“Moreover, when Sami Bey was sent on a mission to the Sublime Porte, he offered, in the name of his Highness, the restitution of the fleet, which was on the point of putting to sea to return to Constantinople when the hostilities begun in Syria postponed the execution of the orders of the Viceroy. With regard to the evacuation of Syria, his Highness thought himself justified in waiting for fresh orders from the Sublime Porte. You are aware, Commodore, of the manner in which the request of the Viceroy was replied to, who thereupon thought it necessary to have recourse to the unofficial mediation of France, manifesting thereby his intention of entering upon the path of conciliation, and his desire to see an end put to a state of things, which his Highness is conscious he did not give occasion for. “The direct communications between the Viceroy and the Commander-in-Chief of the Egyptian army in Syria are for the moment suspended, in consequence of the agitation which exists in that country. It is with the sole object of putting a stop to the disorders, and of ensuring the means of correspondence between the army and Egypt, that the Viceroy has directed a body of troops to march upon the frontier, the object of whose mission is to re-establish the communications. “I hope, Commodore, that you will be satisfied with the explanations which the Viceroy has ordered me to transmit to you, and that you will perceive, in the eagerness which I have shown to reply with frankness to your friendly communication, a fresh proof of the pacific and conciliatory feelings which have never ceased to animate the Viceroy, my master. “I avail myself, &c., (Signed) “BOGHOS JOUSSOUF.” “To Commodore Napier.” The weather had been fine, but still we could not expect a long continuance of it. Mehemet Ali I knew was in some fears that Alexandria might share the fate of Acre; a gale of wind driving us off the coast would relieve him from those fears, and restore his confidence, powerfully supported as he would have been by France. I was so satisfied with Boghos Bey’s answer, that, to save time, I resolved, to accompany Captain Maunsell, who returned with the following letter, and offer an interview, which was accepted. “H.M.S. Powerful, Off Alexandria, November 24, 1840. “Sir, “I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency’s letter, and am happy to find that the Emirs and Scheiks of Lebanon have been released and if they are not all gone, I shall be glad to send them to Beyrout by sea. “I have the honour of inclosing a copy of Lord Palmerston’s letter[16] to Lord Ponsonby, by which your Excellency will observe, that the desire of the Allied Powers is to reinstate his Highness in the hereditary government of Egypt, provided he at once evacuates Syria, and gives up the Ottoman fleet. Footnote 16: