to those which prevail throughout the other states of Northern Africa, we purposely abstain from details that would necessarily lead to repetition. We now, therefore, conclude the geographical notices which the history of this portion of the globe has naturally suggested, as connected more especially with our retrospect of the greatness and magnificence to which some parts of it attained under the Roman emperors and the earliest of the sultans. But the view of its actual condition would not be complete did we omit to make a few observations on the productive powers of its soil and climate, and on the commerce which might enrich the inhabitants, and restore to them in some measure the blessings of civilization.*

* In our search for materials we have discovered that there is in the course of publication at Florence, a "History of the Empire of Morocco," in 8vo., by the Chevalier Graberg de Hamsö, many years Swedish consul at Tangier and Tripoli. It is to be illustrated with an excellent map, the best yet engraved of that country; as the author has taken the outline of the one published by the Geographical Society of London, 1831, and has joined to it all the information he was able to collect during some years' residence at Tangier. Aided by a perfect knowledge of Arabic, the Chevalier Graberg is well known in the literary world as the author of many works, and especially as the translator of the celebrated Arabic MS. of the historian Ibnou Khaldour, published in the third volume of the Transactions of the Asiatic Society of London,-Nautical Magazine, vol. iii.. p. 663.

CHAPTER X.

Commerce of the Barbary States.

Benefits expected from a Trade with Africa-Plan of Bonaparte and Talleyrand to raise in it colonial Produce-French have always maintained Commercial Relations with Barbary-The Fertility of Central Africa-The Congo and Niger-Market at Bengazi-Ancient Trade of the Genoese-Exports from Tunis-Imports-Commercial Lists of that Pachalic-Trade diminished-Bad Policy of the Bey-System of LicensesCoins, Weights, and Measures at Tunis-Trade of Algiers carried on by the Corsairs-Imports resemble those of Tunis -Manufactures and Exports-Mode of Shipbuilding-Present State of Commerce at Algiers-Trade with France, England, Italy, Spain, and Tunis-Trade of Morocco-Mogadore -Total Value of Exports and Imports-Intercourse with Negro Nations-Coins, Weights, and Measures-Physical Advantages of Northern Africa-Hopes of Improvement.

THE attention of Europe has at various times been excited by the prospect of numerous benefits to be derived from a trade with Africa, more especially through the ports situated on its northern shores. During the long period occupied by the revolutionary war, when the French were excluded from the West India Islands, and made dependant on Great Britain for colonial produce, various schemes were agitated in the councils of Bonaparte, with the view of supplying this deficiency by establishing settlements in the Barbary States. It is said that Talleyrand suggested a pian for raising on the southern coasts of the Mediterranean, and by employing, too, the labour of the native inhabitants, sugar, coffee, cotton, and all the other commodities which are usually conveyed to Europe, at a great expense, from the tropical climates of either hemisphere. But the toils and hazards of a still loftier ambition withdrew the thoughts of the emperor from the colonization of Africa, until it was too late to make the attempt and that project, with others of a less practicable nature, he left to his successors, who, with diminished means and per

haps with less able instruments, have not failed to realize it, at least in part.*

It is believed that the recommendation of Talleyrand was never entirely forgotten, even during the most tranquil times of the Bourbon restoration. No one could be blind to the hazard that the course of events was likely, at no distant day, to deprive all the European nations of their transatlantic possessions; and that the luxuries in which the people had been long accustomed to indulge, must be sought in some other quarter of the globe. The history of St. Domingo gave a lesson to the politicians of Paris too impressive to be neglected; and hence the lively interest which they have displayed in every design which has had for its object the occupation of Northern Africa. These reasons, viewed in their several bearings, may perhaps justify the conclusion, founded on other considerations, that the expedition of 1830 was not altogether confined to the chastisement of the dey, nor to the mere suppression of his marauding practices.

The French, as has been already observed, had succeeded, by treaty or otherwise, in obtaining certain privileges both at Tunis and Algiers, which for many years gave them a great advantage over all competitors in the traffic of that country. Their establishment at La Cala was to them the source of much wealth and influence, and they complained bitterly when, towards the end of the last century, the trade was opened to other nations on a more liberal principle.

