Algiers holds the next rank; but nearly a century has elapsed since any narrative of its internal state has been published by any European visitor. The most recent information regarding its interior that we have seen, is contained in an American pub lication, drawn up from the statements of the American captives who were confined there from 1793 to 1795. At that time the Dey was a Turkish soldier, named Hassan, about fifty, who had been brought from near Smyrna in the year 1786. Hay ing insinuated himself into the favour of the reign ing monarch, he gradually rose through the different offices to that of prime minister. The old Dey Cedelli, a Greek, and a creature of Hassan, urged, and even ostensibly compelled him to assume the sovereignty. He prevailed; and another candi date who started up was put to death by the bow. string. There have probably been several changes since ; and a new Dey is said to have come into power within the last six months. The Divan, it-ap pears, have lost almost entirely the influence which they once possessed, and do little more than sane -tion the measures determined on by the Dey.
The present sovereign of Tunis is called Hamooda Bey, and is certabdy an extraordinary character. He has displayed a most energetic policy, and has seated himself more firmly on the throne than any of his pre decessors. He is now (1816) about fifty-five years of age, and has reigned twenty-nine, a period quite un exampled in the tumultuous annals of Tunis. He has, in a great measure, thrown off that dependence on the Turkish power, by which the state was former ly enthralled; he even chooses his ministers and fa vourites, in preference, out of other nations. ' The mere vigour of his character and administration seems to have freed him from that dread of conspi racy and insurrection, by which former Beys were perpetually haunted. His brother, and his two cou sins,. though the rightful heirs to the throne, live on the most friendly terms with him, and partake of all his amusements. He extends a very liberal protection to all classes of his subjects, even Christians and Jews, who, before his time, might be insulted or killed with . perfect impunity. He is indefatigable in the dispatch of business, and spends very little time in sleep, or in the harem. At seven in the morning, he generally receives the consuls of foreign nations in the hall of audience. From eight to twelve, he sits in the hall of justice. He is supreme judge throughout his own dominions ; all his subjects, from the highest to the lowest, attend and plead their own cause. Unfortu nately, wherever the Bey's personal interest is con . cerned, justice is entirely out of the question. His hand is always open for bribes from either party, and sometimbs from both. Where such all-powerful mo tives do not interfere, he administers justice with equity, and even discovers a peculiar tact in eliciting the. truth. His decisions are always given and exe
. cuted with equal promptitude- Upon the whole, the security of person and property, and the general state of society, has been greatly ameliorated since his accession to power. Nothing seems to prevent him from being a good prince, except an avarice which knows no bounds, and hesitates at no means of grad . fication. This induces him to restrain the freedom of trade, to load it with monopolies, and often, which is worst of all, to become a merchant himself. He takes ' every opportunity of extorting money from his opu lent subjects, without any pretence, and by the most arbitrary exactions. The following affords a curious example of Tunisian economy. He has erected a new palace, which will, it is said, be one of the most splendid edifices in Barbary ; but, in order to lighten the expence, the ground floor has been fitted up into shops. He has given up the use of wine, in which he formerly indulged to great excess; but he is much addicted to other shameful species of debauchery.
The ministers and favourites of Hamooda are of the lowest description, both as to birth and charac ter. The Zapatapa, or keeper of the seals, and So liman Kiaya, commander of the army, are both Georgian slaves. The former is stained with every vice, but the latter exhibits an honourable and hu mane disposition, very rare in this country. The Bey's private secretary is a Christian slave ; and the important and lucrative post of guardian of the slaves is held by a Neapolitan renegado.
For some time past, a furious war has raged be tween the states of Algiers and Tunis ; the former, the more powerful of the two, being ambitious of conquering its weaker neighbour. The Bey of Tunis can call out a force of from 40,000 to 50,000 but they are merely an armed mob, and scarcely pre, sent the semblance of a regular army. The Algerine troops, however, are precisely of the same description. In the spring of 1807, armies took the field. That of Tunis was highly appointed, and thought of nothing less than the conquest of the Algerine pro. vine of Constantine. But so soon as the advanced guard of the Algerines was seen reconnoitring, the whole Tunisian army turned, threw down their anus, and fled with the utmost rapidity in every direction. Many are said to have arrived at Tunis, without having once ventured to look behind. The Algerines took possession of their camp, baggage, and 15,000 camels, laden with every kind of supplies. It is sup posed that nothing but the dread that so easy a victory might be the effect of stratagem, prevented the enemy from marching forward, and entering Tunis.