The Providence Journal, And Town And Country Advertiser

GENERAL Beliard and Adjutant-Gen. Donzelot took possession of Quseir* on the 10th of Prairial.—I left Kenner five days ago, with a caravan, to carry ammunition and provisions. We were followed by from 8 to 10 camels, loaded with corn, to be shipped off for Arabia. The merchants of Upper Egypt took advantage of the favourable opportunity which the French escort offered. The road from Kenner to Quseir is equally good as that from Cairo to Suez. We twice found water of a gypsous and somewhat briny state; it may be safely drank, however, when the traveller is not better provided.

The Rais, who are the captains or proprietors of the vessels in the harbour, presented to us a singular spectacle. They pass their time in gravely walking or smoking on the sea-shore, with their pipe and sabre by their side. There have arrived from India, since we obtained possession of Quseir, 16 vessels loaded with coffee and various manufactures. At this moment 14 are stated to be in the offing, bound to this port.

We have permitted a large Turkish standard to remain upon the walls. The novelty of the French colours may terrify those of the Rais who have not yet visited us; but those who have, are very well pleased. They are not accustomed to the mode of trade in use among polished nations; but they are very happy in being delivered from the extortions of money every where practised among the eastern nations, and known under the name of Avanies.

They were astonished at our not doing the same, and could scarcely be persuaded that it was not in use among us.

We have been invited hither by the inhabitants of Quseir. Their Sheiks came to Kenner to negociate with us for that purpose. They accompanied General Beliard, and were themselves his conductors. The English were the occasion of so long delaying this proceeding; they did all they could to prevent it; but a convoy of provisions, which had secretly set out from the banks of the Nile, having been intercepted by us, they were obliged to submit.

I was at Kenner when the troops which have occupied Quseir left that place. I never saw men in higher spirits than the soldiers, mounted on their camels, and entering upon a march of four days through the desert. The singularity of their equipment, and the Arabs who followed them on foot, greatly amused them.

The English will certainly continue their efforts to prevent Yambo, Dladda, Mokha, and the other ports of Arabia, from sending us coffee: but Arabia draws its provisions from Egypt, and the powerful suggestions of want will overbalance the insinuations of the English.