_General Commerce of Marocco. — Annual Exports and Imports of the
Port of Mogodor. — Importance and Advantages of a Trade with the
Empire of Marocco. — Cause of its Decline. — Present State of
our Relations with the Barbary Powers._
The city of Marocco, besides its trade with the various districts
of the interior, receives the most considerable supplies of
European merchandize from the port of Mogodor, which is distant
from it four days journey, caravan travelling;[181] some of the
more valuable articles, however, are transported from Fas to the
Marocco market, such as muslins, cambricks, spices, teas, pearls,
coral, &c. and the elegant Fas manufactures of silk and gold. There
is a considerable market held at Marocco every Thursday, called
by the Arabs Soke-el-kumise,[182] which all articles of foreign
as well as home manufacture are bought and sold, also horses,[183]
horned cattle, slaves, &c. Samples of all kinds of merchandize are
carried up and down the market and streets of the city by the Delels,
or itinerant auctioneers, who proclaim the price offered, and when
no one offers more, the best bidder is apprised of his purchase,
the money is paid, and the transaction terminated.
The shops of Marocco are filled with merchandize of various kinds,
many of which are supplied by the merchants of Mogodor, who receive,
in return for European goods, the various articles of the produce
of Barbary for the European markets. The credit which was given by
the principal commercial houses of Mogodor to the natives has of
late considerably decreased owing to the change of system in the
government; for, in the reign of the present Emperor’s father, the
European merchants were much respected, and their books considered
as correct, so that a book debt was seldom disputed, and every
encouragement was given to commerce by that Emperor; but Muley
Soliman’s political principles differ so widely from those of his
father, that the most trifling transaction should now be confirmed
by law, to enable the European to be on equal terms with the Moor,
and to entitle him to recover any property, or credit given; these
measures have thrown various impediments in the way of commerce,
insomuch that credit is either almost annihilated, or transformed
into barter, which has necessarily thrown the trade into fewer hands,
and consequently curtailed it in a great degree. For the purpose
of showing at once the traffic carried on in the port of Mogodor,
I shall here give an accurate account of its exports and imports
during the years 1804, 1805, and the first six months of 1806,
which are carefully extracted from the imperial custom-house books.
IMPORTS INTO MOGODOR IN 1804.
From London, 661 pieces, of from 40 to 50 yards each piece.
210 pieces, scarlet or media grana, from 40 to 50 yards
each piece.
150 pieces, plunkets, about 40 yards each piece.
_Superfine Cloths._ — From London 50 pieces.
Leghorn 12
Other parts —
-- 62 pieces.
_Long Ells._ — From London 640 pieces, coloured.
30 scarlet
60 embossed.
Leghorn 300 coloured.
_Druggets._ — From London 40 pieces,
_Red Cloth._ — From Amsterdam 17 pieces.
LINENS.
_Creas._ — From London 902 pieces.
Amsterdam 765
Leghorn 60
--- 1115 pieces.
_Plattilias._ — From London 1047 pieces.
Amsterdam 4708
Leghorn 650
---- 6405 pieces.
_Brettagnias._ — From London 500 pair.
Amsterdam 400
--- 900 pair.
_Cambricks._ — From London 20 pair.
_Muslins._ — From London 21
Amsterdam 20
-- 41 pieces.
_Indian Blue Linens._ — From London 749 pieces.
Amsterdam 30
--- 779 pieces.
_Striped India Silk._ — From London 40 pieces.
_Silk Velvets._ — From London 131 cubits.[184]
Leghorn 250
--- 381 cubits.
_Damask._ — From Leghorn 456 cubits.
Amsterdam 150
--- 606 cubits.
_Raw Silk._ — From London 1150 lb.
Leghorn 1200
Lisbon 560
---- 2910 lb.
_Allum._ — From London 95524 lb.
_Copperas._ — From London 91061 lb.
_Sugar in loaves._ — From London 36966
Amsterdam 9653
Lisbon 9600
----- 56219 lb.
_Raw Sugar._ — From London 7100
Lisbon 2100
---- 9200 lb.
_Iron._ — From London 8871 bars.
Amsterdam 1415
Leghorn 375
---- 10661 bars, 522700 lb.
_Gum Benzoin._ — From London 14239 lb.
_Gum Lac._ 51800 lb.
_Hardware._ — From London 19 cases.
Amsterdam 4 barrels
_Gum Tragacant._ — From London 1058
Amsterdam 370
---- 1428 lb.
_Pepper._ — From London 9231 lb.
_Cloves._ — From London 6444
Amsterdam 1056
---- 7504 lb.
_Nutmegs._ — From London 712 lb.
_Rhubarb._ — From London 246 lb.
_Green Tea._ — From London 1310
Amsterdam 200
---- 1510 lb.
_Wrought Pewter._ — From London 5
Amsterdam 7
- 12 casks
_Tin Plates._ — From London 60 cases, 13875 pieces.
_White Lead._ — From London 2530 lb.
_Copper in sheets._ — From Amsterdam 1035 lb.
_Thread._ — From Leghorn 800
Amsterdam 200
--- 1000 lb.
_Mirrors, called in Holland Velt Spiegels._
From Amsterdam 7250 dozen.
