1864.
RECEPTION OF SIR MOSES BY THE SULTAN OF MOROCCO--ENTHUSIASTIC
WELCOME FROM THE JEWISH COLONY--HOME AGAIN--CONGRATULATORY MEETING AT THE
LONDON TAVERN.
The next letter Sir Moses addressed to the President _pro tem._ of the
Board of Deputies was dated Gibraltar, February 24th.
"On Wednesday, the 27th ultimo, I was visited by deputations from
the several learned Jewish bodies in the city of Morocco. I should
estimate the number of my visitors to have amounted to between three
and four hundred. I fear, from their appearance, that they are in
very poor circumstances; yet one cannot but admire their devotion to
the study of our Holy Law.
"On Sunday, the 31st ultimo, I received an official intimation that
the Sultan would give our party a public reception on the following
day.
"On Monday, the 1st instant, long before dawn, we could distinguish
the sounds of martial music, indicating the muster of the troops in
and about the environs of the Sultan's palace. At the early hour of
7 A.M., I had the honour to receive a visit from Sid Taib El Yamany,
the good and intelligent Oozier, or Chief Minister of His Sheriffian
Majesty, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abderahman Ben Hisham, the present Sultan
of Morocco. He expressed the pleasure of the Sultan to receive us at
his Court, and his Majesty's desire to make our visit to his capital
an agreeable one. Shortly after the departure of the Oozier, the
Royal Vice-Chamberlain, with a _cortége_ of cavalry, arrived at our
palace to convey us to the audience.
"You may recollect that our party, in addition to myself, consisted
of Mr Thomas Fellowes Reade, Consul to Her Britannic Majesty at
Tangier; Captain William Armytage, of H.M.S. the _Magicienne_, two of
his officers; Dr James Gibson Thomas Forbes and Lieutenant Francis
Durrant; my fellow-travellers, Dr Thomas Hodgkin, and Mr Sampson
Samuel; and Mr Moses Nahon, of Tangier, who had volunteered to
accompany us to Morocco, and to whom we are all deeply indebted.
"I have not stated in my previous letters that Senor José Daniel
Colaco, the Portuguese Minister at Tangier, kindly placed at my
disposal his chaise-a-porteurs to enable me to perform the journey
over the rough and stony plains of the interior of Morocco. To this
were harnessed two mules, one behind and one in front of the vehicle.
I believe I should not have been equal to the fatigue of travelling
on horseback, and even as it was, this mode of transit was very
trying and fatiguing.
"A quarter of an hour's ride brought us to the gates opening upon an
avenue leading to the courtyard, or open space, before the palace.
"This avenue, which is of very considerable length, was lined on both
sides by infantry troops of great variety of hue and accoutrements.
They were standing in closely serried rank, and we must have passed
several hundreds before emerging into the open plain. There a
magnificent sight opened upon us; we beheld in every direction masses
of troops, consisting of cavalry and foot soldiers. I should estimate
the total number assembled on this occasion at not less than six
thousand.
"We went forward some little distance into the plain, and saw
approaching us the Oozier, the Grand Chamberlain, and other
dignitaries of the Court. I descended from my vehicle, and my
companions alighted from their steeds to meet them. We were cordially
welcomed. We arranged ourselves in a line to await the appearance
of the Sultan. This was preceded by a string of led white horses,
and the Sultan's carriage covered with green cloth. His Majesty's
approach was announced by a flourish of trumpets; he was mounted on a
superb white charger, the spirited movements of which were controlled
by him with consummate skill. The colour of the charger indicated
that we were welcomed with the highest distinction.
"The countenance of His Majesty is expressive of great intelligence
and benevolence.
"The Sultan expressed his pleasure in seeing me at his Court; he said
my name was well known to him, as well as my desire to improve the
condition of my brethren; he hoped that my sojourn in his capital
would be agreeable; he dwelt with great emphasis on his long-existing
amicable relations with our country; he also said it was gratifying
to him to see two of the officers in its service at his Court.
"I had the honour, at this audience, to place in the hands of His
Majesty my Memorial, on behalf of the Jewish and Christian subjects
of his empire.
"After the interview we were escorted back to our garden palace with
the same honours as had been paid to us on our way to the Court, my
chair having a white horse led before it, as well on my going, as on
my returning, which is a high and distinguished mark of honour.
