Further concerning their traffick, there are in the town (because there is there a very great deposition of all sorts of merchandizes, that are brought thither from great distances) a great many merchants, chiefly _French_ and _Italians_, which have two wise, understanding, and grave Presidents, of which the one that liveth here is a _Frenchman_, and the other at _Aleppo_, a _Venetian_, called Consuls, to assist their countrymen with good counsel. They are sent thither by their government, and confirmed, and have great privileges given them of the _Turkish_ Emperor, to let the Merchants with their commodities lodge with them, and to defend them against any assault of the _Turks_ and _Moors_, that they may trade and deal without disturbance. These Consuls were still their usual habits, made of red sattin, velvet, or damask, _&c._ very richly adorned; and they bring along with them Taylors, Shoe-makers, but chiefly their Physicians, Apothecaries, Barber-Surgeons and Ministers, _&c._ and have besides them their Interpreters, skilful in the _Turkish_ and _Arabian_ language, chiefly the Consul of _Venice_, because he must stay there but three years, when they are expired the _Dogue_ sends another in his place. When the new one is arrived at _Tripoli_ he dare not go on shore, before the other gives him a visit of reception in the ship. To these two Consuls there are given two large buildings, called by them _Fondiques_, situated near two gates of the city, which lead towards the haven and the sea-shore, that they may the easier send their goods in and out. There are all day long a great many _Moors_ with their Asses, that stand waiting for an opportunity to conduct Merchants and Seamen with their goods in and out. These two houses are large, and have abundance of vaults and chambers, so that there is room enough to lodge both Merchants and their goods. With the _French_ are also lodged, those from _Genoa_, _Florence_, _St Luck_, _Germans_, _Dutchmen_, &c. as also with the _Venetians_ those of _Candia_, _Corfu_, &c. that are under their master’s jurisdiction. These _Fondiques_ have no more than one large gate, where Janisaries keep watch: When their masters, the Consuls go out, they are accompanied with a multitude of Merchants and their servants, and they are in great authority with the _Turks_ and _Moors_, even beyond the _Bashaw_ himself: They always take along with them their Janisaries, which go before with great and long cudgels, and beat the people out of the way, even the _Turks_ themselves.