1860.
APPEAL FROM THE JEWS OF DAMASCUS----LORD JOHN
RUSSELL'S ACTION----THE MORTARA CASE AGAIN----SERIOUS
ILLNESS OF LADY MONTEFIORE.
Having given the reader a copy of the letter Sir Moses wrote to the
_Times_, pleading the cause of his Christian brethren when persecuted
by the Druses and Mohammedans, he will probably read with equal
interest a copy of the letter he addressed to Lord John Russell,
pleading the cause of his Jewish brethren, accompanied by a translation
of the original Hebrew letter from the representatives of the Jewish
community.
"EAST CLIFF LODGE, RAMSGATE, _October 16th_.
"MY LORD,--With painful reluctance I submit to your Lordship the
accompanying translation of a letter from the heads of the Jewish
community at Damascus.
"There can be no doubt whatever that the Jewish body of that city is
guiltless of any participation in the recent outbreak, and I venture
to believe that your Lordship requires no argument to satisfy your
mind on this point.
"May I entreat your Lordship, as heretofore, to exercise the powerful
influence of Her Majesty's Government to protect and save the Jews of
Damascus from the perils to which they are so imminently exposed? As
the affair is urgent, I venture personally to attend your Lordship
with this letter and its enclosure.--I have the honour to be, my
Lord, your Lordship's faithful and obedient servant,
"MOSES MONTEFIORE."
"_To_ The Right Hon. LORD JOHN RUSSELL, &c."
_Copy of enclosure._
"_To_ Sir MOSES MONTEFIORE, Bt., our Benefactor and Deliverer, whom
may God long preserve, &c.
"We had the honour to address you a letter in the course of last
month, in which we spoke of the enmity of the Christians towards the
Jews here in Damascus, which has risen up in addition to all former
hatred.
"Now a great, bitter, and intense jealousy fills their hearts, by
reason that they have been murdered, plundered, and maltreated,
whereas against all the children of Israel not a dog moved his
tongue. Our hearts were then moved as the sea, least, by reason
of this bitter hatred and jealousy, false accusations should be
brought against us. We therefore besought you to aid us by obtaining
instructions from the English Government to the Consuls, Generals,
and Commanders who come to Syria; also from the Turkish Government to
His Highness Fuad Pasha that he should stand by us, and not be ready
to receive malicious reports against the Jews, for His Highness is a
just and upright man.
"Now we have to inform you that since the commencement of the month
of Ellul (August) the Christians have been plotting and preparing
false and malicious accusations against us; many of us have been
thrown into prison, and falsely accused of having participated in
the massacre. The Christians are believed in their statements, when
they say, 'So and so killed some one.' That person is thereupon
immediately brought before the tribunal. Testimony of honourable men
among the Turks is not received when they declare that the accused
was in their house during the tumult. Even the evidence of Christians
is not believed when they bear witness to the Jews having been hidden
with themselves, and their not having parted from each other during
the whole outbreak. Even should the accused himself testify anything
in favour of an accused Israelite, it is not attended to.
"A woman accused a certain Jew, who she thought had killed her
husband; she was asked to swear according to her own faith that the
accused was the man. She refused to swear, and asked the Jew to swear
by the law of Moses that he had not done it so that he might go free,
but the tribunal would not listen thereto. Even the testimony of our
Chief Rabbi has been rejected.
"The Jews still remain in prison, and one has since died in his
dungeon from the effects of terror.
"Oh, Sir! consider only for a moment the fearful consequences of
innocent Jews being thrown into prison with murderers, when all the
testimony and proof that they may bring forward will not aid in their
deliverance.
"We know not, therefore, what is to become of the people of Israel
when the Christians see that there is no hope for Israel; that
false accusations against them are listened to; but that to the
voice of Israel there is none to give ear or reply, none to pity or
compassionate.
"Indeed those who rose against the Christians and killed them are not
judged according to the ordinary laws of the land, nor is evidence
taken in the usual manner; but there has been established what
is termed an 'extraordinary tribunal.' Now it appears that it is
intended to judge the Jews also by this tribunal, and to condemn them
to death upon the mere word of the Christians. This is indeed a great
and bitter calamity. How is it possible to compare the condition of
the Jews to that of those who rose up against the Christians? Were
not the Jews themselves during that terrible time in the greatest
fear and danger? Surely there was but a step betwixt us and death.
Most of the Jews hid themselves in the houses of respectable Turks,
in cellars and in caves, in company with Christians.
