Sketches of Algiers, political, historical, and civil : containing an account of the geography, population, government, revenues, commerce, agriculture, arts, civil institutions, tribes, manners, languages, and recent political history of that country

Preface

It is with all the diffidence, which a secluded man, unused to literary labours, must naturally feel, on such an occasion, that the author ventures to lay these Sketches before the public. The absence of any work, giving a correct view of the real power and political importance of the piratical state of Algiers ; the belief that few other persons have had equal opportunities for becoming acquainted, in an authentic shape, with the facts of which they treat, and of tracing to their causes several remarkable events, which have occurred since his residence here ; and the influence that the toleration of these freebooters must necessarily have upon the prosperity of the American commerce in the Mediterranean, — all these causes, operating together, have induced him to engage in the undertaking.

The result of his labours will show, that the intrinsic power of this redoubted government is quite insignificant ; at least, that it is unequal to the pretensions, which have been founded upon it. Within less than half a century, the United States have solved several political problems, of the deepest interest to mankind. They have, also, stripped the phantom of Barbary importance of its imaginary terrors, and exposed to derision the frauds, by which it has been so long upheld. It seems improbable that Algiers can ever again rise to her former dignity, without their consent.

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PREFACE,

In composing these Sketches, the author has been principally indebted to the valuable work of Doctor Shaw on Barbary ; he has also consulted Chenier’s Recherches sur les Maures, and the travels of Ali Bey in Africa and Asia, with advantage. He regrets that Bruce’s Travels were not within his reach, though he thinks from recollection, that they add little to the information given by the first. Doctor Shaw’s Travels in Barbary and the Levant furnish, in the author’s opinion, the only safe guide to the investigation of the geography, natural history, and antiquities of the kingdom of Algiers. Though the geographical positions laid down by him may not in all cases be strictly correct, still, as they have not yet been corrected by any better authority, they have been preferred here, and in pojnt of fact answer every object, that the author has in view in this respect, which is merely to give a geographical outline of the country. The manners, customs, and habits of a Mohammedan community are liable to few of the changes, which so rapidly succeed each other in more civilized countries ; in these respects, therefore, little variation from the accounts of that author is to be looked for.

The object, which Doctor Shaw had in view, was obviously the investigation of the geography, natural history, and antiquities of Barbary. But from the want of the science, and even the opportunities, necessary to warrant inquiry into these interesting subjects, the author has limited his views in these Sketches to an exhibition of the moral and political power of Algiers ; and on these points he flatters himself, that his treatise may be regarded as a useful supplement to the work of Doctor Shaw.

It may be thought that some notice should have been taken of the other states of Barbary. But as they differ essentially in forms of government, and have few relations with each other, either in war or peace, except such as

PREFACE.

V are derived from a common religion, and, with the exception of Morocco, dependence upon the Ottoman Porte, the author has deemed it most prudent to limit his investigations to the kingdom of Algiers.

About the time, when the historical part of these Sketches was finishing, an event occurred here, leading to a war with Great Britain, which endured above six months. During that period an exact Journal was kept, in the Consulate of the United States, of every occurrence of the least moment relating to it ; and, as the events of this war, the subsequent conclusion of peace, and its effects, form the best commentary, that could be oftered, on the political part of these Sketches, a transcript of the Journal is inserted in the last chapter.

The author claims the indulgence of the public, for the unavoidable egotism that appears in this narrative. He is the only person existing, who could trace it correctly ; being a principal actor in the scenes narrated, circumstances compel him to be the commentator of his own actions ; but though obliged to speak of himself, it is always as the national representative, whose credit here, whatever it may be, must ever entirely depend upon the respect, which the power and honest policy of the United States inspire.

The authentic documents in the Appendix do not appear to require any explanation, or excuse for their insertion, except the translated article from Schoell, on the trade in negro slaves. This is incidentally introduced, not for the instruction of his countrymen, who are better informed, through the valuable work of Mr. Walsh, but to demonstrate in what light the people of the continent of Europe regard the legislation and negotiations of Great Britain, on that important question.

Believing that the aboriginal languages of this country present a subject for inquiry, well worth the attention of

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PREFACE.

the learned, the author has inserted in the Appendix all the vocabularies, which have been published by other writers on this part of Africa, that were within his reach, for comparison with his own. When the dialects spoken at Siwah, at the Oasis Minor, at Angela, and by the various tribes of Tuariks, come to be equally well investigated, of which there is a prospect through the enterprise and industry of English travellers, his theory respecting the Showiah may be fairly put to the test ; and if discovered to be well founded, it will undoubtedly lead to measures being taken for a more thorough investigation and for the preservation of this interesting tongue. With this object in view, it is the intention of the author to continue his inquiries, as far as circumstances, and the means in his power, will permit.

Algiers, March, 1825.

Contents

CHAPTER, I.

Boundaries and extent of the kingdom of Algiers ; general face of the country ; mountains ; climate ; soil ; animals ; natural productions ; rivers ; seacoast ; bays and harbours ; political divisions ; towns and population 1

Chapter II

Religion and languages ; form of government, dependence upon the Ottoman Porte ; government of the provinces ; political and civil institutions ; jurisprudence ; privileges and license of the Turks ; finances, army, navy ; piracy, their avowed policy ; treaties and political relations with foreign powers ; salutes ; public forms and ceremonies ; Ramadan ; Byram. 13

CHAPTER HI.

City of Algiers ; its position, extent, topography, and fortifications ; garrison, and government, civil and military ; wealth of the inhabitants, and security of person and property ; variety and character of the inhabitants ; state of the sciences ; education of children ; dress ; beauty of the women, melioration of Mohammedan customs in their favour, and their dress ; diet ; Jews, their civil condition, and the oppression under which they live ; foreign Africans resident in the city ; mechanic arts, and manufactures ; houses, streets, and quarters ; superstitious apprehension of the Algerines ; public edifices, and pious foundations ; condition of Christian slaves here, while there were such ; commerce ; opulence of Algiers, and its effects ; society of the foreign Agents ; plain of Metijah ; weights and measures. , . , 45

Chapter IV

Of the different nations or tribes inhabiting the kingdom of Algiers ; their probable origin ; manners ; character, religion, and languages. Tuariks 84

Chapter V

A sketch of the political history of the Regency of Algiers, from the year 1810 to 1825 104

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CONTENTS.

Chapter VI

The probable destiny of this fine region ; the best position in Africa;* from whence to prosecute discoveries in, and commerce with, the interior; influence of the establishment of a European nation in North Africa, on civilization, and the suppression of the trade in negro slaves 167

Chapter VII

EXTRACTS FROM THE JOURNAL KEPT IN THE CONSULATE OF THE UNITED STATES, AT ALGIERS.

Disturbance between the Kabyles and Algerines; the American Consul’s protection of his Kabyle servants ; protest of the foreign Consuls ; differences of the British Consul with the government of Algiers ; he is compelled to leave the city, and his affairs are entrusted to the American Consul ; attempts at a conciliation between the British Admiral and the Algerine government; obstinacy of the Bashaw ; interview of the American Consul with the Bashaw ; British blockading squadron stationed in the harbour ; final settlement of differences between the British and Algerines, on very extraordinary grounds ; American vessel wrecked on the Barbary coast, and the officers and crew redeemed from slavery by the Consul ; Dutch negotiation at Algiers 177