The letters are as follows:
To the Editor of the "Times."
"Sir,—I have watched with great interest the correspondence in your columns about the Damascus Jews.
"I was in Constantinople at the time of the Syrian Massacre in 1860, and translated for the British and American Governments the Arabic documents relating to that subject; in none of these did I find anything to implicate the Jews, nor in the letters of my noble friend, Abdel Rader, when he made his own simple statement of the affair, and the course adopted by him for the protection of the Christians.—Yours faithfully,
"A. Tien."
"November 14th, 1870."
To the Editor of the "Times."
"Sir,—Having the advantage of possessing accurate knowledge of all the details concerning the outbreaks in Damascus, 1860, being there at the time, I can fully corroborate all that Sir Moses Montefiore has written you in exculpation of the Jews. No greater mistake could be made than to suppose that the Jews were in any way responsible for the troubles of that country; but even if they were, what object is to be gained by reviving a matter that is so long out of date, unless it be to excite hostility against them?
"I am a Christian native of Syria, and without egotism may say that my name is well known throughout that country, therefore I have no other object in addressing you these lines, than to remove the false impression that is likely to be made on the minds of your readers less acquainted with the facts of the matter than myself, by the perusal of the communications made to you by your correspondent, Mr Drake.
"Syria is, happily, now free from the spirit of fanaticism, and a perfect unity of sentiment pervades all classes of the community.—I remain, Sir, yours obediently,
"Selim Bustros."
"Liverpool, November 11th, 1870."
Sir Moses concluded his December work by distributing £100 among the poor of Ramsgate, who, he had just been informed, were in great distress.
January 8th, 1871.—The Hon. Benjamin Franklin Peixotto, who had just been appointed American Consul in Roumania, was now in England, on his way to Bucharest. He came to see Sir Moses, and acquainted him with his proposed mode of action in matters concerning the Israelites in Wallachia. "He is a very agreeable and highly educated gentleman," the entry of that day records, "and should he act as he speaks, I hope he will be successful in the object of his appointment."
In the course of the conversation which Sir Moses had with the Consul, the Juda Touro Almshouses in Jerusalem were mentioned, and this little incident alone was sufficient inducement for Sir Moses on the following day to send £100 for distribution among the inmates in commemoration of the visit of the Consul, a countryman of the benevolent founder of the Almshouses.
During the following three months Sir Moses suffered great anxiety on account of the illness of his sister, Mrs Gompertz. In order to be near her, Sir Moses went to London, but was taken ill himself. Her death in March affected him greatly, but with pious resignation he submits to the will of God, only adding, "she was a devoted daughter, wife, and mother, a loving sister, and a friend to all in need! May we all benefit by her bright example. It is a sad loss to me."
April 7th.—Sir Moses received the news of an outbreak against the Jews of Odessa, but fortunately the disturbance was quelled by the troops, and there was therefore no further occasion for him to intercede on their behalf. In reply to the telegram he received on that subject, he expressed his confidence that His Imperial Majesty's Government would secure the safety of the Jews and punish the evil-doers.
"I should like," he says, "to go to St Petersburg to thank the Emperor for the prompt measure that had been taken by the Government at Odessa to put an end to the outbreak against the Jews."
June 22nd.—Sir Moses received Her Majesty's command to be present at a concert at Buckingham Palace, but the state of his health would not allow him to come up to London.