Semi-weekly Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1851-1852, 1852-01-09
CEU'I'A.

The name of this Spanish possession, in
North Africa, has become quite familiar to the
readers of American newspapers since the
condemnation of the Lopez captives, and par
ticularly since the exile of Mr.. Thrashcr to
the chain gang in that place. Few, however,
know exactly its topography and its relations
to Spain.
Ceuta is on the coast of Africa, opposite
Gibralter, and is one of the pillars of Hercu-
les, the Abyla, as known to the ancients, as
Gibraltar Mons Calpe was the other. The
two marked the western boundary Of the
world, the gateway, beyond which all was
waste and darkness. The town was calle !.
Septa, from seven hillocks, upon one Of which
Septa has become the Spanish Ceuta. 1t has
been in the possession Of Spain for more than
two hundred years; having been acquired from
the Portuguese in 1910. The Portuguese had,
had it then more than two hundred years, hav-
ing seized it from the moors in l4l5. The
possession is yet a ground Of resentment to
the surrounding Moors. The city alone is un.
der the Spanish Governments. Outside the
walls the Moors are strong, aud maintain ar,
attitude or hostility up to the gates. Veddettcs
and patrolling parties keep constant watch up
on each other, and assassinatc ms are frequent
whenever a Spanish inhabitant gets beyond
the protection of the guns. 1t is a little curl.
Gus that Spain, which has mourned so long
over the occupation of GibraItcr, on her own
coast, by the English, should have compensa-
ted herseIiin some degree by taking from the
Strait the corresponding African hill Of Cen
-, ,1,1a nU1G-
sion. Ceuta was placed for safe keeping from
the French, in the hands of the English, and
n number of English establishments grew of,
which the effects still continue. At the close
Of the war. the Emperor of Morocco wanted
England. in return for his aid in furnishing to
their armies in Spain, to assist in recovering
this port for himself, but England could not
well urge this without consent TO give up to
Gibraltar.
Ceuta is town, according to McCulloch,
of about 9,267 inhabtant, exclusive Of the gar
rison. 1t forms Spanish Presidio, and is cut
off from the interior perfectly, that Il receives
supplies from Spain, and gets its Morocco
news by the madrid newspapers. 1t is the
Botany Bay of the Spaniards. The convicts
ofSpain are sent there to remain in depot until
drafted out to work in the mines, or some pub
lie work in Spain. 1t is mistake, we believe,
that there ar, any quicksilver or other mines
at Ceuta, in which the convcts work. Ceua
is only place for transportation, where the
criminals of Spain are sent into exile and I'M
prisonment There may be regulation, and
we think there is, that they be sent to W work
the Spanish mines, Of which there are several
of considerable extent in the Peninsula or
these the principals are helead mines in Gran
ady, and the quicksilver mines at Almaden, in
La Mancha The destination of prisoners to
the mines is not absolutely fixed by their con.
demnation to the chain gang in Ceuta, though
this usually follows:
p Urquhart, the British traveller, states that in
lS4S, two thousand of the convicts were sent
off at once, to work OIL canal in CASTLE He
adds, that there are remarkable facilities to es.
cane, that the convcts outnumbor the popula-
ton, the town is accessible at every side, the
sea open and boats all round. He praises the
good order Of the place, and gave the acting
Governor at that time a high character for gcn-
tleness of character and humanity to the cap.
tives.