1840.
THE ENGLISH GOVERNMENT AND THE PASHA--MOHHAMMAD ALI AND THE
SLAVES--THE PASHA PROMISES TO RELEASE THE DAMASCUS PRISONERS--HE
GRANTS THEM AN "HONOURABLE" LIBERATION.
The French steamer from Marseilles arrived; our letters from London
gave confident hopes of peace being preserved. The Ministry was
stronger than ever, being supported by both Whigs and Tories. There
would be no half measures, and the Pasha would be obliged to submit.
Baron Charles de Rothschild wrote from Naples, that Lord Palmerston
had made a pacific speech on the 7th, and amicable relations would be
preserved with France. Baron Charles enclosed a letter of introduction
to the Neapolitan Consul for Sir Moses.
We immediately went there to present the same, and had a very long
conversation with him. He knew all about the Damascus affair, and the
painful reports of Sheriff Pasha. He told us that the latter was an
adopted son of Mohhammad Ali, who had had him educated with his own
children. Sheriff Pasha's own father had been an officer, and was
killed in battle when he (Sheriff) was only four months old. The
Consul observed that the trial of the Jews had been conducted
according to Turkish law, and any interference would be improper. He
had sent all the accounts to his Government. He considered the
business had been badly managed by the Consuls, but he could not sign
any paper, as it would do no good with the Pasha.
On the same day we received a letter from Constantinople, enclosing a
firman from the Sublime Porte in favour of the deputation of the Jews;
from the Grand Vizier to Mohhammad Ali, and to the Governor of the
Island of Rhodes.
We called on Colonel Hodges and Monsieur Laurin, who had both signed
the petition which Sir Moses and Monsieur Cremieux had prepared on
the preceding evening. The Consuls of the four Powers signed it very
readily, but Monsieur de Wagner called on Sir Moses and recommended
his not presenting it to the Pasha, as it would do no good unless
signed by Monsieur Cochelet. It is impossible to describe the distress
of Sir Moses as he became more and more convinced that, with a few
exceptions, every one in the place, great and small, was opposed to
the object of his Mission. Dr Madden and Mr Wire returned from Cairo,
and Admiral Stopford arrived with part of the fleet. Sir Moses thought
we should be obliged to leave very shortly.
_August 25th._--Lady Montefiore continued to mend, but was not
sufficiently recovered to venture out. Sir Moses went at an early hour
to Monsieur Cremieux, and requested him not to part with the petition
bearing both their signatures. The rest of the day we were engaged in
preparing letters and reports for the London Committee. Mr Charles
Allison called and reported that the aspect of affairs was less
warlike, but there appeared no doubt of the Pasha's refusal. We were
only to have a military blockade of the Port and the Coast of Syria,
and all merchants would be allowed to pass freely. This sort of
blockade would cause but little annoyance, and the Pasha would no
doubt laugh at the English and their allies. At eight o'clock the
following morning the Consuls of the four Powers were to wait on
Mohhammad Ali for his answer.
_August 26th._--Lady Montefiore was much better and able to leave her
room. While we were at breakfast, Mr Briggs called and took leave of
us. He expressed great regret that his endeavours with the Pasha on
behalf of the Damascus prisoners had failed. Afterwards Sir Moses
visited the slave-market, accompanied by Dr Madden, as he was desirous
of learning how far the present state of the market corresponded to
the humane act of the Pasha in abolishing slavery. During the first
interview which Sir Moses had had with Mohhammad Ali, the latter had
spoken for a considerable time on the subject, and appeared much
pleased with the address of thanks presented to him by Dr Madden from
the London Society for the Abolition of the Slave Trade. The
conversation led Sir Moses to hope that a heart which could be thus
moved by humane sentiments, would surely not sanction such tortures
and sufferings as the Damascus prisoners had been made to endure.
