The War in Syria, Volume 1 (of 2)

CHAPTER XIX.

The Author sent to Alexandria—Defences of the Town—Lord Palmerston’s Instructions to Lord Ponsonby—Lord Ponsonby’s dislike to Mehemet Ali—The Author’s Correspondence with Boghos Bey—Interview with the Pacha—His Arsenal—Further Correspondence—Signature of the Convention.

The Admiral having thought it necessary to increase the squadron off Alexandria to six sail of the line, I sailed on the 15th November to take the command; the object was to make a powerful demonstration before Alexandria under my pennant, as the Admiral wrote to me. The rest of the squadron, as I have before stated, were to be withdrawn, with the exception of the Benbow. Ibrahim at this time had collected a very strong force at Zachle and Malaka, and I thought it very probable, unless he had decided to abandon Syria altogether, that he would take advantage of the absence of the squadron, and march a strong force on Beyrout. Had he attempted such an enterprise he must have succeeded; Sidon would then have fallen, and probably Acre, for the explosion had blown a great part of the land-face down, and the temporary reparations could not have resisted a powerful force.

On the 21st of November I arrived off Alexandria, where I found the Rodney, Revenge, Ganges, Vanguard, and Cambridge, of the line; Carysfort, and Medea, steamer. The latter a few days before had been nearly blown up by the bursting of a shell. Before communicating with the squadron, I ran in and reconnoitred the defences: the sea-face appeared covered with guns, but, with the exception of the Pharo Castle, I saw nothing that could resist a strong naval force; but still any attack without troops would lead to no result, and at this season of the year, even if a force could have been spared, it would not have been prudent to have attempted it.

When I joined the squadron I was put in possession of a copy of the following letter from Lord Palmerston to Lord Ponsonby:

“My Lord,

“London, Oct. 15, 1840.

“Her Majesty’s Government having taken into consideration the act by which the Sultan deprived Mehemet Ali of the pachalic of Egypt, the bearings of that act upon the present state of pending questions, and the course which it may be expedient to take thereupon, have invited the Representatives of Austria, Prussia, and Russia at their court, to submit to their respective Governments, that undoubtedly there is much force in the reasons which, according to your Excellency’s reports, induced the Sultan to take this step; and, that while on the one hand, this measure in no degree prevents the Sultan from reinstating Mehemet Ali, if he should speedily make his submission to his Sovereign, on the other hand, it may operate as a powerful instrument of moral coercion upon Mehemet Ali, by making him aware, that if the contest between him and his Sovereign should be prolonged, and if the issue of that contest should be unfavourable to him, he might lose everything by his too obstinate resistance.

“That in this view, and in order to make the recent exercise of the sovereign authority of the Sultan useful towards effecting an early and satisfactory settlement of pending questions, it is the opinion of Her Majesty’s Government, that it would be expedient that the Representatives of the Four Powers at Constantinople, should be instructed to proceed to the Turkish Minister, and state to him that their respective Governments, in pursuance of the stipulations of the Seventh Article of the Separate Act annexed to the Treaty of the 15th July, beg strongly to recommend to the Sultan, that if Mehemet Ali should at an early period make his submission to the Sultan, and should agree to restore the Turkish fleet, and to withdraw his troops from Syria, from Adana, Candia, and the Holy Cities, the Sultan should not only reinstate Mehemet Ali as Pacha of Egypt, but should also give him an hereditary tenure to that pachalic, according to the conditions specified in the Treaty of July, and liable, of course, to the forfeiture by any infraction of those conditions on the part of Mehemet Ali, or his successors.

“Her Majesty’s Government have reason to hope that this suggestion will meet the concurrence of the Governments of Austria, Prussia, and Russia; and your Excellency will accordingly take the steps pointed out in this despatch, as soon as your colleagues shall have received corresponding instructions.

“If the Sultan should consent to act upon this advice, tendered to him by his four Allies, it would be expedient that he should take immediate steps for making his gracious intentions in this respect known to Mehemet Ali; and your Excellency and Sir Robert Stopford should afford every facility which they may require for this purpose.

“I have, &c.,

(Signed) “Palmerston.”

“To his Excellency Lord Ponsonby.”

