s also, who have
their establishments and connections at Timbuctoo, and in other
parts of Sudan, will resort to Santa Cruz in preference to Mogodor,
for all European articles calculated for the markets of Sudan, the
former port being in the neighbourhood of the desert, or Sahara,
and at a convenient distance from Akka in Lower Suse, the general
rendezvous of the akkaba, (or accumulated caravans,) destined for
the interior regions of Africa or Sudan. This akkaba starts
annually for Timbuctoo, consisting of 2000 or 3000 camels, loaded
with merchandise from Fas, Tetuan, Sallee, Mogodor, Marocco,
Tafilelt, Draha, and Terodant. The port of Santa Cruz is hence
57 aptly denominated _Beb Sudan_, i.e. the gate or entrance of Sudan.
The port of Santa Cruz was formerly farmed by the emperor[94] Muley
Ishmael, to some European power, for 50,000 dollars a-year, as I
have been informed; others say it was purchased of him by his own
Jewish subjects, for the purposes of trade. However this may have
been, no advantage was ever taken of the favourable opportunity
then offered, of opening and securing to Europe an extensive and
lucrative trade with the various countries of Sudan or Nigritia.

I can account for this omission only by supposing that the interior
of Africa was then less known than even it now is; and that the
merchants then established at Santa Cruz, had there sufficient
advantages in commerce to engage their attention, without examining
into this immense undiscovered mine of wealth!

[Footnote 94: Great-grandfather of Muley Soliman, the present
emperor, who is denominated Soliman ben Muhamed ben Abdallah
ben Ismael.]
58

LETTER II.

_The Author's arrival at Agadeer or Santa Cruz.--He opens the Port
to European Commerce.--His favourable Reception on landing
there.--Is saluted by the Battery.--Abolishes the degrading Custom
that had been exacted of the Christians, of descending from on
Horseback, and entering the Town on Foot, like the Jews.--Of a
Sanctuary at the Entrance of the Town, which had ever been
considered Holy Ground, and none but Muhamedans had ever before
been permitted to enter the Gates on Horseback._

TO THE SAME.

Santa Cruz, 7th March, 1792.

_The emperor's[95] letter ordering the port of Santa Cruz to be