16 him by Count Medem, was the same as that which he gave to the French Consul-General on the 16th of August, but he went on to remark, on no mention being made of the French squadron, and on the Prussian Consul being called upon to interfere in the matter.

The instructions given to the Prussian Consul enjoined him to make to Mehemet Ali a declaration similar to that made by the Consuls-General of the other Powers, which he executed by sending to Boghos Bey a copy.

In reply to this communication, Mehemet Ali sent a memorandum to the Prussian Consul, saying that he had represented to the Four Great Powers his position and desires, which latter not being directed to a disturbance of the tranquillity in the east, were not opposed to the interests of Europe; that he had no intention to commit hostilities, but would be satisfied if he could obtain the hereditary succession, which was all he desired; and that he hoped the Great Powers would change their opinion with respect to him.

In a memorandum which Mehemet Ali transmitted on the 4th of September, to the Austrian and Russian Consuls-General, he says that he considers he has already sufficiently explained to the Great Powers his position and desires ; that he hopes the Emperor will in time change his opinion, and cease to oppose his desires, which were not opposed to the interests of Europe or to the tranquillity of the east; that from regard for his family, he sought the hereditary succession, which would satisfy him, and which he would be glad to obtain by negotiation. Meanwhile, he had no intention to commit hostilities, and was going to Sennaar. But he would not allow his hands to be tied so as to be a victim to the Porte, and would prefer to perish rather than leave the fate of his family and people undecided. If he failed to compass his desire by the assistance of the Powers, he would adopt the measures which he should deem expedient to relieve him from his present position; and if forced to have recourse to arms, he would proclaim his independence; that the Powers might destroy him, but would not increase their fame in doing so, whereas if he chanced to succeed, all the glory would be on his side.

Colonel Campbell, in commenting upon the foregoing events,, suggests whether Mehemet Ali may not look to inducing the Powers to propose some arrangement for him, and thereby relieve themselves from the embarrassment attendant on the existing state of affairs. But certainly, Mehemet Ali will not be satisfied without some stipulations being made regarding his family.

In a subsequent despatch, Colonel Campbell says, with reference to Colonel Campbell, what is stated in Lord Ponsonby's despatch, No. lb'O, that as far as he No. 69, October l, c a n ascertain, the coinage of the Pasha bears the Sultan's "toura," and ' " on the reverse, the words "coined at Cairo." In other respects, Colonel Campbell agrees with Lord Ponsonby, as to the impossibility of any sincere reconciliation being effected between the Sultan and Mehemet Ali. The latter, certainly, derives great moral weight from the possession of the Holy Cities, but Colonel Campbell is not aware that he ever aspired to the Caliphate ; notwithstanding that it appears that he might have been led to entertain that idea, by the communications made to him in 1833, by M. Prokesch, as agent of the Court of Vienna. The notion suggested by M. Prokesch, in a note dated May 17,1833, was, that Egypt, Nubia, Sennaar, Darfour, Cordofan, the whole of Arabia as far as the Persian Gulf, the right bank of the Euphrates, and the whole of Syria, should be erected into an Arab Empire, and that Mehemet Ali should declare himself the avenger of the Caliphs.

Colonel Campbell adds, that he believes the late French Consul-General, M. Mimaut, to have held out very flattering hopes to Mehemet Ali; but that Dr. Bowling had constantly in his communications with Mchemet Ali, impressed upon the Pasha, that what he said must only be regarded as the expression of his own private opinion, for that he was not authorized by his Government to make any proposition on political, or even on commercial matters to the Pasha.

Subsequent reflection seems to have induced Mehemet Ali to . # # « # % " ' " * ~ - — * * * m * * " * m - * * m w r 17 recede from the determination which he had in the first instance an- Lord Granville, nouneed to the French Consul-Genera], not to submit to the Commercial ?l°»o278' 0ct" 5' Convention concluded between Great Britain and the Porte. On the Lord Granville, 15th of September, at the moment of his embarkation for Cairo, he an- No. 283, Oct. 6, nounced to the French, English, and Austrian Consuls-General, that he 1838. would execute the Treaty; that upon reflection he found that its terms were advantageous to him ; and that he could contrive to keep up prices at rates which would not be burthensome to the proprietors of produce, or to himself, as a great proprietor of a portion of Egypt. The French Consul-General concludes his report by saying, that the tribute to the Porte will be paid, and the Treaty executed by the Pasha: that the question of his independence is waived; and that the fleet will re-enter the port, and the army in Syria abstain from hostilities. It is to be hoped, therefore, ]that during the absence of Mehemet Ali, the Powers will settle in his favour the question of hereditary succession; and not leave it to be discussed with lleshid Pasha, who is stated to be instructed to demand the delivery of the Egyptian fleet to the Porte, the reduction of the army, and the surrender of Syria; to which conditions Mehemet Ali will certainly not agree.

Colonel Campbell gives the same report as M. Cochelet, with re- c0l. Campbell, spect to the intention of the Pasha to execute the Treaty. The Pasha No. 67, Sept. 23, said that his monopolies only produced 50,000 purses, or 1,250,000 dollars,1838* a year, whereas the additional duties on imports and exports fixed by the Treaty, would yield him a larger sum. The greater part of the cotton, Colonel Campbell says, is the produce of the Pasha's own lands. The system of monopolies, too, in Egypt differs from that of Turkey. In the latter it consists in exclusive privileges conferred on certain people ; whereas in Egypt it is the Pasha who is the sole merchant, from whom or from whose agents alone produce is to be purchased. The produce is raised on the Pasha's own land, which he either cultivates himself, or lets to others on condition that the specified produce should be sold to himself at a fixed price : and the merchandize is obtained from his own manufactures, and must stand competition with the foreign merchandize. The abolition of monopolies in Egypt will apply only to wines, indigo, wool, rice, sugar, &c, and the produce of Soudan and Arabia, which can now only be sold by the Pasha. But these monopolies are rather occasioned by the Pasha from his wealth being enabled to purchase the commodities, and also by the fact of all the most fertile lands of Egypt being in the hands of the Pasha and his family. If the Pasha were to change his system, and allow the cotton and other produce of his lands to be sold by the renters or growers, the immense capitals, now locked up in the coffers of many of his principal officers, would soon be applied to the cultivation of cotton, and the produce would be greatly increased. The commerce of Soudan and Arabia is not only a monopoly, but an usurpation on the part of the Pasha ; who imposed such restrictions and prohibitions on it, as enabled his delegates to get the whole produce into their hands at a low price. The caravans have in consequence gradually diminished ; but if, as a consequence of the Treaty, the commerce should hereafter be open, merchants will be able to send their agents into the countries. But if the Pasha chooses to withdraw his troops from the countries, European merchants will be afraid to trade in Soudan.

With reference to the foregoing despatch, Lord Ponsonby denies LordlWonbv, that the Pasha is the sole proprietor of the lands in Egypt, and main-No. 220, Oct.16. tains that he only holds the lands by permission of the Sultan, who can 1838.

take away at his pleasure the administration of the lands, and make any other arrangement. If, therefore, the Pasha attempts to evade the Convention, the Sultan may be advised to exert his authority in that respect, and it would be a most fortunate thing for Egypt if the Sultan should be supported in such a course by Her Majesty's Government, because the Sultan might then be induced to let the lands to tenants on advantageous terms, and allow strangers the right of possessing property. The Sultan would thus not only deprive the Pasha of power, but acquire great increase of revenue. Such a plan would enlist in its favour, as F mnniiniuunn I)