the Dey expects three frigates as a present from the Grand Seignor: this is an important fact, and merits great attention. Formerly the Porte was only intent on the best means of bringing the Barbary chiefs back to subjugation. It now furnishes them with the means of renewing their predatory warfare !

After the late attack, and while the squadron of Lord Exmouth was still in sight, the ferocious Omar harangued the populace from his palace walls, exclaiming in a half suffocating tone: "No! we are not vanquished! or if we are, it is by arms, which are unknown to us, those of corruption and treason. We fought like true Musselmen, and our fame will be echoed on other shores. When the base perish, they are no longer spoken of: the brave fall, their names are remembered, and the glory of their country revives !"*

* Algiers has seldom been governed by a more fierce or resolute character than Omar Basha, who possessed talents which would have given considerable eclat to the military leader of a more civilized country. Ever since the attack by Lord Exmouth's squadron, he was incessantly occupied in repairing the losses sustained on that memorable occasion, until the arrival of that period which never fails to overtake the Algerine despots. This occurred early in January last; soon after which, the following account of Omar's death appeared in the public papers.

When the Janizaries surrounded the palace of the Dey, he called the officers of the artillery and navy to his assistance, but they declined interfering. The Dey then demanded of the Janizaries what they wanted? They replied, " An individual from within." Anxious to preserve his life by any sacrifice, he offered to double the pay of the whole corps; but this was rejected, and his person loudly called for. His firmness now forsook him, and he had recourse to poison: its operation, however, was not sufficiently quick; and the Janizaries entered, seized, and bound him. His highness was then conducted to the place of public executions and strangled.-The soldiers then quietly returned to their homes. All this happened in the course of an hour after their first assembling. Such is the summary mode of proceeding in Algiers!

The following account of Omar's successor has just appeared in a morning journal:-" French papers to the 20th instant (March) have been received, by which we are informed that the wretch who usurped the sovereignty at Algiers only to commit the most atrocious acts, has received the chastisement due to his crimes. Heaven interfered for the protection of man; and in twenty-four hours, the plague swept the despot to his grave, amidst the rejoicings of the people whom he had so grievously oppressed." Thus it appears, that plagues are not such bad things

It will be in vain that the cabinets of Europe, and illustrious association of knights liberators, attempt to convince the barbarians it is their interest to remain at peace, or carry on a friendly commercial intercourse with civilized states; that their happiness can alone be obtained, by entering into the great family of European civilization. Reason never speaks till the passions have subsided; and long practised iniquity has made vice so natural to the people of northern Africa, that one almost despairs of inspiring them with the force or efficacy of moral sentiment. Truth in vitiated minds, is like thunder, which may penetrate the grave, but cannot awaken the dead.

as some people imagine. With respect to the new ruler of Algiers, he is said to be a Moor, and has already succeeded in forming a strong party against the Turkish soldiery, many of whom have fallen a sacrifice to the just resentment of their Moorish rivals in power.-Ed.

ITALY more exposed than ever to the Depredations of the Barbary Corsairs.Consequences of no more Captives being made.-Prisoners of War.Their probable Treatment by the Barbarians.-Illustrations.-Necessity, Justice, and Utility of more powerful Measures.- Various Reflections; and Anecdote of an English Seaman.-Importance to Europe of colonizing Northern Africa. Its amazing Fecundity.-Facility of penetrating into the Interior from that Direction.-Splendor of the Enterprize.-Its Advantage to Antiquarian Research, Science, and the useful Arts.-Observations, &c.

FROM the peculiar situation of Italy, and our vicinity to the opposite shores of Barbary, many think there is more cause than ever to apprehend the effects of piracy. The chiefs being no longer able to send out regular squadrons, will give all possible encouragement to predatory individuals, who, by means of small vessels, can steal about the Mediterranean unobserved; when there will be scarcely a rock on our defenceless coast, that does not conceal a pirate. Many people have asserted, that this mode of warfare will be more injurious than the most open hostility.

