Travels through the Empire of Morocco | Page 4

the Romans, in the reign of
Julius Caesar, Bocchus, the son-in-law of Jugurtha, having defeated
Bogud, the king of Mauritania Tingitania, he became possessed of that
country, and Augustus, or, as some say, Octavius, confirmed this
acquisition to him; and the inhabitants of Tingis were allowed the
privileges of Roman citizens.
I cannot discover any thing further remarkable of Tangiers from the
time it became a Roman colony, and during the period it was possessed
by the Saracens, till the latter end of the fourteenth century, when it was
taken by the Portuguese, who erected fortifications and other public
works. It continued in their possession for nearly two centuries; and
was at length given to our King, Charles the Second, as part of the
dowry of his consort Catharine, We did not keep it long; for, owing to
the little harmony that subsisted between that Monarch and his
Parliament, it was ceded to the Moors in 1684, after we had blown up
all the fortifications, and utterly destroyed the harbour. Since that event,

it seems to have been gradually dwindling into its present
insignificance.
I have before observed, that the situation of Tangiers is well adapted to
the purposes of commerce, being about two miles within the Straits of
Gibraltar (or Hercules); but the ruins of the fortifications and harbour
have rendered the anchorage in the bay of Tangiers very unsafe. This is
a great obstacle to trade; very little is carried on there at present, and
that little is by a few Jews, and lately, by a Spanish merchant of the
name of Don Pedro.
The town being built on the declivity of that high tract of land called
Cape Spartel (the Cape Cottes or Ampelusian of the ancients), it is seen
at a great distance; but on entering the bay, it appears to the best
advantage. It is defended by two martello towers, a castle, and a large
battery; but I am confident that it could not withstand the attack of a
few English frigates, and that such a force from the bay might destroy
the town in the space of a few hours. Notwithstanding the vicissitudes
to which this place has been exposed, it still possesses a superiority
over the other towns in the empire of Morocco; it is the capital of the
kingdom, and the residence of the Consuls General of the powers in
amity with his Imperial Majesty. The houses of these foreign residents
are constructed with great taste in the European style; the habitations of
the Moors are neat; the air is pure and salubrious; the supply of
excellent water, abundant; and the market cheap and plentiful. This
combination of advantages renders Tangiers, in many points of view,
an eligible residence. The European society, which consists almost
solely of the families of the foreign consuls, is pleasant and agreable,
The adjacent country is beautifully romantic; and the opposite coast
and bay present a most delightful prospect. The Moorish inhabitants are
all soldiers, very poor, and entirely subject to the arbitrary will of the
Emperor. It is capable of furnishing, at a moment's warning, three
thousand cavalry, and two thousand infantry and artillery-men; but
these troops are badly trained, and without order or discipline: I
attended their evening parade yesterday, and was truly diverted with the
sorry appearance of their best militia-men, who were to mount guard
for the night. These Moorish soldiers are remarkably addicted to
cheating. It is probably owing to their excessive indolence, which
prevents them from making the usual exertions for obtaining a

livelihood, and induces them to adopt the more expeditious mode of
extorting from strangers the means of subsistence; but as they are not
often presented with an object of prey, they continually labour against
the pressure of extreme poverty. Tangiers is under the government of
Sidy Ash-Ash; who resides at Tetuan. He is by no means partial to the
English, but devoted to France; influenced by French principles, and
French interest. Excepting a few small armed vessels, fitted out for
piracy, there is no shipping in the harbour. I have observed none for the
purpose of commerce; all their goods are exported in foreign bottoms;
and when they bring in a prize, the vessel remains unsold for a
considerable length of time, and it is always disposed of to a foreign
merchant.
Several remains of the European fortifications are yet visible; the
Moors have repaired some, among which the western bastions still
form a principal part of the strength of the place. The castle, which
appears to have been built before the time of the Portuguese, stands in a
commanding position upon one of the most prominent rocks of this
coast. By an order of the Emperor, all the civil and military officers of
this town are obliged to reside