This letter shows that the British Government was not quite satisfied with the deposition of Mehemet Ali. The British Ambassador at Constantinople merely announced it in a short despatch; but his dislike of Mehemet Ali was so little concealed, that it was generally supposed he used all his influence with the Porte to induce the Sultan to depose him. Great praise is, however, due to his Excellency, for the vigour with which he had pushed the armaments at Constantinople, and I believe, had it not been for his exertions, neither a Turkish army or fleet would ever have appeared on the coast of Syria. Had the Ambassador stopped here, and recommended the Porte to be satisfied with the possession of that country, he would have shown himself a great statesman, and a wise man; but it will shortly be seen that he was so exasperated against Mehemet Ali, that he endeavoured to hurry the Porte into measures, that they had not the power of carrying into execution, against the wish of the Ambassadors of the other Powers, and at the imminent risk of a war with France.

I saw things through a very different telescope. We had met with great success, more than we had the least right to expect, and notwithstanding the menaces of France, a European war had as yet been avoided. I knew it was the intention of the Commander-in-Chief to leave the coast, and also shortly to recall the squadron from Alexandria. Ibrahim had collected his troops at Damascus, Zachle, and Malaka, and they could not have consisted of less than 60,000 men. He had the reputation of being a great General, and the talents of Souliman were undoubted; he had met with uninterrupted success in all his campaigns, with the exception of the last; and it was natural to expect he would seize the first opportunity of wiping off the stain on his military reputation. He must have known that the mountaineers were badly provisioned and unsupported by a regular force, and that the Turkish troops were scattered in various garrisons, and as the season advanced would be unsupported by a British fleet. I gave Ibrahim credit for attempting to do the same thing I should have done in similar circumstances, and I determined to take the responsibility on myself, and at once open a communication with Mehemet Ali. Captain Maunsell, of the Rodney, was an old friend of the Pacha's, and I decided on making him my negotiator, and next morning he proceeded with a flag of truce to Alexandria with the subjoined letter to Boghos Bey:—

“Sir,

H.B.M. Ship Powerful, off Alexandria,

November 22, 1840.

“This will be delivered to your Excellency by Captain Maunsell, an old acquaintance of his Highness Mehemet Ali. I send him to request his Highness will consent to release or exchange, the Emirs and Scheiks of Lebanon, who were sent to Alexandria last July by the authorities of Syria. The greater part of those unfortunate individuals were arrested only on suspicion of disaffection, at at the instigation of the late Grand Prince, whose government of Lebanon was anything but just, or moderate, and who at last deserted Mehemet Ali.

“The retaining those unhappy individuals in captivity can answer no good purpose at present: Lebanon is entirely free and armed; and come what may in other parts of Syria, the mountains never can again fall under the rule of Mehemet Ali.

“His Highness is, no doubt, aware of the willingness of the Allies to secure to Mehemet Ali the hereditary government of Egypt.

“Will his Highness permit an old sailor to suggest to him an easy means of reconciliation to the Sultan and the other Great Powers of Europe?

“Let his Highness frankly, freely, and unconditionally deliver up the Ottoman fleet and withdraw his troops from Syria; the miseries of war would then cease, and his Highness, in his latter years, would have ample and satisfactory occupation in cultivating the arts of peace, and probably laying a foundation for the restoration of the throne of the Ptolemies.

“By what has taken place in Syria, his Highness must be aware what can be accomplished in a country where the inhabitants are disaffected to the Government. In one month 6000 Turks and a handful of marines took Sidon, Beyrout; defeated the Egyptian troops in three actions; possessed themselves of 10,000 prisoners and deserters; and caused the evacuation of all the seaports, the passes of the Taurus and Mount Lebanon; and this in the face of an army of more than 30,000 men; and in three weeks more, Acre, the key of Syria, fell to the combined fleets, after a bombardment of three hours. Should his Highness persist in hostilities, will he permit me to ask if he is safe in Egypt? I am a great admirer of his Highness, and would much rather be his friend than enemy.

“In the capacity of the former, I take the liberty of pointing out to his Highness, the little hope he can have of ever preserving Egypt, should he refuse to be reconciled to the Sultan.

