It was a wonderful discovery of our modern morale, that a renegade, being a madman, should not be considered a renegade in earnest, or responsible for his actions.  Nevertheless, these unfortunate beings, should they have better thoughts, or as mad-doctors have it, “a lucid interval,” and leave the profession of the Mahometan faith, and afterwards again relapse into madness, and turn Mahometans once more, are doomed to irretrievable slavery, or if they relapse, to death itself; the Mahometan law, punishes relapsing renegades with death.  This curious clause says, “that though being madmen, they must abide their decision (of unreason) and their excuses will not be accepted.”  This said article was confirmed as late as the year 1824 by the plenipotentiary of a nation, which boasts of being the most free and civilized of Europe, and whose people spend annually millions for the conversion of the heathen, and the extinction of the slave-trade.

The last clause of Article IV also demands our attention, viz.  “And if any English merchant should happen to have a vessel in or outside the port, he may go on board himself, or any of his people, without being liable to pay anything whatever.”

Now in spite of this (but of course forgotten) stipulation, the merchants of Mogador are not permitted to visit their own vessels, nor those of other persons which may happen to be in or outside the port.  It is true, the authorities plead the reason of their refusal to be, “The merchants are indebted to the Emperor:”  neither will the authorities take any security, and arbitrarily, and insolently prohibit, under any circumstances, the merchants from visiting their vessels.  I have said enough to shew that our treaties (I beg the reader’s pardon, “capitulations”) with the Emperor of Morocco, require immediate revision, and to be amended with articles more suited to the spirit of the age, and European civilization, as likewise more consistent with the dignity of Great Britian.

The treaty for the supply of provisions, especially cattle, to the garrison of Gibraltar is either a verbal one, or a secret arrangement, for no mention is made of it in the published state paper documents.  It is probably a mere verbal unwritten understanding, but, neverthelesss is more potent in its working than the written treaties.  This is not the first time that the unwritten has proved stronger than the written engagement.

CHAPTER III.

The two different aspects by which the strength and resources of the Empire of Morocco may be viewed or estimated.—­Native appellation of Morocco.—­Geographical limits of this country.—­Historical review of the inhabitants of North Africa, and the manner in which this region was successively peopled and conquered.—­The distinct varieties of the human race, as found in Morocco.—­Nature of the soil and climate of this country.—­Derem, or the Atlas chain of mountains.—­Natural products.—­The Shebbel, or Barbary salmon; different characters of exports of the Northern and Southern provinces.—­The Elaeonderron Argan.—­Various trees and plants.—­Mines.—­The Sherb-Errech, or Desert-horse.