THE HISTORY OF THE REVOLUTIONS IN THE EMPIRE OF MOROCCO, UPON THE DEATH OF THE LATE EMPEROR MULEY ISHMAEL; Being a most exact Journal of what happen'd in those Parts in the last and part of the present Year. With Observations Natural, Moral and Political, Relating to that Country and People

BRAITHWAITE, Captain [John]

Published by J. Darby and T. Browne, London, 1729

Large octavo (5-3/4" x 9-1/4") bound in 19th Century dark red morocco leather with floral gilt borders to covers, gilt-lettered and decorated spine with five raised bands, all edges gilt, marbled endpapers, rebacked at an early date; viii, (xvi), 381 pages with 65 pages of manuscript in a neat hand at the end. Complete with Subscriber's List and original blanks. Illustrated with a folding map by John Senex. A spirited work on the contemporary history of Morocco, including a valuable eye-witness account of the expedition of the British Consul-General John Russell through Morocco to recover captives, covering a period between July 1727 and February 1728. The author served in the reign of Queen Anne, both on sea and land, as ensign in the Royal Guards, lieutenant in the Welsh Fusiliers, and in France, Lombardy and Venice as secretary to Christopher Cole, who was English Resident in the last-named State. He commanded in the expedition to Santa Lucca and St. Vincent and was the first volunteer that entered Gibraltar after its capture. A German translation was published in 1730 and a French in 1731. Among the subjects discussed is the Jewish population of Tangiers: "In the Afternoon we all walk'd out to see the Jews Synagogues, which are seven in Number ; the Jews are counted in this Town about 5000 Souls, and live in 170 Houses, several Familys live in a House. They are richer here than in any part of the Emperor of Morocco's Dominions, and yet by reason of their great Taxes, are miserably poor; but what Trade there is passes thro' their Hands : they are Brokers between the Moors and Christians, and generally cheat both without good looking after. The Jews here all speak Spanish, which they do not in any other part of the Country" (pages 63-64). There are several other anti-Semitic comments as well as descriptions of Arabs, Negroes, and various customs of the residents. The manuscript at the end is especially interesting. It is in a very neat hand and easily readable. The first 47 pages are identical to what is identified as a sequel to this book that was published for the first time in the October and December 1792 issues of THE EUROPEAN MAGAZINE AND LONDON REVIEW. It is followed by 18 manuscript pages that include various accounts of which we were not able to find any published record. They include "An Account of the Agreement between Bashaw Hamet, and Mr. Russell, in the Bay of Tangier 15th April 1730" (including ransom of captives); "An Acct or the Receipt and Delivery of His Majesty's Present to the Emperor of Morocco and His Ministers"; and "An Account of Mr. Russells Expences to and from the Court of the Emperor of Morocco & during his being there." Ornate bookplate of Samuel Eyre of Armiger on front pastedown. Light, scattered foxing; Leaf L2 (pages 147-148) lacking and supplied in a neat manuscript hand, the same hand that supplied the additional material at the end. Wear to joints, especially the front which is just showing signs of splitting but covers still firm. Very Good. Seller Inventory # 021503

Bibliographic Details

Title: THE HISTORY OF THE REVOLUTIONS IN THE EMPIRE...
Publisher: J. Darby and T. Browne, London
Publication Date: 1729
Binding: Hardcover
Edition: First Edition.