The population of Barbary has been very variously reported, and has never been fixed on any precise or authentic data. We shall collect the different state ments made on the subject. Mr Jackson gives the population of Morocco at 14,886,600; of whom the cities and towns contain 895,600; the provinces within Atlas 10,341,000; the Berebbers amount to 3,000,000, the Tafilets to 650,000. He states these numbers to be founded upon information extracted from the Im perial Register. They are quite improbable, and very far beyond any estimate formed by preceding travel lers. Chenier does not conceive that the empire can contain above six millions ; and some have even redu ced the estimate so low as two. Mr Macgill heard the population of the Tunisian territory generally esti mated at five millions ; but is inclined to reduce the estimate to half that amount. Of these he sup.. poses that 7000 may be Turks, 100,000 Jews, 7000 Christians ; the rest Moors, Arabs, and rene gadoes. Of the Algerine territory we have seen no estimate ; but being more extensive and equally cultivated with that of Tunis, it must contain a greater population. Tripoli is reckoned by Ali Bey • to contain two millions ; probably beyond the truth.
Of the great cities, Morocco is generally sup posed to contain 30,000 ; Fez, by Jackson, 380,000 ; by Ali Bey, only 100,000; Tunis, by Mr Macgill, 100,000; by Mr Blaquiere, 130,000; Algiers, by Dr Shaw, 117,000 ; Tripoli, by Mr Blaquiere, 25,000 ; by Ali Bey, only 15,000.
With a soil so fertile, and where manufacturing industry is in so low a state, the productions of the earth must form the staple articles of export. Barbary, in ancient and even in modern times, has been the granary of southern Europe. Of late, however, this branch of trade has been nearly cut off by a general prohibition, in all the states, against the exportation of corn. The materials for export are thus reduced to fruits, gums, hides, wax, and the produce of the very few manufactures which flourish throughout these states. Of these, Morocco leather is the most important. Fez is the place where this ma nufacture flourishes in the highest perfection ; but it is also carried on in the other cities of Morocco, as well as those of Eastern Barbary. Fez is also distin guished by the manufacture of woollen haiks, a .spe cies of long cloths universally worn by the Moors when theygo abroad; of sashes and silk handkerchiefs;' and of carpets, which are little inferior to those of Turkey. Tunis is famous for the manufacture of a species of conical woollen caps, called scut-caps; uni versally worn, not only in Barbary, but over the Levant. This fabric formerly employed fifty thou
sand persons ; but the manufacturers of Leghorn and Marseilles now imitate it, and succeed in underselling the Tunisians, though, in tae quality of the stuff, the latter remain still unrivalled. Robes and shawls of woollen gauze are also made to a great extent. Con cerning the manufactures of Algiers and Tripoli, we have few details ; but with the exception of caps, they appear to be nearly similar to those of Tunis.
The caravan trade with the interior of Africa is chiefly carried on from Morocco and Tripoli. From the former it is very extensive. The caravans carry chiefly salt, tobacco, and European goods ; they bring back slaves, ivory, and gold dust. Lempriere estimates the amount of the former at one million ; the latter at ten millions ; which, if correct, would imply the profits on this trade to be immense. The trade from Tripoli has been greatly diminished, in consequence of the Bashaw having embroiled him Neff with his Arab neighbours, who, occupying the route by which the must pass, render the communication extremely precarious.
The European goods for which there exists a de mand in the Barbary States, are exceedingly various. They include more or less of almost every article both of manufacture and of colonial produce. In the former class are such articles as, being of inferior . quality, can be afforded at a cheap rate ; Yorkshire cloths, particularly druggets and serges ; muslin of the coarsest and cheapest sort ; eoarse linen, particu larly Getman. Raw silk and Spanish wool were im ported to a great extent when their manufactures were more flourishing. French wines are imported into thd eastern states, where the precepts of Ma hornet are less rigidly observed. The other imports are tin and lead to a considerable extent, English is preferred ; coffee, sugar, and the different kinds of spices : hardware, cutlery, toys, are in some de mand; also alum, vitriol, cochineal, gum-lac, and vermilion, for their manufactures.
The commerce of Morocco is greatly diminish ed by the senseless bigotry of the reigning Empe ror. The intercourse with Europe is now confined to the port of Mogadore, and is subject to vari ous restrictions. The articles of export, suited to the European market, appear, by Mr Jackson's enu meration, to be chiefly sweet and bitter almonds, about 1,000.000 lbs. ; gum Barbary, gum Senegal, and gum Sandarac, upwards of 100,000 lbs.; cow and calf skins, 260,000 lbs. ; goat-skins, 10,000 dozen ; wool, 80,000 lbs.; ostrich feathers, olive oil, citrons, and some minor articles.