The History of Gibraltar and of its political relation to events in Europe; from the commencement of the Moorish dynasty in Spain to the last Morocco War. With original and unpublished letters from the Prince of Hesse, Sir George Eliott, the Duc de Crillon, Collingwood, and Lord Nelson, etc

Front matter

VIEW OF GIBRALTAR, 1 Moorish (xisSt. Z. Wz2Zis£ JSaigery: 5 .Tfe2siÆmzist>7-JiZr&>uF7-07tS.. THE HISTORY OF GIBRALTAR AND OF ITS POLITICAL RELATION TO EVENTS IN EUROPE; FROM THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE MOORISH DYNASTY IN SPAIN TO THE LAST MOROCCO WAR. WITH ORIGINAL AND UNPUBLISHED LETTERS FROM THE PRINCE OF HESSE, SIR GEORGE ELIOTT, THE DUC DE CRILLON, COLLINGWOOD, AND LORD NELSON, AND AN ACCOUNT OF THE FOURTEEN SIEGES THE ROCK HAS SUSTAINED SINCE IT BECAME A FORTRESS BY CAPTAIN SAYER, CIVIL MAGISTRATE AT GIBRALTAR. LONDON : SAUNDERS, OTLEY, AND CO., 66, BROOK STREET, HANOVER SQUARE. 1863. JOHN CHILDS AND SON, PRINTERS, TO MAJOR-GENERAL THE RT. HON. JONATHAN PEEL, M.P., THIS BOOK IS MOST RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED BY THE AUTHOR. ERRATA. Page 7, seventh line from bottom, for on read or „ 8, line 12, for Gazangos read Gayangos. „ 34, last line, for posts read hosts „ 35, note, for Tortosa read Tolosa. „ 79, line 4, for Ahama read Alhama. „ 258, line 7, for 1729 read 1749. „ 445, line 3, for 450 read 850. „ 494, line 4, for 1350 rea d 4000. Title to engraving facing page 421, for Town read Tower. Engraving facing page 444, for Town read lower.

Preface

. Seeing that we possess no historical account of one of the most remarkable dependencies ever held by the British Crown, I have endeavoured (however unworthily) to fill what appeared to me to be a vacancy upon the book-shelf of our colonial histories. It has been my object to chronicle faithfully the events with which Gibraltar has been connected since its first occupation by the Moors in 711, and to sketch the influence which this coveted stronghold has exercised over the political state of Europe, more especially during the last two centuries. The records of its early history under Mohammedan rule, which I have collected from the works of Gayangos, Conde", Ayala, Montero, and others, are necessarily but crude and disjointed chronicles, almost impossible to connect in the form of a continuous narrative.

The Egerton, Leake, Kings, and other MSS. in the library of the British Museum have supplied much interesting information relating to the sieges of the Rock since its seizure by Admiral Sir George Rooke. VI

PREFACE.

. Erom papers in the Colonial Secretary's office here I have made use of some correspondence of value. The original letters from the Prince of Hesse, the Due de Crillon, Sir George Eliott, Collingwood, and Nelson, are published for the first time. For the details relative to the various negotiations for the restoration of Gibraltar to Spain, I am in debted to Coxe's History of the Bourbon Kings of Spain, his Memoirs of Sir Robert Walpole, and the Correspondence of Pitt, Earl of Chatham. Drinkwater's account of the celebrated siege of 1779 — 1783 is justly regarded as a standard history of that prolonged attack and defence, but there are many other sources of information, hitherto over looked, of which I have been able to avail myself. Though I am fully sensible of the many blemishes to be found in the following pages, it is far from my intention to shield myself from criticism under the mask of apology ; but in extenuation of some errors which would not otherwise have occurred, it is right to mention that during the progress of this work through the press, I have had to combat difficulties which have been necessarily entailed by an absence from England.