“Experience has shown that the Egyptian army in Syria are disaffected, and the whole of the country are in arms against them; and if Ibrahim Pacha is attacked by a larger and increasing Turkish force, he will probably be forced to lay down his arms. Let his Highness look to Egypt: the Turkish seamen are all disaffected; the Vice-Admiral and several of his officers abandoned him a few days ago, and are now in the squadron; the Syrian troops in Egypt wish to return to their country; the Egyptians are in arrears of pay, and are sighing for their homes. From 12,000 to 15,000 Egyptian soldiers, now at Constantinople, are being clothed, paid, and organized, under the eyes of the Sultan; let his Highness reflect on his danger, should they be thrown into Egypt, with a promise of being disbanded, together with the rest of the army, on the overthrow of his Highness.

“He may rely upon it, Egypt is not invulnerable; he may rely upon it, Alexandria itself may be made to share the fate of Acre; and his Highness, who has now an opportunity of founding a dynasty, may sink into a simple Pacha.

“I am, &c.,

(Signed)“Charles Napier, Commodore.”

“His Excellency Boghos Bey.”

Captain Maunsell returned next evening with the answer, accompanied by the English Consul, Mr. Larking.

“Commodore,

“Alexandria, November 23, 1840.

“I have received, with much pleasure, the letter which you have done me the honour to address to me, through my old friend Captain Maunsell, and I have lost no time in laying a translation of it before the Viceroy, my master.

“His Highness commands me to acquaint you, that he is particularly sensible of the good feelings which are expressed in your above-mentioned letter of the 22nd instant.

“It seems to me impossible, Commodore, that you should give credit to the malevolent reports of the Rear-Admiral: and your honourable character is a certain guarantee of the little credit which you will give to the words of a man, who, when he deserted from Constantinople, did not hesitate to shower upon the Sublime Porte the calumnies of which Egypt is now the object on his part. At the time when the officers of the Ottoman fleet got leave to quit Alexandria, this same Rear-Admiral solicited the Viceroy’s permission to remain in Egypt.

“Again, lately, he might without difficulty have received from his Highness permission to retire, but he preferred desertion to a frank and honourable proceeding, because he thought that he saw in desertion a means of re-establishing himself. It is enough to be aware of the conduct of this officer, to appreciate at their true value assertions which I do not even think I need refute.

“His Highness’s orders have already anticipated your intentions, with regard to setting the Druse chieftains at liberty. Some time ago several of these chieftains had quitted Syria and had fixed themselves at Cairo; at the news of the late events they came, of their own accord, to demand his Highness’s permission to return among their countrymen, there to act in the interest of the Egyptian cause, and ten days ago they took the road for Syria. It is at their request that the Druse chieftains, who had formerly been banished to Nubia, have been authorized to return to their homes, and that the order for their return has already been sent. The restoration of these different personages to their country being thus, as it may be said, a thing already done, your good intentions with regard to them are carried into effect, without its being necessary to have recourse to an exchange.

“It had already come to our knowledge that the intention of the Great Powers was to leave the hereditary government of Egypt to his Highness, and the Viceroy awaits an official communication upon this point. His Highness is not the less grateful for the proposal contained in your letter, for he sees therein a personal manifestation of your friendly and conciliatory sentiments. In no case has his Highness intended to place himself in opposition to the will of the Great Powers of Europe. You are not ignorant, Commodore, that he had already submitted to the stipulations of the Treaty which grants to him the hereditary administration of Egypt. His Highness had only reserved to himself the power of soliciting from the Sublime Porte the favour of joining the government of Syria for life to this first concession; and this because the Viceroy was convinced that Syria in his hands might still furnish great resources to the Ottoman empire. Instead of making any answer to this request, hostilities have been had recourse to. You will judge impartially, Commodore, whether the faults have been on the side of the Viceroy. His Highness is persuaded of the contrary, and remains convinced that the Great Powers will do him justice.

“With regard to the restoration of the Ottoman fleet, and the evacuation of Syria, I hasten to reply on these two points. It has never entered into his Highness’s intentions to keep the fleet of his Sovereign, and he has not ceased to express himself in this sense from the very day that circumstances brought the fleet of the Grand Signor to Alexandria.

“Moreover, when Sami Bey was sent on a mission to the Sublime Porte, he offered, in the name of his Highness, the restitution of the fleet, which was on the point of putting to sea to return to Constantinople when the hostilities begun in Syria postponed the execution of the orders of the Viceroy. With regard to the evacuation of Syria, his Highness thought himself justified in waiting for fresh orders from the Sublime Porte. You are aware, Commodore, of the manner in which the request of the Viceroy was replied to, who thereupon thought it necessary to have recourse to the unofficial mediation of France, manifesting thereby his intention of entering upon the path of conciliation, and his desire to see an end put to a state of things, which his Highness is conscious he did not give occasion for.