"Is it possible to suppose that one who was in momentary fear for
his own life should rise up to kill another? Reason and common
sense testify against it. God forbid that such a thought should
enter the mind of Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen of England or
her Government--a queen whose justice and mercy is as that of the
kingdom of heaven, and for whose prosperity, honour, and glory we the
congregation of Damascus have prayed these twenty years.
"We have gratefully to acknowledge the great mercy, kindness, and
benevolence Her Most Gracious Majesty showed us in former troubles.
May she long reign in peace, happiness, and prosperity.
"In this trouble also do we lay our supplications before Her Majesty,
beseeching her to have pity and compassion upon poor afflicted Israel
in Damascus, who only desire her aid and support and all powerful
influence, that the imprisoned Jews may have a fair trial before the
ordinary tribunal in accordance with the well-known custom of the
country, for Israel both young and old are wholly guiltless in this
matter, and free from the crime of shedding blood,
"Truly this is a time of great trouble and distress, for every Jew
dwelling in Damascus is in continual dread of being accused, for
there is none to say unto the Christians, 'Why do ye thus?' It has
been openly declared by some of them that they will grant Israel
neither peace nor rest.
"Already they have begun to conspire against the best, the most
honourable and esteemed of our community, viz., the well-known Jacob
Abulaffia and Solomon Farchi, son of the late Isaac Hyam Farchi (of
whose hospitality you partook on your visit to Damascus), a youth
fourteen years of age, and only son of his father's house.
"A certain Christian declared that his father was killed between the
two houses of the above-named parties. Were not the Lord on our side
what would become of us? The accused being under French protection,
the French and Greek Consuls prevented this case being brought
before the 'Extraordinary Tribunal,' but had it heard before the two
Consuls. The Lord brought his innocence to light. May God save those
who uphold His Law from such fearful machinations!
"And on what was the whole accusation based? If a man had been found
slain in the highway at the time of the rising of the mob, when all
the streets of the Christians, as well as the streets of the Jews and
Turks, which are near each other, were filled with the slain, was it
in the power of man to prevent a murder from being committed before
his own house? Would the ruffians have had any regard? Who should
tell them not to murder all who stood in their way? Were the lives of
the Jews themselves then secure?
"Wherefore we beseech you to have compassion upon us, to put forth
your right hand to save us, to answer us, as the Most Holy--blessed
be He--shall direct and prepare the way for you. 'Behold it is a time
of trouble unto Jacob, oh, that he be saved out of it!' Our hope is
in you, that salvation may come through your means, to obtain the
influence of the English Government, as well as that of the French
and Turkish, with His Highness. Fuad Pasha, who is an upright judge;
also that instructions may be sent to the English Consul in Damascus,
so that the Jews may not be confounded with those who rose up in
rebellion.
"You are our Father; hasten to help us. As you have been our
former deliverer, so save us now, and compassionately be the means
of frustrating their evil devices, so that it may be said of our
troubles, and the troubles of all Israel, 'It is enough,' and redeem
us with an everlasting redemption. Amen.
"Attached are the signatures of the Rabbins, the elders; and the most
worthy of the congregation of Damascus, who anxiously await your
answer.
"HYAM ROMANO. DAVID HARPY. MENAHEM FARCHI. JACOB HALEVI. JACOB
PERETZ. NAHUM LUSANO. ISAAC KALON. RAPHAEL HALEVI. ISAAC MAIMON.
AARON JACOB."
"DAMASCUS, _7th Tishri 5621 (1860, September 23rd)_."
"FOREIGN OFFICE, _October 24th, 1860_.
"SIR,--I am directed by Lord John Russell to acknowledge the receipt
of your letter of the 16th inst., enclosing a petition from the Jews
at Damascus, praying for protection against the hostile proceedings
of the Christians, by whom they have been falsely accused of having
taken part in the late massacres.
"I am to state to you in reply that Her Majesty's Ambassador at
Constantinople has been instructed by telegraph to take immediate
steps for the protection of the Jews, and that written instructions
to the same effect will be sent to Sir Henry Bulwer, as well as to
Her Majesty's Consular Agents at Beyrout and Damascus.--I am, Sir,
your most obedient, humble servant,
"C. HAMMOND."
"Sir MOSES MONTEFIORE, Bart., &c."
"EAST CLIFF LODGE, RAMSGATE, _October 26th_.