Leghorn 350
_Mirrors of various sizes._ — From Amsterdam 1750 pieces.
_Earthen Ware._ — From Amsterdam 70 cases.
London 16 crates.
_Wool Cards._ — From Amsterdam 210 dozen.
_Dutch Knives._ — From Amsterdam 13738 dozen.
_Brass Pans._ — From Amsterdam 550 lb.
_Osnaburg Linen._ — From Amsterdam 180 pieces.
_Irish Linen._ — From London 170 pieces.
Leghorn 150
--- 320 pieces.
_Lanthorns._ — From London 100 dozen.
_Glass._ — From London 5 cases.
_Red Lead._ — From London 1853 lb.
_Calamine._ — From London 2100 lb.
_Argol._ — From London 3 cases.
_Paper._ — From Leghorn 27 bales.
_Cotton._ — From Leghorn 2400 lb.
_Tin in bars._ — From London 6000 lb.
_Espique Romano._ — From Leghorn 3850
Amsterdam 3000
---- 6850 lb.
_Coral Beads._ — From Leghorn 50 lb.
_Amber Beads._ — From Leghorn 150
Amsterdam 100
--- 250 lb.
_Sal Ammoniac._ — From London 1200 lb.
_Chaplets._ — From Leghorn 7 barrels.
_Gold Lace._ — From Amsterdam 10 lb.
_Looking Glasses, called bulls’ eyes._ — From Leghorn 4 barrels.
_Silk Handkerchiefs._ — From London 100
Amsterdam 10
Leghorn 100
--- 210 dozen.
_Glasses._ — From Amsterdam 20
Leghorn 1
-- 21 cases.
_Corrosive Sublimate._ — From Amsterdam 50
Leghorn 50
-- 100 lb.
_Venetian Steel._ — From Leghorn 2500 lb.
_Hebrew Books._ — Leghorn 10 cases.
_Romals._ — From London 286 pieces.
_Baftas._ — From London 821 pieces.
Lisbon 350
_Rouans._ — From Amsterdam 505 pieces.
_China._ — From London 330 dozen cups and saucers.
Amsterdam 30 dozen ditto.
_Cochineal._ — From London 375
Cadiz 700
Lisbon 230
--- 1305 lb.
_Wire._ — From Amsterdam 5000 mass.
_Copper Tea Kettles._ — From Amsterdam 119
_Brazil Wood._ — From Lisbon 600 lb.
_Iron Nails._ — From London 11573
Amsterdam 1000
Leghorn 1000
----- 13573 lb.
_Deals._ — From Amsterdam 1886 pieces.
_Empty Cases._ — From Amsterdam 900 cases.
_Sealing Wax._ — From Amsterdam 20 lb.
_Coffee Mills._ — From Amsterdam 20
_Buenos Ayres Hides._ — From London 350
Cadiz 300
--- 650 hides.
_Mexico Dollars._ — From London 18000
Cadiz 47000
Lisbon 16000
Teneriffe 10000
Amsterdam 8000
----- 99000
Total value of Imports in 1804, £151450.
EXPORTS FROM MOGODOR IN 1804.
_Sweet Almonds._ — To London 6853
Amsterdam 231638
Leghorn 4505
Lisbon 15524
Cadiz 61041
Teneriffe 2356
------ 321917 lb.
_Bitter Almonds._ — To London 233019 lb.
Amsterdam 126607
Leghorn 2980
------ 362606 lb.
_Gum Barbary._ — To London 99417
Amsterdam 213540
Leghorn 10254
Lisbon 2583
Marseilles 9642
------ 335436 lb.
_Gum Soudan or Senegal, from Timbuctoo, by the caravans._
To London 36416 lb.
Amsterdam 59021 lb.
Marseilles 519
----- 95956 lb
_Gum Sandrac._ — To London 16995
Amsterdam 9056
Leghorn 3314
Lisbon 2869
----- 32234 lb.
_Bees Wax._ — To London 1957
Leghorn 52616
Lisbon 11595
Marseilles 30022
Cadiz 93791
Teneriffe 4878
----- 194859 lb.
_Goat Skins._ — To London 12726 dozen.
_Oil of Olives._ — To London 5850 lb.
Amsterdam 30757
Lisbon 14729
Teneriffe 5900
----- 57236 lb.
_Cow and Calf Skins._ — To London 64376
Leghorn 41611
Marseilles 14496
----- 120483 lb.
_Sheeps Wool._ — To Amsterdam 62972
Marseilles 29624
Teneriffe 5300
----- 97896 lb.
_Ostrich Feathers._ — To London 555 lb.
_Elephants Teeth._ — To Amsterdam 800 lb.
_Pomegranate Peels._ — To London 2184
Amsterdam 44097
----- 46281 lb.
_Dates, of the quality called Adamoh, from Tafilelt._
To London 1129
Lisbon 1305
---- 243 lb.
_Raisins._ — To London 200 lb.
_Worm Seed._ — To London 465
Lisbon 2468
---- 2933 lb.
_Rose leaves._ — To Amsterdam 138 lb.
_Wild Thyme (Zater)._ — To Amsterdam 2860
Lisbon 1714
---- 4574 lb.
_Glue._ — To Amsterdam 84 lb.
