The Author ordered to Alexandria to carry the Convention into
effect—Interviews with the Pacha and Boghos Bey—Letter from Boghos
Bey explaining the Pacha’s Intentions—Lieut. Loring dispatched to
see the Evacuation of Syria carried into effect; his
Instructions—Letters to the Chief Officers in Syria—Arrival of the
Turkish Commissioners at Alexandria—Surrender of the Turkish
Fleet—Bad Faith of the Turks—Correspondence between the Author and
Boghos Bey respecting the Cotton Crop—The Commercial Treaty.
The day after the arrival of the Megæra, I waited on the
Commander-in-Chief, who directed me to proceed to Alexandria, and see
the Convention carried out. I arrived there in the Stromboli on the 8th
January, when the Pacha sent one of his officers to compliment me, and
invite me to the Palace.
Between seven and eight in the evening I waited on Boghos Bey, and
delivered the Admiral’s and Rechid Pacha’s letters[14], and an extract
of Lord Palmerston’s instruction, dated the 15th of December, beginning
with the words, “Now it is necessary that Sir Robert Stopford[15].”
Boghos Bey did not seem much disappointed at the refusal of the Allies
to give a guarantee, but expressed his dissatisfaction at the word
“hereditary” not appearing in the letter of Rechid Pacha to the British
Ambassador, and expressed his fears that there would be some difficulty
with the Pacha, who fully expected on his submission, the hereditary
Pachalic of Egypt would be conferred on him.
I was now introduced to the Pacha, who was far from being in good
humour, and evidently disappointed at the communication Boghos Bey had
previously made to him; he nevertheless invited me to sit on the divan
beside him, and gave me a pipe.
I acquainted his Highness that I was authorized to allow vessels to
proceed to Caiffa, to embark the sick, wounded, women, children, and any
part of the Egyptian army, and that I should send a British officer with
the person to whom he entrusted his instructions to Ibrahim to evacuate
Syria. I also told him that I should give every assistance to fit out
the Turkish fleet, which I was sorry to observe was in the same state I
had left them.
He replied it was not his fault; that after the agreement I had made
with him the officer had been sent back from Syria, and the agreement
disallowed.
I remarked that that difficulty was now obviated, that the Convention
had been approved of in London, with the exception of the guarantee.
To this he observed that he did not care so much about the guarantee,
but that the word “hereditary” had been left out, whereas in Lord
Palmerston’s dispatch to Lord Ponsonby, dated the 15th of October, and
which had been made public, it was distinctly stated that the Porte
would be strongly recommended to confer on him the hereditary Pachalic,
and that in M. Guizot’s speech to the French Chambers he had declared
that the Allies would recommend it; and finally, that the agreement
signed by Boghos Bey and myself stipulated that the fleet should be
delivered up on receiving the official account that the Sublime Porte
would confer on him the hereditary government of Egypt; that
notwithstanding this, in Lord Palmerston’s instructions of the 14th of
November, communicated to him by Captain Fanshawe, the word “hereditary”
had been left out; but nevertheless he had entirely submitted himself to
the will of the Sultan, and asked for no terms, being convinced he would
be confirmed in the fullest sense.
There was so much truth in these observations that I did not endeavour
to controvert them, and soon after took my leave, promising to call on
Boghos Bey next morning, when the papers were translated.
In my next interview with Boghos Bey he again spoke of the
disappointment and dissatisfaction of the Pacha. He said he had done
everything to gain the good will of England; that the interests of Great
Britain and Egypt were identified; that at one time England had
encouraged him, and even permitted Egyptians to enter her dockyards and
ships to gain instruction, and that now she wanted to put him down
altogether. All this he very naturally attributed to Lord Ponsonby, and
Mehemet Ali often said, he was not at war with either Turkey or England,
but with the English Ambassador.
I told him I was not without hopes that the British Government would
still use their influence with the Porte to obtain that point, and that
I should do everything in my power to forward the Pacha’s wishes, and I
had reason to believe they would be complied with.
