“I have authorized his Highness the Pacha to send frigates and transports to Gaza, to embark any part of the Egyptian army he thinks fit, and it is my direction that you afford them every facility in your power to accomplish this, as well as to facilitate their retreat by land.
“You will call upon the Turkish authorities to support you in this, and should you find any impediment thrown in the way, you will, in the name of the Allied Powers, protest against it in the most solemn manner, as contrary to the existing treaties, as contrary to the custom of civilized nations, as contrary to the laws of humanity, and contrary even to the interests of the Porte.
“The Syrian troops are not to be embarked against their own free will, but if you have any suspicion that General Jochmus will use them against the Egyptians they had better be disarmed, or even be allowed to go into Egypt; in fact, do any thing to avoid a collision.
| “I have, &c., “Chas. Napier, Commodore. |
“P.S. I have written this to avoid any misunderstanding, though my letter of the 11th, delivered to you by Lieut. Loring, appears sufficiently explicit. The Stromboli is to be sent back immediately.”
“Captain Houston Stewart, C.B.,
H.M.S. Benbow,
Or, the Senior Naval Officer, Gaza.”
| “Sir, | “H.M.S. Carysfort, Alexandria, Feb. 2, 1841. |