Hp& UK ■i! Reran THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES JD PART II. 1843, 1844, 1845. CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO THE AFFAIRS OF SYRIA. Presented to both Houses of Parliament, by Command of Her Majesty, July, 1845. LONDON': PRINTED BY T. R. HARRISON. PART II. 1843, 1844, 1845. CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO THE AFFAIRS OF SYRIA. Presented to both Houses of Parliament, by Command of Her Majesty, July, 1845. LONDON: PRINTED BY T. R. HARRISON. TABLE OF CONTENTS. No. 1 Colonel Hose Jan. 1, 1843 7, To Colonel Rose Colonel Rose 10 11 7, 20, Feb. 5, April 3, Feb. 26. -Mar. 7, April 7, 10, May 6, Proceedings with respect to the ap- pointment of a Christian and of a Druse Governor for Mount Leba- non Copies of despatches to Sir S. Can- ning. Question of separation of Djebail and its dependencies from the Lebanon Emir Haidar and Emir Ahmet Ras- lan appointed on the 1st of Januarv Kaimacams for the Christians and Druses. Emir Ahmet since de- posed. Communications with them Assaad Pasha has issued a bouyti- rouldi to the Emir Haidar, the Maronite Kaimacam, abstracting the Greek Antiochians from his Government Question of geographical or religious division of the Government of the Lebanon. Colonel Rose declines gn ing advice as to re-appointment of Emir Ahmet. Emir Ahmet re- appointed on the 14th January. Both Kaimacams have proceeded to assume their Governments Approving of his having declined to express an opinion respecting the appointment of Emir Ahmet Ras- lan Conversation with Father John. Hopes of the Shehabs. Profes- sions of Christians respecting the settlement of the indemnities Collision between the mixed Christian and Druse population of Beit- Meri. I he Divan for the settle- ment of the indemnities has com- menced its sittings Despatches to Sir S. Canning. In- demnities. Druse and .Maronite Kaimacams. Djebail restored . . Confidential conversation with As- saad Pasha upon details connected with the new form of government of the Lebanon Effect of the new form of govern- ment of the Lebanon. Assaad Pasha"s conduct Page 10 10 13 14 >57 TABLE OF CONTENTS. Ill No. Page 12 Colonel Rose . . May 9, 1843 Deputies from the mixed Christian population refuse to be under Druse rule. Communications with them 15 13 » 11, Discussions with Assaad Pasha for settlement of certain points con- nected with the government of the Lebanon. Deir-el-Kamar . . 16 14 )? 30, Feelings of the Druses with reference to the interference of the Consuls of the Catholic powers in the affairs of Mount Lebanon 20 15 To Colonel Rose July 5, Approving the course he took as to communicating with the deputies from the mixed Christian popula- tion who refused to be under Druse rule 20 16 j? 5, Approving - of his having dissuaded the Druses from addressing to Assaad Pasha a petition respecting the interference of the Consuls of the Catholic Powers 21 17 Colonel Rose . . 7, Despatch to Sir S. Canning. Dis- turbance at Deir-el-Kamar. Con- versation with Assaad Pasha on the state of the country. Intrigues of the Shehabs 21 18 J5 7, Despatches to Sir E. Owen and Sir S. Canning. Communications with Assaad Pasha respecting the question of the exemption of the Kesrouan from taxation 22 19 To Colonel Rose Aug. 5, Approving of his attempts to obtain exemption of Kesrouan from tax- ation for three years, and of his recommending to the Sheiks obedience to the Turkish autho- 24 20 Colonel Rose . . 10, Military preparations of Druses and Christians. Communications with Bishop Tubia and Assaad Pasha respecting the indemnity question 25 21 V 11. Despatch to Sir S. Canning. Ques- tion of salaries of officers of the two Kairaacams and of the Mooka- tadjis 26 22 ft Sep. 8. State of indemnity question 27 23 M 9, Despatch to Sir S. Canning. Exemp- tion of the Kesrouan from the Miri. Indemnity question 27 24 J» Oct. 9, Appear.inces of outbreak between Christians and Druses have sub- sided 29 25 Jl 10, Despatch to Sir S. Canning, Revenue of the Lebanon. Government of Deir-el-Kamar and of the Lebanon generally. Indemnity question . . 30 26 5) Nov. 8, Despatches to Sir S. Canning and Sir E. Owen. Damages at Djouni. Engagements of Great Britain to the Syrians. Revenue of the Lebanon . 32 27 39 Dec. 8, Party fei.ds in the Lebanon. Unfa- vourable nc-ounts of governments of two Kaimacams. Their com- plaints asjainst Assaad Pasha 36 28 « Jan. 10, 1844 Despatch to Sir S. Canning. Com- munication with Agent of ex-Einir Beshir. Money received bv Pa- triarch for distribution among the Maronites. . 37 29 »1 Mar. 7, Despatches to Sir S. Canning. Con- versaiion with M. Bouree on form of government for the Lebanon. Question of geographical division 38 1445027 TABLE OF CONTENTS. No. 31 32 :)4 35 30 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 Colonel Rose To Colonel Rom Colonel Rose To Colonel Rose Colonel Rose To Colonel Rose Colonel Rose Mar. 12, 1844 April SO, 12, 12, .May 81, 10. June 7, 8. 9, 10, July 8, 49 To Colonel Rose 9, 9, 10, Aug. 9, 10. Sept. 7. 9, Oct. 7, A --ami Psihfl consults him as to dispersing meeting of mixed Christian population. Meeting dispersed Copies of correspondence with Arch- bishop .Murad. To report on alle- gations contained in Ids letter The Albanians in Syria bare been discharged from theTurkish sen ice Despatches to Sir S. Canning. Pro- mulgation of new form of {.Govern- ment. Effect. Report of pro- ceedings thereupon. Indemni General state of affairs Copies of further correspondence with Archbishop Murad with transla- tions of tin' petitions from the Maronites. . Despatches to Sir S. Canning. Damages at Djouni. Salaries of Mookatadjis. Advice to Assaad Pasha as to present -tate of affairs Result of his inquiries as to Arch- hishop Murad 8 allegations Report on Archbishop Murad's alle- gations. Objections to change in form of government of the Leba- non Further report on Archbishop Mu- rad's allegations. Observations in favour of the present form of government Submission of the inhabitants of Djebet-Besharre To continue to promote the success of the form of government estab- lished by the Five Powers and the Porte . . Conversation with Captain Pasha. Visit of Colonel Rose and Mr. Alison to Halil and Assaad Pashas. Conversation as to ex- Emir Beshir Observations with respect to petition forwarded by Archbishop Murad. Despatch from Mr. Moore upon the subject Communications of Mr. Alison with mixed Christian deputies. Advice given by Colonel Rose to Halil Pasha. Shehab intrigues Despatch to Sir S. Canning. Pro- ceedings at Djebet-Besharre and Tripoli. Arrival of prisoners from Tripoli. Bekaa. Shehab com- mittee of Deir-el-Kamar. . The new plan of government has not had a fair trial. His and Mr. Alison's communications with M. d'Adelbonrg and with Bishop Tubia. Shehabs Despatches to Sir S. Canning. Bekaa. Shehabs. General state of affairs Uncertain conduct of the Turkish authorities. Sheik Said Djinblat. Complaints made bv Kainiacams. Reports from Sidou Despatches to Sir S. Canning. Termination of discussions be- tween the Turkish authorities and Druse and Christian deputies by acceptance of new form of Govern- ment. Indemnities. Emigration Satisfaction at settlement of the ques- tion of Mount Lebanon. Approval of his conduct Pag» 42 43 4:: 4:: 50 50 55 64 66 67 C7 70 74 83 91 TABLE OF CONTENTS. No. 50 Colonel Rose 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 Oct. 7, 1844 9, 10. Nov. 10, 10, 11. 30. Dec. 10, 11, Feb. 7, 1845 8, 9, 11, March 9, April 9, 9, May 8, 10, 13, Page Despatches to Sir S. Canning. Com- munications between deputies and Pashas. Secret meeting at Meten broken up. Petition of mixed Christians. Letters from Maro- nite Patriarch. Ex-Emir Beshir Observations as to petition against him presented by Archbishop Mu- rad State of affairs in the Lebanon on the whole favourable. Communi- cation with one of the Christian deputies as to acceptance of Druse rule by the Christians . . . . 102 Despatches to Sir S. Canning. In- demnities. Announcement by the Pashas to the deputies of the final orders of the Porte. Bouyurouldi Reply of Pashas to deputies as to emigration. Question of rule over Christians .. .. .. 108 State of feeling at Abbaye, Deir-el- Kamar, &c, as to bouyurouldi. Vakeels Conduct of the Maronite Patriarch. Petitions in favour of mixed Chris- tians Despatches to Sir S. Canning. Dif- ficulties as to execution of plan of government. Advice given by Colonel Rose. Convocation of the deputies . . . . . . 112 Christian deputies informed that Pashas have referred to Constan- tinople for further orders. Indem- nities, and admissibility of Chris- tian evidence against the Druses . . Deir-el-Kamar. Question of " geo- graphical" or "sectarian"' govern- ment . . . . . . . . 126 Observations as to government of Deir-el-Kamar and danger of adopting a plan which should ex- tend to the mixed Christians the concession granted to Deir-el- Kamar. Four points which might be basis of a new arrangement . . 127 Critical state of public peace between Christians and Druses. Assaad Pasha going to Deir-el-Kamar for a few days . . . . . . 130 Despatch to Sir S. Canning. Feudal rights of Druse and Christian Mookatadjis Despatches to Sir S. Canning. Re- ports from HJon. Warlike pre- parations of the Christians. As- saad Pasha's movements. . . . 132 Dangerous crises between Christians and Druses. Measures taken by Colonel Rose. Quiet restored . . 136 Despatches to Sir S. Canning. Agi- tation partly subsided. Affray between Christians and Druses. Communications with Halil Pasha, Letter to Assaad Pasha Hostilities between Christians and Druses. Complaints against the Turkish authorities Hostilities between Christians and Druses in the Meten and at Abbaye. Mutual atrocities. Letter from Colonel Rose to Wagieah Pasha Measures taken by him for protec- tion of Christians of Abbaye VI TAllI.r OF CONTENTS. No. P««* C,9 Colonel Etaoe . . May 13, IMS 1 1 patch to S B.'Cannhif 1 arrangements respecting adminis- tration of Lebanon. Further hos- tilities between the Druses and Christians. Collective note <,f -ill.-, and reply of Wagieah Pasha 146 70 »> 17. Causes of the present civil war in the Lebanon 159 71 To Colonel Kosc June ii. Approving his exertions in behalf of the Christians of Abbaye 162 7-2 »» 6, Kegret at civil war in the Lebanon. Approving his efforts, in conjunc- tion with his colleagues, to restore peace 1 82 73 Colonel itose 12, Despatches to Sir Stratford Can- ning, respecting late disturbances in the Lebanon, and inclosing Articles of Agreement between the contend- ing Parties 163 CORRESPONDENCE RESPECTING THE AFFAIRS OF SYRIA. Part II. 1843, 1844, 1845. No. 1. Colonel Rose to the Earl of Aberdeen. — (Received February 6.) (Extract.) Beyrout, January 1, 1843. I HAVE the honour to state to your Lordship that this day Assaad Pasha sent his dragoman to request me to convoke the Consular Representatives of the Four Powers, as he wished to make a friendly not an official communica- tion to us. I did so, and my colleagues, with the exception of M. Basily who was ill, met in an hour at my house to meet Omer Pasha, who came on the part of Assaad Pasha, accompanied by Gibran Aura and the Pasha's dra- goman. Omer Pasha then stated that Assaad Pasha had directed him to inform us that he had selected the Emir Haidar to be the Christian Governor ; and that having directed the Druse Sheiks in prison to name a person whom they would wish to govern them, these parties had submitted to him the name of the Emir Ahmet Raslan, one of the imprisoned chiefs, as their choice, which he was willing to confirm ; that by his, Assaad Pasha's, instruction, the two chosen chiefs had met and talked over the future mode of governing the Mountain, and afterwards addressed to him two communications, translated copies of which I have the honour to submit to your Lordship ; that the objections and observations in those two documents appeared so grave that they left no hope of a solution here, more especially as he had received no instructions as to the measures which would remove the difficulties ; that in fact he had received no instructions at all beyond those as to the nomination of two Governors, a Christian and a Druse. Such being the case Assaad Pasha consulted us amicably whether 1. He had better appoint the two Governors, incurring thereby the chance of troubles which they both predicted ; or 2. Not proceed to the nomination, but refer the matter, and a statement of the difficulties attendant on it to Constantinople. My colleagues and myself felt that by counselling a reference we should render that doubtful which we had declared certain, the appointment of a Chris- tian and Druse Governor, and take upon ourselves a responsibility which solely belonged to the Porte and her officers. We expressed our regret that any occa- sion had been given to the two chiefs to renew and develope their deplorable party feelings and to propose plans which were impracticable, thereby increasing the difficulties of their position. That no plan, however perfect, if submitted to the judgment of the nation, imbued as they were with sectarian feelings, would receive their sanction ; but we thought that it would have been advisable to have announced to the chiefs and inhabitants of Mount Lebanon at once by 2. B proclamation, the late orders of the Porte, inculcating the necessity of a prompt and willing obedience to those orders, and thai it would have been preferable not to have allowed the precise commands of the Sovereign to he discussed and weakened by those whose duty it was to obey. Further, that it would have been desirable to have granted a respectable allowance to these chief's, and assure them that clear instructions would be given them hereafter for their guidance, and exhort them in the meantime to face every difficulty with brotherly good-will and a sincere desire to carry into execution a plan which they must consider final, avoiding above all things as the source of all evil the indulgence of party hatred. That with respect to any future troubles the Porte had just given a proof of her power to repress disor- der, and that the perturbers of the peace, weakened and discouraged, would meet with little success in attacking an institution defended with all the physical and moral power of the Government. In conclusion, in order clearly to show to Assaad Pasha the necessity of decision on his part, as well as prompt obedience on that of the subjects, we suggested to the Pasha that it would be advisable to give the chiefs twenty-four hours time to consider whether they would accept their respective governments or not. Omer Pasha pressed us to state what advice we should give if they would not accept. We replied that we could not give further advice till the first point had been decided. Inclosure 1 in No. 1 . Emir Haidar to Assaad Pasha. (Translation.) Beyrout, December, 1842. WHEREAS the Royal and Powerful Will has been graciously pleased through vour Excellency, in order to secure a permanent tranquillity to the subjects slaves of your Government, to appoint two Governors for the Mountain, one a Druse the other a Christian ; and your Excellency's extreme kindness has chosen me to be honoured in this charge to rule the Christian nation, though I am unworthy and even unable to undertake these functions ; however as I am the devoted and submissive servant, as is known to your Excellency, I have complied with your Excellency's orders, provided I may continue to enjoy your efficacious benevolence which will enable me to accomplish this task, and as I am unceasingly ready to do whatever may please your high Government, and duly fulfil your supreme orders according to my abilities in every respect and in a diligent manner. And as I am moreover the real slave of the Sublime Porte and of vour Excellency, you have been pleased by an especial goodness to permit me to submit a statement to your Excellency explaining the measures which are neces- sary to procure the tranquillity of your rayas, and for my success in per- forming so important a public service, and conformably to your Excellency's orders, 1 beg to expose, — 1st. That all the Christian inhabitants of Mount Lebanon, according to the Royal Will, should be under their Christian Governor ; and consequently that neither the Druse Governor nor any Emir or Sheik of that people, the Druses, should have the least authority over the Christians in whatever district they might dwell, as in the same manner that neither the Christian Governor nor any Christian Emir or Sheiks shall exercise any authority over the Druses in in any way whatever. But every nation or sect is exclusively to depend upon its Governor in all matters of exercise of authority in disputes, &c, as well as in the collection of finances. That no Christian should be admitted to serve the Druse Governor or his vassals without the consent of the Christian Governor, and the same rule forbids any Druse to serve the Christian Governor or his vassals without the consent of his Governor. That in those places where blood was spilt or which have been plundered and horrors of unnatural and exterminating nature been committed by the chiefs, that is the Druse, it is unavoidably necessary, in order to procure the 3 tranquillity and prevent causes of misunderstandings, that the chiefs in question should not be allowed to dwell with the Christians in those very same places. 2ndly. The question of the pillage and plundered property, respecting which your subjects (the Rayas) have trusted to your well-known justice, and rely on your Excellency's noble orders to have these indemnities enforced. I again beg to entreat your Excellency's mercy on the subject of the Druse and Christian Governors which have been decided upon by the Royal Will. Whilst if that is not strictly adhered to, your servant would not be able to accept the charge. If my statement, which I humbly lay to your Excellency, shall meet with your benevolent approbation, it would be necessary to proclaim your high orders to the generality of the people of the Mountain for execution, and forbidding the violation of the same. I beg your Excellency to have the kindness to consider the position of your slave, to allow him a certain sum which your Excellency may thinkproper, in order that I may be enabled to support the immediate expenses requisite for my people until the Roval Will can be known with regard to the salaries of administration as your Excellency notified to me. These are the means which would enable me to serve and ensure the suc- cess of the performance of my duties, and without which means the people under me will not be quiet, and your slave will be immediately compelled to declare his incapability. In all respects your Excellency's orders shall be obeyed. (L.S.) Inclosure 2 in No. 1. Emir Ahmet Raskin to Assaad Pasha. (Translation.) Your Slave states, THAT your Excellency having notified or proclaimed what the Sublime Porte's great mercy, may God preserve her, has conceded, that is, the appoint- ment of a Kaimacam over the Druses and another Kaimacam over the Chris- tians, one of each sect ; and your Excellency by your extreme mercy has perceived that your slave is fit to be Kaimacam for the Druses : whereas I am the real slave of the Sublime Porte, and also the obedient slave to your Excel- lency's supreme orders of every kind. But yesterday a discussion took place in the office of your Secretary in chief betwixt myself and your slave the Emir Haidar, whom you are pleased to appoint Kaimacam over the Christians ; and according to what the said Emir stated that he wished to be Governor of all the Christians who inhabit the several districts of the Mountain, and that he will appoint on his part over them inspectors, instead of your slaves the possessors of privileges (feudal), that is the Druse Sheiks, and more especially in Deir-el-Kamar, whilst that town is from all antiquity the property of the Druses : there is a mosque with a minaret, and the office of prayers is duly performed there up to the present day, the proprietors of that town form a part of the Mookatadjis (possessors of feudal privileges) and inhabit it conjointly with the Kadi (judge) of the Mountain, and it is their native country since ancient times, since their fathers and grand- fathers, before even the time that there were Christians in it, because our country since it was first inhabited was solely possessed by the Druses without Christians, and divided between your slaves the Emirs and Sheiks, the chiefs of the Mountain, every one of whom has places and villages belonging to him. A very long time afterwards some Christian families quite strangers came from several places, and each of the Sheiks accepted under their patronage, in the condition of cultivators or farmers to his lands, a few families. In the progress of time after the arrival of the Shehabs who came from Hasbeya to our country and professed there the Christian religion and afterwards persecuted the Druses, some of them, the Christians, have possessed some lands bought from the Dtuscs, and most of them remain up to this day farmers of the lands and other pro- perties of the Mookatadjis, and merely partake a share of the produce of these B2 lands, which, including the houses, belong to your slaves the possessors of Mookatas or feudal districts. The land taxes of these Mookatas or districts are inscribed in the register of the Emir of the Mountain and collected from your slaves the Mookatadjis, and the revenue is also registered amongBt the inhabitants of the several villages. And even year the Governor of the Mountain used to write to the Mookatadjis demanding the taxes which wen: collected according to those registers without alteration, and the amount of which was then sent to the Governor, the Emir of the Mountain. They, the Mookatadjis, "have certain salaries for their services of this administration, which they received from the said Emir. And the Emir of the Mountain since its existence up to the present time, docs not interfere with the inhabitants, but he, the Emir, claims the execu- tion of business from the Mookatadjis who employ the people. If any serious thing at variance should occur, the Mookatadjis refer the matter to the Emir the Governor of the Mountain, and after examination it is executed according to justice. If any one of the Mookatadjis exercising such functions commits any injury towards any of the suhjects, the Emir of the Mountain prevents and punishes him. The Rayas who inhabit in the Mookatas and the villages, are the pro- perty of the Mookatadjis inherited by them from father and grandfather, and who educated the said inhabitants as his own children, and all his revenue is dispersed amongst them. With respect to the Greek nation they are from ancient times with the Druses in every respect of one accord. They are dispersed throughout the Mookatas under the control of the Mookatadjis as above stated. Therefore if any exception of these old privileges were to take place, and if the villages were to be taken from their possessors and the Mookatadjis to be replaced by other attendants, disorder and corruption will ensue, and it would deprive the country of a general tranquillity. With regard to late occurrences which have taken place, these were caused by the partial proceeding of the Governor of the Mountain. But now in virtue of your Excellencv's clemency and by the justice of your Government, who- soever transgresses order he will be punished by the authority of your Excel- lency. In order to enable the Kaimacam to undertake the charge and to fulfil immediately his duties, it is necessary that your Excellency should appoint five experienced and intelligent individuals of the principal Mookatadjis to remain constantly with the Kaimacam, who is to consult them and execute your orders agreeably to your just wishes. And since vour slave has been an emigrant during all the late years my property has suffered and is in part taken from me, and being now in distressed circumstances and owing a sum of money, and I have not moreover wherewith to spend for five days, I require the support of your Excellency for temporary expenses. As I am the real slave of the Porte and of your Excellency, and I have nobody but the supreme God, our Sublime Porte, and your Excellency, I have dared to submit everything by detail, trusting in your kindness and hoping by the providence of God to attain the desired object, and do all what will please your Excellency and your Government. (L.S.) No. 2. Colonel Rose to the Earl of Aberdeen. — (Received February 6.) My Lord, Bey rout, January 7, 1843. I HAVE the honour to inclose to your Lordship copies of my despatches of the :27th and 31st of December, 1842, to Her Majesty- Ambassador at the Porte. I have, inc., (Signed) HUGH ROSE. Inclosure 1 in No. 2. Colonel Rose to Sir Stratford Canning. Sir, Beyrout, December 27, 1842. I HAVE the honour to state to your Excellency that on the 25th instant Assaad Pasha sent his interpreter to inform me that a Tatar had arrived from Constantinople with a letter for him similar to the one dated the 7th instant from Sarim Effendi to your Excellency, and that in obedience to the instructions contained in it he was occupied in appointing a Christian Governor for the Christians and a Druse for the Druses of the Lebanon. The same Tatar I hear brought orders to Assaad Pasha for the dismemberment of the provinces of Djebail from the Lebanon. Assaad Pasha has offered the government of the Christians to the Emir Haidar of Solima, a Maronite of the house of Kaid Bey, originally a Druse family. In point of family he is next to that of the Shehabs ; his reputation for honesty was very good till Mustapha Pasha by the offer of some villages near Koura and a certain degree of intimidation induced him to act as his co- religionists think treacherously towards his faith and country, by signing along with some other Emirs and Sheiks a petition which was prejudicial to the nomination of a Christian Governor and the Shehabs, inasmuch as it pledged them to accept a Turkish Governor. Fear of the Shehab party and the non- completion of the promises as to the villages, more than probably the calk of his conscience, induced the Emir afterwards to petition for the Shehabs. He is generous, very weak and deficient in military qualifications, as he evinced in the civil war against the Druses ; notwithstanding all this, low as is the standard of character with the Mountaineers, amongst them he may still be considered a respectable man. The clerical, Shehab, and the great majority of the Christian party are averse to his nomination, and predict intrigues and troubles undertaken with a view to place a Shehab if not over both Druses and Christians at least over the latter. They speak with pleasure of the liberation of the Druse chiefs, because it will enable them to conspire with the Christians against the new order of things and in favour of a common governor, a Shehab. With respect to a Druse Governor, on the 24th instant Assaad Pasha sent for the Druse chiefs now sixteen in number, one by one, and after using very con- ciliatory language to them, informed them that the Porte intended to appoint one of their countrymen as their Governor, and he desired them to tell him upon w r hom they would wish to see this honour conferred. They all requested time to consider ; and the next day, having alternately brought forward the names of those whose position the best entitled them to power, but whom their feelings of mutual jealousy induced them to reject, they finally agreed to submit, as the object of their choice, to Assaad Pasha the name of the Emir Ahmet Raslan, a choice in keeping with the feeling which dictated it. The Emir Ahmet is of the first Druse family in point of actual rank, and many years ago his family held the Emirat of the Mountain, but they are now reduced in influence and rank. I have, &c, (Signed) HUGH ROSE. Inclosure 2 in No. 2. Colonel Roue to Sir Stratford Canning. (Extract.) Beyrout, December 31, 1842. TWO causes agitate at present a good deal the public mind, the exclusion of the Shehabs and the late dismemberment of the Lebanon by the separation of the district of the Djebail and its dependencies from it. In 1841 Nejib Pasha endeavoured to carry into execution the same plan of dismemberment. The 6 Emir Beshir El-Kassim represented Btrongly the injustice of tbe measure in letters to Mr. Moore and myself, and we conceiving that it was a violation of the agreement by which the integral Government of the Lebanon was guaranteed to the Emir by Her Majesty's naval and civil officers, wrote a joint letter in this sense to tlic Seraskier Sclim Pasha, and dismemberment did not take place. The population of the districts in question amounts to about ^."»,')()o or 30,000, and the Djebail contains the Maronites' Patriarchal see, Kannoobeen. The same letter related to the transfer of the Greek Antiochians in it; and their removal from Maronite even to Turkish rule would be most agreeable probably to the Greek clergy, but 1 doubt whether the lay members of that faith would approve the transfer for this year. Almost all of them were inclined to, and a great many actually did petition the Porte lor, a Shehab, and they live in harmony with the Maronites. I bave the honour to inclose to vour Excellency copy of a statement res- pecting the districts in question, Djebail and its dependencies, Batroun, Zawie, tin' two Kouras and Djebet-Besharre, the scene of the late collision. There are hardly any Mussulmans in them, for Tripoli and the surrounding districts are excluded from them, and since the time of the Emir Youssuf, and during the Einirat of the ex-Emir Beshir and the Beshir Kassim, Djebail has belonged to Mount Lebanon. The dismemberment has caused the deepest regret to the Christian interest, and as the districts in question formed part of the Lebanon when Her Majesty's forces restored it to the Sultan, and her officers installed tbe Emir Beshir as Emir of the Mountain, guaranteeing its integrity, I dare think that the exertion of your Excellency's powerful influence against the dismemberment would be opportune. inclosure 3 in No. 2. Remarks respecting the Djebail and its dependencies, by a Maronite Priest. THE dismemberment of the Government of the Djebail and its dependen- cies from Mount Lebanon would be a direct violation of the privileges and ancient rules of its inhabitants. Though the Djebail and its dependencies have been geographically considered to belong to the Pashalik of Tripoli, yet from remotest ages, those combined districts, namely the Djebail, Batroun, the High and Lower Kouras, Zawi6 and Djebet-Besharre, all have been inhabited by Christians mostly Maronites, with the exception of one thousand Mutualis living in the Djebail. Eighty years ago however the said Mutualis were allowed to exercise, or not impeded by the Pasha of Tripoli from committing, many acts of injustice and even atrocities, until in a horrible civil war betwixt the Maronites and Mutualis (then far more powerful than at present), both sects nearly des- troyed each other, and many villages only, in the Djebail and Batroun, whilst Djebet-Besharre and Zawie always vanquished their enemies the Mutualis, have been entirely deserted, amongst which remarkably the sea towns of Djebail and Batroun, by the Christians. The Shehab Emir who was in command of Mount Lebanon then rose with his men, after having obtained the permission from his chief the Pasha of Acre, and subdued the insurgents and treated both parties with impartiality and moderation (I believe the Shehabs were not as yet con- verted to Christianity). So well have those districts been governed, that they are re-inhabited and enjoy peace and tranquillity. The Christian interest in Djebail having been protected by the wise and cherishing command of the Shehabs, the Maronites grew r and became respected by their natural enemies. And many important convents, churches, and religious schools are erected in all those districts, mostly Maronite (as the Greeks have convents and churches also in the aforementioned districts), and the Christian population of those districts is calculated to contain more than the half of the Christians of all the other districts of the Lebanon. The resources of the clergy, Maronite and Greek, from those fertile dis- tricts are of a greater importance than all the other districts of the Mountain. The Christian inhabitants of these districts are very simple as well as submis- sive. Those districts also lately petitioned the Porte, in union with their country- men the Lebanites, for a Christian Shehab. In a -word, the measure of the dismemberment would cause a great move- ment amongst the Christians, and in reality it would diminish a great deal the strength of the Mountaineers. And if the Powers do not intervene to secure this right or privilege to the Christians of the Mountain, any other favour or support could not counterbalance it. In fact in the actual division of the Druses from the Christians, if the aforementioned districts are virtually detached, the Christian Governor would be reduced to misery. No. 3. Colonel Rose to the Earl of Aberdeen. — (Received February 6.) My Lord, Beyrout, January 7, 1843. I HAVE the honour to state to your Lordship, that on the 1st instant Assaad Pasha invested the Emir Haidar and the Emir Ahmet Raslan as Kai- macams respectively for the Christians and Druses. The next day the two Emirs sent word to me that they wished to pay their respects to me. They came, and I thought that I should act in conformity with your Lordship's wishes by observing shortly to them that Her Majesty's Government having taken the part which was well known in restoring Syria to her legitimate master, had, in union with the other Powers, recommended the arrangement by virtue of which they were raised to their present high and responsible situations ; that the Porte influenced by her friendship for and confidence in her Allies, had accepted that arrangement, and that it remained for them, the Emirs, to consolidate and strengthen the good work by dutiful and zealous obedience towards the Sultan, and by earnestly and constantly enjoining the sects to banish for ever from amongst them all party feuds and hatreds which had hitherto entailed such ruin and misery on them. I remarked that the best proof which they could give of their fitness for office would be the practical and personal examples to their subordinates of the exercise of brotherly feelings and mutual good-will towards each other. I finished by stating that the present arrangement presented some difficulties, as all human institutions must do, but none which time and good-will would not remove, more especially as the system of Government was based on a principle of fairness and justice ; that Her Majesty's Government would feel the sincerest pleasure in seeing Mount Lebanon peaceful and happy, but that a contrary state of affairs, of which I did not wish even to contemplate the possibility, would cause them heartfelt pain. The Emirs made the usual professions, stating that personally they had never been enemies, and that they were determined to act like brothers towards each other. They then went to M. d'Adelbourg, and were to have visited the rest of the Consuls, but on the 4th instant Assaad Pasha deprived the Emir Ahmet of his office, unrobed and sent him to join his former companions in prison with a kavass. Thus the impolicy of the nomination of Emir Ahmet was fully proved by Assaad Pasha himself. It is believed that the Emir Ahmet required the liberation of the Druse chiefs, some money, and the recognition of those feudal rights of the Druses which were disputed by the demands contained in the letters of the Emir Haidar, and by his direct rule over the whole of the Christians, the inhabitants as well of the Druse as the Christian country. Assaad Pasha informed me yesterday that he had deposed the Emir Ahmet, because he had in an insolent manner made demands which he could not errant ; that he went to sleep in prison every night with the Druse chiefs, and then brought him their unreasonable propositions- in the morning, and that he was now occupied in selecting another Druse Governor. He also stated that lie had directed the Emirs Ahmet and Haidar to proceed to the Mountain with an escort of fifty horse each to assume the government, enjoining the former to quiet the agitation amongst his countrymen, and that he would give them further instructions when he received them from the Porte. The Pasha admitted the anomaly caused by the obedience which the Christian tenantry and vassals must now pay both to their Christian ruler and Druse feudal chiefs, and said tli;it lie anxiously waited for instructions from the Porte to make 6ome arrange- ments on the subject. Assaad I'asha has obeyed literally the Porte's order that the Christians are to be governed by a Christian and the Druses by a Druse Governor. I fear that if the Porte persists in that arrangement, and does not make a geo- graphical division, by means of a commission, ol the Druse and Christian terri- tories, fresh troubles will follow on the liberation of the Druse chiefs from prison, if not before. The case is simply this. In the Druse country, particularly in the Shoof, the population is mixed, and the majority of it is Christian ; the feudal land- lords of these Christians are Druses, the Djinblats, Abunekeds, and others. The feudal rights are power of punishment, not extending to death, right of service in war and of labour in peace, and collection of the revenue from the vassals, on which they receive a small per centage : now the direct rule of the Christian Governor ordered by the I'orte abolishes these rights — a dangerous step in such times and in such a country as the Lebanon. It was the attempt of the Maronite Patriarch to effect last year so sweeping a change as the present which was the main cause of the late civil war. The Emir Haidar has already issued an order to the Christians of Shooyafat, principally Greek Antiochians, the capital of a Druse mookata (feudal district) to obey his order alone, that is not to obey the Druse chiefs of the Raslan family, who are the feudal chiefs. Again, the Emir Haidar in his letter claims that in the towns and places where the Druse chiefs have committed pillage or excesses, they the Druse chiefs shall leave those places, thus that the Abu- nekeds shall abandon Deir-el-Kamar, the seat of their power, the capital of another mookata, of which these same Abunekeds were recognized feudal seigneurs or chiefs by the Turkish Government. It is quite true that the Christians were by far more numerous than the Druses in that town, and that they were most inhumanly treated by them ; then let the Abunekeds be punished, but the right should be preserved or an equivalent given. T am far from advocating feudal rights, but countries more powerful and better governed than Turkey find it politic to acknowledge their existence, and to trust their abolition to time and public opinion, not to sudden violence. I have, &c, (Signed) HUGH ROSE. No. 4. Colonel Rose to Ihe Earl of Aberdeen. — (Received March 13.) (Extract.) Beyrout, January 20, 1S43. I HAVE the honour to state to your Lordship, that on the 10th instant Assaad Pasha issued a bouyurouldi to the Emir Haidar, the Maronite Kaimacam, abstracting from his government the Greek Antiochians. No. 5. Colonel Rose to the Earl of Aberdeen. — {Received March 13.) (Extract.) Beyrout, February 5, 1S43. I HAVE the honour to state to your Lordship that in a conversation which took place on the 10th ultimo between Assaad Pasha and the Consular Agents, his Excellency asked them with reference to the two subjects which agitated the public mind, whether they gave preference to the geographical or religious sec- tarian partition, that is whether the rule of the two Kaimacams should be according to the feudal ancient division, or the Christian govern Christians, and the Druse Druses ? 9 We, M. de Wildenbruch was absent, gave our preference to the geogra- phical division, impressed as we were with the impracticability of the other arrangement which entails the necessity of the Christian tenantry and vassals of the Druse chiefs obeying their Christian Kaimacam, a theoretical arrange- ment which could never reach existence. From 800 to 1000 Druse men, four men are reckoned to a family, are in the Christian, from 8000 to 10,000 Christian men in the Druse country. The Christians who in the remote Druse districts were to tell their lawless Druse feudal lords that they were no longer under that control acknowledged by them from such remote date, that they would only pay the taxes to, and do service for, their Christian Kaimacam, would in all probability be early victims of the sec- tarian division. Assaad Pasha then asked us unofficially, he said, whether he had better name the Emir Ahmet afresh Kaimacam of the Druses, or refer the matter to Constantinople, stating that he had in vain endeavoured to find a suitable person in his, Ahmet's, room. I had heard of his Excellency's intention to restore the Emir Ahmet. The Emir Ahmet is feudal lord of the town of Shooyafat which is principally composed of Greek Antiochians, and expresses sympathy for them. I told Assaad Pasha that with every wish on my part to give him advice, I really was incapacitated from doing so on the present occasion. On the 14th the Emir Ahmet was re-taken from prison and reinvested. On the 17th ultimo both Kaimacams proceeded to the Mountain, the Emir Ahmet to his town Shooyafat, the Emir Haidar to Bekfaya, to assume their Governments, but as they have neither money nor instructions their authority will be either nearly a shadow, or used to obtain means for replenishing their empty purses. Shortly before his departure the Emir Ahmet declared that he had not a pound. There are about fifteen hundred troops now in Ibtedeen. The public peace is undisturbed, and Assaad Pasha is more popular than any Turkish authority whom I have yet seen here. No. 6. The Earl of Aberdeen to Colonel Rose. Sir, Foreign Office, April 3, 1843. I HAVE received your despatch of the 5th of February, reporting Assaad Pasha's further communications with your collegues and yourself respecting the appointment of Emir Ahmet Raslan to be Druse Kaimacam for the Lebanon, and I have to acquaint you that Her Majesty's Government approve of your having declined to express an opinion on that point. I am, &c, (Signed; ABERDEEN. No. 7. Colonel Rose to the Earl of Aberdeen. — (Received April 7.) (Extract.) Beyrout, February 26, 1843. I HAVE the honour to state to your Lordship that from a conversation which I have had with Father John, an agent of the Maronite Patriarch, and a partisan of the Shehabs, I perceive that their party, building their hopes on the present state of things, still look forward with tolerable certainty to the appoint- ment of a member of that family as sole Governor both of Druses and Chris- tians, and, as a necessary means for the accomplishment of that event, endeavour to effect an union betwixt Christians and Druses. For this reason Father John 2. C 10 told mc that the Christians were desirous of settling the matter of the indc canities directly and amicably with the Druses, without the intervention of the Turkish Government, and that both parties would be gainers l>y such a proceeding. From the time that I received the notification from Her Majesty's Ambas. sador that the Five Powers and the Sublime Porte had come to the pr< definitive arrangement for the future government of the Lebanon, one feature of which was the exclusion of the Shehabs, I have considered it my duty to bold decided language in the same sense to all parties in this country; one of the principal evils which afflict it being the uncertain state of public feeling. No. 8. Colonel Rose to the Earl of Aberdeen. — (Received April 7.) (Extract.) Beyrout, March 7, 1843. IN the Lebanon if there is not contentment there is at least submission, so much so, that I think that the Government might disarm the Mountain; and with the exception of a collision on the 24th ultimo betwixt the mixed Chris- tian and Druse population of Beit-Meri, three hours oft', the country is quieter than I have known it. The affray in question took place with the crier, a Christian, who in reading a proclamation of the Christian Kaimacam finished by saying, " And this in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.'' This gave offence to the Druses, and hence the disturbance, in which several were wounded but no lives lost. Assaad Pasha immediately sent the two Kaimacams to Beit-Meri, who brought down the Christians and Druses who had been most prominent ; they are now in prison, and the case is under investigation. The Divan for the settlement of the indemnities claimed by the Christians commenced its sittings on the 20th ultimo. Hitherto the Christians are satisfied with the impartiality displayed by Assaad Pasha. I hear that the Druses are collecting a large sum of money, it is supposed with a view to influence Assaad Pasha's judgment in the matter of the indem- nities. No. 9. Colonel Rose to the Earl of Aberdeen. — (Received May 7.) My Lord, Beyrout, April 7, 1843. I HAVE the honour to inclose to your Lordship copies of despatches to his Excellency Sir Stratford Canning. I have, &.c, (Signed) HUGH ROSE. Inclosure 1 in No. 9. Colonel Rose to Sir Stratford Canning. Sir, Beyrout, March 23, 1843. I HAVE the honour to state to your Excellency that the country remains as before. There is submission but no contentment or confidence. The Druses are afraid that they will have to pay the indemnities; the Christians that they will receive next to nothing of them. The Druses fear disarmament, taxation, and conscription ; the Christians the two former. The Indemnity Divan closed two days ago the investigation of the losses of the inhabitants of Deir-el-Kamar. The Emir Ahmet, the Druse Kaimacam, 11 two days ago declared himself a Mussulman in a full sitting of the Divan, holding up his hands and repeating the necessary formula of Islamism, " There is no God but God, and Mahomet is his prophet." To evade the payment of the indemnities the implicated Druses would probably do the same. But the superior Turkish authorities having been duped last year by a conversion of the Druses to Mahomed- anism feigned for self-interest, it remains to be seen whether they would attach much value to a second and still more interested profession of their faith. Assaad Pasha in the investigation of the affair at Beit-Meri, told the accused Druses who wished to nullify the Christian evidence by declaring themselves Mussulmans, that they were hypocrites for so doing, and that they had before affected proselytism. However, the conversion of the Emir Ahmet gained him at once the adhe- sion of the Kadi and other inferior Mussulman members of the Divan, although Mahomed Pasha leant towards the Christians. The Emir Ahmet to prove still more his sincerity added, "I curse every religion except the Mahometan one," an announcement not grateful to the Christian Bishop Tubia and the other members of the Divan, his co-religionists; but the ground of conversion of the Emir Ahmet became evident, for he pro- ceeded to argue that the claims of* the Christians could not be maintained, because they were only supported by their oaths, which were of no value against the Druses who had become Mussulmans. Bishop Tubia having protested against the insult offered to his religion by the Emir Ahmet, and the injustice of his opinion, Mahomed Pasha interposed, and the Druse Kaimacam made a sort of an apology ; and Mahomed Pasha decreed that Christian evidence would be accepted when it was not opposed by any real Mussulman testimony. The Emir Haidar informs me in confidence that his authority as Kaimacam is null, Assaad Pasha assuming what belongs to him. I have, &c, (Signed) HUGH ROSE. Inclosure 2 in No. 9. Colonel Rose to Sir Stratford Canning. Sir, Beyrout, March 31, 1843. WITH reference to your Excellency's despatch of the 16th* instant I have the honour to say that the tribute of 3,500 purses to be paid by Mount Lebanon included the tribute of Djebail. With respect to the residence of the Maronite Kaimacam, I venture to observe that certainly Deir-el-Kamar was a residence of the ex-Emir Beshir, but then that personage was Emir of the Druse and Christian populations, and lbtedeen is his family place. Deir-el-Kamar is the capital of the Druse country: and the agent of the Maronite Kaimacam, the Emir Haidar, has informed me that his master intends to live at Bekfaya in the Kataa, a Christian country ; and on the whole I think it would be desirable that he should do so. Most justly does your Excellency observe that it is impossible to obviate every difficulty connected with the intermixture of different religious classes; and certainly the appointment of municipal officers, and Kiayas, who under the orders of the Kaimacam of the province would watch over the interests of their co-religionists, appears the best solution, if solution there be, of a question which inveterate party hatred makes so difficult. I have the satisfaction to inform your Excellency that the most respectable Greek Antiochian merchant of this place, and two others of his sect to whom I have this day communicated that part of your Excellency's plan, the principle of which is to protect the general interests of their co-religionists, highly approve it, and feel very grateful to your Excellency for your judicious and benevolent exertions in their favour. With respect to the salary of the two Emirs, I think it is ample if they receive assistance towards the payment of their Government officers. The Emir Haidar having more extensive command will be necessarily subject to * Part I. p. 12. C2 12 greater expenses: these might l>e covered by the rents of certain properties in the Djebail and other parts which are Miri, thatia belong to the Sultan, but -which ha\c hitherto been conceded to the Emir of the Mountain. It' cot all, a portion of these might b i to both Christian and Druse Kaimacams, and they then mighl be called upon to pay their Government officers. I certainly think thai although contrary perhaps to ancient usage, the presence of Turkish regular troops is necessary at Deir-el-Kamar for the main- tenance of order, I should say rather tor the prevention of disorder. It is due to the Turkish regular troops to say that they are generally inoffensive, well behaved men, more so in fact than European troops. Some English naval officers who lately visited Deir-el-Kamar and Ibtedeen, and to whom 1 gave a Letter of introduction to the Turkish officer commanding there, and who received them most hospitably and kindly, inform me that the troops there, in number ahout 3000, are in very good order and apparently well disciplined. I have the honour to tell your Excellency that as regards the indemnities and restitution the Christians continue to be satisfied with the impartiality dis- played by Assaad and Mahomed Pashas. Assaad Pasha to-day informed me that he thought that the claims of the Christians against the Druses would amount to 1 00,000 purses, nearly half a million sterling, an enormous sum for Syria. Assaad Pasha thought that even the payment of half of this sum by the Druses would be impossible. I must share his opinion. Assaad Pasha asked earnestly my assistance in the settlement of this matter, which, difficult as it is, in obedience to your Excellency's instructions of course I shall endeavour to smooth with the aid of my colleagues, should they be willing, as I think they will be, to co-operate with me in this matter. I hear with unmingled satisfaction, that the temper and disposition of the Porte has improved with respect to the Lebanon. Certainly such a change can alone hold out reasonable prospects of peace and submission to the authority of the Sultan in a country where the elements of disorder afford such scope to the workings of intrigue and discontent. Already in the tranquillity of the Lebanon, the fruit of a sounder policy, the Porte must see a prospect of the improvement of her own interests ; for good government will attach to the Porte the sympathies of her subjects, and enable them to lighten instead of increasing the burdens of the State, for the Porte has hitherto sent money to Syria, but Syria has sent none to the Porte. But certainly the last point which your Excellency has mentioned, is as important as any other, it is indispensable — the union and conformity of action of the foreign Agents. The Porte sincere and the foreign Agents sincere, the efforts which Her Majesty's Government and your Excellency have made to redeem the promises made by Her Majesty's servants to the Syrians will be repaid by the gratitude of a people and of a Sovereign who will perceive that the best guarantee of his strength and security are the union and attachment, not the dissensions and disaffection of that people. I have, &c, (Signed) HUGH ROSE. Inclosure 3 in No. 9. Colonel Rose to Sir Stratford Canning. (Extract.) Beyrout, March 31, 1843. I HAVE had a confidential conversation with Assaad Pasha, and I learnt from him that he had received from Sarim Effendi an account of his conversation with your Excellency as to the proposed arrangements with respect to Mount Lebanon ; but Assaad Pasha evidently wished not to go into the subject at present, saying he was ill. He said that the Porte had mentioned three or four different sorts of arrangements to him ; that he must see the two Kaimacams before he could come to a resolution ; that he had had the colic, and had not therefore given the requisite attention to the despatch from the Porte. He said that he would see me again respecting it in four or five days after he had seen the two Kaimacams. He has received the official notice respecting the re-incorporation of the Djebail. 13 No. 10. Colonel Rose to the Earl of Aberdeen. — {Received May 7.) My Lord, Beyrout, April 10, 1843. I HAVE only time to inform your Lordship that in compliance with a request from Assaad Pasha, I had yesterday with him a very confidential con- versation. Mahomed Pasha and the Kiaya were present. His Excellency directed his Kiaya to read to me extracts from a very long despatch written by Sarim Effendi to Assaad Pasha, received here on the 30th ultimo, giving in great detafl an account of a conversation betwixt his Excel- lency Sir Stratford Canning and himself respecting the new form of Govern- ment of the Lebanon ; from which it appeared that his Excellency recommended the geographical division of the two Kaimacamships and the arrangements con- sequent on it as being in keeping with ancient usage and right ; and that Sarim Effendi, whilst he agreed to conform to his Excellency's views, mentioned the possibility or probability of disturbance and even revolution as results of the adoption of such measures. The whole tenor of this despatch of Sarim Effendi indicated concession, but courteous rejection of responsibility. Assaad Pasha informed me that he had, with reference to this despatch, drawn up four Articles with a view to obviate the difficulties arising from the intermixture of populations, preserving at the same time the principle of geo- graphical division. 1. That the Christians and Druses should be compelled to emigrate and immigrate from and to their respective countries. 2. That there being five Christian and five Druse mookatas or feudal dis- tricts, a Vakeel or municipal officer should be appointed over and represent the interests of his co-religionists under the order of the Kaimacam of the district. 3. That those feudal chiefs who have plundered or ill-treated the inhabit- ants should be removed from their mookatas, and replaced by others of the same family who have not been guilty. 4. That voluntary emigration and immigration should be allowed. Assaad Pasha then informed me that the Christian Kaimacam disapproved of all the four Articles, but that the Druse approved of the two last. His Excel- lency, who stated that the consultation of me by him was amicable not official, then consulted me as to whether I approved the four Articles. I answered un- officially that in my opinion the first was inexecutable, but that the three latter might form the basis of an arrangement. His Excellency then consulted me as to whether he should put the three latter into execution immediately or refer the matter to the Sublime Porte. I saw at once that my isolated advice would not be in accordance with the instructions of Her Majesty's Ambassador at the Porte, that it would place great responsibility on myself, and consequently on Her Majesty's Government, and excite jealousy and disunion there where union was so essential, I mean amongst my colleagues ; all being circumstances to be avoided, especially as the policy of the Porte with respect to the Lebanon must still be considered doubtful. I therefore replied to Assaad Pasha that I felt pro- foundly the confidence which his Excellency had reposed in me in so delicate and important a matter, but that I thought that if his Excellency deemed it right it would be advisable, considering the interest which the Five Powers had testified for the peace of the Lebanon, that in a matter which regarded it so materially the collective opinion of the servants of those Five Powers should be asked, because such a step would be best calculated to produce unity of action between the Ottoman and foreign authorities here and between the Sublime Porte and the Representatives of her August Allies at Constantinople, as well as readier submission to any arrangement on the part of the interested populations. Assaad Pasha reflected a little and then said that he would follow my sug- gestion and request the Consular Agents to come to him concerning the matter in question. I have, &c, (Signed) HUGH ROSE. 14 No. II. Colonel Rose to the Earl of Aberdeen. — (Received June it.) (Extract.) Beyrout, May fi, 1^4-i. THE delay and uncertainty which have taken place in carrying out the plan of Government for the Lebanon, and the system of submitting different opinions thereon to the two Kaimacams and through them indirectly to the people, have, as 1 anticipated, produced discontent and excitement. The most ill-satisfied are now the mixed Christian population residing in the Druse country, because they are the least well oft'. The restoration of the province of the Djehail, the counsel of the Consuls, and reflection, have reconciled a good deal the exclusively Chris- tian population to the loss of the Shchabs and the diminished power and influ- ence of their actual ruler, their Kaimacam. But I fear that nothing will render palatable to the mixed Christian population the rule of a Druse Kaimacam, tem- pered even as it will be by the influence of the Christian Nazir, or guardian, and the power of the Supreme Turkish authority. Made hold by the discussion of that which they only ought to have obeyed, they declare openly that thty will not accept the present arrangement ; that although living in the Druse country they must be governed by the Christian Kaimacam. It is true that they admit that if they were so governed, the jealousy and animosity which would arise therefrom on the part of the Druse feudal chiefs would render that form of Go- vernment impracticable; and they finish by saying "Nothing will do but one Governor, a Shehab, for both Christians and Druses ;" they admit that emigra- tion to the Christian country is a remedy, but then their self-willedness and pre- cipitation render the remedy almost unfeasible ; they talk of emigrating in a body. However, such a declaration is rather a manifestation of their feeling than of their purpose. The very injudicious appointment of the Druse Kaimacam and his had cha- racter contribute also to indispose the mixed Christian population for Druse rule. There can be no doubt that their position, come what may, must always be bad, far less desirable than that of the Christians in the Christian country. Although they talk of the advantages of the rule of a sole Governor, a Shehab. they choose to lose sight of the fact that all their misfortunes, the burning and plunder of their houses, the loss of life, all occurred in 1841 under that very rule, a sole Go- vernor and a Shehab, and that they who now so loudly extol that form of Govern- ment were nearly the only victims. The absence of the advantages of a General Christian Governor is borne in mind ; everybody is aware of and is most anxious to ameliorate the position of the mixed Christian population ; all regret particularly that that which is purely Christian and Mussulman in Djezin and Taffah at the extremity of the Druse country, the farthest removed from the Christian district, should not enjoy Christian rule ; but in a country of mixed and hostile sect slike the Lebanon no talent or time could form a plan which would please all ; the good of the great majority must be sought, and the best that circumstances will admit must be done for the remainder. That has been done : only a few days ago the Consular Agents agreed that it would be just to take the exclusively Christian villages in the plain of Beyrout from the Druse Mookata to which there is no doubt they belong, and attach them to the Christian Kaimacamship ; but then these villages are connected with, touch on, the Christian district, they are interrupted by no Druse country or place, their population is exclusively Christian, and they con- tain the dwellings of the greater part of the Shehabs. The sectarian rule was rejected as impracticable and as a certain source of continued ill-will and feud. It involved the destruction of feudal rights recog- nized by the Government and endeared by time and usage. If the Christian Kaimacam governed the Christians residing in the Druse country, the feudal rights of the Druse chiefs would have been swept away, and that too in favour of their rivals. The mixed population are entirely a working one, holders of ground under the Druse chiefs. Thus the petty Christian tenant under the Druse feudal 15 seigneur, free theoretically from, although practically enveloped in, his power, governed by the Christian Kaimacatn by an ordinance of to-day, although from ancient date the feudal vassal of the Druse chief, would be the victim of this double authority and of his two-fold duties. If he claimed the protection of his Christian Kaimacatn or the benefit of his rule, the Druse landlord would exact an augmentation and arrears of rent, he would cause him to be waylaid on his road to the markets or to seek redress, he would vex and coerce him in manifold ways. The adoption of the sectarian rule would be an act of injustice as regards the Druses, and the semblance of good but a reality of evil for the Christians ; a state of things not suited to a measure which the Powers intended to be benefi- cial and healing. I had the honour to state in my despatch of March 31 to his Excellency Sir Stratford Canning, that the Porte sincere and the foreign Agents sincere, a favourable result might be anticipated from the adoption erf the new plan of government. As regards the Porte I fear that Assaad Pasha who does its behest is not sincere. His conduct on a material point causes just doubts of the good faith of his Government. He is collecting the Miri, and by his order the Druse Kaimacan demanded its payment from the mixed Druse and Christian population. This proof that the Christians were to be under the Druse Kaimacam, unaccompanied as it was bv any declaration that the unpopular Druse rule was to be beneficially tempered or kept in check, has produced painful excitement amongst the mixed Christians ; but another circumstance increased the unpleasant feeling and rendered still more suspicious the motives of the Governor-General. Notwithstanding that he had declared that the Abunekeds and their race were to be for ever removed from the government of Deir-el-Kamar, that so strong was his feeling of their demerits that he would resign were they re-appointed by his Government, the Druse Kaimacam sent the order for the collection of the Miri from the Chris- tians of Deir-el-Kamar to the Abunekeds, who called on the Christians to pay it. The proclamation was torn down by the indignant Christians. Assaad Pasha in answer to a question from me states that it was a mistake ; but a mis- take on such a delicate and critical point is unpardonable. A short time since an affray took place at Tripoli between the inhabitants and the Albanians, in which a few lives were lost on both sides. An attempt a few days since to send some of the town's people who had been most active as prisoners to Beyrout by land, caused an attack on the escort. However two or three of the arrested parties arrived to-day by sea at Beyrout. No. 12. Colonel Rose to the Earl of Aberdeen. — {Received June 5.) (Extract.) Beyrout, May 9, 1843. THE impolitic measure of Assaad Pasha mentioned in my despatch of May 6, has had its results. Deputies from the mixed Christian population have arrived in Beyrout and presented a petition to his Excellency, stating that they will not or do not, the Arabic verb bears both senses, accept Druse rule. Their language and demeanour are in keeping with this declaration. I was informed that several of those deputies wished to see me. The state of affairs considered I thought it most prudent to consult with my colleagues as to the answer to be given to these parties. We agreed that if we once entered with these persons, irrational and sense- less as they are from party hatred, into a discussion of the merits of the different modes of execution of the plan of Government, we should get into dangerous ground, satisfy no party, and place on our Governments- and ourselves a respon- sibility which did not belong to us, involving ourselves in embarrassing question* 10 and discussions with heated parlies whose duty was to ohev and not to di- and with whom in fact we had no right to communicate on the matter which interested them, more especially as the form of government was final and the settlement of its details in the province of the I'nrte. This day ten deputies visited me, two of whom, the chief spokesmen, I found had no cause of complaint as they came from the Christian country. On my observing this, they stated that they acted lor the general mood and were patriots; a denomination which excited my attention, as I have seen amongst the Maronites much self hut not patriotic interest. I recognized in them Shehabites who lose no opportunity to develope discontent. In answer to the request of the deputies that I would support their praver to Assaad Pasha to be emancipated from Druse rule, I answered them that Her Majesty's Government, with the view to redeem the engagements of Her Majesty's servants, had with the Five Powers asked the Porte to give the form of government of the two Kaimacams to the Lehanon, but that Her Majesty^ Government had not with the Governments of the other Powers recommended the mode of carrying into execution that form of government which was in the province of and therefore left to the Porte ; further, that such was also the unanimous opinion of my colleagues, and that therefore with perfect unanimity and good understanding amongst ourselves, as was well suited to the servants of Powers who w r ere in strict amity and alliance, w r e felt that it was our duty to leave exclusively to the Representative of the Porte the duties and responsi- bility which helonged to him. Therefore assuring the deputies of the interest which Her Majesty's Government and myself felt in their weal and in their strict ohservance of order and submission to their legitimate authorities, a depar- ture from which would be a sacrifice of their happiness and of that of those who were dear to them, I exhorted them emphatically to obey the orders of Assaad Pasha, and to await with patience the announcement of any measures which the Porte might resolve on with the view to benefit them and their com- panions. The deputies made frequent attempts to move me from my position ; but with expressions of conciliation and good-will I maintained it strictly. Assaad Pasha they stated had begged them to be patient till the decision of the Porte arrived, and had accepted their lists for the Miri without transmis- sion through the Kaimacam. This was one of the most embarrassing of the many interviews which I have had with the Mountaineers of the Lebanon, who listening to the interests of passion and egotism set aside reason and consideration of general good. But your Lordship will be glad to hear I think that a necessary declaration unpala- table in its nature was made as little so as possible, and that the deputies who certainly are to be commiserated, left [me with the same expressions of good-will with which they had commenced the conversation. Any other course than that which was followed, such was the state of their feeling, would have produced a prejudicial result. No. 13. Colonel Rose to the Earl of Aberdeen. — (Received June 5.) (Extract.) Beyrout, May 11, 1843. I HAVE the honour to inclose to your Lordship a copy of a despatch from me to his Excellency Sir Stratford Canning. I think it right to inform your Lordship that one of the spokesmen of the deputies stated yesterday that there never would be peace unless there were a ole Governor, a Shehab, over the Lebanon. 17 Inclosure 1 in No. 13. Colonel Rose to Sir Stratford Canning. (Extract.) Beyrout, April 30, 1843. I HAVE the honour to say that on the 1 1th instant Assaad Pasha agree- ably to my advice convoked the Prussian Consul-General, the French Consul, and myself. Previously to going to his Excellency his interpreter told my col- leagues that I was acquainted with the four Articles drawn up by Assaad Pasha mentioned in my despatch of the 1 0th of April. At their request I communi- cated them to these gentlemen. The inclosed statement written by the French Consul will give your Excel- lency the result of our consideration of the four points. I ventured to observe to my colleagues that I thought that any advice we should give to Assaad Pasha should embrace 1. The peace of the country and the maintenance of the legitimate autho- rity. 2. The success of the plan of Government of the Powers. 3. Adherence as much as possible to the geographical arrangement approved in the first instance by Assaad Pasha and the Consuls, and subsequently by the Porte and the foreign Representatives. 