1841.
HOME AGAIN--SIR MOSES PRESENTS A FACSIMILE OF THE FIRMAN TO THE
QUEEN--HER MAJESTY'S SPECIAL MARK OF FAVOUR--REFORM MOVEMENT AMONG THE
LONDON JEWS--APPEAL FOR ENGLISH PROTECTION FROM THE JEWS IN THE EAST.
_February 28th._--In the evening we arrived at Park Lane, London,
where Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore received a hearty welcome from
their relatives and friends.
The next morning, and for many days afterwards, visitors called in
great numbers. Deputations from various communal institutions,
literary societies, and financial companies arrived and presented
addresses.
In most of the Synagogues special services were held, and the
exertions of Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore in the cause of suffering
humanity, and in the vindication of the purity of the religious tenets
of Israel, were warmly acknowledged by all present.
The Hebrew communities of Paris, Hamburg, Frankfort-on-the-Main, and
Magdeburg, together with those established in Italy, the United States
of America, the Barbary States, Egypt, and Turkey, all sent
testimonials, which are now preserved in Judith, Lady Montefiore's
Theological College at Ramsgate.
_March 3rd._--Sir Moses went to Lord Palmerston to thank him for his
great kindness and assistance in his Mission, and to give him an
account of all that had occurred at Alexandria and Constantinople. He
also spoke to him of the Emir Beshir, having promised the latter when
at Malta to intercede in his behalf with the British Government. Sir
Moses asked his Lordship whether he might present the Queen with a
copy of the firman Hatti-Sherif, to which Lord Palmerston replied
that he had no doubt Her Majesty would be happy to receive it.
In accordance with his Lordship's permission, Sir Moses presented the
copy of the firman to the Queen on Wednesday, the 24th of March.
The following is a copy of his entry in the diary referring to the
subject:--"Attended the Marine Board at 11.30; the Alliance Board at
12; at 12.45 returned home and dressed in my uniform. Mr H. de Castro,
Mr Waley, Mr H. H. Cohen, Mr Wire, and Dr Loewe came, and we proceeded
to St James' Palace to attend the levee. I had the honour to present
the Queen with the firman. The following is the copy of the card that
was read to Her Majesty:--'Sir Moses Montefiore, F.R.S., presented by
the Right Honourable Viscount Palmerston on his return from the East,
to present a facsimile and translation of the firman granted by the
Sultan to His Imperial Majesty's subjects professing the Jewish
religion.' Mr Wire and Dr Loewe were presented by me to the Queen. I
had a most gracious reception, and kissed hands."
As a token of royal approbation, Sir Moses had the satisfaction of
being informed, three months later, that Lord Normanby would have
great satisfaction in recommending the grant of supporters to his
armorial bearings. "The supporters I wish for," Sir Moses writes in
his diary, "are to exalt our holy religion by displaying 'Jerusalem'
in a more distinguished manner than I could otherwise have done."
My readers may perhaps care to have the opportunity of perusing the
material portions of this document, which are as follows:--
"Victoria R.
"Victoria, by the grace of God, &c.--Whereas it has been
represented unto us, that our trusty and well-beloved
Sir Moses Montefiore, &c., &c., in consequence of
information having been received from the East, that a
number of Jews had been imprisoned and tortured at
Damascus and at Rhodes, and that he had, in conformity
to a voluntary offer, made at a General Meeting of the
London Committee of Deputies of the British Jews and
others, held on the 15th of June last, proceeded
(accompanied by Lady Montefiore) to Alexandria, with the
view of proving the falsity of the accusation, and of
advocating the cause of his unfortunate and persecuted
brethren."
[Here follows an account of what Sir Moses had accomplished in
the East.]
"We, taking the premises into our Royal consideration,
and being desirous of giving an especial mark of our
Royal favour to the said Sir Moses Montefiore, in
commemoration of these his unceasing exertions on behalf
of his injured and persecuted brethren in the East, and
the Jewish nation at large, have been graciously pleased
to allow him to bear Supporters to his Arms, although
the privilege of bearing Supporters be limited to the
Peers of our Realm, the Knights of our Orders, and the
Proxies of Princes of our Blood, at Installations,
except in such cases wherein, under particular
circumstances, We have been pleased to grant our Licence
for the use thereof."
The document proceeds to describe the supporters as follows:--
"On the Dexter side, Lion guardant, and on the Sinister
side, a Stag, each supporting a Flagstaff, therefrom
flowing a Banner to the dexter, inscribed 'Jerusalem' in
Hebrew characters."
During his stay at Alexandria, and on his return to London, Sir Moses
addressed letters to the Jews at Damascus, advising them to endeavour
to conciliate the Christians in that city, as well as those who were
known to be their most violent enemies. In connection with these
letters, Raphael Farkhi, the principal representative of the Damascus
community, now forwarded to him the following important communication,
wherein he satisfactorily refuted certain calumnies, which, according
to the _Times_ newspaper, had been renewed against the Jews in
Damascus.
