A discourse touching Tanger in a letter to a person of quality. Sheeres, Henry, Sir, d. 1710. 1680 Approx. 49 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 26 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2003-07 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A59617 Wing S3058 ESTC R219091 99830618 99830618 35071 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A59617) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 35071) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 2078:03) A discourse touching Tanger in a letter to a person of quality. 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Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Tangier (Morocco) -- Description and travel -- Early works to 1800. 2003-02 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2003-03 Aptara Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2003-04 Mona Logarbo Sampled and proofread 2003-04 Mona Logarbo Text and markup reviewed and edited 2003-06 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion A DISCOURSE Touching Tanger : In a LETTER To a PERSON of QUALITY . LONDON , Printed for the Author , 1680. A DISCOURSE Touching Tanger . Honour'd Sir , I Remember at our parting , I made you a promise to gratifie your curiosity the best I could , with an abstract of my judgment and observations , touching his Majesty's City and Port of Tanger : and had obey'd you long since , and had not my Head been rather oppress'd than employ'd , by the unexpected difficulties of my toylsom charge ; which to this day render me so little Master of my Resolutions , that the few Minutes I borrow , like broken Slumbers , scarce afford me leave to reflect seriously on any other Subject . Be pleas'd therefore to take this short account only , as an earnest of what you may farther expect ; when with more freedom of thought I shall be enabled to send you a Present of the same kind , better worth your acceptance . Tanger , according to remotest accounts , I find to have been a Colony of the Romans ; which conquering People did from thence lead their Armies , by which they subdu'd all that part of Africa . They call'd a great Province by that name ; and thought it so well worth their labour , that they Planted , Peopled , and Built it to the Magnitude of the greatest Cities ; as we find by the Fragments of their Structures , where ever we have occasion to break ground in the Fields ; and by the noble Aquaeducts ; some whereof to this day supply the Town with Water , said to be the best in the World. But by the declension of that Monarchy , it shrunk by degrees to the dimension it now bears . It was here the Moors form'd , and from hence prosecuted , their great design of conquering Spain : the advantageous Situation whereof , is thought to have not only incouraged those Infidels to the Attempt ; but lent them such aids , as mainly conduc'd to their success . At length , about the year 1474 , while the Princes of Barbary were at War amongst themselves , this , with other Towns upon the Coast , fell into the hands of the Portuguez , &c. Upon his Majesty's Marriage with our present Queen , Tanger was given in part of her Dowry : a Capitulation much oppos'd by the Spanish Ministers , and gave that Government so much apprehension , that , upon his Majesty's sending so great a Garrison as he did upon our first possessing it , ( jealous what design there might be ) withdrew a great part of their Army from the Frontiers of Portugal , and Quarter'd them along the Coast of Andaluzia , to have an Eye upon our Motions : by which State contrivance as is thought of the Portuguez , they got the respite of one whole Campaign from the Incursions of the Spaniard . This I the rather mention to excite our own value for Tanger , which barely our possession of , gives other Princes so much caution . This sufficing for the Historical part of Tanger , to the time of his Majesty's possessing it . I will now proceed , with the brevity of a Letter , to treat upon the four following heads , viz. Upon The Service Tanger has already rendred the Crown . What Service it may render it , if improv'd . The mischief it may do us , if possess'd by any other Powerful Prince . Some general Observations touching Trade . Tanger is , as I have observ'd , so advantageously Situated , that it Surveys the greatest Thorough-fare of Commerce in the World ; having in one view almost the whole Sea comprehended between the four Capes of Travalgar , Gibraltar , Spartel , and Ceuta ; those on the European , these on the African shore : so that no Ship or Vessel can pass in or out of the Mediterranean , unobserv'd from thence . It comes therefore to pass , by means of this narrow Gap or Inlet , that Men of War , Pirats and Corsairs of all Nations , covet to Ply and Cruiz in and about that Station , where they are sure to speak with all Ships that pass . Here it was , that a Squadron of the Dutch on two several occasions , during that War , lay in wait for our New-found-land-Fleet , who had no recourse for safety but to Tanger , where they were protected and secur'd , till the danger was over : the greatest part whereof had otherwise demonstrably fallen into the Enemy's hands . It was on this Station that Sir Thomas Allen , during the first Dutch War , incounter'd their Smyrna Fleet ; and here , in the last War with Algier , a whole Squadron of Turks fell into our hands at once , and were all destroy'd : and both then , & since by Sir Iohn Narbrough , there has been by a manifold degree more mischief done to that Enemy on this Station , than in all the Ocean besides : and we have frequent examples of single Ships being chased into this Port for shelter . To this Port , upon the breaking out of the last Dutch War , was sent us advice of a Squadron of their Merchant Ships , that