CHAPTER XV.
1861.
AFFAIRS IN SYRIA—LORD PALMERSTON'S ADVICE—DEATH OF THE DUCHESS OF KENT—ACQUITTAL OF ONE OF THE ACCUSED JEWS AT DAMASCUS—FAVOURABLE NEWS FROM MOLDAVIA—DEATH OF THE PRINCE CONSORT.
DURING the first part of the year 1861 Sir Moses continued to give attention to various pursuits of a financial, communal, and political character, and devoted much time to the interests of the Syrian Relief Fund. A report of Fuad Pasha, Governor of Damascus, on the discontinuance of persecutions in that place, forwarded to him by the Foreign Office, contributed greatly to increase his gratitude to the British Government for their intercession, and later on a revival of the scheme for the construction of a railway from Jaffa to Jerusalem prompted him again to take a prominent part in the exertions of a Committee appointed for that purpose.
When Count Pizzamano originally asked Sir Moses to co-operate with him in his plans for making a high road between those two places, the latter feared that being no longer in the vigour of life, he would be unable to devote himself to a scheme which required much assiduity to ensure a successful issue, but circumstances were now different; and, impressed with the idea that a great benefit might accrue from it to the people in Palestine, as well as to the sufferers in Syria, he set to work with a view of meeting in this respect the wishes of the Syrian Relief Committee.
February 17th.—Sir Culling Eardly called on him, and was anxious for Sir Moses to accompany him to Lord Palmerston respecting the growing of cotton in Syria. Sir Moses complied with his wish, and they went there together. The point to which they most directed the attention of Lord Palmerston was, protection of life and property, and they suggested that about one thousand British marines should be stationed at St Jean d'Acre. Their simple presence would be sufficient for the purpose. But Lord Palmerston said, "How could we send troops when we are requiring the French to leave?" He agreed that the people employed might appoint a police of their own, and related an anecdote of an Englishman having fired a shot and struck a man one thousand yards distant, and this so completely intimidated a large body of men that they all ran away. Lord Palmerston's opinion respecting a division of the Druses and Christians agreed with that of Sir Moses, though it was contrary to the opinions of Lord Stratford de Redcliffe and Sir Culling Eardly. He said the Turkish Government were strong enough to secure the tranquillity of the country. Fuad Pasha had sufficient men, but the foreign troops must leave the country before perfect tranquillity could be restored. The Turkish Government were extremely poor at that time. The army had not been paid for eighteen months, except the soldiers in Syria, who were more fortunate, having only six months pay due to them. The army was badly clothed and fed; the customs revenue was pledged for the next three months, and there was no money in the treasury.
Sir Culling Eardly repeated to him, that Manchester would give the Syrian Committee seeds and plants for the cultivation of cotton in Syria, but they would give no capital unless there was a guarantee against persecution. The result of their long interview was his Lordship's determination to have the French troops withdrawn from Syria, and not to have any British force introduced there.
After leaving Lord Palmerston they drove to Lord Stratford de Redcliffe, and informed him of what had just passed. Lord Stratford thought that the Porte had a sufficient force to keep order in Syria, and that the presence of the French did not promote the tranquillity of the country.
February 18th.—There was a consultation between Dr Hodgkin and Sir Charles Locock respecting the state of Lady Montefiore's health. As the spring season was generally severe in England, Sir Charles advised, but did not order, her to go to Hyères, on the coast of France. He thought the mild climate would be advantageous, and would mitigate the pain occasioned by her complaint. "I must not make any further delay," Sir Moses says, "but hope with the blessing of heaven, to leave England on Tuesday, the 26th of February, for Hyères; it is only a few hours distant from London."
February 24th.—Being the Fast of Esther, Sir Moses attended divine service in the ancient Synagogue at Bevis Marks, and distributed numerous gifts among the pupils attending the Portuguese schools and their masters.
After his return to Park Lane, Sir Culling Eardly called on him respecting the Mortara case. "In a few days," he said, "Victor Emanuel will be declared King of Italy, and immediately acknowledged in England." Sir Culling desired to be prepared with a requisition to the Lord Mayor for a public meeting, to be held at the Mansion House, to take measures for the restoration of the child Mortara to its parents. He proposed to send a deputation to the Emperor of the French and to the King of Sardinia. He had no doubt that Lord John Russell would give his support to such a movement.