_Anice-seeds._ — To London 200
Amsterdam 4650
Lisbon 829
---- 5679 lb.
_Fennel._ — To Amsterdam 856 lb.
_Gingelin Seed._ — To London 460
Amsterdam 2044
---- 2504 lb.
_Walnuts._ — To Lisbon 240 lb.
_Straw._ — To Lisbon 24 bales.
_Tallow._ — To Teneriffe 1465 lb.
_Tallow Candles._ — To Teneriffe 350 lb.
_String._ — To Teneriffe 2852 lb.
Total value of Exports from Mogodor in 1804, in Europe, after paying
freight, European duties, &c. £127679. sterling.
IMPORTS INTO MOGODOR IN 1805.
WOOLLEN CLOTHS.
_Yorkshire Cloths._
From London, Scarlet 300 demi-pieces from 20 to 25 yards each.
Alto of various colours 970 demi-pieces from ditto
to ditto.
Tier blue, or plunkets 80 ditto.
Superfine cloths 62 ditto.
Long Ells 900 ditto.
Embossed Purpetts 85 ditto.
_German Cloths._ — From Leghorn and Amsterdam 22 pieces.
_Nankeens._ — From Lisbon 1000 pieces.
LINENS.
_Plattilias._ — From London 1300
Amsterdam 6050
Leghorn 1395
---- 8745 pieces.
_Creas._ — From London 600
Amsterdam 788
Leghorn 550
--- 1938 pieces.
_Rouans._ — From Amsterdam 618
_Brettagnias._ — From London 625
Amsterdam 1000
---- 1625 pieces.
_Baftas._ — From London 1600 pieces.
_Romals._ — From London 1010
Leghorn 300
---- 1310 pieces.
_Muslins._ — From London 70 pieces.
_Blue Linens._ — From Amsterdam 117 pieces.
_Gum Benjamin or Benzoin._ — From London 19237 lb.
_Stick-lack._ — From London 18546
Amsterdam 7959
----- 26505 lb.
_Musk._ — From London 20 lb.
_Raw Sugar._ — From London 6568
Teneriffe 10400
----- 16968 lb.
_Sugar in loaves._ — From London 7892
Amsterdam 3913
Lisbon 3759
---- 15564 lb.
_Green Tea._ — From London 1420
Amsterdam 350
---- 1770 lb.
_Cloves._ — From London 10941
Amsterdam 2159
Leghorn 476
----- 13576 lb.
_Sal Ammoniac._ — From London 8941 lb.
_Cochineal._ — From London 558 lb.
_Tin in plates._ — From London 295 cases.
_Tin in bars._ — From London 5114 lb.
_Wrought Pewter._ — From London 7 barrels.
Amsterdam 5 ditto.
_Iron._ — From London 10753 bars,
Amsterdam 2074
----- 641756 lb.
_Copperas._ — From London 147882 lb.
_Allum._ — From London 93600 lb.
_Raw Silk._ — From London 1300
Amsterdam 255
Leghorn 2478
---- 4033 lb.
_German Looking-glasses or Mirrors._
From Amsterdam 18696
Leghorn 600
----- 19296 dozen.
_Dutch Knives._ — From Amsterdam 12874 dozen.
_Gum Tragacant or Dragon._
From Amsterdam 150
Leghorn 675
--- 825 lb.
_Wire._ — From Amsterdam 3900 mass.
_Cowries._ — From Amsterdam 32000 lb.
_Needles._ — From Leghorn 200 million.
_Red and While Lead._ — From London 3320 lb.
_Brass Pans._ — From Amsterdam 1000 lb.
_Thread._ — From Leghorn 1050
Amsterdam 430
---- 1480 lb.
_Arsenic._ — From London 1872 lb.
_Silk Handkerchiefs._ — From London 93
Leghorn 100
Amsterdam 10
--- 203 dozen.
_Files._ — From London 200
Amsterdam 135
--- 335 dozen.
_Lavender._ — From Leghorn 14800 lb.
_Razors._ — From Leghorn 500 dozen.
_Box Combs._ — From Leghorn 3600 dozen.
_Amber Beads._ — From Leghorn 300 lb.
_Coral._ — From Leghorn 50 lb.
_Nails._ — From Amsterdam 1181 lb.
_Wool Combs._ — From Amsterdam 2268 pair.
_Padlocks._ — From Amsterdam 515 dozen.
_British China._ — From London 40 dozen.
_Osnaburgh Linens._ — From Amsterdam 50 pieces.
_Swedish Steel._ — From Amsterdam 7000 lb.
_Espiquo Romano._ — From Amsterdam 13088
Leghorn 5213
----- 18301 lb.
_Hebrew Bibles._ — From Amsterdam 4 cases.
_Dutch Boxes._
Green Gin Boxes containing 12 square bottles each.
Case 392 cases full.
300 do. empty.
_Potatoes._ — From London 9000 lb.
_Bellows._ — From London 60 dozen.
_Copper Kettles._ — From London 242 dozen.
Amsterdam 13
--- 255 dozen.
_Cotton._ — From Teneriffe 5400 lb.
_Vermillion._ — From Amsterdam 150 lb.
_Turners Boxes._ — From Amsterdam 1000 nests.
