Saying "I
am going in search of the murdered Davidson." A man took the liberty of
telling Mr. Elton. "A very mysterious Christian has arrived from the
Sultan of the English. The Governor hearing that he had ordered a pair
of Moorish shoes, sent word to the shoemaker to be as long about them as
possible. This Nazarene is going to disguise himself as one of us, in
order to spy out our country."
The Moors are certainly a timid and suspicious race. They feel their
weakness, and they are frightened of any Christian who does not come to
their country on commercial pursuits, as a sportsman, or in some
directly intelligible character.
CHAPTER VII.
Interview with the Governor of Mogador, on the Address of the
Anti-Slavery Society. - Day and night side of the Mission
Adventure. - Phillips' application to be allowed to stand with his "shoes
on" before the Shereefian presence. - Case of the French Israelite,
Dannon, who was killed by the Government. - Order of the Government
against Europeans smoking in the streets. - Character of Haj Mousa,
Governor of Mazagran. - Talmudical of a Sousee Jew. - False weights
amongst the Mogador Merchants. - Rumours of war from the North, and levy
of troops. - Bragadocio of the Governor. - Mr. Authoris's opinion on the
state of the Country. - Moorish opinions on English Abolition. - European
Slavery in Southern Morocco. - Spanish Captives and the London
Ironmongers Company. - Sentiments of Barbary Jews on Slavery.
I had an interview by special appointment with His Excellency the
Governor of Mogador regarding the address to be presented to the
Shereefian population from the Anti-Slavery Society. I may at once
premise that from what I heard of Mr. Hay's diplomatic powers and
influence with the Sultan, as well as the peculiar situation in which
Mr. Willshire was placed, encumbered with great liabilities to his
Highness' custom-house, I already abandoned all hopes of success, and
even thought myself fortunate in being able to obtain an interview with
the Governor of this commercial city. To have expected anything more,
would have been extremely unreasonable on my part, under such
circumstances.
It will be as well if I give the address in this place. [24] Friday was
appointed, being a quiet day, and the Mussulman Sabbath, when His
Excellency had little business on hand. The Moors usually devote the
morning of their sabbath to prayer, and afternoon to business and
amusement. Our party consisted of myself, Mr. Willshire, the British
Vice-Consul, and Mr. Cohen as interpreter.
About four o'clock P.M. we found the Governor quite alone, telling his
rosary of jet beads, squatting on his hams upon the floor of a little
dirty shop, not more than eight feet by six in dimensions, with a
ceiling of deep hanging cobwebs which had not been brushed away for a
century.
