12 his authority and his rights of sovereignty over Egypt, even though Mehemet Ali should attempt to disturb them; that the Sultan should in return be exhorted to take no precipitate step; not to give the signal for hostilities, but to leave to the allies of the Porte the task of bringing Mehemet Ali back to his allegiance: and the Russian Government suggested the expediency of instructions to the above effect being sent to Lord Ponsonby. To Count Pozzo di In reply to this communication, Lord Palm erst on expressed to Count Borgo, September Pozzo di Borgo the thanks of the British Government for this proof of 3' 1 8 8 8 , confidence; and said that they considered Mehemet All's projects called for serious attention, and that the concurrence of all the Powers in their views respecting them was very satisfactory. The British Government is resolved to discourage the projects of Mehemet Ali; is convinced of the danger which would arise to the peace of Europe from a rupture between Mehemet Ali and the Sultan; and is at the same time aware that the Pasha calculates upon the disunion of the Powers of Europe; on which point the British Government agrees with Russia as to the necessity of undeceiving him. The British Government, however, conceives it to be necessary that the Powers should be prepared for the contingency of Mehemet Ali persevering in his plans; and, therefore, Lord Palmerston repeated in writing the proposition already made by him verbally to Count Pozzo di Borgo, and the representatives of Austria, France, and Prussia, that a concert should be established at London between the Five Powers as to the measures which it would become expedient for them to adopt, in the event of Mehemet Ali casting off his allegiance to the Porte. N° Sn7F'sLT1io * n transmitting to Sir Frederick Lamb and to Sir George Hamilton 1838. ' a COPY of the above letter, Lord Palmerston instructed them to apply to To SirG. Hamil- the Austrian and Prussian Governments respectively to instruct their reton, No. 39, Sept.4, presentatives at London to enter upon this matter.

1838, Colonel Campbell received the instruction No. 21, of the 7th of Colonel Campbell, j u]y } o n the 2nd of August; and forthwith made its contents known to 183s! 3 , g U S t 1 1'Mehemet Ali. The Pasha replied, he would commit no aggression on the Porte, would keep within his own frontiers, but would not renounce his intention to declare his independence. He hoped, he added, to be able to arrange matters amicably with the Capitan Pasha whom he expected at Alexandria, in which case he would be satisfied with the succession in his family. He should be absent some months on a visit to the gold mines of Scnnaar, during which affairs might assume a more favourable aspect. He would pay his tribute to the Porte. He accused the Porte of intriguing against him in Syria and in the Nedjeb. Colonel Campbell adds that, in his opinion, a blockade of the coasts of Egypt and of Syria would not prevent Mehemet Ali from supplying his army in Syria, as he could easily obtain sufficient camels for the transport of his supplies ; while at the same time it might be apprehended that the fact of a blockade, would probably call forth an immediate declaration of independence on the part of the Pasha. Colonel Campbell, Qn the 15th of August, M. Cochclet, in pursuance of instructions 1838 from Paris dated the 24th of July, addressed a note to the Egyptian Government, in which it was said that the French Government had learnt with as much surprize as regret the determination of Mehemet Ali to renounce his allegiance ; and was firmly resolved not only not to acknowledge him in the new position he proposed to assume, but to declare that they would regard his step "comme non avenue;" would oppose every obstacle to it; and would begin by sending a squadron before Alexandria and to the coast of Syria. To this note the French Government demanded a categorical reply. On the following day M. Cochelet saw the Pasha, in company with Colonel Campbell, when a conversation ensued, of which Colonel Campbell afterwards showed a minute to the Pasha, who corrected it, and of which the following is the substance : Colonel Campbell, Mehemet Ali said, that he would not give a written answer to the 183856' French Government, lest his arguments should offend; that he had long Mr. Aston, No. 67, since enabled the British and French Governments to judge of his position Sept.7,1838. and of his wishes; that as he was going toSennaar, it could not be sup.

