The English ships withdrawn from the coast of Syria—The Author appointed to the command of a Squadron—Return to Beyrout—Instructions to the Squadron—Letters to the Egyptian Authorities, the British Consul, the Emir Bechir, and others—Proclamation to the Syrians—Letters from the Emir Bechir and Souliman Pacha. On the 3rd of August we took leave of Beyrout, and sailed in company with the Edinburgh, to join the Commander-in-chief’s flag, leaving the Castor and Gorgon on the coast. Thinking it probable that counter orders might be sent to Rhodes, we made the best of our way thither. On the 10th we made Castel Rosso, on the coast of Caramania, and there fell in with the Ganges, commanded by my old friend Captain Reynolds, who brought me direction to hoist a broad blue pennant, and take under my command the Ganges, Thunderer, Edinburgh, Castor, and Gorgon, and return to Beyrout. He was the bearer of the Treaty of the 15th of July, and of orders to assist the mountaineers, supposing the insurrection to be in full force; the Ganges was directed to pass to the east of Cyprus, and the The service was rather of a delicate nature; the insurrection was over, and twenty days were allowed Mehemet Ali to reject or accept the Treaty of July. In the quarantine ground, two miles from Beyrout, were encamped 4000 Turks; it was known they were dissatisfied, and wished to return to Constantinople, but how to assist them, and how far to go under the existing treaty, was not very easy to decide; it was, however, important some effort should be made before they were moved out of our reach. It was also desirable to prevent, if possible, that enterprising officer Souliman Pacha (who had organized the Egyptian army) from removing the stores from the magazine, and from strengthening the town. My position was not agreeable. If I commenced hostilities before the expiration of the twenty days and Mehemet Ali accepted the terms, I should be accused of precipitation, and of causing an unnecessary sacrifice of life; on the other hand, should Mehemet Ali hold out, I might be accused of supineness. After perusing my orders, Lord Palmerston’s instructions, and the third article of the Convention, and giving them my best consideration, it appeared to me evident that, under all circumstances, nothing but a very decided demonstration could be undertaken, following that demonstration up by hostilities, should opportunity offer. Beyrout is a small town surrounded by a wall, with a few weak turrets mouldering to ruins, and mounting very few guns. The arms, provisions, and ammunition were stored in two weak castles. About a mile and a half from the town, on a point of land, stands the quarantine establishment, surrounded by a high wall; on this establishment the Turkish troops were encamped, a second camp was a little removed, and a third a still greater distance in the country, where were quartered the Egyptian and Albanian troops. My first object was to rise and protect the Turks, the second to recover the arms of the mountaineers. The 13th was employed in preparing the following proclamation, and the letters necessary to “H.M.S. Powerful, Beyrout, “12th of August, 1840. “Memorandum.—The Powerful and Edinburgh will take up a position abreast of the town; the object of so doing is to induce the Governor to deliver the arms that have been taken from the inhabitants of Lebanon, and to assist the Turkish troops to return to their allegiance. I shall avoid hostilities, if possible, therefore great caution is to be used, and the Edinburgh will not fire without signal, even if the Powerful should open, and then the guns will be carefully directed at the batteries. “The Ganges will take up a position to command the Turkish camp to the south, the Thunderer abreast of the island, and the Castor in the bay. Captain Reynolds will endeavour to send the accompanying “Charles Napier, Commodore.” “To the Captains of H.M.S. Ganges, Thunderer, Castor, and Edinburgh.” An officer was then sent to the Governor and the Consul with the papers marked 1 and 2. Lieutenant Fitzjames landed in the Turkish camp, a service of some danger, with No. 3, and the Proclamation. No. 4 was sent to the Grand Prince, and No. 5 to his Nephew. The Governor declined giving any answer, and the commander of the Turkish forces said he could not act without orders. An attack on the town depended entirely on a movement in the Turkish camp, but they either had not spirit or inclination to throw up their caps and declare for the Sultan; or it is possible the soldiers were kept in ignorance of the proclamation, for though we remained three days in our position Towards dark, as I suspected, the removal of the stores from the castles and water side began, and I sent an officer to remonstrate and threaten, and it was with much difficulty I refrained from putting my veto on the proceedings, through the medium of a few 32lb. shot; this could easily have been done; but was it justifiable? I thought not—and most unwillingly made up my mind, unless a fair opportunity offered, to allow the twenty days to expire. No. 1. “Sir, “Great Britain, Austria, Russia and Prussia, have decided that Syria is to be restored to the Sultan. I notify this to you for your guidance. I demand that the Turkish troops be put under my protection, and that the arms be restored to the inhabitants of Mount Lebanon. I am unwilling to shed blood, or destroy the property of the inhabitants “I