A K 
 
 HISTORICAL AND GEOGRAPHIcSt 
 
 ACCOUNT 
 
 O F 
 
 A L.G.I E 
 
 3 
 
 COMPREHENDING 
 
 A NOVEL AND INTERESTING 
 DETAIL OF EVENTS 
 
 RELATIVE TO 
 
 THE AMERICAN CAPTIVES, 
 
 BY JAMES WILSON STEVENS. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA: 
 
 'PRINTED BY HOGAN & *'.*or,CEOHGE-STMKT 
 THIRD DOOR BELOW SOUTH-STREET' 
 
 Auguft, 1797, 
 
ENTERED ACCORDING FQ ACT OF CONGRESS, 
 

 T O 
 
 JOEL BARLOW, ESQ. 
 
 AS A TRIBUTE DUE 
 
 TO HIS BENEVOLENCE, 
 
 AND A MEMENTO OF 
 
 HIS UNREMITTED EXERTIONS 
 
 IN RESCUING OUR FELLOW-CITIZENS 
 
 FROM BONDAGE, 
 
 THE FOLLOWING WORK 
 
 IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED 
 
 BY THE AUTHOR- 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 AFRICA, though contiguous to ihe mvft commercial 
 nations in the worldy from whom one ^wonhl naturally 
 fuppofe it might derive fome portion of refinement) is yet 
 involve! in a ft ate of the moft deplorable barbarifm ; and 
 its very at mofphere fee ms fraught with the moft det eft able 
 depravity in human nature* Hence the fpirit of difcovery 
 rivill ever be retarded^ and travellers it;// hav* lut little 
 inducement to explore a region where they muft be exp&fed. 
 to fuel) a corftant fucceffion of dangers* 
 
 Since the deft ruB ion of Carthage* civilization feens- 
 not an attribute of the kingdom of Algiers , or of any of the 
 ftates of Barb ary ; and fuel) is the virulence cf Ma- 
 Lometan antipathy to every thing that bears the name of 
 Chriftian> that their contiguity to Europe has perhaps 
 tended to render them even more ferocious. 
 
 In rendering an account cf this famous regtr t ;:y ivLo 
 tkfmf elves by their *villany % the 
 
 author 
 
*/ P R E F A C E, 
 
 i 
 
 auilcr has availed hjmfelf cf the moft unexceptionable 
 documents that could be procured) and perfpicuity ivjiead 
 of elegance and the complete developement of TRUTH 
 have been his primary objects in the compilation cf the 
 work* 
 
 In its execution he has laboured under federal dif- 
 advantages* The frft Jheets were put to prrfs but 
 a few days after the work <was commenced^ and before 
 half the ma'.srials were collected. Great expedition c was 
 therefore indifpenfibly reqnifite, find this circumftauce will 
 apologize for inaccuracies or dfjultory arrangements. 
 
 The ixsrk is y however, ?nuch more perfect than was 
 
 :allv contemplated. It exhibits a more circumftantial 
 
 .'.'/ of Alverine affairs of a recent date than <was ever 
 
 J i JJ J 
 
 :rc publ'ifi-jedy and will ivt prefume afford the Ameri- 
 ca-i reader a tolerable idea of this fajxous piratical re 
 -.', to which the United States have lately had the 
 ?n of becoming tributory* 
 
 It comprehends) befidcs an ample account of the late 
 J;:::rican negotiation) a variety of original obftrva- 
 thns upon the government, fortifications y cufiom sand man 
 ners, punifimextS) religion, &c. of the Algerines ; and 
 for this original matter the public are ztnder ccnfiderable 
 obligations to Mr. ISAAC BROOKS, a gentleman 
 cf veracity and intelligence^ who was one of the nrifor- 
 iuna'e nunlcr who were fubje fled to the miferies of thi-s 
 unparalleled Jer<vitude* The fe^eri'j of his afflictions 
 
PREFACE. vii 
 
 has reduced him marly to a ft ate of blindnefs a misfor 
 tune which afforded him ample hifure for rendering a 
 more minute account. In all his communications he has 
 cortfci&itwujiy adhered to the truth > detected mifreprefen- 
 tationS) and related nothing but what will bear the teji 
 of the jlriciefl examination. 
 
 ^he fubjeft is particularly inter oft ing to the American 
 people^ and as the author has recorded events which are 
 recent in the memory of all the captives, he has been fcru- 
 puloxjJy circumfpeft in admitting nothing but matters of 
 undifputed authenticity* 
 
 The loft chapter is an abjtracJ or compendium of the ad* 
 ventures of E?nanuel D'Aranda, " a poor f oldie r*' as he 
 was phafed to call himfelf-> probably with a defign to &uads 
 the payment of the exorbitant fum demanded for the ranfom 
 of all perfons cf quality, We find, however, by a Latin 
 tultfgium in <verfe prefixed to the French edition of his 
 work, that he is called nobili confultifiimoque Emanueli 
 D'Aranda, I. V. L. 
 
 *fbefe adventures were written alo<ve 150 years ftgo> 
 
 and are now perhaps unknown in the literary world* t'n 
 
 this work there is every appearance cf candor, find the 
 
 concurrence of various circiimftcinces corroborate the fn'~ 
 
 'hn of its truth* \ 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 
 
 CHAP. I. 
 
 E Phoenicians and Carthagenians the original in- 
 JL habitants. Deftruftion of Carthage. Expulfioa of 
 the Romans by the Vandals. Irruption of the Saracens. 
 Arab princes fubdued. Zeneti deftroyed. Succeded by 
 the SHarifFs of Hafcen. In danger from the Spaniards, 
 Barbaroffa invited. His treachery and ciuelty. Is de- 
 fsatsd and killed by the Spaniards. Page 13 
 
 CHAP. II. 
 
 BarbarofTa fucceeded by Hayradin, Reduction of the 
 Spanifh fortrefs in front of the city. He is raifed to the 
 dignity of Bafhaw of the empire, and Haffan Aga is ap 
 pointed ia his Head. Charles Vth's expedition againft 
 Algiers. The city in great confternation. Singular 
 prediction of a mad prophet verified. Spaniih fleet de- 
 ttroyed by a ftorm. Siege of Algiers raifed. The mad 
 prophet rewarded. Haflan reduces Tremefen. Bujeyah 
 taken from the Spaniards. Haflan Corfo eleclcd bafhaw. 
 He is put to death, and fucceeded by Tekelli. Hayra- 
 din's fon Hainan reinftated. The Spaniards defeated. 
 Siege of Marfalquiver. Succeeded by Mahomet. John 
 Gafcon's enterprife and death. The Algerines become 
 formidable to Europe. Various expeditions, Become 
 independent of the Porte. Defperate undertaking of 
 four brothers, - 52 
 
S CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAP. III. 
 
 The Algerines fit out a formidable fleet, which is to 
 tally deltrofed by the Venetians. Algiers in great con 
 falion at the news. ^ The Algerines fit out a new fleet. 
 A Dutch merchantman defeats a number of their galleys. 
 Lewis XIV. makes preparations againft Algiers. The 
 city bombarded and fct on fire by the French. The 
 Algerines commit great ravagei in France. Their city 
 again bombarded, fct on fire, and almoft deftroyed. 
 They fue for peace. Capt. Beach burns feven of their 
 ftips. The Turkifh baihaw expelled. The Spaniih ex- 
 pedition of 1775. * 51 
 
 CHAP. IV. 
 
 Trie Algerines begin their depredations upon the Af 
 rican commerce. Captains Stephens and O'Brien taken* 
 A truce with Portugal, Eleven fail of Ameiicun veiTels 
 captured, and their crews made Haves. Their treatment 
 and fuiferings. Col. Humphreys and Mr. Donaidfon 
 fent to treat with the Algerines. Mr. Barlow difpatched 
 to the Barbary dates. Mr. Donaidfon concludes a treaty 
 with Algiers. Captain O'Brien fent with 225*000 dol 
 lars to the dey, Captured by a Tripolitan corfair. Re- 
 leafed and and arrives at Algiers. Treats with Tripoli. 
 The Tunifian territories invaded. The American pri- 
 foners releafed. Defperate engagement between an 
 Algerine corfair and two Neapolitan frigates. Various 
 occurrences. Report of the Secretary of State, j 67 
 
 CHAP. V. 
 Algcrine and Tripolitan treaties. * 112 
 
 i 
 
 DESCRIPTION OP ALGIERS. 
 
 CHAP. I. 
 
 TS divifion ; rivers, foil, climate, and productions; 
 animals; antiquities and curidfities; inhabitants, cuf- 
 
CONTENTS, *3 
 
 tcrrs and manners; drefs, Irnguage, corfairs and com 
 merce ; revenue^ gcvcrrircnt, }uniiLn:er.ts zed reli 
 gion, - - Fage J 29 
 
 CHAP- II. 
 
 A fliort account of the j nrejpal cities. The city of 
 ALGIERS. Its origin, fituaticn, hoiifei-, water, public 
 buildings, bagnios, ftreets, gates, wails, mole, caftles, 
 and fortifications. 184 
 
 CHAP. III. 
 
 Inhabitants, cuftcms and manners of the city of Al- 
 - 20$ 
 
 CHAR IV. 
 The Slaves of Algiers. 
 
 CHAP. V. 
 
 Particular anecdotes, occurrences and cccnlional re* 
 marks, which throw feme additional light upon the hif- 
 tory, cuftoms and manners of the AJgerines. 2,55 
 
 CHAP. VI. 
 
 Succincl account of Algiers in the time of Pinchin- 
 in, - 283 
 
 CHAP. VII. 
 
 A compendium of the adventures of Emanuel D'Aranda, 
 containing an account of the treatment of the Algerine 
 Haves in the time of Pinchinin. - 290 
 
 g^r The plate fronting the title page reprefents the 
 manner of punifhmcnt by baftinading j for an account 
 of which fee page 164, 
 
J? R R A <T A. 
 
 Page 222, the 2Oth line from the top, for bear read 
 
 bare* 
 
 Page 240, the i8th line, for Turk read Txrltfi /M'ft* 
 Page 243* the 6th line, for confncd read conjigncd. 
 Page 285, in the note, for about 84 aw/j read of i dollar 
 
 3 cents and 7 mills, 
 Page 276) i8th line, for /<? read bt> 
 
T H E 
 
 HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 
 
 C H A P. I. 
 
 *T/Jt Phcfn ?, : '?>t" and Car ik a ven ians the Grhitia! inhabitants* 
 
 O O 
 
 Dejlrutiiou of Carthage. Expuljion of the Romans by 
 the Van da]}. Irruption of the Saracexs, Aral princes 
 fitbdued. T^eiicii drfroyed. Succeeded ly the Sheriff's of 
 flafcen. In danger from the Spaniards. BarbarnjjG lil ~ 
 <vhcd* His treachery and cruelly, /j defeated and Killtd 
 by the Spaniards* 
 
 r 1 ^ HERE is perhaps no problem in iiifiory fo 
 JL fingular and unaccountable as the decadence 
 of the power and iplendor of the extenfive States of 
 Barbary ; which, while Carthage w^s \\\ the meri 
 dian of its glory, were the icat of unrivalled great- 
 neis, and anterior to Rome iifeif in arts, in ickfice, 
 in rrjagniiiceiice and refinen ent. 
 
 1 he original inhabitants of this country, ac 
 cording to the moft authentic hiOorians, were the 
 Phanecians, and after them the 
 
14 HISTORY OV ALGIERS 
 
 formidable rivals of the Romans, and one of the 
 molt warlike nations of antiquity. The beginning 
 of the Carthagenian liiilory, like that of all other 
 nations, is extremely obfcure and uncertain, in 
 the yihyear of Pygmalion king of Tyre, h's fitter 
 PJiza, or Dido, is laid to have fled, with fome of 
 her companions and valTils, from the cruelty and 
 avarice of her brother Sichaeus. 
 
 She nrft touched at the iiland of Cyprus, where 
 [he met with a pried of Jupiter, who was defirous 
 of attending her ; to which (he confented. At that 
 time it was a cuftorn in the iiland of Cyprus, for the 
 young women to go, on certain dated days before 
 marriage, to the fea-lide, and there to look for 
 ftrangers, that might poflibly arrive on their coafts, 
 in order to preftitute themfelves for gain, that they 
 might thereby acquire a dowry. Out of thefe wo 
 men, the Tyrians felecled eighty, whom Taey car 
 ried along with them, and then failed directly for 
 the coat} of Africa : and at lall fafely landed in the 
 province called Ajrica Prof/ria, not far from Uti- 
 ca, a Phoenician city of great antiquity. The com 
 mon fable is, that the Phcenecians impofed upon the 
 Africans in the following manner : They defired 
 for lh:ir intended fettlernent, only as much ground 
 as an ox's hide would encompafs. This requeft the 
 Africans laughed at ; but they were furprized 
 when, upon granting it, they faw Eliza cut the hide 
 into the (mailed (hreds, by which means it fur- 
 rounded a large territory ; in which (he built the ci 
 tadel called Byrfa. The learned, however, ex 
 plode this fable ,* but it is certain that the Cartha- 
 genians for many years paid an annual tribute to the 
 Africans for the ground they pofleiTed. 
 
 From this period commences the hirtory of the 
 ihagenians, one of the rnoft celebrated nation*; of 
 
 antiquity, 
 
HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 
 
 uiity, whole armies under the command of 
 Hannibal, and other eminent generals, invaded the 
 Roman tenitory, and threatened the dov.r.fal ci 
 Rome itfelf.- But it is not the ckfign of the piefent 
 work co enter into a detail of this hiftory ? which 
 would foitt) of itfelf a large and interefiing Volume. 
 The city of Cartilage, by order of the Rocran 
 Senate, was plundered and deOroycd by the Roman 
 army under /Einiiiantis. Before he proceeded to 
 execute their order, he performed thole religious 
 ceremonies which were required on fuch occahons. 
 He firft facrificed to the gods, and then caufcJ a 
 plough to he drawn round the walls of the city. 
 After this, the towers, ramparts, walls, nnd all the 
 works which the C.irthagenians had railed in the 
 c.purfe of many ages, were levelled with the 
 ground. The edifices of this proud metropolis 
 were fet on fire, which con fumed' them all, not a 
 fin git: hoiife efcaping the (lames. The fire began 
 in all quarters of the city at the fame time, and 
 continued to burn with incredible fury foi the fpace 
 of feventeen days, at the end of which time the 
 whole city was reduced to afhcs. 
 
 Thus fell Carihage, .about 146 yeats before the 
 birth of Chrift. The treafure carried off by /F,n:i- 
 jianus, even after it was plundered by the foldiers, 
 according to the computation of Pliny, amounted 
 to 4,470,000 pounds weight of filvcr. About 
 twenty-four years after this event C. Gracchus under 
 took to rebuild it. Maxentius laid it jn allies about 
 the fixth or feventh year of ConOantine's reign, and 
 Genferic, king of the Vandals, took it in the year 
 439 after Chrift ; but about a century afterwards it 
 was re-annexed to the Roman empire by the renown 
 ed Belifarius. At laft the Saracens, under Ma 
 homet's fucceffors, towards the clofe of \ he feventh 
 
 century, 
 
16 HIST\0;iV OF ALGIERS. 
 
 century, fo completely deftroyed it, that tliere are 
 now fcarce any ve(iiges of it remaining. 
 
 Afcer th* reduction of the Carthagcniari empire, 
 the Romans for a long time maintained their power 
 in /Africa. But in the year 426, Bonlfaciin fupreme 
 governor of all the Roman dominions in this quarter, 
 being compelled to revolt by the treachery of another 
 general called Aetius, and finding himfelf unable 
 to contend with the whole Orength of the Roman 
 empire, invited Genferic king of th~ Vandals to his 
 aid ; who thereupon abandoned his conqueils in Eu 
 rope, and paiTed over into Africa. Bonifacius, how 
 ever, ->on after reconciled to 1m - : la- 
 cidia, endeavoured in vain to p:riuade the Vandals to 
 retire. Hereupon awar enfued, in which the barbari 
 ans proved victorious, and quickly over-ran all the Ro 
 man provinces in Africa. In the year 435, a peace was 
 concluded ; whereby Numidia and iome other coun 
 tries were ceded to the Vandals, who foon after feized 
 the reft. But thefe barbarians did not long enjoy 
 their conquers : for about the year 535, Belifarus, 
 the Greek emperor Juflinian's general, Jrove them 
 out, and annexed the provinces to the eaitcrn empire. 
 
 In the year 647, the Saracens, having conquered 
 Mefopotamia, Egypt, Phoenicia, Arabia and Palef- 
 tine, broke like a torrent into Africa, which they 
 quickly fubclued. This lall revolution happened 
 about the middle of the feverith century ; and the 
 Arabs continued mailers of the country till 
 the year lo^i. This -year, one Abubeker-ben- 
 Omar, or as the Spaniards call hiai, Abu-Tex- 
 cfien, an Arab of the Zinhagian tribe, being pro 
 voked at the tyranny of thofe defpots, gathered, by 
 the help of his marabouts or faints, a mofl power 
 ful army of malcontents, in the fouthern provinces of 
 Numidia and Lybia. His followers were nick 
 named 
 
HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 17 
 
 named Marabites or Mor allies ; by the Spaniards 
 Almorav-ides ; probably from their being afiembled 
 principally by the faints, who were alfo called Mo- 
 rabites. The khalif of Keyem's forces were at this 
 time engaged in quelling other revolts in Syria, 
 Mefopotamia, &c. and the Arabs in Spain entered 
 into the rrsoft bloody wars ; fo that Texefien having 
 nothing to fear from them, had all the fucceis he 
 could wiia againft the Arabian cheyks or petty ty 
 rants, whom he defeated in many battles, and at 
 la^t drove them not only cut of Numidia and Ly- 
 bii, but out of all the weftern parts, reducing the 
 whole province of Tingitania under his dominion. 
 
 Texefien was fucceeded by his fon Yufef, or Jo- 
 feph, who was a warlike prince. In the beginning 
 of his reign he laid the foundation -of the city of 
 Morocco, which he intended as the capital of his 
 empire. During the building of this city he lent 
 an embafTy of marabouts to Tremefen, a province 
 of Algiers, for the purpofe of reftoring the Zeneti, a 
 Mahometan feCt, to the true faith, as it was called. 
 But the Zeneti contemning ail overtures of this na 
 ture, avfembled at Amaf, or Am fa their capital, 
 and muHered the av^balTadors. Not content with 
 this aft of outrage and infolence, they invaded Jo- 
 feph's dominions with an army of 50,000 men. 
 
 Jofeph jufily exafperated at thefe proceedings, 
 levied an army with all poffiblc expedition, inva- 
 d ^d their territory, and deHroyed all before him 
 with fire and fword. The Zeneti inftead of repel 
 ling the invafion, retreated towards Fez, where 
 they expected ailiRance. But they were fatally dif- 
 appointed in this expectation ; for the Fezzans 
 nriiched out againft them, and meeting the miic- 
 rable Zeneti, encumbered with their families and 
 .age, and ready to expire with hunger and fa- 
 B 2 tiue 
 
j8 HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 
 
 tigue, fell upon them an 1 cut them all to pieces, 
 except a few who were either drowned in their at 
 tempts to fwim acrofs a river, or dafhed to pieces 
 from the precipices of rocks to which their enemy 
 had purfued them. 
 
 In the mean time the march of Jofeph's army 
 was marked by havoc and defolation ; the territory 
 of the unhappy Zeneti was deiblated and reduced 
 to a heap of fmoking ruins. Their country was, 
 however, foon after re-peopled by numerous immi 
 grations of Fezzans, who formed colonies under 
 the protection of the reigning princes. According 
 to the mo ft authentic accounts it appears, that nearly 
 a millon of men, women and children, of the Zetieti, 
 loft their lives in this murderous campaign. 
 
 Jofeph, who was a prince of reft Ids ambition, 
 was not Long difpofed for peace. Fie proclaimed 
 war again!) the Fezzans whom he rendered tribu- 
 tory, and extended his conquefts along the coafts 
 of the Mediterranean. His next attack was upon 
 ibme Arabian cheyks, whom he purfued through 
 the Lybian defa&s with fuch fury, that neither the 
 clifts of the moil: craggy rocks, nor fecret recefles, 
 afforded them fhelter from the vengeance of their 
 purfuers* He reduced all their caftles and fortrefTes, 
 which till then were deemed impregnable, and the 
 extent of his conquefts fpread general condernation 
 and grief through the other nations of Africa. 
 
 Thus was the empire of the Morabites founded ; 
 but its exiftance was of fhort duration ; for they 
 were expelled from their new pofleffions in the I2th 
 century by Mohavedin a marabout- This race of 
 priefts was fubdued by Abdiilac, governor of Fez, 
 who was diverted in his turn of his new conquefh, 
 in the I3th century, by the Shariffs of Hafcen, who 
 
 were 
 
HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 19 
 
 \vere the defcendants of tbofe Arabian princes 
 whom Abu-Texefien had formerly conquered. 
 
 The SharifFs divided their new acquired domi- 
 ons into feveral petty provinces, and the kingdom 
 of Algiers was divided into Tremefen, Tenez, 
 Algiers Proper, and Bujeyah,for their greater fecu- 
 rity againft the invafions of neighbouring princes. 
 The four firft monarchs laid ib folid a foundation to 
 their empire, by a judicious balance of power, that 
 they continued in mutual peace and harmony for 
 feveral fucceeding centuries ; but the king of Tre 
 mefen having violated feme articles of their com 
 pact, Abul-Farez declared war againft him, and re 
 duced Tremefen to a tributory kingdom. 
 
 Abul-Farez did not long furvivc this event. His 
 kingdom was divided among his three ions, and mu 
 tual difcord and animofity was the confequence of 
 this divifion. Debilitated by thefe commotions, 
 they became an eafy ccnqueft to the Spanifh govern 
 ment, who tranfported a powerful fleet and army 
 again!! Barbary, under the command of the Count 
 of Navarre, in the year 1505. This commander 
 foon completed the conqueft of Oran, Bujeyah, and 
 other important cities,* which fpread fuch an alarm 
 among the Algerines, that they invired the pro 
 tection of Selim Eutemi, an Arabian prince re 
 nowned for the prowefs cf his arms. He came to 
 their affiftance with a large army of his moft warlike 
 fubje6ts, attended by Zaphira his queen, and a ion 
 about twelve years of age. This force was not, how 
 ever, fufficient to repel the incurfions of the Spa 
 niards; they effected the landing of an army the fame 
 year near the city of Algiers, and compelled the me 
 tropolis to become tributory to Spain. Nor could all 
 the powers of Eutemi prevent the eilabliiliment of a 
 formidable Spanifh garrifon of 200 men en the ilia rid, 
 
 in 
 
20 HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 
 
 :n front of the city, which did immenfe damage to 
 the coriairs that attempted to fail either in or out of 
 the harbour. 
 
 To this galling yoke the Algennes were ob'iged to 
 fubmit, and they continued tributary till the death 
 of Ferdinand king of Spain, which happened in the 
 
 year ir,i6. They were then determined to fhake 
 *j 
 
 oiFtheir Spaniih yoke, and in order to effectuate this 
 clefign, they lent an . embaffay to Aruch BarbaroHa, 
 to foiicit his affiftance againft the Spaniards, and pro- 
 raifed hirn an adequate compilation for his fervices* 
 BarbarotTa, fo called from the red colour of his 
 beard, was the ion of a potter in the ifle of Le/bos, 
 being prompted by a reiliefs and enterprifmg fpirit, 
 he and his brother Hayradin forfook their father, 
 and joined a crew of pirates. In this new profeffion 
 they foon diftinguithed themfelves by their a6tl- 
 vity and provvefs ; they became matters of a fniail- 
 brigantine, and conducted their piracies with fuch 
 fuccefs, that they icon affembied a fleet of twelve 
 galleys, be(ides many veiFels of fmalicr force. Bar- 
 bjroffa was admiral of this fleet, and Hayradin fe- 
 cond in command. Tlieir names foon became teni- 
 ble from the Straits of the Dardanelles to thofe of Gi 
 braltar. Their ambitious views extended with their 
 power: being no lefs dreaded for their valour than 
 their furpnfing fuccefs, and., while adling as cor 
 iairs, they a (Turned the idear., and acquired the ta 
 lents of conquerors. They often carried the prizes 
 they had taken on the coafts of Spain and Italy, 
 into the ports of Barbary. The convenient fitua- 
 tion of thefe harbours, lying io near the great com 
 mercial Rates of Chriitendom, prompted them to 
 the defire of clicking an cftablilhment in the country 
 of Barbary. An opportunity of accompliihing this 
 
 project 
 
HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 21 
 
 ' projecl foon preferred itfelf, and they did not fuf- 
 icr it to pafs unimproved. 
 
 Barbatroffa received the Algerine embafly at Hi- 
 gir, about 170 miles to the call ward of Algiers. He 
 promifed them every afiiOance in his power, and fe- 
 cretly exulted info favourable an opportunity of ren 
 dering himfelf mailer of their city* To carry his de- 
 ligns into execution, he fitted out a fleet of 18 gal- 
 lev s, on board of which was embarked a powerful 
 Turkifh army, with a fine train of ^rtiilery, and am 
 ply provided with military {(ores, and difpatched 
 the 01 to the ciiv of Algiers. 
 
 BarbarofFa in the mean tfrre advanced toward 
 the city by land, with an army of 800 Turks, 3000 
 Jigelltes, and 2000 Moorifh volunteers. But inOead 
 of taking the neareft roarl to Algiers, he direcled his 
 courfe towards Sharfkel, (about 60 miles we A of 
 Algiers), where Hailan, another famous corfair un 
 der his command, had fettled himfelf; and dif 
 patched a meQenger to his fleet, which by this time 
 had anchored at Algiers, v/ith orders to repair im 
 mediately to Sharfhei. His defign by this rrarch 
 was to punKh the treachery of IiaGan, who had fe- 
 duced a confiderable part of the fleet Rationed there 
 into hisfervice, and was upon the point of making 
 a defcent upon the Spanifh coaft. But he was much 
 afioniihed when he found BaibarolTa was io near, and 
 inftantly prepared to oppofe the approach cf his 
 army ; but diicovering the inefficiency of the force 
 he had raifed, lie deemed it moft prudent to adjull 
 all differences by an amicable comprornife, and af 
 ter he had received a promife of pardon from his 
 commander, furrendered himfelf a priioner. Bar- 
 ba o(Fa, however, felt little difpofed to pardon the 
 offence, and, by his command, HaiTan was execu 
 ted in the prefence of the Turkiih army. 
 
 After 
 
22 HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 
 
 After thefe events, lie compelled the people oi 
 Shardiel to acknowledge him as their fovereigrij and 
 ^anifoned a detachment of his army in that place 
 for the fecurityof his conqueft. His army and licet 
 then directed their comic towards Algiers. On the 
 approach of his army he was met by Selim Euterni, 
 then regent of Algiers, attended by an irmnenfc 
 concourfe of people from the city, who welcomed 
 this celebrated conqueror, whom they deemed in 
 vincible, with every, demonftration of joy., lie 
 wis conducted into the city amidft the acclamations 
 or ihe people, and lodged in one of the nobleit 
 apartments of Eutemi's palace, where a mod fump- 
 tuotis banquet was prepared for his entertainment. 
 
 Elated beyond meafure with the great marksof dif- 
 tindlion which were conferred upon him, heconceived 
 the deOgn of becoming king of Algiers* The day 
 after his arrival he commenced his arrangements for 
 the reduction of the Spaniards, who had been fo 
 long obnoxious to the Algerines. He ordeied an 
 entrenchment to be formed, and a battery raifed 
 againft a Spaniili fortrefs Rationed upon a fmall iiland 
 in the iiarbour, about 500 yards from the city. Be 
 fore the commencement of the intended fiege of the 
 iiland, he difpatched a courier to the Spanim garri- 
 fon, to inform them, that upon condition they would 
 furrender the fortrefs they (hould be well treated 
 and fent to Spain ; but if not, they {hould all be 
 put to death. The commander of the garrifon re- 
 jelled all overtures of capitulation, and returned 
 for anfwer, that he would hold out till the very laft 
 extremity. 
 
 Incenfed at this anfwer, Barbaroffa commenced 
 a brifk cannonade of the ifland, which was kept up, 
 with little intermiffion, for twenty days; but his 
 
 ordnance, 
 
HISTORY OF ALGIERS, 23 
 
 fcrJrnncc, confiding only of fmali field pieces, 
 made but little impreffion upon the garriibn. 
 
 In the mean time, the greater part of Barbaroffa's 
 army were rioting in every fpecies of excefs, and in 
 their intercourfe with the citizens, committed every 
 aC\of violence and atrocity'. The Algerineswere foon 
 roufed to a fenie of their danger, and Seiim Eutemi, 
 greatly exafperated at the outrages of the Turks, 
 entreated Barbaroffa to withdraw his army from the 
 city. But his fole view now was the conquefl of 
 the city, and the more effectually to accomplish his 
 projcV, he refolved to murder Eutemi in a private 
 manner, and to proclaim himfelf king of Algiers. 
 
 In order to execute his defign, he flole into a 
 fmall apartment where Eutsmi had one day retired 
 for the purpofe of bathing, and finding the prince 
 alone, he fuddenly feized him and (irangled him 
 to death. When he had perpetrated this atrocious 
 acl:, he fecretly withdrew, and left the prince float 
 ing in the water. Returning (hortly after with 
 his attendants, to the bath, he affecled great afto- 
 nifhment at the death of Eutemi, who, he alleged, 
 had been drowned in a fwoon. 
 
 His death was, however, generally imputed to 
 the cruelty of Barbaroffa, and the citizens, who 
 were panic ftruck at this event, feemed more anx 
 ious to fcreen themfelves from oppreffion, than to 
 avenge the death of their fovereign. 
 
 Barbaroffa nowcaufed himfelf to be publicly pro 
 claimed king ; and, as he rode along the ftreetg, 
 his Turks and Moors exclaimed, " Long live king 
 Aruch Barbaroffa, the invincible king of Algiers, 
 the chofen of God to deliver the people from the 
 oppreffion of the Chriftians; and deftru&ion to all 
 that (hall oppofe, or refufe to own him as their 
 J*. r '.! fovereign." Thefe laft threatening words 
 
 fo 
 
24 HISTORY OF ALGIERS 
 
 fo intimidated the inhabitants, already apprehenfive 
 of a general maifacre, that he was immediately ao 
 knowiedged king; and he iumrnonedall theweahhi- 
 eit partofthecitizcnsbeforehim,towhomhepimnifed 
 honors and promotion if they would acquie/ce in his 
 fovereigniy. The unhappy princeis Zaphira made 
 an unfuccefsful attempt to (lab him with a dagger ; 
 but not fucceeding, it is faid ihe poilone^l herfeif, to 
 avoid the brutality of her new ibvereign. 
 
 BarbaroiFa was no fooner icated on the throne, 
 than he treated his new fubjedts with fuch cruelty, 
 that they uied to iliut up their houies, and hide 
 theoifeives, when he appeared in public. The 
 Turks finding themfelves complete matters of the 
 town, indulged themfelves in every fpeeics of vio 
 lence and rapacity. Their enormities commenced 
 with infuiting language, and the fcene terminated 
 in public plunder, murder, and the violation of 
 women. 
 
 Jn this extremity of in full and mifery, the citi 
 zens held a fecret correfpondence with the gover 
 nor of the Spa null garrifon ; in which they inform 
 ed him that a plot was laid to maiLcre the whole 
 Turkiili army, Iblicited his affiftance, and promif- 
 ed, in confequence, to become again tributory to 
 the king of Spain. 
 
 The commander readily acceded to their wifhes, 
 and the following plan was deviled. A conlidera- 
 ble number of Moors, with daggers concealed un 
 der their clothes, were to enter the city for the 
 purpofe of trading ; at the fame time a number of 
 galliots without the town were to be fet on lire ; 
 and while the Turks were gone to extinguiih the 
 flames the gates of the city were to be iliuf upon 
 them, and the Spaniards to be inOantly landed froai 
 ihe garriior* to aiM the citizens. But the vigilancr 
 
HISTORY OF ALGIERS, 25 
 
 cf Barbarciia difccvered the confpiracy ; in confc- 
 quence of which, he ftrongly fortified the town, 
 augmented his guards hoth in the galliots and at 
 the city-gates, and thus totally fruft rated this deep 
 laid fcheme. 
 
 The moll tragical events fucceeded this di (cove ry. 
 For though Barbarolia had detected the corifpircy, 
 yet he pretended he had notdifcovered the principals; 
 and one Friday (which is the Mahometan Sunday) he 
 paid a vifrt to the grand Mofque in the city, where the 
 chief part of the confpirators had convened. An 
 uncommon corjcourfe of people ailembled, and a- 
 Tnong the crowd the tyrant had ordered a number 
 of his Turks to be Hationed, The moment their re 
 ligious ceremonies commenced, Barbaroila ordered 
 the doors cf the Mofque to be (hut, and the whole 
 congregation to be made prifoners: out of whom he 
 ielecled twenty of the principal leadersof the faclion, 
 whom he conceived to be the moil obnoxious, and by 
 his orders they were inflantly led into the fleets and 
 there beheaded. After the execution of this atrocious 
 order their bodies were expofed naked to public view, 
 and their heads rolled about the city for feveral days, 
 till at length becoming oirenfive, they were buried 
 in a dunghill. This event took place in the year 
 
 frS 1 ?-; 
 
 While thefe things where tranfatting Seiim Eute- 
 rni's fon, apprehenfive of danger, fled to Oran, where 
 he put himlelf under the protection of the marquis 
 of Gomarez, general of that place, and laid before that 
 nobleman a plan for putting the city cf Algiers into 
 the hands of the king of Spain. Gornarez approv 
 ed of the phn,and fent young SelimEutemi to Spain, 
 where he laid his fcheme before Cardinal Francifco 
 Ximenes and the councilsof Spain, who likewise ap 
 proved of it, and fent a fleet with io,coo!and forces, 
 C under 
 
26 HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 
 
 under the eoinmand of young Selim and Don Diege 
 de\ r era,to reftore the young prince to his kingdom* 
 But deplorable was the fate of this army; for they 
 were no fooner coinc within fight of land, than a 
 tempeft arofe, which raged wilh iuch violence that 
 , the whole fleet was involved in deftruclion ; many 
 veffels ran foul of each other; fome were fwal lowed 
 up by the ocean, and others dafhed to pieces againft 
 the rocks. Young Selim and Ximenes were never 
 heard of again ; and th s was the greateft part of 
 this army deftroyed ; thofe who efcaped the vio- 
 Jence of the elements were either muidered by the 
 Turks, or fubjected to the moit rnifeiable ilavery. 
 
 The pride of Barbaroffa was greatly elated at 
 this difafter, and though he had nothing to boaft on 
 this occafion, yet his vanity and infdlence were now 
 fwelled to fuch a degree, that he imagined himielf 
 invincible, and fancied that the very elements had 
 confpired to render him fo. By this misfortune all 
 hopes were loft f expelling Barbaroffa, and re- 
 ftoring the heirs of Selim to the regency of Algiers. 
 
 Barbaroffa's tyranny became at length fo infup- 
 portable, that the Arabians, who inhabited the low 
 er parts of the country, implored the afiiftance of 
 liamidel Abdes king of Tenez to drive the Turks 
 out of Algiers. That prince undertook to grant 
 them all the aid in his power, upon condition that 
 the Arabians would agree to fettle the kingdom on 
 himfelf and his defcendants. 
 
 This propofal was readily accepted, and Hami- 
 del Abdes immediately fet out at the head of an ar 
 my of 10.000 Moors. He began his march in June 
 1517, and, upon his entering the Algerine domi 
 nions, was joined by all the Arabians in the coun 
 try, who openly avowed thernfelves the enemies of 
 tfbe tyrafttf Barbaroffa, gaining intelligence of the 
 
 approach 
 
HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 27 
 
 approach of Hamidel Abdes, raifed an army of 
 iooo Turkifli mufqueteers, and 500 Granada 
 Moors, and configning the government of Algiers 
 to the care of his brother Hayradin, came out with 
 this inconfiderable force to meet Hamidel Ab 
 des. After a march of about twelve leagues to 
 the weftward of Algiers, Barbarofla came up 
 with him, and a defperate engagement commen 
 ced. Victory was for fome time dubious, and the 
 mod horrible carnage enfued. But the Turks, be 
 ing difciplined to the ufe of fire arms, difplayed 
 gre.it fuperiority, and the enemy having only ar 
 rows and javelins, began to give way. Their nu 
 merous army was totally defeated, and Barbaroda 
 purfued them to the gates of their capital ; of 
 which he eafily made hirnfeif mailer. Hamidel 
 Abdes dill retreated towards mount Atlas, and the 
 unfortunate city, without the leaft refinance, fell a 
 victim to every fpecies of violence and brutality, 
 and BarbafoCfa* was proclaimed king. 
 
 The fame of this decifi ve viftory was foon fpread 
 ever ail Africa, and no fooner had BarbaroiTa be 
 come mafter of Tenez, than he received an ernbaify 
 from the inhabitants of Tremcfen, (about 50 leagues 
 weftward), who were difFatisfied with the adminiftra- 
 tion of their king, principally on account of his 
 having dethroned his nephew; whom he obliged to 
 fly to Gran j and they offered to inveft Barbarofla 
 even with the fovereignty, in cafe he accepted their 
 propofal. An application of this nature, as may 
 well be imagined, was highly pleafing to him, and 
 he was determined not to lofe fo favourable an op 
 portunity of extending his conqueirs. In confe- 
 quence of this ernbaflay he wrote to his brother 
 Hayradin to fend him forward fome pieces of ar 
 tillery and military (lores ; and upon the receipt 
 
 of 
 
2o HISTORY OF ALGIERS- 
 
 ei~ tliefe articles he fet out for Tremefen, having 
 coiiiigned the command of Tenez to his third bro 
 ther ffaac Benijoub. 
 
 The king of Tremefen, not fufpe&ing the 
 treachery of his fuhjecls, railed an army of 6000 
 horfe and 3000 foot, and met the tyrant in the 
 plains of Aganel in advance of the city, where a 
 bloodyatKon tookplace; in which the king, unable 
 to ftancl before Barbaroila's artillery, was totally 
 routed, and fled with the remains of his army to the 
 capital, where he was taken priibnerand beheaded 
 by his f ub j eft 3. After which they fent ambafTadors 
 with his head to Barbaroila, and ordered them to 
 deliver the keys of the ci?y into the hands of the 
 conqueror. 
 
 Two days after, he made a triumphal entry into 
 Xrcmefcn, amidit the acclamations of a multitude 
 of citizens, who met him, and treated him with 
 every mark of attention. As foon as he was in 
 poffeilion of the city, he began to tyrannize as 
 uflial ; but his new fubjecls loon convinced him 
 they were not fo pailive as the citizens of Algiers. 
 Sufpicious cf oppofition to his adminiftration in the 
 government of Tremefen, and apprchenfive of a 
 precarious reign in confequence of his enormities, 
 he entered into an alliance with Muley Harriet king 
 of Fez, each ftipulating to render each other mutual 
 ailidance againft their enemies. After which he 
 took care, for the purpofe of greater iecurity, to 
 garriibn Tremefen with troops, as well as the reft of 
 the cities in his kingdom, fome of thefe, however, 
 ibon after revolted ; upon which he lent one of his 
 corfairs, named Efcander, no lefs ferocious than him- 
 felf, to reduce them. Ifaac Benijoub in particular, 
 the commander of Tenez, became extremely ob- 
 noxIouG in his administration ; which induced a ge 
 neral 
 
HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 29 
 
 neral revolt among the Moors of the country, and he 
 fell a vidim to their fury. 
 
 The Tremefenians foon repented fincerely that 
 they had courted the affiftance of fuch a tyrant ; and 
 held confutations on the moft effectual means of 
 expelling him from their city, and reftoring Abu- 
 chen Men, their lawful prince. But their cabals were 
 foon difcovered, and a great number of the confpi- 
 ratorswere maflacred in the moft cruel manner. 
 
 Abuchen Men, who had fortunately efcaped to 
 Oran, was taken under the protection of the mar 
 quis of Gomarez, who fent immediate advice of it 
 to Charles V. then lately arrived in Spain, with a 
 powerful fleet and army, and gave him a particular 
 account of the tranfaCtions that had taken place in 
 Africa. Charles immediately crckied an army of 
 10,000 men to be railed and put under the command 
 of Gomarez,and the guidance of Abuchen Men ; who 
 began their march towards Tremefen ; and in their 
 way were joined by prince Selim with a great num 
 ber of Arabs and Moors. Their fir ft refolve was to 
 attack the important fortrefs of Calau, fituated be 
 tween- Tremefen and Algiers, and commanded by 
 the corfair Efcandcr, at the head of about 300 
 Turks. They inveflccl it clofelyon all fides, with a 
 clefign to decoy Barbarofia from Tremefen to its re 
 lief, and to afford the Trernefeinaiis an opportunity 
 of (hutting their gates againft him* But the tyrant 
 kept clofe lodged in his capital, embarrafied by the 
 fears of a general revolt, and the dangerous delays 
 of the king of Fez, who had neglected to fend for 
 ward the auxiliaries he hid promifed. The garrifon 
 of Calau in the mean time made a .vigorois defence, 
 and in a fortie they made in the night killed 300 
 Spaniards. This encouraged them to make a fceond 
 iuiiy; but they were repulfed with great lofs, and 
 C <i Efcander 
 
30 HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 
 
 Efcander himfelf was wounded. The garrifon un 
 able to hold out any longer, capitulated upon honor 
 able terms; but they were all maflacred by the 
 Arabians except fixteen, who clung clofe to the 
 ftirrtips of the king and the Spaniih general 
 
 After the reduction of this fortrefs they began 
 their march to lay fiege to Tremefen. Barbarofia. 
 receiving intelligence of their approach, was deter 
 mined to wait no longer for reinforcements from 
 the king of Fez, and came out of his capital with a 
 troop of 1500 Turks and 5000 Moorifh horfe, to op- 
 pofe the progrcfs of the Spaniards, But gaining in 
 telligence of the fuperiority of their force, his coun 
 cils advifed him to return and fortify himfelf in his 
 capital. This advice however came too late. The 
 inhabitants of Tremefen had (but their gates againfl 
 him, and were refolved to open them only to theiV 
 lawful fovereign,when he appeared. In this extrem 
 ity he deemed it moft prudent to retire to the citadel, 
 and defend himfelf there till he could find an oppor 
 tunity of dealing away with his men and treafure. 
 Here he made a vigorous defence, but his pro- 
 vifions failing, he effected his efcape by night 
 through a fubterraneous paffage, which he had 
 caufed to be dug for that purpofe, and carried off 
 all his irnmenfe treafures with him. But his flight 
 was foon diicovered, and Gomarez ordered an im 
 mediate purfuif. BarharofTa finding himfeif fo 
 clofely purfued, caufed a confiderable quantity of 
 money, plate, jewels, &c. to be fcattcred along 
 the rout he had taken, in order fo amufe the enemy, 
 and to retard their purfuit in gathering it up, while 
 he effected the paiTage of the river Huexda~, But 
 this ftratagem, through the vigilance of the Spanifli 
 commander, did not fucceed ; for Gomarez, order 
 ed hij men to march on, without waiting to gather 
 
 up 
 
HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 51 
 
 up the fpoils, and they foon overtook the fugitive 
 on the banks of the river, about eight leagues from 
 Tremefen* Barbarofla had juft crofted the river 
 with his vanguard; and the Spaniih army furioufly 
 attacked his rear on the other fide, and cut them all 
 to pieces. Gomarez then crofTcd the river, and a 
 bloody engagement enfued, in which his Turks 
 fought with the greater! fury. But being overpow 
 ered by numbers, the tyrant fell, and 1500 Turks 
 were left dead upon the field of battle. 
 
 Thus terminated the career of this powerful ty- 
 rant, who died in the year 1519, in the 44th year 
 of his age ; four years after he had afpired to the 
 royal title of Jigd of the adjacent country ; two 
 years after he had afiurned the fovereignty of Al 
 giers ; a twelvemonth after the reduction of Tre- 
 mefen ; and after he had infefted the feas 'arid 
 fpread havoc and defolation through the country 
 of Barbary for the fpace of fourteen years. 
 
 After this important viftcry Gomarez returned 
 in triumph to Tremefen, amidft the fhouts of the 
 multitude, who came out to meet him, with the 
 head of BarbarofTa carried upon the point of a fpear ; 
 and Abuchen Men was proclaimed king, to the 
 great joy of all the inhabitants. 
 
 About fourteen days after the battle, the king 
 of Fez made his appearance at the head of 20,000 
 Moorifh horfe ; but hearing of BaibarodVs defeat, 
 he retired with all poffible expedition, to avoid an 
 attack from the enemy. Gomarez foon after de 
 parted from Ticmefen, and returned to Oran, 
 leaving Abucheu Men in peaceable poffefllon of 
 kis kingdom. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
HISTORY OF ALGIERS, 
 
 CHAP.. II. 
 
 JSarbaroJJ'a fucceeded by Hay radix. P^e duel ion of the Spa- 
 nift> fortrefs in front of the city* He is raifed to the 
 dignity of bajha*vy of the cmpir:> and Haffan Aga i s ap 
 pointed in his ftead* Chr.rhs Vth's expedition againjl 
 Algiers. ^The city in great wtifternation* Singular pre- 
 difiion of a mad prsphct ^verified. Spanijb fleet deftrqyed 
 by a ftorm. Siege of Algiers raifed. The mad frofket 
 rewarded. HajTan reduces ^Treytefen* Eujeyah taken 
 
 from the Spaniards. Hajfan Ccrfo tie tied bafbaiui He 
 is put to death y and jucceedcd by Teh el!:. Hay radios 
 
 f-i H.-jr, rehfiatfd. T'be Spa:arJs deflated. Siegs 
 of Marjalqui<ver. Succeeded by Mahomtt* J&sn Gaf- 
 cons enter prif? and death. 'The Algerixcs become formi 
 dable to Europe. Various expeditions. Become ixdepeti- 
 dent of the Porte. Defpsrale undertaking of four brother: ^ 
 
 news of Barbaroffd's death fpread the utr 
 -*- coniternation among the Turks at Algiers ; and 
 his brother Hayradin was immetl lately proclaimed 
 king. Th~ Spanifh comma id er very imprudently 
 negleil^d to follow up his viclori.es at this aufpicious 
 juncture, and font back th emperor's forces without 
 attempting the reduction of Algiers. Hayradin in hig 
 prefent critical firuation, apprehenfivi? of a Spanilh 
 invafion,and dreading the confequ-^ncesof his tyrany 
 and that of his officers, lent an emfcufly. to iblicit the 
 protection of the Grand Signior; which was rea 
 dily granted. Me was appointed Bailiaw or Viceroy 
 of Algiers, and received iuch, considerable rein 
 
 forcements. 
 
HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 33 
 
 forccments as completely effected the fubjugation of 
 the unhappy Algerines, who durft not make the 
 lead refinance cr complaint. In ccnfequence of 
 theie reinforcements, his armies were further aug 
 mented by fuch numbers of Turks that continually 
 reforted to him, that he was enabled not only to 
 keep the Moors and Arabs in fubjedlion at home, 
 but to annoy the Christians at lea. 
 
 His next ftep was the reduction of the Spanifh 
 fortrefs in front of the city, which was a great nuif- 
 ance to the metropolis, and of which the Spaniards 
 held pofl'effion till the year 1530. His galleys 
 were, in confequcnce, always- obliged to anchor 
 near the gate of Babazcn, out of the rezch of their 
 cannon, where they were continually expofed to 
 the danger of tempefts. He was therefore deter- 
 rained to reduce it, and his firft attempt was by ftrn- 
 tageui. Having made choice of two Moorlfn L\z 9 
 and given them inftru&ions how to act, he ic' :t 
 them to the fort, where they requefled permlilicn 
 to eater, declaring that they were clefirous of em 
 bracing the Chrifiian religion, and refiding with 
 the Spaniards. The lads were received and treat 
 ed with great kindnefs; and one Rafter Sunday, 
 while Martin de Vargas, the commander, and his 
 men were at church, thefe lads afcended a tower 
 that commanded a profpecl: of the city, from whence 
 they waved a flag, as a fignai, that the Spaniards 
 were off their guard. The flag being obferved by 
 the commander's feivantmaid, fhe ran immediately 
 and acquainted her mafter with the circuroftance. 
 Vargas and his men repaired to the tower infianlly, 
 where they fcized the lads, and prepared to oppofe 
 the landing of the enemy. Hayradin finding his 
 plan had rnifcarried, clefifled from his dcfign ; and 
 wh?ii the alarm had fubfided, the two lads were 
 * brought 
 
3f HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 
 
 brought out, and at the command of Vargas, were 
 both hanged upon an eminence in fight of the cityv 
 Hayradin was greatly exafperated at the fight, and 
 was refolved upon the immediate reduction of tha 
 fort. Whereupon he difpatched a renegado to the fort 
 to acquaint Vargas, that if he would deliver up the 
 garriion, he and his men fhould be well treated^, 
 and fent to Spain ; but if not, they (ho.uld all be 
 put to death. Vargas returned for anfwer,,that he 
 would hold out to the lad extremity. Haraydin up 
 on the receipt of this anfwer, raifed a formidable 
 battery, and commenced a vigorous cannonade upon; 
 the iiland, which continued for fifteen days and 
 nights without intermifTion ; at the end of which 
 time alrnoft ail the walls of the garri Ion were bat 
 tered down, and the grcatefl part of the befieged 
 were killed. Hayradin now ordered a defcent to 
 be made upon the iiland, which was effected with 
 out oppofition, and the whole garrifon 'were made 
 prifoners. Vargis fuftjred imprilonment for about 
 three months, at the end of which time he was or 
 dered into the prefence of Hayradin, and bafUna- 
 doed to death. 
 
 After this event he fet about building, a ftrong 
 mole from the ifland to the city, for the protection 
 of his mips, and in this he employed 30,000 Chrif- 
 tian ilives, who were engaged in this work for 
 three years without intermiffion, in which time the 
 work was completed. He then caufed the fort ta 
 ken from the Spaniards to be repaired, and placed 
 a ftrong girrifon in it to prevent foreign veffels 
 from entering the harbour without giving an ac 
 count of themfelves. By thefe two important 
 works, Hayradin foon became dreaded not only 
 by the Arabs and Moors, but alfo by the maritime 
 
HISTORY OF ALGIERS, 35 
 
 t2hriftian powers, cfpecially the Spaniards. The 
 viceroy failed not to acquaint the Grand Signior 
 with his iuccefs* and obtained from him a fiefh 
 fupply of money, by which he was enabled to 
 bui,d a ft longer fort, and to erecl: batieiieson all 
 places that might favour the landing of the enemy. 
 All thcfe have fitice received greater improvements 
 from time to time, as often as there was occafion 
 foi them. 
 
 In the mean time the Sultan, either out of a fenfb 
 of the great lervices Hayradin had dene, or per 
 haps out of jValoufy left he fhould make himielf 
 independent, railed Ilayradin to the dignity of 
 baihaw or the empire, ar,d appointed Haflan ^ga, 
 a Saidinian renegado, an intrepid warrior, and an 
 experienced officer, to fucceed him as bathaw of 
 Algiers. Ilafian had no fooner taken poffbffion 
 of his new government, than he began to pur- 
 fue his ravages on the Spaniih coaft with greater 
 fury than ever ; extending them to the ecclefiaOi- 
 cal dates, and other parts of Italy. But Pope Paul 
 III. being alarmed at this, exhorted the emperor 
 Charles V. to fend a powerful fleet to fupprefs 
 (Iiefe frequent and cruel piracies ; and, that no 
 thing might be wanting to render the enterprife 
 fuccefsfwl, a bull was published by his holinels, 
 therein a plenary abfolution of fins, and the 
 crown of martyrdom, were prornifed to aU thofe 
 who cither fell in battle, or were made (laves. The 
 emperor on his pa it needed no fpur ; and therefore 
 *fet fail at the head of a powerful fleet, confiding 
 of 1 20 fhips and 20 galleys, having on board 
 30,000 chofen troops, an imrnenfe quantity of 
 mooey,arms, amunhion, &c. In this expedition ma 
 ny young nobility and gentry attended as volunteers, 
 aad among thefe many knights of Malla, fo remark 
 able 
 
3 5 HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 
 
 able for their valour againft the enemies of Chrif- 
 tianitv. Even ladies of birth and chara&er attended 
 Charles in his expedition, and the wives and 
 daughters of the officers and foldiers followed them 
 v/iih a defign to fettle in Barbary after the cocquefl 
 was completed. All thefc meeting with a favour 
 able wind, foon appeared before Algiers: every 
 ihip difplaving the Spanifli colours on the flern, 
 and another at the head, with a crucifix to ferve 
 them for a pilot. 
 
 By this prodigious armament the Algerines were 
 thrown into the utmoil confternation. The city 
 was furrounded only by a wall with fcarce any out 
 works. The whole garrifon confided of 800 Turks 
 and 6000 Moors, without fire-arms, and poorly 
 difciplined and accoutred ; the reft of their forces 
 being difperfed in the other provinces of the kirg- 
 dom to levy the ufual tribute on the Arabs and 
 Moors. The -Spaniards landed without oppofition, 
 and immediately built a fort, under the cannon of 
 which they encamped, and diverted the couife cf 
 a Ipring which fupplied the city with water. Being 
 now reduced to the utrnoft diftrefs, Haflan receiv 
 ed a fummons to furrender at discretion, on pain 
 of being put to the fword with all the garrifon. 
 The herald was ordered to extol the vail power of 
 the emperor both by fea and land, and to exhort 
 him to return to the Chriftian religion* But to 
 this Haflan only replied, that he mud be a mad 
 man that would pretend to advife an enemy, and 
 that the advifed mud flili 2 61 more madly who 
 would take counfel of fuch an ad viler. He was, 
 however, on the point of furrendering the city, 
 when advice was brought him, that the forces be 
 longing to the weftern government were in full 
 march towards the place ; upon which it was re- 
 
 folved 
 
1! 1ST OR Y CF ALGIERS. 37 
 
 olvcd to defend it to the utmoft. Charles, in the 
 mean time, refolding upon a general affault, kept 
 a conflant firing upon the town ; which, from the 
 weak defence made by the ganifon, he looked up 
 on as already in his hands. But while the divan, 
 or Algerine fenate, were deliberating upon the 
 rnoft proper means of obtaining an honorable capi 
 tulation, a mad prophet, attended by a multitude 
 of people, entered the aflembly, and foretold the 
 fpeedy deftruclion of the Spaniards before the end 
 of the moon, exhorting the inhabitants to hold out 
 till that time. This prediction v/as foon verified 
 in a moft furpriGng and unexpe6ied manner : for, 
 on the 23th of October 1541, a dreadful fiorm 
 of wind, rain, and hail, arole from the north, ac 
 companied \vith violent {hocks cf earthquakes, and 
 a difmal univerfal darknefs both by fea and land ; 
 fo that the fun, moon and elements feemed to com 
 bine together for the deftrudiicn cf the Spaniards. 
 In one night, fome fay in lefs than half an hour, 
 86 (hips and 15 galleys were defhoyed, with all 
 their crews and military ft ores ; by which the ar 
 my on iliore was deprived of all means of fubfiii- 
 ence. Their camp alfo, which fpread itfelf along 
 the plain under the fort, was laid quite under wa 
 ter by the torrents which defcended from the neigh 
 bouring hills. Many of the troops, by trying to 
 remove into fome better fituation, were cut in pie 
 ces by the Moors and Arabs ; while feveral gal 
 leys, and other veflels, endeavouring to gain fornc 
 neighbouring creek along the coafts, were immedi 
 ately plundered, and their crews maflacred by the 
 inhabitants* 
 
 The next morning Charles beheld the fen co 
 vered with the fragments of mips, and the bodies 
 of iiien, horfes and other creatures fwimming on 
 D the 
 
58 HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 
 
 the waves ; at which he was fo disheartened that 
 he abandoned his tents, artillery, and all his heavy 
 baggage , to the enemy, and marched at the head of 
 his army, though in no fmall diforder, towards 
 cape Maiabux, in order to reimhark in thofe vef- 
 fels which had weathered out the ftorm. But Haf- 
 ian, who had watched his motions, allowed him 
 juft time enough to get to the Chore, when he Tal 
 lied out and attacked the Spaniards in the midfl of 
 their hurry and confufion to get into their flips, 
 killing great numbers, and bringing away a fliil 
 greater number of captives ; after which he return 
 ed in triumph to Algiers, where he celebrated, 
 with great rejoicings, his happy deliverance from 
 fuch diilrefs and danger *. 
 
 Soon after this the prophet Yufef, who had fore 
 told the deflrudUon of the Spaniards, was not only 
 declared the deliverer of his country, hut had a 
 confiderable gratuity decreed him, with the liber 
 ty of exercifing his prophetic funclion unmolefted. 
 It was not long, however, before the marabouts, and 
 ibme interpreters of the law, made a flrong oppo- 
 fition againi! him ; remonftrating to the baihaw, 
 how ridiculous and fcandalous it was to the nation, 
 to afcribe their deliverance to a poor fortune-teller, 
 \vhich had been obtained by the iervent prayers of 
 a faint of their own profefTion. But though -the 
 bafhaw and his divan feemed, out of policy, to 
 give into this taft notion, yet the impreffion which 
 "Yufef's predictions, and their late accomplimments, 
 had made upon the minds of the common people, 
 proved too flrong to be 'eradicated ; and the fpirit 
 of divination and conjuring has fince got into fuch 
 credit among them, that not only their great flatef- 
 
 men 
 
 * Some of the old Engliftihiflorians inform us, that this 
 <deilruftion of the Spaniards was cccafioncd by witcl- craft! 
 
HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 59 
 
 men, but their priefts, marabouts, and fantoons, 
 have applied themfelves to that ftudy, and digni 
 fied it with the name of Mahomet's Revelations* 
 
 The unhappy Spaniards had fcarce reached their 
 (hips, when they were attacked by a frefh ftorm, in 
 which feveral more of them perifhed ; one (hip in 
 particular, containing 700 foldiers, befides failors, 
 funk in the emperor's fight, without a poffibility of 
 Caving a fingle man. At length, with much labour, 
 they reached the port of Bujeyah, at that time pof- 
 feited by the Spaniards, whither HalTan king of 
 Tunis loon after repaired, with a fupoly of provi 
 sions for the emperor, who received him gracioufly, 
 with frefh affurances of his favour and protection. 
 Here he difmifled the fexv remains of the Maltefe 
 knights and their forces, who embarked in three 
 Chattered galleys, and with much difficulty and 
 danger reached their own country. Charles himfelf 
 llaid no longer than till the i6th of November, when 
 he failed for Carttaagena,- arid reached it on the 
 25th of the fame month. In this unfortunate ex 
 pedition upwards of 120 (hips and galleys were loft, 
 above 300 colonels and other land and fea officers, 
 8000 foldiers and mariners, befides thofe deftroyed 
 by the enemy on the relmbarkation, or drowned 
 i-n the lafi ftorm. The number of prifoners was 
 fo great, that the Algerines fold fome of them, by 
 way of contempt, for an onion per head. 
 
 HafTan, elated with this victory, in which he 
 had very little (hare, undertook an expedition a- 
 gainfi; the king of Tremefen, who, being now de 
 prived of the aiRrtance of the Spaniards, was for 
 ced to procure a peace by paying a vaft furn of 
 money, and becoming tributory to him. The bafhaw 
 returned to Algiers, laden with riches ; and foon 
 after died of a fever, in the 66th year of his age. 
 
 From 
 
40 HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 
 
 From this time the Spaniards were never able to 
 annoy the Algerines in any coniiderablc degree, 
 Jn 1555, tne y 1^ ^ 1C c ^. v ^ Cujcyah, which was 
 Taken by Salha Rais, HaiTan's fucceflbr ; who next 
 year fet out on a new expedition, which lie kept 
 a fecret, but was fufpecled to be intended sgainft 
 Oran : but he was fcarcely got four leagues from 
 Algiers, when the plague, which at that lime ra 
 ged violently in the city, broke out in his groin, and 
 carried him oil in 24 hours. 
 
 Immediately after his death the Algcrine fol- 
 
 diciy chofe a GorGcan renegades Hailan Corfo, in 
 
 his room, till they fhould receive further orders 
 
 from the Porte, fie did not accept the bafhawflnp 
 
 without a good deal of difficulty ; but immediately 
 
 profecuted the intended expedition to Oran, dif- 
 
 pajching a meffenger to acquaint the Porte with 
 
 ! happened. They had hardly begun their 
 
 :,\vhcn orders came from 
 
 the Poite, exprefsiy forbidding i!a!lan Corlb to 
 begin the tierce, or, if he had begun it, enjoining 
 him to raile it immediately. This news was receiv 
 ed with great grief by th-2 whole fleet and army, 
 as they thought themselves fure of fuccefs, the 
 garrifon being at that time very weak. Ncverthe- 
 Icfs, as they dared not difobey, the fiegc was im 
 mediately railed. 
 
 Corfo had hardly enjoyed the dignity four 
 months, before news came, that eight gaileys were 
 bringing a new bafiiaw to fucceed him ; one Tekel- 
 li, a principal Turk of the Grand Signior's court ; 
 upon which the Algerines unanirnoufly refolved not 
 to admit him. By the treachery of the Levantine 
 foidiers, however, he was admitted at laft, and the 
 unfortunate Corfo was thrown over a wall, in which 
 a number of iron hooks were fixed ; one of which 
 
 caueht 
 
HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 41 
 
 caught the ribs of his right fide, and he hung three 
 days hi the mod exquifite torture before he expired. 
 
 Tekeiii was no iboner entered upon his new 
 government, than he behaved with fuch cruelty, 
 that he was aOadinated, even under the dome of a 
 faint, by Yufef Calabres, the favorite renegade 
 of Haffan Corfo ; who for this fervice was unani- 
 mouily chofen baihaw, but died of the plague fi:: 
 days after his election. 
 
 Yufef was fucceeded by Haffan the fon of Hay- 
 radin, who had been formerly recalled from his 
 balhawfhip, v/hzn he was fucceeded by Selha Rais; 
 and now had got the. good fortune to get himfelf 
 reinftatcd in his employment. Immediately on his 
 arrival, he engaged in a war with the Arabs, by 
 whom he was defeated with great lofs. The next 
 year, the Spaniards undertook an expedition againft 
 Moftagan, under the command of the count d'AI- 
 candela ,* but were utterly defeated, the comman 
 der hinnfeif killed, and 12,000 taken pri loners. 
 This di farter was owing to the inc^iliderate rafh- 
 nefs, or rather rnadnefs, of the commander ; which 
 was fo great, that after finding it impoilihle to rally 
 his fcaltered forces, he ruihed, f word in hand, into 
 the thickeft of the enemy's ranks, at the head of a 
 frnall number of men, crying out, " St. J&go ! Sf* 
 Jago I the. viflory is curs, the enemy is dtfeatzd ; ? * 
 ioon after which he v/as thro-.vn from his horfe, 
 and trampled to death- 
 
 Hafian having had the misfortune to difplea'. 
 fubj allowing the mountaineers of Cuco to 
 
 buv ;ioa at Algiers, was- lent in irons l-.y 
 
 Conilarsiinople, while the arpof the jinifaries, and 
 : general of the land forces, fupplied his plarc. 
 1 1 a iTa n c a fi 1 y f o u nd means to c 1 e a r . h i m f e 1 f ; b u t a 
 nc'.v bulhaw was appointed, called Aclunct ; ' 
 
 D a was 
 
42 HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 
 
 was no fooner arrived, than he fent the two deputy* 
 bafhaws to Conftantinople, where their heads were 
 ftruck off. Achmet was a man of fuch infatiabie 
 avarice, that upon his arrival at Algiers, all ranks 
 of people came in (lioals to make him prefects ; 
 which he the more greedily accepted, as he had 
 bought his dignity by the money he had amafTed 
 while head gardener to the Sultan. He enjoyed it, 
 however, only four months,; and after his death, 
 the flate was governed other four months by his lieu 
 tenant ; when H.iflan was a third time fent viceroy 
 to Algiers, where he was received with the greateft 
 demonfl rations of joy. 
 