CONTENTS. CHAP. PAGE I- — EAELY HISTOEY OF GIBEALTAE. — MOOEISH CON- QUEST OF SPAIN. — EIEST SIEGE OF GIBEALTAE, BY FEEDINAND IY. — SECOND SIEGE, BY ISMAIL BEN FEEAG . . . . 1 II. THIED SIEGE, BY MOHAMMED IY. — FOIJETH SIEGE, BY ALFONSO 19 III. — SIEGE OF ALGECIEAS. — FIFTH SIEGE OF GIBEAL- TAE, BY ALFONSO. — SIXTH SIEGE, BY YU8SEF III. 30 IY. — SEYENTH SIEGE, BY DON HENEY DE GUZMAN 55 Y. — EIGHTH SIEGE, BY DON EODEIGO, PONCE DE LEON 62 VI. NINTH SIEGE, BY THE DUKE OF MEDINA SIDONIA. — THE STATE OF CASTILE AND GEANADA. — TENTH SIEGE, BY MEDITEEEANEAN PIEATES. — THE GEAND ALLIANCE. — ELEVENTH SIEGE, BY ENGLAND, GEEMANY, AND THE DUTCH . . 71 VII. — BATTLE OF MALAGA . . . . . . . . 120 VIII. — TWELFTH SIEGE, BY SPAIN 128 IX. — POLITICAL EVENTS FEOM A.D. 1715 TO 1727 . . 154 X. — THIETEENTH SIEGE, BT THE KING OF SPAIN. — AETICLES OF PEACE 182 XI. — IEEITATING POLICY OF SPAIN. — APPEEHENSIONS OF THE EENEWAL OF WAE. — NEGOTIATIONS AND DIPLOMATIC INTEECOURSE FEOM 1727 TO 1729 CONTENTS.

VIII PAGE CHAP. XII. — PITT'S OFFEE TO EESTOEE GIBEALTAE TO SPAIN, 1757. — LOSS OF MINOECA.— NEUTEAL POLICY OF SPAIN 240 XIII. — PEOGEESS OF EVENTS FEOM 1763 TO 1779 . . 262 XIV. — FOUETEENTH SIEGE. — THE GAEEISON BELIEVED BY ADMIEAL EODNEY . . . . . . . . 267 XV. — NEGOTIATIONS FOE CEDING GIBEALTAE TO SPAIN. — THE " AEMED NEUTEALTTY " .. .. 315 XVI. — THE BLOCKADE CONTINUED. — EENEWAL OF THE SIEGE, 1780 332 XVII. — BELIEF OF THE GAEEISON BY ADMIEAL DAEBY. — TEEMENDOUS BOMBAEDMENT, AND ITS FAIL- UEE. — DESTEUCTION OF THE ENEMY'S WOEKS. — ATTEMPT TO DESTEOY THE BEITISH SQUAD- EON BY FIEE-SHIPS. — BOMBAEDMENT OF THE EOCK. — GENEEAL PEACE 346 XVIII. — ENDEAVOUES OF SPAIN TO OBTAIN THE BESTOBA- TION OF GIBEALTAE IN THE NEGOTIATIONS FOE PEACE . . . . . . . . . . . . 409 XIX. — WAE BETWEEN ENGLAND AND FEANCE. — ALLI- ANCE BETWEEN FEANCE AND SPAIN . . . . 421 XX. — CONCLUDING DESCEIPTION OF GIBEALTAE — BAT- TLE OF TEAFALGAE. — ENGLAND'S CLAIM TO THE EOCK 444 XXI. — MOETALITY, CLIMATE, &C. 474 XXII. — FOETIFICATIONS 489 XXIII. — COMMEECE 495

Appendix

. . THE HISTORY OF GIBRALTAR.

Chapter I

Gibraltar was known to the ancients as Mons Calpe, one of the Pillars of Hercules. Ptolemy first determined its latitude, and the correctness of his calculation is corroborated by the observations of the present day. The conspicuous form and isolated position of this rocky promontory, which stands like Nature's monument with all its rugged steeps at the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea, made its name familiar to ancient navigators, and we find the Rock referred to and described by both Greek and Roman writers. Pomponius Mela, who; having been born at Tangier, had opportunities of becoming acquainted with remarkable places in the vicinity, gives a more than superficial account of the wonders of the mountain, its caves and precipices. Strabo, too, has HISTORY OF GIBRALTAR. sketched its curious form and structure.