were bound from Malaga homeward , but ill guarded , with an exact account when they were to depart : which Squadron we incounter'd ; and had the Affair been more fortunately manag'd , they had all fallen into our hands ; though , as it was , the greatest part were destroy'd and taken . To this Place , on divers occasions both by Sea and Land , we have received notice from Salli , and other places on the Coast , of proper Seasons whereby to Attack that Enemy , and have often succeeded in our Attempts upon those intimations : and I think I may with good assurance aver , That by the advantage of this Place , we have destroy'd more of those Pirates , than all Nations besides put together , who have been industrious to their power to prejudice them ; especially the French , Dutch , and Portuguez . And yet , farther to shew you how this Place has been already useful , let it be remember'd , that during the Plague in England , when it was penal in the highest degree in Spain , to hold the least Commerce with us ; notwithstanding the hazard they ran , the Spaniards themselves came over by stealth , and by degrees did here supply their wants , without paying Custom either here or there ; this Place being the general Magazine to all the Coast along . What quantities of French Commodities were lodg'd here , during their War with Spain , and were by little and little in Spanish Vessels fetch'd over , and put on Board their Gallions when they were ready to receive them , without ever Landing them ? With what ease and expedition did Sir Iohn Narbrough , the last year , Carreen and Refit the Ships under his Command within the Mole ; where we had neither Hulk , nor any sort of Provision for that Service ? When I often heard him say , with great satisfaction , That he would undertake to Refit a Squadron in half the time , and with half the charge , that it could be done any where else out of England : and I think I do not give him more than his due , if I presume to say , he is as qualified for credit in that particular , as any man whatever of his Profession . How many Merchants Ships in peril by Distress of Weather have been reliev'd and preserv'd by the assistance they have receiv'd from hence ? I could also insist on the damages done on the French from this Place , during our War with them . Nor have the advantages been small arising from considerable quantities of English Merchandise , Manufactures , &c , dispos'd of hence into Barbary ; but , having an eye to may promise of writing you only a Letter , I shall in a word , as to this first head , only say , That Tanger may be justly reckon'd to have gon far towards the recompencing to the Government , the charge his Majesty has been at , in its preservation and improvement . And if while in its Infancy , when there could be no just regulation of the charge , nor the place fram'd and cultivated fully up to the uses and ends of the Government , we can demonstrably make such a Calculation ; what may be hop'd from it , when besides the large retrenchment it has already admitted in its charge to the King , we shall be able to demonstrate so many farther extraordinary Services it is capable of rendring the Crown , as I doubt not to prove in the following Section . Which is to shew wherein , and to what degree , Tanger is applicable to the ends and uses of the Government . I think I may challenge mankind to point me out , in the whole Globe of the Earth , a spot of ground so improvable of the honour and interest of the English Nation , as Tanger . What is it has rendered England so formidable , so rich , and so renown'd a Kingdom ; but the strength of our Navyes , and Universality of our Commerce ? For our Fleeces might grow till they Rot , and our Mines remain in the bowels of their Mother ; and our People rust into the Barbarity of their Ancestors , and our Nation become a prey to every aspiring Monarch ; did not this mighty Machin set all Heads , and Hands a-work , quicken our understandings , and polish our manners , and from an object otherwise of pity , or contempt , render us the greatest Pattern in the World , of the power of Industry , the Fountain of all the Blessings we enjoy : And because there are many various Wheels and Motions therein , why should not Tanger be esteem'd among the principal of those movements , which keep this vast Engin going ? First , in respect of Spain , in case of a War with that People ; he who knows any thing , is not ignorant that the dammages we sustain by such a War , are more through the Embargo of a free and open Commerce with them , so useful and profitable to this Nation , that it becomes a doubt , whether it be not of more account than one half of the Trade we have with all Europe besides ; I say , the mischief in such case will be more , by a suspention of our Commerce , than any great damage can arrive us by their hostilities : If so , then I undertake to say , That Tanger is able in a good degree , if not totally , to answer this great objection . For , by virtue of our vicinity with Spain , especially the five principal Ports of Sevil , Cadiz , St. Lucar , Port St. Mary's , and Malaga ; and by the convenience of a good Harbor here , which by the success of the Mole is now well nigh effected ; our Nation there , in case of a War , may remove , and settle their Factories here : Which , both for the safety of their Persons as well as Estates , they need not be invited to do ; having to my certain knowledge , sundry times been upon the point of taking that resolution like one man , by some jealousies they have had of mis-understandings likely to ensue , betwixt us and that People : And affairs being once so settled , the Spaniards themselves , as their occasions press them , will take care to be supply'd from hence ; as in the Instance I have given during the