 The fir ft enterprife in which HaiTan engaged, 
 was the fiege of Marfalquiver, fjtuated near the ci 
 ty of Oran, which he designed to invert immedi 
 ately after. The army employed in this fiege con- 
 iitled of 26,000 foot, and 10,000 horfe, befides 
 which he had a fleet confiding of 32 galleys and 
 galliots, together with three French veiTels laden 
 with bifcuit, oil, and other provisions. The city 
 was defended by Don Martin de Cordova, brother 
 of the count d'Alcandela, who had been taken pri- 
 foner in the battle where that nobleman was killed, 
 but had obtained his liberty from the Algerines 
 with immenfe fums, and now made a mod: gallant 
 defence againft the Turks. The city was attacked 
 with the utrooft fury by fea and land, and feveral 
 breaches were made in the walk. The Turkiih 
 ftandards were feveral times planted on the walls, 
 and as often diilodged ; but the place nvuft in 
 the end have fubmitted, had not Haffan been obli 
 ged to raife the iiege in hafte, on the news that the 
 famous Genoefe admiral Doria was approaching 
 with confiderable fuccours from Italy. The fleet 
 accordingly arrived loon after ; but milling the Al- 
 
 gerine 
 
HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 43 
 
 gerine galleys, bore away for Pennon de Velez, 
 where they were (hamefully repulfed by a handful 
 of Turks who garrifoned that place ; which, how 
 ever, was taken the following year. 
 
 In 1567, HafTan was again recalled to Conflan* 
 tinople, wh*re he died three years after. He was 
 fucceeded hy Mahomet, who gained the love of 
 the Algerines by feveral public fpirited aliens. 
 He incorporated the Janiianes and Levantine 
 Turks together, and by that means put an end to 
 their diirentions, which laid the foundation of the 
 Algerine independency on the Porte. He likewife 
 aided fome confiderable fortifications to the city and 
 caftle, which he defigned to render impregnable. 
 
 But while he was thus Undying the intereM: of Al 
 giers, one John Gafcon, a bold Spanifh adventurer, 
 formed a defign of furprifing the whole piratic navy 
 in the bay, and letting them on fire in the night 
 time, when they lay defencelefs, and in their firfl 
 fleep. For this he had not only the perrniffion of 
 king Philip II. but was furnifhed by him with pro 
 per veCTcls, mariners, and fire-works, for the exe 
 cution of his plot. With thefe he fet fail for Al 
 giers in the beginning of October, the moft proper 
 feaion, when moft, if not all the fhips lay at an 
 chor there, and eafily failed near enough, unfuf- 
 pe&ed, to view their manner of riding, in order to 
 furprife them at a time when the greater part of 
 their crews were difperfed in their quarters. He 
 carne accordingly, un perceived by any? to the very 
 mole-gate, and difperfed his men with their fire 
 works ; but to their great furprife, they found them 
 fo ill mixed, that they could not with all their art 
 make them take fire. In the mean time, Gafcon 
 took it into his head, by way of bravado, to go to 
 the mole-gate, and give three loud knocks at it with 
 
 the 
 
44 HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 
 
 the pommel of his dagger, and to leave it fixed in 
 the gate by its point, that the Algerines might have 
 eaufe to remember him. This he had the good 
 fortune to do without meeting any diflurbance or op- 
 pofiiion ; but it was not fo with his men ,* for no 
 iboner did they find their endeavours fruflrated, than 
 they made fuch a buftle as quickly alarmed the 
 guard polled on the adjacent bad ion, from \vhich 
 the uproar quickly fpread itfelf through the whole 
 garrifon. Gafcon now finding himfelf in the utmoll 
 danger, failed away with all poflible hafte ; but was 
 purfued, overtaken, and brought back a prifoner to 
 Mahomet ; who no fooner got him into his power, 
 than he immediately cauled a gibbet of considerable 
 height to be ere\ed on the fpot where Gafcon had 
 landed, ordering him to be hoiiled up, and hung by 
 the feet to a hook, that he might die in extreme tor 
 ture ; and to (how his refentment and contempt of 
 the king his maPrer, he ordered his corn rniiTion to be 
 tied to his toes* He had not, however, hung long in 
 that ftate, when the captain who took him, accom 
 panied by a number of other corfairs, interceded fo 
 ftrongly in his behalf, that he was taken down, and put 
 under the care of a Chriftian furgeon ; but two days 
 after, fome Moors reporting that it was the common 
 talk and belief in Soain, that the Algerines durfl: 
 not hurt a hair of Gabon's head, the unfortunate 
 Spaniard was holfted up by a puily to the top of the 
 execution-wall? and from thence thrown down up 
 on hooks which were fattened in it, one of which 
 caught him by the ribs as he fell, and gave him fuch 
 a wound that he expired without a groan. Thus 
 ended the expedition of John Gafcon, which has 
 procured him a place among the Spaniih martyrs ; 
 while on the other hand, the Algerines look upon 
 his difappointment to have been miraculous, anJ 
 
 owing 
 
HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 45 
 
 owing to the efficacious protection of the powerful 
 {&\nl~SidiOutededJa, whofe prayers had railed fuch- 
 a terrible ftorm againil the SpanHh fleet. 
 
 Mahomet being foon after recalled, was fucceed- 
 ed by the famous renegado Ockali) who reduced 
 the kingdom of Tunis ; which, however, remain 
 ed fubjeft to the viceroy of Algiers only till the 
 year 1586, when a bafhaw of Tunis was appointed 
 by the Porte, 
 
 The kingdom of Algiers continued to be go 
 verned till the beginning of the feventeenth centu 
 ry, by viceroys, or bafhaws appointed by the Porte ; 
 concerning whom we find nothing very remarkable, 
 further than that their avarice and tyranny was 
 intolerable both to the Algerines and the Tuiks 
 thcmfelves. At laft the Turkifh Janifaries and 
 militia becoming powerful enough to fupprefa the 
 tyrannic fvvay of thefe bafhaws, and the people 
 being alrnofl exhaufied by the heavy (axes laid up 
 on them, the former refolvcd to depofe thefe petty 
 tyrants, and fet up fome officers of tHfir own at the 
 head of government. The better to fucceed in this 
 attempt, the militia fent a deputation of feme of 
 their chief members to the Porte, to complain of 
 the avarice and opprefficn of thefe bafhaws, who 
 funk both the revenue of the date, and put the nio- 
 neyremitted to it from Constantinople in to their own 
 coffers, which fhould have been employed in keep 
 ing up and paying the foldiery ; by which means 
 they were in continual danger of being overpower 
 ed by the Arabians and Moors, who, if ever fb little 
 aiFifted by any Chriftian power, would hardly fail 
 of driving all the Turks out of the kingdom. They 
 reprefented to the Grand Vizir how much mere 
 honorable, as well as eaficr and cheaper, it would 
 be for the Grand Signior to permit them to choofc 
 
 their 
 
46 HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 
 
 their own dey, or governor, from among them- 
 felves, whofe interelT it would then be to fee that 
 the revenue of the kingdom was rightly applied, in 
 keeping up its forces complete, and fupplying all 
 other exigencies of the Hate, without any farther 
 charge or trouble to the Porte than that of allow 
 ing it protection. On their part, they engaged al 
 ways to acknowledge the Grand Signiors as their 
 fovereigns, and to pay them their ufual allegiance 
 and tribute, to refpedl their bafhaws, and even to 
 lodge and maintain them and their retinue, in a 
 manner fuitable to their dignity, at their own 
 charge. The bafhaws, however, were for the fu 
 ture, to be excluded from aflifthig at any but gene 
 ral divans, unlefs invited to it ; and from having 
 the liberty of voting in them, unlefs when their ad 
 vice was aiked, or the intereft of the Porte was 
 likely to fuller by their file ace. All other con 
 cerns, which related to the government of Algiers, 
 were to be wholly left under the direction of the 
 dey and his^divan. 
 
 Thefe propofals having been accepted by the 
 Porte, the deputies returned highly fatisfted ; and 
 having notified their new privileges, the great di*- 
 van immediately proceeded to the election of a dey 
 from among themfeives. They compiled a new- 
 code of laws, and made feveral regulations for the 
 better fupport and maintenance of this new form of 
 government, to the obfervation of which they obli 
 ged all their fubje&s to fwear ; and the militia, 
 navy, commerce, &c. were all fettled pretty near 
 ly on the footing upon which they now ftand : 
 though the fubfequent altercations that frequently 
 happened between the balhaws and deys, the one 
 endeavouring to recover their former power, and 
 the other to curtail it, caufed fuch frequent com 
 plaints 
 
HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 47 
 
 plaints and difconterits at the Ottoman court, as 
 juade them frequently repent their compliance. 
 
 In the year 1601, the Spaniards, under the com 
 mand of Doria the Genoefe admiral, made ano 
 ther attempt upon Algiers, in which they were more 
 fortunate than ufual, their fleet heing only driven 
 back by contrary winds, fo that they came off with 
 out lofs. In 1609, the Moors being expelled from 
 Spain, flocked in great numbers to Algiers ; and 
 as many of them were very able failors, they un 
 doubtedly contributed to render the Algerine fleet 
 fo formidable as it became loon after ; though it 
 35 probable the frequent attempts made on their ci 
 ty would alfo induce them to increafe their fleet. 
 In 1616 their fleet confided of 40 fail of (hips be 
 tween 200 and 400 tons, their admiral 500 tons. 
 It was divided into two fquadrons, one of 18 fail, be 
 fore the port of Malaga ; and the other at the Cape 
 of Santa Maria, between Lifbon and Seville ; both 
 of which fell foul of allChriftian (hips, both French 
 and Englifh, with whom they pretended to be in 
 friendfhip, as well as Spaniards and Portuguefe, 
 with whom they were at war. 
 
 The Algerines now became verv formidable to 
 the European powers. The Spaniards, who were 
 mod in danger, and leaft able to cope with them, 
 folicited the affiilance of England, the pope, and 
 other ftates. The French, however, were the firil 
 who dared to fhew their refentment of the perfidi 
 ous behaviour of thefe mifcreants; and in 1617, M. 
 Beaulieu was fent againft them with a fleet of 50 
 men of war, who defeated their fleet, took two of 
 their veflels, while their admiral funk his own 
 fhip and crew, rather than fall into his enemies 
 bauds. 
 
 In 
 
4 3 HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 
 
 In 1620, a fquadron of Englifh men of war was 
 fent againft Algiers, under the command of Sir 
 Robert Manfel ; but of this expedition we have no 
 other account, than that it returned without doing 
 any thing ; and the Algerines becoming more and 
 more iniblent, openly defied all the European 
 powers, the Dutch only accepted; to whom in 1625, 
 they fer.t a propofal, directed to the prince of 
 Orange, that in cafe they would fit cut 20 fail of 
 (hips the following year, upon any good fervice 
 againft the Spaniards, they would join them with 
 60 fail of their own. 
 
 The next year, the Coulolies, or Cologlies, (the 
 children of fuch Turks as had been permitted to 
 marry at Algiers), who were enrolled in the mi 
 litia, having feized on the citadel, had well nigh 
 made themfelvcs matters of the city ; but were at 
 tacked by the Turks and renegacioes, who -defeated 
 them with terrible (laughter- Many fcores of them 
 were executed, and their heads thrown in heaps 
 upon the city walls, without the eaftern gate* Part 
 of the citadel was blown up ; and the remaining 
 Coulolies were difmifled from the militia, to which 
 they were not a gain admitted till long after. 
 
 In 1623, the Algerincs and other ftates of Barbary 
 threw off their dependence on the Porte altogether, 
 andfet up for tV.ernfeives. What gave occafion to this 
 was the 25 years truce which Sultan Amurath IV. 
 was obliged to make with the emperor Ferdinand II. 
 to prevent his being overmatched by carrying on a 
 ivar againft him and the Sophi of Perfia at the fame 
 time. As this put a ttop to the piratical trade of 
 the Algerines, they proceeded as above mentioned; 
 and refolved that whoever defired to be at peace with 
 them, mud, diftindtly and feparately, apply to 
 their government. .No iboner was this refolution 
 
 adopted 
 
HISTORY OF ALGIERS, & 
 
 adopted, than the Algerlnes began to make prizes 
 of ieverai merchant fhips belonging to powers at 
 peace with the Porte. Nay, having feized a Dutch 
 ihip and poleacre at Scanderoon, they ventured on 
 ihore ; and finding the town abandoned by the 
 Turkifh aga and inhabitants, they plundered all ihe 
 magazines and warehoufes, and fet them on fire* 
 
 About this time Lewis XIII. undertook to build 
 a ibrt on their coafts, inilead of one formerly built 
 by the Marfilians, and which they had demoliihed. 
 This, after fome difficulty, he accomplished ,* and 
 it was called the Bafiion of France: but the fitua- 
 tion being afterwards found inconvenient, the 
 French purchafed the port of La Calle, and ob 
 tained liberty to trade with the Arabians and 
 Moors. The Ottoman court, in the mean time, 
 was fo much embarralTed with the Perfian war, 
 that there was no leifure to check the Alge- 
 ri-nc piracies. This gave an opportunity to the 
 vizir and other courtiers to compound matters with 
 the Algerines, and to get a (hare of their prizes, 
 which were very confiderable. However, for form's 
 fake, a fevere reprimand, accompanied with threats, 
 was fent them ; to which they replied, that " thefe 
 depredations deferved to be indulged to them, fee 
 ing they were the only bulwark againft the Chrii- 
 tian powers, efpecially againft the Spaniards, the 
 fworn enemies of the Modern name. Adding, " that 
 if they (hould pay a punctilious regard to all that 
 would purchafe peace, or liberty to trade with the 
 Ottoman empire, they would have nothing to do 
 but fet fire to all their (hipping, and turn camel- 
 drivers for a livelihood." 
 
 In the year 1635, four young brothers of a good 
 
 family in France, entered into an undertaking fo 
 
 defperate, that perhaps the annals of knight-er- 
 
 E rantrv 
 
50 HISTORY OF ALGTERS, 
 
 rantry can fcarccly furnifha parallel.* This was no 
 lefs than to retort the piracies of the Algerines upon 
 themfclves ; and as they indifcriminately took the 
 jQiips of all nations, fo were thcfe heroes indifcrimi 
 nately to take the (hips belonging to Algiers; and 
 this with a fmali frigate of ten guns!* In this ridicu 
 lous undertaking 100 volunteers embarked ; a Mal- 
 tefe commifiion was procured, together with an able 
 niaftcr and 36 mariners. They had the good fortune, 
 on their firft fetting out, to take a (hip laden with 
 \vine, on the Spanifh coaft : with which they were 
 fo much elated, that three days after they madly 
 encountered two large Algerine corfairs, one of 20 
 and the other of 24 guns, both well manned, and 
 commanded by able officers. Thefe two large vef- 
 fels having got the fmall frigate between them, 
 racked her fo furioufly with broadfides, that they 
 foon carried away her mainmafl : notwithftanding 
 which, the French made fo defperate a refiftance, 
 that the pirates were not able to take them, till 
 the noife of their firing brought up five more Al 
 gerines; when the French veflel, being almoft 
 torn to pieces* was boarded and taken. The 
 young knight-errants were punilhed for their teme 
 rity by a dreadful captivity, from which they re 
 deemed themfclves in 1642, at the price of 6oco 
 dollars* 
 
 CHAR 
 
HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 
 
 CHAP. III. 
 
 The Algerines ft out a formidable fleet, which is totally 
 deftriyed by the Venetians. Algiers in great confujion at 
 the news. The Algerines ft out a new fleet. A Dutch 
 merchantman defeats a number of their galleys. Le<wi$ 
 XIF. makes preparations againft Algiers* The city bom 
 barded and fet on fre by the French. T/:t Algerines 
 commit great ravages in France. Their city again bom 
 barded, fet on fire> and al.moft destroyed, ^bey fue for 
 peace. Capt. Beach burns fe<ven of their foips. The 
 Turki/b bfijbaw expelled. The Spanijh expedition 0f 1775. 
 
 THE Algerines continued to profecutc their pira 
 cies with impunity, to the terror and difgrace 
 of the European powers, till the year 1652; when 
 a French fleet being accidently driven into Algiers, 
 the admiral took it into his head to demand a re- 
 leafeofail the captives of his nation, without ex 
 ception. This being refufedy the Frenchman, with 
 out ceremony, carried off the Turkifh viceroy, and 
 his cadi or judge, who were juft arrived from the 
 Porte, with all their equipage and retinue. The 
 Algerines, by way of reprilal, furprifed the Baf~' 
 tion of France already mentioned, and carried off 
 the inhabitants to the number of 600, with all their 
 effects ; which fo provoked the admiral, that he 
 fent them word that he would pay them another 
 vifit the next year with his whole fleet. 
 
 The Algerines, undifmayed by the threats of 
 the French admiral > fitted out a fleet of 16 galleys 
 
 and 
 
52 HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 
 
 and galliots, excellently manned and equipped, 
 under the command of admiral Mali Pinchinin. 
 The chief defign of this armament was againft the 
 treafure of Loretto ; which, however, they were 
 prevented hy contrary winds from obtaining. Upon 
 this they made a defcenton Puglia, in the kingdom 
 of Naples ; where they ravaged the whole territory 
 of Necotra, carrying ofF avail number of captives, 
 and among them fome nuns. From thence fleering 
 towards Dalmatia, they fcoured the Adriatic ; and 
 loading themfelves with immenle plunder, left thofe 
 coafle in the utmoft confiernation. 
 
 At lad the Venetians, alarmed at fuch terrible 
 depredations, equipped a fleet cf 28 fail, under 
 the command of admiral Capello, with exprefs 
 orders to burn, fink and take all the Barbary cor- 
 fairs he met with, either on the open fea, or even 
 in the Grand Signior's harbours, purfuant to a late 
 treaty of pesce with the Porte. On the other 
 hand, the captain bafhaw, who had been fent out 
 with the Turkifh fleet to chafe the Florentine and 
 Maltefe cruifers out of the Archipelago, under- 
 fbnding that the Algerine fquadron was fo near, 
 fent exprefs orders to the admiral to come to his 
 affi'ftance. Pinchinin readily agreed ; but having 
 firft refolved on a defcentupon the illand of Lifia, 
 or Lifina, belonging to the Venetians, he was over 
 taken by CapeJlo, from whom he retired to Va- 
 lona, a fea port belonging to the Grand Signior, 
 whither the Venetian admiral purfued him, but the 
 Turkilh governor refilling to ejecl the pirates ac 
 cording to the articles of the peace between the Ot 
 toman court and Venice, Capello was obliged to 
 content himfelf with watching them for fome time. 
 Pinchinin was foon weary of reftraint, and ventu 
 red o^t ; when an engagement immediately enfu- 
 
 ed, 
 
HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 53 
 
 cd, in which the Algerines were defeated, and five 
 of their veffelsdi fabled ,* with the lofs of 1500 men, 
 Turks and Chriftian (laves ; befides 1600 galley- 
 Haves who regained their liberty. Pinchinin, after 
 this defeat, returned to Valona, where he was 
 again watched by Capello ; but the latter had not 
 lain long at his old anchorage before he received a 
 letter from the fenate, defiring him to make no far 
 ther attempt on the pirates at that time, for fear of a 
 rupture with the Porte. This was followed by a 
 letter from the governor of Valona, defiring him 
 to take care left he incurred the Sultanas difpleafure 
 by fuch infults. The brave Venetian was forced to 
 comply ; but refolving to take fuch a leave of the Al 
 gerines as he thought they deferved, obferved how 
 they had reared their tents, and drawn their booty 
 and equipage along the ihore. He then kept firing 
 among the tents, while fome well-manned galliots 
 and brigantines were ordered among their ihipping, 
 who attacked them with fuch bravery, that, without 
 any great lofs, they towed out. their 16 galleys, 
 with all their cannon, flores &c. In this laft en 
 gagement, a ball from one of the Venetian gallies, 
 happening to ftrike a Turkifh rnofque, the whole 
 action was confidered as an infult upon the Grand 
 Signior. To conceal this, Gapello was ordered to 
 fink all the Algerine fhips he had taken, except 
 the admiral:; which was to be concluded to Venice, 
 and laid up as a trophy- Capello came off with a 
 fevere reprimand ,* but the Venetians were obliged 
 to buy, with 500,000 ducats, a peace from the Porte. 
 The Grand Sigriior offered to repair the lofs of 
 the Algerines, by building ten galleys for them, up 
 on condition that they fhould continue in his fervice 
 lIU the end of the enfuing fummer ; but Pinchi- 
 liln, who kn<ew how little the Algerines chofe to 
 E 2 lie 
 
M HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 
 
 lie under obligations to him, civilly declined the 
 offer. 
 
 In the mean time, the news of this defeat and 
 lofs filled Algiers with the utmoft grief and confu- 
 (ion. The whole city was on the point of a ge 
 neral infurreclion, when the balhaw and divan if-* 
 fued a proclamation, forbidding not only com* 
 plaints and outcries, under the fevered: penalties ; 
 but all perfons whatever to take their thumbs from 
 within their girdles, while they were deliberating 
 on this important point. In the mean time, they 
 applied to the Porte for an order that the Venetians 
 fettled in the Levant fhould make up their lofs. But 
 with this the Grand Signior refufed to comply, and 
 left them to repair their lofles, as well as build new 
 (hips, in the beft manner they could. It was not 
 long, however, before they had the fatisfaftion to 
 fee one of their corfairs land, \with a frefli fupply 
 of 600 (laves, whom he had brought from the coaft 
 of Iceland, whither he had been di reeled by a mif- 
 creant native on board a Danifh {hip. 
 
 Our pirates did not long continue in their weak 
 and defencclefs (late ; being able, at the end of two 
 years, to appear at fea with a fleet of 65 fail. The 
 admiral Pinchinin equipped four galliots at his own 
 expence ; with which, in conjunction with the 
 chiayah, or fecretary of the balhaw of Tripoli, he 
 made a fecond excurfion. This fmall fquadron, 
 confifting of five galleys and two brigantines, and 
 manned with their mod able feaman, fell in with 
 an Enolifh (hip of 40 guns ; which, however, 
 Pinchinin's captains refufed to engage ; but being 
 afterwards reproached by him for their cowardice, 
 they fvvore they would attack the next Chriflian 
 {hip that came in their way. This happened to be a 
 Dutch merchantman, of 28 guns and 40 men, dep- 
 
 V 
 
HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 55 
 
 ly laden, and unable to ufe her fails by reafon 
 of a calm. Pinchinin immediately fummoned her 
 Jo furrender ; but receiving an ironical anfwer, 
 drew up his fquadron, by means of oars, in the 
 form of a half-moon, that they rt|ight pour their 
 fhot all at once into their advcrfary. But the mo 
 ment they were preparing to difcharge a tremen 
 dous broadfide into her, a breeze of wind fortu 
 nately fprung up, and enabled him to change his 
 position ; which threw the Algerine fquadron into 
 iuch confufion that they ran foul of each other ; 
 during which Pinchinin ran his own galley along 
 fide of the merchantman, and 70 Algerines beard 
 ed him with cutlafles in their hands ; fome cutting 
 away the rigging, and others plying the hatches 
 with hand-grenadoes ; but the Dutchmen, hav 
 ing well fecured themfelves in their clofe quar 
 ters, began to fire upon the Algerines on board 
 their vefTel from two pieces of cannon loaded with 
 final! (hot, which made fuch ilaughter among them, 
 that they were all either killed or forced to fubmit. 
 Pinchinin, in the mean time, made feveral unfuc- 
 cefsful attempts to relieve his men, as well as to 
 furround the Dutchman with his other galleys : but 
 that (hip lay fo deep in the water, that every fhot 
 did terrible execution among the pirates. Every 
 effort to recover from their confufion was vain, and 
 the Dutchman continued to pour into them fuch 
 vollies of grape-fhot and bars of iron, that in lefs 
 than ten minutes above 200 of them were killed, 
 and a much greater number wounded ; among 
 whom was the chiayah himfelf, who received a 
 wound in the belly, of which he died fhortly af 
 ter. The fquadron now retired with the utmoft ex 
 pedition, and returned to Algiers in the mod dil- 
 inal plight. 
 
 But 
 
56 HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 
 
 But though Pinchinin thus returned in difgrace, 
 the reft of the fleet captured vaft numbers of ilaves, 
 and an immenfe quantity of rich fpoils ; infomuch 
 that the Englifh, French and Dutch, were obliged 
 to cringe to the Algerines, who fometimes vouch- 
 iafed to be at peace with them ; but fwore eternal 
 war againft Spain, Portugal, and Italy, whom they 
 looked upon as the greateft enemies to the Maho 
 metan name. At lait Lewis XIV. provoked by 
 the grievous outrages committed by the Algerines 
 on the coafts of Provence and Languedoc, ordered, 
 in 1 68 1, a confiderable fleet to be fitted out a- 
 gainft them, under the Marquis du Quefne, vice- 
 admiral of France. His fird expedition was againft 
 a number of Tripolitan corfairs ; who had the good 
 fortune to outrow him, and fhelter tiaemfelves in the 
 ifland of Scio belonging to the Turks- This did 
 not, however, prevent him from purfuing them thi 
 ther, and making fuch terrible fire upon them as 
 quickly deftroyed 14 of their veffels, befides bat 
 tering the wails of the caftie. 
 
 This feverity feemed only to be defigned as a 
 check to the piracies of the Algerines ,* but, find 
 ing they ft ill continued their outrages on the 
 French coaft, he failed to Algiers in Auguft 1682, 
 connonading and bombarding it fo furioufly, that 
 the whole town was in flames in a very little time. 
 The great Mofque was battered down, and mod of 
 the houfes laid in ruins ; infomuch that the inhabi 
 tants were on the point of abandoning the place ; 
 when on a fudden the wind turned about, and o- 
 bliged Du Quefne to return to Toulon. The 
 Algerines immediately made reprifals, by fending 
 & number of galleys and galliots to the coafts of 
 Provence, where they committed the moft dread 
 ful outrages; and brought away a vad number of 
 
 captives ; 
 
HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 57 
 
 aptives : upon which a new armament was order 
 ed to be got ready at Toulon and Marfeilles, a- 
 gainft the next year ; and the Algerines, having 
 received timely notice, put themfelves into as a good 
 ftate of defence as the time would allow. 
 
 In May 1683, Du Quefne with his fquadron caft 
 anchor before Algiers; when being joined by the 
 Marquis d'Affranville, at the head of five ftout vef- 
 fels, it was refolved to bombard the town next day. 
 Accordingly 100 bombs were thrown into it the 
 firfi day, which did terrible execution ; while the 
 befieged made forne hundred difcharges of their 
 cannon a gainft them, without doing any confider- 
 able damage. The following night the bombs 
 were again thrown into the city in fitch numbers, 
 that the dey's palace and other great edifices were 
 almofl deftroyed ; fome of their batteries were dif- 
 mounted, and feveral veiTels funk in the port. The 
 dey and Turkilh bafnaw, as well as the whole fol- 
 diery, alarmed at this dreadful havoc immediately 
 fued for peace. As a preliminary, the immediate 
 furrender was infifled on, of all Chriftian captives 
 who had been taken fighting under the French 
 flag ; which being granted, 142 of them were im 
 mediately delivered up, with a promife offending 
 him the remainder as icon as they could be got 
 from the different parts of the country. Accord 
 ingly, Du Quefne fent his commifiary-general and 
 one of his engineers into the town ; but with exprefs 
 orders to infift upon the delivery of all the French 
 captives without exception, together with the ef 
 fects they had taken from the French ; and that 
 Mezomorto their then admiral, and Halt Rais one 
 of their captains, fhould be given as hoflages. 
 
 This laft demand having embarra (Ted the dey, he 
 aflembled the Divan, and acquainted them with it; 
 
 upon 
 
58 HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 
 
 upon which Mezomorto fell into a violent paflion, 
 and told the affembly, that the cowardice of thofe 
 who fat at the helm, had occafioned the ruin of Al 
 giers ; but that, for his part, he would never con- 
 fent to deliver up any thing that had been taken 
 from the French. 
 
 He immediately acquainted the foldiery with 
 what had paffecl ; which fo exafperated them, that 
 they murdered the dey that very night, and on the 
 morrow chofe Mezomorto in his place. This was 
 no fooner donej than he cancelled all the articles of 
 peace which had been made, and hoftilities were 
 renewed with greater fury than ever. 
 
 The French admiral now kept pouring in fuch 
 volli.es of bombs, that in lefs than three days, the 
 greateft part of the city was reduced to afnes, and 
 the fire burnt with fuch vehemence, that the fea 
 was enlightened with it for more than fix miles 
 round. Mezomorto, unmoved at all thefe difafters, 
 and the vaft number of the {lain, whofe blood ran 
 in rivulets along the flreets ; or rather grown furi- 
 rious and defperate, fought only how to wreak his 
 vengeance on the enemy ; and not content with 
 caufing all the French in the city to be cruelly mur 
 dered, ordered their conful to be tied hand and foot, 
 and fattened alive to the mouth of a mortar, from 
 whence he was (hot away againft their navy. By 
 this piece of inhumanity Du.Quefne was fo exafpe 
 rated, that he did not leave Algiers till he had utterly 
 deftroyed all their fortifications, fhipping, almoft 
 all the lower part, and above two thirds of the up 
 per part of the city ; by which means it became lit 
 tle elfe than a heap of ruins. 
 
 The haughty Algerines were now thoroughly con 
 vinced that they were not invicible; and, therefore 
 munediately fent on embafly into France, begging 
 
 in 
 
HISTORY OF ALGIERS. : t , 
 
 in ihe moft humble terms, for peace; which Lewis 
 immediately granted, to their inexpreffible joy. 
 They now began to pay fome regard to other na 
 tions, and to be a little more cautious how they wan 
 tonly incurred their difpleafure. The firft bombard 
 ment by (he French had ib far humbled the Algerines, 
 that they condefcended to enter into a treaty with 
 England; which was renewed, upon terms very ad 
 vantageous to the latter, in 1686. It is not to be fup- 
 pofed, however, that the natural perfidy of the 
 Algerines would difappear on a fudden : notwith- 
 ftanding this treaty, therefore, they loft no oppor 
 tunity of making prizes of the Engliih (hips when 
 they could conveniently come at them. Upon feme 
 infringement of this kind, captain Beach drove 
 them alhore and burnt feven of their frigates in 
 1695 which produced a renewal of the treaty 
 five years after : but it was not till the taking of 
 Gibraltar and port Mahon, that Britain could have 
 a fufficient check upon them to enforce the obfer- 
 vation of treaties ; and thefe have fince proved iuch 
 reftraints upon Algiers, that they ftill continue to 
 pay a greater deference to the Englifh than to any 
 other European power. 
 
 The prefent century furniihes but few very re 
 markable events with regard to Algiers. The fa 
 mous city of Oran was, however, taken from the 
 Spaniards in 1708, which they recovered in 1737. 
 In 1710 the Turkifh balhaw was expelled, and his 
 office united to that of the dey. This introduced 
 the form of government which fiill continues in 
 Algiers. 
 
 In 1775 the Spaniards made another defcent up 
 on Algiers. They fitted out this year a very formi 
 dable fleet confifling of fix fhips of the line, twelve 
 frigates, nine xebeques,and twenty-four other armed 
 
 veflels, 
 
60 HISTORY OF ALGIERS, 
 
 veffels, commanded by Don Pedro de Caftijon ; on 
 board of which was embarked a body of 24,447 
 men, including infantry, cavalry, dragoons, artil 
 lery-men, mariners, and 600 deierters to ferve as 
 workmen, all under the command of Lieutenant 
 general Conde de O'Reilly, a p-rfonal favorite of 
 the late king of Spain. They had Jikeuife for land 
 fervice 176 pieces of artillery, mortars, and howit 
 zers, with a fuitable quantity of military ftores. 
 The Spaniards entertained the moft fanguine ex 
 pectations of luccefs in this expedition, and a grand 
 ceremonial was performed by the principal officers 
 at the church of St. Francifco, in honor of La Pu- 
 rijjima Conception, patronefsof all Spain, imploring 
 her protection, and fuccefs to the king's arms, af 
 ter which O'Reilly delivered a pompous oration. 
 
 On the 23d of June the fleet fct fail from the port 
 of Carthagena in Spain, and on the ift of July an 
 chored in the bay of Algiers. They obferved a 
 large encampment, placed behind a battery, eaft of 
 the little river Xarach, which lies to the eaftward 
 of the city, and feveral Moors on horfeback about 
 the beach. On the fecond of July a council of the 
 principal officers was held, and orders were given 
 that the troops fhould hold themfelves in readinefs to 
 difembark the next morning at day-break. But as the 
 fucceeding night was windy, and a fwell had fet in 
 from the fhore, thefe orders were countermanded. 
 From this day until the 6th was an interval of inac 
 tivity; frequent councils were held, in which violent 
 contefls arofe, and a quarrel eniued between O'Reil 
 ly, and major general Romana, a Spaniard of an 
 impetuous temper, who appearing to thwart the 
 meafures of the commander in chief, received from 
 him fome feverc reproaches* 
 
 Oa 
 
ft I. 3 7 II Y OF ALGIERS. 61 
 
 On the 6th, r.ll the principal officers were again 
 sflernbled to receive their ultimate inftrudttons, 
 when the orders of the 2d of July were ftrongly 
 recommended ; which, however, offended the orri* 
 cers in general, by allotting feverc punilh meats 
 for trivial neglects. In thefe orders the comman 
 der in chief enjoined the troops not to break their 
 order ; as nothing but united force and difcipline 
 could enfure them fuccefs againft an enemy io ac 
 tive and Ikilful in defultory war. He particularly 
 warned them of the practice of the Moors, who al 
 ways feign a nioR violent attack, and upon the 
 leaft refinance fly with precipitation, in order ta 
 draw their enemy into an umbufcad,e. But he 
 pointed out to them the very error which they after- 
 wards committed, and the fnare into which they 
 were betrayed. On landing, he commanded each 
 brigade to form a column of a company in front, 
 fix deep ; and the guards of half a company in 
 front: and directed them to gain fome heights 
 which were fuppofed requiiite to enfure fuccefs a- 
 gain (I the city. The difpofition of the march was 
 ordered to be in four columns, with the light in 
 fantry in advance, and on the flanks ; each column 
 \vasto have four held pieces in front, tobe increafed 
 as exigencies might require : two redoubts were to 
 be formed at the place of difembarkation, and a 
 communication to be kept up between the army, 
 thole fortifications, and the licet* In the afternoon 
 of the 6th, fome (hips of war were ordered to fire 
 againft three batteries to the eaftward of Algiers. But 
 they were Rationed at fo great adiftance, through the 
 fear of being raked by the Algerine batteries, that 
 i-heirihoi did not reach the (bore! except thofeof the 
 St. Joferh, of 74 guns, which received feme damage 
 
 from 
 F 
 
62 HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 
 
 from the enemy. At fun-fet this very cautious at 
 tack ceafed. 
 
 On the yth at daybreak, between eight and nine 
 thoufand men were put on board of boats for land 
 ing. They advanced very near the ihcre, about a 
 mile to the weflward of the river Xarach, under the 
 protection of feven galleys, and tv/o long boats 
 with a twelve pounder each ; not a Moor appear 
 ing to oppofe their landing. At feven o'clock in 
 the morning they returned on board the tranfports, 
 and not a ihot was fired on either fide the whole 
 clay ! Orders were then given for the tranfpcrt 
 long boats to be manned with Spanifh feamen, and 
 to be in readinefs at c%y-break the next morning. 
 
 On the 8th at day-{||>ik the IHps were ported to 
 batter the different ftjRs to the right and left of 
 the place of difembarkation, and 8000 troops were 
 put on board of boats, which formed in fix columns ; 
 at the head of which were the grenadiers, preceded 
 by the armed xebeques, galliots, Ac. that were 
 to cover their landing. 'The firing from the fhips 
 began, and the troops moved on to the place of 
 difembarkation, where they effected their landing 
 on the beach, (about a league to the eaftward of the 
 city), between the intervals of firing from the cover 
 ing veflels ; and immediately above 80,000 Moors 
 appeared in fight, two-thirds of which were caval 
 ry, under the bey of Contfantina ; but they did not 
 attempt to oppefe the landing of the Spanifn for 
 ces. The Turks in the mean time remained to 
 defend the .city, and not one of them appeared to 
 difpute the ground. It is faid that the whole num 
 ber of Africans colleger] on this occaflon was not 
 Jefs than 150,000, of which ioo,cco were -cavalry. 
 'As foon as the 8oco Spaniards had made good their 
 .landing, they formed f)X deep, according to or 
 ders .; 
 
HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 63. 
 
 rlers ; the armeJ veflfels divided to the right and 
 left, to cover their flanks ; and the boats returned 
 to bring the reft of the army on fhore with all ex 
 pedition. The troops of the firft difembarkation 
 had fcarcely formed, when a detachment of the 
 enemy appeared in their front ; but upon oblerving 
 a movement of the Spaniards towards them, they 
 {led in diforder. The troops then marched for 
 ward, by the beat of drum, with the volunteers of 
 Arragon and Catolonia in front, until they were 
 engaged in a clofe country, which the enemy had 
 occupied in fmall parties ; but pofled fo advanta- 
 geoully in ditches and fortreiTes, that they made 
 great havoc among the Spaniards, without receiv 
 ing any injury in return. The Spaniih grenadiers, 
 and light infantry, which had been detached in 
 advance, were repulied. At this juncture they 
 were reinforced by the troops of the lecond difern- 
 barkation, and fome heavy cannon coming up 
 which protected their march, they again advanced 
 towards fome inclofures, where they directed a hea 
 vy fire ; but without being able to di (lodge the ene 
 my. Great numbers of the Spaniards fell without 
 gaining the lead advantage ; in confequence of 
 which their whole body fell into confufion. The 
 zeal and intrepidity of the officers was infufncient 
 to contain the men ; fome advanced, and others 
 retired, in an indifcriminate manner, jufl as they 
 judged it expedient, without any regard to the 
 command of their officers. While 'they were in this 
 critical fit nation, a drove of camels appeared, ex 
 tending on their left, conducted by fome Moors, 
 with a defign of drawing the fire of the enemy upon 
 them. Great was the (laughter of the Spaniards, 
 and in this extremity a cry was fpread that they 
 were cut off by the Mooriih horle. The utmoft 
 
 confufion 
 
6"4 II :: . F ALGIERS, 
 
 ronfi;fiG', i}ed, and the \vhoh body ilcd v.i;k 
 
 the: great i pi cation, leaving on the frpli 
 
 battle an immenfe number of wounded, whcrr they ' 
 were obliged to abandon to the mercy of their ene 
 mies. By this time the workmen and troops of 
 the thhd difembarkalion were forming entrench 
 ments, which they had already fortified wall three 
 eight pounders ; which diJ great execution ; at 
 the fame time the Tufcan conuttuodcrs drexv their 
 frigates clofe into (ho re, and kept up fuch a 
 wcll-direclcd fire, th^t the Spaniards were enabled 
 to make good their retreat into their entrenchments,, 
 which were, however, icarcely large enough to. 
 contain their army. In this crowded fituation they 
 were much annoyed by a thiity-frc pounder which 
 the enemy brought out of one of their batteries, 
 awd an elevated tire from the fort of Xarach con 
 tributed much to the mi {chief. The Moors at 
 tacked them in their trenches, hut they were re- 
 pulfed with great ilau^hter, and in this fituation 
 the Spaniards remained till dark, when they began 
 their re-imbarkation in great tumult and confufion ; 
 but what difcovered the ignorance of the Moors, 
 was their neglcfting fo favourable an opportunity of 
 obtaining th^ completed of victories. 
 
 The lois fuftained by the Spaniards on this occa- 
 fion, amounted to 27 officers killed, and 191 wound 
 ed; 501 men killed, and 2,088 wounded. The 
 Marquis of Ram ana was killed at the head of his 
 brigade in the commencement of the action. The 
 lofs of the Moors it is laid, was between five and 
 fix thoufand killed, and as many wounded; but this 
 feems improbable *. The government of Algiers 
 
 had 
 
 * The above account is agreeable to the Spanilli 
 court gazettes, (in vvhic'-i truth. :.s fc-Uom expecled', and' 
 
HISTORY OF ALGIERS. . 65 
 
 had offered a premium of ten fequins for every Spa 
 niard's head, and coniequently the wounded Spa 
 niards, who were left on the field of battle, were all 
 murdered. The unfortunate invaders leit behind 
 them on their retreat, 15 pieces of cannon, three 
 howitzers, and a great number of fniall arms and 
 ammunition. 
 
 On the 1 2th of July, the troops, and the great- 
 eft part of the fleet let fail on their return to Spain, 
 and thus terminated this Quixotic expedition ; of 
 which a Spanilh ferjeanf, in giving an account to 
 his wife, ludicroufly fays, Nos mandaron a tierra 9 
 omo Ji ibemos a bebtr cafe^ con los Moros ; "we 
 were commanded a-fhore as if we were to drink 
 coffee with the Moors." 
 
 When th- melancholy intelligence was announ 
 ced of the failure of this expedition, from which the 
 Spanifh nation had formed fuch fanguine expecta 
 tions of fuccefs, the national feelings were indif- 
 eribable. O'Reilly was in confequence fo cordi 
 ally detefted, that niobs aOembled upon the road to 
 Alicant with an intent to wreak their vengeance up 
 on him. They Hopped many carriages, and that 
 O'Reilly (who was lame) might not be concealed, 
 they made the people get out and walk before them. 
 Had the liberty of the prefs prevailed the world- 
 would have known the fentiments of the Spanifh 
 nation upon this occafion. The king was threaten 
 ed if his favorite fhouid ever appear at court again, 
 
 and 
 
 agrees with Dalrymple's ftatement, who fays it nearly 
 correfponds with a letter from Algiers. But other wri 
 ters ftate the SpaniHi iofs much greater, and it is at leaft 
 evident that there cannot be fo wide a difference ia 
 the Iofs between the parties, efpecially as the Spaniards 
 lilade fj little i^prefTion on the Moors in their ditches> &c. 
 F 2 
 
66 HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 
 
 and to appeafe the turbulence of the people he 
 was foon after removed from the governorship of 
 Madrid. 
 
 Since the failure of this expedition the Spaniards 
 have attempted nothing decifive againft Algiers. In 
 the years 1783 and 1784, indeed, they renewed their 
 attacks by fea to deftroy the city and galleys; but 
 after fpending a great quantity of ammunition, 
 bombs, &c. they were obliged to retire without ei 
 ther its capture or extinction. 
 
 CHAP* 
 
HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 67 
 
 CHAP. IV. 
 
 t The Algerines begin their depredations upon the American 
 commerce. Captain Stephens and Q*Brien taken. A truce 
 with Portugal. Eleven fail of American <ve/ftls captured) 
 and their crews made flaves. Their treatment and 
 fujfe rings. Col. Hu?nphrey$ and Mr. Donaldfon fent 
 to treat <with the Algerines* Mr* Barlow dif- 
 patched to the Earbary States* Mr. Donaldfon con 
 cludes a treaty with Algiers. Captain O'Brien fent 
 with 225>COO dollars to the dey. Captured ly a Tripo- 
 litan corfair. Releafed and arrives at Algiers. Treats 
 with 'Tripoli. The Tunifian territory invaded. The 
 American prifoners releafed. Defperate engagement be 
 tween an Algerine corfair and two Neapolitan frigates* 
 Various occurrences. Report of the Secretary of State* 
 
 AFTER the eflablidiment of tjie American inde 
 pendence, when the United States had relin- 
 qui(hed their maritime dependence upon the Englilh 
 nation, it followed as a natural confequence, that 
 the American commerce mufl fall a facrifice to the 
 ravages of the Algerine corfairs ; and no doubt it 
 was through the intrigues of theBritifh cabinet, who 
 were chagrined at our recent emancipation, that 
 their hofiile difpofition was fo quickly nianifeited. 
 Various circumftances concurred to render them 
 eligible objects of piratical rapacity. America was 
 fituated at the diftance of more than three thoufand 
 miles from the theatre of their piracies, and as (he 
 fupported no maritime force they were enabled to 
 
 continue 
 
63 HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 
 
 continue their depredations with impunity. Her 
 extenfive commerce with Europe preferred a fplen- 
 did allurement to the pirates, who were well aware 
 that the prevention of their aggreOTions would re- \ 
 quire a naval armament greatly fuperior to the fub- 
 ftantial benefits that could be derived from an at 
 tempt to reduce them to fupmiftion. It is, how 
 ever, by no means problematical, that the naval 
 force of the United States, with, judicious comman 
 ders, would prove fully competent to reduce their 
 fleet, if not to effect the deftruHon of their city. 
 According to the moll authentic accounts, their na 
 vy is at prefent extremely inconfiderabie, and ma 
 ny of the American captives concur in the aflertion, 
 that the fleet of this regency only amounted ia 
 1796 to five frigates, two xsbecks, and one half gal 
 ley ! a force by no means to be put in competition 
 with that which could be raifed by the United 
 Slates. But to bring all their fhips of war to a re 
 gular engagement at once, would be totally im 
 practicable ; for whenever an hofiile armament 
 icours the Mediterranean they immediately fly for 
 refuge to the guns bf their fortifications. 
 
 When we reflect upon the peculiar encourage 
 ment they had to commit depredations on our corn* 
 merce, it becomes rather a matter of wonder that 
 we fufFered fo little, than that we fufFered fo much. 
 For this fecurity we were greatly indebted to the 
 wars which exifted between the Algerines, the 
 Portuguefe and the Dutch, at the time they com 
 menced their ravages upon our trade ; either of 
 which powers are greatly fuperior to the corfairs in 
 maritime ftrength, and they fo narrowly watched 
 the entrance of the Mediterranean for the protection 
 of their own commerce, that the pirates were fel- 
 dom able to cruife out into the Atlantic. Thofe 
 
 American 
 
HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 69 
 
 freights were generally fafe ; for they desived their 
 lecurity either frcrn forged cr purchased Mediter 
 ranean paffports. 
 
 Notwiihftanding the vigilance with which the 
 Pcrtuguefe guaided the fireights, the Algerines 
 fomelimes ftcle out into the Atlantic, and in one 
 of thefe excurfions, which happened while the Por- 
 tuguefe fleet were ordered upon ionie fecret expedi 
 tion, the fchconer Maria, captain Stephens, be 
 longing to Mr. Fcfter of Boflon, was captured by 
 a coriair oiFCape St. Vincents, on the 25th of July 
 1785 ; and five days afterwards, the {hip Dolphin, 
 captain O'Brien, belonging to Meffrs. Irvines of 
 Philadelphia, was taken by another about 50 leagues 
 to the well ward of Liflbon. Thefe veflels, with 
 their cargoes and crews, about 21 in nurr.ber, were 
 carried into Algiers, where they were made fiavcs. 
 Towards the latter end cf the year 1793, a 
 truce was made between the court of Lifbcn and 
 the regency of Algiers, for the period of twelve 
 months, and in coniequence, nine fail of Algerine 
 cruifers pafled out through the Streighls of Gibral 
 tar into the Atlantic ocean. Their cruinng (la- 
 lion was between Cape St. Vincents and the wef- 
 tern iilands, where they continued to cruife the 
 greateft part of the winter, contrary to their former 
 cuilom of retiring from the ocean in November. 
 In confequence of this truce, the courts of Lifbon 
 and Madrid granted convoys to American veilels 
 homeward bound, to a certain latitude where they 
 were free from the corfairs. 
 
 On the iSthof October 1793, about five leagues 
 from Gibraltar, captain John M'Shane of the JVli- 
 nerva, was L carded by a xcbeck of 20 gun?, be 
 longing 
 
70 HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 
 
 longing to Algiers, who after coming within muf- 
 ket-fhot, kept a conftant firing with fmall-arms 
 until the yards of the American veffel were manned 
 from thofe of the cruifer. The firing then ceafed ,*\ 
 they came down fvvord in hand and made the Ame- 
 lican crew prifoners; dripped them of their clothes, 
 and put them on board the xebeck, which carried 
 them to Algiers, where they arrived the3Oth of Octo 
 ber. As foon as they had arrived they were taken 
 before the dey, and after examination, were or 
 dered to the Bagnio, where the (laves are kept lock 
 ed up at night. The ne.xt day they were bound 
 with iron chains, each about 40 pounds weight, 
 which reached from their legs to their hips, and lent 
 to the marine, where they were kept at hard labour 
 from day-light till dark. 
 
 On the 2x1 of Oftober, captain William Pen- 
 fofe, ofthefhip Prefident of Philadelphia, difcov- 
 ered, about 9 o'clock in the morning, a fail to the 
 windward bearing down upon him, which the 
 ihip's company at firft imagined to be a Spanifh 
 privateer. But they were foon fatally deceived ; 
 ifor (he proved to be an Algerine corfair. As foon 
 as (lie difcovered the American flag fhe hoifted out 
 her boat immediately, and 30 men armed with 
 piftols and drawn cutlaffes furioufly boarded his 
 veffel. The firft falutation the captain received 
 was a violent droke with a cutlafs ; after which 
 they compelled the whole (hip's company to jump 
 over the rail of the veiTel into their boat, without 
 fufFering any one to go below for their clothes, and 
 other necefiary articles. The crew were then car 
 ried on board the cruifer, where they were dripped 
 naked, and a few old rags were given them in re 
 turn, neither fufficient to conceal their nakednefs, 
 nor protect them from the cold. 
 
 In 
 
HISTOPxY OF ALGIERS. 71 
 
 In this fituation they were obliged to lie on 
 \tleck, where they fuffered great hardfhips from the 
 inclemency of the fealbn. Captain Penrofe tells 
 us he was forced to lie on the poop, where he was 
 almcft perlfhed by a bitter north-eaft wind ; till at 
 length an old man, more humane than the reft, 
 fumifhed him with a blanket. The provifions given 
 4hem to eat, were black bread and water, and fome- 
 times a few rotten olives? which they regarded as 
 a great dainty. 
 
 in this forlorn fituation they continued eight 
 days, and on the 3Oth of October they arrived at 
 Algiers. Here they were fubjecied to a new fe- 
 ries of mifery. They thought themfelves cruelly 
 treated on board the cruiier ; but their treatment 
 there was pleafure when contraOed with the mife- 
 ries they afterwards experienced. They were 
 fcarcely on fhore when they were loaded with 
 irons, and immediately put to hard labour like fo 
 many criminals. 
 
 The number of American prifoners now amounted 
 to about 130, among whom were captains Stephens 
 and O'Brien, whofe crews had been reduced to ten 
 by the plague, and the feverity of their treatment for 
 upwards of eight years. The frnali pittance they 
 .had received from the United States had been 
 withheld about three months before ; and their 
 only fubfiftence was a little black bread and 
 water, and fornetimee; nothing. 
 
 In their October expedition they captured ten fail 
 of American veflels, nine of which lately entered 
 the harbour of Algiers on the 3Cth of October 
 where the veffels anchored, amidft the fhouts of 
 the people*. The 
 
 ' The names of the American captains and their pla 
 ces of refidence are as follows ; Captains Wallace* Vir- 
 
72 HISTORY OB' ALGIERS. 
 
 The Algerine corfairs, greatly animated with the 
 fuccefs of ttiis expedition, immediately fet fail to re> 
 fume their former ftation ; while others were equip\ 
 ping in the harbour with the utmoll fpeed. But for-V 
 tunately the mifcreants only captured one Ameri 
 can velFel, about a month afterwards, belonging to 
 captain Jofeph Ingrahsm ; for the Americans were 
 extremely cautious how they came within the fphere 
 of their rapacity ; and, after thefe captures, they 
 never fell in with any American veffels, but thole 
 that were protected by convoys. 
 
 After thefe events, the American prifoners 
 were fub jeered to a i cries of mifery which humani 
 ty blulhes to record. As foon as they landed in 
 Algiers, they were immediately ordered to the dey's 
 palace, where they were drawn up in files, in a 
 ba>k court, and underwent a ftrick examination. 
 The dey, attended by his cook, paffed and re- 
 paffed in front of them, and was extremely pleafed 
 with their appearance. He lele&ed from their num 
 ber all the boys and younger men, whom he em 
 ployed in his palace at different occupations, ge 
 nerally of a fervile nature; fomc were ordered to 
 fv/eep the apartments, fome to wa(h clothes, and 
 others to wait upon the dey and take care of his 
 wardrobe. The relt of the prifoners were then 
 difmiffcd, and as they withdrew from the royal 
 prefence, the dey faid to them, in the tone of fa- 
 vage triumph, " Go now you dogs and cat Jt tines." 
 They were then efcoited to the Bagnio Baleck, 
 
 where 
 
 a ; Newman, Eofton ; Ta}'!or, Rhods-Ifland ; Furnace, 
 New-Hampfhirc; Calder, Glouceiter ; Burnham, New- 
 York; Baiiey, Kewbury ; Mo is, ditto; Ivl'Shafie and 
 * c'-rofe, i'hiladeiphia. 
 
HISTORY OF ALGIERS, 
 
 where they were lodged in different sparimcnt.-? 
 among the old (laves* and each prifoner furnifhed 
 with a couple of coarfe blankets fcr his bedding. 
 In this di final region of mifery and oppreflftdfj, 
 arriidft the clanking of chains and the cries ot iui- 
 fcring humanity, they were left to brood over their 
 misfortunes at leifure. The gloomy profpedl that 
 prefentcd itfelf wrung the heart with the rnoft poig 
 nant emotions of anguiih and defpair. 
 
 About midnight they were roufed from their 
 meditations by the cry of Surfa, Surja, rite up all 
 hands. The Lijbtjo, or guardian of the Bagnio, 
 then entered their apartments, and leaded each 
 prifoner with chains of thirty or forty pounds 
 weight. The next morning about day- break they 
 were ordered to the marine, where, after their 
 names were called over, they were employed in 
 difcharging the cargoes of their own veffels, which 
 confifted of wheat, flour, wine, fugar, and other 
 articles. Their general employment in the ma 
 rine was the rigging and fitting out cf cruifers, and 
 whenever any foreign veflel lay in the harbour 
 they were obliged to wear this enormous weight 
 of chains, left they (hould make their efcape ; but 
 2t other times they were fieed from their load, ex 
 cept thofe who were turbulent, or by any particu 
 lar mifconduft had forfeited this privilege of the 
 flaves. 
 
 The hour of four in the afternoon is called lazar, 
 at which time a white flag is hoifted upon the tops 
 of all the mofques in the city, as a fignal fcr the 
 inhabitants to quit their labour, and repair to pub 
 lic worfhip. At this hour the labour of the prifon-_ 
 .ers ceafed, and they were permitted to go on (here, 
 except \vhen any bufinefs of importance occurred, 
 
 G 
 
;f HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 
 
 and Vv-hcn that was the cafe they were generally con* 
 lined till dark. 
 
 As foon as they were ordered on (here they were 
 provided with Jnftruments to carry ftones from the 
 inolc to a grand rrjofque, which the dey was build 
 ing in the city adjoining his feraglio. Thefe in- 
 flrumen's were formed of crofs pieces of timber, 
 called burrils, to which the ftones, timber, cannon 
 or \vhatever elfe was neceflary to be carried, were 
 fufpendecl beneath by ropes, and borne upon the 
 fhoulders of four men, \vho were appointed to carry 
 each burriU A particular load was always afligned 
 thern, and the weak and the (Irorg were indifcri- 
 Tiiinately compelled to carry thefe burdens, without 
 any attention being paid to the comparative bodily 
 ilrength of the labourer. To perfcns of robufl 
 conftituti6hs thefc loaded burrils were tolerable, but 
 to thofe cf v/^k habits of body they were en 
 tirely infupr and hence it happened, that 
 many peifons, by being overtrained, were either 
 blinded, or extremely injured in their ronftitutions* 
 c prcceffion of loaded burrils was ready 
 to move, the warden baihaw, who flood at the port 
 of the marine, waved his wand as a fignal for the 
 ihves to advance to the port, where they were ex 
 amined by the wardens of the marine, for the pur- 
 pofe of difcovering whether they had ilolen any 
 particular articles from the veffels. After this ex 
 amination they were permitted to pafs with their 
 loads, which they depofited at (he newmofque, and 
 then retired with their inftruments 1o their refpeft- 
 ive lodgings ; fame to the Bagnio Baleck, and others 
 fo the Bagnio Gallaro, where their names were 
 xi over by the clerks, and each (lave as he pai- 
 jCCtved i\ loaf of black bread for his fupper. 
 
 Kcr PV '*cre oblicred to ileep upon 
 
HISTORY" OF ALGIERS. 
 
 the ground ; but they foon conftrucied for them 
 felves a kind of wooden frames, which were fw 
 like hammocks one above another, and upon i; 
 they threw their clothes and blankets when i 
 were about to retire to red : but to add to their m 
 ries, their fleep was inceffantly cKruiled by in 
 numbers of vermin with which theie Bagnios i war 
 med. In the morning they again repaired with 
 their burrils *o the marine, where their names were 
 called over; and in this manner were they contlaruly 
 employed whenever the equipment of the Aigenne 
 corfairs was necelTary. 
 
 Many of the flaves, however, were diftributed in 
 different parts ; fome were fent into the country, 
 and whenever the fea was calm, nd no particular 
 emergency required their labour in the marine, 
 great numbers of others were employed in remov 
 ing flones from a mountain called Bahloct, or ra 
 ther Bublyzokite, about a league from the oity, in or 
 der to defend the mole from the impetuofity of the 
 waves. Thefe flones were blown by (laves from 
 the immenfe rocki which lie depouted in the moun 
 tain, and fome of them were twelve or fifteen feet 
 in diameter. In order to convey them more con 
 veniently to the water, the flaves were engaged for 
 more than a year, in formmga padage through a 
 large hill, which they removed and carried into the 
 lea, where they formed a large mole or wharf to 
 prote6l their pantoons, or carrying boats, from the 
 violence of the waves. Informing this paflage they 
 dug through a Moorifh burial ground, from whence 
 they removed immenfe numbers of human bones* 
 Thefe repofitories of the dead are always regarded 
 as facred by the Moors, and the whole neighbour 
 hood, and particularly the women, were, in conie- 
 que-nce, thrown into the gveateft confternalion. 
 
 Thev 
 
;u HISTORY OF ALGIERS* 
 
 They reforted to this fcene of facrilege, and In 
 dulged the moll immoderate grief over this devaf- 
 Ution among the relics of their friends. But fuch 
 were the orders of the dey, and they were obliged 
 to fubniit patiently to his will. 
 
 After this paiTage was formed* thefe immenfe 
 fragments of rocks were dragged by (laves, with 
 great labour and difficult^, from the mountain, and 
 placed upon flrong carriages about two feet high ; 
 upon which they were conveyed to the wharf, by 
 upwards of two hundred ilaves to each carriage, 
 where they were thrown into pantoons; from thence 
 they were tranfported by water, and difcharged at 
 the mole before the city. 
 
 But u hen the fea was tempeftuous and the pan- 
 toons could not be navigated, the (laves were then 
 employed in carrying (mailer ftones by land. Af 
 ter having fufpended a load to their burrils, of fuch 
 a weight-as 1'ome were fcarcely able to dagger un 
 der, they proceeded in gangs of different numbers, 
 attended by a crew of favage drivers, who goaded 
 them forward whenever they halted or happened 
 to faulter under the preffure of their burdens. The 
 extremity of their fufFerings in this laborious em 
 ployment is better conceived than exprefled. The 
 molt barbarous punimments were wantonly inflic 
 ted, and the violence of a fcorching fun, which 
 poured its fervid rays upon them, feeined to 
 complete the meafure of human wretchednefs. 
 With this enormous weight of ftones they moved 
 forward, attended by wardens who preceded them 
 in order to clear the (Ireets of the city through 
 which they paffed, where every perfon was obliged 
 to give way at their approach. After having dif 
 charged their loads at the mole they returned, and 
 -'a this manner were they employed during the 
 
 fummer 
 
HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 77 
 
 Htmmcr feafon, when no particular emergencies 
 demanded their labour in the marine. This mole, 
 in confequence of the encroachments of the fea du 
 ring the winter, requires an eternal fupply of 
 ftones, and in this manner is this Sifyphsean labour 
 conducted by a herd of wretches who are of 
 ten doomed to this abject fervitude for life. 1 he 
 dey commonly rides out to his country-feat about 
 twice a week, xvhere his favorite wife reticles in 
 the funimer feafon, and in pafling and repairing 
 he would fometimes condefcend to diftribute forne 
 trifling preionts among the (laves. 
 
 The overfeers in their treatment towards the 
 flaves feemed actuated by a principle of the moli 
 favage cruelty, and inflicied the mofi rigorous pu- 
 nimments through mere caprice and wantonnels, in 
 order to feaft their malignant fouls with the aeo- 
 
 o 
 
 nies of the trembling wretch who flood ready to ex 
 pire beneath their hands. Among this troop of 
 furies, a certain cktriff^ a name given to all ihofe 
 who are born on Friday, moli eminently diftin- 
 guifhed himfelf. The inordinate ferocity of this 
 barbarian had proved the death of many a flave, 
 and the mifcreant was moil cordially detefted 
 wherever became. One day as he was purfuing 
 a Gcnoefe (lave through the upper apartments of one 
 of the magazines on the fea-tide, he fell, by feme 
 accident, from a confiderable eminence upon a 
 heap of ftones, where he met with fo hard a recep 
 tion that he inftantly expired.. This accident pro 
 duced the moll extravagant joy among the Haves, 
 which was only marred with the apprehenfion that 
 the favage would recover : but they loon had the 
 fatisfaction of feeing him fafely lodged in the earth. 
 it would perhaps be improper to defcend to par 
 ticulars here, and we mud therefore refer the reader 
 G 2 for 
 
7 8 HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 
 
 for particular anecdotes, occurrences, and other ar 
 ticles which regard our countrymen, to our obfer- 
 vations upon the (lavesi 
 
 In the mean time, the fufterings of our fellow . 
 citizens in Algiers were the univerfal fubjecl of 
 fympalhy and regret; and meafures were foon 
 adopted to erFe6t their deliverance from this region 
 of unparalleled miiery. Colonel Humphreys, who 
 had been appointed American conful for Algiers, 
 left America in April 1795, in company 'with Jo- 
 feph Donaldfon, Efq. of Phihdelphia, who had 
 been appointed conful for Tunis and Tripoli, and 
 whom Colonel Humphreys was authorifed to em- . 
 ploy in the negociation of a treaty of peace and 
 amity with Algiers, while he proceeded to France 
 for the purpofe of obtaining the co-operation of that 
 government in this negotiation. 
 
 They arrived at Gibraltar the lyth of May, 
 where Col. Humphreys concluded that it would be 
 expedient for Mr. Donaldfon to go firll to Aiicant, 
 to the northward of Carihagena in Spain, rather 
 than to Algiers, there to refide for fome time, in 
 order that he might be near the fcene of negocia- 
 tion, and take advantage of any favorable occur 
 rences that might happen. Mr. Donaldfon receiv 
 ed his inftrudtions accordingly, and immediately 
 fet out for that place ; and in the mean time Col. 
 Humphreys, having alfo given inftru&ions to Mr. 
 Simpfon, the American conful at Gibraltar, to re 
 new a peace with the emperor of Morocco, failed 
 from Gibraltar the 24th of May, and on the 26th 
 of June following arrived at Havre^de-Grace in 
 France ; from whence he immediately fet out for 
 Paris, where he foon after communicated the ob 
 ject of his million to Col. Monroe, the American 
 
 Kiinifter, 
 
HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 
 
 79 
 
 .'minifter, and to the Committee of Public Safety of 
 that Republic. 
 
