Mountford, Timothy (fl. 1804-1810) to Tobias Lear re: assassination and expulsion of Jews from Algiers (pogrom)

Algs. June 28, 1805.
My Dear Sir,
This morning about 8 o'clock, Napatili Busnach, in the street, was shot thro' the Belly, by a Turk Soldier, & died in two hours after. He never spoke after [inserted: he] was shot, altho' he walked to his own house. About 3 P.M. he was buried. This deed of a single Soldier, threw everything into confusion - the City appears to be ready for insurrection, such is the clamour against the Jews. Every movement indicates a total destruction of Jewish influence in the affairs of the Govt. of Algiers. The complaint of the populace, being, that Bushnach was more a ruler over them, than the Dey- that [inserted: it] is owing to this management, that wheat & every other article of life, is so high at present- that he caused the Dey to export all the grain, the last year- that he had laid his plans to do the same this year, which has occasioned (they say) an insurrection in the vicinity of Drau - that he monopolized every article of Commerce, which came to the port of Algiers- that he kept the Dey shut up in a state of ignorance, as to the situation of his Govt. and people- that he has constantly defrauded the public revenue.- that to the disgrace of the Govt he has done as he pleased, with Consuls of [2] all nations, who came to Algiers- that he was the cause of the late difficulty with the English, by which means the Corsairs of Algiers, were kept in port for 12 months. These are the charges, the public voice has brot [sic] forth, to justify the taking of the life of Busnach- as to the truth, all acquainted with Algerine affairs, can determine.
6. P.M. I am still of opinion, some dreadful calamity is now ready to burst forth.
10. P.M. Visited the terrace, & fine, by a view from thence, the Jews in great commotion, within their houses.
//June 29th. Rose at day-light, barred & locked every door in the house- appearances out doors, looking gloomy.
Half past 7. A.M. the awful cry throughout the City, attended with the discharge of pistols, in every direction. I ascended the terrace, & beheld the Jews shot at, on the tops of their houses, by Turks, like pigeons.
Every house, with, with [sic] few exceptions belonging to a Jew, was stripped of everything, & such articles as were not worth, or fit to be removed, were broken & destroyed.[3]
The two commercial houses of B & B. were taken possession of by the order of the Dey, & their effects conveyed to the palace for security: all other houses were at the mercy of the Mob composed of Turks, Moors, fisheries, arbiles [sic], &c. who broke the doors & did not fail to murder every Jew, & afterwards rob the house of its effects: even women (Moors) were concerned in this scene of destruction, which lasted, in its full current, for 3 to 4 hours- after which, the Chouses of the palace, made proclamations in the name of Dey to desist.
About 12 A.M. the Divan were called by the Dey, who commanded them to go to the different garrisons, & ask the Soldiers what they wished more.- the soldiers replied, "send all the Jews out of the Country, except such as can be of use in manufactories- let no more Jews meddle directly or indirectly in the affairs of Govt."
The Divan returned to the palace & reported to the Dey, who promised to comply with their demands instantly- & ordered the Divan to salute the Soldiers for him, & desire them to desist from further outrages, the Soldiers complied.
The Dey then ordered, that the Christian Slaves, should convey such dead Jews as might be found in the Streets to Bobblethwat, [4] & there to burn their bodies- which orders were carried into execution without delay to the great satisfaction of the Turkish & Moorish inhabitants.- It was shocking to behold the manner in which the dead were conveyed, viz [sic], ropes tied to their heels & dragged thro' the Streets, the same as dead horses- this, I saw myself. Thirty-two Jews, were conveyed in this way to Bobblethwait & burned this day;- this being done, the Dey ordered the houses of Jews who had been plundered, to be closed.
June 30th. Affairs are still of a gloomy nature- people in general, express their disapprobation of the conduct of the Dey, &c. without reserve.
10 A.M. Closed our doors, & every house did the same. The police officers opened the houses of the Jews to see what remained, & twenty-four dead persons, were conveyed to Booblethwait in hampers, by Slaves & buried in one grave, together with the unburied bones of those dragged thither yesterday.
3 P.M. the Dey made proclamation for all such as had taken the property of the Jews, to deliver it to the palace; this was partially complied with in a few instances, by the Moors only- Turks were not included in the call- and is a cause [5] of much discontent with the Soldiers, and other Mahometan [sic] inhabitants.
4 P.M. A Storm is gathering fast. There being two merchant vessels in port only (one a Swedish who brot [sic] a Cargo of Salt, the other an Imperial, both ordered to be got ready to take Jews to Lighorn - this together with the Dey's giving 5 Manboos to each Soldier, who would go to Oran, to defend that place against the Moors, has abated the troubles in some degree.- for a moment only:- Appearance, are far from good.
//July 1st. This morning 170 Jews, men, women & children, were embarked on board an Imperial Schr. Of 60 tons, & instantly sailed for Lighorn- this was done without giving these poor creatures any previous notice; they were taken the same as brutes, just as they could be found in the Streets. The Govt. managed this in so private a manner, that I believe, no Consul has been able to send a line, by the conveyance-
