be cured by him; their faith and expectation exceeds all that I can entertain, but most cordially shall I rejoice in seeing it justified.-Yet I must repeat, a want of subordination in those whose duty is obedience; a cruel waste of that public spirit and attachment to their profession, which our naval officers must feel or cease to be the men that have upheld their country, by shewing themselves; are all evils brought on us by the Admiralty, and far more fearful in their consequences than frauds on the public purse; it is not poverty but prostration of character, which a great maritime empire ought to dread! NAUTICUS. A Representation from the Honourable Board of Trade to his Majesty King George I. asserting and proving the Right of the Subjects of Great Britain, to cut Logwood in the Bay of Campeachy.-To the King's most excellent Majesty. ་ MAY IT PLEASE YOUR MAJESTY,-The Right Honourable Paul Methuen, Esq.; one of your Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, having transmitted to us on the 15th of Nov. last, by order of his Royal Highness, a letter or memorial he had received from the Marquis de Monteleone, ambassador extraordinary from his Catholick Majesty, relating to the trade carried on in the West Indies, and to the settlement made by your Majesty's subjects on the island of Trist, and on or near the lake or marsh de Terminos, in the province of Jucatan: in which parts he represents, That they employ themselves in cutting of logwood, or (as the Spaniards call it) Campeachy wood, and that the Spanish viceroy and governor had proposed to dislodge them 'from thence, but that his Catholic Majesty would not send his orders before he had given your Majesty notice of it, not doubting, but that according to all the treaties of peace, and particularly that made at Utrecht, your Majesty would oblige your said subjects to leave the aforesaid lake de Terminos, and give positive orders to your governors of jamaica, and of the other islands, not to suffer the least trade to be carried on for Campeachy wood, and to declare, that if, in the space of eight months, they do not leave the said place, they shall be looked ' upon and used as pirates.'-We beg leave to represent to your Majesty, that although we did humbly propose such methods as we esteemed proper and necessary to support the cutting of logwood in the West Indies, when the said Mr. Methuen was on departure for Madrid, yet on this occasion when a trade of so great importance to our navigation and the American colonies, is in danger of being lost, we have again carefully perused the books and papers in our office, and received from the merchants and others the fullest information we can hope to obtain, which hath taken up much time; and we do now humbly crave leave to lay before your Majesty the past and present state of this trade, with the argu ments that formerly engaged your Majesty's royal predecessors to protect and support the same; to which we shall add some observations, and the reasons that induce us to conclude, your Majesty's subjects have now as full and ample right to this trade, as to any other liberty or privilege that has been allowed by the crown of Spain, and enjoyed by them, by virtue of any treaty whatsoever.-In the first place, therefore, it must be observed, that logwood is one of the products of the province of Jucatan, which extends itself into the north sea, in form of a peninsula, about 100 leagues in length. The Spaniards are possessed of San Francisco de Campeachy, its capital town and port, which has been thrice taken by the English, and besides they have two other inland towns, Meridia and Valladolid, of no great importance, having few inhabitants; but the rest of the province, before the logwood cutters were settled, was, in a manner, wholly desolate and uninhabited. Nevertheless, it must be allowed, that the Spaniards had, from time to time, cut wood in several places near their own settlements; but during the hostilities that were committed in the West Indies before the year 1667, they deserted that employment, being frequently interrupted by the privateers, both by sea and land, who by degrees becoming acquainted with the coast, and with those parts where the wood grew, that were most remote from the Spaniards, they, at last, fell into the trade, aud laid the foundation of their future establishment.Their first settlements were near to Cape Catoche, but upon (if not before) the publication of the treaty concluded at Madrid, in 1667, by the Earl of Sandwich; they likewise settled near SumaSunta, adjacent to the Laguna de Terminos, and to Trist and Beef islands, which being the most convenient place for cutting of wood, and a tolerable harbour for their ships and vessels, the whole trade soon centered