 On the i ft of July Col. Humphreys received aver- 
 bal notification that the French Republic wasdifpofed 
 to exert its influence in forwarding the negociation in 
 queftiqn; and on the 28th he received the favorable 
 intelligence, that immediate meafures mould be a- 
 dopted for giving particular inffruC\ions to the agents 
 of the Republic to ufe its influence in the promotion 
 of the treaty in contemplation. The multiplicity 
 of national concerns with which the officers of the 
 French government were then occupied, and the 
 time requifite for obtaining from London (where 
 funds had been depofued) the fums of money in 
 tended as peace prefents, retarded the conclufion 
 of arrangements at Paris till fome time in Septem 
 ber. 
 
 In the mean time it had been deemed expedient 
 by Cols. Monroe and Humphreys, that Joel Bar 
 low, Efq. (hould be confuited, and if his aflent 
 ccHild be obtained that he fliould be employed in 
 negociating with the Barbary States: to which Mr. 
 Barlow confented. By the nth of September all 
 liis papers on the part of Col. Humphreys relative 
 to Mr. Barlow's million were in readinefs, and as 
 foon as the peace prefents were prepared for him, 
 lie fet out, with inftru&ions and powers from the Re 
 public of France to its agents in Barbary, to exe 
 cute the bufinefs that had been entrufted to him. 
 
 On the 1 2th of September Col. Humphreys left 
 Paris, and arrived at Havre-de-Grace the J4th ; 
 where he found the captain and mate of the United 
 States brig Sophia both Tick with fevers. While 
 he was waiting here with great impatience for their 
 recovery, he received information from the Ameri 
 can conful at Marfeilles, that Mr. Denaldfon had 
 
 concluded 
 
So HISTORY OF ALGIERS, 
 
 concluded a treaty of peace with the dey of Al 
 giers. He judged it expedient, notwithftano'ing, that 
 Mr. Barlow ihould proceed w'th the prefents, and 
 g if thev were not wanted at Algiers they would be ^ 
 neceffary in the negociation with Tunis and Tri 
 poli. 
 
 Col. Humphreys failed from Havre-de-Grace 
 about the 5th of October, and after a ftormy paf- 
 iag<* of more than forty days, arrived at Lifbon the 
 l-yth of November, where he found captain O'Bri 
 en, who had arrived about the ift of October, with 
 the treaty with Algiers. Mr. Donald fon arrived 
 at Algiers on the 3d of September ; the treaty 
 was concluded on the 5th, and the peace prefents 
 immediately given by a loan. As Mr. Don aid fon 
 knew that funds had been lodged in London to 
 fulfil the ftipulations of the treaty, he engaged to 
 make the payments in three or four months. 
 
 Col. Humphreys had received advice, under date 
 of the 3Oth of July, from the MefTrs. Barings in 
 London, to whom the funds had been remitted, 
 that having made confiderahle progrefs in the fales 
 of the United States (lock, they ihould have at his 
 difpofal the whole of the value of 800,000 dollars, 
 meaning to furnifh, by anticipation, the value of 
 that part which remained unfold,, if the iervice of 
 the United States required it. Col. Humphreys, 
 calculating upon the certainty of payment after this 
 period, fent captain O'Brien from Lifbon to Lon 
 don in the brig Sophia to receive the money. But 
 owing to contrary winds he did not leave Lifbon 
 till the 24th of December. 
 
 In confequence of the disappointments in the 
 pecuniary arrangements the treaty was in the rnofl 
 imminent danger of being ultimately fr uft rated. ; 
 tha dey beer? me impatient, and threatened to aban 
 don 
 
HISTORY OF ALGIERS. Si 
 
 don it ; and it was with the utmoft difficulty that 
 it was prevented. Mr. Barlow did not arrive at 
 Aiicant until February 1796, where he propofed 
 to wait the arrival of the funds ; but (hortly after 
 receiving intelligence from Algiers that the Ame 
 rican negociation was in a moil critical fituation, 
 he determined to go thither immediately with the 
 hopes of foo thing the dey. He arrived there the 
 5th of March. The time for the payment of the 
 iiipulated fums had before been prolonged to the 
 8th of April. On the 3d of that month the dey 
 declared that his final determination was, that Mr. 
 Barlow and Mr. Donald ion (liould leave Algiers 
 in eight days; and if the money was not paid in 
 30 days after, the treaty mould be at end, and his 
 coriairs be permitted to bring in American veflels. 
 Under thefe imperious circumftances, and as the 
 lad hope of laving the treaty, they were induced 
 to otter the dey the prefent of a frigate ; which 
 fortunately fucceeded. But Col. Humphreys con 
 ceiving himfelf not authorifed to confirm this pro- 
 mife, difpatched captain O'Brien in the brig So 
 phia to America, for the purpofe of referring the 
 matter to the executive of the United States, and 
 obtaining his concurrence. There was evidently 
 no alternative, and therefore the executive was un 
 der the abfolute neceflity of confirming the pro- 
 mife. This frigite * was built in Portfmouth, 
 New-Hamp(hire, and in conformity to promife ir 
 ihortly to be fent to the dey. 
 
 While 
 
 * This frigate is to carry 36 guns, is iheathed with 
 copper, and intended to he a veflel of 538 tons burden. 
 The whole coil is above 90,000 dollars. She was 
 launched \n July 1797* and it -is expefted Ihe will ar 
 rive at //Qiers about the beginning of September next. 
 
Bz HISTORY OF ALGIERS, 
 
 .While the bufinefs was in this precarious fit na 
 tion, owing principally to the can vul (ions in Europe^ 
 Mr. Donald ion fet ouUfor Leghorn, where he pro-\ 
 cured a loan of 400,000 dollars of the Meilrs. Fon- i 
 nercau,and as that port was blockaded by the Britidi 
 fleet, Mr. Donaldfon obtained permiffion from the 
 court of Great Britain that die money might be ex 
 ported from thence without being fubje6l to capture, 
 and it was foon after fent in a Venetian veffel to 
 Algiers. 
 
 Captain O'Brien after he had received the deter 
 mination of the executive, fet fail from Philadel 
 phia in June 1796, and arrived in Lifbon fornetime 
 in July. In the meantime Col. Humphreys had 
 advantageoufly negociated bills on London for 
 225,000 dollars, which he had received, and this 
 fum was embarked on board the brig Sophia, con- 
 figned to the care of captain O'Brien. This mo 
 ney wasinfured at a fmall premium againft the dan 
 gers of the feas ; bat againft all rilks ib high a pre 
 mium was demanded that Col. Humphreys judged it 
 inexpedient to give it, feeing the Sophia was a veiTel 
 of the United States having a fpecial pafl'port from 
 the Prefident, as well as one in the Turkifh lan 
 guage under the leal of the dey of Algiers. 
 
 On the 4th of Auguft capU O'Brien fet fait for 
 Algiers, and on the iSth he was captured ofFthat ci 
 ty by a Tripolitan corfair, who carried his veiTel, 
 money and crew in triumph to Tripoli, (which lies 
 on the Mediterranean, about 130 miles to the fouth- 
 eaftward of Algiers), accompanied by the fhip Bet- 
 fy of Bofton, whofe crew were made flaves. This 
 immenfe fum in fpecie, more perhaps than they 
 had ever captured at once before, was landed arnidil 
 the firing of cannon, the clifplay f colours, and the 
 fhouts of the populace. The extravagance of their 
 
 joy, 
 
HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 83 
 
 joy, however, was foon abated when capt. O'Brien 
 exhibited to them the paflport of the dey of Algiers ; 
 he demonftrated to them that he was ftill the {lave 
 of the dey, and though the money had been deli 
 vered to him by the United States, yet it was the 
 the lame in effed^ as if it had been delivered to the 
 dey himfelf. After an examination of two days 
 the veflel was liberated, and capt. O'Brien immedi 
 ately let fail for Algiers, where he arrived the firft 
 of October, and delivered the money to the Ameri 
 can conful refiding there; who had previouily pro 
 cured the loan of the neceflary iums from the 
 Meffrs. Buckras, a Jevvi(h company in Algiers, who 
 had received fatisfaclory information of the certain 
 ty of repayment. With this timely loan Mr. Bar 
 low fulfil led his ilinulations with the dey, who was ib 
 highly pleafed with the prefent, and in coniequence 
 repoied iuch confidence in the United States, that 
 he ottered Mr. Barlow upon their account the loan 
 of fuch fums as would enable him to ne^ociate a 
 treaty of peace with the Tunifian and Tripolitan 
 powers, which he judged proper to accept. 
 
 By the judicious arrangements of Mr. Barlow 
 with the dey, capt. O Brien was appointed com- 
 miffioner on behalf of the United States toriegoci- 
 ate a treaty with the regencies of Tunis and Tripo 
 li. He fet fail upon this bufinefs tbe joth of O61c- 
 ber, and arrived at Tunis on the i6th, where he 
 had an interview with the bey, to whom he pieient- 
 ed a letter from the dey of Algiers, enclofing a 
 command that hefhould make peace with the Ame 
 rican cornrniffioner upon the terms therein prefcri- 
 bed. But the bey totally rejected the terms, and 
 demanded the payment of a fum equal to thrice that 
 amount. After many audiences and conferences, 
 capU O'Brien, finding that the bey v/ould neither 
 
 accept 
 
84 HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 
 
 acceptof a Icfs fum, nor accede to the terms of the 
 dey, transmitted the Tunifian demand to Mr, Bar 
 low in Algiers, which he communicated to the dey, 
 who was much exafperated in coniequence, and 
 would not fufrer him to acquiefce in fo exorbitant a 
 demand. 
 
 In this fltuation capt. O'Brien left the Tunifian 
 bufmefs, and proceeded to Tripoli, where, after 
 much difficulty, he concluded a peace with that 
 power upon the 4th of November, and procured the 
 releafe of the American pri loners who were captu 
 red in the (hip Betfey. He left captain Jcfeph In- 
 graham, the American charge des affaires, in that 
 place, and failed from thence the 271*1 of Novem 
 ber, bringing away the remaining part of the crew 
 of the (hip Betiey. On the yth of December, 
 in his return to Algiers, lie again touched at 
 Tunis, where he received orders from Mr. Barlow 
 and the dey, by whom he had been invefled with 
 diicretionary powers to conduct the negociation, to 
 demand a definitive anfwer from the bey of Tunis, 
 whether he would negociate a treaty of peace with 
 the United States upon the terms prefcribed by the 
 dey? but he found that the bey llill perfifted in the 
 exorbitancy of his demands ; and after many 
 conferences and fruitlefs efforts he failed from Tu 
 nis, and arrived in Algiers the ^d of January 1797, 
 where he communicated to Mr. Barlow and the 
 dey the unfuccefsful refult of his miffion. The 
 dey was violently enraged at the infult offered to 
 his dignity by this rejection of his intcrceffion in 
 the afrairs of the United States, and acluated by 
 feme former animofities that ftill fubfifted between 
 them, he iffued immediate orders to his eaftern 
 cacnp of 60,000 men to enter the Tunifian terri- 
 torv. This army was foon fet in motion to en 
 force 
 
HISTORY OF ALGIERS. s 
 
 force a compliance on the part of the bey. In their 
 rout through the 1 unifian dominions they cut off 
 fome hundreds of heads and ears, and after commit 
 ting great ravages upon the inhabitants, they returned 
 to the territory of Algiers. This harfh expedient 
 was adopted in order to afcertain the political dif- 
 pofition of the government of Tunis, and to de 
 cide whether they would fubmit to the controul of 
 the dey ; for the powers relative to the American 
 pacification, the dey exprefsly declared, were un 
 der his immediate guarantee. Capt. Q'Brien, by 
 the dey's orders, left Algiers the J4th of February, 
 and arrived in Philadelphia the ift of April 1797. 
 
 The truce which Mr. Barlow concluded with 
 the Tunifian regency, on the 1 5th of ''June 1796, 
 for fix months, expired on the i5th of December 
 fol lowing. This truce had been obtained without 
 any preients, by Mr. Famin the French agent at 
 Tunis, who had been recommended to Mr. Barlow 
 by the French conful Herculais. Since its ex 
 piration the American vefiels have been fubjct 
 to capture by the Tunifian corfairs, and captain 
 O'Brien, in his publication of April 5th, 1757, fays, 
 " I now tell you candidly, that no American vef- 
 fel fhould enter the Mediterranean until our peace 
 with all the Barbary States is fully eOablifhed, and 
 pubiifhed by the authority of the United States." 
 But With regard to the Tunifian negotiation, little 
 apprehenfion is entertained, and it is highly proba 
 ble that Mr. Barlow, through the powerful in'terc'ef- 
 flon of the dey, has already concluded a treaty 
 with that government. 
 
 At the conclufion of the Algerine treaty, an 
 univerfal joy difFufed itfelf among the American 
 prifoners, and they triumphed in the delight 
 ful anticipation of vifiting their native fhores again. 
 H They 
 
HISTORY OF ALGIEPxS. 
 
 7 "h*y had long been the vicuirs of the mofl c 
 plicated calamities, and become familiar with tl'A 
 gloomy -proipedt cf dealh. They were haunted^ 
 with the difmal apprehenfions of a fervitucie for 
 life, and hope, the pleafing illufion that giids the 
 dark regions of adverfity, iecmed fled for ever. 
 To add to the catalogue of their miieries, the 
 plague commenced its awful vifitation ; many of 
 their companions fell a facrifice to this dreadful 
 contagion, while others invoked the friendly hand 
 of death to terminate their fufrerings and defpair. 
 When intelligence of the treaty was announced, the 
 captives indulged the animated expectation of an 
 immediate deliverance, and the fudden tranfition 
 from fuch a dark ftate of defpondence, infpired 
 ^thern with the mod ineffable joy. But the fatal delays 
 occafioned in the remittances of the neceflary fums 
 endangered the exiftencc of the treaty, and over 
 clouded the pleafing profpec^. In coniequence of 
 thefe unfortunate ci clays, which were principally 
 owing to tho convuhion-5 in Kitope, the captives 
 were fti. 1 C'VihneJ at h.^rd labor,r, and the period 
 of their mifcry v.-as unfortanafcly protracted from 
 the gth of September \ ~ } , the time when the treaty 
 was formed, till the c;h ci" July following, when 
 the (lipulated payments were mace- Mr, Barlow 
 then paid them a vifi'l c c :.rs at labour, 
 
 and when he announced the pleafing intelligence 
 tothem,itwasfounsxpecbd that none of them wouhl 
 believe him ; but their incredulity deferted them 
 when orders were prefentcd icr their immediate 
 appearance before the ciey ; they bade an eternal 
 adieu to the huge ftones of Bublywhite, and imme 
 diately repaired to the palace with every demon- 
 ftration of the rncft c:;:.\, \\.sant joy; where they 
 were arraigned in the dcy's pr.e;ence, who fat in 
 
 ftatc, 
 
HISTORY OF ALGIERS ? 7 
 
 tatc, attended by the caflan aga, or prime minif- 
 ler, the aga and other officers of government. 
 After a (liort pauie, the head clerk preferred each 
 captive with a Ttfcoret, or paflport, and informed 
 them tUcv were at liberty to make immediate pre 
 parations for their return home. Forty-eight Nea 
 politans were liberated at the fame time ; one of 
 whom, in a tranfport of joy, proftrated himfelf be 
 fore the dey and killed his hands and feet ; but the 
 Americans, who were not quite fo fervilc, repaired 
 with all expedition to the port of the marine, and 
 embarked on board the iliip La Fortune, which had 
 been chartered for them by the MciTrs. Buckras, 
 for the purpofe cf conveying them to Marfeiiies. 
 
 The original number of the Americans was now 
 reduced to 85. Many of them died with the 
 plague, a few with the fmall pox, and others with 
 the feverity of the labour which had been impofed 
 upon them. Captain Wallace cf Richmond met 
 with an untimely death as he was leaning againft the 
 banniflers of an ancient building, which gave wav, 
 and he fell from aconfiderablc height into the ftrcet, 
 where he inftantly expired. The plague ra^ed with 
 fuch violence when the captives left Algiers that five 
 of them died within a few weeks previous to their 
 departure ; another who was attacked by that fatal 
 malady was left behind, and many others had their 
 conftitutions much injured by the difordcr. One of 
 them was in a ftate of total blindnefs, and another 
 was rendered nearly fo. Three of them carried the 
 marks of unmerciful treatment, in ruptures produ 
 ced by hard labour ; fevcral of them were render 
 ed incapable of gaining their living, and confe- 
 quently are objetts of the benevolence of their 
 countrymen. 
 
 Mr. Barlow was fully fcnfihle of the necefTity of 
 
 their 
 
83 HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 
 
 their immediate removal from this moft wretched of 
 all conceivable abo'des, and was juftly appreben\ 
 five that they could not be embarked without fome* 
 Ganger of the infection. After his arrival he was 
 moil iedulotilly employed in effecting their delive- 
 jance, and by his benevolence, which was ever ex 
 tended to the captives, their condition was render 
 ed more tolerable, till the final obtainment of their 
 liberty. To this worthy charafter, who/e heart 
 vibrated with their finer feelings of philanthropy, 
 \vhile his life \vasin imminent danger, the moft ar-* 
 dent tribute of gratitude is due, and the captives 
 fpeak in terms of the warmed affection for his uni 
 form exertions in reicuing them from this region of 
 horror. 
 
 After preparing the neceffary articles for their 
 voyage, the Americans fet fail, with the 48 Neapo 
 litans, in the (Lip La Fortune, under the command 
 of cant. Calder, and foon bade an eternal adieu to 
 the land of bondage. 
 
 While thefe things were tranfa&ing, the Alge- 
 rines were profecuting their piracies againft vari 
 ous maritime powers in Europe. An attempt at ne- 
 j;ociation between the " invincible militia" and Por 
 tugal was inftituted in November 1793, and a Por- 
 tugnefe frigate was difpatched to Algiers upon this 
 bufinefs. The terms prefcribed by the dey were, 
 1,200,000 Mexican dollars for the treafury ; 
 600,000 dollars for the voice of the dey, and the 
 great officers of the regency, arnbaffadorial and con- 
 fular prefents, equal to what Spain gave ; and the 
 payment of 150,000 dollars for the redemption of 
 75 Portuguefe captains. With thefe nropofitions 
 the Portuguefe frigate fet fail from Algiers the yth 
 of November, and arrived at Lifbon foon after. 
 But upon further confideration the dey was not fatis- 
 
 fied 
 
HISTORY OF ALGIERS. H 9 
 
 fied with this fum, and the next day he defired capt. 
 Logie, an Engluh agent, to write to Portugal that 
 he demanded 600,000 dollars for his family and 
 friends, in addition to what he had previouily ex- 
 prefTed.* Thefe terms were of courfe never compli 
 ed with, and the Portuguefe and Algerians ftill 
 continue in a ftate of warfare. 
 
 The Dutch truce expired on the lothof December 
 1793. But a peace was concluded in April follow 
 ing, and all the Dutch prisoners were liberated, 
 The principal powers with which the Algerines are 
 now at war, are the Portugueie and the Pope. 
 They declared war againft the republic of Venice 
 on the 26th of October 1796, the iilue of which 
 we have not heard. But with France, Spain, Eng 
 land and America they now are at peace. 
 
 About the beginning of 1796? the -affairs of the 
 Danes a (Turned a very difafterous complexion. One 
 of the Neapolitan cruifers had taken a Danifh vef- 
 fel freighted with 300 Turks, who were bound from 
 the Levant to Algiers. Thefe Turks were carried 
 to Naples, where they were made Haves ; which i'o 
 exafperated the dey, that he iifued immediate or 
 ders for the capture of Danifh veffeis, and thirteen. 
 fail were (hortly after brought into Algiers, where 
 they were obliged to lie for four months, till the 
 Da nidi government had negociated the ranfom of 
 the 300 Turks : after which the Danes were libc> 
 H 2 rated ; 
 
 * The above terms were fet forth ;n a -letter of capt, 
 O'Brien, dated at Algiers, the aBth of November 1793. 
 When the American captives were ia formed that capt. 
 O'Brien had publiihed this excrbicant demand upon the 
 Portuguefc, they were highly oifcnded, and arraigned tin-! 
 precipitancy of the publication ; becaafe fuch diicour'ag- 
 iag terms would have a tciidcncy to retard* if not t;: 
 frullrate, their raniotK. 
 
9,o HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 
 
 rated ; but their cargoes, which confined chiefly of 
 perifhable articles, were moftly deftroyed. 
 
 About the beginning cf 1.795, upwards of 2oA 
 Corficanswere captured as they were feeking for co^ 
 ral off the Barbary coafts. While they were bufily 
 employed in a number of fifhing beats, under con 
 voy of an En glim brig*, two French frigates hove 
 in fight, and foon after a fmart engagement took 
 place between the French, and the Englifh brig ; but 
 ihe was foon captured, and the Corfican boats fled 
 for refuge to the Barbary fhore near Conftantina, 
 where they were all kidnapped by the Moors, 
 and taken to Algiers, where they were made Haves. 
 After they had arnufed themfelves among the rocks 
 of Bubly white for about a year, Mr. North was fe.nt 
 . as Britifh agent to negociate their ranfom, and he 
 procured their liberty upon the payment of about 
 120,000 dollars, befides the promife of an armed 
 yeflel, 
 
 Some time in September 1796, the Englifh fent 
 hi a French xebeck of inconfiderable value, lately 
 made a prize, which difpleafed the dey fo much 
 that he ordered her immediately out cf the port. 
 The commanders of two Englifh frigates which then 
 Jay off* the harbour, highly refenting this piece of 
 conduct, hauled their veflels clofe in under the cafrle 
 on the mole, and prepared to pour a broad fide into 
 the city. When the dey obferved thefe preparations, 
 he was thrown into the moft violent confternaticn ; 
 the ilaves were immediately ordered to clear away 
 the lumber in the caftle, and to get the guns in rea- 
 dinefs for defence. At the fame time the fleet of 
 Admiral Jervis, confiding of 25 fail of the line 
 
 was 
 
 * It mud be remembered here that Corfica was one of 
 the pearls in his Britfti Majefry's crown ; but it was after* 
 wards evacuated by the Britiftv 
 
HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 91 
 
 was cruifing off the harbour, and from this force, 
 the dey exped^ed nothing lefs than the total deftruc- 
 tion of Algiers. At this critical juncture he made 
 application to Mr. Barlow to ufe his influence with 
 the Britifh commanders, to diiTuade them from their 
 defigns, and after distributing fome prefents to a 
 confiJerable amount among the officers of the fri 
 gates, they hauled off ta a diftance, and did not 
 put their defign in execution. 
 
 In the beginning of June 179$, a moil bloody 
 and obllinate battle was fought near Corfica, be 
 tween an Algerine rover of 34. guns and two Nea 
 politan frigates of 20 guns each, in conjunction with 
 one of the Pope's garda coftas, of 10 guns and a 
 number of fwivels. The a6Hon lafted from ten 
 o'clock in the morning till four in the afternoon 
 without intermiifion, and the combatants were for 
 the greateft part of the time within piilol (hot of 
 each other. The cor fair fought un Jer the bloody 
 flag, and rode the greateft part of the time between 
 an incelTant and well directed fire, which cutaway 
 almoft all her rigging, and made terrible havoc 
 among her crew ; yet the ruffians fought with the 
 utmofl fury and defperation, and attempted feveral 
 times to board their enemies; but were repulfed with 
 great lofs. In the heat of the engagement all the 
 officers were killed, and the captain had both his 
 legs carrried away by a chain fhot, as he was firing a 
 blunderbufs ; yet the barbarian ilill refufed to be 
 taken from the deck, and died while he was giving 
 the word of command. This lofs did not in the 
 lead intimidate the furious crew, who fwore they 
 would not fubmit while a {ingle man exifted. The 
 Chriilians difplayed equal fury during the whole 
 conflict, aad were to a man determined either to 
 conquer or die. Unfortunately one- of the frigates 
 
 which 
 

 92 HISTORY OF ALGIERS* 
 
 which made the greateft impreflipn upon the corfair, 
 blew up with a- tremendous explofion, and mofl or\ 
 the crew perifhed. 
 
 In a fhort time another difafter occurred. The 
 Pope's cruifer, after a gallant refrftance, was funk 
 by the enemy's (hot. The crew of the remaining 
 frigate were then obliged to tow her away ; while 
 the corfair lay like a log upon the water, with her 
 fare and mairi-mafts carried away by the board, and 
 her hull fo much lliattered that the funk (hortly af 
 ter the aflion. 
 
 On the 1 3th cf July following the American 
 prifoners fet fail from Algiers, and on the I9th 
 they arrived ofF Marfeilles, where they were cbli* 
 ged to ride quarantine for 80 days ; afler which 
 they were permitted to go or\Jhore at that city, 
 where Stephen CaUlon, jun. the American conful, 
 provided a Swedifh bark for their tranfportation 
 to America, and procured each of them a fuit of 
 clothes, beiid^s an allowance of ^ cents aiday for 
 their fubfiftence. Fourteen of their number enter 
 ed a board of an American (hip at Marfeilles, to 
 go on a trading voyage up the Mediterranean, and 
 a few were detained by fickncfs- Capt. Penrofe, 
 who came with them from Algiers, went to AH- 
 cant at the requeft of Mr.. Montgomery, the Ame 
 rican conful who refided there, to take charge of a 
 vetfe! intended to piy between that place and 
 Philadelphia ; but (he not being ready, captain 
 Penrofe returned from thence in another veffel, arid 
 landed at Botlon. 
 
 The remainder of the captives, after a refidence 
 of 20 days at Marfeilles, fet fail for the port of 
 Philadelphia on the 1 2th of November, in compa 
 ny with the two fons of the duke of Orleans, and" 
 after a paffage of near three months, they arrived 
 
HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 93 
 
 at Marcus Hook, where the veffel was detained by 
 the ice which was then in the Delaware. On the 
 Sth of February 1797, they were brought to Phi 
 ladelphia in carriages, eicorted by many hundreds 
 of their fellow citizens who went out to meet them. 
 Upon their arrival at the Indian Queen tavern, 
 the ilreets were fo thronged as to render their 
 paflage difficult, and as they entered the houfe, 
 an ardent acclamation exprefied the iatisfa&ion of 
 the people at their return. Thole wiio had friends 
 in the city to provide for them, retired to receive 
 their congratulations ; but it has been reported by 
 iome of the captives, that thofe who were not fo 
 fortunately accommodated, were left entirely deili- 
 tute to wander the Greets of the city, at that incle 
 ment feafon of the year, without friends, or a {in 
 gle cent to provide for their fubfiftence. If this be 
 true, it reflects a difhcnor upon the humanity of 
 our government, that thefe unfortunate men fliould 
 be refcued from the regions of mifery to ftarvc in a 
 land of freedom. 
 
 It muft infpire the breads of the Americans with 
 great regret and mortification, when they reflecl: 
 upon the exorbitant fums of money that have been 
 expended in the negotiation of the Algerine treaty, 
 befides the annual payment to the dey of 12,000 
 Algerine fequins * in maritime Mores, according to 
 the laft article of the treaty ; and their mortification 
 will not be diminifhed when they reflect, that they 
 have now become the tributaries of a ci-devant Tur- 
 ki(h foldier ! This additional weight to the Ame 
 rican taxation, which had before encreafed in a 
 rapid progrellion, is not the moft comfortable re 
 flection, 
 
 * The value of the Algerine fequin (pronounced flekeen) 
 is 1.963 dollar: or i dollar 96 cent* and 3 mills. 
 
HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 
 
 fl-filon, and would almoft induce one to arraign trie 
 negocUtion as highly impalitie,were there not a dan\ 
 ger of incurring the imputation of a want of huma-\ 
 nity, It is, however, very problematical whether 
 the advantages to be derived from the Mediterra 
 nean trade will ever compenfatc for the expenditure 
 of thefe enormous furns ; and it feems rather un- 
 juft that the great burden of guaranteeing this trade 
 fbojld reft upon the (boulders of the people, while 
 its benefits refult to a few individuals, who ought 
 perhaps to fupport this branch of commerce uncer 
 the fraction of infiuance. 
 
 I have thought proper, in order to reprefent 
 the Algerine negociation in a mare comprehenfive 
 pjint of view, to fubjoin an efUrnjte of the pecu 
 niary difburfements, and the feveral CDrrefponden- 
 ces i hat have taken place in this buiinefs, accor 
 ding to the following reports. 
 
 REPORTS of the SECRETARY of STATE and of 
 the SECRETARY of the TREASURY, relative to the 
 late Negotiation with the Dey and Regency^ of 
 ALGIERS.* 
 
 To the Prefident of the United States, the Secre 
 tary of State refpeilfully makes the following 
 brief reprefentation of the affairs of the United 
 Slates, in relation to Algiers *. 
 
 Such arrangements have been made by Meffrs. 
 Barlow and Donaldfon at Algiers and Leghorn, as 
 will doubtlefs enfure the payment of the 400,000 
 dollars, originally expe&ed from the latter place ; 
 
 and 
 
 * It will not be necelTary to give the firft part of this 
 Report relative to the hiitory of the negociation, as that 
 has been before fully related. 
 
HISTORY OF ALGIERS- 95- 
 
 and the farce houfe has become engaged to the Dey 
 and Regency for the reiidue of the n.cney due as 
 the price of peace; without which he would not 
 agree to the rederrpticn tf the captives. 'I i;e 
 Secretary of the Trtaiuiy efHrrates thefe further 
 furos (o be provided, to fulfil the terms of the trea 
 ty, at - Dels. 255,759 
 
 For two years annuity to the dey, 56,246 
 
 To which are to be added the 10,000 
 fequins prcmifed by Meflrs Barlow and 
 Donaidfon mentioned in their letter* l8,x:oo 
 
 And the expences of the captives while 
 performing quarantine at Marfeilles, and 
 for tranfporting them to America ; eltirra- 
 tcd by the conful at Marfeilles at about 6,500 
 
 Dels. 576,505 
 
 (Signed) TIMOTHY PICKERING, 
 
 Secry of State. 
 DEPARTMENT of STATE, 
 Jan. 6, 1797. 
 
 The Secretary of the Treafury, In obedience to 
 directions from the President of the United 
 States, refpetfully rrakes the following repre- 
 ientaticn refpecHrg the application of the fund 
 defiined for the execution of the treaty with Al 
 giers. 
 
 In purfuance cf an ?,cl paiTed the 2ift day of Fe 
 bruary 1795* ^ e il:IT1 ^ 8oo,coo cellars \vas bor 
 rowed of the Bank cf the United Spates, which 
 Mas paid in 6 per cent, fleck. A ccnviclicn of 
 the urgency of the cafe, and a difpofiticn to accom 
 modate the government, alone induced the bank 
 
 to 
 
96 HISTORY OF ALGIERS/ 
 
 to confent to the loan, as the flock was then fal\- 
 able in large quantities at par, including interefK 
 Bills of exchange were not readily obtainable, ancfl 
 the fudden exportation of fo considerable a fum of 
 fpecie would have been attended with inconvenient 
 effects. Indeed no alternative offered but to re 
 nounce the negociation, or to remit flock as a 
 fund. 
 
 Various caufes co-operated to caufe a depreflion 
 of the prices of all kinds of public flock, foon af 
 ter the remittances had been made. 
 
 The rates at which the iales have been made are 
 as follows 1 
 
 . s. d. Dots, cts* 
 560,000 dols. fold for fieri. 111^053 ij o 
 240)000 remained unfold 
 
 at the date of 
 
 the lateft advices, 
 
 which may be 
 
 eftimated at 80 
 
 per cent, or 43,200 oo o 
 
 800,000 dollars in ftock 
 will therefore pro 
 duce in fterling 
 money *54>?>53 I 5 o 
 
 = 685,572. 2Z 
 
 Of the fum of 305,911 dollars 37 cents, 
 appropriated for treaties with the Mediterra 
 nean powers, by the aft of May- jift, 1796, 
 there was eftimated, for a deficiency on ac* 
 
 of the treaty with Algiers> the fum of 51*132. 
 
 The whole of the grants for the AJgerine 
 treaty may therefore be confidered as equal 
 to an effefUve fund in London of Dels. 736,704. 22 
 
 The 
 
HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 97 
 
 Dolx. cfs. 
 
 The expcnces of carrying the^ treaty into 
 effecl are eftimated at ' 525,000. oo 
 
 To which are to be added, agreeably to 
 Mr. Donaldfon's calculation, for per centage 
 on the captives 27,000, oo 
 
 Other expences, - 0,0,000. GO 
 
 Amount of money to be paid in Algiers, 642,000. oo 
 
 The expence of remitting the f urn la ft mention 
 ed, from London to Algiers, according to the beft 
 eftimate which can he formed, w ill be as follows : 
 
 /. s. d. Dots. cts. 
 
 140,000 dols. procured at Leg 
 horn, by bills on Lon 
 don, coft 4/1 0,5 5- 1 co 
 fterling per dollar, or 
 fterling 34*110 o o 
 
 260,000 dols. expected to be 
 
 obtained at 5/ will be 65,000 o o 
 
 99, i jo o 0=440,488. 88 
 40,000 dollars remitted to 
 
 Hamburgh, coft fieri. 7,200 18 40,013.04 
 225,000 dols. procured at Lif- 
 bon, for which drafts 
 have been pafTed for 
 fterling .50,007 16 0=1222,256. 89 
 
 665,000 dollars placed in Leghorn, Ham 
 burgh, and Lifhon, and fuppofed 
 to be fbfficient to difcharge the pe 
 cuniary obligations of the treaty, 
 will probably coft 702,758. 81 
 
 Payments made to Col; Humphreys, fter- 
 
 'i.s: '3>tf* o 
 
 i ay merit to cspf. O Encn, 3100 
 
 5,502 o c= T5j, r ^4' 44- 
 
\ 
 
 9 3 HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 
 
 The naval (lores fiipulated by Mr. Do- 
 naldfon were eftimated at 57,000 dollars, but 
 which, agreeably to his enumeration of the 
 articles, will ccft, according to the eftimate 
 of the purveyor, 124,415. oa 
 
 The freight of the faid (lores is computed 
 at - 5o ; oco. oo 
 
 The expence of the frigate lately promifed, 
 agreeably to the eflimate of the Secretary at 
 War, will be - 99>7 2 7* 
 
 The whole expence of fulfilling the treaty 
 according to the eftimate, therefore, is 992,446.25 
 
 From which fum the effedive value of 
 the provifions already made being deducted, 
 as before eftimated, 736*704. 22 
 
 There will remain to be provided, Dols. 255,759.03 
 
 By the laft article of the treaty, the United States are 
 bound to pay an annuity of 12,000 Algerine fequins in 
 maritime iiores ; the coft and freight of the articles requir 
 ed by the dey, for the two firfl years' annuity, will, agree 
 ably to the purveyor's eftiraate, be Dols. 144,246. 63 
 
 From which the appropriations made by 
 the aft of May 6th, 1796, for two years, 
 being deduded, 48,000. oo 
 
 There will remain to be provided on this 
 account the fum of Dols. 96,246. 63 
 
 (Signed) OLIVER WOLCOTT, jun. 
 
 Sccry of the Treafury. 
 
 TREASURY DEPARTMENT, 
 7*71.4, 1797. 
 
 An 
 
HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 99 
 
 An Eflimatc of the probable coil of the articles of 
 the Algerine treaty. 
 
 s. a. 
 
 500 barrels of powder, at ^.15 is 7>5 o 6 
 
 66 tons of lead, at '.40 2,640 o o 
 
 20,030 cannon ball, at ^.276 - 2,760 o o 
 
 5,000 double headed (hot - 590 o o 
 
 200 pieces of canvafs 1,100 o o 
 
 2,000 gun barrels, 2,000 c o 
 
 50 marts, at /\ioo 5>ooo o o 
 
 loo fpars, at ^.40 4,000 o o 
 
 10 cables, and cordage 45 tons, 
 
 at .135 10,575 o o 
 
 300 pine and oak plank, 6 inches 
 
 thick and 50 feet long 9,000 o o 
 
 2,000 barrels tar - 200 o o 
 
 200 pieces of fcantlirag 540 o o 
 
 roo barrels of pitch - 150 o o 
 
 10 cannon, &c. - 500 o o 
 
 .46,655 o o 
 
 Equal to - Dots. 124,413.00 
 
 (Signed) TENCH FRANCIS, 
 
 Purveyor. 
 sgth December, 1796. 
 
 An Eftimate of the fum neceOTary to build and 
 equip a frigate, to carry 36 guns for the dey of 
 Algiers. To which is added an eftimate of na 
 vigating the fame to Algiers* 
 
 Do Is. cts* 
 
 Carpenter's bill for building the hull, 
 launching the fame, together with a 
 complete fet of mails and yards, per 
 ton, dols. 45, is 24,210. oo 
 
ioo HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 
 
 Joiners, frniths, plumbers, boat- 
 builders, carvers, coopers, block-ma 
 kers, fail-makers, riggers and rigging, 
 with thip-chandier's bill, dols. 55, 29,590. oo 
 
 Ship complete, of 538 tons, at ico 
 
 dollars per ton, is 53,800. oo 
 
 Copper fheathing, - 4,118.40 
 
 Cannon, - 8,428. 60 
 
 Copper, pintles and braces, 1,240. oo 
 Powder, fhot, and other military (^0^5,13,551. oo 
 Forty men, including officers, their 
 
 pay and fubfiftence for five months, 8,589. oo 
 
 Contingencies. - 10,000. oo 
 
 Dols. 99,727.00 
 
 (Signed) JAMES M'HENRY. 
 
 WAR-OFFICE, 26 tk Dec. 1796. 
 
 In the execution of the bufmefs with which Baring 
 and Co. have beert entrufted, they have com 
 municated to Mr. Pinckney, from time to time ? 
 every material circumftance whioh has occurred ; 
 but as the prefent pofition is extremely critical 
 and important, they will endeavor to Rate as con- 
 cife a narrative as poflible from the commence 
 ment of the bufinefs, for the confideration and 
 determination of Mr. King.. 
 
 March 7, 1795- The Prefident of the Bank re 
 mit to Baring and Co. 800,000 dollars in certi- 
 tificates of 6 per cent Mock, with orders to fell the 
 fame without caufing a depreffion in the prices, and 
 thus injuring the credit of American funds. The net 
 proceeds, after deducting the ufual cornmiiTions, are 
 to be held Lit the difpofal of CoL David Humphreys ; 
 
 aod 
 
HISTORY &V> t A LC I R S. i<> 1 
 
 sinct we are dire&ed to inform Col. Humphreys of 
 the progrefs we may make, from time to time, in the 
 fales of the (lock, and alfo of the terms upon which 
 remittances can be made to Cadiz or Leghorn. 
 This contains nearly the whole of our orders, or at 
 lea;! the whole of what we conceive to be neceffary 
 for the information of Mr. King, in the preient 
 moment ; the farther letters from America being al- 
 moft wholly anfwers to our numerous letters, and do 
 not contain a fyllable of difapprobation with regard 
 to our conduct, but the reverie. 
 
 March 31. Col. Humphrey writes from Philadel 
 phia, that we would f'miifh h'm with information, 
 afiiilance, &c. directed to him at Lifbon. 
 
 April 28. We wrote very fully to CoL Hum 
 phreys, communicating every information relative 
 -to the probable fale of the (lock, and the various 
 means by which he could execute his comrniffioa 
 through London, Cadiz, Lifbon, and Italy in general. 
 
 May 19. We wrote ftill more fully, in anfwer to 
 his letter of the 31!} March, wherein we offered to 
 anticipate a coniiderable fum, on the value of the 
 ;i3 in our hands, for which there was no demand 
 at the moment. We explained to him the value of 
 the Italian coin, thofe of Spain being well known ; 
 mentioning that it was eafier to procure money at 
 Leghorn, where there was no refhaint, than at Ca 
 diz where dollars were mere plentiful, but the ex 
 portation was exclufively in the bank of St. Charles, 
 from whom it was difficult to obtain permiffion. 
 That we could procure any quantity in London : to 
 which we added the names of our correfpondents at 
 the different places, offering every fcrvice in our 
 power, dlrecl or indirect. 
 
 May 18. Col, Humphreys advifea his arrival nt 
 Gibraltar. 
 
 I 2 July 
 
j-32 HISTOR' 
 
 July 2i We advife Colonel Humphreys that W.G 
 had fold, 300,000 dollars : that we were ready t\ 
 pay 1 00,000 > to his order ; and if he wanted a furJ 
 ther fum, we defired to be informed. 
 
 July 27. Colonel Humphrey direfts us to pay 
 40,000 dollars to Mr. Deas, for Mr.' Andrews, 
 which was immediately complied with, by a credit 
 on Hamburgh, for that value. 
 
 July 30. We inform Colonel Humphreys that 
 having made further progrefs in our fales, we fhould 
 hold the whole of the value of the 800,000 dollars 
 at his difpofal I meaning to furnifh, by anticipation, 
 the value of that part which remained at that time 
 unfold, if the iervice of the United States requi 
 red it. 
 
 November 28. Is the next letter from Colonel 
 Humphreys, and the commencement of our diffi 
 culties ; lie informs us, that he fhould fend the 
 Sophia, for the purpofe of receiving Portugal gold 
 and Sp.Hnih dollars, in London, to the amount of 
 650,000 Spanifh dollars. He further opens credit 
 in favour of Ivleffrs. Dohrrnan, of Lifbon, which 
 from the fearcity of paper at the time was effected 
 to a very trifling amount. 
 
 This letter was followed and confirmed by others 
 from Colonel Humphreys, dated the i6th, 22d, and 
 24th December, of a fimilar tenor, or very nearly fo, 
 and the Arrival of the brig Sophia from Lifbon. 
 
 Although Col. Humphreys has not mentioned to 
 us the reaibns of this proceeding, we may impute it 
 to the advice contained in our letter of the jgth 
 May, and indeed the well known facility with 
 which a iumof that defcription could be procured in 
 London, of Spanifh dollars, having ourfelves never 
 experienced (he leaft difficulty in difappointments 
 for large fums. 
 
 December 
 
H I S TD R Y OF ALGIERS. 103 
 
 December 22. We anfwered thefe letters, advi- 
 fmg Colonel Humphreys of the impoflibility to pro 
 cure Portugal gold, none having been received 
 for many years, Of the extraordinary turn which 
 had appeared with regard to bullion, in confe- 
 quence of the immenfe drains upon this country, for 
 carrying on the war, and which has finally compel 
 led the minifier to abandon his favorite project of a 
 fecond loan to the emperor ; but as the difficulty had 
 only be^un to appear, we hoped that with Tome de 
 lay > we fhould be able to collect the dollars for the 
 purpofe of executing the orders of Col. Hum 
 phreys. 
 
 Jan. 17, 1796. Finding it impoffible to procure 
 gold, and no -filver arriving, we Submitted the 
 whole of the orders and correfpondence to Mr. 
 Pinckney ; when it was determined to purchafe fuch 
 iilver as might arrive ; but, at all events, to detain 
 the Sophia, which could not be wrong, as the weft- 
 rly winds would have prevented her failing. 
 
 In the mean while we wrote to Meffrs. Paiifh and 
 Co. of Hamburgh, to know whether Portugal gold 
 or Spanifh dollars could be obtained in that place. 
 
 January 19, 26 February 2, 12. Are letters 
 we wrote to Colonel Humphreys., wherein we ac 
 quaint him with our profpc&s, from time to time, 
 that Pari'h and Co. gave us reafon to hope for the 
 execution of a part of the order, but that no filver 
 hud arrived in London. 
 
 February 16- Having determined, with the ap 
 probation of Mr. Pinckney, to fend the Sophia to 
 Hamburg, in confequence of the encouragement of 
 Me Mrs. Parijfa and Co. on applying to capt. Cran- 
 don, he obiervt-d that it was contrary to his inftruc- 
 tions, winch were to return to Liibon : And as 
 confldvirable doubts exifted about proceeding to 
 
 Hamburg, 
 
104 HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 
 
 Hamburgh, Mr. Pinckney declined giving a pofi4 
 tive order to captain Crandon, which proved fortu^y 
 nate, as immediately after advice was received from 
 Meffrs. Pariih and Co. that the dollars they had in 
 view had been purchafed. 
 
 On this occation, and under this date, we wrote 
 to Colonel Humphreys, by the brig Sophia, and by 
 the packet, acquainting him with our disappointment 
 in toto ; which we accompanied, at the intimation of 
 Mr. O Brien, with letters of credit on Madrid and 
 Cadiz ; and, in order to nnifh this part of the fub- 
 je6l, as a justification for permitting the Sophia tore- 
 turn, we mould obferve, that if (lie had been dctam- 
 taineJ for fix months, we could not have procured 
 one half of the quantity of Spanifh dollars re 
 quired. 
 
 March i. We advifed Colonel Humphreys that; 
 we had received a large fum in bills, drawn from 
 Leghorn, on the Britifh government ; being for mo 
 ney lent to Algiers, and which i .p. eared afterwards 
 to be for the releafe of the Co rile an prifoners* 
 
 March 21, 29. Are anfwers to letters from 
 CoL Humphreys, relative to our accounts, chiefly 
 dated the 2/th February, and gth March, which 
 we do not notice, concluding that he was fatisfied, 
 as nothing appears in reply to us ; but as there-was 
 reafon to fear the buiinefs could not be executed 
 in Spain, the government there refufing a licence, 
 notwithftanding the endeavors of Meffrs* Joyes 
 and Sons, aided by the American miniUer or refi- 
 dent. 
 
 April I, We wrote to Meffrs. Fonnereau, of 
 Leghorn, not only to open the neceflary credit, 
 but to explain to them, in a full and confidential 
 manner, the nature and extent or our preceding 
 difppointrnents ; requeuing. (with the approbation of 
 
 Mr. , 
 
HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 105 
 
 * Fr. Pinckney and Col. Humphreys) that they 
 would convey to Algiers fuch information as mould 
 fatisfy the dey, that the delay in paying the money 
 did not arife from the want of funds, credit, or en 
 deavours on (he part of the United States, but muft 
 be folely attributed to the political convulfions in 
 Europe, which had annihilated the ufual channels 
 or modes of procuring the coin for the purpofe. 
 
 It is unneceffary to quote dates of letters, as there 
 appears but one opinion on the fubje6t, namely, 
 " that the bufmefs mud finally be done at Leghorn, 
 and both Mr. Pinckney and Col. Humphreys re- 
 cornrnend mod earneflly that the information al 
 luded to fliould be conveyed to Algiers. 
 
 April 19. Fonnereau anfwer our letter of the ift, 
 promifing to follow the orders of Col. Humphreys, 
 
 and that would communicate to Algiers every 
 
 thing we had defired. 
 
 June 17. Fonnereau advife the delivery to them, 
 on that day, of the orders from Col. Humphreys, 
 to pay to the order of Mr. Donald fon, 400,000 
 Spanilh milled dollars, which they acquaint him 
 (hall be immediately complied. 
 
 June iq. Mr. Donaldfon acquaints Meflrs. Fon 
 nereau, that he fhould accept the furn ; and on a 
 
 meeting between them and , the price of the 
 
 dollars, with that of Agio, was fettled to the fatis- 
 faction of 
 
 June 20, 24. Fonnereau drew for what money 
 they could procure, and on the I4th write, " en- 
 clofed you have Mr. Donaldfon's receipt for dols. 
 140,000, paid to him by order of Col. Humphreys: 
 This bufiaefs might have been completely finiihed 
 by our giving to Mr. Donaldfon bills on you, or 
 on Hamburg, for the remaining 260,000 dollars, 
 
 which offered to negociate for hrm, and to 
 
 give 
 
106 HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 
 
 give him a receipt for the whole 400,000 dollark 
 which he engaged to (hip to Algiers ; but a certain 
 diffidence on his fide, would not permit him to fign\ 
 receipts to us, for more than he had abfolutely re 
 ceived in cafh." 
 
 June 27. The French entered Leghorn, and 
 Fonnereau embarked on board an Englim frigate. 
 
 July 15. Mr. Donaldfon draws on us for the fum 
 
 of dollars 10,000 ; under the fame dates 
 
 enquires about Mr. Donaldfon's credit on us, and 
 whether we have orders for more than dols. 400,000. 
 
 This queition leads to a (late of the account, with 
 an eftimate of the effe&s in our hands. On the 
 original fum fent to us, we have only fold 560 m. 
 dollars, the price having fallen at one time fo low- 
 as 82, and believing that government would feel 
 reludtant to fell under 90, we had determined to 
 anticipate on the value of the remainder, waiting 
 for our reimburfement in the due time. 
 
 / 
 
 The 560 dollars above, have procured 111,033 
 Some part was fold above go per cent, 
 and none below that price, which leaves 
 fcarce 3/11 1-2 per dollar. 
 
 The prefent price is 86, with little de 
 mand ; fuppofe the remaining 249 in. 
 dollars produce 3/9 per dollar, the amount 
 will be 45,000 
 
 Total amount of fales and effefts, '56,053 
 
 The great defalcation ih the nominal dollars, 
 arifes from the remittances being made in funds 
 which fell at 10 per cent, under par, and the pay 
 ments being made in foreign money, at a rate very 
 much above par, that at Leghorn in particular 
 
 has 
 
HISTORY OF ALGIERS, 107 
 
 fcas advanced 16, 18 per cent, above what it was 
 
 uot a long time fince* 
 
 Our payments are as follow : . 
 
 Credit on Hamburg, dollars 40 m. 9,002 
 
 Drafts cf Dob r man, 50 ooo 
 
 Remittances to Col- Humphreys, 3*cfi 
 
 His draft 1 2th December, 455 
 
 Paid O'Brien, 31 
 Paid fundry perfons for the dividends on 
 
 (lock fold, 2,497 
 Dollars 140 m. paid by Mr. Donaldfon, 
 
 we calculate pirce 4/10 55-100 each, 34,110 
 
 99,118 
 
 Suppofe the remaining dollars 260 m. 
 which includes Mr. Donaldfon's drafts, 
 calculated at the fame rate, the amount 
 will be, at f. 65,000 
 
 Total amount of payments, 164,118 
 
 Ditto of fales and effects, J 5^'^53 
 
 The fum of /. 2,497 P a ^ for us by dividends, 
 will be received again by us from America, and 
 of courfe, appear ultimately to the credit of the 
 United States. 
 
 Under all the circumftances which have been Ha 
 ted, it is fubmitted to Mr. King, whai ought to be 
 done in the prefent moment? 
 
 Mr* Fonnereau fays, that reliance may be had 
 on -having conveyed to Algiers the informati 
 on requeued ,* and moreover, that it will be tho 
 roughly fatisf&lory at that place. 
 
 In the prefent fituation of Leghorn there is in fat 
 no exchange; and the drafts of Mr. Donaidfon mud 
 be negociated elfewhere The Italians, moreover, 
 
 know, 
 
\ 
 
 .A 1 
 
 108 HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 
 
 know, that bills drawn from Leghorn fubfequcnt t' 
 the entry of the French, cannot be paid in Londor! 
 without a licenfe, &c. 
 
 Baring and Co. can have no difficulty with regard 
 to theoifelves ; they are directed to hold the pro 
 ceeds, or value (which they conceive to be equally 
 the intention of the United States) at the difpofal of 
 Colonel Humphreys, who directs them to pay 
 40,000 dollars to the order of Mr. Donaldfon, 
 which will be punctually complied -with, to the ex 
 tent of fales, and value of what remains, under a 
 proper licenie : But that zeal which has induced them 
 to follow this bufinefs into foreign parts, without 
 any other motive for their fo doing, induces them to 
 fubmit the difficulties which occur with regard to the 
 a&ual pofuion of Leghorn, a doubt whether the 
 bufinefs can be executed from thence, at prefent, 
 and ftill more, the defalcations which muiVarife, 
 refpe6ting the funds, to the confederation of Mr. 
 King, for his better judgment, and which, they 
 truft, will ferve as an apology for the detail with 
 which they now trouble him. 
 156,053 Sales and fuppofed value, 
 2,497 Divtdcj&ds- 
 
 158,550 
 
 5,568 Deficient, fuppofing Mr. Donaidfon 
 can negociate the remaining dollars, 
 260 m. at fj/i thofe of Mr. Fonhercau 
 having coil 4/1 o 55-100. 
 
 164,1 18 
 
 Auguf!, 1796. 
 
 An 
 
HISTORY. OF ALGIERS. 109 
 
 An eftimate of the probable coR and freight of the 
 maritime {lores neceffary for paying the flrft 
 and fecond years' annuities to the Dey and Re 
 gency of Algiers. 
 
 jooo barrels powder, - ^.15,000 oo o 
 
 2000 pine and oak plankc, 6,000 oo o 
 
 3000 pine boards, 4>5 
 
 2000 pipe ftaves, 50 oo o 
 
 100 dozen long far brufnes, - 100 co o 
 
 34 cables, 80 tons, io. 5 8oo cp o 
 
 10 coils white rope, ii,2colb. 500 oo o 
 
 5 tons yarn, - 975 oo o 
 
 100 bolts of canvafs, 550 oo o 
 
 3 tons lead, - 120 oo o 
 
 55 tons i'pikes, ~ 3>597 I0 
 
 2000 bomb fhells, 650 co o 
 
 ..42,842 10 o 
 
 Equal to I)oh* 114,246. 63 
 To tranfport the above to Algiers, 
 fuppofe 30,000. oo 
 
 Dots. 144,246. 63 
 
 TENCH FRANCIS, 
 
 Purveyor* 
 December, 1796. 
 
 Thefe are all the official eftimates and correfpbn- 
 dencies that have as yet tranfpired in the Algerine 
 biifincfs. But thefe enormous expenditures are not 
 the fole lofs that has been fuftained by the Ameri 
 cans. They have incurred the additional expence 
 of equipping a number of veflels, in conformity to 
 K an 
 
no HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 
 
 enneV 
 fe, or 1 
 
 an a6l of Congrefs paffed foon after the Algcrine 
 captures, empowering the Prefident to purcbafe 
 caufe a number of veffels to be built, for the pro- 
 telion of the commerce of the United States againfl 
 the Algerines. Another item to be included in 
 the account is the lofs of the eleven fail of Ameri 
 can veffels, and. their cargoes, the moft of them very 
 valuable. The dey fold feveral of thefe veffels 
 for a considerable price to the Swedifh conful in 
 Algiers, who now employs them in the Levant 
 trade. The value of thefe veffels and their cargoes, 
 with many contingent expences that have never 
 been included, will amount to at leaft 180,000 dol 
 lars, which, added to the fum total, as ftated by the 
 Secretary of the Treafury, will amount to the fum 
 of 1,172,446 dollars and 25 cents, the whole lofs 
 that the people of the United- States have fuftained 
 by the piratical aggreffions of this mifcreant nation* 
 
 CHAP. 
 
HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 
 
 CHAP. V. 
 
 Tfce Algerinc and frifolitan treaties. 
 
 A TREATY OF PEACE AND AMITY CONCLUDED SEP 
 TEMBER 5, 1795, BETWEEN HASSAN BASHAW, 
 DEY OF ALGIERS, HIS DIVAN. AND SUBJECTS ,* 
 AND GEORGE WASHINGTON, PRESIDENT OF THE 
 UNITED STATES OF NORTH AMERICA, AND THE 
 CITIZENS OF THE SAID UNITED STATES! WITH 
 
 THE PRESIDENT'S PROCLAMATION, ANNOUNC 
 ING ITS RATIFICATION. 
 
 GEORGE WASHINGTON, 
 
 PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 
 
 To all to whom thefe prefents Jliall come,* 
 Greeting : 
 
 WHEREAS a Treaty of Peace and Amity 
 has been concluded in the manner herein 
 after mentioned, by the Plenipotentiary of the 
 United States of America, and the Dey and Regen 
 cy of Algiers; which Treaty, written in the Ara 
 bic language, being tranfiated into the language of 
 the United States, is in the words following, to wit : 
 " A Treaty of Peace and Amity concluded this 
 prefent Day lima artaft, the twenty-firft of the 
 Luna fafer year of the Hegira 1210* correfpori- 
 ding with Saturday the fifth of September, one 
 thoufand feven hundred and ninety-five, between 
 HASSAN BASHAW, Dey of Algiers, his Divan and 
 fubjgfts, and GEORGE WASHINGTON, Preficlent 
 
 of 
 
2i2 HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 
 
 i 
 
 ef the Unite] States of North America, and 
 
 citizens of the faid United States. 
 
 ARTICLE ift. From the date of the prefent trea 
 ty, tlxere [hall fubfirt a firm and fincere peace and 
 amity between' the PRESIDENT and citizens of the 
 United States of North America, and HASSAN BA- 
 SHAsW, Dey of Algiers, his Divan and fubjedls ; 
 the veils Is and fubje&s of both nations reciprocally 
 treating each other with civility, honor and refpecl. 
 
 ARTICLE the ad. All vefleis belonging to the 
 citizens of the United States of North America, 
 {hali be permitted to enter the different ports of the 
 Regency, to trade with our fubjed^s, or any other 
 perfons reading within our jurifdicTion, on paying 
 the ufual duties at our cuilom houfe that are paid by 
 all nations at peace with, this Regency ; obferving 
 that all goods difembarked and not fold here lliall 
 be permitted to be reimbarked without paying any 
 duty whatever, either for difembarking or embar 
 king. All naval and military {lores, fuch as gun 
 powder, lead, iron, plank, fulphur, timber for build 
 ing, tar, pitch, rofin, turpentine, and any other goods 
 denominated naval and military (lores, (hall be per 
 mitted to be fold in this Regency, without paying any 
 duties whatever at the cuflom houfeofthis Regency. 
 
 ARTICLE 3d. The vefleis of both nations (hall 
 pafs each other without any impediment or molefta- 
 tion ; and all goods, monies or paflengers, of what- 
 foever nation, that may be on board of the vefleis 
 belonging to either party (hall be confidered as in 
 violable, and mall be allowed to pafs unmolefled. 
 
 ARTICLE 4th. All (hips of war belonging tc 
 this Regency, on meeting with merchant vefleis be 
 longing to citizens of the United States, fhall be al 
 lowed to vifit them with two -perfons only befide 
 the rowers ; thefe two only permitted to go on 
 
 board 
 
HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 113 
 
 "board faid veflel, without obtaining exprefs leave 
 from the commander of (aid veffel, who (hall com 
 pare the paffport, and immediately permit faid vef- 
 fel to prsceed on her voyage unmolefted. All fliips 
 of war belonging to the United States of North 
 America, on meeting with an Algerine cruifer, and 
 fhali have feea her paHport and certificate from the 
 Conful of the United States of North America, re- 
 (ident in this Regency, (ball be permitted to pro 
 ceed on her cruii'e unmoiefted : no paflport to be if- 
 fued to any mips but fuch as are abfolutely the pro- 
 p -rty of citizens of the United States : and eighteen 
 months (hall be the term allowed for furniming the 
 fhips of the United States with paflports. 
 
 ARTICLE 5th* No commander of any cruifer 
 belonging to this regency, (hall be allowed to take 
 "any peribi, of whatever nation or denomination, 
 out of any veffel belonging to the United States of 
 North America, in order ta examine them, or un 
 der pretence of making them confeis any thing^dc- 
 fired ,* neither (lull they infill any corporal puniih- 
 ment, or any way elfe rnoieft them. 
 
 ARTICLE 6<h. If any veffel belonging to the 
 United States of North America, fhali be ftrandecl * 
 on the coaft of this Regency, they fliall receive 
 every pollible affiftance from the fuhjeiis of this 
 Regency : ail goods laved from the wreck (hall be 
 permitted to be reimb irked on board of any other 
 veilel, without paying any duties at the cullorn 
 houfe. 
 
 ARTICLE yth. The Algerines are not, on any 
 pretence \vhitever, to give or fell any veffL'l of war 
 to aay nation at war with the United States of 
 North Anierica,or any veffei capable of cruifing to 
 tli-j detriin-jat of the commerce of the United States. 
 
 ARTICLE 
 K 2 
 
ii4 HISTORY OF ALGIERS, 
 
 ARTICLE the 8th. Any citizen of the Unitel 
 States of North America, having bought any prize^ 
 condemned hy the Algerines, (hail not be again 
 captured by the cruifers of the Regency then at fea, 
 although they have not a paflport ; a certificate 
 from the Conful refident being deemed iufficient, 
 until fuch time they can procure fuch pjfifport. 
 
 ARTICLE the gth. If any of the Barbary ftate.3 
 ?.t war with the United Slates of North America, 
 fhall capture any American veffsl and bring her in 
 to any of the ports of this Regency, they (hail not be 
 permitted to foil her, but' (hall depart the port on 
 procuring the rcquitite fup plies of provifion. 
 
 ARTICLE the loth. Any veflcl belonging to the 
 United States of North America, when at war with 
 any other nation, (hall be permitted to fend their 
 prizes into the ports of the Regency, have leave (o 
 difpofe of them, without paying any duties on 
 thereof. All velTels wanting provifions or re> 
 m?ms, (hail be permitted to buy them at market 
 piice. 
 
 AKTICLK the nth. All lliips of war belonging 
 to the United States of North America, on anchor- 
 ins: in the ports of the Regency, fhall icceivc the 
 imul prefentsof provifions and refrcfhmcnts, gratis. 
 Should any of the fiaves of this Regency make their 
 clcapc on board faid veiTels, theylliall be immedi 
 ately returned : No excufe (hall be made that they 
 have hid thernfelyes amongft the people and can 
 not be found, or any other equivocation. 
 
 ARTICLE the 12th. No citizen of the United 
 States of North America, fhall be obliged to re 
 deem any {lave againft his will, even ihould he be 
 his brother : neither fliall the owner of a Have be 
 forced to fell him againft h's will : but all fuch 
 agreements rnufl: be made by cor.fent of parties. 
 
 Should 
 
HISTORY OF ALGIERS. nj 
 
 culd any American citizen be taken on board an 
 enemy-fhip, by the cruifers of this Regency, ha 
 ving a regular parTport, fpecifying they are citi 
 zens of the United States, they fhail be immediate 
 ly let at liberty. On the contrary, they having 
 no paffport, they and their property fhall be con- 
 fidsred lawful prize ; as this Regency know their 
 friends by their padpoits. 
 
 ARTICLE the 13*!]. Should any of the citizens 
 of the United States of North America die within 
 the limits of this Regency, the Dey and his fub- 
 jets fhall not interfere with the property of the de- 
 
 afecl ; but it fhall be under the immediate direc 
 tion of the conful ; unlefs otherwife difpofcd of by 
 will. Should there be no ccniul, the eiiecls fhall 
 be depofited in the hands cf fome perfon worthy of 
 trull, until the party fhail appear who has a right 
 to demand them ; when they ilall render an ac 
 count of the property. Neither fhaii the Dey or 
 Divan give hindrance in the execution of any will 
 that may appear. 
 
 ARTICLE the I4th. No citizen cf the United 
 States of North America, (hall be obliged to pur- 
 chafe any goods asrainft his will; but on the con 
 trary, (hall be allowed to purchafe whatever it 
 pleafeth him. The conful of the United States of 
 North America, or any other citizen, fhali not be 
 amenable for debts contracted by any one of their 
 own nation ; unlefs previouily they have given a 
 written obligation fo to do. Should the Dey want 
 to freight any American veilel that may be in the 
 Regency, orTuikey, faid veflel not being engaged ; 
 in confequence of the friendfhip fubfifHng between 
 the two nations, he experts to have the preference 
 given him, on his paying the fame freight offered 
 by any other nation, 
 
 ARTICLE 
 
Jits at la*, 
 of the ReVJ 
 l s of Norths 
 
 n6 HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 
 
 ARTICLE the I5th. Any difputesor fuits ; 
 that may take place between the fuhjecls of 
 gency and the citizens of the United States of 
 America, iliall be decided by theDey in perfon,and 
 no o-ther. Any deputes that may arife between 
 the citizens of the United States, fhali be decided 
 by the confui ; as they are in fueh cafes not fubjcct 
 to the laws of this Regency. 
 
