Many statements in regard to the state of affairs in Eastern Turkey are criticised as being too sweeping and general, and the inference is drawn that they are exaggerations, not based on exact knowledge of the facts. This chapter will, therefore, contain nothing but definite incidents and figures, names and places also being added regardless of consequences. This information is furnished by a trustworthy authority on the ground, and has already been published in _The Independent_, of New York, January 17, 1895, from which I quote verbatim. It shows the usual course of things in times of so-called peace between Kurds and their Christian slaves, and indicates to what sort of a life these Armenian, Jacobite, and Nestorian Christians are condemned when no massacre is in hand. From my own residence and travels in Armenia, I know that the incidents related would apply to hundreds of villages with simply a change of name. “_A Partial List of Exactions made upon the Village of Mansurieh of Bohtan_ (Kaimakamlik of Jezireh) by the government, and by Mustapha Pasha, a Kurdish Kocher, or nomad chief, in 1893: SUMMARY. 1. Government Exaction Excess of official 3,000 ps.[9] demand „ „ Amount of double tax 4,000 „ „ Produce taken by 2,000 9,000 ps. gendarmes ————— 2. Exaction by M. Pasha. Excess of tithe 1,500 revenue Damage to crops 2,000 3,500 ————— ————— Total excess taken from village for 1893 12,500 Total of legitimate taxes on village for 14,000 the year The village complained to the government of Mustapha Pasha’s exactions, but no redress was given by the government, nor anything done to Mustapha Pasha, who, when he learned of their having made complaint, sent droves of sheep to devour the crops that remained, viz., five pieces of ground sown and bearing cotton, millet, flaxseed, etc., valued at 2000 piasters.” “_Partial List of Exaction by Aghas of Shernakh_ (one day north of Jezireh), from Hassana of Bohtan, during years 1891–’93. Hassana has sixty houses: