[Translation.]

PETITION FROM THE LATE CRETAN GREEK ASSEMBLY TO THE SULTAN.

To His Imperial August Majesty, our Sovereign Abdul Aziz Khan.

Majesty: We, the humble undersigned, having been specially delegated by the whole Christian population of Crete to avail ourselves of the benevolent and philanthropic intentions which the Imperial Government have at all times evinced towards this island, now take the liberty to lay at the feet of your Imperial Majesty the following humble prayer, in the hope that the same may be favorably acceded to:

1. And in the first place, we humbly pray to be relieved from the exorbitant duties levied on all articles of food since the year 1858 up to this day. Contrary to the concessions made to us, verbally and in writing, not only have the duties in question been increased, but new ones have been added, namely, the duties on salt, tobacco, snuff, wine, and spirits, on land rents, porterage, on sales of real and personal property, on sales of animals in general, on weighing, on stamps (which last are particularly heavy), those on dyeing, on sales of fish and meat, etc., and, finally, various others which are onerous and unjust.

We are, moreover, able to prove by statistical accounts that within the last two years we have paid what, with duties and taxes, would exceed the amount of our incomes. Above all things, then, the system of taxation requires imperial solicitude, like unto the care a father would bestow on his dutiful children. The mode of levying duties also requires reform.

The system of farming in operation is not only vexatious and perplexing to the population, but is also baneful to the Imperial Government, inasmuch as the farmers, being bound in sureties, one for the other, at the time of the sale of the articles by public auction incur greater responsibility than they are able to meet when their obligations become due. Hence they oppress the taxpayer by fraudulently exacting more than they ought, while, on the other hand, they often quit the island secretly, thus both damaging their sureties and entailing loss on the public treasury.

The unequal system of levying the taxes in all the provinces of the island, which is contrary to the spirit of the Tanzimat published by the Imperial Government, and which latter secures equal rights to all your Imperial Majesty's subjects indiscriminately, also requires amending.

We humbly pray your Imperial Majesty that the district of Sfakia, hitherto exempt from taxation owing to the barrenness and sterility of its soil, may continue to enjoy the same privilege.

2. We humbly submit, for the consideration of your Imperial Majesty, the utter want of means of communication throughout the interior of the island, and the absence of bridges, whereby the conveying of produce from one part to another is materially impeded, and many persons are annually drowned in the rivers.

3. We humbly venture to submit to your Imperial Majesty that the concessions granted to us by your illustrious predecessor in 1858, through the medium of the distinguished delegates sent hither, be put into execution.

It is true that we possess a Demogerondia, Councils, and Heads of Communities ("Ephoria"), but when we are called upon to exercise the right of election, our charter, which to all appearances exists, becomes in fact a dead letter. We venture to suggest that the last Regulation, which refers to the mode of electing the members of the Demogerondia and Councils, is defective, and therefore requires modification.

4. We beseech your Imperial Majesty graciously to consider the evils to which we are subject in consequence of the possessors of oil stores assuming to be money-lenders, but who are, indeed, monopolists, thus selling the produce of the island at half its value.

As it frequently happens that the crops fail, we are compelled to pay double the price, having under pressure already effected the sale of such produce.

We trust, therefore, that this system be abolished, and a bank duly established, for which latter the Hatti-Humayoun duly provides in its 29th paragraph.

5. We venture to submit to the paternal solicitude of your Imperial Majesty the deplorable condition of the local tribunals. Unprovided as these are with a general code, the form of procedure observed therein is necessarily irregular. In corroboration of this allegation, we assert that many have been persecuted, while no redress has been granted to those who have so suffered. We are enabled to enumerate various abuses which have occurred in every province. Hence, every branch of these law-courts requires amendment, so that on a sentence being awarded no undue favor shall be shown to the stronger party, or the creed of the individual be made to serve as a bias, as happened to some of the inhabitants of Kritza, Lasithe, and others. In that affair the Khaniollis family, having at one time held the produce of "malikianeh" or the tithes, presumed to consider themselves sole proprietors of that privilege, and went so far as to take possession of half of the property of Kritza, and nearly the whole of that of Lasithe, and some other. In consequence of such a proceeding, the inhabitants of the last-quoted village incurred considerable expense in the defence of their rights, and otherwise suffered grievously. Examples of this kind are not wanting in the Provinces of Retimo and CanÉa.

Moreover, the sentences of the local tribunals used formerly to be drawn up in Turkish and Greek; but nowadays, although the vernacular be modern Greek throughout the island, no judicial award, or any other official document, must be written out in Greek, but merely in Turkish; a fact at once perplexing to both parties at suit, as also to the judicial and other administrative offices.

We consequently entreat of your Imperial Majesty that the use of the modern Greek and Turkish languages be freely permitted to all classes.

At the Mekhemeh the testimony of a Christian is held invalid against that of a Mohammedan. This is contrary to the letter and spirit of the Hatti-Humayoun, which removes all legal disabilities from the non-Mussulman subjects of your Imperial Majesty.

6. From your Imperial Majesty we look forward with hope and confidence to obtain our personal liberties. At present, this depends entirely upon the discretion of the Honorable Governors and officers charged with the Imperial Government. A simple pretext is sufficient to cause the imprisonment of the most respectable man, and without sentence being awarded to him he may be detained there for an indefinite period.

7. We humbly request the attention of your Imperial Majesty to the want of schools in the villages belonging to the three provinces, and we pray that any teacher, irrespective of his nationality, be allowed to exercise his profession in the provinces as well as in the towns, and that the hospitals may be properly looked after.

8. Another drawback which impedes the prosperity of our island is the closing of the numerous ports with which Nature has so bountifully supplied it; and while in all countries of the world commerce has been materially developed by the reduction of duties, we are obliged, after long journeys, and after being exposed to the inclemency of the seasons, to convey our produce to one of the three principal fortresses of the island. The opening, therefore, of all the ports for the free importation and exportation of produce and general merchandise would greatly contribute to our well-being.

9. The liberty of worship, in virtue of the provisions of the Hatti-Humayoun, exists only by name in Crete, since, on a Greek becoming Mussulman, he is allowed to remain in the island, and inherit property; whereas if a Turk be converted to Christianity, he must forthwith quit the island, and forfeit all his rights.

10. Majesty! Similar griefs we, two years ago, took the liberty of submitting to the clemency of your Imperial Majesty, when were added such disproportionate duties and taxes on food, and when the privileges conceded to us in 1858 were violated; but unfortunately, and contrary to every hope, we were not listened to, and although even to-day we may have been obliged from higher motives to assemble, in order to give utterance to our grievances, we hope that for such reason we shall not be considered disturbers of the public peace, such imputation the local Governor-General, in his Excellency's proclamation of the 28th of April last, having ascribed to us.

On the other hand, perceiving as we do warlike preparations, while our gathering has altogether been a peaceful one, and presuming that the same has been misrepresented to the Imperial Government, we entreat of your Imperial Majesty a general pardon for all those who may have taken part in the present popular movement.

With a view to an impartial investigation of all the above-stated grievances on the part of your Imperial Majesty's faithful subjects in this island, we venture to submit that an upright person be sent hither for the purpose.

We beg leave to express a hope that your Imperial Majesty may take pity on this poor people, who suffers so unjustly, and who implores that its prayer may be soon transmitted to your Imperial Majesty.

From this day we raise our voices for the long life and happiness of your Imperial Majesty, and we shall never cease to hope for an improvement in our condition under the powerful Ægis of the Imperial Government.

Canea, May 14 (26), 1866.

The most obedient and humble subjects representing
the Christian population of Crete.

(Here follow signatures.)

[Translation.]

TO HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN OF GREAT BRITAIN.

Madam: The undersigned representatives of the Province of the Island of Candia venture to place the present petition at the feet of your Majesty, addressing at the same time a similar one to the sovereigns of the two other protecting powers of the Hellenes.

The inhabitants of Candia, having taken an active part with the whole Greek race in the bloody war of independence, which, begun in 1821, has continued through many years, succeeded, at great sacrifice, in making themselves masters of the island and of Grambousse, one of its principal fortresses.

Consequently, they hoped that, enjoying the same rights as their brethren of the Continent of Greece, their efforts would have been crowned by the consecration of their independence, but the three Great Powers in their wisdom decided otherwise. The Cretans, heartbroken, submitted to this decision, and since then have dragged on their existence, at one time under the sovereignty of the Pasha of Egypt, at another under that of his Majesty the Sultan.

In recommending to us to submit to this decision of Europe, the President of Greece, the late Count Capodistria, who was greatly interested in us, led us to hope that this great misfortune would be of short duration, and that in a short while our wishes would be fulfilled. On the other hand, we received solemn promises that we should be governed in a kindly manner.

Thirty-five years have elapsed since then, and during this long period our existence has not ceased to be exposed to every kind of oppressive injustice and misfortune. Not a traveller has visited our beautiful but unfortunate country without being touched by our sufferings.

We pay enormous taxes, which are increased each year, without enjoying any of the advantages which all nations receive in return for such taxation. Justice is a thing unheard of. We have no tribunals worthy of that name; nor have we any laws. Our government depends on the arbitrary will of the representative of the Sublime Porte. Our children, from want of public instruction, wallow in ignorance; the few schools we have are maintained at our own small means. The clergy are even paid by us. We are not admitted into the public service. We have no roads or bridges. Our evidence is of no avail against that of a Mussulman. The excesses committed by the Turks are rarely punished. We have never experienced any of the advantages enjoyed by the poorest subjects of civilized nations. We are the slaves of another race.

The population of this unfortunate country, being unable to bend itself to this state of things, has several times since 1830 found itself forced in its despair to have recourse to arms to recover its rights. At this present time it has again risen, and in abstaining from all acts of violence, it peaceably asks for justice from his Majesty the Sultan, the reduction of taxes, and an improvement in the administration. And if we, the most prudent, had not restrained its impetuosity, the population would have flown to arms, to engage in its despair in an unequal and sanguinary contest.

Madam, one of the reasons of state policy which led the great Powers to replace us under the dominion of Turkey, was no doubt the amount of the Mussulman population in our island, which was considered higher than that of the Christian population.

But now the Turks compose but one-fourth of the whole population, which amounts to 300,000 souls. It is unjust that the most numerous should suffer on account of the lesser number, whereas if we were under a Christian government our Turkish brethren would enjoy the same happiness and the same advantages as ourselves.

Moreover, in order to keep the country in subjection, Turkey is obliged to keep up an army and a fleet, and to spend enormous sums of money, without its being of much service to her, whereas Crete, if united to Greece, would confer great advantages on the whole Greek race, and would be able to embark on a system of civilization. If the creation of an Hellenic kingdom has for its object the regeneration of this people, Crete, which is purely Hellenic country, would become one of its foundation stones.

Madam, long experience has proved that, from the manner in which our island is governed, all improvement and all advancement are impossible for this wretched country.

We consequently entreat your Majesty and their Majesties the Sovereigns of the two other Protecting Powers of the Greek nation, to deign to excuse our one wish, viz., union with our brethren of Greece.

It is only under this condition that we can be happy, and contribute to the advancement of our race.

Should that, however, be impossible at present, we beg your Majesty, in your infinite goodness, to endeavor to obtain for us a political organization, under which there may be laws and regular tribunals, less grievous and better imposed taxes, by which the morality of the people may become possible, that at least one part of the revenues of the country should be expended on its improvement, and generally that our just grievances may be redressed by a Christian and paternal administration.

This is what, in imploring the magnanimous interposition of your Majesty, we venture to ask of the powerful monarchs of the three Great Powers.

We sign ourselves, etc.

The Deputies of the Section of CanÉa, Heraclim,
Rethymne, etc.

Canea, May 15, 1866.

[Translation.]

OFFICIAL INSTRUCTION TO THE GOVERNOR OF THE ISLAND OF CRETE, DATED 2 REBI-UL-EVEL, 1283 (JULY 15, 1866).

Your Excellency's despatches, with their enclosures, forwarded through Kadri Bey on his return from an official mission to Crete, have arrived, and his report on the state of affairs, as witnessed by him in that island, has been thoroughly understood.