 ARTICLE the }6th. Should any citizen of the 
 United States of North America, kill, wound, or 
 flrike a fubjeft of this Regency, he (ball be pu- 
 nifhed in the fame manner as a Turk, and not with 
 more fe verity. Should any citizen of the United 
 States of North America, in the above predicament, 
 efcape prifor,, the coniul fhail not become an- 
 fwerable for him. 
 
 ARTICLE the lyth. The Confui of the United 
 States of North America, iliall have every perfonal 
 fecurity given him and his houfeholcl : he fhali 
 have liberty to exercife his religion in his own 
 houfe. Ail flives of the fame religion (hall not be 
 impeded in going to faid Coniul's houfe, -at hours of 
 prayer. The Conful fhali have liberty and perfonal 
 fecurity <*iven him to travel whenever he pleafes, 
 within the Regency : he (hall have free licence to 
 go on board any veffel Iving in our roads, when 
 ever he fhali think fit. The Confui (hall have leave 
 to appoint his own Drogaman and Broker. 
 
 ARTICLE the j8th. Should a war break out be 
 tween the two nations, the Conful of tha United 
 States of North America, and all citizens, of 
 North America, and all citizens of faid States, (lull 
 have leave to embark themfelves and property un- 
 roolefted, on board of what veflel or vefiels they 
 fhali think proper, 
 
 ARTICLE he igth. Should the cruifers of Al 
 giers capture any veffel, having citizens of the 
 
 United 
 
HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 117 
 
 United States of North America on board, they 
 having papers to prove they are really fo, they and 
 their property fhall be immediately difcharged. 
 And fhould the voxels of the United States capture 
 any veffels of nations at war vviih them, having 
 fubjecls of this Regency en board, they lhall be 
 treated in like manner. 
 
 ARTICLE the 2Oth. On a vefTel of war belong 
 ing to the United States of North America anchor 
 ing in our ports^ the Conful is to inform the Dey of 
 her arrival ; and Ihe fhall be faluted with twenty- 
 one guns ; which (he is to return in the fame quan 
 tity or number. And the Dey will fend freih pro- 
 vifions on board, as is ,cuftomary, gratis. 
 
 ARTICLE the 2ifh The Conful of the United 
 States of North America, fhall not be required to 
 pay duty for any thing he brings from a foreign 
 country for the ufe of his houfc and family. 
 
 ARTICLE the 22d. Should any difturbance take 
 place between the citizens of the United States and 
 the fubje&s of this Regency, or break any article 
 of this treaty, war (hall not be declared immedi 
 ately ; but every thing fhall be fearched into regu 
 larly the party injured fhail be made reparation. 
 
 On the 2i.ft of the Luna of Safer, 1210, corref- 
 ponding with the 5th- September 1795, JOSEPH 
 DONALDSON^ jun. on the part of the United States 
 cf North America, agreed with HASSAN BASHAW, 
 Dey of Algiers, to keep the articles contained in 
 this treaty facred and inviolable ; which we the Dey 
 and Divan prpmife to obferve, on confideration of 
 the United States paying annually the value of 
 twelve thoufand Algerine fequins in maritime ftores. 
 Should the United States forward a larger quantity, 
 the overplus fhall be paid for in money, by the Dey 
 and Regency. Any veffel that may be captured 
 
 from 
 
nS HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 
 
 from the date of this treaty of peace and a 
 fhall immediately be delivered up on her arrival 
 Algiers. - V 
 
 VIZIR HASSAN BASHAW, 
 JOSEPH DONALDSON, junr. 
 
 To all to whom thefe prefenfs Jliall corns, or he 
 made, known, 
 
 WHEREAS the underwritten David Humphreys, 
 hath been duly appointed Comaiidicner Plenipo 
 tentiary by letters patent under the fignature of the 
 Prefident and leal of the United States of Ame 
 rica, dated the 3Oth of March 1795, for negoci- 
 ating and concluding a treaty of peace with the 
 Dey and Governors of Algiers ; .whereas by inftruc- 
 tions given to him on the part of the Executive, 
 d^tcd the 28th of March and 4th of April 1795 ; he 
 hath been further authorifed to employ Jofeph 
 Donaldfon, junior, on an agency in the faid buli- 
 nefs ; whereas by a writing under his hand and 
 fcal, dated the 2 ill of May"i7Q5, he did conftitute 
 and appoint Jofeph Donaldfon, junior, agent in the 
 bufinefs aforefaid ; and the faid Jofeph Donaldfon, 
 junior, did on the 5th of September 1795, agree 
 with Hailan Bafhaw, Dey of Algiers, to keep the 
 articles of the preceding treaty facred and invio 
 lable : 
 
 Now, know ye, That I David Humphreys, Com- 
 rniflioner Plenipotentiary aforefaid, do approve and 
 conclude the laid treaty, and every article and 
 cl'aufe therein contained ; refer ving the fame never- 
 thelefs for the final ratification of the Prcfident of 
 the United States of America, by and with the 
 
 advice 
 
HISTORY OF ALGIERS. ,19 
 
 advice and confent of the Senate of the fdid United 
 States. 
 
 In teftimony whereof, I have figned 
 the fame with my hand and feal, 
 (Seal) at the city of Lifbon, this 28th 
 
 of November 1795. 
 
 DAVID HUMPHREYS. 
 
 Now le. it known, That I GEORGE WASHING 
 TON, Prefident of the United States of America, 
 having ieen and ccnfidered.the faid treaty, do, by 
 and with the advice and confent of the Senate, ac 
 cept, ratify, and confirm the fame, and every 
 ciaufe and article thereof. And to the end that the 
 laid treaty may be obferved and performed with 
 good faith on the part of the United States, I have 
 ordered the preraifes to be made public; and I do 
 hereby enjoin and require all pcrfons bearing of 
 fice civil or military within the United States, and 
 all other citizens or inhabitants thereof, faithfully 
 to obferve and fulfil the faid treaty, and every ar 
 ticle and ciaufe thereof. 
 
 In teflimony whereof, I have caufed the feal of the 
 United States of America to be affixed to thefe pre- 
 fcnts, and figned the fame with rny hand. 
 
 Done at the city of Philadelphia, the 
 feventh day of March, one thcu- 
 (Seal) fand feven hundred and ninety- 
 
 fix, and of the Independence of 
 the United States of America, the 
 twentieth. 
 
 G*. WASHINGTON. 
 By tht Prtfidtnt. 
 
 TIMOTHY PICKERING, 
 Sec'ry of State* 
 
 A TREA- 
 
120 HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 
 
 A TREATY OF PEACE AND AMITY CONCLUDED, NO\ 
 VEMBER4, 1796, BETWEEN THE UNITED STATESV 
 OF AMERICA AND THE BEY AND SUBJECTS OF 1 
 TRIPOLI OF BARBARY, WITH THE PRESIDENT^ 1 
 PROCLAMATION, ANNOUNCING ITS RATIFICA 
 TION* 
 
 JOHN 4 DAMS, 
 
 PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 
 
 To all to whom thefe prefents Jhall come, 
 Greeting : 
 
 WHEREAS a Treaty of Peace and Friendflbip 
 has been concluded in the manner herein after men 
 tioned, by the Plenipotentiary of the United States 
 of America and the Bey and fubje&s of Tripoli of 
 Barbary; which treaty ^written in the Arabic lan 
 guage, being tranflated into the language of the U- 
 nited States, is in the words following to wit : 
 
 TREATY OF PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP Between, 
 the United States of America and the Bey and Sub- 
 jecls of Tripoli of Barbary. 
 
 ARTICLE ift. There is a firm and perpetual 
 peace and friendfhip between the United States of 
 America, and the bey and fubjecls of Tripoli of 
 Barbary, made by the free confent of - both parties, 
 and guaranteed by the Mod Potent Dey and Regen 
 cy of Algiers. 
 
 ARTICLE 2d. If any goods belonging to any 
 nation with which either of the parties is at war, 
 (hall be loaded on board of veflels belonging to 
 the other party, they (hall pafs free, and no attempt 
 lhall be made to take or detain them. 
 
 ARTICLE 3. If any citizen, fubje&s or efTecls be 
 longing to either party (hall be found on board a 
 
 prize 
 
HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 121 
 
 ynize veffel taken from an enemy by the other party, 
 inch citizens or fubjecls fhali be let at liberty, and 
 the effects reflored to the owners. 
 
 ARTICLE 4. Proper paffports are to be given to 
 all veflels of both parties, by which they are to be 
 known. And confidering the diilance between the 
 two countries, eighteen months from the date of 
 this treaty ihall be allowed for procuring fuch paff- 
 ports. During this interval the other papers be 
 longing to fuch veflels ihall be fufhcient for their 
 /protection. 
 
 ARTICLE 5th. A citizen or fubjecl of either par 
 ty having bought a prize condemned by the party, 
 or by any other nation, the certificate of ccftdem- 
 liation, and bill of fale, ihall be a fufficient paff- 
 port for fuch veffel for ne year : this being a 
 reafonable time for her to procure a proper paff- 
 port. 
 
 ARTICLE 6. Veflels of either party putting in 
 to the ports of the other, ar.d having need of pro- 
 vi iions or other fupplic?, they fhali be furijlfi cc ;.t 
 the market price. And if any fuch veffel fl'ail 
 fo put in from a difafter at fea, and have ecoaiion 
 to repair, ilie ft.all be at liberty to land and reim- 
 bark her cargo, without paying any duties. But 
 in no cafe ihail fhe be compelled to land her cat- 
 go. 
 
 ARTICLE 7. Should a veffel of either party be 
 
 caft on the (bore of the other, all proper affifiance 
 
 ihall e given to her and her people ; no pillage 
 
 fhallbe allowed, the property fball ren ain at the 
 
 difpofiticn of the owners, and the crew piotecled 
 
 and fuccoured till they can be fent to their country. 
 
 ARTICLE 8. If a veffel of cither parly flould be 
 
 attacked by an enemy within gun-fhct of the forts 
 
 of the other, ihe (l.all Le defended as much as po- 
 
 L fible. 
 
122 HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 
 
 fi'jle. If fhe be In port (lie (hall not be feized o\ 
 attacked when it is in the power of the other partA 
 to protect her ; and when {he proceeds to fca no\ 
 enemy (hall be allowed to purfue her from the 
 fame port within twenty-four hours after her de 
 parture. 
 
 ARTICLE 9. The commerce between the Unit 
 ed States and Tripoli the protection to be given 
 to mci chants, rnarters of veflels, and feamen the 
 reciprocal right of eftabliihing Confuls in each coun 
 try, and the privileges, immunities and jurifdi&ions 
 to be enjoyed by fuch Confuls, are declared to be 
 on the fame footing with thofc of the rnoft favored 
 nations refpetrvely 
 
 ARTICLE loth. The money and prefects demand 
 ed by the Bey of Tripoli, as a full and fatisfa&cry 
 coniideration on his part, and on the part or" hisfub- 
 icCts, for this treaty of perpetual peace and friend- 
 ihip, are acknowledged to have been received by 
 him previous to his figning the fame, according to 
 a receipt which is hereto annexed, except fuch part 
 as is pro mi fed on the part of the United States to be 
 delivered and paid by them on the arrival ''of their 
 Conful in Tripoli, of which part a note is likewife 
 hereto annexed. And no pretence of any periodi 
 cal tribute or further payment is ever to be made by 
 cither party. 
 
 ARTICLE nth. As the government of the li 
 nked States of America is not in any fenfc founded 
 on the Chriftian religion, as ^t has in itfelf no cha- 
 raclcr of enmity againft the laws,, religion or tran- 
 quility of Nluffelmer:^ and as the faid fhtes have ne 
 ver entered into any war or a6l of hoftilify againft 
 any Mahdmedsn nation, it is declared by the par- 
 tlesj that no pretext aiifing from religious opinions 
 
 ilia 11 
 
HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 125 
 
 jrull ever produce an interruption of the harmony 
 exifting between the two countries. 
 
 AaricLa I2th. In cafe of any difpute arifing 
 fro-11 a violation of any of the articles of this treaty 
 no appeal (hill be made to arms, nor fhall war be 
 declared on any pretext whatever* Bat if the Con- 
 ful refidingat the place where the difpute fhall hap 
 pen, fhall not be able to fettle the fame, an amica 
 ble reference (hall be made to the mutual friend of 
 the parties, the Dey of Algeirs, the parties hereby 
 engaging to abide by his decifion. And he, by 
 virtue of his fignature to this treaty, engages for 
 himfelf and his fucceffors, to declare the juillce of 
 the cafe according to the true interpretation of the 
 treaty, and to ufe all the means in his power to en 
 force the obfervance of the fame- 
 
 Signed and Scaled at Tripoli of Barbary, the 3d 
 day of Jurnad, in the year of the Hegira 1211, 
 correfponding with the 4th day of November 
 1790 by 
 
 (L. s.) JUSSUF BASHAW MAHOMET, Bey* 
 (L. s.) MAMET, Treafurer. 
 (L. s.) AMET, Minifter of Marine. 
 (L. s,) AMET, Chamberlain. 
 (L. s.) ALLY, Chief of the Divan. 
 (L. s.) SOLIMAN KAYA, 
 (L. s.) GALIL, General of the Troons. 
 (L. s.) MAHOMET, Cmdt. cf the City. 
 (L. 3.) MAMET, Secretary. 
 
 Signed and Sealed at Algiers, the 4th day of 
 Argil, 12 11, corresponding with the 3d day of Ja 
 nuary 1797, by 
 
 (L. s.) HASSAN BASHAW, Dey. 
 
 And by the Agent Plenipotentiary of the United 
 States of America. 
 
 (L. s,) JOEL BARLOW. 
 
 I Joel 
 
J24 HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 
 
 1 Joel Barlow, Agent and Conful General of th\ 
 United States of America, for the City and KingA 
 dom of Algiers, certify and atteft that the foregoing 
 is a true copy of the treaty, concluded between the 
 United States, and the Bey and Subje&sof Tripoli 
 of Barbary, of which the original is to be tranftr.it- 
 ted by me to the Minitier of the laid United States, 
 in Liibon. 
 
 In tefiimony whereof, I fign thefe pre- 
 fents with rny hand, affix thereto the feai 
 (L. s.) of the Confulateof the United States at 
 Algiers, this 4th of January 1797. 
 JOEL BARLOW. 
 
 To all to whom thefe prefents fliall comz or be mads 
 
 known : 
 
 Whereas the under written David Humphreys, 
 hath been duly appointed Commifiioner Plenipo 
 tentiary, by Letters Patent under the fignature of 
 the Prefiient and feal of the United States of Ame 
 rica, dated the 30111 of March 1795, for negoci- 
 atinnj ami concluding a Treaty of Peace with the 
 MoR Illuftrious, The Bafhaw, Lords and' Gover 
 nors of the City and Kingdom of Tripoli : Where 
 as by a writing under his hand and feal, dated the 
 ipth of February 1796, he did (in conformity to 
 the authority committed me therefore) con dilute and 
 appDint Joel Barlow, and Jofeph Donald fon, junior, 
 agents, jointly and fep irately, in the bufinefs afore- 
 faid : Whereas the annexe 3 Treaty of Peace and 
 friend ;hip, was agreed upon, figned and fealccl at 
 Tripsli of Barbary on the 4th of November I7~5, 
 in virtue of th; p:yver aforefii'.l, and guaranteed 
 by the VI 3 ft Potent Dey and R^.^ency of Algiers; 
 and whereas the fame was certified at Algiers on 
 th2 3-1 day of January 1797, with the fignature 
 
 and 
 
HISTORY OF ALGIERS, i. 2s 
 
 and feal of Haffan Baftiaw, Dey, and of Joel Ear- 
 low, one of the agents aforefaid 
 
 Now know ye, That I David Humphreys com- 
 miffioner plenipotentiary aforefaid, do approve and 
 conclude the faid treaty, and every article- and 
 claufe therein contained, referving the fame never- 
 thelefs for the final ratification of the Prefident of 
 the United States of America, by and with the ad 
 vice and content of the Senate of the faid United 
 States* 
 
 In teftimony whereof, I have figned the fame 
 with my name and feal, at the city of Lif- 
 bon this loth of February, 1797. 
 
 (L. s.) DAVID HUMPHREYS." 
 
 Now be it known, That T John Adams, Prefident 
 of the United States of America, having feen and 
 confidered the faid Treaty, do ? by and with the ad* 
 viceand confent of the Senate, accept, ratify, and con 
 firm the fame, and every ehufe and article thereof. 
 And to the end that the laid Treaty may be obfer- 
 ved and performed with good faith on the part of the 
 United States, 1 have ordered the premifes to be 
 made public ; ami 1 do hereby enjoin and require 
 all perfons bearing office, civil or military, within 
 the United States, and all other citizens or inhabi 
 tants thereof faithfully to obferve and fulfil the faid 
 Treaty and every claufe and article thereof. 
 
 In teftimony whereof, I have caufed the Seal 
 of the United States of America to be affix 
 ed to thefe Prefents, and figned the fame 
 (L. S.) with my hand. Done at the City of Phila 
 delphia, the Tenth day of June, 'one Thou- 
 L 2 fand 
 
*6 HISTORY OF ALGIERS. 
 
 fand fcven Hundred and Ninety-feven, and 
 of the Independence of the United Stated 
 the Twcnty-firtt. 
 
 JOHN ADAMS. 
 By the PryjMcnt. 
 
 TIMOTHY PICKERING* 
 Scc'ry of State* 
 
 OF TEE HISTORY* 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS ; 
 
 COMPREHENDING 
 
 AN AMPLE ACCOUNT 
 
 OP ITS 
 
 TERRITORY AND INHABITANTS. 
 
DESCRIPTION, c.. 
 
 C II A P. I. 
 
 Ifs stl-uifiw ; rivers > foil) climate, arid productions ; ani 
 mals , antiquities and curiofities ; inhabit ant :> citfloms 
 and manners ; drefs> language^ corf airs and commerce; 
 re-ve./zxes, government) pun foments and religion* 
 
 THE kingdom of Algiers is fituated betiveea 
 32 and 37 degrees f north latitude, which 
 correfponds to that of the United States from near 
 the fouthern boundary of Virginia to near the river 
 Savannah in Georgia, and between 76 and 84 de 
 grees 20 minutes call longitude from Philadelphia. 
 It extends 480 miles in length from eaft to weft 
 along the northern coaft of Africa, and 320 miles 
 in breadth from north to fouth. It is bounded by 
 the Mediterranean on the north, by the kingdom 
 of Tunis on the eaft, by mount Atlas on the iout^, 
 and by the river Mulvia, which feparates it flora 
 the empire of Morocco, on the weft. At the di- 
 tance of 120 miles from the fea~coaft, that part 
 of Africa becomes a barren defart, almoil entirely 
 uninhabitable either by man or beaft. 
 
 This ^country derives its name from its metro 
 polis, and n at prefent divided into three provinces 
 or diftric-ls, viz- the eaftern, weftern, and fouthern. 
 
 The 
 
130 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS, 
 
 The eaftern, or Levantine government, which 
 by far the moft confiderable of the three, and is .j!L> 
 called Bey lick, con tains the towns of Bona, Conflan- 
 tina, Gigeri, Bugia, StefFa, Tebef, Zamoura, Bif- 
 cara, and Necanz, in all which the Turks have 
 their garrifons : beSdes which, it includes the two 
 ancient kingdoms of Cuco and Labez, though in 
 dependent of the Algerine government, to vvhofe 
 forces their country is inacceflible ; ib that they ftHl 
 live under their own cheyks, chofen by each of 
 their adowars or hords. To theie may be added a 
 French factory at Calle, under the direction of the 
 company of the French Bailion. The weltern 
 government includes the towns of Oran, Tremefen, 
 Moftagan, Tenez, and Sercelli, with its caftle and 
 garrifon. The fouthcrn government has neither 
 town, village, nor even a houfe, which obliges 
 the bey and his forces to be always encamped. 
 
 RIVERS. 
 
 THE mod considerable rivers of Algiers, are 
 I. The Zha or Ziz, which croffcs the province of 
 Tremefen, and the defart of Anguid, along the 
 frontier of Fez, and falls into the Mediterranean near 
 the town of Tabecrita, where it takes the name of 
 Sirut. Its water is clear and full of fifh, 
 
 2. The Hued-Habra, which falls into the Ziz 
 near the plains of Cirek. Along its banks live ma 
 ny defperate Arabs, who are troublefome neigh 
 bours to the province of Gran. 
 
 3. The iiireool, or Tefne, called Siga by Pto 
 lemy, defcends from the great Atlas, croHes the de- 
 fart of Angaid, and falls into the fea about five 
 leagues from Oran. 
 
 4. The Mina, iuppofed to be the Chylcmatis of 
 Ptolemy, a large river that runs northward through 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 131 
 
 flic plains of Bathala, waters that city and Minn, 
 and falls into the fea near the town of Arzcw. This 
 river has lately received the name of Ccna, from 
 that of a Moabite who repeopled the town of Ba- 
 thala, which had been deftroyed by the Berime- 
 rimes. 
 
 5. The Sheliff, Zilef or Zilif, a large river, de- 
 fcending from mount Gnanccexis, running through 
 vaft dcfarts, the lake Titteri, the frontiers of Tre- 
 mefen and Tenez, and falling into the fea a little 
 above the city of Moftagan. 
 
 6. The Celef, fuppofed to be the Carthena of 
 the ancients, falls into the fea about three leagues 
 wed of Algiers, after a ihort courfc of 18 or 20 
 leagues. 
 
 7. The Hued-alquiver, fuppofed to be the Nala- 
 bata, or Nafaba* of the ancients, and called by 
 the Europeans Zinganir, runs down with a fwift 
 courfe, through fomc high mountains of Cuco, and 
 falls into the fea near Bugia. It abounds with fiih, 
 of which fuch immcnfe quantities are caught that 
 they are negle&cd.' While the city of Bugia was 
 in the hands of the Chriftians, as Marrr.ol tells us, 
 the mouth of this river was fo choaked up with 
 fand, that no veffcls could came up into it : but in 
 1555, very foon after it was taken by the Moors, 
 the great rains fwelled it to fuch a degree* that all 
 the fand and mud was carried oft' ; fince which 
 time the galleys and other trading veiTels have en 
 tered it with eafe, where they lie fafe from ilorms 
 and all winds but that which blows from the north. 
 
 8. The Suf-Gernar, or Suf-Girnmar al Rumniel, 
 fappofed to be the Ampfaga of Ptolemy, takes its 
 rife on mount Auras, on the confines of Atlas ; 
 runs thence through fome barren plains, and the 
 fertile parts cf Conftantina, where its rtream is' 
 
 greatly 
 
131 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 greatly increafed by the influx of other rive 
 from thence running northward, along the ridgesX 
 of iome high mountains, it falls into the lea a little ^ 
 to the eaO of Gigeri. 
 
 9. The Ladag, or Ludeg, runs down from 
 mount Atlas thioi.gh part of Conllantina, and falls 
 into the fea a little to the eaftward of Bona. 
 
 10. The Guadi, or Guadei Barbar, fucpofed to 
 be the Tufca orRubricatus of the ancients, fprings 
 from the head of Orbus, or Urbs in Tripoli, runs 
 through Bugia, and falls into the fea near Tabarca* 
 
 SOIL, CLIMATE and PRODUCTIONS* 
 
 THIS country confifls of eighteen provinces, the 
 climate of which, along the fea-coafts, is remarka 
 bly delightful, and the air pure and ferene. 
 
 The country of Algiers, and the 'Hates of Bar- 
 bary in general, under the Rcrran crrpire were 
 jufHy denominated (he-garden of the world; and 
 to have a refidence there was ccnfldertd as the high- 
 cfl Hate of luxury. The produce of their ftil for 
 med thofe magazines which fi:n ill ed all Italy, and 
 a great part o( the Roman empire with corn, wine 
 and oil. 
 
 The foil is covered with alinoO a perpetual ver 
 dure, and is extremely fertile, particularly on the 
 mountainous parts to the veil of Tcnez, Brgia, 
 and Algiers Proper, which produce \vhea! and fruit 
 in the grestell peifec^ion ; and the noithcrn parts 
 of Trcmefcn, towards the fea, abound in excellent 
 pailure grounds, But as ve r-dvaree into the ccun- 
 try, it becomes more paiched snd barren. 
 
 Though the lands are now uncultivated, through 
 the barbarity and cpprefPon of tl^eir government, 
 yet they ftill produce not only corn, wine, and cil 
 
 in 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 335 
 
 5n the greateft abundance, but dates, raifins, al- 
 nionds, apples, pears, cherries, plums, citrons, 
 lemons, oranges, pomegranates, &c. and plenty of 
 roots and herbs grow in their kitchen gardens. Excel 
 lent hemp and flax grow on their plains ; and by 
 the report of thole who have travelled thither, the 
 country abounds with all that can add to the plea- 
 fur es of life. 
 
 Extreme heat is- not common, and the climate 
 is fo temperate that the heat of fumrrser never dries 
 the leaves of the trees, nor the cold of winter 
 makes them fall ; fo that they are confiantly ver 
 dant. In February they begin to bud, and in May 
 fhew their fruit in full growth, which is lire in 
 June. Their vines are very large and thick, and 
 the* bunches of grapes on them are corr.rKonly a 
 foot and an half long. The grapes are lit to gather 
 in June, and the figs, peaches, nectarines, olives, 
 nuts, &c. in Auguft. The people find means to 
 evade the fobriety prefcribcd by the Mahometan 
 law, and make free with excellent wines and f pi 
 nts of their own growth and YranufadUire. The 
 plains of Moligia produce wheat, barley and cats, 
 two or three times a year. Their melons are of 
 an exquifite tafte ; fome of which ripen in fummer, 
 and others in winter. Algiers produces befides, 
 ialt-petre, and great quantities of excellent fait; 
 -and lead and iron have been found in fevcral pla- 
 
 The country round the city of Algiers is very 
 fertile. Country feats, gardens arjd groves of trees 
 arc numerous. The Algerines are unacquainted 
 with the art of pruning and grafting trees. Their 
 gardens are not walled, but fenced round with a pe 
 culiar fpeciescf thorns, which, from their prickles, 
 and the compa6lnefs with which their branches in- 
 M terweavc 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 -cave, are well adapted for that purpofe. Amon 
 ner rich tracts in the province of Algiers Proper*. 
 5 great "plain of Mettijah is admired for its ailo- 
 nnhing fertility. It is fifty miles In Jength, twenty 
 m breatjth, and includes many villas, fragant groves, 
 ^delightful gardens. The foil produces iuch a 
 profuiion of the mod delicious fruits, rice, roots, 
 and grain of every fpecies, that the inhabitants en 
 joy annually two, and frequently three crops. 
 
 ANIMALS. 
 
 NEITHER the elephant nor the rhinoceros are to 
 be found in the States of Barbary ; but their de- 
 farts abound with lions> tigers, leopards, hyaenas, 
 and monflrous ferpents. The Barbary horfes were 
 formerly very valuable, and thought equal to the 
 Arabian. Camels and dromedaries, affes, mules, 
 and kurhrahs (a moil ferviceable creature, begot by 
 an afs upon a cow) are their beads of burden. 
 Their flieep yield but indifferent fleeces, but they 
 are very Ijrge, as are their goats. Bears, buffaloes, 
 wild boars, porcupines, foxes, apes, hares, rab 
 bits, ferrits, weafels, moles, cameleons, and mod 
 kinds of reptiles are found here. 
 
 There is a peculiar kind of animal, called the 
 g&pdrd) which can eafily be tamed, and is made 
 vile of for hunting like a dog. The head of it re* 
 fembles that of a cat ; the hind legs are longer than 
 the fore, and the tail is finely mottled. It is fo apt* 
 to exhauft itfelf in running that the hunters are obli 
 ged to carry it now and then on their horfes, till it 
 has recoveied itfelf. There is alfo another curious 
 animal which is between a dog and a fox. 
 
 u Bcfides vermin, " fays Dr. Shaw, fpeaking of 
 his travels through Barbary, " the rspprehenfions 
 v, c were under in forne parts of this country, of be~ 
 
 ing 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. ^$ 
 
 ing bit?en or (lung by the fcorpicn, the viper, cr 
 the venernous fpider, rarely failed 'to interrupt our 
 repofe." 
 
 But the inoft fingular infers are the locufts, which 
 the Do6lor in his travels describes in the following 
 manner. *'. They were much bigger thsn our com 
 mon grafs-hopners, having brown f pot ted v/ings, 
 with legs and bodies of a bright yellow, 'I he it 
 firil appearance was towards the latter end of 
 March, ihe wind having been for force time ftath- 
 erly ; and in the middle of April their numbers 
 ivere fo vailly increafed, that in the heat of the. day, 
 they formed thernfelves into large bodies, appear 
 ed like a fuccellion of clouds, and darkened the fun. 
 About the middle of May, each of tliefe bodies be 
 gan gradually to di (appear, retiring into the Meiii- 
 ji&fi, and other adjacent plains to depofit their eggs, 
 Accordingly in the month following, their y: 
 brood began gradually to make, their appearance, 
 and it was furprifing to obferve, that no focncr 
 were any of them hatched, than they immediately 
 collected themfelves together, each of them forming 
 a compaft body of fsveral hundred yaids in iquare : 
 which marching afterwards diredtly forward, clim 
 bed over trees, walls, and houfes, eat up every 
 plant in their way, find let nothing cjcape them* 
 The inhabitants, to Oop their progreis, n s ade tren- 
 ^ chesall over their fields and gardens, ar.d hlled them 
 with water ; or elfe placing in a row great quantities 
 of heath, Rubble, and luch like combuflible mat 
 ter, they fet them on fire upon the approach of the 
 locufts. But all this was to no purpoie ; for tke 
 trenches were quickly filled up, and the fires puJ 
 out by infinite fwarms fucceeding one another, 
 whilft the front ieemed regardlefs of danger, and 
 the rear preffed on jfo clofe, that a retreat was irn- 
 poffiblc." Par- 
 
i35 DE SCRIPT! \LGIERS. 
 
 ks, and all kinks 
 
 / v en this coaft ; and of th\ 
 
 Smaller birds, the iparrovv Is remarkable for 
 
 -,.', arid the fvvectnefs of its note, which is ^ 
 to exceed that of any other bird ; but Jt 
 cannot hve out of its own -climate. The leas and - 
 bays of this coafl abound with the fined and rnoft 
 delicious / kind, and were preferred by 
 
 the ancients to ihofe of Europe, 
 
 ANTIQUITIES and CURIOSITIES. 
 
 THESE matters are well worth the attention of 
 an antiquary, but they are difficult of accefs. The 
 reader mud naturally conclude that the countries 
 which were once under the dominion oftheCar- 
 thagenians, and the pride of the Phoenician, Greek, 
 lloman works, are replete with the mod curious 
 remains of antiquity, but they lie fcattere t d among 
 ignorant and barbarous inhabitants. Some remains 
 of the Mauritanian and Numidian greatnefs are Mill 
 viiible, and many ruins which bear evidence of their 
 ancient grandeur and populoufnefs. Theie point 
 out the old Julia Csefarea of the Romans, which was 
 little inferior in magnificence to Carthage itfelf. 
 A few cf the aqueducts of Carthage are laid to be 
 full remaining, but no veftige of its walls. The 
 fame is the fate of Uttica, and many other renown 
 ed cities of antiquity ; arid io over-run is the cond^ 
 try with barbarifm, that their very fcites are not 
 known even by their ruins, amphitheatres, and 
 other public buildings which ft ill remain in tolera 
 ble preiervation. Befldes thofe of claffical antiqui 
 ty, many Saracen monuments of the moft dupen- 
 dous magnificence, are likevvife found in this tract 
 of country. Thelc were erected under the califs 
 
 cf 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 137 
 
 of Bagdad, and the ancient kings of the country, 
 before it was fubdued by the Turks, or reduced to 
 its prefent form of government. Their walls form 
 the principal fortifications in the country, both in 
 land and maratimc. We know of few or no natu 
 ral curiofities belonging to the States of Barbary, 
 ^except its fait pits, which in fome places take up an 
 area of fix miles. Doclor Shaw mentions fprings 
 found here that are fo hot as to boil a Urge piece of 
 mutton in a quarter of an hour. 
 
 The hot baths of Meereegi in the neighbour* 
 hool of the city of Algiers are alfo natural cuii- 
 ofities. The principal one is twelve feet fquare 
 sad four feet, deep. The water is very hot, and 
 when it has filled the larger b.jfon, it runs through 
 into another of a f -nailer dze, where ihe Jews 
 bathe, for they are not permitted to ufe the fame 
 buh with the Mahometans* Tbefe hot fountains 
 are conjectured to proceed from the great quanti 
 ties of fulphur, nitre, and other inflamable fubftan- 
 ces in the bowels of the earth. To this cauie like- 
 vviie have been a&ribed thole earthquakes, to 
 which the whole country, and Algieisin particular, 
 is frequently fubj-^lecl. 
 
 The city of Algiers has few fubjecls of antiquity, 
 and little that ments the attention of the curious, 
 There are, however, upon the to^er of the great 
 mofqi.ie fome broken infcriptions ,* but the letters, 
 though i'-Uliciently large to be feen at a d ilia nee, 
 are to filial up with li:ne and whitcwafh that they 
 ; can not be particularly diilinguilhed, 
 
 INHABITANTS. 
 
 The inhabitants of the territory of Algiers, and 
 particularly \\iok along the fea-coafts, are a mix- 
 
 M 2 turc 
 
138 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 ture of different nations ; fuc'n as Moors and Mordf-.j 
 cos driven out of Catalonia, ^rragon, and cthrr panfe 
 of Spain,about the end of thefixteenth century, Jc\vs,v 
 Jaaiianes, and great numbers of lurks, who c 
 from the Levant to feek their fortune; as well as- 
 rnuiitud^s of Chriflian Haves, &c. 
 
 The Berebers are fome of the moft ancient inha 
 bitants of the country ; and are iuppofed to be de- 
 fcended from the ancient Sabeans, who came hither 
 from Arabia l r elix, under the conduct of one of their 
 princes. Others believe them to be the defen 
 dants of forne of the Canaanites, who were driven 
 out of Paledinc by Jo(ru>a. Thefe are Jifperfed all 
 over Barbary, and divided into a multitude of 
 tribes under their refpe&ive chiefs ; mod of thera 
 inhibit the mountainous parts ; fome range from 
 place to place, and live in tents, or portable huts; 
 others in festered viii^rs; they have, never- 
 thelefs, kept th -r\ intermixing with 
 
 other nations. The ?s are reckoned the 
 
 richeft of all, go better clothed, and carry on a 
 much larger traffic in cattle, hides, wax, honey, 
 TroJi, anci other commodities. They have aifo 
 
 : artificers in iron, and lome manufacturers 
 
 in the weaving branch. 1 he name of Bert- 
 
 bcr is ftipirMeJ to have been originally given 
 
 :hc,T) 01 account of their beinir firft fettled in feme 
 
 d^ilut place. Upon their encreailng in procefs of 
 
 thi'v divxied themleb-es iuto five tribes, pro^ 
 
 ount of their religious differences, cal- 
 
 the Z ; nhagian$, Mufamedixs, Zeneti, Hoare.s? 
 
 Gowns', and ihefe haviirg produced 600 fa- 
 ; ;-, 9 n.h'vii-. iclcd themfelves into a great number 
 ^r-ttv sri! es. 
 
 fe we rnav add frte Zwowahs, by Euro- 
 
 i authors called the Azuagues, r /Ij/zgues*. 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 1:9 
 
 -who are likewife difperfed over moft parts of Bar- 
 bary and Numidia. Great numbers of thefe inha 
 bit the mountainous parts of Cuco, Labez, &c* 
 leading a wandering pailoral life. The African 
 hillorians affure us that they are fome of the defcen- 
 dantsof thole Phoenicians or Canaanites, who tied 
 from Jofhua and the Ifraelites, according to an in- 
 fcription in the Punic tongue engraved on a (loce 
 at a. fountain, thus, We are fled hither Jro?n the 
 pre fence of that great robber Jo SUVA the Jon of 
 NUN* They are a kind ofChriftians that neither 
 llvave their beards, nor cut their hair ; and affeft 
 to wear a blue crois painted or burnt on their 
 cheek or hand by way of diftinclion. 
 
 But the moft numerous inhabitants are the Mo 
 and Arabs, who trace their defcent from thofV 
 ciples of Mahomet, who formerly fubdued this 
 country ; the former compofe the great body of the 
 inhabitants of the towns. But it may readily be 
 fuppofed that among fuch a variety of different ra 
 ces, immenfe numbers cannot be ('aid to belong to 
 any particular tribe or nation whatever. 
 
 In this country there are many wandering lards 
 of thefe Ar:Vos, who live together in carr.ps, c.nd 
 remove from one place to another as they want 
 piil ire for their herds and flocks, or as any other 
 accidental circumftance happens to make it necef- 
 f.irv. Thev fo me times p^y rent to landlords la 
 c >rn, fruit, honey, wax, and other productions ; 
 and the dey likewife demands a tribute from them. 
 The excellence of the climate renders this firrple 
 wav 7 of living tolerable, though the tents of thefe 
 people are mean, their utenfils of little value, and 
 their lodgings filthy- The family and their do- 
 nie'Hc animals lie promifcuonlly in the fame terts 
 together, except their dogs, which are left as guards 
 
T 4 o DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 on the outfide. They raife considerable numbers 
 of bees, and (ilk worms. They fubfift chiefly on 
 bread, rice and fruit. Wine and ipiritous liquors \ 
 ire aimoil entirely unknown to them. \ 
 
 The drefs of the men who compofe thefe tribes 
 Is only a long piece of coarfe cloth wrapped round 
 their (boulders, and falling down to their ancles, 
 v/ith a cap of the fame Ruff". The flicik, or chief 
 of a tribe, wears a cap cf fine cloth. The women 
 pay fome more attention to the ornamental part of 
 their drcfs ; but their children are fuffered to go 
 ftark naked, till feven or eight years cf age. 
 
 The cufloms, language and religion of thefe 
 fbepherds bear a ft rift affinity to thefe of Arabia, 
 They are robuft, and of a fwarthy complexion. The 
 men are aclive, the women prolific, and the chil 
 dren healthy. They have neither to encounter the 
 hardfliips incident to the life of a North American 
 iavage, nor are their conftitutions enfeebled, as is 
 the cafe in manufacturing towns, by fedentary and 
 unhealthy employments. 
 
 When a young man of thefe tribes would marry 
 lie drives a number of cattle to the hut where the 
 parents of his miftrefs refide. The bride is let on 
 horfeback, and led home aniidft the fnouts of a 
 croud of young people, who have been invited to 
 the nuptial feaft. When (he arrives at the hut of 
 1'icr lover, a mixture of milk and honey is given her 
 to drink, and a fong, fui table to the occafion, is 
 fun.'T. She then alights, and is preferred with a 
 frirk, which the thrufls into the ground, and re 
 peat* Ibrne words to the following errei '. tl As this 
 61 flick, is faflened in the earth, fo am I in duty 
 " bound to my hufband ; as nothing but violence 
 " can remove it, fo death alone (hall force me 
 " fioui his love." She then drives his Keck to 
 
 water 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS, 141 
 
 water and back again,. to {hew her willitfgncfs to 
 perform any duty that he may affign.her. Thefe 
 previous ceremonies being fettled, all the compa 
 ny enter the hut, and the evening concludes with 
 the greatefl feitivity that thefe people are capable 
 of enjoying. After the marriage the wife is obliged 
 to wear a veil, and fhe never ilirs from her hut for 
 the fpacc of a month, 
 
 The Arabs are (lout, warlike, and fkil'ful horfe- 
 ir.cn. Their principal arms are a ft.ort lance and 
 a fcymitar, and they are likewifc acquainted with 
 the bow and the -mufket* But they are fo addicted 
 to robbing, that one cannot fafely travel through 
 the country at a diftance from the towns without a 
 guard, or at lead a marabout or faint for a fafc- 
 guard. For they look upon thernfelves to be the 
 original proprietors of the countiy, and not only as 
 difpoileffed by the red of the inhabitants, but redu 
 ced by them to the lowed (late of poverty, and in 
 confequence they make no fcruple to plunder all 
 they meet by way of reprifal. 
 
 The inhabitants of this country, efpecially thofe 
 near the fea-coads, generally ftibfm by piracy ; 
 they ara allowed to be bold intrepid mariners, and 
 will fight defperately when they meet with a prize 
 at fea. They are, notwithstanding, far inferior to 
 the Engliili, and other European dates, both in the 
 conllru6\ion and management of their veflels. 
 
 The inhabitants of the metropolis are extremely 
 vicious ; and it is a general obfervation that the 
 more diftant the people are from the feat of go 
 vernment, the purer are their manners. Notwith- 
 ftandiug their poverty, they have much vivacity 
 about them, efpecially thofe who are of Arabic de- 
 fcent, which gives them an air of contentment ; .and 
 
142 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 having little to lofe, they are peaceable 
 themfelves. 
 
 The Turks who compofe the military force, 
 have great privileges, pay no taxes, and are ex 
 empted from public pun i foment. The lowed iol- 
 dier domineers over the mo'l diilinguilhed Moors 
 at plea iu re. The people are fubje&ed to the mod 
 abiblute defpotifrn, and moft cruelly opprefled by 
 a handfuf of infalent Turks, the refufe of the ftreets 
 of Conftantinople. If a Turk finds a Moor bet 
 ter mounted than himfelf, he takes the liberty of 
 exchanging horfes without leave or ceremony, and 
 he will take apples, oranges, nuts and other arti 
 cles which the Moors bring to market, with as 
 much indifference as if they were his property. 
 The Turks have the exclufive privilege of carrying 
 fire-arms. Such is the defpotifrn of the Turkifh 
 fbl-iiers that they not only turn others out of the 
 way in the ftrcets, but will go to the farm houfes 
 in the country for twenty days together, living on 
 free quarters, and making ufe of every thing, not 
 excepting the wooicn. They are ufed more like 
 men of quality than private centinels. They arc 
 lodged in fpacious fquares, attended by (laves, and 
 generally maintained at the public expence. The 
 arrny of the dey is principally compofed of Turkiih 
 foldiers, who arc called Janifaries ,* and though 
 their numbers are final 1 9 yet they tyrannize in the 
 mofl inlolcnt manner over the native Moors 
 throughout the whole country. Some good qua 
 lities, however, diftinguhh them, notwithstanding 
 this excefs of defpotifm. They never game for 
 money, nor even trifles; and what cannot be faid 
 of Chrillians, they never profane the name of the 
 Deity, They foon forget their private quarrels-; 
 and after the firft paroxyfm of refentrnent has fub- 
 
 fded, 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 143 
 
 flded, if is infamy for a Turk to keep in remem 
 brance the injuries he has received. In. this refpe<5t 
 they are lefs barbarous than other nations that b0ail 
 of' their civilization. 
 
 When deficiencies happen in the army their cor- 
 fairs are fent out to the Levant to "procure recruits, 
 which generally ccnfift of peafants, outlaws, and 
 perfons of the rreaneil conditions. Mahomet Ra- 
 fhaw who was dey about the year 1732, was of this 
 defcription, and in his celebrated dilute with the 
 deputy of a neighbouring ration he faid, Wy mo 
 ther fold fieep's jeet and my j at her neat's tongues, 
 but they would fare betn afl'iamed to have expofed 
 to fait J"ch a tongue as i.ours* Thcfe recruits, af 
 ter they have been a little inflrucled by their fel 
 low ^olHiers, and are fur*iilhed with caps to their 
 heads, (Voes to their feet, and a pair of knives to 
 their girdles, quickly 1 egin to atTume airs of im 
 portance, and look upon the moft confiderable ci 
 tizens as their ilaves. 
 
 The Algerines eat as in Turkey, fitting crofs 
 legged round a table about four* inches high, and tile 
 neither knives nor forks in eating. Before they be 
 gin, every one fays Bf ifme /Hah, " in the rame 
 " of God. n When they have done, a flave pours 
 water on their hands as they fit, and then they wafh 
 their mouths. Their drink is water, (herbet and 
 coffee. Wine is not allowed, though drank immo 
 derately by fome. 
 
 Both the men and women fpend a great part of 
 their time in indolence, the men in drinking cof 
 fee and fmoking, and the women in drelTing, bath 
 ing, converfing on their fophas, vifiting the tombs of 
 their relations, arid walking in their gardens. 
 
 The Algerines in general, particularly about the 
 fea-ceafts, have a pretty fair complexion ; but thofe 
 
:fj. DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 in the interior parts of the country, and particular^ 
 ly the Arabs, are fwarthy They are robuft anal 
 well proportioned, and expert in the ufe of fire 
 arms* The Algerine women are beautiful in their 
 perfons, and very delicate in their complexions, but 
 the men are fun-burnU They improve the beauty 
 of their eyes by art, particularly by the powder of 
 lead ore, the fame pigment, according to the opini 
 on of the learned Doctor Shaw, that Jezebel made 
 ufe of when (he is faid to have painted her face ; * 
 the words of the original being that (he let off her 
 eyes with the powder of lead ore. 
 
 The Algerines by theiu law may have four wives, 
 but they uiualiy content themfelves with two, or 
 three at the moil. The hufband feldom ices his wife 
 before marriage, but accepts her upon the defcrip- 
 tion of a female confidant. When the ma^fa is 
 agreed upon, the bridegroom fends a prefem of 
 fweetrneats to the bride, and entertains her rela 
 tions with a feaft and a mufical entertainment. 
 
 After the death of a man his corps is attended by a 
 number of his male'friends, or if the deceafed be a 
 woman (he is attended by her female friends* The 
 corps is wadied with warm foap-fuds and wrapt in 
 clean linen. It is -then laid in a coffin covered 
 with green cloth, upon which a turban is placed, 
 and carried with the head forward to the grave, at 
 tended by women who are hired to lament. Thel'e 
 women fcratch themfelves till the blood runs, dif- 
 tort their countenances and make a mod hideous 
 noife. As the proccffion enters the burial" ground 
 forne marabouts (ing without intermiilion thefe 
 words, Lahilla Lah Mahomet rcjfcul allah, " God is 
 " God and Mahomet is his prophet. " It Is then 
 
 placed 
 
 * 2 Kings, chap. Ix. ver. ;c. 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 145 
 
 placed in the grave in an erect podure, with the 
 face turned towards the fouth. If the deceafed has 
 been a perfon of diftin&ion grave denes are erec 
 ted at his head and feet, with epitaphs, infcriptions, 
 or feleft ientences out of the Alcoran. 
 
 The chief furniture of their houfes confifts of car 
 pets and nvattrafles, on which they fit and lie. In 
 eating their ilovenlinefs is difgufting. They are 
 prohibited gold arid filver vcffels, and their meat, 
 which they {wallow by handfuls, is boiled or rcaft- 
 ed to rags. Their ordinary food is rice and fine 
 flour made into frnali grains like {hot, which they 
 call Cuzcuz ; both which they boil with meat and 
 fowls, and mod commonly eat fruit and herbs with 
 them. 
 
 The people in general in travelling walk on foot 
 or ufe alTes, and feldom ride on horfeback, except the 
 governors of provinces and other great peribnages. 
 The women feldom walk on foot; but ride upon affes 
 in a iquare box covered with a kind of canopy and 
 drawn round with curtains. So that they are entirely 
 concealed, and when they fet out upon their journey 
 they are attended by a driver. 
 
 DRESS. 
 
 The drefs of the people in general is a linen (Hit, 
 over which they tie a filk or cloth veftn ent with a 
 fafh, and over that a loole coat. 1 heir drawers are 
 made of linen. The aims and legs of the wearer are 
 bare ; but they have flippers on their feet, and per- 
 ibns of rank fometirres wear bv.fkins. '1 hey never 
 move their turbans, but pull cfl their flippers when 
 they attend religious duties, or the perfcn of their 
 Sovereign. They are fend of (biped and farcied 
 iilks. The viceroy and great men let their beards 
 N grow ; 
 
i 4 6* DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 grow ; but the common people fhave both their head 
 and face, and only leave a pair of whiskers, and a ? 
 lock of hair upon the top of the head, by which 
 they fancy they are drawn up toparadife. 
 
 The drefs of the common people is very plain ; 
 they wear a pair of linen drawers over their fhirt, 
 and a loofe white woolen jacket with a hood be 
 hind, or a mantle which is commonly black, and 
 reaches only down to the knee, in which they 
 wrap thernfelves ; but in fummer they only wear 
 two ihirts. 
 
 The men of fafhion go more fumptuoufly clad. 
 Their gowns are made of fur, filk, or cloth : they 
 have rich garments finely embroidered with flowers 
 of gold ; their turbans are vevy curioufly done up, 
 and elegantly adorned with jewels ; and their legs 
 are covered with boots of mining leather. 
 
 The women pay more attention to the ornamen 
 tal part of drefs than men. -There is not, however, 
 much difference between the drefs of the fexes ; 
 the drawers of the women are longer, and inftead 
 of a turban, they wear a fort of cawl on their heads* 
 They tic their hair behind, and ornament it with 
 jewels and other trinkets. They wear fine col- 
 Jars about their necks, bracelets about their wrifts, 
 Jarge pendants in their ears, and curious caps on 
 thtir heads. When they go abroad they ufuaily 
 throw over their faces a fine veil, which they faften 
 to their breaft, and over their garments they wear 
 an upper robe ; fo that they are not known, but by 
 the ilaves that attend them. 
 
 LANGUAGE. 
 
 THE Algerines are void of all literature. The 
 original language of this country appears to have 
 
 been 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 147 
 
 been the Phoenician ; after which the Romans obli 
 ged them to exchange it (as they did all their con 
 quered dominions) for their own. The Arabs af 
 tervvards introduced theirs, and after them the 
 Turks. The native Moors make ufe of the Moref- 
 co ; but the people of Algiers in general fpeak a 
 compound of Arabic, Morefco, and the remains of 
 the ancient Phoenician language. ]n the metropo 
 lis the Mahometans and Chriftians ufe the Lingua 
 Franca, a mixture of Spaniih, Portuguefe, Italian 
 and French. The natives of all denominations fcr 
 the moil part, underhand this diale6l, which, with 
 out being the proper language of any 'country on 
 the coatt of the Mediterranean, has a kind of uru- 
 verfal currency all over that quarter of the world, 
 as the channel of information for people who can 
 not Undcrftand each other through any other medi 
 um. The public bufinefs of the nation is tranf- 
 acled either in the Arabic or Turkifli, but common 
 ly the former, in which their late treaty with the 
 United States of America is written. 
 
 It is curious thai in converiation, the Turks tranf- 
 pofe their nouns and verbs, in the fame manner 
 that the Greek and Latin writers have done. The 
 Turkifh is a lofty language, and the Turks when 
 they fpeak afFecl a (ingular majefly of tone, as ex- 
 preffive of their fuperiority : which, however, con- 
 fifts in nothing but their indolence, for they are 
 neither men of learning, nor warriors,- a truth 
 that the Ruffians have long taught them. 
 
 GOVERNMENT. 
 
 THOUGH Algiers has fome appearance of a mili 
 tary republic, yet it is in fact the moR horrible of 
 all monarchies in the world, and as mutable in its 
 
 principles 
 
T 4 3 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 principles as the temper and difpofulon of thoic 
 diifcr, who happea to be in administration. 
 
 Algiers was formerly fubject to the Grand Signior, 
 and is ilili under his protection ; but the dey at pre- 
 i'ent pays no other tribute to him, than that of a 
 certain number of beautiful Arabian horfes, and 
 To ne other prefents which are fent thither annually. 
 The Grand Signior formerly fent a baihavv, or 
 viceroy, to Algiers, in whom the fovereignty was 
 veiled ; but thofe officers frequently excrcifed ths 
 sflofl tyrannical power, and exacted from the peo 
 ple fuch exorbitanftaxes, as produced popular in- 
 furtefitions^ till at length ih-s Janifarles and null- 
 tia grew to powerful that they depofed them and e- 
 lecled others in their ftead ; at which the Porte 
 was obliged to connive, leit they ihould be pro 
 voked to an opea revolt, and entirely throw off the 
 Turkish yoke ; fmce which time the power of the 
 Pi>rte has been fo gradually diminirhed that he can 
 do nothing here without the concurrence of the 
 dey. 
 
 The fuprema authority of ftate is vefted in the 
 dey, who is an elective monarch, and his fons 
 never inherit the fovereignty by defcent. He is 
 eieited by the divan, and is compelled to accept 
 the reins of government under penalty of death. 
 He feldom fecures hh office without tumult and 
 bbolihed, and often falls by the dagger of an af- 
 faflin : fo that out of fix deys that have reigned 
 fines 1700, four of them have been actually mur- 
 dereJ, and a fifth rcfigned to fave his life. The 
 bailnws leMom fail of forming parties among the 
 foldiers a^aiail him, and they make no fcruple to 
 aiTalli nte him even in council, and the llrongeft 
 candidate then fills his place. An unfuccefsful 
 
 expeditioa, 
 

 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 149 
 
 expedition, or too pacific a conduft, feldorn fails 
 to put an end to his life and government. 
 
 The way in which his authority is exercifed, 
 correfponds with that by which it has been obtain 
 ed. When Mr. Bruce, as Britifh refident at Al 
 giers, had occailon to vifit the dey, he fays he 
 fometimes found him in his hall of audience, with 
 his clothes all befpattered with blood like thoie of a 
 carcafe butcher. It is a very frequent amufement 
 with him, to caufe the heads of his fubjecls to be 
 ftr:ick oif in his prefence. Mr. Bruce fa id that 
 he knew of one man who was executed for no 
 greater offence than becauic a gun-flint was found 
 upon him- His indictment and trial were very con- 
 cife : " You- rafcai, what buGnefs have you with 
 a flint unlefs you were going, to confpire againft 
 the Aate ?" 
 
 The firft deys were ele&ed by the militia ,* who 
 were then called the divan, or common council; 
 which was at firft compofed of 800 -militia officers, 
 without whofe concurrence he could do nothing ,* and 
 upon fome urgent occasions, ail the officers refiding 
 in Algiers amounting to 1500, were furnmoned to 
 affift : but at prefent he is perhaps the moil defnotic 
 prince in the world. He is abridged of no power 
 whatever in adrniniftration, and the divan, though 
 they have aiTumed a very pompous title* have little 
 elfe to do but to ratify his decrees. The divan is 
 compofed of perforis entirely of his own election 
 whom he removes at pleafure. Upon important 
 occafions he fomctimes aiTembles the divan to receive 
 their advice ; but his only motive in this is to fcreen 
 hirnfelf againft popular difcontents ; for his autho 
 rity is unlimited, and he may either ratify or reject 
 their d^cifions as he pleaies. When the Grand 
 N 2 Signior 
 
150 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 Slgnior is at war with a Cbriftian power, he gene 
 rally requires his affiftance ; but he is only obeyed^ 
 as the dey thinks proper, 
 
 The dey has a corps of body-guards called foul- 
 acks. This is a very neceflary, though fometimes 
 a truitleis precaution, as any 1 urkiih foldier who has 
 the courage to murder him, (lands an equal chance 
 of becoming his fucccflbr. Experiments ofthisk ; nd 
 are fometimes made. Since the beginning of the 
 prefent century, fix private foldiers entered into a 
 confpiracy to kill a dey of one of the Mates of Bar- 
 bary. They gave him a mortal wound in his pa 
 lace, and in the midft of a croud of people. He 
 expired, exclaiming, " Has nobody the courage to 
 " kill the villain ?" One of the con-fpirators, the 
 intended fuccefTor, inftantly afcended the vacant 
 throne, and brandifhing his naked fcymitar, decla 
 red that he would dojujlice to alt I His five affociates 
 went about the hall to enforce the title of their new 
 fovereign, and none prefent feemed to give them- 
 felves any difturbance about what had happened. 
 He kept his fitualion unrnolefted, for about ten mi 
 nutes, till an old veteran unobferved took aim at him 
 with a mufket, and (hot him dead. Upon this the 
 five others were immediately murdered. But what 
 fhowed the nature of the government ;ti its proper 
 light was the obfervation of the new dey, who faid, 
 that if the ufurper could have held his place for 
 twenty minutes longer, he would have obtained the 
 fovereignty. 
 
 The officer next in power to the dey is the 
 CafTan-aga or Caffan-ajee, the p-ime rninifler of 
 ftate. He keeps one let of the keys of the 
 treafury, the dey another, and the aga a third, 
 where they all attend once a month to pay the 
 foldiers. 
 
 The 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 151 
 
 The officer next in power is the Agi or general 
 of the Jariilaries, who is one of the oldel officers in 
 the army, and holds his poll as all other officers do, 
 at the pleaiure of the dey. During the time i.le aga 
 e-ijoys his dignity, the keys of the metropolis are 
 cle.ivered to him. All military orders are iflued 
 in his name, and the fentence of the dey upon any 
 offending foKiier, whether capital or not, can only 
 be executed in the court of his palace. 
 
 The next to the aga in dignity, is the Secretary 
 of State, who regifters all the public acts ; and af 
 ter him the Mojecabeily, who is a kind of chief 
 juftice to fettle difputes among the Moors. This 
 oPncer, and the two laft mentioned, attend at the 
 door eft he dey 's palace every morning about day 
 break, in order to kifs his hand. 
 
 The next in dignity is the Vekelard, or rather 
 Vikelhadgeof the marine, who is the guardian of 
 the navy, from whom all maritime orders iflfue. 
 He is feated beneath an arch near the fea-fide 
 called the /biff, from which he has a full view of 
 the trani'a6tions in the marine. 
 
 Below him fits the Baleck bafhaw, who is a kind 
 of bailiff to execute his commands. He takes 
 charge of the magazines of the marine ; all naval 
 articles are under his infpe&ion, and the keys of all 
 the magazines in the town are entrufted to his 
 care. 
 
 The flojee of the Rap has the charge of the ma 
 gazines of wheat in the town ; under him are feve- 
 ral inferior hojees who execute his orders. No 
 Have can rife higher than this office. 
 
 The Warden Baibaw is the next inferior cffcer* 
 He is chief overfeer of the flaves,and takes care that 
 they duly perform their duty. He has charge of 
 the Bagnio Gailaro, the keys of which are deliver- 
 
 ed 
 
153 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 ed him every night by one of his under wardens\ 
 who keeps the doors. He has a number of undef\ 
 wardens, who attend the (laves at their labour. 
 
 Befides thefe there are 30 chiahs, or chows, a 
 kin i of high conftables, who fit next to the aga in 
 the divan, and in the fame gallery with him. Out 
 of this clais are generally chofen thofe who o em- 
 bafladors to foreign courts, or who difperfe the 
 dey's orders throughout the realm. Next to them 
 . are a number of baleck-baih iw.?, or eiietr. cap 
 tains, who are promoted to that of chiah bafhaws, 
 according to their fenioriiy. The oldack-balhaws, 
 or lieutenants, are next ; who amount to 400, and 
 are regularly raifed to the rank of captains in their 
 turn, and to other employments in the Mate, accor 
 ding to their abilities. Thefe by way of diiiinciion 
 wear a leather (trap, hanging down to the middle 
 of their back. One rule is ftri'ckly obferved in the 
 rotation of thefe troops from one deputy to a high 
 er ; viz. the right of feniority ; one fmgle in 
 fringement of which wuld caufe an inlurreclion, 
 and probably coft the dey his life* 
 
 The other military officers of note are vekelards, 
 or purveyors of the army; the peys, who are the 
 four oldeft foldiers, and confequentiy the neareft 
 to preferment ; the foulacks, who are the next in 
 feniority te them, and are part of the dey's body 
 guards, always marching before him when he takes 
 the field, and diilinguifhed by their carbines and 
 gilt fcymitars, with a brafs gun on their caps; the 
 kayts, or Turkifh foldiers, each band of whom 
 have the governmerrt of one or more adowars, or 
 itenerant villages, and collect their taxes for the 
 dey ; and the fagiardsj or Turkifh lancemen, 100 
 of whom always attend the army, and watch over 
 the water appointed for it. To. thefe we may add 
 
 the 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 153 
 
 the beys, or governors of the three great provinces 
 of the realm. All the above-mentioned oiiicers 
 ought to compofe the great divan : but only the 
 30 chiah-balhaws have a right to fit in the gal 
 lery next after the dey. The reft are obliged to 
 ftand on the floor of the hall, or council-chamber, 
 with their arms acrofs, and, as much as poilible, 
 without motion ; neither are they permitted to en 
 ter with their fv/ords on. As for thole who have 
 any matters to t ran fact with the divan, they muft 
 ftan j without, let the weather be ever io bad ; and 
 there they are cosnmonly prefer4ed with coifee by 
 ibaii of the inferior officers, till they are difmiffed. 
 
 The Lifberos are the dey's fpies, who keep watch 
 in different parts of the town, for the purpofe of 
 obtaining information of what is laid or tranfa&ed. 
 Th^y are perhaps the mod mercenary and inhu 
 man fet of beings in exiftence, and fuch is their 
 fertility to their fovereign, that they would betray 
 even their own fathers* When they lodge informa 
 tion againfl any perfon, the chows are fent to ar- 
 re(t the delinquent, and he is punifhed according 
 to his crime. 
 
 The divan, or douwan, is the common council of 
 the nation. It is an elective body, and is princi 
 pally compofed of 30 chiah-bafbaws, with now and 
 then the mufti and cadi upon fome emergencies ; 
 and on the election of a dey the whole foldiery are 
 allowed to come in and give their votes. All the 
 regulations of ftate ought to be determined by this 
 afiembly, before they pafs into a law, or the dey 
 has power to put them in execution. But, for ma 
 ny years back, the divan is of fo little account that 
 it is only convened out of formality, and to give af- 
 fent to what the dey and his favourites have previ- 
 cuOy concerted. They, however, arrogate to them- 
 
 felves 
 
ijf DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 /elves the whole power of the ftate, and in their edicYi 
 or national ordinances they alTume the pompous title . 
 of, " We the great and fmall members of the pow- ' 
 erful and invincible militia of Algiers and of the 
 whole kingdom, do ordain, &c. 
 
 All caufes whether civil or criminal, in which 
 the foldiers are concerned, are tried in this coun 
 cil ; but thofe between the citizens are decided before 
 one of the chiahba(haws, and the plaintiffs and de 
 fendants always plead their own caufes without the 
 affiftance of aUornics. The evidence of two witneffes 
 is always required, end he who iscaft upon any trial 
 receives a number of blows with acudgei, and is com 
 pelled befides to comply with the lenience that has 
 been pafTed. 
 
 While the divan are convened the dey holds a fan 
 of feathers in his hand, and fits v jcrofs-l egged, 
 afr^r the manner of tayiors, upon a large table 
 about two feet high, covered with a (baggy carpe 
 Six of the principal chiahs arc icated in the fame 
 manner on his right, and fix on his left. The reft 
 of the members (land at both ends of the table, and 
 form a kind of circle. 
 
 The methjd of gathering votes in this auguft 
 affetttbly is psrfeftly agreeable to the character of 
 thofe who compole it. The aga, or the prefident 
 pro tempore, firft propoft-s the quettion ; which 
 is immediately repeated with a loud voice by the 
 chiah-balhaws, and from them echoed again by four 
 officers called bafh'ilda f -is ; from thefe the queftion 
 is repeated from one member of the divan to ano 
 ther, with ftrange contortions, and the mod hide 
 ous growlin^s, if it is not to their liking. From 
 the loudnefs of this growling noiie the aga is left 
 to guefs, as well as he can, whether the majority 
 of the aflcmbly are pieafed or diiplsafed with the 
 
 queftion ; 
 

 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 155 
 
 queflion ; and from fuch a prepofterous method, it 
 is not furprifing that thefe aflemblies fhould feidom 
 end without feme tumult or diforder. As the whole 
 body of the militia is concerned in the election of 
 a new dcy, it is feidom carried on without blows 
 and bioodfhed : but when once the choice is made, 
 the peifon elected is fainted with the words Ada 
 Barick, " God blefs ar,d profper you :" and the 
 new dey ufually caifes all the officers of the divan 
 who had oppoied his ele6lion to be ftrangled, fil 
 ling up their p jsct-s v i\l thefe vhc- had been mcft 
 zealous in promoting it. It is true it mi ft be con 
 firmed by the Forte ,* but that is feidom refufed, as 
 * the difpofitions of the people are fo well known. 
 From this account of the eleclion of the deys, it 
 cannot be expected that their government fhould be 
 at all fecure ; and as they arrive at the throne by 
 tumult and bloodfhed they are generally deprived 
 of it by the fame means, fcarceiy one in ten of 
 tjiem having the good fortune to die a natural death. 
 
