Indeed, I Dare Not Receive The Address, Nor Write To Our Lord [26] About It.

Nor can I look at it, for in case the Sultan asks me about it, I must swear that I have not touched nor seen the Address.

If I look at it, and then say I did not look at it, the Sultan will order my tongue to be cut off from the roof of my mouth.

"And further, O Consul! O Stranger! were our Lord to agree with your Society, and abolish the traffic in slaves throughout his dominions, all the people would rise up against him in revolt, and the Sultan would be the first to have his head cut off.

"Therefore, as a good and wise man, O Stranger - which you must be, or you would not be entrusted with this mission - comply with the orders of the Sultan's message, given to you by me and your Consul.

"Any thing which you want for yourself or your private use, I will give it you, even to the whole of this city of Mogador. But for myself I cannot comply with the prayers of the address, or receive it from your own or the Consul's hands."

The message of the Sultan alluded to, was in substance to give up the attempt of abolishing slavery in Morocco, and not to think of going to the South, but to return at once to England.

The Governor was greatly pleased with the sound of his own voice, and the skill of his argumentations, and has the character of being a loquacious and reasoning diplomatist.

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