It was hoped and expected that the non-Mussulman inhabitants, who had assembled together in several districts of the province, would have listened to the benignant and paternal exhortations of the Imperial Government; that they would have broken up these assemblies, and, showing obedience and submission to authority, have returned to their own homes. And the reluctance of the Porte up to the present moment to inflict the punishment due to their offences has been based upon this expectation. But it appears, on the contrary, that although these persons have made a show of breaking up their meetings, yet they have not abandoned their religious proceedings; and it is evident that at the present time they are still continuing in the course of excitement and commotion. Now, according to the sense of the petitions which have reached the Porte on the part of these persons, both at the commencement of the affair and subsequently, the object of these assemblies was to obtain the abolition of certain duties on such articles as tobacco, snuff, salt, and stamps; the facilitating of the means of communication in the island; reform in the election of the Medjliss or Demogerondia; the prevention of the evil practice of wearing arms; the formation of schools, hospitals, and such like institutions.

But besides all these things, they have got certain ideas into their heads, to which they also now give expression.

Now, from first to last, as is most manifest and natural, the principal wish of the Imperial Government is to secure the tranquillity and welfare of all classes of its subjects; and the inhabitants of Crete especially, and in many instances, have been the object of concessions and peculiar favor; above all, in the matter of the property tax ("virgu"), the sheep tax, and such like imposts which are levied in all other parts of the Ottoman dominions, the inhabitants of this island have alone been exempted. And up to the present day the Porte has never entertained the idea of depriving them of this indulgence. But the inhabitants of Crete now put forward a claim for the abolition of taxes which belong to a different category. For, as every one knows, the Porte some years ago, solely with the view of increasing the exports from its dominions, and in order to encourage and facilitate commercial enterprise, agreed to the abolition of the tax of 12 per cent. on exports to foreign countries; and owing to the tax being diminished at the rate of 1 per cent. annually, it will be reduced in the course of a few years to only 1 per cent. for a permanence.

In consequence of this measure, the loss to the Imperial treasury amounts to more than 300,000 purses a year.[L] The abolition of this tax on exports being of immense benefit to the people of this empire, in order in some slight degree to compensate for the loss thus entailed, certain new taxes of universal application to all parts of the country were imposed; and as the people of the Island of Crete are amongst those most benefited by the abolition of the duty on exports, it is only just and natural that they should pay their share of the new imposts which were intended to make up the loss to the treasury. For, whilst the inhabitants of other places have had 50,000 purses added to their property tax ("verghi"), in consequence of no such tax existing in Crete, no part in the payment of this augmentation falls to their lot. Crete, then, enjoying as she does this exceptional favor and advantage, cannot with right and justice pretend to be exempted from the imposts mentioned above. As regards the matter of the construction of roads, bridges, hospitals, etc., it is true that such wishes are amongst the requirements of the age, and the Porte is exceedingly anxious for the carrying out of such useful projects. It is clear, moreover, that all countries and governments stand in need of improvements of this kind. But their execution can only be effected by degrees, and according to convenience and opportunities. If the inhabitants of Crete required such public works and improvements, then it behooved them to make application to the Government at Constantinople, and in a manner consistent with their allegiance. But the essentially illegal and irregular demand for the abolition of taxes, the mixing up with this demand of other matters which might possibly be conceded, and their proceedings in assembling together for the promotion of these objects, can only be regarded by intelligent persons as acts of rebellion which cannot be tolerated, and they have now incurred the extreme reprobation of the Imperial Government.

In short, from the misconduct of this people up to the present time in declining to listen to advice, in imputing probably to erroneous motives the gracious clemency of his Imperial Majesty, who has hitherto delayed to visit their offences with punishment, and in preferring to follow the suggestions of seditious intrigues rather than the tranquillity and welfare of their families, it has become manifest that they will not be guided by prudential motives. Henceforth, then, the Imperial Government is compelled to perform its duty. A military force will at once be despatched to a convenient locality, and in the first instance the orders and resolutions of the Porte will once more be made known to the inhabitants of Crete, viz., that in obedience to orders the assemblies should disperse, and each individual return to his own home and ordinary occupation, under the protection of the Sultan; and, if they have any demands to prefer, let them make them in a wise and decorous manner to the Government. But if they continue in the course explained above, this will be regarded as a grave offence by the Government, and they will be dispersed by force and visited with severe chastisement. Let them understand this and take warning. Let them break up their assemblies, and give assurances and obligations in writing to the effect that they will no more act in contravention of the principle of submission to authority.

If after this they immediately return to their homes and occupations, well and good. But if, on the contrary, they persist in their misconduct, the troops will be sent against them, and the ringleaders of the sedition will be arrested and imprisoned in the Sultan's fortresses, while the rest of the people will be dispersed by force; and, in the event of their presuming to have recourse to arms, they will meet with reprisals in kind and be severely chastised. Should these persons dare to resist to arms, it will also be necessary to disarm them.