“The direct communications between the Viceroy and the Commander-in-Chief of the Egyptian army in Syria are for the moment suspended, in consequence of the agitation which exists in that country. It is with the sole object of putting a stop to the disorders, and of ensuring the means of correspondence between the army and Egypt, that the Viceroy has directed a body of troops to march upon the frontier, the object of whose mission is to re-establish the communications.

“I hope, Commodore, that you will be satisfied with the explanations which the Viceroy has ordered me to transmit to you, and that you will perceive, in the eagerness which I have shown to reply with frankness to your friendly communication, a fresh proof of the pacific and conciliatory feelings which have never ceased to animate the Viceroy, my master.

“I avail myself, &c.,

(Signed)“Boghos Joussouf.”

“To Commodore Napier.”

The weather had been fine, but still we could not expect a long continuance of it. Mehemet Ali I knew was in some fears that Alexandria might share the fate of Acre; a gale of wind driving us off the coast would relieve him from those fears, and restore his confidence, powerfully supported as he would have been by France. I was so satisfied with Boghos Bey’s answer, that, to save time, I resolved, to accompany Captain Maunsell, who returned with the following letter, and offer an interview, which was accepted.

“Sir,

“H.M.S. Powerful,

Off Alexandria, November 24, 1840.

“I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency’s letter, and am happy to find that the Emirs and Scheiks of Lebanon have been released and if they are not all gone, I shall be glad to send them to Beyrout by sea.

“I have the honour of inclosing a copy of Lord Palmerston’s letter^[16] to Lord Ponsonby, by which your Excellency will observe, that the desire of the Allied Powers is to reinstate his Highness in the hereditary government of Egypt, provided he at once evacuates Syria, and gives up the Ottoman fleet.

“It is of the utmost importance that my Government should be informed, by the packet about to leave Alexandria, of the intention of his Highness, in a clear and distinct manner. I have therefore to request your Excellency will at once inform me whether or not it is his Highness’s intention to give immediate orders for the surrendering the Ottoman fleet, and the evacuation of Syria? If his Highness consults his own interests he will not hesitate a moment.

“I shall give every assistance with the squadron, to prepare the Turkish fleet, and will permit any number of transports to proceed to Beyrout or Acre, to embark the army, who have now retired on Damascus, the intelligence of which I have this moment received from the Commander-in-Chief.

“I beg you will inform his Highness that if he does not at once decide, should any expedition be sent from Constantinople, I have no discretionary power, and must act against him according to the best of my abilities.

“I observe with regret, by your letter, that more troops have already been sent into Syria, which I fear will be interpreted at Constantinople, into a determination of persisting in hostilities.

“To avoid all unnecessary delay, I am now on board the steam-boat, and shall be most happy to pay my respects to his Highness, should he wish to see me, and offer him any guarantee in my power.

“I beg, &c.,

(Signed)“C. Napier.”

“His Excellency Boghos Bey.”

The Minister speedily made answer, in these terms:

“Commodore,

“Alexandria, Nov. 24, 1840.

“I have laid before the Viceroy, my master, the letter which you have this day done me the honour to address to me.

“The Druse chieftains who were residing at Cairo have departed for Syria by land, as I have already had the honour to state to you. It is not, therefore, in his Highnesses power to avail himself of the means of transport which you place at their disposal to accelerate their return to their country.

“The copy of the letter from Lord Palmerston to Lord Ponsonby was not, as you state, inclosed in your despatch.

“I believe, however, Commodore, that I am aware of the contents of that letter, and it is upon them that I rely in considering as a fact not to be doubted, the consent of his Highness to restore the Ottoman fleet and to evacuate Syria; and I can assure you in the name of the Viceroy, that the fleet shall be restored and Syria evacuated as soon as his Highness shall have received the official and positive guarantee of the advantages which are promised him in return for these concessions.

“On another hand, you are not ignorant, Commodore, that the despatches received from France by the last steam-boat have apprised us that the French Government, having entered into negotiation with the Four Powers at the request of the Viceroy, a definitive arrangement was expected to take place in a few days. In this posture of affairs do not you think, Commodore, that it would be fitting not to anticipate the decision which the Great Powers, acting in concert with the Sublime Porte, are about to take? a decision which the Viceroy engages in the most formal manner to submit to without delay.

