But great as the privileges of this high order unquestionably are, the individuals who compose it have no union or general concert with each other; for neither in contests for power, nor in resistance to oppression, do they ever act as a body.
Some of the class are devoted to the indolence of a religious life; but a larger proportion is engaged in the active concerns and progressive pursuits of commerce: for, in general, the descendants of Mahomet, following the example of their great ancestor, are either Princes or Merchants.
The Revenue of Fezzan is composed of a variety of branches, the principal of which are,
1st, A tax on towns and villages, at the rate of from 100 to 500 mitkals each. The number of towns and villages is estimated at 100; and the value of a mitkal at about ten shillings English: consequently, the tax on each town and village is from 50l. to 250l. sterling.
2d, A tax on every camel’s load of goods (provisions for the market excepted) which enters the capital. The rate of this impost is one mitkal, or ten shillings English, per load.
3d, The fines that are inflicted as a punishment for offences.
4th, The produce of such lands as on the death of the possessors, without heirs, escheat to the Crown.
5th, A small tax on all gardens and date trees.
To these several branches of revenue may be added, as another source of considerable income, the commerce in which the King is engaged; for he seems, especially in the articles of trona and senna, to be the principal Merchant in his kingdom.
Gold dust constitutes among the people of Fezzan the chief medium of payment; and value in that medium is always expressed by weight.