(Signed) STRATFORD CANNING.
Inclosure 2 in No. 30.
_Answer of Rifaat Pasha to M. Pisani, February_ 22, 1844.
Aucune nouvelle démarche n'était nécessaire pour nous faire sentir
l'importance de cette question, importance dont nous sommes
profondément pénétrés. Nous la traitons avec tout le sérieux et tous
les soins que sa gravité exige. Oui, ce que vos chefs respectifs
disent est vrai; cette question a son côté politique aussi bien que
son côté religieux. Il faut en effet que nous nous séparions de la
nation, ou bien des Puissances Chrétiennes; ce sont là deux grands
maux également à éviter. Le Sultan a ordonné que cette question soit
discutée dans un Conseil d'Oulémas qui s'ouvrira Samedi prochain
chez le Sheik-ul-Islam, auquel seront appelés le Cazi-Asker et
d'autres notabilités parmi les hommes de loi; après quoi, le Conseil
des Ministres s'en occupera de nouveau. Ne croyez-pas au reste que
nous nous soyons bornés à appeler leur attention purement et
simplement sur la question sous le rapport religieux; nous leur
avons remis aussi les protocoles des conférences, les dépêches des
deux Gouvernemens, et même des extraits des journaux qui ont agité
cette question, et nous leur communiquerons également les
instructions que vous venez de me remettre, et qui, bien que
superflues pour la Porte, peuvent encore ajouter à l'impression
produite par les autres pièces qui sont entre leurs mains. Comme
nous ne devons pas douter des bonnes intentions des Puissances, nous
espérons que MM. les Représentans d'Angleterre et de France, dans
leur haute sagesse et avec l'esprit d'équité qui les anime, ne se
refuseront pas à prendre en considération les graves difficultés qui
existent, et qu'ils se prêteront à amener une solution qui nous
sauverait des deux maux que je vous ai signalés. C'est là le but que
nous devons nous efforcer d'atteindre.
C'était pour vous informer de la marche de cette affaire que je vous
ai prié ce matin de passer chez moi.
(Translation.)
No fresh step was requisite to make us sensible of the importance of
this question, with which we are deeply impressed. We are dealing
with it with all the seriousness and all the care which its gravity
requires. Yes, what your respective chiefs say is true; this
question has its political as also its religious side. It is
requisite, in fact, that we should separate ourselves from the
nation, or otherwise from the Christian Powers; those are two great
evils to be equally avoided. The Sultan has commanded that this
question shall be discussed in the Council of Oulemas which will be
opened next Saturday at the Sheik-ul-Islam's, to which the
Cazi-Asker and the other principal persons among the men of the law
will be summoned; after which, the Council of Ministers will again
apply themselves to it. Do not suppose, however, that we have
confined ourselves to directing their attention purely and simply to
the question as it regards religion; we have likewise submitted to
them the protocols of the conferences, the despatches of the two
Governments, and even the extracts of the newspapers which have
discussed this question, and we shall likewise communicate to them
the instructions which you have just delivered to me, and which,
although superfluous as far as the Porte is concerned, may still add
to the impression produced by the other documents in their hands. As
we must not doubt the good intentions of the Powers, we trust that
the Representatives of England and France, in their profound wisdom,
and with the spirit of equity by which they are animated, will not
refuse to take into consideration the serious difficulties which
exist, and that they will lend themselves to bring about a solution
which would preserve us from the two evils which I have pointed out
to you. That is the object which we must strive to attain.
It was in order to acquaint you with the progress of this matter
that I requested you to call upon me this morning.
Inclosure 3 in No. 30.
_Answer of Rifaat Pasha to M. Pisani, February_ 20, 1844.
Nous connaissons toute l'importance de la question dont il s'agit.
Mais il faut considérer que cette question n'est ni politique ni
administrative, et qu'elle regarde la religion. Il faut donc que
nous consultions préalablement les docteurs de la loi, et la mission
d'examiner cette affaire leur a été donnée de la part du Conseil;
cette affaire reviendra ensuite au Divan.
J'accomplis ma mission, qui est celle de porter exactement à la
connaissance des Ministres de la Sublime Porte tout ce que les deux
Représentans me disent, et je ne manquerai pas de leur faire savoir
la réponse du Conseil. Ainsi, non seulement je ne suis pas à même de
répondre aujourd'hui, mais il m'est encore impossible de vous dire
avec précision quel jour je pourrais vous la donner. Je ferai savoir
au Conseil le message dont vous vous êtes acquitté aujourd'hui.
(Translation.)
We know all the importance of the case in question. But it is
necessary to consider that this question is neither one of policy
nor of administration, and that it concerns religion. We must
therefore first consult the doctors of the law, and the charge of
inquiring into this matter has been entrusted to them by the
Council; the matter will then come back to the Divan.
I discharge my duty, which is to represent exactly to the Ministers
of the Sublime Porte what the two Representatives say to me, and I
shall not fail to let the latter know the answer of the Council. For
this reason, not only is it not in my power to give you an answer
to-day, but it is also impossible for me to say to you precisely on
what day I can give it to you. I will let the Council know the
message which you have communicated to-day.
No. 31.
_Sir Stratford Canning to the Earl of Aberdeen_.--(_Received March_
24.)
(Extract.) _Constantinople, March_ 3, 1844.
I have this moment received important information, and I rely so
much upon its correctness that I send off an express to overtake the
messenger. The Turkish Government has virtually decided on complying
with your Lordship's requisition.
Rifaat Pasha has written to propose in rather urgent terms a private
interview with me. I have assented to this proposal, repeating at
the same time my opinion that no advantage is likely to result from
it. The French Minister will be present, and we shall probably meet
on the 5th.
In reply to our renewed demand for the Porte's official answer,
Rifaat Pasha has pressed for an additional delay of eight or ten
days, alleging that the deliberations of the Council are not yet
closed.
On the expiration of that term, or shortly afterwards, I trust it
will be in my power to forward the official confirmation of what I
now submit to your Lordship with confidence.
No. 32.
_Lord Cowley to the Earl of Aberdeen_.--(_Received March_ 27.)
My Lord, _Paris, March_ 25, 1844.
With reference to your Lordship's despatch of the 22nd instant
inclosing a copy of your instructions to Sir Stratford Canning under
date the 19th instant, I have the honour to state that upon
communicating those instructions to the Minister for Foreign
Affairs, he assured me that he would without loss of time send
instructions of a similar tenour to M. de Bourqueney, although that
Minister was already in possession of the sentiments of his
Government relative to those barbarous executions; which are, that
the Government of France had no intention of requiring of the
Ottoman Government that they should abrogate any law, but they
expect a satisfactory assurance in writing should be given to the
Allies that the practice complained of should cease.