Ptolemy refers to it as the " column of the inner sea." None of these writers mention that Calpe was occupied by any town or settlement during their times, and little doubt exists that the Rock was not inhabited until the Mohammedan invasion. It was not until then that Gibraltar first occupied a place in the history of the world. On this Rock the first footsteps of the great Moslem host were planted ; it wras from here that streamed the mighty armies which crushed a powerful monarchy, and established an infidel dynasty in Spain for upwards of 800 years ; and it was from here, when the might of Christian arms had again revived, that the last remnant of a once glorious empire took flight for the shores of Barbary. At the beginning of the Sth century, the western provinces of Africa, which had succumbed to the successful arms of the Saracens, were ruled over by a celebrated chief, the Wali Ibn Nosseyr.

With the exception of Ceuta, which still remained attached to Spain, under the government of Count Ilyan, a Christian knight, all the ports along the northern coast were in the hands of the Wali ; and a garrison of 10,000 men, Arabs and Egyptians, com manded by Taric Ibn Zeyad el Nefici, was maintained at Tangier. Spain, then under the sway of the Visigoths, was ruled over by Roderic, who on the deposition of INVASION OF SPAIN BY THE SARACENS. 3 Wittiza had usurped the crown. The history of the invasion of Spain by the Saracens and the subsequent catastrophes to the Christians, resulting in the over throw of the Gothic dynasty and the establishment of the Moorish dominion, is wrapt in the mist of fable. To accept as true the romantic narratives of the Arabians or to trust to the traditions of the Christians, would be equally fallacious.

Repudiating as fabulous the tale of the violation of Count Ilyan's daughter,* we may conclude that the cupidity and restless ambition of the chieftain Musa Ibn Nosseyr, encouraged by discontented traitors who desired the fall of Roderic, were the causes which led to the expedition that overran Spain, and eventu ally crushed one of the most powerful monarchies of the world. That Ilyan f was a traitor to his country, and aided Musa in the accomplishment of his scheme, admits of little doubt ; the Count, who is referred to in every narrative of the Mohammedan conquest, whether of Arabian or European origin, is said to have been a descendant of the Roman people, who at one time * Called Julian in the Spanish Histories. SeeGayangos,vol.i. A traditional tale is told that Roderic having gained possession of Count Ilyan's daughter by violence, the father, goaded by revenge, planned the invasion of Spain and the destruction of the Visigothic throne. t Ilyan was a deputy from the Court of Toledo, and was intrusted with the government of Ceuta, from whence he had every opportunity of conspiring with the Moors. — Gayangos, vol. i. p. 539.

Some historians make him a Goth and relative of Roderic, others a Greek, and some an independent prince. l * HISTORY OE GIBRALTAR. possessed most of the fortified towns and ports on the northern coasts of Africa. Aware of the inclinations of Musa and his ambition to conquer the fertile coasts that lay beyond the narrow sea, Ilyan sought an interview with the Wali, and represented in rapturous strains the glories and the riches of the fruitful land, the few miles that spanned the intervening water, and the facility for a successful invasion. To use the words of the Arabian historian,* — " He described Andalus (Spain) as an extensive kingdom, filled with treasures of all kinds, wdiose inhabitants would make handsome slaves, a country abounding in springs, gardens, rivers, and a land yielding every description of fruits and plants."

Musa, secretly captivated by these allurements, was too prudent to acquiesce until he had more cer tain proofs of the sincerity of Ilyan's intentions and the reality of his descriptions. With the object, therefore, of testing his honesty, he proposed that the Count should first make an incursion into the opposite country, at the head of his own troops. To this Ilyan willingly assented, and collecting a few men he crossed the straits in two vessels, and landed at Jezirah-al-Khadra, Algeciras, from whence, after ra vaging the coasts, he returned laden with spoil on the following day. Immediately the success of this expedition was made known, Musa wrote to tbe Khalif entreating his permission to undertake the invasion * Al-Makkari. Gayangos. PREPARATIONS FOR THE INVASION. of Andalus. The Khalif, however, was not yet con vinced of the prudence of the undertaking, and replied to Musa in the following words : " Let the country be first explored by light troops, to overrun it, and bring the news of what it contains.

