Egypt -- History -- Mohammed Ali, 1805-1849; Syria -- History; Turkey -- History -- 1829-1878
An officer was then sent to the Governor and the Consul with the papers
marked 1 and 2. Lieutenant Fitzjames landed in the Turkish camp, a
service of some danger, with No. 3, and the Proclamation. No. 4 was sent
to the Grand Prince, and No. 5 to his Nephew. The Governor declined
giving any answer, and the commander of the Turkish forces said he could
not act without orders.
An attack on the town depended entirely on a movement in the Turkish
camp, but they either had not spirit or inclination to throw up their
caps and declare for the Sultan; or it is possible the soldiers were
kept in ignorance of the proclamation, for though we remained three days
in our position no movement took place. I threatened to commence
hostilities should the Turkish troops be moved, but in the night they
were gradually withdrawn by a gate we could not see, and mingled with
the Egyptians.
Towards dark, as I suspected, the removal of the stores from the castles
and water side began, and I sent an officer to remonstrate and threaten,
and it was with much difficulty I refrained from putting my veto on the
proceedings, through the medium of a few 32lb. shot; this could easily
have been done; but was it justifiable? I thought not—and most
unwillingly made up my mind, unless a fair opportunity offered, to allow
the twenty days to expire.
No. 1.
“Sir,
“Great Britain, Austria, Russia and Prussia, have decided that Syria is
to be restored to the Sultan. I notify this to you for your guidance. I
demand that the Turkish troops be put under my protection, and that the
arms be restored to the inhabitants of Mount Lebanon. I am unwilling to
shed blood, or destroy the property of the inhabitants of Beyrout,
therefore I caution you not to provoke hostilities; you must see, by the
position I have taken up, that the town is at my mercy, therefore if you
are the cause of uselessly shedding blood the responsibility must rest
on your head. Any attempt to move the Turkish troops from their present
position will be the signal for hostilities.
“I am, Sir, &c.,
“CHAS. NAPIER.”
“His Excellency Mahmoud Bey, Governor of Beyrout.”
No. 2.
“Sir,
“I beg you will communicate to the Consuls of the different Powers, and
the British merchants at Beyrout, that Great Britain, Austria, Russia,
and Prussia, have decided that Syria is to be restored to the Sultan. I
have demanded that the Turkish troops be put under my protection, and
that the arms be restored to the inhabitants of Lebanon. I trust the
Governor will not provoke hostilities; if he does, the responsibility of
shedding blood must be on his own head.
“I am, Sir, &c.,
“CHAS. NAPIER, _Commodore_.”
“N. Moore, Esq., British Consul, Beyrout.”
No. 3.
“Sir,
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