8 the Sultan and Mehemet Ali, in which Foreign Powers are not entitled to interfere uninvited.

Prince Metternich in a despatch to Prince Esterhazy, of the 26th Prince Metternich June, says that there can exist no doubt as to the wishes of Mehemet Ali toPrinceEsterhazy, on the subject of his independence, and that it is possible that he may June 26,1838: attempt to give effect to those wishes, although it does not therefore follow that he will succeed. The Pasha is doubtless in possession of more material power than the Sultan; but that power depends on himself alone. The idea of establishing a dynasty in his family, is repugnant to the spirit of Mahomedanism : the only dynasty which that recognizes is in the person of the Caliph, as devolving in regular family succession : and all notions of family which are cherished by the Arabs, have relation to their tribes: and Mehemet Ali is not an Arab. Mehemet Ali could only establish an Empire for his own life; neither could Ibrahim Pasha do more. Prince Metternich looks upon Mehemet Ali as playing a part; but he considers that he will not persevere if he sees the Powers opposed to his plans. Consequently, in the opinion of the Prince, it rests with the Powers to decide the course of events.

The Prince considers the language of Mehemet Ali to be characterized by irresolution. Having first broached the subject of his independence with the Austrian Consul-General, and subsequently with the Consuls-General of the other Powers, and received no encouragement, he shortly afterwards resumed the subject with the Austrian Consul-General, in the shape of inviting the opinion of Prince Metternich on the subject of his independence.

The conclusion which Prince Metternich draws from the accounts from Alexandria is, that Mehemet Ali is seeking, in a greater or less degree, to deceive the Maritime Powers and Russia. All the Powers, however, have concurred in one view of the matter ; and it is only important that uniformity of opinion, should lead to uniformity in the course to be pursued.

Prince Metternich conceives that the Powers should declare at Cairo and at Constantinople, that they will not recognise the independence of Mehemet Ali, though they will insist upon the execution of the Treaty of Kutaya : and the Prince considers that by adopting this course, the danger of Mehemet All's declaring his independence will be in a great degree obviated, if not entirely removed. Sir F. Lamb, No. In a conversation with Sir Frederick Lamb about the same time, 57, June 27,1838. Prince Mettcrnich expressed his concurrence in the propriety of a British squadron being sent to the Levant, to keep Mehemet Ali in check; Sir F. Lamb, No. and on a subsequent occasion, he requested Sir Frederick Lamb to con-63, July 3,1838. VCy to Her Majesty's Government his deliberate opinion, that although Mehemet Ali would not give way to mere reasoning, he would not proceed, if satisfied that by doing so, he would hasten his own destruction. The opposition, therefore, of the Four Powers, would induce Mehemet Ali to pause ; but though approving of the employment of a joint British and French squadron, Prince Metternich conceived that the efficacy of such a demonstration would depend upon its being made with the approbation, and therefore, upon its being considered as speaking the sense of the Four Powers.

Prince Metternich further approved of the Sultan being advised to abstain from attacking Mehemet Ali, considering the Four Powers to be capable of checking, and, if necessary, of punishing Mehemet Ali.

The Austrian and Russian Consuls-General at Alexandria, concur in attributing Mehemet All's declaration to the encouragement which he received from Dr. Homing. Prince Mctternich The subsequent accounts received from Alexandria up to the 2nd to PrinceEsterhazy, of July, appear to have confirmed Prince Metternich in his opinion, that Jul\ 27,1838. the sole object of Mehemet All's language up to that time, was to acquire a knowledge of the attitude which would be assumed by Austria and Russia, as well as by England and France. The wishes of the Pasha, to which he will doubtless take the first favourable opportunity for giving effect, are clearly to be the founder of a Great Empire, and to transmit it to his posterity. Prince Metternich repeats his conviction, that this 9 idea, being at variance with the principles of Mahomedanism, rests on no solid foundation. The only way indeed, in which an Egyptian Empire could be maintained, would be by destroying the Ottoman Empire: Mehemet Ali never could be a faithful and useful Ally of the Porte ; and he only now puts forward that notion in the hope of profiting by the rivalry of the Great Powers. His present language is held rather for the purpose of feeling his way, than with any serious intention of acting up to it. But supposing that he should resolve to run all risks, in that case, the safety of the Porte will consist in the attitude which Austria and Russia are determined for themselves to assume, and which will doubtless be assumed by the Maritime Powers. The Austrian Consul-General at Alexandria, and the Internuncio at Constantinople, will hold the same language with their colleagues ; and the Emperor of Russia agrees with the Austrian Government, that the language of menace to the Pasha, and of support to the Sultan, to be effectual, must be simultaneously used. The Prussian Government will join in the declarations made by the other Powers, and thus prove equally to Mehemet Ali and to the Sultan, that the views of the Christian Powers in favour of the maintenance of tranquillity in the East are identical.

It has been stated above, that on learning the intention of Mehemet Ali to declare his independence, Lord Ponsonby and Baron Roussin Lord p g , made known the intelligence to the Porte. They both at the same time N0. l43,"jumJli, recommended the Porte to avoid any act of aggression, but still to 1838. prepare to resist any attack. The ground taken by Baron Roussin, was the certainty of Mehemet Ali being victorious in any contest, on account of his superiority of force: but Lord Ponsonby, who does not admit that superiority, rested his argument in favour of a pacific policy on the ground of prudence, and of deference to the views of France and England, and on the expediency of leaving the odium of being the aggressor on Mehemet Ali. Lord Ponsonby too, at the instigation of Baron Lord ponlonby Roussin, urged the Porte not to send the Turkish fleet to sea, being No. 144, June 14. moved to this step by the apprehension that a collision might in such 1838. case ensue between the Egyptian and Turkish fleets; and further by a desire that the Porte should not give umbrage to France, which Power, Lord Ponsonby, from considerations respecting Tunis, was specially anxious to prevent No« l57>June 25, the sailing of the fleet. 1838, Speaking of the course which he had pursued in this matter, Lord Lord Ponsonb Ponsonby says that his first object was to induce the Porte to abstain No. 156, June 24, from hostilities, in which he hoped he had been successful; and the next 1838. to strengthen the military power of the Turkish Government, for which purpose he had urged the Porte to give the virtual command of the army to General Chrzanowsky, which the Porte appeared to be inclined to do.

The Russian mission, it appears, assured the Turkish Government that they need not be uneasy as to the projects of Mehemet Ali, Lord Ponsonby, as the Russian fleet and army were ready to succour the Sultan if attack- !i°;s 1(i0' June 25' ed by the Pasha.

Lord Ponsonby states a rumour that Mehemet Ali was coining money in his own name; and His Excellency further remarks upon the consequence to the Sultan, in his sovereign capacity, of Mehemet Ali becoming the independent sovereign of the Holy Cities, the possession of which is considered in some degree to confer a right to the Caliphate.

Colonel Campbell having obtained from the French Consul-General a copy of the circular of the Porte of the 24th of June, by which it appear- ° % jul'vV ' ed that the Turkish Government were about to send a frigate with some i8:;s. troops to Cyprus, took occasion to express to Mehemet Ali, his hope that the Egyptian vessels which might fall in with any vessels of the Sultan, might be instructed to avoid any collision or even communication with them. This the Pasha promised, disclaiming at the same time all intention to commit hostilities.

But, on a subsequent occasion, the Pasha declared to Colonel Campbell that, if the Turkish squadron should approach Alexandria, he would No°49, July 12! ' attack it; and he denied that he could be considered the aggressor in 1838. ' such a contingency.

The Pasha went on to say, that it was probable that France and England would use very strong language towards him; to which he