“You seem to fear that the sending of a body of troops upon the frontiers of Syria might be considered at Constantinople as a proof of the intention of his Highness to prolong hostilities in that country; it is in order to put you completely at ease upon this point that I repeat to you the positive assurance, that the column which has recently been sent towards El-Arish has no other object, no other destination, than to secure the means of communication.

“I repeat, &c.,

(Signed)“Boghos Joussouf.”

“To Commodore Napier.”

The Turco-Egyptian squadron, consisting of twenty-one sail of the line, and numerous frigates and corvettes were, when I arrived, lying in the harbour, with the yards and topmasts struck; but at noon on the 24th of November, being the first day of the Bairam, an unusual movement was observed on board the ships, and they began to sway their masts up, and before sun-set, their royal yards were across, and after dusk they were brilliantly illuminated.

On the morning of the 25th, I entered the harbour of Alexandria in the Medea steamer, passed through the Turco-Egyptian fleet, and anchored off the Palace. I then landed and proceeded to the house of the British Consul, Mr. Larking. As the Pacha was receiving visits from his officers and the principal inhabitants of Alexandria, he appointed the following day at noon to receive me. In the afternoon we walked about the town, and there appeared much satisfaction in the countenances of the inhabitants of all nations and all religions at being released from the apprehension they entertained of having their town knocked about their ears.

Alexandria is a tolerably good town, and is fast improving. The naval establishments of the Pacha are wonderful, and whatever may be said against Mehemet Ali, it must be admitted, that no man of ordinary abilities could have in so short a time accomplished what he has done. I am not sure that the means employed were justifiable, but judging him by an Oriental standard, which is the only fair way of judging him, he must be considered an astonishing man. In less than twenty years he has created an army and a navy, and a dockyard that would do credit to any nation; he has constructed nine or ten sail of the line, and some of them very fine ships; he has made officers and sailors of his Arabs, and has instilled some of his own activity into the minds of the indolent Turks in his service.

His dockyard is very complete; there is a large basin capable of holding all his squadron; his storehouses are well built, and full of stores, and the whole establishment is well arranged. Everything is done in the arsenal. He builds his ships, makes his masts, yards, sails, rope, cabin furniture, compasses, quadrants, clothing for the crews, (out of his own manufactures,) shoes, &c.; he paints oil-cloths for the cabins of his officers, and even the sealing-wax and wafers they are supplied with are made in the arsenal. He is now constructing a dry-dock, which is, however, getting on very slow, and I do not think they are going the right way about it. His principal officers, and, indeed, many of the inferior ones, have been brought up in our arsenals, and appear perfectly to understand their business. Outside of the dockyard is a tolerably well built village for the wives and families of the crews, half of which are allowed to be on shore every night.

Previously to my interview with the Pacha, the following letters passed between the Minister and myself:

“Sir,

“H.M. Steam-ship Medea, Alexandria,

Nov. 25, 1840.

“I wish your Excellency to acquaint me whether in informing me that the Druse chiefs had been sent back to Lebanon, your Excellency means that all the chiefs that were removed from Syria last July have returned to their homes.

“I observed to your Excellency in my letter of yesterday, that I had no direction to suspend hostilities by sea, unless his Highness would surrender the fleet, and give immediate orders for the evacuation of Syria, much less can I insure the discontinuance of military operations; on the contrary, I feel perfectly satisfied that operations will be carried on, until orders are given for its complete evacuation.

“I am perfectly ignorant of the despatches brought by the last French steamer, nor have I any knowledge that the French Government has entered into negotiation with the Allied Powers.

“I only know that the Allied Powers have recommended to the Porte to reinstate Mehemet Ali in the government of Egypt, and render it hereditary in his family; and I know that nothing could afford so much pleasure to the British Government, as my writing by this packet to say that, orders have been given for the evacuation of Syria, and the surrender of the fleet. I can enter into his Highness’s feelings in hesitating to do this until he officially receives the guarantee of the Allied Powers; but at the same time I must do my duty.

“I am most anxious to avoid any further effusion of blood; war and sickness have already done enough.

