COMMUNICATIONS. 
they would be joined by the troops of fuch of the Arabs as conti-< 
nued faithful to the Government, 
With this army, the colledive numbers of which were ex- 
pelled to amount to five or fix thoufand men, it was hoped that 
the Bey, by the ufual enforcements of predatory war, would be 
able to reduce the rebellious Tribes to their antient obedience, 
and to the payment of the cufl:omary tribute. 
But while, from this expedlation, Mr. Lucas waited with im- 
patience for the departure of the army, he was informed that two 
Shereefs from Fezzan, who were both, as their title announces, 
defcended from the Prophet, and one of whom had married the 
daughter of the King, v/ere arrived in Tripoli. They came there 
as Merchants, and brought with them, for fale, a variety of ar- 
ticles, of which flaves and fenna were the chief ; and as the re- 
verence in which the defcendants of Mahomet are held fecures 
their perfons from violence, and their property from plunder, they 
did not think that the refi:oration of peace was requifite for the 
fafety of their return. It was, therefore, with much fatisfaclion 
that the Minifi:erj whofe intimate acquaintance they were, re- 
ceived from them an allurance, that if Mr, Lucas could bear the 
H 2 fatigue 
