for many years, been exempted from any heavy or restrictive interior

taxes.

The exports of Syria, as compared with the imports, are only very limited, consequently the difference must be made up in specie. The principal production is silk, of which a small portion is consumed in the country, and the remainder exported. As this is an article of very expensive production, and rarely produces a profit proportionable to the labour and risk of cultivation, it is natural to suppose that the new duty of 12 per cent. imposed upon it will be the cause of loss to the grower, who cannot be remunerated by the price it yields. The cultivation of silk in Europe having been greatly extended, the inferior qualities of Syrian silk are neglected by consumers, who now only buy them at a heavy reduction on former prices. The silks of Syria now pay an export duty of 12 per cent. in lieu of per cent., as formerly paid, which in an equal proportion will diminish the resources of the country in paying for its imports, or, in other words, have a restrictive influence on its foreign commerce, particularly with Great Britain.

These remarks do not apply to silk alone, but equally to all articles of Syrian production and export.

It is well known that Syria has latterly furnished grain only sufficient for its consumption during a portion of the year, and is consequently forced to have recourse to importation from other countries for the means of subsistence. This article (as in all countries) can be paid for only in cash, and, being charged with an exorbitant duty, is another heavy drain on the resources of the country, which is greatly augmented by the unjust and ruinous duties levied upon grain transported from one part of Syria to another. These imposts are highly detrimental to the interests of the country and its commerce with other nations, and are the means of discouraging the extension of agriculture, for which the capabilities of the country can scarcely be surpassed. The abolition of all imposts on grain-particularly the production of the country-would be attended with the most signal benefit to the commercial resources of Syria.

Since the new treaty was put in execution, in the month of March, it has had the effect either of suspending sales, or of forcing importers to submit to the loss of the difference betwixt the old and new duties, which, consumers refusing to pay, consequently fall upon the goods imported. In exportation it has suspended transactions, to the serious prejudice of both merchants and producers, who look forward to some amelioration of the present system, as neither the producer nor the exporter can support the new export duties, in the face of present prices of Syrian exports in Europe.

In addition to the disadvantages of an increased rate of import and export duties, we believe smuggling is carried on to a considerable extent, and a large portion of the British trade being now in the hands

of natives, who consider it neither a crime nor even disreputable to be engaged in smuggling, or using means to avoid paying the duties according to the new scale, they have an advantage over the fair dealer beyond what many would consider possible.

In conclusion, we may remark, that British merchants in particular suffer from this state of things, because the subjects of other nations who have not accepted the new tariff, can buy and sell on conditions which would leave a loss to the British trader.

We have the honour to be very respectfully, Sir,

Your most obedient humble servants.

To Niven Moore, Esq., Her British Majesty's
Consul, &c., Beyrout.

TRIBUTE TO THE MEMORY OF CORNELIUS BRADFORD, Esq. LATE CONSUL FOR THE UNITED STATES, AT LYONS, IN FRANCE.*

I have stated that Mr. Bradford died at the Latin Convent in Jerusalem, and was buried within two hours after his death by the monks, who, under the pretence that he had become a convert to the Romish creed, altered the inscription which I and three other gentlemen placed on the tombstone which we erected to his memory on Mount Zion, and which was as follows:

Memoriæ

CORNELII BRADFORD
America Consulis Lugduni
Galliarum, Bostoni orti

virtutibus egregii anno XXV
ætatis suæ in Sanctâ Civitate

obiti 2do Die Augusti Anno Domini

1830

Procul patria, familiâ, et amicis,
amici sui comitantes hunc

exiguum et postremum pignus
amicitiæ et doloris tribuêre.

Those who visit Jerusalem will find it set forth, that he "became a convert to the true faith, and renounced the errors of his sect!" From an intimate acquaintance with Mr. Bradford's character, I here record

* Vide Vol. I. Chap. i., and Vol. II. p. 47.

my firm conviction that his principles remained unchanged to the last. He was a conscientious member of the Church of England—and one of the monks afterwards confessed on his death-bed, that “their efforts to convert him had failed!"

THE DRUSE EMIRS.*

His Highness the Emir Beschir, the celebrated Chief of Mount Lebanon, is now 87 years of age, and belongs to the ancient family of "Scha'ab." He bears the title of "Scheriff of the Haouran," and until lately, commanded the Druses and the Maronites. His palace at Deirel-Khammar, is of Moorish architecture. The officers of his household are of mixed religion. There is a mosque and a Roman Catholic church at the palace; and the Emir attends both, as circumstances direct! He has three sons-the Emir Khássim, the Emir Khálil, and the Emir Amyn. The latter has no family. The Emir Khássim has a son named the Emir Med'gid; and the three sons of Emir Khálil, are the Emir Mahmoud, the Emir Said, and the Emir Masraoud. The Emir Khássim for some years, led a retired life-his son, the Emir Med'gid, is of an ardent and energetic temperament. The Emir Khálil was made presumptive heir to the Prince of the Mountains, as the succession does not descend by order of primogeniture; but the Prince declares who shall succeed him. The three sons of the Emir Khalil are popular. They are comparatively distinguished for their manners and acquirements, and are amiable. The Emir Amyn is 58 years of age: he is pacific and beloved; but he has no influence. Besides the direct descendants of the Prince of the Mountains, there are several young men, nephews and cousins, who inhabit and govern the districts which bear their name. They are the Emir Haidhár of Habidir; the Emir Beschir of Broumanha; the Emir Amyn of Broumanha; the Emir Fehrés of Solima; the Emir Ismael of Solima; the Emir Sahned'hin of Habidir; the Emir Mustapha of Chábania; and the Emir Youssouff of Botmasia. It is impossible to say, how many of these still live, so terrible has been the civil war lately raging. The old Emir retired to Malta during the late Egyptian campaign, and one of his sons reigned in his stead: but he too has recently been superseded, the Druses having themselves petitioned the Porte, that they might be under the immediate authority of the Sultan. Omar Pascha, a German, who embraced Mohammedanism some ten years ago, has therefore been appointed Governor of Lebanon :-he has arrived in the country and