Your Excellency is instructed to execute the measures necessary in accordance with what is stated above.

[Translation.]

REPLY OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF THE CRETANS TO THE ANSWER OF THE GRAND VIZIER TO THEIR PETITION.

To His Highness the Grand Vizier:

Your Highness: We, the Undersigned, the Representatives of the Christian population of the Island of Crete, received yesterday (July 19), after a delay of three months, the answer of the Imperial Government to the humble petition we addressed to His Majesty the Sultan, which answer has been transmitted to us through his Excellency the Governor-General of Candia.

It is with great pain that we remark the silence kept in this answer in regard to the chief complaints in our petition—that is to say, on what concerns the tribunals, freedom of worship, personal liberty, the municipal elections, the use of the Greek language, etc.

It is also with pain and astonishment that we have learnt by this answer that not only we have no right to complain of direct and indirect taxes which weigh so heavily upon us, but that we are in a privileged position, in so far as regards other subjects of the empire, in reference to the direct taxes—viz., the one under the denomination of "verghi" and that on sheep.

Highness, we take the liberty to again call your kind attention to the following points:

First. It is all the Christians of Candia, and not some, as it pleases your Highness to say, who think that they cannot in any way be compared to other subjects of the Porte in what concerns the taxes since the period when, by the advice and under the guarantee of the great Christian Powers, the Cretans submitted themselves to the Sublime Porte; and it is notorious that since that period up to a few years ago they have not paid other taxes, direct or indirect, beyond tithes and the military tax, in conformity with the law and decrees. It is true that the duties on exportation diminish gradually from one per cent., as is stated in the answer of the Porte. Nevertheless, in a country like Crete, where there is no industry, the import duties, which still remain the same, neutralize the advantages arising out of the lowering of the export duties. Such being the case, we not only do not enjoy the benefits which your Highness is pleased to mention, but we are still crushed by the exorbitant taxes, which are far above our means, as is evident from the financial report of the last two years, during which time we have paid almost as much in taxes as the amount of our incomes, without enjoying in return any material advantage.

Secondly. In what concerns roads, schools, and hospitals, we do not doubt the benevolent intentions of His Majesty; but the unfortunate inhabitants of Candia see with sorrow that the execution of these generous intentions is indefinitely postponed, notwithstanding the oft-repeated promises of the Sublime Porte.

Thirdly. It is, nevertheless, our sacred duty to protest openly against the reproach addressed to us by your Highness, namely, that we had not made known our complaints to the Imperial Government in a respectful manner; that we had mixed up claims altogether inadmissible with those which might be entertained; and that we had held meetings and made demonstrations which could not be considered otherwise than treasonable by all conscientious and impartial persons. To these reproaches we take the liberty to reply respectfully that in a country like Crete, where there is no press or parliament, and that experience has shown that, whenever and in whatever manner the Christians have sought to obtain justice from the Sublime Porte, their mouths have been shut by intimidation and by low intrigues, we had no other means of bringing our grievances to the knowledge of our Sovereign, and of acquainting him with the real state of the country, beyond a recourse to a peaceable meeting without arms. It is also our bounden duty—we think so, at least—to repeat here that all the Christians in Candia, without exception, took part in this manifestation, and not merely some of the inhabitants, as was said by the Governor-General, and which is believed by your Highness.

It would be absurd, your Highness, almost childish, to assume that the Representatives of the Christian population of Candia have obeyed or obey the suggestions of foreigners, and that the Central Committee is exciting the people and acting in a seditious spirit. Such allegations are only put forward by those impostors and wicked men who, whether Mohammedans or Christians, are imbued with the most hostile feelings towards the Imperial Government and towards the Candiotes, and are only interested in imposing upon the goodness of our gracious Sovereign. It is notorious that the demonstration of the Candiote people is quite spontaneous, and that the assemblage of Cretans, far from compromising public tranquillity, was to upset the projects of such wicked people who seek for any pretext for calumny.

Finally, we, the undersigned, the Representatives of the Candiote people, not considering ourselves as rebels, cannot answer for the future by solemn declarations ("senets") in the name of a people which has only confided to us expressly and in writing a limited authority, namely, to forward its petition and to receive the answer which may be returned thereto.

