N

BE

Southern District of New-York, ss.

E IT REMEMBERED, that on the twenty-fifth day of January, in the fortythird year of the Independence of the United States of America, Mordecai M. Noah, of the said District, hath deposited in this office the title of a book, the right whereof he claims as author, in the words and figures following, to wit:

"Travels in England, France, Spain, and the Barbary States, in the years 1813-14 and 15. By Mordecai M. Noah, late Consul of the United States for the City and Kingdom of Tunis; Member of the New-York Historical Society, &c."

In conformity to the Act of the Congress of the United States, entitled, "An Act for the encouragement of Learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the time therein mentioned." And also to an Act, entitled, "An Act, supplementary to an Act, entitled, an Act for the encouragement of Learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned, and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engraving, and etching historical and other prints."

JAMES DILL,

Clerk of the Southern District of New-York.

PREFACE.

THERE is no apology due for writing a book of Travels, but

there is for the introduction of subjects, which may be considered as irrelevant to the original object; and, that I may not be charged with an unnecessary detail of my official concerns while in the public service abroad, it may be well to explain the causes which induced me to send this book into the world.

During our late war with the Algerines, I held the appointment of Consul of the United States for the city and kingdom of Tunis, one of the most respectable and interesting stations in the Regencies of Barbary. The government thought proper to ingraft on my duties, as Consul for that kingdom, a distinct and, as I had reason to believe, independent mission, having for its object, the release of a number of unfortunate Americans, who were captives at Algiers, and, at the same time, to ascertain, as far as could be prudently done, the object of the Algerines in declaring war against us, and their expectations in the adjustment of the difficulties.The manner in which this duty was performed, was an ostensible motive for my recall from that station, and on my return home, after some delay, my public concerns, as far as they related to pecuniary matters, were honourably terminated by the government.

In the course of those political contests, inseparable from the freedom of discussion on the subject of men and measures, my political opponents took occasion, frequently, to refer to my official conduct abroad, and not unmixed with censure, insinuations, and charges, which, very pointedly, affected my integrity. These innuendoes seemed to comprise one general charge-that the administration had terminated my public affairs in a favourable manner, and settled my accounts improperly, to acquire political support. This charge, affecting the government equally with myself, was repeated so frequently, and in so many shapes, as to render it obligatory to explain fully, all the measures to which it related, and I came to the determination to publish my journal entire, not only to satisfy those who have doubted, but those who would not doubt, that any thing improper had been done on my part. I publish these facts with reluctance: I wish, for the credit of the country, that they could have been withheld; but there is no alternative between Jabouring under suspicions, which, however light and trivial, may, in time, acquire force and effect, or at once clearing them up, to the satisfaction of the most fastiduous. This work may, therefore, be considered as a work of explanation and defence, although my official affairs occupy but a small portion of it.

The sketch on England I would have omitted, but it would break the chain of narrative, and I have preserved it. In the arrangement of notes and materials, it is more than possible that I have omitted points necessary and desireable to be known, and introduced subjects which may not create much interest. It is difficult to ascertain the taste of readers to hit that happy medium which may give general satisfaction. Some require descriptions of habits and manners; others of science and learning, agriculture and the arts; some have a taste for the ancient character of countries, others reject antiquity for modern accounts. I have, therefore, described things as they appeared to me, and if I have dwelt with too much attention on the ancient history of places, I have con

sidered that it might possibly lead to a more close attention to the study of history, a study which is deemed of essential importance to the progress of learning and civilization, and the successful advancement of governments. It is, however, impossible to visit Carthage or Utica, to travel in Mauritania, Cæsariensis, or the Pentapolis, without calling to mind the refined and gallant people which once controlled those fertile regions, indeed nothing but ancient features present themselves. The history of the modern possessors of these provinces, is but a history of crimes and despotism of the descendants of a civilized people, who have become savage and wandering.

In consulting authorities in the sketch of Numidian antiquities, I have placed more reliance on Appian, Procopius, Polybius, and Strabo, than on any other ancient writers, for although they differ on several points, there is, in the aggregate, a coincidence of opi nion on general subjects. I have found Dr. Shaw extremely correct and industrious, but I consider D'Ainville's map of ancient cities the most faithful guide, and which should be used by all travellers in the north of Africa.

Isaac S. Smith, of this city, who travelled with me through Spain, has obligingly lent me his notes to refresh my memory; and those on Tunis, not growing out of personal observation, I am indebted for to a worthy fellow-citizen, long a resident in that kingdom.

I do not know that I have presented any thing new or extraordinary in this work, or that I shall have advanced science, or promoted useful learning; yet it may add to the stock of American literature. We are too apt to receive erroneous impressions through foreign sources; and if every citizen who travels in countries which are seldom visited, would give his ideas of men and things, would describe people, habits, and manners, in his own way, free from the

alloy or bias of other writers, we should be more independent, and in time establish a permanent literary character of our own; and as perfection cannot be expected, we must encourage commencements, which, however humble, may induce others to write, and thus extend the sphere of American productions. I am sensible that there are many errors in this book, inseparable from expeditious writing; and when it is known, that the greatest portion of it has been composed, while, at the same time, labouring through the tedious detail and perplexing difficulties of superintending a daily political journal, the indulgence which it claims will not be

withheld.