Plague of England . By this means , our Estates run no hazard of seizure or Confiscation . We shall be able to put off our Commodities at better rates ; and the King of Spain wholly depriv'd of his Customs : Tanger it self becomes a proportionable gainer by the bargain , and his Majesties Subjects rest under the protection of their own Country Laws and Government , and in the liberty of the exercise of their own Religion . Thus , as on the one hand Tanger renders a War with Spain , less burthensome to us , by so preserving the Commerce unbroken ; so by its advantagious Situation , and improvement to a good Port , it would prove so great a Thorn in their sides , by the incessant hostilities we should commit upon them , ( for it is not two hours Sail from Tanger to the Coast of Spain ) the hazard and obstruction of their West-India Trade , the ruining their Commerce one with another all along the Coast of Andaluzia , which would certainly ensue ; and the sundry other damages by the help of Tanger , too long to ennumerate , or not at present occuring to my observation : All this , I say , put together , seems to me to yield matter sufficient to furnish us with the highest sentiments of estimation for Tanger , though no other consideration were put into the Scale . For if this whole Theory , or Postulata be true , ( as a good deal is prov'd by matter of Fact , and the rest not to be disproved , but as time must try ; ) then I may undertake to say , that the Nation seems by Tanger to have gain'd this great point , which is , that if heretofore the reasons touching the importance of preserving our Commerce with Spain have for the most been found superiour to the motives ( though great ) which that People may , by their affronts and injuries , have given his Majesty of resentment ; those Arguments , I say , are by means of Tanger removed , and his Majesty in a better state of demanding satisfaction , or doing himself right ; or the Spaniard hereby become conscious of the disadvantage , deter'd from those provocations . And that they are apprehensive of the benefits thus accruing by our possession of Tanger , is every day visible from the pains they take to discourage its prosperity , by obstructing by all ways possible our supplies of whatever kind from thence ; especially of materials for carrying on the Mole , &c. Whereof they are in great fear : So that , if positive arguments in our Favour were less cogent , the bare opinion they have of the use may be made of Tanger in their prejudice , ought to beget in any reasonable man , who loves , and has any regard to the honour and welfare of his Country , proportionable wishes for its incouragement . But , leaving Spain , let us proceed to observe what may be of remark touching Tanger , with respect to France . The French Commerce with Spain , and their Interest in the Spanish Gallions and Flota , has been universally concluded equivalent to half the Nations of Europe beside ; and they have more business in , and about this Station , and frequent the Streights mouth with more shipping of one sort or another , than any two Nations in Christendom : From whence our Ships riding at Anchor , may weigh , or slip , and speak with all that pass in or out . Now what an awe will Tanger bear on such a People ; and what greater blessing can a Maritime Nation , as England is , so justly jealous of their Honour and Authority abroad , ask of God Almighty , than to be possessors of a Place productive of so many eminent Services , a place capable of yielding so many good Offices to our selves , and Friends , and so much annoyance to its most powerful Enemy ? This I mean , who in our Age has succeeded so far in its designs of Rivaling us , in the darling Priviledge and Prerogative of our Dominion upon the Sea ; and how far it behoves us to cherish the means that Providence affords , and Nature seems to mark out for our improvment , towards the attaining of so important an end , let every honest Englishman Judge . And from France , let us proceed to Holland . During the first Dutch War , Tanger was in its Infancy , the Mole of little benefit , nor were the Ministers then so much enlighten'd in its usefulness ; insomuch , that during that War , the Hollander ( especially towards the latter end of the War ) did with a small Squadron on Ships , scour the whole Mediterranean : And what with that , and the preferrence they then found in the Spanish Ports , they gain'd much upon us in those parts . But in the last War it was quite otherwise ; for upon the damage we did their Malaga Fleet , from Tanger , as I have already observed , and the care then taken to have Ships upon that Station , it is observable they scarce had any Trade within the Mediterranean after , during the War : For the Dutch are a frugal and wise People ; and when the charge of their Convoys grow in any degree burthensom , they chuse rather to suspend their Trade , than prosecute it with any extraordinary expence or hazard ; especially that of the Mediterranean . Now if Tanger can produce such effects in our Favour , in case of a War with Holland , as it has done , and may yet do in a much greater degree ; and if it can be in the like manner of use to the Dutch , in case of a War betwixt them and Spain , as it has been to France , during that War ; Then let us allow it an additional share in our praise and estimation , and cherish it in proportion to these farther benefits : And now for Algier . Algier is a Den of sturdy Thieves , form'd into a Body ; by which , after a Tumultuary sort , they Govern ; having the Grand Signior for their Protector , who supplies them with Native Turks for their Souldiery , which is the greatest part of their Militia : And they in acknowledgement , lend him their Ships when his Affairs require it . They are grown a rich and powerful People ; and by a long practice of Piracy become good Seamen ; and when prest by our Men of War , as of late we have experimented , they fight and defend themselves like brave men , inferiour I am perswaded to no people whatever . They have no Commerce , and so without any taste of the benefits of peace , whence their life becomes a continual practice of Robbery ; and like Beasts of the Desart , only forbear to worry , where by fear , not honesty , they are deter'd ; and yet when hunger pinches , and a good morsel lyes in their way , they will venture hard for their prey ; as may appear by the occasions given by them for this , and the last Wars . The Algierines , I say , having no Merchant ships , nor any Trade of their own with other Nations , know nothing of the motives Christian Princes generally have of War and Peace ; so that their Polity and Rule is , whom and how they may Rob and Plunder , with greatest impunity . Therefore with some Nations they will have no peace at all ; because they can dispoil them without hazard . With others , ( as our selves ) they will sometimes listen to proposals of peace ; but not as long as they can re-imburse themselves upon our Merchant-men , what they suffer by our Men of War. Now 't is worth ones while to consider how this Wild Beast may be tam'd , so pernicous to the Trade of the Kingdom ; and how far Tanger may lend a helping hand in the bringing it to pass . I have already given you an account of the advantage we have of Situation , and how improvable towards the obtaining Dominion in and about these Seas ; and of the damage the ships of Algier have already receiv'd on this Station , by the help of Tanger . The Algerines , above all others , when at peace with us , do infest these Seas ; this Station being seldom without some or other of them , cruizing in sight of the Port : Where they frequently come to an Anchor , and Water , and supply themselves with Necessaries , sell their Prizes , and reap great benefits by the Place . They have it also in their Instructions from the Government , to call here , and observe how the Mole advances , and the place thrives ; and I have been told by the Captains themselves , who protest , that nothing gives them so much dread , as the apprehension they have of the use we may make of Tanger against them . Insomuch , that when the Gally arriv'd that was presented his Majesty , the Algerines look'd upon themselves as half undone ; as the Captain of the Mary-gold , the last Turks prize , who was taken off of Tanger this War , assur'd me . Our Gally Frigats likewise gave them great awe , as they still do ; being a sort of Vessels which by the help of Tanger , may be much improv'd to their annoyance . And if his Majesty would please farther to order the building of Vessels of War proper and peculiar to this Service and these Seas , he would quickly see the good effect it would produce , in bringing that People to know themselves : For though some of our English Vessels sail as well as the Algerines , when clean ; yet such are yet but a few , and we must also sail a good deal better than they to do our business upon them . Nor is it less demonstrable to me than a Problem in Geometry , ( however it may seem not so much our present Subject ) that we may build Ships that shall in a manifold degree out-sail our best Sailors : These Ships need but be few , and of little charge , and should be always kept in these Seas , both in War and Peace . For'tis the occasion makes the Thief ; and a Coast or Place unguarded is neglected : What signifie the strongest Walls unmann'd ; or all the advantages of Nature , if Industry be wanting in their application ? Tanger well manag'd , may be rendred the greatest scourge to the Algierines in the World : and may afford them the best effects of Friendship . For if in time of War we can force them from this so beloved Station , and attack them or their Prizes bound in or out ; and in time of Peace ( which we cannot refuse them ) they can be admitted to make use of Tanger , and the Port , as their occasions require ; they may perform their Voyages in half the time , and with half the trouble of returning home , to refit and Victual . For these Foxes prey remote from their holes : and for one Prize they take in the Mediterranean , take ten in the wide Ocean . So that in their return homewards , if they can dispose of their purchase at better rates here , than they can have there , and can refit again cheaper ; What should discourage their embracing the advantage , which will be great to them , and proportionably so to us , by the sale of their Purchase amongst us , & c ? But , says an honest man , and a good Christian , this would be a scandal to Christendom . To which I reply , It is not thought so by the most Christian King ; nor must we think so , if we consider them a Government , qualified to Treat with Christian Princes , as we do : for do not we enter into Articles of Peace with them , which are formally agreed to , and mutually Ratified ? If so , how can we refuse them any thing , to which Friendship may give them a Title ? Now , if what I have observ'd , touching the Government of Algier , bear any weight ; then this must follow , that , upon conviction of the premises , they will always esteem Peace with England more Eligible than War , and no temptation whatsoever ( as heretofore ) can be believ'd will supersede Arguments of so much force as those we have noted . If so , then upon this single bottom , separate from any the foregoing remarks , we may build reason sufficient to fortifie my Position , for the cherishing and incouraging of this important Place by all means possible . For if Tanger shall appear so materially instrumental in preserving a perpetual Peace with Algier ; then hence alone the expense