They at once resolved to go to Paris, and obtain, if possible, from King Louis-Philippe, a declaration of his disbelief in the charges brought against the Jews.
In the present instance it was Monsieur Baudin, "Le Gérant du Consulat de France" (as the French Minister in Paris described him), who, on the occasion of a child disappearing from Damascus (the child, however, was afterwards found at Baal-beck), called upon the Moslem Governor to have a search made in the houses of the Jews, reminding him, at the same time, of the accusations brought against the latter in the year 1840.
July 3rd.—Sir Moses walked to the Foreign Office, having an appointment for that day with Lord Palmerston. He acquainted the Minister with the contents of the letters he had received from the East respecting the late charges brought against the Jews, also with the translation of M. Baudin's letter to the Governor of Damascus. Sir Moses praised the conduct of the British Consuls on the unfortunate occasion, and spoke highly of Mr (now Sir Richard) Wood. His request to Lord Palmerston was that he would repeat to the Consuls the instructions he had formerly given them, to protect the Jews from lawless persecution, and also to give him a letter of introduction to Lord Normanby in Paris to assist him in procuring a private audience of King Louis-Philippe. His object was to obtain from His Majesty a declaration, similar to one made by Augustus III., King of Poland, in 1763, of his entire disbelief in the ignorant delusion about the Jews and the use of blood in the Passover cakes, and to induce him to give directions to his Consuls, not to countenance any charge of the kind. Sir Moses found Lord Palmerston fully aware of all that had passed, as the latter repeated to him the contents of Sir Moses' last letter from Damascus. The Governor had behaved extremely well to the Jews, and Lord Palmerston had sent him the thanks of the British Government.
Lord Palmerston kindly complied with both his requests, and said he would give him a letter from the Government to Lord Normanby, in order that it might remain on record in his office.
July 7th.—Before leaving for Paris, Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore accepted an invitation from Monsieur Zohrab, the Turkish Consul, to attend an entertainment on board a large and powerful new steamship built by White of Cowes for the Turkish Government. They met the Turkish Ambassador, Sir Stratford and Lady Canning, and many other distinguished persons there, who were all most kind and attentive to Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore.
On receipt of Lord Palmerston's letters of introduction, Sir Moses started for Paris, where he at once called on the Marquess of Normanby. His Lordship was extremely kind, and paid great attention to what Sir Moses had to say, but could only regret Sir Moses' inopportune arrival. The King was somewhat annoyed at the differences with England, and although Sir Moses might go direct and obtain an interview, still it might be difficult for Sir Moses to move the King—who was then an old man—sufficiently to induce him to get Monsieur Guizot to take the matter up. Lord Normanby was unwilling to incur the jealousy of Monsieur Guizot, but although the British Ambassador entertained little hope of Sir Moses' success, he said that he would reconsider the matter.
July 17th.—Sir Moses received a note from his Lordship, saying that he would be glad to see him to-day (Saturday), between one and two o'clock. "In spite of the burning sun," Sir Moses writes, "Dr Loewe and I walked there (the sanctity of the Sabbath preventing the use of a carriage). His Lordship said he had read over all my papers in respect to the declaration I wished the King to make; he believed it would be impossible to obtain it, and thought I must give up the idea.
"The memorial would therefore require curtailing and altering, and he would look at it if I brought it on Monday at about the same time. On that morning he should see the King of the Belgians at the Palace, and would consider how I might be introduced to the King of France; as I had been presented before, it was not requisite for his Lordship to present me himself."
Paris, July 20th.—The following entry is contained in the Diary:—