productions referred to. We hope that the author will continue to adorn our columns with the offspring of his gifted muse. The author of "Lines on a Billet from an Early Friend," will always be a welcome guest at our literary table. We know him as a gentleman of fine taste and varied endowments. The "Cemetery" is from the pen of a young Philadelphian of fine talents. He need not at any time apprehend exclusion from our columns.

pious materials which every where abound in our own magnificent country.

For a similar reason, our friend from Caroline must excuse us for declining to insert his sketches. We have no "dilapidated castles," nor any "last heirs of Ardendale," in our plain republican land.

To our highly respected correspondent, who addressed a letter to the publisher in June last, from Prince Edward, we take this opportunity to say, that our co

Neither can we insert in our pages (though we should like to oblige our Essex correspondent,) any thing which bears the slightest resemblance to a fairy tale. We If we have chosen to speak last of the author of prefer treading upon earthly ground, and dealing with "Musings," it is not because he is least in our estima-mortal personages. tion. On the contrary, we sincerely esteem him as among the favored few, to whom it is given,--if they themselves will it,-to reach the highest honors, and the most enduring rewards, in the empire of poesy.lumns shall be freely open to discussions in behalf of The beautiful and graceful picture of Venice, present- the interests of education. We conceive that the cause ed in our present number,-of Venice despoiled of her of literature is intimately connected with it; and we ancient glory-yet still glorious in ruin,--will command, have it in contemplation to present ere long, to the pubif we mistake not, general admiration. Successful as lic, some candid views, in regard to the policy here tothe author always is, in his light and fugitive pieces, he fore pursued in the Councils of our State, on this intergives evidence of a power to grasp the highest themes, esting subject. We are enemies to every system foundand to sport with familiar case in the least accessible ed upon favoritism and monopoly; and we are advoregions of fancy. Why does he not seize the lyre at cates for the equal application of those pecuniary reonce, and pour forth a song which shall add to his sources which the bounty of the state has dedicated to country's honor, and insure for himself a chaplet of re- the cause of education. We have no idea that the Linown? Why does he not at once take rank with the|terary Fund, the common property of us all, ought to HALLECKS, the BRYANTS and PERCIVALS, of a colder | be so managed as to defeat the purposes of its foundclime? He is every way qualified to do it.

To our numerous correspondents and contributors, whose favors have not yet appeared in print,--we owe our acknowledgments, and in some instances an apology. Our space is exceedingly disproportioned to the quantity of matter which we have on hand; and, of course, we are driven to the painful, and rather invidious task of selection. We have many articles actually in type, which we are necessarily obliged to exclude from the present number. Among them may be enumerated "A Scene in Genoa, by an American Tourist," the "Grave Seekers," and other fine specimens of poetry. The "Reporter's Story, or the Importance of a Syllable," ," "The Cottage in the Glen,”—the poems from Louisa and Pittsylvania, and from various other quarters, shall all receive the earliest possible attention. The high claims of our correspondents in Mobile and Tuscaloosa in the state of Alabama, shall also be attended to; and, we hope that others in distant states, will not deem themselves slighted if not now particularly enumerated.

The "Eulogy on Lafayette," transmitted from France, and handed over to us by a friend, shall appear in the next number.

ers; in other words, that it should be so wrested from the original design of its creation, as to benefit only two classes of society--the highest and the lowest,—— the extremes of wealth and indigence,—whilst the great mass of the community are excluded from all advantages to be derived from it. This system may suit particular individuals, and may subserve particular ends; but it is at war with the best interests of the state, and ought to be exposed, so far as the honorable weapons of truth and justice shall be able to expose it.

The suggestions of our highly intelligent friend from South Carolina, who we presume is a temporary resident in one of the northern states, are entitled to much respect and consideration. We quote the following just sentiments from his letter:

"American literature, although increasing, is still at an immense distance in rear of that of England, and Germany and France. And why? It is owing entirely to the divided attention of our literary characters. However profound and capacious their minds-and however great their powers of thought, and brilliant and forcible those of expression, it is impossible for them to succeed, at the same time, in every department of suit, when his mind is applied to a dozen. Let him bend his faknowledge. No man can distinguish himself in any one purculties upon a single object; and with industry and perseverance, he will assuredly secure its attainment. Among us, we have no professed students, whose lives are devoted to the acquisition into the absorbing pursuits of politics; and together with proand development of learning. All men of talents rush early viding the means of support, continue in them for life. So long as this is the case, it cannot be expected of us to present eminent men, in any way calculated to compete with those of the Old World.