of keeping it is abundantly defray'd to the Government . For the charge of one Algier War , abstracted from the consideration of the spoils they commit upon our Commerce during such War ; I say , the Money expended for carrying on , and supporting of one such a War , being put into Bank , would at 6 per Cent. produce more than the Annual charge of maintaining the Place . If so , how may we then reckon of Tanger , consider'd conjunctive of all the foregoing Calculations of benefit that have been produc'd in its favour ? Then , as for Salli ; Salli is a Government depending on the Emperour of Fez and Morocco . They have but small Ships ; the Bar before the Port not affording depth for Vessels of above 10 or 12 foot draught of Water . All the Winter they lie still . For after the South-west winds have blown , there comes in so great a swell of a Sea upon the Bar , that it is not passable : So that this is a Summer Enemy , and a very poor one too , if we would be perswaded to have an eye to them , as we ought . For I 'll undertake , with three or four small Frigats , such as the Drake , Lark , &c. which on occasion of Neap Tides , when they ( I mean the Sally-men ) have not Water to go in and out , should clean and re-victual at Tanger , and so return upon that Station ; those inconsiderable Rogues would by such care be soon reduc'd to nothing : and yet , when left to their liberty , they do a great deal of mischief to small Merchant-men . The benefit arising by thus awing those People ( besides that to our small Craft ) will be , that it will in two or three year bring the greatest part of Trade of Barbary to Tanger ; as by reason of the Plague has been already made good : For while the Infection of those Countries kept people from Trading thither , all , or the greatest part of their Commerce , was by Tanger : and a War diligently manag'd by those small Frigats , may produce the same effect . Besides , it will teach them to value our Friendship , and help us to a better understanding with them at Tanger , and in all likelihood gain us a point of great advantage : which is , to Treat and conclude a Peace with them upon equal terms . For , to buy a Peace ( as hath been the practice hitherto ) is so mean and dishonourable , and gives them so much contempt for our Friendship , that it is not to be supported . Now if these ends are to be obtain'd , ( as I am truly convinc'd they may ) it will be wholly owing to Tanger . Which having said , I proceed to my third and last head . If Tanger be a Jewel of so many extraordinary virtues , and so peculiar to the use and service of the English Nation , 't were a great deal of pity it should adorn any Prince's Crown , but his who wears it : For , it is but inverting the Argument , and the Artillery is travers'd upon our selves , and all these Cordials become so many Corrosives . For though the bare loss , or want of these benefits , to a Nation of our Circumstances , would be misfortune enough ; yet , when out of this privation of good ( which is a consequential damage ) shall be propagated so many more and greater positive Evils to us , than its possession promises of service ( for such will be the consequence , if Tanger ( which God forbid ) should come into the possession of the French ) with what care and tenderness ought the Government to cherish it , and labour to secure it and the Nation , against such a hazard ? The Trade of England into the Mediterranean , is equal , if not exceeding all other Nations put together . Can any thing then challenge a greater share in our esteem , than the means which insure this mighty benefit to us ? Shall Princes War one upon another for the sake of a paltry Town , upon the pass of a simple River ; and shall not we think it worth our while to preserve a Place of this importance : so productive of good on the one hand , or evil on the other ? A place so improveable of the ambitious purposes of the French , that were it in their hands , it would wound us in so many tender places , that as we should be always groaning under the weight , so we should never wipe off the Imputation such a loss would fasten upon us . We are just now Alarm'd with the news of Tanger's being to be sold to the French. But we have a wise Prince , learned beyond his Predecessors in the interests and advantages of Navigation and Commerce , and a great promoter thereof : Nor is his Royal Highness , who has signaliz'd himself so much , to the Nations and his own glory , by his singular applications to the like study , so ill possess'd of the value of this Place , to concur in any deliberations of that kind . So that I reckon this Rumor but among the other Libels against the Government . How clamorous was our Nation upon the disposing of Dunkirk to the French , though the charge of keeping it was scarce supportable ; and in case of a War with that People hardlytenable ? Though the use of it was only in some degree privative of benefit to an Enemy in case of War , but of no positive profit to us in time of Peace ; and yet whensoever a Privateer or two sailing out of that Port , shal annoy us but never so little in time of War , the complaint is renewed , and that proceeding censur'd a fresh : How would that Minister then be absolved with the People , who should advise the parting with Tanger ; where our little finger would be more felt , than our loyns here ? But I have heard grave men say , Tanger is a great charge to the Nation . 