4. Avoidance of any arrangement which would raise one sect above another. The first point was rejected. The second was approved. I suggested that as the Christians in the Druse mookatas were the most interested in the choice of their Vakeel, or Nazir, agent, or inspector, or guardian, it was just that they should have the initiative ; but that on the other hand it was desirable that the Christians should not choose some agitating person which they probably would do, whose nomination would be disagreeable to their Kaimacam ; that it would be desirable therefore to give him, the Kaimacam, the veto with a final reference, in case of disagreement, to the Mushir of Sidon, Assaad Pasha ; for thus respect would be paid to the rights of all parties, the Christians, the Kaimacam or Governor, and the Supreme Governor. Then in order to produce the most beneficial result, namely union between the Christian and the Druse Kaimacams in the choice of the Nazir, and as it was to be wished that the Christians and their Kaimacam should have two chances of agreement as to the nomination of an officer in whom they were so much interested, I proposed that the Christian and Druse Kaimacams should have a double right of nomination and refusal, the Pasha of Sidon proceeding at once to the nomination of a Vakeel or Nazir in the event of the Christians and their Kaimacam not agreeing as to the person. My colleagues agreed to this suggestion. We were of opinion that the Nazir should not take any part in the govern- ment of the Mookatas, thereby involving himself in perpetual disputes and heart-burnings with the Mookatadji and the Kaimacam ; that he should be passive till wrong offered to his co-religionists called him into action ; that he should then state the wrong to the head of the district, the Mookatadji, in the first instance, and if unredressed carry his complaint to the Kaimacam, and if necessary finally to the Pasha. Thus the difficult point of protection of the Christians residing in the Druse province, Kaimacamship, was satisfactorily disposed of, as I venture to think, with the sole exception of the town of Deir-el-Kamar.J As your Excellency will perceive by the map, Deir-el-Kamar is in the heart of the Druse country of which it is the capital. The town lies nearly under the heights on which are built the palaces of the ex-Emir Beshir and his sons, and it was his policy to render it a focus as well of Christian industry as of Christian physical force, for thus he improved the cultivation of his own estates, the manufacture of their produce, and had always at hand the warlike population of the town to oppose to the Druse chiefs. In this sense he put to death several of the Abunekeds, the feudal Druse lords, confiscated their estates, and either sold them at reduced prices or gave them to his Christian adherents. He made roads, passable at least to the sea and to the 2. D 18 interior, and his exertion? converted the wild and small capital of the Druses into the most thriving commercial town in the Mountain, with a population of Christians exceeding by live or six times that of the Druses. But the policy of the Emir had prepared an abundant harvest "i misery for the Christians of Deir-el-Kamar; it rendered tin Christians wealthy, insolent, and arrogant; the feelings of the Bemi-barbarous Druse- can easily he roused, lie had raised the Christians on the ruin of the fortunes of the Druse-; he had caused blood to flow between them, and he had skilfully played one sect against the other; his influence gone, the Abunekeds, in carrying out the policy of the Turkish Govern- ment and the plan of the attack of the Christian*, besieged and ruined the town ofDeir-el-Kainar, committing at the same time acts of wicked treachery and in- excusable inhumanity. But impartiality compels me to say that the Christians were as ready to attack the Druses, and would assuredly have; done so had they been similarly influenced. On the 14th September 1841, shortly before the outbreak of the civil war, no fewer than five Christians of Deir-el-Kamar and thirteen Druses were killed in an affray near the town, in which certainly the Christians were the aggressors. The cause of this loss of human life was a partridge. Previous to the disturbances of October 1841 the Christian population of Deir-el-Kamar amounted to about 800 or 900 fighting men, or nearly 4000 souls; the Druse to 150 fighting men, or 1 100 souls. After the siege all the trading and many of the middling classes of Chris- tians left it, and are now 7 residing in Damascus, Beyrout and Sidon ; only yes- terday one of the principal merchants told me that himself and twenty and thirty other merchants constituting the body of merchants of Deir-el-Kamar, alive to the precarious state of Christians who lived amongst the Druses, had resolved not to go back there, no matter what the form of Government of Deir- el-Kamar were, but that when things were quieter they intended to collect their debts, sell their property, and then settle in Beyrout, Sidon, and elsewhere. He spoke with the greatest gratitude of the efforts of Her Majesty's Government and her servants to preserve peace and secure the position of the Christians, and said that he should remain as close to me as he could. The fact is that neither he nor his companions, who are all Shehabites, will place confidence in any Go- vernment except that of an united one under a Shehab. With respect to the Government of Deir-el-Kamar the point was of very difficult solution. On the one hand Deir-el-Kamar is the capital not only of a Druse mookata, the Moonassif, but the capital of the Druse country. It con- tains a Druse church and a Druse Mehkeme, or Supreme Druse Law Court, over which the hereditary judge of the Druses, Mahomed-el- Kadi, presides. To take all this away and place it under Christian Government would be a direct infraction of the principle of the geographical division agreed on by the Porte, the Representatives, and the Consular Agents of the Powers, and would convert a measure which the Powers intended to be healing and beneficial into one of heart-burning and irritation. On the other hand, no one could wish to place Deir-el-Kamar under the rule of those Druse Sheiks wdio had made the town entrusted to their govern- ment the scene of their wicked lawlessness. To facilitate then the settlement of this intricate point it was proposed that the culpable Druse Sheiks Abuneked and their race should be for ever removed from the government of Deir-el-Kamar ; that the Christians should have a Governor of their own, who in all cases when he was not satisfied might appeal to the Turkish supreme authority; that as long as the state of affairs required it & Turkish garrison should be stationed in Deir-el-Kamar. It was thought that this would protect sufficiently the Christian interest; that the Christian Governor might remain according to the principle of the geographical division under the Druse Kaimaeam. With respect to the third point, the dismissal of the Druse chiefs who had been guilty in the events of 1841, we agreed, at first with a reserve, but finally that on the whole considering the faults on all sides, it would be advisable to limit retributive justice to the Abunekeds, the chief culprits. Our opinion on the fourth point was fixed at once. Having then overcome so many and important difficulties, and the matter of Deir-el-Kamar alone remaining undecided, my colleagues and myself agreed to submit our joint opinions unofficially to Assaad Pasha, telling him frankly 19 that Deir-el-Kamar presented difficulties of which we thought it likely his Excel- lency's sagacity might afford a solution. Assaad Pasha, as I thought he would do, made a remark to the effect that the appointment of a Christian Governor who would be under his direct com- mand, might remove the difficulties of the case. I thought it necessary to state that I could not enter into the consideration of that opinion, inasmuch as it in- volved a departure from the plan proposed by the Powers and agreed to by the Porte and actually in operation. Assaad Pasha since declared that he did not speak in this sense, but we certainly distinctly heard him do so. Assaad Pasha stated that he had received the orders of the Porte to carry into execution the arrangement consequent on the geographical division, and so expressly that the subtraction of Deir-el-Kamar from the government of its Mookatadji would be an infringement of his instructions, but that he would not attend too closely to this. Assaad Pasha seemed to approve generally the answers to his four points. There are six Druse Mookatadjis or feudal chiefs although there are more districts ; the house of Djinblat commanding four. Aware of the advantage of presenting an united opinion to Assaad Pasha, I have done my utmost to produce a similarity of opinion as to Deir-el-Kamar amongst the Consular Agents. I made a suggestion that as all parties were of opinion that the Turkish troops ought to be retained in Deir-el-Kamar till the interests of peace and order did not require their presence, that town might be placed under the authority of the officer commanding the regular troops in the town, whose rank was not to exceed that of a Bey, the Christian and Druse inhabitants being respectively governed by a national Mutsellim under him. It is a satisfaction to me that I have unremittingly exerted myself to carry out the wishes of your Excellency that the most difficult and delicate matter of the government of the Lebanon should be placed on as firm and just a basis as possible ; and I think that with the exception of the matter in question much has been done. Certainly my suggestion is liable to the objection that it entails in a degree a return to Turkish direct power, but then the arrangement is only called tempo- rary. The presence of 2000 or 3000 Turkish troops in the heart of the Mountain may be objected to on the same ground, but the public peace renders imperatively necessary this exception to the ride. The dangerous state of the public peace requiring the presence of the Turkish troops in Deir-el-Kamar, it is only natural that the commanding officer who is the responsible guardian of that peace should have the command over the town which contains and protects his troops; but the direct and permanent rule of the Mushir of Sidon living in Beyrout is a different thing. If the Lebanon undivided had been entrusted to one firm Governor, he with his resources and a combined armed force might have maintained the peace, but as it is, the Christian Kaimacam with his fifty Christians, and the Druse with his fifty Druse horsemen, all hating each other cordially, would only endanger not preserve the peace. As I had the honour to say before, I do not foresee the time when, with the present system, Turkish troops will not be required in the Moun- tain. Enclosure 2 in No. 13. Points respecting the Government of the Lebanon proposed by Assaad Pacha. Premiere Proposition. Emigration reciproque et forcee. Repousse'e. Seconde Proposition. Nomination des Vekils pour les habitans des districts regis par un Kaimacam de religion differente. Re'ponse. Nous pensons qu'il serait bon que ces Vekils fussent nommes par la population, et en cas de refus du Kaimacam par le Pacha. Troisibne Proposition. Renvoi des chefs coupables pendant les evenemens de 1841. Reponse. Nous pensons que les chefs coupables ne peuvent plus gouverner, D2 20 mais qu'il sorait hon de dcfinir ce qu'il faut entendre " par les mauvais chefs :" nous pensons done que les Abounekedsne peuvent plu^ u'ouvcrner Deir-el-Kamar; mais quant au systimc a etablir sur ce point du Lilian nous nous re*servons la faculte d'y rcflechir. Quatricme Proposition. Emigration volontairc permise et mSrne encou- ragee. (Translation.) First proposition : Reciprocal and compulsory emigration. Rejected. Second proposition : Nomination of Vakeels for the inhabitants of the districts governed by a Kaimakam of a different religion. Answer. We think that it would be proper that these Vakeels should be named by the population, and in case of the refusal of the Kaimakam by the Pasha. Third proposition : Dismissal of the Chiefs who were guilty during the events of 1841. Answer. We consider that the guilty Chiefs can no longer govern, but that it would be proper to define what must be understood by " the bad Chiefs " We think then that the Abunekcds can no longer govern Deir- el-Kamar; but as to the system which should be established in this part of the Lebanon, we reserve to ourselves the power of reflecting thereupon. raged Fourth proposition : Voluntary emigration permitted and even encou- 1. No. 14. Colonel Rose to the Earl of Aberdeen. — (Received July 3.) (Extract. - ) Damascus, May 30, 1843. I HAVE the honour to state to your Lordship that subsequent to the sailing of the last packet M. d'Adelbourg informed me that he had heard that the Druses intended to address a petition to Assaad Pasha complaining of the interference of the Consuls of the Catholic Powers in the affairs of Mount Lebanon as hurtful to their interests. The Austrian Consul-General appeared hurt at this contemplated proceeding, stating that he had in no way merited such an inculpation, and he begged me to use my influence to prevent the presentation of such a petition. I answered M. d'Adelbourg that I had heard nothing whatever of the pre- sentation of such a petition, and that I disapproved as much as he could do such a proceeding, and that I would do my best to stay its execution. Agreeably to my promise to that gentleman I made inquiry respecting the subject of his conversation, and I found that the Druse Kaimacam and a chief avowed their intention of presenting the petition in question. In compliance with my representation the Druses abandoned the petition. No. 15. Tlie Earl of Aberdeen to Colonel Rose. gi r Foreign Office, July 5, 1843. I HAVE received your despatch of the 9th of May, reporting what passed at an interview which you had on that day with certain deputies from that por- tion of the Christian population of Mount Lebanon which by the arrangement made for the government of that district will remain under the rule of a Druse Governor ; and I have to acquaint you that Her Majesty's Government entirely a 21 approve the course which you took in communicating with your colleagues upon the wish expressed by the deputies to call upon you, previously to your receiving them, and the language which you held to the deputies in the interview which you afterwards had with them. I am, &c, (Signed) ABERDEEN. No. 16. The Earl of Aberdeen to Colonel Rose. Sir, Foreign Office, July 5, 1843. I RECEIVED on the 3rd instant your despatch of the 30th of May, and I have to state to you that I approve of your having dissuaded the Druses from addressing to Assaad Pasha a petition which could not have failed to be highly offensive to your Austrian and French colleagues. I am, &c, (Signed) ABERDEEN. No. 17. Colonel Rose to the Earl of Aberdeen. — (Received August 1.) My Lord, Beyrout, July 7, 1843. I HAVE the honour to inclose to your Lordship a copy of a despatch to his Excellency Sir Stratford Canning. I have, &c, (Signed) HUGH ROSE. Inclosure in No. 17. Colonel Rose to Sir Stratford Canning. (Extract.) Beyrout, June 15, 1843. THERE has been another disturbance at Deir-el-Kamar, other accounts say in a village close to it ; the result of it was that two Christians were wounded. Assaad Pasha blames the Druses both in this and in the former affair; the other accounts are as usual most contradictory. My conversation with Assaad Pasha was very interesting. In answer to my question as to the state of the country (I came back yesterday from Damascus) his Excellency said that it was tranquil till a few days since when certain persons had spread the report that the old Emir Beshir was coming back, which had agitated the country, and had had a certain influence on the payment of the Miri now in progress of payment. He said that he knew the persons who spread the reports. Assaad Pasha also told me & remarkable fact that his agent had written to him from Constantinople that the old Emir Beshir (of Malta) had begged him, Assaad Pasha's agent, to induce him to write to the Porte that there would be no peace in the country till he the old Emir Beshir came back to rule the Lebanon, and that if he, Assaad Pasha, would so write, he, the old Emir Beshir, would give him one thousand purses, about 5000Z. or 500,000 piastres. His Excellency also said that the same reports stated that Abdullah Pasha, formerly of Acre, would accompany the old Emir Beshir. Assaad Pasha begged me to write to your Excellency how necessary it was that the old Emir Beshir should be prevented from continuing his intrigues, and spreading through his agents reports which agitate this distracted country. I venture to say that 1 am entirely of Assaad Pasha's opinion. 22 If the Emir Bcshir makes use of the freedom which lie enjoys to promote disorder in this country and to hribe the Forte's high officers, a curtailment of his liberty would he a just retribution, and a guarantee of quiet to the Lebanon which so needs repose. I think that lii< departure from Constantinople into the interior would have a very good effect. I do not know whether Assaad Pasha would like his name mentioned, but your Excellency must use your far better judgment as to this. The troops in Syria are being relieved ; I told Assaad Pasha that I had heard so. He said that the Porte had asked him whether the force in Syria should be diminished, kept on the same strength, or increased. His Excellency asked me amicably what I thought on the subject ? I replied " augmented by all means as much as possible." Affairs are in an unfavourable state. In the Lebanon great excitement prevails betwixt the Druses and Christians, especially amongst the mixed population. The bad feeling is kept alive by the intrigues of the Shehabites who would gladly see fresh collisions, the more fatal the better for them ; tor they feel assured that this would be the surest, the only means of bringing back the Shehabs, of whom the old Emir Beshir is the favourite. Assaad Pasha admitted to me that the Mutualis had been troublesome, and had disturbed the peace in the direction of Djebail, so much that the Emir Haidar had been obliged to go to that town, and that his Excellency had threatened to send troops there if the Mutualis did not return to order. Assaad Pasha also told me that in the valley of the Bekaa affairs wore an unpleasant appearance on account of the claims to property there of Druse and Christian chiefs which had lately been called in question. No. 18. Colonel Rose to the Earl of Aberdeen. — (Received August 5.) My Lord, Beyrout, July 7, 1843. I HAVE the honour to inclose to your Lordship copy of a letter from me to Sir Edward Ow r en ; and a copy of a despatch from me to his Excellency Sir Stratford Canning of the 3rd instant. With reference to this despatch I have the honour to state that early on the day after my interview with Assaad Pasha I received a visit from a Maro- nite Sheik who brought to me copy of a petition from certain Sheiks of the Province of the Kesrouan to Her Majesty's Government, in which he told me that amongst other things they requested to be placed under the protection of the British Government, that the exaction of the Miri from the Kesrouan, after the solemn and written promise on the part of the Turkish Government that it should not be exacted, was a grievous hardship. The Maronite Sheik added that the Sheiks in question were about, and prepared with their retainers, to make what he called "a little revolution." I returned the copy of the petition to the Sheik, told him that I could not forward it as its prayer was inadmissible, informed him of what I had effected in favour of the Kesrouan, as detailed in my despatch to his Excellency Sir Stratford Canning, directed him to tell the Sheiks to desist from so senseless and so reprehensible an idea as that of rising against their Government, that they would be crashed immediately by Albanians, regular and irregular troops, and by some of their own co-religionists ; and I added that if they offered one act of violence to any horsemen or people of the authorities I must at once withdraw, and give up the interposition which I had so successfully made in favour of the fulfilment of a promise which from its nature had acquired a claim on me. The Sheik with many expressions of gratitude withdrew, and declared that he would make his comrades sensible of their rashness. 1 have, &c, (Signed) HUGH ROSE. 23 Inclosure 1 in No. 18. Colonel Rose to Admiral Sir Edward Owen. (Extract.) Beyrout, June 28, 1843. ASSAAD PASHA has just given a proof of his intention and ability to pre- serve the peace. The Mutualis of the district of Djebail refused to pay to and opposed the Kaimacam in his attempt to collect the Miri, or tribute, and its arrears. This authority in consequence retired into the strong place of Djebail and asked Assaad Pasha for instructions and succour. Both were sent to him, and the result is that the Mutualis have dispersed and submitted, that the ring- leaders fled, and that part of the Miri has been paid. The partisans of the ex-Emir Beshir continue their intrigues to procure his return to power, and, as the best means for doing so, seek secretly to create dis- content, yes even opposition to the authority, and prove thereby the inefficiency of the present form of Government ; thus Assaad Pasha attributed the slow collection of the Miri to their machinations, and to the fact that they indus- triously spread a report that the ex-Emir Beshir was to return immediately, and resume the Government of Mount Lebanon under Abdullah Pasha, formerly Governor of Acre. There have been within the last two months two unpleasant quarrels be- twixt Christians and Druses at Deir-el-Kamar, which prove the continuance of the hatred of these two sects, and the absolute necessity of the presence of a Turkish force in that town. The offenders have fled from justice, but Assaad Pasha is endeavouring to take them. Inclosure 2 in No. 1 8. Colonel Rose to Sir Stratford Canning. Sir, Beyrout, July 3, 1843. I HAVE the honour to state to your Excellency that the Maronite Bishop Tubia, Representative of the Maronite Patriarch in the Indemnity Divan, informed me yesterday that Assaad Pasha had demanded from the province of the Kesrouan in the Lebanon the Miri or tribute for three years, and that the Maronite Kaimacam in obedience to his Excellency's orders was now collecting the same, notwithstanding that Selim Pasha, the Commander of the Ottoman force, at the request of Mr. Wood, had, with the view to encourage the inhabitants of the Kesrouan to rise in favour of the Sultan against Ibrahim Pasha, made them a solemn promise in 1840 by means of abouyurouldi, that in the event of their taking up arms in favour of their legitimate Sovereign, they should be exempt from the payment of the Miri for three years, and that the inhabitants of the Kesrouan had with loyalty and courage responded to the call, taken up arms in favour of the Sultan, and by their so doing contributed mainly to the expul- sion of Ibrahim Pasha, and entitled themselves to the fulfilment of the promise of exemption from the Miri. A conversation which I had with Mr. Wood confirmed this statement of Bishop Tubia. The matter is besides set forth clearly in a note from Viscount Palmerston to Chekib Effendi, inclosure in Viscount Palmerston's despatch to Viscount Ponsonby, Foreign Office, July 3, 1841, page 5 of Part I. of the Correspondence relative to the affairs of Syria, and in Mr. Wood's despatch to Viscount Palmerston,!Damascus, 30th September, page G3 of Part II. of the Correspondence relative to the affairs of Syria. There is a mistake in Viscount Palmerston's note, only the province of the Kesrouan, not the Lebanon was exempted. Fully impressed with the discredit which the demand of Assaad Pasha would cause to the good faith of Her Majesty's Government and servants, if a promise so clear and so recorded were broken, violated in the very province where the promise had been made, I proceeded to Assaad Pasha, and repre- sented to him the prejudice which would result to the repute of Her Majesty's Government, and to the good name and authority of the Sultan, if a promise 24 which had l)ccn given to obtain advantage were not adhered to when that advan- tage had heen gained. His Excellency made I regret to say evasive excuses, that he had been directed to collect the tribute from all the Lebanon ; that he must obey the Porte; that it was the affair of the Porte ; that the bouyurouldi was not a good one ; that there had been two erasures in it ; that the Kaimacams were collecting the tribute, but that it was their affair, and not his, although bis Excellency had previously defended his demand and collection of it. His Excellency decidedly, although politely, refused to grant my request to him not to collect the Miri from the Kesrouan. I then found it necessary to give more energy to my representations, the result of which was that Assaad Pasha promised me that he would suspend the collection of the Miri in the province of the Kesrouan for forty days which would afford me time to represent the matter to your Excellency, and enable your Excellency to make a representation re- garding the matter in question to the Porte, which would elicit from it an order to him, Assaad Pasha, to fulfil the promise of exemption to the inhabitants of the Kesrouan. I trust therefore that your Excellency will be pleased to obtain from the Porte this important order within the given time. The eyes of all are now turned on your Excellency and Her Majesty's servant : some entertain a secret wish that a solemn promise with which Her Majesty's Government and servants are identified may not be fulfilled, and that our just credit and influence may be thereby diminished ; others are animated by the unworthy wish to gain perhaps two or three thousand pounds at the expense of honour. I know that your Excellency will support me, as you have so often done before, in main- taining the credit of our Government, and that the wishes of those only will be gratified who rejoice to see the redemption of a legitimate and honourable promise by honourable and legitimate means. In answer to my friendly request to Assaad Pasha that he would remove the Hawalee or horsemen officers, who had been sent to collect the Miri, and who remain according to the fashion of the country till the debt is paid, his Excellency replied that he would fulfil his promise, but that he could not remove the horsemen or sheriff's officers. I replied that all I asked was the fulfilment of the promise, but that I could not consider it accomplished whilst those were coerced to pay now what they had been exempted from for forty days. I added that I wished to have an immediate answer as I was writing on the subject to your Excellency. Assaad Pasha in answer promised to remove the horsemen. I venture "to suggest that it would be advisable if your Excellency were pleased to induce the Porte to transmit immediate instructions respecting the matter in question by the Turkish land-post, or by a Tatar, and a duplicate by the Austrian or the next Turkish steamer, as well as instructions to myself by the same conveyances. I have, &c, (Signed) HUGH ROSE. No. 19. The Earl of Aberdeen to Colonel Rose. (No. 16.) (Extract.) Foreign Office, August 5, 1843. WITH respect to the matter adverted to in your despatch of the 7th of July, I have to state to you that Her Majesty's Government entirely approve as well of your attempts to obtain for the inhabitants of the Kesrouan the fulfilment of the promise of exemption from taxation for three years made to them in 1840, as of your intimation to the Sheiks of that district that the con- tinued interposition of British agents in their behalf must depend upon their obedience to the authorities of the Porte. 25 No. 20. Colonel Rose to the Earl of Aberdeen. — (Received September 10.) (Extract.) Beyrout, August 10, 1843. I HAVE the honour to say that the Druses are stated to have been and are still holding meetings. It is said that they are providing themselves with ammunition, and their proceedings induce the supposition that they intend to act either offensively or defensively. The same is the case with the Christians of Deir-el-Kamar and of the mixed districts. Assaad Pasha the other day informed me that he had heard the same. His Excellency seemed to think that the ill-fated question of the indemnities still pending agitated both people. The utmost want of confidence and great animosity still, I regret much to say, exist between the two sects. Even rational Christians admit that the amount of the indemnities which is claimed by them is beyond what was lost, far beyond what the Druses can pay. They say that they knew that their, the Christian, claims would be very considerably reduced, and that therefore they taxed them much higher than their real amount. On the other hand the Druses have been allowed to put in their claims for their losses during the civil war with the Christians. To overreach the Chris- tians, and to set off their indemnity against that of this sect, they have had the effrontery to rate their losses at 126,000 purses, being 46,000 purses more than that of the Christians, — a proceeding as ill-judged as it is preposterous. Assaad Pasha estimates the losses of the Druses at 2,000 purses. Such being the state of this intricate and difficult matter of the indemnities, and bearing in mind the instructions contained in your Lordship's despatch of the 31st December, 1841*, I have kept aloof from it as much as I could. When addressed by either party on the subject, I have spoken conformably to the instructions of your Lordship, telling both parties that the settlement had been made so difficult by their mutual animosities and uncompromising spirit that any benefit from interference on my part would be hopeless. However, about a fortnight ago Bishop Tubia, the representative of the Maronite Patriarch in the Indemnity Divan, who frequently visits me, spoke to me with moderation and great earnestness respecting the settlement of the Indemnity Question. He assured me that it was not his wish to ruin the Druses by any excessive payment, but they should give a reasonable satisfaction to the Christians ; and he illustrated what he meant by saying, " Let the Druses as a first step restore at once all the plundered personal and moveable property still in their hands ; and secondly, let them engage to aid the building of such houses as were burnt by them. Let them do this ; let them give this proof of atonement, and I will engage that the indemnification in money shall not be made a matter of difficulty by the Christians." Bishop Tubia said that I should confer a great benefit on all parties if I would make this propo- sition known to Assaad Pasha. I replied that I should have great pleasure in doing so ; that the offer was most liberal, and came well from a person of his exemplary character. I told Assaad Pasha of the conciliatory offer, but he was so much occupied that he could not then enter into it ; but I have reason to believe that his Excel- lency, if he is sincere, was pleased at this advance, at least on the part of the Christians, the injured party, towards a settlement. In answer both to Bishop Tubia's and Assaad Pasha's request to assist the solution of the indemnity affair, I answered them that if I could in any way assist in bringing about a settlement which would make Christians and Druses contented and happy and better friends, I would cheerfully co-operate, but on no other footing whatever could I take any part in the matter. The Druses are also agitated by fear of disarmament and conscription. This is an unlucky time for the relief of the good and acclimated troops * Correspondence respecting Syria. — 1843. Part'II., p. 150. 2. E 2G which were in Syria, by the Rc'dif, or militia, who are an inferior and ill-dis- ciplined soldiery. I have pointed out in an amicable manner to Assaad Pasha the great importance of watchfulness and precaution at this critical time. No. 21. Colonel Rose to the Earl of Aberdeen. — (Received September 10.) My Lord, Bey rout, August 11, 1843. I HAVE the honour to inclose to your Lordship a copy of a despatch to his Excellency Sir Stratford Canning. I have, &c, (Signed) HUGH ROSE. Inclosure in No. 21. Colonel Rose to Sir Stratford Canning. Sir, Beyrout, July 31, 1843. I THINK it right to state to your Excellency that there exists a well- grounded apprehension that Assaad Pasha intends to reduce to a very insuffi- cient and insignificant sum the salaries of the officers of the two Kaimacams of the Mountain, as well as of the Mookatadjis or feudal chiefs of districts. Nothing can be more impolitic. It diminishes the respect due to the Govern- ment ; compels the functionaries to resort to corruption ; and in the case of the Mookatadjis, who with the Druses are all influential, indisposes and makes them desirous of change. For the sake of two thousand pounds a discontent may be created which might prove most injurious, perhaps fatal to the Go- vernment. Your Excellency will see by Mr. Wood's despatch of the 7th September, and No. 2, Inclosure in it [pages 37 and 39 of Part II. of the Affairs of Syria] that by an arrangement to which Mr. Wood was a party, the Turkish authori- ties agreed to give to the Mookatadjis or feudal lords, who were allowed to levy five per cent, on the revenue of their respective districts, a further allowance to be added to the salaries of the revenue collectors or the Mooka- tadjis of 10,050 piastres, and that the two judges were to receive 1,500 piastres per month. Application has been made to me on the part of the Maronite Kaimacam, the Judges and the Mookatadjis, to request me to address your Excellency to be pleased to urge on the Porte the fulfilment of a promise to which a servant of the British Government was a party. I venture to observe that the engagement of Mr. Wood is clear, and that the fulfilment of it therefore would be beneficial to the just influence of Her Majesty's Government. The Maronite Kaimacam also makes confidentially to me complaints as to the non-payment of his officers. These points I venture to think that your Excellency would rather wish to be urged at the Porte by yourself. They are essential for the welfare of the Ottoman Government. Besides I am on very good terms with Assaad Pasha and I have obtained a good deal from him lately in the way of concessions, and as he is peculiarly sensitive on any matter relating to money, 1 think that a representation from your Excellency would be most advisable. I should not wish it to be thought that I had made any complaint against Assaad Pasha. I have, &c, (Signed; HUGH ROSE. 27 No. 22. Colonel Rose to the Earl of Aberdeen. — (Received October 9.) (Extract.) Beyrout, September 8, 1843. THE indemnity question has had a relapse. The Christians do not like to submit unconditionally to the arbitration of Assaad Pasha. His Excellency has now assembled ten or twelve Christians and Mussulmans from Sidon, and about as many from Beyrout, to give an opinion, a probable or approximate opinion (Tahmeen) on the matter. No. 23. Colonel Roue to the Earl of Aberdeen. — (Received October 9.) My Lord. Beyrout, September 9, 1843. I HAVE the honour to inclose to your Lordship a copy of a despatch to his Excellency Sir Stratford Canning. I have, &c, (Signed) HUGH ROSE. Inclosure in No. 23. Colonel Rose to Sir Stratford Canning. (Extract.) Beyrout, September 6, 1843. I HAVE the honour to state to your Excellency that on the 25th instant I presented the letter from the Turkish Minister of Finance to Assaad Pasha, which directed his Excellency to suspend the collection of the Miri of the Kesrouan. The promptitude with which your Excellency has made good a promise to which Her Majesty's servants were a party, will increase that respect which is uni- versally felt for the good faith of Great Britain ; and 1 am sure that your Excellency will feel the gratification which must result from the redemption of one of the most important engagements to which Her Majesty's servants were parties : for the promise in question regarded the exemption of a large province from the taxation of the Miri for three years. But the Christians of the Kesrouan were conspi- cuous in 1840 by their readiness to answer the appeal which was made to their loyalty, and the confidence which they placed in the honour of Her Majesty's servants has been rewarded by a distinction and an advantage enjoyed by no other province in Syria. In conformity with a request from Bishop Tubia I communicated to the Druses the friendly message respecting the indemnities which he requested me to give to Assaad Pasha, as stated in my despatch to Lord Aberdeen of the 10th of August ; it produced some good effect, inasmuch as the Druse Kaimacam replied that he would engage personally that within a month the whole of the plundered property which was still in existence should be restored to the Christian owners ; and further, that the Druses would do all in their power to assist the Christians to rebuild their houses ; but the Druse Kaimacam made no mention of the money to be paid in indemnity, and therefore to avoid mistake I caused the words of Bishop Tubia and Padre Arsenius to be repeated to him, namely, " that if the Druses would restore all the plundered property in E2 28 their hands, and assisl the Christians with free lahonr and timber to rebuild the burnt bouses, the indemnity in money would not be made an obstacle to the settlement of this question." The two first points can easily be Bettled ; bul unfortunately the last, that of the money to be paid, notwithstanding Bishop Tubia's declaration, is a grave, I trust not an insurmountable obstacle. Neither part) act, their position makes it difficult for them to do so, with sincerity in this matt. r. The Christians know the position of the Druses and their inability to pay a very large amount ; the mosl reasonable therefore, and those like Bishop Tubia and others who suffered no loss from the Druses, weary of their stay away from their homes in Beyrout in the hot season, and anxious to Bettle 30 difficult and delicate a question, doubting the sincerity of the Government and therefore apprehensive that they may get nothing, would take probably very little; but they are afraid to name the very moderate sum which they would accept, because they apprehend that whilst they thereby give up their strong ground on which they now stand, the Druses might not agree to pay even their last price or offer, and they, the Christian deputies, would have awakened need- lessly the ill-will of the Christians who had suffered, and who, injured, and g rally speaking revengeful and irrational, would not willingly consent to so mode- rate an adjustment of their claims. Already I hear that several of those Chris- tians have declared that if so small a sum as 10,000 purses (the claim is 80,000) were awarded to them, they would not accept them, but consider the matter as still open and indemnify themselves as best they might on the first opportunity. In the beginning of this month the leading Christian and Druse deputies were convoked, and Mahomed Pasha, by order of Assaad Pasha, endeavoured to ascertain their final wishes. His Excellency had previously ordered them to state the mode best suited to the settlement of the indemnity question. The Christians generally stated their wish to settle the matter in conformity with the opinion of his Excellency which was for an amicable arrangement, but they also expressed a wish that his Excellency should visit the scenes of loss, and that under his inspection there should be a verification (Tahkeek) of the loss. The Druse deputies on the other hand declaring that they did not possess over the Druse commonalty the influence which the Christian deputies through the clergy possessed over their co-religionists, declared their desire that the matter should be judged according to the law, — the " Shereea." Both propositions were unfavourable to an amicable arrangement, and moreover not calculated to attain their pretended object, the truth. The Tahkeek w ould have caused the perambulating commission of inquiry examining and rejecting the evidence of an excited mixed Druse and Christian population on the scene of strife, an highly objectionable feeling ; and the obser- vation of Assaad Pasha to me was true, — " I could have seen that a house was burnt ; but how could I tell what was in it?" Besides, the request for the Tahkeek did not accord with the declaration of Bishop Tubia that the Christians would take very considerably less than the real loss, or the result of the Tahkeek. On the other hand the law (the Sheerea) asked for as a remedy by the Druses was a cunning and hypocritical attempt on their part to evade the sup- posed result of law, justice, and to obtain for themselves the advantage resulting from injustice ; for they knew that according to the law, the Turkish law of course, Christian evidence could not be taken ; therefore the Christian sufferers could not have deposed to their losses. Assaad Pasha expressed his dissatisfaction at both proposals, stating that an amicable arrangement was the only feasible one. A day or two after on my going into Beyrout, Bishop Tubia and Father Arsenius visited me and told "me the result of their interview with Assaad Pasha. I entirely agreed with the view taken by his Excellency, and advised the Christian deputies to conform to the opinion of the authority whose province and duty it was to settle the matter, and on whom rested the responsibility. The Christian deputies agreed with me that the Druse chiefs had retained very little of the proceeds of the plunder, great part of which had been disposed of considerably below its value. 29 But Bishop Tubia stated, what I believe to be fact, that many of the minor Druse leaders and of the fellahs still retained a great deal of plunder, and were consequently rich. He instanced one man as having 250 silver horns, the ornaments worn by the women. I told the Christian deputies that a great deal of the obstacle to an arrange- ment had been surmounted, and that I trusted that good will and good sense would overcome the remainder. Before and after my interview with the Christians, I was visited by two Druse emissaries, who stated that the Druse chiefs wished to hear my opinion before they gave a final answer to Assaad Pasha, which should be in conformity with it. They informed me of what had passed at the interview. I told the Druses that their request that the matter of the indemnity should be judged according to the law was quite opposed to the humane wish of Assaad Pasha, in which I entirely concurred, that it should be terminated in an amicable manner. I added that so far from opposing the Pasha by appealing to the law, which could never settle this matter, they should show their obedience and good feeling to his Excellency by putting their case into his, their authority's, hands, and submitting to his arbitration. The Druse chief then said that the Druse deputies would the next day act as I advised them, and so they did, declaring their entire submission to the will of Assaad Pasha ; but I am not at all prepared to say that they would pay or cause to be paid any sum of money which he might award. I told Assaad Pasha the same day the nature of the advice which I had given, when he said, " I know you have given this advice, and I thank you sincerely for it. You have done your best always to arrange matters." Assaad Pasha then informed me, in confidence he told me, that he had not even told the plan to his Kiaya or to Mahomed Pasha ; that he intended, should all other means of arrangement fail, to inform the Christian and Druse deputies that he should refer the question of the indemnity to Constantinople, whither in that case the deputies of both parties must go. Since this 1 hear that the Pasha has made this determination public. He told the Christians that they would find supporters in Constantinople. Neither party would approve a reference to Constantinople ; the Christians dislike the delay and uncertainty consequent thereon ; the Druses would appre- hend detention there. I think it right to inform your Excellency that I informed both parties that I could in no way whatever guarantee any arrangement or promise of theirs ; but that in compliance with their wish and that of the Pasha I was glad to do anything in my power, as an impartial organ of communication, to promote peace and amicable feeling between them. There was a display of angry feeling some days since between the Chris- tians and Druses of Mezrat Esh-Shoof, occasioned by Druses wishing to enforce the payment of bonds given by the Christians during the civil war under intimidation. It is stated also that there was a collision in which some were wounded. Assaad Pasha sent the Druse Kaimacam to inquire into the affair. Some light field-pieces and ammunition have been sent to Deir-el-Kamar. No. 24. Colonel Rose to the Earl of Aberdeen. — (Received November 6.) (Extract.) Beyrout, October 9, 1843. I HAVE the honour to say that the appearances of an outbreak between the Christians and Druses have subsided. Fully armed however and hating each other intensely, and the conduct of the controlling power, the Govern- ment, vacillating, the maintenance of public order is by no means a matter of certainty. However I have so clearly let Assaad Pasha see that I attentively watch what is going on, and that he can maintain the peace at present, and will be considered responsible for so doing, that I do not think the Turkish autho- rities would fail to put down any open violent rupture between Druses and Christians, although they might very unwillingly remove any cause which keeps alive irritation between two powerful parties whose union would place in jeopardy not only Turkish influence but perhaps Turkish power in the Lebanon, the key of Syria. Thus it is in this country : no proceeding however laudable in itself or in theory produces a commensurate result. Nothing better than the union in good feeling of Christians and Druses ; but a probable almost a certain fruit of that union would be according to their own account a control, and very possibly a subversion, of the Turkish Government. No. 25. Colonel Rose to the Earl of Aberdeen. — (Received November 6.) My Lord, Beyrout, October 10, 1843. I HAVE the honour to inclose to your Lordship a copy of a despatch to his Excellency Sir Stratford Canning. I have, &c., (Signed) HUGH ROSE. Inclosure in No. 25. Colonel Rose to Sir Stratford Canning. (Extract.) Beyrout, October 5, 1843. I HAVE the honour to say that the statement of Rifaat Pasha and the Minister of Finance respecting the tribute for the Mountain is correct ; the sum appointed was 3,500 purses. In answer to the question of their Excellencies to your Excellency, I have the honour to say that their opinion is quite correct that no other sums are demanded on the spot, and that the customs are not in- cluded in the 3,500 purses, which is a land-tax. With respect to the lands and other kinds of property assigned bv gifts as bequest to objects of local utility in the Mountain, I do not think that such a source of income was ever applied to the benefit of the poorer classes of the Lebanon: the chief of these lands, Bekaleeks, are in the Blad-Djebail, their reve- nues amount to 340 purses, and they were originally given by the inhabitants to the Emir of the Mountain. - , The Emir Beshir appointed his son the Emir Emin Governor of the Djebail, and gave him the revenues of the Bekaleeks as his official salary. Assaad Pasha has fanned these lands to the Emir Haidar for one year for the sum which I have mentioned. The Emir Haidar does not gain anything thereby, but he wishes to strengthen his right to the Djebail. I believe that Assaad Pasha credits his Government with the 340 purses under the name of Miri, but his assumption of the revenue of the Bekaleeks is unjust, because it belongs to the Government of the Mountain and to no other quarter. Again, the Turkish Government gains 828 purses on the 3.500 purses, the tribute of the Mountain, because they pay the two Kaimacams and their subordi- nates that sum, 828 purses, less than they paid the former Emir of the Mountain : lbus the two separate establishments of the Kaimacams, necessarily more expen- sive than the single establishment of the Emir, receive a very considerable sum less. 31 I have not yet taken into consideration the revenues of the Bekaleeks in the Bekaa, the amount of which I have not yet learnt, the monopoly of slaughter- ing cattle at Deir-el-Kamar, and other minor sources of emoluments of the Emir of the Mountain. But by the actual arrangement of the Turkish Government the Kaimacams, their fifty horsemen each, their secretaries, the Mookatadjis, the Judges, in fact all the Government of the Mountain, are so ill paid that they literally would not have enough to eat, a deplorable and suicidal proceeding on the part of the #brte, for these persons in this feudal country are the springs of power, and for a few thousand pounds the Porte loses the good-will of men who will throw themselves into the arms of her adversaries. With respect to the local Government of Deir-el-Kamar the intelligence which I have obtained as to the sentiments of Assaad Pasha respecting this point is contained below. Assaad Pasha informed me last night that the idea of a municipal council at Deir-el-Kamar had been referred to him by the Porte, and his Excellency caused a short despatch from his Government respecting it to be translated to me, the tenor of which was a wish to learn from Assaad Pasha whether the formation of a municipal council at Deir-el-Kamar would be advisable, the same to consist of a majority of Druses, and a President, also a Druse, to be chosen by the Druse Kaimacam, and the minority of it to be composed of Christians chosen by the Christian Vakeel of Deir-el-Kamar. Assaad Pasha said that the night before he had sounded the parties con- cerned in this arrangement, and found the Christians opposed to it, but that that night he would ascertain how the proposal that the council should consist of an equal number of Christians and Druses would be received by them ; and Assaad Pasha added that he would not fail to make me acquainted with the result without delay. Generally speaking the sentiments of both Assaad and Mahomed Pashas (the latter was sent for by his Excellency) were unfavourable to the success of a municipal council, and were to the effect that no formation of it would be favourable to the opposed factions, for they said that if the numbers were un- equal, the minority, whether Druse or Christian, would be discontented ; if equal, the Christians who are more numerous would require that their numbers should preponderate in the council; that, further, the conduct of the Druses towards the Christians during the civil war and the mutual hatred of both parties would not admit of a joint rule. Assaad Pasha informed me also that the proposed plan of Government of the mixed population, of which the leading feature was the appointment of Vakeels, had not been carried into effect; thatjie had consulted both Druses and Christians respecting it, and that neither approved the arrangement, that his Excellency had therefore not put it into execution as he had no orders to use force. Two or three observations on my part elicited from Assaad Pasha what convinced me that he did not know, or had forgotten, the plan ; and that even if he were sincere he had not correctly described it to the Christians and Druses interested. I thought it advisable to repeat an opinion which I had before submitted to his Excellency, that the present plan of Government was more favourable to the power and influence of the Porte than the Emirate in the hands of one Shehab, but that the non-settlement of the question of the Government of the mixed populations favoured the views of the partisans of the Shehabs, whose strongest argument was that the present plan of Government was inferior to the former, the single Emirate. 1. Because the most difficult part of the plan had not yet been carried into effect. 2. Because it would never work practically. Assaad Pasha caught at the word sole Governor, and said as much as that a sole Governor not a Shehab might not be objectionable. He probably alluded to the favourite plan of the Porte to appoint a Pasha, or a native Mussulman who would be equally in her interests. I replied that the form of Government recommended to the Porte as a defi- nitive arrangement, and accepted by her, was two Kaimacams, a Christian and a Druse. Assaad Pasha, to give me a further idea of the division of parties at Deir- 32 el-Kamar, told me that the Greek Catholic- wete unwilling to he governed hy a Maronite, and had therefore petitioned for a Turkish, Governor. I received the other day complete confirmation that the Patriarch of the Greek-Russian Church and his clergy induced their co-religionists, last year to send petitions to the I'orte in favour of a Turkish Governor of the Lebanon in opposition to the wishes of the Christians for a Shi hah. The chief part of the Russian-Greek Church are still under the Maronite Kaimacam, and they complain of great harshness exercised by him very lately on account of a religious bias towards the Greeks of the town of Beskinta. The Divan of the Tahmccn's conjecture, or ''opinion approximating" awarded 10,500 purses indemnity to the Christians and 2,500 purses to the Druses, an award which pleased neither party. It then, at the suggestion of Assaad Pasha, reduced it to 8,400 purses, deducting the claims of the Druses. Each party remaining still dissatisfied, Assaad Pasha fixed 10,000 purses for the Christians, an award which like the rest met with no favour. Assaad Pasha then, despairing of a settlement on the spot, sent the Christian procurators from the scene of the civil war back to their homes, and announced his intention of referring the matter to Constantinople. I shall do my best to aid a solution of this most difficult question. An influential and rich Sheik informed me the day before yesterday that the Maronite Patriarch and the whole of the Catholic party desired the return of the Emir Beshir, and that they did not wish that the indemnity question should be settled, in order that the Emir Beshir might be recalled to give it a termination. The character of my informant causes me to view with much caution his statements. No. 26. Colonel Rose to the Earl of Aberdeen. — {Received December 5.) (Extract.) Beyrout, November 8, 1843. I HAVE the honour to inclose to your Lordship copies of my despatches to his Excellency Sir Stratford Canning and a copy of a despatch to Sir Edward Owen. Respecting the engagements of Great Britain to the Syrians, one case appears to me to be -exceptional, I mean the promise which Viscount Ponsonby obtained from the Porte that the damage done by the allied troops at Djouni to property there should be made good to the proprietors. I think it likely that the claimants will again request me to obtain compen- sation of their losses, which were estimated at too high a rate, a reason I believe of their non-payment. Arabs seldom act with discretion or principle. How- ever the settlement by the Turkish Government of this matter for a reasonable sum would strengthen her credit and be advantageous to Her Majesty's Govern- ment, forming a satisfactory close to what occurred in 1841 as regards Great Britain. The Druses cannot appeal on any matter to Her Majesty's Government, be- cause they commenced the civil war which convulsed order and expulsed the Emir whom Her Majesty's Government so mainly contributed to place in the direction of affairs, which it was intended should produce a wholesome and better state of things in the Lebanon. 33 Inclosure 1 in No. 26. Colonel Rose to Sir Stratford Canning. (Extract.) Beyrout, November 5, 1843. WITH reference to my despatch of 5th of October, I have the honour to inclose to your Excellency a translated copy of a statement given to me by Bishop Tubia respecting the tribute, the payments out of it of the Government of the Mountain and their employes, the balance accruing to the Porte, and, lastly, the Bekaleeks. Your Excellency will perceive that what I said respecting the Bekaleeks in my despatch is confirmed by Bishop Tubia's statement, as well as that the Porte gains 828 purses, with an exception which I shall state, on the sum of 2100 purses originally fixed by Selim Pasha and Edhem Bey, the Defterdar of Sidon, in the agreement to which Bishop Tubia states Mr. Wood was a party ; and that he was so is proved by a reference to No. 2 inclosure in Mr. Consul Wood's despatch to Viscount Palmerston of the 7th of September, 1841, page 39 of Part II. of the Syrian Correspondence. Your Excellency will there see also that the sum fixed for the expenses of the Administration of the Mountain is the same sum as mentioned in Bishop Tubia's statement. But as in the list given in No. 2 inclosure the expenses of a Medglis are charged, viz., altogether 73,800 piastres annually, and that the Medglis forms now no part of the Government of the Mountain, that sum must be deducted from the 828 purses which the Turkish Government now gains on the former sum, 2,100 purses, allowed for the Government of the Mountain, as has stated in No. 2 inclosure in Mr. Wood's despatch. Bishop Tubia, who just called on me, admits the fairness of this deduction, which I brought to his notice. In my former despatches I have dwelt emphatically on the necessity and policy of paying reasonably the Mookatadjis or seigneurs of feudal districts. Your Excellency will see that in the same list Mr. Wood, as Agent of the British Government, and it may also be said as that of the Turkish Govern- ment, was a party to the arrangement made by the Porte's Representative, Sefini Pasha, Mushir and Seraskier, and Hadji Edhem Bey, Defterdar, which fixed for the Mookatadjis a regular salary, 120,000 piastres annually, forming part of the 2,100 purses allowed for the expenses of the Administration of Mount Lebanon ; the judges and others of its functionaries are also provided for. Certainly the official part which Mr. Wood took in the settlement of the affairs of the Mountain, by order of Viscount Ponsonby, sitting in Divan with the Turkish functionaries in presence of the deputies of the Mountaineers, inquiring into and judging or fixing with them, it may be said, and those Turkish functionaries the several points of financial and local administration, gives weight to the prayer of the Mountaineers that the spirit of those arrange- ments at least should be carried out, and renders legitimate the interference of Great Britain in those matters. But this very important point cannot be fairly viewed unless consideration be pushed further, and which will place the position of Great Britain as regards the Lebanites on its real basis. If the inhabitants of Mount Lebanon, the hearers and receivers of the engagements of the agents of the British Government, had fulfilled their part of the contract by remaining loyal and dutiful subjects of the Porte, the wit- qudnon of course, then in that case it would have been difficult to foresee to what extent the British Government would have been pledged to the Lebanites. Seldom indeed would a foreign Government have been so much so to the subjects of another Power. In all engagements there must be two parties, but in the case in question there were three, Great Britain, the Porte, and the Mountaineers. But almost before the engagement was made one influential portion of the Lebanites, and that to which Great Britain was most pledged, the lUanmites, broke the sine qua non of the engagement. They became the reverse of loyal subjects. 2. F 34 Unfortunately the conduct of the functionaries of the Porte, if it did not render excusable the measure of disaffection, al least verj much diminished its culpability ; and it must lie borne in mind that the Porte not only hroke faith with tin; Mountaineers hut with (Jreat Britain, whose servants had promised just and mild government on her part, and who thereby obtained the support of the MaroniteS and others. Great Britain then stands free and unshackled, and the Mountaineers know this; it remains lor the wisdom of Her Majesty's Government and your Excel- lency to determine to what extent policy and prudence or feeling for the inhabitants of the Lebanon may induce her to act further in a matter, from the obligations of which circumstances have materially if not entirely absolved her. The exertion of her influence to obtain the payment of the influential authorities of the Mountain on the stable completion of the present arrangement of Government, would be politic, and justified by her position as regards the Syrians. I had the honour in my despatch of October 5, to inform your Excel- lency respecting the Bekaleeks attached to the Djebail ; 1 have now the honour to inclose to your Excellency a statement of those lying in the Bekaa, the pro- ceeds of which have been all usurped by that unprincipled functionary Bozou Agha. Those classed as belonging to Deir-el-Kamar are monopolies, and their abolition and not their continuance would be beneficial to the people; but those of the Bekaa are of a different nature. Inclosure 2 in No. 26. Bishop Tubia's Statement. (Translation.) IN the year of Hegira 1257 (1841) an agreement was made respecting the amount of the Mai Miri of Mount Lebanon for 3,500 purses by the means of his Excellency Selim Pasha, Governor of Sidon, and Ibrahim Bey Edhem, Defterdar of the same district, which agreement was sanctioned by the Sublime Porte. At that time the Emirs and Sheiks of the Mountain had given a written bond to conform to the above-mentioned agreement, that the pay of the Governor of the Mountain and that of the other commanders and subordinates was to be deducted from the original sum of 3,500 purses. But this agreement sanctioned by the Sublime Porte was not put into execution, but they made a second arrangement; because the first agreement was as follows : — the pay of the Governor and his subordinates was fixed at 2,300 purses, and there remained to the Porte 1,200 purses, whilst in this last or second agreement the pay was fixed at 2,100 purses, and there remained to the Porte 1,400 purses, so that there were 200 purses more in favour of the Porte. They agreed upon this last arrangement, because it passed through a numerous Divan composed of the agents of the Sublime Porte and of Mr. Richard Wood, Agent for the British Government and for the Sublime Porte also. This arrangement has been registered in the Archives of the Porte : that the 1,400 purses which remained to the Porte from the original sum of the 3,500 purses should be paid in three times by instalment, each time 466 purses and two-thirds. They agreed that the Mountain should not be obliged to pay anything but that sum, and that the places called Bekaleek, which are in the Mountain, should remain in favour of the people, as those places belong to them, the people ; but should those places be consigned to the Governor of the Mountain, then it would be necessary to examine their annual revenue, and to deduct it from the original sum of the 3,500 purses, and consequently the inhabitants would only be charged with the difference : for instance, the revenue of the Bekaleek of the Province of Djebail was to be deducted from the pay of the commanders of the Province of Djebail, and the revenue of the Bekaleek of Deir-el-Kamar, the Bekaa and other places, will be deducted from the pay of the Governors and employe's of the two Christian and Druse nations inhabitants of the Mountain. So they have agreed. 35 But now his Excellency Assaad Pasha, Mushir of the Province of Sidon, has farmed the above-mentioned Bekaleeks to some known appaltators, and he has deprived the inhabitants of their revenue. He has made a new arrangement for the pay of the two Christian and Druse Kaimacams and all the commanders of the Mountain, because according to the arrangement above mentioned, the pay amounted to 2,100 purses which he has now reduced to 1,272 purses, and he added what remains of it, 828 purses, to that of the Porte, viz., to the 1,400 purses ; so that the Porte receives at present 2,228 purses. This mode of proceeding is contrary to the agreement and sanction made in 1257, as it was above shown, and still contrary to the justice of the Sublime Porte and her noble word. Now the inhabitants implore that the arrangement above mentioned should be put into execution without alteration ; that Assaad Pasha should be first instructed to take away the appalto of the Bekaleek above mentioned, and that their revenue should be returned to the inhabitants as it was before, and according to the principles ; for the inhabitants had assigned those Bekaleeks for the Go- vernor of the Mountain as being his pay ; secondly, that the pay should remain according to the agreement, viz., that the two Kaimacams and other commanders and employes should receive 2,100 purses, and the Porte 1,400 purses ; for a sum less than this will not suffice for the administration of the whole Mountain. Inclosure 3 in No. 26. Revenue of the Bekaleeks belonging to the Government of Mount Lebanon in the Bekaa. Garara. District of Bar-Elias and half of the town - 250 District of Kamsh, in the Merge - - 40 Wakef Ej-Jazire - 80 The whole Merge 60 District of Soufra in Taalabaya - 30 460 Two-thirds of this quantity consist in wheat, and one-third in barley. The revenue of Kan El-Marge amounts to 12,000 piastres. Note. — The Garara is a measure of wheat. Revenue of Deir-el-Kamar. Piastres. Annual revenue of the butchery - 60,000 Ditto of the square ... 25,000 Ditto of the dye-house - - - 2,500 Ditto of the manufacture of soap - 20,000 Piastres - 107,500 Inclosure 4 in No. 26. Colonel Rose to Admiral Sir Edward Owen. (Extract.) Beyrout, November 10, 1843. YOUR Excellency will be glad to hear that I have nothing of moment to communicate to you. The Lebanon is politically quiet, although five bad murders, almost uiiin- quired into, give evidence of the laxity and inefficiency of the Government, a F 2 .36 complaint general throughout Syria. The partisans of the Shehabs have how- ever not given up hope ; tiny arc quiet at present, hut only wait for a favour- able opportunity to act more vigorously against the present form of Government. Directly after the troops had left Bcyrout for Dcir-el-Kamar and other places for Sidon, where they were concentrated, a leading supporter of the deposed family came to me to consult me in an artful manner, " Whether nothing could be done for the Shchahs V" the translation of which na 1 have reason to think, Whether the absence of the troops from Deir-el-Kamar would not he a favour- able opportunity to strike a blow in favour of his party by seizin-; that very important post? My answer left the agitator without hope. No. 27. Colonel Rose to the Earl of Aberdeen. — (Received January 5, 1844.) My Lord, Bcyrout, December 8, 1843. I HAVE the honour to state to your Lordship that two or three feuds have occurred in the Lebanon, which give evidence, if any were wanting, of the law- less and sectarian feeling of its inhabitants. In Maalaka, a village adjoining to Zahle, there was an affray between the Greek Antiochians and Maronites. In Baabda, close to Beyrout, the Maronites had a violent dispute amongst themselves, the result of winch was that one-third appealed for redress to the Druse Kaimacam under whose jurisdiction they formerly were. In Deir-el-Kamar some Christians and Druses about three weeks since quarrelled about a mare, which the Christians claimed as property plundered from them in the civil war. Blows with sticks ensued, when Kadry Bey turned out the Turkish troops also armed with sticks, who put an end to the fray. In the investigation which ensued the Christians accused Kadry Bey of having shown partiality for the Druses, conduct which they attribute to their not having petitioned as he wished in favour of himself as their permanent Turkish Governor. They only petitioned for him as Governor till such time as the question of the government of the mixed populations should be decided. At the same time they spoke in high terms of him. This circumstances gives fresh proof of the wish to re-establish Turkish direct rule in the Mountain. I regret that I cannot give your Lordship favourable accounts of the government of either of the Kaimacams. All parties confirm the opinion which I had the honour to submit to your Lordship from the first, of the incapacity and stupidity, for such it is, of the Emir Ahmet. His authority is consequently neither felt or respected as it ought to be. The complaints of the weakness of the government of the Emir Haidar are numerous, and he is accused not without some cause of intolerance towards other sects. I have given him friendly advice on this subject, which he always takes in very good part. One great proof of the strength of a government in the Mountain is the recovery of debts. The Emir Haidar has not satisfied creditors in this respect. On the other hand the two Kaimacams, especially the Emir Haidar, com- plain secretly that they are neither paid nor duly supported by Assaad Pasha; that they do not know the extent of their functions, and are therefore afraid of outstepping them ; that his Excellency interferes with what is clearly a legiti- mate exercise of them, but calls upon them to act and considers them respon- sible when the duty is delicate or di 'le. I have, &c, (Signed) GH ROSE. 37 No. 28. Colonel Rose to the Earl of Aberdeen. — (Received February 8.) (Extract.) Bey rout, January 10, 1844. I HAVE the honour to inclose to your Lordship a copy of a despatch of the 6th instant to his Excellency Sir Stratford Canning. Troops were sent yesterday to Djouni and Djebail to check any disposition to disorder on the part of the disaffected Sheiks who have lately intrigued against the Maronite Kaimacam. Inclosure in No. 28. Colonel Rose to Sir Stratford Canning. (Extract.) Beyrout, January 6, 1844. IN the Lebanon the dissatisfaction with the present state of things has perhaps increased, and the old idea of an union between Druses and Christians is revived. However the numerous causes of enmity and the disposition of the Turks to avail themselves of them, will probably never allow such an event to take place. A Greek Catholic priest who went to Constantinople as a deputy in 1842, informed me that he was an agent of the ex-Emir Beshir (of Malta) and that another one had lately arrived from Constantinople to incite him and others to fresh exertions in his favour. However 1 doubt whether the latter has any other capacity than that of a servant. The priest earnestly entreated me to obtain from Her Majesty's Govern- ment support of his patron, making highly coloured declarations as to his, the Emir's, attachment to Great Britain ; that he had been on board Sir S. Smith's ship ; that he was his greatest friend ; that the Emir would send any of his rela- tions or sons to Great Britain as guarantees of his conduct ; that he knew he could do nothing without Great Britain. The priest went on to recite the disorders or outrages which have lately taken place and the non-payment of debts as proofs of the impossibility of the continuance of the present state of things, and of the necessity of the return of the ex-Emir Beshir, who he stated had now made up all differences with his son the Emir Emin, who, knowing that he possessed neither the wealth nor the energy of his father, had resigned all pretensions in his favour. My informant concluded by saying that the inhabitants of the Lebanon could no longer endure the present state of things. I replied that I could give him no hope whatever that Her Majesty's Government would support any change ; on the contrary, I added that the new form of government had been recommended in perfect unanimity by the Five Great Powers to the Porte ; that the Porte had adopted the recommendation ; that it was not possible that the Powers could a year afterwards turn round, and recommend another form, the rule of an Emir against whose Government the totality of the Mountaineers had petitioned repeatedly in 1840 and previous years as one of cruel and insupportable oppression and exaction. That having in my possession those petitions couched in the language of despair, I could not think that those petitioners desired the return to power of him who had caused such misfortune ; that the ex-Emir was succeeded by the Emir Beshir Kassim, who was neither cruel nor rapacious, but what was his fate ? One influential portion of the Mountain rose against him, and the other portion declared his incapacity. Such was the fate of two Shehabs of different characters, and yet there were persons who in the teeth of such evidence were now willing to declare that there could be no happiness without a Shchab ; yes too that par- ticular Shehab who had been so lontr tried and so universally condemned. I observed that whatever causes might induce certain persons or parties m .Syria to change with such rapidity and facility their sentiments on such a grave matter, yet that it could not he expected that Great Powers could follow such evolutions of opinion, sacrifice their consistency in face of experience and 38 fact, and change a matured and final resolution in favour of a rule which all classes of a people bad declared to be too tyrannical for endurani There is a Btrong party against the Emir I laidar which increases iq strength. lie is accused of having appropriated to bitnselfa large sum of money which was given to him and his family for the support of the Shehabs. I hear also that the Emir Beshir El-Kassim has stated that lie will give his influence in favour of the ex-Emir Beshir. Whilst writing this despatch I have received information, tolerably good. that the Patriarch received about three or four months ago 5,000 purses, [25,000Z.j for distribution amongst the Maronites. The ostensible object of this money is stated to be the relief of the Christian sufferers in the civil war, but this principle appears already to have been departed from. Great secrecy is observed in the distribution of this money, the receivers being obliged to swear that they will not divulge the matter. When it is considered that the Patriarch applied the greater part of the former sums sent to him for charitable purposes to carry on the civil war, this fresh gift coupled with other matters must excite attention. The people of Sheik Francis El-Kazin, formerly Governor of the Kesrouan, drove away a Boluck-Bashi and his men belonging to the Emir Haidar who had gone to his village, Ghosta, to read abouyurouldi warning the inhabitants at large, I hear, to abstain from secret or other meetings of which some had been held lately. Assaad Pasha, who returned here on the 20th ultimo, has ordered the arrest of the rioters. No. 29. Colonel Rose to the Earl of Aberdeen. — (Received April 4.) (Extract.) Beyrout, March 7, 1844. I HAVE the honour to inclose to your Lordship copies of my despatches of the 15th ultimo and 3rd instant to his Excellency Sir Stratford Canning. In conversing with M. Bouree I observed that my Government, together with the Governments of the Four Powers, having deemed it just and right to recommend to the Porte to grant a form of Government to the Druse inhabit- ants of Mount Lebanon based on the same principle as that to be enjoyed by the Christians, it appeared to me to be our duty to carry out the com- pletion of the benevolent wishes of our Governments ; that my Government, whilst she felt to its fullest extent the sincere sympathy of a Christian Power for a Christian people, of which they and their servants had given so many proofs, did not wish to see one sect unduly raised above another, first, because it was not just ; secondly, because it was not either in the interests of humanity or of the sects themselves, either the unduly raised or the unduly depressed, as an unfortunate experience only too clearly proved. M. Bouree, as regarded the geographical division, stated that whilst he felt convinced that nothing could be done for the Christians who were mixed up with the Druses, he regretted much the position of those who were under the Druse rule, although there was no mixture of Druse population, such as in the districts of Djezin and Teffah, the property of the Djinblats. I replied to M. Bouree that I shared his feeling, but what could be done beyond what had been done in remedy ? The Christians in those districts had voluntarily and not very long ago immigrated into the Druse country, and placed themselves as labourers under the Djinblats ; those Christians were neither the original possessors nor holders of the soil ; they were only farm servants to whom the Djinblats had, as was the custom of the country, allotted small tene- ments ; that although on the one hand it was true that these two districts were nearly inhabited entirely by Christians, yet on the other they were at the extre- mity of the Druse territory, and the farthest removed from the Christian rule. Could the Christian Kaimacarn, not very strong in his own Kaimacamship, govern 39 with effect in the Druse ; would he distrain the Christian tenant for money due to the Druse landlord"; or still less likely could he govern and protect the feudal tenants to the misprision of feudalism, and the right of the feudal lord of the soil in a country and amongst a people where feudalism existed in all its unen- viable purity ? There could be but little doubt that if the sectarian division had been carried out, the Druse landlords would have either ejected their Christian tenantry, or the causes of aversion and discord would have been increased twenty fold : perpetual misprision of authority on one side, jealousy and assertion of it on the other, amongst benighted and semi-barbarous popu- lations. I asked whether any Christians in any other parts of the Ottoman Empire were protected and taken care of as were the Christians even in the Druse Kaimacamship, and whether seriously any injury could be done to them which w r ould not be instantly redressed ? They had, first, their Vakeels, who had three rights of appeal, and whose especial and sole duty it was to watch over their interests and report any lesion of them. Secondly, the supreme Turkish authority, not a Druse, was in Beyrout. Thirdly, there are five certainly not inactive Consular Agents in Bevrout, removed only one, at most two days from the remotest Christians, all willing and ready to intercede for Christianity in case of need. Fourthly, there was a Turkish garrison, whose express and sole duty was to check outrage and oppression. Fifthly, every facility would be given to emigration ; the distance was but small, and the expense of change, where there was so little at stake, would be trifling. I said that there was truth in two statements which had been made to me lately, one by the Emir Haidar Shehab, a zealous Christian, and son of the richest Maronite Emir. This person said that certainly the Christians in the Druse country had nothing to fear in the way of oppression, but. that their pride would not allow them to be ruled by the Druses ; the second statement from an influential person, and equally attached to his religion, was, that the Christians in the Druse country knew perfectly well that their w T ish to be governed by the Christian Kaimacam was not practicable, but that the carrying out of the geographical and sectarian divisions having been proved to be impracticable, recourse must be had to a sole Government under a Shehab. M. Bouree said that certainly the sectarian division did not seem prac- ticable, but that he feared that there would be an outbreak of discontent ; that several Christians had asked him whether the Powers had consented to the geographical arrangement; that if they had they would then know what to do. I asain told M. Bouree that if the Turkish authorities did their dutv, and the foreign Agents gave them the support which they were entitled to, exhorting the people to peace and contentment, and pointing out the guarantees of secu- rity winch I have detailed, the people would gradually settle into their new rela- tions and become reconciled to them. I shall do my best to preserve peace and order, and to uphold the legitimate authority ; such a line of conduct being, I feel convinced, consonant with the wishes of your Lordship and of Her Majesty's Government. Inclosure 1 in No. 29. Colonel Rose to Sir Stratford Canning . (Extract.) Beyrout, February \:>, 1844. I HAVE the honour to state to your Excellency that yesterday the Aus- trian and Prussian Consuls-General and the French Consul met at my house. As your Excellency knows, the Russian Consul is on leave. We had previously- seen each other individually on the subject of our several instructions. I observed that 1 could have no doubt that the geographical division had been adopted by the Porte, because, — 40 First. All the Consular Representatives had in reply to a question from Assaad Pasha, rejected the sectarian and recommended to his Excellency the adoption of the territorial or geographical division ; that is, that each Kaima- cam should govern the Druses and Christians, inhabitants in his kaimac amship, according to the division of the ancient, feudal Mookatas, whether Christian or Druse. Secondly. Assaad Pasha had expressed his concurrence in that opinion, and subsequently had stated that he had received the orders of the Porte to carry into execution the arrangement consequent on the geographical division. Thirdly. A difference of opinion had occurred subsequently respecting a minor point of the general plan, the government of Deir-el-Kamar, but that the difference itself showed the adhesion to the geographical plan, because it was a difference arising out of it, namely, whether Deir-el-Kamar should be under the Druse Kaimacani or not. Exceptional consideration was paid to the fact that the Druses under the Sheiks Abuneked had begun the civil war by attacking Deir-el-Kamar and making it the scene of their bad faith, cruelty and rapine; and as all agreed that Deir-el-Kamar must for the sake of peace and humanity be garrisoned by Turkish troops, the expedient in a difficulty was resorted to, of placing it tem- porarily under the Turkish commandant. Another question arising out of this point, namely, whether the govern- ment of Deir-el-Kamar should, on the state of the country allowing the with- drawal of the Turkish troops, revert to the Druse Kaimacam or to the Mushir of Sidon, was the cause of reference to Constantinople. Yesterday Assaad Pasha informed me that the Porte had sent hi in a sum- mary or the substance of his final instruction by the last Turkish steamer, but had said nothing as to whether the division of the Mountain should be geogra- phical or sectarian; that he had himself stated the merits of the two plans with- out offering any opinion. But with regard to his Excellency's opinion it was in favour of the geographical division. His Excellency also stated tiiat the Porte had never told him which form of Government it had adopted. In the sense of this despatch I venture to represent to your Excellency the expediency that the Porte should give clear instructions as to the geographical division, otherwise fresh obstacles will occur. The Consular meeting at my house having ascertained that Assaad Pasha had received no final instructions on which his Excellency could act, we agreed to suspend any operations till they had arrived. Inclosure 2 in No. 29. Colonel Rose to Sir. Stratford Cunning. (Extract.) Beyrout, March .'!. 