“Stromboli, Alexandria,
Feb. 23, 1841.
“I have the honour of inclosing the translation of the Hatti Scherif, which was brought here by the Turkish Commissioner on the 21st.
“The Pacha has accepted the 2nd, 4th, and 5th Articles, and the part of the 6th which regards the construction of men of war; he begs the Sublime Porte to modify Article 3 as being oppressive to Egypt.
“The first article he considers quite inadmissable, as it would not be acceded to by Ibrahim Pacha, would cause discord in his family, and a civil war at his death. He also objects to the part of Article 6 which relates to the appointment of officers; hitherto they have all been appointed by him, with the exception of General of Division, and a sudden deviation from that system would disorganize the army, and bring his authority into contempt.
“The Pacha has repeatedly consulted me on this subject; and it is a most delicate situation to be placed in, as I cannot know what instructions your Lordship may have given to Lord Ponsonby; but judging of the intentions of the Allies from the Treaty of the 15th July, I cannot think it was contemplated by the Allies to attach such a condition to the hereditary title, and I did not hesitate to tell His Highness as much. It is true I might have preserved silence; but placed as the Pacha at present is, he is sure of turning to some one for advice, and that person would have been the French Consul-General, out of whose hands I have kept him since my arrival here; in fact, he looks up to England for protection and advice, and I believe I am the only person he consults.
“There is a separate firman giving him the pachalic of Nubia for life, with the condition that the chase should be suppressed, and no more eunuchs made. This he has no objection to; and he regrets the Sublime Porte has not taken the initiative and abolished slavery. I have urged him strongly to do this at once; but he says it is surrounded with so many difficulties, that the people’s minds must be prepared before he can venture on such a measure.
“Mr. Larking goes home in the Liverpool in bad health; and he will explain to your Lordship the position of this country, and the anxiety of the Pacha for the friendship of England. The Consuls are not yet arrived from Constantinople, which is to be regretted. I don’t know that I have any right to stay now my mission is finished. Syria is entirely evacuated, and many lives have been lost in consequence of the rejection of the Convention, and the menacing attitude of the Turks, which obliged Ibrahim Pacha to go round the Dead Sea, instead of marching straight on Gaza.
“After the honourable manner the Pacha has behaved about the fleet, it is to be regretted the Porte should have pressed him so hard, particularly as I do not see how they can enforce their demands, and I do not apprehend the Allies will risk another armament to enforce them.
“The Scheiks and Emirs are arrived at Cairo; and they will be sent to Syria immediately on their arrival here.