"MY LORD,--I cannot adequately convey to your Lordship the
gratification afforded to me by your Lordship's esteemed
communication of the 24th inst., informing me of the prompt and
efficient measures taken by your Lordship for the protection of the
Jews of Damascus.
"I feel assured that the energetic manner in which your Lordship has
thrown the shield of the British Government over the Jewish community
of that city will, under Providence, be the means of saving the lives
of many innocent persons.
"The knowledge of this fact must afford your Lordship the highest
satisfaction, and it is indeed a source of pride and triumph when, as
in this case, the influence of the British Government is successfully
exerted in the cause of humanity and justice.
"Believe me, my Lord, I am deeply impressed with your Lordship's
kindness, which cannot fail to elicit the warmest sentiments of
admiration and gratitude from the hearts of the whole Jewish body.--I
have the honour to be, my Lord, your Lordship's faithful and obedient
servant,
"MOSES MONTEFIORE."
"_To_ The Right Hon. LORD JOHN RUSSELL, &c."
The following letter from Mr Brant bears testimony, if any were needed,
to the groundlessness of the charges against the Jews:--
"DAMASCUS, _October 16th_.
"SIR,--In your letter of this day's date you ask me to state what
I know of the behaviour of the Jewish community during the late
outbreak against Christians.
"I know that many of the principal members took refuge in the
houses of Mussulmans for fear of being massacred if they remained
in their own. I do not know that any one of your nation has been
proved to have been concerned in injuring the Christians. Some have
been accused of doing so, and were detained in prison, but I begged
his Excellency Fuad Pasha to have them fairly tried, and, if found
innocent, to order their release, which, I believe, has been, or is
on the point of being done.
"I am not aware that any Jew has behaved ill in this calamity, and
the accusations I have heard seemed to be the result of prejudice and
a malicious disposition, and not to be grounded on any established
proof.--I have the honour to be, with respect, Sir, your obedient,
humble servant,
"JAMES BRANT."
"_To_ JACOB SCREZ, Chief Rabbi of the Jewish Congregation at
Damascus."
"I certify the above to be a true copy of the original letter.
"WILLIAM H. WRENCH, _Acting Consul_."
"DAMASCUS, _October 19th_."
Sir Moses also had letters prepared on the subject, which were to be
forwarded to the Turkish Ambassador and Sir Culling Eardly, with copies
of the Damascus letter, and a few days later Sir Culling sent him
the copy of a letter he had written to Lord John Russell. It was an
admirable and affecting appeal for his Lordship's intervention.
_October 25th._--He received a most satisfactory reply to the letter he
had addressed to Lord John Russell respecting the persecution of the
Jews in Damascus. His Lordship had telegraphed to Constantinople, had
sent instructions to Her Britannic Majesty's Ambassador at that place,
and to the Consular Agents at Beyrout and Damascus, to take immediate
steps for the protection of the Jews.
The next day Mr G. Kursheedt, who had gone to Jerusalem with
instructions respecting the Juda Touro Almshouses, returned in safety
from the Holy Land, and gave Sir Moses an account of the state of his
co-religionists in Jerusalem. It was by no means unfavourable.
_October 31st._--Sir Moses convened a meeting of Deputies of British
Jews for the following Monday evening, to bring before them Sir Culling
E. Eardly's letters respecting the boy Mortara, and it would rest with
the Deputies, Sir Moses remarked, to say what part they would take with
Sir Culling in his efforts to get young Mortara away from Rome.
_November 7th._--Lady Montefiore passed a restless night. She had
been very weak during the day, and somewhat feverish. The doctor came
and saw her. He told Sir Moses they were making no progress, and he
must determine at once to leave England within ten days, or make
arrangements at Park Lane for the winter. "It would not do," he said,
"for Sir Moses to be going to and from London every week."
Sir Moses was now in a state of great uneasiness. "Lady Montefiore," he
says, "appears to me falling away." He hoped to leave England Thursday,
the 15th, but, finding that Lady Montefiore had become worse, he
determined at once to try the effect of a change to their house at Park
Lane.
Sir Moses apprised Dr Hodgkin of the change in his plans, which would
postpone their leaving England perhaps for a month or more.
The same day Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore left East Cliff for Park
Lane. Soon after their arrival at the latter place, Sir Moses was told
of the serious illness of Alderman Wire, his former Under Sheriff.
