt: Nor could I any where
mect with one who remembred to have heard of its ever being in a better
Condition than it now is, which is barely enough to give one an Idea,
that ſome Perſons, of uncommon Patience, had reſolved to hew themſelves
a Habitation, tho' an ungainly one, which ſhould laſt their whole Lives.
What is now left is only Part of two sides of the Rock which ſerved
for Walls, and a Bit of what was the Roof; what can have befallen the
reſt is not eaſily to be imagined. But we forget the new Director, Ab-
dalmoumen, who cauſed ſuch mighty Revolutions.
That pretended Al Mehedi, of whoſc Function I treated before I entered
upon theſe Digreſſions, did not preſently give himſelf out for ſuch, only
among fome few of his Diſciples. Before their Number becamc'very con-
ſiderable, he took a Journey to Morocco, accompanied by his chief Coun-
ſellor, and inſeparable Companion, the Doctor. There they began, pub-
lickly, to preach their new Doctrine, with wonderful Succeſs, being foi-
lowed by great Multitudes. Tho'the Innovations, in Points of Creed, &c.
they introduced were not very material, yet Mulei Ali aben loufouf, the
agree with
1
King
The HISTORY of BARBARY Epitomiz'd. 193
King, or Emperor of Barbary, began to be alarmed, and ordered his own
Doctors to aſſemble, and ſummon theſe Preachers to a Grand Synod. Ab-
dalmoumen, with his Second, uſed their Tongues ſo effectually, that the
relt were all dumfounded, and had nothing left to alledge in Contradic-
tion to thoſe whom they imagined to have confuted by mere Dint of ſolid
Argument. The King and his Wizir were preſent, and could not but
approve of what the two Doctors had advanced: Yet Mulei Ali thought
it not Prudence to encourage Innovations, and preſently baniſhed Abdal-
moumen his City and Dominions. Finding he could do nothing farther in
thoſe Parts, he withdrew into Libya, where he openly proclaimed him-
ſelf for the Mehedi, and gained innumerable Proſelytes. Nor was it long
before he had an Army ſufficient to maſter the whole Country, and to
ſend out of the World Ilhac, or Ifaac aben. Ali, whoſe Father had obliged
him to quit Morocco; which City he never durſt approach, till he entered
it as Conqueror. When Abdalmoumen had thus exterminated the Family
of the Morabboths, ſubjected the Princes their Allics, and ſettled himſelf
firmly upon the Imperial Throne of Africa, he paſſed over to Spain, where
he was no leſs Succeſsful than he had been in Barbary, by the utter Ruin
of his Rivals. He is ſaid to have uſed great Cruelty to all who oppoſed
him.
Authors diſagree about the Time of the Eſtabliſhment and Fall of this
Dynaſty. Novari the Hiſtorian gives it ſeventeen Princes, and ſays it laſted
from the Year 514, to 666, of the Hejira. But the Author of the Nighia-
riſtan allows it but thirteen Princes, which flouriſhed till A. D.
1267
when, according to him, their Family became cxtinct. The Order he
gives them is as follows. 1. Abdalmoumen: 34 Years. 2. His Son Mo-
hammad aben Abdalmoumen: Not many Days. 3. Youfouf aben Abdalmou-
nien, another Son of his: 30 Years. 4. His Son, Yacoub aben Yuufouf :
Is Years. This moſt triumphant Prince was ſurnamed Al Manför. 5,
and 6. Two Anonymous Princes : 4
Years.
7.
Abdalwahad aben Youfouf;
another Son of loufouf : 2 Months. 8. ?'ahia aben Mohammad, aben 1'a-
coub : Time of Reign not mentioned. .. Edris aben Yacoub: 10 Years.
10. Al Rafid aben Edris: 10 Years. II. Ali aben Edris: 6 Years.
Abou Hafeddh aben Ibrahim, aben Edris: 20 Years. 13, and laſt: His
Nephew Edris : 3 Years.
The Reaſon why that Author allows to this Dynaſty only thirteen
Princcs, whereas Nouari reckons four more, is becauſe theſe four laſt are
Сс
by
I 2.
1
4
1
+
194 The HISTORY OF BARBĀRY Epitoiniz'd.
by ſome counted among the Family of the Adaraſah, or Beni Edris, be-
ing a particular Dynaſty, a Branch of the former Houſe of the ſame Name,
and related to thoſe Princes above mentioned. This Family of Edris pre-
tend to be Shurfa, or Sherifs, fo they call ſuch as deſcended from the
Prophet Mahomet ;: by his Daughter Fatbima. The famous Aſtrologer
and Mathematician Sherif al Edriſi, who made that fine terreſtrial Globe
of Silver, for Roger II. King of Sicily, &c. was a Prince of this Family,
and fled thither for Sanctuary. '
The next great Dynaſty which appeared in the Tingitana, to the De-
ſtruction of this, and moſt of the petty Principalities in thoſe Quarters,
was the Merins, or Beni Merin, of the Tribe of Zeneta. But the Race
of the Almohades was not ſuddainly ruined, as was that of their Prede-
ceſſors; but had long and cruel Wars before their Enemies could carry
their Point, and may, indeed, be ſaid to have loſt their Ground Inch by
Inch. They, as well as the Dynaſty which preceded them, might juſtly
be called abſolute Monarchs of both Spain and Africa ; ever excepting
fome particular Mountains. The Almohades, more eſpecially, may be
counted fo; ſince they drove out the Zeirites, whom the others, as I ob-
ſerved, had protected, and ſuffered to maintain a Sovereignty at Bujeya,
&c. I ſhould have taken Noticc, that a Branch of that ſame Family, at
the ſame Time, ſettled at Tunis, and were indulged upon the like Condi-
tions with their Kinſmen the Zcirites, and underwent the fame Fate: But
of that Dynaſty of Kings of Tunis, fomething ſhall be ſaid particularly.
The Almohade Family Aouriſhed, in the utmoſt Splendor (as may be ſeen
the Spaniſh Chronicles) till it received that terrible Blow at the memo-
rable Battle, known in Hiſtory by the Name of Las Navas de Tolofa, where
Mariana, very gravely aſſures us, that upwards of 200000 Moors were cut
in Pieces, with the Loſs of only about twenty five Chriſtians: And I re-
member to have read, in the fame Author, of much ſuch another mira,
culous Victory the Spaniards gained over the Infidels; at both which he
ſcruples not to vouch, that the never-failing Champion, St. Jago, was
ſeen, mounted on a fine white Steed, laying about him moſt furiouſly.
Such Aſliſtance, indeed, may go a great Way towards winning a Battle.
But even Bleda himſelf, the moſt partial and moſt fiery Zcalot of them
all, and who was an indefatigable Stickler for the Expulſion of the Mon
riſcoes, from Spain (having made ſeveral Journies to Rome; to foliicit the
Concurrence of his Holineſs, and, notwithſtanding the many Repulſes he
mer
The HISTORY of BARBARY Epitomiz'd. 195
met with, would never deſiſt, till he carried his Point) ever allows the
Moors to have been too hard for the Spaniards, Man to Man; nay, hc
ſticks not to acknowledge, very little to the Credit and Reputation of
his Country-men, that in the laſt Wars of Granada, fixty Mooriſh Horſe
gallantly maintained a Paſs, ſomewhere about Malaga, againſt more than
2000 of the beſt Spanifia Cavalry, and made great Slaughter. Now, as I
am far from being unacquainted with the Genius and Partiality of the
Spaniards, and am no Stranger to the Moors, who, I am certain, no more
pare to ſtand ſtill, with Finger in Mouth, while their Enemies ſlice them
to Atoms, than any other People whatever, I am much more inclinable to
credit Bleda, as good a Spaniard, nay as zealous a Catholick as any of them,
who wrote of what happened ſo near his own Time, than I ever can be
to believe Father Mariana (otherwiſe reputed a good Hiſtorian) writing
of what was tranſacted ſome Ages before he was born. Were I at Leiſure,
and would give my ſelf the Trouble to examine the Spaniſh Chronicles,
which were written before his Time, (one by no leſs a Perſon than a King,
and others by moſt reverend Prelates) I doubt not but he had his Au-
thority from ſome of them : Nay, I am much miſtaken if I have not met
with thoſe very Paſſages, in other graye Authors of that Nation.
Notwithſtanding all I have already ſaid, concerning the ſeveral Dynaſ-
ties of African Princes, of which I have only mentioned ſuch as were moſt
conſiderable, without taking much Notice of the many independent Com-
munities, moſt of them very miſerable, which have, probably, been in all
Ages, and ſtill are in Being, tho' few of them worth ſpeaking of; having
little or nothing to value themſelves upon, but their adored Independency:
So that, when I ſay of any Prince, that he was King, or Emperor of Bar-
bary, &c. it muſt be underſtood, that I mean only of the level Country,
and ſome few of the leaſt rugged Mountains. I have good Reaſon to be-
lieve, that the late Tyrant Mulei Iſmael went far greater Lengths, towards
the total Reduction of all thoſe Parts of Africa, than any of his Prede-
ceſſors had ever been able to bring about, tho' ſome of them were excced-
ing powerful, and carried their Arms, triumphantly, to the utmoſt Bounds
of Barbary, South-Numidia, and even the remoteſt Libyan Deſarts; and
were, in a manner, abſolute Sovereigns in Spain, &c. yet had always
Meaſures to obſerve with the petty Sovereigns who ſurrounded them. In-
deed, the vigorous Mulei Rafbíd, his Brother and Predeceſſor, laid the
Foundation of that Abſoluteneſs ; but was cut off in the Height of his
Vigour, his Horſe running away with him, in fo violent a Manner, that he
Сс 2
daihed
។
196
The History of BARBARY Epitomiz'd:
daſhed out his Brains againſt a Tree. But this more vigorous, more ob-
ſtinate, more fortunate, and far more inhumane Sherif (tho' Raſhid had a
notable Portion of all the ſaid Qualities, as may be gathered from Mouette,
Bufnot, and others) who, without much Exaggeration, may be faid, during
his tedious and arbitrary Reign, to have deſtroyed Millions, is well known
to have beleagered Mountains, till then unconquered, and never ſuffered
his Armies to remove from thence, till either they have ſubmitted or pe-
riſhed, Man, Woman and Child: Nay, he brought Multitudes of ſturdy
Arabs and Africans, who uſed to be courted by the Kings of Morocco,
Fez, &c. to ſuch a Paſs, that it was as much as all their Lives were
worth to have any Weapon, in a whole Dowar, movcable Village, or ſmall
Community, than one Knife, and that without a Point, wherewith to
cut the Throat of any Sheep, or other Creature, when in Danger of dy-
ing, left it ſhould Fif, as they call it, that is die with the Blood in it,
which, according to the Mahometan and Jewiſla Laws, renders the Fleſh
of ſuch Animals Haram, q. d. abominable, and conſequently, not by any
Means lawful to be eaten: Infornuch, that very frequently, upon ſuch
Caſes of Exigence, they have been known to baul out amain, Where is
the Knife? For the Lord's Sake, make Hafte with it! Who has got the
Knife? Such are the Effects of a deſpotick Government. Yet, by thoſe
violent Methods, he made it very ſafe travelling throughout his Domi-
nions, which uſed to be quite otherwiſe. He has made terrible Examples
of ſeveral, only for inquiring of certain Women, whom he would, pur-
poſely, ſend out, alone, to paſs from one Part of the Country to another,
Whence they came? or Whither going?
But among the remarkable Dynaſties, I muſt not omit that of the Kings
of Tremizan, properly Tlemiſan, of which I have not, hitherto, made any
Mention, and which, if the African Chronicles, and from them Leo,
Marmol, and others, are to be depended on, is far more ancient than any
of the reſt, and which continued reigning almoſt to the Times of our
Grand-Fathers: And, becauſe what they advance agrees with what the
Moors have by Tradition, I chuſe to take the Words of Marmol, who,
generally ſpeaking, is a careful and exact Hiſtorian. The Account he
gives is to this Purport.
Several Princes, who were Foreigners, have, at different Times, go-
verned the Kingdom of Tremizan: But the natural and more ancient Pro-
prietors of that State, before the Time that the Romans poffefied them-
3
ſelves
+
The HISTORY of BARBARY Epitomiz'd. 197
ſelves of Mauritania Cæfarienfis (of which this Kingdom is a very conſi-
derable Part) were real Africans, of the Tribe of Zeneta, and of that
Branch of it called Magaroua, who were called Beni Abdalwahad. Theſe
were expelled by the Romans; but they remained not many Years diſpofs.
ſeſſed of their Dominions, for they ſubmitted to become their Tributaries..
In after Times the Goths made themſelves Maſters of ſome of thoſe Pro.
vinces, who, in Conjunction with the Tribe of the Zeneta, and this Ma-
garoua Family in particular, carried on long and bloody Wars againſt the
Romans, and Beni Abdalwahad were re-inſtated in the Kingdom of Tremia
zan, with a certain tributary Acknowledgment, which they, annually, paid.
to the Gothiſh Kings of Spain; and under thoſe Circumſtances they reigned
at the Time when the Mahometan Arabs entered Africa. And when, af-
terwards, they paſied over into Spain, and conquered it, all the Provinces
of Africa became ſubject to the Arabian, or Saracen Khalifas, and ſo re-
mained till ſuch Time as their Power began to decline, thro' the Schiſms
and Diſfentions which aroſe among themſelves, when the proud and haughty.
Africans, who had fled to the Deſarts of Libya, began to approach nearer
to their ancient Abodes: At which Juncture Beni Abdalwahad, who were
waiting for ſome Opportunity to recover their State, returned to the City
of Tremizan, where they met with a favourablc Reception, as Sovereigns,
and reigned upwards of 300 Years. After this aroſe the Dynaſty of the
Almoravides, (Al Morabetbah) and to them ſucceeded the Almohades (Al
.
Moabedoun) who conquered that Kingdom ; inſomuch, that Beni Abdalwa-
had were ſometimes in Exile, and at other times Tributaries to the Princes
of thoſe Families, till, in the Decline of the Almohades, one Gamarazan
(Kamar Halan) aben Zegan (a Prince of the ſame Family) ſeized on the
Kingdom of Tremizan, and ſo eſtabliſhed himſelf on that Throne, that he
was in a Condition to tranſmit it to his Poſterity; injoining them to re-
linquiſh the Title, or Appellation of Beni Abdalwahad, and that they
ſhould aſſume the Name of Beni Zeyan. (This Word Beni ſignifies the
Sons, or Children; thus Beni Zeyan, is the Sons of Zeyan, and ſo of all
others: This I here mention, once for all.] Theſe Princes had, after-
wards, great Wars with the Kings of Fez, of the Merin Family; and ac-
cording to the African Hiſtorians, three of theſe Merin Princes took Tre-
mizan by Force of Arms, and of the Zeyan Kings ſome loſt their Lives
in thoſc Encounters, ſome were carried Priſoners to Fez, and others fied
to thc Dcfirts, ſecking Refuge and Aliſtance among the South-Numidians
and
198
The History of BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
and Arabs, their Neighbours. They were, alſo, ſometimes diſpoffeffed
of their Territorics by the Kings of Tunis; but, notwithſtanding all theſe
Adverſities, the Zeyan Family was always reſtored to the Sovereignty of
Tremizan, and enjoyed the ſame more than 120 Years, without
any
In-
terruption, or Moleſtation, from foreign Princes, except from Abou-Ferez,
King of Tunis, and his Son Othoman ; during whoſe Lives and Reigns
Beni Zeyan yere their Tributaries. Laſtly, when Arouj Barba-roja (of
whom much more anon) poſſeſſed himſelf of Tremizan, they had reigned,
by Way of regular Succeſſion, 180 Years complete; tho' not with the
fame Splendor as formerly. True it is, that when the Power of the Beni
Merins began to decline, in Spain and in Africa, there were ſome of the
Kings of Tremizan who ſent their Troops to war upon the Chriſtians, and
inlarged their Dominions, upon divers Occaſions; and when Cardinal
Ximenez (1. D. 150g) had won the City of k Oran (properly Wabaran:
It ſtands in that Territory, as ſhall be obſerved) the then King, named
Abou-Hammou Abou- Abdallah, rendered himſelf Tributary to the King of
Spain, (Don Ferdinand the Catholick) in order that he might favour him
againſt the [rightful] Pretenſions of his Nephew Abou-Zeyan, whom he
kept Priſoner a conſiderable Time, till he was ſet at Liberty by the ſaid
Barba-roſa. Thus far Marmol: And he ſays nothing but what I have
often heard fro:n very intelligent Moors and Arabs, with many minute
Circumſtances. I ſhall treat ſomewhat largely of Tremizan, and the Par-
ticulars attending the Cataſtrophe of that ancient Family.
I ſhall next, and for the very fame Reaſons, have Recourſe to this Au-
thor, for an Account of another notable Dynaſty of Princes, which be-
came extinct preſently after, and by almoſt the ſame Means; I mean that
of the Kings of Tunis: But here I ſhall deviate from him in ſeveral Points,
without troubling my ſelf with taking Notice when and where I
diffent.
1 It has been remarked, that when Moez, &c. the Fathimite King of
Cairouan, &c., removed into Egypt, he left a Vice-Roy to ſupply his Ab-
fence, who rebelled, and who was killed by the Arabs, to whom the faid
Khalifa of Egypt had granted Permiſſion to paſs into Barbary. Two of
his Sons eſcaped the Fury of thoſe Barbarians, one of which took Sunc-
tuary in Tunis, the other in Bujeya, where they reigned for ſome Years,
* Oran was taken from the Spaniards, by the Algerines, A. D. 1708.
1 Vide P. 171.
under
1
The HISTORY OF BARBART Epitomiz'd. 199
under the Protection of the Monarchs of Africa, the Emperors of Morocco,
as their Tributary Allies; by Reaſon that Toulouf aben Tellifin, the fecond
Prince of the Morabboth Family, having intirely reduced to his Obedience
all the Weſtern Provinces (including many to the South) marched againſt
them, as has been obſerved; when finding them ſo humble, that they at-
tempted not to reſiſt him, he left them in Poffeffion of their reſpective
States, exacting from them only a moderate Acknowledgment; and while
that Family flouriſhed, thoſe Kingdoms remained to thoſe Beni Zeiri,
(called Zegris by the Spaniards) and their Heirs. Next ſucceeded the Fa-
mily of Al Moabedoun, or the Almohades; the fourth Prince of which Dy-
naſty, the mighty Mulei Yacoub al Manför, (his Grand-Father Abdalmou-
men having before taken from the Chriſtians the City Africa, which the
Moors call Al Mehedia, and whereof they had been long poſſeſſed) took
a Journey to the Kingdom of Tunis, and madc himſelf Maſter both of
that, and of the Kingdom of Bujeya : And all the while this Family
bore Rule thoſe Realms were wholly ſubject to the Emperors of Morocco.
But when the Almohades were in their Decline, after the Loſs of the great
Battle, in Spain, I ſpoke of, the Arabs, of the Kingdom of Tunis, had a
favourable Occaſion of poſſeſſing themſelves of all the level Country
thereabouts, and frequently beſieged the Governors, ſent to Tunis by the
Emperors of Morocco, and drove the laſt of them to ſuch Straits, that he
was forced to follicit for Succour. A valiant Captain, named Abdalhedi,
was ſent to that Intent, with twenty ſtout Ships of War, and a conſide-
rable Number of Forces, who ſet out from Carthagena, in Spain. This
Commander is recorded to have been a Native of Sevil, or Sevilla, called
by the Muſulmans of moſt Nations Abibilia, as, likewiſe, Medinat Hemz,
or Flems. (Medina is City, and Hems a Man's Name.) He was, origi-
'nally, of the ancient African Tribc of m Mufamouda, or Al Molſamedoun,
of that Branch of them called Henteta, and was the real Founder of this
Dynaſty of Kings of Tunis, ftill much talked of, under the Appellation
of Beni-Hafs, or Al Hafafa. At his Arrival there, notwithſtanding he
found the Arabs had half ruined the City, he managed Matters with ſuch
Prudence, that he brought them to liſten to Terms of Accommodation,
making them a Grant of Part of the Revenue of the whole Srate, upon
Condition that they ſhould not moleft the Citics and Towns; which
Tide P. 6.
3
Agrec-
200
The HISTORY of BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
Agreement is actually * ſtill in Force between the Arabs of thofe Quar-
cers and the Sovereigns of Tunis: And certain it is, that in no Part of all
Barbary the Arabs bear ſo great a Sway, at preſent, as they do in the
Kingdom of Tunis. Indeed, they bully the South-Numidian and ſome of
the Libyan Princes, whoſe Habitations are fixed : But that is not Barbary,
of which I now ſpeak. Of all this more, perhaps, may be advanced, on
a properer Occaſion.
Abdalhedi governed with Wiſdom and Caution, punctually obſerving
his Agreement with the Arabs, and never deviating from his Fidelity to
his Prince; and when he died, left the Government to his Son Abou-Suk-
bari, which Name is commonly corrupted to Zachary. This Zachary,
then, who wanted nothing of his Father's Courage and Prudence, had a
fair Opportunity, by Reaſon of the furious War which was carrying on
between the Almohade and Merin Families, to enjoy that State, left him
in Charge by his Father, as an independent Prince; and, in order the better
to maintain that Character and Dignity, he built the Citadel of Tunis,
now to be ſeen, in good Repair, at the Weſtern and moſt elevated Part
of that City, and the preſent Reſidence of the Aga of the Turkiſh Militia,
with a ſtout Garriſon. His Arms were attended with Victory in all the
Oriental Parts of Barbary, higher up than Tripoly; from whence returning
thro' the Numidian and Libyan Defarts, he forced Tribute from all thoſe
Places, even to the Borders of Negroland; and, when he died, left an im-
menſe Treaſure to his Son Abou-Ferez, whom I lately mentioned: Which
Prince, finding his Riches anſwerable to his Ambition, aſpired to no leſs
than the Monarchy of all Africa; which he imagined not very difficult to
compaſs, ſince the other Potentates were all involved in dangerous and
deſtructive Wars. The Beni Merins had ſeized the Kingdom of Fez ; the
Beni-Zeyans that of Tremizan ; while the Almohades were confined to
that of Morocco alonc; and even that they could ſcarce maintain; the other
Princes uſing their utmoſt Efforts to diſpoſſeſs them. Theſe turbulent
Times opened a Paſſage for Abou-Ferez to attempt and accompliſh great
Things: And he had no ſooner made all ſecure in the Eaſt, but he ſer
out, at the Head of a formidable Army, and attacked the Kingdom of
Tremizan, which he foon reduced to his Obedience; aid was preparing
to advance towards the King of Fcz ; which Prince was then beleager-
n Vide P. 108.
ing
Thé HISTÓRY of BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
201
ing Morocco; and, to prevent the Approach of that victorious Army, ſent
a moſt ſplendid Embaſſy, with rich Preſents, to the triumphant Abou-
Ferez, acknowledging him his Superior, and requeſting his Friendſhip
and Alliance; which he obtained. Abou-Ferez returned to Tunis, loaded
with Wealth and Renown, where he aſſumed the proud Epithet of Sultan,
or Monarch of Tunis and all Barbary, to which he had ſome sort of Titleg
being the moſt powerful of all the African Potentates, having near all the
Arabis at his Devotion, and was wiſc enough to keep them ſo, by paying
them well, and with Punctuality. His Court was regulated, with all
imaginable Splendor and Magnificence, after the Model of the former
ſtately Emperors of Morocco, when in their Glory. He was ſucceeded by
his Son Othoman, who followed his Father's Footſteps, and inlarged his Dc-
minions, very conſiderably. But after his Deceaſe, the Kings of Fez, of the
Merin Family, grew ſo powerful, that all the Potentates of Africa paid
them Obedience, and their Empire extended even to the Altars of the Phi-
læniy in the urmoſt Eaſtern Boundary of Barbary, land Southward to the
very Banks of the Niger ; and they had long and ſucceſsful Wars with all
the contemporary Dynaſties of Princcs, particularly with the Succeſſors
of Othonian, the abovementioned King of Tunis : And, according to the
African Hiſtorians, one of theſe Merin Kings of Fez, named Abou-Hafax,
held the City of Tunis long beſieged, and the King thereof left the Country
to his Diſcretion, and fled to the Arabs in the Dcfart, from whence ſoon
returning, with a great Body of Forces, he fought and routed the Enemy,
who retired in a very tattered Condition; whereupon the City of Tripoly
revolted, and continued five Years in Rebellion. Then came the ſucceec-
ing King of Fez, whoſe Name was Abou-Henoun, to attack thoſe Eaſtern
Realms; with whom Moulei Abou'l Abbas, King of Timnis, had a bloody
Encounter, in which he was defeated, and got away to the City of Caj:
tantina, whither the King of Fez purſued, and Itraitly beſieged him;
where being forced to ſurrender, he was carried Priſoner to Foz, and from
thence removed to the Caſtle of Sibta, or Centii.
N. B. To all the Names of theſe Princes Mulei, or Moulei fhould be
pro-
fixed, which Word has a very extenſive Signification, the Pcrfon uſing it ac-
knowledging himſelf, in a manner, the Slave and very Creature of him on
whom he beſtows that pompous Title; it implying no leſs than Abſoluto
1
o Vide P. 29, 3;
Dd
LOK?
The History of BARBARY Epitomiz’d.
Lord, Owner, or Proprietor. As there is not now any very conſiderable
African Monarchy, on this Side the Niger, where the Government is, ab-
folutely, Arabian or Mooriſh, except that of the Tingitana, or the Empire
of Morocco, Fez, &c. that Title is in Uſe only there: For in the States
of Algiers, Tunis and Tripoly, where the Turks are Maſters, that Word is
utterly diſuſed : But I ought not to have ſaid, that the Turks are now
Maſters at Tunis; it being quite otherwiſe, as I may farther obſerve.
Much about the Time I was ſpeaking of, the City of Tripoly was at.
tacked and carried, by a Fleet of twenty Genoeſe Men of War, and twelve
Gallies, who took Captives all the Inhabitants : Of which when the King
of Fez had Intelligence, he ſent to compound with the Genoeſe Admiral,
who, for soooo Ducats, agreed to releaſe them all, and to quit the City,
Half of that Money was, afterwards, found to be falſe. Moulei Abou-sa-
lem, ſucceeding in the Throne of Fez, contracted certain Inter-marriages
with the Captive King of Tunis, viz. Moulei Abou'l Abbas, and reſtored
him to his Dominions; which were peaceably enjoyed by him and his
Succeſſors, till the Time of one of them, named Moulei Abou- Ambaric, Son
to Othoman II. who was treacherouſly aflaflinated in the Citadel at Tripoly,
together with one of his Sons, by the Order and Contrivance of his Ne-
phew Tahiba, who had uſurped the Throne of Tunis. This Yahiba was,
afterwards, flain in an Engagement againſt a Kinſman of his, Grandſon to
the faid Moulei Othoman, who ſeized the Kingdom, and held it till carried
off by a Fit of Sickneſs: His Name was Abdalmoumen. To him ſucceeded
Abou Sukhari, Son to Yahiba, commonly called Zachary II. He died of
the Plague. His Succeſſor was a Tyrant, and for his inſufferable Irregu-
larities was ſoon depoſed. To him ſucceeded Moulei Mahammed, Father
to that Moulei Haſſan, King of Tunis, whom the Emperor Charles V.
reſtored to his Kingdom, having been diſpoſſeſſed by Barba-roja, as I ſhall
farther obſerve. This Moulei Haſan, ſays Marmol, affirmed, that, in the
Space of 450 Years, there had reigned in Tunis thirty five Kings of that
Family, whoſe Origin, in a direct Line, came from Melchior, one of the
three Magi Kings; and bore for Arms, on their Shields, a Lance with a
iwo-edged Sword, Point upwards, on each side, over which were three
Half-Moons, over them à Diadem, and above that a Star. His Son Moulez
Mahammed, continues that Author, ſhewed us this Deviſe, at Palermo,
P Vide P. 29, 30.
engraven
The HISTORY OF BARBARY Epitomiz'd. 203
1
engraven on a Sabre. The Kings of Tunis were, for a long Time, Mal-
ters of Sicily; till that Iſland was taken from them by the Normans, who
in Proceſs of Years, viz. in the Reign of Roger Il. about A. D. 1145,
rendered thoſe Princes their Tributaries; tho that Subjection was of no
long Continuance. Likewiſe, in the Year 1270, the Kingdom of Tunis
was forced to a Dependency on the Kings of France, after Carthage had
been taken, and Tunis itſelf beſieged by Lewis IX. commonly called St.
Lewis, who died, at that Siege, of the Peſtilence, which had got into
his Army. However Charles King of Sicily, Brother to that Monarch,
arrived there very ſeaſonably, and obliged the then King of Tunis, named
Moulei Omar, to agree to pay an annual Tribute ; which continued ſome
Y cars. This ſhort Account of the Dynaſty of Beni Hafs, or the Hafala,
ſhall ſuffice: But more ſhall be ſaid of the modern Sovereigns of that State,
who aſſumed not the ſtately Name of Moulei, contenting themſelves with
that of Bey, a Title, throughout Turkey, even below that of Baſha, and
which belongs to every petty ſubordinate Governor, and to all Captains
of the Grand Signor's Gallies. Of this Family of the Hafafa, the Arabs
and Africans relate ſomething remarkable enough, if true; but I know not
what to ſay as to that Part of the Story: They affirm them all to have had
ſuch peculiar long Arms, that, ſtanding upright, the Tops of their Fingers
would reach their Knees; and nothing is more common than to hear this
averred by the People of Coſtantina, and all that Province, which was al-
ways a Part of their Territory, and belonged to Tunis, till within theſe
two laſt Centuries, that it was conquered by the Algerines. But I admire,
that if this particular was really Fact, why not onc Writer ever takes
the leaſt Notice of ſuch a Peculiarity.
While the Almohade Family could ſtand their Ground in Morocco, and
the Provinces appertaining properly to that once famous Capital, which
they did for ſeveral Ycars, after having loſt all the reſt of their mighty
Empire, the Beni Merins, their implacable Enemies, Kings of Fez, and the
Beni Zeyans, Kings of Tremizan, (both which, as I obſerved, were of the
fame Tribe of Zeneta, tho' of different Branches) thought it their Intercft
to keep up an Alliance, at leaſt not to fall out, the better to complete
the Ruin of the Almohades, and to prevent themſelves from being ruined
by the powerful Kings of Tunis ; for between thoſe four great Families
(not to take Notice of leſs conſiderable independent Communities) the
whole Region continued long divided. As for Spain, which the Almo-
bades
D d 2
20-4
The HISTORY OF DARBARY Epitomiz'd.
1
bades had long held, as it were, in an abſolute Subjection, during their
flourishing Condition, the Saracen’s vaſt. Acquiſitions there, inſtead of one
formidable Monarchy, foon became cight or nine fecble Statcs, yet with
Rugal Titics, crected by the ambitious Governors of the chief Provinces,
wlio made Advantage of the domeſtick Broils in Africa, and ſet up for
chemielves, which, by Degrees, furniſhed the Spaniards (who were them-
telves divided into ſeveral perty Kingdoms) with favourable Opportunities
of gaining Ground upon the Moors, and recovering their Country; which
they had little Proſpect of cver accompliſhing, had the Moors continued
unanimous, under one Head: But Diſunion and Ruin are inſeparable Com-
panions. However, the Kingdom of Granada flouriſhed, and made a no-
table Figure in the World, for two Centuries and a half, long after all
the relt had been ſwallowed up by the Kings of Caftile, Aragon, Portugal,
Navarre, &c. In Africa, the Kings of Tunis had, latterly, enough to do
to keep their turbulent Arabs in any tolerable Order: And the Merin Fa-
mily no ſooner grew great, by the Deſtruction of thcir: Rivals the Almo-
hades, but they turned their Arms againſt their contiguous Neighbours,
the Kings of Tremizan, who had much Difficulty to maintain their So-
vereignty againſt thoſe their ambitious and over-grown Kinſmen: Nor
could they well have withſtood them, had not the Merins been frequently
diverted by their own rebellious Subjects, and, at laſt, by the very con-
ſiderable Progreſſes the Portugueſe began to make upon the Tingitanian
Coaſts, and, aſſiſted by ſeveral Tribes of Warlike Arabs, into the very
Heart of their Dominions. To complete all, another fanctified Family
began to appear, under the ſpecious Cloke of Religion, a moſt fuc-
ceſsful Method, in many Parts of the World, more eſpecially in Africa,
of which I have already given ſome Inſtances. The Family I ſpeak of,
is that of the Sherifs, a Branch of which now reigns, or, properly ſpeak-
ing, rather tyrannizes, in the Tingitana. By this ſanctified Race (whoſe
Surname is Al Houſainîn, pretending to be deſcended from Houſain, the
ſecond Son of Ali and Fathima, Daughter to Mahomet, the Pſeudo-Pro-
phet) the Beni Merins were exterminated; but not till after long and
cruel Wars, attended with notable Incidents, and ſtrange Viciffitudes of
Fortune. But as the Hiſtories of all the Dynaſties I have mentioned have
been largely handled by that careful Writer Luis del Marmol, who, like-
wiſe, is very particular in his Relation of the Portugueſe Conqueſts in
Africa, and of their Affairs with the Sherifs, whoſe Hiſtory is written
!
1
I
both
The HISTORY of BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
20$
þoth by him and Diego de Torres, I ſhall not inlarge thercon, but refer the
Curious to thoſe Authors, and only advance a few Words concerning the
Original of this Sherifian Family, according to all the Accounts I have
heard from the ſincerelt, leaſt partial, and moſt intelligent Natives: It'not
being my Deſign to expatiate much more on the Affairs of this Country,
only wherein the Algerines, whoſe Hiſtory I have undertaken to write,
· have been more immediately concerned.
About the Beginning of the ſixteenth Century, when the Chriſtian
Arms werc victorious in Africa, and when that brave and fortunate Prince
Don Manuel, King of Portugal,, vigorouſly reſolved to purſue the glorious
Conqueſts his Father Don Juan had begun, in thoſe. Parts, by the Reduc-
tion of ſeveral Maritime Places, namely Ceuta, Tangier, Alcaſar, Arzilla,
Azamôr, Mazagan, Agadir, &c. This laſt is, by the Europeans, com-
monly called Santa-Cruz. In the Province of Dara, or D'ra, in the
Kingdom of Morocco, to the South of the Atlas, in a certain Town called
Tigumedet, lived a Sherif, of no ſinall Reputation for Sanctity. He was,
likewiſe, looked on to be very learned in the Law, in the natural Sciences,
and, more particularly, in the Study of Magick. His Name was Sheikh
Mahammed aben Hamed, Sherif. How thoſe Sherifs firſt came into that
Weſtern Part of South-Numidia, where they grew very numerous, and
miſerably poor, is thus related, by ſuch as ſecm moſt inclined to Truth and
Impartiality.
When the Arabs obtained Permiſſion to paſs into Barbary, as has been
ſaid 9, ſuch as had not Camels enough to proceed farther, remained in the
Delarts of Barca, and other Eaſtern Parts of Barbary, &c. where they
paſſed a moſt wretched Life, in thoſe barren Wilds, betaking themſelves
to Brigandage and Rapine for mere Suſtenance; arid were often driven to
ſuch Extremities, that they ſold, or pawned their very Children, for Bread,
to che Sicilian and other Chriſtian Traders. Among other miſerablc Arab
Tribes, was one that aſſumed the Name and Title of Sherifs, of the Fa-
mily of Houſain, as had been hinted, who in Time grew very formidablc;
and for a long while plundered all thc Weſtern Caravans of Pilgrims,
in their Paſſage to and from Mecca. Their chief Abode was in the N1-
midian Deſarts, contiguous to the State, or Kingdom of Tripoly. Many
Attempts were made, by the Powers of Barbary, to prevent thoſe Dir-
f
Vide P. 172 & feq.
Vide P. 4, & 5.
orders,
206 The HISTORY of BARBARY Epitomiz'd.
orders; all which proved ineffectual, till one of the moſt powerful and
determined Emperors of Morocco (if I miſtake not Moulei Yacoub al Man-
ſór, of the Almohade Family) reſolved to make the Paſſage free to their
Holy-Land, and with a mighty Army, unawares, ſurrounded thoſe Free-
Booters. Their Chief, named Meherez, to whom they gave the proud
Epithet Moulei, fell, unhurt, into the Emperor's Hands, who ſpared the
Lives of him and his Kindred, in regard to their Extraction, but tranſ-
planted them into thoſe remote Weſtern Provinces of Dara, Sous, &c.
which ſoon (warmed with beggarly, yet proud and inſolent Sherifs, as they
ſtill do, tho' the Emperors of Morocco, Fez, &c. diſdain not to call the
vileft of them Couſin.
The Sherif Mahammad, &c. I mentioned above, had three Sons, namely
Abdalkebir, Mohammad and Hamed. In order to forward his aſpiring
Views, he ſent the two laſt on Pilgrimage to Mecca, &c. A. D. 1506.
To their ordinary Title of Sherifs they, as directed by their Father, an-
nexed that of Morabboths, or Saints; a Name in high Efteen and Ver
neration among all the Africans in general: Indeed, the African Turksy
particularly the Algerines, fhew thoſe Impoſtors no very great Regard;
whereas the proudeſt Arab, or Moor, throughout the whole Region, never
diſdains to kiſs the dirty Fift, and louſy, tattered Garments, of any ſqualid
Scoundrel, if a Natural Drivler, or a reputed Morabboth, tho' ever ſo in-
famous; of which more ſhall be ſaid. The young Pilgrims, being apt
Scholars, acted their Parts to Admiration. At and before their Re.
turn, they ſeemed new Men: Nothing in their Mouths but the Names
and Attributes of GOD, and his beloved Melenger: They would not
eat a Morſel but what was given them in Alms; and the greateſt Part of
what they got by thoſe humble Means, they would piouſly diſtribute a-
mong the Neceſſitous, with the utmoſt Humility and Devotion. The
ſubtle old Fox, their Father, had given them their Leſſon; and they were
politick and tractable enough to be moſt obedient Children. Nor had he
ccaſed, during their Abſence, to prognoſticate the future Greatneſs, as well
as the Sanctity of thoſe conſummate Hypocrites; as they ſoon appeared
to be, by their Actions : And not only ſo, but moſt ungrateful and per-
fidious; not only to their Benefactors, the Kings of Morocco and Fez, both
which Princes they bafely and treacherouſly murdered, but, likewiſe, to
cach other; as appears in their Hiſtories, written at large, as I ſaid, by
Marmol, Diego de Torres, and, from them, by others,
1
But
The History of BARBARY Epitomiz'd. 207
But this tedious and troubleſome Preamble, which may ſerve as an In-
troduction to my Hiſtory of Algiers, being, as it were, inſenſibly ſpun out
to a far greater Length than was, at firſt, intended, it his high Time to
bring it to a Concluſion, in order to purſue my original Deſign: And, by
Way of Animadverſion on the foregoing, Miſcellaneous Diſcourſe (which,
in Spite of my frequent Interlardations, I fear ſome nice Epicurcans may
think dry Feeding; and without making any extraordinary Merit of the
Trouble I have been at, in diſhing it out for the Palates of a few, who
were of Opinion it would render the Work more acceptable, and whoſe
Stomachs I know are not ſo very ſqueamith) I ſhall only add, that parti-
cular Carc has been taken, not to expatiate too much on any Subjects
touched by modern Writers ; Truth, or, at leaſt, plauſible Probability,
has been, even ſuperſtitiouſly, regarded ; and a very conſiderable Number
of Errors, of the groffeſt Nature, have, moſt impartially, been rc&tified,
without my having deemed it worth while always to ſpecify Particulars,
or to nominate the Perſons who have been either ſo ignorant, fo careleſs,
or, which is much leſs excuſable, ſo inſincere, and withal ſo void of
Shame as to preſume to impoſe their Abſurdities upon the Publick, to the
great Diſappointment of all ſuch as are curious in Hiſtory, but cannot
reliſh what is not genuine. In what is yet behind, my Intent is to adhere
to the very famc Method; and am far from deſpairing of, at leaſt, a no
very
unfavourable Reception, from all thoſe real Lovers of true Hiſtory,
who ſhall be at the Pains of peruſing my Narrative.
The End of the EPITOME of the Hiſtory of BARBARY,
&c. in general.
A CONI.
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CO N T E N T S
OF THE
HISTORY of ALGIERS.
Beginning at P. 211.
CHAP. I.
The Antiquity, Names, Revolutions and Situation of the City
of ALGIERS.
ZIL
212
HE Origin, Names, ancient Revo Into what States Barbary was divided
ilutions and Situation of Algiers before entered by the Turks.--A brief
briefly handled, viz.
ib. Account thereof.
216
Preſumed to be the ancient Cafaria of Succeſſes of Don Ferdinand, the Catho-
Juba II.-Its Afpe& intirely modern. lic againſt the Moors, both in Spain
Tegedemt : A ruinous City.
and Barbary.--Spaniſh Moors ſettle in
Fol: Algiers once ſo called. 213
Barbary.
Remarks on the Names Jol and Juba. Thoſe people briefly characterized. 218
Don Ferdinand reduces ſeveral Places in
Names, ancient and modern, of Algiers. Africa, and curbs Algiers with a Fort.
214
219
A Reflection on Conquerors. 215
Situation of that City.
220
217
ibid.
CHAP.
2
CONTENT S.
1
CHAP. II.
Some Account of the famous Corſair B A R BA-ROSSĀ, before he
poſſesſed himſelf of ALGIER S.
220
2zI
222
HE Origin of the celebrated Barba- His Fleet deſtroyed at the Goletta by An.
rola
ib. drea D'Oria.
ib.
He commences Corſair.
His Brother Heyradin dreads his Pre-
His two Brothers follow his Fortumes. . fence, on account of that Diſgrace.
ib.
Kindly received at Tunis.
is. A fecond fruitleſs Attempt of his upon
He takes two of the Pope's Gallies. 223 Bujeya.
230
Haedo's Account of that bold Exploit. Made King of Jijel.
231
224 Much loved by thoſe his Subjects. ib.
The ſame Story differently told by Mar- Defeats and kills the King of Cucco.
mol.
225
232
He takes a large Spaniſh Ship, with roo Algiers revolts from its Subjection to the
Soldiers on board, increaſes in Power, Spaniards, under its new Prince Salem
and begins to grow very formidable. aben Toumi.
ib.
227 That Prince calls Barba-roja to his Ar.
Is made Governor of Jerba. ib. fiſtance: Who gladly accepts an Of-
Is invited by the King of Bujeya, and fer ſo agreeable to his Ambition. 233
accepts the Offer ; tho' not without He paſſes on to Sherſhel, which Place
ambitious Views.
228 he wreſts from Kara Hallan, and puts
Repulſed there by the Spaniards, and lo to Death that Corſair.
234
ſes an Arm.
ib. Makes himſelf King of Sherghel. 235
Returns to Tunis.
229
CHA P. III.
The Hiſtory of BARBA-ROSSA continued till his Death. When,
and by what Means ALGIERS fell into the Hands of its preſent
Poléſors, the TURKS.
235
Rrives at Algiers, where he is moſt The Algerines diſcontented, meditate a
received
240
Haughty Anſwer of a Spaniſh Captain. The Conſpiracy.
241
ibid. Diſcovered ; and ſeveral of the Chiefs
The Spaniſh Fort in vain Battered. 237
made Examples
243
Prince Salem, fick of Turkiſh Inſolence A Spaniſh Fleet attempts Algiers.
it.
and Ingratitude, retires
ib. The utter Deſtruction of that Armada.
Is bafely murdered by Barba-roja; who
244
is proclaimed King of Algiers. 238 The King of Tennez makes War with
Some Remarks upon a Romantic Story, Barba-rola.
245
and other Matters.
239 More Remarks.
246
4
Barba-
CO N T E N T S.
-
Barba-roſa's Reſolution.
246 Enters into a Treaty with the King of
He defears the Enemy, and poſſeſſes Fez.
250
himſelf of Tennez, with a Regal Title. Ifaac, youngeſt Brother to Barba-roll-
ib. cut off by the Africans,
251
Is invited to Tremizan.
247
Marmol ſeemingly in the wrong, ib.
Reflections on certain Hiſtorians. ib. Preſumed, by the Author, to be often
Barba-rola gladly embraces the Invitati guilty of an-over zealous Partiality.
on to Tremizan.
248
252
An Author corrected by his Interpreter. Spaniards ſtirred up againſt the too-grow-
ib. ing Barba-roja.
254
The King of Tremizan routed by the They ſet out from Oran.
255
Turks, and flain by his own Subjects. Barba-roſa retreats from Tremizan. ib.
249 Purſued by the Spaniſh Army, uſes at
The Conqueror made King of that anci Stratagem, but without Succeſs. ib.
ent Realm, and cominences Tyrant. Generoully turns back to ſuccour his
ib. Rear, and dies bravely fighting 256
Generous and liberal to his own People. His great Character.
257
am
CHAP. IV.
HEYRAD ÎN BASHA, or BARBA-ROSS A II. ſecond TUR-
KISH Sovereign, and firſt Vice-Roy of ALGIERS, for the
Grand Signor.
258
Eyradix, called Barba-rolfa II. ſuc dom his Enemies but the French. 253
ceeds his brave Brother, amidſt the A Surmiſe of the Author's.
ib.
Lamentations of the Weſtern Turks. Heyrardin, in Perfon, does great Mil-
238 chief at Sea, to the Chriſtians. ib.
The Spaniards, by not following their The Zwouwa and Beni Abbas treat with
Blow, miſs the faireſt Opportunity of the Baſha; tho' they never would with
rooting out the Algerine Turks they his Brother.
ib.
are ever likely to have again.
Some Exploits of the Algerine Corfairs,
Heyradin ſeeks the Grand Signor's Pro under the Conduct of Cacha--Diablo,
tection, and is created Bajna of all or Drub-Devil; who takes ſeven Spa-
his late Brother's Acquiſitions.
259 niſh Gallies.
264
He reſtores the Fugitive King of Tennez, The Spaniſh Fort, on the Illand, a very
in Quality of his Dependent. ib. great Eye-Sore and Inconveniency to
The Spaniards loſe another Armada be the Algerines.
266
260 Two Moors hanged there by the Go-
A remarkable Paſſage, with a notable vernor: And why.
ib.
Saying of this Baſha.
261 Which haftens the Baſha's Deſign a-
Col yields to the Algerines.
ib. gainſt it. He firſt Summons the Go-
Thoſe Turks grateful to the Jijelians,
The bold Anſwer fent him
262 by that Spaniard.
267
Coſtantina : When acquired by the The Fort furiouſly battered, and carried by
Turks of Algiers.
ib.
the Turks.
it.
Porta Stora.
ib, The Iſland joined to the Town by a
Bona taken by the Baſha, All Chriften. Mole, or Pier.
268
Heyradin's
fore Algiers.
vernor.
CO N T E N T S.
1
ib.
Heyradin's Cruelty 'to that Captain, His Renegadoes refuſe him Entrance into
who gave his Tongue too great a Li-
the Caſtle; and fome of them fet free
berty.
268
thoſe Chriſtians.
ib.
The fame differently related, 269 A Renegado loſes his Head for doing his
Remarks on thoſe Particulars. 271 Duty by. Halves.
A Paffage between Conful Cole and a Barbarities of the Imperialiſts, and Miles
ſtiff Spaniſh Caprive.
ib. ries of Tunis.
ib.
Slavery 'no Obſtruction to Party. What Chriſtians cut each others Throats for
the Algerines fay upon that Head. ib. Plunder,
Andrea D'Oria at Sherſhel. He there
He there Andrea D'Oria in vain reeks Heyradin.
fers free more than 700 Captives: But He leaves a Spaniſh Garriſon at Bona.
his Troops pay dearly for their Greedi-
285
neſs and Breach of Orders. 272 Capitulations between the King of Tu-
A Spaniſh Slave moſt inhumanly uſed. nis and his Imperial Patron. ib.
273 How reliſhable ſuch Treaties muſt needs
Two Gallies taken by the Baſba. 274 be to an African Palate,
286
A well-concerted Conſpiracy of the The Emperor Charles V. briefly charac-
Chriſtian Slaves to ſurpriſe Algiers, terized. Was Maſter of the whole
perfidiouſly diſcovered by a Spaniard. World; but the Time when, uncer-
275
tain.
ib.
Seventeen of the moſt culpable cut in Heyradin Baſha ſets out for the Levant,
Pieces.
276 to follicit á Force for the Recovery of
The Traytor's, deſerved Recompence. Tunis.
287
ib. Plunders a Venetian Ship, and lets the
Mulei Haſſan King of Tunis: A Ty Complainers know, that the Barbary
rant. His Subjects revolt, and crave Corſairs always did what they pleaſed.
Aſſiſtance from Algiers.
277
ib.
Sultan Suliman furnithes Heyradin Baſha Intercepts certain Letters, of which he
with Forces for that Expedition. ib. makes good Uſe. The Ruin of Ibra-
He gains Tunis, without Trouble, and him the Illuſtrious Baſha.
288
makes himſelf King of the whole is made Captain-Baſha.
ib.
Rcalm, in the Sultan's Name. 278 Several Exploits of his, in that Capacity,
The Malteſes originally. Arabs. 279
289
Two Chriſtian Spies cruelly put to Death His Deſign upon Brindiſi diſcovered. ib.
ib. The Ottomans thereby diſappointed of
Barbary Corlairs Sovereigns of the Me their Scheme to have Popes at Rome
diterranean.
280 of their own making:
ib.
The Baha's Precaution.
281 A Miſtake of Guicciardin.
290
Charles V. prepares to expel the Turks Andrea D'Oria refuſes the Captain-Ba-
from Tunis.
ib. ma's Challenge. Damages ſuſtained
A Saying of this bold Baſha.
ib,
by the Venetians, from this Ottoman
He plunders Mahon, in Minorca.
Admiral.
ib.
Where he takes a rich Portugueſe Ship, The French and Ottomans in Conjunc-
with much valuable Booty, and more tion againſt Charles the Emperor and
than 6ooo Captives.
282 his Allics. Caietta facked by the Cap-
Hallan. Aga aţ Algiers.
ib. tain-Baſa, thro' the Inadvertency of
Mulei Hallan reltored.
ib. the Governor
ib,
Theſe Affairs, inlarged upon.
ib. Heyradin falls in Love with and marries
Heyradin orders many thouſands of the that Gentleman's beautiful Daughter;
Captives he was forced to leave at for whoſe Sake he and his Lady are fet
Tunis, to be blown up.
283
at Liberty.
291
His frantic Rage.
ib. Villa-Franca ruined by the Turks; as is
allo
at Tunis
ib.
1
!
C Ο Ν Τ Ε Ν Τ S.
alfo Nice, by them and their Confede ftian; but firſt does much Harm at.
rates the French.
291 Elba. He demands and obtains Dra-
This Captain-Baſha aaive and indefati gut Rais from the Genouefes. ib.
gable. He fends Salba Rais on the Returns home for the laſt Timc. ib.
Coaſt of Catalonia; who ruins Pala- His ſeveral ſtately Buildings. ib.
mos and Rofas, and winters at Algiers: His Death: A Fable current among the
Which State was always favoured and Turks concerning him.
293
protected by Heyradir.
ib. His Memory very grateful among the
He forces the Proprietor of Piombino to Ottomans.
ib.
deliver up a young Turk, turned Chri- That great Man characterized. ib
,
C H A P. VI.
BASHA II. HASSAN AGA, SARDO.
294
*HE Origin of his worthy Succeſſor, Haſan Aga's prudent and determinate
Hall'an Aga.
294
Meaſures in_that Exigence. Does
Aga, a proper Epithet for all Eunuchs. conſiderable Damage to the Enemy.
He is ſo made by his Patron Heyradin,
ib.
whoſe great Favourite he always was. Bravery of the Knights of Malta. Told
Encoiniums on this Eunuch. ib. by Marmol.
300
Left Governor of Algiers, in his Pa- Differently told by the leſs partial Haedo ;
tron's Abſence. His Prudence and who ſpeaks very handſoinely of Haf-
Reſolution.
295 fan Aga.
ib.
Algiers never happier than in his Time. A horrible Tempeſt. Miſeries of the
ib. Chriſtian Fleet and Armies.
301
Charles V. refolves to deſtroy this City. Deſtruction of the Armada.
ib.
ib. The Emperor's Courage.
Jor
Great Preparations for the Expedition. Temendefuſt, corruptly Metafuz. ib.
ib. The River Harraſſ. Its ancient African
Arrival of the Armada. Difficulty in Name.
ib.
Landing
296 The Army retreats with very great Diffi-
Hallan Aga ſummoned.
ib.
culty.
ib.
Related by Haedo, with fome Particu- Algerines negligent in many Affairs. '301 .
lars.
ib. Some Particulars of the Retreat. ih.
This Affair fomewhat more particularly Charles V. ſaid to have caſt his Diadem
told by Marmol
. A Spaniſh Don very into the Bay of Algiers. What he
peremptory: And withal inſinuating. faid upon that Occaſion.
ib.
Both Methods prove fruitlcfs. 297 This Expedition as fatal to Spain as was
Hafan Aga ſaid to waver.
16.
that in 1588. againſt our Heretical
But is re-aſſured by a Renegado Jew. Grand-Fathers.
304
298 The notable Eſcape of an Engliſh Knight.
Some Diſcourſe between the Baſha and
ib.
the Don. That Summoner diſmiſſed. ib. Spaniards fold cheap
305
A perfidious Perſian. He and his Affo- Beauty not prevalent with churliſh Bar-
ciates juſtly rewarded.
ib. barians.
ib.
Some Obfervations.
299 A Saying of Andrea D'Oria.
ib.
Beginnings of the Chriſtian Invaders Di Farther Inſtances of this diſaſtrous Mif-
ib.
carriage.
306
tirers.
A great
I
-
C ο Ν Τ Ε Ν Τ S.
A great Man preſumed to be miſinform- Algerines bully the Grand Signor's En-
ed.
306 voy.
320
More Prefumptions of a like Nature. Contul Hudſon. A perſon to be de-
307 pended on.
ib.
A very requiſite Qualification for a Why a Frenchman ought to know where
Tranſlator.
ib.
Jijel (tands.
ib.
A very remarkable French Knight of When the Emperor Charles V. was not
Malta.
308
Maſter of the whole World.
321
More Obfervations of the Author.' 'ib. The Prophetic Speech of a Black Wiz-
Several Particulars relating to the Knights zard to Haſan Aga, and the Diwan.
of S. John, or Malta.
309
ib.
What the Barbary Corſairs ſay of them. Sidi Oulededda, another Wizzard;
deem-
310
ed the Preſerver of Algiers. 323
What the ſame Perſons ſay of our Sea- Efficacious Relics.
ib.
Captains.
311 Qualifications of a Saint, who does
Farther Hints concerning that renowned Wonders.
324
Military Order.
ib. In what Caſes no San&uary is preva-
Remark on the Emperor Charles V. lent.
ib.
313 Erroneous Traditions.
325
The Malteſes a Dread to the Algerines. Encomium on Haſſan Aga.
ib.
314 He ſets out againſt the King of Cucco,
Naval Force of thoſe Chevaliers.
315
who affifted the Chriftians. 326
They take and deſtroy ſeveral of the Which Mountain Prince, dreading this
African Corſairs. The Algerines, in. ſucceſsful Baſha, purchaſes Peace. 327
raged, Vow Revenge. Their vain The Diſadvantages accruing ſince to
Threats.
il. Algiers, from that Pacification. ib.
A very wiſe Expreſſion of the Dey An Omiffîon inſerted; which cannot be
of Algiers, at diſmiſſing ſome of ſaid to be nothing to the Purpoſe.
his Captains upon a Neeveleſs Errand.
328
316 The Eunuch Baſha goes againſt the re-
The Author keeps no Common Place volted King of Tremizan.
329
Book; yet has none of the beſt Me- Who ſubmits, and buys a Peace. 330
mories. How our King Henry VIII. Reſented by the Spaniſh Governor of
ſtood affected towards S. John's Or Oran, who vows Revenge. The faid
der;
ib. King dethroned by the Spaniards. ib.
And King Edward VỊ. Queen Mary, Haſſan Aga's Death, and farther noble
and Queen Elizabeth. What might Character.
331
have come to paſs. Pageantry. 317. The Affairs of Tremizan.
ib,
Unfair TranNating:
ib. Oran and Marfa al Kibir.
332
Refle&ions and Criticiſins; which might Alliances with Chriſtians moſt dangerous
as well have been let alone.
318 to an African Prince.
333, 334
Long Miles.
ib. Reafons for that Affertion.
334
Gulliver!
319
How Moors diſcourſe upon that Theme.
Jijel, whereabouts.
ib.
335
Some Reaſon of the Importance of Mezisar, what.
336
theſe Ports we hold in the Mediter- Spaniards defeated.
337
ranean,
ib.
CHAP.
C O N T E N T S.
C H A P. VI.
BASHA III. Haji ; REGENT, or Titular Vice-Roy.
A Digreſion concerning the Affairs of TUNIS; and other
Particulars.
338
ib.
ib.
Aji made Regent of Algiers. 338 his inceſtuous Nephew Hamida: Bur
A dangerous Inſurrection of the ſoon dies.
ib.
Natives againſt thoſe Turks. 339 Complaints of the blind King : Who
Raſhneſs puniſhed.
ib. again goes over to his Patron, the
The great Advantage of miſſive Wea Emperor Charles.
346
pons.
340
Tabarca. Held by the
Gewoneſes.
Brief Accounts of thc Affairs, of Tunis, Hamida recovers the Throne. His Bar-
about thoſe Times.
barities.
347
Hanida's impious Rebellion, during his Malei Halan's Character ; with ſome
Father Mulei Halan's Abſence, in farther Particulars concerning him. ib.
Europe.
342 More of the Affairs of Tremizan. _348
Mulei Haſan haſtens home. 343 That City taken by the Spaniards. Their
Is routed by his Son, and taken.
344 Inhumanity
349
2000 Chriſtians killed or taken. À They return to Oran.
350
wicked Father barbarouſly treated by The King, their Introductor, depoſed by
a more wicked Son.
345 his reſenting Subjects, flies and is flain
Mulei Aabd al Malec, affifted by the by the Arabs.
351
Spaniards of Goletta, puts to Flight
Contents of the Author's Letter to
-Esq; in Vol. II.
I Nehodke in nubibus. A vile Practice.
2
Ntrodu&ion.
fairs.
16.
Books in nubibus. A vile Pra&tice. The Author charitable and not un-con-
ib. ſcientious.
ib.
How the Author wonld uſe a fad Fel- And withal modeft. Negle&s a good
low.
Offer.
S
Au Embryo.
ib. Cornhill how peopled.
ib.
What might be, if it were the Famion. 'Tis a bad Wind that blows Nobody
ib. Good.
ib.
Multifarious Recufants encountered by a Cafties in the Air.
6
Subſcription-Hunter.
ib. Duty of Authors.
ib,
Ufe made of his Propoſals. His Humi- Trials of Patience.
7
lity and Willingneſs to oblige, 3 A ſweet Temper ruffled.
ib.
Mature Conſideration.
ib. Ill-natured Queries.
ib.
What would be thought Ili-Breeding to Odd Curioſity,
8
wards the South.
ib. Æsop's Dog. Expoſing ones Infide pe-
What the Author would like.
4
rillous.
ib.
Diverſity of Modes, and dangerous At Of tivo Spaniards.
9.
What
1
C O N T E N T S.
.
IE
What is a Diſgrace in certain Places; What he builds upon.
12
and what is not ſo.
9 An abominable Pun of his.
ih.
Figure-Cutters. How they manage it.
Loves his Country.
ib.
ib. Is attacked moſt cowardly : And ſuffers
The Author neceſſitated to play the for not being a ſmart Babbler. 13
Thief: But, by way of amends, thinks Grovles on in his own Sphere; yet can-
of diſtributing certain Jackets and not be let alone.
ib,
Doublets.
10 Pretends to have a paſſable good Hand
Why he diſtributes his Benevolence piece at making Mouſe-Traps.
ib.
meal.
ib. Frankly owns his Failings.
Is blamed for his good Intentions: Why, Dildains to ſerve up another's Cookery.
and chiefly by whom.
ib.
Curſt Cows have Short Horns.-Has
Ilas a tollerable Share of Grace: And Cooked for others.--A Challenge. 15
wherefore particularly.
His Notion of Pedantry.
ib.
Parallel between Varlets of different Purloins, or rather borrows a Poſtſcript,
Claffes.
ib. not very remote from his own indivia
Farther Apologies for his Doings. ib. dual Conceptions.
10
1
II
VOL. II.
CH A P. VII.
BASHA IV.
HASSAN BASHA, Son of HEYRADIN BARBAROSSA.
The firſt Time of his Adminiſtration.
353
353 ſented; and Spaniſh General Com-
The Captain-Baſha procures it for his plemented by the Arab Women. ib.
Son Hallan.
354 The Spaniards have News of Halan
Saying of a Spaniſh Writer, concerning Baſha.
358
Algiers.
ib. Oath of Fidelity how taken by the Arabs.
Its Condition at the new Baſha's Arri-
ib.
val...A Conjecture of the Author's. One taken by an Algerine Army, ill
ib.
kept.
ib.
Haſſan Baſha, invited to Tremizan, ſets A comfortleſs Anſwer.
ib.
355 Partiality in a Spaniſh Author.
359
Is ſucceſsful.
ib.
A noble Exploit of five Spaniards. ib,
Affairs of that Realm.
356 Remark thercon.
360
ib.
Spaniards * chaſtiſe their Mooriſh Allies, A Bravado.
or rather Vaffals.
ib. Mazagran attacked by Don Martin.
Formalities uſed by the Arabs to Don
301
Martin.
ib. Bravery of fome Turks.
ib.
A brave Arab cuts off 300 Turks. What Don Martin's Obſtinacy.
362
Uſe Camels are in War. 357 He is routed by the Enemy.
ib.
Halass
out,
C O N T E N T S.
-
-
Haſan Baſha informed of his Father's gerincs arc vi&orious; the Fruit where-
Death.
363 of is the Kingdom of Tremizan, 367
A Miſtake of a great Man. 364
The Prince's Head carried to Algiers.
Partiality of one Spaniard diſavowed by
368
another.-A Pacification. ib. Buildings of Haſſan Baſha.
ib.
Black not Mourning.
365 Thro' the unjult Avarice of a proud Fa-
Prince of Fez goes againſt Tremizan, vourite he is depoſed.
ib.
and enters that City.
ib. Al-Caid Sefer ; Deputy-Baſba. Some
Beni Aamar retreat to Moſtaganem. 366 Account of him.
360
Haſan Baſha fends an Army againſt the Turkiſh Peaſants, how called. ib.
Tingitanians.
ib This Al Caid's Death and Character.
A fierce Engagement, in which the Al-
370
CH A P. VIII.
BASHA V. SALHA RAIS. The firſt Arab Vice-Roy of ALGIERS.
370
Salon
,
Alba Rais ſent to Algiers. His Ori- Thoſe People taxed with an unuſual In-
gin, &C.
370 diſcretion.
ib.
King of Tuggurt_revolts. Where that Liberality of the new King of Fez. ib.
Region lics. The Baſha ſets out a- ' A generous Deed of the Baſha. ib.
gainſt the Rebels.
371 He returns home.
379
Batters and takes the City. A Queſtion An impregnable Fortreſs quitted by a ti-
he puts to the young King.--Zcal morous Governor.
ib.
rewarded.
372 Salha Baſha goes againſt Bujeya. Al-
Goes againſt Wargala.
ib. fifts the French with a Fleet. ib,
Compounds with 40 Black Traders for A Spaniſh Hiſtorian ſuſpected of Sinking.
200000 Ducats.
373
380
Agrees with thoſe of Wargala, and re- Bujeya attacked,
ib.
ſtores the King of Tuggurt. ib. And carried.
381
The Baſba repulſed at Mayorca. 374 Impartiality commended.
ib.
Takes ſome conſiderable Portugueſe Who ſhould and who ſhould not be hu-
Prizes, with a Pretender, to the Throne moured.
382
of Fez.
ib. The River of Bujeya.
ib.
His Generoſity to the reigning King of Salha Bajba ſends Preſents to the Sultas.
the Tingitana.
375 Promiſes the Conqueſt of Oran. ib.
Affairs of Tremizan.
376 The Levant Fleet arrives, and Salba
A Saying concerning the Turks. ib, Baha ſets out for. Oran.--How the
Salha Baha goes againſt Fez.- Is ſuc Plaguc ferved him, before he got one
ceſsful.
377 fiftieth Part of the way thither. 383
New-Fez plundered. The Fews rantom His Obſequies and Character. 384
their Quarter. An Act of Juſtice.' 378
K
CHAP
.
C O N T E N T S.
}
!
CHA P. IX.
BASHA VI. VII. VIII. IX. The unfortunate HASSAN CORSO.
TEKELL 1.-YOUSOUF.--AL-CAID YAHIA. This
laft a REGENT, or Titular Vice-ROY; the ſecond a BASHA
ſent from the PORTE; the others A LGERINE RENEG A-
DO ES, made B ASH AS by the Soldiery.
384
H
.
IT Alun Corfo. Some Account of that ter.
.
391
Renegado. He is made Baſha by Execution upon the Hook deſcribed. ib.
the Militia...He marches for Oran : Haſan Corlo's iniferable and much la-
But is countermanded by the Sultan mented Death.
392
and why.
385 And of the Governor of Bujeya. ib.
The Ariny returns homne ; but unwil. The Governor of Bona ranſoms himſelt.
lingly.
385
393
Encomium on Haſan Corſo. ib. The Government of Algiers much al-
Tekelli fent as Bajha; but is not admit tered ſince thofe Days, particularly in
ted.
ib. reſpect to Renegadoes.
ib.
Injoined to return, by the Governors of The Al-Gaid of Tremizan reſolves to
Bona and Bujeya, who fire at him. revenge his Patron Haſan Corſo's cruel
He perſeveres, and comes near Algiers.
Death.
394
387 The Meaſure he takes in order to ac-
The Corfairs waver. Their Arguments compliſh his Deſigns --His Reſolution
for his Admiſſion, in Oppoſition to the and noble Vengeance upon the Ty-
Janiſaries.
ib. rant.
395
Some Hints in relation to thoſe two dif- Tekelli's Character.
396
cording Bodics.
388 The generous Avenger applauded by the
Yanifaries how and when inſtituted. ib. Militia; and by them created Baſha.
Perfidious Stratagem of the Levents, or
ib.
Corſairs.
389 His uncommon Liberality, ſudden Death
Tekelli introduced by thoſe Traitors. and fine Character.
397
390 Al-Caid Yahia made Deputy.
ib.
Hallan Corfo apprehended. His Charac-
CH A P. X.
BASHA X. XI. XII. XIII. HASSAN BASHA, Son of HEYRADÎN
BARBA-ROSSA: The ſecond Time of his Adminiſtration.-HẠs-
SAN AGA and Cousa MAHAMED, Joint-Deputies.AHAMED
BASHA-AL-CAID YAHIA : The ſecond and laſt Times of his
Officiating.
398
398
treats.
H
Alſan Baſha the ſecond Time Vice vader; who plunders the City and re-
Roy of Algiers.
399
The King of Fez against Tremizan. ib. Is purſued by the Turks to Fez. 16.
Haſan Baſha ſets out to oppoſe that In- A fierce Encounter not much to the
Advantage
2
C O N T E N T S.
400 Boni,
ib.
413
Advantage of the Algerines.
412
Spaniards again attempt Moſtaganem. Meſila.-Jibil-Ayad.
ib.
401 Cuts off a Party of Algerines. il.
Haſan Baſha goes to ſuccour that Place. Hammam.
ib. Impolitic Generoſity.
The' beforementioned Spaniſła Hiſtorian Arab Tribes join Abdalaziz. ib.
once more detected in the Act of Sink- Mejana, or Lare. The Turks build a
ing.
ib. Fort there.
ib.
His circumſtantial Account of this in Zamora.
ib.
auſpicious Campaign.
402 A Turkiſh Camp deſtroyed, and the new
Good Advice neglected.-Obſtinacy and Fort razed.
414
Mif-Conduct occaſion much Miſchief. Tezli. A Fort there taken by the Turks
404
and Zwouwa.
ib.
A finilling Blow.
405 Bravery of Abdalaziz. His Death and
A Bravado.--A General trampled to Chara&er.
415
Death by his own People. De Succeeded by his gallant Brother, M.-
ftru&ion of a whole Army. 405
416
Haſan Baſha at War with Beni-Abbas. Happenites of Barbary. -
ib.
Some Hints concerning that martial Haſan Baſha eſpouſes an African Lady.
Nation.
407
417
Turks let flip no Handles.
ib. Commerce at Algiers of bad Conſequen-
An active Prince.
ib.
Cruelty uſed to Turkiſh Priſoners. it. What will beſt recommend fome Afri-
Apologies uſed for renouncing Chriſtian cans to a good Wife.-- Niceties. 'ib.
anity.
409 Hallan Baſha, and others, fent fettered
Hiſtory of Abdalaziz, a very brave Afri to the Levant; and why:
418
can Prince.
410 Two Deputies officiate; but not long.
His Saying to a Renegado Commander.
419
ib. Haſan Baſha ſucceeded and revenged by
He kills the Prince of Fez.
ib. Ahamed Bapa. Inſtances of the new
Is ſerviceable to the Algerines. 411 Baſha's Avarice.
ib.
Being maliciouſly accuſed, eſcapes from Algiers ſoon eafed of a great Eye-ſore.
Algiers, and prepares for War. ib.
420
Al-Cala, &c. his Capital.
ib. Al-Gaid Yahia again officiates.-His odd
Proves a dangerous Enemy to the Turks. Death.--His Character, &C. ib.
ib,
GTON,
408
ces.
:
С C H A P. XI.
BASHA XIV. HASSAN BASHA. The third and laſt Time of his
Adminiſtration. --Some Account of the Algerines at the Siege
of Malta. The Hiſtory of the famous Corſair, Dragur
RAIS.
421
H
Affan Baſha again reſtored to Al Force.Returns home; and with
giers; and how.--His Reception. what Succeſs.
422
421 Laughs in his Sleeve while others are
Marches againſt Oran with a great bowling; and why.
ib.
A inore
1
t
2
2
C O N I E N T S.
i
A more particular Account of the Oran Several of his Exploits.
441
Cainpaign.
423 Sufa, Sfacus and Monafter taken by him.
Don Martin's Anſwer to the Baſha's Has an Eye towards Mehedia, or A-
Summons
442 frica. Some Account of that celc-
Bravery of Haſan Baſha.
425
brated City.
ib.
A grateful Turk.
424 How he accompliſhed his ambitious
Farther Proof of the Baha's Bravery;
Views.
442
with ſome Sayings of his.
ib. Fruits of Ambition and Refentment.
The Algerine Camp and Fleet
obliged to
443
return home. Why Haſan Baſha Dragut gains the City Africa. What
was pleaſed with the bad Succeſs of Orders he leaves with his Nephew,
that Campaign.
428 by Way of Prevention.
ib.
Algerines loſe a ſecure Lurking-Hole. Conſequences of his ſettling there. ib.
429
A difficult Task fet Andrea D'Oria :
A rich Turkiſh Prize taken by the Mal. Who, inſtead of what he was ſent a-
teſes.
ib. bout, takes a ſmall Place; as he does
Bravc Reiſtance.
430
another place with great Difficulty and
The Porte highly reſents the Loſs of that Loſs.
444
Ship.
431
Great Miſchief done by a fingle Bullet.
Ilalan Bajha fets out for Malta. ib.
445
Some Account of that famous Campaign, Armada at Mehedia.
ib.
and the Services done there by the Alge- What Aifa Rais ſays to the wavering
rines: Not a little to their Credit. 432
Africans.
446
A young Turk in his fiftieth Year. ib. Zeal moſtly among the Vulgar. ib.
Gandaliſa, a ſtout Algerine Commander. The Citizens again effectually harangued
The Behaviour of him and his Party by Aifa Rais.
447
433 Dragut complies with his Obligation,
A warlike Proceſſion of Part of the and atteinpts their Relief.
ib.
Turkiſh Army upon the Water. ib. What occations his Scheine to iniſcarry.
Gallantry on both sides,
434
448
Candalija, for the firſt Time, news his Succeſsleſs Bravery of the Unkle and
Back. What he gained by that one
Nephew.
449
falſe Step
435 Uſeful Intelligence brought to the Be-
Behaviour of the Algerines.
436 ſiegers.
450
Hallan Baha's Counſel to the Ottoman Who take the City. A lamentable Scene..
General.
437
451
Oppoſed by the Captain-Bapa; but fol. More on the fame Subject.
ib.
lowed; and with what Succeſs. ib. Farticulars of this City, till its final Ruin.
Hiſtory of Dragut Rais, a moſt noted viz.
452
Corſair; including many Proofs of Offers made the Spaniards by the Go-
his uncommon Valour and Capacity: vernor of Jerba.
ib.
With ſeveral notable Pieces of Hiſtory; The Garriſon mutiny, and expel their
more particularly the Fate of the fa Governor, and all the Officers.
453
mous City Mehedia, or Africa. 438 Antonio de Aponte elected.
ib.
His Beginning
439
His notable Adminiſtration.
454
Careſſed and advanced by the Bapa of His Reply to the Prior of Capua. ib.
.
ib. Steps taken by the Emperor Charles.
Yannetin D'Oria ſent againſt him. . ib.
455
Is made Captive. His Saying of his
His Saying of his A Counter-Mutiny.
ib.
Conqueror.
440 A ſtrange Phenomenon.
456
Releafed by his Patron Barba-rolla 11. Chiefs of the Mutineers apprehended.
ib.
ib.
They
1
1
:::
".
C Ο Ν Τ Ε Ν Τ S.
They incet a Fate different from what Squibs thrown at him.
was deſigned them: But others fupply Which he ſends off; and, knowing how
their Places.
457
his Shoulders were guarded, purſues
Spaniſl. Policy.
ib. bis Point
468
French and Algerines in Alliance, dreaded The Turks, forced to quit Malta, make
by the Spaniards.
ib. Goza an unwelcome Viſit. 469
Harangue made by an inſinuating yet ar An unworthy, cowardly Chevalier taught
rogant Spaniard to the G. Maſter of good Breeding
ib.
Malta.
458 A brave Engliſhman, and 2 furious Si-
Report brought to Malta, concerning
cilian.
470
Mehedia.
459, Dragut's Revenge not quite imperfect.
Spaniards inortified at the Order of
ib.
Malta's Refuſal of their Munificence. Some Tokens of the Sultan's Eftcem for
ib. that Arch-Corſair.He is made, in a
The Ruin of Mehedia reſolved on; with Manner, Sovereign of Tripoly. ib.
the Steps taken to effect it. 460 Cauſes of Content and its Contrary at
A main Point gained.
ib. Malta.--Dragut repulſed there: 471
Preparations for blowing up that ſtately He joins the Oitoman Fleet, in a ſecond
City.
461 Attempt upon that Inand. Is ho-
A Saying of its Founder.
462 nourably received.
Its ſudden Difappearance ; with ſome Gives his Verdict; to which Deference
Conſequences thereof.
ib. is given by the Turkiſh General, tho'
Dragut's Reſentinent.-- He meditates
contrary to his own Sentiment.
472
Revenge.
463 Words much to his Credit delivered by
That Corſair dreaded by the Emperor. a conſiderable Perfon.
ib.
ib. State of Fort S. Elmo.
473
Who ſeeks his Deſtruction. 464 Dragut, always intrepid, receives his
Andrea D'Oria attacks and blocks him Death's Wound.
ib.
up at Ferba.-Reckoning without the Saying of the Turkiſa General. What
Hoſt.
ib. were Dragut's lal Thoughts. Part
A Meſſage ſent to Jerba.
465 of his Character.
474
A Rod laid in Piſs to ſoak for Dragut. Haſan Baſha takes his final Leave of
ib. Algiers. His Legacies to the Public.
A ſtrange Caravan.
456
ib.
The aforeſaid Meſſage intercepted. ib. That Baſha characterized.
475
Dragut ſollicits the Enterpriſe upon Death of his Son, torn in Pieces by his
Malta
467 own Slavcs.
it,
СНАР.
XII.
BASHA XV. XVI. MAHAMED BASHA, Son of SALHA RAIS.-
ALI BASHA, FARTAS, vulgarly called OCHALI: A Renegado of
CALABRIA.
476
Bravery.
Ahamed Baſha ſucceeds. Part of A necdleſs, yet moſt hazardous Feat of
IV his Character.
ib,
479
Certain Deed of this Baſha. 477 Refting in a very wrong Place. 479
Juan Gaſcon's bold Undertaking.
ib. Out of four, one has a good Noſe. it,
A we!
!;
i
:
N
1
JH
494
C Ο Ν Τ Ε Ν Τ S.
A welcome Gueſt, how received and Demands upon the Arabs.
ib.
entertained.
480 What Reply they make him.
Iewel to Fire.
ib. He returns to Algiers. A ſwift Foot-
A Corſair ta'ls good Reaſon; and pre-
Courier.
ib.
fais
481 Hc ſets out for the Levant; and why.
A Spice of Aforiſco Revenge, and Spa-
Has News of four Malteſe Gallies. ib.
niſh Bravado.
ib, Of which he takes three, and returns
ynas Gaſcon executed.
482 home.
495
Turks of Algiers curb the vindi&tive 11o- Trophies at Algiers.
ib.
rifcoes.
ib. The Baſha forced from Algiers, by the
A Spaniard talks what had better been mutinous Janiſaries.
496
let alone.
483 He joins the Ottoman Fleet in the Morea.
He thereby gets acquainted with foine
ib.
whom it would have been abundantly His Behaviour and notable Retreat at the
to his Advantage never to have known. Battel of Lepanto. Is made Captain-
484 Bapa, partly thro' the Mediation of
The moſt made of a Story.
ib. a faſt Friend.
497
Similitude of Scenes, here and abroad. Makes the Sultan a bold and agreeable
485
Offer.
ib.
Charity begged at Algiers ; how, why, Why the Chriſtian Fleet would not an-
and by whoin.
ib. fwer his Challenge.
498
A Proceſſion. Complaints of the Un- Don Juan de Auſtria recovers Tunis.
charitableneſs of ſoine. Inſtances of Some Account of that Prince. ib.
the contrary in others.
486 A Paſſage between King Philip, his Bro-
A Spaniſh Martyr.
ib. ther, and himſelf, at their firſt Inter-
The Author quotes a Book of his own. view.
499
487 The Captain-Baſoa ſollicits the Sultan
Where a Spaniſh Prieſt's Purgatory may
to fend him againſt the Spaniards in
be met with.
ib. Africa. He arrives at the Bay of Ti-
Roaſting People alive ; learned by the nis,
ib.
Morilces in Spain, and by them fome- Caſtles of the Goletta attacked and car-
times pra&tiſed in Barbary.
ib, ricd by the Turks.
roo
Familiares: A deteſtable Vermin. In This Captain-Bama's Grudge againſt his
what Parts of the World they ſwarm. own Country. Others of his Exploits.
488
ib.
Ochali. The mean Origin of that fa His Humour to be known by his Dreſs;
mous Adiniral.
489 in which he reſembled a late Tyrant.
Afrer a Series of Wretchedneſs, he com His Buildings and Character.
JOI
mences Corſair, and is entertained by Story of a Mouriſh Martyr. ib.
Dragut Rais.
ib. His Conſtancy
503
He occaſions the Overthrow of a Spa- Tabbia Buildings, how and where very
niſh Fleet.
490
ib.
Succeeds Dragut in the Government of Mock Zeal.
504
Tripoly.
ib. Farther Inſtances of the fame.
505
His flouriſhing Condition. Is made Baba Haedo's pious Wilh.
ib.
491 A remarkable Tragedy, wherein Rene-
A Pallage between him and his Moriſco gadoes were the fole Actors. хоб
Subjects, relating to the Moriſcoes of Particulars relating to thoſe of that Cluth.
Spain.
ib.
SII
Invited to the Conqueſt of Tunis. He What Ships are and are not San&uaries
iets out.
492 for Fugitives at Algiers,
JIO
The Tyrant Hamida flics, and the Baha A Slave returned to his Owner. ib.
poffeſſes himſelf of that Rcalin. 493 A Frenchmar, vilks his Company.
SII
He governs well : But is balked in his A wicked Dutchman punished. ib.
CHAP.
common.
of Algiers:
F
.
CO N T E N T T
S.
11
CHAP. XIII.
BASHA XVII. XVIII. ARAB AHAMED : An Egyptian.-RA-
MADAM BASHA, SARDO: A Renegado SARDINIAN. SI2
A
.
ib.
Rab Ahamed fent Baſha to Algiers. rewarded for their good Offices done
ib. to the Sherif.
ib.
He deſtroys a fine Suburb, and fortifies Regret of the Algerines at the Removal
the City.
ib. of this good Baſha. Obſervations on
Other uſeful Buildings of his. 513 an impartial Spanifba Clergyman. ib.
He was a good Driver. Cruel and Po Ramadam Sardo is ſucceeded by his very
Ntic.
ib. Antipode.
524
His Conduct at Tunis.
532 What that Author farther ſays of that
Not ſo politic at Cyprus as at Algiers. Baba.
ib.
His Death and Chara&er. ib. He is made Baſa of Tunis. ib.
More of his Deeds.
ib. Tokens of the Sultan's great Regard to
A Slave talks to him too freely; and ſuf his Merit.
ib.
fers for it.
515 Injunctions laid on him by the Sultan;
He beats to Death two others. ib. but which were never put in Execution.
Baſtonado; a cruel Torture.
116
525
A Queſtion.
ib. The Algerines greatly diſſatisfied with
Concerning Gallies and their Inhabitants. their Balha, again ſtickle to have Ra.
An Example ſet by the Chriſtians for madam Sardo; who politicly declines
the Barbarians to follow.
what he longs for.
ib.
Good Algerines in ſome parts of Ame- The Captain-Bajha's great Power.
rica. A difinal Object for tender-
526
hearted People.
517 Factions at Algiers.
ib.
Boatſwains in abundance. Raſcally Do- Ramadan Sardo returns to Algiers, ſeein-
il
ingly to execute the Sultan's Orders.
Slaves attempt an Eſcape.
He is received as a Saint; and upon
They miſcarry; and ſome are banged what account.
ib.
and others executed by Arab Ahamed. Haſan Baſha's Umbrage at his Arrival.
519
527
Ramadam Sarde. Made Bama of Al Ramadan Sardo, diſappointed, retires to
giers. His Extraction ; with Part of the Levant. More of his Character.
his Character.
520
ib,
Exploits of his againſt the Spaniards, in Story of a wicked Renega.k. . 528
the Kingdom of Tunis.
ib. Helands near Cadiz.
ib.
How beloved by the Algerines. 521 Is repulſed, forced to quit Prize, and
The Sultan.obliges them.
ib. ſeized with his Galcot and whole
A Galeot of Algiers artfully cfcapes Crew.Put to Death.
529
fome Chriftian Gallies.
522 Captivity of a Greek Trader.
530
Warlike Préparations of the new Bajha. Villanous Inſtigations againſt that Innas
ib.
ib.
He marches to Fez, and caſily gains liis Hardo forgets himſelf,
16.
Point.
ib. Londos-Mib. Who they are like. 531
Don Sebaſtian.
523 Infolence of Renegadoes, blinded with
The Baha and his People moſt liberally Zeal and Revenge..
ib.
A Spaniſh
ings.
SIS
cent.
+
1
1
C Ο Ν Τ Ε Ν Τ S.
--
01.
$44
A Spaniſh Father in great Danger. 532 A notable Tragedy managed by Muriſ-
Parallel between former Times and the coe's, by Way of Retaliation. ib.
preſent, in regard to Renegadaes at Succeſſes and daring Vanity of a Moriſco
ilgiers.
ib.
Corſair. Is captivated and ſeized by
That Opinion the Turks entertain of the Isquiſitors.
542
tien. The Advantage of natural Meaning known by Gaping.
ib.
Turks over thoſe Turn Coats, even Impoſſibilities demanded, nay infifted up-
when in Authority. An Inſtance of
543
it.
533 Tiings fatal to an Innocent.
ib.
Money colleated for inhuran Ends. A Martyr for a Confeſſor.
534 Revenge ſweeter than Intereſt.
ib.
The 'Tragedy.
A Bridle propoſed for the Inquiſitors of
Story of a cruel Corſair.
:l. Svain by the Inquiſitors of Barbary.
His Siares riſe in the Galcot. 535 What Fleſh is deareſt there. 545
J le is mardered
Dangerous to ſpeak in Behalf of Chri-
A warni Confiiet. Gold and Silver jtians in Barbary, upon certain Occa-
fend roine deeper than they cared to fions. An Inttance of it.
548
go.
ib. The Vi&tim's Dreſs deſcribed. In what
Bravery muí yield to Numbers.
536
London and Algiers reſemble cach o-
A Renegadze's Revenge upon the Aifat ther.
549
fincs of his Patron.....The Particulars A chief Mourner's Behaviour.
16,
of this Tragedy.
ib. A good Turn done undeſignedly. 550
Rational Dilcourtc of the Captain-Baſha. Zeal taken Notice of.
ib.
538 Relics preſerved.
ib.
A Favourite of the Author's talks not to How they make Beards in Portugal. ib.
rationally.
539 And redreſs Grievances, upon fomc Oc-
Kifing goes by Favour. What intities calions. What may be wondered at.
Men to Canonization in fome Parts.
SŞI
540
CHA P. XIV.
BASHA XIX. XX. HASSAN BASHA, VENEDIC; a Renegado Vene-
TIAN: The firſt Time of his Adminiſtration.---Jafer AGA,
MAJAR: A Eunuch Renegado HUNGARIAN.
SS.I
ſets out.
HATα
Aſan Baſma. His Origin and Cap- Hacdo's Doubt concerning two other
tivity
551 Martyrs. Some Delinquents pardon-
A Sketch of his untoward Diſpoſition. cd.
ib.
552
Inſtances of the new Bafha's wayward
He obtaias the Bajhalic of Algiers; and
Humour. He is ack of all Trades;
A Conſpiracy of certain and takes ſome bold Steps.
555
Renegadoes.
ib. And is a very unfair Merchant.
Their Scheme
553 Ways and Means to get Slaves. ib.
['he Devil does Miſchief,
ib. Other Ways of turning the Penny. 557
The Plot diſcovered, and ſome Crimi. What a Santon ſays to hlin.
ib.
nals ſeized.
$54
Some Account of the brave Morat Rais.
Hlahovet reviled by a ſuffering Martyr.
ib.
ib. Halan Bajha at the Baleares,
559
556
4
lo
**
thel
ICO
4
1
1
ta
1
Ć "
ÖN Í E N I S.
In what the Aigcrinies are his Debtors. Slaves attempt and bravely obtain their
5oo Liberty
ib.
Exemplary Love and more than paternal Some of them recovered ; and the Ring-
Indulgence of the Captain-Bajha, in leader put to Death.
568
regard to this unworthy Renegado. A narrow Eſcape.
569
Jafer Agu appointed his Succeſſor. 561 Origin and farther Character of Jafer
Morat Rais carries off two of the Pope's Aga, the new Baſha of Algiers. ib.
Gallies,
562 Inſtances of his great Humanity, ſtriet
Many hopeful Prieſts, &c. ſwap onc Juſtice and other rare Qualities. 570
Thraldom for another.
ib. A dangerous Conſpiracy againſt his Life.
Haſan Baſha removed.
ib.
571
A great Dearth.
563 Diſcovered, and the chief Traitors pu-
Haſan Baba's farther Character. ib. niſhed.
ib.
How he made himſelf Maſter of ſeveral A Merchant turns his Penny to good
remarkable Slaves. D. M. Cervantes, Purpoſe.
572
a notable Spaniard.
ib. Arrival of the Captain-Bajha, and his
A well-laid Scheme ſpoiled. 564 Buſineſs.
A Traytor.
ib. His unjuſt Dealing with Jafer Aga. ib.
Farther Account of Cervantes. 565 His Difference with the Militia of Al-
How he was dreaded by Haſan Baſha. giers.
ib.
ib. A Caution given the Sultan concerning
A wicked Slave helps Morat Rais to a him.
573
Prize.
566 A good Prize taken by Morat Rais. 'ib.
That Villain poniarded by two Renega. The Turkiſh Admiral recalled, to his
does.
ib. Mortification.
ib.
Their tragical End; and upon what Ac- Is even with the Algerines.
ib.
ib. Of our firſt Trade in the Mediterranean,
Other Executions.
567
with other Particulars,
574
count.
CHA P. XV.
BASHA XXI. XXII, HASSAN BASHA, VENEDIC : The ſecond and
laſt Time of his Adminiſtration.MEMMI BASHA, ARNAUD :
An ALBANIAN..Some Particulars relating to our Affairs in
thoſe Parts.
$75
Hasan Baſha again arrives at Algiers. Moriſcoes; and returns in Triumph.
ib.
578
Morat Rais ſnaps up a Spaniſh Galley. His Paſs to an Engliſh Merchant. 16.
576 His final Removal from Algiers. 579
What the Baſha fays of him.
ib. Made Baſka of Tripoly, and afterwards
Haſan Baha's Sea Expedition. ib. Captais-Baha. His End.
ib.
His Succeffos.
577 Origin of Memmi Baſha.
ib.
Methods obſerved with Sellers of their Sent to Algiers, as Vice Roy. His Qua-
Country
ib. litics.
580
He miſſes a good Booty.
ib. A Letter to him froin Sir Edward Of-
But brings from Spain more than 2000 vorne.
ib.
Notcs
V
<
!
1
:
1
A
*
11.
11
H
588
1101.
C Ο Ν Τ Ε Ν Τ S.
Notes concerning the Trade, &c. of Morat. Rais ventures on the Ocean as
Algiers, about that Time. 581 far as the Canaries. What he ſays to
Q. Elizabeth's Letter to the Grand Sig his Pilot.
582
Takes a conſiderable Booty from one
The Grand Signor's Orders to the Vice of thoſe Illands, and fets up a Market
Roys of Barbary, in favour of our in his Vefſels.
589
Nation,
584 Is way-laid by a Spaniſh Fleet; but bilks
Extract of a Letter, relating to Algiers,
the Dons.
ib.
C.
585 Memmi Bajha removed. His Genero-
Another on the fame Subjcct.
ſity to his exacting Succeilor.
590
Bravery of ſome Engliſh; with an In His good Character.
ib.
ſtance of Juſtice in Vemmi Baſha. 587
586
CH A P. XVI.
BASHA XXIII, XXIV. AHAMED BASHA.—HIDIR BASHA; the
firſt Time of his Adminiſtration. Both TURKS.
590
A
ib.
Hamed Baſha arrives. '
ib. And ſnaps up another Prize.
Some of his Qualities. 591 Honours done hiin at Algiers. ib.
A Sea Expedition of his.
ib. Commotions in Tripoly;
with other Par-
He eſcapes a Scouring.
592 ticulars, not very remote from the
Account of the State of Sea Affairs in Purpoſe.
599
the Mediterranean in thoſe Days. ib. War with Beni-Abbas.
599
Removal, aud farther Character of Aha- Thoſe Affairs fuccin@ly related. 600
med Balla.
594 Loſs of two Algerine Galeots. ib.
Hidir Bajha arrives Vice-Roy. 595 Parallel between two great Corſairs.
Morat Rais quits his Company at Sca,
601
becauſe they were not fo ralh as him A parting by Conſent.
ib.
felf. And takes a Prize.
ib. Turkiſh Captives eſcape from Naples. ib.
Determines, in a ſingle Galeot to fall on 2 Lots of certain Chriſtian Gallies, and
Malteje Galley. His Harangue. 596
Alzerine Galcots.
602
A Reward proiriled.
597 A Galeot of Algiers taken.
604
Sayings concerning this bold Corſair. Hidir Baſha's Removal and Character.
He carries his Point.
ib. This Baſhalic dwindles.
ib,
C H A P. XVII.
BASHA XXV. XXVI. XXVII. XXVIII. SHAABAN BASHA.
MUSTAFA BASHA.-Hidir BASHA; the ſecond Time.
MUSTAFA BASHA, again. All TURKS.
6o)
A
Haaban Bapu arrives.
605 A terrible Hurrican.
ib.
A Deputation from the Militia to Lampedofa, a ſmall Iſland: A common
the Suitan.
ib, dzylum.
607
Algerine Deputies flighted at the Porte. Morat Rais directed by his Fortune
656 Books to the taking two Chriſtian Gal-
The new Bafha's good Management. lies,
iba
ile
He
1
I
1
11
TUI
1
ib,
.
C Ο Ν Τ Ε Ν Τ S.
He joins the Ottoman Fleet in Calabria. Is ſucceeded by Muſtafa Baſha.
. The of
Dons crow by themſelves.
ib. thoſe Times.
OII
More Prizes taken by Morat Rais. ib. 15000 Ducats unjuſtly extorted by this
His unprecedented Preſumption. 609 Baſha from his Predeceſſor.
ih.
For which he is near paying very dearly. Muſtafa Bama again.
612
ib. He repays himſelf at the Rate of Cent.
But bravely fights five Malteſe Gallies,
ib.
one by one, in his own Galeot, and The Author takes Leave of his faithful
has a moft fortunate Eſcape. 610 Guide Haedo.
613
Shaaban Bajha removed. His Chara&er. ib.
per Cent.
1
+ 4
:
t
C H A P. XVIII.
Some Particulars' relating to the Algerine Corſairs ; and their
Naval Strength (then conſiſting solely in Row.Veſels) at and
before the Time when they began to build Ships.
613
UT ftill makes Uſe of certain of Scrupulous Nicety of the Algerines at
BI
his Materials, very much to his Pur Sea.
ib.
poſe. viz. An exact Account of the A Boaſt uſed by them while they had Gal-
Naval Affairs of the Algerines about lies, °C.
ib.
that Time.
613 Their Sea-Oeconomy continued. ib.
Kul-Oglou, what it ſignifies. Renegadoes Story of a blundering Prieſt, a knaviſh
how called by the Turks.
617 Turk and a Renegado, who, tho' in-
Continuation of the foregoing Subject. nocent, fared ſcurvily.
622
ib. More relating to Sea Affairs.
A ridiculous Muſulman Fable.
624
120
CHAP. XIX.
The Progreſs of their Sea-Affairs, till the Miſcarriage of Sir
Robert Manfel, in his Attempt upon their Ships, &c. in the
Port.
627
and away.
²
Spain
Paniſh Fleet takes a View of Algiers, Advice given in at the Council-Board,
ib. by Sir W. Monfon, relating to an At-
An Omiſſion inſerted. Rare Diving. ib. tempt upon Algiers.
632
Some Effects of the Expulſion of the The Author's Remarks on the preceding
Moriſcoes.
628 Diſcourſe.
636
A remarkable Letter concerning the Farther Obſervations of that Admiral.,.-'.
growing Power of the Algerines. 629 with ſome Remarks thereon.
637
French Fleet ſucceſsful againſt them. 631
CHAP.
C O N T E N T S.
CH A P.
XX.
Extract from a Journal of the fruitleſs Expedition againſt Algiers,
under the Conduct of Sir Robert Manſel, Vice- Admiral of Eng.
land. With other Particulars and Occurrences.
642
654
WHAT is ſaid of this Expedition by lianice.
665
Mr. Secretary Burchett. 648 Other Exploits of the Algerines under
Another Obſervation of his.
649 General Ali Pichinin.
666
Sir_R. Manſel's Letter concerning his Venetians violate a Port of the Grand
Exploit.
ib. Signor's.
667
Gallantry of four young. Engliſhmen. Deſtruction of fixtcen Barbary Gall
652 there.
668
A notable Story of John Rawlins and The Grand Signor gets Maney by it.
ſome others.
His kind Offer refuſed by Ali Pichinin.
Letter from our Ambaſſador at the Hague
concerning the Algerixes. 660 Commotions at Algiers; and why. ib.
Rebellion at Algiers ſuppreſſed, and the A wicked Iſelander.
670
Authors punilhed.
661 Naval Strength of Algiers.
ib.
Algerines take Advantage of the Grand Ali Pichinin's ſharp Rencounter with a
Signor's Troubles, and commit many brave Dutchman.
671
Diſorders.
662 Some farther Particulars relating to Ali
Unfortunate Adventure of four French Pichinin.
673, & feq.
Cadcts,
664 Articles of Peace, &c. with Algiers,
Reciprocal Courteſies pra&iſed between Tunis and Tripoly, ſtill in Force.
th¢ French and Algerines when in Al-
669
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CH A P. 1.
The Antiquity, Names, Revolutions and Situation, of
the City of ALGIER S.
M
OST certain it is, that if the City, known to us
under the ſpurious Name of Algiers, that dreaded
Retreat of lawleſs Free-Booters, the Terror of their
Neighbours, the avowed Enemics to the Chriſtian
Common-Weal, and the inceſſant Interrupters of its
Commerce, if this Neſt of Waſps, this Den of
Thieves, (as many call it,) I ſay, aroſe from the Aſhes
of that celebrated Capital of one of the Mauritania, (an Honour allowed
it by the Generality of Geographers) I mean Gefaria, it has, both for
Antiquity and Nobility, a juſt Title to claim Place among moſt of the
nobleſt Cities in the Univerſe. Some, indeed, think fit to be Diſſenters;
Ee 2
alluring
1.L
21.2
The HISTORY of ALGIER S.
aſſuring us, that Cæfaria ſtood elſewhere, ſpecifying ſeveral different dic-
cayed, or decaying, Towns on that Coaft: But thoſe who diffent fo far
from Truth, or even Probability, as to make it to have been an inland
City, apparently expoſe their Ignorance; ſince its Situation was, indiſpu-
tably, maritime; as all, who are worthy of any Credit, or Regard, una-
nimouſly affirm. But, to vicw Algiers in its modern. Garb, I my ſelf,
were it not for what is obſerved by ſo many Firſt-Rate Hiſtorians, ſhould
be
very inclinable to come into Marmol's Opinion;. viz. that the old City,
fome few Miles Weſt of Algiers, whoſe African Name is Tegedemt, is all
that is now left of the once illuſtrious Cæfaria, the Place ſelected by King
1.Juba II to be rebuilt, cnnobled and new-named, in Honour of his muni-
ficent Patron Cafar Auguftus, preferable to any Spot of Ground through-
out his extenſive Realm. Ib'nal Rakik, the moſt reputable of all the:
African Chronologiſts, poſitively affirms its former Name to have been
Caiſara: Tho' I could never hear of any others making that Remark.
[I cannot help obſerving here, that we and others, who pronounce the
G,, like S, are in the wrong, and that it is crept in like other vulgar Er-
rors ; ſince it is obvions that moſt of the Northern Nations, and, Ibc-
lieve, all the Orientals, pronounce Cæfar like Kaiſar: But this I ſubmit
to the Criticks.] The Ruins of that ancient City. are very noble, and
ſcarce leſs than twelve Miles in Circumference.
In Page 59,. I juſt hinted ſome of my Sentiments concerning Algiers;
which, by its preſent Aſpect, none would ever judge to be the Offspring
of the favourite Seat of a mighty Monarch, the Metropolis of his vaſt
Regions, and to have, afterwardsz. continued ſome Centuries a Roman
Colony, Head of a moſt noble Province, to which it had given a Name,
and, to conclude, a City. in as flouriſhing a Condition, and of almoſt as
grcat Noteg, as any throughout the whole Empire, while in the Zenith
of its Glory. Butz. notwithſtanding Algiers has now fewer Monuments
of Antiquity, to boaſt of, than any ancient Place I ever came ncar, and
(formidable and redoubted as.it renders: itſelf to many of the Coaſts and
moſt Traders of Europe) meaſures barely one League about, if Cæfaria ſtood
on any other Ground than where Algiers now is, How can we account for
what an Author of ſuch undoubted Credit as 6 Strabo ſo plainly advances,
when he poſitively, ſays that King Juba II.. Son of Juba I. and Father of
Visda. P-353.6.jpg
L: 174
P.tolemy's
t
Tbė "HISTORY OF ALGIER S.
213:
11
hi
Ptolemy, re-edified the ancient City yol, and named it Cæfaria, which
City had juſt before it a ſmall Iſland ? Not to inlarge, or dwell upon
what might be produced from other Writers of Repute, I ſhall, impli-
citly, acquieſce to this ſingle Authority, and take no farther Notice of
other concurring Circumſtances, which might ſerve to corroborate it;;
only obſerving, that Algiers has, in front of it, juſt ſuch an Iſland,
whereas neither Tegedest, nor any other place on the Coaſt, intimated by
Geographers to have been yol (or, as ſome have it, Julia) Cæfaria, can
produce the leaſt Appearance of any ſuch Rocky, or Ifand.
: And, yet it is wonderful, that not one Inſcription, one Statue; or even
a Fragment of any Triumphal Arch, or any thing like it, that I could
ever ſee or hear of, by digging Foundations, Cellars, Ciſterns, Wells;
&c. is to be met with, in the whole Neighbourhood. This is periêre .
ruine, with a vengeance !
The learned Criticks will, certainly,. condemn me for again invading
their Province: Yet I muſt needs take Notice, that the Initials in the
Proper Names Jol and Juba are Vowels and not Conſonants, which by:
another vulgar Error, like the former I hinted, we, abſurdly enough, con
founds and uſe irregularly and promiſcuouſly, as we do C and S; K and
O; Gand 7 Conſonant; and as the Spaniards, moſt corruptly and moſt.
abuſively, murder and confound ſeveral Letters. Thoſe Names, I am al ..
moſt poſitive, ſhould be pronounced Yol and Yuba, or rather only Youby:
which, according to our Idiom, is the ſame with Job. Had I no other In-
ducement to be of that Opinion, what one ſometimes hears the Africans
themſelves ſay would be ſufficicnt: For they ſeem to retain ſomething of
a traditional Idea, or Remembrance of their King: Juba, when, ſpeaking
of Things tranſacted, or ſaid, in Days of Yore, they deliver themſelves in
theſe Words; Fe Doul't Sultan Youb: q. d. In King Youb's Reign: Yer,
when asked, they tell one, they mean not Job the Patriarch, but an an-
cient and powerful King of their own. Farther they know nothing.
This inclines me to fancy, that thoſe two memorable Perſons were really
Name-ſakes, and that the Monoſyllable Youb, or diub, was altered into
Yuba (with a Vowel I) by: the Romans, as- more ſonorous to their Ears,
and better agreeing with their Language.
It has been the Uunhappineſs of Barbary, to be often afflicted with Tyn
rants, who ſeem to have even delighted in deſtroying all the ſtately Edi--
fices of thoſe fine. Provinces. Algiers has undergone as great a ſhare in theu
4
frequently,
1
*
214
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
1
frequently repeated Deſolations as any; nay, ſeemingly greater; ſince I
know of no Place at all, even among ſuch as have never again reared
their Heads, but has ſomething or other to Thew, as a Token of its priſtine
Splendor, or at leaſt of its Antiquity ; whereas this ſtill proud Çity has
an Aſpect actually modern : And yet, by what is to be gathered from
Hiſtory, it appears not to have continued any conſiderable Time wholly
depopulated.
Allowing it, therefore, the Honour of being the legitimate Daughter
of the moſt illuſtrious Cefaria, which it would be a very difficult Matter,
with any Appearance of Juſtice, to diſprove, it muſt be an unpardonable
Pantiality to diſpute its being noble by Deſcent: I, for my Part, am in-
tirely for fighting an Enemy gencrouſly, en bonne Guerre, and fulfilling
our old Proverb, Give the Devil his Due. And the ſame Authority we
have for that, proves Cæfaria to have been erected on the ruinous Foun-
dations of the moſt ancient fol. Thus much for the Nobility and An-
tiquity of Algiers.
The Name it bears in the African Chronicles is Muzgunna ; and no-
thing is more common than to hcar Moors ſo calling it, with a ſeeming
Reluctance that its Name is changed to one leſs ſonorous. Leo and Marmol
obſerve the fame, tho' they write the Word differently; and ſeveral others
have taken the Hint, ſtill varying as each thinks fit. The Africans aſſert
that City to have belonged originally to Beni Muzgunna, an ancient Li-
byan People, they know not of what Tribe, who founded and inhabited
it, they ſay, long before the Romans came thither : The Arabs in their
Hiſtories call it Al Jezeirat Beni Muzgunna ; which ſignifies, the Iſland
of thoſe people. At preſent, its 'real modern Name Al Jezeirat, or The
Iſland, is corrupted cven by thoſe who gave it that Appellation; for the
Moors and Arabs call it Tzeir, the Turks change the Arabick Singular in-
to Plural, and name it Fezair, while the Weſtern Africans, almoſt in
general (in a corrupt Manner, peculiar to themſelves, of always uſing
G for y Conſonant) call it Gezeir. The Europeans, from ſome one, or
all of theſe, have formed Alger, Algieri, Argier, &c. the Spaniards
in particular, have it Argel, ſometimes Arjel, both which, not to part
with their dear Gutterals, (tho' they loſe three or four Letters out of their
Alphabet by that aukward Imitation of the Arabians) they think proper
to pronounce Arkhel. But, only We and the Netherlanders, that I know
of, call it Algiers. The Turks, beſides the common Appellation of Ma-
gribli,
4
The HISTORY of: ALGIERS.
215
gribli, q. d. Weſterling, they give to all ſuch as inhabit Weſt of Egypt,
call an Algerine, in particular, Jezairli; whereas the Tingitanians, as I
hinted above, ſay Gizeiri, and all the reſt of the Moors and African Arabs,
in general, Tzeiri, or Zeiri, which being the ſame Word with that Title
borne by the Dynaſty of Al Zeiriat, it induces me to fancy, that the
City partly borrowed its preſent corrupt Name from that Family, rather
than from the ſmall rocky Iſland fronting it: Or, perhaps, after all, it is
only a Corruption of Cæfaria. As for that filly Notion, ſome run away
with, of its being called ſo on account of its lying almoſt oppoſite to
the Balearic Iſlands, I look on it to be wholly groundleſs, ridiculous and
abſurd.
Theſe being all the Names I could cver hear Algiers to have gone by
I next proceed to the beſt Account I find of its Revolutions. It has been
obſerved, d that Gæfaria was intirely deſtroyed by the Arch-Rebel Firmus,
Brother to the Tyrant Gildon, in the Reign of the Emperor Valentinian
II. but preſently rebuilt, probably by the Romans; tho' it came far ſhort
of its former Beauty and Magnificence. The favage Vandals, the ſchiſ-
piatick Fathimites, the Scenite Arabs, the Morabboths, Almohades, the
Family of Edris, and, indeed, almoit all the tyrannical Dynaſties, fuccef-
ſively, ſome thro' Bigotry, tho' Ambition never failed of lurking at the
Bottom, have ſeemed to imagine they could not by any Means immorta-
lize their Memories better, or more effectually, than by ruining what they
could conquer: Tho' I cannot help furmiſing, but that the Paſſions which
agitated the Breaſts of ſome of thoſe Locuffs, were Hatred to the Roman',
or rather Chriſtian Name, and Envy of what they were incapable of imi-
tating to Perfection: Why, elfe, ſhould they, ſo apparently, have taken
Pleaſure in beſtowing both Labour and Expence to deſtroy beautiful
Edifices, and lay waſte flouriſhing Provinces, which the Sword had
made their own, and which, ſo adorned, would have rendered their Con-
queſts fo ſuperlatively more advantageous and eſtimable ?
In all thoſe, almoſt general, Deſolations, it is very likely Algiers bore a
Part; but I no where find it to have remained long uninhabited: Norg
cver ſince it ceaſed to be called Cæfaria, or, at leaſt, ſince it flouriſhed,
as a Colony, under the Romans, has it enjoyed the Honour of being a
Metropolis of any Kingdom, or very conſiderable Province, but ſtill fol-
Vide P. 171.& leg.
d Vide P. 59. ut fupra.
& Vide P. 172. & feq.
i Vide P.15,
lowed
216
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
lowed the Fortune of Tremizan; except that ſhort Interruption of which
I ſhall preſently take Notice: For, what I ſeemed to fancy (in Page 172)
that Algiers was the Scat of the Zeirites, who rebuilt Bujeya, was only bare
Conjecture, from the Similitude of the Name, as is above obſerved, and
for which I have not the leaſt Authority.
Not to inlarge any farther on the ancient State of theſe African Pro
vinces, but haſtening to more modern Occurrences, I ſhall only premiſc,
that Algiers, very probably, underwent many notable Revolutions, amidſt
thoſe univerſal Alterations. What moſt relates to the Purpoſe in Agita-
tion, is to look back on the Country fome Time before the laſt grand Re-
volution, brought about by that bold Corſair Arouje, commonly called
Barba-roſa, or Red-Beard, A. D. 1516.
Saying little or nothing of either Libya, South-Numidia, or the pertý
Principalities, Communities and independent Mountains, we muſt obferve,
that in the Century which preceded that memorable Epocha, I mean the
Turks ſettling in the Weſt, Barbary was divided becween the following
powerful Sovereigns, viz. the Kings of Tunis in the Eaſt; of Tremizan
in the Middle; and of the Tingitana in the Weſt. The Kings of Tunis
governed from near the Defart of Barca down to the Borders of the Pro-
vince of Algiers, (properly ſo called) where it bounds with the Territory of
Bujeyro Thoſe of Tremizan from thence, Weſtward, to the River Mulwia,
which ſeparates the Territories of Fez and Tremizan. The next, and laſt,
included the Empires, or Kingdoms of Fez, Morocco, &c. ſometimes un-
der one mighty Prince, and other times under ſeveral leſs confiderable
contending Powers, till ſwallowed up by the preſent Sherifian Family: Of
this-more Weſtern Part of Barbary no farther Notice necds hérc bc
taken.
The then extenſive Kingdom of Tunis confilled of theſe principal Pro-
vinces, viz. Tripoly in the Eaſt; Coſtantina to the Weſt of Tunis; and Wéſt
of that Bujeya ; which States, or Principalities, were governed by Vice-
Roys, generally the Sons, near Relations, or chief Favourites of the
Kings of Teinis. The ulual Reſidence of the Kings was in that Capitál.
They had great Dominions in South-Numidia; but had Meaſures torob
ſerve with their Arabian Auxiliaries. The Kings of Tremižan ſtood upon
much the ſame Footing, tho' they were far leſs potent than thoſe of Tunis;
and their Provinces of Algiers and Tenncz were often beſtowed on their
Sons, or Kindred, who there acted as Vice-Roys:
Abdalaziz,
lo
.
1
i
.
"!
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
217
Abdalaziz, a younger Son to Moulei Abou-Ferez, one of the moſt tri-
umphant among the Hafaſa, Kings of Tunis, had the State of Bujeya,
with a Regal Title, left him in Appennage. By his Prudence and Lenity,
he ſo gained the Affections of his rugged Highland Subjects, and became,
confequently, ſo powerful, that he durft attack the King of Tremizan,
cruelly perſecuted by his Weſtern Neighbour (the King of Fez) and
miſerably haraſſed the Province of Algiers. The oppreſſed Algerines, finding
their natural Sovereign grown too feeble to protect them, ſubmitted to
pay the moderate Tribute demanded of them by the King of Bujeya, and
ſo remained obedient and contented Vaſſals to thoſe Princcs, in a State
nearly reſembling abſolute Liberty, till A. D. 1509, when Bujeya was
conquered, for Don Ferdinand, the Catholick King of Spain, by the Count
Don Pedro Navarro, whom all, or moſt of the French Writers erroncouſly
call Count of Navarre, whereby ſeveral of our beſt Tranſlators have
been led into the like Error. Ought not a Frenchman to know that Na-
varre is not a County?
C: Granada being reduced by that Monarch's Arms, A. D. 1402, ſuch
of the vanquiſhed Moors as diſdained to live abject Vaffals to People whoſe
Creed they abhorred, in a Country where, for ſo many Ages, they had
Lorded as Sovereigns, under Princes of their own Belief, ſwarmed
over in Sholcs, with their Families, into. Africa, chuſing for their future
Abodes thoſe Parts of the Coaſts which they thought proper ; bearing
rancoured Hearts againſt the ſucceſsful Spaniards, who had uſurped their
ancienț Patrimonies, and fully bent to omit no Opportunity of Vengeance.
To ſay nothing of thoſe who ſettled elſewhere, I ſhall only trace fomo
of the Proccedings of ſuch as reſorted to the Places of which I am treat-
ing. Fifteen Leagues Weſt of Algiers, lies an ancient maritime · City,
once very great, and which bad lain , long in Ruins : It is called
Sherſhel. This one Party of Moorija Exiles begged of the King of Tre-
mizan, not forgetting to obtain the Concurrence of the Algerines, and foon
puự that ruinous Place in a Condition to receive idoo Families, breath-
ing nothing bur Deſolation to the Spaniſha Coaſts in particular : Not that
they bore anyi good. Will to the reſt of Chriſtendom; but their chief Aim
was againſt their: Perſecutors: All the others were, doubtleſs, in the very .
fame Humour. As for. Algiers, whither, alſo; repaired a conſiderablc Num-
ber of theſe Fugitives (if People forcibly ſtripped of their. All máy; pro-
perly, be fo termed) its very name was ſcarce ever known in Spain before
Ff
this
218.
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
I
this Time: But, now nothing is heard, upon the Southern Coaſts of that
Country, and in all its Ilands, but Lamentations of People whoſe Towns,
Villages and Farms have been pillaged of their whole Subſtance of any
Value, and their Kindred, Friends and Acquaintance hurried away into
Captivity by Hundreds and by Thouſands; and all this by their own Na-
tives, Men born and educated among them, perfect in their Language, and
knowing every Inch of Ground there as well as themſelves, coming on
them unawares, apparelled like thoſe they lie in wait for, and, in a Word,
mere Spaniards in every reſpect, except in an unconceivable Deteſtation
in which they held a Spaniard's Religion and Principles, and an irradicable
Hatred they bore to the Spaniards purely on account of their being Spa-
niards: And Woe to the Spaniſh Prieſt who had the Unhappineſs to fall
into any of their Clutches! And how to redreſs theſe hourly Calamities!
The Enemy is a Neighbour, daring, determined, incenſed, artful, infi-
dious, indefatigable, vindictive, diſguiſed to perfection, the Coaſts abound,
ing with well-known and often frequented Creeks, which ſerve now to
conceal their Brigantines and Row-Boats, as they had heretofore donc
to ſhelter from Storms their Fiſhing-Boats: Moreover, the Spaniards (at
which the Moors were not very angry) are lofty, ſecure, they deſpiſe a
few beggarly Out-Laws, whom their Proweſs has obliged to ſeek Sanca
tuary among the Infidels and Barbarians, nothing leſs.contemptible than
thoſe Fugitives themſelves. Several Moriſcoes, or Spaniſh-Moors, have told
me, this was the Spaniards uſual way of talking, for ſome Years; during
all which Interval of Lethargy, their Grand-Fathers, they ſay, were con-
tinually ravaging the Coaſts and Iſlands of Spain, while the Spaniſh Gal-
lies lay loitering and rotting in the Ports ; the Dons deeming it beneath
them to keep out at Sea merely to cruiſe upon a few pilfering Brigantines,
and fuch Small-Craft; whereby they were inſulted at Pleaſure. Nay, they
had, then, few or no Watch-Towers; nor were there any. Troops in Rea-
dineſs to deter an Eneiny, or receive them at their Landing. Some of
the Relations, indeed, I have heard of Moriſco Boldneſs and Spaniſh Para
ſiveneſs and Supinity, ſeem ſcarce credible : Alli:which they aver to be
handed down to them, from Father to Son. But, certain it is, that Al-
giers became more known than it had been for many Agesz, nay was grown
cven formidable; and yet no Care was taken to put a Stop.to the grow-
ing Evil. Nor is it leſs certain, that the Moriſcoes of Africa held a con-
ftant Correſpondence with their perſecuted' Brethren in Spain, were often
forwarded
I
4
1
1
10
it
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
219
forwarded and aſſiſted by them in their nocturnal Expeditions, and, at dif
ferent Times, tranſported many thouſands of them, with their Families
and Effects.
Don Ferdinand, the Catholick King of Spain, at length began to be
alarmed, in good Earneſt. In 1509 the Cities of Oran and Bujeya, on
the Barbary Coaſt, were conquered by his Fleets. Thoſe Exploits were
no ſooner archieved, but he ſent a great Naval Force to reduce Algiers, in
order to rid the Seas, or rather his own Houſe, of thoſe audacious Crui-
ſers. The Algerines were in Hopes of maintaining their preſent Condition
of Independency; they being, actually, become a Free People; their So-
vereign, the King of Bujega, having been lately ſent a grazing in the
Mountains. But beholding the ſame Power, which had been able to
diſpoſſeſs their Protector, juſt ready to ſerve them fo, or worſe, they thought
it Prudence to ſubmit; and, without ſuffering their Invaders to proceed
to Hoſtilities, inſtantly agreed to acknowledge themſelves Subjects to his
Catholick Majeſty, and to pay him a yearly Tribute, But as his faid Ma-
jeſty's main Deſign was to keep thoſe inſolent Corſairs at home, ſince they
were ſo
very troubleſome when they got abroad, a Fort was erected, with
all imaginable Expedition, upon the little rocky Iſland, ſtanding before
their Town, which was well ſupplied with all Neceſſaries, and a Gar-
riſon of 200 Spaniards, under the Command of a ſtout and experienced
Governor. This Method was ſo effectual, that the Algerines paid their
Tribute Money very punctually, and the Spaniſh Coaſts heard no more of
their Depredations: For, over-awed by the Cannon of the Fort (and they
having none of that Sort of Mufick to bear a Chorus with their new Neigh-
bours, or to anſwer them in the ſame Key) they continued very honeſt
Men, and obedient Subjects, till News came of Don Ferdinand's Deceaſe;
which happened in the Beginning of 1916.
This State of Servitude and Reſtraint agreed little with their Conſti-
tution. The Occaſion ſeemed favourable for them to make a Puſh to re-
cover their Liberty. "An Arab Tribe, named Beni Tatije, was then very
powerful in the fine neighbouring Plain, called Metejia, and ſome of the
circumjacent Mountains. Their Sheikh, or Chief, was Salem aben Toumi.
To him the Algerines offered the Sovereignty of their City, which he
accepted, was joyfully received as their Prince, and promiſed them his
beft Protection. No more Refreſhments and Proviſions muſt be carried
to the Spaniſh Fort, as cuſtomary; for which Neglect the Spaniards
F f2
fail
4
220
The HISTORY of ALGIER:S.
1
fail not to cannonade their Houſes. Algiers, as near as I can learn, had
then almoſt the ſame Walls round the City as at preſent: Of the modern
Additions and Alterations I ſhall elſewhere take Notice. It has now no
Suburbs at all; but there were then very conſiderable ones. Thc Caſabba,
or Citadel, ſeems pretty ancient, and was built by the Kings of Tremizan,
for the Reſidence of their Vice-Roys; and Prince Salem made it his Pas
lace; tho' he did not long enjoy his new Dignity. But of theſe Parti-
culars, and the ſucceeding memorable Revolution which happened in
Algiers, I ſhall treat ſomewhat largely in the enſuing Chapters.
Till I enter upon the particular Topography of this City, and ſome
tranſient Deſcription of its Dominions, I ſhall, here, only. obſerve, as to
the Situation of this noted Priſon of thouſands of Chriſtians, from moſt
Corners of the Univerſe, That it lies in a ſpacious Bay, partly on even
Ground, cloſe by the Sea, at the Bottom of a ſteep Hill, and partly on
the Declivity. thereof
, in 21 Degrees, 20 Minutes of Longitude, and 36
Degrees, 30 Minutes of North Latitude. This is according to the lateſt
Obfervations: For ſome Geographers and Hiſtorians vary in their Ac-
counts, about one Degree, ſome more ſome leſs, of which I think it need-
leſs to take any farther Notice.
65
.
.
CHA P. II.
Some Account of the famous Corſair BARBA-ROSSA, before
be poleſed himſelf of ALGIERS,
L
ESBOS, now Meteline, an Inand in the Egean Sea, gave Birth to
this bold and enterprizing Corſair. His Father's Name was Jacob,
a Chriſtian of the Greek Church by Principle, and by Profeſſion a Potter.
Large was his Family, conſidering the Smalneſs of his Means and Cir-
cumſtances; having three Sons and four Daughters, and nothing for their
Maintenance but what accrued from daily Labour, at that poor Calling.
Of all thoſe Children He I treat of was the eldeſt; and, as ſoon as able
helped to nouriſh the reſt, by working with his Father at that his only
Occupation :
The HISTORY of ALGIER S.
221
Occupation: And tho' he paſſed his Life in that poor and ſlaviſh Manner,
ſo repugnant to his aſpiring Genius, yet he perſevered till his Brothers
grew capable of ſupplying his Abſence.
Arrived at his twentieth Year, he reſolved to attempt the bettering his
Fortune, upon the firſt Opportunity that ſhould preſent itſelf. It was not long
before a Turkiſh Half-Galley, armed for the Cruiſe, touched at a ſmall Port
in the Iſland, whoſe Name is not mentioned, diſtant about a League from
his own. Habitation, which was in a Village, on the North Side of Meteline,
now called Mola. Without imparting his Deſign to any, thither he re-
paired; and accoſting the Rais, or Captain of the Privateer, he expreſſed
his Willingneſs to become a Muſulman, and to follow his Fortunes. The
Captain, ſeeing him a proper, ſprightly and promiſing Youth, readily em-
braced the Offer, and received him into his Service. His Name when a
Cbriſtian is not known; but that given him, with his new Religion, was
Arouje. For ſome Years he followed the Trade of ſcouring the Seas, and
ſoon became much noted and highly eſteemed, for his Intrepidity, among
his Aſſociates, and failed not of ſignalizing himſelf on all Occaſions. He
was naturally vigilant, daring, courageous, and withal haughty and am-
bitious. Some Turkiſh Merchants of Conftantinople, being no Strangers to
his Character, having built and armed out a Galeot, or Light:Gally, in-
tending to try their Fortunes at Sea, againſt all Chriſtians not in League
with the Ottoman Port, made our Adventurer a-Proffer of its Command
which Employ, being too honourable, advantageous and conformable to
his Diſpoſition for him to reject, he promptly accepted and commenced
Raisg. or Captain; and muſt henceforth, for ſome Time at leaſt, be called
Arouje Rais.
Being ſo well acquainted and beloved among the Corſairs, it was caly
for him to man his Galeot with ſuch as would anſwer his Views; which
proved very different from the Intentions of his Owners, who ſpared not any
Coſt to fit him out to the beſt Advantage, and juſt as himſelf deſired.
When got to Sea, he opened his Mind to the Chiefs of his Equipage,
laying before them the vaſt Advantages would infallibly accrue to them
all, if, inſtead of confining themſelves to the Archipelago, and thoſe Parts,
(where they muſt be awed by the Grand Signor, and puniſhed with Se-
yerity when complained of by any of his Vaſals, or Allies) they bent their
Courſe towards Barbary, 'which Coaſts (warmed with rich trading Veſſels;
and in which Scas a Turkiſh Galley would be a Novelty. There they..need
not
3
.
1
!
22.
. ,
The HISTORY OF ALGIERS.
not doubt of a welcome Reception, and from thence rifle all the Chriſtians
they met with, at Diſcretion. A ſtout, well-appointed Galley, like that
which Providence had put into his Hands, manned with ſuch dreadleſs
Lyons as, by long Experience, he knew them all to be, might ravage the
Italian and Spaniſh Shores and Seas, without Controul: And, having a-
mafled a Store of Wealth ſuitable to their Merits, and anſwerable to their
Ambition, ſuch he knew to be the crazy Condition, ſuch the Diſunion of the
African Princes, perpetually haraſſed with inteſtine Jars, that it would be
no difficult Matter for them to ſeize a noble Territory, and of ſimple
Corſairs to become independent and formidable Sovereigns.
His Harangue met with the wiſhed-for Succeſs: Every one readily came
into his Meaſures; and it was unanimouſly agreed, to direct their Courſe
for Tunis.
In his Way thither Arouje Rais put into Meteline. His Father was dead,
and the Condition of his family rather worſe than better. He relieved
their Wants, and invited his Brothers to partake of his Fortune; which
Invitation, together with Muſulmaniſm, they embraced without much he-
fitating. The Elder he named Heyradin, the other Iſaac; and as the Name
of their common Father was Jacob, they were all ſurnamed Tacoub Oglou,
which anſwers to what an Arab would expreſs by Aben Yacoub, equivalent
to our Jacobſon, or the Son of Jacob. This may ſerve as a Rule on all
ſuch Occaſions. It ſhould be farther obſerved, that wherc the Arabs uſe
the harſh Gutteral Kha, the Turks ſoften it into the Aſpiration Ha, which
is exactly our H: So that the true Arabian Name of the middlemoſt of
theſe Brothers is Kheyradin. He was the redoubred Barba-rola II. of
whom I ſhall treat very particularly.
Soon after his Departure from Meteline, he overtook a Galeot, belong-
ing to ſome of his Friends and Acquaintance; to whom communicating his
Deſigns, thoſe Corſairs not only gave into them, but conſented to acknow-
ledge him as their Principal, and to follow his Directions. Thus, increaſed
in Strength, and meeting with a favourable Paſſage, Arouje Rais, with
his two Galeots, in a few Days, caſt Anchor before the Golesta, where
was then only a ſmall Fort, and a Douana, or Cuſtom-Houſe, at which
the European and other Traders uſed to unload their Merchandizes. This
is the Port of Tunis, diſtant from thence about a. Dozen Miles, and is de-
fended by two no inconſiderable Caſtles. His Arrival there was in 1904,
in the Reign of Moulei Mahammad, Father of that Moulei Haſan, whom
Barba-rola
}
11
G
14
<
The HISTORY of ALĞIERS.
2.23
Barba-rolla II. diſpoſſeſſed, and the Emperor Charles V. reſtored, as will
be obſerved. They were kindly received by the King of Tunis, who
granted them free Entrance and Protection in his Ports, with Liberty to
buy whatever they wanted; in Return to which Favour, the Corſairs &-
greed to give him the Tythe of all their Purchaſe, or Booty. Arouje
Rais was then about thirty, and had uſed the Sea full ten Years.
Marmol relates the firſt Adventures of theſe Corſairs ſomewhat diffe-
rently; and, among other Matters, affirms, that they ran away with a
conſiderable Sum of the Grand Signor's Money, put on Board them, to
pay the Turkiſh Garriſons at Coron and Modon, in the Morea, or the an-
cient Peloponneſus: Bat as F. Diego de Haedo, (ſeemingly much better
informed, and on whom I more depend, for Reaſons I ſhall give in my
Preface) is wholly silent on that Head, I am rather inclined to doubt than
credit a Paſſage which carries with it a Face of Detraction and Partiality,
without much Appearance of Probability: It being abvious, that the Ot-
toman Monarchs are not, with Impunity, to be ſo treated by their Sub-
jects, who ever again intend to ſet Foot in their Dominions, or to ven-
ture within Reach. Indeed, Marmol, every where, allows both the
Brothers to have been Men of moſt confummate Valour, and, in many
Inſtances, nor devoid of Greatneſs of Soul, Generoſity and Humanity.
Arouje Rais ſtayed not long at the Goletta ; but, manning one of his
Galeots (the other wanting to be cleaned and repaired) with his beſt
Rowers, and ſtouteſt Soldiers, he departed in Queſt of Prey; in which
Cruiſe he met with an Adventure, attended with a Succeſs ſcarce to be
equalled in Story. I find it related both by Marmol and Haedo, tho' with
fome Variations, of which Notice ſhall be taken; ſince either of the AC-
counts given of it by thoſe ſtanch Spaniards (who can never be ſuſpected
of Partiality, in Favour of ſo terrible and ſo inveterate an Enemy to their
Country and Principles) are ſhining Arguments of the uncommon Bravery
and Reſolution of a Perſon, whoſe very Name and Memory great Part of
Chriſtendom had ſo much Reaſon to deteſt and execrate. What Haedo
ſays of this Exploit, is to the following Purport.
S. Peter's Chair being filled by Pope Julius II. two Gallies, belonging to his
Holineſs, richly laden, from Genua, for Civita Vecchia, purſued their Voy-
age, and were within Sight of the ſmall Ifland Elba, not far from Piombino,
in Tuſcany; when Aronje Rais, who was cloſe by the ſaid Iſland, diſcovered
them,
الم۱
.
sonte
.2.2:
The HISTORY OF ALGIERS.
them, as they came, negligently, rowing along, no leſs than ten Leagues
aſunder, careleſs, indolently ſupine, and, according to Cuſtom, in very
indifferent Order. (Here the Diſproportion between a Galley-Royal and
a Galeot ought not to paſs unconſidered: I ſcarce believe, that there-is
much more between ſome of our Third and Fifth-Rate Ships-of-War.]
