“ As England does not war for the destruction of cities, I am unwilling to visit your personal cruelties upon the inoffensive inhabitants of the country, and I therefore offer you the same terms of peace, which I conveyed to you yesterday in my Sovereign’s name ”

“ Algiers has for ages braved the resentment of the most powerful states in Christendom. Emperor Charles V. lost a fine fleet and army in an expedition against it in 1541. The English burnt their vessels in the harbour in 1635 and 1670. It was bombarded by the French in 1688. In 1775, the Spaniards made a descent near the city with a formidable army, but were defeated with great slaughter. In 1784, they sent a powerful fleet to attack the forts that defend the harbour ”

“ As the ships were becalmed, I embraced this opportunity of dispatching a boat, under cover of the Severn, with a flag of truce, and the demands I had to make, in the name of his Royal Highness the Prince Regent, on the Dey of Algiers (of which the accompanying are copies) directing the officer to wait two or three hours for the Dey's answer, at which time, if no reply was sent he was to return to the flag ship; he was met near the mole by the captain of the port, who, on being told the answer was expected in one hour, replied, that it was impossible. ”

“ The number of inhabitants, including 30,000 Jews, is upward of 130,000. Tunis is built without any regularity; the streets, in general, are narrow and dirty; and there are few buildings of any magnificence, except the great mosque, the bey's palace, and a few others. ”

“ The houses are all built of stone, though but one story high, and have flat roofs. Near the centre of the city is an extensive piazza, which is said formerly to have contained 3000 trades-men’s shops. ”