See Vol. I. p. 434; and Vol. II. p. 28, 110, and 155.

taken up his residence at Deir-el-Khammar: so that henceforth these mountains will form a distinct Paschalic,-i. e. if any Turkish Ruler can maintain his position, which at present, does not seem likely to be the case.

THE LATE WAR IN CANDIA.*

The following is an extract from an address on the part of the Cretan exiles to their countrymen, dated Crete, Feb. 17. 1841, old style :

"In the interval of the last ten years, we have seen and suffered much, both Christians and Turks. We have seen nearly introduced into Crete the system of monopoly which has rendered the Egyptians the most wretched people of the earth. We have seen fifty-two of our most distinguished and worthy fellow-countrymen executed at one time, when, in the most peaceable and lawful manner, we met together to ask a remedy for these evils. We have seen put into effect forcible conscriptions in Crete, and nearly all the conscripts were sacrificed in the war, to gratify the insatiable ambition and avarice of the Satrap of Egypt. But why attempt to relate what is indescribable ?" This appeal was not made in vain.

Memoranda, May 14, 1841.—There are 40,000 resident Turks in Crete, and 120,000 Christians. These all desire to be under English rule, which is of course, impossible. They envy the good order and happy state of the people of Cerigo.

The whole island is in a state of revolt. Mustapha Pascha, the Governor, is detested, and the inhabitants wish to throw off the Turkish yoke: they say that they have escaped the tyranny of one Despot to be at the mercy of another!

Subsequently, Tahir Pascha having been sent with a strong force to put down the insurrection, as soon as he arrived, he issued a proclamation calling on the people to submit, offering a free pardon to all who quietly laid down their arms. But the inhabitants knew from past experience, that he was not to be trusted. Proclamations were likewise issued by all the European Consuls. The British Consul's proclamation was couched in the following terms:

“The undersigned British Consul, feels it his duty to apprise the Christians who have taken arms, that he has received the commands of Lord Ponsonby, the British Ambassador at Constantinople, to the following effect:-'That the British Government having contracted an alliance with the Sublime Porte, cannot countenance any act or attempt

* See Voli II. p. 143 and 144; also p. 90 and 207.

which would militate against the Sultan's authority, and that he trusts the insurgents will not expect to receive any countenance from the British Government in their resistance to the Sultan's commands." "

The proclamations of the other Consuls were less laconic. That of Tahir Pascha was dated the 23d of May, and allowed the insurgents eight days to accept the proffered terms. But with evident want of faith, only two days afterwards, he attempted to land a considerable reinforcement on the south coast of Sphakia, which was of course stoutly resisted, and driven back with great loss. The inhabitants then took to the mountains, where they defended themselves with great bravery until the autumn, when they were under the necessity of making terms.

The situation of the unhappy inhabitants of Candia may be collected from the following article, taken from the Augsburg Gazette:—

66

According to the latest accounts from the island of Crete, Tahir Pascha had, in violation of his solemn promise to the European Consuls, committed the most atrocious excesses. Not satisfied with laying waste the territory occupied by the insurgents, he burned the houses within his own lines which had furnished him with shelter, destroyed the corn crops of the unoffending inhabitants, rooted up their vineyards, and murdered old men and children. It is impossible," adds the Augsburg Gazette, "for pen to describe the treatment which females, from the tenderest to the most mature age, received from the Turkish soldiers;" and it asks, "Can it be possible that Christian Kings, or at least, that Prussia or Austria, will suffer such atrocities to be committed under the sanction of their names? Will they suffer a Christian population of 100,000 souls to be butchered, and a fertile island reduced to a desert ?"-24 July, 1841.

OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS RELATIVE TO MOHAMMED ALI AND HIS OWN TIMES.

THE PROCLAMATION ISSUED BY COMMODORE NAPIER AS SOON AS HE ARRIVED OFF THE COAST OF SYRIA.

"Great Britain, Austria, Russia, and Prussia, with the Sultan, have decided that the rule of Mohammed Ali shall cease in Syria, and I have been sent here with an advanced squadron to assist in throwing off the yoke of the Pascha of Egypt. Syrians, you know that a Hatti Scheriff has been issued by the Sultan, securing the lives and property of his