there. For notwithstanding the aforesaid treaty was principally intended to settle and adjust our commerce with his Catholic Majesty's dominions in Europe, yet, 'a general, firm and perfect amity, confederation and peace being thereby agreed, and concluded (as in the first article) between the two crowns, to be observed inviolably, as well by land as by sea and fresh waters, and between the countries, kingdoms, dominions and territories belonging unto, or under the obedience of either of them, &c.' it was concluded, that the peace extended to America as well as Europe; whereupon many of the British privateers that had before used those seas, to the great interruption of commerce, were then induced to quit their former course, and to settle with the logwood cutters in the Laguna de Terminos; so that in the year 1669, their numbers were considerably increased, and great quantities of wood were transported both to Jamnica and New England-The American treaty for restraining depredations in those parts being afterwards concluded by Sir William Godolphin in July' 1670, added to their strength by encouraging several others of the privateers, or scamen, to fall in with this employment of cutting wood, to which it was now generally supposed they had a right by the said treaty.-And as the logwood trade was of the greatest importance to Jamaica, on the 10th of March 1671, Sir Thomas Lynch, then governor of that island, not having received any orders how to govern himself in this affair, transmitted to the Lords of the Council the reasons that induced him to encourage the same under proper regulations-1st. That the English had done so for divers years.—edly. It was in desolate and uninhabited places.-3dly. That this seems a possession granted by the American treaty.-4thly. It might give a right to seclude the Dutch and the French, if we should break with Spain.-5thly. The Spaniards had not, to that time, made any complaints of it.-6thly. This employ makes the reducing of the privateers more easy, and-7thly. That it will employ 100 sail annually, and bring in more to his Majesty's customs and the nation's trade, than any colony the King hath. Whilst these arguments were under consideration, the Earl of Arlington laid before the lords of the committee, a letter from Sir Thomas Modyford, the late governor of Jamaica, dated the 16th of May 1672, wherein, after he had given an account of the great extent or compass of the country, in which the logwood grows; how meanly the Spanish towns, on the aforesaid tract of land were peopled; and of the places frequented by the English, he adds,-That they have used this trade for three years past, at first finding it by the sea-side, but aftewards being forced to go four or five miles up into the country for their refreshment, they had planted Indian provisions, and built houses there to keep themselves and their provisions from the sun and rain: that, in general, they had affirmed to him, never to have seen any Spaniards or other person, in all the time of their working, although they had gone six or seven miles further into the country to kill deer, &c. This possession, he says, in the West Indies, is held the strongest that can be, viz. falling of wood, building of houses, and clearing and planting the ground.-Sir Thomas Lynch, to confirm what he had before asserted, and to justify his proceedings, in Nov. 1672, sends home the copies of several depositions he had taken from the masters of ships, and others concerned in the log. wood trade, and of a proclamation he had issued out for the better regulation and security thereof, importing, That whereas he was informed, by the oaths of many credible witnesses, that his Majesty's subjects have used to hunt, fish, and cut wood in divers bays, islands, and parts of the continent, not frequented or possessed by any of the subjects of his Catholic majesty, and had, for some years, peaceably done the same without any molestation; nevertheless, divers vessels having been seized at anchor and under sail by some pirates and fugitives of this island, and being in danger of being so surprised again, therefore he orders and appoints all vessels sailing out of the Port Royal, for the aforesaid lawful employments, to go out together in small squadrons, four at least in company, and to give bond to keep company with, and to obey him, whom he should make commander for the voyage, and their mutual defence, and what they should lawfully do in their own defence, and for the preservation of his Majesty's subjects, their ships and goods, be authorised and warranted, &c.