1n44. I HAVE the honour to state to your Excellency that on the 2(>ih ultimo the Governor of Beyrout and the Kiaya of Assaad Pasha, accompanied by two of his Excellency's dragomans, came to me. The two former persons stated that they had been ordered by Assaad Pasha to communicate to me the contents of despatches respecting the arrangement of the Government of Mount Lebanon which his Excellency had received the day before by a Tatar from the Porte; that I had asked his Excellency a few days back whether he had received the intelligence in question; that he had told me that he had not, as was the case, but that now- as a proof of his friendly consideration he had sent his officers to tell me the details received yesterday, and which the Kiaya said were those which the Consular Corps had recommended as resulting from the geographical division. But I remarked one exception and that an essential one, the choice of the Vakeels at Deir-el-Kamar was to be submitted to the approbation of their co- religionist Kaimacams, and the Vakeels were to be called their Vakeels. On pushing my inquiry further the Kiaya admitted that some matters of the Government of Deir-el-Kamar might be referred by the Vakeels to the Kai- macams ; hi short, the interpreter gave the best elucidation by stating that the two Kaimacams were to have a "petit peu de gouvernement " over their co- 41 religionists in Deir-el-Kamar, a dangerous principle, no matter how restricted the power, involving perhaps hereafter disasters, and opposed entirely to the principle of the geographical division and of the non-intervention of the Kaimacams in the province which did not belong to them. Thus your Excellency will see that for one little town there would have been six distinct authorities, four of whom would have been diametrically op- posed to one another and three of them of different religions, but all exercising that dangerous right where passion and intrigue render union and firmness of action indispensable, the right of a " little power." I told the Kiaya that the arrangements were creditable to the wisdom of Assaad Pasha who had recommended and to that of the Porte which had adopted them, but that I foresaw danger from the association of the two Kaimacams in the Government of Deir-el-Kamar, for the reasons which I have stated ; that now they had it was true only a foot in that town, but a clever man would in a short time introduce the greater part if not all of his body. They said that there was truth in this simile. <# begged them to convey my observations to Assaad Pasha and to thank him for the proof of his confidence and consideration. The next day I saw Assaad Pasha. He told me that the power enjoyed by the Kaimacams over their co-religionists at Deir-el-Kamar was to be possessed by them over all their co-religionists in the mixed districts, which would have been a substitution of the geographical for the sectarian division. However on my expressing my surprise his Excellency sent for his Kiaya and the despatches from the Porte, including the firman of the Sultan, and after reading them told me that he had been in error, and that with the exception of Deir-el-Kamar each Kaimacam was to govern his province and the mixed population in it with Vakeels. Everything considered, especially the innovation respecting Deir-el-Kamar, I told Assaad Pasha that I thought he had better acquaint the Consuls of the Five Powers with the contents of his despatches before he published them. It was fortunate I did so, for the next day the orders were to have been published. Assaad Pasha asked me whether he had better invite also the Cancellier of the Russian Consulate ; M. Basily is on leave. I said that his Excellency had better do so, although he would not probably come. On the 29th the four Consular Representatives of the Four Great Powers met at Assaad Pasha's ; the Russian Cancellier did not come. Assaad Pasha then stated to us the details of the new arrangements, which were the same as I have stated. I then on the ground that the introduction of the two Kaimacams into the Government of Deir-el-Kamar was an innovation and one which might here- after produce disastrous results, stated my objections to it, and my opinion that it would be advisable to suspend the publication of so much of the recent orders as regarded that point till the Consular Representatives received despatches rela- ting to the matter from Constantinople. I dwelt on the fact that so great had been the anxiety to prevent conflict of authority between the two Kaima- cams, that all our recent despatches from Constantinople specified that neither of them were to live in Deir-el-Kamar, with the government of which town it was now proposed to associate them. M. de Wildenbruch spoke in the same sense. M. d'Adelbourg agreed, as did also M. Bouree. Assaad Pasha hav- ing learnt our opinion, stated that the order of the Porte was so clear on the point in question that he could not set it aside, but that he would suspend pub- lication of or action on it till we had received our instructions. On Assaad Pasha's Secretary reading over the list of Druse mookatas ex- ception was made by the French Consul to the " Sahil " or Plain of Beyrout being included, and he appealed to me for support. I thought it just to give it to him frankly and effectively. I told Assaad Pasha that I certainly thought that the "Sahil" should be excepted, because under the rule of the two last Emirs Beshir it had not formed part of a Druse mookata, nor was it Druse pro- perty, besides it touched in its whole extent the Christian province without in- tervention of Druse country, being moreover inhabited nearly exclusively by Christians and almost all the Shehabs, once a princely but now rather a fallen house. M. d'Adelbourg and M. de Wildenbruch having agreed with the French Consul and myself, the point was yielded by Assaad Pasha. 2. G 42 It was stated that a considerable number of deputies from the mixed Christian population, as manv as one thousand, were to come to Beyrout to repnsent their discontent to Assaad Pasha. I have done my best to baffle this improper demonstration. No. 30. Colonel Rose to the Earl of Aberdeen. — [Received April 4.) (Extract.) Beyrout, March 12, 1844. I HAVE the honour to state to your Lordship that late on the 10th instant Assaad Pasha requested me to come to him. Hia Excellency informed me that the meeting mentioned in mv despatch of the 3rd instant to his Excellency Sir Stratford Canning, having still continued, he had sent his interpreter, Gibra Antachi, two days ago to desire the meeting to send three deputies to make known to him the cause of their assembly and then to disperse ; that the interpreter had returned, bringing with him tliirteen deputies, but had reported that the meeting had refused to pay attention to the Pasha's bouyurouldi and his repeated order to disperse ; that they had sent the deputies, but stated distinctly that they would not disperse till they knew whe- ther his Excellency would give a satisfactory answer to their requests or rather demands, which were an assurance that they, the mixed population in the Druse districts, should not be under Druse rule, and that the indemnities should be settled without delay. The interpreter whom Assaad Pasha desired to give me every information, stated that the meeting was fully armed ; that he could not exactly tell their numbers as they did not all appear, but that he saw about 500, and that more were coming. Assaad Pasha then told me that his intention was to send the Governor of Beyrout and the Maronite Emir Beshir of Brumaua to the meeting, with a mes- sage to send deputies if they chose to state their wishes and complaints ; but to announce to them that they must obey the orders of the Government and dis- perse immediately ; that otherwise they would be treated as opposers of the Government of the Sultan, dispersed by the troops, and punished. His Excel- lency added that the meeting at Mehada, only three or four miles from Bevrout, was numerous, all armed ; that they were increasing ; that their demeanour and manner was insubordinate and intended to awe him ; that their demands were in disobedience of the positive orders of the Porte which had been published, stating that the mixed Christian population was to be under Druse rule ; that their continuing to remain together after his repeated injunctions to disperse was another misprision of the legitimate authority ; and lastly, that their real object was not the statement of a grievance, but furtherance of the interests of the Shehabs. Keeping in view your Lordship's instructions as to the giving of advice to the Turkish authorities and the maintenance of the legitimate rule, I felt that the present was an occasion on which 1 was bound to give counsel and that policy rendered my doing so advisable. The state of the Turkish Government and many other things considered I certainly felt the weight of the responsibility ; but I felt also the sense of duty as Her Majesty's servant, which makes any responsibility light. I therefore told Asaaad Pasha that the steps which his Excellency had stated to me he intended to take were proper; but that as the matter was of much importance and delicacy it would be desirable that his Excellency should keep himself quite in the right and be able to prove the same hereafter ; that therefore he had better let the message not be verbal but in writing, a bouyurouldi of which he would do well to take a copy, setting forth in it the number of times he had desired the meeting to disperse ; his offer to hear them by deputy ; his promise to do what was right and in conformity with the orders of his Government in the matter of the indemnity and some other minor points. Reasoning on the Arab character, 1 observed that it would be advisable 43 to speak most plainly to the meeting as to the necessity of their instant dispersion. I also advised his Excellency to send an influential Christian with his emissaries, who I knew sympathized strongly with the meeting, telling the Pasha that it would be advisable to point out to this person before he went the folly and reprehensible conduct of the meeting, and the seriousness of the conse- quences to which they voluntarily exposed themselves. All this was done, and the Governor of Beyrout and his party were dispatched yesterday before sunrise to the meeting. Assaad Pasha has informed me to-day that his emissaries returned the same day ; that the Governor read the bouyurouldi to the meeting, dwelling on the passage which ordered them to disperse when the Christians dispersed to their homes. They are to send deputies to the Pasha. No Druses were of course present. Thus the first long-talked-of demonstration against the new form of Government has gone off peaceably without the slightest injury to any one. No. 31. The Earl of Aberdeen to Colonel Rose. Sir, Foreign Office, April 30, 1844. I RECEIVED a short time ago through Her Majesty's Ambassador at Paris, the inclosed papers* from the agent of the Maronites, Archbishop Murad, bv which you will see that the Shehab family are still at work to bring about their reinstatement in the Government of Mount Lebanon. I had hoped that my answer to the Archbishop, of which a copy* is inclosed, would have had the effect of dispelling any expectation which he might have entertained that such a scheme was likely to be viewed with favour by the Bri- tish Government. I have however since received a further letter from the Archbishop, of which I inclose a copy*, together with a copy of my reply* ; and in conformity with what is stated in that letter, I have to instruct you to furnish me with a report: upon the several allegations contained in Archbishop Murad's letter. I am, &c, (Signed) ABERDEEN. No. 32. Colonel Rose to the Earl of Aberdeen. — (Received May 5.) (Extract.) Beyrout, April 12, 1844. THE Albanians in Syria have been discharged from the Turkish service ; the greater part go home, "some to Egypt to seek service under Mehemet Ali, some remain here, and with no means of living will probably become what they are well qualified for, robbers. However it is due to their chief, Abbas Agha, who commanded the Albanians in this part of the country, to say that latterly he did his best to keep them under good discipline. No. 33. Colonel Rose to the Earl of Aberdeen. — (Received May 5.) My Lord, Beyrout, April 12, 1844. I HAVE the honour to inclose to your Lordship copies of despatches to his Excellency Sir Stratford Canning. I have, flee., (Signed) HUGH ROSE. * t * See Part I., Inclosures in Nos. 10 and 17, pp. 24, 30. G 2 44 Inclosurc 1 in No. 33. Colonel Rose to Sir Stratford Canning. (Extract.) Beyrout, March 23, 1844. I HAVE the honour to state to your Excellency that the promulgation of the new form of Government for the Lebanon, which took place soon after the Consular meeting on the 29th ultimo, produced great excitement amongst the Christian population of the Druse Kaimacamship, of which the meeting men- tioned in my recent despatches to Her Majesty's Government and your Excel- lency was a result. The state of affairs was rendered more difficult by the intrigues of the Shehabs and their partisans to render what was sufficiently confused still more so. After the dispersion of the discontented Christian meeting on the 12th instant their deputies met at Beyrout by Assaad Pasha's order. His Excellency did not use the language which was most likely to have and probably would have ensured obedience to the orders of the Porte respecting the new Government, although the result of a proper firmness, the dispersion of the illegal meeting only a few days before, was before his eyes. My advice in that matter had succeeded ; when the deputies came to Beyrout, I did not shrink from giving similar advice when it was sought, but the Pasha did not heed it. He did not say the only thing to say to Arabs if they are to obey, " Go home and obey, my good people, I will be to you a father, a very just one but a strict one ; if you have any griev- ance make it known in a legitimate manner, but in the mean time obey, or you will pay the penalty of disobedience." Although I gave advice in this sense when it was asked for, his Excellency allowed the deputies to tarry in Beyrout and dis- cuss and oppose in passion day after day orders which they should only have obeyed. Moreover although exhorted by me and others, Assaad Pasha did not give effect to the orders as to the settlement of the indemnities which would have reconciled the Christians in a measure to Druse rule. Thus discontent fanned secretly by the Shehabites increased till at last the Christian Kaimacam and the Maronite Bishop Tubia on the 20th instant gave, on the part of the Christian deputies, the final answer to Assaad Pasha : " That the Christian mixed population would not accept the Druse Government ; that they would rather that their heads should be cut off than accept that Govern- ment." Previously the Christian deputies had visited the Consular Agents, and in the sense of your Excellency's instructions I exhorted them earnestly to obey their Sultan's orders respecting a measure the principle of which had been recommended by his Allies the Five Great Powers ; and for the sake of humanity and conciliation I pointed out the guarantees of their position stated in my des- patch to the Earl of Aberdeen of the 7th of March, adding that as the Porte with the sanction of the Powers had now made an arrangement for the settlement of the indemnity question, that cause of estrangement between them and their Druse countrymen would be happily removed, and that experience, for which all parties had paid so dearly, and charitable feeling above all would I trusted renew those relations which had once existed between Christians and Druses, and for that reason might with facility exist again. Knowing from Assaad Pasha that anything which I proposed to facilitate the settlement of the question would be agreed to by his Excellency, I suggested in a conciliatory spirit important additions to the guarantees in favour of the Christian interest, additions which influential Christians had told me would over- come the repugnance to Druse rule. I. That the Vakeels should not be under the control of either the Druse Kaimacam or Feudal Lord, or removable at their pleasure ; that they should only be under the authority of the Mushir of Sidon, a material guarantee because thus the Vakeel without fear might report misconduct. That this privilege should be assured by a firman. That the Christian Vakeels in the Druse districts might collect the Miri or land tax from their co-religionists. Thus entrance into the Christians' houses was avoided. The plain of Beyrout, or rather the three villages of Haddet, Baabda and Wadi-Sharoor, because bordering on the Christian country, had been already eded to it. 45 3. That the old feudal rights of the two Christian villages in the Druse country should be renewed, and that they should be governed by their Sheik under the Druse Kaimacam. But passion had taken the place of reason and the voice of intrigue that of honest persuasion. Advice to the deputies to obey was considered as indifference to their interests, the Shehabites even called it hostility. Concession only pro- duced fresh demand and was useless because the Christian deputies composed of the Shehabites, rejected concession from which might have resulted arrange- ment. They must have one Governor, a Shehab; all else was bad and impos- sible. So violent were these persons and so much did they resent the cheek which I gave to intrigue, that I have information that at one of their meetings the putting of me to death was a subject of conversation. In the note sent by the Porte to the Representatives of the Five Great Powers, it is said " Que le Pacha est autorise a punir et a chatier ceux qui contre la volonte de la Sublime Porte se permettent des precedes qui peuvent compromettre la tranquillite." But the firman of the Sultan which now accom- panies and legalizes the orders of his Imperial Highness as regards the Govern- ment and the indemnities, instructs the Mushir of Sidon to execute these measures "sans faire du tapage," for thus M. d'Adelbourg translates the meaning of the final sentence of the firman; and Assaad Pasha, both to M. d'Adelbourg and myself, stated that the positive meaning of that sentence was that " he was not to use force ;" a meaning which his Excellency clearly explained to the Druses when he called on them to pay the indemnities. He told them to pay at once 25,000/.. ; but added "I am ordered not to use force with you to make you pay; will it not be necessary that I should use force?" I had previously earnestly exhorted the Druses to pay the indemnities, telling them that the Powers had sanctioned the proceeding of the Porte rela- tive to them. The Druse chiefs after their interview with Assaad Pasha communicated with me stating that they were in the utmost perplexity ; that they were most anxious to pay the indemnities: that they could never pay the whole sum of 13,500 purses, not even if their houses and properties were sold, but that they were positively sick of the question, and would pay all they could and ask for mercy. They asked for my advice. I told the Druses to express to the Pasha the most dutiful obedience to the orders of the Porte, and their willingness to obey at all times the Sultan's orders, and that they could never say that force would be necessary to make them obey their Sovereign's pleasure ; that they only begged the time which the Pasha should think necessary for collecting the plundered property and paying the remainder of the indemnity. The Druses said that they trusted that the Powers and the Porte would show compassion and mercy to them, as if their lands, houses and all were sold, they could never make up the required sum, but they would do all they could. When the Christians before stated to Assaad Pasha's deputy Fataha that they w T ould not obey, that they would rather have a Turk for a Governor than a Druse, Assaad Pasha sent to consult me whether in this state of affairs he had not better refer the matter to Constantinople, I replied that the responsibility rested on his Excellency who must know his orders. Afterwards the Pasha communicated to me the insubordinate declaration of the Christians ; I made the reply suitable to the servant of a legitimate Govern- ment. The next day Assaad Pasha asked me to come to him and to give him my opinion on the state of affairs which were about as bad as they could be. His Excellency stated that neither the Christian nor the Druse Kaimacams having succeeded in settling the pending questions, he must report that their authority was insufficient. I asked his Excellency whether he would like to hear my opinion although it would not be agreeable to him ? His Excellency having stated that he should, I made a calm exposition of the whole of his proceedings as regarded the matters of the government and of the indemnity, particularly dwelling on the fact that his Excellency had taken no measures to settle the latter, a proceeding which would have diminished the irritation of the Christians. The very difficult affair of the indemnity has now taken a more favourable turn. I can only hope that it may keep it, but the sum required is still very 46 large for a poor and small people, and the unfavourable opinion and violent Language expressed by the Christians openly againsl (he Druses will act unfavourably. Bishop Tubia, the head of the Christian party, told me more than once that the manifestation of an earnest desire on me part oi the Drusi to settle a portion of the Christian claim would he a very great step towards reconciliation to their rule; hut when I wished the Bishop to state this to the Pasha he hacked out of his former declaration so much as to leave it valueless. I musl think that be is in the Shehah interest, and that he does not wiBB a settlement Which would he opposed to their restoration. Thus it is with all the Christian deputies. The Druses on the other hand, in answer to my earnest exhortation, have declared their readiness to meet the Christians at my house or anywhere I Ise, ask forgiveness of them and entire oblivion of the past, confirming and prov- ing their good feeling by the payment of all that they can of the indemnity, and the entire restitution of the pillaged property. There are many Christians who responded to these feelings. Inclosure 2 in No. 33. Colonel Rose to Sir Stratford Canning. (Extract.) Bey rout, March 25, 1844. I VENTURE to offer a few observations to your Excellency on the present political state of affairs in the Lebanon, resulting mainly from the con- sideration as to what is to be done should the present plan of Government fail. The chief and ostensible causes of failure will be the insubordinate oppo- sition of the mixed Christian population. Collateral causes are the hatred unfortunately existing between the Chris- tians and Druses, and the unceasing and effective intrigues of the Shehah party. The Christian party's language is not in any way that of persons desirous of accommodating a difference or grievance ; on the contrary, when reasonable remedy was offered it was ungraciously and immediately rejected, lest the con- sideration of it should influence the more sober-minded and thwart the success of another and secret plan — the return of the Sbehabs. Hatred of the Druses and partisanship for the Sbehabs were the motives of action, not fear of Druse oppression, from which they would have been guaranteed. Your Excellency knows well how difficult it is to deal with those ay ho will not accept accommodation of a difference, lest their doing so should affect ulterior hopes and views. But a part of the Christian population, for the reasons whieh I have stated, refuse not only a form of Government recommended by the Five Powers, but they refuse to obey the orders of their Sovereign for the carrying out that Government, and the rest of the Christian population sympathizing with their co-religionists influence them rather to disobey than obey. The plan recommended thus by the Five Powers is foiled by passion, intrigue and insubordination of the subject towards the Sovereign. Do not then any moral obligations which induced the Powers to interfere in the government of Mount Lebanon at once cease ? Is it fitting or can the Great PoAvers creditably furt her interfere ? The orders with which their names are associated have been published, but are foiled hA what in other countries would be called rebellion. Can then legitimate Governments sanction as it were the act of disobedience by approving or recommending any other plan, abandoning the plan to which, because it has been published to the interested populations, they may be said to stand pledged ? Is it fitting that the Great Powers should be occupied for two or three years, more perhaps, in endeavouring to conciliate the jarring interests and the never-ending hatreds of a semi-barbarous peasantry of a foreign country given up to intrigue and uncharitable partisanship? 47 I speak of the general failure of the plan of Government resulting from the abandonment of the geographical division, because all the Consular Body, the Turkish authorities and the Christians themselves acknowledge that the success of the sectarian or national division is impossible. If therefore the geogra- phical division fails, the question lies between the Shehabs and the Turkish Governor for the Lebanon. But supposing, as I venture to do merely for the sake of argument, that some motive induced the Powers to propose a new plan of Government to the Porte for the Lebanon, and that that plan were a sole Governor, a Shehab, the Christians' panacsea for every evil ; — a consideration of past and present events will show that the Christians are in no way justified in stating that they enjoyed happiness or good government under a Christian Prince; the Christians of the Lebanon have only been governed by one semi-Christian and a Christian Emir. As to the first : — When M. de Wildenbruch was at Ibtedeen about fifteen years ago, he found the ex-Emir Beshir frequenting the Mosque as well as the Maronite chapel, both of which he had built. Following moreover the Mussul- man custom, .he bought a Circassian slave and married her. 1 am therefore justified in calling the Emir a semi-Christian, although some persons go further, and attribute to him still greater versatility as to matters of faith, stating that he was one-third Christian, one-third Mussulman, and one-third Druse. The Christians therefore could not have enjoyed the advantage of much sympathy as regards religious feeling ; and as regards the moral attributes which dis- tinguish Christianity, the ex-Emir Beshir was about the greatest tyrant of the day ; a fact testified by the very persons who now say " There is no Government like the Government of the Emir Beshir." There are petitions on petitions from all the inhabitants of the Mountain, from all the various sects, to some of the Powers and the Porte, stating that the tyranny, exactions, and cruelties of the ex-Emir Beshir were so great, that the petitioners would prefer death or exile in poverty to some foreign land to his rule. There are at this moment living within two hours of Beyrout three Emirs of the house of Shehab, near relations of the ex-Emir, deprived of their eyes by him,, two Christians and one Mussulman. They have themselves described to me the torture inflicted on them. They were strapped to a board and their eyes seared with a hot iron ; the scream of one having reached the ex- Emir Beshir, he ordered his tongue to be slit in punishment of its refrac- toriness. Such and many more were the acts of the man whose government is to produce such benefits to Christianity. The second Christian Emir of the Mountain was the Emir Beshir Kassim who reigned about one year, w T hen the Druses in a body rose against him and the Christians in a body did not defend him. Although the Christians were nearly double in number to the Druses and perfectly armed and well provided with ammunition, they never made a bold effort to give a succour to their prince in Deir-el-Kamar, which he asked for with all the earnestness of despair. A civil war ensued which desolated that part of the country which was the scene of it. Soon afterwards the Emir Beshir Kassim was deprived of the Emirate, but not even the voice of one Christian petitioned that he might retain or be restored to power. Facts then do not show that in past times the Christians reaped from Chris- tian rule the benefits which they now anticipate from it. But as regards the future I imagine that at any rate Her Majesty's Govern- ment would never sanction the resturn to power of the ex-Emir Beshir ; and all say that his son the Emir Emin could not govern without him. Setting then aside all the other reasons for further non-interference in counselling another form of Government for the Lebanon, does the past or the future warrant at all the belief that a resumption of power by the Shehabs would tend to advance the interests of humanity or indeed of Christendom, for never did Syrian Christianity receive such a blow as under the only rial Chris- tian Emir who ever governed the Lebanon, the Emir Beshir Kassim.' Before the ex-Emir Beshir the Lebanon was governed by Mussulman Shehab-; and Emirs of the House of " Maan." 48 The Christian Powers in their benevolent humanity thought to make an effort in favour of the Christian Syrians, by removing causes of jealousy and hatred which had unduly raised one Bed and armed another against it. Tliey tried to separate elements which could not coalesce; they wished that each sect under a supreme authority should he governed according to its own usages, religion and laws. If the measure lias failed by the intrigue of those who ought to have sup- ported it and the unreasonableness and insubordination of those who were to have been benefited, it is clear where the responsibility rests. I venture to observe with the utmost respect to your Excellency that if the districts of El-Teffah and Djezin, nearly entirely the property of the Djinblats, were to be taken from that family and the Druse Kaimacam's rule and placed under the Christian Kaimacam, it would be an infraction of positive right, and the result would he such as generally follows from such a circumstance. There can he but little doubt that if the Turks obtained the government of the mixed population they would encroach on, if not take, that of the rest of the Lebanon. Of the evils of such a state of things I am fully aware, but Her Majesty's Government would be quite free from all responsibility and would have most honourably fulfilled their part of their engagements. I have found much advantage here in pressing the point which your Excel- lency so kindly pointed out, representing to the Turks that they, whilst they were labouring to bring back their own Government, might in fact be toiling for the Shehabs, and vice versa to the Christians and Shehabites. It is not necessary that I should enlarge on the delicate question of the employment of force in causing obedience to orders. Here good has resulted from throwing the responsibility of the execution of them where it ought to rest, on the Turkish authorities. To give an order to a wild and lawless population under the influence of intrigue, and then announce that force is not to be used, is worse than puerile and can only be considered as proof of a determination not to execute that order. Inclosure 3 in No. 33. Colonel Rose to Sir Stratford Canning. (Extract.) Beyrout, March 27, 1844. I HAVE the honour to state to your Excellency that on the 24th instant I visited Assaad Pasha by his desire; his Excellency consulted me as to what he had best do in the present state of affairs. The Turkish steamer being about to proceed that day to Constantinople, I therefore told his Excellency that my advice was to detain the steamer and convoke the Consular Agents of the Five Great Powers. This was done, and the next day the agents met at Assaad Pasha's. His Excellency then informed us that the question of the indemnities was in a satisfactory course ; that the result of his communications with the Druses was that they had declared their ready willingness to obey the commands of the Sultan as to the indemnities ; that they had asked a delay of only six days to inquire of their countrymen what might be the amount of pillaged property still in their possession ; that having ascertained that point they would then acquaint his Excellency with the amount of the first instalment which they would be able lo pay ; that they would pay as much as they could and state the terms of time which would be necessary for the payment of the remainder. The Consular Agents expressed their satisfaction at the good disposition displayed by the Druses. His Excellency then stated that as regarded the government of Deir-el- Kamar it appeared that there were eight Christian burgher families above the common class, six Maronite and two Catholic ; that on account of religious feel- ing and a similarity of position they did not wish that one of them should be appointed Vakeel or in authority over the rest, and that they were therefore anxious that the eight heads of families should form a Medglis of Government. "When the Pasha consulted us as to what he had best do in this matter we 49 made the answer which we had determined on, that his Excellency had best obey his orders. " 1 see then," said Assaad Pasha, " that all is to be on mv head." The same answer was made as to the refusal of the mixed Christian popu- lation in the Druse country to accept Druse rule. The French Consul, admitting the geographical division, stated that his only difficulty was as to what were the real Mookatas. He proposed that a certain number of persons neither Druse nor Christian should be appointed to determine the Mookatas. All acceded to this ; and Assaad Pasha stated that he would order the Medglis of Beyrout to investigate the matter, and give a decision on it. It was then suggested that when the Medglis had given in its decision the Kaimacam and some of the deputies might be brought before his Excellency to hear it. Inclosure 4 in No. 33. Colonel Rose to Sir Stratford Canning. (Extract.) Beyrout, April 2, 1844. WITH reference to my despatch of the 27th ultimo I have the honour to state to your Excellency that Assaad Pasha also informed the Consular Agents of the Four Great Powers on the 25th ultimo, that the Christians residing in three of the Druse Mookatas preferred Druse to Christian rule, that is that they pre- ferred being under the Druse Mookatadji and Druse Kaimacam, to being under the Christian Maronite Kaimacam. These Christians are of the Greek-Antiochian or Russian Church. My despatches have represented the sympathy existing between this sect of Christians and the Druses ; their present declaration in favour of Druse rule is a practical and convincing proof of it. But the fact whilst it weakens the assertion of some of the Maronites that Christians can never be happy under Druse rule, that death would be preferable, speaks forcibly as to another point, namely whether the Maronites were not themselves a main cause of the misery entailed on them in 1841 by the Druses ; whether the fierce bigotry of the Maronite Patriarch, his hatred of the Druses, his endeavour illegally to subdue them and abolish their feudal rights, did not in a great degree cause the crisis from which emanated the forcible reasoning " Maronite or Druse supremacy, the blow must be struck ; he who strikes first will have two chances to one in his favour :" danger- ous arguments to an unprincipled and semi-barbarous people like the Druses ; still more dangerous when Nejib Pasha was exciting them in the interests of Turkish supremacy to attack the Maronites, nay, promising them recompense for so doing. But as regards the Greeks who prefer the Druses, why do they so ? Be- cause, as their Patriarch of Antioch and others have over and over again assured me, the oppression, nay the tyranny of Maronite Shehab and Patriarchal rule was insupportable, because their civil and ecclesiastical rights were not only dis- regarded but set aside. Convents were deprived of their property and prosely- tism was effected by the unworthy means of intimidation and abstraction of pro- perty, restored when the convent acknowledged the truth of Catholicism. But if Maronite authority could thus treat Christians, is it strange that it should have sat heavily on the Druses ? The preference of the Greeks is a most important and instructive fact. It proves that the wickedness of Druse violence was not so much directed against Christianity as against Maronite oppression and the intolerance of a priesthood still in the errors and darkness of early ages. It can never be forgotten that the Patriarch of the Maronite church, the illustrator of Christianity by precept and example, persecuted an unfortunate Maronite, Shydiack, till, a victim of want of food, imprisonment, partly in chains, and the bitterest moral sufferings, he died in a dark and narrow cell m the convent of Kannoobeen. Shydiack was an excellent man, but his crime was that he had become a Protestant. Of his sincerity he gave a practical proof ; hewmldhave at once 2. H 50 been relieved from persecution ii be would haw renounced the ronviction of his conversion, Imt he preferred whal be knew would be death. I have dwelt on these circumstances because 1 have found it necessary to speak in this sense, when exclusive error has been attributed to the Druses in order to justify Christian rejection of their government, and I have done so with the view of justifying my advice that oblivion and forgiveness of the pasl were peculiarly suited to the relations betwi I Maronites and Drusi This day in answer to a question from me, Assaad Pasha informed me that tin- Druse chiefs bad not yd returned an answer respecting the indemnities from the meeting which they are now holding respecting that matter at Shooyafat. A- regards the government of the mixed population in Mount Lebanon, Assaad Pasha has referred the matter to Constantinople. The Consuls of the Five Great Powers are now united in opinion that the geographical division is adopted, but that the boundaries of the Mookatas are to be fixed by a competent body. The Medglis of Beyrout and Sidon are known to be corrupt; the point now therefore is to obtain some tribunal or committee which will give an honest and unbiassed opinion. I tear that this is impossible in this country, and that unless a sort of controlling or asserting power be given to the Consuls, any deci- sion would emanate not from the merits of the case but from corruption. The Christians in the Druse country have sent a petition to the Porte against the plan of Government lately promulgated, at the close of which a sen- tence may be construed into a request for a Turkish Governor. They sent me a copy with a letter, but keeping in mind your Excellency's instructions I do not forward it and shall tell them so. They openly declare their disobedience in the same. I still venture to think, with reference to my local knowledge, that the best plan, should the Porte apply for counsel in the matter of the new form of Government, would be to throw the responsibility of carrying it into execution upon the legitimate Government. No. 34. 77ie Earl of Aberdeen to Colonel Rose. Sir, Foreign Office, May 31, 1844. WITH reference to my despatch of the 30th of April, I inclose for your information, copies of two further letters* which I have received from Archbishop Murad. with translations of the petitions from the Maronites inclosed therein, and likewise the original of that of the 3rd of April. I add a copy of a letter* which I have written to the Archbishop in reply to bis letter of the 9th instant. I am, &c, (Signed) ABERDEEN. No. 35. Colonel Rose to the Earl of Aberdeen. — [Received June 5.) (Extract.) Beyrout, May 10, 1844. 1 HAVE the honour to inclose to your Lordship copies of my despatches to his Excellency Sir Stratford Canning. * Sec Part I.. Inclosurcs in No. CO, p. 37. 51 Inclosure 1 in No. 35. Colonel Rose to Sir Stratford Canning. (Extract.) Beyrout, April 28, 1844. I HAVE the honour to inclose to your Excellency the answer of Assaad Pasha, with its translation from an Arabic translation of it given to me by his Excellency, to the Vizirial letter respecting the damages at Djouni. Bishop Tubia, he is not himself a claimant, and those claiming compensa- tion in and about Djouni deny strongly that any indemnity, whatever has been paid for shops or coffee-shops in Djouni ; but the former states that in Djebail some compensation was paid by the Government for such places. A sum of money was sent by the Porte to liquidate the claims in question ; but I remem- ber hearing at the time that it had been applied to another purpose, the payment of the troops, who were in a state of insubordination on account of long-standing arrears ; and I have always understood that the damages sustained were not paid. Not merely were trees cut down, but loss was occasioned in the way of houses which interfered with the field fortifications which were thrown up. Assaad Pasha's expression "a few trees" induces naturally the belief that the damage was very trifling ; an incorrect representation of the fact, as will be seen by the following extract from a letter from Mr. Consul Wood to me, who relatively to the matter in question says, — " In looking over some of my reports I find that the property destroyed at Djouni amounted to 450,000 piastres, according to an evaluation made by officers appointed by the Emir Beshir and Izzet Pasha at my desire, which was to be paid from the proceeds of the Miri of Lebanon, in pursuance of an order from the Porte to Edhem Bey the then Defterdar, after a second evaluation had been made. I am not aware that it was made ; I always thought the indemnity was too great, since the trees and houses only were destroyed and the soil remained in the possession of the proprie- tors. Had the Turks paid it then, a considerable reduction might have been made with the consent of the sufferers ; now they may claim more on account of the loss they sustained in being deprived so long of their money as well as of the produce of their trees. Since you are pleased to ask my opinion thereon, I think that the sufferers might be reasoned with and made to consent to reduce their claim to 300,000 piastres, provided the Turkish Government pay this sum forthwith. I think this sum in ready cash would amply reimburse the proprietors, whatever they may say, and cannot but cause them secret pleasure and satisfaction. My intention at that period was to have made some such arrangement after due consideration of their claim." Inclosure 2 in No. 35. Assaad Pasha to the Grand Vizier. (Translation.) WE have been honoured by your high order, which states that the Embassy of the Government of England represented that at the time of recovering Syria, the imperial troops together with the troops of the Allied Powers who were in this part, for the sake of their security thought better to cut the mulberry-trees existing in Djouni in the neighbourhood of Beyrout, provided that the owners of that property should be paid according to its value or estimation ; and not- withstanding that those trees were cut off, nevertheless their value till the present time has not as yet been paid ; and that after that event a high donation of a sum of 1,000 purses was sent by the knowledge or through the late Hussein Pasha, for the purpose of being distributed to the sustainers of the damage ; and as the above-mentioned sum was not sufficient, some other large sum of money was also sent for the same purpose. Conformably to that and in order to make known the real state of the affair, and afterwards some necessary measure will be taken for its arrangement, vou will inquire upon the subject in question, and whether nothing was then paid lor the above-mentioned trees, and you will send up information and a clear exposition of the matter. H2 52 All what you were pleased to order became known to your petitioner. Now the information which has been obtained horn men of experience and knowledge is, that although it is true that some loss was then sustained by the cutting or drst ruction of a lew trees, but the owners of that property having claimed that they had sustained a great I088, tor this reason nothing was paid for the losses oi the trees, and the matter remained unspoken of; and the same men of knowledge stated and we understood from them, that as BOme high donation was distributed by the above-mentioned late Pasha to the sustainers of damage in houses and shops, the same, a part of the money, was given to the owners of some ruined shops and coffee-shops, and similar to this in that mentioned place. But for the losses of the trees nothing was paid. And as the sum which was paid for that purpose has not been registered here, for this reason it cannot be said what amount has been given to the sustainers of losses in shops, &c. (Signed) MAHOMED ASSAAD. Inclosure 3 in No. 35. Colonel Rose to Sir Stratford Canning. (Extract.) Beyrout, April 28, 1844. ASSAAD PASHA has subtracted from the sum devoted to the pay- ment of the functionaries of the Mountain 300 purses ; the Porte thereby gains about 1,500/., and has created ill-will, yes even disaffection, amongst that most influential body, the Mookatadjis. The increase of their salary, now reduced to 70/., to 200/., the sum recom- mended by Mr. Wood and fixed in the Tauzimati Hairiye signed by Edhem Bey and Selim Pasha, as is seen in page 39, Part II. of the Syrian Correspondence, is indispensable if the Porte wishes to keep in her interests men who have very much the power of convulsiug Mount Lebanon. Already one or two in their disgust have commenced a sort of negotiation with the Shehabites. Inclosure 4 in No. 35. Colonel Rose to Sir Stratford Canning. (Extract.) Beyrout, May 3, 1S44. I HAVE the honour to state to your Excellency that on the 26th ultimo Assaad Pasha recpiested me to come to him so early as 8 o'clock in the morning. On the 27th I again went to his Excellency. Assaad Pasha's object was to ask my advice as to the present state of affairs, which were as I have the honour now to relate. The Shehab party had induced the Christians in the mixed populations to reject all the guarantees, as stated in my previous despatches, which had been proposed not only to alleviate their position but to render it positively secure against Druse misrule under the Pasha of Sidon. So dangerous had become the spirit of party that two unfortunate Chris- tians of Djezin who had endeavoured to induce their co-religionists of that town to accept the new form of Government, were cruelly assaulted by their fellow- townsmen, Shehabites, with swords, one receiving severe cuts on the head, and the second having two of his fingers cut oft". The former was left for dead. It is said that the family of Djinblat or the Druse Kaimacam had employed the sufferers to endeavour to overcome repugnance to what were after all the legi- timate orders of the legitimate Government. Their labours were so successful that it is stated that they had already induced 150 of their co-religionists to accept the new rule, when the opposite party to put a stop to further conversion adopted the persuasion of the sword ; a graphic illustration of their general feelings and conduct. The result of circumstances had been that the Consular Agents had, as regarded the new form of Government, come to a very propitious union of 53 opinion, agreeing, first, that the geographical division had been adopted, and secondly, that to remove points of doubt connected with it, the geographical division, Assaad Pasha should appoint a Medglis to determine what really were the ancient mookatas. I advised Assaad Pasha to convoke the Consular Agents, make any communication which he thought fit as to the state of the country to them, and then summon the Maronite Kaimacam, Bishop Tubia, and a few of the most respectable Christian deputies, making to them in our presence the follow- ing communication : 1 . That the Five Great Powers had in their friendship recommended to the Porte the adoption of the form of Government of the two Kaimacams. That the Porte appreciating the friendly disposition of her faithful Allies had adopted the recommendation. 2. That, as a detail of that new form of Government, the Porte had adopted the geographical form of Government, and ordered the execution of it with all the suggested guarantees. 3. That the Consular Agents of the Great Powers had, with the view of fixing the boundaries of the Mookatas, recommended the nomination of a boun- dary Medglis. Assaad Pasha then asked me whether after making this announcement he should ask the deputies whether they would obey or not. I replied that as the servant of my Government I could not hear any question which made the obedi- ence of the subject hypothetical ; that the advantage and object of the meeting was to prove that the Powers, the Porte, the Representatives at Constantinople, and the Consuls at Beyrout, were united in opinion as to a measure in which all these elements had been associated, and that a certainty on the part of the people that they stood alone in their opposition must weaken their position. All was done as I recommended. The answer made by Bishop Tubia on the part of the deputies was a reference to the petition presented to Assaad Pasha a month ago ; in other words a decided refusal. The petition in question set forth in glowing colours the impossibility of the Christians accepting Druse rule ; that this sect was without religion, had dishonoured their churches, killed their co-religionists, and inflicted on them all the horrors of civil war. Everybody must feel for the position of the Christians under Druse rule, but every possible remedy has been given in the shape of guarantee, but which a spirit of party rejects without even trial or consideration. The Druse Kaimacam and two chiefs were then called in and questioned closely as to the indemnities. Assaad Pasha has before informed us that they had accepted the new form of Government. Their replies as to the indemnities were evasive ; they stated that they had offered to pay 3,000 purses, but one of them made this even conditional on the acceptance of the new form of Government by the Christians of the mixed popu- lation. The other, the chief spokesman, the Emir Emin Raslan, tried to cover what is certainly now clearly the firm purpose of the Druses not to pay the 13,000 purses indemnity, unless forced, by saying that they would always obey the orders of the Government according to their power. It seems that Assaad Pasha had offered to take 10,000 purses, and to refer the matter as regarded the remainder to the Porte. Assaad Pasha refers the matter to the Porte, stating that unless he is empowered to use and has a sufficient force, he cannot put into execution either the measure of the Government or of the indemnity. It appears that he did not refer the matter as he stated he intended to do a month ago ; the reason he assigned is that he still had hopes of terminating the two matters in question. Assaad Pasha told us alone that he ought not to have delayed putting into execution the orders of an Imperial firman, that it was quite against usage so to do ; but that the circumstance that the Five Powers were connected with the matters in question rendered the case exceptional. His Excellency before breaking up asked the French Consul if there were no chance of settling the matter of the Government here without a reference to the capital, when that gentleman replied that there was none, and that a categorical and final order from the Porte could alone terminate it ; an opinion in which all my col- 54 lcague> and myself entirely agree. But 1 beg to observe that an imposing force must watch over the execution of both the pending measures. Should it lie decided on at Constantinople that the settlement of the detail of the geographical question should be submitted to a houndarv M< d- idis, on which point the Consular Agents agreed, M. d'Adelhourg and myself art' of opinion that the besl construction of the Medglis would be that it should consist of six Christians and six Druses with the Pasha of Sidon as referee. I have the honour to inclose to your Excellency copy of the li^-t of the geographical districts as uiven to me by Assaad Pasha, and which he ordered to be considered as law, that is the order of the Sultan. Inclosure 5 in No. 35. List of Christian and Druse Mookutus, given to Colonel Rose by Assaad Pasha, being the detail of the Geographical Division of the Mookatas ordered by the Porte to be put into execution. The Christian Mookatas. El-Matn and its dependencies. Kesrouan. Gazir. El-Fettah. The Province of Djebad and its dependencies. The Druse Mookatas. The Lower Gharb. El-Shah liar and El-Manasif. El-Arkoob. El-Djourd. The Upper Gharb. El-Shoof. The Mount Rihan. Aklim El-Kharroob. Aklim Djezin. Aklim El-Zai'ah. N.B. — The Sahil, plain of Beyrout, is claimed by both Christians and Druses. Inclosure 6 in No. 35. Colonel Rose to Sir Stratford Canning. (Extract.) Beyrout, May 3, 1844. I H A\ E the honour to state to your Excellency that in a conversation which I had yesterday with .M. d'Adelbourg, he said to me that he should state as a suggestion to M. de Stunner that the Miri or land-tax should be applied to the payment of the indemnity in assistance of the Drupes, and further that the Christian claimants of it should be exempted from the payment of it, the Miri. till the indemnity was paid, which with the first plan "would be a two-fold alleviation. 1 venture strongly to recommend this suggestion to the favourable conside- ration of your Excellency, which has the still greater merit of corresponding to the most opportune observation contained in your Excellency's instruction to M. Pisani of the 9th of January of this year to the Porte, which says, " Et si le Sultan voulait porter sa bienfaisance au point de faciliter les paiemens mutuels 55 par l'entremise du tresor public, Sa Hautesse acquerrerait encore un titre a la reconnaissance du pays et le gage le plus solide de la conservation de son pou- voir ; " an excellent idea which met with an echo in the whole of the Consular Body here when I announced it. As I have often said, the Druses are not the sole culprits ; they at least can plead in excuse an irrational if not idolatrous faith, their semi-barbarism, their privation of the blessings of education and civilization ; it would be well if all could urge as much. As a people the Druses are poor, and the unjust seizure of the properties of some of their principal families in the Bekaa by the Turkish Government of Damascus, renders it almost impossible that they could pay the quota demanded. I venture to bring this subject strongly to the consideration of your Excellency, because I know that your well-known humanity would never wish that the Powers should use their influence to compel the payment of the indemnities by the Druses, and refuse the exercise of it in inducing the Porte to perform an act of bare and simple justice towards that people, which will enable them to pay what is demanded from them. The Powers call on the Porte to collect from the Druses the indemnity ; I venture to think that the same spirit of justice should order the redress of a very unjust and tyrannical spoliation of Druse property on which a good deal depends the payment of what the Powers require. Inclosure 7 in No. 35. Colonel Rose to Sir Stratford Canning. (Extract.) Bey rout, May 5, 1844. I THINK it right to tell your Excellency that many Christian Emirs, Sheiks, and inhabitants of Mount Lebanon have been unjustly deprived of their property in the Bekaa by the Turkish Government of Damascus. Should your Excellency deem it right to make any representation as to the necessity of the restoration of the Druse property to its owners to facilitate the payment of the indemnity, I venture to think that it would be a favourable opportunity to urge the extension of similar justice to the Christians. No. 36. Colonel Rose to the Earl of Aberdeen. — (Received July 4.) (Extract.) Beyrout, June 7, 1844. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Lordship's des- patch of the 30th of April last, with its inclosures. In obedience to your Lordship's instructions to report on the allegations made by Archbishop Murad, I took the steps which appeared to me the best calculated to elicit the truth, and I have the honour to say that the result has been most unfavourable to the views, statements, and even the character of the Archbishop. It was indispensable to ascertain two material points : 1. "Whether the primary allegation of Archbishop Murad was correct; whe- ther he really was what he stated himself to be, the Representative or Agent of the Maronites or their chiefs, empowered by them to act as he has done in favour of the Shehabs, and against the present state of affairs in the Lebanon? 2. Whether the rest of the allegations stated as facts by Archbishop Murad in support of his views and proceedings, were founded or not ? As regards the first point I have the honour to inclose to your Lordship the translated copy of a letter to me from the spiritual chief not only of Archbishop Murad, but of the whole of his Church, the Patriarch of the Maronite nation. 2ndly. A translated copy of a letter from Bishop Tubia, a colleague of Archbishop Murad, whom he well knows, the Agent of the Patriarch and the m real Agent of the Maronite people, recognised as such by his Patriarch and the Turkish authorities in the important matters of the Government of the Moun- tain and the indemnities. When 1 heard a few months ago from his Excellency Sir Stratford Can- ning Jhat Archbishop Murad intended to proceed to Paris and London for the furtherance of his views, I wrote to Bishop Tubia to ask him whether he had knowledge of it, and he sent me the above-mentioned ver) satisfactory reply, which proved that the Agenl of the Patriarch and of the Maronite people knew nothing of proceedings said to be made for the interest of and by the desire of the Maronite people. Archbishop Murad says in his first letter to your Lordship that his " nationaux " had instructed him to draw near to Her Majesty's Cabinet to plead the cause of the Shehabs. But Bishop Tubia who is one of the Arch- bishop's " nationaux," and a most influential and distinguished one. and who has always a perfect knowledge of what his countrymen are about, contradicts Archbishop Murad's allegation, saying to me, " I can assure your Seigneury that we neither know the motive of his (Archbishop Murad's) journey (to Paris and London), nor of his departure, of which I had no knowledge till I heard lately from individuals at Beyrout of his arrival at Marseilles/' And the Bishop, with an appeal to me, asseverates the truth of his statement. A fatal blow to what now must be considered the pretensions of the Arch- bishop ; for any one who says that he acts for the Maronite people without the knowledge of Bishop Tubia, and particularly in so important a matter as the change of their Government and the other matters brought forward by the Archbishop, offends as much against common sense as against truth. At the same time that 1 wrote to Bishop Tubia I advised the Maronite Kaimacam to make a similar inquiry of the Patriarch. The Emir in rpply received a communication to the same effect as that of Bishop Tubia and which he gave me to understand was from the Patriarch ; but as it was neither signed nor sealed it did not possess much value. Your Lordship will see that in his letter to me his Eminence now acknowledges himself as the writer of that document. I will not increase the bulk of this correspondence by sending to your Lordship a copy of my letter to the Patriarch. Aided most materially by the highly judicious mode in which vour Lord- ship treated Archbishop Murad's application, 1 of course wrote in the manner which was most likely to elicit a frank and satisfactory answer, not forgetting to insert in my letter the excellent declaration contained in a paragraph of your Lordship's second letter to the Archbishop, which says ''That if the Maronites wish to retain the good-will of England, &c, &c." I beg most respectfully to direct your Lordship's attention to the great importance of the Patriarch's letter to me ; placed in contrast with the assumed position and pretensions of the Archbishop of Laodicea, its stern truth annihi- lates both the one and the other, and in so doing causes, if the advantage be followed up, decided if not irreparable prejudice to the policy of his party. One of Archbishop Murad's " nationaux," no less an one than Bishop Tubia, has already denied that he knew anything of the motives of his journey, which Archbishop Murad states those " nationaux" desired him to take ; now another of those " nationaux," the first and most influential of them all, the Patriarch of the Maronite nation, in direct contradiction to the acts and declara- tions of Archbishop Murad, who calls himself the Representative of the Maro- nite people, disavows that prelate's right to present a petition or act as deputy or Agent of the Maronites. The Patriarch says to me, " And truly entire surprise has taken us, because we have not at all a knowledge of tins petition, which your Seigneury alludes to, nor is the said Archbishop deputed by us for that (the petition), nor have we also knowledge that he is deputed by the commonalty of the nation in order to be able to pre- sent this petition ; and as we have no knowledge of this matter, how is it possible that he can be considered by us to be an agent for that on our part, and on the part of the people ?" An unanswerable statement and a distressing inquiry for Archbishop Murad, when the vast influence and the correct informa- tion, the consequences of the Patriarch's position aud office, are taken into con- sideration. 57 The Maronite nation can do no act without the consent or sanction or knowledge of their Patriarch. He is decorated with a Nishan from the Sultan, and is acknowledged not only by the Pope and the Maronites, but by the Porte as the Supreme Ecclesiastical authority of the Maronite nation. His own Patriarch and his own colleague cut the ground from under Arch- bishop Murad ; they leave him an Envoy without a mission and a Representative without a constituency. Assaad Pasha and the Maronite Kaimacam also assure me that Archbishop Murad is in no way authorized to speak or act as the Representative of the Maronite nation, although he certainly is the agent of a dangerous political faction. Therefore the Archbishop disavowed, nay condemned by both his spiritual and temporal authorities, falls back, I speak with regret, into the class of political adventurers. But I shall have the honour to exhibit the character and proceedings of the Archbishop and his party in darker colours, to adduce evidence that they have endeavoured to excite insubordination in this country, and sow disorder in order to prove that a Shehab can alone put down both the one and the other. I have the honour to inclose to your Lordship a copy of the statement of the Secretary of the Maronite Kaimacam, made to me by order of his chief, before, which is important, I had made any communication whatever to him respecting Archbishop Murad's application to your Lordship. Assaad Pasha has confirmed to me the statement that letters have been written by Archbishop Murad from Paris to inhabitants of the district of the Djebet-Besharre, inciting them to disaffection and insubordination. Result has followed rapidly on cause. Archbishop Murad's unprincipled instructions have met with ready compliance. That very district under the guidance of its chief, Butros Keramy, has now shown an insurrectionary spirit, and has refused to obey the reiterated orders of Assaad Pasha and of their Kaimacam to pay the arrears of the Miri now due for three years and a half, and of which they have only paid a small portion. It must be borne in mind also that in the time of Mustapha Pasha Djebet- Besharre was the scene of the fatal collision betwixt the peasantry and the Turkish troops in 1842, in which the latter were repulsed with loss. The leader of the former was Butros Keramy's son. Assaad Pasha has moved Albanians to Djebail, in order to check any rising or spread of the agitation ; he does not intend to act offensively or go into the mountainous district of Besharre, only to cut off its provisions ; but if blood should be spilt, on the head of the Archbishop will surely rest the grave responsibility. But Archbishop Murad, disavowed as he has been, is only the agent of a faction which for political views is seeking to convulse the Lebanon, and drive the country into insubordination, heedless of the retribution which may befall it. The very politic determination of Her Majesty's Government not to sanc- tion interference with the established religious faiths in this country must be duly appreciated by dignitaries of a Church taxed with great intolerance. The Maronite Prelates might easily have given me an evasive answer; they must have known that their frank replies would be as displeasing to the Shehabs and another powerful interest, as they were satisfactory to me. The fulfilment of British engagements by Her Majesty's Government, their regard to the rights of humanity, and the national character for unbending integrity which I have endeavoured to maintain to its fullest extent, have had, I trust, their due weight. 58 • Inclosurc 1 in No. 3G. The Pdliiarr/i of Hie Mnrnnites to Colonel Rose. (Translation.) Mmj 30, 1844. After the usual compliments. THAT in the best of times we have received your S< i-m ury's letter dated 27th instant, and we understood it, praising the Almighty lor your contentment and pleasure which is wished for by us. And your Seigneury stated that a high letter has come to you from Lord Aberdeen, the illustrious Minister of Foreign A Hairs in London, inclosing in it copies of a correspondence which had taken place, between bit Excellency the above-mentioned and his Reverence our brother Archbishop Nicolas, Murad, the venerable, and that in one of the said Archbishop's letters to his Excellency Lord Aberdeen there is a petition without seals or signatures, alleging to be presented from the notahles and principals of the Maronite nation in Mount Lebanon to Her Britannic Majesty's Government ; and the said Archbishop states in bis letter that he is an Bgott on the part of the Maronite people, and he warmly entreats, as does the language of the petition also, from his Excellency Lord Aberdeen the return to the Government of the family of the Shehab Emirs, and that he sets forth a strong accusation against the Turkish authorities, and against the government and rule of the Emir Haidar, for corruption, oppression, and tyranny as occurring in the country; and he complains also of his Excellency the Emir Haidar for having been the cause of paying 00,000 piastres as a bribe to Ins Excellency the Pasha in the affair of collecting the Miri of Kesrouan, and that his Excellency Lord Aberdeen the illustrious has now instructed your Seigneury to lay before him an explanation of the statement of Archbishop Nicolas, and of the contents of the said petition. And therefore that you have seen it an important tlung to inquire from lis whether we did authorise the said Archbishop to present that petition or to state this statement against the Government of Mount Lebanon to his Excellency Lord Aberdeen the illustrious, or whether we consider him as an Agent on our part and on the part of the Maronite people for what has been stated. Now all this explanation of your Seigneury became known to us, and truly entire surprise has taken us, because we have not at all a knowledge of this petition which your Seigneury alludes to, nor is the said Archbishop deputed by us for that ; nor have we also knowledge that he is deputed by the commonalty of the nation in order to be able to present this petition; and as we have no knowledge of this matter, how is it possible that he can be considered by us to be an Agent for that on our part, and on the part of the people? And, as we have previously written to his Excellency the Emir Haidar the above-men- tioned, that the proceeding of the afore-mentioned person to France is not with our permission, nor have we knowledge of it. You also stated that not a long time ago, at the time of the affair of the Miri, your Seigneury had already seen a petition signed by his Reverence our brother Procurator the Archbishop Paul the venerable, by their Reverences our brothers the Reverend Bishops, by the superiors of the convents, by the clergy and by the notables and principals of the people, in which they praise his Excel- lency the Kmir Haidar the illustrious and the rule of his Government in all praise : as to this petition it is true to have been presented, as your Seigneury alluded to it, and we have seen it and all what is stated in it as to the govern- ment of his Excellency the above-mentioned Emir is true ; and as to the saying of your Seigneury that the said Archbishop Nicolas has complained of his Excellency Emir Haidar the illustrious for having been the cause of paying 60,000 piastres as a bribe to his Excellency the Pasha in the affair of collecting the Mai Miri of Kesrouan, &c. ; now, this his complaint is a pure falsehood; for neither his Excellency the above-mentioned Emir bribed, nor was the Turkish authority bribed in that matter, as the representation was previously set forth by our brothers the Bishops, the clergy and the notables of Kesrouan on that subject. Finally, your Seigneury requested that we would keep your letter secret; according to the request of your Seigneury it is kept secret, be assured. 59 5$ Now this is what is necessary to be set forth whilst we hope for the conti- nuance of your favouring us with the announcements of your wished-for con- tentment and comfort for our satisfaction, with whatever be necessary. And may God the Almighty prolong your life. The humble (L.S.) (Signed) JOSEPH PETER, Patriarch of Antioch. Inclosure 2 in No. 36. Bishop Tiibia to Colonel Rose. (Translation.) March 9, 1844. After the usual compliments. THE day before yesterday, the 7th instant, we received your Seigneury's letter dated the 23rd of the last month, which filled us with joy, because it informed us of the pureness of your good health, for which we thanked the Almighty ; and all that you were pleased to say became known to us. You were pleased to say that your Seigneury regretted our departure from Beyrout before seeing you ; this is a thing which we do not doubt, for we have no doubt of the friendship of your Seigneury, and your laudable qualities, and your distinguished manners. We beg the Almighty to grant us a return of our meeting with you, and to see your Seigneury in all happiness, for we have no merit in our friendship to your Seigneury, because it is based on the reunion of your beloved qualities, and especially your kindness towards your humble servant. We have acquainted his Eminence with the contents of despatches which you received from Ins Excellency the Ambassador of your great Government at the Sublime Porte on the affair of the property damaged at Djouni, and the adoption of the means for its settlement, and also of what you had the kindness to inform us of. His Eminence presents to your Seigneury his due and deserv- ing reverence and consideration and salutes your noble feeling. He and we have put a due and beneficial prayer before His Majesty the Creator of the creation for the preservation of the greatness of your great Government, and for strength- ening the sceptre of her power for ever, and to protect the existence of his Excellency the magnificent Ambassador, and not deprive us of your precious presence and zeal which is always the refuge and succourer of the poor and distressed. You have asked us confidentially as to the motive of the departure of his Reverence the Archbishop Nicolas Murad the most honoured to Paris on his way to London, and whether it is for any object but for travelling, as otherwise his trouble would be fruitless. We can assure your Seigneury that w r e neither know the motive of his journey in question, nor did we hear of his departure, of which we had no knowledge till we heard lately from individuals at Beyrout of his arrival at Marseilles, and no more than that. You have already ascertained our sentiments that we would not tell you what is not true, and you have had actual experience of this, and you will be the more convinced of the same by future experience. This is what we have to state to your Seigneury. Trusting to be always favoured by the announcements of your desirable welfare for the sake of our repose thereupon. May the Almighty preserve your precious life. The devoted to your Seigneur, (L.S.) (Signed) f UBIA AOUN, Bishop. 12 GO Inclosurc 3 in No. 36. Minute of Colonel Rose's interview with the Kiuya of the Emir llaidar. May 25, 1844. M. KYI) IIATTIM, the Secretary of the Emir Haidar, came to me and requested me hy the Emir's particular desire to accompany him to Colonel Rose's house to act as interpreter for acontidential communication which he was charged to convey to that gentleman. M. Eyd Ilattim said that the Emir wished to know whether the Porte has shewn any disposition to restore the property of the Bekaa to its owners, and to have the Colonel's advice with respect to the proceedings of the proprietors, who seem anxious to ascertain the feelings of the authorities on this matter, as the crops are at hand, and who seem rather disposed to oppose, than to suffer the Mutsellim or Appaltator of the Bekaa to appropriate to himself the recolts of those lands. Colonel Rose advised the Ernir to warn them to abstain from any insubordinate act, and at the same time to state their demands in a petition, &c. The Kiaya then added that the Emir wished to acquaint Colonel Rose •with details of great public interest about the spirit of rebellion lately shown by the inhabitants of Djebet-Besharre in refusing to pay the Miri, notwithstanding two bouyurouldis issued to that effect by Assaad Pasha. That the Emir's Agents and adherents in that district have reported to him a few days ago, that the real object of those inhabitants was not to evade the payment of the reasonable rate of taxes claimed from them in equal proportion to the other districts of the Mountain, but that the truth was ascertained by those Agents that the Sheik Butros Keramy and another influential person, a certain Abou-Saab, had received letters from Bishop Nicolas Murad, in which he announced that the means which would tend more efficaciously to restore the Shehabs to the command of the Mountain were the increase of disorder and discontent in its districts ; that in conformity to those instigations the people were incited to insubordination, and that Sheik Francis El-Kazin had come with a number of men from the Baalbec district to aid the same. That Emir Haidar was most anxious to retain his position, but that he was not sufficiently or honestly supported by his superior Assaad Pasha. And that under the present circumstances the Emir's position was a very difficult one. That there were many instances which show clearly that the Shehab party are again renewing their intrigues in behalf of that family ; and that the par- tisans of the Shehabs are now getting ready a fresh petition, which has already been signed by some Christians and Druses in their favour, and that petition is to be sent to Bishop Murad, who has already informed his agents in all the Lebanon to confirm its contents by the incitement of the people to insubordi- nation and disorder in the country. That Emir Haidar is (mite willing to unite and reconcile himself with the Druse chiefs, who are disposed to the maintenance of the present form of Government in the Mountain, but that it is due to his position and to policy, particularly when the usages of the Mountaineers are considered, that those Sheiks should make some advances first, which the Emir is ready and pledges himself to return four-fold towards them. That, in conclusion, if the Emir were to be honestly supported by the Turkish authorities, he would by the aid of his own party and the advice of Colonel Rose effectually defeat the schemes of his antagonists, but if not, he certainly will be forced or compelled to desist ; and in that case he will beg Colonel Rose to procure for him his abdication, and petition for a Turkish Governor for the Mountain, and at the same time throw himself under Colonel Rose's protection, as the British Government were the means of his appointment to the Kaimacamship of the Mountain. That, finally, the Emir relies solely and exclusively upon the support of Colonel Rose, and that for the future he will make it a rule to ask Colonel Rose's advice on any matter of public interest, and not to conceal from him anything. 