“Therefore, if his Highness will give immediate orders for the evacuation of Syria, and send transports to receive the troops, and get the fleet ready for sea, I will not insist on their departure for Constantinople, until the Pacha is guaranteed in the hereditary government of Egypt, and on those conditions I will suspend hostilities.

“I have, &c.

(Signed)“Charles Napier, Commodore.”

“His Excellency Boghos Bey.”

“Commodore,

“Alexandria, Nov. 25, 1840.

“I have just received the letter which you have this day done me the honour to address to me, and I have hastened to lay it before the Viceroy, my master. Agreeably to his orders, I reply to the different paragraphs contained in it.

“In the first place, with regard to the Druse chieftains, I repeat to you, Commodore, that those among them who live at Cairo, have set out for Syria by land; with regard to those who are still in Nubia, the order to secure their return has already been forwarded, as I had the honour to write to you, and I repeat to you the assurance that the moment they arrive in Egypt, they will be perfectly free to proceed to their own country.

“With regard to the Ottoman fleet, which is to be put into a fit condition for sailing, as soon as the decision of the Powers shall have been officially notified to the Viceroy, his Highness sees with pleasure that you concur in his sentiments.

“His Highness, sincerely participating in the wish which you express to put a stop to the shedding of blood, has decided to put an end to hostilities; but as you are not ignorant that the transport by sea of an army which has a large quantity of stores, horses, and camp equipage, presents great difficulties, and that it is above all important to put an end to the calamities of war, the Viceroy is ready to order his son Ibrahim Pacha to concentrate his troops in order to fall back with them upon Egypt, an order which shall be transmitted to the Commander-in-Chief by an Egyptian officer, accompanied, if you think fit, by an English officer accredited by you.

“By this means, Ibrahim Pacha will be enabled completely to evacuate Syria the moment the decision of the Powers shall be officially known.

“I have, &c.

(Signed)“Boghos Joussouf.”

“To Commodore Napier.”

At noon on the 26th I proceeded to the Palace, accompanied by Captains Maunsell, Martin, and Warden. Sir William Eden, who was on board the Carysfort, did me also the honour of accompanying me, and Mr. Larking, the British Consul; and I must take this opportunity of stating how much I am indebted to Sir William Eden for some valuable suggestions; as also to Captains Maunsell and Martin. A battalion of Egyptian troops was drawn up in the court-yard of the Palace, and presented arms, the band playing martial airs.

On entering the reception-room of Mehemet Ali, which is in the old palace, we were most graciously received. The Pacha, in a short dress, was standing surrounded by his officers, and free admission seemed to have been given to Franks of all description. After a few compliments on both sides, the Pacha walked to a corner of the room, and seated himself on his Divan. Pipes and coffee were called for, and we smoked away for a considerable time, as if we had been the best friends in the world. The palace was too crowded to enter into business; and it was arranged I should again see the Pacha in the evening, after communicating with Boghos Bey, and give him in writing the terms I wished him to comply with.

The Pacha is a man of low stature, is a good deal marked with the small-pox, his complexion sallow, his eyes quick and penetrating. He wears a fine white beard; and when in good humour, has a most fascinating manner; but when out of temper, his eyes sparkle, he raises himself up in his corner, and soon convinces you he is much easier led than driven. He is easy of access, and indeed fond of gossipping; and seems to be informed of every thing that is either said or done in Alexandria. He has many friends amongst the Franks; and when he takes a liking, the man’s fortune is made. He has built a very handsome palace, and furnished it with taste. Opposite the palace is the harem, where his wife resides; but the old gentleman has given up his visits to that establishment.

After leaving the Pacha I had an interview with the Bey, and settled with him the terms of the Convention, which was submitted to the Pacha in the evening, and after some discussion was agreed upon. I was anxious that the Egyptian troops should be embarked and return by sea, because I foresaw their retiring by land would disorganize the whole of Syria, and stir up the evil passions of the inhabitants, which would not easily subside. Besides I was afraid some untoward event might bring the Turks and Egyptians into contact, and upset all I had been doing. Mehemet Ali, on the other hand, afraid of foul play, (and the sequel has proved he had reason,) was anxious they should retire by land; and it is singular enough that there was a greater outcry against that Article which he did not like, than against all the other Articles of the Convention; and I feel quite satisfied that the hold of Turkey on Syria has been more weakened by that retreat than by any other follies they have since committed; the different sects know their strength, and the day is not far distant when the Turks will be driven out of the country, with a severer loss than Ibrahim Pacha met with.

