309 
INHABITANTS OF THE HAOURAN. 
war with him, for their relations with the government of Damascus 
are as uncertain as their own with each other, they keep in the dis 
trict to the S. of Boszra, towards Om Eddjemal and Fedhein, ex 
tending their limits south as far as El Zerka. The Pasha generally 
permits them to purchase corn from the Haouran, but in years 
when a scarcity is apprehended, a restriction is put upon them. 
Till within a few years the Aeneze were the constant carriers of 
the Hadj, and made yearly contracts with the Pasha for several 
thousand camels, by which they were considerable gainers, as 
well as by the fixed tribute which many of their Sheikhs had 
made themselves entitled to from the pilgrim caravan ; and by 
their nightly plunder of stragglers, and loaded camels during 
the march. These advantages have made the Aeneze inclined to 
preserve friendly terms with the Pashalik of Damascus, and to 
break allegiance to the Wahabi chief, notwithstanding they have 
been for twelve years converts to his religious doctrines. If, how 
ever, they shall become convinced that the Hadj is no longer prac 
ticable, they will soon turn their arms against their former friends, 
an event which is justly dreaded by the people of the Haouran. 
The tribe of Aeneze which most usually visits the Haouran is 
the Would Ali, under their chiefs Etteiar and Ibn Ismayr ; the lat 
ter has at present more interest than any other Arab Sheikh, with 
the Pasha, from whom he occasionally receives considerable pre 
sents, as an indemnification for his losses by the suspension of the 
Hadj, as well as to induce him to keep his Arabs on good terms 
with the Turkish governors of the Pashalik.