_Venetian Steel._ — From Leghorn 11400 lb.
_Planks._ — From London 886
Amsterdam 1250
---- 2136 pieces.
_Coffee._ — From Teneriffe 3600 lb.
_Sarsaparilla._ — From Amsterdam 150 lb.
_Scales for Gold._ — 48 pair.
_Candlesticks._ — 64 pieces
_Painted Boxes._ — From Amsterdam 240 pieces.
_Earthen Ware_ or _British China._ — From London 10 crates.
_Sealing Wax._ — From Amsterdam 100 lb.
_Medicinal Drugs._ — From Amsterdam 1 case.
_Chaplets._ — From Leghorn 3 casks.
Amsterdam 1 cask.
- 4 casks.
_Toys._ — From Amsterdam 300 dozen.
_Capillaire._ — From Leghorn 2200 boxes, or 2200 bottles.
_Confectionary._ — From Leghorn 300 boxes.
_Ivory Combs._ — From Leghorn 25 dozen.
_Quicksilver._ — From Amsterdam 50 lb.
_Mercery._ — From Amsterdam 1 case.
_Glasses._ — From Amsterdam 2 cases.
_Gold Thread._ — From Leghorn 25 lb.
_Manufactured Silks._ — From London 50 pieces
Amsterdam 239 cubits
--- 1239 cubits.[185]
_Hardware._ — From London 3 barrels.
_Wrought Copper._ — From Amsterdam 1 case.
_Clocks._ — From Amsterdam 20.
_Mexico Dollars._ — From London 24,000
Amsterdam 3,200
Lisbon 29,500
Cadiz 4,000
Gibraltar 12,000
Leghorn 12,000
Teneriffe 4,000
------ 88,700
As the prices of these merchandise vary considerably, the calculation
of their value in West Barbary is omitted.
EXPORTS FROM MOGODOR IN 1805.
_Sweet Almonds._ — To London 24020 lb.
Amsterdam 474994
Barcelona 6148
Teneriffe 300
------ 505462 lb.
_Bitter Almonds_ — To London 128442
Amsterdam 357198
Barcelona 2620
------ 488260 lb.
_Gum Barbary._ — To London 277534
Amsterdam 211598
Lisbon 2409
Barcelona 809
------ 492350 lb.
_Gum Senegal._ — To London 8047
Amsterdam 23509
----- 23509
_Gum Sandarac._ — To London 11367
Amsterdam 27776
Other ports 1040
----- 40183
_Gum Euphorbium._ — To Amsterdam 782 lb.
_Elephants Teeth._ — To London 1373 lb.
Amsterdam 336 lb.
---- 1709 lb.
_Sheeps Wool._ — To Amsterdam 29731 lb.
_Cow and Calf Skins._ — To London 250783
Lisbon 9178
------ 259961 lb.
_Goat Skins._ — To London 9957 dozen.
Lisbon 80
---- 10,037 dozen.
_Pomgranale Peals._ — To Amsterdam 650,40 lb.
_Citrons._ — To Amsterdam 1540 pieces.
_Olive Oil._ — To Teneriffe 35727
Lisbon 10217
----- 45944 lb.
_Worm Seed._ — To Amsterdam 12483 lb.
_Fennel._ — To Teneriffe 1360 lb.
_Tallow._ — To Teneriffe 1600 lb.
_Tallow Candles._ — 178 lb.
_Packing Thread._ — To Teneriffe 3895 lb.
_Marocco Goat Leather._ — To Teneriffe 600 skins.
_Marocco Calf Leather._ — 300 _pieces_.
IMPORTS TO MOGODOR
_During the first seven Months of 1806._
_Cloths._ — 79 pieces Superfine Cloth
360 pieces Media Grana
230 pieces Alto
_Long Ells._ — 120 pieces coloured
180 pieces embossed
_Linens_, viz. Osnaburgs, 50 pieces
_Baftas_ (India Cottons) 1303 pieces
_Irish Linen_ — 33 pieces
_India Blue Linens_ — 784 pieces
_Muslins_ — 300 pieces
_Plattilias_ — 3224 pieces
_Creas_ — 1020 pieces.
_Rouans_ — 200 pieces
_Striped Silks_ — 80 pieces
_Brettagnias_ — 632 pair
_Silk Handkerchiefs_ — 406 dozen
_Romals_ — 200 pieces
_Raw Silk_ — 68 lb.
_Cloves_ — 875 lb.
_Gum Benjamin_ — 5113 lb.
_Ginger_ — 675 lb.
_Stick-lack_ — 18600 lb.
_Arsenic_ — 4876 lb.
_Sal Ammoniac_ — 8029 lb.
_Spianter_ — 1673.
_Mercury_ — 150 lb.
_Vitriol_ — 375 lb.
_Red Lead_ — 1852 lb.
_Tin plates_ — 70 boxes.
_Hardware_—viz. Tea-trays, Tea-pots, Candlesticks, Knives, &c.
— 28 cases.
_Allum_ — 578,27 lb.
_Copperas_ — 655 lb.
_Pepper_ — 3123 lb.
_Sarsaparilla_ — 400 lb.
_Wine_ — 12 pipes
_Iron_ — 2864 bars.