The subjoined correspondence, together with the Convention, is the best account I can give of the progress of the transaction:—

“Sir,

“H.M. Steam-ship Medea, Alexandria,

Nov. 26, 1840.

“In the last paragraph of your letter of yesterday’s date, you say that the Pacha will give orders to concentrate the Egyptian army in Syria, in order that they may evacuate the country, when the decision of the Powers is officially known.

“I beg to observe to your Excellency that the Egyptian troops are already concentrated, and my demand is, that the order should be given for the immediate evacuation; and I shall place a steamer at your Excellency’s disposal to convey the officer whom the Pacha sends, together with one I shall appoint, to Beyrout, with the Pacha’s despatches to his son Ibrahim Pacha.

“Nothing short of this will either meet the Commander-in-Chief’s approbation, or put an end to hostilities.

“I have, &c.,

(Signed)“Chas. Napier, Commodore.”

“His Excellency Boghos Bey.”

I received no answer to this letter, but the following was published in the Journal des Debats:—

“Commodore,

“Alexandria, Nov. 26, 1840.

“I reply to the last letter which you have done me the honour to address to me, and which I have laid before the Viceroy, my master.

“His Highness consents to re-equip the fleet of the Sublime Porte, to victual it, in a word to put it in a state to sail at a moment’s notice for Constantinople, on the express condition,—a condition which you yourself have laid down,—that the said fleet shall remain in our port until the official notification of the Powers which shall guarantee the hereditary government of Egypt to his Highness.

“Besides this, on the formal demand which you have made to the Viceroy thereupon, his Highness will send to Beyrout, and that forthwith, an officer of his household, (already appointed,) who will be the bearer of the necessary orders for the evacuation of Syria by his son Ibrahim Pacha and his whole army.

“This envoy will embark on board the steamer which you have placed at his Highness’s disposal, and will be accompanied by an English officer, on his way there and back again.

“This is written with lively gratitude for the care and the delicacy you have shown in the solution of this difficult question. And in the name of his Highness,

“I am, &c.,

(Signed)“Boghos Joussouf.”

I had already detained the Oriental with the India mail three days, and not thinking it proper to keep her longer, I decided on sending the correspondence by her, and the Convention, when signed, by the Medea. I wrote at the same time to Lord Palmerston.

“My Lord,

“Medea, Alexandria,

Nov. 26, 1840.

“I have sent to the Admiralty copies of my correspondence with the Egyptian Government. I am not able to send the reply to my last letter, because it will not be ready till to-night, when everything will be signed. But I am just come from the Pacha and Boghos Bey, who have consented to the immediate evacuation of Syria. But as I have already kept the Oriental three days, I did not think it right to detain her longer. I hope I am right, and that I have done what I think you wish; and as I feel certain the Turkish army, as it is, could not have followed up Ibrahim without cavalry, artillery, or commissariat, I thought it better to get them out of Syria by treaty. Had we attacked them at Zachle, it would have been different; but they are retired on Damascus. A French steamer arrived here three days ago with a negotiator, besides the one they had here; and they did all they could to prevent this. But six eighty-gun ships negotiate better than a steamer. I should have sent your Lordship copy of the papers, but I could not any longer detain the Indian mail. I shall, probably, send a steamer home with the Convention.

“I have done what I think will meet the views of the Government. I know the responsibility I incur. But an officer ought not to be afraid of acting without instructions, when it is for the advantage of his country.

“I have, &c.,

(Signed)“Charles Napier.”

“The Right Hon. Lord Palmerston.”

“Sir,

“Medea Steamer, Alexandria,

Nov. 26, 1840.

“I have the honour of inclosing copies of a correspondence that has taken place between the Egyptian Government and myself. I have not been able to send the reply to my last letter, as I could not get it till late this evening; but I am this moment returned from the Pacha and Boghos Bey, who have consented to the immediate evacuation of Syria; and as the India mail has been already detained three days, I do not like to detain her another.

“I hope their Lordships will approve of the steps I have taken to at once settle the Eastern Question.

“I have, &c.,

(Signed)“Charles Napier.