'T is a charge , 't is true ; but I shew what it has already done towards the defraying it ; and to what an abundant degree it will hereafter come to discount the expence . A first rate Ship , in time of War , is as great a charge to the King , as Tanger is : And yet , did ever any body complain that our Ships were a burthen , or our Fleets too numerous , when there was occasion for their Service ? Does not Tanger live principally upon the growth and product of England ; and the money , for the most part , circulate among our selves ? Is the King's Treasure mis-employ'd there ? Don't we see every day the place improve ; the Mole in a good forwardness ? Which expence too will soon be at an end . Are there not many useful provisions made , for the encourageing of Shipping and Commerce ? And are we not sensible of it , by the increase and improvement thereof ? For I remember the time , when a Boat from Spain would draw down half the Town to the Water-side ; whereas now a Squadron of Ships scarce excites that curiosity . Legorn , now a famous Port , and Scale of Trade , was in this Duke of Florence's Grandfather's time a poor Fisher Town . Maturity is the Child of Time ; and though God Almighty may blast the best form'd purposes ; yet nothing , humanly speaking , can prevent our fruition of the great benefits I have enumerated , if we but apply the means ; which in a few words are these . To prosecute vigorously the works of the Mole ; which in two or three years , may render it a noble and safe Port. To fortifie the Town to the Landward ; Which work should go hand in hand with the Mole ; lest when it shall appear worth a Conquest , our weakness should betray us . To have a Garrison consisting of two thousand Foot , in two Regiments , and three hundred Horse ; to be well and duly paid , and to be recruited once in three or four years , by draughts out of the Guards : By which means we should always have a strong , orderly , and well-disciplin'd Souldiery ; and not vagabonds , and raw , miserable , shiftless wretches , such as rais'd men for the most part prove ; whereof scarce the one half survive their seasoning . The punctuality of relieving the Garrison ( as has been of late resolv'd ) will also keep them in heart , chearful in their Duty , and not put them upon such desperate courses , as many of them in melancholly drunken fits have taken , by running to the Moors ; where , to the scandal of our Religion , they either turn Renegades , or remain in perpetual slavery . The health of the Garrison will also by this practice be preserv'd ; for the Souldiers diet being salt meat , disposes them in two or three years to inveterate ill habits of body , Obstructions , Scurvies , Fluxes , &c. Whereof by reason of returning to the same diet again , when a little mended by the care of the Physician , they relapse ; and nothing but removing them to a better can recover them . By this course I say , Tanger would be the desirablest place for a Souldier in the World , where they neither feel hunger , or cold , nor excess of heat ; the duty easie , unless now and then , when the Garrison is thin of men : Where an industrious man can never want work , and is no where better rewarded : In brief , 't is a place that , instead of a Sepulcher as some call it , will by this method become a Nursery of brave men ; where , if they dye in the Field , as some now and then do , they have their reward in Heaven : If they survive to see their Country ; they will be cherish'd and consider'd at home , as men of honour and merit , who have drawn their Swords , and serv'd their King and Country , against the Enemies of our Religion , and of God himself . The use of Horse is of so great importance , to the safety and tranquility of the Place , that I take it for granted we shall never be free from the insults of the Moors , till our Horse shall be augmented to the aforesaid number . The strength of all the Christian Garrisons upon this Coast , principally consists in Horse : Which example alone might suffice for our instruction ; for we are but of yesterday ; and their practice the result of some Ages of experience , which is the best guide . This Town was once preserv'd , or rather recover'd , by the bravery and opportune Service of the Horse ; for the Castle being surpris'd in the Night by the Enemies privately getting in over a low and defective part of the Wall , the Horse taking the Alarm in the Town , mounted , and before they could get possession of the draw-bridge , got in , attack'd , and defeated them ; who had otherwise demonstrably remain'd with Victory . I am bold also to say , and it is the Opinion of others who were upon the Place , that had our Horse , the day the Earl of Tiviot was lost , perform'd their Duty ; that great Man , and the major part of those with him , had escap'd the Fatal slaughter . With such a strength of Horse as this I propose ; we shall not be only able to perform with ease what is yet wanting for the fortifying and Securing the ground we have gain'd ; but deprive the Enemy of the profit they make by the Tillage and Pasture of the Country round about us : For they will be necessitated either to keep an Army constantly in the Field , which we know they cannot ; to lose the benefit and fruits of one of the sertilest spots of Ground in the World : or allot us such Conditions , as shall render us in a safe , easie , and plentiful Estate ; which I take assurance to affirm we shall , in such case , easily obtain . As the benefits we shall reap by such a number of Horse , prudently manag'd , will be very great ; so the hardships we shall suffer without them will be insuperable : For the ground about Tanger being uneven , broken , and proper for Ambushes ; our Foot will never be able to do any thing to the purpose , but in Conjunction of a proportionable number of Horse , to discover and clear the ground , relieve and succour them when press'd , and secure their retreat when out-number'd and forc'd to retire . Our Fortifications also ; relieving our Forts , and many other eminent Services , will be but very imperfectly perform'd without the assistance of a good body of Horse . The fruits of this