If They Are At Peace With The Pasha They Encamp Quietly Among
The Villages, Near The Springs Or Wells If At
[P.309]war with him, for their relations with the government of Damascus
are as uncertain as their own with each other, they keep in the district
to the S. of Boszra, towards Om Eddjemal and Fedhein, extending their
limits south as far as El Zerka.
The Pasha generally permits them to
purchase corn from the Haouran, but in years when a scarcity is
apprehended, a restriction is put upon them.
Till within a few years the Aeneze were the constant carriers of the
Hadj, and made yearly contracts with the Pasha for several thousand
camels, by which they were considerable gainers, as well as by the fixed
tribute which many of their Sheikhs had made themselves entitled to from
the pilgrim caravan; and by their nightly plunder of stragglers, and
loaded camels during the march. These advantages have made the Aeneze
inclined to preserve friendly terms with the Pashalik of Damascus, and
to break allegiance to the Wahabi chief, notwithstanding they have been
for twelve years converts to his religious doctrines. If, however, they
shall become convinced that the Hadj is no longer practicable, they will
soon turn their arms against their former friends, an event which is
justly dreaded by the people of the Haouran.
The tribe of Aeneze which most usually visits the Haouran is the Would
Ali, under their chiefs Etteiar and Ibn Ismayr; the latter has at
present more interest than any other Arab Sheikh, with the Pasha, from
whom he occasionally receives considerable presents, as an
indemnification for his losses by the suspension of the Hadj, as well as
to induce him to keep his Arabs on good terms with the Turkish governors
of the Pashalik.
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