I also took the opportunity of asking Boghos Bey whether the Pacha intended to execute the Commercial Treaty of the 16th of August, 1839, which, I assured him, the British Government would insist upon; and that I felt certain, if the Pacha would allow it to take its course, he would not only gain many friends in England, but it would engage Lord Palmerston more strongly to push the point of the hereditary government. I told him that as I had signed the Convention of the 27th of November, which had been approved of, I felt bound in honour to do all in my power to carry it out, and that no argument I could make use of would weigh more than being able to write to Lord Palmerston that the Commercial Convention was in full operation.
I also expressed to his Excellency my satisfaction at the loyal manner in which His Highness had acted throughout the whole affair of the evacuation of Syria, and the delivery of the fleet, and I trusted it would have its due weight at Constantinople. The substance of this I put in writing, and requested Boghos Bey to give me a reply, which he did next morning.
“Commodore,
“Alexandria, Jan. 15, 1841.
“After having informed you, Commodore, that I had made known to the Viceroy, my master, the friendly letter which you wrote to me on the 14th of this month, I had the honour to accompany you this morning to his Highness, and in the conversation which ensued, you have been enabled to convince yourself, Commodore, of the sincerity of his sentiments and conduct. All the means which we possess have been placed at the disposal of the Admiral Yaver Pacha to facilitate the departure of the Ottoman fleet, which is ready to put to sea; the retreat of the Egyptian troops is being carried into effect in Syria; the garrisons in Candia, Arabia, and the Holy Cities, only wait the arrival of the forces to replace them, in order to maintain the tranquillity of those countries.
“With regard to commerce, his Highness, who is desirous to dedicate to it all his care, in conformity with the desire which has been expressed, has been hitherto prevented from doing so by the occupation of the war. In a few days he will proceed to the provinces to complete such arrangements as may, without a violent shock to the administration of the country, put him in a position to fulfil the conditions of the Treaty to which he has given his acquiescence. The Viceroy trusts that the time will be granted him, which is indispensable to work this change, to be effected to the satisfaction of all.
| “I have, &c., “Boghos Joussouf.” |
CHAPTER VI.
The Author visits Cairo—The Mahmoudieh Canal—Fire on board the Steamer—Voyage up the Nile—Appearance of the Country—Condition of the People—Arrival at Cairo—Visit to Abbas Pacha—Palace of Schoubrah—Establishments of the Pacha—Industry of the Arabs—Visit to the Pyramids—Quit Cairo.
Things appeared to go on so smoothly at Alexandria, and anticipating no further difficulty in Syria, I took this opportunity of proceeding to Cairo, to gain as much information as I could relative to the interior of the country. The Pacha put his own steam-boat at my disposal, and sent one of his officers as interpreter; and who, I afterwards found, was likewise charged with paying the expenses of my journey. A palace in the neighbourhood of Cairo was also put at my disposition, both of which civilities I declined.