_N.B._—Some of the expressions made use of in Arabic seem to have been literally translated from the Turkish, and are not very clear. L. The following is the text of the Imperial Firman promulgated in 1871 and regulating the future relation between the Sublime Porte as Suzerain and the Bey of Tunis as vassal:— “To our Vizir Muhamed es Sadek Pasha, bearer of the imperial decorations of the Osmanli and the Medjidié in diamonds, Governor-General of the province of Tunis. “We are aware of the laudable conduct you have pursued as well as the services you have rendered, and the loyalty and fidelity of which you have given proof, since the government of the province of Tunis, which forms part of our empire, has been confided to you, in the same manner as it was intrusted to your predecessors. “The talents with which you are endowed induce us to hope that you will persevere in the same path, and by directing all your efforts to the prosperity, happiness, and tranquillity of this province and of our subjects, you will become more and more worthy of our favour and of the trust we place in you, of which you will appreciate the value. “Our sincere desire and our deliberate intention is that this important province of our empire shall enjoy permanent security, and that a feeling of public confidence should exist on a solid basis amongst its inhabitants. “It is evident that in virtue of our sovereign rights, we shall never refuse to accord our support or devote our care to the complete realisation of our desire. “According to the demand contained in the petition addressed to us, we hereby confirm your appointment as Governor-General of the said province of Tunis, the boundaries of which shall remain as they were _ab antiquo_, and according to you moreover the right of hereditary succession upon the following conditions:— “With the object, as we have before stated, of augmenting the prosperity and wealth of the said imperial province and the people who inhabit it, and taking also into consideration the present diminished resources and the wants of the country, and animated besides by our feelings of generosity and interest towards our faithful Tunisian subjects: “We renounce in their favour the payment of the sum which this province was heretofore required to furnish under the form of tribute. “As an act of recognition of the ancient and legitimate ties which attach Tunis to our Caliphate and Government as an integral portion of our Empire, the _Khatba_ (‘Friday’s prayer for princes and rulers’) must be said, and all money issued, coined in our imperial name. “The flag shall preserve its form and colour. “In case of a war arising between Turkey and a foreign country, the imperial province shall be bound to furnish a military contingent in proportion to its ability. “All other ties up to this time existing with our Government shall be maintained. “Under these conditions we order and decree as follows:—