No ſooner had this bold Renegado got Sight of them, but he vigorouſly
made towards the neareſt, and exhorted his Men to prepare for the En-
gagement. The Turks, weighing the Bulk of the Galley againſt the Fee-
bleneſs of their Galeot (which had but eighteen Banks on a Side) uc-
terly condemned the Mndneſs of the Propoſal, and plainly told their Cap-
tain, that he reflected not, that the other Galley might, eaſily enough, for
their Deſtruction, come up to its Confort's Alfiſtance; adding, that, in-
ſtead of offering to be ſo raſh as to attack an Enemy ſo far above their
March, and who had Succour, of equal Force, within Sight, they thought
it their Buſineſs to make off with Speed, in order to eſcape ſuch evident
Danger. “God forbid, replied the determined Corſair, that I ſhould
- ever live to be branded with ſuch Infamy!" And then, his Eyes glow-
ing with Indignation and Reſentment, he fiercely commanded almoſt all
the Oars to be thrown over-board. He was inſtantly obeyed; and thereby,
as he intended, no Hopes left to his cautious Turks of putting in Execution
the Dictates of what he termed Cowardice. Mean while the Galley ap-
proached, not imagining the Galeot to be Turkiſh, (a Sight till then un-
known in thoſe Seas, the Barbary Cruiſers, as has been ſaid, being only
Brigantines, and ſmall Row-Boats) and tho' curious to know why it lay
waiting, yet far from dreaming of an Enemy. But being arrived near
enough to take a full View of the Make of the Veſſel, and to diſtinguiſh the
Turkiſh Habits, in the utmoſt Hurry and apparent Confternation, they be-
gan to make rcady for an Encounter. The Turks, encouraged by the Con-
fuſion in which they perceived thoſe on board the Galley, got as near the
Enemy as they could, and pouring in their Shot and Arrows very ſmartly,
killed ſome Chriſtians, wounded many, and terrificd all the reſt; ſo that,
with ſmall Oppoſition and leſs Damage, they immediately boarded, and
forced her to a Surrendry.
No ſooner were the Chriſtians ſecured under Hatches, but Arouje Rais
fignified to his people, that he muſt, and would have the other Galley,
which was leiſurely advancing towards them, and ſeemed to know nothing
of the Matter. In a brief Exhortation, he put them in Mind of the
freſh
I
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
225
of the freſh Inſtance they had of the little Difficulty reſolute and couragc-
ous Men meet withal, in the Accompliſhment of their Undertakings;
telling them, that, in order to render themſelves Maſters of that other
Galley, which approached them wearing a Face of Security, nothing was
required at their Hands, but to reſolve the ſhould be their Prize, and to
put on a determined Countenance. Tho' fome of the Turks diſapproved
the Motion as too temerarious, yet it was agreed to by the Majority.
Arouje Rais then ordered the new Captives to be ſtripped of their Cloaths,
E3c. in which his Equipage dreſled themſelves; and, the better to deceive
and ſurprize the Chriſtians, made all his Soldiers paſs into the conquered
Galley, and take in Tow the Gallegt, that it might ſeem as if the Galley
had taken a Prize. The Stratagem failed not of its deſired Effect. They
were now pretty near, and no Appearance of Miſtruſt: And when cloſe
enough, a little-expected Shower of Arrows and Small-Shot, fent among
the Cbriſtians, killed and wounded ſeveral, and the Galley was inſtantly
boarded and carried, with very little farther Blood-fhed, or Reſiſtance.
Many Moors, and a few Turks, whom they found chained to the Oar,
were ſet at Liberty, a like Number of the robuſteſt Chriſtians ſupplicd
thcir Places, and our fortunate Adventurer haftened away to the Goletta,
where he ſoon arrived, with his two Prizes.
" The Wonder and Amazement, ſays Haedo, that this notable Exploit
66 cauſed in Tunis, and even in Chriſtendom, is not to be expreſſed; nor
“ how celebrated the Name of Arouje Rais was become from that very
“ Moment; he being held and accounted, by all the World, as a moſt
6 valiant and enterprizing Commander: And by reaſon his Beard was cx-
“ tremely red, or carotty, from thenceforwards he was, generally, called
“ Barba-rolla, which, in Italian, ſignifies Red-Beard.”
Marmol delivers this Story in different Terins. But as Haedo wrote
ſome Years later, and avers, that he had moſt of what he relates from
ancient Chriſtians, Turks and Renegadoes, who had been Domeſticks to
Barba-sola II. I look on him to have been better qualified to give an
exact Account of thoſe Paſſages. However, take the Subſtance of what
I find in Marinol.
The Brothers, in two Brigantines, (which the Turks and Africans call
Fregatta) one finall, and the other conſiderably larger, as they were mak-
ing off with the Grand Signor's Moncy, cook, from a Sicilian Corſaii, a
Galcot of ſixteen Banks, which they armed, and let go their little Brigan-
GS
tine,
.
I
2:26.
The HISTORY of ALGIERS,
tine. With theſe they came upon the Coaſts of Italy, then free from?
Pyracies; where, having taken ſeveral Barks and Veſſels, they, at laſt,,
met with two of the Pope's Gallies, under Command of Paulo Vittor.
This Cavalier, who came a-hcad in the Admiral-Galley, diſcovering the
Enemy, gave them Chace, without waiting for his Confort. Arvuje
Rais, perceiving he was chaſed by only a ſingle Galley, reſolutely attacked
it with his two Veſſels, which were well armed and manned. But after
a long Fight, the Turks, unable to ſuſtain the Inequality of Strength, the
Galley being very large, were forced to ſurrender, and ordered to paſs in-
to the Galley. As they were conducting towards the Prow, in order to
be ironed, Arouje Rais faid, in Turkiſh, to his Companions ; “Do as I do,.
“ Boys; follow my Example:" And, drawing a Dagger he had concealed,
ſtabbed the Comitre, or Boatiwain, and then nimbly running up to the
Poop, ſeized ſome Swords, wherewith he and his Followers ſtoutly fell
upon the Chriſtians, and were vigorouſly ſeconded by the Slaves at the
Oar, who failed not making uſe of what Weapons came firſt to Hand.
Great Part of ihe Galley's Equipage were on board the Prizes, buſied in
ranſacking for Plunder: So that the reſt were caſily maſtered; and were
either lain, or forced over-board. The Captain was made Priſoner. Nor
did this bold Corſair ſtop herc; for with the ſame Expedition as he won
the Galley he got it put in Order, and having freed the Slaves from their
Fetters, he diſtributed among them the Arms taken from the Chriſtians,
and lay by, waiting for the other Galley, which no ſooner came up but
he boarded and took her, with the greateſt Eaſe imaginable. This is the
Sum of what is related by Marmol, concerning this daring Action. I
have been the more particular, becauſe from hence his Fame began to be
publiſhed, and this Adventure was the firſt Occaſion of his being ſur-
named Barba-roſa; or, as the Spaniards have it, Barbaroxa and roja, both
which they pronounce Barvarokha.
Barba-roja (fo I fall henceforth call him) had ſome Reaſon to value
himſelf upon that Action; it being a Spectacle, I believe, never ſeen, ,
either before or ſince, for onc Galeot to carry off two Royal Gallies. In
the enſuing Autumn, he armed out both the Galeots and one Galley; which
he might caſily do, having taken ſuch rich Prizes, which had ſo well ſup-
plicd him with Neceſſaries and Rowers: Nor was the King of Tunis
backward in granting him all the Favour, or Aſſiſtance he required. With
theſe he ſcoured the Coaſts of Sicily and Calabria, taking ſeveral Veſſels,
3
and
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
227
and a conſiderable Number of Slaves ; all which ſerved to increaſe his
Strength, and rendered him ſtill more renowned and formidable.
A. D. 1505, being the enſuing Year, going on Cruiſe with one Galley
and two Galeots, he had the good Fortune to take, without ſtriking a
ſtroke, a very large Ship, on which were soo Spaniſh Soldiers, and a great
Quantity of Pieces of Eight, ſent from the Catholick King to recruit and
pay his Army in the Kingdom of Naples. What occaſioned that eaſy
Conqueſt, was the Ship’s being very leaky, and the Soldiers either Sea-
Sick, or ſpent with continual Pumping. Returning to the Goletta, he
brake up his Gallies, and ſome other Prizes, and built two ſtout Galeots;
which Veſſels, being light and nimble, he found more to his Purpoſe
than heavy Gallies. Theſe, with the two others, he equipped out to the
beſt Advantage; and being already poſſeſſed of many Hundreds of Chrif-
tians, he culled ſuch as were fitteſt for the Oar. In leſs than five Years
be grew immenſely rich; being Maſter of eight good Galeots, two of
which were commanded by his Brothers Heyradîn and Ifaac; or, as the
Orientals pronounce it, Ilhac.
4. D. 1510. Don Garcia de Toledo, Son to the Duke of Alva, having,
this Year, received that notable Overthrow, and loſt his Life in the Iſland
* Jerba, the King of Tunis, apprehending that the Chriſtians, in Revenge,
would make a ſecond Attempt on the Iſland, made Barba-roſa an Offer
of that Government; as preſuming on his Valour, Reputation and grow-
ing Power. He readily accepted the Proffer; and the rather, becaule,
Since the Augmentation of his Followers and Equipage, his Lodging, at
the Goletta, was become too narrow, and leſs commodious than he could
have deſired. From Jerba he continued his Excurſions, miſerably ravag-
ing all the Italian Coaſts; not any trading Veſſel being able to ſtir out
without imminent Peril, inſomuch that all Europe began to ring of his
Depredations.
In 1912, his Force conſiſted of twelve great Galeots, cight of which
were his own; the reſt belonging to his chief Officers, who had built
them of the Timber of their many Prizes; Jerba affording none fit for that
Uſe, there growing only Vines, Olive and Date-Trees. Early this Year,
T
a A ſmall Iſland belonging to Tunis. The Spaniards, I know not for that Reaſon, call
it Los Gelves. A very particular Hiſtory of the remarkable Tranſactions there, between
the Chriſtians and Moors, &c. may be read in Marmol, L. 6.
Gg2
thc
228
The HISTORY of ALGIER S.
the diſpofleflod King of Bujeya, ſent an Embaſiy to Barba-sola, ſolliciting
the Affittance of ſo brave a Champion, to recover his Eftatc from the Spa-
niardi, by whom he had been turned out of Doors, and, for near three
Years, been forced to wander in the Mountains ; aſſuring him, that he
ſhould not only be nobly rewarded for his Trouble, but the City and
commodious Port of Bujeya ſhould be wholly at his Devotion; not fer-
getting to put him in Mind of its Nearneſs to Spain and the Inlands
where he might expect ſufficient Encouragement briſkly to follow his
uſual Employ.
This Meſſage was far from ſounding ill in the Ears of Barba-rola,
who aſpired to ſomething greater than always to remain a ſimple Corſair.
His Thoughts ran on nothing ſo much as erecting a Sovereignty in Bar-
bary, and fancied it would be no bad Introduction if he was in Poſſeſſion
of ſuch a maritime Place as Bujeya. He very courteouſly diſmiſſed the
Deputies, with repeated Promiſes of a ſpeedy Compliance with all their
Prince's Demands. At this Time he had upwards of 1000 Turkiſ Sol-
diers, “ Whom, ſays Haedo, his great Reputation, and the Deſire of
“ partaking of the Weſtern Riches, had inticed down from the Levant,
ut with a Thirſt not unlike that which hurries us Spaniards to the Mines
c of America."
Nor was he worſe than his Word: For, with all poſſiblc Diſpatch,
the twelve Galeots (well provided, having on board 1000 Turks, ſome Moors
Adventurers, and ſufficient Cannon) ſet out, and in Auguft 1512, arrived
before Bujeya, where he was welcomed by his impatient Majeſty, with
more than 3000 ſturdy Highlanders. Landing his Troops and Artillery,
Barba-roja began a furious Battery upon the Fort, or Baſtion, near the
Sca, in which the Place's main Strength conſiſted. The Count Don
Pedro Navarro, who made that Conqueſt, had erceted this Fortreſs from
the Ruins of an ancient Caſtle. After eight Days ſmart cannonading,
which opencd a conſiderable Breach, juſt as Barba.rolla was leading on
his Men to the Attack, a Shot took away his Left Arm, above the Elbow.
This Diſaſter ſo damped the Courage of the Aſſailants, that they inſtantly
withdrew, and Bujega, for that Time, eſcaped a fore Scouring. What
our ambitious Corſair now moſt ſtood in need of was a good Surgeon;
wherefore the Galeots made the beſt of their way to Tunis, the likelieſt
Place for him to be ſupplied with what he ſo much wanted: And the
poor diſappointed King had the bare Satisfaction of having viſited the
Out-Side
The HISTORY Of ALGIER-G.
222
1.
Out-Side of his quondam Abodc, but muſt forthwith repair to his Sanc-
tuary, till a more favourable Occaſion of gaining Admittance ſhould
preſent itſelf. Near b Tabarca the Turkiſla Squadron fell in with a Genoefa
Galeot, which was eaſily carried off without Oppoſition. B.11ba-ro11,
accompanied by a ſelect Party of Turks, thus obliged to continue for ſome:
Time at Tunis, being unwilling his Brothers and Friends ſhould go for
from him, got Leave of the King to permit his Brother Heyradin (to
whoſe Care he committed all things) with Part of his Soldiery, to lodge
within the Fort of Goletta, to have an Eye upon his Chriflians (all fettered)
and Veſſels, which he had ordered to be difarmed and brought within the
Canal, leading to the ſpacious Lake near which Tunis lies ſituate. All
this being ſoon rumoured in Genoa, and the Senate highly incenſed at the
Capture of their Galeot, Andrea Doria was diſpatched, with twelve flout
Gallies ;. who' landing, with a Body of Forces, within Gun-Shot of the
Goletta, marched towards the Enemy's Galeots, his Gallies following cloſe
along Shore. Heyradín. inſtantly cauſed the fix Galeots, he had already got
in, to be ſunk, and fallied out, with about 400 Turks, to engage the Genoeſe.:
But, being inferior in Number, and the Gallies plying their Shot apaco,
his Men.foon betook themſelves to their Heels; and all Retreat to the
Goletta being intercepted, many were killed and the reſt fled towards Tunis;
ſo that the Chriſtians had Opportunity to rifle and ſet Fire to the ſaid
Fort, and carry off their own Galeot, with ſix others, and fomc Prizes,
which the Turks had not Leiſure to ſecure by ſinking.
Heyradin Rais (tho? he had loſt ſcarce any thing beſides the bare Hulls
of the Veſtels, and ſome no very conſiderable Plunder, having faved all
his Chriſtians and what he had of moſt Value) durft, not even approach
Tunis, much leſs appear in the Preſence of his Brother, who was vehc-
mently inraged againſt him, attributing that whole Diſgrace to his Cow.
ardice and bad Conduct; notwithſtanding, according to my. Author Haedo,
he did all that was humanly poſſible for Man to do. In this. Perplexity,
extremely dreading his Brother's Wrath, with all imaginable Diligence
he got his own Galeot weighed; and fitting it out as beſt he could, went
to Jerba. There, hoping to appeaſe the fiery Barba-rolaz.out of the great
B.This little Iſland, very near Land, is held of the Tuniſines, in Fief, by the Genoeſe Fi-
mily of the Lomelini. They maintain a Fort and Garriſon, for the Coral Fiſhery, and traf-
fick, with thc. Moor's,
Quantirics
3.
230
The HISTORY Of ALGIERS.
1
Quantities of Timber and other Materials rcpoſited there by them, with
incredible Expedition he built and equipped three fine Galeots; where.
upon his Brother gave him to underſtand, that he was intirely recon-
ciled.
A. D. 1513. Barba-roſa, being not yet quite recovered of his great
Wound, gave Leave to Heyradín to take Command of all the nine Galeots,
and to go out upon the Cruiſe. The younger Brother Ifaac was left
Governor of Ferba, with Orders from Barba-rolla to uſe the utmoſt Di-
ligence to build more Galeots; he intending, as ſoon as able, he ſaid, to.
undertake an important Expedition. By May he was in a Condition to
be himſelf at Jerba ; and employed all the remaining Part of that Year and
Beginning of the next in getting ready his new Galeots, in making Powder,
and the like Exerciſes.
A. D. 1514. In Auguſt, this Year, without ſtaying for any 'Invitation,
he imbarked upwards of 1100 Turks, together with all Neceſſaries, on
twelve Galeots, and came again before Bujeya, where he was ſoon waited
on by the Exile King, with a Body of Moors and great abundance of
Proviſion. The Battery againſt that unlucky Fort was inſtantly crected,
and carried on inceſſantly with the utmoſt Fury. In a very few Days he
almoſt levelled it with the Ground, and the Spaniards, forced to diſlodge,
retired to the City. Next a Battery was raiſed againſt another Baſtion,
or Fortreſs, built quite new by the ſaid Don Pedro Navarro (who con-
quered Bujeya, Oran, Tripoly and other maritime Places on the Barbary
Coaſt) and which ſtood very near the Sea, whoſe Strand and Shore is
The Turks, having made a good Breach, gave ſeveral
Aſſaults, but mct with more Oppoſition than they expected; loſing in
the very firſt Attack 100 of their own Men, and at leaſt as many of the
moſt forward Moors. However, Barba-roſa would, certainly, have car-
ried it, had not a Spaniſh Captain, named Martin de Renteria, by expreſs
Orders from the Catholick King of Spain, arrived, very opportunely, with
five large Men-of-War, on board which were ſome Companies of Land-
Forces; who entering the Haven, with a proſperous Gale, and without
any Oppoſition, obliged Barba-roſa to raiſe the Siege and draw off.
" Tho', ſays Haedo poſitively, ſeveral very old Turks have told me, that
of the principal Reaſon of his withdrawing, was becauſe, when he con-
“ ſulted with the King of Bujeya and his Moors, putting it to them, whe-
$6 ther they were determined to aſſiſt and ſtand by him in caſe he ſhould
o purſue
very beautiful.
The HISTORY OF ALGIE Ř S.
231
66. purſue the Enterprize, he found moſt of the Moors firmly diſpoſed to
" defift, in order to plow and low their Lands, there having lately fallen
« plentiful Store of Rain, and the beſt Sowing.time in Barbary is preſently
e after the firſt Showers : And that they immediately began to flink
« away." Whatever was the Impediment, Barba-roſa, notwithſtand-
ing his mighty Inclination, was not the Perſon deſtined to reduce Bujeya ;
and he is ſaid to have departed like one frantick, tearing Iris Beard for
mere Madneſs; to find himſelf ſo baffled and diſappointed.
There cannot be a greater Inſtance of his being moſt ſenſibly affected
at this ſecond Repulſe, than the Reſolution he took never again to fhew
his Face either at Tunis, or Jerba. Eaſt of Bujeya twenty Leagues is a
ſmall but convenient Harbour, belonging to a ſtrongly ſituated and defena-
ble Town called Jijel, metamorphoſed by the Europeans, after their laud-
able Manner, into Gigil, Gigeri, and what not. The Inhabitants thereof,
a Free People, conſiſting of about 1000 Families, being no Strangers to
his Fame, gave him a very favourable Reception, aſſuring him their Port
and all they could command were much at his Service.
Barba-roſa there continued, that whole Autumn, and the enſuing
Winter: And as thoſe People had a very indifferent Harveſt, they under-
went great Neceſſity; nor had the Turks themſelves any Superfluity. The
Weather proving extremely calm. in November, our Corſair went on Cruiſe,
with all his twelve Galeots, towards Sardinia and Sicily, to try if he could
pick up any Baiks laden with Corn, or other Proviſions. In a few Days
ho brought in three large Veſſels bound to Spain with Wheat from Sicily,
Of this ſeaſonable Supply he made fuch liberal Diſtributions among the
hungry Jijelians, and the neighbouring Mountaineers, who were in the
like Plight, that he won their Affections to ſuch a Degrec that his Word
became a Law and an Oracle: Nay, (ſays my Author Haedo, from whom
I'extract the Bulk of this Narrative), the Reputation and Authority hc
gained among them ſurpaſs Belief. Barba-roja, as a Man of Prudence,
and one who always aſpired to great Things, took Care to cultivate and im-
prove this mighty Opinion they had conceived of him; and had the Addreſs
ſo well to manage Matters, that thoſe indomable Mountain Africans, who
all along had preſerved their Liberty againſt the powerful Kings of Tunis,
and others, without ever acknowledging any Superior, as Leo, Marmoly
&c. affirm, by common Conſent fubinitted to this brave Corfair, and
pro-
claimed him their Sovereign, with the Royal Title of Sultan.
1
Being
232
The History of Algiers.
I
Being thus advanced to a Regal State, Sultan Barba-roſa, as he mult
now be called, was ſollicited by his new Subjects the Jijelians and their
contiguous Highland Neighbours, to lead them to Battle againſt their an-
cient Focs, the Zwouwa. This was in the Beginning of 1515. His Ji-
jelian Majeſty, who really never appeared better pleaſed than when play-
ing at Loggerheads, provided there was a Proſpect of his being
Gainer,
willingly took the Field, in Hopes of extending the Bounds of his Do-
minion. Aben al Cadi, King of Cucco, with a ſtout Army of his e Zwouwa,
Horſe and Foot, had already advanced Half-Way, and they met in a great
Mountairi, near fifty Miles from Jijel, called Jibil Beni Kheyar, inhabited
by an African People of that Appellation. I was once in that Moun-
tain, and was very glad when we left it, and got out, as may
obſerve:
It is not many Miles from Bujega. The Reſult of their Encounter was,
that the King of Cucco loſt his Life, as did many of his Followers, and
the reſt diſcouraged betook themſelves to a precipitate Flight, and King
Barba-roſa returned in Triumph, with the ſlain King's Head carried be-
fore him on a Lance. The Reputation of this Victory was ſuch, that
ſeveral Mountains came into his Obedience. I ſhall only here animadvert,
d Beni Abbas and the Zwouwa were in League, as they ſeldom
arc, the King of Cucco could not eaſily have penetrated ſo far among
thoſe
frightful Mountains, which ſwarm with moſt martial and inconquerable
Africans.
1. D. 1516. This Year, January 22., N. S. died Don Ferdinand, ſur-
named the Catholick, aged fixty two Years. The People of Algiers, whom,
for ncar ſeven Years, he had held in ſuch Subjection, by the Fort he built
on the little Inand, that they not only paid him Tribute, but even durft
not. peep their Heads out of the Harbour, nor repair their decaying Row.
Boats, much leſs build new ones: And if they had, to what Purpoſe ?
They had carly News of the Death of his Catholick Majeſty, and thought
then, or never, to free themſelves. Sheikh Saloni aben Toumi was their
ncar Neighbour, This Arabs valiant and numerous, and could, certainly,
defend them from Land Enemies. To him they ſent immediately ; who
undertook their Protection, that is to be underſtood as far as lay in his
Power, and became their Prince; and to make it worth his Acceptance
they intitled him Sultan. Thus they ſecured themſelves from Land At-
that except
c Pide P. 69. Es feq.
d Vide P. 70, 71.
tacks.
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
233
li
tacks. But, what are they to do with the 200 petulant and vexatious
Spaniards in the Fort, who inceſſantly pepper the Town with their Can-
non, and make their Houſes too hor to hold them; cſpecially when they
are hungry? Little would the gallant Arab Cavalry, with their fine Libyan
Mares and Horſes, rich Coats-of-Mail, tough Targets, well-tempered Sabres
and long ſupple Lances avail them againſt the Spaniards Vollics. And
who lo proper to redreſs this Grievance as the invincible Barba-rola, who
was Maſter of a Naval Force, and wanted not Artillery? Had he not
been twice to re-inſtate the unfortunate King of Bujeya, and had loſt a
Limb in his Service? Without the leaſt Deliberation Prince Salenz dir-
parched a ſolemn Embaſſy to Jijël, intreating Barba-roſa, in whom he
and his people repoſed their whole Confidence, to baſten to their Aſliſtance.
No Meſſage whatever could have been more welcome to the ambitious
Barba-roja than one of this Nature. His new acquired Realm brought
him in but a very ſcanty Revenue; nor was he abſolute. It is true his
Subjects loved him; but neither they nor their Fore-Fathers had been ever
taught to fear, or ſtand in Awe; and conſequently if they lind Money
in 'their Purſes (which I cannot fancy they were much troubled with it
was not at his Devotion. He had been wretchedly bafiled at Bujeya ; but
hoped for better Succeſs at Algiers; which, likewiſe, is a Place of much
greater Conſequence, and far more convenient for his purpoſe, which, as
has been ſaid, was to erect a great Monarchy of his own in Barbary.
Prince Salem's Envcies were civilly diſmiſſed, with Aſurances of his
following them cloſe at their Heels, with all his Turks, and whatever elle
People he could raiſe, in order to render their Maſter and City the beſt
Services that ſhould lic in his Power: And he was ſo good as his Word;
as to the firſt Part of his Promiſe: “ For (ſays Haedo preciſely) this Man
« had the particular Virtue, among others which were the Effects of Iris
great Couragc, to be moſt prompt and diligent in executing all lie took
« in Hand.” Sixteen Galeots, moſt of them his own, with goo Turks,
foine Artillery, and all Neceffaries, were immediately ſent before; himself
ſetting out by. Land, with Soo Turks, all bearing Fire-Arms, 3000 of his
own Subjeets, and 2000 other Mooriſh Voluntiers. He was met, a good
Days Journey froin Algiers, by Prince Salem, and all the chief Citizens.
Notwithſtanding their Joy for his Arrival, and the Congratulations they
beſtowed upon the redoubted Champion who, they ſaid, was to deliver
them from the Tyranny and Inſults of the Infaels, they had the Mortifi-
Hh
cation
CG
ht
234
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
cation to learn from that their Deliverer's own Mouth, that he could not
poſſibly, juſt then, attempt to work their intended Deliverance; being,
unavoidably, neceſſitated to defer it till his Return from Sherſhel, which
ſhould be very ſpeedy.
• This Place, I ſaid, lics abouť fifteen Leagues, on the Coaſt, Weſt of
Algiers, called in Spaniſh Hiſtory Sargel, Şarjel, and ſometimes Sarxel, all
which, according to their intolerable Pronunciation of the Letters &, j, and
*, muſt be read Sarkhel: How either of theſe agree with the true, eaſy
Name I leave to proper Judges : Every Nation has its Peculiarities; nor
has Ours abundance of Reaſon to brag of its ſuper-abundant Regularity
in thcſc Affairs. But, Quod femel efi, &c.
Barba-roſa's Buſineſs at Sherſhel was this: As his affable Behaviour and
Liberality were equal to his Fame and Reputation, many Corſairs of Note
flocked down, from the Levant, to lift under his ſucceſsful Banners; nor
did any miſs of Encouragement. Kara Haſan, a bold Man, Captain and
Owner of a ſtout Galeot, perceiving how eaſily Barba-roſi had acquired
a Sort of Sovereignty at Jijel, could not but envy his Succeſs (for Envy
and Ambition are inſeparable) as fancying himſelf no leſs deſerving of that
Dignity than Barba-rola, whoſe Original he knew, and that he was but of
late Standing in their common Vocation. Agitated with thoſe inſupera-
ble Paſſions, Envy and Ambition, as natural to the Turks as to any other
People whatever, he withdrew his Galeot and Equipage, in Search of
fome farther Reward cqual to his Merit, ſoon after the more fortunate
Barba-roſa's Promotion. The People of Sherfael, who were of his own
Trade, and, as has been hinted, all Spaniſh-Moors, received him well, as
imagining they could not do better than to range themſelves under ſo
ſtanch and fo experienced a Corſair as Kara Halan. As for Barba.rola,
notwithſtanding this aſpiring quondam Conſort of his grew apace, and bad
even decoyed away many of his beſt Turks, all which gave him great ſea-
louſy and Uneaſineſs, he had diſlembled till now, as not being at Leiſure
to call him to Account. But, at this favourable Juncture, he determined
to nip in the Bud this dangerous Rival, before he took too firm Rooting.
In order, thereforc, to ſurprize him unawares, he made precipitate Marches
towards Sherſhel; and being pretty neat, and apprchenſive left from o-
ther Hands, he ſhould have Information of his lo apparently hoſtile Ap-
Vide P. 217
proach,
The HISTORY of ALGIER S.
235
1
proach, (the Galeots having Orders to take the ſame Route along the Conſt,
and to make all poſſible Haſte) he fent him Notice of his deſigned Vifit;
aſſuring him, that he came fo far purely to terminate whatever Diſputes
and Miſunderſtandings might have ariſen between them, in an amicable
Manner ; giving him, however, to underſtand, that he intended to repair
and fortify the Port of Sherjel, and to take up his Abode there, and ſhould
be glad to renew and cultivate their former Friendſhip and Intimacy.
Kara Haſan, tho' ſufficiently alarmed, had ſo little Time to conſider, that he
determined to fall in with Meaſures which he could not obviate, notwith-
ſtanding their. Diſagreeableneſs: And ſo, ſtill placing fome Confidence in
an Intimacy of ſeveral Years Continuance, he went out to meet and re-
ceive that old Friend; on whom beſtowing abundance of Compliments,
and uſing the beſt Excuſes he could, made a formal Surrendry of his
Perſon, Galeot, Turks, Slaves, &c. and, in a Word, of the whole Place,
and all he had, into the Hands of him who, I ain apt to fancy, he wiſhed
at the Devil, or any where elſe but in his Company. This might, per-
haps, have ſatisfied ſome more moderate Perſon, or leſs refined Politician:
But Barba-rola, like all ambitious Upſtarts and Tyrants, jealous of Rivals,
immediately ordered his Head to be taken off in his Preſence. This Ex-
ecution done, he haſtened to take Poſſeſſion of his late Legacy; and with-
out more Ado forced all the Tierks he found there to liſt into his Service,
and cauſed himſelf to be proclaimed Sultan, or King of Sherfbel, and its
ſmall Dominion.
i
CH A P. III.
The Hiſtory of BARBA-ROSSA continued till his Death.
When, and by what Means Algiers fell into the
Hands of its preſent Polelors, the Turks.
See
ULTAN Barba-roſa, already King of Jijel and Sherſhel, having
rectled his Affairs at the laſt of thoſe Places, where he had committed
that barbarous Cruelty, as Haedo terms it, and which ſome would call
H h 2
State-
236
The HISTORY of ALGIER S.
1
3
State-Policy, left there, as in Garriſon, about 100 of his moſt truſty Turks,
and, without the leaſt needleſs Delay, directed his Courſe for Algiers.
Prince Salem and the Citizens received him with all poſlible Honour and
Applauſe; and thc Joy at his Arrival ſeemed univerſal. Little did the Al-
gerines dream what a l'ire they took into their Boſoms; more particularly
their hoſpitable Prince, who conducted the dangerous Gueſt to his own
Palace, with loud Acclamations of Satisfaction and Content, where his
Apartments were ſumptuous, and his Entertainment truly noble; nor did
this good-natured credulous Prince ever think himſelf obliging enough.
The chief Citizens followed his Example, and generouſly lodged and en-
tertained all the Turks, as did the reſt of the People thoſe of Jijel and
other Parts ; ſo that none remained either unhouſed or unprovided for :
And chofe on board the Galeots were plentifully ſupplied with all ne-
ceſary Provifions.
Early the very next Morning, Barba-roſſa (in order to convince his
liberal and obliging Hoſts, that he came with a Deſign to ſerve then, in
what they moſt wanted, which was to rid theon of that grievous Eye-
fore, the Spaniſh Fort) began, with much Noiſe and Buſtle, to raiſe a
Trench and plant a Battery againſt it, loudly menacing the Chriſtians, that
not one of them fhould eſcape having his Throat cut, or being worſe
ſerved. However, to proceed ſomewhat methodically, hc firſt ſent the
Governor 'a Summons; offering to conduct him and the Garriſon, with
their Baggage, over to Spain, provided they ſurrendered before Hoſtilities
began. In Anſwer to this, the Spaniſha Captain gave him to underſtand
That neither his Threats, nor proffered Courteſies, were prevalent with
Men of his Kidney : On Cowards they miglit, probably, work fome
Effect: Withal adviſing him to take Hoed, leſt he came off here even
worſe than he had donc at Bujeya.
I admire that · Monſieur Laugier de Tally ſhould place the Fort, on the
Iſland, at roo Geometrical Paces from the Town; whercas few others
allow its Diſtance to be more than 300 common Paces; nor can I think
it more; having gone it ſome thouſands of times, yet had never the Cu-
rioſity either to meaſure it, or to make Inquiry. Moſt of the Spaniards
affirm it to be a Croſs-Bow Shot; and ſo I leave the Curious to Calcula-
tion, or Gueſs; or, if they pleaſe, to inform themſelves from ſuch as have
Scemy Prefaco.
been
The HISTORY OF ALGIER S.
337
..
A
mates.
!
1
becn at thc Pains of making exact Menſuration of the preſent Peer, or
Molc, which joins that Ifland to the City: All that Part of a Traveller's
Duty being an Exerciſe in which I never did nor ſhall amuſe my felf
.
For twenty Days, fuccellively, Barba-roſa played his Cannon moſt
furiouſly; in all which Time, notwithſtanding the ſmall Diſtance, as his
Artillery was only flight Field-Pieces, he did no very conſiderable Da-
mage. The Algerines perceiving, the little Good their Gueſts did them,
or the little Harm done to their Enemies, and withal quite ſick of the
Haughtineſs and Infolence they treated them with, in theiri own Houſes,
began heartily to repent their ſending for ſuch ſaucy and troubleſome In-
But none had ſo much Reaſon to bc uneaſy as Prince Salem, who
had filled his Palace with ſuch as would ncither be ſatisfied with all he
did to ſerve and oblige them in Private, enor deport themſelves with any
tolerable Civility, or Decorum, towards him in Publick.
No longer able to endure a Treatment ſo little expected, and apprehen-
five of what afterwards came to paſs, as having been cautioned to look
about, leit his Life paid for his Hoſpitality, the too-late repenting. Salem
gave his imperious Gueſts the Slip, and retired among his Arabs in the
Country. Barba-roſa, vexed at his Retreat, wrote a Letter, fraught with
Dillimulation; inſinuating his Surpriſe and Concern at the ſmall Confi.
dence he ſeemed to repoſc in him, who was his real and unfeigned Friend;
importuning him to return and take Care of his Affairs, ſince he was fit-
ting out for the Sea with all his Forces, and, anxious leſt any Misfortune
might befal in his Abſence, he could not poſſibly depart with an eaſy
Mind, except he left ſo much eſtcemed and ſo obliging a Prince peaceably
ſettled in his Family, and his Affairs in a better and more proſperous Diſs
poſition than he bad found them; all which to effcet mould be his ſole
Care and Buſineſs: Adding, that his coming from the Levant was not, in
any wife, to wage War, or commit Hoftilities upon True-Believers, Pro-
feflors of the ſame Creed with his own, bue to exert his utmoſt Efforts
againſt the Chriſtians, their common Enemy, out of whoſe Hands he
pretended to wreſt ſoine Place of Strength, wherein to fortify himſelf, and
from thence to proſccute his Deſigns. This was conveyed to him by a
Morabbotb, or Santon; who joining his own Perſuaſions to the artful Con-
tents of the Letter, ſo prevailed with that over-credulous Prince, that
he brought him to Algiers; wherc, inſtantly at his Arriyal, the Tyranc
cauſed him to be hanged, in his own Turbant, at the Eaſtern Gato
of
1
1
238
The HISTORY OF ALGIERS.
4
i
of the City, called Beb• Azun: And then, ſeizing the Citadel, took
Poſſeſſion of the whole, in the Grand Signor's Name: To this Pur-
por't ſays Mormol.
* Haeco makes not the leaſt Mention either of Salem's withdrawing him-
felf, or this Letter; and the. Account he gives of his Death is much more
agrceable to what the Natives report, and conſequently rather to be de-
pended on; nor do I find Marmol ever to have been at Algiers, whereas
Haedo was there many Years: Farther Notice ſhall be taken of this in my
Preface. Beſides, Marmol affirms this to have happened in 1915, when
it is notorious,' that Barba-roſa never came there till after the Deceaſe of
Don Ferdinand, which'was not till the Year after. From theſe two Au-
thors all who have treated of thoſe Matters ſeem to have borrowed, every
one according to his Fancy, without examining which of them was right,
or moſt capable of giving Information.
What my Author Haedo advances is to this Effect. As Barba-rolla's
Thoughts were Day and Night employed in contriving how to make
himſelf Maſter of the Place, he at length reſolved to put his Project in
Execution. The better to bring it about without Noiſe, or Tumult,
one Day, about Noon, as Sheikh Salen was bathing alone, in order to pre-
pare himſelf for the Moſque, he ſlily critered the 'Prince's Bath, or Bagnio,
within the Palace, accompanied by only one Turk, where the poor Prince,
who, naked and defenſeleſs, miſtruſting no Treachery, was by them
caſily ſurpriſed and ſtrangled with a wet Towel, or Napkin.
Having committed this Inhumanity, they flipped out unobſerved; and
preſently returning, with ſeveral others, Barba-roſa feigncd great Aſto-
niſhment at finding the unhappy Salem ſtretched breathleſs on the Floor,
and ran out calling amain for the Prince's Domeſticks, telling them, with
Signs of Concern, that their Mafter was ſmothered with the Heat of the
Bagnio; blaming them extremely for leaving him unattended. This was
inſtantly blazed throughout the City and Neighbourhood ; and as there
were few who did not fufpc&t Barba-roſa for the fole Author of that
Perfidy, every one, in great Confternation, retired home, and barri-
cadoed up his Doors, waiting the Event. Barba-roja, having thus ſullied
all the manly Actions of his former Life by lo perfidious a Breach of
Hoſpitality, loft not a Moment's Time, but ordered his Turks and Jijelians
to arm themſelves immediately, and mounting his Horſe, followed by all
his Troops, was loudly proclaimed Sultan, or King of Algiers, as he rode
along
4
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
239
1
along thro’ the principal Streets of the City, not one Citizen daring to
oppoſe, or even to open his Lips in Contradiction.
Monſieur Laugier de Taly cntertains us with a long Hiſtory of the
Amours of Barba-roſa and the beautiful Zaphira; Widow' to the unfor-
tunate Salem. This Gentleman is certainly right in ſaying, that very few
People in that Country know any thing of thoſe Matters; and he owns he
delivers it as he found it, tranſlated from a Manuſcript on Vellom, in Pof-
ſeſſion of a certain Morabboth, or reputed Saint, ſomewhere about Coftanz-
tina, whoſe Name is Sidi Hamed aben Haraam 3. a Perſon I never remem,
ber to have heard of, tho' I was long cnough converſand in that Province
to have at leaſt heard of him, had he been of any Note. Indeed, he does
not offer to vouch for the Truth of it; neither ſhall I offer to be at the
Pains of tranſlating it, or contaminating Hiſtory with what carries with it
ſuch an Air of Romance, as all who know any thing of the Muſulmans,
in their Love-Affairs elpecially, muſt acknowledge: And the Style of the
Letters is ſuch as never, I am poſitive, flowed from any African Ren.
However I have heard the whole much commended by good Readers ;
but thoſc Readers are not ſo well acquainted with the African Manner of
making Love as I am; ſo may, if they pleaſe, recommend their Friends
to the Peruſal of it in the Original. What I can aflure my Readers is,
that how courteous, how hoſpitable and how obliging ſoever the Africans
may be to their Gueſts, even the meaneſt among them never furniſh their
Viſitors with ſuch Opportunities of gallantizing thcir Wives, as the
French and other Noveliſts, I mean Novel-Writers, would inſinuate :
And as to the reſt, there is not one African Female, of whatſoever Degrec,
or Quality, among ten thouſand at the very lcast, who is able to write
her own Name. All this may be depended on as an indiſputable Cer-
tainty : So let none run away withi idle Notions, that any of the Maho-
metan Ladies, as adroit as they are at Le Jeu d'Amour, manage it by way
of Love Letter.
Ambition, and not either Love or Luft, it was that agitated the Soul
of the aſpiring Barba-rols, when he perpetrated' a Deed to infamous and
of ſuch Ingratitude. But Sovereignty is a Bait that, we know, tias al-
jured many, who were neither ſo meanly extracted nor ſo haſely educated
as was this lawleſs Corſair: Nor is he the only brave Man who has fullied
a Multitude of heroick Actions by a ſingle A&t of Perfidy. But he had
no other Way to make himſelf King of Algiers; and that was what he
wanted.
240
The HISTORY OF ALGIERS
V
wautců. Black as the Deed cſſentially is, he cannot be ſaid to have c11-
Naved his own native Country, for the ſordid Advantages of private Life,
as thouſands have done, or have endeavoured to do; nor can hc bc called
a Traytor to lis natural Prince.
Salex left a-Son ſcarce paſt his Childhood; whòm ſome faithful Do-
micſticks of his Father conveyed away, to prevent his falling into the
Ulurper's Hands, and conducted him to the Marquis De Comares, Gover-
nor and Captain-General of Oran; by whom, being kindly received, he
was ſent into Spain to the then Regent, Cardinal Ximenes. This alarmed
thic new King of Algiers; who, having put his Affairs in the beſt Order
he was ablc, ſummoned all the chief Citizens, on whom, what with Pro-
miſes of Exemption from all Tribute, with other advantageous Offers,
and ſuch-like his artful and pathetick Arguments, or, more likely, with
his Guards and Troops, he ſo prevailed, that they publickly acknowledged
him for their Sovereign, and confirmed it by a ſolemn Proclamation.
He then began to make ſome Repairs and Fortifications in the Cafabba,
or Cicadel, which was then the only Fortreſs belonging to the City, and
there planted ſome ſmall Cannon. He ſtamped Money, as well Gold as
Aſpers, in his own Name, and not, as ſome ſay, in the Grand Signor's;
nor did he, (tho' ſome will need have it ſo) ever pretend to acknowledge
hiinſelf even under the Protection of the Ottoman Emperor. On his Coin
was, in Turkiſh Characters, Sultan Arouje: I have often hcard talk of it,
but could never ſee any. Before his Time the Algiers current Moncy was
all coined at Trenizan, as I may obſerve, except ſuch foreign Coins as
paſſed among them from other Mahometan Countries, or Spaniſh Dollars,
Doblons, &c.
However, notwithſtanding the Algerines had, ſeemingly, ſubmitted to his
Government without Compulſion, yet the Turks, according to their Cuſtom,
deported themſelves ſo imperiouſly to them as if they had been Slaves,
conquered with the Sword; inſomuch, that finding their Condition far
worſe than cyer; they began, ſeriouſly, to think of getting rid of ſuch
inſufferable Tyrants. The Spaniſto Fort, they ſaid, forced them to ſtay
at home, and to be, as it were, honeſt Men, contrary to their Inclination,
which was to be troubleſome to their Neighbours; and they were obliged
to maintain that Curb out of their own Purles : But provided they were
quiet, and ſtood to their Bargain, then the Spaniards were the ſame, and
they walked the Streets unmoletted, could call themſelves Maſters in theirown
Houſes
L
2
The-HISTORY of ALGIERS.
241
Houſes, and their Families might build upon being free from Inſults:
Whercas now, unhappy they! not only the Fort grew more outrageous
than ever, inceſſantly battering about their Ears all that the Shot could
reach of their Houſes, but their Purſes were drained, their Wives and
Children, of both Sexes, not ſafe from Beaſtialities, even in their moſt
retired Apartments, (as for the Streets they were no ſafer than tha Stews)
and Woe to the Bones of that Wretch who durſt preſume to reprehend
the Lordly Turk in his moſt irregular Proceedings. This is poſitively all
Fact, and muſt infallibly have been the very Caſe of the deceived Alge-
rines with their new Protectors, Sovereigns, or what you pleaſe to call
them: For by what I have read of the Lord-Danes of our Anceſtors, and
what I actually know of the Weſtern-Turks, where they get the Upper-
Hand, the former muſt have been very civil, manageable Gentry, if com-
pared with the Lord-Turks, when not under a ſevere Reſtraint. I may,
perhaps, inlarge upon their licentious Doings.
Of two Evils the leaſt is ever moſt elegible. To this the Algerines were
no Strangers ; and formed againſt the tyrannical, inſolent Turks, had it
taken Effeet, a moſt dangerous Conſpiracy. They knew it to be full as
much the Spaniards Intereſt as it w.s their own, to diſlodge thoſe Cor-
fairs; and if they had not known it, they had Reaſon to imagine Spain
would willingly lend a Hand, by the Civilities there ſhewn to the Son
of their late Prince Salem: Nay, that very Article was ſufficient to have
ſet the Town's People upon hatching Plots againſt them, left, if they
ſeemed to favour thoſe tempeſtuous Sea-Rovers, the young
Princc might
accuſe them, to his Spaniſh Allies, when they ſhould arrive with the
threatened Armada, of being Acceſſaries to his Father's Murder, and Par-
ties concerned in all the Ravages and Diſorders they did or ſhould con-
mit. All theſe Calamities, and even utter Delolation, were, daily and
hourly, prognosticated to them, from the Fort, in loud Menaces. Tcr-
rified on one side and juſtly incenſed on the other, private Meſſages.
began to paſs between the Chiefs of Algiers, and the Captain of the Spa-
nila Garriſon, who was follicited to ſend them Aſiſtance, when Time
ſhould ſervc, in order to expcl the Turks, which would be no very dif-
ficult Matter, they ſaid, ſince all the Jijelians, &c. were returned home,
and none but Turks remained with Barba-sola; afturing that Governor,
at leaſt telling him ſo, that if thcy muſt be reduced to Vaffalage, they
choſe for their Matters Men of Reaſon, Juſtice and Modeſty, ſuch as they
I i
know
1
242
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
knew the Chriſtians to be, rather than ſuch lawleſs Harpies as thoſc Var-
lets ſent them as a Scourge for their Immoralitics.
The Spaniards readily coming into theſe Overtures, the next Step takon
by the Citizens of Algiers, was to treat, very ſecretly, with the Arabs in
their Neighbourhood, who wanted not much Inſtigation to revenge their
own Wrongs and the Death of their beloved and deſerving Prince. For
even they had not been exempted from taſting the Harſhneſs of a Turkiſia
Government, having been viſited by Barba-roſa, who omitted nothing
he thought would prevail with them to accept him for their Sovereign
and Protector. Inticed by his fair Speeches, they agreed to allow him
their uſual Tribute; to collect which, he ſent out Parties of 300 and 400
Turks, all Fire-Arms, who uſed inſufferable Rigour and committed a thou-
fand Enormities, driving away the Cattle and even the Children of ſuch
as pleaded Inſolvency, or ſeemed backward in their Diſburſements.
Thus the People of Algiers, the Country Arabs, and Spaniards of the
Fort, were all combined in a ſtrong League to exterminate the Tyrant
Barba-roſa and his inſolent Turks. It was agreed, that, on a certain pre-
fixed Day, a conſiderable Number of Arabs, privately armed, ſhoud enter
the City, under Pretext of ſelling their Wares, and buying Neceſſaries,
as accuſtomary; and that, watching an Opportunity, ſome of them ſhould
ſet Fire to twenty two Galeots (for ſo many Barba-roja had then, moſt
of them his own) which lay a-ground, out of the Fort's Reach, in two
different places, ſome in the Town-Ditch, in the Part where now ſtands
Ramadam Bama's Baſtion, not far from the Weſterly Gate, called Beb
al Wed, and the reſt farther on toward the Weſt, where is now to be
ſeen the dry Channel of that River, which deſcending from the neigh-
bouring Mountain, traverſed a ſmall Plain, and emptied itſelf into the
Mediterranean. It was that River, or rather Rivulet, that gave Name to
that Gate of the City: Beb is Gate, and Weyd is River; ſo the Rivera
Gate. That Source, if I miſtake not, is one of the Streams which ſupply
the City with Water, by ſubterrancous Paſſages, being the Contrivance
of a Spaniſh-Moor: But of theſe Matters more in the Topography. The
Scheme was really well laid and contrived; that when Barba-roja, with
other Turks, as they apparently would have done, ſhould haften out at
that Gate, in order to ſave thc Galeots, their Return was to have been in-
tercepted by ſhutting it immediately; and at the fame Time thoſe in the
Fort were to have croſſed over to the Town (in certain Barks and Boats,
ready
1
The HISTÖRY of Algiers.
243
"
ready provided) and join the Towns-men, in order to fall upon the re-
maining Turks, whom when they had maimed, or deſtroyed, they ſhould
fally out in a Body to encounter Barba-roſa and the reſt, there being,
likewiſe, a numerous Band of Arabian Cavalry in Ambuſh to ſecond the
Algerines and their Spaniſh Confederates.
Of all this, none knows how, Barba-roſa had circumſtantial Informa-
tion. He artfully diſſembled, making not the leaſt Shew of Diſtruſt; but
ſo ordered Matters, that when the Day came the Moors and Arabs. ap-
pointed to fire the Galeots found them ſo well guarded, under Pretext of
being apprehenſive of the Spaniards, that they durſt not attempt putting
their Deſign in Execution. On the enſuing Friday (which is the Maha-
metan Sabbath) Barba-roſa going to perform his Devotions at the Grand
Moſque, accompanied by the chief Citizens, and attended by his Guards,
the Moſque was no ſooner full than ſome Turks, ordered to do ſo, ſhut all
the Gates, and the, till then, diſſembling Barba-rola, inſtead of addreſſing
his Prophet, by Prayer, addreſſed his Algerine Audience with home Re-
proaches, giving them to underſtand, that he was not unacquainted with
their Practices, then ordered them all to be bound, with their own Tur-
bants; when ſelecting twenty of the moſt culpable, he inſtantly cauſed
their Throats to be cut and Heads ſtruck off, at the Moſque-Door, which
with their Bodies were thrown into the Streets; and extorting a round
Sum of Money from the reſt, adviſed them to behave otherwiſe for the
future. And for a greater Terror, he, ſoon after, ordered thoſe flaugh-
tered Bodies, &c. to be buried in certain great Dunghills, then in the
very. Heart of the City, in the fame Place which was afterwards the
Baſha's Garden.
With this prompt and rigorous Exccution, the Algerines were ſo ter-
rified, that ever after they patiently bore their Burden, without openly
attenipting farther Innovations; at leaſt not any worth mentioning; and
to this Day, they continue good and obedient Vaffals; yet, generally ſpeak-
ing, their preſent Condition is none of the moſt intolerable, tho' they muſt
put up with a little Turkiſh Inſolence, as will appear when I treat of thoſe
Matters more particularly.
A. D. 1517. This Year, in May, arrived a Spaniſh Fleet, before Al-
giers, under the Conduct of Don Diego de Vera : Some call him Don Fran-
ciſco de Vera. His Fleet, or Squadron, conſiſted chiefly of Gallies; but
had, likewiſc, fome Men-of-War and many great and ſmall Tranſports ;
having
1 i 2
244
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
н
having on board upwards of 10000 Land-Forces. This Armament was
fitted out by Cardinal Ximenes, at the earneſt Sollicitation of the
young
Prince, Son to Salem, who accompanied the Spaniſh Admiral, and was
much indebted to the Governor of Oran, who had negociated, at the
Court of Spain, very warmly in his Behalf. Marmol ſays, that Don Diego,
having landed about 7000 of his Men, was briſkly attacked by Barba-roja
from the City, and by ſome Troops of the Moors and Arabs from with-
out, who in great. Numbers covered the adjacent Hill; in which En-
counter the greateſt Part of the Chriflians were either ſlain or captivated.
And to complete the Misfortune, before thoſe who might otherwiſe have
eſcaped could recover the Ships a furious Tempeſt aroſe, towards Evening,
inſomuch that many Veſſels were driven aſhore and ſtranded, to the almoſt
total Deſtruction of the whole Armada: So that this Expedition, inſtead
of reſtoring the Place into the Hands of a Prince, who was under a ſolemn
Engagement to remain a peaceable Vaffal, under Protection of Spain, all
which was to have been brought about by the Deſtruction, or at leaſt the
Expulſion of the Turks; inſtead thereof, I ſay, if Barba-roſa before was an
Eye-fore, he now became inſupportable: Nor did he fail ſending out his
Galeots to return the Viſit.
It appears not, that any of the Natives, tho' they lately ſeemed ſo very
ſanguine and cordial in the Cauſc, attempted to make one Step in Favour
of the Armada; but, probably, according to Cuſtom, both thoſe with-
out and within waited to ſee which would be uppermoſt, in order to fall
upon him who was down: But weighing all Circumſtances, the undaunted
Reſolution of this brave Corſair is very remarkable; as arc, likewiſe, the
great Things he durſt undertake, and was capable of effecting, with ſo
trifling a Number of Men, among whom little Order and leſs Diſcipline
is practiſed.
Haedo ſays, that the good Fortune which attended him, on this Occa-
ſion, inhanced his Credit exceedingly, and firmly eſtabliſhed him in his
Station; inſomuch that he was looked on as a Prodigy. However the op-
preſſed Arabs and Moors of that Neighbourhood, and even the Algerines
themſelves cautiouſly, began again to ſtudy ſome Method of freeing
themſelves from the heavy Bondage in which they were held by the Ty
rants.
Tennez, an ancient and once very conſiderable City, near the Sea, forty
Leagues Weſt of Algiers, and about as much Eaſt of Orang was then,
with
22
1
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
345
with a Regal Title, together with a pretty large Territory, in Poffeflion
of a certain Mulatto Prince, named Hamida. His Surname was Al Aabd,
on account of his Swarthineſs; his Mother being a Black, which, among
other Denominations, in the Arabick Tongue, is Aabd; Plural Akbid.
This City and Province, as has been obſerved, always followed the For-
tunes of Tremizan, and if this Prince, or King, as many intitle him, was
110t of the ancient Zeyan Family, which, for ſo many Centurics, had reigned
in Tremizan; (for Haedo and others ſay he was an Arab, b whereas the Beni
Zeyans were Africans) all I can venture to affirm of the Matter is, that
in that Neighbourhood wanders a Tribe of warlike Arabs, called Suede,
who are ſtill in good Repute for their Valour and Expertneſs in Horſe-
manſhip, and who, I am almoſt poſitive, I have heard the Natives of thoſe
Quarters aver to have formerly been Lords of Tennez. They are men-
tioned by Leo and others his Copiers. Certain it is, that the Kings of
Tremizan were much decayed, having been continually perſecuted by the
Tingitanian Princes : But how, or when the Province of Tennez was
wreſted from them, I meet not with any ſatisfactory Account.
This Prince was of himſelf indifferently powerful; but the great Credit
he had among the Arabs rendered him ftill more conſiderable. To him
thoſe who groaned under the Tyranny and inſufferable Oppreſſion of
Barba-roſa and his Turks, who had not yet forgot the late good Office
they deſigned them, had immediate Recourſe, offering to become obedient
Subjects to him and his Poſterity.
He already began to think the Turks dangerous Neighbours, and heſi-
tated not much in complying with what was required at their Hands,
which was, that he would wage War with thoſe imperious Inmates.
Raiſing 10000 of his own Troops, all Cavalry, in June 1517, preſently
after the Defeat of the Spaniards, at Algiers, he ſet out, directing his
March towards that City. By the Way, his Army increaſed hourly; the
Arabs and Moors, both Horſe and Foot, flocking to his Camp; as
deeming thac War to be common to them all. Of all this Barba-roſa
had timely Notice, and put himſelf into the beſt Poſture of Defence he
was able: Not that he deſigned to barely ſtand on the Defenſive, but in
the open Field determined, in Perſon, to meet his approaching Enemy,
This Man's uncommon Boldneſs is really ſurprizing. Meſſengers arrivel
/
b Vide P. 196. & feq. 203.
.
thick
246
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
thick on each other's Heels, acquainting him, that the whole Country was up
in Arms, and that the Hills and Plains were covered with Moor's and Arabsa
all unanimouſly breathing nothing but Slaughter and Deſolation to him and
all his Abettors. It is true, in thoſe Days, the native Africans had very
few, if any, Fire-Arms, and he had Reaſon to place good Confidence
in the often-experienced Valour and Fidelity of his Turks, in Number
about 1200, all Fuzilicrs. He, likewiſe, had ſome hundreds of Spaniſh-
Moors, good Soldiers and expere Markſmen, in conſtant Pay, who upon
the Encouragement and gentle Treatment he gave them, reſorted to Algiers
from ſeveral Parts of Barbary: And the Character he bcars for Affability,
Gentleneſs and Good-Nature, towards his own People eſpecially, leaves
mc no Room to credit the idle Story, picked up by De Tally out of that
romancing Manuſcript, of his perfidiouſly putting to Death his brave and
faithful Friend, Ramadam Cboulac, with thirty other Turks, purely to in-
gratiate himſelf with his adored Zaphira. Had he taken fuch Steps as
thoſe, ſo well I know the Temper of the Turks, he would never by them
have been ſo dearly beloved and faithfully ſerved, to the very laſt, while
living, nor his Death ſo bitterly lamented.
Recommending his Affairs at Algiers to his Brother Heyradin, whom he
could leave but feebly guarded, this intrepid Renegado durft take the Field,
with a Handful of Men, and advance fifty Miles into the Country in
Queſt of numberleſs Enemies, his whole Camp conſiſting of no more
than 15oo Fuziliers, of which 1000 were Turks, the reſt Moriſcoes, or
Spanijh-Moors: Nor took he with him one Field-Piece. But the better
to ſecure Matters in Algiers, he obliged moſt of the principal and beſt-
beloved Citizens to accompany him in his Expedition. The Enemy lay
incamped at the River Shilif, whom the ſucceſsful Barba-roſa immediately
diſlodged and forced to a ſhameful Flight; and all with very iñconſider-
able Damage, tha’ the African Foot were great Sufferers, being ſoon de-
ſerted by the Cavalry, whom a few briſk Vollies of Shot ſet a ſcampering,
tho' nor till they beheld the Plain ftrowed with the Bodies of many of their
forwardeſt Cavaliers. Hamida, their Prince and Leader, got away to
Tennez ; where, being informed, that the Turks followed him cloſe in the
Rear, he durft not ſtay, but, haſtily, retired to the Atlas; and not think-
ing himſelf ſecurc even there, ſoon withdrew among his Arab Confede-
rates in the Sahara, or Deſart, South of that Mountain. It muſt be ob-
ſerved, that tho' Old-Numidia, which is the now Eaſtern Province of
the
The History of ALGIERS.
247
11
the Algerines, is of a conſiderable Breadth, between the Mediterranean
and the Atlas, perhaps 100 Miles or more in many Parts, yet their
Weſtern Province, where theſe Occurrences were tranſacted, is ſcarce a
third Part ſo wide.
Without Oppoſition Barba-roſa entered Tennez, which Blacc he per-
mitted his Soldiery to plunder, as a Reward for their Labour and Courage,
reſerving only to himſelf what ſmall Treaſure and good Moveables Ha-
mida had left in his Palace: And recalling the affrighted Inhabitants, hc
made himſelf be proclaimed their Sovereign.
Here Barba-roſa repoſed himſelf, and haraſſed Troops, for ſeveral Days;
when a Deputation, of ſome principal Citizens of Tremizan (diſtant from
thence about 200 Miles) arrived, with Offers of much Advantage, and
even the Sovereignty of their noble City, and fine Territory, provided
he haftened to their Aſſiſtance. The Occaſion of this Embaſſy, from the
Tremizanians, was their being highly irritated againſt their preſent King,
who was a tyrannical Uſurper, having expelled the rightful Prince, his
Nephew, and who, cſcaping the Tyrant's Clutches, had taken Sanctuary
in Oran. To this Nephew, Haedo, my Author (from whom I pick and
chuſe juſt what I like, rejecting much Cant, Rubbiſh and tedious Tau-
tology) gives a moſt heatheniſh Name, of which I can make nothing at
all : He calls him Abuchem Men, and leads inany others into the like Ab-
ſurdity. But I find it is far from being a Rarity to meet with, in Authors,
Copiers, Abridgers, Commentators and Tranſlators of all Nations, whoſe
Idioms and Languages I in any wiſe underſtand, many Things, particu-
larly Proper-Names, of which one may juſtly ſay; 'Tis so like Nothing,
that there's Nothing like it. But, now I recollect, and examine Leo, I
perceive that I have wrongfully Nandered Haedo (a Perſon, to whom, with
all his Faults, I am like to be much obliged) ſince he actually and fairly,
in his Margin, quotes Leo, who, upon Examination, I ſay, calls one of
his own Country Princes, and his Cotemporary, by a Name that, I dare
affirm, never exiſted. I am to blame thus to deſcend to trifling Parti-
culars, eſpecially ſince almoſt every Book one lays Hand on abounds with
the like, and even more material Blunders: Yet I cannot but ſay, it gives
me the Vapours to find People miſcalled in ſuch guiſe that they could not
poſſibly know their own Names if they were to hear them ſo mangled.
Marmol, indced, gives that Prince a Nanc which really is a Name; he
calls him Bu Hainu, meaning Abou-Hammou: The Uſurper he calls Bu
Zejen,
2
248
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
Zegeil, mcaning (or at leaſt ought to have ſo done) Abou-Zeyan. This
Author writes largely of theſe Affairs, as almoſt every one may read, in
French; and, which is more, well tranſlated; while I return, from this
10t-very-11eçeſary Digreſſion, to cull what I dcem ſufficient from my
greater Favourite, in many Caſes, Haedo.
What could have been ſweeter Muſick to the Ears of the aſpiring
Barba-roſa, (already poſſeſed of three Provinces, with a Royal Title
tacked to each of them,) than a Meſſage of this Nature and Purport?
Without Deliberation, or Delay, he wrote to his Brother Hegradin,
fpccdily to ſend away, by Sca, ten light Field-Pieces, with Store of Am-
munition and other Neceſſaries. Tennez lies about half a League from the
Shore. Soon arrived five Galeots, from the punctual and diligent Heyrading
with all that the no leſs diligent Barba-roja had required; who inſtantly
ſet out, and, by haſty Marches, made towards Tremizan, diſtant from
Tennez about 200 Miles, as I obſerved.
I cannot, while it is freſh in my Memory, forbear mentioning a ſtrange
Blunder one often meets with, in reading Tracts concerning this Country:
I mean the confounding, or promiſcuouſly uſing the Words, or rather
Proper-Names, Tennez and Tunis; tho they are Places more than 600
Miles afunder: Nor muſt I forget the unaccountable Criticiſm of a certain
merry Tranſlator, of our own Nation; who in a Performance of his, in
that Capacity, having Occaſion to mention the firſt of thoſe Cities about
a ſcore times, in a very few Pages, never once fails of calling it Tunis,
thinking to correct his Author, who never once calls it out of the truc
Name. But we abound in ſuch Helps towards the true underſtanding of
forcign Hiſtory.
Borba-roja arriving within forty Miles of Oran, at a Place named Al
Cala de Beni Raſhid (called by the European Writers Beniarate, and the
Lord knows how many other uncouth and prepoſterous Names) was there
quietly received and acknowledged : And his Fame flying before him,
whole Droves of Moors and Arabs, People greedy of Spoil and Novelties,
and, in a Word, ſuch as I have and farther ſhall deſcribe them, flocked
amain to his Camp, offering him their beſt Service. All Comers had
courteous Treatment and his Thanks; but he entertained only about 1600
of the beſt mounted. Of his own People he had not hitherto loſt full
' fixty. Apprehenſive left the Spaniſh Governor of Oran might attack him
in the Roar, or intercept his Return, which muſt neceſſarily be by that .
vcsy
7
The HISTORY of ALGIER $.
249
|
+
very Paſs, he left his youngeſt Brother Ifaac at that Town of Al Cala, be-
longing to Beni Raſhid (who are natural Africans of that Branch of the
Zeneta named Magaroua, from which the Kings of Tremizan deſcended)
with 200 Turks and ſome truſty Moors, and among them the Citizens he
had brought from Algiers.
About ſeventy Miles ſhort of Tremizan, in a ſpacious Plain called Agobel,
he met King Abou-Zeyan; who, ignorant of the Treaſon his Subjects,
the Tremizanians, were hatching againſt him, yet having no very great
Opinion of their Affection, or Fidelity, deemed it ſafer to face his Invaders
in the Field than to ſuffer himſelf to be attacked in his Capital, where
he was conſcious he muſt be environed with Malecontents. The Force
he brought with him was only 6000 Horſe; which were ſtrengthened by
about 3000 Foot from the Atlas, with ſome Cavalry, who were picked
up by Hamida, late King of Tennez. The Encounter was ſmart, and both
Sides diſputed with conſummate Bravery: But the Cannon and Small-
Arms made ſuch lamentable Havock among the defenſeleſs Troops of
thoſe confederate Princes, wholly unprovided of wherewithal to make their
Enemies a ſuitable Return to their Hoftilities, that, with a very conſiderable
Loſs, they were forced to abandon the Ground to the victorious Barba-
rola. As for Hamida, he made the beſt of his Way to Mount Atlas,
and from thence to his Arab Friends in the Defart. The uſurping King
of Tremizan got home; but before the Conqueror could make him the
intended Viſit in his own Houſe, the Tremizanians had ſtruck off his Head,
and ſent it to Barba-roſa, on a Lance's Point, to convince that their
Deliverer how much they were in Earneſt when they had invited him to
take Poſſeſſion of their City; which Invitation was again renewed by the
ſame Meſſengers. This was in September, A. D. 1517.
Tho' the Tremizanians had heard much of the Turks, yet few of them
having ever ſeen any of thoſe terrible Man-Eaters, as ſome of the moſt
ignorant called them, they, great and ſmall, advanced ſeveral Miles to
meet the triumphant Barba-roſa; who, anſwerable to his uſual Induſtry,
was not, upon ſo important an Occaſion, very tedious in gratifying their
Curioſity. As he was not ſparing of fair Speeches, and mighty Promiſes
of good Uſage, to the Crouds of gaping Admirers who ſurrounded him, ſo
he was far from neglecting (at his Arrival in their City, which was to be
P
« Vide P. 197
Kk
the
.
250
The History of ALGIER S.
the Reward of lis Labour) by fair or foul Means, to compel all, who had
been concerned in rifling the Palace of their late Sovereign, to make ample
Reſtitution, of every individual Particular, to him their preſent Sovereiga:
And rather than loſe a Tittle of his rightful Inberitance, the Plunderers
muft find, wherever they could meet with it, or wherever it was to be
had, all Sums of Money, all Moveables, and, in ſhort, every thing that,
upon nice Scrutiny, he had been informed his Predeceſſor wns pofleſſed
of, or that he fancied, or, perhaps, that lie had a Mind to ſay he had been
poffeffed of.
Thus, right or wrong, Barba-roſa amaſſed, among his new Subjects,
a prodigious Treaſure; Part of which, however, was employed to no bad
Uſes : For, with a liberal Hand, he diſtributed it among thoſe who, in
any wiſe, had been inſtrumental to his Succeſs; inſomuch that not one,
even the meaneſt Moor, remained unſatisfied. Another good Sum went
in repairing and fortifying the Citadel, called Al Meſhuar; he expecting
a Viſit from the Governor of Oran, and that being the only defenſible
Place in the City, which was then much larger than it is at preſent, and
the Walls, tho' noble, very ancient and crazy. Nor was this careful and
vigilant Conqueror ſatisfied with having uſed theſe Precautions; for, the
better to capacitate himſelf to hold his Acquiſitions, he entered into a
Treaty with the King of Fez, offering him all pollible Alliſtance againſt
his capital Enemy the King of Morocco, and all his other Adverſaries what-
ever, provided his Fezzan Majeſty would help him in defending Tremizan
and its Dominion againſt their common Enemy, the Chriſtians, who were
for re-inſtating the former King, Abou Hammou ; aſſuring him withal,
that it was only them he feared ; as not in the leaſt apprehenſive of all
the Force the Moors were able to bring againſt him. This you will ſay
was but an odd Compliment to a Mooriſh Prince: Yet it paffed Muſter;
and the King of Fez promiſed to ſuccour him, in Perſon, whenſoever there
was Occaſion.
Barba-roſa's Affairs being ſettled in this promiſing Situation, he ſpent
the Remainder of that Year, and Beginning of the next, in enjoying the
Fruits of his Valour and Addreſs. I muſt here obſerve, that Marmol, to
whom I refer every curious Scrutinizer, relates this whole Story very dif-
ferently, and, with apparent Partiality, paints out Barba-roſa in very
black Colours. For Reaſons ſpecified in ſome of the foregoing Pages, I
take Haedo's Narrative to be more genuine; who in Effect is Marmol's
Corrector;
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
2SI
Corrector ; as, in many reſpects, I could make appear, were it material, or
I in the Humour.
One Circumſtance occurred which exceedingly damped Barba-yola,
amidſt his late Succeſſes. The Turks he had left in Garriſon with his
Brother Ifaac, at Al Cala de Beni Raſhid, played the Turk ſo much, that
is, were ſo exceſſively inſolent, that thoſe Mountain-Africans, unable to
endure ſuch Treatment, took Occaſion to fall upon and deſtroy them
every Man, together with their Governor. Forty of thoſc Turks, in-
deed, breaking out of the Fortreſs, at the Beginning of the Fray, kept in
a Body and took the Road towards Tremizan: But being purſued and over-
taken, were, likewiſe, cut in Pieces. This News greatly affected Barba-
rola, more particularly for his Brother, whom he dearly loved, and whoſe
Death he would, probably, have revenged, at the firſt Opportunity. “At
66 this Day, ſays Haedo, is to be read on a Stone, at that Place, the
“Epitaph of this Ifaac, Brother to Barba-roſa, which any of the Inha-
cc bitants will ſhew to the Curious.” I was once in that Town, for ſome
Hours; but had then little Thought of inquiring after either Iſaac or
Jacob: But very well remember I have, ſince, heard ſome Talk of this
Affair
Tho' it would be intolerable for me to diſcant on every Difference onc
meets with in Authors, who tell the ſame Story; yet I muſt nceds here
ſay ſomething of the Variation between Marmol and this other Spaniard,
from whom I pick moſt of theſe Facts, dreſſing them up as I think pro-
per, and generally according to the Diſcourſes I recollect to have had on
theſe Heads; I mean Haedo, an honeſt and zealous Abbot, ſeemingly very
fincere, and to whom I muſt acknowledge my ſelf extremely obliged, not
only for often refreſhing my Memory, but, alſo, for acquainting me with
many Matters of which I was utterly ignorant.
The Sum, in few Words, of what the loquacious Marmol gives us, is
this : But I muſt firſt obſerve, that he is wholly dumb concerning the
ſaid Ifaac; and affirms Barba-roſa to have ſet out on this Expedition in
1516, which he makes A. H. 930. For this, conſult my Table, Page 116.
The Gencral of his Troops, under him, was, he ſays, Eſcander (rather
Scander, i. e. Alexander) a Renegado of Corſica, who was his Companion,
when they ran away with the Grand Turk's Money, and who had never
ſince left his Company: That, Abou Hammou was the Uſurper, and kept in
Priſon his Nephew, the rightful King, Abou Zeyan: That, Barba-roſa's
Kk 2
Army
252
The History of Algiers.
1
Army increaſed daily, on the Rumour of his going to releaſe that Prince,
and ſettle him on the Throne: That, arriving at Tremizan (without any
Encounter) the Majority of the Citizens, who knew nothing of his being
invited by a certain Party of them, refuſed him Entrance, more particu-
larly thoſe of the Uſurper's Faction. But they who ſent for him, crying
out Abou Zeyan! Abou Zeyan! ſoon got him introduced; not forgetting
firſt to make him ſwear on the Alcoran, not to moleſt any one, and to
make the impriſoned Prince their King. The Uſurper fled, by a falſe
Poftern in the Palace, carrying off, to the Defart, his Women, Children
and the beſt of his Treaſure. Barba-rola, indeed, ſet the Priſoner at
Liberty, and gave him Poffeſion of the Palace, &c. But in a very few
Days after, perceiving all calm and quiet, he feigned to take Leave of
him, as if ſetting out for Algiers, and perfidiouſly ſeized him and ſeven
of his Sons, all whom he inſtantly hung up in their own Turbants: And,
not content with this, he cauſed to be brought before him all the Male
Infants of that Family, and, with his own Hands, caſt them into a large
Ciſtern, laughing heartily to behold them Aounce about and ſtruggle for
Life in the Water. After this, putting to cruel Deaths all thoſe who had
invited him thither, and all the reſt of the chief Citizens, left they ſhould,
likewiſe, prove as great Traytors to him, he ſeized the Kingdom, and
cauſed himſelf to be proclaimed King, in the Name of the Grand Signor;
continuing ſo till diſpoſſeſſed and fain by Don Martin de Argote. This
may be Fact, for ought I know, of a Certainty.
Had Marmol been in Engliſh, I ſhould never give my ſelf this Trouble.
And, tho' I could advance ſeveral Reaſons for my diſſenting from all this,
and what ſtill follows, and abundance more, of which I ſhall not take
any Notice; yet to avoid Prolixity, and, which I like ſtill leſs, Controverſy,
I only ſay, that it is ungenerous to expreſs ſuch manifeſt Virulency, cf.
pecially without Foundation, and while all others are ſilent, or to go about
to repreſent the Devil blacker than he really is: For notwithſtanding
this Author wrote ſome Years nearer thoſc Times, yet he certainly had
not the Opportunity of informning himſelf as Haedo profeſſes to have had;
neither do ſeveral of his Accounts agree half ſo well with the Tra-
dition of the Natives, as do thoſe of Haedo. But, a little more of
Marmol.
Barba-roja having thus got Poffeffion of Tremizan, and committed
thoſc Barbarities, he ſent away his old Crony Scander, with soo Turks,
I
and
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
253
1
.
and
many
Moors in League with him, againſt the other Arabs and Africans,
who refuſed to ſubmit ; as not caring to truſt, they ſaid, a Tyrant who,
in one Day, had deſtroyed ſo many Princes, &c. This Man and his Fol
lowers proceeded with ſuch Outrage, that the Tremizanians ſoon repented
their introducing that inſolent and barbarous Nation; eſpecially ſince his
very Introductors fared no better than thoſe who had been his
open
Ene-
mies. A Conſpiracy was formed againſt him: But it took Vent; and he
made cruel Examples of many of the Contrivers. King Abou Hammou,
whom they deſigned to have brought in, finding all had miſcarried, fled
to Oran, to follicit Succours from the Spaniards; having been formerly
their Ally, and paid Tribute to Don Ferdinand. He obtained 2000 Foot
and ſome Horſe, giving Hoſtages for their Security, and his own Fidelity.
Theſe Spaniſa Troops were commanded by Don Martin de Argote; who,
joined by a good Body of Arabs and Africans, attacked Al Cala de Beni
Raſhid, whither Scander, with the soo Turks, had retired; it being a
Place of Importance, &c. ſince, being Maſters thereof, they might inter-
cept all Recruits from Algiers. This was a good Thought: For the Place
muſt either be loſt, or Barba-roſa muſt leave Tremizan very wcakly gar-
riſoned if he came to its Aſliſtance; either of which would anſwer Don
Martin's Deſigns. The Turks made a good Defenſe, and killed many
Chriſtians and Moors : And, one Night, making a Sally, cut off an Out-
Guard of 300 Spaniards. Fluſhed with this Succeſs, they durſt even at-
tempt the Spaniſh Trenches; but came not off ſo well as before: For the
Spaniards being ready to receive them, they were repulſed with Loſs; and
Scander himſelf fhor in the Leg. During this, Barba-roja was deſerted
by the major Part of his Moors and Arabs, who all palled to Abou Ham-
mou's Camp. This obliged Scander to treat of ſurrendering the Fortreſs;
and it was agreed, that he and his Turks, with their Baggage, &c. ſhould
march off whither they thought fit, unmoleſted. But theſe Conditions
were very ill obſerved : For Scander being known to the Son of a certain
noted Arab Sheikh, by a fine Target he bore, which had been by him taken
from his Father, whoſe Women he had, likewiſe, violated, the young
Cavalier, not able to contain his Reſentment, ſeized the Target, and fe-
conded by thirty of his Brethren, all Sons of the fame Sheikh, (neither
the King of Tremizan nor the Spaniſlo General being able to prevent it)
they lanced the Raviſher and every one of the Turks, except fixteen, who
held by the Stirrups of Abox Hanmou and Don Martin de Argote. Thus
1-
Ma 720ks
254
The HISTORY OF ALGIERS.
Marmol; tho' in more Words. I have already hinted my Opinion of the
Matter. Now, could any two Antagoniſts have related one Fact with
more diſcording Circumſtances, had they been doing it for a Wager? But,
courteous Reader, utrun horum, &c. I am not able to vouch for either:
But certain it is, Barba-roja had a Brother named Ifaac, who was killed,
with all his Company, not long before Barba-roſa himſelf met with the
like Fate, and at the very fame Place where Haedo affixes it, who, by the
bye, docs not once mention this Scander, this Aſſociate of Barba-roſa in
his daring, imaginary Robbery, of all which, as I ſaid, Haedo takes as
little Notice as does Marmol of the aforeſaid Ifaac, whom the Moors of
thoſe Parts have ſtill in Memory, by Tradition from their Grand-Fathers.
Marmol is, in many Caſes, a good Author ; but often miſinformed; par-
ticularly in what relates to the Algerine:Affairs; this I ſpcak to my own
certain Knowledge. So much for Criticiſm.
About the Time when Barba-roſa got Poffellion of Tremizon, viz. Sep-
tember, A. D. 1517, arrived, from Flanders, the new King of Spain, in
order to take Charge of thoſe his Realms. This was Don Carlos, after-
wards Charles V. Emperor, &C. The Marquis De Comares, Governor of
Oran, hearing of his landing in Biſcay, immediately ſet out to wait on his
Majeſty; but more particularly to give him Information of the Progreſſes
of Barba-roſa, whoſe Neighbourhood began to make him very uneaſy.
“ He laid before the young Monarch, lays Haedo, how important it was
“ for him to put a Stop to the farther Growth of that Tyrant : Wiſely,
16 and like a Man of moſt conſummate Prudence as he was, judging, that
« in caſe this Fire was not inſtantly extinguiſhed, it would, in Time,
« increaſe to a Conflagration in great Part of Chriſtěndom; as we now
“ find by Experience.” And, the better to carry on his Negociation,
he took with him Abou Hammou, King of Tremizan, who had repaired,
for Sanctuary, to Oran, that, by caſting himſelf at his Catholick Majeſty's
Feet, imploring Protection, he might move his Compaſſion. This, toge-
ther with the ſtrenuous Sollicitation of the Marquis, wrought ſo far, that
he obtained a Re-inforcement of 10000 Veterans, in order to reſtore him
to his Realm, and to wage vigorous War with Barba-roſa and his Turks.
With theſe Forces they arrived at Oran, in the Beginning of 1518.
Barba-rola, who, ſays my Author, ſlept not, having Information of
all theſe Proceedings, ſent away to his Confederate the King of Fez, and
fiiled not to put himſelf in the beſt Poſture he was able. But, finding
the
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
255
tlie King of Fez made no great Haſte, and being certified, that the Marquis
was already ſet out from Oran, he apparently ſeemed determined to meet
him in the Field, with his 1500 Turks and Moriſcoes, all Fuzīliers, and
about sooo Moors and Arabs, all Cavalry, partly thoſe who at firſt came
with him, and partly Tremizanians, who all promiſed him their utmoſt
Service and Fidelity. But, being crafty, cautious and diffident, he repoſed
very little Confidence in thoſe Promiſes and Proteſtations, and withal ſen-
ſible how few in Number his own People were, in Compariſon with the
Chriftian Troops, and his other Enemies, he reſolved to remain in the
City, expecting the Succours from Fez, which, according to his Intel-
ligence, were already on their March. But, when he perceived the Enemy
almoſt at the Gates of Tremizan, he altered his Mind, as deeming it Mad-
neſs to attend a numerous and well-appointed Enemy with ſuch a Handful
of Men, in ſo defenſeleſs a Place; and in whoſe Inhabitants he had no
great Reaſon to flatter himſelf that he might ſafely confide; as having
been ſo often Traytors to their own natural Sovereigns: And, as to the
reſt, a gloomy Diſcontent appeared on every Countenance.
Affairs being in this critical Poſition, Barba-roſſa, without imparting
his Reſolution to any of the Moors, took Advantage of the Night, which
was very dark, and mounting all his 1500 Men on ſuch Horſes as he had
prepared, ſtole privately away, by a Back Gate, carrying with him the
greateſt Part of his beſt Effects, and all his Treaſure. His Intent was to
get out of Reach with all Speed, and then to make the beſt of his Way
to Algiers. But he had ſcarce left the Place, when the Marquis, who lay
incamped not far off, had News of his Flight: Whereupon, with the ut-
moſt Caution and Silence, mounting his Infantry on the Moors Horſes,
he ſet out after him; reſolving, if poflible, to have him alive: And ſuch
Diligence did the Marquis uſe, that notwithſtanding the Trırks poſted away
with incredible Speed, and were advanced thirty Miles on their Way, he got
Wind of them a good while before Day-Break. Barba-roſſa finding him-
felf purſued ſo cloſc, uſed a Stratagem, “ Which, ſays my Spaniſë Author,
“ was a very neat one, and might have paſſed, had it been practiſed upon
:
any others but Spaniards." He was not far from a conſiderable River,
ſomewhat more than ten Leagues Eaſt of Tremizan, and, apparently, had
they paſſed it, might have eſcaped: To facilitate which, he ordered all
.
his Riches to be ſtrewed about as they fled, that the Purſuers bufying
themſelves in amaſſing ſuch valuable Spoil, hc and his people might get
I
over
256
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
over the River, which is ſomewhat difficult for a Body of Troops to do
expeditiouſly; the Banks being very Itecp, except juſt in the Fording-
Places. Tho' I could never learn, that the Spaniards were leſs greedy
after ſuch Sort of Plunder than other Folks, yet ſure enough it is, unhappily
for Barba-rola and his Party, that the Bait did not take : For the Marquis
De Comares (Governor of Oran, and General in that Expedition, and not
Don Martin de Argote, as Marmol will have it) uſed ſuch Arguments with
his Spaniards, that, contrary to all Example, they trampled under Foot
that for which all the World goes together by the Ears, and ſoon fell
in with the Enemy's Rear. Barba-roſſa, with many of the foremoſt,
had already croſſed the River ; when, hearing his faithful Mirmydons
ſlaughtered under his Noſc, while they piteouſly called for their Father
and Leader to ſuccour them, he generouſly repaſſed the fatal Stream,
and gathering up all he could meet with of his terrified Aſſociates,
led them to an Eminence, where making a reſolute Stand,“ turn-
ing their faces and Breaſts to the Enemy, ſays Haedo, like Men
« determined to die bravely," there began a moſt obſtinate Diſpute,
which ended not while a ſingle Turk or Moriſco remained alive: “ Bar-
" ba-roſa (ſay both Haedo and Marmol, in expreſs Terms ) tho' he
“ had but one Arm, fought, to the very laſt Gaſp, like a Lyon.” A
ſmall Number, whom Self-Preſervation taught a Way .of thinking di-
rectly oppoſite to that of their gallanter and more generous Lcader
( whoſe great Soul diſdained to ſave his own Life, when' paſt Danger,
while his brave Friends were in ſuch Extremity) fought their way,
with much Difficulty, thro' that large Tract of: Country, and, in a very
diſtreſſed Condition, got to Algiers.
This Cataſtrophe had the brave Arouje Barba-roja, and all his vaſt De-
Ggns. The Loſs of his Arm he ſupplied, as well as pollible, by one of
Steel, made by an excellent Chriſtian Artiſt; tho” ſome ſay it was of Sil-
ver. Marmol affirms, that, of the rich Garment he wore when flain,
which was of Crimſon Brocade, a Cloke was made for S. Jeronimo's Image
at Cordua, where it was publickly to be ſeen, in the Monaſtery dedicated
to that Saint, and was called La Capa de Barvaroxa. The Tribute, he
ſays, that the re-inſtated King of Tremizan agreed to pay the King of
Spain, and which he actually did pay as long as he lived, in Token of
Vaffalage, was 12000 Ducats of Gold, twelve Horſes and fix Falcons.
On
!
.
257
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
On the fifteenth Day after his Death arrived the King of Fez, to his
Aſſiſtance, with 20000 Men; but hearing of what had happened, haftened
away for fear of the Spaniards and their Allies.
Concerning this bravc Man, who firſt brought the Turks into Barbary,
and taught them to taſte the Sweets of the Weſtern Riches, Haedo thus
concludes. "
" Arouje Barba-roſa, according to Teſtimony of thoſe who
“ remember him, was, when he died, about forty four Years of Age. He
6 was not very tall of Stature, but extremely well-ſet and robuſt. His
“ Hair and Beard perfectly red; his Eyes quick, ſparkling and lively; his
« Nofe Aquiline, or Roman; and his Complexion between brown and
“ fair. He was a Man exceſſively bold, reſolute, daring, magnanimous,
66 enterprizing, profuſely liberal, and in no wiſe blood-thirſty, except in
" the Heat of Battle, nor rigorouſly cruel but when diſobeyed. He was
“ highly beloved, feared and reſpected by his Soldiers and Domeſticks,
of and when dead was by them all in general moſt bitterly regretted and
66 lamented. He left neither Son nor Daughter. He reſided in Barbary
« fourteen Years; during which the Harms he did to the Chriſtians are
- inexpreſſible. Of this Time he was King of Jijel, and its Moun-
“ tains, four Years, of Algiers, &c. two, and of Tremizan not one com-
plete.
Notwithſtanding all that may have been advanced by ſome Writers, it
is certain, as I hinted, that he made all theſe Conqueſts intirely on his
own Account, without the leaſt Aſiſtance from or Dependance on the
Grand Signor, whoſe Protection, or any thing that way tending, he never
once ſought, or cven deſired. So that he cannot properly be included
among the following Series of Bamas, &c. who governed theſe States,
as Vice-Roys, depending immediately on the Ottoman Emperors.
LI
СНАР.
258
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
CH A P. IV.
HeyradÎN BASHA, or BARBA-Rossa II. ſecond Turkish So-
vereign, and firſt Vice-Roy of Algiers, for the Grand
Signor.
UN
NIVERSAL was the Confternation among the Turks at Algiers,
on account of the diſaſtrous Fate of Arouje Barba-sofa, and ſo many
of their brave Comilitants. Amidit the general Dread, left the victorious
Marquis De Comares ſhould follow his Blow, and attack them at Algiers,
in that defenſeleſs Condition, they ſeemed never tired with bewailing the
Loſs of ſuch a Leader; nor was Heyradin to be comforted for the Loſs
of ſuch a Brother. Conſcious they all were, that few of the Natives had
much Reaſon to bear them any Good-Willſ and they could not but be
ſenſible of thcir being environed by Multitudes, who apparently wiſhed
and fought their Deſtruction. However, to omit nothing within their
Power, they unanimouſly choſe Heyradin for their Prince; a Perſon dear
to them, as well on his own as on his deceaſed Brother's Account: Nor
was he, either in Bravery, Merit, or any other reſpect, a whic inferior to
that his gallant Predeceſſor; as his Actions ſufficiently teſtify: He was,
indeed, ſomewhat more diſpoſed to Cruclty.
At a general Conſultation, it was carried by a great Majority, that they
ſhould inſtantly imbark, with all their Effects, or the twenty two large
Galeots, and ſome other Small-Craft (the then Naval Force of Algiers)
abandoning that Place which they deemed impracticable to maintain,
Their new King was in the ſame Mind, and, having got every thing
ready, was upon Departure, had le not been prevailed on, by ſome of
the Corſairs, who inſiſted on his waiting yet a few Days, for Intelligence
of the Enemy's Motions.
The Marquis, having ſettled his Affairs at Tremizan, withdrew all his
Spaniards to Oran, and ſoon ſhipped away, for Spain, all except his own
proper Garriſon ; and, thro' that falſe Step, (all Circumſtances, and the
Diſpoſition wherein the Natives then ſeemed to be, duly conſidered) miſſed
ſuch an Opportunity of ruining the Weſtern Turks as it is very unlikely
will
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
259
will ever again offer; except ſeveral of the European Potentates (of which
there is no very great Appearance) ſhould combine, dererminately bent on
their Extirpation ; and even then, I am ſtrongly perſuaded, it would be
found an Enterprize of leſs Difficulty for the Imperialiſts alone to remove
the Ottoman Seat from Europe to Afia, than it would be for ſuch a united
Power to diſlodge the Corſairs of Algiers; tho', in effect, they are only
the mere Dregs of the Ottomans and of Chriſtendom.
Heyradin, finding himſelf freed from thoſe terriblc Apprehenſions, at
lcaſt for the preſent, got a Galeot inſtantly fitted our for Conſtantinople,
with a Letter for liis Ottoman Highneſs, accompanied with rich Preſents
for that Monarch, and his chief Miniſters and Favourites: All this he in.
truſted to the Care and Direction of liis Karia, or Licutenant, a faithful
and prudent Perſon, his own Renegado. The Purport of the Letter and
Meſſage was, to inform thc Grand Signor of the Situation of Affairs in
thofc Parts of Africa, to intreat his Affiſtance, Favour and Protection ;
affuring him, that both himſelf and all his People deſired nothing more
than to be intitled his loyal Subjects; adding, that, if ſupplied with Meng
he would not only pay and incourage them to Satisfaction, but would re-
duce, to the Obedience of the Sublime Porte, all, or the greateſt Part
of Barbary.
Heyradin's Requeſt mct with all the Succeſs he could either have deſired
or expected. His Deputy returned with a kind Letter, affuring him of
the Porte's Protection, as its Baſha, or Vice-Roy, and a Recruit of 2000
Janizaries: And as a farther Encouragement, and Tokeri of the Grand
Signor's Favour, ſpecial Leave was granted, by publick Proclamation,
throughout the Ottoman Empire, that whocver was diſpoſed to paſs down
to Algiers ſhould be entored into immediate Pay, and ſhould enjoy all
Privileges and Immunities cnjoyed by Janizaries. This happened in the
Beginning of 1519.
Inſtead of deſpairing of being able to ſtand his Ground, our new Baſha,
whom I ſhall call by his Name, Herradin, began not only to re-inforce
the Weſtern Garriſons at Meliana, Sherſiel, Tennez and Moſtaganem, all
which were in great Danger of being loſt, but alſo began to entertain
Thoughrs of ſtill greater Matters. The better to ingratiate himſelf with
the incenſed Arabs of thoſe Quarters, he ſtruck up an Agreement with
Hamida, the diſpoffeffed Mulatto King of Tennez, reſtoring him to his
Eſtate, for his own Life only, on Conſiderarion of a certain moderate
L 1 2
annual
260
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
Ի
annual Tribute. By this politick Method, perceiving he had little to ap-
prehend from the Chriſtians of Oran, he ordered all the Galeots, &c. to
be got ready for the Cruiſe, as herecofore ; himſelf remaining at Algiers,
well guarded with reſolute Troops, and fufficiently provided of all requi-
ſite Entertainment for at leaſt a Twelve-month.
A. D. 1919. Towards Summer an Affair happened at Algiers, which
very much contributed to his taking firm Root, and redounded not a
little to his Reputation. Don Hugo de Moncada, a Spaniſh Admiral, with
upwards of thirty large Ships, eight Royal Gallies, and many Tranſports,
on board of which were ſeveral thouſands of Veteran Troops, entered the
Bay of Algiers. His Catholick Majeſty (not yet elected Emperor) ſent
this Armada expreſy to drive the Turks from that Country; which he
preſumed might eaſily be effected ſince the Defeat and Death of the Arch-
Corſair Barba-roſa. At Sight of this Fleet, the Inhabitants began to fly
the City, with their Families, while many were buſied in hiding their
Wcalth under Ground, and in Wells, Ciſterns and the like, till Heyradin
commanded, on Pain of Death, that they ſhould defift from all ſuch At-
tempts; aſſuring them, that with the few Turks he had, he would not fail
protecting them to the laſt Man. Paulus Jovius and Marmol affirm Don Hugo
to have landed his Army, in good Order, and that, as he was marching to
attack the City, he was met by the Turks, and ſo routed, that the Chriſtians
were forced back in great Diſorder, and could not recover their Brigan-
tines, &c. without much Loſs and great Difficulty. To the fame Purpoſe
writes Marmol; tho' moſt others aſſert, that the Spaniards did not land
at all, being prevented by the ſuddain Storm that aroſe: But all agree
that the far greater Part of the whole Fleet periſhed, and abundance of
Chriſtians were ſlain and captivated. Of one Particular, related by Mar .
mol, I ſhall take Notice; which is, that it had been concerted at Oran,
that the King of Tremizan and even the King, or Prince of Tennez, were
to have come by Land, in Favour of the Armada; and that Don Hugo,
having for ten Days waited their Arrival, with the great Army they pro-
miſed, he determined to re-imbark, when immediately a moſt furious Eaſt
Wind drove aſhore and otherwiſe diſperſed almoſt the wholc Navy: The
Gallies, not without extreme Difficulty, got Shelter in a Creek upon the
Coaſt. This was the ſecond Spaniſh Fleet that had miſcarried before Al-
giers: But both thoſe Misfortunes were nothing in Compariſon to the
Damage this fame Don Carlos, Emperor and King of Spain, ſuſtained in
1541, when he attempted this Place in Perſon.
Among
----
th
The HISTORY of ALGIERS. .
26:1
Among many other Ships that ran a-ground, ſeveral of which werc loft,
there was one of a very conſiderable Burden, full of Soldiers, and Officers,
and on board which, by reaſon of her great Bulk, Strength and Number
of Cannon, many Perſons of Diſtinction had removed themſelves, for their
better Safety, upon the firſt Appearance of the Tempeſt. This huge
Carrack made a notable Defenſo againſt all Attacks; and her Equipage
might have been all ſaved had they held out till the Storm abated, when
the Gallies returned to pick up what they could of the late lamentable
Wreck. But, the Day before that, Heyradin came out in Perſon, and
ſent a Flag of Truce to propoſe their Surrendry of the Ship, &c. pro-
miſing them Life and Liberty, both which were, otherwiſe, in apparent
Danger. Af their Landing, the Moors were for lancing them ; which the
Turks effectually prevented. When they came before Heyradin, he aſked :
the Chiefs, Whether or no it was juſt and reaſonable for Perſons of Rank
and Diſtinction to ſtand to their Words and Agreements? No Doubt is
to be made but they all anſwered affirmatively. “Well then; replied
Heyradin, “ Why did your General break his Word with the Turks, ac
(naming a certain Place ſomewhere about Tremizan) to whom
" he promiſed Life and Liberty, and, with all their Baggage, free Leave
to go where they pleaſed, and yet they were all killed ?"
6 By Arabs,
my Lord, replied they, but not by Spaniards.” “ So would my Moorsga
- infallibly, have ſerved every Mother's Son of you, ſaid Heyradin, had
" not I given poſitive Orders to the contrary. But to convince
you,
that
« I am more a Gentleman and Man of Honour than your faithleſs Gencral,
" and mind my Word ſomewhat better, I alſo promiſed you Life and Li-.
“berty: The firſt you actually do enjoy; and the other you may, like-
“ wiſe, enjoy whenfoever you think fit to purchaſe it, every one ac-
cording to his Abilities; whereas all the Wcalth in Africa would not
" reſtore to me onc of my ſlaughtered Friends: Let your preſent Ser-
« vitude and future Ranſoms make ſome ſmall Atonement for their Loſsz,
« and from henceforwards let this be a Warning for every one to have a
greater Regard to his Word of Honour."
A. D. 1520. " What with Threats," and other Methods, ſays Haedo,
the Turks of Algiers forced to their Obedience the Inhabitants of Col, a
maritime Place, fome whatEaſt of Jijel, formerly. a Sea-Port of great Notez,
built, as ſome ſay, by the Romans, who called it Coloſus. This Town
had, for many Years, maintained its Liberty, againſt the Kings of Tunis,
and
C6
:
262
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
and Vice-Roys of Caftantina, from which laſt inland City it lies almoſt
duc North about a good Day's Riding. Tho', in it ſelf, it is now a
wretched Place to look on, like moſt of the reſt, yet it was ſo protected
by Multitudes of its neighbouring Mountaincers, whom it ſupplied with
many Neceffarics, brought thither by Chriſtian Traders, that they would
never ſuffer it to be inſulted, or moleſted. My Opinion is, that the
Turks gor it rather thro' their good'Uſage to the Jijelians, than by any
other Means wharever: For certain it is, that, if the Algerine Turks are
grateful to none elſe, they are ſo to thoſe of Jijel, their firſt Subjects, to
whom they cver were and fill are uncommonly civil and favourable.
Tho' this Col is of no very grcat Importance to the Turks,. in other
Reſpects, yet their being Maſters of it conduced much to their obtaining
Footing in Coſtantina, and all that noble Province, (which I look on to
be the fineſt Part of all Barbary) as they did the very Year following.
This famous - Capital of Old North-Numidia (of which I already have
ſpoken, and ſhall ſay more) as the Power of the Kings of Tunis declined,
had, for ſome Years, been independent of that Throne, tho' was much
kept under by the powerful Arab Tribes, who ranged that Province at
Pleaſure: Nor was it till within theſe few Years, that the Turks could
boaſt of being, in any wiſe, Sovereigns of any Part of that Province;
and even now they maintain what they have by mere Dint of Sabre. On
this Head I may be ſomewhat particular. However, Heyradin, in 1521,
got himſelf acknowledged Lord of Conſtantina, and the reſt of the level
Country, tho' he and ſeveral of his Succeſſors have been forced to fight
luſtily for every Morſel they got. Col, and another maritime Place, a few
Miles Eaſt of it (called by the Europeans Porta Stora, and Skikida by the
Africans, from a large Village, of that Name, above it, on the Mountain)
are the neareſt Ports of Conſtantina, and were much frequented by trading
Veſſels from Provence, Genoa and other Parts of the Chriſtian Side of the
Mediterranean, with whom the People of Coſtantina uſed to carry on a
conſiderable Commerce, which was wholly interrupted by the Turks being
potreſſed of Gol: For tho' they, even to this Day, never durſt attempt
ſettling at Stora, (wherс there is not now any one Building on Foot, but
the Ruins of ſeveral) yer their having Poſſeſſion of one of thoſe Harbours
deterred the Chriſtian Traders from offering to approach either : And, on
2
Vide P. 24, 191, 192.
2
this
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
263
this Account, rather than by downright Conqueſt, I take it, the Turks
gained Admittance at Coſtantina, to whoſe Inhabitants they promiſed
not only to defend them from the Inſults of the Arabs, but alſo, to
keep open their foreign Traffick, by encouraging the European Mer-
chants.
A. D. 1522. Early this Year, Heyradin, with twenty two large Galeots,
arrived before the ancient City of Bona; and ſo terrificd thoſe People
(who had lived free for a conſiderable while) with threatening to deſtroy
them, great and ſmall, that they ſubmitted: Tho' Marmol ſays this hap-
pened not till ſome few Years after, when thc Emperor Charles V. cx-
pelled him and his Turks from Tunis. 1
may, perhaps, advance ſome
Reaſons for my being of a different Opinion : And of theſe and other
Places and Occurrences, more may be ſaid in the Topography. It muſt,
alſo, be obſerved, that Heyradin, notwithſtanding his being Sovereign, as
it were, of ſo many States, never failed, once, or oftener in a Year, going
out on Cruiſe, with his Galeots, to the infinite Detriment of ſuch Chriſtians.
as he could ſurpriſe, or maſter ; for he was not in League with any except
the French, who were joined in ſtrict Alliance with the Ottomans. Only
I am apt to fancy, that he ſometimes ſupplied the Spaniards in the Forts
on the aforeſaid little Inand, with a few Refreſhments, to keep them
quiet ; tho' I have no Authority for any ſuch Conjecture, and only hint
it as probable, merely becauſe I hear not of any Diſturbances from that
Quarter.
" Thus, ſays Haedo, he continued ſcouring the Seas and Coaſts; and in
" the Year 1529, was actually Maſter of no leſs than cighteen ſtout Galeots,
“ extremely well armed and appointed, and was become nothing leſs
" dreaded and renowned than had been his Brother Arouje Barba-roſa, on
account of his Itrange Succeſſes, and the inconceivable Harins he did
to Chriſtendom, incrcaſing daily in Riches and Power, having under
“his Command, beſides his own, many other Galeots, &c. belonging to
* Corfairs, who flocked down to him from the Levant."
1. D. 1529. This Year he concluded a Sort of Alliance with the
b Zwouwa of Cucco, and Beni Abbas, whoſe unmanageable Princes would
never, till then, liſten to any manner of Accommodation; but, on the
contrary, tho' mortal Enemies to cach other, agreed in this Article, of
(
b
V. de P. 69. 2:2
doing
264
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
doing the Turks all the Miſchief they were able. While he was buſied in
thicſe Negociations, he ſent out fourteen Galeots to make a Deſcent on
the Balearic Iſlands, which are Mayorca, Minorca, Iviza, Formentera, and
others leſs conſiderable. The Conduct of this Squadron he gave to a no-
table Turkiſis Corſair, by the Spaniards nick.named Cacha-Diablo, i. c.
Drub-Devil; and, among other Captains, one of the chief was Salha Rais,
afterwards Bafling or Vice-Roy of Algiers, a gallant Perſonage, as will
appear in the Detail of his Life.
Theſe Corfairs, having taken ſeveral Prizes, and committed many Dif-
orders on thoſe Illands, and the Spaniſh Coaſts, captivating abundance
of Chriſtians, had, at length, Notice of ſome Moriſco Families, Vaſals
to the Count De Oliva, a Valencian Nobleman, who were deſirous of
paſſing over to Barbary, to live undiſturbed in the Religion of their An-
ceſtors, and who would diſburſe a good Sum for their Tranſportation.
This was a Sort of Buſineſs very well liked of by Drub-Devil and his
Aſſociates; and, accordingly, taking Advantage of the Night's Ob-
ſcurity, they landed, in a conſiderable Body, near Oliva, and brought off
upwards of 200 Families, with whom they retired under the ſmall Iſland
Formentera.
Juſt when this was tranſacted, General Portundo, with eight Spaniſla
Gallies (wherewith he had convoyed Charles V. as far as Genoa, when he
went in order to be crowned Emperor at Bologna, by Pope Clement VII.)
was come down beyond Barcelona, in his Way to Valencia. The Count
De Oliva hearing of his Approach, inſtantly wrote him a preſſing Letter,
intreating him to ſeek out and attack thoſe Free-Booters, who had carried
away ſuch a Number of his Vaſſals, with an immenſe Treaſure in Caſh
and Jewels; promiſing him, in caſe he recovered his Moriſcoes, with their
Effects, a Preſent of 10000 Ducats. On Receipt whereof, the Spaniſha
General, partly to gain the agreed on Sum, and partly, perhaps, with
View of acquiring Honour, immediately bore away for the Baleares,
whither he rightly judged the Corſairs might have retired. Drub-Devil
was actually retreated to Formentera, and diſcovered the Gallies as ſoon as
ihey came in Sight. Somewhat alarmed at the Approach of ſuch a Squa-
dron, and ſenſible he muſt, unavoidably, either hazard a bloody Encoun-
ter, or truſt to his Heels, in order to be in a better Poſture for either, he
landed all the Moriſcoes on that Ifand. On the other Hand, General
Portundo (whether it was, as ſome hold, that he was ignorant of the
Enemy's
The: HISTORY OF ALGIERS.
205
1
Enemy's Number, or, as others affert, that he conclụded himſelf ſure of
the Victory, though he caught a Tartar) had given expreſs Orders not to
offer to fire at them, whereby they might be funk, and himſelf deprived
of the promiſed Reward for recovering the fugitive Moriſcoes, with all their
rich Effects, whom he might well ſuppoſe to be ſtill on board the Galeots.
Howſoever that was, certain it is, that Don Juan de Porfundo, the Ge-
neral's Son, who, with four Gallies, advanced conſiderably a-head of his
Father, notwithſtanding he camć up within Gun-Shot of the Enemy,
who were got out to Sea, durſt not let go one Shot, tho' he might have
done great Damage with his heavy Artillery; but lay-by upon his Oars,
waiting for the reſt. The Turks, obſerving this Behaviour, which they
imputed to Fear and Cowardice, took Heart; determining to ſtay and
ſee the Motions of the Spaniards, when their Squadron ſhould be joined.
The Gallies being all together, the Turks perceived ſo little Appearance of
their being attacked, that they ſoon came to a Reſolution of becoming
themſelves the Attackers: And bearing down upon the Chriſtians, rowing
with the utmoſt Fury, they ſwooped upon them 'likc Eagles, and had
ſurrounded the eight Gallies before the amazed Spaniards well knew what
they were about. However, tho' conſiderably inferior in Number (for
many of the Officers and Soldiers had remained in Italy, to be preſent at
the Solemnity of the Coronation) the Corſairs met with a briſk Reception,
and were warmly entertained for a good Spell, not without Bloodſhed.
But, fortunately for Drub-Devil (or Drub-Spaniard, as the French and
Turks are ſaid to have named him afterwards) and his Party, who, with
his own and another Galeot, had ſet upon the Admiral-Galley, General
Portundo, who commanded her, was ſhot in the Breaſt with a Muſket-
Ball, and inſtantly died; whereupon the Galley ſurrendered: And the reſt,
diſpirited, without farther Reſiſtance, followed her Example; except ones
which, by mere Dint of ſtrenuous Rowing, got to Iviça, near the Salt-
Pits, and ſo eſcaped, almoſt miraculouſly. The Turks, with their ſeven
great Gallies, and their valuable Equipages (among whom, beſides the
flain General's Son, and the other ſix. Captains, were many Officers of
Note) releaſing from their Chains ſeveral hundreds of captive Muful-
mans, and constituting in the Vacancies' as many of their new Slaves, re-
turned triumphantly to Formentera, in order co take in the dubious Moriſcoes;
who; we may well ſuppoſe, were mightily ſatisfied with that Opportunity of
bilking the Count De Oliva, cheir Lord, and the morc'dreaded Inquiſitors.
Thc
1
Mm
266
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
The tragical End of this Don Juan de Portundo, the fix Captains, and
fome other Gentlemen, for having formed a Conſpiracy to ſurpriſe Algiers,
ſhall be mentioned in ſome of the ſuccceding Pages. Notwithſtanding it
cauſed great Rejoicings at Algiers, to behold ſeven Rogal-Gallies, and
among them the Capitana, or Admiral-Galley, of Spain, brought in at
once, yet Heyradin is reported to have cnvied his old Crony Drub-Devil
the Honour and Reputation he had acquired, by having the ſole Direction
of that ſo-much-talked-of Exploit.
4. D. 1530. Heyradin Baſa, morc deſirous than cver to remove fo
uncaly a Bridle as that Spaniſh. Fort was to his Mouth, fince, beſides other
Inconveniències, it utterly prevented his making & Mole, or Harbour, for
the ſecurer Reception as well of the Algerine Cruiſers as the European Tra-
ders (moſtly French) was now fully bent to give a vigorous Puſh at what
his Brother and Predeceſſor had miſſed of, and himſelf, hitherto, had not
been at Leiſure to undertake. While the Spaniards held that Fort, all
the Galeots, &c. were obliged to lic about a Mile Weſt of the Town,
near the aforeſaid · Rivulet, úpon an open Coaſt, to keep out of the Spa-
niards Reach, and with infinite Toil were drawn on and off the Sands
by the poor Slaves. As for the trading Veſſels, which brought conſide-
rable Advantage to the Town, they had no Anchoring-Place but at the
Eaſtern Part, not far from Beb Azoun, where they had no Shelter, but,
much to their Diſcouragement, lay expoſed to all Weathers. Heyradin
knew the Spaniards dreaded him almoſt every where, and was quite ſcan-
dalized to find himſelf driven, by them, to ſo many Incommodities, by a
fcurvy Fort, which they needs would maintain, juſt in his Teeth. Somc-
thing occurred that haftened his putting in Exccution what he had already
determined: The Paſſage was this.
Two young Lads, Moors of Algiers, got over to the Fort, telling the
Captain, or Governor, that their Defire was to become Chriſtians. Some
aſfert them to have been purpoſely ſent thither by the Bepha; which Af-
ſertion I am not able to diſprove, tho' Haedo ſecms dubious. That cou-
rageous Gentleman, named Don Martin de Pargas, received them kindly;
entertaining them in his own Family, while they were Catechizing by his
Chaplain, in order to prepare them for Baptiſm. Refurre&tion-Day falling
out ſoon after, as the Chriſtians were all at High-Maſs, thoſe young Fel-
d Vide P. 197
low
The HISTORY of ALGIER S.
267
dows, mounting the Rampart which faced the Town, then without Guards,
where. (" whether out of Wantonneſs, or maliciouſly,” ſays Haeda) they
hoiſted a Flag, making Signals to thoſe in the City. Theſe Motions be-
ing obſerved by ané of the Governor's Maid-Servants, ſhe inſtantly ran
and acquainted her Maſter; who, "lcaving his Devotions; haſted thither,
well attended; and ſeeing what Sport his intended Converts were at, with-
out more ado hanged them up, over that very Rampart, in Sight of their
Country-men, the Algerines, many of whom preſently knew them, and
poſted to acquaint the Baſha.
Heyradin would not be perſuaded but that this was done purely with a
Deſign to affront and inſult him ; and vowed immediate Revenge ; iſſu-
ing out Orders to get all Things in Readineſs. By way of Formality, he
ſent a Renegado of his to ſummon the Spaniſh Captain and Garriſon; of-
fering them fafe Conduct and all reaſonable Conditions, provided they
gave him no farther Trouble, ſince, he told them, their Diſlodgement
was reſolved on, and if they reſiſted, he had ſworn, inviolably, that they
ſhould every one of them be cut in Pieces. At this peremptory Sum.
mons and Meſſage, Don Martin having laughed very hcartily, ſtoutlý
and haughtily replied, " That he was really aftoniſhed to hear a Perſon
" of ſuch Worth, and ſo good a Soldier as was the Baſha of Algiers,
« make ſuch inglorious and ſcandalous Propoſals to one of no leſs Worth,
cs and no worſe a Soldier than himſelf: That he ought to make Applica-
« tion to thoſe who leſs valued their Honour : Adding, that he would do
“ well to recollect, that he had to deal with SPANIARDS, in whoſe Breaſts
thoſe his fo vain and fruitleſs Menaces could never infuſe the leaſt Sha-
“ dow of Dread, or Apprehenſion.”
Tho' Heyradin Baſha imagined he ſhould gain little by his Embally,
and had made Preparations accordingly, yet this bold and ſurly Reply ren-
dered him quite impatient. Raging with Fury, he fent immediately for a
very large Piece of Braſs Ordinance, from on board a huge French Galeon,
wherewith, and ſeveral other great Cannon, lately caſt for this very Pur-
poſe, he began a terrible Battery, May 6, 1530, which was obſtinately
purſued, Day and Night, for fifteen Days, without a Moment's Reſpite.
Such was the Fury of this inceffant Cannonading, that, by then the far
greateſt Part of the 200 Spaniards in Garriſon were knocked on the Head,
and that Side of their Fort in a manner laid level with the Rock on which
it ſtood. Only fifty-three. Men remained alive with their Captain, and
they
Mm. 2
268
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
1
ܘܰܕ݂
they wholly ſpent with continual Labour; and, as' for great Part of the
Time, while the Battery endured, they had been expoſed not only to
the Great-Shot, but to inceſſant Showers of Arrows and Small-Shot, not
one of thoſe few Survivors eſcaped'unhurt; and Don Martin himſelf, with
ſeveral others were grievouſly :wounded. By the feeble Reſiſtance the
Chriſtians made for the laſt four or five Days, Heyradin thought: he might
ſafely venture an Affault; and accordingly got about 1200 of his beſt Men
on board fourteen of the largeſt Galeots, before Day-break, on the ſixteenth
Day from the Beginning of Hoſtilities. They landed juſt under the Breach,
and carried the Fort with very little Oppoſition : Don Martin de Vargas,
with the reſt of his Garriſon, and three Women only, being made Cap-
tives, May 22, N. S. 1530.
Immediately Heyradin cauſed the Remainder of that Fort to be razed to
the Foundation, and ſet to work many thouſands of Chriſtian Slaves to
make the:Molez. or Pcerswhich joins the Iland to the City, of which
ſomething, may be mid elſewhere.:
i
To give an Inſtance of the Temper and Diſpoſition of this Bafaa, take
the following Relation, abridged from Haedo, of the unhappy Fáte of that
brave Gentleman, Don Martin de Vargas. Of the Captives taken
in the Fort, Herradin reſerved to himſelf only the Caprain, and two or
Iliree' more, (perhaps the Women) diſtributing the reſt among the princi-
pal Corſairs, and others of his chief Turks, who had been moſt ſerviceable
in his obtaining that important Victory. Far from taking any. Notice of
a Perſon of fach Merit as Doni Martin, he ſent him to his Bagnio, among
the reſt of his Slaves, and; wounded as he was, gave him nothing for Sub-
ſiſtence but the ordinary daily Allowance;. for publick Slaves, of three
Añall Loaves' of very coarſe: Bread. Hoivever ſeveral well-diſpòſed"Cap-
tives tooli great Care of him, and he was ſoon pretty well recovered.
About tlirec Months from his Capture, the Baſha ſent"for him'; when
fiercely; accoſting him, he ſaid : 155. How came it to: pafs, that, when I
"Slunmoned you to quit my Territory; and depart in Peace, as: I offered
youjinity Requeſt was: 1o little :ségardedi?" Don Martin; - with formie
Freedom;'uxcuſed himfelf,: by altedğinig the Obligátjofi Perſans-ofhis Fi-
gure and Quality lay under; when intruſted by their Prince, which con-
fidence repoſed in them obliged them rather to loſe their Lives“than dem
viate from their Dutyi. The: cholerick..Bapboths nothing's fatisfied with-fo
scaſonable a Reply, grew :quite i.outrageous andicraiſing his Voicező a
thundering
40 !
3
The HISTORY of ALGIER S..
269
+
thundering and menacing Tone, commanded him to delift from affuming
ſuch unbecoming Liberties in his Preſence; which Command he accom-
panied with Scurrilities; asking him, if he knew, how many brave Turks,
far better Men than himſelf, his inſolent Obſtinacy had deſtroycd? Adding,
with an Oath, that he had a great Mind to burn him alive. To this the
too reſolute Don Martin imprudently returned; (for he certainly ought to
have conſidered his preſent Condition, and anſwemble to thc Oriental Saying,
have thruſt bis Finger firſt into the Ground, and then to his Noſe) that he had
acted nothing contrary to the Rules of War, where every one ought to
do his utmoſt, both defenſively and offenſively. The inhumane Baſsa, in-
raged, and quite devoid of Patience, to hear him ſtill anſwer with ſuch
Boldneſs, after he had ſo poſitively injoined him Silence, bellowing like
a Bull, commanded that Dog, that Infidel, as he called him, to be laid
down and drubbed to Death upon the Spot. This barbarous Sentence
was inſtantly put in Execution, (I ſhall elſewhere fully deſcribe the Man-
ner) and, with an Infinity of cruel Blows, and ſurprizing Magnanimity
and Conſtancy, the unfortunate Gençleman expired, in the Tyrant's Pre-
ſence, under that exquiſite Torture, the Baſionado.
Haedo affixes this Tragedy in the Front of his Catalogue of Martyrs,
whoſo direful Cataſtrophes he relates moſt circumſtantially, and much in
the Tonc of a. Predicador : From the moſt remarkable, I deſign ſome oca
caſional Extracts.
i
Marmol's Account of all this Affair is in a different Strain: Of which
take the Heads: Viz. The Fort being in great Diſtreſs, for want of Pro-
viſions, the Captain ſent his Brother to follicite a Supply from the Empe-
ror. In the meanwhile, ia Soldier from the Garriſon (wam alhoregrand
acquainted the Baſha: of their Neceſſity, and told him, how eaſily he might
make himſelf Maſter of the Place, if he attacked it before Succour arrived.
Heyradin ſent to ſummon Don Martin de Vargas; giving him to under-
ſtand, That hc-wns no Stranger to his Wants, and withal, that particu-
lar Care ſhould by taken to intercept all Relief; ſo that his Ruin was in-
cvitable except.she complicę ::.- which, if he did, he might depend upon
his utmoſt: Favour and Friendſhip. To this the couragcous Don Martin
replied, That it was an Indignity, for a Captain of a mighty Emperor, top
think of delivering ſo important a Fortreſs into the Hands of a Corſair :
Adding, that if the Renegado Dog, who had deſerted, might have in-
formod him, that he wanted Neceſſaries, both for Suſtenance and. De-
st
1
fenſe,
270
The HISTORY OF ALGIERS.
fenſe, his only way of being ſatisfied, as to thoſe Points, was to make his
Approach. After a furious Battery, conſiderable Breaches being opened,
a general Aſſault enſued. The few remaining Spaniards, tho quite worn
out with Hunger and Wearineſs, fold their Lives and Liberties at a dear
Ratc. The valiant Captain dcfended a Poſtern with a two-handed Sword;
and having received many fore Wounds, and being at length maimed ini
the Right-Hand, and thereby diſabled from any longer weilding his Wea-
pon, he was ſeiz’d by four Turks; the Baſha having given ſtrict Orders
for taking him alive. Being conducted into his Preſence, in that Plight,
Heyradin Baſha comforted him with very kind Words, bidding him not
to be diſmayed, aſſuring him of good Uſage, and withal, that provided he
would oblige him in one Particular, he might depend on many ſingular
Marks of his Favour. Returning abundance of Thanks, Don Martin he-
ſitated not to promiſe a ready Obedience to his Command in cvery Thing,
within his Power, that might be of Service to him, in caſe his Excellen-
cy would, firſt, condeſcend ſo far as to oblige him in rewarding, accord-
ing to his Demerits, that perfidious Dog of a Renegado, by whom he had
been ſo baſely betrayed. To pleaſe him, the Baſa immediately fent for
the Traytor, whom, before his Face, he ordered to be cruelly beaten
and, not content with that, cauſed his Head to be taken off. After this,
turning to the Captain, he ſaid; “Now, Martin; you ſee I have done
" what you deſired. It next behoves you to fulfill your Promiſe to me,
" by complying with my Requeſt: It is, that you become a Muſulman;
" and take on you the poſt of Captain of my Guards." Here Don Mar-
tin was at a Stand: But in Anſwer to the Pagan's Demand, returned :
o Sir! What you require at my Hands, as the Conſequence of a Promiſe
you fay I made you, is a Thing utterly out of my power to promiſe,
s much leſs to perform. If you can think of any other Matter, wherein I
can ſerve, or oblige you, I am ready to comply: But I cannot help
“ ſaying, you are to blame in imagining, or expecting, that I ſhould leave
« the true Religion for a Sećt falſe and ridiculous.” The Tyrant inraged
at this Reply, had him put to a cruel Death, in his Preſence: And thus
died this valorous Cavalier, for his Faith and for his Prince; as is the Ob-
ligation of cyery Gentleman of Honour and Character. To this Effect
Marmol delivers the Story:
Either this Way, or the other, this Gentleman was certainly too for-
getful of his preſent Condition, and the haughty, impatient Humour of
the
;
The HISTORY OF ALGIERS.
27 1
the Turks, when Maſters; with whom Humility and nothing elſe is
pre-
valent. But I cannot eaſily reconcile my ſelf to the Belief, that this nota-
ble Baſha, tho' ſometimes tyrannical and cruel, was ſo bad a Politician, as
thus in publick, to ſacrifice a Renegado, who had rendered him ſuch eſſen-
tial Services, to the revengeful Caprice of a perſon, who had given the
Turks, who are none of the moſt generous Enemics, ſuch recent Cauſes
not to look on him with a very good Eye; and who, if cither of the
foregoing Accounts is Fact, may be ſaid to have deported himſelf rather
rcſolutely than prudently. His Behaviour brings to my Mind that of a
certain proud beggarly Spaniard, of the Auſtrian Faction, who, being ta-
ken Slave by the Algerines, came to our Conſul Cole, who had an Order,
from his Correſpondent at Barcelona, to endeavour to redeem him. The
State and Gravity with which he traverſed our Court-Yard, was well worth
ſeeing. Had a Stake been driven thro' him, he could not have walked
ftiffer. « Sir! ſaid he, accoſting the Conful, and twirling his ſtarched
« Muſtachio, I am the Cavallero, for whoſe Ranſom. you lately received
" an Order, as by this Letter I am informed." " What is your Name,
6 Friend?” ſaid the Conſul.65 My Name is Don Alfonſo de Penalta,
6 Şir: Does not your Letter tell you as much?” Conſul Cole, who was a
rough Gentleman ſometimes, and mortally hated thoſe Spaniſh Vanities,
with a ſnarling Tone, r'eplied; “ DonDon-Don-Don, Don Cuerno!
“ Let your fantaſtical Don-ſhip recolleet and know what and where you
“ are. The Badge of Slavery about your Ankle (meaning the Iron
« Ring worn by the Beylic, or publick Slaves) ill ſuits with a Don. When
" you have any thing to ſay to me, eſpecially, the Don muſt be left be-
« hind: For you may depend on it, I ſhall never treat of the Redemption
e of any who are ſuch vain Fools and Allies as to term themſelves Dons."
And certain it is, that many of that Nation have paid more than treble the
Ranſom, which would otherwiſe have ſerved their Turn, had they not
affected to have retained that empty Monoſyllable.
During our laſt Spaniſl War, the Slaves at Algiers, of the Burbonian
and Auſtrian Factions, would proclaim open War againſt each other, and
frequently fall together by the Ears. Whenever their Guardians caught
them at that Sport, they never failed belabouring their Sides very hand-
ſomely; ſaying ; “ You Scoundrels : It will be time enough for you to
« decide Party-Quarrels, when you are your own Maſters.” I ſhall treat
ſomewhat largely, in due Place; concerning the Slaves of Algiers; and
may
272
The History of ALGIERS.
may have Occaſion to ſpeak farther of Conſul Cole, whom I ſerved fome
Years, in Quality of his Cancellera, &c.
A. D. 1531. Preſently after the Mole of Algiers was began, (which
was full two Years in completing) Heyradin Baſha, reſolving to im-
prove and fortify f Sherſel, repaired and inlarged the Caſtle of that im-
portant Placc, and withal employed upwards of 700 Chriſtians in the Con-
ſtruction of a Peer, which towards the Spring, this Year, was in good
Forwardneſs. Prince Andrea D'Oria, General of the Imperial Gallies,
very ſenſible of the Inconveniencies would accrue to Chriſtendom, if that
Work was not interrupted, it being but a ſhort Cut from Sherſhel to the
Baleares) thought he could not render his Prince and Country better Ser-
vicc than, at one and the fame Time, to ſet at Liberty ſo many hundreds
of Captives, and deſtroy that Harbour. Some affirm him to have under-
taken that Expedition at the Inſtigation of the ſaid Slaves themſelves,
who allured him how caſily it might be accompliſhed: Tho' Marmol ſays,
that the Emperor ſent him, cxprelly, with the Gallies of Naples, Sicily
and Genoa, in Queſt of the Algerine Galcots, who deſigned an Attempt
upon Cadiz; and that ſeveral of them were ſunk and fired, by him, at
Sherſhel; tho' he was, afterwards, repulſed with the Loſs of many hun-
dreds of Chriſtians.
What I laedo ſays is to this Effect. In July, that General ſet out from
Genoa, with twenty Gallics. In few Days he got near Sherſhel undiſco-
vcrcd; and beforc Day-break landed 1500 Soldiers. The Orders he had
given were, That, the firſt thing they did ſhould be to break into the
Caſtle and releaſe all thc Slaves: That, upon no Pretext whatever, any
of
them ſhould offer to quit their Colours : And that, when he fired a great
Gun, cvery Man ſhould forthwith repair to the Sca-Side, in order to rc-
imbark. The firſt part of theſe Orders was cxecuted to Admiration : For
chc Prince's Soldiers got into the Caſtle, and every Captive obtained his
Liberty before the few Turks there in Garriſon were aware of their Ap-
proach. Thoſe 700 and odd Chriſtians, having thus happily recovered
thcir l'rccdom, wildly choſe not to tempt their Fortune any farther, and
immcdiacely haſtened on board thic. Gallics. Their Deliverers, having
other Sentiments, unmindful of the Injunctions laid on them, diſperſed, in
Scarch of Plunder. It was now Day; when the Turks and Townſmen,
who arc, is I obſerved, all Moriſcoes, from Spain, and good Soldiers, get-
Pide P. 234.
ting
The History of ALGIERS.
273
}
1
1
ting together in Partics, fell upon the covetous Chriſtians, whom they found
all laden with Spoil; and making great Slaughter, the reſt hurried to-
wards thc Landing-Place, in all imaginable Diſorder and Confuſion.
The Signal Gun had been fired over and over ; but being ſo employed,
they either could not hear, or would not heed. The Gallies were put off
to Sea; which ſome ſay the Prince had purpoſely done, to puniſh thoſe
diſobedient Troops; tho' others will have it, that he only drew off a lit-
tlc, left the Emperor's Gallies ſhould be ſunk or damaged by the Shot
from the Caſtle, which the Turks began to ply very ſmartly. However
it was, when the Prince again drew near the Shore, it was too late to do
any good; for of all thoſe 1500, they who came beſt off were chained in
the Room of thoſe they had ſo lately ſet at Liberty. Heyradin Baſha,
when he heard of this, was not a little concerned at the Loſs of ſo many
of his ſtouteft Rowers, and other ſerviceable Chriftians : But he was ſome-
what comforted to learn, that near 900 of ſuch impertinent Viſitors had
been cut in pieces, and that he had more than 600 new Captives.
Previous to this, a few Months, the ſame Author, among his Mar-
tyrs, relates a Story that denotes this Baſsa to have been of a moſt inex-
orable and cruel Diſpoſition, and in which he very much acted the Inqui-
fitor: This is the Subſtance. Early this Ycar, 1531. Two Galcots,
ſent by Hesradin to Sherſhel, being upon their Return, among many
other Letters, wrote by the Slaves at Sherſel, to their Friends in the like
Circumſtance at Algiers, one was delivered to a Countryman of theirs at
the Oar, by two Spaniards, who jointly wrote it, for one Sotomayor, their
Intimate, a brave Spaniſh Soldicr, and the Baſha's own Slave, at his Bag-
nio. He who had Charge of it was injoined to keep it very private, and
to have a particular Care in the Delivery. Till he had Leiſure to ſecure it
better, he had put it in his Bofom ; and it dropped under the Bank on
which he fate rowing, unperceived by himſelf or any elſe but a Spaniſla
Renegado, who being near the Place, took it up ſlily. Taking an Oppor-
tunity to read it, he was amazed at the Contents; yer diſſembled till his
Arrival at Algiers; and then carried it to the Baſha. The whole was a
very
minute and particular Account of an intended Inſurrection of thoſe
Chriſtians, employed in building the Mole at Sherſhel. The furious Hey:
radin, perceiving to whom the Letter was addreſſed, immediately caused
the probably very innocent Sotomayor to be dragged before him, and to
be moſt cruelly baſtonadoed on the Shoulders, Buttocks, Belly and Fect,
Nn
with
**
.
+
274
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
1
Ans.
with more than 600 terrible Blows, after the Manner of thoſe Barbarim
As the Tormentors examined him all the while, and to no Purpoſe,
ſince he could not well confeſs that of which he was utterly ignorant,
the inraged Tyrant, in whoſe Preſence this inhuman Scene was acted, or-
dered him to undergo the Torture of Fire. A large Pan of Charcoal was
brought in; and the Soles of his Feet, already grievouſly ſwelled with the
mercileſs Strokes, were daubed with Butter, and held clofe to a fierce
Fire, for ſeveral Hours; all which Time they ceaſed not their Examina-
tions. The unhappy Sufferer pleaded his Innocence, calling Heaven to
witneſs, that they butchered him unjuſtly. All this the remorſeleſs Baſha
imputed to Obſtinacy and Guilt; and inſtead of relenting, commanded
the poor Man's more than roaſted Feet to be thruſt into the Coals, till
they became in a Manner a perfect Cinder. Thinking him dead, the
Tyrant called another Spaniard, nained Franciſco del Puerto, (from whom,
ſays Haedo, - I learned the whole Relation) commanding him to carry a-
way that Infidel, and throw him into the Sea: For, till ſeveral Years af-
tcr, in the Time of Haſan Baſha, Son to this Hezradin Barba-roſa, the
Chriſtians were not allowed any other Burial. The Chriſtian, who was making
towards the Sea-Gate, with the wretched Sotomayor on his Shoulders, per-
ceiving his Burden to be ſtill living, repaired to the Baſha’s Bagnio, where
his Slaves were kept. Extraordinary Care being taken of him, in
hopes of his Recovery, it was found impracticable: And having undergone
unſpcakable Torments, he died, with great Signs of Piety and Devotion,
on the tenth Day of his Sufferings. The very Marrow of his Bones was
found to be quite dried up and conſumed. He was aged forty-five Years;
tall, lean, and
red-haired.
It is very likely this poor Man was ignorant of what was hatching at
Sherſhel, and certainly had little Cauſe to thank his two Friends, for their
Ofliciouſneſs, in endeavouring to make him their Confident. The Baja
inſtantly ſent a Re-inforcement of Turks, to take Care of their Affairs at
Sherſbel; and yet we ſee they were ſoon after ſurpriſed by Andrea D'Oria;
who might have come off with much greater Honour, had his Soldiers
been leſs greedy, and as obſervant of Diſcipline, as were the Troops of the
Marquis De Comares, in their Expedition againſt Barba-roja I.
The ſame Summer, viz. 1531, ſome Algerine Corſairs, commanded by the
Baſha in Perſon, took and brought in two Neapolitan Gallies, laden with
Silk, from Melina, under the Direction of a bold Cavalier, named Don
2
Luis
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
27 S
Luis de Sevilla. Being lodged in the Baſha's Bagnio, together with the
other Captain, his Companion, where they met with Don Juan de Por-
tundo, and the other ſix Caprains of Spaniſh Gallies, who, as I obſerved,
were taken by Drub-Devil and his Squadron, he began to inquire of them
concerning the State and Number of the Cbriſtians then in Captivity at
Algiers; and they all ſeemed to be of Opinion, that it was not impoſible,
nor even very difficult, for a Body of ſo many thouſands to make themſelves
Maſters of the City. Theſe nine confederate Gentlemen, being fully de-
termined, communicated their Scheme to ſeveral others, and found hem
all ready to come into their Meaſures. Don Juan de Purtundo wrote to
his particular Friend, the Spaniſh Governor of Bujeza, that, among the
Preſents and Regales he was to ſend him and his Companions, againſt
Chriſtmas, he ſhould not forget a But filled with Swords. This Requeſt
was punctually complied with, and that But was conveyed to the Bagnio,
without Suſpicion. It muſt here be noted, that there was then only the
Beylic, or Publick Bagnio for the Slaves, which may contain about 2000
Men; the reſt being diſperſed in the City, or at the Farm and Pleaſurc-
Houſes: This Bagnio is open, for all to enter, till the Evening; as are
thoſe ſince built ; of which ſomething may be ſaid in the Topography.