Be prudent, and do not allow the Moslems to be lost in an ocean of dangers and horrors." To which Musa answered : " It is not an ocean, but only a narrow channel, whose shores are every where distinct to the eye." " Never mind," replied the Khalif, " even if it be so, let the country be first explored." In order to carry out the instructions of the Khalif, Al-Walid, Musa prepared an expedition of 400 foot and 100 horse under command of Tarif-abu- Zarah, a freed man and a Berber.* The number of men composing this expedition is differently stated by the various chroniclers, some writing 500, as above; and others 1000, and even more. In September, a. d. 710, Tarif set sail with his followers, and landed on the opposite coast at a spot which has ever since borne his name, — Tarifa. Erom thence he ravaged the country, pillaging and murdering the inhabitants.

Having collected a * Gayangos says, vol. i. page 517, note 7 : " Tarif-abd-Zarah has often been confounded with Tarik- Ibn-Zeyad by Christian historians, notwithstanding their being two distinct individuals, and their having invaded Spain at different times. The simi larity of their namss led, no doubt, to the mistake." mass of spoil, including numerous women, he returned to Africa and reported his success to Musa. The Emir, no longer doubtful of the riches to be obtained from Andalus, and perceiving that success had attended both the expeditions, again wrote to the Khalif for permission to attempt the conquest of the territory. This time the Khalif did not withhold his consent, and preparations were immediately com menced for the invasion. A fleet was collected at Ceuta* for the transport of the army ; Count Ilyan providing many of the vessels.

The command of the expedition was intrusted to Tarik-Ibn-Zeyad,f a native of Persia, and a freed man of Musa-Ibn-Nosseyr. The army consisted of 7000 men, principally Berbers and slaves, very few being genuine Arabs. Everything being prepared, the expedition crossed the straits from Ceuta and landed, April 30th, 711, at the foot of a mountain opposite to Ceuta, which thenceforward received the name of Gebal-Tarik, or the Mountain of Tarik. j It is certain that the first * Some say Tangier, but this is obviously an error. t The origin of this man is obscure. X In Gayangos' translation of the narrative of Al-M akkari there is the following description of Gibraltar. " Another of the districts which acknowledges the jurisdiction of Seville is that of Gebal-Tarik, which stands as a lasting testimonial of the conquest of Andalus (Spain) by the Moslems.

This mountain was called after Tarik, freedman of Musa-Ibn-Nosseyr, who was the first Moslem who landed upon it ; it is also called GAYANGOS' ACCOUNT OF THE INVASION. 7 incursion into Spain was made by Ilyan, who land ed at Algeciras for a few hours. The second by Tarif, who landed at the present Tarifa. The third and final one by the expedition under Tarik, who disembarked at Gibraltar. Some authors assert that Tarik did not land at Gibraltar, but at Algeciras ; quoting, in support of their argument, passages from Arabian writers, in which an expedition is described as disembarking on Al-Jezirah. Gebalu-ab-Iatah (the mountain of the entrance or victory). The sea surrounds the mountain of Gibraltar on almost every side, so as to make it look like a watch-tower erected in tbe midst of the sea, and facing Algeciras."