_Raw Sugar_ — 5000 lb.
_Loaf Sugar_ — 213,48 lb.
_Green Tea_ — 1074 lb.
_Paper_ 30 bales
_Venetian Steel_ — 19000 lb.
_Cochineal_ — 571 lb.
_Liqueurs_ — 2 cases
_Coral_ — 1 case
_Capillaire_ — 400 bottles
_Razors_ — 1000 dozen
_Files_ — 100 dozen
_Wire_ — 2000 mass.
_Wool Cards_ — 128 dozen pair
_Gum Tragacanth_ — 801 lb.
_Dutch Looking Glasses_, called _Velt Spiegles_ — 4950 dozen
_Crown Mirrors_ — 450 pieces
_Brass Pans_ — 850 lb.
_Needles_ for _Tapestry_ — 9000
_Coffee_ — 1823 lb.
_Dutch Knives_ — 875 dozen
_Spico Romano_ — 1236 lb.
_Turners’ Boxes_ — 4000 nests
_Coffee Mills_ — 100
_Empty Bottles_ for _Tea_ — 200
_Mexico Dollars_ — 78,000
EXPORTS OF BARBARY PRODUCE
_From the Port of Mogodor from January 1, to July 31, 1806._
_Sweet Almonds_ — 5062,58 lb.
_Bitter Almonds_ — 2138,11 lb.
_Bees Wax_ — 2345,55 lb.
_Gum Barbary, Tolh_, or _Arabic_ — 1839,12 lb.
_Gum Sandrac_ — 270,000 lb.
_Gum Soudan_ (Senegal) — 6330 lb.
_Calf Skins_ — 2130,30 lb.
_Raisins_ — 842 lb.
_Anice-seeds_ — 3687 lb.
_Carraway Seeds_ — 219 lb.
_Dates_ (Adamoh) — 1237
_Pomgranate Peals_ — 5155 lb.
_Worm Seed_ — 563 lb.
_Elephants Teeth_ — 5536 lb.
_Goat Skins_ — 6480 dozen
_Ostrich Feathers_ — 556 lb.
_Cummin Seeds_ — 2013 lb.
_Lead Ore_ — 320 lb.
_Citrons_ — 340 lb.
_Capers_ — 100 lb.
_Caraway Seeds_ — 219 lb.
_Oil of Olives_ — 5604 lb.
_Tanned Leather_ — 2660 lb.
_Packing Thread_ — 3900 lb.
_Tallow_ — 625 lb.
By a careful perusal of the foregoing account of the exports from,
and imports into, the port of Mogodor, the commercial reader will
be enabled to form an accurate idea of the trade of that place:
there are several things exported in such small quantities, that
they cannot be reckoned as articles of trade, but rather as samples;
but being in the custom-house books, they are given here to make the
account complete; they shew the produce of the country, and might,
if the trade were duly encouraged and protected, form articles of
considerable importance in a commercial view; but, with consuls, who
are equally unacquainted with the language of the country, and the
manners, politics, and complexion of the court, we must not expect
that the British merchant will be sufficiently encouraged to make
considerable adventures to West Barbary; and hence one reason why
the trade has of late years been in a great degree abandoned by us,
and has fallen into the hands of a few Jews, subjects of the Emperor.
The French, aware of the importance of a trade which _carries
off manufactured goods of all kinds, and furnishes in return raw
materials_, were induced to attempt an establishment of considerable
capital; but the British cruizers in the Mediterranean rendering it
almost impossible for their ships to sail to or from Marseilles, have
lately obliged them to relinquish their enterprize for the present,
though, there can be no doubt, that in the event of a permanent
peace, it will be resumed with additional vigour. The same causes
have also compelled the other merchants, natives of countries now
under the dominion of France, to remain almost entirely inactive,
waiting impatiently for some change that may enable them to resume,
with some security, their commercial negociations; so that, with the
exception of two or three houses, there is, at present, no European
establishment of any consequence at Mogodor.
The commerce of Mogodor with America during the years 1804 and 1805,
was impeded by a dispute between that country and the Emperor,
which however has been amicably adjusted, and the trade is now
resumed. Vessels going from Salem, Boston, and other parts of America
with East and West India produce to Mogodor, receive, in return,
the various articles of Barbary produce; and by this means, the
agents of the American merchants established at Mogodor are enabled
to undersell us in all East and West India articles.