It should also be recollected, that although tribute is no longer to be paid, presents are received: the former had its limits; but who can suppose that people, whose avidity for gold knows no bounds, will ever be satisfied with what is voluntarily presented?

On the other hand, if captives are taken, how is Europe to be acquainted with the circumstance?

It is said, that these powers will make no more slaves; but they

ITALY STILL EXPOSED.

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can take prisoners from those nations with whom they may be at war: we have, therefore, only to reflect on the probable fate of any person who becomes a prisoner of war in Africa! Surely, it does not require any argument to prove, that death would be infinitely preferable to such a misfortune. The barbarians had, formerly, a particular interest in preserving the life of a slave; but is it likely that the same feeling can extend towards prisoners, whom they will not only be obliged to support without working, but give up at the conclusion of hostilities? This highly important consideration will be more clearly illustrated by referring to the unhappy condition of the poor Greek sailors, who were considered as prisoners of war: during my residence in Algiers, these were loaded with double irons; and, although repeatedly demanded by the divan of Constantinople, no attention whatever was paid to the claim; and when applied to by the Grand Seignor, the Dey used to evade compliance, by saying they were dead. Upon the whole, were it left me to chuse between the alternative, of being a prisoner, or slave in Barbary, I should have no hesitation whatever in adopting the latter.

I am willing to admit, that these powers are not so likely to commit acts of violence as formerly; but I can never be persuaded, from the experience I have had of their general character, but that every device which wickedness can invent will be resorted to, for the purpose of following up their old profession. Pursuant to this principle, which is to them irresistible, how very easy will it not be for a corsair, on making a capture, to take the most valuable part of the cargo out, burn the ship, and throw her crew into the sea: this has been frequently done by Christian pirates; will those of Barbary be refrained from a similar proceeding?*

* The extreme probability of this being resorted to, is very considerably strengthened by the following authentic anecdote extracted from a work lately published in France, relative to the Barbary states.

Ragep Rais, one of the most notorious pirates of Algiers, having armed a corsair, sailed for the purpose of scouring the Mediterranean. He had been out only a short time,

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A SLAVE FOR THIRTY YEARS.

Even while that wicked system was legally tolerated by the Christian powers, slaves were to be found in every part of the interior: removed from the sea-coast, good care will be taken to sell future victims to masters, who, living in the mountainous districts, cannot hope to escape. Others, transferred to the Desert, must perish miserably, under the brutal treatment of their oppressors. As a proof that the above is not an idle conjecture, I need only mention the very recent instance of a Frenchman, who returned to his native place, Dijon, after an absence of thirty years; during the whole of which period he was totally ignorant of the events that took place in Europe: secluded in a remote part of the Algerine territory, his daily occupation was generally that of being yoked to the plough, and at night exposed to all the inclemencies of the season, with several other slaves in a ragged tent. We have also heard of another ill-fated being, who, from a similar cause, had no means of communicating with his family; and on coming to Europe, after an absence of many years, found that his little patrimony was sold, and himself given up as dead. The recent narrative of John Adams, an American seaman, who had been wrecked on the western coast of Africa, affords a good specimen of the dangers which await navigators who are thrown on that dreadful shore, and their shocking treatment amongst the natives.* In the actual state of things, many industrious mariners will leave our ports, but we shall never hear of when, notwithstanding the most positive orders received from his master, not to molest French ships, he met one which was coming from the Levant, and bound to Marseilles, richly laden with silks and other merchandize. Unable to resist this temptation, Ragep took possession of the vessel, and steered towards Algiers with his prize. However, on getting near the coast, the orders of the Divan occurred to him with redoubled force, and having hesitated for some time as to the best plan to be pursued, he at length determined to take out the best part of the cargo: this was immediately effected, upon which the vessel was sunk, and every soul of the crew, amounting to thirty-six Frenchmen, had their heads struck off and were thrown into the sea!-Ed.

* Since Adams's narrative, another has appeared from the pen of a Mr. Riley, the master of an American ship wrecked on the same coast: together with a great deal of useful information, Mr. R. has embellished his story with a few miracles.—Ed.