Egypt -- History -- Mohammed Ali, 1805-1849; Syria -- History; Turkey -- History -- 1829-1878
After leaving the Pacha I had an interview with the Bey, and settled
with him the terms of the Convention, which was submitted to the Pacha
in the evening, and after some discussion was agreed upon. I was anxious
that the Egyptian troops should be embarked and return by sea, because I
foresaw their retiring by land would disorganize the whole of Syria, and
stir up the evil passions of the inhabitants, which would not easily
subside. Besides I was afraid some untoward event might bring the Turks
and Egyptians into contact, and upset all I had been doing. Mehemet Ali,
on the other hand, afraid of foul play, (and the sequel has proved he
had reason,) was anxious they should retire by land; and it is singular
enough that there was a greater outcry against that Article which he did
not like, than against all the other Articles of the Convention; and I
feel quite satisfied that the hold of Turkey on Syria has been more
weakened by that retreat than by any other follies they have since
committed; the different sects know their strength, and the day is not
far distant when the Turks will be driven out of the country, with a
severer loss than Ibrahim Pacha met with.
The subjoined correspondence, together with the Convention, is the best
account I can give of the progress of the transaction:—
“H.M. Steam-ship Medea, Alexandria,
Nov. 26, 1840.
“Sir,
“In the last paragraph of your letter of yesterday’s date, you say that
the Pacha will give orders to concentrate the Egyptian army in Syria, in
order that they may evacuate the country, when the decision of the
Powers is officially known.
“I beg to observe to your Excellency that the Egyptian troops are
already concentrated, and my demand is, that the order should be given
for the _immediate_ evacuation; and I shall place a steamer at your
Excellency’s disposal to convey the officer whom the Pacha sends,
together with one I shall appoint, to Beyrout, with the Pacha’s
despatches to his son Ibrahim Pacha.
“Nothing short of this will either meet the Commander-in-Chief’s
approbation, or put an end to hostilities.
“I have, &c.,
(Signed) “CHAS. NAPIER, _Commodore_.”
“His Excellency Boghos Bey.”
I received no answer to this letter, but the following was published in
the _Journal des Debats_:—
“Alexandria, Nov. 26, 1840.
“Commodore,
“I reply to the last letter which you have done me the honour to address
to me, and which I have laid before the Viceroy, my master.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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