61 No. 37. Colonel Rose to the Earl of Aberdeen. — (Received July 4.) (Extract.) Beyrout, June 8, 1844. IN obedience to your Lordship's instructions I have now the honour to report on the allegations made by the Archbishop of Laodicea in support of his views and proceedings. The result of a close examination of tbe alleged evils is, that some are without foundation, some exaggerated, some the general consequences of Turkish and Arab misrule, and the remainder and the most essential the result of the intrigues of the Turkish and Archbishop Murad's party respectively to obtain power. The statement of the petition, which has neither seals nor signatures, that the inhabitants of Mount Lebanon particularly the Maronite nation are in an " etat tyrannique et desolant ;" secondly, " Que l'oppression et la tyrannie se multiplient par route sorte de moyens ;" and thirdly, " Qu'il nous est im- possible de tracer les details de tous les maux dont nous souft'rons;" — these allegations as well as others of a similar nature are unfounded, and in proof that they are so as regards the Maronites who are stated to be " particuliere- rnent" in an " etat tyrannique et desolant," T beg most respectfully to refer your Lordship to the Maronite Patriarch's letter to me, No. 1 inclosure in my despatch of yesterday, in which his Eminence states that his brother Procurator the Archbishop Paul, who signs for the Patriarch, the Bishops, the Superiors of convents, the clergy, notables and principals of the people, have signed a petition in which they praise his Excellency the Emir Haidar and the rule of his Govern- ment "with all praise." This fresh misrepresentation, the censure of the Emir Haidar and his Government by the Archbishop, and an anonymous petition, is contradicted directly and refuted in a petition signed and sealed not only by the Patriarch by deputy, but also by the bishops, clergy and notables of the people, the very " nationaux" who Archbishop Murad pretends are his clients. Whatever faults the Emir Haidar may have he is the reverse of tyrannical. The fault both of his government and that of his Druse colleague is not that they are tyrannical or oppressive, but that they are not sufficiently energetic and strict. As regards the appeal in the petition to Her Majesty's Government to mediate for the Lebanon for " une nouvelle vie comme jadis que nous avons jouie," the reference in the "Notedes faits" to the year 1839 as a desideratum, and the prayer for the rule of a Shehab as a remedy for existing evils, — as regards these points, I have the honour to refer your Lordship to the account given of that period and of a reigning Shehab by Mr. Consul Moore, an experienced and intelligent observer of events, who was acting as Her Majesty's Consul for Beyrout and the Lebanon at that time. Mr. Moore's clear evidence renders it unnecessary that I should weary your Lordship with the endless accounts of the Emir Beshir's cruelty and rapacity, his persecution of the Greek Church, the torture of his relatives, the corruption of his favourite minister, Butros Keramy, so excessive as to have become a proverb even amongst Turks and Arabs ; these and similar facts are matters of history, and these, together with the over-taxation and great oppression of the Egyptians, were the cause that the despair of the inhabitants of the Lebanon in 1839 and some time previous to that period had become universal. Two revolts of the Lebanon in 1 840 were fruits of that despair ; and yet the Archbishop can be so blinded by party spirit as to appeal to Her Majesty's Government to place the Lebanon in that very state from which with one cry of unanimous distress his country in 1840 had implored her deliverance, declar- ing that destruction w r ould be preferable to such sufferings, and proving what they said by daring all the chances of war against the dreaded power and disci- plined troops of Ibrahim Pasha. 02 The successor of the Emir Beshir was the Emir Beahu Ka.-sim, tlie first part of whose shorl government was distingaished bj constant agitation, poli- tical meetings and intrigues, the latter part by a bloody civil war and the insur- rection of the Druse nation againsi his authority. The appeal then that du Lebanon should be placed agaia under the rule of the Shehabs, because she was bo bappy and well governed under them in former times, is a wilful offence against truth and historical fact Therefore the experience of the past forbids a change ; and as regards the future I beg to adduce facts which are unanswerable. Two confidential agents of the Emir Emin Shehab have assured me that he could never carry on the Government of the Lebanon without his father being associated with him ; that it was useless to disguise this fact, the truth of which the Emir Emin had acknowledged himself. What a start therefore for the Emir Emin whom, if the Shehabs are restored to power, public opinion points out as the one to he elected. He himself predicts his own downfall. I can only say that the Emir has given a proof of his judgment in so doing ; he would have to encounter the sectarian antipathy of the Druses and the opposition of all the Maronite and Druse party whom his nomination bad deprived of power, as Mr. Moore justly observes ; he would be opposed moreover by the restless spirit of change and intrigue peculiar to the Arabs, who are ever ready to throw off their Go- vernment. There are two other important points to be considered respecting a change : — First. With a due regard to that consistency and stability of opinion and action which ought to distinguish the Great Powers of the world, can they well in 1844 demand from the Porte the extinction of their own plan, formed after mature deliberation and proposed to the Porte as the best and a final one in December, 184-2 ? I venture to think that they cannot. Their doing so would prejudice them individually in their own States, and collectively elsewhere. 2nd. Can the Powers with regard to what is due to the Porte and her rights demand the restoration of the Shehabs ? I do not think the Powers could demand it, and a request on their part would be refused I should suppose. Inclosure in No. 37. Mr. Consul Moore to Colonel Rose. (Extract.) Beyrout, May 31, 1844. I HAVE the honour to return to you herein two letters from Archbishop Murad to the Earl of Aberdeen, a petition purporting to be from the Chiefs of the Maronites, and a note of facts stated to have occurred since the nomination of the tw r o Kaimacams for Mount Lebanon, transmitted to me in your communi- cation of the 30th instant. As you do me the honour to ask my opinion on those documents I venture, after having given them an attentive perusal, to offer it very respectfully in the following terms : — With respect to the " Note des faits" I consider it to be written in a very exaggerated strain, and the statements it contains to be in many particulars untrue, consequently calculated to mislead as to the real state of affairs in the Lebanon. Anarchy cannot truly be said to prevail where the functionaries of a Go- vernment are enabled in the main to administer affairs. In proof that they are able to do so 1 beg leave to say that within my own experience the Emir Haidar, the Maronite Kaimacam, has in several instances successfullv exercised his authority by enforcing my representations requiring payment on behalf of British claimants for debts upon persons in his district, lie has both arrested debtors and placed hawalee ^sheriffs' officers) in their houses in carrying into eilect his orders. I have only once had occasion to apply to the Druse Kaimacam for similar 63 assistance, and the settlement of the claim was the result of the steps I took in the matter. It is to my knowledge that persons for political offences and disobedience to the Emir Haidar s orders have been obliged to fly and conceal themselves, and that others have been seized. His authority is therefore acknowledged and feared. Every part of the Lebanon is perfectly accessible to every class of travellers. The Government and private posts, conveying money, also regularly traverse the Mountain, a proof that anarchy does not " regne librement" as stated in the " Note des faits." In fact there is greater security for travellers in the Lebanon than in any other part of Syria. In the same document allusion is made to feuds ; those adverted to were mere private quarrels without any political motives or consequences ; no leading person of either party is to my knowledge mixed in any of the affairs cited ; the quarrel of the Habeish and Dahdahs took place prior to the appointment of the Kaimacams. In the " Note des faits" it is stated " chaque fois qu'ils des Kaimacams) veulent faire leur devoir, il (le Pacha) leur montre de la defiance et les menace d'une destitution ;" this is a proof at least that the form of government is not the obstacle to justice. I am not called upon I conceive to offer an opinion upon any other form of government for the Lebanon than that at present existing, but I believe I do not depart from the aim of your letter in stating that I feel a conviction that were the Ottoman authorities honestly to endeavour to carry out the actual system of government, it is in their power to do so, understood as it is by the Lebanites than it has received the sanction of the Five Powers. It can never be believed by any one acquainted with this country and the people, that they would venture to brave the authority of the Porte, supported by the approba- tion of the European Powers, were that authority fairly and strenuously used to enforce obedience. I beg leave to say that it is far from my meaning that the Lebanites would remain satisfied with the government of the two Kaimacams even honestly upheld by the servants of the Porte, because I doubt whether any form of government could be devised which would satisfy men in a semi-barbarous and ignorant state, incapable even of appreciating the form of government best adapted to their circumstances, and also because of the dissatisfaction which will always be felt by the partisans of those, be they who they may, deprived of a share in the government. But when the return to power of the Shehabs is represented by Archbishop Murad as the sole and sure remedy for existing evils, and that that event is to restore order, tranquillity and happiness, I cannot but call to mind that the very individual, the Emir Beshir Shehab, whose return is to produce the above results, was within my recollection stigmatized by the Christians of the Lebanon as the most cruel and oppressive master who had ever ruled them, and that his government was described by them as intolerable. One reason is obvious, independent of private motives, why the Emir Beshir must have been an oppressor. He was the servant (and his adherence to the last showed how faithful a servant) of the Egyptian Government, whose acts drove the Syrians to revolt ; mere obedience on his part to the commands of that Government was oppression ; and wdien the Emir Haidar and the other Emirs and Sheiks of the Lebanon were driven to revolt by the tyranny exer- cised over them, it was the Emir Beshir who loaded them with irons and exiled them to Nubia. Those persecuted Emus and the numerous followers under their influence could hardly then view the return of the Emir Beshir as desirable, and would probably commence in their turn a system of agitation against his government if re-established in the Lebanon. (II No. • - Colonel Rose to the Earl of Aberdeen. — [Received July 4.) (Extract.) Beyrout , June 9, 1844. I HAVE now the honour to report on the tacts reported in the " Note des tails" presented by Archbishop Murad. Tn truth, Mr. Consul Moore in liis letter to mi' disproves generally very much the allegations of the "Note des faits,'' but I shall have the honour to answer them in detail. Mr. Moore successfully meets the charge of general anarchy ; and I may observe in addition that several frays and attempts at tumult in the Lebanon have been put down by the authorities, especially in or near Deir-el-Kamar. The statement that a man " ne peut pas se mettre en voyage pour aller a la distance d'une heure sans etre accompagni de quelques autre- homines annes," is totally without foundation, as is shown by Mr. Moore's statement as to travellers. 1 myself have gone through the wildest parts of the Lebanon by night and by dav, without an attendant or arms, not even a stick, and I have never met with anything but civility. English and other travellers, some of them ladies, traverse the Lebanon, sleeping in tents often and always without escort ; and 1 remember no case of insult or robbery. The Lebanon in fact is the only part of Syria where travelling is safe. The statement of the bodies found close to Beyrout cannot well with justice be laid to the charge of the direct government of the Lebanon, Beyrout not beino- in its jurisdiction; but one dead body was found between Sidon and Beyrout on the sea shore within the limits of the Lebanon. The loss of life of four persons of the family of "Gabaischi" (ought to be Habeislri by those of the family of Bah-Bah (ought to he Dahdah,) took place in the time of Mustapha Pasha before the establishment of the two Kaimacams ; and therefore it is not honest to attribute that outrage to their misgovernment. In revenue one of the Habeishes killed a Dahdah about a year ago, but the criminal has fled from justice. 'With respect to the tribute, it is untrue that the Pasha " s'est empare' de toutes ces sommes ;'' at first the Porte and Assaad Pasha did not behave well, and showed an intention of not adhering to the original arrangement of 1841 respecting the distribution of the tribute and the salary of the government of the Mountain ; but on my making representations his Excellency Sir Stratford Can- nine;, with his usual benevolence and zeal, has nearly now placed that matter on a satisfactory footing. With respect to the " rentes communales " which the " Note des faits" savs were for the " bien public," the two last Shehab governing Emirs appear to have been of a different opinion and to have appropriated them to the "bien prive " of themselves and their families. It is not true that Assaad Pasha " s'est empare" of the " rentes communales." Assaad Pasha as supreme authority has taken this property for the Government, for the benefit of the treasury, letting them out to the Emir Haidar, who is supposed to make a profit on them. It is untrue that Assaad Pasha's conduct in this respect is against the Treaty of 1841 , although it may be against the original intention of the " rentes communales," never how- ever adhered to. It is untrue that generally the " paysans qui travaillent la terre " in the Lebanon are obliged to have a musket on the side of the plough, although it is possible that there may be individual cases. On other occasions the Moun- taineers from time immemorial have worn arms. It is untrue that Kadry Bey commanding the troops at Deir-el-Kamar excited a quarrel between Druses and Christians, and that he afterwards ordered " que Ton pillat et que Ton saccageiit les Chretiens, et il y eut des morts et beaueoup de blesses." Nobody was either plundered or killed. The statement is an unprincipled and I should think wilful misrepresenta- tion ; a Shehabite who was with me two or three days ago speaking of this very occurrence spoke of it most lightly, calling it " a children's affair." 65 As regards the Albanians I announced their entry into the Mountain. But this was before the government of the Kaimacams. They have since been dis- banded as stated in my despatch to your Lordship of April 12, but the entire want of troops compelled Assaad Pasha to re-embody a few hundred of them. Gubaz, (ought to be Abbas Agha) the Albanian chief, had certainly a good deal of influence at Beyrout, but as that influence has been employed in prevent- ing his troops from insulting or injuring the inhabitants of the town, although he could not hinder bloody and fatal quarrels amongst his men, and as Abbas Agha, a Mussulman, once a-week assembled the poor without distinction of religion and gave them considerable sums in charity, I trust that Archbishop Murad may look charitably on the exercise of such an influence although coming from a Mussulman and an uneducated Albanian. I once made a successful appeal to Abbas Agha in defence of a naval officer ; on that occasion the Agha behaved ill, but since that time his conduct has so improved that at his request I gave him a certificate on his departure speaking to his personal good conduct. All the Consuls did the same. With respect to the bribe stated by the "Note des faits " to have been given to Assaad Pasha by the Maronite Kaimacam, your Lordship will have seen that the Maronite Patriarch refutes the accusation, calling it a "pure falsehood;" an energetic contradiction from a Patriarch to an Archbishop. Relative to the dissension in the family of Caseno, meant to be Kazin, five or six disaffected Sheiks of that family endeavoured to upset the Govern- ment of the Emir Haidar, because their chief and two or three of them were dismissed from office on account of great peculation and oppression of the people. With respect to the insurrection made by them, it never took place, because the Maronite Kaimacam, supported by the influence of the clergy and all the respectable Maronites, drove them out of the country. Their chief, Sheik Francis, who is an agent of the ex-Emir Beshir, has however lately contrived to get into the Djebet-Besharre, where with Butros Keramy he is trying to give effect to the injunction of Archbishop Murad in favour of disorder and insurrection. The " chef Turc " has been named provisionally Governor of Deir-el- Kamar, with the consent of the Representatives of the Five Great Powers at Con- stantinople, in the manner reported to your Lordship. It is quite untrue that this " commandant " is to name " un chef Druse et un chef Chretien " for the villages, or that a Christian and Druse Governor were to be named for each village of the mixed population. The allegation of Archbishop Murad in his second letter to your Lordship, that " les deux nations moins quelques mauvais esprits reclament hautement le retour de la famille Shehab," is quite untrue; and in support of what I say I have the honour to refer to the Maronite petition signed by deputy by the Patriarch, the Bishops, &c, praising the Emir Haidar and the rule of his govern- ment " with all praise." As regards the Druses, only two or three months ago all the chiefs of the Druse nation addressed a letter to Assaad Pasha stating their wish not to be governed by a Shehab. This wish is characteristic of the policy of that nation, which is opposed to Maronite supremacy, a feeling which was one of the causes of their insurrection against Emir Beshir Kassim in 1841. The Druses are divided into the parties of the Djinblats and the Yezbecks, of which the former is the most powerful. Two or three of the Yezbecks chiefs and particularly one, Youssuf Abdel Melek, are believed to be Shehabites. I have however received a letter from one of the other two to-day, denying strongly that he has signed any petition or " hodgi" in favour of the Shehabs. I do not mean to say that the Shehabs are not a powerful party in the Lebanon and that they have not numerous secret adherents who are increased by the indecision prevailing in the councils of the Porte. Many think that the complication of events may bring back the Shehabs to power ; dread- ing then their vengeance, particularly that of the ex-Emir Beshir, they endeavour to propitiate them in case of their return by secret assurances of their attachment. But if the real sentiments of the Lebanon were known, and the inhabitants 2. K 06 were assured that the present plan must be carried through, F am convinced that a yen large majority would prefer the presenl form of Government. i laving now finished my report on the Archbishop's allegations, 1 think I may s;i\ that seldom have the official statements of a personage enjoying the high and venerable position of an Archbishop, addressed to a great Government, received such a refutation as that contained in my despatches. I li- own Patriarch and Church are the chief evidence against him. As Archbishop Murad lias in support of his view- Btated so many circum- .stanees as facts which arc not SO, I think he cannot take it ill if attention is drawn to those facts which prove the most culpable intrigues of his party, one of which I have not mentioned, I mean the savage attempt to murder at Djczin two un- fortunate Christians by the leaders of the Shehab party, because they had endea- voured to induce their co-religionists to conform to the orders of the Porte the new Government ; one was left for dead and the other bad two fiicrers cut off. The principle of the new form of Government is just and does credit to those with whom it originated ; the circumstance of the mixed population is of course a drawback ; but what state, institution, or person is without fault? it is the sine quit non of frail humanity, and as such the present arrangement should have been viewed with charitable indulgence. Those at least who fathered the new system should not have been the first to stifle the much that was essentially good by developing the part that was faulty. No effort was left untried ; the imagination was taxed to ameliorate and secure the position of the Christians. But one most material circumstance must not be lost sight of. The sole difficulty in the new system is the mixed Christian population, and the cause of that difficulty is the sectarian hatred and revengeful feeding of that population, for the Druses do not object to be governed by the Christians. That there was only too much ground for hostile and embit- tered feeling 1 do not deny ; but there are faults on both sides, and it is hard to legislate if it is to be done on the principle that hatred is to be eternal and wrong not to be atoned for. I am most anxious not to give too favourable an idea of the state of the present form of Government. The question of the mixed population remains unsettled ; and so great are the difficulties with which the new plan of Govern- ment has had to contend that perhaps the greatest praise that can be said of it is that it has survived and is as effective as it has been shown to be. That it has not perished gives the assurance that if it had met with honest support instead of factious opposition, it would have been distinguished in the Turkish Empire as a good government. 1 am glad to say that the Emir Haidar informs me that he is now quite satisfied with Assaad Pasha's support of him, although it has come very late ; but I trust that the Porte and Assaad Pasha are now aware that any further sup- port of change might bring back the Shehabs. No. 39. Colonel Rose to the Earl of Aberdeen. — (Received July 4.) (Extract.) Beyrout, June 10, 1844. THE Emir Haidar has sent his Secretary to inform me that two-thirds ot the inhabitants of the Djebet-Besharre" are disposed to submit, and that he has hopes that the other third will follow their example. Those inhabitants sent a petition to me addressed to the Consuls-General and Consuls of the Great Powers, complaining of oppression on the part of the Emir Haidar, because he bad allotted a larger share of the annual tribute on their district than on the rest of his Kaimacamsbip. The taxation was made on an estimate left by Abdullah Pasha, the Egyp- tians having taken away all their documents ; however in consequence of com- plaints of the allotment. Assaad Pasha ordered a fresh survey of the Mountain. When the surveyors went to the Djebet-Besharre" two months ago, some of the inhabitants under the instigation of agitation drove them away. The Emir bad then nothing left for it but to demand the old amount of tribute. 67 I acquainted the person who presented the petition that I could not recog- nise the right of the subjects to oppose in any way whatever the orders of their Government. However, for the sake of order and peace I made known to them a humane decision of the Emir Haidar. He requested me to acquaint the inhabitants of the district in question that he would be satisfied if they paid two out of the three years arrears of Miri, leaving that of the third year to be settled after the survey of the district had been completed. I reprobated at the same time their ejection of the surveyors. No. 40. The Earl of Aberdeen to Colonel Rose. (Extract.) Foreign Office, My 8, 1844. I HAVE received your despatches from the 7th to the 10th of June. You will learn from my despatch to Lord Cowley, of which a copy* is inclosed, that Her Majesty's Government are not at present prepared to concur in the overthrow of a system which they do not consider to have had a fair trial, and that consequently it will be your duty to continue to the utmost of your ability to promote the success of that form of Government which the Five Powers and the Porte agreed to establish in the Lebanon. I observe in your despatch of the 8th of June, that you appear to lay stress upon the circumstance that the Maronite petition inclosed in my despatch of the 30th of April, was without seal or signature. But I should state to you that a translation only of the petition was sent to you. The original, which is now sent to you, is as you will perceive numerously sealed. No. 41. Colonel Rose to the Earl of Aberdeen. — (Received August 2.) (Extract.) Beyrout, July 5, 1844. I HAVE the honour to state to your Lordship that on the 23rd ultimo the Turkish squadron under the Captain Pasha arrived at Beyrout. On the 24th I visited the Captain Pasha. His Excellency spoke with frankness as to the determination of the Porte not to allow the return to power of the Shehabs, and generally as to its intention to carry through the new plan of Government on the geographical and not the sectarian principle. He also said that the ex-Emir Beshir had offered him 4,000 purses as a bribe to induce him to say that the state of the country required the return of the Shehabs. I made such observations as appeared in keeping with my instructions. Since Mr. Alison's arrival that gentleman and myself have visited Haliland Assaad Pashas together. The impressions caused by these conversations are that the Porte is deter- mined to put into execution the new form of Government for Mount Lebanon on the geographical principle ; that it has given very ample power to Halil Pasha for that purpose, and that it has furnished him with a means nearly the most effica- cious of all means in this country, a supply of money ; that Halil Pasha seems well disposed to satisfy any just claims of the inhabitants of Mount Lebanon and to ameliorate and secure the position of the Christians in the mixed popula- tions ; that if force is used, it will only be in defence of the legitimate rights of the Government, but that the fullest scope will be given to conciliation. His Excellency further said that the Porte had certainly once felt the wish * See Part I., page 42. K2 08 to see direct Turkish Government in the Mountain, but had now abandoned the idea, and w;i> determined to adhere to the presenl form of Government as being favourable to her interests; that the Druses and the Christians, being as it were balanced againsl one another, would not unite against the Government ; that he thought of arresting about twenty-five per ons who were notorious as agitators ; that lie had convoked the principal Druses and Christians to Beyrout for the purpose of Bettling the question of the Government; and that he was willing to settle satisfactorily the matter of the Bekaa. Assaad Pasha in our conversation with him made one remarkable and saga- cious observation. He said that as the ex-Emir Beshir never ceased in Constantinople to agitate the Lebanon it was only right and politic that he should be removed from a sphere from whence he effected so much harm. Assaad Pasha was of opinion therefore that the ex-Emir Beshir and his family should he sent into some distant part of the Turkish dominions; an opinion in which both Mr. Alison and myself entirely concur. No. 42. Colonel Hose to the Earl of Aberdeen. — [Received Aucjust '!.) (Extract.) Beyrout, July 9, 1844. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Lordship's despatch of the 31st of May with its inclosures. 1 cannot sufficiently express my deep gratitude for the reply which your Lordship was pleased to send to Archbishop Murad. It is the amplest recom- pense which a servant of Her Majesty could receive. My despatch of the 7th of last month will already have apprized your Lordship that Archbishop Murad is guilty of untruth in calling himself the Representative of the Maronite people. The only title to which he can with truth lay claim is agent for the faction of the Shehabs. I say faction, because the Shehabs are a political party of Turkish subjects not recognized by the Turkish Government. I must confess, and I know that your Lordship will agree with rue, that I could not desire or expect the approbation of a Christian prelate who can openly and ostentatiously affect the deepest interest for Christianity, and yet secretly for selfish party views call into action all the worst passions of those whom he ought to teach and enlighten, urge them to insurrection, and expose them without a pang to all the horrors of intestine war and the vengeance of their Ottoman rulers. , As regards the petition, even if the signatures were genuine, I can only con- sider it as an evidence that I had done my duty, that 1 had without any consi- deration but that of my duty done my best to resist the efforts of a desperate faction to overthrow that which Her Majesty's Government aided to construct, to which therefore I considered the faith of Her Majesty's Government pledged till they were pleased to come to some other determination. It is not surprising that a faction which can excite insurrection and intimi- dation, as they did at Djezin by attempts at twofold assassination, should strive to injure by unjust defamation one who has thwarted them as I have done. That I exposed myself to what really is the fury of a disappointed party- could he no consideration for a servant of Her Majesty. But I was supported by the influence of Her Majesty's Government which was more than sufficient, and 1 enjoyed another essential aid : I knew that your Lordship never fails to give the most generous and effective support to those who strive in difficult and complicated circumstances to do what is best for the welfare of Her Majesty's service. I must defer saying anything as to the signatures of the petition till a future time, as I sent it to the Patriarch, and owing 1 suppose to the state of Besharre, where he is now, I have not received it. I may however remark that no Bishop or head of a convent has signed it, and that there is only one signature of an Emir. 69 Those who are versed in the petitions of this country state that all the seals of those who call themselves clergymen are of no value, inasmuch as they merely sign their Christian name "Father John," " Father Abdullah," &c. The same as regards seals entitled "the Agents of the Towns, Villages, or Districts." They are valueless because there is no name. In the time of Mustapha Pasha when many petitions were forged for political motives, leaden seals were made such as those attached to the petition presented by the Archbishop Murad, that is, bearing the names of agents or Vakeels of districts, towns, or villages. It is just the same as if a petition were presented in England signed " the inhabitants of Birmingham" or " Glas- gow," without any proof whatever that one single inhabitant really had autho- rised the petition to be signed by him. Such signatures, if meant to convey the idea that the inhabitants of the town knew and agreed with the contents of of the petition, would be considered forgeries, and so they are in this country. As the petition alludes to what I said to the Christians, and as Mr. Consul Moore heard what I said to the deputies, and knows my general proceedings during late events, I requested him to give me his opinion as to the allegations of the petition. I have the honour to inclose to your Lordship copy of that gentleman's reply. It is in a brief compass the echo of my despatches, the perusal of which enabled your Lordship to reply to Archbishop Murad as you were pleased to do. If I have erred it is because in obedience to his Excellency Sir Stratford Canning's instructions and in accordance with my own feelings I have shown too much interest in the welfare of those who have repaid it with ingratitude, and who consider impartiality as hostility. Just before I received your Lordship's despatch inclosing the petition, I had in compliance with the request of the Christians of Deir-el-Kamar obtained an essential favour for them from the Defterdar on a matter relating to custom-house duties. Since that I have received a letter of warm thanks signed by all the leading inhabitants of that town, all genuine signatures. The inhabitants of Deir-el-Kamar are the greatest agitators and partisans of the Shehabs, and the signature of " the inhabitants of Deir-el-Kamar" appears in the petition calumniating me. The contrast between the petition and the letter of thanks is certainly great ; and if the inhabitants really signed both it would appear singular to any one unacquainted with the Mountaineers how they could so cruelly calumniate a man in April, and yet feel confidence enough in him to ask an essential favour from him in June. Inclosure in No. 42. Mr. Consul Moore to Colonel Rose. Sir, Beyrout, July 8, 1844. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of this date, inclosing a translation of a petition stated to be from the Christians of Mount Lebanon to the Earl of Aberdeen. In answer to your request that I will state my opinion as to the allega- tions contained in that petition, I have no hesitation in saying that they are utterly false as respects the language used by you in my hearing to the deputies of the Lebanon ; and that the proceedings imputed to you in the petition are totally at variance with the conduct which you have always adopted in the affairs to which it refers. The petition is therefore as calumnious as it is false. At none of the meetings at which I was present did I hear the language stated to have been used by you in the petition. On the contrary I heard on those occasions much and earnest expostulation on your part with the deputies to induce them to obey the orders of their Government, conveyed in the words and spirit of one who took a sincere and friendly interest in their welfare. Among other arguments I remember you used the following to show that the Druses could do them no wrong or harm. 1st. Because of the nomination of the Vakeels who would be a check upon them ; and 2ndly, that they would not dare to do so under the eyes of the 70 Consuls all of whom were attentive observers of their proceedings towards the Christians. It would be endless to repeat all I remember of what occurred at the meet- ings of the deputies, but upon one occasion I particularly recollect that after you had repeated the language and arguments referred to in the former part of my letter, and the deputies had persisted in their resistance to the proposed form of Government, and finally declared that they would throw themselves into the sea rather than accepl it, I replied that I conceived a much better remedy would be emigration, which would be allowed and encouraged, to another part of the Lebanon ; that you, Sir, took up the idea as one of easy execution, stated the facilities for the adoption of the measure, and encouraged them to act upon it ; a clear proof that you could not have held the language attributed to you, viz., that of ruthless indifference to their fate and whether they were ruined or massacred. 1 have, &c, (Signed) N. MOORE. No. 43. Colonel Rose to the Earl of Aberdeen. — (Received Augtist 2.) (Extract.) Beyrout, July 9, 1844. 1 HAVE the satisfaction to state to your Lordship that 1 think I have placed the affair of the Lebanon in as satisfactory a state as its complications and difficulties will allow. The mixed Christian deputies lately arrived at Beyrout in obedience to the order of Halil Pasha are even more insubordinate in their language and more intractable than before. Some of these persons before the arrival of the remainder came to see Mr. Alison, who they said they had heard had been sent specially from Constantinople, and myself. The exhibition of their temper and intractability convinced Mr. Alison that persuasion and argument were useless. When Mr. Alison begged them to try at least the measure, to consider the value of the guarantees and the impossibility of the Christians suffering from the Druses, they only reiterated in still stronger and even more unbecoming language their determination never to accept Druse rule in any shape or with any guarantee; that they would rather cut their own throats than do so; that they were already provided with arms and powder ; and that rather than comply they would stand opposite to the Druses and make war with them. They were so excited that they could hardly let one another speak, and when they said that they would cut their throats, two or three of them made the action of doing so. They now state that the Druses on some occasions had violated their women. I reminded them that they the Christians had formerly told me that they the Druses had never committed this crime, and in proof, that when, in 1842, 300 Christian men abandoned Deir-el-Kamar, and I reproached them with leaving their wives and daughters, they replied that there was no cause of alarm on that head as the Druses with all their faults had never dishonoured their women. The district of Besharre excited by Archbishop Murad in favour of the Shehabs is in an insurrectionary state. Tripoli in connection with Besharre is very much in the same state. About GOO or 700 Christian and Druse inhabitants of the Lebanon have made an hostile descent on the Bekaa, driven away its Mutsellim with twenty casualties, and taken possession of the properties to which they lay claim. Here again the intrigues of the Shehabs appear as causes of action. It is expected that the union having effected its object in the Bekaa, is to use its arms in favour of the Shehabs in the Lebanon. The Shehabs by means of every description of falsehood and intimidation are endeavouring to prevent the Christians from entering into any relations what- ever with the Druses. The Captain Pasha announced to Mr. Alison and myself his intention of arresting some twenty-four persons, leading agitators. At this time the depu- ties summoned by his Excellency had already arrived at Beyrout. 71 But the leading agitators are the deputies ; it is clear then that their arrest would have been the first of a series of complications, one probably more unto- ward than the other, of which the result might have been the failure of the Porte's policy. Having been consulted as to the question of arrest, after mature reflection I counselled Halil Pasha not to arrest the twenty-five persons, but to proceed to assert the authority of the Porte and tranquillize the country by putting down insurrections and quelling intrigues, acting thus apart from the question of the Government or of the indemnities. I told Halil Pasha that the Porte, like any other Government, not only had the right but was bound in duty to restore and uphold order in Syria or any other province. That it was incontestable that not only was order troubled but that the intrigues of the Shehabs had produced insurrection in the Lebanon ; that thereby they had produced another great evil in a legitimate and organized State, the intimidation of the loyal and obedient who wished to pay the taxes and obey the laws by those who wished to compromise them and disobey the laws. That in such a state of things it was impossible to treat the grave and delicate matters of the Government and of the indemnities, the consideration of which demanded imperatively an orderly and peaceful state of mind and of Government. That it was clear that the measure taken to tranquillize the country would increase the influence of the Government which has been so much set at nought, and still intrigue, agitation, and false hopes which had hitherto rendered all arrangement impossible. I advised further that a bouyurouldi should be issued in this sense. That the deputies should be directed to proceed to their homes for the present, and that the force in Deir-el-Kamar and other points should be well reinforced before the issuing of the bouyurouldi. Halil Pasha, and therefore the Porte, would then proceed to tranquillize the country, entirely apart from the two questions with which the Five Powers are connected, and he might afterwards terminate those matters unembarrassed by factious intrigue and popular commotion. The Shehabs have very much increased in numbers and strength. Un- checked hitherto bv the Government they use that most powerful of all means — intimidation. Halil Pasha informs me that he approves my counsel. No. 44. Colonel Rose to the Earl of Aberdeen. — (Received August 2.) (Extract.) Beyrout, July 10, 1844. I HAVE the honour to inclose to your Lordship copy of a despatch to his Excellency Sir Stratford Canning. Yesterday the Ottoman steamer arrived from Tripoli bringing twelve prisoners, Mussulmans, arrested by order of Assaad Pasha who is still at Tripoli. His Excellency wrote me a letter and sent a gentleman to communicate to me the state of affairs. The news are good. Assaad Pasha has arrested twelve of the most insubor- dinate inhabitants, three or four of whom are of respectable station, and sent them to Beyrout. On Assaad Pasha's arrival at Tripoli the Mussulman inhabitants crowded to his presence ; one of them was very violent and drew his arms, when the kavasses of the Pasha rushed upon and seized him, but not before he had wounded slightly the Kavass Bashi. Another prisoner from his house fired in the direction of the troops as they entered Tripoli with Assaad Pasha. A great many of Mussulman inhabitants have also fled from Tripoli. This day the Tripoli prisoners by order of Halil Pasha swept the streets of Beyrout. Assaad Pasha also informed me that he is again about to summon Djebet- 72 Bcsharrc to make submission, and that if they do not do BO, be will then order the Kiuir llaidar, (lie Maronite Kaiiuaeaiii, to mareli into Djebet-Besharre* from Djebail with bis force, and Mustapha Bey, Governor ol Akka, to do the same from an opposite quarter, be bimseli co-operating if necessary from Tripoli I bave just received information thai the Christian deputies on the Shehab committee at Deir-el-Kamar have pledged themselves by oath to put to death any Christian who accepts the advances of Sheik Said Djinhlat towards amicable relations with them, the Christians, and tint her to put to death any Christian who is willing in any way whatever to accept the new form of Government. Your Lordship will therefore see the impossibility of the Turks attempting to settle that question, without their having previously asserted their authority and put down a faction which has usurped all the authority of a Government, using besides means which a legitimate Government does not use, — intimidation by the threatened assassination of those who will not conform to their will. I have also received a copy of an intercepted letter from the Shehab committee of Deir-el-Kamar to the mixed Christian population. It says, in order to mislead the Christians, " that as reports from persons of wicked and false designs have been received, stating that the inhabitants of the Lebanon and the Patriarch would not accept their (the Shehabs') rule, it had been resolved to send an agent to ascertain the reality of the will of the inhabitants ; and that therefore an agent (Mr. Alison) was sent on the part of his Excellency the English Ambassador, to know the will of the people and the will of the Patriarch." Inclosure in No. 44. Colonel Rose to Sir Stratford Canning. (Extract.) Bei/rout, July 3, 1844. WITH reference to the insurrectionary spirit and proceedings in the Djebet-Besharre and Tripoli, I have the honour to say that in the former place they have been on the increase. The Christian malcontents, under the counsel of Archbishop Murad and his agents Butros Keramy and Abu-Saab, have established patrols and videttes who watch the mountain-passes ; they openly declare their intention to resist the entry into their district of the Maronite Kaimacam or the Sultan's troops. A meeting was held between the Mussulmans of Tripoli and the Christian inhabitants of Djebet-Besharre, at which it was resolved to give mutual aid to each other in resisting the payment of taxes to the authorities, and further- more to petition for the dismemberment of Djebet-Besharre from the Govern- ment of the Emir Haidar. On the other hand, the praiseworthy conduct of the Maronite Patriarch has given much cause of satisfaction. His Eminence is residing at Diman in the Djebet-Besharre, and he has threatened to excommunicate all clergymen who in any way countenance or join the disturbance. The force at the disposal of Assaad Pasha was too weak to attempt a hostile movement in a difficult and mountainous district, and having been con- sulted by Assaad Pasha, under all the circumstances I advised him to concen- trate his force in Tripoli, leave a detachment in Djebail, and blockade Djebet- Besharre. His Excellency might then arrest the turbulent at Tripoli and stop that source of evil. Assaad Pasha told me that he would follow my advice, and he was to have gone to Tripoli with a battalion, when on the 23rd ultimo the Captain Pasha arrived with the Turkish squadron consisting of six sail of the line, two frigates and one steamer. This changed Assaad Pasha's plans. The Captain Pasha seemed to think that the settlement of the movement in Tripoli had nothing to do with the objects of his mission. However Mr. Alison and myself thought it our duty to represent to both Halil and Assaad Pashas the absolute necessity of giving a satisfactory termi- 73 nation to that affair, before commencing the delicate matters of the Government and the indemnities. We observed that to enter on those excitable matters, and leave a warlike and rebellious population close at hand in arms, might compromise every thing. Our advice has been attended to ; and although there has been much unne- cessary slowness, yet Assaad Pasha goes to-morrow in the Turkish steamer with some troops and a detachment of the squadron to Tripoli. In the mean time the insurgents have intercepted a message from the Maronite Patriarch to Emir Haidar, and took a letter from an inhabitant of Besharre in which he promised to pay what he owed of the Miri, four thou- sand piastres. Some of the agitators wished to take signal vengeance on the payer, but the rest interfered, and saying that the Patriarch was to blame, literally proposed to attack his Eminence. Butros Keramy and Abu-Saab, the correspondent of Archbishop Murad, were at the head of this proposal. I regret to tell your Excellency that an evil which I foresaw has come to pass. Owing to the non-settlement of the question of property hi the Bekaa, many of the chiefs of the Mountain, both Christians and Druses, have sent their vassals to take possession of the crops now fit for cutting. The Mutsellim, who is also appaltator, defended the crops, his appalto. A collision took place : in the first the Christians and Druses were worsted with the loss of eight men, the Mutsellim four. But in the second, which took place on the 30th ultimo, the latter was routed, as the Kiaya of the Pasha tells me, with twenty casualties. Having previously heard that the chiefs were sending their men from the Mountain, I tried to get Assaad Pasha to stop them ; but I was met first with the unanswerable argument that he had no troops, and secondly that he had no authority over the Bekaa. Indeed the act of sending the Seraskier Pasha with 7000 troops from the centre of Syria where he might do everything, to the northern extremity of it where he is doing nothing, was deplorable. Since the arrival of the Turkish squadron reports have been industriously circulated that the Shehabs were positively to return to power ; that Halil Pasha had instructions to that effect ; and that even a Shehab was on board the " Mahmoudieh." The object of this false news was to encourage and intimidate persons to sign a petition begging for the return of the Shehabs, which had just been put in circulation. As this uncertainty and intimidation have caused more harm than anything else, and as I was consulted by Assaad Pasha on this matter and had learnt his feelings, I advised him to check further intrigue and agitation by issuing a bouyurouldi declaratory of the hopelessness of the return of the Shehabs to power, and warning the people not to listen to the suggestions of intrigue in their favour. Assaad Pasha issued the bouyurouldi, but wrote it in his own and a different way, which was perhaps better, as it was evidently Turkish. It cuts off all hopes for the Shehabs. This measure has improved the position of the Turkish Government as regards their future proceedings. As regards the Bekaa, Mr. Alison and myself urged to Halil Pasha the fact that, apart from all other considerations, the Mountaineers enjoyed the disputed property in the Bekaa at the time of the restoration of Syria to the Sultan, and that therefore under the circumstances we felt an interest that that possession should not be disturbed. Halil Pasha showed an inclination to terminate the matter in a manner satisfactory to the Mountaineers. I have just learnt that some people from Zahle were engaged in the late attack on the Mutsellim. Some say that the taxation on the Djebet-Besharre is unequally, others that it is fairly distributed ; but be that as it may, the rejection of the reasonable offers made by the Emir Haidar to accept the payment of two years' taxes and 2. L 74 let those for the third year stand over for arbitration, prove, the Tactions nature of the movement. A fear exists Lest the union of tin- Christians and Druses in the matter of the Bekaa mighl be directed againsl the Government on the question of the Shehabs. No. 45. Colonel Rose to the Earl of Aberdeen. — {Received September 1 1.) (Extract.) Beyrout, August 9, 1844. J HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Lordship's des- patch of the 8th July, with its inclosure the copy of your Lordship's despatch of the 5th of July to his Excellency Lord Cowley. I trust that I may be allowed to express my entire assent in the opinion of Her Majesty's Government that the new system of Government for Mount Lebanon has not had a fair trial. An active and unprincipled faction working on party hatred and painful recollections, has never allowed an essential part of the new plan to reach existence ; it was rejected before essayed. But the faction, as regarded their own designs, did right in so doing, for a fair trial I must think would have proved that the guarantees for the security of the Christians in the mixed populations were sufficient, and that under the new form of government they would never have experienced the miseries and the woe which belt 1 them under the last Shehab. The opposers of the new plan when pressed on this point, generally admit that the Christians in the mixed population are secured under it from actual oppression and injustice, and that the emulation which exists amongst the Consuls of the Five Powers to befriend them would have most effectually prevented cither the one or the other. These parties certainly would not be slow to complain, and the five Con- suls would be as ready to ask for redress. Mr. Alison, on his return from his journey through the Lebanon and other parts, informed me that all he had seen and heard quite bore out my views, that is as to the political state of the Lebanon, the opinions of the inhabitants, in short the late objects of discussion. With much satisfaction I have the honour to state to your Lordship that in a conversation which took place on the 2nd instant at my house between M. d'Adelbourg, Mr. Alison and myself, the Austrian Consul-General expressed himself decidedly in a maimer which completely confirmed my statements to your Lordship respecting the political state of the Lebanon. M. d'Adelbourg had previously asked Mr. Alison what was his opinion now that he had traversed the Lebanon, as to the state of feeling of its inhabitants with respect to the Shehabs. Mr. Alison replied that he had found much difference of opinion amongst the upper classes, some being for and others against the Shehabs ; but that amongst the lower orders one half did not care and the other half did not know anything about them. The next day M. d'Adelbourg visited me and read me the rough copy of a despatch to the Count de Stiirmer, which he begged me to ask Mr. Alison to take charge of. This despatch was in answer to one from the Count de Stiirmer, dated the 25th ultimo, and stated to the Internuncio the details of his conversation with Mr. Alison and myself. M. d'Adelbourg said, — 1st. That he agreed with the opinions of Mr. Alison and myself respecting the Shehabs, as stated above. 2nd. That I had said that the Powers having in writing ratified the rejec- tion of the Shehabs by the Porte, could not now " revenir sur le passe." With reference to this my opinion, M. d'Adelbourg told Count Stiirmer that he had documents in his possession which proved the correctness of what I said. 75 3rd. That I had said that it was my opinion that the Turkish Government without commotion could carry out the new form of Government. As to this my Austrian colleague said that he had had so much experience of the difference between the words and the acts of the Mountaineers, that he thought it very possible. 4th. That I had said that it would be advisable to leave to the Turkish Government the execution of the details of the new form of Government. M. d'Adelbourg closed his despatch by saying that he should not place any " entraves" in the way of the Captain Pasha's carrying out the new form of Government, only that should his Excellency do anything violent he should make a representation. I beg to say that my opinion as to the carrying out of the new plan by the Turkish Government was that they could do so if they acted wisely, honestly, and firmly. On the 3rd instant, the day after M. d'Adelbourg's conversation, another remarkable one took place between Bishop Tubia, Mr. Alison, and myself. Bishop Tubia came to visit me for the third time since his eight days arrival in Beyrout. I commenced the conversation by stating that the Captain Pasha had received instructions, Mr. Alison and myself were happy to say, to do every- thing that was kind and just by the Christian interest, but that the Porte had expressed a most decided opinion against the Shehabs. Bishop Tubia replied with animation that the party or faction ( Hosb ) of the Shehabs was composed of servants of the late Emir, who naturally wished for his return, but that the people of the Lebanon did not care for them ; that if the English Government would only procure for the mixed Christian popula- tion a Christian Governor, the inhabitants of the Lebanon did not care if the Shehabs were shot ; that they did not care for their Shehabs' Government more than that of cows ; that the only advantage of or cause of predilection for the Shehabs was because the Druses being desirous of maintaining their country and feudal rights and the mixed population being desirous of having a Christian Governor, they feared that they could not have one under the new form of Government; but that if they could, that is, have a Christian Governor under the new form of Government, they would accept it cheerfully ; that they, the Christians, wished to receive this favour from the English Government and no other ; that they knew the zeal and kindness of the English Government and myself. The deplorable want of principle of all Arabs, both clergy and laity, renders certainty of opinion problematical. They all, nearly without exception, have their price ; if it is not money it is something else. Bishop Tubia has given indication that his sternness is pliable ; there have been secret requests on his part fcr permission to import corn duty free for his own house. The Maronite Patriarch's confidential communication to Mr. Alison as to the Shehabs, is different from what is to be inferred from his letter to me; but even his opinion expressed to Mr. Alison may not be his real one. The Maronite Kaimacam persists that his Eminence prefers his rule to that of the Shehabs, because the Emir Beshir thwarted his authority and paid him but little respect, whereas the Emir Haidar's devotion to his Eminence is extreme. No. 46. Colonel Rose to the Earl of Aberdeen. — (Received September 11.) (Extract.) Beyrout, August 10, 1844. I HAVE the honour to inclose to your Lordship copies of two despatches to his Excellency Sir Stratford Canning. I have the honour to represent to your Lordship the extreme advantage which would result from the issuing of precise and clear orders to the Turkish L2 authorities as to that mode of proceedings in settling the com plicated affair of the Government and the indemnities, suiting what they nay do and what they may not do. I am < 1 1 1 i t «• < -onviiieed thai it is utterly useless lor the Porte to order either llalil or Aasaad Pasha to execute orders, and tell them at the same time that no coni|iulsion is to lie used, although direct and positive di>oli< dienee is ottered to those ordi « l>\ the Porte's subjects. The Pasha in thai ease, simply the registrar of the subjects' disohedience, is to refer the facts of disohedience to Constantinople, which is menlv B repetition of the misprision of the Sovereign's Legitimate orders which took place in the last and present years, and which was really nothing hut a deplorable farce on the proceedings of a legitimate Government, which rendered the complicated affair of the Lebanon still more so. The scenes of last year will be re-enacted this year, the Shehah party again telling the Pasha that they will rather die than obey him. An order is miscalled an order if under a legitimate Government the subject is allowed to disobey a lawful order and no penalty is attached to his disobedience. Persuasion of the Shehabs is quite out of the question. The solution of the question does not lie in Beyrout and the Lebanon but at Constantinople, and the solution is simply in this one question. The Maronite Kaimacam, who although a sensible is not a resolute man, and many other Emirs and Sheiks of his party are of opinion, in which I concur, that the Porte can carry into execution the measures of the Govern- ment and the indemnities, if her functionaries in this country are empowered to cause her orders to be obeyed ; if not, that it is worse than useless to propose them. The arrest of some dozen or twenty notorious agitators who have endea- voured to convulse their country, to plunge it into bloodshed and confusion, whose watchword is " Hatred to and no reconciliation with the Druses, and disobedience to the orders of the Government." would in all probability settle the matter. But even these bad men I do not wish to be arrested unless they have offended clearly against the law, and positively refused to obey the orders of the Sovereign. So far from being unconciliatory, such an act would he one of the purest justice and humanity. It would prevent perhaps deplorable scenes, and the country would enjoy that without which no country can be happy — tranquillity and freedom from agitation. The Turks have a good game, all that is required is that they should play itpr operly. But at present, my Lord, owing to the indecision and difference of opinion at Constantinople there is no attempt to punish even overt acts of crime, much less of disobedience. I detailed to Halil and Assaad Pashas the reports of the Vice-Consul at Sidon, which record the brutal outrages on two Christians, one a priest, by the Shehabs the other day, because they had visited the Druses, and their reply is that they have no orders or troops, and that they are afraid to take the proper notice of such acts. The moral effect produced by the first arrival of the Turkish fleet, and it is a fine and very effective fleet, has already vanished. Six line-of-battle ships and three frigates, with 0,000 men, lie in the sight of the Mountain, in a part of which a faction and merely a faction have usurped the functions of the legitimate Government, not only threatening but executing punishment on those who have obeyed the orders of the Sovereign. The Shehabs are as bold and as active as their legitimate authority is undecided and supine. A fresh petition has already been got up in favour of the Shehabs. Halil Pasha has stated publicly, by the head of his Sovereign, that the Shehabs shall never come back, and under his eyes Turkish subjects get up a petition in the teeth of his declaration. The authorities state that they cannot punish crime: but the disaffected are permitted not only to menace the loyal for their loyalty and obedience, but cor- porally to punish them for the same. I have thought it my duty to lay clearlv before your Lordship the actual state of affairs, for which there are only two remedies, — 77 1. Permission to the local authorities to do their duty; and 2. The presence of an armed regular force to enable them to do so. Halil Pasha informed Mr. Alison and myself that he should summon the chiefs of the Mountain and treat with them the matters of the indemnities, the Government, and the Bekaa. Inclosure 1 in No. 46. Colonel Rose to Sir Stratford Canning. (Extract.) Beyrout, August 2, 1844. I HAVE the satisfaction to state to your Excellency that the insurrec- tionary movement in Djebet-Besharre excited by Archbishop Murad and his party has been quelled, and in a manner beneficial to the authority of the Government and the interests of humanity ; for 1. The insurgent inhabitants have paid 40,000 piastres on account of arrears of the land-tax, the ostensible point of difference. 2. Ten of the leading agitators have, in obedience to the order of Assaad Pasha and the Kaiinacam, presented themselves before the latter, and declared their submission and acknowledgment of his, the Emir Haidar's, authority (which they had before denied) and their determination to obey him for the future. 3. I feel sincere pleasure in stating that the above salutary measures have been effected without the loss of life or shedding any blood whatever. So good a result must be ascribed to the prudence and humanity of Assaad Pasha and the Emir Haidar. The latter throughout showed the most laudable desire to assert his authority over his misguided countrymen in a manner which, whilst it recalled them to the sense of their duty towards their legitimate supe- rior, would make them think hereafter of the exercise of the authority of their Christian ruler with gratitude, instead of pain. In this sense, and in obedience to the Earl of Aberdeen's and your Excel- lency's instructions, I gave advice to Assaad Pasha and the Emir Haidar ; that it was attended with a good result is a source of unmingled satisfaction to me. Assaad Pasha, in proof of his gratitude, has given a robe of honour richly embroidered to the Emir Haidar, who has left with the troops the position in advance which he took up at Amioon, and returned to Djebail on his road to Beyrout. Assaad Pasha has promised full investigation, and if necessary an equitable adjustment of the land-tax. But it is my duty to state that the wishes of Archbishop Murad were near completion ; his exhortations and other causes had nearly produced war between the insurgents and the troops ; priests, yes in their sacerdotal dress the dis- tinction of afar different occupation, in obedience to his instigations were forcing the young men into the ranks which Joseph Keramy was falling in to march in defence of insurrection against the forces of the Sovereign. Other priests marched on the same errand with a musket. Some of these clergymen, it is true, so far endeavoured to adapt their pro- fessional dress to their military occupation as to tie a handkerchief like a turban round their clerical head-dress. Youssuf Keramy had actually led his force, composed as I have stated, half-way through the Mountain to the Plain with the view of attacking the troops, Avhen an order from his father, Butros, stopped him, and directed him only to repel with force any attempt on the part of the authorities to enter the Mountain. I also have the satisfaction to announce to your Excellency the termination of the very difficult and complicated affair of the Bekaa, the more difficult because Assaad and Ali Pashas and the Defterdar were of different ways of thinking as to it. Your Excellency is aware that the point in dispute was whether certain properties in that valley belonged to the Government or the inhabitants ot Mount Lebanon. 78 There were faults on both sides ; the Government wished to take and the Mountaineers to retain too much ; bnl anally the Mountaineers Btated to me thai the treasury Bhould not be aloser, thai they would pay all which the appal- tator paid] and thej only asked for themselves the gains of the appaltator. The Bekaa is the granary of the greater part of the Lebanon, in which very little corn is grown. Deprived of the Bekaa, the Mountaineers would he in the greatest distress. The Mountaineers hold the lands then- by virtue of bcrats and other titles; but the greater part have no right over properties (acquired probably in the first instance by force) but that of custom and possession for a length of years, which in this country nearly takes the place of law. Bozou Agha, hated on account of former exactions and tyrannies for which he had been deprived of bis post as appaltator of the Bekaa, had been sent there as Governor. The Kmirs, Sheiks, and commonalty of the Mountain, alarmed for their properties, had descended in great numbers to Kobb-Elias in the Bekaa to try the chance of arms with Bozou Agha, rather than lose their properties. Bozou Agha with a large cavalry force was at Bir-Elias only six miles off, and on the pretext of getting rations was making exactions. For the sake of humanity and order I should have interfered to prevail on the authorities to inquire into and thereby settle a matter which from the temper of the interested parties threatened to occasion a lamentable loss of life ; but other forcible reasons rendered intervention on my part still more necessary. 1 . The general belief was that the Christian and Druse union, successful in their attack in the Bekaa, and committed by war with the Government, would easily be induced to declare for a Shehab. 2. The union, far superior in numbers, and fighting for what to them was their all, would in all probability have signally defeated Bozou Agha, who had only cavalry, which in villages and intercepted country would have been of little use. Influenced by all these considerations I intervened to the utmost of my ability, acting through Mr. Wood on Ali Pasha, and personally on the Captain Pasha and the Mountaineers. In the first instance, with the judicious and zealous aid of Mr. Alison, I obtained from the Captain Pasha a promise of inquiry into, and settlement of, the disputed property in the Bekaa. This effected, I immediately asked from both parties that there should be a total cessation of action, representing that it would be as deplorable as it was senseless to fight for that for which a fair adjustment had been promised. With the greatest difficulty I have at last effected this desirable end ; but the indecision of the Captain Pasha and excited feelings of the Mountaineers, acting independently under their different chiefs, had all but produced a bloody colli- sion ; the war cry had passed through the district of Meten, and the numerous little feudal chiefs whom I had retained in the Mountain, were beginning to descend to reinforce their companions in the Bekaa ; but by obtaining fresh orders from the Captain Pasha, the arrival of a favourable answer from Ali Pasha of Damascus through Mr. Mood, and other means, I succeeded in preventing the descent of the Mountaineers. I stopped myself one Maronite chief whose men were falling in and were loading ; and by letters and other means brought the Christian and Druse leaders of the movement to submission. The result is that it is settled, — 1. That Bozou Agha is to suspend all proceedings as to the crops of the disputed villages in the Bekaa, and that the Mountaineers are to do the same. 2. That each party are to name Vakeels who will value and place the crops in store, where they are to remain till a settlement takes place. 3. That Bozou Agha is to give a receipt for all rations which he takes for his cavalry, which rations will be settled for hereafter. I again have the satisfaction to congratulate your Excellency on a result which I know will afford an unmingled satisfaction to Her Majesty's Govern- ment, namely that two fierce and more than semi-barbarous parties were pre- 79 vented from shedding profusely their blood in savage combat. On the score of policy and order the result is equally satisfactory. Mr. Consul Wood's aid was most effective. I should have stated that it was mainly owing to the well-timed exhortations of Mr. Alison, who was with the Patriarch, that the ten insurgent chiefs pro- ceeded to make submission to their Kaimacam. Inclosure 2 in No. 46. Colonel Rose to Sir Stratford Canning. (Extract.) Beyrout, August 2, 1844. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's despatch of the 25th ultimo with its inclosure, a Memorandum. With respect to the second point in the Memorandum, I venture to request your Excellency's instructions on the following points : 1. Should the Turkish authority announce the details of the new form of Government to the interested populations or their deputies, and order them to obey them, and should they refuse to do so, and after repeated and conciliatory advice still refuse, would the Turkish authority be justified in treating such refusal as an overt act of resistance to authority, or not ? 2. Should the Turkish authority, as a detail and part of the new plan of Government, order the mixed population to choose a Vakeel, and should they after repeated and conciliatory advice refuse to name such Vakeel, ought such refusal to be considered as an overt act of resistance or not ? in both cases no resort being had to corporal punishment. A decision on these two important points involves the fate of the new form of Government. With respect to point ten in the Memorandum, I venture confidentially to suggest to your Excellency whether it would not be better that there should" be no consultation between the Turkish authority and the Consuls of the Five Powers collectively. I venture to think that the best plan is that the Porte should carry out the details of the new form of Government, consulting as occasion requires the Consuls of the Five Powers which wish well to it. No. 47. Colonel Rose to the Earl of Aberdeen. — (Received October 1.) (Extract.) Beyrout, September 7, 1844. ASSAAD PASHA continues to state that he has orders not to send troops into the Mountain, and that in the present state of feeling he is most unwilling to deal with offences even those against the common statute law. But his Excellency says that Halil Pasha has more extensive authority than himself, and can send troops into the Mountain. On the other hand, even Halil Pasha does not deal with clear cases of the violation of the law in the mixed districts, which since upwards of a month I have frequently brought to his Excellency's notice. I have the honour to inclose to your Lordship copies of three reports from the Vice-Consul at Sidon, detailing offences against the public peace in the mixed districts. I lent these documents to Halil Pasha for perusal and gave translations of them to Assaad Pasha, but their Excellencies did not even inves- tigate the cases. Besides the reports of the Vice-Consul at Sidon I had other correct infor- mation that the Shehab Committee atDeir-el-Kamar had .sent messengers round the mixed districts to warn the Christian inhabitants on pain of death not to 80 enter into relations of friendship with Sheik Said Djinhlat or the Druses in general, and ordering the Christians in Sheik Said's service to leave it immedi- ately. The Christian Georgias Kl-liaddad, whom Sheik Said at my request had taken into trie service for the sake of conciliation, received the mandate in ques- tion and left the Sheik. Sheik Said's conduct, your Lordship will he happy to hear, has been exem- plary since his return. In compliance with my earnest request, which was grounded both on good feeling and policy, this uneducated young Druse has done his utmost to conciliate his Christian tenantry, offering them presents of corn, abatements of rent, and other friendly offices. The Shehab Committee saw that Sheik Said, with the great influence of his generosity, ancient name, and large property, even encum- bered as it is, would soon efface painful recollections and be as popular per- haps with his Christian tenantry as his father the Sheik Beshir had been ; that he having thus gained over the majority of the Christians, of whom he is feudal landlord in the mixed disticts, the Shehab cause would be lost. For this reason the faction had recourse to the desperate measure of denouncing death to the Christians who met Sheik Said's conciliatory advances, and for this reason it was my obvious policy to counteract so wicked a scheme. The intimidation used by the Shehabs had transferred the legitimate influ- ence from the Government to the disaffected, and this too when the Govern- ment required the whole weight of its influence to carry through two measures of the utmost difficulty and delicacy, the success of which would be that faction's ruin. Other circumstances contributed to this inauspicious state of things. I had informed Halil Pasha when he first arrived, that the Governor of the town, a Mussulman next in influence to the Pasha, was a Shehabite, and that from his well-known corruption 1 had not any doubt that he was bought. Afterwards I made known to Assaad Pasha the same circumstance, and that his Arab Private Secretary and interpreter publicly advocated the restora- tion of the Shehabs. Therefore the influential and confidential servants of the Government were Shehabites. Moreover, the Maronite Kaimacam twice during last month complained to me of want of support from the Turkish Government and of the corruption, intimidation, and intrigues of the Shehabs, which they were allowed to prac- tise without any check. He told me that two Sheiks had been bribed to poison or assassinate him. The Druse Kaimacam also made complaints of want of support. The Emir stated to me, both times, that these circumstances made his position so difficult that he must resign, and he had actually announced his intention to his attendants the evening before. His resignation, a great object with the Shehabs, would have been a severe if not fatal blow to the new form of Government, as there is nobody fit to succeed him. Halil Pasha assured Mr. Alison and myself that he had brought a large supply of money, but T never learnt that he had adopted the conciliatory measure of paying the long-standing claims of many of the chiefs, or assisted the wants of the two needy Kaimacams. He had not even paid Bishop Tubia the 10,000 piastres which at my request he had promised him for his long services on the Divan. The Turkish authorities assured me that they had no instructions at all of the nature of the contents of his Excellency Sir Stratford Canning's despatch to me of August 13; that they were not authorized to use any description of enforcement for the execution of the two measures ; and they were still evidently out of humour or affected to be so at the indecision of their Government Affairs looked ill, especially on the eve of the publication of the two ques- tions. I therefore determined to act in remedy to the utmost of my power of all these evils. I availed myself of the contemplated resignation of the Emir Haidar, which I announced to the Turkish authorities, to repeat emphatically all the arguments 81 which I had so often made use of before in vindication of the law and in support of order. I concluded by observing that the Government having lost its influence and the disaffected having gained it, it was useless to suppose that the Government could hope to carry the delicate and difficult measures in contemplation ; that such being the case I thought it my duty to tell the authorities respectfully that the most prudent course would be to suspend the execution of the two measures, and to make known the state of the country to the superior authorities at Constantinople. My observations produced all the good results which I had anticipated. The two Pashas gave me solemn assurances of their perfect good faith and sincere intention to carry out the measure of 1842 and no other. Assaad Pasha in my presence ordered the dismissal of his Private Secretary, Gibran El-Aura, proverbial even in Syria for his corruption, and gave directions that he should remain in arrest in his house. I did not press the dismissal of the other two functionaries, as I saw that if I had done so 1 must probably have sacrificed my friendly and conridential rela- tions with the Pashas. I prevailed on the Emir Haidar not to resign his Kaimacamship ; but he said he did so solely out of deference to me as Her Majesty's servant, and asked as a condition, first, that he was to have 1,500 troops at his disposal: and secondly, that the Emir Beshir should be removed from Constantinople, as it was useless to attempt to carry on the Government whilst that person was in the capital, allowed to use all the means of intrigue and corruption against him. Halil and Assaad Pashas were apparently much put out, by the projected re- signation of the Emir Haidar, and begged me to assure him that he should always have whatever military or any other description of aid he required. The Cap- tain Pasha sent his interpreter to the Emir Haidar that evening to give him the same assurances ; and both his Excellency and Assaad Pasha invited the Kai- macam to come to them the next day. The Captain Pasha took him by the hand and leading him to the window showed him the Turkish troops, which having just landed were marching past under his windows, and said " All those are for you." The Pashas promised immediate inquiry into the cases of violation of the law. M. Basily, who kindly co-operated with me in this matter, and myself represented strongly to the Captain Pasha that the two Emirs with a thousand calls on them were without any money ; and M. Basily having represented to Halil Pasha the advantage of the two Kaimacams having at their disposal a respectable native force on the footing of that of the old Emir Beshir till affairs were quieter, his Excellency promised to give both these functionaries a suffi- cient supply of money. I begged also the Pashas to adjourn the meeting of the deputies for a day or two, till the two Turkish steamers returned with troops from Satalia. I hoped that by that time the dismissal of the corrupt secretary, the encouragement to the Emir Haidar, the show of justice in inquiring into the cases of outrage and reported murder, and the arrival of fresh troops, would have produced an effect on the disaffected, and revive the influence of the legitimate Government to the prejudice of the party who had illegitimately usurped it. Three battalions ot troops, 2,300 men, arrived very opportunely on the 1st instant. Inclosure 1 in No. 47. The Vice-Consul at Sidon to Colonel Rose. (Extract.) Sidon, July 22, 1844. I HAD the honour to send my last report to your most illustrious Seig- neury on the 15th instant. The day before yesterday a certain Maronite curate, Father Michael El- Hage, of the village of Chetuly, having received favours from the family of Djin- blat, went to salute Sheik Said Djinblat, accompanied by ah old woman who had 2. M 82 formerly been a servant t<> die laid Sheik Said Djinblal, taking a sheep to htm is a present according t<> the custom of the Mountain. As tney were returning on their road yesterday, some inhabitants of Bicasing with Abuaamra went out to meet them, and treated them BO ill that they were lor killing the -aid cuiate because he had gone to visit the said Said, telling him that lie ought not to mix himself with the Druses, lor which reason the said curate was obliged to extri- cate himself from their hands and hide himself in the convent of Cattin, and we do not know how this business may end. lnclosurc 2 in No. 47. The J'icc-Consul at Sidon to Colonel Rose. Most Illustrious Sir, Sidon, August 5, 1844. I HAD the honour to send your most Illustrious Seigneury under date of the "22nd ultimo. To-day arrived here Father Michael El-Hage, whom the inhabitants of Bicasing beat and ill-treated because he went to salute Sheik Said Djinblat, on account of which the said Father is still a fugitive and his Maronite Bishop has suspended his ministry, so that he can no longer say mass. We learn that all those Christians who were in the service of Sheik Said have left it (the service), so that all the Christians of the Mountain (of the Shoof) will go against the village in which any person served the Druses ; it is also said that Sheik Said has received letters from the Christians to drive away all such persons. Christians, who are in his service, and that if he does not consent he would no longer find security for those servants or for himself, and therefore they say that no Druse is any longer served by the Christians. They say that about thirty persons, inhabitants of Deir-el-Kamar, go about the Mountain, in order to prevent the mixing (of Christians) with the Druses, and to make up any disagreement between Christians in order that they may all be sincerely united. [ have &c. (Signed) GUISEPPE ABBELA. Inclosure 3 in No. 47. The Vice-Consid at Sidon to Colonel Rose. Most Illustrious Sir, Sidon, August 13, 1844. I HAD the honour to send your most Illustrious Seigneury my last letter under date of the 5th instant. Father Michael El-H:ige, who came lately here as I had the honour to state to you in my previous letter, returned from here to the Mountain on Wednesday the 7th instant ; this day we heard that he was found dead near the village of Rimet. Some say that on returning to the Mountain he had a fever in the village of " Cafarfalus," and that before the fever left him he went from there to his village of Chetuly, and that this is the absolute reason of his death ; some others say (and this is truly my way of thinking) that the Christians of the Mountain took his life because he went to visit Said Djinblat. 1 have. &c, (Signed) GUISEPPE ABBELA. 83 No. 48. Colonel Hose to the Earl of Aberdeen, — (Received October 3.) (Extract.) Beyrout, September 9, 1844. I HAVE the honour to inclose to your Lordship copies of despatches to his Excellency Sir Stratford Canning. I have the honour to state to your Lordship that on the 4th instant the Captain Pasha and Assaad Pasha sent their interpreters to the Consuls- General and Consul of the Five Great Powers, to announce officially to them that the questions of the new form of government and of the indemnities were terminated. All the details relating to this circumstance are given in my despatch to his Excellency Sir Stratford Canning of the 5th instant. Yesterday the Captain Pasha informed me that the deputies had requested permission from Assaad Pasha to return to their homes, and his Excellency con- sulted me as to what he had best do. I said that I thought that it would be advisable to let half of the Deputies go, and retain the rest, including the most hot-headed of them, in Beyrout, till the arrival of the answer from Constantinople to his Excellency's report. Both Pashas agreed with me. On the 5th instant the Captain Pasha dispatched the Turkish steamer with the intelligence of the termination of the late events here. His Excellency has reported the acceptance of emigration, and demanded the consent of the Porte for the execution of that measure. Neither Halil nor Assaad Pasha have any doubt of carrying the measure into execution. I advised the two Pashas to see and converse with the Christian deputies separately, as when they are all assembled there are two or three agitators, a sort of orators, who turn the heads of the rest. Assaad Pasha informs me that he has done so with four or five of them, and that he finds them more reasonable than they were. I now find from a conversation with M. dAdelbourg that Bishop Tubia came with the deputies to his house the second day of the meeting. Your Lord- ship will see in a copy of a communication to his Excellency Sir Stratford Canning, that Bishop Tubia told me that he had shut himself up in his house and seen nobody, which is directly opposed to M. dAdelbourg's statement. M. d'Adelbourg further told me that the Bishop had consulted him also as to whether he should resign or not his post at the Divan, assigning the same reasons as he had done to me for his wish to do so. M. dAdelbourg advised him decidedly to resign. The deputies have requested Assaad Pasha to allow Bishop Tubia to be re-appointed, stating that he had great influence over them, and was devoted to their interests. Assaad Pasha answered them that this could not be, Bishop Tubia having formally resigned and his resignation transmitted to the Porte. Bishop Tubia is a violent, ambitious person, of a Fellah family in the mixed district. He has strong anti-Druse and Ottoman feelings, and is warm in his opposition to the government of the mixed district by the Druses. He has shown a leaning towards myself; at one time I thought that he had patriotic feelings ; but, if he has them, they are strongly mixed up with self-interest. I am happy to say that both Pashas are fully alive to the great disadvan- tage which resulted from Bishop Tubia's former position. The absence of a political and violent Bishop, possessing entire influence over a number of political agitators, was certainly in the present state of affairs much more desirable than his presence. Yesterday Mr. Moore and myself breakfasted with the Maronite Kaimacam and Bishop Tubia. The latter informed me that he was going to be reconciled with the Kaimacam, and that I was to be the judge (Kadi) between them. Bishop Tubia then with much violence attacked the Kaimacam for having stated that he had favoured the attempt to get up a petition in favour of Arch- bishop Murad. M2 84 The Emir defended bimself stoutly, and the difference of statement between the tWO was most derided. I thoughl it however much more politic to reconcile them, as Bishop Tuhia could do much harm to the Emir Haidar, as he, the Bishop, told me. My Russian colleague stated to me that it would be very desirable thai the Maronite Kaimacam should receive a Letter from the Patriarch in praise oi him, the Kaimacam. I consulted with the Emir Haidar, and I found that he did not feel quite certain as to whether the Patriarch would write it under pre- sent circumstanci I saw that it would be most desirable that the Emir should be in possession of such a document, when so many attempts had been made to weaken and dis- credit him. Alter reflection therefore 1 wrote to the Patriarch, telling him of the intention of the Emir Haidar to resign : 1 pointed out to his Eminence the evils of such a measure particularly to his chinch, and requested him to have the goodness to write a letter of encouragement to the Maronite Kaimacam. The answer of the Patriarch surpassed what I could have wished. He wrote me a very friendly answer in which his Eminence says that " as my opinion is at all times respected by him," he had now written to the Emir as 1 wished, and sent the letter to him by an especial envoy. The Emir Haidar has shown me the letter from the Patriarch which i- most satisfactory, and in which he praises him in the highest mann< r. I shall have the honour to send your Lordship copies of both hereafter. The Kaimacam is in the highest spirits, and says that he can never be grateful enough to me for all that I have done for him. I have 1 think satisfactorily settled a difference between the two Druse parties, the Djinblats and the Yezbecks. The latter were deeply annoyed that the Kaimacamship and the officers connected with it were all in the hands of the Raskins, who are of the Djinblats. There is no doubt that many of the Yezbecks in their annoyance had latterly met the advances of the Shehabs ; but half of the commonalty of the Yezbecks went over to the Djinblats. The Yezbecks showed some reluctance to come to Beyrout ; but the Pashas and myself wrote to them and they came down. I have now arranged that one of the most influential chiefs of the Yezbecks shall be Kiaya to the Kaimacam ; and I am making other minor arrangements which 1 think will unite these two powerful parties. The two leaders of the Yezbecks were with me to-day. I have always represented to your Lordship the unfitness of the Druse Kaimacam for his office ; this circumstance was one of the chief reasons of the schism. Tnclosure 1 in No. 48. Colonel Rose to Sir Stratford Canning. (Extract.) Beyrout, September 2. 1844. I HAVE the honour to state to your Excellency that Halil and Assaad Pashas having consulted me as to the measures which it would be desirable to adopt relative to the indemnities and the form of Government, I read to them some suggestions in the form of questions and answers, a copy of which I have the honour to inclose to your Excellency. I beg with the greatest respect to direct your Excellency's attention to the salutary measure of emigration. In the extreme complication of the question of the government of the Lebanon, emigration appears to be the only solution, unless indeed the use of enforcement be sanctioned. By its means the great objection will be removed that the Christians of the mixed districts are compelled to be under Druse rule. They cannot say so when compensation is given them for the houses and lands which they quit, and a few hours of travel conveys them from under Druse to Christian rule. 85 I wished at first that the question of indemnities should precede that of the government, but yielded my opinion to that of M. Basily and the Turkish authorities that it should be treated together with that of the Government. I trust that your Excellency may be pleased to support at the Porte the plan of emigration. The money which the Porte spends in carrying it out will be saved ten times by the settlement of the question. The Porte will save the expenses of sending to, and keeping a large force in the Lebanon, and her troops may be employed elsewhere. I say nothing of the expense of the squadron. As regards emigration I think that the real outlay will be but little, for a great part of the Christians will make their terms, I think, with the Druse land- lords and stay. Halil and Assaad Pashas have assured me earnestly of their perfect good faith in supporting the plan of government of 1842 ; that they will not admit any proposal which would change it ; and that they will do their best to make it palatable, amplifying the guarantees for the Christians by rendering secure the position of the Vakeels, and assigning them pay. They have also promised that the Druse Kaimacam shall send Christian, and never Druse hawalees or sheriffs' officers to the Christians who are under him, also that the Vakeels shall collect the Miri from the Christians. Halil Pasha in proof of his good intention has promised to give pecuniary aid to the Emirs Haidar and Ahmet to enable them to keep up the respectabilitv of their position and maintain a respectable native force till the country is quiet. Your Excellency will see that the Turkish anthorities adopted my sugges- tions as to the amount to be paid by the Druses. The Sultan gives the large sum of 10,000 purses. Halil Pasha reckons that if all the Christians and Druses emigrate the ex- pense will be 30,000 purses. Inclosure 2 in No. 48. Suggestions to Halil and Assaad Pashas. Question. Reponse. I. Laquelle des deux matieres vaut- il mieux traiter la premiere, le Gouver- nement, ou les indemnites ? II. De quelle maniere serait-ce le plus a propos de donner suite au paie- ment des indemnites ? II serait mieux de commencer avec les indemnites, parceque — 1 . Le paiement d'une partie des in- demnites adoucerait l'aigreur et l'irri- tation des Chretiens envers les Druses, et faciliterait la marche de la nouvelle forme de Gouvernement. 2. Les Chretiens disent a present "Comment est-il possible que les Druses nous gouvernent avec jus- tice, tandis que jusqu'a ce jour nous n'avons rien recu, ni en numeraire ni en effets de nos biens pilles." 1. Que les Druses paient ce qu'ils ont deja offert de payer, (3000 bourses,) ou en argent comptant, ou au bout d'un terme fixe sous garantie. 2. II serait bon que le Gouvernement, agissant dans l'esprit de la geni'reuse bienveillance deja dnoncee, remette le paiement du Miri aux habitans Chre- H6 Question. WpmiM. 111. Dc quelle maniere serait-ce mieux d'introduire ou d'annoncer la question du Gouvernement ? tiens dM districts mixtes, nVlumant irulcin nitcs, jiis(|u';i ce que leur liquida- tion ait i-t< : effectnee. :*>. Si encore le Gouveraemenl aniim- du incmc esprit de philanthropic vou- lait bien contribuer uric somnie d ardent comptant en paiement des indemnitees, l'acte de grace serait complet, et pro- duirait im excellent effet sur l'esprit des Chretiens inte'resse's. 11 serait iidesirerque la remission du Miri commenrat du jour de la publica- tion de la volonte imperiale. Que Ton annonce la forme decidee par la Sublime Porte, avec ordre d'y obeir. Que Ton publie ensuite les garanti< - en detail, en ajoutant que quiconque ne desire pas le Gouvernement Druse est libre de passer dans le pays Chretien, ou on leur asssignera des terres et des maisons de la valeur de cedes qu'ils ont quittees. Mais arm d'empecher les inconvc- niens qui pourraient resulter d'une Emigration simultanee elle s'operera village par village, en commencant par les endroits les plus eloignes. Pour obvier a tout desordre, les habi- tans des villages des populations mixtes qui desirent emigrer signifieront ce de- sir a leur Sheiks respectifs, lesquels transmettront une copie de leur de- mandc au Pacha de Saida, et une autre copie au Moukatadji. Alors peut-etre le trouvera-t-il bon son Excellence d'envoyer une com- mission de sa part pour evaluer les proprietes des emigres. L'evaluation faite, on donnera un secours pe*cuniaire, ou la moitie de revaluation, a l'emigrant a l'epoque de son depart, et l'autre moitie lorsqu'il se sera etabli dans sa nouvelle de- meure. Je parle dans la supposition que la Sublime Porte consentira peut- etre a aider le developpement de ce projet par le moyen d'un secours pecu- niaire. Ici il faudrait encore invoquer la ge"nerosite reconnue de Sa Hautesse Im- periale. Est-ce que Ton peut esperer que cet illustre pere de son peuple ne se lassera pas de faire des bienfaits, et qu'il foumira les moyens de solution de la plus serieuse, mais on ose se natter la derniere, des complications du Mont Liban ? 87 Rcponse. II serait desirable que le recit des differens actes de grace et de faveur, celui du Bekaa, &c, &c, aussi bien que les assurances de la benignite Imperiale, precedassent la notification des mesures en question. (Translation.) Question. Answer. I. Which of the two questions should be first treated of — the Government, or the Indemnities ? II. In what way would it be best to carry out the payment of the in- demnities ? It would be best to begin with the Indemnities ; for — 1. The payment of a portion of the indemnities would soften down the bitterness and irritation of the Chris- tians against the Druses ; and would render more easy the progress of the new form of Government. 2. The Christians say at present : " How is it possible for the Druses to govern us justly, whilst, up to the present time, we have received no- thing, either in value, or in effects, of our plundered property ?" 1. The Druses should pay what they have already offered to pay, (3,000 purses,) either in ready money, or at the end of a fixed period under guarantee. 2. It would be advisable that the Government, acting in the spirit of the generous benevolence already an- nounced, should remit the payment of the Miri to the Christian inhabitants of the mixed districts claiming indem- nities, until the payment thereof shall have been effected. 3. If, moreover, the Government, moved by the same spirit of philan- thropy, should be willing to contribute a sum of ready money in payment of the indemnities, the favour would be complete, and would produce an ex- cellent effect on the minds of the Christians interested. It would be desirable that the re- mission of the Miri should commence from the day of the promulgation of the Imperial wishes. III. In what way would it be best Let the form on which the Sublime to introduce or announce the question Porte has determined be announced, with orders to obey it. Let the guarantees be then published in detail, adding that whosoever may not wish for the Druse Government, is free to pass into the Christian territory, of the Government ? 88 Question. Answer. where lands and houses, equal iii value to those tin'} have quitted, shall be assigned to them. Hul in order to prevent the ineon- veniences which mighl result from a simultaneous emigration, it will be effected, village by village, beginning with the places most distant. To prevent any disorder, the inha- bitants of villages containing a mixed population, who may desire to emi- grate, shall signify that desire to (heir respective Chiefs, who will transmit a copy of their request to the Pasha of Sidon, and another copy to the Moo- katadji. His Excellency may then consider it expedient to send on his part a commission to value the property of the emigrants. That valuation having been made, pecuniary assistance, or half of the value, shall be given to the emigrant at. his departure, and the other half when he is established in his new abode. I speak under the supposition that the Sublime Porte may perhaps consent to aid by pecuniary assistance the carrying out of this project. Here again an appeal must be made to the well-known generosity of His Im- perial Highness. May it be hoped that, this illustrious father of his people will not weary of doing acts of kindness, and that he will provide the means for solving the most serious, but we ven- ture to flatter ourselves, the last of the complications of Mount Lebanon. It would be desirable that a recital of the various acts of grace and favour, such as that of the Bekaa, &c, &.c, as well as assurances of the Imperial good-will, should precede the notifica- tion of the measures in question. 89 Inclosure 3 in No. 47. Colonel Rose to Sir Stratford Canning. (Extract.) Beyrout, September 5, 1844. 1 HAVE the greatest satisfaction in announcing to your Excellency the successful termination of the question of Mount Lebanon. On the 2nd instant the Christian deputies of the mixed provinces, several Christian Emirs and Notables of Mount Lebanon and the Druse chiefs assembled in Beyrout to hear the orders of the Sublime Porte respecting the indemnities and the government of the mixed provinces. The Captain Pasha and Assaad Pasha presided over the Divan, to which the Christians were first introduced. The Pashas then informed the Christian deputies that the Sublime Porte in its benevolence and compassion for the state of the Christians had determined to give from its own treasury the sum of 10,000 purses towards paying the indemnities, and that the Druses would pay the remaining part, 3,000 purses. The Pashas proceeded to announce to the assembly the orders of the Porte respecting the government of the mixed districts, that it was to be on the geo- gaphical system, the Christian Kaimacam governing the Druses in the Christian Kaimacamship, and the Druse Kaimacam governing the Christians in the Druse Kaimacamship. The Pashas then detailed the guarantees which are so well known to your Excellency. The deputies thanked emphatically the Pashas for the payment of the indemnities and the signal generosity of their illustrioxis Sovereign ; but as regarded the question of government Bishop Tubia on the part of the de- puties requested a short delay (Mehli), which was granted them till the next day. The Divan having met on the 3rd instant, the Pashas informed the Christian deputies that they had full liberty to give utterance to their wishes respecting the matter of the government. The deputies then stated their unwillingness to be governed by the Druses, and a discussion in which the Pashas showed the utmost moderation and forbearance took place on that point between the authorities and the deputies. These persons pourtrayed in strong language the hardship of the Christians being governed by the Druses after the cruel grievances which they had suffered during the civil war. Assaad Pasha replied that the* Christians had also pillaged and killed the Druses. The Pashas then with great kindness detailed the guarantees, pointed out the sufficiency of that of the Vakeels, whose especial duty it was to watch over the interests of the Christians, and to report and denounce any invasion of their rights on the part of their Druse rulers. Assaad Pasha assured the Christian deputies with much feeling, that not only should all the guarantees in favour of the Christians be carried into effect in the fullest and most liberal manner, but that the Pasha of Sidon would even con- sider the Christians in the mixed population as enjoying his special protection ; that he would never lose sight of them ; and added this Pasha, who on account of his age, humanity and liberal feeling is justly popular with the Christians, " I shall always treat you as the ' enfans cheris' of my Sovereign." Four times were the Christians invited by the Pashas to declare all their wishes and desires. The deputies then said that they would obey, but that it would be like taking poison, and they repeated that they would obey and accept the new form of government like dutiful subjects, but that it was against their wishes so to do. The Captain Pasha replied that as they said that they would obey because they were dutiful subjects, but that it was against their wishes to do so, and as his illustrious Sovereign wished that all his subjects should be happy, he knew of no other remedy for the difficulty than that such of the Christians who did not choose to remain under Druse rule should emigrate. - 2 N On this all the deputies prostrated themselves without throwing themselves on the ground, and taking off tlieir turbans with both hands, warmly thanked the Captain Pasha for this gracious permission, declaring their entire acceptance of the order for the new form of government. Assaad Pasha said to one of the deputies who had distinguished himself in the (liseussion, " Remember you who have rejected all the ample protection and complete guarantees promised to you, all the assurance- of paternal care and interest made to you in the name of your Emperor; remember that you have now accepted that for which your relations and those who are dear to you may call malediction on vou; you have rejected all the enactments to trive you perfect security ; you prefer to leave the home and soil of your fathers." The person thus addressed again declared his cheerful acceptance of emi- gration. The Christians then retired after two lrours' sitting. 1 think it right to draw your Excellency's attention to the fact that although so often called on by the Pashas to give utterance to their wishes and desires, the deputies never breathed a word in favour of a Shehab Governor, nor even alluded to that family in the remotest way. The Druses were informed by the two Pashas of the act of munificence of tlieir Sovereign in aid of them, I mean the gift of 10,000 purses towards the payment of the indemnities which they owe to the Christians. One chief of the Yezbecks who has been agitating lately pleaded the extreme poverty of the Druses, and hoped that mercy would be shown to them as regarded the pay- ment of the 3,000 purses which they had to pay. The Druses declared their obedience to the orders respecting the indemnities as well as the Government. But some of them expressed a hope that Deir-el- Kamar would remain under the Government of the Druses, inasmuch as it was the capital of the Druse country and of a Druse mookata, that of the Abunekeds. Assaad Pasha replied very properly that no mention should be made of such a wish nor of such a name, as an Abuneked had shed Christian blood in the most inhuman way in Deir-el-Kamar. I have desired the Druse chiefs only to mention the indemnities in terms of extreme and heartfelt gratitude for the excessive generosity of their Sove- reign, to pay the 3,000 purses as soon as they can, and not to offer the slightest objection to the new form of government for Deir-el-Kamar. They have promised me so to do. The conduct of the Austrian and French Agents was one of the causes which conduced to the present favourable state of affairs. M. d'Adelbourg informs me that previously to the meeting, he not only counselled the deputies who came to him with Bishop Tubia to obey, but warned them emphaticallyof the consequences if they did not do so. M. d'Adelbourg advised them strongly to accept the Druse rule, assuring them that they, the Christians, had no cause of fear, nothing " de quoi se redouter." M. d'Adelbourg highly approves of the plan of emigration. M. Poujade, who met Bishop Tubia at M. d'Adelbourg's, told' the deputies that he had no instructions, therefore all he could tell them was to act like good Rayahs, and that if he was to give them his private opinion he would advise them to obey. Another local cause of the submission of the Christians was the absence of Bishop Tubia, who did not attend the second meeting, and who resigned immediately after it broke up. Having consulted M. d'Adelbourg and myself as to whether he had not better resign, we advised him to do so. But the chief and main cause of the present state of things was the honour- able, consistent and benevolent line of policy pursued by Her Majesty's Govern- ment with regard to the Lebanon. The arrival of troops at Beyrout produced also a most favourable effect. Therefore your Excellency's unceasing- exertions to strengthen the civil power in this country have met with tlieir most [ust reward. I have been unceasingly occupied, previous to and during the meeting of the Divan, in consulting with and giving counsel to the Turkish authorities in foiling another deep-laid Shehab scheme to create agitation in the Kesrouan ; in uniting the two Druse national parties of the Djiublats and the Yezbecks who were in 91 discord ; and in inducing the Turkish authorities to maintain the influence which was necessary for them in order to carry out the two difficult and delicate mea- sures in question by a due vindication of the law of the land. By way of still further conciliating the Druses, I have advised the Turkish authorities to direct the Druse Kaimacam never to send Druse hawalee or sheriffs' officers to Christian families, but always Christian hawalee. This they immediately agreed to. As regards the present state of feeling of the deputies, it is irritable, dis- appointed and bitter. Many of them bitterly reproach Bishop Tubia as having encouraged them to resist all conciliation, and then deserting them at the crisis. There has been no commotion as yet in the mixed districts. I have advised the Turkish authorities to treat the deputies with the utmost moderation and kindness ; to see them and converse with them separately ; when the emigration begins to let it proceed slowly with the utmost regularity and system, village after village, and only two or three families at a time. In this way the Christians will have time to reflect, and the Druse chiefs will have time to use of all sorts of conciliating measures to induce their Chris- tian tenantry and vassals to stay. For my own part I adhere to my former opinion that the delicate measure of emigration will be very limited. If the only effect is to transfer those who have suffered most from the Druses and a few hot-headed agitators to the Christian district, the result will be very beneficial. I trust that the Sublime Porte will be pleased in its generosity to give that degree of pecuniary aid which will lighten the expense of emigration to those whom it will really benefit, and yet will not be sufficient to induce any one to leave their home for sake of the compensation. I should not do my duty if I did not bring to your Excellency's notice the moderation, patience and benevolence shown by the Captain Pasha and Assaad Pasha in the execution of the most difficult and delicate duty allotted to them. They have deserved well of their Sovereign, their country and Christianity. For the entire confidence and good-will shown to myself as Her Majesty's servant I shall always feel grateful. I should have said that Omer Effendi attended the Divan. He seems in every way worthy of the important mission entrusted to him. No. 49. The Earl of Aberdeen to Colonel Rose. Sir, Foreign Office, October 7, 1844. I HAVE received your despatch containing copies of your despatches to Sir Stratford Canning, of the 2nd and 5th of September. With reference to the last of those despatches in which you give an account of the apparent termination of the discussions between the Turkish authorities and the Druse and Christian deputies by the acceptance of the arrangements proposed on the part of the Porte, I have to state to you that Her Majesty's Government have received this intelligence with much satisfaction, and fully ap- preciate the prudence and good management by which you appear to have so powerfully contributed to bring about this desirable result. I have accordingly the pleasure to acquaint you that your conduct in these matters is entirely approved. I am, &c, (Signed) ABERDEEN. N2 92 No. 50. Colonel Rose to the Earl of Aberdeen. — {Received November 5.) (Extract.) Beyrout, October 7, lb44. I HAVE the honour to inclose to your Lordship copies of despatches to his Excellency Sir Stratford Canning. Inclosurc 1 in No. 50. Colonel Rose to Sir Stratford Canninrj. Sir, Beyrout, September 20, 1844. I HAVE the honour to state to your Excellency that the Captain Pasha and Assaad Pasha assembled the deputies on the 1 1th instant and informed them that they wished to retain some, about half of them, in Beyrout, in order to consult them if necessary about the indemnities, but that the rest had per- mission to return to their homes and attend to their affairs which might require their presence. Their Excellencies added that when it was necessary that they should return they would give them notice. The deputies said that they were all from different places, and that if any stayed they thought all had better do so. Having understood that a discussion took place on that occasion respecting the new Government, a matter which the Turkish authorities had declared to be terminated, and that the deputies moreover had asked for a Turkish Governor, I instructed my interpreter to ask information on these points from his Excel- lency, who replied as follows : — That there had been no discussion between the authorities and the deputies as regards the orders of the Sublime Porte, but that the deputies requested their Excellencies to have mercy upon them and not permit that the Christians should be governed by the Druses. The Pashas replied that whoever did not like Druse rule might emigrate. Some of the deputies then said that there were several churches in the mixed district, and made difficulties as to the measure of emigration ; on which e Pashas said that these were the orders of the Porte, and as such must be obeyed. With respect to the request for a Turkish Governor, Halil Pasha said that the deputies had requested that the Pashas would permit the mixed Christians to be governed as they were actually by Assaad Pasha, but made no mention of a separate Turkish Governor; to which Assaad Pasha replied that those districts would be governed by him till the indemnity question was settled altogether, but that after the settlement they must be governed by the Druse Kaimacam. Halil Pasha added that as I had communicated the termination of the question to my Government, so he had done the same to his Government by the Turkish steamer on the 5th instant. Halil Pasha then directed his interpreter to go with my interpreter to Assaad Pasha, who gave nearly the same information as the Captain Pasha. Halil Pasha made the same remark as I did, that the deputies used the same observations as Bishop Tubia. The greater part of the deputies have returned to their homes ; a circum- stance, Halil Pasha states, unknown to him. I have, Sec, (Signed) HUGH ROSE. 93 Inclosure 2 in No. 50. Colonel Rose to Sir Stratford Canning. Sir, Bey rout, September 24, 1844. I HAVE the honour to inclose to your Excellency copy of a Circular con- voking a secret meeting to be held in the influential district of the Meten in the Christian Kaimacamship. On the 15th ultimo I received this document, and information shortly after- wards which convinced me that the meeting was a Shehab intrigue to create disorder, and embarrass and discredit the Government of the Kaimacams. I immediately made known the projected meeting to the Turkish autho- rities who were unacquainted with it ; and I availed myself of the means of influence which I use on these occasions to baffle intrigue. I also sent off an express to the Prussian Consul-General, who was three hours off" at Kornaih higher up the Mountain, at which place the meeting had been resolved on. I told M. de Wildenbruch of three Druse inhabitants of Kornail who I thought must know something of the affairs of the meeting. So it happened : two of these persons had attended the meeting that morning, at which they found from thirty to forty persons. M. de Wildenbruch was so good as to use all the arguments which I wished, and exerted himself to baffle the intrigue. The Captain Pasha and Assaad Pasha behaved well on this occasion. They offered the Emir Haidar to send up troops to the Meten, and promised him to issue a bouyurouldi interdicting the meeting, which was both secret and illegal. Having- been consulted afterwards as to the measure of sending troops, I did not counsel it, because there was every indication that the meeting would not be continued, and because it would have caused a sort of panic amongst the Druses, as the report has been industriously circulated that the Government intend to take Nizam. There were other reasons which your Excellency will understand why it was not advisable that troops should go to the Mountain, unless in case of urgency. I advised however that two battalions, perfectly complete in everything, and with guides, should be held ready to move off* at a minute's notice by tw T o different routes to the Meten, should matters look ill. Nothing could be better than the result ; the mere preparation and announcement of displeasure produced a rapid effect, and the Maronite Kai- macam received speedy notice that the meeting w 7 as broken up and the resolu- tions torn to pieces. This fact proves to your Excellency how easily Arabs are influenced by vigorous measures. The Maronite Kaimacam has earnestly begged me to request your Excel- lency to be pleased to use your powerful influence at the Porte in aid of the removal of the ex-Emir Beshir and his family into the interior. The Emir Emin some two months ago caused letters to be written to the Besharre urging the excitation of troubles. The Emir Haidar states that he cannot continue the Government if the ex-Emir Beshir be allowed to discredit his authority and convulse his govern- ment by never-ending intrigue and the outlay of large sums of money in cor- ruption. It certainly is an anomaly that a subject in the capital and under the eyes of his Sovereign should endeavour to bribe his high officers to betray their solemn trust and excite disaffection in the most influential portion of an import- ant province. One old man, who in younger and maturer life made his name prover- bial even in an uncivilized country for cruelty and oppression, and has ren- dered his old age remarkable for his selfish thirst for power, places the happi- ness and well-being of thousands in jeopardy in order to gratify his inordinate ambition. I am quite aware of the exceptional position of the Shehabs, which makes any proceedings relative to them difficult ; but perhaps your Excellency may be pleased to think that the reports of the Captain Pasha, Assaad Pasha, and 94 the Maronite Kaimacam, detailing the unceasing delinquenciea of the ex-Emir Beshir, might enable the Porte to exercise a legitimate right which could not he questioned hy Allies who have so often recorded their desire to maintain her independence and stability intact. I have, &c., (Signed) HUGH ROSE. Inclosure 3 in No. 50. Circular convoking a Srcret Meeting in the district of Metcn. Kornail, Zihdeen, Mcten, Zaroon, Baahda, Brumana, Roome, Beit-Meri, Zifeeyle, El-Ayooni, Bas-cl-.Meten, Frsoon, El-Arbaneeye, Solima, Beha- ness, Be-Mariam, Betibiad, El-Kalaa (all names of villages.) Your Seigneuries the Honoured, may God preserve you. AFTER the compliments and continued wishes for a happy sight of you in every good and prosperity, that a business of importance is necessary, please God, and it will be a favourable business for all. And since the business is pressing, and there is haste for the meeting, and the affair itself is pressing, may it suit your pleasure to be present, Tuesday, at Deir-el-Harf. From even' place there will be two persons. (Signed) Your Brothers the Druses and Christians of the Meten. We agreed to this letter, Sunday. The inhabitants of Kornail, Seen in Zibdeen ; seen in Meten ; seen in Zaroon ; seen in Bon Hains ; seen in Baahda. We agreed to this letter, Monday. The inhabitants of Safceile. Seen in Ayoon. P.S. — We agree from every place to give the messenger two piastres. The things which are intended to be treated at the meeting we have learnt from several persons to be as they were previously mentioned; 1st. Union between Christians and Druses. 2ndly. The Raftee or tariff. 3rdly. Termina- tion of the affair of the Measurement. 4thly. Cessation of the payment of taxes. £>thly. To go to the Bekaa under the direction of the Emir Ismael Shehab in order to take the crops in Bir-Elias. And besides there are other things which will be brought forward. Inclosure 4 in No. 50. Colonel Rose to Sir Stratford Canning. (Extract.) Beyrout, October I, 1844. YOUR Excellency will permit me to state that nothing will act more advantageously on public affairs here than the adoption of the advice which your Excellency has so judiciously given to the Porte. I mean, — 1st. An immediate payment of part of the indemnities ; and, 2nd. Pecuniary assistance to facilitate emigration, which is a safety valve to the new form of Government, which will probably be very little used, but which must be considered indispensable. I again also beg most respectfully to urge the importance and policy of paying the claims of the Mookatadjis or chiefs of districts who perform the duties of police, of the members of the Divan, and of the Vakeels of the mixed Chris- tian districts. I must confess that I cannot at all understand why the Porte or her officers 95 have neglected to pay what is legitimately due and of long standing, more espe- cially when a liquidation of such claims is a matter of obvious policy, that is, the policy of maintaining the present form of government. It is indeed a matter of heartfelt satisfaction that matters have progressed thus far successfully without effusion of blood. I except the few cases of violence on the part of the Shehabs. But the execution of the new form of government, one of the most difficult parts of the measure, and the test of the feelina; of the mixed Christians, is as yet uneffected. Much has been done, but much, very much, remains to be done. It must be borne in mind that the feeling of the great majority of the Christian deputies, two-thirds of whom are old servants of the ex-Emir Beshir, is almost dangerous. The mixed Christians, misled and unduly influenced and very inimically dis- posed to the Druses, are most unwilling to accept their rule. Therefore I beg most respectfully to represent that there should not be the slightest relaxation of the smallest degree of energy on the part of the Porte ; and I trust that the representation of your Excellency will cause the issue of strict orders to the Ottoman authorities here, enjoining the maintenance of the common law and personal security. Unless this is done anarchy will probably triumph. Should Her Majesty's Government's answers to the questions which I had the honour to submit to your Excellency, be favourable to the use of a legiti- mate coercion, I venture to observe that it would be most desirable that the same should be communicated without any delay, as coercion may still be indis- pensable. Coercion timely and humanely used may prevent much effusion of blood and miseiy at a future time. I feel this the more, because I have just received a petition from some of the mixed Christians, in which they quote a petition which they have just transmitted to the authorities. The tone of the latter is bad and insubordinate ; an Emir well acquainted with these documents tells me, what is indeed clear, that one if not two passages in it imply that there will be a recurrence to force if the wishes of the petitioners are not granted. The petitioners also exceed any former demand made by them, and ask not only for a Christian Governor but Christian Mookatadjis. Formerly they stated that they w r ould serve under their Druse Mookatadjis provided they were governed by a Christian Governor ; but now they reject altogether the Druse Mookatadjis, which is an invasion of a positive right. The petition is irregular because it is not signed by the Vakeels, who were appointed by the mixed Christians to act for them, and accepted as Vakeels] by the authorities. Moreover the petition states untruths and commences with one, for it speaks in the name of the Christians of Deir-el-Kamar, and says that they, the Christians of Deir-el-Kamar, are to be under Druse rule, whereas it was clearly announced, as your Excellency knows, that they were not to be under Druse rule. My Russian, Austrian, and Prussian colleagues have all recognized this statement as an untruth. 2. The petitioners state that they will be deprived of all " securite" under Druse rule, whereas all impartial persons acknowledge that the guarantees for their security are ample. My Austrian colleague stated to-day in presence of M. de Wildenbruch and myself, that the Druses neither " pourraient ni voudraient leur faire du mal." 3. The statement of the petitioners " Mais que nous serons places sous un Kaimacam et des Moukatadjis Chretiens, a l'instar de nos peres les Chretiens," is quite untrue, for first, the mixed Christians in the Druse territory were never under Christian Mookatadjis ; and as to a Christian Governor they were in early times under Druse Governors, Fahr-id-deen and others, for Fahr-id-decn was a Druse ; then under Mussulman Shehabs ; and subsequently under the ex-Emir Beshir, who is believed to have been of bifarious if not trifarious faith, lie cer* tainly frequented the Mosque as well as the church ; and lastly, under the four- teen months' rule of the really Christian ruler, the Emir Beshir Bassitn: 4. The statement " la valeur de nos biens qui sont plus nombreux que ecu \ des Druses" is quite untrue. 96 The petition therefore, signed only by seventy-two person- including those of Deir-el-Kamar out of some 24,000 or 30,000, is not entitled to respect, and the petitioners have done their caU86 harm. As emigration was and will he the solution of the great difficulty which it is the policy of some parties to prolong and increase, 1 foresee that it will he attacked and opposed. The late termination would not I believe have taken place if emigration had not been proposed. The mixed Christians have not to face the difficulties which harass other emigrants, who cross wide seas, leave climate, religion, comfort, and civilization for the land of barbarism and often Paganism. Hut the mixed Christain in what is little more than a walk goes from the same climate to the same climate, from one part of the same mountain to another part, and he leaves the rule of a neighbour whom lie states he detests, for the society and rule of a co-religionist. I have just this day, the 22nd instant, gone over the signatures, seventy- four in number, of the petition to me, with a Christian Shehahite formerlv an inhabitant of Deir-el-Kamar, and he informs me that forty-four are inhabitants of the town of Deir-el-Kamar and that very possibly the remainder are so, but he cannot speak to this, as some of the seals only bear the Christian name and others are unknown to him. Therefore the petition is really almost a forgery : for it purports to come from Deir-el-Kamar and the mixed Christian district. In the sense of my former proceedings I do not send the petition to vour Excellency, of which I merely transmit the translation in the way of information. Inclosure 5 in No. 50. Petition from the Mixed Christians to Colonel Rose. VOS pauvres esclaves les Chretiens de Deir-el-Karaar, Djeba'i'l, Chouf et dependances, connus sous le nom de Chretiens des districts mixtes, vous sou- mettent ce qui suit. Vous connaissez sans doute que nos Vekils sont alles a Beyrout pour baiser les mains de leurs Excellences les Pachas. Leurs Excellences leur ont declare de vive voix que la Sublime Porte et les Puissances Alliees ont trouve' convenable de placer les Chretiens sous l'administration du Kaimacam et des Moukatadjis Druses. II est contraire a la volonte divine et a la volonte des autorites d'etre gouverne par nos ennemis et par ceux qui ont pris nos biens. Les Vekils precites ont supplie leurs Excellences de ne pas nous donner un Gou- verneur Druse, mais leurs Excellences n'ont pas accepte leur demande, et elles ont ordonne que ceux qui ne veulent pas etre sous l'administration des Druses s'en aillent. Cette nouvelle nous a extremement affliges, — 1°. Parcequ'il nous est difficile d'accepter un Gouverneur Druse. 2°. Parcequ'il nous est penible de contrarier nos superieurs. Nous presentons par consequent a leurs Excellences une supplique dont le contenu est : " Aujourd'hui vos esclaves, nos Vekils, sont retournes de Beyrout et nous ont communique vos ordres de nous mettre sous radministration des Moukatadjis Druses, et que ceux d'entre nous qui ne vou- dront pas rester sous leur administration, ont la permission de se transporter la ou ils pourront trouver leur trauquillite. Les ordres precites de vos Excellences sont contraires a ce que nous esperions de votre misericorde et au contenu des nombreuses suppliques que nous vous avons adressees, ainsi qu'au contenu de notre derniere supplique du 6 Rebi-el-evel, dans laquelle nous avons expose nos justes griefs et les motifs aussi clairs que le soleil de midi qui nous empechent d'accepter radministration des Druses ; dans cette supplique nous avons expose beaucoup de choses que persoune ne peut nier, et qui auraient du engager vos Excellences a accepter nos prieres et nous delivrer de radministration des Druses. Nous savons pour siir que la Sublime Porte est juste et misericordieuse et desire notre bien et notre repos ; e'est pour cela que nous nous etonnons beaucoup comment apres taut de prieres et tant de suppliques que nous avons adressees a vos Excellences, nous avons merite d'etre mis sous radministration des Druses qui nous priverait de tout repos et de toute securite, ce qui est contraire a votre justice; le motif de cette mesure nous ne le connaissons 97 pas, et nous ne pouvons pas penser qu'elle ait ete adoptee pour notre repos, mais pour notre punition. Coinine done votre Gouvernement est juste, il n'inflige des punitions qu'a ceux qui ont commis des crimes ; aussi comme nous ne croyons pas avoir commis quelque crime contre votre Gouvernement ni contre le peuplc, nous ne pouvons pas aussi connaitre notre crime cache" : nous savons seulement ce dont vos Excellences aussi sont sures, que les Druses ont manque envers nous et envers la Sublime Porte, et que notre sang reste encore impuni aupres d'eux, et que nos biens restent encore chez eux, quoique des ordres ont ete emanes pour leur restitution. Comment done apres tout ce qu'ils nous ont fait, est-il juste que nous restions sous leur administration? nous ne le sa\ons pas; mais nous savons que nous preferons plutot de mourir de la mort la plus cruelle que d'accepter leur administra- tion. C'est pour cela qu'unanimement nous prions vos Excellences, et nous esperons de Dieu tres-puissant et de la tete de notre Souverain, qu'il ne sera pas permis aux Druses de nous gouverner, et que vous ne nous forcerez pas de supporter ce que nous ne pouvons pas ; mais que nous serons places sous un Kaimacam et des Moukatadjis Chretiens, a l'instar de nos peres les Chretiens, afiu que nous puissions trouver notre repos et notre tranquillite, ce qui est votre plus grand desir, comme celui d'un berger pour son troupeau. Quant a l'ordre de vos Excellences que ceux qui ne veulent pas de l'administration Druse, peuvent partir de chez eux, nous jurons par votre chere tete que nous tous nous ne pouvons pas accepter leur administration, et nous vous prions de nous en delivrer. Est-ce que les portes de votre misericorde sont fermees, que vous n'acceptez pas notre priere I Est-il conforme aux reglemens de la Sublime Porte et a la justice de vos Excellences que nous quittions nos foyers et nos biens que nous avons herites depuis une eternite ? et ou irions-nous si nous voudrions quitter nos foyers '? Nous sommes plus nombreux que les Druses, et nous serons tous forces de quitter nos foyers, et aucun Chretien ne restera parmi eux. Don done prendrons-nous la valeur de nos biens qui sont plus nombreux que ceux des Druses? Si vos Excellences trouvent quelque moven pour que nous puissions quitter nos foyers sans rien perdre de nos biens et sans que nous soyons accuses d'etre coupables, nous vous prions de nous communiquer ce moyen sur la presente supplique meme. Nous sommes toujours sounds aux ordres du Gouvernement et aux votres." Voila le contenu de notre supplique a leurs Excellences. Pour l'amour de Dieu done ayez pitie de nous et ne donnez pas motif que notre Montagne soit ruinee et que nous sounrions plus de ce que nous avons souffert. Soyez intermediateur entre nous et nos superieurs afin qu'ils aient pitie de nous et qu'ils ne nous laissent pas sous l'administration de nos ennemis. (219 Cachets.) (Translation.) YOUR poor slaves, Christians of Deir-el-Kamar, Djebail, Shoof and its dependencies, known by the name of Christians of the mixed districts, submit to you what follows. You doubtless know that our Vakeels went to Beyrout to kiss the hands of their Excellencies the Pashas. Their Excellencies verbally declared to them that the Sublime Porte and the Allied Powers have considered it fit to place the Christians under the rule of the Druse Kairaakam and Mookatadjis. It is contrary to the Divine will, and to the will of the authorities, for us to be governed t>y our enemies, and by those who have taken our property. The above-mentioned Vakeels besought their Excellencies not to give us a Druse Governor, but their Excellencies have not complied with their request, and they have ordered that those who do not choose to be under the rule of the Druses should depart. This intelligence has pained us exceedingly ; first, because it is difficult for us to accept a Druse Governor ; secondly, because it is painful to us to oppose our superiors. We therefore make to their Excellencies a petition, the purport of which is: — "To-day have your slaves, our Vakeels, returned from Beyrout, and have communicated to us your orders to submit to the rule of the Druse Mookatadjis, and that such amongst us as shall be unwilling to remain under their rule, have permission to betake 2. O 9S themselves to any place where the) can find ease. The above orders of your Excellencies are contrar j to whal we expected from your pity, and to the the good of the subjects and their repose ; this is on one hand. Bui we were astonished al the inquietude whicb bis Seigneury state-; that your Excellency feels, because there is no motive for that, supposing that there are some persons of the Christians who are manifesting oppo ition; but no consideration musl be paid to that, and it is nol accessary that there should be that uneasiness, especially with the person of your Excellency who is adorned with good head and praised qualifications ; for as it is- known to vow Excellency, the public m every place of the world are liable to division oa account of the difference of objects ; and thank God that the persons attached to the public, and who have more understanding, wish the establishment and triumph of your Excellency for the repose of the country. Your Excellency may remember that last year when some lew ignorant people in Kesrouan wished lor disorder, the wise men and the more prudent immediately presented themselves in opposition to them, and a petition was written and signed hv the clergy and the notables of the country and the wise men, and was presented to his Ivxeellency the Illustrious Mushir, in which they set forth your praised qualifications, and request bis Excellency the Mushir that tliev will not accept any governor to rule them, except your Excellency ; and we have signed the said petition with our name. Now after all this your Excellency must remove from your head all unquiet- ness and uneasiness, and you will remain as you were, undertaking this office for the good of the public ; because if you leave this inaction and present a request to his Excellency the Mushir for resignation, great harm will occur in the country ; this thing has no cause, especially when you are under the pleasure of his Excellency and have his support and assistance for your Government. The bearer of this is our son. the Reverend Autoon Shamraoui, who will represent to your hearing what is necessary on the subject. God may preserve your life. (L.S.) (Signed) JOSEPH BUTROS, The Patriarch of Antioch. Inclosure 8 in No. 50. The Muronite Patriarch to Colonel Rose. (Translation.) September 5, 1845. After the usual Compliments and Titles. THAT in the best of times we received the precious letter of your Seigneury dated nearly the end of the last month, and we understood it, praising the Creator, the Almighty, for your pleasure and your welfare the wished for. And you mentioned that your Seigneury with his Seigneury Mr. Moore, Consul of your illustrious Government in Beyrout, had gone to visit his Excellency the Emir Haidar the illustrious, and that it had indeed much grieved you to see his Excellency labouring under great inquietude, on account of the proceedings of some Christians against him, and for other things ; and that on account of your knowledge of our particular friendship to his Excellency the above-mentioned Emir, you have therefore thought that we should write a letter of encourage- ment and inducement to his Excellency, and that we should support him, as much as we could, in order that no embarrassment should take place in the circumstances to which you alluded. Now all that became known to us. And indeed we considered that that is resulting from the increase of the propriety of the attention of your Seigneury, and the sincerity of your friendship and your affection ; we therefore beg the Almighty to increase his favours to you and to preserve your friendship and your affection. On our part it is not concealed from your Seigneury that we to the utmost of our power have indeed, supported always his Excellency the above-mentioned Emir in what concerns us; and you know that when the affair of the Djebet occurred, on account of the demands of the Miri, and in other matters and cir- cumstances too, how we (in! our utmost till all of them presented the obedience to his Excellency, and the state of things was settled, and the affairs settled ; and we do not cease to be of this resolution as we were. And it is not necessary that we should explain more to your Seigneury on this subject, because your Seigneury 101 knowing well our particular sympathy towards his Excellency and our esteem for him, and his accomplishment with laudahle qualifications, the existence of which is necessary for the administration, especially his justice and the upright- ness of his Government, and his observance of all that relates to the good of the subjects and their repose and tranquillity, without respect for persons nor outward show ; and from the time of his appointment as Governor to the date of this, we never saw anything done by him which could hurt the Government or dishonour it. And therefore, as it is to the knowledge of your Seigneuiy, a petition to his Excellency the Mushir was formerly presented by us and the clergy of the nation, containing the praises of his Excellency the above-mentioned Emir in these things ; and after your Seigneuiy had seen that petition you asked us about its veracity, and we answered you confirming the same. With respect to the saying of your Seigneuiy that you found his Excellency labouring under much uneasiness on account of the proceedings of some of the Christians against him and other things, and you therefore thought it advisable that we should write to him a letter of encouragement and inducement, the opinion of your Seigneuiy is at all times respected by us, and therefore we have now written to his Excellency this letter asked by your Seigneuiy as you desired, although we are not acquainted with the causes of uneasiness to which you alluded as influencing his Excellency. And that letter we have forwarded to his Excellency with an especial envoy ; and probably your Seigneuiy will take cognizance of it. This is what has been necessary to state, while we hope for the continuation of being favoured with the announcements of your wished welfare. God mav preserve vour life. "(L.S.) (Signed) JOSEPH BUTROS, The Patriarch of Antioch. No. 51. Colonel Rose to the Earl of Aberdeen. — (Received November 5.) My Lord, Beyrout, October 9, 1844. WITH reference to the petition against me presented by Archbishop Murad, as he stated, on the part of the Maronite people, I have the honour to state to your Lordship that in presenting that document that personage attempted to practise a fraud on Her Majesty's Government for his own factious and unprin- cipled views. I have the honour to inform your Lordship that all the nine first seals of that petition which are inscribed" Vakeels, Agents of districts, and all which pretend to represent districts, are forgeries. Competent witnesses declare that these districts have never been known to have such seals. Thus as regards the district of the Meten, of which the seal is given in the petition under the same denomination "Vakeels of the Meten," the leading Mookatadji of the Meten declares that that seal is a forgery, that no such seal was ever known to have existed for the Meten. Then as regards the seals of individuals, I am tired of receiving the declarations of the persons whom the petition states to have signed it, but who themselves declare that they never did sign it, that the seals are false or leaden. I had the honour to inform your Lordship that an Emir had signed the petition, but he has sent his agent with his real seal to declare that he never did sign it. The constant employment which I have had in foiling intrigue and in endeavouring to bring affairs into as favourable a state as possible, have prevented me from giving much attention to the petition, for which to speak frankly I felt contempt more than any tiling else, but I shall shortly have the honour to transmit statements as to the forgeries presented as realities by Archbishop Murad. Certainly so unprincipled and false are the inhabitants that confidence can- 102 not be placed in their individual declaration either one way or tin other, but the forgery <>f the seals of the nine districts is clear and known to all, and to none better than to Archbishop Murad. Me must also have been aware that many of the Seals <>l individuals were false. The Meten alone contains no.ooo or 40,000 souls, yet the seal which the Archbishop presented to Her Majesty's Government as representing tlnir opinions is a forgerv, — a forgery meant to influence the policy of Her Majesty's Government and to injure the character of their servant. I shall also have the honour to send a copy of the letter of the Patriarch to me. It confirms what 1 already had the honour to say that several of the seals were not of value because they merely hore the Christian names. It is guarded, and under the circumstances under which it is written that is not surprising. I have, &c., (Signed) HUGH ROSE. No. 52. Colonel Rose to the Earl of Aberdeen. — (Received November 5.) (Extract.) Beyrout, October 10, 1844. I HAVE the satisfaction to state to your Lordship that affairs in the Lehanon on the whole wear a favourable aspect. At this present time there is general quiet ; even intrigue is as it were out of breath, and, discouraged by its constant failures, quiescent for a time. One of the Christian deputies, " Rafoul Farah," of the mixed population, entered about three weeks ago into communication with me, and showed a desire to effect through me a settlement of the grave affair of the government of the mixed Christians, adhering to the principle of government announced by the authorities, that is that the Christians in the Druse mookatas were to be under Druse rule. The voluntary acknowledgment therefore of the principle by a deputv who on the part of bis constituents had declared his unconquerable repugnance to it, and only accepted it out of sullen deference to the Government and on the condition that they might escape from it by means of emigration, is satisfac- tory. The deputy stated that although employed formerly by the ex-Emir Beshir, he did not wish for bis return or that of his family to power. The leading feature of his plan, of which all the details were not feasi- ble, was that the Druses should through me ask for reconciliation from the mixed Christians, and promise to conduct themselves well for the future. Rafoul Farah added that if this were done, he felt certain that the great majority of the mixed Christians would accept Druse rule. I told the deputy that it was needless that I should say anything as to my- self, as my earnest wish and unceasing endeavour had been to reconcile the deplorable differences of the Druses and Christians. The deputy said that he knew this, and that therefore he was certain that no reconciliation would be considered effective unless it were made through my means. Having pointed out to Rafoul Farah that I could not send emissaries, un- authorised by the Government, to the mixed Christians as he wished, 1 advised him to explain to his constituents and others the numerous and efficient guar- antees provided for them under Druse rule, the earnest desire of Her Majesty's Government and of the Porte, and of the servants of these Governments, to do anything practicable or just to ameliorate the position of the mixed Christians, always adhering to the principle of government announced by the Porte. I further begged the deputy to represent to the Christians that they might never again have such a favourable opportunity for securing their position and peace ; that opposition on their part or attempt at change might cause disasters which all would deplore. I added that I would never sanction on the part of Her Majesty's Govern- 103 ment an idea abroad that Christian could not be accepted against the Druse evidence ; that such a thing was a grievous offence against justice and common sense : that Her Majesty's Government in an excellent spirit of impartiality desired equal justice to all. Moreover I stated in the same sense to the deputy that I would use my influence with the Turkish authorities to make arrangements that the mixed Christians should enjoy the benefit of an impartial and mixed tribunal for the adjudication of civil suits at law. I added that from what the Turkish autho- rities had said to me, there could be no douht that they would share my opinion on these points. I told also the deputy that any influential persons whom he might bring over to his way of thinking, would be the best proof and result of his sincerity and zeal. I am glad to say that yesterday he informed me that Hannah Aaisi, one of the chief agitators at Deir-el-Kamar and supporters of the Shehabs, had shown a disposition to conform voluntarily to the new order of things, and was coming to see me. The result of a long conversation with this person was that he accepts voluntarily the general principle that the mixed Christians should be governed by the Druses, but makes three proposals. 1st. That there should be a mixed divan of Christians and Druses, as in the time of the Emir Beshir Kassim, to judge matters of law between Christians and Druses in the mixed districts. 2ndly. That three districts in the Druse country in which the population is nearly exclusively Christian, shall be governed by Christian Sheiks under the Druse mookata and Druse Kaimacam. 3rdly. That if these two conditions are not granted, the mixed Christians shall not be considered to have accepted Druse rule voluntarily. The Captain Pasha informed me that he had heard that the Christians repent having presented the late petition to him, and are going to address a fresh one. 1 do not guarantee the sincerity of either Farah or Aaisi, and 1 have not sufficiently considered the proposals to pronounce an opinion on them ; but so great a concession having been made as the voluntary acceptance of Druse rule, I trust that the same feeling may mould the proposals into an acceptable form. I am sure that it would afford the greatest satisfaction to Her Majesty's Government and to me their servant, if the Christians in good-will and without coercion accepted the new form of Government. Of course in this case there would be no necessity for emigration. The more good-will on the part of the Christians the better chance of peace and duration of the present form of Government. The Mutualis in the Djebail having again shown an insurrectionary spirit, and refused to pay the Miri, the Maronite Kaimacam about three weeks ago sent his brother the Emir Hassan against them with a native force. The Mutu- alis were routed with the loss of three or four killed, and some wounded and prisoners. Generally speaking the party of the Maronite Kaimacam have gained much strength and confidence, and the Shehabs have lost ground. No. 53. Colonel Rose to the Earl of Aberdeen. — (Received December 5.) My Lord, Beyrout, November 10, 1844. I HAVE the honour to inclose to your Lordship copies of despatches to his Excellency Sir Stratford Canning. I have, &c, (Signed) HUGH ROSE. 104 [ndosure l a No. 5.'5. Colonel Rosr to Sir Stratford Carming. (Extract.) licijrout, QOober 20, 1844. I 11 EG RET that the I'orte has not fixed a term for the payment of a part of the indemnities. However the explanations which 1 have had with the Captain Pasha on tin- general matter of the indemnities are satisfactory on the whole. His Excellency States that he never intended to say anything which would induce the supposition that the Porte intended to pay less than the 10,000 purses. His Excellency begged me not to entertain the slightest doubt on this point. In fact I never did feel apprehension on the subject of the 10,000 purses. I then expressed to his Excellency the extreme gratification it would afford if he would appoint a precise time when a part payment of the indemnities would certainly be made to the Maronites ; and the result of our conversation was that his Excellency promised to speak to Assaad Pasha and the Defterdar on the subject. I hope therefore, although I do not feel certain at all, that judicious pres- sure from my colleagues and myself may ensure the announcement of a certain period when the first instalment will be made. I shall do my utmost to obtain this desirable result. The Captain Pasha has received favourably my proposition with the view of increasing: the security and well-being; of the mixed Christians. It remains now to be seen whether these parties will be influenced by the advantages of these benevolent and unceasing exertions in their favour. The deputies convoked have not yet arrived. Inclosure 2 in No. 53. Colonel Rose to Sir Stratford Canning, (Extract.) Beyrout, November 1, 1844. THE Captain Pasha having sent his interpreter to inform me of the con- tents of the bouyurouldi to be issued announcing the final orders of the Porte, I recommended strongly that the payment of the Masloobat should also be men- tioned, as well as the time of the first payment. Halil Pasha consented to name the payment of the indemnities, but not the fixed time of part payment. M. d'Adelbourg spoke to-day to the Captain Pasha and Assaad Pasha on the matter of the indemnities, and told them that if a fixed period for a part payment were not announced, justice would not have been done to the Chris- tians. I requested the dragoman of the Captain Pasha to represent to his Excellency the risk of his declaring his intention to the mixed Christians to use force without accompanying it by a positive assurance as to the conciliatory measure of the indemnities, a measure with which the Five Powers were intimately connected; so connected that their Representatives had very lately made a joint application to the Porte respecting them. I added that the Porte moreover had made assur- ances respecting the indemnities to the Representatives, the Consuls, and the people, and that therefore to announce the measure of rigour, and say nothing decisive of the promised measure of justice and conciliation, was a policy which must cause universal regret, and would entail, I regretted much to say, a respon- sibility on the Captain Pasha with which 1 could not associate myself. I begged therefore the Captain Pasha to allow his dragoman to go with me to the Austrian Consul-General and come to an amicable understanding with him respecting this vital matter. The dragoman came hack immediately with the necessary permission, and five minutes 3 conversation with M. d'Adelbourir settled a dangerous diffi- culty. 105 It was agreed that it should be stated in the bouyurouldi that the details as to the payment of the indemnities should be announced to the new Vakeels of the mixed Christians on their arrival in Beyrout, and the Pasha moreover observed through his dragoman that as the bouyurouldi announced that the Chris- tians through their Vakeels might ask for anything they thought proper, pro- vided the request was based on the recognition of the new form of Government, they would of course be at liberty to state their wishes as to the indemnities. It was further agreed that a copy of the bouyurouldi was to be sent to us. As regards the point that the mixed Christians should remain under the Pasha of Sidon, Halil Pasha said to me, "But if the mixed Christians ask to remain as they are under the Pasha of Sidon, what shall we do ?" A few days since his dragoman came to me for the purpose of obtaining from me the addi- tional guarantees which the mixed Christians would probably ask for, and my observations thereon. The interpreter on that occasion told me that the Captain Pasha had received full power to execute the new form of Government, and that if it was necessary he would use force, but that if the mixed Christians asked to remain under the Pasha of Sidon, in that case he must refer the matter to the Porte. I not only assured the Turkish authorities that 1 did not think that the Christians in question or at any rate all of them would ask for Turkish rule ; but I added that the continuance of Turkish rule over the mixed populations would be a direct infraction of the plan of Government of 1842. I did not fail in additional precaution to point out to Halil Pasha the dange- rous complications which might ensue were the Porte to depart from the course to which it had pledged itself to adhere. But perhaps the most efficacious argument was the reference to that passage in the Earl of Aberdeen's despatch to Lord Cowley of the 5th of July, in which his Lordship states that Her Majesty's Government entirely assented to the principle that if the present system of Government proved impracticable it ought to be changed. I pointed out to the Captain Pasha that the substitution of Turkish rule for that of the respective Kaimacams would prove that the Government of 1842 had failed and was impracticable, and that then would come into action the assurance of Her Majesty's Government that it ought to be changed ; that the wide field of change once entered it was impossible to tell in what that change would con- sist ; but that one thing was certain, that Her Majesty's Government had not pledged itself in any way as regarded the Shehabs, either for or against them. This produced the desired effect on Halil Pasha, and he assured me that he would not countenance any wish or attempt in favour of direct Turkish govern- ment over the Mixed Christians, and that he would carry out the plan of Government of 1842 in all its integrity. Inclosure 3 in No. 53. Colonel Rose to Sir Stratford Canning. Sir, Beyrout, November 2, 1844. I HAVE the satisfaction to state to your Excellency that the favourable disposition manifested by some of the mixed Christians has still further developed itself. Hannah Aaisi, a Greek Catholic, brought me lately a petition from the chief inhabitants of Deir-el-Kamar entreating me to obtain an order from Assaad Pasha forbidding the residence of their cruel enemies, the Abunekeds, in Deir-el-Kamar. The Christians of that town felt great alarm on this subject because they had good reason to believe that Nasif Abuneked was actually about to return. I have some reason to think that Halil Pasha had been ill advised enough to lend his sanction to this proceeding which was directly opposed to a former promise of Assaad Pasha. However I obtained an assurance from Assaad Pasha 2. P 106 in the sense of the "wishes of Deir-eL-Kamar. 'I I liad hoped, aided the change in the feelings of Borne of its inhabitants; and on the 23rd instant a Greek Catholic brought me in greal secresy a curious letter written by one of the most reap CathoUcs in Deir-el-Kamar in the nan ect. The letter stated to hims If and another Greek CathoUc at Beyrout that an emissary had arrived at Deir-el-Kamar bearing an order from the Supreme Turkish authorities to th rout for the settlement of the matters of the Government and the indemnities; that it was understood that a final or positive order had arrived from Constantinople for the termination of these questions ; and that such being the case the Greek Catholics must suppose that the Powere had given their sanction to the issuing of the order; that the Greek Catholics therefore wished to avoid bearing the brunt of the danger which continued opposition might entail on Deir-el-Kamar which was considered as the head quarter of disaffection ; and they entreated their friends in Beyrout to give them advice whether their Vakeels should proceed to Beyrout or not. They stated the wish of their .sect and some of the Maronites of Deir-el- Kamar to accept the new form of Government, " as they could not have the former one," and only stipulated that there might be two Vakeels for Deir-el- Kamar., one for the Maronites and one for themselves, the Greek Catholics. The letter ended by saying that the Greek Catholics wished " to enter into my pleasure," and act as I wished. The letter also inculpates the Bishop (Tubia) and Father John Stambooli., for it denotes them as being at the head of the inhabitants or party of the Shehabs, who do nothing without their approbation; and it adds that "these inhabitants do not care if they expose to death many men, provided there is only a chance of gaining their object" (the return of the Shehabs). I lost no time in returning a proper answer to this important communica- tion ; and the result was that Halil Shawish, a Greek Catholic chosen as deputy by his sect, a young man of great respectability and intelligence, visited me secretly on the morning of the 29th ultimo and fully confirmed the contents of the letter. 