 CORSAIRS AND COMMERCE. 
 
 THE Algerines pay but Hide attention to agricul 
 ture or the improvement of their country, and their 
 fmgular genius leads them fo much to the profeflion 
 of piracy that they negle6tall internal resources or 
 advantages that might be derived from their own 
 country. The corfairs or pirates form each a fmall 
 republic, of which the rais or captain is the fupreme 
 bafhaw ; who with the officers under him, form a 
 kind of divan, in which every matter relative to the 
 veiTels is decided in an arbitrary way. Thefe cor 
 fairs are chiefly inftrumental in importing whatever 
 commodities are brought into the kingdom either by 
 
 way 
 
ij6 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 way of merchandize or prizes. Thefe confift chief* 
 iy of gold and filver (luffs, damslks, cloths, fpices,Y 
 tin, iron, plated brafs, lead, quickfilver, cordage,^ 
 failcloth, bullets, cochineal, linen, tartar, allum, 
 rice, fugar, foap, cotton raw and fpun, copperas, 
 aloes, brazil and logwood, vermilion, &c. Verv 
 few commodities, however, are exported from this 
 part of the world : the oil, wax, hides, pulie, and 
 corn produced, being but barely fufficient to fupply 
 the country ; though, before the lofs of Oran, the 
 merchants have been known to (hip off- from one or 
 other the ports of Barbary feveral thcufand tons of 
 corn. The confumption of oil, though here in 
 great abundance, is likewife fo confiderable in this 
 kingdom, that it is feldom permitted to be {hipped 
 off for Europe. 
 
 The other exports confift chiefly in clinches' fea 
 thers, copper, ruggs, filk fa(lies ? embroidered hand 
 kerchiefs, dates, and Chriitian flaves. Some manu 
 factures in filk, cotton, wool, leather, &:c. are car 
 ried on in this country, but mofUy by the Spaniards 
 fettled here, efpecially about the metropolis. Car 
 pets are alib a manufacture of the country, which, 
 though much inferior to thofe of Turkey both in 
 beauty and finenefs, are preferred by the people to 
 lie upon, on account of their being both cheaper 
 and fofter. There are alib, at Algiers looms for 
 velvet, tafiaties, and other wrought filks ; and a 
 coarfe fort of linen is likewife made in moft parts 
 of the kingdom. The country furnifhes no mate 
 rials for {hip-building. They have neither ropes, 
 tar, fails, anchors, nor even iron. When they can 
 procure enough of new wood to form the main tim 
 bers of a fhip, they fupply the reft from the materi 
 als of prizes which they have made, and thus find 
 the fecret of producing new and fwii't failing velTels 
 
 from 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 157 
 
 from the ruins of the old. The Algerines are more 
 formidable at fea than any other nation on <the coaft 
 of Barbary, and the fea- faring people, are held in 
 great eftecm for the prizes they capture* 
 
 The fleet of this regency does not at prefent 
 amount to more than ten or eleven fail, (hough 
 they were formerly much more powerful, and in 
 the time of Pinchinin their navy confided of 65 
 fail of the line. At fea they have been regarded asthe 
 moft defperate and ferocious fet of beings in the world. 
 But this feems a falfe prejudice that nations have 
 imbibed, and according to recent 'accounts they are 
 inferior in naval tadlics to every nation in Europe. 
 Aimoit all our late captives concur in the opinion 
 that four American frigates, well manned and dilci- 
 plined, would be a force fufficient to reduce them. 
 Though the Turks are fo proud and arrogant, yet 
 it is well known that they are no warriors. r l heir 
 greateft 'difplay of bravery is at the firfi onfet, but 
 if they meet with a fpirited reception from a compe 
 tent force their vanquifhment is certain. Even the 
 Moors, though they are an illiterate barbarous race, 
 are fuperior warriors to" the Turks. In their cor- 
 fairs the moft fervile part -of duty is afFigned to 'the 
 Moors, while the Turks fpeno ? their time in fmo- 
 king and in indolen e, except when they come to an 
 engagement with an enemy, when they fight with 
 fniail arms and cutlaffes. We are ignorant of the 
 naval force of Tunis and Tripoli ; but it muft be 
 evident that in this refpefr they are much inferior to 
 the Algerines. 
 
 Since the eftabllfhment of the independence 
 of North America we owe the fecurily of our com 
 merce in a great meaftnle to the wars that have ex- 
 afted between the Algerines, the Portuguefe, and 
 the Dutch, either of which nations is much fuperior 
 O in 
 
1$% DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 in naval ftrength, and they have fo vigilantly guard 
 ed the entrance of the Mediterranean, that the pi-' 
 rates have feldom been able to cruife out into the 
 Atlantic. Before the Algerine treaty American vef- 
 fels feldom entered into the Mediterranean ; and 
 when they did fo, they derived their fecurity either 
 from forged or purchafed Mediterranean paffpcrts, 
 A Britifh fhip has for her protection a pals written 
 upon a large fheet of parchment, which has by 
 way of ornament fome dailies engraved or drawn 
 with a pen upon the margin. The Algerines can 
 not read Englifh, and a captain of a corfair would 
 moft probably forfeit his head were he to carry a 
 Britifh vefiel by rniftake,asa prize into the harbour 
 of Algiers, They have therefore adopted a fmgu- 
 lar contrivance to difcover whether fuch pafles arc 
 genuine. They keep a flick marked with notches 
 correfponding to the fhape of thofe dafhes, that are 
 uniformly delineated on the margin of the parch 
 ment. When the pafs is produced the meafure is 
 applied : fo that it is not difficult for the mod bung 
 ling artift to deceive them, who has an original pafs 
 before him, and in this manner it is faid that many 
 American vefleis have been preferved. 
 
 REVENUES. 
 
 THE revenues of the dey are extremely fluclua- 
 ting, and his income rifes cr falls in proportion to 
 his opportunities ef plundering his fubjefts, or fo 
 reigners ; whence they are varioufly computed by 
 different authors. Dr. Shaw fays, that the taxes of the 
 v.-hole kingdom produce yearly to the dcy no more 
 than 300,000 dollars; but he fuppofes that the 
 eighth part of the prizes to which he is entitled, the 
 
 property 
 

 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 159 
 
 property of thofc pcrfons who die without children, 
 to whom the dey falls heir, with the prefents from 
 foreign nations, fines and opprefnons, joined to the 
 yearly contribution railed by the government, may 
 amount to as much more. He is befides entitled to 
 allChriftianflavcs,whofe ranfoms are his perquifites, 
 which, with the cultoms paid by the Englith, French 
 and other nations, who are fufiered to trade with the 
 Barbery States, will tend considerably to augment 
 his revenue. Both the dey, and officers under hirn y 
 enrich (hemfelves by the nioll open a^s of rapine 
 and fraud; it is therefore no wonder to find the 
 common people impofing upon one another, and 
 efpecially upon ft rangers, feeing they them lei ves 
 are impoverished by heavy taxes and the injuCUce 
 of thofc who are in authority. 
 
 The dey draws immenfe revenues from his ow 
 fubjedls, which confiil in money, gold, (liver, corn, 
 cattle, and fuch other articles as may be moft ufe- 
 ful to the Turks in Algiers. The prizes which the 
 corfairs take at fea, fame years equal the taxes on 
 the people. It is from hence eafy to collect that 
 any calculation of revenue muft be extremely 
 queftionable, and it can hardly be fuppofed that 
 the dey himfelf is capable of giving an accurate ef- 
 timate. 
 
 The regencies of Tunis and Tripoli acknowledge 
 fome fubje6lion to the dey ; but the only annual 
 tribute they pay him is a cargo of butter anci oil. 
 
 The Alcaide, with a detachment of Turkim fol- 
 diers, collects all taxes within twenty miles of the 
 city of Algiers. Beyond that diftance the dey has 
 three Turkim armies of about 2000 men each, con 
 tinually reinforced as emergencies require, and Ra 
 tioned indifferent parts of his kingdom, for the pur- 
 pofes of rapine and extortion. Thefc armies are 
 
 feverally 
 
i6o DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 feverally commanded by the bafhawscf Conftantina, 
 Bifcaraand Deetrie, at the places of their refpective 
 refidence. They are neither actuated by juilice nor 
 humanity; but with the adiftance of thefe Turkiih 
 opprelTors they not only enforce fubje6Uon to the 
 dey, but compel the Moors to the payment of fuch 
 taxes as they think proper. This miierable race 
 of beings, who are the objects of every indignity 
 and oppreflfion that can be offered to human nature, 
 are hunted like wild beads amon the mountains ? 
 thofe who difcovcr the leaft reluctance in paying 
 the aGfeGTinents of thefe balhaws, or fly from the ra 
 pacity of their purfuers, are beheaded and all their 
 ^ .property confifcated. If they have the lead fufpi- 
 cio:i that a Moor has concealed any p irt of his trea- 
 fure he is tortured till he makes a complete difcove- 
 ry, and many of thsfe poor wretches who are un 
 able to make any difclofure are tortured to death, 
 without being able to fatisfy their tormentors. In 
 this manner all gold, (liver and other valuable arti 
 cles, are extorted from the inhabitants. Some of 
 thsm, however, have courage enough fornetimes to 
 attack their oppreflbrs in fome of the narrow defiles 
 of the mountains through which they are obliged to 
 pafs, where they frequently make great ilaughter 
 among the Turks ; but generally after the ftrfl fire 
 they fly for refuge to the craggy recefles of the 
 mountains. They perform thefe tax gathering ex- 
 curfions twice a year, and in every expedition they 
 bring away immenfe numbers of heads and ears, 
 which are fent to the dey, as an evidence of the 
 baihaws' exertions in having raifed the neceflfary 
 contributions. The dey requires that the heads 
 of thofe who are executed near the city mould 
 be fent to hisn, but of thofe who are murdered at a 
 cej he only requires the ears, and the bear 
 er 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 161 
 
 er is rewarded with a certain fum of money for each 
 pair he tenders to his humane, fovereign. 
 
 Once in every fix months each of thefe bafhaws 
 fends in the califs, their fons, with about 50 mules 
 laden with money and other valuable articles. They 
 all enter Algiers within nine days of each other. 
 At their approach the calTan-aga and aga go out to 
 meet them, and they form a proceflion into the city. 
 
 Thebafhaws vifit the dey once in every three-years, 
 with about 150 mules laden with the fpoils of the 
 country, and when they approach the city a grand 
 proceflion is formed. The caffan-aga, the aga, the 
 vickelhadge, the chows and lifberos, with a detach 
 ment of five or fix hundred Turkifh foldiers, go cut 
 to meet them, and they are efcorted into the city with 
 drums beating, French horns playing, and colours 
 flying, attended by an immenfe concourfe of people. 
 The booty is then taken to the dey's palace, where 
 he diQributes a portion to his favorite wife, and a 
 part among the different officers of" government. 
 
 After their entry into the city they wait impa 
 tiently for the Tafturi) an elegant robe which it is 
 ufual for the dey to fend them to fignify his appro 
 bation of their conduct ; and till they receive this 
 prefent thsy are in the utmoft (ufpenfe and appre- 
 tenfion ; for if it does not arrive the day after their 
 entry, they know that the lofs of their heads will 
 be the confequence* 
 
 PUNISHMENTS. 
 
 IN thi 3 country it is not to be expecled that juf- 
 trce will be adminiftered with any degree of impar 
 tiality. The Mahometan foldiory in particular, are 
 fo much favoured, that they are not punifhed in pub 
 lic, and feldorn put to death for any crime, except 
 (J z rebellion , 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 rebellion ; in which cafe they are either hanged on 
 an iron hook, or ftrangied with a bow-ftring, which 
 is tied round the neck of the offender, and drawn 
 different ways by two executioners, with all their 
 ftrength, fo that he is inftantly difpatched. Wo 
 men guilty of adultery, have a halter tied about 
 their necks, with one end fattened to a pole, 
 by which they are held under water till they arc 
 fuffocated. 
 
 The Chriftian flaves are liable to a variety of pu- 
 nifhments. They are fometimes burned or rather 
 roaOed alive. At other times they are impaled. 
 This is done by plaeingthe criminal on the end of a 
 fharp ftake, which is thruft up his pofteriors clofe 
 by the back-bone, till it appears above his fhoul- 
 ders. Crucifixion, by nailing the hands and feet 
 to walls, is often pra&ifed. 
 
 But the moft terrible punifbments are thofe in- 
 flifted upon the Jews or Chriftians who fpeak a- 
 gainft the Mahometan religion ; in which cafe they 
 mull either turn Mahometan, or be impaled alive. 
 If they afterwards apoftatize, they are roaRed alive, 
 or elfe thrown down from the top of the city walls, 
 upon iron hooks. Thefe catch by the jaws, the 
 ribs, or other parts of the body, according as they 
 happen to fall, and the fufferers have been known 
 to hang in different pofitions forfeveral days alive, 
 an the moft exquifite torture ; though by accident 
 they are fometimes put out of pain at once, as was 
 the cafe with John Galcon the Spanifh adventurer, 
 as before related. This terrible punifhment has 
 frequently been infli&ed upon (laves, but at prefent 
 it begins to be generally difufed. 
 
 There is a law here, by which any woman con- 
 vidled of an amorous correfpondence with a Cbrif- 
 tian, is tied up in a faek and thrown into the fea. 
 
 Examples 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 163 
 
 Examples of this kind frequently happen, as the fair 
 fex, in this part of the world, are remarkably frail. 
 
 There is another fingular punifhment which is 
 inflicted upon a gallows, which fhews the favage 
 difpofition of the people. Upon each fide of the 
 gallows, near the upper angle, are fixed two chains 
 of different lengths, to each of which is fattened 
 a (harp hook. The malefactor afcends the ladder 
 with the executioner, who thrufts the hook on the 
 fhorteft chain through the palm of his left hand ; 
 after which he thrutfs that on the longeft chain 
 through the fole of his right foot, and in this man 
 ner the criminal is left hanging in the moft excru 
 ciating torture for the fpace of three or four days be 
 fore he expires. 
 
 The weftern Moors ftill praclife the barbar 
 ous punifnrnent of fawing tranfgreffors afunder ;, 
 which is rnoftly inflicled upon perlbns of diOincllon 
 for crimes againft the fbte. For which purpole 
 they prepare two boards of the fame length and 
 breadth with the delinquent, and having tied him 
 between them, they proceed to the execution by 
 beginning at the head. In this manner did Kar- 
 dinafh fuifer, who was formerly their ambaflador 
 to the Britifh court. 
 
 For clipping or debating the public coin, the old 
 Egyptian puniihment is ftill Jnflifteci here, which 
 is cutting off both the hands of the tranfgrelTor. 
 
 In fmaller crimes, or for thofe not capital, the of 
 fenders are fined, or their pay flopped ; and if of- 
 f?(|efs, they are reduced to the ftation of common 
 loiters, from whence they may gradually raifc 
 themfelves to their former dignity. The rnoft com 
 mon punifhment for offences not capital is the bafti- 
 nado ;. and the ftrckes are given either upon the 
 
 belly, 
 
164 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 belly, back, or foles of the feet, according to tllV 
 pleafure of the cadi, who appoints the number, 
 which fornetimes amount to 200 or 300, according* 
 to the indulgence the offender can obtain either by 
 bribery or friends ; and hence he often dies under 
 this puniuSrnent, for want of advocates fufficiently 
 powerful. The moft ufual mode of baflinading is 
 upon the foles of the feet. The criminal is laid on 
 his back or belly, his feet are raifed and tied to a 
 ftake, held fad by officers for the purpofe, and in 
 this pofture the punifhment is infliclcd by a number 
 of flicks tied together, of the thicknefs of one's lit 
 tle finger. A Moor conviVed of houfe-breaking, 
 has his right hand cut off and fattened about his 
 neck. He is then led through the city on an afs, 
 with his face turned towards its tail. No refpccl is 
 paid to the quality of a perfon ; but a pecuniary 
 mulcl wiilarreft the courfe of juftice, unlefsthe of 
 fender is guilty of the moft flagrant crimes* 
 
 The ufual punifhment for debt is imprifonment, 
 according to the practice of forne nations who pre 
 tend to be more enlightened. The debtor is ufually 
 detained in prifon till the chows or bailiffs have 
 feized and fold his effecls : If the fale amounts to 
 more than the debt, the furplus is returned to the 
 debtor ; if it falls fhort, he is neverthelefs releaied 5 
 and no future demands are made upon him. 
 
 RELIGION. 
 
 THE inhabitants of Algiers, as is well known* 
 are Mahometans. But fuch is the depravitv of their 
 nature, that they have adopted the very word parrs 
 of the Mahometan religion, and feem to have re 
 tained 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 165 
 
 tained only as much of it as countenences their 
 vices. 
 
 The Mufti, the Cadi, and the grand Marabout, 
 are the princ pal ecclefiaOics. The firft is the 
 high prieft of their religion; the fecond, the fu- 
 preme judge in ecclefiaftical caufes, and in fuch 
 civil matters as the government does not interfere. 
 The third is the chief of an order of faints or 
 hermits* Thefe three perfons are diflinguifhed 
 by the largenefs of their turbans. They fit in the 
 divan a little below the dey, on his right hand. 
 
 The Algerines have the moO fingular Veneration 
 for idiots ,* infomuch that numbers of their mara 
 bouts pretend to be of this order, that they may 
 receive the greater refpe6\ from the people. Thefe 
 marabouts either live fequeftered in caves, or 
 wander bare leaded and bare footed from city to 
 city, with ragged clothes and a HarFin their hands, 
 with which they touch fuch perfons as they think 
 proper, and the perfon who is touched in this 
 manner regards it as the moft fignal favor that can 
 be conferred upon him, becaufe he is perfuaded 
 that his fins are thereby forgiven. Thefe mara 
 bouts ftudy magic and aftrology ; they undertake 
 to cure all difeafes, and to infpire love by num 
 bers, and the powers of incantation. They lead 
 very auflere lives, and generally employ themfelves 
 in counting their beads, or in prayer and medita 
 tion. This faintfhip goes by fuccefiion, and the 
 fon is entitled to the fame veneration and refpecl as 
 his father, provided he can fupport the fame gra 
 vity and decorum. Some of them are reputed to 
 polTefs the fame faculty as their prophet in receiv 
 ing vifions and converfing with the Deity. 
 
 In Algiers there are many mofques, in which 
 thefe marabouts are buried, who are venerated as 
 
 faiats, 
 
1 66 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS 
 
 faints, and burning lamps are placed round their 
 fepulchres, to which people fend prcfcnts to ob 
 tain relief in ficknefs,or go thither upon pilgrimage. 
 Thofe who are fubjeft to the falling ficknefs are 
 more highly venerated, bec'aufe Mahomet was trou 
 bled with this difeafe,and declared that at that time 
 God by' his angel Gabriel revealed to him the 
 mod facred myderies of his religion. 
 
 Ail thofe Algerines who are of fufiicient ability 
 deem it an indifpsnfible duty to go once in their lives 
 upon a pilgrimage to Mecca, and in confequence 
 of the imrnenfe numbers who refort thither from 
 different parts of Turkey, this city is more throng 
 ed than any city in the world. 
 
 As the impofition of Mahometanifrn has been 
 propagated over fuch extenfive tracts of country in 
 the other three quarters of the globe, and forms fo 
 interedinga particular in the hidory of mankind, it 
 \vill not perhaps be improper to give iome account 
 of the great founder of this religion. 
 
 Mahomet, or Mohammed, fly led the Impo/lor, 
 was born about the end of the 6th century of the 
 Chridian sera. He carnc into the world under many 
 disadvantages. His father Abd'allah was a young 
 er fon of Abd'almotaleb ; and dying very young, 
 and in his father's life time, left his widow and in 
 fant fon in very mean circumftanccs, his whole fub- 
 ftance confiding but of five camels and one Ethio- 
 pean female (lave. Abd'almotaleb was therefore 
 obliged to take care of his grandchild Mahomet; 
 which he not only did during his life, but at his 
 death enjoined his elded fon Abu Taleb, who was 
 brother to Abd'allah by the fame mother, to pro 
 vide for him for the future, which he very affection 
 ately did, and indru&ed him in the bufinefs of a 
 merchant, which he followed ; and to that end he 
 
 took 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 167 
 
 took him into Syria when he was but thirteen years 
 old. He afterwards recommended him to Khadijah, 
 a rich widow, for her faftor, in whofe fcrvicc he 
 behaved himfelf fo well, that by making him her 
 hufband (he foon raifed him to an equality with the 
 richeft in Mecca. 
 
 After he began by this advantageous match to 
 live at his eafe, he formed the fcheme of eftablim- 
 ing a new religion, or, as he expreffed it, of re 
 planting the only true and ancient one profefled by 
 Adarn, Noah, Abraham, Mofes, Jefus, and all the 
 prophets, by deftroying the grofs idolatry into which 
 the generality of his countrymen had fallen, and 
 weeding cut the corruptions and fuperftitions which 
 the latter Jews and Chriflians had, as he thought, in 
 troduced into their religion, and reducing it to its 
 primitive purity, which confifted chiefly in the wor- 
 fhip of one God. 
 
 Before he made cny attempt abroad, he rightly 
 judged that it was neceflary for him to begin with 
 the converfion of his own houfehold. Having 
 therefore retired with his family, as he had done 
 feverai times before, to a cave in mount Hara, he 
 there opened the fecret of his million to his wife 
 Khadijah ; and acquainted her that the angel Ga 
 briel had juft before appeared to him, and told 
 him that he was appointed the apoflle of God. 
 Khadijah received the news with great joy : fwear- 
 ing by him in whofe hands her foul was, that me 
 trulled he would be the prophet of his nation. 
 
 Encouraged by fo good a beginning, he refolv- 
 
 ed to proceed, and try for fome time what he could 
 
 do by private perfuaiion ; not daring to hazard the 
 
 * whole affair by expcfing it too fuddenly to the 
 
 public. 
 
 The 
 
i68 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 The next perfon Mahomet applied to was Abu) 
 Beker, a man of great authority among the Koreiih, 
 and one whofe intercft he well knew would be of 
 great fervice to him ; as it foon appeared : for Abu 
 Beker being gained over, prevailed alfoupon fome 
 of the principal men of Mecca to follow his ex 
 ample, who with a few more were converted in 
 the fpace of three years : at the end of which time 
 Mahomet having^ as he hoped, a fufficient intereft 
 to fupport him, made his miffion no longer a fe- 
 cret, but gave out that God had commanded him 
 to admoniih his near relations ; and in order to 
 do it with more convenience and profpeft of fuc- 
 cefs, he dhecled AH to prepare an entertainment, 
 and invite the fons and defendants of Abd'almo- 
 taleb, intending then to open his mind to them. 
 This was done, and about 40 of them came ; but 
 Abu Taleb, one of his uncles, making the com 
 pany break up before Mahomet had an opportunity 
 of fpeaking, obliged him to give them a iecond 
 invitation the next day; and when they were come, 
 he made the following fpeech to them : " I know- 
 no man in all Arabia who can offer his kindred a 
 more excellent thing than I now do to you ; I of 
 fer you happinefs both in this life, and that which 
 is to come ; God Almighty hath commanded me 
 to call you unto him : Who, therefore, anong 
 you will be afTiflant to me herein, and become 
 my brother and my vicegerent?" All of them de 
 clining the matter, Ali at length rofe up, and de 
 clared he would be his aflifinnt ; and vehemently 
 threatened thofe who fhouid oppofe him. Maho 
 met upon this embraced Ali with great dcrnon- 
 ftraiions of affection, and defired all thofe who 
 were prefent to hear and obey him as his deputy ; 
 
 at 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 169 
 
 at which all the company broke out into a great 
 laughter. 
 
 This repulfe, however, was fo far from difcoura- 
 ing Mahomet, that he began to preach in public to 
 the people, who heard him with iorne patience till 
 he came to upbraid thern with the idolatry and per- 
 \erfenefs of themf elves and their fathers : which fo 
 exafperated them, that they declared themfelves 
 his enemies ,* and would foon have accomplished 
 his ruin had he noi been protected by Abu Taleb. 
 The chief of the KOI eiih threatened him with an open 
 rupture if he did not prevail on Mahomet to deiifl. 
 At this Abu Taleb was fo far moved, that he earn- 
 cilly diffuadcd his nephew from pur-Cuing the affair 
 any farther, reprefenting the great danger of fuch 
 an undertaking- But Mahomet was not to be inti 
 midated, and told his uncle plainly, that if they 
 Jet the fun again ft him OH his right hand, -and tLe 
 mo en on his left, he would net leave Ins tntcrprife* 
 Abu Taleb feeing him fo firmly refolved to pro 
 ceed, ufed no further arguments, but prornifed to 
 Hand by him againft all his enemies. 
 
 The Koreifh, finding they could neither prevail 
 ly fair words, jior by menaces, tried what they 
 could do by force and ill treatment ; ufmg Ma ho 
 rnet's followers fo very injuriouily, that it was not 
 fafe for them to continue at Mecca any longer ; 
 whereupon Mahomet gave leave to fuch of the-m as 
 bad not friends to protect thern, to feekfor refuge 
 tlfewhcre. 
 
 In the fixth year of his million, Mahomet had 
 the pleafure of feeing his party flrengthened by the 
 converfion of his uncle Hamza, and Omar Ebn al 
 Kattab, who was at firfl a violent oppofer of the 
 prophet. As perfecution generally advances rather 
 than obfhucls the fpreading of a religion, Ida- 
 P rnifrn 
 
770 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 -inifm made fo great a progrefs among the Arab\ 
 tribes, that the Koreifh, to fupprefs it effectually if\ 
 poffible, in the feventh year of Mahomet's rniffion, 
 made a folemn league againft the Hafnemites and 
 the family of Abd'almotaleb, engaging themfelves 
 to contra6t no marriages with any of them ; and 
 to give it the greater fan6\ion, reduced it into wri 
 ting, and laid it up in the Caaba. 
 
 The families in confequence continued at vari 
 ance for three years ; but in the loth year of his 
 miffion Mahomet told his uncle Abu Taleb, that 
 God had manifeftly fhewed his difapprobation of the 
 league which the Koreifh had made againft them, 
 by fending a worm to eat out every word of the in- 
 ftrument except the name of Gad* Of this acci 
 dent Mahomet had probably fome private notice : 
 for Abu Taleb went immediately to the Koreifh, 
 and acquainted them with it; offering, if it proved 
 
 . to deliver his nephew up to them ; but in 
 cafe it were true, fee infixed that they ought to lay 
 slide their animofity, and annul the league they 
 had made againft the Balherrntes, To this they ac- 
 .; .;.;cfcecl ; .'. rd going to infpect the writing, to their 
 re3t aftonifhment found it to be as. Abu Taleb had 
 
 ; and the league was thereupon declared void. 
 In the fame year Abu Taleb died at the age of 
 
 e fourfcore ; and about a month., or, as fome 
 write, three days after his death, Mahomet had the 
 additional mortification to lofe his wife, who hacl 
 fo reneroufly made his fortune. For which reafon 
 
 T is called the year of mourning* 
 On the death of thefe two perfons, the Koreifh 
 
 a to be more troubleforne than ever to their pro- 
 
 , infomuch that lie found himfclf obliged to 
 leek for fhelter at Tsyef, where he applied hiirifelf 
 to two of the chief of the tribe of Thakif, wl:o then 
 
 were 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 171 
 
 were the inhabitants of that place ; but they receiv 
 ed him very coldly : and he was foon afterwards 
 obliged to depart from thence and return to Mec 
 ca, where he put hirnfelf under the protection of 
 Al Motaam Ebn Adi. 
 
 This repulfe greatly difcouraged his followers : 
 but Mahomet notwithstanding boldly continued to 
 preach to the public afifemblies at the pilgrimage, 
 and gained many profeiytes among them. 
 
 In the 1 2th year of his million Mahomet gave out 
 that he made his night- journey from Mecca to Jeru- 
 falem, and from thence to heaven, fo much fpoken of 
 by all that write of him. 
 
 This (lory feemed fo ridiculous that fcveral of 
 his followers left him in confequence, and would 
 probably have ruined the whole defign, had not, 
 Abu Beker vouched for his veracity, and declared, 
 that if Mahomet affirmed it to be true, he verily 
 believed him. Which happy incident not only re 
 trieved the prophet's credit, but encrcafed it to fuch 
 a degree, that he was afterwards able to make his 
 difciples fwailow whatever he pleafed to impofe on 
 them. This fiction, notwithftanding its extravagance, 
 was one of the moft artful contrivances Mahomet 
 ever deviled, and what chiefly contributed to the 
 raiiing of his reputation to that great height to which 
 it afterwards arrived. 
 
 In this year, called by the Mahometans the ac 
 cepted year, twelve men of Yathreb or Medina, 
 -cams to Mecca, and took an oath of fidelity to Ma 
 homet at al Akaba, a hill on the north of that ci 
 ty ; after which Mahomet fent one of his difciples, 
 named Mafab Ebn Omair, home with them, to in- 
 ftru-Sl them more fully in the grounds and ceremo 
 
 nies of his new religion. 
 
 Mafab 
 
172 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 Ma fab being arrived at Medina, by theaffiftanc 
 of thole who had been formerly converted, gained 
 leveral profelytes, and Ma home tan if m was propa 
 gated ib rapidiy that there was fcarce a houfe where 
 in there were not fome who had embraced it. 
 
 The next year, being the 13th of Mahomet's 
 million, Mafab returned to Mecca, accompanied 
 by 73 men and two women of Medina, who of 
 fered Mahomet their afliftance, which he readily 
 accepted ,* as he was iu the moft imminent dan 
 ger from liis powerful adverfaries in Mecca. Out 
 of this number Mahomet chofe twelve perfons, 
 who were to have the fame authority among; them 
 as the twdue, apoltles of Chriil had among his dif- 
 ciples. 
 
 Hitherto Mahomet had propagated his religion 
 by fair means ; fo that the whole fucccfs of this en- 
 tcrprife, before his flight to Medina, muft be at 
 tributed folely to perfuaiio.i. For before his fecond 
 oith of fealty or inauguration, at al Akaba, he had 
 no permiTion to ufe any force at all ; nor would he 
 fuifer it. And he was far from allowing it in his 
 followers ; bat exhorted them to bear patiently 
 thole injuries which were offered them on account 
 of their faith. But this great paiiivenefs feemed 
 entirely owing to the great Superiority of his oppo- 
 fers for the firft twelve years of his million ; for 
 no fooner was he enable J, by the affifbnce of thofe 
 of Medina, to oppofe his enemies, than he pro 
 claimed that God hid permitted him and his fol 
 lowers to attack the infidels, to deftroy idolatry, 
 and to etlabliih the true faith by the fword ; for 
 lie founl by experience, that his deilgis would 
 otherwife have proceeded very ilowly, and he well 
 knevv thit innovators, when they depend foleiy 
 oa their o-va (Irea^'h, and cm compel, felJorn 
 
 run 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 173 
 
 run much rifk ; from whence, fays Machiavel, it 
 follows, that all the armed prophets have fucceed- 
 ed, and the unarmed ones have failed. 
 
 That Mahomet had a right to take up arms for 
 his own defence, may perhaps be allowed ; but 
 whether he ought afterwards to have e^tabiifhed his 
 religion by compulfion is not fo eafy to determine. 
 Having provided for the fecurityof his companions 
 as well as his own, by the league ofFenfive and de- 
 fen five which he had now concluded with thofe of 
 Medina, he directed them to repair thither, which 
 they accordingly did ; but he himfelf, with Abu 
 Beker and Ali ilaid behind, having not yet receiv 
 ed the divine permidipn, as he pretended, to leave 
 Mecca. The Koreilh, fearing the confequence of 
 this new alliance, began to think it abfolu?ely ne- 
 cefTary to prevent Mahomet's efcape to Medina ; 
 and having held a council thereon, they came 'to 
 a refolution that he fhould be killed: an 
 that a man fhould be chofen out of every tri'ue for 
 the execution of this defign; each of \vheni (b 
 have a blow at him with his fvvord, th.it the r:u : l 
 bis blood might fail equally on all the tribes, 
 wliofe united power the Halhemites were much in 
 ferior, and therefore durft not attempt to revenge 
 their kinfman's deajh.. 
 
 This conspiracy was fcarcely formed, before *t 
 came to Mahomet's knowledge ; and he ra : 
 tint ii wi> revealed to him by the angel G.b 
 who had now ordered him to retire to Medina. 
 Whereupon, to amufe his enemies, he dire6iecl 
 Ali to lie down in his place, and wrap himfelf up 
 in his green cloak, which he did ; and Mahomet 
 cleaned miraculouOy, as they pretend, to Abu Be- 
 ker's houfe, unperceived by the corfpitsj^ctrs, who 
 had already airembled at the prophet's doer. Thevv 
 P 2 in 
 
i;4 DESCRIPTION OF ALG1EP.3 
 
 in the mean time, looking through the crevice, and , 
 feeing AH, whom they took to be Mahomet him- 1 
 felfallecp, continued watching there till morning, 
 when AH arofe, and they found themfelvcs de 
 ceived. 
 
 From Aba Beker's houfe Mahomet and he went 
 to a cave in mount Thur, to the fouth-eaft of Mec 
 ca, where they lay hid three days to avoid the 
 fearch of their enemies ; which they very narrow 
 ly efcaped, and not without the afiifiance of more 
 miracles than one : for fornc fay that the Ko- 
 reiih were ilruck with blindnefs, fo that they could 
 not find the cave; others, 'that after Mahomet 
 and his attendants were'" got in, two pigeons laid 
 their eggs at the entrance, and a fpider covered 
 the mouth of the cave with her web, which made 
 them look no further. Abu Beker, feeing the pro 
 phet in imminent danger, became very forrovvful ; 
 : eupon Mahomet comforted him with thefe 
 ed in the Koran, Be not grieved, for 
 us* Their enemies being retired, 
 they left the cave, and fet out for Medina, by a 
 by-road ; and having fortunately efcaped fomc who 
 were lent to purfue them, arrived fafely at that 
 city ; whither Ali followed them in three days, 
 ai'trr he had fettled fome affairs at Mecca. 
 
 The firft thing Mahomet did after his arrival at 
 Medina, was to build a temple for his religious 
 worfhip, and a houfe for his own accornmedation* 
 
 After being fecurely fettled there, and able not 
 only to defend himfelf againft the infults of his 
 enemies, but to attack them, he began to fend out 
 fmall parties to make reprifals on the Koreiih ; the 
 fir ft party confifting of no more than nine men, who 
 intercepted and plundered a caravan belonging to 
 that tribe, and in the adion took two prifoners. But 
 
 whaf 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 175 
 
 what efbblifned his affairs very much, and was the 
 foundation on which he buiit his fucceeding great- 
 nefs, was the gaining the battle of Beder, which was 
 fought in the fecond year of the Hegira,and is famous 
 in the Mahometan hiftory. Some reckon no lefs than 
 twenty-feven expeditions wherein Mahomet was 
 perfonally prefent, in nine of which he gave battle, 
 befides feveral other expeditions rh which he was 
 not prefent. His forces he maintained partly by 
 the contributions of his followers for this purpcfe, 
 which he called by the name of zacat cr a!ms y 
 and the paying of which he very artfully made 
 one main article of his religion ; and partly by or 
 dering a fifth part of the plunder to be brought in 
 to the public treafury for that purpefe, in which 
 matter he likewife pretended to at by the divine 
 dire&ion. 
 
 In a few years, by the fuccefs of his arms, (not- 
 withftanding he fomelimes came off by the won'!}, 
 he (Considerably raifed his credit and power. In the 
 fixth year of ths Hegira he let out with 1400 men 
 to vifit the temple of Mecca, not with any intent of 
 committing hoRilities, but in a peaceable manner. 
 However, when he came to al Hodeibiya, which 
 is fituated partly within and partly without the fa- 
 cred territory, the Kcreim fent to let him know 
 that they would not permit him to enter Mecca, urs- 
 lefs he forced his way ; whereupon he called his 
 troops about him, and they all took a iblemn oath 
 of homage to him, and he refolvcd to attack the 
 city ; but thofe of Mecca fending Arwa Ebn Ma- 
 fud, prince of the tribe of Thakif, as their ambaf- 
 fador, to delire peace, a truce was concluded be 
 tween them for ten years, by which any perfcn 
 was allowed to enter into a league either with Ma- 
 hornet, or with the Koreifh, as he thought lit. 
 
 It 
 
r 7 6 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 It may not be improper, in order to fhew the in.4 
 conceivable veneration and refpedl the Mahometans x . 
 by this fime had for their prophet, to mention the ' 
 a:count which the above mentioned ambafTadcr 
 gave the Koreifh of their behaviour, at his return. 
 He faid he had been at the courts both cf the Ro<- 
 rmn emperor and the king of Perfia, and never faw 
 any prince fb highly refpe&ed by his fubjedls as 
 Mahomet was by his companions : for, whenever 
 he made the ablution, in order to fay his prayers, 
 they ran and catc.hed the water that he had ufed ; 
 and whenever lie fpit they immediately liked it up^ 
 and gathered every hair that fell from him with 
 great fuperfliticn. 
 
 In the feventh year of the Hegira, Mahomet be 
 gan to think of propagating his religion beyond the 
 bounds of Arabia; and lent mefiengersto the neigh 
 bouring princes, with letters to invite them to Ma- 
 hometenifm. Nor was this project without feme 
 faccefs. Khofru. Parviz, then king of Perfia, re 
 ceived his letter with great difdain, and tore it in 
 a pa ilion fending away the mefFenger very abrupt*- 
 ly which when Mahomet heard, he faid Godjhall 
 tear his kingdom. And foon after a rneflenger came 
 to Mahomet from Badhon king of Yaman, who was 
 a dependent on the Perfians, to acquaint him that 
 h? had received orders to fend him to Khofru. 
 Mahomet' put off his anfwer till the next morning, 
 and then told the mefTenger it had been revealed 
 to him that night that Khofru was (lain by his 
 fon Shiruyeh ; adding, that he was well allured his 
 new religion and empire (hould rife to as great a 
 height as that of Khofru ; and therefore bid him ad- 
 vile his mailer to embrace Mabometanifm. The 
 rneiTenger. being returned, Badhan in a few days 
 received a letter from Shiruyeh, informing him of 
 
 his. 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 177 
 
 his father's death., ordering him to give the pro 
 phet no further difturbance. Whereupon Bad- 
 han and the Persians with, him turned Mahome 
 tans- 
 
 The emperor Heraclius, as the Arabian hiuo;l~ 
 an s alTure us, received Mahomet's letter with great 
 refpeil, laying it on his pillow, and difmrfled the 
 bearer honorably* And tome pretend that he would 
 have prof e lied this new faith, had he not been afraid 
 of lofmg his crown. 
 
 MA home t wrote to the fame effect to the king cf 
 Ethiopia, and to Mohawkas, governor of Egypt, 
 who give the nieiTenger a very favorable reception, 
 and lent fev.eral valuable prefents to Mahomet, and 
 among the reft two beautiful girls, one of which, 
 named Mary, became a great favorite with him. 
 lie alfo lent letters of the like purport to feve- 
 rjil Arab princes : particularly one to al Hareth 
 Ebn Abi Shain.ec king of Ghaflean, who returning 
 for anfwer that he would go to Mahomet himfelf, 
 the prophet faid, May his kingdom ptrifh ; another 
 to Hawdha Ebn All., king of Yamana, who was a 
 Chriftian, and,, having forne time before profefled 
 Iilarnifm, had lately returned to his former faith ; 
 this prince fent back a very rough anfwer, upon 
 which Mahomet curling him, he died foon after l 
 and a third to al Mondar Ebn Sawha, king of Bah 
 rein, who embraced Mahornetanifm, and all the 
 Arabs of that country followed his example. 
 
 The eighth year of the Hegira was a very fortu 
 nate year to Mahomet. In the beginning of it, 
 Khaled Ebn ai Walid and Amru Ebn al As, both 
 excellent foldiers, the firft of whom afterwards con- 
 qjered Syria and other countries,, and the Jatfer 
 Egypt, became profelytes to Mahometanifm. And 
 loon after the prophet fent 3000 men againtl the 
 
 Grecian 
 
178 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS, 
 
 Grecian forces, to revenge the death of one of his 
 ambaffadors, who, being fent to the governor of 
 Bofra on the fame errand as thofc who went to the 
 above-mentioned princes, wasilain by an Arab, of 
 the tribe of Chaff-in, at Muta, a town in the terri 
 tory of Balkain Syria, near which they encounter 
 ed.. The Grecians being vaftly fuperior in number 
 (for, including the auxiliary Arabs, they had an 
 army of 100,000 men) the Mahometans were re- 
 pulfed in the firft attack, and loft fucceffively three 
 of their generals, viz. Zeid Ebn Haretha Maho 
 met's freed man, Jaafar the fon of Abu Taleb, and 
 Abdailah Ebn Ravvaha : but Khaled Ebn al Wa- 
 lid, fucceeding to the command, overthrew the 
 Greeks with great (laughter, and brought away 
 abundance of rich fpoil ; on occafion of which Ma 
 homet gave him the title of Seif min foyuf Allah t 
 " one of the fvvords of God." 
 
 In this year Mahomet took the city of Mecca*, 
 the inhabitants whereof had broken the truce con 
 cluded on two years before. For the tribe of Bekcr, 
 who were confederates with the Koreifh, attacking 
 thofe of Khozaah, who were allies of Mahomet, 
 killed feveral of them, being fupportedin the a\i- 
 on by a party of the Koreifh themfelves. In confe- 
 qjence of this violation, Abu Sofian himfelf made a 
 journey to Medina on purpofe to heal the breach and 
 renew the truce : but in vain ; for Mahomet, glad 
 of this opportunity, refufed to fee him : whereup 
 on he applied to Abu Bcker and AH : but they giv 
 ing him no anfwer, he was obliged to return to 
 Mecca as he came. 
 
 Mahomet immediately gave orders for prepara 
 tions to be made, that he might furprize the Mec- 
 cans while they were unprovided to receive him : ia 
 a little time he began his march thither ; and by 
 
 the 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 179 
 
 the time he came near the city, his forces were m- 
 creafed to 10,000 men. Thofe of Mecca, being 
 not in a condition to defend themfelves againft ib 
 formidable an army, furrendered at difcretion, and 
 Abu Sofian faved his life by turning Mahometan. 
 About 28 of the idolaters were killed by a party 
 under the command of Khaled ; but this happened 
 contrary to Mahomet's orders, who, when he en 
 tered the town, pardoned all the Koreifh on their 
 fubmiffion, except three men and one woman who 
 were put to death, the reft obtaining pardon on 
 their embracing Mahometanifm. 
 
 The remainder of this year Mahomet employed 
 in deftroying the idols in and about Mecca, fending 
 feveral of his generals on expeditions for that pur- 
 pofe, and to invite the Arabs to Hlamifm : where 
 in it is no wonder if they now met with fuccefs. 
 
 The next year being the ninth of the Hegira, the 
 Mahometans call the year cf tmbajjics : for the A- 
 rabs had been hitherto expelling the illue of the war 
 between Mahomet and the Kcreifh : but as foon as 
 that tribe, the principal of the whole nation, and the 
 genuine defendants of Ifhmael, whofe prerogatives 
 none offered to difpute, had fubmitted, they were fa- 
 tisflcd that it was not in their power to oppofe Ma- 
 bomet; and thereforebegan to come into him in great 
 numbers, and to fend embaffies to make their fubmif 
 fion to him, both to Mecca, while he ftaid there, and 
 alfo 10 Medina, whither he returned this year. Among 
 the reft, five kings of the tribe of Hamyar profeiT- 
 cd Mahometanlfm, and fent ambaffadors to notify 
 the fame. 
 
 In the tenth year, Ali was fent into Yaman to 
 propagate the Mahometan faith there, and, as it is 
 laid, converted the whole tribe of Hamdan in one 
 clay. Their example was quickly followed by all 
 
 the 
 
iSo DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 the inhabitants of that province, except only thofe \ 
 of Najran, who, being Chriftians, chofe rather to 
 pay tribute. 
 
 In the eleventh year Mahomet died ; thus was 
 Mahometanifm eftablifhed, and idolatry rooted out 
 even in Mahomet's time, throughout all Arabia, 
 except only Yarnana, where Mofeilama, who fet 
 up aifo for a prophet as Mahomet's competitor, had 
 a great party, and was not reduced till the kajifat 
 of Abu Beker, and the Arabs being then united in 
 one faith, and under one prince, found thernfelves 
 in a condition of making thofe conqueils, which ex 
 tended the Mahometan faith over fo great part of 
 the world. 
 
 The mofque which contains Mahomet's tomb, 
 Rands nearly in the center of Medina, which, in 
 confequence, is called the moft fiofy city. It is a 
 magnificent ftru<5Vure, fupported by 400 fiately co 
 lumns, and lighted up with 300 fuperb lamps of fu- 
 perior luftre, which are kept continually burning* 
 It has a fmall tower covered with plates of filver, 
 and the floor is covered with a cloth of gold. It is 
 more vifited than any city in the world except Mec 
 ca. Mahomet's cofTin ftands under the cupola. It 
 has long been the vulgar opinion that this coffin is 
 made of flcel, and fufpended in the air by the pow 
 er of two magnets, but this notion is erroneous, and 
 has long ago been exploded. The tomb lies expo- 
 fed to view from the middle to the bottom of the 
 dome, and is furrounded by a finall wall, which 
 is pierced with windows fenced with filver grates. 
 The infide is adorned with precious flones of im- 
 rnenfe value, efpecially on that part of the cupola 
 which is over the head of the prophet. Over his 
 feet is placed a golden crefccnt of exquidte \vork- 
 manftiip, and fparkling with the moil ccftly bril- 
 
 v liants. 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. *8i 
 
 liants. A canopy of the rr.oft elegant embroidery 
 ris extended above, and over the coffin is thrown a 
 rich pall of gold and filver tifiue, which are an 
 nually fent thither by the bafhaw of Egypt, by or- 
 ; der of the Grand Signicr, and with the greateft 
 magnificence. It is commonly carried upon the 
 back of a (lately camel, and when the precious 
 gift is taken ofF, the beaft is no longer ufed in fer- 
 vile drudgery. 
 
 The place where the coffin lies, is fupported by 
 pillars of black marble, and encompaffed with a 
 baluilrade or (river, hung with fucha number of bur 
 ning lamps, that the imoke darkens the place. The 
 cupola is hung with white and red damafk, and has 
 thefe words embroidered upon it in Arabic letters 
 of gold, God is God, and Mahomet is his prophet. 
 The place is a hundred paces long and ninety broad; 
 it has two gates and a vaulted nave. The concourfe 
 of pilgrims that refort to this dorne is aftonifhing, 
 and every Muflulmaii is bound by his religion to 
 Yifit this tomb at leaft once in his life ; after which 
 he is for ever regarded as a faint. 
 
 The fpft article of the Mahometan religion is 
 that there is no God but the true God, and Mahomet 
 is his apojlle. '1 he Alcoran enjoins the belief of 
 angels; and teaches that they are pure and fubtle 
 bodies, that there is no diftin&ion of fexes among 
 them, and that they do not propagate their fpe- 
 cies ; that they have various forms and offices ; that 
 fome adore God in different pofhires, and others 
 fing praifes to him or intercede for mankind. 
 
 Mahomet named the devil Eblis from his defpair. 
 He was one of the angels called AzaziL who are in 
 God's immediate prefence, and he fell for refufing 
 to pay homage to Adam at God's command. The 
 Mahometans believe in a fubordinate race of an- 
 
 Q, ^ 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 gels called genii, formed of grofler fire, who pro 
 pagate their fpecies, are fubjedt to death and liable 
 to future rewards and punilbments. 
 
 They believe in no lefs than 124,000 prophets, 
 Come fay more, who have been lent into the world 
 at different periods ; among whom were Noah, Abra 
 ham, Moles, Jefus, and Mahomet, and that the laws 
 of each ofthefe prophets fucceffiv el y abrogated thofe 
 of their immediate predeceffbrs. 
 
 The next article of the Mahometan faith is the 
 <io<5lrine of the refurre&ion ; but the time is known 
 to none but God alone. Mahomet converfed with 
 Gabriel upon this fubjeCTv ; but the angel acknow 
 ledged his ignorance of the time. They believe 
 that the refurrecHon will extend to all animals, and 
 that angels, genii, and men will rite, fome to eter 
 nal happincfs and others to eternal mifery. 
 
 They believe in paradife, which they imagine 
 to be fituated above the feven heavens, or in the 
 feventh immediately under the throne of God; and 
 to icprefent the amenity of the place they fay that 
 the earth of it is of the fineft wheat flour, or of the 
 pureft muik ; that its Hones are pearl and jacinths, 
 the walls of its buildings are embeliifhed with gold 
 and (liver, and that the trunks of all its trees are of 
 pure gold ; among which the mod remarkable is 
 the tree Tuba, or the tree of happinefs, which (lands 
 in Mahomet's palace, and a branch of it extends 
 to the abode of every true believer ; that the 
 boughs are loaded with the rnoft exquiiite fruits of 
 furprifing bignefs, and of taftes unknown to mor 
 tals ; of which if a man defire to eat the branches 
 will bend down and prefent him their fruit; that 
 this tree will fupply him with the rkheft garments 
 of (ilk ; that beafts will burft forth from the fruit, 
 adorned with the ripheft trappings ready for true 
 
 believers 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 183 
 
 believers to ride upon, and that this tree is fo large 
 that a perfon mounted on the iwir'teft horte, would 
 not be able to gallop from one end of its fhade to 
 the other in an hundred years. Some of the rivers 
 of paradife, they lay, flow with the pureft itreams 
 of water, fome with milk, (ome with honey, and 
 others with wine, all which take their rile from 
 the root of the tree of happinefs ; befides which, 
 they fay, it is watered by infinite numbers of fprings 
 and fountains, whofe pebbles are rubies and eme 
 ralds, their beds of mufk, and their fides of faf- 
 fron. 
 
 But all thefe glories will be infinitely tranfcended 
 by the charms of women of the mod ineffable and 
 ravifhing beauty, the refidenrs of paradife, whofe 
 focicty will be a perpetual fource of felicity to the 
 faithful. Thefe, the Alcoran fays, are formed of pure 
 fnu(k, and free from all impurities incident to the 
 fex, of the moft exemplary modefty, and fecluded 
 from public view in pavilions of hollow pearl, three- 
 fcore miles long and as many broad ; and that the 
 inhabitants of paradife may enjoy thefe pleafurcs in 
 their fulled extent, it is faid they will be endowed 
 with extraordinary faculties, and fiourifti in eternal' 
 youth. 
 
 CHAP* 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS, 
 
 CHAP. II. 
 
 A Jb&rt ace cunt of the principal cities, 'The city of AL* 
 GIERS. Its origin^ fituatioji) bsrtfes t *Luattr y public &'/// 
 ing*) bagnios y Jl reels > gates > iva'lh) tfislt) ' cufllcsy cn 
 fortifications. 
 
 THERE are few towns of any confequerice, 
 even along the fea-coafls ; though when fuc- 
 cedively under the dominion of Carthage and Rome, 
 it abounded with populous cities. Ail the fea-port 
 towns, except the metropolis, are thinly peopled ; 
 fhofe in the interior p.m of the country Rill more fo> 
 and they are inhabited by a haughty robuft people, 
 who trade into Biledulgerid and the country of the 
 blacks. 
 
 BONA is fuppofed to be the fame place with the 
 antient Hippo, a fea-port built by the ancients. It 
 was formerly the capital of the province of Bona. 
 It lies on the Mediterranean fea, and there is a co 
 ral fifhery near it. It is a town of no importance, 
 and of {lender population. In this part of the 
 world, elegant architecture has, for many centu 
 ries, been utterly forgotten or defpifed. The buil 
 dings of Bona, as every where elfe, are therefore 
 mean. It is expofed to the incurfions of the Arabs, 
 The name of this people is ufed by travellers in a 
 very indefinite manner. Algiers is at the diftanceof 
 forne hundreds of leagues from Arabia : but as this 
 part of Africa was forrr^rly conquered by that na 
 tion, 
 

 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 185 
 
 tion, under the banfters of Mahomet, the name is 
 ilili applied to a race of tawny and independent 
 barbarians, who wander in gangs about the country, 
 and unite the double profeffion of a fhepherd and a 
 robber. Bona was formerly a magnificent city. Its 
 grandeur is now only to be traced in the ruins of a 
 monaftery. It has a fortrefs, and a garrifon of three 
 hundied Turks, as thefe banditti chufe to call them- 
 felves ; a Turk being the mod reputable character 
 in that country. Thefe adventurers however are 
 not Turks, but the fweepings of all nations blended 
 . together. They are commanded by an aga, who is 
 likewife governor of the town. Bona was taken 
 by Charles V. in his expedition to Tunis, but was 
 not long after recovered by its former mailers* 
 
 CONST ANTINA- is fituated on the river Sef 
 Gomar, forty- eight miles from the fea-coaft. It re 
 ceived its prefent name from that of a princefs, the 
 daughter of the emperor Conftantine, to whom it is 
 indebted for its magnificence. The fituation is on 
 a penirifulaj ; difficult of accefs, except towards the 
 fouth-weft. It is ene mile in circumference, well 
 fortified, and contains many fragments of ancient 
 architecture. In particular there is a part of a no 
 ble bridge ; and near it is a large fubterraneous 
 aqueduct, which terminates in a cafcade. State cri 
 minals are fometimes precipitated down this place, 
 and dallied to pieces againft the rocks at its bottom. 
 A bey refides here, and has under his command 
 three hundred Turkish horfe, and one thoufand five 
 hundred Moorish foldiers. The inhabitants of Con- 
 fontina are faid to be opulent and haughty. This 
 city was formerly the refidence of a race of kings 
 who governed the province of Conftantina, of 
 which it is the metropolis ; but in the year 1520, the 
 Q 2 whole 
 
i&6 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 whole territory was conquered by Barbaroffa, that* 
 diftinguifhed tyrant, who annexed it to the govern 
 ment of Algiers. Some fplendid ruins exift in the 
 \icinityof Conftantina. Upon the fea-coaft, at a 
 fmall diftance from it, are the traces of a Roman 
 colony, anciently called Colo- It is Mtuated on a 
 high rock, and has a garrifon. Adjoining to it is 
 a French factory, to which the Moors bring hides, 
 wax, and wool, for fale. At no great diftaiu:e are 
 the remains of the ancient city of Stora. It is faid 
 that the mountainous part of this territory is inha 
 bited by a hardy people, who can raiie forty thou* 
 iand fighting men. 
 
 G1GERI is fituated about fifteen miles from 
 Bona. It contains about fifieen hundred houies, 
 and the inhabitants are very poor, it is defended 
 by a fort and a fmall garrifon* The natives of this 
 part of the country are independent and barbarous* 
 They retire, when circumftances require it, to in- 
 acceffible fsftneffes, and fet the dey of Algiers at 
 defiance. Ships, when wrecked on this coaft, are 
 plundered, and the crews are treated with the ut- 
 moft favagenefs. In this refpe&, however, the 
 natives of the territory of Gigeri cannot differ much 
 for the worfe from the reft of their countrymen; 
 nor is the pratiice peculiar to Barbary. Scenes 
 of the fame kind are frequently a6tec! with impu 
 nity, on the coaft of Cornwall, and other mari 
 time counties of England *, The French, in the 
 
 year 
 
 * There is a (lory of an Engllfo parfon, whofe con 
 gregation, during the time of divine fervice, heard of a 
 ihipwreck. In fpite of his utmoft efforts to detain theiiv 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 187 
 
 year 1666, bad begun to fortify Gigeri. They 
 were driven from it by the Algerines, with the lofs 
 of their cannon* and rnoil of their effects. 
 
 BUG! A was formerly the capital of a kingdom 
 of the fame name* li Hands at the mouth of the 
 river Major, or Zinganor, about twenty leagues 
 to the eaftward of Algiers. It is little better than 
 a heap of ruins j a deicription which applies to ai 
 med every town in that part of the world. It has 
 three caftles, two at the port, and one upon a rock, 
 at a frnall distance behind them. In the year 
 1671, a Britim admiral took or deftroyed, in this 
 harbour, nine Algerine ihips of war. It is ex 
 tremely feldom that an admiral has been charged 
 with fuch a laudable comrniffion> 
 
 STESSA, or STEFFA, is fifuafed in a fertile 
 valley, fixty miles to the fouth of Bugia, and fif 
 teen miles from the fea. It exhibits only the me 
 lancholy ruins of its former magnificence, con 
 taining about three hundred rniferable families. 
 
 TEBEF was formerly a flouriuSins: city, but is 
 at prefent extremely reduced. Z AMOUR A is in 
 the fame condition. It is defended by a fort. 
 
 COUCO was once the metropolis of a kingdom 
 of the fame name. Its fovereigns were in the 
 habit of forming alliances with the court of Spain. 
 For this reafon the Aigerines, in the beginning of 
 the feventeenth century, ravaged the whole coun 
 try, 
 
 the whole affembly rufhed out of the church, in a body/ 
 to divide the plunder* 
 
ilS DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS; 
 
 try, and deftroyed every town in it. The inhabi-*- 
 tants have ftill fupported their independence, by 
 taking refuge in the mountainous parts of the coun* 
 try, which are faid to be very fertile; but the Al- 
 gerines prevent them from holding aoy intercotirfe 
 with foreign nations. 
 
 BISCARA has a fort and garrifon. One of the 
 chief employments of the people here is to catch 
 and tame lions, tigers, and other beafts of prey, 
 which they carry for fale to Algiers. 
 
 NECANZ is one of the mbft pkafant towns in 
 Barbary. It is watered by an agreeable river, 
 \vhofe banks are adorned with a variety of beauti 4 - 
 ful trees. The town contains a magnificent mofq.ue 
 and a college for the education of Mahometan ftu- 
 dents. 
 
 ORAN is fituated about two hundred and fifty 
 miles weft of Algiers. It lies partly on a plain, 
 and partly on the afcent of a hill. It is a mile and 
 lialf in circumference and tolerably fortified. But 
 it is unfortunately commanded by feme of the 
 neighbouring eminences; fo that a garrifon of ten 
 or twelve thoufand men is neceffary to defend it 
 with fuccefs againft a fkilful enemy* As the Spa- 
 fiim coafts and merchant fhips bad fuffered much 
 from the cor fairs of this port, Ferdinand king of 
 Spain determined to attempt its reduction. For 
 this purpofe he tranfported into Africa an army, un 
 der the command of his prime minifter cardinal XU 
 nienes, who maintained a correfpondence with fome 
 of the people of Oran ; and when the Moors fallied 
 out to attack the Spanifh army, their perfidious 
 countrymen fliut their gates againft them* Xirne>- 
 
 nes 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS, 18$ 
 
 nes killed four thoufand of the barbarians, and 
 let at liberty twenty thoufand Chriftian flavesii 
 The Algerines, during almofi: two hundred years, 
 made frequent and unfuccefsful attempts to recover 
 the town. At laft, in 1708, they retook it. In 
 June 1732, a Spanifh army was difernbarked not far 
 from Oran. 1 he Turkifh commander, his troops, 
 and the inhabitants were feized with a panic, and 
 abandoned their fortifications without much refiiv- 
 ance'. The victors found in the place an hundred' 
 and forty-fix' pieces of cannon, beildes mortars, and 
 at lead fifty (hip loads of provifions. This latter iup^ 
 ply contributed much to the prefervaiion of their 
 new conquetU Without it they nmll have run the 
 greateft hazard of periihing in the m:dft of fuc 1 - 
 cefs ,* as a terhpeft, which lafted fbr feveral days, 
 cut off all intercourfe between the army upon 
 Ihore, and the fleet at fa The Moors not long 
 after attacked the Spaniards with great fury, but 
 were finally repuifed with great (laughter" on both 
 fides. The greateft part of this town has lately 
 been laid in ruins by an earthquake ; fmce which 
 it has been evacuated by the Spaniards, and left 
 in pofledion of the Turks. From thcfc ruins l He 
 dey of Algiers has lately exported great quantities 
 of white ft one for the purpoie of building his new 
 niofque. 
 
 I 
 
 TREMESEN was formerly 'the capital town of a 
 kingdom ef that name. It is filuated ninety miles 
 fouth-weft of Oran, furrounded by a flrong wall 
 and well fortified. It has five gates with draw 
 bridges before them, and a caftle containing hand- 
 fome barracks for the Janifaries who are in garrifon. 
 Tremefen while a metropolis was a fplendid city. 
 It contained one hundred and fifty mofques, and 
 
 one 
 
I 9 o DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS, 
 
 one hundred and fixty public baths. Since it cea- 
 fed to be the feat of an independent government, 
 it has fallen into ruins and defolation. The 
 mofques are reduced to eight, and its public baths to 
 four. The inhabitants are extremely indigent- 
 
 MOSTAGAN (lands fifty miles eaft of Oran. 
 This town is built in the form of a theatre open 
 ing to the fea, and furrounded on every other fide 
 with rocks that hang over it. The ruins of an 
 old Moorim caille itands in a fpace between the 
 rocks, and there a ftrong Hone wall towards the 
 port, with a modern built caftle, gairifbned by a 
 number of Turks. The citadel is creeled upon 
 the fummit of one of the rocks, and commands 
 both city and territory. The haven is commodi 
 ous, and the town is well fupplied with water. 
 The neighbouring mountains are inhabited by a 
 people called Magarabas, who live in tents, and 
 poflefs a great number of flocks* There is a 
 handfome mofque in this town. 
 
 TENEZ is fituated about one hundred miles to 
 the eaftward of Oran, twenty miles eaft of Mofta- 
 gan, and at a league diftant from the fea, where 
 it has a convenient port. There is a caftle that 
 was once a royal palace, and in which the go 
 vernor refides. The fortifications are ftrong, the 
 garrifon numerous, and the neighbouring territory 
 fertile. 
 
 SERCELLI lies between Tenez and Algiers, 
 about twenty-four miles to the weftward of the lat 
 ter. It is defended by a Turkith garrifon, and 
 has a port which will only admit of fmail vef- 
 
 (eb 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 191 
 
 fels. This was anciently a large and populous 
 city, but is at prefent a poor and dcfolatc place. 
 
 THE CITY OF ALGIERS- 
 Its Origin. 
 
 THE names of the original founders of this cily 
 have never been fatisfadorily afceitaincd. 1 he ac 
 counts tranfmitted to us by hiftorians arc involved in 
 much doubt and uncertainty, and its foundation has 
 been aicribed to various princes generally oi Roman 
 extraction. 
 
 The teflirrony of Strabo, however, feerrs the 
 mod authentic-. In his account of Mauritania Ca- 
 farunjis he informs us, tl at there was formerly an 
 ancient city on the Mediterranean known by the 
 name of Jol, which was founded by Juba the father 
 of Ptolemy, and fon of Juba he Mitt king of that 
 name in Mauritania. It is fituated, according to 
 him, about the thiriy-feventh .degree of north lati 
 tude, and has a in;ali iand in the harbour ; and as 
 there is no other place upon the Mediterranean thus 
 circumilanord, it may be prefurned that the ancient 
 city of Jol is the fame as that of Algieis. 
 
