141 
The Scherif has no relation with any other sovereign 
than the Turkish Sultan. There is not even a consul 
or agent of any foreign nation in the country. The En- 
glish are the only foreigners who present themselves 
from time to time at the port of Djedda, where they are 
beloved by the inhabitants, because they carry on the 
commerce between them and India. We have already 
seen that the Scherif is the principal agent in this com- 
merce. His ships go from Djedda to Mokha, and from 
thence to Muscat and Surat. 
Such was the situation of this country, when, on the 
26th of February ld07, it was published by order of 
the Sultan Saaoud, in all public places, that all the pil- 
grims and soldiers, Turkish as well as Mogrebin, 
belonging to the Scherif, should quit Mecca on the 
afternoon of the following day, preparatory to their being 
sent out of Arabia. This order extended to the Turkish 
Pacha, and the old and new Kadis of Mecca, Medina, 
and the other places; so that there was not a single Turk 
remaining in the country. The Scherif was disarmed, 
his authority annihilated, and the judicial power passed 
into the hands of the Wehhabites. 
I It was pretended that the Sultan Saaoud would ac- 
| company the rear guard of the troop of pilgrims to the 
frontiers of Syria, and that he would return to establish 
his residence at Mecca, or at least that he would give 
t the government of it to one of his sons, The new Ara- 
j bian monarchy of the Wehhabites would thus take a 
flight similur to that of the ancient Caliphs. 
All the Turkish soldiers retired to Djedda during 
I the night. 
I A small caravan from Tripoli, that were at Mecca, 
packed up their tents at noon, and set out with so little 
precaution, that fears were entertained for their safety. 