It is this answer alone which we have in consequence bound ourselves to bring to the knowledge of the people, with the fullest confidence in the promises of the Imperial Government, which has declared that the persons fulfilling this sacred duty need not fear the threats made to them. It is for your Highness to arrive at such a decision as may be dictated by a sense of justice and conscientious feeling.

Done at Prosnero, July 20, 1866.

We have, etc.,
The Members of the Central Committee.
(Here follow the signatures.)

TRANSLATION OF AN ADDRESS TO THE EUROPEAN CONSULS OF THE CHRISTIAN DEPUTIES, ASSEMBLED UNDER THE NAME OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF CRETANS, SITTING AT PROSNERO, CANTON OF APOCORONA.

MM. les Consuls: The Representatives of the Christian people of the Isle of Crete, respectfully undersigned, assembled under the title of the Assembly General of the Cretans, feel it our imperative duty to call you to bear witness to the violence which obliges us, in spite of our wishes to the contrary, to take up arms by right of lawful defence.

Greeks by origin and by tongue, having taken part in the struggle borne by our brothers in 1821 for our national independence, but yet not having profited by the advantages of that war, our only object in assembling here is to claim the enjoyment of the rights which were guaranteed to us by the three Protecting Powers by Treaties and Protocols, and of those which His Imperial Majesty the Sultan deigned spontaneously to decree to us by a Hatti-Humayoun.

But the Governor-General, changing the meaning and the point of our humble petition, by which we claimed pacifically, and without resorting to arms, the execution of written promises, after leaving us for three months in a state of uncertainty, finally incited the Porte to return an unfavorable and menacing answer, and, opposing violence to right, he appeared before us in arms.

Calling the Representatives of the protecting and guaranteeing Powers to bear witness to this, we take up arms for our defence and safety, and we make the Turkish Government responsible before the civilized world for all the consequences of the struggle which is about to break out.

Done at Prosneron, July 20-21, 1866.

The humble Representatives of the Christian
People of the Isle of Crete.

(Here follow the signatures of 46 Deputies.)

[Extract.]

LORD LYONS TO LORD STANLEY.—(Received September 7.)

Constantinople, August 28, 1866.

I had, on the 25th instant, the honor to receive your Lordship's despatches respecting the affairs of Crete, of the 13th instant.

Yesterday, in obedience to your Lordship's instructions, I informed A'ali Pasha that Her Majesty's Government strongly advise the Porte to deal with the Cretans with the utmost forbearance and in a conciliatory spirit, to redress any grievances of which they may have cause to complain, to relieve them from any exceptional treatment which bears hard upon them, and generally to study to reconcile them to the Sultan's Government. I added, that Her Majesty's Government conceive that in the present state of the Continent of Europe, it would be a great misfortune to Turkey if any question were to arise which should excite the sympathies of Europe in favor of the resistance of Christian subjects of the Sultan to the Ottoman Government, and that it is manifestly most important to the interests of the Porte that the Provincial authorities should be enjoined to act justly and in a kindly spirit towards the Christians.

A'ali Pasha said that he entirely concurred in the views of Her Majesty's Government. He told me that it had been definitively settled that Mustapha Kiritli Pasha should be sent to Crete with large powers; that this measure would show the Cretans that their petition had been seriously taken into consideration by the Sultan; and that he had reason to hope that order would very soon be restored.

I said that I hoped that Mustapha Pasha's powers were not merely conferred with a view to quelling the present resistance of the Christian Cretans, but that they were to be exerted for the purpose of removing causes of complaint and placing matters in the island on a footing likely to be permanently satisfactory.

A'ali Pasha said that Mustapha Pasha would be empowered to take into consideration all reasonable complaints, which were brought before him in a loyal and dutiful spirit, but, of course, he would not listen to men unlawfully assembled in defiance of the Government, and would repress revolt and treasonable attempts to change the relation of the island to the Porte. On being further pressed by me, A'ali Pasha said that no Christian blood had been shed; that he was confident none would be shed; and that it was the earnest desire of the Porte to avoid, if possible, a collision between the troops and the Christians. He added that he was convinced that the movement was due to foreign instigation, and that, if that instigation ceased, it would rapidly subside.