22 



CAUSES OF THE WEAKNESS AND DECLINE 



Such are the circumstances which affect in a great degree the pros- 

 perity and condition of the inhabitants of this empire ; and we learn 

 from them in what manner the abuses of power are modified or 

 corrected. The real cause of the unequal progress of industry is to 

 be ascribed to the fluctuating system of policy which prevents any 

 regular, consistent, and steady attention to measures favourable to 

 general improvement. There can be no ground for expecting any 

 change, while the administration of the provinces is conducted on 

 the same principles.* The extent of this ill-modelled and ill- 

 balanced empire prevents any accurate inspection of the conduct of 

 those who are placed over remote parts of it. A large portion of 

 the revenue of the Porte, and the great officers of it is derived from 

 money paid by Pashas on taking possession of their government, or 

 from occasional remittances make for the purpose of securing a con- 

 tinuance in their appointment. -j- This money is drawn from the 

 labour, industry, and commerce of the inhabitants of the province. 

 If these sums are not paid, as well as those expected from the farmers 

 of the customs, land, and capitation tax, the latter are thrown into 

 prison, and the governors lose their Pashaliks. If they are removed 

 in a short time, the provinces are exposed to fresh exactions on the 

 arrival of every succeeding Pasha. Some districts however, have 

 extorted from the weakness of the Porte the permission of naming 

 their own rulers. The Pashalik of Bagdad, since the time of 

 Achmed, has been independent of the Sultan. £ When the jealousy 

 of the government is roused by any suspicion of dubious allegiance 

 in a Pasha, or by any attempt to aspire at greater influence, different 

 methods are adopted to check and counteract his rising power. The 



* " The succession of a new governor may defeat all the plans of improvement suggested 

 or carried into effect by a former one. Sheik Daher, the predecessor of Djezzar, had 

 raised Acre from a village to a large town ; and increased the population of the district. 

 In the time of Djezzar, the large plain near Acre was left almost a marsh." Browne, 368. 



f The Mohassil of Aleppo, in Volney's time, made his contract with the Porte for 

 40,0001., and paid about 40001. to the officers of the government. 



% Kinneir, 307- 



