Egypt -- History -- Mohammed Ali, 1805-1849; Syria -- History; Turkey -- History -- 1829-1878
“_February 24._ I saw the Pacha last night; he had a very long
conversation with the Turkish Minister, who seems to be aware of the
impossibility of imposing such terms on the Pacha, and he has sent his
steamer to Constantinople for fresh instructions. I do hope they will be
more reasonable at Constantinople. I do not think it would have been
possible to have concocted a better plan to throw discord and confusion
into a country, than the terms they have proposed to him. Egypt is
making rapid strides to improvement, and is now beginning to feel the
advantages of Mehemet Ali’s system. He is, it is true, an Oriental, and
has many mistaken notions; but he must be treated with kindness and
consideration.
“A good many Syrians have come into Egypt with the Egyptian army. I have
demanded their immediate release; and for the first time, had rather a
warm discussion with him on the subject. He promises to send them to
their homes; but not till he hears from Constantinople. I regret this,
because it will furnish his enemies with weapons against him; but I
cannot wonder at his being irritated, because he has not been treated
well. He behaved so honourably about the fleet, that he deserved some
consideration. Imposing such a heavy tribute on him, will have either
the effect of stopping improvement in Egypt, or if he goes on with his
public works, he will have to oppress the people, and he was on the
point of reducing the poll-tax, when the Hatti Scherif arrived.
“I have, &c.,
(Signed) “CHARLES NAPIER.
“To Viscount Palmerston.
“P.S. I have this moment received a letter from Boghos Bey, promising
the release of the Syrian troops.”
My last interview with the Pacha was not of a very pleasant nature; for
the first time, he neither offered me a pipe, nor took one himself, and
was in very ill humour. I pressed him hard about the Syrians, which he
evaded; and I told him I should speak to him no more on the subject, but
should address an official letter to Boghos Bey; this I did, and he
answered, promising their immediate release.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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