He requested me to read the part of Lord Palmerston’s letter, approving
of the Convention[16], which I consented to do, but he must consider it
a private communication; he listened to this with much satisfaction, and
said, if I would communicate it to the Pacha, it would go a great way to
tranquillize his mind.
In the morning I waited on the old man, and read to him the other part
of Lord Palmerston’s instructions, which had some effect in putting him
in good humour; he talked a good deal about the difficulty of quitting
Syria till the spring without a great loss of life and stores, and was
anxious that the women, children, and sick should be allowed to embark
at Beyrout, Sidon, or the most convenient place, should the army be
still at Damascus.
There is no doubt whatever that he had sent orders to Ibrahim to
withdraw, but was probably afraid that he would not obey them when he
heard of his fathers submission without being certain of the hereditary
pachalic being conferred, and he was anxious, in the event of his
staying at Damascus, to free him of his incumbrances.
I observed that the weather was now better than when the Convention was
signed, and was improving every day; that I had no authority to allow
any embarkation either at Beyrout or Sidon, but that I should write to
the officer in command to give every facility in his power, and that I
felt satisfied the best way to insure the British Government pressing
the point of the hereditary pachalic was, by throwing no difficulties in
the way; that, whether or no, his son must succeed him, and as to a
guarantee, he had shown it was more necessary to guarantee the Porte
against him, than him against the Porte. The old man was tickled at this
observation, and consented to all I asked, and next morning Boghos gave
it me in writing, as follows:
“Commodore, “Alexandria, Jan. 10, 1841.
“The object of the letter which I have the honour to address to you, is
to recapitulate, according to the desire which you have expressed to me,
the words which you heard from the mouth of the Viceroy, my master,
himself, in your conversation yesterday evening.
“The delay which has occurred in the evacuation of Syria is not
dependent on the will of his Highness. In consequence of the Convention
concluded with you on the 27th of November last, Hamid Bey was sent to
Syria, to carry the Viceroy’s orders to Ibrahim Pacha. You know,
Commodore, the reasons which hindered that superior officer from
fulfilling his mission, and you are acquainted with the nature of the
obstacles which prevented the despatches of his Highness from reaching
their destination.
“The Viceroy, always desirous to give you a fresh proof of his readiness
to fulfil his engagements, proposes to dispatch a steam-vessel this very
day to take back to Syria Hamid Bey, who will be charged, in conjunction
with the English officer appointed by you, to deliver the orders to the
General-in-Chief of Egyptian army. As soon as Ibrahim Pacha shall be
made acquainted with them, he will immediately effect the evacuation of
Syria, despatching, if it is in his power to do so, the women, children,
and sick, towards Caiffa, and marching himself towards Egypt, should he
not be already in motion with his army to effect his retreat in that
direction. Immediately on our being made acquainted, by the return of
Hamid Bey, with the measures taken by Ibrahim Pacha in execution of the
orders of his Highness, and as soon as we shall have acquired the
certainty that the sick, women, and children, belonging to the Egyptian
army have been able to proceed to Caiffa, his Highness will send
transports to that port to secure their return to Egypt.
“With respect to the Ottoman fleet, I can only confirm what I had
formerly the honour of writing to you, Commodore; it is ready to put to
sea.
“Such is the substance of the terms in which the Viceroy expressed
himself to you, Commodore. His Highness, in thus giving you a fresh
proof of his deference to the decisions of the Allied Powers, is
convinced that they will hasten the execution of the Treaty of the 15th
of July, by obtaining in his favour the hereditary government of Egypt;
and that they will show their intention of securing the pacification of
the East, by placing it on an imperishable foundation.”
The Egyptian steamer Generoso started on the second day after my
arrival, with one of the Pacha’s officers and Lieutenant Loring, to whom
I gave the following instructions:—
“H.M.S. Carysfort,
January 10, 1841.
“Sir,
“Pursuant to directions from the Commander-in-Chief, you will accompany
Hamid Bey in the Egyptian steam-boat Generoso, to the coast of Syria.
“You will recommend him first to proceed to Acre, and you will deliver
the accompanying letter to the officer commanding the Allied troops.