-In January following, the Secretary to the Lords of the Committee by their order, advises the said Sir Thomas Lynch, that he had acquainted him with their lordship's pleasure fully, concerning cutting of logwood, and that they did altogether allow of the same, provided those rules were observed, which they had formerly directed, and which were agreeable to what the said governor himself had already mentioned. This allowance of carrying on the trade as aforesaid, gave fresh vigour to those engaged in it, though about this time the Spaniards began to interrupt them in the prosecution thereof, and to dispute their right to that liberty they had so long quietly enjoyed.-For we must insist on it, as an undoubted and uncontested fact, that from the publication of the treaty in 1667, until about two years after the conclusion of the American treaty, the logwood cutters had never been in the least disturbed or molested in their employment, either directly or indirectly; nor does it appear, that the Spanish governors took any umbrage at it, or made any complaint about it; much less did they pretend to an exclusive right, or that it was con trary to the laws of their commerce.-Nay, so far were they from expressing any resentment on this account, or making it a pretence to justify the first hostilities they committed, in violation of the treaties both of 1667 and 1670, that when Sir Thomas Lynch sent to Don Fernando Francisco Des. cavedo, the governor of St. Francisco de Campeachy, to demand satisfaction for two English ships which had logwood on board, and were taken by some Spanish men of war; in his answer to that charge on the 6th of April 1672, he takes no notice of our cutting logwood, or that those ships had any on board, or that we had settled on the Laguna de Terminos, nor had he any other complaint to make by way of retaliation, save that an English vessel had taken a Spanish bark at the Laguna de Terminos bound to Tobasco, which is the more remarkable, because the said Laguna was, at that time, and had been several years, actually in our possession. It must likewise be further urged, that before the Queen Regent of Spain had published a royal cedula, bearing date the 22d of June 1672, which orders, That such as should make invasion, or trade without license in the ports of the Indies, should 'be proceeded against as pirates, &c.' it does not appear that cutting of logwood was esteemed by the Spaniards to be an invasion, and trading without license; but by virtue of this cedula, it was at length carried to that height, that if our ships had but any logwood on board, they were confis. cated without remedy.-Upon this subject, the Earl of Arlington, on the 19th of March 1674, wrote to Sir William Godolphin, then ambassador at Madrid, as follows:- In a word, his Majesty is so sensible of the sufferings of his subjects in this particular, that you must endeavour, by all the skill you have, to procure some liberty for the cutting of logwood, in those remote parts, where the Spaniards have none, and his Majes. ty's subjects have had long abode and residence; and the rather, for that we find, by all the replies we have seen, they justify themselves by that single point of cutting logwood, nay even of finding it on board our vessels, which to us appears very unreasonable.'-And Sir Lionel Jenkins, the judge of the Admiralty, in his report to his late Majesty King Charles II. of the 8th of October 1675, intimating, That the American treaty does require a further elucidation and adjustment between your Majesty and the crown of Spain; for it appears by the judgment of the Queen, in the matter of Campeachy, and by their Cedulas Reales, that they affix a new interpretation upon that treaty, in declaring what shall be private or not private, prize or not prize, without communicating, it seems, with your Majesty, and without publication, that may reach your Majesty's subjects.'-Thus, by a Spanish Auto, or a decree of that court, which was inconsistent with, and made (ex post facto) after the ratifications of a public and solemn treaty, it was manifestly intended, not only to debar rhe British subjects of that liberty they enjoyed before the said treaty was made, but in some measure, to deprive them of the common right of all nations, whereas, if your Majesty's subjects did actually hold and possess the Laguna de Ter minos, and the parts adjacent, at the time of the conclusion of the American treaty, as hath been already proved, the last clause of the 7th article will determine to whom the same belongs, viz.