Notwithstanding The Sarcasm Of A French Journalist That The French And
Other Europeans Consuls Are "Consuls Des Jusifs, Et Pour La Protection
Des Jusifs," The French Consuls Both Here And At Tangier, Have Real
Power And Influence With The Government.
The Governor of Mogador, Sidi Haj El-Arby, arrived from Morocco.
His
Excellency feared an attack from the Shedma and the Hhaha people, and
was obliged to have a strong escort. Not long ago, the Sultan himself
had a narrow escape from falling into the hands of a band of insurgents;
their object was to make their lord-paramount a prisoner, and extort
concessions as the price of his liberty. This will help us to form an
opinion of the want of sympathy between potentate and subjects in
Morocco.
His Excellency brought an order from the Imperial despot to imprison the
late governor, if the balance of 6,000 dollars was not instantly
forthcoming, he having only paid nine out of the 15,000 demanded. The
late governor was confined in his house, instead of in the common
prison. It was said he was worth 30,000 dollars, but that he was afraid
to make too prompt a payment of the demand of the Emperor, lest he
should be called upon for more. However, his furniture, horses, and
mules were sold in the public streets; a melancholy spectacle was the
degradation of a former governor of this city. [23]
The Moors look upon these things as matters of course, or with
indifference, quietly ejaculating, "It is destiny!
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