_November 9th_.--On sending to enquire after his health, he was greatly
shocked and pained by the answer: "He expired this morning." Sir Moses
most sincerely lamented his decease. A month later, he suffered another
loss. "I heard with deep regret," he writes, "of the death of Sir
George Carroll. He survived but a very short time the death of poor
Alderman Wire. We acted with great harmony and friendship together
during the whole time of our serving together the office of Sheriff;
indeed we have been on terms of friendship, since I first knew him,
more than fifty years ago."
Lady Montefiore continued very ill, requiring the consultations of Dr
Hodgkin and Dr Rees.
_December 15th_.--The entry is, "I cannot make up my mind to leave
England, and from day to day postpone positively fixing the time for
our departure. At any rate," he says, "it now cannot be before the end
of this month. May the God of Israel in His mercy direct us!"
_December 17th_.--The Rev. D. Cardall called on him from Sir Culling
Eardly, saying he had received on the previous night a telegram from
Paris, stating that the deputation from the "Alliance Israelite" would
arrive in London on the following Wednesday evening; and Sir C. Eardly
wished to know if a deputation from the Board of Deputies of the
British Jews would join him and the gentlemen from Paris on Friday to
wait on the Lord Mayor, to have a public meeting at the Mansion-House
regarding the child "Mortara." Sir Moses told Mr Cardall that he would
endeavour to have a meeting of the Deputies the next afternoon, and
would let him know their decision.
It appears that the idea of the Board's acting conjointly with Sir
Culling Eardly and his party with regard to a public meeting was not
favourably entertained by some Deputies, who were apprehensive that
strong language might be used against certain persons differing in
religious views with Sir Culling, of which they could not approve. They
had no objection of signing a temperately worded Memorial, jointly with
the Christians, to the Emperor of the French, to pray for his influence
with the Pope for the restoration of the child to his parents.
At the meeting which was held on the following day, a resolution
was adopted to the effect, "That until the Board shall have had an
opportunity of conferring with the deputation from the Alliance
Israelite, for which purpose a meeting has been specially convened on
Thursday next, it is unable to resolve upon any course of proceeding
with reference to the Mortara case.
A preliminary meeting of Jews and Christians, however, was held at
the Mansion House, on Friday, December 21st, to receive a deputation
of the Universal Israelite Alliance from Paris. In consequence of the
absence, on official business, of the Lord Mayor, Sir Culling Eardly
took the chair. The subject having been introduced by the chairman, the
meeting was addressed by Messieurs S. Carvalho (Ingénieur des Ponts
et Chaussées), S. Cahen (Professeur à l'Ecole Normale), and N. Leven
(Avocat à la Cour Impériale de Paris), constituting the deputation from
France; by Messrs Isaacs (Member of the Board of Deputies of British
Jews) and Hart (Member of the Board of Delegates of American Jews); and
by Signor Fernandez, on the part of the Jews of Italy. It was stated
that the Board of Deputies of the British Jews had met on the previous
night to receive the French Deputies, but that, owing to the absence
from illness of the President, Sir Moses Montefiore, the decision on
the subject of Mortara had been deferred for a few days. After a long
conversation, characterised by harmony of feeling, it was unanimously
resolved--"That we, Christians and Jews of England, France, Italy, and
America, having heard the views entertained by the Universal Israelite
Alliance, concerning new efforts to be made for the restoration of
the child Edgar Mortara to his parents, take this, the earliest,
opportunity of putting upon record our united conviction that the cause
is one which, at the right time, and in the use of right means, it is
our duty to resume."
Sir Culling Eardly, addressing the editor of the _Times_, under date
of the 25th of December, writes: "Be so kind as to announce that
arrangements are made for housing several thousands of the homeless
fugitives of Syria in the Government buildings of St Jean d'Acre.
Through the kind initiative of Lord Stratford de Redcliffe, President
of the Committee, the rapid appeal to the Porte of Lord John Russell,
and the zealous agency of Sir Henry Bulwer, this has been effected.
"Statesmen will not pass, nor their countrymen wish them a less 'Happy
Christmas,' because they have been instrumental in gaining a shelter
for the destitute at this inclement season.
"Let such kindness stir us all up to fresh efforts to feed, clothe,
heal, and employ the sufferers!"
Sir Moses had every reason to be pleased with the result of the
labours in which he was permitted to take so prominent a part, and he
considered himself justified in entertaining the hope that, in the
future, the communities of various religious creeds in Syria would live
peaceably together.
The state of Lady Montefiore's health became with every day more
unsatisfactory, and preyed very much on the mind of Sir Moses.