-'Moreover, it is agreed, that the most serene 'King of Great Britain, his heirs and successors, by the treaty of peace made at Utrecht, in which (he says) it is stipulated, That the lands or other places which had been taken in the Indies during the war, should be evacuated; your Majesty is engaged to oblige your subjects who are come to the lake de Terminos, to leave it immedi ately.' We most humbly take leave to represent further to your Majesty:-That if his Excellency would hereby insinuate, that your Majesty's subjects are but lately, and during the war, come to the Laguna de Terminos, this is a mistake in fact; for it appears by the aforementioned depositions, sent by Sir Thomas Lynch, and Sir Thomas Modyford, that they were there in 1669, and for some time or years before; and it is well known to the Spaniards, that they have been ever since possessed of that part of the country, except for two or three months after the aforesaid assault in 1680.-Neither will what the said ambassador asserts from the treaty, answer the end for which it was produced.-By the 8th article it is, indeed, agreed by his Catholic Majesty, not to alienate any of his territories in the West Indies, to the French or any other nation; and upon this condition her late Majesty engages, that she will endeavour and give assistance to the Spaniards, that the ancient limits of their 'dominions in America be restored, &c. if it shall appear that they have in any manner been broken into, and lessened in any part, since the death of King Charles II.' But to argue from hence, that the Laguna de Terminos, in possession of the English before the year 1670, must be evacuated, when this treaty has only reference to what has passed since the demise of the said King Charles II. is very extraordinary.—But if the ambassador refers to the memorial on the affairs of commerce, that was signed at Madrid, the 13th of July 1713, by the Lord Lexington, and the Marquis de Bedinar, we must confess, that the article relating to the logwood trade, proposed therein by his lordship, had not then its effect: but we are assured it was from thence, among other things, referred to the discussion of the plenipotentiaries at Utrecht. What passed particularly on this affair at Utrecht, doth not appear to us; but by the treaty of commerce concluded the 28th of November following (of which the said ambassador takes no notice in this memorial) and wherein the several interests of the two crowns, and their subjects, with respect to commerce, were more parti cularly under consideration, it is manifest, that the rights and liberties insisted on by the British subjects in the West Indies, were adjusted by the Lords Plenipotentiaries, and that a clause in the treaty, which determines this contest relating to the cutting of logwood, beyond all possibility of dispute for the future, was then agreed upon and concluded; it being expressly stipulated in the first article after the confirmation and ratification of the American treaty in 1670, as follows;-Without any prejudice, however, to any liberty, or power, which the subjects of Great Britain 'enjoyed before, either through right, sufferance, or indulgence.'-If, therefore, this comprehensive clause (which relates only to the West Indies) confirms, secures, and re-establishes those liberties, which the subjects of Great Britain enjoyed in America before the treaty in 1670, it necessarily follows:-That they having then enjoyed the liberty of cutting logwood, without any interruption (as hath been fully proved) either through right, sufferance, or indulgence, they are again entitled by this treaty, to the same liberty, in as plain and express words as can be used or < shall have, hold, and keep, and always possess, in full right of sovereignty, seignory, possession, and property, all the lands, countries, islands, colonies, and other places, be they what they will, lying and situate in the West Indies, or in any part of America, which the said King of Great Britain and his subjects, now hold and possessed, insomuch they neither can nor ought hereafter to be contested or called in question for them, upon any account, or under any pretence whatsoever.'-And as long as the 8th article of the same treaty subsists, it will appear very extraordinary, that the Spaniards should pretend to any dominion or power in the ports or havens where they neither had fortifications, nor magaz nes, or in those places which were not possessed by them, because these descriptions are undoubtedly laid down by the treaty, as the sole and distinguishing marks of the sovereignty of the crown of Spain in those ports and places, which only we were to forbear sailing to and trafficking in, whilst all other ports and places were left open and free. But notwithstanding the said treaty was so strong in our favour, the Spaniards having thereby compassed the two main ends they proposed to themselves, viz.-1st, The securing their West India trade to themselves, by excluding us, and consequently all other nations, from trafficking with them; a point which could never be before obtained, though it was strenuously insisted on, in the reign of King James I. and afterwards. in 1630.