“R. More O’Ferrall, Esq.“

On the morning of the 28th, the Treaty being signed, I left Alexandria, and returned to the Powerful. The Prometheus steamer had joined the day before, and I now dispatched her to Beyrout to the Commander-in-Chief; and the Medea, with the Treaty and the rest of the correspondence, to the Admiralty.

“Sir,

“H.M. Steam-vessel Medea, Alexandria,

Nov. 28, 1840.

“In my letter by the Oriental, I sent the copies of the correspondence that has taken place between the Egyptian Government and myself. I also acquainted you that the terms had been agreed to.

“I have now the honour of inclosing a copy of the Convention I have signed, which I trust will meet their Lordships’ approbation. The whole of the correspondence has been sent to the Commander-in-Chief; and the Egyptian officer, with the order to Ibrahim Pacha, has also proceeded to join him.

“I have, &c.,

(Signed)“Chas. Napier, Commodore.

“P.S. I beg to observe that I am much indebted to the decision of Captain Maunsell, of the Rodney, in opening a direct communication with the Pacha. It had been usual to send in letters by the French boat, but Captain Maunsell very properly landed at the Palace, and sent right up to the Pacha at once.”

“R. More O’Ferrall, Esq.”

“Convention between Commodore Napier, commanding Her Britannic Majesty’s Naval Forces before Alexandria, on the one part, and his Excellency Boghos Joussouf Bey, specially authorized by his Highness the Viceroy of Egypt, on the other part; signed at Alexandria, the 27th November, 1840.

“Art. I.—Commodore Napier, in his abovementioned capacity, having brought to the knowledge of his Highness Mehemet Ali, that the Allied Powers had recommended the Sublime Porte to reinstate him in the hereditary government of Egypt, and his Highness seeing in this communication a favourable occasion for putting an end to the calamities of war, he engages to order his son Ibrahim Pacha to proceed immediately to the evacuation of Syria. His Highness engages, moreover, to restore the Ottoman fleet, as soon as he shall have received the official notification that the Sublime Porte grants to him the hereditary government of Egypt, which concession is, and remains, guaranteed by the Powers.

“Art. II.—Commodore Napier will place a steamer at the disposal of the Egyptian Government, which will convey to Syria the officer charged by his Highness to carry to the Commander-in-Chief of the Egyptian array the order to evacuate Syria. The Commander-in-Chief of the British forces, Sir Robert Stopford, will on his side appoint an officer to watch over the execution of this measure.

“Art. III.—In consideration of what precedes, Commodore Napier engages to suspend hostilities on the part of the British forces against Alexandria, or any other portion of the Egyptian territory. He will, at the same time, authorize the free passage of the vessels appointed for the transport of the wounded, the invalids, or of any other portion of the Egyptian army, which the Government of Egypt might wish to return to that country by sea.

“Art. IV.—It is well understood that the Egyptian army shall have the liberty of retiring from Syria with its artillery, arms, horses, ammunition, baggage, and in general everything that constitutes the stores of an army.

“Done in duplicate, each Contracting Party to have an original.

(Signed)	“Ch. Napier, Commodore.
	“Boghos Joussouf.”

In order, if possible, to avoid giving rise to any cavil, I thought it necessary, at the time of signing the Convention, to address the following explanatory note to the Minister of Mehemet Ali:

“Sir,

“Her Majesty’s Ship Medea,

Nov. 27, 1840.

“In the Convention entered into by your Excellency and myself, Mehemet Ali is styled his Highness the Viceroy of Egypt. As this does not alter the spirit of the Convention, I did not hesitate to sign it, but you must clearly understand that I cannot acknowledge that title until Mehemet Ali is restored by the Porte.

“I have, &c.,

“Charles Napier, Commodore.”

“His Excellency Boghos Bey.”

Venturing on so important a measure as this Convention without authority, would only be justified by the result; but it was not without precedent. Sir Sydney Smith had entered into a Convention with the French for the evacuation of Egypt, and Captain Foote had also, when serving under Lord Nelson, entered into one for the evacuation of Naples. Both were rejected by their superior officers. The rejection of the first led to the expedition to Egypt, which cost some millions, and the loss of much life; the rejection of the last, to scenes that are better buried in oblivion.

16. This letter, dated October 15, 1840, was by mistake, not sent to the Minister. The error was soon discovered and rectified. A copy of the letter will be found at p. 249 of this volume.

Clyx.com