PROGRESS OF THE PLAGUE. 157 from Timbuctoo, laden with gum-sudan, ostrichfeathers, and gold dust, which had brought also many slaves ; this akkaba had deposited its merchandize at Akka, till the plague should disappear and the country become healthy ; as the people of that territory, unlike Muhamedans in general, will hold no communication with the infected, nor will they admit any one from these parts.

Mogodor, April 31, 1799. A violent fever now rages at Fas : some assert it to be the plague, but that is Moorish report, and little to be depended on ; the European consuls at Tangier, and the Spanish ambassador, who, having terminated his embassy, has lately left Mequinas, mention it as an epidemical disorder.

May 20. The small-pox ragesviolently throughout this country, and is of a most virulent kind : its origin is ascribed to the famine that has of late pervaded this country, and which was produced by the incredible devastation of the devouring locusts ; the dregs of olives, after the oil had been extracted, has been the only food that could be procured by many thousands.

Mogodor, June 14, 1799.

Various reports reach us daily from the city of Marocco, respecting the epidemy that prevails there, some say 200 die, some say 100, others