CHAPTER XVIII.
Delay in forwarding the Firmans to Mehemet Ali—Instructions to the Commissioner—The Author’s Visit to the Egyptian Flag-ship—Substance of the Firmans—Objections of the Pacha—The Author’s Advice—Letter to Lord Palmerston—The Author’s last Interview with Mehemet Ali—Return to Malta—Correspondence with Sir Robert Stopford—Return to England.
Although it had been distinctly stated to Mehemet Ali in the Vizier’s letter of the 12th of January, (in consequence of the remonstrance of the Allies)[[103]], that he should be confirmed in the hereditary government of Egypt after the delivery of the fleet and his complete submission, still the confirmation was delayed for a considerable time, and the firman did not arrive at Alexandria until the 20th of February, and was brought by Said Muhib Effendi, who was instructed to read the firman[[104]] in full divan, and if rejected by the Pacha, he was to exhort him to receive it. He was also the bearer of the fez and the nisham of the Vizier, which Mehemet Ali was to wear on the day the firman was read. He was to inform him, that in consequence of his advanced age, the Sultan did not require him to go to Constantinople to receive his investiture, but that one of his sons was expected to thank the Sultan in person for the signal favour conferred on his father. He was further instructed, in the event of Mehemet Ali’s remonstrating against any part of the firman, to send back the steamboat for further orders; but in the event of the Pacha’s rejecting the firman, he was to demand that the rejection should be in writing.
The day after the arrival of the firman, Mehemet Ali visited the Liverpool steamer, and from thence invited me on board the Egyptian Admiral’s ship. The old man appeared in low spirits, but nevertheless, he seemed proud of pointing out the cleanliness and order that reigned in every part of his ship. On entering the cabin, the whole of the guns were fired at once, and the rest of the squadron followed the example of the flag-ship. He conducted me through every part of this magnificent vessel, and it was quite impossible to conceive any ship better fitted in every respect. After the inspection the drums beat to quarters, and in less than three minutes she was ready for action. The men were well trained, and the guns exercised with great alacrity, though not quite in the style of the Excellent. The magazine was opened, the powder-boxes handed up, the rigging stoppered, fire-engines and buckets at hand, and large tubs full of water were placed along both the lower and main deck in great abundance. After the gun exercise, a party were paraded with their cutlasses and muskets, and it was altogether surprising to see how well the poor Arabs went through their exercises. The yards were then manned; but in this part of their manœuvres they were not quite so expert.
After the exercises were over, we retired into the cabin, and I ventured to ask if he was satisfied with the news from Constantinople, at which he shook his head, and expressed a desire to see me in his palace. On arriving there he begged me to sit beside him on the divan, pipes and coffee were called for as usual, and through the medium of his interpreter, he communicated the substance of the firman[[105]], which he also gave me in writing; it is as follows:—
“Egypt within its ancient limits is granted to you and to your male descendants on the following conditions:
“1st. When there shall be a decease of the incumbent, the Porte shall select among his heirs the person who shall best suit it, who will be summoned to Constantinople to receive the investiture. The present concession does not involve any precedence over the other Viziers, and the Governor in whose favour it is made shall, as regards the title and the other prerogatives, only enjoy the advantages which are assigned to him.
“2nd. The Hatti Sheriff of Gulhané, and the other fundamental laws of the empire, as likewise the treaties present or future with foreign Powers, shall be executed in Egypt.
“3rd. All the duties and all the revenues of Egypt shall be collected in the name of the Sultan; and as the Egyptians form a portion of the subjects of the Grand Signior, the rules adopted in the rest of the empire for the collection of the taxes shall be observed in Egypt. In order that the Sultan may be well assured that the people are not over-taxed, a fourth part of the gross revenue arising either from customs-duties, tenths, or all other duties, shall appertain to the Sultan, and be in the place of tribute; the other three-fourths shall be applied to the liquidation of the charges of collection and of the expenses concerning the internal administration, the maintenance of the troops, the household of the Viceroy, and the contributions in kind allotted every year to the Holy Cities. The preceding arrangements shall take effect from the first day of the year 1257 (the present time), and be carried into execution for five years, at the expiration of which term, provision will be made according to the circumstances and condition of Egypt. In order that the duties may not be levied arbitrarily, and in a manner prejudicial to the people, the Sultan, having undertaken to watch over the interests of his subjects, considers that the presence of a comptroller of finance is necessary in Egypt: you will conform yourself to the order which shall hereafter be sent to you on this subject.
“4th. Measures are about to be taken at Constantinople in order that the money may be coined of the same die, as likewise of the denomination and weight corresponding with its value; the money coined in Egypt in the name of the Sultan must be so at the rate adopted.