8o 
M^- LUCAS'S 
The Sliereef 's Account of Fezzan," faid the Governor, 
" my own knowledge confirms ; and many of the particulars 
which he relates of Bornou and Caflma I have heard from the 
report of others. His countrymen fay that he is better acquainted 
With both than any other individual among them; and fuch is 
the opinion which the King himfelf entertains of his probity, 
knov/ledge, and talents, that to his management is always en- 
trufted v/hatever bufniefs in either of thofe empires his Sovereign 
lias to tranfad," . 
But v/hile Mr. Lucas, with a prudent and laudable caution j 
was thus endeavouring to afcertain the truth of the Shereef 's 
account, another, and perhaps more decifive teft of its value was 
fortunately obtained in England. — For, before the return of Mr. 
Lucas, or the arrival of his papers, the Committee of the Ailb- 
ciation, alTifted by Mr. Dodsworth, (vv^hofe relidence of four- 
teen years in Barbary had given him a competent knowledge of 
Arabic) had procured from Ben Alii, a native of Morocco, at that 
time in London, an account of all tliofe countries to the South of 
the Defart of Zahara, which, in the courfe of his extenfive Tra^ 
vels as a Merchant, he had formerly vif:ted : and though his re- 
marks appear to be thofe of a fuperficial Obferver, who poffefTes 
aftivity of fpirit rather than energ)^ of mind, and whofe remem- 
brance 