“You will consult with him on the best way of proceeding to Ibrahim
Pacha’s head-quarters, and you will demand a proper escort (if
necessary) for your own protection and that of the Egyptian officer who
accompanies you. The object of your mission is to see the evacuation of
Syria carried into effect, and you will remain with Ibrahim Pacha as
long as you think it necessary, and then return to Alexandria.
“I have, &c.,
“CHAS. NAPIER.”
“Lieutenant Loring, H.M.S. Carysfort.”
I wrote also to the senior Naval and Military officers in Syria.
“H.M.S. Carysfort,
January 10, 1841.
“Sir,
“The bearer of this letter is charged by me, (agreeably to the orders of
Sir Robert Stopford, in consequence of directions of Lord Palmerston, to
carry my Convention into effect,) to proceed with Hamid Bey to Ibrahim
Pacha’s head-quarters, and deliver to him the order of Mehemet Ali, for
the immediate evacuation of Syria.
“It is Sir Robert Stopford’s directions that every facility is given for
the embarkation of the sick, the wounded, the women and children, and
others of the Egyptian army, at Caiffa.
“But it appears to me, (if there be no objection, of which I cannot be a
judge,) they may be permitted to embark at any other place if more
convenient.
“The officer charged with the despatches to Ibrahim Pacha, will
necessarily concert with him and with you on this point, as will also do
the officer charged to see the evacuation carried into effect.
“It is needless to observe, that as Mehemet Ali has made his submission
to the Porte, and is reinstated in the Pachalic of Egypt, it is of the
utmost importance that Ibrahim should not be disturbed in his
evacuation, but should be protected and assisted in every manner, so as
to cause as little loss of life as possible.
“I have, &c.,
“CHAS. NAPIER.”
“To the Officer commanding the
Allied Forces in Syria.”
“Sir,
“I have the honour to inform you that I am directed by the
Commander-in-Chief to permit the women, children, sick, wounded, and
others of the Egyptian army, to embark at Caiffa, and that Lieut. Loring
is charged to see the evacuation of Syria carried into effect, and is
accompanied by Hamid Bey, who is the bearer of orders to Ibrahim Pacha
to evacuate Syria forthwith.
“It is possible there may be other places on the coast of Syria more
convenient for the embarkation than Caiffa, (of which I cannot be a
judge, not knowing the position of Ibrahim’s army;) in that case you
will concert with the officer commanding the Allied army, and act
accordingly.
“As soon as it is ascertained where the embarkation will take place, the
steamer will return here, and transports will be sent to receive them.
“I need not observe, that as Mehemet Ali has sent his submission to the
Porte, which has been accepted, and is now reinstated in the Pachalic of
Egypt, every facility should be given to Ibrahim Pacha to evacuate
Syria, in order that it may be done with as little loss of life as
possible.
“I have, &c.,
“CHAS. NAPIER.”
“To the Senior Naval Officer
at Acre or Ascalon.”
The Turkish Commissioners, Yaver Pacha (Admiral Walker,) and Mazloum
Bey, arrived at Alexandria on the 10th January, and were graciously
received by Mehemet Ali, who gave directions that the fleet should be
immediately given up, and Admiral Walker hoisted his flag on the 11th at
noon, under a salute from the batteries at Alexandria, and the Egyptian
men-of-war and steamers were put at their disposal, and they were
ordered to be entertained at the Pacha’s expense. My friend, Admiral
Walker, took up his residence with me, and in the morning of the 13th I
visited him on board the Mahomedie, and afterwards waited on all the
Turkish and Egyptian Admirals, when as much powder was burnt as would
have fought a good action.
I dispatched the Stromboli with the important intelligence of the
delivery of the Turkish fleet, to Sir Robert Stopford, at Marmorice Bay,
on the 11th of January, supposing that the Eastern Question was brought
to a close, but the sequel will show that it was not yet over.