1 told lim of the wish of the Turkish authorities to amplify the guarantees for the security of the mixed Christians. He then declared that for the future his sect and those of the Maronites who went with them in Deir- el-Kamar, would follow my advice and conform to my wishes in the matter of the Government, only begging that they might enjoy my peculiar good will ; that the Maronites had protection, but that they, the Greek Catholics, were a sect by themselves. I made a fitting reply. After the announcement of the final order Hahl Shawish informed me that he had told the rest of the deputies, on their expressing their doubts amongst themselves as to whether they should write to their constituents to obey the orders, that he, as one of the deputies of Deir-el-Kamar, should accept the new arrangement, as Deir-el-Kamar was to be governed by a Christian Vakeel on the part of the Emir Haidar, and had no right therefore to complain. I understand also that the other Vakeel of Deir-el-Kamar, a Maronite, will probably give way. Thus a break and a very important one has been effected amongst the mixed Christians, for the centre and stronghold of the Shehabs, Deir-el- Kamar, has already partially abandoned them and adhered to the new order of things. However so great is still the intimidation, that my first informant entreated me not to mention his name as his death would be the consequence. There are about 800 Christians in Deir-el-Kamar of whom 200 are Greek Catholics ; and I am informed that 200 poor Maronites dependent on them go with them. Amongst the rest of the mixed Christians they reckon about 2000 men; and they are distinguished for their intelligence and industry in trade. I have, &c.j (Signed) HUGH ROSE. 107 Inclosure 4 in No. 53. Colonel Rose to Sir Stratford Canning. (Extract.) Beyrout, November 3, 1844. I HAVE the honour to state to your Excellency that soon after the arrival on the loth ultimo of the fresh instructions of the Porte to the Pashas, they issued orders to the deputies of the mixed Christian population to come to Beyrout to hear the final orders of the Ottoman Government respecting the measures of the Government and of the indemnities. Reports were current that they would not come and that their constituents would no longer consider them as their deputies. However on the 29th the greater part of them arrived. On the 30th a deputation of them, four in number, visited me. They conversed on the subject of the amplification of the guarantees. Their tone was much quieter and better than formerly. However I know that two of them, both servants of the old Emir Beshir, and one implicated in the attempted murder of the Christians at Djezin who wished to serve Sheik Said Djinblat, would still do anything they can to frustrate the plan. Halil Shawish was one of the four, but he did not venture at that time to declare his submission before his colleagues. I informed the deputies that the orders lately arrived were final and posi- tive, and exhorted them earnestly in the spirit of sincere good-will to obey it cheerfully and without delay, observing that by so doing they would facilitate the concession of those guarantees which they were desirous of obtaining. On the 31st the Captain Pasha and Assaad Pasha convoked the deputies. I had no notice of their intention to do so. I would have wished rather that their Excellencies should have stated to the deputies the exact period when a payment of the indemnities would be made, and heard from the deputies their wishes as to the amplification of the guarantees. In fact in this sense I had suggested to Halil Pasha through his interpreter the advantage of deferring for a few days the announcement of the final orders to the deputies. The Pashas told the deputies that they had convoked them for the purpose of announcing to them the final and positive orders of the Porte respecting the Government, which they then announced, and then called on the deputies to express their assent. They replied that the people had presented petitions for their repose. The Pashas and Defterdar replied that on the part of their Sovereign, and Halil Pasha said he was the Vakeel of the Sultan, they guaranteed them, the mixed Christians, perfect justice and entire security, that the Porte had already established sufficient guarantees for their welfare, and that their Excellencies were most favourably disposed to grant any further reasonable requests which the Christians might consider to be conducive to their welfare, provided they were based on the new form of Government. But Halil Pasha added that his Government had sent him with the imperial squadron for the express purpose of putting into execution the present form of government, and that it was not to be supposed that opposition was to be made to such a manifestation of the Sovereign's will. The Pashas state that they made a satisfactory declaration as to the indem- nities. The deputies answered, that their constituents had sent them on the understanding that attention would be paid to their petition, but that if, notwith- standing this, the order was to be put in execution, they asked permission to go to their constituents and consult them. The Pashas said that they could not do so, but that they might write to their constituents; "but take care," said their Excellencies, " and write in a proper manner, or otherwise you will be responsible." The Deputies have accordingly written to the people, and they assure me that their letter is an echo of the Pasha's order, and that they exhort them to obey. To-day the Pashas sent a bouyurouldi through the mixed districts declaring the final will of the Porte ; I have the honour to inclose to your Excellency a P2 108 copy of it. When it was brought to inc late yesterday the statement of the indemnities was not satisfactory, and I had to alter it to its present form, which was as much as I could effect. However now the Pashas ^tand pledged in writing to fix by instalments the payment of the Masloobat. The bouyurouldi directs the mixed Christians to elect their Vakeels in the space of ten days. Inclosure 5 in No. 53. Bovyurouldi of the Supreme Turkish Authorities. (Translation.) IN conformity with the issuing of the supreme will confirming the previous decision of placing the administration of the mookatas of the mixed villages under the Druse Kaimacam and their Druse Mookatadjis according to ancient form, and likewise the Druses inhabiting the mookatas of the Meten under the administration of the Christian Kaimacam and their Mookatadjis, your depu- ties were brought here, and they were acquainted with this circumstance, and that the issuing of the supreme will is undoubtedly to be executed in any way whatever ; and the said deputies requested a delay of ten days in order to inform you of what they were acquainted with on our part for the election of the Vakeels, whom it is necessary you should appoint in the mookatas. Therefore it has been necessary now the issuing of this our order to you through its bearer the officer, in order to be known to you that so it is the supreme will ; and we are compelled to cause the execution of the measure, as it is above stated, in conformity with the issuing of the supreme will without change or alteration. It is then necessary for you to reflect on the consequences of the affairs, and you will submit in obeying the order and the will, agreeably to the necessity of the duties of subjects, and immediately you will elect the Vakeels who must be appointed in your mookata for the cause of your tranquillity, as your deputies were given to understand, and of which they have acquainted you. And by the assistance of the Almighty you must after ten days hasten to send here the Vakeels whom you will elect through the officer the bearer of this, in order to consider first the affair of fixing by instalment the payment of the Masloobat, and for the arrangement of some of your possible applications which are included in the supreme will, and also for their, the Vakeels, settlement in the mookatas according to the decision of the supreme will. God forbid, if the ten days pass and you shall not have sent the agents, it will show your non-submission and that you have willingly rejected the favour and have alienated yourselves from tranquillity, and have lost the opportu- nity of acceptance of your application. And be it known to you that imme- diately will be necessary the execution of what is necessary for the performance of the supreme will without any hindrance, and then you will repent of your proceedings. This is sufficient for your admonition. Dated 21st Shewal, 1260 (November 3, 1844). No. 54. Colonel Rose to the Earl of Aberdeen. — (Received December 5.) (Extract.) Beyrout, November 10, 1844. I HAVE the honour to state to your Lordship, in continuation of my des- patch of the 3rd instant to his Excellency Sir Stratford Canning on the state of affairs in the Lebanon, that when the deputies on the 31st ultimo inquired of b 109 the Pashas whether the mixed Christians who did not wish to remain under Druse rule might emigrate and would receive assistance so to do, the Pashas replied that they might emigrate and part with their properties, but that as the Porte would rather that they did not do so, they would not receive any assist- ance. Thus the Porte has rejected a conciliatory measure, that of aid to emi- gration, which I considered as a safety valve to discontent, and therefore of essential use : although I still think, as I did before, that it would have been but little profited by. In my despatch to Sir Stratford Canning I stated that the two Pashas con- voked the deputies without giving me any notice, and that I had suggested to Halil Pasha the advantage of deferring for a few days the announcement of the final orders to the deputies, for the reasons which I stated in that despatch. In further explanation I have the honour to say that the Turkish autho- rities had requested me to acquaint them with the amplification of the guar- antees which the Christians would probably ask for, and with my opinion on the same. Accordingly I conversed with Halil Shawish and another of the deputies on this important subject, urging on them the necessity of asking only for what was practicable. Halil Shawish then gave me a statement of the additional guarantees, and informed me that if these were granted he felt certain that the mixed Christians or the great majority of them would accept Druse rule ; at the same time they said that they would alter or withdraw any guarantee to which I might feel a decided objection. I made some suggestions as to one or two essential points which would have been opposed to the principle of the new plan of Government. The deputies immediately made the necessary alterations, and as the new guaran- tees thus altered stood, there was no essential difference between them and those which a day or two before I had made known to the Captain Pasha by dictation to his interpreter. I constantly kept both Halil and Assaad Pashas aware that the sort of negotiation which I was carrying on with their sanction was taking a favourable turn ; I was therefore much surprised to learn that the Pashas had convoked the deputies suddenly and acted as is stated in my despatch to Sir Stratford Canning. But this was not the only error. The emissaries of the Government sent to publish the bouyurouldi, did so through the villages of the mookata or " Plain of Beyrout," although Assaad Pasha had engaged to the Consuls that all or the greater part of them should be under the Christian Kaimacam. Again, no order was sent to Deir-el-Kamar to chose a Vakeel, although I had stated that there was a favourable change. Although the affair of the Government has now nearly lasted two years, yet on this occasion the Pashas w T ere in such a haste to convene the Vakeels that they did not even wait for the arrival of all of them, notwithstanding that I had begged Halil Pasha to delay for a few days in order that some arrangement might be come to with the deputies as to the amplification of the guarantees. Two or three days ago the kavasses sent to publish the bouyurouldi through the mixed districts returned, and reported that the mixed Christians had not chosen any Vakeel , or declared their submission. One stated that the Chris- tians at the village of Abbaye had stated that the Maronite Kaimacam was their Vakeel. The Pasha sent his interpreter to inform me that he had directed the Maronite Kaimacam to send his Kiaya to Abbaye to inform its Sheik and inha- bitants that he was not their Vakeel, and to exhort them to obey the late order ; and from the answer it would appear that the Pasha threatened to send troops to the village. The Sheik replied in writing that " it would be very difficult to accept Druse rule," and the inhabitants answered verbally that it would be quite unnecessary to send troops to their village, as they would come if necessary to Beyrout and put themselves in prison, but that they would not accept Druse rule ; that they might be put in prison again, but still they would say the same. The village of Abbaye is the residence of some members of the Shehab family, one of whom is the Emir Assaad who joined the Druse revolt in 1842 against the Government. Since this time he has been constantly intriguing. I have received since communications from the' Emir Assaad and the other 110 Six-hubs ui Aliliuye, as well us its inhabitant*, declaring their wish to conform to the wishes of the British Government , hut my informant told me confidentially that they bad confessed their real and secsei object was the restoration of the Shshabst Three horrible murdere have been lately committed hy Christians at Ab- baye, which is a mixed village ten bours from Beyrout under Aasaad Pasha, The Pashas have done nothing in vindication of the law, although I bave fre- quently urged on them, once in Council, the necessity of doing so. I have told their Kxeelleneies that due punishment of crime at Ahbave would probably have prevented the display of political insubordination which has just occurred there. No. 55. Colonel Rose to the Earl of Aberdeen. — (Received December 5.) (Extract.) Beyrout, November 11, 1844. I HAVE the honour to state to your Lordship that the Captain Pasha consulted me as to the feeling displayed at Abbaye and other places in the mixed districts on the publication of the late bouyurouldi. As far as can be collected from the statement of the kavasses and other sources of information the feeling was partially unfavourable, although insubordi- nation and that only in language was manifested at no other places but at Abbaye. A letter from Sheik Said Djinblat states that when he read the bouyurouldi at Moohtara the greater part of the Christians said they would obey ; some She- habites retired without saying anything. On the other band I have the satisfaction to announce to your Lordship that two days ago Hannah Aaisi informed me that himself and his colleague, the Maronite Vakeel on the part of Deir-el-Kamar, would make their submission and declare their obedience to the new form of government if the Pashas would call them before them. Even in this clear case where it was so necessary to record the submission of Deir-el-Kamar, Halil and Assaad Pashas made unnecessary delay, although the latter behaved well in immediately agreeing to my request that, for the sake of conciliating the Greek Catholics, Deir-el-Kamar might have two Vakeels, one Maronite and one Greek Catholic. I thought it right both on this and other occasions to show the authorities that I examined passing events with scrupulous attention. To-day at my request the two deputies of that town were sent for by Assaad Pasha ; and on being asked, they stated their acceptance of the new form of government wdth many expressions of loyalty. As Deir-el-Kamar was the centre of Shehab intrigue and intimidation, its change of opinion and submis- sion must be considered as an essential point gained. 1 told the Captain Pasha that as my advice had not been asked or followed as to the sudden convocation of the deputies and the issuing of the bouyurouldi, I could not be responsible for what had ensued ; that I had kept his Excellency constantly informed of the favourable change in the feelings of the Christians at Deir-el-Kamar, and partially elsewhere ; that therefore I regretted a haste which had put an end to the better developement of that feeling ; that finally the pub- lication to the inhabitants of the Sahil of Beyrout that they were to be under the Druse Kaimacam, was a breach of the engagement made to the Consuls by Assaad Pasha ; that consequently instead of an improvement in their position the Christians saw a positive deterioration. Halil Pasha said the Christians said one day one thing, the next another; that he had stated to the deputies that they might ask for the improvements of the plan which they chose, and that he had cut matters short with them because they would give no decided answer. The Pasha then said that he intended now r to call the deputies together, and ask them what answer they had received from their districts ; that he would Ill then hear what amplification of the guarantees they would be desirous of having; that on hearing them Assaad Pasha and himself would determine what could be granted with propriety, and publish it by means of bouyuronldi through the mixed Christian district ; that if the Christians then did not declare or show their obedience he would order the Druse Mookatadjis to carry the details of the plan into execution, giving them the necessary force. But said the Captain Pasha, " There is only one thing qui m'arrete ; — je m'arrete la." 1 knew what his Excel- lency meant but begged him to be so good as to explain. " I mean," said his Excellency, "were the mixed Christians to ask for the continuance of the Turkish rule, what is to be done then?" I replied that the continuance of that rule would be an infraction of the plan of government recommended to and accepted by the Porte, and would further be a breach of the promise made by the Sublime Porte to Her Majesty's Ambassador to maintain that plan of government in all its integrity. I recommended, in amelioration of the Captain Pasha's plans, that as some of the villages of the mixed Christians had said that they had already chosen their Vakeels, the Pashas should now consider the deputies here as the Vakeels and confirm them as such, and direct them to ask for the amplification of the gaurantees which they desire ; that after the Pashas should have decided on them, they should be published to the mixed Christians, and the Vakeels directed to proceed to their districts and enter on their functions ; that if resistance were then offered to the Government it would assume a more distinct and tangible form, and could be put down by military aid from Deir-el-Kamar and Beyrout. This plan had the advantage that if resistance took place it would be made to the form of government already in operation ; that the employment of force would be in its defence ; and lastly that the people would be less likely to come in collision with their Druse Mookatadjis. To-day the mixed Christian and Druse mookata of the Lower Gharb sent in a petition saying that they obeyed the orders of the Government but that they did not wish to send a Vakeel. This was an intrigue of the Druse Kaimacam, to whom the mookata belongs, not to be saddled with a Christian Vakeel. The Christians were ordered by the Pashas to name their Vakeel, and praised for their proper conduct. The present state of affairs is critical, but your Lordship may be assured that I will do my utmost to give them a favourable turn. I have the honour to say that no mixed Christian district obeyed the order contained in the bouyurouldi by naming their Vakeel. No. 56. Colonel Rose to the Earl of Aberdeen. — (Received January 3, 1845.) (Extract.) Beyrout, November 30, 1844. IT is to be regretted that the Maronite Patriarch, who had been acquainted with the new plan of government for nearly two years, should not have expressed his opinion against it till the Sovereign, through his supreme authorities in this country, had issued final and positive orders that it must be carried into execution; that his Eminence never had expressed his disapproval of the arrange- ment till the Sultan's Representative had ordered the people to conform to it, and the people had refused to do so ; his Eminence's prayer in favour of the disobedient subjects, as their spiritual head, was thus in conflict with the solemnly and often-proclaimed will of their temporal ruler, and that too at a moment of great political excitement and critical state of public affairs ; it was in fact an encouragement to them to persist in their disobedience, the more to be regretted because as Christians they would probably value the opinion of their Christian Patriarch more than that of their Mussulman Sultan. The Patriarch is un- doubtedly spiritual head of the Maronites, but he has interfered in a matter which regarded the exercise of a temporal prerogative of the Sultan, losing sight of the consideration that the Sultan had through the Captain Pasha guaranteed 112 repeatedly the security and welfare of the mixed Christians, — that the Druses wne not in any way to interfere with their spiritual concerns. Moreover Bishop Tubia and the mixed Christians had heen given distinctly to understand that the churchmen, convents, and churches in the mixed Chris- tian districts were to remain under their respective Patriarch. On a former occasion the Patriarch's interference in temporal affairs had preceded, and according to general belief had been the chief cause of, the civil war. Mr. Moore and myself had once heard the Patriarch defy the Sultan's power. The misfortunes which he had at that time brought on his countrv had been the cause of his abstaining in seclusion from worldly matters, and his re-appearance amongst them at this critical time could only strengthen the wish that his Eminence should have adhered to his former prudent resolution to confine the sphere of his actions to his ecclesiastical duties. The impression is now general that the petitioners never meant to convev any idea of physical co-operation. Even the deputies of Deir-el-Kamar, which was formerly the focus of Shehab intrigue, and still most probably contains many disaffected, declare that they will never associate themselves with any hos- tile proceeding against the Government. But even if the petition did conceal any hostile meaning, the Lebanon Christians as well as Druses are so divided by party, that the Government has nothing to fear from coalition. Two or three days after the presentation of the petitions in favour of the mixed Christians, a Maronite Sheik of the Hazin family offered both to the Captain Pasha and myself to bring a petition signed by twenty or thirty Sheiks of his family, disapproving of the petition signed by their relations. And as regards the Patriarch he has been obliged to entreat armed aid against the insurgent Maronite monks and inhabitants of Besharre. One hundred Kurd horse and 400 Maronite feudal troops have been dispatched in obedience to his Eminence's wishes against his monks. Singular that at the very moment his Eminence was deprecating Druse rule over laymen, he should be directing war with Mussulman and Kurd irregular horse against Christian priests. No. 57. Colonel Rose to the Earl of Aberdeen. — (Received January 3, 1845.) (Extract.) Beyrout, December 10, 1844. I HAVE the honour to inclose to your Lordship copies of my despatches to his Excellency Sir Stratford Canning. I have the honour to inform your Lordship that soon after the 18th ultimo, on which day the Pashas informed me of the arrival of the petitions of the Patriarch and others, I perceived indications that the Turkish authorities intended to avail themselves of that circumstance as a pretext for not executing or even beginning the execution of the plan of Government. The mixed Christians, notwithstanding several delays granted to them for reflection, and the solemn public exhortations orders and warnings of the Pashas, had refused to conform to the late positive orders of the Porte. Halil Pasha had told the deputies, as he states, that " by the head of the Sultan he would put the plan into execution." The Pashas had declared to them that they would send troops to the Moun- tain ; that they would punish them if they did not obey ; and that they had sent for the Druse Mookatadjis, who would be invested and directed to put the govern- ment into execution. Their Excellencies had sent for the Mookatadjis. Their Excellencies having consulted me subsecjuently to the conference on the 18th ultimo as to what they should do, I said that the best thing was to make good at once the promise of sending troops, which would not be attended with risk as all concurred, and I had secret information as to the intentions of the deputies which proved the same, that opposition would not be made to the Turkish troops. I advised further, 113 1. That two battalions should be stationed in Djezin, three at Deir-el- Kamar and Ibtedeen, and one, to keep up the communications between these places, half way between Djezin and Deir-el-Kamar. This force to have requi- site artillery and cavalry. My reason for suggesting this disposition was that the criminals who were to be arrested for acts of assassination and outrage lived in Djezin and the neighbourhood. To arrest them without the presence of troops would have been attended with risk. 2. Some of the mixed Christians and their deputies, although they had said that they would not attack the Ottoman troops, yet had avowed the intention of falling on the Druses and recovering their pillaged property. The disposition of the troops in the centre of the mixed Christian district would have effectually prevented such a design. That Assaad Pasha should proceed to the Mountain with the troops and summon to Deir-el-Kamar the oldest and most respectable of the mixed Chris- tians, from every village one or two, and direct them to stay with and serve him till the affair of the government was settled. In this way the people would have been deprived of their leaders, and these influential persons would probably have been gained over by conciliation. 3. That all persons who had been guilty of grave offences against the law should be arrested without delay and sent to Acre. 4. That the new government should be put in force in three mookatas where the opposition was less determined, and particularly in one where the mixed Christians had declared their. submission. I also earnestly suggested the expediency of assigning a term for the payment of the indemnities. These measures taken, I told the Pashas that I felt convinced that the mixed Christians would be assured of the determination of the Government to earn* out the plan, which they had hitherto unfortunately doubted, and ask for the additional guarantees ; but I added that if they did not do so, I should then be ready to give further advice. The counsel I gave was founded on the knowledge of the country and Arab character and the suggestions of some experienced and intelligent Christians. They said that the presence of troops would produce much good ; but that that of Assaad Pasha would cause twice as much. But this advice was not adopted. Inclosure 1 in No. 57. Colonel Rose to Sir Stratford Canning. (Extract.) Beyrout, November IT, 1844. IN continuation of my report of the 11th instant to the Earl of Aberdeen, I have the honour to inform your Excellency that the deputies of the mixed Christian districts were convoked on the 12th instant before the Captain Pasha, Assaad Pasha, and the Defterdar; the ten of ten days granted by the Turkish authorities for the arrival of an answer lrom their constituents having elapsed. Their Excellencies asked the deputies what answer they had received. In reply they presented to their Excellencies a letter from their constituents to themselves, a translation of which I have the honour to inclose to your Excel- lency. Your Excellency will perceive that the letter contains a refusal on the part of the mixed Christians to obey the late orders of the Porte. In explanation of the mention which is made of me in the letter I have the honour to inform your Excellency that what is attributed to me therein is entirely false ; for I never acquainted or promised the deputies that the emigrants would be paid the value of their property. When I asked the two deputies who brought me a copy of the letter after thek meeting on the 12th with the Pashas, why such an use of my name had been made, they replied that it was Bishop Tubia who had told them that I had thus expressed myself. I lost no time in demanding an explanation oi this person, when he acknowledged that in a private conversation with me after his resignation as agent of the Patriarch for the mixed Christians, I had said, in reply to his question as to what the emigrants should do 'with their properties, 2. Q 114 thai it was my opinion that it would be advisable that emigration should In facilitated by the Porte's allowing an emigranl to r< <■■■ ive indemnification, if not entire, at least partial for his house or property, half of it to be paid on his Leaving his old, and the other half on arriving at bis new Residence; in short 1 spoke in the sense of ni\ despatches on the subject of emigration. I (nt the conversation with Bishop Tubia as to emigration was private, and occurred after the deputies had accepted on the 3rd September last the mem form of government on the Pasha's Baying that they might emigrate, and alter Bishop Tubia had resigned. The deputies therefore cannot urge that any state- ment of mine as to emigration influenced them in accepting the new form of government, because the conversation with Bishop Tubia took place after the meeting. For the reasons which I have had the honour to state previously 1 aided the resignation of Bishop Tubia, and since that time I have carefully avoided making him the channel of communications with the people. 1 have the honour to inclose to your Excellency a minute of the conversation between Bishop Tubia and myself respecting the unjustifiable use of my name. The Captain Pasha informed meat the time that the instant he mentioned the word emigration all the deputies prostrated themselves before he could tell them, as he had intended to do, that he would ask for pecuniary assistance tor them from the Porte. Bishop Tubia also told me four days ago that he was very angry with the mention that had been made of my name, and had reprimanded the deputies for having done so. However I hear confidentially that Bishop Tubia wrote the letter himself, and sent it to the mixed Christians to forward to the Pashas as their answer. Even if so, I am too much accustomed to treachery in Syria to feel either annoyance or surprise. I will not weary your Excellency with the details of the meeting of the 12th, the repeated exhortations and orders of the Pashas on one hand, and the excuses and declarations of non-ability to obey on the other. The Pashas seem to have spoken with energy, even vehemence ; not to be wondered at when it is considered that common Fellahs told a Captain Pasha. aMushir, and a Defterdar, that they would not accept the positive orders of their Sovereign, notwithstanding that their Excellencies assured them that they might demand anything which they chose as additional guarantees against oppressive conduct on the part of the Druse Government, provided it was within the limits of the new arrangement. One Maronite deputy, Hassan Stambooli, from the insubordinate village of Abbaye, came forward and said that their Excellencies might bring him forward a thousand times, but that still he would always declare the same. At the close of the meeting on the 12th the Pashas told the Christians that they would give them a delay of four days to ask for such additional guarantees as they might require, and that if at the end of that time they did not comply with the orders respecting the new form of Government their Excellencies would proceed to put it into execution, adding that afterwards it would be too late to obtain the guarantees. On the 12th and 13th a deputation of the deputies visited the Consuls of the Five Powers. I used all the arguments which I thought the most likely to induce them to obey the late orders. I pointed out to them that at the expiration of the four days it was the intention of the Pashas to invest the Druse Mookatadjis. who, the Pashas stated, would be directed to carry into effect the nomination of Christian Vakeels, and that if the Christians did not yield they would lose both present and future advantages, for that the Druse chiefs would cause the nomination of some Chris- tian Vakeel, most probably of their own party, inasmuch as the Christians opposed to their Government refused to nominate one ; that thus the recusant Christians would have in the important position of Vakeel a nominee of the Mookatadji instead of a controller and inspector of his conduct, losing in this way all the important additional guarantees which the Pashas had declared they might obtain if they would only ask for them. These and many other arguments produced an effect ; the deputies asked me for the additional guarantees proposed by Hannah Aaisi ; and on the evening of the second day 1 learnt from several quarters that they had actually agreed to 115 ask for additional guarantees. But in the night a communication, said to have been made to them by Sheik Beshara El-Houri, caused them to change, and on the evening of the 3rd and the morning of the 4th they had finally resolved not to obey. All agree too that one main cause of opposition to the new order of things is the clergy. Your Excellency knows how often I have represented the great evil and impolicy of not paying the Lebanite chiefs. I have again urged the point with the Turkish authorities, but they informed me that they could not do so till after the settlement of the new form of Government. The disaffected, for the reasons I have now and so often stated, have gained much strength. The mixed Christians, by the most culpable licence which has been given to them to act in defiance of humanity and justice, have established a rule of terror ; and the more I see the more I regret that my plan was not followed of asserting the legitimate authority of the Government and the rights of order and humanity, before putting into execution the delicate and difficult measure of the Government. A people in a state of nearly two years' insubordination and lawlessness are not in a fit state to receive any form of fixed Government, much less one for which they have an aversion. Halil Pasha sent his interpreter to inform me of the result of the meeting on the 12th instant : he told me that his Excellency had told the deputies that there must have been a mistake in the statement contained in the answer of the mixed Christians to the deputies, that 1 had made an engagement as to the pay- ment of the property of emigrants ; that I might have said I would make known a prayer of the inhabitants to that effect. The Pashas told them that they might emigrate if they chose, but that no indemnity would be given to them by the Porte. The engagements made by British agents allude to those of the British officers in 1840. Inclosure 2 in No. 57. Minute of a Conversation between Colonel Rose and Bishop Tubia. AY ANT ete present comme interprete a la conversation qui eut lieu le 14 courant entre M. le Colonel Rose et l'Eveque Tubia, je declare que ce dernier a admis que tout ce que M. le Colonel lui avait dit apres l'assemblee des deputes chez les Pachas au commencement de Septembre dernier, par rapport a l'emigration, etait une simple opinion privee de sa part, et qu'il recommanderait, ou qu'il avait recommande, la mesure a. son Excellence Sir Stratford Canning pour prier la Sublime Porte d'accorder quelque assistance pecuniaire a ceux des Chretiens qui voudraient emigrer. Tout ce que M. le Colonel, ajouta l'Eveque, dit au sujet de l'emigration etait une observation et non pas du tout une promesse. Beyrout, le 17 Novembre, 1844. (Signe') J. MUSSALLI. Translation. - Beyrout, November 17, 1844. HAVING been present as interpreter at the conversation which took place on the 14th instant between Colonel Rose and Bishop Tubia, I declare that the latter admitted that all that the Colonel had said to him after the meeting of the deputies at the Pasha's in the beginning of September last on the subject. of emigration, was a mere private opinion on his part, and that he would recommend, or that he had recommended, the measure to His Excellency Sir Stratford Canning, in order to request the Sublime Porte to grant some pecuniary assistance to such amongst the Christians as might desire to emigrate. All, added the Bishop, which the Colonel said on the subject of emigra- tion, was a remark, and not at all a promise. (Signed) J. MUSSALLI. Q2 116 Enclosure 3 in No. 57. Answer of the Mixed Christians to their Deputies in lieyrout. (Translation.) After the usual compliments. November 6, 18-14. WE this dav received your letter dated the end of last month, in which you mention your having had the. honour to see their Excellencies our illustrious Lords the Captain Pasba and Assaad Pasha, who announced to you their high orders, informing you of the receipt by them of the last decision of the Sublime Porte (may God continue to her the glory and power!) that we Bhould be under the Druse rule, as it was previously determined ; that it is not permitted to us to refer, or entreat any more, because there remains do room for that ; that their merciful Excellencies have warned us to accept and submit to the orders ; that by that arrangement we should obtain the perfect tranquillity under their noble regards ; that we must elect Vakeels, one for each Mookata, in order to be as inspectors for our affairs ; but that as you were not authorized by us to accept the administration of the Druses, you have represented the fact to their threshold and entreated them to give you permission to refer to us, and therefore a delay- often days has been granted to you. Moreover you stated that so indeed the last decision was, and that their Excellencies have warned us, and promised to give perfect tranquillity to those who will obey, and that the submission is there- fore necessary. All your statement was known to us. Now as the case is as it is above mentioned, what is then the remedy and what answer should we give since there is no permission for replying ? This can only be on account of our misfortune and our bad fate. But as placing us under the Druse rule is a decided and determined order, and there is no doubt of it, whether we accepted it or we did not accept it, there will be no necessity then for entreaty or reply on our part. For we cannot deceive ourselves by sav- ing that we will have our tranquillity under the Druse rule. But we say the truth, that the administration of the Druses over us will deprive us of our tran- quillity and security, and it will prepare for us several different deaths although the Almighty God had decreed to die once, no more ; and we cannot think that our mother the Sublime Porte (may the Lord of the world preserve and keep her!) wishes that we should answ r er against the fact, because it will be a contradiction to her justice which loves what is reasonable, and whose paste is fermented with righteousness and equity. But as we are her servants and we believe she is a merciful mother, we do not apprehend therefore that she will permit our per- dition, especially on account of our having not manisfested the least departure from her obedience and her high orders ; and if she is effectively determined to put this measure into execution there can be no doubt that the real state of things had been differently represented to her threshold. But as it is above stated that there remains no room for the arguments and entreaties, it would be there- fore better to be silent in compliance with the high order. But as you had the first time informed us that he who does not wish to remain under the Druse rule, it is permitted to him to remove to other place - and he will have the value of his property ; that his Seigneury Colonel Rose the illustrious had acquainted you that the value of the properties of those who will remove will be justly estimated, and that before their removal will be paid to them the half of the value, and after having been settled in new places, the remainder will be paid to them ; the circumstance being so, you may give the answer that all of us will remove, and you may entreat their Excellencies to send inspectors for the estimation of our properties and that they may he pleased to grant us their value. It is well known that wherever we may go we are to be fouud under shadow of the Sublime Porte and faithful servants to her. You may show this our answer to his Seigneury Colonel Rose the illus- trious, in order to assist the fulfilment of what he had promised, because we have a great claim on him and on his great Government for demanding our tranquillity as we were promised on the part of their Agents. And that without getting the value of our properties, how is it possible for us to remove '. And it is not con- cealed that the properties are equivalent to the lives. And in any way the command is to whom has the command. This is sufficient to fraternity, and may God preserve you. (Signed) Your Brothers the Christians of Djebail, Es-Shoof, and the other districts and mixed places generally. 117 Inclosure 4 in No. 57. Colonel Rose to Sir Stratford Canning. (Extract.) Beyrout, November 18, 1844. I HAVE the honour to state to your Excellency that at the expiration of the four days allowed by the Pashas to the Christians as a term to deliberate in, I visited Halil Pasha, and in the conversation which followed on the present state of affairs I thought it necessary to draw his Excellency's attention again pointedly to the fact that there was a general impression abroad that the Turkish authorities wished to continue their direct rule, and that such an impression was one of the chief causes of the present unfavourable state of affairs. Halil Pasha made the usual protestation, and said that he was determined to execute the present plan of government, but that if every time a Christian had sustained any petty aggression from a Druse, " if a fowl were taken," a com- plaint and reference were to be made to the Consular authorities as if an infrac- tion of the new form of Government had been committed, there would be no end to the embarrassments in which the Turkish authorities would be placed. I assented. "But," continued Halil Pasha, " if you will write to your Govern- ment and your Ambassador that it would be advisable that there should be no Consular interference with the new plan of Government, but that when the sub- ject of the Lebanon carries a complaint to a Consul, he should advise him to address himself to his Turkish authority, and, if he does not give him satisfaction, to the Porte ; and that if, finally, any real infraction of the present form of Govern- ment or any engagement takes place, the Governments should ask for explana- tion from the Porte ; if you will write thus, I will engage that I will execute the plan without any difficulty, and moreover I will engage that it shall last for ever." It is clear that it would be desirable to check a tendency on the part of the inhabitants of the Lebanon to complaint and discontent. Inclosure 5 in No. 57. Colonel Rose to Sir Stratford Canning. (Extract.) Beyrout, November 19, 1844. I HAVE the honour to say that Halil Pasha requested me to come to him yesterday. I found with his Excellency Assaad Pasha, Daoud Pasha, Com- mander of the troops, and the Defterdar. They informed me that they had just received petitions from the Maronite Patriarch and Bishops and the different districts of the Lebanon, praying that their countrymen the Maronite Christians might not be placed under Druses. They had also just received accounts of a brutal outrage committed on one of the unfortunate Christians who had come to Beyrout to complain of the intimi- dation which had been practised on them because they had wished to be under the rule of their Druse Mookatadji, Sheik Said Djinblat. Whilst on their road home with the bouyurouldi these two persons were attacked by some of the mixed Christians of a vHlage about seven miles from Deir- el-Kamar. One escaped by crossing a river, but the other was seized and bru- tally beaten by his assailants amidst imprecations till he lay senseless. He supposes that they thought they had killed him, as they stated such to be their intention in order to punish him. The authority also mentioned another instance of outrage on the part of mixed Christians against the Druses. The Bishop of Zahle, I have information, set on foot the petition from the district of the Meten. There can be no doubt therefore that the petitions, which all arrived at the same time, owe their origin to clerical, the most disagreeable of all agitations. I know that most of the Sheiks of the Kesrouan had at first refused to have anything to do with a petition in favour of the mixed Christians. The Maronite Patriarch and clergy are at this moment so involved in a dispute with the head of a Maronite convent in the mountainous district of the IIS Besharre thai one hundred irregular horse and five hundred Maronite Moun- taineers have been ordered to bring to obedience the insubordinate Monks, whose position however is nol bad, as their convent is nearly inacc ssible, and they arc supported by numbers of the hardy inhabitants of Besharre', who arc besides their countrym< n. Zahle could not well do anything, as Bozou Agha would prevent any movement on their part ; they are besides divided into pari The Kesrouan I cannot think would take up anus 111 favour of their coun- trymen. The inhabitants arc known lor their want of courage, and botfa in that, district and in the Metcn the influence of the Government, aided by mine, would 1 think prevenl any insurrectionary movement. Probably, generally speaking, the Christians felt that they could not i the appeal of their clergy and of their countrymen to make an effort in their favour. A Maronite priest has aUo just informed me that the signing of the petitions was not universal. The petitions, of which I have not had time to base translations made, are not I hear disrespectful. The division of the Druses was a source of uneasiness to the Pashas. The result of the conference was that the Pashas did not come to a final decision, but that their intention is to strengthen the Government as much as possihle, send two battalions more to Deir-el-Kaniar, form a camp at Sidon, and having taken all the necessary precautions, put in execution the new form of government. The utmost discretion will be observed in the use of force. The late petitions do not change the nature of the question. They were to be expected, and I must think that the statement as to the impropriety of the mixed Christians being under the Druses is unfounded, when the Christians are guaranteed as to their safety, their religion, rights and liberty, even that a Druse should not enter their houses. A person of confidence, who was lately with Sheik Said Djinblat, informs me that the total licence given to the mixed Christians and the intimidation practised by them have caused an entire union amongst them. They would resist he thinks if they had a prospect of success, but not otherwise. A few weeks however ago there was a report of additional troops being sent up to the Mountain, on which about two hundred mixed Christians came to Sheik Said to pay their respects, and amongst them several of the very family which committed the late outrage on the Christians. Now are seen the effects of the unprincipled policy of the Government in allowing an insubordinate people to assume their authority. I have just learnt that the Pashas have succeeded in uniting the Druses. Inclosure 6 in No. 57. Colonel Rose to Sir Stratford Canning. (Extract.) Beyrout, November 27, 1844. I HAVE the honour to state to your Excellency that the Pashas having given to the deputies a further delay of two days in addition to the four which they had allowed them to deliberate on the final orders, assembled them on the 1 8th instant. Their Excellencies used the most energetic language to induce them to obey, and Halil Pasha's interpreter informed me afterwards that his Excellency had even sworn by the head of the Sultan that he would carry his Sovereign's order into execution, that he would send troops to the Mountain if they did not conform to the new orders, that he would send for the Druse Mookatadjis, invest them, and order them to carry the new Government into execution. The Vakeels however remained firm in their disobedience, encouraged partly by the petitions of the Maronite Patriarch and bishops and others in their favour received just at that time. On the same day. the 18th instant, the mixed Christians sent in a petition to the Pashas to be governed by the Maronite Kaimacam on the same principle a s the inhabitants of Deir-el-Kamar, that is to be entirely taken away from u nder their feudal seigneurs the Druse Mookatadjis. 119 The concession of this request would be an infraction of a positive right confirmed by antiquity and the sanction of both the Christian Shehab Emirs and the Ottoman Government. But unjust and dangerous in itself the concession could not take effect, for the Christian Kaimacam and Mookatadjis would never consent to the adoption of a measure which would lead to the abolition of the feudal rights of their own mookata. The influential and popular Christian districts of the Kesrouan and Meten are governed feudally by Christian Mookatadjis, who enjoy the same feudal rights as the Druses. The abolition of the feudal rights of the Druses over their Christian vassals which were in full vigour in 1840, would be opposed to the spirit of the engage- ments made by Her Majesty's servants at that time. In the summer the Emir Beshir of Brumana, who knows the country well, suggested to me the adoption of a plan which would place all the Christians under the Christian Kaimacam, and all the Druses under the Druse Kaimacam, preserving intact the feudal rights of both Christians and Druses, the two Kaimacams judging together cases of complaint of the mixed Christians or Druses, referring if necessary to the Pasha of Sidon. There was to be besides a mixed Mehkeme of Christians and Druses to decide civil law suits between mixed Christians and Druses. The great objection to a national or sectarian rule being removed by the preservation of the feudal rights of the Druse Mookatadjis, which they will never give up in peace, I viewed with pleasure a plan which ensured to ail the Chris- tians a Christian ruler, and conferred on the subject with the Maronite Kaimacam. But the project, when I communicated it to this person, met with such determined opposition from him that I could do nothing but give it up. He would not hear of governing the mixed Christians, saying that they were insubordinate ; did not care for their religion ; that their first act would be to revolt against him ; finally, that if the plan were carried into execution he would resign. With respect to the maintenance of feudal rights, all bouyurouldis, orders from the Government, for the mookata are addressed to the Emirs who execute them ; they have magisterial and police powers, both sanctioned by the Govern- ment. One day an order came from the Christian Kaimacam to the Emirs to send men under one of the Emirs to quell a disorder at Zahle. Immediately the oldest of the Emirs issued his orders to a certain number of his feudal retainers to assemble at his village, and having done so he sent them under a junior Emir to perform the required duty. But if the Maronite Kaimacam had sent the order directly to the Fellahs without going through the Mookatadji, the order would have been disobeyed and the Emirs would have risen against him. In short both Christian and Druse chiefs are feudal magistrates with certain ancient privileges which they would rather perish than surrender. They are the aristocracy, a link between the supreme authorities and the people. The attempt to destroy this link would be most dangerous. It has already cost one bloody civil war. The Patriarch's intolerant attempt to do away with the feudal rights of the Druses over their Christian vassals was one of the primary causes of the melan- choly events of 1841. The danger of leaving the safe position of the statu quo, and the instructions to support the details lately communicated by the Porte to your Excellency, which specify the adoption of the geographical and not the sectarian form of Government, have been the cause that 1 have not entered info any communica- tion or taken any steps as to a change of the geographical system. The Emir Beshir of Brumana, he says of his own accord, has sounded the Christian deputies as to the adoption of the sectarian plan, on the condition that the Druses are to preserve their feudal privileges. He says that he thinks they might come into this arrangement if they were left to themselves. 120 Inch sure 7 in No. 57. Colonel Rose to Sir Stratford Canning. (Extract.) liei/rout, December 2, 1844. I HAVE the honour to say that Ending that the Turkish authorities had taken no measures "whatever for carrying the details of the new Conn of Go- vernment into execution conformably with the memorandum of the Porte, which the Captain Pasha bad so often assured me fully enabled him to do so, that no troops had been sent to Deir-el-Kaniar, and having further learnt from the Cap- tain Pasha to my great surprise that neither his Excellency nor Assaad Pasha nor the Defterdar were of opinion that their instructions justified them in using coercion, 1 thought it my duty to place on record the conduct of the Turkish authorities and the state of affairs. The Captain Pasha afforded me an opportunity for doing so by asking me whether he had not better refer matters to Constantinople as bis orders did not empower him to use coercion. I told his Excellency that I would reply to him the next day, and I now have the honour to inclose to your Excellency a copy of my answer. Inclosurc 8 in No. 57. Memorandum, from Colonel Rose to the Captain Pasha. Beyrout, le 29 Novembre, 1844. SON Altesse le Grand Amiral propose de referer la matiere de ['admi- nistration des populations mixtes du Mont Liban a la Sublime Porte. Le Soussigne pense que ce precede serait equivalent a une suspension de la mesure. Son Altesse a fait I'honneur au Soussigne de lui demander sa pensee sur cette matiere. Pour obvier tout mal-entendu le Soussigne le juge bon de donner une reponse par ecrit a la question du Grand Amiral, en forme d'un memorandum contenant son avis amical, et il a I'honneur de dire que, — Aucune des mesures recommandees instamment par son Excellence l'Ambassadeur de Sa Majeste Britannique pres la Sublime Forte dans un memorandum adresse a son Excellence Rifaat Pacha sous la date du 20 de Septembre, pour faciliter la marche de l'administration de 1'annee 1842 n'a etc adoptee, a l'exception d'une ou deux d'elles, et celles-la de mineure importance. Les mesures recommandees par son Excellence Sir Stratford Canning e"taient, — 1°. De placer 1200 ou 1500 troupes regulieres a la disposition des Ka'i macams. Aucune suite n'a ete donnee a cette recommandation. 2°. De punir des actes ouverts de violence et resistance a l'autorite legale. Une seule personne accusee d'assassinat a ete arrestee. Le reste des nom- breux malfaiteurs jouissent impunement de leur liberte. La consequence en est que I'mtimidation regne, et que l'influence de ceux qui se sont ranges en oppo- sition aux lois a pris la place de 1'influence de l'autorite legitime ; etat de choscs a deplorer dans des circonstances ou le Gouvernement a besoin de toute son influence legitime. 3°. De payer les dettes de longue date dues aux fonctionnaires qui ont servi assidument, de la meme maniere que celles dues aux personnes qui ont servi sous Omer Pacha ont 6te recemment payees. Aucune dette de cette categorie n'a ete pavee. 4°. De prefer aide pJcuniaire aux deux Ka'imacams. Cette recommandation n'a ete adoptee que partiellement. Le Gouverne- ment local a prete 50,000 piastres au Kaimacam Maronite qui a donne un billet obligatoire pour 100.000 piastres; mais au lieu d'accorder un secours 121 pecuniaire a son collegue le Cai'macam Druse, le Gouvernement local lui doit plus qu'une annee de ses appointemens, et le Gouvernement ne paye pas ces arrerages. Ce fonctionnaire se trouve consequemment dans une penurie complete, circonstance qui en elle-meme a cause et continue de causer grand tort a la marche de la nouvelle administration. 5°. De fournir a son Altesse Halil Pacha les fonds necessaires. Loin d'en avoir recu, son Altesse a frequemment declare au Soussigne qu'il n'y a pas d'argent dans le tresor de Beyrout, et qu'ainsi son Altesse se trouve prive des moyens de liquider des reclamations en elles-memes justes. 6°. D'autoriser 1'appointement d'un Cadi Druse. On n'a pas nomine un Cadi Druse. Son Excellence l'Ambassadeur de Sa Majeste Britannique pres la Sublime Porte fit savoir au Soussigne dans une depeche sous la date du 5 d'Oclobre, que son Excellence conjointement avec leurs Excellences les Representans des Cinq Grandes Puissances avaient engage la Sublime Porte d'instruire Halil Pacha de liquider le premier paiement a terme des indemnite's dues aux Maro- nites, s'il etait possible, sans delai quelconque, comme le meilleur moyen pour gagner la bonne volonte des Maronites et d'avancer la tranquillite permanente de la Montagne. Nonobstant cette demarche collective et ce conseil, le Grand Amiral n'a pas meme signale une epoque pour le paiement a terme d'aucune partie des indemnity's, acte de la plus simple justice et humanite ; et la consequence en est que les Chretiens mixtes sans biens et sans indemnites, bien loin d'etre animes de la bonne volonte, declarent publiquement leur intention de s'emparer par force de> leurs biens pilles. Les conseils amicaux reiteres du Soussigne a l'instar de ceux de son superieur, son Excellence l'Ambassadeur de Sa Majeste Britannique, ont 6te presqu'entierement infructuenx. Son Altesse Halil Pacha a assure le Soussigne a plusieurs reprises qu'il e*tait determine de mettre en execution les derniers ordres de la Sublime Porte relativement a la nouvelle forme de Gouvernement de 1842, et que d'aucune maniere il ne refererait plus l'affaire a Constantinople ; que l'ordre de mettre en execution l'arrangement de l'administration etait positif (razoom) ; qu'il n'etait pas a meme, qu'il ne pouvait plus le referer a la Sublime Porte ; et en confirmation de ces declarations le Grand Amiral et le Pacha de Saida ont publie un bovourouldi dans ce sens aux populations interessees. Le Soussigne aussi a annonce cette assurance solennelle aux deputes qui l'ont questionne k ce sujet. Son Altesse egalement a declare aux deputes " par la tete du Sultan," qu'il mettrait en execution les details de l'administration de 1842. Le Soussigne done ayant bien pese toutes les considerations qui se ratta- chent aux observations precitees, et ne voyant dans le projet de referer l'affaire de l'administration a la Sublime Porte qu'une nouvelle entrave a 1'execution de la forme du Gouvernement de 1842, que la Sublime Porte s'est engage si sclennellement de mettre en execution, le croit de son devoir de s'abstenir de sanctionner de maniere quelconque 1'acte de referer par l'appui de son opinion amicale. Le Soussigne saisit cette occasion pour exprimer sa conviction que si les autorites supremes Ottomanes avaient adopte les recommandations de son Excellence Sir Stratford Canning et du Soussigne la nouvelle forme d'adminis- tration aurait deja ete en vigueur ; et il est de son devoir d'y ajouter, que si les autorites supremes Ottomanes continuent d'agir comme par le passe en ce qui regarde la mise en execution de la nouvelle forme d'administration, son execu- tion deviendra impraticable, resultat facheux que Ton ne saurait attribuer qu'a la ligne de conduite des autorites supremes Ottomanes. L'assiduite avec laquelle un systeine a ete poursuivi qui mettait des entraves a la marche du Gouvernement de 1842, et la non-adqptioti des conseils amicaux qui auraient amene sa reussite, ont donn6 lieu a des reflexions, ct le resultat de ces reflexions, considerees ensemble avec les paroles de son Altesse le Grand Amiral, firent naitre la conviction que ou la Sublime Porte ou leurs Excellences desiraient continuer le gouvernement ad interim du Pacha de Saida sur les populations mixtes. Le Soussigne le crut done de son devoir de declarer aux autorites supremes Ottomanes qu'il considerc-rait 1'execution de ce projet comme Ufte inlraetum de Tarrangement de l'administration de 1842, et comme opposee directcmcnl aux 2. R 122 ordres de'finitifs dc la Sublime Porte qui enoncerent les details de cet arrange- ment, emanes n'cemmcut, dont one COpie ;i c'tr transinise par la Sublime Porte a son Excellence rAmbaaaadeur de Sa Majesty Britannique. Les dementia et lea explications qui ont ( : t< : donnes a ce sujet, lc Soussignd les a communiques et k-s communiquera a Bon Gouvernement. 11 n'est gueres necessaire de dire que Les reflexions qui decoulent de eet expose causeront dee regrets au Gouvernement et a rAmbassadeur de Sa Majeste Britannique tout ausai vifs ([uc ceux dont se sent penctre lc Souaeigne*. Le Soussi^nc ne saurait terminer cet expose sans conseiller amicalement de nouveau aux autorite"s supremes Ottomanes de vouloir bien prfiter attention aux divers conseils deja si souvent et si loyalement offerta a leurs Excellences, et en particulier a ceux qui regardent l'execution de la mesure des indemnites, mesure de la plus rigoureuse justice, et reconnue comme telle par l'opinion unanime des Cinq Grandes Puissances. (Signe) HUGH ROSE. (Translation.) Beyrout, November 29, 1844. HIS Highness the Grand Admiral proposes to refer to the Sublime Porte the question of the Government of the mixed populations of the Mount Lebanon. The Undersigned considers that such a proceeding would amount to a suspension of the measure. His Highness has done the Undersigned the honour of asking his opinion on this question. To avoid any misunderstanding the Undersigned has thought it right to give a written answer to the Grand Admiral's inquiry, in the form of a memo- randum containing his friendly advice, and he has the honour to state that, — Not one of the measures urgently recommended by His Excellency Her Britannic Majesty's Ambassador at the Sublime Porte in a Memorandum addressed to liis Excellency Rifaat Pasha, under date the 20th of September, with the view of facilitating the proceedings of the Government of the year 1842, has been adopted, with the exception of one or two of them, and those of minor importance. The measures recommended by His Excellency Sir Stratford Canning were, — 1st. To place from 1200 to 1500 regular troops at the disposal of the kaimakams. No step has been taken on this recommendation. 2nd. To punish overt acts of violence and resistance to legal authority. Only one person accused of assassination has been arrested. All the other numerous malefactoi-s enjoy their liberty with impunity. The consequence is that intimidation is the order of the day, and that the influence of those who have placed themselves in opposition to the laws has taken the place of the influence of the legitimate authority ; a state of things to be deplored in the midst of circumstances in which the Government requires all its legitimate influence. 3rd. To pay the old debts due to the officers who have served well, in the same way as those due to the persons who served under Omer Pasha have lately been paid. No debt under this head has been paid. 4th. To afford pecuniary assistance to the two kaimakams. This recommendation has only been partially adopted. The local Govern- ment has lent 50,000 piastres to the Maronite kaimakam, who has given his bond for 100,000 piastres: but instead of granting pecuniary assistance to his colleague the Druse kaimakam, the local Government owes him more than a year's salary, and the Government docs not pay these arrears. That func- tionary is consequently plunged in a complete state of want, a circumstance which of itself has caused and continues to cause great injury to the progress of the new Government. 5th. To furnish His Highness Halil Pasha with the necessary funds. Far from having received any, His Highness has often declared to' the Undersigned that there is no money in the treasury at Beyrout, and that His 128 Highness finds himself thus deprived of the means of liquidating claims just in themselves. 6th. To authorize the appointment of a Druse Kadi. A Dmse Kadi has not been named. His Excellency Her Britannic Majesty's Ambassador at the Sublime Porte acquainted the Undersigned in a despatch dated the oth of October, that His Excellency, conjointly with their Excellencies the Repi-esentatives of the Five Great Powers, had persuaded the Sublime Porte to instruct Halil Pasha to pay the first instalment of the indemnities due to the Maronites, if possible without any delay, as the best means of gaining the good will of the Maronites, and promoting the permanent tranquillity of the Mountain. Notwithstanding this collective proceeding and this advice, the Grand Admiral has not even named a period for paying an instalment of any portion of the indemnities, an act of the most simple justice and humanity ; and the consequence is that the mixed Christians, without property, and without indemnification, far from being animated by good-will, publicly declare their intention to take possession of their pillaged property by force. The reiterated friendly counsels of the Undersigned, like those of his superior His Excellency Her Britannic Majesty's Ambassador, have been almost entirely fruitless. His Highness Halil Pasha has on several occasions assured the Under- signed that he was determined to carry into execution the last orders of the Sublime Porte respecting the new form of Government of 1842, and that in no way would he make a fresh reference to Constantinople ; that the order for carrying into execution the arrangement for the Government was positive [razoom], that he was not in a position, and was not able, again to refer to the Sublime Porte ; and in confirmation of these declarations the Grand Admiral and the Pasha of Sidon have published a bouvurouldi in this sense to the population interested therein. The Undersigned has also announced that solemn assurance to the deputies who have questioned him on this subject. His Highness has also declared to the deputies "by the head of the Sultan," that he would carry into execution the details of the Government of 1842. The Undersigned then, having well weighed all the considerations bearing upon the above observations, and seeing in the project of referring the question of the Government to the Sublime Porte only a new obstacle to the execution of the form of Government of 1842, which the Sublime Porte has so solemnly pledged itself to carry ou, considers it his duty to abstain from sanctioning the act of reference in any manner whatsoever by the support of his friendly opinion. The Undersigned avails himself of this opportunity to express his conviction that if the supreme Turkish Authorities had adopted the recommendations of His Excellency Sir Stratford Canning, and of the Undersigned, the new form of Government would have already been in force; and it is his duty to add that if the supreme Turkish Authorities continue to act as heretofore with reference to carrying into effect the new form of Government, it will be impossible to carry it into effect, a lamentable result, which can only be attributed to the line of conduct adopted by the supreme Turkish Authorities. The industrv with which a system has been adopted which placed obsta- cles in the way of the Government of 1842, and the non-compliance with the friendly counsels which would have led to its success, have given occasion for reflections, and the result of those reflections, taken in conjunction with the words of His Highness the Grand Admiral, created a conviction that either the Sublime Porte or their Excellencies wished to continue the ad interim Government of the Pasha of Sidon over the mixed populations. The Undersigned deemed it therefore his duty to declare to the supreme Turkish Authorities that he should consider the carrying out this project as an infraction of the arrangement of the Government of 1842, and as directly opposed to the definitive orders of the Sublime Porte stating the details of that arrangement, which were lately issued, and of which a copy was trans- mitted by the Sublime Porte to His Excellency Her Britannic Majesty's Ambassador. The Undersigned has communicated, and will communicate to his Govern- ment, the denials and explanations which have been given ou this subject. R 2 124 li. is scarce!) necessary to Bay that the reflection! which follow from this statement will cause as lively regret to Her Britanuic Majesty's Govesai incut and Ambassador as those which the Undersigned fei Is. The Undersigned cannol conclude this statement without again advising in ;i friendl) manner the supreme Turkish authorities to be pleased to attend to the various recommendations already bo oflen and so Bmceeel) offered to their Bxcellencies, and more particularlj to those respecting the execution of the rueaaore of the indemnities — a measure of the strictest justice, and li/.cd neb hv (In' unanimous opinion of the Five Greal Powers, CSigned) III.'CII ROSE. No. 58. Colonel Rose to Ike Earl of Aberdeen. — (Received January '■), 1845.) (Extract.) Beyrout, December 11, 1844. I HAVE the honour to inclose to your Lordship a copy of Mr. Consul Moore's despatch of December Gth to his Excellency Sir Stratford Canning. The state of affairs is that the Pashas on the fjtli instant told the Christian deputies that they bad written or referred to Constantinople fur further orders in the matter of the Government ; that they therefore might go to the Mountain, hut that they must be ready to return in twenty-five days or more on the arrival of an answer from the Porte. To the Druse chiefs and notables of mookatas who had been sent for for the purpose of being invested, arid as their Excellencies state for the arrangement of the indemities, a nearly similar announcement was made. I low-ever the Khiva previously consulted the Druse Kaimacam and chiefs as to what had best be done in the present state of affairs, saying; " If the Pashas tell you to return to the Mountain without effecting the object for which you were sent, that is your investiture and appointment to your mookatas in execu- tion of the new plan of Government, all will say that the Government could not execute what they declared they would execute ; if you stay all will say, Why do the Government delay ?"' The Druse Kaimacam replied, " The best thing is that the chiefs should go secretly to the Mountain one by one at intervals, and attention will thus not be excited/' The Kiaya caught at an expedient, and the Druse chiefs stole back to the Mountain. I venture to think that two measures are necessary to render the satisfac- tion complete; the prompt payment of the indemnities at fixed periods by instalments, and admissibility of Christian evidence against the Druses. With respect to the inadmissibility of Christian evidence against the Druses, which the Turkish authorities have lately announced as an effective ob- stacle to a voluntary acceptance of the Druse Government by the Christians involving it ingeniously in a question of extreme delicacy — the religious law of the Koran, I have stated to the Turkish authorities that Her Majesty's Govern- ment, I felt convinced, would never have supported any plan of Government which placed Christians under Druses, if they could have supposed that the Turkish Government would have sanctioned the crying injustice which denies to the Christian the best protection of an oppressed, and the dearest privilege of an honest, man — the full value of his sacred oath. Assaad Pasha replied that it was the law of the God of the Mussulmans that Christian evidence was not admissible against Mahometans, and that the Porte's Representatives could not take on themselves to overthrow it. I replied that I then had committed a great error ; that I had always told Her Majesty's Government that the Druses were not Mussulmans, although they affected to be so at times for their interest;; but that 1 must plead in excuse that his Excellency Assaad Pasha had considered the Druses' pretension to be Mussulmans as an affront to Mahometans ; and further that Selim Bey. known for his erudition in Turkish law and affairs, had scouted tiie idea of the Druses being Mussulmans ; that, to mark his opinion, he had told me that he would eat a fowl cooked by a Christian or a Jew. but not hv a Druse. How then 1 ^.id can Druses be co-religionists of Mussulmans if a Mussulman caniiot even eat food dressed by them ? 125 The two Pashas were silent. The fact is that the point is one of great delicacy; for the Druses, by repeating the Mussulman formula, make themselves disciples of Mahomed, and thus derive all the consequent privileges. The Druses frequent the mosque, and thus flatter the religious vanity of the Turks. But I said that I would meet Assaad Pasha's argument in another wav. In Turkey there are two laws, that of the Koran and that of custom, " Aadet;" I said that I would prove that by the law of custom Christian evidence was ad- mitted against the Druses. Assaad Pasha said " If you can do this, you are all right." I therefore am to prove the law of custom, and I have already made a good beginning, for yesterday the leading and richest Mussulman of Beyrout, and a great fanatic, visited me, and confirmed my assertion that by custom Christian evidence is good against the Druses ; he added that this custom has always heen observed till after the late civil war between the Christians and Druses. This would be an additional reason for Great Britain's demanding the preservation or continuance of the rights which she found in existence in 1840. The admissibility of Christian evidence was one of the additional guarantees which I communicated to Halil Pasha, and it was the first one which the Christians would have asked. Assaad Pasha had almost agreed that he would allow the establishment of a mixed tribunal which would have obviated the difficulty. But the mixed Christians would not ask for the additional guarantees although the bouyurouldi of the Pashas gave them express permission to do so. Therefore the present state of affairs is partly their own fault. However nothing can justify the theory as to Christian evidence laid down by Assaad Pasha ; and as it is entirely at variance with his Excellency's former opinion nothing can explain it except the design of the Turks to render Druse rule unpopular. Inclosure in No. 58. Mr. Consul Moore to Sir Stratford Canning. (Extract.) Beyrout, December 6, 1844. I HAVE the honour to say that Colonel Rose, who has been much engaged to-day with the Vakeels who called to take leave, and impeded also by a press of business, has desired me to state for your Excellency's information that having advised their Excellencies Halil and Assaad Pashas to commence the. execution of the new form of government by investing Emir Emin Raslan the Druse Mookatadji of the Gharb Et-Tehtani, the Christians of that mookata having expressed their willingness to accept the new form of government and to name a Vakeel, the Pashas refused to do so ; Assaad Pasha alleging that to commence with a minor mookata would argue a want of courage in the authorities to attempt the plan in a larger one, and Halil Pasha saying that the Christians might avenge themselves on the inhabitants of Gharb Et-Tehtani by insulting them, and so oblige the authorities to employ force: "to avoid all this it is necessary to wait," said he, "for instructions from Constantinople." Colonel Rose having also requested Assaad Pasha to settle a claim of a most just nature of a Christian against a Druse, the Pasha declared to the interpreter that Christian evidence is not admissible against Druse evidence on the principle that Druses are Mussulmans. Assaad Pasha added that as this was a question affecting the religion of the empire, he could not interfere in the matter. Your Excellency will have no difficulty in conceiving that Colonel Rose did not think it expedient to communicate to the Christian the reason alleged by Assaad Pasha for not deciding on his claim, although the Christians are aware that such a principle is advocated and even occasionally brought into operation. 