One Maeſtre Franciſco, a Spaniard, and the Baſha's Smith, willingly made
them a Set of falſe Keys, to open the Bagnio Gates, when there ſhould be
Occaſion; as did likewiſe, another Spaniard, named Marroquin, the Baſha’s
Artillery-Founder, caſt for them a huge Iron Mace with its Chain, where-
with to break' thro' barred and bolted Doors, &c. Matters were thus
concerted, and in a tolerable Readineſs, when Chriſtmas arrived : And the
Chriſtians in the Bagnio, as uſual at ſuch Feſtivities, were making merry,
and diverting themſelves, each according to his Humour. Some of them
happened to fall out at Cards, and a hot Diſpute aroſe between one se-
cundo, a Genoeſe, and Franciſco de Almanza, a Spaniard, who, according
to Haedo, my Author, had been twice a Renegado among the Mahome-
tans, in other Parts, and then paſſed for a Chriſtian in the Bagnio at Al-
giers. This Quarrel being in Preſence of the Spaniſla Captains, the con-
tending Parties referred thc Difference to their Deciſion; and they una-
nimouſly gave Judgment in Favour of the Genoeſe. His Antagoniſt the
Spaniard reſented this ſo far, that he perfidiouſly took an Opportunity to
acquaint the Baſha with the wholc Conſpiracy: And the better to con-
vince him, he gave exact Directions where the Swords ſent from Bujeya
Nn 2
lay
276
The HISTORY Of A LGIER S.
lay conceald, in the Bagnio, and the Keys, Mace, &c. buried under a
large Cask, in the Smith's Shop.
Tho' in the Affair of poor unhappy Sotomayor, this Baſba may be ſaid
to have proceeded like a & Dominican; yet in the Puniſhment of the Chiefs
of this dangerous Conſpiracy, he acted nothing but what would have been
done, on the like Occaſion, under the mildeſt and beſt conſtituted Go-
vernment; tho', perhaps, with more Formalities, terminating in Breaking
alive on the Wheel, after ſevere Tortures.
Aſtoniſhed at the imminent Danger in which himſelf and the whole
State had been, and from which he was not yet ſure of cſcaping, the
foaming Baſha would not confide in any, but went in Perſon to the ſaid
Smith's Working-Place, and there found every Thing exactly anſwerable
to the Deſcription. The revengeful Traytor amply diſcovered who were
Ring Leaders of the Plot, being ſeventeen in Number ; not forgetting
the nine Spaniſh Captains, his Judges, the Smith and the Founder.
December 27, 1531. N. S. About eight in the Morning, while the
Chriſtians were enjoying themſelves, as little drcaming of any ſuch Dif-
covery, a Party of Turks came armed into the Bagnio; and two of them
ſcizing cach preſcribed Criminal, dragged them all ſeventeen, with their
Hands tied behind them, thro’ the principal Strect, to the Weſtern Gate,
called Beb al IVeyd, and inſtantly hack'd them in Pieces with their Sabres.
Nor durſt any one, upon Pain of Death, preſume to touch thoſe mangled
Carcaſſes, but there they remained, on Dunghils, to be devoured by Dogs
and Birds of Prey.
Thus miſcarried a well-concerted Project, which, had it taken
Effcct, would have cauſed great Rejoicings in many Parts of Chri-
fendom. But I must not forget taking Notice of the Revcaler of this
notable Conſpiracy. He, for the third Time, became a Muſulman, in
Expectation of making his Fortune: But his Rewards falling far ſhort of
his Hopes, about fix Mɔnths after, aſociating himſelf with a Slave of
Majorca, named Gabriel, they ſet out, in order to eſcape by Land to Oran.
In their way thither, being ſuſpected and ſeized by ſome Arabs, they
were brought back to Algiers, where Heyradín ordered Gabriel's Puniſh-
ment to be 200 Baſtonades; but as Payment of the other's noted Incon-
ftancy, he cauſed him to be caſt alive into the Sea, juſt at the Mole-Head,
with a Stone at his Neck. Such was the deſerved Reward of an infamous,
vindictive Villain.
A. D.
1
The Inquiſitors are of that Ortor.
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
277
3
7
A. D. 1532. Mulei Haſan, (corruptly named Muleaſes, &c.) King of
Tunis, a tyrannical and avaricious Prince, being abhorred by great Part of
his Subjects, more particularly by the Citizens of Tunis, whom he moſt
oppreſſed, having ſacrificed to his revengeful Humour many of the
wealthieſt and beſt eſteemed among them, their ſurviving Friends, under
hourly Apprehenſions of being the next Viêtims, wrote ſecretly, and with
the utmoſt Caution, to Heyradin Baſha, at Algiers; intreating him to raiſe the
greateſt Force he conveniently could, and to free them from their Ty-
rant; promiſing him the Sovereignty of their City and the whole Realm.
As Heyradin, in his younger Days, had contracted much Friendſhip and
Intimacy at Tunis, while he reſided there with his Brother Barba-roſſa, he
was very well acquainted with all thoſe who had ſigned that Invitation.
This being a Propoſal not in any wiſe to be rejected, he returned in An-
ſwer, That they might abſolutely depend on his Friendſhip: And that he
would not attempt to ſuccour them without a Power ſufficient to render
them effectual Service.
“ Paulus Jovills, and others, ſays Haedo, affirm, that he went in Per.
« ſon to Confiantinople, to ſollicit Afſtance from the Grand Signor: But
“ ſeveral Turks and Renegadoes, then his Servants, have aſſured me, that
“ he went not, but wrote to that Monarch, very preſſingly, for a compe-
“ tent Number of Men, to cnable him to Icave Algiers and its Territo-
rics in Security, and to undertake this Expedition againſt Tunis; fince,
“ with very little Trouble and Expence, he hoped ſoon to make an intire
“ Conqueſt of all Barbary, which he deſired with no other View than
" that of annexing the ſame to the Ottoman Empire.”
This Letter, accompanied with many rich Preſents for thc Emperor S:4-
liman, ſurnamed the Magnificent, and his chief Favourites, was committed
to the Care of a faithful Renegado, having under his Direction two Ga-
leots. That powerful and ainbitious Prince liked the Meſſage ſo well,
that he inſtantly gave Orders for the fitting up forty large Gallies. At the
Beginning of the ſucceeding Summer, A. D. 1533, this Flect, extremely
well appointed, having on board more than 8000 Janizaries, and a good
Number of Artillery, with all other warlike Stores, ſet out, under the
Direction of the ſaid Renegado ; with expreſs
. Command not to approach
Tunis, or any other Part of Barbary, till poſitive Inſtructions came from
his Maſter, the Baſha of Algiers, how to proceed. In Obedience to theſe
Orders, the Renegado paſſed the Pharc of Meſſina, plundering ſeveral Pla-
2
CCS
278
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
1
ces on the Colubrian Coaſt; which News reaching Mulci Hallan, he
thought himſelf very ſecure; as little imagining that Armament to be de-
ſigned againſt him, or his Dominions. Heyradin Baſha had early Notice
of all the Steps taken by his Renegado, from Time to Time; and the firſt
of May, many Days before the Departure of that Fleet from the Porte, he
had got to Sea, as if on Cruiſe, as uſual, with eighteen very large Ga-
leots, ſeveral of them little inferior to Royal Gallies, together with four
others of a ſmaller Size, and fourteen Brigantines; for the Naval Force of
Algiers was then conſiderable. Imparting his Deſigns to very few,
he left his Favourite, Haſan Aga (of whom more anon) fole Regent, du-
ring his Abſence, with the Title of his Kayia, or Lieutenant, and a com-
petent Garriſon, well ſupplied with all Neceſſaries. The vigilant Baſha,
having diſpatched a Galeot in Queſt of the Turkiſ Gallies, was, in few
Days, joined by them off Cape Bona, near Tunis: Without Loſs of Time
the whole Fleet bore away for the Goletta, where, with wonderful Prompt-
neſs and Diligence, the Land-Forces, Artillery, &c. were put on Shore
very unexpectedly. Leaving a good Body to guard thc Veliels and Pro-
viſions, he inſtantly began his March for Tunis, (diftant about twelve
Miles) with 10000 Fuziliers, and a few Field-Pieces. Mulei Haſan, ,
amazed at this ſo ſudden Approach of a reſolute and dreaded Enemy, and
having very little Time allowed him to put himſelf into a defenſible Por-
ture, and withal, conſcious of the Deteſtation in which the Majority of
his Subjcets held him, rightly judging the whole Affair to be no other
than a Thing concerted between them and the Turks, he deemed himfelf
in no wiſe ſafe at Tunis; and ſo, with all poſſible Hafte, aſſiſted by ſome
Domeſticks, and a few truſty Friends, he packed up as much of his Trea-
ſure as he could, and, with his Women, Children, &c. got away to his
Arab Allies, in the Country, and from thence to h Cairouan.
Thus, without unſheathing his Sabre, or the leaſt Oppoſition, Heyra-
din Baſha got Admittance into Tunis, and, with loud and joyful Acclama-
tions, was faluted Sovereign of all thoſe States; inſomuch that, in a very
few Days, Deputations, with Offers and Vows of Allegiance, arrived
from every Part of the whole Realm, except Cairouan, whither thc Fu-
gitive Mulei Halfan had retired. Unwilling to detain the Grand Signor's
Gallies, at a vaſt Expence, when there ſeemed to be fo little farther Oc-
Vide P. 144. 167.
caſion
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
279
1
caſion for their Service, he diſmiſſed them, together with moſt of the
Land-Forces; every one very well ſatisfied at his Liberality. What with
ſuch Janiſaries as he had culled from the Gallies, and his own Algerines,
he kept with him 8000 Turks and Renegadoes incluſively. The next Step
he took was to inlarge the Fort at the Goletta, which, from a Place of
very ſmall Note, he ſoon rendered a conſiderable Fortreſs, mounted with
a good Number of Cannon, and garriſoned with soo Soldiers
; in carry-
ing on which Work, he employed many thouſands of Moors and Arabs
from all Parts of the Country, which they undertook with the greater
Alacrity, by reaſon that Mulei Haſan, their diſpoſſeſſed Prince, whom
they hatcd, was then actually treating with the Emperor Charles V. of
fering to become his Vaſſal, if he would vouchſafe to aſſiſt him in expel-
ling thoſe Uſurpers, who, apparently, would prove troubleſome Neiglr-
bours to his Imperial Majeſty's Subjects in the Kingdoms of Sicily, Na-
ples, &c. and, indeed, to all the Mediterraneans.
Among Father Haedo's Martyrs, I meet with two, which may be pro-
perly mentioned on this Occaſion, tho' their Martyrdom happened a
Year or two later. Charles the Emperor, being determined to affiſt Mulei
Haſſan againſt the Turks, whoſe Neighbourhood to Sicily, &c. he liked
not, pitched on an Italian Cavalier, of his Retinue, named Luigi di Pa-
zenza, to convey a Letter to that Prince, at Cairouan; giving him, for
a Guide and Interpreter, a certain Malteſe, who was well acquainted with
the Country and Language.
It muſt be obſerved, that all the Natives of the Iſland Malta ſpeak
the Arabic Tongue naturally: having, for many Ages, retained the Lan.
guage of their Anceſtors, who were real Arabs; and, as is affirmed by Aſi-
atics, in the fame Purity in which it was then ſpoken; at leaſt much
more elegantly than the Arabs of Africa. What I know of the Matter
is, that when a Malteſe firſt comes into Barbary, he is better underſtood
by the Eaſtern than Weſtern Arabs; but in a very little Time is not, by
his Tongue, to be diſtinguiſhed from the People among whom he reſides.
This to the Curious, by way of Innuendo.
The Felucca, on which they cmbarked in Sicily, landed them privately
at Cape Zafran ;, from whence, as they purſued their Journey towards Coi-
rouan, and had got more than two Days March on their way, they un-
happily fell in with ſome ftraggling Arab Cavalry; who, upon Search,
found the Letter, and fufpecting their Buſineſs, took them to Tinis, and,
with
280
The History of AL ĠIER S.
Home
with their Credentials, delivered them to Hegradîn. The poor Malteſe
(probably for his Expertneſs in the Arabic, and his Readineſs to conduct
thither an Enemy intruited with ſuch a Meſſage) was immediately im-
paled alivc; than which I believe no Death is crueler. As for the En-
voy himſelf, he was ſhut up in the Citadel with ſome of the Baſha's Slaves;
who reported, that he expected his inevitable Fate with exemplary Con-
ftancy; and the next Morning was dragged about the Streets aliye, till
bis Fleſh was almoſt all corn away from the Bones : All which Inhuma.
nity the unfortunate Gentleman, for the Service of his Prince, underwent
with extraordinary Courage and Patience. This happened four Months
before Charles. V. took the Goletta, A. D. 1535.
Theſe terrible Executions are not very frequent in Barbary, tho' there
are others not much better, as may be hinted. All the Time of my being
there, I never heard of above threc Perſons impaled, all which I ſaw, and
ſhall mention : I, likewiſe, faw one Man and one young Woman dragged
to Death, at Mules Tails, of which I ſhall elſewhere take Notice. Had
thcſc unhappy Perſons gone any where elſe, in the whole World, on ſuch
an Errand, and been taken in the fact, I fancy they would not have been
thanked for their Officiouſncls: But were all who have loſt their Lives as
Spies, and the like, to be inſerted in the Martyrology, it would be ſwelled
to a moſt enormous, unwcildy Volume.Paulus Jovius mentions a cer-
tain Genoeſe, whom he names Luigi di Proſenda, captivated by Heyradin
Barba-roja, near Mahametta, in the Kingdom of Tunis, as he was iaking
much ſuch another Journey, and that he afterwards put him to Death, for
giving him falſe Intelligence, and concealing the Emperor's Deſigns, while
the Flect was getting ready: But as the Circumſtances, both in Time,
Place, &c. are very different, I look on them to have been different Perſons,
Tho' the proſperous Heyradin Baſha found himſelf peaceable Poffeffor
of this noble and opulent Realm, yet, as he had abundance of Reaſon to
expect a Vifit from Europe, he omitted nothing requiſite for his Defenſe :
And, as Moncy is the Nerve of War, by fair or foul Means, he pretty
well ſqueczed his Subjects Purles into his own Coffers, " Nay, not fa-
6 tisfied, ſays Haedo, with all this, his own and the other Corfairs Ga-
" leots were perpetually ſcouring the Seas and Coaſts of Italy, where, dy-
“ ring whole Remainder Part of 1533, all 1534, and Part of 1535, they
“ committed moſt unaccountable Outrages, without feçing any who of-
« fered to oppoſe their Progreſſes, or who çven durft look them in the
Face: Bcing in Effect abſolute Maſters in thoſe Quarters.'
Of
2
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
281
.
1
/
Of all theſe Diſorders tho’his Imperial Majeſty had due Intelligence, yet he
was not preſently able to apply any Remedy: But having concerted Matters
with his Ally, Mulei Haſan, while a mighty Armada was preparing for the
Tunis Expedition, now no longer a Secret, our wakeful Baſha thought it high
Time to provide againſt all Extremities. Accordingly, as he did not re-
poſe his whole Confidenee in Fortunc, he ſent away to Bona (a maritime
Town in the Mid-Way between Tunis and Algiers, about 300 Miles di- .
ftant from each of thoſe Cities) fifteen of his largeſt Galeots, (ſome ſay
fourteen) in order to ſecure his Retreat, upon any Exigence.
This Expedition of Charles the Emperor to Tunis, and the Expulſion of
the Turks, is minutely related by Marniol, and ſome others, to whom I r'c-
fer every curious Reader. When Hezradin Baſa found that all was loſt,
he, in good Order, drew off his Turks, of whom few were miſſing, and,
with much Treaſure, marched away by Land, and arrived ſafe at Bona.
In ſome Meaſure to return the Viſit, he immediately got fitted out his fif-
teen Galeots, with three others, and two Brigantines there before, and
pur to Sea. Several of his Captains propoſed to him, that it was adviſà-
ble for them to make the beſt of their way to the Levant, in order to
ſollicit the Grand Signor's Aid, to recover what they had loſt; ſince
they could not think it in any wiſe fafe for them to pretend to abide in
thoſe Weſtern Scas, where, ſooner or later, the Emperor would not fail
working their Deſtruction. At this Diſcourſe Heyradin, being highly in-
ccnfcd, angrily replied: “ To the Levant did you ſay? Am I a Man to
« fhew my Back ? Muſt I Aly for Refuge to Conftantinople? Depend on
it, I am far more inclinable to go to i Flanders." And ſo, without
communicating his Intention to any, he commanded them all to follow
his Galeot, without troubling themſelves to ask Queſtions.
. In three Days he got under Minorca : And as it was univerſally known,
that the Emperor was at Tunis, making War againſt the Turkiſh Corſairs,
who had uſurped that Statc, there was none who were under the leaſt Ap-
prehenſion of being attacked or moleſted by the very People, whoſe utter
Extirpation the Flower of Europe had ſo heartily undertaken, and of
whoſe daily Succeſſes ſuch mighty Things were rumoured, that their Ruin
feemed inevitable: Inſomuch, that thoſe Iſlanders, as the Galeots approach-
ed, took them for no other than a Squadron detached from the Armada.
4
Alluding to that Emperor's being born in Flanders, and bis frequent Reſidence in thoſe Parts.
Oo
AU
1
1
I
282
The History of ALGIERS.
All this was no more than what the inſidious Heyradin had projected ;
for the better to beguile and confirm them in their Error, he hoiſted
Spaniſh, Italian, &c. Colours, and all or moſt of his Corſairs, who came
in Sight, were dreſſed a la Chriſtianeſca. In this Equipage the eighteen
Galcots and two Brigantines advanced, very orderly, rowing into the Har-
bour of Mahon, ncar whoſe Entrance lay at Anchor a rich Portugueſe, by
whom they were faluted as Friends; but they inſtantly convinced them how
far they were from being ſuch; for in Return to the Civility, they received a
Tempeſt of Shot and Arrows. The Ship being large, and extremely well man-
ned, tho' ſo unexpectedly attacked, was no very caſy Prize; for the Por-
tugueſe made a brave Defenſe, and few of them remained alive. Loſing
no Time, the Corfairs made up to the Town; which, after a feeble Re-
liſtance, was entered, intirely facked, fired and laid dcſolarc. Upwards of
6000 Perſons were made Captives, rome Artillery, and much valuable
Booty was carried off, and Heyradin departed well fatisfied with his Ad-
venture; asking his timorous Counſellers; Whether this was not better
than going up to the Levant ?
Making all poſſible Haſte over to Algiers, he ſoon arrived. The Joy
and Satisfaction of his faithful Hafan Ag1, and all the Turks, is not to be
expreſſed. They had been informed of his being driven from Tunis, but
knew not what was become of him; and had ever ſince been in a terrible
Fright, left the victorious Imperialiſts ſhould have followed their Blow,
and ſet upon them while their Affairs were in none of the beſt Poſtures.
In a few Days, News came, that the Emperor had delivered the whole
Kingdom of Tunis to Mulei Haljan, in Quality of his Tributary, on the
Conditions I ſhall prefently ſpecify; reſerving the Goletta, which he ordered
to be well fortified, and another Cattle to be built; both which, being
itrongly garriſoned with Veterans, were, by the ſaid King of Tunis, to
be duly ſupplied with all Neceffaries, both as to Money and Proviſions :
The Armada was all diſperſed, and the Army disbanded. This made
them eaſy.
But I muſt take Notice of a Paſſage, or two, which occurred at Hege
radin's quitting Tunis. When he perceived the Chriſian Army likely to
prevail in the field, and his Turks utterly averſe to ſtand the Brunt of
another Engagement, tho' their Loſſes had been inconfiderable, his Deſign
was to retreat into the Caſabba, or Citadel, which is large, and there make
a vigorous Rcfiſtance. But his Army as little relithing that Propoſal as
the
The HISTORY of A LGIER S.
283
the other, and the Emperor being already on a full March, in order to in-
camp nearer the City, he ſent ſpeedy Orders to his chief Officer in the Citadel,
a Renegado of his own, that, with the reſt of his Aſſociates, he ſhould load
his Mules with the beſt of his Effects, and throw Quantities of Powder
down the Grates of the ſubterraneous Vaults, where near 7000 Cbriſtian
Captives were confined, inhumanely to deſtroy them; and, when all was
ready, march out, with the Turks, &c. in an orderly Body, and come
to him at a certain Place, a few Miles diſtant. The Turks, beholding
theſc Preparations, judged that the Baſha was about to give then the
Slip; and without farther Inquiry, ſnatched up their Arms, &c. and con-
fuſedly fled away, towards the Turkiſh Camp, which they found in Mo-
tion. When Heyradin faw their diſorderly Approach, he concluded all
was loft; and tearing his Beard, cried; Ruined! Undone! My Caſtle!
My Treaſure! Ah! Perfidious Villains ! My Slaves are broke looſe! Ah!
Infidels! I am coming! And clapping Spurs to his Horſe, without bidding
any to follow, he ran furiouſly, without either ſtopping, or looking back,
till he arrived at the Caſtle Gate; which finding ſhut, his Fury ſurpaſſes
all Deſcription. Some Officers, and a few of the Turkiſh Cavalry follow-
ed him, tho' he made ſuch Speed, that none could keep Pace with him
ſo that he came thither quite alone. Conſcious, however, that Rage
would do him little good, “ tho' his Eyes glowed and ſparkled more than
« burning Coals;” (ſays Marmol my Author) with moſt dolorous Sighs,
he began to call by their Names fome of his favourite Renegadoes, who
had the greateſt Share of his Benevolence, intreating them to give Ad-
mittance to him, their kind Benefactor, their indulgent Father. All theſe
Ablandiſhments little availed; for the Scale was turned. The Turks had
no ſooner left the Caſtle, but thoſe Renegadoes, (more particularly two of
them) who were injoined to ſet Fire to the Powder, compaſſionating the
Condition of thoſe Wretches, broke open their Dungeons, and gave them
Liberty ; exhorting them to defend themſelves. When the principal op-
ficer, named Ramadam, a Renegado Spaniard, while he was buried in
loading his Maſter's Treaſure, heard the Buſtle and Noile thc Chriſtiar. s
made, in ſearching for Clubs, Staves, or what elſe came to Hand, with
a few Followers he poſted thither, killing ſome and wounding others:
But unable to cope with ſuch a Multitude; he haſtily mounted his own
Wife and young Daughter, and driving away the loaded Mules, repaired
to the Bajha; who miſſed him as he came, having taken another Way.
Not.
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Notwithſtanding the ſignal Piece of Service this Renegado rendered our
deſponding Baſa, by ſaving an immenſe Maſs of Wealth, yet his having
neglected to bring off his Maſter's Women, as he had done by Part of his
own Family, coſt him his Life, upon their Arrival at Bona.
It was upon the Departure of this Renegado, with his Charge, that the
Chriſtians, and their Deliverers, then Maſters of themſelves, fhut the Ca-
ftle-Gate; and when Heyradin began to wheedle, they anſwered him with
a Volley of Stones and Execrations; whereupon, finding how Matters
went, and perceiving a Spaniſh Enſign hoiſted inſtead of his own, and that
they were making Signals to the Chriſtian Army with Blaſts of Powder
firing the great Guns, and the like, he thought fit to withdraw; his Beard
faring very ſcurvily all the way. Nor did he draw off from the Emi-
nence where he had halted his Army, till he beheld the Emperor enter
Tunis; and then, ſighing and weeping, he departed.
Miſerable was the State of that noble City; the licentious Soldiery,
particularly the Germans, committing abominable Outrages, by the Con.
feſſion of Marmol, a zealous Catholic, who, as I ſaid, treats largely of all
theſe Affairs. As the re-inſtated King, Mulei Haſan, judged he had lit.
tle Reaſon to love, or wiſh well to its Inhabitants, he
very
little Trouble to intercede, or interpoſe in their Behalf; ſo that only ſome
few came off tolerably, whom he had a Mind to favour: Inſomuch, that
if before he was hared by ſome whom he had injured, he from thence-
forwards became univerſally deteſted: Nor did he eſcape unrewarded, as
will appear. Beſides the many thouſands of the Citizens of Tunis, Men,
Women and Children, who were flaughter'd and captivated at home,
Mulei Haſan himſelf acknowledged, that of thoſe numberleſs Families
who endeavoured to eſcape to the Mountains, there perished in one Day
more than 70000 Souls, chiefly Women and young Children, thro' mere
Thirſt and Wearineſs, excluſive of thoſe who were made Slaves, and
above 40000 who died by the Weapons of their niercileſs Purſuers, the
Spaniſh Cavalry, and others.
Of the Chriſtians few were ſlain by the Enemy: Bur, for the fake of
Plunder, they butchcred each other by thouſands. The poor. Slaves, who
had ſeized the Caſtle, and were marching out with what Share they got
of the Spoil left behind by the Turks, were the greateſt Sufferers ; being
cut in Pieces by thoſe inſatiable Catholics, notwithſtanding they had the
pillaging of one of the fineſt and moſt opulent Cities in all Africa. As
4
Marinol,
gave himſelf
The HISTORY Of A LGIERS.
28
Marmol, from whom, I ſay, I cxtract this, ſeems much better acquaint-
cd with theſe than with many other Affairs, I ſhall ſtill add a few Parti-
culars more of this notable Piece of Hiſtory, tho' in Reality, ſomewhat
foreign to my Purpoſe : Neither was it my firſt Intent. The Emperor
was much diſpleaſed at Heyradin's Eſcape, being extremely ambitious of
having in his Power ſo redoubted and fo dangerous an Enemy. He wrote
expreſsly to Prince Andrea D'Oria, that he ſhould leave no Stone un-
turned to get him, dead or alive. Twelve Gallies went inſtantly upon the
Hunt; but returned, re infeta. But when the Prince had poſitive Infor-
mation, that the Turks had taken the Road towards Bona by Land, to re-
cover their Galeots, he haſted thither with thirty Royal Gallies, well pro-
vided : But the Birds were flown. As his Appearance frighted away all
the Inhabitants, he eaſily made himſelf Maſter of the empty Neſt; where-
in finding little he liked, he left it: Tho' afterwards, another Imperial
Gencral, thinking better of the Matter, garriſoned it with 1ooo Spaniards,
600 in the Town, and 400 in the Caſtle, under the Conduct and Direc-
tion of one Don Alvaro Gomez Zagal. This Place with ſome others on the
Barbary Coaſt, taken much about the ſame Time, the Spaniards kept as
long as the Turks would let them; which was not very long, as may, per-
haps, bc intimated.
But the Capitulations between his Imperial Majeſty and his new Ally,
or rather Vaffal, the reſtored King of Tunis, are, to me, who know the
Nature of the People, whoſe Hiſtory I, partly, write, too particularly
remarkable to be paſſed by in Silence.I have already hinted, that in
this Part of the Story, my Author is Marmol.
11
1. That all Chriſtians, of what Națion focver, who, at any Time, or
by any Means, ſhall be brought as Captives into that Realm, ſhall forth-
with be ſet at Liberty, without paying the leaſt Ranſom.
II. That the Commerce, or Trade of Tunis, and its whole Territory,
Mall, to all ſorts of Chriſtians, be intirely free and ſecure; and that they
may there ſettle, or reſide, at Pleaſure, erecting, if they ſo pleaſc, Churches,
Monaſteries, &c. and have uninterrupted Liberty publickly to exerciſe all
the Rites and Ceremonics of their Religion.
III. That at no Time, nor on any whatſoever Pretext, the Kings of
Tunis ſhall harbour, admit into his Ports, furniſh with Neceſlaries, or
otherwiſe favour and countenance any Turkiſh, or African Corſairs, to what
Part foever appertaining.
IV. That
A
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peror and his Succeſſors, Kings of Spain.
286
The HISTORY OF ALGIERS.
IV. That the Goletta ſhall remain to the Emperor, annexed for-ever-
more to the Crown of Caſtile, in ſuch wiſe, that the Moor's ſhall never
once entertain the lealt Idea of atteinpting againſt it.. And that, for the
Maintenance of its Garriſons, the King of Tunis, and his Succeſſors, ſhall,
annually, disburſe tivelve thouſand Golden Ducats ; ſince thoſe Troops
are for the better Sccurity of them and their Dominions.
V. That the whole Coral-Fiſhery ſhall perpetually remain to the Em-
VI. Finally, that in Conſideration of Favours and Obligations received,
and in Token of Vaffalage, the Kings of Tunis ſhall pay to the Kings of
Spain an irremiſſible annual Tribute of ſix Horſes and twelve Falcons :
With which Articles, if they comply, duly and punctually, in ſuch Caſo
the Kings of Spain ſhall protect and defend them, and their Realm, againſt
all Enemies whatever.
Had Mulei Haſan been the mildeſt, the beſt qualitied, the moſt diſ-
intereſted, the leaſt rapacious, and the moſt open-handed. Prince that ever
exiſted, ſuch Articles, ſuch an Agreement, ſettled and concluded with
Chriſtians, particularly thoſe ſort of Chriſtians, whom all Muſulmans
and, I believe, more than any of the reſt, the 8 Africans, will needs dcem
no other than downright Idolaters Dſuch Articles, I ſay, would, infallibly,
have rendered him the Object of univerſal Abhorrence. A like Step ruined
the King of Tremizan, as I may probably intimate; and this Prince I am
treating of fared ſtill worſe; Nor was it long in their Protector's Power to
protect either of thoſe his Vaffals.
That aſpiring Emperor was, certainly, what the Spaniards call Un Hom-
bre de Altos Penſamientos, A Man of High Thoughts. His Hiſtory is
well known; and worth Peruſal. I never met with that Spaniard in
whole Life, who, I am perſuaded, would not have beſtowed on me at
lcaſt forty Boto a Chriſto's, had I pretended to affert Charles V. not to have
held this whole Univerſal Globe in a String, for four and twenty Hours;
and then it broke : Tho' none had ever the Good-Nature, or Manners to
inform, or correct my Ignorance in genuine Hiſtory, by letting me into
the Secret, when that critical and flippery Period of Time was.
Great Prince he, poſitively, was; and, in many Particulars, remarkably brave
my
A very
& Vine P. 68.76, 77. 83. 150, 151. 166, 167. & alibi.
and
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
287
0
and fortunate: But, reflecting on ſome part of his Life, one would be
apt to fancy, a ſomewhat diſtempered Brain to have been tranſmitted to
him by his h Mother. Abundance of People in the World would ſcarce
believe, the celebrated Cervantes to have drawn Carlos Quinto's Picture, in
his inimitable Don Quixote de la Mancha ; and yet (from very good Hands
I have it) he, throughout, characterizes Him, or No-Body. In Spain
they ſay ; De los Muertos, Bueno, o Nada: Of the Dead, ſpeak well, or
fay Nothing But I digreſs moſt abominably.
Heyradin Baſha, ſomewhat at Eaſe from his firſt Apprehenſions, and
feelingly regretting the Loſs of ſo fine a State as that of Tunis, determined,
perfonally, to ſollicit Sultan Suliman for a powerful Re-inforcement, in
order to its Recovery. Twelve of his largeſt Galeots, little inferior to
Gallies, were got ready ; the which loading with a great Number of
choice Slaves, much Wealth, and ſeveral rare Curioſities, as Preſents for
his Ottoman Highneſs, and thoſe in Power at that Court, "and, having
committed the whole Adminiſtration of his Affairs, public and private,
to his truſty Eunuch, Haſan Aga, he ſet out for Conftantinople, about the
Middle of October, 1935, and never more returned to Algiers: And tho'
from thence forwards, nothing farther is to be ſaid of him, as an Algerine,
yet, as he lived ſeveral Years after, and was a Perſon ſo memorable, I
ought not to drop him thus abruptly ;. eſpecially, ſince, next to his Bro-
ther Arouje Barba-90fa, he was, indiſputably, the Founder of all the Oto
toman Acquiſitions Weſt of Egypt.
Near the Morea, in his Way to the Porte, his Squadron met with a Ve-
netian Ship, which he rifled: Telling the complaining Venetians, that the
Corſairs of Algiers were not obliged to regard Treaties ſet on Foot by the
Grand Signor. Among the Plunder, certain Letters fell into his Hand,
whercof he made good Uſe foon after. Sultan Suliman was extremely
well fatisfied at the Sight of, and highly careiled a Perſon, concerning
whom tho' he had heard ſo much, yet he had never once beheld : Nor,
indeed, had this ſucceſsful Renegado ever fet Foot in any part of the Le-
vant, ſince he firſt left it, in 1504.
Communicating the Letters to the Sultan, one was found to be from
Ibrahim Baſba, his beloved and much-regarded Grand Il'izir, to the Doge
" Donna Fuána, Daughter to their Catholic Majefties Ferdinand and Iſabella. In 1506
ſhe ran deftracted, upon the Death of that beautiful Prince her Husband, Philip II, this Én-
peror's Father.
4
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more
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and Senate of Venice, containing Matters and Diſcoveries highly preju.
dicial to the Ottomans, and moſt advantageous to Chriſtendom. By the
fame, it evidently appeared, that this great Prime Miniſter had long car-
ried on a Correſpondence with the Chriſtian Potentates, and more parti-
cularly with Charles the Emperor: But as he was a Man univerſally as it
were idolized by the Soldiery, for his unparalleled Generoſity, and great
Affability, and conſequently a formidable Perſon, the Sultan ſcarce durſt
openly call him to Account, but had him privately ſtrangled, and by
Night caſt into the Boſphorus. If I miſtake not, this was the ſame Ibra-
him, whoſe Magnificence furniſhed the celebrated De Scudery, with a
Theme for that famed Romance, intitled The Illuſtrious Baſha. But I am
not now at Leiſure to examine into thoſe Particulars; leaving that to be
done by any who have ſuch a Curioſity: Not but I believe my ſelf right
my Conjecture. Never had the Turks ſuch an Emperor, nor had any
Turkiſh Emperor ſuch a Wizir.
For this important Piece of Service, and on Account of ſome Diſguſt
Sultan Suliman had taken againſt his Captain-Baſba, for his cowardly Be-
haviour in an Engagement with Don Juan de Auſtria, (Natural Son to
Charles V, whom that Monarch ſent with a Fleet of 100 Gallies to di-
vert the Ottomans) but rather ſtill to be ſerved by a Perſon ſo noted for
Courage, Conduct, Succeſs and Experience in maritime Affairs, he ſoon
nfter beſtowed on Barba-roſa II. (lo che Turks all called him) that ho-
nourable Employ, which is High-Admiral of the Sca, with a moſt exten-
ſive Power; the which he generouſly refuſed to accept, till a Commiſſion
for Life was ſigned for his faithful Renegado, the Eunuch Haſan Aga, to
be Baſha, or Vice-Roy of Algiers.
The Sultan ſoon found the Advantage of having committed the Care
of his Fleets to the Management of that brave and fortunate Renegado. To
center upon a Detail of what was tranfacted under his Adminiſtration, in
that high Capacity, would not be ſo agreeable to my Subject; beſides
other Hiſtories will inform fuch as are deſirous of being acquainted there-
with: Nor, indeed, have I Room for ſuch copious Digreſſions ; being my
ſelf too apt to fall into others, which, tho' I inay fancy them more per-
tinent, I know not whether ſome of my Readers may not be of a
contrary Opinion.
But before I bid this Arch-Corſair a final Adieu, the following Paſſa-
ges may not be improper to inſert. Thirſting to enlarge his Empire, and
mightily
The History of ALGIER S.
289
mightily deſirous of the Kingdom of Naples, inſtigated by ſome Neapoli-
tan Exiles, the ambitious Suliman deſigned perfidiouſly to break with
the Venetians, chiefly encouraged therein by the treacherous Governor
of i Brindiſi, who had agreed with his Correſpondent Heyradin Barba-
rolla, to deliver up that important Frontier, at his firſt Appearance with
the Ottoman Fleet. Accordingly the Sultan took the Field, in Perſon,
with an Army 2000oo ſtrong; while his Captain-Baſa was making to-
wards the Dalmatian Coaſt, at the Head of a powerful Armada of Ships
and Gallies. This Admiral arriving at Valona, lay there ſome Days,
waiting for Expreſſes from his Friend at Brindiſi. · Finding they came
not, and hating Inactivity, he went to Caſtia, in the Territory of Otran-
to, and beſieging it by Sea and Land, after a ſmart Battery forced it to
capitulate. Mean while Andrea D'Oria, at the firſt Rumour of the Tur-
kiſa Fleet, put to Sea with one and thirty Gallies; being all he had Lei-
ſure to get ready. Near Corfou, in the Adriatic, he ſurpriſed and took a
Galcot belonging to Barba-rola. By Tortures he extorted from the
Commander of that Galeot moſt of what the inſidious Captain-Baſha was
projecting; at leaſt as much as he, probably, knew of his Machinations.
However the Treaſon of the Governor of Brindiſi was laid open, and
that Traytor had his deſerved Reward.
Had this dangerous Scheme continued undiſcovered a few Days longer,
the Ottomans would have bid pretty fair for the beſt Part of Italy. This
I fancy was the Time of which I have heard ſome Turks boaſting, That
they were once very near having a Pope of their own chuſing. Guicci-
ardin, near the Concluſion of his Hiſtory of the Wars of Italy, affirms,
this bold Turkiſh Admiral to have committed ſuch Outrages on the Coaſts
of Calabria, coming up as high as Caietta, and totally facking Fundi,
which cauſed ſo terrible a Confuſion and Confternation at Rome, that had
he advanced one Pacc farther, the City would have been utterly aban-
doned. All thoſe Diſorders were carefully conccaled from the Ears of his
Holineſs, who was then much indiſpoſed. This Author, indeed, ſeems
to have miſdated thoſe Occurrences; fixing them in 1532. If ſo, all
that Dread which ſeized the Vatican, muſt have been the Effect of only
ſome Pranks of a Squadron of Algerines, who had the Impudence to exert
|_ An ancient Maritime Town, ſtrongly fortified, at the Extremity of Italy, where it borders
on Dalmatia, near Valona and Durazzo. Of this Place Silius Italicus ſays:
Nec nou Brundiſium quo definit Itala tellus
them-
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290
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
themſelves ſo near St. Peter's Neighbourhood. Nay, be it this Way or
that, he is certainly wrong; ſince he ſays the Pontiff died that ſame Year,
when it is obvious, that the famous Clement VII, formerly Cardinal Julio
de Medicis, fate very near eleven Years in the Chair, died in September
1534, and was ſucceeded by Cardinal Alexander Farneſe, or Paul III,
who lived till 1549. So that, tho' Guicciardin miſtakes in thoſe Points,
we may ſafely venture to depend on all the reſt of the Circumſtances as
true Hiſtory: Why elſe ſhould they be mentioned by a Hiſtoriographer
of ſuch Gravity ? Eſpecially ſince it is no Boaſting-Matter.
A. D. 1538. Heyradin Barba-roſa gained much Honour and Reputa-
tion, by challenging to an Engagement the united and very powerful
Naval Armaments of the Emperor Charles V, Pope Paul III, and the
Venetians, under the Direction of Prince Andrea D'Oria : But that re-
nowned General, for Rcafons beſt known to himſelf, thought proper to
decline the Encounter. The cnſuing Summer, he took Caſtelnuovo in
Dalmatia, after a furious Battery, and the Deſtruction of 4000 Spaniſh
Veterans, who all periſhed, with their Captain, Don Franciſco Sarmiento,
making a deſperate Defenſe: And ſoon after he reduced Cataro, Napoli di
Malvaſia, and Napoli di Romania, all which important Places he took
from the Venetians; who, terrified at theſe ſevere Blows, which ſhook
their State, inenacing its Ruin, purchaſed a Pacification. A Difciple of
this dreaded Captain-Baſha, among many others, was the famous Dragut
Rais, who became a moſt noted Corſair, as may be obſerved.
Peace thus concluded, Heyradin had nothing to do but enjoy the Re-
gales of Conſtantinople, till 1543, when, at the preſſing Inſtances of Francis
1. King of France, to the Magnificent Suliman, Emperor of the Ottomans
he was again ſcen at the Head of 100 Gallies, in Conjunction with the
Gallic Naval Forces, endeavouring to cruſh and ſuppreſs the exorbitant,
growing Power of that active and reſtleſs Monarch, Charles V. In
his Way to Provence, he pillaged and intirely deſolated many Places on the
Coaſt of Calabria. Paſſing by Caietta, the Governor Don Diego Gaitan
imprudently fired a ſingle Shot at him, as if in Defiance. This ſo ex-
afperated the choleric Captain-Baſha, that, tho' he had no ſuch Deſign,
he immediately landed 12000 Turks, and battered the Town, ſo much in
Earneſt, that he foon got Entrance. Among the Captives there taken,
was the Governor's Daughter, a moſt beautiful Damſel, of eighteen;
with whom he became ſo enamoured, that he married her; and in regard
to
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
291
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3
to his new Spouſe, releaſed both her Parents, and, without Delay, haſted
away with her to Marſeilles. Having there continued idle fomc Timco
Orders came from his Gallic Majeſty, that Nice (belonging to the Duke
of Savoy, one of his Opponents, as the Emperor's Ally and Father-in-
Law) ſhould be attackcd. The Captain-Baſha, a dear Lover of Action,
inſtantly weighed, and entered the finc Harbour of Villa-Franca, Eaſt of
Nice, about two Musket Shot by Sea, and by Land ſcarce more than
two Miles diſtant. So feeble were the Fortifications of Villa-Franca in
thoſe Days, that the Turks carried it with all imaginable Eaſe, and laid it
level with the Ground; but the Inhabitants, with moſt of their Effects,
got away. From thence the Turkiſh Admiral marched his Land F
over ſome very rugged and difficult Mountains, for more than two Miles
upon a Stretch, cauſing his Janizaries, &c. by mere Dint of Strength, to
lug along all the heavy Artillery, in Slings, on their Shoulders. Deſcend-
ing to the Plain, he began a fierce and terrible Battery againſt Nice, ruin-
ing the Walls, with good Part of the City, killing abundance of Citi-
zens, and utterly deſtroying all that delightſome Neighbourhood : But,
thro' the Mediation of ſome French Officers, who accompanied the Cap-
tain-Bappa, upon Surrendry, the Survivors were ſpared and ſet at Liberty.
But as the Turks were battering the Caſtle, tho' to very little Purpoſe, on
account of its great Strength and advantageous Situation, on a very high
Eminence, the Captain-Baſha underſtood, that the Marquis Del Gaſto, the
Emperor's Vicc-Roy, or Governor of the Milaneſe, was advancing, by
long. Marches, to ſuccour the Place, with a great Army, he drew off in
a Hurry, and repaſſing the Mountains, in the ſame troubleſome Manner,
got to Villa-Franca, and from thence, in his Gallics, to Toxlon: There
he was kept ſome Months, perpetually exclaiming againſt all that Loſs of
Time, which he judged might have been ſo much better employed. Au-
tumn being come, and no Proſpect of Action, he ſent his old Friend, the
brave Salha Rais (afterwards Vice-Roy of Algiers) with twenty two well-
appointed Gallies, to do what Miſchief he could to the Emperor's Spa-
niſl Dominions. This experienced Corſair, bearing down upon the
Coaſt of Catalonia, plundered and ruined Palamos ; after which he fell
upon Rofas, where he did conſiderable Damage. This was the Cauſe
why thoſe Places were, afterwards, ſo well fortified. Salha Rais, having
done his worſt in thoſe Quarters, retired to winter at Algiers, according
to his Inſtructions from Heyradin Barba-roſa, who could never forget
P P2
the
1
292
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
the Place where he had made his Fortune, but continued its conſtant
Benefactor and Protector.
A. D. 1544, Matters tending towards an Accommodation, between
Charles the Emperor and King Francis, and the Squadron being returned
from Algiers, the Captain-Baſha departed from Toulon. Paſſing by the
ſmall Iſland Elba, near Piombino, in Tuſcany, he ſent a courteous Meſſage
to Signor Apiano, Lord of that Place, intreating him to diſmiſs a young
Slave, Son to a certain old Corſair, named Sinan Rais, and ſurnamed, or
nick-named Chefout, or The Few; which quondam Intimate of his was
then at Sues, in the Red-Sea, getting ready a great Fleet of Gallies, which
Grand Signor was ſending againſt the Eaſtern Portugueſe. For An-
fwer, the Sovereign of Piombino ſent Word, that he could not oblige
him, by reaſon the ſaid Youth was a Chriſtian. To this the Captain-
Baſha told the Meſſenger, that in Default of an immediate Compliance,
the whole Country ſhould be ruined with Fire and Sword. Without
much waiting, ſome Troops were landed on the Iſland Elba, much Mil-
chief done, and moſt of thc Inhabitants made Captives: So to prevent
farther Calamities, the Muſulman. Chriſtian was ſet on board the Admi-
ral Galley. It is reported, that his Father no ſooner ſaw him, but he
dropped down dead, thro’ Exceſs of Joy and Surprize. Soon, after the
Captain-Baſha ranſomed Dragut Rais, from the Genoeſe, as ſhall be ob-
ſerved when I treat of that notable Corfair, which Ranfom-Money coſt
Chriſtendom very dear; ſince Dragut repaid himſelf with Intereſt. Next
he landed a Body of Turks, who took, rifled and deſolated Telamon and
Port-Hercules, with feveral inland Towns and Villages, dragging away
into a wretched Captivity great Numbers of Chriſtians, of all Ages and.
Conditions. From thence he advanced to the Coaſt of Naples, plunder-
ing the Iſlands Iſchia and Prochita ; and farther on did the ſame to Lipari,
near Sicily ; froin which three Iſlands he carried off ſeveral thouſands of
Souls. Then, returning home, at the End of 18:45, he thus bad Fare-
wel to the Auid Element; this being his ultimate Expedition.
The Years 1546, 1547, and Part of 1548; he employed in Building.
He erected and nobly endowed a moſt magnificent Moſque, and near it i
ftately Dome, for his own Sepulcher, about five Miles from that. large
Suburb of Conftantinople; called Galata, not far from the Coaſt, a little
before the Mouth, or Entrance of Kara-Dengis, or the Black-Sea : All
which Shorc is adorned with most beautiful and delicious Gardens, Ving-
yards
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
293
yards and Pleaſure-Houſes, not unlike the fine River of Genoa. At Con-
ftantinople he, likewiſe, built a very large and commodious Bagnio, or
Public Bath, which brought in a conſiderable Revenue; and which was
highly covered by ſome Turkiſh Grandees; as, upon one Occaſion, I ſhall
inſtance.
May 1548, this great Man was ſeized with a violent Fever, which in
fourteen Days carried him off, to the general Regret of the whole Turkiſlo
Nation, by whom he was highly beloved, eſteemed and reverenced: But
his great Maſter, Sultan Suliman, was inconſolable. The Turks report,
as a certain Truth, (believe them who will, for me) that his Corps was
found, four or five Times, out of the Ground, lying by the ſaid Sepul-
cher, after he had been there inhumed: Nor could they, poſſibly, make
hiin lie quiet in his Grave, till a Greek Wizzard counſelled them to bury
a black Dog together with the Body;, which done, he lay ſtill, and
gave
them no farther Trouble.
What is Matter of fact is, that the Memory of this famous Renegado.
is yet held in ſuch Veneration among the Turks, particularly the Sea-
faring People, that no Voyage is undertaken from Conftantinople, by either
public or private Perſons, without their firſt viſiting his Tomb, whereat.
they ſay a Fedha, or formulary ſort of Prayer for Succeſs, being the first
Chapter of the Al-Coran; faluting the Remains of ſo efficacious an In-
terceſſor with repeated Vollics of great and ſmall Fire-Arms, both at
their Arrival and Departure: All which is done with much Ceremony and
ſingular Solemnity.
He lived to ſee one of thoſe critical and reputed dangerous Periods of
Human Life, called the Gran Climacteriçs, dying in his fixty. third Year.
His Stature was advantageous; his. Mien portly and majeſtick;. well pro-
portioned and robuſt: ; very hairy, with a Beard extremely buſhy; his .
Brows and Eye-laſhes remarkably long and thick : Before his Hair turned
grey and hoary, it was a bright Auburn; ſo that thc Surname Barba-rolag,
or Red-Beard, was conferred on him, rather to preſerve the Memory of
his Brother Arouje, than from any Title he had to that Appellation. To
wards the Chriſtians he was very cruel ; but to the Turks exceeding hu:
mane: Not but that they much, dreaded and revered him;, ſince, be-
ing once incenſed, he was not to be appeaſed. He left only one Son, named
Haſan, born ofan Algerine Woman; which Son inherited all his yaft Wealth,
and was, as will be obſeryed, thrice Bajha; or Vice-Roy of Algiers.
C H A P..
$94
The History of ALGIERS.
·CH A P. V.
BASHA II. HASSAN AGA, SARDO.
Hoe
f
ز
ASSAN AGA (as I exclude Arouje Barba-roſa) is to be reckoned
the ſecond Baja, or Vice-Roy of Algiers. As the Surname Sardo
implies, he was a Native of the Idland Sardinia ; taken thence, when
juſt paſt his Infancy, by. Heyradin Baſha, among other Captives, at the
ranſacking of a Village. His Patron took a ſingular Liking to him, on
account of his promiſing Aſpect and uncommon Vivacity; and ſoon cau-
fed him to be caſtrated: Which Mark of Affection, perhaps, the Patient
would willingly have excuſed: But who ſuch Favourites among the
Grandçcs of the Eaſt, as their Eunuchs ? On that Account he was al-
ways called Aga, as are generally thoſe Demi-Males; tho', as is well
known, Aga has a quite different Signification. Every Eunuch is an Aga,
tho' every Aga is not a Eunuch: Like as all Nobles are Gentlemen, tho'
all Gentlemen are not Nobles. Pardon the Simile; which I introduce
not by way of Compariſon. As he grew up, his Patron's Love towards
him increaſed, and he created him no otherwiſe than if he had been his
own Son; giving him, when capable, the whole Management of all his
domeſtic Affairs, as his Grand Steward, Treaſurer, and, indeed, Director
of all Things under himſelf. Next he ſent him into the Field, in Quality
of Bey-ler-Bey, or Generaliſſimo, q. d. Governor of Governors; a Title
long ſince diſuſed in Barbary. The Grand Turk allows it to only two. of
his great Officers ; one in Afia, and the other in Europe : This is called
Rumuli Begh-ler-Begh; the other Anadol Begh-ler-Begh. In all the Ex-
peditions Haſan Aga made into the Provinces, he never failed gaining
Reputation and Reſpect ; being highly eſteemed-by the Turks who ſerved
under him, and both loved and feared by the Natives; ever deporting
himſelf with Courage, Prudence, Conduct and Equity: Inſomuch that he
bears the Character of having been the very beſt Governor the Algerines
ever had, more particularly on account of his ſtrict Obſervarice:of Juſtice;
which was never ſo much regarded as under his Adminiſtration.
Endowed with theſe rare and amiable Qualifications, no Wonder that
his Patron, A. D. 1533, made Choice of him to ſupply his Abſence,
4
while
.
The HISTORY of ALGIER S.
295
while he undertook the Reduction of Tunis. Nor was the ſuperior Ca-
pacity of this notable Renegado Eunuch ever put to a ſeverer 'Trial, than
it was when News came of his Maſter's being driven from Tunis, and
fed none could tell him whither. It required a Perſon of 110 mcaner
Genius, no leſs Conſtancy, or inviolable Fidelity than himſelf, to appeaſe
that univerſal Anarchy, or prevent the Citizens from déſerting their Ha-
bitations, and the unruly Militia, in that Confternation, from rifling the
Treaſury, pillaging the City, and ſhifting for themſelves in what Veffe's
they could lay Hands on, after having committed a thouſand Diſorders :
And yet, by his prudent Conduct and undaunted Reſolution, all thoſe dan-
gerous Commotions were pacified; and his Maſter found Matters in a
far better Condition than, as he acknowledged, he crer could have hoped,
or expected.
A. D. 1535. From this Year, in which Heyradin Barba-roſa went
up to Turkey, we may date Haſſan Aga's Adminiſtration: And if Algiers
and its Territory can ever boaſt of having been a happy Region, it muſt
have been during the firſt Gx Years of his Government. But, before
that Time was completed, an impending and ſeemingly ſcarce avoidable
Storm apparently threatened its utter Subverſion.
4. D. 1541. Under the Pontificate of Paul III, who incenſed and
ſcandalized at the frequent Devaſtations made by the Algerine Corſairs, not
only elſewhere, but even in the Ecclefiaftical State, ufcd earneſt Sollicita-
tions with the Emperor Charles V. that he would exert himſelf to the ut-
moſt, and root out that Peſt of Mankind, the Weſtern Turks. Nor was
that Monarch backward of himſelf; neither wanted he Inſtigators con-
tinually at his Elbow. The Marquis De Comares, Governor of Orang
ſtrenuouſly eſpouſed the Cauſe of Prince Salem's Son, who, as ſome affirm,
was conſtantly either with him, or at the Emperor's Court; and that the
only Conſideration which with-held him from becoming a good Catholic
by Profeflion, as he already was in Heart, was the Conſcioulneſs of render-
ing himſelf thereby wholly unacceptable to all his Subjects in general,
whom he paſſionately longed to govern.
Theſe Motives, added to Don Carlos's own natural and unquenchable
Thirſt for Glory and Empire, determined that active Prince to cquip a
moſt tremendous Armada, of no leſs than goo Bottoms of all Sorts, and
in Perſon to free the World from fo grievous an Eyeſore, as the Cor-
fairs of Algiers; and when he had deſtroyed them to make an End of the
F
ieft
296
The HISTORY of Algiers.
។
reſt. So many Authors having given the Detail of this unfortunate Expe-
dition againſt Algiers, I ſhall be very ſuccinct in relating all Paſſages which
do not immediately regard Haſſan Aga, who had here another ſmart
Trial of his Capacity: Yet I ought not to be wholly ſilent in reſpect of
this remarkable Event, ſo nearly regarding my proper Subject.
The Emperor, with good Part of this royally-provided and mighty Fleet,
caſt Anchor in the Bay of Algiers, having on board a numcrous Land-
Army compoſed of Germans, Italians, Spaniards and Iſlanders, of all which
Forces the infamouſly famous Dukc De Alva, of bloody and inhumane Me-
mory, under him, was Generaliſfiino: This was Oktober, 26. 1541: Which,
inter nos, was about five Months too late in the Year, to hope for any
Good thereabouts : But the Spaniards commonly move with Gravity: Nay,
Don Bernardino de Mendoza, with the Spaniſh Armada, was ſtill ſome
Days longer before he appeared. Mean while the Weather growing
ſtormy, the Troops were ſo put to it at landing, that moſt of them were
forced to wade up to the Neck in Water. However, the Emperor got
aſhore with a good Body, and incamped as beſt he could, pitching his own
Pavillion on the very Eminence where now ſtands a Caſtle, called by the
Chriſtians, The Emperor's Caſtle ; of which more ſhall be ſaid in the
Topography. But before the rowling Sea would permit him to attempt
landing, he ſent aſhore a noble Spaniſh Cavalier, named Don Lorenzo
Manuel, with a Flag of Trucc, to treat with, or rather fummon Haſan
Aga to a Surrendry. I ſhall deliver the Subſtance of this Gentleman's
Embaſſy in almoſt the Words of thoſe Rival Authors, Haedo and Marmol:
For all one meets with elſewhere, is, I take it, little elſe but what others
have borrowed from them, and cooked out after their own Methods.
What the firſt of thoſe Hiſtorians ſays, is to this purport. If ever any
Prince, or Governor, ſhewed himſelf courageous, wiſe and prudent, cer-
tainly that gallant Eunuch did ſo, upon this Occaſion. Finding himſelf
attacked by ſo powerful a Monarch, lo ſucceſsful in his Undertakings, at
the Head of ſuch a formidable Armada, and ſuch a Body of intrepid War-
riors, while he had ſcarce 3000 Turks (tho' he had a good Number of
Moriſcoes, Arabs and Africans) there appeared not in him the leaſt Sign of
Fear, or Diſmay; but, perperually riding up and down, thro' the City,
where every one was in the utmoſt Confternation, he fingly inſpired each
deſponding Breaſt with Reſolution and Diſdain. When the Emperor ſent
him the ſaid Cavallero, to acquaint him, That in caſe he ſubmitted, and
delivered
4
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
297
delivered up the City, his Imperial Majeſty promiſed favourable Treat-
ment to all the Turks; and to himſelf, in particular, many Tokens of Fa-
vour and Indulgence. To this, with a good Air and Grace, he pleaſantly
returned; “ That he always ſhould take for a very great Fool that Per-
« fon who followed the Counſel of an Enemy : Adding, that he hoped
" the Emperor's Viſit would prove an Honour to himſelf, and gain him
" ſome Reputation in the World.”
Marmol, a far more circumſtantial Writer, ſays to the following Effect.
His Imperial Majcſty's Envoy was, by that Renegado, courteouſly received;
to whom he delivered himſelf in ſuch Terms. "You perceive all Chriſt-
- endom at your Gates, to chaſtiſe the Corſairs of this City, for the De.
" predations they have committed; Which Chaſtiſement will be exc-
as cured with far greater Rigour than is well to be imagined ; cxcept you
« chuſe a falutiferous Medium, wholly conducive to your Happineſs and
“ Security; which is no other than your immediate Surrendry of the City,
" and your Submiſſion to the invincible Emperor, who well knows how
“ treacherouſly this Place was ſurpriſed and taken from its rightful Owner,
« Salem aben Toumi, by the Murderer Arouje Barba-roſa, and ſince, by
« his Brother Heyradin, fortified to the Deſtruction of Mankind. If to
“ theſe reaſonablc Propoſitions you conform in Time, and deliver up
" Place to the Emperor, who demands it in Perſon, in his Imperial Ma-
" jeſty's Name I aſſure you of his Favour and Protection, both in Peace
66 and in War; and that all the Inhabitants, as well Turks as Moors, &c.
« ſhall have frec Liberty to depart, with their Families and Effccts,
« wherever they ſhall think proper.” He farther put him in Mind of his
being born in the Emperor's Dominions, of Chriſtian Parents, Vafals to
that Monarch ; and that he ought in Duty, both to God and his Sove-
reign, to return to the only true Faith, and enjoy the good Graçes of ſo
mighty a Prince, uſing his beſt Endeavours to revenge himſelf on that in-
humane Barbarian, that Tyrant, that faithleſs Corſair his Maſter, who had
both captivated and cmaſculated his Body: Exhorting him withal, ſpeedily
to come to a Rcſolution, and not to wait the terrible Affault of the furious
Army ; ſince if he was ſo unadviſedly temerarious, hittelf and all his
People would, infallibly, undergo thc like Fate with thoſe of Tunis.
Moreover, he made him certain ſecret Propoſals, which fomewhat ſtag-
gered Hallan Aga, and held him a little in Suſpenſe: But a Renegado of
Málagd, ñamca Al-Caid Mahomet, of a Jewilla Extraction / who was after-
wards
thc
ز
4
Qa
298
The HISTORY of ALGIER S.
wards Sovereign of Tajora, near Tripoly, with a Regal Title) brought
him to a Determination. This Perſon, who was much confidered, being
informed, that Haſſan Aga was diſpoſed to relent, he accoſted him, ac-
companied by ſeveral Turks and Renegadoes, ſaying; “ We hear, my Lord,
" that you are about treating with the Chriſtian Emperor, and are in-
« clined to give him the City. Baniſh from your Thoughts every Ima-
gination of this Nature : It neither conſiſts with our Duty to the Ot-
" toman Sultan, nor will we ever liſten to any thing that tends to our
« quitting a Place which has coſt us ſo much Sweat and Blood to acquire
” and maintain.” This wrought the deſired Effect : For Haſan Agan
turning to the Emperor's Envoy, in whoſe Preſence this paſſed, with a
Sort of a diſdainful Smile, ſaid; “ I look on him as a Fool who goes a-
« bout to adviſe his Enemy. Let me know, pray, in what it is that
your Emperor repoſes the Confidence he ſeems to havc, of making
« himſelf Maſter of Algiers." Whereupon Don Lorenzo, pointing to-
wards the Sea, replied; “ His Confidence lies repoſed in yon Artillery,
" and thoſe unconquerable Troops on board that dreadful Armada, with
“ which very Men he took from Barba-roſa, your Maſter, the Caſtle of
" the Goletta, and the City of Tiunis." “No, no! returned Haſan Aga;
" We, for our Parts, will defend our Walls better than they did theirs: We
“ pretend, that this City, already famous for the Defeat of two of your
« Armadas, ſhall become far more ſo by the Diſgrace of this your third,
“ led hither by your Emperor in Perſon.” So without vouchſafing ano.
ther Word, the Envoy was diſmiſſed.
The fame Author affirms Haſſan Aga 110t to have had then at Algiers
above 800 Turks, moſt of them Horſe ; upwards of 300 having lately gonc
to the Weſt, with a certain Perſian Captain, named Al-Cạid Marjan, to
ſerve the King of Morocco. This Perſian Traytor perfidiouſly murdered that
Prince, who entertained him and his Followers in good Pay, as he was,
“ with Pleaſure” ſays the Spaniſs Author, beholding thoſe his Turkiſi
Guards exerciſing on Horſeback. Moſt of them were, ſoon after, over-
taken, by Prince Abdallah, deprived of the Plunder of the flain King's
Tents, and themſelves, almoſt all, deſervedly lanced, or cut in Pieces: So
that the 3000 Turks, mentioned by Haedo, were, apparently; made up of
thoſe who haſtened home with the uſual Camps, which were gathering
Tribute. Beſides theſe, the City Forces were about sooo Fire-Arms,
Moriſcoes and Africans : Theſc might be depended on. As for ſuch as
would
2
4
The HISTORY of ALGIER S.
299
would be moſt prone, on all ſuch Occaſions, to flock from abroad, cver
r'cady to fall on the weakeſt, if a foreign Army ſhould, or rather could
make any conſiderable Stay, their Multitudes would, at length, become
infinite: But, generally ſpeaking, after the firſt Miſchief donc, the Tilsks
of Algiers would be much more deſirous of their Room than their Com-
pany. I have ſeveral Times known a Body of Algerines diſheartened at
finding themſelves environed by a Number of Arabs and Africans who came
in as Friends and Auxiliaries, againſt others their Compatriots: Some In-
ſtances may, perhaps, occaſionally offer. Upon this Occaſion, indced,
the Arab Cavalry, of the Neighbourhood of Algiers, did the Turks good
Service, being very troubleſome to the Chriſtian Army, whom they inceſ-
ſantly annoyed from every Quarter ; all which unintermitting Alarms tired
them out; and as the Roughneſs of the Sea prevented their landing Tents
and other Neceſſaries, the ſucceeding vehement Deluges of Rain rendered
their Incampment ſuperlatively comfortleſs. Yet all thoſe Calamities were
nothing in Compariſon to what followed.
But, previous to the lamentable Cataſtrophe, take a few Heads of the
Particulars, from Marmol, who here ſeems pretty exact, and withal tole-
rably impartial. Viz. No ſooner had Haſſan Aga diſmiſſed the Envoy,
but he proclaimed, on Pain of immediate Death, that no Perſon whatever
ſhould preſume to remove Family, or Effects from the City : And, with
conſummate Prudence, Care and Diligence, he viſited all the Stations, al-
lotting requiſite Guards, and providing every thing neceſſary for a vigo-
rous Defenſe. The Emperor had lodged his Army ſeparately, divided
into three Bodies, conſiſting of the three diſtinct Nations his Subjects,
Germans, Spaniards and Italians. On the third Day from his Incamp-
ment, Haſan Aga, at the Head of the Bulk of his Troops attacked the
Italian Quarter, juſt before Day-Break : As he took them unawares, and
it had rained conſiderably in the Night, their Matches were all out, and
moſt of their Powder wet; inſomuch that the Algerines broke into the
very Trenches, and did them ſome Miſchief; they not being able to
withſtand that furious Onſet. But rallying, they repulſed the Turks with
Slaughter, driving them back to the very Town; and ſo well purſued their
Advantage, that it was ſuppoſed, that had not the Turks ſo ſoon ſhut the
Gate as they did, the Chriſtians would that Day have entered the City.
But finding the Entrance impeded, and themſelves galled with great and
(mall Shot from the Ramparts, to get out of the Enemy's Reach they re-
Qq2
tired
300
The HISTORY of ALGIER S.
tired in ſome Diſorder. On this Occaſion the Knights of St. John's
Order, (or of Malta) highly diſtinguiſhed themſelves; advancing with a
Guidon to the very Gate; and one of them there left his Dagger ſticking.
And when thoſe brave Cavaliers beheld the People all retiring, they drew.
up
in a Body under their Colours, and retired themſelves in good Order,
without once quitting the Rear-Guard, tho' they were very remarkably
conſpicuous from all others, not only by their ſingular Valour, but likc-
wiſe by their ſcarlet Upper-Garments, with white Croſſes, which they
wore over their Armour; notwithſtanding the Turkiſh Horſe, who were
incamped at ſome Diſtance without the City, purſued them cagerly, kil-
ling the Guidon, or Standard-Bearer, together with ſome Cavaliers. Thus
Marmol.
Now, to give one morc brief and not impertinent Specimen of the
different Ways of telling the ſame Story, almoſt every where obſerved by
thoſe two Authors, let us turn to the Account given us of this Paſſage
by the ſeemingly leſs partial Haedo. Among other Encomiums he beſtows.
on Haſan Aga (ſome of which I have already ſet down, and may take
Notice of the reſt) he uſes Words to this very Purport. Viz.
Whenever any Skirmiſh, or Action happened, and particularly in that
notable Encounter, talked of by the Turks to this very Day, when the
Cavaliers of Malta, gathering into a Body, broke and defeated a ſtrong
Party of Turks, and advanced ſo far as even to ſtick their Daggers in the
City Gate, called Beb- Azoun, it was Holan Aga himſelf who, in Perſon,
supaired thither with the utmoſt Diligence, to remedy that Diſorder; when
charging on Horſeback he repulſed thoſe Cavaliers, forcing them to re-
tire, and following them above a good half-Mile - withouț the Town,
where more than 150 of thoſe gallant Gentlemen were Naughtered; the
which put the whole Army into ſo terrible a Confternation, that the
Dukes De Alva and De. Selagwith Sword and Target, were obliged to
run, in great Confuſion, to fuccour the Remainder of the Cavaliers : Nay,
the Emperor himſelf was forced, precipitately, to come down from the
Mountain, where his Pavillion was, ſuch dreadful Havock was Haljan
Aga making ;. himſelf perſonally laying about him with indeſcribable
Bravery. : And to this Day, the place where thoſe valiant Gentlemen
bravely loſt their Lives, is uſually pointed to by the Turks themſelves, who
* There was then in that Quarter a very conſiderable Suburb..
cal!
The History of ALGIER S.
301
call it the Cavaliers Sepulcher, and largely commend their Gallantry.
Whoever reads this Author over, by the apparent Virulency with
which he moſt frequently treats the Mahometans in general, will readily
conclude, that he never praiſes but where the Party really deſerves rather
more than leſs than what he beſtows: For in many Inſtances he is ex-
tremely partial:
Often it has been remarked, that the very Elements, the Tempeſts
themſelves, have ſeemed to fight for the no leſs tempeſtuous Algerines
Between twelve and one, that ſame Night which ſucceeded this Engage-
ment, ſo furious a Hurrican of Winds aroſe, accompanied with ſuch
Deluges of Rain, that no Condition could be more wretched than was
that of the Chriſlian Army. None except the chief Officers had any
Tents, or the leaſt Shelter: What little Proviſion the bad Weather had
permitted them to get aſhore, was already conſumed in thoſe three Days
ſince their landing: No Reſt had they, either by Day or Night; the
Moors and Arabs, as I ſaid, keeping them in continual Alarms. Amidſt
all the Horrors of this dark and inauſpicious Night, ſunk to the Knees in
Mirc, in that luxuriant, pingued Soil, the Out-Guards were attacked by.
a great Band of Turks, Arabs and Africans; who, finding a too feeble
Reſiſtance, did juſt what they pleaſed; nor had they retired ſo ſoon as
they did, had not the Emperor himſelf come down with his own Batta-
Jions. As the Light increaſed, the Scene appeared ftill more horrible.
The Ships in the Bay had either broke their Cables, or loſt their Ancho-
rage, driving about at Sea and dathing each other to Pieces, or elſe runs
ning aſhore and bilging on the Rocks and Strands: The ſame Fate at:
tended all the Ships which had doubled the Promontory of Apollo, as ſome
that Cape a few Miles Weſt of Algiers,, named by the Natives, if I fora
get not, Cafbina. Soon was the Sea and Shorc ſeen covered with Pieces
of Wreck and drowned Bodies. The Country Moors, beholding this
Deltruction, ſwarmed to the Sca-Side; and as the poor People were driv.
ing aſhore, and in hopes of getting to the Camp, they were piteouſly
Atripped naked and pierced thro' with Lances, by thoſe mercileſs Afri-
cans, of both Sexes, who were there waiting. The number of Square-Sailed
Veſſels only which periſhed that Day, was no leſs than 140. As for the Gal-
ljes in the Bay they had rode it out all Night upon their Cables, by mere
Force, as it were; and as the Storm ſtill continued. raging with greater:
Fury than eyer, no longer able to ſuſtain its Impetuoſity, they ran aground,
4
thinking
302
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
own.
thinking to eſcape: And landing in great Multitudes, dropping wet and
quite tired, ſurrendering without offering to refift, they were every one
moſt inhumanely butchercd.
The Emperor's magnanimous Behaviour amidſt all theſc Calamities was
moſt remarkably exemplary. He comforted the Amicted with great Sc-
renity of Mind; and in order to ſatisfy the hungry Stomachs of his half-
ſtarved Troops, he cauſed all the Horſes to be killed, beginning with his
When the Tempeſt was ſomewhat abated, he ſent Orders, that the
miſerable Fragments of his Armada (for ſome Ships and Gallies had found
Shelter in the Baleares and upon the Coaſt, and were now returned in
Sight) ſhould repair to Temendefuft (corruptly called Metafuz) four Leagues
Eaſt of Algiers, and there wait his coming.
At that Place, where is a tolerable Harbour for Gallies, &c. was a large
and moſt ancient City, as the Ruins teſlify: It has now a Caſtle mounted
with twenty Cannon, of about forty Years ſtanding, to keep off all Ene-
mics Gallics from riding there, as they frequently uſed to do, eſpecially
thoſe of France when Algiers was bombarded, as I ſhall largely obſerve.
The Cape ſo called, with Cape Apollo, form the large Bay of Algiers :
But of theſe Matters more hereafter.
The Army had all that Ground to traverſe, cloſe by the Sea, and a nar-
row but difficult River, called Harraſh, to paſs over, almoſt the whole
Way being commanded by a Ridge of High-Lands, or Low-Hills, from
whence they were very liable to be much annoyed by the Enemies ſmall
Shot as they marched along thar narrow Strand, had they not detached the
Spaniſh Veterans, to take that way. They were formed into three Divi-
fions of the aforeſaid diſtinct Nations; their Sick and Wounded all in the
Middle. Arriving at the River Harraſh, (about ten Miles Eaſt of Algiers,
whoſe ancient African Name is Safſaya,) they found they could not ford
it: Indeed, the croſſing of that rapid River, where it diſembogues thro'
the light Sands, into the Sea, is extremely difficult, and even dangerous,
after great Rains ; the Stream running very ſwift thro' that narrow, deep
Paſſage. Upon this the Emperor fixed his Camp, as beſt he could, on a
certain Eminence, where are the Remains of an ancient City, named Safa,
which ſome call Old Algiers. One Side of that Eminence is defended by the
Sea, and another by that River ; ſo that its Approach by Land is not very
broad. There the Emperor poſted his beſt Battalions, to keep off the
Enemy from attempting them in the Night; they having continued cloſely
following
The HISTORY of ALGIER $.
303
following the Rear, in great Numbers, as well Turks as Aral Cavalry and
Mountain Africans. With Wreck Timber, picked up on the Shore, a
Bridge was ſpeedily formed, over which the Germans and Italians happily
paſſed; and the Spaniards, who had marched over thcſc High-Lands;
going ſomewhat higher up the River, found a Fordage, not much above
Knee-deep, which they got over without much Damage.
There has been a Bridge near the ſaid Fòrding-Place; but it is quite
ruined : I left them about repairing it; but fancy it is not done yet, hava
ing been long in Hand: The Indolence and Neglect of the Algerines, in
many of thoſe Public Affairs, are really ſurpriſing, and can never be enough
wondered at: There is ſcarce any thing like a Bridge in their whole ex-
tenſive Dominion: Inſomuch, that nothing is more common, than to be
obliged to wait ſeveral Days, in the open Fields, expoſed to Danger and
many Incommodities, till the Abatement of Waters affords Paſſage, for
even their Couriers, ſent on the moſt momentous Errands: I may, per,
haps, farther particularize.
The Number of Forces landed are reported to have been 20000 Foot
and 6000 Horſe; of all which ſcarce one third got ſafe aboard. The
Order of their March, after landing, was the Spaniards, all Veterans, in
the Van, the Emperor in the Center with the Italians, in whoſe Front
went the Knights of Malta, and the Rear was brought up by the Ger-
mans. Each Diviſion had three Field-Pieces. Some Battering Cannon
were landed, with which the Emperor had fortified his Intrenchment;
but the Turks and Natives affirm them to have all remained behind, the
Emperor not being able to bring them off, tho' he burſted ſome and the reſt
werc nailed up or buried. Of all this I remember not to have mct with any
Mention in the Authors I have peruſed: And in regard to the following
fingular Paflage, they all are utterly filent. Nothing is ſo frequent and com-
mon in the Mouths of the Turks, Renegadoes, Moors and even the Slaves
of Algiers, than that Charles the Emperor threw into the Bay the Diadem
with which his Head was adorned, preſently after getting on board his
Galley ; ſaying with great Emotion, and viſible Concern, as he caſt it
from him; “Go Bauble! Let ſome more fortunate Prince redeem and
wear thee!” Many Spaniſh Slaves and Renegadoes hold, that from
thence-forwards the Kings of Spain look on their Crown as forfeited,
and cannot wear any, till they make an intire Conqueſt of Algiers: And
ſeveral have aſſured me, that, for many Years after, the beſt Divers were,
the
1
CC
304
The History of ALGIERS.
the whole Summer long, trying their Fortune, in hopes of lighting on ſo
valuable a Prize. This is all I know, or can ſay of that Affair: Were it
Fact, ſurely ſome Writer or other would have mentioned what is ſo
worthy Noticc.
So few Ships, or Gallies cſcaped the Fury of that outrageous Tempeſt,
that notwithſtanding the prodigious Slaughter and Deſtruction of Men
and Horſes aſhore (theſe laſt being all flain for Food) excluſive of the Cap-
tives, there was ſo little Room for thoſe who could get aboard, that the
reſt of the Horſes in the Gallies, &c. were thrown into the Sea, to make
Place for the People. Somc have not ſcrupled to write, that the fine
Breed of Spaniſh Horſes became in a Manner quite extinct, and is not yet
recovered: Nor were there fewer noble Families in Mourning, on this
Occaſion, than after the Defeat of the Invincible Armada, ſent by this
Emperor's Son, and Succeſſor to the Crowns of Spain, Don Philip II.
in 1988, to reduce and bring over to the Boſom of the Holy Mother-
Church theſe rebellious Iſlands, and ſeverely to chaſtiſe and make Exam-
ples of thoſe contumacious Heretics, our Grand-Fathers. But in theſe Days,
they were, generally ſpeaking, paſſable good Catholics; there being ſeveral
of our Nobility who were Knights of Malta, and their Gallantry taken
Notice of in this Algiers Expedition : Tho' S. Peter's Succeſſor had not
much Reaſon to count our petulant King Henry VIII, among his moſt
obedient Sons; he having lately given him fuch convincing Proofs of
his Diſobedience. Princes of his Humour and Reſolution ſeldom fail of
carrying their Point, or of making themſelves reſpected and conſidered.
In Hackluyt I meet with this remarkable Paſſage. That Monarch having
ſent Embaſſador to the Emperor Charles V. Sir Henry Knevet, among
other Engliſh Gentlemen of his Excellency's Retinue, was Sir Thomas
Chalouer, of London, who, with Mr. Henry Knolles, Mr. Henry Iſhan and
other gallant Adventurers of our Nation, would needs accompany his Im-
pcrial Majeſty to Africa; by whom they were much favoured and regarded.
What became of the reſt nothing is ſaid; but Sir Thomas Chaloner had a
wonderful Eſcape. The Galley on which he was being daſhed againſt a
Rock, he ſwam as long as he was capable of moving a Limb; when his
Strength being wholly exhauſted, he luckily caught hold of a Rope,
faſtened to another Galley, and unable to uſe his Hands, he hung faſt by
the Teeth, tho' to the Loſs of ſeveral of them, till he was taken up:
Thus miraculouſly preſerved, he at length got ſafe to England. The ſame
Author
1
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
305
Author ſpeaks of one Peter Read, Eſq; whom that Emperor Knighted
at his taking Tunis ; wbich Gentleman died in. 1566.
Tho' the Country Moors and Arabs, who lined the Shore and Strand as
long as the Storm continued, butchered all the Chriſtians who had the ill
Fate to come within their Reach, yet Multitudes were made Captives;
moſtly by the Turks and Citizens of Algiers : And to reduce this Misfor.
tune to a Proverb, fome parted with their new-taken Slaves for an Onion
ቃ per Head. Often have I heard Turks and Africans upbraiding Europeans
with this Diſaſter; ſaying ſcornfully, to ſuch as have ſeemed to hold their
Hends ſomewhat 'loftily; 16 What! Have you forgot the Time, when a
Chriſtian, at Algiers, was ſcarce worth an Onion?” Ulloa, the Spaniſl
Hiſtorian, whoſe Father was among the Spaniſh Troops, relates of Don
Antonio Carriero, a Flag-Officer, that when 'he ran his Galley aground,
a fine young Lady, his Miſtreſs, moſt fumptuoully habited, and adorned
with many rich Jewels, got to Land urhurt : 'But that neither her blooming
Youth, enchanting Beauty, coſtly Attire, humble Supplications for Life,
or Proſpects of Ranſomn-Money, wrought the leaſt Compaſſion, or Con-
fideration in the favage Breaſts of the Moors and Arabs, who inhumanely
pierced 'hér thro' with their Lances. Jannetin D'Oria, Nephew to the
famous Andrea D'Oria, was very near meeting the like Fate his Galley
being driven athore, where it ſtuck faſt in the Sandı; but the Emperor
ſent him a timely Succour of ſome Italian Companies. That brave old
Admiral, his Uncle, who dearly loved him, is reported to have ſaid ;
“ It was decreed, that Fannetin ſhould be reduced to ſuch Extremity,
purpoſely to convince the World, that it was not impoſſible for Ana
1 drca D'Oria to ſhed a Tear.” This Admiral loft twelve Gallies, which
were all his own.
Authors compute, that only in the Storm periſhed
upwards of 300 principal Officers, with more than 8000 Soldiers, beſides
Mariners and Galley-Slaves. Eighty fix Ships and fifteen Gallics, at the
Beginning of the Tempelt, were loſt in leſs than half an Hour : But Don
Bernardino Mendoza ſaved all the Spaniſh Gallies in Port Caſhina a few
Miles Weſt of Algiers.
The 'Retrcat was to interrupted by the Enemy, or by Huffan Aga, who
purſued cloſe, that the Emperor was two Days longer (after having paſſed
the Bridge made over the Harraps during the firſt Night) before he could
l'each -Metafuzgor Tomendefifty-tho-the-Diſtance is -Scarce--four Miles, or
thereabouts. With great Difficulty he got aboard ; and was ſoon after
attacked
ic
RI
306
The HISTORY Of A LGIERS.
attacked by a freſh Storm, which threatened to complete what the firſt
Tempeſt had left undone. Some Veſels were loſt; particularly a great
Galeon, having on board 700 Spaniſh Soldiers, and many chief Officers,
funk in the Emperor's Sight, to his great Regret. In a very lamentable
Condition, they reached Bujeya, which Port had before afforded a ſea-
ſonable Shelter to Part of the diſtreſſed Armada; as had, likewiſe, the
now ruined and deſolate Harbour Tamagus, then appertaining to the Prince
of the b Zwouwa, otherwiſe called King of Cucco; who out of Hatred to
the Turks, had granted the Chriſtians free Liberty of that his only Port,
nay, offered them the intire Poſſeſſion of it, and had been actually raiſing
a conſiderable Body of his Mountaineers, in the Emperor's Favour, which
he was leading down, when News was brought him, of the Misfortune
which had befallen that his Catholic Ally. He afterwards conveyed a great
Quantity of Proviſions and Refreſhments to Bujeya, wherein he did thoſe
ncar-famiſhed and fatigued Troops a ſingular Piece of Servicc; they hay-
ing already devoured all that Place afforded, and even cauſed a Famine.
Monſieur L'Abbe de Vertot, in his excellent Hiſtory of the Knights of
Malta, ſays, that it was Mulei Haſſan, King of Tunis, who, in Perſon,
went with a prodigious Caravan of Proviſions to Bujeya ;.but Lvery much
doubt it; eſpecially if that Succour was by a Land Conveyance: Coſtantina,
and all thoſe Eaſtern Parts, belonging to the Algerines, under almoſt the
fame Circumſtances and Condition: as at preſent ;, having, as I obſerved,
been reduced, partly by Force but more by. the. Cunning and Prudence of
the ſucceſsful Heyradin Barba-roſa; and Haſan Aga, having been ſeveral
Times in thoſe Provinces, was well known and beloved: So that I can:
not readily agree, that it would have been an eaſy Matter for the King
of Tunis to have paſſed by. Land, with ſuch a Caravan, thro' that large
Tract of Enemy's Country, as far as Bujeya, to which City and Harbour
there is no coming, for the laſt threc or four Days March, but thro'
Mountains ſcarce paſſable, except with the. Owners Permiſſion and Con-
currence. And as that learned and curious Hiſtorian makes not the leaſt
Mention of the Prince, or King of Cucco, whom Haedo and other Spar
niards abſolutely affirm to have thereby highly incurred thc Diſpleaſure of
the reſenting Haſan Aga and his Turks, as I ſhall ſoon intimate, I am in-
tirely of Opinion, that Mulei Haſan, King of Tunis, was not the Perſon
1
Vide P..69, 6.271.
...
TQ
Win
.
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
307
to whom Charles the Emperor was obliged for thoſe ſeaſonable Succours,
at Bujega, except he conveyed them thither by Sca; which ſeems not over
and above probable.
Now I have mentioned L'Abbe de Vertot, whom I had not before
per-
uſed, I cannot avoid taking ſome Notice of a few Pálages to be found
in his Works, relacing to what I already have and am ſtill about to handle.
To paſs by abundance of Miſnomers, as Horruc and Horace for Arouje, Eutemi
for Aben Toumi, Gomara for Comares, all in one Place, with a Multitude
of others, whereby his Tranſlator is led into the like Errors; and, among
the reſt, he will needs call the c Perſon I name Drub-Devil (from Cachge:
Diablo the Spaniſh Nick-name) Devil-Driver; when had he underſtood
Spaniſh, and had peruſed any of the Hiſtorians of that Nation, who treat
of theſe Affairs, he would with far greater Propriety, have made it Bruiſe-
Devil, which is the Word's literal Signification: The French, indeed; has
it "Chale-Diables, which is far from being right. But theſe are Blunder's
into which every Tranſlator will, inevitably, fall if he too idolatrouſly
adheres, or rather cleaves to his Original; more eſpecially if he happens.
to be one of thoſe, who has no Idea of any of the Languages from whence
his Author tranſlated: And, in Reality, we have too many, who, with a
bare fuperficial, ſkimming Knowledge in the French (who as well as others,
nay, perhaps, as bad as any others, make horrible Havock of foreign Names
and Appellations) have the Aſſurance to exhibit Engliſh Verſions of French
Tranſlations from Spaniſh, Italian, Portugueſe, &c. For Example, among
thouſands of the like Stamp, What Engliſh Reader would ever dream,
that, by Circella (in the ſame Page where the ſaid Miſnomers are to be
met with, viz. V. 2. P. 62.) he means Sherſhel? It were to be wiſhed,
that every onc, who undertakes a Verſion (eſpecially one of any Merit;
and it is Piry any others are ſuffered to appear) was well cnough verſed
in Hiſtory, and otherwiſe qualified to be able, upon ſome Occaſions, to
correct his Author; tho' not in the Manner as is done by a facctious
Country-man of ours, I mentioned in .P. 248. But to go on thus would
be endleſs.
The daring Knight of Malta, according to De Vertot, who ſtuck his
Dagger in the Gate of Algiers, was the Chevalier Ponce de Savignac,
Standard-Bearer to the Order. He died of his Wounds, particularly of
5
Vide P. 264, &c.
Rr 2
one
308
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
anc with an envenomed Arrow, together with near eighty other Knights.
(tho' Hredo ſays more than 150) and about 400 Soldiers in Malteſe Pay,
at the great Slaughter made of thoſe intrepid Warriors by Haſan Agao
He alſo notes a gallant French Cavalier, named Nicolas Durand de Villem
gagnon, who (to uſe his own Words) with an Impetuoſity natural to his
Country; threw himſelf amidſt the Enemy, where being wounded in the
left Arm with a Lance, by an Arab Horſeman, and miſſing the Thruſt he
made at him with his Half-Pike, as he was extremely tally and of Strength
and. Vigour proportionable to his Stature, he watched his Opportunity,
while the Arab was turning his Horſez in order to ſecond his Blow, and
ſprang: up behind him, when with a mortal: Stab. in the Side he threw him
to the Ground. I mention this Action of that brave Gentleman, becauſe
he is a Perſon of whom L'Abbé. de Vertot ſays abundance, upon many.
other Accounts, particularly in regard of his vigorous and ſtedfaſt Defenſe
of the deſerving De Valier, Marſhal of the Order, and Governor of Tri-
poly, unjuſtlý proſecuted for the Loſs of that unţenable Plaçe, by that cor-
rupt and partial Grand Maſter, De Omedes...
One Corre&tion of his Tranſlator's I muſt needs. take. Notice of, tho?
fomewhat upſeaſonable to be here introduced. He has it, that Heyradin:
Barba:rol'as upon his leaving Tunis, had no leſs than 22000 Chriſtian:
Slaves, moſt of them his own, all which were every Night ſhut up in
the: Caſabba,, on Citadel, and which, dreading their Riſing, he would have
deſtroyeds, in which he was much encouraged by. Drub-Deuil; whoſe
real Name, it ſeems,. was. Airadin (rather Heyradin). a. Native of Cam
ramanias, and that he afterwards made himſelf Sovereign of Tajora, a.
few. Miles: Eaſt of, Tripolys then: belonging to the Knights...of Malta.:
But that,, Chefout Sinan. Rais,. a Renegado Jew; of Smyrna, another.. great.
Grony, of his (whoſe Son, I ſaid, that Bafpas forced the Prince of
Piombino to releaſe) diverted him from ſo barbarouş.a. Reſolution for the
preſents but could not prevent them from being all double-fettered. It
was not the enormous Number of thoſe unhappyCaptiyes that I boggled:
at, tho' I do not remember to have met with any who makes them; much
above 7000; a Number I look on full fufficient to be a&tually but up
every. Night in the Caftle; there being much Room and Conveniency. for
the reſt in Tunis;, as, indeed the Author has it; and his Interpreter has
thought fit to metamorphoſe the Word Tunis into Caſtle. To have cleared
up all, the Author might have inſerted both,, And, ſoon after he ſays; that
3.
thc
}
The HISTORY OF ALGIERS:
309
the firſt Obje&t which ſtruck the Emperor's Eyes, at his Entrance into the
ſaid Caſtle, was the Chevalier Simeoni, a Knight of Malta, at the Head of 6000
of his Fellow Captives, whom the two Renegadoes had ſet at Liberty: Nor
does it any where appear, that the other 16000 were ſuddenly vaniſhed
Nay, the Eunuch Haſan Aga is there made to appear at the Head of
30000 Arabsg. moſt of them Cavalry, continually haraſſing the Chriſtian
Army; whereas almoſt all agree, that the ſame Eunuch Haſſan Aga, who
ſo bravely defended Algiers, was Deputy-Vice-Roy of that City and State
during his Patron's Abſence at Tunis. The beſt Writers may be mif-
informedd: However, ſuch Contradictions are apt to diſguſt, if not ſhock
and confound a judicious, curious Reader.
Before I proceed farther, it may not be umeceſſary to introduce a few
Hints concerning this renowned Military Order, originally known under
the Title of Knights Hoſpitallers of St. John at Jeruſalem, afterwards
Knights of Rhodes, and now of Malta. I the rather do it, becauſe, if
the Barbary Corfairs, and particularly thoſe of Algiers, whoſe Hiſtory I
am attempting to write, have long been, and ſtill' are, the Terror of good
Part of Europe, this noble Body of warlike and truly valiant Cavaliers,
thoſe avowed and eternal Enemies of the Muſulman Name, long have
been, and continue ſtill to be the object of thoſe Corſairs Dread, and a
terrible Scourge to all Sea-faring Ottomansg. and other Mahometans, within
their Reach: And it is a notorious Truth, that the Algerines, and I believe
all the reſt of the African Cruiſers, had rather encounter two Veſſels, of
any other Nation whatever, than one Malteſe of the fame Force; for from
them alone they ſeem never to hope for any Mercy, or to expect Feeble.
neſs: And, without much Exaggeration, we may boldly venture to affert,
that the Preſervation of all Italy and-itsi Iſlands,. niore eſpecially the Coaſts,
has been, from Time to Time; in great: Meaſure, owing to the indefati-
gable Zeal and inſuperable Proweſs of that Handful of daring Knights,
feldom, I believe, 1000 complete, and they diſperſed, among all whom
one rarely meets with a ſingle Inſtance of Pufillanimity; all which Chriſt-
endom cannot deny without the blackeſt Ingratitude: Nor can any one, ,
without deviating from apparent Truth, pretend to ſay, that the Algerinesg.
under both the Barba-roſas, were not actually Lords and Sovereigns of
the Mediterranean; they being then the only. Cruiſers, worth mentioning,
on the whole Coaſt of Africa; neither had they any Enemy who durft
look them in the Face, at Sea, norwithſtanding the then Unwieldineſs of
Vide P. I.
the
210
Ihe HISTORY OF ALGIERS.
the Spaniſh Monarchy, till the Knights of St. John, after their eight Years
wandering about, with their Rhodian Colony, to the exhauſting the greateſt
Part of their Subſtance, began to be tolerably ſettled at Malta, which was
not till after the Year. 1530.
Some of the Algerine Turks, when in a good Humour, will call the
Malteſe Cavaliers, their Brethren; as being of the ſame Trade and Pro.
feffion with themſelves. In ſaying thus, they deſign them an Honour;
and, I aſſure you, I know not of any others to whom they would allow
that dignified Title; nay, not even to the Ottomans; whom they look on,
and frequently treat as effeminate Poltrons. If a Slave, or other Chriſtian,
who, by way of Friendſhip, or Familiarity, may aſſume ſuch Liberty,
makes Anfwer, that the Knights of Malta are of the nobleſt Blood in
Europe, whereas it is obvious, that few of the Turks in Barbary are better
deſcended than from Cow-herds and ſuch Sort of Gentry; the Reply will
be ſomewhat to this Purpoſe: “ All that is granted.-
What care we
« whoſe Sons we are, ſince we can make your Fathers tremble in their
u Beds, and your Merchants Hearts ake, left their well-lincd Veſſels fall
“_into our Clutches ? Do not theſe Right Arms of our make us conſidered
66 wherever we go? Dare the Catamites whom, perhaps, our Fathers
« Tributes help to maintain, dare they treat us any otherwiſe than very
< reſpectfully? Actions, not Blood make the Man of Merit. The Son
« of a Padejau (Emperor) may be a Daftard and a Scoundrel. Your
« Malta Cavaliers, you ſay, are all nobly born: So let them be. What
66 we know of them is, that thcy are good Gorfairs; they are Men; and
« as ſuch behave. Were they, like ſo many of the reſt of you, the Off-
" ſpring of Balloc-ji-ler (Fiſhers) we ſhould be of the very fame Sen-
"timents; and were they not Croſs-kiſſing Chriſtians, and ſo much our
“ Enemics as they are, they would be very worthy of our Eſteem ; nay, the
“ beſt of us would take a Pride in.calling them our Brothers, and even
".in fighting under their Command. The Meaning of our ſaying, joka
ingly, Wc arc Brethren, is becauſe, like us, they partly live by the
66 Spoils of ſuch as are ſworn Enemies to their Name and Religion ; tho'
" they and all the reſt of you, have the Inſolence to term us Sbandout-ler,
w (Out-Laws) as if, like Pyrates we roamed the Seas with a Black Flag,
." and knew no Friend. Pray, how do you Chriſtians treat cach other,
as well by Sea as by Land; tho' you fall down on your Knees before
of the ſame rotten Idol?". Thus, with abundance more in the like Strain,
-3
talk.
1
::
1
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
3-11
talk the Weſtern Turks, at leaſt many of them; but never, as I 'obſeryc;
but when they are in a good Humour, and are diſpoſed to condeſcend fo
far as to be thus affable. Be the Affinity of Profeſſion, and the like, bes
tween the Knights of Malta and the Algerine Corſairs, how it will; as
likewiſe all the reſt of the Story, I cannot but look on it as a very ſcurvy
Compariſon for thoſe free-booting Varlets, who, in Effect, are little clſey
originally, than the very Dregs and Refuſe of Mankind, to rate themſelves
with an illuſtrious Body, undoubtedly compoſed of the prime Nobility
of all Europe, more eſpecially of late Years; ſince the Order is now fo
ſuperſtitioully nice, that it admits none, tho' even of Princely. Deſcents
except they were legally begotten, or at leaſt born in Wedlock: I Thall
not, here, run out this Digreſſion ſo far as to enter upon the various Man-
ner theſe Barbary Turks have of deſcanting on the Merits and Demerits
of the Europeans, tho' ſome of it might well enough bear a Rehearſal;
but before I break off, and to avoid running the Hazard of forgetting.it,
perhaps, another Time, I ſhall give one Touch, which ſeems, in fome
Meaſure, to redound to the Credit of thoſe Britiſh Tritons our Sea Come
manders : “ Other Chriſtians, ſay they, when they are out of Hopes of
s over-taking us, will give over Chace: Ma, Inglize Giaur, outch Giun
" outch Gejah, &c. But, the Engliſh Infidels will follow three Days and
66 three Nights, after they have loſt Sight of us." You muſt take this
courſe Compliment, Noble Captains, rough as it runs : Think you. of it
what you pleaſe; it really is a Compliment.
Perhaps ſome may read this who know little of the Hiſtory of St. John's
Knights: So a Word or two, to give ſomething of an Idea, or at leaſt to
refreſh the Memory, may not be wholly improper. Early in the four-
teenth Century, when the European Chriſtians were expelled Paleſtine, the
Knights of St. John's Hoſpital, at Jeruſalem, cook, the fine. Illand of Rhodes
from the Saracens, under the Conduct- of Foulques de Villaretz. a French
Nobleman, their Grand Maſter. In that large and other ſmall neighbour-
ing Iſlands they made ſo good a Settlement, that they ſoon became
very,
formidable to the Ottomans. A. D. 1480. Mahomet II. Emperor of the
Turks, attacked them furiouſly; but they bravely repulfed him, after a
three Months Siege. But the triumphant Suliman, the Magnificent, have
ing, in 1522, reduced them to the laſt Extremity, their brave Grand
Maſter Philip Villiers, De l'Iſle Adam, alſo.a French Noble, who had diſa
puțed the Ground and loft it Inch by. Inch, and then by Treachery, aby
mineda
1
312
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
obtained honourable Capitulations: Nor could the Turks have expelled
them, had not all the Chriſtian Potentates moſt ſhamefully abandoned a
noble Order, which might be juſtly called one of the main Bulwarks of
Chriſtendom. Some thouſands of loyal Rhodians generouſly choſe to fol-
low the Fortune of thoſe their worthy Patrons and Defenders. Their
Fleet of fifty Gallies and Brigantincs, of all Sizes, ſuffered extremely, by
ſtormy Weather, before they could reach Candia, anciently Crote, which
fine Hand then belonged to the Venetians, now to the Ottomans. Tho'
the Remains of that illuſtrious Order of Military Knights brought off a
conſiderable Treaſure, yet what with the conſtant Maintenance and Sub-
fiſtence of a whole Body of neceſſitous People, (their Colony conſiſting
as I ſaid of many thouſands of Rbodians, beſides the Knights and their At-
tendants) at the End of their complete cight Years Tranſmigrations, it
was vaſtly diminiſhed, or rather wanted but little of being quite exhauſted.
Their generous and indefatigable Grand Maſter, their common Father,
wandered with his unſettled Flock, backwards and forwards, from Candia
to Sicily, Civita-Vecchia, Viterbo, Naples; Nice, Villa-Franca and whither
not! The far leſs generous Powers of Europe, not content with having,
little to their Reputation, deſerted lo noble, ſo diſintereſted a Band of
Champions, who never once attempted to add a ſingle Inch of Ground
to their Territory, tho' they were perpetually hazarding, nay laviſhly ex-
pending their Blood, cicher in ſecuring, or inlarging thoſe of others, in-
Atead of aiding them, I ſay, in thoſe Extremities, according to their real
Merits, all the eſſential Affiſtance they could get was little elſe than a few
external Grimaces: And as to the reſt, their ancient Commandaries were
almoſt every where ſeized on, the Revenues appropriated to quite diffe-
rent Uſes, and themſelves looked on and treated, barring ſome Compli-
ments, as I hinted, as no better than ſo many idle and burdenſome Drones ;
fince they were no longer in a Condition to keep a Fleet of Ships and
Gallies, and to make the World reſound, as uſual, with their daily Feats
of Proweſs, atchieved againſt the avowed Enemies of the Goſpe), and no
others. Theſe are Truths too notorious to be denied. But, how fre-
quently are the beſt of Services thus baſely requited ! Pope Clement VII.
indeed, of thc Houſe of Medicis, and originally a Knight of that Order,
ſeemed pretty cordial in their Behalf; but he had enough upon his Hands
to deal with that ambitious and over-grown Monarch, the Emperor Charles
V: As had, likewiſe, Francis I. King of France; which noble-ſpirited
Prince
The HISTORY of ALGIER S.
313
gave
a
many fruitful Iſlands, to higgle for a ſcanty, barren Rock with a Body of
Prince the Grand Maſter a Royal Reception, accompanied with
Princely Donative, to facilitate his Recovery of Rhodes : But that well-
laid Project, being detected, miſcarried. All that the Venetians durft do
in theſe Caſes (as being, begging their Pardons, the Ottomans ever-laſting
Milch-Cow) was to beſtow an Inundation of faint, yet ſtill more fruitleſs,
Tenders of Friendſhip, Love, Service and Eſteem, no farther preſuming
to exaſperate their too formidable Neighbours the Turks; more cfpecially
when headed by the vigorous and never-fucceſsleſs Suliman. Nor did
Don Carlos himſelf ſuffer the aged, fuppliant Grand Maſter, that renowned
Hero of his Age, grown hoary in the Wars, to depart his Preſence with-
out ſomewhat of a Contribution towards forwarding ſo glorious an At-
tempt: Tho' by all I am able to gather from thoſe who mention that de-
figning, impenetrable Prince, is that he never parted with a Maravedi but
with the View of pocketing a Ducat, if not a Doblon. But with ſuch the
World abounds! He, tho' not without a palpable View of raiſing a fure
Bulwark to his Sicilian and Calabrian States, and, in fine, to a very good
Part of the reſt of his maritimc Territories, made the Knights a Tender
of the Iſlands of Malta and Goza ; but on ſuch inglorious, mercenary
Conditions as may be read in Hiſtory: And even that Favour was not
to be thought of, without having the indefenſible Tripoly tacked to the
munificent Donative. A poor Exchange! A paltry Recompence for the
exuberant Rhodes! A Place they abandoned not, till the Flower of Chi-
valry lay buried in its Ruins ; and even then not without Conditions
worthy themſelves; conſidering their Enemy and Invader! For a Mo-
narch, gaping, at univerſal Empirc, a Monarch, who had in his Gift ſo
prone Warriors, never ſparing of their Fleſh; and who, as they, for many
Ages, had bravely fought the Battles of his Anceſtors, continue ſtill gal-
Jantly fighting thoſe of his Succeſſors and Poſterity! At laſt, Pope Cle-
ment VII. having accommodated Affairs with that mighty Arbiter (tho' not
till his Holineſs had ſuffered a rigorous Impriſonment from that his undu-
tiful Son, and Rome a ſeverer Sack than it had ever undergone from the
leſs ſavage Hyperboreans). hc pleaded ſo efficaciouſly for the Knights, that
the Emperor parted with the faid Iſlands, with Tripoly and all, on eaſier
Terms, and they hold them in Fcof from the King of Sicily, with an
annual Acknowledgment of one Falcon. But, as I am not writing the
Hiſtory of either Rhodes, or Malta, I refer thoſe who want to be farther
ST
acquainted
.
314
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
4
in
acquainted therewith to L'Abbé de Verlot himſelf, or to his Tranſlator ::
And ſhall only add, that as this barren, ſcanty Rock now ſtands, I poſi-
tively deem it the moſt defenſible Fortreſs in the Univerſe, none excepted:
Nor could I well prevail with my ſelf to omit ſaying thus much in the
juft Commendation of a noble Order, notwithſtanding the irreconcileable
Diſcordance of our reſpective Opinions and Principles, in ſeveral Reſpects..
And this I know, that as millions of people dread the Rencounter of
an Algerine as they would that of a Crew of Demons, thoſe dreaded Al-.
gerines themſelves had at any Time rather fall in with the very Devil him-
ſelf, in propria Perſona, than with a Malteſe Galley, or Man-of-War, tho'
they are three to one: This is Fact. The Knights took Poſſeſſion of Malta,
&c. Oktober. 26. 1530;, which was much about the Time when Heyradin
Barba-roja began the Mole of Algiers: This is by way of Memorandum. .
One thing more before it ſlips my Memory; tho' this is not the proper :
Place for it ; nor do.l, upon Recollection, think I ever can forget it;.
for it often ſers me on the Titter. However take it.
But the better to comprehend that Affair, I think requiſite to intro..
duce it with a few Lines from L'Abbé de Vertot. In February 1698, Don.
Raimond Perellos de Roccafoul, of the Language of Aragon, aged fixty, ,
was elected Grand Maſter, on the Deceaſe of Adrian de Vignacourt, of
the Language of France. " A, D. 1700. Long had Perellos, ſays that
learned. Author, .". with Anguiſh beheld, that ever ſince the Religion had.
s been ſatisfied with maintaining only a Squadron of Gallies, and had
6. laid aſide their Warlike Ships, the Barbary Corſairs .were daily taking
of Chriſtian Traders, frequently making Deſcents on the Coaſts of Italy.
" and Spain, deſolating wholc Villages, and carrying off into Slavery
". Multitudes of Families. In vain the Ghriflians had, depuis plus de quatre-
« vingts Ans, for upwards of four-ſcore Years, been caſting a wiſtful Eye
6 towards the Knights of Malta, their ancient Protectors :" Which,
among Friends, I know not well how he can make out, or bring to bear;
ſince, as do a Myriad of others, he himſelf aſſures us, that the firſt ſetting.
Eoot of thoſe Knights in Malta was oHober 26. 1530. "Till now, con-
tinues. Monſieur De Vertot, 56, the Obſtacles which lay in the Way were
« found too many to ſurmount, and deprived them of all Proſpect of re-
6. eſtabliſhing the Squadron of Men-of-War at Malta. But Perellos, be-
66. ing inſtalled Grand Maſtery, affifted with the Coupſels of the Baillig.
66.his
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
315
a
66 his Succeſſor, Marco Antonio Zondodari, he found thoſe Difficultics
not at all inſurmountable.”
From this Time, the Order has always kept up Squadrons of both Ships
of War and Gallies : Theſe laſt never exceed eight, and as good as any
others whatever; nay more dreaded by the Corſairs of Algiers, &c. on
account of the Valour and Reſolution of the unflinching Knights, accord-
ing to their own Phraſe and Confeſſion: As for the Malteſe Men-of-War,
they are ſtout Ships, none, I believe, carrying fewer Guns than fifty, and
in Number never above ſeven, if I remember rightly. I ſhall not take
much Notice of the Privateers and Small-Craft; tho' their Malteſe Sub-
jects are never without ſeveral: Nor is Malta often a Whic worfe ſtocked
with Muſulman Slaves than is Barbary, particularly Algiers, with Chriſti-
ans, in that undeſirable Capacity. Since the Malteſe have re-introduced
their large cruiſing Ships, they are become more terrible than ever to the
Corſairs of Algiers; more eſpecially in their Winter Excurſions, when
they apprehend not being interrupted by Gallies. But now to what all
theſe Intimations are only the Introduction,
Not many Years before I quitted Africa, which was early in 1720, the
Malteſe Ships fadly mauled the Weſtern Turks, and were every now and then
ſinking, or picking up ſome of their beſt Cruiſers. Tripoly and Tunis loft
their Admirals, with others; and Algiers loft not only their Capitana, or
Admiral, but three more very good Ships, all with very inconſiderable In-
tervals. Theſe terrible Strokes ſet the Women a houling, and the Men
& bluſtering very terribly. Nothing to be heard but Malta? Re-
venge! Vengeance! Malta! Malta! Twelve of their biggeſt Ships
were got ready with incredible Diſpatch, the Corſairs in Sholes thronged
aboard, with Fury in their Eyes and Execrations on their Tongues, againſt
thoſe Miſcreants the Cavaliers of Malta; many of them ſaying in my hear-
ing, as they went driving towards the Marine, or Water-Side, “ Iptida
“ Sicilia aulers, &c. We'll firſt take Sicily. That is the Way to ſtarve
's the Infidels.” What moſt excited my Rifibility was this; Bobba Ali, the
Dey, who, it is likely, may be treated of in his Turn, when the Cap-
tains, with the Admiral Bekir. Rais at their Heady went in a Body to
nake Leave of him, informing him of their having half Algiers on board,
and how briſk the Equipages looked, breathing nothing but Deſtruction,
Revenge, with the Devil and all, the wiſe, grave Bobba Ali, I ſay (for
ſo I was told by two ſeveral Perſons of Credit who heard him) had the
Sr2
Weakneſs
1
}
ܢܫ܂
.
T
>
316
The History of ALGIERS.
Weakneſs to diſmiſs them with Words to this very Effect: “ Well; the
" Almighty proſper you, and give you Succeſs. As you expect ever to
" ſee my Face again, bring me a very ſatisfactory Account of Malta. As
« for Sicily, it is a large, populous Illand : Beginning with that, its Re-
- duction inay derain you till the Malteſe Infidels are re-inforced; ſo begin
“ with them. If you cannot deſtroy them and their Iſland, and bring
« off all the Captive Muſulmans, at leaſt I charge you not to leave them
" one Ship or Galley, as you ever hope to ſee Algiers."
To thoſe who have ſeen Malta, more particularly of late Years, this
Diſcourſe muſt ſeem ſtrangely unaccountable. True it is, that the Order
is often alarmed, and under almoſt hourly Apprehenſions of a Viſit from
the Ottomans: But it rather dreads the Remiffneſs and wonted Luke-warm-
neſs of the Catholic Potentates, (who certainly ought not to leave unſuc-
coured one of their chiefeſt Bulwarks) than does that impregnable Fortreſs
fear the utmoſt Hoſtilities of what Forces the united Muſulmans can ſend
againſt it by Water. I was not at Algiers when that Vengeance-breath-
ing Squadron returned ; nor know I what Sort of a Reception Bobba Ali
gave his nothing-bringing Captains: I only heard, that, to very little
Purpoſe, they appeared on the Coaſt, liked 1100 their Errand, returned
home, with a ſtraggling Prize or two, looking fhecpiſhly enough; and
there was not much farther Talk of the Affair.
One thing inſenfibly draws on another: But I ſomewhere faid my Me-
mory was treacherous; nor do I ever keep Minutes : As to a Common-
Place Book, I am an utter Stranger. I may have Occaſion elſewhere,
very probably, to re-introduce the Malteſe ; but I ſhould have ſaid, almoſt
when I firſt began to ſpeak of them, that, among the other Catholic Po-
tentates, who thought proper to ſequelter the Knights Eſtates, within their
Realms, while they were deemed uſeleſs Drones, one was our King Henry
VIII. who ſeized on their rich Priory of St. John, and all other their
Commanderies, &c. both in Great Britain and Ireland. If that Priory was
not St. John's Clerkenwell, I know not which it was; nor am I diſpoſed
to make Inquiry. I never affert unleſs I am certain. That tough, lofty:
unmanageable Monarch ſeems to have taken this Step, rather thro' Jealouſy
and Rcſentment than Avarice, or any other Motive; being angry at the
Grand Maſter, for having, in his Neceſſity, applied to the Emperor and
King of France, neglecting the Court of England, ruled by a magnani-
mous Prince, who diſdained to acknowledge himſelf inferior to any but
1. his
m
The HISTORY: Of ALGIERS.
317
i
1
his Creator. This appears by the ſingular Reſpect he ſhewed the ſaid
Grand Maſter when, upon Recollection and being better adviſed, he re-
paired that. Omiſſion : And, beſides outward Courteſies, the forfeited
Eſtates were all reſtored, accompanied with a Preſent of 20000 Crowns
to the Order, the Value whercof was given in Artillery. During the
ſhort Reign of our promiſing King Edward VI. the Chevaliers could do
nothing here. Queen Mary I. indeed, partly thro' Zeal and Inclination,
partly influenced by her bigoted Confort, King Philip II. of Spain, re-
joiced the Hearts of the whole Order, by a welcome Embaſſy, affuring
them that Matters ſhould be in ſatu quo. : But Queen Elizabeth, having
quite different Sentiments in all thoſc Caſes, ſent the Knights a grazing :
And there is not abundance of Appearance of their Re-inſtalment in theſe
Realms: Tho' had ſome Perſons here been ſuffered to go on as they be-
gan, about. forty Years ago, I know not what might have been brought
about. Of the eight Languages, as they term them, of Malta, one is
England.; as it is ſtill kept up by way of Mockery, and repreſented, by
Proxy; a Method followed in ſeveral other Parts of the World. How
many Titular Prelates are there, who are very unlikely ever to viſit their
Dioceſans, in partibus Infidelium? Beſides other Inſtances of different Na-
tures. What Engliſh Knights the Order may now have I cannot acquaint
the Inquiſitive: But L'Abbé de Vertot ſays, that in 1682, the Dukes of
Ganfron and Barvich, (may be Berwick) repaired to Malta. Who he
means by the firſt, the Lord above knows; but “ this other, ſays he,
6. received from the Hands of the Grand Maſter, the Croſs and Title of
Grand Prior of England. The other ſeven Languages of Malta, arc Frances
Provence, D'Auvergne, Italy, Caftile, Aragon, Germany. I ſhall again bring
theſe Cavaliers upon the Stage, when I treat of the famous Siege of Malta,
A. D. ISOS. by the Ottoman Fleet, at which the Algerines greatly ſigna-
lized themſelves; inſomuch, that L'Abbé de Vertot, more than once, ho-
nours them ſo far as to call them ces braves Algeriens, which his Engliſie in
terpreter, thinks:fiç. to render theſe Algerine Bravoes.. This, ,. with Sub-
miſlion, I cannot take to be a fair Way of tranſlating: Why did not he
as well make it theſe. Algerine Bullies? Bullics enough they, certainly, are;
when they can get the Upper-hand : But his Author: means not ſo there
whatever he may do elſewhere : Indeed, when they are firſt introduced
he ſeems to give them that. Title, as their proper Appellation.
3
4
Now,
1
:
The HISTORY of ALGIER's.
Now, I am in a Vein of finding Fault, I cannot forbear doing what tz
am ſo often apt to do; that`is, confuſedly and unleaſonably, dragging in
Things, as they ſay, by Head and Shoulders. Criticiſm is the Province of the
Powerful, the Famous, thoſe whoſe Names being up, they may lye abed: In
ſuch as move in a groyling: Obſcurity, to‘attempt any thing like it, is down-
"Jight Impudente, unpardonable Inſolence! Who regards,"who-credits a'Fel-
low with no Name! 'As to that Part of the Tale, no matter what'I think,
1 Shall’fay little. Yet were I to be carbonaded, I cannot apoid taking No.
tice of what one may ſee traul. With all due Deference and Reſpect to
ſo great a Man as L'Abbé de Vertor, I juſt now, accidentally, light on a
Paffage, than which I do not recolleet ever to have ſeen the likc, or at
Jeaſt any more egregiouſly out of the right Rond, even in De la Croixy
or our Ogilbey, our ancient Mandeville, or Mendez Pinto'; the firſt of
which careful Hiſtorians ſays the very ſame; bat one might have expected
· more Correctneſs from the Oracle of the preſent Age. This comes of tak-
ing, implicitly, upon Truſt. Yet, I have been oftcni told, We have
Hiſtories of Barbary already; nay, more than enough: But I thould be
glad to find one, in any Language, worth reading. If I may not be al-
lowed to be a Judge in any thing elſe, I muſt and will be allowed a com-
petent one in 'what is 'ſo very conſpicuouſly obvious, and relating to a
Country I have ſo 'long frequented. What I would be:at is, in ſhort, this.
Under A.D. 1664. L'Abbé de Vertot, B. 14. Tays, verbatim, ithus :
66 The Corſairs of Barbary, having extended their Briganilages even upon
" the Coaſts of Provence, King Lewis XIV. to repreſs their Audacity,
-66 was counſelled to eſtabliſh a Colony on the Barbary Coaft, and there
"to build a Place and Port, where his Ships might find an Azylüm, and
+66 from whence he might'be informed of the ſetting out of the Squadronts
-66 of the Infidels. For this Deſign, they propoſed to him the Village of
Gigeri, fituated near the Sea, entre les Villes ? Alger & de Bugie, tà
quinze milles de l'un de l'autre; between the Cities of Algiers and
" Bujeya, at fifteen Miles Diſtance from the one and from the other;"
In due Place, I'fhall give 'fome Account of that unfucceſsful Expedition,
under Direction of the French Admiral, the Duke De Beaufort, compared
by this Author to that of the Emperor Charles 'againút Algiers. 5.5...
This Gigeri, thus Barbarized, is no other than Jijel, thé'Place I ſo often
mention, when I treat of Arouje Barba-rolja : "But let People callPlaceshow
they pleaſe; that is not what I ſhall ſo much diſpute about at preſent. What
CC
I want
The HISTORY OF ALGIBRS:
3192
I want to be informed of, is what Sort of Miles are here to be counted
when even Brobdinguaggian Leagues would ſcarce fuffice! Often, again,
in our Hiſtorians and Coſmographers, one finds good ſubſtantial Leagues
dwindling into even Liliputian Furlongs: Sure Gulliver was not the firſt
European who viſited thoſe remote Countries. It is, I confeſs, doing that:
worthleſs, ridiculous, trifling Fable too much Honour, to ftain Hiſtory
with its very:Mention; tho? ſuch Traſh, and the more nauſeous Tracts
of Party and Controverſy, are what beſt go down in this degenerate
Age Q. Tempora! O Mores!
Jijel (ar Gigeri, if they needs will have it fo) lies, I am poſitive, bea
tween 159 and 200 good Miles, Eaſt of Algiersg. amidſt rugged and po.
pulous Mountains, whoſe independent, indomable Ownçrs will not give
thc Algerines a Sup of Water, except they require it of them as a Favour;.
and then they muſt take them in the Humour. Marool makes its Diſtance
from Algiers forty two Spaniſh Leagues,..counting four Spaniſl?. Miles to
each League, Weſt of it, twelve Spaniſh Leagues, he ſays, lies the City.
Bujeya; from whence Algiers lics Weft thirty more of thoſe very Leagues,
according to the fame Author, and many others of the beſt Account; In..
all: which they are pretty:unanimous, and, Ifancy, exact enough in the
Menſuration: And I have been often enough in thoſe Neighbourhoodsa -
tho' never within Sight of either Jijel or Bujeja, . It is really Pity, that this
moſt learned Man, this truly good Writer; builds ſo implicitly an M. De
la Groix, as I plainly ſee he often does, and could give ſeveral Inſtances,
when the very worſt Chart of thoſe Coaſts would have given him ſo much
better Information. . I dwell the longer on this; ſince, to find ſuch a Para-
fage ſigned by ſo eminent a Pen as that of L'Abbé de Vertot, muſt ſtill
farther confirm the over-bialled and already too prejudiced Ignorant, in.
their ill-grounded Ideas -ofthe-Inſignificancy of the Algerines, who have
ſo often baffled the moſt formidable Powers; as I have and may obſerve;
choſe Algerine Bravoệs, as this worthy Gentleman's Interpreter calls them,
who, in 1616 (when they broke the Peace with the Hollanders, which
that potenţ. Republic had ſo lately purchaſed at a good Price, as they have
fince done another, as I may circumſtantially declare) would have broke
with Great-Britain, undoubtedly by far the moſt terrible Naval Power in *
the whole Univerſe, and nothing with-help them but our being (for ever:
may we remain fo) poſſeſſed of the important Port-Mahon and Gibralters
thoſe bluſtering Algerincsa I ſay, who no longer ſince than-Q#tober 1725.
3
1
>
durft.
320
The HISTÓR Y of ALGIERS.
1
+
durſt brave the Grand Signor, (tho” that is no more than what they have
done a thouſand times) when he ſent four of his Sultanas, or Firſt-Rate
Men-of-War, with a Capyji-Baſbi, to demand their Delivery of the rich
Oſtender, and to conclude a Peace with the Emperor. "What Anſwer got
the Turkiſh Envoy? For as to the Imperial Deputies they would have
been minced had they'ventured aſhore: Why, truly, in a full Council, a
private Janizary, ſpeaking the Meaning of the whole Body,' told his
Excellency, “ That as for the Ship he talked of, they were reſolutely
“ bent not to part with the leaſt Splinter of it. That ſince his Ottoman
“ Highneſs looked upon the Emperor as the moſt powerful of all Chriſtian
« Princes, and ſeemed ſo much to dread his Anger, they, for their Parts,
66 were far from fearing him :" Offering at the ſame time, to allow him
three Days to land all the Force he could raiſe, without giving them
the leaſt Interruption: With abundance more, of all which Paſſages pro-
per Notice is taken.
Theſe Intelligences; and many more, I ſay, all comes from Charles
Hudſon, Eſq; our preſent Conſul there, of whom I ſpeak farther, a Gen-
tleman of too great Worth, Senſe and Probity to write or ſay any thing
exceeding the bare and real Truth: Beſides, I am ſo well acquainted with
the very Airs, the innate Diſpoſition of the People, that had they come
from the Father of Lics himſelf, I could not avoid believing every indivi-
dual Tittle.
What would a Coffce-Houſc Hero, who looks diſdainfully big, and
cries, What have we to do with the Hiſtory of a Crew of ſtarving, beg-
garly, ſkulking Pyrates! What would, I ſay, ſuch Perſons think, who
neither do nor deſire to know better, when they meet with ſo eminent a
Perſon as L'Abbé de Vertot, who is gaining daily and deſerved Honour and
Reputation by his claborate Writings, affirming a no very Itrong French
Squadron to have made a Settlement within fifteen Miles of thoſe
very
Pyrates Capital. I am for ſpeaking Truth of the very Devil. And I
fancy, nay am extremely poſitive, that the whole Naval Strength of France,
with ſome others to help out, would not find it a very caly Enterprize to
make any ſuch Attempt, even within fifteen Lcagues of their Capital ;
were the Seas ever ſo pacific, and the Elements leſs their Friends. Inſtances
abound. Now, really, every French-man, one might ſuppoſe, ought to
be a better Judge of the Situation of a Place, where their Nation received
fo recent and ſo notable a Diſgrace. Thus one thing lugs in another by
the
The: HISTORY OF ALGIERS.
321
the Ears; and thus I blunder from Digreſſion to Digreſſion. But, before
I quite loſe my ſelf, it is Time to think of returning to Haſan Aga,
whoſe Life I had begun to epitomize.
Whenſoever it fell out, that Don Carlos was f Maſter of the whole
World, I am ready to think he did not fancy himſelf ſuch, at his quitting
Algiers. Various are the Diſcourſes and Accounts concerning that dread-
ful Tempeſt, as if raiſed by Magic; moſt of them too trifling and ridicu-
lous to deſerve much Notice. I ſhall, however, upon this Occaſion,
have Recourſe to M. Laugier de Taly, who ſeems to have made it his
Buſineſs to examine : into the Matter ; for, in ſome things, he agrees
pretty
well with what I remember to have heard from the Natives. He
with Marmol, affirms Haſan Aga to have had but 800 Turks, and 6000
ill-armed Citizens; the Camps being not arrived. He ſays, that Haſan
Aga would not have held out, had not the Weſtern Bey ſent him Aftu-
rance of his ſpeedy coming in with all his Forces: Adding, that the Em-
peror battered the City furiouſly, which made but a feeble Reſiſtance;
infomuch that he conceived great Hopes of carrying it by Affault. Some
Slaves, indeed, I have heard talk thus; but I know not of any Writer of
Opinion, that Algiers was ſo near being taken. As to the reſt, the People
of the Country talk, ſays he, that when Algiers was juſt ready to capitu-
late, a certain Black Eunuch, cſteemed and reputed a great Diviner among
the Commonalty, but contemned by the Great, preſented himſelf before
the Diwan, or Council, and demanded Audience. The Populace, by whom
he was held in high Veneration, followed him into the Court-Yard, where
the Baſa and Diwan were aſſembled; and the Eunuch, after loud Invo.
cations to God and his Prophet Mahomet, ſpake thus ;
“ Sidi Haſſan, I am the poor Youfouf, thc Slave of Slaves, the moſt ab-
" ject of all the Muſulmans, deſpiſed by the Great, and the Morabboths,
" by whom I have hitherto been perſecuted and made paſs for a Fool in
" the Opinion firſt of your Predeceſſor, and ſince in your own. Long
“ have I been by all of them rejected; they have loaded me with
« Ignominy, and. I have ſerved as a Laughing-Stock and Buffoon to them,
“ their Children and their Slaves. Thé Cadi, the Judge of the Law, has
6 often cauſed me to be ſcourged, and expoſed me as a public Spectacle,
« covered with Marks of Infamy; and all becauſe ALLAH, the all-powerful
1
# Vide P. 286.
Tt
" ALLAH
322
The HISTORY of ALGIER S.
S
66
1
“ Allait alone, ſometimes unveils to my Sight the Secrets of Things to
“ come; and I have ſpoke of certain Affairs which would come to paſs,
«s and of which they did not like the Mention. I then lield my Peace;
" and co only ſome few poor People, who have aſſiſted ine in my Miſery,
« I have rcvcaled Matcrs which have turned to their Advantage. But
at this Day, O Haffan! Thou who haft the Command of this City,
" liſten to my Words: The Danger is preſſing, and I cannot be any
“ longer Silent."
Hafan Aga, continues this Author, more tractable than he uſed to boy
on account of the Danger wherein thc City was, and withal preſſed by
the Multitude of People there aſſembled, who had great Confidence in
this Diviner, permitted him to ſpeak on; which he did in theſe Terms:
" You ſee there an Army of Infidels, powerful in both Men and Arms.
" Its Arrival is ſo ſudden, that it ſeems as if the Sea had brought it forth
56 of her Bowels, and placed it where it now is. Wc are unprovided of
- all Means of Reſiſtances and the fole Hope we have left us, is that of
" being treated with ſome Humanity in a Capitulation; if any Humanity
" is to be found among thoſe Chriſtians. But God alonc, who derides
66 the Deſigns of Men, thinks otherwiſe of the Matter. He will deliver
“ His People from the Hands of Idolaters, and will contemn thoſe Deities
“ of the Chriflians, tho' they are ſo numerous. Lord Hafan; You Mini-
« fters and Grandees of thc State, and You Icarned Men of the Law, have
6 a good Courage; for this once at leall, confide in the vile, the abject
“ Youfouf, whom you have ſo defpiſed; and know, that before the Change
" of this Moon, the Will of the only God ſhall encounter and vanquiſh
" the Deities of the Chriſtians. We ſhall bchold periſh both their Ships
" and their Army. The City ſhall be free and triumphant. Their
“ Wealth and their Weapons ſhall become our Acquiſition ; we ſhall
66 make Captives thoſe whoſe Hands have been already emploied in build-
«« ing Fortreſſes to defend us, for the future, againſt themſelves; nor ſhall
very many of thoſc blind, hardened People ever return to their own
“ Countries. Glory be to God alone, the Powerful, the Gracious, the
.“ Incomprchenſible!” No ſooner had he concluded, but the People
joyfully ſhouted; and the Diwan determined to hold out ſtill nine or ten
Days longer, till the End, or Change of the Moon. I have heard Dif
courſes
very like this, from many Perſons; tho' I remember not to have
met with a Word of it in any other Authoi.
To
.CC
Fhe HISTORY of A LGIER S.
323
11
To this he adds: If we may credit che Tradition, this Eunuch's Pre-
diction was but too well accompliſhed, and too unfortunately for the Bc-
ſiegers. After this, giving a brief Account of the Effects of that hor-
vible Tempeít, he ſays; When the Camps returned to. Algiers, they found
the City delivered ;, for which Mercy, they returned God. Thanks, in
Adians of Grace, with all pofible: Solemnity. Adding; Thar the Diviner
Youfouf was acknowledged and declared, publicly, the Deliverer of Algiers.:
He likewiſe received a great Reward, and he was ſuffered to make
open.
Profeſſion of his Talent..
Butz. continues. he, the Morabloths, and Men of thc Law, jealous of
the Honours rendered to clte Eunuch Yaufouf, and of the extraordinary
Favours hcaped upon him, went to the Baſba, and told himn.;. That it was
ridiculous and. ſcandalous to attribute. ihe: Delivemnce of Algiers to the
Knowledge of one who was a profeſſed. Praetitioner in Magia;. that they
were very ſenſible it ought. wholly to be attributed to fi Sidi Oulededda,
who, from the Moment of the Chriſtian Armada's Appearance, had, betaken
himſelf to: Faſting and Prayer; in a loneſome Retirement; and that on the
Evening preceding that great Storm, by: an Inſpiration from. Above.. he
went to the Sea, and ſtruck ic with a Staff, the which foon after began to
be agitated.. that this Murabluth.was, known and acknowledged for a moſt
holy May. who had long lived in a Retreat, and paſſed his Time in Pray-
ing to God.; and that ouc of pure Humility he had not revealed his. In-
fpiration. All thc Grandees of the Council, thro” Policy, ſeemed to be-
licve, that it was the Morabboth, Sidi Oulededda, who had delivered the
City, by the Efficacy of his Faſts and Interceſſions. After his Dcccaſc,
they cauſed a ſmall Chiapel to be crected over his Sepulchcrg, without.
the Gates, named Beb-Azoun; and the Morabloths afterwards inſpired the
populace with a Notion, that,, in any preſſing Danger, they had no more
to do than to bang the Sca with that. Saint's Bones, in order to raiſe, a
like Tiempeſts and this is an Opinion ftill. fubfifting among thoſe. People,
Mal-grèe all this, the Accompliſhment of what the Eunuch had foretold,
made ſo great an, Impreſſion on the Minds of all.in.gencral,, that the, Grans
dees of the Places, the Eccleſiaſtics, and the Santons applied. themſelves ta
8- I know not for what Resſon this Gentleman eſpecially, who lived fo long at Algiers and
feems ſo well acquainted with the Place, ſhould follow the Example of thoſe who will needs
call this Perſon-Cid Utica; when I neyer heard him called, otherwiſe.chan I, name him.
Tt 2
the:
.
3 24
The HISTORY of PA'LĠteris.
the Study of Divination, which they termed the Revelations of Maho-
met. Thus far M. Laguier de Taly.
I have heard it diſputed, whether this Sidi Oulededda. was Arab, Moor,
Renegado, Turk; or. Kul-oglou, as they call the Sons of Turks, &c. born in
Africa, of which miore in its proper Place. The more general Opinion
is, that he was a: Turk. Many have acknowledged him to have led a moſt
reprobate Life; being an abominable Sodomitc, and an eternal Drunkard:
Yet all hold him to have been a great Saint: One would wonder in what
his Sanctity muſt confift, while his own Devotees allow him thoſe Qua-
litics. What I have moſt .generally heard' reported is, That when the
People thought themſelves in the greateſt Peril, which was when the
Knights of Malta came to the very abovementioned Gate, a Troop of
them going to ſcek their ſanctified Morabboth, at laſt found him tippling
in a vile Stew; whereat they reprimanded him ſomewhat ſeverely, aſking
him,'.“ How he could ſpend.. his Time in that beaſtly Manner, while his
« Country was in ſuch imminerit Danger ?" To which all they could get
from him in Anſwer, was; - That they ſhould be gone about their:Buſi-
“'neſs, and make themſelves eaſy; for they ſhould certainly hear of him
“ as ſoon as his Liquor was diſpatched." Near Evening, they affirm, he
came to Beb-al-Bahar, or the Sea-Gate, commonly called Fiſher's-Gate,
drunk as a Swine, aſking the clamorous Crouds, “. Whether they did not
" know him?" This is a very uſual Queſtion with all thoſe People; im-
plying the ſame as if they ſaid, with a Menace; Know you not what
« I am capable of doing."? With his Staff (which ſome ſay is ſtill
pre-
ſerved for another ſuch Occaſion) he laſhed the Water thrice, at each
Stroke ſaying; Kvom, g'al Babar! Ariſe, O Sea! when inſtantly it obey:
and preſently after Mid-Night thc before-deſcribed, fatal Tempeſt en-
ſued. The Memory of this pious Saint is held in great Veneration by all;
and the little Moſque wherein he lies interred is much reſorted to by both
Sexes, and is a Sort of Sanctuary for Criminals, provided their Offences
are trivial; but in Caſe of Conſpiracy againſt the Dey's Life, imbezzling
the Public's Money, being thereof accuſed, or the like, there are fe,
veral Inſtances, that neither this; nor any other Sanctuary is deemed
ſacred enough to protect ſuch-Delinquents. .
I muſt here take Notice of one. Particular. What the Black Eunuch
hinted, in his Harangue to the Baſha and Diwan, concerning having built
Fortreſſes, &c. ſeems to corroborate a vülgár- Tradition among many at
I
Algiers;
ed;
1
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
325
1
Algiers; which is, the Emperor's having brought with him all Materials,
seady prepared and marked out, for the erecting a Fort; and that there-
with he actually raiſed that round Tower which is within the Caſtle,
called by all Chriſtians, the Emperor's Cafle. Nay, there is, almoſt cloſe
by the Sea-Side, at the Bottom of the Cluſter of Hills, on one whercof
the ſaid Caſtle ſtands, a great Heap of Mortar, which many have aſſured
me, is no other than the Remainder of the Cement emploied in that Fa-
bric. All things conſidered, the Algerines not being unanimous in regard
to that Affair, the Emperor's remaining there incamped but three Days,
the little Reſpite given him by the Enemy, together with the Badneſs of
the Weather, which prevented his landing even Neceſſaries, as Tents, &c.
nor all his Land Forces and Horſes, much leſs ſuch a Quantity of Scone,
&c. all which, with other concurring Circumſtances, and the Silence of
all the Writers I ever met with, induce me much rather to look on that
Tradition as intirely groundleſs, and believe, with Haedo, &c. that the
Emperor only pitched his Pavillion upon that Hill, and that the whole
Fortreſs is the work of the Algerines ; at leaſt that of their Slaves. To
have done with this unſucceſsful Expedition, and with all the intervening
Digreſſions, wherewith the Thread of my Hiſtory has been interrupted,
(but ſome People love Variety) I return to examine into the farther
Procedure of the victorious Haſan Aga; concerning whom Haedo, at the
End of his Narrative of the faid Expedition, has Words like theſe: “The
6. Emperor thus forced to retire, to his great Concern, and extremely a-
“ gainſt his Inclination, departed with the wretched Remains of his Army.
- Haffan Aga, at the Head of his people, ſtill kept him Company during
« his Retreat, following the Rear almoſt to the Place of Imbarking,
« breaking into the Chriſtian Battalions, and ſlaughtering the Soldiers, in
" no wiſe like a Capon, or Eunuch, but much rather like a complete and
CC
perfect Man, a moft courageous Warrior. And after the ſame Mans
ner, as upon that Occaſion, he gained ſo rich a Prize, ſuch Multitudes
“ of Captives, ſuch Quantities of coſtly Furniture and Arms, ſo many
“ Horſes (perhaps thoſe which ſwam alhore, being thrown over-board,
or when the Ships and Gallies ran aground, ſince it is elſewhere faid, that
all thoſe in the Army, not excepting the Emperor's own, were flain for
Suſtenance) “ together with an Infinity of other valuable Effects; not-
withſtanding all which, I ſay, the truly magnanimous Haſan Aga
6 Thewed himſelf moſt liberal to all, and, with a peculiar Greatneſs of Soul,
ct diſtributed
CC
is
326
The HISTORY OF ALGIERS,
" diſtributed the whole among the People,, net reſerving to himſelf the
« Value of a ſingle Pin;, neither would he ſuffer the leaſt Part of any
" Booty whatever to be taken from the reſpective Captors, ſaying, that
s for his own Share, he was more than ſufficiently ſatisfied with the Fame
" and Honour of fo noble an Exploit.” It ought to be here conſidered,
that theſe are the Words of a Spaniard, nay a dignificd Eccleſiaſtic, whoin
we can ſcarce ſuſpect of Flattery. What follows is the Subſtance of wbag
he farther advances concerning this gallant Eunuch, and with which, and
fomc few Variations and Additions of my own, where needful, I fhall con,
clude his Life
4. D. 1542. Towards May, this Year, Hafan Aga ſet out from Algiers,
with a Camp of 3000 Turks, 1000. Mooriſl: Foot, all Fire-Arms, with: 2000
Arab Cavalry, and 12 ſmall Field-Picces. His March was directed againſt Aben
al Cadhi, King of Cucco, or Sheikh of the "Zwouwa, whoſe ſtrongly ſituated
Capital, named Cucco, as is the Mountain itſelf, lies from Algiers, Eaſtward,
about three Days Journey diſtant. This vigorous and ſucceſsful Baſban
having had Leiſure, during the preceding Winter and Spring, to breathe
and conſider how he ſhould requite that unmanagcable Prince, his Neigh-
bour (who tho' almoſt within his Sight yet would never come to any
Terms, either with himſelf, or his Predeceſſors the two Barba-roſas) for
the good Turn he had deſigned him, in coming down from his Moun-
tains, at the Head of many thouſands of boli, ſturdy Highlanders, Horſe
and Foot, in Favour of his capital Enemy and Invader Don Carlos, the
Emperor, which Succours tho' they came too late to aſlift him to take
Algiers, yet they were well deſigned, and ſerved to facilitate the Re-im-
barkment of the poor Remains of thoſe his Enemies. Nay, he had thewed
himſelf ſo exceſſively cordial in his Behalf, that he had admitted: Part of
the Chriſtian · Fleet into his only Port Tamagus, as is obſerved; and had
even gone ſo far as to make them a formal Tender of the abſolute Pro-
priety thereof, in order to cſtabliſh there a Settlement. But that kind
Offer was prudently refuſed; as being, perhaps, rightly judged, that it
would not be ſo feaſible to attempt making a Chriflian Settlement within
fo few i Miles of Algiers, till thc Chriſtians had made themſelves Maſters
of that Capital; tho' ſome think it ſo eaſy a Matter. Then this fame ge
nerous Ally had, in Perſon, conveyed Refreſhments and Proviſions, in abun-
Vide P. 68, & feq. 232. 306.
Look back to P. 318, & feq.
dance,
The History of ALGIERS.
327
1
dance, for the Relief of his famiſhing Confederates at Bujega, to their un-
ſpeakable Comfort. And why were all theſe Steps taken by theſe obliging
Neighbours of ours? (as we may ſuppoſe Haſan Aga to have ſaid.)
Is it for any real Love they bear to the Chriſtians? Aſſuredly no. It
muſt then be out of pure Hatred to Us: And Us it behoves to chaſtiſe
them, as we have lately chaſtiſed their Confederates. It is true I makė
this Speech for Haſan Aga; but fo I have often heard the Algerinės talk
upon other Occaſions, of a like Nature; and Haedo's Text ſeems ſome-
what that Way tending.
Whether that reſenting Baſba argued thus, or otherwiſe, is not ſo much
the Queſtion: But, according to that Author, the Fact is, that he led his
Army, in good Order, and with determined Looks, towards the Territory of
thoſe his officious Neighbours; the Reſult of which Campain was, that
the Hearts of thoſe Highlanders, unconquerable as they are, failed them at
the Approach of ſo reſolute and withal ſo very fortunate an Invader as this
Eunuch Bafba; inſomuch, that, in order to divert the inspending Storm,
which at beſt would be very pernicious, they prevailed upon their Sheikh,
or Prince, to take Steps which neither he nor his Predeceſſors would ever
liſten to before, tho' both the Barba-roſas uſed their utmoſt Efforts.
This was, to ſtrike up a Pcace with the Turks, nay, even to purchaſe it
with a conſiderable Sum of Money, beſides a great Number of Cattle, of
all Sorts, and to acknowledge the Algerines in ſome guiſe their Sovercigns,
by remitting them a certain annual Tribute; for the due Performance
whereof, the ſaid Prince gave in Hoſtage his Son and Heir apparent, a
Youth of fifteen Years of Age, named Hamed aben al Cadbi: Abridged
into Be'l Cadi. This is the Surname of that ancient and noble Family;
it having been borne by their Anceſtors, ſeemingly for ſeveral Ages.
Al Cadbi in Arabic fignifics a Civil Judge ; and it is oficni a Proper
Name.
As ſomewhat of an Advantage, by way of Equivalent for this unexpected
Condeſcenſion and Compliance in thoſe ſcarce-come-at-able Mountaineers,
the Turks granted them a free Conimerce at Algiers and throughout their
whole Dominion; the which the Algerines have ſince found by Experience
to have proved far more detrimental to their Affairs, than all the Tribute
they ever received, purſtant to tliať new Alliance, could cver counter-
poiſe: For it has fo furniſhed thoſe martial Nations with Fire-Arms, to
which they were till then utter Strangers, that the Turks have, ever ſince,
leſs
I
328
The HISTORY of ALGPER S.
leſs cared to meddle with them than before: And the Encouragement
there given to fugitive Slages and Renegadoes, has ſtood that ingenious
and induſtrious People in ſo good Stead, that they now make excellent
Arms, and large Quantities of Powder, nothing inferior to ſome made ac
Algiers. They are as nice Marks-men as any other People whatever ; all
which Contingencies have rendered them really very formidable; and they
might attempt great things were they but unanimous': But their unac-
countable inteſtine Diffentions ſurpaſs even Credulity. I may give ſome
Inſtances.
In Page 69, where I give ſomewhat of a Deſcription of theſe Nations,
the enſuing Paragraph, by Miſtake was omitted. It ſhould have followed
the Word Ethnics. Viz. I fancy rather, that, in Proceſs of Time, thoſe
Stains, which were once not only an Obligation, but an advantageous
Protection to Part of the People, began to be thought what they now
are, an ornamental Embelliſhment. Few Females are without them, on
their Faces, Arms, Legs and elſewhere, not only in Barbary, but in Egypt,
Arabia, &c. tho' various in Shape and Form, as Flowers, Sprigs, &c.
promiſcuouſly with or without Croſſes : Nor can they give any other
Account of their Uſe of ſuch Marks, but as an ancient traditional Mode,
or Cuſtom. The Turks uſe them not. I knew a ſtout young Fellow,
originally a Zwouwig of good natural Parts, who had been brought up
in Turky, and conſequently ſo perfect in the Language, that he could not
eaſily be known by his Tongue: He would fain have been inrolled in
the Algerine Pay, I mean in the Liſt of the Turkiſh Militia; of which
Honour he was extremely ambitious, by reaſon of their great Preroga-
tives and Superiority: But, notwithſtanding he feigned Ignorance of any
other Language but Turkiſh, all would not do; he being immediately dif-
covered to be a Moor by Deſcent, on account of ſome few of thoſe un-
queſtionably diſtinguiſhing Brands he had about him, particularly on his
Chin, and one Cheek. The Moorifl Militia in Service of the States of
Algiers, Tunis, and, I believe, of Tripoly, are called Zwouwa; perhaps be-
cauſc, at firſt, none but thoſe of that Nation were accepted; tho' now
they are promiſcuouſly Arabs, and moſt Sorts of Africans. This Nation
always bore great Share in the Spaniſh Wars; and the Kings of Cucco,
then, in all Appearance, abundantly more conſiderable than they are at
preſent, were highly courted by all the Spaniſh Muſulman Potentates.
I
The
The History of Algiers.
329
The Year following, being 1543. Mulei Hamed, Nephew to Mulei
Abou Hammoll, of whom I treat clſewherek, was King of Tremizan.
This Prince, or indecd, rather his Father (called by the Spaniſh Authors
Mulei Abdallah) had made an Alliance with Hegradin Barba-roja, deny-
ing the Allegiance his Brother and Predeceſſor, the ſaid Mulci Abou Ham-
mou had ſworn to the Crown of Spain. That Alliance with the Algerine
Turks, nearly reſembling a' Subjection, had, however, been ſtrictly main-
tained by the Kings of Tremizan, Father and Son, till this Year: When,
whether ſick of Turkiſh Inſolency, or, fays Haedo, “conformable to the
« innate volatile and inconſtant Diſpoſition of the Moors," this Mulci
“ Hamed returned, ſubmiſſively, to his Catholic Majeſty's Obedience.
Haſan Aga, having Intelligence of theſe Proceedings, was highly incenfed;
and ſetting out a warlike Camp, as they term it, at the Head of 4000
Turkiſh and 4000 Mooriſh Infantry, all Fire-Arms, upwards of 6009 Ara-
bian and Mooriſ Cavalry, and ten Field-Picccs, he advanced haſtily to-
wards Tremizan. As the revolted Prince had timely Notice of theſe Mo-
tions, dreading the Conſequences of ſuch a Viſit, he prudently choſe to
neglect nothing he thought might divert a Tempeſt he rightly appre-
hended he could not eaſily weather: So that long before the Approach
of his Gueſts, a fightly Deputation from him met them on their March,
with a noblc Preſent for. Hafan Aga, and rich Tokens for his principal
Favourites. In their Prince's Name the Deputies humbly implored Pardon
*for what had been tranſacted ;, inſinuating, “That whoſoever had bafely
" informed him, that their Maſter had ſhaken off his Allegiance to the
“ Turks, did him an apparent Injury; ſince his role Intenion in cntring
" into an Alliance with the Spaniards, was purely for the Good of his
“ faithful Subjects; not that he in the leaſt doubted of the ready Affift-
“ance and Protection of the Algerines; but, notwithſtanding, he could
not think cither himſelf, or his people ſecure from the Attempts of
“ Don Martin de Cordoua, Count of Alcaudete, thc unquiet Governor-
" General of. Oran, ſo near and ſo redoubtable a Neighbour, who, at the
“ Head of his Garriſon, harraſſed his Territory with almoſt daily Ex-
" curſions, to the unſpeakable Annoyance of his Vaffals: For which and
no other Reaſon, their Prince, Mulei Hamed, had thought it very
et convenient to be rather at Peace and in Alliance with ſuch troubleſome
CC
-
CC
* l'ide P. 24., & feq.
Uu
Inmates,
330
The HISTORY of ALGIER S.
1
(G
(C
“ Inmates, than thus to be liable to ſuch continual and often fatal Alarms
" Adding ; that however, if what had been done was contrary to his
Liking, their Maſter was intirely diſpoſed to obey him, with the ut-
- moſt Punctuality, and was ready to dilannul the Treaty with the King
“ of Spain; if he ſo commanded. And as to the reſt, if he pleaſed to
paſs forwards, his humble, obedient Servant, their Maſter, was in his
“ own Palace, waiting the Honour of a Viſit; where nothing ſhould be
(6 omi:ted to welcome fo noble and ſo deſirable a Gueſt."
So well had the adroit, well-ſelected Embaſſadors, of this Tiine-ſerving
Prince, told their Talc, that Hafan Aga was pretty well appeaſed : But
yet he determined to proceed, and to leave a Turkiſa Garriſon at Tremizan.
Arrived there, ſuch was the Reception he met, ſo magnificent were the
Donatives profuſely heaped on him and his, and ſo folemn was the Obli-
gation wherewith Mulei Hamed bound himſelf to eternal Fidelity and O-
bedience to his Sovereign Lords, the Turks of Algiers, that notwithſtand-
ing the Reſolution Haſſan Age had taken, he returned to his Capital,
without leaving at Tremizan the intended Garriſon.
All this coming to the Governor of Oran's Knowledge, he was greatly
ſcandalized; it having been, intirely, thro' his Agency and Intermediation,
that the Emperor Charles V. received that Mooriſh Prince into his Alli-
ance, or rather Obedience, and conſequently under his Imperial Protection.
Hereupon, eftceming this Affront donc to himſelf, having obtained Leave,
he paſſed over to Spain, and at the proper Coſts and Charges of his Rela-
tions, Friends and Self, he raiſed a Body of 14000 Spaniards, which he
tranſported to Oran: Afirming, that ſince he had pledged his Word, to
Don Carlos, for the Fidelity of that fickle Prince, the Expence of his
Chaſtiſement ſhould be his own and not his Sovereign's; who had come
into thoſe Meaſures merely at his Inftigation. Marching his Army to-
wards Tremizan, a few Leagues diſtant from thac City, he was met by
the Mooriſh King; with whom coming to an Engagement, he routed
him with conſiderable Slaughter : And paſſing on, he entered Tremizan,
and there inthroned a Brother of the faid Mulei Hamed; who after his
Defeat made the beſt of his Way to Fez. The new King took a formal
Oath of Allegiance to the Crown of Spain.
Haedo, having ſaid to this Purport, brings thus to a Period the Life
of this remarkable Eunuch Baſha. But, to return to Haſſan Aga.. “No
" ſooner was he arrived at Algiers, from Tremizan, but he began to find
« himſelf
The HISTORY of ALGIER S.
331
6 himſelf out of Order: And his Indiſpoſition increaſing daily, it turned
66 to a flow conſumptive Fever, gradually preying upon his Vitals; info-
(6 much that, by the End of September, that ſame Year, viz. 1543, Na-
66 ture being quite decayed in him, he died at Mid-Night, to the excel-
" five Grief and Regret of all who know him. Hafan Aga died in his
" ſixty ſixth Year. He was mean of Stature, but extremely well
propor-
- tioned. He had beautiful Eyes, very good Features, and a fine Com-
" plexion. He was a very great Lover of Juſtice; and, on that Ac-
6 count, exerciſed, on ſome Perſons, very great Cruelties: He was, there-
“ forc, by all exceedingly drcaded. He was a Man ſuperlatively libe-
« ral; and much delighted in relieving the Neceſſitous. He lies interred
without the Gate called Beb-al-Weyd, or The River Gate, under a large
“ Cubba, or Dome, erected over his Sepulcher by a Renegado of his, who
was his Mayor- Domo, or Steward of the Houſhold.
This fine Character, added to what has been already ſaid, coming from
ſuch a Perſon as the grave Father Haedo, who I muſt needs many
Reipects, to be the moſt impartial and moſt generous Enemy, of a Spa-
niard, and an Eccleſiaſtic eſpecially, I ever yet met with, leaves us little
Room to doubt, but that this brave Eunuch was a Perſon of ſingular
Merit, and endowed with no ordinary Qualifications.
CC
own, in
As the City and Territory of Tremizan is ſo very conſiderable a Part
of the Algerine State, including their whole moſt Weſtern Province, I think
it material to digreſs a little, before I conclude this Chapter, (ſince Haedo.
is ſo brief in relation to thoſe Affairs) and to extract the following Par-
ticulars from Marmol, who treats thereof more circumſtantially ; ftill va-
rying from him, adding, omitting, or correcting, as uſual, where I ſhall
find requiſite, without always being at the Trouble of ſpecifying every
Alteration, or Correction.
For the better underſtanding this Part of the Hiſtory, it is neceſſary we
look a Ycar or two backwards. But we are firſt to recollect, that
upon
the Death of the famous Arouje Barba-roja, in 1518, the Spaniards left
Mulei Abou Hammou on the Throne of Tremizan, in Quality of a Tri-
burary Ally, under Protection of Charles the Emperor, as King of Spain;
in which State he continued that. Monarch's faithful Vaffal for ſome Years,
till his Demiſe. He was ſucceeded by his younger Brother, Mulei Ab-
dallab aben Zeyan, who, likewiſe, was afliſted in his peaceable aſcending
U 1 2
the
332
The History of ALGIER S.
ܕܪ
the Throne by the Governor-General of Oran, to whom he took a like
Oath of Allegiance to Don Carlos, his Sovereign. But, at the Inſtiga-
tion of Heyradin Barba-roja, Vice-Roy. of Algiers, and of ſome princi-
pal Muſuiman Doctors, he ſoon ſhook off his Obedience to that Catholic
Monarch, and threw himſelf under the Protection of the Algerine Turks;
who promiſed not only to defend him and his Realm from all Inſults from
the Garriſon of Oran, but fattered that volatile Prince with mighty Fa-
yours from the Ottoman Emperor. Thus he cnjoyed his State, quietly
enough, for ſeveral Years; and, dying in Peace, was to have been fuc-
ceeded by his eldeſt Son, Mulei Abou Abdallah. But having a younger
than chis, who, upon ſome Diſcontents, had retired to Algiers, the crafty,
deſigning Heyradin Baſha gave him ſo kind a Reception, that this young
Prince, whoſe Name was Mulei Hamed Abou Zeyan and is the ſame taken
Notice of by Haedo, as in the foregoing Pages) gave him no ſmall Room
to hope (provided he ever came to the Throne) for what he moſt thirſted
after, which was to make Tremizan, one Day, ſubordinate to Algiers :
So that with this View an Army of Turks. ſeated him in his Father's
Place.
· Mulei Abou Abdallah, finding himſelf thus excluded from his rightful
Patrimony, had immediate Recourſe to Don Martin de Cordoua, Count
De Alcaudete, Governor of Oran, to implore his Interceſſion with the
Emperor Don Carlos, to favour and aſſiſt him againſt this ufurping Bro-
ther, who had diſpoſſeſſed him of his Paternal Inheritance; offering and
promiſing, That he would for ever remain his loyal and faithful Vaffal,
punctually paying and remitting to his Imperial Majeſty the fanie Tribute
heretofore agreed on and paid by his late Uncle; Mulei Abou Hammou.
Beforc we proceed, it ought to be obſerved, that what is here called
the Kingdom of Tremizan is only a poor Remnant of that orice extenſive
and flouriſhing, tho' ſeldom pacific Sovereignty; being no other than the
more Weſterly Fragment thereof, conſiſting of a narrow Territory, ſcarce
thirty Miles broad, if I miſtake not, and I believe leſs than a hundred in
Length, which may be termed - the immediate Domain of the Capital:
And even that diſmembered of the ſtrong and moſt important maritime
Places of Oran and Marſa al Kibir, which ſince 1509 had been poſſeſſed
by the Spaniards; who, according to their butcherly Manner of ſpeaking
and writing, have mangled this laſt into Mazalquivir. It is taken to be
the Portus Magnus of the Ancients, as the preſent Arabic Denomination
implies,
The HISTORY of ALGIER S.
333
ing on the Number
implics, Marſa being a Port, or Harbour, and Al Kibir the Great: And
ſuch it is; being generally allowed to be, by far, the fineſt, ſafeſt and
moſt capacious Harbour in all Africa; nor do I know of any better; I
mean, if it was improved to the beſt Advantage ; ſo often have I heard
it deſcribed. I give Account how both thoſe Places were taken, in 1708,
by the Algerines, with their own peculiar Forces; as, likewiſe, of their
ſeveral former fruitleſs Attempts to remove thoſc Thorns from their Sides.
As for the reſt of the Kingdom of Tremizan, it was before ſwallowed up
by the Turks of Algiers, excepting the ſmall Territory of Tennez, of
which they had made a Grant, for Life, as I have obſerved, to Hamida
al Aabd, its natural Prince, of whom I treated in the Lives of both
Barba-roſas. To return.
The Propoſal made to the Emperor, by the Count De Alcaudete, who
willingly undertook tò ſollicit an Affair ſo advantageous to his Country,
Prince and Self, was well approved of at the Spaniſh Court; and his Im-
perial Majeſty readily gave Orders to that Governor, forthwith to ſupply
Mulei About Abdallah with a Party of 600 Spaniards, from the Garriſon
of Oran; which that fanguine, credulous Prince fondly imagined would
be full ſufficient to clear the Way to his patrimonial Scat; greatly build-
at his firſt Appcarance in the Field, with a Guard of reaſonable Chriſtians,
advancing to ſettle hit' on his undoubtedly rightful Throne, and to rid
his faithful Subjects from the much leſs reaſonable Turks.
As I ſcarce know any thing more natural to Mankind, in general, than
Partiality, it is far from being ſurpriſing to me, that Marmol ſhould fur-
niſh Princc About Abdallab with ſuch a Method of endeavouring to bring
over to his Pariy thoſe on whoſe Compliance and Credulity his wiſhed-
for Sovereignty ſo immediately dependcd. Not that it is wholly impro-
bable that Prince might actually have ſtrove to have inculcated ſuch No-
tions of Spaniſ fuperabundant Reaſonableneſs into the Minds of a People
withour whoſe Concurrence he could never hope for the leaſt Proſpect
of gratifying his Ambition. Whether ſo or otherwiſe, it is certainly the
wrongeſt and moſt perilous Step any African Prince can poſſibly take to
have Recourfé to Chriſtians, on any Account whatever.
It infallibly renders both himſelf and his Abertors the Objects of uni-
verſal Deteſtation : Nor are the exafperated People, more particularly the
Moors, or natural Africans, whoz co a Man, abhor the very Name of a
Chriſtian,
3 34
The History of ALGIERS.
Chriſtian, except when their Intereſts are deeply concerned, and their
Ends cannot be ſerved by any other Means; they, I ſay, in particular, are
never caſy till they have Opportunity of lifting under the Banner of ſome
Perſon, who appears to be of their own Stamp and Humour. Of all this
there are many Inſtances. The Arabs, tho' no leſs volatile than their
felves, are not altogether ſo exceſſively inveterate, bigoted and revengeful.
When the Portugueſe, for many Years, were criumphant in Weſt and
South Barbary, their Conqueſts and Progreſſes were constantly and faith-
fully favoured by ſeveral thouſands of brave Arab Cavaliers, with whom
they maintained a ſtrict and beneficial Alliance : But no ſooner did their
Affairs begin to decline, and the Mooriſh Potentatcs had it in their Power,
but they bent their whole united Force againſt thoſe Fautors of Chriſtians,
and never ceaſed till they had completed their Ruin. Neither would the
Arab Tribes of the Beni Aâmar, &c. near Oran, have fared better, when
the Algerines reduced that Place, about twenty Years ſince, would the
Turks have conſented to the utter Depopulation of that Part of their Pro-
vince, and ſuffered the Moors to have had their Will; tho' thoſe Arabs
were only in an amicable Correſpondence with that Garriſon, on account
of Commerce, and for their own Security againſt the Excurſions of ſuch
turbulent, unquiet Neighbours, without ever accompanying them in their
Inroads, when they ſo frequently ſurpriſed and dragged away into Slavery
Multitudes of harmleſs Wretches. Thoſe of Giza, and ſome others, who
did actually aſſiſt the Spaniards, and ſerve them as Spies, in all their
Courſes, indeed, came off but indifferently, as may be hinted when we
come to thoſe Times. But as for the real Africans, or Moors, as I elſe-
where obſerve, they certainly hate and abominate all Inmates in general,
Chriſtians, Turks and Arabs; the firſt more eſpecially, out of mere Anti-
pathy to their Profeſſion. They can and do temporize, whether forcibly,
or thro' Intereſt : But they cannot look on any of them but as what they
really are, Uſurpers. The Kings of Tremizan were Moors and not Arabs;
and, conſequently, their natural Mooriſh Vaffals, ſo diſpoſed in their very
Natures as I deſcribe them, except, perhaps, ſome few, who, had private
Views of their own, or elſe to gratify their revengeful Spirit, could never
approve the Conduct of their Princes, when not able to ſtand their Ground,
or gain their Ends, they introduced into their Country, as Protectors, the
People whom they heartily abhor. Nor can I much wonder at their
Antipathy; or their not readily agreeing, that the Spaniſh Catholics, ge-
nerally
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
335
1
generally ſpeaking, are ſo very reaſonable when Maſters, as has been ſome-
times inſinuated to them upon Occaſions like this I am treating of: They
did not find them ſuch, after the Death of Arouje Barba-roſa, any more
than did the poor Weſt-Indians and others.
I very well remember what Sort of Language I have hcard ſeveral in-
telligent, ſenſible Africans, I mean natural Moors, talk before my ſelf and
other indifferent Perſons, when ſome of their Country-men have been
ſeeming to infinuate, That they might live happier, and more unmoleſted
under a Chriſtian, than a Turkiſh Government. They would readily re-
ply, “ That it was a sign they little knew what they ſaid; and that
" they had never converſed with any of the Moriſcoes, who lived ſo long
“ under the mild, reaſonable Government of Chriſtians. Not that they had
any
Manner of Reaſon to love either the Arabs or Turks. The firſt
“ had been Tyrapts; and would not fail being ſuch again upon the very
« firſt Opportunity that ſhould offer. As for the others, they were ſuch
6 and withal inſufferably inſolent and imperious; ſtripping their Vaſals,
" and fucking the very Marrow of their Bones, and uſing towards them
many outrageous Indignitics. Yet that neither of thoſe two uſurping ,
" Inmates ever offered to captivate their Bodies, or moleft their Con-
« ſciences; being of the fame Perſuaſion and Belief with their felves ;
" Whereas they need not go far from home for Inſtances of the Chriſians
“ Moderation, where they could get the Upper-Hand: Of which, to ſay
“ nothing of other Places of leſs Note, Tunis and Tremizan were terrible
66 Monuments of their ravenous and bloody Diſpoſition; and yet they
" were introduced into both thoſe Citics as Protectors and not Enemies,
being conducted thither by their reſpective, preſumptive Sovereigns.
" Where have the Turks left ſuch Examples of their Inhumanity among
s us, as thoſe favage Spaniards have done? Yet thoſe are only Specimens
“ of their Avarice and Cruelty, in Matters Temporal. But inquire of
our unhappy Brethren the Muſulmans who have taſted of their Spiri-
46 cual Benevolence; and from them you may be informed of what we
" may expect ſhould we cver be ſo wretchedly miſerable as to have our
“ Conſciences within their Gripe. Let us then, ſince ſuch of us as are
“ doomed to inhabit the Low-Lands, are ſo unfortunate as not to have
s natural Princes of our own powerful enough to defend us their Sub-
“ jects, Ict us, I ſay, ſince we muſt of Neceſſity be protected, as they
“ call it, by Tyrants and Uſurpers, rather acquieſce patiently to ſuch as
3
s neither
porno
1
336
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
“ neither actually enſlave Body or Mind, and ſeldom leave us wholly
“ without Suſtenance, than ever harbour a Thought of wiſhing for thoſe
" who would, infallibly, debạr us from cyen the Liberty of Thinking."
Not without ſerious Reflection and Contemplation, more than once,
have I attentively liſtened to exhortative Reprimands given by Moors of
good Judgment and Gravity to other repining Africans. I bring them in
herc, as judging they might not improbably have been uſed on the very
Occaſion of Mulei Abou Abdallah's ſetting out from Oran, under Pro-
tcction of Chriſtians, and mightily fluſhed with the Hopes that, by the
Way, his Strength would hourly increaſe. But let us examine the Event;
for the Sum whereof I muſt be beholden to Marmol. This was in 1541,
ſoon after Don Carlos had been diſlodged from before Algiers, as has been
related.
The wholc Retinue of this Prince conſiſted in about 400 Arab and
Mooriſh Cavalry : And his auxiliary Guard, of 600 Spaniards, with four
Pieces of Cannon, were intrufted, by the Governor of Oran, to the Con-
duct and Direction of a Captain, named Don Alonſo Martinez de Angulo.
No ſooner had Mulei Hamed Abou Zeyan, the reigning Prince (who was,
as I hinted, in Alliance with the Algerines) Notice of theſe Motions, but
he diſpatched Couriers to his · Mezuar, or Prime Miniſter (then at Al
Cala de Beni-Raſhid,) named Al-Manför, injoining him to be very vigi-
.
lant and induſtrious in endeavouring to prevent any Malecontents from
joining his approaching Enemy. His Orders were ſo well executed,
that Abou Abdallah's Army gained few Recruits. When he and his
Spaniards, &c. arrived at a certain noted River, called Zis, between
twenty and thirty Miles from Oran, and no Appearance of a Rein-
forcement, the Spaniſh Commander was counſelled by his Officers not to
attempt proceeding any farther ; to which with more Courage than Pru-
dence, he returned, “ That it ſhould never be ſaid, that any of the Family
" of Alcaudete hnd turned their Backs againſt Danger.” Advancing on,
he came to the River Sinan, where he intrenched. From thence he pro-
ſecured his March, the next Day, to the River Tibda, otherwiſe called
Ifer; and then removed to a Place, named the Baths of Tibda, twenty
+
;S
'The Kings of Tunis and Tremizan formerly intitled their Chief Miniſters ſo, which Title
ſince devolved on the Governor of the Courtezans and Catamites, who is likewiſe the
public Executioner, tho' he has many Satellites.
3
Miles
1
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
337
1
Miles thort of Tremizan; without ſecing, in the whole March, one Op-
poſer: All which was thro' the artful Management of Al-Manför, who
had iſſued out ſtrict Orders againſt any one's offering to obſtruct the
Enemy on the Way; but that they ſhould be ſuffered to penetrate into
the Country as far as they pleaſed. But having Notice of their Incamp
ment at the faid Batbs, he began to ſend away Bands of the City Troops
and Arab Cavalry, in order to entertain them with Skirmiſhings, till he
ſhould think fit, with the reſt of his Force, to make them a perſonal
Viſit. So great was the Number of Enemies which appeared ſuddenly,
that the Spaniſh Commander found himſelf under a Neceſſity of retiring
among certain decayed Buildings; there to ſhelter his Party againſt being
overwhelmed with that numerous Body of Cavalry. This being perceived
by the Moors, &c. who accompanied him, a People ill enduring Enclo-
ſures, they began to ſheer off by Degrees; nor did their pretending Prince
dare to ſtay behind: Nor that, continues this Author, their Deſertion
would have been very much to the Detriment of the Chriſtians, could
Don Alonſo have been prevailed on to retrcat to Tibda, with only his Spa-
niards, and there have waited Succour from Oran; which tho' it had
been ſeveral Days before its Arrival, he might have made a tolerable De-
fenſe, and not have undergone any very great Neceſſity ; ſince the King
of Tremizan had in that Town Magazines of Corn and Oyl; nor was
there any Want of Wood and Mills in the Neighbourhood. But he
would not, by any Perſuaſion, liſten to wholſome Advice; but inſtead of
that, he diſpatched away a certain few to Al-Manſor, to treat with that
Miniſter, that he would grant him and his Followers a ſecure Paſſage to
Oran. The Mooriſh General perceiving his Enemy's Weakneſs and Want
of Reſolution, inſtantly repaired to Tibda, with all the Cavalry and Moun-
taineers of the Province of Beni-Rajhid, under Colour of creating an Ac.
commodation; when, in the Midſt of it, his Moors violently broke into
the Chriflians Lodgment; and they were all cither killed, or captivated;
and the Artillery, with all their Spoils, became a Prey to the Victors.
There dicd Captain Balboa, and every one of his Company, bravely fight-
ing; having abſolutely refuſed to accept Quarter. Don Alonſo, with only
thirteen Spaniards, were carried to Tremizan; and of the whole 600 no
more than twenty eſcaped to Oran, who with ſome Moors Guides, pri.
vately flunk away before Al-Manfôr's Arrival. Thus Marmol.
1
XX
As
338
The HISTORY of ALGIER S.
As for Prince Abou- Abdallah, he, rather wiſely than bravely, anticipa-
ted by Flight the impending Danger. Nor ceaſed he, on one Hand, to
ſollicit Don Carlos, the Emperor, for farther Succours, and on the other
to moleft Mulei Hamed's Partiſans and Vaſſals, whenever he found Op-
portunity: Which then reigning Prince, tired out with the loud Cla-
mours of his oppreſſed Subjects, occaſioned by the daily Depredations
made upon them, not only by his exiled Brother, but by the Spaniſ Gar-
riſon from Oran, took the Steps I hinted in a preceding Page, and which
cauſed Haſan Aga to go againſt him; which ſucceſsful Campaign that
brave Eunuch Bajba little ſurvived. We ſhall ſoon hear more of the Af-
fairs of Tremizan, till its being abſolutely reduced to the Algerine Obe.
dience; as it ſtill remains.
C H A P. VÍ..
Basha III. Haji; Regent, or Titular Vice-Roy.
A Digreſſion concerning the Affairs of TUNIS; and other Particulars.
I
Mmediately on Haſan Aga's ſo much lamented Demiſe, the Council
and Militia of Algiers, without waiting for a new Governor, or far-
ther Orders from the Grand Signor, unanimouſly ſet up for their Baſha,
or Supreme Commander, a certain noted Turkiſh Officer, of great Efteem
and Reputation, named Haji; which Appellation, tho' its more peculiar
Signification is a Pilgrim, who has vifited the Temple at Mecca, and thoſe
adjacent Parts, which are Objects of Muſulman Devotion, it is frequently
a Proper-Name. His Elevation to that Dignity was about the End of
September, A. D. 1543.
This Perſon, whom we cannot term a regular Baſha, by Reaſon his
Election was merely Popular, and his Commiſſion never confirmed by the
Sovereign, had gradually arrived to all the chief Offices in the State, and
was highly regarded for the Courage and Prudence he fhewed in his
Functions; but what gained him moft Credit, was his good Management
when the Chriſtians attacked that Place, when this Haji officiated as Bey-
ler-Beyo
The HISTORY Of ALGIERS.
339
ler-Bey, or Generaliſſimo; in which Capacity he ſignalized himſelf in a
very particular Manner.
No ſooner had the Country People, who greatly dreaded Haſan Aga,
Notice of that Baſha's Death, but a powerful Arab Sheikh, named Abou-
Terik, who poſſeſſed the Plains near Miliana, a Town about fifty Miles
Weſt of Algiers, fancied that a favourable Occaſion to ſet about what
he and many others had long projected, namely to riſe againſt the tyran-
nical Turks, and expel them their Country. Gathering up 20000 Arabs,
chiefly Horſe, as well of his own as his Neighbour's Forces, in March 15443
he led that Army towards Algiers, ravaging and laying waſte the whole
Territory before him; putting the Inhabitants of that City, as well Turks
as others, into ſuch Confternation, that not one durft ftir without the
Gates. The Al-Caid, or Governor of Miliana, a ſtout Turk, whoſe Name
was Haſſan, then chanced to be at Algiers. This raſh Man, too far
pre-
ſuming on his own Proweſs and the Valour and Reſolution of his forty At-
tendants, who were, indeed, all Turks, and carried Fire-Arms, very much
preſſed Haji Baſha to ſuffer him to return home to his Government; af-
furing him, that he did not only pretend to paſs thither very ſecurely,
but, likewiſe, to defend and maintain that Town, committed to his Care,
againſt all the Powers the Arabs, &c. ſhould darc, or be able to bring;
and ſo in Oppoſition to all the Arguments the Baſha could uſe to diſſuade
him, he would needs venture, and was cut in Pieces with his whole Equi-
page. This Paſſage I deliver in almoſt Haedo's own Terms.
Mean while the Baſha was making great Preparations to ſally out and
encounter the Rebels; but hearing of the diſaſtrous Miſcarriage of Al-Caid
Haſan and his Followers, he haftened his Departure. Towards the End
of May, 1544, about two Months after the Arabs had held the City of
Algiers in a Manner ſtraitly blocked up, he ſet out at the Head of about
4000 Turkiſh Foot, with soo Moriſcoes, all Fire-Arms, and 600 Spahis,
or Turkiſh Cavalry.
My Author next gives a Catalogue of the chief Officers: But ſays not,
whether this Camp had any Cannon; which I can ſcarce believe the Al-
gerines would have omitted, upon ſo preſſing a Juncture; as well know-
ing how neceſſary a Furniture thoſe hoſtile Engines are to ſet upon the
Scamper a Body of Arab, or African Cavalry. And by the ſmall Force
Haji Baſha took with him, it plainly appears, that the Council thought
it not ſafe to leave their Capital, environed by Enemies, in an indefenſi-
X X 2
bic
340
The HISTORY of ALGIER S.
ble Condition, ſhould that Part of their Strength happen to be defeated.
To proceed.
About two Thirds of the Way between Algiers and Miliana is a large
Mountain called Mata. In the Plain beneath it, whither Sheikh About-
Terik had retreated with his Army, the Algerines fell in with their Ene-
mies, and a ſmart Encounter preſently began. Such Deſtruction did the
Turkiſh Fire-Arms make among the Arab Cavaliers, whoſe only Arms,
offenſive or defenſive, were Lances and Targets, that their whole nu-
merous Army was ſoon routed, with conſiderable Slaughter ; and the
Sheikh berook himſelf to a ſpeedy Flight, ſcarce ſtopping till he got to
Fez; where that Prince gave him a very favourable Reception: And a-
bout ten Years after, when the ſaid King of Fez came againſt Tremizang
and made himſelf Maſter of that Royal City, as ſhall be obſerved in due
Place, that Arab Sheikh was one of his Recinue.
Haji Baſha returned victorious and triumphant to Algiers, and was joy-
fully and honourably received by all in general : And having enjoyed the
Compliments and Careſſes of his Friends and People for about fifteen Days,
he was obliged to reſign his Command to Haſan Baſha, Son to the fa-
mous Heyradin Barba-roſa, ſent by the Ottoman Emperor to be his Succeſſor.
Haji ſurvived this about four Years; and was always held in high
Eſteem. He died in his eightieth Year. He was tally. corpulent and very
ſwarthy. His Lady was a Moriſca, born in the Kingdom of Valencia, by
whom he left an only Daughter, married to a principal Turk, named
Al-Caid Daud. He lics inhumed without the Gare called Beb al Weyd,
under a ſmall Dome.
But it is now requiſite that we look back to the State of the King,
dom of Tunis. We left Mulei Haſan re-inſtated there by Charles the
Emperor, at the Expulſion of Heyradin Barba-roja, and his Turks; which
Prince was a Tributary Ally to the Spaniards, who had ſovereign Poffeffion
of the Goletta. They were, alſo, poſſeſſed of ſeveral other maritime
Places on the ſame Coaſt, which they loft by Degrees; the Particulars
of which I ſhall not here enter upon, but ſhall mention ſome when I
treat of that noted Corſair, Dragut Rais. The King of Tunis, who for
his tyrannic and rapacious Diſpoſition was greatly deteſted by the Gene-
rality of his Subjects, who, amidſt all the reſt of his hated Adminiſtra-
tion, could never forget his having introduced thc Chriflians, from whom
they
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
341
they had met with ſuch inhumane Treatment, as has been touched on in
the Life of Heyradin Baſba, and therefore omitted no Occaſions of re-
belling againſt him; and whenever the Turkiſh Corſairs appeared on their
Coaſts, with any Views of attacking the Chriſtians, or their Allies, or mak-
ing Settlements, they were always prompt to favour them, and admit their
Garriſons. For all theſe Reaſons, I ſay, that Prince's only Safety and Dee
pendance conſiſted in keeping fair with the Emperor Charles, and punctu-
ally complying with all the agreed on Articles, ſpecified in Page 285;
which he actually did for ſeveral Years, to the very laſt; ftill putting up
with a no ſmall Share of Spaniſh Arrogance: But to have offered to re-
ſent would have ruined him; ſo that he wiſely diſſembled. His rebellious
Subjects kept him in continual Alarms; many Parts of his Realm abſo-
lutely ſet him at open Defiance; fome, as I ſaid, ſubmitting voluntarily
to the Turks, while others erected themſelves into independent Commu-
nities. At Cairouan revolted a certain highly venerated Santon, named
Sidi Arfa, whoſe Reputation and Influence with the Arabs and Africans
were of ſuch Prevalence, that he not only made himſelf Sovereign of that
City and Territory, with a Regal Title, but likewiſe, aſpired to greater
Matters, extending his ambitious Views to nothing leſs than the abſolute
Sovereignty of the whole Kingdom of Tunis : Inſomuch that this haraſſed
Prince enjoyed very little Repoſe, his Throne perpetually tottering under
him ; notwithſtanding he was frequently ſuccoured by his Protectors the
Spaniards, and the Emperor's Gallics, under Conduct of Prince Andreas
D’oria, recovered ſome Sea-Port Towns which the Turks had poſſeſſed,
as may be elſewhere mentioned.
A. D. 1544. Mulei Haſan, having ſent his eldeſt Son, Mulei Hamiden
againſt ſome revolted Tribes, who had retired to the Neighbourhood or
Bona, and withal duly conſidering how much it concerned him to endca-
vour the Removal of the Algerine Turks from all thoſe Quarters, which
could not be hoped for without a very powerful Chriſtian Armada, he
reſolved in Perſon to paſs over to Europe, as well to pay his Reſpects to
the Emperor, as to follicit his Aſſiſtance in thoſe important Affairs. He
therefore committed the Government of the City of Tilnis to a ſpecial
Favourite Miniſter of State, whoſe Name was Al-Caid Temtan, and of the
Citadel to a truſty Renegado of his, a Native of Sicily, named Al-Cayd
Fesab; when, packing up a vaſt Treaſure in Coin and Jeweis, he departed
for the Goletta, followed by a Train of soo of his Officers, Guards and Do-
mcfiics.
.
2
뉴
342
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
meſtics. The grcateſt Part of his moſt valuable Effects he intruſted with
Don Franciſco de Touar, Governor-General of that Spanis Garriſon, and
with the reſt and his Equipage he imbarked for Sicily, and from thence for
Naples ; in both which States, accordir:g to the Spaniſh Hiſtorians, the Em-
peror's Vice-Roys gave him a magnificent and pompous Reception.
This Voyage cost him dear, and in no wiſe anſwered his Expectation.
He was ſcarce departed from the Goletta, when Mulei Hameda, his Son,
ambitious of Sovereignty, and being inſtigated by ſeveral principal Men
who abhorred his Father, more particularly by two, by whom he was
greatly influenced, whoſe Names were Abou Ammar and Mahammed Al-
Andilſ, or the Andaluſian, (being a Moriſco) he made all poſſible Speed
to Tunis: When endcavouring to enter that Capital, in order to take
Poſſeſſion of the Throne, he was prevented, and gravely, tho'ſharply,
reproved by Al-Card Temtani, his Father's Deputy. This faithful Mini :
fter, uſing both ſound Arguments and Menaces, obliged this unnatural,
rebellious Prince to quit the City; and, in great Diſcontent, he retired
about a Mile diſtant to the Palace called Al-Bardou, which is the Seat of
the preſent Beys of Tunis. There he continued ſeveral Days, deviſing
Means how to accompliſh his Deſigns: But finding it wholly impracti-
cable to attempt any thing by Force, he cauſed it to be rumoured through-
out the Country, “ That his Father undertook that Voyage into Europe
« purpoſely to embrace Chriſtianity; and that the Turks had taken him
" in his Paſſage: Thar Temtan was privately gone to the Goletta, to
“ treat with the Spaniſh General about what Meaſures they. ſhould take
" to ſet up a King of their own chuſing, and to exclude him, the Heir
“ Preſumptive, from his rightful Succeſſion”. This and more to a like
Purport, he got whiſpered about even in Tunis; all which was readily
ſwallowed by the ignorant, credulous Citizens, infomuch that they
began to meet in Parties; and ſome of them ſent privarcly to invite
Mulei Hamida, who immediately repaired, incognito, to Tunis
finding how well the People were diſpoſed to receive him, he forthwithi
. went, at the Head of a good Body of his Guards, to the Palace where
Al-Gayd Temtan reſided, in order to cut him off; but miſſing of him, he
ſlaughtered ſeveral of his Domeſtics, and went directly to the Abodes of
his Father's Relatives and Friends, where having butchered all he met
with, he next advanced to the Citadel, in the Portico whereof the Go-
vernor, Al-Cayd Terah, was ſitting, little imagining what had been tranf-
acting,
; where
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
343
acting, and not in the leaſt apprehenfive of ſuch a Viſit
, and was inſtantly
hewed in Pieces: Which done, with his own People, and a conſiderable
Number of the Citizens who had joined them, he entered the Caſtle and
took Poffeffion. Al-Caid Temtan, and the reſt of Mulei Haſan's chief
Favourites were foon found out and ſeized, all whom he committed to
a cloſe Confinement, and ſoon treated as he had done the others. Then,
having firſt cauſed himſelf to be ſolemnly proclaimed King of Tunis, he
entered the Royal Palace; and ſhamefully forcing open the Haram he in-
piouſly took all his Father's Wives and Concubines to his own Bed.
Theſe aſtoniſhing Tydings reached Mulei Haſſan before he left Naples;
who received them as may be conjectured. He earneſtly follicited Dost
Pedro de Toledo, the Vice-Roy, to furniſh him with a Force ſufficient to
return to Tunis, in order to puniſh ſo impious a Rebel. Don Pedro
rcadily gave him 2000 Italians, and for their General Signor Gio. Battiſta
Lofredo, a Neapolitan Gentleman, and expert Officer. With theſe, and
his own soo Followers, he inſtantly imbarked for the Goletta; and ſucli
was his Impatience, that without waiting to conſider whether the pre-
fent Occaſion was favourable, or giving Ear to the Counſels of Don Fran-
ciſo de Touar and the old, experienced Soldiers in the Garriſon, he imme-
diately ſet out for Tunis, as not imagining, that the Citizens would op-
poſe him, nor in the leaſt apprchenlive that his Rebel Son durſt offer to
think of waiting his Approach. When the People of Tunis beheld Mulei
Hafan's Army advancing towards the City, and dreading a ſecond Deſo-
lation like that which they had ſo lately undergone, their Chiefs went
up to the Caſtle, or Citadel, prelingly intreating Mulei Hamida: « not
“ to reſiſt his Royal Father and Sovercign; but that, much rather, he
" would dutifully ſubmit to his Pleaſurc, and quit the Palace, and not
< ſuffer their unhappy City to be again laid waſte, by attempting, forci-
“ bly, to poſſeſs himſelf of a Realm which, if Providence prolonged his
“ Days, muſt become his own by legal Inheritance. That he would
- pleaſe to conſider and reflect how juſtly that Monarch was incenſed a.
“ gainſt him; adding, that the Citizens of Tunis could not, with any
“ Spark of Juſtice, or Honour, pretend to favour his Deſigns, ſince to
" was acting againſt their lawful and natural Prince.”
But the haughty Tyrant filenced them with Words to this. Effect:
" You are mightily miſtaken in your Notions. My Father is turned
- Chriſtian ; and comes not among you as a Muſulman Prince, nor with
any
CC
I
1
The HISTORY of ALGIER.S.
CO
6 any good Intoit : His coming is in order to revenge himſelf on both
you and me, with the Deſign of delivering once more this City to be
" ſacked and deſtroyed by the Chriſtians, whom he conducts hither, and
6 to exclude me his undoubted Heir from my rightful Succeffion."
At this Diſcourſe they ſeemed much difturbed, and replied: 6 If this
" is cruc, Sir, and the Chriſtians offer to advance to our Gates, we will
" do our utmoſt to defend our Houſes and Families: But, in caſe your
“ Father approaches, accompanied by only his Muſilman Attendants and
“ Guards, you are not to expect that any of us will offer to be his Op
“poſers.” With tliis they departed, leaving Mulei Hamida in no ſmall
Confuſion and Suſpenſe.
Mean while Mulei Haſan advanced towards Tunis, diſtant, as I have
obſerved, about twelve Miles from the Goletta. His soo Moors and Arabs
led the Van, and at ſome Diſtance behind he marched ſlowly on with the
2000 Italians, coafting along by the Lake Side; which was the ſame Way
the Emperor Charles had taken before. On the other Hand, Hamida had
ſent out a Party of Light-Horſe to ſkirmiſh, after their Manner, with his
Father's Van-Guard, while the Citizens of Tunis were all, with Weapon
in Hand, quietly waiting the Event. The advanced Parties having ſkir-
miſhed for ſome Time,. Hamida's Troops began to fly towards the City,
and were cloſely purſued by the others ; thc Tuniſines, all the while, not
attempting to favour either, tho' the Purſuers came among them, and to-
gether with them entered the Gate. This being perceived by one of
Mulei Hafan's Officers, he ſpeedily rode back to his Prince, acquainting
him, That his Friends and Enemies were treating together amicably;
and that he doubted fome Treachery. Mulei Haffan would not believe ; but
fent the ſame Perſon, in all Speed, to call them back : But finding they came
not immediately, being in Diſcourſe with their old Acquaintance, he im-
prudently loſt a certain Victory, and completed his own Ruin. For, di-
rcctly contrary to the Opinions of the Italian General and all his chief
Officers, he cauſed the Chriſtian Battalions to advance. This Motion
was no ſooner perceived by the attentive Tuniſines, but they concluding all
that Hamida had ſaid to be true, they fell furiouſly on the Chriſtians, in
which Onſet they were ſeconded by Hamida's Party, and a great Body of
Arabs, who, according to Cuſtom, were on the Watch at a Diſtance ;
ſo that in an Inſtant they ſurrounded, routed, captivated and deſtroyed
the whole Detachment, very few eſcaping to the Goletta, and they in a
pitiful
Net
The HISTORY OF ALGIERSI
3:45
1
pitiful Plight.
General Lofredo, with many other brave Officers and
Soldiers, loſt their Lives gallantly fighting; and a good Number were
made Slaves. Mulei Haſan was taken in the Lake; and being carried to
Tunis, his graceleſs Son immediately ordered him to a Dungeon : And
two Days after, he ſent to let him know, “ That he left him to his
« Choice, whether he would be put to Death, or live in Priſon, deprived
" of Sight." The unhappy Mulei Haſan, without much Heſitation,
choſe to live ; whereupon the inhumane Parricide inſtantly cauſed his Eyes
to be burned out, by compelling him to look in a Braſs Balon made red-hor.
L'Abbé De Vertot ſays, his Eye-balls were pierced with a burning Lancet.
When the Tyrant had quieted the City, he marched his Army a-
gainſt Biferta, or rather Binzert, which had received a Turkija Garriſon
into the Fortreſs. No ſooner had he left Tunis, but isod Spaniſh Sol-
diers arrived at the Goletta, fent thither by Don Pedro de Toledo, Vice-
Roy of Naples, upon the firſt Intimation brought him of the late Diſaſter.
This Party came under the Conduct of Don Alonſo Bivas; and with theſe
Troops, and a few Moors and Arabs of Mulei Haſan's Partiſans, Don
Franciſco de Touar, Governor of that Garriſon, ſcated on the Throne of
Tunis a Brother of the depoſed, unfortunate Prince, whoſe Name was
Mulei Aabd-al-Malec: Which Prince entered the City one Day about
Noon, while the People were retired to their uſual Repoſe, his Viſage
almoſt wholly concealed with Part of his Turbant, as they frequently
do not to be known; where, having before poſted ſeveral Bands, diſperſed
in the principal Streets, he unawares ſlipped into the Citadel well guarded;
and cutting in Pieces thoſe who offered to oppoſe him, he foon gained
Poſſeſſion of that Caſtle, which was then the only Fortreſs. There find-
ing Seyd, eldeſt Son of Hamida, he inſtantly put out his Eyes, and cauſed
- himſelf to be proclaimed King of Tunis.
This Prince reigned only thirty fix Days; twenty one of them in Health,
and then fell fick of the Indiſpoſition which carried him off.
that ſhort Time of his Adminiſtration, he paid all Arréars due to the Em.
peror, and 6000 Ducats for the Payment of the Garriſon of the Goletta :
And having releaſed Mulei Haſan from his Priſon, he reſtored to him all
the rich Moveables belonging to the Royal Palace, together with his
Women: But theſe he abſolutely refuſed to accept, as having been vio-
lated and abuſed by the inceſtuous Hamida; but forth with returned them
all to their reſpective Relations. Mulei Halan, bemoaning his Miſerics
1
During
to
346
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
.
to the Spaniſh Commanders, told them, “ That during the few Days of
“ his Brother's Illneſs, his own Domeſtics had quite rified and plundered
“his Houſe, holding him confined like a Priſoner ; and that whenever
"chc heard the Door of his Apartment open, he felt the Agonies of
« Death; imagining the Ruffins were breaking in to cut his Throat."
At Mulei Adbd-al-Malec's Death the Tunifines demanded for their King
a Son of Mulei Haſſan, which Prince was named Mahammed, and was then
at the Goletta ; but the aſſuming Don Franciſco de Touar would needs force
upon them another Mahammed, Son to the deceaſed Gåbd-al-Malec, a
Child of twelve Years old, whom he ſeated on the Throne, and obliged
the Citizens to receive him; which they did without Oppoſition: His
Reign was ſhort, being only of four Months, as I ſhall foon obſerve.
Mean while Mulei Haſan got himſelf conveyed to the Spaniards at the
Goletta, and from thence to Tabarca, a ſmall Iſland near the Coaſt, fome-
what Eaſt of Bona, held in Feoff by the Genoeſe Family of the Lomelini,
for the Conveniency of the Coral-Fiſhery, and Trade with the Africans,
as I have clſewhere taken Notice. From thence he paſſed over to Sar-
dinia, Naples, and even to Rome, where Pope Paul III. gave him a
gracious Reception. From Rome he went to Auguſta, where his Imperial
Majeſty then was; and that Monarch could not avoid being moved with
great Compaſſion, ſays Marmol, to behold a Prince his Ally, or rather
Vaſſal, deprived of his Realm, his Sight, and even of his Suſtenance; for,.
among other Misfortunes which had befallen him, he complained, that
Don Franciſco de Touar had baſely defrauded him of all the Treaſure he
had left in his Cuſtody. The Emperor gave Orders for his Entertain-
ment, and made him many Promiſes of his Favour and Protection. No-
table Inſtances of Injuſtice and the Inſtability of Mundane Affairs; as like-
wife of Divine Vengeance !
Hamida, upon finding himſelf thus excluded from the Regal Seat, and
indeed from almoſt the whole Kingdom, roamed about among the Arabs
and others, making all the Intereſt he could to procure Aſſiſtance: And
being in the Iſland Jerba, in the fourth Month after the late Revolution,
fome Citizens of Tunis, diſaffected to the young King's Adminiſtration,
lent him a private Invitation; whereupon the alert Tyrant loſt no Time,
but immediately imbarking on a Turkiſh Corſair, who had with him ſeveral
Brigantines, & c. he landed at Monaſter, to the Eaſt; when haſtening to
the potent Arab Tribe, named Ouled Seyd, he amaſſed what Force he could,
and
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
347
.
and poſted away to Tunis; which City he entered fo unexpectedly, that
the young King had ſcarce Opportunity to eſcape to the Goletta. With
very
little Trouble he made himſelf Maſter of the Citadel, and conſe-
quently of the whole City, where he exerciſed exceſſive Barbarities upon
all who had been his Enemies; caſting many of the moſt Diſtinguiſhed
alive to hungry Dogs to be devoured. From thence forwards he con-
tinued tyrannizing that Kingdom for ſeveral Years, till he was dethroned
by the Turks, as may be farther obſerved.
This was the wretched Fate of a wicked Prince, whom Marmol, who
ſeems often to have ſeen him, thus characterizes." This King, ſays he,
“ was of a very ſwarthy Complexion ; but of a Preſence exceeding
“ graceful. He was very eloquent, of a high Spirit, undaunted Courage,
" and fo vindictive, that blind as he was, he left no Means uneſſayed,
< to dethrone his Rebel Son, and to revenge himſelf both on him and
" the reſt of his Adverſaries, who had favoured him in his unnatural
" Revolt.” Mulei Haſſan, as has been obſerved, was really a Tyrant,
odious to his People, as well on account of his Cruelty, as of his be-
ing ſupported therein by an Enemy whom they had ſo much Cauſe to
deteft. Nor can he: be ſaid ever to have been happy, cven in his Ty-
ranny. His own Servants hated and often defrauded him. When Hey-
radin Barba-roja drove him from Tunis, he left under his Cuſhion a Vel-
vet Purſe, wherein were at leaſt 200 Rings of unknown Value,
which, in the Hurry he was forced to quit the Place, he forgot to
put in his Pockėt, as he deſigned ; and which became a good Prey to
the Finder: Yet notwithſtanding all the Diligence he uſed, they were
never more heard of The Spaniards bullied him at Pleaſure; and ſome
of his younger Sons, together with the Children of his chief Miniſters
and Favourites, were kept conſtantly in Hoſtage, at the Goletta. 'Till
the laſt Year of his Life, he continued in Europe, chiefly in Sicily, where
he was kindly entertained by the Emperor Charles, his Patron and Pro-
tector. About 1550, he was in the Expedition made by the Imperial
Army againſt the City of Africa, or Mehedia, when the Emperor's Ge-
nerals recovered it from Dragut Rais, as may be obſerved in the Life of
that famous Corſair. He was accompanied by two of his Sons, namely
Mahammed and Abou-Bucar, and was full of Hopes of recovering his
Realms : But a violent Fever put an End to his Life and Ambition; nor
Y y 2
did
348
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
did he lament any thing ſo much as his dying unrevenged. Marmol ſays,
he died in his fixty third Year, in a poor Cottage among the Vineyards
belonging to that City.
I ſhall cloſe this Chapter with a few Particulars farther relating to the
Affairs of Tremizan, which intervencd about the Time where I quitted
that Subject. The Death of Haſan Aga being ſucceeded by the dange-
rous Commotions I mentioned, it is not to be ſuppoſed, that the Algerine
Turks were much at Leiſure to attend thoſe their remoter Acquiſitions,
till the Storms which threatened them ſo near Home were blown over:
Nor does it appear, that they had any Aſſiſtance againſt the revolted
Arabs from their tributary Ally, the Prince of Tennez; tho I find not
any Mention to the contrary: So that I am apt to fancy he ſtood firm
to them, at leaſt neuter, by reaſon that he was very ready to furniſh
Haſan Baſba, the next Vice-Roy of Algiers, with his Troops, and
all Neceſſaries, in two ſeveral Campaigns made by that new Baſha,
in order to dethrone the King of Tremizan, who had been re-inſtated
by the Spaniards.
Soon after their aforeſaid Defeat at Tibda, by Al-Manför, Miniſter
and Father-in-Law to. Mulei Hamed Abou Zeyan, who was in Alliance
with the Turks of Algiers, the Fugitive About Abdallah, rightly judging,
that the Algerines had already enough upon thcir Hands, thought the
Occaſion too favourable to be let ſlip; and accordingly uſed warm Sol-
licitations with the Emperor Charles, to grant him a more powerful Suc,
cour. So well did this reſtleſs Prince purſue his Interceflions, thro' the
Mediation of the Count De Alcaudete, Governor of Oran, that the aſpi.
ring Emperor, who was ready enough of himſelf to liſten to all Pro-
poſals tending to Increaſe of Empire, ordered the ſaid General to un-
dertake the Expedition in Perſon: And, according to Marmol, pretty
early in the Year 1544, he ſet out from Oran at the Head of 9000
Spaniſh Infantry and about 400 Horſe, with a few Arab and Mooriſh Ca-
valry; having with him his three Sons, Don Alonſo, Don Martin, and
Don Franciſco. The Surname of that noble Family is De Cordoua :
I ſhall have farther Occaſion to mention the Father and ſecond Son
upon a very tragical Rencounter they had with the Algerines, where onc
loſt his Life and the other his Liberty.
On the other Hand, Mulei Hamed got together all the Araband African
Troops he could poſſibly raiſe ; as well knowing he muſt have no De-
pendance
.
The HISTORY of A.LGIERS:
349
pendance on the Turks, except they could diſperſe the Enemies they had
approaching their Gates in ſo formidable a Body. With theſe and
the City Forces, he ſent the brave Al-Manför to try his Fortune as
gainſt the Chriſtian Army. Incamping about eight Miles North of
Tremizan, he there waited for the advancing Enemy. The Count, ar-
riving within Sight of the Moors Camp, halted, and divided his In-
fantry into two Battalions of 400 cach, placing one in the Front and
another in the Rear, with all the Baggage in the Middle. All the
Cavalry, with ſome Light-Horſe of Oran, he ſet on one side, at
ſome Diſtance; and the Wings, ſomewhat behind the Front, were
compoſed of soo Muſketeers each. In this Order he waited the E--
nemy's Motions; commanding, on Pain of Death, that no Soldier
ſhould quit his Rank to ſkirmiſh with the Moors, as uſual. Al-Mani
fôr, according to the Manner of Fighting in thoſe Parts, advanced to
him with his Force all in a diſorderly Body; when being pretty nears, .
he gave the Word for a general Attack, on every Quarter'; hoping by
that impetuous Shock of a numerous Cavalry foon to break thro' their
Battalions : But the Spaniards kept their Ranks ſo well, and plied their
Small Shot ſo thick, that, with conſiderable Loſs, the Africans were
repulſed; tho' the Chriſtians had no Cannon. However they retreated
fighting; and the Spaniards ſtill advancing upon them the whole Af-
ternoon, the Count arrived at a certain Encloſure of Faſcines and
Hampers filled with Earth, which Al-Manfór had cauſed to be made
in a convenient Place, as a Sort of Retreat, and wherein he had dc-
poſited a good Quantity of Proviſions, and a great Number of Skins:
full of Water, for their own Refreſhment that Night, at their Return:
What very much contributed to the Count's Succeſs in this Engage
ment, was the excellent Order his Troops obſerved in their March, and
during their Purſuit ; all which was owing to the great Rigour with
which he puniſhed ſuch as diſobeyed. By Evening the Spaniards broke
into the ſaid Encloſure, and merrily refreſhed themſelves with what
they found. The next Morning the Count marched in very goods
Order directly towards Tremizan: And being informed, that the King
had cauſed all the Wells thereabouts to be ſpoiled, by throwing in
Corn and other things for that Purpoſe, that he had quitted the City
and betaken himſelf to Flight, and that the greateſt Part of his Retinues
had left him and come into the Service of his Competitor; - when the
3.
1
Couac ,
.
350
The HISTORY OF ALGIERS.
are
Count heard theſe Tydings, I ſay, he entered the City as an Enemy:
giving it up to be ſacked, and cither maſſacred, or made Slaves of
cvery Soul he found therein; by the Confeſſion of Marmol, my Author.
Mulei Abou-Abdallab took Poſſeſſion of the Miſhuar, or Citadel; and
the better to eſtabliſh himſelf on the Throne, he married the Daughters
of ſome principal Shiekhs, who he thought beſt able to ſupport his
Intereſt; and more particularly one Al-Caid Haſan, a Renegado Spa-
niard, Native of Biſcay, whoſe Daughter he, likewiſe, took to Wife,
and who having borne a great Command under his Brother, Mulei
Hamed, had brought over with him a good Body of Cavalry.
The Count De Alcaudete ſtayed in Tremizan forty Days; and during
that Timc his Army made ſeveral Excurſions abroad, bringing in con-
ſiderable Numbers of Captives and Cattle; tho' they loſt upwards of
1000 Men in thoſe Expeditions. He had left two complete Compa-
nies in the Mills of Al-Cala de Beni Raſhid, which were attacked by the
Moors, who killed more than 200 of them, and carried off two Co-
lours, with which they went about the Country, exhorting the People
to take up Arms againſt their common Enemy the inhumane Spaniards,
in order to take a ſevere and deſerved Vengeance upon thoſe inſatiable
Butchers. With all this the Count having certain Intelligence, that
Mulei Hamed, in Perſon, was getting together a mighty Multitude of
Arabs from the Defarts, and Africans from the Mountains, and that he
was ſtrongly folliciting the Turks of Algiers, and with all thoſe united
Powers was preparing to attack him, he deemed it not prudent to wait
the Event; but having completely effected the Emperor's Orders, with-
our farther Delay, he delivered up the deſolate City to Mulei Abou-Ab-
dallab, and taking with him nine Field-Pieces he found in the Citadel,
four of which were the ſame lately taken from the Spaniards by Al-
Manför, he ſet out for Oran. But his March thither was not ſo un-
diſturbed as he could have deſired; being Way-laid by more than 100000
Moors, tho' ill-armed and worſe diſciplined; who ſuffering his Van to
paſs on unmoleſted, they fell ſo furiouſly on the Rear, that the Spa-
niards were forced to beſtir themſelves moſt vigorouſly, and to main-
tain a ſmart Fight the whole Day till more than an Hour after Sun-
ſet, to prevent the utter Deſtruction of their Army. However their Can-
nou and Fire-Arms, uſed to the beſt Advantage, ſtood them in ſuch
Stead againſt thoſe diſorderly Bands of Lance-Bearers, that they at laſt
4
made
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
352
made Shift to purſue their March, tho'not without perpetual Interruption;
and ſuch as eſcaped were, I am apt to fancy, heartily glad when their
Purſuers left them; which was not till they were within Sight of
Oran. The Count and his Army met with far worſe Treatment, from
the Algerines, not long after, in his Attempt upon Moſtaganem, as will
appear in the Life of Haſan Baſha.
A few Days after the Count's Departure from Tremizan, the late
King, Mulei Hamed, having got togither a good Body of Arabs and
Africans, from divers Parts, and chiefly from the Mountains of: Beni
Raſhid, came into the Neighbourhood of that harraſſed City. Mulei
Abou-Abdallah fallying out to the Encounter, with his whole Force,
behaved ſo well, that the Invaders were put to Flight. Returning
joyful at his Succeſs, the Citizens, who bore him a mortal Hatred for
the Calamities he had brought upon the whole Country in general,
but more eſpecially upon the unhappy Capital (and to uſe Marmol's
own Words, « on account of the great Miſchiefs the Count and
« his Followers had committed as well there as in all the circumja-
“ cent Parts,") ſhut their Gates againſt him, and abſolutely refuſed
him Entrance; faying, “ They would never admit as their Prince
a faithleſs Tyrant, who, with ſuch an Exceſs of Barbarity had de-
« livered up a Muſulman People to be deſtroyed by Chriſtians, their .
" moſt cruel and implacable Enemies." To very little Purpoſe did he
approach nearer to the Walls, and call out to ſeveral of his quondam
Favourites by their Names, intreating them to give him Admittances
in order to enjoy, jointly with them his Friends and beloved Subjects,
the glorious Fruits of his late Victory: Nor did all the mighty Pro-
miſes of Favours ſtand him in better Stead. Finding them deaf to
all his Remonſtrances, and himſelf deſerted by his own Troops, who
moved off by Degrees, he ſpeeded away with only fixty Followers,
hoping to find a powerful Aſſiſtance among ſome of his Arab Friends
in the Deſart. But they, no leſs than the others, deteſting his Al-
liance with the Chriſtians, who had left ſuch bloody Tokens of
their. Diſpoſition, he was ſoon after by them treacherouſly aſſaſſina-
ted.
Theſe two Examples of the Kings of Tunis and Tremizam, not to
ſeek for others, are ſufficient to give an Idea of what Fate is to be
expected by any African Potentate who has Recourſe to the Protection
and
+
3.32
The HISTORY OF ALGIERS.
and Alliance of Chriſtians. The Tremizanians inſtantly diſpatched a Deputa.
tion to Mulei Hamed, who, with Al-Manfôr, was retired to the Fortreſs
of Al-Gala de Beni Rahid. He immediately poſted away, and was gladly
received, and proclaimed King of the wretched Remnant of that once
noble Realm. We ſhall ſoon find it utterly extinct, and what it now
is, an Algerine Province.
+
The End of the First VOLUME.
N. B. Thro' Miſtake, Mr. Edmund Overall is left out in the Liſt, and the Mark of Di.
Itinction for Subſcribers for Royal Paper is, I find, omitted after the Names of Maurice Hunt,
Efq; and Dr. Rawlinſon. Our Town does not fo abound with Subſcribing Spirits, for me to
treat thoſe who came into it with ſo good a Grace after ſuch an unworthy Manner. I heartily
beg Pardon ; tho' the Fault was not mine. All Purchaſers are deſired not to Bind their Books,
Prill the Publication of a Letter of about ten Sheets, mentioned in my Preface.
+
IF
EO
S
1
THE
H I S T O RY
OF
A LGI E R S
2
VOL. II.
+
ROSSA.
V
CH A P. VII.
Basha TV. Hassan Basha, Son of. Heyraden Barba-
The first Time of his Adminiſtration.
D. 1544. No ſooner could the Intelligence of the De-
iniſe of that gallant Eunuch, Haſan Aga, reach the Le-
A.
vant; but the Ears of Sultan Suliman were inceffantly
dinncd with'importunate Sollicitations, from many con-
ſiderable Turks, for that honourable and moſt beneficial
Vice-Royalty: It being in thoſc Days, and long after,
deemed one of the moſt important and profitable Poſts in the whole Of-
tomań Dominions; and ſuch Morſels never fail, either there or elſewhere,
of having Sholes of greedily-gaping Candidates.
Z z
But
t
354
The HISTORY OF ALGIER:5.
But Hegradin Barba-roſa, his Favourite Captain-Bafia, repreſenting
to that Monarch, that ſince 'lie'had a Son of ſufficient Merit and Capacity
for ſuch a Charge, it would be Injuſtice to give any other the Preference;
adding, that, ſince his Brother Arouje and himſelf were the Conquerors
of thoſe States, and the firſt Eſtabliſhers of the Ottoman Sovereignty in
Barbary, it was no more than Trafonable, that the Fruits of their Labours
ſhould be enjoyed by their Poſterity. This Repreſentation proved ſo ef-
fectual, that the magnificent Suliman complied with the juſt Demand,
without Heſitation: And the new Baſa was, by his Father, inſtantly
equipped with a brave Squadron of twelve ſtout and exceedingly well-ap-
pointed Gailies, of which that famous (Renegado was himſelf Maſter of a
good Number. The Name of this Baſha was Haſſan; born, as 'has been
obſerved, at Algiers, of a Mooriſh Lady; and was then in his twenty
eighth Year.
Towards July, this Year, he arrived at Algiers, where he had a joyful
Reception; partly on Account of his own perſonal Merit, but more for
the Sake of his renowned Uncle and Father, whoſe Memories were in-
expreſſibly dear to the whole Turkiſh Nation: nor are they yet forgotten.
He had brought down with him a conſiderable Body of Troops ; -- the
“ Fame of the Wealth and Delights of Algiers, ſays Haedo, inticing
« thither the Levantines with a like-Eagerneſs as do thofe of America
so hurry our Spaniards, in Queſt of New: Worlds, to traverſe the
• Occan.
His Arrival was juſt after the Return of Haji (the Titular, or Deputy
Baſbe) from his Victory over Sheikh Abou-Terik, and the revolted Arab
Tribes, as has been related in the preceding Chapter : -And-the Algerines
were now in as flouriſhing a Condition as could be expected ſo ſoon after
ſuch menacing Commotions. 'Being thus ſettled in their Home-Affairs,
they had Leiſure to breathe and look Abroad; where Matters were not
altogether as they could have wiſhed. “As to their Exploits at Sca, about
this Time, no Mention is made: But we may ſuppoſe their Cruiſers ilay
not idle; and that the New-Comers had an Itching to try if they could
make any Booty, among the Chriſtian Traders of the Weſt, to recom-
pence the Trouble they had been at in leaving their own Homes purely to
viſit them; nor is there ever any Want, at Algiers, of Old-Standers, who
are both ready, willing and capable to inſtruct ſuch as are defirous of
Icarning their Trade. This, I ſay, is barely, probable Suppoſition.
The
I
The HISTORY of ALGIE R-S.
353
The firſt Volume cloſes with ſomc Account of the State of the King.
dom of Tremizan, now the Algerines Weſtern Province. When Haſan
Baha entered upon his Government, the State of Affairs there was as I
leave them at the Concluſion of the ſixth Chapter.
As that unhappy Realm was never known to remain long without Dil-
ſentions, a certain anonymous Brother of the two laſt contending Princes
(0110 of which loſt his Life) hearing that a Son of the great Barba-roſa
was become Vice-Roy of Algiers, imagined he could not take a better
Method to attain the Sovereignty of Tremizan, than by early Application
to the new. Bajha. Full of this, he privately got to Algiers, where he
had the Addreſs ſo well to negotiate with Hafan Baſha, that he engaged
him to take the Field in his Favour.
4. D. 1545. Accordingly, at the Beginning of June, this Year, he
ſet out with 3000 Foot, Turks and Renegadoes, all Fuziliers, as uſual, and
1000 Spahis, or Turkiſh Horſe, with ten Field-Pieces. Arriving near
Tennez, he was joined by Hamida Al- Aabd, who was ſtill called King of
Tennez. That Prince brought him a Body of 2000 brave Mooriſa Ca-
valry.
With this Army Haſan Baſha made ſuch expeditious Marches, that he
ſoon reached Tremizan; into which Capital he got Entrance without the
leaſt Oppoſition: For his: Tremizanian Majeſty, having timely Notice of all
theſe Motions, thought it not adviſcable to ſtand the Brunt, but, packing
up the beſt of his Moveables, retreated to: Oran. The new King being
feated on the Throne, raiſed a round Sum of Money, by Means fair and
foul, wherewith to gratify
. the Baja; upon which, without farther Delay,
the Turkiſa Camp returned to Algiers, from whence they had not been
many. Days abſent. But the new-made King did not. long enjoy the
Sweets of his now Dignity; for in leſs than a Ycar, the Count De Al-
caudete re-placed his Brother, and' obliged himſelf to repair to Fez, whi-
ther his elder Brother was ſome Ycars ſince retired. To this Effct writes
Haedo. But: Marmol being here more circumſtantial, and ſome Parts of his
Narrative very lively, natural and not uncntertaining, I extract the Senſe
of the following: Particularsi ;. and the rather becauſe Haedo breaks off
abruptly.; not re-aſſuming the Diſcourſe till he comes to what happened
two Years later.
Marmol, having given an Account of Mulei Hamed's being recalled: by
his Subjects, after the Flight of his Competitor, Mulei About Abdallah
Z z 2
(to
356
The History of ALGIERS.
(to whom they had refuſed Admittance, after his. Victory) whom the Arabs
flew ſoon after, as may be ſeen in the laſt Chapter, goes on thus : viz.
After this, the Turks of Algiers again recovered this Kingdom, and Hamed
had recourſe to the Emperor, Don Carlos, for Aſſiſtance againſt them.
[This muſt have been Haſan Baſha's above-mentioned Expedition.] And
in thc Year 1546, continues he, Al-Manför, having brought to Oran, a;
Hoſtages, two of his Sons, came to an Agreement with the Count Do
Alcaudete, Don Martin De Cordona, who, by the Emperor's Command,
paffing over to Spain, raiſed 2000 Men in Andaluzia, in order to re-inſtate
the laid Prince. With 1000 of theſe he imbarked on the Spaniſlo Gallies,
under Direction of Don Bernardino De Mendoza, leaving at Malaga the o-
ther 1000, to come over in three large Ships and other ſmaller Veſſels.
The Count arriving at Oran, with theſc 1000 Soldiers, he ſet out with
them, and 800 from the Garriſon, whereof 150 were Horſe and the reſt
Foot. Going with this Body to Canaſtel, a ſmall and ſtrongly ſituated
Tower ncar Oran, he there cauſed to be apprehended upwards of 200 of
the MooriſhInhabitants, whom he found guilty of Treaſon ; in that, be-
ing in Alliance with the Garriſon of Oran, and having been from thence
furniſhed with all things neceſſary to oppoſe and repulſe the Turks, they
had received them into the Town, given them what Arms, &c. they re-
quired, and, in Conjunction with them, had openly revolted. When the
Count returned to Oran, he hanged three of the Chiefs of thoſe Moors,
and the reſt were made Slaves ; whereby, for the preſent, 'hc ſecured that
Part of the Territory.
After this, July 3, the Count ſet out from Oran, with his whole Force,
and ten Pieces of Cannon, pitching his Camp fix Miles from the City:
And next Day marched towards Agobel, which is an ancient, ruinated
Place; near which great Numbers of Confederate Moors came to offer
him incir Service. Theſe People arrived in Clans, ſeparately, anſwer-
able to their Cuſtom, cach Clan, or Tribe, advancing according to its De.
gree in Antiquity and Nobility. As a Family came up, the Chiefs hav-
ing embraced the Count and complemented him in a few Words, after a
little Skirmiſhing, they drew off and made. Room for another Tribe to
advance: And thus came more than fifty Families; among which ſome
had at leaſt 100 Cavaliers, and thoſe which brought feweſt werc upwards
of fifty; all in general bearing exceeding finc Lances and Targets.
.
A11
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
357
All this while the Count was purſuing his March for about twelve
Miles, till he arrived where Al-Manför waited his Approach. This Al-
Manför, as has been obſerved, was Uncle, Father-in-Law and Prime-Mi-
niſter to Mulei Hamed, the Prince whom they came to aſſiſt in expelling
the Turks who had uſurped his Realm. That noble Moor was attended
by sooo Horſe, who, to entertain the Count, and expreſs their Joy for
his Arrival among thein, repreſented a Rencounter they had, a few Days
before, with a Party of Turks, who were going to re-inforcc Tremizan,
and were all cut off. It pafled in this Manner.
Theſe Turks, in Number about 300, all Fuziliers, were marching croſs
a Plain, when a certain Arab of good Account, named Girtef, an invete-
rate Enemy to the Turks, intreated the Arabs thereabouts to engage them;
offering himſelf perſonally to begin the Attack. Finding his Words were
of ſmall Effect, he took a Cord, and tying it round his Neck, he ſolemnly
ſwore, never to remove it thence till they had fought with thoſe Turks.
All this not prevailing, (ſuch was their Dread of the Fire-Arms) he haſted
to the Adouars, or Villages of Tents, from whence he brought fix of the
moſt beautiful Virgins, which mounting on as many Camels, he drove
them towards the Turks, crying out as he rode along, “ Now ſhall I ſee,
“ amorous Youths, if you have Gallantry cnough to deliver from the
“ Hands of yon Tarpaulins theſe your Damſels, which are the moſt valu-
" able Jewels you are poſſeſſed of.” When perceiving them now deter-
mined for the Onſet, he cauſed a great Drove of unladen • Camels, ſuch
as were trained up for theſe Occaſions, to be made paſs on before them
which Creatures ran on with ſo refiftleſs a Violence, that, to all Appear-
ance, they would not only drive into Diſorder a Body of Men but even
break thro' a Rampart. Perceiving that the Turks had ſpent all their Fire
upon the Camels, the Arabs inſtantly advanced, and breaking in
among
them with much Eaſe, they were all cut in Pieces.
This Repreſentation was acted to the Life before the Count, with
- fifteen or ſixteen Squadrons of Camels, of soó cach, driving before them
twelve Women on twelve Camels, who, after the Show, came riding up
where Don Martin was, cach of them accompanied by the Cavaliers of
her Tribe, or Family, ſaying to him, “ Welcome, thou Reſtorer of our
“ Realm; the Protector of Orphans; the moſt valiant, honourable and
* Vide Vol. I. P. 99, and my Mabometiſm Explained, Vol. II.
(6 redoubted
2
358
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
c5 redoubted Cavalier! How! my Lord; muſt any other be Maſter in
“ theſe Regions, while your Excellency is here and alive!” With other
Expreſſions of a like Nature, after their Manner, all in Arabic, and which
were explained to the Count by his. Interpreter: After which the Moons
gave a prodigious Shout or Outcry, as they uſually do to expreſs their Joy.
About a Month after, when the Army was got almoſt to Tremizan, the
reſt of the Troops arrived from Spain; when the Count had Intelligence
that Haſan Baſa was come from Algiers, and advancing with 1200 Turks
in order to put himſelf into Tremizan, to defend that Place, or to fight
him, in caſe he could not do otherwiſe. Upon this Don Martin returned
the Way hc came, in order to ſeek the Enemy, being determined to give
him Battel. And to be the more ſecure of the Mours who accompanied
him, he cauied all the Chiefs to take an Oath of Allegiance to him, and
that they would ſerve him with Fidelity till Mulei Hamed was replaced on
the Throne: Which Oath was adminiſtred after the Manner following.
On the Middle of a long Turbant, ſtretched out at full Length between
two Moors on Horſe-back, who held up their Hands as high as poſſible,
hung an Al-Coran. Under this rode the principal Moors and Arabs, one
by one, laying hold of and kiſſing the Book as they paſſed, promiſing and
affirming, by the Truths contained therein, that they would punctually
and loyally perform all that had been agreedion. This took up a whole
Evening
I was once my ſelf preſent at a Ceremony of this Nature, of an: Oath
taken, in the Field, by the whole Algerine Army, to Bobba Haſan, who
took Oran from the Spaniards twenty Years ſince; of which gallant
Turkiſh Commander (as an Eye-Witneſs to many of his Actions, and laſtly
of his Aſſaſſination). I ſhall advance ſeveral remarkable Particulars. I. only
mention him here on Account of the Oath, wherein the only Difference
of the Ceremony here was, that the Al-Coran hung. between two Stand-
ards rolled on their Staves, and tied together almoſt in Form of a St. An.
drew's Croſs; and the Swearers paſſed under on Foot. But no Matter
how they paſſed, ſince they kept their Oath no better.
To return. The Citizens of Tremizan ſent to defire Al-Manför, that he
would not bring the Count thither, ſince they deſigned to expel the
Turks from the Kingdom, and ſurrender their Fortreſſes to whomſoever he
pleaſed. But all the Anſwer they got from Al-Manför was, “ That Pcople
“ who had been Traytors to their Prince, deſerved not to wear Heads on
" their
2
The HISTORY of A:L:GIERS.
359
o their Shoulders; and that the Chriſtians were approaching, as Execu-
" tioners, to take off theirs."
Mean while Don Martin was marching in Queſt of the Enemy; when,
paſſing the River Ferelet, he ſate down within ſix Miles of the Turks ;
tho', by ſome Muors, he had been informed, that they lay at ſix Leagues
Diſtance. But, when the Baſha of Algiers underſtood thc Cbriſtian Camp
to be ſo near, and how determinately the Count went in Search of him,
not daring to wait his Approach, he returned flying to Algiers, (this Part of
Marmol's Narrative, in particular, I ſhall ſoon contradict, from the more
generous and leſs partial Haedo] and diſpatched away an Officer, named Al-
Caid Jafer, together with a Morabboth, or Santon, of Moſtaganem, a Per-
ſon of great Credit and his intimate Friend, to treat with Al-Manför, that
he would ſuffer the Turks to recire quietly from Tremizan, giving them a
Guard of Horſe to conduct them fafely to Algiers; which if complied with,
he would cauſe the City to be immediately ſurrendered. With this Al-
Manför was well ſatisficd, and the Articles being drawn up, agreed on
and ſigned, the Turks from Tremizan arrived at the Place where he lay
incamped.
Some of the Spaniards asked the Count's Permiſſion to take a View of
them; which having obtained, they had the Satisfaction of beholding the
Ceremonies uſed at the Obſequics of the brave Girtef, above ſpoken of,
-who was ſhot dead with an Arrow, in a late Encounter. [That ſhall be
inſerted elſewhere.]
The ſaid Chriſtians, who had got . Leave to divert themſelves at Ala
-Manför's Camp, obſerving that the Turks who came with Al-Caid Jafer,
bore their Colours flying upon the Staff, fancying it became them to-keep
it furled up in Preſence of the Emperor's Flags, which wererbut a Muſket
Shot from thence, ſent Notice thereof to the Count. The next Morn-
ing carly, the General ſent Captain Soto-Mayor, his Adjutant, with Or-
ders, that he ſhould poſt himſelf in the Road by which the Turks were to
paſs in their way to Algiers, and cauſc them to take in their Colours.
Coming up to their Van, he ordered the Leader to take off that Flag, pe-
remptorily telling him, “ That he muſt not keep it flying in Preſence of
" thoſe of his Imperial -Majeſty, which were in the Field.” This the
Turks exclaimed againſt extremely, ſaying it was:a: Violence and Injuſtice
offered them, ſince they had Al-Manför's Paſs.; and immediately they ſent
to call him. When that Mooriſts Commander came and heard the Affair,
he
360
The HISTORY of ALGIER S.
he whispered the Spaniſa Officer, telling him, that Enſign belonged to
the King of Tremizin, his Nephew, and was ſent by him to the Baflsa
of Algiers. But Captain Soto-Mayor replied, “That ſince it was borne
“ by a Turk, it ſhould be taken in:” And Al-Manför taking it from the
Turk in order to furl it up, the Captain, not ſatisfied with that, told him,
" That he must return it to the Turk, that he might take it quite from
" the Staff.” Al-Manför did ſo; and the Turkiſio Enſign took it off and
folded it up; tho' not without great Reluctance. This done, Captain
Soto-Mayor returned to the Count's Camp, with only four Soldiers,
who had accompanied him, and the Turks purſued their way towards
Algiers.
[All this, for ought I know, may be a nice and requiſite Punctilio of
Honour among military Gentlemen : But for Marmol to ſet it off thus
pompouſly, as ſo glorious an Exploit, is what I know not well how to
reliſh; as being not capable of diſcerning any thing ſo very heroic in the
whole Action. I have been at the Pains of tranſlating this Paragraph
merely as an Oddity.]
Marmol proceeds. The Count perceiving, that all he pretended was ac-
compliſhed, which was only to expel the Turks from Tremizan, he deter-
mined to go againſt Moſtaganem. But the Mooriſh General refuſed to ac-
company him chither, as was his Duty to have done; pleading, as an Ex-
cuſe, that he was not ſurc how the Affairs of the Kingdom ſtood, ſo that
he lay under a Neceſſity of repairing to Tremizan. [Very probably pret-
ty ſick of Spaniſh Arrogance.] The Count flew in a Paſſion at him, fay-
ing, “ That he might go where he would, ſince he alone was ſufficient
to take Moſtaganem, which he would effect without any Obligation to
66 him;" And ſo they parted.
Before Al-Manför's Departure for Tremizan, the Count went to Oran,
but ſeven Spaniſh Leagues from his Camp, and brought from thence the
Train of Battering Artillery. Al-Manſor was no ſooner gone, but Don
Martin bent his Courſe towards Moſtaganem, each Cannon being drawn
by twenty Pair of Mules. His firſt Day's March was from the River
Firelet to the River Sikinaki, and from thence to the River Abra, thence
to the River Cufnaki, then to a Place where are ſeveral Wells, and in the
next Day's March he was obliged to go ſome Leagues about in order to
ger to the Station where the Turks had pitched their Camp when they
made themſelves Maſters of that Town, and on Auguſt 21,, he came to
Mazagr312
CC
The HisTORY OF ALGIER S.
361
Mazagran.(a ruinous Town about a League from Mojiaganem) where his.
Army refreſhed with the Abundance of Fruits growing in thoſe Gardens,
The ſame Day he got to Moſtaganem, incamping on the Eminence fronting
the Town on that Side: And that Evening fired more than 100 Shot againſt
the Town Walls. The Turks fired from two ſmall Pieces of Cannon
facing the Battery; but they were quickly diſmounted.
To paſs by Trifles, my Author ſays, “ That ſome Moors Priſoners af-
« firmcd, that Town then to be the richeſt in all Barbary, ſince all the
6 circumjacent People had there lodged their valuable Effects, as had the
of Turks whatever Booty they had made in the whole Province; that
" there were more than 12000 Souls within the Walls, with only forty
6 two Turks who obliged the Citizens to ſtand on the Defenſive, and
would not ſuffer them to ſurrender to the Chriſtians."
Don Martin, upon this Intelligence, continued a furious and continual
Battery, for three Days ſucceſſively; when, finding the Enemy ſtill reſo-
lure, he removed his Camp to another Quarter, where he imagined his At-
tempt might have better Succeſs. A Brigantine was diſpatched to Oran
(diſtant Weſtward twelve Spaniſh Leagues) to bring a Recruit of Powder,
which they began to want. It returned in two Days: And the very Day
it came, a good Body of Turks got into the Town, mal-gré all Oppoſition.
Theſe were they who had quitted Tremizan, and underſtanding the Count's
Deſign upon Moſtaganem, had taken a large Turn about, in order to its
Relief, and had brought with them upwards of 2500o Moors, Horſe and
Foot.
However, a tolerable Breach being opened in the Wall, judged by the
Count fufficient for an Affault, he ſent eleven Companies to attempt it
(leaving only three to guard the Camp) who marched up to the Breach
very courageouſly. The Turks appeared in its Defenſe; and without of-
fering to flinch in the leaſt, or give back for a Moment, as any of them
fell, others immediately ſupplied their Places; and that with ſo determined
a Countenance (ſays this Author expreſly) as if cach ſingle Turk was alone
ſufficient to defend the Entrance. Forty Spaniards at length actually mount-
ed the very Top of the Breach, and there planted five Enſigns; but they
were inſtantly thrown down.
The Reſult of this ſmart Conflict was, that the Spaniards were beaten
off, and purſued by the Turks to their very Trenches, with the Loſs of
200 Men and more than 250 wounded. . The Count, adds Marmol,
VOL. II.
Ааа
rallying
4
362
The History of ALGIERS.
rallying his ſcattered Troops, obliged the Turks at laſt to retire: But he
makes not their Loſs very conſiderable. And, continues he, there wanted
not ſeveral who adviſed the Count to imbark, that Night, on a Galeon
and other Veſſels, there at Anchor, leaving the Cannon nailed up and all
the Horſes and Mules ham-ſtrung: To which he replied, “That he would
" rather be torne in Pieces than be guilty of ſuch Baſeneſs.” And ſuch
Diligence he uſed in forming his Retreat, that by Day-Break he was got
to the Sea-Side with his whole Army and Baggage; having left only one
Piece of Cannon nailed up, the Wheel of whoſe Carriage a great
Shop
from the Town had rendered unſerviccable. All the wounded and uſeleſs
People had been, that Night, conveyed on Board the Galeon.
Two Spaniards, deſerting to the Town, when firſt Don Martin began
to draw off, gave the Enemy a full Information of all Tranſactions, and
particularly of what Counſel had been given to that General. Early next
Morning, all the Turks fallied in good Order, and with them more than
Irooo Mooriſh Foot and 3000 Horſe, determined to give the Count Bat-
tel: But ſuch was thc Dread with which the Chriſtians were ſeized, that
ſo far from any the leaſt Thought of putting their ſelves in a Poſture to
engage the approaching Enemy, not one Soldier had any thing in View,
but how to reach the Shipping, and ſave his Life.
But the Count's ſecond Son, Don Martin, who was afterwards Marquis
De Cortes (concerning whom and his Captivity, at Algiers, more will be
ſaid anon] obſerving the Cowardice of thoſe Fugitives, ſmatching a Hal-
bard (which at that time was more prevalent than Shame) therewith com-
pelled many to return out of the very Sea, thro' which, void of Confi-
deration, they were attempting to wade to the Veſſels in the Road. Theſe
he ranged in the beſt Order he could. To cut ſhort, the Spaniards, at
length, bravely repulſed their Purſuers, and obliged them to rcturn faſter
than they came: Nor does the too frequently partial Marmol own any
Damage reccived, cither during that Conflict, or the Army's March to
Oran; where the Count ſafely arrived, after having been fifty ſeven Days
abſent: Not but that his Rear was cloſely attended by the Enemy.
I have been the more particular in all this, and contrary to my Cuſtom
given good Part of it in this Author's very Words, for two Reaſons. Firſt,
becauſe ſome of the Paſſages give a lively Idea of certain Uſages, &c. of
theſe People: Secondly, by Reaſon that this the Count De Alcaudete's At-
tempt upon Moſtaganem was only thc Prelude to one, of abundantly more.
fatal
1
1
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
363
fatal Conſequence, he afterwards made upon that Place, whereof a Hint
was given in Preface, p. xi, and which, in due Place, will be circumſtan-
tially related. But we will now return to the Subſtance of what is to be
met with in the very-often ingenuous Haedo.
: A. D. 1548. The reſtleſs Tremizanians, being ſtill in Commotion, a
perpetual and incurable Diſcord reigning between Prince and People, again
ſent for Haſan Baſha; offering the Sovereignty of their City and Domain
to him and his Turks, if they would undertake the Defenſe thereof; or elſe
to pur that Realm into what other Hands he ſhould pleaſc to direct. This
is what I have often obſerved, will ever be the infallible Conſequence of
a Mooriſh Prince's entering into Alliance with Chriſtians. Upon this In-
vitation Haſſan Baſha (whom Marmol all along miſcalls Hafan Aga; tho'
neither that, nor any of the reſt of his butcherly Manner of mangling
Proper-Names, is what I ſhall quarrel with him about) took the Field
with 2000. Janizaries, 1000 Spahis, 2000 Mooriſh Cavalry with the old
Mulatto King of Tennez at their Head, as before, and eight Field-Pieces ;
which laſt, together with all neceſſary Ammunition, &c. were landed at
the Port of Tennez.
Arriving with theſe Troops at the River Sique, about four Spaniſh
Leagues from Oran, in the direct Road to Tremizan, be there came almoſt
upon the Count De Alcaudete, who was there waiting for him at the Head
of 6000 Spaniards, accompanied by his Friend and Ally the King of Trem
mizan, with a Corps of 6000 African and Arab Horſe. When the Baſha
found how near his Enemies lay, and that they purpoſely waited his Ap-
proach, he cauſed his Army to halt and take ſome Repoſe for that Night,
with Deſign to offer them Batrel the next Morning : “ And, doubtleſs,
" adds Haedo expreſly, conſidering the Bravery, of the Troops on both
« Sides, and the cqual and unanimous Deſire they all had to come to Blows,
" the Encounter would not have failed of proving a moſt obſtinate and
bloody Diſpute: Had it not ſo happened, that about Mid-Night arrived
" in Poſt-Halte, a French Gentleman, named. M. Lanis, ſent with two Gallies
“ from the King of France, to bring Haſſan Baſha thc News of, and con-
66 dole with him for the b Death of his Father, Heyradin Barba-rol', who,
" in May laft, died of a Fever at Conſtantinople”. CM. L'Abbé de Vertot
has theſe Words, concerning that famous Renegado-Admiral's Exit, .viz,
b Vide Vol. I. P. 293.
· Vide Hift. de Malihe. L, XI.
Aaa 2
“ Barba-
364
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
+
Barba-roſa, being returned to Conſtantinople, notwithſtanding he was
« more than cighty Years old, paſſed his Days and Nights with his
« faireft She-Slaves. But carrying too far his Debauch, he was found
« dead in his Bed, of theſe Exceſſes. Suliman was very deeply concern-
ed for his Lofs, &c." Whatever Truth there might have been in the
Article of this Great Man's Debauches, there is certainly a great Miſtake
in the Point of his Age; ſince it is very evident, that in 1518 his Elder
Brother d Arouje was ſcarce forty four when he died.
And to diſcover how ill thoſe laſt Lines from Haedo agree with Marmol's
Expreſſions, in a preceding Page, of Haſan Baſba's not daring to look
the Count in the Facc, needs no very extraordinary Penetration. His own
Spaniſh Words are, no ſe atreviendo a eſperarle, dio buelta huyendo para
Argel, &c. And in the Margin, Hafcen Aga no ofa pelear con el Conde;
which is literaly thus; 1. “ Not preſuming to ſtay for him, he turned
“ flying towards Algiers, &c." 2. “ Haſan Aga [inſtead of Baſha] dares
“ not fight with the Count." One of theſe Antipodes muſt be wrong.
But am I not oyer-officious ? Honeſt F. Haedo, almoft Verbatim,.
i
goes on thus.
Haſan Baſha was hereof no ſooner informed, as well from the Embar-
fador's Mouth as by the King of France's Letter, but he was ſeized with a
Grief ſcarce expreſſible; yet no other than what the Loſs of ſuch a Fa-
ther required. Nor was this great Grief centered in him alone; it reign-
ing univerſal throughout the whole Turkiſh Army; great Part of the Turks
and Renegadoes, more particularly the Officers, having been Soldiers under
the defunct Heyradin Barba-roſa. For this Reaſon, the very next Morn-
ing, Haſan Baſha entered on a Treaty with Don Martin, and at length it
was agreed, That the Prince, who had been ſeated on the Throne of Tre-
mizan by the Count, ſhould remain Poffeffor of that Realm, and freely
ſuffered to continue the Chriſtian Emperor's Vaffal: Haſan Baſa promiſing
not to moleft him upon that Account; and that they all remain Friends. [Is
this like running away from an Enemy!] This Peace being concluded,
and the Algerine Camp having ſtayed in that Place two Days longer, the
Bapa,and all in general,bitterly bewailing Barba-roſa'sDeath, they broke up:
And Haſan Baſha, dreſſing himſelf all in Black, and mounting a Jet-black
Horſe, directed his Courſe ftreight to Algiers; ordering the Cannon
• Vida Vol. I. P. 222, 223, 257, 287,,. & 293,-
and
!!!
1
.
<
The HISTORY, Of ALGIERS.
365.
and heavy Luggage to be conveyed to Tennez, where it was ſoon after im-
barked on divers Galeots.
N. B. Among the Turks Black is not Mourning; nor is it ſcarce ever
worne at all by them; but rather held in Deteſtation. Indeed, in Bar-
bary all Upper-Garments, as Cadróns and Bornooſes, of the old Turks (as
will be obſerved in the Topograplıy) are of black Cloth, as are che Gebbahs,
worne by the better Sort, of black Silk, but no other Part of their Ap-
parel is Black. So this muſt be a Piece of Caprice and Singularity in
Haſſan Baſha. The Native Jews are obliged to wcar ſcarce any thing but
Black. This only en paſant.
A. D. 1550. The Diffentions among thoſe of Tremizan continuing as
ficrcc as ever, one of the Factions addreſſed the King of Fez, intreating
him to give them, for their Sovereign, the Prince whom, ſome few Years
fince, the Count De Alcaudete had obliged to ſeck Sanctuary at that Court.
Theſc Intreaties were accompanied with gricvous Complaints of Male-Ad-
miniſtration againſt the reigning King, whom they in particular accuſed
of being too great a Friend to the Chriſtians, and miſcrably haraſſing and
fleecing the Subject, purely to content and gratify them, excluſive of the *
heavy and vexatious Tributes, paid to his Catholic Majeſty.
This was well enough reliſhed by the Sherif, and he undertook to im-
bark in the Affair; not ſo much out of any extraordinary Fellow-feeling
he had for the Exile Prince his Gucſt, or the Tremizanians, but rather to
try what could be brought about towards accompliſhing the Deſire he long
had, of incorporating that Realm with thoſe of Fez, Tarudant, Morocco,
&c. of which he was already the Arbiter.
Agitated with theſe ambitious Stimulations, he formed a Camp.of 12000
Horſe, and about as many Foot, among whom were sooo Renegadoes, all
good Soldiers and bearing Fire-Arms. This Army was led by his Heir Pre-
fumptive, accompanied by a younger Son of his, and the pretending Exile
King of Tremizan, whoſe Cauſe he made Shew of eſpouſing against his
uſurping Brother, who was poffefied of that crazy Throne, under Pro-
tection of the Spaniards. The Mauritanian Prince having, by quick
Marches, ſoon reached Tremizan, got cafy Entrance into that Capital, the
Uſurper having, ſome Days before, retreated to Oran with liis Family:
As being conſcious of his Inſufficiency to attend that Viſit; confidering
the Diſpoſition of his factious Subjects. Having thus, without Blows,
obtained Poſſeſſion of that City, and conſequently, in a Manner, of the
whole
4
366
The HISTORY of ALGIER S.
1
whole Realm, the Prince, probably ſo inſtructed by his Father, commit-
ted the Charge thercof to Abdallah his Cadet, and a competent Garriſon,
without taking the lealt Notice of the Pretender to that Throne, whom
he had brought, ſeemingly, on Purpoſe to re-inſtate: Only telling that
baffled Prince, that he would take him as his Companion in his Eaſtern
Progreſs, ſince he determined to go on conquering and ſpoiling the Alge-
fine State, and not to ſtop till he had, if poſſible, made himſelf Mafter even
of their Capital; adding, indeed, that at their Return, he would put him
in Poſſeſſion of his Kingdom
The Prince of Fez ſoon arrived with his Army upon the Borders of Beni-
Aamar', a warlike Tribe in the Neighbourhood of Oran, mounting at leaſt
1 2000 gallant Horſe. They are Maſters of a conſiderable Domain of High
and Low Lands; and uſed frequently to be in Alliance with the Spaniards
of Oran. Not daring to attend his Approach, they had retired, with their
numerous Herds and Droves, Meltering themſelves in the Algerine Terri-
tory, under the Cannon of Moſtaganen, twelve Spaniſa Leagues Eaſt of
Oran. Here his Fezzan Highneſs was in Suſpenſe, whether he ſhould
purſue and fall upon thoſe Fugitives, from whom he might gain a very
rich Booty, eſpecially of Cattle, or make an Attempt upon Oran, which,
if he prevailed, would be a moſt honourable Exploit. But upon mature
Deliberation, he grew ſenſible how difficult a Matter this laſt would be,
and therefore concluded on the former.
Being got within Sight of them, he heard, that the Turks of Algiers
were advancing to meet and give him Battel: Which was not bare Ru-
mour. For when Haſſan Baſha was informed of the rapid, unreſiſted Pro-
greſs the Tingitanians were making within the Ottoman Provinces, he in-
ftantly fitted out a Camp of sooo Foot and 1000 Horſe, Turks, with ten
Ficld-Pieces, which he committed to the Conduct of three principal Al-
Caids, namely Sefer, Ali Corfo and Haſan Sardo: The firit a Turk and the
others Renegadoes; one of Corſica, the other of Sardinia. As for the Baſha,
he remained at Algiers; by his Preſence and Authority to prevent any ill
Effects from thoſe Commotions. The Orders he gave to thoſe Generals
were, that they ſhould, if poſſible, avoid an Engagement till they had
joined the ſaid Beni- Aamar, and then go in Search of the Enemy. The
Fezzan Army being, as wę faid, within Sight of Moſtaganem, taking a
n
+
• Vide Vol. I, p. 334.
View
+
The HISTORY OF A LGIER'S.
367
1
View of thoſe Moors, the Algerines, very unexpectedly, appeared within
Sight of the fame Place, on the contrary Side: Which the Prince of Fez
no ſooner underſtood, but reflecting that, if he ſtayed a few Hours longer
he muſt, inevitably, be obliged to encounter thoſe united Forces, he was
quite at a Stand : Nor was he long in determining. For turning his Horſe's
Head again Weſtward, he made a ſpeedy Retreat; driving away in the
Front of his Army a prodigious Number of Camels and other Cattle, which
he had amaſſed in the way thither. This being perceived by the Turks,
in Conjunction with the Cavalry of Beni- Aimar, they purſued him ſo vi-
gorouſly, that they came up with his Rear, within eight Spaniſl. Leagues
of Tremizan; at the ſame Paſs and River where in 1gi8 € Arouje Barba-
roſa ended his Days ſo gallantly. A deſperate and very bloody Encounter
enſued, of ſeveral Hours Continuance, maintained on both sides with
equal Obſtinacy: “ For, fays Haedo expreſly, if the Turks and Renegadoes
“ of Algiers fought well, the 8 Elches of Fez, all Fuziliers like their ſelves,
c behaved with not a Whit leſs Bravery : But as at length the Fezzan
" Cavalry was forced by the Troops of Beni- Aamar to give Way, the
“ Elches were, likewiſe, obliged to follow their Example; and here be-
gan a miſerable Slaughter of Men, and among the reſt fell the Prince
“ of Fez himſelf, and the pretending King of Tremizan."
The Algerines (whoſe Loſs was not inconſiderable) accompanied by the
Beni- Aamar Cavalry, followed their Blow, marching directly to Tremizan,
with the flain Prince's Head on a Lance's Point. As for Prince Abdallah,
upon the firſt Intelligence of his Brother's Diſaſter, he poſted away, with
his whole Equipage and Garriſon, to carry thoſe unwelcome Tydings to
his ambitious Father. This Abdallah was the next ſucceeding Monarch
of the Tingitanian Mauritania.
Except a general Maſſacre, unhappy Tremizan underwent all the Miſe-
rics of conquered Places ; ſcarce any thing being left to the wretched Inha-
vitants, but Life itſelf. The three Algerine Chieftains, calling a Council, una-
nimouſly agreed, never more to quit that City, on any Accourt whatever,
or to think of reſtoring the Sovereignty thereof to the Moors; but that
one of them ſhould remain there, with a Garriſon. Caſting Lots, it fell
upon Al-Caid Sefer; and accordingly he was left Governor, for the Baſha
of Aigiers, with 1500 Tures. The reſt, returning Home triumphantly
ز
f
Vide Vol. I. p. 256.
Corruptly for Oulouja, the Arabic Plural of Ulj, a Renegado.
2
and
368
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
1
and rich with Spoil, were graciouſly received by Haſan Baſha; who cauſed
the Prince's Head to be placed in an Iron Cage, over the principal Gate
of the City, called Beb-Azoun; where it continued till 1973, when it
was removed by Arab Ahamad, the then Baſha, at his rebuilding the ſaid
Gate and its Wall. Of this, farther Notice ſhall be taken.
The ſame Year, when all this occurred, viz. 1550. Haſan Baſha built
a l Tower on the very Spot of Ground where the Emperor Don Carlos
pitched his Pavillion, when he received that notable i Defeat at Algiers, in
1541. But of this Fortreſs, called by the Franks the Emperor's Caſtle,
and its Enlargements, more in due Place. He, likewiſe, at or about the
fame Time, laid the Foundation of a Building, in Imitation of an Hoſpital,
for fick and wounded Janiſaries, who were deſtitute of better Accommo.
dations: Tho' that was but a mean Edifice, and as meanly endowed. But
this Year gave the finiſhing Stroke to a noble Bagnio, or public Bath, he
had founded at Algiers, in Imitation of that fine one built by his Father
at Conſtantinople, which was mentioned in that great Bama's Life, and
which occaſioned to this his Son the Loſs of his Vice-Royalty.
A.D. 1551. For the proud Rofian Bama, one of the three chief Grandees
of the Ottoman Court, the Sultan's great Favourite, and married to his be-
loved Daughter, having, upon Barba-roſa's Demiſe, caſt a greedy Eye
towards that magnificent Bagnio, which yielded its Proprietor a very con-
ſiderable Revenue, acquainted a Deputy of the Baſha of Algiers, then Re-
ſident at the Porte, with the mighty Deſire he had of having it in Poffer
fion. This Deputy, named Fafer, the Baſha's own Renegado, wrote im-
mediately to his Maſter about this Affair ; as being ſtrictly injoined ſo to
do by the covetous Roſtan. Haſan Baſha, ſufficiently ſcandalized at this
unreaſonable Piece of Avarice, took no Manner of Notice of it; as deem-
ing the Demand not worthy even a Reply. As the Turks are no leſs adroit
at Dillimulation than any others, this lay dormant for ſome Years ; till at
length Haſan Baſha had a Letter from his Renegado, at the Porte, which
gave him no ſmall Alarms. He inform'd him, “ That Roſtan Baſha, in a
“ thundering Tone, had ordered him to let his Maſter know, from him,
" that he ſhould very ſpeedily be obliged to quit not only the Bagnio he
was fo fond of, but alſo his beloved Algiers.
This Meſſage was enough to make our Baſha deem it his beſt Way to
.
a Vide Vol. I. p. 325.
Pide Vol. I. p. 295, & feq. where it is amply treated of.
endeavour
The History of ALGIERS.
369
endeavour to pacify that dangerous Cormorant: And, getting ready fix
Gallies, September 1551, he ſet out for Conſtantinople; from whence he
intended a ſpeedy Return: But he fell ſhort in his Calculation. The Ror
mainder of his Life and Actions will be related, when, in ſucceeding Years,
we ſhall find him twice Vice-Roy of this State; which he had hitherto
governed, for full ſeven Years, with great Tranquillity (bating the afore-
faid Commotions) and univerſal Satisfaction and Applauſe. This Chapter
ſhall conclude with what Haedo ſays concerning the Deputy Baſha, viz.
1
A L-CAID Sefer. Khalifa, or Deputy.
Notwithſtanding, ſays this Author, Haſſan Baſa (tho' he was deceived)
went to the Levant only with a View of returning in few Days, yet, ac
his Arrival at Conftantinople, he found it impoflible for him to appeaſe his
Oppoſer Roſtan Bama, even tho' he gave up to him the Propriety of the
Bagnio in Queſtion. The Baſha, at his Departure from Algiers, deſirous
of leaving in his Place a Perſon who might adminiſter with Juſtice and
Prudence, made Choice of Al-Gaid Sefer, who was, as we obſerved above,
left the laſt Year Governor of Tremizan: And as that Governor, as a Man
of Conduct and Reſolution, had given many Proofs of his Experience and
Abilities, both in War and Peace, and was generally loved and eſteemed,
the Baſha's Choice met with univerſal Approbation. He was a natural
Turk, born at a poor Village in Natolia, of very mean Extraction and
Parentage; and came to Algiers from Turky ſeveral Years before, in Com-
pany with other k Chacals, to ſeek (as they word it) their Fortunes; where
he managed his Matters ſo ſucceſsfully, that he arrived to theſc Dignities.
It is remarkable, that he governed with ſuch Prudence, that in his Time
not one ſuffered Death, or even any other corporal Puniſhment; than
which nothing is more frequent among thoſe People. He raiſed from
the Foundation and completed the great Baſtion over the Mole-Gate.
In his Time, a very terrible Famine raged throughout the whole Region:
Yer ſuch was his Diligence to ſupply Algiers with all Sorts of Proviſions,
* The
3
. * This is the Word many heré corrupt into Jack-áll. it is the Creature, ſomewhat like's
Fox, ſaid to accompany the Lion; nor is it a Fable. The haughty Soldiery of the Levant ſo
nick-name their Peaſants: But I would not adviſe any of them to give that Epithet to one in
Algerine Pay; whatever Title he might have to it before.
VOL. II.
Bbb
that
t
370
The HISTORY of ALGIER $.
)
that while Multitudes of Souls werc every where elſe periſhing daily of
mere Want, the Inhabitants of that City wallowed in Abundance. He
governed this State about ſeven Months, viz. from September 1551 to
April 1552, when he was obliged to reſign his Seat to Salha Rais, of
whom we are, next to treat.
Aboạt ten Years after died Al-Caid Sefer, aged fifty two, being then
Governor, or Al-Çaid of Tennez; which State (at the Deceaſe of the old
Mulatto Prince, Hamide Al- Aibd, ſo often mentioned) had revolved to
the Turks of Algiers, as had been ſtipulated. He was not very tall of Sta-
ture, but extremely well-ſet and robuſt, or rather inclinable to be fat and
corpulent. His Complexion was ſwarthy, and his Beard very thick and
buthy. He left no Children; but had a younger Brother, named Al-Caid
Daud, whom he had brought from the Levant when a Stripling, and who,
for Wealth and Reputation, was the firſt Al-Gaid in the whole Algerine
Territory ; 'and eſpouſed Haji's only Daughter. This Sefer lies interred,
among ſeveral of the other principal Algerines, under a ſmall Cupola, with-
out the Weſtern Gate, called Beb-al-Weyd.
00000000000000000000
0000000000
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CH A P. VIII.
A
BASHA V. Salha RAIS. The firſt ARAB Vice-Roy of
ALGIERS.
T
HE imperious and rapacious Roſtan, being an Enemy too potent
for Haſan Baſha to cope with, and too vindictive to be pacified,
eyen by Conceſſions, the Vice-Royalty of Algiers was given to Salba
Rais.
This Bama was a natural Arab, born at Alexandria in Egypt; and, ex-
cept-Arab Abamed, was the only Governor of that Nation, I dare be po-
fitive, the Algerines ever had, or ever will have again: Eſpecially ſince
they have ſhaken-off their ſuch immediate Dependence on the Grand
1
Vide Vol. I. p. 240.
Signor:
The: HISTORY OF ALGIER S.
371
1
Signor: For now they will not ſubmit even to a Renegado, tho' one of
their own Corps; ſo much is the Caſe altered with them : But of thoſe
Affairs elſewhere. Yet certainly, no Fault was to be found with this brave
and gallant Man; as will evidently appear. Beſides, he had been brought
up by the Turks, as one of them; having been taken in his Youth
when the Ottomans conquered his paternal Country, and overthrew the
Mamaluc Empire, 4. D. 1517. And for many Years he was a very par-
ticular Favourite of Heyradin Barba-roſa; and ſomc Mention has been
made of him in the Life of that Baha a.
When Heyradin went up to the Levant, and was made: Captain Baſha,
this Salha Rais accompanied him, and was conſtantly one of his Prime
Counſellors in all Affairs of Importance. Afterwards he was advanced to
the honourable and advantageous Employ of Timonero, or Coxon to the
Grand Signor, whoſe Buſineſs is to ſteer his Barges, or Pleaſure-Boats;
which Poſt is never beſtowed on any but great Favourites. As Rofan
Bafisa had appeared ſo vigorouſly in Prejudice of Barba-roſa's Son, Sul-
tan Suliman gratificd that his Favourite Son-in-Law by depoſing him;
and in Regard to the many Services and great Abilities of Salba Rais, hc
ſigned his Commiſſion for the important Vicc-Royalty of Algiers ;
where near the End of April, 1552, the new Bafha arrived with ten
Gallies.
He had not been many Days there, (where he was very well known and
liked of) but News came that the Sultan or King of Tuggurt had rebelled;
refuſing to remit the accuſtomary. Tribute of fifteen Black She-Slaves.
This Prince poſteſſes a Territory (abounding with the beſt Dates, having
one very ancient and no inconſiderable City, and upwards of thirty large
Towns and Villages) lying South and ſomewhat Eaſterly more than twenty
Days March from Algiers, croſs the Numidian Deſarts. My Spaniſh Au.
thors make it 150 Leagues; which are about 600 of our Miles b. Not
to enter here upon any more Particulars of this Place, we come only to
what regards Salha Rais, in this his firſt Expedition, as Baſha of Algiers.
A. D. 1952. Five Months after his Arrival, viz. at the Beginning of
Oktober, he ſet out with 3000 Turkiſh Infantry, 1000 Spahis, and only
two Pieces of Cannon, according to Haedo; but Marmol ſays three; and
1
2 Vol. I. p. 291.
In the Time of Arouje Barba-rola (tho' I forgot to inſert it) the
Weſtern Turks got Footing in thoſe Parts, by a baſe Wile I ſhall mention when I treat more
minutely of their Acquiſitions.
Bbb 2
adds,
L
372
The HISTORY of ALGIER S.
1
adds, that beſides this Force, he had 8000 Arabs, and was accompanied
by Abdalaziz, Prince of Beni- Abbas (the braveſt African of his Time,
and of whom more ſhall be ſaid) with 1800 of his. Highlanders on Foot,
all bearing Fire-Arms, and 1600 Horſe ; all the Baggage was carried on
an infinite Number of Camels, without which, as has been obſerved, there
would be no Poſſibility of traverſing thoſe arid Deſarts; and the Cannon
were drawn by Moors. The Baſa kept his Deſigns very ſecret, as in-
tending, if poſſible, to ſurpriſe that Mooriſ Prince unawares ; as it actually
happened: For thoſe of Tuggurt had not the leaſt Notice of his Approach,
till the Turkiſh Banners appeared at a few Leagués Diſtance. "That Prince,
a Youth of fourteen, wholly unprovided of a Force fufficient to meet
ſuch Viſitors in the Field, was in a terrible Fright; and, by the Advice of
his Preceptor, who was chief Judge of the Realm, cauſed the City Gates
to be chained up; as imagining he might well enough ſtand an Attack,
and hold out, till relieved by his own Vaffals, and the neighbouring
Arab Tribes, who bore the domineering Turks a mortal Hatred.
For three Days continually, Salha Rais battered the Walls, and on thic
fourth gave an Affault and carried the Town, with great Slaugliter of the
Inhabitants. The young King, being made Priſoner, was brought before
the Baſha, and asked, “How he durſt be a Traytor to the Grand Signor,
« and lift his Arm againſt his awful Banner?” He laying the whole Blame
upon the Cadi, or Judge, his Preceptor, without whoſo Concurrence, he
ſaid, nothing was, or could be tranſacted, the poor Cadi was inſtantly ſent
for; when the Facts were all proved to his Face, with the Aggravation
of his having, indefatigably, ſtirred up the People, exhorting them to fight
the Turks, and, by Way of Encouragement, affirming, that whoever
flew one of thoſe Infidels would be intitled to the famc Reward in the
other World as he would be in killing a Chriſtian. Upon this Salha Rais
ordered the officious Zenlot to a Cannon ; to which being faſtened, hc was
blown piece-meal into the Air. Such Counſel, fuch Recompence. The
ſurviving Inhabitants, being about 12000, were all ſold as Slaves to any
who would purchaſe them; and the plundered City was left quite dę.
folate.
From thence, taking with him the young Captive Prince, and many
other Chiefs, he ſet out for Wargala, another Numidian Sovereignty
much reſembling Tuggurt, about forty Spaniſh Leagues farther South; that
Prince having, likewiſe, refuſed his annual Tribute to the Turksg. of thirty
Blacks
1
1
1
7
1
1
The: HISTORY of ALGIERS.
373
Blacks, moſtly Females. Arriving there, he found that large City utterly
abandoned, except by forty rich Negro Merchants, who came thither to
traffic, and were obliged to wait all Events, as having been robbed of
their Camels by the Fugitives. With theſe the Baſha compounded for
the Amount of 200000 Ducats in Tibber, or Gold Duſt, and then fer
them at Liberty: And being informed, that the King of Wargala, with
4000 Horſe, was recired to a ſtrong Place, named Al-Cala, ſituate on a
Mountain, ſeven Days Riding (reckoned fifty Spaniſh Leagues) farther
within the Libyan Deſarts, on the Borders of Æthiopia inferior, or Negro-
land, he diſpatched a Courier, on a · Dromedary, to that Prince, aſſuring
him upon the Ottoman Emperor's Head (a great Oath among the Orientalsi)
and his own Word of Honour, not to offer the laſt Injury, for that Time,
either to himſelf or any of his People; but that he, and every one of his
Followers and Vaſſals, might return to their reſpective Abodes in all Safety,
and there remain unmoleſted; ſtill provided they never again refuſed duly
remitting the agreed-on Tribute : For upon the firſt Omiſſion of that
Nature, they might depend upon another ſuch. Viſit, to convince them
and all the World, that the Turks of Algiers are not a People to be crified
with. They came; and he kept his Word inviolably.
Having finiſhed his Affairs there, Salba Rais again bent his Courfe
North: And paſſing by Tuggurt, he releaſed the young Prince and moſt of
the Priſoners; and obliged him and ſome of the principal Men to take
an Oath of Fidelity to the Turks, and conſtantly to pay them their juſt
Tribute; which the Sovereigns of both thoſe States continue ſtill to
do, notwithſtanding their great Remoteneſs within ſuch Deſarts. Marmol
ſays, the Baſha carried to Algiers fifteen Camels Load of Gold, beſides
much other rich Spoil; adding, that he left a Garriſon of Algerines at
cach of thoſe Numidian Cities. Whatever was done then I cannot afe
firm, either pro or con: But certain it is, that, for many Years paſti, nei-
ther of thoſe Cities have had any Turkiſ Garriſons; and an Officer, under
the Eaſtward Bey's Direction, goes every Winter to Tuggurt (but ſcarce
ever to Wargala) and from thence brings the forty five Blacks: The Title
of this Officer is Al-Caid al Hedeya. He commonly refides at Biſcara; of
which Nimidian City, where the Algerines have long maintained a conſtant
Garriſon, ſome Notice may be taken in a more proper Place. Hedeya in Ara-
Vide Vol. I. p. 101, & feq.
bic
$74
The History of ALGIER $.
+
bic ſignifies' no other than a Preſent; by which it might ſeem as if the
Donors mean that annual Remittance only as ſuch; tho' the Receivers
count and demand it as a Tribute. In his Way home this Baſha built the
now ncglccted Caſtle at Meſila; of which Place hereafter.
A. D. 1553. This Summer Salha Rais went on Cruiſe with a ſtout
Fleet of forty Gallies, Galerts and Brigantines, exceedingly well-manned
and appointed. Coming ſuddenly upon the Iſland Mayorca, he inſtantly
landed a conſiderable Body of Turks, with View of ſweeping off the Inha-
bitants of a Village or two, as uſual in ſome of thoſe Expeditions. But
the Alarm reaching the Capital, a good Number of the Militia, led on by
the Gentry and others on Horſe-back, came up with thoſe Free-Booters,
before they could do much Miſchief. A ſmart Diſpute enſued, in which,
fays Haedo, the Iſlanders, with very little Lols, left dead on the Spot near
roo of the Corſairs. Among the Slain none was ſo much regretted as a
certain bold Renegado Captain of a Galley, named Youfouf Rais, who was
highly eſteemed by all, and moſt dearly. beloved byshis Patron the Admiral
Haji Welli.
The Baſha perceiving how little Good was to be expected there, made
over to the Spaniſh Continent ; but his Fame Aying before him, and the
great Force he brought ſtriking univerſal. Terror, he approached not
one Part of the whole Coaſt but he found it guarded. Thus diſappointed
cvery where, he ſtruck down to the Streights Mouth, and there fell in
upon five Portugueſe Frigats of War, and a Brigantine, newly come from
Lisbon, with Mulei Abou-Haſan, King of Bedeſs (corruptly called Velez
by the Spaniards) whom the King of Portugal had furniſhed with that
Squadron, on Board which were ſeveral Companics of Veterans, to favour
his Pretenſions to the Throne of Fez. Thoſe Wars are largely treated
of by Marmol; but are not ſo much to our Purpoſe.
It was a dead Calm, and conſequently the Ships had no Motion; inſo-
much that they were inſtantly ſurrounded by the Algerine Fleet, and, after
a very furious Diſpute, entered and taken: For the Portugueſe, ſeveral
Times cleared their Ships, and for three Hours made a very brave Defenſe;
nor did they ſurrender till the Majority were Nain, and almoſt all the Sur-
vivors grievouſly wounded. Among the Priſoners were the ſaid Mooriſh
Prince, and about twenty of his African Followers.
With theſe Prizes Salha Rais went to that ſmall rocky Iſland, lying be-
fore the City of Bedeſs, called by Spaniſh Writers, El Penon de Velez.
2
The
-
----
***
The HISTORY of ALGIER S.
37:5
The Governor, who held that moſt important Fortreſs for the King of
Fez, was named Al-Caid Mouſa ; who underſtanding the Baſa of Algier's
to be there in Perſon, accompanied by the rightful Proprietor of the Parts.
he governed, whether ſeized with a pannic Fear, or in order to ingratiate
himſelf with Mulei Abou-Haſan, whoſe bitter Enemy he had always been,
and in whoſe Behalf he fancied the Turks were come, ſent to make a Tena
der of not only that Fortreſs (which he ſo caſily might have defended
againſt ten ſuch Ficets ; there being but one moſt difficult Way to aſcend
the Rock, by which they can march but one a-Breaſt) but likewiſe the
City of Bedels itſelf, whereof he was alſo Governor. But this Offer was
generouſly retured by Salba Rais; who obligingly thanked him for his
good Will, ſaying; That, being in Alliance with his Fezzan Majeſty,
he came not thither to violate that Peace, by taking Poſſeſſion of any
Part
of his Territory: Adding, with a Munificence worthy himſelf, that far
from any ſuch Deſign, he touched there purely to make a Preſent to his
ſaid Maſter of thoſe Prizes, he had newly taken, with all their Cannon,
&c. and farther to ſerve the King of Fez, he would take with him to
Algiers that Prince, his Capital Foe and Competitor, who had been roam-
ing about Chriſtendom, to ſtir up even thoſe avowed Enemies of his Creed
and Perſon, to furnith him with the Means of depriving him of both
Realm and Life; notwithſtanding the advantageous Proffers that Prince
was making him, if he would eſpoule his Cauſe: And that, all the Return he
required at the hands of the King of Fez was, that he would honour him with
his Friendthip, and not ſuffer his Subjects to moleft the Kingdom of Tremi;
zan, then appertaining to the State of Algiers, by attempting to paſs its
Boundary, the River Mulwia, with any Body of Troops capable of dif-
turbing the Peace, or giving Umbrage. And ſo, injoining him to deli-
ver that Meſſage to the King of Fez, and leaving the Frigats, with all
the fine Braſs Cannon, he returned to Algiers.
Before we proceed, it may not be improper to ſay ſomething of the final
Extirpation of the ancient Zeyan Family, which, for ſo many ſucceeding
Ages, had enjoyed the once noble Kingdom of Tremizan; which in a fore-
going Page we ſaid was become an Algerine Province, as it ſtill continues,
My Author is Marmol.
According to this Writer, the Turks again reſtored that Realm to the
fame Prince whom the three Al-Gaids had forced to ſeek Refuge at Oran;
tho' Haedo is ſilent. It is true his Soyercignty was limited by a Turkija
Garriſon.
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376
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The History of ALGIERS.
Garriſon. His Words are to this Effect. From thence-forwards Mulei
Hamed aben Zeyan remained King of Tremizan, and reigned peaceably, till
he died of the Peſtilence. He continued always in Amity with Haſan
Aga [Baja he ſhould have ſaid] Governor of Algiers, and afterwards with
Salha Rais who ſucceeded him. Hamed aben Zeyan bcing dead [he ſays
not when] Salha Rais made his Friend Mulei Haſan, Brother to that
Prince, King of Tremizan; on Condition, that he ſhould deliver into his
Poſſeſſion the Fortreſſes of the Kingdom. To this he conſented ; and
the Turks placed Garriſons in the Citadel of Tremizan, and in the other
Strong-Holds. But about four Years after, upon finding the Turks,
with exceſſive Arrogance, 'inſolently domineering over the whole Country,
and committing innumerable Beaſtialities and Diſorders, he repented what
he had done; and deſirous of remedying it by expelling them, he began
to treat of theſe Affairs with the Count De Alcaudete, Governor-General
of Oran. But while this was in Agitation, the Turks, taking Wind of
it; alarmed the Arabs abroad and the Citizens at home, by inſinuat-
ing to them, that Mulei Hafan was about to re-introduce the Chriſtians
into Tremizan, again to deſtroy it. Upon theſc Rumours the People grew
outrageous; and ſo terrified him with their Menaces, that, being ſenſible
his own Vaſláls were conſpiring againſt his Life, in order to put the Turks
in abſolute Poſſeſſion of the Rcalm, he fled to Oran, with his whole Family:
Where, having remained three Years, contriving how to bring about his
Reſtoration, 'he was carried off by a contagious Diftemper; leaving only
one Son, lix Years of Age, who turned Chriſtian, and, was named Don
Carlos; on whom his Catholic Majeſty, Don Philip II, afterwards be-
ſtowed certain Lands, in Caſtile, for his Subſiſtence. Thus Marmol ; who
ſeems moſt out in ſome Points of Chronology, as will farther appear from
what is ſaid by Haedo. As to the Bulk of the Narrative, I take it to
be Fact.
What he ſays of Turkiſh Arrogance and Beaſtiality, nothing is truer;
of all which many Inſtances ſhall be given. In Anſwer to ſuch as ſpeak
in a Turk's Commendation, the Arab and African Peaſants have a common
Saying: viz. “Since you like him ſo well, take him Home with you." .
To return to Salbe Rais.
He had not been at Algiers above three Months, when News arrived,
that a great Body of Tingitanians had paſſed the River Mulwia, and were
committing Hoſtilities in the Weſtern Province. It is diſputed, whether
by
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The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
$77
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L.
1
by thc Sherif's Order, or Connivance, or that thoſe Troops were only
Free-Booters. Nay, according to the Spaniſh Writers, ſome wholly de-
nied the fact itſelf; alledging that Report to have been only an Artifice
of the Baſha of Algiers, whoſe Eyes were dazzled by the mighty Offers
made him by his Priſoner. All I can ſay to it is, that ſuch a Procedure
little agrees with the reſt of his Character. But be it this Way or that,
he reſolved on a War with the Sherif, and emploied the whole Winter in
making Preparations for that Expedition.
A. D. 1554. Very eariy this Year, Salha Rais, accompanied by Mulei
Abou-Haſan, ſet out Weſtward, with 6000 Turkiſh Infantry (Marmol
ſays but 4000) 1000 Spahis and twelve Field-Pieces. In the Way he was
joined by 4000 choice Arab Cavalry, and with a good Number of High-
landers, likewiſe Cavalry, ſent him by the King of Cucco; which Prince,
as well as the Turks, was then at War with the King of Beni. Abbas: But
of thoſe Particulars more anon. To take Care of the Ordinance, the Bapa,
from among all his Slaves, had culled out eighty of the ſtouteſt and moſt
able Men, to whom he promiſed Liberty, if they conducted them ſafe to
Fez; which Promiſe he afterwards punctually performed.
Beſides this Land-Army, he ſent, by Sea, twenty two Gallies and Ga-
leots, excellently well provided; with Orders to put into a certain Ha-
ven about eight Milcs from Melilla, and 120 from Fez; that in Cafe
any
Diſgrace befel the Army, they might have thoſe Veſſels there at Hand
for a Retreat.
Salha Rais arriving, with the Camp, at the City Teſa, or Tedſa, about
eighty Miles ſhort of Fez, he there came up with the Sherif, who waited
his coming at the Head of 40000 Horſe and as many Foot.
But our bravc Baſha, nothing diſmayed at Sight of this numerous Army,
determined on the Attack : Indeed, he had ſome Dependence on ſeveral
Al-Gaids in the Sherif's Camp, whoſe Letters, both to himſelf and Mulci
Abou-Haſan, aſſured them, that, upon their firſt Advance, they would
infallibly ſhift Sides: And ſome of them did ſo. For the Battel was ſcarce
begun, but they wheeled about, and joining the Turks, the Sherif was
put to Flight, with conſiderable Damage.
After this Victory, Salba Rais entered Tedſa, where he was well rc-
ceived. There leaving 200 Turks, he haſted to Fez, where the Sherif,
again recruited, lay incamped expecting him, cloſe by the Wall of New-
Fez, by the Burial-Place. The Tingitanian Army being again worſted,
VOL. II.
Сс с
the
1
378
The History of ALGIERS.
5
the Sherif retired precipitately into the City, and was ſo warmly purſued
by the Turks, that the Baſba of Algiers entered one Gate at the very In-
ſtant when the King of Fez was fallying out at the oppoſite one, in or-
der to eſcape to Morocco. That Diviſion of this Metropolis which is called
New-Fez, was totally pillaged by the Algerines, who found therein an im-
menſe Booty: And they being about to do the like Favour to the Jews
Quarter, which is ſeparated by a Wall from the reſt of the City, thoſe
People wiſely compounded with Salha Rais for 300000 Ducats: And be-
cauſe two Janiſaries, notwithſtanding that Compoſition, broke into the
Juderia, with a Deſign to plunder, the Baſa inſtantly cauſed them to be
hanged up over the Gate of the ſaid Juderia, or Jews Quarter. All this
happened in March.
I remember to have read in a Spaniſh Hiſtorian (Diego de Torres, if I
miſtake noi) that the Jews of that City appeared in the Gate-Way of their
Quarter, with what Weapons came to Hand, reſolutely determined to de-
fend their Houſes and Families; which chiefly prevailed on the Baſha to
compound with them: And, that afterwards, many fews fared very indiffe-
rently, for their Vanity and Imprudence, in upbraiding the Mooriſh Inhabitants
with the Diſhonour of their Wives and Daughters, as well as Loſs of Goods,
as wholly occaſioned by their Puſillanimity and Want of a like Reſolution.
One would think, out of mere Policy, and for Self-Prefervation, that ſub-
tile, temporizing People might have knowwbetter; ſince among the Moors,
and more particularly thoſe of the Tingitana, they are far from being allow-
ed to be ſo impertinent, or to aſſume any of the 'Liberties they do among
ſome Chriſtians.
Mulei Abou-Hafian was proclaimed King of Fez: And, as a Gratificati.
on to Salha Rais, he paid down what he called his Table-Money, at the
Rate of 3000 Meticals, or Gold-Ducats per Dieni, reckoning from the
Day of his leaving Algiers : And to all the Turkiſh Soldiers hc not only gave
them their uſual Pay, but likewiſe a very liberal Over-plus; as to the
Officers he magnificently diſtributed among them other very valuable
Preſents, beſides Horſes, Mules and Camels for themſelves and the rich
Baggage they had amaſſed in that Campaign.
Haedo takes particular Notice of one generous Action of this Baſha,
and terms it a Royal Courteſy. The Sherif's chief Wife, and two of his
young Daughters, falling into his Hands, he not only cauſed them to be
moſt nobly ſerved, with all poſſible Honour and Reſpect, but alſo ſene
them to him at Morocco, well guarded and attended.
After
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
376
/
After all this, he ſtayed at Fez ſtill a Month longer, ſettling thc Affairs
of that Realm for the new King, and reconciling to him many powerful
Al-Caids and other important Perſons. When preſuming him to be fc-
curc on his Throne, he departed homewards, marching very deliberately,
and making ſome Stay at Tremizan, Moſtaganem and Tennez; where hav-
ing left all Matters relating to the Public in very good Order, he return-
ed in Triumph to Algiers.
When the before-mentioned Al-Caid Mouſa, Governor of Bedefs, heard
of thoſe Revolutions, and greatly fearing Mulei Abou• Haſſan, as having
greatly offended him, he inſtantly abandoned the impregnable Fortreſs El-
Penon. This was no ſooner underſtood by the Algerine Squadron, ncar
Melilla, but thoſe Corſairs, thinking that Opportunity too good to be
neglected, immediately wcighed, and took Poſſeſſion, as not meeting with
one Oppoſer; leaving in it a Garriſon of 200 Turks: For which notable
Piece of Service they were by Salha Rais courteouſly thanked and liberally
gratified. The Algerine Turks held that Place till 1564, when it was taken
by Philip II, King of Spain, as ſhall be obſerved.
A. D. 1555. This Year Salha Rais, in Perſon, took thc Maritime
City of Bujeya from the Spaniards: Of which Exploit take the following
Particulars. Frequent Mention has been made of this City, but eſpecially
in the Life of Arouje Barba-roſa; who was there twice repulſed and loſt
an Arm. It was taken by Don Pedro Navarro, from the Moors, in sro,
ſoon after the fame General took Oran, as he did much about the ſame
Time, divers other places on the Coaſt of Barbary.
In June the Bapa ſet out by Land with a Camp of only 3000 Turks ;
fending by Sea two Gallies, a great Bark and a French Saetia, with twelve
Battering Cannon and two very large Pedreros, with a ſufficient Quantity
of all neceſſary Proviſions and Ammunitions. The Reaſon why he font ſo
ſmall a Naval Force, was becauſe, juſt at that Juncture, the Prior of Capua
was arrived at Algiers, with twenty four French Gallies, and Letters from
the Grand Signor; the Purport whereof was, to injoin Salha Rais to fur-
niſh that General with all the Gallies and Men he could poſſibly ſpare, in
Favour of Francis I, King of France, who was embroiled in a furious War
with Philip II, the new King of Spain. In Conſequence whereof, the
Batba gave the ſaid Prior twenty two large and well-provided Gillies and
Galeots, full of Jani ſariesy with good Store of fine Artillery and all other
Neceſſaries: Tho' of all this Marmol inentions not one Word; but, in-
Ссс 2
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comment
380
The HISTORY of ALGIER S.
ſtead thereof, affirms Salha Rais to have gone againſt Bujeya with a Flece
of twenty two Gallies, by Sca, and more than 40000 Men, by Land, of
which Number 10000 bore Fire-Arms: And that his going was at the
particular Inſtigation of an African Saint, whoſe Name was Sidi Maham-
mad Al-Haji. This laſt Article is, indeed, likely enough; for the fančti-
fied People of Africa are not a Jott leſs prone to Miſchief, and to ſet Folks
together by the Ears, than they are ellewhere. But as to the reſt, ſince
we have the Authority of another very good Spaniard, I mean Haedo, who,
apparently, ſeems to have been, many Years, a Captive at Algiers, and to
have made theſe Affairs ſo much his Buſineſs, in my humble Opinion, it
ſmells very much as if the other Spaniard envied the Algerines the Honour
of wreſting from the Spaniards that important Place, with only Part of their
Forces. I would not, willingly, paſs a wrong Judgment; yet cannot help
thinking it looks ſomewhat like it. If Marmol did not, purpoſely and in-
vidiouſly fink this material Article, I heartily crave his Pardon : Perhaps,
it never came to his Knowledge. But this we all know, that the French and
the Turks were, all along, as much Cater-Couſins as they have been ever
ſince, or as either of them could have deſired.
In his Way to Bujeya (diſtant from Algiers, due Eaſt, thirty Spaniſ
Leagues) Salha Rais was joined by upwards of 30000 Arabs and Africans,
a good Number of theſe laſt ſent him by the King of Cucco: For thoſe Peo-
ple are ever prompt to hurry, in Sholes, on Expeditions like this, which they
deem meritorious. When he arrived at that City, with his Camp, and had got
a-ſhore his heavy Artillery, &c. he made no Delay, but ſoon planted two
Batteries; one of fix Cannon, on the Eminence over the Town (juſt in
the Way by which they aſcend the Mountain, at whoſe Foot Bujeya lies
ſituate) againſt the Imperial Caſtle, as it was called, built fome Years be-
fore, on the Brow of another Eminence, by Charles the Emperor ; the
other Battery, of the remaining fix Cannon and the two Pedreros, was
formed againſt the Caſtle, at the Mouth of the Port, called El Vergellete :
Of this he took himſelf the Direction, and the other he left to the Carc
and Management of Al-Gaid Youfouf, a Renegado Greek.
The Cannonading was ſcarce begun, when a Spaniſh Galeon arrived
with a Supply of Soldiei's, Proviſions and Money to pay and ſupply.the
Garriſon: But it was foon ſunk by the Cannon from the Baſha's Battery.
On the eighth Day, El Vergellete being rendered in a Manner indefenſible,
and the beſt Part of 100 Soldiers who defended it being killed, the reſt
were
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
381
A
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were obliged to retreat to the Town: As were, ſix Days after, the Reſi-
due of thoſe in Garriſon in the Imperial Caſtle; neither of which Fortreſſes
were able long to reſiſt the Fury of the Turkiſh Cannon, which, ſays my
Author Haedo, were very large.
Theſe Caſtles gained, Salha Rais deemed himſelf Maſter of the Place, as
did the Chriſtians give up their ſelves for loſt. Whereupon the Baſha ſeng
to the Spaniſh Governor, named Don Alonſo de Peralta, a Gentleman of a
great Family in Spain; putting him in Mind of his Inſufficiency to make
a much longer Defenſe, conſidering the Crazineſs of the City Walls; at
the ſame Time, offering him reaſonable Conditions upon his immediate
Surrendry. After ſeveral Meſſages, the Baſha condeſcended that he ſhould
chuſe forty Perſons whom he pleaſed, (Marmol ſays but twenty, and that
Salba Rais had promiſed Liberty to all the Inhabitants) and with them
imbark, for Spain, on the French Veſſel. But Don Alonſo enjoyed not long
the Fruits of thoſe Conditions; for King Philip cauſed his Head to be
taken off, ſome few Months after his Arrival.
To prevent Diſorders, the Baſha commanded, on Pain of immediate
Death, that no Turk, or other, ſhould preſume to enter the City with him,
except thoſe he ſhould appoint: And, the late Governor and his Company
being got ſafe Aboard, the Baſha rode into the Town, well guarded;
where he found 400 Men, 120 Women and about 100 Children; all
which were made Captives. The Spoil of this City was very rich; and
the Turks alſo recovered the ſunk Galeon, and found therein fome Barrels
of Money, to the Amount of 12000 Ducats. Of the Booty and Captives
Salha Rais made liberal Diſtribution among the moſt deſerving of his
Turks and Moors: When leaving at Bujeya a Renegado Sardinian, named
Al-Caid Ali, Sardo, with 400 Turks, he returned, by Land to Algiers;
haring firſt fent away the Galeon, and his other Shipping, richly laden with
the Spoils of that Place, which had been thirty five Years poſſeſſed by the
Spaniards. This whole Expedition took up Salha Rais juſt two Months,
from his Setting out to his Return to Algiers.
Tho' Marmol, almoſt every where elſc, in Exploits againſt Muſulmans,
paints out this tough old Baſba as a Leader of moſt conſummate Bravery and
Conduct, yet here, agitated with a true Catholic Zeal, he aims at repreſenting
him as a faithleſs Pagan. The more generous Haedo makes no ſuch At-
tempt; but in very many Places, ſeems, with a ſtrict Regard to Truth,
give every one his juſt Due: Nay, in a Word, ſeems not as if he wrote to
pleaſe
to
3.82
The HISTORY of ALGIER S.
th
pleaſe any but himſelf. And, indeed, why ſhould the Truth ever give Of-
fence! But no Good is to be done, with ſome Sort of People, if they are
not humoured, by playing the Sycophant: Which, however tolcrable to
be practiſed towards froward Children, or connived at towards pamper-
ed, whimſical Females, ſhould, methinks, be deemed wholly beneath the
Dignity of ſtately, lordly Man!
Jutt by this City, towards the Eaſt, runs into the Mediterrancan a large
River, named Al Weyd al-Kebir, i. e. The Great River; tho' it has a Title
to that Name only after great Floods of Rain; the Waters then rowling
down from the adjacent Mountains, in impecuous Torrents. In Summer
and good Part of Autumn, if a dry Seaſon, it carries ſcarce any Water at
all; and then thc Great River's forſaken Bed is only to be ſeen. Tho' it
abounds with excellent Fiſh, they are quite neglected by the lazy Inhabi-
tants; who are plentifully furniſhed, at eaſier Rates and in greater Variety,
by their kind Neighbour, the Sea. When Bujeya belonged to the Spa-
niards, the Natives acquaint us, that, even when fulleſt with Water, no
Veſſels, of any, Sort whatever, could enter this River; ſo was its Mouth
guarded by a Bank of Sand; but that the very Winter after this place was
taken by Salba Rais, the Seaſon proved ſo exceſſively rainy, that the Vi-
olence of the Stream carried it clear away ; inſomuch that it left free Ad-
mitrance even to Ships of conſiderable Burden, where they may lic out of
all Danger of Weather, except ſome oblique Blaſts of vehement North
Winds, by Reverſion, as it were, from thoſe impending Highlands. This
is the River that runs between the mountainous Regions of Beni- Abbas
and Zwouwa, or the Kingdom of Cucco, ſo often mentioned ; leaving this
laſt to the North and that to the South. In ſome parts of the Country
thro' which it takes its Courſe, the Name varies, as uſual to many other
Rivers; being called the River Summan, the River of Bujeya, &c.
Soon after this Conqueſt, viz. at the Beginning of September this year,
1555, Salha Rais ſent the Ottoman Emperor, and his chief Favourites, moſt
magnificent Preſents of beautiful Slaves, with other valuable and curious
Donatives. Theſe were accompanied with the Account of his late Expe•
dition, and a Requeſt to that Monarch, that, the Year following, he
might be ſupplied with a Fleet from the Levant, wherewith, in Conjunction
with his own Forces, that bold Bapa promiſed to reduce Oran and a Marſa
d Vide Vol. I. p. 332.
Al-Kebir
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
383
away from
Al-Kebir, and expel, from thoſe ſo important maritime Places, their avow-
ed Enemies the Spaniards. And the better to negociate this Affair, Salha
Rais deputed his only Son, named Mahamed, who was afterwards Baſha
of Algiers.
This being very well reliſhed by his Ottoman Highneſs, forty Gallies
were ordered expeditiouſly to be got ready againſt the ſucceeding Summer,
with 6000 Turkiſh Soldiers; that Number being all Salha Rais required.
Mean whilc great Preparations were making at Algiers; tho' the Occaſion
was kept very private.
A. D. 1556. Early in May this Year, the ſaid Squadron of Gallics
fet out from Conftantinople, and in about thirty Days got down to Bujeya.
And as the Baſha of Algiers had timely Notice of their Departure from
the Levant, he was in ſuch a Poſture, that the Moment News came of
their being within Sight of that his late Conqueft, he hafted
the Harbour of Algiers, with thirty ſtout and well-appointed Gallies and
Galeots, on which were upwards of 4000 Janiſaries; and that he did for
two Reaſons : One, to endeavour, if poſſible, to exempt the Levantines
from being infected with the peſtilential Contagion, which then raged at
Algiers with the utmoſt Violence : The other, as a Blind, to keep, as long
as he could, the Enemy in Ignorance of his Deſigns. With theſe Views he
rowed away for ¢ Temendefuft; ſending Notice thereof to the Leaders of that
Squadron, requiring them to repair thither. “ But, ſays the now zealous
" F. Haedo (for I cannot forbear uling his own Words, being ſo much
like what I ſometimes condemn in Marmol) “ he had not reached that
66. Harbour, when the juſt and provident Judgment of GOD, who, at
6 that Juncture, was pleaſed to deliver the City of Oran from ſo cruel a
“ Tyrant, ſuddenly finote him with a very terrible Plague-Sore in his
66 Groin, which in four and twenty Ho:irs carried him off; no 'Remedies
availing.” The Spaniſh Words, which are here rendered.carried him off,
are le arranco la Alma; i. e. tore his Soul out. This by Way of Taſte. He
continues to the following Tenor.
The whole Fleet was ſeized with the deepeſt Concern and Confterna-
tion at the Loſs of this Perſon: And, returning inſtantly to Algjers, they
interred him without the Gate called Beb-al-Weyd, among the other Bafhas,
in a Sepulcher very near the Sea, over which his own brave Renegado and
e Vide Vol. I. p. 302.
2
unfortunate
384
The HISTORY of Algiers.
unfortunate Succeſor, Haſan. Corſo, built a handſome Dome; and which
was, ſome Years after, by Mahamed Baſha, his above mentioned Son, when
lie was advanced to that Vice-Royalty, much embelliſhed and endowed
with a competent Revenue for a Lamp to burn thercin continually, and
the Maintenance of a Religious Moar, tó pray for the Soul of the Defunct,
with a Captive Chriſtian to attend him, to keep clean the ſaid Sepulcher,
and plant Flowers; “ as, adds this f Author, is ſtill to be ſeen.”
Salha Rais died at the Age of ſeventy. He was of a middling Stature,
corpulent and ſwarthy. In all his Undertakings he ſhowed a conſummate
Reſolution; and was in War Affairs moſt fedulous and ever ſucceſsful. He
left but one Son, as we have obſerved.
His Wars with the Prince of Beni Abbas are purpoſely omitted here,
till we treat ſomewhat particularly of that valiant African, and of his Death,
threc Years later. Many Hiſtorians make great Mention of Salha Rais:
But, to avoid Prolixity, only the moſt material Facts are inſerted.
.
1
0909090000000000000000000000000000
CH A P. IX.
I
HIA.
BASHA VI. VII. VIII. IX. The unfortunate HASSAN
CORSO.-TekeLLI.--YOUSOUF-AL-CAID YA-
This laſt a Regent, or Titular Vice-Roy;
the ſecond a Basha ſent from the Porte; the others
ALGERINE RENEGADO ES, made BASHAS by the
Soldiery.
t
.
PON the Death of Salha Rais, the Turks of Algiers unanimouſly
elected, as his Succeſſor till farther Orders from the Ottoman Court,
a very worthy Renegado of the late Baſha’s, named Haſſan, a Native of
Corſica and his peculiar Favourite, whom he always held as the ſecond
f I am not certain the like is now to be ſeen. Haedo's Hiſtory was publiſhed in 1612; tho'
he-breaks off near twenty Years earlier. .
Perſon
The HISTORY OF AZGIERS.
A
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4
1
Perſon to himſelf. During his Patron's Adminiſtration, this Hafan Corſo,
tho' a young Man, had been Bey-ler-Bey, or Captain-General of all the
Land-Forces; and on all Occaſions gave the greateſt Proofs, as well of a
rare perſonal Bravery, as of a ſingular Prudence and Conduct, even in the
weightieſt Affairs; inſomuch that he was univerſally eftecmed and dearly
beloved; more particularly by the Janiſaries, who had ſerved under him,
and whoſe Hearts he had made his own, not only by his great Lenity and
affable Diſpoſition, but alſo by a boundleſs Munificence: Qualities as ac..
ceptable there as elſewhere.
Nor was it without the utmoſt Reluctance and inceſſant Importunities
that this diſintereſted Renegado would be prevailed on to accept of the pro-
fered Dignity: Yet the Perſeverance of the whole Body of a Pcople was
not always to be withſtood; ſo, according to Haedo, he was actually com-
pelled to a Compliance.
On the other Hand, the Levant Fleet, ignorant of the Death of Salha
Rais; was come down near Algiers, and then firſt got Intelligence of what
had happened. The new Baſha received them well: And having entered
into a Conſultation with the principal Officers, it was concerted, that they
ſhould ſend Word of the Baſha's Deceaſe to the Grand Signor, and pro-
ceed to Oran without waiting his Reply. Accordingly, a nimble Galeot
was diſpatched on that Meffage, and the Camp ſet out, conſiſting of only
6000 Foot and tooo Horſe, Turks; tho'it was ſoon joined by a Body of 10000
Arab and African Cavalry, and more than 30000, of the ſame People, not
mounted. The 6000 Levant Turks, about thirty Pieces of battering Can-
non, fome of them enormouſly large, with all other Neceſſaries, were
ſent, by Sea, to Mojiaganem, in the ſeventy Gallies. There landing the
ſaid Troops and" Artillery, they were foon joined by Hallan Corſo, with
his Camp; who led them directly to Oran,
Not many Days after this vigorous Renegado had begun his Hoſtilities
againſt the Out-Works, and before any very conſiderable Progreſs had been
made (not to mention trivial Skirmiſhes) the Galeot returned from Con-
ftantinople; with Orders from the Ottoman Emperor; to Haſan Corſo and
his Chiefs, that, in caſe they were not already gone to Oran, they ſhould
deliſt from all Thoughts of that Enterprize for the preſent; and even that,
if the Siege was actually commenced, they ſhould inſtantly raiſe it and re-
turn: “ Becauſe, ſays Haedo, the Grand Turk conceived, that ſince the
VOL. II.
Ddd
6 V alour
I
386
The History of ALGIERS.
Valour and Fortunc of Salba Rais were wanting, there could not be
os
any Certainty of Succeſs in their undertaking that War.” "
The Perſon who brought theſe unwelcome Orders, was that famous
Renegado Corſair, known in Hiſtory under the corrupt Name of Ochali,
of whom we ſhall anon have much Occaſion to treat, in thc Capacity of
Baſha of Algiers, and afterwards as Captain-Bafa, or High Admiral of the
Turkiſh Emperor's Fleets. Haedo affirms this Injunction to have been ex-
tremely ill received; “ by Reaſon that the Turks, ſays he, imagined they
or ſhould then have infallibly carried their Point; there being at that Junc-
ture a very weak Garriſon in Oran. But not daring to diſobey the
« Grand Signor, they immediately broke up, and, by Sca and Land, as
" they came, returned to Algiers. - The Caſe is much altered with them
fince, as to thcir implicit Obedience to that Monarch; as will be made
appear : Nay, we are juſt entering upon a very notable Inſtance of their
Diſobedience, even in thoſe early Times.
Haſan Corſo, during the ſhort Time of his Adminiſtration, governed
this State with general Satisfaction and Applauſe: “For, ſays this Author,
c it is affirmed by many Turks, Renegadoes and Chriſtians who knew him,
66 that he was a moſt worthy Perſonage, exceedingly mild, affablc and
« liberal, and ſo far from being an Enemy to the Chriſtians, that he bore
" a very ſingular Affection to them and their Concerns; and this to ſuch
“ a Degree, that, in all thoſe Caſes cſpecially, he neither could nor knew
" how to diffcmble."
Four Months were not quite expired, when News came to Algiers,
that cight Gallies, from the Levant, had brought down, as far as Tripoly's
a new Vice-Roy to ſucceed Haſſan Corſo: And that the Party was a prin-
cipal Turky, of the Grand Signor's Court, whoſe Name was Tekelļi., My
Author miſcalls him Tbecheoli. Theſe Tydings gave a general Diſcontent;
there not being one Perſon in the whole State who was not intirely well
fatisfied with the Procedure of Haſan Corſo: Inſomuch, that the Turks,
of every Condition, forming themſelves into Cabals, camc unanimouſly to
a Reſolution of not accepting the new Baſha, but of continuing Haſan
Corfo in his Government, and immediately to acquaint the Sultan, at the
Porteg, how they were determined.
This being univerſally decreed, more eſpecially by the whole Body of
93
a Vide Vol. I. p. 320.
I
thc
I
I
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
387
the Janiſaries, Orders were, in their Names, diſpatched away to the Al-
Caids, or Governors of Bona and Bujeya ; ſtrictly and peremptorily injoin-
ing them, that if the ſaid new Vice-Roy ſhould put into their Harbours,
they ſhould abſolutely rell him, “ That the beſt Method he could take
" would be to return forthwith to Conftantinople; ſince the Janiſaries of
Algiers were unalterably reſolved, not to have any other Governor than
“ Haſan Corſo; and were about writing to the Ottoman Sultan concern-
“ing that their ultimate Reſolution;" Adding, “That, in caſe he ſtill
" perſiſted, they ſhould fire at hini."
Tekelli arriving before Bona, thc Al-Caid, who was a Renegado Greek,
named Muſtafa, delivered him the Meſſage ſent him by the Janiſaries ;
which he not regarding, but haughtily expreſſing his Indignation, Al-Gaid
Muſtafa cauſed ſome. Shot to be made at his Gailey; whereby he was con-
ſtrained to depart. The very fame Treatment he met with at Bujeya; at
which Place we obſeryed Salba Rais to have left Governor a Renegado of
Sardinia, whoſe Name and Appellation were Al-Caid Ali, Sardo.
Notwithſtanding theſe unexpected Repulſes, which put him into a very
indifferent Humour, Tekelli inſiſted on his Point, and bore away for Algiers;
as not doubting but that he there ſhould find Reception. When he came
to Temendefuft, about twelve Miles ſhort of that Capital, he fired, as uſual,
the Signal Gun; . but was not anſwered, according to Cuſtom. This
drove him and all his Followers into a no ſmall Confuſion and Dif-
content.
1
At Sight of the Grand Signor's Gallies, the Levents, or Corſairs of Al-
giers, who were then a very numerous Body, began to waver ; expreſſing
great Diſlike and Uneaſineſs at thoſe violent Reſolutions of the Jani-
faries. We muſt here.takc Notice, that, till ſome Years after this
Time, the Turks of Algiers (Renegadoes and b Kul-Oglous incluſively) were
two diſtinct, ill-agreeing Bodies, and on very different Eſtabliſhments.
The Levents, dreading the Conſequences of theſe Proceedings, ſaid to each
other muttering; “Why ſhould we incur the Ottoman Emperor's Diſplea-
“ ſure, and run the Hazard of being declared Rebels? What Buſineſs is
66 all this of ours ? What Occaſion have we to care who is Bajha of
“Algiers? Or to appear in the Behalf of one Catamite more than of an-
is other? Does the Baſha give us any Pay, as he does to the Janiſaries?
So they call their Sons born in Barbary:
Ddd 2
c. Or
4
+
3:88
The HISTORY of ALGIER S.
" Or are we allowed any of their Immunities ? True: We enjoy the Sweets
" of roaming the Seas for Spoil; a Privilege they would be glad to par-
6 take with us, provided we could be prevailed on to participate of their
“ Tails in Land Expeditions. And for this, are we at all obliged to the
“ Baha? Shall we not have the ſame Advantage whoever has the Bafhalic ?
66 Inſtead of his helping towards our Maintenance, do we not contribute
" to fill his Coffers wich the Produce of our Valour and Labour, at the
" Expence of our Blood and Riſque of our Liberty?". With more to this
Effect: But of all theſe Murmurings.their Oppoſites the Janiſaries were
urterly ignorant. And theſe Diſputes and reciprocal Pretenſions, in which
the Levents were moſt obſtinate and faulty, long kept thoſe two Sorts of
Algerines in a ſcarce reconcileable Diſcord, till they became incorporated
fome Time after this, and, as they ſtill remain, were ſettled upon one and
the ſame Footing; viz. The Levents were entered into the Pay of Jani-
faries, and permitted to enjoy all their Privileges and Immunities, and the
Janiſaries might, at Pleaſure, go on Cruiſe in the Gallies and Galeots :
For the Corſairs of Barbary had then no other Shipping; nor do I find
they built any others, till the Beginning of the laſt Century.
It may not be improper here to advance ſomething, in particular, con.
cerning this famous Order of Militia, which we and other Europeans cor-
ruptly call Janiſaries, and which ought to be pronounced Yeni-Tcheri;
adding ler to the Plural; which Words import New-Band. The Arabs
pronounce it Yenghi-Sheheri.
Sultan Amurad, or Morat I. ſurnamed Gazzi, or the Conqueror, about
the Year 1365, having inſtructed, in Military Diſcipline and the Muſul-
man Creed, a great Number of young Greeks, taken in War, reſolved to
form them into a diſtinct Band of Soldiery, and ſent them to Haji Bestaſh,
å Perſon highly venerated, by the Turkiſh Nation, for his pretended Sarictity,
that he might give them his Benediction. The Derwijs bleſſed them,
gave them that Appellation, and, cutting off one Sleeve of his Felt Gown,
put it on the Head of their Leader, ſo that good Part of it fell back be-
tween his Shoulders, when ſmiting him with his open Hand on the Neck,
ſáid Yeur Yeni-Tcheri! - Run Janiſary! A Ceremony ſaid to be ſtill uſed at
their Admiſſion. For many Years none were admitted but the Sons of
Chriſtians ; now quite otherwiſe. Their Habit is well-known: And the
ugly Cap, made of Felt, hanging down the Back, which they muſt wear at
all Solemnities, is called abſolutely Ketcha ; fignifying Felt. Since thoſe
Bands
1
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
389
Bands of Algerine Militia became one Body, the Levent Dreſs is only in Uſe
among the Turkiſh Soldiery of Barbary, who abominate all others; as for
the Oriental Habit, they utterly condemn it, as too embarraſſing and effe-
minate: We may particularize in the Topography. To return.
Partly thro' Apprehenſion, but chiefly, as is ſuppoſed, in Oppoſition to
the Janiſaries, the Corſairs, or Levents, agreed among themſelves to in-
troduce Tekelli: To effect which they uſed this Stratagem. They inſinu-
ated to the Janiſaries, that as their Gallies, &c. lay all diſarmed in the Port;
it was to be feared left Tekelli, incenſed at their repulſing him, ſhould come,
in the Night, with his eight Gallies, and ſet them on Fire; which Dif-
after would go a great way towards the utter Ruin of them all: So that,
provided they (the Fanifaries) would take Care of the Town and all other
Affairs, they themſelves would undertakc the Defenſe of the Marine, by
keeping ſtrict Watch and Ward, ready armed, aboard their Veſſels : To
all which the top credulous Janiſaries readily and thankfully conſented.
The next Step taken by the inſidious, crafty Levents, was to counſel the
unſuſpecting Janiſaries, to depute ſome proper. Perſons to acquaint Tekelli
with their unanimous Determination ; adviſing that Baſha, in the Name
of their whole Body, “ That, deſiſting from all farther Attempts of fow-
« ing Diſcord and Faction among a quiet People, he ſhould abſolutely and
« immediately depart their Coaſt; ſince they were, even to a Man, per,
“ fectly well ſatisfied with their preſent Governor."
To deliver this Embaſſy Admiral Chulac offered himſelf. Neither from
this Propoſal did the well-meaning Janiſaries any way offer to diſſent;
but deGired him inſtantly to ſet out. The deſigning Corſair uſed ſuch licz
tle Diligence in making ready his Galeot, that it was very near Night before
he departed; having firſt concerted his Meaſures, and leff chem in Charge
with five Captains. Pretty late within Night Chuloc got to Tekelli ; when
retiring with that Bama into his Cabbin, he began amain to rail againſt
the inſolent Janizaries, and to intimate how intirely well diſpoſed all the
Levents were in his Favour; acquainting him, circumſtantially, how Matz
ters were ordered. As all this was very much to the Reliſh of the half,
deſponding Tekelli, he ſoon agreed with his welcome Gueſt on the Manner
they were to proceed: For taking twenty of his principal Officers well-
1
• This Author miſcalls him Xaloque.' The Turkiſh Word Chuloc implics one who has it
lame Hand, or Arm.
armed,
0ؤ3
The HISTORY OF ALGIERS.
armied, he went on board Chuloc's Galeot, Orders being 'left with the
cight Captains of his Gallies to follow at about a Mile diſtance. The Night
was dark, ſo that the Levant Gallies came rowing after the Galcot unper-
ceived by any in the City.
It had been agreed on, that, in caſe Tökelli would not drop his Pretenſions,
Chuloc ſhould fire his middle Gun, as he came pretty near the Mole-Head:
And the Janiſaries finding him arrived without that Signal, took all for
granted' : So that before any one Janifary knew a Syllable of what was in
Agitation, the eight Gallies werc under the Peer. Tekelli and his Party,
with Chiloc at their Head, found the Marine (warming with armed Levents,
and unoppoſed marched up the Çauſcy to Beb-al-Tzeira (corrupted from
1b-Jezeirat) which is the Mole-Gate, and which was already ſecured by
the perfidious Corſairs ; thio' I ſtrongly fancy, that to have been the only
Time it was ever-left all Night open, except during the French Bombard-
ments, as ſome ſay, 'others deny: But the deceived Janiſaries were, 'upon
this Occafion, uncommonly credulous. :)
A few :Paces within tlrat. Gate, in the Street that leads to the Hcart of
the City; where the Governor's Palace is (if it merits that Title) was a
large Houſe, going up ſeveral Stone Steps (ſince turned into a Barrack
for Soldiers, of which Buildings more in due Place) appointed for the Re-
ception of the new Bafbas, till their Predeceſſors evacuated the Palace.
Thither was Tekelli conducted by Chulocy under a Guard of more than 300
Muſkets; many hundreds more lining that long narrow Streer: As for the
Marine, as obſerved, it throngcd. Immediately the Turks from the Gal-
lies, all in Arms, leaped . a-ſhore and joined the Levents; when nothing
was to be heard in the lower Part of the Town, but loud and repeated
Acclamations of, “ Long live the Ottoman Sultan! Tikelli !. Tekelli !".
Theſe unexpected Shouts l'ouzing 'the Janiſaries, they came running,
from all Quarters, towards the Marine.' But finding how Affairs ſtood, the
Streers full of lighted Matches in the Muſkets, they flunk away in the
greateſt Confuſion and Confternațion :imaginable: Not that they could
eaſily be perſuaded to the Belief of the Levant Gallies being already got in-
to the Port, and Tekelli actually within the City. But being convinced,
they prudently cook the Advice of their very Betrayers, and retired.
Tekelli perceiving, -to his no ſmall.Satisfaction, that he had little farther
to apprehend from the lately fo determined Janiſaries, dark as it ſtill was,
he marched directly to the Palace, attended by at leaſt 2000 Fire-Locks.
AC
The HISTORY OF ALGIERS:
391
1
At the Porch he found Haſan Corſo, advancing to meet and welcome him;
and who reſpectfully excuſed himſelf, as not having done any one thing, to
diſoblige him, thro' Choice, but mere Compulſion: To all which, not ad-
mitting his Excuſes, Tekelli returned only a diſdainful, angry Look, and
ordered him to be ſtrictly ſecured. From hence we may date Haſan
Corfo's ſhort Adminiſtration, which laſted not quite four Months. We
ſhall ſoon hear his tragical End, which happened a few Days after; and
how it was revenged.
This worthy Renegado (if ſome People will allow any of his Cloth wors
thy that Epithet) was in his thirty eighth Year, of a moderate Stature,
brown Complexion, fine large Eyes, and his Noſe aquiline. He left no
Children. He lies inhumed under a handſome Dome, or Cupola, near that
of his Patron Salba Rais, which was, not long after his miſerable Death,
erected for him by Youfouf, his own Renegado, and generous Avenger.
ز
1
TEKELLI BASHA,
· Morning was ſcarce open, when the vindi&tive Tekelli, thus become Ma-
ſter of Algiers, gave orders for the immediate departure of two Gallies, one
for Bujeya the other for Bona, to apprehend and bring the Al Caids of thoſe
Places, from whom he had received ſuch undutiful Treatment: Which Go-
vernors had the Misfortune of foon falling into his Power; tho' one came
off tolerably. The firſt Days of this Báfha's Government paſſed in inform-
ing himſelf concerning the Ring-Icaders of the late Tranſactions: And as
his predominant Paffion was Avarice, he took Money on all Hands, and
ſeemed to forget all Injuries; affirming that he thirſted for no Blood, but
only for that of the thrce Renegadves; viz. Haſan Corſo; and the two Al-
Caids.
In a very few Days the firſt of them experienced it, being inhumanly
caſt upon the Chingan, or Hook; of which diabolical Execution take the
following Deſcription. There are now faſtened in the out-ſide of Bebe
Azoun Wall, on each side, ſeveral ſtrong large Hooks, very ſharp, over
one of which the Criminal ſits on the Wall, while a Rope is tying round his
Neck, and then puſhed off upon the Hook, which caſually catches hold
of ſome Part of the Budy; fo that the Wretch's Sufferings are longer or
ſhorter according to the Fall: And happy is he who either miſſes the Hook,
or is at once ſtruck mortally. Some have been known to hang yelling,
even
šgź
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
.
even five or ſix Days, by the Foot; Chin, Ribs, or the like-not vital Parts,
none daring to ſhoot them as they inceſſantly deſire; tho'if a Turk ſhould
be ſo kind as to do them that Favour, the Penalty would not, I fancy, be
very grede : Not that I ever knew any Inſtance; nor, for many Y cars, havo
ühy of thoſe terrible Executions been very frequent; but, generally ſpcak-
ing, the offending Moor is purpoſely thrown off the Wall ſo as to hang
only by the Neck; excepr poſitive Orders are given to the contrary. But
before the rebuilding that Gate in 1573, there were no Hooks in the Wall,
but they drew up the Party by á Pulley át a Malt's top, with a Cord tied
round his Middle, the other End whereof was faſtened to the Top of a
Sort of Gibbet, beneath which was another traverſe Beam with the Hook
in it, upon which the Wretch was ler fall from a conſiderable Height.
And this was the Treatment poor Haſan Corſo met with, from the in-
exorable Tekelli, and remained in that Torturc, threc whole Days and
two Nights, with the Hook thro' his right Side Ribs. A Perſon whoſe
Fate. Haedo ſcems greatly to deplore. It being Detober, and the Weather
ſomewhat cold (as I was told, ſays this Author, by ſeveral Eye and Ear-
Witneſſes) when any Captives paſſed, he would call out to them, ſaying,
For GOD's Sake, Chriſtian, give me ſomething to cover me. But there be-
ing Guards all about, none durſt venture even to approach. On the con-
trary, he refuſed to look towards any of the Barbarians, but ſeemed rather
to hold them in Abhorrence. At the third Day's End he expired. A
notable Inſtance of the Inconſtancy of Fortune!
Al-Caid Ali, Sardo was, for Part of the Time, his Fellow-Sufferer, near the
ſame Place; and the Perſon upon whom Tekelli molt vented his Fury. Upon
him he exerciſed to the utmoſt both his darling Paſſions, Avarice and Rcvenge:
For knowing him to be immenſely opulent (Haſan Corſo having bcen always
too liberal to bear that Character) in hopes of extracting his Wealth, he prac-
tiſed on him all the Tortures that could have entered the Thought of even
a Dominican. To ſay nothing of the Baltinado, and running ſharp Cancs
under the Nails of his Fingers and Toes, his Fleſh was lacerated with
burning Pincers, and a Copper Veſſel, like a Cap, was inade fiery hot and
put on his Head; all which he endured with amazing Conſtancy, and very
little, to the Advantage of his inſatiable Tormentor: Whereupori he was
impaled, and continued thus fpitted on the Stake more than half a Day,
uttering all the while (ſays Haedo my Author) terrible, grievous and in-
çcſaut Groans and Complaintso ... '.
As
Ilvin
The: Hit:STORY OF: ALGIERS
393
1
7
!
As for Al-Caid Muſtafa, Governor of Bona, he was not brought to Al-
giers till ſome Days after. He was purſued and overtaken in his Way to
the Goletta, with a Mule's Load of Treaſure and two of his own Renega-
does. The Baſha inſtantly gave Sentence that he ſhould be alſo impaled
alive; yet at the ſtrenuous Interpoſition of a certain principal Turk of. Al-
giers, and in Conſideration of a very large Sum of Money, he obtained
Pardon.
Here I cannot but take Notice, how different the Power of thoſe pri-
mitive Baſhas: was from that of their later Succeſſors, in putting. Rene-
gadoes to ſuch barbarous and ignominious Deaths, even during the Time
when thoſe viler Sort of Algerines were in far greater Eſteem than they
have been of late Years. Yet ſtill, notwithſtanding the real Contempt in
which the Turks hold them, they are always, like the Turks themſelves,
honoured with the Bow-String, privately in Priſon; except in Cafes re-
lating to Religion ; I mean their attempting to return to the Borom of
the Chriſtian Church. Then, indeed, their Privileges, as Turks, become
utterly forfcit ; and they are generally left to the Mercy of the Populace,
who, true Mob-like, ſhew them very little; either dragging them to
Death, about the Streets, at a Mule's Tail; half-burying and then ſtoning
them; burning, or rather waſting them alive, or the like unmerciful U-
lage.' But upon n'other Account whatever dare any of the modern Deys,
or Kings of Algiers; "put a Renegado, actually in their Pay, to any worſe
Death than that of ſtrangling, like other Turks : Nay, they often are more
conſidered, and come off cheaper; many of thoſe Apoftates having been
pardoned Crimes which would, infallibly, have coſt a natural Turk his
Life. Of all this Inſtances may be given. As to the reſt, I really take
this violent Procedure of Tekelli Baſha:(who ſoon after dearly paid for his
Inhumanity) to be no other than a Conſequence of the Emulation and Dif-
cord between thoſe two Species of Algerines, the Janiſaries and the Le-
vents, on Account of their mutual Claims; and that the Honour of being
only privately ſtrangled (a Privilege now common to all Turks, Renegadoes
and their 'Offspring, eſpecially if inrolled among the Militia) was one of
the peculiar Favours allowed only to the Janiſaries, till their Incorpora-
tion with the Còrſạits ; and that 'the“faid unfortunate Renegadoes were
reckoned as Levents, notwithſtanding Hälan Corſo had been the Genera-
liflimo of the Land Forces, and was ſo favoured by the Janiſaries: Other-
wiſe, this was a breaking in upon the Franchiſes of that Militia, ſo jealous
Vol. II.
Еее
and
394
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
and tenacious of their Immunities, which muſt, inevitably, have inraged
the whole Body, even beyond Pacification: At leaſt, I have no ſmall lo-
*clination to believe, that this would, now a-Days, be the infallible Con-
ſequence of ſuch temerarious Proceedings.
When the melancholy News of Haffan Corſo's terrible Cataſtrophe
reached the Ears of Al-Caid Youfouf, Calabres, Governor of Tremizan, the
Grief and Reſentment of that his much-favoured Renegado ſurpaſſed all
Deſcription: And the faithful Calabrian immediately determined, with
the Tyrant's Blood, to revenge it, in ſpite of what Danger might attend
the Attempt. Nor did the Janiſaries in Garriſon at Tremizan, (little leſs
incenſed and ſcandalized thereat than himſelf) fail to ſecond him in fo ge-
nerous a Reſolution. Added to this, many Janiſaries from Algiers, and
other Parts, wrote to their Comrades at Tremizan, how univerſal was
their Diſcontent at Tekelli's Introduction as Bafha, which daily increaſed
by his Manner of proceeding, eſpecially on Account of his unworthy Treat-
ment of thoſe Renegadoes, whom they all loved and eſteemed, more par-
ticularly the good-natured · Haſan Corſo, who had been their Darling.
They complained aloud of his haughty, imperious Carriage towards them,
quite different from that of preceding Baſhas; and as an evident Inſtance
of the Contempt in which he held them, their Pay had not been advanced,
as was ever practiſed by all Vice-Roys at their Acceſſion: And in ſhort,
the Purport of all the Letters was, that they ſhould unanimouſly join
Hands, in order to expel a Perſon with whom they were all fo generally
diſguſted.
Moſt or all of theſe Letters were ſhewed to Al-Caid Youfouf; which
Governor, in his own Name, and in thoſc of the Janiſaries at Tremizan,
acquainted thoſe of Algiers, that, provided they would favour him, or at
leaſt continue Neuters, he would not fail being ſoon at their Gates, de-
termined to rid the State of ſo inſolent and ſo deteſtable a Tyrant. All
which was well approved of, not only by the whole Body of Janiſaries
at Algiers, but likewiſe by their Aga; ſo ill had Tekelli behaved. And as,
at this Juncture, the Plague was very hot at. Algiers, and daily carried of
abundance of People, Tekelli had quitted the City, and was retired, with
his. Domeſtics, to the Ruins of an ancient Town, now called Caſhinas,
near the Sca, about five Miles to the Weſt, where he and his Equipage
dwelled in Tents; which Occaſion Al-Gaid Youfouf thought very favoura-
ble for the Execution of his Deſign.
About
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
305
1
1
3
*
About Chriſtmas 1556, Youfouf ſet out with 300 Turks and Renegadoes :
Tho', according to Haedo, ſome will have the Number of his Retinue to
have been 600; and that he came not directly from Premizan, but that,
the better to conceal his Intentions, he had been ſeveral Days gathering in
the Tributes much nearer the Capital: But all that is not much to our
Purpoſe. Tremizan lies Weſt of Algiers ſomewhat morc than 300 Miles ;
and the Spaniſl Writers make it 81 Leagues, counting four Miles to cach,
My Author Haedo affirms Al-Gaid Youfouf to have marched with all poſli-
ble Expedition; and, to prevent Tekelli from having Notice of his App
prpach, he cauſed all the Moor's he either met orgver-took to be faſtened
to Trees : Nor had Tekelli the leaſt Intelligence of his coming till he ap-
peared within Sight of his Pavilion. The conſcious Tyrant, at this News,
in a terrible Fright, mounted his Horſe; and with three or four Servants
fled full Speed towards. Algiers. Youfouf, perceiving his Flight, agitated
with a noble Thirſt for Vengeance, followed too eagerly for any of his
Retinue to keep Pace with him; but Tekelli was ſo canſiderably a-head
of him that he arrived at Bel-Azoung and might have entered the Town
Time enough, had not he found that Gate hut againſt him by the fa-
niſaries. Giving himſelf over for loſt; he knew not what better Courſe
to take, than to ſpur his Horſe up the Hill; whoſe Top he had ſcarce
reached, but, looking back, he perceived Youfouf, all alone, hotly purſu-
ing and gaining Ground. ? In this Exigence, he ftrack away over the
Mountains, and never ſtopped till he got to an Eminence near the Sca,
abput a Mile, and Half Weſt of Algiers, where, under a Dome; liçs; in-
terred a certain Morabboth, or reputed Saint, named Sidi Jacek, or,PAFallb:
This was a Renegado Spaniard, born at Cordgus, who knew fo.well how
to gain Credit and eſtabliſh it among thoſe people, that he livçd many Y.cars
vencrated, and at his Deceaſe was, Canonized. Tekelli, had no fooner quit-
ted his Horſe and entered that Hermitage, which, like innumerable others
,
is a sort of a Sanctuary, but Youfouf was alſo diſmnounted and at his Heels
,
Making his Death-bearing Javelin, and from his indignant Eye-Balls dart-
ing humid Firs. Ah! cried, dolorouſly, the depanding Baſha: Brave
" Youfouf, wound me not! Remember, I muſt not die in the afslum!"
« Perfidious Dagt returned the avenging Renegada : Thou and none, but
thou můrt dic? What Mercy aidit thou thew to my faulifels Patron?"
!
dWidé Vol. p. 324
berriii
.
Eee 2
And
390
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
And with this he ftruck him féveral Times thro® i the Body with his
Javelin, leaving him gaſping and weltering in Gore juſt by the defunct
Santon's Sepulcher.
Tekelli was actually expired before the Arrival of ſome Janiſaries, and
others of A-Caid Touſouf's Retinue, all which approving of and com-
mending the Action, they all together marched towards Algiers; where
Youfouf was joyfully and triumphantly received.
This End had Tekelli Baſha, whoſe Fall was chiefly owing to his ſordid
and impolitic Avarice: For notwithſtanding his Cruelty towards thoſe Re-
negadoes, it is more than barely probable, that Al-Caid Youfouf durft not
have attempted againſt his Life, had he bur youchſafed to have followed
the Example of all his' Predeceſſors, by fatisfying the Faniſaries with a
few Bags of Dollars.
Tekelli governed only three Months, viz. from the Beginning of Otto-
ber 1556, to the End of the following December. He was a natural
Türk; "aged fifty; robuſt, fleſhy; of a moderate Stature and ſwarthy
Complexion." A principal Turk, his great Friend, buried him among the
reſt of the Baſhas, and ſome Months after erected over his Grave a ſmall
Dome.
N
AL-CAID YOUŞOUF, CALABRES.
V
i
By Crouds of armed "Turks and Renegadoes, followed by a numberleſs
Populace, loudly extolling the Generoſity of his Exploit, Al-Caid Youfouf
was conducted to the Palace, where he was ſoon after viſited by the Aga
of the Janiſaries, and all the principal Inhabitants. The Aga at their Head,
having, in a ſuitable Harangue, highly applauded the late "Action, ac-
quainted him, that, partly in Regard to his Patron's Memory, and partly
on Account of his own Merit, more particularly in this his noble Revenge,
the Janiſaries were unanimouſly reſolved to elect and obey him as their
Baſha: And accordingly he was inaugurated, upon the Spot, with the
ufual Ceremonies.
" And this Youfouf, ſays Haedo expreſly, being in Effect a young Man
: This Place I have ſeen; and they pretended to thew the very Blood.
5 of
1
The HISTORY of ALGIÈRS.
3.97
« of a moſt::genteel Spirit and Diſpoſition, diſdaining to be out-done in
« Generoſity; immediately diſtributed among the Soldicry a Donative of
« 10000 Gold Ducats ; uſing the like Liberality for ſix Days ſucceſſively."
This, we may ſuppoſe, was far from being any Inducement for the Ja-
niſaries to be diſfatisfied with their new Baſha; who by his Manner of
beginning ſeemed as if he deligned, for ſome Time longer, to have con-
tinued ſuch unuſual daily Diſburſements: But his ſixth diurnal Bounty
Money was ſcarce told out, when he was ſtruck in the Groin with a per-
tilential Carbuncle, which in leſs than twenty four Hours brought at once
to a Period both his Liberality and Lifc; and he died truly and univer-
lally lamented. The Plague at that Time raged at Algiers with great
Violence.
Youfouf Baſa was about twenty-ſix Years of Age, of a middle Size,
cheſnut-brown Hair, clear Complexión, fine Shape, graceful Carriage
and Aſpect, and was to all Mankind exceſſively courteous and obliging
The Hanifaries would needs have him buried in the ſame Ģraye with his
late Patron, the unfortunate Haſan Corſo.
+
4
7
AL-CAID YAHIA, Deputy-BASHA: The firſt Time
of his officiating:
1. D. 1557. Amidſt the general Concern for the Death of this pro-
miſing Renegado, the Perſon pitched on, by the Aga and Janiſaries; to
ſucceed him as Régént (till the Sultan's Pleaſure ſhould be known) was a
certain confiderable Turk, named rabia. He had been ſeveral years 4.1-
Cáid, or“Governor of Meliana, about, forty Miles. Weſt of Algiers; and
was a Man held in good Eſteem, for his. Courage and found Judgment and
Experience in public Affairs. He entered upon the Government with the
new Year, and behaved prudently during his Adminiſtration, which laſted
near fix Months. Nothing remarkable happened in his Time, except the
terrible Havock made by the Contagion, wherewith "Algiers and its whole
Neighbourhood were miſerably infected. 'Before" the Concluſion of the
- ſucceeding. June, he was obliged to reſign hiş Seat to the rightful Proprié.
tor, ſent from the Ottoman "Court, with thé Title of Bapa. Al-Caid
Yahia returned to his former Condition of a private Man, which for re-
:
veral
398
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
veral"Years he enjoyed in Honour and Reputation. But as we ſhall again
find him officiating as Regent, what farther occurs concerning him may
be then obſerved.
]
+
9008080800087050500809000
学举费统统 *8
2013
1
CH A P. X.
BASHA X. XI. XII. XIII. HASSAN BASHA, Son of
HEYRADîn BARBA-ROSSA: The Second Time of his
Adminiſtration. ---HASSAN AGA and Cousa MA-
HAMED, Joint-Deputies. AHAMED BASHA
AL-CAID YAHIA: The ſecond and laſt Time of
his Officiating.
vad,
+
WE
HEN the Algerine Deputies arrived at Conſtantinople, to give in
their Depoſitions concerning the latę. Diſturbances and Revoluti-
ons in their State, the Ottoman Sultan readily enough gave Ear to the Ap-
plication made him by Haſan Basha, Son of his Favourite Admiral, Hey-
yadin Barba-roſa; and he was accordingly yeſted with that Vice-Royalty;
the which he had utterly deſpaired of ever obtaining, during the Life of
his too powerful Opponent, the unforgiving Roſtar Bafaa. But the mag-
nificent Suliman had then, lately lolt that his aſſuming Son-in-Law, and
our Haſſan, Baſha (otherwiſe noț diſeſteemed by that Monarch) an impla-
cable Enemy. Near the End of June 1557, he arrived, with ten Royal
Gallies, at his dear native Algiers, where he was gladly received
He had not been there many Days before News came, that the Sherif
of the Tingitana, who had lately overthrown and flain in Batfel, Mulei
Abou-Haſan (who, as we obſerved, had been leated on the Fezzán.Throne
by Salba Rais) was arrived at Iremizan at the Head of a numerous Army,
with a View of gratifying his, two predominant Pallians, Ambition and
Revenge. He is.ſaid to have undertaken this Expedition at the Inſtigation
of Sheikh Abou-Terik, the Arch-Rebel, mentioned in Chap. vi.
The
The HISTORY OF ALGIERS.
392
1
The Government of that ancient Metropolis was then again committed
to the Care of the before-mentioned Al-Gaid Sefer, with a Garriſon of
roo
Turks; which being a Number by far too ſmall to defend ſo large a City,
conſidering the Weakneſs of its ruinous Walls, he retired into the Meſhuar,
or Citadel. Thus the Tingitanians became Maſters of that City, without
Oppoſition, and beſieged the Turks in their Faſtneſs. But as they had
not any Artillery to batter that not-ſo-undefenſible Place, all their Attacks
proved abortive: Whereupon his Fezzan Majeſty wrote to Oran; intreat,
ing Don Martin de Cordoua to lend him at leaſt one or two Cannon, with
ſome Ammunition. But chat Couat deeming it no way proper to truſt
Moors with his Artillery, the Meſſengers returned re infeEtâ. This de-
tained the Sherif ſo long at Tremizan, indefatigably and obſtinately endea-
vouring, either by Compulſion, or upon Conditions, to bring the Turks
to a Surrendry, that the new Baſha of Algiers had ſufficient Time to haften
to their Succour..
He fet out with a Camp of 6000 Turks and Renegadoes; and was joined
in his March by upwards of 16000 Arabs and Africans, moſtly Cavalry,-
By Sea be ſent to Moſtaganem forty Gallics and Galeots, on which were
3000 Turks more, with ſome Artillery, and ſufficient Proviſion, Ammu-
nition, Sc. Haſan Baſba, with his whole Army, being arrived within
four Days March of Tremizan, had Intelligence, that the King of Fez
was departed from thence, upon the firſt Tydings of bis Approach, after
having eſſayed ail Means to gain the Fortreſs, and plundered the City.
Upon this, Haſah Baſha determined to follow him to the very Gates of
Fez; and accordingly he haſted on without touching at Tremizan; order-
ing his Fleet of Gallies to proceed to that Harbour, near Melilla; where
Salha Rais had left his Squadron, when he went againſt the Sberif.
The Algerine Army found the King of Fez in Battel-Array, waiting
their Approach, near the Walls of that Capital. His Force conſiſted of
30000 Horſe, 10000 Foot Moors, 4000 Renegadoes, with ſome Bands of
Moriſcoes ; theſe last and the Renegadees, being ſtout and well-diſciplined
Soldiers, all bearing Fire-Arms. Having repoſed about half the Day, the
Turks bad the Enemy Battel; and the Engagement began with equal Fury
and Reſolution. After a. warm, bloody and obſtinate Diſpute of ſome
Hours, the Algerines began to flinch and give Way; partly occaſioned by
the Feebleneſs of their Cavalry, in compariſon with that of the Tingitas
nians, which was both numeroys and good, and partly by Reaſon the
Elches
+
+
400
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
Elches or Renegadoes' of Fez, in Conjunction with the Moriſcoes, behaved
ſo gallantly, that the Turkiſh Infantry, with conſiderable Loſs, was obliged
to fly, and take to an adjacent Eminence; where, as Night drew.on, they
intrenched in the beſt Manner they were able. Haſan Baſha, calling a
Council, required the Opinion' of his chief Officers,.“ Whether they ſhould
is renew the Fight next Morning, or retire under the Night's Covert?"
A ſure Sign they were tolerably well banged! And, in Effect, they foon
concluded on the Retreat. At Mid-Night the Baſha gave Orders to get
ready to mareh: And to blind the Enemy, who, lay near at Hand, he
cauſed abundance of Wood to be ſee on Fire all round the Camp, laying
on Fewel ſufficient to continue burning till Morning.
With all poſſible Silence, and in the beſt Order they could, the Turkiſh
Camp-drew.off, bending their Courſe Northward : And ſuch Caution
was uſed, that the King of Fez had not the leaſt Intimation of their Mo-
tion, till, at Day-break, the Place of their Encampment was found quite
vacant: But as he had loſt abundance of Men, and had many wounded,
eſpecially of the Renegadoes, in whom he repoſed his chief Confidence,
he declined purſuing the Türks, to whoin he might, doubtleſs, have done
conſiderable Damage, before they could reach the Shipping, had he for
fome Days continued following them cloſe in the Rear.
About the Middle of Auguſt, the Baja got to his Fleet; when diſmiſt-
ing all his Cavalry, Mooriſh Foot and many Turks, he imbarked with the
relt, and all the Artillery, Baggage, &c. when having firſt, in onc of his
ſmalleſt Galeots, taken a cloſe View of Melilla, he returned to Algiers, not
over-well ſatisfied with his Campaign.
A. D. 1558. f«. This Year, ſays Haedo, happened that diſaſtrous Ex-
o pedition againſt Moſtaganem, ſo inauſpicious to Spain; in which fel;
". Don Martin de Cordoua, Count. De Alcaudete, Captain-General.of Oran,
« whoſe Fall was accompanied by the Slaughter and Captivity of many
es thouſands of Spaniards."
In this Relation I ſhall often uſe almoſt the very Words of Haedo
and: Marmol, a Method I ſeldom. obferve. The firſt of them has it to
this' Purport.
The Count having prevailed with his Catholic Majeſty to ſupply him
with 12000 Men, wherewith (and what others he could ſpare from the
1
Vide Preface, p. xi. & Crap. vii...-
I
Garriſon
1
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
401
1
Garriſon, and otherwiſe procure) he undertook the Reduction of Moſtaga-
nem. Theſe Troops having been raiſed in Spain, they could not be tranf-
ported into Africa all at one Time; but about Mid-June, the greater Part
of them got fafe over. The Remainder, being sooo Spaniſh Foot, com-
manded by Don Martin, the Count's ſecond Son, was left behind, till Con-
veniency offered. To exerciſe the new-raiſed Soldiers, till the reſt arrived,
the Count led them out ſeveral Times, to make Prize upon the Subjects
of the Algerines; and ſome Expeditions were not wholly unſucceſsful. It ,
was Auguſt before the Arrival of the Reſidue of his Troops ; which hay.
ing joined, he ſet out from Oran, marching very deliberately. And as from
thence to Moſtaganem, in the Algiers Road, it is no more than twelve
Spaniſh Leagues, (Marmol makes it fourteen) had he advanced briſkly, as
there were but few Turks, and they unprovided, within the Place, which
of itſelf is very weak, he might, probably, have carried the Day, with-
out much Expence. But this General thought fit to proceed very lowly;
and that in ſuch Manner, that the neighbouring Moors and Arabs had Lei-
ſure to raiſe a Flying-Camp of 6000 Horſe, and Haſſan Baſha Timç
enough to come almoſt within Sight of Moſtaganem, before the Spaniſlá Ar-
my had ſat down before that threatened Place. The algerine Camp con-
ſiſted of only gooo Janiſaries, and 1000 Spahis, with ten Ficld-Pieces; which
was ſoon joined by thoſe 6000 Horſe, and about 10000 Mooriſh Foot.
The Count was preſently, informed of the Baha's Approach, by a Re-
negado who eſcaped from the Camp: And notwithſtanding he might caſily
have attacked and carried that defenſeleſs Town, and there have expected
the Enemy, either within or without, as he pleaſed, nay ſeveral had given
him that Advice; yet, as he was naturally courageous, even to Exceſs, he ne-
ver would liſten to ſuch wholſome Counſel. “Inſomuch, continues this
Author, " that the Turks coming up, he was forced to engage them at a
great Diſadvantage, and at length loſt his Life valiantly fighting; his
" whole Army being utterly routed, and more than 12000 Spaniards cap-
« tivated. This unhappy Encounter happened Auguſt 26. 1558; with
"6which Victory, and ſo enormous a Number of Captives, and among
“ others Don Martin, Marquis De Cortes, the Count's Son, Hallan
« Baſha returned to Algiers, joyful and triumphant."--Thus Haedo.
But let us a little examine, and extract ſome Particulars from the more
verboſc, yet feldom ſo impartial Marmol; who, in the firſt Place, ſeems
inclined to fink more than half the Spaniſh Army; ſince he mentions no :
Vol. II.
Fff
niore
1
CC
1
1
402
The History of ALGIERS.
more than 6500 Men, brought from Spain, and which we may ſuppoſe
were the firſt Comers: Yet, on ſeveral Occaſions, he laments thc Capti-
vity of many thouſands of brave Spaniards, loft on that inauſpicious Day.
The Bulk of his tedious Narrative is this.
Preſently after the Turks were retired from before & Oran, the Count De
Alcaudete paſſed over to Spain, and made earneſt Application at Court for
6000 Men, to reduce Moſtaganem; which would be a main Step towards
the fo-much-deſired Conqueſt of Algiers: Alledging, that the Sherif of
Fez, and ſeveral conſiderable Sheikhs had promiſed him all requiſite Alift-
ance, both of Troops and Proviſions. Tho' what the Count advanced
carried a Face of Probability and Foundation, conſidering the Enmity be-
tween the Natives and the Turks, and ſome of the Council were for it,
yet he met with great Oppoſition; many queſtioning whether the ſaid
Promiſes were to be relied on, ſince thoſe Moors, &c. had not given Hof-
tages, or any other Security: Adding, that the Turks would not only en-
deavour to break that Confederacy, by ſetting to Work the Santons, but, alſo,
in caſe that Method proved ineffectual, fire all the new Corn and remove
the old, with the Cattle, out of Reach, and thereby prevent all Succour;
even were the Natives ever ſo well diſpoſed.' Nor was it, they ſaid, to
be ſuppoſed, that the Turks would leave that Place unprovided, upon the
firſt Notice they had of his Motion. Beſides, they told him, he asked
too few Men for ſuch an Enterprize. However at laſt, he got what he
demanded; and having raiſed thoſe Troops, he imbarked with them at
Malaga, in 1558, accompanied by a great Number of Nobility and Gen-
try, from Andaluſia and the Kingdom of Granada. In Auguſt the ſame
car, he departed from Oran, towards Moſtaganem, with osoo Men, up-
on Lift, and ſome Pieces of Cannon, drawn by the Soldiers : And having
made ſeveral different Turns, he arrived ath Mazagran, where he had a
ſmart Conflict with the Moors and Aials of that Neighbourhood; but
they were put to Flight by the Chriſtians, who purſued to the very Walls
of Moſtaganem, and cut off more than 300 Turks and Moors. After this
Victory, the Count ordered all his People to return to Mazagran; ex-
pecting there to find ſomething for the Refreſhment of the Army; the
& Look back to the Expedition of Haffan Corſo, P. 385.
n An ancient City, now very ruinous, two Miles from the Sea, and four from Moja-
ganem.
Soldiers
The HISTORY of ALGIER S.
403
Soldiers being very much fatigued with Hunger, Thirſt and Wearineſs,
and the Proviſions being all ſent by Sea, on nine Brigantines, which were
to continue going and coming as Occaſion required : But the Inhabitants
of thoſe Parts had ſome Days before removed all their Effects to Moſtaga-
nen, which Place the Algerines were determined to defend. While the
Spaniſh Army was reflecting on this Diſappointment, four Royal Gallies
and five Galeots of Algiers were ſeen paſſing by, with each of them one
of the expected Brigantines in tow. This was really a diſaſtrous Circum-
ſtance. Thoſe Gallies, returning from the Coaſt of Andaluſia, where thcy
had plundered a Place, named St. Miguel, belonging to the Count De
Niebla, fell in upon the nine Brigantines, charged with Proviſions and
Ammunition from Oran. On the other Hand the Al-Caid of Tremizan
took ſuch Meaſures, that not one Sheikh durſt attempt conveying any
thing to the Spaniſh Camp; all which cauſed much Diſcontent. Upon
this Don Martin called a Council; at which ſeveral Officers adviſed him
to return to Oran, and incamp under its Walls, there obſerving the Ene-
mies Motions, till ſome Order ſhould be taken to ſupply the Camp with
all Neceſſaries : And in the Interim the Troops might employ themſelves
in making Incurſions upon the Enemy. Others were for his immediatrly
attacking Moſtaganem ; ſince in carrying that Placc all their Wants would
be abundantly ſupplied. To this the courageous Count: readily agreed;
ſuch was his Deſire of proſecuting his Enterprize: And, becauſe he wanted
Shot for his Ordinance, he cauſed the Arch, &c. of the Town Gates to
be pulled down, and with thoſc hard Stones, ſhaped by ſome Soldiers
who underſtood the Buſineſs, he made good that Defect, and marched
away for Moſtaganem. The few Turks who were there led out a good
Number of Moors, &c. to encounter the Van-Guard; but they were re-
pulſed with Lors, and ſo ſmartly purſued, that ſome Soldiers advanced ſo
far, that they actually ſcaled the Wall with Ladders, and among them an
Enſign with his Colours. It is held for certain, that they had poſitively
entered the City that Day, had not the Count commanded a Retreat ; nay;
he cauſed the Enſign to be puniſhed, for approaching the Wall without
Orders. The whole Army being arrived before the 'Town, Don Martin
ordered, that very Evening, Faſcines to be made of Vines and Fig-Trees,
and therewith drew a Trench round his Camp, to ſecure it from the Ene-
mies Cavalry: And the fame Night a ſmall Platform, for two Cannon,
was erected, in order to batter the South Side of the Caſtle. The Spaniards
Fff 2
took
!
404
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
j
took Poffefſion of a ſmall Suburb, becauſe from thence the Turks galled
them, and had done great Damage with their Muſket Shot : Yet they got
it not without great Oppoſition, the Turks having broke thro' all the Walls
of thoſe Houſes, to aſſiſt and communicate with cach other, as Occaſion
required, and having made abundance of Loop-Holes, had killed a con-
fiderable Number of the beſt Soldiers. Six Companies were left to guard
this Suburb. Next Morning, whilc Preparation was making to alter the
Battery, News came, that the Turks of Algiers were at Hand, and by the
Number of Colours and Standards, they judged Haſan Baſha to be there
in Perſon. Tho' this was confirmed by many Eye-Witneſſes, the Count
would not believe a Syllable ; ſaying, it was not poſſible for the Algerine
Camp to have made ſuch Expedition; and that it could be only a Body
of the Natives, who had induſtriouſly brought thoſc Turkiſh Enſigns in
order to amuſe his Army, and make him raiſe the Siege. To convince
thoſe who inſiſted upon the Fact, he ſent his Son Don Martin, with a
few Horſe, to take a nearer View of what had occaſioned that Rumour
who ſoon found it to be no other than the Algerine Camp, already pitched.
[Which is very eaſy to be diſtinguiſhed from an Encampment of Moors and
Arabs, even at a conſiderable Diſtance; thcir Tents being black, whereas
thoſe of the Turks are exceeding white.] Don Martin, at his Return,
earneſtly intrcated the Count his Father to give him 4000 Men, that he
might fall upon the Turk:ſh Camp that Night, “ Since, ſaid he, as they
" muſt neceſſarily be very much tired with their long and precipitate
" Marches, they may eaſily be routed; and the Chriſtians becoming Maf-
" ters of their Stores, will be enabled chearfully to proſecute the Siege,
“ and carry their Point without Interruption from the Turks, who can-
" not readily recover themſelves, nor have a Supply from any Part but
“ Algiers.” All the Reply made by the Count was, “ That it was not
" at all convenient.” When his Son and fomc Captains returned, “ That,
“ if he did not ſo, the Turks would fight him in the Morning." He an-
ſwered, “ They dare not! If they attempi it, they are loſt.” And that
very Evening, without acquainting any with his Deſigns, he ordered to
every Muſketeer two Spans of Match and a Pound of Powder; and when
a little paſt Mid-Night, he commanded the Camp to be raiſed very ſilently,
and to march away for Mazagran; all which was executed with ſuch Pre-
cipitation, that many ſick and wounded Soldiers were left behind: And
before the Army was got down the Deſcent, the miſerable Outcries of
thors
1
1
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
405
;
thoſe Wretches werc diſtinctly heard, while the Enemy from the Town
were cutting them in Pieces. Neither would the Count perform that
March with the Speed he intended, and might have done: For a Wheel
of one of the Carriages breaking in the Way, he cauſed the whole Army tơ
halt, till near Morning, while it was mending; nor would he, by any
Perſuaſion, be prevailed on to leave that Cannon, tho' his Officers would
fain have had him bury it in the Sand, in the Road where they marched
which if he had done, it is very unlikely the Enemy could have found
it, even if they had Information. Had he taken this Method, the Army
might have reached Mazagran in good Time, and probably Matters might
have taken a happier Turn than they did, purely on Account of their
getting fo late thither. Haſan Baſha had early Notice of all theſe Move-
ments; who, without loſing a Moment, began the Purſuit, and by Day-
break got up with the Rear, at a very ſmall Diſtance from Mazagran.
Don Martin, being apprehenſive left the Turks ſhould get Poſſeſſion of the
only Fountain of good drinking Water (which is without the Place near
the Walls) ſpeedily ſent away ſeveral Companies, from the Van, in order
to ſecure it. As they approached the ſaid Water, all that the Officers
could poſſibly do, could not prevent the Soldiers from quitting their
Ranks and running, promiſcuouſly, to quench their raging Thirſt. The
Army, thus out of all Order, was furiouſly attacked by the Turks on one
Quarter, and by the Natives on ſeveral: And ſo great, ſo general was the
Confuſion, that neither the Count, who led the Van, nor his Son, who
brought up the Rear, could by any Means prevail with the aſtoniſhed Sol-
dier to turn Face to the tempeſtuous Invader : But, in the utmoſt Diſ-
order imaginable, every one fought the Avenues into the Town; being
hotly purſued, wounded and killed by the laughtering Turks, Moors and
Arabs. By this Time, the Equipages from the nine Algerine Gallies were
leaped a-ſhore; and, on the other Hand, the Governor of Tremizan was
arrived. To complete the Horrors of that inauſpicious Day, in the Even-
ing at Vefper-Time, the Remnant of their Powder, in ſeveral Barrels,
which was placed under the Town. Wall, accidentally took l'ire, blow-
ing up and ſinothering soo Spaniſh Soldiers, who had it in Charge.
When the Count beheld this Diſaſter, which occaſioned all the Troops
(which he had again got together to ſtand on the Detenſive) to diſband
moſt confuſedly, and run away full Speed towards the Town, hc deter-
mined to fall deſperately, and without Order, on the Enemy, with the
few
1
406
The HISTORY of ALGIER S.
few he ſtill had within Call; hoping thereby to keep off and repulſe the
Barbarians, till his People might again be brought into ſome Order. So,
clapping Spurs, to his Horſe, with a matchleſs Intrepidity, he charged
the thronging Infidels ; crying out to his Spaniards, “ i St. Fago! St. Jago!
" The Victory is our own! The Enemy is routed and loft! St. Jago!
“ St. Jago!" Yet, notwithſtanding he twice or thrice did thus, he was
ſo far from being ſeconded and followed by the Soldiers, that every one
made all poſſible Speed into the Town. Upon this, the Count haſted
away to a Poſtern belonging to the Fortreſs; thinking to compel the Fu-
gitives to ſally and ſtand their Ground: But the Preis was ſo exceſſive in
the Gate-Way, that he could not poſſibly penetrate: And ſpurring on his
Horſe violently, in order to break thro', the Creature reared quite upright,
and threw him off backward, in that narrow Paſſage; where every one
having more Regard to his own particular Safety than to any Duty towards
his Commander in Chief, and that Nobleman being ſomewhat advanced in
Years, he there expired, being preſently ſmothered and trampled to Death
under the Feet of his own Soldiers; and this Place rendered famous by the
diſaſtrous Death of that General, and the Loſs of ſo many brave Men,
who therc drew their lateſt Breath. When as many of the Chriſtians as
could, had entered the Town, the Count's Domeſtics, taking up his Corpſe,
inhumed it in the chief Moſque ; and the victorious Turks immediately
broke in, without farther Oppoſition, making Priſoners Don Martin (the
defunct Count's Son, who was preparing for a Defenſe) together with the
whole k Remainder of the Chriſtian Army. Haſan Baſha, that Night,
cauſed Guards to be poſted at all the Gates of the Town and Fortreſs,
to prevent the Moors and Arabs from entering and maſſacring the ſurren-
dered Chriſtians. But, next Morning, their Sheikhs, or Chiefs, accoſting
him, with a Demand of fome Share in the Captives; “ Since, ſaid they,
« we have ſerved you during this Campaign, at our own Coſts and
“ Charges ;" he ordered them 800 : And as thoſe Enemics of our Holy
Faith made that Demand purely to ſlaughter them, they were no ſooner
delivered, but every one of them periſhed at the Points of their Lances.
This done, the Baſha made diligent Inquiry after the Count: And being
informed of his Death and Interment in the Moſque, he cauſed the Body
i St. James of Compoſtela, the Patron of Spain. This is the Spaniards everlaſting Fighting-
Word. It here, perhaps, favours ſomewhat of a Spaniſh Bravado.
Upwards of 12000, ſays Haedo in ſeveral Places. Look back to P.
401.
to
k
The HISTORY of ALGIER S.
407
to be taken up, and brought into his Preſence: Saying, he deſired a Sight
of fo valiant a Perſonage. He afterwards ſold the Corpſe, for 2000 Du-
cats, to Don Martin, his Priſoner, and Son to the Deceaſed, who ſent
it to Oran: And, with this great Victory, the Pagan returned to Algiers;
where he was joyfully received. Thus Marmol: And for the laſt 60, or 70
Lines in a manner Verbatim: In all which, he, moſt apparently, ſeems
to be endeavouring, to make the very beſt of a very bad Marker.
A.D. 1559. The Year following, Haſſan Baſha was engaged in another
War, with the Prince of Beni-Abbas. Of theſe Affairs, after a few Re-
marks of our own, we will deliver the Subſtance of what Haedo ſays;
and then advance what is to be met with in Marmol; who treats ſome-
what circumſtantially of that gallant African, whoſe Name was Abda-
laziz: What has been already hinted, concerning that martial Mountain-
People, and what may elſewhere occaſionally occur, is ſufficient to
give a competent Idea of thoſe Nations. But to the Purpoſe in Hand.
Relying on the rugged: ſcarce acceſſible Faſtneſſes, thoſe people always
diſdained the being even required to acknowledge a Vaffalage to any Po .
tentate whatever : And-the-Turks of Algiers have, all along, no leſs diſdain-
ed, that thoſe Mountaineers ſhould have the Inſolence to abide almoſt
within Sight of their Capital, without owning them, at leaſt in ſome
Meaſure, to be their Superiors. This has occaſioned many Bickerings;
the Conſequence whercof has ſometimes been a ſort of Acknowledgment
to the Algerines; nay accompanied even with Preſents of Value : All
which thoſe haughty, aſſuming Free-Booters never fail calling Tribute,
from what Quarter of the World foever they come; conſtantly cxpect-
ing what has been once granred, nay, demanding it with a right Turkiſi
,
Arrogance ; and upon meeting with any People, (who unuſed to ſuch
Treatment, and withal having a good Opinion of their own Strength)
not always in a preſenting Humour, much leſs when their Preſents arc
miſcalled Tributes, they pick a Quarrel with them; and ſometimes
get
themſelves handſomely drubbed. Some Inſtances may be produced.
The Occaſion of this War, fays Haedo almoſt Verbatin, was by Rea-
fon, that this Sultan or King (for thoſe Highland-Princes aſſume that Ma-
jettic Title) and his Predeceſſors, confiding in their Mountains, would
never yield any Obedience to the Vice-Roys of Algiers, or pay
1
! N. B. Haedo almoſt always calls the Bahas, or Vice-roys of Algiers, Kings.
2
them
408
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
i
them any Tribute as did his Neighbour, the Sultan of Cucco, and other
Highlanders: Nay this Potentate, not contenting himſelf with that his
ablolute Independency, grievouſly infeſted the Arabs and Africans in the
* Lowlands, who were in Subjection to the Algerines; deſcending almoſt
daily from his Mountains, and plundering them at Diſcretion. And ash
was a generous, liberal Prince, ſeveral Renegadoes of Algiers had entered
into his Service, on Account of the good Pay, and other Encouragements
he
gave
them he being extremely deſirous of having Fire-arms about
him. After this, many Chriſtian Slaves, from Algiers, began to make, their
Eſcapes thither ; to all whom he gave a moſt courteous Reception: And
ſuch as were diſpoſed to become Muſulmans, he accommodated with
Help-mates to their Liking, and a comfortable Maintenance; and thoſe
who were otherwiſe inclined, were at their Liberty, and wanted not En-
couragement for their Service, as his Body-Guards. Thus in a ſhort
Space of Time, this active Prince became Poffeffor of a good Number of
Fuziliers; partly Renegadoes, partly Chriſtians. And as near as the
diſproportionate Compariſon may bear, he ſeems to have been of a Genius
not unlike that of a certain Northern Monarch. With theſe and his
own Martial Vaffals, he did very conſiderable Damage to the Algerine
Territory, and even to the Turks themſelves, whenever they came within
his Rcach: For three ſeveral Camps, from Algiers, having been ſent againſt
him, he broke and routed them every one: And all the Turks that fell alive
into his Hands, the Puniſhment inflicted on them, was cutting off their
Genitals in the Middle, and turning them looſe, with their Hands bound
behind, ſo to bleed to Death in the Roads. Upon all theſe Accounts,
Haſan Baſha, finding himſelf triumphant and powerful after his great
Victory over the Chriſtians, which had augmented the Number of his
Slaves by ſo many thouſands, determined to commence a War upon this
Prince, and revenge all thoſe ſhameful Inſults. And, in the firſt Place,
perceiving Algiers, both within and without, to be ſwarming with Chriſ-
tians (and much more ſo ſince the Campaign at Moſtaganem) of which
he himſelf was Maſter of an infinite Number, he cauſed a Standard to be
ſet up in his Bagnio, where his Chriſtians were lodged ; proclaiming,
" That whatever Chriflian Captive was inclined to embrace the Muſulman
“ Belief, he ſhould have his Liberty, and be entered into immediate Pay;
s on Condition that he ſerved in that War againſt the King of. Beni-
" Abbas.” This cauſed abundance of Spaniards to Apoftatize; and the
Excuſe
2
11
4
!
i
1
The HISTORY of ALGIE'RS:
4.09
Excuſe they commonly gave for that their Wickedneſs, was, “ that they
“ did it merely to have an opportunity of warring with the Moors; and
C6 that when they paſſed from Spain into Barbary, they came not with
6 any other Intent.” Of theſe and other Turks and Renegadoes, the Baſha
formed an Army of 6000 Turkiſh Foot, 600 Spabis, and in the Way was
joined by 4000 Arab and African Cavalry. With theſe Forces and eightField-
Pieces; he marched Eaſtwards; and got near the Enemy carly in September.
The Highland King; who had Notice of his Motion, came down from the
Mountain, with 6000 brave Horſe, about 10000 Foot, and for his Guard
a Band. of 1000 Fuziliers.; Chriſtians and Renegadoes. Beſides theſe, many
of his own People had learned of the others to uſe Fire-Arms moſt dex-
troully, and had done very good Execution in former Encounters with
the Turks. And indeed the Algerines had no very great Stomach to this
War: It being certain, that this Abdalaziz was a Perſon of uncommon
Conduct, Bravery and Reſolution. But being ſhot dead with a Muſquet-
Ball in the Breaſt, his Troops were diſheartened: And.a. Brother of his
being inveſted with the Sovereignty; in his Stead, the new.Prince {truck
ụp a Peace with the Turks, entering into a League offenſive and defenſive
with the State of Algiers; but without the leaſt. Tincture of Vafalage
or Dependence.--- ". Tho?, adds Haedo, àt the Arrival of a new. Baba,
of the, Abbaſli ſends him a Compliment, accompanied with a Preſent;
« in Return to which, the Vice-Roy of Algiers preſents him with a rich
« Sabre and; a Turkiſh Garment. This friendly Correſpondence continues
“ to this Day: And in 1 580,. September 16, came to Algiers a Son of this
6 famie new King of Beni- Abbas, to viſit and compliment Jafer. Baſha,
“ newly arrived from the Levant; bringing with him a Preſent of no
66 inconſiderable Value; it being about 2500-Gold Ducats, 400 Camels
(6 and 1000:Sheep:"
They are ſtill upon' much the like Footing : Nor have- the Algerines
had any very conſiderable Falling out with Beni-Abbas" for many Years,
but what ſhall be taken Notice of in due Place. m But upon the leaſt
Diſputez:! even the whole : Eaſtward Campdares not 'attempt paſſing
by the Damir!Cápi, or Al Beban, but is obliged to take a tedious Circum-
férence round the Mountains, and come out by Mefila, upon the Borders
of the Numidian Deſarts by:which Way; beſides the Tediouſneſs, a ſmall
t
m Vide Vol. I. p. 107.
GES
Company
2
1
The HISTORY OF ALGIERS.
410
Company runs an imminent Hazard of being intercepted and cut" off by
Ouled Maathi, a powerful Tribe of Arabs, in that Neighbourhood; as I
once experienced, and may, perhaps, obſerve elſewhere.
But we muſt look a little back to examine what Marmol, more in par-
ticular, ſays, of this renowned African Prince; which having first given
a brief Account of the Country and People, is to this Purport, viz,
About the middle of the ſixteenth Century, their ^ Sheikh, or Prince,
was a valiant African, named Abdalaziz, otherwiſe called • Al-Abbaſi (or
the Abbaſide) and was one of the braveſt Captajns in all Africa. This
noble African was engaged in a furious. War with the Prince of Cucco
(or the Zwauwa) whoſe Name was Aben Al-Gadi, upon an ancient, irre-
concileable Grudge ſubſiſting between thoſe People, for many Ages paſt;
and as that Prince was, likewiſe, in Enmity with the Turks of Algiers, on
Account of the Death of Prince P Salem aben Toumi, whoſe Relation he
was, Al- Abbaſi entered into a League with Haſan Baba, Son of Heyra-
din Barba-roja, who was then Vice-Roy of Algiers; and, in Conjunction
with this African Prince, the Turks did many notable Exploits in thoſe
Realms; more eſpecially, they obtained a remarkable Vi&tory in that Ren-
counter with the Tingitanians, where Mulei Abdal-Cader, Al Jilelli, or
Keylelli, Son to the Sherif of Fez, who took Tremizan, loft his Life.
For, at that Juncture, this Abdalaziz was in the Turkiſh Camp, which
was commanded by Ali Corſo; (whom he miſcalls Haſan Corſo;) who re-
fuſing to give thc Enemy Battel, Al- Abbali, fcandalized at his Puſillani-
mity, cried out to him aloud ; 6. Al-Gaid. Ali! On Days like this it is,
" thaç you arc to recompence. your Patron for the Bread you have eaten ;
6 and not by ſtrutting abouț the Streets of Algiers, in brocaded Caftans."
But perceiving him dill
, backward and irreſolute, foaming with Rage, he
animated his own Highlanders, and thundered down upon the Sherif's
Army, killing and decapitating the Prince with his own Hand, and car-
rying off the Head upon his Lance. This was the occaſion of great En-
mity between this African Prince and the Renegado Al-Caid; as will ap-
pear. Halan Balba, returning to che. Levant, was ſucceeded by Salba
Rais: Which Baſha, acquainted with the Worth and Valour of Abda-
bixíz, confirmed the League and Amity ſet on Foot by his Predecefforz
Was accompanied by him in the Numidian Expedition (as has been
1
i :
*
Leo. So thc Spaniards mif-write thoſe Words.
P Sec the Life of Arouje
hinted)
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
411
hintcd) at the Head of 1800 Fuziliers on Foot, and 1600 Horſe: Which
Campaign, 'this Author aſſures us, the Turks could not poſſibly have made
over thoſe Deſarts, withour the Concurrence and Aliſtance of Al- Abbali.
Nor, indeed would it be a very eaſy Matter for any Army to effect, weré
the Moriſma (as the Spaniards call any great Body of native Africans)
diſpoſed to interrupt the Paſſage." Yet this Gallant Man, continues he,
met with the Recompence uſually beſtowed by Tyrants on thoſe who
« do them Service." For, at his Return to Algiers, from that Expedi-
tion, Al-Gaid. Ali, Corſo, who remained behind at Hamza (a Plain
among
the Mountains, in the Way to Méfilas where the Algérines have a ſquare
Fortreſs and a Garriſon) of which Territory he was Governor, wrote to
Salha Rais, " That, even from ſeveral of Al- Abbaſi's own Vaffals; he had
certain Intelligence, that he was meditating a Revolt, in order to expel
the Turks from that wholc Province. One Day in the Baha's Palace,
he was told in his Ear, that the Turks had laid a Scheme to ſecure his
Perſon: Whereupon he ſlipped away privately; and, mounting a ſwift
Horſe, he fled to the Mountains; the Avenues whereof he inſtantly began
to fortify; declaring open War againſt the Algerines. The Baſha, with
all ſpeed fitted out a Camp to go againſt him, left his Inſinuations,
among the Natives of thoſe-Parts, already not over-ſatisfied with the Turks,
might produce bad Effects. Winter was juſt entered, when the Alge-
rines arrived pear a Place on the Mountain-Side, called Boni, four or five
Miles from Al-Cala, where the Turks had ſeveral Rencounters with the
Highlanders; in one of which Sidi Fadbal, one of the Prince's Brothers,
was ſlain ; and the Turks were in a very fair Way to have treated himſelf
and Troops but indifferently, had not the exceffivé Snows which fell on a
ſudden obliged them to rerire, and ſoon after to draw off for Algiers. When
the Camp was departed, Al- Abballi raiſed Fortifications, after their Man-
ner, in ſeveral 'Parts of his Mountains, and cut great Ditches croſs the
Roads; when having put his chief Town, named Al-Cala de Beni- Abbas,
in the moſt defenſible Condition lic-was able, he deſcended into the Level-
Country, and did great Damage to the Vaffals of the Algerines. His
having with ſtood the Turkiſh Army, and daring thus to inſult their Pro-
vince greatly inhanced his Reputation ; inſomuch that he was joined by
many petty. Nations, and reigned abſolute in all thoſe Quarters. In 1554;
Salba Rais fent againlt him his Son Mahamed Bey, with 1000 Turkiſla
Infantry, soo Spahis and 6000 Arab Cavalry. This General, intending
Ggg2
to
412
The HISTORY: of. ALGIERS.
1
to attack Al-Cala [which by the Bye, with ſo ſmall a Force, was a very
raſh Attempt] had pitched his Camp at: Boni: : But, advancing to the
Attack, the Politic Abdalazíz, ſuffered him to, come on a conſiderable
Way, without offering any:Oppoſition.j.aņd, would have, let-him approach
as near as he pleaſed had not the Turks; at;'laſtperceived that he tindur.
triouſly did ſo, merely to decoy them farther within the rugged, narrow
Paſſes, and then to fall upon their Rear : Upon which they made a Halt;
and in the Night retreated the way they came; returning to the open
Plain. There Al-Abbaſi gave them Battel, in which fell many on both
Sides; and had it not been for the yigorous, Aſſiſtance of the Arab Caval-
ry, the Turks would have been utterly routed and cut in Pieces: So that
they got not off without great Loſs and much Diſcredit. About this
Time, Mulei Abou-Haſan was brought to Algiers by Salha Rais. : While
that Baſha was conducting him to Fezga Body.of. Algerinesg: being 400
Foot, and 150 Spahis, led by two Renegadoes, was ordered out towards
thoſe Eaſtern Quarters, yhere the, impetuous Abdelaziz was lording it at
Pleaſure... As theſe Captains were marching in the Way to Mefilag
thinking to cover a Mountain named - Jibil i Ayad, and.-Parts adjacent,
where the Highland Prince was gathering in Tribute, che amaſſed his
Troops, and came down upon them. The Algerines--were incamped near
the River Hammam; and at Day-break he fell upon them uncxpçctedly,
giving them forintire a. Defeat, that: not one-eſcapėd; exceptithe two
Al-Gaids, who got to Mefila, and owed their Livės purely. to the Swift-
neſs of their Barbs: For the Enemy gave the Turks no Quarter: As for
the Arabs, &c. who accompanied them,siAbdalazíz not thirſting for their
Blood, they were only diſmounted and diſarmed. Though none of them
could get quite away with any better Clothing than they brought into
the World; there being enough at Hand: who thirſted for their Gar-
ments, even to the laſt Tatçer. When, after this, Al-Abbaſlı perceived:
Salha Rais ſucceſsful againſt the Sherif, andı victorious 'at' Bujeya (as
has been obſerved in the Life of thạc-Baſka) he began to apprehend ai
terrible Storm from that, proſperous Arm, and kept himſelf
, pretty much
within his Faftneſſes. But before Salha Rais had much Leiſure to think of
him, at least, to put his. Thoughts, in Execution, he was carried off-by:
* So called from the Warmneſs: of its Water ; eſpeciálly-át the "Source-Head: Of which
Hammams there are many.
10:) Will
tbc
**
.
The HISTORY OF A LGIER:S.
4:13
i
I
the Peſtilence; much to Al-Abbaſi's Satisfaction. Nor could the Alge-
rines, during the domeſtic Combuſtions we treated, of in the pre-
ceding Chapter, attempt any thing againſt him; all which while he did
juſt what he pleaſed in theirEaſtern Province. When Haſan Baſha en-
tered upon --
this his ſecond - Adminiſtration, Al-Abballi fent very noble Pre-
ſents to that his quondam Intimates renewing with him their former Friend-
ſhip; - yeć would not confide in him ſo far as to venture himſelf at Al.
giers. This Amity continued a whole Year, during which the Baſha did
him many Courteſies, and, among others, made over to him, as his own
Right and Property, the Town of Mefila, bordering on the Numidian
Deſart, together with the three Braſs Cannon which Salla Rais had left
there at his Return from Tuggurt, &c. adding thereto the whole Revenue
of all that Neighbourhood, and ſupplied him even with Engineers to convey
his Cannon to Al-Cala, his Capital Town in the Mountain. There
they ſtill remain: And I am very much miſtaken if Marmol, in this Par-
ticular, is not righter than Haedo, who ſays only two Pieces of Cannon.
This was a very impolitic Action of Haſan Baſha. To return.
But, when Abdalaziz found himſelf Maſter of this Artillery, he broke
with the Turks : And, beſides his own proper Force, he entertained a Body
of 6000 Arab Cavalry, amaſſed among the noble Aral Tribes of Ouled
Maathi, Ouled Suliman, Ouled Yabia and Ouled Seyd, who wander in the
circumjacent Plains.; and with theſe he roamed about the whole, Eaſtern
Province, laying it all under Contribution. Haſan Baħa was ſo irritated
at:this. Ingratitude, that he went againſt him in Perſon, at the Head of
2500. Janifaries, soo: Spahis, many. Cbrifian Slaves, and a Multitude of
Arabsy with ſome Field-Pieces ; pitching his Camp in the fine, fruitful
Plain of Mejana, juſt by a Town'of that Name, raiſed from the Ruins
of an ancient Roman City, which Ptolomy calls Lare. There his Chrif-
tians built a Fortreſs; becauſe the Inhabitants of that Town, and adja-
cent Parts, aſſured him, " That, except he left there a Garriſon of Turks,
«.to.protect them againſt the daily Inſults and Oppreſſions of Al-Abbafi,
« he muſt not hope for any Tributes from thoſe Quarters.” The Ford
being finiſhed (which was not a Structure of any great Strength) the Baba
lefư: there 200 Turks, with fix ſmall Field Picces. of Braſs (being Part of
what Cannon. he took from the Chriſtians at Mazagran) and departed
thence Eaſtwards, to build the Fortreſs at Zamora (where the Algerines
ſtill maintain a conſtant Garriſon) about twelve Miles from Mejana, on
thc
+
414
The HISTORY OF ALGIËRS
the side of a great Mountain. This done, he departed for Algiers'; have
ing loſt above 300 Turks, in divers Skirmiſhes he had with Al- Abbaſli.
He left near Zamora, all
. his Arabs, together with 400 Turks, under the
Command of a certain Al-Gaid, named Haſan:: And. was ſcarce got out
of Sight, but Al-Abbaſi attacked and routed the whole. Camp, cutting
in Pieces every one of the Turks, together with their Leader : Inſomuch
that Haſan Baſha, and the News of that Slaughter of his People, reach-
cd Algiers juſt at the ſame Inſtant. The 200 Turks, in Garriſon at Meja-
na, no ſooner heard of this Defeat, but they abandoned the Fort, and
got
a way to Meſila :: Upon which Al-Abba li levelled it with the Ground, and
carried off to the Mountains the ſix Field-Pieces. After this, he conti-
nued a very offenGive War with the Turks, their Subjects and Allies, for
a whole Year longer; at which Time Haſan Baſba began a Treaty with
him, demanding a beautiful Daughter of his in Marriage : But being deni-
ed by Al-Abbaſi, he afterwards: cſpouſed a. Daughter of Aben-Al-Cadi,
King of the Zwouwa, or Cucco, the capital and avowed Enemy to the
Abbafide Nation. The two Confederate Powers, with their reſpc&tive
Armies, marched all along up the River of Bujeya, burning and deſtroy-
ing the Country of Beni-Abbas, as much as poſſible: Whereupon Al-Abbaſi
deſcended from the Mountain, and waited for them ncar the-River-Side,
with 4000 Fuziliers on Foot and sooo Horſe, juſt by a Town of his
called Tezli, at which Paſs he had built a Fort, and drawn a Trench croſs
the Road. Haſan Baſtia led a Body. of 3000 Turkiſh. Infantry, soo Spabis,
and 3000 Arab Cavalry; and the King of Cucco brought iroo Foot, all
Fire-Arms, and 300 Horſe. May 3. 1559. Thc Confederates arrived near
the Paſs of Tezli; and the Turks began to batter the Fort with two Can:
non: When having made a Breach, the King of Gucco drew away. to
the.Left, advancing round the Mountain-Side, with flying. Colours and
a Countenance ſo determined, that the Abbaſides in the Fort, perceiving
his Intent, which was to get behind them, and thereby facilitatc the
Entrance of the Turks, abandoned it, retreating toward Tezli, wherein
they thought to fortify themſelves : But the Turks allowed them no
Time to execute their DeGgns:;: follow them cloſe at the Heels, and,
with.great Slaughter, clearing the Town of the Inhabitants, and ſuch as
had got in, and putting all the reſt to a moſt precipitace Flight. When
Look back to P. 382.
2
Al
1
The History of A LGIER 9.
415
V
Al-Arbaſi beheld this Diſorder among his People beneath, he ordered them
to aſcend the Mountain, with all Speed, to prevent greater Miſchief; and
with a ſmall Budy of Cavalry, he poſted himſelf on a certain Eminence
in the Way up, to ſtop the Career of the purſuing Enemy; in which Poſt
he gave many remarkablc Inſtances of his own perſonal Bravery. The
King of Cucco, with the Zwouwa, had remained below in the Fort: And
Haſan Baſha obſerving many of his Turks to be ſtill advancing up the
Mountains, apprehenſive of what might happen, he diſpatched a Cbaius
to call them back; ſince the Camp was pitched, and they could not be
fuccoured. But thoſe forward Turks had ſcarce turned Back ir order to
retreat, but Al-Abbaſi thundered down upon their Rear, and attacked
them ſo vigorouſly, that many of them caſt away their Arms the better
to ply their Heels; and killing fixty of them, he recovered the Fort
and Town of Tezli : At laſt, Night obliged both Parties to ſeek their
Quarters. Three or four Days after this, Haſſan Baſha led his People
up to a level Place on the Side of the Mountain, called Soque al-Thala-
tha, or Tueſday's-Market (as in effect it is) and which is the Burial-Place
of the Abbaſide Family. There enſued a very ſmart Engagements, which
laſted from Morning till Noon; when Al- Abbaffi ordered his Troops to
withdraw from the Mountain-Top, himſelf remaining onan Eminence with
only two Banners, and a very few Horſe, facing the Turks, with whom
he had. Skirmiſhed a conſiderable wbile; giving them ſeveral norable Re
pulles. : But, at length, animated with too much Fire, he temerariouſly
ventured ſo far a-head of his ftender Guard, that he ſtruck his Lance even
into the main Battalion of the Janiſaries, who received him with ſuch å
cloſe Volley of Shot, that both he and his Horſe fell dead amide the
ſurrounding Enemy: Who advancing briskly, in order to prevent his
Followers from recovering the Body, they put them to Flight ; and con-
veying it to the Camp, they there decapitated that breathleſs Warrior.
This valiant African, continues Marmol, had on iwo exceeding fine
Coats-of-Mail; and bore a Lance, Target and very rich Sabre. He was
a moſt comely; graceful Perſonage, very 'robuſt, and, to all Appearance,
of prodigious Strength. The Turks followed their Blow, and marched
up: the Mountain as high as a Place called Tineri : And the half-
confuſed Highlanders, to amuſe them, made feigned Overtures of de
livering up the Keys of. Al-Cala, their Metropolis ; upon certain ſpecified
Conditions, not very diſagreeable to the Algerines. But during thelë Ne
goci.::inns,
than
HI6
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
!
1
4
gociations, the Abbaſlides: unanimouſly faluted, fås their Sultan, or King, Sidi
Mucròn, to ſupply the Place of his deceaſed Brother, the brave Abdalaziz:
And the new Prince renewed the-War with greater Fury than ever. The
Turks.continued in the Mountain eight Days, longer ; When perceiving the
little Good was to be done there, amidſt fuch uncoothand rugged Faſtneſſes,
where, from behind Trees and Rocks, they hourly met:Death from Hands
they ſaw not, and had already loſt ſeveral hundreds; with this Confide-
ration, I ſay, and becauſe News was brought them, that the Sherif of
Fez was again advancing towards Tremizan, they broke up, and returned
to Algiers; bearing as a Trophy.the Head of the gallant Abdalaziz. t At
so this Day; continues this Author, Sultan Mucron is Lord of thoſe Moun-
« tainous Regions, and over-runs that whole Circuimference at Pleaſure;
$.compelling even the Arab Tribes in the bordering: Deſarts to pay him
" Tribute, in ſpite of the Turks and the King of Cuccog, with whom he
“ maintains a perpetual War.”'
This:Narrative, though ſomewhat-minute-and, perhaps too. prolix,
sisinevertheleſs; notrunworthy a Place in this Hiſtory': If för no other Reas.
fon, than its being certainly genuine; randras it gives a lively Idea of what
Neighbours the Algerirës have to cope withal: The Abbaſide Family:(means
ing-this:ofi-Africas. Sovereigns of Beni-Abbas) go by the Surname of Me
cron; perhaps from this Brother: of the warlike Abdalazíz. They
prétenå:: to be: Shurfa:: (or : Sherifs;' -.whoſe : Plural is Shurfa) of the
Tribe of Haſhem; and all their beſt. Cavaliers are actually ſo named: Theſe
Hamems.of Africa are a Body of i ſeveral hundreds, and are deemed, the
bråyeſt and moſt expert Cavalry in all Barbary; none excepted. If they
are really a Branch of the Aſiatic Haſhemioun, as they ſeem to inſinuate;
and ſcarce ever learn any Tongue, but Arabic, they:are no Way.related
to che: Beni-Abbas; but åre natural Arabs; of Arabia ; whereas the others
are; real and; moſt ancient Africans; not much acquainted jwith even the
Language of the Arabians - This Thall ſuffice at preſent; concerning theſe
People (ſtill referring the curious Reader to".what. Hints have been given
in the Introdu&tion) till
. we dhall have ,Occaſion to fay. ſomething of Bou-
zeadı: qr i Abon-Zead abou Mucr.on; the reigning Sultan of Beni-Abbasy
who about eleven or twelve Years ſince fell out with the Algerines, and had
1:
Marmol concludes his Hiſtory of Africa, about 1570. It was publiſhed at Granada in
1573
divers
I
+
The HISTORY of AiLGIERS.
4197
divers ſmart Conflicts; and at ſome of the Rencounters I happened
to be preſent. I left the Country ſoon after Matters were adjuſted, and
Bouzead very likely to remain what I here call him, viz. The reigning
Sultan. To return to our: more immediate Subject.
Tho' Marmol takes no Notice of the Peace ſtruck up by the Algerines be-
fore their Departure, yet Haedo affirms it, and goes on to this Effect,
viz. Haſan Baſha, returning home with this Agreement, lay at Al-
giers for near cwo Years wholly inactive. Having himſelf eſpouſed the
King of. Cucco's fair Daughter, he would needs 'marry, at the ſame
Time, a Niece of that Sultan to a great Favourite of his, named Al-Caid
Haſſan, a Renegado Greek, Nephew to that famous Corſair Ochali, of
whom we ſhall have Occaſion to treat in a ſucceeding Chapter. With
great Solemnity, thoſe young Ladies were conducted to Algiers, from the
Mountains, under a ſtrong Guard of Turkiſh and Mooriſh Cavalry; and,
with the utmoſt Rejoicing and Magnificence, thoſe Nuptials were cele-
brated. This occaſioned Haſſan Baſha to comply with his new Father-
in-Law's Requeſt, of what; till then, could never be obtained; viz. A
free Trade with Algiers; more particularly for the Exportation of Con.
trabands, as Fire-Arms, Powder, &c. of which thoſe Mountaineers were
then very greedy, but are now ſufficiently ſtocked ; nay, even with to.
lerable Artificers of their own: And they may not unjuſtly be called, an
ingenious, induſtrious People. Licence being once granted for that Sort
of Commerce, the Roads became continually thronged with Zwouwa,
flocking to Algiers; from whence they never returned but loaded with
ſome of thoſe Commodities. It was not without an Eye of Jealouſy that the
Turks beheld their Streets never free from Crouds of ſurly-looking Highland-
crs; a People they could not like, merely becauſe they were valiant and would
not be their Vaſals. But to ſee them driving thc Trade they did, put them
beyond all Patience; as dreading the Conſequences: And that not altoge-
ther without Reaſon ; as they have ſince experienced : All thoſe Mountains
being now full of as good Marksmen as any in the Univerſe, among whom it
would be a difficult Matter for a young Fellow to get even a Wife, worth
having, before he is Maſter of a Fuzil ; and of which they are all ſo ex-
tremely nice and careful, that they ſeldom care to touch their Arms with
the bare Hand, left they ſhould be foiled; in which Points they are much
nicer than even the Turks of Algiers themſelves, who, one may ſafely ven-
Vol. II.
Hhh :
ture
1
41&
The HISTORY OF ALGIERS.
ture to affirm, are, in moſt things of that Nature, ſcarce to be out-done
in Nicety and Cleanlineſs.
4. D. 1561. All this carrying with it a ſuſpicious Aſpect, the Turks
began, in carneſt, to be alarmed : Nor lay their real Sentiments long
dormant. They would not be perſuaded, but that a-Negociation was
on Foot, between his Highland Majeſty and Haſan Bajba, detrimental to
thc Ottoman Intereſt; as tending to a general Revolt of thoſe Provinces,
of which this Vice-Roy aimed at the Sovereignty, independent of the
Turkiſh Sultan: And one Day in September, their Jealouſy was raiſed to
a more than ordinary Pirch, upon perceiving, in the principal Street alone,
more than 600 Zwouwa, gathered together in Parties, talking and look-
ing with as much Aſſurance as they could have done at their own Homes:
Of all which, as a very unuſual Sight, the Turks thought much; thoſe
of Algiers in particular being a Set of Sparks who will not allow any to
be impudent, but themſelves. · Bofnoc Hafan, Aga of the Fanifaries, as
the Perſon who, by his Poft, had the beſt Title to apply a Remedy to
ſo growing an Evil, immediatcly called a Ditan, or Council; whereat
it was concluded, peremptorily, to demand the Baha inſtantly to iſſue
out a Proclamation, forbidding, on Pain of preſent and irremiffible Death,
any Zwouwi from offering to purchaſe Contrabands, meaning Arms and
Ammunition of any Sort, and prohibiting the People of Algiers, and its
Domain, from ſelling them any, under the like Penalty. This being
done, the Aga, in Conjunction with the Bey - ler - Bey, or General.
iſſimo, in the Name of the whole Body of the Militia, fent the Baſha an-
other no leſs abſolute Demand; which was to give Orders that, within
two Hours, every Zwouwi ſhould depart from Algiers, upon Pain of being
cut in Pieces. The Town being cleared, a great Number of Janiſaries,
headed by their Aga, and his officious Artiſtant, " Colefa Mehemned, the
Bey-ler-Bey, went to the Palace, and there ſeized the Baſha; whom,
having ſtrongly fettered, they committed to a clofe Priſon, well guarded.
From thence they went to the Habitation of Ochali; whom, together with
his before-mentioned Nephew, Al-Gaid Haſan, they inſtantly ſecured in
Irons. With all poſſible Expedition, fix Gallies were fitted out, and, with
thoſe three fettered Priſoners, ſent to Conftantinople': And the two Joint-
Conſpirators took on themſelves the Adminiſtration. This ſecond Time,
1
Coufa, or Cuſa, in Turkiſh, ſignifies one whoſe Beard grows very thin.
Haſan
A
Ike:HISTORY OF ALGIË Ë' S.
410
1
Hafnp, Baſia governed the State about four Years and four. Months, viz:
from June 15577 to Odober 1561.
1
1
BosnOC HASSAN AGA and COUSAMEHEMED;
Joint-Deputies, with the Title of KHALIFAS.
Theſe Deputies were both reckoned natural Turks; tho' the Aga was
a Native of Boſnia, as the Word Boſnoc implies : They governed the
State about five Months; nothing remarkable occurring under their Ad-
miniſtration. Haſan Baſha knew ſo well how to tell his Scory, at the
Porte, that he and his two Companions were foon declared innocent, and
ſet at Liberty But a new Baſha being appointed, he no ſooner arri-
ved at Algiers, but the two officious Deputies were ſeized and ſent away,
in Irons, to Conftantinople, where they loſt their Heads. Bofnoc Haſan
was aged forty two, taļl of Stature, rather lean than plump, and of a
brown Complexion. Couſa Mehemed was about fifty, middle-fized and
corpulent. He had large Eyes, a Roman Nofe, and was ſomewhat ſwarthy.
AHAMED BASHA.
4. D. 1962. About the middle of February, this Ycar, Abamed Baſha
arrived at Algiers, with ſix of the Grand Signor's Gallies; where he met
with a more than ordinary good Reception, on Account of his being a
very great Favourite of the Sultan's. The first Step he took was to ſecure
and ſend away his Predeceſſors. As it was and ſtill is the Cuſtom,
for all Perſons in any public Employ, to preſent the new Comer with
Sums of Money, and other Donatives, the Algerines (trove, with Emula-
tion, who ſhould make his Court firſt, and in the handſomeſt Manner, co
this Basha, upon his Accellion: All which he ſwallowed with an exceſſive
Grecdineſs. He was much noted for his Avarice, during the many Years
of his being Boſtanji-Baſhee, or Head-Gardiner to Sultan Suliman, and with.
all much in that Monarch's Favour: And he is faid, only out of the Fruits
and Herbs of thoſe Gardens, to have accumulated a prodigious Maſs of
Wealth; with Part of which he purchaſed this Vice-Royalty, from Roſa,
H h h 2
the
420
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
the Sultan's favourite Miſtreſs. Nor could be forget his old Trade, when
he came to his new Government: But left no Means uneſſayed to re-imburſe
himſelf, to the general Diſgult of the People over whom he preſided.
But he did not long trouble them: For, at four Months End, he was
carried off by a bloody-Flux. He lies interred under a Domc among
the other Baſhas. His Age was about ſixty ; his Beard quite grey. He
was very robuſt, tall, corpulent and ſwarthy. 'Till farther Orders from
Above, the Vacancy was ſupplied by his Kayia, or Lieutenant, a Perſon
we have ſpoken of before' ; w.viz.
9
A L-CAID YAHIA, Deputy-Vice-Roy: The ſecond and
laſt Time of his Officiating.
}
This Man ruled ſomewhat more than four Months, in great Tranquil-
lity: Nor did any thing happen in his Time worth remarking. After this,
he lived privately in great Honour'and Eſteem, till 1990, which being
the ſixtieth Year of his Age, he died not long after his Return from Tunis,
whither he accompanied Ali Baſha, Fartas, vulgarly called Ochali. The
Occaſion of his Death was this. At the Bombardment of the Goletta, a
ſınall Cannon-Shot from one of the Barks upon the Lake, grazed cloſe
by the Calf of his right Leg, without touching the Boot; yet the Wind of
it threw him down, and the whole Limb became utterly diſabled and black
as Soot. He was brought alive to Algiers, in a Litter, tho' in great Miſery,
and languiſhed ſome Months ; for no Remedy would avail, even to give
him the leaſt Reſpite. mmHe was tall, luſty, and ſwarthy, his Eyes
large and black; with a Beard very buſhy. He left one Daughter, Heireſs
to much Wcalth, which he had by Haji's Daughter. This Lady is ſtill
living, ſays Haedo, and is named Lella Aiſha, married to Al-Caid Daud.
She buried him, very decently, among the other principal Algerines, without
Beb-al-Weyd.
1
* Look back to P. 397.
СНАР.
.
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
421
C H A P. XI.
BASHA XIV. HASSAN BASHA. The third and laſt Time
of his. Adminiſtration. Some Account of the Al-
Gerines at the Siege of MALTA. The Hiſtory of the
famous Corſair, DRAGUT RAIS.
TH
An. Dom. 1562.
HE Services and great Merits of the Barba-roſas, tho' ſo long after
their Deceaſe, were certainly and apparently, very inftrumental towards
the Advancement of Hahan Baſha, Son of Heyradin Barba-roſa; to the
Baſalic of Algiers, notwithſtanding the Múltitude and Power of his
invidious Enemies and Competitors: Nor could it once be ſaid, that he
was ever looked on with a very evil Eye by the grateful and generous. Su-
liman; which upon this third and laſt Occaſion appeared clearer than ever.
For, beſides that Monarch's ſo readily accepting his Excuſes, in a Caſe which
was far from wanting even very Itrong and preſumptive Suſpicions, and
a Caſe of no leſs Importance, than the diſmembring ſuch a State from the
Empire, he, likewiſe, refuſed not the ſacrificing his Accuſers to his Re-
ſentment, nor the reſtoring him to his Poſt; tho' to the utter Diſcontent
of many principal Perſons, and more particularly, of one of his moſt inti-
mate Grandees. Tho' it is not unlikely, that theſe Favours were, in great
Meaſure, owing to the rich Preſents he made to Rofa, and the chief Balbas
of the Court. To conduct him to his Government Piali Baſha, the
Grand Admiral of the Ottoman Fleets, furniſhed him with ten Royal Gal-
lies, which were Part of thoſe he took froin the Spaniards, at the Ifland
Ferba, in 1560.
At the Beginning of September, this Y car, he.once morcarrived at Algiers::
And the Joy and Satisfaction, for his unexpected Appearance, wese fo
genc-
ral, that even the Women, notwithſtanding their Retiredneſs, crouded
on the Terraces of the Houſes, and with loud and joyful Acclamations, wc-
comed him to his native Country. And, as it was uſual, as wc obferved,
for the new Bafhas to take up their Lodging, for ſome Days, in a certain
Houſe
I
42%
The History of ALGLERS.
Houſe near the Marine Gate, till the Palace was evacuated, Haſan Baſba
went up directly to the Palace; thereby giving to underſtand, that he
deemed Ahamed Baſha, though exprefly commiſſioned from the Sultan,
as no other than a Uſurper of his Right, and that, had he been ſtill liv.
ing, bę would have ſerved him in the very ſame Manner. He immedi-
ately began to make mighty Preparations for fome great Expedition, with-
our acquainting any with his Deſigns . Which were to beſiege Oran and
Marfa-al-Kebir, and that not only with the View of gaining Honour, by
atracking Places of their Strength and Importance, but to revenge himſelf
upon the Janiſaries, for their late Inſolence.
A. D. 1563. Early in February, this Year, he ſet out with a greater
Force than any Baſha of Algiers 'ever did, either before or ſince: For be-
tween Turks, Renegadoes, Kul-Oglous and Moriſcoes, his Army conſiſted of
no leſs than trood Foot, ali Fužiliers, from the City of Algiers alone; to-
gether with tooo Spabis. His Father-in-Law, the King of Cucco, fur-
niſhed him with a conſiderablc Body of African Cavalry, which, with others
ſent him by ſeveral Sheikhs, amounted to 10000. By Sea he ſent thirty
two Galties and Galeots, full of Artillery, Ammunitions, and all warlike
Stords, which were accompanied by three large French Veſſels, laden with
Biſcuit, Oil and other neceſfary Proviſions. He thought fit firſt to at-
tack Marfa-al-Kebir, in order to poffefs himſelf of its ſpacious Port; and
becauſe that Place' was of greater Strength and Importance. April 3,
he laid Siege 'to it; and after a furious and terrible Battery of ſeveral Months
almoſt-inceſſant Continuance, and divers ſmart Affaults, which coſt both
Parties much Blood, he was at length forced to break up, and depart very
precipitacely; being informed of tłe ncar and long-expected Approach
of Prince D'Oria, with a powerful Succour, on the Gallics of Genoua,
Naples and Sicily. Don Martin de Cordoua, Marquis De Cortes, (who
ſome Time before had ranſomed himſelf with a great Sum of Money from
his Captivity at Algiers, and was Governor of that Fortreſs under his elder
Brother, Don Alonſo, Captain-General of thoſe Garriſons) had made a Gal-
lant Defenſe; otherwiſe it was thought that the Algerines would, certainly,
have then carried their Point. The Baſha got to Algiers towards July:
And in that City, for a long while, nothing was to be heard but the Cries
and Lamentations of Women, for the Loſs of their Friends and Relations.
Notwithſtanding which Haſan Baſha could not poſſibly diffemble his Sa-
tisfaction at his being rid of abundance of his profeſſed'Enemies, who had
periſhed
I
Ihe., HISTORY of ALGTERS,
423
1
a
periſhed in that Expedition... Much to this purpoſe fays Haedo. But
Marmol, as uſual, is very circumſtantial: From whom take theſe few Par-
siculars.
The Baſha wrote to the Kings of Cucco and Beni- Abbas for their Troops;
both which Princes readily agreed to ſend all they could poſſibly ſpare,
provided he went not againſt the Sherif : Becauſe, as he kept ſecret his
Intentions, moſt People ſurmiſed the War was levelled at the Tingitana.
The King of Cecco's Son brought 6000 Men, Horſe and Foot; and the
King of Beni-Abbas ſent a like Number, under the Conduct of an expe-
rienced Officer. The Chriſtians would never venture without the Walls
of either Place, though the Enemy daily braved them at their very Gates,
conſiderable while before the Siege began, the Turkiſh Fleet not being yet arri-
ved: The Spaniſl, General thinking it very well if he could ſtand his Ground
within Doors. One Morning, indeed, as the Baſha, in Perſon, went, with
an Ingenier and a Party of Horſe, to reconnoitre the Walls of Oran, Part
of the Garriſon ſallied to diſturb him; with whom he had a Skirmiſh of
about three Hours, without any very conſiderable Damage to either Party:
However, the Chriſtians were repulſed, and Haſſan Baſha having, leiſurely,
done what he came for, went and did the like at Marſa-al-Kebir, and Fort
S. Miguel, which had been lately built by the Count Don Alonſo, for the
better Defenſe of that large Fortreſs. To employ himſelf till the Gallies
came, Haſſan Baſha having removed his Camp to a certain Fountain near Oran,
upon an Eminence, where the Artillery could not damage his Incampment.
This Place is not far from a Fort named Torre de los Santos, or the Tower
of the Saints: From that Tower the Spaniards in Garriſon killed ſeveral
Straglers, as well with ſmall Shot as from three or four little Field-Pieces.
This inraged the Baſha; inſomuch that he reſolved immediately to ſcale
it; and ſoon put his Reſolution in Execution. But thoſe few Spaniards
made a notable Defenſe; being favoured by the Cannon from Torre del Hacho,
another Tower, and probably would have repulſed the Invaders, had not
a wicked Fellow, among them, got away to the Turkiſh Camp, with
a Deſign of Apoftatizing, and acquainted the Baſia with their Weakneſs.
The Baſha ſent him back to ſummon them, and, in his Name, to offer
them free Leave to retire to Oran, in caſe they inſtantly gave up the Fort.
This pernicious Counſel they embraced : But the Baſba kept not his Pro-
miſe; ſince they were all made Slaves. The Count was much diſturbed
at the Lofs of that Tower ; and very preſſingly wrote to Spain for Succour;
which
424
The MISTORY OF A ÉGIERS.
1
which could not ſpeedily
. be obtaified; atmoſt all the Spanish Gallies hav-
ing been latély “cäft away; with their General and whole Equipage, at Port
Herradura. And to attempt ſending Recruits on weak Veſſels, would be
no other than půrting them into the Mouth of the Enemy; whoſe Bri-
gantincs, and other ſmall Craft, werc very thick upon-all-thole Coaſts:
So that, of Neceflity, they muſt wait for the Gallies of Italy, &c.
On the other Hand, Haſan Baſha, finding himſelf to unexpectedly Maſter
of that Fort, left Part of his Camp to beleager Oran, while he marched
a League farther Weſtward, to attempt Fort S. Miguel, above Marſa-al-
Kebir; pitching his Camp on the Hill over it, out of Reach of the Can-
non. Sending ſome Turks, with a Renegado to ſummon the Fort, the Com-
mander ordered the Renegado Summoner to be ſhot at, while he was mak-
ing them Propoſals, from the Baſha, for their ſafe Paſſage to Spain. At
this Haſan Baſha was ſo incenfed, that without waiting for his Artillery,
or other warlike Machines, which were coming in the Fleet of Gallies,
he cauſed a Quantity of Branches to be cut, wherewith to fill up the Ditch,
and attempted to carry the Fort by Scalado. But being repulſed with Lofs,
though the Turks behaved with the utmoſt Gallantry and Reſolution, he
reſolved to wait till the Arrival of the Battering Cannon. However, be-
ing very deſirous of that Fort, which was the Key of the whole Place, he
fent a Neapolitan Renegado, who had been very intimate with Don Martin,
while he was a Captive at Algiers, to try whether, by Perſuaſion, he could
bring him to a Surrendry. The Renegade, having with him a Flag of Truce,
aſked to ſpeak with that Nobleman; who, lipon being told who inquired
for him, immediately came up from the Fortreſs. After ſome particular
Diſcourſe, Don Martin diſmiſſed his Viſitor ; celling him: that he ſhould
acquaint the Bama, from him, “ Thaç if he thought himſelf bound in
Duty to the Sultan, his Patron, to endeavour the reducing that Fort; he
« himſelf was no leſs bound in Duty to his Sovereign, 'the King of Spain,
.6 to defend it, as far as he was able: Bur that, if he could ſerve his Excel-
“ lency in any other Affair, he ſhould be always very ready.” When the
Algerine Flect arrived, Marſa-al-Kebir was beſieged by Sea and Land; and
a Squadron of Gallies was poſted in order to keep off all Relief, by Sca;
and by. Land, all the Pafles were ſecured, by which the Arabs might at-
tempt ta throw in Proviſions. Haſan Baſba carried on his Batteries and
Affaults with ſuch Fury, that this Author calls him Fierce Pagan; nor does
hc make the Defenſe leſs reſolute than the Attack: And he fails nor to
makc
CC
mo
4
The HISTORY OF ALGIERS.
425.
1
make all the Encounters to be obſtinate and not bloodleſs; never forget.
ting to extol his Spaniards. Fort S. Miguel being much diſtreſſed,
Don Martin wrote to the Count his Brother for Succour ; who ſent him,
by Sea, 130 Soldiers, and what elſe he moſt wanted: And the Barks, which
brought them, happily got into the Haven ; by Reaſon that the Turkiſh
Gallies, &c. left to guard the Entrance, had been forced from thence by
ſtormy Weather. Great Diligence was uſed to repair the Damages done
to the Walls of that important Fort, by the inceſſant Cannonading. Haf-
San Baha reſolved to have it if poſſible; and prepared for a general Affault;
at which he would needs be preſent. All thc Artillery was brought to
beat upon it; and at Day-break began to play furiouſly; which terrible
Battery, in a very little Space of Time, laid level not only the new
Repairs, but much widened the former Breaches. The Signal being
given, he advanced reſolutely at the Head of his whole Force. The
lately ſent Recruits ſtood thoſe in the Fort in very great Stead; for the
Attack was made very much in Earneſt. But, ſays my Author, the Spa
niards fought like Lions. A bold Turk planted the Baſha's Standard upon
the Wall; but enjoyed not long the Glory of that gallant Exploit; he
being ſoon cut in Pieces, together with a conſiderable Number of brave
Janiſaries and Levents, who ſtrove that Day to excel each other in Bra-
very; and that the rather becauſe in Preſence of their Captain-General.
Afrer this firſt' Attack and Repulſe, the Baſba drew off and re-commen-
ced the Battery; and a little before Noon, he marched up again ſo vigo-
roully, that two Standards were immediately ſeen flying on the Top of the
Breach. Tho' the Spaniards behaved ſo manfully, that thoſe few left
more than 1ooo of the Enemy dead upon the Spot, yet they could not re-
move the two Standards, with which they were ſtill puſhing on to gain
Ground. While Haſan Baſha was exciting his repulſed Turks to renew
the Affault, a Shot from the great Fortreſs took off two Al-Caids
who were cloſe by him, and Part of a Stone, ſhattered by the fame Ball,
wounded him in the Face. " Yet, ſo far, ſays this Author, was the
« Pagan from flinching thereat, that with greater Fury than ever he
6 urged on his Troops to Battel.” The Conflict was furious ; and the
Enemy once more repulſed. Fifty Recruits got into the Fort that Night,
and were much welcomed by the fatigued Garriſon. But their Chiefs, finding
the Enemy working at a Mine, determined to abandon a Poſt they then
deſpaired of defending. Eight Soldiers, under Covert of the Night, at-
Vol. II.
Iii
tempted
426
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
tempred to get to the Fortreſs, to acquaint Don Martin with their Condition,
and demand a Body of Men to ſecure their Retreat. But the Baſoa, miſ-
truſting ſome ſuch Matter, had poſted a ſufficient Number of Turks to in-
tercept them. Of thoſe Spaniards four were killed, and three taken ; but
the eighth had the Addreſs to conceal himſelf among the Rocks, and at
length by ſwimming to reach Marſa-al-Kebir. Don Martin being infor-
med of all by this Meſſenger, ſent 100 Soldiers to bring off the Garriſon.
Theſe found them already on the Way, and engaged with a Party of
Turks; whom they obliged to retreat, and then they brought off all the
wounded Spaniards, left in the Fort by the retiring Garriſon. The
Chriſtians loft two Captains and twelve Soldiers. Haſan Baſha, joy-
ful at this Succeſs, turned three Cannon, from his new-gained Fort, a-
gainſt the great Fortreſs, whoſe Wall, on that Side, he began to batter.
Don Martin, muſtering his Garriſon, found he had but 450 in a fighting
Condition. However, he chearfully repaired the Damages he received,
and prepared for a vigorous Deenſe, with the utmoſt Prudence and Re-
ſolution. Conſiderable Breaches being made, the Baſha ſent to fummon
Don Martin; offering him any Conditions he would demand. In Re-
turn to which he only ſaid ; « That he wondered much, why Haſſan
“ Baſha, having made ſo good a Breach, did not begin his Attack.” Per-
ceiving how little Advantage he was like to reap by Treaty, the Bama,
that Evening, aſſembled all his Chiefs, and concluded the next Morning
they ſhould give a general Affault. Having fired all the Cannon, that
they might advance under Covert of the Smoak with leſs Damage, the
Infidels began to move. In the Front marched 12000 Arabs and Africans,
upon whom the Chriſtians ſpent their firſt Fury, by a general Diſcharge
of their great and ſmall Shot. After them advanced the main Body of
the Janiſaries : And next came the Baſha with a ſtrong Guard of Turks
and Renegadoes. A great Body of Reſerve was waiting the Event, ready
to affift where needful, while the reſt carried on the ſeveral Attacks.
Eighteen Gallies, on which were 2000 Turks, attacked by Sea. Much
Gallantry was ſhewed on both ſides; and the Affailants were at length re-
pulſed, not without conſiderable Loſs, and among the reſt fell many of their
boldeſt Janiſaries and Levents. ~ The Chriſtians, this Day, fought moſt
6 valiantly: Nor did any Soldier count himſelf a Man, who had not ſlain
o ſeveral Enemies." Of the Barbarians periſhed upwards of 1500, of
which Number 600 were either Turks or Renegadoes : And they left twen-
ty four Ladders ſtanding againſt the Walls of the Fortreſs. Being retired,
they
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
427
they miſſed the Al-Gaid of Tremizan; and the Baſha, knowing that he had
been left diſabled in the Ditch, ſent, as a very particular Favour, to intrcat
Don Martin's Permiſſion to bring off a certain wounded Turk (without
naming the Perſon) to whom he had ſome Regard: And his Requeſt was
courtcouſly granted; even without farther Inquiry. When the Turks,
who were ſent on that Errand, had found him they wanted, together
with two of his Domeſtics, likewiſe maimed by his Side, they brought
them away. The wounded Al-Caid, ſenſible of Don Martin's Generoſity
towards him, called out aloud; “ GOD give Victory to ſo good a Cavalier!