 Juba was taken prifoncr in the wars between Pom- 
 pey and the Cxfarian party, and carried to Rome, 
 where he was ordered to be educated. He foon ac 
 quitted himfelf fo well in his Oudies, that Auguf- 
 tus not only gave him his liberty, but married him 
 to the beautiful Silene, the daughter of Mark An 
 thony and Cleopatra, and reftored him his father's 
 cxtenfive kingdom of Mauritania, which at that 
 time included the kingdoms of Morocco, Fez, 
 Tremefen, Gran, Tunis, Algiers and Bugia. As 
 
z 9 2 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 a grateful acknowledgement for fo fignal a favour, 
 he gave the city of Jol the name of Jol Caefarca, and 
 as he conferred a' new name upon this city in parti 
 cular, in order to perpetuate the remembrance < 
 his noble friend, we may prciume it was anciently 
 one of the moil important cities in Mauritania. 
 
 Towards the end of the feventh century, the 
 -Mahometan Arabs over-ran all Mauritania; and as 
 thev leeuied to have a particular hatred Jo the 
 works, as well as the names of the Romans which 
 they abolilhed, they called this city Algezair or ra 
 ther Al Jezier, or Al-Jezerah,an Arabfcword which 
 fignilies belonging to an ifland, bccaufe there was a,n 
 ifhnd before "it, which is now joined toil by. a mole, 
 and forms one of the fides of the harbour. 
 Turks call it Al Jezeire Al Gazit,\.e. Algiers the 
 warlike, and in their public letters and record: 
 Al }e-Zrirc, i. e. the iflaud of the weft, to ciHm- 
 guiai it from a city of the fame name near the Dar 
 danelles. Hotter Shaw fays we fhould pronounce ij 
 Al-Je-Zeiial). 
 
 THIS city is the capital of the kingdom of At 
 giers and probably the Icojium of the ancients, j 
 Ys fituated at the 36th degree 49 th niinute of North 
 Latitude, and the 7 yth degree 37 th minute < 
 Eaft Longitude from Philadelphia, and lies neai 
 in the fame latitude with the fcuthcrn boundary oi 
 Virginia in the United States. It is built en the de 
 clivity of a mountain by the fea-fide, facing the 
 north, on a bay of the iMediterranean fea. The houies 
 rife gradually from the fea-fhore, in the form of 
 an amphitheatre, and terminate nearly in a pom 
 towards the furnmit of the mountain. The town, 
 
 with 
 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 193 
 
 ; \vithits mofques, cafiles, and other public build 
 ings, has a beautiful appearance at a diUance when 
 approaching from the water, and when firft difco- 
 vered looks like the top-fail of a fhip. 
 
 Houjcs* 
 
 THE iides of the houfes are white, and in confe- 
 quence at a diftance one would take it to be a place 
 where they bleach linen. The roofs are flat ; fo 
 that the people can vilit each other, at a coniidera- 
 blediflance without going into the ftreets. Where the 
 houfes are of an unequal height, there is always a 
 communication by a ladder. AsMhey are open at 
 top it is eafy for any one to enter them, but theft 
 and robbery are fcarcely ever known ; for if a 
 ftranger is apprehended in a houfe without having 
 previoufly lent in his name, he feldom efcapes 
 capital punifhment. The tops of the houfes are 
 paved with a kind of brick or tile, and a brick wall 
 is built up about breaii high to prevent perfons 
 from falling. Above thefe, fummer houfes are 
 .erecled, and as there are no iquares, gardtns, or 
 (public walks in the whole city, the inhabitants re- 
 [pair to thefe places after their bufmefs is finished, 
 for the purpofe of recreation, and the pleafure of 
 peeing their corfairs bring in prizes. One houfe 
 irifes above another in fuch a manner that they do 
 Inot hinder each other's profp^ct towards the fea. 
 jThey are fquare and built of ftone and bricks, 
 [with a fqjare court iu the middle; around this 
 court is a double range of galleiies, one above the 
 other, and both fupported by columns. The 
 houfes are in general three fioius high, arid con 
 tain vc or LA Ljmilies; and iuch is their fir^ular 
 R prediliciion 
 
194 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 predilidb'on for white, that all the outfides and in 
 fides of their houfes, mofques and public buildings, 
 are whitewafhed once a year. Their number is 
 computed to be about 15000* Their rooms are pa 
 ved with fquare tiles or bricks of feveral colours 
 neatly joined together. The inward rooms have 
 no light but what they receive from the gates, 
 which are large, and reach up to the ceiling. 
 Thofe fronting the ftreets have fome windows, in 
 which are fixed round crofs bars of iron four or five 
 inches afunder, but they have no panes of glafs ; 
 fo that they referable prifons rather than houfes. 
 They have no chimnies, but make their fires in 
 earthen pots, commonly placed near the door to 
 Jet out the fmoke, which is apt, however, to fully 
 thear walls. Their houfehold furniture confifts of 
 a few earthen pots, platters, fpoons, ladles, wood 
 en trunks, and a mat and two quilts laid on the 
 floor, which ferves them fora bed. 
 
 Water, 
 
 THEY have neither fprings nor wells in the 
 whole city ; and till the lad century their only 
 fupply was rain water, when a Moor who had been 
 driven from Spain con(lru6led two aqueducls, by 
 which they are now fupplied from a iprinp which 
 rifes out of a hill about 1700 paces from the city, 
 near the place where Charles V. pitched his tent in 
 1541. Since which time aqueducls have been formed 
 from feveral other fprings in the country ; and the 
 water is plentifully conveyed into the city by con- 
 duils or pipes under ground, which fupply upwards 
 of 150 fountains; at each of which a bowl is faf- 
 cn,cd for the ufe of paffengeris. The water which 
 
 falls 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 19; 
 
 falls to the ground runs ofF through fmall holes in 
 the ftreets near each fountain, and difcharges itfelf 
 into common fewers, through which the filth of 
 the city is. conveyed away. Ai^ thefe pipes dif- 
 charge therafelves into the common refervoir at the 
 end of the mole, where the (hips take in their wa 
 ter. Every one takes his turn at thefe places, ex 
 cept the Turks, who are nrft ferved, and the Jews 
 laft, who in this particular are poilponed even to> 
 the flaves themfelves. 
 
 Public Buildings, ?r 
 
 THERE are ten great mofques and fifty fmalkr 
 ones, which have a ftriking efFet. The dey's 
 new mofque was begun about the year 1790, and 
 (lands upon the ground that was formerly occupied 
 by the Bagnio Cedimo. It is 60 by 40 feet, three 
 ftories high, and fupported by pillars of white 
 marble imported from Genoa- The walls are of 
 white ftone from the ruins of Oran, and the Ame 
 rican (laves were generally employed on Friday in 
 carrying them from the mole up to the mofque. 
 
 Near this mofque Rands the Logger Baftion, the 
 place of execution for Turks and Coulolies. 
 
 The feraglio of the dey's favorite wife is the 
 moft fuperb edifice in the city. It is fupported by 
 pillars of curious workmanfhip, embellilhed in an 
 elegant ftyle of architecture, and from the ceiling 
 of each apartment is fufpended a cluftre- of lamps- 
 that make a fplendid appearance. 
 
 The dey's palace is the largeft edifice, and 
 (lands nearly in the center of the city. This build 
 ing is very extenfive, and furrounded by two fu 
 perb galleries fupported by marble pillars. 
 
 There 
 
3 9 6 DSSCRIPTIO N OF ALGIERS. 
 
 There are nine fine ftru&ures which the Janifaneg^ 
 occupy as cazarees or barracks, which will hold 6ocy 
 each; fix of which are appropriated to the ufe of un 
 married Turkiih foldiers. Upon the top of thefe ca 
 zarees there are Turkifn fcldiers always Rationed, 
 who cry out with a loud voice whenever a fail is 
 difcovered at fea. 
 
 There are three great colleges or public fchools, 
 and a great number of petty ones for children ; 
 four funnies or public inns, fuch as in Turkey ; 
 and above fixty public bagnios or baths, at a very 
 moderate rate. The women have baths of their 
 own, where the men dare not corne. But they 
 have no caravanferas ; but only a few tippling 
 huts, cork-fhops, &c. kept by Chriftian flaves, for 
 the accommodation of Greeks, and the poorer 
 fort of travellers, where any thing may be had for 
 money. 
 
 There are feveral tolerable edifices without the< 
 walls of the town, which add to the beauty of the 
 environs. Among thefe are a great number of 
 Turkilh fepulchres and monuments; as alfo cells 
 or chapels, dedicated to marabouts, or reputed 
 faints, which the women go to vifit every Friday. 
 One of thefe monuments contains fix magnificent 
 tombs of a circular figure, which were erected to the 
 memory of fix deys, who were, in the courfe of a 
 few days, fucceflively ele6led and murdered. With 
 refpedt to the burial of their dead, the Mahometans 
 difcover a degree of delicacy, of which Chriftiaos 
 have no conception. Their graves are never bro 
 ken up a fecond time, and the profeflbrs of the/ 
 Mahometan religion regard it as an a 61 of the moft' 
 barbarous facrilege to diiiurb the remains of the 
 dead, by opening their graves at any diftance of 
 
 time. 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 197 
 
 time, or upon any pretence whatever. Hence their 
 burial grounds in the neighbourhood of a large city 
 are fometimes ten miles in extent. 
 
 Bagnios* 
 
 THERE are but two bagnios in the city, built 
 of Hone, where the ilaves are lodged, the one cal- 
 ied the Bagnio Baleck and the other the Bagnio 
 Gallaro ; the former of which is much the largeft, 
 and will contain three times as greafc, a number as 
 the latter. They (land in the main fireet within 
 about fifty yards of each other, between Bubazoon 
 and the dey's palace. The lower apartments of 
 thefe bagnios are occupied a? taverns, which are 
 kept by Haves, who pay the dey an annual tribute 
 for the privilege, according to the quantity of li 
 quor they fell. The tavern-keepers frequently 
 manufacture their own wine in thefe bagnios^ from 
 grapes purchafed of the Moors. To th^fe places 
 the Turks refort while the flaves are at labour ; but 
 foon as the flaves return the warden bafhaw com 
 pels them to retire : for they are not fuflered to be 
 with the flaves. Each apartment is large enough 
 to accommodate about a dozen flaves* The win 
 dows are formed of round crofs bars of iron a* 
 bout three or four inches apart, but without panes 
 of glafs. Down the fides of the walls hang heavy 
 chains of long 1 nks fixed to flaples, with rings to 
 the ends, in which all diforderly flaves are confined 
 either by the leg or neck till morning, when they 
 are punifhed according to their crimes. Thefe bagnios 
 are under the guardianfhip of two corporals, who 
 
 are 
 R 2 
 
i 9 3 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 are chofen from among the ftrongeft and mod robufl 
 of the flaves whom they attend at labour. 
 
 In the bagnio Gallaro five apartments are occu 
 pied by wild hearts, fuch as lions, tygers, leo 
 pards, &c intended as prefents to nations in alli 
 ance with the dey. Some of thefe beads ibmetimes 
 break loofe from their boxes, and they are not con 
 fined again till "fome one falls a victim to their 
 fury. 
 
 Befides thefe taverns there is one called the Rap- 
 pagee, near the the port of Bubazocn, and ano 
 ther called the Sanduke of the Luke, intended as 
 a kind of hofpital for lunatics. 
 
 The celebrated admiral Pinchinin was the own 
 er of a large bagnio about the year 1640, which is 
 defcribed as follows. This bagnio was occupied 
 by all fuch flaves as were intended for his galleys. 
 It was a fpacious building through which there 
 was a narrow paiTage or entry, which led into a 
 large vault, that received only a*fmail- portion of 
 light from a grate above ; but fo inefficient that 
 in fome of the apartments it was neceffary to keep 
 lamps burning the whole day. In the upper parts 
 of the building there was a large fquare, contain 
 ing feveral galleries two liories high, between which 
 were feveral apartments, and a church for Chrif- 
 tian flaves large enough to contain 300 perfons. 
 The roof was flat and terraced according to the 
 Spanifh mode. This bagnio contained 550 Haves 
 belonging to Pinchinin, whom he allowed three 
 hours every day to provide for their own fubfift- 
 ence, which they employed in Healing and the 
 practice of every fpecies of villany. The articles that 
 had been ftolen the preceding day were fold every 
 morning at public auction in the bagnio, and thus 
 
 were 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 199 
 
 were thefe miferable beings fupported. But great 
 numbers of them, notwhhOanding, ftarved to death 
 every year, and a traveller informs us that twenty 
 Engliihmen died here in one winter through mere 
 want. 
 
 Streets. 
 
 NOME of the ftreets in Algiers have any names. 
 They generally afcend with the hill, and are fo ex 
 tremely narrow that two perfons can fcarcely walk 
 a-breaft. The middle part is lower than the fides 
 for the purpofe cf conveying off the water more 
 conveniently. The principal ftreet is 1200 paces 
 in length ; it runs north and ibuth from the port of 
 Bubazoon to Babloet, and is not. above twelve feet 
 wide. This flreet is filled with elegant houfes, and 
 the (lores of the principal merchants, in which there 
 are markets for corn, bread, rneat, fifh, &c. 
 
 When any loaded beads, fuch as camels, horfes, 
 mules or alles pafs along, one is forced to ftand up 
 clofe to the wall to let them pafs by ; and what is 
 ftill worfe, the infolence of the Turkifh foldiers is 
 fuch that a Chriftian, of whatever rank he may be, 
 muft (land clofe againft the wall till they have 
 paiTed by ; otherwife they would not fail to (how 
 their fuperiority by als of violence. It has been 
 thought that the ftreets were made narrow, in order 
 that the buildings might afford a {belter againft the 
 heat of the fun ; but it is evident that their narrow- 
 nefs is intended to prevent the bad effects of earth 
 quakes ; fince the fronts of almoft all the houfes are 
 fupported by rafters, which extend from one to the 
 other acrofs the ftreets. 
 
 Gates. 
 
200 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS, 
 
 Gates. 
 
 THE city has five gates, which are open fron 
 day-break till fun-fet; after which no one can er 
 ter the city. i. POKTA Piscou, or fiber's gate, 
 opens to the mole on the eaft ; near this gate is 
 the place of rendezvous for fifhing boats. The 
 fifhermen fit in rows within the gate, and expoie 
 their fifti to fale in large bafkets. 2. PORTA- 
 NOVA, or Newgate, opens to the fcuth-weH, and 
 is the paffage to the imperial caflle. 3. BABLOETV 
 or as it is rather pronounced Rublywhite, Hands to 
 the north. 4. BABAZIRA, which opens into the 
 harbour. This is the gate where the American 
 prifoners were examined when they paffed from 
 the marine. 5. BABAZON, or rather Bubazcon, 
 is due fouth : but neither this nor Babloet are of 
 much confederation* Near this gate is the place of 
 execution for ilaves : a "platform is built on the top,, 
 about fifty feet high, from whence criminals are 
 precipitated down an oblique wall, in which are 
 fixed ganches or hooks at Ihort diftances, by which 
 the malefactor is either hung or torn to pieces ;, 
 and fhould he efcape thefe, he is fure to be daft> 
 ed to pieces upon fharp rocks which lie below- 
 
 City Wall. 
 
 THE city is furrounded by a wall about a league 
 in circumference, and defended by fquare towers 
 and baftions with which they are flanked. The 
 lower part of the wall is of hewn (lone ; it i* 
 
 twelve 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 201 
 
 twelve feet thick, thirty feet high on the land fide, 
 and forty feel towards the lea ; and contains many 
 
 houfes. 
 
 Mote. 
 
 THE harbour is the work of irnmenfe labour and 
 difficulty. It is about fifteen feet deep, and ex 
 tremely dangerous for veffels. It is formed by a 
 inoie in the form of a iemicircle, about 500 paces 
 in length, lying north-cad and fouth-weft from the 
 town to a final 1 ifland or rock called (he Lantern ; 
 from which another mole of the fame length is ex 
 tended north and fouth, for the purpofe of forming 
 a fhelter. In the angle of thefe two moles (lands a 
 fquare edifice, in the middle of which there is a 
 court with rails, and four fountains ufed for ablu 
 tions when the hour of prayer is proclaimed. 
 Round the four fides is a feat covered with a mat, 
 where the admiral and officers of the navy hold 
 their daily meetings. The caftle called Sardinia, 
 and the caftle of the Lantern fland on the rnole ; 
 the former of which is mounted with two, and the 
 latter with three tire of guns. The lower tire are 
 32 pounders ; but they are never prepared for de 
 fence upon fudden emergencies, for the lower apart 
 ments are fo filled with large quantities of lumber 
 and naval (lores, that an enemy, fuddenly running 
 into the harbour, might deftroy the city before .they 
 could bring their heavier pieces to play. Along the 
 fide of the mole there is a wharf for loading and un 
 loading (hips, and for mooring galleys and other 
 veffels. Beneath the rnole on one fide is a ftone quay, 
 and on the other fide a fandy and rocky bank. 
 All veffels lying along fide the mole are moored 
 about fifteen yards from the more, and fecured by a 
 
 number 
 
202 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 . 
 
 number of cables which extend in different direc 
 tions, and are lafhed faft to cannon planted in the 
 mole. The moft 'boifterous fea is occaiioned by a 
 north-eaft wind. In the time of violent ftornis a 
 number of the (laves, particularly Tailors, are con 
 tinually Rationed upon the mole, with Turklfii 
 guards, to affift the velTeisin cafe of neceffity* 
 
 The winter is the mod dangerous feafon for vef* 
 fels, and whenever a violent northern or north-eaft 
 wind blows, they are in danger either of being 
 greatly damaged or driven on fhore. 
 
 On the north fide of the rock is fituated the light* 
 houfe fort, which is diligently lighted every night 
 for the Security of veffels entering the harbour. Tt 
 has three batteries of brafs cannon. A little to the 
 fouth ward of this there is another which defends the 
 entrance of the harbour, and is mounted with 80 
 pieces of cannon, 12, 18, and 36 pounders, point 
 ed from north to fouth ; moft of which were taken 
 taken from the Tunifians in 1617. On the north 
 and fouth mole there are rope-walks and feveral 
 magazines, where naval ftores, and the cargoes x>f 
 captured veffels are depofited. 
 
 Caftles and Fortifications* 
 
 NEAR the city on the land fide are four caftles, 
 the moft confiderabie of which is the imperial caftie, 
 or the caftle of the emperor, which is fituated on 
 an eminence at the diftance of half a league to the 
 fouth fouth-weft, and commands the whole city, 
 harbour, and the adjacent country. It is fo called' 
 bccaufe the emperor Charles V. laid the foundation 
 of it in 1541, when he was befieging the city. But 
 it is only mounted with a few pieces of frnall can 
 non. 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 203 
 
 non, either through neglect or an apprehenfion that 
 it might prove deftruHve to the city in cafe it 
 fhould fall into the hands of an enemy ; for it is fitu- 
 ated on fo advantageous an eminence that from it 
 the city might foon be battered into ruins. 
 
 The new caille, commonly called the Star, is 
 built in a heptagonal form, and fituated on an emi 
 nence to the fouth-weft. The other two are called 
 Bubazoon and Babloet, becaufe they are near and 
 oppofite the gates of the fame name ,* but neither 
 of them are of much confederation. 
 
 Befides thefe there are feveral along the fhore on 
 the weft fide of the city. The battery of the mole 
 gate (lands upon the eaft angle of the city, and is 
 mounted with fix pieces of* ordnance, one of which 
 has feven cylinders, each of them three inches in 
 diameter. About half a league to the weft fouth- 
 weft of the harbour is the battery of the timer's gate, 
 which is defended by a double tire of cannon, and 
 commands the entrance of the port and the road be 
 fore it. 
 
 The ftrongeft fortifications are at the entrance of 
 the harbour, the fituation of which adds to its fecu- 
 rity ; as the northern winds are generally violent, 
 and occafion fuch a fea, thatfhips would be expofed 
 to great danger, either in the road or along the 
 fhore. 
 
 M^ny former writers, either through ignorance, 
 or a mifgrounded prejudice, have reprefented all 
 the(e fortification fo impregnable that they bid de 
 fiance to the confederated powers of the Chriftians. 
 But recent and more accurate obfervations have de- 
 tefted the fallacy of this account : and all per- 
 fons of obfervatipn who have lately refided there, 
 unanimcuily concur in the opinion, that three or 
 at rnoft four Biitifh fifty-gun (hips, provided they 
 
 met 
 
*04 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS 
 
 met with no difafler from the elements, would Toon 
 batter it about the ears of the inhabitants from the 
 harbour. A late writer obferves, that notwithstanding 
 their fortifications, the city is fo commanded by the 
 adjacent hills on every fide but that of the fea, that 
 from thefe eminencies, where it is moft vulnerable, 
 abefieging army would foon batter it into a heap of 
 ruins. 
 
 It is not a little fingular, however, that this city 
 has, for feveral ages, braved feme of the greatel! 
 powers in Chriilendom I but this rnufl be imputed 
 to the very injudicious conduct of mod of the be- 
 fieger?, or the violence of tempefls which have 
 proved deOruclive to fo many veflels in their har 
 bour. The Spaniards in their attempts to reduce 
 Algiers, have been the mod material fufFerers ; but 
 the pufilanimity of their forces has long been pro 
 verbial, and Spanidi difcomfiture is no kind of crite 
 rion to judge of the defenfivc powers of the Alge- 
 Fines* 
 
 CHAP. 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 205 
 
 CHAP. HI. 
 Irikflifantiy cnftQms and manners of the city of 
 
 THE prefent dey of Algiers was originally a 
 Turkifh foldier, and was imported into Al 
 giers from a place near Smyrna about the year 
 1786. He was at firft employed about the old 
 dey's palace, and by his artifice he foon after 
 became fo great a court favorite, that he obtained 
 the office of vichelhadge of the marine. Shortly 
 after this event the caltan-aga, or prime rninifter, 
 through the intrigues of the bafhaw ofConftantina 
 with the old dey, fell a victim to the bow-ftring, 
 and, HafTan Bafhaw, the prefent dey, was promo 
 ted to the vacant Office of caflan-aga. Cedelli, 
 who was a Grecian of an enterprifing fpirit, fuc- 
 ceeded him in the office of vichelhadge, and the 
 old dey fhortly after dying a natural death, Ce 
 delli, who was Hafifan's friend, infilled upon his 
 affuming the imperial chair. HaiTan discovered 
 great reluctance ; but Cedelli, who came armed 
 with a party for the purpofe, forced him into the 
 chair and fupported him there. The aga fliortly 
 after made his appearance, intending to contefhhe 
 right of fovereignty with him, and attempted to 
 affaflinate him him in his feat ; but he was feized 
 by the chiahs, who dragged him to the Logger 
 Baft ion, where he received the bow-Oring, and one 
 of Haffan's friends was appointed aga in his (lead* 
 
 Haffaa 
 S 
 
206 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 Ha (Tan afterwards married the daughter of the for-^ 
 rner caflan-aga, who had beerrexecuted through the 
 intrigues of the bafhaw of Conftantina, and after 
 Haflan was eftabliilied in the ibvereignty, fhe per- 
 fuaded him to bow-tiring this bafhaw ; and as fhe 
 was Haffan's favorite wife her defire was granted, 
 and the baftiaw fell a vi&im to her reientment. 
 
 Cedelli foon after greatly incurred the difplea- 
 fiire of Haffan. The dey had ifTued orders that 
 no Dutch veflels fhould be captured within forty, 
 days ; but Cedelli, either through defign or inad 
 vertence, gave inftru6lions to the corfairs to make 
 immediate captures, and feveral Dutch veffels 
 were brought into Algiers ; which fo violently 
 exafperated Haflan, that he demanded in a vengeful 
 and farcaftic tone, whether he or Cedelli was dey 
 cf Algiers? Cedelli fortunately efcaped the bow- 
 ilnng, but was immediately baniihed from Al 
 giers. 
 
 When confuls, foreign agents, and other official 
 cliara&ers enter the dey's palace, they are requeued 
 10 puii oiF their (hoes, and this ceremony is al 
 ways expected. His vifitors then approach him 
 with great reverence and kits his hand. The dey 
 and his vifitors are feated on ilabs of marble or {late 
 projecting from the wail, about three feet high, up- 
 :i which are placed cufhions elegantly embroidered 
 <md fringed with gold, where his vifitors fit croisi 
 legged. The dey fits with a large fan of oftriches* 
 feathers in his hand. All other Turks of diflinc- 
 tion receive their vifitors in the fame manner. 
 While they are thus feated they are ferved by flavesj 
 vvith coffee, which is confidered the greateft treat 
 that can be given, and as a particular mark of dii- 
 unction conferred upon his vifitors. 
 
 No 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 207 
 
 No perfon is fuffered to enter his palace vvifh dag 
 gers or any kind of arms ; and when fuch attempts 
 are made, the dey, through apprehenfion of adaffi- 
 rasion, makes the tncft hideous outcries ; the delin 
 quent is feized, and feverai hundred flrokcs of the 
 baflinado are inflicted upon him for the offence. 
 
 When the Grand Signior approves of the dey's 
 conduct he fends hitn an elegant robe called a Taf- 
 tan to fignify his approbation of his conduct in ad- 
 miniftration. A prefent of this nature is highly ac 
 ceptable, becaufe it is a great protection to his per 
 fon, and conciliates the minds of the people in his 
 favour. 
 
 The prefent dey is about 50 years old. His face 
 Is decorated with a long black beard. He is a man 
 of a venerable afpeft and of a majeftic perfon, be 
 ing about fix feet high, but rather inclining to lean- 
 fiefs. He fpeaks in a very imperious and authori 
 tative tone, as is the cafe with all the Turks. He 
 goes bare legged, but with flippers on his feet, and 
 cannot be diftinguifhed by his drefs from the reft 
 of the Turks; but only by the greater veneration 
 that is paid him. 
 
 When he walks the ftreets of Algiers hlsltfleros 
 go before him with clubs in their hands to clear the 
 way, and as he approaches every perfon flies with 
 precipitation into bye-ways; for if any one comes 
 within the reach of their clubs he is fure to be knock 
 ed down and trampled under foot. When he rides out, 
 even upon a full gallop, thefe lifberos run before 
 him, and every obftacle mud give way at his 
 approach* 
 
 While the American prifoners were in Algiers 
 the dey once condefcended to vifit the marine, 
 which was looked upon as the moil fingular event 
 that ever occurred ; for neither the dey, the caffan- 
 
*S DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS, 
 
 aga, nor aga, are ever known to pay fuch vifits. As*j 
 he approached the fhore the cannon of the caftles,^ 
 and on the wails of the city were fired, trumpets 
 founded, ind French horns played from the marine. 
 He was attended by all the rais or commanders of 
 veflels, who regarded this vifit as the very highest 
 compliment. He gave the warden bafhaw a con- 
 fiderable fum of money to be diftributed among the 
 Ilaves. After examining the marine he was invited 
 into the fkiff of the vichelhadge, where he fat 
 down with his attendants and after drinking a diili 
 of coffee retired to his palace. 
 
 The dey keeps about 30 concubines in his ferag- 
 iio, who are attended by black enuchs, but the wo 
 men are never feen by the ilaves. He has but ons 
 child, a daughter about feven years old, who is the 
 greateft favorite imaginable with the dey. She was 
 engaged to be married to the late vichelhadge of 
 the marine, who was the dey's relation. But h? 
 was either killed or drowned in his voyage to the 
 Levant, where the dey lent him with a large fum 
 of money, for the purpofe of building a fuperb. 
 mofique at the place of his birth. 
 
 From th* moil authentic accounts it appears that 
 many of the people of Algiers^ and the kingdom in 
 general, are hofpitable, humane, and of ftrict in 
 tegrity. A Moor when he finds any articles that 
 have been loft, never clandeftinely appropriates 
 them to his own ufe, but has them always cried 
 through the ftreets that the owner may poflefs his 
 property again. But in conference of the vio 
 lence that is exercifed over them, and their total 
 fubferviency to the rapacious views of their Tur- 
 kiih oppreflbrs, they fupport perhaps the moll: in 
 famous charafter of any nation in the world. Eve 
 ry fpark of political liberty is totally extinguished, 
 
 and 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 269 
 
 the government has now attained to the very 
 acme of the moft horrible defpotifm. As the 
 Turks maintain their afcendency by the moft ri 
 gorous meafures, their government exhibits a per 
 petual fcene of jealoufy, apprehenfion and op- 
 preHfton ; no man can promife himfelf a moment's 
 fecurity either in his perfon or property ; for the 
 power of life and death is vetted in the hands of 
 the dey, which he exercifes with impunity ; and 
 whenever he covets the riches of any of his opu 
 lent fubjecls, he orders them to be diTpatched 
 with a bow-ftring, and falls heir to what they 
 pofleflTed. When the order of execution is an 
 nounced to any one, he iubmits patiently to his 
 fate, which he has perhaps Jong anticipated, and as 
 foon as the order is executed there is an immediate 
 fcramble among the fervants for the money, jew 
 els, and other valuable articles which belonged to 
 their matter. - 
 
 According to the common computation, the num~ - 
 ber of inhabitants in tjris city is 100,000 Mahome 
 tans, 1500 Jews, and 2000 Chriftian flaves; but 
 no cenfus can be accurate for any length of time, 
 as thoufands are carried off by the plague ; and 
 the number of flaves is ftill more fluctuating, as- 
 they are fubjeft to an uncertain increafe by cap 
 ture, and a diminution by raniom, or death by the 
 feverity of their toils. 
 
 The city of Algiers is vifited almoft every year 
 by the plague, which generally begins in May, 
 and continues for the fpace of three months. When 
 it commences its vifitation no perfon is at liberty 
 to circulate any report of its exigence, or his life 
 would be in dinner; but when the contagion becomes 
 more prevalent one of the marabouts vifits the dey 
 
 and 
 S 2 
 
2io DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 and informs him of its cxiflence ; after which the i 
 citizens are at liberty to take every precaution for 
 their prefervation ; fome retire into the country, 
 but the dey and mod of the people always remain, 
 in the city. The firft flage of this diforder is a 
 violent fever which brings on a delirium, but if 
 the patient can furvive this fever he has every af- 
 furance of his recovery. The difeafe, however, 
 operates differently upon different conftitutions; 
 forne bleed at the mouth, nofe, and ears; fome 
 break out in lived fpots all over their bodies, 
 and many continue in a ilate of coma, or lethar 
 gy, till they expire, which is generally at the 
 v-nd of the third day after the diforder feizes them. 
 About one half of thofe who are attacked by 
 this diforder recover, but they are notwithftanding 
 always liable to, though not fo fufceptible of the in 
 fection after they have once been feized with if. 
 
 A moft malignant plague raged in Algiers about 
 the year 1787, which carried off i mm en fe num 
 bers of the inhabitants; the difeafe was fo viru 
 lent that the ftreets were filled with dead bodies, 
 and the mortality fo great that a fufficient number 
 of perfons could (carcely be procured to bury them* 
 Slaves are very frequently feized with this difor 
 der at their labour, and they are furFered to die 
 upon the ground without any affiilance, and with 
 as much unconcern as if they were beafts. As they 
 have neither medical books, nor men of learning,. 
 it muft naturally be fuppofed they have no phyfi- 
 cians. When a pcrfon is feized with any diforder 
 the only mode f cure is to rub the patient, and at 
 th? fame time to place his body in a variety of at 
 titudes, and if this whimfical treatment does not 
 fuccecd, nothing farther is attempted. 
 
 Ths 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 212 
 
 The people of Algiers eat no breakfaft, but 
 between Cix and feven o'clock in the morning they 
 drink coifee, with which they are ferved by per- 
 fons called coffeegees, whofe bufmefs it is to fup- 
 ply the citizens every morning with this article. 
 It is drank without either fngar or cream, in cups 
 and faucers after the European fafhion ; but the 
 more opulent citizens ufe faucets of gold placed 
 beneath their common ones, for the purpoie of 
 cooling their coifee. They dine at eleven, and 
 drink coffee again at four in the afternoon* In 
 eating they are feated crofs-legged on mats round 
 tables about fix inches high, and they ufe neither 
 knives nor forks. Their common focd is muttcn, 
 beef or poultry, boiled to rags, which they eat with 
 cuzcuz. An Algerine never fullers his wives to 
 eat with him, but obliges them to ferve him till 
 he has finifhed his meal, at which time they are 
 permitted to fit down to the table. The Turks 
 in particular are very tenacious of this precedence, 
 becaufe they regard women as an inferior order in 
 creation, and coafequently not entitled to fimilar 
 d ill i notions- 
 
 The ufe of particular meats is ftriclly forbidden*, 
 and in conformity to the cuftom of the eaflern na 
 tions the Alcoran prohibits the ufe of Twine's fiefb, 
 "the eating of blood, and whatever dies of itfelf, or is 
 ftrangled, or killed by a blow, or fall, or by any 
 other beaft. In which particulars Mahomet feems 
 to have adopted the laws of the Jews, by which all 
 tbefe thinga are forbidden. But he permitted feme 
 things to be eaten which Moles did not, as camels* 
 flelh in particular; and upon particular emergencies, 
 whe.i people are in danger of Aarving, the Maho- 
 tan law fufFers them to eat any kind of prohibited 
 food* The Algerines have fuch a fingular averon 
 
 to 
 
sir DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 to hogs that they will fly at the fight of o>ne as quick 
 ly as from the mod ferocious wild bead ; for they 
 deem it a great contamination even to be touched by 
 a fwine, and a hundred well difciplined hogs would 
 take Algiers much fooner than an army of the very 
 braveft Spaniards. Many, however, among the 
 lefs confcientious Moors, who are not fo apprehen- 
 five of pollution, bring confrderable quantities of 
 pork to market, which they fell at a very moderate 
 price to. the Chriflian ilaves, who derive a great be 
 nefit from this cuftom ; for a full grown hog is fre 
 quently fold for lefs than a fequin. 
 
 The people have fo fmgular an attachment to 
 coffee, or the ufe of it is fo extreme ly fafhionable, that 
 tradefmen and mechanics while they fit engaged at 
 their bufinefs along the platforms in front of their 
 houfes, have their difhes of coffee before them. The 
 Turks, and efpecially thofe who are too confcien 
 tious to make ufe of fpiritous liquors, fpend whole 
 days at the cofFee houfes in frnoking and lipping 
 coffee : and as they devote no part of their time to 
 reading or the improvment of the mind, they ap 
 pear entirely divefted of all reflection, and become 
 the mere (laves of their fenfual appetites* 
 
 The ufe of coffee firft took its origin at Aden in 
 Arabia Felix about the year 1436 ; from whence it 
 was gradually introduced into Mecca, Medina, Syria, 
 Europe and other parts of 'he world. It has been 
 the fubjecl of great contention and diforders; the 
 ufe of it has been often profcribed, and as often de 
 clared lawful and allowed : but at prefent it is uni- 
 verfally tolerated. 
 
 The drinking of wine, under which name is com 
 prehended all kinds of Orong liquors, is forbidden in 
 the Alcoran in more places than one. Some have 
 imagined that excefs only is therein forbidden, and 
 
 they 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 213 
 
 they allege that the moderate ufe of wine is allowed 
 in two pafTages of the Alcoran ; but the more re 
 ceived opinion is, that the ufe of ftrong liqours either 
 in a greater or lefs quantity is ablblutely unlawfuf ; 
 and though libertines indulge thernfeives in a con 
 trary pra6Hce, yet the more confcientious, and efpo- 
 cially thofe who have performed a pilgrimage to 
 Mecca, are fo rigid that they deem it unlawful not 
 only to talle wine, but to make it, or to maintain 
 themfelves by the purchafe and faie of that liquor. 
 
 They are, however, extravagantly fond of wine, 
 and if one afks them how it happens that they ven 
 ture to drink it when it is fo flrittly forbidden, they 
 anfwer that it is with them as with the Chriftians, 
 whofe religion prohibits drunkennefs, and who de 
 light notwithftancJing in drinking to excefs. The 
 dey was formerly much addicted to this przstlice, 
 but fince he has been in admin id ration, he has be 
 come very exemplary in this refpe6t, and it is dan 
 gerous for any of his vifitors to breath the fumes of 
 wine in his prefence. 
 
 It has been a queftion whether coffee is not impH- 
 edly prohibited by the Alcoran, becaufe it has an 
 intoxicating property ; and it is probable that the 
 former prohibition of it originated from thiscircum- 
 ftance alone- 
 
 The more confcientious reject the ufe of Tobacco, 
 not only becaufe it intoxicates, but in confequence 
 of a traditional faying of their prophet, which, if 
 it were really his, would prove him a prophet in 
 deed, " That in the latter days there fhould be 
 " men who fhould bear the name of Mufiulmen, 
 ' but fhould not be really fuch, and that they 
 " Ihould fmoke a certain weed which fhould be cal- 
 " led Tobacco" 
 
2-4 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS, 
 
 Opium, though not mentioned in the Alcoran, isi 
 efteemed unlawful by the more rigid Mahometan s ,1 
 becaufe it intoxicates in a more extraordinary man- 1 ! 
 ner. 
 
 The greateft part of the Turks, however, clinW 
 gard all this abttinence, and as thefe lords of th^ 
 Algerines are fupported at the public expence, 
 their whole life, is an uninterrupted feries of in 
 trigue, debauchery and intoxication : foibles na 
 tural to all thofe who have no other purfuit in life 
 to engage their attention. The greateft tyrants 
 in nature are drunken Turkith foldiers, who feem 
 to be under no reftraint either of law or confcience. 
 Great numbers of thefe brutes, after having in 
 toxicated themfelves, iffue forth into the ftreets 
 with their tahans, or fwords drawn, and every per- 
 fbn muft fly at their approach, or they would be 
 in danger of their lives. The Jews in particular 
 are ever the objects of their indignation, and 
 whenever they difcover a Jew they immediately 
 purfue him, while the poor defpifed wretch flies 
 with the mod hideous outcries to avoid the outrage 
 of thefe banditti, who are at liberty to commit any 
 aft of violence upon him, with impunity ; for 
 fhould a Jew make application for redrefs of griev 
 ances, he would in all probability be baft in ad ed 
 for his prefuinption. So cordially is this race of 
 people defpifed, that when one wifhes to caft any 
 obloquy, or afperfion of ignominy upon another, he 
 calls him Judee or~Jew; and even herdfmen in 
 driving their cattle will call them Judto, which 
 is the moll ignominious term of reproach that can 
 be given. 
 
 The Turks are fo proud that, like the American 
 Indians; they deem themfelves fuperior to all other 
 
 nations 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 215 
 
 nations in the world, and' the mo ft valiant among, 
 the race of men. They imagine that the world 
 was made for them alone ; and confequently they 
 entertain a perfe\ contempt for all other nations in 
 general, efpecially thofe, who are of a different re 
 ligion, and they commonly call Chriflians, dogs* 
 Some carry this fuperftitious averfion to fo great an 
 excels, that if the firft perfon trjey meet in the morn 
 ing, when they come out of their houfes, be a 
 Chriftian or Jew, they return home immediately, 
 faying, God prtferve its from the devil. 
 
 The Turks are, as is the cafe with many other 
 people, mod extravagantly fond of money, and 
 they have long been proverbial for their mercenary 
 difpofuions. The confuls of foreign nations find 
 that the Algerines are not to be wrought upon by 
 remonftrance ; they expe$ fomething more fubftan- 
 _tial, and more is to be gained by flattery, and an 
 artful addrefs, than by the mod powerful arguments: 
 for according to the old adage, " Give a Turk mo- 
 " ney with one hand, and he will let you pluck 
 " his eyes out with the other." This was remark 
 ably verified in the cafe of a Britifh conful, who 
 once made application to Ali Baibaw, a late dey,and 
 urged a complaint againft the depredations of the 
 Algerine corfaus, without the giand preliminary, 
 money. The dey appeared feme what reftlefs,and pe 
 tulantly anfwered, The Algerines are a fit of rogues 
 and I'm their captain : fo that national juflicc and 
 honefty are great rarities here. 
 
 To complete the picture of human depravity, the 
 Turks are guilty of the mofl unnatural crime?, 
 which are here regarded with fuch perfect indif 
 ference, that the poorer fort of people lend their 
 children into the flreets to feek a fubfiftcnce by 
 
 the 
 
4i6 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 the mod nefarious proftitution, and neither pu- v 
 niihment nor the leatt (hade of ignominy is thej 
 confequence of dete&ion. A Turk will figh with] 
 as much ardency for a handfome boy, as old Vir-l' 
 gil, who appears to have been a lover of this de- 
 fcription, lamented the iofs of the beautiful Alexis* 
 Sodomy is fo extremely fafhionable among them, 
 and fo little are they difpofed to keep this foible aj 
 iecret, that it is the fubjeft of their mod plain-^ 
 tive fongs, and they will fpare no pains in pro 
 curing the gratification of their infamous love. We 
 are told of a Turk who being difappointed in one of 
 his ignominious amours, and being actuated by the 
 moft .iingular impulfe, commanded his flave to 
 place a red hot brand of fire upon his naked arm, 
 which he fuffered to be burnt almoft to the bone. 
 
 It was cuftomary with former deys to fend an 
 annual tribute of a number of beautiful boys to the 
 Grand Signiors, who are a little tinclured with this 
 vice ; but at prefent this tribute confifls of a num 
 ber of Arabian horles. We are credibly informed, 
 that the famous admiral Pinchinin, kept in his 
 houfe forty young boys between nine and fifteen 
 years of age, who were never fuffered to go into the 
 ftreets, left they might be feduced by the Turks. 
 Pinchinin was not, however, addicted to this vice; 
 but what difcovered the mofl Angular pride in hu 
 man nature, was that he kept thefe boys meiely 
 through a principle of vanity and cftentation. 
 f One virtuous trait in a Turk's character is that he 
 abftains from ail profane fwearing, and is never guil 
 ty of fuch blafphemous imprecations as a Ghriftianj 
 The American {laves were muchsdd idled to tin's vice, 
 and did %*i hefitate to reproach their Turkifh over* 
 fe&rs with the mod opprobrious language ; io that 
 
 ftveral 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 217 
 
 feveral of their cverfeers foon learnt to fwear in En- 
 giifh as well as the Americans themfelves. 
 
 We ought not, however, to be too precipitate in 
 applauding them for any fupericr far;6Uty in this 
 refpeet, and we may perhaps impute this virtue ra 
 ther to the genius of their language, than to the 
 dictates of their conference. 
 
 Their common mode of fwearing is Judeo, Jew, 
 pero, dog, and Jans [uffttda; a dog without a foul ; 
 which laft is the dey'slavonte exclamation in fwear 
 ing. All thefe terms, though they appear to be not 
 fo blafphernous as either thofe of the French or En- 
 glifh, yet they are no doubt equally as immoral ; for 
 in the depravity cf their difpofitions they are not 
 rivalled by any nation under heaven. 
 
 The Algerines never iliake hands when they 
 meet, but the ufual mode cf falutation, is a flight in- 
 inclination of the head, and placing both hands 
 upon their breads, imploring a thoufand bleilings, 
 and calling thofe whom they falute brethren. When 
 relations or intimate friends meet they embrace and 
 -kifs each other's ihouSders. The Turkim good 
 morrow, is Sala?n maUicum malhx Jalama, and the 
 Moorifti, w&Jhtitict wafliington, or wafhingturrta. 
 The great men, and particularly the dey, are faluted 
 witheffendi, or your grace. When they meet a per- 
 ion of diflinction, they advance towards him with 
 out bowing, and when they, are within reach, they 
 (loop down, and taking hold of the corner of his 
 garment, lift it about two feet high, or let it fall ac 
 cording to the quality of the perfon. After fpeak- 
 ing of their bufinefs,they perform the fame ceremony 
 of^refpecl a fecond time, and then retire. 
 
 The Turks, as before obferved, Jgve the ex- 
 cluGve privilege of carrying arms, and they take 
 
 great 
 T 
 
218 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 take great pains to preferve them as bright as poffi- 
 ble. Their inufkeis are mounted with filver and 
 the heads of their fwor^s with gold. Thefe Iwords 
 they call tahans, which they always wear in public 
 in a kind of fa ill or girdle, which is tied round their 
 middle. They receive -the neceflary Supplies of 
 ammunition generally once a month, and. the dey 
 nfes great caution in the tiiftribution of this article. 
 His own palace is converted into a magazine, 
 where all the lead in the city is depofited under 
 his own immediate direclion, and ierved out in 
 fuch portions as neceility requires. His maga 
 zines of powder are well fccured upon the mole, 
 and all this precaution he ufes to prevent any ef- 
 feclnal oppciition in cafe of an infurreclion. 
 
 The Aigerines read no other books but the Al 
 coran, and the comments of authors who have writ 
 ten thereon : of courfe the fphcre of their know 
 ledge cannot be expected to be very extenfive. 
 They underftand a few of the firft principles of 
 arithmetic, but of geometry, poetry, painting, 
 nnd the fublimer ftrains of mufic, they have fcarcely 
 any conception. All their books are manufcripts, 
 and there is not a prefs in all the city. To them 
 .the art of printing appears perfectly contemptible : 
 they repofe no kind of confidence in it, and it 
 is regarded as an impofition rather than a benefit. 
 
 Painting is fo much defpifed, that many figures, 
 fuch as men, women, beads, &c. are prohibited, 
 and the fight of them is regarded as a great fin. 
 They are, however, great admirers of watches and 
 clocks ; but if they fee them emhellifhed with any 
 of the fe figures they cannot refrain from exprefi- 
 ing their anger. They have a fimilar averfion 
 to bells, and they are fo exafperated at the found, 
 
 that 
 
DK3CRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 219 
 
 ;t the crews of rmny foreign nations lying in 
 their harbour have cften been beaten for ringing 
 their bells. 
 
 Gaming is prohibited in the fame paflages of 
 the Alcoran which prohibit the ufe of wine. The 
 word, as it is there ufed, iignifies a particular mode 
 of calling lots by arrows according to the practice 
 of the pagan Arabs. But the commentators agree, 
 that under the name of lots are comprehended all 
 games whatfoever which are fubjetto chance or ha- 
 'sard, fuch as cards, dice,- tables, &c. which are 
 forbidden. All thefe games are deemed fo highly 
 flagitious by the more rigid Mohometans, that they 
 judge the evidence of him who plays at them of no 
 validity in a court of juftice. 
 
 The only game that is played in Algiers is chefs, 
 and this the Mahometan doftors allow, (though o- 
 thers have doubled its legality) becauic it de 
 pends folely upon art and the fkilfui manage 
 ment of the pieces ufed in playing. But it is 
 only allowed under certain reftridtions ; for it is 
 never fuffered to prevent the regular performance 
 of their devotions, and perfons are never permitted 
 to play for money, or things of the moft trilling va 
 lue. 
 
 In Algiers the men have no intercourie with the 
 women before marriage, and marriage contra6ts are 
 entirely negociated by female confidants employed 
 by the men, who tender the parents a certain fum of 
 money according to their demand, and the lady is 
 thus purchafed as though fhe were an article of mer 
 chandize. Hence it fcldom happens that marriages 
 thus contra6led are cemented with love, and by thus 
 violating the law of nature, they lay a fure foun 
 dation for intrigue, jealoufy, and the moft boifterous 
 paffions. When the marriage contract is conclud- 
 
220 DESCR3 PTIO N OF ALGIERS, 
 
 ed, the principal nuptial ceremony confifi In efcort 
 iog the lady to her .hufband. A proceffion of her 
 female friends and relations is formed about tea 
 o'clock at night, attended by a number of black fe 
 male ilaves with burning torches in their ha*nds, and 
 as this proceffion moves along they make a flrange 
 kind of noife at intervals till they enter the houfe 
 of the hufband, who for the fir ft time beholds his 
 fair bride, whom his imagination had long perhaps, 
 portrayed as the paragon of all excellence. The 
 company then retires, and the next day the marks 
 or virginity are triumphantly difplayed upon the 
 tops of their houfes, in the prefence of the bride's 
 friends and relations ; if this evidence of virtue can 
 not be produced, the hufband returns his wife to her 
 parents, and the marriage is diilolved without fur 
 ther ceremony. 
 
 The A'gerine women are remarkably amorous, 
 and though all intercourse between them and 
 the Chriftians is prohibited under penalty of 
 death, yet it does not deter them from their at 
 tempts, to circumvent every Chriftian Have who 
 comes in their way, for whom they have a remark 
 able attachment. Numbers of thefe frail fair ones 
 rove the flreets every night for the purpofe of in 
 trigue, and they make the frrft advances with great 
 effrontery and adroitnefs ; but fuch is the vigi 
 lance of the lilbsros, who arc highly rewarded for 
 every Chriftian that is dete&ecl, that thofe who 
 are venturefome enough to undertake an amorous 
 correfpondence, are every moment in imminent 
 danger of falling a facrifice to their gallantry. 
 
 Some of the former deys had it in contemplation 
 to incorporate ill* Haves with the citizens, and to 
 permit their intermarriages, but the marabouts, who 
 were apprehenfrve that fuch a law would contami 
 nate 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 221 
 
 nate the purity of Mahometan blood, remonfhated 
 fo ftrongly againft it, that all intercourfe between 
 Chriftian Haves and Moorifh women was n-iade a ca 
 pital crime. 
 
 Tht women lead a mod indolent life ; they com 
 monly amufe themfelves with needle work or ern- 
 broidery ; but are never fubjecled to derneftic 
 drudgery, which is done by flaves, and whatever 
 their condition maybe, they are never engaged in 
 any employment out of their houfes. 
 
 In their drefs they difplay neither tafte nor judg 
 ment, and to an American or European they appear 
 extremely uncouth. When they vifit or appear 
 abroad the beauty of their perfons is entirely con 
 cealed. They wear a clumfy kind of panta 
 loons, and according to the phrafe of the Ameri 
 can captives, they refemble a bundle of rags in mo 
 tion, rather than women. Like the French ladles 
 they are very fond of rouge ; but in/lead of their 
 cheeks they have a fingular fancy in painting their 
 foreheads with a ftripe of red, which extends above 
 their eye brows. 
 
 Their difhabille, or rather the manner in which 
 they drefs in their houfes, is very lafcivious, They 
 wear a cap formed of threads of gold interwoven 
 like net work, round which is tied a fine (ilk hand 
 kerchief, and their hair hangs confined in a fmall 
 filken pouch. Their breads, arms, and legs are 
 naked, but the reft of their body is covered with a 
 large (ilk mantle, which only reaches down to the 
 knees, and is tied about their middle with a kind of 
 fafh. Their flippers are elegantiy wrought with 
 gold ; and round their wrifts and ancles they wear 
 bracelets fet with jewels. They ride concealed in 
 a large fquare box covered with a kind of red baize, 
 
 placed 
 T 3 
 
222 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS 
 
 placed upon aftes or mules, and when they walk! 
 the ftreets they are always veiled.They are extremely 1 
 cautious of difcovering their faces to (Grangers, par- " 
 ticularly to Chriftian ilaves, which they deem fo fa-q 
 cred that they would fooner difclofe any other part . 
 of their body. An American Have was ordered I 
 one day by a Turk, to carry fome bottles of wine | 
 from one of the bagnios to his houfe, and in paf-*? 
 fing through one cf the apartments he furprized the 
 Turk's lady, whofe face was perfectly unveiled 
 The difconcerted fair one, overcome with aftonifh- 
 ment at the fudden and unexpected appearance of a 
 flave, immediately covered her face with her petiy- 
 coats* and in fo doing difclofed thofe parts which 
 were much more thecbjecl of theAmerican^srifibiiity. 
 
 There is not much difference, as we have before 
 obferved, between the drefs of the men and women. 
 The men wear a kind of clumfy trowfers which 
 reach down to the knees, fornewhat refembling the 
 Roman habit. Their legs and arms are bear ; but 
 in cold or wet weather they wear capoots* a kind of 
 greatcoats which nearly cover the whole body. 
 
 The drefs of the marabouts is a kind of green 
 coat, or gown which reaches down to the knees. 
 The hats of fome of them, or rather the covering 
 of their heads, refembles a large dim formed of 
 linen drawn over a piece of circular pafleboard : 
 others wear a high cap fomewhat in the form of a 
 fugar-loaf with a frnall part of the top cut cfF. Some 
 of the marabouts are fo highly venerated by the 
 Moors, that they run and kifs their hands as they 
 pals along the flreets. The dey is confidered as 
 the grsnd or fupreme marabout of his kingdom. 
 
 The drefs of the Jews does not differ much from 
 that of the Turks, and the manner in which they 
 
 are 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 223 
 
 are principally diflinguifhed, confifts in the differ 
 ence of colour, which is black, a diftin&ion they 
 are obliged to obferve. There is alib a difference 
 in the form of their turbans, and their flippers 
 which have fuch a fmall portion of upper leather, 
 that they can fcarcely keep them on their feet ; for 
 they are not fuffered to wear fhoes without paying 
 an exorbitant duty to the dey for the privilege. 
 
 They have few funeral ceremonies, and they ne 
 ver change their drefs when any of their relations 
 , die. They vvafh the dead with great care, and burn 
 incenfe about them to drive away evil fpirits. They 
 have no coffins, but bury them in a cloth open at top 
 and bottom. Before the interment they expofe 
 their dead in the houfe, upon a bier, under a pall of 
 different colours fringed with gold according to the 
 quality of the perfon. The place of interment is 
 without the, walls of the town, and the corps is at 
 tended thitlrer by four, or fometimes eight carriers- 
 No women ever attend their funerals, but a few 
 d'ays after, the female relations viiit the grave, over 
 which they weep and ftrew wreaths of flowers. 
 
 The Algerines believe that when the deceafcd 
 is laid in the ground, two angels come, and make 
 him get upon his knees to render an account of his 
 actions. If he has lived a virtuous life, two an 
 gels as white as fnow, fucceed thofe who carne to 
 examine him, and entertain him with a full account 
 f the pleafures he is to enjoy in the next world, 
 But if he has lived a vicious life, two angels as 
 black as jet are commiflior.ed to inflict the moil cru 
 el tortures upon him. One, they fay, ftrikes hira 
 into the earth with a club, and the other pulls him 
 up again with an iron hock ; and thus they employ 
 
 the ml elves 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 themfelves in the infliction of this cruel punifhrnenr, | 
 without the lead refpite till the day of judgment. 
 
 In religion it feems that rigorous reftrictions are I 
 no criterion to judge of the political integrity of a I 
 
 nation; for though the x^Jgerines are as punctilious \j 
 .00 * 
 
 in their religious fervices as any people whatever, I 
 yet they fupport the mcft infamous national cbarac- j 
 ter upon earth. They worfhip no lefs than five times ' 
 in the twenty-four hours; once jufl before day-break, 
 again at one o'clock, and at the time of lazar in the 
 afternoon, and about one o'clock at night. Juft be 
 fore their worihip commences in the day, a frnall 
 white flag is raifed on all the mofques, as a fignal for 
 preparation ; the marabouts foon after afcend the 
 cupola of the mofques, and turning their face to the 
 eaft and raifing their hands to their heads, cry out 
 with a loud voice ; upon which the male inhabi 
 tants wa(h their hands, face, and feet,#and repair 
 to the mofques, where they arrange themfelves in 
 files, with their face turned towards the eafh None 
 of their mofques have pews, but they are paved 
 with marble. Before each perfon is placed a ftraw 
 mat, upon which he kneel?. After a (hort paufe of 
 filence, during which their lips are in continual mo 
 tion, they all raife their hands to their heads, then 
 place them on their knees, kneel down on their 
 mats, arid all proftrate their heads upon the floor at 
 the fame inftant, from which they immediately rife 
 again into an creel poilure. By continual practice 
 they perform thefe evolutions with the greateft pre- 
 cifion imaginable, and all their motions correfpond 
 more perfeclly in point of time than the exercife of 
 the beft disciplined troops. This ceremony conti 
 nues about fifteen minutes, after which the worftiip- 
 pers retire to their bufinefs. 
 
 The 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 225 
 
 A fimilar ceremony is obferved every day in the 
 marine. The marabout who officiates there cries out 
 from the top of one of the caftles on the rnole, which 
 is the fignal for diving, as the Americans facetioufly 
 termed it- The marabouts have nothing to do ia 
 this part of religious duty ; but they deliver a dif- 
 courfe every Friday in the mofques, from a lund 
 of roftrum or pulpit. This difcourfe, and their other 
 religious ceremonies, continue on that day from 
 eleven till one o'clock, during which time the gates 
 of the city and the doors of the bagnios are IriuU 
 The people do not attend public worfhip at night, 
 but as fooa as they hear the voice of the marabout, 
 they rife up and perform their exercife of devotion 
 in their own apartments. All the Mahometans who 
 refide near the city, immediately proflrate them- 
 felves as loon as they fee the flags raifed on the 
 mofques; and befides all this religious fervitude tbcic 
 very righteous people daily employ themfelves, like 
 the illiterate among the Roman Catholics, in count 
 ing over their firings of beads. 
 
 The dey only attends public worfhip on Fridays, 
 at a mofque nearly oppofite to his palace, where the 
 principal Turks affemble, and he paffes between 
 two files of his Turkilh guards, who are (lationed 
 between the door of his palace and that of the 
 mofque* 
 
 After performing the exercife of humility, and 
 hearing a difcourfe from the marabout, he retires to 
 his palace where, as he enters, he is fprinkled with 
 holy water of a fragrant fme 11. 
 
 Every Friday is devoted to public worfliip, and 
 correfponds to the Jewilh Saturday, or ChrifUan 
 Sunday. Many reafons are given why this da v 
 was appointed for this purpofe. Some areofopi^ 
 nlon that it was the day on which God rimmed 
 
 the 
 
226 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS, 
 
 th-t 
 
 the works of creation ; bat Mr. Sale remarks 
 Mahomet teams to have preferred that day princi 
 pally becaufe it was the day on which the people 
 were accuftomed to aflfernble long before his time : 
 though fuch affeiTiblies were perhaps intended 
 for civil rather than religious purpofes. Though 
 the Mahometans in general do 'not conceive them- 
 felves obligated to keep that day fo holy as the Jews 
 and Chriftians are bound to keep their Sabbath, 
 (there being 'permiEion in the Alcoran, as is gene 
 rally fuppoled *, that that they may return to 
 their p^ratoyments or diverfions after divine fcr- 
 vice is enJeci,) yet the more devout disapprove of 
 the pr^flice of applying any part of that day to 
 worldly concerns, and require it to be wholly 
 dedicated to the purpofes of religion- The flaves 
 are neither exempted from labour upon this, nor any 
 other day- of the week ; but they are generally al 
 lowed one Friday in every month for the purpofe 
 of reft or recreation. 
 
 All thefe religious reftriciions are, however, in- 
 fufficient, and once every year they are fubjecled 
 to a rigorous abltinence called Ramadan, or Ra- 
 mazan, which generally begins in May, and conti 
 nues from the time the new moon iiril appears till 
 the appearance of the next new moon, during which 
 time they refrain from women, and neither eat, 
 clriiik, fnuff, nor fmoke tobacco, from day -break 
 till fun-fet. The pur,tilious obfervance of this 
 duty is enjoined under penalty of death, and thofe 
 who are detected in indulging their appetites, fomc 
 fay, are compelled to drink melted lead as a pu- 
 nifhment for their crime. About fun-fet the flag 
 
 CJiapo.62. 
 
DESCPvIPTION OF ALGIERS. 227 
 
 of the marabout rifes, as a fignal for eating, which 
 is looked for with great anxiety ; after which they 
 are at liberty to gratify their appetites as they 
 plcafe, During the time of Ramadan an univerfal 
 niorofcnefs prevails among the people, and the dey, 
 who finds it neceffary to conform to tins cufiom, is 
 fo much out of humour, that no bufinefs can be 
 tranfacled with him during the continuance of this 
 fad:. The Turks experience the greateft mortifi 
 cation, becaufe they are abridged of all the plea- 
 fures their fcnfual natures are capable of enjoying; 
 they are neither permitted to frequent the bagnios, 
 taverns, nor cofFee-hcufes, and they wait for the 
 termination of this faft with the greateft impatience. 
 ^Towards the expiration of the month the Turks 
 afcend their cazarees every evening, and look with 
 longing eyes towards the weft for the difcovery of 
 the new moon, which is called the moon of Cheu- 
 val ; for at the moment of its appearance the faft 
 is at an end : the Turks then indulge the moft ex 
 travagant mirth ; they fire a feu de joye to congra 
 tulate its appearance, and to proclaim the end of 
 the faft. 
 
 This faft, which is the third point of religious 
 praclice, is a duty of fo much importance, that Ma- 
 liomet ufed to fay, It was the gate of religion, and 
 that the odour of the mouth of him who jajhth is 
 more grateful to God than that of rnufk 
 
 According to the Mahometan divines there arc 
 three degrees of fading ; ift.The reftraining the belly 
 and other parts of the body from fatisfying their luft. 
 2d. The reftraining the ears, eyes, tongue, hands, 
 feet, and others members from fin. 3d. The fatt 
 ing of the heart from all worldly cares, and re 
 fraining the thoughts from every thing befides 
 God. The Mahometans are obliged, by exprefs 
 
 command 
 
228 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 command of the Alcoran, to fad the whole month 
 of Ramadan, and in confequence of this abdemious 
 feveriiy, which is a real fin againd the law of na 
 ture, an univerfal gloom overwhelms the minds of 
 the people ; they are extremely vengeful, and more 
 murders and affafFmations happen then than at any 
 other time. The (laves are not compelled to con 
 form to any of their religious ceremonies or re- 
 ftri61ions ; but during the time of Ramadan they 
 are fubjecled to the infliclien of the fevered pu- 
 nifhments : for fuch abdinence has a tendency to 
 excite the mod boiderous pailions of the human 
 breaft. 
 
 This fad is fucceeded by a Bairam or fedival, 
 called the fead of the breaking of the fad, which 
 continues for three days, during which time the 
 half darved Turks riot in the oppofite extreme of 
 intemperance. They hold a kind of fair out of 
 town, where they divert themfelves with drink 
 ing, feading, mufic, bonfires, wredling, fwing- 
 ing, and feats of horfemanfhip. 1 he colours of 
 all nations are difplayed in the marine, and during 
 this fedival the flaves are exempted from labour. 
 
 But their greated fedival is on the fifth of Sep- 
 temberj the day of the nativity of their prophet, 
 which is celebrated with great fblemnity. All the 
 fchoolmaders in the city, with their fchojars, af- 
 femble at the chief mofque, from which they form 
 a proceffien through the dreets, each carrying 
 a burning torch in his hand, and fingingan eulo 
 gy in praife of their great prophet. Two of the 
 maders carry on their ihouiders a fuperb pyramid 
 ornamented with wreathes of flowers, and a crofs 
 on the top of it, and followed by a band of vocal 
 and indrumental mufic after the Turkifh manner. 
 All the houfes at the corners of the dreets are hung 
 
 with 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 229 
 
 ivith tapeilry and burning lamps. The cooks of the 
 divan to the number of 200 alib forrr* a procedion, 
 pach carrying-a clean napkin or towel on his (boul 
 der and a torch in bis band. They parade the 
 flreets two by two, from feven till eleven o'clock 
 in the day, and the ceremony ends with a hymn 
 in praife of their prophet, performed with inflru- 
 ments of roufic before the doors of force of their 
 great men. About midnight torches are kept 
 burning in every houfe, becaufe Mahomet was 
 born at that hour. This feaft continues for eight 
 -days, during which time any perfon is at liberty to 
 walk the llrcets at night without a lighted torch, 
 which they cannot do at other times without incur 
 ring the penalty of corporal punifbrocnt. 
 
 There is a ilngular cuftom eflablifhed here, of a 
 religious nature, for the rerniffion of the puniih- 
 rnent of offenders who fly to the mofques for pro- 
 teclion, which is called taking the marabout, and 
 thefe places are an afylum for every defcription of 
 criminals, In the front of every mofque there is 
 Tufpended a long chain, which the criminal feizes ; 
 whereupon he is generally taken into the fanUjary 
 and covered with the marabout's colours, from whence 
 he is not fufFered to be taken till his pardon isgran- 
 ted. One of thefe chains is fufpended in front of 
 the dey's palace, 'who fc metimes pardons offenders 
 who fly thither for refuge, and another is fuf 
 pended at the cazarees of the Turks, where crimi 
 nals are more inviolably protecled. 
 
