Finding nothing else likely to compensate my longer stay, I summoned my suite, and proceeded on my journey, reflecting on the mutability of all earthly prosperity, which was so strongly exemplified in the history of the Moorish nation.  The scene I had just left, argued such a small remove from absolute barbarism, that, more than once, I could not avoid exclaiming:  “Are these the descendants of those people, who, for so many centuries, gave laws to the greater part of Spain, and subjected whole provinces to their dominion?  But those times are past, and, ‘like the baseless fabric of a vision,’ left ’not a wreck behind’.”

After a journey of six days (which might have been performed in three, but for the delays I have spoken of), we arrived here.  His Excellency the Governor, and his suite, came out to meet me.  He embraced me very cordially, and conducted me to the castle, where I was served with a sumptuous collation.  The Governor being in hourly expectation of the orders of his Sovereign to repair to court, has his route made out, and has requested me to keep myself in readiness to depart at an hour’s notice.

I have received several letters by express, from, our Consul-general, complaining of Governor Ash-Ash, who has refused granting the regular supplies to our fleet, and the garrison of Gibraltar.  From the character I have given you of this man, in a former letter, you will feel less astonished, when I inform you of his shameful conduct.  His rapacity and avarice are unbounded.  He refuses the regular supplies, insisting upon an additional duty being paid, besides the enormous one already imposed, on articles furnished to the English, contrary to the tariff established by treaty.  Accordingly, I laid the following copy of the original tariff before His Excellency, and subjoined the imposition of Ash-Ash. Order to be observed by the British Vice-consuls, at Tetuan and Tangiers, respecting the English.

DUTY. 
Spanish Dollars
Cows, calves, and oxen, whether
stall-fed or not, per head 5 now 25

Cobs.  Cobs. 
Sheep and goats, per ditto 2 —­ 7
Fowls, per dozen 1 —­ 6
Lemons and oranges, per thousand 1 —­ 5
Eggs, Per ditto 1 —­ 5
Dates, per quintal 4 —­ 8
Orange-trees, each 1 —­ 2
Figs, raisins, almonds, nuts, rhubarb,
oil, honey, soap, olives,
and red pepper, per quintal 2 —­ 12
Wheat, barley, oats, rice, and bean,
per measure 1 —­ 6
Straw, by the nett 1/4 —­ 1
Pomegranates, amber-wood, %c., per quintal 1 —­ 4
Bees-wax and candles, per ditto 14 —­ 26
Ostrich feathers, per lb. 2 —­ 16
Ivory, copper, sandrach, chohob,