"The Oozier had invited us to his palace for the evening of the same
day; we were entertained with true oriental hospitality.
"In the course of the evening's conversation, we elicited from the
Oozier, the assurance of the Sultan's desire, as well as his own,
to protect the Jews of Morocco. He took notes of some particular
grievances which we brought to his knowledge, and promised to
institute the necessary enquiries, with a view to their being
redressed. Other measures were discussed, such as the enlargement
of the crowded Jewish quarters in Mogador, and the grant of a house
for a hospital at Tangier, all of which the Oozier assured us should
receive his favourable consideration.
"Arrangements had been made that the _Magicienne_ should meet us at
Saffi on the 8th instant, by which time we had expected we should
be able to reach that port on our return from the Capital; but I
had determined to await a response, favourable or otherwise, to my
Memorial to the Sultan; nor was it considered desirable that we
should proceed to Saffi. The surf there at all times runs very high,
and great danger might have been incurred in attempting to pass
through it, even if such attempt were deemed practicable.
"Under these circumstances, Captain Armytage resolved that he and Mr
Durrant should leave Morocco on Thursday, the 4th instant, to meet
his ship at Saffi at the time appointed, and to proceed therewith to
Mazagan and await our arrival there.
"All our party accompanied him and Mr Durrant on Wednesday morning,
the 3rd instant, on their farewell visit to the Oozier. I availed
myself of this opportunity to represent to the Minister my anxiety to
receive an early communication from the Sultan. The Oozier assured me
that it would be such as would be satisfactory to me.
"On Friday, the 5th instant, the Imperial Edict, under the
sign-manual of the Sultan, was placed in my hands.
"On the following day we received an intimation that His Majesty
would receive us on Sunday morning, the 7th instant.
"Soon after 7 A.M., on that day, the Vice-Chamberlain arrived at
our palace, with the same state as on the former occasion, and we
were conducted, with like honour, to the palace; there was a similar
display of troops, and this time the Emperor received us in a kiosk
in the palace-gardens; he was seated on a mahogany sofa covered
with green cloth. His Majesty renewed his friendly and courteous
assurance of welcome, and expressed his hope that we had been happy
and comfortable during our stay at his capital, and he renewed his
assurance that it was his intention and desire to protect his Jewish
subjects.
"He directed us to be conducted through his royal gardens by the
chief of that department; they are very extensive, abounding in
magnificent vineries, orange, olive, and other trees; there are two
lakes of ornamental water, on one of which is a pleasure boat, with
paddle wheels moved by mechanism. You may form some idea of the vast
extent of the gardens, from the fact that it took us several hours to
pass through some of the principal avenues.
"Immediately after quitting the royal gardens, we visited the Jewish
quarter. The crowd was enormous, our reception enthusiastic. The
narrow streets or lanes, through which we had the greatest difficulty
to make our way, were all but choked up with our numerous friends;
from every window, from the city wall, in fact wherever the eye
rested, we beheld groups of our brothers and sisters all uniting to
bid us welcome.
"We first went to one of the many Synagogues--the oldest and the
largest, (though, I regret to say, a very humble structure). Here
were assembled the Chief Rabbis and others to meet us; from thence we
paid visits of respect to Mr Corcos, a relative of Mr Abraham Corcos,
of Mogador, and Mr Nahon, a relative of Mr Moses Nahon, of Tangier,
two of our most respected co-religionists in the City of Morocco.
"The same evening we were again entertained by the Oozier.
"On Monday, the 8th inst., about noon, we bade adieu to the city
of Morocco, being escorted to some distance by a Guard of Honour
of horse and foot soldiers, some of whom accompanied us until our
arrival at Mazagan. The Sultan had provided me with a magnificent
pavilion tent; in fact, our horses, mules, provisions, &c., &c., were
all furnished at his expense. Mr Corcos, Mr Nahon, and several others
of the principal Jews of Morocco travelled with us during our first
day's journey, and encamped with us overnight....
"On Thursday, the 11th inst., we were met on our way to our night's
encampment by the son of the Governor of the District, accompanied
by some fine cavalry soldiers. He brought us an invitation from his
father to encamp for the night at his city, and pressed his request
so earnestly that we could not in reason refuse compliance. This,
however, involved considerable addition to our day's travel. We did
not reach our destination until nightfall, having accomplished on
that day a distance of about twenty-seven miles. The Governor, in
addition to the usual mona, supplied us with a magnificent repast of
cous-cous and other delicacies, which were pronounced by Mr Reade to
be very savoury.
