247 
upon this subject; a memorial at Cadiz on the 30th May 
1803; and another at Tripolis in the month of Novenu 
ber 1805. 
CHAP. XX. 
Information received of an interior r *ea in Africa. 
On board the ship which conveyed me in October 
1805 from Larish to Tripolis, there vas a merchant of 
Morocco of the name of Sidi Matte Buhlal, who had 
resided for many years at Tombut or Tumbuctoo^ and 
in other countries of Sudan or Nigrita, where he had 
tjeen carrying on trade in partnership with one of his 
brothers. 
This Buhlal was also brother to the Sheik, who had 
been named by the emperor of Morocco to direct the 
caravan of Mecca, if political circumstances had ad- 
mitted of the expedition. 
He was a man of much good sense, about 40 years 
old, of a very solid behaviour, addicted to truth, in good 
circumstances, and who had no reason whatsoever to 
suspect that I had the least interest in acquiring infor- 
mation on the interior situation of Africa. All these united 
circumstances inspired me with the highest confidence 
in his relation, and made me believe that he never im- 
posed on me. He had, indeed, no interest to deviate 
from truth. 
Having had frequent conversations with this Moroc- 
co merchant during my voyage, I now and then made 