13 posed that he would commit hostilities; that he relied upon the good Earl Granville, disposition of France and England, whom he regretted to see opposed to N o - 1 5 7 , SePt#17' him at present, but who, he predicted, would shortly change their opinion ; that if, as he hoped, the question respecting the inheritance of his authority should be satisfactorily settled, he would be content with that; but if forced to have recourse to arms, he would declare his absolute independence ; that he would not suffer his hands to be tied by the Powers, in order to sacrifice him to the Porte; and that he would rather perish than leave his family and his people in a state of uncertainty as to their future fate ; that he sought nothing contrary to the interests or policy of the Powers of Europe, who on their part, ought to have some regard for his position and treat him as a man; that if the Powers did not acquiesce in his views, and guarantee the stability of the existing order of things, and if he was thus left to his own resources, he would take the steps which he considered most expedient, and would sacrifice himself to escape from his present position; that certainly, if he should be unanimously opposed by the Four great Powers, he must perish ; but they would derive no renown from overpowering him; the chances he knew were against him ; but the issues of war were uncertain, and if by any luck they should prove favourable to him, he left it to the Powers to judge what consequences would ensue.

In reply to this report of Mehemet All's language, the French Con- Mr. Aston, No. 72, sul-General was directed to express the dissatisfaction of his Go- SeptemLer 10, vernment at the evasive answer of the Pasha, and to declare that the 1838# French Government would in consequence continue to watch his movements.

In a conversation which Mehemet Ali had with the Austrian Gonsul- Colonel Campbell, General a few days afterwards, the Pasha said that he calculated that No. 57, August 24, France and England might, in the event of their opposing his declaration 1838-of independence, bring against him a force of 40,000 men. These, the Pasha said, he could resist by the forces of Egypt, and detachments from Arabia ; while his forces in Syria would march against those of the Sultan. The Pasha moreover calculates upon his influence in Roumelia and in Albania ; and further upon his means of working upon the fanaticism of the Mussulman population to aid him against his Christian adversaries.

When the intelligence of the conclusion of the Commercial Treaty be- Mr. Aston, No. 72, tween England and Turkey reached Paris, Count Mole expressed to Mr. As- Sent-10' 1838-ton his apprehension lest the knowledge of the Article which it contained respecting the abolition of monopolies, might not induce the Pasha at once c _ , to declare his independence of the Porte : and Count Sebastian! was in- C o u n t Seimstiani, structed to make a communication to the same effect to Lord Palmerston. Sept. 10,1838 In reply it was stated that the British Government certainly did not To Mr. Aston, intend to allow any objection on the part of Mehemet Ali, to interfere No. 77, Sept. 15, with the full and complete execution of that stipulation in every part of,1838; the Turkish dominions. " 1 1 % " " Lord Granville having communicated this answer to Count Mole\ issti. the Count said that he admitted the general advantage to all nations of Earl Granville, the monopoly Article, but he apprehended the result of the determination No. 262, Sept. 21, to enforce it against Mehemet Ali, must be war. Still Lord Granville 183,s' was of opinion that Admiral Roussin will be directed to sign a similar Treaty between France and the Porte; but Count Mole" told him on a subsequent day, that he should suspend his instructions on that point.

Baron Roussin says that M. de Bouteneff, on his arrival at Con- Kail Granville, stantinople, expressed his surprise arid dissatisfaction at the Treaty; and j 2 0 8 ' Scpt* 28' M. Cochelet writes on the 6th September, that Mehemet Ali had declared to him that he would not submit to the monopoly Article. Count Mole said that this account confirmed his apprehensions as to the effect of the Article. Count Mole also regretted that the communication on the subject had been made in writing to Count Sebastian! ; Count Mole doubts the prudence of attempting to compel Mchcinct Ali to fulfil the stipulation.

Sir George Hamilton having urged Baron Werther to send instruc- Sir George Hamiltions to Baron Biilow respecting Mehemet Ali, the Prussian Minister said T , 1 3 , pt" E ij'#W#KMmmiiMmiMwi*i#»*Miwmw#*mmMwi