4** 1 K*"4** 4 # * ! « " „ f " «&<" «**" *+* * * . / r * *p " * * * » ' / ABSTRACT OF CORRESPONDENCE RESPECTING MEHEMET ALTS INTENDED DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.

T H E first account which was received in England of the intention Lord Granville, of Mehcniet Ali to declare himself independent, is contained in aNo. 182, June l, report from the French Consul-General in Egypt, M. Cochelet, dated 1838, the 3rd of May, which Count Mole read to Lord Granville on the 1st of June. It appeared from that despatch that the Egyptian Government had decided that the time was come for such a declaration, but that it was expedient before making it, to have some communication with Foreign Powers. Mehcmct Ali himself told M. Cochelet, that having expended large sums in the improvement and civilization of his territories, and being unwilling that the inheritance should not pass to his children, he had resolved at all risks to declare himself independent; and to M. Laurin, the Austrian Consul-General, he said that neither the blockade of his ports by the squadrons of France and England, nor the invasion of his territory by the Russians should deter him, and that he had 200,000 men to resist the latter.

On this intelligence Count Mold said, that it was important that France and England should act in concert, that the first question was whether the Consuls of the Two Powers should threaten Mehcmct Ali with a blockade, in case he should carry his plan into execution ; and the next, whether eventual instructions to that effect should be given to the French and English Admirals. Count Mole" however said that he must 1 take the opinion of the Council, before he could speak officially on the matter; but he was persuaded that the conduct of the Porte would be in accordance with the views of Russia in the East, and would be regulated by the advice of that Power.

The reports of the Russian Consul-General in Egypt coincided with Lord Granville, those of M. Cochelet, and he added that Prance, England, Austria, and No. 190, June 4, Russia must unite in making the strongest representations to Mehemet1838-Ali, in order to deter him from his proposed course. Count Medem, the Russian Charge d'Affaircs, told Count Mole" that he did not doubt the inclination of the Russian Government to exert itself to prevent Mehemet Ali from acting as he intended ; and Count Mold replied, that the views of France on that point were in accordance with those of Russia. Count Mold, however, told Lord Granville that he doubted the policy of a joint representation of the Pour Powers, particularly if it was to be coupled with a menace; for if France and England were to menace with blockade, Russia would threaten with an army, and upon the whole it appeared advisable that the Consul of each Government should act separately.

Count Mole wrote to M. Cochelet on the 4th of June, that pending the deliberation of the French Cabinet on the course to be adopted, he was o n l (*»,'i'"'iUc, to use his utmost exertions to deter the Pasha from carrying into imme- J8 0 3g 192, J"'"' 8' diate effect his declared intention ; and Lord Granville, in obedience to To Lord Giumillf, his instructions, stated that the British Government would give early No. 231, June 3, attention to this matter. 1838. B