"It would be a useful and an ennobling task for some one,

an expose of the various causes for the low ebb at which our

We have read with pleasure, the love tale composed by an accomplished young lady in one of the upper counties; and, whilst we do not hesitate to render a just tribute to the delicacy of sentiment and glowing fancy which distinguish her pages, candor compels us to urge one objection, which we fear is insurmountable. The story is wrought up with materials derived from English character and manners; and, we have too many thousands of similar fictions issuing from the British press, to authorize the belief that another of the We should be much gratified if some one of our many same class will be interesting to an American reader. We intelligent subscribers would furnish us an essay upon should like to see our own writers confine their efforts this interesting subject. None would be more likely to to native subjects-to throw aside the trammels of fo- present it, in some of its strongest lights, than the wrireign reading, and to select their themes from the co-ter of the letter from which we have quoted.

well qualified to examine the subject in all its bearings, to offer national literature now stands, and the means by which they might be subverted.”

VOL. I.]

RICHMOND, NOVEMBER 1834.

T. W. WHITE, PRINTER AND PROPRIETOR.

[No. 3.

FIVE DOLLARS PER ANNUM.

The Publisher and Proprietor, has made such ar- rect statement of facts, and almost always impossible rangements for the management of the Editorial Depart-to arrive at motives; persons therefore who estimate ment, as he hopes will be satisfactory to his patrons. If the propriety of labor, by calculating the value of its the circulation of the "Messenger" continues to increase, produce, would easily be diverted from such researches, he has it in contemplation not only to secure regular able although they might not object to profit by their results. contributions, but also to embellish some of his monthly I have endeavored to arrange into a regular series, the numbers with handsome lithographic drawings and en- facts thus collected, passing lightly over those which are gravings; but the cost cannot be prudently incurred the most generally known, and introducing occasionally without an enlargement of his list. He therefore hopes a few observations, which will not I hope be considered that such of his friends as feel an interest in the successful obtrusive. Yet I fear that I shall not succeed in comprosecution of this first serious attempt to establish a lite-municating any interest to the pages of your periodical; rary periodical south of the Potomac, will aid him in ex- the details of selfish intrigue, murder and treachery, tending its circulation--as the best means of ensuring its never relieved by incidents springing from generous continuance and utility. If each of his subscribers would motives, which constitute the history of the north Afrionly procure an additional one, the work would not only can nations, are, I must confess, more likely to excite be firmly established but greatly increased in value. The disgust than pleasurable emotions; still they exhibit Publisher avails himself of this opportunity to inform man as he is, without the light of civilization, or the the correspondent of the Portland Advertiser that the restraints of moral duty; and may serve to attach us latter is mistaken in respect to the place of his nativity. still more strongly to those social and political instituThe Publisher did once reside in the city of Boston, tions, without which a similar state of things might and can freely bear testimony to the high character, exist among ourselves. the generous feelings and the noble accomplishments R. G. of its citizens-but he was only a sojourner among them; having been born, and for the most part reared in the Ancient Dominion. If he were not a full blooded Tuckahoe Virginian, he would like to be a Bostonian. All communications of every kind must be addressed to T. W. White, Publisher and Proprietor.

The issuing of the present number has been

delayed in consequence of the change to a monthly instead of a semi-monthly publication. The Publisher hopes that the change will be agreeable to his patrons. He is firmly persuaded of its expediency in various

spects.

For the Southern Literary Messenger.
SKETCHES OF THE HISTORY

I am, sir, &c.