"We were all very much exhausted by our day's hard work. During
the day I had been met by a deputation of about a hundred of our
co-religionists from Saffi.
"In compliance with an urgent invitation from the Governor of another
district, we consented to stay during Sabbath at his Palace, this
being within a day's easy journey to Mazagan.
"We were met, on our approach to the town, or rather walled village,
consisting almost entirely of tents and huts, by some of its
Jewish inhabitants, the females bearing banners composed of silk
handkerchiefs, embroidered muslin sashes, and other articles of
female finery. I was informed that the Governor is very kind to the
Jewish families. He appropriated one of his residences to myself and
friends. We remained in this place from the Friday afternoon till the
following Sunday morning, the 14th instant.
"The Governor presented me with a horse, and at the earnest entreaty
of one of my co-religionists of Saffi I was obliged to accept a like
gift from him.
"Here also I had the pleasure to see one of the liberated Saffi
prisoners, who satisfied me that there had not existed the slightest
cause for his imprisonment.
"When within about an hour's distance of Mazagan we were met by
Mr Octavus Stokes, the British Consul at that port, the principal
Christian and Jewish merchants, and by a procession of numerous
co-religionists, the females carrying a profusion of banners, and
vociferating their huzzas Moorish fashion, the shrill tones of which
were intended to demonstrate an enthusiastic welcome.
"We caught soon after a glimpse of the sea, and then were gladdened
with the sight of the _Magicienne_ lying off the port, awaiting to
re-conduct us to Gibraltar.
"As Captain Armytage was under the necessity of returning without
delay, we were unable to make any stay at Mazagan, but as a house
had been prepared by our Jewish friend for our reception, it was
arranged that we should stay there over night, and embark early
the next morning. Great preparations had been made for our evening
repast--one bullock, two sheep, and I know not how many turkeys and
fowls, with a profusion of other good things, had been supplied by
our co-religionists.
"On reaching Mazagan I forthwith proceeded to the Synagogue to offer
my grateful thanks to God for the prosperous issue of my mission,
and for His gracious mercy in permitting the members of our perilous
expedition to return thus far on our homeward travels in health and
safety. It had taken us seven days, exclusive of the Sabbath, to
travel from Morocco to Mazagan, the distance being about 120 miles."
In a letter, dated East Cliff Lodge, Ramsgate, 5th of April 1864,
addressed to the President _pro tem._, he gives the conclusion of the
narrative of his mission:--
"My letter to you of the 11th ultimo informed you of my desire to
place in the hands of Her Majesty the Queen of Spain a copy of the
Sultan's Firman. I have now the gratification to tell you that
on Friday, the 18th ultimo, I had the honour (accompanied by His
Excellency Sir John F. Crampton) to have a second audience of Her
Majesty, the King Consort being present. I presented to Her Majesty
a copy of the Imperial Edict of the Sultan of Morocco, with a
translation in Spanish, which were most graciously received by Her
Majesty.
"On Sunday morning, the 20th ultimo, I left Madrid, and travelled
by railway and carriage road for twenty-five hours continuously,
so that I might arrive in time at Bayonne to attend the service of
Purim at the Synagogue, which I was thus able to attend on Monday
evening, the 21st, and Tuesday morning, the 22nd ultimo. I reached
Paris on Thursday, the 24th, and on the following Thursday, the 31st
ultimo, through the kind offices of His Excellency Lord Cowley, I
had the honour of a private audience of His Imperial Majesty the
Emperor of the French, at the Palace of the Tuileries, and placed in
the hands of His Imperial Majesty a copy of the Sultan's Edict, with
a translation in French; these were accepted in the most gracious
manner. Doctor Hodgkin was present on the occasion. I left Paris
yesterday."
Scarcely had Sir Moses arrived in England, when hearty welcomes reached
him, not only from this country, but from all parts of the civilized
world.
Two thousand addresses, alphabetically arranged, in the Lecture Hall of
Judith, Lady Montefiore and Theological College, manifest in eloquent
terms the appreciation of the services rendered by a man nearly eighty
years of age.
