The Scene I Had Just Left, Argued Such
A Small Remove From Absolute Barbarism, That, More Than Once, I Could
Not Avoid Exclaiming:
"Are these the descendants of those people, who,
for so many centuries, gave laws to the greater part of Spain, and
subjected whole provinces to their dominion?
But those times are
past, and, 'like the baseless fabric of a vision,' left 'not a wreck
behind'."
After a journey of six days (which might have been performed in three,
but for the delays I have spoken of), we arrived here. His Excellency
the Governor, and his suite, came out to meet me. He embraced me very
cordially, and conducted me to the castle, where I was served with a
sumptuous collation. The Governor being in hourly expectation of the
orders of his Sovereign to repair to court, has his route made out,
and has requested me to keep myself in readiness to depart at an
hour's notice.
I have received several letters by express, from, our Consul-general,
complaining of Governor _Ash-Ash_, who has refused granting the
regular supplies to our fleet, and the garrison of Gibraltar. From the
character I have given you of this man, in a former letter, you will
feel less astonished, when I inform you of his shameful conduct. His
rapacity and avarice are unbounded. He refuses the regular supplies,
insisting upon an additional duty being paid, besides the enormous one
already imposed, on articles furnished to the English, contrary to the
tariff established by treaty. Accordingly, I laid the following copy
of the original tariff before His Excellency, and subjoined the
imposition of Ash-Ash. _Order to be observed by the British
Vice-consuls, at Tetuan and Tangiers, respecting the English._
DUTY.
Spanish Dollars
Cows, calves, and oxen, whether
stall-fed or not, per head 5 now 25
Cobs. Cobs.
Sheep and goats, per ditto 2 - 7
Fowls, per dozen 1 - 6
Lemons and oranges, per thousand 1 - 5
Eggs, Per ditto 1 - 5
Dates, per quintal 4 - 8
Orange-trees, each 1 - 2
Figs, raisins, almonds, nuts, rhubarb,
oil, honey, soap, olives,
and red pepper, per quintal 2 - 12
Wheat, barley, oats, rice, and bean,
per measure 1 - 6
Straw, by the nett 1/4 - 1
Pomegranates, amber-wood, %c., per quintal 1 - 4
Bees-wax and candles, per ditto 14 - 26
Ostrich feathers, per lb. 2 - 16
Ivory, copper, sandrach, chohob,
and gum arabic, per quintal 5 - 15
Indigo, per ditto 1 - 10
Goat skins, per quintal 4 - 8
Beef ditto, per ditto 3 - 6
Lion and tiger ditto, each 4 - 12
Common tanned leather,per quintal 1 - 5
Morocco ditto free - 5
Wool and hemp, per quintal 3 - 6
All shoes and slippers,per hundred pair 4 - 10
Moorish caps, per ditto 4 - 10
Mats, each 1 - 5
Mules, ditto 10 - 50
Asses, ditto 5 - 10
Silk alhaiks, ditto 2 - 5
Haiks of other kinds, ditto 1 - 3
This is a correct translation of the agreement, and tariff, settled
eleven years ago, between the present Emperor Muley Solyman, and the
late Consul-general Mr. Matra.
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