In the reign of Muley Ismael, Agadeer was the centre of a very extensive commerce, whither the Arabs of the Desert, and the people of Soudan, resorted to purchase various kinds of merchandize for the markets of the interior of Africa; and caravans were constantly passing to and from Timbuctoo. The natural strength of the place, however, its imposing situation, and capability of resisting any force, excited the jealousy of the Emperors, which was confirmed in 1773 by the inhabitants becoming refractory, and Talb Solh, the governor, refusing to deliver it up. On learning this, the Emperor Seedy Mohammed immediately levied an army, and marched from Marocco against it; the place did not make a long resistance, for the rebellious governor, finding it impossible to withstand the imperial army, yielded to the persuasions of the chiefs to accept an invitation the Emperor had sent him to come and declare his allegiance, as on doing that he should receive his pardon; he accordingly repaired to Tamaract,[54] but found, too late, that this was only a stratagem to seize his person, as he was immediately imprisoned; but procuring, by the assistance of a friend, a penknife, which was sent to him, baked in a loaf of bread, he with this terminated his existence, and the town soon after surrendered. The merchants were allowed but a short time to collect together their effects, when they were ordered to proceed to Mogodor, where the Emperor, as before mentioned, encouraged them to build houses. Beyond Santa Cruz there is no port frequented by shipping: there is a tract of coast, however, which holds out great encouragement to commercial enterprize, and secure establishments might be affected upon it, which would amply remunerate the enterprizing speculator; the people of Suse are also well disposed towards Europeans, particularly the English; and the communication, and short distance, between this place and the provinces, or districts, where most of the valuable products of Barbary are raised, render it peculiarly adapted to trade. When curiosity induced me to visit this coast, I was invited by the Amarani Arabs to establish a factory at a certain eligible place; the Sheik offered to get a house built for me, free of expense, and declared that all exports and imports should be regulated by a duty of only two per cent. on the value; as he was, however, liable to be shot, being a celebrated warrior, and as I was not sufficiently known in England to procure the credit necessary to carry on advantageously such an establishment, I thought it prudent at that time to decline the overture. If, however, I had been able to procure the same support from Europe that I should have had from the natives and their Sheik, an eligible opportunity would have presented itself to open an extensive and lucrative trade with the interior, which in a short time would have supplied the whole of the inland countries of North Africa with European manufactures and produce.