-20, The dispersion of the privateers, who had long miserably harassed and distressed the Spaniards' settlement, and notably checked the increase both of their power and trade in those parts, but are now entirely reduced, by the great care of the English governors, and by their entering into the logwood trade. Yet the only advantages Great Britain aimed at by the treaty, viz. that her subjects might carry on their trade without interruption, and peaceably enjoy those places they then held and possessed, were, in a great measure, absolutely defeated.-For, after the publication of the aforesaid royal cedula, many of our ships were made prizes, under that pretence, sometimes by Spanish men of war, at other times by English pirates. seduced by the governors into the service of Spain, and afterwards by the Biscayneers, that were sent to cruise in those ecas.-And, upon the same pretence, in April 1680, several ships under the command of Don Philippo de Varedda Villegas, arrived at the island of Trist and the Laguna de Terminos, attacked our logwood-cutters, whilst separated from one another, and dislodged them from thence.-Moreover, the Spanish governors encouraged by this success, and little regarding the just right of your Majesty, or your subjects, even to plantations still more distant from their dominions, did soon resolve upon another expedition, and in 1682, surprised New Provideuce, one of the Bahama islands. -But these places were again soon repeopled, and the trade from Trist and the Laguna, in 1682, was greater than ever.-The rise and progress of the logwood trade, from about the year 1667, to the year 1682, being thus stated, and laid before your Majesty, we presume it would be too tedious, and not very material to the point in question, to enter into the particulars, how, and in what manner, it was afterwards constantly carried on; and how it has been, from time to time, interrupted and supported until the year 1713, when the adjustment and settlement thereof was again under consideration, both at Madrid and Utrecht.-But since the Spanish ambassador insists on it, that In four years, Tons 14965 2 3 5 9 Baron Cederstrom, the Swedish Rear-Adm. as well as to the min. of the Pacha, to offer them my mediation to terminate the differences existing between the Swedish Court and the Regency. My mediation was accepted: the min. and the Rear-Adm. repaired to the Commissarial House of France, and we entered on the negotiation. The two parties were far asunder; the Pacha demanded a considerable sum, and an augmentation of the annual tribute. He urged a treaty made two years ago by an envoy of the K. of Sweden, which assured the payment of 245 thousand heavy piastres, and of an annuity of 20,000; he added, that two years of war had subjected him to extraordinary expenses, and that he used great moderation in conforming himself to the treaty in question. M. de Cederstrom only offered, in the name of his Court, 100,000 piastres for the redemption of the Swedish slaves, who were to the number of a hundred and fifty, and an annuity of 5000 piastres. After much debate, I succeeded in making them sign a treaty which fixed the payment of the ransom at 150,000 piastres, and the annuity at 8000.-On the 1st of October I was That is, communibus annis, tons 3741, which cannot be computed at less than £.60,000 per annum though the price is at present reduced from .40 to 16 per ton, whereas, before your Majesty's subjects were settled there, it was worth £.rco the ton. Nor is this trade less necessary than beneficial to your Majesty's dominions, by reason of the great encouragement it gives to our seamen and shipping, which at all times requires a particular attention, but now especially, when it is daily observed, that very many British mariners, either through defect of the laws, for want of employment at home, or in hopes of greater advantage abroad, enter themselves into foreign service. -Upon the whole, therefore, we are humbly of opinion;-That the subjects of this your Majes-presented with much pomp to the Pacha, who ty's kingdom, for some years before, as well as after the conclusion of the American treaty in 1670, did enjoy an uninterrupted liberty of cutting logwood in the Laguna de Terminos, and in other places not inhabited by the Spaniards in the province of Jucatan, either through right, sufferance, or indulgence.-That the said American treaty did establish a right in the crown of Great Britain to the Laguna de Terminos, and the parts adjacent; those places, at the time of the treaty, and for some years before, being actually in possession of the British subjects.