Chapter XXXIX: Letter VII

In Muhamedan countries, an insolvent man continues liable to his
creditors till the day of his death, unless the debt is discharged;
but he can claim by law his liberation from prison, on making oath,
and bringing proof of his insolvency: but then if he succeed
afterwards and become possessed of property, he is compelled to pay
the debts formerly contracted; so that an European should be
cautious how he contracts debts with the Moors, lest the
misfortunes that commerce is liable to should oblige him to remain
all his life in the country. A letter, similar to the following,
398 should be procured by every European, about to quit the country, to
prevent the extortion of the alkaid, who might, as has often
happened before, throw impediments in the way for the purpose of
extorting presents, &c.

_Translation of a Firman of Departure, literally translated from
the Original Arabic, by James Grey Jackson._

L.S.

Soliman ben Muhamed, ben
Abdallah, ben Ismael Sultan,
&c.

Praise be to God alone.

Our servants El Hage Mohamed o Bryhim, and Seid Mohamed Bel Akkia,
peace and the mercy of God be with you! This premised, I command
you to suffer the Christian merchant, Jackson, to embark for his
own country, if it appears to you that no one pursues him in law
[for debt,] as I wrote to you on this subject in my last letter: if
no one claims of him any right by law, allow him to go, and do not
impede him.[224] God protect you, and peace be with you. 3d day of
Saffer, the good year 1220 of the Hejra, (A.C. 1805.)

[Footnote 224: This repetition of the principal subject in
Arabic correspondence, is a mode of impressing on the mind more
forcibly, the subject intended to be impressed, and is commonly
practised by the best Arabian, and African writers; it also
frequently occurs in the inspired writings. See Psalms lxxv, l.
lxxvii, 1. &c.]