126 No. 59. Colonel Rosi' to the Earl of Aberdeen. — {Received March 7.) (Extract.) Beyrout, February 7, 1845. DEIR-EL-KAMAlt is t lie- capital of the Druse country, but inhabited by about eight times as many Christians as Druses. After the establishment of tbe Government of 1842, the difficult question arose, whether tbe government of the two Kaimacams should be " sectarian ;" thai is, whether the Christian Kaimacam should govern all the Christians, and the Druse Kaimaeani govern all the Druses of the Lebanon; or whether the two governments should be " geographical," that is, whether the Christian Kaima- cam should govern the Christian country or mookatas (feudal districts) as well as such Druses as lived mixed with the Christians in the Christian mookatas, and the Druse Kaimacam govern the Druse country or mookatas, as well as such Christians as lived with the Druses in the Druse mookatas. Hence arose the terms of mixed Druses and mixed Christians. Mixed Druses meaning Druses living in the Christian country, and mixed Christians Christians living in the Druse country. Mixed populations means mixed Christians and mixed Druses taken col- lectively. On the 10th January, 1843, as is stated in my despatch to your Lordship of the 5th February 1843, all the Consuls of the Five Great Powers at Beyrout, with the exception of the Prussian Consul-General, gave their opinion toAssaad Pasha, who asked them for it, that the geographical government was preferable to the sectarian. Assaad Pasha also afterwards gave his opinion in the same sense, as did the Prussian Consul-General, who only did so in a private manner, as by accident he was absent from the conference. One of the chief reasons of this union of opinion in favour of the geogra- phical government was that the adoption of the sectarian entailed the infraction of the feudal rights of the Druse Mookatadjis over the mixed Christians, and that consequently endless strife and troubles would ensue. The inhabitants of the town of Deir-el-Kamar, both Christian and Druse, were formerly and at the time of the Emir Beshir Kassim feudal subjects of the Druse Sheiks Abuneked, so much so that when the Maronite Patriarch wished in 1841 to expulse the American Missionaries from Diir-cl-Kaiuar, he addressed his letter for that purpose to the Sheiks Abuneked as seigneurs or governors of Deir-el-Kamar. Therefore the Maronite Patriarch is an evidence of Druse feudal rights. The ex-Emir Beshir put to death in one clay several members of this family, banished others, and confiscated the property. On the restoration of Svria to the Sultan, the Abunekeds were reinstated in their property, and returned from banishment by the consent of tbe Porte. In the civil war of 1841, Deir-el-Kamar was the object of the attack of the Abunekeds, who committed great atrocities, besides being guilty of wicked treachery, sacking it and killing some inhabitants after its written surrender. For these reasons it was agreed that the Abunekeds, in punishment and precaution, should be deprived for ever of their feudal rights in Deir-el-Kamar. It was finally resolved at Constantinople that the Christians of Deir-el-Kamar should be governed by a Christian Vakeel under the Christian Kaimacam. and the Druses by a Druse Vakeel under the Druse Kaimacam. These two Vakeels were to be chosen by the inhabitants respectively, and on anv cause of difference arising betwixt the Christians and Druses which the Vakeels could not settle, they were to refer the matter to the Turkish Commandant. It is clear that this arrangement was, on the one hand, a just concession to humanitv and justice in the punishment of the wicked Abunekeds ; and on the other there can be no doubt that it was a concession to the Christian and Catholic interest, for eight-ninths of the inhabitants of Deir-el-Kamar, the capital of the Druses, were removed in perpetuum from under Druse and placed under Christian authority. 127 These concessions in the case of Deir-el-Kamar having been made, it was distinctly understood that neither the punishment of the Druse chiefs generally, nor any further infraction of the geographical principle in favour of the mixed Christians (who were to have guarantees, as is known) was to take place. After the concession as to Deir-el-Kamar, two bouyuruldis have been issued by the Turkish Government, which, with this exception, place the rest of the mixed Christians with guarantees under the government of the Druse Kaimacam and Druse Mookatadjis. Deir-el-Kamar therefore is entirely and essentially an exceptional case. I myself foresaw that the concession to Deir-el-Kamar would produce a demand for the extension of the favour to the other mixed Christians ; but the immediate results of such a measure would be, first, to subtract nearly 30,000 Christians in the Druse country totally from under Druse rule or influ- ence, and place them totally under Christian rule and influence, thus giving a formidable increase to the Catholic influence in the midst of the Druses, the counterpoise of the said influence ; Secondly, to place the whole of the Druse chiefs in the state of punishment inflicted on the Abunekeds, in the teeth of the agreement that they were not to be so. No. 60. Colonel Rose to the Earl of Aberdeen. — (Received March 7.) (Extract.) Beyrout, February 8, 1845. WITH reference to my preceding despatch I have the honour to state to your Lordship that as soon as the form of Government of Deir-el-Kamar is given to the mixed Christians, the mixed Druses who live in the Christian coun- try, that is the Christian mookatas of the Meten, will demand the same favour, that is to be governed like Deir-el-Kamar and the mixed Christians ; nor can this in common consistency be denied them. Thus the Christian Mookatadjis will be deprived of their feudal rights over the mixed Druses in the same way as the Druse Mookatadjis had been deprived of theirs over the mixed Christians. But the mixed Christians and Druses being placed on the same footing as Deir-el-Kamar they will choose their own Vakeels or Governors, by whom they are to be ruled under their respective Kaimacams. Thus whilst the Christians and Druses who are not mixed are governed on the feudal principle by their own chiefs, the mixed populations will be governed on quite a new and anti-feudal principle, that is by Vakeels, not feudal chiefs, and moreover not of their own choosing. Thus all the feudal rights of Christian and Druse chiefs over the mixed populations will be swept away. But it cannot be believed that the innovation will stop there ; that one part of the same people are to be governed feudally and the other part not feudally ; that the lower orders of the mixed populations are to be freed from all the ties and dependence of feudalism, and that the rest of the Christian and Druse lower orders are to remain bound by them. There will therefore be a desperate struggle on the part of the Druse and Christian Mookatadjis for the recovery of their lost feudal rights over the mixed populations, and there then will be another obstinate struggle on the part of Chris- tian and Druse Mookatadjis and chiefs of the populations to defend their feudal rights against their vassals, who will seek an emancipation similar to that obtained by the mixed populations. So much has been said of Druse feudal rights that the fact perhaps may have been lost sight of that the Christian chiefs of the Lebanon are also essen- tially feudal and feudally governed by their Kaimacam, although the character and belief of the Druses favour on the whole feudalism more amongst them than amongst the Christians. The hereditary Christian Mookatadjis of the populous Christian Mookata 128 of tlic MeteD are jutl as feudal and arc as much attached to their feudal rights as the Druse chiefs. The -Maronite districts of the Kesronan, Gazir, and Petah, &c, although dec id, dl' feudal than the Meten, are all feudally governed by the Sheik families of the lla/.in, Habeish (the Patriarch's family), Dah-Dahs, and other*. ;:i the Maronite Kaimacam, himself a Mookatadji of (he Vk ten, of Druse origin and deeply attached to feudal rights, acknowledges all the feudal rights of his dependent Sheiks, and gov rns feudally. When hy order of the Pasha he collected troops the other day against the insurgent monks, he sent the n sary orders to the Mookatadjis who passed the " Sout"' or war-cry through their feudal districts, and at the appointed time each chief arrived with his hand. If the war-cry is not obeyed the chief punishes the recusants arbitrarily according to feudal fashion. The whole internal government of police, revenue, &c, are carried on feudally by the Mookatadjis, to whom a pay is assigned in an official document which I shall mention afterwards. Therefore in losing their feudal rights and privileges the Mookatadjis would lose not only their authority but a pecuniary advantage, both of which are all in all to Arabs. The whole of Syria, particularly the Lebanon, is feudal from Gaza to the Euphrates. It is true that the ex-Emir Beshir, by killing many of the Druse feudal chiefs, confiscating and burning their property, weakened feudalism ; but he did not attempt to eradicate the system because he knew that he could not govern without it ; moreover he took care to replace those whom he killed and banished by members of his own family, who used feudal power to their full extent. He burnt and confiscated the property of several of the Christian Mooka- tadjis, and banished some of them, amongst others the present Maronite Kai- macam. But it was precisely those acts as well as those of his and Egyptian oppres- sion which caused the revolt of 1840, and which formed part of the grievances which British Agents engaged to remedy. Every attempt against feudalism in the Lebanon has always given rise to deeds of blood or convulsion. There are fatal examples; the last in 1841. a bloody civil war, is as impressive as it is melancholy. I have had the honour to show how the feudal rights of Christian and Druse Mookatadjis would be affected, and how the peace of the country would be endangered by the adoption of any plan which should extend to the mixed Christians the concession granted to Deir-el-Kamar. I now venture to consider the engagements of Her Majesty's officers as affected by it. "With reference to this I have the honour to inclose to your Lordship a copy of a question from me to, and of an answer from, Mr. Consul Moore, Her Majesty's Consul in 1*40 for Beyrout and the Lebanon, to me, which I put to him in consequence of a communication from his Excellency Sir Stratford Canning. I beg also with great respect to refer your Lordship to No. 4 Inclosure in Mr. Wood's despatch to Viscount Ponsonby, No. 150, Part II, of the Levant correspondence, when Mr. Wood, speaking in the name of the Four Powers and Viscount Ponsonby, says to the ex-Emir Beshir, then Governor of the Moun- tain, " And it will be the care of the Four Powers to secure to the inhabitants the laws, liberty, and privileges they enjoyed formerly under the authority of their legitimate Sovereign." A copy of this letter was sent by Mr. Wood in order to give it more pub- licity to the Emir Abdullah Shehab.who had put himself at the head of the movement against the Egyptian Government. It is needless to say that in one of the most feudal countries of the world feudal privileges are reckoned amongst the first and most essential. In No. 2 Inclosure in Mr. Wood's despatch to Viscount Palmerston, No. 26, Part II, page 37, of the Syrian Correspondence, pay is officially granted by a MecLHs of Turkish officers at which Mr. Wood assisted with the sanction of Her Majesty's Ambassador and of the Porte, to the Mookatadjis or collectors of revenue whose right and position is thus acknowledged. I have now merely spoken of the British engagements of 1840; but the measures of the Porte and ut the Porte's officers in Syria, which have acknow- ledged and proclaimed the feudal rights of the Druses as part of the details of the 129 Government of 1842, and which have received the sanction and support of Her Majesty's servants as such, both here and at Constantinople, imply an acknow- ledgment of those rights. Two bouyurouldis of the Pasha of Sidon and one memorandum of the Porte sent to the Representatives of the Five Powers at the Porte, and sent again as an instruction to some if not all of the Consular Agents in Syria, declare the feudal rights or privileges of the Druses ; for the proclamation or memorandum of Halil Pasha, (No. 1 Inclosure in his Excellency Sir Stratford Canning's despatch to me of October 2nd*,) conformably to which the Porte's memoran- dum to his Excellency (No. 2 Inclosure in the same despatch) says the Govern- ment of Mount Lebanon is to be executed, states, "II y a seulement ceci, savoir, dans les mookatas Druses ou il y a des Rayas etablis et meles avec les Druses, les Rayas seront, comme cela a ete ab antiquo, sous la juridiction du Ka'i- macam Druse et des Moukatadjis Druses." Here the Porte, in an official document sent to the Five Representatives, tells their Excellencies that it is its will that the mixed Christians are to be for the future, as they have been ab antiquo, under the Druse Kaimacam and Mooka- tadjis ; and the same document adds, "Dans les Mookatas Maronites ou il y a des Druses etablis et meles avec les Chretiens on suivra le principe ci-dessus enonce :" thus acknowledging the Christian and Druse feudal rights or privileges for the past and the future. But 1 have shown that the new plan would overthrow those rights or privi- leges which the Porte has declared it will continue, and as to which Great Britain is situated as has been shown. Therefore I venture to feel assured that your Lordship will agree with me that Great Britain could not countenance the introduction of the plan, still less a forcible execution of it. But I also have shown or think that I have shown that the plan is imprac- ticable, would produce war and troubles, and a prolongation, not a termination of the distracted state of this unhappy country. The general principle of Christian under Christians and Druse under Druses is good and just ; the only objection, but one very easily remedied, is the adoption as a general principle of the Government of Deir-el-Kamar, which as I have shown was an exceptional concession. By placing a Christian over the Christians a great boon and concession have been made to the Christians ; then in the same spirit of fair adjustment let a concession be made to the other party in the discussion, the Druses, who only ask for the maintenance of a subordinate, ancient, and acknowledged right. It would be a satisfaction hereafter for the great Christian Powers of the world to reflect that whilst they have, in co-operating for the interests of two sects which relied on their honour and justice, procured for Christians Christian rule, they have not neglected the rights of those of a different and barbarous faith who have had no knowledge of better things to guide, and no education to enlighten them. I am more and more persuaded that the four following points are the only basis of a new arrangement which would provide for the interest and rights of all. They are, 1. No Shehab. This is for the Turkish Government. 2. No direct Turkish Government. This is for the inhabitants of the Lebanon and the consistency of the Powers. 3. A Christian ruler for the Christians. This is for the Christian interest; and a Druse for the Druses vice versd. 4. Preservation of feudal privileges, Christian and Druse. This is for the engagements of Great Britain and the rights of the Christian and Druse aristocracy. The feudal privileges might be defined on a just principle. But the union of the Powers in opinion, and positive orders from the Porte to its officers here for the execution of what has been resolved on, is, I venture to say, indispensable both as regards the Porte and the people. If the people are to be appealed to as before, the execution of the measure had better not be attempted. • See Part I., pp. 76—78. 2. S 130 Inclosurc in No. GO. Questions from Colonel Rose, answered by Mr. Consul Moore. Beyrout, February •'}, 1845. ARE you of opinion thai when Her Answer to the 1st Question. Majesty's olliccrs in 1840 by them- selves or their agents guaranteed or I consider that the feudal privileges promised the restoration or preserva- of the chiefs of the Lebanon were in- tion of the rights and privili ges of the eluded in the general promise made to inhabitants of .Mount Lebanon, they them in 1840. guaranteed or promised those of ancient date, the feudal privileges of the chiefs, both Christian and Druse/ and do you Answer to the 2nd Question. think that if those chiefs thought or knew at that time that they were to be Decidedly not. deprived ol those privileges or part of them in consequence of the interven- (Signed) N. MOORE. tion of Great Britain, they would have seconded, or acted as regarded, our policy as they did at that time? No. 61. Colonel Rose to the Earl of Aberdeen. — (Received March 7.) (Extract.) Beyrout, February 9, 184.J. I HAVE the honour to state to your Lordship that the public peace hetween Christians and Druses was lately seriously endangered and is still in a critical state. The Emir Emin Raslan had gone to Moohtara, the residence of Sheik Said Djinblat, in order to come to an arrangement with him respecting considerable debts due by himself and his brother to Christians. About the same time two other Druse chiefs went to visit Sheik Said, one to return a visit made by the latter on his son's marriage. A report was now industriously circulated that the Druse meeting at Sheik Said's had for object a general attack on the Christians. The alarm became general amongst the latter ; they sent expresses to all their co-religionists in the Lebanon asking their aid, set about purchasing arms and ammunition, and began to assemble at their rallying points. The Druses on the other hand, utterly unconscious of what was attributed to them, became alarmed at the hostile preparations of the Christians, and began also preparations for resisting an attack. For nearly a fortnight in most parts of the Druse country Christians and Druses slept on their arms, mutually mistrustful and ready for an attack. 1 was away at the time in the Kesrouan at a great Maronite marriage between two influential families to which I had been invited. In the mean time the Pashas had taken proper precaution, a Christian dragoman was sent to Deir-el-Kamar, and a Mussulman. Ahmet Eff'endi, to Moohtara. They have both returned and state that the report was utterly groundk — Ahmet Effendi found Sheik Said and his servants only at Moohtara. The l'ashas have given the strongest warnings by bouyurouldis to both Christians and Druses that the troop? will attack whoever begins an act of aggression on the other. When I spoke to Halil Pasha on the subject, he said that the Powers were answerable who had interfered in the affairs of the Lebanon. I replied that the intervention of the Powers had nothing to do with the prevention of hostilities betwixt Christians and Druses, for which solely the Turkish Government, and not the Powers, was answerable ; that for this express purpose there were 3,000 131 troops in Deir-el-Kamar. I added that there was nothing which would cause more regret to Her Majesty's Government than a collision between the sects. I received private information that Mustapha Bey, the Turkish commandant at Deir-el-Kamar, had sent notice to the Druses of that town and of Abbaye to be on their guard, as the Christians were going to attack them ; conduct on which I commented in strong terms to Assaad Pasha who admitted fully its impropriety. Assaad Pasha's departure with the sanction of the Porte to collect 5000 or 6,000 purses of Miri at Tripoli and Lattakia had been announced. I had already expressed my regret at his departure in the present state of the country, both to him and to Halil Pasha, and pointed out the risk of it. However his Excellency said that he could not give up the collection of the Miri. Yesterday I had secret information that a letter from the Christians of the Plain of Beyrout had been addressed to those of Deir-el-Kamar, stating that the war would begin as soon as Assaad Pasha left Beyrout. In the meantime the Christians are buying arms and ammunition. The Vice-Consul at Sidon reported to me that it is stated that the superior of the Convent of Mashmooshi offered 150,000 piastres to his co-religionists for the purpose of buying arms. The Christians at Deir-el-Kamar have also a chest of 80,000 piastres with which they pay the expenses of agitation. The clergy of the mixed population are as usual active in fomenting the anti-Druse feeling, which in all probability is a continuation of their exertions in favour of the Shehabs. The Shehab party have gained fresh hope from the reference to Constanti- nople. Like the Turks they build on dissensions and troubles, and both play a different game with the same means. Under these circumstances I induced my colleagues to express separately to the two Pashas their regret at Assaad Pasha's departure in the present critical state of affairs. I told the Pashas that the state of the country was very critical ; that the Christians and Druses, hating one another as they did, were in that state of mutual mistrust that any incident, however trifling, might produce a lamentable collision. Assaad Pasha gave up his journey for the present, and has informed us that he is going to Deir-el-Kamar for a few days. No. 62. Colonel Rose to the Earl of Aberdeen. — (Received March 7.) My Lord, Beyrout, February 11, 1845. I HAVE the honour to inclose to your Lordship a copy of my despatch of the 2nd instant to his Excellency Sir Stratford Canning. I have, &c, (Signed) HUGH ROSE. Inclosure in No. 62. Colonel Rose to Sir Stratford Canning. (Extract.) Beyrout, February 2, 1845. T HAVE the honour to state to your Excellency that the Maronite Kaimacam has more than once told me that if he governed the mixed Chris- tians he never intended or wished that the Druse chiefs should be deprived of their feudal privileges in the mixed districts or mookatas, but that they, in pos- session of those rights, should govern the mixed Christians under him. The same is said by the Maronite Emir Beshir of Brumana, whose plan it is that the Christian Kaimacam should govern the Christians, and the Druse Kaimacam S2 132 tl„. Druses — the Druse and Christian Mookatadji- preserving their feudal authority and rights, the Christian Mookatadjis over the Druses who arc in their districts or mookatas, and the Druse Mookatadjis over the Christiani who are in their districts of mookatae. The reason why both these Maronite Emirs, both themselves feudal chiefs over mixed Christians and Druse vassals, are desirous thai the Druse cbiefii Bhould preserve their feudal rights over their Christian vassals i< very obvi it is because they know thai the abolition of the feudal rights of the Druse chiefs would inevitably entail that of their own. Hut the Christian Kaimacam knows moreover that lie governs now feu- dally through the feudal chiefs, and that in the present state of things he could not govern other* ise. 1 am far from being the advocate of feudal rights a> a general principle, on the contrary ; but in the ease of the Lebanon 1 must of course de-ire the main- tenance of rights and privileges which wire certainly generally guaranteed In Her Majesty's servants or their agents in 1840; and secondly, I cannot wish to see the feudal system of the Lebanon, the work of ages endeared by custom and nationality, swept away by force; still less so when the pressure in this instance would have to be applied by the Five Great Powers, who have hitherto acted on a principle of moderation, seeking to heal not to open fresh causes of dissension and misfortune. The Maronite Patriarch in 1841 tried to deprive the Druse chiefs of their feudal rights, and his so doing was one of the main causes of the civil war of 1841 and its horrors. Such experience ought not to be neglected. No. 63. Colonel Rose to the Earl of Aberdeen. — (Received April 4.) (Extract.) Beyrout, March 9, 1845. I HAVE the honour to inclose to your Lordship copies of despatches to his Excellency Sir Stratford Canning. Inclosure 1 in No. 63. Colonel Rose to Sir Stratford Canning. (Extract.) Beyrout, February 9, 1845. WITH reference to my despatch to the Earl of Aberdeen of this day I have the honour to state to your Excellency that on the 10th instant Assaad Pasha received from the Maronite Kaimacam accounts which stated that the agitation caused by the late wicked report had spread to the Meten, a Christian district inhabited partly by Druses. I have the honour to inclose to your Excellency copies of extracts of reports from the Vice-Consul at Sidon, which town is close to and in constant commu- nication with the mixed districts. I received besides other accounts of the continued warlike preparations of the Christians. These on the other hand produced alarm and mistrust in the Druses, and particularly in the Meten, where meetings were held. I had information that lead for balls and powder had been sent in consider- able quantities from Beyrout and Cyprus to Sidon. In tact so great is the mistrust and aversion betwixt Christians and Druses that a mere accident might have caused a fresh civil war between the parties. Assaad Pasha arrived at Deir-el-Kamar on the 13th instant, and staid a few hours in that town ; he warned strongly the inhabitants to preserve peace, declared that the Government would attack and punish whichever party, whether Christians or Druses, commenced hostilities, and then went on to Ibtedeen, where he is now staying. 133 Some of the neighbouring Druse chiefs waited on him the next day, when he addressed the same strong warnings to them. I hear that his Excellency has convoked the heads of the Christians and the Druse chiefs to Ibtedeen, and that he intends to take from them " Hodgidj," or bonds, that they will preserve the peace towards one another. The Captain Pasha tells me that he does not intend to do more than this. Assaad Pasha has written to Ins Excellency that his arrival at Deir-el- Kamar w T as most timely. As I before have had the honour to report to your Excellency, the whole of the mixed Christian district is illegally organized under the authority of Deir-el- Kamar; each town or village has its " Shebab" young men, who name their own Sheiks or Chiefs. The commonalty pledge themselves by oath to obey their orders, whatever they may be. Ample funds appear to be at the disposal of the disaffected. Several parts of the Christian country, especially bordering on the mixed districts, have secretly followed this example. Inclosure 2 in No 63. Extracts from Reports of the Vice-Consul at Sidon to Colonel Rose. Illustrious Sir, Sidon, February 5, 1845. THE Christians of the districts of Djezin, Shoof and Deir-el-Kamar since the last two days come continually to Sidon in order to buy arms, ammunition, &c., and they show great anxiety for the acquisition of these things, as if their enemy was at the door. The inhabitants of Deir-el-Kamar are daily making preparations ; but I hear from an inhabitant of that town that they are still in a great want of arms, as they have not yet the quantity sufficient for their number; because up to the present day they have not been able to recover the number of muskets which the Druses took at the time of the civil war ; but it is said that Djezin is well armed, having even more arms than it had before the civil war. Some say that the superior of the convent of Mashmooshi, situated in the district of Djezin, offers more than 150,000 piastres to his co-religionists to buy arms and ammunition, saying that it is much better for him to spend that money for the help of the Christians than to expose it to the chance of being plundered by the Druses. In conclusion our Christian neighbours speak only of war, but they say that they will never commence unless the Druses commence. Sidon, February 7, 1845. The Mountaineers do not desist buying daily arms and ammunition. Sidon, February 11, 1845. The Christians of the Mountain continue to come with great anxiety every day into the city for the purpose of purchasing arms ; they say that the two parties in the Mountain, Christians and Druses, are on the point of fighting. We have heard that the inhabitants of Djezin have received from his Eminence the Patriarch 15,000 piastres to buy arms, and that they are to have a Prince of the Shehabs at their head, and that another is to come to Deir-el-Kamar ; but some say that the sum received from the Patriarch is a charity for those persons who have been plundered. To-day some of the principal people of Djezin came here in order to go to the Patriarch to demand the Bishop Joseph Djezini. 134 Enclosure 3 in No. 63. Colonel Rose to Sir Stratford Canniiuj. (Extract.) Beyrout, March 2, 1845. J J1AI) tlic honour in my despatch of the 9th ultimo to inform your Excellency of the manner in which the public; peace had been endangered in the mixed districts. I am glad i" say thai the timely presence of Assaad Pasha at Deir-el- Kamar produced the good effects which 1 anticipated. His Excellency collected the Druse chiefs and leading Christians and warned them in very forcible language to preserve the peace towards one another; telling them that on any disturbance taking place betwixt them be would fall on the offenders, whether Christians or Druses, with the aggrieved party and the Ottoman troops, and that be would consider the principals and ieadei responsible and treat them accordingly. The Pasha summoned also the Emirs Kais and Assaad Shehab to Ibtedeen, and held similar warnings to them. These two Emirs have been intriguing zealously, ostensibly lor the Shehabs at Constantinople, but in reality I have reason to think for themselves ; at least I know that the Emir Assaad did so. The Captain Pasha informs me that on Assaad Pasha's or bis officer's questioning closely some of the Christians at Ibtedeen, they confessed that the partisans of the Shehabs were chiefly to blame for the late agitation; this infor- mation corresponded entirely with that which had been given his Excellency by the Maronite Kaimacam and myself. Assaad Pasha with the view of conciliating the mixed Christians, and bis Excellency probably was fully alive to the advantage which would thereby be gained for the policy of the Porte to govern the mixed districts, desired the Christians to state their grievances. They replied that it was indispensable for their repose that they should not be governed by the Druses ; that they had not received as yet a para of the indemnities ; and that they could not recover from the Druses the large debts which that sect owed to the Christians. Assaad Pasha replied that orders respecting the government of the mixed districts would soon arrive from the Porte, when they must be obeyed whatever they were; that the Christians might consider the indemnities as already paid, so certain was their liquidation; and that they might present to him lists of their Druse debts, when he would take measures for their payment. Most numerous lists of debts were then presented to his Excellency, but I have not heard that he took any steps for their payment. The Captain Pasha informs me that Assaad Pasha had written to him that his arrival at Deir-el-Kamar had been most opportune, for that it was his opinion that if he had not gone to that place there would have been a collision betwixt the Christians and Druses, for that the former, generally anxious to revenue themselves of their former defeat, were inclined to come to blows with the latter. Both the Captain Pasha and Assaad Pasha are of opinion that the Druses are unwilling to engage in hostilities. The Christians told Assaad Pasha that they bad been cowards before, bad not behaved as men ought to do, but that this would not be the case again. Assaad Pasha ha\ ing directed, as he states, the troops to be ready to act on the shortest notice, and brought the public mind into due subordination for the tune at least, left Deir-el-Kamar for Tripoli on the 22nd ultimo. My late communications have shown that the reference of the matter of the government to the Porte had increased the hopes and given fresh activity to the intrigues of the Shehabs, that the clergy had been particularly active in their behalf. In elucidation of the state of feeling of the mixed Christians I have the honour to inclose to your Excellency a copy of one of the circulars of the Chris- tians of Deir-el-Kamar to the mixed Christians of the district of Shebar. Your Excellency will see that it is said therein "that there are no more excuses for want of money"' for the purchase of arms and ammunition. That money has been distributed lately by the Maronite Patriarch and clergy there is no doubt. 135 Inclosure 4 in No. 63. Letter from the Inhabitants of Deir-el-Kamar to those of Shehar. (Translation.) January 23, 1845. After the usual compliments. IT is not concealed from you that a meeting was held in the village of Moohtara at Said Djinblat's, about four or five days ago, at which there were present the Emir Raslan, some deputies on the part of the House of Talhook and the House of Abd-el-Melek, Hamood Abuneked, the Kadi of Baakleen, Mohamed El-Kadi, the family of Hamade, Melhem El-Amad, some deputies of the House of Abou-Alwan, and others of the principal families of the Shoof and Arkoob. We have ascertained positively and without any doubt what has been the result of their meeting. Their hope of governing the Christians has been cut off'. They positively know that the Sublime Porte, in accord with the other Allied Powers, has abolished the first arrangement, and they are considering to substitute it by another arrangement which will procure for the Christians their tranquillity in appointing a Christian Governor to rule over all of us. They no longer hope to rely on the friendship of the Christians to them, nor to make them (the Christians) enter into their service, being besides persuaded that their artifices and their late deceits cannot be any longer passed over. They see that bv these circumstances they are every day increasing in weakness in proportion as we are every day increasing in strength on account of our unity with each other and our love for the national honour which will guarantee us, the Christians, from their treachery and a repetition of their past proceedings. They are wisely preparing arms and ammunitions, and intending positively to treat us in a short time as they did before. We have got these informations from many persons, because it is as well known to all of us their weakness and their treacherous proceedings, as our strength in God the Almighty and our search for our tran- quillity and that of our countrymen ; but we have not as yet ascertained to what point their preparations are directed. In consequence of this and by the counsels of those who well consider the things, we have published proclamations to all parts, the meaning of which is as follows : — 1 . That, at the receipt of the present we wish you to send here from every village a deputy of talent and prudence in order to deliberate w r ith him on the number of men demanded from every part of the country. At his return to vou he will acquaint you with what will be necessary and urgent. 2ndly. From the present time till that in which the battle on the part of the above-mentioned people will take place, you must endeavour with all your efforts, viz., to be prepared. You must leave all your affairs ; your blood and your honour being greater than anything else. You must arm yourselves and get ammunition, particular and general, without paying any attention to any body whatever, and especially as there are no more excuses for want of money for that purpose ; and then afterwards be attentive to the beginning of the war on the part of the said enemies. Whatever may be the mookata or the village which shall be attacked, you must assemble your men and march to that point with haste, courage, and reso- lution. Do not look behind you; but abandon all worldly things, and even your women and children. You must not say to each other. Prepare yourself that we may go together, nor Let us hold a meeting in order to be one body ; but every iuan must leave his place or house alone, and cry " O Christians make haste to such village or such place, there are your miserable enemies!" Do not listen to their treachery, but consider that that hour, by the assistance of God, is the last of their existence. Be assured, O brave brothers, that that hour will be a happy hour and that day will be a day of rejoicing for us, in which we shall regain our honour and our reputation, and by the help of the Almighty King we shall destroy their men, ruin their houses, and deliver mankind generally from their evil. This is our wish and purpose from long time. There is the opportunity to get satisfaction and to discover the ignominy. Awaken therefore from your 196 deep, and be on your guard from the moment of neglect. Say that this is the day in which we shall rejoice and exult. Be on your guard from delaying to Bend the deputies here, one from each village, win." will immediately return to you to inform you of the resull and the arrangements of the national meeting which will be held here, and in which there will lie people from every direction. This is sufficient for your information. Make us acquainted with all the news in your part. And may God preserve you. Dated 23rd January, 1845. P.S. — The presence of the deputies is wanted here on Saturday the 25th January. No. 6 . Colonel Rose to the Earl of Aberdeen. --(Received May 6.) My Lord, Beyrout, April 9, 1845. I HAVE the honour to state to your Lordship that shortly after the 29th ultimo another dangerous crisis took place between Christians and Druses. Neither Daoud Pasha, who was absent from Sidon, nor any reinforcement of troops had gone to Deir-el-Kamar as the Turkish authorities had promised. The ferment consequent on the affray detailed by me in my despatch of the 29th ultimo to his Excellency Sir Stratford Canning, bad, although checked in one direction by the move of the troops from Deir-el-Kamar, spread to the mixed Christians of the district of Shehar, of which Abbaye, the residence of the Christian assassins so often mentioned by me, is the chief village. The Emir Abdullah Shehab, collecting his adherents, marched with them to Abbaye to the old castle of his brother-in-law the Emir Assaad Shehab, whose ridiculous ambitious projects I have already stated. The project of these two disaffected Emirs was to form a Christian hostile camp at Abbaye, to which some 3,000 Christians all armed would have flocked. The Druses of that and the surrounding district acquainted the Emirs through their Sheik Mal-id-deen, the head of the Druse religion, that if they formed a camp they would do the same. I received a message from the Druse Sheik entreating me to prevail on the Pashas to take energetic measures for the prevention of hostilities, and to send troops to Abbaye. Sheik. Mal-id-deen sent also a petition to the Captain Pasha complaining of the hostile conduct of the Christians and begging for troops. I received communications in the same sense from the Druse Kairuacam. his brother, and other Druses. I immediately had the petition conveyed through a proper channel to the Captain Pasha, and followed it up with my usual energetic representations to his Excellency. The result was that the Captain Pasha fulfilled his promise to me, and not only sent Daoud Pasha with a reinforcement of 700 men, 2 guns and 26 cases of ammunition, but Tahir Pasha was ordered to proceed to the Mountain also. The Captain Pasha also assured me that he had sent the most positive orders — he offered to give me a copy of them — to Daoud Pasha and Mustapha Bey to fall, in the event of a collision between Christians and Druses, on the assailants with the assailed, and make as many prisoners as he could. I took care to give publicity to this order, which, together with the march of the troops and cannon, had a soothing effect on the Maronites. I also wrote two letters of counsel and warning to the two Emirs, and took other precautionary steps. The effect was that quiet has been in a measure restored ; but I cannot disguise from your Lordship that it has required all the influence of Her .Majesty's Government to awaken the Turkish authorities to their duty, and to avert a misfortune which I feel convinced was about to befall the Lebanon, that is a bloody civil war ; in fact my labour has been incessant. But I telt the most 137 intimate conviction that nothing as regards Syrian affairs would give so much pain to your Lordship and Her Majesty's Government as a renewal of the melan- choly events of 1841. I have. &c, (Signed) HUGH ROSE. No. 65. Colonel Rose to the Earl of Aberdeen. — (Received May 6.) (Extract.) Beyrout, April 9, 1845. I HAVE the honour to inclose to your Lordship copies of despatches to his Excellency Sir Stratford Canning. The agitation, hut not the had feeling, has a good deal subsided in th Lebanon since the adoption of more energetic measures by the Turkish autho- rities. If troops had been sent to Djezin and Abbaye, and the offenders against the law sent to Beyrout for trial, the public peace would have rested on a still more secure basis. However Halil Pasha still declares that these steps are to be taken. As long as the Government neglects to take the commonest precaution for the preservation of the peace, the public peace must be considered in imminent peril. As it is, all that has been done is the result of my most earnest and con- stant and exhortations. It is my duty to tell your Lordship that the Turkish Government are per- fectly able to preserve the public peace in the Lebanon, and that if they do not do so they subject themselves to the worst suspicions. The circumstance that so many of the Druses ask for Turkish troops, wmose presence they dislike so much, to be sent to their villages in order to pre- serve peace between them and the Christians, is the best proof of their reluctance to commence a contest. Inclosure 1 in No. 65. Colonel Rose to Sir Stratford Canning. (Extract.) Beyrout, March 29, 1845. I HAVE the honour to state to your Excellency that since my last report another of those dangerous crises took place which had nearly placed the Lebanon in civil war. A partridge was the cause of the first outbreak of the civil war in 1841 ; on this occasion it was something as trivial, some say a dispute about cock- chafers which were infesting the ground. Both sects blame each other as the cause ; a quarrel ensued between a Druse and his son and two or three Chris- tians. The Christians gave the war-cry, and immediately the new organised Sheik Shehab came up with his men. Firing took place ; a Druse was wounded, as was a Christian. The Druses, only two or three, were greatly out-numbered, and their flight put an end to the affray. About the same time a Druse was murdered in the Bekaa by some followers of the Christian leaders Abusamra and Hannah Aaisi. The former has been traversing for some time back the mixed Christian district, organising the Christian inhabitants and compelling them to purchase arms and ammunition. Entirely uncontrolled by the Government he had even the audacity to send hawalee (a sort of sheriffs' officers) to those who were un- willing to lay out money for those unlawful purposes. The mixed Christians are now perfectly organised and fairly armed. The affray and the general feeling produced a very dangerous state of 2. T i:{8 affairs. Some Druses of the Arkoob went to the Bekaa to avenge the murder of their countryman, who is stated to have murdered Christian priests in the civil war. On the other band tin- Christiana al D< ir-el-Kamar turned out armed with the intention of attacking the Druses of that town. This would have been the signal for a general attack. Mustapha Bey's simple order induced the Christians in desisl from their object. A Sheik of the most respectable family of the Druses came from the Moun- tain to tell me that he considered a civil war imminent and certain, and that himself and all his relations and several others were determined to leave the Mountain unless the Government did their duty and preserved the peace. I had similar accounts i fl - from the Druse Kaimacam and bis brother, as well as several very respectable Christians. The state of the' country had already induced me to write a few day- before a letter to Assaad Pasha, in which 1 described what was going on and the danger of civil war, and I subsequently addressed a further letter to Assaad Pasha which I caused 6rst to be read over to the Captain Pasha, and of which a copy is inclosed. It produced the best effect, for his Excellency answered me imme- diately, telling me that he was " exceedingly pleased with my good vigilance," &c. ; that he would not neglect any precaution tor the public tranquillity ; that all the culprits were to be brought' lot trial to Beyrout, and that Daoud Pasha was to go to the Mountain. Inclosure 2 in No. G5. Colonel Rose to Assaad Pasha. (Translation.) After Compliments. WE inform your Excellency that a few days ago a disagreeable occurrence took place at Dcir-el-Kamar betwixt the Christians and Druses. One of the inhabitants, who felt apprehension on account of what had happened, asked Mustapha Bey, the Commander of the Imperial troops, " how he, the Bey, would act if one of the two parties attacked the other, whether he would assist the attacked party, and by these means terminate the collision between the two parties ?" But the mentioned Bey answered that he " would not prevent nor interfere at all, but only forward a report to your Excellency of what had occurred." And on account of this we cannot express to your Excellency the astonishment which we felt at these strange and extraordinary words uttered by Mustapha Bey, because, — 1st. Before Mustapha Bey's report could reach the authorities (Assaad Pasha is at Tripoli) many men would have lost their lives, and the war between the two sects would have increased to full vigour as in the time of Selim Pasha. 2ndly. The statement of Mustapha Hey is entirely opposed to the authority, the honour and the humanity of the Sublime Porte. 3rdly. His statement is entirely contrary to the assurances which your Excellency and his Excellency the Captain Pasha the illustrious made to us, namely that if one sect attacked the other the troops which are in Deir-el- Kamar under Mustapha Bey would a-sist the attacked party and would force the assailants to return to peace and cease their unlawful proceedings ; and we truly have reported to our illustrious Government this assurance of yours, and we therefore particularly request your Excellency to inform us for what reason Mustapha Bey made a statement which nullified your assurance to us, as well as that < f bis Excellency the Captain Pasha also. — a statement from which will result probably war between the Christians and the Druses, and which will cause the ruin of Mount Lebanon. And it is more especially our duty to inform your Excellency of this matter in a friendly manner, because the peace between the Christians and the Drusts depends on Mustapha Bey ; and particularly ought we to do so, as your Exci i i < \ has puviousiy on two occasions manifested to us your displeasure at the misbehaviour of the Bey in que>tien in matters which might have brought 130 on war between the Christians and the Druses ; and now on the part of our Government the illustrious we repeat to your Excellency what we have re- peatedly said to your Excellency, that there is nothing which would cause so much regret and pain to our Government the illustrious as a repetition of the war which took place in the time of Selim Pasha between the Christians and the Druses. For this reason we, as the servant of a Government which has always been so closely allied with the Sublime Porte, most earnestly beg your Excellency for the sake of the authority of the Sublime Porte and its honour, and for the sake of humanity, to prevent the inhabitants from committing troubles such as I have alluded to, for you have both the power and the authority to do so. Inclosure 3 in No. 65. Colonel Rose to Sir Stratford Canning. (Extract.) Beyrout, April 8, 1845. I HAVE the honour to state to your Excellency that in compliance with your instructions I have read confidentially to Halil Pasha the entire of your Excellency's despatch of the 17th of March*. His Excellency told me that he had heard indirectly that the Sultan himself had ordered the judicious amendment, that is that the reference should be to the concurrent authority of the two Kaimacams instead of that of the Pasha of Sidon. I beg to draw your Excellency's attention to the most important parts of the Captain Pasha's conversation. He said that he could not make out from his instructions in what was to consist the authority of the Druse Mookatadjis and the Vakeels ; that they were not near so explicit as my instructions ; that they simply said that the Vakeels were to " gerer les affaires " of the mixed Chris- tians. It is my duty to state to your Excellency that I perceived that the Captain Pasha was anxious to dimmish, in fact to render almost nugatory, the feudal rights of the Druses. I replied that your Excellency's instruction specified that they were to retain all their ancient privileges except the exercise of judicial authority in the mixed districts ; that the Vakeel was to judge alone in suits, &c. &c. His Ex- cellency then admitted that the most likely sense to be drawn from my instruc- tions was that the Druse Mookatadji was to retain his magisterial and police power over the mixed Christians, tempered by that of the Christian Kaimacam, but that he was not to have the power of judging between the Christians in his mookata in civil suits ; moreover he agreed that the Mookatadjis could have no authority over the religious establishments or interests of the mixed Christians which belong to the ecclesiastical authorities and the Vakeels. I again venture with the utmost respect to submit to your Excellency that it is most important that clear instructions should be sent to the Turkish autho- rities here as to the power of the Mookatadjis and the Vakeels over the mixed populations. If the Mookatadjis lose their magisterial and police power, they in fact lose all. Hitherto the most essential of the privileges of the Druse Moo- katadjis has been their feudal magistracy over the mixed Christians ; and the tame vice verm as regards the Christian Mookatadjis. The Porte for the sake of its own authority ought never to wish to do away with the rights of the Mookatadjis, an aristocratic element which if destroyed would infallibly be replaced by a democratic one, the " Shcbab " or " La Jeune Syrie," of all young nationalities about the most noxious. Halil Pasha informed me that he had no authority to use force, but he thought that it would be indispensable for the subjection of unruly spirits and ardent partisans of the Shehabs, who will seek to resist any measure, no matter how good, which excludes that family. He said that he would see what Wagieah Pasha, Assaad Pasha's successor, said on the subject. The question appears to me to be, I venture to say, Is the peace of the * Sec l'art I., Inclosure 2 in No. 53, page 104. T2 110 Lebanon, perhaps of Syria, to be hazarded, or are af< w unprincipled political adventurers to be placed under a wholesome restrain! ? These firebrands will always prevenl ifthej ran an amicable termination. The question is not whether the mixed Christians will submit or accept, but whether the persons who b) intimidation and undue means have gained an inflnp.np.fi over them will allow them to so. I BhaU pay the strictest obedience to your Excellency's instruction r< pect- ing interference with the execution of the measures definitively adopted. The Captain Pasha then mentioned another important matter. He Baid thatafterthe settlement of the Government he hoped that the Powers would not object to the disarmament of the Mountaineers, i I i - Excellency spoke also in the sense as it" tlie Porte intended with the aid of the army of Arabia, a- it is called, to disarm all Syria. No. 66. Colonel Rose to the Earl of Aberdeen. — (Received June 5.) (Extract.) Beyrout, May 8, 1845. I HAVE had the honour to report to your Lordship the hostilities between Christians and Druses in the Mcten, north of the Damascus road. I now have the honour to state to your Lordship what passed in the mixed districts in the Druse country south of it. Shortly after the commencement of the civil war the Christians appear to have made a desperate attempt to put into execution their often-repeated threat of exterminating the Druses or driving them out of the country ; collecting all their forces from Djezin, the Akleem," the Shoof, the Bekaa, they moved under Abusamra and the Emir Hassan Shehab against the Druses of the Shoof, who appear to have been unprepared for so general an attack. The Christians burnt the five or six Druse villages on their road to Moohtara, and then moved in one body against Moohtara, the residence of Sheik Said Djinblat, who is considered the mainstay of the Druses. Sheik Said applied to the Pasha commanding in Deir-el-Kamar for aid, which appears to have been sent to him with promptitude. The mass of Christians collected round Moohtara appears to have been so dense and so bent on the destruction of Sheik Said, even the Christian account says that it was like hell, that the troops could not penetrate it and join him till they had dispersed the assailants with artillery, which caused some casualties anion n>t the Christians, who then retired. Tii." Druses appear subsequently to have fallen on the Christians, and to have burnt some of their villages. 1 must state however that the Christians say that the Druses began the attack. The Christian party accuse the Turkish troops of having aided the Druses, and of having put to death the Christians of Baadran, who. they say, surren- dered on their promising them security; of proceeding immediately to aid the Druses when attacked by the Christians, but not affording the same aid to the Christians; and they further state that a Turkish irregular soldier put to death a Christian priest. On the other hand two Druse Sheiks complained to me of the partiality of two Turkish officers in favour of the Christians, alleging that they must have been bribed by the Emir Assaad Shehab ; and the brother of the Druse Kaimacam so far from thinking that the Druses were an object of partiality with him, said that Wagieah Pasha was of no use ; that he did nothing for the Druses ; that he- would not attend to applications from them for protection. 141 No. 67. Colonel Rose to the Earl of Aberdeen. — (Received June 5.) My Lord, Beyrout, May 10, 1845. YESTERDAY the mixed district of the Meten, previously mentioned hy me as the scene of" strife, was attacked suddenly by the Christians, and most of the Druse villages burnt and sacked. The Druses of the Meten do not muster above 700 or 800 men, the Christians about 5000 or .6000, and they were besides reinforced from Zahle and other places. The troops which were sent by my advice to the excellent position of Kor- nail were suddenly and most unaccountably withdrawn : a fact which subjects the Turkish authorities to the grave and universal supposition that they do not wish to put an end to the war. The troops could have moved from Kornail by the shortest line to any part of the district. Shortly before the volumes of smoke from the burning houses of the Druses in the Meten were perceived to the north-east, the burning of the Christian villages of Abbaye, Ain-Ksur, &c, on the Mountain, showed that the Druses had conquered in that quarter. I regret much to say that a Sardinian priest, " le Pere Charles," and a Maronite priest, were killed that day by the Druses. The troops stationed either close to or in Abbaye did not prevent the collision, which they might have done. The ravaging of the Meten took place within view almost of the Pasha, and the troops who had restored order before were removed a day or two before the conflict began. Reshid Pasha expressed great surprise at their withdrawal, and sent me. afterwards a letter from Wagieah Pasha in which he said, in reply to my observations, that there were sufficient troops in the Meten. The Meten is a Christian country governed by Christian Mookatadjis, all of one common stock, who, originally Druses, have gone over from Drusism to the Maronite faith. This unfortunate district, of difficult access, intersected and bounded by three steep and rocky ridges and two deep and narrow valleys, is more out of the way than the rest of the mixed districts. The inhabitants, Christians and Druses, thus left to themselves, followed the example set by their co-religionists in the Djird and the Plain of Beyrout and elsewhere. On the 3rd and 4th instant they attacked each other, burning their houses and villages. The Syrian Catholic Bishop Joseph, of the convent of St. Ifram in the Meten, came to me on the 6th instant. He states that having been informed that the Druses had burnt the Christian village of Shabaneea and were coming towards his convent, he had time with the six other monks to escape and hide in the rocks near his convent. The Druses then plundered but did not burn it. He then, accompanied by a lad, fled through the night down the rocky valley ; in the morning he was met and plundered of his silver cross by three Druses. He informs me that the Druses burnt another convent, a Maronite one, Kahlooneya, killing the seven priests who belonged to it. On the other hand, the Christians burnt and plundered several Druse villages, and boast that on the 4th they cut off thirty-two heads of Druses. They also burnt the house of the Druse chief Moukaddeen of Hammana, and wounded a son of the Emir Mussa. I have, &c, (Signed) HUGH ROSE. p.S. — 1 have the honour to inclose to your Lordship copy of a letter which I have addressed to Wagieah Pasha alter the bloody conflicts of the Meten and Abbaye, both of which might have been prevented if the Turkish authorities had done their duty. (Signed) HUGH ROSE. 112 Enclosure in No. 67. Colonel Rose to Wagiedh Pasha. Rxcellence, Beyrowt , It lOAfai, 1M5. VOTRE Excellence a ecril a Recbid Pacha que Nasib Pacha se trouvait dans le Meten aver- une Buffisance de troupes pour empecher ce que jc craignaii, one collision entre Irs Chretiens el les Druses. Votre Excellence concevra done extreme surprise loreque j'ai appris que cette assurance a'a pas e*te remplie, ei que les troupes Imperiales avaient etc retirees de Kornail, un village Druse, et du Meten. La suite facheuse de cette mesure, ne man died. 1 got off and gave my horse and that of the interpreter to the wives of the Christians, which was a great relief to them. Soon afterwards we saw the fine convent of Naame* in flames, and to the left the Christian villages of Damoor and Mallaca as well as detached hous Just at this time a body of armed Druses passed our right, returning from the convent. 1 found the convent sacked, and had some difliculty, on account of the fire, in getting into the church. I was in hopes of sjettinu; some of the utensils of the church in order to return them, hut it had heen plundered completely, and 1 only found one print of a saint. After a tedious march of about sixteen miles we got the whole of the Christians in safety into Burdg Berajene at about nine i . and this morn- ing they all came into Beyrout to the great delight of the Consuls and the inhabitants. The French Consul did all he could to co-operate with me to get troops and nudes sent to Ahbave, but the Defterdar, the chief authority here, would give no troops, and the muleteers would not go without an escort. It was certainly a singular sight to see ne Christians escorted by Druses through a country in which Christian villages had just been set on fire by the Druses there— the very Christians and Druses bavins: just made deadly war on one another with all the circumsl belonging to their barbarous nature. The Druse chiefs told me distinctly that they only gave a safe-conduct to the Christians tor my sake, not for the Turks. The exercise of the influence of Her Majesty's Government has caused general satisfaction, has diminished the bitterness of feeling caused by a savage and religious contest, has disarmed even political jealousy, and has given the barbarous combatants a practical proof of the value Her Majesty's Government place on the exercise of mercy and humanity towards those who arc vanquished and in misfortune. I have, &c, (Signed) HUGH ROSE. Enclosure in No. 68. Letter from Abbaye to Colonel Rose. Abbaye, May 10, 1845. Sunday Afternoon. WE feel constrained to represent to you the condition of the Maronite population of this village. They surrendered yesterday morning and were dis- armed. They are now protected by the Turkish troops who keep guard around the Palace of the Emir Assaad for this purpose. They surrendered on condition that they should be conducted in safety by the Turkish soldiers to Beyrout and Sidon. The soldiers here not being sufficient to guarantee their satety on the road, more were demanded from the Deir. About one hundred more came yesterday in the afternoon. But this morning these all left with their com- mander and Mustapha Bey, and returned to the Deir with the professed object 145 of bringing more troops and also mules to carry away the effects of the Christians. This movement has occasioned serious fears lest some fresh order arrive in the night requiring the return of the troops of Mustapha Bey. He had ordered all the people to be ready to set off this morning, and we know that Mustapha Bey had no intention of going to the Deir in this way until after 10 o'clock last night. This movement of the Bey has left the poor people in the most miserable condition. There are 575 men, women and children from Abbaye, Ain Ksur, Andraful and Dakkoon, who have absolutely nothing to eat. The soldiers gave all the flour they had, which, when baked, afforded one small loaf to each person, except seventy -five which we furnished. We shall be able to give them one small loaf each to-morrow and then our last resources are exhausted, unless the flour for which we are now writing shall arrive to morrow. It is necessary to state these things in order that you may be able to appreciate the condition of this miserable people. There is not a house for any of them to live in if they dare remain ; and there is no security for their lives. The fact is, in one word, they must go. But there is no road left open by which they can escape. Even Mallaca is in flames to-day, and this was their last hope. We must say that unless some immediate measures are taken to remove these people, the consequences must be most deplorable. Your name would do more to give that security which is necessary than almost anything else of which we can think. The Druses in this region will pay far more respect to you than to all the Pashas in the country. And we will not conceal from you the awful fact that all of these poor people that the Druses could get at they killed after they had surrendered. The kindest and best Maronite in the village, an old venerable man, trusted to the guarantee of the most respectable Greek in the place, accom- panied him to his house after the surrender, and yet the Druses came and butchered him there. This is one of many cases. Can you not do something immediately for these people ? We do not by any means wish to express the least doubt of the upright inten- tions of Mustapha Bey. He will return if he can ; but there is news that Nasif Abu- neked is coming into the mountains with the wild Arabs of the Haouran, and also that there has been and still is a fearful state of things beyond the Deir. He therefore may not be able to come. Allow us also to say that the horrible murders mentioned above were perpetrated as we hear by people from other villages. And the respectable part of the Druses of Abbaye testify the utmost abhorrence of the deed. Earnestly requesting you to exert your powerful influence to rescue these helpless people from destruction, We remain, &c. No. 69. Colonel Rose to the Earl of Aberdeen. — (Received June 5.) My Lord, Beyrout, May 13, 1845. I HAVE the honour to inclose to your Lordship copies of despatches to his Excellency Sir Stratford Canning. I have, &c., (Signed) HUGH ROSE. Inclosure 1 in No. 69. Colonel Rose to Sir Stratford Canning. (Extract.) Beyrout, April 22, 1845. I HAVE the honour to state to your Excellency that on the arrival of Wagieah Pasha I read to him confidentially the contents of your Excellency's despatch to me of the 17th of March. 2. U 146 Soon afterwards the Captain Pasha and his Excellency summoned to Beyroul the Christian and Druse Kaimacams, in order to communicate to them the final orders of the Porte respecting the government of the mixed popu- lations. The Urusc came, bul the Maronite excused himself on account of illness, sending in his place the Emir Beshir of Brumana. The Captain Pasha had previously told me that his intention was to entrust the execution of the Porte's orders to the two Kaimacams, affording them such aid as they required ; his Excellency had received no orders which justified the employment of coercion. The Pashas however changed the plan and resorted to the old one of con- voking the Christian Vakeels to Beyrout. Only three or four oheyed the summons, and those either happened to be in Beyrout or belonged to its neigh- hourhood. The others 1 understand excused themselves on the pretext that the Druse chief Hoottar-el-Amad had come to the Bekaa ; that they did not therefore like to leave their homes when so dangerous a person was in their neighhourhood. To the Kaimacams and the few Vakeels the Pashas communicated the orders of the Porte, a translation of which I have the honour to inclose. The Pashas, the Kaimacams and the Vakeels all state that these orders are so vague that thev cannot understand them as regards the authority of the Mookatadjis and the Vakeels, although the Captain Pasha evidently thinks that the orders take away from the Druse chiefs all their rights over the Christians in their mookatas, except that they, the Christians, are to make them presents when the chief is married, and that the Mookatadjis possibly may have the right to collect the Miri from the Christians. Wagieah Pasha seems as yet in complete ignorance of affairs here. In the meantime the Druses have expressed much dissatisfaction at the opinion generally deduced from the orders that they are to lose their feudal rights over the mixed Christians, and the latter are much dissatisfied with the power given to the Druse Kaimacam to choose their Vakeels for the selection of the Christian Kaimacam. I beg with the greatest respect to submit to your Excellency that it is most desirable that clear and precise orders should be sent to the Turkish authorities as to the main, indeed the only, point in discussion, or that requires elucidation : — I mean what are the rights of the Druse Mookatadjis over the Christians residing in their mookatas, and vice versd as regards the Christian Mookatadjis over the Druses. The Emir Beshir of Brumana, a Christian Mookatadji of the Meten, also expressed much dissatisfaction at the position in which the late orders leave the feudal rights of the Mookatadjis. He said to me, " If a Druse strikes another Druse in my mookata, have I the right to arrest or punish him, or has the Vakeel only the right?" The same as regards graver and other cases of magisterial authority. If the Vakeel has only the right " I entirely disapprove of the orders, as I lose all the rights I care for. If I have no Mookatadji or magisterial authority, I have in point of fact no authority at all." Another essential advantage of clear orders is, that the Turkish authorities would no longer have the pretext which they now put forward for delay or hesi- tation in executing the orders given to them as final. Inclosure 2 in No. 69. Last arrangements respecting the Administration of Mount Lebanon. (Translation.) BKSIDES the original Druse Mookatadjis who are to superintend the affairs occurring in their places and all the particulars which concern the Druses inhabiting the mixed villages, the Maronites also will look at the affairs which occur by the Vakeels who will be nominated and appointed from them by election. In conformity to the decision previously given, the two appointed Kaima- cams for the two nations inhabiting the aforesaid Mountain, as they are under the superintendence of the Government, the Vakeels who on this occasion will 147 be newly appointed, together with the Mookatadjis residing in the mixed villages, are to look at and settle the affairs which will take place between the nation of their sect only. Also the affairs which will happen between the Druses and the Maronites will be resolved on and settled by the knowledge of the Vakeels and the Mooka- tadjis together, and they will refer to the Kaimacams of their sects in particu- lars which they cannot settle without a mediation. As regards the Maronite Vakeels who are going to be appointed, the elec- tion for Vakeelship of two or three persons of the Maronites existing in everv village will be made by the knowledge of the Druse Kaimacam and the Mooka- tadjis, and the list of their names will be sent to the Maronite Kaimacam, who will choose one of them. The above-mentioned arrangements will be exactly executed in favour of the Druse sect existing under the administration of the Christians. Inclosure 3 in No. 69. Colonel Rose to Sir Stratford Canning. Sir, Beyrout, April 24, 1845. I REGRET to state to your Excellency that the state of public feeling, which had been improved by the march of troops to the Mountain and the pre- sence of Daoud Pasha, has again had a serious and ominous relapse. The intriguing and wicked, seeing that their attempts to bring about general disorder had been foiled for the present, had recourse to other means for gratifying party hatred and keeping alive agitation. A series of assassinations commenced, Christians killing Druses and Druses killing Christians. Between twenty-five and thirty victims fell in this way. The result was that a general intimidation and exasperation ensued in the mixed district to such an extent that neither Christians nor Druses ventured to move from their homes except armed and in large numbers. Thus if a Christian or a Druse wished to go to Sidon or Beyrout to make purchases of provisions or other articles, he would not do so unless numerously attended. I heard only this day of parties of Mountaineers who had declared their intention of coming to Beyrout in bodies varying from twenty to forty individuals. Your Excellency can easily imagine that such large bodies of armed and highly excited men, moving through an armed and excited country, were alone sufficient to bring on a series of collisions which in all probability must bring on a civil war. Impressed deeply with the great impolicy of the proceedings of the Turkish authorities, I have made unceasing and energetic repre- sentations to them exhorting them by every argument in my power to punish the murderers, and thus assert the rights of justice and check the dangerous feeling which has grown up. I have made them acquainted with every case of murder, whether Christian or Druse, even telling the place and circumstances. But the Turkish authorities have frustrated my endeavours. They have promised to punish the murderers but they have not punished one. Sheik Said Djinblat seized Druses accused of two separate Christian murders, but Daoud Pasha sent them back to their homes after a superficial examination, In short the authorities have not punished one murderer. The Turkish authorities have sent troops to Djezin, Sheik Said Djinblat's, and Abbaye, and 400 men to watch the Damascus and Deir-el-Kamar roads, but they did not make the distribution which I had wished. I have, &c, (Signed) HUGH ROSE. U2 148 Inclosure t in No. C9. Colonel Rose to Sir Stratford Canning. (Extract.) Beyrout, April 29, 1845. YOUR Excellency will see with as much pain as I do that all my grave suspicions and stati incuts as to the designs of the Turkish authorities to create strife and collision between the sects in order to further their political views have come to pass, and the information which I now detail is a clear and most painful confirmation of them. Notwithstanding your Excellency's frequent and my incessant representa- tions, the Porte's officers here have with unflinching obstinacy persisted in not arresting those who have offended against public order and peace. The cold- blooded murderer is allowed all the freedom and privileges of an honest man, and the wicked and barbarous, seeing that for three years and upwards the Turkish Government take no steps for punishing murder and other offences, indulge freely all the passions engendered by party hatred and revenge. The consequence is that the animosity and mistrust which previously existed between Christians and Druses have been increased if possible ten-fold, and that the intimidation is so great that neither Christians nor Druses in the mixed districts move from their homes without being armed, and in numbers sufficient to protect themselves. The appearance of those armed bodies causes of course apprehension and counter-preparations on the part of those through whose villages the bodies pass. Finding that my strenuous and unceasing exhortations to the authorities to arrest the murderers were unavailing, I addressed to Halil and Wagieah Pashas a letter a copy of which I have the honour to inclose to your Excellency. Inclosure 5 in No. 69. Colonel Rose to Wagieah Pasha. Excellence, Beyrout, 29 Avril, 1845. DES individus Chretiens assassinent frequemment et ouvertement des indi- vidus Druses, des individus Druses assassinent frequemment et ouvertement des individus Chre'tiens. Ces atrocites se commettent generalement dans les grands chemins, et souvent sous les yeux des troupes Imperiales. Les chemins sont interceptes par les assassins., la securite publique n'existe plus, le commerce est paralyse, une intimidation generale regne, et les denrees sont devenues extremement cheres. Les amis de l'ordre et de l'humanite se plaignent hautement de cet etat deplorable d'affaires, et reclament a. hauts cris la protection du Gouverne- ment. Jusqu'a. ce jour les autorites Ottomanes n'ont puni aucun assassin et n'ont jamais mis a execution la loi contre le meurtre. Tout le monde est intime- ment penetre de la conviction que le Gouvernement a le pouvoir et les moyens suffisans pour porter remede a un £tat de choses qui menace la ruine du pays. Un desir sincere de voir intactes l'autorite du Sultan et la bonne foi de son Gouvernement le rend indispensable que je fasse cette communication amicale a votre Excellence. Veuillez agre'er, &c, (Signe) HUGH ROSE. Translation. Excellency, Beyrout, April 29, 1845. CHRISTIANS frequently and openly assassinate Druses, Druses fre- quently and openly assassinate Christians. These atrocities are generally committed on the high roads, and often under the eyes of the Imperial troops. The roads are interrupted by the assassins, public security no longer 149 exists, commerce is paralysed, a general intimidation prevails, and pimisions are become extremely dear. The friends of order and of humanity complain greatly of this deplorable state of affairs, and loudly call for the protection of the Government. The Ottoman authorities have punished no assassin up to this time, and have never put in execution the law against murder. Every one is deeply penetrated with the conviction that the Government has the power and sufficient means to remedy a state of things which threatens the ruin of the country. A sincere desire to see the authority of the Sultan and the good faith of his Government unimpeaehed, renders it indispensable that I should make this friendly communication to your Excellency. Accept, &c, (Signed) HUGH ROSE. Inclosure 6 in No. 69. Colonel Rose to Sir Stratford Canning. Sir, Beyrout, May 1, 1845. WITH the deepest regret I have the honour to inform your Excellency of events which, however much they may be a subject of concern, can be none of surprise. Yesterday a collision, the commencement I greatly fear of a civil war between the Christians and Druses, took place about nine miles from Beyrout in the mixed district. Your Excellency knows from my reports that the Turkish Government has pursued a hne of conduct which for a length of time placed the public security in a state of imminent peril. On the other hand the unprincipled intrigues and ambitious designs of the Shehabs have gone hand in hand with the policy of the Government. For the furtherance of their respective but widely different designs, each has followed the common course of keeping up causes of irritation and promot- ing dissension and disorders. I have already detailed to your Excellency the numerous assassinations which have taken place, and my unwearied but fruitless endeavours to prevail on the Pashas to perform an act of the simplest and most important duty, to punish the murderers. In the present state of uncertainty, made far worse by the excess of partv- spirit which reigns and the ignorance and inefficiency of the legitimate source of information, the Government, it would be hazardous and useless to enter into details as to the ill-fated collision of yesterday. Each hour brings conflicting contradictory accounts. It will be sufficient to say that the Christians state that the Druses attacked a Christian convent at the village of Naame, and plundered it ; that they drove back the Druses, taking back from them the plunder, with a loss on their part of six, and on that of their adversaries of twenty-five. On the other hand, the Druses and some Greek Christians state that the Christians of Naame and Mallaca attacked the herds of cattle belonging to the Druse and Greek village of Aramoon and endeavoured to plunder the latter; that on account of the fewness of their numbers they were driven back at first by the Christians, but that on the arrival of the Druses and Greeks they drove the Christians back to the sea ; that they lost seven killed, the Christians twenty- five. The American missionaries who saw the conflict from Abbaye, confirm the advance of the Christians and their subsequent defeat by the Druses. Their testimony also invalidates in a measure the Christian statement. Wagieah Pasha also informs me that one of his irregular horse who was passing at the time of the collision, states that the Christians were the aggressors ; but such testimony is worth next to nothing. It seems to be certain that a Shehab Emir, who had turned Mussulman and again became a Christian, was killed in the conflict. He headed the Chris- tians. The Turkish troops in Abbaye, which is only one hour from Aramoon, took no steps to stop the combat, but the officer commanding prevented the inhabit- ants from joining the conflict. 