A certain Granadian poet alludes to Gibraltar in the following distich : " The mountain of Tarik is like a beacon spreading its rays over the seas, and rising far above the neighbouring mountains. One would say that its face almost reaches the sky, and that its eyes are watching the stars in the celestial tracts." And this is by no means exaggerated, for when travellers approach it coming from Ceuta, they see it at a distance shining as bright as a lamp. "I sailed once," says Abu-1-Hasan Ibn Musa Ibn Said, " with my father from Ceuta to Gibraltar, and had an opportunity of verifying the truth of this assertion. When we came near the coast my father told me to look in the direction of Gibraltar ; I did so, and saw the whole mountain shining as if it were on fire." In an Arabic MS. entitled the " Book of sufficiency on the History of the Khalifs," translated by Gayangos, there occurs the following allusion to the landing of Tarik : " Before Tarik left Africa a large number of volunteers flocked under his banners.

He first went to Ceuta, and having embarked in vessels he cast anchor close to a mountain, which received his name, and was ever since called Gebal-Tarik." These writers could not have been aware that Al- Jezirah translated signifies " an island," or piece of land surrounded on three sides by water ; and that the term is constantly applied to the whole of Spain, and is even used when describing Tarifa. The mo dern Algeciras is always referred to by the Arabian chroniclers as Jezirah-al-Khadra — the Green Island.* The detailed accounts of the invasion in the Arabian chronicles are very various and contradictory, though there is a similarity in the description of the main and most important features. The following is an account selected from Gazan gos' translation of an Arabic Chronicle : " Musa sent for his freedman Tarik-Ibn-Zeyad, and gave him the command of 12,000 men, Arabs and Berbers.

He then commanded him to cross the straits and invade Andalus, bidding Hyan also ac company the expedition with his own troops. Before Tarik left Africa a great number of volunteers flocked under his banners; he first went to Ceuta, and having embarked in vessels he cast anchor close to a mountain, which received his name, and was ever since called Gebal-Tarik, the mountain of Tarik. This event took place in the year 93 of the Hegira. * No doubt exists that Gibraltar derives its name from a corruption of Gebal-Taric ; nevertheless some authors hold a different opinion. Thus, Montero, Hist, de Gibraltar, page 87, traces the origin of the name to the two Arabic words Qebal-al or ali, which signifies a lofty mountain. TARIK's ADDRESS TO HIS ARMY. 9 " When Tarik was about to land he found some of the Rum* posted on a commodious part of the coast where he had intended to disembark, who made some show of resistance.

But Tarik, giving up that spot, sailed off from it at night and went towards another part ofthe coast, which he contrived to render flat by means of the oars and by throwing over them the saddles of the horses ; and in this way he managed to effect a landing unobserved by the enemy, and before they were aware of it."f Tarik had no sooner landed his army in safety than he advanced towards the interior, pillaging and ravaging as he went along. Theodomir, a chief of the Goths, was at this time in the neighbourhood of Gebal-Tarik with a tolerable force, and he speedily became engaged in a series of encounters with the Moors, but with no success. Tarik continued to advance, having, it is related, burnt his ships in order to invest his men with the courage of desperation. " He thus," says the Arabian chronicler, " addressed his army, as he led them against the Christian host : ' Whither can you fly ? the enemy is in your front, the sea at your back.

By Allah ! there is no salvation for you but in your courage and perseverance. Consider your situation, — * The original signification of this word is " Romans," but it was used generally by the Arabs when speaking of the inhabitants of Spain. t Gayangos, vol. ii. p. 47. here you are on this island like so many orphans cast upon the world. You will soon be met by a powerful enemy surrounding you on all sides like the infuriated billows of a tempestuous sea, and sending against you his powerful warriors drowned in steel. What can you oppose to them? You have no other weapons but your swords, no provisions but those that you may snatch from the hands of our enemies ; . . . . do not think that I impose upon you a task from which I shrink myself, or that I try to conceal from you the dangers attending this our expedition ; but know that if you only suffer for awhile you will reap in the end an abundant harvest of pleasures and enjoyments.' " Theodomir, defeated and disheartened, retreated towards Seville, intending to form a junction with the main army.

