Constantina. 235 



But to be brief for we have unwittingly spun out this article 

 of statistics and commercial geography to an unusual length it is 

 easy to perceive the importance of the reduction of Constantina 

 and its occupation by the French. At the same time the reader 

 need not be astonished at the vehemence and anxiety with which 

 those measures are desired and anticipated by the merchants on 

 the African shores of the Mediterranean. 



The colonization of Constantina would give to the French all 

 the advantages accruing to the fourth line of communication from 

 the south to the north, a portion of those belonging to the third 

 line, and another part more or less important of the fifth. 



These expeditions would soon surpass in magnitude the number 

 of 6000 laden camels, which, even at the commencement, would 

 enrich Constantina. Their value for the southern enterprises 

 not counting the slaves, the camels, nor the horses is at least 

 32/. for each camel laden with merchandise. 



This makes an aggregate sum of ----- - 192,000 



Value of 2000 ounces of gold dust ----- 80,000 



Expense of transporting 2000 blacks, at 12 a-piece 24,000 

 Expense of 1500 camels or horses .... - 9,000 



305,000 



Six thousand camels, laden with goods intended for 

 the desert and the south, at the rate of 60 

 a-piece 360,000 



The occupation of Constantina will therefore produce 



by its trading alone .--..--. 665,000 



Having discussed the occupation of Constantina in a commercial 

 light, we may conclude this article with a few words on the ex- 

 pediency of the measure in a political light. 



The reduction and colonization of Constantina assures to the 

 French the same feudal vassalage, the same subserviency, and the 

 same submission on * the part of the inhabitants, that were enjoyed 

 by the Dey of Algiers, that is to say, in the countries of Belled- 

 el-gerid, or land of dates, as far as Tafelelt Zab, Beskorah, 

 and the tract of Bled-el-gerid as far as the lake of Melgig 

 together with Ouady, Ouerquelah, Tuggurt, and Ouady-Moyab's 

 six towns and villages. 



The occupation of Constantina by the French, moreover, assures 

 to them the alliance of the Dey of Tunis, and on his side gua- 

 rantees him against the machinations of Achmet Bey or any other 

 usurper at Constantina, as well as against the malignity of the 

 Porte itself, which would not dare counteract the measures of 

 the French government. It also offers a means of honourable 

 employment to many French officers now on half-pay, and to 

 those speculative individuals who find too great an opposition 

 to their schemes in a country where the population is already 

 over-grown. 



PARISIANUS. 