150 On bearing what bad occurred I made a most energetic representation to the Pasha to send troops to the Bcene of action and to take such measures a6 wire required by the circumstan* Some irregular cavalry and half a battalion were sent, but the conflict had ceased before their arrival. Iii the present slate of affairs it would be vain to hope that the melancholy event of yesterday will not become more general. I have, &c, (Signed) HUGH ROSE. Enclosure 7 in No. G9. Colonel Rose to Sir Stratford Canning. (Extract.) Beyrout, May 4, 184';. YOUR Excellency will not be surprised, much as you will regret it, to hear that the first outbreak of civil war detailed in my last despatch has become tar more general. Animated by fresh hatreds and relying on the passive approval of the Go- vernment the hostile parties have extended the sphere of their action. On the 1st and 2nd collisions took place between the Druses under Sheik Youssuf Abd-el-Melek of Betater, five or six hours from Beyroul. near the Damascus Road, and the Christians from Rasheya and Deir-el-Kamar. They were attended with a certain loss of life. Yesterday the 3rd, the Emir Kais Shehab, whose ambitious projects I have lately communicated to your Excellency, and who was lately denounced by the Maronite Kaimacam to Assaad Pasha, moved against the Druses of Aalai. It is stated that at the same time another body of Christians moved by the Emir Kais's direction against Druse villages to the left of Aalai. The Emir Kais drove in the few Druses whom he met, and burnt some Druse houses ; but when he had crossed the Damascus road and came under Aalai, the Druses fell upon him with their usual energy, out-flanked and repulsed him. A gentleman of my acquaintance coming from Damascus passed through both parties, and the Christians were then retreating. I am informed by a Chris- tian that shortly afterwards the retreat became a flight, and the Emir before sunset was left with only five men, a fugitive, in a strong position amongst some rocks above his father's house at Baabda. The Druses burnt a summer house of his father and one or two houses in Baabda, and then retired. The other body of Christians was repulsed by the Druses, who burnt it is said many houses and much silk. My Christian informant who had gone out to assist the Emir Kais, spoke with indignation of the pusillanimity displayed by the Christians in yesterday's conflict, but praises the courage of the Emir. The night before the Emir Kais ? s attack I received secret information of his intentions, and I immediately proceeded to Wagieah Pasha and gave him infor- mation of the same, entreating him to send instantly troops to Baabda, which is only four miles from Beyrout, and cause the Emir Kais and his father to come here, sending a sufficient body of troops on the Damascus road to prevent any movement on the part of the Druses against the Christians; moreover to order all the leading chiefs, whether Christians or Druses, to Beyrout. In the morning of the occurrence of the first conflict I had spoken in the same sense to the Captain Pasha who promised to adopt my suggestion. I told both these authorities that if they did not, civil war would take place under their eyes close to Beyrout. that the Emir Kais would attack the Druses. The authorities did not follow my advice : they neither sent for the She- hab Emirs nor detached troops. The next day the civil war began about four miles from Beyrout, the Emir Kais moving against the Druses as I had pre- dicted. Their Excellencies saw on the mountain-side in the burning houses proofs of the truth of my prediction. The Captain Pasha embarked with all the pomp and ceremony attendant on his rank the same day, the 2nd instant. Accounts have now reached Beyrout that the civil war with its concomitant horrors has spread to the mixed district of the Meten and of the Shoof. 151 The statements of the success of the two parties are of course very contra- dictory, but on the whole I should say that the strategy, discipline, and courage of the Druses have more than compensated for their numerical inferiority. The Maronite Patriarch, Bishop Tubia, and the clergy have taken a most decided line to induce the Christians to take arms. The Patriarch, it is said, on pain of excommunication ordered each Christian village to furnish ten men against the Druses, and Bishop Tubia gave 3000 piastres the other day to a village now burnt to purchase arms. He also gave a bond for 9000 piastres more for the same purpose. Inclosure 8 in No. 69. Statement respecting the Civil War in the Lebanon. April 30, 1845. THIS afternoon a Maronite from Rashmeia, a Christian village, went to Chiourit, (half Druse, half Christian,) armed with a sabre ; he was told by the Druses of this latter village that arms were unnecessary and to deliver them his sabre, upon which words took place between them, and the Maronite returned to Rashmeia, where w T ere assembled about 250 Maronites, who decided imme- diately on the attack of Betater, the residence of Druse Sheiks. The latter met them half way, where my companion held a long debate with both parties. The Druses said they did not wish to fight, but as the Maronites had come with the intention of attacking them they were able to defend themselves, as well as ready. Of the Maronites some were willing to settle the affair quietly, but those from Deir-el-Kamar wished to attack ; after a long conference the respective parties returned to their villages without firing a shot. The next day about noon several Maronites, supposed to be from Deir-el- Kamar, attacked a Druse hamlet called Maresatie and set fire to several houses ; upon which the Druses of the Djird under the Sheiks Youssuf, Fahour, and Kange, assembled their forces and attacked the convent of Deir Sere, a little above Rashmeia, where one friar was killed, and the convent pillaged : at the village of Kouessie belonging to the Druses but inhabited by Maronites, there were assembled from Chartoun (Christian) about 200 men, but on the sight of about 20 Druses they ran away- From Deir Sere the Druses proceeded to Rash- meia under Sheik Youssuf, and the other party under Fahour and Kange to Deir Bourisnien, a convent, which was burnt and pillaged ; from thence to Medgil- mouch (Christian), where three houses only were burnt, owing to the arrival of Katta Bey, a Druse, who told them it was folly on their part burning, as it was onlv doing harm to both parties. The village was pillaged and several on both sides killed and wounded. From thence they proceeded to Keferinis (Christian), which was also burnt and plundered. Leaving Katta Bey on that side of the River Dam our, they joined their party at Rashmeia, where they burnt about thirty houses, and a smart skirmish took place between them. The Maronites at last gave way and were driven into the convent of Mar Elias, at the other end of the village, from whence a smart firing was kept up by some Maronites from Deir-el-Kamar, the people of the village having mostly run. On the whole I believe tl ere are not a greater set of cowards in the Moun- tain than the people of this village. Troops having arrived at the Damour river about sunset, the affair was settled for this day, and the greater part of the Druses returned to Betater at 9 in the evening. On the whole I think the Druses have acted very circumspectly, and that it has not been their wish for a disturbance to take place, especially at the present moment, as the principal support of the whole Mountain is their silk, and the harvest close on them ; but they have been forced into it by the Maronites. The people of Chartoun, who ran from about twenty Druses at Kouessie, were in- formed that if they gave up their arms and remained neuter nothing would be done to them ; but on the contrary if they would not concede to the demand, their village should be the next burnt. On my departure this morning I had not heard the result. The Christians who are residing in the villages of the Druses are with them, several of whom fought well in favour of the Druses ; .one man who attempted to join the Maronite party was shot, as he resided in a Druse vUlage. 1 52 The cumber killed and wounded ta about twelve Druses and thirty Maron- it t . s . On in\ wa\ to Beyrout this day (May 'J. , I met lumbers of Christians going towards Deir Bbire, where their meeting was te be to-day, and bam thence their intention is to attack the Druse country. On a careful review of the above, my having resided in the Mountain upwards of a year, and in continual intercourse with both parties, I must -ay that the attack ha- been premeditated on the part of the AJaronites, and that those of Deir-el-Kamar were the principal instigators. The person with whom I am. has loudly proclaimed against tluir attack, and even gone so tar a- to < all them " cowardl) dogs, and not tit to hear arms." On an average one Dru-e is equal to twelve ( Ihristians. Bey rou I, May '1, 1845. Inelosure !) in No. G9. Colonel Rose to Sir Stratford Canning. (Extract.) Beyrout, May 4, 1845. I INVITED my colleagues to join me in a collective note which would show to the Turkish authorities that our Governments were united in opinion in desiring a prompt solution of the question of the Government in which our respective Governments had taken a common part, and above all to manifest our united and earnest wish for the termination of the horrors of civil war, placing on the Turkish authorities a responsibility of which they have wished to divest themselves by asserting that the Powers and their servants were divided in opinion; a most unprincipled and groundless excuse for their treache- rous conduct. On the 3rd instant they assembled at my house and we wrote together a collective note, a copy of which I have the honour to inclose to your Excel- lency. To-day Wagieah Pasha returned a long answer ; but there is not a possibi- lity of translating it in time to send a copy. Verbally his dragoman told me that the Pashas would send troops to all the scenes of strife, to each mookata. I understand that our note roused in a singular degree the Pasha's energy, and I really believe that aware now that the secret policy of his Government has been made known, he will do his best to quell the civil war. Inelosure 10 in No. 69. Collective Note from four of the Consuls to Wagieah Pasha. Beyrout, le 3 Mai, 1845. LES Soussignes, Consul-General d'Angleterre, Consul- General de Prusse, Consul de France, et Vice-Consul gerant le Consulat-General d'Autriche, ont cru de leur devoir et en conformite aux sentimens qui ont amine les Representans de leurs Gouvernemens respectifs a Constantinople, de se reunir a l'occasion des graves evenemens dont le Liban est le theatre en ce moment, et de faire eon- naitre d'une facon collective a son Excellence Wagieah Pacha leur opinion unanime. lis pensent que le haut interet que les Cinq Puissances prennent a la ques- tion du Liban et a une solution prompte et pacifique, et la co-operation que leurs Gouvernemens ont prete a la Sublime Porte dans tout ce qui concerne cette question, justirient pleinement la demarche qu'ils font en ce moment. Les Soussignes sont d'avis que les mesures prises jusqu'ici par les Repre- sentans de la Porte dans ce Pachalick n'etaient pas de nature a accomplir les vceux des Puissances. En effet depuis quelque temps de nombreux assassinats ont etc commis, et leur nombre croissant et 1'impunite complete des coupables n'ont fait qu'irriter les passions, encourager les malveillans, et amener entin le deplorable etat de choses que nous avons sous les yeux. Les Soussignt : s ont surtout regrette qu'aucune mesure repressive n'ait e*te prise des le commencement pour puuir les coupables et arreter le mal dans sa racine, malgre les frequcntes et amicales representations que chacun d'eux a cru devoir faire en particulier. 153 lis regrettent aussi que les troupes de Sa Hautesse, au lieu d'etre employees a reprimer avec promptitude 1 'explosion des hostilites qui ont ouvertement eclate depuis quelques jours, soient restees dans une inaction qui a facility leur developpement. Les Soussignes, enfin, penetres de la conviction que son Excellence a le pou- voir et les moyens d'arreter le mal, et desireux de voir mettre un terme a un etat de choses egalement contraire a l'humanite, aux interets de la Sublime Porte, et aux mesures prises par cette Puissance conjointement avec les Cinq Cours, croient devoir appeler fortement son attention, et lui demander d'y apporter les remedes les plus prompts et les plus efficaces. (Signe) HUGH ROSE. L. DE WILDENBRUCH. EUGENE POUJADE. GEORGE LAURELLA. (Translation.) Beyrout, May 3, 1845. THE Undersigned, Consul-General of England, Consul-General of Prussia, Consul of France, and Vice-Consul carrying on the Consulate-General of Austria, have thought it their duty, and in conformity with the sentiments which have animated the Representatives of their respective Governments at Con- stantinople, to assemble on the occasion of the grave events of which the Leba- non is at this time the theatre, and to make known in a collective manner to His Excellency Wagieah Pasha their unanimous opinion. They think that the deep interest which the Five Powers take in the ques- tion of the Lebanon and in its early and pacific solution, and the co-operation which their Governments have given to the Sublime Porte in all that concerns this question, fully justify the step which they now take. The Undersigned are of opinion that the measures hitherto taken by the Representatives of the Porte in this Pashalick were not of a nature to accom- plish the wishes of the Powers. In short, for some time numerous assassina- tions have been committed, and their increasing number and the complete impunity of the guilty have only tended to irritate the passions, to encourage the ill-disposed, and to bring on the deplorable state of things which we have before our eyes. The Undersigned have above all to regret that no repressive measure was taken from the commencement to punish the guilty and to put a stop to the evil in its root, notwithstanding the frequent and friendly representations which each of them has thought right individually to make. They regret also that the troops of His Highness, instead of being em- ployed in repressing with promptitude the explosion of the hostilities which have openly broken out for some days, should have remained in a state of inaction which has facilitated their progress. The Undersigned, in short, penetrated with the conviction that His Excel- lency has the power and the means of arresting the evil, and desirous of seeing an end put to a state of things equally contrary to humanity, to the interests of the Sublime Porte, and to the measures taken by that Power in conjunction with the Five Courts, think it their duty strongly to invite his attention to it, and to beg him to apply to it the quickest and most efficacious remedies. (Signed) HUGH ROSE. L. DE WILDENBRUCH. EUGENE POUJADE. GEORGE LAURELLA. i Inclosure 1 1 in No. 69. Colonel Rose to Sir Stratford Canning. Sir, Beyrout, May 11, 1845. I HAVE the honour to state to your Excellency that on the 4th instant Wagieah Pasha went to the Mountain to Khan Houssein, the first Muleteers' 2. X 154 stage on the Damascus road, in order; u bis Kxccllency stated, to terminate the hostilities b the Christians and Druse-;. 1 have the honour t<> inclose to \ our E» clirncv a copy ofWagieah Pasha's answer to the collective note of tin- Consuls. As regards the Convention which the answer mentions, it really was puerile to talk of such a measure, when independent of other important renn whieh were indispensable, the Government had not even arrested one of the numerous murderers who were known and denounced to the authorities. 'The Emir Haidar dreaded to hind himself by signing a convention when hi' saw that the policy of the Government was to cause and not arrest disorder. i\s regards the troops at Deir-el-Kamar they have certainly acted latterly with energy in preventing collisions, hut they are accused as is stated in another communication. However in the two Latest grave cases of the Meten and Abbavc they did not prevent the lamentable disaster which occurred there. At the attack made by the Emir Kais on the 30th they did nothing. Wagieab Pasha, I understand, strongly denies that the troops committed the atrocities imputed to them by report. In the present state of high party feeling the utmost caution is necessary in believing the various reports which are circu- lated at times with interested views. With respect to the measures proposed by Wagieah Pasha for stopping the war, they are utterly inadequate. In the first place a conference at Khan Houssein was quite unsuited to the grave state of the evil, which required prompt and vigorous military repression. To hold a conference when two fierce factions are making war, burning vdlages, and committing all sorts of atrocities almost in sight of the supreme authority, would be ridiculous, if it did not involve such lamentable results. But even the conference has failed, for, as was foreseen, the parties invited, except a few neigh- bouring Druse chiefs, neither can nor will come, some alleging fear, others other causes. The place also, in the Druse country, was most ill chosen. The flattering prospect drawn by the Pasha at the close of his answer has hitherto been perfectly illusory. I have the honour to represent to your Excellency that it is indispensable that positive orders should be sent to the supreme authority here to put down the civil war bv the promptest and most energetic means. I have, &c, (Signed) HUGH ROSE. Inclosure 12 in No. 69 Wagieah Pasha to the Consul*. (Traduction.^ 27 Rebi-ul-Akhir, 1261. J'AI recu votre lettre par laquelle vous me prevenez que les mesures prises par la Sublime Porte et les Cinq Grandes Puissances concernant les affaires de la Montagne n'ont pas ete mises en execution ; que tfepuis quelque terns de nombreux assassinats se commettent ; qma cause de la non-punition des as-a- sins les seditieux sont encourages ; que cet etat de choses a excite vos regrets : que vous m'avez averti de cela a plusieurs reprises ; que lors de l'apparition de ces troubles, les soldats Ottomans ne les ont pas reprinie's, ce qui les a propa^es ; que nous avons le pouvoir de les reprimer ; que cet etat de choses est contraire aux interets de la Sublime Porte comme aussi a ceux des Grandes Puissances ; qu'enfin la situation aetuelle de la Montagne ne re'pondant pas aux vuux eommuns, vous me tt'moignez, Messieurs, votre ardent de'sir de me voir prendre les mesures necessaires pour mettre un terme a ces maux et y remedier d'une maniere convenable. J'ai parfaitement saisi le contenu de votre note ; je n'ai pas besoin, Mes- sieurs, de vous faire observer que les troubles qui regnent dans la Montagne n'ont pas commence depuis mem arrivee dans ce pays, mais bien avant ; bien que son Excellence Assaad Pasha, mon pmlecesseur, frit alle a Deir-el-Kamar pour en exhorter la population, celle-ci ne se tient tranquille que pour quel- qucs jours : les etincelles de la discorde couvant encore dans le cceur des deux partis', cela n'a fait que les assempir pour les reveiller plus tard d'une maniere plus terrible. Lors de mon arrivee a Beyrout. la sedition ayant eclate, son Altesse le 155 Capitan Pacha a du y envoyer le Ferik Daoud Pacha avec quelques compa- gnies de troupes regulieres. En un mot l'affliction et la douleur ou me jette cet etat de choses dans la Montagne, sont inexprimables. Dieu sait dans quel trouble se trouve mon esprit, et si je suis frappe au cceur. Je ne desire point que quelqu'un puisse souffrir le moindre mal, quel- que minime qu'il soit; mais j'aime que la population entiere, jouisse de la plus grande tranquillite et de la plus grande prosperite, selon les vceux de mon Goiivemement et d'apres ses ordres. Je ne veux point que le moindre tort soit fait aux droits de l'humanite d'aucune maniere. En conformite des mesures prises par la Sublime Porte et les Cinq Grandes Puissances relativement aux affaires du Mont Liban, lesquelles doivent avant tout etre mises en execution, et qui prescrivent de faire venir les Cai- macams des deux nations, les Moukatadjis, et les Vekils. pour leur faire part de ces memes mesures et conierer avec eux sur ce systeme d'administration, le troisieme jour de mon arrivee a Beyrout j'ai invite les deux Cai'macams, les Moukatadjis et les Vekils. L'Emir Ahmed, Cai'macam des Druses, s'y est rendu, l'Emir Haidar n'est pas venu, et apres m'avoir leurre de promesses de venir pen- dant dix jours, il m'a envoye corame son procureur l'Emir Bechir Ahmed. Je pressais aussi l'arrivee des Moukatadjis et des Vekils, mais ceux-ci me faisaient d'inutiles promesses sans se rendre a mon invitation ; ayant de mauvais projets en tete, ils dirl'eraient la venue a la ville. Cependant la guerre eclate entre les deux nations, et comme je ne pouvais souffrir un moment cette pensee, j'ai appele aupres de moi l'Emir Ahmet, Cai'ma- cam des Druses, et le procureur du Cai'macam Chretien, l'Emir Bechir Ahmet, pour conierer avec eux des moyens le plus aptes a reprimer la guerre ; et vous verrez, Messieurs, par la copie des ordres que j'ai donnes, copie que je vous remets ci-joint, la defense enjointe aux deux nations de se reunir en corps et casser toutes les reunions qui se trouvaient deja forme'es ; que si Ton s'assemblait encore, le parti oppose etait invite de m'en faire part. Des sol- dats devaient, en cas d'avis, engager ceux qui faisaient partie d'une assemblee quelconque de se retirer et rentrer dans le devoir, ne les molestant pas s'ils se rendaient a leurs injonctions ; mais, au cas contraire, les troupes avaient ordre d'employer la force pour disperser la reunion. Dans les cas d'un meurtre, des enqueues devaient etre faites sur-le-champ, et si les habitans d'un village cherchaient a. soustraire le coupable, comme cette action est contraire a la surete publique, des soldats devaient, en employ- ant la force, saisir dans le dit village le malfaiteur, pour qu'il eut a etre puni d'apres les lois et les reglemens. De cette maniere deux Conventions ont ete faites, l'une a ete signee par l'Emir Ahmet, Cai'macam des Druses : l'autre n'a pas ete signee par l'Emir Haidar, Caimacam des Chretiens, qui le renvoya, en disant que dans les affaires de cette importance Ton devait consulter les Vekils Chretiens des villages mixtes. Sur ce refus son Altesse le Grand Amiral, le Defterdar et moi avons ecrit a l'Emir Haidar de signer la Convention, mais jusqu'a present celui-ci n'a voulu n'y opposer son seing, ni la renvoyer. Nous avons par cela engage - les Caima- cams des deux nations, les Moukatadjis et les Vekils, et c'est en leur presence et en connaissance de cause de leur part que j'ai fait cette Convention, afin qu'ils ayent a la remplir avec exactitude. J'ai ecrit en consequence des bouyurouldis pour prevenir les deux nations, et pour qu'elles aient a se conformer au contenu de cet engagement; je les preve- . nais que si elles agissaient differemment, elles auraient a s'en repcntir, car elles ne pouvaient avoir plus aucune excuse. Ceci etait mon projet ; la Convention , n'ayant pas ete signee par l'Emir Haidar, raffaire en resta la. t Vous me dites, Messieurs, que la non-punition des coupables a fait aug- t menter et propager les crimes ; je n'ai jamais neglige de punir ceux dont j'ai r ete instruit, j'ai toujours employe les moyens qui se trouvaient en mon pouvoir. x D 'apres les reglemens en vigueur pour la Montagne, on envoie des commissaires, r en cas de meurtre, pour s'enquerir de l'auteur ; une fois convaincu, les parens doivent attaquer judicrairement le meurtrier, qui sera mis en prison ; si le crime n'est pas avere, on saisit les personnes suspectes et on les met en prison ; mais e dans le cas ou le coupable parviendrait a s'echapper, ces memes reglemens X2 156 enjoignenl d'envoyer des soldats dans le village du delinquent (et feci est un vieil usage en vigueur a la Montague) qui doivenl ydemeurer. I!k n a'a etc neglige, mais BJ I'on m'objecte que des assassinats ayant 6{ii cominis, Its villages attenanl en sont responaables, comme ceci n'eat que L'ouvrage d'un sen] el que I'on ae pent decouvrir L'anteurdu metutre, il ae serait pas juste, d'apres les loisde la justice par excellence, ct f i';ij>ic- ccllc-, t\> l «'> forcible means, to seize tl, ( . malefactor in tn said village, in order thai he nughl be punished accord- in- to On laws and igulations. In this waj two Conventions were made, one was signed bj the Emir Ahmed, the Drnse Kaimacam, the other was not signed by the Emir Haidar, the Christian Kaimacam, who teril i1 back, saying thai in matters of such inrpoi ae < Christian Vakeels of the nixed villages should beteananked. On this refusal His Highness the Grand Admiral, the Defterdar and myself wrote to the Emir Haidar to sign the Convention, but op to the present time tho latter has not been willing to put his seal to it nor return it. We have thereby bound the Kaimacams of the two nations, the Mookatadjffi and the Vakeels, and il was in their presence, and with their knowledge of the state of things thai I made this Convention in order that they may obey it exactly. •ole bouyurouldis to warn the two nations, and in order they mighl >rm to the tenor of this engagement; I informed them ihai if the} ad icrwisc, they would have to repent of it, for they could no longer I sense. This was my plan; the Convention not having been signed bj : i lir Haidar, the matter rested there. "v. . ,11 sa y,-G< >n, that the impunity of the guilt ? has caused the increase and i i crime ; I have never neglected punishing these of whom I have been info and have always employed the means at my disposal. According to 1 iws in force in the Mountain, Commissioners are sent in the- case oi murder to discover the author of it; once ascertained, the relations m si judicially against the murderer, who shall be put in prison ; if the crime is nr' oroved, the suspected persons are seized and put in prison ; but in case the guilty person should escape, these same regulations command that soldiers be sent into the village of the delinquent, there to remain (and this is a ancient custom in force in the Mountain). Nothing has been neglected, but if it is objected to me that assassinations having been committed, the neighbouring villages are responsible for it, as this is only the act of a single person, and it is not possible to discover the author of the murder, it would not be proper according to the laws of strict justice, and according to those of equity, to punish persons on a vague suspicion. I have thus acted regarding this point in a prudent and reasonable manner. It has been proved that a Christian has assassinated a Druse, and he will alone be punished for it, this not admitting of application to the Druses who assert they have done nothing, and with regard to whom there is no doubt that when one of them shall be convicted of having committed murder on a Christian, he will be punished like the Other ; hitherto no Druse has been convicted of assassina- tion ; to punish a man without having proved his guilt, would be to act contrary to justice, and for that reason I have not punished. You tell me, Gentlemen, that in consequence of the inactivity of the Ottoman soldiers crimes have increased. The supervision and the zeal which the regular troops at Deir-el-Kamar and other places have displayed, are incon- testable. Companies of soldiers arc sent from these places to wherever their presence is required; they are sent five or six in number to the places where the investigations ought to be made ; their zeal and their care in preventing the attack of one or the other party is indubitable. His Excellency Daoud Pasha and the other officers do not cease to employ all possible means for protecting the two nations; in the villages where there are garrisons there have been no attacks ; and in those where there are no soldiers, they endeavour, by hasten- ing thither, to prevent the conflict if it has not begun, and to repress it should the parties be engaged. As regards the combat -which has taken place between the .inhabitants of Sahilandof tiharb, the soldiers were but an hour distant therefrom, and at their appearance ever) thing was restored to order. In conclusion, 1 have not failed to put down the discord which prevails between the two nations; since my arrival in Beyrout, I have given up my pleasures, and I have employed every means which were in my power for that object ; I have sent Bahri Pasha to Deir-el-Kamar with the instructions of which f send you herewith a copy. I proceed then, Gentlemen, to lay before you the plan which I have to follow at this time. 159 According- to the conference which 1 had yesterday with th< Emir Raslan and the Emir Beshir Ahmed, I shall proceed to-morrow t Khan-el-HbusBein, where I will summon the Kaimacam of the Druses and the Mookatadjis as also all those whose presence shall be necessary; I will summon also (lie Emir Beshir Ahmed, the Vakeels and other notable persons; on the other band, I will enter into conference with them in order to discover the suitable measures for repressing- seditions, and for procuring peace and safety for the whole population ; a Convention will be drawn up in writing, the two parties will them- selves to fulfil it ; and if hereafter any one ventures to vi( late il soldiers shall be sent to the village to which the delinquent may belong, wl > shall.be seized and punished according to his deserts for an example to the of ers; in this manner from whatever quarter crime may arise, he who shall have rendered himself guilty thereof, shall be seized and exemplarily punished; thus by the grace of God sedition shall not be propagated, and public tranquillitj shall no longer be compromised. Such is the plan which will be carried into execution. In case that I am unable to conclude a durable Convention at Khan-el- Houssein, in addition to the soldiers who at this present time arc at the differ- ent points, I will place others where there shall be occasion for them, and if it is necessary I will send some into all the Mookatas; thus, if at any time there is any meeting in a village, the nearest garrison will proceed 1 9 the spot, and immediately disperse it by seizing the authors, upon whom an exemplarj punishment will be inflicted ; thus by the punishment; of the seditions, revolts will be repressed, meetings will be dispersed, tranquillity and sesurity will generally obtain among the population. For this purpose, I have thought it fitting, Gentler in, to ad >u this note, in order to acquaint you with these salutary measures. Receive &ic. (Signed) ' MAHOMED WAD JI (WAG IE AH). No. 70. Colonel Rose to the Earl of Aberdeen. — (Received June 5.) (Extract.) Beyrout, May 17, 1845. IT is most desirable that I should present or rather recapitulate to your Lordship a few undeniable proofs of the causes which have brought about the present deplorable war in the Lebanon, in order that the blame may rest on those who deserve it, and that concessions may not be demanded on false grounds. There are four great causes. The Turkish Government, the Shehabs, the mixed populations, and the clergy. As regards the first I have given so many proofs, and some essential ones so recently, that it would only be waste of time to go over them again. 1 sball only have the honour to adduce two which are of the same nature as those lately transmitted by me. I am informed that the officer who was sent by Wagieah Pasha to discover some Christian murderers at the village of Damoor a day or two previous to the first collision between the Christians and Druses, said to the priest of that place, " Why are you so foolish as to commit these murders in such a way as that they should be known, why do you not commit them secretly ?" In Djezin the officer commanding the Turkish troops, so far from preventing hostilities, encouraged the Christians both to defend themselves and to attack the Druses, saying " I allow you to do it." The Christians profited by his permission. It is my conviction that the Turkish Government desired and aided to bring on the civil war. As regards the second cause, the Shehabs, I have since the establishment of the Government of 1842, so unceasingly represented the dangerous nature not only of their intrigues but of their declarations that it is also almost superfluous to go further into the matter ; still in a condensed form it may be useful at the present time to state that the Shehabs and their partisans have over and over again avowed their intention of appealing to arms in order to effect their restora- 160 tion, if other means should fail. The Shehabs have followed, but in a far more decided manner, the same policy as the Government They have adopted every possible means for exciting discontent and confusion, in order to render imprac- ticable the form of Government of 1842. I have now the honour to submit to your Lordship a written proof of the determination of the Shehabs to _ r o to war if they did not obtain what they desired. The final orders from the Porte respecting the Government of the mixed populations convinced them that tin ir cause was hopeless ; they then determined to go to war. Your Lordship will see by this important document that the Shehabs declare to me, a foreign Agent, "most solemnly," that they would appeal to the sword; "that this was a matter unchangeably determined in their counsels and sealed with the signet of desperation." Really 1 have seldom heard of a more formal declaration of war. My correspondent, who seems to have been influenced in favour of the Shehabs, did not affix his name to the communication, but sent it by the physician of the Mission who confirmed all the letter said. The meeting of the Shehabs was held at Abbaye at the castle of the Emir Assaad Shehab whom I brought to Beyrout the other day. The rest of the letter contains the condi- tions of the Shehabs and the writer's arguments in their favour. The first warlike act of the Shehabs was the move of the Emir Abdullah Shehab with his armed men from the village of Ain-Ksur to the village and castle of Abbaye, belonging to his cousin the Emir Assaad, where they endea- voured to form a Christian camp, collecting all the armed Christians from the ".rrounding district. Your Lordship will therefore see that it will be worse than idle to deny that the Shehabs have brought on the civil war. But the most useful instruments wdiich both the Government and the Shehabs found for their purpose were the mixed populations, whom from their importance I have called a third cause. In them they found abundant com- plaint and dissatisfaction, and an excited and injured population of some 25.000 or 30,000 souls. The indirect intrigue of the Government and the direct intrigue of the Shehabs soon made the mixed Christians disaffected agitators, who, influenced as I have stated, finally declared that they would not submit in any shape to Druse rule, that they would go to war rather than do so. They have kept their word. Your Lordship is aware of my unceasing efforts to bring these parties to reason and submission. Your Lordship will be pleased also to remember their insubordinate conduct and declarations towards their Government, their studied and unceasingly insulting demeanour towards the Druses, the orders of their self- elected municipal body at Deir-el-Kamar to all the mixed Christians on pain of death not to enter into friendly or any sort of intercourse whatever with the rival sect. They made good their injunctions. The mixed Christians themselves do not deny that an unfortunate priest of the mixed district was put to death because he had had intercourse with the Druse Sheik Said Djinblat ; the lives of others who disobeyed their orders were attempted, they were wounded and beaten. Such efficacious means produced the desired result ; in a short time not one even of Sheik Said's Christian tenants ventured, however much many secretly wished it, to go near him. To speak to a Druse was a misdemeanour, to associate with him was punished as treason. In many parts of the mixed districts the Christians have even refused to pay their rents to Sheik Said. Latterly the mixed Christians have made com- mon cause with the Shehabs. Such proceedings were alone calculated to excite the ill-will of the stern and barbarous Druses ; but the hostile preparations of the mixed Christians, their military organization with military names, the incessant purchase of arms and ammunition, all for the purpose of making war with the Druses, embittered still more feelings unfortunately already only too much excited by sectarian hatred. The mixed Christians also have to me used the most violent and insubor- dinate language respecting the Druses and the form of Government of 1 842. They have said to me and others " one or the other must leave the country ; we cannot exist together, it must end in war ; or they, the Druses, or we must be 161 destroyed or leave the country." It is useless then to talk of the causes of the civil war when one party has so plainly declared them. As regards the clergy it is sufficient to say that they have organized the war ; that they have given pay to the combatants, generally four piastres a day a man, and a higher rate for the superiors. They get powder from all quarters and distribute it. Your Lordship is already acquainted with the pecuniary aid given by Bishop Tubia for the purchase of arms. Indeed when it is known that the Maronite Patriarch threatened to excom- municate those who did not obey the summons to go to the war, all is said. Bishop Joseph, a partisan of the Shehabs, went expressly from the Kesrouan to the town of Djezin to organize the Christians of that district. I have several documents in my possession which prove that the inferior clergy have acted indefatigably in the views of their superiors. Even the con- vents were made the magazines of ammunition of war. The Maronite Patriarch and his clergy saw that neither the cause of the Shehabs nor of the mixed Christians could enlist the great body of the Christians in a war against the Druses. They therefore made of a war of party a war of religion ; the Druses, the enemies of the Cross, the infidels, were to be extermi- nated or driven from the country. Latterly the Christians generally have spoken in this sense : Christians or Druses must be exterminated or leave the country. The Maronites also had succeeded in uniting under their standard a part of another influential Christian interest, the Greeks. Thus strengthened there is not a shadow of doubt that it was the hope of the Maronite clergy that the general armament and union of the Christians, and a deep feeling of hatred and religious enthusiasm, would enable the Chris- tian population to overwhelm the counterpoise to their power and influence in the Lebanon, the Druses ; and it is more than probable that if they had done so, they w r ould then have turned their thoughts to free Christianity from another trammel — Ottoman rule. I therefore have thought it my duty to strive to frustrate such designs as inhuman and dangerous ; and I have unceasingly endeavoured by every means in my power to put an end to the horrors of civil war ; as the best indeed the onlv means of doinsr so I have induced mv four colleagues to offer their united amicable aid to Wagieah Pasha to assist him in arresting the progress of this barbarous war. When speaking of the mixed Christians as a cause of the civil war, I should in fairness say also that they have been unjustly, nay cruelly, treated. Plundered of their property in the civil war of 1841, the Porte has kept alive that cause of just complaint and bitterness, never causing the Druses to restore any part of the pillage, nor paying itself any portion of the indemnity for it. It was not merely the positive loss which the Christians regretted ; but they keenly felt the injustice and the obloquy of being vanquished and plundered by their rivals. It is true that the Porte has promised that the indemnities should be paid conditionally ; but a clear grievance should have been remedied without a condition. Inclosure in No. 70. Extract of a Private Letter to Colonel Rose. AFTER much hesitation and finally with extreme diffidence I venture to submit to you the following paper, with the simple request that you give some leisure hour to as much consideration of its contents as they may deserve. I have on former occasions mentioned to you in conversation the overtures of the Shehab Emirs. They have never ceased to urge the subject, and solicit me to speak to you about it, but I have declined to do so from a conscien- tious determination not to be drawn aside into the vortex of Syrian politics. But within a short time the matter has been presented to me in such an attitude that I feel constrained to bring it more definitely under your notice. 2. Y 102 In a recent spec il visit of the Emir who is regarded as the head of the SIil e country, I have heen obliged to hear the whole suhject canvassed anew. Tl fact wliich struck me as the most important of any i tin eooi of the conversation is this. Towards the close of the visit, when urging me ( o write to you, the Emir assured me moat solemnly that as soon as all bope Oi coming to some satisfactory adjustment peaceably was extinguished, the question would he submitted to the arbitration of the sword. That this was a unchangeably determined in their counsels and sealed with the signet o f de* eration. How much importance should be attached to surh declaratioi I now far better than I ; but I have heard them from other Ives they point to matters of very grave import. No. 71. T l Earl of Aberdeen to Colonel Rose. Sir. Foreign Office, June 6, 1845. I HAVE received your despatch of the 13th of May reporting the Steps which you took for ensuring the safe passage to Beyrout of a large number of the Chris ian inhabitants of Abbaye, who had been induced to sur- render their arms on condition that they should be protected by the Turkish troops from the animosity of the Druses ; and I have to acquaint you that Her Majesty's Government approve in the fullest manner of the energy and promp- titude with which you acted in this matter, and rejoice to find that your humane exertions in behalf of those unfortunate persons were crowned with such signal success. I am, &c, (Signed) ABERDEEN. No. 72. The Earl of Aberdeen to Colonel Rose. Sir, Foreign Office, June 6, 1845. HER Majesty's Government have learnt with the deepest regret from your recent despatches that the Lebanon has been again the scene of civil strife between the Maronitesand the Druses; and I need hardly inform you that the zealous efforts which you are making, in conjunction with your colleagues, to calm the excitement which unhappily prevails, and to restore peace to that dis- tracted country, are entirely approved by Her Majesty's Government. I am, &c, (Signed) ABERDEEN. 163 No. 73. Colonel Rose to the Earl of Aberdeen. — {Ret ly 3.) (Extract.) Beyrout, June 12, 1845. I HAVE the honour to inclose to your Lordship i (< ;oat hes, with their inclosures, to his Excellency Sir Stratford Ca I have unceasingly endeavoured to effect the dispers f tit h< i t , lies of both parties, addressing myself both to the Christie 1 is aid the Oraaps. I have just received a letter from the leading Maronite of Guziv in the Kesrouan which gives a satisfactory account of the dispersion of the ^hristiadi! to their homes. I learn also that the Druses have retired to their ho Wagieah Pasha arrived at Beyrout from his head-quar! sj ; n the Mountain, on the Damascus road, on the 10th instant informed the Consuls that he has interposed in the Me and Christian country two lines of regular troops, runnm; lines, with a high ridge, and a distance of about six mil I ese lines are stationed in eight villages, four Christian and fo )ruse. Tb<- officers commanding these detachments, the Pasha says, have to prevent arwr collision between Christians and Druses, employing fo ( are to patrol constantly the country in the neighbourly. I , ;•. i disperse all meetings and assemblies. The inhabitants who have fled, or have been driver rom their homes, are ordered to return to them ; but this is impossible as lon^, as the Druses continue their outrages, and Wagieah Pasha, there is too much reason to fear, encourages the commission of them. Thus in this unhappy country at every step one of the chief obstacles to its tranquillity is the Government. I hear that a large part of the Christian plunder has been given by the Druses to the Pashas as in the time of Selim Pasha. The reports spread about the English, and indeed the conviction that Her Majesty's Government was opposed to the unprincipled designs of the Shehabs, produced at first amongst some of their partisans and many of the Christians an unfavourable feeling as to the English, but there has been a reaction, and justice is done to our humane and safe policy. The effective interest which has been shown by Her Majesty's servants for the Christians has also contributed thereto. I have received many letters in this sense. I have the honour to inclose copies of two, one from Zahle, the most influential Christian town in the Lebanon, and another from the leading inhabitants of the district of the Gharb El-Bekaa. The deputies of the former place in the most emphatic manner have assured me that they wish that they had always followed my prudent and peaceful advice, and that for the future they will conform to it in every respect, submit to their Government, and live in peace with the Druses if they do not attack them. If they do one-fourth of what they promise I shall be quite satisfied. It would be an error to suppose that all the Christian Sheiks in the un- mixed districts joined in the contest. There were many who did not so. I shall have the honour to say more of this hereafter. To prove the perfect confidence which even those have in Her Majesty's Government who have acted most in opposition to their policy, I may mention that the Emir Kais Shehab, who has taken so prominent a part in the late troubles, and who had been hiding lately from the Government, visited me the other day, and inclosed I send to your Lordship copy of a letter from Abu- samra, the so-called commander-in-chief of the Christians in the late civil war, and a most determined Shehab. Notwithstanding this your Lordship will see that he will not go to the Pasha without my guarantee. The Maronite Emir Besliir of Brumana entirely agrees with me that the Shehabs and the Government were the cause of the late events, and that the Druses did not desire v/ar ; but he thinks that a Druse chief who is a partisan of the Shehabs was an exception. Y2 164 This is very possible, and there were also one or two Sheiks of ruined fortune and desperate habits amongst the Druses who wished for troubles, in which they might gain plunder, and would only lose their lives. Inclosure 1 in No. 73. Colonel Rose to Sir Stratford Canning. (Extract.) Beyrout, May 17, 1845. I HAVE the honour to inform your Excellency that on the 15th instant I received information through a Christian channel that the Christian force now collected in the Meten was to attack the Druses in Abaidie, a village on the borders of the Meten still in the hands of the Druses, and to which most of the Druse inhabitants of that district had retired after their defeat in the Meten. Abaidi6 is below and in sight of Medairej the new head-quarters of the Pasha, which is an hour distant from his late head-quarter at Khan Houssein, further on the Damascus road. A Maronite priest also told my informant that he knew that the Christians had paid a bribe of 50,000 piastres to Wagieah Pasha in order that he might not interfere with the Christian attack on the Druses ; that they had offered him 150,000 piastres if he would permit them to attack the Druses at Abaidie on the morrow, and leave himself his position and go to Beyrout ; that the Pasha had accepted 50,000 piastres for the permission to attack, but had refused to leave his position ; that the Pasha had taken 50,000 in order to permit the surprise of the Druses of the Meten by the Christians on the 9th instant. I acquainted the Kiaya, the son of the Pasha, with this information, who said he would transmit it to his father. Accordingly, towards sunset on the next day, the lGth, I saw the smoke, the sure sign of a collision, rising from the village of Abaidie, and soon after- wards a much larger quantity from a lower part of the valley. Shortly after- wards a kavass of the Prussian Consul-General, who had just returned from the head-quarters of the Pasha, gave information that just before the Pasha had given him the letter for his Consul he saw the Christians attack and burn some Druse houses ; that the Pasha immediately ordered the Basin Bozuk to turn out and repulse the assailants ; that soon afterwards he saw a body of Druses marching up to the scene of combat, followed shortly afterwards by another ; he also saw a battalion of Turkish regular troops on their road to the scene of action. The next morning a number of houses and small villages were seen burning on the mountain-side close to Beyrout. It appears that the centre and left of the Druses had repulsed on the preceding evening the attack of the Christians, burnt the houses of the Christian Emirs residing in Abaidie', moved across the steep valley up the opposite ridge, driven the Christians in much superior force out of the Ras El-Meten, the chief village of the Meten on the end of the centre ridge, burnt the village and old castle of the Maronite Emirs there, crossed to the last ridge opposite Beyrout, from which they descended burning the houses near the river of Beyrout, only two miles and a half from the town. Their advanced parties nearly reached the Dog River, the limits of the Kesrouan. Their right met with equal success, penetrating across the successive ridges of the Meten, and burning the villages of Solima and Baabdat, &c. In the former place the old castle of the Maronite Kaimaeam was burnt with the rest of the Christian houses. Thus the success of the Druses placed them in entire possession of the mixed district of the Meten, from which they had been all but wholly ejected by the Christians on the 9th instant. The left of the advance of the Druses rested nearly on the sea threatening the Kesrouan, their centre and right on the con- fines of the pure Christian district of the Kattea. The Christians as usual were unduly discouraged, so much so that they overrated the position of their adversaries and underrated their own. 165 They did not reflect that the rugged sides and precipices of the mountainous districts of the Kattea and Kesrouan afforded at every step a barrier to the Druses if they had chosen to defend them ; that their villages well supplied with stores of provisions would have made a good defence against assailants without artillery. In short the result of the defeat of the Christians was a panic. They abandoned the whole of the Meten, and I have no doubt would have left the Kattea and the Kesrouan with its numerous convents and villages a prey to the Druses if they had continued their advance. But the Druses had obtained success with a very small front; and the Pasha states that by moving troops in their rear he prevented their further advance. The sight of eighteen burning villages and hamlets or houses created a great sensation in Beyrout, the more so amongst the Consuls, because shortly before Wagieah Pasha had declared that quiet had been established. The news of the fate of Djezin, six hours from Deir-el-Kamar, said to have been taken under circumstances of great cruelty by the Druses aided by the Ottoman irregular troops, Mutualis, and Mussulmans, increased the general alarm and unfavourable impression against the Pasha who had allowed the civil war to gain so formidable a head. Whatever the Pasha's motives may have been it was clear that it was imperatively necessary to bring his Excellency to a sense of his duty. If, as appeared very probable, the Druses penetrated into the unmixed Christian country, they in their barbarous excitement and under the impression that they were carrying out the views of the Turkish Government would probably have devastated that populous and flourishing district, and burnt and plundered the numerous convents with which it is studded. In the present dangerous and feverish state of feeling an outbreak of religious fanaticism might have followed at Damascus and amongst other Mussulman populations. The five Consuls therefore addressed an energetic letter to Wagieah Pasha, which had the effect of checking any dangerous designs, if he entertained them. I beg to inclose copy of the letter. In reply the Pasha wrote us a letter, which in candour I must admit jus- tifies him from the charge we made against him of having let the Druses pene- trate into the Meten ; for, in the first place, the Pasha appears to have detached troops, but the troops could not act at once, as being in heavy marching order they could not ascend the steep ridge on which is Ras El-Meten, the scene of strife ; they were obliged to make a round. Moreover, independently of the Pasha's statement that the Christians commenced the attack, which is confirmed, they appear also to have fired on his troops when they attempted to stop them. Inclosure 2 in No. 73. TJie Consuls of the Five Powers to Wagieah Pasha. Excellence, Beyrout, le 17 Mai, 1845. JE viens de prendre connaissance, conjointement avec mes autres collesues, de la lettre que vous avez ecrite a notre honorable collegue le Consul-General de Prusse, et puisque votre Excellence nous demande notre conseil nous vous disons d'abord que nous voyons avec un profond regret que vos paroles et vos promesses ne s'accordent pas avec vos actions, et que dans le terns mt'ine que vous parlez de paix, vous permettez aux troupes Imperiales, dont le devoir est de repousser les partis dans leurs aggressions, de s'unir dans le Djezin aux Druses contre les Chretiens ; vous laissez les Druses pen&rer dans le Meten, traverser ce district en incendiant, et venir bruler des villages Chretiens jusque sous les yeux des Consuls a Beyrout. m di'sir d'arreter l'effusion y patrols day and night in and outside the town as well as in the different quarters. The Druses living in the town are continually singing, rejoicing, and amusing themselves, and the Christians afflicted, sorrowful, and in distress. We I. now nothing of what is going on in the world, as nobody or even news are allowed to reach us except from you. We entreat von tor Cod's sake to use all means to induce two or three of our lords the Consuls at Beyrout to come to our relief that we miirht n move to Damoor with our families and property, and they miirht send ships tor us to embark with our wives and children to Beyrout and Sidon : the life in the Mountain is no more suitable for us under the existing circumstances. And if it were necessary, and war were to go on and we were enabled, we would go to assist our brothers; we prefer death than to endure this state of things. For if the assemblies of the Christians were dissolved, the Christian Faith will he annihilated at Deir-el-Kamar and the villages in its neighbourhood; because the enemies of the Christians and those who make war against them, are the Ottoman regular troops, not the Druses ; and the greater part of the ornaments of the churches and convents and the Christian plunder is to be found in the public possession of the Viziers, Beys, and officers of the Government. To-day bis Excellency Daoud Pasha and Mustapha Bey have communi- cated to us orders received by them from the Musbir in Turkish, stating that his Excellency in conjunction with the Consuls have dissolved the meetings of the Christians and Druses ; that their respective chiefs are convoked to a Divan in Beyrout for the settlement of affairs. We have learnt this news with extreme regret and concern ; we beg you for God's sake to inform us of what is going on, and to make the necessary representations to their Excellencies the Consuls and those whom it may concern or appertain to. You will tell them also that his Excellency Daoud Pasha required us to present to him a petition to request the Government for the Porte's direct rule upon us : we evaded to comply with his wishes as much as we could; but considering the condition in which we are and his repeated menaces, w r ehaA'e unwillingly conformed to his demand. Mustapha Bey also compelled us to present a petition setting forth our demand that he should be our Governor, which we have also written in spite of ourselves. These functionaries ask for two of our men to go with these petitions to his Excellency the Mushir, but till now we have evaded conveying them. How- ever, the petitions have already been delivered to them. It is necessary there- fore that you should represent the foregoing as it is stated herein, and that we are in extreme dread and alarm concerning the Christian religion and people from the troops in particular, for as to the Druses and their force, by the aid of the Almighty we alone are sufficient for them all; but defend ourselves against the Government and the Druses we cannot, as long as the regular troops are stationed in our houses. We beg you to think about these things, and adopt the necessary measures. We reiterate our prayer to you on the receipt of this our letter to send a copy of it to those in whom you rely ; and it is desirable that they should be acquainted with the same ; you will also state that if the meetings of the Christians were dissolved, our faith will be ruined in this country, and our wives would be violated in these parts. We have now detailed what has occurred and to what state we have been reduced. Solicitude conduces to salvation, and delay causes repentance. We are in hourly expectation of your letters, and we are anxious to know where the meetings of the Christians are, who are their leaders, what is their number, and w r hat is going on at Beyrout in the way of arrangement. Present our respects to their Seigneuries our lords the respected and vene- rated Consuls. (Signed) Your Brothers. The Inhabitants of Deir el-Kamar. 169 Inclosure 5 in No. 73. Colonel Rose to Sir Stratford Conning. (Extract.) Beyrout, June 3, 1845. I HAVE the honour to state to your Excellency that the hopes which I entertained that general hostilities in the Lehanon had ceased, have been realized. The orders of the Pasha and the requests of the Consuls to the Kaimacains, Mookatadjis, and Vakeels to come to Beyrout for the arrangement of a pacifi- cation produced a very good effect. It presented to the belligerent populations the united wish of the Agents of the Five Great Powers and of the Turkish authorities for peace, and showed in a public manner the disapprobation of their Governments of their proceedings. The Maronite Kaimacam was ill, but he sent as his deputy the Emir Beshir of Brumana, who informed me that the Emir wished to act entirely according to my views. Shortly before, and during the hostilities, I heard nothing from the Emir Haidar ; on the contrary I learnt that he had sanctioned the issuing of the war- cry to the Christians. I knew therefore that he had given way to the eccle- siastical influence of the Patriarch. The Emir Beshir said as much, alleging as an excuse for the Emir that he would have remained true to his promises to me if he had met with any support whatever from the Turkish Government, but that he found that they would do nothing ; that on the contrary they encouraged disorder, and that therefore being deprived of all physical support, he was obliged to identify himself most unwillingly with the war party. Another messenger sent to me by the Emir Haidar spoke still more clearly in this sense. The Turkish authorities also shortly before the commencement of hosti- lities behaved very ill to the Emir by taking away the appalto of the Bekaleeks from him. Besides the Emir Beshir, a cousin of his, the Emu- Said Ahmet, and the Sheik Lattoof Deh-Deh, and the mixed Christian Vakeels arrived at Beyrout. The Druse Kaimacam and Mookatadji, or their representatives, arrived a few days afterwards. I had reason to think that Wagieah Pasha was the cause of their delay, and therefore made an energetic representation to Bahri Pasha his Kaimacam here. On the 30th the pacification Divan, assisted by some of the leading inhabit- ants of Beyrout, held its first sitting. I had strenuously advised both parties to avoid a reference to the past, and think only of effectually terminating the pre- sent dreadful strife. The Pasha laid before them ten Articles for their signature. On the 31st the Divan met again; all the Druses signed before it broke up ; of the Christians only the Emir and the other two Christian Mookatadjis would sign. However the Pasha sent for the deputies at night, and having altered the tenth Article, as is seen, the mixed Christian deputies signed it. I hear that a mixed Christian deputy the day after said that they, " the deputies, would not sign the tenth Article because they did not intend that everything should be forgotten ; that they had rights and trials which they would demand both from the Government and the Druses ;" meaning that they would call the Government to account for the aid they had given to the Druses, the people who had been killed, &c. I think that one most important consideration must not be lost sight of. Did the Druses or did the Shehabs and mixed Christians bring on and seek the civil war? Then surely the Government must repress most the party which causes the war; when two parties goto war certainly the responsibility rests on the beginner. I do not mean by any means to absolve the Government, but there are certainly many palliating circumstances, for my firm belief is that it the Christians had prevailed over the Druses they would have declared for a Shehab or taken some step most opposed to the interests of the Porte. In the frequent visits which 1 have received from the Christian deputies 2. Z 170 ill. av< instantly brought forward the question of what would • i.i I. t foi the future. They all think that the only solution of !h( difficuJ is b measure which I earnestly recommended lasl year, n- to the Christian country and vice " 'I'll. • if opinion amongst them is thai a few of them think > Id I : compulsory in order t<> prevenl any future lision The Emir Be hii and the Christian Mookatadjis think the emigration Bhould hut thai i1 a Christian chooses to stay under the Druse Mooka- tadji ve to do so, hut not be protected by Vakeel or any othej itee, which will leave his future position as entirely jesting on his own ity. thi happiness and peace of the Lebanon 1 must earnestly hope that the plan of emigration may be carried out. It only requires good will, and the Porte would make a most just reparation if it paid the expenses of em This would be only a reasonable satisfaction for the harm which i caused. The Christian Vakeels told me that the French < te plan of emigration, in fact be said as much to me. Amidst thtn causes of satisfaction which chequer the gloom of late melancholy events, 'he l.nison of opinion as to a solution of the Lebanon question English and French Agents and the Christian Vakeels must be a matt.: r ol h -oimratulation. Inclosure G in No. 73. Ten Articles of Peace between the Christians and Druses of Mount Lebanon, signed at Beyrout the 3lst May, 1845. (Translation.) The cause of writing this Convention is that, — AVHEREAS the removal and suppression of the corruptions and aggres- sions now existing in the Mountain, and the obtaining the effective means of our tranquillity, protection and security in the way of justice and truth, are neces- sary matters to be procured on the part of the Government and on the part of all of us also, we, conformably to our Agency on the part of the Christians living in the Mountain have agreed to give the following pledges : — 1st. That in future not the least aggression and oppression should again take place, on the part of the Christians against the other party, and if any aggression on the part of any body takes place, we pledge ourselves to bring the same person to the Divan of their Excellencies the Turkish authorities to be judged there for the offence. ^ 2ndly. We pledge ourselves that henceforward no meetings and partisan- ship shall' take place in any place whatever on the part of the Christians either by day or night ; but every one of them, whosoever be may be, must be in his own bounds conducting himself as people of honour and honesty, occupying himself in his business, agriculture and cultivation, and that none of them should under- take the least movement which will be opposed to the principles. 3rdlv. That if it were seeu that the other nation is holding meetings and making preparations for attacking the Christians, the Government will then send troops to disperse those meetings and punish their members, and the inhabitants of the places where the meetings may he held : and in order that there should be no cause of disorder, and that public tranquillity should not be shaken, we the Christians must not hold meetings in order to face those of the other nation, but we must immediately represent the matter to the threshold of our Lords the authorities, and their Excellencies according to their generous promise will immediately and promptly hasten to prevent and suppress those preparations which may take place on the part of the other nation. But under the absurd supposition, if the Government did not prevent and suppress those preparations, we shall then be compelled to prevent by ourselves their (the other nation's) injuries and harm, but in the first instance giving notice to the Government and representing the circumstances. "We must not hold any 171 meetings or make preparations to face those disorders, a id or the t pledge ourselves. 4thly. As regards those who have emigrated from both > trt. ourselves in the affair of procuring them tranquillity and sei 5thly. Whosoever of the two parties who will commit dim he a cause for kindling disorder, he shall after investigate, i Government conformably tojustice, and we ourselves shall ie ' \o\ ment to punish such a person as that. 6thly. Whereas most of the meetings which were ass< i otl parties have been dispersed through his Excellency the illustrioi there remain but a few of them which are intended to ue dispel endeavour to disperse the rest of the Christian meetim and when sometimes exists interference on the part of both parties a on the high roads, such as destroying people and plunde; these disorders are the cause of depriving the people of G [litj , and are opposed to the improvement of public condition ; ' <■; accordingly abstain from again committing the least unkuv , as killing people and plundering property, neither against tie other nation against anybody, whosoever he may be; and God forbid tha if anything of th< did happen in any of the places, the murderers must be immediately seized an investigation and judgment of the case must take place betwee" the murderers and the heirs of the killed person, and, according to ju- tice and law, whal may be the judgment of the crime, either by paying the ice of blood or otl ar punishment, it shall be put into execution. But if any attempt to defend guilty party was to be made, the Government will send troops to the vi where the crime has been committed, and by force the murderer shall be seized ; and those who may defend such a murderer (as their daring to do so is unlawful), they shall therefore be punished according to their crime ; and if any person were plundered, or his property were taken away forcibly, it will be immediately taken back from the plundering party and restored to its owner. And if any person defend such proceedings, the Government will do its duty on the subject. On our part also we shall exert ourselves to do what is necessary for the execu- tion of the said measures, — so we have pledged ourselves. 7thly. Whereas the murderer who shall be found and seized must be punished according to the aforesaid principles : but the murderer who shall be known and not found, troops will be sent to the village of his dwelling, where they will remain till the relations of the murderer or the inhabitants of the village find the murderer ; but if he were not found his relatives or some nota- bles of the village must be seized and put in prison. 8thly. Those who shall plunder or wound any person shall also be punished according to their crime, but if they are not found, an inquiry will be made from their relations or from the inhabitants of their village. We pledge ourselves for the same. 9thly. Troops will be placed by the Government to protect the roads of Damascus, Sidon, Deir-el-Kamar, Tripoli, and others , or the same roads will be protected by the inhabitants of the neighbouring villages. We pledge our- selves for the same. lOthly. Whereas the two nations living together are creatures of God and subjects of the Sublime Porte, they must love each other and forget what has happened between them, and conduct themselves with justice and humanity, and not do anything wrong to each other; and those who will act differently shall be punished accordingly. But as regards what was said, that is, as to forgetting what has happened between the two nations, it is meant only what relates to the war and meetings and not to rights and trials. We have pledged ourselves to aid the execution of this Convention ; but if any infraction ot it were to take place we shall then deserve the punishment which shall appear fit to the Government. (Signed by the Christian and Druse Kaimacams, Mookatadjis, and deputies of mixed Christians in Mount Lebanon.) Z2 172 Enclosure 7 in No. 7'5. Oeoryms linos to Colour! Ease. Translation. j June 7. 1845. \fter the usual compliments. WE have been honoured l>\ your precious letter dated the 1th instant, ; ml tve understood all what you were pleased to say, that the Christian Vakeels and ihe Druses have signed the ten Articles; that his Excellency the Mnsbir ha* issued his nohle orders to all the armed Christians and Druses to return to their homes ; that his Excellency the Emir Haidar has answered your Excellency that all the Christians have gone back to their homes and that nobody remains there except the emigrants, whose houses have been burnt. You were pleased to say, moreover, that as the noble orders have been issued on the subject, it would therefore be necessary that all the Christians should go back to their homes according to the said orders. In compliance with your Excellency's order we have immediately informed of the same those on whom we rely, and we have made it known to all the inha- bitants, and in these two days many of the inhabitants of Djebet-Beshurre, Kesrouan, and other places, have unceasingly passed, and they are still passing by the way of Djouni, going back to their homes, besides those who have gone back by other roads ; because whatever you may order, or may please you, will not be neglected ; for we and all are thanking the abundance of your zeal and your inclination towards the Christian nation, and begging the generosity of the Almighty that Me may preserve vour noble life for a lomr time. (Signed) GEORGIUS BACOS. Inclosure 8 in No. 73. Letter from the Elders of the Inhabitants of Zahle' to Colonel Rose. (Translation.) ',, 1845. After the usual compliments. WE beg leave to state that as our devotion is ancient and your Excellency's zeal and sympathy towards us are peculiar, we therefore address to vour Excel- lency this our memorial with a view of expressing the ancient devotion which we entertain. It has probably reached your noble hearing the dissensions existing in the Mountain. But as our place is in an isolated position and is unconnected Avith the parties, that is we neither claim from, nor oweanytliing to, the Druses; and moreover we have no relations whatever with the Druses. We are consequently determined to follow a straightforward course, keeping far from the causes which displease His Divine Majesty and their Excellencies our authorities in accordance to the views of your happy Government for the maintenance of public tran- quillity and security. Even his Excellency the Muslur has ascertained our good resolution. However, in an engagement which we have submitted to his Excellency to that effect it is stipulated that if the Druses encroach upon us we shall be com- pelled to defend ourselves, and we doubt not that in that case, with the aid of the Almighty, they shall be annihilated, considering their transgression which has become so well known. But God forbid that we should either trespass upon anybody, or act in contravention to the wishes of the Mushir and your Excel- lency. Intreatingyour benevolent consideration to be pleased to believe in our devotion, we pray Almighty God to preserve for our sake your noble person for ever. (Signed) Your Servants, The Elders of Zahle. 173 Inclosure 9 in No. 73. Letter from the Inhabitants of Gharbi El-Bekaa to Colonel Rose. (Translation.) YOUR Illustrious Seigneury is not ignorant of what occurred to these poor people, as to the plundering, murders, and burnings of our dwellings, from which causes we were reduced to dreadful ruin. But we have clearly seen the zeal and kindness shown by your illustrious Seigneury towards our brothers the inhabitants of Djezin and its neighbourhood, as well as those of Abbaye, in delivering them from plunderings and murderings, a condition in which they had fled to the desert and the mountains ; and now indeed we have obtained mercy and kindness from your illustrious Seigneury, not only in this present time, but indeed you have always shown to us your innu- merable benefits. We therefore beg your illustrious Seigneury to be pleased to obtain from our Sublime Government its favour, as we are its faithful subjects, so that we may be able to live in security with our families in our places in good conservation, or that we may be transported in safety to Sidon. We beg Heaven to long preserve your most illustrious Seigneury. (Twenty-two Signatures.) Inclosure 10 in No. 73. Abusamra to Colonel Rose. (Translation.) 24th Djemasi-ul-Evel, 1261. After the usual compliments. WE state that we have been now honoured by a precious order from his Excellency the Mushir, a copy of which we beg to inclose, and after your having looked at it will you be pleased to inform us of what you think proper on the subject ; because we wished to lay this before you in order to consult you and learn from you, for we would not go to his Excellency until after we shall know your pleasure ; even if we were to be honoured by going to his Excellency the Mushir, it is not possible that we would go but by your mediation and pro- tection, and we beg you will inform us of what you think is the best. As you have mercy and zeal over us, it is not possible that you would permit us to be deceived, and certainly your Excellency does not deceive, for he who is under your pleasure and protection shall be secure and shall obtain his tranquillity. We earnestly beg you will honour us always by the continuance of your joyful letters, and may God preserve your life. (Signed) ABUSAMRA GHANEM. 2 A UN I VERS m <)l ( \lllou\l\ IIUKMM I Oi \"V,< li ■ I his book is 1)1 I on lln l.isl il.ili sIjiii|m