THE Countries lying on the southern shore of the Mediterranean, and usually denominated the Barbary States, have for many ages been almost forgotten by the christian world, or only remembered as the abode of pirates and ruffians. The maritime powers of Eu

rope seem however at length to have recollected, that

at a short distance from them, are territories of great extent and fertility, capable of producing most of the articles now obtained, by means of long and dangerous re-voyages, from the East and West Indies, and offering every facility for commercial intercourse, with the countless nations inhabiting the vast continent of Africa. These territories are, it is true, already inhabited by people living under acknowledged governments; but a continued course of misconduct, which experience has shewn to be incorrigible, has caused them to be regarded as completely out of the pale of civilization; and if they retain their independence much longer, it will be rather from jealousy among their powerful neighbors than from any respect for their claims to nationality. The French have already set the example, by the

And Present Condition of Tripoli, with some accounts of the other Barbary States.

No. L

Washington City, November, 1834. AGREEABLY to my promise, I send you the sheets containing Sketches of the History and present condition of Tripoli, with some account of the other States of Bar-conquest of the principal places on the coast of Algiers, bary which may perhaps be found worthy of insertion and although they have as yet penetrated but a short in the "SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER." They are distance into the interior, there can be no doubt that the fruits of researches made for my amusement, into steady and well directed efforts, such as they are now the history of those countries, and to which I was led pursuing, must eventually secure to them the possession by information accidentally obtained respecting the pre-of a large and valuable tract. The British have indeed sent condition of affairs in Tripoli. protested strongly against the retention of these conThe north of Africa has so long remained in compa-quests, but never, that we have heard, on the grounds rative obscurity, exercising little or no influence in the grand game of national contests, which forms the subject of our most interesting modern histories, that works relating to it are few in number, and generally bear unequivocal marks of the ignorance or prejudice of the writers. For this reason, it is difficult to obtain a corVOL. I.-9

of injustice to the vanquished party.

Tunis, the next in power as in situation to Algiers, would be even a more important acquisition in a political or commercial point of view, than Algiers; but it would not probably be reduced without an immense expenditure of blood and treasure; for its resources are

comparatively great, and its government efficient and well organised. Besides which, it has not of late afforded any cause for dissatisfaction, having yielded with a good grace to the necessity of abandoning piracy, and evinced a disposition to seek for wealth, by the sure: means of industry and commerce.

Tripoli, the other and least important of the States of Barbary, had, until lately, pursued a course similar to that of Tunis, and its condition was highly prosperous; it was in fact the first to desist from piratical cruises, for which the world is indebted in a great measure to the efforts of the United States, during the years 1803 and 4. But dissensions in the family of the sovereign have at length produced a civil war, in which the foreign residents suffer as well as the natives; and thus have motives, at least specious, for foreign interference, been given to the two powers which divide between them the empire of the Mediterranean. The French, as usual, took the lead, by sending a squadron to Tripoli, which in 1828 dictated the terms of the redress to be made to their citizens; and they have since that period, by the aid given indirectly to one of the contending parties, obtained a degree of ascendancy which has excited the jealousy of Great Britain.

These circumstances induced inquiries into the present condition of Tripoli, which naturally led to others respecting its past history and that of the neighboring states; and the results being considered interesting, have been thrown together in the following form.

customed to the peculiar difficulties and dangers of the desert; and that the Arabs alone, a people bred among trackless wastes of sand, ventured to invade it without assistance from the sea. Indeed the little that is known of the geology of northern Africa, encourages the supposition that at some past period this country was encircled by water; and ingenious attempts have been made to prove that it was in reality the famed island of Atlantis, which was vainly sought by the ancient navigators in the ocean beyond the Pillars of Hercules.

The climate and soil of these countries are various, as may be suspected from their situation and the inequalities of their surface. Of the interior we know but little, and deductions from facts must supply the place of observation. On some of the mountains the snow remains during nearly the whole year, while the valleys and plains have yielded sugar, coffee and other productions, which require regular and intense heat. Grain is raised abundantly in the west, and the olives, grapes and figs of Barbary have been celebrated at all times. Of its general fertility, the immense population which it formerly supported is a sufficient evidence, while the athletic forms of the inhabitants prove its salubrity. But few rivers flow from the interior into the sea, and the largest streams are said to proceed from the southern sides of the mountains, whence they are discharged into lakes or dispersed in the sand.

