of this city are as ignorant of the country as
persons residing in London. This subject absolutely demands the
attention of the governments of Europe. Our humanity and civilization
are in question.
The opinions of the Jews here, are the same as those of American
slave-holders, with this slight difference, that they consider it right
to make slaves of white men and Europeans, as well as of black men,
negroes, and Africans, in which idea they are more consistent than their
Yankee men-selling brethren.
As there are many Barbary Jews at Mogador, more or less under British
protection, I took the liberty of reminding them of their liabilities as
British subjects, by circulating among them copies of Lord Brougham's
Act.
I had some conversation with Rabbi-El Melek and other Jews about the
question of abolition,
_Traveller_.--"What is the opinion of the Jews of this country on the
matter of slavery?"
_Rabbi-El-Melek._--"I will show you," (taking the Hebrew Bible he read)
"'Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his
brethren.'"
_Traveller._--"Admitting the curse pronounced here was right, that Ham
and Canaan were the progenitors of the African negroes, and that the
curse was to be extended to all generations of Africa--are these reasons
why the all-Merciful Deity will hold man guiltless who enslaves and
maltreats poor Africans? Now, the Jews have been dispersed all over the
world, and maltreated, if not enslaved, by both Christians and
Mahometans (as now) according to prophecy, but will God hold us
guiltless for persecuting or maltreating you, Jews?"
_The Rabbi_.--"But we are the slaves of God, not of you Christians, and
besides, we are commanded to treat well our slaves in the Scriptures."
Here he quoted many passages from the Pentateuch.
Then followed a desultory conversation, some asserting "that inasmuch as
the slavery of the whites was permitted by God, how much more right had
they to enslave blacks who were the servants of servants!" Others even
added, "If we were Sovereigns of Morocco, we should make slaves of both
Mahometans and Christians." This indeed is the genuine feeling of
Barbary Jews; oppression begets oppression, and wrong begets revenge.
Another observed, "If you ask me what I think as a British subject, and
not as a Jew, I will give you my opinion against slavery."
Such distinctions in morals are not easily admissable, but the Jews
there are acute enough to make them, and
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