In vain can the imperious terms of the law be appealed to for an explanation of so lamentable an act. It might have been supposed that a system of law formed for other times had fallen into desuetude; and at all events it was too easy to overlook such a circumstance to admit of that which has happened being considered as one of those lamentable cases of necessity, in which policy sometimes finds not so much a justification as an excuse. Even had not humanity, whose name has never been vainly invoked in France, been so cruelly hurt by the punishment of this Armenian,--even could the King's Government, which has always protected, and ever will protect, the Christian religion in the East, forget that it is Christianity which has been thus cruelly outraged,--the interest which it takes in the Ottoman Empire and in its independence would still cause it to behold what has occurred with profound regret. That independence can in these times find a real security only in the support of the public opinion of Europe. The efforts of the King's Government have been constantly directed towards obtaining for it that support. This task will become much more difficult after an act which will excite universal indignation throughout the whole of Europe. The King's Government considers that it discharges an imperious duty in making known to the Porte the impression which has been made upon it by an event unfortunately irreparable, and which, were it to occur again, would be likely to cause real danger to a Government weak enough to make such concessions to a hateful and lamentable fanaticism. The Undersigned, &c., Inclosure 2 in No. 8. _Sir Stratford Canning to M. Pisani_. Sir, _Buyukderé, October_ 30, 1843. In presenting to the Minister for Foreign Affairs the accompanying translation of an instruction addressed to me by the Earl of Aberdeen, with reference to the Armenian who was lately executed at Constantinople, you will be careful to impress his Excellency with a conviction of the deep and painful sentiments excited throughout Great Britain by that deplorable act. You will require that the instruction be forthwith submitted not only to his Highness the Grand Vizier, but also to His Imperial Majesty the Sultan. A copy of this letter, with a translation in Turkish, is to be left with Rifaat Pasha. (Signed) STRATFORD CANNING. No. 9. _Sir Stratford Canning to Mr. Addington_.--(_Received November_ 23.) Sir, _Buyukderé, November_ 3, 1843.