The coasts, as already observed, are precipitous and dangerous, particularly in autumn, during the prevalence of northerly winds; they are however free from shoals and other hidden difficulties, and have many ports which are safe and easy of access, while others might be rendered so by art. It is likewise certain, that many of the existing obstacles to the navigation would disappear, if a proper survey were made, and lighthouses were esta

very defective, and no provisions whatever are made by the governments of the country; this, however, there is reason to believe, will ere long be corrected.

The north-western part of the African continent is traversed by a lofty and extensive mountain range, which is known to us by its classic name of ATLAS. On the northern and western sides, these ridges extend to the sea, forming by their projections numerous capes and promontories, which have been the dread of navi-blished where requisite; for the charts now in use are gators in every age. On the south, they in many places disappear as abruptly in the great ocean of sand called Zahara, or the Desert, which stretches across the continent, from the Atlantic to the valley of the Nile, and the shores of the Mediterranean; the descent is, however, generally gradual, leaving tracts of productive soil between the steeps and the desert; these tracts, though not adapted for the growth of grain, are so high-desert varies considerably, and is no where correctly ly favorable to the Palm, that they are known by the name of Bilad-oul-jerrid, or the Country of Dates.

The mountains are highest and most continuous in the west; towards the east they become gradually lower, and there are many breaks in the chain, through which the sand makes its way from the desert; at length they disappear entirely beyond the great bend which the coast of the Mediterranean makes to the southward near Tripoli; and the sand having no barrier to check its advances, is rolled by the prevailing southerly winds to the shores of the sea.

The superficial extent of Barbary cannot be as yet calculated; we know that it has coasts of five or six hundred miles on the Atlantic, and of about fifteen hundred on the Mediterranean; but the breadth between the sea and the

laid down. It is probably greatest in the vicinity of the Atlantic and in Tunis, where it may be one hundred and fifty miles; in Algiers, Shaler considers it generally to be about sixty miles; but Tripoli is merely a narrow strip of soil, on the Mediterranean, in many places traversed by rocky spurs from the mountains, and tracts of sand from the desert.

The materials for the early history of this country are very imperfect; we possess no works of ancient native writers, and the accounts from which all our information must be drawn, appear in the form of episode, Thus bounded and cut off from other habitable coun- in those of Greek and Roman historians. It seems to tries by sea and by sand, the region of the Atlas may have been originally inhabited by fierce and intractable be considered as one vast island; and these circumstan- tribes, of which those most advanced in civilization, had ces of its situation should ever be borne in mind, in only reached the pastoral state. Herodotus gives us moral or political speculations concerning it. Hence it the names of many of these tribes, which it is now usewas, that civilization did not gradually overspread it less to enumerate; those of the eastern part were comfrom the east, and that it could only be colonized by prehended by the Greeks under the general name of maritime powers; that neither the Egyptians, the Per-Nomades, or wanderers, which, unknown among themsians, nor the Macedonians effected its conquest, as selves, was afterwards converted by the Romans into they neither possessed adequate fleets, nor troops ac- Numidians, and became their distinctive national appel

lation; the Mauri occupied the western part, and this find a safe retreat in the land of dates behind; they were term, (in English, Moors,) is now applied by Europeans moreover valuable as soldiers, and as carriers across the to all the natives of Barbary. desert. The other Phoenician colonies, though many of

The enterprising Greeks and Phoenicians did not allow them were never subject to Carthage, yet all acknowthe advantages offered by northern Africa to be neglect-ledged her as the head of their league, and she relied ed, and they established colonies on its coast, which upon their support, in case of invasion from abroad. attained a high degree of prosperity. The Greeks made But they too were to be reduced, and gradually incortheir settlements on the sterile shore now forming the porated into the Carthaginian empire; things were raeastern part of Tripoli, and lying immediately south of pidly advancing towards this consummation when CarPeloponnesus, where the Mediterranean forms a gulf thage fell. anciently called the Great Syrtis. As the surrounding country is by no means productive, these colonies could only have been supported by trade with the interior of Africa; and were probably the resort of caravans bringing gold, gums, spices, ivory and other precious articles, to be exchanged for the manufactures of Greece and Asia. Such a traffic, we know from the accounts of late travellers, is still carried on from Tripoli; and the part of the desert lying south of it is better adapted than any other for that purpose, on account of the many oases, or islands of cultivable soil, which are scattered through it, offering rest, and a supply of food and water to the caravans while on their march. By these means, the Greek cities acquired great wealth, and became the seats of luxury, refinement and science; and stupendous ruins, the haunt of the jackal and hyæna, still remain to attest the former splendor of Cyrene and Apollonia.