"In addition to what I have already stated," Signor
Farkhi writes, "I have already mentioned to Sir Moses,
in a former letter, that as soon as the Pashas of His
Majesty the Sultan arrived at Damascus, they reinstated
me in my former office, the duties of which are to
assist in the magistrates' department in managing the
affairs of the city; this honour was conferred on me in
accordance with a direction in the Sultan's firman. When
the English Consul (Mr Wherry) and the detractors whom I
have spoken of, heard of this distinction, so auspicious
to our people, they were moved with the same
mortification as that which they had exhibited when the
arrival of Sir Moses at Alexandria destroyed their plans
and rescued us from the cruel fate to which they had
destined us; and the English Consul immediately repaired
to the Governor of the city, and recommended him to
dismiss me and put a non-Israelite in my place, under
whom I might act as servant or deputy. But, by the
blessing of the Almighty, this attempt against my
interest utterly failed; for the Governor declined to
adopt the plan thus suggested to him. In consequence of
their envious scheme being thus defeated, they are
seeking other means to inflict injury on us, by making a
false charge against the Israelites of having insulted
their religion, which they communicated to his
Excellency the Governor Ali Pasha, and to the three
Consuls, in order that the charge might be circulated in
other and distant countries, and a universal prejudice
created against the Israelites.
"As a further proof that the Israelites are innocent of
the crime imputed to them, I have to mention that His
Excellency Ali Pasha sent for me one day, and after
having received an assurance from myself that such a
deed would be contemplated with abhorrence by all our
nation, he made many rigid enquiries amongst various
honourable and respectable gentlemen concerning what
had been disseminated by our enemies, the result of
which was, that he declared himself convinced of the
utter groundlessness of the foul report; and he replied
to the heads of the Christians in the city that
henceforth they ought to treat us with justice and
equity; and he then commanded me that I should take upon
myself to see that my people should behave themselves as
might best become them, which commands I have been
mindful to fulfil.
"Our enemies endeavoured to engage the Russian Consul at
Beyrout on their side, but he was not disposed to give
any credit to their statement, and therefore despatched
his faithful interpreter to Damascus, to make proper
inquiries; and the result of his interpreter's labours
was an opinion which to us was most flattering. The Most
Reverend the Patriarch of the Greek Church has also
recorded his testimony, with the Russian Consul at
Beyrout, that the accusation was utterly false, and
could only have emanated from a malicious spirit.
"Every member of our community behaves with the greatest
courtesy to every Christian, whether rich or poor, and
often with marked humility. We seek not to gratify any
revengeful feeling for what has passed, but yet all our
endeavours have hitherto proved ineffectual. There can
be no other reason for that than the anger and jealousy
of the men, for they wished and intended to kill us, and
since Moses, our brother, rescued us from their hands,
destroyed their plans, and frustrated their intentions,
this jealousy has rankled in their hearts, and they seek
to bring more accusations against us, although we are
not guilty of any wrong."
Sir Moses sent a letter on the subject, with a translation of the
original, to the _Morning Chronicle_, which was inserted on the 5th
July 1841.
His attention after this time was directed to matters of a business
character.
On the 7th of May Mr Hananel de Castro, who rendered most efficient
services in connection with the Mission to Damascus, informed Sir
Moses that he had been elected President of the London Committee of
Deputies of the British Jews. On the 16th of that month he attended an
important meeting of the Elders of his Synagogue, at which a motion
was brought forward respecting a reform movement in the community.
Four days later he presided over a meeting of the Board of Deputies
held at his own house for the same purpose, at which every member of
the Board, with only one exception, attended. The debate was warm, but
not personal. Sir Moses, nevertheless, apprehended great agitation in
the community, and felt much anxiety as to the result. He entertained
the most liberal principles in matters of religion; although himself a
staunch supporter of the time-honoured usages of his religion, he did
not interfere with the opinions or acts of those who differed from him
unless compelled to do so by actual duty. But when, as President of
the Board of Deputies, or of any other institution, he had to give
his opinion on religious matters, he invariably referred to the
Spiritual Head of the community for guidance; he regarded a word from
him as decisive, and obeyed its injunctions at whatever cost to
himself.
There was never any doubt in his mind as to the spirit which should
prevail in their deliberations on the intended reform in the
community; and he maintained that the religious tenets of Israel, as
revealed in the Code of Sinai, would invariably stand the test of
reason.
"They are," he would add in the words of Scripture, "to show our
wisdom and understanding in the sight of nations;" and he did not
consider that he would be acting in accordance with the dictates of
truth and justice if he were to accept laymen, however learned they
might be, as authorities on religious subjects for the guidance of the
whole community.
Some of his colleagues at the Board, however, did not acknowledge the
authority of the Ecclesiastical Chief of the community, and relying
entirely on their own judgment, would not accept the dictates of the
ancient teachers by whose decisions and interpretations of the sacred
text Hebrew communities had been guided for thousands of years. The
result was that the debates at their meetings became very heated, and
bore evidence of the fervour displayed in a cause they had so deeply
at heart, thus foreshadowing a struggle which threatened to extend
beyond the confines of the Board.
_May 21st._--Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore attended the Queen's
Drawing-Room, and met with a most gracious reception. The Duchess of
Kent and the Princess Sophia Matilda expressed pleasure at seeing
them. The Duke of Cambridge shook Sir Moses by the hand in a very
friendly manner, and said he was glad to see him safe back, that his
efforts had done him great honour, and that he deserved much praise.
_May 23rd._--He presented an address to Mr H. de Castro, voted to him
by the Deputies, in appreciation of his services in connection with
the Mission of Damascus. On this occasion all the Deputies were
entertained by Sir Moses at his house in Park Lane.
A week later he attended a meeting to consider the means for
establishing a branch Synagogue in the West End, which, when opened
to the community, would afford a practical proof that the statutes of
their ancient community hitherto prohibiting divine service to be held
in any other building than that at Bevis Marks, had been reconsidered.
The events of the year continued to bring with them much anxiety,
owing to the agitated state of the community in connection with the
reform movement. In the month of August the Ecclesiastical Chief took
what he considered necessary measures to express his opinion publicly
for the guidance of those who adhered to his rule, which naturally
raised the excitement of the contending parties, and not unfrequently
disturbed the peace of many a family circle.
The death of the mother of Sir Moses, a most virtuous daughter of
Israel, spread a deep gloom over the whole family, and more especially
over her beloved son Moses, and Judith his wife.
His brethren in the East appealed to Sir Moses to intercede with the
English Government to take them under their protection. They
complained of being compelled by local governors to pay heavier taxes
than any of the non-Israelite inhabitants. Both Lord Palmerston and
his successor, Lord Aberdeen, listened with great kindness to the
statements made to them on that subject by Sir Moses. Lord Palmerston,
in reply to his representations, said the Christians had suffered more
than the Jews from the Governor being a fanatic, and added that he
(Sir Moses) had his authority to write to the Jews in the East that if
they had any serious complaints to make, the English Consuls would
attend to them, and forward them to the Ambassador at Constantinople,
who would represent them to the Ministers of the Porte. Sir Moses took
the opportunity of speaking to his Lordship respecting Smyrna, Safed,
and Damascus, and he had the satisfaction of hearing from him that the
Governor of the latter city would be changed in consequence of the
reports which had been made.
Lord Aberdeen, with whom he subsequently had an interview on the same
subject, said that he saw no objection to the British Consul receiving
the statements of grievances made by the Jews, and transmitting such
statements to the British Ambassador at Constantinople, who would be
directed to confer thereon with the Ministers of the Porte, with a
view to the redress of the grievances complained of.
On Sir Moses pressing the desire of the Jews in the East to be brought
under British protection, his Lordship replied that he did not see how
it could be accomplished. All the European Powers were extremely
jealous of any interference on the part of England. His Lordship
added, however, that he would consider the best means to afford the
Jews protection for the sake of humanity and justice.
On the 7th of November, Sir Stratford Canning, previous to leaving for
Constantinople, called on Sir Moses, and afterwards sent him a note,
appointing to see him on the following day at twelve o'clock. Sir
Moses accordingly went to him. The purport of this interview was to
solicit protection for the Israelites in the East. Sir Moses informed
him of the directions given by Lord Palmerston, and Sir Stratford said
he should be happy to do all that his duty permitted, and to hear from
Sir Moses whenever he pleased. They had a long and interesting
conversation respecting the Jews and the Holy Land, and Sir Moses was
exceedingly gratified by Sir Stratford's kindness.
Amongst the numerous letters received by Sir Moses on this matter was
one from Messrs Grindlay, Christian & Matthews, East India Agency,
containing an extract from a letter from Commodore Brucks, of the
Indian navy, which showed that the great esteem in which both Sir
Moses and Lady Montefiore were held by the people in the far East
sometimes proved detrimental to the interest of their admirers. "A
Jew," it stated, "and his wife had been passing themselves off for Sir
Moses and Lady Montefiore. Under this supposition the Government Agent
at Muscat, a Jew of the highest respectability, received them, and did
all in his power to make them comfortable. They eventually left,
telling him they would pay when they came back, leaving him more than
a thousand dollars out of pocket."
On reading this, Sir Moses at once expressed a desire to ascertain the
name of the victim of the fraud, in order that he should not suffer
any loss on his account.