“P.S.—Before I seal this letter I shall read it to his Excellency Sir Alexander Woodford and Mr. Judah Benoliel.”
To the preceding Mr. Davidson gave the reply following:—
“Gibraltar, Sept. 16, 1835.
“My Dear Sir,—Pray accept my best thanks for your letter, which I have just had the honor of receiving, and allow me to assure you that I shall ever most gratefully appreciate the kindness with which it teems.
“I presume you are aware that a Mr. Hodgson, who leaves this place to-morrow, is on his way to Morocco on a mission from the United States. He has kindly offered, should I obtain the wished-for permission, to wait a few days here ere he proceeds. I think it right, and I hope you will not think it intrusive on my part to inform you, that Mr. Hodgson was three years at Constantinople, has visited Egypt, and published a biographical sketch of Mehemet Ali; he is well versed in Arabic, and has a great knowledge of the Mussulman character. Once again offering you my thanks for your kindness, and assuring you of my respect, believe me,
“My dear sir, your truly obliged,
“John Davidson.”
As a specimen of the style in which a correspondence is kept up by the Court of Morocco with strangers, the letters from and to Mr. Hay relating to Mr. Davidson’s entrance into the Sultan’s dominions, and his obtaining a personal interview with the Prince, are herewith subjoined.
“To the Noble Prince, exalted by the Lord, Mulai Abd Errachnan ben Hussein, whom God protect.