« For he certainly merits it, by his Valour and Courteſy.” Haſan Baſha
rejoiced exceedingly at his Eſcape, and cauſed him to be carefully attended,
till his perfect Recovery: Which was no more than his Deſerts; he real-
ly being a very bravc Soldier. Yet, never-the-more for this Civility, was
the Pagan's Fury a Whit appeaſed : But, the very next Morning, with a
Rage greater than ever, he gave another Affault, managed juſt like that
of the Day before. But the Defendants being in excellent Order to receive
him, they reſiſted bravely; and the Al-Caid of Moſtaganem, Jafer Aga, &c.
being forely wounded, and more than 300 Janiſaries, with other Turks,
being llain outright, the reſt began to retreat. The fierce and impatient
Mind of Haſan Baſha, this Day more particularly, unable to brook theſe
Diſgraces, he ran directly to the Battery; where taking off his * Turbant,
he rolled it down into the Ditch, crying out; “.For Shame, Muſulmans !
es What an Indignity is this to the Turkiſh Name, that we ſhould be thus
es repulſed by a few y Goats in their Pen.” When, perceiving his Words
to be of ſmall Effect, he drew his Scimetar, and with his Target in Hand,
he began furiouſly to advance, ſaying; “ Since you ſhew your Backs, I
« will be myſelf the Sacrifice, and die fighting, to expiate your Cowardice
" and Diſhonour!” But being detained by ſome Al-Gaids, the Turks a-
gain gave the Onſet. Yet ſo were they intimidated, that the Attack was
not of any long Continuance; but they ſoon drew off; leaving the Chrif-
tians extremely joyful at their Deliverance from that Peril. The Day fol-
lowing, while the Turks were battering very warmly, to encourage the
Beſieged, the Count, from Oran, at the Head of his Cavalry, came with-
in Sight of the Fortreſs. And the faine Day came in two Algerine Cruiſers
with a Spaniſh Prize, from Malaga, laden with Wheat, Bircuit, Oil, Chceſe,
&c. And ſoon after them arrived eight others, with Anmutition and Pro-
* The Turkiſh Word is Tulipant. It is ra ely uſed.
lii2
Y A Tilrii; Plurale.
viſions,
d
428
The History of ALGIER S.
i
***
-
-
to his
viſions, from Algiers, to the great Joy of the Enemies, who began to be
in extreme Want of all Neceſſaries. After this, thcy gave another very
ſmart Attack, which laſted from Morning till Sun-ſet ; when the Baſha,
great
Mortification, finding he met with nothing but Blows, found-
ed a Retreat. Soon after, arrived Prince Gio. Andrea D'Oria, with thirty
three Royal Gallies, well manned with Veterans, and a great Number
of the principal Gentry of Spain, Italy, &c. As they were coming, the
Chiefs were of ſeveral Opinions, how to proceed, in order to prevent
the Turks Fleet from eſcaping: But the contrary Weather they met with
cauſed all their Schemes to prove abortive. At length, being more atten-
tive to ſuccour Marſa-al-Kebir, which was in manifeſt Danger, than
upon any thing elſe, rowing in the very Teeth of the Wind, they got
to Baya de Pian, when it was broad Day-Light; where they were ſoon
diſcovered by a Turkiſh Galeot, left there in Guard; which immediately
firing its Middle-Gun, as a Signal to the reſt, which were at Cape Falcon,
ſpeeded away to its Conſorts, and then they all took the Way to Algiers.
The Chriſtian Admiral; perceiving the Enemy's Motions, thinking it need-
leſs to purſue, with ſo little Proſpect of Succeſs, made a Signal for the
Gallies to defift from attempting to follow; and bearing down for Oran,
in his Way thither he took five Algerine Galeots, which the Turks had
abandoned, together with four French Veſſels, whereon were eighteen
Chriſtians ; which Veſſels had brought Proviſions, &c. from Algiers.
This done, he advanced to Marſa-al-Kebir, where he cauſed all the Sol-
diery to leap alhore, with only their Arms. Upon this the Beſiegers and
the Beſieged inſtantly changed Conditions : For Haſhan Bama no ſooner
beheld the Gallies, but he ſtruck his Tents, and marched off towards
Moſtaganem ; the Rear being brought up by the Janiſaries. A Party of
Horſe ſet out on the Purſuit; but perceiving the Enemy to be far a-head,
they ſoon gave over. The Turks, much mortified, and in a wretched
Plight, returned to Algiers. Thus Marmol: And by this and other
Extracts to be found in this Hiſtory, any indifferent Eye may eaſily judge
of that Author's Manner of delivering a Story. The Baha alone
feemed calm, fedate and cven pleaſed ; as not being able to diſguiſe
a ſingular Satisfaction he enjoyed, in being thus completely revenged on
his turbulent Janiſaries, whom he had conducted where ſo many of thoſe
his Inſulters had been knocked on the Head : And he had, in petto, another
ſuch Jobb, to rid himſelf of the Remnant, as will ſoon appear. As
for
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
422
1
2
for the - Fort, near Oran, taken by Haſſan Baſha, tho'my Authors are
wholly filent, we are not to doubt, but that the Turks quitted it, imme-
diately upon the Appearance of the Armada.
That Armada, having miſſed its Aim in intercepting the Algerine Galli-
es, bore away for their Settlement at · Peñon de Velez: But in attempting
to root out thoſe reſtleſs Corſairs from that their commodious Lurking-
Place, the Chriſtians received a notable Repulſe from the Handful of Turks
there in Garriſon. But the Year following, 1564, Don Garcia de Toledo;
Vice-Roy of Catalonia, who commanded a mighty Fleet, whereon was
the Flower of Chriſtendom, had far better Succeſs, and carried that ſeem-
ingly.impregnable Fortreſs, on a ſcarce-acceſſible Rock. Which, acord-
ing to M. L'Abbé de Vertot and others, he could never have effected, had
not the ſmall Garriſon of Algerines been baſely deſerted by their puſillani-
mous Governor. This Hiſtorian makes them but thirty; tho' Marmol,
who is very circumſtantial, ſays fifty, and that they were re-inforced by
100 more, from Algiers. As for Haedo, he mentions it not at all. This
Loſs was much regretted by the Algerines, and even by Sultan Suliman,
who vowed Revenge, cſpecially on the Knights of Malta, who bore a
great Part in its Reduction.
For this and other Reaſons, Haſan Baſha was highly incenſed againſt
that 'noble Military Order; and, backed by Dragut Rais (of whom we
ſhall foon have Occaſion to make much Mention) was ſtrenuouſly ſollici-
ting the Ottoman Sultan to attack their Iſland. That Monarch wavered
ſome Time: But ſomething happened, which, more than all the reſt, brought
him to a Reſolution how to employ the powerful Fleet he had been fit-
ting out for ſome Months before.
A. D. 1964. A Turkiſh Maon, or Galeon, enormouſly large, laden
with the Treaſures of the Eaſt, and mounted with twenty prodigious
Cannon, with many others of a ſmaller Size, all Braſs, well manned with
expert Officers, and more than 200 Janiſaries, beſides Mariners, was en-
countered, between the Iſlands Zant and Cephalonia, by the ſeven Mal:
teſe Gallies, as they were returning from the Conqueſt of El Penon de
Velez. Of theſe five belonged to the Order, and the others to the Grand-
Maſter. The Rais, or Captain of that Veſſel was a brave Turk, named,
1
11
1
z Mentioned in P. 423.
very largely of that place.
Look back to P. 374 and 379.me Marmol L.
Marmol L. 4. treats
Bairam-
។
430
The HỊSTORY of Algiers.'
F
1
1
Bairam-Oglou, and that noble Galcon appertained to the Kiz-ler Aga, Chief
of his Ottoman Majeſty's Black Eunuchs: And ſeveral of the principal
Ladies of the Seraglio were greatly intereſted in the rich Cargo. The
Malteſe General, De-Giou, fired a Gun, without Ball; imagining that
ſingle Veficl would not offer to relift his ſeven Royal Gallies. But
he was anſwered with a Ball; and at the fame Inſtant the Turkiſla
Banner, Streamers, &c. began to appear, waving and bidding Defiance.
The two Malteſe Generals, perceiving they ſhould not gain that Prize
without ſmart Blows, agreed, that they ſhould begin the Attack in their
own Gallics, and that, having diſcharged, the two Patronas ſhould re-
lieve them, as ſhould the three remaining Gallies relieve the Patronas;
ſo that their Fire might be continual. But, through the Jealouſy and E-
mulation of thoſc Commanders, this Order was ill obſerved : Each
envy-
ing the other the Honour of the Victory. The Capitana Galley of Ge.
neral De Giou, having crowded itſelf under the Poop of that great Veſſel,
was inſtantly covered all over with artificial Fire, and his Cavaliers and
Soldiers maimed and killed outright with Stones and Small-Shot : And
the Artillery, loaded with Cartouches, flew a great Number ; inſomuch
that this Attacker was glad to get farther off : Romegas, the other Ge-
neral, who commanded the Grand-Maſter's two Gallies, on his Side, at-
tacked the Enemy with his accuſtomary Intrepidity : But a Cannon-Shot
from the Galeon, taking away the Wade or Bend of his Galley, killed
him two and twenty Men: And another Shot carried over-board twenty
more. This Commander, apprehenſive of being funk by a monſtrous
Cannon, whoſe Mouth he perceived pointed on a level with the Water,
determined to draw out of Reach ; tho' to his great Regret. Next advan-
ced the two Patronas, who, in Concert, grappled cloſe with the Galcon,
on each side, and plied their Fire ſo terribly, that many of the Janiſaries
were foon cither Nain or diſabled. “ But this courageous Militia (lays
« L'Abbè de Vertot, from whom I extract theſe Particulars) of whoſe in-
" tire Body the principal Force of the Turkiſh Empire conſiſts, ſtill fought
on with the ſame Intrepidity.” Nor was it long before the two Pa-
tronas were obliged to call the other three Gallies to their Aliſtance: And
when the two Generals had got their own Gallies in ſome Order, they
returned, and the Conflict was renewed with a new Fury. It continued
five Hours inceſſantly, without ſhewing what would be the Event: And
notwithſtanding the Gallantry of the Knights, they muſt, perhaps, have
gonc
2 2
I he: HISTORY of ALGIERS.
431
K
F.
1
gone off with wbat Damage they received, could the Turks have uſed all
their Artillery. But, unhappily for them, thro' the Avarice of the
Merchants, their beſt Guns were ſo embaraſſed with Bales of Goods, that
they ſtood them in no manner of Stead: So that, upon this Account alone,
the Cavaliers göt Entrance. This Victory coſt the Chriflians upwards
of ſix-ſcore Men,: between Knights and Soldiers; and abundance more
were wounded. The Turks, beſides the wounded, loft above eighty
Janiſaries, with ſeveral Officers; and, among others, an Ingineer, who,
by his Courage and Skill in pointing the Cannon, had a greater Share in
ſo brave a Detenie than even the Captain himſelf.
This Affair made more Noife at Conftantinople, eſpecially in the Seraglio,
than the Loſs of an important Town would have done. The Kiz-ler Aga,
who was the owner of the Galcon, and the favourite Ladies, who were
deeply concerned in it, caſt themſelves at the Sultan's Feet, inceſläntly
demanding Vengeance. That Monarch, taking the Buſineſs as an Inſult
offered to his very Family, ſwore by his own Head, that he would ex-
terminate the whole Order. But as the Particulars of that remarkable
.
Siege are to be met with in L'Abbè de Vertot's accurate Hiſtory of Malta,
we ſhall content ourſelves with only taking Notice of what relates to
the Algerines, in that Expedition.
Marmol ſays not a Word of theſe Affairs. Haedo ſays to this Effect:
In September, 1564, Haſan Bafha (who had not ſtirred out of
Algiers ſince his Return from Oran, &c.) received Letters from the Porte,
containing the Sultan's ſtrict Injunctions, to be in a Readineſs, by the ſuc-
cecding Spring, to join the Ottoman Armada, before Malta, with all the
Gallies and Men he could poflibiy raiſe. All that Winter was employed
in fitting out Gallies, &c. but thc Deſign was kept ſecret ; only he
gage out, that thoſe Preparations were by the Sultan's Order, who, when
Matters were ripc, would ſend his farther Commands.
A. D. 1565. Early in March, this Year, continues he, another Letter came
from his Ottoman Majeſty, intimating, that the Armada would be at Mal-
ta in a Month at fartheſt: Upon this Intelligence, the Bafia ſet out
from Algiers about the middle of May, with twenty eight Gallies, all
exceedingly well provided with Artillery and other Neceſſaries, and a-
bout 3000 Turks, &c. all choice and experienced Veterans. The Damage
the Ottomans received in that Campaign is univerſally known; and, per-
haps, Algiers alonc loft morc Men, in Proportion, than all the reſt; ſince
of
1
.
I
HO
1
*
432
!
1
1
|
1
in
.
1,
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
of thoſe 3000 ſcarce half of thém eſcaped. « For, as the Turks and Re-
“ negadoes of Algiers are looked on as the braveſt and moſt expert Soldiery
" the Turk has in his whole Empire, Muſtafa Baſha, the Land-General in
“ that Expedition, made great Uſe of them, in all Caſes of the greateſt
“ Danger.” And Haſan Baſha himſelf ſerved very diligently, during
that whole War; Piali Baſha, the Turkiſh Admiral, almoſt always recom-
mending to his Care the Direction of the Fleet, while he himſelf was
aſhore, and very frequently ſent him out to Sca, to guard the Coafts, and
convoy Tranſports. At length the Turks being put to Flight by the Chriſ-
tian Armada, under Conduct of Don Garcia de Toledo, the Spaniſh Ad.
miral, Haſan Baſha returned to Algiers, with his twenty cight Gallies,
where he arrived early in O&tober.
To this brief Account of Haedo, we will add ſome Circumſtances from
M. L'Abbè de Vertot, who is very particular, viz. Haſan, Vice-Roy of
Algiers, came to the Camp; at the Head of 2500 Men, all old Soldiers,
of great Valour and Reſolution, and who were commonly termed the
b Bravoes of Algiers. When he took a View of Caſtle St. Elmo, beholding
its Smallneſs, he could not forbear ſaying, “'That had his Algerines been
“ preſent at the Beginning of the Siege, it would not have held out ſo
" long." This young Turk, was Son to Barba-roſa, and Son-in-Law.
to the renowned Dragut Rais. Proud and vain-glorious on Account of
thoſc Names, and to illuſtrate his own, he requeſted the Baſha to intruſt
him with the Aſſault of Fort St. Michael; and he boaſted that he would
undertake to carry it Sword in Hand. Muſtafa Baſha, being an old General,
and one who would not be at all diſpleaſed that this preſumptuous Boaſter
might, at his Coſt, be convinced of the Keenneſs of the Knight's Swords,
replied obligingly, “ That, not at all dubious of the Succeſs, next to the
« Sultan, he willingly conſented to relinquiſh to him the whole Ho-
nour of that Enterprize.” And to put him in a Condition to undertake
it with ſomething of a Proſpect, as likewiſe that the Enemy might be
attacked both by Sca and Land, he gave him 6000 Soldiers; alluring
him, that, on the Land-Side, he ſhould not fail of being ſuſtained by him-
ſelf in Perſon, at the Head of all his Forces. Haſan Baſha, with his
11
CC
b Vide Vol. I. p. 317 and 319.
Not ſo very young neither : Since twenty one
Years before he was Bajba of Algiers, and in his twenty cighth Year.
We may preſume
M. L'Abbè to be very well aſſured of Haſſan Baſha's having cspouſed a Daughter of Dragut.
What we cannot diſprove muſt paſs.
I
Algerines,
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
433
1.
Algerines, determined to attack that ſmall Peninfüla both by Land and
by Sea, committing the Direction of the Land-Attack to the Care of
his own Lieutenant, named Candaliſa, a Renegado Greek, an old, experien-
ced Corſair, cruel, blood-thirſty, but an incomparable Seaman, and one
who had been brought up under Barba-roſa. This double Attack was,
for ſome Days, preceded, by a contiñual Diſcharge of twenty five Can-
non, from four different Batteries. It ſeemed by that Procedure, as if the
Turks intended only to proſecute the War at a Diſtance: But July 15, at
Day-break, the Scene changed: For a bloody and moſt obſtinate Conflict
enſued, wherein the braveſt and moſt forward Warriors, on both sides,
loſt their Lives, fighting Hand to Hand. While the Turks, thro' the Ruins
their Artillery had made, were endeavouring, by the Iſthmus, to force a
Pallage into the Peninſula, their Slaves and others, from the Gallies, had,
by main Strength, brought a.croſs Mount Sheberras and Port Muzet
a prodigious Number of Boats, into which, when they were again ſet
afloat, Candalifa cauſed a Body of Algerines to enter, together with more
than 2000 of the Levantines. This ſmall but well-armed Fleet, which al-
moſt covered that ſpacious Haven, with the Sound of Trumpets, Drums,
and other barbarous martial Muſic, departed from the coaſt of Mount
Sheberras. In its Front went a large Bark, full of Mahometan Prieſts,
ſome of them, in Hymns, imploring the Protection and Aſſiſtance of
Heaven, while others, with open Books in their Hands, were vomic-
ing out dire Imprecations againſt the Chriſtians. This Ceremony gave
Place to more dangerous Weapons; and the Turks advanced boldly
to the very Stacado. Candalifa flattered himſelf with the Hopes of
forcing a way thro' it; or, if he could not do that, his Deſign was
to have made his Soldiers get over it, with the Help of Planks, which
were to ſerve as a Bridge. But he had reckoned without his Hoft, the
Diſtance being greater than his Planks would reach. And when he
went about to cut thro' the Bomb, made of Maſts and Chains, his Men
were inſtantly overwhelmed with a Tempeſt of Muſquet-Balls. At the
fame Time the Cannon from St. Angelo, and other Places, playing ſmartly
upon the Boats, a very great Number of them were ſunk, and the reſt
forced to make away. Their Leader having rallied them as beſt he could,
and obſerving the Point of the Peninſula not to be intirely covered by
the Ştacado, and that there was one Place where he fancied a Deſcent
might be attempted, he advanced thither. This was a ſort of Cape, or
Vol. II.
Kkk
Promontory,
1
434
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
among the
Promontory, whereon was a Retrenchment, lined with a numerous Band
of Muſqueteers; its Foot being waſhed by the Water of the Port. This
Point of Land was, likewiſe, defended by a Battery of fix Cannon, pla-
ced at the Feet of two Wind-Mills, which were upon that Eminence;
which Cannon were pointed even with the Water. The Commander, at
this Place, was the brave Chevalier De Guimeran. He ſuffered the Ene-
my to approach very near, and then let fly among them a cloſe Volley of
great and ſmall Shot, which funk many of their Boats: And it was even
reported, that near 400 Turks dropped with that one Diſcharge. Canda-
liſa, who was brought up, as we may ſay, in the very Fire, and inured to the
Dangers of War, while the Chriſtians were re-charging, lcaped alhore,
and, at the Head of his Algerines, poſſeſſed himſelf of the Bank. There
he had freſh Perils to encounter : For De Guimeran had reſerved two
great Guns charged with Cartrouches, whoſe Contents he fent
crouding Invaders; and that ſo much to the Purpoſe, that he laid a Num-
ber of them ſprawling on the Ground. Their General, always intrepid,
perceiving his People to be daunted, and that many of them were attempt-
ing to recover their Boats, partly by Intreaties, partly by Threats, but
much more by his Reſolution, and the great Example he ſet them, he de-
tained thoſe Flinchers upon the Bank: And, to deprive them of all Hope
or Proſpect of eſcaping, he commanded thoſe in the Boats to put off from
Land; which was no other than giving his Followers to underſtand, that
they muſt either conquer or periſh: And, upon this Occaſion, it appeared,
that Deſpair frequently does more than Courage, and even than the ordi-
nary Strength of Nature. The Algerines, who led the Attack, their Sabres
in one Hand, and a Ladder under the other Arm, uſed their utmoſt Effores
to mount that Retrenchment: All which they did with the greateſt Emu-
lation, ſtriving who ſhould firſt poſſeſs a Poſt ſo dangerous ; every one,
with a generous Dildain of Peril and Death, preſenting his Breaſt to the
Defendant's Weapon. The Diſpute was long and deſperate, the Blood
running in Streams at the foot of that Retrenchment. Yet the Barba-
rians abandoned themſelves to a Fury ſo determined, that, after a Conflict
of five Hours Continuance, they gained the Top of it, and there planted
ſeven Enſigns. At the Appearance of thoſe Standards, notwithſtanding
the Knights were reduced to a very ſmall Number, a noble Indignation
and Diſdain brought them back to the Charge. Admiral Monti put þim-
ſelf
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
435
ſelf at the Head; and after a reciprocal Diſcharge of ſmall Shot, they fell to
it with Javelins, Swords, and even with Daggers and Poinards. The Defen-
dants were in imminent Danger of being over-powered, had not the ever-
vigilant Grand-Maſter De la Valette ſent them timely Succour. But this
Succour was preceded by another of a Nature fingular enough. A Band
of near 200 Boys, armed with Slings, which they uſed with great Dex-
terity, advanced, and ſent a Shower of Stones amidſt the Enemy, with
loud and repeated Shouts of, Victory! Victory! Admiral De Giou, at the
Head of the new Comers, advancing, Pike in Hand, charged the Al-
failants furiouſly, drove all before him, tore away the Standards, and at length
forced the Enemy to abandon the Top of the Rampart, where they were
about making a Lodgment. The greateſt Part of the Barbarians, being
cloſely preſſed by the Knights, when they found that Place too hot to hold
them, leaped down the Precipice. Candalifa, their Commander, Aled
with the foremoſt; and notwithſtanding he had ever, till that Moment,
ſhewed a moſt undaunted Reſolution, he there found the End of it, even
before the Action was ended. In loſing the Hopes of conquering, he loſt
all his Courage; and the Apprehenſion of falling into the Hands of the
Knights, who gave no Quarter, obliged him to recall his Boats. He was
even the very firſt who got aboard. His own Soldiers, utterly aſhamed of
ſo precipitate a Flight, redounding ſo much to the Diſhonour of their
whole Body, never after called him by any other Name than that of The
treacherous Greek: Laying to his Charged, “ That he was a double Renee
“gado; having acted ſo baſely, merely to deliver them up to the Fury of
" the Cavaliers." With more to the ſame Effect.
Nevertheleſs thoſe brave Algerines, tho' they were abandoned by their
Leader, made a retreating Fight, with exemplary Courage. Nor was
there leſs Blood ſhed, on either Side, at the Attack made by the Vice-Roy
of Algiers. That Commander, having, by the Diſcharge of a Cannon,
given the Signal for the Affault, advanced fiercely, at the Head of his
Troops, to every one of the Breaches which the Batteries had opened on
the Side of Barmola and Fort St. Michael. The Front of the Attack he
gave to ſuch of the Algerines as he had retained with himſelf. With
ſuch Ardour and Reſolution did this bold Militia preſent themſelves, that
&
This is very much like the Language uſed by the Turks to their Profelytes. More Inſtan-
ces may be given.
e Vide Vol. I. P. 317, and 319.
K k k 2
their
436.
The HISTORY of ALGIER S.
t
their Enligns were inſtantly ſeen flying all along upon the Parapets.
The Chevalier Robles, a Perſon renowned for his Valour, and more eſpe-
cially for his Experience in War-Affairs, commanded in that Station.
To the firſt Impetuoſity of the Infidels he oppoſed the whole Fire of his
Artillery, purpoſely charged witli Cartrouches, and which, being ſent
among the cloſeſt Battalions of the Enemy, immediately made a moſt hor-
rible Maſſacre: And while the Cannon and Mortars were re-charging, a
good Number of Spaniſh and Portugueſe Knights, who fired Flank-wiſe
from Barmola, ſo luckily ſeconded the great Guns, with Vollies of Small-
Shot, that the Algerines, brave and determined as they were, unable to
ſuſtain the Fury of that Tempeſt, led off by their Commander, glided
along the Parapet, and repaired to another Breach; where, from the Re.
port of ſome Deſerters, he hoped to meet with a leſs vigorous Reſiſtance.
In this poſt commanded the Chevaliers Carlo Rufo and De la Ricca, both
Çaptains of Gallies. Many Knights, their Afliftants, with abundance of
Soldicrs; preſently periſhed by the Fire-Works thrown into their Retrench-
ment; and they themſelves were carried off, grievouſly wounded. Admi.
ral Monti, the Commander, with ſeveral of thoſe Knights who had fo gal-
lantly defended the other Breach, took their Places. There the Algerines,
after having behaved with much Bravery, were again repulſed, with con.
fiderable Loſs: Not that the Defendants eſcaped undamaged. However,
Haſan Bajba, whoſe ſole Hope of Conqueſt conſiſted in wearying out thoſe
gallant Knights, led on a Body of Levant Faniſaries, inſtead of his repulf-
ed Algerines; who were ſufficiently tireu and exhauſted with ſo warm a
Diſpute, of five Hours Continuance. But as we are not writing the
Hiſtory of Malta, but of the Algèrines, we ſhall only add here, that the
Knights did what was poſſible for Men to do, and that this Hiſtorian
never once ſpeaks a Syllable to the Diſadvantage of either Haſan Baſha, or
his Troops; but on the contrary, whenever he mentions them, it is rather
to their Credit : Nay, he acknowledges the whole Turkiſh Army to have
done the utmoſt of their Dury, as good and reſolute Soldiers. Canda-
liſa, notwithſtanding his late Diſgrace, was, intruſted with the Guard of
the Coaſts; having under his Direction cighty well-appointed Gallies.
When, at length, Part of the long-lighed-for and moſt-ſhamefully-delayed
Succours arrived, the Turks imbarked, with Precipitation. But the Turki 1
General had ſcarce got aboard, but, apprehenſive of the Sultan's Relerit-
ment, he called a Council of War, whereat it was long debated how
they
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
473
L
11
they ſhould proceed. The Vice- Roy of Algiers was of Opinion, that
they ſhould again land their Forces, and give the Enemy Battel. He rc-
preſented to Muſtafa Baſhi, “ That if, as they were credibly informed,
co che new Comers conſiſted of only 6000 Men, it was no difficult Mac-
ter for him to go in queſt of them with double their Number: And if
" he got the Day, as it was not unlikely he might, he would then be in
« a Condition to ſhut up the Avenues of the Iſland from the Remainder
cc of thoſe Succours, which was to come with the Vice-Roy of Sicily;
(t and that the Knights, reduced to ſo ſmall a Company, and they quite
os exhauſted, having few Soldiers left, would be conſtrained to capitulate."
Piali, the Captain-Baſha, jealous of Muſtafa's Credit, and who would
not have been at all diſpleaſed at the Miſcarriage of this his Enterpriſe,
was of a contrary Sentiment: And ſaid; “ That, after their having lost
" the Flower of the Ottoman Army, it was dangerous to.venture a Rem-
6 nant of Troops, diſheartened and wore out by ſo tedious a Siege, againſt
6 a Body of freſh Men, who impatiently longed to come to Blows with
" them.” But the Vice-Roy of Algiers's Opinion, (into which Muſtafa
Bajha readily came) was carried againſt the Captain-Baſha, and his Parti-
fans, by two Voices: And accordingly, it was concluded, that the Army
ſhould be again landed ; which the Turks could not be brought to, with
out a rigorous Compulſión: Só fick were they grown of their Campaign.
But we ſhall take Notice only of what regards the Algerines. Our Haf-
San Baſha, with his Algerines, (being in Number about 1500, the reſt be-
ing all demoliſhed,) was left at the Sea-Side, to favour the Retreat, while
Muſtafa Balba bravely led on his Levantines. They were routed. : The
Baſha himſelf falling twice from his Horſe ; and ſeveral of his faithfuleft
Domeſtics loſt their Lives, aſſiſting him to remount. The Chriſtians,
adds this Author, purſued the Infidels with Ardour; the Enemy, who fled
before them, prevented their being ſenſible of the ſcorching Sun-Beams.
The Generality of the Knights, who were all heavily armed, the better
to follow the Aying Turks, threw away their Cuiraſſes, &c. and notwith-
ſtanding the greateſt Part of the Infidels they over-took were laid panting
on the Ground, juſt expiring with Thirft and Wearineſs, all they came
near.were immediately diſpatched, at the Points of their Rapiers. It
was not without all imaginable Difficulty, and a very conſiderable Loſs,
that the Turks reached the Sea-Side. 'Till then, the Chriſtians had been
more pat to it to overtake than to oppoſe their Inyaders : But as the light-
2
eſt
438
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
eſt and moſt alert of them had broke their Ranks to purſue the Fugitives,
and, intoxicated with Victory, forbore obſerving any Order, the Vice-
Roy of Algiers, who was covered by the Point of a Rock, fallied out from
that Ambuſcade, at the Head of his Troops, and, perceiving the Purſuers
to be few, he fell upon them, flew ſeveral, and took Priſoners the Che-
valiers Marcos de Toledo, Pedro de Yala, Ribatajada, with ſome others, and,
among them, an Engliſh Knight, whoſe Name is unknown. During the
Conflict, Alvaro de Sande happily arriving with ſome Battalions from the
Rear, he fell furiouſly upon the Algerines, putting them to Flight, cutting
in Pieces all that offered to reſiſt, and recovering all the Priſoners. As
the Turks had loſt all their Courage, they fought nothing but their Ship-
ping; and ſo eager were the Chriſtians, that many of them waded up to
the very Arm-Pits in Water, and ſhot them even on board their Gallies,
&c. “ It is pretended, adds this Author, that, from firſt to laſt, the Turks
" loft not leſs than 30000 Men at this Attempt upon Malta."---- Haſan
Baſha, having thus ſignalized himſelf, and diminiſhed the Number of thoſe
who had affronted him in ſo groſs a Manner, returned to Algiers; where
there wanted not more Howling, among the Women, whoſe Friends had
forgot to find the Way home again. - Something in particular concern-
ing the Knights has been ſaid, in Vol. I P. 309, &c.
It was at this famous Siege, that the Arch - Corſair Dragut Rais loft
his Life; a Perſon ſtill much talked of; concerning whom take the
following Particulars, extracted from Marmol and M. L'Abbè de Ver-
tot; neither of whom are to be ſuſpected of Partiality in his Favour.
The Hiſtory of the famous Corſair, DRAGUT RAIS,
He was born in a ſmall Village in Natolia, or Aſia-Minor, oppoſite
to the Iſland Rhodes. His Parents were Mahometans, mean in Condition,
whoſe Subſiſtence was wholly owing to their Labour in the Culture of
the Land they farmed. This obſcure and toilſome Life ill agreeing with
young Dragut's ſprightly and aſpiring Genius, when in his twelfth Year,
A brave Spaniſh Commander who greatly ſignalized himſelf at the late unfortunate Attempt
upon the Inand Ferba, (where the Spaniards twice or thrice miſcarried) corruptly called, Los
Gelves, by the Spaniards. The Account is at large in Marmol, L. VI. M. L'Abbé de
Vertot treats of it.
1
hc
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
439
he entered into the Service of a Maſter-Gunner, who ſerved on board
the Grand Signor's Gallies. Under this Maſter he roſe to be a good Pi.
lot and a moſt excellent Gunner; in both which Capacities he ſerved ſeveral
Years. He at laſt purchaſed a Share in a cruiſing Brigantine : Nor was
it long before he became ſole Proprietor of a Galcot, with which he took
ſome very conſiderable Prizes: And, increaſing in Strength, he ſoon ren-
dered himſelf formidable throughout the Levant Parts of the Mediteranean,
and moſt remarkable for his Knowledge of thoſe Seas. But, as all free-
booţing Muſulmans, frequenting thoſe Quarters, muſt, in ſome meaſure,
be Dependants on Barba-roſa II, & afterwards Captain Baſma, or Com-
mander in chief of the Ottoman Fleets, Dragut Rais fought his Pro-
tection, and accordingly went to offer him his Service ac Algiers. This
Corſair's Reputation flying before him, Barba-roſa was no Stranger to
his Worth, and was over-joyed to entertain ſo brave and ſo deſerving
a Mariner. During ſome Years he was by that Baſha intruſted with
the Direction of ſundry momentous Expeditions ; in all which he acquit-
ted himſelf much to the Satisfaction of his Principal; as being never once
unſucceſsful. Barba-roſa having gradually advanced him to all the mili-
tary Offices in the State, at laſt made him his Kayia, or Lieutenant, and
gave him the intire Command of a Squadron of twelve Gallies. From
thence forwards this redoubtable Corſair paſſed not one Summer withouc
ravaging the Coaſts of Naples and Sicily : Nor durſt any Chriſtian Veſſels
attempt to paſs between Spain and Italy; for if they offered it he infallibly
ſnapped them up: And when he miſſed of his Prey at Sea, he made him.
ſelf Amends by making Deſcents along the Coaſts, plundering Villages
and Towns, and dragging away Multitudes of Inhabitants into Capti-
vity.
A.D. 1540, The Emperor, Charles V, weary of the Complaints brought
him from all Quarters, ordered his Admiral, Prince Andrea D'Oria, to
hunt him out, and endeavour, by all poſſible Means, to purge the Seas
of fo inſufferable a Nulance. That General inſtantly got ready a Fleet:
And as that ancient Commander was ſatisfied with the Honour he had
already gained, he committed the Management of this Affair to the Care
and Direction of his Nephew, h Jannetin D'Oria. Young D'Oria de-
& M. L'Abbè de Vertot ſays then ; which is a Miſtake. Vide Vol. I. P. 287.
h Vide Vol. I. P. 305.
parted
440
The HISTORY of ALGIER S.
parted in queſt of Dragut Rais; and at jength had the good Fortune
to light on him under the Coaſt of the Idland Gorfica, in the Road of
Giralatta, a Caſtle ſituate between Calvi and Liazzo, The Corſair, who
knew. nothing of the Imperial Fleet's being at Sea, imagined he lay very
ſecure in that Harbour, with his thirteen Galeots: But he found himſelf
hemmed in on all Hands, and thundered upon by a Tempeſt of Cannon
Shot, both from the Armada and Caſtle. For ſome Time he returned
the Salute, with his wonted Reſolution : But the ſuperior Fire of the
Chriſtians cauſed his to ceaſe; and he preſently beheld the whole Coaſt
thronged with armed Corſi, a fierce People, who came running to con-
tribute towards his Deſtruction, in order to revenge themſelves upon
this
daring, inquiet Corſair, who had made ſo frequent Ravages upon their Iſland.
In this Extremity, Dragut's only Method left him was to hang out the
white Flag; and accordingly he demanded a Ceſſation of Hoftilities, offer-
ing to capitulate. But the beſt Conditions he could obtain, were to pur-
chaſe his Life at the Expence of his Liberty. Having ſurrendered, he
was made paſs, with his Officers, along by the victorious Jannetin D'Oria,
who was then a beardleſs Youth. At ſight of his Conqueror, the indige
nant Corſair could not refrain from ſaying; “ What! Am I become the
" Slave of that cffeminate Catamite?" With much more in the like
Strain. Thoſe opprobious Expreſſions being interpreted to the young
Nobleman, highly incenſed thereat, he flew upon him, tore out his Beard
and Muſtachios, kicking and buffeting him moſt outrageouſly; nay, his
Paſſion is ſaid to have been ſo exceſſive, that, had he not been prevented,
hc would certainly have ſheathed his Sword in the Bowels of that affum-
ing Priſoner. However he ordered him to be ſtrongly fettered. Dragut
rowed in Admiral D'Oria's own Galley full four Years; notwithſtanding
he offered what Ranſom he pleaſed to exact. i But, that Term being
cxpired, the Genoeſe were ſo alarmed to behold the famous Heyradin.
Barba-roſa enter their River, at the Head of 100 of the Grand Signor's
Gallies, inſiſting that Dragut Rais ſhould be ſet at Liberty, that, to pre-
vent their Territory from being ravaged, the Senate begged him of the
Admiral, and, accompanied with Refreſhments and other Preſents, inſtant-
ly ſent him on board the Captain Baſha's Galley. Marmol ſays, he paid
3000 Ducats for his Ranſom. Among other Tokens of Barba-roſſa's
1
i Vide Vol. I. P. 292.
Favour
The HISTORY Of Algiers.
441
-1
Favour to Dragut, he preſented him with a ſtout Galeot, and ſigned his
Patent or Commiflion as Generaliſſimo of all the Weſtern Corſairs: Nor
was it long before he again found himſelf at the Head of a formidable
Squadron. The Miſchiefs he daily did to the Chriſtians ſurpaſs Belief;
to all which he was naturally pronc enough: But'the ill Treatment he had
met with, during his four Years Captivity, was no ſmall Addition to the
innate Rapaciouſneſs of his Diſpoſition. In 1548, he entered the Gulph
of Naples with his Squadron, and there plundered Caftel-Lamare, with moſt
of the Towns and Villages upon that Coaſt, carrying off a Multitude of
Captives. And a few Days after this, he took a Malteſe Galley (which
had been ſeparated from the reſt by bad Weather) whereon he found
70000 Ducats, deſigned for the Repairs of ſome of the Fortifications at
k Tripoly: An irreparable Lofs to that Place, and to its Owners! Barba-
Hola dying the ſame Year, Sultan Suliman, in ſome Meaſure to make up
the Want of ſo renowned an 'Admiral, coinmanded all the Corſairs of his
Dominions, to acknowledge Dragut Rais for their Captain-General. Dra-
gut's Ambition increaſed with his Power. And, after the Examplc of m Arouje
Barba-roja, he determined to poſſeſs himſelf of ſome ſtrong Place, which
had a cominodious Port; where, with the Conſent and under the Protec-
tion of the Ottoman Emperor, hc might ſhelter his Cruiſers, with their Pri-
zes, and erect a ſmall Sovereignty. Replete with theſe Views, in the
very
Depth of Winter, he got together all the Corſairs he poſſibly could, and
caſily enough drove the Spaniards from * Sifa, Sfacus and Monaſter; which
Places Andrea D'Oria, with forty three Gallies, took from the Corſairs
laſt Summer. For ſeveral Years they had been, alternately, under the
Kings of Tunis, the Turkiſh Corſairs and the Spaniards. With very little
Difficulty, Dragut got them : But as he foreſaw, that he could not long
maintain cither of them againſt the Imperial Fleet, which would not fail
viſiting them at the Return of the Spring, he bent his Vicw towards the
City Africa, otherwiſe named Mehedia; known in the Roman Hiſtories by
the Name of Adrumentum. This great City lying fome Leagues Eaſt of Tunis,
was built on a Slip of Land which advances into the Sea. Its Fortifications
were regular, the Walls of an extraordinary Height, Thickneſs and Soli-
dity, ſtrengthened with many good Towers and Bulwarks, and the Artil-
* Vide Vol. I. P.383.
| Look back to P. 363.
m Vide Vol. I. P. 170.
* Maritime Towns in the Kingdom of Tunis; which during the Domeſtic Commotions of
that State, received thoſe who had the longeſt Sword.
VOL. II.
L11
lery
442
The History of ALGIER S.
lery numerous and in excellent Order. On an Eminence, which com-
manded the City, ſtood a large Fortreſs, which ſerved it for a Citadel.
The Harbour is capacious and ſecure: Beſides, which, there is a ſmaller and
very commodious Port for Gallies, whoſe Entrance was defended by a
trong Chain. The Sea waſhed the City Walls; and indeed ſurrounded
it only where the narrow Neck of the Land joined it to the Continent.
The Inhabitants, all naturai Moors, had, ſome Time before, ſhook off their
Obedience to the King of Tunis, and formed themſelves into a Sort of in-
dependent Republic: And, in order to maintain that Independency, they
admitted not either Turk or Chriſtian, for Fear of Surpriſe. And if, for
the ſake of Traffic, they ſuffered Foreigners to caſt Anchor in their Har-
bour, it was only a few weak trading Veſſels; and cven them not without
all needful Precautions. This Place, ſuch as we have deſcribed it, became
the Object of our aſpiring Corſair's ambitious Views. But as he was
not of himſelf Maſter of a Force ſufficient to attempt it: apenly, nor was
he ſure of the Ottoman Sultan's Conſent to employ his Fleet, he reſolved.
firſt to try what could be done by Stratagem and Artifice. To bring about
this Affair, whereon his Thoughts were fixed, he frequented that Port
more than he uſed to do; but with only a light Brigantine, and perhaps
now and then a Galeor : And when there, he kept his Equipage in more
Order than is often practiſed among ſuch Sort of People. By Pre-
fents of Value and artful Inſinuations, he ſoon contracted great Intimacy
with a leading Moor, named Ibrahim Ambarac, who was Governor of one
of the chief Towers, wherewith the City Wall was ſurrounded. The
next Bait he laid for his new Friend, was, an offer to take him in a
Sharer in ſome of his Cruiſers, which would redound abundantly to his
Advantage; ſince few of them ever came home empty-handed.: But, at
the ſame Time, he gave him to underſtand, that the better to capacitate
them to keep up their friendly Correſpondence, it was abſolutely requiſite,
that himſelf, in particular, ſhould be admitted among them as a Citizen,
one of their Number : “ My Ambition, ſaid he, reaches no farther :
“ And it ſhall be my Buſineſs to render you the richeſt People, and
your City the moſt dreaded Place in all theſe Parts of the World.";
Theſe gilded Proſpects glaring in the Moor's Eyes, he propoſed the Matter
in a full Council. But all the Reply he got from the Magiſtracy was
a ſharp Reprimand; their Determination being, not to enter into any
particular Alliance with Free-Booters : Remembring how inſolently they
had
The'HISTÒRY of ALGIERS.
443
had been treated by Haſan Gelbi, who, in the Grand Signor's Name, had
undertaken their Protection. This ſevere Repulſe from his Fellow-Citi-
zens, precipitated the vindićtive African into a Perfidy he, perhaps, never
deſigned: Diagit, being informed of his bad Succeſs, ſpared neither Do-
natives, Inſinuations, Promiſes, nor Oaths': And the Bargain was ſoon
concluded. To take away all Suſpicion, the Corſair departed; but in or-
der to return, better prepared for Execution of what had been then
pro-
jccting. One dark Night, he came with ſeveral Galeots, well manned,
with Detachments from his Garriſons of Sufa, Sfacus, (anciently Stagul
and Rufpe) Monafter, Calitia; &c. beſides their ordinary Equipages, and
was got under the City Walls, when leaſt expected by any but the Tray-
tor Ibralim and his Partiſans. By Day-break the Inhabitants were rouzed
with the Noiſe of Trumpets, &c. founding a briſk Charge in the very
Heart of their City: Several hundreds of Corſairs, with Dragut at their
Head; having bcen introduced into Ibrahim's Tower, had reached that
Place by a ſubterraneous Paſſage. Norwichitanding their Surpriſe, they
betook themſelves to their Arnis, and, for ſome Hours, made' a brave Re-
ſiſtance. Much Blood being ſpilt on both sides, and the Corfairs; who
were poſſeſſed of all important Poſts, making'a more regulár Fight than
the confuſed Africans could do, being taken fó' unawares, and acting ra-
ther impetuouſly than with Conduct; they were, 'at length, forced to accept
for their Sovercign him they had before 'refuſed to admit as a Citizen.
Dragut, having lettled the Affairs of his new State in the beſt Order hic
could, committed the Government thereof, during his Abſencé, to
Aifa Rais, a bold young Corſair, his Nephew, with a competent Garriſon,
to keep in awe the impatient Inhabitants; many of whoſe Chiefs he took
with him to cruiſe (for Water was his Element) which tho' he did as if in
Friendſhip, yet they were in Effect no other than Hoſtages. At his De-
parture, he left Orders with Aiſa Rais, that, to prevent his Introductor
from betraying him as he had done his Country, he ſhould give him a
Lift to the next World: And his Orders were punctually obſerved by
that his dutiful Nephew. All the Chriſtians of thoſe Parts were greatly
alarmed at the Reduction of that important Place by this reſtleſs and for-
midable Corſair. Charles the Emperor was no leſs diſturbed at it than were
thoſe his Subjects. He foreſaw that Dragut would make it his Place of
Arms: That its commodious Port would be a ſafe Receptacle for his
Cruiſers; and that, from thence, he might very caſily infeſt all thoſe Seas
and Coaſts, and even utterly ruin thoſe of Naples, Sicily, &c. To prevent
2
his
+
444
The History of ALGIERS.
his Deſigns, he determined upon the Siege of Africa," or Mehedia, before
thoſe troubleſome Neighbours had taken too firm Rooting. But, before
he entered upon that momentous and difficult Enterprize, his Council were
of Opinion that Sufa, Sfacus, Monaſter, Calibia, &c. ought to be recovered
from the Corſairs, in order to wcaken them, and withal thereby to ſtrengthen
the King of Tunis, his Imperial Majeſty's Ally, or rather Vaſſal. Andrea
D'Oria had paſſed the whole Summer of 1549, with forty three Royal
Gallies, in a fruitleſs Search of the crafty Dragut, who, with twenty four
Galeots, was ravaging throughout thoſe Seas and Coaſts; yet with ſuch
Caution and Circumſpection, that he daily heard of his Exploits, but
could never once get Sight of him. The ſucceeding Spring, that Gene-
sal was again ordered to Sea with the ſame Fleet, and joined by all the
Gallies of his Holineſs, the Grand Duke of Tuſcany, and Malta. His Er-
rand was to expel the Corſairs from the above-named Places; which he
effectually did; though at Monafter he met with a ſtout Reſiſtance. Suſa
and Sfacus ſurrendered without much Trouble. Another Article of his
Errand was, to bring, alive or dead, if he poſſibly could, the Arch-Corſair
Dragut, who was making terrible Havock every where, with thirty ſıx large
and well-provided Galeots; which Part of his Commiſſion he neither did
nor could accompliſh: For that inſidious Enemy knew better Things than
to come within Reach; it being none of his Buſineſs to encounter
Armadas. His Highneſs, Prince D'Oria, heard, indeed, at his firſt ſet-
ting out, that Dragut was at Monafter, with his whole Squadron: But
our Corſair cared not to be ſhut up in ſo defenſeleſs a Port. He had
good Heels, and loved Sea-Room. Beſides, ſtaying there would be but
Loſs of Time, which he knew how to employ abundantly more to his
Advantage. He was ſenſible the Chriſtian General had not Force enough
with him to attempt his new Acquiſition; fo he was pretty cafy as to
that, and went to his old Trade, making horrid Devaſtations upon the
Coaſts of Spain and its Hands. Prince D'Oria, for his Part, landed his
Troops at Cape Bona, and caſily poſſeſſed himſelf of the Caſtle of Cali-
bia; which is the ancient Clupea of the Romans : Ptolomy calls it Curobi.
From thence, being joined by the Troops of Tunis, he marched to Monafler.
There, as we obſerved, he had a ſmart Conflict with the Corſairs in the
Caſtle ; and had not their brave Governor been ſhot dead in the Breach,
which the Chriſtian Artillery had opened, it would have coſt much more
Blood. This Loſs was, nevertheleſs, very conſiderable; and among others
the far greater Part of 140 Knights of Malta, who bore a great Share
in
-
The HISTORY Of A LGIERS.
445
.-
in the Attack. That Loſs is ſaid to have been chiefly owing to Prince
D'Oria's diſdaining to attack ſo inconſiderable a Fortreſs in due Form;
giving the Affault before the Breach was ſufficiently levelled. However,
the Governor being killed, the reſt of the Turks were ſo daunted, that,
as if the Muſquec-Ball which took away his Life had wounded them all
in the Vitals, to ſave their Lives they confented to give up their Liberty:
Nor were the Inhabitants, whoſe Religious Zeal had induced them to
arm in their Favour, a Whit better treated. Marmol ſays, that Andrea
D'Oria, in his Way thither, took ſo near a View of Mehedia, or Africa,
that a Shot from thence ſtruck againſt the Poop of his own Galley; and
took off five of his Men; which put him into a violent Rage; and he
ſwore the utter Deſtruction of that deteſted City. His Imperial and Ca.
tholic Majeſty, taking this Succeſs for a proſperous Omen, ordered his
General, Prince D'Oria, to prepare for the Sicge of Africa: And the Vice-
Roys of Naples and Sicily were injoined to ſupply him with Troops and
all other Aſſiſtance. At two or three Miles from this City and Monafter
are certain ſmall Iſlands. There, while Matters were preparing for this
grand Expedition, Andrea D'Oria lay with his Armada, to intercept all
Succours by Sea, which Dragut might attempt to throw into Africa :
And on the Land Side very little was to be apprehended; the Country:
People having no great Affection for the Corſairs. But the Emperor's
poſitive Orders ſoon obliged him to leave the Sea open, and repair to
Palermo, in order to concert Meaſures with Don Juan de Vega, Vice-
Roy of Sicily. From thence they went to Trapani, in the ſame Iſland;
where they were joined by Don Garcia de Toledo, Son to the Vice-Roy
of Naples, with twenty four Royal Gallies, and many Tranſports; as like-
wiſe by the Malteſe Squadron. Some Inconveniences aroſe on Account
of the Emulation between the Generals; all which is little to our Pur-
poſe. When Matters were ſomewhat accommodated, this mighty Armada
weighed Anchor; and the Army landed a little to the Eaſt of Mehedia,
on June 26, 1550. Dragut had not neglected the Opportunity Prince
D'Oria had been obliged to give him; but had well ſupplied his City
both with Men and Proviſions. Nor did he fail keeping the Sea, to
prevent the Beſiegers from being ſupplied: The Spaniſh Governor of the
Goletia, by the Emperor's expreſs Command, repaired to the Siege; and
the Grand Maſter of Malta ſent a good Recruit of Knights, in the Room
of thoſe who had miſcarried in the Affault of the Caſtle of Monafter.
1
When
446
The HISTORY Of. ALGIERS:
When the Batteries began againſt thoſe noble Walls, (whịch Al-Mebedi,
their Founder, had built fo ſolidly, as if they were to endure to the laſt
Period of Time) the Citizens, regreting the Defacement of thoſe their
beautiful Rampiers, began to murmur, ſeeming very inclinable to enter
into fome Treaty with the Beſiegers, and to affilt them in the Expulſion
of a Crew of imperious Inmates, whoſe very Name and Profeſſion thoſe
more-than-ordinary-civilized Africans actually deteſted. But Aifa Rais, a
refolute young Man, loudly aſſured them, “ That, if he heard a Sylla-
“ ble more of thoſe Cabals, he would, infallibly, ſacrifice every Mother's
" Son of them, and then lay the whole Town in Alhes.” And, as they
had no ſmall Reaſon to ſuppoſe, he would not fail being as good as his Word,
they deemed it the ſafeſt Way to be quict, and wait the Event. Beſides;
ſays L'Abbè de Vertot, after having thus menaced and reproached them
with their Cowardice, he aſked them with more Mildneſs.; " Whether,
" in delivering themſelves ifto the Power of the Chriſtians, they were
« ſuch credulous Fools as to imagine, that thoſe their mortal Enemies,
" being once Maſters, would leave them the Exerciſe of thcir Religion,
66 and the Poffelion of their Goods and Eſtates? Hinting, That they
" ought to reflect, that, in this War, all that Men hold dear in this
" World lay abſolutely at Stake; their Lives, Liberty, Religion, Wives
« and Children.” And at the fame Time, to inſpire them with Reſolu-
tion, he repreſented to their Conſideration the prodigious Strength of their
Walls and Bulwarks, their numerous Artillery, and their Plenty of Arms,
Ammunition and all Neceffarics. Adding, “That he had under his Com-
6 mand 1700 brave Soldiers, Foot, with 600 gallant Horſe, which his
« Unkle Dragut had ſelected from all his People; and that among them
« all there was not a Man leſs determinate than himſelf to be rather buri-
66 ed under the Ruins of their City than cyer once to think of ſurrender-
of ing it to Chriſtians". As for the Magiſtrates and better Sort of Citizens,
rather intimidated by his Threats, than encouraged by his Promiſes and In.
ſinuations, they, much againſt their Inclinations, prepared to ſuſtain a Siege
it was not in their power to prevent. But, for the Commonality, furious
with Zcal, and by ſo much the more jealous of their Religion, as they are
ignorant of its Rites, all the Reply they made to their Governor's Re-
monſtrances was an Inundation of Curſes and Execrations vomited againſt
the Chriſtians. With all imaginable Eagerneſs and Emulation, they exhor-
ted each other to die for their Creed ; Prejudice and an obſtinate Pre-
poffeffion
1
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
447
poffeffion ſerving them inſtead of Courage and Reſolution. Aiſa Rais, to
ſtrengthen them in this Diſpoſition, and to convince them how little he
dreaded his Invaders, ſent out his Cavalry, together with 300 Fuziliers; who
poſſeſſing themſelves of a certain neighbouring Eminence, began to make a
very ſmart Fire upon the Imperial Incampment: And it coſt the Chriſtians
much Blood before they could be diſlodged.--- But, as has been obſerved,
we ſhall only particularize on what relates more immediately to Dragut
Rais. The Turks being at laſt forced from that Poſt, from whence they
had greatly annoyed the Chriſtian Army, the Citizens began again to be
diſheartened; nay, a good Number had actually quitted the City, and
got privately away to the Mountains. Aiſa Rais, as well by his own Ex-
ample as by encouraging Words, did all could poſſibly be done to keep up
their Spirits. He told them, “ That they were to blame, if they ima-
6. gined themſelves abſent from the Thoughts of Dragut, a Perſon never
“ unmindful of his Obligations. They were all his Children: And,
6. when they leaſt of all expected it, they ſhould, infallibiy, behold him
o appear, at the Head of a Force ſufficient, if not to devour, at leaſt to
“ fct upon the Scamper, that Infidel Army, which, at preſent, gave them
u ſo much Uneaſineſs.” Theſe and ſuck like inſinuating Diſcourſes ſet
thoſe muttering Africans, Men, Women and Children, very chcarfully
at Work in repairing the Damages done them by the Beſiegers Artillery,
Not that Dragat neglected his Duty. As he was not ſparing of his Money,
he had raiſed at Jerba, and other Parts, ſeveral thouſands of Moors, moſt
of them Foot, armed with Muſkets, and were good Marksmen. Their
Leaders were Men he could depend on: Who, with proper Orders how
to proceed, took their way by Land; all prone enough to fight againſt
Chriſtians. Dragut himſelf, taking the Advantage of a dark Night, un-
perceived got near the diſtreſſed City, a few Miles to the Weſt, and
there landed with 800 ſtout Corſairs : Sending, at the ſame Time, two
expert Swimmers with Letters to his Nephew. Among other Matters,
he acquainted him, that his Delign was to fall upon the Enemy on s.
Jago's Day, amidſt their Jollity, while thcy were getting drunk in Hc-
nour of that their Patron. He concluded with Injunctions to make a briſk
Sally, immediately on the Appearance of his Banners. The Place where
he lay concealed, with his. Turks, was in a ſpacious Foreſt of Olive-
Trees (where the Chriſtians came, almoſt daily, to cut Fewel and Faſcines)
among the Ruins of a pompous Pleaſure-Houſe, once appertaining to Al-
Mehedi,
I
448
The HISTORY of ALGIER'S.
Meb:di, the magnificent Founder of that noble City. As for his Moöy's
he had alligned them different Quarters. This well-concertci Scheme
miſcarried; and Chance brought them to Blows ſooner than had been in-
tended. Next Morning, as the vigilant Dragut was viewing the Ene-
my's Incampment from an ancient Turret of that Palace, he beheld a
ſtrong Body of Chriſtians advancing towards him, in order to cut Faſcines,
As ulual. Having inſtantly ſent away to his Jerbins, &c. in certain Val.
lies on the other Side of the Mountain, near the City, to be in a Rocadi-
neſs, but lying flat on the Ground, till Occaſion for Action ſhould offer,
he kept cloſe, ſuffering the Chriſtians to approach very near; the Pioneers
and unarmed Soldiers being already buſied in cutting Olive-Branches.
The Detachment was led by Don Juan de Vega, Vicc-Roy of Sicily,
in Perſon, accompanied by De la Sangle, General of the Maltele
Troops, Don Luis Perez de Vargas, Governor of the Goletta, with other
Chiefs, and a good Number of Cavaliers, particularly of Malta. They
uſed frequently to have ſome ſlight Skirmiſhes, upon thoſe Occaſions, with
the Moors and Arabs of the neighbouring Parts, among whom were ſome
Pirc-Arms; but they never durft venture without the Foreſt, but kept
firing a few Shot from the thickeſt of the Grove. But this Day they
appeared uncommonly bold and daring. This was obſerved, early in
the Morning, by a certain Sherif, a Domeſtic of Mulei Haſan, the blind
King of Tunis', (who ended his wretched Life at this Siege) a notable,
intelligent Perſon, much conſidered by both Factions, on Account of his
reputed Sanctity; and even by the Chriſtian Generals: Tho', very proba-
bly, they conſidered him in ſome different Lights. This Man, as the
Pioncers and others were preparing to go upon that Errand, with only
the accuſtomary Convoy, taking Notice of the more than ordinary Bold.
neſs of thoſe Moors, ſpurred his Mare and went up to them, endeavour-
ing artfully to .pump out of them what could occaſion their Aſſurance.
His penetrating Eye, by their ſupercilious Fleers, ſoon diſcerned that ſome-
thing was the Matters tho' they dropped not a Syllable to the Purpoſe.
However, he rode back; and cauſing the Convoy to inake a Halt, he re-
paired to Don Juan de Vega's Tent, imparting to him his Suſpicions ;
withal diffuading him from letting the People go for Faſcines that Day,
till this Affair ſhould clear up: « Since, ſaid he, if Dragut is actually
• Vide Vol. I. P. 347, and in ſeveral other Places of that Volume, where he is much treat-
ed of.
- there,
!
..
449
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
" there, he cannot remain long undiſcovered." This being propoſed in
Council
, the Generals reſolved, abſolutely, to proſecute the Deign, for
two particular Reaſons. One, becauſe they ſtood in great Need of what
they were going for ; the other, that they might avoid the Reproach of
having ſhewed their Backs, upon any Account whatever. Indeed, it was
agreed to go in a more conſiderable Body; and beſides the abovementioned
Chriſtian Leaders, the Detachment was re-inforced by Mulei Haſan's
two Sons, the ſaid Sherif, and a good Number of their Cavalry. As, in
all Expeditions, the Knights of Malta have the Honour of being in the
Front, General De la Sangle, with his Cavaliers, led the Van of the Im-
perialiſts. Dragut, as we remarked, ſuffered the Enemy to come very near,
and even to begin their Work. For ſome Time, only the aforeſaid Moors
appeared; who ſkirmiſhing with the advanced Cavalry of the Tuniſines, and
other Africans, artfully drew them towards the Place where the Turks lay
in Ambuſh. But Dragut moved not till the Chriſtian Van was juſt upon
him, and then ſuddenly ruſhing out, with all his 800 Corſairs, they
made a furious Diſcharge upon the Cavaliers, and ran in upon them, Sabre
in Hand, headed by the tempeſtuous Dragut. Though the Surpriſe was,
great, thoſe illuſtrious Warriors ſoon recovered themſelves, and made a
bold Reſiſtance. The Conflict was long, obſtinate, bloody, and, for a
conſiderable while, dubious. Many of the braveſt Cavaliers there loſt
their Lives, and were greatly regretted ; but none more than the gallant
Don Luis Perez de Targas, Governor of the Goletta. The Diſpute foon
became general; Dragut's Auxiliaries appearing from different Quarters.
Nor did Aiſa Rais neglect his Unkle's Injunctions. He made a bold and
generous Sally, at the Head of his Turkiſh Garriſon, followed by a good
Number of armed Citizens; and it was not long before his Enſigns
were ſeen waving within the Chriſtian Trenches. Don Garcia de Toledo,
who was left to take care of the Camp, behaved with the utmoſt Valour
and Prudence: And at length the Enemy was repulſed; tho' not without
great Difficulty, and much Bloood-ſhed on both Sides. The Vice-Roy
of Sicily had much Ado to diſengage his Battalions from the Foreſt, and
to regain thc Plain. Dragut purſued him cloſely a conſiderable Way,
and made ſeveral bold Onſets: But, finding he could not prevail, he at
laſt, to his utter Regret, founded a Retreat. His Moors, being well ac-
quainted with the Country, were all diſperſed; nor ſaw he any more-of
them till near Sfacus, which was the general Rendevous. Marmol ſays,
VOL. II.
Mmm
that
r
::
450
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
1
11
+
that between Turks and Moors 180 were killed, and upwards of 300 woun-
ded. Of the Chriſtians 66 were killed upon the Spot, and 86 wounded
with Musket Shot; few of whom recovered. When the Chriſtians
had thus luckily got rid of Dragut, they renewed their Batteries and
Aſſaults with greater Fury than ever. Yet they could not open any one
very practicable Breach, in thoſe ſcarce penetrable Walls, but what was
inſtantly, by thoſe within, put into a Condition to deter even the boldeſt
from attempting an Entrance; as many had dearly experienced. While
they were fatiguing themſelves in removing their Batteries from Place to
Place, with very little Succeſs, a Moriſco, upon ſome Diſguſt, or in hopes
of Recompence, cſcaped from the Town, and repaired to Don Garcia de
Toledo ; acquainting him of a very weak Part of the Wall, near the Sea, and
which, for that Reaſon alone, was intirely neglected by the Defendants;
as being under no Apprehenſion of being attacked from that Quarter,
which was too ſhallow for the Approach of Ships of Force or Bur-
den. There was a great Jealouſy and Emulation between the Vice-Roy
of Sicily, and Don Garcia, who, we ſaid, was Son to the Vice-Roy of
Naples. Don Garcia, an ambitious young Man, kept ſecret this Intelligence
from the Vice-Roy his Rival, reſolving to monopolize the Honour of
that promiſing Attempt. This General, during the Night, cauſed two
of his oldeſt and flatteſt Gallies to be ſtrongly linked together, and
covered with Earth, &c. whereon he planted ſome large Battering C:11-
All being ready before the Dawn, this Machine was towed by
Boats to the Place ſpecified, and there ſecured with four Anchors; when
a furious and unexpected Cannonading began, attended with the deſired
Succeſs. The Upper-Works, being ſoon demoliſhed, fell down into the
Gallery by which that Station might be aſſiſted, and ſo choaked it up,
that all Communication was cut off. This and nothing elſe occaſioned that
City's Ruin. In the ſtorming this Place, the Knights of Malta bore a
very grcar Part, and many of them bravely loſt their Lives: Nor was there
leſs Gallantry ſhewed on the side of the Defendants. We ſhall not here
particulariſe.. After the Knights of Malta, and their Followers, had actu-
ally got Entrance, M. de Vertot concludes thus ;- At the Noiſe of what
was tranſacting, the Inhabitants ran towards the Place from whence came
the Alarm: And excited by the Cries of their Wives and Children, they
barricaded themſelves in the Streets, and broke Loop-Holes in the Walls
of their Houſes, from whence they made a terrible Fire, The Chevaliers
again
non.
2
---
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
451
1
1
i
IN
again found a Stop put to their Progreſs, and that they muſt, as it were;
begin as many Sieges as there were Retrenchments in cach Precinct. But
while they were thus engaged, the Turks and Moors, who were making
Head againſt the Neapolitans and Sicilians, in other Quarters, being in-
formed that the Malteſe were got within the Town, they abandoned the
Defenſe of thoſe Breaches, and ran to the Aſſiſtance of their Houſes and
Families. The Chriſtians preſently diſperſed throughout the City, ſoon
giving them to underſtand, that the only Way for them to have preſerv-
ed their private Fortunes would have been to have ſtood firm in their re-
ſpective Stations. Theſe unhappy Citizens, after a no very vigorous Refif-
tance made by them, for a little while, in ſome particular Quarters, finding
the Enemy were actually Maſters of the Place, began to ſeek their Safe-
ty by Flight. Some endeavoured to get out into the Plain, in order
to gain the Foreſt : Others got into Boats; while ſeveral in Deſpair caſt
themſelves headlong into the Sea. As for Dragut's own Soldiers, who
dreaded his Reproaches even more than Death itſelf, they thronged to
ſeek it on the Points and Edges of the Chriſtians Weapons: Not one of
them either demanding, or accepting Quarter ; but they all forced the
Enemy to diſpatch them. The Booty was very conſiderable. Beſides up-
wards of 7000 Captives, of both Sexes and all Ages and Conditions, the
Victors found this City abounding with Magazines full ſtowed with exceed-
ing rich Wares, and abundance of Gold, Silver and Jewels in the Hou-
ſes of its principal Inhabitants. But the chief Treaſure of all was the Place
itſelf; which was at that Timc, indiſputably, the ſtrongeſt and faireft upon
the whole Coaſt of Africa.
To this Account, abridged from L'Abbe de Vertot, let us add a few
Lines from Marmol's more particular Narrative; who has ſome Variati-
Towards the Concluſion, at the laſt General Aſſault, he ſays to this
Purport, viz. The Turks and Citizens inſtantly flew to defend their
Walls, at the ſeveral Attacks; and the Fire on both sides was ſo
furious, that it reſembled a moſt ſtupendous Tempeſt of Lightning and
Thunder. The Showers of Bullets and Arrows which, this Day, fell
like Storms of Hail among the Chriſtians, were ſo exceſſive, that only
thoſe which ſtruck againſt the Sand raiſed ſuch Clouds of Duſt that their
Eyes were perfectly blinded : Inſomuch that, before the Infantry could
approach the Foot of the Wall, to come to Hand-Blows, more than
300 of them dropped upon the Spot. But the Spaniards preſſed on ſo im-
M m m 2
petuoully,
ons.
very
1
4
!
.
45?
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
petuouſly, that, contemning the Shot and artificial Fires poured on them
by the Enemy, they trampled over the gaſping Bodies of their flain Friends,
and courageouſly mounted the Breaches, giving and receiving mary ter-
rible Wounds, with the greateſt Fury and Obſtinacy that was ever be-
held. And, a little farther, he ſays; The Enemy most vali-
antly defended the City, its Walls, Streets and Houſes ; fighting in every
Part of it like People in Deſpair : And the Turks, perceiving the City was
entered, retired to the Caſtle, and to the Cuſtom-Houſe ; from whence,
with their ſmall Shot and Arrows, they did much Damage to the Chriſ-
tians who were fighting in the Streets. This Day, between Turks and
Moors, the Enemy loſt above 700: And many of the Moors ſignalized
themſelves in a very extraordinary Manner; and out-did even the Turks.
The Captives were 10000, Men, Women and Children: And the Spoil,
in Jewels, Money and Goods, was immenſe. Of the Chriſtians 400
were killed, and more than you wounded. Few of the chief Turks and
Citizens eſcaped. Aifa Rais and a Turkiſh Al-Caid were made Priſoners.
Don Garcia caſt all the ſlain Chriſtians into a great Pit, that the Damage
done them by the Enemy might not be ſeen.
Tho' ſomewhat foreign to our Purpoſe, we will not quit 'this noble
City, till we ſee its unhappy and near-approaching Cataſtrophe. The
circumſtantial Marmol furniſhes us with Materials; out of which take
theſe few Particulars. Don Juan de Vega, Vice-Roy of Sicily,
(who would needs appropriate to himſelf the Honour of that important
Victory) having repaired the Ruins, and put things in the beſt Order he
could, committed the Government thereof to his Son Don Alvaro, with
fix Companies of Spaniſh Infantry, and good Store of Artillery, and all
Neceſſaries. Before he returned to Sicily, he went, with twenty Gallies,
in Search of Dragut's Squadron, and to recover the Tributes from Jerba,
Sfacus, &c. The chief Occaſion of his going thither was, becauſe the
Sheikh of Jerba, whoſe Name was Salha aben Salha, when he heard of
Dragut's Diſgrace and Loſs, had wrote very preſſingly to Don Juan to
alliſt him againſt that Corſair, in order to drive him from thoſe Quarters :
Offering to ſet at Liberty a great Number of Chriſtians, who were Cap-
tives in that Ifand; and that he would become tributary to the Empe-
ror Charles, furniſhing him with all proper M.terials for the erecting a
Fort or two, in the propereſt Places, there to entertain a Garriſon of
Spaniards. And, as a Security for the Performance of theſe Promiſes, he
gave
4
.
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
453
-
1
gave in Hoſtage one of his Sons, together with thoſe of ſeveral of the
principal Illanders. Tho' all this came to nothing; as may be ſeen
in this Author's Account of thoſe Affairs. L. VI.- Don Alvaro de
Vega, Governor of Mehedia, or Africa, continued there peaceably enough,
taking great Care of its Fortifications, 'till the End of July, 1551, when.
the Emperor ſent in his Stead Don Sancho de Leyva. The Grand Signor
had broke the Truce then ſubſiſting between him and the Emperor Charles ;
and it was rumoured, that he deſigned to attack this City, at the partie
cular Inſtigation of the reſtleſs Dragut Rais, as will farther appear. This .
News kept the Garriſon of Africa within Doors, till the Recurn of the
Ottoman Fleet, after the Miſchief done at the Morea, Sicily, Malta, and Go-
za; as may anon be obſerved. This Fear being over, the new Gover-
nor, Don Sancho, emploied his Troops in making frequent Incurſions a-
mong the Natives of that Neighbourhood, and brought in many rich
Prizes of Slaves and Cattle. But the Spaniſh Soldiers, not having recei-
ved their Pay, for ſeveral Months paſt, (tho' the Governor had advanced
them Subſiſtence-Money out of his own Purſe, and allowed them a Share of
his Booty) began to mutiny. They would not be perſuaded, but that
Don Sancho retained their Money, which, they inſiſted, had been always
duly remitted. The Mutiny foon came to that paſs, that the Officers
in general, even the Serjeants, were expelled the City; and Don Sancho
himſelf happily ſaved his Life, by getting on board a Ship there at An-
chor. In vain he approached the Walls with the Veſtel, calling out, in-
treating and proteſting his Innocence. In vain he offered to ſell his Goods .
and Eſtate to ſatisfy that headleſs Monſter. Nothing reigned among them
but Obſtinacy and Sedition. Don Sancho, weary of his fruitleſs Endea-
vours, departed for Sicily, with his Fellow-Sufferers. Don Juan de
Vega, the Vice-Roy, fancied he could bring them to Reaſon : But he
foon found himſelf deceived. He then ſwore to ſtarve them; ſince they
ſhould have no more Proviſions from thence or any other Part. This made
them more outrageous. They had formed themſelves into a Sort of Re.
public, under the Direction of a ſtout Soldier, named Antonio de Aponte,
to whom they gave the Title of Electo Mayur, or the Chief Elect, and
other Subaltern Magiſtrates. Don Sancho rcpaired to the Emperor ac
Bruſels; there to make his Complaints: And, ſoon after, the Elefto
Mayor had the Inſolence, likewiſe, to ſend an Embaſſy to that Monarch, by
one of his own. People, whoſe Name was Juan Falcon. What this Ema
baſſador
1
.
H
:
434,
The History of ALGIER S.
baſſador demanded, was a new Governor ; aſſuring Don Carlos, " That
" the Soldiery would ſooner ſuffer the crueleſt Death, than have any
" Dealings with either Don Juan or Don Sancho." The Emperor read
his Credentials; but returned no Anſwer for the preſent; as depending on
the Vice-Roy, who had undertaken to accommodate that Affair. At laſt
Don Juarz wrote him Word, that he could not perform his Promiſe ; with-
al counſelling the Emperor ſpeedily to ſend a proper Mediator, left the
Matter grew to a bad Confequence. Mean while the Garriſon reſolved
not to be ſtarved : And their chief Magiſtrate actually governed with
exemplary Prudence. He armed and fitted out a ſtout Brigantine, on
which he put fifty Soldiers. This he ſent to cruiſe on thc Coaſts of Sici.
ly; and it brought in ſeveral Prizes with Corn and other Proviſions : But
he let the Owners go, without offering any farther Injury. He, likewiſe,
wrote very ſubmiſſively to the Grand-Maſter of Malta, to ſupply him
with Neceſſaries for his Money; which Requeſt was courteouſly granted.
Nor wanted he whatever could be ſpared him by the Perſon who inti-
tled himſelf e King of Cairouan, then in Alliance with the Spaniards. Be
fides all this, he inade Inroads into the Country, with 4, or soo Muske-
teers, upon the Moors and Arabs who were in Enmity with that Prince,
of whoſe Perſons and Cattle he made ſtrange Havock, filling the Town
with Captives and their Effects : Inſomuch, that he became ſo dreaded, that
many
of the neighbouring Communities, for their better Security, paid
him Contribution, and even glutted with Proviſions the weekly Market
he kept without the City. Thus, there was no great Appearance of re-
ducing thoſe Revolters by Famine. Not that they could properly be ter-
med Revolters; but on the contrary, when the 9 Prior of Capua, who was
then General of the French Gallies, heard of the Extremity they were in
at firſt, he entered ſecretly into a Negociation with their Chicf, making
him mighty Tenders of the French King's Favour, on Condition he would
ſurrender the City. All the Reply he got from Antonio de Aponte was,
« That the City belonged to his Imperial Majeſty, and that thoſe who
sc defended it were Spaniards, Men who would never take a Step in his
“ Diſſervice.” This Prior was Leoni Strozzi, Brother to Pietro Strozzi,
who, at that Juncture, aſſiſted by the King of France, was carrying on a
War in the Sienneſe, againſt the Florentines, and other Italian Powers, of
TH
P Vide Vol. I. P. 341.
9 Look back to P. 379.
thc
.
*
4
The HISTORY OF ALGIER S.
455
the Auſtrian Faction. This General had two Gallies of his own; and was
extremely deſirous of gaining Admittance into the Port of Africa, from
thence to infeſt the Coaſts of Sicily. The Affairs of this City ſtood thus,
when Don Juan de Vega wrote to the Emperor, the ſecond Time, as above.
The Emperor, reflecting on the little Good Don Sancho was likely to do
in that Buſineſs, even thould he furniſh him with Moncy to pay off that
mutinous Garriſon, by Reaſon he was ill-beloved there, gave him the
Command of the Neaoplitan Gallics. He then ſent for Don Hernando de
Acuña, who was at Antwerp, to whom he recommended that Affair;
ſending him immediately away, with ſtrict Orders to endeavour chiefly
to get into the City of Africa, and there to chaſtiſe the Inſolence of thoſe
Mutineers, with ſome exemplary Puniſhment; ſtill conforming himſelf
to Neceſſity, and not to proceed rafhly: Being apprehenſive left thoſe
Deſperadoes, either for Want, or Fear of Chaſtiſement, might run into ſome
ſtill greater Diſorder : Adding to theſe Orders, That, as ſoon as theſe
Commotions were appeaſed, he ſhould ruin that Place, and retire with all
the People and Artillery, &c. into Sicily. For as that Monarch's Hands
were then full of many other weighty Affairs, he thought it more
adviſeable, by utterly razing it to the Ground, to prevent the Enemy from
cver again moleſting him from thence, than, as Matters then ffood with
him, to be at ſo very conſiderable an Expence; both of Men and Money,
in maintaining it; both which Articles he had much more Occaſion to
employ elſewhere. And the better to enable Don Hernando to execute
theſe his Orders with the greater Authority, he ſigned him two ſeparate
Commiſſions: One capacitating him, of his own proper Authority, to
pardon all, or part of thoſe Mutineers, as he ſaw convenient ; the
other a general Amneſty, in the Emperor's own Name: This to be made
Uſe of, in caſe the other was not ſufficient. Over and above all this, that
Monarch gave him Letters to the Vice-Roys of Naples and Sicily, and to
Prince Andrea D'Oria, that they ſhould act in Conjunction with him, in
all he required, and ſupply him with whatever he demanded, or wanted.
While all theſe Matters were tranſacting at Bruffels, the Vice-Roy of
Sicily, ever attentive to this Buſineſs, was carrying on a ſecret Negociation
with certain Soldiers of that Garriſon, whom he bribed to ſtart a Counter-
Mutiny, and to either kill or ſecure the Ring Leaders of that Sedition,
as likewiſe all ſuch as were moſt averſe to a Pacification, and returning to
their Obedience. Of theſe Soldiers with whom he treated, the Chiefs were
two;
:
am
1
456
The HISTORY of ALGIER S.
,
1
...
two ; namely Vega and Oforio: To whom the Vice-Roy made mighty
Promiſes of Favours and Rewards. Theſc, with their Partiſans, accom-
pliſhed what there was very little Proſpect could otherwiſe have been ef-
fected, without abundance of Difficulty. The Truth is, many of them
began to be uneaſy at their having ſo long laboured under the Ignominy
of being reputed Rebels. And upon this Account, much to the Scandal
of the Chriſtian Name, amidſt their Enemies, that City was juſt at the
Point of being ſtrained with the Blood of its Conquerors and Defenders ;
had they not been reſtrained by a Sort of Miracle. Antonio de Aponte,
having taken Wind of what was in Agitation, ſent his Serjcant-Major,
a ſtern, rigid Soldier, to apprehend the Conſpirators; whom he found in
a Body, ready armed, and determined to make a bold Reſiſtance: Their
Word was;
Let Mutiny be baniſhed; and let all Traitors die!" While
the two Parties were forming themſelves in Battel-Array, and juſt upon
falling together by the Ears, there iſſued from the Clouds ſo fiery a Blaſt,
that the very Fowls and Birds flying in the Air tumbled down dead among
them; infomuch that thoſć intended Combatants, in the utmoſt Diſorder
and Confuſion, were forced to disband, and, guarding their Heads and
Faces with their Hands, to run away to ſeek Shelter from thoſe menacing
Meteors, with whoſe ſcorching Emanations they were ſurrounded. That
fame Night, Vega and Oſorio took ſuch proper Methods, that, killing the
Serjeant-Major, who was the main Support of the Mutiny, and ſecuring
all the Magiſtrates, with their moſt active and reſolute Abettors, the reſt
were quiet. Of this Succeſs Don Juan de Vega had ſpeedy Notice:
Whereupon he diſpatched the Captain of his Guards, in a Galley, with
Orders that he ſhould amuſe the Garriſon with Hopes of their Arrears,
under Prerence that he was ſent to make up their Accounts, in order to
pay them off. This he artfully did: And, as farther commanded by his
Maſter the Vice-Roy of Sicily, who was reſolved that ſo flagrant a Crime
ſhould not eſcape exemplary Puniſhment, immediately ſent away Antonio
de Aponte and all his moſt diſtinguiſhed Subſtitutes, in order to ſuffer
Death by thc Hands of an Executioner
. And for the greater Security,
this Officer was injoined to put into the firſt Port, in Sicily, he could reach,
and there to deliver up thoſe Priſoners to the Governor ; who was to an-
ſwer for their Appearance. The Galley got to Alicata; and thc Governor
ſecured them in a Dungeon of the Caſtle, ſtrongly fettcred. It fell out
that the Ottoman Armada arrived there that very Evening; and Part of
thc
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
457
the Army being landed, the Caſtle was attacked : And, notwithſtanding
Antonio de Aponte and his Fellow-Priſoners, from their Dungeon, carneſtly
ſupplicated, that they might have Arms given them, to defend the Breach,
their Requeſt was denied; and the Caſtle being ſoon after entered by the
Turks, they were made Slaves with the reſt. Not long after Antonio de
Aponte died of a F'ever at Conſtantinople. But Don Juan de Vega, deter-
mined to have ſome Victims, ſent for a like Number of the moſt culpable
among thoſe who had not been apprehended, and cauſed them all to be
hanged at Palermo and other Cities of Sicily. Thus terminated this Affair
which had made ſo much Noiſe.
Tripoly was taken by the Turkiſis
Fleet, from the Knights of Malta, ſoon after theſe Tranſactions; in the
Reduction of which Place our Dragut Rais bore no inconſiderable Share:
As likewiſe in the Attempt made upon Malta, juſt before by the fanie
Power. Of theſe Affairs we ſhall preſently take ſome Notice: But let us
ſee the laſt of this unhappy City. Don Hernando de Acuña, who
bore the Imperial Commiſſion to act at Diſcretion, in regard to thoſe
African Commotions, was all the while at Naples, where, by the Vice-Roy
of Sicily, he was informed of what had paſſed. With the Emperor's Concur-
rence, it had been concerted, in Conſideration of the Difficulty and Ex-
pence of maintaining that African City, to make a Tender of it to the
Knights of Malta, in lieu of Tripoly, which they had lately loſt. Nay,
the Deſign of the Spaniards was, to try if they could wheedle the Order
to remove their Convent thither, and to reſtore to the Crown of Caſtile,
or rather of Aragon, the Iſlands of Malta and Goza. Indeed, the Empe-
ror himſelf was more inclined utterly to demoliſh the Fortifications of that
City; but even that, beſides the Coſt of doing it, his Generals informed
him was not then to be attempted with any Safety. The French and
Algerine Fleets being at Corſica, from whence, in a very few Hours, they
might arrive to their Interruption, if not Deſtruction; and the Imperial Ar-
mada not being, at that Juncture, ſtrong enough to face thoſe confederate
Powers. Beſides, it was rumoured, that the Ottoman Fleet was in a Rea-
dineſs to make them another Viſit. With all theſe Conſiderations, and the
infallible Bulwark and Support that City, if in Poſſeſſion of thoſe war-
like Knights, would be to the Emperor's Intereſt in his feudatory King.
dom of Tunis, that politic Monarch commiſſioned De Acuña to offer them,
in his Name, the ſole and independent Sovereignty of Mehedia, or Africa,
with good part of the Artillery, &c. thereto appertaining, and, towards
Nnn
keeping
++
458
The History of ALGIERS.
I
ز
L
keeping it in Repair, a yearly Allowance of 24000 Ducats. Had De 0.
112edes, their truly-Spaniſh Grand-Maſter, lived till that Juncture, it is al.
molt paft Doubt but that ſo weak, ſo indolent, ſo obſtinate, and withal
to partial a Prince as he always ſhewed himſelf to be, would have come
into the Spaniards Meaſures: But he was juſt dead, and was ſucceeded by
Claude de la Single, a brave and prudent French Nobleman; elected during
his Abſence at the Court of Rome, where he acted as Embaſſador from the
Order, to the great Diſappointment of that great Warrior and Politician,
the famous Prior of Capua, of whom we lately made Mention. The new
Grand-Mafter, in his Way to Malta, received the Emperor's Letter from
De Acuña. His Reply was, that it muſt be propoſed in Council, and in-
vited that Embaſſador to accompany him thither. De Acuña, at the gene-
ral Aſſembly of the Order, inſinuated, " That his Imperial Majeſty, being
« ſenſibly touched at the Blow they had ſuſtained in the diſmembring from
as their Body the Fortreſs of Tripoly, in order to repair that Lofs, offered
“ to yield up to them the intire Propriety of Mebedia, otherwiſe named
Africa: a Place, continued he, regularly fortified, and from whence the
« Chevaliers might extend their Dominion upon the African Continent:
" That the Sovereignty of that place was no other than what was duc
s to their Valour, ſince they had borne ſo great a Part in its Conqueſt.
" And that the Emperor himſelf, in caſe the Order tranſported their
“ Convent thither, might juſtly glory himſelf in being the Founder of
« that third Rhodes; and that, to contribute towards the Expences requi-
" fire for its Defenſe, his Imperial Majeſty, who made no Diſtinction
« between the Intereſts of their illuſtrious Order and his own, would aſſign
46 to it, for ever, an Annuity of 24000 Ducats, upon the Revenues of
Sicily."
He farther repreſented the great Obligations their Body had to the
Emperor Charles : " Who, faid he, * after the Loſs of Rhodes, beholding
" them abandoned by almoſt all the Chriſtian Potentates, and wandering
up and down through ſeveral Parts of Italy, generouſly ſtripped him
" ſelf of the Iſlands of Malta and Goza, therewith to pleaſure and gratify
" the deſtitutc Cavaliers: A magnificent Preſent, faid he, and worthy the
" Piety and Zeal of ſo mighty a Prince!" With much more in the ſame
Strain. And when many of the Knights, and particularly the French,
$
66
Vide Vol. I. P. 309 and feq.
ſeemed
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
450
1
.
ſeemed averſe to the Propoſal, he failed not to put them in Mind, " That
o it became them not to diſoblige a Monarch to whom they were indeb-
“ ted for cvery Inch of Ground they trod upon.” Then again, he rc.
preſented the Infertility of Malta ; " which, added he, reduces you to
" the inconvenient Neceſſity of ſecking your daily Suſtenance at other
" Mens Doors; whereas the Place tendered you is not, like that, fepa-
* rared from the reſt of the World, but ſituate on a Soil fertile and lux-
“ uriant, which your Swords may make your own." The Affair was
long convaſſed and warmly debated, between the French and Spaniſl Fac-
tions. However, the politc Grand-Maſter, (tho no worſe a French-man
than his Predeceſſor had been a Spaniard, yet a much ſincerer and better
principled Perſon,) not to give a Return poſitively negative, moved, that
before they cancluded upon any thing, ſome of their ancientcſt and ableft
Commanders ſhould paſs over to Africa, to take a View of the Place.
The Report made by thoſe Commiſſaries at their Return
was,
That,
66 the City of Africa (tood ſituatc on a Slip of Land advancing into the
Sea, by which, on three Sides, it was environed; and was a Place very
conſiderable on Account of its Circuit and Fortifications : That the City
and Caſtle were encompaſſed with Walls of an extraordinary Height and
Thickneſs, and flanked with Towers defended by good Cannon. That
che Arſenal was well provided with Artillery, &c. And that nothing was
deficient but the Port; grcat Part of which wanted Depth for their large
Ships of War. Adding, that the Neighbourhood of the City was extreme.
ly beautiful, full of fine riſing Grounds, all adorned with Pleaſure-Houſes,
Orchards and Vineyards : That the arable Lands reached to a certain
Mountain running along Eaſt and Weſt, behind which lay prodigious Plains,
on which was abundance of fine Paſture - Land, belonging to the Arab
Tribes of thoſe Quarters, who gencrally paſtured their Cattle thereabouts.
When theſe Commiſſaries had thus deſcribed the Place, they farther
declared, that a City of that vaſt Extent could not be maintained without
a numerous Garriſon; with ſeveral more Objections too long to be inſer-
ted: And, to cut ſhort, it was concluded, not to accept the Emperor's
Offer. This Refuſal : was a ſingular Mortification to the Spaniards in ge-
neral; and the Vice-Roy of Sicily carried his Reſentment ſo far, that he
refuſed the Order even Proviſions from his Iſand: Nor would he be ap-
peaſed till the Malteſe Gallies, ſent by the politic Grand-Maſter, had clear-
Nnn 2
ed
1
460
The HISTORY Of ALGIER S.
1
ed the Sicilian Coaſts of ſeveral Algerine and other Corſairs, who were in-
feſting thoſe Quarters.
Don Carlos having now no Way to render the City Africa ſerviceable,
reſolved, if he could, to prevent its ever more becoming prejudicial to
his Intereſts. In the Account Marmol gives us of its Ruin there are ſome
Particulars remarkable enough. What follows is a a brief Extract, viz.
The Garriſon was in Arrears thirty one complete Pays (perhaps
Months) which amounted to more than 120000 Ducats: And all that the
Vice-Roy of Sicily could ſpare them was no more than 27000, and that
not all in Money neither. With this Don Hernando de Acuña, attended by
five Sicilian Gallies and four large Tranſports, arrived at Mehedia, in order
to put in Execution what his Imperial Majeſty had directed. He carried
with him all the Officers, who had been expelled the Garriſon when the
Mutiny began; judging it requiſite to have their Afliſtance, on all Oc-
caſions; as not being certain, whether the Garriſon would agree to have
the City demoliſhed: If not, it would be proper that their quondam Offi-
cers ſhould be left to aſſiſt in its fartheſt Defenſe. So that, as yet, no-
thing was abſolutely reſolved on. However he was better received than he
cxpected: The Soldiers flattering themſelves, that, beſides the general Am-
neſty, which with open Mouth he proclaimed, they ſhould receive their
full Arrears. But here be found he had Occaſion for all his Art and Cun.
ning to conceal from thoſe Gapers the Scantineſs of his Purſe. The very
firſt Step he took, was to learn which of the Soldiers had moſt' Autho-
rity among their Fellows. Among theſe he and his Officers privately dif-
tributed certain Sums. Next he aſſembled the whole Garriſon, repreſent-
ing to them the Emperor's preſent Neceſſities for Money, and the conſi-
derable Obligation it would be to their Imperial Maſter, if they anſwered
his Hopes and Expectations in bating him fifteen of their thirty one Pays,
and diſcount from the Remainder what Subſiſtence they had alrcady receiv-
cd. Though this ſet a muttering all whoſe Fiſts had not been greaſed;
yet thoſe who had been paid for backing this Propoſal, being Men of
too good a Conſcience not to earn their Hire, ſtickled ſo powerfully for
their neceſſitated Sovereign, and repreſented in ſuch Colours the deſirable
Happineſs and Advantage of being once more honoured with the Title of
his loyal Vaffals, that the Acquieſcement became general. However, they
expected the Reſidue. This Point being gained; they were, ſoon after,
re-aſſembled. Don Hernando then opened himſelf as to the Article of
2
demoliſhing
The HISTORY,' of ALGIERS.
461
11
í
demoliſhing that Fortreſs. Laying before them the Danger, Expence and
Difficulty attending the keeping it; eſpecially while the naval Force of
their ayowed Enemies, the French and the Turks, were actually at Sea, and
united: So that, even in the ruining it, they muſt be ſpeedy; which to
do effectually, they had no other way, but to ſet all Hands to work, Day
and Night, to undermine all the Walls, &c. that this dangerous Bulwark
might vaniſh at a Blaſt. As to the reſt, ail he could do, for the preſent,
was to ſpare them a Ducat per Man, till their Arrival in Sicily, where
he promiſed them, upon his Honour, the ultimate Maravedi of their De-
mands, according to the late Agreement. To this they, likewiſe, conſented ;
and the Mines (being no leſs than twenty four principal ones, to cach
of which belonged ſeveral Branches) were ready in a very few Days;
ſuch was their Diligence and Afiduity. All being imbarked, except an En-
ſign, with two Companies of Muſketeers, the Gallies and Ships put out
to Sea at a conſiderable Diſtance. The Orders left with this truſty Of-
cer (that all the Mines might cake Fire at the ſame Inſtant; and to pre:
vent any of them from being choaked up by the other neighbouring
Ruins) were theſe. At the Mouth of each Mine he poſted a Soldiers
with a Piece of Match of exactly the ſame Thickneſs and four Spans long.
Theſc Centinels were injoined, that, upon hearing a Cannon fired from
the Admiral-Galley, they ſhould light their Matches, and, upon hearing
a ſecond, inſtantly go down to the Powder, and there put the Matches
into certain large Canes, ready placed for that Purpoſe, and ſo diſpoſed
that juſt two Spans of the Match ſhould be covered with Powder, and
the lighted End, with the other half of it, might be laid clear of it; ſo
that the Mines might take Fire all at once. Each of theſe Soldiers was
farther commanded, that as ſoon as he had done as directed, he ſhould
immediately viſit his neareſt Camarade, to examine whether he had done his
Duty. Of all this the chief Direction was intruſted with the ſaid Enſign,
who was charged to ſee every thing duly exccuted. This donc, they all hafted
away to the Boats, which attended, and rowed away to the Gallies, which
lay a great Way out at Sea, to avoid the Effects of that terrible Blaſt.
The firſt that blew up were thoſe in the Weſt, and they went on firing
regularly Eaſtward, and ſo quite round till the Fire reached thoſe made
croſs the Iſthmus, under thoſe ſtately Walls and Bulwarks concerning
which the African Writers report that Al-Mehedi erected them with
ſuch Art and Strength, and had his Mind ſo fixed upon that Work, that
hc
462.
The HISTORY.of ALGIERS.
lic uſed to fay, “ If I thought building theſe Fortifications with fron, or
Braſs, would render them inore durable, I would certainly do it.
“ And in an Inſtant, (ſays Marmol cxprefly, who was preſent at
" that Expedition) ſuch and ſo great was the Ruin and Deſolation of the
" Walls, &c. all around, chat it ſeemed as if all the Elements had met to-
" gether to fight in that Place: Inſomuch, that in the Turn of an Eye,
er this City, once ſo beautiful in its Sicuation, its Walls, its Towers, &c.
c ſo changed Form, that ſuch, as had long dwelt there, when they
e paſſed that Way three Years after, miſtook the very Place. Nay the
e Itrange Dillimilitude of its Aſpect occaſioned many great and facal
" Miſtakes among Mariners.” The great Tower near the Land Gate was
left ſtanding; ſome of the neighbouring Ruins having prevented that
Branch of the Mine from taking Fire: Bur De Acura, reſolving not to
Seavo it, landed and removed all Obſtacles; ſo that it preſently fared as the
reſt had done. Under the Ruins of the two Towers which guarded the
Port, were found very large Marble Pillars, ſet cloſe together, upon which
thoſe Towers had reſted, and were there fixed to hinder the Sea, in
Proceſs of Time, from waſting the Foundation : And the Floors under
them were all paved with fine great Marble Stones. When the Chrif-
tians took that City, all the Cavaliers of Note, who had loſt their Lives
at the Siege, were interred in the principal Moſque. Their Remains
were now taken up and conveyed to the Church at Montreal, near Pan
termo, in Sicily. •Don Hernando himſelf wrote them a pompous Epitaph,
which is there ſtill to be read. Soon after the Spaniſh Squadron was
departed, the French Fleet arrived, in order to tamper with the muti-
nous Garriſon : But they ſhould have made greater Hafte.
It is to be feared, ſome may think we have been dwelling too long
on the Concerns of this now ruined City. Two Reaſons may be afligned
for our ſo doing: One becauſe of its having once been the Metropolis
of all theſe Regions: The other in Conſideration of the Figure our Dra.
gut Rais, the Hero of this Part of our Hiſtory, would very probably
have made in a Fortreſs of that Importance. We will now look back to
ſee what became of that Arch-Corſair, while theſe Matters were tranſac-
ting, and then haſten to have done with him, in order to purſue our
more immediate Subject. M. L'Abbé de Vertot, but in more Words, and
different Places, ſays to this Effect.
Dragut, outrageous at the Loſs
of the City of Africa, his Treaſures, Slaves and Friends, which he had
left
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
403
left there, the Blame of all which Diſaſters he laid chiefly on the Knights
of Malta, repreſented his Grievances before the Grand Signor. His Agent
at the Porte acquainted that Monarch, and the Diwan, that the Empe-
ror, by the Conqueſt of that Place, had in his Power one of the chief
Kcys of the African Continent: That, he was already Maſter of the Go-
letta, and of inoſt of the maritime Towns in the Kingdom of Tunis: That
che Cavaliers of Malta, who were f devoted to that Monarch's Intereſts,
were already fortified in Tripoly: That it was to be feared left the Arabsy,
who are the Turks mortal Enemies, ſhould facilitate their Paſſage over
the Deſarts into Egypt; and that theſe Cavaliers, under Pretext of deli-
vering Jeruſalem and Paleſtine from the Ottomans, might penetrate into
thoſe Quarters, and revive the ancient Spirit of the Cruſade, or what they
termed the Holy War, drawing over to their Party the Chriſtian Powersg
.
always formidable when united. Magnificent Preſents, the beſt Interpre-
ters at the Porte, and which Dragut cauſed to be diſtributed among the
moſt powerful Baſhas, engaged them to repreſent, to Sultan Suliman, that
it was not Dragui Rais alone who was intereſted in the Loſs of the City
of Africa, but his Highneſs ſtill more than he: That this Enterpriſe was.
an apparent Breach of the Truce then ſubfifting between the Ottoman and
Chriflian Emperors: That he could not avoid expreſſing his Reſentment
thereat, nor do leſs than expel from all Africa, as he had already done
from Afia, a Body of Knights who were the ayowed and eternal E.
nemies of the Muſulman Name and Al-Coran. Suliman, who, contrary
to the Maxims of moſt if not all of his Predeceſſors, was a moſt ſtrict
Regarder of his Word, would not break with the Emperor without firſt
giving him Notice. But the Anſwer Don Carlos returned to that Monarch's
Complaints not being ſatisfactory, mighty Preparations were made for
War throughout the whole Ottoman Dominions. When Don Car-
los heard what was going forward, he doubted not in the leaſt, but that
this Storm was of Dragut's raiſing. In order to avoid it, he imagined he
had no more to do than to get this famous Corſair taken off, or at leaſt
to get him once again into his Poſſeſſion: As being perſuaded, that when
Sultan Suliman ſhould find himſelf deprived of ſo able and ſo expert a
General, that Monarch would turn the Channel of his Arms a different
1
* To be underſtood during the Adminiſtration of the late partial and Spaniſh Grand-Maſter,
Don Juan De Omedes. Look back to P. 458.
Wam
4 4
+
i
The HISTORY: of ALGIERS.
404
!
+
11
1
Way. Full of this, he ordered Andrea D'Orią to ſeek him out, and to
fight him, able or not able; and, in a Word, to omit nothing in order to
rid him of an Enemy ſo formidable. In Conſequence of theſe poſitive
Injunctions, that Admiral, early in the Spring, pur to Sca with twenty
two Royal Gallies, beſides Galeots and Brigantines, and, in March, arrived
upon the Coaſt of Africa. To his great Joy, he ſoon underſtood, that
Dragut, with all his Gallies, &c. partly diſarmcd, lay in the Harbour of
the Ifand Ferba; and, without loſing a Moment, he repaired thither : And,
in order to keep him in, he caſt Anchor juſt before the Mouth of it,
at a place which the Franks call, La Bocca de Cantara. His unexpected
Arrival greatly ſurpriſed Dragut, who could not tell what to think of
being thus hemmed in by a ſuperior Power, without any viſible Poſſibi-
lity of eſcaping. But being a Man of a bold, undaunted Spirit, he reſolv.
ed to leave no Means unattempted. Upon this he aſſembled all his Turks,
&c. together, with a good Number of the Inlanders: And making Shew
of being very little apprehenſive of the Chriſtian Armada, he advanced at
their Head to the Defenſe of the Mouth of the Harbour, and began a
briſk Fire upon the Gallies; inſomuch that Prince D'Oria was obliged to
remove and anchor farther out of Reach. Dragut was not idle a Moment;
but finding his Shot were then ineffectual, he haftily raiſed a Baſtion juſt
at the Entrance, which in a Night's Time he rendered defenſible, having
mounted thereon ſeveral large Cannon, and garriſoned it with a good Nun-
ber of Muſketeers, who began to fire very ſmartly upon thc Fleet. Ad-
miral D'Oria finding he received Damage, and that he muſt neceſſarily
draw ſtill farther off, till he ſhould be in a Capacity to land a Body of
Troops to reduce that new Fort, and drive away the Enemy from the
Mouth of the Harbour, if he ever deſigned to get Entrance, diligently
informed himſelf, whether there was any other Paſſage for Dragut to eſcape:
And being aſſured, by ſuch as were very well acquainted with the Iſland,
that there was no other Way by which he could poſſibly get away,
on any of his own Veſſels, he reſolved to ſend to Sicily, Naples, &c.
for a greater Force, that he might be enabled to attack the Enemy by
Lánd, as he had already blocked him up by Sea; and, as that Admiral al-
ſured all he wrote to, beyond any Poſſibility of eſcaping, or, at the very
leaſt, of ſaving a ſingle Boat of his whole Fleer. This News rejoiced all
thoſe Parts of Chriſtendom; and moſt powerful Succours .came daily flock-
ing to the Sea -Ports from every Quarter : So eager were the Sufferers" to
revenge
1
The History of ATGIERS:
465
Cc
revenge themſelves on that much-dreaded Corſair. The Vice-Roy of Si-
cily beftirred himſelf moſt vigorouſly in this Affair. On the Patrona Gal-
ley of that Kingdom, he imbarked Mulei Abon-Bucar, Son of Mulei Hafa
fan, King of Tunis, ſo often mentioned in this Hiſtory, with Inſtructions
to repair to · Sheikh Salha aben Salha, and to put him in Mind, “ That,
as he pretended to be deſirous of being his Imperial Majeſty's Servang
< and Ally, he ſhould now, upon this important Occaſion, ſignalize hima
“ felf, by uſing all poſſible Methods to prevent either Dragut, or any of
« his Fleet, from getting away: By doing which, he would not only rid
" thoſe Parts of the World of a deſtructive Peſtilence, but would infis
« nitely oblige the Chriſtian Emperor, a Monarch who would not fail of
“ returning him an ample Rccompence, or continuing his inceſſant Pro-
66 tector, in caſe he rendered him and his Subjects ſo ſignal a Piece of Ser-
e vice. But Dragut ſuffered him not to deliver his Embaſſy, as will ſoon
appcar." Mean while, Andrea D'Oria took not the leaſt Repoſe, ei-
ther by Day or Night; being perpetually upon the Watch, ſurrounding
the Iſand, leſt Dragut ſhould give him the Slip, in ſome Bark or Brigan-
tine, conveyed thither by thoſe of his own Profeſſion. In theſe Cruiſings
he intercepted ſeveral Veſſels, coming to traffic in the Iſland. While he
lay expecting the Land-Forces, &c. hc reflected, that, upon their Arrival,
of Neceſſity he muſt enter the Canal, with the Fleet.of Gallies, in order
to batter the Fort which, as we obſerved, Dragut had juſt erected to
defend the Avenue ; and accordingly, he ſent in a Brigantine to found as
it paſſed, and to fix Pikes, with little Flags on them, to mark out the
Flats. Dragut was not at a Loſs to gueſs the Meaning of all this; and
failed not to ſteal them all away; even amidſt a Storm of Cannon Shot.
However, he began to be uneaſy, and to think his Caſe deſperate. The
apparent Danger he was in put him upon a Project, which all the Hiſto-
rians who mention it ſcruple not to call a moſt notable Exploit, and an
Enterpriſe of which few Examples are to be met with in Story. M. L'
Abbè de Vertot terms it an Action no leſs bold than extraordinary. From
him and Marmol, who agree pretty well with the Accounts thç Africans
themſelves give of this Affair, take the following Particulars.
Dragut, to amuſe the Chriſtian Admiral into a Confidence, that he was
determined to defend that Station to the very laſt Extremity, had raiſed ſeveral
VOL. II.
Look back to P. 452,
Ooo
Retrench-
466
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
Retrenchments along the Banks of that Canal, on both sides, whercon were
mounted many Cannon; and thote Retrenchments were all lined with good
Store of Muſketeers, who kept continually firing at every Chriſtian Veſ.
fel that offered to approach, as did the Artillery at thoſe more diſtant.
Yet, all the while, this crafty Corſair was employing himſelf in an Affair
of a very different Nature. As he was never ſparing either of Pains, Mo-
ney, or good Words, upon all proper Occaſions, he had ſet to work the
Reſidue of his Turks, all his Slaves, with more than 2000 of the Ianders,
to level a Way, croſs the Iſland, from the place where his Fleet lay, to
the oppoſite Shorc, near which the Land was conſiderably lower, and
where he, likewiſe practiſed a new Canal, as much as his Occaſion requi-
red. Arhwart this new-made Road he laid Rafters, covered over with well-
tallowed Planks. By main Strength and the Help of Capſtans, all the
Gallics, Galcots, Brigantines, &c. were, with the utmoſt Silence, hoiſted
up and placed upon great Rollers of Wood, and ſo drawn along one after
another in a Row; and without abundance of farther Difficulty, they a-
gain found Water, after this unaccountable Land- Journey, from one Sea
to another. This done, ſays Marmol, the ſubtil Corſair imbarked, with
his proper Equipages, and haſted away; leaving Andrea D'Oria with the
Dog 10 hold, very gravely waiting for a competent Force to attack him in
the Harbour, both by Sea and Land, in order to cut him off, Root and
Branch. Nor did the Chriſtian Admiral know any thing of his Eſcape,
and the Trick he had played him, till the Meſſenger who brought the
News informed him, likewiſe, of the Capture of the Patrona Galley of
Sicily, which, as we obſerved above, was coming to Jerba with an impor-
tant Meſſage, ſent to Sheikh Salha aben Salha, from Don Juan de Vega, by
. Son of Mulci Haſan, King of Tunis, which Dragut ſnapped up before
he was well got out of sight of Jerba : And, as Marmol ſays, juſt under
Prince D'Oria's Noſe, as it were to brave him, and in Defiance. This
Mooriſh Prince was afterwards ſent Priſoner to Conſtantinople, and continued
ſhut up in the Seven Towers till his Death, on Account of his being in
Alliance with the Chriſtian Emperor, in Oppoſition to the Ottoman Inte-
reſt. Andrea D'Oria was utterly aſtoniſhed and confounded at this ſtrange
and unexpected Picce of Intelligence; and immediately diſpatched Couriers
to the Vice-Roys of Naples and Sicily, adviſing them to be upon their
Guard how they ſent out their Gallies, &c. and, as to the reſt, giving
them to underſtand, how little Need hc then had of the Army, &c. they
2
WCIC
V
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
467
'
1
were preparing; ſince the Bird was got out of the Cage. Thus, fay's
Marmol, the Reputation of Dragut became greater than cver; and his
Strength was alſo augmented by the Capture of that Galley and ſeveral o-
ther Prizes, which he took juſt about the ſame Timc. L'Abbè de Vertot
ſays thus: That Corſair, after this, took the Way to Conftantinople, by his
Preſence to haſten the ſetting-out of the Fleet appointed for the Reduction
of Tripoly and the other Places belonging to the Knights of St. John. The
Chriſtian Admiral, quite amazed, and more confounded at this Accident,
than if he had loſt a great Battel, returned to Genoua: And, to excuſe
himſelf from purſuing the Corſair, made Uſe of the honourable Pretext of
commanding in Perſon the Gallies appointed to conduct, from Italy to
Spain, the Emperor's only Son, Don Philip De Auſtria, afterwards King
Philip II. of Spain. Dragut's Spite being principally againſt the
Knights of Malta, he left no Stone unturned, in order to work their De-
ſtruction. Such was the Opinion Sultan Suliman had of his ſuperior
Capacity, that he abſolutely commanded Sinan Baſha, his Grand Admiral
,
not to offer to undertake any one thing of Moment without his Concur-
rence. It was in July 1551, that the Ottoman Armada, to the Terror of
the whole Chriſtian Part of the Mediterranean, caſt Anchor under Malta.
What regards Dragut Rais in that Expedition, is as follows, accurately
and, to all Appearance, impartially related by L'Abbé de Vertot, to whom
the curious Reader is referred, for farther Particulars. As the Captain-
Baſha, Sinań, after his landing on that Illand, was, with Dragut and others,
taking a View of Caſtle St. Angelo, conſidering its Situation on the Point
of a Rock, and the Bulwarks wherewith it is fortified, he ſaid angrily
to Dragut ; " Is this the Caſtle which you have repreſented to the Grand
« Signor as ſo eaſy to be taken? Certainly no Eagle could have choſen a
« leſs acceſlible Rock to have built his Neſt upon!” A certain ancient
Corſair, Brother to that Heyradin u Drub-Devil we have mentioned, and
who had been formerly Proprietor of Tajora, near Tripoly, whether out
of Malice to Dragut, or Complaiſance to the Captain-Baſha, ſaid to Sinan,
" Do you ſee, my Lord, that Bulwark which advances out towards the
" Sea, and upon which the Chevaliers have planted the Grand Standard of
or their Order ? You muſt know, my Lord, that when I was a Slave at
« Malta, I helped to carry, upon my Shoulders, all the great Stones en-
u Vidi Vol. I. P.
OOO2
46
ploicd
468
The HISTORY af ALGIER S.
1
« ploied therein. And I can aſſure you, that before you can be able to
batter it dowr, the Winter will be upon us; or, at leaſt, what is ſtill
" more to be drcaded, ſome powerful Succour, in Favour of the Beſieged,
66 will infallibly arrive." Dragut all on Fire, and a Perſon who never
had a Notion of Fear or Dread of Danger, grew quite outrageous at
finding ſuch Lukewarmneſs and Indifference in that General; and, to deter.
mine him inſtantly to begin the Sicge of w Il Borgo, he repreſented to him,
“ That this Town's whole Strength conſiſted in the Caſtle St. Angelo ; and
" that in battering down the faid Fortreſs, he would take, as in a Net, the
" Grand Maſter, together with all the Chiefs of the Order, who have,
6 faid he, imprudently ſhut up themſelves in ſo weak a Place." Sinan
was of a different Sentiment. He knew that a Place defended by the
Knights of Malta was not to be carried ſo eaſily. It would not be
fufficient for him to demoliſh ics Fortifications: He muſt, likcwiſe, deſtroy
thoſe intrepid Warriors even to the laſt Man. So, to do nothing rafhly,
he called a Diwan. The Character of this Baſha was, that in Council
no Gencral was ever cooler" and more deliberate, nor in Action none
warmer and more vigorous. He there exhibited his Orders from the Sultan,
importing, “ That he ſhould not loſe too much Time at Malta; but in
« caſe he could not effect any thing of Importance expeditiouſly, to en-
" deavour to do what Damages he was able, and weaken the Order by
o carrying off as many of the Inhabitants as poſſible;, and from thence
s haſten over to Tripoly, the Reduction of which Place was to be his main
" Objcct.” Another chief Arțicle of his Commiſſion was; “ Not to un-
" dertake any one thing of Moment without the immediate and abſolute
" Concurrence of Dragut." Tho' the whole Council had thc Complai-
ſánce' for their Commander in chief, that they readily gave into all he pro-
poſed, yet Dragut, the ſworn Enemy of the very Name of the Malteſe
Chevaliers, and who burned with Impatience to come to Action with
them, ſtrongly oppoſed what had been ſo univerſally agreed on; which was
to quit Malta, with only deſtroying as much of it as could eaſily be come
He firmly inſiſted, " That if they would not attempt thoſe ſtrong
" Fortreſſes, they muſt at leaſt attack La Citta Notabile, or The Notable
* City: (So they call their ancient Capital, ſtanding about the Middle
at:
The Town ſo called ; which was the Court of Malta, or the Reſidence of the Convent,
(as they term the whole Body of the Order) before the building of La Valetta.
4
6
of
The HISTORY OF SALGIËRS: -
469
T
1
os of the:Iſland): whither thc Bulk of the Iſlanders had retired with their
6 beſt Effects; and which weak Place being garriſoned only with timo-
c rous, heartleſs Peaſants, and ſwarming with uſeleſs Mouths, would not
“ be long in reducing, if not by Force of Arms, at leaſt by Famine."
Sinan Baſha finding him ſo refoluccly bent, was not willing to hazard the
Conſequences of diſobliging him, directly contrary to the expreſs Command
of a Monarch with whom there was no trifling: He therefore acquieſced,
and the City was inveſted; but without much Succeſs. At length the
Turks, by the vigorous Oppoſition they met with, and a falſe Alarm of
Andrca D'Oria's near Approach with Succours, were obliged to abandon that
Enterpriſe, and the whole Iſland. But they imbarked not without leav-
ing every defenſeleſs Village in a Flame, and many of the wretched, ruined
Iſlanders bewailing their flain or captivated Friends. Nor could the
Captain-Baſha withſtand the Importunities of his Troops, who requeſted
the Plunder of the Ifland Goza, before they proceeded to Tripoly. This
ſmall Ifand, twenty four Miles 'in Circumference, and about three in
Breadth, lies four Miles W. N. W of Malta. The Inhabitants, in their
native Arabic, call it Wadiſ. It was then peopled with at leaſt 7000 Souls,
and had a feeble Caſtle on a Hill, commanding a Town beneath. Tho'
thic obftinate De Omedes had been much perſuaded to demoliſh that unte-
nable Fortreſs, and to remove the Gozáns to Sicily, till the impending
Storm' was blown Oyer, yet he never would agree to ſuch wholeſome
Counſel. The Chevalier Galatian de Sefa, a great Favourite of the Grand-
Maſter, commanded there; who, when attacked, behaved with a Cowar-
dice very uncommon in a Knight of Malia. Inſtead of heading the Go-
zans, who generouſly-offered to defend the Breach, he flunk away to the
moſt retired "Parë of the Caſtle, which was his Palace. Indeed, the An-
ſwers and Demands he ſent the Türkiſto Admiral, when ſummoned, were
inſolent enough, and would ſcarce become a Braver Officer. But Sinan
ſoon taught him better Manners. The firſt step towards his Diſgrace,
and which was followed by a many Years Captivity, was his being forced
to affiſt in conveying his own Moveables to the Gallies; upon his own
Shoulders. Of thoſe unhappy Iſlanders, 6300 were carried off ; the reſt
werc all flain, and only forty of the ancienteſt and moſt decrepid were left
behind by the perfidious and cquivocating Sinan. Next to the Perverſe-
neſs of their unable Grand-Maſter, they owed their Misfortunes to chat
unworthy Chevalier, whoſe Memory ſtill ſtinks in the Nostrils of every
Malteſe.
470
The HISTORY of ALGIER $. ***
Malteſe. We muſt not forget the Bravery of a certain anonymous Engliſh
Gunner, who alone pointed and fired all the Cannon that did
any
Execu-
tion, and while he lived gallantly defended the Place ; but being ſhot
dead, none had the Courage to ſucceed one who had ſet them ſo noble
an Example. Nor can we well paſs by the deſperate Fury of a Sicilian,
who had been ſeveral Years a Deniſon of Goza. To avoid Captivity and
prevent his family's Diſhonour, he cruelly butchered his Wife and two
young Daughters: When, rcſolving not to ſurvive them, he ſallied out
with a Fuzil and a Croſs-Bow, wherewith he diſparched two Janiſaries,
and then ruſhing in, Sword in Hand, amidſt the thickeſt of the Enemy,
he laid about him ſo to the Purpoſe that before he was laid Piece-incal on
thc Ground he had grievouſly wounded ſeveral...imamo Dragut's Reluc-
tancc at quitting Malta, while his Revenge on that Body of his moſt
capital Enemies was yet ſo uncomplete, was mitigated only with the footh-
ing Thought of what Tokens of his Vengeance he deſigned them at Tri-
poly. How that place was reduced, to the utter Regret of great Part of
Chriſtendom, is very particularly told by L'Abbè de Vertot, to whom wo
refer the Curious. Dragut bore no ſmall Share in its Reduction; and his
Scrvices were requited with the Government thereof, in Rccompence for
the far more valuable Mebedia. Yet, notwithſtanding the great Reputa-
tion of this ſeldom-ſuccelleſs Corſair, and the mighty Opinion Sultan Su-
limax had, not undeſervedly, conceived of his ſuperior Genius and Capacity,
his inſuperable Valour, and a thouſand other rare Qualities, which ſerve to
adorn a General, he could never obtain the Captain Baſsalic, or ſupreme
Command of the Ottoman Fleets, as being always unluckily abſent upon
a Vacancy in that much-gaped-at Employ. However, the Sultan, in ſome
Meaſure to ſkreen him from the odious and reproachful Name of Corſair,
gave him the Sanjiaklic, or Government of the ſmall Iſland Santa Maura ;
which, though a Poſt of.no very conſiderable Note, or Profit, intitled
him one of the Porte's immediate Servants. As for Tripoly, under Pre-
tence of Zeal for the Service and Intereſt of his Sovereign, the Grand
Signor, in protecting thoſe Seas and Coaſts from the Incurſions of the
Malteſe, &c. he confined himſelf to the bare Name of Governor of that Place,
and its then ſcanty Territory : Yet, partly on Account of its Diſtance
from Court, and partly thro' the Sultan's Connivance, he held it in a man-
ncr wanting little or nothing of independent Propricty: Still affecting an
intire Dependance on that Monarch's Will; as knowing his Protection
would
The HISTORY of ALGIER'S.
471
would turn to good Account on all Occaſions. It was by his Artifice,
not without a Tincture of Perfidy, that he prevented the total Ruin of its
crazy Fortifications. When he became Maſter of it, he ſpared for neither
Colt nor Labour to render defenſible, nay very tenable, a Place he had
reſolved to make the Seat of his Sovereignty To enumerate all the
Cafts of his Office he diſtributed throughout the Mediterranean (for in
thoſe Days the Weſtern Turks ſeldom, if ever, offered to paſs the Streights)
would ſwell a Volume. While Malta was full of Joy at the briſk
going on of the new Fortifications, and for ſeveral late Succeſſes of their
Cruiſers, who had not only taken or deſtroyed divers Corſairs, but had
brought in ſome very conſiderable Prizes, laden with Oriental Treaſures,
a ſuddain Accident turned all their Mirth into Confternation and Sorrow.
So unaccountably outrageous a Hurrican aroſe, that moſt of their Gal-
lies, &c. in the Port weré over-turned and ſhattered, ſome of them paſt
all Recovery, and more than 600 Perſons periſhed in an Inſtant, among
whom were ſeveral Knights, and others of Importance. Of this Dilai-
ter the Barbary Corſairs made all poſſible Advantage, inſulting the Iſland
at Pleaſure. Dragut, in particular, thought this Occaſion very opportune
to pay off old Scores, and repaired thither with ſeven Gallies well lined
with Land-Torces. With theſe he leaped aſhore and ravaged many Vil.
lages, Icading away a Multitude of Captives. But before he could gec
aboard with his Booty; 300 Cavaliers, who led on Part of the Militia,
poured in upon him with ſuch Reſolution, that he was glad to quit Prize
and regain his Gallies, with his Numbers. conſiderably diminiſhed. But
it is Time we haften to the Period of this dreaded Corfair's Life. As, he
thirſted for Revenge. upon Malta, it was with Joy that he haſted to join
the Turkiſh Armada conducted by Piali, the Captain-Baha, and Muſtafa
to a ſecond general Attempt upon that dereſted Receptacle of the greateſt
Objects of his Hatred. As for the Force he brought with him, to afliſt
in that Expedition, it was not very conſiderable; being only 1600 Men,
thirteen Gallies and two Galcots. L'Abbè de Dertot ſays to this Effect.
We have already obſerved, that the Grand Signor was ſo prepoſ-
feſſed in Favour of Dragut's Valour and Capacity, that he exprelly forbad
both his Sea and Land Commanders to undertake any one thing without
his Participation. His great Merit, and more particularly his Credit in
the Seraglio, occaſioned his being welcomed to the Ottoman Fleet and Camp,
at Malta, with a triplc Diſcharge of the Artillery, and all other Marks
of
t
472
The HISTORY OF ALGIERS.
1
5
of Deference and Diſtinction. He no ſooner got alhore, but he would needs
viſit the Intrenchments, and all the principal Stations in the Iland. Not":
withſtanding the due Decorum he ſtrictly obſerved towards the Grand
Signor's Generals, he could not avoid expreſſing a Diſlike of their having
begun this Enterpriſe with the Siege of Fort St. Elmo. He infiited, that
they ſhould firſt have attacked the Caſtle of Goza, and next the Notable
City, from whence Ii Borgo, and Caitle St. Angelo were furniſhed with
Proviſions. “ By reducing thoſe two Places, ſaid he, you would not
« only have cut off the Dugs which nouriſh the whole. Reſidue of
o this Body, but likewiſe, and which is a Matter of far greater Impor-
« tance, you would obſtruct the Approach of all the expected Succours
“ from other Parts of Chriſtendom." Müſtafa Baſha, though velted with
the ſupreme Dignity of General, dreading the Credit in which Dragut
was, repreſented to him, “That, in order to put the Grand Signor's
“ Fleet out of Danger from Wind and Weather, as likewile from all Attempts
cc of the Encmy, he could not do otherwiſe than begin with that Fort;
whoſe Reduction would, he ſaid, open a free Paſſage into Port Muzet:
" Yet ſtill, continued he, the Siege is not ſo far advanced, but that it
may be raiſed, and removed to thoſe Places you ſpeak of, in caſe you
“ judge our ſo doing to be actually requiſite." " That would not be,
e returned Dragut, the leaſt prudent Method we could take, were we not
« 'already too far engaged in the Affair : But after the opening of the
“ Trenches, and ſeveral Days Attacks, we cannot raiſe a Siege without
« proſtituting the Ottoman Emperor's Reputation, nor, perhaps, even
« without diſcouraging the Soldiery.” So, ſays M. L'Abbé de Vertot
exprefly, he concluded to employ the whole Strength of the Army in or-
der to go through that Enterpriſe with Honour : Whereby it was very
evident, that it was not either a mean, ſelfiſh Envy, or 'the leaſt Tincture
of that miſchievous Malice ſo common among Courtiers, that had any
Share in the Liberty he took to deliver his Opinion. After it had been
reſolved (adds that Author) to continue the Siege of Fort St. Elmo, he em
ploied himſelf thercat with no leſs Vigour, Courage and Affiduity than if
he was to have been reſponſible for the Succeſs. Scarce ever has been ſeen
any Gencral-Officer ſo intirely regardleſs of Danger. He paſſed whole Days
cither within the Trenches or at the Batteries. Amidſt his ſeveral different
Talents and Qualifications, none underſtood berter the Direction of a Bat-
tery, and indeed the whole Art of Gunnery: That, us has been obſerved,
C
being
'Yr 14-1
h.
"
1
1,4
.
No
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
473
being his original Occupation.-
The Place where, upon this Occaſion,
he planted four of his own Culverins, ſtill goes by his Name; being cal-
led Dragut's Cape, or Point. In a Word, he was the very Life of the whole
Affair; and was perpetually circumventing the Deſigns of the Chriſtians,
in all their Attempts, both by Land and Water. Fort S. Elmo was, at
length, reduced to the laſt Extremity, and, as it were, ſo buried in its own
Ruins, that even the Owners judged it utterly untenable againſt another
general Aſſault. Its holding out hitherto had been wholly owing to the
indefatigable Vigilance of the brave De la Valette, the worthy Grand-
Maſter, and the inſuperably heroic Valour of the Cavaliers, and fuch
as fought under their Banners. Tho'the Place was ſmall, and conſequently
incapable of containing a large Garriſon, and was now defended only by the
naked Bodies of thoſe Warriors, which ſerved inſtead of Bulwarks; yet,
Experience had taught Muſtafa Baſha, that, while the Communication
between the Town and S. Elmo was held open, the Remainder of his Army
would, by Degrees, meet the Fate of their Fellows. With this View,
the Baſha, being in the Trench, called Dragut, a certain Sanjiak, and his
chief Ingenier, in order to conſult with them what Meaſures were to be
taken. Dragut, ſays L'Abbè de Vertot, whether agitated by his natural
Intrepidity, or, like an old Soldier, Danger was become habitual to him
on Account of the many he had been in, being advanced without the In-
trenchment, to look about him and diſcover the Diſpoſition of the Ground,
was inſtantly taken on the right Side of the Head, near his Ear, by Part
of a Stone, Mattered by a great Shot from Caſtle S. Angelo; another Shat-
ter of which killed the aboveſaid Sanjiack upon the Spot. Nor was Dra-
gut in a much better Condition. He lay extended on the Ground, quite
ſenſeleſs, the Blood ſtreaming from his Mouth, Noſe and Ears. To
vent the Soldiery from the Shock ſo diſcouraging an Object would cer-
tainly have given them, Muſtafa Baſha immediately ran out and threw a
Carpet over him; and then cauſed him to be carried to his Tent, where
all poſſible Care was taken of him; and they even began to conceive
ſome Hopes of his Recovery. The perſevering Muſtafa, reſolving to have that
Fort, carried it at laſt, after the moſt obſtinate Reſiſtance that, perhaps, was
ever recorded. He got it not till the very laſt Knight droped in the Breach,
nor till he had loſt, by Computation, complete 8000 of the Flower of his
Army. When he entered, obſerving how ſmall a Fort it was, he could
Vol. II.
pre-
1.
PPP
1100
h
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
474
his
CC
E
not forbear crying out; " What will not the Father do to us, ſince this
puny Sun coſts us the braveſt of our Troops !” Dragut ſurvived not
the Reduction of that Fort many Moments: For ſome of his Officers,
running to his Tent to carry him the News, found him juſt upon his
Departure. Tho' he had loſt his Speech, he ſeemed eager to know the
Event: And when they acquainted him with the Succeſs, he failed not to
expreſs his Joy and Satisfaction by ſeveral exterior Tokens and Geſtures:
When lifting up his Eyes towards Heaven, as if in Thankſgiving for
ſuch welcome Tydings, he inſtantly expired. " A Captain, ſays
« L'Abbè de Vertot, of ſingular Worth and Valour, and even abundantly
more humane than Corſairs generally arc.”. - As to the reſt, we may
venture to allow him to have been a brave Man, and in few Reſpects, if
in any at all, inferior to either of the Barba-roſas. We have dwelled the
longer on the Subject, on Account of the notable Figure he once made
as an Algerine. As Haedo ſays little concerning him, we know nothing
either of the Family he had, or of his perſonal Deſcription. Haſan
Baſha of Algiers (whoſe Life we were writing before this Digreſſion) ar-
rived not, it ſeems, at Malta till after the Demiſe of Dragut: So that
Fmedo, inſtead of ſaying, that the Algerines loſt half their Troops at the
Attacks of Fort S. Elmo, ſhould have ſaid at thoſe of Fort S. Michael.
A. D. 1567. From Etober 1565. when Haſſan Baſha returned to Al-
giers from y Malta, till the Beginning of this Year, he enjoyed his Repoſe
at Home; little of Moment occurring in thoſe Parts during that Interval.
In February arrived eight Levant Gailies at Temendefuft (corruptly called
Metafuz) from one of which the Signal Gun being fired (as uſual in thoſe
Days, when any Order came from the Sultan) the Baſha diſpatched a
Brigantine to learn the Buſineſs. Word being ſoon brought him, that
thofe Gallies were the Convoy to Mahamed Bapa, Son to the late famous
Salha Rais, ſent by the Grand Signor as his Succeſſor, he immediately e-
vacuated the Palace, contrary to Cuſtom; as being almoſt certain, that he
muſt now bid Adieu to his dear Algiers, for ever.
And accordingly, he
made all poſſible Expedition for his Departure. He frankly made over to
the new Biafha, and his Succeffors, in perpetuum, the Propriety of the fine
Bagnio he built at Algiers ; beſides which he left the Public a great Num-
* Me ning the Caſtle S. Angels, or, perhaps, the Town, named Il Borgo
y Look back to P. 438.
ber
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
475
ber of Chriſtians, his own Slaves, among whom were many good Artiſts in
ſeveral uſeful Faculties: All which was his free Gift. He likewiſe left
behind him the King of Cucco's Daughter, his Spouſe, together with the
young Son ſhe bore him ; which Lady, and her Son, lived at Algiers,
many years after this, in great Honour and Reputation. Haſan Baſha
died at Conſtantinople in 1970, after a peaceable Enjoyment of his great
Wealth, and was interred under the famne Dome with his Father, the re-
nowned Heyradin Barba-roſa. When Haſan Baſha took this his final Leave
of Algiers, where he had governed ſince September 1562, he was. in his fifty
firſt Year. He was middle-lized and very corpulent; inſomuch that he
uled many unſucceſsful Endeavours to bring down his Fat. His Conplex-
ion was extremely clear, his Eyes large, with Beard and Eye-brows Jet-
black, but, like his Father's, very thick and buſhy. He had a moſt
graceful and agreeable Liſp with his Tongue, and ſpoke divers Languages
to great Perfection, more particularly the Spaniſh, in which he was not to be
diſtinguiſhed from a natural Spaniard. He was of a moſt generous and
courteous Diſpoſition, and always inclined to advance his Domeſtics : In-
ſomuch, adds Haedo my Author, that moſt of the principal Al-Gaids, as
well Renegadoes as others, owe their Fortunes to his Bounty; as having been
his Servants panna Beſides that Son he had by the King of Cucco's Daugh-
ter, he had another much elder, named Mahamed Bey, by a beautiful Re-
negada cf Gorfica. This young Gentleman, preſently after the Death of
Dragut. Rais?, eſpouſed that great Man's only Daughter and Heireſs. And,
in 1571, when Don Juan de Auſtria attacked Navarin, in the Morea, this
Mahamed Bey, as he was making off, in a large Galley of his own, was pur-
ſued, overtaken and intercepted by the Marquiſs De Santa Cruz, General
of the Neapolitan Gallics : And as, on Account of his cruel Diſpoſition,
he was mortally deteſted by all his Slaves, juſt as they found the Marquis
was ready to clap them on board, thy fell upon that their Tyrant, and had
actually torn him Piece-mcal before the Captors could poſibly prevent ſuch
a Piece of Inhumanity. As it no where appears that he left any iſſue, we
may preſume that, in him, the Family of the Barba-roſſas became extinct.
Among F. Haedo's. Martyrs are to be met with matiy notable, in-
tervening Occurrences, the which (at leaſt large Extracts of them) we, on
fecond Thoughts, reſerve for another Place, where they may be introduced
2 Either Haedo, who ſays.this, or. L'Abbè de Vertot, who gives it a quite different Turn, muſt
be in the wrong. Look back to P. 432.
Рpp2
apart:
-3
176
The HISTORY OF ALGIERS.
apart: A Metlrod reſolved on purely to avoid a too great Interruption, org
as we may ſay, Intanglement of the Thread of our Hiſtory.
€
SES
CH A P. XII.
BASHA XV, XVI. MAHAMED BASHA, Son of SAL-
HA RAIS.
ALI BASHA, FARTAs, vulgarly.
called OCHALI: A Renegado of CALABRIA.
An. Dom. 1567.
