and négociation, during which time the men were placed
in confinement, that they were ultimately liberated and
restored to the Christian world. D.
Note 56, p. 76.
1 was informed by the man who brought Adams to
Mogadore, that he had passed through the country called
Bled Cidi Heshem, on his return ; having gone for the
purpose of purchasing another of the Charles's crew,
(Martin Clark, a black man,) who was in slavery there, in
which he could not then succeed.
The country is just on the southern confines of the
■Emperor’s dominions. It is a small independent state ol
Shilluh, and (as described by Adams) lies in lower Suse. The
Chief here mentioned, the Cid Heshem, who has successfully
resisted the endeavours of his neighbours to subvert
his government, is the descendant of Cidi Hamet a Moussa,
a reputed modern Saint, who during his life was highly
venerated for his justice and piety, and whose tomb, since
his death, has been resorted to by religious Mooselmin
from many parts of South Barbary and the Desert. This
chief has lately opened an extensive trade with Soudan, for
gums, cottons, and ostrich feathers, ivory, gold-dust, and
slaves, which are sold by his agents at the great annual
market of Hamet a Moussa. The traders from Southern
Barbary resort to this market in great numbers; and I
have heard it asserted that they can there purchase, for
money, the produce of Soudan, to more advantage than
they can themselves import it, without taking into account
the risks and fatigues of the journey; insomuch that but
for the important object of disposing of their own commodities
in barter, in the Douars of the Desert and the
markets, of Soudan, I apprehend that very few of the
native traders of Barbary would continue to cross the
Desert.,
It appears by the account which Adams subsequently
gives of this market, that he must have been there; and
the time of his journey corresponds with the season when
it is held: but I think he must have committed an error
in placing it more than a day's journey from the residence
of the Cid Heshem | as the sanctuary and market of Cidi
Hamet a Moussa are within the small territory of this Chief,
who himself presides during the market days, to preserve
order and tranquillity.
The inhabitants of this district, as I have stated before,
are Shilluh; who are a distinct race from the Arabs, and
have different dress, customs, and language.. They live in
houses built of stone, which are generally situated on