“I wish your Excellency to acquaint me whether in informing me that the Druse chiefs had been sent back to Lebanon, your Excellency means that all the chiefs that were removed from Syria last July have returned to their homes.
“I observed to your Excellency in my letter of yesterday, that I had no direction to suspend hostilities by sea, unless his Highness would surrender the fleet, and give immediate orders for the evacuation of Syria, much less can I insure the discontinuance of military operations; on the contrary, I feel perfectly satisfied that operations will be carried on, until orders are given for its complete evacuation.
“I am perfectly ignorant of the despatches brought by the last French steamer, nor have I any knowledge that the French Government has entered into negotiation with the Allied Powers.
“I only know that the Allied Powers have recommended to the Porte to reinstate Mehemet Ali in the government of Egypt, and render it hereditary in his family; and I know that nothing could afford so much pleasure to the British Government, as my writing by this packet to say that, orders have been given for the evacuation of Syria, and the surrender of the fleet. I can enter into his Highness’s feelings in hesitating to do this until he officially receives the guarantee of the Allied Powers; but at the same time I must do my duty.
“I am most anxious to avoid any further effusion of blood; war and sickness have already done enough.
“Therefore, if his Highness will give immediate orders for the evacuation of Syria, and send transports to receive the troops, and get the fleet ready for sea, I will not insist on their departure for Constantinople, until the Pacha is guaranteed in the hereditary government of Egypt, and on those conditions I will suspend hostilities.
“I have, &c.
(Signed) “Charles Napier, Commodore.”
“His Excellency Boghos Bey.”
“Commodore,