“A column of the Egyptian army marched to Sidon on the 8th, and returned on the 12th with a couple of squadrons of cavalry, whom they escorted to this place. On their march there and back the Albanians committed all sorts of disorders, burnt three or four villages and two convents, and even shot the muleteers who carried their baggage, in order to possess themselves of their animals. “On the evening of the 13th, the Emir Hallid, second son of the Emir Bechir, ruling prince of the Mountain, came into Beyrout with 30 horse, leaving, it is said, 800 men in the neighbourhood, and next day the Egyptian army was put in motion and marched to the mountains; scarce two hours had elapsed ere the country was in a blaze, up to the tops of the highest hills; even the convents did not escape the fury of the Albanians. I thought it my duty to write on the subject to the Egyptian admiral, a copy of which letter I have the honour to inclose, together with Souliman Pacha’s reply. I only received positive information last night, that the insurrection was nearly put down; in fact, the chiefs, on seeing the imposing force Mehemet Ali sent against them, gave up the contest without a struggle. There are still men in arms in the mountains near Tripoli, but I fear all hope of Syria being relieved from the oppressive rule of Mehemet Ali by their own exertions is at an end. The Egyptian admiral sailed from here on the 15th, and was joined off Sidon by another frigate. There are lying here two Egyptian corvettes and three brigs; the town and neighbourhood is as quiet as can be expected, though attempts have been made to excite the Arabs against the Christians. “Rejoicings are going on, and are to continue for seven days, in consequence of the birth of a Sultana, and I hope they will pass off quietly. However, at any moment, a feeling may be stirred up against the Franks and Christians, and no one can tell what would be the consequence; and as they are intermixed in the town there would be no means of protecting them, or of intimidating the Arabs. Should anything unpleasant occur I shall do all I can to preserve order. “The Cyclops joined me on the 14th, and the Alecto on the 20th, to wait for the India Mail. The Turco-Egyptian squadron arrived at Alexandria on the 16th, to the great joy of Mehemet Ali. I have every reason to believe that the French steamer which arrived here the day after the Cyclops, brought the intelligence of our coming down, which hurried off the fleet. The French appear to be in favour of Mehemet Ali, and in that follow the views of the Government. The convents are under French protection, and their flag is flying in a dozen different places in the mountains; this gives them great influence. The greater part of the army is expected back daily, and I presume a part will be sent to Tripoli, should the insurgents be there in any force; they will also be pressed by Osman Pacha, who is at Merge.