On the 4th of February the Allied Ministers were invited to a conference with Rechid Pacha, who laid before them his project of definitively settling the Egyptian question, which was as follows:—
“Hereditary succession of Egypt granted on condition that all the Treaties and all the laws of the empire shall be applied to Egypt as to every other part of the Ottoman empire.
“The Sultan reserves to himself to choose among the male descendants of Mehemet Ali whom he shall please. The heir chosen for the Government of Egypt shall not have the title of Vizier until he shall have received the investiture of the Sultan, and after such investiture he shall be styled Vizier, and treated like the other Viziers of the empire. Considering the advanced age of Mehemet Ali, he is exempted from proceeding to the capital; his successors are under an obligation to do so.
“As the Porte contemplates an improvement in its coinage, the money which Mehemet Ali may coin in Egypt should have the same alloy and value as that of the Sultan.
“All appointments to civil and military employments must proceed from the Sultan, and all promotions emanate from His Highness; wherefore Mehemet Ali is prohibited from appointing to any employment, and making provision for any office without the authorisation and consent of His Highness; in order, however, to leave him means of military organisation, he is permitted to appoint up to the rank of captain inclusive.
“The tribute to be paid yearly shall be fixed separately.
“The distinctive marks (nischan) of every rank, as well civil as military, are to be ordained by His Highness.
“The uniforms, as well civil as military, must resemble those worn by the civil and military officers of the Sultan, the whole adapted to the climate; it being well understood that the cut and shape must be absolutely the same.
“With respect to the garrison for the maintenance of good order in Egypt, the Porte proposes from 20,000 to 25,000 troops.
“The conscription which in the other provinces furnishes one man in a hundred, shall not in Egypt furnish more than one in two hundred.