Nor can it be concealed that commercial views have all along mixed to a greater or less extent with those more generous motives, which, from time to time, have induced the British government to second private adventure in the exploration of Africa. The gold-mines of the mountainous regions, and the varied products of the fertile plains, have never been entirely absent from the imagination of those patriotic statesmen and enterprising merchants, to whom is due the great honour of aiding the resolute discoverers, who laboured to trace the course of the Niger and the Congo. The vast alluvial districts, which stretch to an immense distance from the banks of these celebrated rivers, and the acclivities which bask in the rays of an equatorial sun, impressed the minds

*Geographical and Commercial View of Northern Centra. Africa, by James M'Queen, p. 214.

of both classes with a firm conviction that, could the elements of civilization be once introduced into Africa, the productions of Jamaica, of Hindostan, and even of China, might be procured at half the usual expense. But our object, in the brief sketch now to be given of the commerce of the Barbary States, not to conjecture the extent to which it might be improved, and the numerous advantages inseparable from its advancement to the natives as well as to foreigners: it is simply to present an outline of the actual transactions which take place between the dealers of Tripoli, Tunis, Algiers, and Morocco, and the several kingdoms of Europe, whose subjects are permitted to approach their harbours.

There is a considerable market at Bengazi, to which the numerous Arabs who feed their flocks upon the Cyrenean mountains conduct great droves of cattle, and bring vast quantities of wool, butter, ostrich-feathers, and honey; and at which they purchase fire-arms and gunpowder, Tripoli cloaks, and earthenware. A great trade in cattle is still carried on with Malta, not only for the supply of that island, but of vessels which are fitted out for long voyages. The ostrich-feathers would alone form a most lucrative branch of trade, if they could be bought directly from the Bedouins; but the Jews pay a large annual tribute to the pacha for the monopoly of that article. The skin of the male bird, with all the feathers attached, is sold by the natives for about thirty Spanish dollars, and that of the female for fifteen; while the privileged purchasers dispose of them at Leghorn or Marseilles for at least three times the original cost.

From the quantity of goods actually exported, an opinion may be formed as to the extent to which commerce might be carried, were the surrounding territory cultivated with industry, and the government disposed to encourage a fair and open traffic. The great trade which the Genoese maintained with the Cyrenaica, in the early times of their republic, was one of the richest sources of its prosperity; and we find that, though their mercantile and political connexions with this country were subsequent to those formed with Armenia, Syria, and other places both in Asia Minor and in Egypt, they in a short time made such a rapid progress, that, in the year 1267, the senate thought it expedient to institute at Genoa a school for the study of the Saracenic language. There accordingly exists in the public archives

of that city the original manuscript of a treaty, dated 1236, between the republic and a certain Busacherino, calling himself Lord of Africa, by which the subjects of the former were permitted to trade freely in any port, from Tripoli to the confines of Barca. It appears also that, besides corn, they purchased large quantities of wool, ostrich-feathers, oil for their soap-manufactories, different sorts of skins, leather, wax, and a variety of fruits. In this enumeration, made 600 years ago, we find the several productions of the modern Cyrene; and so abundant was the supply of wool, that the Genoese made cloth for most of the maritime cities of Europe. Their mercantile speculations, indeed, were at that period supported by the powerful navy which they usually kept at sea; and being allies of Saladin, as well as of the Eastern emperors, and at the same time masters of Corsica, Cyprus, and several towns in Spain, they enforced the observance of treaties by the presence of an overwhelming fleet, and once within the very walls of Tripoli inflicted ample punishment for the violation of good faith.*

We find that the exports from the pachalic of Tripoli in these days are not very different from the merchandise produced in the thirteenth century. Wool is still specified as an important commodity; to which are added senna and other drugs; madder-roots, barilla, hides, goat and sheepskins dressed; salt, trona (an alkali resembling borax), ostrich-feathers, gold-dust, ivory, gum, dried fruit, and dates; lotus-beans, cassol-venere, saffron, bullocks, sheep, and poultry. Of all these articles the quality is good, and the prices are generally lower than those of Algiers and Tunis. The duties imposed by his highness are very fluctuating, and usually depend on the state of commerce on the opposite shores. Cotton is said to have been cultivated very successfully by certain individuals in the regency; but, owing to a want of encouragement, it is not produced in such quantities as to form a profitable speculation.

The list of imports comprehends cloths of every colour and description, sugar, tea, coffee, spices of all sorts, woollen and Manchester stuffs, damasks, silks, gold and silver tissues, laces, cochineal, indigo, iron, hardware of all kinds, small wines, spirits, capillaire, gunpowder, cannon, muskets, pis

*Narrative of an Expedition from Tripoli, p. 199.

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