Cardoza, Don Aaron

Consul for Tunis and Algiers at Gibraltar about 1805. He was a descendant of a Portuguese-Jewish family. Cardoza promoted the interests of the British government; and as delegate of General Fox, the governor of Gibraltar, concluded a treaty on Nov. 5, 1805, with Sidi Mahomet, bey of Oran, for provisioning the garrison of Gibraltar and the British squadron in the Mediterranean. He proceeded to Oran on board the frigate "Termagant," which was placed at his disposal by Lord Nelson. Cardoza was successful in saving the lives of three English sailors who were imprisoned at Oran and under sentence of death. A treaty was negotiated by him between the Portuguese government and the bey of Tunis. He was one of the principal landowners of Gibraltar. In 1824 Cardoza was created a knight of the Legion of Honor by Louis XVIII. of France, and was rewarded with other orders of merit for his distinguished services. For many years he was president both of the Hebrew community and of the chamber of commerce.

Bibliography:

  * Pamphlet by H. Baylis, 1830, with letters from the Duke of Kent and other naval and military authorities;
  * Anglo-Jewish Association Report, 1877-78.



J. G. L.