N Account of his Father's Merit, and his own good Character,
Mabamed Baſha was very well received at Algiers. He found the
Country labouring under great Scarcity of Bread ; yet, by his prudent
Management, Matters went better than could be expected, He was re-
markable for his ſtrict Juſtice, whereby he freed the Roads from the Swarms
of Robbers, who uſed grievouſly to infeſt thoſe Quarters. For ſome Time
after his Acceſfion, ſcarce a Day paſſed without ſome Execution. One
Morning as he was looking from the Turret of his Palace, perceiving
the Wall, over which the Malefactors uſed to hang, to be quite empty,
he ſaid to thoſe with him, “ What is the Meaning of this ! Has not my
& Wall yet Breakfaſted?” Being told, that none had been convicted; and
that there was but one poor Wretch in the Priſon; he inſtantly ordered him
for Execution. However, this Rigour had the deſired Effect. He was
a great Lover of Dogs and Hawks, and bred many, with which he uſed
to hunt in the Neighbourhood of Algiers; in which Particular few of the
Algerine Turks are much to be noted; tho they are great Shooters. The
only Expedition he made abroad was to quell an Inſurrection at Coſtantina,
the Capital City of the Eaſtern Province. The Turkiſh Governor having
attempted to force away a young Damſel from her Parents, the People
roſe and expelled the Garriſon; ſome of the Turks being killed in the
Scufile. He entered the City as an Enemy, and all the Inhabitants that
came
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
477
came into his Hands were ſold as Slaves to ſuch as would purchaſe. This
Proceeding afterwards coſt him his Government, as will appear anon. Tho'
this briſk Bama had not any farther Occaſion of exerciſing his martial
Genius, yet he may be termed one of thoſe to whom the Algerines are
moſt obliged; and had he continued longer among them, their Obligati-
ons to him would, very probably, have been ſtill greater. It was he who
reconciled the a Janiſaries and Levants, effectually incorporating thoſe
two ever-jarring Bodies. He was, likewiſe, the firſt Baſha, who ſeemed
cordially diſpoſed to render Algiers impregnable. The Caſtle, on a Hill,
about soo Paces from the Al-Cafabba, or Citadel, in the uppermoſt and
moſt Southern Part of the City, as may be farther explained in the Topo-
graphy, goes by his Name, as being intirely his own Work: The Buil.
der was a Sicilian Renegado, who had been an Ingenier at the Goletta.
His Adminiſtration had like to have been remarkably unfortunate to the Al-
gerines, by the total Deſtruction of all their Cruiſers. The Affair was this:
- A bold and expert Mariner, a moft excellent Pilot, whoſe Name
was Juan Gaſcon, and whoſe Abode was near Valencia, in Spain, at a ſmall
maritime Place called El Garao, deſirous of Honour and Recompence, rea'
paired to his Catholic Majeſty Philip H, aſſuring him, that he would un-
dertake to fire cvery one of the Algerine Corfairs in their Port. This
Offer was well reliſhed by King and Council: And the Vice-Roy of Da.
lencia had Orders to furniſh this Adventurer with whatever he ſhould re. -
quire; which conſiſted of no greater a Force than two Brigantines, one
of fourteen, the other of fifteen Banks. Theſe are a ſmaller Sort of Ga--
leots. With theſe Brigantines, in excellent Order, manned with ſtout
Rowers and other uſeful Hands, all of his own chuſing, together with
good Store of Fire-Works, the adventurous Valencian ſet out on his
daring Enterpriſe. He had rightly judged his Time, which was early in
Oktober, when, generally, the Weather thereabouts begins to grow ſtor-
my. His laſt ſetting out was from Mayorca; the Vice-Roy of which Ilo:
land had, alſo, Orders to affiſt him in whatever he ſhould demand. The
Seaſon of the Year, not very fit for Gallies to be at Sea, added to the
general Ceſſation of Complaints, for ſeveral Days paſt, ſtrongly confirmed
this Adventurer in his Opinion, that he ſhould catch them all napping:
Yet he was deſirous of ocular Demonſtration, and ventured near enough
i
1
Look back to P. 3873
even
478
The HISTÓRY, of. ALGIER.Š.
£ven at noon Day, to diſcover the Port crouded with Gallies, Galeots and
Brigantines, moſt of them unrigged. This he might do without much
Danger of being diſtinguiſhed, at that Dittance, in thoſe ſnug Boats, with
their Sails furled. Having made it ſo much his Buſineſs to inform himſelf
of the State and Nature of that Port, he ſo contrived it, that juſt about
Mid-Night, when it might be ſuppoſed that thoſe Moors, who are quar-
tered here and there at the Marine, and on board the Veſſels, were in
their firſt Sleep (for they are none of the ſtrictett People in their Diſci-
pline) he arrived at the foot of the Mole-Head, where now ſtands the
Caſtle of the Fanar, or Lantern. Every thing fell out as he could have defi-
red, they being all in to deep a Sleep, even the Dogs, that his Men had
Time and Opportunity to get even on board all the Veſſels, where they
began amain to apply their Fire-Works. But they who mixed up
thoſe Compoſitions certainly deſerved as bad a Treatment as poor Juanz
Gaſcon afterwards met with; for they could not poſſibly make them take
any Effect. Juan Gaſcon (while his people were following his Di.
rections, to the utmoſt of their Power, though ſo very unſucceſsfully)
would needs put in Practice a uſeleſs yet perilous Bravado. Nothing would
ſerve him, but in order to give the Algerines ſome farther Cauſe to talk
of and remember him) he would go up to Beb-al-Zeira, or the City Gate
leading to the Mole, and there leave his Poniard ſticking. In the
great
Baſtion juſt over that Gate, there is a conſtant Garriſon of Turks; who
are not ſo very remiſs. However, he was reſolved: And he had the
Boldneſs to knock thrice very hard with the Pommel, and then to leave
it there faſt ſticking, as he intended. Tho' he had the good Fortune not
to be eſpied by any of the Turks, while he was ſo braving them, under
their very Noſes, lis Aſſociates could not ſo ſilently or imperceptibly buſtle
about, in their fruitleſs Endeavours, but that they rouzed ſome of thoſe
.drouſy Guards; Theſe inſtantly began amain to bawl out to the reft; who
anſwering from all Quarters, the Uproar was ſo great, that it ſoon alarm-
ed the Turks poſted in the adjacent Baſtions. Juan Gaſcon, to his utter
Mortification, finding the Alarm given before his Project had taken the
leaſt Effect, he poſted away from the Gate; where he had been employ-
ing himſelf as above-hinted, and encouraged his Men to beftir themſelves.
to ſome better Purpoſe. But all the Endeavours they could poſſibly put
in Practice proved wholly ineffectual. This ſtrange Deliverance ſeveral of
the moſt credulous among the Africans, &c, fail not to attribute to the
cfficacious
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
479
4
efficacious Protection of b Sidi Oulededda, who ſtood their Friend ſo power-
fully in 1541. At length, with Anguilh of Mind, perceiving nothing would
avail, and that the Place would ſoon be too hot to hold them, this daring Va-
lencian called all his people about him: And finding the Moors were got to-
gether and approaching to attack them, he drew his Sword and charged
the preſſing Guards ; when having brought down one of the foremoſt,
he retreated to his Brigantines, which preſently put off from the Shore,
rowing away with all Speed to avoid worſe Conſequences. Nor did thoſe
ſuccellels Adventurers abate their ſtrenuous Rowing till towards Noon,
the next Day; when being got about twenty Leagues on their way to
Valencia, they imagined themſelves paft all Danger, and lay-by upon their
Qars to take ſome Hours Reſpite. Their Conductor, being quite ſcanda-
lized at this unaccountable Miſcarriage, and, full of Shame and Reſent-
ment, began to feel the Pulſes of his Equipages ; whether they would
bear him Company, in caſe he would determine upon another Attempt ;
which, he intimated, he was ſtrongly inclined to undertake, in a few Days.
While the Matter was canvaſſing, they cſpied a Galeot making towards
them, with the utmoſt Fury and Diligence of Oars and Sails. As they
readily gueſſed right at the Affair, they began to ply their Oars as vigo-
rouſly as they had done before: And better would it have been for ſome
of them, more eſpecially their Principal, if, inſtead of ſtaying there to
debate, they had done ſo ſomewhat ſooner. The Caſe ſtood thus.
Tho' at that unſeaſonable Time of the Night, certain of the Baſha's Of.
ficers immediately repaired to the Palace; informing him of all that had
happened. Without Delay, he ſent for four Captains, whoſe Galeots were
not quite unrigged, ordering them ſtrictly to get ready that very Moment,
and with all poſſible Expedition to purſue thoſc Briaggrincs, taking cach
a different Courſe ; forbidding them, under the fevereſt Penalties ever to
preſume to appear in his Preſence, without bringing him ſome fatisfactory
Account of at leaſt one of them. Well provided with the very beſt
Rowers in all Algiers, and as much Sail as they could poſſibly croud ong
they were at Sea-in an Inſtant; cach taking a contrary. Way. The Cap-
tain who bent his Courſe North, was a Renegado Greek, named Delli Rais;
and, on Account of his Lameneſs, ſurnamed Topal. It was his Galeot
the Valencians eſpied; and notwithſtanding the Speed they made, they
u Vide V.cl. I. P. 323.
+
tro
1
-
6
480
CC
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
too ſoon perceived how much the Galcot gained upon their leſs-nimble
Brigantines : For the Galeot, ſays Haedo' my Author, glided along like
a Fiſh.” This furious Chaſe held for at leaſt eighty Miles: When
Juan Gaſcon's own Brigantine, being ſomewhat a-ſtern of its better-heel-
ed Conſort, was overtaken, and preſently forced to a Surrendry. Reſiſtance
would have becn vain, againſt ſuch diſproportionate Odds ; yet ſeveral of
the Chriſtians were wounded with the firſt Volley ſent among them by
their Attackers. The other luckily got clear away during that fhort
Scuffle. However, the Turks were excremely well ſatisfied with what
they had got; but abundantly more fo when, by ſome of their new Cap-
tives, they were informed that Juan Gaſcong the Captain and Contriver
of all, was in their poſſeſſion: A Perſon they rightly judged would be a
moſt welcome Gueſt to Mahamed Baſha, and many others, whom they
had left in a no ſmall Surpriſe at the Boldneſs of his Attempt. October 14,
1567, in the Morning, they preſented him, together with the reſt of his
Fellow-Priſoners, to the expecting Baſha. This Vice-Roy being deſirous
of making a notable Example of one who durſt imbark in ſuch an Affair,
he immediately ordered a - Gibbet to be erected at the very Place where
he landed, and that he ſhould be there hung on the Hook, by one Heel,
and in that inſufferable Torture remain till he expired: In order, as he
faid, to deter the Chriſtians from cver attempting any thing of a like Na-
ture. This Sentence was well reliſhed by many of the By-Standers, who
failed not to aggravate the Inſolence of the Undertaking: “ Which he
-66 carried, ſaid they, to ſuch a Pitch, that, not ſatisfied with firing our
“ Veſſels in the Port, under our Noſes, he muſt needs brave us at our
very Gate where he left us his Poniard, as a Token, that he fixed it
" there merely becauſe he could not ſtick it in our Hearts; all which,
" tho' he would deny, is confirmed by his own Companions.” So the cruel
Sentence was forth with put in Execution :. And as a farther Token of the
Baſha's Wrath, King Philip's Patent, or Commiſſion, was hung up with him,
faſtened to one of his Toes. Having continued in that Anguiſh, tho' very
patiently, for about an Hour, he was taken down and conveyed to the Beylic-
Bagnio, where the public Slaves are ſhut up, upon the following Motives.-
As there is ſeldom, among the Turks and other Mahometans, a Moment's In-
terval between Sentence and Execution, our Baſha's Miniſters of Juſtice
Look back to P. 391. where the Nature of that inhuman Invention is amply deſcribed.
I
had
The HISTORY OF ALGIER S.
481
:
CC
>
had got the condemned Criminal upon the Hook, before any, ex-
cept ſuch as chanced to be preſent, knew directly what was to be his
Fate. But when thoſe who daily uſed the Sea, found how the Matter
had been determined, upon a general Conſultation, the Chiefs of them
immediately repaired to the Palace, expreſſing to the Baſha an utter
Didlike of theſe his violent Proceedings. Of all thoſe Corſairs, none
ſtickled ſo vigorouſly as did Delli Rais, Topål, the Greek Renegado-Cap-
tain who brought in the Brigantine. Among other Arguments, in all
which the reſt failed not to back him, he repreſented to the Baſha, Thar,
among War-faring Men, nothing was more common than to uſe ones
66 utmoſt Endeavours, as well by Stratagem as Force, to do an Enemy
“ all poſſible Damage; on all which Accounts the Actors ought not to
< have inflicted on them any particular and extraordinary Chaſtiſement.com
“Do not we, continued he, daily and hourly do the' like, whenever it
is in our Power? In ſhort, my Lord, it behoves you not to ſet the
" Chriſtians ſuch Examples; left they retort them upon us, if it be our
cc Chance to fall into their Hands.” In this and ſuch-like Reaſonings he
perſiſted ſo firmly, that, tho' againſt his Inclination, Mahamed Baſha was
obliged to ſuffer the Corſairs to act as they pleaſed. Delli Rais, follow-
ed by all who had accompanied him to the Palace, and by many others
who approved of what he was about, limped away, as faſt as his lame
Ley would permit, and arriving at the Place of Execution, he inſtantly
cauſed the Sufferer to be unhooked, to the great Satisfaction of many, and
the Diſguſt of many others. At the Bagnio, he was much reſorted to, as
a Spectacle, by People of all Sorts and Perſuaſions, as well Enemies as
Friends; and ſeveral of the Chriſtians his Fellow-Captives, and particularly
a Spaniſh Surgeon, took great Care of his Recovery: But it was not his For
tune to come off at fo cheap a Rate. Two Days after, certain Moriſcoes,
or Spaniſh Moors, having eſcaped thither from Spain (as ſome of them
were almoſt daily doing in thoſe Days, the Inquiſition then perſecuting
thoſe People with the utmoſt Violence) informed the Baſa (whether
truly, or out of a Spirit of pure Miſchief and Revenge) that it was the
univerſal Notion and Diſcourſe of the Chriſtians of thoſe Parts from whence
they juſt came, “ That the Algerines durſt not hurt a Hair of Juan Gaf-
" con's Beard, leſt the Spaniſh Armada ſhould blow their Town to the
66 Bottom of the Sea." With more ſuch-like Rhodomantades. The Baſha
too readily ſwallowing theſe malicious Inſinuations, and wanting not Inſtiga-
VOL. II.
Q q ૧
tors
4.82
The HISTORY of A LGIERS.
!!
tors at his Elbow, in a terrible Fury commanded his Satellites to return
the unhappy Valencian to the Torture front which he hath fo lately
been taken, and ſeemingly delivered. Enough were at Hand to fly upon
fuch Errands; even had not the Tyrant's Orders been ſo poſitive and
expreſs, or his Power ſo deſporic. Reſolving to make ſure Work of it,
and rather extenuate this Offender's Torments than hazard a fecond ef-
fectual Intercellion in his Behalf, inſtead of fixing him purpoſely on the
Hook ſo as he might feel himſelf die, as was before practiſed, they hoiſted
him up by a Pulley, and let him fall, from aloft, upon the menacing
Chingan, or Hook, which (fortunately for him under that deplorable Cir-
cumſtance) took him in the Belly ; by which mortal Stroke he was in-
ftantly put out of Pain; ſince, without uttering a Word, or even a Groan,
hc forthwith expired.. Nor ſtopped the Baba's Fury there : For he ab-
folutely forbad any to offer to remove the Body; buč it remained in ter-
rorem, many Days; till, being partly waſted, ſome Chriſtian Slaves ven-
tured to ſteal away the Remnants, which they privately buried, in the
Chriſtians Burial-Place, without the Weſtern Gare, called Beb-al-Wegd.
The unfortunate Juan Gaſcon is one of F. Haedo's Martyrs.
More to give a Taſte of the vindi&tive Spirit of the perſecuted Mo-
riſcoes (whom, all things conſidered, were not ſo vehemently to be blamed
for it) than for any other Rcafon, we will take Notice of another of
this Author's Martyrs, whoſe Tragedy was acted under this Baha's Ad-
miniſtration.—But thoſe Spaniſha Moors have been long ſince reſtrained,
by the Turks, from putting, fo openly, in Practice the Dictates of their
implacable Diſpoſition towards the whole Spaniſh Nation, more particu-
larly the Ecclefiaftics, their moſt zealous Perfecutors : The Turks of
Algiers, cſpecially of late Years, thinking it nor ſo reaſonable, that the
Innocent ſhould ſuffer for the Guilty.---The Story runs thus.
Early in Auguſt, 1568. a Frigata, or Brigantine, belonging to Sherſkel,
going out upon the Cruiſe, pụt aſhore in the Bay of Almeria, and brought
off ſeveral Chriſtians, and among them a ſtout Soldier, an Inhabitant of
that City, named Juan de Molina. It has been obſerved, d that thoſe of
Sherſhet are generally natural Moriſcoes. In a very few Days the Frigata
returned home, with what Booty thoſe Adventurers had made; and, as
uſual, was foon viſited by ſuch as were led by their Curioſity. Upon In-
& Vide Vol. I. in the Life of the Barba-roſas.
quiry,
The HISTORY of ALGIERS,
483
quiry, from what Part of the Spaniſh Coalt thoſe new Captives were
brought, a certain Moriſco of Sherſhel, among the reſt, hearing that Juan
de Molina was both a Native and Inhabitant of Almeria, aſked him, if he
could tell him directly what was become of a near Relation of his, who
was made Slave, about three Years before, by the Patrolling Guards of
Almeria; naming and deſcribing the Perſon. The Story of that Moor
was this. He was a Native of Granada, and, having eſcaped from the
Tyranny of the Inquiſitors, ſettled at Sherſel, as many others of his Rc-
lacives and Compatriots had done. As the Moriſcoes had no very great
Reaſon to bear the Spaniards any very extraordinary good Will, they con-
tinually conducted the Barbary Corſairs to the Spaniſh Coaſts, with which,
as Natives, they were ſo well acquainted, carrying off the Contents of
whole Villages. Upon ſuch an Errand, in a Brigantine of Sherfbel, went
the Moor in Queſtion; and, landing, with a few others, at Cape De
Gata, eleven or twelve Miles from Almeria, they lay lurking in a much,
frequented Road, in hopes of ſurpriſing unwary Paſſengers
. A Party of
Guards, from that City, being there poſted purpoſely, they were all taken
except two, who, by their Agility, regained the Brigantine. This Juan
de Molina was one of thoſe Soldiers : And, upon being ſo interrogated,
unadviſedly told the Inquirer, “ That he knew the Perſon he mentioned
very well; having been himſelf one of thoſe who took him Priſoner.
“ That, being conducted by them to Almeria, he was preſently known
" by many Chriſtians and Mariſcoes of that Place, who had Dealings with
« him in Granada, before his Flight to Barbary, which was about ſix
66 Years ſince. Of this the Corrigidor having Information, he ſent for
“ him ; and, upon Examination, it appeared, that he, one Night, mur-
“ dered his Wife, by whom he had Children, on Account of ſome Suſ-
66 picion he had conceived of her Conduct, and after the Fact made his
“ Eſcape. He was thereupon (added the too loquacious Spaniard,) ſent
away in Irons to Granada, where the Crime being plainly proved
" againſt him, by his Proſecutors, the poor butchered Woman's Relati-
ons, he was ſentenced to the Gibbet, and accordingly executed: Tho',
" (continued he, ſtill more inconſiderately) he deſerved a different Sort
« of Death, for having Apoftatized from the Holy:Chriſtian Faith, and
;
Vol. II.
* Read the Caje of the Moriſcoes, or Spanifiy M90s, in my Mulsometi in Explained,
Q992
6 acting
NE
484
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
" acting as a Spy and a Guide to the Barbary Pyrates. ". [Wiſe Dif-
courſes for one in his Circumſtances !] This fired the whole Audience of
Sherſhelians; more particularly the Relatives and Intimates of the faid
Defunct, whoſe Numbers were then conſiderably increaſed. The Rela-
tion ſtruck them to the Heart ; nor could they look on the imprudent
Relater as any other than a principal Agent in their Friend's Misfortune :
And accordingly they meditated Revenge; but diſſembled for the preſent.
After a few Hours Continuance at Sherſhel, the Brigantine ſet out for
Algiers, about twenty Leagues to the Eaſt, in order there to diſpoſe of
the new Slaves. Thither, alſo, repaired two of thoſe Moriſcoes, by
Land; with a View of putting in Execution their already-concerted De-
ſigns, which, at their Arrival at that Capital, they failed not communi-
cating to the Moriſcoes there ſojourning; among whom, as mortal Ha-
ters of all Chriſtians, cſpecially the Spaniards, they met with all the En-
couragement could be deſired. Accoſting the Rais, or Captain of the
Brigantine, they agreed with him for the Price of Juan de Molina, and,
giving Earneſt, took him away to the Houſe of a certain Tagarine, or
Moriſco of Algiers, where they ſhut him up, loaded with Chains, not
permitting him the sight of any Chriftian. Next Morning, about a
Dozen of their Chiefs, taking with them the two Sherſhelians, went to
the Baſsa, to whom they related the Caſe, with the following Aggrava-
tions: “ That the Moriſcoes of Spain were ſo tyrannically treated, that
" they were not only, forcibly compelled to turn Chriſtians, but if
6 of thoſe forced Profelytes, for his Soul's Safety, endeavoured to eſcape
" to a Muſulman Country, in order to profeſs his Creed in Security, if
o caught, they put him to the crueleſt Death, as had lately been the
" Fate of an innocent Perſon, a Kinſman of thoſe two worthy Sherſhe-
“ lians, whom they had executed moſt barbarouſly at Granada, to deter
" others of that perſecuted Nation from the like Attempts.
So well
they knew how to tell their Story, and to repreſent Matters in ſuch
Colours that Mahamed Baſhe ſeemed greatly incenſed; which was juſt
what the miſchievous Moors aimed at. Then their Spokeſman purſued
the Point, in ſuch Terms: “ Your Excellency mult farther know, that
“ a Brigantinc of Sherſhel; juſt come from Cruire has brought a Spa-
" niard, who confeſſes himſelf, to have been actually at the apprehending
“ of the ſaid innocent Man, and that he was the chief Inſtrument of his
“ Death: We therefore ſupplicate your Highneſs's Permiſſion, in order
any
4
to
The HISTORY of ALGIER S.
485
41
66 to terrify the Chrißians from ſuch Barbarities, that we may revenge
* that our Friend's Blood by burning alive this his Murderer, according to
« his Demerits.” In the Diſpoſition Mabamed Baſha then was, and who
took all for granted, he needed not much farther Intreaty: So he told
them, they were at Liberty to do as they judged requiſite ; and they de-
parted, well ſatisfied. The Mobility of Algiers are like thoſe of other
Parts of the World; generally ſpeaking, Lovers of Miſchief. One can-
not becter deſcribe the Motion that whole Town is in, at the burn-
ing, or otherwiſe executing a Chriſtian, or a Jew, than by comparing is
to the Hubbub we here ſee on Execution-Days, or what is to be ſeen in
Spain and Portugal, at the Autos de Fé, or the Goal-Delivery of the In-
quiſition, when thoſe pious Fathers deliver up to the Secular Arm their
Convict Heretics, to be Roaſted alive; for it cannot be called Burning :
Yet thoſe Hypocrites, with Tears, ſupplicate the Judges to treat them
mercifully. As for thoſe zealous Moriſcoes, who were ſo bent upon re-
venging their Kinſman’s Blood upon this partly innocent, yet intirely in-
diſcreet Spaniard, they were not altogether ſo blinded with their Zeal for
the Prophet's Cauſe (as they call thole Affairs) or with Deſire of Venge-
ance, but that their Eyes were open enough to their Intereſt. So they
concluded not to make immediate Uſe of the Licenſe granted them by
the Baſha; but, in order to keep as much of their Money in their Purſes
as poſlible, to raiſe what Contributions they could from well-diſpoſed
People: Otherwiſe their Paſtime was likely to prove ſomewhat expen-
ſive. The Method they took to re-imburſe themſelves, was this. On
the ſucceeding Friday, which is well known to be the Mabometan Saba
bath, the intended Victim was brought forth, as in Proceſſion, his Mouth
gagged and Hands bound behind. Beforc him marched four grave Perſonages,
Moriſcoes, with Diſhes in their Hands, and behind him ſeveral others, as
Guards : Nor wanted they numerous Attendants. In this folemn Order, they
repaired to the Moſques, juſt at the Concluſion of Mid-Day Service, begging
Alms of the ſeveral Congregations, as they came out: The Words uſed in
this their pious Employment, were; “ For God's Sake, beſtow ſomething
“ towards purchaſing this Dog of a Chriſtian, whom we are going to
" burn alive." And, the farther to excite their Charity, they failed not
to repreſent the poor deſtined Sacrifice as a moſt inhuman Murderer, who
had imbrued his impious Hands in the innocent Blood of one of their
Brethren, whoſe only Crime was the having endeavoured to make his Er-
cape
486
The HISTORY of ALGIER S.
IH
cape thither, with the View of ſerving God and the Prophet unmoleſt-
ed: All which the unhappy Wretch had the Mortification to hear (for
the Moriſcoes then all talked Spaniſh among themſelves; as they ſtill do in
feveral ſmall Towns, in the Kingdom of Tunis, where they co-habit un-
mixed) without being able to juſtify himſelf, by Reaſon of the Gag
Here, and indeed all over, F. Haedo preaches very fervently over his
Martyr; which is not ſo much to our Purpoſe. The poor Man's Caſe
was, in Reality, very lamentable: But the Spaniards ſhould not have ſet
ſuch Examples. Whether the Sherſelians Avarice was greater than the
Charity of the Algerines, is not declared; but certain it is, that poor
Şuan de Molina was ſo led in Proceſſion for ſeveral Days, and underwent
unſpeakable Indignities and Inſults from the infolent Populace: And his
Conductors ſcrupled not to complain of the Peoples Want of true Zeal
for the Cauſe; “ Since they had walked many a weary Step before they
" could collect much more than would pay for the Wood, which was
" to be emploied in burning that Infidel." [Tho' upon ſome ſuch
Occaſions, particularly if it is a few who is to undergo the fiery Trial,
I
my
ſelf have ſeen the Houſe-Keepers, Women eſpecially, moſt offici-
ouſly throwing out their Billets, upon the firſt Call of « Oud Lillah!"
i. e. « A Stick of Wood, for the LORD's Sake!”]
My Author here again preaches very much. He, likewiſe, affirms ſome
Renegadoes to have ſignalized their Zeal in this Affair, in order to be
thought well of.-
.-Likely enough. - Auguſt 20. The Directors of this
Tragedy having now got all they could, they determined this Day to feaſt
their Spectator's Eyes with the Sacrifice for which they were impatiently
waiting: And, indeed, the Caſe had been ſo villanouſly and maliciouſly
repreſented, that the miſerable Spaniard (who, for his once having ſpoken
too freely, was now denied even to ſpeak a Syllable in his own Juſtifica-
tion) met with very Pity. A prodigious Quantity of Wood having been
conveyed to the Marine, near the Caſtle of the Fanar, or Lantern, upon
the ſmall Iſland which now forms the Head of the Mole,) and laid in
Order, the Victim was conducted thither, about three in the After-Noon;
followed by a vaſt Concourſe of People. To cut ſhort (for Haedo makes
a very long Story of it) being ried Hands and Feet with a ſtrong new
Cord, he was hoiſted up by fix luſty Moors, and caſt violently, with all
his Cloaths on, from above, into the raging Pile, which inſtantly pırt an
End to his Sufferings. The Fire continued burning great Part of the
Night,
2
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
487
Night, and ſo conſumed this Martyr, that my Author ſeems dubious,
whether the Chriſtians could get any of his Relicts.
This Relation may ſerve to give an Idea of the State of Affairs between
the Moriſcoes of thoſe Times, and their Perſecutors the Spaniards; as,
likewiſe, of fome Part of the Diſpoſition of this Baſha. About forty
two Years after happened the general Expulſion of thoſe Spaniſh Moors,
concerning which memorable Revolution, ſo evidently pernicious to
Spain, I have created ſomewhat particularly in my Mahometiſm Explained,
VOL. II. Barbary ſtill ſwarms with their Off-ſpring; as may be farther
obſerved, who ſtill remember the Injuries done to their Fore-Fathers, and
fail not to retort thein, as Occaſion offers. But, as has been ſaid, none
of theſe public Executions are now allowed of by the Turks. Yet, the
Spaniſh Slaves greatly dread falling into the Hands of a Tagarine, or Mo-
riſco Patron ; they being, generally, the worſt Maſters they can have, on
Account of thoſe old Grudges : And, in particular, Woe to the Prieſt,
Monk or Frier, whoſe unpropitious Stars happen to throw him into their
avenging Clutches. For, tho' few of thoſe Dealers in Human Fleſh love
their Money foʻlittle as to touch the Lives of their Slaves, who are ge-
nerally the main Bulk of their Ettates, yet a Spaniſh Eccleſiaſtic needs no
farther Purgatory, for the Expiation of his Back-ſlidings, than once to
have entered a Tagarine's Dungeon. Not that this Rule is ſo very general,
as to be wholly exceptionleſs; ſome of the Moriſcoes treating their Captives
tolerably.--But the ſevereſt Part of this unhappy Spaniard's Martyrdom muſt
needs have been that unaccountable Proceflioning him, amidſt Throngs
of execrating Perſecutors, moſt of whom ſeemed to take a Pleaſure in
contributing their Mites towards ſending him out of the World, in the
crueleſt Manner they could invent (for ſo he might juſtly have ſuggeſted)
with the deteſtable Character of a Murderer ; and all this with the
great-
cít Formality, and as a Deed moſt meritorious. For, as to his ultimate
Sufferings, he certainly came off abundantly better than ſome other Span
niards, chiefly Prieſts, had done upon ſuch like Occaſions, according to
this and other Spaniſh Writers; who were actually roaſted alive, in the
following Inquiſition-like Manner. Viz. The Anchor of a Galley, with-
out the traverſe Timber, being ſo fixed in the Ground, with the Flooks
downward, that the erect Body of it formed an Iron Srake: The Convict
was faſtened thereto by a Chain round his Middle; but at ſuch Diſtance,
that he might walk round the Scake as he pleaſed with a Circle of
Fewel,
488
The HISTORY OF ALGIERS.
Fewel, moſtly green Wood, ſeven, eight, nine, or more Feet in Diame.
ter, ready laid to be ſet on a Blaze, the deſtined Victim ſtood ſurrounded.
Nor did thoſe exquiſitc Torturers, the Moriſcoes (for theſe were always
their Doings) omit previouſly either to wet his Garments ſufficiently, in or-
der to prolong his Sufferings, or to place Pitchers (full of Water within
his Reach for him to aſſuage the raging Thirſt he was ſoon to un-
dergo.Thus I have been aſſured they formerly ſerved certain Eccle-
ſiaſtics, and others, whom they had purpoſely ſpirited away out of Spain,
as knowing them to be Spies and Informers to the Inquiſitors, and have
cauſed them to be many Hours under that languiſhing and diabolical
Manner of feeling themſelves dic, as we may fay, by Inches. Thoſc
odious Vermin are but too numerous throughout Spain and Portugal, where
they are known by the Name of Familiares. If any thing can render
the Moriſcoes excuſable in acting with ſuch more than ſavage Barbarity, it
is the plea they had always in their Mouths, that they did it only in ter-
rorem, and by Way of Retaliation.-But to have done with this ſhock-
ing Theme, for the preſent, we return to Mahamed Baſha.
Some of the Citizens of Coſtantina having found Means to lay their
Complaints before the Ottoman Emperor, that Monarch, who allowed
no ſuch Tyranny in his Subſtitutes, immediately named that notable
Corſair Ochali to ſucceed the offending Baſha : And, early in the ſuc-
ceeding March, he arrived at Algiers.
This Mahamed Baja governed only fourteen Months. When he left
this Government, he was in his thirty fifth Year. He was middle-lized,
neither fat nor lean, of a clear Complexion, fomcwhat ſquinting, and
very black-haired. In 1571, when Don Juan de Auſtria routed the
Ottoman Fleet, this Baſsa was captivated, and, with ſeveral other prin-
cipal Turkiſh Officers, ſent to Rome, as a Preſent to Pope Pius V. They
were afterwards exchanged for certain Chriſtian Cavaliers, who were made
Priſoners at the taking of the Goletta.
ALI
The. HISTORY of ALGIER S.
489
ALI BASHA FARTAs: Vulgarly called OCHALI.
!
A.D. 1508. It was in the Beginning of March, this Year, as is above
obſerved, that Ali Baſha arrived at Algiers, commiſſioned from the Sultan
to ſucceed in that Government the Son of Salba Rais, againſt whom the
People of Coſtantina had complained. Hiſtory produces very few Exam-
ples of a Man's making ſo remarkable a Figure in the World, from Be-
ginnings ſo very mean and abject, as did this famous Renegado. He was
born a Subject to his Catholic Majeſty; being a Native of a miſerable
Village, named Licaftelli, in Calabria, a Province of the Kingdom of
Naples. His Birth was ſo obſcure, that even his Cbriſtian Name is not
known; and during his Slavery, he was never called by any other Name
than Fartas, which in Arabic is the ſame as the Spaniſh Word Tihoſo,
ſignifying one who is ſcald-headed. He was utterly illiterate; and had
ńcver followed any Employ, but that of a Fiſher, or rowing in a Wherry,
till he was captivated by the Admiral of Algiers, who was a Renegado
Greek; named Ali Ahamed, who held that Poſt ſeveral »Years. His new
Patron, finding him to be a ſturdy, robuſt Youth, and, from his Infancy,
inured to the Salt-Water, chained him to one of the foremoſt Oars, in
his own Galley, where he long, continued. The natural Squalidity of his
Aſpect, being always ſwarming with Vermin, and full of Mange and
Scabs, occaſioned him to be much deſpiſed by all, and even by his Fel-
low-Slaves, who never would either Meſs, or Row with him on the
fame Bank, except by Compulſion. Having endured all thoſe Hardſhips
for ſome Years, he at length became a Muſulman, purely to have the Op-
portunity of retaliating ia Blow given him by a certain Levent, or Sol-
dier, aboard the Galley.17 Being thus frced from the Oar, tho' not from
his Patron's Service; that Admiral obſerving his Alertneſs and Capacity
as a. Mariner; ſoon made him his chief Boatſwain. In this Employ, it
was not long before the picked up good Store of Ducats, wherewith
he purchaſed Part of a Brigantine. Cruiſing about in that ſmall Veſſel,
he played his Part ſo effectually, that in a few Months he became not
only Rais, or. Captain, but fole Proprietor of a ſmart Galeot, in which
his Exploits got him the Character of one of the boldeſt and moſt expert
Corſairs in all Barbary. Soon after, being offered good Encouragement
by Dragut Rais, who then refided chiefly at Herba, he entered into his Scr-
VOL. II.
Rrr
vice,
1
490
The HISTORY OF ALGIERS.
vice, and was by that great Corſair held in particular Eftcem. When, in
1560, the too obſtinate Duke of Medina-Celi, Vice-Roy of Sicily, un-
dertook the Conqueſt of that Illand, Dragut (before the Arrival of the
Chriſtian Armada, which he knew was preparing to come againſt him)
ſent this Ochali to Conſtantinople, to demand Aſſiſtance. The Word
Ochali is no other than our Europeana Corruption from Alouje-Ali, which
the Turks had previouſly corrupted from Ali-al-Ulj, or Ali the Renegado,
as ſuch of the Moors and Arabs as had more Manners than to uſe the op-
probrious Appellation Fartas, were wont to call him, after 'he embraced
their Belief: This once for all, as to the Name of this noted Man, whom
we ſhall call Ali Rais, till we come to his Adminiſtration as Vice-Roy of
Algiers, and next ás Captain-Bajha; when his properer Title will be Ali
Bama. This Ali Rais ſo well played his Cards at the Porte, that Saltan
Suliman readily ſent his 'Grand Admiral, Piali Baſha, with 100 Royal
Gallies, to protect his Favourite Dragut and his Acquiſitions. When the
Turkiſh Fleet came within twenty Milos of Jerba, the Captain-Baha's
Hcart ſeemed to fail him, and he expreſſed ſome Unwillingneſs to actack
the Chriſtian Armada. It is even reported that he would actually have
retired, had he not been reſolutely diſſuaded and ſtrongly animated by the
courageous Calabrian.
Calabrian. The Reſult of the Engagement was the' utter
Defeat of the Chriſtians; almoſt all their Gallies being either taken or de-
Itroyed. The unadviſed Duke, and Gio Andria. D’Oriá; the Chriſtian
Admiral, themſelves had a very: narrow Eſcapes: The Land Army-was,
likewiſe, deſtroyed, the Fort coken and demoliſhed, with the Captivity
of more than 10000 Spaniards, among whom were General Don Alvaro
de Sande, Don Gafton de la Cerda, the Duke's Son, Don Berenguer, Ge-
neral of the Sicilian Gallies, and Don Sancho de Leyva, General of thoſe
of Naples, with a great Number of other Perſons of Diſtinction, and in-
ferior Officers; beſides the dain, who were ſeveral thouſands:'r Ali Rais
had ſo great a Share in this ſignal Victory, thác: it wonderfully inhanced
his Fame and Reputation. Piali Baba, in particulary dearly loved him
ever after ; never failing upon all Occaſions, to give him the moſt con-
vincing Proofs of his extraordinary Friendſhip and Affection. In 1FOSS
he accompanied Dragøt to the Siege of Malta, and highly ſignalized him,
felf. At that brave Man's Deceaſe; his Friend and Patron, the Captain-
Baſha, named him for Dragut's Succeſſor in the Vice-Royalty of Tripoly,
and got his Commiſſion afterwards confirmed by the Sultan. Upon this
Accounts
1
2
The-HISTORY of ALGIERS,
491
Account, our new Vice-Roy departed, from Malta, for Tripoly, with three
Galeots; taking with him the Corpſe of his late Benefactor Dragut, in
order to its Interment in the Place Dragut himſelf had aſſigned. He there
took Poſfellion of all the Gallies, Slaves, Treaſure, and other Effects of
that his: Predeceſſor ; and, thro' Piali Baſha's. Intereſt, continued to enjoy
the ſame as his own rightful Property. He governed Tripoly very ſuc-
ceſsfully for about two Years and a half, increaſing not only in Wealth,
but alſo in Renown, on Account of the calamitous Depredations he was
continually making upon the Chriſtians throughout the Mediterranean,
more particularly on the Coaſts of Sicily, Calabria and Naples. In Re-
turn for the many Obligations he had to the Captain-Baſha, he was daily
fending him rare and valuable Preſents: And that grateful, generous Ad-
miral, upon the Complaints brought to Court againſt Mahamed Baſha,
uſed all his Intereſt to get the honourable Vice-Royalty of Algiers for
this his Favourite. ;' at which Place he arrived, as has been obſerved,
early in March, 1568, in a Capacity very different from that in which he
appeared at his firſt being brought thither.
The War againſt the revolted Moriſcoes, in the Kingdom of Granada,
was then at the hotteſt. Thoſe People being ſorely preſſed, fent carneſt
Supplications to Ali Baſha, for Aſſiſtance againſt the Spaniards their Per-
ſecutors. This Bajna, cho' he gave Licence to all who would
venturers, at their own Expences, would never ſend them. any Succours
as from himſelf;. ſtill-alledging: “ That it more concerned him to defend
« well his own Statc, than to interfere with the Affairs of others.” Nay,
when many of the Algerines, more particularly the Moriſcoes ſettled at
Algiers, had, imbarked a great Quantity of Arms, &c. in order to tranſ-
port them over to the Andaluſian Coaſt, to ſell them to the Revolters,
he ſeized them all;- ſaying::. He would never ſuffer the Exportation of
what was ſo neceſſary, for the Defenſe of his own Dominion.” But
being greatly importuned by tlioſe his Tagarine Subjects, he at length con-
ſented, " That all ſuch as had two of a Sort, as Muſkets, Swords, or
5 other Weapons, might, if they thought fit, ſend over one of them,
as provided they did it gratis, and purely for the Cauſe-Sake; but he would
“ never, he ſaid, allow any of them to ſtrip themſelves of their Arms
4 for Lucre."
Hc farther ordered ſuch their Oblations to be brought
to a certain Moſque, with a Deſign of being an Eyc-Witneſs of what
that his Licence would producc: And the Quantity there amaſſed was ſo
Rrr 2
unexpectedly
2
go as Ad-
492
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
--
1
។
unexpectedly prodigious, that he was quite aſtoniſhed at the Zeal and Li-
berality of the Moriſcoes. However, having firſt fent away to the City-
Magazine what Part of thoſe Arms he thought proper, he permitted the
Remnant to be imbarked. This fame Year, Ali Baſha laid the Founda-
tion of Beb-al-Weyd Caſtle, of which Fortreſs ſome Account ſhall be
given in the Topography.
A. D. 1569. The ſecond Year of his Adminiſtration, he augmented
the Ottoman Empire by the Reduction of the whole Realm of Tunis.
Concerning that Expedition, take theſe few Particulars.-Hamida, the
unnatural Rebel Son of Mulei Haſſan, King of Tunis, under the King of
Spain's Protection, ſtill tyrannized over that Kingdom. : The Goletta was
in abſolute Poſſeſſion of the Spaniards. Cairouan, an inland City, 'had a
King of its own, a reputed Santon. And as for moſt of the maritime
Towns, they were ſometimes poſſeſſed by the Turkiſh Corſairs, other times
by the Chriſtians; and by Intervals independent. The Tyrant Hamida
never ceaſing his inſufferable Tyranny, the oppreſled Tuniſines, particu-
larly the Nobility, grievouſly inſulted and abuſed, both in Perſon and
Eſtate, not only by the Uſurper himſelf, but by the vileft of his unwor-
thy Satellites, applied to the new Baſa of Algiers, with whom ſeveral
of their Chiefs were perſonally acquainted : Nor were any of them
Strangers to his Character and enterpriſing Diſpoſition. The principal
Managers of this Nogociation were three; Al-Gaid Aben Jibadra, Gene-
ral of the Cavalry (who bore Hamida a mortal Grudge, tho' he artfully
diſſembled) and two other great Officers. Ali Baſha making no Haſte in
this Affair, at the Beginning of the Year, they again wrote in more prer-
ſing Terms; making him a formal Tender of the Sovereignty of the
whole Realm, to be poſſeſſed by him in the Name of the Ottoman Emperor.
Theſc Offers brought the ambitious Calabrian to a Determination. Commit-
ring the Adminiſtration to the Care of Memmi Corſo, his Favourite Renegado,
he ſet out with only sooo Türks and Renegadoes from Algiers; but in the Way
was joined by about 6000 Mountain-Cavalry, ſent by the Princes of Guccoy
Beni- Abbas, and other Sheikhs. At Coſtantina and Bona, as he paſſed in
his March towards Tunis, he took with him all the Spahis belonging to
thoſe Cities. His Train of Artillery conſiſted of ten light Field-Pieccs.
By Sea, he had no Forces in this Expedition. Arriving, with this Camp,
at Beja (an ancient Town, cwo Days riding ſhort of Tunis, in the
Road from Coſtantina, founded by the Romans, wherс this Hamida hrad
lately
The HISTORY::of A L'GIE R 5.
403
lately built a Caſtle, or Fort, mounted with fourteen Braſs Cannon) he
there halted. Hamida ſoon came to attack him in that Incampment, at the
Head of 30000 Horſe and Foot. The Engagement was ſcarcc begun,
when the three Al-Caids, with all their Partiſans, according to the A-
greement, deſerted to the Algerines. Upon this the Tyrant, with ſuch as
would follow him, fled away to Tunis; as imagining the Citizens would
never refuſe defending their Walls againſt an Army of Turks; a People
they had no Reaſon to favour. Ali Baſha loſt no Time, but purſued.
Incamping within leſs than two Miles of the City, at Al-Bardou, (which
then Royal Pleaſure-Houſe is the Palace of the preſent Bey of Tunis) he
again halted, to obſerve the Enemy's Motions. The Tuniſines flocked
apace to the Algerine Camp, all exclaiming loudly againſt their Tyrant.
Hamida finding how Matters ſtood, and knowing not whom to confide
in, taking iwo of his Wives, two Song, a great Quantity of Money,
Jewels and other valuable Moveables, with twenty five Followers, be-
tween Intimates and Domeſtics, in the Evening he ſtole away for the
Goletta. But ſome Moors having Notice of his Flight, they purſued and
overtook him; tho' the only Harm they did either to himſelf or Com-
pany, was to lighten them of the beſt Part of their Luggage; and with
what remained, this Fugitive foon got to that Spanija Garriſon. Of all
this Ali Baſha no ſooner got Intelligence, but he ſpeeded to Tunis, into
which Capital he entered without the leaſt Oppoſition. This was at the
very End of 1569. Finding thoſe his new Subjects extremely well fatif-
fied with this Revolution, he treated them all with great Courteſy; and
among thoſe who had been inſtrumental to his Succeſs, he diſtributed his
Favours with the utmoſt Liberality; contrary to the Maxim of his quon-
dam Friend and Patron f Dragut, and many others, who, tho' they love
the Treaſon yet they hate the Traytor. The Arab Sheikhs all flocked in
to congratulate and offer him their Service. At firſt he gave them a very
courteous Reception: But in a very few Days he gave them to under-
ſtand, « That he expected Tribute from them, to help out towards the
« Maintenance of the Realm againſt all its Enemies, foreign or domeſtic.”
8 This being ſtrange Language to the Arabs of thoſe Regions, in particu-
lar, who, in lieu of giving, are always not only paid but courted for their
f
Look back to P. 443.
& Vide Vol. I. P. 199 and 200.
Service,
.
1
494
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
T
Service, they frankly and boldly returned, “That if he wanted Tribute
“ from them, he muſt demand it in the Field, Lance in Hand; for there
" and no where elſe they ever deſigned him a ſingle Afper. The Baſha
thought fit to diſſemble.
A. D. 1570. Having continued at Tunis, buſied in ſettling Affairs till
February, this Year, he began to chink of returning to Algiers. Accord-
ingly, he left there, as his Vice-Roy, a Sardinian Renegado of his, named
Al-Caid Ramadam, Sardo, (afterwards Baſha of Algiers) and next in Au-
thority under him anocher Renegado Chicfrain, named Al-Gaid Mabamed,
Napolitano, being a Native of Naples, to act as his Field-Gencral, toge-
ther with a Garriſon of 3000 Turks and Renegadoes. This done, he ſet
out, by Land, at the End of that Month, and arrived at Algiers about the
Middle of April.
Several Days before he reached thither, he ſent away a ſwift Negro of
his, ſo famous a Walker, that he would out-go and tire any Horſe in the
whole Country. This Courier carried Orders to all the Captains of Gal-
lies, &c. to get ready for an Expedition, with the utmoſt Diſpatch. He
was ſo punctually obeyed, that in fix Wecks after his Arrival, he imbark-
ed on the Admiral Galley, and accompanied by twenty three others of the
beſt in Algiers, Galeots included, all exceedingly well manned and
pro-
vided, he took the Way to Conftantinople.
The Occaſion of his taking this Voyage was, to follicit the Sultan for
a Fleet, to recover the Goletta from the Spaniards; as rightly ſuppofing
he could never remain peaceable Poffeffor of Tunis while thoſe Caſtles were
in the Hands of Chriſtians. Off Cape Palaro, in Sicily, he got Intelli-
gence, from ſome Captives there taken, of four Malteſe Gallies, one of
them the Capitana, or Admiral, lying in the Harbour of Licata, on the
South Coaſt of the ſame Illand, juſt ready to depart for Malta. Herc-
upon Ali Baſha ordered to put out to Sca, at a good Diſtance, and tak-
ing in all the Sails to prevent Diſcovery, lay-by, Oar in Hand, waiting
for the Gallies, in the very Midſt of the Channel which ſeparates Sicily
and Malta. This had the deſired Effect: For the Turks could ſee the four
Gallies coming, with Oars and Sails, a conſiderable while before their Fleet
could be diſcovered by the Chriſtians: So that while they thought themſelves
moſt.ſecure, they were in a Manner ſurrounded by the Enemy. When the
Chevaliers- beheld the imminent Danger they were in, a Council was in-
ftantly called. Some were for fighting like what they profeſſed them-
ſelves:
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
495
ſelves: But the Majority concluded it the wiſeſt Way to endeavour to
eſcape. Accordingly, three of the Gallies fcd, while the fourth, named
S. Anna, maintained a deſperate Fight, for more than two Hours, againſt
eight of the Algerines, and ſurrendered not till every one of the Knights,
and almoſt the whole Equipage, were either ſlain or diſabled. Of the
other three one got clear away to Cape Pajaro ; where lighting on a
Turkiſh Brigantine, ſhe took it: And a Chriſtian Galeot accidentally pal-
ſing by, they both gave Chace to two other cruiſing Brigantines, of both
which they foon became Maſters. As for the Capitana of Malta and its
other Confort, being hotly purſued, they ran a-ground near Licata, at
fome Diſtance from each other. The Chevaliers having all got aſhore,
moſt of them were of Opinion to land all the Slaves and others, with
what elſe was of moſt Value, and then to ſink their Gallies, to prevent
their being carried off by the Barbarians: Which they might have done
without much Difficulty. But to this the General would not agrce; as
fancying he could, from the Land, defend his Gallies, ſo as to prevent the
Enemy from approaching. But it fell out quite otherwiſc: For the Cor-
fairs plied their great and ſmall Shot ſo warmly, that they had ſufficient
Opportunity to tow away both the Gallies, with their Artillery, abun.
dance of rich Merchandize with which they were laden, and ſeveral hun-
dred of fettered Rowers, moſt of them Turks and Moors, who
were, wc
may ſuppoſe, very joyful at the Recovery of their Liberty.
Upon the taking theſe conſiderable Prizes, Ali Baſha altered his Deſign
of going up to the Levant, and bore away for Algiers, where he arrived
July 20. 1570. All his Gallies, &c. were moſt pompouſly ſec off with
Standards, Streamers, &c. cvery eight of them towing along one of the Mal-
tefe Gallies. In Memory of this Exploit, he cauſed to be hung up, under
the Arch of the Marinc-Gate, a great Number of Shields and Bucklers,
adorned with S. John's White Croſs, the Device of the Knights of Malta,
together with the Statue, or Image of S. John, taken from the Poop of
the Admiral-Galley;
« All which, ſays Haedo, remain there, as Tro-
“phics, to this Day; except S. John's Image, which, in 1878, at the
$6. Importunity of the Morabboths, or Santons of Algiers, was taken down
44 and burned, before the Palace-Gate, with ſeveral other Images which
$ alſo: hung there, by Haſſan-Bajha, a Vénetian Renegado, when he was
« Vice-Roy of Algiers."Of this Reriegado-Bajha much will be Tiid,
in due Place:
I
Trom
496
The HISTORY OF ALGIERS.
From thence forwards, Ali Baſha was perpetually embroiled in
great Diſfentions with the Soldiery, and even was frequently in Danger
of his Life, on Account of their not being duly paid, according to the
original Eſtabliſhment-
Of which Omiſſion a Governor of Algiers
ought to be extremely cautious.
A. D. 1571. The Beginning of this Year, Matters came to that Paſs,
that he was forced to keep cloſe in his Palace. Having, with all imagi-
nable Expedition, cauſed all the beſt Cruiſers to be got ready, he was glad
to ſhip himſelf, in April, as if going to ſeek for Booty, and to put to
Sca, with twenty Gallies and Galeots, cho'the Weather was very ſtormy,
and the Wind full in his Teeth: And well it was he did ſo; for a Party
of Janiſaries were cloſe at his Heels. To eſcape their Fury, he ſo urged
the poor Slaves to row againſt the Wind, that before he could reach Te-
mendefuft, ten or a dozen Miles diſtant Eaſtward, two of them expired
at the Oar, on board his own Galley. The mutinous Janiſaries, inraged
at his Eſcape, imagining the Weather would detain him ſome Time in
t'hat Harbour, obliged twenty of their chief Officers to go thither by
Land, in order to bring him back; which if they could not effect by
fair Mcans and Perſuaſions, they were to excite a Mutiny among the Sol-
diery on board the Fleet. But he ſtayed not there a Moment, and was
gone
before the Arrival of thoſe Deputies. His Abſence was again ſup-
plied by the ſame Al-Caid Memmi Corſo; who, notwithſtanding thoſe
Commotions, and the Enemies his Patron had, kept all things quiet, and
in very good Order. As Ali Bapa was purſuing his Way Eaſtward,
he was niet by a Galeot from the Levant, which brought him Advice
from the Sultan (tho' ſome affirm he had that Intelligence much earlier)
that a moſt powerful Armada was preparing at Conſtantinople, for ſome
great Expedition againſt Chriſtendom; injoining him to repair thither with
all the Force he could polibly raiſe. The Turks were then contending
for the Iſland of Cyprus with the Venetians, who were lately entered into
a League againīt them with Pope Pius V. and Philip II. King of Spain;
which confederate Powers were, alſo, fitting out a mighty Fleet. This
occaſioned Ali Baſha's immediate repairing, with his twenty Gallies, to
Coron, in the Morea, where he was ſoon joined by the Ottoman Armada;
whole Chiefs were all exceedingly glad to be accompanied by: ſo expert a
Sca-Commander, who had under his Direction ſo gallant a Succour of
ſtout Gallies, manned and cquipped to the beſt Advantage. Ali Baſha,
4
in
The HISTORY! Of ALGIERS.
497
.
in Conjun&ion with the Levant Fleet, during that whole Summer, hav-
ing done the Venetians all poſſible Damage at Candia, and others of their
Inands, at laſt, October 7. 1571, the two Armadas met, and the celebrar-
ed Battel of Lepanto was fought, ſo fatal to the Turks, and ſo honourable
to the Chriſtian Generaliffimo, Don Juan de Auſtria, Natural Son to the
late Emperor Charles V. and conſequently Brother to Philip II. King of
Spain. In this terriblc Battel Ali Baſha, who with his Algerine Squadron
commanded the.Left Wing, alone came off with Honour. Like a cau.
tious, experienced Corſair, he ſtill evaded Peril, yet artfully maintained
his Poſt, while it poſsibly was to be maintained; but in ſuch Manner that
his own Veſſels eſcaped in a manner Scot-free. Watching his opportu-
nity, when he perceived the Malteſe Gallies in great · Diſtreſs, he bore
down upon their. Capitana, and poured in ſuch a warm Volley of ſmall
Shot, that few of thoſe brave Cavaliers, being left alive, nor any of
them in a Condition to make longer Reſiſtance, he inſtantly clapped her
aboard, and had her actually in Tow, when the Victory abſolutely de-
clared for the Chriſtians. Being then obliged to abandon that his
Prize, (which by ſome, is ſaid, to have been the only one taken by the
Turks that Day) he left it not without bringing off S. Jokn's Grand
Standard, and then made a brave and notable Retreat ; whereby he ac-
quired little leſs Reputation than Don Juan had done by gaining that im-
portant Victory. Thoſe Seas, whereof the Chriſtians were the Maſters,
being grown too hot to hold him, he withdrew to Conftantinople, whi-
ther heavy Complaints, from Algiers, againſt his unjuſt Treatment of his
Militia,' were already arrived. However, thro' the Intereft of his old
and conſtant Friend and Protector, Piali Baſha, who was ſtill in great
Credit, and his laying the Standard of the Order at the Sultan's Feet,
inſtead of Reprimands, he was loaded with Careſſes and Applauſe : And
the Ottoman Monarch confirmed him in the Baſhalic of Algiers, which he
permitted him ſtill to govern by his Deputy, the aforeſaid Memmi Corſo.
Finding himſelf ſo favoured, and in ſuch Credit, he ſcrupled not to aſ-
ſure the Sultan ; " That if his Highneſs would intruſt him with a Fleet,
“ he would undertake not only to face the Chriſtians at Sea, but alſo to
66.cover the whole. Ottoman State from the utmoft of their Attempts."
So highly agreeable were thoſe bold Offer's (to the almoſt-deſponding Sul-
tan, that, greatly encouraged by the generous, friendly old Piali, who
aſſured bim, that Ali: Baſha was a Man intirely to be depended on) he
VOL. II.
Տ f {
forthwith
1
49.8
The HISTORY, Of ALGIER S.
+
6C
forthwith named him his Captain-Bafhain and withal, authorized him to
provide the Fleet. he himſelf-pleaſed: And, as a farther and moſt ſingular
Mark of his Favour, that Monarch told him, obligingly; " That lic
« might ftill. intitle himſelf Baſha of Algiers ; ſince he was not, juſt
« then, diſpoſed to appoint him any Succeſſor..": Burthe Sultan was ſoon
wheedled out of that Vice-Royalty, as will appear. Such Diligence was
uſed by this active Calabrian, that in a very few Months, viz. in June
1572. he left Conftantinople, at the Head of 230 Royal Gallies, beſides
other Bottoms of divers Sorts and Sizes. With this Fleet he went in
Search of the Confederates, whom he found at the Mored ; where he lay
facing their Armada, braving and defying them to Barcel : But they parted
without bloody' Noſes. The Reaſons afligned for their ſeparating ſo pa-
cificly, by the Spaniſh Writers of thoſe Days, and by|Haedo exprefly, are
theſe, viz. ." This Buſineſs, ſays he took no Effect, thro'.the Diſunion
" of the Chiefs of the Confederate Armada. For had they attacked the
56. Turkiſh. Fleet (as I heard: from certain Turks: who were then with
5. Ochali) they would, certainly, have gained a complete Victory; 'thic
Infidels being all-ready prepared.fot Flight;} intending, had the Chriftians
6 moved, to have abandoned their Armada. But theſe are Judgments of
6 God, and things ordained by his Divine. Providence and Infinite Wif-
66. dom! And from that Time forwards. (continues this Author) Ochali,
" becauſe he was not vanquiſhed, gained yery near as much Honour as
“ if he had come off Conqueror; and remained in far greater: Favour
" and Credit with the Sultan, than ever:"I
A.D. 1573, Tho:-we here might have taken Leave of Ali Baſba, as
an Algerine, that Baſhalic having, ſeveral Months earlier, paſſed into the
Hands of another, yet he was ‘a, Perſon too remarkable to'be dropped
thus abruptly. Tunis was; this Yeargi tecovered from the Turks, by Don
Juan de Auftria. -
.:'71!1!1;
A Word or two concerning that brave Prince may not be improper ;
tho' we ſhall not here enter upon the Particulars of this his African Expe-
dition ; it being ſomewhat remote from our Subject, and a Conqueſt the
Chriſtians did not long enjoy:- Don Juan de Auſtria was born at Rån
tisbon in 1547. According to moſt Writers, Charles the Emperor had
him by a young Gentlewoman, named Barba: Blombergh; who afterwards
became a Nun, and ended her Days in a Convent : :Tho' others fay his
Mother was a Princeſs; and ſome ſcruple not to affirm, that the ſaid
Princeſs
CC
16
I
L
-
ma
499
The HISTORY OF ALGIER S.
A
.
Princeſs was the Emperor's near Relation.-. However this: Point was; that
Monarch, who had long experienced the Fidelity of Don Luis Queixada,
Grand. Steward of his Houſhold; ;intruſted him with that his Infarit Son
with Orders, that he ſhould be brought up, in the Country, by his Spouſe
Madalena. Ulloa ; injoining him ſtrictly to conceal from the young Dorz
Juan the Miſtery of his Original. This Command was punctually obey-
ed. The Emperor, on his Death-Bed, diſcloſed the Secret to his Son and
Succeſſor, King Philip II. In 1961. this Monarch, being at Valladolid,
pretending to go a Hunting, had ordered Don Luisito bring his Ward
into the Forelt. The young Prince, being conducted where the King
Wasi
caſt himſelf at his Feet. The Monarch bad him riſe ; and ſmiling
ſaid to him; “ Do you know who was your Father? You are the Son
46 of an illuſtrious Perſonage: The Emperor Don Carlos was your Parent,
s..as he was mine.” This faid, he ordered Don Juan to follow him;
and he educated him, like a Prince, at Court. In 1970. he ſent him into
the Kingdom of Granada, againſt the revolted Moriſcoes; which war he
terminated very ſucceſsfully. The Year following he was named Genera-
liſlimo of the Confederate Armada, and, as we obſerved, won the celea
brated Battel of Lepanto, at which the Ottomans loft at leaſt 25000. Men,
and almoſt their whole Fleet. He was afterwards Governor of the Ne-
therlands. To conclude, he died of the Peſtilence, in his Camp near
Namur, in O&ober, 1578. To return,
A. D. 1574. Ali Baſha was extremely concerned at the Loſs of Tunis;
à City and State which he ſtill looked on as appertaining to himſelf. Hc
uſed ſuch Importunities with the Sultan, and ſo poſitively aſſured him,
that he would not only recover the City, and what he had before pole
ſeſſed in that Realm, but would, alſo, undertake to drive the Spaniards
from all that Part of Africa, by taking from their chief Fortreſſes, the
Caſtles of the Goletta, that the Ottoman Monarch authorized him to act
at Diſcretion; naming for his. Land-General, a ſtout, cxperienced Officer,
a Native of Boſnia, whoſe Name was Haſan Baſha.
. Early in June, this Year, the Turkiſh Pleer caſt Anchor before the Go-
letta, in the Bay, of Tunis. It conſiſted of 250 Gallies, ten Maons, and
thirty Caramuſals, all.well lined with Men, Artillery, Ammunition and
Proviſions. He was ſoon joined by his Succeſſor, Arab Ahamed (of whom
we ſhall treat anon) Baſha of Algiers, with a ſtout and well-appointed
Squadron; as alſo by the Vice-Roy of Tripoly's the Troops of Cairouan,
and all the Fugitive Tuniſines, together with an Infinity of Arabs
SIT 2
ant
Joo
The HISTORY of ALGIER S.
and Africans from all the circumjacent Quarters; a People ever fickle and
fond of Novelties. The Turkiſh Admiral planted four Batteries againſt
thoſe Caſtles; two to each of theni." Thoſe formed againſt the new Ca-
ftle, built by Don Gabriel Cervellon,' were left to the Management of the
Vice-Roy of Tripoly, and the Governor of Cairouan ; both under the
Direction of Haſan Baſha. As for the other Caſtle, properly called the
Goletta, the Admiral himſelf undertook it, with two terrible Batteries,
conſiſting of enormous Baſiliſks. In leſs than forty Days they carried
both the Caſtles; and the victorious Captain-Baſha, with great Honour
and thouſands of Captive Spaniards, returned triumphantly to Conftanti-
nople. The whole Year of 1575. he ſtirred not from the Porte. In June
1576. he ſet out with ſixty Gallies: And notwithſtanding he met with
ſuch contrary Weather, that he was twice forced from the Calabrian
Coaſt (againſt which his native Land he ſeemed moſt inveterate) back to
the Morea, yet as he was determined not to go without his Errand, he
again repaired thither; and landing a Body of Troops near the City
Esquiluci, he ſacked ſome Villages, and advanced as far as Cape De las
Colonas, near where he was born, and then returned. I have read ſome-
where, that he brought off ſome of his Relations ; upon whom prevail-
ing to change their Dreſs and Perſuaſion, he treated with great Deference.
All 1577. he enjoyed himſelf at home. But in 1578. the Janiſaries of
Cyprus having aſſaſſinated their Governor, Arab Ahamed, (of whom we
Shall preſently trcat, as Baſha of Algiers) on Account of their Pay, Ali
Baſha was ordered thither, with fifty Gallics, to chaſtiſe the principal
Offenders; which he cffectually did, with the utmoſt Severity. In i579.
during the furious War between the Turks and Perſians, in which the
firſt were great. Loſers, he was ſent, with forty Gallies, into the Black-
Sea, to build a Caſtle, to obſtruct the Ravages of the Georgians, who, in
Favour of their Patron, the Sophi of Perfia, greatly annoyed the Ottomans.
He built the Caſtle, and left it well ſupplied with Janiſaries and all Ne-
ceſſaries. But his Back was ſcarce turned, when the Georgians deſtroyed
both Fortreſs and Garriſon. At this he was much diſturbed; but could
not apply a Remedy. To conclude, this Renegado - Admiral's' Credit
and Reputation among the Turks were extraordinary ; having a far
more extenſive Power, over all maritime Places and Affairs, than ever any
Captain-Baſha had, either before of ſince : Nor was he, in the leaſt, de-
pendent on any except the Sultan alone. He had a Cuſtom, that on
thoſe Days when he was melancholy, or out of Humour, he would
4
dreſs
1
The HISTORY OF ALGIERS..
SOI
dreſs himſelf all in Black ; a ſure Token, that he was not to be ſpoken
with about any Buſineſs whatever : Which was quite otherwiſe when he
wore Colours. In this he was ſomewhat like the late Mulei Iſmael,
of butcherly Memory, Emperor of the Tingitana ; who when he wore
Yellow was, infallibly, bent upon Miſchief: Tho' that Tyrant was ſcarce
ever otherwiſe. Ali Baſha had created a ſtately and moſt fumptuous
Palace, for his own Reſidence, on the Sea-Shore, about five Miles from
Conſtantinople, towards Kara-Denguis, or the Black-Sea; and ſoon after-
wards he built a fine Moſque, whoſe Walls are waſhed by the Sea; with
a' gallant Sepulcher for himſelf, where he is interred, under a curious
Dome. In 1980. he died, aged ſeventy two, leaving no Iſſue : But had
above roo Renegadoes of his own, all whom he called his Children. He
was not then quite hoary. Of Scature he was tall and robuſt; of Com-
plexion ſomewhat ſwarthy. As his Scald-Head was never cured, he was,
as we obſerved, naturally bald and ſcabby-pated. His Voice was ſo hoarſe,
that he could not poſſibly be heard at any conſiderable Diſtance. Algiers
he governed perſonally three Years and one Month, viz: from March
1568 to April 1571; and about a Year more by his Deputy, or Kajia,
the above-named Memmi Corſo. Our Queen Elizabeth wrote this Cap-
tain-Balba a very obliging Letter, which is to be met with in Hakluyt :
Of the Occaſion we ſhall ſpeak hereafter.
: To conclude our Account of this remarkable Renegado, and to give one
Specimen of his Diſpoſition, as well as an Idea of ſome other Matters,
we ſhall have Recourſe to F. Haedo's Catalogue of Martyrs. The Rela-
tionabridged, runs thus. In a certain Excurſion made, from Oran, by
the Spanijh Cavalry, among other Captives, then taken, was a ſprightly
little African Boy; who being very much liked by a dignified Clergy-man
of that City, was by him purchaſed of the Captors, and brought up a
Catholic. His Baptiſmal Name was Geronymo. When he was about eight
Years of Age, Oran being afflicted with a gricvous peftilence, all the In-
habitants, who had Means and Conveniency ſo to do, quitted the infected
Town,' and 'ſet up Tents in the Neighbourhood.
Tents in the Neighbourhood. Certain Mooriſh Slaves,
being net ſo ſtrictly guarded as uſual, took their Opportunity to eſcape,
and carried away the young Geronymo, whom they reſtored to his parents.
Without Difficulty he returned to their Perſuaſion, and ſo continued till
1959. which was his twenty fifth Ycar: “ Whci., fays this my Author,
“ touched by the Holy Spirit, which called hiin to what he afterwards
« became,
w
S02
The HISTORY\Of: ALGIERS."
cc became, viz. to be a Martyr, he voluntarily returned to Orail, in order
e to live in the Faith of Our LORD Jesus Christ." His Patron, then
Vicar-General of Oran; was extremely well pleaſed at-the- Return of his
Favourite Convert, and received him joyfully:into his: Bamily. And the
more to endear Geronymo to his Service, the requiſite Ceremonies of the
Church, on Account of his returning to its Boſom, were -no. ſooner per-
formed, but he got hin inrolled among the Spanifiə Cavalry, and ſoon af-
ter married him to a Mooriſh Damſel, likewilę a Convert ;. entertaining
them both at his Houſe as his owo, Children, Ten Yearsi continued Geo
ronymo in that bæppy Station ; giving many notable Proofs of his. Fide-
lity, Prudence, Conduct and Brayery; : Antonio de Palma, the Adalid,
or Conductor, of the Oran Troops, upon all Expeditions, in May,
1569. obtained Lcave of the Governor, Don Martin de Cordova (Marquis
De Cortes, of whom frequent Mention has been made) to:go out in a
Bark, with a few Soldiers, to ſurpriſe-ſome Arabs acar the Contt, of whom
he had Intelligence, : :This Officer: took with himi goly nine Men, all of
his own chuſing; one of which was this Geronymo, his.great Favourite,
and belonging to his own Troop. Arriving at the Place, juſt as the Day
began to break, as they were getting aſhorc, two Maoriſh Brigantines
appeared. Upon this the Chriſtians recovered their Bark; and began to
row away for Life; but the Purſuers having by far the better Heels, the
only Hope left thoſc Adventurers, was to runia-ground upon the Coaſt.
But this little availed them; for the Moors, wero upon Land as ſoon as
they, and the Race was not very long before nine of the ten were in their
Clutches. Only Antonio de Palma out-ran them all's but ſoon ran him-
ſelf in the Jaws of ſome ſtroling Arabs, who made Prize of him. He
was afterwards ranſomed. Geronymo, in his. Flight, was wounded in the
Arm with an Arrow. Being conducted to Algiers, he fell to the Baſha’s
Share, and was ſhut up, with the reſt of his Slaves, in the Beylic-Bagnio.
His Extraction was not long a Secrct. Upon the Diſcovery, the Guar-
dians put him on a great Chain, not ſuffering him to go out with the
others to their daily Labour ; which was then in building the Caſtle with-
out“Beb-el-Weyd. The Santons and other Zealots, conſulting about this
Affair, deemed it no difficult Matter to reclaim this h Moguttas, .or Apo-
ſtate, from his Error; and went moſt officiouſly, and in Sholes, to work
s!!
So they term a Ririegade from their Sect or Perſuaſion.
about
..-
soz
. The "H:ISTORY: Off ALGLER S.
him;
about a Deed of ſuch Merit: But, the Event fhewed, that they might as
well have whiſtled. Neither Promiſes nor Offers, neither Infinuations
nor Menaces in the leaſt availing, they remonſtrated the Caſe to the
Baſha. In their daily Viſits, in order to documentize this obſtinate Recue
ſant, they had ſcarcę turned their Backs upon him, but, quite out of Pa-
tience at their Importunities, he would ſay to the Chriſtian Slaves about
“ What is it theſe Scoundrels imagine! Do they think to make a
Moor of me? No! They ſhall never do it, tho' I loſe my Life.
This, with other. Aggravations, thoſe Zealots reported to the Baha;
earnetly intreating him to take to Heart this momentous Affair, and to
inflict ſome exemplary,Chaftiſement on the Offender, to deter others from
Crimes of a like heinous Nature. Theſe Diſcourſes greatly inraged Ali
Baſha; and (whether out of real Zeal for the Muſulman Cauſe, or to
inhance his Credit among the Pcople whoſe Crced he had embraced, as is
the Caſe with moſt.of his Cloth). he determined to put this would be
Maſtyr to ſome uncommon Death, in caſe he perſiſted in his Apoſtacy.
Going to fee, how. bis Caſtle went on, after he had been there a cona-
derable while, giving Directions to his Workmen, as he was returning,
he called his chief Builder, Maeſtro Michael, a Chriſtian Captive of his
own, and ia Native of Navarre, to whom he ſpake theſe Words :
" Michael :: Thoſe Planks, there, which you have placed ready to be filled
66
up with Mortar, muſt remain as they are till to-morrow ; becauſe
" therein I deſign to bury alive.that Oraneſe Dog,. who refuſes to be-
66 come a Moor.” Great Part of thc public and private Buildings in
thoſe
. Parts, as, likewiſe in Spain, &c. are of what they call Tabbia, and
in Spaniſh, Portuguese
, & co, Tapia, which is Mud-Walls; made of mọilt-
encd Earth, between two great. Planks laid and faſtened to the proper
· Place, and then filled with Earth, &c. fufficiently watered, and beat down
with heavy Rammers, fomewhat like thoſe uſed by Paviers
. The Walls
of this Caſtle are ſo builç.---The Workman, with whom thoſe Orders
were left, acquainted Geronymo how Affairs ſtood ; exhorting him to pre
parc for a Chriftian-like Death, ſince his Grave was already made, by
his Hands, tho? much. againit his Inclination. Geronymo received there
Tydings heroically, lilợc. a primitive Father, and retired with his Con-
feffor, to make Preparations for his long Journey : Of all which F. Haedo
makes a tedious Story. About nine in the Morning, September 18, 1560.
he affirms, “ The Miniſters of Satan to have repaired to the Bagnio, in
order
1
I
504
The HISTORY OF ALL GIER 8.
« order to conduct the Servant of Chriſt before his Pilate; who, armed
" with thoſe invincible Weapons, which he had been receiving from the
“ Hands of his Spiritual Father, ſtood intrepidly to receive them."
Thele were four of the Bafisa's Chiauſes.': They inquired for Geronyno ;
who inttantly coming out, thcy Taluted him, 'aftet their polite Manner,
with, “ You Dog! Cuckold! Jew! Traytor! Infidel! Whý will yog not
“ become a True-Believer ?” To all which he returned not a ſingle Syl-
lable. The Chiauſes led him thro' the City to the ſaid Caftle, where the
Baſha, accompanied by a Multitude of People, was waiting. Being
brought into that Vice-Roy's Preſence; he fard to Geronymo theſe Words:
• Brè Cupec! &c. - Thou Dog! Why wilt thou not be a Moor?"
He replied: “ Such will I never become, on any Account whatever. A
“ Chriftian I am; and, while I have Breath; a Chriftian I deſign to con-
< tinuc." “ Since you will not be a Mufſulman, returned the Baſha,
< (pointing to the Place aborc-ſpecifiedy I will therein bury you alive."
All che Anſwer Ali Baba got, was: “Do as you pleaſe : 'I am ready
“ prepared for all Events. It is not that ſhall' induce me' roʻrelinquith
« the Faith of Jesus CHRIST. When the Baha perceived his great
Conſtancy and reſolute Perſeverance, which he termed Obſtinacy, he
commanded the Chain on his Leg to be taken off, and that, bound Hand
and Foot, he ſhould be caft into the Kollow Space left between the faid
Boards: Which Command was inmediately put in Execution by the'four
Chiauſes. « This was no ſooner done, continues this Author, in his
“ uſual Tone of a Predicador, but a Renegado Spaniard, named Fafer,
56 whoſe quondam Name when a Chriſtian was Tamargo (captivated in
*:1558. with Don Martin de Cordout, when the Spaniards of Oran were
it ſo miferably routed at i Moſtaganem) with one of thoſe weighty Ram-
a mers in his Hands, leaped down with all his Might upon the Bleſſed
466 Martyr (who lay like a tender Lamb,) bawling amain for the Labourers
to ſupply him with Baſkets of Earth, that he might follow the Dic-
૪
«tates of his impious Zeal.” Others of his Cloth obſerving how their
Camarade was employing himſelf
, (ſurely to the Edification of the Spec-
tators) excited by the like Motives (which we may preſume were in order
to be thought good Muſſulmans, and which, probably, I tay, mride, 'the
appear ſo cordial in the Cauſe) they leaped in after him,
IC
Baſha himſelf
Look back to P. 400. &* feq.
F
and
1
The HISTORY Of ALGIERS.
jos
and they all began to ram with their whole Might, and a ſeeming Satiſ-
faction; which foon put an End to this Martyr's Suffering. I have
fometimes ſeen a like mock-Zeal in ſome of thoſe Verminr; I mean ſuch
of the Renegadoes as arc Pliarilaically diſpoſed; for many are quite other-
wiſe inclined: Tho' what L'have known has been upon Occaſions 'far leſs
tragical; ſuch as ſpitting upon, and otherwiſe reviling Images, Itabbing
Pictures, or tlic 'like; as did a Scoundrel 'Greek I knew, to a Picture of the
Virgin Mary, taken from an Altar at Oran, when the Algerines took thať
City from the Spaniards, .in 1708. as will be farther obſerved. Not that
the Generality of the Turks have one for the better Opinion of them on
thoſe Scores ; except the reſt of their Deportment is anſwerable. As for
the faid Greek, tho' the ignorant Mobility ſhouted, and were wonderfully
pleaſed at his gallant Exploit, and the ſcurrilous Language with which
he accompanied his cowardly Stabs, yet ſeveral of the better Sort, both
Turks and Moors; 'highly reſented it, more particularly the opprobrious
Words hë uſed; faying; « He deſerved to have his Tongue cut out.
This en paſſant
.. F. Haedo, after many Reflections, in his Way, adds,
That the Day is kept in the Church as a Feſtivity : And that many of
the Chriftians, emploied in that Building, entered into a Debate, whe-
ther they ſhould ſteal away the Body and give it Chriſtian Burial: But
thoſe who were' for attempting it, were ſoon diffuaded by ſuch as faw
farther into the Mill Stone ; not only on Account of the Impracticability:
by Reaſon of the many Eyes, but becauſe they were convinced, that ſo
conſpicuous and uncommon a Burial-Place was more worthy a Beatified
Soldier of Jesus Christ, than any other they could find. Again he
ſays, that the Place, being in the Wall facing the North, is very plainly
to be diſtinguiſhed, by the ſinking in and contracting of the Matter, as
the Body walted away.--I remember a Portugueſe Bigot, one of Conſul
Cole's Domeſtics, would fain have perſuaded me, that he ſhowed
the very indented Piece of the Tapia :-Perhaps it might; but I did not tako
abundance of Notice." Froin this place, concludes hc, we truſt in the
" ALMIGHTY's Mercy and Goodneſs, we ſhall-one Day be able to remove
cit, together with the Relicks of many other Saints and Martyrs of
" Christ, which Bleſſed Martyrs, with their precious Blood, have.con-
66 ſecrated that Infidel Soil; and that we ſhall then itation their Remains
« in fome Places more proper, more commodious, and more honourable,
66&c.” This Touch as a Specimen.
But, before we quite drop this Subject, and as we have been mention-
VOL. II.
Ttt
ing
11
soo
. ALGIER's.
The HISTORY of
ing the Renegadoes, it may not be ſo very improper, to introduce the
Abſtract of a remarkable Tragedy, in which ſome of thoſe abandoned
Wretches were the fole Contrivers and Executioners. The Materials are bor-
rowed from Haedo. It happened in March 156445 under the Admini-
ftration of Haſan Baſha, who, for Reaſons mentioned in his Life,
ſcarce durft openly diſoblige them.Ncar the Balearic Iſlands, two
Algerine Galeots took a cruiſing Brigantine, commanded by a certain no-
table Maycrquin Corſair, named Jayme Puxol, who, in that little Veſſel,
had done much Miſchief to the People of Algiers, and thoſe Coafts.
Juſt upon the ſetting out of theſe two Galçots, it was much talked of
at Algiers, that a certain Venetian Renegado had been lately, roaſted alive
by the Inquiſition at Mayorca : Having been made Priſoner, together with
others of his Company, as they were giving thoſe Idlanders a Caſt of their
Office. But, according to this Author, the Report happened to be falſe;
the ſaid Renegado having the good Fortune to get out of thoſe mercileſs
Talons, and to make his Eſcape to Algiers : Tho' that was not till ſome
Time after ; and the Story was then univerſally believed to be real Fact;
which induced all thoſe of the ſuppoſed Sufferer's Cloth to breathe no-
thing but Vengeance. As ſeveral of them chanced to be at the taking
the aboveſaid Chriſtian Corſair, they immediately concerted among them-
ſelves to take their Revenge upon him, as a noted and pernicious Enemy, and
one, who tho' no Inquiſitor, was yet a much-eſteemed Deniſon of the
City, where their quondan Co-adventurer had, as they heard, died a
Martyr to the Cauſe. Big with theſe pleaſing Thoughts (which, when
puc in Execution, they judged would be not only a Mortification, but
likewiſe a Terror to thoſe zcalous Catholics) being got home with their
Prize, they imparted the Scheme to many others of their Fraternity ;
who readily coming into it, their next Step was to get the Baja's Con-
ſent. This, with ſome Importunity, was obtained, and the deſtined Vic-
tim conducted to the Beylic-Bagnio ; where, with a heavy Chain on his
Leg, he was kept ſome Months without being ſuffered to approach even
the Gate. As ſo much Time had paſſed without any farther Mention of
this Affair, which was at firſt ſo hot, moſt people were of Opinion,
that the Renegadoes had cooled upon the Matter. But at the above-ſpe-
cified Time, fome of the moſt miſchievous aguin ſtarted the Queſtion,
and fo revived it, thar ihoy concluded no longer to defer the Sacrifice.
Accordingly a goud Nun'er of them repaired in a Body to t
..ce,
pily rreifing ihe Ballon to concur with them in their for:
4
very
.
:
The HISTORY Of A LGIERS.
807
Which Vice-Roy, in order to content thoſe well-diſpoſed, pious Suitors,
told them, “ They were at their Liberty to act as they would : And that
" they might alſo pick out another of his Slaves; him, whom among
ç them all they ſhould find moſt to their Liking.” This obliging Con-
deſcention got the Baja's Robes and Fifts moſt devoutly kiſſed by the
whole Tribe of Petitioners, who, extremely thankful and well-pleaſed,
took their Leaves, and withdrew, to conſult whom elſe they ſhould pitch
on to accompany Puxol in his Martyrdom. With very little Debate, the
Votes were carried againſt a certain ancient Catalan Prieſt, lately brought
thither, named F. Garao: Thinking thereby to render their Vengeance
the more noble and complete, by thus inſulcing the Catholics in the Per-
ſon of one of their moſt venerable Paſtors. Thus unanimouſly deter-
mined, they returned to Haſan Baſha, who, as we obſerved, ſtood in
great Awe of the Soldiery, asking him, by their Spokeſman, "What
“ Benefit his Excellency expected from that crooked, old Catalan Papaſs,
“ who was good for po one thing but the very Uſe they would put him
" to, provided he would vouchſafe to grant them his Permiſſion." His
Excellency having given the authorizing Nod, and received their grate-
ful and reſpectful Acknowledgments, thoſe newly-commiſſioned Inquiſi-
tors haſted away, to put in Execution their Authority upon the two In-
nocents, who little expected the bitter Cup that thoſe Miſcreants were
preparing for them. At the Marine, the Anchors and Circles of Fewel
were inſtantly diſpoſed, as k before ſpecified. While this was ordering,
fome of the Tribe went to the Bagnio ; where calling for F. Garao,
without ſaying a Word, thoſe Deputies ſeized him by the Arms, and
hurried him before the Baſa ; telling that Vice-Roy, “ They had brought
« him the ſtinking, old Papaſs they ſpoke of, that his Excellency might
" ſee he was actually good for nothing elſe.” They being re-aſſured of
his Concurrence, leaving the aged Victim, well-guarded, in the Court-
Yard, a Party of Renegadoes (this being, as hinted, an Exploit intirely
theirs) poſted again to the Bagnio, inquiring for Puxol.
immediately as imagining he was wanted to cut out or mend ſome Sails
(a Buſineſs he underſtood, and was frequently emploied in) was laid hold
on, and without any farther Ceremony, or a Word ſaid to him, was
dragged away to the Palace, and thruſt in to F. Garao, amidſt almoſt all
the Renegadoes of Algiers, who had formed themſelves into a Ring, round
He coming out
* Look back to P. 487, 488.
Ttt 2
which
។
#
508
The: H-ISTORY of ALGIER-S.
66
which ſtood others not Acceſſary, but mere Spectators, crouding in ſuch
Numbers, that the ſpacious Court-Yard would ſcarce contain the throng-
ing Apoftates, and ſuch others, as were by purc Cijrioſity led thither.
" The Servants of thc ALMIGHTY, lays the devout F. Haedo, meek as
“ Lambs among ravenous Wolves, foół ſurrounded by thoſe Mifcre-
s6 ants; ” who with Fury in their Eyes, over and over aſſured them, thác
they were, irremiſlibly, to be burned alive : Asking them, again and
again; " Whether it was reaſonable, or jult, for the Inquiſitors of Ma-
yorca to burn People, as they had lately done: të a: Renegado ; and if
« they imagined they had to deal with ſuch as 'knew.not how to take
"a levere Vengeance ?" To this they failed: not, incelTantly, to load
them with reproachful and opprobrious Language. All thc Reply made
them, was; " That they, for their Parts, were intirely innocent, nay,
" utterly ignorant of the Matter. Two Hours having been emploied
in all this, Word was brought, that "Every thing was ready." Here-
upon Puxol's Chain was immediately knocked off ; when he and his
Fellow-Sufferer were ordered to march whicrc--they ſhould pay for all.
Thus, attended by prodigious' Multitudes, they were urged on towards
the Marine, expreſſing a ſingular Devotion and moſt Chriſtian Refigna-
tion ; more particularly the pious Ecclefiaftic, who ceaſed not from
chanting forth Pſalms and Divine Hymns, in Latin: Which occafioned
the reviling Barbarians to ask him, ſcornfully; “ Que dizes, Papaſs? &c."
6 What are you ſaying, Prieſt? What Saints are you calling upon ?
“ Perceive you not, that they are deaf?” With abundance of ſuch like,
-To cut ſhort this diſmal Relation, they ſerved them in the fame in-
human Manner, mentioned in Page 487. F. Garao, being weak thro'
Age, could not very long ſupport the Torture, but finking down, was
covered over with the Remains of the Fewel, and ſo burned to Afhes.
But poor Puxol, a Man of a ſtronger Conſtitution, ſuffered extremely;
the natural Fear of Pain and Death inducing him to run round the Stake,
dodging the raging Flames, from side to Side, according to their Mo.
tions when agitated by the Wind. At length a Renegado, ſeemingly in
Commiſeration, unperceived by any of the reſt (many of whom were,
with an infernal Officiouſneſs, throwing Water over him, rather to in-
creaſe than aſſuage his Torments) took up a great Stone, and approach-
ing as near as poſſible, ſtruck him ſo effectually on the Head, that he
fell down without uttering a Syllable. The reſt following the Example,
he
2
The HISTORY OF ALGIER S.
309
+
he was ſoon beat to Shatters with Showers of Stones; inſomuch, that
they were afterwards obliged to remove the Heap which quite covered
the mangled Carcaſs, before it could be conſumed by the re-kindled Fire.
Nor were the Chriſtian Captives, who, piouſly, would have recovered
The Remains of thoſe Martyrs, ſuffered to approach: But, by the impi-
ous Barbarians, they were ſcattered about the Marine. However, ſome
Bones were, afterwards, picked up, and privately buried without Beb-al-
Werd; but the place where is not directly known.-----F. Garao was
about ſeventy; and Jayme Prxol fifty five.
Thoſe worſe than Savages could not well have uſed cven an Inquifitor,
or Familiar, with more. Barbarity, than they did thoſe unhappy Perſons.
But theſe Examples are not frequent; eſpecially of late. Indeed, when
a Renegado is caught, attempting to get away, thoſe of his own Cloth arc,
generally, his Executioners: Nor are they very merciful ones. But we
may venture ſafely to affirm, that few of them act with Motives of real
Zeal ;- but rather in order to ſkreen themſelves from Imputations of a like
Diſpoſition with the unfortunate Offender ; upon whom they vent their
Spleen and Fury, much rather on Account of his being a Bungler at his
Buſineſs, and diſgracing the Cloth, by being diſcovered, than for his In-
tentions : Scarce one in ten being of any Religion, or Principle, at all,
tho' fome of them have been, and are gallant Men enough, and tolerable
Moraliſts. Several have the Aſſurance, not even to pretend to Religion:
And it muſt needs be acknowledged, that, provided their Afſurance has
any ſufferable Bounds, they are uſed with abundance more Indulgence, in
thoſe Matcers, than are thoſe of a ſuſpicious Extract, by the Conſcience-
probing Catholics, down cven to the fourteenth Generation. Of late
Years, very few Inſtances of the Renegadoes Zeal, that Way; have of-
fered to View. A young Dutch-man, indeed, not long before I went to
Barbary, was half-buricd, for cndcavouring to eſcape ; and thoſe who
were moſt officious in his Puniſhment, were Spaniſh, Italian and Portis-
gueſe Renegadoes. But the poor Hollander was, originally, a rebellious
Heretic : A no ſmall Inducement for Perſecution. "He continued with all
his lower Parts, to the Navel, faſt rivetted in the Ground, three Days
and two Nights, in the hotteſt Seafon of the Year, and without any
Suſtenance ; otherwiſe he was not at all moleſted, except in reviling
Words. As he had not about him any Martyr's Fleſh, he called ſo in-
ceſſantly, and with ſuch ſeemingly-relenting Fervency, for the Prophet's
Aſliſtance,
SIO
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
1
Aſſiſtance, that, at length, he was begged off. But the Reprieve
came too late: For his Spirits were ſo far exhauſted, that he foon made
his Exit.A certain French Renegado is, alſo, much talked of, who,
about the ſame Time, got off in a French Man-of-War. Always, upon
the Appearance of any of the Gallic Monarch's Ships, even the ſmalleſt
Yatch, immediate Proclamation is made, that all the Slaves ſhall be chain-
ed up; and then the moſt-ſuſpected Renegadoes, likewiſe, are narrowly
eyed; ſince, anſwerable to Stipulations, the French Captain is to ſuffer
himſelf to bc battered to Shivers, rather than ſurrender up any who ſeeks
Protection under the King of France's Pavilion. Whereas, it is quite
otherwiſe at the Arrival of our Britiſh Ships of War ; there being ſeveral
Inſtances of Slaves being from thence returned to their Owners. Nay,
a French- Proteſtant Surgeon, belonging to the Dey, who had a Wife and
Family at London, a Perſon with whom I was very well acquainted, hay-
ing, unknown to the Captain, or ſuperior Officers, been conveyed aboard
an Engliſh Man-of-War, by ſome of the Equipage, was ſo well conceal-
ed, that he eſcaped the ſtrict Search of the Dey's Emiſſaries, and ſo con-
tinued till the Ship anchored at Mayorca : When moved with a very un-
ſeaſonable and intirely needleſs Spirit of Gratitude and Thankfulneſs, he
crauled out of his Lurking-Hole, and ran to caſt himſelf at the Captain's
Feet, to thank him for his Deliverance: Whereas, he ought to have
lain ſnug, till thoſe, who had thitherto been his faithful Concealers,
could have got him aſhore, where he would certainly have been ſafe.
But as he took ſo wrong á Method, inſtead of his expected Liberty he
found a pair of Fetters. He ſince has often ſaid, " That it was the leaſt
“ of his Thoughts, that the Captain had given the Turks his Word of
“ Honour, to return with him, in cafe he was found aboard his Veffel."
Yet that was actually the Caſe: And the Anchor being weighed that Mo-
ment, the Ship returned to Algiers. The Dey was ſo pleaſed with the
Captain's Punctuality, that he preſented him with a Horſe. The too-
grateful Mr. Pritchard (ſo is that French Surgeon's Name, if he is ſtill living;
for he was afterwards ranſomed thro' the Means of a Right Reverend Prelate
of our Church) received for his Puniſhment ſeventy Baſtonadoes. As to the
reſt, tho' the Dey thought himſelf ſo much obliged for the Recovery of
his Slave, and applauded the Generoſity of the Deed, ſo directly contrary
to any thing to be inſtanced in a French Infidel, yet many of the Turks
could not forbear ſaying; “ That the Action would have been com-
6 pletely
I he HISTORY of ALGIERS.
SII
66 pletely handſome, if inſtead of re-delivering the ſaid Fugitive Slave, a
« Purſe had been made towards paying his Ranſom.” All this en pas-
fant; as one thing generally drags in another. But the above-menti-
oned French Renegado was very far from being a ſuſpected Perſon. He
had been a long-Stander, was arrived at the Rank of Oda-Baſice, or
Chief of a Chamber of Janiſaries, had a Family, and was in very good
Repute, and Circumſtance. However, it ſeems, his Bowels yerned after
his Native Country: So that going to the Sea-Side, about a Mile with-
out Beb- Azoun Gate, with ſeveral Turks, his Intimates, they all ſtripped
to ſwim. After ſeveral Turns, he ſtruck away like a Fiſh, crying out
in Turkiſh to his Company ; “ Thoſlje-calings, Cordaſh-les, &c. Fare-
" yc-well, Brothers! I am going to the French Man-of-War. Remem-
6 ber me to all our Friends." He had ſome Miles to ſwim ; but he
ſtoutly. plied his Fins, and happily reached his Sanctuary, while his gazing
Aſſociates were debating, whether they ſhould judge him in Jeft or in
Earneſt.---To have done with the Article of Turn-Coats, for the preſent,
we will only animadvert, that it was a Dutch Renegado who fired off the
French Apoſtolical Vicar, at one of the Bombardments of Algiers, by
Order of Lewis XIV. as will be more circumſtantially obſerved. That
good Eccleſiaſtic was ſo well beloved, that none would give Fire to the
Canon, to whoſe Mouth he was faſtened, till this Reprobate undertook
the Office. If Vox Populi is Vox Dei, his Impiety was attended by a
Miracle: For nothing is commoner in the Mouths of the Algerines, of
all Sorts and Perſuaſions, than that he never after enjoyed himſelf; being .
perpetually terrified with frightful Dreams; nor had ever the Uſe of his
Arms, which immediately were turned quite round, and remained in that
State of Diſlocation. But it is time we return to our Hiſtory,
CHAP,
1
1
212
The History of ADGIËRS:
CH A P. XIII.
BASHA XVII. XVIII. ARAB AHAMED:
An Egyp-
tian. RAMADAM BASHA, SARDO: A Renegado
SARDINIAN.
IT
An. Dom. 1572.
T was in March, this Year, that Arab Ahamed, Succeſſor to the fa-
mous Ali Baſha, Fartas (lately advanced to the Captain-Bajhalic) ar-
rived at Algiers. This new Baſha was a Native of Alexandria. His
Parents being Arabs, was the Occaſion of his being ſo called by the Turks,
among whom he was brought up from his Infancy. In Proceſs of Time
he became Guardian-Baſhee, or Chief-Keeper of the Grand Signor's
Slaves ; a Port of great Honour and Profit. Being a Perſon of no ſmall
Capacity, Conduct and Prudence, he knew ſo well how to play his
Cards, and make Friends, that he obtained this important and deſirable
Vice-Royalty, which never wanted Candidates.
He came attended by ſix Ottoman Gallies; the which he immediately
fent back; having been ſtrictly injoined fo to do by the Captain-Baſha,
who was then going, as we obſerved, to offer Battel to the Confederate
Armada. He found Algiers under terrible Apprehenſions of a Viſit from
the then triumphant Don Juan de Auſtria. In order to be in ſome Rea-
dineſs to receive this Invader, provided that Rumour proved true, this
active Bajha (to whom, likewiſe, the Algerines are not a little indebted)
molt vigorouſly applied himſelf to the Improvement and Increaſe of the
Fortifications of a Place committed to liis Care. The firſt thing he did,
was levelling with the Ground a very large and beautiful Suburb, with-
out Beb• Azorin Gate; where the Foundations of thoſe Buildings may ſtill
be ſeen. Next he pulled quite down that Gate, with Part of the City
Wall on each side ; both which he rebuilt with great Improvements;
inlarging the Dirch, and ſtrengthening that the principal Avenue to the
City by an inner Gate and Wall, between which and the outer ones is a
tolerable Interval. Near this Gate, which is the place where Algiers is
molt
f
.
1
1
N
1
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
SI3
moſt liable to be attacked by Land, he erected a ſtrong Fort, or Baſtion,
at that point of the City Wall, which runs out into the Sea. Without
the ſame Gate, he alſo built a fine Fountain, continually running with
excellent Water, conducted thither from divers Springs in that Neigh-
bourhood. It was this Baſha who built the Caſtle of the Fanar, or
Lantern, now to be ſeen upon the Inand before the Town, ſo often men-
tioned in the Lives of the Barba-roſas. Without Beb-al-Weyd he made
another notable Fountain, whoſe copious Stream ſupplies great Part of
the City. It is a Collection of many ſmall Rivulets, whoſe Sources are
above on the adjacent Hills, and whole wholeſome Waters are much
eſteemed: Tho, indeed, there is no bad Water at Algiers. :
In theſe Works Arab Ahamed emploied himſelf during the whole two
Years and two Months of his Adminiſtration ; being almoſt continually
preſent among his Workmen, giving Directions. Nor was he ever ſeen
without either a Half-Pike in his Hand, which ſerved him for a Staff, or
elſe a ſwinging Cudgel, which he was extremely prone to make Uſe of
upon
all Occaſions; as never forgetting his priſtine Occupation of Dri-
ver. Of his cruel Diſpoſition, ſome Inſtances ſhall be produced. “Al-
moſt the whole Time of his Government, Algiers was grievouſly af-
flicted with the Peſtilence ;, which, .by. Computation, is ſaid to have
carried of one Third of its Inhabitants. He was particularly obliging to
the Soldiery, making it almoſt his whole Study to give them Satisfacti-
on; as dreading the Fate of his Predeceſſor Ali Baſha, who narrowly ef-
caped being maſſacred. Nor could he have taken a more politic Step';
ſince, being himſelf a Moor, a People held in the utmoſt Contempt by
that haughĩy, unmanageable Militia, it would have been very unſafe" for
him to have offered at the contrary. But towards“ all others but the
Turks, he was exceſſively rigid; and under Pretext of doing ſtrict Juſtice,
a great Number of Moors were put to Death ; ſome for very frivolous
Offences. He was removeà in May 1574. as will anon-be farther ob-
ſerved. But we ſhall firſt trace him to his End, and take Notice of ſome
intervening Paſſages, before we touch upon the Occaſion of his Re-
moval from Algiers, which will appear when we treat of his Suc-
ceffor.
A. D. 9574. Towards the End of Mar, this Year, Arab Ahamed
left Algiers, with three good Gallies of his own, and ſeveral other Gal-
Vol. II.
U u u
lics
1
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5
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SI4
The HISTORY OF ALGIER s.
lies and Galeots of certain Corſairs his Friends. Having paſſed ſome
Days at Bujeya, Intelligence came of the Arrival of the Ottoman Fleer at
Tunis ; whereupon he haſted thither, with his Squadron; and was much
welcomed by Ali Baſha, whom he found preparing to attack the Goletta.
We already obſerved, that Arab Ahamed had the Direction of one of
thoſe Batteries : Nor failed he to ſignalize himſelf in a very diſtinguiſh-
ing Manner, giving many Proofs not only of his Conduct as a General,
but alſo of his perſonal Courage as a private Perſon. When the Action
was over, he accompanied the Captain-Bama to Conftantinople, where he
continued in grcat Honour and Repute. In 1577. he was appointed Baſha
of the Ifland Cyprus, which Government he held till the Year fol-
lowing: When beginning to forget the prudent Method he had obſerved
ac Algiers, of keeping up a good Underſtanding with the Janifaries, he
curtailed their Pay, and attempted to infringe upon their Privileges ;
which Procedure ſo inraged them, that a Party broke violently into his
Palacc at Famagufiaand ſtruck off his Head. His Death was ſeverely
revenged by the Captain-Baſba, who made terrible Examples of the moſt
culpable. Arab Ahamed died in his fifty fourth Year. He was a Man of
a large Size, tho' not exorbitantly tall, but very ſtrong and robuſt, fome-
what corpulent, very ſwarthy, and exceſſively hairy. Of Diſpoſition he
was choleric, cruel and avaricious. He amaſſed great Wealth at Algiers,
by inheriting, either partly or intirely, all thoſe who died of the
Plague; which, as hinted, raged with the utmoſt Violence, for near two
Years, which was almoſt all the while he held that Government. He
had a Son named Mahamed Bey, who had two fine Gallies of his own,
and was in the Rank of'a Fanar-Rais, or Captain of a Royal Galley,
and lived long after, very honourably and much refpccied, at Con-
Jantinople.
To give ſome Inſtances of this Baſha's Diſpoſition, take the following
Extracts from F. Haedo's Catalogue of Martyrs, relating to what occurred
during his Reſidence at Algiers. Among the Multitude of Captive Chriſtians
cmploied by him in the public Works, there was a Native of Raguſa,
who had been taken in a trading Veßfel belonging to that Republic, and
of which Ship he had been Part-Owner and Commander. , When the
Ditch by Beb-Azaun Gate was inlarging, and the Baſha there preſent (as
we obſerved he generally was)this Captive, who might realonably look
4
upon.
4
1
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
sis
1
upon his Caſe to be very hard, ſince all the Ships of that ſmall Commou-
Wcal fail with the Grand Signor's Paſs, accoſted the Bafija in ſuch-like
Terms: How is this, Sultan! Is it juſt, or rcafonable, that, while
my
66 Country-men pay their yearly Tribute to the Ottoman Emperor, and
“ fail with his Paſs, your Excellency ſhould thus detain me as your Slave?
6 Nay, and treat me after this unworthy Manner, compelling me to
of ſuch hard Labour!”-“ How! (returned the choleric, haughty
“ Tyrant.) And art not thou my Slave ?"
" In Juſtice I am not (re-
“ plied the too-pert Ragufian) being the Grand Signor's Subject.
« Thou ſhalt immediately ſce, whether thou art my Slave, or no,” ſaid
the impatient Basha : When turning to one of his Chiauſes, he bad him
run for the Guardian-Baſhee, who was a ſtanch old Turk, formerly a
Corſair, named Hamza-Rais. That his Head - Jayler being come, he
ſpake to him, in Turkiſh, to take away that Infidel, and teach him to
know himſelf to be his Slave ; ſpecifying the Manner. Away he drag-
ged him to the Marine ; where, with the Aſſiſtance of three Turks, put-
ting him into a Boat, bound Hand and Foot, with a great Stone tied
about his Neck, they rowed out to Sea, and threw him over at ſome
Diſtance. This Martyr to his unadviſed Manner of talking-
(for it muſt be allowed that he took a no very right Method) was aged
about forty, tall of Stature, cheſnut-coloured Hair, brown-complexion-
ed, robuſt and well-proportioned.
Soon after this, two Captives, one a Spaniard, the other a Native of
the Idland Iviza, attempting to eſcape, by Land, to Oran, and being got as
far on their way thither as near Sherſhel, were intercepted and brought
back by ſome ſtroling Arabs; who, as well as the Moors, are always ready
to do the Chriſtians thoſe good Offices, as well out of their natural Ha-
tred to them, as for the Lucre of a certain Reward. The Baſa furiouſly
aſking them, the Reaſon of their Flight, was anſwered; “ That their
« only. Reaſon was a natural Deſire of Liberty, ſo common to all in
« their Condition." Yet ſo far was the Tyrant from being ſatisfied with
ſo reaſonable a Reply, that, roaring like a Bull, he commanded them to
be laid down, while he himſelf acted the Executioner, moſt inhumanly
drubbing them to Death with his own butcherly Hands. He beat the
Spaniard on the Belly, firſt with his Half-Pike, till he broke it, and next
with a Cudgel, till he actually expired under his mercileſs Blows: And
then, not tired with that Exerciſe (which is none of the leaſt boiſtrous ;
U u U2
and
:
:
. -
316
ponente
A
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
and which could not have been ſoon over, ſince many are known to have
ſurvived even 2000 Baſtonadoes) and which would have breathed ſeveral
of his Satellites (who generally ſtrike but 25 Blows, before they are reliev-
cd) he laid on the other, in the ſame Manner, ſo long that all thought
him dead;. thoʻ he lived, in great Torment, two Days- longer. They
were both young Men, much about the famc Age, viz. twenty five.
Theſe violent Chaſtiſements, upon like Occaſions, are not very frequent;
for ſome get off with only a few Drubs. The Baſtonado is certainly a
moſt exquiſite Torture : Yet I cannot conceive that running the Gantlet,
&c. as ſome are made to do, is abundantly better. But that is ac-
cording to the Hands they light into.--As to the reſt, the People of Bar-
vary, and not alcogether without ſome Reaſon, juſtify their Doings, by asking
thoſe who blame them for theſe Cruelties; “ How do the Chriſtians uſo
“ us when they get us into their Clutches"? And the Truth is, it is no
very great Novelty to meet with Turks and Moors, returned from Slavery,
who carry about them the very Marks of their quondam Patron's Clemen-
cy. Nay, I have known ſeveral without Ears:; merely for endeavouring
to get away.
The Gallies of France, Spain, Venice, Genoa, Malta, Naples, Sicily,
&c. are well known to ſwarm with Turks, Moors, &c. chained to the
Oar: And of the many Diſcourſes I have had upon the Theme, not one
of thoſe, who have tried what it is to be a Galley-Slave, will allow that
they are created with any tolerable Humanity, except in Tuſcany. It
would be endleſs to cnter upon Inſtances: But one thing was told me,
for a Certainty, by ſome Perſons of Credit, who knew the Party. On
board (if I forget not) a Spaniſh Galley, a Maor, grown quite deſperate at
the infernal Uſage he met with at the Oar, and without Hopes of Re-
Icaſe, or Mitigation, chopped off his Left Hand above the Wriſt; as
imagining that the Work impoſed on him, in that mutilated Condition,
would be ſomewhat more adequate to his Strength. But before the
Wound was half cured, he was chained by the Stump, forced to tug at
the Oar as formerly, and uſed ten times worſe than ever: And ſo he con-
tinued till thc Dey of Algiers. obliged the Spaniſh Fathers of the Redemp-
tion to engage .for his Relcafe, in Exchange for a Spaniard, before he
would ſuffer them to enter upon their Buſineſs, which was to redeem
Captives. For ſome Years there has not been one Galleyi or Galcot
in all
. Barbary; and conſequently thc Captive Chriſtians arc cxempted from
that
B
4
1
The HISTORY: of, A:LGIER S.
317
that leaſt-tolerable and moſt-to-bc-dreaded Employment of a Man deprive
ed of Liberty. While the Algerines, and other Weſtern Turksy uſed thoſe
Sorts of Vefſels, ſuch of their Slaves as were ſo unhappy as to be deemed
fit for Rowers, might certainly be termed ſo: Yet not a Jot more wretch-
ed than thoſe who were, and ſtill are Rowers in the Chriſtian Gallies.
But of theſe Affairs, we may inlarge elſewhere, when the Slaves of Al-
giers are more particularly treated of.
I have often heard ſay, that
our American Planters; tho' they have no Gallies, are paſtable good Alge-
rines : " But their Slaves are Negro Dogs, they ſay, what are ſuch no-
6 fouled Animals good for ? "-Smart and Chriſtian-like !
-Thoſe who
have not ſeen a Galley at Sca; eſpecially in chacing, or being chaced,
cannot well conceive the Shock ſuch a Spectacle muſt give to a Heart
capable of the leaſt Tincture of Commiſeration. To behold Ranks and
Files of half-naked, half-ſtarved, half-tanned; meager Wretches, chained
to a Plank, from whence they remove not for Months together (com:
monly half the Year) urged on, even beyond human Strength, with cruel
and repeated Blows, on their bare Fleſh, to an inceſſant Continuation of
the moſt violent of all Exerciſes; and this for whole Days and Nights
ſucceſſively, which often happens in a furious Chace, when one Party,
like Vultures, is hurried on almoſt as eagerly after their Prey, as is the
weaker Party hurtiéd-away, in Hopes of preſerving Life or Liberty.
Theſe, we may preſume, are, of the two moſt eager in the Affair : And
I have heard diſmal Accounts, as well from Turks and Moors, who have ex-
perienced it among the Chriſtians, when purſued by a ſuperior Force of
Barbary Cruiſers, as from Chriſtians, who have been chaſed by a Malteſe
Galley, as they were Rowers in a Galeot of Dulcigno: Andi 'muſt necds
fay, Ne'er a Barrel the better Herring! For many and many a League
upon a Stretch, the miſerable Tuggers have been urged forwards, unin-
termittingly, while their Lietors ſtill beat on, whether deſervedly or nor,
for mere Faſhion's Sakc, till ſeveral of the Wretchës burſt their Gall, and
cxpircd. Nor, upon ſuch Occaſions, is there any Scarcity of Comitres,
or Boatſwains si eğery Soldier, then, deeming a Rope's-End as neceſſary a
eapón, as his Sword and Muſket, and they relieve each other like Gen-
tinels. It were to be wiſhed that all this was Fable! As the Danger in-
creaſed, thoſe groveling Varlets, Officers and all, arc ſuch mean-ſpirited
Hypocrites as, by Intervals, to embrace, kiſs, beg, intreat and fawn upon
the very Men, whom their Inhumanity lias rendered more like tormented
Dæmons
1
&
1
1
SIS
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
3
1
1
Dæmons than human Creaturcs; their Teeth and Eyes knocked out,
Ears torn off, and Fleſh moſt caninely lacerated with the very Teeth of
thoſe Canibals, calling them Brethren, Cavaliers, Lords, Patrons, De-
fenders, Protcétors, and what not; running officiouſly with Bowls of
Water to refreſh them, and Napkins, &c. to wipe away their Sweat and
Blood. But all this Pageantry vaniſhes, and every thing is in ftatu quos
if, by Dint of ſtrenuous Rowing, the purſued Galley or Galeot has the
Fortune to ſtrike a-head and get away. Thus much for the preſent, con-
cerning that Species of Veſſels and their Inhabitants.
But, we were ſpeaking of Arab Ahamed, a Man noted for the natural
Cruelty of his Diſpoſition. One Inſtance more, and then to another
Subject: Nor does Haedo take Notice of any others.
The Year following, viz. 1573. forty Chriſtians concerted to run away
with a Brigantine. Of theſe the Ringolcader was a certain Italian, named
Trinquete. They choſe their Time in the Depth of Winter, the latter
End of December, 'when moſt or all of the Cruiſers lay unrigged ſin the
Port ; ſo that they were not in ſo much Danger of being immediately
purſued. One of the Number was a Remolar, or Oar-Maker, who drew
in another Ghriſtian, Slave to one of the Captains, and who had the Key
of his Patron's Magazine, and undertook to furniſh them with the requi-
ſite Article, Qars, and ſome other Neceſſaries. About Mid-Night, they
all got together, under the Wall within the City, between the chief
Moſque and the ſaid Magazine; ſome of them loaded with Barrels of Wa-
ter, others with Sacks and Baſkets of Bread or Biſcuit, Blankets for Sails,
and the like things, for which they had moſt Occaſion. Having fur-
niſhed themſelves with twenty good Oars, and making filently towards
the Place where the Brigantine lay, they were ſet upon by a Party of
Turks and Moors, purpoſely poſted to intercept them in their De-
Ggn: For the Baſha, it ſeems, had Notice of the whole: Affair, ſeveral
Days before; tho' none knew by what Means. Finding themſelves dif-
covered, the Majority threw down their Burdens, and ran away over the
Rocks along the Wall, cloſe by the Sea, and got off, as beſt they could,
ſome one Way, ſome another. However, twelve of them, more, deter-
mined than the reſt, and among them Trinquete, with each his Oar, got
into the Brigantine, and beſtirred themſelves ſo vigorouſly, that they.
hauled her clear of the Port, and ſoon, undamaged, rowed out of Reach
of the Vollies of Stones and Shot ſent after them by the Enemy, now
become
1
The HISTORY of A L'GIER S.
319
.
become very numerous. Being got out two Miles from the Shore, they
fixed their Maſt, with a Sail, and were favoured with ſo good a Breeze,
that it was not long before they were at leaſt forty Miles on their Way
ro Mayorca: When, unhappily, the Wind veered to the N. E. and
blew ſo ſtrong a Gale, that all their Hopes and Joy were turned into
Deſpair. The Weather growing more and more tempeſtuous, they were
forcibly driven back upon the Coaſt, and their Brigantine daſhed to Pieces
about ten Leagues Eaſt of Cape Temendefuſt. They got aſhore in a
Manner naked and half drowned by the Daſhing of the Waves. There
Numbers of Moors, who had beheld their Diſtreſs, ſtood ready to re-
ceive and re-conduct them to the Place from whence they came. The
Welcome given them by the Baſha, was a Tempeſt of Baſtonadoes (tho?
not mortal ones) to ten of the twelve. But he reſolved to vent his Fury
upon Trinquete, and his other Companion, who, it ſeems, were chiefly
inſtrumental to the intended Flight of the reſt, and both of thein his
own Slaves ; whereas the others belonged to ſeveral Patrons. He had
no ſooner done belabouring the Poſteriors of thoſe ten Slaves (probably
.
ſome of them with his own Hands; that being what he perfectly de-
lighted in) he ſentenced the two others to be caſt upon the Hooks
When ſome By-ſtanders intreated him to be ſomewhat more merciful, he
rc-called that Sentence, and ordered them to be hung up, and ſhot to
Death with Arrows. The ſame well-diſpoſed People purting him in Mind
that the Sentence was ſtill too rigorous for the Crime, he, ſeemingly
much againſt his Will, commanded them to be hung by the Neck
over the ſame Part of the Wall, from whence they had made their.
Eſcape; Abſolutely forbidding thoſe Mediators to advance a Syllable in
Reply to that his irrevocable Determination. He was obeyed; and
the Martyrs ſuffered very devoutly. - Arab Ahamed's Removal
from Algiers, happened in the following. Manner: But we muſt firſt ſay
ſomething of his Succeſſor,
RAMADAM
5:20
The HISTORY OF ALGIERS.
:
RAMADAM SARDO.
f
!
13
2. D: 1574. It was in May, this Year, as has been hinted, that the
new Baſha arrived at Algiers. This was the ſame who was left Gover-
nor of Tunis, by Ali Baſha Fartas, two Years before. He was a Na-
tive of the Idland Sardinia, and, in his puerile Years, captivated as he
was paſturing a few Goats of his Father's. A Turkiſls Merchant, ſettled
at Algiers, purchaſed him of the Captors : And finding him to be a do-
cile, ingenious Lad, and well-inclined, he took a particular Affection to
him; and breeding him up with much Care and Tenderneſs, he foon prevailed
with him to become a Muſulman. He then put his young Renegado to
School, where he made ſuch Progreſs, that he ſoon attained the Turkijos
and Arabic Tongues, and could read and write both to Perfection. Se-
veral Ycars he continued thus with his kind Patron; and when grown
up, he married him to a Renegada of Córfica. He firſt followed Traffic,
and was afterwards Al-Caid, in divers Capacities, as well within as with-
out the City. “ In theſe Emploies he grew very rich, ſays Haedo 'ex-
« preſly, living in great Honour and Reputation ; being eſteemed by all
66. People to be a Man of Worth; he being in Reality a Perſon of Ho-
“ nour and Juſtice in all his Dealings, very prudent, upright, mild, hu-
6 mane and good-natüred. Theſe excellent Qualities gained him uni-
verſal Good-Will: And this Character induced Ali Baſha to adopt him, and
to take him to Tunis, where he afterwards left him, in Quality of his Kayia, or
Lieutenant : As rightly judging him to be a Perſon completely qualified
to keep in good Order thoſe his new Acquiſitions; as he actually did,
even beyond all Expećtation. He governed very peaceably, and with
univerſal Applauſe; till the Year following, 1973. when Don Juan de
Auftria won the City of Tunis, obliging him, with all his Turks and
the Citizens to retire to Cairouan. The Armada being departed, the Ac-
tion of moſt Moment that occurred, was the Defeat he gave to a great
Body of Arabs, and Africans, who were ſupported by roo Chriſtian Sol-
diers, from the Goletta, and went to give him Bartel at Mahometta, a
Town between Tunis and Cairouan. Abundance of Moors, &c. fell in the
Diſpute, and every one of the Spaniards were either ſlain or captivated. As for
other
1
"
1
+
2
4
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
$2r
other more trifling Skirmiſhes and Rencounters, we ſhall omit taking
Notice of them, tho' ſome were attended with much Blood-lhed.
This Year, 1573. the People of Algiers, as well Moor's as Turks, ſent
a Deputation to the Porte; intreating the Ottoman Sultan, “That in caſe
"he was pleaſed to ſend a new Baſha to remove Arab Ahamed, his High-
66 neſs would vouchſafe to oblige thoſe his loyal Subjects ſo far, as not to
“ give them any other for their Governor than Ramadam Sardo: He be-
" ing by them univerſally beloved and eſteemed."
And the better to
carry their Point, the Perſon they put at the Head of this Deputation, was
Memmi Rais, Arnaud, late Admiral of Algiers, whom Arab Ahamed had
then diſplaced, and beſtowed that Poſt upon another m Arnaud, named
Morat Rais, ſurnamed Grande, or Great, to diſtinguiſh him from
Morat Rais, Chico, or Little. Memmi Rais went in his own Galeot, ac-
companied by the chief Morabboth, or Santon, whoſe Name was Sidi
Abou-Tayeb. In the fame Galcot went Mulei Moluch, the difpoffefred
King of Fez, (who, dethroned by his Brother Muiei Abdallah, had been
ſeveral Years at Algiers) in order to implore the Sultan's Protection and
Afiſtance againſt his uſurping, Mulatto Nephew, Mulei Mahamed ; againſt
whom he afterwards made War, and with whom and Don Sebaſtian, King
of Portugal, in 1578. he loſt his Life in that fatal Battel of Al-Calar, in
which fell thoſe three Monarchs.
The Sultan was as tractable as could be deſired : For the diſplaced
Admiral had his Commiſſion renewed, the Algerines obtained their beloved
Ramadam Sardo for theit Baſha, and the wandering King of Fez got the
Imperial Firman, to the new Baſha, for all poſſible Aſliſtance, from Al-
giers, to forward the Recovery of his Realms. Thoſe, ſucceſsful Depu-
ties, at their Departure from Conftantinople, left the Captain-Baſha making
ready for his Expedition againſt the Goletta. Ramadam Sardo, as has been
ſaid, reſided at Cairouar; and know not a Syllable of what had been tranſ-
acting in his Behalf. Admiral Arnaud Memmi caſt Anchor with his Ga-
leor in the Port of Sufa, and immediately diſpatched away a Meſſenger.
In a few Days the new Baſha was ready ; and left a Renegado of his
own to ſupply his Abſence, till the Arrival of the Captain-Baſha, with
the Ottoman Fleet. Of Cape Bona, the Algerine Galcot was diſcovered
by Don Juan de Cardona, General of the Siciliar Gallies, who gave it
m So the Turks call the Natives of Allaria, who are now moſtly Nu Julirans.
Vol. II.
Xxx
Chacc
i
322
The HISTORY of ALGIER S.
Chace for about fix or ſeven Miles : But the crafty Corſairs ef-
caped that imminent Peril, by artfully making Smoaks and Blaſts
with Powder, as if by way of Signal to their Conſorts, tho' no Suc-
cour was near : For the Capitana - Galley being not only an exquiſite
Swimmer, but was exceedingly well-manned, with ſtout Rowers, had
ſhot very a
conſiderably a-head of all the reſt, and gained much upon the
Galeot; but Don Juan, perceiving thoſe repeated Signals, durſt not, thus
alone, venture any farther, and gave over the Chace; tho', as was after-
wards underſtood, had he continued his Purſuit but two Miles inore, he
would certainly have carried the Algerine ; ſince cvery onc of the Chiefs,
and all others who could ſwim, were actually ſtripped, and ready to take
Water, with only ſome of their richeſt Effects in their Gamirs, or
Girdles.
The Joy of the Algerines, great and ſmall, as they word it, at the Ar-
rival of this new Baſha, is ſcarce to be credited. We ſaid it was in May,
1574. He inſtantly ſet about making great warlike Preparations, as well
to alliſt the Captain-Baſba at the Goletta and Tunis, as to march with
Mulei Moluch into the Tingitana; both which were agreeable to the In-
junctions contained in the Sultan's Letter to himſelf, and which accom-
panied his Commiſſion. Towards the End of July, being informed of
the Turkiſh Fleet's Arrival in the Bay of Tunis, he ſent away thither his
Admiral, Arnaud Memmi, with nine large and well-provided Gallies and
Galeots. His Predeceſſor Arab Ahamed, with another Squadron, for
the ſame Service, was already departed. The Spaniards were expelled
that whole Realm ; and their Loſs was very conſiderable.
A. D. 1575. But it was not till the End of this Year, that he ſet out,
with Mulei Moluch, on the Tingitanian Expedition. His Camp confifted
of 6000 Janiſaries, &c. with 1000 Zwouwa, or Mountaineers, 800
Spahis, and twelve Field-Pieces. In the Way he was joined by a gal-
lant Band of Cavalry, conſiſting of 6000, partly Arabs, partly Africans.
A. D. 1976. In Mid-January, this Ycar, he pitched within two Miles
of Fez, where he found the Mulatto King, Mulei Mahamed, waiting his
Approach, at the Head of 30000 Horſe, and as many Foot, among
which laſt were 3000 Renegadoes, and a good Number of Moriſcoes, all
Fire-Arms and ſtout Soldiers. During Mulei Moluch's Exile at Algiers,
he had ſo well negociated his Affairs, that, without ſtriking a Stroke,
his Nephew was deſerted by the greateſt Part of his · Army, and, with a
few
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
523
t
1
}
few faithful Followers, was glad to eſcape to Morocco. 'From thence for-
wards, Mulei Mabamed wandered about quite in Deſpair, now in the
Mountains, then in the Deſarts among the Arabs: Till his Patience being
exhauſted, he repaired to Tanja, or Tangier, and from thenee to Portugal,
where, by his Importunities, he ſo prevailed upon Don Sebaſtian, that he
brought over chat fpiritous (we might add temerarious) young Prince, with
an Army of Portugueſes, who, with their King, were almoſt all cut off,
and the reſt captivated : Nor did either of the Rival-Sherifs ſurvive that
diſaſtrous Encounter, which happened Auguſt 5, 1578. - But thoſe
Affairs are not ſo immediately within our Latitude. The ſaid Mulei
Moluch bore a very good Character, and was a brave, gallant and genc-
rous Prince. Tho' Ramadain Baſha carried his Point with only the
bare Expence of fitting out that Camp, and the Trouble of marching it
thither, yet he and his Followers, even to the meaneſt Groom, were
Royally gratified by the grateful Mulei Moluch, whoſe Affairs ran ſo glibly,
that he met not with one Oppoſer. As a Preſent to the Baja, or, as
they term it, the Grand Signor's Standard, he brought a Purſe of 300000
Gold Metacals, or Ducats, with many other coſtly Rarities, and 100
Chriſtian Captives, who had belonged to his Fugitive Nephew. In like
Manner, over and above the uſual Payments, he diſtributed an incredible
Quantity of Money and Jewels among the Turks, &c. inſomuch that
his Princely Diſpoſition was univerſally admired and applauded. At his
Requeſt, about 300 Turks and the 1000 Zwouwa, engaged in his Ser-
vice;. nor did they want much Intreaty, ſuch was the Encouragement
profered them by that magnificent and munificent Sherif.-It was Mid-
March, 1556. when Ramadam Baſha reached Algiers; where his Wel-
come was anſwerable to his Mcrit, his Succeſs, and the Eſteem he was
in among the Pcople, over whom he preſided.
A.D.1577. June 29, this Year, to the utter Diſguſt and Reluctance of Ale
giers, and its whole Territory, terminated the Adminiſtration of this worthy
Renegado ; for ſo he is often termed by his very Enemies, I mean, the avowed
Enemies of his Profellion. Yet we muſt not yet rake our Leaves of him, till we
have delivered the Subſtance of what is farther ſaid of him by Haedo,
who, as is often obſerved, is ſeldom or never partial, or over-zealous,
when he writes as a Hiſtorian : But when he turns Preacher, he is not
ſo very well to be borne with. Yet I cannot but lallow him to be
the moſt candid and leaſt prejudiced Eccleſiaſtic, of a Spaniard, living op
X X X 2
dead,
324
The HISTORY OF ALGIERS.
A
1
47
dead, I cver remember to have diſcourſed with, or peruſed. To the
Purpoſe. - At that Time arrived Haſſan Baſha; Commiſſioned by
the Sultan for this Vice-Royalty, Of the Character of that Apoftate Vea
netian we ſhall, foon have Occaſion to treat; and Thall.only obſerve here,
that, in moſt Rcſpects, he ſeems to have been the Antipode to that bet-
ter-diſpoſed Sardinian, and was as much hated as his Predeceſſor: was be-
loved. Take the very Words of Haedo upon that Subject, viz.
" Thus Ramadam Baſha ruled Algiers three Years and one Month, dur-
66 ing all which Time that State enjoyed more Peace and Tranquillity
" than it had ever done: Since he governed with ſuch Juſtice and Equity,
" that there was not even a ſingle. Soul that ever once complained of his
6 Adminiſtration. Nor can it be ſaid by whom he was moſt beloved,
66 the Moors or the Turks. So that when they found he was to be re-
« moved, the News was reccived with a general and ſcarce-conceivable
“ Diſſatisfaction.” He built a ſtrong and very beautiful Baſtion, near Bebe
al-Weyd Gatc, at that point of the Wall which from chence advances to
the Sca: Of which Fortification: farther Mention mayl be made in the
Topography
Thc cnſuing Auguſt, this much-regreted Sardinian departed for the
Levant, on the Galley S. Paul, taken April 1. this Year, by the Algerines,
from the Chevaliers of Malta. This his own Galley was accompanied by
the five Levant Gallies, which had conducted thither his Succeffor. The
Şıltan, being throughly informed of his great. Worth, gave him a very
gracious Reception, and immediately appointed.:him Baſha of Tunis. He
made no Delay, but haſted to his Government, which he reached about
Mid-OEtober, the fame-Year. At Tunis he was no leſs dear to his Subjects
than at Algiers, nor was his Reception there a Whit leſs remarkable. He
governed that Realm, very pacificly, two Years complete. In Oétober,
1579. the Sultan ſent him a Succeſſor: And without the leaſt Intimation
given on his Side, that Monarch gave him a Commiſſion, for Life, to be
abſolute and independent Governor of a Tremizan, not with the Title of
11- Caid, as uſual, or in any wiſe ſubject to. Algiers, but with that of
Baſha, as the Grand Signor's Vice: Roy. This was a Singularity, and
gave great Umbrage to Haſan Baſha. And as the Sultan had intelli-
5
1
* An ancient Kingdom, much treated of in this Hiſtory; now the moſt Weſterly Province
of the State of Algier's:
gence,
$
The: HISTORY of ALGIERS.
325
/
1
gence, that the Sherif of the Tingitana (who was Brother and Succeffor
to the lately deceafed Mulei Moluch) inſtead of bolding his Scepter in
Fief of the Ottoman Emperor, was treating an Alliance with King 'Phi.
lip II. of Spain; and who, notwithſtanding the immenſe Wealth he had
inherited, upon the Death of his Brother and the two Confederate Kings,
at the Battel of Al-Caſar, and a 'noble congratulatory Preſent ſent him,
upon that Occaſion, from the Ottoman Court, had not vouchſafed to ſend
even a Reply, in-Return to that Monarch's Courteſy, the juſtly-incenſed
Sultan expreſly ordered the new-appointed Baſha of Tremizan (the only
one who ever bore that Title, tho' he never officiated in Perſon, as will
appear) to have a ſtrict Eye upon the Motions of that his contiguous
Neighbour, and that, in caſe he found his Intelligence to be true, he ſhould
attack him with all poſſible Vigour; injoining at the fame Time the Baſhas
of Algiers, Tunis and Tripoly, to give him all the Succours of Men, Money,
Artillery and Neceſſaries he ſhould arany Time require.
With ſuch Inſtructions, and theſe ſingular and diſtinguiſhing Marks of
the Sultan's Favour, Råmadam Baſha ſet out from Tunis to Binzert, or
Biſerts, in order to imbark on his Galley S. Paul, and thereon proceed to
Algiers and Tremizan. This was in November :: When -being, with his
Domeſtics and Retinue, lodged in Tents near that Maritime Town, wait-
ing till: hisi Galley and other Veſſels could be got ready, 'a Galeot arrived
in that Road, ſent from Algiers, by the whole Community of the Mi-
litia, bound to Conſtantinople, with grievous Complaints to the Grand
Signor againſt Haſan Baſha. Beſides the Turkiſa Deputies, who were
three ancient and reſpectable Officers; there went ſeveral Arab and Afria
can Sheikhs, encouraged, and inſtigated by the Turks, to apply themſelves
to the Sultan for Redreſs againſt the greaţi Injuſtice donel them by that
rapacious Tyrant. At the Head of all theſe, and peculiarly in the Name
of all the Mooriſh Citizens of Algiers, but more generally in the Behale
of the whole State, went the afore-meutioned much-reverenced Morab
both, with ample Authority from all Members of that great Body, to
ſupplicate 'hts Ottoman Highneſs to reſtore them Ramadan Baſha, for...
their Governor. When that politic and quietly-diſpoſed Renegado had
learned the Purport of this? Embaſſy, hc uſed: all poſſible Means to pre-
vent the Deputies from proceeding on their Voyage, and wrote to the
Janiſaries of Algiers, intreating them, for his Sake, to forget and forgive
all Animoſitics, and to reconcile themſelves to their Baſha. This Step he
ſeems
I
1
2
1
$26
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
-
feems to have taken upon two Accounts. He prudently reflected, that if,
thro' his Means, and with ſuch apparent Diſintereſtedneſs, Matters ſhould
be brought to a Pacification, he ſhould, infallibly, much ingratiate him-
felf with the Captain-Baſba, a powerful Perſon, and conſequently too
formidable to be diſobliged, and whoſe Favourite Renegado this ill-beloved
Venetian was, and by, whom, and upon every Occaſion, he was moſt
ſtrenuouſly protected. And again, it would then be very obvious, even
if he could not prevail with the Janiſaries (who were the main Support
of thoſe Factions) that the ſaid Admiral could not have any Pretext to be-
come his Enemy.--A notable Inſtance of the great Regard moſt People
had to that Captain-Baſha.The Reſult of theſe Negociations was,
that the Janiſaries, &c. of Algiers were ſo far from quitting their Pre-
tenſions, that, upon Information of their Deputies on board the Galeor,
being inclined to come into Ramadam Sardo's politic Meaſures, they im-
mediately deputed other • Buluc-Baſhees, and ſent them away, by Land,
Poſt-Haſte, to Biſerta, with Orders to ſeize all ſuch as were diſpoſed to
accommodate Matters with Haſan Baſha, and to ſend them, in Fetters,
to Algiers: Which done, they were to proceed on the ſame Errand, with-
out preſuming, on Pain of Death, to wait any farther. Orders. Thus
ſtood the Affairs of Algiers; where the two Factions were every Day
juſt ready to fall to cutting each others Throats: Tho' they never came
to thoſe Extremnes.