At the time of Tarik's landing, Roderic, king of the Goths, was in. the north of Spain, quelling an insurrection in the Basque provinces. Immediately the news of the invasion reached him, he hastened southward with a powerful army of 60,000 men. Halting for a short time at Cordova to complete his preparations, he advanced to meet the Moorish force, which had already reached the neighbourhood of Xeres. On the 19th July, a. d. 711, the two armies came in sight of each other on the banks of the Guadalete near Medina Sidonia.* * Gayangos gives ample reasons for his assertion that this battle was fought near the sea, not far from Medina Sidonia, and not, as generally supposed, in the plain of Xeres. TERRIBLE DEVICE OF TARIK. 11 At dawn of day both chiefs prepared for battle. King Roderic came in the midst of his troops borne on a litter, covered with a canopy to protect him from the rays of the sun, and surrounded by warriors cased in steel with fluttering pennons.* The Moorish soldiers were differently J'.rrayed ; their breasts were covered with armour of wail, they wore white turbans on their heads, the Arabian long-bow slung across their shoulders, their swords suspended to their girdles, and their long spears grasped in their hands.

It is related that previous to the fight commencing, Roderic, anxious to obtain information of the strength and character of the invaders, sent one of his men as a spy on some pretence to the Moorish camp. The man did as he was commanded, reached the enemy's lines in safety, and was taken before Tarik. That artful chief, comprehending the object of the Christian's visit, resolved upon a device to strike terror into the man's heart, and to spread fear through Roderic's army. He ordered the flesh of the slain to be cut up piece-meal in the man's presence, and to be cooked as if for food. The dead bodies were dissected, and the flesh cooked in large cauldrons, the whole operation being witnessed by the terrified Christian. In the mean * All the Arabian chronicles agree that Roderic was carried on a throne or litter.

Some add that it was drawn by mules ; and others minutely describe the magnificence of the king's dress and the jewels that he wore. time the wholesome meat of sheep and oxen had been secretly prepared in another part of the camp, which was privily substituted for the human stew. The unfortunate messenger was compelled to partake of the meal, and doubted not that he had fed upon human flesh. On the first opportunity he returned to his master, and told his tale of horror, to the consternation of Roderic and his army.* The engagement commenced soon after daybreak, and was continued without any decided advantage on either side till nightfall. Next morning the action was renewed, and lasted with unabated fury till the seventh day, when the Christians gave way, fled in disorder, and were pursued without mercy by the relentless Moors.

Roderic disappeared in the midst of the battle, and nothing was afterwards heard of him. It is said that his horse, a milk-white steed, beai*ing a saddle of gold sparkling with rubies, was found plunged in the mud of the river, leaving it to be inferred that the rider had perished in the stream. The spoil when collected was immense, and was divided by Tarik's orders into five portions, one of which he retained, and distributed the rest among his followers. With this protracted and bloody struggle ended the dynasty of the Goths, and for 800 years Chris tian power in Spain. Tarik, flushed wtih victory and * Gayangos, vol. i. p. 49. "POSSESSED BY THE ALMORAVIDES. 13 success, rapidly overran the country, and penetrated to Toledo the capital, which he captured and sacked. City after city surrendered to him, and ere the year had closed the Moorish dynasty was established.* Passing over a long period of years, during which we have no authentic history of the events that occur red at Gebal-Tarik, or in its neighbourhood, though we know that the adjacent provinces were the scenes of constant strife and commotion, we find Gibraltar in 1086 in possession of Yusef ben Taxfin, a Caliph of the Almoravides.f Unable to cope with the overwhelming forces brought against them by Alfonso of Castile, the Spanish Moors in an evil hour had implored aid from Africa.

Yusef, who at that time commanded the Moslem troops in Africa, was then occupied with the siege of Ceuta. This chief no sooner received the invita tion than, perceiving the advantage to be gained, he pushed across the straits with a powerful army, and advanced to the assistance of his brethren.! * The account of the Moorish expeditions into Spain is vari ously given by different authors. Ayala, Hist, of Gibraltar, page 3, confounds Tarik with Tarif, and transfers to the latter the glory of the conquests. Conde makes Tarik command both expeditions. Lafuente is more correct. t Conde. J Gayangos, p. 273, v. ii. The Arabian chroniclers relate that Al-mu-Tamed, the chief of the Spanish Moors, was re peatedly warned of his error in asking aid from Africa. Said one prophet, " A kingdom without heirs, and one long sword, do not find room in the same scabbard."

