_Hints for the Civilisation of Barbary, and Diffusion of Commerce_.
March 16, 1818.
Algiers, and the territory belonging to it, is governed by despotic
Turks, the refuse of the Ottoman troops; who maintain their power
458 over the Moors and Arabs of the plains (who are the cultivators of
the country), and over the Berebbers (who are the aborigines of the
country), or inhabitants of the mountains of Atlas, which terminate
this sovereignty on the south, and divide Algiers from
Bled-al-Jereed. The first principle of this barbarous and
sanguinary government, according io an African adage, is to
"_Maintain the arm of power, by making streams qf blood flow,
without intermission, around the throne!_" This country,--the
government of which reflects disgrace on Christendom, which has
been, during many ages the scourge of Christian mariners, and of
all who navigate the Mediterranean Sea,--has often been conquered.
The Romans reduced Numidia and Mauritania into Roman provinces.
This beautiful garden of the world was afterwards conquered by the
Vandals; then by the Greeks, during the reign of Justinian, under
Belisarius; and, finally, three times by the Arabs, viz. in the
647th year of Christ, by Abdallah and Zobeer; in the year 667, by
Ak'bah for the Kalif Moawiah; and in the year 692, by Hassan, the
governor of Egypt, for the Kalif Abd Elmelik. Not one of the armies
of these warriors ever exceeded 50,000 men.
After these general conquests, the partial conquests of the
Portuguese and Spaniards, about the end of the fifteenth and
beginning of the sixteenth century, were effected by a mere handful
of men; and, in 1509, the latter rendered the kingdom of Algiers
tributary to them: but, afterwards, they lost it by the ferocity of
459 their chiefs, and by the fanaticism of their soldiers and priests;
and, finally, by their perfidy and intolerance, they made
themselves enemies to the various (_Kabyles_) tribes of Mauritania,
and thereby lost their conquest.
The repeated insults, offered by these ruffians to civilised
Europe, cannot be efficiently punished by a bombardment; a measure
which punishes many innocent subjects for the insults offered by
their government. No one acquainted with the character of the
natives of Barbary will maintain, that the destruction of a few
thousands of the peaceable inhabitants, or the burning of many
houses, is a national calamity in the eyes of a Muselman chief; who
would himself commit the same ravage and destruction that was so
gallantly effected by the British fleet, under Lord Exmouth, for
half the money it cost to accomplish it.
When Lord St. Vincent was off Cadiz with the British fleet, and
could not obtain the object which he sought of the Emperor of
Marocco; his Lordship, after refusing to comply with the Emperor's
request, communicated to his Lordship by the Emperor's envoy, or
agent, Rais Ben Embark, told the Rais to inform his Emperor, that,
if he did not change his conduct very soon, he would begin a war
with him, and such a war as he had neither seen nor read of before.
When the Rais reported this to the Emperor Soliman, he enquired
what kind of war an admiral could wage against him; some one of the
460 divan observed, that he would destroy the ports on the coast;
adding, that it would cost a certain large sum of money to effect
that destruction. Upon which the Emperor exclaimed, that, for half
that amount, he would himself destroy all these ports.--This affair
happened in September, 1798.
There is a prophecy in Barbary, that, from time immemorial, has
been generally credited by the inhabitants. It has been transmitted
to them by some fakeer, that the land of the Muselmen will be
wrested from them by the Christians; and there is an impression,
that the period when this event will take place is not far distant.
They also believe that this event will happen on a Friday (the
Muselman Sabbath), whilst they are occupied at their devotions at
the _Dohor_, service of prayer. Accordingly, at this period,--viz.
from twelve till half-past one o'clock,--the gates of all the
town's on the coast are shut and bolted every Friday. This attack,
forsooth, is to happen whilst they are occupied at prayer, because
they are so infatuated with an opinion of their own valour, that
they will not believe that Christians would presume to attack them
openly, when armed and prepared for the combat. It should seem that
these people begin now seriously to anticipate the near approach of
this predestined conquest, and have accordingly entered into a kind
of holy alliance, offensive and defensive: to which, it is said,
the Emperor of Marocco, and the Deys of Tunis and Tripoli, have
acceded; and that this holy alliance is crowned by the Ottoman
Emperor.
461
It is more than probable, that the Dey of Algiers, goaded by the
blow inflicted by Lord Exmouth,--which has increased his hatred to
Christians, and has inflamed his desire of revenge,--will not fail
to seek every opportunity (according to the known principles of
Muhamedanism), of retaliating and insulting the Europeans, whenever
a favourable opportunity may offer, even at the risk of another
bombardment. This opinion has been confirmed by his late conduct;
and by the activity that has been manifested in the fortifications,
in increasing their military force, in building and equipping new
vessels, to infest the Mediterranean with their abominable
piracies; all which proceedings demonstrate the hostile intentions
of the Dey beyond all doubt.
* * * * *
_Plan for the Conquest of Algiers._
The inhabitants of the plains are bigoted to the Muhamedan tenets;
but they would readily exchange the iron rod that rules them for a
more mild and beneficial form of government. A well-disciplined
European army of 50,000 men, would assuredly effect their complete
conquest without much difficulty: such an army, directed by a
Wellington, would perform wonders, and astound the Africans. After
the conquest, an energetic, decisive, but beneficent form of
government, would be necessary, to retain the country, and to
462 conquer and annihilate the repugnancy which these people entertain
to our religious tenets. A system of rule formed on the principles
of the English constitution,--directed by good policy, benevolence,
and religious toleration,--would not fail to reconcile these
hostile tribes, and attach them to rational government. The
Berebbers would readily assimilate to such a government; and,
although by nature a treacherous race, they would rejoice to see
the country in possession of a government which, they would
perceive, strove to promote the welfare and prosperity of the
mountaineers, as well as the inhabitants of the plains; and their
own interest would thus gradually subdue the antipathy resulting
from religious prejudices.
A general knowledge of the African Arabic would be essentially
necessary; and I think a school might be established in England, on
the Madras system, for initiating youths (going out to Africa) in
the rudiments of that language. This would be attended with most
important advantages; and might be accomplished in a very short
time. The conquest of Algiers being thus effected, that of the
neighbouring states would follow, without difficulty, by a
disciplined army of European troops; keeping the principle ever in
view, of conciliating the natives, without swerving from an
energetic and decisive mode of government.
The advantages that would necessarily result from a successful
attack upon Africa, would be--
463
1. An incalculable demand for spices, and East India manufactures
of silk and cotton.
2. A similar demand for coffees, and for sugars, manufactured and
unmanufactured; as well as for other articles of West India
produce.
3. An incalculable demand for all our various articles of
manufacture.