Egypt -- History -- Mohammed Ali, 1805-1849; Syria -- History; Turkey -- History -- 1829-1878
“The first article he considers quite inadmissable, as it would not be
acceded to by Ibrahim Pacha, would cause discord in his family, and a
civil war at his death. He also objects to the part of Article 6 which
relates to the appointment of officers; hitherto they have all been
appointed by him, with the exception of General of Division, and a
sudden deviation from that system would disorganize the army, and bring
his authority into contempt.
“The Pacha has repeatedly consulted me on this subject; and it is a most
delicate situation to be placed in, as I cannot know what instructions
your Lordship may have given to Lord Ponsonby; but judging of the
intentions of the Allies from the Treaty of the 15th July, I cannot
think it was contemplated by the Allies to attach such a condition to
the hereditary title, and I did not hesitate to tell His Highness as
much. It is true I might have preserved silence; but placed as the Pacha
at present is, he is sure of turning to some one for advice, and that
person would have been the French Consul-General, out of whose hands I
have kept him since my arrival here; in fact, he looks up to England for
protection and advice, and I believe I am the only person he consults.
“There is a separate firman giving him the pachalic of Nubia for life,
with the condition that the chase should be suppressed, and no more
eunuchs made. This he has no objection to; and he regrets the Sublime
Porte has not taken the initiative and abolished slavery. I have urged
him strongly to do this at once; but he says it is surrounded with so
many difficulties, that the people’s minds must be prepared before he
can venture on such a measure.
“Mr. Larking goes home in the Liverpool in bad health; and he will
explain to your Lordship the position of this country, and the anxiety
of the Pacha for the friendship of England. The Consuls are not yet
arrived from Constantinople, which is to be regretted. I don’t know that
I have any right to stay now my mission is finished. Syria is entirely
evacuated, and many lives have been lost in consequence of the rejection
of the Convention, and the menacing attitude of the Turks, which obliged
Ibrahim Pacha to go round the Dead Sea, instead of marching straight on
Gaza.
“After the honourable manner the Pacha has behaved about the fleet, it
is to be regretted the Porte should have pressed him so hard,
particularly as I do not see how they can enforce their demands, and I
do not apprehend the Allies will risk another armament to enforce them.
“The Scheiks and Emirs are arrived at Cairo; and they will be sent to
Syria immediately on their arrival here.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account