A close connexion with the empire of Marocco is of the greatest
importance to Great Britain both in a political and commercial point
of view; for besides the various articles of trade already enumerated,
it affords ample supplies of provisions; and if a friendly intercourse
between the two nations were firmly established, we should never
have any difficulty in victualling not only Gibraltar, but also all
our different fleets which cruize in the Mediterranean, and on the
northern coast of Africa, a resource, which, in the present state of
things, certainly merits the serious attention of this country. The
advantages of a trade with this empire must be evident from what
has been detailed in the preceding pages, where it will be seen that
_nearly the whole of the exports to Marocco consists of manufactured
goods, and that the returns for these are entirely raw materials_,
many of which are essentially necessary in our manufactures. That
the present trade is so inconsiderable, arises entirely from the
little encouragement and support it meets with; for British subjects,
finding they had to depend on their own exertions alone, for the
protection and safety of the property embarked in this traffic, have,
for the most part, abandoned it, and now it is falling into the hands
of subjects of Marocco, established in England. This is the more to be
regretted, as we have it in our power, by proper representations and a
judicious negociation, to supply, through this channel, a great part
of the interior of Africa with our superfluous manufactures, while
we might receive in return many very valuable and useful articles,
such as oil of olives, hides, skins, almonds, gums, wax, silver,
and gold, in addition to which may be mentioned oranges and lemons,
of which a greater quantity might be procured from two ports[186] in
the empire, than is afforded by both Spain and Portugal. The oranges
of Tetuan are the finest in the world, and are sold for eight drahims,
or about 3_s._ 6_d._ per thousand. Those of Marocco, of Terodant,
of Fas, of Mequinas, of Rabat, and the adjacent country, are also
very good, abundant, and equally cheap; they might be imported from
Rabat to England with considerable advantage: but I believe the
exportation has lately been prohibited, this fruit being included in
the general prohibition to the exportation to Europe of all articles
of provision. The season for gathering them for exportation is from
November till January.
It may, perhaps, be objected by some, who have experienced
difficulties in treating with the Emperor, that he would not,
probably, allow fruit to be exported: to this I answer, that it
is possible, by proper means, to obtain almost any favour from a
Sovereign who is uncontrollable; it is not gold which rules his
conduct, though some ingenious persons have imagined that to be the
only means of procuring any thing from him: had this been the case,
he would not have granted me the privilege of exporting mules to the
West Indies at half the duty that another house offered him. In short,
nothing is wanting to secure a most extensive and lucrative trade
with Marocco, but an established friendship between the two nations,
strengthened by a mutual return of good offices and attentions. Indeed
the present Emperor, Muley Soliman, may be said to have made overtures
of this nature; but from our impolicy, and inattention, added to the
ignorance of the proper mode of treating with him, these overtures
were neglected.
When we recollect, however, that the envoys to Marocco for the last
century, have been men almost wholly unacquainted with the manners,
customs, and religious prejudices of the people, and ignorant of their
language, we shall cease to be surprised that our connection with that
empire has been so limited, and impeded by mutual misunderstanding
of each others sentiments, originating, but too often, in deficiency
and inaccuracy of interpreters. What expectations can be indulged of
terminating successfully negociations with a prince, in conversing
with whom some ignorant illiterate interpreter, generally a Jew,
and a devoted subject of the Emperor, must be made the confidential
servant of the party treating? besides, every one acquainted with the
nature of the government, and political principles of the Court of
Marocco, is well aware, that, even supposing it possible to procure
a Jew, capable of interpreting accurately the English into Arabic,
and vice versa, yet there are many expressions necessary for an
Envoy to use to the Emperor, which no Jew in the country would
dare to utter in the imperial presence on pain of losing his head:
the general garrulity of these people, moreover, is such, that they
are perhaps unworthy of being entrusted with any secret wherein the
interest of a nation is concerned. Of this the Emperor himself is
convinced, as was also his father, who frequently, during his reign,
expressed his regret to Mr. A. Layton, that no English consul could be
found, capable of holding direct intercourse with him. The weakness
and instability of our treaties are generally in proportion to the
weakness and inaccuracy of the interpreter, their force and meaning
being often frittered away by the misplacing of a word through his
indecision or fear; and possessing, probably, but a slight knowledge
of the style of writing, he is obliged to have the treaty read by
a Moor, and explained according to his own manner, in the vulgar
Arabic, or Moorish language, which alone is sufficient, without any
additional cause, to do away the force and intent of any document,
possessing that energy of expression for which the Arabic language is
so remarkable. Suppose we were negociating a peace with France, what
would be the probable result if there were no person attached to our
embassy but a French subject, who understood the French and English
languages sufficiently to convey the aggregate only, but not the
precise sense of the stipulations? we should certainly have but little
expectation of success under such circumstances, and should probably
be worse off than if no treaty had been concluded, so easy would it
be to give a turn to any clause, the force and point of which was not
distinctly ascertained. This has been literally our case with Marocco:
treaties have been made without being understood, or even translated,
till many months after the conclusion of them; how then can we expect
to acquire influence or consideration at a court, where a man who
does not speak the Arabic is considered as an illiterate barbarian
(ajemmie m’dollem), and is treated accordingly? The Emperor has
frequently expressed a wish to communicate with our Sovereign, but
the publicity to which his sentiments must be exposed in the present
routine of British diplomacy, deters him from it, and restricts or
diminishes the intercourse between the two countries.[187]
By way of shewing the extreme disadvantages under which our
negotiations are carried on with the Barbary powers, I will relate
a circumstance which happened during the last embassy to Marocco; I
do not mean to say any thing prejudicial to Mr. Matra, who conducted
that embassy; he was a man of capacity, and understood the nature
of the court, as well as a long residence in the country, without
a knowledge of the language, could enable him: he was attended by
a Jewish interpreter, a subject of Marocco, who was required by
the Emperor to wear the dress of his tribe,[188] but being in the
suite of the Ambassador, and his interpreter, Mr. Matra repeated his
injunction to the Emperor, alleging, that as he was in his immediate
service, he was, and ought to be considered as, a British subject, and
therefore entitled to wear the dress which the Jews of Great Britain
