I had the honor, on the 25th instant, to receive your circular of the 20th ultimo, with its enclosure, addressed to the late minister resident, respecting the fitting out of privateers in Turkey to act against the commerce of the United States, and shall give my faithful and vigilant attention to the orders. which it contains. The minister resident, on his departure, gave me the "circulars" of the department, one of February 28, and the other of March 9, 1861, of which he had not either acknowledged the receipt, nor made any use in carrying out the injunctions of the President. These, also, call for my immediate attention, and shall be faithfully executed. I would here take occasion to add that I am confident there is not now one citizen of the United States in this place animated with sentiments other than those of entire loyalty to the government of the United States, and of devotion to the cause of the Union. Not only from the members of all the foreign legations resident here, but also from all foreigners in this city, I receive expressions of the most friendly nature in favor of the American Union. The unhappy and misguided position assumed by some of its southern States is deeply deplored and strongly condemned by them, and all entertain the hope that a returning sense of patriotism, and a correct view of their own interests, will, before long, restore peace and happiness to our great and prosperous country. These are, also, the sentiments expressed by all of the functionaries of the Sultan's government; and I believe it will, at any time, be easy for the legation to invoke the most friendly conduct on the part of the Sublime Porte in behalf of the government of the United States of America. I have the honor to be, sir, with great respect, your obedient servant, JOHN P. BROWN. I do not believe that any agents of the "Confederate States" have, as yet, visited this place, and should any come here that the Porte would admit or recognize them. I receive from H. H. Aali Pacha, minister of foreign affairs, and H. H. Mehemed Kibrish Pacha, grand vizier, repeated assurances of the most friendly sentiments towards the government of the United States, and expressions of warm sympathy for the present unhappy state of popular excitement in the slave States of the Union. I have the honor to be, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant, No. 4.] Mr. Brown to Mr. Seward. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, SIR: I have had the honor to receive your circular of the 6th of May, regarding the duties of the legation and consulates of the United States in Turkey, with reference to passports of American citizens and individuals found negotiating with this government for purposes hostile to the Union. I have sent a copy of this circular to each consulate of the United States in this empire, and have the honor to enclose herewith copy of the reply of the present consul general for Constantinople, Mr. David P. Heap, in whose loyalty to the government of the United States and fidelity to the Union I have every confidence. I have the honor to be, sir, with much respect, your obedient servant, JOHN P. BROWN. Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State, United States of America. Mr. Heap to Mr. Brown. UNITED STATES CONSULATE GENERAL, SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 10th instant, enclosing a circular from the honorable Secretary of State, dated May 6, on the subject of the delivery of passports to citizens of the United States. I will strictly conform to the instructions contained therein, and in no case will this consulate general grant its visa to the passport of any person of whose loyalty to the Union it has not the most complete and satisfactory evidence. This consulate general will exercise the utmost vigilance in counteracting the proceedings of any American citizen who, either personally or by agents, is found negotiating with the government or individuals for purposes hostile to the republic. I remain sir, with high respect, your obedient servant, JOHN P. BROWN, Esq., Chargé d'Affaires of the United States D. P. HEAP, of America, Constantinople. I have had several conversations with T. H. Mohammed Kibrisli Pacha, the grand vizier, or prime minister, and Aâli Pacha, minister of foreign affairs, on the subject of the troubles existing in the United States; and the latter recently requested me to offer you the strongest assurances on the part of the Ottoman government of its friendly sympathies, and its hopes that they may be soon settled in such a manner as will preserve the Union intact. H. H. warmly deprecated the principle of "secession," advocated by the southern States, as ruinous to all governments, and especially to the great American republic, the strength of which so much depends upon its unity. He expressed a warm interest in the future welfare and prosperity of the government of the United States, from which the sublime porte has received so many evidences of a sincere and disinterested friendship. The Sultan is acting with much energy of character, and introducing many salutary and greatly needed financial reforms in the government. His activity and intelligence have already rendered him very popular among his subjects, and inspire them with great hopes for the future of the empire. There exists perfect harmony and co-operation among all his ministers and other public functionaries. I have the honor to enclose a copy of the reply which I made to H. H. Aâli Pacha, in response to his circular on the subject of the accession of his Majesty, communicated to the department in my despatch No. 8; also copies of a letter from his highness, and my reply, on his recent appointment to the office of minister of foreign affairs, which he has latterly filled only ad interim, and hope they will meet with your approbation. I have the honor to be, sir, with great respect, your obedient servant, JOHN P. BROWN. Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State, United States of America. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, HIGHNESS: I have had the honor to receive the letter which your highness was pleased to address me yesterday for the purpose of informing me officially of the decease of his Imperial Majesty Sultan Abd ul Majid, and the accession to the throne of his brother and legitimate heir, his Imperial Majesty Sultan Abd ul Aziz Khan. Deeply affected by the decease of a sovereign whose great goodness of heart and many generous impulses have engraved his memory in the minds of all, and which will distinguish the history of his reign, it is with much pleasure that I convey to the knowledge of the government of the United States of America the great qualities of his illustrious successor, his Imperial Majesty Sultan Abd ul Aziz Khan. The President of the United States will receive with much interest the assurance which your highness has been pleased to convey to me of the in tention of his Imperial Majesty to continue to cultivate the friendly relations which have always so happily existed between the government of the United States and that of the Ottoman empire-relations to which he attaches a very high appreciation. I avail myself, also, of the present occasion to renew to your highness assurances of my high respect and very distinguished consideration. JOHN P. BROWN, [Translation.] Chargé d'Affaires ad int. No. 5232 | 103.] SUBLIME PORTE, BUREAU OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, July 15, 1861. SIR: I have the honor to inform you that his excellency Fuad Pacha has been called to the presidency of the supreme council of justice, confided, until his return, to his excellency Kiamil Pacha, and that my august master has deigned to appoint me his minister of foreign affairs. The kind assistance which you have been pleased to give me, during my provisional direction of this department, is an assurance that you will continue the same favor in my endeavors to strengthen still more the relations of friendship and harmony existing between our respective governments. I take occasion to offer renewed assurances of my high respect and perfect consideration. AALI. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, HIGHNESS: I have had the honor to receive the letter you were so good as to write me, on the 15th instant, for the purpose of informing me that his excellency Fuad Pacha, having been appointed president of the supreme council of justice, with which his excellency Kiamil Pacha has been charged until his return, his Imperial Majesty the Sultan has been graciously pleased to nominate you his minister of foreign affairs. I thank your highness for this communication and the kind expressions which it contains, and beg your highness to believe me most desirous of uniting with your highness in whatever may serve to strengthen the relations of friendship and harmony so happily existing between our respective governments, and which owe so much to the friendly sentiments entertained by your highness for the United States. I hasten also to assure your highness of my perfect respect and most distinguished consideration. No. 3.] JOHN P. BROWN. Mr. Seward to Mr. Morris. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, August 28, 1861. SIR: The despatch of Mr. Brown, secretary of legation, (No. 10,) dated July 17, has been received. It is probable that, before receiving these instructions, you will have already assumed the responsibility of asking an audience of the new Sultan, and tendering him, on the part of the President, the proper congratulations. If this duty remains unperformed, you will take an early occasion for it, and will assure him that this government has learned, with sincere pleasure, of his accession to the throne under felicitous auspices, and of the favorable impression which his administration has made upon the minds of the people over whom he presides, as well as in foreign countries. Assure him that we shall suffer no occasion to pass by on which we can demonstrate the good will and friendship of the United States for the government of Turkey, and that we shall be happy if circumstances shall enable the two countries to modify their commercial arrangements so as to increase intercourse between them. You will receive herewith new letters of credence addressed to his Imperial Majesty the present Sultan. Mr. Brown's account of the favorable sentiments of his Majesty towards the United States is especially gratifying. I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant, WILLIAM H. SEWARD. E. JOY MORRIS, Esq., &c., &c., &c., Constantinople. |