To this Al-mu-Tamed replied, "Better be a camel -driver than a driver of pigs," Alfonso, who was then in the territory of Badajoz, had taken up a position with an immense army, of which more than 80,000 were cavalry, at Zalacca, about four leagues from the city of Badajoz. Here he was met by the Moorish host under Yusef and the King of Seville. A bloody encounter ensued between the two foes, which ended in the rout of the Christians and the destruction of their army. The slaughter was enormous. 35,000 men of Alfonso's force were killed, and their heads having been col lected, piles were heaped up with them, over-topping the longest lances, and resembling lofty towers.* This battle utterly destroyed the little remaining power of the Christians. It was after this event that Yusef's real intentions became developed.

He was not slow to perceive the weakness and imbecility of the Spanish Moors, and he resolved to wrest from them the glorious country they possessed. Por a time his deeply-laid designs were not fully matured. He returned to Africa, and being for a third time called into Spain to assist in the Sacred War, he landed at Algeciras, and, throwing off the mask, avowed his intention to conquer the country. He advanced with a powerful army. Tarifa, Gib raltar, Algeciras, surrendered themselves to his victomeaning that he would rather be Tusef's prisoner and guard his camels in the desert, than become the captive of Alfonso and feed his swine in Castile. * Conde. FIRST SIEGE BY FERDINAND IV. 15 rious troops. Granada and Seville were taken after a severe struggle, and Badajoz and Zaragoza shortly after submitted.

But the Spanish Mohammedans did not rest tamely under the oppression of the usurper. Assembling all the forces they could muster, they marched against Algeciras and re-took it, and afterwards laid siege to Gibraltar with success. Por many subsequent years no events of importance took place at Gibraltar, but in 1309 the Rock was for the first time exposed to a regular siege. During the reign of Mohammed III. Algeciras was attacked by Perdinand IV. King of Castile ; but every effort to reduce this place proved abortive in consequence of the facilities afforded by Gibraltar for succouring and relieving the garrison. Unable to interrupt the communication with the Rock by sea, Ferdinand became aware that success before Algeciras was impossible as long as the Moors held possession of Gibraltar. He resolved, therefore, to dislodge them ; and abandoning for a time active operations against the stubborn walls of Algeciras, he directed a large portion of his army under command of Alonzo Perez de Guzman (el Bueno) against the defences of the Rock.

The garrison at the time did not exceed 1200 men, who, although unable to stand against the overwhelming forces sent against them, fought with the greatest gallantry and determination. The attack was directed principally upon two points, the north front and the heights above the castle, — the Archbishop of Seville and Don Juan de Nunez commanding the assaulting divisions. The courage of the besieged protracted the operations for a considerable time, but at length, after many sanguinary engagements, the garrison surrendered. Impressed with the value of the prize, and believing that, in a strategical point of view at least, Gibraltar was of infinitely greater consequence than Algeciras, Perdinand consented to abandon the siege of the latter city on consideration of the restoration to his dominions of Quesada, Quadros, and Belmar, together with an indemnity of 5000 gold pistoles.

Turning his attention to Gibraltar, he commenced to repair the damaged fortifications, to construct new defences, and to arrange the government. One of his most trusted officers, Alonzo de Mendoza, was appointed governor ; and with the object of securing a numerous Christian population, and as rapidly as possible, the King issued proclamations granting special and valuable privileges to all who would become inhabitants of the city. Amongst other provisions, all " swindlers, thieves, murderers, or wo man escaped from her husband," who fled to Gibraltar, were to be free from the punishment of death. AU malefactors, not traitors, residing for a year and a day were to receive a free pardon, and no duty could be CONSPIRACY AGAINST MOHAMMED. 17 levied upon any goods passing in or out. Thus Gibraltar became the refuge of every villain from the surrounding neighbourhood.