wore: this argument was admitted by the Emperor, and the Jew was
accordingly permitted to appear before him in the English dress. This
was certainly a point gained by the Ambassador, and might have been
the prelude to more considerable concessions, had it been judiciously
followed up; indeed, the Emperor was desirous to temporise with the
English, and treated the Ambassador and his suite in a better style
than he had done any former one, and, as I was credibly informed,
even permitted Mr. Matra to sit down by him, an honour never before
conferred on any but a prince. Much affability and politeness of this
kind was terminated by a long treaty of peace and amity, written in
Arabic, but which unluckily nobody in the Ambassador’s suite could
properly understand, except by circuitous and inaccurate explanation
by a Moor to the Jew interpreter, and then from him to the consul;
the latter, however, being dissatisfied with it, was persuaded to
entrust it to a Spanish student, who, instead of giving an accurate
translation to the Ambassador, sent one, as it was reported, to
Madrid, kept the paper a month, and then returned it to Mr. Matra,
so that the whole treaty was known at Madrid before it was known at
London, or even by the Ambassador himself at Tangier! and in this
manner, I am sorry to say, are our affairs conducted at Marocco. In
short, I am well persuaded, that so long as gentlemen are sent to the
Barbary powers as ambassadors or consuls, and remain there four or
five years before they can make themselves sufficiently acquainted
with the complection of the Mohammedan courts and intrigues, not
to say the language, which but very few are at all likely ever to
acquire sufficiently to hold colloquial intercourse at Court: we
must not expect to gain any considerable commercial or political
advantages with these countries.
It may also be necessary here to observe, that there are various
expressions, not considered indelicate, among Europeans, which ought
not to be used before the Ceed, or Emperor, by any one who is desirous
to negociate advantageously. I have known a negociation totally
frustrated by one trifling, or incautious expression. Accuracy of
pronunciation, and refinement of expression, added to easy and affable
manners, and a good person, would be attended with incalculable
advantages in negociations at this court, the language, as well
as the manners and customs of which, although fixed and regulated
by invariable rules, are unknown and unattended to by the nations
of Europe, at least by those of the North: and this I conceive to
be one of the reasons why a negociation with the Court of Marocco
seldom or ever terminates advantageously to the European negociator.
In treaties of peace between any European power and the Sultan of
Marocco, one of the clauses always affects to protect the subject:
so in the English treaties, if an Englishman residing in the empire
commit any misdemeanor, he is not to be judged by the Mohammedan
law, but by that of his own country, and is to be delivered up
to the Consul until satisfaction be given; From the supineness of
Consuls, however, this clause, as well as many others, has been often
disregarded, and the wording altogether misunderstood or misconstrued.
As various reports have gone abroad relative to the affair of
Mr. A. Layton, a British merchant at Mogodor, having had his teeth
pulled out by order of the Emperor, it may be interesting to set
that transaction in its true light.
Mr. A. Layton was the chief partner in a house of considerable capital
and respectability; the other partners were Frenchmen, who having
had official notice given them, that as the King of France had broken
off all connection with Marocco, the French merchants should quit the
country, or seek some other protection; accordingly, the affairs of
this House being extended in the country, various impediments rose
against their quitting their establishment suddenly; they proposed
therefore to take Mr. A. Layton as a partner under the firm of
A. Layton and Co. making it by this stratagem an English house. One
afternoon the three partners, A. Layton, Secard, and Barré, together
with a clerk, went out on horseback with some greyhounds belonging
to the former; and in returning towards Mogodor, one of the dogs
attacked a calf belonging to a neighbouring village; a Shelluh, who
was the owner of the calf, shot the dog; on this a fray ensued, and
the village was soon in an uproar; in the scuffle some Shelluh women
were seen to throw stones, and Mr. Barré was considerably bruised:
Layton also received and gave several blows. The party returned to
Mogodor, when Layton immediately made a complaint to the Governor,
who promised him justice should be done, and accordingly sent for
the parties, who on their part insisted on justice being done to
them, alleging, that a woman had had two of her teeth knocked out
by Layton, and called out in the name of God and the Prophet for
justice from the Emperor himself: this appeal obliged the Governor
to write to the Emperor, and the parties were ordered up to Marocco:
witnesses having been brought against Layton, who declared that he
had knocked the woman’s teeth out with the thick end of his whip,
the Emperor was compelled to order two of his teeth to be pulled
out as a satisfaction to the lady for the loss of her’s: his
Majesty, however, did not appear disposed to put the sentence into
execution, but the people, who had assembled in immense numbers on
this extraordinary occasion, exclaimed loudly for retaliation;[189]
when the tooth drawer approached, Layton requested that he might have
two of his back teeth taken out, in lieu of two of his front teeth,
which request the Emperor granted. His Majesty was pleased with the
courage with which Layton suffered the operation, and apologized
to him the next day, and it was intimated, that he would not have
allowed the sentence of the law to have been executed, had it not
been necessary to allay the fury of the people; he then desired
him to ask any favour, and he would grant it; Layton accordingly
requested permission to load a cargo of wheat, which was granted,
and, I believe, free of duty; he afterwards conferred on him similar
favours, and wished so much to have him appointed British Consul,
that he offered to request his Majesty to appoint him, but this
Layton declined; the Emperor, however, often repeated to him this
wish, alleging the advantages of negotiating with a person who could
converse with him in his own language, and promising, in case of
his accepting the appointment, to grant every favour that England
should ask of him. Whether Layton felt himself not sufficiently
supported by his country, after this personal outrage, or what other
reason he had to refuse the repeated overtures of Seedy Mohammed,
is not for me here to declare. Some general remonstrance was made
by all the European Consuls collectively respecting this affair,
and the Emperor, it appeared, would have made proper apology to the
British Consul had it been demanded with energy and resolution; the
influence of Great Britain suffered by not supporting her subject,
and ever since this transaction, encroachments have been making
on the privileges of Europeans, insomuch, that it is now a remark
at the Court of Marocco, that, “If the European nations will
not protect their own subjects, how can they expect that we should
protect them? The Consuls at Tangier are of no use but to determine
disputes of captures amongst the belligerent powers of Europe, which
we do not understand, nor wish to interfere in, and if they refuse
to adjust these matters they may all leave the country, they are of
no further service to us.”[190]
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 181: A caravan journey is 24 miles.]