care and charge will be reap'd , in the benefits resulting by the Trade and Commerce it will beget and establish here ; for upon a secure prospect of safety to Goods and Merchandise , both by Sea and Land , and exemption from publick Charges and Duties , and a general concurrence of all circumstances of ease and expedition in Importing and Exporting of goods , will in time render Tanger the general Magazine of all the Merchandise from the Levant appointed for the Trade of the Spanish Indies , as it will of our Northern Commodities of greatest value : For the exorbitant , or rather insupportable Duties upon Goods in Spain , puts all People upon By-ways , and secret hazardous practices , in the Shipping and disposing of their Commodities ; and while Tanger can yield so good incouragement , considered with the benefits of its vicinity with Spain , all People will covet to lodge their Estates there , where the whole charge ( besides their being out of the reach of danger of seizure ) of Register Money , which is our quarter per Cent. there Collected ; Commission ; Porterage ; Freight to Cadiz , &c will not amount to the charge of half Freight , Guard-money , National Duties , and Ware-house room for two Months . But there occurs one great and dangerous impediment to the establishing this benefit at Tanger ; and that is the disputes that may arise , betwixt the English Consuls in the Spanish Ports , and such as shall so Transport Goods from Tanger , upon which they may expect a benefit : but this must be forbidden by all means possible , by the strictest significations of his Majesties pleasure in that behalf to his respective Consuls upon the Coast ; for there are so many inconveniencies accompanying such a permission , as would quite destroy all hopes of success in this affair : and indeed 't is to be fear'd this very objection , or rather imposition , has already administred no small discouragement . But as the interest of private men must submit and give place to publick Utility ; so in case it appear that this proceeding shall in any considerable degree affect the Consuls in the respective profits and emoluments of their Office , it may be recompenc'd to them some other way : But I do humbly propose it , as fundamental and irrevocable , that no Consul whatsoever of the English Nation , be permitted to exact or demand a peny for any Goods exported from Tanger , to any of the Spanish Ports ; but that a bare Certificate from the Government there , of such Goods Shipt either in English or Forreign Vessels , shall serve as an ample acquitment , and intitle them to exemption from all scrutinies and demands of the Consuls of any kind whatsoever . It is also humbly propos'd , that all Ships and Vessels of War , as shall by appointment attend the Garrison and Port of Tanger , may have special leave and permission from the Lord High Admiral of England , to receive on Board , and Transport such Goods to Cadiz , or any where in the Neighborhood , as the Merchants shall have occasion to imbark ; but not unless such Ship or Vessel be bound to such and such a Place for his Majesty's service : By this means , Merchandise will go safer and cheaper , obtain quicker dispatch ; and the Trader consequently another good incouragement to prosecute this way of Commerce . It is farther humbly propos'd , that all Convoys outward bound which touch not at Cadiz , as the Turky Ships , &c. may have order to call at Tanger ; as also all such as are homeward bound : which being once become an established practice ; People , as well Foreigners , and others , will lodge their Money there , to be imbark'd for Turkey , &c. And from the Levant , Merchants will load their Commodities design'd for Cadiz , or the Spanish Indies , in English Bottoms , to be deposited in Tanger , from whence they may require them as their affairs shall govern : By which means our Shipping also will be much incourag'd . This I urge not but with submission to the sence of the Turky Company , who are the fittest Judges how far such a practice may Influence their Trade . And thus much touching Trade in general , with respect to Tanger . There is no Position , as I have observ'd , that bears more of the evidence of a Demonstration , than that of the reduceableness , and extirpation ( by the help of Tanger ) of the Piracy of Salli , and all the Coast of Barbary : which , besides the main benefit of relieving the general Commerce , will bring as a consequence the greatest part of that Trade to Tanger . For those small Frigats as shall be employ'd against Salli , ( with whom it is presum'd we are never to have a Peace , upon no Consideration whatsoever ) shall have it in their Instructions ( as the French proceeded during their War with Tunis ) to obstruct all Commerce with that People , but by way of Tanger ; which may be done without any great offence , by compelling such as they find Trading upon the Coast to go to Tanger , there to unload , in order to the searching after Contra band Goods ; where , if they are found guilty , as most Traders thither are , the forfeiture of their Goods , and the trouble that in such case will be given them , will be sure to deter them from a second attempt : if they are innocent , the vexation of being carry'd out of their way , their detention at Tanger , the incident charge , expence of time , hazard , and one incumbrance or another , will incline them either to forbear Trading with Barbary at all , or by way of Tanger ; where they will not fail of incouragement ; for by thus obstructing the Trade of Salli , the Moors pinch'd through the want of our Commodities , will make their next recourse to Tanger , where finding good reception and dispatch , the Commodities of the Country which were wont to be carry'd to Salli , having no vent there , will fail ; and the