At a public meeting, held at the London Tavern, on Wednesday, the 13th
April--Mr Alderman Salamon in the chair--the following resolutions
were unanimously adopted, on the motion of Sir Anthony de Rothschild,
seconded by Mr Gladstone:--
That Moses Montefiore, by his philanthropic zeal in undertaking, at
an advanced age, a laborious journey for the purpose of remonstrating
against the cruelties inflicted on the Jews at Tangiers and Saffi, and
by his successful representations to the Emperor of Morocco on behalf
of all non-Mahometan subjects of that Empire, has rendered an important
service to the cause of humanity, and that Sir Moses Montefiore has
thus added to the many claims which he has already established on the
gratitude and admiration of the Jewish community, and of his fellow
citizens at large.
It was moved by Sir Francis H. Goldsmid, and seconded by Mr Wolverley
Attwood,--
That an address expressive of these sentiments be presented, on behalf
of this meeting, to Sir Moses Montefiore.
It was moved by Mr John Abel Smith, seconded by Mr Sergeant (now Sir
John) Simon,--
That this meeting desires to express its deep obligation to Earl
Russell (Her Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs) for
the readiness with which he afforded to Sir Moses Montefiore the
countenance and support of the Government, and to offer its earnest
thanks to Sir John Hay Drummond Hay (Her Majesty's Consul-General in
Morocco), to Mr Consul Reade, and to all those who personally aided in
carrying into effect the objects, and thus contributed to the success
of the journey.
It was moved by Mr Goschen, and seconded by Mr Jacob Waley,
That this meeting, bearing in mind the gracious reception accorded
by His Majesty the Emperor of Morocco to the representations of Sir
Moses Montefiore, Bart., wishes to record its high appreciation of the
desire shown by that enlightened Sovereign to extend his protection
and ensure justice to all classes of his subjects, without reference
to religious creed, and that this meeting would be gratified if Her
Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs would communicate this
resolution to His Majesty through the British Consul-General in Morocco.
It was moved by Mr A. Cohen, and seconded by Mr Henry Isaac, that this
meeting contemplating with deep satisfaction the social and political
equality now happily enjoyed by all the subjects of Her Majesty, feels
pride and gratification in remarking how the example thus set has
contributed to induce other countries to adopt the same beneficent
principles.
SAMPSON LUCAS, }
SAUL ISAAC, } _Hon. Secs._
ERNEST HART, }
JULIAN GOLDSMID, }
Meetings of a similar kind were held by all the Hebrew congregations
and many public institutions in the British realm. Resolutions were
adopted, and copies of the same conveyed to Sir Moses by their
respective deputations; but he did not consider that he had yet
completed the work of the Mission.
He thought it desirable to address a letter to the Minister of State in
Morocco urging him to see that full effect was given by the Governors
and Pashas of provinces to the edict of the Sultan, and, in accordance
with his own views on the subject, he sent a letter in the Moorish
language to the Minister, of which I here give an exact translation:--
"GROSVENOR GATE, PARK LANE, LONDON,
"_June 1, 1864._
"TO THE ILLUSTRIOUS OOZIER SID TAIB EL YAMINY, Minister of State,
Morocco, &c., &c., &c.
"May it please your Excellency,--My heart is deeply impressed with
thankfulness to your Excellency for the kind letter which your
Excellency has so courteously transmitted to me in reply to that
which I had the honour to address to your Excellency on the 23rd
February last.
"Since my return to Europe I had the honour, while at Madrid, to
place in the hands of her Catholic Majesty the Queen of Spain, a copy
of the Imperial Edict of your august Sovereign, with a translation
in the Spanish language; and while at Paris, to place in the hands
of his Imperial Majesty the Emperor of the French a like copy, with
a translation in the French language; also on my arrival in London
I had the gratification to present to the Government of my beloved
Sovereign a like copy, with an English translation.
"The Imperial Edict of his Sheriffian Majesty has obtained a
world-wide celebrity, and has everywhere received the eulogies to
which it is so eminently entitled.
"The friends of humanity and civilization throughout the world
entertain the earnest hope and belief that your gracious Sovereign,
and that you, illustrious Sir, will cause that edict to be known and
respected by all the governors and officials in the empire of Morocco.
"There is too much reason to fear that there exists a disposition
on the part of some of these governors and officials to ignore or
disregard the benign commands of the Sultan, and that they are acting
in direct contravention of the Sheriffian Majesty's high and exalted
intentions, that his Jewish and other non-Mahomedan subjects shall be
permitted to enjoy the benefits so humanely secured to them by his
Sheriffian Majesty's glorious edict.