[Footnote 182: The word kumise signifies the 5th day of the week.]
[Footnote 183: The (Delels) auctioneers, who sell the horses, have
a mode of shewing them off to great advantage, so that if a person
be not experienced in the purchase of them he will very often be
imposed upon; to prevent which, the best judges, even the Arabs,
give a small fee to the Delel, by way of purchasing his fidelity;
and when this mode is adopted, he may be depended on as far as his
judgment extends. When the horse has been rode up and down the market
several times in different paces, he is sold to the highest bidder,
who is immediately apprised of his purchase: he then repairs to the
Cadi, or chief judge, and procures from the court of law a (Akad el
beah) declaration of sale, which is signed by two (Ukils) attorneys,
and confirmed by the Cadi at the bottom or left corner of the paper;
the declaration expresses the purchase to be, for better or for worse,
by the Arabic term Eladem fie el Kunshah, which, if literally rendered
into English, means the bones in the sack or skin. The same custom
is observed in the sale and purchase of mules, and other animals.]
[Footnote 184: Seven cubits make four yards English measure.]
[Footnote 185: 1¾ cubit = 1 yard. To bring cubits into yards,
multiply by 4, divide by 7.]
[Footnote 186: Viz. Tetuan and Rabat or Sallée.]
[Footnote 187: In a conversation with the Minister at Marocco for
European affairs, his Excellency asked me if, in the event of his
master’s writing to his Majesty, the latter would be able to get
the letter interpreted; I answered in the affirmative, and a very
polite and friendly letter was afterwards written, which requested
an answer; but it remained here in the Secretary of State’s office,
without any attention being paid to its contents, a mark of disrespect
which gave great offence to the Emperor.
It appears to me extraordinary, that a language which is spoken
over a much greater extent of country than any other on earth—a
language combining all the powers and energy of the Greek and Latin,
should be so little understood, that an Arabic letter written by the
present Emperor of Marocco, to the King of Great Britain, actually
lay in the Secretary of State’s office some months without being
translated. The circumstance coming to the knowledge of the Chancellor
of the Exchequer (the Right Hon. Spencer Percival), that gentleman
expressed a wish to a friend of mine, to have a translation,
and the letter was transmitted to me for that purpose. Doctor
Buffé, who delivered it, assured me, it had been sent to one,
if not both Universities, and to the post-office, but that, either
from a difference in the punctuation of the characters, or in the
language itself, no one could be found capable of rendering it into
English. This statement, however unaccountable it may appear to many,
was afterwards farther confirmed, by passports and other papers in
African Arabic being sent to me for translations, the want of which
had detained vessels in our ports, and caused merchants in London
to suffer from a loss of markets.]
[Footnote 188: The Emperor being on horseback in the place of
audience one day at Marocco, he perceived a man at a distance
dressed in an European dress of scarlet and gold; he enquired if he
was an Ambassador, and sent some of the people in waiting to know
his business; he was found to be a Jew, which being reported to the
Sultan, he was highly displeased, and ordered him to be stripped, and
Jewish clothes put on; this was instantly performed, and orders were
issued to every port in his dominions, that Jews should be allowed
to appear only in their own dress, in order that they might not,
in future, be mistaken for ambassadors, alleging, that nothing was
more proper and agreeable to reason, than that a Mooselmin should
dress in his costume, a Christian in his, and a Jew also in his,
that it might be known, and not concealed, which was which!]
[Footnote 189: The laws of Mohammed, like those of Moses, adhere
strictly to retaliation— “An eye for an eye, and a tooth for
a tooth.”]
[Footnote 190: This observation was made a few years since by the
prince Muley Teib, at that time Khaliff at Tangier, to shew the
contempt in which he held the representatives of the European powers!]
* * * * *
AN
ACCOUNT OF WRECKS,
AND THE
CAPTIVITY OF BRITISH SAILORS,
ON THE
WESTERN COAST OF AFRICA.
* * * * *