 A quarrel took place not long flnce between 
 two lads about twelve years of age, tbe one a Turk 
 and the other a Mocr, ?.<:> they were paffing from 
 the marine to the cjl) " hen they came oppofite to 
 the cazarees, the yot Turk, taking the advan 
 tage 
 U 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 tage of the Moorifa lad, ran up to him with his' 
 drawn tahan, and gave him a wound through the \ 
 back, of which he inftantly expired, and immedi- * 
 ately fled for refuge to the cazarees, where he was 
 protected, till the friends of the Turkifh lad pro 
 cured his pardon by paying the parents of the de- 
 ceafed a fum of money as a ccmpenfation for their 
 lofs. 
 
 It is a vulgar opinion among the AJgennes,and the 
 Mahometans in general, that women have no fouls; 
 or if they have, that they die like thofe of the brutes, 
 and will receive no reward in the next life. This 
 is probably the reafon why they are never fuffered 
 to go upon a pilgrimage, or to attend public wor- 
 fhip itl their moiques. But whatever may be the 
 vulgar belief, it is evident that Mahomet had too 
 great a refpeft for the fair fex, to inculcate fuch a 
 do6lrine ; for there are ieveral pafTages in the Alco- 
 <:oran, which exprelly affirm that women in the 
 next life will not only be punifhed for their evil 
 deeds, but will be rewarded for their virtues as 
 well as men, and that in this re/pedt God will make 
 DO diilinCtion of fexes. 
 
 It is true that the general notion is, that they will 
 not be admitted into the fame abode with the men, 
 becaufe their places will be fupplied by paradifiacal 
 females, but that a feparate place of happinefs will 
 be affigned to good women, where they will enjoy 
 every delight in its fulled extent: yet fome allege 
 that a man will have thofe who were his wives in 
 this world, or at lea ft fuch of them as he fhall deiire. 
 One circumftance with which Mahomet acquainted 
 ii is followers, ought to corroborate their belief of 
 ihe future exigence of the female foul. An old 
 %1'oman de fired him to intercede with God for her 
 
 admiffion 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 231 
 
 atlmiffion into paradife ; but Mahomet told her that 
 ro old women would ever enter that place ; upon 
 which the old woman began to weep immoderately, 
 and Mahomet explained himfelf by affuring her> 
 that God would make her young again. 
 
 The Alcoran certainly eftablifhes a different be 
 lief in the following words: " Verily the MollenVs 
 " (or Muffulmen) of either fex,ancTthe true believ- 
 " eis of either fex ; and the devout men, and the 
 " devout women ; and the men of veracity and the 
 t women of veracity ; and the patient men and the 
 " patient women ; and the humble men and the hum- 
 " ble women ; and the alms-givers of either fex ; 
 " and the men who faftand the women who faft ; and 
 " the chafte men and the chafte women ; and thofe 
 " of either fex who remember God frequently ; for 
 " them God has prepared forgivenefs and a great 
 " reward*.*' 
 
 Great numbers of the citizens of Algiers perform 
 a journey to Mecca every year, and many veffels 
 are employed in tranfporting them to this holy city 
 for the purpofe of manufacturing them into faints. 
 This pilgrimage is io necetTary a point in practical 
 religion, that according to a tradition of Mahomet, 
 he who dies without performing it may 35 well die 
 a Jew or Chriftian. It is deemed a duty particu- 
 cularly incumbent, and the Alcoran exprefsly en 
 joins it upon all thofe who are of fufficient abi 
 lity to perform the journey f 
 
 Mr. Tournefort tells us, that the four places 
 of rendezvous for pilgrims, are Damas, Cairo, Ba 
 bylon, and Zebir. At thefe places they drefs 
 
 thernfelvcs 
 
 * Chap. XXXIII. entitled The Confederates. 
 t Chap. HI. pag. 48. 
 
232 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 themfelves in the facred habit, which confifts of 
 two woolen wrappers, one about the middle to co 
 ver their nakednefs, and the other thrown over 
 their moulders ; and in this drefs they enter the 
 facred territory. While they are thus accoutred 
 they are neither fuffered to hunt nor to fowl, (though 
 they may fi{h) and this precept is pun&iliouily 
 obferved. 
 
 During his pilgrimage a man muft keep a con- 
 ftant guard overall his word and actions ; he mud 
 avoid all quarrelling and abusive language ; he inuft 
 refrain from all obfcene difcourfe and fexual com 
 merce, and confine his whole attention to the pious 
 work in which he is engaged. All the caravans 
 which come from different parts of the Mahometan 
 dominions, concert their meafures in fuch a man 
 ner that they arrive the fame day at the hill Ara~ 
 Jagd, which is about a day's journey from Mecca : 
 on this celebrated hill they imagine that the angel 
 firft appeared to their prophet, and in confequence 
 the Mahometans have founded one of their princi 
 pal f.inftuaries on this fpot. 
 
 After having killed and diflributed feme flieep a- 
 mong the poor they proceed to Mecca, and from 
 thence to Medina to vi(it the tomb of their prophet, 
 which is covered with a magnificent pall, annually 
 fent thither by order of the Grand Signior, which 
 pall is every year cat away by the pilgrims, who 
 efteem the frnalleft piece, of it as the rnoft invaluable 
 relic. The Grand Signior alfo fends 500 fequins, 
 an Alcoran covered with gold, feveral rich carpets, 
 and a great many pieces of black cloth for hangings, 
 as prefents to the mofques at Mecca. The nob left 
 camel that can be found is chofen to carry this Al 
 coran, and at his return he is hung with garlands 
 
 of 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 233 
 
 of flowers, loaded with beneditions, fumptuoufly 
 fed, and exempted from labour all u.e reft of his 
 life. 
 
 The pilgrims who have performed the tour of 
 Mecca are held in great veneration the remainder of 
 their lives; are abfolved from every fin, and may 
 commit new crimes with impunity* Mr. Tournefort 
 fays, according to the Mahometan law they cannot 
 be put to death ; but are reputed incorruptible, irre 
 proachable, and fanftified from this world. It is 
 reported of forne of the Indians, continues he, that 
 they put out their eyes after they have feen what 
 they call the holy places of Mecca, pretending that 
 after fuch a fight their eyes ought not to be polluted 
 by the fight of worldly things. 
 
 CHAP, 
 
234 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 CHAP. IV. 
 
 Thf Slaves of Algiers. 
 
 WHATEVER fpeculative maniacs or merce 
 nary enthufiafts may allege in favour of 
 flavery, it is obvioufly repugnant to the impre- 
 fcriptible rights of human nature, and an incon- 
 teftible evidence of the remains of barbarifm in 
 thofe nations who fan&ion fo diabolical a principle. , 
 
 There appear to be three ftagesin the progrefs of 
 mankind from favage rudenefs to a Hate of true re 
 finement. Firit, a ftate of canibalifm, in which 
 any tribe or nation of men deal indifcriminate 
 death and deftru&ion among the reft of their fel 
 low creatures ; fecond, a ftate of oppreflion, in 
 which, though they are exempted from the fangs 
 of favage rapacity, yet they are compelled to fub- 
 mit to the lofs of their liberties ; third, the eman 
 cipation of mankind, when the more general^diffu- 
 fion of fciencewill teach them the true principles 
 of juftice and humanity. But the grand fcience 
 of univerfal benevolence muft be referved for fu 
 ture ages ; for though many modern nations ima 
 gine themfelves to be eminently enlightened, yet 
 they are in fa6l but juft beginning to emerge from 
 the intermediate ftate between barbarity and true 
 refinement. 
 
 For the pra&ice of flavery we are not to repro 
 bate the Algerines alone ; for the divan of Great 
 Britain are equally reprchenfible, and have more 
 
 eminently 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 235 
 
 eminently diftinguilhed themfelves in this nefarious 
 commerce* From them we have adopted the exe 
 crable pra6lice, and the United States, emphatical 
 ly called the land of liberty, fwarrn with thofe 
 femi-barbarians who enthral their fellow creatures 
 ii'ithout the leaft remorfe. With what countenance 
 then can we reproach a fet of barbarians, who 
 have only retorted our own afts upon ourfelves in 
 making reprifals upon our citizens? For it is ma- 
 nifefl: to the world, that we are equally culpable, 
 and in whatever terms of opprobrium we may ex 
 ecrate the piratic difpofition of the Africans, yet 
 all our recriminations will recoil upon ourfelves. 
 
 Having premifed thus much, we fhall now pro 
 ceed to make a few obfervations upon the flaves of 
 Algiers, and as a preliminary we (hall detail the 
 particulars of the capture of the (hip Prefident, that 
 the public may have fome idea of thefe banditti of 
 the ocean. 
 
 On the 23d of O&ober 1793, about nine o'clock 
 in the morning, the crew of the fhip Prefident, 
 when they were only within a few hours fail of 
 Cadiz, the port to which they were bound, difco- 
 vered an armed xebeck of 16 guns under Spanifh 
 colours, bearing down upon them ; upon which 
 the American flag was immediately hoifted, and 
 as a very light breeze prevailed it was a confider- 
 able time before the two veflels were within hail 
 of each other. When the xebeck came within 
 gun-fhot of the American veflel fne hauled down 
 her Spanifh colours, hoifled the bloody flag, and 
 fired a platoon of fmall arms. This circu.m- 
 ftance threw them into the mod violent conOerna- 
 tion imaginable, and their firft aim was to fecure 
 their clothes, money, and other articles. The 
 pirates foon after hoified out their beat, into which 
 
 about 
 
gjS DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 about thirty armed men entered, who rowed with 
 great violence towards the American veflel, which 
 they boarded with piftols and drawn fwords, and 
 with the greateft fury and (houting imaginable, in 
 order to irnprefs the minds of the Americans with 
 a convi6lion of their great intrepidity in a naval 
 attack* 
 
 As foon as they were on deck, they fell foul of 
 the crew like fo many ravenous wolves that had 
 broken loofe from their kennel ; they tore oft* their 
 clothes, and the moft furious fcramble fucceeded 
 that can be conceived ; every one being anxious to 
 appropriate moft of the booty to himfelf. One 
 American affures us that he was feized by no lefs 
 than four Algerines at once, who threw him down 
 and ftripped him naked ; but what evinced the mofi 
 fingular ferocity in human nature, in fcrambling for 
 his clothes thofe furies came to blows among them- 
 felves; the moment one had tornoffhis coat, another 
 attempted to wrefl it from him, and a buftle enfued 
 between them. The two that had fei'zed his trowfera? 
 tore them in pieces in their ftruggle for pofleffion, and 
 a fcene of fimilar rapacity was a6led towards every" 
 other American. Every part of the veffel was rifled,, 
 chefts were broken open, and they feized every arti 
 cle that could be carried off with an avaricious fury, 
 characleriftic of no other nation under heaven. 
 
 After they had loaded themfelves with plunder^ 
 they thruft all the American crew into their boat, 
 in this naked and infulted condition, at the point 
 of their cutlafles ; thofe who difcovered any relu6t- 
 ance, were knocked down and kicked into the 
 boat, where they were trampled under foot by this 
 clan of defparadoes. They were taken on board 
 the xebeck, and another boat's crew immediately 
 returned to take charge of the American veflfeL 
 
 Here 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 237 
 
 Here they had the pleafure of being introduced to 
 Rais Mahomet, the ccnnmandcr of the xebeck, an 
 emaciated loathfome figure, who fat fmcking his 
 pipe upon a fheep-fkin, and fippmg a dim of coffee 
 which was placed before hirn. It is not a little fur- 
 prizing, that fuch a miferable obje6l ihould be ap 
 pointed to the command of a corfair, and this cir- 
 curnftance muft evince the futility of their naval 
 policy. He appeared to be upwards of a hun 
 dred years old, and through age and impotency, 
 was fcarcely able to fupport a tottering frame. His 
 hands were palfied ; his eyes funk deep in his head, 
 and through weaknefs dripped a continual flow of 
 tears. From his ghaftly viiage flowed a beard of 
 the brighter!: filver, except where it was fullied by 
 the drippings of his coffee, and an involuntary dif- 
 charge of fpittle. His voice was fcarcely audible, 
 and in his exterior he refembled fome old hermit, 
 that had been immured a hundred years. 
 
 Such was the commander of the Algerine xe 
 beck. When they had feafted their cunofity up 
 on this very venerable figure, their attention was 
 turned to their new quarters, which they furveyed 
 with new adonifhment. Nearly a hundred and 
 fifty Algerines were crowded into this veffel, and 
 whatever deicription can be drawn by the moil fer 
 tile imagination, of lice, fleas, filth and flench, was 
 here nearly realifed. Their decks were never fuf- 
 fered to be fwept or warned, and they feemed to 
 preferve their dirt with a kind of veneration. >Thefe 
 delicate planks they fubftituted for tables, upon 
 which they ate their provifions, which confifted of 
 olives, bread, vinegar and oil. When they had finifh- 
 ed their meals, they threw part of the fragments 
 overboard, and the remainder was trampled into 
 the general mafs of filth. 
 
 As 
 
238 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 As foon as they had fecurec! their prize, the raoft 
 extravagant mirth and boifterous exultation fuo 
 ceeded ; to commemorate the event a fheep was fa- 
 crificed, and after befmearing the fides of the vesTel 
 with its blood, they concluded the ceremony by- 
 devouring its fl-efli. 
 
 After the termination of this fedivity, the pri- 
 foners were arraigned on deck, and a fecond Grip 
 ping took place. Thole who had not been depri 
 ved of all their clothes at fir ft, were now dripped 
 naked, and in their Head they were accommodated 
 with a few dirty rags, which had been the refufe of 
 this ioufy crew. By Mahomet's order, the clothes 
 of the captives were all thrown together in a heap, 
 and fold at public vendue. 
 
 The mod laborious part of duty in the xebeck 
 was then adigned to the Americans, and the pirates, 
 iblely intent upon fecuring their prize, immediately 
 flood in for the freights without looking out for fur 
 ther plunder. In their pafTage the Americans could 
 not help remarking the continual dread and appre- 
 henfion of thefe free-booters, who were continu 
 ally looking out wjth their glaffes, and like a band 
 of thieves who are confcious of the villany of their 
 profefiion, they trembled with the mod vifible 
 condernation at every fail that hove in fight. The 
 Americans reprefent thefe pirates as the mod undif- 
 ciplined and pufilanimous failors in the world, and in- 
 fidthat the mod inconfiderate naval force with Britiili 
 difcipline, is fufficient to defeat or keep any of them 
 at bay. The greated difplay of Algerine bravery, 
 is at the commencement of an engagement, when 
 they endeavour to intimidate their enemies, like the 
 American favages, with the mod horrible yells. 
 
 In the afternoon of the fame day the Prelident was 
 captured they fell in with a Britiili frigate, when the 
 
 Americans 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 239 
 
 Americans were ordered below, and on the fecond 
 *lay with a Britifh merchantman, with whom they 
 had before been in company without the ftrei^hts, 
 whom they requeued to publilh an account of their 
 Capture at the firft port they touched. 
 
 On their pafiage up the tlreights they had it fre 
 quently in contemplation to rife upon the Aigerinc 
 crew, to difarm thofe upon watch, and to confine 
 the rell below by fecuring the hatches; but their 
 imall number deterred them from Itch an atferrpt. 
 On the 3Oth of Ooclober they arrived at Algiers, 
 and were taken alhore to the vichelhadge's fkifF, 
 where they were attended by the dey's jcrivan or 
 head clerk, who conducted them to the palace. Here 
 they were lodged in an outer couit, which had been 
 occupied as a kind of black- fmith's (hop, where they 
 weie refrelhed with a mefs of cuzcuz, and after re- 
 poiing the fird night upon forne facksof draw, they 
 were ordered to the Bagnio Baleck. 
 
 When the crews of the American veflels were 
 captured they were entirely dripped of their 
 drefs, and prefented in exchange with a parcel of 
 old rags and a pair of coarfe trowfers, which only 
 reached down to their knees. They laboured for 
 feveral months in this wretched apparel, which was 
 not fufficient to protect them from the rays of a 
 icorching fun, till at length each captive was ac 
 commodated by the United States with a hat and a 
 fuit of blue clothes, which were fent them from 
 Alicant by Mr. Montgomery the American conful ; 
 a provilicn which they received annually while 
 they continued in this miferable abode- They 
 were alfo furnifhed with money, which had been 
 depofited by Mr. Humphreys at Alicant, and tranf- 
 rrsitted to the Svvedifh conful in Algiers, upon whom 
 the American captains drew every month for the 
 
 furns 
 
2,|o DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 Turns that were feverally allotted to the captives, 
 To each private there was granted an allowance of 
 3 dollars and 75 cents, to each mate 6 dollars, 
 and to each captain 8 dollars per month a very 
 unjuft diftin&ion, efpecially as the privates were 
 fubje&ed to much greater hardfhips than either the 
 captains or mates. By this allowance their fitua- 
 tion was rendered lefs deplorable, and they were 
 enabled to procure a fuppcr of meat every night, 
 inftead of the black bread and oil with which they 
 ivere daily furnimed. It is obfervable that no na 
 tion made any provifion for their enflaved coun 
 trymen but the United States, and in confequence 
 the Turks gave them the appellation of cavatero? 
 or gentlemen. 
 
 Every public (lave wore an iron ring round his 
 ancle, which was always an evidence of his belong 
 ing to the public, and no Turk could moleO: or 
 even infult a flave of this defcription with impunity,* 
 but this badge was not conferred upon the private 
 flaves. To this ring was faftened a chain with long 
 links, which was bound round their body to pre 
 vent their efcape whenever foreign veiTels lay in 
 the harbour. 
 
 When there is a public ranfom of flaves there is 
 no difference in the price between the officers and 
 men, but in private ranfomsthe dey demands 4000 
 dollars for each captain and mate, and 2000 dol 
 lars for every private. All flaves who die after the 
 conclufion of treaties are paid for, and the dey ex- 
 a6ted the ufual fums for all the American captives 
 who died after the ^th of September 1796- 
 
 When a corfair takes a prizehe carries thecsptivcs 
 direclly to the palace of the dey, where the Euro 
 pean conluls afiemble, to fee if any of the prifon- 
 
 ers 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 241 
 
 ers belong to their refpeclive nations, who are at 
 peace with Algiers. In that cafe they reclaim them, 
 provided they were only paflengers ; but if they 
 have ferved on board of the fhips of any people at 
 war with this regency, they cannot be difcharged 
 without payment of the full ranfom. 
 
 The deys formerly had their choice only of ev 
 ery eighth (lave, and they generally chofe the mai- 
 ters, furgeons, carpenters, and the moft ufeful hands 
 belonging to the feveral prizes, befides perfons of 
 quality, for whom they expected a large ranfom ; but 
 at prefent it feerns that the dey is entitled to any 
 number he thinks proper to make choice of, who are 
 generally employed in menial offices about the pa 
 lace. He alfo is entitled to all captured veffels and 
 their cargoes, and the rais or captains generally re 
 ceive, befides their monthly pay, a certain premium, 
 or extra-compenfation from the dey for every cap 
 tured veflel. 
 
 The remainder of the flaves are fent into the fervice 
 of the public ; but if they can procure a little money 
 from their friends, or borrow any of the Jews upon 
 exorbitant intereft, they are permitted to keep ta 
 verns, they paying to the dey a certain duty in pro 
 portion to the wine they fell; and notwithftanding 
 this intereft and duty, many have managed fo well as 
 to ra^ife money enough to purchafe their liberty, and 
 to carry away a quantity befides: for they are allow 
 ed a property in what they get. To thefe taverns 
 refort Turks, Moors, and Chriftians proniifcuoufly. 
 But a MuiTulman would not keep one of thefe ta 
 verns for the world himfelf, and confequently they 
 are kept by Chriflians and Jews. And a tavern- 
 keeper, though a flave, is empowered to ft rip any 
 of his guefts, even the Turks themfelves, if they re- 
 
 fufe 
 X 
 
24 s DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 fufe to pay their reckoning; and herein he is pro 
 tected by the dey himfelf. 
 
 The condition of thofe who are flaves to private 
 individuals, depends very much upon the difpofi- 
 tion of their matter, and the Haves' own conducl. 
 Some of them fare better in Algiers, than ever they 
 did in their own countries, and if they are good 
 for any thing, are entertained rather as compani 
 ons than fervants ; though by far the greater num 
 ber are barbarous matters, who treat their flaves 
 with great cruelty, and perfons of quality, or thofe 
 who are fufpe&ed to be in affluent circumftances, 
 experience a greater feverity of treatment, in order 
 lhat they may be compelled to redeem themfelves at 
 an extraordinary price. Their female Haves are 
 fent to the dey's feraglio, where they are made con 
 cubines, or fubjefred to domeftic iervices, uniefs a 
 confiderable ranlbm is expeclecl for them ; or if young 
 they are fold to fuch as want them for thefe purpofes* 
 
 They neither force nor tempt any of the Chriili- 
 an ilaves to change their religion ; as it is not their 
 intereft that they fhould be made converts : for in 
 that cafe they loie the benefit of their ranfoms. The 
 Chriftians who are free, generally fare worfe than 
 the Ilaves ; becaufe the imperious Turks make it a 
 point to infult and abufe them : but they dare not 
 abufe the flaves, becaufe their mailers will refent it 
 and demand fatisfaiion. 
 
 Thofe flaves who are fold into the country are 
 fubje&ed to peculiar hardfhips. They are compel 
 led to carry all kinds of burdens to market, and if 
 they do not render a fatisfa&cry account of the arti 
 cles entrufied to their care, they are fure to be 
 beaten. Some of thefe flaves go naked in the fields 
 where they tend cattle, drag ploughs, and do all 
 #ther kinds of the mod fervile drudgery. 
 
 Many 
 
DESCRIPTION Off ALGIERS. 245 
 
 Many were formerly configned to the galleys 
 chained by one leg, and fed on water and hard bif- 
 cuit, and beaten with a large cow-fkin. When 
 they were on (hore they were locked up at night in 
 dungeons called Mafmora, where they lay on the 
 bare earth. But at prefent no flaves are confined ta 
 the galleys, becaufe they have fo frequently made 
 their efcape, or murdered their commanders, and 
 fet themfelves at liberty. 
 
 While the Americans were enflaved in Algiers, 
 the moft exaggerated accounts were circulated ref- 
 peUng the feverity of their afHi&ions. It was re 
 ported that the tongues of forne were cut out, that 
 others were emafculated ; and captain Lawrence of 
 the Hull Packet, who is faid to have obtained his 
 information at Cadiz, informs us that the Ame 
 ricans had their heads fhaved clofe, and were not 
 permitted to wear any kind of covering on their 
 heads. Their calamities were indeed without a pa 
 rallel, but the above accounts were entirely un- 
 faunded. 
 
 The greateft feverity of their toils confifted in 
 the removal of the fragments of rocks from Bubly- 
 white, as before mentioned *. It has been found 
 by repeated experiments, that the larger thefe 
 flones, the more effe&ually they refift the impetu- 
 ofity of the fea, and confequently the great art of 
 the flaves who are appointed to blow them, confifts 
 in boring them in fuch a manner that an expio- 
 fion of gun-powder will fever the largeft maffes 
 poffible : fo that the holes which are bored into 
 the rock fometimes extend to the depth of twenty 
 feet. Round thefe huge fragments they lafh ropes, 
 
 or 
 
 * Page 7 f. 
 
'244 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 or rather cables, of fufficient firength to drag them, 
 and three or four hundred flaves, arid fometimes a 
 greater number, are engaged in rolling one of thefe 
 Hones upron a carette, or ftrong four wheel car 
 riage, in order to tranfport it to the mole. 
 
 The Turks make the moft aftonifhing noife, 
 rot only in the removal of thefe ftone's, but in mo 
 ving any weight whatever which requires a number 
 of hands. They feem to imagine that the greater 
 their vociferation, the greater will be the exertions 
 of the flaves or labourers; it is immaterial how 
 (lowly the work proceeds, provided there is fuf- 
 fkieat noife, and the cry of Hyomoly, or heave 
 vvay, is often heard at the diftance of more than 
 a league. 
 
 When they have launched thefe unweildy maf- 
 fes of ftone upon the carriages, the cables are fix 
 ed to them, and four files of (laves are compelled, 
 like fo many beafts of burden, to drag them from 
 the mountain to the city. In their paffage they are 
 obliged to afcend a fteep hill, where their u tun oft 
 efforts are fometimes infurKcient to drag the enor 
 mous weight. The feverity of their toils in at 
 taining the fummit of this hill is fometimes incon 
 ceivable ,' the fun pours down the moft intolerable 
 heat upon them, and they are drenched in fvveaf, 
 and involved in cloufs of duft which attend them 
 in their paffage. Thus many become perfectly 
 exhausted with their toils ; and to complete the 
 climax of their fufferings, their brutal overfeers, 
 the wardens, fcdurge them for the leaft remiffhefs 
 with the moO. favage feverity. 
 
 When they have afcended the hill, it is necef- 
 fary to reverfe the ropes, and their utmoft efforts 
 are then required to prevent the carette from de- 
 
 fccnding 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 245 
 
 fcending the hill with the greateft rapidity. Thu- ? 
 after great labour and difficulty, they tranfpcrt 
 theie ftones to the wharf, where the pantoons are 
 moored, which is about a league from the moun 
 tain, and a ftone's throw from the walls of the city. 
 Here they depofit them, and by means of pulleys 
 and a kind of ileds, which defcend upon greafed 
 pieces of timber, they difcharge them into the 
 pantoons, which convey them to the mole. 
 
 Thefe pantoons are neceffary, becaufe the narrow- 
 nefs of the ftreets renders the pafTage of thefe huge 
 ftones through the city impra6ricable. They arc a 
 fpecies of large flat bottomed boats, that cover about 
 as much water as a feventy-four gun (hip. They 
 have low gunwhales, and long pieces of timber are 
 nailed acrofs the deck, to prevent the great prcflurc 
 of the ftones from injuring the planks. They ge 
 nerally carry three or four of thefe huge Hones at a 
 load, with a number of fmaller ones, which are 
 diilributed over different parts of the deck. 
 
 The pantoons are navigated by cafttng anchors 
 and cables a-head. Fifty or fixty (laves are necefla- 
 ry toman them, and by means of theie cables arid 
 anchors,which are continually carried a-head as oc- 
 cafion requires, they warp the pantoons to the mole. 
 In their paOTage they are fornetimes fubje&ed to 
 great danger from fudden fqualls of wind, which 
 either blow them out to fea, or wreck them on the 
 fhore. When this happens the greateft buftle ima 
 ginable enfues, and the clamour of the Turks is 
 fuch, that one would fuppofe that the city itfelf was 
 upon the verge of deftrudion. The (tones are dif- 
 charged at the mole by means ofajkykr t tyhich is a 
 kind of platform refernbling the leaf of a table, 
 projecting from the ftcrn of the pantoon. and low 
 ered 
 
 X 2 > 
 
246 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 cred by pulleys ; upon this the fiones are placed in 
 iuceeffion, by means of crowbars, and depofited up 
 on fuch parts of the mole as the fea makes the great- 
 eft impreffion. 
 
 Thus have the foolifh Turks continued this fruit- 
 lefs labour for upwards of 250 years, without hav 
 ing conceived the project of forming a wall of fuffi- 
 cient ftrength to defend the mole from the violence 
 of the waves ; but it is faid that the dey has now 
 fuch a project in contemplation, which he intends 
 ihortly to put in execution. 
 
 The irnpetuofity of the fea has a continual ten 
 dency to bury thefe ftones in the fand. An eaflern, 
 or as it is called a Levant wind will roll fuch a 
 heavy fea into the harbour, that in the courfe of 
 three or four days, the labour of a whole feafon will 
 be fwept away- The fea at fuch times breaks with 
 great violence ever the mole, and even the walls of 
 ihe magazines are fometimes nearly deftroyed. 
 
 Two pantoons and two carettes, with a gang of 
 flaves to each of them, are employed in tranfport- 
 ing thefe ftones, and the carettes generally bring 
 each two loads in a day. 
 
 Many flaves are employed at other places in the 
 country. Some at a mountain called Bubazoon* 
 fome at the gardens of different confuls, who re- 
 fide in the country, and others in the marine. But on 
 Fridays they are ordered to Bublywhite, where 
 the vickelhadge and warden bafhaws attend, and 
 where, on thofc days, there is a general collection 
 cf all the flaves. 
 
 After they finifli their daily labour they all repair 
 totown to their common lodgings the bagnios, where 
 they are locked up every night, and prohibited all 
 intercourfe with the citizens. The private flaves are 
 not, however, deprived of this privilege, and they 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 247 
 
 are permitted to walk the ftreets at night, provid 
 ed they conform to the common cuftom of carrying 
 a light with them, without which every perfon is 
 fubjeft to being arrefted by the watchmen of the 
 city, and to chaftifement by the baftinado. 
 
 In the bagnios, the chief aim of the (laves is to 
 drown the reile&ion of their abje6t fituation by the 
 mo(i cheerful converfation. They have few a- 
 mufements here to divert their attention ; but fome 
 of them, when they have leifure, follow their pro- 
 feffions, in order to obtain a little money. The 
 principal ftudy of the more humorous Ameri 
 cans, was to difpel the gloom of their companions 
 and to excite one another to laughter by ludicrous 
 and fatirical remarks upon their fituaiion. Some 
 of them played upon the violin, and frequent) y_af- 
 ter the toils of the day, they would divert them* 
 felves all night by dancing, drinking and finging r 
 in order to banifh the reflection of ftavery. In 
 their frolics they were often very clamorous) arid 
 interrupted the repofe of the whole bagnio ; at 
 which time fome of the flaves would often lodge 
 complaints againft them, and the corporal would 
 then put an end to the frolic by ordering them to 
 retire to reft. 
 
 The flaves are let out of the bagnios at an early hour 
 in the morning, and they proceed to their labour" 
 with penfive hearts and reluctant fteps. When they 
 are employed in the marine they repair every morn 
 ing to a place near the gate of Lktbazira, which opens 
 to the harbour, where they are paraded in files along 
 the platforms of the houfcs on each fide of the flreef. 
 Here they wait the arrival of the vickelhadge, who 
 foon makes his appearance, and as he pafles between 
 them they are compelled to pull off their hats as a 
 token of refpecU After him a procefMon of the 
 
 ilaves 
 
24? DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 flaves is immediately formed, and as he takes his feat 
 in the fkirT, a trumpet is founded from the marine. 
 They are then embarked on board the Baleck boats, 
 which are kept for the purpofe, and Iranfported to 
 the cruifers which are Rationed in different parts of 
 the harbour. 
 
 The bufmefs of the marine is the leaft laborious 
 employment of the Haves. But even here they are 
 fubjecled at times to great hardfhips, and efpecially 
 when an expedition is on foot ; at which time they 
 are compelled to labour all night in making the ne- 
 celTary preparations for the cruifc. The fhcre is il 
 luminated with lamps, and Turkifh guards are (Rati 
 oned on the mole, and in other parts, to prevent 
 their efcape. 
 
 Their food confills of bread, oil, and vinegar. 
 To each perfon is diilributed two fmall loaves of 
 about half a pound each, and a jill of oil a day. 
 Th^fe articles are brought to Bublywhite by mule 
 teers, who are daily employed in carrying pro- 
 vifions to the flaves. The bread is of the mod in 
 different quality, and is made of unboulted meal, 
 ground in mills in the city which are turned by 
 horfes. The general employment of the mule 
 teers, befides carrying provifions to the flaves, 
 is conveying lime into the city from the lime-kilns 
 in the country, for the purpofes of building and 
 white-wafhing houfes. 
 
 All the Tick among the flaves who are incapa 
 ble of labour are fent to the hofpital oppofite to 
 the Bagnio Baleck, which will accommodate a- 
 bout fifty. This indituticn is fupportcd at the 
 cxpence of the Spanim nation, and is under ^he 
 iupenntendance of a phyfician and three Spani'h 
 priefts, Here they are well accommodated with 
 beds, and furnlihcd with provifions in beef and 
 
 bread 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 249 
 
 bread, and medicines are prefcribed according to 
 their feveral complaints. The upper apartments 
 of this hofpital are occupied by fuch as have the 
 plague, and the lower parts by thofe who are confi 
 ned with other diforders, It is faid that the fupport 
 of this hofpital cofts the Spanilli nation 40,000 
 dollars per annum, which are annualy transmitted 
 to Algiers for this benevolent purpofe. 
 
 It has been reported that the officers and men 
 of the American veflTds were treated with equal 
 feverity ; but this was a miftake. Neither the A- 
 rnerican captains nor mates were fubjeded to the 
 labour of the common (laves ; but were employed 
 in the fail-loft in making fails, or in boring pumps 
 for veflels, and fometimes after lazar in the after 
 noon they were fent to affifl in unloading the pan- 
 toons. This was the general routine of bufinefs 
 affigned to the captains and mates of veflels ; but 
 thefailors were indifcriminately employed in every 
 kind of labour. 
 
 The Americans fupported the beft characters of 
 any (laves in Algiers, and the rnoft of them could 
 always obtain credit in the bagnios for wine and 
 other liquors ; a favour that was conferred upon nei 
 ther Turks nor Moors, of whom the tavern-keep 
 ers were always obliged to be extremely watchful ; 
 otherwife they would frequently fteal away without 
 paying for the liquors they drank. 
 
 The rnoft turbulent of the flaves are the Spani 
 ards, who frequently quarrel at night, and fight in 
 the bagnios with drawn daggers ; at which times 
 the corporals fettle difturbances among them with a 
 fhort rope with a knot in the end, or confine* them 
 in chains till morning. 
 
 Thofe flaves who have incurred the penalty of 
 death are generally executed at the fountain in front 
 
 of 
 
250 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 of the dey's palace, where the Turkifli execution 
 ers attend. The criminal is made to kneel down ; 
 one of the Turks then touches him on the back part 
 of the head, and as he turns round to fee what was 
 the caufe, the other with a (harp fword at the fame 
 inftant fevers his head from his (boulders* After the 
 execution, the blood is waftved through the ground 
 into the common fewer, and his body is buried in the 
 fand near the fea fhore, as they are not fuffered 
 the privilege of a Mahometan burial. 
 
 The American captives generally bore their 
 fufFcrings with great fortitude, and conducted them- 
 felves with fuperior decorum ; but notwithftanding r 
 frequent and fevere punifhments were inflidted upon 
 them for the moft trivial remiffnefs, and a thoufand 
 inadvertencies, which are natural to thofe who have 
 been accuftomed to the enjoyment of their liberties. 
 
 Soon after their arrival in Algiers they drew up 
 an affe&ing addrefs to Colonel Humphreys, who re- 
 fided at Madrid, which was duly anfwered ; and as 
 this correfpondence details fome particulars that 
 have not been hitherto enumerated, we fhall clofe. 
 the prefent chapter with its infertion. 
 
 Letter from fun dry captive American captains, to 
 colonel David Humphreys^ dated Algiers, De 
 cember 2()th, 1793. 
 
 WE the fubfcribers, in behalf of ourfelves and 
 brother fuflferers, at prefent captives in this ci 
 ty of human mifery, return you our fincere thanks 
 for your communications of the 2Qth ult. and for 
 the provifion you have been pleafed to allow us, 
 in order to alleviate forfiewhat our fufferings in our 
 prefent fituation. 
 
 We 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 251 
 
 We have drawn up and figned two petitions, 
 one to the Senate, the other to the Houfe of Re- 
 prefentatives, and we (hall efteem it among the ma 
 ny favors you have rendered us, that you will 
 pleafe to forward thefe petitions to their refpe&ivc 
 addrefs, fo that no time may be loft; but that they 
 be laid before the Reprefentives of our country, 
 hoping that the United States will fully provide 
 funds for extricating from captivity, and reft ore us 
 to our country, families, friends and ccnne&ions* 
 
 We have perufed with fentiments of fatisfation 
 and approbation, your memorial to the regency of 
 Algiers, and have to obferve, that its contents ful 
 ly coincide with our fentiments on this bufmefe, 
 which we truft in the Almighty, will terminate to 
 the honor and intereft of our common country, 
 notwithftanding the infmuations, (of others in this 
 quarter) to the prejudice of the United States. 
 
 We truft, and hope, that the United States will 
 adopt fuch effedhial plans, in order to prevent any 
 more of our brethren fharing our unhappy fate, 
 which unavoidably muft happen, if ibme fpeedy 
 and effectual means are not immediately put in ex 
 ecution, as we underftand the Portuguefe truce 
 with this regency was agreed on for one year. 
 
 What damps our fpirits in fome degree, is, that 
 we are informed that the plague, that fatal and tre 
 mendous diforder, has given its awful alarm in the 
 country adjacent. And as your unfortunate coun 
 trymen are confined during the night time in the 
 Have-prifons, with fix hundred captives of other 
 nations, from our crowded fituation we rnufl be 
 expofed to this contagious diforder ; which necef- 
 fitates the fubfcribers to intreat you, fir, that in 
 this cafe, thofe our friends, and of influence in 
 this regency, will be authorifed by you, and our 
 
 -honoured 
 
252 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 honoured countrymen Mr. Carmichael and Mr* 
 Short, to have a houfe taken for the refidence of the 
 American mailers and mates, and, if poffible, the 
 mariners, to fhield them from the threatning ftorm 
 of mortality and danger. 
 
 We make no doubt, but in cafe of Almighty's 
 wrath vifiting this city of iniquity, but the dey 
 and regency would acquiefce to the propofed plan 
 of humanity, which would be eftablilhing an ex 
 ample for the general welfare of mankind and 
 would to pofterity be recorded to the immortal ho 
 nor of the United States. 
 
 The fame time, honoured fir, and friend, be 
 you aflured, for your confolation, that we the A- 
 rnerican captives, in this city of bondage, will 
 bear our fufferings withf ortitude and resignation, 
 as becoming a race of men endowed with iuperior 
 fouls in adverfity. 
 
 We are much indebted to Monfieur Skjoldebrand, 
 and brother, his Swedifh majeily's agents, in this 
 city, for their humanity, and attention to the Ame 
 rican captives ,* and feel ourfelves particularly obli 
 ged to you for recommending us to the good offices 
 of coniuls Skjoldebrand, and Mr. Mace, whom 
 you mention to us as friends. 
 
 With fentiments of gratitude and the mfcft pro 
 found refpet, we remain, 
 
 Honored fir, 
 
 Your moft obedient 
 
 moft humble fervants, 
 
 The fubfcribers, in behalf of ourfelves and bro 
 ther fufferers. 
 
 Richard 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 253 
 
 Richard O'Brien, 1785 Mofes Morfe, 1793 
 IJaac Stephens, do. Jofeph Ingraham, do. 
 
 James Taylor, J 793 Michael Smith, do* 
 
 William Wallace, do* William Furnafs, do. 
 
 Samuel Calder, do* John Rurnharn, do. 
 
 William Penrofe do. John M'Shane, do* 
 Timothy Newman do. 
 
 To DAVID HUMPHREYS, Efq. &c. 
 
 'To captain O'Brien, and the other captains^ &c* 
 of the United States, now prisoners in Algiers. 
 
 Madrid, January i2th, 1794. 
 
 I HAVE been favoured by the receipt of your 
 joint letter, dated 2gth December, and, as I am 
 about to fct out immediately for Lifbon, I fhall be 
 able to do little more than affure you, that your 
 memorials to the Senate and Houfe of Reprefenta- 
 tives of the United States fhall be forwarded to 
 them in ihe earlieft and fafeft manner poffible. 
 
 Having communicated to Mr. Carmichael, and 
 Mr. Short, your apprehenfion that the plague may 
 again be introduced to Algiers; from the adjacent 
 countries, where it is already faid to prevail; we 
 have not hefitated to concur with you in fentiment, 
 that in cafe of that dreadful event, it might be ufeful 
 for you to have a houfe hired in the country; in 
 order to endeavour, by all human precautions, to 
 prevent your falling viclims to that terrible diforder. 
 Whereupon Mr. Robert Montgomery, conful of 
 the United States at Alicant, has been empowered, 
 in cafe that dreadful event (hould happen, to furnifh 
 Y fufficiervt 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 fufficient money to pay for the hire of a houfe, in 
 the manner, and for the purpofe you propofe. This 
 provifional arrangement to continue in force, until 
 Mr. Montgomery fhall receive ulterior in(lru6lions 
 from the government of -the United States, for con 
 tinuing or fuipendingthe lame. 
 
 I entreat you will be perfuaded, my dear and un~ 
 fortunate countrymen, that I receive with great 
 fatisfa6lion the marks of your approbation, of the 
 honeft, but ineflfe&ual efforts I have made in your 
 favor. Would to Heaven, they had been as fuc- 
 cefsful as they were difmterefted and (incc:re- 
 
 I have only to repeat, that you may at all 
 times, and on all occasions, count upon the fym 
 pathetic regard 
 
 And efteem of your real friend, 
 
 And affectionate fellow-citizen, 
 
 D. HUMPHREYS. 
 
 P. S. Though I have repeatedly remarked, that 
 it may perhaps, (for particular reafons) be inexpe 
 dient for me to keep up a regular correfpondence 
 with you ; yet it is proper 1 friould add, that 1 {hall 
 always be glad to hear from you; and that it may 
 be particularly interefting to the government of our 
 country, to receive at the earlieft poflible period, all 
 intelligence of importance. I (hall therefore always 
 be ready to communicate fuch intelligence, until 
 ibme nearer, and better channel of communication 
 can be eftablifhedc 
 
 CHAP, 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 255 
 
 C H A P. V.. 
 
 Particular anecdote s y occurrences and occafional remark^ 
 ivhich throw fame additional light upon the biftory 
 [ cufloms and manners of the Algerines* 
 
 IT is impoffible foranyilave to efcape from Algiers 
 by land: for if he is difcovered by the Moors he 
 is apprehended and brought back to the city, where 
 they receive a reward for their trouble. Thofe 
 that can get on board of French or Englifh {hips ob 
 tain their liberties, and no demand is made upon 
 the commanders to deliver them up: and when 
 ever foreign vefTels lie in the habour all the ilaves 
 who work in the marine are obliged to wear heavy 
 chains. But by water many (laves have efcaped, 
 and the Algerines have in confequence become io 
 extremely vigilant,that an efcape is now almoft im- 
 pra&icable. 
 
 Attempt of fifteen /laves to efcape 
 
 WHILE the American captives were employed at 
 Bubiywhite, a fcheme was concerted between fif 
 teen Genoefe, Portuguefe, and Neapolitan Ilaves, 
 to make their efcape in one of the boats that at 
 tend the pantoons. This plot had been in agita 
 tion for leveral weeks, and in the mean time they 
 
 had 
 
256 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 had prepared themfelves with weapons of defence, 
 and all neceflary articles for their voyage. About 
 nine o'clock one very hot morning, in the time of 
 Ramadan, while Montenegro, the warden of the 
 pantoon, lay afleep, theie fifteen flaves, at the 
 word of command, jumped into the boat which 
 lay along fide the pantoon, and put to fea in an 
 inftant. The portezero, or boatfwain of the pan- 
 toon, immediately waked Montenegro, who was 
 aftonifhed beyond meafure when he law them 
 under weigh, and hallowed to them in a furious 
 tone of voice to return; upon which one of 
 the Portuguefe waved his naked fword in defi 
 ance, the crew gave three loud huzzas, and rowed 
 with all their might towards the SpaniQi coaft. 
 Montenegro, dreading the confequences of this 
 piece of neglect, immediately fled for fafety to the 
 grand mofque which (lands out of the town. 
 
 As foon as the news was announced to the dey, 
 he ordered men to be (rationed on eminences 
 with fpy-glaflcs, to obferve the courfe they fleered; 
 and in the mean time a Spaniih built boat, a fwift 
 runner (which is always moored near the feat of 
 the vichelhadge of the marine to be in readinefs 
 upon any particular emergency) was inflantly or 
 dered to purfue them. The vichdhadge manned 
 the boat with a double tire of pifcqrees, or rowers, 
 and that they might purfue them with greater ex 
 pedition he embarked hiaifelf. By this time the 
 fugitives were out of fight ; but the pifcorees 
 fleered directly towards that part of the ocean 
 where they had difappeared, The vichelhadge, 
 in order to encourage them to greater exertions, 
 frequently threw them money, and they rowed 
 with fuch expedition that about noon they over 
 took the fugitives, who had fo completely exhausted 
 
 them- 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS, 257 
 
 themfelves in their endeavours to efcape, that they 
 were icarcely able to move their oars. As loon as 
 their purfuers had overtaken them they fubmitted 
 without the leaft refinance, and paflively refigned 
 themfelves to the fury of their purfuers, who beat 
 them moft unmercifully, and after fecuring them in 
 chains, brought them back to the city, where they 
 arrived about four o'clock in he afternoon. They 
 were immediately taken before the dey, who order 
 ed two of the principals to be executed : and they 
 were accordingly led to the fountain in front of the 
 dey's palace, where they kneeled down, and one of 
 the dey's guards with a fharp tahan fevered their 
 heads from their body. 
 
 The dey obferved,that had a greater number em 
 barked he would not have pretended to have fent'in 
 purfuit of them; bat he naturally concluded that 
 fo finall a number would foon exhaufl themfelves. 
 
 One is apt naturally to arraign their impolicy in 
 taking their departure with fo fi-nall a number. 13ut 
 we ought to reflect uponths great difficulty and dan 
 ger of detection iis affedling an efcape of this na 
 ture ; for the very air of the country feerr-s to in- 
 fpire the principles of villany and deception ; fcarcc- 
 ly any fchenis can be concerted without detedlio,;^ 
 and there are many rnifcreants of ilaves here, who 
 would feel no remorfe whatever in betraying their 
 moil intimate friends for a trifling reward. 
 
 Montenegro, though he was pardoned after this 
 event, yet he forfeited the royal favor, and was 
 turned out of office ; and the pintoons have finee 
 been fo well guarded that an efcape is totally' 
 impracticable. 
 
 YO , 'ft 
 
 2 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS, 
 
 Spanifli defperadc* 
 
 THE rnoft turbulent and intemperate flaves iir 
 Algiers are the Spaniards, who go armed with a 
 dagger or long knife, and a quarrel with each other 
 generally terminates in affaffination* 
 
 About ten o'clock one night, after the Ameri 
 can flaves had retired to reft in the Bagnio Gal- 
 laro, a violent quarrel happened between two Spa 
 niards, which made fuch an uproar in the bagnio, 
 that one of the corporals, or guardians, entered 
 the room with a lantern in his hand, in order to 
 quell the difturbance ; and with his rope he fell to 
 beating the Spaniards moft unmercifully. One of 
 them, who did not*rclUh the chaftifement very well, 
 defired him to defift, and threatened to flab him 
 if he perfifted in beating him ; which fo irritated 
 the corporal, that he dealt out his blows more fu 
 rioufly than ever. The Spaniard grown outra 
 geous with fuch treatment, drew his dagger and 
 gave him four or five wounds, of which he inOant- 
 iy expired. By this time the fecond corporal en 
 tered the apartment, and as he entered, the defpe- 
 rate Spaniard rufhed furioufly upon him, and in 
 attempting to ward ofFthe blow he received a wound 
 in his arm ; upon which he immediately retreated, 
 and locked himfelf up in one of the taverns that 
 Hand near the bagnio* 
 
 The two Spaniards were now at liberty to decide 
 their difpute, and they rumed furioufly upon each 
 other with their knives ; but the leaft defperate 
 of the two, after receiving feveral wounds, made 
 his efcape, and left his antagonift complete maf- 
 ter of the bagnio. He now paraded the paflage 
 
 flouriftjinr: 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 2^9 
 
 flouriming his dagger, and threatening venge* 
 ance to any one who mould attempt to mo- 
 left him. Of five or fix hundred flaves and others 
 who refided there not one durft approach him r 
 and he maintained the undifputed poffeffion of the- 
 paflage. At this jun&ure the corporal of the Bag 
 nio Baleck, who was then confined by ficknefs in 
 the Spinilh hofpital, hallowed to him from hi> 
 window, and ordered him to put up his knife and 
 go to bed ; but the Spaniard, who was little difpof- 
 ed to obey him, challenged him with the mod 
 abufive language to come down. 
 
 In the mean time intelligence of this uproar 
 was communicated to the warden of the bagnio, 
 who imagined that the whole body of flaves had 
 broken loofe, and he inftantly came armed and at 
 tended by a number of men in order to quell the 
 difturbance. When he arrived at the entrance 
 into the bagnio, he commanded the Spaniard in 
 ftantly to fubmit ; but he was now grown more 
 furious than ever, and defied the whole city. Du 
 ring this conference one of his own countrymen 
 ftolc foftiy up behind him and knocked him down 
 with a club. A number of men then inftantly 
 feized him, and chained him to the wall, where 
 he remained till the next morning, when he was 
 taken before the dey, where he received fentence 
 of death, and in a few minutes after his head was 
 chopped off in front of the dey's palace. 
 
 DeteBion of a Neapolitan Jlave* 
 
 A certain Neapolitan who kept a tavern in the 
 fuburbs of the city, was one afternoon difccvered in 
 company with a Mocrim woman, by feme of the 
 
 dey's 
 
26o DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS, 
 
 dcy's iifberos or fpies who chanced to ride that 
 v/ay. Several other fiaves who happened to be pre- 
 lent at the fame time fortunately made their efcape; 
 but the Neapolitan flood motionlefs with the fudden 
 furprize- The Iifberos difmounted and infbntly 
 feizcd both him and the woman, and immediately 
 carried them before the dey, who inftantly palled 
 fentence of death upon them both. Through the in- 
 terceffion of feme powerful friends the fentence paf- 
 fed upon the Neapolitan was remitted; but he total 
 ly forfeited the privilege of keeping a tavern, and af- 
 ter receiving 500 ftrokes upon different parts of his 
 body, he was configned to hard labour among the 
 common ilaves. But the woman, after receiving 
 Sentence, was immediately carried to the fea-fide by 
 two executioners, who tied a large bomb-flhell round 
 one of her legs, and threw her into the fea forne 
 diftance from the (hore, in the prefencc of the Ame 
 rican captives, who were then employed in the rra- 
 line. She made the mod lamentable cries, and 
 carneftly entreated her executioners to permit her 
 to take leave of her children ; but they were deaf 
 to her entreaties, 
 
 Some days after, by fome means or other, the 
 bomb-fheli was difengagcd from her leg, and ihe 
 floated upon the' fur face of the water, But the Ai- 
 gerines were greatly aflonilhed when they found ihe 
 had not been eaten by the filh ; a circumftance fo 
 extremely fingular, th^l the fuperftitious Algerines 
 regarded it as miraculous, and ihe was in confequence 
 made a marabout, and ever after venerated with a 
 kind of religious enthufiafm. 
 
 The Jey's indignation was fo much excited at the 
 atrocity of this interview, that he decreed that in 
 fuliire all thole ilaves and Mooriih women who 
 
 Should 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 261. 
 
 ftould be dete&ed together, fnould be chained with 
 their backs to each other and burnt. 
 
 Dif appointment of the American Jlavcs* 
 
 SOME time in 1795 an Engliih cutter from Gib- 
 ralter arrived in Algiers with a number of fmaii 
 pieces of brafs cannon, which were purchafed by 
 the dey and carried to his palace. The American 
 flaves, who were then at work in the marine, foon 
 recognifed feveral perfons of their former acquain 
 tance among the crew of the cutter. A general inti 
 macy took place, and they fympathifed fo feelingly 
 for the diflrefs of the Americans, that a fcheme 
 was concerted among them to effect their deliver 
 ance from this region of rnifery. The crew deeply 
 interefted themfeives in the accomplifhment of this 
 project, and communicated their intentions to their 
 captain, who perfectly approved of their plan, and 
 promifed every afliftance in his power to facilitate 
 their defign. 
 
 The fcheme devifed between the parties was as- 
 follows: The Americans were to take the advan 
 tage of the firft fair wind, and in either going'to^ 
 or returning from their labour in the marine, ac 
 cording as the wind fhould favor them, they were 
 to take pofleffion of the Baleck boats which tranf- 
 ported them, and inflantly row themfeives on board 
 the cutter ; which being a very fwift failing veflel 
 would foon have wafted them beyond the reach of 
 their purfuers. The inftant they had boarded the 
 cutter they were to take pofleflion of her apparently 
 by force, and the Britifh crew were to affect a re- 
 (Stance, that the dey might entertain no fuipicion 
 of their being privy to the ccnfpiracy, 
 
 The 
 
*6z DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 The cutter was in confequence put into com 
 plete order, and the neeeffary inftru6tions were 
 given that they might caft off and get under weigh 1 
 in an inftant. 
 
 No flaves were perhaps ever prefented with fen 
 favorable an opportunity as the prefent. But the 
 moft fingular occurrence imaginable fruftrated thej 
 whole fcheme, when it was upon the point of exe 
 cution. 
 
 The captain of the cutter, on the day of theiH 
 intended departure, went tip to one of the bagnios 
 in the city, were he accidentally fell in company 
 with two renegado Irifhmen of his acquaintance, 
 who were dreffed, as ufual, in the Turkiih habit- 
 It was refolved of courfe to celebrate this unexpec 
 ted interview with a courfe of wine; and they drank, 
 till they were all pretty well intoxicated. While 
 they were in this animated mood they found 
 themfelves fo well difpofed for adventures, that 
 one of the renegados made a propofal to viiit fome 
 of the Algerine courtezans, which was immediate 
 ly acceded to, and our captain, who was not, 
 as may well be fuppofed, over burthened with cir- 
 cumfpeclion, was conducted to a Mooridi brothel 
 in the upper parts of the city, where thefe Iriih- 
 men had previoufly formed an acquaintance. 
 Some of the lifberos, who had fufpefted their de~ 
 figns,, fecretly watched their motions, and difcov- 
 ered the retreat of our frolicfome adventurers. Soon 
 after their entry thefe iifberos rufhed into the bro 
 thel, and furpriied our amorous captain and hrs 
 friends in the height of their mirth. He was inflantly 
 feized and carried before the dey, who fentenced 
 him to immediate execution ; but as he was pre 
 paring to receive the reward of his folly, the Bn- 
 tiih conful, who had received intelligencex of the 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 163 
 
 event, interceded in his behalf, and the dey re 
 mitted the fentence, upon condition that he inftant- 
 ly took his departure from Algiers. In confe- 
 quence he was efcorted on board his cutter, which 
 was ordered immediately out of the harbour, and 
 ftie was not even permitted to remain to take in the 
 le^aft ballaft. 
 
 Thus was this fcheme mod completely defeated 
 by this trivial incident, and the hopes of the A- 
 mericans entirely fruftrated. When they faw 
 the departure of the cutter, and were informed of 
 the captain's folly, they were thrown into a ftate of 
 inconceivable defpondency. The mod fortunate 
 breeze imaginable prevailed when they returned 
 from the marine; but inftead of triumphing in the 
 pofleflion of their liberties, they were obliged to re 
 tire to the gloomy cells of the bagnio, to indulge at 
 leifure the poignancy of their reflections. 
 
 Thefe renegados were afterwards banifhed to Tu 
 rns ; not becaufe their intercourfe with the Moorifh 
 women was prohibited, (for the renegados are not 
 deprived of this privilege) but becaufe they had 
 been acceflbry to an infra&ion of the law. All the 
 Turks were greatly rejoiced at this event, becaufe 
 thefe turbulent Irifhmen were a terror to all that 
 frequented the bagnios and other public places in 
 the city. 
 
 Flight of the Spanijh conful. 
 
 A FEW weeks before the American captives left 
 Algiers the Spanifh conful fled to Spain, through 
 apprehenfion of affaffination by the Spanifh flaves. 
 A certain muleteer called Yohan,or Spanifh John, 
 who was employed in carrying provificms from the 
 
 city 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 city to the ilaves at Bubly white, quarrelled with the 
 clerk.*, in confequence of his neglect in the pay 
 ment of a fum of money which he had lent the clerk. 
 After much intemperate and abufive language the 
 Spaniard drew his knife and murdered him ; and 
 after perpetrating this al he fled to the city, deter 
 mined, as his cafe was defperate,tobe revenged upon 
 the Spanifh conful and priefls who fuperintended the 
 hofpital, as he imagined them to be the caufe of 
 the detention of the Spanifh flaves in Algiers t- 
 
 As foon as he arrived in town he went to the con- 
 furs houfe, who fortunately happened to be abfent, 
 and from thence to the hofpital,with an intention to 
 murder the head prieft, who., he was informed, was 
 likewife abfent ; upon which he went into one of 
 the upper apartments, where he found one of the un 
 der priefts, whom he ftabbed in four or five places; 
 and, then retired to the Bagnio Gallaro, where he 
 paraded one of the apartments with his bloody knife 
 in a pofture of defence. 
 
 In the mean time intelligence of the death of the 
 clerk was fent to town ; whereupon the warden 
 balhaw fent one of the chief corporals, to arreft the 
 murderer, and to take him before the dey . The cor 
 poral 
 
 * A fcrivan* or clerk, always attends the flaves at 
 their labour, and calls over their names at Bubly white 
 
 every night and morning. 
 
 
 
 f Many of thefe flaves are criminals, who fly from 
 juftice in their own countrv and become voluntary (laves 
 in Algiers, whom the Spaniih government refufes to 
 ranfom ; a matter which they impute entirely to the in 
 fluence of their conful and priefts ? whom they fuppofe to 
 be the fole caufe of their flavery, and confequcntly the/ 
 are ever the objects of their hatred and indignation. 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 265 
 
 poral enquired his motive in committing fuch an 
 atrocious at, and Yohan anfwered him very com- 
 pofedly, that his intent was to be revenged upon the 
 con/til and priefts. He alleged, that they had 
 appropriated, to their own private purpofes, all the 
 monies that had been fent by the Spanifh govern 
 ment for the ranfom of the Spaniards, and he 
 aflured the corporal that a confpiracy was formed 
 among the ilaves, and though he had failed, yet 
 others would fucceed in accomplifhing their deflruc- 
 tion. 
 
 After this conversation Yohan furrenJered him- 
 feif a prifoner. The corporal bound him, and im 
 mediately conducted him to the palace, where he 
 was executed. 
 
 When the exigence of this confpiracy was an 
 nounced to the conful and priefts, they embarked 
 on board a Spanifh veffel in great confternation,and 
 iet fail from Algiers in the height of the plague. 
 After attempting to land at Carthagena, Alicant, 
 and other ports of Spain, where they were refufed 
 admiffion, they fleered for the ifland of Minorca, 
 where the conful was under the neceffity of being 
 landed naked upon a rock. Proviiions and cloth 
 ing were furniihed him, and a hut was built for his 
 accommodation, where he was confined till he was 
 adjudged to be out of danger of the infeflion ; after 
 which he arrived in Spain, and thus efcapcd the me 
 ditated vengeance of the Spaniih Ilaves. After beat 
 ing about the Mediterranean for nearly a month, the 
 priefU arrived at Mar failles about two weeks after 
 the Americans, where ^they were obliged to per 
 form quarantine for the fpace of a hundred days. 
 
 The 
 
266 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS* 
 
 The Renegade* 
 
 THE renegades are fuch as relinquifh their own 
 religion and embrace the Mahometan faith ; but this 
 clais of men have of Jate betrayed fo much villany, 
 that they fuftain the moft indifferent cbara&ers of 
 any people in Algiers. This will not appear fingu- 
 lar when we confider that thefe apoftates are gene 
 rally fuch as fly from juftice in their own country ; 
 and befides, none but the moft abandoned Chriftian 
 would renounce his religion for the fallacy of Ma- 
 hometanifm. 
 
 It is no wonder then that fo little encouragement 
 ihould be given to this order of men, and though the 
 Mahometans formerly confidered the converiicn cf 
 Chriftian flaves as the meft meritorious ar, yet at 
 prefent it is perhaps totally impracticable for a Have 
 to change his religion,^ becaufe in fuch cafes the 
 government is deprived both of their labour and the 
 benefit of their ranforn. 
 
 The prefent number of renegades in Algiers Is 
 very fmall. After they are initiated into the pro- 
 fefficn of their new faith, they officiate in the ca- 
 zarees in the capacity of Turkifh fcldiers, and are 
 Admitted to the participation of fimilar privileges ; 
 but they are prohibited frcm leaving the kingdom of 
 Algiers under penalty of death, and are never de 
 livered up upon the demand of their nation. 
 
 Not long fince the captain of a French privateer, 
 that had brought an Englifh prize into Algiers; 
 flogged a Genoefe la i lor who had been (hipped on 
 beard the privateer. The Genoefe in confequence 
 was fo exafperated, that he made his efcape from the 
 velTel, and went to one of the marabouts with a de 
 termination to abjure his religion \ to vvlicrn hefo ex 
 aggerated 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 267 
 
 aggerated the cruelty of the Chriftians, that he was 
 admitted into the order of the prophet. 
 
 After a refidence of two months in Algiers an 
 Englifh frigate arrived with difpatches to the BritHh 
 conful, and our renegado, difgufted with his new 
 fituation, and regretting the renunciation of his re 
 ligion, was refolved to efcape on board the frigate. 
 Accordingly he went down to the (ho re one morn 
 ing as foon as the port of the marine was opened, 
 and dripped himfelf in order to fwim on board. But 
 after feveral ineffectual attempts, he was discovered 
 by the vichelhadge of the marine, with only his 
 handkerchief tied round his middle. He was im 
 mediately feized and brought into the fkirF, where 
 he received feveral hundred blows ,* after which he 
 was conducted to the palace where he was executed. 
 
 The MulcUcr* 
 
 > 
 
 THE cellars, or lower apartments of the houfes 
 of the Algerines are converted into ftables, and 
 'heir horfes and mules pafs through the fame door 
 with the family ; and the fame arrangements are 
 made even in the palace, where foreign confuls, 
 agents, vifitors, horfes, mules, aiTes and the dey of 
 Algiers, all pafs through the fame door, where 
 two Turkifh foldiers are ftationed with a red llafF 
 to guard the paffage. 
 
 Not long before the arrival of the Americans in 
 Algiers, a certain Spanilh muleteer, who had been 
 employed in carrying out the dirt of the palace in 
 bafkets fufpended at each fide of the mule, by fomc 
 means or other had procured a key, by which he could 
 unlock the door of the treafury, which is kept in the 
 palace, where immenfe quantities of gold arid fil- 
 
 ver 
 
268 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS* 
 
 ver are depofited. Whenever this muleteer was 
 ordered to the palace he filled the lower part of his 
 bafkets with money, and covered it with dirt ; and 
 thus pafled undetected, till he had by this means ' 
 ranfomed feveral of his countrymen. But his ava- I 
 rice iricreafed with his riches ; and one day when 
 he was fent to remove the rubbifh of the palace, he 
 fiole into the treafury as ufual, and carried away , 
 f'uch an enormous load, that in patting through (he > 
 court the great weight of the gold burfted the bottom 
 of one of the bafkets, and the money fell down upon 
 the marble pavement with luch anoife that it refoun- 
 ded through ail he palace. A great uproar enfued, 
 and the poor muleteer ftood petrified with allonifh- 
 tiient. The Turki(h guards inftantly feized him 
 and carried him before the dey, where he was 
 iiriftly examined ; but he would neither betray 
 his accomplices, nor difcover the place where 
 he had concealed his treafure. His punifhment, as 
 may naturally be fuppofed, was the lofs of his 
 head ; and fhortly after his death a part of the mo 
 ney he had purloined was found in the walls of the 
 Bagnio Baleck, and a confiderable quantity was 
 buried without the town, where he had carried the 
 dirt of the palace* 
 
 Since this accident the doors of the treafury can 
 only be opened by three keys, which are feveraliy 
 kept by the dey, the caflan-ajee, and the aga, and 
 no money can betaken from thence without their 
 joint attendance. 
 
