"On August 26th it was rumoured in Damascus that a general massacre of the Franks by the Moslem inhabitants was contemplated, and affairs actually assumed so serious an aspect that most of the Christians precipitately fled from the town. Open menaces were uttered, the fanatical part of the population became clamorous, and evidently bent on mischief, and indeed the danger seemed imminent since the authorities took no step to suppress the popular agitation, when, thanks to the energetic conduct of Her Britannic Majesty's Consul, upon whom the management of the affair devolved, as the other European representatives retired from the scene of action, who seems to have himself addressed the Turkish soldiery, and insisted on proper steps being taken by the Government, the riots were quelled, and a most serious calamity averted.
"One of the causes which appears most to have excited the fanaticism of the mob was the presence, in the streets of Damascus, of crosses chalked up on the most conspicuous places. On subsequent inquiry by the Government, this was discovered to be the work of the Jews, the same people who, during the former massacre, distinguished themselves by standing at the doors of their houses, and voluntarily offering lemonade to refresh the Mahommedans, hot and weary with the slaughter of the Christians, and who, in many well authenticated instances, offered aid and concealment to the terror-stricken Christians, and then brought in the Turks to murder them.
"Some three hundred of these Jews are under the protection of various European Consulates, and can thus with impunity laugh at the authority of the Turks, and wreak their hatred on the co-religionists of their protectors.—We are, Sir, yours obediently,
"E. H. Palmer, St John's College.
"C. F. Tyrwhitt Drake."
"October 27th."
Sir Moses at once sent the following letter:
To the Editor of the "Times."
"Sir,—I read with pain and surprise the letter which appeared in your paper of yesterday, bearing the signatures of Mr E. H. Palmer and Mr C. F. Tyrwhitt Drake.
"I am astonished, and I regret that gentlemen so intelligent as I assume Mr Palmer and Mr Drake to be, should be so ready to give credence to any absurd rumours that may be propagated against my co-religionists. I am in possession of authentic information which proves that these gentlemen have been entirely misled by their correspondents in Syria, and that the charges against the Jews, to which they have given currency in your influential columns, are devoid of truth.
"As regards the outbreak that occurred at Damascus ten years ago, it is enough to state that I have been an active member of the Syrian Relief Fund from its establishment in 1860, and I can confidently assert that until now I have never heard of the cruel accusations brought against the Jews of Damascus in the letter of your correspondents.
"I am sure, Sir, that you will sympathize with me when I express my sincere regret that at this late period of my life, notwithstanding the spread of education and the principles of religious toleration, I should still have to refute such idle charges, and I am confident that you will not be disinclined to insert in your paper this my reply.—I am, Sir, yours faithfully,
"Moses Montefiore."
"'The Times,' November 2nd, 1870."
Messrs Palmer and Drake then wished to know what was his authentic information. To this Sir Moses replied by another letter in the Times, dated November 9th.
Subsequently three other gentlemen addressed the Editor of the Times, one under the signature of S. H. S., the other a Christian clergyman and a native of Syria, the Rev. Dr Anton Tien, K. C. M., Cumberland Terrace, Gravesend; and the third, also a native of Syria, Mr Selim Bustros, a Christian merchant, residing at Liverpool.