I shall here make a comparison between the conduct of Sir Robert
Stopford and Lord Ponsonby. Both rejected my Convention, and I believe
it was the first time they ever agreed. When Captain Fanshawe returned
from Alexandria, the Admiral, I think, saw his error, because he wrote
to Syria to order a suspension of hostilities, and permitted the
embarkation of the sick and wounded. Lord Ponsonby, on the other hand,
did every thing he possibly could to gain time, and more than that, the
British Ambassador wrote to General Jochmus, a Turkish officer, and
desired him not to suspend hostilities, as is positively stated in
General Michell’s letter to Lord Palmerston, dated December 31, 1840,
and as we shall shortly see, he gave the same directions to his
emissary, Mr. Wood; and the very steamer that brought the Commissioners
to Alexandria, as I shall show hereafter, was the bearer of orders to,
if possible, destroy Ibrahim’s army: so much for the good faith of the
Turks[17]. Admiral Walker was quite ignorant of this as well as myself,
and thinking every thing was settled with Turkey, I very naturally
turned my attention to English interests at Alexandria.
Boghos Bey had announced his intention of selling the crop of cotton on
the 20th of February, and continuing the sale the first of every
succeeding month. The British merchants complained of the difficulty
they had in becoming purchasers under this arrangement; they alleged
that if they imported cash to purchase the cotton, it might be put up at
such a price that they would either be obliged to take it at a loss, or
re-export their specie, and they requested I would use my influence with
Boghos Bey to get him to put it up at public sale. I thought their
request so reasonable, that I immediately went to Boghos Bey, and
suggested to him, that the cotton in question should be put up at public
sale, when it is sure to fetch its real value, and the merchants would
then have a fair chance of becoming purchasers; that this system was
invariably followed by the East India Company, and they found it to
answer their purpose and satisfy the public.
I also took the opportunity of asking Boghos Bey whether the Pacha
intended to execute the Commercial Treaty of the 16th of August, 1839,
which, I assured him, the British Government would insist upon; and that
I felt certain, if the Pacha would allow it to take its course, he would
not only gain many friends in England, but it would engage Lord
Palmerston more strongly to push the point of the hereditary government.
I told him that as I had signed the Convention of the 27th of November,
which had been approved of, I felt bound in honour to do all in my power
to carry it out, and that no argument I could make use of would weigh
more than being able to write to Lord Palmerston that the Commercial
Convention was in full operation.
I also expressed to his Excellency my satisfaction at the loyal manner
in which His Highness had acted throughout the whole affair of the
evacuation of Syria, and the delivery of the fleet, and I trusted it
would have its due weight at Constantinople. The substance of this I put
in writing, and requested Boghos Bey to give me a reply, which he did
next morning.
“Commodore, “Alexandria, Jan. 15, 1841.
“After having informed you, Commodore, that I had made known to the
Viceroy, my master, the friendly letter which you wrote to me on the
14th of this month, I had the honour to accompany you this morning to
his Highness, and in the conversation which ensued, you have been
enabled to convince yourself, Commodore, of the sincerity of his
sentiments and conduct. All the means which we possess have been placed
at the disposal of the Admiral Yaver Pacha to facilitate the departure
of the Ottoman fleet, which is ready to put to sea; the retreat of the
Egyptian troops is being carried into effect in Syria; the garrisons in
Candia, Arabia, and the Holy Cities, only wait the arrival of the forces
to replace them, in order to maintain the tranquillity of those
countries.
“With regard to commerce, his Highness, who is desirous to dedicate to
it all his care, in conformity with the desire which has been expressed,
has been hitherto prevented from doing so by the occupation of the war.
In a few days he will proceed to the provinces to complete such
arrangements as may, without a violent shock to the administration of
the country, put him in a position to fulfil the conditions of the
Treaty to which he has given his acquiescence. The Viceroy trusts that
the time will be granted him, which is indispensable to work this
change, to be effected to the satisfaction of all.
“I have, &c.,
“BOGHOS JOUSSOUF.”
Footnote 14:
See page 39.
Footnote 15:
See page 51.
Footnote 16:
See page 49.
Footnote 17:
See Chapters XI. and XII.; and also _Levant Papers_, Part III., pp.
203, 268, 275.