The Galcot being departed, Ramadam Sardo (who, tho' he ſo artfully
ſeemed to waſli his Hands of all this, was almoſt certain of being named
Bama of Algiers, a Poſt too good to be contemned) loitered at Biferta,
in Expectation of the Event, till Mid-March, 1580. when he ſet out for
Algiers, where he acrived April 4. There had long been a very great Drought,
inſomuch, that the whole Country was under terrible Apprehenſions of a ge-
neral Famine: And on the very Evening of his Arrival; even before he quit;
ted the Galley, the Clouds began to pour down a moſt plentiful Shower.
As the Muſulmans are'as ſuperſtitious as any other People whatever, this
Sardinian was univerſally proclaimed a Morábboth, or Saint, *it being in
every Mouth, that Heaven had ſent them thoſe ſeaſonable Rains purely at
his Intercellion, and thro' his Merits, By all this, we may eaſily gueſs at
his Reception. Tho' he had: ſeveral ſtately Houſes of his own at Algiers,
''.
Turkiſh Officers, 'riezt’in Degree tábóvc' Oda-Baſbees.
hc
.
The HISTORY Of A L GI ER S.
527
1
#
he remained in the City only three Days; but went to his Farm, a few
Miles out of Town, where he pitched many Tents for himſelf, and the
numerous Retinue he brought with him, of which a conſiderable Part
were his own Renegadoes. He gave out, that he only waited till he got
his Affairs ready to proceed for Tremizan : All which he politicly
did, to avoid giving Umbrage to Haſan Baſha, who could not but be
very uneaſy, and with whoſe malignant Diſpoſition he was but too
well acquainted. The chief Reaſons he gave for his Delay were, to
wait for the Galley of his Son-in-Law, the Al-Caid of Coſtantina, and
for his Kayia, or Lieutenant, who was gone to Conftantinople, in the Al-
gerine Galeot ; pretending, that he could not well depart till their Arri-
yal: Tho'the main Cauſe of his deferring his Weſtern Journey, to take
Poffellion of Tremizan, was the Expectation he was in of being appointed
Vice-Roy of Algiers. But all his Hopes vaniſhed, when, at the End of
Auguſt, arrived the Eunuch Jafer Aga; with the Sultan's Commiſſion to
ſucceed Haſan Baſha in this Vice-Royalty : Of which Affairs more in
due Place. Thus diſappointed, our Sardinian determined to go to the
Levant, on his Galley S. Paul, in Company with Haſan Baſha. Sep.
tember 19, 1580. they departed: But we shall afterwards return to come
of thoſe Particulars; our preſent Theme being only what more immedi-
ately regards Ramadam Sardo.
When he left Algiers he was in his fifty fifth Year. He was middle.
fized, brown-complexioned, round viſaged, and had a ſmall Caſt with his
Eyes. To all the reſt of his before-ſpecified good and amiable Qualities,
he had that of being exceſſively liberal. Nor did he ever uſe
any
indirect
Means to enable him to ſhow his natural Liberality. He emploied much
of his vacant Time.in. Reading: To be underſtood that Sort of Reading
with which he was acquainted, viz. Books relating to the Oriental Af-
fairs, in the Turkiſh and Arabic Tongues. He had never any other Wife
but his Corſican Renegada, by whom he had a Son and two Daughters,
of which young Ladies one was married to Al-Gaid. Memmi, a wealthy
Renegado Spaniard, and the other to Al-Caid Hidir, or Khedhir (d Kule
Oglou, Son of a Renegado Neapolitan) who, as obſerved, was Governor of
Coſtantina.
Some who peruſe the Sheets of this work, as they come from the
Preſs, find the tragical Accounts there given not altogether unentertaining.
As others may, alſo, be of a like 'Taſte, we will, from the fame Au-
thor,
L
2
!!
528
The History Of ALGIERS.
.
thor, borrow a few Extracts more of certain Martyrs, who ſuffered un-
der this mild Baſha: In which Relations F. Haedo ſometimes ſeems to for-
get the worthy Character he had beſtojved on him, upon all other Oc-
caſions. Thoſe Tragedies occurred. while he reſided at Algiers as Vice-
Roy.
P Haſanico, a Renegado Greek, and Rais, or Captain:of a Galeot, was
one of the crueleſt and worſt-conditioned of all thc Corſairs at this Time
belonging to Algiers. Many poor Slayes bore his Marks with them to
thc Gravc; nor were they few who owed their Want of Teeth, Eyes,
and Noſes to his favage Barbarity, No Wonder then if he was, by them,
univerſally deceſted. -Early in July, 1574. this lated Miſcreant, on
his own Galeot, which was a conſiderable Veſſel, accompanied by five
others of a ſmaller Şize, went out on the Cruiſe. Bending their Courſe
Weſtward, in a few Days they were got juſt by:Cadiz: Which, by the
Bye, is the firſt Time I ever find any of the Algerine Cruiſers pafling the
Streights Mouth; tho'. I do not, from thence, pretend to infer, that they
never had done it before. Thoſe.. Corſairs had, it ſeems, Information,
that near a Place called S. Sebaſtian, within two Miles of the City Cadiz,
a great Number of Fiſhers for Tunny were'at work in the 9"Almadravas,
belonging to the Duke De Medina-Sidonia : And, accordingly; they had
concerted to land, aţ Day-break, with about 300 Men, and ſurpriſe thoſe
Chriſtians. Led on by Haſanico, they put in Execution their Deſign;
which was done fo effectually, thro' the good Management of the Turks,
and the ſupine Negligence of thoſe Spaniards, who lay diſperſed, ſleep-
ing here and there upon that Strand, that more than 200 of them werc
taken, and dragged away. towards the Galeots, before any appeared to
give the Corfairs the leaſt Interruption. But before they could get a-
board, ſome who eſcaped, had given the Alarm’at Cádiz, and a great
Body of armed Men haſted to their Reſcué. Some affirm the Intelli-
gence to have come from a Renegado, who flipped away at their firſt
Landing. The Turks were uſing their utmoſt Diligence to imbark with their
Prize, as a good part of them had. aciually done, when the Enemy ap-
peared, and began the Onſet. The Conflict was ſharp, and attended
with ſome Blood-ſhed: And as the Chriſtians preſſed cloſe, thic Corſairs
A
p This Name is no other than the Diminutive of Hallan, which with that Spaniſh Termina:
tion, is the ſame as Little Haſan.
9 Pits dug on thoſe Coaſts, " into which they drive the Fiſh.
werc
il
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
529
were foon forced to quit many of their new Captives, who joyfully join-
ed their Protectors. As the Corſairs found their Enemies ſtill increaſing,
they fought nothing farther but how to regain their Galeots, and get
them to Sea. But, to their utter Confternation, they ſoon perceived the
Tyde to be gone down ſo conſiderably, that their Veſſels were all ground-
ed. With main Strength of Back and Shoulders, the five ſmalleſt were
got afloat; but the ſixth and much the largeſt, being that of Haſanico,
drawing ſo much Water, and being full of People (moſt of the Turks and
new Slaves having got aboard her) ſtuck ſo faſt, that they could not pof-
fibly remove her ; eſpecially ſince Part of the Equipage were obliged to
face the preſſing Enemy, who even ran into the Water, and ſeized her
with their Hands on one side, while her Owners were ſtriving to puſh
her off on the other. Finding all loft, ſome leaped into the Sca and
fwam to the other Galeots, amidſt a Tempeſt of Muſket Shot, while
others, whoſe Hearts either failed them, or thcy could not ſwim, Ikulked
down under the Banks, to avoid che continual Vollies of Small-Shot ſend
among them: And, the Galcot being preſently entered, they were all
made Priſoners; and among them Haſanico. A ſmall Field-Piece being
now arrived from Cadiz, the five Galeots departed in Deſpair, and carried
to Algiers the News of their Conſort's: Diſaſter.
Great was the Joy at
Cadiz for the Capture of this Galeot; if on no other Account, becauſe
upwards of 140 Chriſtians, who were therein chained to the Oar, be-
fides ſuch as had been then captivated, recovered their Liberty: But the
Eſcape of the other five was not a little regretted. The Proceſſion made
for thoſe Chriſtians was very ſplendid. Soon was Information given to
the Corrigidor, and other Magiſtrates, how their new Priſoner Haf-
Sanico uſed to treat the Chriflians, when in his Power; nor did ſuch
as had any Tokens of his Inhuinanity to ſhew, fail cxpoſing them. His
Crimes were too notorious to admit of any Excuſe: So that, his Proceſs
being made, he was condemned to loſe his Head. This.Author affirms, his
having been credibly informed, that this wicked Renegado renounced his
Errors, and was reconciled to the Catholic Church: Which is more than
barely probable ; ſince otherwiſe the Inquiſition would have been for
goafting him alive. However it was, he remained ſome Days in Priſon;
and then being decapitated, his. Head was fixed over one of the City
Gates. There was a ſober, honeſt Greek, named Nicolo, married ac
Cadiz, who, during Haſanico's Impriſonment, frequently viſited that his
Y
Countryman,
49
.
1
1
1
530
The HISTORY Of ALGIERS.
Countryman, and rendered him ſeveral good Offices. This Man kept a
Shop there, and was a Dealer in Linen-Cloth, and other! Merchandize,
by which Occupation he ſupported himſelf and Family. Not long after,
as he was returning from 'Lisbon, where lie had been to recruit his Shop
with Wares, he was taken by fome Galeots, and carried to Algiers. Thus
become a Slave, and conſcious how deftitutc his Family was left, 'he
agreed with a certain Sberif of Algiers, for 200 Gold Ducats, provided
he purchaſed and conveyed him to Tetoun, or Tetuan, and there waited
till the Money could be remitted over. Mean while he worked, for his
Subſiſtence, in the Shop of a Chriſtian Taylor, or rather Borcher. As
he ſate there, one Day, employing 'himſelf as uſual, he was cſpied by a
Renegado, who having been taken with Haſanico, was confined in the famic
Priſon, and had lately made his Eſcape. That Caitif, who remembered
him ſince the friendly Viſits he uſed to make Haſanico, was greatly ſur-
priſed to find him there, and inſtantly began to meditate the Villany he
afterwards brought about. Without Delay, he fought out ſome of Haf-
fanico's Intimares, telling them, “ That, if- they were diſpoſed to revenge
" their quondam Friend's Death, he would ſhew-them the chief Author
66
« of it, that very Moment." To this they all replied, " That it would
“ be a noble Exploit; and that if he could but ſhew them any who durſt
« have the Inſolence to commit ſuch a Crime; they would ſoon make it
appear, that they knew how to take Vengeance. No ſooner ſaid
than done: And the Traytor led them by 'the Place where the innocent
Greek late at Work. The Affair was preſently communicated to a great
Number of Renegadoes, who being all of the ſame Opinion, into which
the perfidious Villain had led them, they went in a Body to the Basha,
carneſtly preſſing him for his Conſent to burn Haſanico's pretended Mur-
dercr. " This Vice-Roy, ſays Haedo, beholding ſo numerous a Band of
- Renegadoes, ſo importunately and reſolutely demanding his Concurrence
« in this Maiter, as he was not over-ſcrupulous (nor, generally ſpeaking,
"'are any of them) in conſenting to ſuch wicked Barbarities to deſtroy
“ Chriſtians, he told them, they might do as they would." —How dif-
ferent are theſe Words from the Character this Author has all along been
giving this Renegado Baſha! Upon this, they all hafted to the ſaid
Sherif, and inſtantly paid him down the agreed-on Sum : Who, proba-
bly, was well enough pleaſed to have his Money without waiting, or be-
ing at the Charge and Trouble of going ſo far as Tetuan. To ſecure their
Victim,
E
1
4
1
I he:HISTOR:Y of ALGIERS,
531
Victim, till things were got ready for the Sacrifice, they conducted him
to the Bagnio of Admiral Arnaud Memmi, " the crueleſt Enemy (ſays this
" Author) the Chriſtians now have, which induced thoſe Brutes to
( chuſe him for their Director and Chief in this their beſtial Cruelty.” Here,
adds..Haedo; began the Martyrdom of the Bleſſed Nicolo: For they ſhut
him up in a Dungeon, with a great Chain on his Leg, not permitting
cither Chriſtian or Moor, even to approach him, much leſs to give him
any Suítenance. This was December 23, 1574, when ſome of them re;
collecting, that Chriſtmas was, at Hand, they thought the Inſult to the
Chriſtians would be the greater, if they committed their inhuman Vila
lany at that ſolemn Feſtival; and, accordingly, nothing was to be heard,
the whole Town over, but ; “ A Dog of a Chriſtian is to be burned
“ alive, upon his own Paſqua!” And ſuch was the Hubbub, and ſo
inſolent the Moors, &c., eſpecially the Boys, that va Slave or other Chris
Nian could not paſs the Streets, about their Affairs, without being abuſed
by the Skum of the Populace; who, upon theſe Occaſions, are much
about as civil and inoffenſive as our London-Mob, at Elections, or ſuch-
like popular Gatherings - together of our polite, well-bred Plebeians.
A Set of Gentry, who, to all Appearance, would not be very much
fhocked at Scenes of this Naturc.I beg Pardon, for delivering my
Sentiments thus bluntly: Buc Fact is Fact--- There was, at this Time,
in Algiers a Reverend: Jefuit, named F. Torres, who came over to redeem
Captives, with Part of the Legacy left by Don Luis * Quixada, whom we »
mentioned as Foſter-Father.to Don Juan de Auſtria. This good Father,
greatly grieved at what was preparing againſt this poor Innocent, and moſt
deſirous of preventing ſuch a Scene of. Inhumanity; repaired to“the Baſha,
to whom he warmlys remonſtrated : the Injuſtice of theſe. Proceedings.
His going to the Palace could noţ be ſo private, but that it reached the
Ears of ſome of the Renegadoes: Who apprehenſive left. he should pre-
vail on the Bafha's eaſy Tempcr, and cauſe him to recall his. Licenſe, they
few thither in a great Body; where finding F. Torres - talking to the
Baſba, their barbarous. Infolence is:undeſcribable. · No Arguments, tho'
ever. fo.reaſonable; would, prevail; but, with a moſt audacious Cla-
mour, they inſiſted upon the Bafha's Promiſe. Nay, ſo far they car-
sicd their Arrogance, that they began to cry out amain to the Baſha for
1
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.
I
Look back to P. 499.
Y yy?
Lcave
Th
1
$32
The HISTORY OF ALGIERS.
1
N
Lcave to burn F. Torres, together with Nicolo ; as being cqually guilty,
and no leſs deſerving ſuch Puniſhment : “ Since, ſaid they, it is theſe
“ raſcally Papaſſes who are always ſetting on the People to do Miſchief."
And they grew ſo outrageous, and appeared fo very much in Earneſt,
that the Admiral, whom they had choſen for their Captain in this Buſi-
neſs, apprehenſive left the Bama might at length be frightened into a
Conſent, laid hold on F. Torres, and threw over him his Feraja, or Up-
per-Garment; thereby ſignifying, thar, at all Events, he took him under
his Protection. Telling thoſe Fiends, " That.what they demanded was
“ not at all convenient: Since, that Papaſs, being there in order to ran-
« ſom Caprives, immediately repreſented the King of Spain's Perſon: So
" that they ought to be very well ſatisfied with the Leave granted them
" by the Baba, to burn, or otherwiſe uſe as they thought fit, that Greek
" Varlet; whom they knew to be really guilty. " With theſe Words
of the Admiral, and others, to a like Tendency, delivered by Ramadam
Basha, the Renegadoes departed muttering; their Eyes glowing with Fury
and Diſſatisfaction. As for F. Torres, ſufficiently terrified at what had
happened, he was glad to quit all his pious and charitable Precenſions,
and flink away, under a no ſmall Apprehenſion of being torn Piece-meal,
before he could reach the Place of his Abode.
Here it is not unneceſſary to take ſome Notice of the Difference be-
tween thoſe Times and theſe, as to ſuch Affairs ; as, likewiſe, of the
great Advantage a natural, original Muſulman has over a Renegado in
Power among thoſe People. Formerly, the Renegadoes of Barbary were
a very conſiderablc Body in the State, the main Bulk of their Corſairs
conſiſting of them, and were actually dreaded, even by the Turks them-
ſelves;
left they ſhould fide with the diſcontented Natives, and intro-
duce the Chriſtians. The Turks, then, could not well go to Sea with-
out them; whereas the Caſe is now intirely otherwiſe. In former Days,
nay not very many Years ſince, I have been credibly informed, that no-
thing was more common to be ſeen in the Shops, and even in the Streets
of Algiers, than Parties of Renegadoes, fitting publicly on Mats, coſtly
Carpets and Cuſhions, playing Cards and: Dice, thrumming Guitars, and
ſinging a la Chriſtianeſca, enebriating like Swine, till the very laſt Day
of the Moon - Shaâban, and, in their drunken Airs, ridiculing, and even
During the two Months, or rather Moons of Rejeb and Shaâban, which immediately pre-
cede their Ramadam, or Grand Fiſt of thirty Days, it is counted a capital Crime even to taſte
any intoxicating Liquors.
reviling
A
}
1
The HISTORY of ALGIER Š.
$33
1
reviling the Mahometans and their Religion. At all which, the Turks
would, commonly, only ſhake their Heads, and ſmile : Nay, the Baſhas
themſelves, even ſuch of them as were Turks, would only ſay: “E-inde !
" Bou Culeh-ler ni Giaur, ni Muflulman, ni Chifout! On-ler-da Dîna
o Imaun iokter." That is : “ Well! Theſe Renegadoes are neither Chri-
“ ftians, Muſulmans, nor Jews ! They have no Faith, nor Religion at
« all!" Whereas of later Years, the Caſe has been and ſtill is very different ;
infomuch that I ſhould not care to be in the Coat of any who ran ſuch
Lengths. Few Renegadoes are now in very great Eſteem ; nor is any Word
more common in a Turk's Mouth, when he ſpeaks of a Renegado, than
that of “ Bobba-ſi-dan Giaur." i. e. “ He is more an Infidel than his
“ Father."As to the reſt; had Ramadam Sardo been a natural Turk,
and diſpoſed to have ſaved the poor, wrongly-accuſed Greek, the Villain
his Accuſer would have been drubbed to Death, and the whole Band of
thoſe clamorous Caitifs would have been ſharply reprimanded for their
Inſolence: All which might have been effected without any Diſturbance, or
other ill Conſequence ; ſince the Turks, Kul-Oglous, Moors, &c. could
not have had any Handle to furmiſe, that he had any other Motive than
mere Regard to Juſtice and the Protection of Innocence. But, ſhould a
Renegado take ſuch a Step, even thoſe of his own Cloth would be the
firſt to brand him with the infamous Name of a Fautor of Chriſtians, as
being one himſelf; which would be the readieſt Way could be taken to
work his Deſtruction. And this ſecms, upon theſe Occaſions, to have
ſtopped the Mouth and tied the Hands of the well-diſpoſed Ramadan
Sardo; as, to my own certain Knowledge, has been the Caſe with many
Renegadoes, in ſeveral other Matters, tho' of leſs Moment.
proceed with our Story.
Nicolo was informed of what was to be his Tate; and this Author gives
many Inſtances of his patient Reſignation, painting him out as a Perſon
actually cut out to be a Martyr. With great Difficulty he obtained the
Favour of being viſited by a Ghoſtly Father, who was a Reverend Trini-
tarian, lately brought in a Captive, and who, afterwards got away, by
Land, to Oran. The pious Man prepared him for his Journey. But the
Renegadoes (like the Moriſcoes of Sherfbels, taken Notice of in a preceda
ing Page) beginning to reflect, that their Paſtime would be too expen-
five, unleſs they made a Gathering, among Lovers of the Cauſe, towards
defraying the Coſts and Charges of the Solemnity, put off the Sacrifice
from
But to
534
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
1
from Chriſtmas-Day, as had been intended, to the Day following. Ac-
cordingly he was Proceſſioned, and preceded by ſome Elect, with Diſhes ;
who begged of all they inet. A certain Renegado Spaniard, Captain of a
Galeot, who was named Morat Rais, Chico, and known by the Spaniſlo
Nick-Náme + Mal-trapillo, finding the Feſtival "was delayed for only
twenty four Gold Ducats, he gallantly threw down Half the Sum, and
went about collecting the Remainder, from Houſe to Houſe, among all
his Acquaintance.
All Obſtacles being thus removed, theſe African Inquiſitors, having
provided themſelves with two or three Chiauſes, or the Baſha's Meſſcn-
gers, to give a Sanction to their Doings, about Noon they drag away
their Victim to the Plain, or Strand, near Ali Baja's Caſtle, without
Beb-al-Weyd Gate, where the Anchor, Fewel, &c. were ready prepared,
in the fame Order, as for ſome of the before-mentioned, Martyrs. And
to cut ſhort Haedo's long and diſmal Account, this unhappy Innocent'was
miſerably and moſt inhumanly roaſted, as he walked round and round the
Iron Stake ; which diabolical Torture he endured, for more than three
Quarters of an Hour, with the pious Patience of a primitive Father. He
no rooner ſunk down and expired, than the Body was beat to Shatters
by Tempeſts of Stoncs, firſt from the Renegadoes, and then from the Boys
and other Mob. When the Heaps of Stones were removed, the Re-
mains of this Martyr's mangled Carcaſs were burned to Aſhes. Some
Bones were afterwards privately buried by well-inclined Chriſtians. He
was aged fifty five.
The next remarkable Tragedy that happened in this Baha's Time,
was as follows.
February 4, 1577. Kara-Haſſan, a Turkiſlo Cor-
fair, Captain of a Galeot, was a Man of a brutiſh and moſt inhu-
man Diſpoſition, and was particularly cruel towards his own Slaves.
Hc, a few Days before, had cntered the River of Tetoun, or Tetuan,
with two Galcots of his own, whereof one was commanded by him-
felf, and the other by his Renegado, named Ménmi Rais, a Venetian.
Deſire of Liberty, and Hatred to this cruel Corſair, had induced ſeveral of
his Slaves to combine, and forın a Reſolution of taking the firſt fair Oc-
ciſion to riſe and run away with the Galeot. When the Corſair's Buſi-
;
1
Literally a forry Bit of Clout, or Rag: Uſed to ſignify a pitiful Scoundrel.. .
2
ners
1
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LIH
The HISTORY of ALGIER::1
$35
neſs at that Town was done, he ordered his Renegado-to-weigh Anchor,
and
go
down the River before him, while he ſtill remained behind, upon
fome Affair. This the Chriſtians thought a favourable Opportunity: to put
in Execution their Project: And the Cut over to Spain was very ſhort:
The Chiefs of this Combination were five; viz. A Venetian Carpenter;
named Janetto ; aged twenty fix: The Captain's Steward, named Juliano,
a Genoueſe; aged eighteen; Marco, El Remolar, or the Oar-Maker, alſo a
Genoueſe, married in-Sicily; aged thirry four: Andrca, of Jacas being a
Native of chat ancient City in Sicily; aged twenty five: And Marcello;
of Mancia, born at that City, in Calabria ;, aged twenty two. Theſe,
with ſome others, were reſolutely determined, and waited only for the
Occaſion. Kara Haſan, now ready to depart and follow his Renegado,
finding the Wind had ſhifted, and began to blow a ſtrong Gale full in
his Teeth up the River gave the Word for lowering the Maſt, in or-
der to facilitate his Paffage As he ſtood upon Deck, bawling out thoſe
Orders concerning the Maft, Janetto the Carpenter, having tipped the Wink
upon
his Aſſociates, who, anſwering with the like, ſignified their Approbati-
on, he approached the Corſair, Ax in Hand (which he might do unſuſpected,
that being his uſual Weapon, tho' applied to other Uſes) ſaying to him
." Patron, Patron: This is not a Time to talk of thoſe Affairs.” And
with theſe Words, he inſtantly buried the whole Head of his Ax in the
Tyrant's Breaſt, who with that terrible Stroke fell down at his Feet.
Upon this Marcello, reſolving to make an End of him, ran with a Crowa
Foot, and gave the gaſping Barbarian two great Wounds, one in the
Belly, the other on the Temples. At this unexpected Object, the Turks
inſtantly roſe, being upwards of ſixty, and were as readily encountered by
the whole Crew of Slaves; with what Weapons came to Hand, and there
began a ſharp and bloody Conflict. Juliano, 'the Steward, had given the
Chriſtians fome Scimetars, and others had forcibly ſupplied themſelves
with thoſe of ſome Soldiers, at the Beginning of the Fray. Both Parties
fought with cqual Fury, thcir All being at Stake. Several of the Tilrks
were ſoon laid Sprauling on the Deck, and many others forced overboard,
whereof ſome were drowned in the River, having ſo crammed their
Boſoms with Bags of Gold and Silver Money, that the very Weight
funk them to the Bottom ; particularly ſeven or eight Mooriſh Merchants,
going Paſſengers to Algiers. Some of the Chriſtians were alſo ſlain, and
others diſabled. Of the Turks only twenty ſtood their Ground aboard,
N
five
$36
The History Of ALGIERS.
five at the Poop, and fifteen at the Prow. Theſe madc Head againſt the
Chriſtians, and actually prevented them from cutting away the Cable.
During this Action, the few Moors and thoſe Turks;ceaſed not hollowing
aloud to the other Galcot, which was ſcarce got a Muſket Shot down the
River: But at firſt thoſe Calls for Aſſiſtance were taken for only the
Noiſe made at weighing the Anchor, and other Matters of a like Na-
ture. But when the Caſe was diſcovered, Memmi Rais came rowing fu-
riouſly towards them, pouring in Showers of Small Shot and Arrows
among the revolted Chriſtians; who in vain (trove to cut the Cable, in or-
der, with the Force of the Current, to bear down upon, and ſink, if
poſſible, or elſe board the approaching Enemy. But, moſt unfortunatcly
for thoſc bold Adventurers, the Turks defended their Poft to Admiration.
During this furious Conteſt, Memmi Rais arrived, and a good Num-
ber of his Turks leaped aboard, and renewed the Fight with greater Fury
than ever. Thoſe who had taken the Water being alſo returned, the
Scene began to change Countenance. The Blood of Chriſtians mingled
with that of their Enemies, began to flow plentifully about the Galeot.
Of the Chriſtians, the ſaid five Ring-Leaders. greatly ſignalized them-
felves; more particularly the gallant young Juliano: Who with his late
Patron's own coſtly Sabre, laid about him “ bolder than a Lion; darting
« himſelf from Place to Place, like Lightning, and doing Wonders.”
Thus the Chriſtians in the Galeot held out molt manfully, for a very con.
fiderable Space ; till the Enemy increaſing upon them cvery Moment,
and Showers of Shot and Arrows being inceſſantly poured in upon them,
nineteen of the moſt active and reſolute were ſoon laid dead upon the
Deck, and many more grievouſly wounded; inſomuch that the Survivors
were forced to ſurrender. "Memmi Rais, being extremely concerned at the
Death of his Patron, who from his childhood, had brought him up, with
grcat Love and Tenderneſs, as were the Turks highly incenſed at the Loſs
of their Friends, the ſurrendered Revolters were no ſooner well ſecured,
but it was reſolved among them to take ſevere Vengeance. They began
with Janetto, the Carpenter, who, with his Ax, had given the firſt
Wound to Kara Haſan. Having cut off his Noſe and Ears, they hung
him, by the Feet, at the Yard.Arm, and ſhot his Body ſo full of Arrows,
that, to uſe.my Author's own Words, he looked like a Porcupine, or
Hedge. Hog: Being ſtill alive, they let down the Yard at once, ſo that
he was plunged into the River, and remained under. Water more than a
Quarter
-
2
The HISTORY, Of. ALGIERS.
537
..
4
Quarter of an Hour; when imagining him to be certainly dead, the
Yard was again hoiſted up, and, to the Wonder and Amazement of all
the Beholders, he was yet living, a prodigious Quantity of Water iſſu-
ing from his mouth and Noſtrils: AŅd he ſo continued for a good Half
Hour, invoking CHRIST, the Virgin and Saints, with exemplary
Fervency.
Next they took afhore the valorous young Juliano: “ And ſtripping
" him to the Skin, ſays this Author, which was clearer than Alabaſter,
leaving him only a thin Pair of Linen Drawers, they buried him, to the
Middle, cloſe by the River Side; .when having bound his Hands behind,
they ſhot him quite full of Arrows. This brave Youth, alſo, received
Martyrdom with as much Piety and Reſolution , as his Companion:
Both behaving as courageouſly as, they had done during their bold At-
tempt. Their Bodies were then caſt inço the River, which being by the
Scream ! carried away to the Sea, were never more heard of. The Day
following; the Galeots departed for Algiers, where Memmi Rais and the
others determined to revenge themſelves ſeverely on the moſt culpable of
thoſe Revolters. Being arrived, that Renegado Captain, with ſome of his
Turks, repaired to the Palace; acquainting Ramadam Baſha with what
had happened. Memmi Raiss, all in Tears, intreated the Baßba to permit
him to revenge the diſaſtrous Death of his dear Patron, and the other
Turks, upon certain of the Chriſtians, according to his own Method. To
this the Baſha readily enough conſented. Leave thus obtained, without
a Moment's Delay, a Mule was ſent fory and Andrea of Jaca's Chains
being knocked off, he was ried Hands and Feet, and cruelly dragged a-
long thro!: all the chief:Sercetsinſomuch, that when he got to Beb-al-
Weyd Gare be: Was in :ras manner deads being all oyer moſt inhumanly
torn and mangled. There he was caſt upon the Hook, as deſcribed in
P.391. which, taking him under the right Side Ribs, paffed quite thro:
his Body, ſo that it was not long before he expired. He ſuffered with
ſingular Patience and Devotion. The Body remained ſo, that Day, and
Part of the next.; when it was thrown into the Sea, becauſe it ſhould not
be buried by the Gbriftians.
The fame Day, Marcello, the Calabrian, was brought out to the fame
Gate, and there being faſtened by the Middle to a Stake, with his Hands
bound behind, he was miſerably ſtoned to Shatters by the Multitude. The
mangled Carcaſs was then reduced to Cinders, which werc afterwards, by
VOL. II.
ጊ z z
that
:
183.8
The "His fotil öf. AL GI E R ક
S.
1
“that'inraged Populacc, cảft into the Sea, and diſperſed about the Place
,
in order to diſappoint the zealous Relic-Mongers.
The Oar-Maker, Marco, was 'hinged up by the Feet to the Yard of
a French Veſſel, then 'carcening in the Port, where he continued alive
almoſt-two Days and one Night: When towards the Evening the Mo-
bility got Leave to diſpatch him; which they did with a Tempeſt of
Stones, in ſo inhuman ä Manner, that the whole Body quite loſt its pri-
ftine Form, and of the Head ſcarce any remained. Having thus vented
their Füry, the Remains were caſt into the Sea, and no more heard of
The Character F. Haedo affirms, from. Eye and Ear Witneſſes, to have
heard of theſe Servants and Soldiers of Jesus CHRIST, and of their hea
roic Patience and Chriſtian Reſignation, induces him to deem them all
worthy a Placc among his Martyrs; concerning whom, nothing near ſo
much Notice ſhould have been taken, but that ſeveral curious Readers ap.
prove of theſe Narratives ; and are of Opinion, that, more than any
thing elſe; they diſplay the Genius, &c. of the People we treat of. They
are certainly genuine, 'tho', ſeemingly, "related' not without ſomewhat of
a Tincture of Partiality : But moſt of the Preaching Part is omitted.
Memmi Rais, not yet ſatisfied with having thus chaſtiſed the five Ring-
Leaders of this notable Inſurrection, but ſtill thirſting for the Blood of
the Reſidue, and meeting no farther Encouragement from Ramadam
Baſha, about twenty Days after the laſt of theſe Executions, he ſet out
for Conſtantinople. The main Cauſe of his taking thật Voyage was to ob-
tain that Permiſſion from Ochali, or Ali Baſha, Fartas, the Grand Signor's
Chief Admiral, of whom we have ſo amply trcated. The Pretext for
this his inſatiable Cruelty, in which he was ſeconded.by others.ini his Com-
pany, was, that the Blood of his murdered Patron, Kara Haſan, and ſo
many brave Turks, might be completely revenged. That famous
Admiral's Anſwer, according to Haedo, is very remarkable, and ſuffici-
ently ſhows his natural Diſpoſition, in a Caſe where he was' frec from all
Apprehenſion or Reſtraint. Baring his Right Arm, which was maim-
ed, he ſaid to thoſe Petitioners : 2366 Do you-behold here this Arm of
" mine, lamed by ſome Chriſtians, who formerly roſe up in Arms aboard
6 my own Veſél, and ſpared no Blows, in order to deprive me of Life
6 and recover their Liberty. More than this, the fame Chriftians and
'" ſome other's made like Attempts, in two other :Veſſels of mine, and
ſlaughtered many Turks, and others of my, Equipages. Yet, at all this
" I did
The History Of ALGIËRS: :
$35
$5 I did: not in the leaſt wonder ; ſince it is very natural for, nay, an in-
6 cumbent Obligation upon every Man deprived of Liberty, to ſtudy
66 Mcans to get out of his Captivity: Nor is this any more than what is.,
“ daily and hourly. practiſed between Enemics. So that as Kara Haſſan
“ is far from being the only Perſon who has met a like Fate, deſiſt from
CC all Demands and Pretenſions of this Nature, and think no more of thus:
« butchering the poor Chriſtians. "Had he been at Algiers, among that
unruly Militia, he muſt not have been ſo blunt. -The fame Author
goes on thus:.6 With theſe and other ſuch-like Diſcourſes, the Captain-
“ Baſa appealed them: In all which he frankly told them nothing but
" the bare and naked Truth ; rightly obſerving the Injuſtice of thoſe
6 Crueltics which Memmi Rais had been committing; not ſcrupling to
acknowledge, that he had no ſufficient Cauſe to inflict ſuch barbarous
“ Puniſhments upon thoſe Chriſtians. And the real Truth is, that the
« main Motive that induces thoſe misbelieving Barbarians fo to ſlaughter
66 the Chriſtians, and gorge themſelves with their Blood, is no other than
C.the immortal Hatred they bear to the Name and Precepts of Our Lord
“ Jesus Christ: In all which their Inhumanities, one ſeldom meets with
any
Inſtance wherein they do not act with the utmoſt Injuſtice; Gince
" the Provocations they have for ſo doing, arc either very ſlight, or at
6. the moſt not much worthy Notice. For, gencrally ſpeaking, the
6 worſt Crime a Chriſtian is guilty of thcre, is (conformable to Reaſon
" and Juſtice) attempting to regain his Freedom: And wherein lies the
“ Injuſtice of all this, even if effected by killing his Infidel Enemy, who,
" unjuſtly and tyrannically, has robbed him of his Liberty !”
Well urged, Priest ! But F, Haedo, methinks, too ſoon forgets the more
rational and conſiderate Arguments of the 1 Captain-Baſba. * Beſides, Spa-
niards, of all People, ought: not to argue after this Manner: It being too
notorious in the World, how mercifully they proceed, even in Mac-
ters of a far ſlighter Nature. It is really Pity thoſe unhappy young Men
ſucceeded no better in their generous Attempt: But, at the ſame Time,
it is much to be queſtioned, wliether their Treatment, upon a like Occa-
fion, would have been a Jot milder, among Spaniards, &c.; tho', per-
laps, they would have been butchered with ſomewhat more forma-
CC
1
* In P. 501. it is ſaid, that this Admiral died in 1580. It is a liſtake; for lie livetlehem
Years longer.
Look back to P. 516, EE.
7. z 22
$40
The HISTÓRY of ALGIERS.
lity, according to the Rules of Juſtice:and: Equity. Cbriftians, nay Cam
tholic Chriſtians as they were, had they been chained to Oars on board a
Spaniſh, or other. Catholic Galley (few of which are without Store of
good Catbolics, interſperſed among their Infidel' and Heretic Labourers)
and had made fuch a Puſh for their Liberty, and, in: the-Artenipt, ſhed
any trac Gatiolic Blood, they would ſcarce have been Canonized, even
had they, .one by one, invoked all the Saints in Paradiſe. · So much by
Way of Animadverſion and Moral.
To the Tragical Relation, in P. 482. & feq.- (which is well reliſhed
by fame of my Rcaders) of an Exploit of the revengetul Muriſeves, by
Way of Reprizal upon their Perſecutors, the Spaniards, take the Abſtract
of another, from the ſame Writer, which happened in 1976. during the
Adminiſtration, and with the Conſent of this Ramadam Sarda. It is remark-
able, and gives a farther Inſight into Part of the Hiſtory of thoſe Times..
Early in June, the ſaid Ycar, about twenty Turks and Moriſcoes, in a ſmall
Frigata, or Brigantine;' going on Cruiſe, foon after Day-Break landed at
a Place called El Colle de Balaguer, 'not far from Tortoſa in Catalonia.
Concealing their Veſſel in a Creek, they ſay. in Ambuſh, by the Road-
Side, with their accuſtomed View of ſurpriſing unwary Paſſengers. They
had not waited long before nine Chriſtians, travelling to Taragona, and
other Parts, unfortunately fell into the Snare, and were all captivated :
So remifs, ſays this Author, are the Guards appointed to ſecure thoſe
Roads. Among thoſe Travellers was a Reverend Ecclefiafticz named
F. Miguel de Arandn, a Perſon of high Reputation and Efteem. The in-
ſidious Corfairs haſtily imbarked with their Prize, fearing a Diſcovery.
Next Day they met with a fiſhing-Boat, with four Chriſtians, which
they likewiſe took. Satisfied with theſe thirteen Slaves, they bore over
for Barbary, and foon got to Sherſhel, about twenty Leagues Weſt of
Algiers, and, as we often obſerve, inhabited chiefly by Moriſcoes. Among
Crouds of Sherſelians, who flocked to learn News, and ſee the new
Slaves, was one * Caſetta (the Surnaine of his Family when in Spain)
who, not very long before, had eſcaped thither from Oliva, in the King-
dom of Valencia. This Man, being informed, that thoſe Chriſtians were
y In the Original it is Caxeta and Cajeta, both which are to be pronounced Cakbeta, a
ter the corrupt, or rather abſurd Manner of the Spaniards, who have no other Way of ex.
preling Sa, or indced cannot pronounce thoſe Letters at all.
4
Valencians
+
541
The HISTORXafA.LOLE R9.
Home
Valencians and Catalans, began to be very inquiſitive concerning a Bro-
ther of his, named Alicax (rather Ali-Gaſhetta) lately made a Captive by
the Spaniards, fomewhere near Valencia. The Caſe was thus. When
this Moriſco fled over to Barbary, that his Elder Brother came with him,
together with their Families, and others of that Națion. Thcy fcieled
at Sherfhel, where they had many Relatives and Acquaintance. The Elder
of the Brothers, being a Man of Courage and Capacity, a good Marinci,
and particularly well acquainted with the Valencian Coafts (as having there
been born and bred, and for many Years followed Fiſhery.) in Partnerſhip
with other Mariſcoes, no leſs verſed in thoſe their native Parts than him-
felf, fiuged out a Brigantine, in which they made divers ſucceſsful Trips
aver, doing abundance of Damage, in captivating a great Number of
Chriflians, which they fold at Algiers. Beſides this, they brought away many
Moriſco Families. Such a Train of Proſperity made Ali Cafbetta cxceflively
daring and vain glorious. He painted his Brigantine all green, and ſo fet
it out with: Flags and Streamers, that the Shew it made upon the Water
ſufficiently expreſſed its Owner's Vanity. But before he had long triş
umphed, he fell in among fome Spaniſio Gallies, who put a Stop.to his
Career. Thus become a Slave, he was put to the Oar; as the leaſt noto:
rious.of his Cloth were uſually ſerved, But the Count De Olivą, whoſe
Valfal he had been, hearing of his Capture, ſtrove to get him into his
Hands, in order to infliet on him a greater Puniſhment, in Return for the
inconceivable Ravages he had comunitted in his Territory, and chiefly.in
conveying away ſuch Numbers of his profitable Moriſco. Vaffals. " But,
" ſays this Author, the Inquiſitors of Valencia hearing of this noted Cap-
" tive's Exploits, and many of his Enormities lying directly within the
“ Province of the Holy Office,” he was forced away from the Galley
where he rowed, and ſecured in one of their Dungcons'; where he was ac
the Time when his Brother was thus inquiring about him of thoſe new
Slaves at Sherfael.
As ſome of them, who knew the Perſon, and his Story, indiſcreetly
enough, fcrupled not to affirm; « That his Brother was then an a
“ Priſoner at Valencia.” Auding, by Way of Recollection; “ Thar, of
" a Certainty, they knew, that he would ſoon be releaſed. ” Notwith-
ſtanding this Half-Caution uſed by thoſe Spaniards, the Moriſco was too
well acquainted with the Affairs of Spain, not to gueſs at the Reaſon
why his Brother was not, like others, chained to the Oar on board fome
Galley
sup2
The History of ALGIERS.
Galley.' Thoſe Words cauſed Reflections which ſtung him to the very
Soul; and ſo affected he was, that he was juſt ready to fall upon thoſe
innocent Valencians: But that would have been a Procedure he could not
lave anſwered to their owners. However, ſo was his Breaſt agitated
with Fury, "that he could not refrain from uttering direful Execrations ;
Swearing by Allab: « Thar'if his Brother came to any Harm, ſome one
" or other ſhould ſeverely pay for it.” Departing in a Rage, he affem-
bled all his Relations and Intimates, to whom he imparted his Suſpicions,
which thcy all thought were but too well grounded, and unanimouſly
concurred, that ſomc ſpeedy Remedy ought to be attempted. The beſt
they could think on, was forthwith to purchaſe ſome noted Valencian,
whoſe Intereſt it ſhould be, for Self-Preſervation, to endeavour the get-
ting himſelf exchanged for that Priſoner. We have obſerved, that ſeve-
ral of the ſaid new Captives were of that City. The Moriſcoes had all
agreed with Caſhetta to contribute towards buying the Chriſtian, and left
the reſt to him to act as he thought proper. He, returning to diſcourſe
farther with theſe Valencians, foon found that the Chief among them
was F. Miguel de Aranda : Who, being a reſpectable Churchman, would,
conſequently, be as likely as any to procure his Brother's Inlargement ; if
by any poſible Means to be obtained. Tho' he dreaded worſe, yet, hi-
therto, he conceived ſome ſmall Glimmerings of Hope, that his beloved
Brother might appertain to fome Valencian Don, whom having diſoblig-
ed, he had caſt him into Priſon. If ſo, the Caſe was not deſperate. But
if he had been taken Cognizance of by thoſe cloſc-talloned Harpies, the In-
quiſitors, alas! what Remedy? Among thoſe Captives, there was one Ang
tonio Efevan, who well knew both the Brothers, having, with them,
long followed the Fiſhing Trade. With this Chriſtian, in particular, who
had his Family at Valencia, and was very certain of the whole Affair,
Caſetta was cxceſſively inquiſitive: And by him was confirmed of his
Brother's Impriſonment. “ But, faid he, if God pleaſes; he may ſoon
" be releaſed."" As not daring, adds this Author, to ſay, he was
<< in the Priſons of the Holy Office." Thus agitated with Hope; Doubt,
Fear and Reyenge, Caſhetta determined to go in the Brigantine to Algiers,
intending there to purchaſe F. Miguel de Aranda, and, by fair or foul
Means, to prevail with him to engage for and procure his Brother's Li-
berty. Nor could he contain himſelf in the Paſſage, but broke his
Mind to F. Miguel; promiſing him all imaginable good Treatment, pro-
vided
41
0
66 fully.”
1
L
The HISTORY of. A LGIERS.
$43
vided he obtained what he and many others ſo earneſtly deſired. But as.
that good Father was conſcious of the Caſe, he ſtill replied ; “ That he
6 could not, in any wiſc, pretend to engage himſelf in any ſuch Affair:
66 But that, if he could poſſibly bring it about, he would do it very joy-
"Nor did he ever make him the leaſt Promiſe; as well know-
ing that to be a Caſe in which even the King himſelf dares not interfere.
However, all this wrought not the leaſt Effect upon the perſiſting Mo-
riſco; but he bought F. Miguel in the public Market for 260 Gold Du-
cats. His Affairs detained him at Algiers about a Month; during all
which Time, he was inceſſantly teazing his Reverend Captive upon the
fame Subject, and always got the ſame ingenuous Reply. In Mid-Auguſt
he ſet out for Sherſhel, on a good Mule, followed by poor F. Miguel on
Foot, in that ſcorching and ſultry Seaſon of the Year: And as he imagin-
ed to bring about by hard Uſage what he was not able to compaſs by In-
treaty and Inſinuation, he marched thoſe four-ſcore Miles, or thereabouts,
in leſs than two Days: Which toilſome Journey we may term the Intro-
duction to this Martyr's Sufferings. Being delivered to the Wife and
Children of the impriſoned Moriſco, they and all the reſt of his Relations
ſtrove who ſhould out-do each other in abuſing and inſulting him; there-
by to force him to a Compliance. Beſides kecping him continually ema
ploied in all the vileſt and moſt ſervile Offices, with a great Chain at his
Leg, and ſcarce any Suſtenance, his Ears were perpetually faluted with
reviling Language : All which this Author affirms him to have endured;
for ſeveral Months, with a true Catholic Patience, Humility and Reſigna-
tion.At length, April 1577. Other Moriſcoes, eſcaping from Valencia,
arrived at Sherſhel, and brought the ſhocking News ; " That the unhappy
si Ali Caſetta (after many Months Confinement in that worſc than Pura
cogatóry, the Inquiſition, and ſeveral Examinations, at all which he had
is continued moſt perſéveringly contumacious, affirming, to the Tecth of
" the pious Inquiſitors, that it always was and ever ſhould be his immuta-
66 ble Reſolution to live and die a good Muſulman, obſtinately refuGng
'cs to acknowledge or confeſs his manifold Crimes) had, in November laſt,
e been delivered up by the Holy Office to the Secular 'Arm, and publicly
coroafted alive at Valencia.
Not to dwell on the Effects theſe Tydings wrought on the Moriſcoes,
particularly thoſe who were moſt concerned in that Perſon's Diſaſter, all
which may be better gueſſed at than deſcribed, we ſhall only take Notice
2
of
$44
The HISTORY OF ALGIERS.
+
of the Reſult; which was the Reſolution they took, to give the Cha
tholic Church a Martyr, as the Catholics had given their Church a Cox-
felfor. And who a properer:Victim than F. Miguel! Upon this innocent
Man they reſolved to try an Experiment: Whether there were not as good
Inquiſitors in Barbary as in Spain : Nay, they determined to do their Bus
fineſs full as publicly, and with no leſs Solemnity. There was juſt ar-
rived, at Algiers, from Valencia, the Lifmofna, which is the charitable
Collcction of Moncy to redeem Captives. F. Miguel, who had been af-
ſured of his approaching Fate, by his inſulting Patrons and Patronelles
(tor he had ſeveral of both Sexes) found Means to write and ſend away a
Letter, in molt preſſing Terms, to F. Oliver, one of the Pädres Reden-
tores, and his intimate Friend ; acquainting him with the imminent Dan-
ger he was in, and earneſtly ſupplicating him, in Conjunction with the
other Father, his Aſiſtant, to uſe his whole Intereſt, and try what could
poſſibly be done, in his Behalf. “ The Anſwer, ſays this Author, which
co F. Oliver (as he himſelf told me) returned to this Lefter, imported.;
" That he should not ſcruple to agree with his Patrons for what Money hey
« would demand, and that immediately, upon bis informing bim of the Sum,
66 be would not fail paying it down, with the greateſt Pleaſure imaginable :
66 That Father Redeemer being really apprehenſive of the very Tragedy,
6 at which we, afterwards, were all ſorrowful Spectators.
of this Anſwer, F. Miguel propoſed the Affair to his Patrons. But, as
they were already determined, thờy haughtily cut him ſhort; telling him;
" That it was utterly in vain for him to mention, or think of Redempti-
for they would not part with him for all the Wealth in the Uni-
ce verſe. That he ſhould put away all ſuch idle Imaginations ; ſince as Ali-
so Caſhetta had been barbarouſly burned to Death at Valencia, they were
có unalterably reſolved to ſerve him in the very ſame Manner.". All this
and more to a like Purport, they cloſed with a bitter Storm of ſcurrilous
Reproaches. Thc tenth of the ſucceeding May, the fame Perſon who
dragged him to Sherſhel, ſet out from thence, in order to drive him to
Algiers, the Scene of his Martyrdom ; pitched on by thoſe his Inqui-
Jitors, as being more populous, and by far more frequented by Europeans,
and conſequently the Catholics, on the other Side the Watcr, would ſoon
have a circumſtantial Information, “ That. in Barbary there were ſome
66 who had as good a Hand at burning, and even at roafl'ing Folks, as they
6 could poſſibly have in Spain, or elſewhere: And the Padres Redentores
CC would
On Receipt
CC
on ;
,
.
The HISTORY Of ALGIERS.
545
o would be convinced, by ocular Demonſtration, that Vengeance was
s not always to be bought off with Money."-Pity, indeed, the In-
nocent ſhould pay off the Scores of the Guilty! But in what Part of the
World is not the ſame practiſed, by Way of Reprizal ? - Caſhetta, on
his Arrival at Algiers, with bis Sacrifice, failed not to impart the Occa-
ſion of his coming to the leading Moriſcoes there; who, highly applauding
his generous Reſolution, readily promiſed him the utmoſt of their Coun
tenance and Aliſtance. Accordingly, they congregated the whole Com-
munity; who all came into it, not one excepted. There the Meaſures
to be taken were concerted; and we ſhall ſoon ſee the Reſult of that
Meeting. Four of their graveſt and moſt reſpectable Elders were nomi-
nated, to accompany the ſorrowful Mourner to the Baſia's Palace, in or-
der to ſollicit his Conſent. Several of them were of Opinion, that, in
a Caſe like this, the burning a ſingle Chriſtian would not be ſufficiently
pompous and glaring in the Eye of the World : Alledging, " That if
" they were diſpoſed to do a handſome Action, which might in fome
66 Meaſure put a Bridle on the Noſes of the Spaniſh Inquiſitors, and ter-
(6 rify them from ſuch inhuman Treatment of their Moriſco Brethren,
st only for ſeeking the quiet Enjoyment of their Conſciences, it would
“ be convenient, nay, intirely neceſſary for them to facrifice two, three,
or more, even as many as they could purchaſe, of the beſt-eſteemed
" Spaniards they could lay Hands on; and if they were all Papaſes, ſo
o much the better : Since, added they, in Spain, thoſe are the People
C6 who are at the Head of all Councils, and who bellow out from their
“ Pulpits, that our Nation ſhould and ought to be perſecuted and de-
« ftroyed.” This was very well reliſhed at the Aſſembly : But,
in Barbary, Prieſts Fleſh is generally the deareſt of the whole Mar.
ket.. However, ſome of the moſt zealous were extremely urgent
and follicitous with Morat Rais, Mal-trapillo, mentioned in P. 534. to
ſell them a certain Valencian Prieſt of his, who had been captivated in
the S. Paul, a l1alteſe Galley: Offering him whatever reaſonable Sum of
Money he would exact. But as that Apoſtate Spaniard (tho' very far
from being a Friend to Chriſtians) had actually agreed with that Eccic-
fiaftic for his Ranſom, but more particularly thro' the earneſt Difuſions,
and perhaps Bribes of F. Oliver, all their Sollicitations proved fruitleſs.
Theſe Matters took up about a Weck: Nor was that material Point, the
Baha's Concurrence, yce gained. May 19. the four Moridco Elders in-
VOL. II.
Аааа
toduced
.
1.
3:46
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
z with any
troduced Caſhetta to that Vicc-Roy. The diſconſolate Mourner, affiftcd
by his Introductors, painted out the Caſe in Colours proper for their Pur-
pole, and, in moſt pathetic Terms, recommended the Affair to his Ex-
cellency's Conſideration, telling him; “ That it was abſolutely requiſite
" to proceed in that Manner, in order to give the Chriſtians that ſmall
“ Specimen of their Refentment at the baſe and inhuman Treatment their
“ Brethren met with at the Hands of the perſecuting Spaniards.” Such
and ſo many were the Arguments they uſed, that Ramadam Baſha, how.
cver averſe to Cruelty in his natural Diſpoſition, could not,
Safety to his own Character, long reſilt thoſe Importunities ; as being
conſcious, that thoſe few were Deputies from many thouſands. So, with-
out much farther Intreaty, he ſaid ; “They might uſe their Pleaſure.” Such
was the Satisfaction (ſays Haedo, who was an. Eye-Witneſs to all theſe
Tranfactions) of thoſe Moriſcoes, at having found ſuch a ready Compli.
ance in the Vicc-Roy, that they marched out from the Palace as in Tri-
umph; and in paſſing along the Streets, they were ſo unable to contain
themſelves for Joy, that they could not refrain calling to all they met or
faw, imparting their Succeſs, in fo caſilý obtaining Leave to burn a Chri-
fiian Papaſs: Not failing to tell them, why and wherefore. And in all
this they expreſſed ſuch Cordiality, that many of the Turks and Moors
(who naturally had no very great Opinion of the Sincerity of the Morif
coes, and were apt to think them little better than Spies to the Chriftians)
applauded them, ſaying; “ They acted like gallant Men and true Måf-
fulmans.". Theſe are Words they ſometimes uſe to thc Renegadoes i
whatever they think of them to the contrary.Thus encouraged on
all Hands, continues this Author, they grew inſufferably outrageous and
inſolent towards the Captive Chriflians ; inſomuch, that not ſatisfied with
affronting them with all the opprobrious. Names they could think on, as
Dogs, Jews, Traytors, Cuckolds, Pimps, &c. as uſual, they alſo threat-
ened them, that the Time drew near when they ſhould all be ſerved as
they would ſoon ſce them ſerve the Papaſs they were about to roaft. To
this they added even Blows, Kicks and the like Violences; ſo that no
Cbriſtian could ſafely paſs where any Moriſcoes were aſſembled. As
for poor F. Miguel, if be was before ſtrictly kept up, they then hindered
either Chriſtian or Moor even from approaching his Dungeon. His Kecp-
Look back to P. 532.
}
ers,
The HISTORY of A LGIE'R S.
347
ers, indeed, took Care to aſſure him of his Fate : And, tho' he earneſtly
fupplicated Leave for ſome Ghoſtly Father to viſit him in that Extremity,
it was a Fayour he could never obtain. He prevailed with one Moor to
get him Pen, Ink and Paper, and to promiſe the Delivery of ſuch Me-
morandums as hc. Ihould write to a certain Valencian Merchant ſettled at
Algiers: But the ſaid Paper never appeared : “ Tho', ſays. Haedo, I uſed
$6.my utmoſt Diligence to find out the Moor to whom it was deliver-
66 ed.”-F. Oliver tried all poſlible Means to ſave him ; having tam-
pered with moſt of the leading Moriſcoes, or Tagarines of Algiers, mak.
ing very conſiderable Offers; tho' all to no Purpoſe. At length he went
to the Baſha, repreſenting, on one side, the barbarous, unjuſt and inhu-
man Crucity of thoſe Moriſcoes, without the leaſt reaſonable Provocati-
on: And, on the other, the manifeſt Innocence of the good F. Miguel.
Inſinuating to him; " That, by granting ſuch Permiſſions, his Highneſs's
65 Princely: Name; which was ſo honourably ſpoken of throughout
6. Cbriſtendom, would be rendered infamous in every Mouth ; which to
« prevent, it abſolutely behoved his Highneſs to recall thac Licenſe, and
66 by all Means obſtruct thoſe Proceedings.
All the Anſwer he got
was the following Excuſe. “That it was none of his Doing : And that
65.it lay not in his Polêr to oppoſe popular Fury; nor could he hinder
66 what was ſó ftretfüvüllý infiſted on, and ſo earneſtly deſired by ſuch
« Numbers of Muſulmans." F. Oliver, ill ſatisfied with theſe Excuſes,
had the Courage to urge the Matter again and again; but all to no bet-
ter Effect. It came into his Head, that Admiral Arnaud Memmi, might
be prevailed on to interpoſe, on account of his being Chief of all the
Corſairs, a Peoplodaily uſing thë Sca; and conſequently in Danger of fal-
ling into Chriſtian? Hahdžs who"nright retaliate upon them the Inju-
riés done to F. Miguel
. Flättering himſelf with the Hope of "fucceeding
that Way, by inſpiring" thic Córfairs ivith thoſe Apprehenſions, he got
his 'Alliftant, F. Geronymo, to open the Matter to that Admiral. Arnaud
Memmi, caſting a furious and diſdainful Look at him, replied : “ Go, go,
“ Prieſt! Be gone about your Buſineſs. Not only that Varlet, but you
ss and your Companion very" richly deſerve to be burned alive at yon
6 Mole-Head. "Vaniſh? 'Bc gone!". The pious Padre Redentor, :ter-
rified at his Tone arid Geſtures, was glad to give over. Hacdo complains
of the little Reſpect thewed by the churliſh, cholcric Admiral to ſo vene-
rable a Perſonage. He next relates this farther Inſtance of Moriſco Fury,
Аааа2
and
4
'S 48
The HISTORY Of A LGIER'S.
1
and calls it a Nosable Cafe. A certain Moor, named Aiſa Rais, was
then at Algiers, whither he was lately arrived from Naples. There, with a
Paſs, he had been ſolliciting the Releaſe of a Brigantine, in which he was
concerned, and lis Equipage, with ſeveral Chriſtian Captives, moſtly his
own; all which had been unjuſtly ſeized in ſome Port of Sardinia, by
thoſe Iſlanders, while, with a Flag of Truce, thoſe Moors were treating
for the Ranſom of the ſaid Chriſtians. As he had met with nothing
but Courteſy, and Juſtice among Chriſtians, and particularly much Gene-
roſity and good Ulage from Don Juan de Auſtria, he was very well in-
clined towards them, and could not forbear talking freely of the great
Injuſtice the Moriſcoes were practiſing towards F. Miguel. He had given
his Tongue ſuch Liberties, and in ſo many Companies, that the Mo.
riſcoes hearing of it, were highly incenſed ; and began to meditate a
ſevere Revenge. Having conſulted among themſelves, a great Band of
them again repaired to the Baſha, (for it happened the very fame Day)
and with great Clamour and Eagerneſs told him : “ That ſuch Inſolence
s was not to be borne with. Adding, that any Man who profeſſed himſelf a
“ Muſulman, and ſo openly dared to ſpeak in the Behalf of Chriſtians,
« and publicly condcmn a Deed ſo meritorious in the Eyes of God and
" the Prophet, was worthy of the worſt of Puniſhments.”
With this
they carneſtly intreated him, to give them Leave to burn that audacious
Miſcreant in Company with the Papaſs. They were ſo carneſt and cla-
morous in this their Demand, that the Baſha was hard put to it to pacify
and get rid of them; which he could not compaſs, till he had aſſured
them, that he ſhould be rigorouſly chaſtiſed. A ſure Sign that they
had to do with a Renegado : For a Turk would have ſent them away faſter
than they came, had they accoſted him on any Affair to which he was
averſe. Thus balked, and apprehenſive left F. Miguel ſhould, by,
fome Means, be begged off, and fo eſcape their Fury, they reſolved to
dclay no longer: So that, the very next Morning, May 18. they got all
their Affairs ready at the Marine, as the moſt conſpicuous Place. The
Anchor, for a Stake, was fixed, and Heaps of Fewel conveyed thither.
Then, attended with ſeveral Turks and three or four Chiauſes, whom
they had hired, to give the greater Authority to their Proceedings, about
Noon they fetched out the unhappy Víctim, from the Houſe where they
kept him, which was about two Muſket Shot from the Mole-Head,
where he was to ſuffer. But he was firſt conducted to the Palace, that he
might
The HISTORY of AİL GİE'R S.
549
.
might be viewed by the Bapa, and all there preſent: Which they did
ſeemingly in a Bravado, to thew their Zeal, and how little they valued
their Money, when the Prophet's Cauſe was concerned: For in thoſe Days,
the Moriſcoes had near as much ado to prevail with the People, among
whom they were daily ſeeking Refuge, to think them good Muſulmans,
as had then and ſtill have the very Renegadoes themſelves. Notwithſtand.
ing this ſeeming Diſintereſtedneſs, ſeveral Perſons, as of their own Ac-
cord, went about collecting from Morning till Five in the Evening, all
which while the poor Prieſt was in a cloſe Dungeon. This not only
amalled a good Sum towards Reimburſement of Coſts, &c. but ſo pub-
ļiſhed the Buſineſs, that Algiers was thronged with People from the whole
Neighbourhood. All Obſtacles now removed, the Victim was fetched out,
in the fame Dreſs he had on when taken, ſo many Months before, thus de-
ſcribed by my Author: A large travelling Hat; a Frock and Breeches of
black Serge, much torn, darned and patched ; a Shirt and Linen Waiſt-
coat, all Rags, and not very clean; and, on his Legs a pair of old Boots,
of black Leather. Infinite Crouds waited his Appearance; and at his
firſt Sally his Hat was knocked off, ſo that he went all the way bare-
headed. So furious were the Mob, that the Turks and Chianſes were for
ced to ply their Cudgels very vigorouſly; otherwiſe he would have been
torn Piece-meal before he got half-way to the Scake. Caſhetta, as chief
Mourner, kept cloſe to him all the Way, and failed not of ſome of the
popular Benevolence: For the Mob, becauſe they could not come at the
Papaſs, ſent him what miſſive Weapons the Kennels afforded. Some of
the moſt daring would venture a broken Pate, to have a Thump or a
Pluck at him.In all which, by what Obſervations may be made
here, one may fancy, the Scene would be the very fame, if a Franciſ-
can Frier, or any of thoſe Gentry, with Beards, Frocks and Shorn
Crowns, were catched in London Streets. Arrived at the Iron Stake,
Cafbetta, who ſtuck cloſe to him as a Bur, affifted by the Chiauſes, tied
his Hands behind with a ſtrong Cord, and then faſtened him to the Stake
with a Chain about his Middle. Having deſired the Turks and Chiauſes to
drive back the preſſing Croud, that all might behold his Gallantry and
noble Revenge, with dire . Execrations, he caught the Martyr by his
long Beard with both, Hands, cugging moſt furiouly with his whole
Might; inſomuch, that he brought away a good Part of it. This Ex-
ploit done, lic took up a large Bundle of Turz, of which a good Quan-
tity
2
::
The HISTORY OF ALGIERS.
550
1
city lay rcady to kindle the Wood, and getting it fired, he cherewith
finged the poor Patient's Face, till the Fewel was conſumed. Then,
hurried on by his Fury, he took a Method to ſhorten his Victim's Suf-
ferings, quite different from what he had all along deligned, which,
we may ſuppoſe, was to make him ſuffer as much as poſible: For,
Fnatching up a great Stone, he threw it at him with his whole
Force. This being taken by the reſt as a Cue, they all followed his Ex-
ample; ſo tliat the battered Martyr's Body was ſoon more than half bu-
ried in a Heap of Stones. Removing them, they covered it over with
Wood, and ſoon reduced it to Aſhes. As the Fire grew low, they
began again to ſtone even thoſe wretched Remains, with the ſame
Fury as before: And a certain Moriſco was much remarked, for having, as
a Token of his extraordinary Zeal, lugged thither, from a good Diſtance,
a very large Fragment of a Mill-Stone, as much as he could poſibly move
under, which, with a loud Huzza, he caſt amidſt the yet burning Pilc.
Next Morning, ſome Chriſtians, attempting to pick up the ſcattered
Bones of this Martyr, were driven away with Showers of Stones and
Curſes by the Moriſcoes, left there in Guard ; who, maliciouſly, kicked
moſt of thoſe precious Relics into the Sea. “However, concludes Haedo,
si the Night following, other good Chriſtians got a Parcel of them: And,
as they lay on board the Veſſels of their Párrons, they had Opportu-
CC nity, privately to dig a Hole, in the ſame place where the ALMIGHTY'S
“ Servant had ſuffered Martyrdom, and wherein they interred them all,
except ſome few which they preſerved out of Devotion; and whereof,
" as they were my particular Friends, I had alſo my Share, "
-The un-
fortunate F. Miguel was of a middling Staturc, and good Proportion:
His Viſage and Eyes large, his Noſe long, Beard half-grey, and was aged
about fifty Whatever lingering Death was deſigned him, he was
much fooner out of his Pain than, generally ſpeaking, are thoſe condemn-
ed to the Flames by the Inquiſitors. The Moriſcoes did not learn that Part
of their Trade in Africa; having had moſt excellent Maſters in the Land
of their Nativity. Ainong many direful Tales I have both read and
heard of, I cannot forbear mentioning what was told me by a Gentleman
of our Nation, who chanced to be at Lisbon, not many Years ſince, at
an Auto de Fe. A Convict, Perſevering Jew, ſeated ſo high above the
Pile of Wood, that the Flame ſcarce reached his Knees, and having had,
according to Cuſtom, bis Beard made, as they word it, that is finged
.
2
with
The HISTORY OF ALGIERS.
5gr
11
with flaming Broom or Furz, ſtuck upon a Pole, having ſo continued,
with his Legs and Feet roaſting, upwards of threc Quarters of an Hour,
at length caſting his Eyes upon the King's Brother, he called out aloud to
that Prince: "Is this juſt or reaſonable, o Prince ? For my Crimes I am
a condemned to be burned : But does not your Highneſs behold, that I
« am at this timc broiling ?." All the Redreſs or Reply he got, was the
having his Beard made over again.
· For the Reaſons before-hinted, I have been the more minute in this Re-
lation: Nor does my Author give any more Inſtances of Moriſco Cruelty.
Al. Circumſtances duly weighed and conſidered, one would admire, that
Barbary has not been all along abundantly more productive of Inquiſitors:
For it muſt be acknowledged, that they come very far ſhort of their
poſite Neighbours, not only in Numbers but in Exquiſiteneſs.
But to
our Hiſtory
1
op-
CH A P. XIV.
1
BASHA XIX. XX. Hassan BA'S HA, VENEDIC; a
Renegado VENETIAN: The firſt Time of his Ad-
miniſtration.---JAFER AGA, MAJAR: A Eunuch
Renegado HUNGARIAN.
+
+
TH
HE Perſon we are next to treat of, and of whom Mention has
been already made, in the Life of Ramadan Sardo, his Predeceſſory
was captivated in his Youth, by the famous Dragut Rais in Perſon, who,
not without ſtour Reſiſtance, became Maſter of the Ragufian Veſiel, on
board which this Venetian Boy, named Andretto, was Servant to the
Captain's Clerk. Dragut carried his Prize to Tripoly, of which Place he
was then Vicc-Roy. In the Partition, Andretto fell to the Share of
: So the Turks call a Venetian.
And ſo a Native of Hungary.
a ſinple
I
$52
The History of ALGIERS.
a ſimple Levent, or Soldier in a Galeot, who foon cauſed him to become
a Níuſulman, and named him Halan. Upon his Patron's Demiſe,
he devolved to Dragut : Who being killed at Malta, his Eftare fell
10 Ali Bifha, Fartas, and among all the reſt, this young Renegado.
As hc was naturally ſubtil, bold, inſinuating and preſumptuous, he ſo
won upon that Baſha, that he becamc a very great Favourite. He ſoon
made him his Hasnadar, or Treaſurer, which Poſt of Truſt and Profit he
held all the while he was Baſha of Algiers, and ſome Time after. While
he ſerved this Captain-Baſha in that Capacity, he never failed giving great
Proofs of his Ambition, ſingular Avarice, and unquiet Diſpoſition. He
would ever bc interfering in the Affairs of every Officer and Domeſtic
belonging to his Patron, domineering over all to the very utmoſt of his
Power, and to the frequent trying the Admiral's Patience, whoſe Ears
were daily dinned with Complaints. This cauſed him to be univerſally
hated. As for the Slaves and inferior Renegadoes, they dreaded and de-
teſted him like a Dæmon. Ali Baſha, quite tired, in order to remove
him from being always tyrannizing over his Menial Servants, made him
Captain of a Galley. Whenever the Fleet went out, with his wonted
Impudence and Impertinence, in ſpite of all Oppoſers, he would ſtock
his Banks with the very beſt Rowers; who were ſure to be ten times
worſe uſed than any in the whole Armada: It being his inſolent Ambi-
tion ever to be foremoſt. In 1574. he was at the taking the Goletta :
From which Time he neyer ſuffered his Patron to reſt a Moment, being
perpetually whсedling and teazing him to procure for him the Vice-
Royalty of Algiers : Who, weary of his Importunity, at length begged it
for him of the Sultan. But, being no Stranger to his Untowardneſs, he
foreſaw the Conſequences, and ſtrictly adviſed him to take Carc, left he
brought an old Houſe upon his Head, as he himſelf had done at Algiers, and of
which he had been an Eye-Witneſs. At his Departurc, he gave him a
fine Galley, called S. John, taken from the Knights of Malta, and ap-
pointed him a Convoy of fix others; two of them Galeots. He likewiſe
gave him ſeveral of his own Renegadoes ; who, lo commanded by their
Patron, were obliged to go with him, tho' extremely againſt the Incli-
nation of the Majority : Inſomuch that ſome of them actually formed
a Conſpiracy to murder him, and eſcape with his Galley to Chriſtendom ;
as not doubting in the leaſt but that they ſhould readily be ſeconded by
the whole Crew of Slaves, who had no leſs Reaſon than themſelves to
deſire
The HISTORY OF ALGIERS.
353
1
deſire Revenge upon that. Tyrant; eſpecially ſince by that Means they
would bid fair towards the Recovery of their Liberty.
The Contrivers of this were four Renegado Greeks, whoſe Names were
Shadban, Toulouf, Mouſa and Rejep. Three Chriſtians only were abſo-
lutely let into the Secret; two Italians and a Sicilian Surgeon, who then
ſerved the Baſha in that Capacity, as he had before done the Garriſon at
the Goletta, where he was made Captive. By Agreement, Youfouf and
Moufa had four Sabres and twelve Daggers concealed in the Velvet
Quilts they lay upon ; and all their Meaſures were very well concert-
ed. The Surgeon had provided a good Quantity of Granadoes, &c.
But before they had reached the Morea, thoſe Renegadoes quarreled about
a Catamite, and the whole Affair miſcarried; which I particularly men.
tion, becauſe F. Haedo, who relates the Story .at length, and affirms the
fame, ſcruples not to give them a Place in his Liſt of Martyrs. The
Captains of the ſix-Convoys were, 1. Muſtafa Rais, a Renegado Tuſcan,
an expert Sea-man; Commodore of that Squadron. 2. Mahamed Rais, a
Renegado German; captivated by the Algerines at Moſtaganem, in which
unfortunate Campaign he ſerved the Spaniards as a Drummer. 3. Youfouf
Rais, nick-named - Borraſquillo, a Renegado Genoueſe; noted for his Cru-
elty to Chriſtians. 4. Uſain Rais, a Renegado Sicilian; whole Galley bë-
longed to the Captain-Baſha. 5. Delli Memmi Rais; in his own Galeot, a
Renegado Greek; whoſe Family was at Algiers, and who came Commiffi-
oned from the Sultan, to be Admiral of all the Corfairs belonging to that
State. 6. Memmi Rais, in his Galeot: The fame who ſo'cruelly revenged
the Death of his Patron, Kara Halan. Being near the ſmall, deſolate
Iſland, named Dei Ovo, and the four Conſpirators making merry, and
ſeemingly in perfert Harmony and Friendſhip, “ The Devil, ſays F.
“ Haedo, the profeſſed Enemy of all Goodneſs, brought it about, that
" theſe Renegadoes, on account of a certain Boy, came to high Words,
“and fell a quarreling in good Earneſt.” Shadban, who ſeemed to have
moft Wrong done him, left the Cabbin in a Fary. By his Countenance,
the others had Reaſon to apprehend, not only his Deſertion of the
Cauſe, but even, that he would make a Diſcovery. However, they kept
their Seats, waiting the Event. As they feared, ſo it happened: For he went
1
A
The Spaniſh Diminutive of Borzaſca, a Storm. So they call any little turbulent Fellow.
VOL. II.
Bbbb
immc-
1354
The HISTORY of ALGIER'S.
immediately to Haſan Baſisa, acquainting him with the whole Affair.
They, and the three Chriſtians, with others he had accuſed, were inſtantly
ſeized and fettered. Some ſay, that this Shaaban had made the Diſcovery
before they left Conſtantinople ; and that Haſan Baſha dillembled cill he
was got far enough from his Patron, the Captain-Baſha'; who, he feared,
would have prevented bis Vengeance. Next Day, towards. Evening,
caſting Anchor before Malvaſia, in the Morea, he put in Execution what
he had deſigned. Youfouf was hanged up by the left Arm naked; upon
the Yard, and ſhot at with Arrows. As he amain invoked Christ, the
Virgin and Saints, the Bafia, who from the Poop was looking on, and
fhooring now and then an Arrow, called out to him: “ Why Youfouf,
Bouſouf! What art tlrou labour ? Why doſt thou not call upon the
“ Prophet Mahomet?” To which, ſays my Author, this. Martyr, caſting
towards him a furious Look; replied: “ What the Devil doit chou. teli
"me of thy Impoſtor? He was as vile a Tray.tor, and a Scoundrel as thy
felf! Tell me no more of thy: Mahomet!". Upon this, the Baſha,
Turks and Renegadoes (theſe lait to curry Favour and gain a Character) be-
gan to let fly their Shot and Arrows like Hail. The Martyr invoked as
long as he had Speech, and when he could utter no longer, made Croſſes
with his Fingers, and kiſſed them fervently, till he expireda. Soon after
he was caſt into the Sea. So ended one of theſe Martyrs. While they
were ſhooting at Youfouf, the Baſha cauſed Mouſa.to be ſtripped naked,
and faſtened to a Board laid in a Boat; and then his Arms and Legs being
tied with ſtrong Ropes, he was torn Piece-Meal by four Gallics. My
Author ſeems dubious whether this Martyr died a good Catholic or not;
fince he was not hard to utter a ſingle Syllable. Nor ſeems, he leſs du-
bious concerning Rejep, the third of theſe Sufferers, who ſaid not a Word
while they were ſticking his Body full of Arrows, but; “O Traytor
“ Shaában!” He was hanged by the Right Arm over the Poop of
Galley, at Modoņ. Had it not been for the Interceflion of Turks and
Renegadoes, the Bapha would have ſacrificed ſeveral more : But, being
much importuned, they were all pardoned. We muſt now conduct our
new Baſha to Algiers; whither he arrived June 29, 1577.
The firſt step taken by this inſolent Baſha (who built too much upou
his Patron's Credit and Intereſt) was to compel all who had any Cap-
lives, from whom good Ranſoms might be expected, to ſell them to biin
at little more than prime Coit. Thus he ſerved every one of the chief
Slave-
a
The HISTORY OF A LG l'ER.S.
555
Slave-Mongers, MoriſcoesMoors, Turks, Renegadoes and all, even his
Predeceſſor Ramadam Sardo. For Peace and Quietneſs, or, indeed, in
Regard to the Captain-Baſha, they long acquieſced to this audacious and
uncommon Procedure. Al-Caid Mahamed, ſurnamed Chifout, or the few,
alone had the Reſolution to oppoſe ſuch Injuſtice ; which coſt three of
his Slaves, a Knight of Malta and two Prieſts, a four Years ſevere and
comfortleſs Captivity, ſhut up in a loathſome Dungeon. His next Ex-
ploit was to exact a Fifth, inſtead of the uſual Seventh, from all Prizes
Caken by the Corſairs : Nor would he licence any of the Armadores cither
to build or repair Veſſels, without taking him in Partner ; he contribut-
ing his Quota of the Expences. He alſo bought up .vaſt Quantitics of
Corn, which at that Time began to be very ſcarce, employing People to
make Bread and ſell it upon his own Account; and likewiſe Oil, Butter,
Honcy, Fruit, and even Roots : Inſomuch that, afterwards, the Janiſaries told
him, in his Teeth; « That there was nothing to be had in the Markets,
« but what was this, except Onions and Cabbages. Not fatisfied with
giving ſuch uncommon Tokens of his Avarice at home, he increaſed the
Tributes of all his Arab and African Subjects abroad: And to render thoſe
Exaction's ſtill leſs tolerable (there being a great Dearch throughout the
whole Region, which continued during the three Years of his Admini-
ftration) he would not receive his Lifma, or Tribute, in any thing but
Whcar and Barley ; which he afterwards ſold all over the Country, per-
haps to the very Owners, for more than double what he had allowed for
thoſe, Commodities. More than all this, he would necds turn Butcher ;
buying up gicat Droves of Catile, which were retailed out in ſeveral
Shops to the Profit of this ſhameleſs Vice-Roy. Nor ſtopped his Im.
pudence there: For he emploied many people to change his Gold and Sil-
ver Money into Aſpers of Algiers (Plare being much cheaper there than
in the Levant) cauſing them to be privately melted down, in the Palace,
by ſome working Silver-Smiths, his own Slaves, who recoined the Bul-
jion, baſely alloied, into Turky Money, and even into Algiers Afpers,
ſcarce half ſo good as
' before. He would not ſuffer any Slave to be either
publicly or privately diſpoſed of, without being firſt brought to him,
that he might judge what might farther be made of himn : If hc fancied
any thing was to be got, hc paid the Owner his Price, and then cook
his own Method, by which Means he got many thouſands of Ducats.
The Bafhas of Algiers (as do now the Deys) uſed always to farm out the
Bbbb 2
1
Was
50
The HISTORY OF ALGIER'S.
...
1
Wax and Hides'; which are the principal Branches of their Commerce
with the European Traders. Thoſe Farmers alone have Liberty to buy or
ſell theſe Commodities. This Merchandize he alſo kept in his own
Hands; nor wanted he' Emiſſaries capable enough of managing all theſe
Affairs to the beſt Advantage. All Chriſtian Merchants, when they ar-
rive at Algiers, upon paying the uſual Duties, have free Leave to land
their Goods, and diſpoſe of them at Pleaſure'; and if the Vice-Roy for at
preſent the Dey) himſelf wanted any thing, he muſt pay as all others.
But Haſan Baſha acted quite differently: For he firſt made very ſure of
his Duties, and then fàiled'not to take away' juſt what he thought fit ;
when after a tedious Delay, and abundance of Equivocation and Put-off,.
He would oblige the Trader to take rotten, damaged: Hides, which had
long lain upon his Hands, and very glad he could get even any thing at-allı
from this unfair-dealing Merchant-Baſba. Tho' Algiers was, certainly,
never ſo miſerable and ſcandalous as in his Time, yet the Turks (to the ge-
neral Amazement of all Beholders) bore with their inſufferable Baſha with:
uncominon Patience, till he began. to curtail even upon their long-eſta-
bliſhed Stipends. Then, indeed, they roužed from their unuſual Lethargy;
and began to look about them, taking the Methods mentioned in the Life
of Ramadam Sardo. But before we come to that, let us examine farther
into his Conduct. Such Chriſtian Captives, to whomſoever belonging,
as were caught endeavouring to cſcape, when brought into his Preſence,
he ordered them to be ſecured as his own Property. · If the Owners came
to demand them (as ſome timorous People would not) he ſent for the
Slaves, and cauſed them to be moſt unmercifully drubbed in his Sight, of
which ſeveral actually died upon the Spot, or ſoon after; and not content
with that, he would, Butcher-like; cut off their Ears and, Noſcs with
his own Hands, or cauſe it to be done in his Preſence: Nothing, of which
happened if the Patrons of thoſe. Fugitives forbore re-demanding them ;. as
feveral did, merely to prevent ſuch Inhumanity, ſince they were not there.
býto reap any. Advantage. The Turks uted to call this Basha (the very
worſt and moſt perverſe the Algerines ever had, ori perhaps ever will have).
Ali Baſha's Legacy, left thein as a Scourge, in Revenge for their haying.
fod inſulted and put him on the Scamper. Having caſt a greedy, Eye upon
D
Look back to P. 496.
$
a very
1
The H1STÓR N OF A LGI è'r's.
557
11
1
a: very pretty Catalonian. Veſſel, andi'nine Chriſtians its' 'Equipagë, he
ſuborned (ſays Haedo) certain Turks (as it afterwards evidently appeared): ſo
to contrive it, that two Catalan Slaves were conveyed aboard; and there
concealed. Then ſending to ſearch the Veſſel, and finding them there, he
confiſcated:Ship and Cargo'; clapping the nine Catalans in Irons aboard
his own Gálley. He.hanged a Negro Slave of his in his own Bed-Cham-
ber, being accuſed of a trifling Theft : It is even ſaid, that he hanged
him with his own Hands. Some Portugieſe Fathers having brought a Li-
moſna of 14000 Pieces of Eight, to redeem Captives of that Nation, the
Moncy:being opened in his Preſence, and he perceiving it to be all' in
Spaniſh, full-weight Dollars and Half-Dollars (of which Species conſider-
able Profit is to be made throughout the Eaſtern' Parts of the World)
without farther Ceremony, he ſeized the whole, and paid the Fathers at
Leiſure, juſt as he pleaſed, and in what Coin he thought fit, to their very
great Loſs and Hinderance. All this, and much more ſuch-like, occaſi-
oned the: Generality of the People, as well Turks as Moors, &c. publicly
to call to Heaven for Vengeance againſt this intolerable Tyrant; whoſe
Avarice was ïnſatiable. April 2. 1579. as the Citizens, &c. were walk-
ing in Proceſſion to implore Rain, the chief Morabboth, who hcaded
them, told him to his Face;. 1. That the Famine with which God had
« afflicted the Country was.intirely owing-to him, and ſent purely on aca
« count of his Enormities."
Before we proceed to the Remainder of this Baſha's untoward Adini-
niſtration, we will advance ſome Particulars concerning' Morat Rais, a
Corſair who flouriſhed in theſe Times, and made a Figure too remarkable
to be paſſed over in Silence. He was diſtinguiſhed from another e Morat
Rais, his Contemporary, by the Epithet Grande
, as was the other by
that of Chico. Being a Native of Albania, or Epirus, he liad thic additis
onal Surname of Arnaud His Parcnts were Chriſtians. In his twelfth
Year, he fell into the Hands of a very noted Algerine Corſair, named Kara
Ali ; who'making a Muſulman of his young Albaneſe, and finding him
to be of a daring, ſprightly Genius, took great Delight in him, and foon
gave him the Command of a Galeot, in which he always accompanied 'his
Patron, ånd: never failed thewing indiſputable Tokens' of his Courage and
ſuperior Capacity, far' exceeding his-Years :
« Éver, adds Haedo, giving
• Look back to P. 521.
fiidi Ibid.
an
+
1
1
S98
The HISTORY OF ALGIERS.
« an extraordinary: good Account of himſelf, acting like a Man of Valour
and undaunted Reſolution, as he has since evidently proved himſelf to be
in a ſtill more convincing Manner.” In 1565. being yet a young Man,
he gave his Patron. the Slip, from the Siege of Malta; and went upon
the Cruiſe, in the Galcot of which he had given him the Command.
Palling cloſe by the little deſolate Iſland Pianoſa, next the Iſland: Elba,
near Piombino, in Tuſcany, he unfortunately ſplit his Galeot upon a Rock;
but had the good Luck, or rather the Addreſs, to ſave every thing of
Valuc, loſing only the empty Shell. Conveying all he had ſaved into a
large Cave, he remained there, with his whole Equipage, &c. undiſco-
veręd very near forty Days: When four Algerine Galeots, caſually paſſing
that Way, he imbarked all his Effects, and got ſafe to Algiers, where he
found his Patron returned from Malta. That Corſair, to chaſtiſe Morat
Rais for going away without his Leave, ſtripped him of all the Slaves he
had brought back from his Shipwreck. This ſtung Morat to the Quick:
And having ſtill a moſt violent Itch for the Cruiſing Trade, and deter-
mined either to recover his Lofkes, or periſh in the Attempt, without ſub-
mitting to crave any Aſſiſtance from his Patron (who loved him too well
to have denied him) he fitted out, to the very beſt Advantage, a large
Brigantine (or rather a ſmall Galeot, it having fifteen Banks on each side)
and rowed away.. over to the Coaſt of Spain; from whence, on the ſeventh
Day from his Departurc, he returned with three laden Spaniſh Brigantines,
bound to Oran, and in them 140 Chriftians. This lucky Hit ſet him up
again, got him abundance of Reputation among the Algerines in general,
and ſo far reconciled him to his Patron, that he ſoon after gave him an-
other Galeot : Saying; “ He deſerved a Galeot, ſince he could make
" ſuch Voyages with a Brigantine.” The firſt Time he went out in that
Veſſel was with Ali Bama, & when he took the three Malteſe Gallies, upon
thc Coaſt of Sicily. The Baſha, upon that Occaſion, could, ſcarce for-
bear killing Morat Rais, for his Preſumption in offering to board the
S. Ann, which alone reſiſted, before the Baſha's Galley was ready :
" Which would have been, he ſaid, no other than robbing him of the
Glory, of that Exploit.” And he only paſſed it by:;qut. Of. Regard
to Kaza Ali
, his Patron. This Kara Ali afterwards removed 16-Conftanti-
330ples and his Renegado Morat remained at Algiers, and became a mofl. form
6 Look back to P. 494.
midable
The HI:STORY of ALGIER 9.
$59
midable Corfair, being continually doing infinite Damages to Chriſtendom:
66 And all his Attempts, adds my Author, were attended with ſuch ſtrange
- Succeſſes, that, we may venture to ſay, he was one of the greateſt
" Corſairs Algiers ever produced, and a Perſon who, for our Sins, did
! more Harm to the Chriſtians than any other.” In January 1578. he
ſet out with cight Galeots, moſtly his own, and coaſted along the Barbary
Shore as high as Port Farine, belonging to Tunis. There the bad Wea-
ther kept him in two Months. Thence he cut over to the Calabrian
Coaſt, where for ſeveral Days he did nothing but ſkulk up and down in
certain Crceks. One Morning being off Policaſtro, he diſcovered two
Sicilian Gallies, bound to Spain, with the Duke Di Terra nuova, lato
Vice-Roy of that Iſland. Morat immediately gave them. Chace. Onc
of them, named S. Angelo, taking out to Sea, was hotly purſued and
eaſily carried by fix of the eight Galcots. The other, which was the
Capitana of Sicily, on which were the Duke and his Retinuc, being juſt
ready to be attacked by Morat, and his remaining Conſort, ran a ground
on the Iſland Capri. Moſt of the Paſſengers and Equipage ſaved them-
ſelyes alhore, but the Remainder, with the Galley and all the Slaves, be-
came an eaſy Prize. The carrying thoſe two Gallies to Algiers was no
Blot in this notable Corſair’s. Character. The Admiral-Galley of Sicily,
bcing a very beautiful Veſſel, was eyed by the greedy Baſha, who fitted
her out for his own Uſe, and turned the S. Angelo into a Puntong to ſtop
up
that Part of the Pier which was broken down by the Daſhing of the
Waves in the laſt Winter's tempeſtuous Weather. We ſhall ſoon have
farther Occaſion to ſpeak of Morat Rais, who in thoſe Days was the very
Life of all the. Barbary Corſairs. But let us now examine into ſome Feats
of Proweſs and Merit of this Bafha, on whom we have hitherto been
beſtowing, ſo vile a Character.
Ambitious of gaining a Name among the Chriſtians, and of being
thought a great Corſair, ſoon after this, viz. towards the end of July
1578. he ſet out on the Cruiſe with twenty two Gallics and Galcots, and
four good Brigantines.. Landing on the Iſland Mayorca, where he began
to commit the uſual Ravages, he was repulſed by a ſtrong Body of Ca-
valry from the City, and others; ſo that he could only bring off about
thirty. Captives, moſtly Women and Children. From the Inland Iviza;
where he was alſo repulſed, he brought off about fixty. Near Alicante
he took a rich Ship coming from Genoua, which, with ninety Chriſtians
A
I
1
an
[
i
560
rozana
The HISTORY OF AL GIER:S.
on board her, he carried to Algiers, whither he arrived the twelfth Day
after his Departure. This was the only Sca-Expedition he made during
this firſt Time of his Adminiſtration. Soon after,.hearing of the mighty
warlike Preparations K. Philip II: of Spain was making againſt Portugal
(to which; Crown, upon the diſaſtrous Death of Don Sebaſtian in Africa,
that Monarch was the chief Pretender, and carried his Point) he ſtrongly
fuſpected thoſe Armaments to be deſigned for Algiers. Theſe Apprehen-
fions fo rouzed him, that the Algerines are on that Score really his Debt-
ors. For, not to mention trifling Repairs, he fet to work all thc Chri-
Aians, Jews, and even the Moors of Algiers in building that Caſtle on the
Hill, which now gócs by his Name, and which the Europeans call the
» Emperor's Cafla: The round Fort within this ſquare Caſtle was before
built by the foriner Haſſan Basha, in the very Spot where Charles V.
pitched his Pavilion, as has been elſewhere obſerved. More--may be ſaid
of this Fortreſs in the Topography. It muſt be owned, that this ill.
contrived Baba was extremely vigilanc- and indefatigably diligent on all
thoſe Occaſions. He wrote Letter upon Letter to the Sultan'and his Pa-
tron the Captain-Baſha, to prepoſſeſs them in his Favour, in caſe the ſhould
be attacked by the Armada. Till it appeared that the 'Armaments of the
Catholic King were bent only againſt Portugal, he would ſhut himſelf up,
Hours on a Stretch, with every Spaniard, of any Figure, who had the
ill Fortune to be brought in thither : But all thoſe his Endeavours were
to'very little Purpoſe; the Movements of that deſigning, ambiguous Prince
being impenetrable. And, becauſe he had Intelligence, that the Sherif of the
Tingitana was treating an Alliance with the Spaniards, which muſt needs
prove detrimental to the Ottoman Intereſt, he failed not to ſend him the
principal-Morabboth of Algiers, a Perſon highly venerated for his San&ity,
to uſe his utmoſt Inſinuations to diſſuade that Prince from proſecuting ſo
un-Muſulman-like a Treaty.
Notwithſtanding all this, his ill Qualities ſo counter-ballanced his Me.
rit, in the Eyes of all, except his immediate Creatures and Dependents,
that the Embaſſy mentioned in P. 525. was diſpatched to the Porte, and
the whole State impatiently waited the Return of their Deputies,' by
whom they hoped for the joyful and much-wiſhed-for News of their be-
loved Ramadam Sardo's Reſtoration. That Galeot reached not:Conftan-
1. Vide Vol. II. P. 325.
tinople
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
361
tinople till the End of January 1580. The Captain-Baſha, hearing of the
grievous Complaints brought againſt his Favourite Renegado, uſed his
whole Intereſt with thoſe Embaſſadors to engage them to Silence: But in
vain; for they knew who they had to deal with at their Return: Nor
were they forgetful of the Exorbitancies of him they came to accuſe.
The Sultan aſſured them, that the Offender ſhould not fail of his due Re.
ward: And that Monarch, being determined to ſend the Algerines a Per-
ſon every Way qualified for that important Poſt, rejected Ramadam Sardo,
for whom they fo earneſtly intreated, as being of too mild a Diſpoſition,
and wrote immediately to his old Eunuch, Jafer Aga, who was then
Baſha in rome Part of his native Country, Hungary. To all Appearance,
Haſan Baſba's Ruin was now inevitable. But hc being crafty, while all
this was tranſacting in the Seraglio, and the Captain-Baſha himſelf, not-
withſtanding his mighty Intereſt, began to deſpair, and to think the Cafo
of his incorrigible and too-much-favoured Renegado quite deſperate, he
had the Addreis ſo to ſuborn, or wheedle ſeveral of the principal Al-Caids,
Sbiekbs, and other Perſons of Note at Algiers, that, having drawn up
a Counter-Information, much in his own Favour, they all ſigned it.
He induſtrioully took Care to ſend away to his Patron ; and ic
reached his Hands, even before Jafer Aga's Arrival at Conftantinople, from
Hungary. With Joy, and a Diligence even more than paternal, that in-
dulgent Admiral haſted to the Sultana, Mother to the reigning Emperor
of the Ottomans ; fhewing her the ſaid Teſtimonial : Intreating her Me-
diation in Behalf of his wrongfully and maliciouſly accuſed Renegado ;
and with a true Oriental Policy and Prudence, corroborating his Argu-
ment with the prevalent Language of a Purſe with 30000 Gold Ducats.
This engaged that Sultana not only to molliſy hcr incenſed Son, ſo far as to
engage him to promiſe her, that in caſe the accuſed Baſia was but moderately
guilty, he ſhould not loſe his Head, but alſo to charge her faithful old Servant,
Jafer Aga, lo favour him as much as poflible. Nor did the cautious Cap-
tain-Baſha omit preſenting that Eunuch with 20000 Ducats, towards de-
fraying the Coſts of his Voyage, &c. The Sultana's poGtive Injuncti-
ons, backed by Ali Baba's opportune Liberality, went a great Way in
this Affair: But the Sultan as poſitively injoined the Hungarian to do
{trict Juſtice; and not to devinte from his long-known Character.
Some Months before this, viz. in April 1580, Alorat Rizis, with one
of his own and another Gilcot, going on the Crate, on the Coat of
VOL. II.
CCCC
}?;;171. Y',
362
The HISTORY of ALGIER S.
ots.
Tuſcany, diſcovered at Anchor two Gallics belonging to 'Gregory XIII.
On one of them, which was the Capitana, was that Pope's newly-created
Admiral, who came thither to take his Pleaſure, in Port S. Stephano.
Morat's Mouth watered at the Sight; but the Match was ſomewhat too
unequal. While he was deliberating whether he ſhould venture upon
thoſc Gallies or not, he was ſeaſonably joined by two other Algerine Gale-
Thus re-inforced, the inſidious Morat cauſed the new Comers to
lower their Maſts : When taking one of the Galeots in Tow, as did his
Confort the other, they began to pull away towards the Gallies; who,
little expecting ſuch a Viſit, lay very ſecure ; moſt of the Officers being
alhore. Thoſe in the Gallies, ſeeing the Corſairs approach, foon knew
what they were: But as they ſeemed to be but two, their Apprehenſion
was not great ; rather wondering at their Impudence in daring to appear
in Sight of an Enemy ſo ſuperior. But the Scene inſtantly changed :
For, with very little Difficulty, Morat and his Aſociates towed away both
his Holineſs's Gallies : Prizes not only honourable but beneficial; there
being ſtill on board a good Number of Chriſtians, beſides fome hundreds
at the Qar, many of whom were Prieſts, Monks and Friers, there put
not for their Goodneſs. The reſt were Turks and Moors; who, doubt-
leſs, were not diſpleaſed at the Adventure. Some of the Equipage got
away in the Boats. Haſan Baſha took the Admiral-Galley to himſelf,
and of the other he made a Punton.
A.D. 1580. Not long after this, viz. at the End of Auguſt, arrived
Fafer Aga : Which new Baſha, being ſo prepared before he ſet out, as
has been intimated, took very little Cognizance of the Matter, but ſuf-
fered his Predeceffor quietly to depart, with his Treaſures and numerous
Retinue of Renegadoes, &c. on his own four Gallies, exceedingly well
manned with Chriſtians; which he did, amidſt the Peoples Execrations,
and accompanied by the ſeven Levant Gallies, which came with the new
Vice-Roy, on the 19th of the enſuing September. As we ſhall have Oc.
caſion to trcat of this malignant Baſha, when we ſhall again find him of-
ficiating as Vice-Roy of Algiers, we ſhall now only obſerve, that thro'
the Intereſt of his Patron the Captain-Baſha and the Sultana, he came
off Scot-free, tho' not without looſening his Purſe, which was well
crammed with ill-got Wcalth. He had tyrannized over that State about
three Years and a Quarter.
We
The HISTORY of ALGIER S.
563
We have hinted, that during almoſt the whole Time of his Govern-
ment, the Country was afflicted with a grievous Faminc, inſomuch that
prodigious Multitudes of Moors periſhed thro' mere Neceſſity. Haedo
l'alaces that, in 1980. from January 17. to February 27, in the Streets of
Algiers alone 5656 poor Moors and Arabs died of pure Hunger ; on all
whom, and abundance of others before, the Baſha, with a Generoſity
unuſual to him, beſtowed a coarſe Winding-Sheet. He farther remarks,
that in all that Time of Dearth, out of the many thouſands of Captives
with which Algiers is always crouded, not one Chriſtian died thro' Want:
" Such Care, adds he, the ALMIGHTY took of His Own People.
" When
Haſan Baſha left Algiers, this firſt Time, he was in his thirty fifth Year.
He was tall and ſlender. His Eyes were large and Acſhy, with an Aſpect
furious. His Noſe was thin, ſharp and long; his Mouch ſmall and Lips
very thin. He had Cheſnut-brown Hair, and not a very large Beard. Of
Complexion he was much inclining to Yellow: “ All Tokens, adds this
“ Author, of his malignant Diſpoſition.” By a Sclavonian Renegada he
had a Son, born at Algiers, which died within the Year, as, abour the
ſame Time, did a Nephew of his, who came from Venice to make him a
Viſit, and who, becoming a Muſulman, was by him highly favoured and
eſteemed. He interred them both under a very curious Dome, without
Beb-al-Weyd. He left a Daughter, three Years of Age, who was born at
Algiers; concerning whom I find no farther Mention.
In the firſt Year of his Adminiſtration, at once he got fifteen Captives,
able to diſburſe conſiderable Sums for their Ranſoms: By four or five of
them, indeed, he was no great Gainer in the End. Theſe were twelve
aniſh and three Mayorcan Gentlemen, who being Slaves to different Pa-
trons, all demanding high Prices, were deſirous of leaving thoſe avaricivus
Dealers in Human Fleſh, with the Dog to hold. The Contriver of all
was one Don Miguel de Cervantes, a gallant, enterpriſing Cavalier Spa-
niard, who, tho' he never wanted Money, could not obtain a Releaſe.
A bold Mariner of Mayorca, named Viana, having then ranſomed himſelf,
Don Miguel and the reſt agreed with him to fetch them off by Night in
a Brigantinc; ſending by him Letters to the Vice-Roy of Mayorci, de-
firing his Aliſtance. This Mayorcan undertook the Affair. Upon his
Departure, the Remainder of thoſe fifteen Gentlemen abſconded in a Gar-
den, or Vine-Yard, ncar thic Sca, appertaining to Al-Caid Hiaſan (for
leveral were there ſome Months before) a Renegado Greek, where, un-
C c c c 2
known
$64
The HISTORY of ALGIER 9.
known to the Owner, they were concealed in a Cave, and carcfully watch-
ed by that Renegado's Gardiner, who was a Captive Chriſtian. Don 111-
guel's Purſe ſupplied them with Neceſſaries, daily brought them by a
Spaniſh Slave, known only by the Name of El Dorador, or The Gilder ;
who, except the ſaid Gardiner, alone was let into the Secret, and who,
with the other, was to accompany them in their Eſcape. Almoſt mira-
culouſly, they had all that Time eſcaped their Owners moſt diligent Search,
and were quite given over. Viana punctually complied with his Promiſe
and Obligation; and, at the Vice-Roy's Colt, ſoon came with a well-ap-
pointed Brigantine. But, juſt as he was putting aſhore, in the dead Time
of a very dark Night, certain Moors, unluckily happening to paſs that
Way, raiſed the Aların, and he found himſelf obliged to return, reinfeftà.
As the Cave was moiſt, ſome of thoſe Captive Gentlemen began to want
Health, and all of them to be in Deſpair at this tedious Delay, fo con-
trary to their Expectations : For many Days had paſſed, and they heard
nothing of that Diſappointment. Yet ſtill they entertained fome Hope of
Rclief, as depending on Viana's Probity. Their till-now-faithful Emir-
fary, the Gilder, commenced Villain. Repairing to the Palace, he ex-
preſſed his Deſire of becoming a Muſulman. And farther to ingratiare
himſelf with the Baſha, from whom, and perhaps from the Owners of
thoſe Captives, if they ever got them, a noble Reward might be expected, he
made an ample Diſcovery. This was Muſic to Haſſan Baſha, who had
alrcady ſwallowed thoſe loft Captives as lawful Prize. Sending immedi-
ately for the Guardian-Bapee, he ordered him to take a ſufficient Party of
armed Men, and follow the perfidious Judas. The Gardiner was firſt
ſeized, and then all thoſe in the Cave. As the Baſa had ordered, parti-
cular Care was taken of Don Miguel de Cervantes; a Perſon he much de-
fired to call his own. This Gentleman's Character is very remarkable; and
according to Haedo, the Adventures of that noble Captive, and of the
others his Aſociates, would fill a Volume. Without farther Ceremony,
the Baſha ſent them all to his Bagnio, except Cervantes, whom he re-
zained; omitting neither Offers, Promiſes, nor Menaces, in order to in-
dute hiin to diſcover who elſe was concerned with him in the Contrivance
of that Project : For, as the Traytor had infinuated, he would fain have
prevailed on him to accuſe the aforeſaid F. Oliver, who was ſtill there, and
from whom, with ſuch a Handle, he would have extorted a round Sum
before he quitted Algiers. But that generous, noble-ſpirited Spaniard,
2
far
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
sos
far from acknowledging him or any other to be in thc Icaſt privy therecog
took the whole Management and Contrivance abſolutely upon himſelf.
When, after ſeveral Days Tryal, Haſan Baſha found he could get no
more from him, either by fair or foul Means, he ordered him to be care-
fully ſecured, among his other Slaves, at the Bagnio : Tho' he was after-
wards forcibly compelled to return him, and threc or four more of that
Confederacy, to their reſpective Patrons. Al-Caid Haſan, in whoſe Gar-
den they had been taken, probably to clear himſelf of all Imputation, in-
ftantly repaired to the Palace, ingifting ſtrenuouſly to have the Basha in-
flict ſome ſevere Puniſhment on all the Offenders, as he would ſet him an
Example on his own Slave, the Gardiner. All he could get of Haſan
Baſha was free Leave to do what he thought fit with his own. Accord-
ingly the poor Gardiner, a Native of Navarre, was hanged up by one
Foot, and ſoon died, ſtrangled in his own Blood. The reſt eſcaped with-
out Corporal puniſhment. Concerning Cervantes, my Author adds :
" It is a wonderful Caſe, how thoſe Perſons could endure being ſo buried
66 in a Cavern, where they never faw any Light, nor breathed freſh Air
« only during the Night, ſome of them ſeven Months, ſome five, and
" the reſt leſs, all which Time they were ſupported by Cervantes, at the
« extreme Hazard of his own Life, which he was four different Times
juft upon the Point of loſing, by being Impaled, Hooked, or Burned
« alive, and all for Projects and Attempts of his to ſet at Liberty great
" Numbers of Captives; and even for greater Matters : For had his For-
6 tune and Succeſs but correſponded with his Courage, Induſtry and
“ Schemes, Algiers would at this Day have been poſſeſſed by the Chri-
" Jians ; to nothing leſs did his Deſigns aſpire."--He adds, that what
occurred in the Cave, during thoſe feven Months, deſerves a particular
Hiſtory. The Baſba being forced to return Cervantes to his Patron,
could not be eaſy till he had purchaſed that notable Slave, which he did
for
roo
Gold Ducats, and let him go ſome Time after for double that
Money; chiefly at the ſtrenuous Interceſſion of a Trinitarian Father,
named F. Juan Gil, who came over to ranſom Captives. “ Haſan Baſa
“ uſed to ſay, concludes this Author, While I bold ibat maimed Spaniard
" in ſafe Cuſtody, my Vefſels, Slaves, and even my whole City, are ſecure :
or So much did he dread the Projects and Contrivances of Don Miguel de
6 Cervantes. And had he not been betrayed by his Confederates, happy
6 would have been his Captivity, tho' one of the moſt wretched Thral-
u doms
..
566
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
s doms that cver any one underwent at Algiers : And the only Remedy this
“ Baſha could invent to guard himſelf from this formidable Slave, was to
“ purchaſe him of his Patron."It is Pity, methinks, that Haedo is
here ſo ſuccinct in what regards this enterpriſing Captive.
Morat Rais, with nine Gallies and Galeots, going on Cruiſe, met with
very little Prey, which put him and all his Aſſociates much out of
Humour. They had coaſted the Iſlands Sicily, Sardinia, and Corſica to
no Purpoſe, and were thinking of returning to Algiers, empty-fifted,
when a graceleſs Calabrian Slave profered Morat Rais, provided he would
give him his Liberty, to conduct him to the Place of his own Nativity,
a ſmall Town near Policaſtro, whence he needed not to depart without a
good Number of Captives. Morat took him at his Word, and they
brought off more than 200 of all Sorts and Ages. At their Return, the
Squadron put into Binſert, or Biferta. On different Gallies were two
young Men, Renegadoes, and great Cronies ; one a Sicilian, the other a
Genoueſe. Meering alhore, they began to argue concerning their late Ex-
pedition. They deemed it an inſufferable Villany in that infamous Wretch,
(who went now where he pleaſed) to occaſion the Ruin of ſo many Inno-
cents; and the more fo, becauſe many of thoſe unhappy People were his
own Relations, and all of them his Compatriots. They generouſly re-
ſolved to ſacrifice him to his Impiety; and effected it by inticing him
aſhore to regale him with a Collation, in a Garden. There they diſ-
patched him with their Poniards : Which done, it being then Night,
they threw him in a Dicch. On board the Galley to which the Genoueſe
belonged was a Countryman of his, at the Oar, for whom he had a great
Friendſhip. To him he diſcovered the whole Fact, and was by him
greatly applauded. To cut ſhort, they entered ſo far into Diſcourſe, as
to form a Combination to take ſome favourable Opportunity to make a
Party and run away with the Galley. But ſoon after theſe two Friends
falling out, the revengeful Chriſtian diſcovered the Affair, and the Rene-
gadoes were, in different Ports of the Kingdom of Tunis, cruelly put to
Death : The Genoueje was ſtoned, and the Sicilian ſhot full of Arrows;
both profeſſing themſelves Chriſtians. They are of the Number of Haedo's
Martyrs.
This Basha, alſo, cauſed to be drubbed to Death in his Sight a very
remarkable Spaniard, whoſe Name was Cuellar, for being the Ring-
leader of about thirty other Captives, all Spaniards, who attempted to
A
2
run
The HISTORY of ALGIER S.
567
1
run away with a Brigantine. He had a ſtrange and ſurpriſing Faculty of
running up and down any Wall with the ſame Eaſe as a Rat. The Re-
lation is at large in Haedo. The fame Author alſo gives a particular
Account of three Slaves, whom Admiral Arnaud Memmi moſt inhumanly
diſpatched under the Baſtonado, only for abſenting themſelves one Voyage
from his Galley: Of theſe Martyrs, as Haedo terms them, one was French,
one a Calabrian, and the third a Sicilian: But to particularize would be
endleſs.
Yet before we quite take Leave of Halan Bapa, for this Time, one
notable Paſſage, relating to ſome Captives, may be taken Notice of,
not improperly. Of Haedo's long Story, this is the Abſtract.-----About
Mid-Summer,. 1579, the Baſha ſent Borraſquillo, the once-mentioned
Renegado Genoueſe, with his Galley to Bona, to buy up Proviſions for
the Algerines, then not only much diſtreſled with Famine, but alſo under
terrible Apprehenſions of a Viſit from Chriſtendom, as has been obſerved.
In this Galley came 108 Chriſtians, partly the Captain's own, and the
relt lent him by the Baſha. Being almoſt laden, and not above a dozen
or thirteen Turks left aboard, the reſt, with the Captain and Officers be-
ing in the Town diſpatching their Affairs, the Slaves laid hold on this
favourable Occafion, and recovered their Liberty. The chief Contriver
of this was a bold Spaniſh Soldier, captivated at the Goletta, whoſe Name
was Navarro. Being, with ſome others, emploied to carry aboard the
Remainder of the Lading, as he was coming off the laſt Time, he wink-
upon
ſome of his Camarades, who took the Hint, and ſoon engaged
all who remained in Chains aboard. The Steward having ſupplied him
and three others with Scimetars, they inſtantly fell upon four armed Turks
who guarded the Poop. To one of them Navarro gave a mortal
but in giving it, his Wcapon ſnapped ſhort at the Handle,
which gave Opportunity to another of thoſe Turks, with a terrible Gaſh,
to lay
open
his Back and one of his Shoulders. In ſhort, tho' thoſe few
Turks made a brave Defenſe, and three of them kept the Chriſtians from
cutting the Cable a conſiderable while, yet, oppreſſed by Numbers, they
were at length all killed, or forced over-board, except a Renegado Catalan,
who begged to be carried with them to Chriſtendom, and whoſe good In-
clinations being known to fome of the victorious Chriflians, he was re-
tained. They then got out their well-fraught Prize, under the very Noſe
of its owner and Commander Borraſquillo, who, ſurrounded by foaming
Spectators,
1
1
ed
Cut ;
$68
The HISTORY Of ALGIER $.
Spectators, beheld the Departure of his fine Galley, and all his Slaves,
which made a ſcarce reparable Chaſm in his Eftate. In two Days they
reached Mayorca : But poor Navarro, to whom they all chiefly owed
their Succeſs, ſoon died of his Wound; tho' the Vice-Roy took all ima-
ginable Care of his Recovery. The Galley and Cargo being ſold, cqual
Partition was made among the whole Equipage; only a young Genoueſe,
who had greatly ſignalized himſelf in the Action, had a double Share.
Navarro, upon his being diſabled, had named him his Lieutenant, and,
with his lateſt Breath, recommended him to the reſt. This brave
young
Man, having but one Eye, was nick-named Gil de Andrada, which gal-
lant Spanib Gentleman, in that Particular, he reſembled. The Proccf-
Sion made for thoſe fortunate Captives was very ſplendid. Thoſe who
were Spaniards, paſſed over to the Continent. The remaining forty nine, ,
being all i Levantines, under the Command of this Gil de Andrada, whom
they willingly obeyed, fitted out a Brigantine, in order to paſs up to
Barcelona. Bcing got about half Way thither, they met with two crui-
ſing Brigantines of Algiers. Rather boldly than prudently, thoſe Chriſti-
ans, inſtead of endeavouring to evade an apparent Peril, ſought the En-
counter. The Conflict was ſharp and bloody. Of the Corſairs ten were
killed, and many wounded. The Chriſtians loſt ſeven, and among them a
Brother of the brave Genoue ſe, their Commander. After above an Hour's
warm Diſpute, notwithſtanding ſuch great Odds, the Chriſtians began to
bid fair for the Victory ; when, unfortunately, their Veffel over-turned.
They were all taken up, and among them the Renegado Catalan ; who
would have come badly off, had not the Chriſtians unanimouſly avcrred,
that they forced him to accompany them, and were then carrying him
to Barcelona, condemned for Life to row in a Galley. Haſan Baſha was
extremely glad of the Recovery of ſo many of thoſe Slaves, who had
played him ſuch a Prank, and who were moſt of them his own. Upon
Examination, he found that, next to the ſaid Genoueſe, two were moſt
culpablc, a Sicilian and a Biſcainer. Thoſe he condemned to pay for all;
and cauſed them all threc, their Hands bound behind, to be hanged up by
the Feet, at the Yard-Arm of one of his own Gallies, which lay ready for the
Sca, with its Rowers all chained to their Banks. After having hung ſeveral
| More to the Eart.
Hours,
The HISTORY of ALGIER'S.
569
Hours, about Mid-Night the Biſcainer, having by ſome Means looſed his
Hands, had the Addreſs alſo to looſe his Feet, and get away undiſcovered.
He was found, two Days after, in a new Galeot, and pardoned. When
he was miſſed in the Morning, one of the Turks there, bearing a Grudge
to a certain Sicilian Gentleman, chained to the Bank beneath, accuſed
him to the Baſba, as Acceſſary to his Eſcape : Whereupon that Vice-
Roy cauſed the innocent Captive to be put in his Place; where having
hung about half an Hour, he was taken down ; as was likewiſe the other
Sicilian. But the poor Genoueſe was diſpatched with Shot and Arrows;
dying a very good. Catholic, and is in Haedo's Liſt of Martyrs.
JareR AGA, MAJAR.
4. D. 1980. A Body of Turks and Tartars (or rather Tatars) making
an Inroad into fome. Part of Hungary, among others, brought off this
Perſon, then a Boy, together with his Mother, and two others of her
younger Children, a Son and a Daughter. This unhappy Family appear-
ing to be of ſome Faſhion, were all preſented to the Favourite Sultana.
Young Jafer, being made at once a Muſulman and a Eunuch, had the
Infant Prince, her Son, committed to his Carc. On that Account, the
Sultan and his Mother had always a particular Regard to this Eunuch,
and of which Favour' he was not in any wiſe undeſerving : Since, in all
the Emploies conferred on him by the Emperor, he gave ſhining Proofs
of a good Diſpoſition towards all Mankind, except Criminals: To them
he was remarkably rigid; yet 'a ſtrict Obſerver of Juſtice. This Charac-
ter, as has been hinted, induced the Sultan to chuſe him, as a moſt pro-
per Perſon, to ſee Matters to Rights at Algiers. We have obſerved the
Reaſons why Haſan Bafira cảme off fo cheap. It is truc he reprimanded
him.. He alſo apprehended ſeveral who were accuſed as Acceſfarics to his
Enormities; and among them Al-Gaid Daud and Al-Caid Ben Delli : But
finding them not fo verý culpable as repreſented, they ſoon had their Li-
berty. He did all he could to comfort and encourage the People, who
had ſo long laboured under; -not only a ſevere Famine and Mortality, but
Tyranny and. Oppreſſion. He publicly affurçd them; “ That he came
not to Algiers, like others, in order to accumulate Wcalth: He being
very certain of never wanting, during his Life; and, as to the reſt,
VOL. II.
Dddd
(6 he
+
$70
The HISTORY OF ALGIERS.
1
66
" he neither had nor was capable of begecting Children to inherit him"
He brought with him his Mother, who, according to Haedo, was much
more of a Chriſtian than a Mahometan, tho! the went under that Deno
mination. His younger Brother, a Eunuch like himſelf, alſo came with
him. Haedo, as an Eye-Witneſs, ſays thus: « Never did any one make
" the leaſt Complaint of this,Bapa's Adminiſtration Nor has any yet
« remarked him to be addicted to the leaſt Vice, or of having offered to
any one the leaſt Injury. Towards the Chriſtians he is exceſſively hu-
« mane. If any of them, attempting to eſcape, are brought before him',
« he paſſes it off with a Reprimand, and perhaps ten, twelve or fifteen
« Baſtonades, and ſends them about thcir Buſineſs. As to his own Slaves,
“ he has given ſtrict Orders, that, during his Life, none of them ſhall
“ be fettered or beaten, without his expreſs Command, and has allotted
of them very good Diet and Cloathing. All the Duties accruing to him
sr of thc k Wine, Brandy, &c brought to Algiers by Chriſtian Traders,
S. this Baſha. takes in Specie, and diſtributes it among his Slaves: Whereas
" all other Bajhas uſed to take them in Money. At his Arrival, he ſent
for all the Chriſtian Merchants, and a Father of the Redemption who
" was then there, injoining them to write to every Part of Chriſtendom,
" for thcir Correſpondents and Acquaintance to repair to Alglers with
“ their Merchandizes, and Ranſom-Money; promiſing them all ſuch good
56 and equitable Treatment, that they ſhould ſoon find the Difference be.
ir tween him and Haſan Baſha, and be convinced, that he came not to
" Algiers to make himſelf rich, but to adminiſter Juſtice to all the World."
Some Complaints being made to him againſt his Kayia, or Lieutenant, who
came with him from the Levant, he inſtantly removed him, and gave that
Employ to another. In like manner, certain Janifaries accuſing their
Aga (who alſo came with him from thé Levant) of Bribery, Extortion,
and other ſuch-like Miſdemeanors, he immediately called a Diwan, or
Council, and, with the Conſent of a great Majority (without which na
Bajba dares take thoſe Steps) he depoſed that great Officer. This hap.
pened in April, 1581.
k This Traffic has been long out of Date, as will appear elſewhere ; there being now more
made in the Country than can well be expended.
5
This
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
$71
This Aga, in Conjunction with the depoſed Kayia, and the beforc-
mentioned Al-Caid Ben Delli, meditating Revenge for the Affront they
had juftly received at the Hands of this equitable Baſha, formed a Con-
fpiracy againſt his Life, Ben Delli was then upon taking the Field, with
a Party of 400 Turks, deſigned againſt certain revolted Arabs. A wealthy
Moor of Algiers was to ſupply him with a large Sum of Money, to ſuborn
thoſe Janiſaries to return ſuddenly from the Cámpaign, and to cut off
the Baſba. The diſgraced Aga was to ſucceed in that ſupreme Dignity,
the Kayia was to enjoy his former Poſt of Lieutenant-Baſba, and Ben
Delli was to be Bey-ler-Bey, or Generalilimo. The Mooriſs Merchant
was to have conſiderable Intereſt for his Money, together with ſome ad-
vantageous Emploies. Ben Delli, with fair Words and mighty Promiſes,
had prevailed on many of his Janiſaries, and began to conceive great
Hopes of Succeſs; when propoſing the Affair to à Congregation of their
Officers, four ancient Buluc-Baſbees ſtood up, faying; « That the reſt
“ might do as 'they thought fit : But for their own Parts they would
• ſooner be cut in Pieces than be Traytors to the Ottoman Sultan, or than
" once think of injuring fo juſt a Perſon as Jafer Aga." The unexpect-
ed Conſtancy and Reſolution of theſe ſtanch Officers wrought ſuch Et-
fect, that all who had been perverted inſtantly changed Sentiment ; in-
ſomuch, that Ben Delli was ſeized and clapped in Irons, and Notice of
what paſſed ſent to the Baſha. This Intelligence reached Algiers at the
End of April: Whereupon the Baſha, immediately and with the utmoſt
Privacy, got the Aga and Kayia apprehended, and, loaded with Chains
about their Arms and Necks; cloſely and ſeparately confined them in a
ſtrong Place within the Palace. This done, he called a Grand Diwan,
of Great and Small, as they word it, whereat the Letters ſent him from
the Janiſariés 'in that little Camp were read aloud. Tho' the Aga and
Kayia had certainly many Friends and Partiſans among the Janiſaries, yer
not onc durſt drop a Syllable in Favour of the Priſoners ; as fearing the
reſt. A Chiaus was forthwith font away, with Orders to the Chiefs of
thoſe Janiſaries, either to ſend Bin Delli fectered to Algiers, or there to
ſtrike off his Head. The Night following, May 1. the two Priſoners
were privately ſtrangled in a Vault, and buried in the Bama's ! Garden,
That Garden has been long ſince turned into Stables and other Buildings. The Mirar's
Priſon ſtands on Part : :. 'This OFC:s jie public Executioner, and his Cornind of de
the loud Women and Bor.
1) og
joining
572
The HISTORY of AriGIERS.
1
joining the Palacc. In the Morning, he gave out, that they had eſcaped,
and ordered Proclamation to be made of a great Reward for the appre-
hending both or either, dead or alive. Eight: Days after the Head of
Ben Delli was brought him ; and he confiſcated the whole Eſtate, Slaves,
&c. of the three Delinquents. As for the Moorijh Merchant, who had,
ſo oficiouſly, made Tenders of his Purſe to carry on the Cauſe, he dif-
appeared : But, fome few Days after, the Baſha was prevailed on to ſuffer
him to purchaſe his own Safety, and that of his Family, at the Price he
had offered to advance to facilitate his Deſtruction. So that he was no
Gainer by that Method of turning his Penny: “ I am aſſured ; ſays Haedo,
66 the Sum amounted to no leſs than 30000 Ducats.
At the End of this fame Month, the Captain-Baſha, with ſixty Gallies-
Royal, arrived at Algiers. His Errand was to go againīt the Sherif of the
Tingitana, who, we obſerved, was reported to be treating an Alliance
with the King of Spain, in Prejudice to the Ottoman Intereſt. Notwith-
ſtanding Fafer Aga's. Mildneſs towards his unworthy Predeceſſor, the
Captain-Baſha, thro' the falſe Inſinuations of that his Favourite, came fo
apparently prejudiced againſt this deſerving Eunuch, that, under Pretext
of obeying the Sultan's poſitive Injunctions, to take whatever he deemed
requiſite for that important Weſtern Expedition, he took from that. Baſha
a great Number of his beſt Slaves, with a very conſiderable Sum of Mo-
ney: To all which Injuſtice he was obliged to acquieſce ; this Admiral's
Power being too great to be diſputed. In like Manner, to quit Scores
with the Janiſaries of Algiers, for the Inſults they had offered both to
himſelf and his beloved Renegado, he commanded them all to prepare for
their March Weſtward. But they reſolutely refuſed to ſtir a Step, ex-
cept he produced the Ottoman Emperor's expreſs Order. He told them,
" That he acted not contrary to that Monarch's Verbal Command. "
This would not do; but they inſiſted upon ſeeing it under his own Hand
and Seal. Finding ſuch unlooked-for Oppoſition, he told them, “ That
was nothing but what he could procure. They bad him do it; and
then, they ſaid, “ They would obey.' Morat Aga, a Renegado of hisg.
was ordered to the Levant, with five Galeots, on this ſleeveleſs Errand:
But the Janifaries would not ſuffer him to depart without a Deputation
from their own Body. This Ali Baſha could not deny. With them
went the chief Morabboth, a Perſon highly venerated, with Letters to
Look back to P. 539. in the Note:
the
Thé HISTORY of ALGIER'S.
573
LE
the Sultan, importing : “ That it would not be at all to the Intereſt of
“ his Imperial Majeſty, to permit a Perſon ſo crafty and ſo enterpriſing
" as Ali Baſha to proſecute his Deſigns againſt the Sherif of Fez, &c. a
“ Prince from whom they had not hitherto received the leaſt Injury or
« Inſult ; ſince if he ſhould carry his Point, and become Maſter of thoſe
66 Realms by expelling that Monarch, and a Renegado of his own was alrea-
e dy Baſha of Tripoly, it would be no very difficult Matter for a Man of his
aſpiring Genius and Ambition to make himſelf Sovereign of all Barbary.
Not many Days before this, Morat Rais, with eight Gallies, went on
the Cruiſe. Near Lagos, he met with two great Ships of Bretagne, laden
with Salt, from Portugal. But, beldes that Lading, they carried up-
wards of a Million of Ducats in Specie. Thoſe Ships, being very well
manned and appointed, made a notable Defenſe: But one of them being
ſunk, and only fourteen of its Equipage ſaved, the other was obliged to
ſurrender. With this rich Prize, which coſt him a good Number of his
Turks, this fortunate Corſair returned to Algiers : But, under Pretence of
carrying on the Tingitanian War, the Captain-Bajha would needs be a
very conſiderable Sharer, both in Money and Captives.
About the fame Time, Arnaud Memmi, whom we have often menti-
oned as Admiral of Algiers, went out with fourteen Gallies.
Months roaming thoſe Seas, all the Prize he could make was of onc poor
blind Chriſtian, he met with on the ſmall Iſand Turfia. He reached Al-
giers at the End of July; where he found, juſt returned, the five Galeots
from Conftantinople. The Algerine Deputies had ſo well negociated their
Affair, that they brought a poſitive Order, from the Sultan, to the Cap-
tain-Baſha; to deſilt, on Penalty of his Head, from all farther Thought
of his projected Enterpriſe. The Stile of the Sultan's Letter ran too ab-
folute for Ali Baba to entertain the leaſt Glimmering of Safety in Dif-
obedience. He therefore departed with his Fleet, and arrived at Conſtan-
tinople towards the End of Oetober, 1581. Notwithſtanding theſe Diſap-
pointments, and the ill Offices had been done him at Court, ſuch was
his Credit, and ſo well he knew how to carry his Points, that it was not
long before he prevailed with the Sultan to ſign a ſecond Commiſſion for
Haſan Baſha to be Vice-Roy of Aigiers: The only way he could ſtudy
how to be even with the turbulent, thwarting Algerines. To thc
great Regret of the Generality of that Militia and their Subjects, but more
particulirly of their Slaves, this juſt and well-diſpoſed Eunuch-Bapa,
after
In two
$74
The HISTORY of ALGIERS.
:
mit 41.!!!!.;
after a generally-applauded Adminiſtration of about twenty Months, was
removed, in May, 1582, by the much-dreaded and univerſally-deteſted
Haſan Baha; with whoſc wayward Government the Algerines were al-
ready, too well acquainted.
But before we enter upon that Subject, it may be requiſite to make a
fhort Digreſſion. Some Readers may, probably, think it ſtrange,
that, throughout the whole Courſe of this Hiſtory, not the leaſt Men-
tion is made of our Nation. But we now muſt begin to come a little in
Play: For few can be ignorant, that it was not ſo carly, that we made
the Figure, at Sea, as we have done fiuce. And can we but be prevailed
on to be unanimous, there is little Appearance but that we may maintain
even a Sovereignty upon that Element. But to the Purpoſe.com AC
cording to Hakluyt, and others, the firſt Trade we ever had, of any Mo-
merit, in the Mediterranean, began in 1511, which was about ſix or ſc-
ven Years before the Turks were poffefTed of Algiers :. And it continued,
without mạch Interruption, till 1534, when Heyradin Barbar rola reign-
ed, as it were, Sovereign of the Mediterranean, as may be obſerved in the
Life of that Bama. Several tall Ships, named by that Author, from
London, Briſtol, Southampton, &c. carried on a very briſk and notable
Commerce to Sicily, Gandia, Scio, and ſometimes to Cyprus; as alſo to
Tripoly and Barut, in Syria. Having ſpecified the Commodities exported
and imported, he ſays, that, beſides the Natives of thoſe ſeveral Coun,
tries, our Merchants and Factors had Dealings with Turks, Jews, and
other Foreigners; and that they emploied not only their own Shipping,
but likewiſe Veſſels, great and ſmall, of Candia, Sicily, Genoua, Venice,
Raguſa, Spain and Portugal. The Argofies of Shakeſpeare, - and others,
muſt certainly be Ragufians. The fame Author aflures us, that Sultan
Suliman granted a Paſs (Dated at Halep,.. or. Aleppo, A. H. 961., A. D.
1553) to a Merchant of London, named Anthony Jenkinſon. By that Paſs
it evidently appears, that we had not then any Conſuls, Agents, or others
with a Public Character, in any of the Ottoman Dominions. Thereby
the French, Venetian and all other public Miniſters, throughout Turky and
its Domain, are ſtrictly injoined not to uſe any. Manner of Exactions on
his Ships and Merchandize..He farther affirms, that, for near fifty
Years, this advantageous Trade was, as it were, quite obſtructed; till re-
vived by Queen Elizabeth. In 1582. that Queen ſent Embaſſador to the
Ottoman
:
11
2
The History of ALGIER's.
575
Ottoman Court Mr. William m Harebone, who was ſplendidly received by
Morat III. the then reigning Sultan. Her Majeſty's Letter to the Sultan
was accompanied by one to the Captain-Baſha; both Dated at Windſor,
A. D. 1582. Notwithſtanding this Embaſſador's noble and favourable
Reception, and the high Efteem he was in, fome Paſſages, from the ſame
Author, will ſoon make appear, that the Algerines were not even then
much leſs difficult to be kept in Awe than they have been ever ſince their
more apparent Independency. Thoſe Letters, Mr. Harebone's Commiſſion,
and the Queen's Patent for Trade, are at length in Hakluyt, to whom we re-
fer the Curious. But the Treaty of Privileges granted to our Nation by that
Sultan, is hereafter inſerted. The Patentees of that our firſt Turky Company
were four eminent Merchants of London, viz. Sir Edward Osborne,Mr. Thomas
Smith, Mr. Richard Staper, and Mr. William Garret.
Dated at Windſor, except the ſaid Patent; which was ſigned at Weſtmin-
fter, and bears Date, September 11, 1981. His Excellency, Mr. Harebone,
appointed one Mr. John Tipton to be Conful ar Algiers; and who was the
firſt who ever bore that Character.
All theſe were
Es
1
CH A P. XV.
BASHA XXI. XXII. HASSAN BASHA, VENEDIC:
The ſecond and laſt Time of his Adminiſtration,
MEMMI BASHA, ARNAUD : An ALBANIAN.
Some Particulars relating to our Affairs in thoſe Parts,
To
A. D. 1582.
OWARDS the End of May, this Year, arrivcu Haſan Baſha at
Algiers, as Vice-Roy the ſecond Time, with cleven Gallies, of
which ſeven were his own, and the others belonged to his Patron, the
Captain-Baha. By what has been ſaid of him, we may ſuppoſe him not
m This Gentleman's Name is ſometimes written Harebourne and Harebrowne. Far Parti-