DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5295#0243
HOLY LAND, AND CYPRUS. 2()0,
It may seem presumptuous for me to hint at the ad-
vantage the French government derives from having accre-
dited agents, who are Frenchmen, on the coast of Syria.
Their salaries, though not sufficient to induce an English-
man of talents to banish himself from his country, yet are
enough for them, comparing the wealth of their country with
ours.
The agents for England on the coast of Syria and Cyprus,
at Damietta and Rosetta in Egypt, with the exception of
those at Acri and Larnica, are natives: at Larnica, the vice-
consul is a native of Zante; at Acri, a Genoese. The infor-
mation that might be obtained would be worth the expense
of appointing Englishmen to these situations, who would
influence the conduct of the agas and chiefs in that country,
and encourage a preference to English commodities. The
agents for France are generally anciens militaires; and I do
not see why English officers should not be found capable
and willing to support the commercial interests of the coun-
try, while their experience as soldiers would enable them to
give political information.
Amongst the articles imported into Syria and Egypt,
the German cutlery and coarse cloths, and the French super-
fines, seemed completely to expel ours. With regard to the
respect in which the Turks hold the Syrian agents, it is enough
to say, that not very long ago the aga of Beirutte was about
2 E
It may seem presumptuous for me to hint at the ad-
vantage the French government derives from having accre-
dited agents, who are Frenchmen, on the coast of Syria.
Their salaries, though not sufficient to induce an English-
man of talents to banish himself from his country, yet are
enough for them, comparing the wealth of their country with
ours.
The agents for England on the coast of Syria and Cyprus,
at Damietta and Rosetta in Egypt, with the exception of
those at Acri and Larnica, are natives: at Larnica, the vice-
consul is a native of Zante; at Acri, a Genoese. The infor-
mation that might be obtained would be worth the expense
of appointing Englishmen to these situations, who would
influence the conduct of the agas and chiefs in that country,
and encourage a preference to English commodities. The
agents for France are generally anciens militaires; and I do
not see why English officers should not be found capable
and willing to support the commercial interests of the coun-
try, while their experience as soldiers would enable them to
give political information.
Amongst the articles imported into Syria and Egypt,
the German cutlery and coarse cloths, and the French super-
fines, seemed completely to expel ours. With regard to the
respect in which the Turks hold the Syrian agents, it is enough
to say, that not very long ago the aga of Beirutte was about
2 E