forces that met in these Eastern ports. The convention which had been previously agreed upon between Midhat and the British authorities prevented any friction between them. The re‐establishment of Imperial authority in these regions justified, and indeed necessitated, a considerable increase in the Turkish flotilla in these waters. Before the opening of the Suez Canal, Turkey only possessed the two corvettes the _Boursa_, and the _Ismir_, neither of which was in a sea‐going condition. Midhat sent the _Boursa_ to Bombay to undergo repairs, and added the _Libnan_, _Iskenderoun_, _Deniz_, _Babel_, _Ninova_, _Nedjed_, and _Assour_, besides ten vessels of light draught for river police, and to reinforce the Bagdad squadron. The port of Bussora, no longer adequate to the naval requirements of the province, was enlarged and improved, and works for an inner harbour capable of anchoring vessels of 10-feet draught were commenced at Kut‐el‐Frenghi on the river Shat‐el‐arab. All these various improvements and reforms, and the general advance in the political and administrative status of this important province, were highly appreciated by the Government of the Porte, which was now under the enlightened guidance of Aali Pasha, who addressed the following letter to Midhat Pasha:— “EXCELLENCY,—The very weak state of health from which I have been for some time suffering has been the cause of the delay that has occurred in answering your letters concerning the voyage of His Majesty the Shah. Pray accept my most sincere excuses. I beg to congratulate you in a very especial manner, on your brilliant successes in the Nedjed. Everything seems to indicate that, thanks to the tact with which you have brought about the pacification of the Provinces of Assir, the political importance of which is so considerable, the whole Arabic peninsula will soon return to its ancient status. By your services you have merited the glorious title, ‘Haremein Muhteremein.’ “The effect of the Shah’s visit on the Shiite population in the province was the subject of considerable preoccupation with us, but the good intentions and loyalty manifested on both sides, have smoothed over many difficulties and brought about highly desirable results.... It is quite certain that Nevab Ikbal Eldevle, being a just and upright man, will blame and discourage any flagrant departure from justice and equity on the part of his co‐religionists. “Be good enough to thank him in my name, when the occasion offers, for the seal in agate, the engraving and inscription on which are very fine. “Prince Abbas Mirza has arrived here, and he has twice been received in Audience by his Majesty.... He seems a polished and intelligent person, but I have not yet had any opportunity to form an estimate of his character. “I am, “(seal) MEHMED EMIN AALI. “23 _Djemaziel Evel, 1288_ (1871), _Hegira_.”