Mountford, Timothy (fl. 1804-1810) to The Consul-Genl of the U.S.A. [Tobias Lear] re: Algerian protocol

Algiers, 17th. Feb. 1804

My Dear Sir,

I received your by Carson - you mentioned one or two pieces carpet - I send the largest number, there are tree pieces remaining of the same kind, which if necessary, may also be forwarded. -
To fill the remaining apace, I will make some observation for your own information - you are at liberty to impact them, or adopt them as you think proper; they are trifling, but if you have not found them necessary, you will, I pressure before much time elapses. -
When it so happen, in future, that I send any of your own Servts to you with letters if you have not answer to make, (which, by the by something or another if of no consequence no matter, I shall always know what it means) bid him make haste home, & ass, moocha [sic] compliments to me Cono, Scrivan - And it would be well, if change I at hand, to give him a missoon [sic] or so take my word for it - there is no doing without it - for if they get nothing extra, for such services, perhaps, at an important time, they will delay, or in other words, sell your letter or a sight of it. On receiving a letter, affect curiosity in their presence to look, that the seal is sound - or if dirty, sealed them well for it (taking care to part with them in peace) & demand who has been looking at it, or handling it - And declare with vengeance that your Scrivan dare not send [struck] the consul a letter with a broken seal, or that was dirty. - This will make them always careful -- & they will know, that the Consul is not to be trifled with. And when once you bring them to this pt you will have nothing to fear with regard to Treachery Always use your own title in speaking to theses people it is customary, you are known in no other shape. And when speaking of me to them; call me nothing but your Scrivan. They known no other names - and these mentioned, always conveys power & respect.
In support of what & I have written on this subject; before I was acquainted with these particulars - I sd. Col. Lear desires so & so - nobody knew what I meant - I have added the Consul - all have been ready to fly at that word - In short, being necessary, I take all proper occasions, when anything is doing, to declare the goodness of the Consul, to such as are faithful;, & to such as are found doing bad, his utmost vengeance & hatred - that when any thing is to be done for you, or by your immediate orders - all else must stand still, until this work is finished.
Another circumstance, happened the other day, a letter was brot [sic] from the garden for me - I did not get so far an hour after the [illegible] had arrived & was about to return - he sd. he had a Cart-but he did not know who it was for the Consul no parla Scrivan. These Sir, are necessary trifles to be attended to, as props for more important ones.
According to the universal [illegible] tour of Algiers, there is, depend on it, a great impropriety in permitting a domestic to eat in the same room, or from the same table that toy & yourself even after you gave done. - All that part of the house, above the kitchen story should be sacred to the Consul & such as the choose to admit partners with him - If you admit one, to come up Stairs to ea, & who is no more that a domestic - other Servts will rake liberties - and in a short time, such in the nature of algerine customs, every part of your house will be as unhallowed as a Stable, & they will cut & dash - pass & repass without regard to the Consul or his Company when present.
These Sir, are solemn truths which have stood the test of experience, look at other Consular houses, and the fact is before you: look at the houses of the great men, as they termed, & again you have a proof. You see by neglecting these trifles, with what little ceremony your Drogerman acrs, he holds conversation, with your Servts. because, it seems to him, from seeing them move about, with so little ceremony, that we are all in footing, or we have no knowledge of what is right or proper - as other people: -- As you lay your foundation in this Country, so you will finish sooner or later.
The more respect that is pd to you by your dependants - the more the world will render.
I have the Koran, the life, law & history if the Country, independent of my own observation, for a Voucher, than which, no more powerful could be produced.
Here again, as I write in so uncouth a style to you - [struck] - I must; my dear Sur, bed you not to be offended - when I offend you speak at once, and you return me to my native dust - never - no never condescend to use any other methods than open declaration to convince me, I am wrong & c. - all other means than what are open or manly are lost. Here you see, & I must say, the heart of a faithful Servant, completely uncased.
Yet I see, behind the certain, a world of opposition - The gentle the kind - the good Ms. Lear - has observed, & I believe she is averse to pomp & parade - yet, my dear Sir, with all respect & submission to two alike beings - let me impart one sacred truth - And never will open my mouth again on the subject - you know, you are not in America - but you know, you are in Algiers. Where if every punetillis, [sic] of etiquet [sic] - is not attended to - you sink, sink -- & sink [illegible] to a humble [illegible] - and the devil himself, would find more respect here, than one of that denomination.
I have the honor to be, with the greatest respect, you ever obt. St.
= Mountford

The Consul - Genl, &
Of the U.S.A.
Algiers.

P. S. I have just had the honor to receive yours by the piskery & Jew. I will have the frames made as soon as possible. - Genoese shall go up to morrow - Mr. Bensamon has been here - he says, that ship off is a frigate, & that 3 more are to Lewars (74 ½) & endeavored to discover the source from whence this information cause - but could not.
I send up the Baskets this time they could not go before.