"These are indeed sad tidings. Oh, let not these oppressors be
allowed to persevere in their wrongdoing. I entreat the immediate
and effectual interposition of his Sheriffian Majesty and of your
Excellency. The Imperial Edict went forth as a beam of light to my
co-religionists in Morocco. Suffer not, I implore you, its brightness
to be dimmed, its effulgence to be extinguished. It imparted joy and
promise. Permit not that joy to be destroyed, that promise to remain
unfruitful.
"Hundreds of thousands of human beings in Morocco raised their
voices in praise and thankfulness to God for the benign desire of
his Sheriffian Majesty and of your Excellency to ameliorate their
condition, and to remove from them oppression and suffering. Let it
not be that their fond hopes are a vain shadow; that their cheering
anticipations of a brighter future are a delusive dream.
"How great and how sacred are the prerogatives of Majesty! It directs
its people's welfare, and their path is bedecked with flowers; it
forbears to punish their oppressors, and that path is beset with
thorns.
"I know full well, and have personally experienced the kindness of
your august Sovereign and of your Excellency, and therefore I rely
with firm faith on the generous promises which I have received, that
the Imperial Edict should be promulgated throughout the Moorish
empire, and its provisions strictly enforced.
"Happy, most happy are the nations dwelling in peace and security!
Glorious, most glorious are the rulers to whose wisdom and humanity,
inspired by Almighty God, the people look up for the perpetuity of
these blessings.
"Condescend, illustrious Sir, to consider these my humble words
spoken in the fulness of my heart and with most truthful earnestness.
"Deign to convey my assurances of respect to your august Sovereign,
and to receive with favour my wishes for his and your health and
welfare, and for the prosperity of the Moorish empire,--I have the
honour to remain, your Excellency's faithful and obedient servant,
"(Signed) MOSES MONTEFIORE."
Two months later the Minister sends a most satisfactory reply, of which
I also subjoin a translation:--
"Praise be to the only God. There is no strength and no power but in
God the Most High. From him who is the servant of God, the Secretary
of State, and the Noble Commander, whose name from God is SID TAIB
EL YAMINY, to the beloved, wise, and most benevolent SIR MOSES
MONTEFIORE, Bart.
"After rendering praise to God the Most High, we beg to inform you
that we have received your letter describing the gracious reception
accorded to you by the different monarchs, their appreciation of
the object which has been accomplished, and the advantages derived
therefrom. All mankind will give thanks to you for the readiness
and devotion to the good cause which you manifested by bringing the
present under the special notice of the great Powers.
"With regard to your statement respecting the affairs of the Jewish
subjects of our Lord, whom God may preserve in strength, we have to
observe that they are his subjects, and he--may God preserve him and
perpetuate his glory and greatness--does not like that they should
be pursued by acts of injustice and torment in their unfortunate
position; because God the Most High forbids injustice towards people
professing our religion, and He likewise forbids injustice toward
people professing any other religion.
"Our Lord--may God grant him support--has already commanded the
inhabitants of all the other provinces in his Empire, that his Jewish
subjects should be treated with kindness and strict justice, so that
no wrong whatever be done to any of them. He also rebuked them (the
inhabitants of all the other provinces of his Empire), by the power
and strength of God, for the injustice they have done. We have not
forgotten your polite attention, and the kindness evinced in your
letter; we shall never fail to watch rigorously the proceedings of
the officials in the provinces of our Lord, whom may God preserve.
"Completed in the month of Mohharam, in the year 1281 of the Hidjrah."
Sir Moses sent an address to the Spiritual Chiefs and Elders of the
Morocco Jews, counselling them to inculcate in their poorer and less
educated brethren, the necessity of uniform obedience and respect to
the Moorish authorities. The danger that the Jews might lose some
of the benefits conferred by the recent edict of the Emperor, by
exciting the hostility of the Moorish authorities by too independent
a tone in demanding the equal treatment with Mohammedans ordered by
the Sultan, was mentioned in letters from Barbary, and Sir Moses,
whose intercession had already done so much for the Morocco Jews,
wisely counselled patience under petty injuries and submission to the
authorities, as the best means of preventing the just and generous
intentions of the Sultan from being defeated by the fanaticism of his
Mohammedan subjects.