-That the royal Cedula issued out by the court of Spain, was a violation of the aforesaid treaty, forasmuch as the carrying on the trade to the Laguna de Terminos, was thereby interpreted an invasion, and the logwood-cutters accounted pirates. And that your Majesty's subjects having been (at least) suffered to enjoy the liberty of cutting logwood as afore. said, before the conclusion of the American treaty (although your Majesty should not insist on your said right to the Laguna de Terminos) yet that the same liberty is absolutely granted and confirmed by the treaty of commerce made at Utrecht. And we do further think it our duty to represent to your Majesty, that although the said Spanish ambassador seems to declare in his memorial, that no attempt should be made to dislodge your subjects settled on the Laguna de Terminos, in a less time than eight months from the date of his said memorial; yet they were dislodged and taken prisoners in the same month the memorial was delivered, as appears by several affidavits sent to this board by General Hamilton, your Majesty's governor of the Leeward islands. All which is most humbly submitted.-Signed, Suffolk, J. Chetwynd, Charles Cooke, J. Molesworth, D. Pulteney, M. Bladen. Whitehall, Sept. 25th, 1717. Report made to the French Consul by Col. Sebastiani, extracted from the Moniteur of the 30th of Jan. 1803. On the 16th of September I embarked at Toulon on board the Cornélie, and on the 30th I arrived at Tripoli. I immediately wrote to received me in the most distinguished manner. The exchange of the ratif. of the tr. of peace took place, and the Ital. Rep. was formally acknowledged. I caused its flag to be hoisted on the Commissarial House of France, and it was saluted by the frigate and the place, with 21 guns. It was not without difficulty that the Pacha consented to acknowledge that Rep. He feared that all Italy was comprized in this new Rep. and that, in consequence, he would be obliged to respect indiscriminately all the ships of commerce of that part of Europe: this would destroy his marine. I gave him the necessary explanations, and particularly those which related to the object of his apprehensions, and he replied to me, Certainly I wish to be at peace with the Ital. Rep. without too much injuring my interest; but if it were still more difficult, I would do it, since the great Buonaparté desires it.'-The Pacha of Tripoli is a brave and enterprizing man, the friend of France. The English have furnished succours to his brother, who is at present at Derue, with out means or credit. His plan is to raise the country against the Bey.-The political and administrative affairs of the regency are conducted by Seid-Muhammed-el-Deghais, Min. of the Pacha. This man is full of sagacity, and has even some notions of European politics. He has been in France, and preserves for our country a predominant sentiment of affection.On the 2d of Oct. I set out from Tripoli, and on the 16th arrived at Alexandria: the same day I waited upon Gen. Stuart, Comt. of the English forces by land and sea. I communicated to him the order of the Min. for Foreign Affairs, which enjoined me to proceed to Alexandria, and if the Eng. still occupied that place, to demand a speedy evacuation. and the execution of the tr. of Amiens.-Gen. Stuart then told me, that the evacuation of the place would shortly be effected; but seeing that I insisted, and that I desired an answer less vague, he de clared to me, that he had no orders from his Court to quit Alexandria, and that he even believed he should pass the winter there --Gen Stuart is a man of médiocre talents: he has for his aid-de-camp a Fr. emigrant, called the Chev. de Sades, a man of talent, and an enemy of France, who has much influence over the Gen.-I went the same day to see Khourch dAhmid, the Pacha of Alexandria and th Capitan Bey, Com. of the Forces of the Ottoman Porte. After the customary compliments, and some language agreeable to the Sublime Porte, I announced to them, that the agents of French commerce would as mble in Egypt. This communication gave them the greatest pleasure, and they did not conceal that they saw with grief the stay of the Eng. in the country. told them, that their stay could not be much longer, and that the general peace ft no doubt of their approaching departure.--On the 17th I visited the Cheik El-Messiry. The same day I also visited the Cheik Ibrahim Mufti.