In the year 1708, the Algerines wrested the city of Oran from the Spaniards ; but, though they were at great pains to strengthen it by new fortifications, it was re taken in the year 1737. The expulsion of the Turkish Bashaw in 1710, and the union of his office with that of the Dey, introduced the form of government w hieh now exists at Algiers.
The government of Algiers is a pure military aristocracy, at the head which is the Dey, whose au thority somewhat resembles that of the former Stadt holders of Holland. The Dey is always chosen out of the army, to every order of which that dignity is open. The tumult and confusion to which this circumstance gives rise, cannot well be conceived by those who live under civilized governments, where hereditary power is transmitted in regular succession. At Algiers, ever) aspiring soldier, however mean his origin, may consider himself as heir apparent to the throne, to which he ma) succeed without any lingering delay, if, when he has plunged his cimitar in the breast of the ruler, he can still trust to its protection. Hence there is. in general. a very rapid succession of dews, scarcely one in ten of whom escapes assassination. But though the office o? dcy be elective, and held by such a precarious tent :•e. hi' authority is as absolute as that of any monarch in the world. A dowan, or council, is appointed indeed, for the purpose of aiding hint in his deliberations, and for directing or controlling him in the exercise of his power. To this council, which at first was composed of seven or eight hundred military ollicers, chosen by the oldest soldiers, it was necessary to submit all aliairs of importance ; they alone were invested with the power of framing laws, the execution of which was intrust ed to the dey. It now consists of only thirty yiab basbaws, who arc convened, very formally indeed, For the purpose not of dictating laws, but of consenting to such measures as have been previously concer,ed between the dey and his favourites ; so that in re ality, the whole government is vested in one individual. The right of electing the (ley belongs to the militia ; and on that occasion, every soldier, however low his rank, is entitled to vote. Hence every election is a scene
of tumult and disorder, which not uni•equently termi nates in serious and bloody contests. When the election is determined, the new dey is saluted with the exclama tion ALLA BARICH, "God bless you ;" he is invested with the kaftan, or regalia ; and the each, or chief judge, addresses him in a congratulatory speech, reminding him at the same time of the duties of his station, and ex horting him to govern with equity, to respect the pri vileges of his subjects, and to promote their welfare. The first action of his reign is generally to cause all the members of the (Iowan to be strangled who had opposed his election, and to fill their places with others more devoted to his service.
Next in dignity to the (ley is the aga of the Ja nizaries, always one of the oldest officers in the army, who holds his place only two months. During that time he is intrusted with the keys of tire metropolis ; military orders are issued in his name, and the sentence of the dey against any offending soldier can be executed no where but in the court of his palace. When the short term of his office has expired, he is succeeded by the chiah, or next senior officer, and is considered as ma zoul, or superannuated, receives his pay regularly every two months, and is tempted from all further duty. The secretary of state, who registers the public acts, holds the next place to the aga ; and after him are the thirty yiah bashaws, or colonels, who sit next to the aga in the dowan, and in the same gallery. From this class are generally chosen ambassadors to foreign courts, and those emissaries who disperse throughout the realm the orders of the dey. The next rank is occupied by the bolluck bashaws, or eldest captains, 800 in number, who are promoted according to their seniority to the dignity of yiah bashaws. Next to them are 400 oldack bashaws or lieutenants, who are raised in their turn to the rank of captains, or promoted according to their abilities to important employments in the state. In this country, military promotion is invariably regulated by seniority ; a single violation of which right would in excite an insurrection.