10 A.M. the soldier having seen their desire towards the Jews, began to be executed- 100 embarked on b[oar]d. Sandals to convey powder, &c. to Oran- the remaining number, refusing to let [6] more go out of the City-
D.C. Bain &, his connection, by the help of money, secreted themselves, as soon as Busnach was killed; some on b[oar]d. of Vessels, others in Moorish houses.-
The Jewish influence, being at an end, at least, during the lives of the present inhabitants of Algiers- Consuls can act for themselves directly with the Govt. And in consequence of the trust you have conferred in me, I yesterday made application to the Nickeladge to know the situation of the Cargo of Wheat sent by you & consigned to B. & B.- he instantly ordered a tiskery [sic] to be made out for me, which I have rec'd & filed with that of the Wm & Mary's for your settlement, when you return- Premura's Cargo stands thus-
An acct. of the Regency 4763 meas.
ditto parton Grandy 2000 d[itt]o.
Total 6,763
No price affixed per measure.- I have since sent the Drogerman to the Palace to know how the accts. stood & the Hasnagee, informs me that no settlement is made by B. & B. for the wheat. I then desired him to let the [7] Premura's Cargo stand with the Wm & Mary's until yr. Return, to which, he replied, he w[oul]d. make no settlement (unless desired by your or me) with any one. I have been particular in drawing this business to a focus- because Busnach, had, as well as David, repeatedly told me, they had made a settlement for the wheat with the Hasnagee; but w[oul]d. give no acct. in the way it was done. I hope Sir, you will be satisfied with my conduct in general, when I assure you, I have done as well as I could. considering the two knaves in whose power, not only me, but every Consul in Algiers, has been placed. The destruction of these two men's power, has unfolded deeds, which if possible, renders the Hebrew race, more detestable than heretofore. The Consular path is for the present free from these incumberers [sic].
I wrote to you the 25th inst. very fully by Capt. Limson, under cover of the English Consul- I have not time to give a duplicate- I therein requested you to forbid any American Ship of War, coming to anchor here, because the Dey wants powder, &c. [8] and vessels to take troops to Oran, to defend that place, against the new Marabout- the Dey has now an additional demand for vessels to take Jews out of Algiers- and w[oul]d. take any Vessel within their power, for that purpose. To conclude, when you come here (unless the people mend their manners very fast) you will find it the most abandoned city, that ever existed- the face, the appearance of everything has altered for the worst, since you left- the remedy is at hand- a better helmsman is called for- the moment is on its last verge, when great will be the destruction indeed. Jle. [sic] and his "Cf. Mate" [sic] have been called on to retire; they will not- the accts. of both, are now preparing & will, in a short time, be summed up- what follows, you know full well; whatever may be a man's station in Algiers, too negligent, or too rigid conduct, will assuredly destroy him- these men are charged with both faults, which says the voice of the multitude, renders them unfit persons to be our rulers, we will not have them, &c. &c. Initially, happen what will, I am not afraid; [9] I move the same as ever, even in the hour of Death & Destruction; known to all- molested by none.
Having Tiskeries [sic] for the public Accts. (which are sacred) whoever may preside- we may hope for the best, when you could come to a settlement of them
Busnach was taken from his grave & Burnt by the Mob, in two hours, after he was buried. His friends could not have put him in the ground had they not been guarded by police officers.
Joseph Bacri, father of David, has been declared, by the remaining Jews, their Chief Magistrate, in the place of Busnach- his acceptance doubtful.
Busnach's Death is regretted by the D. Hasnagee, Drogermen & such as received loaves & fishes thro' his interest.
The heads of Govt. c[oul]d. constitute another Jew minister, if they could, but the strong voice is against them.
Ten dead Jews carried out this day.- [10] No property or person suffered, Jews excepted.-
[struck: At Beleedah, 20 miles distant there were many Jews who were all killed- two other inland places, having Jews, suffered the same on hearing what had been done, in the City- And it is expected, the Jews will suffer in all Barbary as soon as the tidings are spread-]
At Beleedah, 20 miles distant, there were many Jews, who were all killed- two other inland places, having Jews, suffered the same, on hearing what had been done in the City- & it is expected, the Jews will be destroyed in all Barbary, as soon as the tidings are spread of their fate here.
The French Consul regrets the Death of B- because he could direct him- B. & B. have a large sum of money in France, which was seized in the time of Robertspiere [sic]- the present Govt. of France have always held it as security for their friendly interests of Busnach in their behalf with the Govt of Algiers, &c.
'Tis talked of that British Gold has more power with Turks, than French- hence a Great Black Cloak, has been destroyed- when we meet- this & more [11] Accts. state the, the Portuguese have Six Ships of war in the Straight- & that they intend to come here shortly, to make peace, redeem the Slaves, &c. The English Consul, has taken the first Lieut. Portuguese, on his responsibility (Consuls) to live with him. The others are still in the Banyeau.
The Algerine Corsairs are all out- a frigate, Tiebec [sic] & Sch[oone]r. Excepted.- their return to port, is looked for now.
With best respects to Mrs. Lear, &c., I have the honor to be, my Dear Sir, your sincerely devoted- most obt. & very humble St.

//Mountford

The Hon.
Tobias Lear, esq.
Con. Gen. &c.
U.S.A.