-On the 18th I visited the Coupure du Khalidj, which has formed the Lake Mareotis. The current of the waters of the Lake Madié is still very strong, and if the Porte does not make haste to re-establish this important canal, the overflows which take place on the little tongue of land that separates the two lakes, will render the opening so considerable, that it will be impossible to travel. I do not think that the Swedish engineer sent by the Porte to direct these labours, has the necessary talents The formation of the Lake Mareotis appears to have contributed to the salubrity of the air. The city has no other water than what it draws from the wells of Marabouf. This little fort I found guarded by an Eng. and Turkish garrison, in order to protect the inhabitants who came to draw water. I employed the day of the 19th in perambulating the town, and receiving dif ferent individuals who came to visit me.-On the 20th, I set out for Cairo, escorted by two Turkish officers, and six Fr. soldiers, whom I had taken on board the frigate, but contrary winds obliged me to return to the port.-The next day I was at Aboukir, where I passed the night. I profited by this opportunity to visit the fort, which is in a very ruined state.-On the 22d, I arrived at Rosetta, after having visit the Fort Julien; I saw the same day Osman, Aga, and Duvanny of the town, as well as all the Christians who reside there.-The 23d 1 was at Faoné, where I visited the commandant of the place, the Cadi, and the Cheiks; I received from the latter, and from all those whom I entertained, protestations of attachment to the First Consul. I passed the next day at Rahmanie, where I visited the Cheik Muhamined Abou-Aly; the fort of the town is almost entirely destroyed-I visited on the 25th, at Menouf, the Cheik Abdin whom the First Consul had appointed Cadi. The other Cheiks of that town who came to visit me, held the same language as those of Faoné. I said to them, The First Consul loves your country much, he speaks of it often; he interests himself in your happiness; he did not forget you, and recommended you to the Porte.. He has made peace with Europe, and this country will feel the interest which he takes, and the recollection which he has preserved of the poor Cheiks of Egypt.'Muhammed Kachef-Zourba Matzellem, who commanded at Menouf on my journey through that town, has been beheaded in consequence of being accused of communications with the Mamelouks.-The two forts of Menouf are destroyed. I arrived the same day at Boulak. I sent immediately Citizen Joubert to inform the Pacha of Cairo of my arrival.-The next morning, the 26th, the Pacha sent 300 cavalry and 200 infantry, commanded by the principal officers of his household, to accompany me to him, amidst a great many discharges of artillery.Having arrived at the Pacha's, I said to him, Peace has been concluded between the French Rep. and the Sub. Porte; the ancient relations of amity and commerce have been re-established, and I am charged by the Great Consul Buonaparté, to assure you of his benevolence, and to announce to you the arrival of Commissaries of the Fr. Commerce in Egypt.' The Pacha answered me, The benevolence with which the First Consul has honoured me, penetrates me with gratitude, and his commercial agents shall meet here the most friendly reception.'I proceeded then to the house which the Pacha had prepared for me.-I received the same day the visits of all the principal men of the country, and of the Copt Intendants.-On the 27th I again repaired to the Pacha, with whom I had a long conference. I spoke to him in these words: The First Consul takes in you, and the country which you govern, a very lively interest, and desires to contribute to your happiness; he has charged me therefore to offer you his mediation, in order to make peace between you and the Beys. The Pacha thanked me warmly and sincerely for the interest which the First Consul took in his behalf, but he protested to me, that he had the most positive orders from his court, to make a war of extermination upon the Beys, and not to enter into any arrangement with them. I observed, that the unfortunate circumstances which had happened to the Ottoman troops (they had been beaten five times successively by the Mamelouks), rendered their position very critical, and that obstinacy exposed them to the loss of the province. He then communicated to me the order of the Forte, and I saw beyond a doubt that it was not possible for him to enter into any accommodation. I informed him that I intend ed to visit the different Cheiks of Cairo, and also Madame Murad Bey, and to inspect the environs and fortifications of the city. He ordered immediately that the guard which he had sent should accompany me wherever I wished to go, informing me, that he would use every means in his power to render my stay at Cairo agreeable, -The same day I commenced my visits, begin ning with the Cheik Abdallah-el-Chescanoi, of the Great Mosque. As I was expected by him, he had assembled a considerable number of Cheiks. The conversation turned upon the interest which the First Consul took in Egypt, on his power, his glory, and on his esteem and benevolence for the learned Cheiks of Caire. |