 Anecdote of an American lad* 
 
 IT is impofiible to conceive the confternation 
 that always prevails among the flaves in the pa 
 lace. 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALG IE R S. 269 
 
 lace. Every one is in continual apprehenfion of 
 lofing his life, and when any order is given, it is 
 executed with the greatert terror and expedition 
 imaginable. 
 
 Among the number of the dey's fervants were 
 two lads, the one an American and the other a 
 Spaniard, uho perfonally attended the dey in the 
 upper apartments of the palace, and had the charge 
 of his wardrobe. The Spanifh lad, conceiving forns 
 enmity againft the American, concerted a fcheme 1 
 to be revenged upon him. 
 
 One morning .the dey, intending to ride out to 
 his country feat, ordered the American lad in a 
 great hurry to bring him a fhirt*. The lad ran 
 inflaritly into the wardrobe, where he met the Spa- 
 niih boy, who gave him a fhirt without an opening 
 in the top, and he being in too great a hurry to 
 examine it, carried it immediately to the dey, who 
 by this time Mood naked to receive it ; but in at 
 tempting to put it on, it became fo entangled about 
 his head that he could fcarcely difengage himfelf ; 
 and apprehending that a confpiracy was formed 
 againft his life, he fcreamed out with the greateft 
 terror imaginable- As foon as he had difentangled 
 himfelf he feized his tahan, and ran naked out of 
 the room to murder the boy, who fled for refuge 
 into a diftant apartment. The dey hallowed to 
 him with the moft vengeful tone of voice to return ; 
 upon which the boy carne before him trembling and 
 
 terrified 
 
 * The fhirts that are worn by the A'gerLes zr? it 
 from the Levant. They are made of muflin, and 
 formed fomethinj like iacks without openings at top, 
 which are made to fair the convenience of the v/Cwic-j; 
 after they are brought to Algiers. 
 
 Z 2 
 
270 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS, 
 
 terrified half to death, entirely ignorant of the 
 caufe that had fo much excited the dey's indigna 
 tion. By this time his paffion had a little fubfided, 
 and inftead of murdering the boy, he beat him fo 
 unmercifully with a rope, that it was neceffary to con 
 vey him to the hofpital, where he was confined for 
 a week ; after which he was employed in the low 
 er apartments of the palace among the inferior claf- 
 fes of fervants. 
 
 An expedition to gather cant* 
 
 ONCE .in every year all the flaves are ordered into 
 the country to cut cane, which generally hap 
 pens on the firft Friday in January, and this cane is 
 ufed for the purpofe of lathing their houfes. 
 
 The gd of January 1794, was the firfl time 
 that the American captives went out upon one of 
 thefe cane-gathering expeditions* The part of the 
 country to which they were ordered, lies about a 
 league beyond the gate of Bubazoon. Here they tra- 
 verfed a nuraber of cane fields without any permiffion 
 from the owners, and each flave, after having collec 
 ted two bundles as large as he could carry, repaired 
 with them to a particular enclosure, which was ap 
 pointed as the place of general rendezvous, where 
 the vichelhadge of the marine, the warden baihaw, 
 and other wardens attended on horfeback. An en 
 tertainment was provided at the expence of the icri- 
 van grandee, or head clerk of the dey, and the 
 warden bafhaw obliged the tavern keepers to fend a 
 fupply of wine for the occafion. All provifions, 
 wines, and other articles neceffary for the entertain 
 ment, were brought out by the muleteers in bafkets. 
 Upon a part of the cnclpfure feparats from thefia'ves, 
 
 the 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 271 
 
 the vichelhadge, the warden bafhaw, and the other 
 wardens fat crofs legged upon napkins, and their food 
 was ferved up to them in earthern plates, which were 
 placed upon the ground before them. After rega 
 ling themfelves, a fervant poured water upon their 
 hands and they retired ; and the flaves were then 
 permitted to take their feats upon a different part of 
 the enclofure, where a number of wooden bowls 
 were placed, filled with vinegar and oil, in which 
 they foaked their bread, and with this coarfe diet 
 finiihed their repail. After this the muleteer dif- 
 tributed the wine among them, without any kind of 
 order. All thofe who had neglected to provide them- 
 felves with veilels, received no (hare, which was the 
 misfortune of the Americans ; but the old flaves 
 took care to furnifh themfelves with a number of 
 horns and bottles for the occafion. 
 
 This feaft terminated at the found of a trumpet. 
 All the (laves then mouldered their bundles, and 
 marched in files up to the gardens of the aga and 
 cafian-ajee, which were upon the top of a high 
 mountain, where they depofited at each garden about 
 50 or 60 of thefe bundles, and the remainder were 
 taken to the dey's gardens, which lie, at the diftance 
 of about three miles, upon another quarter of the 
 town ; from whence they repaired to the bagnios, 
 and thus terminated the labour of the day. 
 
 Diftribution of clothing- 
 
 The Friday immediately fueceeding this exnr- 
 tion was the day appointed for diftributing clothing 
 to the Haves, which happens only once in every 
 year. It is a day of general feftivity, and all the 
 ilaves are exempted from labour. Early in fne 
 
 morning 
 
272 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 morning on this day, they were drawn up in two 
 files in a court adjoining the palace, where the 
 vichelhadge, and a number of his attendan ts Served 
 out to each flave in order a fuit of clothes in the 
 Turkilh fafhion, rolled up in a fmali bundle. 
 This fuit confifted of a pair of (hort woolen trow- 
 iers, and a jacket ibmewhat in the form of a fack, 
 without either buttons or fleeves ; a coarfe linen 
 (hirt with fhort fleeves, and a pair of pampoofes, or 
 fhoes made of yellow leather. During the diftri- 
 bution, the dey prefented hl'rnfelf from an upper 
 apartment, and looked down upon them with a Mead- 
 fad countenance, and without the leaft change of 
 pofture during the whole time. As foon ^s they 
 were withdrawn from the court, great numbersof Jew 
 ish and Moorifh chapman appeared, to whom many of 
 the flaves fold their whole fuit forlefs than a fequin, 
 in order to raife a iittle money for the purpofe of cele 
 brating the day. Thus would many of thefe poor 
 wretches, for the fake of a momentary gratification, 
 go nearly naked all the year, and truft to the gent> 
 rofity of others for a iupply. 
 
 The Americans bound in chains* 
 
 THOUGH Mr. Barlow was highly efteemed by 
 the Amercan captives for his benevolence, affability, 
 and anremitted exertions to procure their freedom, 
 yet it feems that Mr. Dona Id (on, who was of an au- 
 ftere difpofition, was not equally theobjeft of their 
 efteem; and an occurrence took place that procured 
 him the irreconcileable hatred of all the American 
 captives. 
 
 After he had refided nearly nine months in Al 
 giers, waiting for the neceffary fums to carry the 
 treaty into eitCwt, the Americans, who had become 
 
 extremely . 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 273 
 
 extremely impatient at the delays, waited upon him 
 one morning in a body, and requefted a definitive 
 anfwer, whether there was any expe&ation that they 
 would ever be releafed from flavery ? But inftead of 
 deigning an affable reply to a fet of men grown 
 frantic with their misfortunes and the gloomy an 
 ticipation of being enflaved for life, after foftering the 
 pleafing hope of a fpeedy deliverance, he bade them, 
 in an imperious tone of voice, to begone immediately 
 from his lodgings, or he would find means to com 
 pel them. 
 
 Irritated by fuch hauteur of condu6l in the 
 American agent; they became very turbulent, and 
 - anfwered him, that they would not depart till they 
 had received fome information upon the fubje&. 
 But Mr. Donaldibn, was not to be intimidated 
 into an explanation, and lodged information in the 
 marine of the proceedings of the Americans, who 
 immediately difperfed ; and in confequence of 
 fuch conduct in an irritable agent, they were load 
 ed with heavy chains for the fpace of three weeks; 
 till the Swediih conful's brother, who was actuated 
 by a little more humanity, interceded in their be 
 half, and procured their releafe. 
 
 Thus we often meet with men whofe hearts are 
 fo delicately impreffed with the fofter dilates of 
 philanthropy, that they are ever ready to extend 
 their benevolence to all mankind ; while others, 
 without the lead emotion, would fubjecl their own 
 countrymen to chains and mifery. But ;we may 
 obferve perhaps by way of apology, that Mr. Do- 
 naldfon's frequent indifpoiition might have been 
 the caufe of his petulancy towards his countrymen. 
 At his arrival in Algiers he was fo much afflicted 
 with ..the gout that he was obliged to be fupported 
 
 as 
 
274 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 as he walked, aad was fubjet to other infirmities 
 during his refidence there. 
 
 Succe/fton o 
 
 THE vichelhadge of the marine who presided 
 previous to the arrival of the Americans, was fent 
 to the Levant with a confiderable quantity of 
 money, to build a rnofque in honor of the dey. 
 But the vefifel in which he failed was never heard 
 of afterwards, and it was fuppofed that this trea- 
 fure had tempted the crew to murder him. 
 
 After his departure the Baleck Balhaw officiated 
 in his place, till the dey lofing all hopes of his 
 return, elefted on^ of his relations to this office* 
 who had lately corne from the Levant with a new 
 frigate as a prefent to him. In confequence of this 
 election, the Spaniih conful, who occupied the houfe 
 of the former vichelhadga*after his abfence,refigned 
 it to the new vichelhadge, and it was repaired 
 for his reception. 
 
 While fome of the Moorifh mafons were enga- 
 gaged in removing the old pavement in one of the 
 lower apartments,they difcovercd a chefl of money, 
 containing feveral thoufand dollars, fuppofed to 
 have been depofned there by Cedelli, a former 
 vichelhadge. This cheft thefe very honed Moors 
 conveyed to the dey, who (till entertained fo ftrong 
 an enmity againft Cedelli, that he refufed to ac 
 cept any thing belonging to him ; but ilTued orders 
 that it fhould be distributed among the officers of 
 the marine, the Moorifli carpenters, and the 
 ilaves. 
 
 The new vichelhadge refembled none of his pre- 
 in ferocity of difpofition. He was a man 
 
 of 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 27$ 
 
 of great fcnfibility, and fo little calculated for this 
 boifierous employment, that he rcfigned his office 
 within a month after his election ; and another 
 vichelhadge was chofen fhortly after the Americans 
 left Algiers. 
 
 Anecdote of an American Hack, 
 
 IT is cuftomary whenever the flaves have fin ifhed 
 the careening of the cruizers, to fire three guns from 
 one of the cailles, as a iignal for her to take in her 
 ballad, guns, and other neceffary articles for a 
 cruife. At this time the vichelhadge of the veflel, 
 at the captain's expence, prepares an entertainment 
 for the flaves. A quantity of rice, mafhed wheat, 
 and three or four fheep are boiled together in a large 
 copper kettle on the mole. The mutton is generally 
 diftributed among the Mocrifh carpenters and caulk 
 ers, and the kettle with the cuzcuz is then taken on 
 board the veflel, where it is ferved out to the 
 Moors and flaves with a long iron ladle. 
 
 One day, after careening a veffel and bringing tlie 
 kettle aboard, a great number of the Moors and 
 Haves thronged round to receive their ihare, and 
 among the reft an American black named Scipio. 
 While a general competition for being ferved firft 
 prevailed, one of the Americans took Scipio by the 
 heels, and pitched him head foremoft into the kettle, 
 where he remained till one of the Mcors dragged 
 him out. A great laughter fucceeded, and peer 
 Scipio received no other injury than that of 
 being well white walhed with cuzcuz. This occur- 
 icncedid not, however, difcourage the company from 
 eating, and it is faid that a part of this cuzcuz was 
 afterwards fent to the dey* 
 
 Spanifh 
 
*7 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 Spanijli deferter. 
 
 A SPANIARD, by the name of Mooris, who de* 
 ferted from a Spanifh veiTel at Oran, was brought 
 to Algiers by the Moors, where he was made a 
 flave, till the Spanifh conful interceded for him and 
 procured his liberty. He received him into his 
 houfe, where he was well treated, and promifed 
 that he fhould return to Spain by the firft veflel that 
 arrived at Algiers. But the Spaniard, neither ac 
 tuated by gratitude for the favors conferred upon 
 him, nor a defire to return home, ftole one of the 
 conful's horfes and a considerable furn of money, 
 and with this booty he took his departure into the 
 mountains among the Moors, where he remained 
 fome months, till his money was all expended ; 
 after which they brought him to town and took him 
 before the dey, who fentenced him to receive fe- 
 veral hundred blows; and the was then appointed 
 to the office of buffi dor e> or bellows-blower in the 
 blackfmith's (hop on the mole, where he continued 
 till the plague in 1796 releafed him from bondage. 
 
 The effefls of jcalcufy. 
 
 No people in the world are addicted to fuch in 
 temperate jealoufy as the Turks, and this will not 
 appear ilngular when we confider that all intercourfe 
 between the fexes is prohibited before marriage ; hence 
 il rarely happens that a woman obtains the object 
 of her afFedlions, and a Turk when he finds himfelf 
 unable to excite the efteem, becomes more cautious in 
 fecuring the perfon of- his wife ; but all this rigour 
 ferves only as a ilimulus to incontinence, and in 
 
 confequence 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 277 
 
 confequence the fpirit of intrigue is fo prevalent 
 among the women, that frequently in the abfence 
 cf their hufbands, they fend their confidants into 
 the ftreets to im*?e Grangers into their houfes, for 
 the purpofe of indulging an illicit love. 
 
 One of the wives of the captain of the port, or 
 agent in the marine, who prefided previous to the 
 arrival of the Americans, happened to fall in love 
 with a young Couloly, whom fhe frequently faw 
 paffing and repaffing in the ftreets. As the Turk 
 was engaged the principal part of the day in the 
 marine, it afforded the Couloly a moft favorable 
 opportunity for frequent interviews, and he con 
 tinued this amorbus correfpondence, till fome inti 
 mation of it was whifpered to the hufband, who 
 hired two Moorifh fpies, to keep watch near his houfe 
 in his abfence. 
 
 After continuing their watch a few hours the 
 Couloly made his appearance, and entered the 
 houfe; upon which intelligence was immediately 
 conveyed to the Turk, who hafiened with all ex 
 pedition from the marine, boiling with revenge a- 
 gainft his rival, whom he dete&ed in the paffage 
 tf his houfe. An immediate confli& cnfued, and 
 the Couloly, after receiving feveral flight wounds, 
 made his efcape. The Turk then feized his wife 
 by the neck, and as an expiation for the crime of 
 which he had fuppofed her guilty, he choaked her 
 to death* 
 
 When the dey received intelligence of thrs tranf- 
 a&ion he inftituted a ftri& enquiry into the matter. 
 He acknowledged the right of the Turks to put 
 their wives to death ; they being confidered as 
 merely the property of their hufbands ; but when 
 it appeared, upon examination, that the woman 
 
 v/as 
 
27 3 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 was in a ftate f pregnancy at her death, he was 
 violently enraged, and obferved, that though the 
 Turk might exerciie this privilege with impunity 
 upon his wife, yet he had no power whatever over 
 the life of the infant. In confequence of this crime 
 he was excluded from his office ; but he was after 
 wards promoted to the command of a cruifer, by 
 whom captain M'Shane and his crew were .cap-* 
 tured. 
 
 Neapolitan confpiracy* 
 
 The Haves of Algiers are generally Spaniards, 
 Portuguefe, Genoefe, Neapolitans and ethers, whofc 
 nations are at war with this regency. Some of thefe 
 ilaves have been confined 40 years in Algiers, where 
 they have endured every calamity that can be in 
 flicted on human nature. 
 
 About 40 years ago a fcherr.e was concerted be- 
 tween aboi>t, 50 Neapolitans and 150 Turks, to 
 make their efcape to Algiers, where they fuppofed 
 they would be highly rewarded for effecting the de 
 liverance of fuch a number of Turks, According 
 ly after murdering the officers and crew, and taking 
 poffedion of a Neapolitan galley, they iet fail and 
 arrived fafely in Algiers, where they were for fome 
 time highly careiTed by the Turks, till the king of 
 Naples fent to the dey, and defired that he might 
 make Haves of them. This requeft was readily 
 complied with, and fome of thefe wretched Neapo 
 litans are ftill flaves in Algiers. 
 
 Avarice 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS, 2/9 
 
 dvaricc of the former dty* 
 
 The former dey of Algiers, whofe name, if I 
 roiftake not, was Mahomet Bafhaw, was the rnoft 
 miferly dey that ever reigned. It is faid that his 
 avarice Jncreafed with his age to fuch a degree, that 
 he would amufe himfelf in hunting for aipers * In 
 the (Ireets, which he would take up on the ends of 
 his fingers moiftened with fpittle. 
 
 In changing his clothes one day, he happened 
 to leave a few of thefe afpers in his apartment, 
 which the captain Proor f of the palace took the 
 liberty of converting to his own ufe, not fuppofing 
 that fc trifling a fum belonged to the fovereign of 
 Algiers. But the dey was greatly exafperated 
 when he miffed his afpers, and upon examination 
 it was found that they had been purloined by the 
 captain Proor, who in confequence loft his head. 
 
 Naval expeditions* 
 
 after captain O'Brien's arrival in Al- 
 Hall, belonging to his crew, who 
 was ari^P^Weaman, was raifed to the office of por- 
 tezero, or boatfwain in a cruifer, formerly a French 
 frigate, which went out upon acruifeagainft the Ne 
 apolitans, 
 
 * An afper is a fmall thin piece of fquare tin lefs than 
 a penny in value. 
 
 f The captain Proor is the head fweeper, and accor 
 ding to cuftom he is always fet at liberty whenever a 
 peace is concluded with any nation. 
 
2:0 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 apolltens. Great preparations had been made, and 
 the dey promifed hirnfelf great fuccefsin this expedi 
 tion, in which his whole fleet let fail. Some days 
 after they left Algiers the frigate fell in with a Nea 
 politan cruifer, and a fmart engagement enfued, in 
 winch the frigate foon firuck to the Neapolitans* 
 An Algerine xebeck which happened to be in com 
 pany, ineared off when ihe faw the fate of the fri 
 gate. The Neapolitans did not think proper to 
 purfue her ; but after taking out all the beft hands, 
 from the frigate, and putting them on board their 
 own cruifer, they flood in for Naples with their 
 prize. Towards evening they became nearly be 
 calmed, and the Algerine xebeck in confequence 
 deemed this a favorable opportunity for recovering 
 the frigate. Accordingly the crew were ordered to 
 their o:irs, and fhe immediately bore d6"wn upon the 
 prize : upon which the men who had charge of her, 
 finding they were in danger of being overhauled, 
 took to their boats, after fetting fire to a match by 
 which they intended to blow her up ; but fome of 
 the old Moors who were left on board, broke loofe 
 from their confinement, and prevented the explofion; 
 loon after which fhe was re-captured by the xebeck, 
 and carried into Bona for the purpofe<ef Deceiving 
 ihe neceiTary repairs. 
 
 Though the Neapolitans by this unfortunate event 
 loft the frigate, yet they fecured the crew, and car 
 ried them to Naples where they were made flaves. 
 After the return of the xebeck, Mr. Donaidibn 
 wrote to Naples in Hall's behalf, who was foon af 
 ter liberated and entered on board an Eagliih 
 frigate. 
 
 Upon the return of the Algerine fleet the dey 
 was mod violently exafperated at the lofs of the 
 Algerine crew j immediate preparations were made 
 
 for 
 
I 
 
 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 281 
 
 for another expedition, and the cruifers were pro- 
 mifed an extraordinary reward for every Neapoli 
 tan they mould take. But after fcouring the Medi 
 terranean for feveral weeks, they only captured a 
 few Neapolitan and Maltefe boats, which were 
 bound to Sicily ; the crews of which were carried 
 to Algiers and made flaves. 
 
 Departure of the Americans from Algiers* 
 
 THE principal part of the Neapolitan flaves 
 were exchanged for Turks at the time the Ameri 
 can captives were ranfomed, and embarked with 
 the Auiericcins in the (hip La Fortune, under the 
 command of^captain Calder, which was originally 
 dellined for Leghorn, 
 
 From the nth to the 1 3th of July 1796, they 
 were engaged in making the necedary preparations 
 for their voyage. The 13111 in the evening they 
 hauled out into the harbour, and on the I4th in 
 the morning they prepared to get under weigh* 
 At this time a frefh wefterly breeze prevailed, and 
 owing to fome neglect in bracing the yards, the 
 ihip was very n-ar being driven ftern foremoft up 
 on the rocks near Porta Pifcou, which obliged 
 them to let go their anchor immediately ; upon 
 which the captain of the port came aboard In a 
 great rage, and ilruck captain Calder feveral blows; 
 called him a fans fur&eda, and ailed him how 
 he dared to get under weigh before he carne. The 
 veils! was then warped up to the mole, and a num 
 ber of the Mooriili guard-boats towed her out of 
 the harbour. 
 
 About two hours after they had hoifted fail, one 
 
 of the Neapolitans was feized with the plague, and 
 
 A a 2 being 
 
*82< DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 being apprehenfive that the contagion would fpread 
 among the crew, they put about the fhip and flood 
 in for Algiers, with an intention to land the Nea 
 politan. As foon as they had hoifted a fignai a 
 a boat came off and took him afliore ; but the 
 vichelhadge would not fuffer him to be landed, 
 and ordered him immediately back to the vef- 
 fel. 
 
 After they had been under weigh about half an 
 hour, the dey, receiving information of what had 
 pafled, ordered a number of the pifcorees to go in 
 purfuit of her, who foon after returned and brought 
 back the fick Neapolitan. 
 
 But their misfortune, did not terminate here : for 
 the day after another Neapolitan was difcovered to 
 have the plague, of which he died fjjortly after ; 
 and the fucceeding day captain BaiTy was feized 
 with the diforder, and alfo died. The forecafUe 
 of the veflel was then converted into an hofpital, 
 and two Americans who had had the plague in Al 
 giers were appointed to attend them. Great pre 
 cautions were then taken to prevent the conta 
 gion from fpreading. The crew kept themfelves 
 in conRant motion, their clothes were aired and the 
 decks were kept continually wafhed, and by thefe 
 means its progrefs was effectually checked. 
 
 At this time they refolved to alter their courfe ; 
 and, as they knew they would not be fuffered to 
 enter the port of Leghorn, they flood in for Mar- 
 feilles, where they were obliged to ride quarantine 
 for 80 days. As foon as they had performed qua 
 rantine all the Neapolitans who had arrived in La 
 Fortune were imprifoned, as their nation was then 
 at war with the French republic ; but they were 
 foon after liberated and fent to Naples. 
 
 CHAP, 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 283 
 
 CHAP. VI. 
 
 Siccinft account of Algiers in the time of Pmcttinm* 
 
 THE city of Algiers has undergone confiderable 
 alterations in the ftate of its fortifications, go 
 vernment, cuftoms, and manners, &c. fmce the 
 year 1640, the time of their famous' admiral Hali 
 Pinchinin. 
 
 The ancient wall of the city ftill remains ; but 
 fcarcely any vifible veftiges exiil ci the ditch 
 which extended the whole length of the wall on 
 the land fide. This ditch was about fixteen feet 
 wide, and of a proportionable depth ; and ferved as 
 a recepticle for the filth of the city. The inhabit 
 ants derived but little advantage from this wall, as 
 no military force was ftationed behind it for the 
 defence of the city. 
 
 All the ftreets were chained up at night ; ex 
 cept that which extended the whole length of the 
 city from the port of Babloet, between the great 
 mofque and the dey's palace, to the gate of Buba- 
 zoon. 
 
 The principal part of the garrifon was lodged in 
 five large public edifices, with fpacious courts in 
 the middle, which ferved as armories. Each of thefe 
 contained about 600 foldiers, who were fupported 
 at the public expence ; each of whom were ac 
 commodated with a feparate apartment. But ma 
 ny of the principal Turks were lodged in large 
 houfes called Fonducas, which belonged to pri 
 vate nerfons. 
 
 The 
 
284 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 
 
 The caille called^Alcazabar was that part of the 
 city which lay to the fouthward, divided by a wall 
 which began at the rampart on the eaft fide, and 
 extended to that on the weft. 
 
 About three hundred paces from the ihore 
 flood a fmall ifland, that was joined to the city by 
 a mole which was finiihed in the year 1533, ari( ^ 
 intended for the protection of veflels. This mole 
 was carried away by a violent tempeft in the be 
 ginning cf the year 1662, which occafioned im- 
 rnenfe definition among the fhipping. 
 
 Without the city there were feveral inconfider- 
 able fort re fles ; (he piincipal of which was that 
 built by Haflan Baihaw in the year 1545 at the 
 place where Charles V. pitched his tent in 1541* 
 This fortrefs Jsftiii in exiftence, and is called the 
 imperial ca/l/e. 
 
 The inhabitants amounted to about 100,000 ; of 
 which 12,000 were Turkiih foldiers, 30,000 Haves 
 of various nations, and the remainder citizens of 
 Algiers, who confifted of Moors, Morelcos, Jews, 
 and fome Chriilidn merchants. 
 
 The fupreme authority was, as at prefent, veftecl 
 in the dey, or, as he was then called, the bafhaw, 
 who was frequently honored with the appellation of 
 Sultan, with which he was highly pleafed. 
 
 His (ituation appears to have been more precarious 
 then than at prefent, and he wjs in continual appre- 
 henfion of mutiny among the Turkiih foldiers ; efpe- 
 cially if their monthly wages were withheld. His 
 principal ftudy, therefore, was to make punctual pay 
 ments at every new moon, and if he delayed thefe 
 payments three hours after they were due, he was 
 in great danger either of being murdered or impri- 
 funed. 
 
 The 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 285 
 
 The cfcy was obliged to be very circumfpedt in 
 faking no more than his due proportion of all 
 prizes ; for otherwife he was in danger of immedi 
 ate execution by an incenfed foldiery ; as happen 
 ed in September 1661, when Ramadan Bafhaw, 
 who then prefided, adjudged to himfelf a great 
 er proportion of prize-wheat than was his due. 
 This proceeding caufed an immediate infurreclion 
 of the foldiers, who cut his throat, and maiTacred 
 twenty-eight of the divan, whofe bodies were 
 thrown to the dogs in the ftreets. The reft were 
 obliged to make their efcape in a fifhing boat, to 
 avoid -the fury of the foldiers, in which they were 
 afterwards captured by the Maltefe and made ilaves. 
 
 After the death of Ramadan , another Bafhaw, 
 whom they had imprifoned fome years before for 
 neglect in making punctual payments, was brought 
 out and elected to the fovereignty of Algiers, whom 
 they exhorted to a more virtuous conduct in admin- 
 iftration. 
 
 But within three days after, he forgot their in 
 junctions, and meditated nothing but the deftruction 
 of an aga, who had been acceflfcry to his imprifon- 
 rnent. In the execution of this defign he promifed 
 10,000 patacoons * to two foldiers if they would 
 murder him. With this intention they went to the 
 aga's houfe, and requefted to fpeak with him* 
 But the (lave who came out, fufpeciing their inten 
 tions by their countenances, aniwered that his maf- 
 ter was not at home. 
 
 When intelligence was announced to the aga of 
 the dey's defigns, he urged a complaint to the fol 
 diers, who feized him and threw him into a dark 
 dungeon, where he received his food through a 
 fmaii hole, arid only had room enough to fit down. 
 
 The 
 
 * The patacoon isaSpanifh coin about 84 cents invalus. 
 
286 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 The neceffity of pun&ual payment, often obliged 
 the dey to procure money by every fmifter means in 
 liis power: even by the violation or mifconftruftion 
 of treaties. And this imperious necedity induced him 
 to rifk a rupture with Great Britain in 1661, by 
 making prize (contrary to their treaty of peace) of 
 the property and perfons of foreigners that had been 
 fhipped on board of Britifh veffels. In confequence 
 of this infradlion of the treaty, the earl of Sand- 
 wick was difpatched to Algiers, with a fleet of eigh 
 teen fail of the line, to demand refKtution. The ad 
 miral entered the harbour the 22d of Auguft, and 
 difpatched his lieutenant with his credentials on 
 ihore to demand fatisfaclion, which the dey and 
 divan were not dlfpofed to grant. In confequence, 
 the Britifh conful was brought on board the fleet, 
 and the admiral, after pouring a volley of grape 
 fhot into the city, and battering down feveral houfes, 
 took his departure. 
 
 The principal ftudy of the dey was the con- 
 ftant practice of impoiition upon nations with whom 
 he was in alliance. Their veflels were frequent 
 ly feized, and the captains conftrained, by corporal 
 punilhment, to confefs that the property belonged 
 to other nations. Indeed it was an arduous tafk 
 for him to avoid foreign difputes, and at the fame 
 time promote harmony at home. He was fenfi- 
 ble that the eftablimment of peace with other na 
 tions would have a tendency to abridge his per- 
 quifites, and a want of finances to difcharge the 
 neceffary demands, would expofe him to the fury 
 of a mutinous foldiery. Treaties of peace were 
 therefore neceffarily violated, and as he derived 
 the principal part of his revenue from captured 
 veffels, he was ieldom at peace with any na 
 tion* 
 
 The 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 287 
 
 The 12,000 men that conftituted his ordinary- 
 forces, confifted chiefly of the refufe of Turkey, 
 and of renegados who had fled for refuge from 
 Europe; for Algiers was fuch a perfect afylum 
 for villany, that even thofe who had offended the 
 Grand Signier himfelf found protection upon their 
 arrival there, as was the cafe in 1640* 
 
 One Sigala, the fon of a. Ge.nc.efe renegade a 
 famous admiral of the fame name, had been ap 
 pointed to the command ofafquadron of galleys 
 belonging to the Grand Signior Morad IV. which 
 brought home the annual tribute of Egypt. Sigala 
 on his return anchored his fleet in fbme of the ports 
 of Greece, where he went on fhore to devote part of 
 his time to the women. While he was here indulg 
 ing himfelf in every gratification, the Maltefe ran 
 into the port, and captured the veflel which- was 
 freighted with the treafure. Sigala, to avoid the bow 
 firing, fet fail immediately with his galley to Algiers, 
 where he fubfifted by piracy till he was pardoned by 
 Ibrahim the fucceflbr of Morad. 
 
 Algiers was at this time a kind of military re 
 public, and the dey was fo perfectly under the con- 
 troul of the foldiery, that without their concurrence 
 he could do nothing. If they approved of his or 
 ders they were executed, and if not, the dey was 
 compelled to relinquim them. 
 
 In the year 1642, a trihutory king, refufing to 
 pay tribute, appealed with an army to fhake off the 
 Algerine yoke. Yufef, the reigning dey, defirous 
 of being exempted from the ccrnnt^njd of the expe 
 dition, prcter.ded indifpofition. B^tyhe foldiers 
 were not diipofed to receive his etffctJrc', and com 
 pelled him to embark in one of his galleys ; and 
 left he fliculd defert them, he was efcorted by an 
 other 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 other galley, and was obliged to fubmit to being 
 difembaiked with his army at the place appointed. 
 At this time there were, according to ibme ac 
 counts, about three thoufand French renega- 
 dos in Algiers. Before this time the renegades were 
 prohibited from ferving in the capacity of Tur- 
 Idih foldiers ; but Mahomet Baihavv firft allow 
 ed them to be incorporated with the Turks in 
 
 The pay of each foldier was eight Morefco 
 doubles * a month ; but their pay was enhanced 
 upon extraordinary emergencies, and in proportion 
 to the number of years they had ferved. When 
 ever the Sultanefs was delivered of a fon, or they 
 had any remarkable engagement with the Arabs, 
 or any foldier had killed his enemy in an engage 
 ment and brought away his head, their pay was 
 augmented a double a month : provided the num 
 ber of doubles did not exceed forty. 
 
 The unmarried foldiers enjoyed greater privileges 
 than thofe who were married. To the former 
 were diftributed four loaves of bread a day, but 
 to the latter none. 
 
 The foldiers kept no guard in the city ; but a 
 watch called Mefuart, confifling of twenty-five; 
 perfons, paraded the ftreets. In the fummer thd 
 city was nearly deftitute of a garrifon, as the army! 
 was then difperfed into various parts of the country 
 to enforce the payment of taxes. 
 
 The divan were convened twice a week in- a gal 
 lery of the palace, and confifted of 40 perfons. 
 All matters were decided here by a majority ; but 
 what was remarkable, the votes were collected be 
 
 fore 
 
 * This double is about aj cents In value. 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 2^9 
 
 fore the debate was clofed. All caufes between the 
 foldiers were decided in this council, but thofe be 
 tween the citizens were determined before the chiah, 
 who was the dey's lieutenant. 
 
 Though their fortifications were then, as at pre- 
 fent,very inconfiderable, yet they were a terror to the 
 Europeans ; and, according to feme computations, 
 above 600,000 Haves died in Algiers with the feve- 
 rityof their treatment between the years 1536 and 
 1640. 
 
 Though the Algennes were greatly elated at 
 the fignal difaftcr of Charles V. in 1541, yet 
 they durft not attribute their deliverance to their 
 own valour. Their opinion was, that a marabout 
 or fanton who refided near the city, produced 
 the tempeft that proved the definition of the Spa- 
 riilh fleet, by beating the fea with his wand. 
 To the memory of this marabout they ere6ted a 
 rnofque near the gate of Babloer, where he \vas in 
 terred. The Turks had a great veneration for 
 this place, and pretended that if a Chriftian army 
 fhould ever befiege Algiers again, they would raifc 
 the mod tremendous tempeft ever known by caft- 
 ing the bones of this marabout into the lea- 
 
 B b CHAP, 
 
250 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 C HAP. VII. 
 
 Jl compendium of ike adventures of Emanuel 
 
 .containing an ace omit of tie treatment of the Algerint 
 flakes in ike time of Pinchinin. 
 
 EMANUEL D'ARANDA was a native of 
 Dunkirk in Flanders, and was a flave in Al 
 giers for the fpace of two years. On the firft of 
 Augiift 1640, he left Madrid, and proceeded by land 
 to St. Sebaftian, where he embarked on board an 
 Engliih veffel, in order to return to his own coun 
 try, after having vifited various parts of Spain. After 
 being at fea a few days, they difcovered a large Ihip 
 bearing down upon, them, which proved to be a ca 
 ravel. The mailer of the Englifh veffel immedi 
 ately ordered his fails to be furled up, and alledged 
 fora reafon that it was not cuftomary for an Englifh 
 veffel to run away at fea. The caravel foon came 
 within gun (hot, but without hoifting her colours ; 
 whereupon it was concluded that (he was a pirate. 
 
 But night coming on both veffels lay to, waiting 
 the events that were to take place the next morning. 
 The paffengers of the Englifh veffel ufed every ar 
 gument in their power to induce the captain to make 
 his efcape ; but he wa-s inflexibly determined to 
 maintain his ftation. About ten o'clock next morn- 
 ang two Turkifh veffels hove in fight, and were 
 foon within gun ihot. In this fituation refiftance 
 was vain. One of the Turkifh veffels hailed her, and 
 ordered her to ftrike her colours ; upon which a 
 boat's crew was fent out, who immediately toak pof- 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 291 
 
 feffion of the Englifh veffel, and her crew were fent 
 on board of one of the Turkifh ftiips, which im 
 mediately after flood for Algiers. 
 
 On the eleventh day after their capture, they 
 paffed the freights of Gibraltar, where the Turks, 
 as they paffed, obferved many fuperftitious ceremo 
 nies. Among a variety the following was obferved ; 
 they cad a veffel of oil into the fea, which they 
 imagined fwam to a mountain called La montagnt 
 cits Signes, where a great fanton or faint refided, who 
 fubiifted upon the oil, and in confequence of this gift 
 difpenfed various bleffings to them. During thepaf- 
 fage of the oil, lighted candles were placed upon the 
 great guns (a ceremony that was particularly ob 
 ferved by veffels that paffed the freights in the 
 night) which burnt for the purpofe of affording 
 light to the oil in its paffage. All thefe ceremonies 
 were performed with prayers and great devotion. 
 
 The third day after palling the ftreights, they an 
 chored oppofite the city of Algiers; the guns of the 
 veffel were fired, and their report brought a large 
 concourfe of people to the fhore, D'Aranda with 
 the reft of the crew were now freed from their chains, 
 and taken to the market where the Chrillian Haves 
 were fold, in order to fee if any of them were known ; 
 from thence they were conducted to the palace of 
 the dey, (who was entitled to every eighth prifoner) 
 that he might make his choice out of the number of 
 captives. 
 
 He was feated in his hall of audience, and fat 
 crofs-legged on an elegant feat, covered with blue 
 tapeftry, holding in his hand a number of plumes, 
 refembling a fan. His drefs was a long gown of red 
 filk, and a turban neatly interwoven. 
 
 After the dey had made choice of his (hare of the 
 captives, the remainder were taken to the houfe of 
 
 one 
 
29 3 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 one of the Turks whofe veffel had taken the prize* 
 As D'Aranda was going info the houfe, the Turk 
 afked him In Italian, if he was hungry, he anfwered 
 ia the affirmative ; whereupon a Chriftian (lave 
 brought the prifoners fome bread and a bafket of 
 grapes, with which they regaled themfeives. The 
 houfe was built in the Italian manner ; the galleries 
 were formed of white marble, and the pavement, 
 the pillars and the arches were well proportioned, 
 according to the laws of architecture. They were 
 confined in this houfe, where they were obliged to 
 fleep on the floor in the galleries, and were not per 
 mitted to leave the houfe till they were fold. 
 
 After they had been confined here feven 
 days, they were vifited by Piochinin and forne of 
 the richeft Turks, who came with an intention to 
 purclnfe flaves. They afked the prifoners whether 
 they were able to pay the price of their ranibm ; 
 but they anfwered in the negative, and in confe- 
 quence no purchafe was made* They were after 
 wards brought to the market, where an old man, 
 with a ftaff in his hand, took D'Aranda by the 
 arm, and led him feveral times round the market 
 place. A number of perfons, defrcus of purchaf- 
 ingj appeared, who afked D'Aranda his profeffion. 
 and the place of his nativity. They took him by 
 the hand to examine if it was hard; and ordered 
 him to open his mouth, to fee whether his teeth 
 were fufKciently good for chewing hard bifkets on 
 board the galleys. They were then all ordered to 
 be feated in a row. The old man took the firft ia 
 order and led him three or four times round the 
 market, crying arrache, arracks, who offers moft ? 
 After the fale he was placed upon the other fide of 
 the market, and in the fame manner all the others 
 were fold. D'Aranda was purchased by a rene 
 gade 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 293 
 
 gado named Saban Gallan, who gave 200 pata- 
 coons for him. 
 
 The dey being entitled to any flave at the price 
 offered for him in the maiket, they were in confe- 
 quence once more taken to the palace : each one 
 having in his hat a piece of paper, on which was 
 written the price at which he was fold. The dey 
 thought proper to purchafe D'Aranda, and Caloen 
 and Saldens two of his companions ; telling them 
 that he had heard they were perfons of quality, 
 arid that he expe&ed a large ium for their ran- 
 fom. He then ordered them to the ftables of 
 the palace, where they found 250 other (laves in 
 tended as a fupply to the galleys. In thefe fta- 
 bles they were confined one and twenty days, and 
 their daily allowance here was two frnall loaves of 
 bread a -piece. 
 
 Towards the end of September, when their gal 
 leys make their laft cruiie, thefe Haves began to 
 prepare for fea. To each one was; diftribuled, by the 
 dey's order, feme coarfe cloth, for the purpofe of 
 making them fuch clothes as were worn in the gal 
 leys. On the day appointed for the flaves to go 
 on board, a number of barbers attended the ila- 
 bles, and (haved the heads and beards of t hole who 
 were intended as rowers. After they were fliaved, 
 the dey ? s Oeward, and the captain of one of the 
 galleys entered the flab Ics, and ordered the Haves 
 into an adjoining court, where each one _ had his 
 o-nce and tlation affigned him. After tJai-$- -there 
 remained twenty flaves more than fuifici narl 
 
 the galleys. D'Aranda was among this number,- 
 and the captain of th: galley laid to the fteward 
 as he pailed them, Wt will leave tkefe rafcaU on 
 jlwrt, for thty are favages yet- 
 
 1 hty were then ordered back to the dey's tta- 
 B b 2 bits, 
 
294 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 bles, and the fame day four galleys thus manned, 
 left the harbour. The dey finding D*Aranda and 
 his companions neither rich nor perfons of quality, 
 ordered them to be brought into his prefence in 
 the hall of audience, where they found Pinchinin, 
 who faid to them, Chriftians I have bought you of the 
 dey, but at a very great price. He then fent them 
 to his houfe, where they found twenty female 
 flaves who attended his wife, bcfides twelve male 
 flaves, and a feraglio of forty young boys between 
 nine and fifteen years of age. 
 
 From Pinchinin's houfe they were fent to his 
 bagnio, the place appointed for fuch of his flaves 
 as were intended for the galleys. This bangio was 
 a ftreet or large entry in his houfe, where pirates 
 and Turkiih foldiers tefcrted, who fpent their time 
 in drinking, and the commiffion of the moft unna 
 tural crimes. D'Aranda not being acquainted with 
 any one in this feminary of virtue, was obliged to 
 fleep the firft night upon the terrace of the bagnio^ 
 and the next morning when he rofe he favv an Ita 
 lian flave bringing in a great variety of articles and 
 houfehold fluff, and crying arracke, arrache. 
 D'Aranda enquired of a certain knight of Malta 
 with whom he had become acquainted, what the 
 Italian meant. " As our matter Pinchinin," replied 
 the knight, " allows his flaves nothing for their 
 " fubfiftence, the greateft part of them live upon 
 " ftealing, and the booty of the preceding day is 
 11 every morning thus fold for their iupport." 
 
 The next morning before fun-rife the guardian 
 coming into the bagnio, fa luted CXAranda i .nd 
 his companions with Surfa cani, abajo canal- 
 la, get up ycu dogs, come down you icoundreis* 
 After this coarfe falutation, he conducted them to 
 Babloet, in the fubuibs of the city, where the/ 
 
 were 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 295 
 
 were employed in a large rope-walk. D'Aranda 
 and Saldens were appointed to turn a large wheel. 
 Upon their turning the wheel too fwiftly, their guar 
 dian cried out to them in Lingua Franca, forti,forti, 
 which (ignifies gently; but they mifunderftanding 
 the term, turned the wheel with all their might, 
 which fo exafperated their guardian, that he ran up 
 to them in a rage, and with a huge cudgel taught 
 them the fignification of ford. 
 
 After they were thus initiated into the knowledge 
 of rope making, they were compelled to pound wheat 
 in a mortar ; a much more laborious employment, 
 in which D'Aranda acquitted himfelf but very in- 
 dirFerently ; upon which his guardian faid to him, 
 givd over that work you dog, you are too favage yet. 
 In putting the wheat into bags after it had been 
 pounded, a little happened to be fpilt on the ground ; 
 whereupon their guardian fa\& r PiUdcffe cant, take 
 that up you dog: but D'Aranda not understanding 
 him, his keeper gave him a moft unmeiciful blow 
 over the back with a billet of wood, which gave 
 him a dangerous wound, from which a copious 
 ftream of blood iilued. 
 
 A very heavy bag of wheat was then placed 
 upon each one's (boulder, which they had to car 
 ry a confidcrable didance, and D'Aranda's ftrength 
 failing him after he had gone a few paces, the bag 
 began to flide down his back ; upon which his 
 keeper druck him in the face feveral times with 
 fid, and the blood dreamed plentifully from his 
 mouth and nofe ; which compelled him to greUjr 
 exertion.?, an! he daggered under the load till he 
 arrived at Pinchinin's houfe, where he fell down, 
 perfeiUy exl !th the burden- IL-t the mofl 
 
 arduous part of their h-j jur was yet to be pei form 
 ed. They \vcrc under the ncccfiity of currying 
 
 the.e 
 
296 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS, 
 
 the fe bags up into a granary forty feet high; a 
 tafk which D'Aranda would have found totally 
 impracticable, had not his companion Saldens, who 
 was much dronger, compaffionaitely carried it up 
 for him, while he lay upon the ground befrneared 
 with fweat, duft and blood, and ftili unmercifully 
 pounded by his keeper, who threatened to murder 
 him. In this lamentable condition he returned to 
 the bagnio. 
 
 In the mean time Caloen, his other companion, 
 had been employed in leading a mule, laden with 
 bi(ket, from Pinchinia's houfe tQ the water fide. 
 In confequence of the narrownefs of the ffreets, it 
 was a cuftom in Algiers, when one led a loaded 
 mule or camel, to cry Belcc, take care there. But 
 our new mule-driver, ignorant of the cuftom, gave 
 no warning ef his approach, and in pallBng, 
 threw a Turk info the mud. The Turk getting 
 up in a great rage, drew his knife, (which th:y 
 carried about them iaitead of a fword) and would 
 have murdered Caloen, had he not been prevented 
 by fome other Turks, who hallowed out to Lim, 
 don t you fee thai Chriflian is ajavageytt, and don I 
 under/land the cujlom ; the word SAVAGE being a 
 terra of reproach which was given him becaufe he 
 was dreffed in a Chriflian habit. 
 
 While they were in a ftate of the moft extreme 
 indigence, expelling nothing from Pinchinin, and 
 not verfed in the art of flealing, the common profef- 
 fion in the bagnio, they had the good fortune to bor 
 row feventy-five patacoons from an Italian merchant 
 in Algiers, to whom they became jointly bound for 
 the payment of a hundred at Antwerp. 
 
 Their next employment was in a vine-yard be 
 longing to one of Pinchinin's country-hou!es,where 
 very laborious tafks were affigned them ; for which 
 
 D'Arands 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 297 
 
 D'Aranda, being but indifferently qualified, agreed 
 with his guardian to allow him four rials a month if 
 he would give him a more eafy employment : and 
 in confequence his next bufinefs was to carry fome 
 large pots of water to the lodgings of the chief guar 
 dian. D'Aranda now fared pretty well, and was 
 much pleafed with his new employment ; but a 
 trivial occurrence fhortly after excluded him from 
 this bufinefs ; for as he was pouring a pot of wa 
 ter one day into the Tinaga, cr great cittern, he 
 accofted a Turkidi woman who entered the houfe, 
 and afked her if (lie would drink a glafs of lack. 
 This qaeftion being overheard, he was difmiffed 
 from his employment, and compelled the next day 
 to work with fome other flaves in attending ma- 
 fons. 
 
 This happened in the month of December, 
 when the corfairs cruifed along the coaft of Anda- 
 lufia, in order to capture Engliih veffels laden 
 with wine and fruits. Thefe corfairs had taken a 
 frigate of Dankirk, in which there was a young 
 man who was fold to Pinchinin, with whom 
 D'Aranda had been formerly acquainted. This 
 young man (hortly after had an interview with 
 D'Aranda, and being moved at the recital of his 
 misfortunes, gave him fome jewels, which he pawned 
 for ten crowns/ This was a very feafonable fup- 
 ply, as his fevsnty-five patacoons were by this 
 time (pent, and his credit was in confequence very 
 much raifed at the bagnio, which was more than 
 ufually crouded at this time by great numbers of 
 Turks and Chriftian flaves who came to drink 
 fack, a cargo of which had been lately taken ia 
 one their prizes. About thirty flaves were taken in 
 this frigate who were employed in unloading her. 
 Some of thefe had the good fortune to be afterwards 
 
 employed 
 
*9* DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 employed as tavern keepers, a bufinefs which was 
 prohibited to Turks; others of the crew were con- 
 figned to the galleys, where they were chained to the 
 outermoft oar, men whom the Algerines called Bo- 
 gavands* Thefe flaves confided of Spanards, Italians 
 and Ruffians, and being a little intoxicated one 
 night a quarrel enfued between fome of them,which 
 nude a great uproar in the bagnio. Whereupon 
 a pried came into the room with a wax candle in 
 his hand, and quelled the difturbance. The news 
 of this riot foon came to the ears of the patron 
 of the bagnio, who came attended by feveral per- 
 fons with creffet lights and lanthrons, and armed 
 with cudgels. They all fled at the approach of the 
 patron; but one of the rioters was feized, dripped 
 naked, and held by the hands and feet by four 
 flaves with his belly on the floor, where he received 
 a hundred blows on the back with a cudgel* 
 
 D'Aranda had now refided fix months in Al 
 giers, at which time he and his companions went 
 to Pinchinin, and kifling his robe and the fleeve of 
 his inner garment, the Turkifh mode of paying 
 homage, they told him they had come to agree 
 with him about the price of their ranforn. After 
 fome converfation Pinchinin told them he was then 
 going out of town with fome flaves to fell timber 
 for a new frigate which was building, and that he 
 would talk further with them upon the fubjeft at 
 his return. 
 
 In the mean time D'Aranda was employed at 
 a new houfe belonging to Pinchinin in the upper 
 part of the city, where he was obiged to carry 
 materials on his backup a deep hill where mules 
 and camels could not be ufed. While he was at 
 work two Turks came to ^the bagnio and enquir 
 ed for D'Aranda, Caloen, and Saldens; but as 
 
 they 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 299 
 
 they had changed their names, nobody could 
 give any account of them. The Turks then ap 
 plied to a Brabant Have called Francis the ftv dent, 
 to examine fome papers which were written in La 
 tin, giving fome account of the flaves. Francis, 
 upon examination, concluded that D'Aranda and 
 his companion! were the perfons they were enquir 
 ing for, and told them he knew the flaves very well. 
 Whereupon he went with them to the bagnio, 
 where they found D'Aranda arid his companions, 
 whom they informed they were no longer ilaves ; 
 at which the were greatly overjoyed. 
 
 The next day a Jew came to the bagnio, and by 
 order of Pinchinin's wife* told D'Aranda and his 
 companions that the dey wifhed to fpeak to them. 
 When they were brought before him, he comman 
 ded them to go into a fmall draxving room of the 
 palace, where they continued about three hours 
 with fome young Chrifiian flaves. At length the 
 fteward made his appearance with a cudgel, and 
 faid to them, You dogs which oj you wrote kome to 
 le exchanged for Turks? They all excufed them- 
 felves ; but the fteward not much difpofed to re 
 ceive their excufes, gave them all a fevere beating, 
 and told them he would come again at night and 
 cut off their ears and nofes. They were here con 
 fined in this fmall apartment in extreme mifery for 
 eighteen days ; during which time they were fre 
 quently vifited by the fteward, who always carried 
 his cudgel in his hand, and fometirnes beat them fpr 
 his diverfion. TheTurks now waited upon Pinchinin, 
 who had returned, and told him they had engaged 
 to procure an exchange of D'Aranda and his com 
 panions for feven of their Turkish friends, who 
 were prifoners in Flanders, and offered him by way 
 of ranfom the fame fum he had given for them. But 
 
 Pinchinio 
 
jco DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 Pincliinin told them thefe (laves were pejfons of 
 quality, for each of whom he demanded 6000 pata- 
 coons as the price of ranfom. 
 
 While the Turks were endeavouring to effect an 
 exchange of prifoners nine weeks pafled, away, du 
 ring which time D'Aranda and his companions were 
 confined in the dey's palace. After much delay 
 the Tucks agreed with Pinchinin upon the price of 
 their ranfom ; upon which they were releafed from 
 confinement, and lodged in the houfe of Cataborn 
 Mu/2apka,oneofthe Turks, who became their new 
 patron. Caloen was foon after fent in a veffel bound 
 to Leghorn, in order to procure the liberty of the 
 Turkifh prifoners in exchange, according to the 
 agreement made between theie Turks and the 
 friends of D'Aranda and his companions, who de 
 tained the Turkifh prifoners in Flanders. 
 
 D'Aranda ftill continued with Muftapha, but his 
 refidence here was of fhort duration ; for Muftapha 
 getting drunk one day quarrelled with a Bulcebas, a 
 captain of foot, whom he called a Chriftian. For this 
 offence Muftapha furFered irnprifonment, and by or 
 der of the divan received a hundred blows on the 
 back with a cudgel ; after which he was compel- 
 ied to ferve fix months in the field againft king Ben- 
 nali. 
 
 After the departure of Muftapha, D'Aranda was 
 received into the family of Mahomet Celibi Oiga, 
 where he was employed in the capacity of a fervant* 
 Kere he foon became very intimate with his new 
 miftreis who granted h'im many liberties, and per 
 mitted him to attend public worihip every day at 
 Pinchinin's bagnio. 
 
 In the mean time Calcen, who was not fo fortu 
 nate, was imprifoned in the houfe of Mufiapha's 
 grandmother, where he was confined to a imail 
 
 apartment 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 301 
 
 apartment with nearly 80 weight of iron about his 
 legs, and frequently fent into the country, where 
 his keepers were inflrucled to torture him with the 
 moft oppreiTive hunger in order to expedite the pay 
 ment of his ranfom. 
 
 At the expiration of fix months after D'Aranda 
 had refided at Oiga's houfe, he received a letter 
 from Saldens, dated at Ceuta, who requefted his im 
 mediate attendance at Tetuan in the kingdom of 
 Fez, according to contract Math the two Turks. 
 This letter contained information that Caloen's fa 
 ther had abfolutely refufed to pay the 700 patacoons 
 that were demanded for his ranfom, but made no 
 particular mention of the five Turks who were to be 
 given in exchange for D'Aranda and his compa 
 nions. 
 
 In confequence of this information Muftapha's 
 grandmother immediately ordered Caloen to be 
 confined with a hundred weight of iron about his 
 legs, in a fmall cellar, where D'Aranda frequently 
 vifited him; and one day while he was with him, the 
 old woman entered the cellar, and afked Caloen if he 
 was willing yet to pay the 700 patacoons. He 
 made no anfwer, but laughed at her; which fo great 
 ly enraged the old lady, that (he ordered D'Aran 
 da to be feized and loaded with irons in the fame 
 cell, becaufe (he had imputed Caloen's conduct 
 entirely to his advice. Here they remained till the 
 time fixed for the departure of a veilel deftined for 
 Tetuan, when, by the int-jrceflion of three Chriftian 
 flaves who intended to embark in this veffei, they 
 were releafed upon a promife that her grandion 
 Muftapha, who was at Ceuta, fhould be liberated 
 in exchange. 
 
 About this time (which was thefirflof January 
 
 1642) terminated the fail of Ramadan, which con.- 
 
 C c tinued 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 tinned for a month, during which time they \vere 
 
 ubited from eating or drinking in the day; 
 
 thole v ho were detecled in viofating this law 
 
 were compelled to fwallow melted lead. About 
 
 the time of fan-let the people uete permitted to eat, 
 
 drums were beaten as a fignal to ceafe from 
 
 Lifting. 
 
 To this faft fucceeded the feftival or Eafter of 
 Ramadan, which continued for eight days, and was 
 celebrated with great pomp and feftivity. Caval 
 cades were formed without the city, and feats of 
 horiemanlhip were displayed. The Turkifh chil 
 dren were drawn in fmall triumphal chariots, to 
 which Chriftian Tuxes were harnalTed. The prin 
 cipal amufement was \\reftling, at which the Moors 
 were very expert. The prohibitions of the Alco 
 ran feemed very little regarded at this time, and 
 wine and brandy were drank in the greateft excefs* 
 In the time of this feftival gifts were diftributcd to 
 the ilaves, and for the three or four Brft days they 
 were exempted from every kind of labour. 
 
 On the I4th of January D'Aranda ar.d Ca'cen, 
 after iettlin*: all preliminaries, e :i a 
 
 number of Turks and Chrlftian flaves on board the 
 veiTe 1 bound for Tetuan. On the eighth dav after 
 they -t Oran, which is about forty leagues 
 
 Hi Algiers, and on the twelfth at Trernefen, 
 where they lay at anchor three days, and diichar- 
 ged part of their Moorifn ere 
 
 Tremefen was formerly a powerful kingdom, to 
 
 :h the dey of Algiers was tributary. It is fi- 
 
 tuated at the ex:ren;i:y of the Grand Sig-n-r's do- 
 
 jv the empire of Morocco 
 
 and Fez, \vl h the Grand Signior is in i 
 
 ance ; but ootwithftandiog this empire is often at 
 warwiihthe Alg- i this happens without any 
 
 violation 
 
DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS, 303 
 
 violation to the confederacy. The fame is the 
 cafe with Tunis, which is included in the Grand 
 Signior's dominions; but he does not concern him- 
 felf with the affairs of the balhaws, and they are 
 not confidered at war till fome place of importance 
 is taken 
 
 From Tremefen they fet fail upon their voyage, 
 and fhortly after, in confequencc of the difchargtfof 
 a number of Moors, a confpiracy was formed among 
 theChriftian (laves to murder all the Turks on board, 
 and to render themfelves mailer of the veflel. But the 
 whole defign mifcanied in confequence of tke ti 
 midity of a Spaniard, who was the principal in the 
 confpiracy, and neglected to give the fignal of on- 
 fet, as had been previoufly concerted. 
 
 On the twelfth of February in the evening they 
 caft anchor in a bay within half a league of Te- 
 tuan, and the next day a violent ea ft wind arofe 
 which fubjeclcd them to imminent danger. The 
 Turks terrified at the ftorm began to fay their Ja/a 
 or prayers, and promifed to diftribute aims as foon 
 as they \vere on more. But the tempeft ftill in- 
 creafed in violence, and the veflel was every mo 
 ment in danger of being driven upon the rocks. In 
 this extremity the Turks refolved to offer a facri- 
 fice to Mahomet as their lad refource ; a number 
 of fheep being always taken on board the Turkifh 
 vcflels for this purpofe. They cut one of thefe 
 fheep into four parts, and with a variety of ridicu 
 lous ceremonies they caft the parts into tlie fea en 
 d.fFerent quarters of the veflel. 
 
 The tempeft continued to increafe till midnight, 
 at which time the veflel began to drag her anchors. 
 The Turks all aflembled at the ftern in the utmoft 
 confternation, and implored the afliftance of Ma 
 homet with the loudeft lamentations. The veflel 
 
 continued 
 
304 DESCRIPTION OF ALGIERS. 
 
 continued to drag her anchors, and foon after fhe 
 was wrecked upon the fhore, but the principal part 
 of the crew were faved. 
 
 D'Aranda and Caloen were greatly overjoyed 
 at their deliverance, and the next morning they 
 fet out for Tetuan, where they arrived about noon. 
 While they continued here they received a letter 
 from Don Martin de Pegnalofo a Spanish merchant 
 at Ceuta, who informed them that Saldens had 
 gone to Gibraltar, and had left orders with hirrj 
 to furnifh them with every thing neceflary. 
 
 In the mean time the Turkifh prifoners who had 
 been detained at Flanders had arrived at Ceuta. Muf- 
 tapha Ingles one of the prifoners, imagining that 
 Saldens had returned to Flanders, wrote to Tetuan 
 to the Turk who had charge of D'Aranda and Ca- 
 Joen, that Saldens had promifed when he was in 
 Flanders to pay 700 patacoons towards the ranfom 
 which his relations had paid for Caloeo, and that 
 he (hould put them in the Mafmora* The perfon 
 who concerted this bufmcfs was Abraham Arrais 
 one of the Turkim prifoners, who reported at Ceu 
 ta that D'Aranda and Caloen had promifed 700 
 patacoons before their departure from Algiers. 
 
 In confequence of this letter they were put into 
 the Mafmora, which was a targe vault about thir 
 ty feet under ground, where 170 Chriftian (laves 
 were confined. While they were in this fituatiorr 
 D'Aranda wrote to Saldens, who returned to Ceu- 
 ta> and by his intercefiTion they were liberated 
 from confinement, and foon after took their de 
 parture for their native country. 
 
 P I N I S. 
 
Subfcriber's Names. 
 
 A 
 
 REV. John Armftrong, Philadelphia 
 Capt. Thomas Anderfon, do 
 Mr. Thomas Aikman, Trenton 
 
 Thomas Adams, Efq. Burlington 
 
 William Allingham, Philadelphia 
 
 Frederick Afher, do 
 
 Andrew Allen, jun. do 
 
 Nathaniel Andrufs, Newark 
 
 B 
 
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 Meffrs. Budd Bartram, Philadelphia 
 Mr. Samuel Benezet, Efq. Benfaiern 
 
 John Barclay, Montgomery county 
 
 Jofeph Baldwin, Nefhamany 
 
 Richard Bidgood, Briftol 
 Bailey r do 
 
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 Jarnes Brown, Newark 
 
 Nathaniel Beach, do 
 
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SUBSCRIBER'S NAMES. 
 
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 Charles .Chriftie, do 
 
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 Daniel Clark, do 
 
 Thomas Carpenter, do 
 
 Jolhua B. Clibborn, do 
 
 George Curvvin, do 
 
 Jofeph Ciukfhank, do 
 
 Benjamin Col, Newark 
 
 Ifrael Curny, do 
 
 Jno. Carfon, Northumb. county 
 
 D 
 
 Hon. Jonathan Dayton, New-Jerfey 
 Mifs Eliza Dalzell, Philadelphia 
 Mr. John Davis, do 
 
 Samuel Dierman, do 
 
 Jonathan D. Woodruff, do 
 
 Andrew Duffy, do 
 
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 John Dibcr 
 
 E 
 
 Mrs. Anne Engles, Philadelphia 
 Mr, Thomas Eaftwick, do 
 
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 Owen Evans, cJo 
 
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 Thomas Eden, Harrifburgh 
 
 Jofeph Erwin, Newton 
 E 
 
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 ]Nlr fc Robert Field, New Jerfey 
 
 G 
 
 Mifs Jean G ribbon, Philadelphia 
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 Henry Gordon, do 
 
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 j;,;;cz Grcger> Newark 
 
SUBSCRIBER'S NAMES, 
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 K 
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 L 
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 "M 
 
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SUBSCRIBER'S NAME 3, 
 
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 Samuel R. Marftiall, Barbadoes 
 
 George Myers, Germantown 
 
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 N 
 
 Mr. John Neilfon, Philadelphia- 
 William Nigley, do 
 
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 David Nichols, Newark 
 
 Samuel Nichols, do 
 
 o 
 
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 P 
 
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SUBSCRIBER 's NAMES, 
 
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 R 
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 Jonathan Rhea, Efq. Trenton 
 
 ^ 
 
 Mrs. Prudence Sleter, Lancafter 
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 Rev. Abraham Supplee, Montgom. county 
 Mr. Peter Supplee, do 
 
 Henry Scheetz, do 
 
 Juftiis Scheetz, do 
 
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SUBSCRIBER'S NAMES. 
 
 Mr* Jno. Scott, Bedford county 
 
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 T 
 Mr. Hugh Tomb, Briftol 
 
 John Thomas, Montgomery county 
 
 George Taylor, Philadelphia 
 
 William Traylor, do 
 
 Charles Teas, do 
 
 Peter Thomfon do 
 
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 John Thomfon, do 
 
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 = Wefton> do 10 copies 
 
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 B. Woutcrs 
 
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 Z 
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t I 
 
 J* As there arc feveral fubfcription lifts not yet 
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 IN THE PRESS, 
 
 HALYBURTOIsTs ENQUIRY 
 
 INTO THE 
 
 PRINCIPLES 
 
 OF THE 
 
 MODERN DEISTS. 
 
 jCorreded by the Rev. Dr. CHARLES NISBET, 
 Prefident of Dickinfon College. 
 
 The feafonablenefs of this publication tmtft be e*vidcnt y 
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 and Jhecwing the utter infufficiency of nature's licht to lead 
 mankind ti kappinefs^ has cut every ft re by <u.ich the fir- 
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friends of Divine Revelation <will cheerfully grant their j up- 
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 font and rifing generations* 
 
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 ( Price 60 Cents) 
 
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 O F 
 
 MR. HALYBURTON. 
 
 With a recommendatory Preface by Dr WATTS, 
 
m 
 
 ' '' I 
 
 
port 
 
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M183585 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY