“I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency’s letter, and am happy to find that the Emirs and Scheiks of Lebanon have been released and if they are not all gone, I shall be glad to send them to Beyrout by sea.
“I have the honour of inclosing a copy of Lord Palmerston’s letter[[16]] to Lord Ponsonby, by which your Excellency will observe, that the desire of the Allied Powers is to reinstate his Highness in the hereditary government of Egypt, provided he at once evacuates Syria, and gives up the Ottoman fleet.
“It is of the utmost importance that my Government should be informed, by the packet about to leave Alexandria, of the intention of his Highness, in a clear and distinct manner. I have therefore to request your Excellency will at once inform me whether or not it is his Highness’s intention to give immediate orders for the surrendering the Ottoman fleet, and the evacuation of Syria? If his Highness consults his own interests he will not hesitate a moment.
“I shall give every assistance with the squadron, to prepare the Turkish fleet, and will permit any number of transports to proceed to Beyrout or Acre, to embark the army, who have now retired on Damascus, the intelligence of which I have this moment received from the Commander-in-Chief.
“I beg you will inform his Highness that if he does not at once decide, should any expedition be sent from Constantinople, I have no discretionary power, and must act against him according to the best of my abilities.
“I observe with regret, by your letter, that more troops have already been sent into Syria, which I fear will be interpreted at Constantinople, into a determination of persisting in hostilities.
“To avoid all unnecessary delay, I am now on board the steam-boat, and shall be most happy to pay my respects to his Highness, should he wish to see me, and offer him any guarantee in my power.
“I beg, &c.,
(Signed) “C. Napier.”
“His Excellency Boghos Bey.”