(Signed) FREDERICK PISANI.
No. 10.
_Sir Stratford Canning to the Earl of Aberdeen.--(Received December
5_.)
(Extract.) _Buyukderé, November_ 17, 1843.
I am happy to state that a serious and salutary impression has been
made upon the Turkish Government by the communication of your
Lordship's instruction respecting the Armenian decapitated in the
streets of Constantinople. Preceded as that communication was by the
delivery of M. Guizot's impressive note, and followed, as I believe
it to have been, by the presentation of Baron Bülow's instruction to
M. de Le Coq, the Porte has felt, even in the absence of any similar
declaration from the Austrian and Russian Legations, that she cannot
with prudence or safety repeat an atrocity tending so directly to
excite the indignant feelings of Christendom against her. I have not
received, nor indeed have I yet demanded, an official answer to my
remonstrance. M. de Bourqueney, though, like myself, without
instructions on that point, has made the demand, but, at my request,
he has abstained from pressing it, agreeing, on reflection, with me,
that it would be advisable at all events to afford time for M. de
Titow to hear from his Government, and to take a step more or less
in harmony with ours. It remains indeed to be considered whether it
would be prudent, even with that advantage, to insist upon receiving
a formal answer. I have already forwarded to your Lordship's office
the substance of Rifaat Pasha's remarks, and they convey an
assurance that the Porte will in future find means to avoid the
application of the law in cases like that which proved fatal to the
unfortunate Armenian.
The apparent consequences of what has been done in this matter are,
a Ministerial understanding that occasions of calling the law into
action as to religious offences involving a capital punishment are
for the future to be avoided, and a proclamation addressed to the
Turkish authorities in Roumelia for the better treatment and
protection of the Sultan's Christian subjects.
I venture to believe that your Lordship will derive the same
gratification which I do from this result.
No. 11.
_Sir Stratford Canning to the Earl of Aberdeen_.--(_Received
December_ 18.)
My Lord, _Buyukderé, November_ 20, 1843.
I have the satisfaction to state, that the Russian Envoy has
informed me of his having received an instruction from his Court on
the subject of the Armenian youth decapitated at Constantinople. His
Excellency has given me to understand that the terms of this
instruction are in harmony with the sentiments of Her Majesty's
Government; and I presume that he will make me a more complete
communication of its contents the first time we meet.