stream of Commerce of course be diverted hither : and when once the road is beaten , it will not be easily broken . This too , as it brings the Moors to seek us , will consequently draw such as were wont to Trade to Salli , to Tanger . But it must be the care of the Goverment here , to discourage to the utmost the residence of English Factories any where upon the Coast , but at Tanger : by which means mens persons and Estates are secure against the insolence and Caprice of that Barbarous People ; who , upon trivial and unjust pretences , make seizure of all ; whereof we have recent Instances , the effect whereof we yet feel , and we at Tanger often become as it were Hostages , and compell'd ( neither to the praise of our Honour , or Politicks ) to make such Concessions as are both dangerous and scandalous , and all out of a tenderness to a stubborn , opinionative People , who like some Animals , rather than make a step out of their own way , will go over a House . And here I may not omit to observe , that , as generous a People as we are , there are yet among us a sort of Men of the most degenerate abandon'd Principles , who continue that sordid , or rather impious practice of supplying these Infidels with Powder , Guns , and all sorts of Warlike Stores , even while we are in actual War with them both by Sea and Land ; against not only the Law of Nations , but even Humanity it self : which guilty , scandalous , and unchristian proceeding I trust to see punish'd , as it deserves ; and if our Laws prove defective , in that particular , our Legislators may be humbly mov'd to find expedients in this behalf . The next useful consideration towards the improvement of the Place , is to incourage , by all means possible , the Magistracy and Civil Government ; and this will invite People of Substance to settle and abide here : the reputation of our Justice and Probity , will be a means of supplying us with a greater number of able and honest Citizens ; and those will support the honour of our Courts , and maintain the dignity of a Corporation . This is very essential to the establishment of new beginners , as we are ; and , of all points , the hardest to compass . In the next place , it is my humble opinion , that his Majesty might be prevail'd with to let Leases to the Inhabitants , for such a term of years as might incourage them to rebuild their dwellings , which are much decay'd , and will fall to the ground , unless some such provision be made to prevent it : and this , in time , will also much increase the Publick Revenue . I do farthermore humbly observe , that the want of a positive Decision , touching the Freedom of the Port , has occasion'd much contention and inconvenience amongst us ; and great hurt to the Place : For unless it be understood to be a free Port , as Legorn , Marsellea , &c. which Places ought to be our Rule and Example in that particular ; we shall be rather a Trap and a Snare to People , than an incouragement and protection . For many an honest Man's misfortunes have reduc'd him to Poverty ; and when invited hither , by a notion of that freedom and Liberty which other Ports , bearing that Title , yield to such as put themselves under their Protection , in hopes of a peaceable application to the repairing their broken Fortunes , they shall be here vext and molested with Suits & Imprisonments ; People will shun us , as an infected Place : and that great benefit which other Ports of this sort reap , and is so essential to the growth and prosperity of this , is forfeited . I would not here be understood to make Tanger a Den of Thieves , where Barataria , and other infamous practices of ill men , should have incouragement ; but humbly propose only , that our Superiours would please to inform themselves , wherein those Ports which are call'd Free differ from others , and what those exemptions and Priviledges are which give them that Name ; and from thence form and establish such a Constitution , as may for ever put us out of pain : for this Constructive , or rather equivocal Freedom , as I may call it , which we have hitherto been under , can never turn the Place to account . I might farther multiply instances , wherein , in time , by the Wisdom and Favour of Authority , and the care and industry of the People , this Place may be render'd productive of sundry profitable improvements , touching Trade , Manufactures , Fisheries of Tunny , Anchovas , &c. which in the end would support the Government : But I here put an end to your trouble , summing up all in this short Animadversion . That Tanger , like the usefullest Elements , as it may be made an admirable Servant ; so it may be render'd a severe Master . 'T is an outwork of the Nation , which you know is a principal strength of a Fortress ; 't is a safe Port , a Magazine , a Scale of Trade , and a Community of brave and loyal Men , where there is no appearance of Faction against either Church or State. 'T is a Place improveable to the utmost degree of the Interest and Honour of the English Nation , of Vexation and Damage to our Enemies , and Service to our Friends ; and consequently of influencing our Treaties and Alliances , with the most powerful of our Neighbours . I have often heard the Earl of Sandwich observe all this , and more of Tanger ; with whom it had so superlative an esteem , that he was wont to say , If it could be Wall'd and Fortifi'd with Brass , it would repay the charge : and I doubt not , if our misfortunes or Sins do not prevent it , but Posterity , in the Annals of our History , shall read the Acquisition and Improvement of Tanger among the Felicities of his Majesty's Reign ; whom God Almighty prosper , and send us a happy meeting : which is the constant Prayer of Honoured Sir , Tanger Octob. 20. 1679. Your most humble and faithful Servant . FINIS .