am, Sir, &c., “Chas. Napier.” “His Excellency Mahmoud Bey, Governor of Beyrout.” No. 2. “Sir, “I beg you will communicate to the Consuls of the different Powers, and the British merchants at Beyrout, that Great Britain, Austria, Russia, and Prussia, have decided that Syria is to be restored to the Sultan. I have demanded that the Turkish troops be put under my protection, and that the arms be restored to the inhabitants of Lebanon. I trust the Governor will not provoke hostilities; if he does, the responsibility of shedding blood must be on his own head. “I am, Sir, &c., “Chas. Napier, Commodore.” “N. Moore, Esq., British Consul, Beyrout.” “Sir, “I inclose you a proclamation I have thought proper to issue; if you attempt to move out of the camp, hostilities will commence immediately. “I am, Sir, your obedient servant, “Chas. Napier, Commodore.” “To the Commanding Officer of the Turkish Troops.” “Proclamation. “Syrians, “Great Britain, Austria, Russia, and Prussia, &c., in conjunction with the Sultan, have decided that the rule of Mehemet Ali shall cease in Syria; and I have been sent here with an advanced squadron to assist in throwing off the yoke of the Pacha of Egypt. “You know that a hatti-scheriff has been issued by the Sultan, securing the life and property of his subjects, and which is in full operation throughout the Turkish “Soldiers of the Sultan, who were treacherously led from your homes to the burning sands of Egypt, and have since been transported to Syria, I call upon you, in the name of the great Powers, to return to your allegiance. All past events will be forgotten, and your arrears of pay discharged by the Sultan. “(Signed)Charles Napier.“ No. 4. “Prince, “I send you a Proclamation I have thought proper to issue. I call upon your Highness to return to your allegiance to the Sultan, or take the consequence. “I have the honour to remain, “Your Highness’s obedient servant, “Charles Napier.” “His Highness the Emir Bechir, Grand Prince of Lebanon.” “Prince, “My Proclamation will be delivered to you by Mr. Wood, or forwarded. I call upon you to stand forth in favour of your Sovereign; you may rely upon all the support I can give, and of reinforcements from the Porte. “I have the honour to remain, “Your obedient servant, “Charles Napier.” “To the Emir Bechir Cassim.” The Grand Prince sent no answer, but a few days after, his surgeon came on board, and gave me to understand that as soon as the Turkish troops landed the Emir would declare for the Sultan; the Emir Bechir Cassim sent a favourable reply, but wavered till he could see what turn affairs were likely to take. Copy of a letter received from the Emir Bechir Cassim. “August 14, 1840. “After the customary compliments to his Excellency Commodore Napier. “I have had the honour to receive the Proclamation you were pleased to send me, containing the decision of the four great Powers, to which I readily submit. I am prepared to render instantly all the services that may be required of me, while I consider the opportunity afforded me as a peculiar favour from God. I am waiting only for supreme orders to commence immediately acting accordingly with diligence, when I will also follow all your commands. I hope to be able to prove to you the sincerity of my declarations. You have forwarded to us your Proclamation through Mr. Wood; we will follow your instructions thereon. “I have requested the bearer of the present to express to you my sentiments verbally, and I hope that, with your assistance, we shall obtain peace, tranquillity, and liberty. “(Signed)Emir Bechir Cassim.” Vessels were constantly arriving with provisions and warlike stores, which were detained, much to the “Sir, “Powerful, Beyrout, August 18, 1840. “I am instructed to detain all ships of war and vessels having troops, military stores, or provisions on board, going from one part of Egypt or Syria to another. As it is a very vexatious duty for me to perform, I submit to your Excellency whether it would not be better to give orders to all the ports under your jurisdiction, not to permit any vessels to sail loaded with the description of articles I have pointed out. I have detained eleven officers and eighty-seven privates on board different vessels; they have no provisions, and are totally unaccustomed to our mode of living. I therefore submit to your Excellency’s consideration whether it would not be desirable to send them off provisions. “I am, &c., “(Signed)Charles Napier, Commodore.” “His Excellency Souliman Pacha, &c.” “Commodore, “Beyrout, August 18, 1810. “I am very grateful for the advice which your Excellency gives me. I did not expect less from the noble character of so loyal and valiant a soldier as fame has long reported you to be. But it is impossible for me to profit by it, not having received any instructions from my Government that war exists between England and Egypt. I cannot, therefore, take upon myself to interrupt the communications between Egypt and Syria, or between the ports of the latter country. If, according to your instructions, you have taken from the vessels any passengers, provisions, or stores, belonging to the army or to the country, I can no longer consider them as our subjects or our property. I can only refer the matter to my Government, regretting that I am without the power to provide further. “Receive, I beg you, Commodore, the assurance of the highest consideration of “Your very humble servant, “Souliman Pacha.” |