At the slave-market, Sir Moses found about one hundred slaves, mostly
girls and boys; he noticed a few women among them, but no men. The
price of the girls was 1000 piastres (L10), and of the boys, 600 or
L6. There were two Albanian women for whom they asked 1500 or 2000
piastres (L15 to L20). The girls appeared to be well treated and
contented with their situation, but not so the boys. He observed two
boys weeping most bitterly, and on enquiring the cause, he heard that
the children had been brought from Nubia together, that they were most
likely brothers, much attached to each other, and one had just been
sold. He spoke to the man who had purchased the youth, and he said he
had paid 600 piastres. The master took the lad away, and in all
probability the boys never saw each other again.
"Oh! the horrors of slavery!" exclaimed Sir Moses, and added, "Perhaps
Mohhammad Ali may not be aware of what we have seen, else he could not
conscientiously have spoken as he did, and evinced such pleasure in
the vote of thanks which the London Society would certainly not have
sent had they known the true state of affairs."
Sir Moses returned home much depressed by what he had witnessed.
There was nothing new in politics, but two English men-of-war had left
for the East.
_August 28th._--About nine o'clock in the morning Sir Moses received a
letter from Monsieur Cremieux, informing him that he had started for
Cairo. Sir Moses, who felt himself in duty bound not to quit his post
for fear of injuring his cause, determined, notwithstanding the
disheartening state of politics, to go to the Pasha and ask for an
answer to the petition that he had presented on the day after his
arrival.
At two o'clock we went to the Palace. We were shown into the audience
hall, and a beautiful pipe was handed to Sir Moses. About twenty
minutes afterwards we heard that the Pasha was leaving his room for
the hall of audience. On Sir Moses going to the door, the Pasha smiled
and beckoned him to follow him. Sir Moses did so, and the Pasha
motioned him to be seated. Sir Moses then informed His Highness that
he came for an answer to the paper which he had presented at his first
interview. Mohhammad Ali replied that he would release all the
prisoners, upon which, Sir Moses said his desire was to have the
guilty punished, and requested therefore a "firman" to go to Damascus.
The Pasha said he had better not go there, as that place was in a very
excited condition; the country was disturbed and politics unsettled.
Sir Moses agreed to postpone his journey for a short time, but begged
for the firman, that he might proceed there as soon as things changed,
and the Pasha then promised to give it him. Sir Moses further
petitioned for permission for the Jews who had fled to return to
Damascus, and the Pasha granted his request. Finally Sir Moses
requested Mohhammad Ali to give him a copy of his letter to the
Governor of Damascus. His Highness promised to send it to him with the
firman, and desired him to write to his co-religionists at Damascus,
and he (the Pasha) would send the letter by his post, by which means
they would receive it in five days.
"Thanks to Heaven," Sir Moses said, "the Mission has gained something;
the lives of nine innocent persons are thus preserved."
Sir Moses wrote immediately to Monsieur Cremieux, and Mr Galloway sent
a man off with it to Cairo. He also sent for Messrs Sonino, Valencen,
and Toria, and the Spiritual Head of the Hebrew community, to acquaint
them with the good news, enjoining them at the same time to keep it
secret till the papers arrived from the Pasha.
Sir Moses then prepared for Sabbath, and attended divine service in
the European Synagogue. Subsequently went to the Palace for a copy of
the letter to the Governor of Damascus, but we had to wait there
several hours, as the Ambassador from Constantinople and the Consuls
of the four great Powers were with the Pasha. They remained with him
some time, and on their withdrawal, the Capudan Basha had an interview
with His Highness, lasting fully two hours; then the French Consul
came and also stopped a couple of hours, so that it became very late.
On our enquiring whether we should still wait, Monsieur Boufort told
me to come the following morning, when I should be able to take with
me the firman enabling us to go to Damascus, and a copy of the order
for the Governor at that place. It was after ten o'clock when we
returned to our hotel, at which hour Monsieur Cremieux also came.
_August 29th._--In the morning we attended divine service. Seeing
Monsieur Cremieux and Monsieur Munk there, Sir Moses desired me to
invite the latter to accompany me to the Palace. On our arrival there
we went to the room of Negib Effendi (one of the chief secretaries of
the Pasha), to order several copies of the firman and the letter to
the Governor of Damascus. On perusing a copy of the original, we
noticed the word "Afoo" (pardon), and pointed it out to Negib Effendi.
I told him that Sir Moses would never be satisfied with such an
expression, as the Jews could not for one moment be considered guilty,
according to the proceedings which had taken place at Damascus. Negib
Effendi and another secretary, who happened to be present at the time,
entered into an argument with me on the subject, maintaining their
idea that the word in question might be used and understood without
absolutely conveying the meaning of "_pardon_." Nevertheless, I
insisted on the necessity of removing that word altogether. As I could
not leave the Palace, I requested Monsieur Munk, who had with him an
Arabic translation of the Turkish order, to go and inform Sir Moses
and Monsieur Cremieux that it was desirable they should immediately
tell the Pasha that they could not sanction the introduction of a word
so grossly misrepresenting the truth, and request him to substitute a
word which would correctly convey his sentiments. Monsieur Munk went
at once to Monsieur Cremieux, but apparently forgot to call on Sir
Moses. Monsieur Cremieux, being probably anxious to see the misleading
word removed as soon as possible, came at once to the Palace, without
informing Sir Moses of what had occurred. The Pasha, without the least
hesitation, immediately ordered that the word "Afoo" should be taken
out, and the words "itlak ve Tervihh," signifying "an honourable
liberation," substituted (literally an order for their liberation, and
for procuring them peace).
On my return from the Palace I acquainted Sir Moses with what had
taken place, and he expressed much regret at not having being informed
of it in time. He said, "Had I known it, I should have been most
indignant with the Pasha for inserting the word, it being in complete
opposition to my request, as I would never, for an instant, admit any
guilt, either of the living or the dead." He went again to the Pasha,
and His Highness told him that he had given the order to remove the
objectionable word. The Neapolitan Consul and his wife, and Monsieur
Laurin came to offer their congratulations.
_August 30th._--We hastily sent despatches to London and other places,
and on the following day a letter of thanks to His Highness the Pasha
was signed by Sir Moses and Monsieur Cremieux.
Wishing to do all the good in their power, they added to the letter a
petition in which they entreated him to abolish the use of torture in
his dominions.
In the morning, Admiral Sir Robert Stopford came on shore, and went
immediately to Colonel Hodges. Sir Moses went to see the Admiral, who
gave him a very kind reception. About three o'clock the Pasha sent a
strong body of horse guards in full uniform, accompanied by a capital
military band, to attend the Admiral. It was a handsome compliment on
the part of Mohhammad Ali, but the Admiral declined it, and they soon
returned.
About four o'clock Sir Robert Stopford and his suite, the Austrian
Admiral and his suite, with the English and Austrian Consuls,
proceeded to the Palace to pay their respects to the Pasha. The
Pasha's carriage with four horses had been placed at their service, as
well as Boghoz Bey's carriage and that of Mr Anastasia. They were
preceded by sixteen janissaries, the two Captains Austen, and many
others on horseback. They were absent about an hour.
Admiral Rifaat Bey gave the "Four Combined Powers," and Colonel
Hodges, the "Five Powers," meaning that he included the Sublime Porte.
After dinner, Admiral Stopford inquired whether Sir Moses intended
going to Damascus, and said he would send a brig with us. Sir Moses
replied that he wished to wait till Thursday, when he would inform Sir
Robert of his plan of action. The two Admirals and the English and
Austrian Consuls were to dine with the Pasha on the following day.
Sir Moses, accompanied by Mr Alison, then paid visits to Rifaat Bey,
Saeed Bey, and Colonel Hodges. On his return he found that the
Austrian Admiral (Contre-Amiral Baron Baudiera), the Austrian Consul,
and Mr Andrew Doyle, had called. Mr Galloway informed Sir Moses that
Saeed Bey had obtained the permission of his father, Mohhammad Ali, to
dine with him any day he liked. Sir Moses thereupon invited him for
Thursday, September 3rd, and also sent invitations to Admiral
Stopford, the Austrian Admiral, and others.
The day's reports led Sir Moses to believe that the Pasha would refuse
to give an answer to the four Powers on Saturday. The Admiral would do
nothing without further orders from home, and it was Sir Moses'
opinion that the Pasha would laugh at them all, and most probably
succeed at last, or involve Europe in war.
_September 2nd._--During the morning we were occupied in examining
numerous papers and documents referring to the Mission, while Lady
Montefiore amused herself by taking daguerreotype views of Cleopatra's
Needle.
_September 3rd._--Sir Moses went this morning on board the Turkish
steamer, _Bird-of-the-Sea_, Rifaat Bey having invited him to a
_dejeuner_ he was giving to Admiral Stopford and Saeed Bey on board
that vessel. The guests included Captains Fisher and Austin, Colonel
Hodges, Count Medem, Monsieur de Wagner, Monsieur Laurin, Mr Alison,
Mr Stoddard, and others. The wind was so high that the Admiral could
scarcely get to the ship. While they were at breakfast Saeed Bey
invited Admiral Stopford and Sir Moses to go over his corvette. The
latter, with Captains Fisher and Austin and Colonel Hodges,
accompanied the Admiral in his boat after they had taken leave of
Rifaat Bey, and all went on board the corvette. Saeed Bey received the
party in a distinguished manner; he took them over the vessel, and
made his men go through their exercises with great guns and small
arms. Sir Moses then landed with the Admiral, and drove him to Colonel
Hodges.
_September 4th._--The French papers continued very warlike, and great
demonstrations had been made in France.
Sir Moses and Monsieur Cremieux decided that we should go next evening
to present the letter they had prepared to the Pasha. Should the
English Consul leave Egypt, Sir Moses thought that it would be useless
for us to remain there any longer. Dr Madden informed Sir Moses that
he would be obliged to leave us on the following Monday.
_September 5th._--We called on Colonel Hodges, and saw Admiral
Stopford; the latter supposed our going to Damascus was out of the
question. Sir Moses told him that he should remain a short time longer
at Alexandria, unless the British Consul left, in which case we should
leave also.
Rifaat Bey (Conseilleur d'Etat au departement de l'interieur) paid us
a visit previous to his departure; also Mr Charles Alison, Attache to
Her Britannic Majesty's Embassy at Constantinople; also Captain Austen
and Lieutenant Ralph, R.N.
Mr Alison had been present at the interview with the Pasha's Minister.
The Pasha being ill, could not see the four Ministers, but had sent
his answer. "He accepted the Sovereignty of Egypt, and would petition
the Sultan for Syria."
This was virtually a refusal, but the Consuls did not intend striking
their flags.
The Admiral went on board this morning. At five we walked in the
square and met Colonel Hodges. From his conversation he expected the
Pasha would order them to quit Egypt in about a week. He told Sir
Moses the Admiral had left him the _Cyclops_, and that he was going in
her, on the following Monday, to Beyrout.
_September 6th._--We called on Colonel Hodges. Sir Moses told him that
he had determined to leave as soon as the Colonel should do so.
Colonel Hodges said he was going on the following day for a few days
to Beyrout, but assured Sir Moses he need be under no apprehensions;
there would be no hostilities till the Admiral received orders from
England, which he did not expect for another fortnight; and that if he
(Colonel Hodges) should be obliged to leave, he would give Sir Moses
timely notice, and both he and Lady Montefiore should go with him in
his vessel. From his manner of speaking, we gathered that he expected
an outbreak in Syria, but no direct attack on the part of the English;
Admiral Stopford had told him that we were by no means prepared; the
ministers had been much deceived.
The letter to the Pasha could not be presented that day.
_September 7th._--We met Colonel Hodges; he told us that the Pasha had
seized L6000 in bullion, British property, and if it was not given up
to-morrow morning, he would strike his flag and go on board ship. He
told Sir Moses that he must be prepared to leave at a moment's notice,
and that he had spoken to Captain Fisher of the _Asia_, who had kindly
promised to take us in his ships in the event of our being obliged to
leave.