Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-07-27
DESCRIPTION OF THE CITY OF ALGIERS
And anecdotes of thefDey

The view of Alg,ers from the sea is one of those
beautiful scenes tn which the pen can scarcely hope
to do justice At distance the town appears like
chalk mound ia the midst of an amphh catre of green
mount aims; little nearer its square towers mosques
and minarets become disingushabIe. rising above
each other like fight of steps from the waters
edge to the summit OF the mountain. Right and left
spread unduating nights, whose luXurent verdure in
terpersed with gay kosks form an agreeable contrast
to the firing glare of the white houses. In the ba ok
ground still loffier hills whose sterile tons ove
| another variety to the picture
But whatever attraction the city may offer at a
distance, the illusion entirely vanshes on setting foot
on shore. The streets narrow and flthy and
there no buildings of Importance save the bar
racks OF the Janssarles (about 5000 in number the
only regular loops belonging to the Dey,) the mos
ques. and the Beys palace. The lie, which forms
the harbor, above 400 PAGES into the sea- and
is built On ledge of rocks within which the navy
is oil secure in case of attack. The labor of Euro.
pean engineers since the siege of Lord Exmouth has
rendered this part of the fertilization unassaable
and leaves little hopes ofany other commanders be-
ing able to lay his vessel in the position taken up by
the Queen Charlotte.
From the Alcapaha, or CITADEL at the opex of the
mountain, the Dey may command all the operations
of defence Within this castle he can also retire in
case Oft siege, in order to protect his means to the
last, as well as to shelter himself from the violence
of the yascating ianssares, who would be as ready
to turn their swords against tho Dey himself, as a.
gainst the enemy, in case of any probability of de-
feat.
nuble. and able to defy the of any una rtme
expedition whatever. England, the only nation
which can boast of ever having iDtimidated this re-
gency, Is fully aware of this truth, and of the difficult
lies. even with her means of ever again making an
impression by bombardment OIL fertilization which
mounts 1900 pieces Of cannon and where the attack
ing party must be exposed to such disproporionate
risks A land force to reduce this place is most like
iy to be attended with success. if undertaken on
sufficient scale in the spring of the year and pushed
on with vlgor The old Moorish walls east and
west OF the city, ly ndefensble and present
but little difficulty to- determined army well sup
pied with train of artillery. The landing which
Should be made IN the immediate neghborhood of AL
glers would doubtless meet with some opposition
and would have to contend with hosts of Arab foes
OF which the Dey can easily raise two hundred ,hous-
ond amongst the Bedouno and Kobeylls every sub
ect OF this Regency being obliged to bear arms: but
their troops are mostly mountaDeers, and would Weld
TO the superior maDGuvres and tactics Of an Euro
pean force The first shock successfully sustained
the farther progress of invading army becomes al
most certain.
The allegiance of the Dey of Algiers to the Otto
iiian Porte has been at all times too equiyocal to
suppose that Turkey could have any Influence owe,
the conduct or policy of the Dey. 1t is thrown aside
at pleasure, although formerly kept up by the nav
Inent of n triennol tribute, for which each new Pa
cha receives the cafaD, pesse of honor nd some
presents inreturn circumstance which occurred
not many years ago, may serve to show the small
influence of Turkey over the Regency. Application
was made by the English Government to the Snltan
OF turkey, TO put stop to some unprovoked annoy
ance against the Italian states by late Dey of Al.
gIers. new Pachs ofbree tails was in consequence
appointed to superscdc the reigniDg one, and dis
patched with tITpldn to take possession Of the Re
gency On arrival, however, Of the new candidate
tor power at the island of Gambia, he received
message from the reignlng Pacha to halt as in case
he attempted to set foot in Algiers his head would
pay the forfeit of bis temerjty. The same fate await
ed The new Pacha If he attempted to return to Con
stantnople without-fulfHg the Sultan's orders In
this dilemma ne threw himself on the protection of
Tho British Consul at CaEdIa who having reDresen.