Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-03-17
FRA CE AND ALGElRS.

FRA CE AND ALGElRS.
Letter to the Editor ofMe Pennsylvania Enq"i-
rer. dated Mahoa, Der. 90, 1850.
Ny DEAR SIR:-Of all places in the world,
this perhaps. at this season Of the year particular
ly, is the last for news, and news is the only
thing an editor cares for. however drop you
line in compliance with my promise when had
the pleasure of seeing you, and at the same time
to remind you of similar your part
Well, the French have got Algiers; but the
question is. what are they going to do with it,
Some say they will coonIZe the country BY Swiss
and French emigrants, aud they have got up a
scheme to that effect offering for sale at a mod
crate price, large tracts Of land in the interior
which they never saw, and never viii see, unless
they are more successful than they have yet been
or are likely to be. At present they occupy near
iy as far as the guns from their batteries will
reach. and no further 1t has been recently said
that General Clausel marched out and gave bat
tie to the Arabs, and killed 20O0 with the loss
| of only one man; that he pursued and cleared the
country of them to the distance of leagues from
Algiers. and then returned--and so did. no
doubt, the Arabs The loss Of one man on the
part of the French is too lncredi Bile. Private let
ters state their loss TO be 1900.
1t is certain that what with those killed on
landing, advancing and attacking, the French
have lost great many men. and the dysentery
which prevailed among them made dreadful raw
ages. The hospitals in this place were filled with
their sick and wounded; the number estimated
varOusly, from 5000 to $500. Their policy has
been to make the most favorable impression on
the minds of the people of France; therefore they
were not disposed to let them see the gloomy
side of the picture. Their ships have been con-
stantly employed in transporting to France the
treasure, brass guns, and other articles found in
Aigiers, but not one sick wounded French
man was permitted to return home, until after
his cure at this place, where vast number of
French surgeons were stationed to receive and
attend them.
have heard several intelligent officers say
that the expense of the expedition would far ex-
coed the amount Of metallic wealth, and other
articles, found in the city; and the former did not
amount to more than 100000 dollars.
The first thing Frcnchman does when he
takes city, is to make his mark upon il as re-
cord of his having been there. This he does in
the shape of improvement; that is, tearing Gown
houses to widen streets. and open squares. This
the French are very busily employed in at pres
ent in Algiers, and giving them French names
also in numbering houses and establshinga po-
lice.
The army now in the city, shut up, is compos-
ed of %, 900 effective troops. 1t was the inten-
ton, at one time. to reduce the number to 5000;
but 1t is understood that the General demonstrated
against the measure unsafe one. On the estab-
lishment of hospitals there by him, of which thew
were before destitute, and the consequent reduc-
ton in the number of deaths by disease, the inca.
sure was abandoned.
They talk of marching into the interior in the
spring do not think they will be able to do
so. There cannot be a doubt that there will be-
an army of from 200, 900 to 10000 Arabs TO
oppose them.
When the French landed with an army of u.s.
600 fresh troops at Sidi Faruch, they never adj
vanced one foot Of the way to Algiers without
forcing their enemy. and they never encamped
without certifying themselves. They were three
days advancing about twelve miles. This may
give you some idea of what they have to expect If
they attempt to 90 into the interior, after the y
rabs have had SO much time to prepare for their
reception.
They talk also ofextending their conquests to the
other Barbary States, and although look on
this as a mere boast, | am very much mistaken
if they do not, whether they wish it or not, find
themselves involved in war, and very soon, with
all the Barbary Powers united. Morocco has,
ii is stated now, already set the example,. Tuns
and Tripoli will soon follow; for France, flushed
with her success in Algiers, has been most un-
mercifully oppressive toward them.
She has forced upon them treaties. which they
cannot and will not fulf-and which she has not
the power to enforce.
As to her extending her conquests, except a.
long the coast of Agiers, think it quite out of
her power. She will have the whole male popu-
laton opposed to her. excited by religious phren-
sy. and Infatuated by supposed wrongs The war
will be carried on, as it has been, without mercy