The more adventurous Phoenicians made their settlements farther westward, in the fertile region now composing the states of Algiers, Tunis and a small part of Tripoli; they flourished even more than those of the Greeks, and became the principal seats of commerce in the western Mediterranean. Of many of these colonies, history has preserved to us the names, and nothing more; one of them, however, far outshone the rest, and its struggle for supremacy with Rome, forms the subject of one of the most interesting portions of ancient history. Of Carthage, perhaps it might be as Sallust conceived, “melius silere quam parum dicere," better to say nothing, than only a little; yet a few remarks on its political system and the results of that system, will serve to illustrate the condition of northern Africa during this early period.

The situation of this celebrated city near the narrow streight which separates Sicily from Africa, was admirably adapted for commerce with either division of the Mediterranean; its rivals, Agrigentum and Syracuse, possessed indeed the same advantages of site; but Carthage, besides a soil equally fertile, had the superiority in her intercourse with the central parts of the continent. Of her constitution we know too little to be able to judge what share her government may have had in her advancement; there is every probability, however, that wealth had great influence in her councils, and that its acquisition was at first the great end of individual and national enterprise. The first object of her statesmen seems to have been, to extend her dominion over the territory at home; this was attempted by means of colonies judiciously placed, which by amalgamation with the native tribes, and by the example of the advantages to be derived from fixed habits, and a respect for rights to landed property, were gradually subduing and civilizing the rude aboriginals; these could not from their habits be easily extirpated, as they might retire to the mountains, or if there pressed,

The other grand object of their policy was the subjection of the whole country surrounding the western half of the Mediterranean, which was to be carried on by the quiet and sure means of trading colonies, established at convenient places on the coast. Thus, was the African shore to the streights of Gibraltar, that of Spain, the south of Gaul and the neighboring islands, dotted with colonies from Carthage, each of which had a territory behind, constantly increasing in extent. To support these establishments fleets were necessary, which could be easily manned by a nation having so extensive a trade by sea, while the native tribes of the interior furnished the hardiest soldiers.

Yet with all this apparent strength, the feet of the Carthaginian colossus were of clay; the wealth which enabled her to carry on this system made offices venal, narrowed the minds of her citizens and debased their character, while it excited the cupidity of her neighbors. Mercenary troops she could hire, and was sure of their fidelity while she paid them punctually; and with such, a general who should succeed in gaining their confidence, might effect immense results; but a succession of generals capable of doing this was not to be expected; and a single defeat was likely to be attended by depression and disorganization. She had, comparatively speaking, but few citizens in her armies; but few persons who could be urged by patriotism or interest in the public glory; and without such a class, no nation can long sustain itself against extraordinary difficulties. These defects would have ceased in time, when her possessions at home had been consolidated, and the other cities had been reduced under her government; but she was not destined to arrive at this point.

The prosperity of the north African nations, did not fail to excite the jealousy and cupidity of surrounding powers, and accordingly we find that all the great conquerors of the East formed plans for their subjection. The Persians after conquering Egypt sent an army which took and plundered Cyrene, but retired without proceeding farther. But another project was formed against their independence by a conqueror the most sagacious and successful who has ever yet appeared. Among the commentaries left by Alexander of Macedon, as recorded by Diodorus Siculus, (Book xviii. Chap. 1.) was found a project for the "invasion and subjection of the Carthaginians, and others dwelling on the coasts of Africa, Spain and the adjacent islands; for which a thousand ships were to be built, in the ports of Phoenicia, Syria, Cilicia and Cyprus, larger than those of three tiers of oars; with directions for carrying a straight and easy road along the shore of the Mediterranean, from Egypt to the Pillars of Hercules." With such an armament, and such a leader, it is highly probable that the project could have been carried into effect; the Grecian colonies already acknowledged his power, he was there