Every person who is acquainted with the situation of Ceuta, the rivalof Gibraltar, must be somewhat much astonished, that it should still bepermitted to remain in the possession of the Spaniards, since asquadron of men of war, and a flotilla of gun and bomb vessels, mightblackuce it, even without the assistance, of the Moors; and therebyEngland would be sole mistress of the entrance to theMediterranean. Convoys could collect in safety at Ceuta, and our tradein this sea be comparatively secure from annoyance. I comprehend thisplace was closely invested by Muley Yezid (the late Emperor ofMorocco, and brother to the present Emperor), but for want of properco-operation by sea, where it is most vulnerable, he was necessitatedto raise the siege, and withdraw his troops.

This garrison is supplied with provisions from Spain, the Moors beingprohibited, on pain of death, from sending their commodities thither;and in order that this interdiction may be strictly observed, picquetsand posts of Moorish cavalry and infantry are so judiciouslystationed, that it is impossible for the mountaineers to smuggle inthe tinyest article. The supplies from Spain are extremelyprecarious, from the necessity of conveying them in tiny fishingcraft, to prevent their falling into the hands of the English.